Here we go, guy! A chapter that's at least 6,000 words long! I took advantage of my messed up sleep pattern to keep writing this chapter, and it was long-anticipated since the first time I was writing about Vanessa's Manor. Now, I absolutely have no confidence in the end, but I was trying my best to hit Vanessa hard.

I think I have a fever starting as well, so that's.. great. I'm doing my best to try and keep it down but anxiety is not helping me settle down.

(Chapter Nine: The Cold Front)

Julia took her moment to get a hold of herself, see what she was able to do before running back into that mansion. Honestly, she's glad Melody wasn't here... even if she'd want to fight by Julia, the child would no doubt be scared out of her wits again.

The older girl will not lie, she was still very scared. But she's doing this for someone else, Julia has to pull through.

The girl raised a Barrier, one that covered her body well, and started making a box; before she got angry back at the train, she was able to move one wall at least. Canceling out the cube she was in, she decided to make smaller ones, perhaps it's the size the stops her from moving many? Julia glided them around slowly before remembering that angry feeling and forcing the cubes at a tree.

Part of the tree splintered from the force, the edges cutting it up. Maybe that was too much... the force she just used could give someone a concussion.. or worse, kill them. No, no- that's not what she wanted. The kid might not be here, but she never stopped following that rule.

"Never purposely kill anyone.." she whispered...

But was Vanessa even alive? She couldn't be.. she was a ghost-like Snatcher. No way she could still be alive, alive.

Something then clicked in her head, Julia looked at her hand for just a second and thought. She threw up another wall, that idea she had reminded her of Zephyr..- She cracked her barrier and it shattered into pieces.

Though, the pieces never fell, with a swift movement of her hand Julia hurled them at the tree. Every edge of the glass-like structure wedge themselves into the bark. Like tiny knives.

Julia stood shocked, she shook her head wanting to quickly forget this idea at all. What was she thinking!? This could be devastating to a living person! What came over her? The pieces disappeared, "stick to large barriers for protection, that's what they're used for.." Julia looked down in shame "and maybe driving in the sky.."

Chuckling to herself at that last part she then remembered her strings. If worse, she could always attempt to tie Vanessa up in a cocoon... no doubt deal pain to herself in the process.

Frustrated, she took her hat off and threw it down "why can't I just use my abilities without hurting myself and others!?" She let out a yell. She could also attempt to trap her in a box, but it wouldn't be permanent. There was no way of getting out of there without a fight. The last thing she'd want was to fight Vanessa outside and in the forest. That would cause more damage to this place than it already suffered.

"Mama..?" Kero looked at his mother confused, and Julia turned around like she was okay.

Kero had a few minions behind him, at least four.. they looked awfully familiar...

"Hey, if you don't want your hat- can I keep it?" One of them spoke.

"Of for the love of-" Julia whispered, picking up her hat. It was them. Three of the little devils that made her trade her hat away, or get crushed by a weight. The fourth one, however...

"You're really thinking about going back in there.." the fourth spoke, "I know he sacrificed himself to save us.. do you think he'd want you to go back..?"

Not now, don't argue now.

"Whether he wants me too or not, I'm still going to get him out.." Julia looked at the fourth, taking a breath. She looked at all of them then her son "what's up kiddo, need something?"

"The Minions and some Dwellers agreed to help us plow through the snow!" Kero smiled "ever since you guys left, the snow from the manor kept piling up and moving.."

Julia looked surprised, "how far we talking here..?"

"About to the end of the entrance of the ice wall that surrounds the manor.." The first minion announced, "it's completely covered in snow.."

"Don't get the wrong idea, we're not stepping foot into that place!" The second said

"Yeah..- we'll only help with the snow.." the third peeped up.

Julia smiled, at least they were helping in some way; she couldn't ask them to face Vanessa with her.. "that's alright, thank you."

The four main personnel stood at the edge of the bridge, a few Minions with shovels and a couple of Dwellers with varying masks piled behind them. Snatcher was way in the back, staring holes in the back of Julia's head but she was completely oblivious to this. Was he worried? Probably. He was sad that she and Melody left, Julia's being more abrupt than the child's, but this feeling was now starting to bother him.

