Darkness lay before the caravan and their only hope of advancing forward was putting their trust in a map. Artyom had talked to Elsa about the keys and which path to take, which was surprising for Anna. Her sister seemed to be a lot more comfortable with him, something she had never seen before. The wheels on the trolleys continued to rumble as they covered a lot of distance in a short timespan.

The princess turned to her right to see her sister reading the map with interest. "You've spent more time on that map than talking to me, you know."

Elsa glanced up, with cheeks full of embarrassment. "Sorry for being so quiet. It's just so fascinating."

"It's a map. How can it be so fascinating?" Anna wondered.

"Here, take a look."

She scooted closer to her and shared the view of what the map looked like. There was a giant circle in the center of the map with lines and drawings that went in multiple directions all over the place.

"It's a lot harder to read than you would expect."

She was taken aback when some of the lines on the map changed into different colors. "Why does it change colors? That is so weird."

"Artyom told me they are a sign," Elsa began to explain, "Each line represents whether the path we are taking is safe or not."

Her finger pointed at their current destination, where the line was green.

"This is where we are."

"Wow." Anna replied with awe, "Is this some kind of magical map."

She paused for a moment. "I think that is what he said… but he is also not in the right mind thanks to the medicine."

The tunnel they were in had lit up with lights shining against their caravan. Then the trolleys stopped to a halt. "Stay where you are, who goes here?!"

Princess Anna looked to the front to try and see ahead, only to find another checkpoint filled with armed guards. "Did they have to blinds us?"

"Now identify yourselves!"

Someone at the checkpoint had also spoken up, but with a lot more gravitas. "Relax kid, we already got a call from Rizhskaya about this caravan. Alright people, you can pass through."

The lights began to shut down, one-by-one until there were a few left to make the journey tolerable for their eyes. As the caravan slowly passed through the checkpoint, Anna noticed the guards were simply standing on some wooden scaffolding as guard posts while others were standing behind walls of bags. Each guard were relaxed underneath their mismatch of equipment and garbs, but the princess kept her comments to herself.

A door was opened for their arrival as they were welcomed by the lights within the station. It was a lot less organized than the stations they have passed through and there was a strange smell that seemed to annoy Anna. She could not put her finger on it, but she hoped the stench wouldn't get any worse.

Someone stood on the platform in full gear as he waved at the few Polis Rangers at the front. "Ah, more Rangers. Polis must have a lot of men to spare to give us company these past few weeks."

One of the men chuckled. "There is more to that, but we're just escorting this caravan here. It seems you guys got visitors."

When the trolley slowed to a halt, Anna was quick to get out of her seat and explore Artyom's home. She looked over her shoulder to see Kai and the rest of the servants rise up to fulfill their duties.

"Who are you?" The station guardsman asked.

The princess turned around to see him, realizing the question was aimed at her. "Hi, my name is Anna. My sister and I were visiting a friend's home while we are here."

"We will have to talk with the station commander before you start looking around, but who are you visiting?"

"Oh, he just came with us." She looked back to see Elsa hand the map back to their Russian friend. "Artyom is showing us around."

The guardsman's eyes lit up. "You came here with Artyom?!"

"Yes. He brought us here."

He turned around and ran towards the nearest corner. "Fetch Sukhoi! Artyom has returned!"

Anna noticed those who were working by the platform had dropped their tools and boxes on the ground. Then they flocked towards the passengers stepping off the trolleys. It started out as a few locals asking the princesses and the servants on Artyom's well-being; however, more appeared from around the corner and evolved into a crowd.

"Where's Sukhoi's kid? I want to see him."

"Artyom, I'm glad you're alive."

"Shit, you scared the hell out of us."

Two Polis Rangers were carrying a stretcher as Elsa frequently appeared discomforted by so many people near her. Anna came to her side. "What's wrong?"

The crown princess admitted to her feelings. "I'm not keen with having that many people near me."

"A little fame can do no harm," She replied with a friendly tone, "They seem too happy with us."

The guardsman slipped through the crowd and made his way towards the girls. "Call me Petr. Welcome to Exhibition station. Follow me, I will get you to where you need to be."

"Thanks."

"Artyom doesn't seem alright. What's up with him?"

Elsa was quick to reply. "Do you know anything about a 'Big Momma' creature?"

He was surprised by the news. "Damn, kid has a lot of courage to fight those mutants. Let's get to the hospital so we can talk."

General Korbut was always a busy man. There was always a weakness to exploit from his opposition - both within and outside of the Red Line. His army of staff officers and bureaucrats were helpful in ensuring the Red Line's supremacy throughout the Metro. The head of intelligence sat behind his desk, looking at documents and sipping cups of tea on the side. He had great plans that would contribute to the revolution, but he had to be precise as a scalpel.

