Hello everyone! I hope everyone is doing well.

~Enjoy!~

Merida took a deep breath as she approached the pristine and tidy house. In a way, it made Merida sick to her stomach to see the neatly planted flower beds on each side of the walkway, the perfectly cut grass, the fence was washed to utter perfection, and no sign of dirt on the porch. The place was too clean and she knew inside would be just the same way with the furniture at the right angle, the table always tidy, and the carpets always cleaned. Merida always had mixed feelings about this place because it intimidated her but it was also her grandmother's house and no matter how much she got under her skin, Merida loved her.

As she got closer, she noticed that there were several cars parked near the house. What is goin' on? Merida walked up to the door and knocked, stepping back with her hands folded in front of her. Looking at her reflection in the door's glass window, she noticed her unruly hair and quickly began to move and shape it so it looked somewhat neat. I didn't know it looked that wild. This will not help my situation.

The door opened causing Merida to jump. A woman in a grey suit looked at Merida and gave her a small smile. "Merida. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Grandmum, Rosie."

Rosie stepped outside and closed the door so that the opening wasn't as wide. "You should come back another time."

"But I need to talk to her," Merida pushed back.

"You should really come at a different time," Rosie insisted. "Victoria is busy."

Merida could feel the anger boiling in her chest. She took a deep breath before speaking calmly. "I understand she's busy but I need to talk to her. If she's goin' to be messin' with ma future, she's goin' to include me."

"Oh," Rosie stammered. "You know about that?"

Merida nodded. "I do and that's why I'm here."

"And you're alright with the arrangement?" Rosie asked confused.

"Oh, no," Merida chuckled. "I'm definitely not alright with it. There's no way in hell she's goin' to marry me off to some guy because she thinks he's perfect."

Rosie smiled as she chuckled. "Then you really don't want to come in. She has her top three candidates for you over right now and trying to figure out which would be best."

"Are you bloody kidding me?" Merida exclaimed as she took a step forward. "Then I'm definitely coming in. They might as well know what they're going to get."

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Rosie asked as she gently put a hand on Merida's shoulder to stop her. "You could make her angry."

Merida looked at Rosie and noticed the concern in her face, making Merida smile. "Thanks, Rosie. I won't go wild, I promise. I'll try and talk to her in a calm manner but I still have to try and stop her from planning my life."

Rosie nodded as she backed up and opened the door to let Merida enter. She then led Merida into the dining room in the back of the house and announced her presence to Victoria. She then left Merida standing in the organized dining room with Victoria blankly looking at her granddaughter and the three suitors starring at their future bride to be.

Merida looked from boy to boy. She knew it wasn't their fault but she felt an instant hatred towards them. The one closest to her was large with blond hair and a face that looked at her gently, a small smile appearing ever so slightly. In a way, he reminded her of Fishlegs. The one sitting next to him and closest to her grandmother was a scrawny blond boy who looked at her with a blank expression and she figured that maybe his brain activity was the same way. Across from them, there was a tall thin boy with long black hair. His posture was what her mother called 'perfection' and he had a look and aura of arrogance around him. Merida's eye flicked back and forth at the boys, trying to see which one she wouldn't mind spending the rest of her life with if she had to pick one but they all disgusted her. Maybe under different circumstances, one of them would seem attractive.

"Merida," Victoria spoke. "What a pleasant surprise."

Looking at her grandmother, Merida's hope began to plummet. She was neatly put together from her styled hair to her clothes to her makeup to her posture, which made the intense stare she was giving her even more unnerving. "Hello, Grandmum."

"Posture ,dear." Upon hearing the statement, Merida felt her back straighten on command and she mentally sighed. "I'm glad you're here. I need to inform you of certain transactions that will occur in your future."

Merida's blood began to boil at the word 'transactions'. Does she think I'm some doll on a shelf? "Grandmum, I know what you're planning for me and we need to talk. Privately. Alone." Merida watched as none of the boys moved or her grandmother indicating them to leave, her anger finally got to her. She glared at the boys and hissed, "That means get out."

