Chapter 23: Childhood Memories

"Hang on! We like to go fast!"

Anna laughed as she placed her feet up. "I like going fast."

"Woah, woah! Get your feet down!" Kristoff—they had finally learned his name and that he has a reindeer named Sven—"This is fresh lacquer! Seriously, were you raised in a barn?" he said as he spat on the wood to make it clean again.

"Ugh," Anna said disgusted as she wiped off the spit. "No. I was raised in a castle."

While Anna was at the front, the others were at the cart. Some of them were listening to their conversation while the others were minding their own business.

"ACHOO! Ungh…" Sora snuffed.

"Hey, don't get your sickness near me. I don't want to get affected," Donald grumbled. He wasn't too happy with this weather; it wasn't his forte.

Sora rolled his eyes at the drama from Donald. "Believe me, it wasn't my intention to get sick. I hate winter."

Riku smirked. "Should've taken up the remedy Oaken offered you."

Sora dismissed it with his hand. "I'll be fine. I'm sure it's just a 24 hour flu—AEICHOO!"

Riku laughed. "Something tells me it isn't."

Sighing, Sora ignored him though he gave a glance to the side and saw Kairi shivering slightly but she didn't seemed to mind it. Sora took off the cloak and wrapped it around her which took her by surprise.

"Uh…thanks—"

"Don't mention it."

"…You mean to tell me you got engaged to someone you just met that day?" Kristoff asked incredulous.

This seemed to perk everyone's attention. Now, they know more about why the Queen went all ice crazy.

"Yes. Pay attention. But the thing is, she wore the gloves all the time, so I just thought, maybe she has a thing about dirt."

"Didn't your parents ever warn you about strangers?"

Anna looked at him in a more skeptic way as she scooted over. "Er…yes they did. But Hans is not a stranger!"

Just by hearing his name made Sora scowled. There's something about that guy that made Sora tick him off. It wasn't his 'dreamy personality' as how Anna described him but something else.

"Oh yeah? What's his last name?" Kristoff challenged.

"Of the Southern Isles," Anna shot back, automatically knowing where this was going. If it's a challenge he wants, then he'll get it.

"What's his favorite food?"

"Sandwiches."

"His best friend's name?"

"Probably John."

"Eye color?"

"Dreamy."

"Foot size?"

Anna huffed, annoyed. "Foot size doesn't matter."

"Have you had a meal with him yet? What if you hate the way he eats? What if you hate the way he picks his nose?"

"Picks his nose?" Anna said, disgusted.

"And eats it," Kristoff responded slyly.

"Excuse me sir, he is a prince!"

Kristoff chuckled. "All men do it."

"Ew!"

Riku snorted. "I think you mean most men do it. I for one don't although I don't know about Sora…ow! Kidding! Kidding!"

Kairi chuckled though there was a searing pain that suddenly came into her head, making her hiss.

"Ah!" Kairi hissed as she clutched her head with one hand. She winced, shutting her eyes as she was trying to breathe.

"Hey…you okay?" Sora asked, concerned.

"Y—yeah…" she said shakily but this didn't went unnoticed from Riku who narrowed his eyes as he looked at Kairi.

He still has a sinister feeling about her which was odd. The Kairi he knew didn't had that kind of aura so why did she suddenly has it? Riku went back to the part where they were Traverse Town when Kairi took off.

He didn't know why it took so long for Kairi to return but she seemed fine once she came back.

Noticing that someone was staring at her, Kairi gazed forward and saw Riku giving her a hard stare. The two shared a moment before Donald looked around, suddenly finding out that they were slowing down.

"Hey, why are we slowing down?" Donald asked.

"Shh…" Kristoff said as he took his lantern and looked around. The others started to notice it too. Something was disturbing here… Even Sven froze in his spot as he could sense it.

Goofy looked back, staring through the darkness until yellow eyes appeared which made Goofy be tense.

"Uh guys…there's something out there," Goofy responded as the light from the lantern shone at the view. Kristoff squinted his eyes only to widen them once he found out what it was.

Quickly, Kristoff placed the lantern back and grabbed the reins.

"What? What happened?" Anna asked.

"Sven, go! Go!" Kristoff urged him.

Sensing the urge, Sven wasted no time in running away since he automatically began to pick up speed which nearly threw Goofy off though Riku caught him.

"What are they?" Anna asked.

"Wolves," he answered.

"Wolves?"

Sure enough, a pack of wolves began to emerge out of darkness, chasing them. Riku narrowed his eyes as an idea came to his mind followed by a light which appeared at his hand.

