Chapter 7

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To watch an entire world die in an ungodly explosion was something no one should be allowed to see, but Elsa watched in untamed horror. It was an explosion like none she had thought possible; a landmass larger than she could ever imagine detonated into ball of white fire and light. She had no words. No way of comprehending what she was seeing from where she stood on a fractured world no different from the one she had just witness die, the pieces of which now orbited each other in scattered chaos.

It was bedlam and disorientating, as far as she knew the ether of space was just that; ether and not meant for humans, that was the reason heaven existed. Falling to her knees, Elsa had to stare at the snow just to escape the assault on the rest of her overwhelmed senses.

Coming to her side, the young and innocent Alice smiled at the terror. "This is a war of magic. A war of ideas. Where entire worlds can be created, destroyed, and brought back in a blink of an eye."

"What happened to my world?" Elsa asked in a trembling voice.

Kneeling, Alice did her best to comfort Elsa. "Oh please don't cry." she said pointing to her cheeks with her fingers, drawing a bright and large smile across her face. "Your realm has the advantage of already being within the forge." she clarified, "Yours can be torn asunder and renewed over and over again. Your realm could only be like this forever, if the Darkness behind Maleficent wins."

"I don't understand." Elsa sobbed, "This is my home, that is my palace," she pointed to the ruins, glancing at it before lowering her eyes again. "This is Arendelle."

"Well…yes." Alice hesitated, trying to simplify her response. "Remember what we spoke of in Wonderland of the War…? Because of this war, time was lost. So this is not Arendelle from your time, this…is just time. A…a possibility, if you will."

Elsa looked up slowly and stared back out at the chaos that swirled around the sliver of land her kingdom rested on. "This Pretender on the Throne you spoke of," she whispered, "did it cause all of this?"

The smile on Alice's face faded slightly. "Sadly most of this was caused before that girl was placed on the Throne."

Nodding her head, Elsa slowly stood. As she looked at the ruins of Arendelle again, she wondered whether the insanity of Wonderland was really as insane as she thought it was, as a reality far beyond her understanding was coming into her direct view.

"What does it mean to be in the Forge?" she asked as they walked. "That… Mad Hatter said because I was from the Forge, I've never been to the Kingdom."

The smile returned to Alice's face as she looked at the twelve year old with some pride. "Curious Miss Elsa… I like curious. A forge," she explained sadly, for Elsa's curiosity had brought back memories of a time lost. "is where a person's heart and destiny are made. Being from the forge means your destiny has not as of yet, been solidified. It means that those who are in control of the Throne have the power to control your fate."

The two entered the outskirts of the city and the depravity of life within this destruction. The fractured world and disheveled people that wandered the streets like ghosts, sent chills up Elsa's spine. She hugged herself tightly for comfort. "The war you spoke of before," she whispered, "are these people nothing but casualties in it?" Alice remained silent, which was completely out of character from what Elsa had learnt the girl do so far. As she regarded the strange girl on her side she realized the answer to her own question.

A sudden anger sprung up in her. She snatched the unsuspecting Alice by her arm and dragged her to the nearest building wall where she proceeded to pin her against it.

"So" she hissed in Alice's face, "that Chamomile tea drinking fairy that YOU let into this Forge is the reason my kingdom is even involved in this war of yours, isn't it?!" she tightened her grip on her arm. "You think hiding your actions behind… Nonsensical riddles will save you from your guilt?!"

Alice winced at Elsa's surprisingly strong grip. The blonde lessened her grip slightly but still kept her pinned against the wall she waited for Alice to speak. "I understand you are upset."

"Upset?!" Elsa scoffed as she pushed off of Alice and stepped back rubbing her temples. "Those stolen hearts… One of them is Anna's, isn't it?!" she shouted as she turned back to the girl in rage. "Were you the one who brought about the prophecy?!"

"Never!" Alice shouted just as loudly, losing her composure for the first time. "The prophecy was made long before you were even born! I allowed Anna's heart to be taken to try and prevent the prophecy!" Elsa was taken aback by Alice's outburst and revelation. The girls both paused calming themselves. Alice took three deep breathes and flattened her hair. "I am sorry Miss Elsa. I shouldn't have shouted at you." Elsa nodded her head and muttered her own apology before Alice continued. "The prophecy was made during the Era of Darkness. The Throne thought it could use it as a weapon, to control and tame the darkness. Many opposed the idea knowing that one cannot tame such power. So the war I spoke of wasn't something your sister was dragged into… It's a war…over her."

Rubbing her head, Elsa gave out a heavy groan of frustration. "Will my family ever be free of this damn Prophecy?!"

Alice frowned and folded her hands in front of her. "I am sorry Miss Elsa."

Elsa turned her back on Alice and closed her eyes; she simply couldn't hold back the tears that were now forming in them.

"We are here to find out," Alice said softly, touching Elsa's shoulder, "are we not?"

Elsa looked up and found the nightmarish sky above disconcerting; she focused her gaze on the Palace instead. "Indeed we are."

Pointing at Elsa with a sly look of cleverness, Alice said "Oh very good Miss Elsa! Let's go to the castle. Maybe the Snow Queen is inside."

Before continuing, Elsa transformed her traditional translucent ice cape, into a thick blue cloak with a light blue roslyn trim on the hem. She pulled the hood over her head, to hide the chaos that was the sky from her view. Reaching the bridge to her palace, Elsa stopped and looked up at what remained while Alice continued on without her. The entire east wing had collapsed as well as the southern wall along the fjord. After a few deep breathes, she crossed the bridge and reached the closed gates where Alice waited for her.

She stared at the doors anxiously, highly intimidated by their size and whatever awaited her beyond them. She couldn't even raise her hand to see if it would open. Alice gave a longsuffering sigh next to her and placed her hand on the door. "I know you have trouble opening doors, so I will help." she said as she knocked three times.

Alice stepped back and rocked back and forth on the balls of her shoes. "Maybe they will have tea," she mused out loud.

When the gates finally began to creak open slowly, both stood and watched apprehensively as two men in palace guard uniforms armed with spears walked towards them. "What business does children have with Admiral Westergard?"

Alice's face contorted in disapproval as she looked at Elsa. "Who is Admiral Westergard?"

"Curiouser, and Curiouser." Elsa said absently. She stepped forward and recognized the men as her own Royal Guards. "I have traveled from a faraway land…" she hesitated, remembering that she now looked like a twelve year old girl and not like a queen. "We wish to speak to Admiral Westergard, about the Everwinter."

The two guards frowned and looked at each other before whispering about what they thought they should do. Elsa felt for them, knowing that this must be a strange sight. Two children in a broken world wanting to speak about an Everwinter? Strange indeed. She glanced at Alice beside her and whispered so that only she could hear her, "If you have a weapon, be prepared to arm yourself."

"Arm myself?" Alice whispered holding up her arms. "What's wrong with the arms I have now?"

Elsa raised a finger to correct the young girl, but paused when someone called out behind the guards. They snapped to attention and turned to face the person striding towards them. Elsa took a tentative step backwards at the approaching figure while Alice tried to peer between the guards to see the person more clearly.

