Friendship is Magic Part Two
Previously on My Little Princess…
"Elements of the Princesses...see 'The Queen of the Moon?'"
"Isn't that just an old story?"
"She will be about an eternal wintery night! It's important that Anna is told right away!"
"See? I knew she would want to take immediate action!"
"My dear Belle. There is more to a young girl's life than studying. Make some friends!"
*gasp!*
"I just want to be left alone…"
"I hope Anna was right…"
"She's gone!"
"Oh no...the Snow Queen!"
And now, on to the show!
The Snow Queen laughed evilly as ice crawled up the walls. A cold wind blew across the crowd. Belle risked a glance as she covered her assistant from the bitter cold.
"Seize her!" shouted Rapunzel's mother, the mayor, "Only she knows where the Princess is!" The Royal guards, who were there to watch the naïve princess (And failed to do their job…), ran to attack the Queen. She sneered.
"Stand back, you fools!" she snapped with an evil laugh. With a simple wave of her hand, the guards were pinned to the walls with sharp, icy spires. What surprised Belle was that she hadn't harmed the guards, only trapped them. The Snow Queen's eyes burned a brilliant white, producing more freeing winds in the process. She laughed again before wrapped her coat around herself. The Snow Queen faded into a snowy figure and made a beeline for the door, creating frost along the way. It was around this time Esmeralda escaped from Tiana's hold, but Belle didn't notice. She picked up Chip and ran out the door, making her own beeline for the safe confines of the library.
Belle flung the door open and shut it behind her with a loud slam. The warmth of the library hit her immediately. As she and Chip began to warm back up, Belle headed to another bedroom that was Chip's. She lay to boy down in his bed.
"We have to stop the Snow Queen…" he yawned before falling asleep. A faint smile crossed Belle's face. She put the blanket over him.
"You've been awake all night, Chip," she said, "You are only so young, you can't stay awake so long." She kissed his forehead before turning out the lights and leaving the room.
Although she had seemed calm, Belle was truly panicking. As soon as she closed the door to Chip's room, she had bolted into the library away from their living quarters and began to look frantically through the bookshelves, seeking something she could use to find out about the only things she knew could defeat the Snow Queen. The Elements of the Princesses.
"Elements, elements, elements…" she muttered as she sorted through the titles. "Ugh! How can I stop The Snow Queen without the Elements of the Princesses?!" Suddenly Belle was flipped around and pinned against the wall. Her hazel eyes met the emerald ones of and angry Esmeralda.
"And just what are the Elements of the Princesses?" she interrogated. Had she heard everything Belle had said?! "And how did you know about The Snow Queen, huh? Are you a spy? Whoa!" Someone pulled Esmeralda off of Belle. It was Tiana and Aurora. Belle saw all five of the girls she had met earlier standing before her.
"Calm down, Es," said Tiana. "She isn't a spy. But she does know what's going on. Don't you Belle?" Belle's eyes looked across the girls' worried looks and snow stained faces. Guilt welled up inside her, forcing Belle to give in.
"I read about the prediction of the Snow Queen's return," she said strongly, "Mysterious objects called the Elements of the Princesses are the only things that can stop her...but I don't know where they are! I don't even know what they do!"
"'The Elements of the Princesses: A Reference Guide,'" said Rapunzel as she pulled a book off of shelf and read the title out loud. Belle bolted by her side, taking the book.
"How did you find this?!"
"It was under 'E!'" said the blonde in a singsong tone. Belle sighed at her own ignorance. She opened the book as the rest of the girls crowded around her.
"There six Princess Elements, but only five are known," Belle read aloud, "Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said that the last known location of the five elements was at the ruined castle of the royal family. It is located in what is now...the Dark Forest…"
As per what the book said, Belle had the other girls lead her to the edge of the dark forest. Luckily, the Snow Queen's winter had not reached the forest yet. Belle swallowed her fear as she looked into the darkness of the forest.
"Let's go!" said a cheery Rapunzel as the blonde marched on towards the forest. Belle grabbed her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.
"No," Belle stated firmly. "I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this by myself."
"No can do," said Tiana as she walked up to Rapunzel and Belle. "We sure aren't letting any friend of ours go into that weird place alone. We're sticking to you like...like caramel on a apple." Everyone but Belle uttered in a greement. The girls walked ahead, leaving Belle behind. They were willing to go in there for her? She was snapped out of her thoughts when Rapunzel spoke.