Especially with her soul's condition.

On the bright side, he won't be there when that bomb goes off.. hopefully. What was MoonJumper thinking to leave her soul tied up? You can't tie up a living person's soul for too long without expecting consequences. That's why Snatcher has always killed his victims or eaten their souls.

When left alive they get more agitated, and.. "aggressive.." Snatcher whispered.

What he witnessed in his forest was no fluke; Julia was already under its effect and she was to blind to realize why she was getting so angry.

Julia called upon a barrier to close the gap with the bridge and everyone slowly started crossing, some were amazed and others were silent as they walked. Making sure everyone was over on the other side, Julia then crossed over herself and looked at everyone. They expected her to lead this odd group of people.

"Alright then, Clean up crew;" Julia spoke up "your job is to make sure our way is clear." Looking at everyone, she was reminded of her first day of college giving a prepped speech "If anything threatens to attack, just call out or bail. I don't want no one getting hurt!"

A few nods and acknowledgment with mumbled carried around, Kero and Lynn looked at each other and quickly looked away. Gabriele just held his hands behind his back in his normal stance.

"My team will be heading in when the way is cleared." Julia then looked at Gabriele dead in the eyes "We will be heading in. Let's get a move on." The man stalled for a moment then started moving when everyone else gathered their nerves. You could just feel the uneasy aura surrounding all the little denizens.

Snatcher sighed, he stayed on his side of the bridge just in case his minions wanted to run. With the barrier out, he's their only way back to safety.

When the large group reached the wall of ice, she realized how clear it was now. That odd galaxy barrier was no longer there, and the icicles that blocked her path seemed broken. No climbing or jumping, just a quick walk to the end. At that end, you could clearly see a mound of snow that was at least Julia's height.

"Oh god, that mound is going to take forever.." Julia looked at it then the minions and dwellers. "The dwellers can fly ahead and take a look around, make sure nothing looks suspicious." She called out, then looked to the smaller group, the four minions from earlier multiplied by four more; In total sixteen minions surrounded her.

They held their shovels up and were ready to go, Julia was tossed one as well as Gabriele. The two took the front and started to dig. Kero and Lynn watched as the two humans tried not to shiver from the sheer cold.

"Hey.." Lynn tried to start a conversation, however, Kero didn't bother to look her way "I know we've.. had a little disagreement back then.. and I just want to say.." Lynn held her arms "I'm... I'm sorry."

Kero wore an expression that said, 'I don't want to talk to you, but now I have too' "I'm still angry about that. About how you pushed me down." Kero glared at her "You were being mean and then you tried to destroy the world." He didn't even know her for very long when everything had gone up in flames "you hurt my friends and my mama!"

Lynn was quiet, she looked down; Kero looked away but then sighed after a moment "but if mama is giving you a second chance... then I guess I'll trust you for now." Lynn looked up a little happy to hear this. At least he was going to give her a chance too.

"I promise I won't let you down." Lynn smiled at him "Just watch, I'm gonna do my best in this fight!"

Kero slightly smiled too, her enthusiasm was starting to affect him. "We just have to be really careful though. The lady in this house is super crazy.."

"You.. said earlier that you lived and died in the swamps.." Lynn questioned, tilting her head "Did you know what the queen was like before all of.. this..?" She moves her hands around gesturing to the snow.

"Yeah.. she used to be super nice.." Kero looked up at the manor.

The two kids started more conversations with each other to pass some time, Julia and Gabriele kept working at the wall of snow along with the Minions. The two adults managed to make a good dent in it as the doctor started talking "So, Julia.." the girl huffed as she hurled away another gathering of pure white snow. "You wanted to.. talk about something..?"

"Yeah.." She stopped for a moment to get her hands warmed up again. Being in the cold with just a vest to cover her shoulders was not a smart idea. "It's about.. well... you."

"Me?" Gabriele looked at her, "what are you getting at with this..?"

Julia sighed, "I half expected you to stop following us after we reached Subcon." She looked at him before taking another clump from the wall "I know how much you hate Moon, and I know you don't want me to go into this building.."

