Deren stabbed at a knocked down Kai, but Kai rolled to the side. Kai jumped up to his feet, and swiped his arm and hit the back of Deren's head. Deren fel to the ground, but rolled away from Kai, and jumped back up. They now stood a few meters away from each other.

"You organized this entire thing?!" Kai yelled.

Deren smiled and nodded. "Lyre's not smart enough to come up with this brilliant plan."

"People will suffer!" Kai said angrily.

Kai raised up his dagger, and ran at Deren. Kai attacked Deren with his dagger, but Deren countered the hit. Kai staggered backwards, and Deren kicked him down. Deren jumped midair over Kai, with his dagger over his head. Kai shot a stream of fire with his other hand, the one not holding the dagger, next to his legs, boosting him away from Deren. Kai jumped back up as Deren landed on the ground. Kai shot a blast of fire at Deren who side-stepped the attack. Deren started to charge towards Kai, but stopped in his tracks when Kai made a wall of fire, directly in front of him.

The two now stood there, staring at each other, both exhausted from the fight.

"The Queen has made you soft!" Deren told Kai.

Kai realized that Deren was right. Elsa changed Kai. Before, Kai was violent and was never hesitant to steal or attack. Now, ever since Elsa entered his life, he became a little bit more peaceful. A little bit. She now influenced his actions, as if everything Kai did would get a reaction from Elsa. Elsa was the only thing keeping Kai's old self at bay. He needed her to keep him the way he was. Kai was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't realize Deren was charging at him.

When Kai finally broke his train of thought, Deren was already right in front of Kai. Kai raised up his dagger and brought it down to stab Deren's shoulder. Kai stopped his dagger suddenly right was the tip of the dagger entered Deren's skin. Kai's hands were shaking as he saw Deren bleed where he was cut.

Kai couldn't will his dagger to go any further. He couldn't kill Deren. He would become the monster that he promised he would never become. He would do something Elsa would never condone. He couldn't harm his best friend, or at least who used to be his best friend.

Even though Deren was in slight pain, he smiled. Deren grabbed Kai's wrist, and moved it away from his shoulder. Kai was too shocked to do anything, and let Deren do it. Deren grabbed the dagger out of Kai's hand, and examined the blood at the tip.

"Like I said," Deren said, "you let her make you soft."

Deren threw Kai's dagger off the roof. Now Kai was without a weapon, and Deren had one. Deren jabbed at Kai's stomach with his dagger, but Kai leaped back. Kai shot a blast of fire at Deren, but Deren swiped the fire with his sword, making the fire disperse. Kai didn't understand how the dagger could be so strong, but then Kai realized that he was just weak. He was almost frozen completely.

Deren took out an explosive from his pocket, and threw it at Kai. Kai blasted the explosive in midair between the two, and it exploded right there, sending both of them flying back, and hitting the ground. They bot just lay there, injured. The fight was almost over, now, it was just a matter of who got up first. Unfortunately for Kai, it was Deren.

Deren limped over to Kai, with his dagger in his hand. Deren picked Kai up by the collar of his clothes, and threw Kai back, injuring Kai's back.

"You were always the best of us." Deren said while walking to Kai. "Always the bravest. Always the strongest."

Deren stood over Kai, determined to end their fight once and for all.

"But, you could never make the hardest choice!" Deren continued. "You couldn't take a life!"

Deren stabbed at Kai, but this time, Kai was quicker. Kai shot a blast of fire at Deren's chest, making him fly back, and land on the ground with a thud. Kai stood up slowly, his hand over the left side of his ribs. That's where Kai hurt the most.

"I'm not a monster!" Kai yelled.

"The fire that comes out of your hands says differently." Deren countered.

Deren slowly got up, his hand over his chest. The outer layer of that part of Deren's clothes was burnt off. Deren raised his knife up. The fight would still rage on. They were equally matched. though they were both dying and weak. The wind of the snowstorm stopped howling as they faced each other. Kai raised up his fists.

"I don't need a knife or fire to beat you." Kai said.

