Hello everyone! I hope everyone has a good Wednesday! Here's another chapter for you wonderful people. Things will begin to escalate rather quickly from here. (At least I hope. I have an idea of where I want it to go) Don't hesitate to leave a comment. I love reading them!

ENJOY!

Valka perched on Cloudjumper's back like a monkey on a tree branch, the high winds whipping at her face, chapping her lips, and tangling her long hair. Cloudjumper was using his wings to protect her from the wind since he was not using them but at that altitude and speed, it didn't do much. They had both come to the mutual agreement that hitching a ride on the 747 was the best bet until they got closer to their destination.

Although the middle aged woman couldn't speak to the dragon, they both had a strong bond that didn't need words. She couldn't quite explain it but she appreciated it. She felt the air get colder and colder as they headed further north on the plane. Cloudjumper lowered her down to the cockpit window so she could see the plane's location. She concentrated on making herself look like a cloud as she peeked over so that the pilots didn't see her.

She tugged lightly on the dragon's claw to indicate she was ready to come up. "We're here. They're about to head east in a minute." The two walked towards the back of the plane and jumped off, Cloudjumper's wings catching the wind allowing the two to hover for a moment and letting the plane reach a safe distance before he pumped them and continued to head north.

Within an hour, the two saw a huge tornado of clouds circling a large portion of Greenland. "We're here. Fly over and land on the far side." Cloudjumper increased elevation over the storm and silently glided over it and landed on the far side of a few snowbanks. Valka peeked her masked head carefully over the bank to get a better look but there wasn't much to look at. It was just a wall of snow and ice blowing in an organized circle. "Definitely Snow Wraith," she mumbled.

With a wave of her hand, beckoned her dragon partner to follow her as she began to approach the isolated snow storm. Cloudjumper once again used his wings to protect her from the sudden force and wind and ice as they entered and slowly began to make their way forward. Neither had any way of knowing if there was anything there to be found but they continued anyway.

Suddenly, Valka tripped and fell over...something. She looked back at where her foot was and saw a large cylindrical handle. She looked up at Cloudjumper who sniffed at it curiously and then huffed through his nostrils in displeasure. "They are here," she mumbled to herself. She walked over to the ring and dug through the snow to find the other and used all her strength to lift them up.

Two large doors opened below her, a large set of stairs leading down into darkness. Cloudjumper nudged her away from the doors as if begging her not to go in but Valka didn't listen. She patted his head as she consoled him. "It's alright. I know it's scary but I have to go. If I can stop Drago here and now, I-" she paused as she took a steady breath. "We can all be a family again." She began down the steps and turned around to grab the doors. "Get out of the storm and hide behind those banks. If I'm not back by sundown, go to Toothless, inform them what I found and have North and the others come. If I can't stop Drago, they can."

Cloudjumper gave a worried coo but bowed his head as he watched the door engulf his rider. Valka was now all alone and in complete darkness. With a steadying sigh, she began down the stairs, not knowing what she'd find down there. She clutched her double-hooked quarter staff closely to herself as a shield as she began to see light at the end of the tunnel.

She pressed her back closer to the side of the tunnel as she began to hear voices bounce off of the cavern walls. She took cautious step after cautious step until she was able to look around the corner at the activity on the other side. She gasped in surprise.

People of all ethnicity, size, and age were pushing and pulling crates from one side to another. She could make out at least 3 different languages being spoken by them but couldn't quite translate them. Even if she could get to those people without being caught by the guards, she couldn't communicate with them. These must be some of the people that Pitch and his nightmares took. She thought to herself. Those poor people. You will be free soon I promise.

Valka took a close look at one of the guards and focused on recreating the illusion of her wearing their outfit. Once satisfied that the illusion was secure and her face also altered, she entered the bustling cavern and began to approach the tunnel the other guards were standing in front of. With a quick nod, she passed them and continued down the tunnel. She quickly began to search down each one to find where Drago was hiding himself.

She finally reached a large cavern with several tables and a large chair at the highest point. Of course he would create a throne for himself. Typical. She looked at the papers and diagrams on the tables and her heart stopped in her chest. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Like what you see?" a deep, rough voice echoed through the room.

Valka tensed slightly, knowing the voice all too well. "It's ambitious." She stood straight as she saw one of his guards standing at attention in the other room. Perhaps I can trick him long enough to get the upper hand.

