Authors Note: This story has officially gone on my once a month update list. This is for two reasons: a) it's easier to write the short vignettes that make up both Back to Back and Stolen Time and b) I am in summer classes to graduate on time. These are eight week classes which move very fast so it's easier to focus on something small rather then a big one (I focused on this before I worked on the next chapter of Stolen Time).

Also I know the tone really shifted in these two chapters since this was supposed to be a stand alone story with three chapters but now it was adjusted to fit here. The rest of the story should fit with the first couple of chapters now though.

Chaos realm could easily be called dark realm. Naomi could see why as there seemed to be a permanent shadow over the kingdom. The petals would be in the gardens and they seemed to an attic of some sort as her blue eyes gazed into the garden. So work their way down, seemed to be easy though, too easy. Naomi clutched the instrument remembering that they have back up. She didn't know who was in charge expect maybe it was this Elena, they could easily explain what was going on. Elena didn't really get a chance to explain what she had seen after all. She reached for the door as she looked down the hall.

"Those are Shuriki's guards," said Naomi in a hushed voice as she pulled herself back into the attic stairwell. She could remember the way they would check the docks every night. She shivered some as Isabel pushed the door open some to see. They had to get to the gardens and get back before Shuriki found them. Oh gosh, this was not a good idea as the chaos realm was ruled by a mad woman. Shuriki had taken over and they weren't safe here.

She and Isabel shared a look knowing that they couldn't turn back around and head down.

"We need a disguise," said Isabel as she looked around. "We'll stand out too much since I have a bright colored dress and you have blond hair."

"Good point," said Naomi as she was just tempted to make a run for the garden. Heck, she could try to scale down the side of the building without being caught. However, that seemed like a better idea and they likely wouldn't get caught so soon. Together the two of them started to search for something before settling on a scarf to cover Naomi's hair and some cloaks with pockets for the petals.

The two nodded at each other as they crept down the hall. Nobody else seemed to be around… Oh, they saw some more guards that Isabel didn't recognize as Naomi froze pulling her into a closet. Isabel was going to say something, but Naomi put a finger to her lips. The guards were saying something.

"It's happening today," said a guard. "She's going to have the baby, water broke."

Baby? Who was having a baby, thought Naomi. She really wished that Elena could relay that she was seeing to get to the conclusion of those rose petals. Now she was just left confused about what was happening.

"Shuriki will be happy," said a guard with a deeper voice. Before either girl could listen any farther in, the two were walking away. Naomi and Isabel shared a look unsure what was fully going on. All they knew at that very moment was that Shuriki was ruling Avalor.

Isabel stuck close to Naomi as the two of them started down the hall again. They had to get to the gardens and then get out. It wasn't going to be that hard, at least she hoped, as they walked past the first room. That was her bedroom as she peeked in, everything was the same it seemed except empty of most of her things. Naomi motioned for her to follow as they went down another hall.

They were getting closer and closer soon enough but stopped outside of a door. Guards were heading down from both directions as Naomi pulled Isabel into the room. Isabel had to cover Naomi's mouth as they gaped at what they saw. The room was plainly decorated but laying on the bed with her eyes closed was Elena. A very pregnant Elena.

"Go away,' she said her voice shaking as she mustered up her strength to see. "Naomi? Isabel? You came to help me get ou—ahh." She put a hand on her stomach as she turned to the side of the bed. So that was what the guards meant by water breaking. "Is the coast clear?"

"No there's Shuriki's guards everywhere," said Naomi. She shared a look with Isabel unable to process this part.

This Elena looked them over critically before backing away from them as best as she could. Her eyes wide as she looked from them to the door. Then to the window as she didn't know what to do at this point. "How do you have those nice clothes? Naomi how did you even get here?" Her voice had cracked as Naomi nodded at Isabel to tell the story as Naomi went to check the window.

Locked. Isabel was telling this Elena that they were from the Ever Realm and looking for the black roses. She went to the door and pressed her ear against it to hear something moving. The guards simply weren't leaving them. She went over to Elena and sat down next to her on the bed as she passed her a glass of water. There was a lot to take in at this point.

"That makes sense," said this Elena. "This morning before my water broke, I was having a dream about your Elena. I can't remember what happened in it but then this," she gestured to her body, "happened."

"But does that mean you're sick too or the baby are to connect to her?" asked Isabel her eyes wide.