The person stepped into view and Elsa narrowed her eyes at the sight of Prince Hans. He was leaner, and wore a tattered uniform of an Arendelle soldier, but there was absolutely no doubt as to who he was, when he stood before the guards. "Prince Hans?"

The man frowned and looked past the guards at what looked like two innocent children; one wore a blue cloak that covered her face from his view. Smiling slightly, he stepped past the guards and stood before the children. "If only I was so lucky child." he said giving a polite bow, "I am Admiral Hans Westergard. How might I help you two young ladies?"

One of the guards turned towards Hans when he stood upright again and whispered, "They come from a distant land, seeking information on the Everwinter."

Looping his fingers in his belt, Hans looked at them in confused curiosity. "The Everwinter? Distant or not, all lands within hell have far greater struggles to deal with than to worry about what happened to those who were not exiled."

Stepping forward and dipping into an elegant curtsy, much to Elsa's surprise, Alice spoke in her bright and cheerful voice, "Kind Sir. My name is Alice, and we seek to learn all that there is to know of your world. We had just arrived, and hoped for just an ounce of kindness in this dark and frightful land."

The clearly logically and sane sounding lie that Alice had just given without hesitation had Elsa turn to her and raise an eyebrow in amusement under her hood. Hans looked at the two before him respectively, unsure as to who the leader and who the follower was between them. "If it is only information you seek," he said looking at Alice, "I do not mind providing it, but I am curious as to how knowing about the Everwinter could possibly help you now?"

"Ummm." Elsa balked uncertainly. She didn't have a proper lie to give, so she looked at the ever innocent Alice instead.

After a node of gratitude at Hans' offer to share the information Alice gestured towards the cloaked girl next to her "Elsa here, hopes the information you have will help us find her sister."

Nodding his head in understanding, Hans had the Guards stand down and motioned for Elsa and Alice to follow him. Elsa was surprised that Hans didn't react when her name was said but reminded herself that this wasn't her Arendelle and followed him and Alice past the guards. The inner courtyard of the Palace was a makeshift shelter for dozens of soldiers and their families. Once they entered the Palace doors Elsa saw that the entire place seemed to be overflowing with people who looked sick or staved. She paused when she came to a large picture resting within the Palace's main foyer; she reached up and lowered the hood of her cloak from her head to see the portrait more clearly.

Hans noticed this, and stopped as well. He came and stood beside the white haired girl and looked up at the painting. "Queen Elsa, of Arendelle." he sneered. "Many blame her for our exile."

"What happened to her?" Alice asked, standing beside them.

"No one knows." he shrugged, "Some say she's dead and others think she abandoned this hellhole to a different Realm." He looked at the young Elsa and rubbed his chin. "Interestingly enough, she has the same name as you." Elsa stared up and looked at him, "Don't worry, I will not hold it against you. I think the name is far more fitting of you, young lady."

The complement made her blush slightly, she smiled, "Thank you sir." She continued to stare at the slender woman, holding the orb and scepter with pale skin like her own. The only noticeable difference was the short black hair that swooped upwards. The dress she wore was nearly identical to the one she wore on her own Coronation day.

"Did she have a sister too?" Elsa asked as she studied the painting that looked eerily similar to her own Coronation Portrait; she even saw fear in the woman's silvery blue eyes.

The question made Hans pause and wonder who this stranger really was. "No, no sister." he chuckled suddenly, "Maybe if she had one, she wouldn't have been so evil."

Elsa bit her bottom lip as she felt pity for the woman in the painting. If it hadn't been for Anna, Elsa's own fate might've been the same as this Queen's fate.

"I see…"

"Come." Hans said as he motioned for them to follow him once more. They went upstairs and turn down a hallway that should lead to Elsa's own room. As they walked Hans glanced at Elsa every now and again, who seemed far too familiar with the environment she was in. "No one has studied things like the Everwinter more than my friend Kai." he said as the neared Elsa's study, "He was the closet anyone has ever gotten to defeat the Snow Queen."

Elsa frowned at the familiar ring the Snow Queen had, remembering that it was the name Anna would call out in her sleep sometimes; she moved closer to Hans tugging at his pant leg. "What happened?"

Hans rubbed the back of his head as his shoulders slumped and stopped just before he reached the study. "His story is a tragic one. He lost the woman he loved." he said sighing. Hans frowned and walked to the door and knocked. "Kai?" he called, "We have guests that wish to speak to you about the Everwinter."

Hans opened the door and pulled his cloak over his arms at the chill that greeted him. All the windows in the room were bare. Some of the glass was stuck in the window frame but the rest was scattered on the floor. He looked about and saw Kai standing by one of the broken windows, staring out of it with his back turned towards them. Hans saw a man who was broken just as badly as his heart was. His unkempt hair was a shade of dirty blond and he had a thin, almost sickly frame as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back. When he turned, Elsa gasped when she saw his face. Though he was much thinner, and had a sunken face that betrayed his health, the man that stood before her could have been Kristoff's twin or even Kristoff himself.

When she felt the warmth of Alice's hand take hers, an overwhelming peace rushed into her. She allowed Alice to guide her towards the chaise and sat next to her. Hans called a guard towards him and requested tea to be brought to them. When the guard saluted and left to carry out his request he looked at Kai and motioned to the children on the chaise before him. "This is Elsa and Alice. They came seeking information on the Everwinter."

Kristoff's sunken eyes stared deeply into Elsa's making her grimace. "What do children like you need to know about the Everwinter?"

Hans crossed his arms and leaned against a bookshelf; looking down to Elsa and Alice curiously. Elsa shifted uncomfortably in her seat as the two men looked at her. She used to be good at lying on the spot, but since the need to lie about her powers has vanished for years now, she was feeling a little bit out of practice. Taking a moment to think, Elsa finally decided to stick as close to the truth as possible. "I lost my sister in the Everwinter. I believe she was cursed by it. I hope to find her. Any information on the Everwinter could help."

Kai crossed his arms over his chest and walked around the chaise Elsa and Alice were sitting on slowly. "Cursed…" He mused, watching Elsa carefully when he stood before them again. "The Everwinter curses everyone. Surely you should know that."

Elsa bit her lip as she heard the door open and watched a soldier enter with a tray, giving everyone a cup of warm tea. Before he left however, Hans pulled him aside and whispered into his ear. When the door was closed yet again, Elsa's intuition warned that the feeling among her hosts had shifted. "My sister is losing her memories," she said hesitantly, "She has memories that are not her own."

Hans rubbed his chin in thought and glanced at Kai and then looked at Elsa. "Really?" he asked crossing his arms again, "These memories… what are they like?"

The intensity of Hans' gaze upon her had her shift in her seat again. He spoke in a cold and serious tone, "Are they similar…but different?"

Elsa tried to keep herself calm by sipping her tea but she could feel that danger was building around her. "It appears you know of this curse." she said when she swallowed her cold tea.

Kai turned and looked out of the broken windows to the shattered sky of the ether. "We had no choice you see." he said softly, voice laden with guilt "The Snow Queen was far too powerful. If we ever wanted to free ourselves from this hell… we had to give her Anna."

