AN: And the much anticipated battle is finally here. I am actually kind of proud of myself. I have never really written many action scenes before. I'm sorry if it did turn out rather awkward and off pace. Once again, I do not own Rise of the Guardians. Without further ado, prepare to come off that cliff.
Pitch cackled maniacally. "Yes, revenge was sweet. Now, to see the Guardians destroyed, starting with your precious snow spirit." A tidal wave of darkness swept through the room, extinguishing the lights as it went. Jack retreated a step but was swept neatly into its folds.
The last thing they heard before he was lost from view was a hoarse scream that seemed to echo through the room.
"Jack!" three voices yelled, the fourth being added with a sand picture. Fear stricken faces of the Big Four gazed intently at the wall of darkness, all of them rushing forwards with single minded intent.
"How great it is to see you all like this," Pitch thrilled, drinking in their fear with a look of utter ecstasy. However, none of them paid him any attention, solely focused on getting to their youngest.
The hoarse scream had been cut off by the encroaching shadows. Although the Guardians ran towards the cloud, they found themselves floundering, walking forwards with no progress being made. It was if they were placed on slow mode. Oh wait, Father Time. Before they could turn and yell at the time lord, another scream was heard.
Bunny's fur bristled and he wanted to tug at his ears to shut out the sound. But … on second thought, it seemed less like a scream of pain and fear but more of … defiance. There was a blinding light emanating from the core of the shadows, crackling along the mass.
The two entities seemed to fight, one having dominance and then the other. The harsh blue light surged forward and was beaten back by the shadows. Then, with one final yell of complete anger and defiance, the icy blue light surged, shattering the darkness. And there stood Jack, panting and wild eyed, his normally crystal blue orbs were glowing with power and ice.
If anyone had looked at the Nightmare King's face at that instant (which they hadn't) they would have seen a trace of an almost inconceivable emotion. Was that fear? However, he quickly recovered, gathering his remaining forces from the edges of the battle and sending them towards the frozen Guardians. Father Time beside him clutched the clock, channeling his magic into the room, freezing the Big Four in their own time as the darkness closed in.
Suddenly, a bitter wind swept in from the open window, pushing back the shadows and the forming mares.
"Stay away from the Guardians," a voice croaked and then there was a cough. Almost unthinkably, it was Jack. However, the scratchy voice and the coughing certainly detracted from his aura of power and cold.
"Who's going to make us," Father Time sneered.
"I am," Jack declared, quietly but forcefully, his dusty voice dropping the pitch a few notches from his normal register, giving him the extra authority.
Nightmares began to creep forwards again. "You bloody coward, face us on equal footing ya ratbags," Bunny yelled, trying to swing his boomerangs forwards but the motion happened at slow speeds.
"Why would I do that?" Pitch asked, golden eyes glowing with malice.
Racing darkness was once again blasted back by frozen winds and the two spirits at normal speed whipped around, eyes locking on the winter spirit.
"How are you doing that?" the time lord demanded, eying Jack with a mix of hatred and curiosity.
"Elements don't play by the rules of time," he quipped. The wind whipped forwards again, this time imbued with shards of ice. Glowing blue tendrils raced outwards from the winter spirit, focused from his gnarled staff. The shadows retreated from the bright light that was once again filling the room. Nightmares turned tail and ran from the icy onslaught, many cantering out the window.
Throughout this, Jack didn't appear to move, his staff inching forwards in slow motion just as with the rest of the Guardians. A final gust of wind shot forwards pushing back the evil spirits until they were flat against a wall. Both of them were frozen, not in time or fear, but in shock. Father Time's hand slipped slowly off his clock as if he were barely aware it were happening. The second his fingers lost contact with the timepiece, the Guardians stumbled forwards and then rushed, weapons at the ready.
Pitch and Father Time found themselves quickly pinned against the wall with swords, boomerangs and dream sand restricting their movements. The wind lessened its grip and then died away completely. However, the angry stares of the Big Four were even enough to keep them frozen.
"Knock em out Sandy," North ordered, voice tinged with rage. The Sandman happily obliged, for once not using his gentle balls of dreamsand as a weapon but clubs of the golden material that knocked out the Boogeyman and the time lord.
There were two loud thuds as their attackers fell to the floor, no one moving in to intercept. However, seconds later, there was another thud and the Big Four whipped around the see the winter spirit on his knee, leaning against his ancient staff.
"Jack!" Tooth called, flying to his side. The frost child was breathing heavily, eyelids flickering. However, as they approached, he glanced upwards, clouded blue eyes seeming to barely see them. "You did it Jack," the fairy announced.
The winter spirit tried to stand but collapsed, eyes rolling back into his head. Strong, furry arms caught the boy as he fell, scooping him up bridle style.
"Little ankle biter tuckered himself out," Bunny cooed fondly, glancing down at the child in his arms. Tooth smoothed the white locks away from Jack's face.
"Let's put him to bed," she whispered.
"Um, vhat about sleeping baddies?" North questioned, jerking his head towards Father Time and Pitch Black.
It was Sandy who had the answer, tying up the two spirits with dream sand and then floating them over to an open window. Gazing outside, it was obvious to see the encroaching night and the moon was just off rising. A golden sand image of the moon was the only answer the other Guardians needed.
All four of them made their way through the slightly damaged Pole, forming an honour guard for their youngest as they brought him up to bed. They were quiet through the journey, all of their minds running wildly through everything that had just happened.
When they got to his room, Bunny laid the winter spirit down on the light blue sheets. They gazed down on him fondly before wordlessly curling up on or near the bed. Nothing was going to separate their family.
Unknown to the rapidly drifting off Guardians, a small smile tugged its way across the unconscious winter spirit's mouth. His dreams morphed into happy scenes with the Guardians.
AN: Yay, problem solved. I like it when heroes actually act like heroes so I'm sorry to disappoint anyone who wanted the Guardians to save Jack. Don't worry, there will be explanations, Jack talking and general happy family fluff in the next chapter. Can you believe this is only a few chapters away from over? Until next time.3