Light in the Black

plague

Yersinia's grip on Jack's throat was tightening by the second, and he found his body frozen from the raging intensity of the pain she was inflicting on him through her powers. His grip on his staff failed as it was quickly swept away in the raging winds. Winter's cackle crowded the air as he went after Johanna once more to keep her from trying to help Jack, Yersinia herself bringing up a blanket of darkness to surround themselves.

"Did you really think you ever had a chance at winning, Frost?" Yersinia's whisper taunted him as she leaned closer to his face. "It wasn't even you who stopped Winter the first time. And Johanna was too weak to finish me off completely. So what makes you believe that you could actually best us this time, when we're so powerful compared to you?"

Without thinking, Jack attempted to scratch at her hand to get her to release his throat, but she chuckled darkly as he only succeeded in burning the tips of his fingers and whimpered at the pain resulting from it. His throat felt so raw now; he was afraid to see whatever scar would remain on his neck after this.

"You should be thanking me, Jack," she purred, making him shiver as she forced him onto his knees, grabbing his wrists with her other hand and bringing a yelp from his form. "Once Johanna is disposed of, Winter and I will take you back to your lake and finish what he started. You can see your family again, you know. I know you must have felt so lonely without them."

"I have-" Jack started.

"You think the Guardians are your family?" Yersinia grinned, her voice growing darker as she continued. "You're all glorified babysitters. They didn't pay attention to you until you were of use to them. And I think you know, deep down, that if the blasted Moon had never told them to, you would still be alone today. And you would welcome the release of his world that Winter and I are offering you."

Despite the extra pain it caused, Jack violently shook his head in denial.

"There's no use denying anything now, Frost. It'll all be over soon. Just accept the pain and greet the darkness, and you won't even have to feel yourself drowning again. I can make sure you sleep through all of it, grant you one final act of mercy. Another reason to thank us in the end, I'd say."

Jack could feel the darkness creeping on the edge of his vision as his body screamed for the pain to stop. He knew he couldn't stop fighting to stay awake. He had to call for the Guardians. He had to make sure Winter didn't hurt Johanna. He had to get back to Baby Tooth, who he promised he'd come back to. He couldn't break that promise now, not when his little sister was waiting for him to come home.

"I suggest, Yersinia, that you get your paws off of my grandson. Now."

The darkness seemed to turn on Yersinia, and she let out a yelp as it seemed to grip her and yank her from her grasp on Jack, letting Jack fall to the snow and find relief in its cold presence. Jack sighed in relief as a cold hand rested upon the back of his hand, smiling as the darkness receded and a staff landed next to his form.

"How are you, Gramps?"

"Don't talk," Pitch ordered. "Lay still. Let the snow do its job."

"But Johanna-"

"Has the Guardians helping her against Winter," Pitch promised. "Now shut up."

Jack hummed in response, smiling at the growl it earned him from Pitch. The pain was slowly decreasing, and Jack could feel his body beginning to respond again, slowly reaching out to pull his staff to him and speed up the healing process.

"You can never follow directions, can you, Frost?"

"I've never listened to you before," Jack chuckled, wincing at how hoarse his voice sounded. "Why would I start now?"

When Jack tried to stir, Pitch reluctantly removed his hand and stepped back to allow the spirit to get to his feet.

"Wind," Jack gently called out, smiling as he felt the cold bite against his skin, further soothing it. "Let's help the Guardians out with this storm, yeah?"

As the wind lifted him into the air, Jack turned to regard Pitch.

"You coming?"

"I've retired from fighting," Pitch shrugged. "Besides, I have a... Prestigious guest to attend to."

"Make sure to save some fun for Johanna," Jack smirked, then let his face soften. "Thank you, Pitch."

"Stop being sappy. It doesn't suit you."

Jack laughed as the wind shot him forward, the presence of Pitch disappearing and the sounds of the fight getting louder. He could see the frustration in Winter's face as he tried to use his powers against the Guardians, Mother Nature, and Johanna all at once.

"How!" he yelled in frustration.

"You have hurt children of nature," Seraphina responded. "It doesn't matter your status, Winter. Nature will fight back against you for hurting its own. Especially the children."

"I will kill every single one of your children if it means getting back what's rightfully mine," Winter growled. "Starting with the two thorns in my side and finishing with the Guardian's Lights."

"Let's see you try, Winter!" Jack shouted, calling the storm to his side. "And this time, I'm taking you down myself!"

And Winter did try his hardest. He managed to get part of the storm back on his side, but it was nothing in comparison to Johanna's powers and the Guardian's back up. Jack almost felt bad, seeing how charred the spirit was by the end when he simply slumped to the ground and didn't fight back when Bunny and North moved forward to restrain him.

"Jack..." Johanna frowned as she and Seraphina rushed to him. "Your neck..."

"I'll be fine," Jack assured her. "Let's just finish this."

Both girls seemed hesitant, and he could see them itching to reach out and do something.

"Pitch made sure I was in the snow long enough to stabilize everything, I promise," Jack insisted. "I have to go finish the storm off. I need you two to make sure everyone else in the area is okay."

Both girls huffed.

"I'm checking you over once this is done," Seraphina retorted. "And you don't get a say in that."

"Yes, Mother."