Chapter 13: I See the Light

Stoick had been right. They left for the Dragon's Nest almost immediately after they had reached Berk, which hadn't been too long considering the usual ride there but also felt far too long for Hiccup.

"You must feel terrible." Astrid brought up. "You've lost everything; your father, your tribe, your best friend…"

"Thank you for summing that up." Hiccup sighed. "Why couldn't I kill him when I found him in the woods? Everything would have been so much better…"

"Well, yeah. Any one of us would have done it."

Thank you again, Astrid!

"So why didn't you?"

Hiccup didn't have an answer.

"Why didn't you?" Astrid repeated. This time, her tone was much more sincere and surprisingly soft. Soft by Viking standards, at least. Soft by Astrid standards.

"I don't know! I couldn't!" He paced around.

"Why couldn't you, then?"

"Why is this so important to you all of a sudden?!"

Astrid forcefully grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around, so they were facing eye to eye now. "Because I want to remember your answer. I want to remember what you said: right here, right now."

Hiccup broke her grasp. His arms flailed around him as he tried to find any answer aside from whatever he just said. "I don't know! I wouldn't! I wouldn't kill a dragon!"

"You said 'wouldn't' that time." Astrid pointed out.

"Whatever!" Hiccup collapsed again and turned away. "300 years, and I'm the first Viking who wouldn't kill a dragon."

For a moment, Astrid didn't say anything. Hiccup was about to walk away when she spoke again. "First to ride one, though."

Hiccup froze again.

"Sooo…" Astrid prompted.

"I wouldn't kill him…because he looked as frightened as I was. I looked at him…and I saw myself."

Astrid seemed satisfied with this answer. The soft, comforting demeanor dropped for her more used one. "Bet he's really frightened now. What're you going to do about it?"

That was what Hiccup needed to hear. Instantly, his mind began racing as he formulated a plan. He still had North's snowglobe; even with wibbly-wobbly space, he could probably get to the Dragon's Nest before any of the Vikings did. But even if he did that, there was no way he could stop all the Vikings and/or dragons on his own.

"Probably something stupid."

"Good start. But you've already done that."

"Then I'm going to do something crazy." He raced off to the Dragon Training stadium.


Word traveled quickly that Flynn Rider had been captured. Shortly after Maximus had reunited the nobles with their children, he had been informed of this and was allowed to resume his normal duties. When they had discovered his help in assisting the visiting nobles, they had given him some extra time off to recover, and things had returned to normal after that.

But something still wasn't quite right.

Maximus was on the verge of pacing around his stable. He only didn't because he was still sore from that oversized lizard attacking him. That, and being washed through a breaking dam. And his fight with Rider earlier than even that. Really, there were a lot of reasons for him to be sore.

But there weren't any reasons for it to not feel right?

Did he have any sympathy for Rider? No...not yet, at least. It would take a lot for him to give Flynn the time of day, let alone sympathy. He hadn't learned what happened to the girl with long hair, so he didn't see the need to give her any sympathy, either. He saw no need to give either of the royals sympathy; they had gotten what they wanted.

So who was he feeling bad for, then?

His mind went to the royal's children. Was it them? There hadn't been any sign that they were abused or the like, so he didn't feel bad in returning them to their proper legal guardians.

No...it was what they said.

"The entire country's at war." "We'll be setting for the Dragon's Nest at noon." Something was going on between the two of them. How could a little redheaded girl cause an entire war? What was the Dragon's Nest, why was he so set on going there, and why was his son trying to do everything he could to stop it? And what would cause two nobles from opposite countries to run to an even different country in a very short period of time, team up with a notorious thief, and surrender right after the lanterns? And where did the girl with the long hair fit into all of this?

There was a mystery here, and Maximus had to solve it. And there was only one person he could find that could help him with this.

He was going to get court-martial for this, he just knew it.

Maximus ran for the Snuggly Duckling.


Eugene paced around his cell, trying to figure out any weakness it had. He had no plan. He had no weapons. He had nothing on him. Where was the giant, fire-breathing lizard when you needed it? Or the teleporting snowglobes! Or the Winter Spirit, the Viking, the Princess, and the Girl with the Magic Hair!

How had he managed to screw up so much?