Deren then dropped his dagger, and raised his own fists. "Neither will I."

They charged at each other with raised fists. They yelled as they charged. Kai was the one to deliver the first blow, but Deren used his hand to block it. The bandits were all taught a form of martial arts, which made them all skilled fighters. Now, Kai and Deren were using what they were taught on each other. Whenever on of them punched, the other would just block it, and counter with another punch which would be blocked. They just stood there, with flying fists, for a few minutes. Neither of them were damaging the other, just tiring each other out.

In a way, they felt like kids again. They pretended to have small physical fights on the sandy shore. They were splashing water and throwing sand at each other. They would cry once sand got into their eyes. They always had a blast. But those were just games. Now, they were fighting for real, with real stakes. Each of them had to make sure the other won't get up the next time they're knocked down. That would be hard, especially for Kai.

Kai didn't want to hurt Deren, even after everything Deren has done. He hoped that the Deren he used to know was still in there, behind the cold, heartless shell of what remains.

The fight wasn't getting anywhere, and they knew it.

"It's sad," Deren said as they fought, "you don't even know what happened to your father."

Kai's eyes widened, and he let his guard down. Big mistake. Deren punched Kai back, and Kai staggered backwards.

"You killed him, along with everyone else we knew!" Kai yelled angrily.

Deren jumped at Kai, but Kai kicked him in midair. Deren landed on his feet.

"I didn't kill him." Deren said. "You see, he soon quit his job after you left. He worked as a sailor, stationed in Arendelle. Word reached the town that he perished alongside the old King and Queen of Arendelle, Elsa and Anna's parents."

Kai didn't know what to think. Kai was upset that his father died the way he did, but he was relieved that at least Deren didn't lay a finger on him. None of that mattered now.

Kai shot a blast of fire at Deren, who was pushed next to his knife.

"I will stop you!" Kai said, determined.

"Oh, will you?" Deren said. Deren picked up his dagger, and threw it at Kai. Kai was about to dodge, but he was too weak to move anymore. That last blast of fire took away all of his energy. Kai closed his eyes and accepted his fate. His life flashed before his eyes as he stood there. He remembered everything that had meaning. He remembered his mother, his friendship with Deren, and his exile. He remembered joining the Bandits, and all of the horrible deeds he was committed. Lastly, he remembered his friends. He remembered the fun he had with Olaf, and Kristoff. Most importantly, he remembered Elsa. He was thinking about her beauty, and the way he felt when she smiled. He remembered their kiss, and dance. He missed her. His heart ached. Literally, the ice in it started to hurt.

"Elsa..." Kai thought to himself. "I'm sorry things didn't work out in the end. I'm sorry I lied. I'm sorry we couldn't be together."

Kai knew it would be the end, but, before the dagger could impale Kai, the ice in his heart got to him first. Starting from Kai's chest, his body and clothes started to become solid ice. His body became blue and cold. Before the dagger could touch Kai, he was solid ice. The dagger shattered as it hit Kai. It was too late for Kai. His frozen heart was his end. Kai made one last frosty breath in his ice form.

Deren stared at Kai with anger in his eyes. Deren wouldn't get the pleasure of taking Kai's life himself, but Deren was glad that Kai was gone. Deren stood up, and looked at his chest. His chest started to turn to ice, just like Kai's, and Deren looked back at Kai.

"We go down together..." Deren said.

Deren stared at Kai, as he too, succumbed to solid ice.

Olaf was finally able to catch up with Kristoff outside of Teranhall Castle. They stood in front of the huge door that led to the interior of the castle.

"Ready?" Olaf asked.

Kristoff looked down at Olaf. "You should probably wait out here?"

"Why?"

"Just give me 5 minutes."

The disappointed Olaf looked down at his feet, and sat down outside the castle. Olaf started counting "One... two..."

Kristoff opened the door and ran in. He had to find Elsa and Anna fast. He needed Elsa to stop this eternal winter.

"Anna!" He yelled in the castle. His voice echoed through the halls of the castle. It reached the room where Anna, Elsa, and Lyre were. Anna's eyes widened when she heard the voice.