This Elena hesitated unsure. "I… I don't know… You must get me out of here. Shuriki wants my baby, something about raising it to follow in her footsteps. I can get you to the garden and maybe you can take me and Gabe and the other version of you out of Avalor."

Now that was horrifying as that could only mean two Shuriki's one day. Not only that but the people couldn't revolt knowing that it was the true queen's child. That would leave some mixed feelings. Then Naomi backtracked her thoughts when she heard Gabe's name pulled up in this.

"Gab…" questioned Isabel but before that could happen the door opened.

Before either girl could look for a proper place to hide, the woman saw them both. She looked like a doctor since she had a bag with some medical equipment. "Guards!"

Isabel and Naomi shared a look before running past her. Hopefully at this point they weren't going to catch up with them. Being quick both girls went off in a different direction. At least one of them could have escaped to somewhere.

Naomi felt her arms being pulled behind her but Isabel was nowhere in site. Thankfully Isabel knew this castle better then anyone and likely found a secret passage. The castle had several of them that Shuriki might not know about. Fighting against the guards holding her Naomi found herself being pulled to the dungeons. Part of her was glad that they weren't taking her to Shuriki. They probably thought she and Isabel were just their alternate selves, especially since they covered their clothes.

They continued to take to farther down as one opened a cell. Without a thought the guards holding her pushed her into it before locking it behind them. They hung a key up on the far wall as they went back out again. Not even a second glance as Naomi took in her surroundings. She looked around to see several people in surrounding cells. The people in the cells from her left and her right she couldn't really see. Across from her the cells were empty though.

She heard the footsteps of a guard coming toward her, probably to check on his new inmate. The guy twirled his keys before peering into the cell. Naomi caught his face as she groaned. How did Julio the guard get hired in this universe?!

"Naomi? I thought I left you at home with the kids-"

She had children in this world with Julio?! That was just sick and wrong on so many levels. Finally, she had to tell him the truth. "I'm not your Naomi. I'm from another realm, the ever realm, we came to get an ingredient for a potion."

Julio looked at her stunned as he didn't know what to make of this as she told him the entire story. What was worse, Naomi didn't know what had happened to Isabel in the fray. Neither of them were particularly great fighters. She could only remember Victor Delgado holding her back when they were looking for the scepter of night.

"Julio, can you let me out of here?"

"Let's wait for your Isabel first."

"Alright fine, you want to tell me what happened in this world where Shuriki was ruling?"

The secret passage was starting to widen a little as she could see the opening. Naomi was likely taken to the dungeons and that would be her next stop. Her first was to find her room to see if Shuriki didn't destroy everything.

Isabel turned her head to the side as she saw a rabbit, or at least, what looked like a rabbit. It seemed to glow like it was a spirit creature, like Zuzo. The rabbit looked at her before turning its back from her. She paused before running from where the rabbit stood. It couldn't be good if that was a spirit animal of some kind.

Then they stopped when Willow was there. She remembered the young girl that can summon spirit creatures. The details surrounding Fiero a bit fuzzy as Isabel could remember well enough as she wasn't a huge part of that story. She paused when a little girl with carrot colored hair trailed behind her. Isabel hoped that this Willow wasn't evil.

"Isabel!" said the girl before running over and hugged her. Her cloak opened some as she backed off.

"Willow, let me explain," she said before telling her exactly what happened and how she had gotten here. The little girl only looked at her with wide eyes as they neared closer to the opening. She pushed open part of the wall as her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. They ended up in the royal treasury? This wasn't where this passage was supposed to lead...

"The passages must lead to different places in our world," said Willow.

Isabel paused as she had to agree with that. Then she glanced around the room wondering if the same traps were set up. That was when she saw it on her left side. Those were the Maruvian artifacts that Elena, Gabe, Naomi, and Mateo were looking for in their world, all of them it looked like as she got a good look at a brooch and hair comb. Except they were much duller in color and their gems removed.

Only thing was, there was only one of each, except for an ax. Instead there were two, one duller that matched the others. Then the other bright, like it should have been in their world…

"That ax," she whispered. "One of them belongs in our world but how did it get here?"

"Should I get it?" asked Willow. "I can cross this room without setting off the traps, I'm really light."

Isabel quirked an eyebrow but nodded. She watched as the girl was agile and her spirit friend helping her. This was so strange as she tried to piece together some kind of story. When that didn't work she thought of the next plan of action. Either get Naomi and then the petals from the garden or petals and then get Naomi. Then she really didn't know what to do about this world's Elena. Part of her ached to help both versions of her sister but unable to figure out how. Especially against Shuriki.