She watched as he exited the shadows of the doorway he was in and completely entered the room. He slowly walked over to one of the tables and tapped his knuckles on it. "It has to be if we're going to pull this off. Seven billion people in the world: about one percent mutants with powerful abilities, another five percent of the remaining humans with access to power tools and weapons; hundreds of countries with governments to topple; an entire dragon population to control; an entire world to bend to my will. It has to be ambitious."

Valka mentally growled at him but kept her face neutral. "If we commit mass genocide, who would be left for you rule over?"

Drago smiled wickedly at her. "Only those cowardly or beaten enough to bend the knee." He walked towards her as he continued to speak. "In a few days, I will be king of the entire world. Humans, mutants, and dragons will answer to me."

Valka's body stiffened even more when he placed his hand on her shoulder, shivers running down her spine. "That's a lot for one man."

Drago nodded his head in agreement. "Very true. Which is why you will rule by my side, Valka." He banged his spear on the ground and immediately several dozen men came out of the different entrances to the cavern. His hand tightened on her shoulder. "You can drop the illusion. Did you think I would be able to recognize your presence after all these years?"

Valka yanked her shoulder away from him and turned to face the larger man, her quarterstaff at the ready to defend herself. "I told you all those years ago that I wouldn't help you with this asinine plan of yours! I am here to put an end to you!"

She swung her staff at him but was expertly parried by him. He twisted his spear around hers and flung it into the air. She didn't hesitate to swing her fists at him but he dodged every single one. Even after years of honing her hand to hand skills, he was still beating her in combat but it wouldn't stop her. She swung again but this time, he caught it and yanked her hand behind her own back and used his own weight to slam her on the ground. She tried to wriggle free but he was too heavy and she realized with panicked breaths she was trapped.

"You will obey me," he whispered in her ear, his breath making her gag. "You will submit to my will as even the mightiest dragon has and you will rule by my side, one way or another."

Valka felt a pressure on her thoughts, as if someone was trying to push them into a closet to make room for new ones. Realizing what he was doing, she immediately began to think about her family and her desire to be with them. She thought about Hiccup's smile when he got his first sketchbook; she thought about Stoick's face when she said yes to his proposal; she thought about Cloudjumper's coo when she brought him his favorite fish. "You. Will. Not. Control. ME!" she yelled at him.

Drago grunted as if she had just physically pushed him away. He shook his head and leaned back towards her. "In time I will. Take her to her own private cell," he called to one of the guards and released her once handcuffs had been placed on her. He grabbed her face and brought it closer to his. "We will continue this chat later," he grinned evilly.

Valka shuttered in his grasp. She yanked her face out of his grip and glared at him. "You will lose in the end," she said as the guard shoved her toward one of the tunnels. She looked at the frozen tunnels around her as she was led deeper and deeper into the earth, the thought of escaping began to leave her mind. There was no way Cloudjumper would be able to help her down here and no one else knew she would be here even if someone were to break into this labyrinth of tunnels.

The guard opened up a metal door and led her inside. He shackled her feet to the wall before undoing the handcuffs around her hands and left with the clicking of the door lock echoing throughout the cell. She looked around and saw only a small bed with a thin blanket folded on it and sat down in defeat. She was a prisoner and she would die here and by Drago's hand. She just knew it. I just wish I had seen Hiccup and Stoick one last time.

Doofenshmirtz hung up the phone after a long uncomfortable call with his daughter, Vanessa. She may act like a tough, young teenage girl but she was still that: young. Those sand horses scared her but she didn't want to admit it. He could hear it in her voice. Even he got scared. The same fear when he thought about vending machines taking over the world.

He shook his head as walked over to the large balcony to look over the Tri-State Area. He wondered if this attack was conducted by the one that rude lady was working for. Had he brought it upon the city by his refusal? Nah. That's stupid. If it was aimed at me, it would have just been here and not global.

But it still didn't shake the feeling that those same people were behind it. She had said that they wanted to rule the world and if they were behind it, they may actually accomplish it. He didn't like the idea of those types of people in control of his daughter's life. He may be evil but he wasn't heartless. He needed to find some way to protect his daughter from those psychotic people. He needed to come up with some sort of plan or invention that would protect her but maybe with the help of someone that could build something that wouldn't blow up every time he tried to use it.

The phone rang again and he went to answer it. "Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated. Heinz speaking."

"Evil Incorporated?" the caller asked. "Why evil?"

"Stanford! Long time, no chat. How are you doing?"

"I could be better." Doofenshmirtz noticed how frazzled he sounded. Almost as frazzled as he was.

"What's up?"

"You experienced the nightmares too, right?"