"I don't want you to do a lot of things, Yes this is true.." Gabriele started working again "I do hate the person you admire the most for personal reasons.." he gripped the handle even harder as he talked about the puppeteer who ruined his life "I'm scared of what might happen when we step inside, but I promised your cousins I'd keep you safe!" He was a man of his word after all. "It's my job to protect you now."

"But I don't need a protector right now!" Julia talked a little too loud, but no one looked their way. "I need a friend.. and what's a friend if I.. if I can't trust them. If I can't trust them to believe me when I say MoonJumper is a good guy now.."

This was about back then, about when they were talking in the Mafia headquarters. His wishes were for her to forget about Moon, to be strong. He told her to move on. Gabriele's thoughts still haven't changed since then and she was still worried about it now. What will he do, is what's making Julia's mind go into a panic.

By the looks of things, MoonJumper will be at his weakest.

He looked at Julia, her face was mixed with frustration, hurt, and fear as she kept preoccupying herself with the snow. She didn't want to look at him, Julia was scared she was going to start yelling at him.

Julia didn't want to; In general, he's a nice guy, and he has his own opinions with problems. Very difficult problems. Though, how he might react to those problems might mean her dad getting hurt or not.

He noticed this and sighed, "Julia.. if, and for this one moment.. you say that monstrosity has changed.." Julia glances over at him, making more and more progress with the snow. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt." Gabriele put his hands on her shoulders to make her look at him fully "but if you are proven wrong, this may be the last you'll ever see of me.." he placed one hand on her cheek "and I don't wish for that to happen..."

He was just starting to enjoy being around lively, and outgoing people.

"I promise you, he has." She looked at him dead in the eyes "and if he tries anything, I won't let him get you." Then.. she hugged him; she was happy Gabriele was going to at least try. Despite his hate for MoonJumper, he was going to do this for her, because he was her friend. The doctor said so himself didn't he?

Gabriele was at a loss for words as the smaller human gripped him in what would be a crushing hug if he had bones. What made her even happier was that he hugged back.

They were both going to try; both help and protect each other when the time actually comes, to stand by each other's side. Hopefully, nothing will change their minds later on.

Kero and Lynn watched the conversation from afar, the little girl whispered to the potato sack child "I think he's in love."

Kero nervously giggled "What..?" He was confused.

A couple of hazards came and went. Those creepy headless statues had found their way through the large wall or waited to be dug up. Gabriele and Julia, along with Lynn's bombs she held in her cloak made quick work of them. The path was looking more and more clear as they could almost see the front door to the manor. Kero stood next to his mother, holding on to her leg for comfort.

The snow was starting to get to him. He was having a hard time keeping his breathing in check even though he didn't need to. Julia took a moment of a break to look down at him, a worried expression on her face. "..Kero, you sure you want to do this still..?" She spoke softly as to not make him more uncomfortable.

"I.. I'm... I'm good.." He looked at the snow then up at her "aren't.. you cold, mama..?" He asked as the child watched Julia shivered.

"Oh, I am.. I should have brought a coat with me.." Julia remembers most of her clothing was back at CC's place. In her defense, she was thinking about the desert more than a forest. She didn't realize it'd get overrun by Jack Frost's evil sister. "But all this work is making me warmer, I'll be okay! You got to worry about Lynn though," Julia looked back at the mustache child walking around in circles just to forget she was cold "She's a lot smaller than me, which means less body heat for her.."

Kero looked back as well, then back to his mother. A moment passed as the child walked away; he left to go help Lynn keep warm. Maybe they could make a fire?

"Julia, I think we're here," Gabriele announced, hitting the wooden steps of the manor. He might have used a little to much force and cracked the steps, but it was still usable. "Oh dear.."

Julia chuckled "property damage," looking up at the tower that had the attic, it could be seen clearly cocooned in MoonJumper's strings. That was a good sign, it means he's still holding on. However, the strings from before became less and less.

