The Frost King Chapter 36: Armed and Dangerous, a Yu-Gi-Oh + Don't Starve Crossover fanfic

Chapter 36, everybody! In which Wilson does some fast-talking….

Yuko13, thanks for the review! We're going to get an answer to that question in this chapter, actually….And I don't know….

"Who are you, and what do you want?"

A young woman—not that Wilson was foolish enough to believe that made her any less dangerous. Women, in his experience, were more motivated to be lethal, considering they weren't as physically strong as men. He was certain that even with his wiry frame, he could wrest that gun from her if he got close enough.

He was smart enough to know that it was because of that fact that the girl would not let him get anywhere near her.

"We're…travelers," Wilson tried carefully, knowing the best fabrications had truth in them. "We've just crossed the Great Swamp, and we're heading for the Sunlit Kingdom to trade."

Yugi tugged insistently at his shirt sleeve. Wilson ignored him; he had to at least distract this girl from Yugi, maybe even get her away before Yami showed up—because the Frost King would inexorably appear through that fog, and if she saw that….

She lowered the gun enough to give him a look that he recognized: Seriously? How dumb do you think I am? Ah…a Pale Skin. No wonder she was of the cynical bent.

Wilson allowed himself a moment to marvel at the fact that he was barely off the mountain and back to thinking in those terms. Ah, politics.

Whoever she was, she couldn't have been older than he; she had long brown hair, round glasses, a purple fedora—wow, it had been ages since he had seen that cut of hat. He didn't think complimenting it would get them out of trouble, though.

"I see you don't believe me," Wilson began.

"Go with that feeling," she snapped.

"Might I suggest a less acerbic approach?" he countered—he missed this, he realized: the opportunity to sharpen his wit on someone he didn't know. "I should hope it's evident we're not armed—and we're certainly not fighting fit after walking through that."

The gun was lower now, but Wilson was certain she could shoot from the hip—not out of the woods yet. "So what's a couple of Pale Skins such as yourself doing coming from that direction? And heading in that direction besides."

Yugi was still tugging at his sleeve, prompting Wilson to spare half-a-glance in the direction they had come.

Too much. "There's someone else with you, isn't there?" she asked, readying the gun again.

"Yes," Wilson admitted. "But I'm certain you have the same advantage—I can't imagine a woman living out here by herself."

She bit down on her tongue to stop the comeback—ah, so she was by herself! But why?

"We don't harbor any ill will towards you—" he tried again.

"The feeling isn't mutual."

"But I must say that we are travelling with…something…that to the average person may be startling—"

"Vague much?"

"It's a Frost King," Yugi piped up.

"Ah, it speaks," the woman noised, glancing at Yugi. Wilson positioned himself so he'd be between the two.

"Might we consider a discourse that doesn't involve a weapon in your hand?" Wilson posed.

The woman rolled her eyes. "Look, bucko, the Tan Skins down south might be lax about it, but around here, trespassing's a serious crime—"

"Hey!" Joey said, projecting. "Who are you guys talking to?"

Instantly the gun was pointed at Joey. "Ho geez," Joey squawked.

Wilson carefully began edging towards her. "This is Mr. Joseph Wheeler, he's travelling with us…." Last name—note that he has a last name….

"For the record, this gun makes a good a club as it does a projectile weapon," she said, glancing at him.

Jingling. Out of time. "Yugi, lie down," Wilson commanded quietly.

"What?" Yugi squeaked. "Why?"

"You'll make yourself a smaller target—now lie down."

He had to hope that he did so—because the woman was glancing up and behind Joey—

Where an antlered form was beginning to emerge from the fog.

Wilson bolted forward as she swung the gun up to aim at Yami, managed to shove the barrel away as she squeezed the trigger—

It was to Wilson's concern that she had a similar level of strength to him as he tried to wrestle the gun from her. The portion of his mind that always remained detached and clinical reminded him of the cords of wood lined neatly against the shed—it had to come from somewhere….

A pain in his shin prompted that clinical brain cell to note that she fought dirty—typical Pale Skin. No, Joey, trying to assist is a bad idea—Wilson shoved forward so the business end of the gun was pointing at the house. She followed the motion, cracked the butt of the gun against his skull—ow—sending him to his knees, but can't afford to let go—

"Hey!"

The stars cleared enough for Wilson to see that Joey had managed to come up behind her and pin her arms to her sides, giving Wilson enough leverage to wrest the gun away.

That did not mean she was down for the count—she shoved up, knocking Joey off-balance, and kicked Wilson in the gut, sending him spiraling down the steps. Oof. He rolled over, hoping to play keepaway long enough for him to get his breath back—

It had been a while before he had heard such colorful language, but her main question was clear: "What is that thing?!"

Wilson looked up to see Yami take one more step—

Then once again collapse in the traces.

Yugi and Willow were immediately at his side, giving Wilson enough time to catch his breath and turn to the young woman.

"That," he gasped. "Is what is known in the mountains as the Frost King. How cold is your springhouse?"

She blinked at him. "What? Why do you want to know?"

"You're an educated lady—he can't be allowed to get too warm. Now, if you want any more questions answered, then I suggest you start playing hostess instead of Annie Oakley."

If anger manifested in flame, Wilson would be looking at an inferno. He'd have to keep an eye on her—he had the feeling he wasn't holding her only weapon.

"Fine," she spat finally.