"Those sand horse things? Yeah. Why?"

"Was your daughter taken?"

"Thank goodness, no. Why do you ask?"

"I was wondering if you would like to collaborate on a project that would protect your family and mine. I need a brain like yours that thinks out of the box since these creatures are also out of the box. I am, unfortunately, a little too grounded with my inventions."

"Count me in!" Doofenshmirtz agreed. "I have a feeling those things were only the beginning and if that lady was any indication of the kind of people that are behind this, we need all the protection we can get."

"Wait, you know who was behind this?"

"Long story, Ford. Great for a backstory."

Anna approached the large Mayor with restrained excitement. She hoped and prayed that he brought good news but didn't want to seem too excited if he brought bad news. He had asked her to meet her outside the school that had been attacked the hardest when the mares showed themselves, which she found odd, but she trusted the Mayor.

"I'm glad to see that yer safe, Anna," he smiled at her.

"Thanks. The other day was definitely scary."

He nodded and motioned with his hand to follow him onto the school campus. She could see that it was damaged pretty badly in the attack. Worse than any damage she had seen on other buildings. "Those horses really hated this school," she stated.

"That they did," he nodded.

Anna continued to follow the large man further onto the campus property and noticed someone familiar. Fergus opened a door and motioned for her to go in. Once inside, she was greeted by another large man with a white beard. "North, this is Anna."

"Hello miss," he grinned and shook her hand excitedly.

"Hi. You look like Santa Claus." The sentence registered in her head and she quickly gasped. "Sorry. That was rude. I shou-"

"Not to worry," he chuckled. "I get it all the time. Now! Let us reunite some family!"

Anna gawked at both men as they continued down the hallway towards a large French door. Her heart was beating in her chest and her throat went dry at the thought that she was about to meet her family. Her feet felt like lead as she tried to quicken her pace but the fear that this was a trick kept her from walking any faster.

Once in the room, she felt at ease. It was warm and welcoming despite several cracks in the wall and some debris still on the floor. She could see the bright colors on the walls and the toys lining the shelves as if she had just walked into a toy shop. Well, a toy shop that survived an earthquake at least. Besides the two large men, there was a shorter, younger one with white hair and holding a large stick. "Hello," she greeted shyly as she waved her hand.

"Anna," Fergus started. "When you first came to me with your story, I honestly didn't believe I'd find anything. But I took a dive and found out quite a lot."

North led Anna over to the other side of a high backed chair and saw the person sitting in it. Her eyes went wide and her breath caught in her throat. "You-you found her," she whispered. Tears began to well up in her eyes and she covered her mouth in shock. "I had my doubts too but this-" she couldn't finish her sentence as she broke down crying with happiness.

Anna felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up to see large green eyes smiling at her. "Hi, Anna!" she said happily. "My name's Rapunzel. I'm your cousin!"

"Cousin?" Anna repeated. "Like actually related? Not just friends?" The blonde in front of her nodded and hugged her tightly.

"I was just as surprised as you when he told me," she cried with the redhead. "In fact it gets better!"

Anna pulled away from her cousin and wiped her face. "This is already the best. How could it get better?"

"Turns out," Fergus jumped in. "You and your family have an interesting history. This young lad here," he motioned to white haired boy. "Is your half brother."

Anna blinked in shock, looking between Rapunzel and the boy. Her mind couldn't comprehend what was happening fast enough. The boy bent down and held out his hand for her to shake. "My name's Jack. Nice to meet you, Anna."

She took the hand cautiously, afraid that if she touched it, he would disappear in a puff of smoke. When he didn't, her smile got bigger and she lunged at him, engulfing him in a tight hug. He returned it happily and she felt warmth in her soul she never thought she would feel. After feeling alone most of her life and then scared from the attack, she felt light as a feather. She pulled away and looked between Jack and Rapunzel, disbelief still in her eyes. "I can't believe it," she cried. She grabbed them both and pulled them into a big group hug. "I hoped for only one member but to get two! It's a dream come true!"

"But there is still more," North added.

Anna's eyes opened wide in shock and she turned around to look at him. "How could there be more? Don't tell me I have more siblings."

"You do," Jack and Rapunzel said together.

"One is apparently my twin sister, who has been missing since I was a baby and then my other sister who was taken recently by some very bad people," Jack informed her, his eyes looking down sadly. "We're trying to locate her now."

"And we found ya an aunt and uncle too," Fergus said. "Rapunzel's parents are the Coronas and your family, along with Jack's father. What would that make him? Step-father in law? Step-father once removed? Half-father?"

