Here it is! Chapter 2! Instead of For the First Time In Forever, I'm going to include two deleted scenes from the movie, if you go on youtube, you can find them. Then there will be an alternate version of Love is an Open Door! R&R but most of all, enjoy!

Chapter 2: Love is an Open Gate!


Three years later…

The kingdom was overflowing with joy, the gates were opening for the first time in years! Ships were docking from kingdoms far and wide! Neatabathe, The Eastern Dunes, Coromine, and other long-time allies of Brooklan. Everyone was talking about what was happening!

"The gates are opening!"

"And for a whole day!"

"Prince Nikolai is being crowned!"

"Did he really insist on being Baptized first?"

"Ah, Brooklan, the most mysterious of all Neatabathe's trading partners. Just open those gates and let me revel in its secrets!... Did I say that out loud?"


Meanwhile, in the castle, an eighteen-year-old girl was fast asleep. Her snores echoed throughout her entire room until a knock sounded at the door.

"Princess Stephanie?"

"Huh!?" Stephanie bolted up, her hair in a tangled mess, while simultaneously going in different directions. "What? Who's there?"

"It's me, Kai, your majesty," the butler answered, "sorry to have awoken you-"

"Oh, no, you didn't. I've been up for hours…" she began before quickly falling back asleep. It wasn't until her head nodded back that she woke back up with her eyes still closed. "Who's there?"

"Still me, ma'am. I just wanted to make sure you were ready."

"Hmmm. Ready for what?" she said, slowly opening her eyes.

"Your brother's coronation?"

"My brother's… coronation?" by now her eyes opened wide enough to see her dress that was laid out in advance for her. Her eyes shone when her brain finally comprehended what today was… finally, after years of being cooped up in an empty castle, she was free to go outside!

She put on her dress, combed her hair, and went out into the nearest village towards the docks. She saw how the men stared at her, lustfully. She smirked at the ideas running through her mind that were not fit for a princess. She was hoping to find "the one" in her day of freedom. Soon enough, though, she noticed a boy crying, and made her way towards him.

"What's wrong little boy?" she asked in the most sympathetic tone she could manage.

"My pig! I've lost him! Can Prince Nikolai help?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, he's busy right now. But don't worry, I'm Princess Stephanie! I'll help find your… PIG!" She shouted as she saw a pot-belly pig, eating apples straight out of the barrel. "Halt, you swine!"

The pig bolted from all of the noise and Stephanie ran after it. She dodged everyone and everything that got in her way as she chased after the elusive hog. Until finally, she crashed into a table full of pies, covering herself in tart and fruit. The pig ran back to its master and Stephanie saw the boy run away happily. He didn't even say "thank you." Stephanie looked down, her dress was ruined! She'd have to go to the clothing room and get a new one. The dressing room, the only times in which she'd ever see Nikolai.

"Excuse me? Do you need help?" a voice sounded. Stephanie spun around and felt a warm blush spread across her cheeks. This man was in a nice white suit, complete with blue trousers and gold cufflinks.

"Oh, no!" she finally said, "I'm fine. Uh, Princess Stephanie of Brooklan." She bowed.

"Princess?" He now bowed with respect and then kissed the back of her hand. "Prince Markus of the Eastern Dunes." She was about to say something back when she remembered what she needed to do.

"The coronation! I need to go! I'll see you later!" and she rushed off, leaving a smiling prince behind.


Meanwhile, in the royal dressing room, Nikolai had his chain-mesh gauntlets off, and his hands on the desk. He peered out the window and grew worried as he saw how many people were entering the gates… so many people… so many. He snapped back to his senses at the smell of smoke. The desk looked as if it would burst into flames, it probably would have if he had not quickly thrown water onto the desk and put his hands to his chest to calm his breathing.

"No, no, no, no, no, no," he muttered to himself nervously, "constrain, refrain, don't let them see." He was shifting back to his normal, emotionless self when Stephanie burst through the door. Acting quickly, Nikolai threw a towel over the desk to hide the burns, slipped his gauntlets back on and faced a dirty, dripping mess that was his sister.

"What happened to you?" he asked reluctantly.