Elsa started at the mention of her sister's name. Her hand tensed around her cup as she felt the feeling of danger build and threaten to overwhelm her. "Anna…?" Elsa frowned, trying to fain ignorance. "Who is this, Anna?"

Nodding his head, Kai turned and faced Elsa, looking at her as if he could see right through her. "She was the heart of our world."

Elsa's eyes widened and he tilted his head at her reaction. "Surely you know" he said coolly, "as your own sister's heart is the center of your own world."

For some reason all Elsa could remember was her sister's frantic cries as she dreamed about them. She hid her frozen tea on the chaise next to her and realized that her hands were shaking slightly. "What did you do to her?" she asked with forced calm, "What did you do to Anna?"

Kai stepped forward and bent towards the clearly uncomfortable twelve year old. "To save our world" he said cryptically, "required a sacrifice. To save our world's heart… we had to take the heart of another."

"Sacrifice?" Elsa hissed in disgusted. "How could you be so heartless?"

Hans chuckled as Kai straightened and stepped away from her. "Ever heard of a Snow Bee?" he asked casually sipping his tea.

"In passing." Elsa said with honesty.

Hans' eyes widened slightly in surprise as he walked towards Kai who still stood before them. "One sting of a snow bee will freeze one's heart. Your heart turns cold and dark, making you see only the bad and ugly in people and things."

"I see." she said in soft realization, "So my sisters curse… and the Everwinter, it all comes from your world?"

"In a way." Kai said as he shrugged, "However the true architect of your suffering comes from the Dark Lord."

"The Dark Lord?" Alice asked in a cheerfulness that was in stark contrast to the atmosphere in the room. "You mean the Throne?"

The men looked at each other before bursting out in laughter.

"You've been in Wonderland far too long, Alice." Hans said with a cold grin.

"Oh, Dear…" Alice giggled realizing her cover was blown.

Elsa stood and placed herself between the two men and Alice, she forced herself to look as intimidating as her twelve year old body could allow. She glared at the two men then addressed Hans coldly. "How do I end this curse upon my sister Hans?"

Placing his own cup of tea on a nearby table, Hans gave a small smirk. "End it? Why would we want it to end? Our world will be within the forge soon enough, and then you will be living in this hellhole."

Elsa looked at the men before her and took Alice's hand reflexively, making her stand next to her. "I am curious Elsa." Hans said with a smile. "Did you think we wouldn't know who you are, even if you are disguised as a child? Clever of you to go through Wonderland to get here though."

"The darkness will never give you anything but emptiness." she declared defiantly.

"Emptiness, yes…but life as well." Kai whispered in defeat, turning his back to them.

"I don't want to harm you," she warned raising her hands towards them, "but if you do not tell me how to help my sister –"

"The fates of entire worlds live and die every day in the Storm." Hans interrupted gesturing to the chaos outside. "There are powers far beyond your comprehension that wages a war for control of time and space itself. You have no hope!"

A blast of frigid ice encased the table on which Hans' tea sat making both Kai and Hans jump in surprise. "Comprehend this!" Elsa shouted, "If you do not tell me, I will kill you now and you will never see the end of this storm! Now tell me how to end this curse! And this Everwinter!"

Hans put his hand on the hilt of his sword and glanced at Kai who looked at the twelve year old with hate "Your heart is that of a guardian," he declared uneasily, "you wouldn't harm us!"

Coming out of what seemed to be an empty gaze, and acting as if she was totally oblivious to the fierce danger that was reaching a crescendo, Alice spoke with a carefree voice. "As you rightly pointed out, she is a guardian. And she will kill to protect a heart forged from light."

Kai knew the truth that Alice spoke and glanced at Hans who nodded slightly.

"You can't help you sister, Elsa," Kai said coldly, "it is too late!"

"Enough!" She cried flicking her wrist causing ice to encase Hans and Kai's feet. Hearing a noise behind the study door, she acted quickly, freezing it shut before soldiers could charge through it. "I love Anna." she declared looking at the two men stuck in her ice. Hans held his sword up defensively while Kai just stared at her. "She is my sister, I would die for her!"

Hans grunted as he tried to pull his feet loose while pointing the sword towards her. "Her fate was made long before your birth," he grunted again, looking at the ice "The prophecy has come to pass. It is time for you to finish it!"

Kai continued to stare at Elsa in pain and in hate, while Hans struggled next to him. "You cannot save your sister and your world at the same time. You want to end the Everwinter? Anna must die. And her death must come from one who loves her; the toll must be paid with a sword sacrifice!"

That was the price. Elsa's heart dropped to her stomach as she recalled the warning that was given to her because of the knowledge she was seeking. Placing her hand over her heart, Elsa eyes swelled with tears. "No…" she whispered in disbelief, "It can't be true." She looked at Alice. "How could you've ask me to do this?! I came here to find a way to save my sister, not kill her!"

Kai remembered having feelings like Elsa's, his hand rested above his own heart cursed with the fact he could never feel such things again. "If you do not," he said, grabbing her attention, "your world will crumble into the Darkness, just as ours did. You are a fool to think you can defeat Maleficent! You are a guardian; you can never kill the heart you swore to protect."

Elsa backed away from them shaking her head until she backed all the way to the other side of the room. She heard the soldiers pounding on the door and Hans hacking at the ice at his feet with his sword as she stood before one of the broken windows, but ignored them and looked at Alice instead. The strange girl stood by the chaise and was smiling at her, apparently oblivious to the danger they were in.

Alice walked towards her and bowed. "A heart like your sister's has great power Miss Elsa." she said as she straightened. "I now understand why Maleficent took that sliver from your sister's heart."

It was not the answer she had wanted. The price she would have to pay for obtaining the knowledge was unbearable. To kill Anna would not only break her spirit, but the very foundation of her existence. "I-I can't do it."

Alice stood and there was a thoughtful gaze in her eyes as she looked at Elsa. When she spoke, she did so with wisdom beyond her years, "Oh, Miss Elsa, don't worry. It isn't what you think. I will give you the tools needed to do what needs to be done: to pay the toll. Please don't forget all that you learned here and in Wonderland. Yes, the only way to save Anna, is to kill Anna, but it is a matter of perspective."

Taking off her cape she handed it to the confused girl before her "Here Miss Elsa, the fate of all the realms rest in your hands now. You glimpsed this world, a world that can be your own if her heart is not made whole again. It will torment you if it doesn't. I have guided you to what you wanted, but I am unsure you understand what it is you have to pay. If you do, and I do wish you do, just time will end, and light has a chance to win again."

Stepping forward, Alice hugged Elsa tightly and whispered, "You can kill Anna, but never your Anna."

Elsa was too distraught about the realization that she had to kill Anna, that she wasn't prepared when Alice shoved her towards the window. Stumbling back, she connected with the window and teetered over the windowsill. She gasped when she felt her balance tipping towards the other side of the window and plummeted to the ground screaming. When she struck the ground below her, her entire body shuttered into a million pieces.

Alice turned to Hans and Kai, just as the soldiers broke into the room armed with swords. Finally breaking free from the ice, Hans raised his own sword towards Alice. "You think this is over child?" he sneered, "The battle between the Throne and you Regressives will only end in your defeat! You think that pathetic woman can do what is needed? When the Throne restores the Aurora Regma, she will become the exile!"

