Got a little sidetracked writing this chapter, and honestly, it didn't go anywhere much besides talking. Next chapter we'll hopefully have more action! Also might slow down a bit, think I'm catching a cold. not enough to where I'll be bedridden but my head is definitely killing me right now.

(Chapter Eight: Subcon's problem)

"How are you able to control the swamp, kiddo?" Julia asked while Kero rode on her shoulders; everything was new about him, to the new outfit, to actually having three stubby fingers at the end of both hands. Now, Julia knew for sure that was a new thing. Had Snatcher altered her design while she was away?

Well, he did a darn good job. Better then she could have done while she was sleep-deprived back then.

"I'm not actually sure either, it just happened one day!" Kero hugged his mother's head as they kept talking. The other two following them decided to keep their distance, especially Lynn so that they could catch up, but didn't stray too far from them. "I don't know if it was because I lived and died in these swamps," Kero looked down at Julia "or if it was something to do with you!"

By a contract, these two are connected to an extent, like how Julia and Moon are. It was most likely the same scenario on how Julia developed magic as well; Being exposed could have done something.

That, or he's special.

"I'm happy you weren't permanently gone, mama.." Kero closed his eyes and just kept holding on "I missed you so much.." there was so much emotion behind those words, but no one understood it better than him.

"I miss you too, my little frog." Julia smiled as Kero giggled, then the sack child perked up and pointed forward.

"Mama! Up ahead!" Everyone looked, just beyond, was a road. A road she was familiar with!

"This is where Melody and I were first trapped!" She looked around, then up, the tarp hooks were still there. "Hah, he never took them down." Julia then looked up at Kero with a smile, "Should we go say hi the normal way, or..-"

"You're thinking about stepping in one of his traps, aren't you.." Gabriele spoke up while shaking his head, sighing. "Would rather you not, even if it would be entertaining."

Listening to Gabriele say that reminded Julia of her actual reason for being here, of course, she never forgot, but saying hello would have been.. alright. Actually she's not even sure if she wants to- but hey. "Do you guys mind if I talk to Kero for just a bit." Julia turned around to the others "just for a moment, we'll be over by those trees." She pointed on the other side of the road "if anything happens, just shout."

Gabriele nodded, Lynn just kinda.. held her arms together, she was cold, but she was also feeling something no one noticed besides the taller girl. Julia walked over to the trees and placed her child down. It had really been four years since she'd seen Kero, and she couldn't believe it still. He looked much more confident, but still a little shaken.

He's doing good.

Julia got down to eye level with her son "Kero," she smiled, still very happy to see he was doing okay "So, there are many reasons as to why I'm back.." Kero looked at her, head tilted "of course you're one of them. I would never leave you on purpose; I don't plan on it happening ever again." Kero smiled at this. "But the other reason is-"

"You've come to rescue Moon." Kero looked at her "I've seen him with you once or so... back when I was too scared to approach you.." He kicked the dirt slightly "and Snatcher told me a little more about the situation.. on what happened." Kero doesn't know exactly what took place, but he was terrified when Julia and Melody were sitting unconscious in the snow. He was so scared; were they dead? Did the ice lady take them like she took his parents..?

Kero remembered a few things while his mother was gone. A few things he needs to talk to her about; but clearly not now. At some point...

If she was implying this, then most certainly his mother will, in fact, take on the scary lady. Something about that made him freeze up. He wasn't aware of it, but Kero suffered from Pagophobia; just the thought of being turned into an ice sculpture makes him disassociate for a few minutes.

Julia noticed how spaced out he was, she placed each of her hands on his cheeks, the warmth brings him back and looks directly at her "Mama... I'm scared.. but not for me this time." His voice cracked "M'scared I'm gonna lose you for good."

"Not gonna happen." She smiled at him, a reassuring one, even though she was anything but sure about herself. "Lynn is trying to be a good person now, kiddo, don't think I haven't noticed the way you two look at each other." She knows something happened between them, but what? She wasn't sure "She going to go fight with me... so I'm not going to be alone." As much as Julia would rather not risk Lynn's life, the child would most likely blow a hole in the wall if the older girl said no to her anyway.

"I..- I wanna fight too!" Kero suddenly spoke up "I have beef with the witch too!" Did he learn that saying from Snatcher? "I.. I..-" He kept trembling, Julia just hugged him tightly. She shouldn't, she really shouldn't let him go anywhere near that house. Julia doesn't want him to get hurt.

"Do you.. really want to..?" Julia softly spoke, still feeling him shake "if not, I'll gladly punch her for you."

"I wanna try.." Kero buried his face into her chest "I wanna.. try.."

The moment broke when behind them was a loud whistle, specifically from Lynn. Julia quickly got up and turned around; Snatcher's back was facing Julia and Kero, she stopped the urge to slam a barrier on his head. Lynn and Gabriele, who had gained attention from a few minions, had been seen sitting down on a bench nearby. They were quickly alerted to their boss, who now was in a dangerous stance.

"The two of you have some nerves making your way into my forest!" He growled, glaring at both Lynn and Gabriele, who got up just in case a fight broke out. "How did you get past my little swamp guard?!"