"Kristoff!" Anna yelled. Her voice also echoed to Kristoff. "He'll get you, Lyre."

"I'll be prepared." Lyre said.

Kristoff ran upstairs to where he thought he heard the voice. He found an open door in a corridor, and assumed that that's where they were being kept. He ran inside the room, and found Anna and Elsa chained up. He almost didn't recognize Elsa because of her new brown hair. He ran to their aid, and grabbed the chain.

"Look out!" Anna warned Kristoff.

Kristoff didn't react fast enough. From behind, Lyre struck Kristoff in the back of the head with a blunt object. Kristoff fell to the ground in pain, while grabbing his head. Lyre kicked Kristoff while he was down. Anna and Elsa watched in horror as they saw Kristoff in pain. Lyre decided that Kristoff had enough and stopped attacking. Lyre then unsheathed his sword, and pointed it at Kristoff's throat.

"Any sudden movements..." Lyre warned.

Kristoff stopped swirming, and stared angrily at Lyre.

"There's got to be more help." Anna said. "Where's Travis?"

Elsa didn't want to answer, she didn't want to remember how he manipulated her. Lyre answered for her.

"Mr. Summers is another one of my pawns. Just like Kai was."

"Kai? The fire guy." Anna asked.

Elsa nodded.

"Kai was with me." Kristoff revealed.

Elsa's eyes widened.

Kristoff continued. "Elsa, he was determined to save you."

A smile grew on Elsa's face. Maybe Kai was telling some of the truth. Maybe he did care about her. No, not maybe. He did care about her. She grew hopeful about Kai. The Kai she fell in love with is the true Kai. Her trust in him returned. She trusted him to save her.

"Where is he?" Elsa asked hopefully.

"Don't know." Kristoff answered. "He was weak the last time I saw him. His hair was fully white."

Elsa was shocked with herself. She had done that to Kai. He wasn't here, which means... Elsa shrugged off her doubts. She lied to herself that Kai was okay. She had to believe in him. Anna studied Elsa's expressions. She assumed Elsa cared deeply about Kai. Maybe even a romantic relationship? But, Anna didn't want to bring that up now since there were other things at stake.

"Please, Lyre," Anna said, "let us go. Stop this winter."

"What makes you think I'll do that?" Lyre laughed.

"Do these people really deserve to suffer this?" Anna asked.

"Of course!" Lyre became angry.

"Princess, you're asking too many questions. I think I might kill you first."

"No!" Kristoff yelled. Kristoff grabbed Lyre's leg, but Lyre kicked him, forcing Kristoff to let go.

"They don't deserve this, Lyre." Elsa said.

"They do! You people seem to forget who has the upper hand."

"You'll leave them in eternal winter, and then what?" Anna asked. "What will you do with your life?"

Lyre didn't have an answer.

"Have you ever considered the reason why these people wouldn't listen to you?" Anna continued.

Lyre remained silent.

"It's because of the way you ruled them. You tried to keep them in too much of your control. You've taken away their freedom. Like you are now. You're taking away the freedom they have at a normal life. Without freedom, you''re not human. You're taking away their humanity. People don't like it when that's gone." Anna lectured.

Lyre, for once, listened. Maybe Anna is right, he thought. Maybe I have been to harsh, he continued. Lyre shrugged off those thoughts, and had the same mentality he had when he created this eternal winter. He still believed that these people deserved what they got.

"These "humans" are reckless beasts that no one can control." Lyre countered.

"You can't control them." Elsa said. "Treat them well, and they'll listen."

"What could you possibly know! Your young, and new to ruling. Your experience is thin. What would you know about ruling?"

"More than you, Lyre. My citizens actually follow my direction."

"And in return, they got an eternal winter!" Lyre countered.

"That was an accident!" Elsa said.

Then, Lyre realized something. Arendelle's eternal winter really was an accident. It was created from the fear of a Queen. Teranhall's wasn't an accident. It was created form the anger of a king. Lyre then compared how different he and Elsa was as monarchs. Elsa was kind, and caring while Lyre tried to rule with an iron fist. Elsa treated her subjects like humans, while Lyre treated them like monsters.