The cell door opened, squeaking loudly as it did. Eugene whipped around to come face to face with three guards. "Let's get this over with, Rider." The apparent leader of them spoke.

Eugene swallowed, trying very hard not to look as terrified as he felt. "Where to?"

The guards gave him a look, and Eugene's hand instinctively went to his throat. "Oh." He squeaked.

Efficiently and quickly, the two other guards cuffed him and grouped together on him. He tried to offer as much of a fight as possible, but he really couldn't bring himself to more than a few token nudges. The main guard led him out of the cell and down to the gallows, and Eugene was forced to follow.

Out of the corner of his eye, Eugene was something sparkle. Which was weird, because the prison didn't allow for much sunlight. He glanced up, and before the guard could force his head down again he saw it.

A ceramic unicorn no bigger than his pinkie finger.

That couldn't be right. Even if the thugs from the Snuggly Duckling had been captured, they certainly wouldn't let them keep their personal items. He at least knew that much. In the back of his mind, he dared himself to hope.

Just as they were about to step out, the door slammed shut in their face. Other doors around them slammed shut as well. They were alone.

The guard banged on the door. "Open up!"

The window slid open, revealing the old geezer. Eugene bit back a chuckle.

"Wazza' password?" He slurred.

"What?"

"Nope."

"Open this door!"

"No' even close!" The old man nearly scoffed, and Eugene thought he probably would be scoffing if he weren't drunk.

"YOU HAVE THREE SECONDS TO OPEN THIS DOOR BY ORDER OF THE CORONA GUARD!" The guard shouted. Well, Eugene thought, at least he got to see a show before the end.

"One—" Suddenly, Eugene felt his left side again. He glanced up just in time to see the guard being hoisted up by a hook hand.

"Two—" The door beside them opened, and large, beefy hands grabbed the second guard before either of them could say anything. The helmet fell to the ground, rattling slightly.

"Three…" The head guard looked his way. Eugene offered a small wave (as much as he could with the handcuffs and all). A fleeting look of panic crossed his face before he too was knocked unconscious.

Gaston held up the frying pan.

"Who knew, right?"


It was dark. And cold. And Jack was so, so afraid.

He figured this was as close to dying as an immortal Winter Spirit could get. In the back of his mind, he thought this might not be so far off from the real thing. The staff had all of his powers. Who knew what could happen when it broke?

Jack regained his vision enough to make out one, solitary figure with him. A bright blue light that flowed like a lit flame. A Will-o-Wisp. He winced and glanced away. No good. Still too much guilt. Wisps reminded him of Merida, and that reminded him of Hiccup, and Eugene, and Rapunzel, and the Guardians and…

He let them down. Easter was ruined. Rapunzel would never see her lanterns. Pitch was going to win. He let them all down.

Jack managed to crawl back up, trying to rest as comfortably on the stone as he could. It was cold, but when had that bothered him? He usually didn't need to sleep, but right now that was sounding like something he couldn't avoid…

"Jack? Jack!"

A warmth filled his stomach. Jack leapt back, not used to the sensation. He glanced around him, trying to find the source. The Wisp darted forward, now settling near his pocket. The Teeth Container was glowing a bright gold.

Well, he supposed it was now or never. Carefully, Jack placed a finger on the container.

Memoires flooded his train of thought. Memories of laughter and of summer. Memories of a family with a mother and sister and all of her younger friends. Memories of him, standing on a frozen pond, and seeing the pure terror in his sister's eyes as the ice cracked from under her.

"Easy now, it's going to be okay. You have to believe in me. We're just…going to play a little game."

"Jack! I'm scared!"

"It's fine! Would I trick you?"

"Yes! You do it all the time!"

"Well, I'm not tricking you now. It's fine. It'll be just like Hopscotch; like we play every day. Watch."

A large branch, that had, by some miracle, been just been the exact size and shape he needed it to be. He hopped over, carefully exaggerating his motions so, at the very least, he could get a laugh out of her.

"Alright. Now one," A small step onto the ice. The ice cracked, ready to break. "Two," He readied the branch. "Three!"

Everything happened at once. He yanked her out of the way, spinning her and tossing her to the thicker side of the ice. All of a sudden, he was the one on very thin ice. The ice cracked, and he fell.