"Especially if there's candy apples in there," she said. Belle gave the girl a look. "What? Those things are good." Belle sighed before following the others.
As they continued on, Belle began to realize by the girls' worried looks that they were afraid. Given the fact that she was afraid too, Belle didn't judge them for it. She never really judged anyone...rarely. Soon, a conversation had picked up among the other five. Belle kept herself silent and focused on their task. However, she picked up on a single note of what they had said. They didn't know where they had been going. Of course, the book Belle had with her had a map of the Dark Forest, but...it sounded like they really didn't the forest.
"None of you have been in here before?" she asked. Aurora shook her head, running her fingers nervously through her blonde curls.
"No," said the refined girl, "Just look at it! This place is dreadful."
"And it isn't natural," Tiana added, "People say it doesn't work the same as the rest of Disney.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Belle with worry.
"Nobody knows!" said Esmeralda in a spooky tone, scaring the other girls further. "You know why?"
"Esmeralda, stop it!" Tiana stated, noticing how the other girls were becoming more frightened. Esmeralda ignored her.
"Because everyone who has ever come in, has never...come...OUT!" Suddenly, the cliff the girls had been walking on gave away. Aurora, Belle, Tiana and Rapunzel screamed as they tumbled down the cliff. Esmeralda and Snow White, who had been away from the crumbled cliff, raced down the path that had lead down to the bottom of the cliff. The four girls slid down the rockside. Aurora used her magic to catch her and Rapunzel, moving them safely down the bottom of the cliff. Tiana dug her fingers into the cliffside, successfully stopping herself. Belle slid down by her, skidding over the the edge of a very long drop. Her legs dangled over the edge as Belle dug her nails into the dirt, hoping to keep her hold. Tiana let go of her safety and slid down to Belle. She grabbed her hands, keeping the brunette from dropping over the edge.
"Hold on, I got you…" said Tiana.
"What do I do?!" Belle said with fear in her voice. Tiana looked down at the drop. Her muscles began to strain under Belle's weight. Her brown eyes met Belle's hazel.
"Let go," Tiana said with confidence and in a firm tone. Belle's eyes widened.
"Are you crazy?!" Belle said, her fear growing along with her doubt in Tiana.
"No I'm not. I promise you'll be safe.
"That isn't true!"
"Now listen to me. What I'm saying to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe." Belle looked up at Tiana. Her eyes were hard and firm, with a complete confidence in what she said. Belle closed her eyes and let go of Tiana's hands. The brunette as she screamed on the way down, but instead of splatting on the ground like she had thought she would, two sets of hands grabbed a hold of Belle before she hit the ground. Belle opened her eyes to reveal Esmeralda and Snow White holding her, the ground only two or three feet away. She sighed, until she slipped from Snow White's grasp, landing on the ground with a thud. Esmeralda picked up Snow White and jumped down the cliff and onto the ground where Belle, Aurora and Rapunzel were waiting.
"Sorry, Belle…" Snow White apologized as she helped Belle to her feet. "I'm not used to carrying anything more than a bunny or two…"
"It's fine…" replied Belle, who had her eyes on the cliff. She was watching Tiana climb skillfully downward. She had been right. Belle was safe. She was alive. Had this been Tiana showing her friendship towards Belle? Belle shook her head. "We should keep moving…"
As the girls continued on through the forest, Esmeralda took the chance to tell the other girls what had happened at the cliff from her point of view.
"And once Rapunzel and Aurora were safe, bam!" she said, "Snow and I caught you right in the nick of time." Belle sighed.
"Yes, Esmeralda, I was there. I know what happened," she said, "And I am very grateful for that. but we have to-" She stopped with a gasp when a beastly silhouette dropped into view in front of the group. It soon became fully illuminated to reveal its lion body, bat wings and ears, scorpion tail.
"What is that?" asked a shaking Rapunzel.
"A manticore!" The creature swiped at the closest of the girls, Aurora, with one of it's massive paws. Aurora swatted it in the face, knocking it back.
"Take that!" she snapped. The beast roared at her, resulting in Aurora yelping and running behind the rest of the girls. Tiana took her chance and jumped on the manticore until it threw her off.
"It's all yours…" she said to Esmeralda as she stood.
"I'm on it," replied the raven haired girl. However, before she could even do anything, the manticore threw Esmeralda back before she could do anything
"Esmeralda!" Belle shouted. Esmeralda slid to a stop in front of them. Aurora helped her to her feet. The five girls braced themselves before charging at the creature. Suddenly, Snow White threw herself in their path.
