The Nightmares continued to overwhelmed North and the Guardians. Appearing from the shadows just as quickly as they were cut down by the Guardians. Leaping through the air, Bunny flung his boomerangs at the Nightmares, which disbursed upon being struck by them. Bunny came to land over a nearby ledge, catching the boomerangs as they swirled back to him. Giving a sly smirk in response.
Though the moment was short lived as another Nightmare emerged from the darkness behind. Only to be whipped by the golden sanded lash of Sandy, hovering over him over a cloud. Bunny nodded his head.
"Thanks for the save, Sandy!" Bunny said, twirling his boomerang in his hand.
Sandy smiled back at him, nodding back to him.
"Watch out!" Bunny said before tossing one of his boomerangs.
Flinging passed Sandy as he turned back, the boomerang struck an incoming Nightmare which disbursed upon being struck. Catching it as it flung back to him, the two took a look back at Pitch's lair at the Nightmares swarming from all around.
"Looks like Pitch has been busy. There's too many of these things!" Bunny insisted, glancing back up at him.
"How did he make all these Nightmares?"
Sandy eyes squinted in confusion as he shook his head, questionably. It was clear to them both that Pitch had gotten stronger. And in a much shorter time to say the least if he was able to turn Sandy's Dream sand into Nightmares. All of it seeming to stem from Elsa's fear alone. A notion that was frightening to say the least to the Guardians. That a single persons fear was able to give him so much strength.
The two suddenly heard North call out from below. The two shifted their gaze down at North, who was seeming to get overwhelmed by the Nightmares. The large burley man swiped his swords at all the Nightmares that passed him. Slicing some but missing others.
"Come on! That all you got?" North egged on.
One of the Nightmares struck him from behind, nearly knocking him off the platform. Though he was quick to catch himself, turning back to face the incoming Nightmares.
"Hang on, North!" North said, leaping down to the platform below.
Twirling mid air, he then threw his boomerangs at two Nightmares, which both disbursed as he passed them by. He then landed over the platform with him, where he proceeded to swipe at the Nightmares.
"Hey, leave some for me!" North said, twirling his sword.
North turned back as he swiped at the Nightmares on his end.
From above, Tooth and her fairy's soured through the air as she continued to cut down the attacking Nightmares. Only to then pause mid air upon, gasping in awe upon seeing Jack flying toward her with Elsa.
"Jack!" She said.
Upon hearing Tooth from above, North, Bunny and Sandy turned back to her. It was there they saw Jack and Elsa, flying overhead of them. Seeing that Elsa was safe was a relief to the Guardians to say the least. North turned back to Bunny.
"Come!" North said, rushing after them.
"Right behind you!" Bunny said, following after them.
Tooth was quick to spot the incoming Nightmares heading toward them. She then gasped.
"Look out!" she called as she flew to their aid.
Jack and Elsa glanced back at the incoming Nightmares that was galloping toward them from behind.
"Hold on!" Jack said to her.
Elsa clung tightly to Jack as he turned over, raising his staff as he blasted the Nightmare with his magic. The other Nightmares galloping past the disbursed cloud of black sand that had once been one of their own. Though despite this, Jack held up his staff, ready to fend them off. All but determined to keep Elsa safe at any cost.
Only for Tooth and her fairies to come souring past them, swiping the Nightmares in her wake. Jack smirked to her.
"Thanks, Tooth!" Jack said.
Jack and Elsa flew on ahead before they came to the entrance of Pitch's lair. Landing over the ledge before the entrance, they were soon joined by North and Bunny, who came up over the edge. Sandy slowly descended down from above.
"Elsa, are you alright?" North asked, curiously.
"I am..." Elsa said, nodding her head to him.
"We must get back to Workshop!" North said, pulling out one of his globs from his coat.
It was at that moment, Jack paused as he had suddenly realized Tooth had yet to join them. Glancing back, he noticed she wasn't there.
"Wait, where's Tooth?" he asked, curiously.
Elsa glanced upward, where she saw Tooth was still fighting off Pitch's Nightmares. Though it appeared they were overwhelming her. Swarming her and her fairies from all around.
"Up there! She's in danger!" The snow queen proclaimed to them.