"Good sir there is no need to yell." Alice countered. "I assure you, that when the Aurora Regma is restored, it will be by the light and not by the corruption that now sits on the throne."

Hans looked at his sword and tightened his grip as the guards surrounded her. "Killing a Guardian like you will be a grand trophy to have. Proving to the Throne that we are worthy of the forge. It was foolish of you to think that you would be protected outside the realm of Wonderland."

The blonde gave a small hidden chuckle, as if she was trying to be polite. She put her hand inside her apron pocket and pulled out a small glass vile; inside was some kind of bluish creature. She uncorked the vial, and retrieved a sliver of a mushroom from her pocket and placed it in side. After placing the vial on the floor she looked at Hans smiling. "I am sorry to say sir," she cooed cheerfully, "that you have underestimated me. I often give myself good advice and my time in Wonderland has taught me to listen to it."

Glancing at one of his soldiers, Hans' gave a small nod, "Kill her."

Before the man stepped forward to do the bidding of his leader, the small vial on the ground shattered, for growing out of it was a creature so bazaar and freakish, that it had everyone but Alice step back in disgust. The thing stood on its hind legs about three feet tall, it was covered in blue fur; it had long ears that stood straight up. It had big black eyes on its face with a small blue nose, it resembled a koala crossed with a bulldog.

It tilted its head curiously and looked around at the men before it. When it saw Alice it opened its mouth and grinned showing its sharp teeth, while it waved at her with one of its short stubby clawed paws.

"What is that thing?" Hans demanded as he pointed his sword at the creature.

Placing her arms behind her back, Alice grinned slightly as the creature turned to Hans and growled at him. "Mister Hans here thinks its good advice to kill me." The creature looked back at Alice when she spoke, then narrowed its large black eyes, lowered its ears, and hissed as it looked back at Hans again. "Stitch. Please teach Mister Hans why that is not very good advice."

When the creature's snarl turned into a sinister grin, Hans stepped back uncomfortably, as did everyone else. Stitch lifted his arms and produced two more arms from his middle before launching his attack. He unleashed unhinged fury and destruction on Hans and his soldiers, all the while chuckling menacingly. Alice walked around the brawl and retrieved her cup of tea before a still trapped Kai. She ignored his look of horror and the screams of terror and lazily strolled back towards the window she had pushed Elsa out of. She looked out at the shattered sky and whispered, "Good luck Miss Elsa."

Elsa blinked as she came out of her daze, trying to adjust to the darkness that surrounded her, but found that it would not yield. She realized that she was lying down on a rocky surface and pushed herself into a sitting position. A sound like rushing water reached her ears and she made her hand glow blue with her magic, illuminating the immediate area around her and then some. Elsa looked around her and found herself in the main chamber of the Cave of the Vittror. She looked at her body and saw that she was her normal size again, before she traveled to the insanity that was Wonderland.

Tears pricked her eyes as she stood weakly. She looked at the chamber and was overcome with the urge to scream in frustration and grief, but she stifled it because she knew she had asked for this. She agreed to the price of learning the knowledge she had wanted. When she turned to leave, she nearly stumbled as her foot caught in something. She bent down and picked up Alice's light blue cape, it felt heavy but it did not seem to be holding anything else. She brought it to her face. It smelled oddly of cherries and lemons. Despite everything that happened and how she might feel about the strange girl, it brought a smile to her face when she realized Alice was far more than a simple guide. She had given her answers to questions she hadn't known to ask yet.

With the cape in hand, Elsa started the long trek back out of the cave. When she finally reached the exit she giggled seeing Kristoff pace back and forth in worry, having long since freed himself from her ice. As soon as Elsa stepped out and Kristoff saw her, he ran towards her and hugged her tightly. He lifted her off the ground with grateful excitement and she gave a startled gasp as he held her in the air. "You've been gone for a whole day!" he cried "I was so worried! I wanted to go after you. I should have gone after you."

"K-Kristoff." Elsa stuttered as she wiggled in his grasp trying to get her feet back on the ground. "Kristoff please put me down. I'm okay." When he put her down, she sighed in relief and looked back at the cave's entrance and frowned thoughtfully.

"D-did" he cleared his throat, "Did you find the cure for Anna?"

She looked at the light blue cape she held and realized that her experience in Wonderland and that of the Darkness was like a dream. She would never forget what she had been told and what must be done to save her world from the Everwinter. But like Wonderland itself had been, things are never as they seem.

"Curiouser, and Curiouser." she said absently.

/

/

Her vision blurred, her eyes burning from the blood and sweat that trickled into them as Merida ran for her life. With each stride she took however, it became more difficult to run. Her feet would make contact with a loud thud and she strained to lift it back to continue her run. It was as if they had heavy weights attached to them. Weaponless and battle torn, the red heads' arms reached blindly out in front of her, she was surrounded in total darkness.

"Taran!" She shouted in desperation, her voice echoed through the endless void around her.

Her fear consumed her as she continued running. Lungs burned with strain. Her breath came in short gasps. Just when she could go no further, her legs caught on something and she collapsed to the ground. Her knees stung from the fall, but she ignored it and turned to sit. She brushed her curls away from her face to see what had tripped her. What she saw caused her entire body to tremble as she stared at the putrid rotting corps she had tripped over. Despite the peeling flesh and exposed bone, there was no mistaking who it was she was looking at.

"Taran!" she cried and then she began to scream in terror as the realization hit her.

Merida forced herself up and as far away as she could from the body of the man she loved. She came to a stumbling stop when an eerily pale light cut through the darkness from above. Squinting, she stared up at the source of the unnatural light. The haze was too thick for her to see clearly and she was forced to back away from the light.

She covered her ears as a horrifying moan echoed around her, sending a terror filled chill down her spine. A cold wet burst of air passed over her, as if a great beast of unspeakable size had just exhaled over her.

The hair at the back of her neck stood on end as she felt millions of pairs of eyes staring at her. Her eyes were darting frantically in every direction, searching for whoever was looking at her. When she finally realized someone, or something was behind her, she turned quickly just as a grotesque pitch-black humanoid figure leapt towards her, faceless head with all but yellow eyes boring into her very soul. Merida cowered into a ball, screwing her eyes shut and cried out.

With a bright flash of light and a soft jingle that sounded like Tinker Bell, Merida opened her eyes from the nightmare and found the entire world was out of focus.

She felt sick to her stomach and wanted simply to go back to sleep. Her vision was like a kaleidoscope, constantly changing patterns and she was swaying up and down. When she tried to push herself up into a sitting position, she watched as the world tumbled end over end before it ended abruptly when she struck the ground.

The world stopped moving after a while, which was a good start. Even if she was face down lying in the mud, she was totally fine with that.

A thud sounded behind Eilowny and Taran, causing them to turn and see that Merida had fallen off of Angus. She was lying flat on her stomach; her red curls were sprawled about her head.

They stopped their horses and Taran dismounted walking towards her. Angus sniffed at Merida's head curiously and stepped away when he approached her. "Merida?" he asked smiling slightly. The only response he got was a long and painful albeit a little muffled, groan.