"WAIT!" the smallest of the the six shouted. The girls came screeching to a halt. Snow White sighed before turning around. She walked up to the manticore to everyone's surprise. The creature raised one of it's paws, and the other five cringed.
"Shhh..," Snow said tenderly. "It's okay…" The other girls relaxed as Snow placed her hand on the paw the manticore had not raised. He unclenched it with uncertainty. A large thorn was stuck in the pad. "Oh, you poor little baby…"
"Little?!" Esmeralda said in surprise.
"This might hurt for just a second." Snow White eased her hand toward the thorn, before pulling it out in one move. The manticore roared.
"SNOW!" the others screamed in fear for their friend. But, instead of the youngest getting disemboweled, the manticore began to lick her pale face. Snow White laughed.
"Aw, you're just a little old baby kitty, aren't you?" she laughed, "Yes, you are. Yes, you are." The others smiled warmly as they used this distraction to get past the manticore without any trouble. Belle lingered behind so Snow White could catch up.
"How'd you know about the thorn?" the brunette asked the ebony haired girl as she caught up with them. Snow White shook her head.
"I didn't. Sometimes we all need to be shown a little kindness." The words lingered in Belle's mind for a brief second, but made her smile.
The girls continued an their journey, leaving the manticore far behind them. Soon, the dirt trail thinned out into a thick mud. Aurora shuddered with each step.
"My eyes need a rest from all this muck…" said the blonde with disgust. Within a few moments, the trees thickened to the point that no light could get through them, darkening the girls' vision. "Well, I didn't mean that literally…"
"Those ancient ruins could be right in front of our faces, and we wouldn't even know!" Belle complained.
"Oh… wait…" muttered Tiana loudly, "I think I just stepped in something." Suddenly, Snow White screamed. Tiana brushed it off and moved on. "It's just mud…" Upon turning around, Tiana came face to face with a gruesome face on the tree trunk with a gaping, toothy maw formed from an opening in the bark and two glaring knothole eyes. Tiana bolted with a yell while others stared wide-eyed at the leering, snarling visages that had suddenly appeared on all the trees around them. They all screamed in fear. All but one. Someone was laughing. It was this that stopped the girls' screaming from the confusion they were having from the laughter. It was coming from Rapunzel. She was giggling at one of the horrid faces and making a few goofy ones of her own in response.
"Rapunzel, what are you doing?!" Belle asked out of shock and surprise.
"Oh, girls, don't you see?" Rapunzel laughed before she began to sing, "When I was a little girl and the sun was going down~" Belle pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Tell me she's not…"
"The darkness and the shadow then would always make me frown~"
"She is…" Aurora sighed.
"I'd hide under my pillows from what I thought I saw, but my mother said that was wasn't the way to deal with fear at all~"
"Then what is?" asked Esmeralda with her arms crossed.
"She said, 'Punzie, you gotta stand up tall, learn to face your fears! You'll see that they can't hurt you, just laugh to make them disappear!'" Rapunzel turned to one of the trees and laughed. And with that, the face vanished to leave an otherwise-normal twisted old tree before her. The others gasped in surprise.
"So giggle at the ghostly, guffaw at the grossly. Crack up at the creepy, whoop it up with the weepy! Chortle at the kooky, snortle at the spooky!" Seeing as how Rapunzel's trick worked, everyone but Belle begin to laugh at the menacing apparitions, which also winked out. Rapunzel nudged Belle, encouraging her to join in. She didn't. The long-haired blonde put her hands around Belle's waist and began to tickle her, which made the brunette laugh. Soon, she found the spirit herself and began laughing with everyone else.
"And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone," Rapunzel said in a rapid fire speech, "And if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another think coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna…" She giggled. "LAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!" The remaining face disappeared as she held out on the last note. She flopped onto her back next to Belle for a good long laugh. The rest of the girls were in bursts of giggles, large smiles on their faces. Soon, normal visibility had been fully restored.
The girls, after getting over their laughter, continued on their journey. They soon came to a raging hops cheerfully out and leads a crew of giggling equines to the bank of a raging river. Here they came to a very surprised stop, each girl skidding into the one in front of her. The other five poked their heads out from behind Rapunzel for a good look at the broad torrent.
