The Darkness Within

Chapter Ten

Pitch had done it. He had released his monstrous nightmares. They paraded the Earth, haunting children's dreams. And one by one, quicker than ever, the lights had begun to go out. Everything was falling apart. Tooth had already begun losing her feathers, North felt weak, like an elderly man, and Bunny had started to shrink. North had already sent Sandman to fight off Pitch's nightmares, but they were too much for him. He was overwhelmed by the number of his army. The Guardians weakly made it to the sleigh and rode off to fight the King of Nightmares.

Rapunzel stood by Pitch's side in his room within his underground lair, awaiting his orders. Her hair had been taken out of its joyful braid and her winter outfit had been discarded.

"Is there anything you wish for me to do, my King?"

"Why, Rapunzel dear." She winced as he said her actual name. "This is supposed to be a celebration of nightmares. Go join the others and keep everything exactly as planned. I'll be there momentarily."

She bowed her head, exiting his room. On her way out, she had passed a shattered mirror. Her reflection showed someone she didn't seem all too familiar with. Her golden eyes and dark hair seemed so wrong. Like she was staring back at someone else. But, shaking her head, she resumed with Pitch's request. The girl rode a Nightmare horse out of Pitch's lair, heading into Burgess.

The Guardians had arrived, looking weaker than ever. North stumbled out of his sleigh, gazing up at Sandman. He was practically getting swallowed by Nightmares. Rapunzel sat on her nightmare horse atop a building, watching with dead eyes.

"Keep everything exactly as planned huh? Looks fine to me." She grumbled to her horse. She stroked the dark creature's mane; her eyes falling directly on Jack. He fought the nightmares with visible struggle. There was this terrible feeling in the pit of the girl's stomach. Probably because Jack was fighting Pitch's nightmares and she wasn't doing anything about it. But what could she do? She was a pawn under the player's control. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice as Pitch made his way through the shadows, appearing next to her.

"It's a beautiful sight, isn't it?" He asked with an amused glimmer in his eyes. Rapunzel shrugged her shoulders.

"Only if you think so, my king." Her tone was somewhat glum; not evil and malicious like before. Perhaps his effect on her was wearing off. But he soon realized where her gaze lied.

"He's yours, if you want him." Pitch said. Rapunzel arched an eyebrow, confused.

"My Lord?"

"Jack Frost, of course. Perhaps if you can convince him that the light is overrated, then maybe he can see that those Guardians held nothing but a title and join the dark forces. No harm shall come to him if he is with us." The princess pondered about this; considering the deal made by her puppet master.

"Very well. Thank you. I'm grateful for your generosity."

"Of course, my child." He let her gallop away on one of his nightmare horses, smiling maliciously. "And once I have Jack Frost on my side, the Guardians will have no choice but to surrender."

Meanwhile...

Jack blasted Pitch's minions left and right, only to have twice as many launch themselves back at him. He groaned, becoming weaker and weaker. He needed to find a place to retreat; to regain some of his strength and think of a battle strategy. Sending a blast towards the ground beneath him, a mini blizzard was created, acting as a smoke bomb. He flew behind a house, pressing his back up against the wall. A tired huff escaped his lips. He had never known what it was like to have his power drained from him since no one believed in him until a short while ago. Now he didn't even want to stand. But he had to keep fighting. He couldn't stop. The children needed him. The winter spirit was about to charge back into battle when a gentle voice stopped him.