As she focused on the tower though, two more headless statues popped out from the sides causing Julia and Gabriele to jump back in surprise. Julia got in a stance and swung her bat, knocking the first one over and Gabriele came down with his shovel- cracking it in pieces. Gabriele's strength once again startles her, but Julia should have known. The second one was rearing behind him, however, Julia pulled him away and slammed a large wall into it, knocking it over.

She then proceeded to crack down on it with her bat. It's arm and leg detached as she watched it wobble around before going still. Julia's turned around and smiled, giving a thumbs up. Despite the scary look Gabriele had caught Julia making at the statue, she could be honestly adorable when she was happy.

'Adorable..?' Gabriele caught himself thinking.

"If I remember correctly, the front door should be locked.." Julia turned her attention to the front door, giving it a look "the way I and Melody got in before was through the back, in the cellar"

"That would take forever, though.." Gabriele scratched the back of his head "what do you suggest we do?"

Julia gave a mischievous smile, "We blow this thing off its hinges." Then she looked over to Kero and Lynn direction, "Lynn! Want to blow a door up!?"

"Heck yeah!" Was all you could hear from the snow. The quick crunching of footsteps started heading their way as soon as both the children had arrived "I'm ready!" The smaller girl smiled, forgetting that she was trying to once again stay warm.

From her sleeve, she held a bomb, but Julia held up a hand for a moment "when we blow this door down, there's no telling what might happen." The taller girl looked at her crew; Kero was still visibly nervous, Lynn was also nervous but she held her face with determination. Nobody could tell what Gabriele was thinking.

The cleanup crew stayed back at the entrance just to watch what will happen next. If something were to happen, they wanted to get ready and run. Julia and the rest turned to look at them, which caused the minions to start waving frantically as gestures of good luck.

Julia has been known to be incredibly lucky or incredibly unlucky; hopefully, Lady Luck won't mess with her today. Or Lady Fate. Getting stabbed was enough. Adjusting her hat and removing her eye patch to see clearly, she motions Lynn to set up the bomb. Obliged, the hooded girl swiped a match as she was getting ready.

Everyone quickly ran back a few feet, the sizzling of the wick counting down as the eventual boom followed. The windows shattered and the door blew clean open, along with some of the door's frame and walls connecting to them. Wood splinters kept falling before the smoke died, and then everything was quiet.

Julia and Lynn looked at each other with an expression that said, 'let's do it again!' But enough was enough. The manor's doors were open and Julia saw this place without the fear of being chased. At least, not yet. They were most definitely heard, and moving in quickly was the only option in hand.

They have to fight inside the manor, if there were more statues in there now, they'd really need to be careful. Keeping Vanessa inside was also an objective; but guessing that the front door was blasted open, that objective was already shot. Julia's face nearly derped out realizing this mistake.

She just really wanted to destroy Vanessa's property.

No one said she was super smart.

Just.. smart enough.

Come to think of it, if Vanessa hasn't heard the bombs from before while fighting was happening outside, who's to say she heard this?

Julia took the lead, recognizing the majority of the layout. They rounded a corner and she was immediately caught with a familiar sight. Only something was slightly different. When they approached the side of the house where you would come up from the cellar, the ice figure of a critter was nowhere to be seen, only shattered remains and half of an ice cocoon.

Something escaped.

Something was still alive.

"Everyone, stay close," Julia quietly announced.

Could that mean the other figures were still alive as well? No time to dwell on that now, passed the kitchen door, over to the locked room she remembered running trough, Julia led the group to the second floor's stairway. However, as the door opened the stairs could be seen covered in ice and a blast of cold air hit them. It seemed to get worse the higher they went.

Carefully taking steps, the group of people didn't want to slip. Falling down a flight of stairs is not on anyone's list of to do's.

"Guess this explains where all the ice came from," Gabriel said, looking at Julia.

"The broken window we were pushed from wasn't fully sealed.." the girl looked thoughtful "all the ice was falling from there, as the manor froze from the inside."

The entire second floor was looking more and more like outside, Icicles forming on the floor and ceiling and larger crystalline structure blocked some windows and doors. A hunting humming could be head further down the hallways. Writings on the wall that said 'My prince has returned' in scratches caused by claw marks.