And then Jackson Overland Frost saw the moon. It became dark, and it became cold.


Rapunzel felt the last strands of hair fall out of the braid as Mother took out the pinning flower. "There. Now it never happened."

Mother stood up and began walking out. "Now wash up for dinner. I'm making Hazelnut Soup!"

Rapunzel didn't stir.

"Rapunzel, I tried to warn you." Mother said with a sigh. "The world is dark, and selfish, and cruel. If it finds even the slightest ray of hope, it destroys it."

Rapunzel glanced up slightly as the curtains closed. She could feel Pascal curling up next to her in a sort of affectionate gesture, but she didn't acknowledge him. Now that Mother was gone, Rapunzel dared to uncup her hands. Inside was the flag that Eugene had given her.

It didn't make any sense. None of it did. Why would Eugene have done all of this for her if he was just going to sell her off in the end? Why would…why would he have nearly kissed her?

And Hiccup and Merida and Jack…Rapunzel collapsed onto the bed as she thought about it. Even if Eugene didn't care for her, that didn't stop them from not. They fought together, they had traveled to a whole different dimension together…they were supposed to stay together. And Rapunzel didn't even really get a chance to say goodbye. She didn't even really get a chance to give Hiccup back his helmet, or Jack his staff…

Rapunzel's train of thought shut down. She was seeing something out of the corner of her eye. Carefully, she glanced up to see it wholly. It was just the paining in her room. She knew that picture like the back of her hand. It was one of the first things she'd ever painted. She'd know if something was there…

She held up the flag in her hand for comparison. Her eyes darted back and forth to the ceiling and to the flag as realization hit her. The floral design on her ceiling was an exact replica of the solar print in her hands. She stood and began looking around wildly. There was another. And another! They were all over her room, but why?

Memories filled her train of thought. Memories of cradles and mobiles. Memories of sunlight designs everywhere she could look. Memories of figures in brown and purple. Just like the King and Queen. And if she had to guess what she would have looked like as a kid, it would be a small girl with hair as tall as she was and bright green eyes...

The crown had fit her perfectly. The tiara of the Lost Princess.

Rapunzel collided into her dresser. Pascal was giving her a worried glance, but she brushed him off as she ran out of her room. Mother was calling out to her, slightly worried, but Rapunzel tuned it out. She needed to know, and she needed to know now.

"I'm the lost princess."

Mother froze. A second later, she sighed and rolled her eyes. "Oh come on now, Rapunzel, you know how I hate the mumbling!"

"I AM THE LOST PRINCESS!" Rapunzel said. "Aren't I?" Just a second or two passed, but that was all Rapunzel needed to confirm it. "Did I mumble that time, Mother?"


Chaos was breaking out in Castle Dun'Broch. Merida could only see through a keyhole, but it was enough to make sense out of most what was going on. Four make-shift blockades had been set up in the dining hall. Arrows, and the occasional spear, flew through the air freely.

"NO MORE TALK! NO MORE TRADITIONS! WE SETTLE THIS NOW!" Lord Macguffin was yelling on about.

"YOU'RE THE KING! YOU DECIDE WHO GETS TA MARRY YA DAUGHTER!" Lord Mackintosh added.

Merida could see her dad rise up from the DunBroch barricade, unsheathing his sword and raising his shield. "NONE OF YA SONS ARE FIT TA MARRY MY DAUGHTER!" He roared, in a gesture that would have been heartwarming to her if he wasn't in the middle of a battle.

"THEN THIS MEANS WAR!"

Merida stepped back as an arrow flew a bit too uncomfortably close to her line of vision. What did they think they were doing! They were going to murder each other if they kept up like this!

Through all the sound and fury, a light sigh reached Merida's ears. She whipped around to find the source. A Wisps.

"Oh, what d'ya wont?" She hissed at him and turned back to look back at the fight.

Then the Wisp was right in front of her. She jumped back. The Wisp floated in front of her for a second, before changing into a larger, more human form. The same for it took when she killed Mor'du.

"You've made quite a mess here." He didn't quite speak, more like the words imposed themselves onto Merida's mind for him.