The young girl placed the ax in her hands as it was surprisingly light. However, the sharpness of the blade was still evident as she could make it out in the passage door.

"Do you think that Shuriki wants the artifacts from your world too does she?" asked Willow as her spirit rabbit stayed close. That would explain the treasure hunters in their world, they could be working for this Shuriki.

"I don't know," said Isabel as she didn't know which turn to make. From one end she could make out the pleading of her elder sister. The other end was quiet as it led right to the dungeons. She thought of her sister back in the Ever Realm as she looked at the passage going straight to the outside to the gardens. Isabel looked at Willow as she sighed. Who better to ask? "Do you think I should get the petals first and then Naomi? Or Naomi and then the petals?"

The little girl looked thoughtful as she had something in her mind. "Petals," she said. "The guards will be looking for you and they know you'll go looking for the other Naomi. Petals first, you don't have to worry about backtracking."

"That's fair," she said Isabel swallowing her guilt. In a way she was right, they'd be looking inside the castle before the outside. Together the two of them worked their way forward toward the garden. Together the two of them finally saw light. Thankfully as they opened the door it was easy to see the black rose petals.

Isabel gestured for the young girl to stay behind as she went to get the petals. She found a branch that didn't have a lot of thorns on it and slipped it into her clock pocket. For good measure she pulled another one. As she went back the way she came a set of guards were filing out of the main castle doors.

"Hey you!" called a guard before alerting the others.

Panicking the young princess dropped to the ground as she wriggled across to where she came from, hoping the branches didn't fall out. Willow still had the axe in her hand as she hoped that it would work if she had to use it. The passage entrance shut behind him. The next place was going to be the castle dungeons.

On the other side of the wall, Isabel could hear more and more guards. Apparently one of them had spotted her but didn't see where she had went. Thankfully they know that she was outside and not heading toward the dungeons. This would distract them enough.

They went past the room where chaos Elena was before she heard it. That was Naomi's voice as Isabel led her and Willow to take a sharp right. The door didn't open to the right but down a few feet. She pressed her ear against the door trying to figure out what was going on.

"I can't… You know who I really am Julio," said Naomi. Julio? Like the guard one? The one that had a crush on Naomi? Whatever was going on, she had to follow the voice. Hearing the words, you know who I am, had her suspect that they took Naomi out of the dungeons. For what reason was something else all together different.

Isabel followed them until they reached a very familiar door. That was the room that Chaos Elena was going to have her baby. They wanted Naomi to help her through it she supposed as Isabel pressed open part of the wall as it swung out. Nobody was around as she let Willow out as they cracked open the door.

Inside stood Naomi with the woman that yelled for the guards earlier. Instead of saying anything this time the woman nodded at them. Naomi ran over to her and put her arms around Isabel, neither of them looking directly at Elena as that was hard to swallow.

"I got the petals," said Isabel to Naomi.

"That's why you were taking a while. I guess now we find the way back or blow on this instrument," said Naomi taking the pipes out from under her shirt. "What is that?"

She pointed to the axe in Willow's arms that they didn't really need until now.

"It's one of your Maruvian objects," breathed Isabel. "When I first got to a passage I found myself heading toward the treasury. They have all of them in this world except they don't have jewels in them and they're dull in color. This one is from our world even though I don't know how it got here."

"I'm sure Mateo or Gabe could find a reason." Mateo because it was magical and Gabe since he was reading up on the history stuff earlier. Possibly Sonia but she wasn't much help so far.

Behind them the midwife or whoever was helping with the birth cleared her throat. Both girls were looking at them waiting. "She wanted you two here. I'm the midwife, Eva, and I'd like you two to help her."

Oh no no no no, thought Naomi, as she wasn't sure if she could stomach this. The other Elena held out her hand to hold it.

"You can get us out of here when I'm done," whispered chaos Elena as Naomi felt her stomach turn as she could only stick close.

The midwife helped Elena into a reclining position as Naomi turned her head. Elena didn't move but it had to have felt painful to the young princess. Instead Naomi found herself thinking of how Shuriki was around now. What could have happened in this world that was different from her own? Julio had told her that Shuriki regained power back when she had a proper wand. So Shuriki must have stormed the sunflower festival and with Fiero and gathered everyone up.

That must have been terrible to have witnessed that. And they had kept Elena alive long enough for Shuriki have this happen to her. Although didn't Elena have her scepter?