The small hairs on Julia's neck started standing up, but only anger rose within her. She was starting to feel more agitated then fear as she completely forgot about the others. Julia wanted to run, to charge into the next level.

But Gabriele grabbed her arm, making her realize this intent she had was 'kill'. She blinked a couple of times to realize something was wrong with her. Lynn had wandered off somewhere as Gabriele whispered to his friend "are.. you alright..?"

The girl wore a face of confusion "I don't.. know..."

"Hey, Julia! Catch-" Lynn whispered out, tossing a small glistening object at the other girl, who immediately caught it without stumbling "think that might come in handy..?"

In the girl's hand was a small flat golden bracelet, with sapphires embedded into it as carved decorations of leaves danced around them. Lynn stole this from Vanessa's room. A possible charm for later... Julia smiled.

"It's considered stealing, but.." Julia clapped it around her wrist "Vanessa is not going to need it anymore.." She then looked to Kero "Never steal from anyone, okay baby?" Kero just nodded.

Thudding around the corner grabbed everyone's attention, the sound of something approaching. The group all got into a stance for fighting, Julia with her bat, Gabriele, and Kero armed with shovels; their abilities needed to have special qualifications to actually work, Kero needing swamp water. Gabriele knew Julia wanted to go all out so he didn't untie his neck, but he kept his mind on it.

Lynn was ready with small smoke bombs just in case. She couldn't afford to blow a hole on the second floor.

What surprised them, and not in a good way, was that it wasn't Vanessa. A Knight, similar to the two that were in the time rift tale, glared at them with glowing red eyes. She doesn't remember this guy being here. A halberd in hand, he slammed the hilt of it down in a way of getting ready.

The ghostly limbs made most of the suit of armor hover.

"Oh great, haunted armor.." Julia glared. Looked like some of Vanessa's guards were still kicking. "Right then."

"Lynn, Kero.." Gabriele whispered, to them "if you can go for the legs, we'll deal with the arms.." He kept studying its appearance, the way it stood, and held itself. If they're lucky, the Knight doesn't know it's dead, and putting itself back together is less likely. "Get ready with the smoke bombs.."

The moment Lynn lit the fuses, she threw them at the guardsmen, who immediately blocked himself from them thinking there would be a boom and shrapnel. Though, when smoke rose, the two adults charged. Hearing their quickened footsteps, the Knight swung his weapon towards the front. Nearly missing Julia and slightly grazing Gabriele. The attack stung him, but the doctor kept going.

However, as the swing ended, Kero and Lynn ran in to kick at the leg. A good swing from Kero knocked over the right leg, sending it scraping across the floor. Lynn was having a little more trouble before realizing nothing could stop her from lighting firecrackers in the plated boot.

The echo of the continued crackling startled the Knight, making him lose balance with a grunt. He had caught himself with the halberd, and once he realized his leg was missing, an angry growl echoed throughout him. The firecrackers still went off as he balanced on one leg and lunged at the smaller girl; it missed her body but pined her cape to the ground.

"My cape!" She shouted, tugging hard on the fabric, ripping could be heard but it didn't budge. "Help! I'm stuck!" Her heart pounded as the Knight attempted to grab the child. Gabriele intervened and pulled her away, the cape is torn away and ruined.

First casualty.

"My apologies, but be thankful that wasn't your head." Gabriele set her down and got back to the fight. Lynn just spaced out, staring at the beloved cape she had worn for so long. A switch was flipped, and she was mad.

The Knight then made his way to pick up his weapon, as Julia appeared beside the guardian, thwacking his side enough to put a dent. He staggered to one side while Gabriele appeared to the left and smacked his left arm off. An arm and a leg was down, a boot that was still on fire and an angry grip on the right.

Kero ran to Lynn's side to make sure to keep each other safe while the adults kept hammering the metal plating. The Knight was stubborn, more then Julia, and she considered herself pretty stubborn.

With a sudden jab, Gabriele was caught and pinned to the wall through his chest. He cried out in pain as the piercing stings his entire upper body. Julia looked back with panicked eyes, she thought he couldn't get hurt! She started to breathe heavily as the taller girl just yelled out in anger.