The large boy flinched slightly and looked towards the other two to see if they were getting up. The dark haired boy looked at Victoria, who gave a slight nod, then got up to leave the room followed by the other two blond boys. Merida relaxed her tense position and looked at Victoria, whose face never changed during the ordeal.

"What do we have to discuss?" Victoria asked.

"Don't act so innocent, Grandmum. I know that you're planning my betrothal."

"If you know," Victoria remained calm. "They why the big display?"

"Why the display?" Merida scoffed. "You're planning ma future without even askin' what I want out of life and on top of that you're picking my future husband! Yer not even askin' me what I think about this whole thing!"

"I don't need to ask," Victoria said. "I knew what how you would react, just like I knew how your mother would react. It's normal. I found that it is easier to be told close to the betrothal date to avoid any unnecessary drama."

"Unnecessary? If anythin', yer causin' drama! What if I was in love with someone?"

"Are you?" Victoria cocked an eyebrow.

"No," Merida said.

"Then what is the issue?"

"That's not the point!" Merida cried. "Grandmum, ye can't plan someone else's life. Each person is different."

"This is how things have always been, Merida. The daughter's husband is chosen for her."

"No, Grandmum! That's how it used to be done. It's the 21st Century, not the 18th! I can choose who I want to marry. I can choose to not marry. I can choose what job I want. I have a choice, Grandmum, and I choose not to go through with this arranged marriage."

"There is no going back, Merida," Victoria stood up and began to walk towards her. "Arrangements have been made. In a few months, you will be married to one of those three boys that you just scared away."

"No I won't," Merida replied sternly. "There is no way that ye can make me. I will run as far from here as possible Grandmum. I don't want this."

"However, you need it."

Merida blinked a couple of times. "What do you mean I need it?"

"You are unkept," Victoria began to mess with Merida's hair. "Your posture is atrocious," she forced Merida's back to be straighter. "You dress unladylike," she motioned to Merida's loose shirt and ripped jean shorts. "Lastly, your manners are disgraceful. A lady would never scare off men like that nor raise her voice to an elder. You are just like your mother when she was your age and I quickly straightened her out."

Merida looked at Victoria. She couldn't believe her ears. Her grandmother just pointed out everything that made her happy or made Merida her own person. She liked the way her hair is, she liked the comfortable clothes she wore, no one ever mentioned her posture, and no one ever thought she had bad manners. Her mother had come to accept, in her own way, that this is how she is. Merida could feel the tears welling in her eyes as she looked away from Victoria's disapproving stare.

"You really think that little of me?" With her back turned, Merida failed to see Victoria's hard look crack. "If I'm such a disappointment and a failure, why even bother to try and help me?"

"You alone carry on the family legacy, Merida."

"No I don't," Merida turned back to Victoria. "A legacy is created through keeping certain traditions, certain names, ideals, and so on. My brothers can do that just as well as me. It's how the family members treat others, relate to others, and connect with others, not through arranged marriages. Ye say this is what's best for me but do ya even know me? Have ya asked me what I want? Do ya know what's best for those boys? Have ye asked them what they think about this?"

Victoria's face contorted into confusion. "It doesn't-"

"Ye say that you straightened Mum out but did ye really? She would have been miserable if Dad didn't give up the way of life that made him happy."

"I helped the two of them out. He needed a better life goal and he's doing great."

"There are more important things in the world than keeping a tradition that is so old that it could be a dinosaur. My friend has lost his sister to a bunch of horrible people. Another friend can't remember anything before he was eleven. Another was locked away in her room for a majority of her life and told that she was weak and a freak. What has caused them pain is still out there and casting over a shadow on not only their lives but everyone else's too because they are still out there and can cause some real harm. What's best for me right now is being by their side, to help them through this, help to stop these people from hurting my friends, and help prevent them from hurting anyone else ever again."

Victoria didn't speak. From looking at her, it looked like she was in shock. Merida's threatening tears finally fell down her face as she finished her monologue.

