At the exact same time, Alexander, Billy and Bunnymund stopped and stared at the same spot. An alleyway behind us.

"What's up with you three?" asked Jack, jumping between them.

Bunnymund's ears were swivelling and if the other two could move their ears, they'd be doing the same.

"Something down there Nigel." Said Billy softly.

"What?"

"Dunno, can't get a lock on."

Bunnymund danced backwards slightly, "can't tell what it is." He told the Guardians.

Alexander however seemed to know what it was, because I could blood drain from his face.
Nigel looked to him to tell us, but Alexander seemed unable to say, taking several very hurried steps back.

Obviously seeing that the Head wasn't going to be able to help, Nigel took charge.

"Everyone, positions." Hissed Nigel. Myself, Tina and Sally took to the air whilst Billy and Nigel stood side by side, hands close to their weapons. Nigel had his hands close to the inside of the long coat he'd taken to wearing and Billy's hands hung by the holsters on his thighs. So much for not fighting any time soon.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Tina's hands drifting to her belt where her sword, the Baza, was sheathed in its blue and purple scabbard. I was surprised that they still had them, or maybe they picked them up before coming here.

Sally formed her gladius while on her platform of sand and I put my helmet back on, fiddling with the straps.

Out of the corner of my other eye I could see the Guardians staring at us, I couldn't quite see their expressions, but I bet they were either confused or impressed.

"Jackie." Hissed Nigel, "You're the only one in armour, we need you up front."

Without a word I sent the ice bridge down, skidding to a halt on the ground. Once on the tarmac I stood next to Billy in a defensive position, my back leg bent and my front bent slightly less. My arms were held in front of me, my right across my chest with the palm down and my left almost fully extended, but slightly bent with the palm also facing down.

A padding noise was heard from the alley and I tried to keep my body loose. In a single movement my blades shot out.

The shadows in the alley way condensed, then separated into groups of shadowy wolves with glowing red eyes. We all tensed, ready to charge forward.

The lead wolf lifted its head into the sky and let out a howl, then the surrounding wolves charged.

"GO GO GO!"

I skated forward, my arms out straight on either side of me. I went straight through the charging wolves and carved a path, my blades slicing up the ones on either side of me.

One bounded into the gap and kicked at my chest. It didn't hurt, but my momentum was halted, so the surrounding wolves dived at me. I whirled and slashed, sometimes forming ice projectiles to send them flying.

Something heavy thudded into my chest and I cried out, skidding backwards. Another hit, the hind legs of several wolves, sent me flying upwards and away from the group.

I hit the ground and skidded, the impact making my armour rattle and squeal.

"JACKIE!" I heard Jack yell.

"I'm alright!" I called back, jumping to my feet.

I saw a wolf break free from the group and I skated away from it, causing it to slam into a wall.

I took to the air and formed ice shards behind me, which were fired at the stunned wolf, causing it to split into pieces and disappear.

I turned back to the main group and quickly saw a shadow wolf about to lunge at Billy's back.

"BILLY! HEADS UP!" I yelled, sending a shard of ice into it.

It yelped and Billy finished it off with a slash with the boomerang. "Thanks!"

The wolves had spread out into the street and now the Guardians were involved, I saw Tina and Toothiana hovering side by side for a second before flying back into the fray.

I also went back in, slashing the shadows to bits. Occasionally one would latch onto me, but they wouldn't be able to get through the armour. In response to such attacks I covered the armour in spikes, impaling them and causing them to fall off.

At one point Jack was grounded, and we ended up back to back as we held off the shadow wolves. He sent ice blasts from his staff as I did the same with my hands.

"So, how've you been since I last saw you?" Asked Jack as several shadow wolves in front
of him got blasted to bits.

"Still alive, so I can't complain." I replied, sending spikes to decapitate the nearest shadow wolf. "You?"

"You know, same old same old." Another set of wolves disappeared beneath a flurry of ice.

A shadow wolf leapt at both of us from my left, causing the two of us to turn and shoot it down with ice at the same time.

"Little over the top snowman." I commented with raised eyebrows.

"He probably had it coming to him."

The level of wolves seemed to increase, making it suddenly a lot more difficult to have casual conversations in the middle of a battle.

"Jackie!"

