Hello, everyone! Time for another chapter of TLN 2. Here is where the gang meets Bertha, tells her about what's going on, and we'll see if she agrees to help or not. This will be a bit more lowkey, but things will still happen. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's. Nostalgia-Margo owns hers.

Chapter 7: The Retired Soldier

'Welcome to Saint Nicholas Village'.

That was what on the main sign for the place. As Russell and the gang walked through the area, it appeared to be a small and happy little town. But it also appeared to be deserted. There was no one outside. There was holiday decor, but the place didn't feel merry at the moment.

"Bertha's place has gotta be around here somewhere," Camille stated.

"But where is everyone?" Marshall asked out of curiosity.

"Maybe they're hiding from the fairies?" Harold asked.

"There don't appear to be any around..." Bill replied, "And since this is such a long way from the Winter Kingdom, the residences here may not even know about what's going on."

"Guess you're right... but let's just focus on finding Bertha," Carla added.

With that said, the group searched around the town. But houses appear to be empty, stores appear to be closed, and even the little playground was deserted. Where was everybody?

Getting a little annoyed, Russell walked over to a small house and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, the door actually opened, revealing a girl whom the boy recognized all too well.

"Oh, hello." She greeted, "I haven't seen you around before."

"Yeah." Russell nodded, "We're new."

"Well, welcome to Saint Nicholas Village. I'm Joyce."

"Russell. And these are my friends..."

As he gestured over to the others, Joyce gasped as she walked out of her house and curtsied in front of Carla, "The Princess of the Winter Kingdom. It's such an honor to have you visit." She smiled.

Carla smiled back, "It's my pleasure to be here. But we're here on a serious matter. You might not know, but the Winter Kingdom has been overthrown by the evil Sugar Plum Fairy Queen, and the evil Rat King. My guards, advisors, and I have been in hiding, but our hero Nutcracker has come to help us. And we're here to recruit Bertha, a soldier, to aid us in a rebellion against those tyrants."

Joyce was shocked, "Oh my goodness. I had no idea, your highness. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. Because once we recruit Bertha, things will get better."

"So..." Russell continued, "We believe she lives around here. Do you know where her house is...? And where is everyone else? It's like a ghost town here."

The young girl nodded, "Well... hardly anybody knows about Bertha. She tends to keep to herself most of the time. Almost never comes out... she lives at the very edge of the town." She pointed to the end of the town, "All the way out there. As for everyone else... we heard that there's suppose to be a snowstorm of 'trouble' coming, so everyone's staying inside to be safe."

That explained it.

"Well. Thanks, Joyce. And you guys should be careful. Those bad guys might try to conquer this place as well. In fact, that's probably that the snowstorm of trouble really is."

"Good thing we have a good team of soldiers of our own. Good luck on your journey, everyone!"

The group bid Joyce farewell as they continued on their way down the strip of the town. It took a few minutes, but they finally arrived at the edge of the village. The last house there was a big brick house, with the mailbox reading 'Martin', Bertha's last name, "That must be her house." Camille stated.

Now was their chance to get to Bertha, and hopefully, save the kingdom.

Russell walked up to the door, and knocked on it, "Hello... is Bertha home? Hello...?"

There was no answer.

"Hello? Bertha?"

Still no answer.

"Guess she's not home." Harold shrugged.

"But where could she be at this time?" Bucky asked.

"Joyce said she hasn't left her home in such a long time." Camille explained, "I figured she'd be home."

Russell knocked again, with still no response, "Well, there's nothing wrong with asking around again, I guess."

"What are you doing here?!"

A female voice was heard from behind the group. They turned and saw a teen girl dressed in red standing there, holding a bag over her shoulder, and she looked rather annoyed to see them.

Russell decided to approach her, "Are you by chance... Bertha?" He asked, despite already knowing who it was (the resemblance was clearly there).

"Who wants to know?" She asked back, a cold tone in her voice.

"Uh, we do. We came all the way here to see you..."

Bertha raised an eyebrow at the boy, "Why...?"

"Because we need your help..."

Realizing that these... strangers... weren't going to leave her alone, Bertha sighed, "Alright. Hold on..." She walked up to her house to unlock the door, "Come in out of the cold..." She offered.

The group smiled as they followed suit.

The inside of Bertha's house was nice. There was a lot of soldier paraphernalia around... and even a few pictures around... of Albert, the original Nutcracker. Bertha led them into her den, even offering a special seat for Carla, "It's rather an honor to have you here, you're highness." She said with a respectable bow.

"You know me?" Carla asked.

"Of course. Who doesn't? And of course, we've been together in person before."

The princess was a little confused, before she remembered something, "Oh! Now I remember you! You used to be the previous Nutcracker's partner. You sometimes helped him out."

"Told you so..." Camille giggled.

Bertha nodded, "It's true. Albert was my mentor... and my closest friend..." She walked over to a table to pick up a framed picture of the two of them together, "He taught me everything I know..."

"Which is why we're here. We need your help." Russell spoke.

"Huh?"

Bill decided to explain this time, "Our kingdom has been overrun by two most wicked beings. King Rudy, the Rat King, and Queen Lourdes, the Sugar Plum Fairy. A few months ago, they overthrew us and sent out a bounty for the princess. Now that we remember you, Bertha. We came to recruit you to aid us in taking our kingdom back."