Merida tried to shake them off. "I dinnae cause this!"

Mor'du didn't reply.

Merida rolled her eyes. "This all would'nae happened if Mother didn't try to arrange me up for marriage!"

"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't run away."

"I'm sorry, weren' ye the ones that were bendin' time and space so we could all meet!?" Merida demanded.

Mor'du didn't answer.

"If ye don' have any advice, just leave me alone."

The Wisp complied, and soon faded from vision.

Merida rubbed at her eyes. Though she didn't want to admit it, Mor'du had been right. She caused this. She was…stupid, and reckless, and exactly what her Mother didn't want her to be. And her stupid actions were causing the entire kingdom to fall apart.

Realization dawned on her. She had changed her fate before. She changed the fates of those around her. But now, now she could change the fate of Scotland.

The fight stopped as soon as everyone saw Merida walk in. In the back of her mind, Merida wondered whether it was because it was 'improper to fight in front of a lady', but she didn't care. She walked forward calmly and slowly, and stood in front of the room, at the Dun'Broch barricade.

"What're doin' lass?" Dad asked.

"It's all right." Merida cleared her throat and faced the crowd. Princesses enunciate. Princesses can be heard clearly and loudly across any room. Merida was hoping that this would be one of the only times she really had to put these lessons to use.

"I…eh…" She cleared her throat again. Great, she was already blowing it. The images of a whole –out war breaking out in her dining room made her a bit more confident in what she was doing. "I apologize for me absence. I have…been in conference with the Quin."

"Is that so?" Lord Macguffin asked as he crawled over his barricade.

"Aye. It is." Merida spoke again, with enough venom in her tone to make it clear he should really just stop and let her speak.

He didn't comply. Actually, that only provoked the other Lords to leave their barricade and approach her. "And just where is the Quin?"

"She…"

"How do we know you're not tricking us?"

"I'd never-"

More and more questions came Merida's way, but she couldn't make them all out. They were all yelling over each other, and that was causing the others to murmur amongst themselves. The lords were getting closer and closer, as if they were itching to fight, and more and more questions were being shouted her way…

"SHUT IT!" Merida hollered. Her voice echoed in the dining hall. It was quiet, save for the whimpering of one of the dogs and her dad's nervous chuckling.

Merida cleared her throat. Bad start. "Well. I uh…"

But their attention was on her now. She could fix this. She could change her fate.

"Once, there was an ancient kingdom…"

"What is this?"

Merida decided to keep going. "And that kingdom fell into war. And chaos, and ruin—"

"We've all heard this story before!" Lord Mackintosh rolled his eyes.

"Aye, but it's true!" Merida replied. "I know now how one selfish act can ruin a kingdom."


"If you're planning on getting eaten, I'd go for the Gronkle."

Hiccup whirled around at the voice. Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Snoutlat approached him, clearly being led by Astrid.

Ruffnut approached him, getting dangerously close to Hiccup's personal bubble. "You were smart to seek the help of the world's most deadly weapon."

"I—" Hiccup started.

"Me, by the way. I'm the world's most dangerous weapon."

Snoutlat cut in, shoving Ruffnut off. "I, for one, love this plan!"

He too was cut off by Tuffnut. "You're crazy. I like that."

Astrid had to pull her off. "So what is the plan?"

Hiccup took a moment to admire the scene in front of him. Only a second though; there was still a war at hand. "Okay. So we're going to release these dragons, and you're going to fly to the Dragon's Nest. Don't worry about getting lost; all dragons know where it is. With any luck we can beat my dad and the others there. If not—"

"You said 'you're'." Astrid pointed out. "How do you fit into this plan?"

Hiccup opened the cage to the Monstrous Nightmare. "I'm going to get reinforcements."


Elinor came into the room. She was expecting chaos and fights, of course. And while it did look like there were signs of it, there weren't any battles going on at present. She glanced over the crowd of the Dingwall clan, her eyes widening as she saw Merida addressing them.

She was speaking loud and clearly, as a good princess stood. Her posture was perfect, her voice clear and concise-what was she doing?

"Legends are lessons," She was saying. "Our kingdom is young, and we are not yet legends. But our bond was struck, and our faets were changed.

