Again, I'm late, and I'm sorry, but like I said a few chapters ago being sick and preparing for university at the same time is not easy.
The winter holidays had officially started and in their regular tradition Elsa, Rapunzel, Merida and Anna were doing their Christmas shopping together. They'd shop for their family together, normally consulting on what gift to get for parents and friends and siblings (they did their shopping for each other separately naturally).
"You think Kristoff would like a watch?" Anna asked. "I could get it engraved,"
"Get him a snow globe," Merida said.
"Another one?" Anna sighed.
"He loves the things," Elsa said, "He loves anything that has to do with winter. Honesty you couldn't have picked a better guy to be part of our family," She teased her little sister.
"Elsa," Anna whined. The other three laughed. "Punzie, what are you getting Flynn,"
"A satchel," She replied.
"A satchel? For Christmas?" Elsa asked.
"He's been complaining that his bag fraying, but you know Eugene, he won't get a new one until the old one has gone beyond repair,"
"Maybe I should just pick up a bunch of carrots, slap a bow on them and give that to Kristoff,"
"He'd like that, I'm sure," Merida said, "He's a guy with simple taste, unlike the three devils I live with,"
"Why don't you get the usual,"
"Mom doesn't want to buy them any 'destructive' toys as she put it. She says they're a bad influence. Like if, those three were destructive from the time they exited the womb."
"I know what you could get them," Rapunzel said, "Bows, they're old enough to start learning aren't they? And it wouldn't be great if they follow in the steps of their big sister. One day they could be co-captains of Disney's archery team,"
"Teach my bothers how to use a weapon, yeah, that's going to go well," Merida snorted but then she thought about it, "I was their age when I started archery…but I'll have to talk with mom and dad,"
"What about you Elsa?" Rapunzel asked.
"What about me what?"
"What are you getting for Jack?"
She sighed, "I don't know yet. I haven't decided."
"You know Christmas is next week,"
"I'm well aware,"
"You should go with my suggestion, he'll love it," Anna said.
"No, absolutely not,"
"What'd you suggest?" Merida asked.
"A mistletoe hat,"
Merida and Rapunzel laughed, "He'd certainly like that," Rapunzel said.
"Although Elsa is right to not buy it," Merida said.
"Thank you Merida,"
"It's just be a waste of money anyway, if what Anna says is true about the amount of time you two can spend in a lip lock,"
Elsa redden as the three girls laughed.
"But I seriously don't know what to get him,"
"Did he say anything?"
"No, and since it's our first Christmas I really want it to be special,"
"You'll think of something, let's walk around an maybe something will catch your eye. They did walk around, and get a quiet a bit of shopping done, but Elsa still didn't have a gift for Jack. She decided to give for the day and sleep on it. Part of their shopping tradition was to treat themselves, so the four headed into their favourite boutique.
"What do you think of this?" Elsa asked the others holding out a short black and white dress.
"For who? You?" Merida asked.
"Yeah,"
"It's really sexy, any particular reason you're getting it?" Rapunzel smirked at her.
"Jack invited her over for dinner," Anna explained.
"It's a bit much for a family dinner," Rapunzel said.
"Oh no, it's going to be just them," Anna said. Merida and Rapunzel were both suddenly alert.
"Dinner at his place?" Merida grinned.
"All by your lonesome, and you're going to be wearing that?" Rapunzel indicated to the dress. "Those things all add up to an interesting evening,"
"Oh shut up," Elsa rolled her eyes, "It's just dinner,"
"His making his family leave the house,"
"Only because we don't want to go out for obvious reasons,"
"Sure Elsa," Anna said with a coy grin. She phone cut her teasing short. "Hey Kristoff, how was practice?"
While she talked Merida and Rapunzel scooted closer to Elsa.
"So, are things between you and Jack getting serious?" Rapunzel asked.
"What do you mean?" Elsa asked in a weary tone. She did not like where this was heading.
"You know, like where are you two?"
"I'm in the mall with you and I didn't know where he is right now, maybe at his home,"
"Haha, very funny Elsa," Merida dead panned, hitting her lightly, "We're just curious,"
"We're together, what more is there to explain?"
"There's a lot more to explain. Do you just like him? Do you love him?"
Elsa dropped the things in her hands at Rapunzel's second question.
"N-no," She blurted. Rapunzel and Merida looked surprised for a second before knowing grins appeared in their faces.