"We need all the help we can get." Russell added, "And I've heard you're one of the best... so will you help us...?"

Bertha had her back turned to everyone. She didn't say anything, as if she was pondering what to say next. The group watched her carefully. After a few moments of silence, she spoke.

"No."

Russell got up, "Great! Thanks, Bertha. I knew we could..." He stopped when he realized what she had said, "Wait? 'No'? What do you mean 'No'?"

The ex-soldier turned to face him, "If you haven't noticed, I'm retired. I no longer fight. I no longer work. I don't do any other that stuff anymore, and I don't plan on going back to that anytime soon. I'm not as crafty as I used to be..."

"But Bertha. It's a matter of life and death here." Russell argued, "You used to work with the previous Nutcracker, and you said you learned everything from him. Surely you can use the skills he taught you."

"But that's the thing. I haven't fought or done anything since he's been gone..." She sighed, looking back at the picture, "Losing him was the hardest thing I ever had to endure. I... I can't bring myself to ever serve and protect without him... I'm lost without him..."

The others were starting to understand where the ex-soldier was coming from. She was heartbroken over the loss of Albert. Bill stood and walked over to her, "We know how you feel. We too were saddened by his loss, especially after learning that the Rat King was the one who murdered him."

Bertha flinched at the mention of the rodent monarch, "Never again... never again..." She whispered loud enough to be heard.

"Never again what?" Russell asked.

"Um... nothing. It's nothing. Look, you guys would be better off without me. I won't be able to help you. I'll just be a burden."

Carla shook her head, "No! No, you wouldn't. Sure you may be out of practice. But we need you. You're our best hope right now. My subjects are suffering right now..."

"And besides..." Cheryl picked up Marshall and held him up, "How can you say 'no' to this adorable face? His parents were captured, and his mom is gonna have a baby any minute now."

However, Bertha was not swayed by these attempts, "I'm sorry... I just can't help you. You're just gonna have to find someone else to aid you."

"But..." Russell was stunned.

"Now... I want you to leave... I wish to be alone..."

"Bertha-"

"Leave! NOW! Please..."

Not wanting to anger her further, the guards escorted Carla and Camille out of the room and out the door. Russell remained where he was as Bertha turned her back to him. He couldn't believe that she was refusing to help him. But when it was clear that her decision was final, this is what he had to say.

"You know... it's pretty sad that you won't help us. My friend's kingdom is in trouble, darkness has overrun it, yet you can't even try to help lead the rebellion I'm planning. And why, because the previous Nutcracker isn't here? Don't you think he'd want you to help save everyone? Because I bet if he could see you now, being so cold and cowardly, he'd probably be embarrassed right now. I know it was hard losing him... but he'd want you to keep doing what you loved."

"You don't know what he would've wanted... you never met him..." Bertha responded harshly.

Actually, I have... in a way... Russell thought as she continued.

"And besides... why would his opinion matter now... he'd dead. So just... leave me alone..."

Glaring at her, Russell backed out of the room, "I didn't want to say this, especially to you, Bertha. But right now... you're acting like school during the holidays..."

"School during the holidays...?"

"No class..."

With that, Russell turned and walked out the door. Bertha continued to stare at the wall, not phased at all by what he said... or so he thought...? The little boy joined his friends outside.

"Well... so much for that." Harold shrugged.

"I felt like she wouldn't help..." Bucky said sadly.

Carla put her face in her hands, "There goes our hope for salvation..." She moaned, "Back to the drawing board, I guess."

"Don't worry..." Russell assured, "We'll still figure out a way to save everybody. Without Bertha..." He then frowned, "I don't understand why she wouldn't..."

"Maybe she'll change her mind..." Camille wondered, trying to lighten the mood.

"I doubt it... but I guess we better get going..."

Carla then smiled, "I know a place where we can wind down a bit and recoup. We can go to Crystal Park, one of my favorite places. It's a beautiful place with a playground, a lake, and great visuals."

Everyone else smiled a little bit. A walk through the park did sound nice. And so, they made their way out of the village. Russell looked back at Bertha's house. He hoped that maybe... there was a chance she'd change her mind and join them. But it was looking very unlikely...

What he didn't know... was that Bertha was staring out her window back at him... while clutching her sword...

As the group was prepared to head off, with Joyce even seeing them off... someone in the distance was watching them. She had overheard them talking about heading the Crystal Park. The girl smirked as she pulled out a Sugar Plum, and blew on it, making it sparkle.

"Crystal Park, huh... time to let the queen know... your majesty... I have found the princess and her posse... they're here in Saint Nicholas Village... but they're planning to head to Crystal Park..."

After a couple of seconds, a voice came from the plum.

"Nice work, Elaine. It was a good idea to let you spy on the village. You can commence with the takeover... and I'll handle Crystal Park. In fact... I think my King and I will greet the princess... personally..."

"Of course, your wickedness... go get 'em..."

Uh oh. That shows that things are gonna go down in the next chapter. So we meet Joyce, a resident in Saint Nick's Village, Elaine (one of Lulu's fairies), and Bertha, a retired soldier who used to work with the previous Nutcracker. And she refuses to help because she's still reeling over his loss. But as we keep going in the story, we'll find out that her reasons for not helping are deeper than that. If you've read the chapter closer, you might start to get an idea of why.

But anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you guys later. And as always, don't forget to review, please. Thank you.