Kitsune (Jack Frost x OC)

Chapter 12: For the Children

Back in Burgess, Jack had tried to comfort Jamie and through his selfless action, he managed to open his heart to him. Now, the young boy could see him, and he felt a great amount of happiness rushing through his veins.

At last, someone could see him, talk to him, and touch him. They laughed in happiness, both of them since he had just proved Jamie that the Guardians were real despite what his friends had told him.

The Guardians had soon joined, even though they were weakened and barely able to stand; let alone fight. Even the mighty Bunny had lost its original Pooka form and ended up a tinny version of what he once was.

Jack did not fail to notice the missing fox amongst them but he did not blame them. She never wanted to be part of this group and she had only stayed to help Jack. He made a promise to end this and then go find her, apologise to her for leaving her behind; when she had stayed by his side all this time.

It did not take long after their appearance, for Pitch to make his, too. It led to a chase an eventually to Jack finally understanding his centre. With the help of Jamie and his new power, he managed to hit the other kids in the neighbourhood with a magical snowball and bring back their belief.

Now, he along with the children and the guardians were using homemade slades made of trash can caps and pieces of wood. Jack led them by creating a path of snow, laughter and joy coming despite the situation they were trying to escape from.

Yet, it came to an end pretty fast when Pitch showed up and forced them all to stop. The guardians pushed the children back as Pitch's nightmare army took shape; officially a huge, endless wave of black sand and power.

"You think a few children can help you? Against this?" he asked and motioned for his grand army.

North tried to hold up his sword, but he was too weak and couldn't, earning a worried look from Jamie.

"They're just bad dreams, Jamie" Jack told him.

"And we'll protect you, mate"

"Oh, you'll protect them. *Laughs* But who will protect you?" Pitch asked as he took a step forward, feeling the pride in his chest.

Then, out of nowhere, a glowing red ring formed a little bit in front of Jack. The kids watched in awe and the guardians in confusion until a familiar fox jumped out of this portal. It closed behind her just as Jack cracked a smile.

"Mikoto!" he exclaimed and only then noticed that his friend had not one tail, not two but nine different ones.

"It's the fox!" one of the kids said, pointing out with his finger as they all recognised the animal that many times accompanied them in their games.

Pitch's smile turned into a snarl. "So, you chose to come back? And here I thought you would the smart one among this group of idiots"

The fox lowered her head, leaving a small growl as she stood protectively in front of Jack and the others.

"Mikoto, don't! You are not strong enough" Jack said, wanting to take a step forward but she looked at him above her shoulder.

Those piercing eyes looked through him, into his very own soul. He could feel the power, he could feel how she felt. The need to protect him and the children, to help them in this fight. Then, a voice rang inside his head.

'I can still earn you time. I am not abandoning you again'

She then to look at Pitch just as a part of his nightmares attacked. Black horses started to gallop, the sound of their hooves like incoming thunder echoing across the empty night street. The lights died as they passed by them.

Mikoto's body started to glow, a red aura covering her body and taking the shape of the animal she was in; the nine-tailed fox. She then charged, each step almost cracking the pavement beneath her as her power kept radiating.

The avatar of the red nine-tailed fox started to grow, increasing in size until it was as tall as the buildings around them. The spectators gasped as she charged and when she was closed, she closed her eyes.

She thought of the guardians that were not that bad, the children that always laughed and included her into their games...and him. She thought of him. His smiles and how he always hit her with snow, the endless nights they spent watching the stars and taking a walk.

All the laughter they shared and the moment they were together. All those fueled her inner fire, like fresh wood thrown into the very heart of it. Her avatar glowed and it clashed with the nightmares.

There was a small glow of red before the nightmares covered her fully. They, circled her and they seem to try and suppress the fox spirit; and they seem to succeed. Only for a second later, they all ended up into piles of black sand as the power of the Kitsune was too strong.

Everyone lifted their hands and covered their eyes from the sudden glow and flying sand. When they lowered, they watched a panting Mikoto in her fox form. The avatar of the fox around her had disappeared and she seemed to have 3 tails less but she kept standing.

Panting heavily, she had been pushed back close to Jack again. Her legs shook as she kept standing, head lowered; glaring at Pitch who was staring.

The Boogieman then grinned, showing his pointy white teeth. "Well, would you look at that? There was something more inside you, after all" he said and then looked at the destroyed nightmares. His grin disappeared as he lifted both hands. "But you are still no match for me!"

The remaining of the nightmares quickly formed, proving that Mikoto had only destroyed 1/3 of them. They were still too many and the fox was not powerful to take them all on her own. That was until Jack walked and stopped by her side.

"If we are going down, we are going together," he said, giving her a small smile.

She watched him, shocked but then she managed to form a kind of smile of her own. They both turned to look at Pitch.

Jamie had seen everything and he felt a sharp pain in his chest. The guardians had tried to hard to keep him safe, standing even though they were weak. Jack, who had always watched him from the shadows, was ready to sacrifice his life to protect him and his friends.

And Mikoto, the fox that had saved his life and had accompanied him so many times. She was a guardian herself and she was willing to die to protect him. Something, awoken within him and he rushed towards the front.

"I will protect you," he said and stood in front of the duo.

His friends quickly joined, forming a sort of wall in front of their childhood heroes. 

Pitch seemed displeased with how everything turned out. He lifted his hands and sent the wave towards them.

"Do you believe in the boogeyman?!" He asked out loud.

Jamie took a deep breath. "I believe in you. I am just not afraid of you"

With those words, he extended his hand and closed his eyes...awaiting the impact