"Well, that's because your little swamp guard is my son!" Julia yelled, giving a good scare out of the supernatural deal maker. She'd never seen such a face on Snatcher since the day she and Melody beat him in a fight. "Yeah, that's right. I'm back you, blasted sock snake!" Julia smiled, still not good at making names.

Snatcher glared, But he smiled? Was he happy to see her? That made her feel.. actually happy. "So, the meat puppet returns!" He laughed, "oh, I knew it. I just knew nothing could keep you down." He folded his arms and bent down closer to her "you're like an annoying dandelion coming out of concrete."

"And where there's one, there's many." Julia held her hands out. "Those two are with me. Don't even think about taking her soul." Julia pointed to Lynn "I'll kick your tail faster then Melody and I did back then."

He held a smug face, almost daring her to start a fight. Though, he noticed something was off about Julia, her whole structure; her soul. Cracked, fragmented, and slightly warped. Moons strings that had been left tied to her soul constricted it, and her magic flow.

"Hey, Kid.. you feeling alright?" Julia's sudden challenging face turned to surprised confusion, head tilted to the side she said:

"Yeah... I feel alright. Why do you ask?" Her arms folded and shook her head. "Ah, no- tell me another time; look, mind if we stay here for while?"

It then clicked in his head as to why she was back in his forest now "You're not really serious are you?" Snatcher rose to his full height and looked down at her "did you actually come back all this way to get him..?"

Julia glared, not making liking his tone as everyone around them watched in silence. There was a slight cold breeze that flew by, everyone looked to the broken bridge down the path. The snow had been getting worse ever since their first tragic encounter with Vanessa...

Snatcher feared she was growing more and more aware.

"Kid, I'm just not trying to get your hopes up;" He never looked away from the bridge "But Moon boy is probably far too gone now. It'd be a freakin miracle if he hadn't corroded away."

"No matter what you say, I'm still going to pick a fight with her." Julia was dead set on this now. She didn't want to believe what he said, she didn't want to just give up after making it this far. She wasn't a quitter anymore. Julia wasn't going to just end it by jumping out windows.

No.

She was going to fight, or damn well die trying.

But what about Gabriele? Lynn? Everyone else..

what about Kero?

Simple. She just has to win.

Maybe the girl could talk some sense into the Queen? Maybe she could still be brought back? Make her see what she had done? There's no way she was always possessive, and controlling.. right? Julia would say it couldn't hurt to try, but golly would she be lying. Worse case, she'd become the newest ice statue in her house.

Julia definitely needs to prepare and needs to have a few more words with Gabriele. This was it.. she needed to know.

Can he be trusted? Or will he just abandon her in the fray? How devoted is he to her cousin's request..?

Julia heard Snatcher sigh, She blinked a couple of times before she came back to reality. "Fine. Do what you want." He had his hand on the place where the bridge of his nose would be "If you can get rid of her, somehow, I'll even let you live in the forest. Your own little place."

Julia would much prefer a sunny beach home, but she had to admit, She loved the supernatural; no mater the impressions Snatcher or any other giving her. She'll always love the dark woods. Subcon always reminds her of Halloween, and it was always her favorite time of year.

Julia kept her eyes on Snatcher for the longest time thinking about this, "deal." She said but was confused when he didn't want to attempt to sign a contract with her. He just floated away. "Okay.. that was new.."

Soon the crowd dispersed, and it was just the four of them again. "So, That happened.." Gabriele spoke up looking in the direction Snatcher went. He had gone back to his tree, floated inside for a few moments before Gabriele lost interest and turned back to Julia who also wore a distant look.

She sighed, finally looking at everyone else. "I'm going to need some time to steel myself-" Julia said, "Gabriele when we make it just before the manor, I'd like to speak with you.."

That's didn't sound swell at all, But she knew of the story between Moon and himself.. not the entire thing, but some. The only real question is; what is she going to say?

"Of course, Julia." He nodded.

What is she thinking?

Julia then looked to the two children, "When we start talking, you two just hand back. I don't want to bring you guys into any drama before a fight."

That definitely didn't sound good.

Was Gabriele going to have to be cautious of Julia now? Course he was always cautious of her, but not in any means of trust- he trusted her.. doesn't he..?

Mad King C: Thank you! I personally enjoy these two as a family, and I really felt like they didn't have enough time together in the first story. So, boom. they'll have so more off chapters or main chapters together now. As for Julia's cousins- I've been thinking of that; not sure if I will because I intended them to side characters for the first and second chapter to explain where Julia had been working a supporting herself until now. I might drop a small interaction down the line though.

OPFan37: So, here's the thing about Doppler, They're actually a cut character that goes by the name Shapeshifter, I thought I'd drop them into the story from time to time to cause some panic and chaos. I wanted to give 'em a name because I did want to just keep calling them Shapeshifter. As for Kero, he is growing mentally, but he'll always refer to his mother as Mama. It's just a thing he does (and something I've always done..-) It's just easier to say.

Also, yeah- I knew the fighting seemed short, I didn't want to blow the train up, but all jokes aside- I guess you could say Julia is still getting used to actively using her abilities for attacking rather than passively using them.

However, I can't talk about Guy right now-