The sound of a jingle had Taran look up at Tinker Bell, who sat on his shoulder. Eilowny spoke for the tiny fairy as she too dismounted from her horse and walked towards them. "Tink still needs to rest a while longer before she can continue healing her."

"It's okay Tink." Taran said, as he rolled Merida over, propping her up against his chest. Holding her in his arms, he began wiping off her face with his sleeve. "Oh, my sweet brave Merida." he murmured affectionately.

Resting her head on Taran's chest, Merida gave a soft sigh of relief. He picked her up when her face was reasonably clean and walked towards Angus, who had a worried glint in his eyes. "Can ya just hold me for a little longer?" she mumbled into his chest.

He looked at Eilonwy, who nodded her head and took Angus by the reins. "Come on buddy," she said leading him away, "let's give them some space." She glanced back and saw Tinker Bell painfully flutter over to Eilonwy barely able to maintain her flight. She looked like her normal self, but her wound was one only a fairy could sustain and one that could have been fatal if they hadn't saved her. Tinker Bell landed on Eilonwy's shoulder and immediately fell to her knees and then to her side, conserving as much energy as she could. She was still very weak from her resurrection and from trying to heal Merida.

Eilonwy walked the three horses slowly and glanced back toward Taran and Merida. He followed them slowly while held her affectionately as he kissed her head.

"They do make a cute couple." she said blushing.

Tink's heart was still filled with sorrow because of Peter's ruthless declaration that he didn't believe in fairies and she wanted nothing more than to lie idly and quietly, but she nodded her head and spoke to the blonde girl. "I am sorry Eilonwy. When you told me that Princess Ivy called you the Genesis Cervosa, I dismissed you and insulted you, because of what you have done in the past. But your heart is pure."

Placing her hands behind her back, because the horses followed of their own accord, Eilonwy smiled. "It's okay. I mean after you explained it to me, I got it. I wouldn't believe I was a Heart of Light either." Waving her hand idly she said, "The Folly of Prydain: how an idiot Princess and a Pig Handler Assistant single handedly destroyed the world."

"Not single handedly." Tink countered, blushing.

Giggling, Eilonwy corrected herself, "Yes you're right. We merely assisted in accidently destroying the world." Blushing as well, she took a moment to look back at Merida. "If anyone is the Genesis Cervosa, it's Merida."

"Maybe…" Tinker Bell mused, hesitant to speak the full truth, as she tapped her feet together. Only then did she realize that the small cotton balls on her shoes were gone. "The Everwinter clouds the memories and the senses." she said with a frown, fingering her shoes, "Sometimes I think I dream of what the old kingdoms were like. It was a much lonelier time for me, I think."

Something stirred within Eilonwy and she looked down to her feet. "I have no memory of the old kingdoms. Then again, can we even separate the old worlds from our own?"

Tinker Bell shook her head weakly and saw worry crease her companion's eyes. "You worry that history will repeat itself?" she probed, sitting up and hugging her legs to her chest. "We have to trust Merlin; he was our only connection to Master Yen Sid. Merlin was clear that the Genesis Cervosa was the key to unlocking the powers in the Hearts forged of Light."

Glancing once more at Merida and Taran, Eilonwy gave a sigh and said, "It seems that there are new threats every single day and they are attracted to her. Like that imp that spawned from the shadows at the fletcher. I fear that if Merida is a heart forged from light… She is far more important than any of us."

Taking a moment to look about the shadows cast upon the ground, Tinker Bell frowned. "That creature was unexpected. I've never felt such emptiness in a being… As if nothing was there."

"Could this be the work of Morgan Le Fey's mother?" Eilonwy speculated, "Could that be a minion of Maleficent?"

Rubbing her chin, Tinker Bell pondered the thought. "Maleficent is a fey of Darkness, where rage, vengeance," Tinker Bell glanced back at Merida, before she continued, "hate, and darkness rule. That creature was void of everything… it was of a darkness unlike any I have ever seen before."

Eilonwy gripped the hilt of her sword nervously and peered down at the shadows. "We should focus on the Amulet of Avalor. If Merlin is right, it doesn't matter what those creatures are. Unless we end the Everwinter, our world will surely die."

Tink nodded in agreement as Eilowny looked up at the sky. Shadows of the Dark clouds were beginning to drift overhead. She pulled out the Mirror from her belt and looked at the image of the Palace where the amulet is held. "If what you said is true," she said making Tink look at her, "the Amulet will not kill the Snow Queen, but I hope it can end the Everwinter." She stroke Angus's neck thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, Merlin never really said it would kill the Snow Queen, just stop the Everwinter." she smiled and looked at Tinker Bell perched on her shoulder. "Ending the Everwinter is our true quest, not stopping the Snow Queen. If we end the Everwinter, your fellow Never Fairies will be free. I am sure you will be glad to see them again."

"I have hurt them so much." Tinker Bell whispered, hugging her knees closer to her. "I-I don't think I deserve their forgiveness. Peter was right about one thing. I've caused just as much damage as he had." Shrugging her shoulders, she giggled slightly, "I am the only fairy to ever be double banned from Neverland."

"Double banned?" Eilowny asked curiously.

"To warn them of the coming war," Tink explained rubbing the tips of her index fingers together, "I kind of had to force my way back into Neverland. Vidia banished me for a second time."

"Are you the only banished Never Fey?"

Tinker Bell's wings drooped even lower than they already were and she gave a heavy sigh. "There is one Never Fairy, a friend who sacrificed everything, because she believed she could save me."

"What happened?"

Pulling her lips in a thin line, the fairy took a moment to reign in her emotions. "It was when I was banished the first time. My friend, Silvermist disobeyed orders from Vidia and smuggled pixie dust to the mainland for me. When the world fell into war, I was nearly pulled into the darkness. But Silvermist came to the mainland to help me; every time I pushed her away she would just come back to me. I didn't know that her attempts to rescue me had her banished until I had returned to Neverland. If it wasn't for her… I would never have ended up with Merlin, and found the light."

"Where is she now?"

"I wish I knew." she said resting her head on her knees. "Merlin sent me on a mission in a rather strange land. Upon my return, the worlds were too shattered to find her and Merlin had disappeared."

Eilonwy jerked to a stop as her heart skipped a beat. She sorely wished that she was better at detecting these kinds of things, before danger reared its ugly head. Tinker Bell grabbed a hold of the girl's shirt to keep herself from falling off at the sudden stop and turned and annoyed scowl towards Eilonwy. She stopped when she saw the shocked expression on her face and looked at what was frightening her. A man stood before them, with long brown hair wearing some kind of fur covered hide armor under a cloak; pointing a spear directly at Eilonwy. The man stared at her with powerful intensity and looked more like a wild animal than a man.

She ventured a glance at her companions behind her and saw that Taran had put Merida down and that they were surrounded, not by men, but by a pack of nearly a dozen or so wolves.

Tinker Bell slowly reached for her sword but before she could reach it, she became ensnared by a lasso that wrapped around her body and pinned her arms to her side. She was yanked off of Eilonwy's shoulder and struck the ground with a light grunt. She sat up and found herself surrounded by mice armed with makeshift weapons that looked like swords and spears.