"That didn't sound like a no," Merida grabbed one of Elsa's hands, while Rapunzel trapped her from the other side.
"Guys, seriously we haven't been dating long enough for that," Elsa blushed.
"But you are serious? Definitely more serious that you were in your last relationship." Rapunzel said.
"She's dating a moony." Merida said, "She better more serious that she was with -"
"Hey," Anna interrupted, "The team is finished with practice, and a couple of the guys are heading over to Litwak's. You want to meet up with them? Kristoff said Eugene is coming too,"
"Yeah," Merida said excitedly, "It's been a while since I broke my record on House of the Dead,"
Her friends laughed, "We'll see you in about half an hour," Anna said into the phone.
The quartet headed up to the cahiers, "Don't think you've gotten away from the question Winters," Rapunzel nudged the blonde.
"Oh, I won't dream of it," Elsa mocked. After placing their many bags into Rapunzel's trunk (she was playing driver today) they headed over to Litwak's Arcade. The place was famous and infamous. It was the largest and best arcade, probably in a 200 mile radius. And that made it a premier hangout for kids and teens in the area. Or should I say 'but' that made is premier hangout for kids and teens. Litwak's was also known for being a crossing ground between high schoolers in the area, of course this would have been trivial, if not for the, you know, rivalry. Arguments used to break out so often that Mr. Litwak had threatened to band students from both schools out right (whether or not he would have held true on the promise is disputable), but it worked. If Disney and DreamWorks ran across each other, they kept their distance…for the most part. There were still disputes sometimes, if really depended on who was apart of the disputes.
But of course, neither school could really count the arcade as neutral territory (well it was more of they didn't want to count it as neutral territory). If you were to play attention to initials of the highest scores in the games you find the peculiar trend of them ending in DH or DW aka Disney High or DreamWorks. While neither school could openly claim the arcade they could claim it little ways. On almost all the first person shooters the highest scores at belonged to CDH or MDH and on the racing games you'd see VDH with the fastest time on every track, with the runners up belonging to TDW or DDH. The arcade had two pinball machines, the highest scores were owned by MDW and TDW (not the same person as the first TDW). Ms. Packman highest score when to MDW and Galaga to EDH. The fighting games were a free for all. While only having the person's first initial wasn't much to disguise the players, everyone knew it would be a sore point for anyone to see that a high score was made by someone not in their school, especial if they knew the high score had once belonged.
Merida was the first one out of the car when they arrived at the arcade. She made straight to the line of first person shooter games once she got her tokens. She paused for a moment when she saw a tall girl, with blonde pixie cut hair playing on one of the games and a short boy watching as she blasted all the zombies to bits.
"Hi Calhoun," Merida greeted. Calhoun only grunted in reply as she continued to fire mercilessly.
"She's in the zone," Felix explained.
"I can see that,"
"Hey it's Felix and Calhoun," Anna said as she, Elsa and Rapunzel caught up to Merida.
"Are you here with Ralph?" Elsa asked. Felix nodded.
"He and Vanellope are by the racing games,"
"And do you know Kristoff is?" Anna asked.
"He and Eugene were playing air hockey last I saw," He said.
"Thanks," Anna and Rapunzel went off t find them while Merida and Elsa joined Felix in watching Calhoun's murderous spree. After a couple of minutes the round ended and a high score screen came up.
"Nice," Calhoun smiled went she saw she'd taken the top spot.
"No way, you knocked me out of the number one spot," Merida frowned at MDH not in second in place.
"Sorry Red," Calhoun didn't sound sorry as she inputted 'CDH'.
"Oh you know I'm going to play to get it back," Merida said a smirk.
"That sounds like a challenge," She taller girl hefted the gun on her shoulder like it was a weapon.
"Only if you think you can keep up,"
"Merida, you'll have to keep up with me,"
The girls put in tokens to start another game, going for multiplayer. Elsa watched them for a while before she said, "I'm going to find the others,"
"You're not going to stick around to see me whip Calhoun,"
"In your dreams,"
"Seen a zombie brain explode once you've seen them all, but good luck,"
"She'll need it to keep up with my score,"
Elsa chuckled walking away. She went over to the air hockey, where Anna was playing against Eugene, with Kristoff and Rapunzel both cheering her on. Elsa smiled when she saw Anna was winning 5-4.
"Elsa, thank god you're here, maybe you'll cheer for me seeing as my traitorous best friend and girl friend refuse to do so,"
"You do know she's my sister," Elsa arched an eyebrow at Eugene.