"Our clans used ta be enemies, but when our kingdom was threatened, we stuck together. You fought for each other, not against! Lord Macguffin! My father saved ye from an arrow when ye rushed to Dingwall's aid!"

"Aye. And I'll never forget it." Lord Macguffin nodded respectfully towards Fergus, who returned the favor.

"An' Lord Mackintosh!" Merida continued. "Ye saved my dad, charging in on horse and holdin' off the advance! An' we all know how Lord Dingwall broke the enemy lines!"

"With a mighty throw of his spear!" Lord Mackintosh shouted a clearly well-rehearsed line.

"I was aimin' at ye, ye big tumshine!" Lord Dingwall replied, causing a ripple of laughter to shake through the crowd.

"The story of this kingdom is a powerful one!" Merida continued. Her style was changing. She wasn't the calm, proper princess she was trying to be a few minutes ago. She was still recognizably trying to hold control, but she was now much more calm and collected with herself. She was Merida. "My dad rallied your forces and you made him your king. It was an alliance forged in bravery and friendship, and it lives to this day."

A cheer rang through the crowd. It was clear to Elinor now. She was this close to burying her face in her hands, but she thought better of it. This whole time, she had been trying to make Merida into a princess, when Merida already was one.

Merida collapsed a little. "But I've been selfish. I've torn a great rift in this kingdom. And I know now I need to fix this mistake. And mend our bond." Merida was looking right at her as she spoke. Elinor tried to mime out just how proud of her she was, but she was fairly positive it wasn't having as much effect as she wanted.

"So here's the matter of my betrothal. I've decided to do what's right, and…"

If Elinor were in front of the crowd, right there with Merida, she wouldn't have dared to do this. Instantly, she began gesturing wildly, trying to call Merida's attention onto her. Merida focused on her again, a fact that was mostly lost on the Lords.

Elinor began signing rapidly.

"Break…tradition?" Merida ended it in mostly a question.

There was a gasp from the crowd. Elinor continued, and Merida followed.

"My mother…the Quin, feels…in her heart, that I…that we, be free to…write…our own story. Follow our own paths. And find love in our own time. The Quin and I put the decision to you, my lords. Might our young people decide for themselves who they will love?"

There was a collective sniffle from the lords. "Well, if we've all made up our minds on this," Lord Mackintosh spoke. "I feel confident in saying that this—"

"Is a grand idea!" Young Mackintosh answered. With the attention now on him, he continued. "Give us our own say in choosing our faet!"

"Aye!" Young Dingwall echoed. "Why shouldn't we choose our faet!?"

"But she's the princess!" Lord Dingwall answered.

"I didnae pick her out. That was all your idea."

"And you?" Lord Macguffin turned to his son. "Ya feel the same way?"

Young Macguffin answered in his unintelligible accent. Elinor was just able to make out a weak "Good?", and she felt that the rest of the room was only able to as well.

"So it seems we agree for once!" Lord Macguffin spoke. "Let these lads win her heart before they win her hand! If they can." He added.


Jack leaped back as the vision faded. It wasn't like it hurt him. Actually, it was quite the opposite. Jack suddenly felt like he had a lot more energy than before. A family. He had a family! With a mother and a sister! A sister he saved!

He slowed down as the realization hit him. "That's why you chose me." He whispered aloud, letting his gaze fall up. A full moon shone directly overhead. "I'm…I am a Guardian."

Jack didn't let himself relish in this victory for much longer. If he was a Guardian, then he needed to be with the others to fight Pitch. Even if they didn't want him anymore, which he would admittedly understand, he still needed to be there. And if he was going to be there…he needed allies.

No. He needed friends.

He used the last of his energy to dart over to his staff. Carefully, he picked up both pieces and held them together. He could do this. He'd frozen things over a thousand times. What was one more?

There was a spark, but the pieces slipped apart. Jack groaned. Even if he couldn't use his powers again, just one more!

Another spark. A blue light engulfed the cut, and soon engulfed the whole staff. The staff, cold and icy as it were, was whole. And when had he let the cold bother him anyway?

Jack let himself breathe a sigh of relief before he shot straight up. He grabbed the snowglobe from out of his pocket and tossed it forward.