"Pig. Pie. I mean, not a pig pie, but pig and pie." She slipped behind a curtain a stripped down to her under garments. "Where's my rose dress?"

Nikolai smirked with amusement as clothes flew across the room, "Still recovering from the last time you wore it. Please don't make a mess!"

"Oh! I've got it!" She rushed back out wearing a ridiculously poufy purple dress, "how about this?"

"Uh-uh," he replied slightly annoyed, "you are not wearing that to my coronation."

She slipped back into the curtain and came back out wearing a suit jacket with enormous shoulder pads, barely able to contain her giggling, "What is this! Oh, my shoulder is here my shoulder is there, oops! Pardon my back, young man didn't mean to knock you down!"

Nikolai was chuckling himself as he watched his playful sister, "That was just a gift."

"From who?"

"I don't know…one of the big countries, now quit messing around!" After finally finding a dress for is sister himself, Nikolai led her to the chapel where the ceremony was taking place. Stephanie took her seat in the front row while Nikolai made his way to Brooklan's Head Priest. Kneeling down, Nikolai was Baptized and blessed. Rising to meet the Priest eye-to-eye, Nikolai was presented with his father's crown and sword. But before he could take either one, the Priest coughed for his attention.

"Um, your Highness," he said respectfully before briefly glancing at the prince's hands, "the gauntlets."

Nikolai's breathing seized before he reluctantly undid the clasps on the silver gloves. When his bare hands were revealed, a few women in the front row swooned at the sight of his muscular arms. Finally, with the sword in his right hand and the crown in his left, Nikolai faced the crowd as they stood in respect. Yet only he seemed to notice that as the priest gave the traditional announcement of kings, steam rose from his palms. Panic grew in his gut as he feared that the entire chapel would burst into flames. Finally, as the priest ended the ceremony, Nikolai placed the crown on his head, slapped the sword to his side and shoved his silver gauntlets back on. After a sigh of relief, Nikolai regained his composure as the crowd cheered his name.

Later in the grand ballroom, everyone danced to the merry music played by the royal band. Lords and ladies danced and enjoyed each others' company. Yet, instantly, the entire room went silent as Kai called for attention to the royal siblings standing before the king's throne.

"May I present… King Nikolai of Brooklan! And… Princess Stephanie of Brooklan!"

As the crowd cheered them on Nikolai glanced at his sister. He always regretted what he had done to her when they were children, but nevertheless, he missed his sister. He had hoped that tonight would provide with a chance to see her again. He smiled slightly and gave a weak greeting.

"…Hi."

Stephanie's eyes widened and snapped in her brother's direction, "H-hi me?" He nodded so she decided to return the gesture.

"Uh… hi."

"You look beautiful." He continued.

"Thanks! You look beautifuller, I mean, not fuller, or beautiful, women are beautiful, not that you're a women, I mean, wait, what?" Nikolai couldn't help but laugh at his sister's awkward attempt to socialize before raising a hand to silence her.

"I know what you meant, thank you… so… this is what a party looks like."

"Its nicer than I expected."

"It is isn't it? What is that delicious smell?" He asked delighted before both he and his sister sniffed and spoke.

"Chocolate!"

"I wish it could be like this all the time!" Stephanie said hopefully.

"Me too…" Nikolai replied before the harsh reality crashed into him, "…but it can't."

"Why not? I mean-"

"IT JUST… can't." Stephanie's heart sank and she was about to press the subject harder before a voice was heard, a lovely female voice.

"Nikolai?" Nikolai spun around to see his childhood sweetheart. Imagine his joy and relief to know that she came. As children, Peyton was a daughter of one of Brooklan's royal guard, so she was free to live with the siblings before the gates were closed. She always reminded Nikolai of an enchanting candle, quiet and soft, yet dignified and beautiful. Unless you got on her bad side, in which she reminded him of an uncontrolled blaze, brash and impulsive, yet mesmerizing. She loved Nikolai, and he loved her, yet neither would admit it. He even trusted her with the secret of you-know-what. Now, she was a knight herself, and, after all these years, to see her again.

He moved towards her, placed a hand on her cheek and both began to get misty eyes as memories of loyal puppy love came back to their minds.