"So you're not going to cheer for me?"
"Nope,"
Anna scored against Eugene. "Hey that's not fair!" He exclaimed, "I wasn't ready,"
"Not my fault you got distracted." Anna teased him. Eugene huffed and placed the puck back on the table. Three goals later Eugene let out a victory yell.
"Ha! Take that! I didn't even have anyone cheering for me,"
"You got lucky on that last shot," Anna said "You want to go again?"
"On one condition,"
"A condition?"
"You have to cheer for me," Eugene pointed at Rapunzel.
"You aren't serious miffed I'm cheering for Anna?" The girl asked.
"I am,"
"Alright, I'll cheer for you," Rapunzel kissed him lightly to pacify him.
While their second game started Elsa saw Jim and Wally nearby playing Galaga.
"Who else is here?" She asked.
"Ralph's around here somewhere,"
"I know him, we saw Felix and Calhoun and they said Ralph and Vanellope were racing,"
"Yeah, so Jim and Wally are over there…and I know Eve came with Wally, I don't know where she is now thought, and Sled and a few of his friends too,"
Elsa looked around wondering if she'd see any of them, but they could be anywhere in the arcade. Anna lost the second round of air hockey and pouting dragged Elsa with her to play something else.
"Come on, don't get so down," Elsa said linking their hands, "It's just game,"
"Yeah, I know," She mumbled.
"Let's go play that Jungle game," Elsa suggested knowing it was one of Anna's favourites. Sure enough Anna's eyes lit up. 'Let's Go Jungle' was one of those games that have a booth like compartment to sit in, with black curtains blocking the entrance. Anna pulled Elsa in and quickly put in the required tokens. They made it all the end of the second stage (well Anna died twice along the way and Elsa four times) before they were done in by a giant praying mantis.
"You want to continue?" Elsa asked as they watched the screen count down from 10. Anna shook her head.
"The mantis can take this round. But we did get further than last time,"
"You're getting better," Elsa said.
"And your horrendous as ever," Anna teased.
"The game has no strategy, half is aiming randomly and the other half is luck,"
"Yeah, I know you'll rather a game of chess with Rapunzel or round of Pokémon,"
"At least there I have some control over my strategy,"
"Let's go find the others," Anna laughed. She exited the game and Elsa followed.
"Hey, look Vanellope is over there," Anna pointed in the direction of the Need for Speed games. Elsa spotted the girl with her hair filled with her signature candy clips. Her eyes travelled a few games over to another seat on the Need for Speed where a boy was racing. From here it looked like they racing on the same track, and she was sure she recognised the boy.
Before she could place him a hand slipped over her mouth and she pulled back into the dark enclosure of the game booth. She struggled until she heard the laughter. She bite her captor's hand.
"Ow! Elsa, that hurt,"
"It was supposed to," She turned around hitting him on the back of the head, "Are you mental? You can't just do stuff like that Jack,"
"I'm sorry, I thought it would be funny,"
"It's not going to be so funny is someone finds us in here," She said in harsh whisper.
"I know, I know, but I really wanted to do this," He kissed her lightly. She melted into the embrace for a moment, but then she pulled back.
"You have to go, there a close to twenty Disney here right now," Jack's face paled.
"What? But I'm here with a bunch of friends from school,"
"A bunch? How much is a bunch?"
"Enough to match twenty,"
"And no one's screaming yet?"
As thought her words were jinked a deep male voice suddenly cried out "You little cheat!"
"Oh no," Jack knew that voice. No one noticed the mouse and moony emerge from the game, they were too busy looking at the two glaring at each other.
"You cheated," Snotlout cried.
"I did not," Vanellope said firmly.
"You did! That's the only way I could have lost to a kid like you,"
"Well, there is another way to lose…if you were horrible at racing, which you are,"
"What did you say?"
"Look you came in fifth, a good forty five seconds after me,"
"The game has to be glitched or something,"
"That's the only way I could win? If there was a glitch?" Vanellope was getting red in the face.
"Yes, I mean look at you, you can barley reach the pedals,"
"Is there a problem here," Ralph had appeared putting himself between the two.
"I know you," Snotlout frowned at Ralph
"Ralph, no don't fight my battles for me," Vanellope stepped in front of the boy and pointed to the screen, "See the fastest time, VDH, that's me, Vanellope von Schweetz,"
"DH…you're mice," He snapped. By now most people in the arcade had gathered around. Tuffnut appeared at Snotlout's side.