"How are we gonna cross this?" Rapunzel asked. In the distance came a faint moaning and wailing. "Huh?" Taking cover in a clump of bushes, they saw a long, purple, scaly tail thrashing about. They came closer to the tail, passing coil after coil of snakelike body, until the head came into view—this thing was an immense serpent with skinny arms and long, dark blond hair, mustache, and eyebrows. The right half of the mustache had been raggedly cut or ripped off. It spoke in an effeminate male voice.
"What a world! What a world!" the serpent cried. Belle stepped forward nervously.
"Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?" She asked.
"Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of icy wind just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off!" He leaned in to show them the damage done. "And now, I look simply horrid!" He flopped full length into the river, soaking all the girls, and launched into a fresh hissy fit. The girls groaned.
"Oh, gimme a break," Esmeralda groaned as she wrung out her skirt.
"That's what all the fuss is about?" added Tiana, shaking her dress to dry it shouldered her way past them.
"Why, of course it is!" she said, as if it were obvious, "How can you be so insensitive? Oh, just look at him." The others-now almost completely dry again- were dumbstruck. Aurora began to stroke the serpent's snout. She too had dried out by this point. "Such lovely luminescent scales."
"I know!" sniffed the serpent.
"And your expertly coiffed mane."
"Oh, I know, I know!"
"Your fabulous manicure."
"It's so true!"
"All ruined without your beautiful mustache."
"It's true, I'm hideous!" sobbed the serpent. Aurora's violet eyes narrowed.
"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!" she said with determination. She wrapped her fingers around one of the serpent's scales before she yanked it out.
"Ow! What did you do that for?" Aurora grabbed her blonde curls tightly in her hand from the base of her neck.
"Aurora, what are you—" Belle said in worry before there was a slash. All of their eyes widened at the sound, and the serpent went over in a dead faint. Aurora held her curls in her hand. Her hair was now short in a pixie cut style with ragged ends. She tossed the scale aside and used her magic to levitate the cut strands. The curly blonde hair attached itself to the ruined half of the serpent's mustache. The serpent came to and straightened up with a jubilant laugh.
"My mustache! How wonderful!"
"You look amazing," Aurora said with a smile.
"Oh, Aurora, your hair!" exclaimed Belle. Aurora turned to face the others. She grabbed a piece of her now short hair, twisting it in her fingers.
"Oh…it's fine, my dear. Short hair is in this season. Besides, it'll grow back." Belle smiled gently and put a hand on the other's shoulder. She had understood now why Aurora had cut her hair. She had sacrificed the thing she loved the most about herself to keep the mission going.
"So would the mustache…" Esmeralda whispered to Belle. The brunette sighed before looking ahead and gasping happily. The river had completely calmed down now that the serpent had been pacified.
"We can cross now!" she said as she pulled up her skirt. Belle walked happily into the water. "Let's go!" The water was barely up to her knees, but she yelled and was nearly thrown off when a coil of the serpent's body suddenly raised beneath her. Belle looked back to see the serpent using himself as a line of stepping stones.
"Allow me!" said the serpent as all the girls crossed.
The girls walked on from the the river, with Belle leading them. Her eyes grew wide as they approached a looming shadow.
"There it is!" she said excitedly. In front of them was a tumbled ruin of a castle that stood in a small clearing just ahead. It was situated on the far side of a mist-choked abyss, with the posts of a collapsed bridge still embedded in the ground on both sides. This was the ruins of the royal family's original castle. "The ruin that holds the Elements of the Princesses. We made it!" Belle put her legs in high gear as she ran forward.
"Belle! Wait for us!" Tiana called out as the other girls ran to catch up with Belle.
"We're almost there!" Not watching the road, Belle lost her balance and slid halfway over the edge of the cliff that stood between them and the ruins with a yelp, scrabbling at the broken bridge that hangs from these posts. Esmeralda dragged her back up.
"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" said the raven haired woman. All of them eyed the broad gap. Rapunzel gasped.
"Now what?" she said dejectedly. Esmeralda ran over and pulled up the bridge. Tying the end of the bridge around her waist, she straightened up and ran over to a nearby tree. She grabbed a vine from it. Wrapping one foot around the end, she took a few steps back and ran forward. The vine propelled her to the other side.
"Ta da!" she said with a laugh as she wrapped the vine around the bridge post. The others cheered as Esmeralda tied one end to its post.
"Esmeralda…" said a faint voice. The dancer stopped and dropped the other rope with a gasp.
"Who's there?" she called out.
"Esmeralda…" The mist started to thicken around her, until she could barely see the other side.
"I'm not scared of you! Show yourself!
"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best dancer in Disney." Esmeralda relaxed.