"Peyton, my dear," he began, "you are as beautiful as the last time I saw you."

As Nikolai and Peyton caught up with each other, Stephanie happily walked away to give them some privacy before bumping into Prince Marcus, and again, she felt that blush. After spending the night briefly talking about this-and-that, they finally came upon a touchy subject.

"Wait, you have how many sisters?!" She asked shocked.

"Fourteen older sisters," he replied amused, "three of them pretended I was invisible, for two years! It's what sisters do."

"And brothers," she laughed off, "Nikolai and I used to be close, but, one day he shut me out and, I never knew why."

"I'd never do that to you."

"…okay, can I say something crazy?"

All my life has been nothing but shadows and closed doors in my face

Then suddenly I run into you!

"I was thinking the same thing because-"

I've been looking for my own place

Then suddenly I find a girl who's too good to be true!

Our mental synchronization can have but one explanation

You and I were meant to be! A life with joy and cheer and no hate,

Love is an open gate!

As they finished their song, they both looked from the hills outside towards the magnificent castle. Then, Stephanie was convinced that this person was the one she'd spend the rest of her life with. He loved singing and sandwiches and… other things that she would eventually learn. Then as they looked into each other's eyes, Markus began to speak again.

"Can I say something crazy?" he knelt down and took her hand, "will you marry me!?"

Stephanie gasped and smiled brightly, "Can I say something crazier!? Yes!"


Back at the castle, Nikolai and Peyton had secluded themselves into the corner of the ballroom, playing a heated game of checkers and discussing the years they missed apart from each other.

"What position do you currently hold?" he asked her genuinely, hoping she hadn't changed too much.

"Private," she retorted grimly, "the men are all idiots. Especially the Captain! He thinks that I'm the weakest because I'm a woman! You'd never treat me that way, right?"

"Of course not!" Nikolai was now aggravated but quickly pushed himself to serenity again, "…maybe I'll have words with the captain later."

Peyton noticed his struggle, "Have you told Stephanie yet?" she whispered. Nikolai gave her a cross look.

"Tell her what?" He asked sarcastically, "that I almost accidently killed her with the fire powers I have that she doesn't remember?" Peyton looked hurt at his harsh tone, which he quickly picked up on. "Oh, Peyton, I'm sorry. I just… I was left out of so much because of that." She nodded and eyed down at the checkerboard. Nikolai smiled slightly and lifted her chin so that they faced each other again. "If I hadn't… Brooklan would have had a guardian for a queen." Peyton showed a surprised look, but before she could say anything, they heard a familiar voice.

"NIKOLAI! NIKOLAI! NIKOLAI! OH, THERE HE IS! NIKOLAI!" Nikolai rose from his seat to approach his sister and some…man. Finally when she slowed down she regained composure and bowed with respect. "I mean, uh…King Nikolai. May I present, Prince Markus of the Eastern Dunes."

"Your Majesty." He said with respect. Nikolai nodded, returning the gesture.

"So… what can I do for you…uh, the both of you?" he asked curiously.

Both of them looked at each other, then back at Nikolai and spoke simultaneously.

"We would like…uh…your blessing of… OUR MARRIAGE!"

Nikolai stood shocked, "M-marriage?" Peyton stood and moved towards Nikolai. Stephanie looked worried.

"Is something wrong, Nikolai?" she asked.

"I-I'm sorry, Stephanie," he said, "I'm… I'm a bit confused."

"Well that's understandable," she replied smiling and hugging Markus' arm, "we haven't really planned out all the details ourselves, we'll obviously need a few days to plan the ceremony… Oh! Would we live here?!"

"Here?!" Nikolai was now in full panic mode and Peyton could see it. As the two newly-engaged couple talked about decorations and food, Peyton tried to get them to slow down. It was only when he heard something about sisters moving in did Nikolai finally interrupt.

"STOP! Can I talk now? Or am I still involved in this conversation?"

"Oh! Of course! Go ahead!" Stephanie glared wide-eyed at her brother, eagerly waiting for his blessing.