"Elena," asked Naomi after a minute. "When Shuriki took over, didn't you have your scepter?"

"I did, but when I was woozy from the attack Fiero used a knock out spell on me and Naomi instead," she said gasping. That was when the plan must have been different. They might have attacked the festival first and then went after Elena or something.

"Before we leave I want to get rid of Shuriki for her," said Isabel. "I couldn't bear it if something happened to this Elena when we can help her in some way. We have the ax."

Naomi hesitated as she looked at her friend. She looked like she was in pain as she was shaking her head, as if saying not now. The pain of pushing a baby coursed through her as she screamed before there was a wail. Then more pain before cries of more wails.

There were babies, not one but two, as Naomi could tell that they were boys. Aww, despite being covered in a sticky film, they were cute. Outside they could see the sky darken as lightening split across the sky. A storm was coming and this wasn't even the worst of it. After the babies were cleaned off there was a knock on the door.

"Behind the door," said Eva getting anxious. She gestured them to get behind thick wooden door as Isabel gripped the ax. Something big was going to go down. Willow had turned to leave before giving her a nod.

Blinking, Elena looked down to see babies, two of them, on her chest. They looked like her. Lightening cracked furiously and lite up the room as the silhouette of the one person she hated more than the last person she'd like to see coming into the room.

"Ahh Elena, look what we have here," said the cold voice of Shuriki. Naomi was tempted to kill her now but they had to have the right aim and angle. Then she turned to the midwife. "Which was born first?"

The midwife hesitated clearly frightened before gesturing. "The one to the right," said the nursemaid as the midwife shrunk back a little.

"Give me the child."

"No," said Elena as the witch just threw her head back and laughed. "Don't give her my baby please."

The nursemaid looked pained as she didn't know which was scarier before she picked up the baby as Elena tried to reach out for the infant. Her movement still slow from reacting to the birth. She shrunk back as she felt her heart grow heavy again. No, she thought cradling the other son close to her.

"I have my heir, get rid of them both," said Shuriki to a guard standing outside the door. "Otherwise I'll do it myself."

Both Naomi and Isabel shared a look. Isabel grabbed for her axe but Naomi gestured for her not yet. If they were going to do this, they had one clear shot.

"What?" asked Elena just above a hushed whisper. She clutched her sheet to feel something soft in her hand. A black rose petal as she looked down at it curious. The nursemaids had them there for the first bath she supposed. They supposedly made water softer.

Outside of the door was a knock from the guard when Gabe was shuffled into the room. Both girls shared a look curious, but as of right now they were outsiders looking in. This Gabe was a little the same as the one in their world. This was looked under fed and worn out, like he had been fighting.

He rushed over to her as he saw it. "There's two?" he asked looking at the two babies one in Shuriki's arms and the other in Elena's.

"Now that he's here, kill him too."

Elena had to think fast as the two guards advanced on the three with more coming up the rear. "Are you going to deny Gabe from holding his children?" she asked thinking fast and the guards shared an annoyed look. Well at least one did, who must be a dad. Shuriki only rolled her eyes at hearing that before looking down at the baby. There wasn't much that Gabe or Elena could do.

"Never pegged you as the sentimental type Nunez. Fine only because it's your only chance."

Gabe took the baby from Shuriki's arms. He looked happy before Naomi was gesturing to do it. Before the sorceress had a chance to even comprehend what was going on, Isabel threw it directly at her. The blade had directly hit her, but Isabel didn't know where as she turned her head. The only thing she heard was the flop of something heavy.

The guards pulled the door to find Naomi and Isabel standing there pretending to look innocent. They glanced at the body as the axe was in her back as if it said everything.

"The queen," said the guard looking stunned.

"Is Elena now," said Isabel gesturing to her other sister on the bed who looked very woozy and struggling to stay up.

Only this time that illness that was plaguing Elena in her world, seemed to be working on this Elena as she had collapsed. The two were connected and that was how they could see each other. It was affecting her even more.

"Elena," cried out Gabe rushing to her concerned still holding the baby. "Don't die, don't die. We have the kids remember? Um, Sebastian and Adriano?" Oh so Shuriki must have used Gabe to get Elena pregnant. The guards looked at her wondering who was in charge now with Elena ill.

"You listen to Gabe now," said Isabel as she shrunk back into the wall trying not to seem too demanding. It really wasn't her place here as she had yet to see her or Naomi's alternate selves. Not only that but ruling seemed very intimidating as she really didn't feel like bossing around the the guards. Gabe could do that a lot better then her.