Merida saw Jack much quicker than he saw her. He kind of stuck out like a sore thumb among the dark greens and yellows.

She was also the first to act. "EVERYONE!" She called. "TO THE CELLAR! For…WE'LL CELEBRATE WITH THE KING'S PRIVATE COLLECTION OF WINES!"

There was nothing that could clear a room full of Scotsman like the promise of alcohol, even despite her father's protesting. All that remained where her, her mother, and Jack.

Jack tried to get to her first, but Merida had something to deal with. She rushed forward, colliding with her mother into a giant bear-hug.

"Merida, I'm so proud—"

"Mother." Merida cut her off, turning suddenly serious. She broke the hug, making direct eye contact with her. "I'm sorry, but I need ta go again."

Her mother blinked. "But Merida—"

"I promise I'll come back, and when I do, ye can ground me for as long as ye like. But right now, something I really care about's in trouble."

She ignored her mother's protest as she got to the door. "MERIDA!" Her mother finally stopped her with a voice that echoed through the room and caused the dogs to whine again.

Merida froze.

Her mother stared at her for a second before she collapsed again. "Stay safe."

Merida blinked. That was an order. Merida nodded, turned back to the door, and stopped herself again. "Hold on!" She called, more for Jack's benefit. "There's still something I need ta get!"

She rushed upstairs, and returned with the tapestry and some sewing supplies.

Eugene froze as he made it to the courtyard. It was like every guard in Corona was at that one prison at that one time, and they were all prepared for this outcome. That wouldn't surprise him, really; he had made quite the reputation as Flynn Rider…

Hook grabbed him and move him to safety. "Head down." He ordered.

"Head down!" Eugene complied.

"Arms in."

"Arms in!"

"Feet apart."

"Feet apar—why—why feet apart?"

Eugene sailed through the air. He screamed, not even caring how unmanly that sounded to anyone who happened to be passing by. It wasn't the hard pavement he landed on. Instead it seemed to be some kind of saddle. He glanced at what it was attacked to. The Guard Horse. The same horse that he narrowly escaped from three times. He was about to stand back up and bail for it when the Guard Horse gave him an expectant look.

Realization dawned on Eugene. "You…brought them here?"

The horse gave a confident whinny as a response.

Eugene still couldn't move. He tried clearing his throat and turned back down to the horse. "No, really, thank you. I feel like, this whole time we've just been misunderstanding each other and…"

Now the horse was giving him a bored look.

"Yeah, you're right. We should go."

He sped off just in time for more guards to arrive. Eugene's attention was diverted to trying to figure out where the arrows where firing from, and how best to dodge them (which was tricky when you were only relying on sound). Just as he thought he dodged them all, he saw where the horse was charging.

Straight forward.

"Hey, you might want to—"

They sailed through the air.

Again.

And Eugene screamed.

Again. Though to be fair, that was some kind of justified.


Rapunzel pushed Gothel aside and started walking down the stairs. "All my life, I've been hiding from people who would try to use me for my hair-"

"Rapunzel!" Gothel chased after her.

Rapunzel ignored her and continued. "When I really should have been hiding from you!"

"Rapunzel, where do you think you're going! He won't be there for you!"

Rapunzel froze. "What did you do to him?" Her voice came out hoarse.

"That criminal is to be hanged for his crimes. And your little royal friends have been shipped back to their home countries; a hop, skip and boat ride away from here."

"No…" Rapunzel breathed.

"Now, now…" Gothel came over to her, trying her best to step back into the concerned mother role. "Everything is as it should be…"

Rapunzel grabbed onto her wrist before she could touch her hair again.

"You were wrong about the world. You were wrong about me. And I will never let you use my hair again!"

Gothel broke hold of her grasp. She stumbled back into the mirror, causing it to fall and shatter. Rapunzel gave her one last, cold look, before turning and walking away.

Gothel sighed. "Fine. You want me to be the bad guy? Now I'm the bad guy…"


Author's Note: If you're reading this live, I apologize for the later than usual update. The Internet was down at my house for most of the morning. I'm making up for it by having an absurdly long update. Seriously, this chapter is twice as long as any other, and I have no idea why. Probably just because this is where all the really bad stuff happens. Stay tuned, we have three more chapters left!