"I don't care," Anna shook her head. "Just five minutes ago I had no family and now I have a cousin, a half brother, two half sisters, an aunt, and uncle, and a step-dad! I couldn't be happier!" She jumped up and hugged Fergus around the neck tightly. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Jim surfed through TV channel after TV channel trying to find some new information but each station was saying the same exact thing. No government had an explanation about what happened, what those horses were, where they took the people, or if they'd ever come back. He really wished his Mom was there with him but he knew that she was needed more at the hospital where they were swapped by people who had been hurt in car crashes, falling debris, and other means when the mares attacked. Was it wrong to be a little selfish and want her home?

The door opened up and Claire walked in, plopping herself on the couch cushion next to him. He could see she was just as exhausted as he was. "Any luck?" he asked.

"About what happened? Nope," she flopped her arms in defeat against the cushions. "But apparently, if answers aren't given soon, we may not have to worry about those mares or Angor Rot."

That got his attention away from the screen. "What do you mean?"

"Mom has been on the phone on and off all day with the Mayor and other representatives. From what I can gather, this attack has put the people in a fear driven panic and there are threats of riots and violence in the streets as well as complete collapse of the government as we know it."

Jim blinked several times, his mind trying to register her words. More panic meant more injuries meaning his Mom would be swapped and his friends, troll and human, had a higher chance of getting hurt. He couldn't wrap his mind around that thought. "The news isn't helping either. They keep repeating the same thing over and over. Constantly bombarding scared people with these images can't be helping keeping people calm. Some even are broadcasting their own theories and if I wasn't used to threatening danger, some of them would freak me out."

"They don't freak you out?" Claire asked, arching an eyebrow. "Even knowing trolls exist and almost being killed by a few, some of those ideas are terrifying."

"No, they scare me too," Jim agreed. "But not enough for me to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I can't even find anything helpful on the internet." Jim's slim form slumped tiredly next to Claire's as he held the bridge of his nose in frustration.

Claire grabbed his free hand and squeezed it. Smiled at him as he looked at her. "We'll figure this out. We'll find Toby and Darci."

"I feel bad," Jim squeezed her hand back. "I promised I'd save your brother and now I can't even focus on that."

"We know where he is. We don't know where Toby and Darci are. That is our number one priority. We are no good to my brother if the world as we know it is destroyed."

Jim smiled at Claire again who returned it. She sighed and laid her head on his shoulder, completely surprising him but he didn't question it. It felt nice to have someone with him.

"On the bright side," Claire added. "I may be getting better with the Shadow Staff. I may be able to locate Toby soon. I just need to rest for a bit before trying again."

Elinor muttered as she continued to look at the email she had just received from her mother. With everything else happening, this was the last thing she wanted to deal with. Several students were injured and there was a smell in the air that made her sick to her stomach. It was like Mother Nature was telling her that there was a massive storm coming and it scared her.

She wasn't scared for herself but for her children. If the Phantom Reapers were successful with whatever they were planning, her family would definitely be one to suffer their wrath. She was one of the mutant leaders and if they were taken down, she would have to watch everyone she loved ripped from her. Fergus would definitely be killed and possibly her boys but Merida-

Elinor visibly shuttered at the thought of those people harming her. She was very proud of how strong, loyal, and protective she had become but that also meant she would be a prime target to be converted, used, or abused by those vile people. She clutched the wireless mouse hard with every thought of how they would hurt her precious daughter until the small device in her hand was nothing but bits and pieces.

"You're muttering, dear," Fergus said as he placed his hands on her shoulders and began to massage them to relax her.

"I don't mutter," she denied as she pushed the crushed mouse into a trash bin and let her shoulders relax under her husband's touch.

"Aye, you do lass. What is it?"

Elinor sighed and pointed toward the email. "My mother is on her way over here now to continue discussions about Merida's wedding."

"Seriously? Did she just sleep through the nightmare attack?" Fergus asked, flabbergasted.

"Apparently. She wants Merida to decide on a suitor tonight."

"Merida won't be happy about that."

"I know," she leaned into his touch and began to massage her own temple. "But how do I tell her that Merida went through a traumatic experience without explaining why?"

Fergus stopped massaging her shoulders and leaned down to turn her head towards him, a confused expression on his face. "She doesn't know what you can do, does she?"

Elinor's eyes began to fill with tears, threatening to spill. "No," she admitted softly. "She was always so old fashioned and proper that the idea of telling or showing her scared me. I was afraid that she would disown me and kick me out."