"Who?"
"Why, you, of course."
"Really?" Esmeralda said eagerly. She cleared her throat and caught back her cool. "I mean…oh, yeah! Me! Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Gypsies that, would you? 'Cause I've been trying to get into that group for, like, ever!"
"No, Esmeralda. We want you to join us." The silhouettes of three people appeared within the murk, walking toward her with uncanny speed. They skidded to a stop, resolving into two purple-haired men and a blue-haired woman, all wearing full-body jumpsuits with the bodies being purple and the feet black, with yellow lightning bolts marking the boundaries. Each outfit displays an emblem consisting of a winged skull on their chests.
"The Shadows!" said the woman. She spoke with the same voice Esmeralda had heard. The dancer raised an eyebrow in confusion. "We are the greatest performing team in the Dark Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Disney." The woman leaned in close. "But first…we need a captain." The young woman's emerald eyes went wide, a big smile creased her face, as the speaker walked in slow circles around her.
"The most magnificent…"
"Yep."
"...swiftest…"
"Yes."
"…most stunning performer in all the land."
"Yes," Esmeralda said with a laugh. "It's all true."
"We need…" The woman leaned in to whisper into her ear. "…you." Esmeralda spun and cheered.
"Sign me up! Just let me tie this bridge real quick, and then we have a deal." Esmeralda made a move to grab the other bridge rope, but the woman stopped her.
"NO!" she said menacingly. "It's them or us!" Esmeralda recoiled slightly.
"Esmeralda!" shouted a voice from across the cliff. It was Belle. "What's taking so long? ESMERALDA!" The last call sounded panicked. "DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!" The woman narrowed her eyes, and the mist thickened so that the visibility between Esmeralda and her friends dropped to zero.
"Well?" said the woman. Esmeralda tensed up, filling the moment with a long pause.
"You," she said. The woman smiled. "Thank you… for the offer I mean." The woman's face fell as Esmeralda whipped back to the bridge and tied off the other rope, leaving three very surprised Shadows to gape after her. "But I'm afraid I have to say no." Esmeralda raced across the repaired bridge, clearing the mist as she went. When she reached the other side all of the others were cheering. The girls walked across the bridge, with Esmeralda and Belle taking the rear.
"See?" Esmeralda said, nudging Belle slighting in the arm. "I'd never leave my friends hanging!" Belle smiled as she realized something. After this fifth demonstration, the girl had a lot less trouble understanding a point.
The group approached the front entrance of the ruined castle. They walked on carefully inside the main hall. Before them was an apparatus consisting of six round stone tablets mounted at the ends of radial shafts, with a larger orb at the center. The entire rig was heavily overgrown with moss and vines. The tablets each had a gem-shaped carving that stood out in relief on the surface. Belle stood there in amazement.
"Whoa…" Tiana breathed. She noticed the girl behind her standing there. "Come on, Belle. Isn't this what you've been waiting for?" Belle blinked back into reality and nodded, running to catch up with the others. Her eyes were sparkling. She knew what was in front of them.
"The Elements of the Princesses," she said excitedly "We've found them!" The girls each took one tablet and lowered them to the floor. "Careful…careful…"
"One, two, three, four…" Rapunzel counted as Snow White placed the last one on the floor. "There's only five." (Snow White brings down the last one.)
"Where's the sixth?" Esmeralda asked. Belle kneeled down in front of the elements.
"The book said, 'When the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed...'" Belle said.
"What is that supposed to mean?" said Tiana.
"I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back." The others obeyed. "I don't know what will happen." Belle squeezed her eyes shut and held her hands out in front of her, trying to ignite her dormant powers.
"Come on now, girls. She needs to concentrate." The other girls left, leaving Belle alone. After a moment of silence, a certain snowy mistress slipped into the chamber as her icy cloud. She began circling the five stone rounds before her. As the young girl stepped up her efforts, the cloud formed into a whirlwind that began to lift the tablets off of the floor. Belle opened her eyes, yelping as she saw the cyclone. Belle heard her name called out in the distance, but it was quickly cut off as the tornado grew in size and power, reaching nearly to what remained of the ceiling.
"The Elements!" she cried. Belle was pulled into the storm, which shrunk away to nothing and took her with it.