"We've got this. You just worry about getting out of here safely," Riku said.

"Uh, alright."

"Get back you confounded wolf!" Donald exclaimed as he whipped his weapon at the wolf so that it staggered back.

"Ragh!" Kairi yelled as she wacked the wolf away with a banjo.

"Hey! That's my banjo you're hitting with!" Kristoff shouted.

Unexpectedly, Kristoff was forced to take a sharp swerve which made the group tumbled backwards, hitting at the back of the cart.

"Ungh…watch how you're steering!" Riku growled as he kicked himself up and then he slashed his Keyblade through the air so that he wacked the wolf away. It did some damage but not enough to actually kill it.

Because of the steer, it forced Sora tumble out of his seat and began to plunge out.

"Sora!" Kairi and Anna shouted.

Anna turned around to glare at Kristoff. "Really, Kristoff!"

"Hey, it's not my fault how this mountain was made."

She made her way towards him, extending her hand out so that she could grab his. As she grabbed his hand, Sora let out a small cry as one of the wolves' claw scratched at his back but one of the other wolves from behind made an attempt to lunge. But before it could even attack Kairi, something wacked it away, leaving it to howl from pain as it stumbled backwards.

"Huh?"

"You guys okay?" Riku asked as he helped Sora up who stumbled forward, leaning into Riku.

"Yeah, thanks," Kairi grinned but her grin faltered when another wolf jumped, going towards Sora. "Sora, watch out!"

Without thinking, when the wolf was close enough, Kairi stuck her hand out so that it slightly touched the wolf's fur. She growled, having a dark power emitted out of her hand. It blasted the animal away though Riku widened his eyes as he gaped at the scene. He didn't knew Kairi could do that.

Huffing, Kairi turned around only to find Riku staring at her with a stun expression. She winced. She was in a whole trouble.

"Guys, hang on! We're gonna jump!" Kristoff shouted. "I want every one of you to come at the front."

"Jump? What do you mean jump?" Goofy asked.

From the voices, it made Riku tore his gaze away (much to Kairi's relief although she doubt Riku would let it go) and he widened his eyes.

"There's a cliff up ahead!" he cried out. "Sora, get going you lazy butt," he growled, picking up Sora and then before he could even protest, Riku threw Sora to the other side so that a painful thud came, making Sora groan.

"Man…that hurts!" he complained. "There goes my backside."

"Kairi, you're next."

Anna let out a yelp as she was also got thrown on Sven. "Hey!"

When everyone was beside Kristoff, Kristoff suddenly let out an exclaim as he was unexpectedly dragged away by the wolf who grabbed his sleeve, pulling him away.

"Christopher!" Anna shouted.

"It's Kristoff! Ow! Ow!"

Riku quickly looked around at the wagon before he grabbed the torch which was in Donald's hand when Kristoff got pulled.

"What are you—"

"Not now."

Riku climbed back to the wagon and lit up what it looked like a rolled up sleeping bag.

"Kristoff, duck!"

"What—argh!"

Riku threw the bag which knocked the wolves away and he pulled him up, pulling the rope as he helped Kristoff.

"Whew…thanks…" Kristoff breathed.

"Uh guys…the cliff is on is way!" Anna called out.

Just by mentioning the cliff, Kristoff made his way while pulling Riku as well. When the cliff was getting near, Kristoff shouted.

"Jump, Sven!" he replied as he cut off the rope. At once, Sven jumped though the others shouted as the wolves slide to a halt. Kristoff looked down and then stared forward.

"Everyone, else! Jump!" he shouted before he jumped out of the seat.

Everyone followed in pursuit and they reached at the edge of the cliff. Riku was quick to get up on his feet and he began to pull Kairi up before he made his way to drag Sora, Donald and Goofy up. But by the time he came to Kristoff, Kristoff was already slipping and Riku made a dive in attempt to rescue him.

"Kristoff!" Riku yelled but his hand slipped away by an inch. However, a thud came and Riku widened his eyes with a stun look on his face when he saw the axel, being close to him.

"Climb!"

Not thinking twice, Kristoff grabbed the item and was being pulled along with Riku helping out. Once on the surface, Kristoff sprawled out, exhausted.

Anna ran down, joining him. She then looked up only to see that the sleigh was lit on fire. She felt bad.

"Uhm…I'll replace your sleigh and everything that was in it. And I understand if you don't want to help me anymore," Anna said as she looked up. "You too guys…"

The group, who were still on the snow, stared at her as she walked away. Saddened, Sven nudged his head against Kristoff who groaned.