Without a second thought, Jack leaped into the air as he flew up to help her. Swiping his staff, he struck down several Nightmares in his way as he came up to Tooth. From within the swarm, Tooth and her fairies found themselves trapped inside. No matter how man she delt with, more emerged from the shadows to take their place. Attempting to fly forward, she was blocked by the Nightmares which caused her to fly back.
Baby Tooth and the other fairies huddled behind her, shuddering. Tooth turned back to them, reaching back her hand to reassure them. Though she could not be so sure of it herself.
"Tooth!"
Hearing Jack's voice, Tooth turned forward to see him flying toward her. Fighting his way to get to her and her fairies.
"Jack!" she called out to them.
Swiping his staff with a surge of his ice magic, Jack struck an attacking nightmare. When he then heard Tooth calling for him, he turned back to her. The Nightmares continued swarming around her and her fairies at great speed. No longer appearing like the black horses that haunted the dreams of children. Now appearing to be a massive tornado of lack sand. Trapping Tooth and her fairies within the very Centre.
"Hang on!" Jack said as he attempted to fly to her.
Only to be struck from the side by a nightmare from the side, knocking him down.
"Jack!" Elsa gasped, attempting to run to his aid.
Only for North to come up behind her, grabbing her by her shoulders.
"Elsa, No!" North cried, holding her back.
Though despite North's insistence, the Snow queen continued to struggle in his embrace. All but determined to break free from him. She cared not of how dangerous it was. The Man she loved was in trouble and she could not stand by and do nothing.
Jack found himself plummeting to the darkness below. Recovering quickly, he turned mid air and fly back up toward the tornado of black sand. Several nightmares attempted to intercept the winter sprite. Only for Jack to either dodge out of the way or blast the Nightmares with his ice powers before then coming back before the tornado itself. Aiming his staff, Jack blasted the Nightmare with a powerful surge of his ice magic.
Freezing all the Nightmares which had created the tornado itself in ice before shattering into dust. Creating an opening for Tooth and her fairies, who quickly flew out from the Nightmares and back toward the others.
From below, Elsa watched on in awe at the sight of Jack's power that amazed the snow queen.
Jack paused mid air, turning back to see Tooth and her fairies rejoin the others. Despite the distance between them, his gaze came to meet Elsa's. The Snow Queen continued to gaze up at him in awe at first. Only to then give a small smile at his act of bravery and selflessness. Saving Tooth and her fairies without any hesitation all but touched her heart in ways only Anna ever could.
The two stared into each others eyes for but a moment of time. With nothing else seeming to matter...
Sheeeh!
Jack's eyes widened in awe at the sudden sharp searing pain he felt from behind. Uttering a sudden gasp of pain.
Elsa suddenly felt her heart stop for but a moment. Whatever sense of awe and wonder she felt had suddenly vanished in an instant. Replaced by utter shock and contempt by what she had saw. A sudden gasp escaping from her lips.
"Jack!" North exclaimed.
Bunny, Tooth and Sandy were also left in a sudden state of shock at what they had saw.
"I told you before, Jack." Pitch said from behind.
Plunging the black dagger deep into Jack's back, the childhood Guardian shut his eyes tightly as he winced at the pain. Pitch then grinned.
"This time... you won't get in my way again." Pitch proclaimed to him.
Jack's arms slowly dropped down to his sides as his staff slipped down from his hands. Landing over the platform below them. Pitch released his hold over the dagger as his black sand began to engulphed his body. Jack lifted his gaze up to look at Elsa for what may be his last time.
"Elsa..." He uttered in a small whisper his final word.
Jack's limp body fell to the darkness below as Black sand continuing to engulphed his body.
"JACK!" Elsa exclaimed, her tears running down from her eyes.
Elsa attempted to rush forward to him. Only to once more be held back by North and Bunny.
"Elsa, No!" North proclaimed.
"LET ME GO! LET ME GO!" Elsa exclaimed, trying desperately to break free.
Both Sandy and Tooth attempted to fly in to save Jack. Only to be stopped by more Nightmares that emerged from the shadows, causing them to saunter back. All the while, Jack's body continued to fall as he was completely covered over by the black sand. Before suddenly disappearing into thin air as Sandy did. Leaving Elsa and the Guardians in complete shock and dismay.
Once more having witnesses one of their own, their newest Guardian no less, be slain by Pitch.
Elsa suddenly froze within North's large arms. Her fixed gaze which was riddled in shock and disbelief staring wide eyed. Having witnessed Jack completely disappear from sight and for all she knew... gone.