Lyre looked at Kristoff. Lyre didn't feel like he had won, even though he had the upper hand. He got what he wanted, Teranhall's citizens would suffer, but he didn't feel like he won. He looked at his creation of the bandits. What had he won from creating them? Not even he benefited from it. He wouldn't benefit by hurting his subjects. Lyre took to account Anna's speech about freedom.

Lyre was treating them like wild animals. In reality, it was he was the animal.

"What I've done..." Lyre said," it can't be undone. I don't know how to stop this winter."

"Could you say that there is snow way to get out of this situation?" Kristoff joked.

"My urge to kill is rising." Lyre said.

Kristoff gulped and stayed silent.

"Lyre, you can't undo it, but I can." Elsa said. "Please, redeem yourself by letting us go."

Lyre stared at Elsa. He didn't know what he should do. He then decided to do the right thing. It wouldn't make the things he had done right, but it would help him sleep better at night. He looked at himself as if he were a monster. He didn't like that.

Lyre took his sword, and cut Elsa and Anna down from their chains. They collapsed on the floor, and stood up. Their legs wobbled, but they stood straight.

"I can't wash away my sins..." Lyre said. "Please, do right for me. Right my wrong. There is no redemption for me. Save my city. They don't deserve this."

"I will." Elsa said, "But you must give me back my powers."

Lyre held the Conduit in front of Elsa. Elsa touched the Conduit with her fingers. Nothing happened.

"I don't know how to return them to you. I only know how to take." Lyre said.

Then, the Conduit started glowing. The Conduit started to levitate in the air, and blue energy left the Conduit, and into Elsa. Elsa's skin absorbed the energy, and her hair started to return to its original white color. Soon, the Conduit became clear again instead of blue. The Conduit dropped on the floor.

Elsa raised her hand up, and a small snowflakes formed. She had her powers back. Elsa looked up at the destroyed ceiling, and remembered the snowflakes falling. She had to stop this winter.

"Thank you." Elsa told Lyre.

"No, thank you Elsa and Anna."

"For what?" Anna asked.

"For making me see." Lyre answered. "Now go! Stop this winter."

"The roof would be the best place to do it." Kristoff said.

Lyre told them where the roof was.

Kristoff, Elsa, and Anna ran out of the room, but stopped when they heard a very familiar voice.

"Hi guys!" Olaf said from the end of the corridor.

They turned to see the friendly snowman walking to them.

"It's been 5 minutes Kristoff!"

Anna and Elsa were glad to see their old friend. Anna ran to Olaf, picked him up, and hugged him.

"Olaf..." She said with joy. Anna squeezed him so hard that his head popped off his body. Anna apologized and placed his head back where it belonged.

"We need to hurry!" Anna told Olaf.

The 4 of them ran to the flat roof, and watched Elsa do her magic. He raised her hands in the air, and the snow that covered the area started to flow upwards. The sky cleared, and the sun shined on the city. Elsa collected all of the snow in Teranhall, and formed one big snowflake with it. She disperses the snowflake in the air, ending the eternal winter.

Elsa and Anna looked at each other, and smiled.

"You did it." Anna said.

Anna and Elsa hugged each other. It's been a long time since they showed each other affection. Elsa felt good that Anna was safe in her arms. Tears ran down both their cheeks.

"I've missed you." Elsa told Anna.

"Who wouldn't?" Anna teased.

They did it, they had convinced Lyre to let them go so they could right his wrongs. Lyre would be a reformed man, but how could he face what he had done?

While hugging, Anna looked at Kristoff. His face was in shock. Anna didn't know what was wrong or what he was looking at. She broke her hug and walked to Kristoff.

"What's wrong?" Anna asked Kristoff.

He didn't answer. Anna and Elsa turned their heads to where Kristoff was looking, and gasped.

On the other side of the roof, they saw Kai and Deren as solid ice.

Author's Note: I love my cliffhangers. Next chapter will be up on either Monday or Tuesday.