Fergus pulled her into one of his big bear hugs and she buried her face and body into his chest, welcoming the secure warmth from him. "Oh, dear. I thought she knew. That does definitely complicate things. What are you go-"

The doorbell rang and two didn't have to answer the door to know who it was. They both heard footsteps running down the stairs and a 'I got it' came from Merida. Elinor straightened herself and quickly dried her eyes as she stood to greet her mother. Fergus stopped her and kissed her gently on the lips as he squeezed her hand letting her know that he was by her side no matter what. She pulled away and smiled at him gratefully and together they walked out of the room to face the older woman.

Elinor saw her mother circling Merida and correcting her posture and plucking stray hairs off of her clothes, constantly commenting on how completely disheveled the young woman looked. "Elinor, darling," she greeted when she saw her. "You have been slacking on your daughter again. What on earth is going on with this look?"

"These are ma pajamas," Merida answered. "They're not supposed to look good."

"No excuse," she wagged a boney finger. "Now down to business." She pulled out three glossy pictures of the suitors she had chosen and placed them on the table in a perfect line. "It is time for you to pick one of the suitors."

Elinor watched her daughter's face go from shock to disbelief to anger. "Perhaps now is not the best time." She didn't want Merida to be lectured even more tonight by her mother. "Merida has been through an ordeal recently that has taken its toll on her emotional and mental state. She won't make a good decision."

Merida looked at her like she could believe what she was doing. Elinor assumed that her daughter believed she was only stalling so that she could make the correct decision and not a hasty one to appease the older woman. It was far from the truth.

"Doesn't matter. Any choice is a good one and a choice needs to be made now."

"Ye can't be serious?" Merida cried. "With everything that happened the other day, how can ya be thinking about continuing with this?"

"Black sand horses do not stop the world from turning and it will not stop this wedding," Victoria shrugged. "No matter how much you wish for it, dear."

Merida had finally had enough and began to shout angrily at her grandmother, who in response began to argue back. The argument only went on for a few seconds but it felt like several hours to Elinor. She could see Merida was shaking in anger and tears were threatening to fall down her face while her mother remained calm and unmoving. Elinor's grip on Fergus' hand tightened to the point she could hear whispers of pain coming from him and she loosened it.

Elinor finally lost it when she heard her mother say Merida was an irresponsible and ungrateful woman. She had unconsciously shifted herself into her bear form and stood in front of Merida, roaring long and loud at her mother.

Victoria's face had gone white, her face was in complete horror. Merida and Fergus stood absolutely frozen seeing Elinor lose her cool like that. Elinor slowly shifted back into her human form but the intensity in her glare was still there.

"Merida will not be choosing a suitor tonight, mother," she stated matter of factly. "She has grown up to be a strong, confident, beautiful young lady and she will do wonderful things in this world. As of right now, her responsibility is to her fellow peers who are currently facing a threat a lot bigger than what man she is going to marry. You will leave this house at once and this whole marriage nonsense will no longer be a discussion until the real problem has been dealt with." She pointed towards the door as she continued to glare at Victoria. "Now get out of my house."

She watched as her mother continued to stare at her in horror and quickly exit the residence. Once she heard the door close, she collapsed into the nearest chair and put a hand over her mouth. Elinor couldn't believe what she did and the expression on her daughter's and husband's face reflected her feelings. "What have I just done?" she asked fearfully.

If he had a mouth, his smile would be so big, so wide, and so menacing, it would strike fear in the hearts of anyone who saw it. These puny humans were helping him out for free and they didn't even know it! How gullible and cute they were.

It bothered him that he couldn't make any real move unless he made a stupid deal but these people were so desperate for assistance that it had been easy to make one. He had completely destroyed one of the obstacles in his way and now he had another as his prisoner.

The naïve girl had wandered into his dimension like she was on some sort of trip and wasn't prepared for his power. She was quick and witty, though, giving the boy in the red hoodie her Dimensional Scissors for him to escape as she distracted him. Now she was trapped in a bubble with a shooting star on it and chains keeping it encased. She could escape but he could use her as bait for the boy so that he could get his hands on those scissors and escape this dreaded dimension and wreak some real chaos upon the universe.

He continued to monitor the other dimension closely, watching and waiting for the right opportunity to make his next deal and remove another threat to his plan. Bill Cipher will escape his prison and the universe will witness his wrath!

Oh no! Valka!
But, Aww! Family together!
And darn you Bill! What are planning?