Eilonwy raised her hands looking at the man before her. "I think there is some kind of misunderstanding." she said slowly. The wild man inched closer and sniffed at Eilonwy. She glanced back at Taran quickly, who shielded the weakened Merida protectively with one arm, and held his sword with the other.

"My name is Princess Eilonwy," she said cautiously, "and the man behind me is Sir Taran. The injured woman with him is Princess Merida…"

When Eilonwy realized Tinker Bell wasn't on her shoulder, she looked down to the odd group of mice in clothing that had her pinned to the ground and leveled weapons at her. "That's Tinker Bell, a Never Fairy from Neverland! Please don't hurt her!"

"I don't think talking is working Eilonwy!" Taran called as he stared down at the dozen growling gray wolves that were circling them.

Ignoring her friend, she looked deep into the man's eyes before her; she saw that the intensity within him wasn't that of hate or anger, but of bravery and hope.

"Drop your sword Taran."

"I don't think so Eilonwy."

She unhooked her sword from her belt and let it fall to the ground, before she glared back at Taran. "Do what I say Taran," she hissed "by order of your Princess!"

Taran gritted his teeth as he eyed the wolves before him. He was reluctant to follow such a command, but his sense of duty outweighed his sense of pride. Dropping his sword, he looked at the wolves uneasily as they dropped their aggressive posture, only looking at the two of them. "H-how did you know that was going to work?"

The man turned her around and bound her hands in rope.

"I felt inside his heart," she said looking at Taran and Merida "and I felt goodness within."

"You mean you guessed." he countered not taking his eyes off of the wolves as he held Merida closer to him. Eilonwy scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"When will you ever admit that I actually know what I am doing?" she said too softly for him to hear.

After securing the blonde with his ropes, he walked over to Taran and Merida. He examined him and then sniffed at Merida. After picking up Taran's sword he faced him. "You carry girl," he commanded pointing at the redhead and then at him, "You follow."

Taran picked Merida up bridal style, and held her close to him as he followed the strange man towards where Eilonwy waited. The red head rested her head on Taran's shoulder and brought her hands to her chest. "I have my knife." she whispered, "Get me close enough and I can slit his throat."

"No Merida," he said shaking his head, eyeing the wolves that walked next to them "I think we will let Eilonwy take the lead on this one."

When they reached Eilonwy, they followed the wild man down the road. The wolves surrounded them as they walked. "So do you think he works for the Snow Queen?" he asked her "Or one of her allies? Princess Ivy? Morgan, maybe?"

Something jingled to Taran's left, making him look down and see that mice were riding on top of the back of one of the wolves. Tinker Bell was bound with them. Eilowny didn't wait for Taran to look at her before she translated. "None of these creatures are from our realms."

"That much is obvious." he said with a smirk, watching the clothed mice. "Can she tell where they're from?"

Eilonwy bowed her head when Tinker Bell responded. "All of them except the man are from the Old Kingdoms… before it was destroyed by the Era of Darkness."

"Did they make it to the –?" Taran hesitated unsure as to how to ask the question.

Merida sighed and asked his question instead. "Did they survive the Era of Darkness?"

"Tink said some of them did. But some of them didn't."

"No talk." the man grunted as he stopped and pointed his spear at Eilonwy. "No talk, till see leader." The trio nodded and continued after him. Staying silent the whole while, wondering what would happen and who the leader was.

As they crested a large hill, they overlooked a city called Stade, along the River Elbe. Well what was left of it anyway. It was once a thriving river side port belonging to the Kingdom of Bremen, but now it looked as if a hundred wars had ravaged it. Many buildings were burnt out; piles of rubble littered its roads. The road that led towards the city was filled with abandon carts and carriages, the people and horses have long since vanished, leaving it behind in their apparent haste.

Once they entered it they saw that the city itself held a wide variety of soldiers and civilian alike. The group was surprised to see that some of them were outlandish and carried those odd stick weapons Tinker Bell was so afraid of. The people paid them no heed as they were taken directly to the heavily fortified center of the town, where the high walls of a castle stood. They entered it and reached the main keep, where their captors placed them a small empty prison cell. Merida and Eilonwy were separated from Taran in an adjacent cell and Tinker Bell was put into a small emptied out lantern.

Merida entered the cell and immediately sat against the wall. After Eilonwy was untied she rubbed her wrists and went to the weakened red heads side, as the cell door was locked. "How are you holding up?"

"After all the crap I've gone through rescuing ya from being captured." Merida hissed, placing her hand on her injured side. "The first thing ya go and do when yer are in charge is surrender."

"These people mean us no harm." she said calmly, sitting next to her and leaning against the cold wall. Merida rolled her eyes and raised her arms slowly gesturing to the stone cell they were currently sitting in.

"Yes," she agreed sarcastically, "putting people in the stockades is exactly what I'd do when I mean someone no harm."

The blonde pulled her lips into a thin line as she looked away.

"Why can't you just trust me?" she said after a while. The red head shifted next to her as she tried to lie down without hurting herself too much. A groan escaped her lips when she was flat on the ground.

"Should I start the list alphabetically or numerically?"

Eilonwy picked the dirt out from under her nails and frowned. Despite everything that's happened between them, her heart has always admired Merida. The feisty red head was exactly who Princess Eilonwy wished she could've been.

"I get it Merida." she hissed, "You think I am a screw up, the great Folly of Prydain. I wish…I had hoped that maybe after all we have been through, we could finally trust each other." she looked at the red head sincerely, "I trust you Merida. I trust you with my life. And I believe that the heart that Tinker Bell is seeking is actually in you."

"Ag, please." Merida scoffed, cracking a smile as she stared at the stone roof. "I am many things, but I am not some beacon of light for the all-powerful goodness of humanity." After a moment of thoughtful silence, she glanced at Eilonwy and blushed. "I don't deserve such honor."

The cell's door clanked and started to open. Eilonwy jumped up and placed herself between Merida and whoever was entering. The door swung open completely and her jaw fell open in astonishment at the person who stood by the open door. Merida sat up slowly and peered from behind the blonde.

"Ag, ya've got to be kidding me!" she huffed as her eyes narrowed.

"It-it's impossible!" Eilonwy stammered, taking a step away from the door. "W-we watched you die!"

A man with a long white beard, wearing a blue robe and pointed hat with circular glasses, stroked his beard and smiled.

"It takes a little more than that to kill a wizard my dear Eilonwy."

"Where –" Merida grunted as she stood, anger coming off of her in waves, "Where the hell have you been Merlin?!"

"That is a very long and very complicated story." he said sheepishly.

Weakness flooded Merida as she swayed. Overcome with shock and fatigue she collapsed before Eilonway could stop her, unconscious. Merlin looked down at her and then at Eilonwy. "Sorry." he said smiling hesitantly.

\

\

She knew that she should stop, but she couldn't help herself. It was rude and impolite, but it was just too amazing for Belle to do anything else but stare at the tiny raven haired fairy before her. Said fairy sat on Esmerelda's shoulder, who carried a torch as they walked through the underground tunnels beneath Paris. She felt as if she was still asleep from the Nightshade, but she had woken up a while ago. Every dream she ever had of living a life of magic and adventure was coming to true right before her eyes! The world was so much more beautiful and astonishing than she had ever dreamed possible. The raven haired fairy glanced over her shoulder at Belle and jingled uncomfortably.