She reappeared in another part of the castle, in a blast of smoke. Belle cleared it away, coughing and sputtering. She shook her head and looked up. She gasped with wide eyes. Across the room, the Snow Queen's armored form stands on a crumbling dais, chuckling nastily as the five Element tablets floated in the grip of her icy cloud. Belle lowered her gaze. She had enough of the Snow Queen. The villain set the elements down as Belle held her hands out in front of her, trying to summon her magic. The Snow Queen laughed.
"You're kidding. You're kidding me, right?" she said. Belle kept her position firm. With a wave of her hand, the Snow Queen flung Belle back against the wall. "Don't you think you would have learned not to stand up to me after the last time?!"
"I will never stop fighting you! I promised Anna I would help you!"
"Then why don't you join her?" The Snow Queen sent a blast of icy crystals at Belle. The girl moved out of the way in time. Belle narrowed her eyes and made a dash at the Snow Queen. The icy witch did the same, but an instant before the two could collide, Belle slid out of the Snow Queen's way and ran towards the Elements. The Snow Queen skidded to a stop. She held out her hands again, trying to get a single spark of magic out of them.
"Just one spark," she begged. "Come on, come on…" Without Belle knowing, the five stones began to glow, surprising The Snow Queen no end. She became an icy tornado and whipped herself onto the dais as well. The magic used by the Snow Queen kicked back hard on Belle, throwing her across the floor. Belle smiled however, knowing she has the upper hand and maybe that her magic had returned somehow—and then the Elements' lights went out. She gasped in pure shock, allowing a single tear to slide down her face.
"But…where's the sixth Element?" The Snow Queen laughed. She raised the stones up high with her powers before letting them drop to the floor. The stones shattered into pieces as Belle stared helplessly.
"You little fool!" said the Snow Queen, "Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your Princess—or your warm sun! The cold night will last forever!" An icy wind began to start to blow, starting from the Snow Queen and heading outward as the witch laughed again. The look of utter defeat in Belle's eyes changed to bewilderment when she heard the muffled voices of her five friends coming from the general direction of a stairway that lead up into the room. Their shadows appeared on the walls in due time. That's when Belle realized it. What she had thought. What she had called the group in her mind. She voiced a deep gasp, and a tiny flicker of light igniting in her heart—something has just hit her right where it counts. Now, with all her old confidence restored, she stood up to face the Snow Queen again.
"You think you can destroy the Elements of the Princesses just like that?" she called out as the five girls surrounded her. "Well, you're wrong—because the spirits of the Elements of the Princesses are right here!" The stone shards at the Snow Queen's feet began to glow and float free of the ground.
"What?" Belle turned to Tiana.
"Tiana…who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of honesty!" Several shards of the stone began to circle around her, glowing a faint pale green. Belle turned to Snow White.
"Snow White…who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of kindness!" Shard bits began to circle Snow White as well, but glowing red. Belle turned to Rapunzel.
"Rapunzel…who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of laughter!" Rapunzel grinned widely as as pieces gravitate to her, glowing a bright gold. Belle turned to Aurora.
"Aurora, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of generosity!" Aurora began eyeing the yellow glowing fragments that now circled her. Belle turned to Esmeralda.
"And Esmeralda, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, represents the spirit of loyalty!" Esmeralda, who had the last pieces-glowing teal-spinning around her now, stood confidently despite the cold. Belle turned to the Snow Queen. "The spirits of these five girls got us through every challenge that was thrown at us!"
"You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!" said the Snow Queen, her tone now slightly panicked.
"But it did. A different kind of spark." Belle turned to the others with gentle eyes. "I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you… to see you. How much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me…when I realized that you all…" Belle turned to face the Snow Queen. "…are my friends!" Shafts of intense white light pierced the gloom from above, coming from a sixth stone tablet that has materialized overhead. It bared its own gem relief and descended to stop above Belle's head. The Snow Queen was the only one to shield her eyes. "You see, Snow Queen, when those Elements are ignited by the…the spark that resides in the heart of us all…it creates the sixth Element. The Element of Magic!" The light from the floating Element flared out to encompass all six, and the stone bits around all but Belle formed into gold necklaces, each set with a jewel specific to the wearer. As for Belle, the unbroken Element became a gold tiara on her head, studded with small blue jewels and topped by a special jewel, Two rainbow-striped shafts of light, one red/orange/yellow and the other green/blue/violet, emerge from the group as a double helix and shoot toward the ceiling before joining into a single broad ribbon that swoops down on The Snow Queen.