"What's going on here?" Hiccup asked appearing. He scanned the crowned and spotted Elsa and Jack, who were smart enough to move away from each other. Still Hiccup looked over to Jack, asking the question without any words. Jack shook his head. It wasn't his fault.
"She didn't cheat, you lost fair and square moony, so just move on," Ralph said.
"Ralph, don't do any rash," Felix warned, as he was trying to prevent Calhoun from doing something rash as well.
Merida, Anna and Rapunzel appeared at Elsa's shoulders. "This doesn't look good," Rapunzel whispered.
"Hey, I don't care how good this munckin thinks she is, but I'm telling you the Jorgenson men don't lose, especially to a girl,"
Calhoun started forward but Felix held her back.
"Is that so? Well if I'm not mistaken you played in the hockey game and you lost," Ralph said.
"You big beef cake," Ruff matched from the ring of onlookers, "You're going to lose Blue Sky, if we couldn't beat them there is no way you'd win,"
"You just consider yourself lucky you didn't have to go against us," Jim said, "We would have crushed you,"
"The Blues only beat us by one shot in over time," Snotlout said, "We almost won,"
"Almost isn't winning," Jim replied. Snotlout matched towards him but Ralph put his hand out stopping him.
"You want to get him, you have to go through me,"
"You want to dance ham hands?"
"Alright, that's enough," Mr. Litwak appeared.
Ralph and Snotlout glared at each other for a moment more, before stepping back.
"You're the ones who got lucky you didn't have to face us," Tuff said, "We would have crushed you, with our faces."
"I'd like to see you try," Eugene said.
"Hey, I'd like that too," Aster said from the other side, "What do you blokes say to settling this little argument?"
"What are you talking about?"
"We didn't get to play against each other last year, and we can't just year, not in a league match anyway," North said.
A few people in the crowd suddenly felt their stomach suddenly drop, Jack and Elsa included.
"Kids, you can take this outside," Mr. Litwak said not liking where this was going.
"It's okay," Kristoff said, "We not going to do anything here. Isn't that right moonies,"
"You name the place and time and we'll be there," Snotlout stated.
"Since we kind, we'll give you time to recover from the Blue game," Jim smirked and looked in Jack's direction, "Since you obviously got knocked around quite a bit."
A few DreamWorks students seethed at this, but didn't say anything.
"After the holidays, the Friday before school opens, Buena Vista rink"
"We'll be there,"
The next hour consisted of several phone calls to Elsa's phone. The news about the unofficial match seemed to spread like wild fire. Anyone who wasn't there wanted to find out from someone who had. Elsa, Anna, Merida and Rapunzel's phones had been ringing almost no stop with-in minutes of the incident.
"Am I the only one who doesn't want this match to happen," Elsa said when she got a break from her cell. She was now sitting in Rapunzel's room with the girls.
"Jack survived the Mammoth, I think he'll manage our team," Merida said.
"No that's not why,"
"Why then?" Anna asked. Before she could answer Elsa's phone rang.
"Hello," She answered without looking at the screen.
"Hey, I'm sorry about earlier," Jack said.
"It's not your fault," She sighed, "Are you okay with this game?"
"We challenged you guys, we can't back down,"
"Yeah, but I've got a bad feeling about the game,"
"Hey," He said comfortingly, "It will be fine. And you don't have to worry about it for two weeks,"
"I know but, I'm just worried about you,"
"Me? You don't have to worry about me, I'll be fine,"
"Are you worried your ex will unknowingly injure Jack?" Anna asked with a smirk.
"No, of course not," Elsa snapped. Jack had heard Anna's words.
"Who's your ex?"
Who is her ex? Do you guys want to guess? And those of you, whose fingers are already on the 'H' key, stop, it's not Hans.
Some of you probably can guess who it is, and if you know who it is then you know the reason why he was her boyfriend and if you don't know then it's not going to make much sense until you know the reason he was her boyfriend. And that wasn't totally cryptic.
I'll be nice (since I'm still sick, worst that I was before and don't know when the next chapter will be up) and give you a hint, Disney Wiki will be very helpful (also, twitter, if you know where to find her tweet).
That's all I'm saying, and frankly I think that makes it too easy, but we'll see it you can figure it you.
Nardragon~ until the next page.