Esmerelda smirked glancing at Belle behind her and said, "I think you are making the poor fairy feel uncomfortable."

"Sorry." Belle replied with a blush, she bowed her head and slowed her walking. The beast nearly walked into her when she slowed but he easily guided her forward with his paw.

At Belle's blushing glance, the Beast smiled but kept his eyes on the gypsy girl and the woman who walked ahead of her, the scarlet mermaid Ariel.

"Belle," he said softly, "I know you think I am paranoid, but I don't like them. The gypsy's sent is tainted with fire and brimstone; the mermaid's loyalties are not towards us but to her child. A child that's currently being held captive. If you were in her position, would you not do anything for the life of your child?"

Belle's blushed deepened. She didn't want to be thinking of hypothetical children, it reminded her of her confused feelings for Beast and the overbearing idiot forcing himself on her all the time. After a heavy sigh, she looked behind her and found that she was missing Gaston slightly. She was worried for his safety.

"I don't want to think about stuff like that right now."

Just before the Beast was about to speak, he paused and placed his hand on Belle's shoulder stopping her. His ears twitched forwards and backwards as she looked at him curiously. He looked behind him and drew in a deep breath through his nose.

"We are being followed."

"Ariel. Esmerelda." Belle whispered harshly, her hands cupped around her mouth to direct the sound.

Both women stopped and saw Belle crotched down and the Beast looking down the way they were walking ready to pounce at anything that came into the light. They slowly made their way over to Bell and crouched down with her. Ariel placed her hand in the water and closed her eyes, clutching her necklace.

"I sense at least a dozen." she said softly and frowned. "They've stopped."

"How far to the Court of Miracles?" Belle asked the gypsy.

"We still have a bit to go." She stated softly.

Releasing her necklace, Ariel opened her eyes and looked at her companions.

"Where can we go? Where it is safe?" She looked at the gypsy. "Where is your faction Esmerelda?"

"My faction?" Esmerelda rose and eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Shrugging her shoulders self-consciously, Ariel felt that she had upset the Romi.

"I figured that they captured you for a reason."

The Beast was in no mood for a lengthy discussion on what to do, a low growl emanated from his throat as he glanced at the girls behind him.

"Going after Gaston is dumb." he stated looking down the tunnel. "We should be focusing on finding the Arabs and that stupid artifact for the Princess."

The haunting sounds echoing down the tunnels had the women turn their attention down the pitch black tunnel. Esmerelda bit her lip nervously while everyone was distracted.

"I know of a safe place we can go." she whispered. "The Louvre."

The water fairy on her shoulder eye's widened in fear. She stood upon her shoulder preparing to fly away. The Romi saw this from the corner of her eye and snatched the fey when she was in the air. She slammed her into the shallow water; the fairy was swiftly knocked out by the force and the shock. Ever the skilled thief, Esmerelda stood and slid the fairy into a pouch on her belt with no one the wiser.

"What are you waiting for?" she hissed suddenly "Let's go!" She walked swiftly down the tunnels, with the Beast, Belle and Ariel following quickly behind her. Esmerelda navigated through the tunnels with ease. She knew them better than most Parisians. She did everything to hide the building guilt plaguing her thoughts, but she still felt sick to her stomach.

I have no choice; it is either them or me.

Coming to a rusted iron gate, Esmerelda looked back to her fellow travelers. "Come," she said looking forwards again. "we are almost there."

The gate creaked as it opened and when everyone was through they traveled up a narrow staircase and were out of the water filled tunnels and on dry ground for the first time. The Beast slid to a stop when he reached the surface. His nostrils flared and he looked down at Belle. "Brimstone."

There was a fleeting look of betrayal in Belle's eyes before she glared at him.

"If you never learn to trust others, you will always be looked at as a beast." she snapped before she walked after the other two women.

The Beast flinched as if he had been struck and lowered his head. He resisted his instincts, saddened by Belle's harsh words, and followed.

They moved down more passages ways, with Esmeralda leading and refusing to face those who followed. Ariel was directly behind her and felt the hairs on the back of neck prickling. "Esmeralda," she said worriedly, "why did you think of the Louvre? I don't know enough about French history, but I know that no King of France was ever friendly to the Romani."

Esmeralda stiffened slightly as she walked.

"In the chaos of these tempests or whatever you call them," she said not looking at Ariel, "there has been a change of leadership within the Louvre."

"Oh…"

Ariel's natural curiosity begged her to ask more questions, but a sudden and overwhelming pain overcame her. She gasped and fell to one knee, clenching her necklace.

"Is everything okay?" Belle asked worriedly, placing a hand on Ariel's shoulder. Esmerelda stopped and looked at the mermaid nervously.

Ariel rubbed her head absently; as quickly as the pain had come, it disappeared. She stood and took a deep breath. "I felt an intense burning sensation just now. I can't explain it. It's like what I feel when I try to sense the Cor Regnorum, b-but that was far more intense."

"Maybe that means we're close." Belle said with a hopeful smile.

Ariel wished she still held such spirit of hope as Belle had. She had been tormented and broken by the loss of her Prince and her daughter. She was homesick and not for her aquatic home, but that of her human home.

"I-I really hope so."

They continued on their journey, coming up to a large fine oak door.

Esmeralda stopped and bowed her head. "We are here."

She reached into her pouch and pulled out a key and opened the door. They entered a room that resembled an old winery; the air was far fresher than that of the catacombs of Paris. They continued up a spiraling stair case, and Ariel began to feel more at home as they reached the grand halls of the Louvre's keep. Though far more medieval than her own home, the fine rugs on the floor and tapestries that hung on the walls, was fit for royalty.

Coming to a set of double doors, Esmerelda paused and tried to collect her thoughts. The group stopped behind her and waited. The Beasts ears flicked forward, his eyes narrowed and he arched his back. "Gypsy!" he growled suddenly, making them all turn towards him "Where is the fairy?"

"Oh no!" Belle cried as her heart sank. She looked back the way they had come and covered her mouth in horror. "Did we leave her behind?! How did I not notice?!"

"She was last on your shoulders." Ariel stated looking at her "What happened?"

Mimicking the other female's sense of panic perfectly, Esmeralda looked at her shoulders. "I thought she was still with me!"

Little did she know that a single drop of sweat slowly rolled down the side of her face. The Beast narrowed his eyes, even with the stench of sulfur assaulting his senses, she stunk of deception. Beast snarled as his eyes made contact with Esmeralda's. He leapt forward and pushed Ariel out of the way, gripped the Romani by the neck.

"Liar!" he roared, lifting her into the air

"Beast!" Belle shouted in shock and anger.

He let his feelings for Belle prevent him from protecting her in the past. Not anymore. The gypsy was a threat. He ignored Belle pulling on his arm as he shouted, "Why did you bring us here?! Where is the Fairy?!"

Esmeralda's morals betrayed what she needed to do, as she glanced down at the pouch on her belt. Pushing Belle off of his am, Beast ripped the pouch off and handed it to Ariel.