"Of course, I don't want to help her anymore. In fact, this whole thing has ruined me for helping anyone ever again."

"I think you're being harsh on her," Sora said as he joined him. He then peered down below to see the sleigh burning. "Oh…"

"But she'll die on her own," Kristoff pretended that Sven was talking which earned a concerned look from Sora.

Nevertheless, Sven seemed to agree with him.

"I can live with that," Kristoff muttered. "Oh, here we go…" he moaned. "'But then you won't get your new sled if she's dead," Kristoff glared at Sven who had knowing look. "Sometimes, I really don't like you."

Sven grinned, jumping up and down. Sighing, Kristoff called out.

"Hold up! We're coming!"

"You are? I mean, sure. I'll let you tag along…"

Kristoff made a small chuckle as the two of them got up. When everyone was up at the front (except for Sora who was walking from behind), Riku grabbed Kairi by the arm, twirling her so that she faced him.

"What the hell, Kairi?" Riku hissed which made her be surprise from the sudden tone. "Who are you really?"

"Er…Kairi."

"No, you're not. Kairi doesn't have any magical powers. She has the Keyblade that helps her get the powers, not on her own. So I ask again. Who are you?"

Kairi glared at him, straightening her head. "I am Kairi."

Because of the sudden stop, Sora looked up and stared at Riku and Kairi who yanked her arm away from him. Frowning, he walked towards them with a questioning look.

"What's happening?" Sora asked once he reached them.

The two glared at each other before Riku broke the silence. "Nothing," he said a bit sharply.

Sora gave a suspicious look and was about to ask further until Donald called out.

"Hey, you slowpokes! Hurry it up!"

Glaring, Kairi walked away from Riku and joined the others. Riku didn't say anything since he kept walking though it only left Sora in confusion, wondering what just happened. Anna turned around only to have a pained expression which made Kristoff follow her gaze and saw the view.

It was Arendelle that was completely covered in snow. Anna gritted her teeth, clenching her fist tightly. None of this would've happen if she hadn't pushed Elsa…

"Arendelle…" Anna murmured. She was worry about the Kingdom. Worried about the citizens. How were they holding up? They are safe…Anna told herself. Right. Because Hans was there, being in charge. He's taking care of them.

"It's completely frozen," Kristoff said.

Shaking her head out of her thoughts, Anna spoke. "But it'll be fine. Elsa will thaw it," Anna said with confident.

"Will she?" Kristoff asked which left an ominous silence which Anna didn't like.

"Yeah. Now, come on. This way to the North Mountain?" she asked, pointing to the left while she was still looking at Arendelle in worry.

Kristoff laughed. "More like this way," he said, pulling Anna's hand upwards.

Anna tore her gaze away and stared to where her arm was pointing. When she saw the tall mountain, her heart drop from disbelief.

Everyone looked in awe when the sun shone brightly, casting its rays down on the snow so that it sparkled like diamonds. Anna gaped at the snow-covered trees as most of them had frost upon them.

"I never knew winter could look so beautiful," Anna said as she grabbed a few of the tree branches.

"Aeeichoo!"

Anna sighed. "Really, Sora."

"Sorry."

Sniggering, Riku grabbed a fistful of snow, forming it into a snowball and he aimed it at Sora. Before he could even throw it, a voice came which startled him and he clumsy threw it at Donald who turned around. He let out an agitated yell as the snowball struck his face which made Riku give a sheepish grin.

"You confounded git!" Donald yelled, hitting Riku who slightly cowered from his wrath. "What was that for?!"

"Sorry, sorry. It was made for Sora but a voice startled me so…"

Anna made a confused look as Goofy chuckled. "A voice?"

"Thanks, Riku, thanks."

"Yeah, there was this voice who was talking and then—"Riku deadpanned. "You guys don't believe me, do you?"

Kairi walked towards him with a concerned look. "Riku… I know you have been in the darkness for too long but…"

Riku gave her a small glare, shrugging off her hand. "I'm fine."

The group seemed surprised at the reaction from Riku. Grumbling, Riku walked off but not before he saw the stares from them.

"What?"

"Uh…nothing…"

Riku sighed. "Alright. Alright. Just forget about the voice. Forget about what I had said. Just forget about…everything, okay?"

Irritated, Riku abruptly turned on his heels and walked away with a scowl on his face even though that made everyone be even more worried for Riku.

"Yeah, it really is beautiful, isn't it? But it's so white."