"So no, I will not be going through with this marriage because there are people who need me and like me the way I am. Goodbye, Grandmum."

Merida walked past Victoria and out the door, feeling more trapped than ever but worse than that, she felt small and insignificant.

Sven nudged a distracted Rapunzel. She was looking at the number Flynn had given her and trying to figure out if she should contact him. He was nice to me but what if something like that happened again? I'm scared. Rapunzel looked up at Sven and gave him a weak smile.

"What should I do Sven?" The reindeer tilted his head in confusion. "I'm scared of going back out there, especially after what happened." Sven laid his head on her shoulder to comfort her. Rapunzel reached up and petted his nose. "Thanks, Sven."

A noise outside the stable caused the two to look up and see what was causing the commotion. The two saw Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid, and Elinor trying to help Jack get back into flying. She had heard what he did for Hiccup and Toothless and it sounded like it took a lot out of him. Seeing Hiccup smiling and encouraging Jack, Rapunzel made up her mind.

"Jack risked his life to save them," she told Sven. "And I will do the same." She left the stable and went to the library to use the phone. She quickly dialed the number on the piece of paper and waited for someone to pick up. Her face lit up when she heard a voice on the other end. "Hi, Flynn. It's Rapunzel. I'm doing alright how about you? That's good. Oh, I was calling to see if we can meet up soon. Yeah, his sister is still missing. Can you still help me? Awesome! I'll be on my way. See you then."

Rapunzel hung up and ran to her room to grab a notebook, pencil and put on a new hoodie to hide her hair again. As she left the room and headed out of the building, she stopped by the cafeteria and stole one of the steak knives. Just in case. As she began to leave the campus, Rapunzel stopped and turned around. Maybe I should tell someone. But if I did, they wouldn't let me go. But they would be there for me if I was in trouble. It would prevent something from happening like last time. But if they found out what happened then they would never let me leave the campus alone.

Reluctantly, Rapunzel decided to keep her adventures a secret and continued toward the town. Remembering the path, she got there quicker than she thought, which was good because it took her longer than she anticipated to find the café Flynn wanted to meet at. She cautiously approached the little shop, looking for a familiar face.

"Hey, Blonde," a voice said behind her.

Rapunzel jumped away and looked at the person. She sighed in relief when she saw who it was. "Flynn. You startled me."

"Didn't mean to," Flynn smiled. "But I can understand why after last time."

"Thank you, again," Rapunzel smiled. "For helping me the other day."

"No problem. I'm actually surprised that you are up and about so quickly. That's why I suggested a crowded area."

"Well, things are getting worse and I can't be afraid of the outside world. I have to help Jack."

Flynn motioned towards the café and the two walked in and sat at one of the tables. Rapunzel looked around eagerly at the unique decorations. There was a large white piano at one end of the room with a plastic skeleton set to look like it was playing it. There were pieces of art on the wall that showed the talents of a local artist and there were sofas and loves seat scattered around the room. Rapunzel smiled at the lighthearted atmosphere it gave off.

"What information do you need?" Flynn asked.

Rapunzel looked back to Flynn. "Oh, I was wondering if you heard anything strange, anything about a boy and a sister, or any unusual plans." She pulled the notebook and pencil out of her pocket hoodie ready to take notes.

"That's not very specific," Flynn chuckled. "You've obviously never done this before. Maybe it will help me figure out what you're looking for if you tell me the whole story."

Rapunzel tapped the notebook with her pencil as she contemplated how to proceed. She decided to tell him everything, minus the powers. "So my friends and I are trying to find any information on Pitch, Alvin, Gothel, and Mor'du. We're trying to find out where they could have taken Emma so we can get her back. We're also trying to find out what they want with Jack."

"Wow!" Flynn said flabbergasted. "That's some story."

"But it's true."

Flynn stroked his chin as he thought. Rapunzel watched him, a funny feeling beginning to form in her chest. She liked it when he did that and it made her smile brightly. Her cheeks felt as if they were on fire as well as the tips of her ears, a feeling she never had before. He is kind of attractive. Wait, what?

