When the bright light faded, the two girls and the fairy hybrid operative opened up their eyes. They were sitting on the cobblestone road leading through the iron front gate of Jack Frost's castle. The Ice Castle itself loomed forbiddingly over them, its frozen silver spires stretching up into the cloudy gray sky. Goblin guards stood at almost every window and door, holding black spears. The ugly green creatures cast daunting figures with their new weapons, and Kirsty found herself remembering that they hadn't held any kind of weapon on their past adventures.

It's like what Serene said, she mused to herself. Jack Frost was playing with us before. He's serious now.

It just so happened to be then that one of the aforementioned guards looked straight at Serene, Rachel, and Kirsty. The two girls gasped, and Rachel tried to run, but Serene stopped them both.

"No!" she hissed. "You're invisible."

For emphasis, Serene grabbed Rachel's and Kirsty's hands and held them up to their faces. Kirsty saw that she wasn't completely invisible. Her body was glassy and see-through, allowing her a view of whatever was behind it. "Only you and anyone else who's under the same spell can see you in this way," explained Serene, whose body was also transparent. "The guards can't see you, but they can still hear you and feel you. Be careful."

A squad of goblins with spears marched past, and Serene herded Rachel and Kristy out of their way. As the iron front gates opened to allow the goblins in, Serene darted out into the open and followed dangerously close behind the last row of goblins. Rachel and Kirsty hesitated, then Serene turned and motioned with her arm. The message was not unclear. As quietly as they could manage, the two girls followed.

The gates clanged shut behind them, and Serene pulled the two invisible girls behind an ice tower. Here's what we're going to do, an unexpected and strangely familiar voice said in Kirsty's mind. Judging by the strange expression on Rachel's face, she had heard it too. It was Serene's voice, but her mouth hadn't moved.

This is new for you, said Serene's voice, somewhat amused. The expression on Serene's mostly transparent face matched the voice. Telepathy. Never heard of it?

"I didn't know it was possible," Kirsty was going to say, but even before she could open her mouth Serene's hand shot forward and clamped it shut.

They might not be able to see you, but they can still hear you, Serene said (thought?). This is what we'll use to communicate. No need to say anything, all you need to do is find the thread of my thoughts and then project what you want to say into it. Try it.

Kirsty closed her eyes and mentally tried to find Serene's thought thread. It appeared to her almost instantly, a swirling, shifting stream of silver, blue, black. She could sense Rachel's now, which was golden and curling. She projected one thought through these thought threads. This is so cool.

I know, replied Rachel's voice through this new form of communication.

I invented it, said Serene scornfully. It better be cool.

The two girls stared at Serene in a mixture of disbelief and awe. Serene shook her head. Moving on, she said. Here's what we'll do. See that window in the battlement? We'll all fly up together, but then I'll go in alone while you two hover outside. If it's all clear then you can come in with me. If it's not, then we'll pick a different window. No one does ANYTHING without alerting me beforehand. Capiche?

Capiche, the girls replied.

All right then, said Serene. Race you to the top! Then, without alerting them, she sprang up and zipped through the air. Rachel and Kirsty fluttered their wings and met her in the air. I win, said Serene smugly.

You cheated, accused Rachel.

Yes, but I won, insisted Serene. Stay here.

She darted over to the window with impossible speed and peered inside. Apparently not seeing anything, she gestured to them and the three girls flew through the window and landed on the floor. They were standing in a hallway, with bored-looking goblin guards slumped against the floors and leaning against the walls. No one saw them, thanks to Serene's cloaking spell.

Come on, called Serene. I'll lead you to the dungeons. I know a shortcut.

They darted down the hallway, dodging goblins as they slipped by. None of the guards noticed them or even acknowledged their existence as they trotted past. Serene led them through courtyards, down stairs, and past towers. After a time, they found themselves passing through hallways with lower ceilings and no windows.

We're here, Serene said. The dungeons are all underground. I'm not sure which cell Titania is being held in, so we'll have to search all of them.

They tiptoed down the cold, mazelike, and seemingly endless hallways, peering into each of the many cells as they passed. Some were empty. But others held ragged, scrawny figures chained in ice shackles. Many of the prisoners were goblins. Imprisoned for debt, mostly, Serene explained. Some for mutiny, others thievery. And then others failed at missions that Jack Frost gave them.

But they saw some who were not goblins. Once Kirsty saw a small she-elf huddled in a corner, shivering violently. She and Rachel begged Serene to help the skeletal, starving elf, but Serene just shook her head and told them, The queen first. When she is safe I will send someone to rescue her.

In another cell they saw a small group of bored-looking male sprites playing cards and substituting ice shards for poker chips. Serene just rolled her eyes when she saw them. They'll survive, she scoffed.

But just when they were starting to lose hope, they found her. She looked even more bedraggled and forlorn than when Kirsty and Rachel had seen her in their dreams. Her hair had transformed from a beautiful raven black to paper white, and her once-healthy body was thin and scrawny. Serene placed one hand on the lock and closed her eyes in concentration. A few subtle clicks were heard inside the lock before the bars swung open. Serene released the spells she had placed and the girls reappeared.

"Queen Titania!" Serene gasped, rushing forward and grasping the fairy queen's thin, limp hands. "Are you all right?"

The queen inclined her head slowly. "No," she rasped weakly.

Serene unlocked the chains by magically picking the locks once again. The shackles had opened cuts and sores on her wrists, and Serene placed her hands on the wounds, muttering softly. When she lifted them, the wounds were gone.

"Thank you, darling," Titania croaked. "You have released me from the spell." As she spoke she seemed to grow younger; her hair darkening, her wrinkles fading, until she was what she once was. She stood up and looked at Rachel and Kirsty. They lowered themselves into curtseys until Queen Titania declared, "Rise, Rachel and Kirsty, and let us be on our way. There are a great many perils left to face as we leave, and my crown and belongings are still in the possession of Jack Frost. We must make haste. Serene, cast your spell on us. You may find that it is easier to conjure, now that I am free."

Serene did so and soon all four of them were invisible. As they were exiting the cell and preparing to leave the dungeons, Serene's head perked up. Shh! she hissed. I hear a voice! Jack Frost's voice!


Suckin' cliffy, I know. But…whatever. I was trying to imitate the "style" of "Daisy Meadows" for this, seeing as I was writing this mostly for my sister (who is both an ROTG and RM fan).

Also, if you're wondering what the bad Jack looks like, it's the dude on the right side of my cover art. APPRECIATE THE COVER ART, PEOPLE! My little sis (same one who requested this story) drew it, and she'll be sad if no one appreciates her two hours of labor. Don't make the child cry. Please. (But I wrote the words, btw. That's my pretty handwriting up there, even though the drawings aren't technically mine...)

Review! Tell me what you think is going to happen! Please! Something!