"NOOOOO!" the Snow Queen screamed as the light spiraled around her. "NOOOOO!" It concentrated into an impossibly small twister as she screamed again. Belle's five companions floated serenely in the white light, with their jewels glowing. Belle opened her eyes to reveal that they have also begun to glow white. One last flare from these filled the room, then faded away. The six were left laying sprawled on the floor. They start to come around gradually.
"My head!" Esmeralda groaned, rubbing her temples. (Cut to Tiana.)
"Everybody okay?" asked Tiana. There was a course of agreement.
"Oh, thank goodness!" said Aurora happily as she came to. She was running her fingers through her long, blonde curls. The magic had caused them to grow back. Snow White started to sit up from next to and Snow White are up; her tail has grown back.)
"Why, Aurora, it's so lovely," said the youngest girl.
"I know! I'll never part with them again!"
"No, your necklace. It looks so beautiful." Aurora looked down to see the necklace around her neck. The jewel was a lighter gold and shaped like a tiara. She smiled and looked up at Snow White, noticing the one around the pale girl's neck.
"So does yours!" Snow White looked down at her necklace with a happy gasp. The jewel was a red apple with a bite taken out of it. The others begin to take notice of their new adornments.
"Look at mine, look at mine!" Rapunzel said cheerfully as she hopped over to Tiana. Hers was a yellow sun, while Tiana's was a water lily.
"Aw, yeah!" said Esmeralda, who had a teal tambourine. Belle picked up her tiara. It's jewel was a blooming red rose. She stood and turned to the others.
"Wow, Belle…" said Tiana in amazement as she stood. "I thought you were just going crazy, but I think we really do represent the elements of friendship."
"Yes. You do," said a new voice. A new light washed across the room as a gentle female voice spoke up. The sun began to rise over the hills beyond a cracked window. From it, a blaze of light separated and floated slowly through the glass. It settled to the floor in front of the group and disappeared with one last flare. In its place was a teenage girl. She had turquoise blue eyes, long strawberry-blonde hair tied into two braided pigtails, bangs down her forehead and a dusting of freckles. She also had a platinum blonde streak on the right side of her hair. She wore more casual clothing than that of her title. Her outfit consisted of a medium-length, dark blue skirt with a black bodice with gold trim and green, red, yellow and purple rose prints on it, a light blue long-sleeved blouse, and black heeled leather boots with gold linings and magenta soles. She also wore a magenta cape with a silver brooch consisting of a pair of hearts with gray prints attached to her cape.
All but Belle kneeled silently before her. The last stood upright with a happy gasp.
"Princess Anna!" she said happily. She dashed over to the window. Belle wrapped her arms around Anna was the two friends laughed with joy.
"Belle!" Anna said joyfully as the two separated, "I knew you could do it!"
"But…you told me it was all an old story… the she wouldn't come back…" Anna laughed.
"I said that you need to make friends. Nothing more." The other girls began to stand up again. "I saw the signs of the Queen's return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her. But you could not use it until you let true friendship into your heart. And with that, I believe you have restored your own magic." Belle smiled brightly. She held her hands up in the air, and a shower of red, blue and golden sparks shot out of them. Belle could not contain her joy. "Now… There's one thing left to do." Anna walked across the room, with the six following her gaze. The other end of the room was strewn with the smoking remains of the Snow Queen's armor. A woman was lying unconscious amid the debris. She had platinum-blonde hair, blue eyes, and very pale skin. She wore a teal dress with a sweetheart bodice with bronze trim, black long-sleeved turtleneck blouse with red and teal crystals, magenta cape, dark brown flats with gold outlines, and her hair woven in a French braided crown twist bun. She wears longer, cyan gloves that go with her outfit.
"Elsa." The woman, whom Anna had called Elsa, woke up with a gasp. She lifted her head, shielding her eyes from the light as Anna crossed to her. Anna sat down next to Elsa.
"It's been too long since I've seen you…" Anna said with tears forming in her eyes. "I told you that I would save you, didn't I, big sister?"
"Sister?!" said everyone but Anna, Elsa and Belle in shock.
"I'm confused…" said Esmeralda, shaking her head. "I think I hit my head harder than I thought." Anna let a few tears slip from her eyes. Elsa made her move. She wrapped her arms around her younger sister, with Anna nuzzling against Elsa's chest. Tears began to run from both sisters' eyes.
"I'm so sorry!" choked Elsa, "I missed you so much, Anna…"
"I've missed you too!" said Anna, her voice muffled by Elsa's clothing. The sound of another person crying could be heard. It was Rapunzel. Waterfalls cascaded from her eyes before she returned to her usual happy demeanor.