"I'd have to look into it but there have been rumors on the street about strangers trying to get criminals to join their group, saying something about there being a new Ice Age around the corner."

Rapunzel gasped. "A new Ice Age?"

"Yeah," Flynn nodded. "Weird right? But as for the people you mentioned, the only one I know is the woman named Gothel."

"Do you have any information on her?"

"Not really. I don't know where she stays or anything like that, at least not anymore. She used to live here in town but something happened and she just disappeared only to appear again later out of nowhere."

Rapunzel squirmed in her seat as he continued to speak. "Are you worried about her?"

Flynn shrugged. "Not really. She kind of gave me the creeps but she was a reliable customer. Apparently, I'm not the only one Gothel freaked out. Many others that she dealt with said that they felt like they were in mortal danger."

"Well!" A voice exclaim behind Rapunzel. "Long time no see."

Rapunzel went stiff as Flynn looked up and saw Gothel standing just a few feet from Rapunzel. "Gothel. It has been has been a while. What can I do for you?"

"Nothing," she smiled as she placed a hand on the chair Rapunzel sat at. "I just came in to get a drink before I head over to the West coast. I have business to attend there."

Rapunzel felt her heart race as Gothel got closer to her. What is she doing here? Please don't recognize me. Rapunzel bowed her head and turned her face away as Gothel continued to chat with Flynn.

"The West coast huh?" Flynn nodded. "Anything I should know about?"

"Nothing that concerns you. Besides, even it did, I wouldn't say anything in front of your lady friend."

Flynn looked over at Rapunzel who gave him a scared, wide eyed look. Flynn smiled and looked back at Gothel. "I appreciate that. I try not to mix my information. Where are you residing these days Gothel?"

Gothel began to laugh. "Do you really think I'm going to divulge that information to you? Especially with my daughter present?"

Flynn gave Gothel a confused look. "Daughter?"

"You don't know," Gothel continued to laugh. "You didn't tell him, Flower?" She placed a hand on Rapunzel's shoulder making her face Gothel.

Rapunzel began to shake now being face to face with her. "Hello, Mother," Rapunzel stammered.

Flynn looked back and forth between Gothel and Rapunzel. "Wait, what? She's your mother?" Rapunzel nodded weakly as Gothel's grip got tighter.

"It's been a while, dear," Gothel grinned. "It's time for you to come home."

Rapunzel shook her head. "N-no. I'm not going with you. I belong at North's."

"Well, he's not here now is he, so you're coming with me," Gothel grabbed Rapunzel's arm, forced her to stand up and began to pull her out of the shop.

"Mother," Rapunzel cried. "You're hurting me. Stop."

Gothel didn't get far when another hand grabbed Gothel's wrist forcing her to release Rapunzel. Seeing that she was now free, Rapunzel backed away and stood behind Flynn as he spoke. "I don't know what is going on between you two but she is my customer and I will not let you take her until our business is done."

Gothel wrenched her arm out of Flynn's grasp and squared up to him with an evil smile. "You really think you're going to stop me from taking my daughter home?"

Rapunzel looked at Flynn, giving him his answer. "Yes. She obviously doesn't want to go with you. Come on Blondie," Flynn put an arm around her shoulder and began to escort her out. "Let's finish out business elsewhere."

The two walked out leaving an angry Gothel behind in the shop. The two walked up and down streets for about thirty minutes. What is he doing? Where is he taking me? They passed by building and down streets whose names she didn't recognize and the more they walked, the more nervous she got.

Flynn looked over his shoulder then sighed in relief. "It looks like we lost her."

"Lost her?" Rapunzel asked. "She was following us?"

"For the first couple of blocks. I didn't want to say anything in case she was listening."

Rapunzel smiled and sighed mentally. "Thank you, again."

"No problem," Flynn smiled back. "She does have a habit of appearing out of nowhere."