Everyone froze as they heard the 'voice'. They all looked at Sven (who was bundled up with tree branches) with a dumbfounded look as though they were expecting that he had suddenly the ability to speak. Maybe Riku was right about the voice…

"You know, how about a little color? I'm thinking maybe some crimson, chartreuse. How about yellow? No, not yellow. Yellow and snow? No go," it made a disgusted face.

The voice gradually got louder while everyone else was trying to search for it. "Am I right?"

Everyone turned their attention downwards only to see a snowman. Acting on instinct, Anna screamed as she kicked its head which made Sora widened his eyes, gaping.

A talking snowman…

"Hi," the snowman said.

Kristoff shivered. "You're creepy," he said before he threw the head back to Anna who threw it back.

"I don't want it!" she shouted, throwing it back.

"Back at you!"

"Please don't drop me," the snowman pleaded.

While this was going on, Riku ran towards them, breathing heavily as though he had just ran a marathon. When he arrived, he let out staggering words, with his hands rested upon his knees.

"What…what happened?" he wheezed. "I heard screaming and…"

"Uh…"

Riku raised an eyebrow at the snowman who apparently had his head upside down.

"Uh…"

"I think that was the voice you were talking about, Riku," Goofy said.

Riku, even though he was still slightly disturbed by the snowman, grinned in triumph. "Ha! See? I told you there was a talking voice…"

The Snowman, however, frowned as they all looked weird to him. Something wasn't quite right…

"Wait, what am I looking at right now? Why are you hanging off the earth like a bat?"

Anna blinked, letting out a small sheepish grin. "Er…alright. Wait one second. Uh…"

Hesitantly, Anna walked towards the snowman to fix him by turning his head around to its proper spot.

"Oh!" he said with surprise. "Thank you! Now, I'm perfect!"

Anna grinned awkwardly. "Uh…almost perfect…" she said as she made her hand towards the bag, digging out a carrot.

"It's like my whole life had been upside down," he spoke before turning around only to meet with something sticking into his face, painfully.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Too fast!"

Everyone winced at the push.

"Whoo! Head rush!"

"I was just…are you okay?"

"Are you kidding?" the snowman gasped at the sight. "I am wonderful! I always wanted a nose! It's so cute," he cooed. "It's like a little baby unicorn."

"Oh…uhm…" Anna pressed the carrot from the back of his head which made it be larger.

"Oh! I love it even more!" he said excitedly before clearing out his throat. "Alright, let's start this over…Hello everyone. I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs."

Something sparked inside Anna's mind when he mentioned his name. She widened her eyes, having her breath caught in her throat.

"Olaf…?" she whispered.

"That's right. Olaf. And you are…?"

Realizing that he was waiting for answer, Anna spoke. "Oh, I'm Anna."

"Okay," he then faced the reindeer and Kristoff who were looking at him weirdly. "Who's the funky-looking donkey over there?"

"That's Sven."

"Uh huh. And who's the reindeer?"

Anna made a confused look as she looked at him strangely. "Sven…"

Blinking, Olaf stared at them up and down before he realized. "Oh! Okay. That makes thing easier for me."

Olaf then turned around and saw everyone else. "Hi, I'm Olaf!"

"Er…"

After the group introduced themselves, Anna resumed talking. She wanted to know if Elsa had built him. She knew she did.

"…Hey, Olaf. Did Elsa build you?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Do you think you could show us the way?"

Curious, Kristoff cautiously grabbed one of his arm and played with it until the hand slapped him across the face which earned Olaf's attention though Sora sneezed once more, sniffing.

"Stop it, Sven! I'm trying to focus here!" he exclaimed, grabbing his hand to his proper spot. "Yeah why?"

Rolling his eyes, Kristoff answered. "I'll tell you why. We need Elsa to bring back summer"

Olaf widened his eyes from excited. "Oh! I don't know why but I've always liked summer! And sun… and all things hot."

Kristoff raised an eyebrow, suddenly worried for Olaf. "Really? I'm guessing you don't have much experience with heat."

"Nope."

"So, do you think you can help us then?" Sora asked as he rested his hands on his knees.

"Of course I can!" Olaf said excitedly as he began to make a run. "Now, let's go bring back summer!"

Kristoff stared blankly while everyone else left except for Riku who still a disturbed look.

"Someone's to tell him."

Author's Note: Whew! Quite a long chapter! I actually thought we would meet with Elsa in this one but that wasn't the case. Next chapter should have Elsa appear and Sora keeps sneezing XD someone should really develop a cure for him…What happens next? Find out! Toodles!