"Jack..." Elsa said, squinting her eyes.
There was a sudden mocking laughter from above. Elsa then lifted her gaze up at Pitch, who was staring down at them with a sly smirk.
"That's one less Guardian to worry about!" Pitch proclaimed to them.
Pitch gave another conniving laugh before shifting his gaze down at them. His gaze mainly fixed upon Elsa.
"How does it feel, Elsa? To have to watch someone else you love die?" Pitch said, mockingly.
"Just like your dear little sister."
The mention of her sister brought an angered gaze to the Snow Queen. Her tears seeping from her eyes as she glared. Which only caused Pitch to utter a sly chuckle.
"I really must thank you for all this wonderful fear you have given me. It's just what I needed." He proclaimed to her.
North and Bunny to come in front of her.
"You forget, Pitch. You still have us to deal with." North proclaimed, pointing his sword up at him.
"Yeah, as long as we're here, you won't lay another finger on her!" Bunny insisted to him.
"Be my Guest, North. But if I were you, I would be more worried about the children." Pitch said to them.
As if in reply, more Nightmares all emerged from the shadows and took their place at his side. Earning an angered scowl from Sandy at the notion that Pitch was using his sand again. Caressing the mane of one of the Nightmares, he then shifted his glance to Elsa and the Guardians.
"Especially that Little friend of yours... I believe you called him... The Last Light." Pitch insisted to them.
The mention of The Last Light caused Elsa to freeze in realization. Her angered gazed turned to a stunned state of shock, widening her eyes.
"Jamie!" She said.
"Yes... The one child who refused to stop believing in you all... Though not for long." Pitch insisted to them.
"He'll never fear you!" Tooth said, angrily.
Pitch only laughed.
"Oh I don't need him to fear me... Like I said... There's more then one way to snuff out a light!" Pitch proclaimed.
The gesture of threat caused Elsa to snap. Breaking free from North's arms, she blasted Pitch with a surge of his magic. Pitch acted quicky, blocking with a current of black sand. Elsa sudden attack causing his Nightmares to then charge in attack of the Guardians. Both Bunny and Sandy quickly came forward, hurling his boomerangs and whipping at the Nightmares. Elsa attempted to help them. But was grabbed by North, who pulled her back.
Bunny turned back to North.
"North, Portal!" He exclaimed to him.
North quickly pulled out one of the globs, whispering his Workshop to the glass cylinder. He then turned, throwing it through the mouth of the cave, where it exploded into a bright Portal.
"Everybody, Hurry!" North called to the others.
Tooth and her fairies turned back to the before flying forward into the portal. North turned back to Elsa.
"Elsa, come!" He said to her.
Elsa's stern gaze continued looking on towards Bunny and Sandy as they continued to fight off the Nightmares. At the battle that was taking place. Taking little notice to what North had said. She had little desire to leave. Rather, she wished to stay and fight along side Bunny and Sandy. Blinded by her grief at seeing the Man she loved taken from her. As well as the anger she felt at Pitch's threat to Jamie.
North grabbed her other shoulder, turning her to face him.
"Elsa, we have to go! Now!" He continued to say.
Elsa looked up at him sternly. Only for her gaze to then soften as rationality came to set in. As much as she wanted to stay and fight, she knew it would do no good. Not at this time. Nor would it be what Jack would want for her. With him gone, she was the only one left to protect Jamie and the Children.
Without uttering a single word to protest, Elsa was pulled along by North as they entered into the portal. Catching one of his boomerangs, Bunny looked up at Sandy.
"Sandy, come on!" He called out to him.
The two quickly turned and made a break for the Portal. Entering through at the very last second before it disbursed. The Nightmares that had pursued them passing into the cave.
From above, Pitch was hardly taken back by their escape. Rather he seemed quite unfazed to say the least. Staring down with a sly smirk, knowing he had dealt the Guardians another crushing defeat. Just as he did the last time.
"Run while you can, Guardians. It will be you last time." He proclaimed.
He gaze then shifted down at the ledge, where Jack's staff was laying. Slowly he descended to the ledge before, taking the staff into his hand.
"So much for your plan, old Friend. But it appears Love has failed." He said before turning back to his Nightmares.
"Now watch as I destroy everything you and your Guardians have created."