As if on que, the two of them were grabbed and dragged into an alley way and then shoved violently deeper into the small space. When the two of them regained their bearings, they saw Gothel blocking the only way out. Before Flynn could even react, Gothel lunged at him attacked him with a jeweled dagger. He cried out as he pushed her away and backed up to keep himself between Gothel and Rapunzel.

"Now look what you've done," Gothel said.

Rapunzel looked at the wound on Flynn's left arm and bowed her head in shame. This is my fault. I should never have gotten him involved. She began to walk out from Flynn's protective stance when she felt his arm block her movements.

"She didn't do anything," Flynn seethed. "You're the one who attacked me. I suggest that you get out of the way before I hurt you."

Gothel began to laugh. "You hurt me? One touch and you'd be a museum piece."

Rapunzel watched as Flynn shifted his stance to attack. Her mind began to reel about what she could do to get them out of there. She looked up and saw several fire escapes littering one of the buildings they stuck between and then looked back at Gothel. She began to unbraid her hair and placed her hand in her pocket as Gothel began to advance.

"I suggest you step aside before you wind up dead," Gothel threatened.

"No!" Rapunzel cried as she ran towards her mother. She pushed her backwards and pulled out her kitchen knife and stabbed the hand Gothel clenched her dagger. As Gothel screamed in pain, Rapunzel removed her hoodie to free her hair so it could grab one of the railings as Rapunzel wrapped her arm around Flynn's torso and pulled the two of them up to safety. Even after they were out of the alleyway, Rapunzel continued to run, dragging Flynn deeper into the woods.

"Blondie!" Flynn yelled trying to get her attention. "You lost her! You can stop running."

Rapunzel slowed her pace and eventually stopped, turning to Flynn in a panic. "I'm so sorry! I should never have gotten you involved. She could have killed you! I should have gone with her and avoided all of this. I'm so sorry!" She walked back and forth trying to get closer to Flynn as she continued to spew apology after apology. She couldn't decide if she should get close to him to see if he was alright or just run as far away as possible and keep him from getting hurt again. "I'm so sorry!"

Flynn made her decision for her. "Hey," Flynn walked up and gently put his hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault. She attacked me, not you."

Rapunzel took a few deep breaths before looking at Flynn and seeing the sincerity in his face. Her smile faded as she looked at the bleeding wound and sighing, she gently led him over to a rock and sat him down.

"What's with the extra long hair?" Flynn asked. "Are you trying to break a world record or something?"

"No," Rapunzel chuckled. "If I cut it, it grows twice as long in a few hours."

"But how-" Flynn stopped as he watched her rip a part of her purple skirt and wrap it around his bloodied wound and sleeve followed by her wrapping a part of her hair around his arm. "Um, what are you doing?"

"I'm healing you," Rapunzel said.

"Healing me?"

"You risked your life to protect me. Besides, maybe this will make things a little clearer with my friend's situation. Just don't freak out."

"What are you-"

Flynn's question was interrupted by Rapunzel closing her eyes then humming to herself. As he watched her, he noticed that her hair began to glow a golden yellow and traveled from her scalp and down the hair until it wrapped around his arm. Rapunzel stopped singing and opened her eyes to see Flynn's reaction but he was watching the fading light. She reached up and removed her hair and the ripped cloth to reveal a healed arm. She watched as Flynn saw the absence of the wound and looked at her in confusion.

"What? How?" Flynn began to ask.

Dipper looked out the rain streaked window as his sister sighed in despair. They had planned on going to the park but the weather decided they would be stuck indoors.

"Stupid Mother Nature," Mabel pouted.

"Ah, Mabel. Maybe we can do something else inside."

"What Dip-Dot? I'm not that great at those video games you like so much."

"Um, well," Dipper stuttered. "I don't know."

"Come on you two," Tadashi placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "We can play inside. I have Connect Four, Monopoly, Twister…"

"Mabel likes to knock me over in Twister," Dipper shook his head. "On purpose."

Mabel stuck out her tongue before speaking. "And he always wins at Monopoly and out thinks me in Connect Four."