However as soon as her back hit the wall, it didn't seem to be a wall anymore as Isabel fell through it. Instead it seemed to shimmer as there was a faint tint of dark turquoise as a hand emerged and then Mateo. The guards looked at him stunned as he had his tamborita raised.

"Here," said Isabel taking out the rose petals as she pressed them into his hands. Mateo looked like he was ready for a fight as he took the branch surprised. "You have to make two one for this Elena as well and possibly the kids…"

Oh, she didn't think about that until she said it. Mateo peered into the room as he looked very confused at the picture. In front of him was Shuriki on the ground with an axe in her back, Elena passed out with a baby in her arm, another one in Gabe's, and guards weren't sure who to listen to.

"Is that Maruvian?" asked Mateo as the guard picked up the axe for him. Behind them there were footsteps that could only mean someone else learned of what happened to their so called queen.

"Yes, it's from our world just make it," said Naomi. "We'll keep the portal open."

Mateo nodded as he went and headed back toward the workshop. Sonia was there watching something boil on the stove. She was concentrating as Mateo was quick to measure out the ingredients. It must have been their last one to add to the mixture. Naomi was tempted to go over and help but didn't want to ruin anything. Good thing they had a cauldron's worth in there as Mateo found the proper flasks.

Isabel more curious went to crossover when she felt something push her to the ground. The best thing that she could do was attack the person that had done so as she slapped the person from her. Isabel and the figure fought before the guards pulled them apart. When they were separated Isabel gasped as she was looking at herself. Instead, she was in a tattered blue skirt and white off the shoulder blouse.

"That's me!" said the other Isabel, probably thinking she was an impostor.

The original Isabel just stared as she looked like she was stuck doing something laborious, giving off the odor that she was in the kitchens.

"Not really much time to explain," said the nursemaid nearest to Elena as Gabe was watching them curious as well. "Just know that Shuriki is dead and your sister is set to be the new queen by sunset." The other Isabel seemed to remember exactly why she was there before going to the other side of her sister.

Mateo had finally given her a flask as Isabel wanted to see this Elena better before going to find her own. The chaos Elena looked pale and very fragile. The color was finally returning to her cheeks as her leg twitched first. She held her breath as this Elena smiled up at the other her.

Finally, Isabel couldn't watch anymore she had to go and check on her own sister. The nursemaid nodded at them to leave as Mateo passed off enough potion to help all of them. It seemed that everything was going to be okay now. Now Isabel rushed off as she went to find her sister. Behind her the portal closed as the others tried to match the young girl steps ahead of them.

Elena was trying to hold on as Gabe was on her left with a wet rag held to her cheeks. Esteban trying to keep her mind at ease by reading from a rather large law book. It seemed to bore her, but it was better then her seeming to fade in front of their very eyes.

"And that is why the Avaloran marriage act is back in place," said Esteban as he read off as Elena seemed to brush that off.

"Isa!" said Elena weakly as she saw her younger sister in the door way.

Naomi finally caught up to her as she passed off the flask to Elena, the axe at her hip. Gabe adjusted himself to let Isabel take his place. She sighed as the flask was angled for Elena to drink. The glass touched her lips as she started to drink. The door swung open as Luisa and Francisco sat at the end of the bed as Luisa had some food on the tray in her hands. Francisco was carrying another pitcher of water for Gabe to use to keep her cooled down.

Everyone waited on baited breath as Elena swallowed the liquid. Mateo came in the brunette behind him as they all watched. Elena from underneath the covers started to ease herself up as she coughed some.

"Oh gosh Mateo what was in that?" she asked as she burped. "Excuse me."

"Elena!" said Isabel as she felt the tears come on as she hugged her sister tightly. She was able to save both as that was enough for her. Luísa passed off some pozole to her on the tray as she put her hands on the bowl to keep her hands warm.

"It smells great abuela," said Elena with a smile as Isabel snuggled up to her sister.

"I'm so happy you are okay," said Isabel as Elena put her arm around her. "I didn't want to see you go, not after with what happened before…"

Elena pushed back some of her hair as she kissed her head, as she could remember their Shuriki. "I would never do that to you Isa. I love you and I'd always stay by your side as much as I can." The sisters hugged as everyone around them could only watch as Elena grew stronger after that scare. Naomi held the axe in her hand as she went to tell them what they had found.

"And boy do we have a story to tell you," said Naomi as she held the axe. "And Isabel has a mighty good aim."