She ran towards the Knight who wasn't expecting a wall to flank him on the right side of his head, then a bat swing up as he fell knocking him over to the right. She stood over him as the Knight held up a hand to block another swing, but instead, he was met with strings that wrapped around his forearm and brutally ripped the rest off, sending it crashing out one part of a window.

Lynn came running in and took the opportunity to kick his head away like a soccer ball; it hurt her, but by god did that make her feel a little better. The group huffed and Gabriele did his best to remove the halberd that stuck him to the wall. Julia frantically ran over to his side as Kero helped Lynn up.

"Gabriele, oh god-" Julia looked at him while her eye stung badly. She couldn't understand how this could hurt him, she thought he couldn't feel. "Are you going.. to be okay?" Her voice was hushed, almost scared to talk.

"Once this.." he hissed "bladed object is removed from my chest.. yes." He kept a firm grip on the hilt, but It wouldn't budge, Julia grabbed the end and together they pulled away. The slick sound of slicing was heard when it was finally removed and Gabriele slid to the floor.

"It's one thing to take blunt attacks, they don't hurt.." Gabriele held his opened seams "it's another when the very thing keeping you together gets slashed." Naturally, strings and cotton can be pulled apart, stuck back together; but when something close to a nervous system gets cut? It can be very painful.

"MoonJumper had to keep us in line somehow, I assume.." Gabriele thought. When he had first found out about it, it wasn't a good time.

"Blades are your weakness!?" Julia fretted over him, trying to see if she could help stitch up his chest.

"Well, anything that... could pierce, not necessarily blades.." that's why he's always careful when carrying knives and surgical equipment. He should probably invest in a bag later now that he thinks of it. "Depending.. on how hard it pierces, is how much it.. will hurt." Since he took a halberd point-blank, he must be in very excruciating pain. "Just.. give me... a moment."

Julia looked to her hand as she then saw Gabriele fumble around to find his sowing needle in his coat. He couldn't seem to remember which side it was on. Taking no time, Julia unexpectedly startled him by sowing up his wound with her own stronger strings. The room got quiet when he suddenly made a noise that sounded like a surprised squeal. This caused Julia to stop halfway and look at him as if she just hurt him more.

"I- I'm sorry! Did I hurt you!?" She yelled, Freezing up.

Embarrassed that he actually made that kind of noise, he covered his face, letting her continue "N-No, No I'm... I'm a-alright." He didn't want to admit that it.. tickled. Completely embarrassing.

Julia was still worried once she was done, he still held his face but eventually, Gabriele stood up. However, the moment of peace was interrupted when the armor they thought they took out started shaking and slowly putting itself back together.

"Oh, come on!" Julia shouted.

"Everyone, go- Go!" Gabriele yelled as Lynn and Kero looked at each other.

At this rate, if they keep fighting, it would take a lot longer for Julia to get to Moon. Kero, who was still terrified of the ice surrounding him, held a knowing face at the no longer hooded girl. She nodded, running up to grab a piece of armor, one of the legs, and shouted out with Kero.

"Guys! What are you doing!?" Julia yelled at them.

"Distracting him!" Kero yelled back.

"Over here, you ectoplasmic tin can!" Lynn yelled, running in the opposite direction and down the stairs. The two started a game of keep away.

The Knight, as expected, follows them. Julia quickly chucked the halberd outside the window before the Knight could get any ideas. This prevented the Knight from stabbing them.

"They'll be alright, as long as they don't go outside." Gabriele held a hand on Julia's shoulder "let's go deal with the Queen and get... MoonJumper.. back."

Julia looked at him, a shocked expression on her face. She knew he was giving him a chance, but saying his name was not... expected.

MoonJumper was held, halfway encased in ice. Almost like a clear crystal. Arms locked in place as Vanessa hummed to herself, The special being the represented dreams lifted his eyes slowly to glare at his ex. He was getting tired, he didn't know how much longer he could stay away. How long had it been? He couldn't remember.

But only one thing matters;

Julia was safe.

She could finally live her life how she saw fit; No one trying to control her, or tell her what she could and couldn't anymore.