"Thank you! Now listen and listen well because I am only going to say this once," Stephanie's expression fell as her brother's tone grew cold, "no one's sisters are moving in, no one's planning a ceremony, no one is getting married!"

"What?" Stephanie looked at Markus who looked equally disappointed. Nikolai approached Stephanie and leaned in close.

"Can I talk to you?" he motioned his eyes to a secluded part of the room, "…alone?" Stephanie stepped back and took Markus' hand.

"No… whatever you have to say you can say to both of us." Peyton stepped to speak, but Nikolai stopped her.

"No, Peyton, I'm the king, I'll handle this," he assured his companion and looked back at his sister, "Answer me something Stephanie: is my name 'Hans Christian Anderson?'"

"No…" she replied puzzled.

"Okay, did Brooklan get moved into a Brothers Grimm fairy tale when I wasn't looking?"

"No."

"Then what on God's green earth made you think you could get married to a man you just met?"

"Because, it's true love!"

"Stephanie, please, what do you know about true love?"

"More than you! Look at how you treated Peyton and me and father and mother! All you know how to do is be cold and heartless!" Nikolai was hurt, never would he expect to hear those words from his baby sister. Peyton was furious.

"Stephanie! You don't understand-"

"No, Peyton," Nikolai began again, "I said I'll handle this. Stephanie, you asked for my blessing, and my answer is 'no.' Accept it. I am the king, you are only a princess. Now, good day."

Markus stepped forward, "Your Highness, if I may-"

"I said good day! Prince… and I think it would be best if you would leave." Looking back at Peyton with sad eyes he whispered in a tone only she could hear, "I'm sorry, my love."

Nikolai walked past Kai and gave him the orders that the party was over. He instructed him to have everyone escorted out and to close the gates. Stephanie desperately lunged at her brother and pulled his left gauntlet off.

"Hey! Give me that back!"

"Nikolai please! Please, I can't live like this anymore!" her eyes filled with tears as her brother frowned as his eyes started to water themselves.

"…then leave." He solemnly walked away while Stephanie screamed at him, drawing the attention of everyone in the ballroom.

"That's why father and mother left, you know!" Nikolai stopped. His brow furrowed, his tears turned into steam, and his whole face twisted into an angry expression. "They left because you were a horrible, terrible son with no love! They hated you!" Nikolai spun around and finally yelled black with a blood-curdling shout that could scare the devil himself.

"THEY DID NOOOOOOOOT!" fire erupted from his arm and set a nearby table. Stephanie and everyone else showed shock. Peyton was the only one who expected this. And to make matters worse, Nikolai began to stomp towards his terrified sister, brushing tables aside as if they had no weight.

"YOU SPOILED LITTLE INSIGNIFICANT GREEDY BRAT! I LOVED THEM! I STILL LOVE THEM! I LOVE PEYTON! I LOVED YOU WITH ALL MY HEART! SO MUCH THAT WHEN YOU GOT HURT FROM TOUCHING MY HAND, I LET MOTHER AND FATHER LOCK ME AWAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO HURT YOU OR ANYONE! AND BECAUSE I WON'T LET YOU MARRY A PERFECT STRANGER, YOU DARE ACCUSE ME OF HAVING NO LOVE!? I WILL TEAR YOU APART!"

"Nikolai snap out of it!" Peyton finally stepped in front of Nikolai and slapped him across the face, snapping him back to himself. He saw the frightened faces on everyone, especially his sister. "…I'm sorry…" he whimpered before bursting out the door. The guards were chasing after him, the citizens called him a monster, but Stephanie tried to catch up with him.

Finally, Nikolai reached the beach. At first, he thought that he was trapped, but as he stepped into the water, a wall of fire formed a dry road of sand for him. He quickly took advantage of that, and ran. He would run until he reached the isle just off the coast.

Stephanie stopped when her fiancée pointed out that the beach and docks were being blocked off by a wall of fire. White ashes began to descend upon the kingdom as Stephanie just stared at where her brother rushed off to.

"Did you ever know?" Markus asked.

"No…" she replied, "but I know someone who might have…" and she rushed off to find Peyton.


Sorry it's so long! I'd like to thank Flourist4ever again for her support! Up next: Let Me Be!