I looked over at where Billy was slightly away from the main fight, catching his breath.

"Flying Ice?"

I nodded and ran over to him, slashing any shadow wolves that came too close. As soon as I was close enough he grabbed my arm and jumped several feet into the air from standing.
He spun me around and let go, so that my momentum was making me head straight for the shadow wolves.

From there I sent out ice shards in an arc, then continued sending out arcs as I descended. Once I hit the ground the tarmac below my feet froze, and any shadow wolf that was close enough was treated to ice spikes from below.

Above us Tina and Sally were working together. Sally had made her sand swirl around Tina, which turned into spikes when a shadow wolf got close.

I took a glance at the alley, where more and more were pouring out.

"We're not stopping them!" Yelled Nigel, swinging a pair of swords, the sudden resemblance to North took me by surprise. There was a blur and a hum above us as Tina went flying into the alley way.

"TINA!" yelled Sally.

"She'll be fine Sally!" called back Nigel, "We need you up front!"

I took to the air and sped over the alley. Down below I could see Tina fighting a larger shadow wolf, while in the back I could the glowing red eyes of Lupine.

"JACKIE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET BACK HERE!" Yelled Nigel over various snarls and yelps.

I stood up there for a second, then went back to the main group, an idea forming.

"EVERYONE!" I yelled, "JUMP!"

"WHY?"

"JUST DO IT! ON THREE!"

I counted to three out loud and they all jumped into the air. In that instant I sent a wave of ice towards the shadow wolves and they skidded uncertainly on the ice. I found them via the ice and sent small waves along it, catching them and sending them back.

I used my arms to re-enforce the movement, making quick, sharp, upward and horizontal movements to form the waves and push back the wolves. I didn't quite trust psychic ice for such careful and unfamiliar movements.

They backed up towards the alley and once they were in I formed a wall by drawing up my arms.

The sudden pressure against the wall sent me staggering back a couple of steps, but I recovered and stood there, holding them out with my arms outstretched.

"Someone check on Tina" I said, "I have to keep this in place."

There was a golden blur as Sally went to check on her friend. I felt a presence beside me as Bunnymund hopped over.

"Strewth." He breathed. "You might just give Jack a run for his money."

I heard Jack huff and a small smile broke out under my visor. "Well, I don't know about that."

"What was it you said the other day to Lupine? Most powerful Descendant?"

"Officially, but it's debatable. You haven't seen some of the others."

Above the barrier I could see Tina and Sally flying back over. They landed and Tina stared at the barrier.

"Been a while since I've seen you do that." She said

"Well, now I am. For good reason"

"Tina." Said Nigel, "What's it like over there?"

"Well, Lupine's on that side, and he looked mad when we left."

As if on cue there was a boom and sudden, stronger surge at the barrier.

I grunted from the new force, sliding back a few steps. Another thud and I slid back another few feet, my boots failing to provide much in the way of friction.

I gritted my teeth as a crack appeared and began to spider web. I walked forward slowly, sending ice up to cover it, as another crack appeared. I couldn't hold it forever, so as much as it dented my pride, I needed to ask for help.

"Alexander!" I called, "A little help wouldn't go amiss."

"I'm sure you've got it." I heard him call back, from what seemed like a safe distance away. Far away from the previous fight by the sounds of it.

"I'm not willing to risk everyone else's safety over misplaced overconfidence, so get off your arse for once and help me!"

Alexander stepped forward and pulled up an earth barrier on our side to catch any breakthroughs.

"Spoken like a true Head." He commented.

I growled beneath my helmet. "I've had this argument with Jason, I'm not having it with you."

"Alfred won't last forever you know, and he's already said-"

"For the love of all that is good Alexander! If you don't shut up then so help me..."

I heard a joint snort as both Jack and Bunnymund tried to hold back their laughter.

I sighed and continued concentrating on the barrier, when all of a sudden there was a retreat in pressure. I kept my position, curious and wary as to what was happening.

There was a sudden new pile of pressure against the barrier, so strong this time that I was sent off my feet, control broken.

I yelled as I flew back, skidding on the ground. I hadn't done up my helmet correctly, so that skittered away as I came to a halt.

I sat up almost immediately and saw Alexander taking up the slack. His shoulders visibly strained as he held them back, I wasn't sure he could last.