He wondered if she was happy.

She has to be.

The doors to the attic suddenly smashed open, the ice and strings that blocked it were destroyed and a familiar yell cried out;

"Property Damage!"

MoonJumper was awake, not by much, but enough to see who had started a commotion. Vanessa yelled back in a challenging manor.

"You dare barge into my home and treat it like some rowdy festival!?" She pointed, not noticing the second person sneaking around to get to Moon.

"If you don't like your doors being slammed open," Julia smiled, twirling her bat "you should see what we did to your front door!"

Julia then took a quick glance at MoonJumper, seeing that Gabriele had made it to him. She was going to make enough noise to let him chip away to his prison. Vanessa's aura was just as intense as before, but compared to what she's managed to do, Julia actually believes she could take her on.

"Look, Vanessa, was it?" Julia glared at her, the girl's messed up eye becoming the center of attention "I'm here to bring Moon home, you need to stop this."

"You stay away from my prince, you harlot!" Gabriele had to stop himself from making a noise, if he yells out now, he'll give his position away. How dare she! "And It's Queen to you!"

"I don't know what a harlot is, but I feel insulted." Julia announced, her obliviousness was showing "just let him go, you caused him enough pain- you cased every one enough pain!"

Clearly she could hold a conversation, but she was still... a jack ass. Julia will do her best but she doesn't know if she could keep her emotions in check.

Gabriele listened to the two ladies talk, but then immediately heard MoonJumper cough. "Gabriele..?" After all this time the man from the horizon still remembers his name. "Why are you here..? Why are.. you helping me..?"

"I'm not doing this for you," he quietly chipped some of the ice away, it was a lot harder then it looked "I'm doing this for Julia because I hate seeing her being tortured by her own thoughts."

Julia, That was her-?

"Julia! What are you doing back here!?" MoonJumper yelled sending Gabriele into a panic after they noticed the two looking back at them.

"Who are you!? Stay away from him!" Vanessa yelled, a wave of ice came towards the two men but Julia had risen a wall. The ice hit the barrier creating another protective wall. "What!?"

"Don't you even think about it!" Julia yelled. She dispersed the wall and pointed at her "You have no right to be acting the way you are!" Julia stepped close, feeling more of the intensity around the ex-queen.

"My prince is serving time for cheating and lying to me!" The hunched over mass yelled back "all of those who enter my house to free him are traitors! Those who deserve punishment as well!"

Julia snapped back "cheating, lying!?" She understood the Queen was upset for the misunderstanding, but keeping a grudge for the longest time, without knowing the full story of what really happened was her pushing point. "What I see in front of me is no Queen! Only a spoiled child having a tantrum!" She swung her arm to the side "do you have any idea how much he loved you!?"

The Queen was fought off guard, being called a child, and being accused of having a tantrum was not something he hears every day. What even surprised her more was that this.. this miscreant! Stepped closer instead of running away like the others. The Queen was going to take that!

She once again shot out a wave of ice, but Julia blocked it again with a barrier. Enraged, she threw her bat, just nearly missing the lady's head. Vanessa made the mistake of following where the aluminum object flew out the window, only to turn back around to feel that Julia head-butted her in the forehead.

She stumbled backward as she held her head, and Julia yelled again "do you have any idea what you've done!? You destroyed your kingdom over a petty misunderstanding! Everyone you knew is either a frozen sculpture or a wandering spirit!"

"You are not a Queen, and you don't deserve to be one!" Julia's voice echoed through it the room, Gabriele making quick work of the ice prison while MoonJumper watched with amazement. What has.. become of his daughter..?

Vanessa, who finally stopped taking emotional hits from someone who shouldn't even know any of this, backhands Julia. A loud clack signified a slap, the human girl's face turned red from pain as the queen started up a cyclone of ice and snow.

That was it, something inside her head broke with that slap. There was that look again, that terrifying look that screamed 'murder' as she clamped hands with the queen to attempt to hit her again. Her own strength twirled around her in neon green strings as it soon exploded into something else. The red strings that held her soul together prime apart from the force alone.