"Hey! You know what this calls for?" she said with a grin, "A party!"
The group of eight returned to the Magic Kingdom. All of the Snow Queen's forced winter was gone, leaving only small puddles. Confetti and streamers rained down as many cheering locals raced through the town square. A team of horses pulled a chariot bearing Anna and Elsa.
Someone pushed their way through the crowd. It was Chip. He ran up to Belle, giving her the biggest hug he can manage, given his size. All the locals made respect to the sisters once they leave the chariot. The six core members had removed their jewelry by now, having given it to Anna and Elsa. Anna smiled gently, while Elsa seemed a bit uneasy before the crowd. Two young children ran up to place a wreath of red and white roses around her neck. She directed an uncertain, slightly teary-eyed little smile at Anna, not entirely understanding how these complete strangers could forgive her but accepting it all the same.
Amidst the celebration, only one party-goer was downcast. It was Belle. Anna broke away from the adoring crowd and up to her friend.
"What's wrong, Belle?" she asked. "Aren't you happy that your task is finished and you can return to Camelot with us?"
"That's just it…" Belle said as she turned to the five girls she had become so close with. "Just when I learn how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them." Anna grinned.
"Chip, take a note, please." The little guy-who was standing between Tiana and Snow White- already had a pen and paper in hand.
"I, Princess Anna…hereby decree that Belle shall take on a new mission for Disney." The others brightened considerably at her words. "She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in the Magic Kingdom." The uncomprehending look on Belle's face gave way to a grateful smile as the other five mobbed her, shouting congratulations.
"Oh, thank you, Anna!" said Belle happily. "I'll study harder than ever before!" There were cheers from all around as confetti and streamers rained down on the group.
Later that night, the royalty had left, and the girls were helping Belle to move in to the library. Esmeralda stopped halfway from unpacking a box. She turned to Belle, who was using her magic with great joy to unpack her books.
"Belle…" Esmeralda said as she straightened up, "I'm confused."
"About what?" Belle responded, picking up another box. Esmeralda blinked as Belle met her eyes. "This is about Anna and Elsa and me losing my magic, huh?" Esmeralda nodded.
"Yeah…" added Rapunzel, "We were kind of wondering about that too…" Belle sighed as the girls gathered around. She sat down on a nearby table.
"Where do I start?"
"How about with Elsa?" suggested Snow White, "Who is she?" Belle nodded.
"Elsa is Anna's older sister. She was supposed to take the throne three years ago when her parents died."
"I heard about that," said Tiana. "They died in a shipwreck, right?" Belle nodded again.
"Elsa has this powerful ice magic. I think that's what the Snow Queen used when it took her over."
"Took her over?" Aurora asked. "What do you mean?"
"Well… the Snow Queen was brought on by this spirit thing… I don't know. I guess it happened because she thought everyone liked Anna better than her. Those feelings mixed with her sorrow for her parents…" Belle sighed. "Anyway, it happened after her coronation. Elsa began to start acting weird. That's when she and Anna got into a fight. And… Elsa snapped. The coldness that had begun to form in her heart transformed her into the Snow Queen. I was terrified."
"You were there?" said Esmeralda in bewilderment.
"Yes. I had lived in the castle at the time, and I was close friends with Anna. The Snow Queen went straight for Anna. Many people tried to keep her away, but none prevailed… She even took someone's magic…"
"Whose was it?" Tiana asked. Belle looked down at her hands.
"Mine. I stood between her and Anna. She retaliated by taking my magic away. I passed out after that. When I came to, I was in my bedroom. I went looking for Anna, only to find her in her own room. She was sitting at her window, crying. She told me what happened. Elsa...the Snow Queen took her to the ruins to finish her off. Anna accidentally used the Elements to imprison her sister in the moon. A search party found her in the ruins. She took responsibility for Disney after that, but she never took the crown. She kept saying that it was Elsa's and no one else's. As for me… well… I began studying on a way to restore my power." Sparks of gold shot from Belle's hands, causing her to smile. "And I did." The others smiled.
"Well," said Rapunzel, "At least Anna and Elsa will be able to create happier memories now that they're together!"
"Yeah, and now we can, too," Aurora added. "Friends forever?"
"Friends forever!" the girls said in unison before laughing together. Friendship was the one thing Belle was missing, and now she had found it. And she didn't want to let it go.
Cast (Introduced Only)
Princess Luna- Queen Elsa (Frozen)