"Ok," Tadashi nodded. "How about a game you're both good at. Hide and seek." Dipper and Mabel looked at each other excitedly. "I'll go first." Tadashi turned around and began to count to twenty.

Dipper and Mabel began to run down the hall to find a place to hide. Mabel continued to run up the stairs while he peeled off into the kitchen. He looked to see if he could hide under the table but he was too visible, under the sink was too cramped, and the space between the fridge and counter was too small. He looked over at the pantry and slid the door open to see there was plenty of room. He walked in and watched through the door slats.

He heard Tadashi holler 'Ready or not here I come' and ducked below the door slats. He listened to Tadashi check the rooms as he headed towards the kitchen. Dipper tried his best to quiet his breathing as Tadashi entered the room, his shoes connecting with the hardwood floor.

"Now where-"

Tadashi's voice was cut off and replaced with a horrible cackle that sent shivers down Dipper's spine. He carefully looked through the slats to see Tadashi facing a floating yellow triangle with one eye, a bowtie, top hat, and a cane.

"AHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHA!"

"What? Who are you?" Tadashi asked.

"NAME'S BILL CIPHER AND I'M HERE ON BUSINESS."

"You're from that horrible group that wanted my assistance," Tadashi accused angrily. "My answer is still no."

"YEESH KID. RELAX. I'M NOT HERE TO GET YOU BACK. I'M HERE FOR ANOTHER REASON."

Dipper watched as Tadashi relaxed a bit and took a step back. "Then what do you want from me?"

"OH, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN GIVE ME. ITS SOMETHING I'M GOING TO TAKE."

Dipper and Tadashi stiffened at the same time. Dipper could feel his heartrate increase and his skin getting clammy. "Wh-what are you going to take?"

Bill increased his size until he was towering over Tadashi, his color turning red and his voice deepening to the point that it caused the cans in the pantry began to shake. "YOUR LIFE!"

Dipper gasped as Tadashi backed up several feet. "What!"

Bill went back to his normal size and color before continuing. "IT SEEMS LIKE YOU ANGERED THE WRONG PEOPLE, GLASSES, AND THEY HAVE SENT ME TO DEAL WITH YOU."

"Why now? They haven't bothered me for several weeks."

"THEY FOUND OUT THAT YOU WERE WORKING ON SOMETHING THAT COULD ATTACK THEM AND THEY DON'T WANT A THREAT LIKE YOU WALKING AROUND TOWN."

"It doesn't matter if you tear this place apart, you'll never find it."

Bill laughed. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR STUPID ROBOT. LUCKILY FOR YOU, THEY NEVER MENTIONED DEALING WITH IT."

"How do you know it's a robot?"

"I KNOW LOST OF THINGS!" Bill's form flashed several images before going back to the solid color. "LUCKILY FOR ME, OUR INTERESTS ALINE. NOT ONLY DO I HELP MY PARTNERS BUT I ENSURE THAT YOU WON'T BE IN MY WAY."

Dipper watched as Bill raised his hand and prepared to snap his fingers. Tadashi held his hands up in an attempt to protect himself but it nothing. The sound of the snap filled Dipper's ears as reds and oranges from the flames engulf his vision. For a split second, Dipper swore he heard a cut off scream before the flames diminished and Tadashi was no longer in the kitchen.

Bill clapped his hands as he slightly hummed. "THAT'S ONE DOWN AND NINE TO GO."

When Bill started moving, Dipper backed up and hit the shelves, causing a can to fall. Dipper gasped as he looked through the slats to see Bill had stopped. He watched as Bill's eye and bowtie slide onto his back and began to scan the kitchen. His eye landed on the pantry door and slowly began to drift towards it making Dipper's heart race at an unhealthy rate. Bill reached out to open the door when the sound of the front door opening hit his ears.

"Tadashi! Kids! I'm home! I brought rolls from the bakery!" Dipper heard Cass holler.

Dipper's eyes never left Bill's large one, even after Bill scoffed and disappeared.

Yes, I'm evil! Muahahahaha!

Please review and let me know what you think! XD