Vanessa was pushed back as Julia yelled again "do you think I'm joking!? I understand that I'm an idiot sometimes, but nobody is that self-centered and idiotic!" She forced her another inch, Vanessa slid back. "Maybe you should feel what it's like to be frozen, encased in ice and to watch those you love, disappear!" Julia's stolen charm snapped and shattered, ice formed over her hands and it wasn't coming from the ex-queen.

A cold, heartless voice rung out as the Vanessa watched the ice creep up her shoulders, "oh wait.. you don't have anyone left. They're all dead."

Vanessa screamed out in a panic, trying to undo what was happening, but she had no control over the ice that formed over herself. Once it was over, Julia snapped her hands away. She looked at herself, the intense aura now forming around her, the girl's hands shook violently as she couldn't think properly. Heavy breathing attempted to suffocate her as she screened out. Why was she crying, why could she stop, what was happening?

"Julia!" Gabriele screamed out to her, but she couldn't hear him. Ice raged around her like the dancing flames of his past life, he couldn't lose her, not like Amalia!

The doctor rushed in, over the wall of ice and into a storm of broken emotions, she was having an attack. The shards cut at his body, bringing pain, but he kept moving until he was head to head with his friend who was kneeling down on the ground. Julia's fingers dug into her head and he tried to pull her hands away.

"Julia! Look at me! I'm here!" He held her head, trying to force her to look up "it's over! You did it, Julia! Look at me!"

Julia's tear shot eyes finally snapped open to look at the plague doctor, what had she done..? Something that was unavoidable it seemed. Gabriele held her tightly as she loosened up, they embraced for the longest time until the winds died down. Though, it didn't stop her from crying.

Moon floated beside them, lowering himself so that the troubled girl could see him. She only cried more as she reached out to him.

He was free.

She was free.

But at what cost?

Julia started to lose consciousness in his arms, as the two children finally made their way to the attic. Not alone however as Snatcher had made his appearance, he stood shocked at the sight before him. The two children were a concern, Kero was crying thinking his mother wasn't breathing. Gabriele held him in the reassurance that she was just sleeping.

And she was.

MoonJumper held Julia to Gabriele as he too was starting to lose the ability to stay up straight, but Snatcher caught him. He thanked him quietly as everyone started their descent out of the manor. The ice that was being controlled by the Queen stopped and started to melt.

It already started to feel warmer.

As they walked outside, Julia came to for just a moment to see someone standing just beyond the manor's tree line. A tall figure with a mask that looked like no other she'd see before stared back with another bush like creature sitting beside them.

Before she could even confirm that was real, she lost her thoughts again and fell asleep.

Somewhere deep in Subcon, an ice wall melted away revealing a lost cavern. A small green bush being popped it's head out, sniffing this new world. It made a snorting sound with its mouth as it ventured off into the unknown.

Current Guess Characters:

Aura and Neo who belongs to my best bud Winttiagloam from Tumblr! (and other sites but mostly Tumblr.)

Now for the comments from the last chapter!

Mad King C: Hopefully this quenched your curiosity, not sure if I did a good job yet but only time will tell. A complete magical panic attack Julia just suffered from because her emotions got to out of hand for the threads that held her in place. I know there were a lot of conversations in this one as well and I did my best with the fighting to make up for the last chapter- Still trying to get used to action after all this time of writing.

OPFan37: Man, I wish I can review as long as you, mate- As stated in a previous chapter, yeah I wanted Kero to have more time with Julia, and possibly connect and form a friendship with Lynn (Mustache Girl) later down the line. Make amends ya know? So probably some shenanigan chapters later on. Snatcher has kinda changed in a way, he's just not as open like the others, and yes he is still aggravated about the fight. Also, added in a hint into Gabriele's past near the end, and also trying to settle another problem with him and Moonjumper. I have a whole bunch of stuff to keep this story going besides the DLC's that will be happening soon. In order.

And as above, Hopefully, the fight with Vanessa was alright, Still trying to get used to writing fighting scenes off the bat instead of referencing off my own achievements while fighting in the game. By golly can I make myself hurt.