"Check it!"

Opening up the pouch, Ariel stared in shock. She pulled out the unconscious fairy and fell to her knees.

"What did you do?!"

"I had no choice! I had to save my husband!" Esmeralda chocked out. "Please! I am sorry! Just go before he realizes you're here!"

"Who?!" Beast demanded as he pushed Esmeralda against the doors.

A sudden blue flash of fire blinded everyone in the hall. They were knocked to the ground. When the smoke cleared and the blue flames dissipated, a slender, muscular, blue-gray skinned being towered over them all. His yellow eyes stared with evil intent; his sharpened teeth were exposed by a sickening grin. His black robes, held up with a skull clasp whipped around him, much like his flaming blue hair.

A bellowing laugh echoed around them as they focused on the figure, who bowed at them. "Why me of cource. Just your friendly neighborhood god of death." He straightened and stared down at Beast with disgust and intrigue. "Whoa. What an ugly dog. Did I singe the fur? Man, I hate it when I singe the fur."

Leaping to his feet the Beast gave out a terrifying roar as he charged forward with teeth and claws bared. As he lunged for his deadly strike, the god yawned, held up one arm and caught Beast by his throat in his hand.

"Seriously?" he hissed before he threw Beast into the stone walls with such crushing force, Beast fell to the ground coughing up blood.

"It's the devil." Belle uttered in terror as she trembled on the ground in fear, with her hand over her heart.

In a flash of blue flame, the god disappeared only to reappear sitting next to Belle with his arms around her waist.

"The one and only! Are you a groupie? I just love groupies." Taking in a long strong sniff of Belle's hair, as she cowered in fear, he smiled, "Oh that smells good! Do you use any oils?" Leaning in he pushed his nose against her cheek and pointed to his head, "The last product I used really lit up the room, if you know what I mean."

As the god laughed at his own joke, he heard a roar and rolled his eyes as he once again caught a leaping beast from midair by the neck.

"Will you stop that?!" He looked down to Belle and smiled, "Is he potty trained? Man, I just hate breaking them in you know."

When a wooden chair was broken over his back, the god turned to see the fiery red hair of Ariel staring down at him with fear and shaken confidence.

"Let him go!"

"As you wish." he said as he tossed Beast once more. He struck the thick stone walls with such force that it knocked him through it and buried him in the debris.

"Oh Princess Ariel, long time no see."

Ariel stared in confusion as she raised an eyebrow. The god looked disappointed as he stood and looked down at the two women.

"Come on cuz, it's me. Hades." Ariel's only response was holding the broken chair's leg higher in the air.

"Nothing? Man, Meli must have really come back."

Standing, Esmerelda clenched her fists. "They were searching for the Cor Regnorum."

"Really?" The wide and evil grin returned to his face. "Oh Ariel you naughty, naughty princess. Helping out your dear old Aunt Morgana are you?"

Ariel stepped back as her breath and courage was starting to flee.

"She isn't my Aunt!" she shouted defiantly "She is just the dark and evil witch. Morgan Le Fey."

"Apples, and Oranges love." Hades countered as he forced Belle to her feet. "She is such a diva, just like her mother." Hearing Belle whimper from his touch, Hades frowned and began to play with her long brown hair. "Oh dear, no need to cry." As tears rolled down Belle's face Hades rolled his eyes. "Do you miss your doggy? I am pretty sure I didn't kill him. With his hands around her waist, he walked her over the rubble of stone where Beast fell.

"You see? The big stupid thing is –"

"Gone." Belle breathed, eyes widening.

"Gone." Hades said calmly before he looked about with suspicion. Snapping his finger, he and Belle disappeared in a blue flame, only to reappear directly behind Ariel. Snatching the mermaid by the hair, he knocked the chair's leg out of her hand and looked about her person.

"Now, where did that little Never Fairy go?"

He turned towards Esmerelda, who stood facing him, with a shadowy figure that stood behind her. Esmerelda had one of her arms twisted behind her back and a brilliant curved sword against her neck. Hades, quickly pulled both Belle and Ariel up to him with one arm and used them as human shields. A ball of blue flame appeared in his hand as he held it towards their heads.

"If you kill them, your slave is dead." An exotic feminine voice spoke from the shadows.
Surprised that he recognized the voice and his shoulders tensed a bit.

"Princess Jasmine."

"I thought I smelled your foul stench." Jasmine replied as she drew the sword closer to Esmerelda's throat. "Let them go Hades."

"Why would I care about that stupid gypsy?" Hades scoffed. "They are like a dime a dozen in the underworld. I feed them to Cerberus as treats."

Jasmine's smirk could be seen under her dark hood. "You bend the strings of fate Hades. You are bound by the same rules all immortals are. You made a contract with this gypsy, did you not? I have a feeling if she dies, you will be cast back into the underworld."

Staring down at his old foe, Hades drew his flame, that morphed into a blade closer to his two captives.

"I made no such contact."

"Yes he did!" Esmerelda quickly blurted out.

The flames around Hades changed to a bright yellow. "Shut up you!" he shouted angrily.

"Don't test me Hades!" Jasmine warned, pointing the blade at him. "Release the Mermaid and the girl!"

Calming himself, Hades flames returned to blue. "If you kill her, I will kill these girls. Two Hearts forged from Light." Seeing the look of surprise on Jasmine's face Hades sneered, "So you have heard of them. I was sure that insufferable Genie told you all about the Hearts Forged from Light, to lessen the effects of the Everwinter." He saw the wheels turn in Jasmine's head as she went through all the scenarios of the changing dynamics of the situation. "Ah, he did not tell you who they were, I see."

"The Mermaid isn't working for you?" Jasmine asked as she stepped back with her hostage.

Staring down at Ariel in disgust, Hades replied, "Please. She is working for that insufferable brat Morgana and her stupid mother."

"She has my daughter and husband! I have no choice!" Ariel called out in her own defense.

Esmerelda smirked and nodded at Ariel, "I know how you feel sister."

Esmerelda winced in pain as her arm was twisted forcibly. Jasmine stepped back once more and focused on her true enemy: Hades. "Then it will be a draw." she declared. "You have your Hearts Forged of Light; and I keep the girl that you bound yourself to."

Laughing, Hades pointed his flaming sword at Jasmine. "There is no place you can go! No place you can hide. I am immortal, there is nothing you can do to stop me!"

Holding up her own sword, Jasmine pointed it at Hades and smiled, "You haven't learned a thing, have you Hades? I know of one place in this city where you can never touch me!"

Staring at the sword closely, Hades eyes narrowed. "Where in hell would that be?"

Pushing Esmerelda to the ground behind her, she reached into a pocket and stared at Hades all the while smirking.

"It's the furthest place from hell!" she shouted, throwing three glass orbs onto the ground. When they shattered, thick black smoke quickly filled the entire hall. Hades dropped his two prisoners to the ground and began discharging dozens of fireballs into the blinding smoke.

He finally discharged a massive wave of fire clearing the hall of all the smoke. He looked about for the Arab beauty and his slave but he couldn't see them or even sense them anymore. Turning to Ariel and Belle, Hades crossed his arms and stared down at the girls.

"Well. Shit."

/