It had been a long time since the Red Line-Hansa War. There had been an opportunity for the Revolution and equality to come to the rest of the stations within the Metro. However, there were those who resisted. The Hanseatic League was a complete opposite on the political and economic spectrum, a faction who were firm believers in the prosperity that wealth and the freedom of businesses. If it was not for them, no one would have been able to stop the armies of communists from annexing the minor powers.

Hansa was able to resist and almost gained territory with its own counter-offensives had it not been for his informants within the circle stations. They could have won the war if the current leadership had not proposed a secret ceasefire with the enemy. Secretary General Moskvin was a damn fool for trying to seek a peaceful resolution for unity. If it was not for his meddling, the Metro would be theirs.

Korbut bidded his team for an opportunity and the war against the Fourth Reich seemed to have a benefit. Those neo-Nazis were a smaller threat to handle, but they were better equipped. Yet, the benefit to fighting them was that the entire Red Army would always be in top readiness state, which gave him access to a wider variety of operatives to infiltrate the enemies of the Revolution. Slowly, but surely, the Metro would be subverted by suggestion or coup. All he needed was time and a reason to keep Andrey from seeking peace negotiations.

The phone on his desk beeped. His secretary was calling him. He grabbed the phone and immediately put his drink aside. "Yes?"

A tone of a young man spoke up with reluctance. "Comrade-General, Major Morozov wishes to submit his report."

"Bring him in."

"Yes sir."

The call ended and Korbut waited for one of his subordinates. The major was a firm believer in the Revolution, which allowed the general to take assignments that weaker individuals would falter in. After all, he handed his father over to the police in the name of the state. However, the major had his weaknesses as well. Morozov had a tendency to take detours like a child at a tourist attraction like partying with soldiers who visiting the brothels.

When the door was opened, a young man stepped forward and strode to the front of his desk. He snapped his boots together and saluted him. "Sir, I am here with my report."

Korbut stood up from his seat and crossed his arms. "Major, were you able to discover the whereabouts of this OSKOM?"

"Yes sir. They are military authorities from another Metro in Russia. I have yet to confirm the location, but they claim they are from Novosibirsk?" Answered the freshly-shaved man.

The general nodded with approval. These newcomers changed the situation of the Metro in ways he could not imagine. If they were to cooperate with the Polis Council and the Spartan Order, it would simply attract independents from to the government authorities of the old world. Something needed to be done against them. "Very good, Pavel. I understand that this information is hard to come by, but we will need this in the future. The Council and the Order will be the ones to oppose us if they established some kind of permanent agreement. Your next task is to make sure they become enemies, do I make myself clear?"

Pavel was quick to reply. "Understood."

"Good, you are dismissed."

"Sir, I also have more to report."

General Korbut gave him a hard look at him. "Go ahead."

"OSKOM is not the only group of outsiders that the Order has made contact with. There is another," He replied, "There are people who are from a nation called the Kingdom of Arendelle. It's ludicrous to tell you that they are from another world, but the thing is… I've met one of them in person. The Order knows something we don't."

"Interesting," He was intrigued by what he was hearing as his grasped his chin, "Why did you not obtain this person? It would have given us some diplomatic bargaining for the Red Line."

"I could not compromise my cover. It appears that she was with some kind of delegation who were meeting with the Council."

"Do you know about their whereabouts?"

The major shook his head. "No, but an informant told me that they were going to one of the stations in the northern territories. Exhibition station, to be precise."

Korbut was curious about these outsiders and this was an opportunity. "This will be your priority objective. Discover why they went there and bring one of them in for questioning."

"Yes sir."

"Ensure that there are no loose ends."

The hospital was relatively quiet when compared to the commotion outside. Locals seemed exited and concerned whether Artyom was going to be fine and walk out. Elsa could not blame them as she was just as worried. She sat quietly by his bedside, hoping he would find familiar company when he woke up.

Elsa took one good look at the rest of the room to find other patients sitting and sleeping in their respective areas. Most of them were sleeping and keeping to themselves while the walls were not as clean as the mattresses. She wondered what kind of life Artyom had within this place. It was a humble abode for anyone to settle down.

A moan slipped out from the bed as the crown princess was relieved to see him awake. "Those pills can really knock you out. Where am I?"

There was a smile that could not be resisted. "You're home. A man named Petr brought you to the hospital."

Artyom massaged his forehead for a moment and looked around at the room. His eyes expressed a different reaction than hers. "I did not think I would be in this room. So many haunting memories."

"How do you feel?" She asked.

"A lot better than before. My body doesn't ache as much," Then he looked at her, "What are you doing all the way here? You should go outside and get acquainted with the others."

Elsa thought about it, but she wasn't accustomed to it. "Too many people. It was a lot easier at Arendelle, but there were a lot more than I expected. Who would have thought that so many people can fit in such a small area?"

"That makes two of us. So how are you feeling with your powers?"

Her hands rested in her lap. "It's becoming a lot easier as long as I get used to the company. A village is one thing, but this is a bit too much. Especially, when they're that close to me."

Artyom sat upright in his bed as he rolled his shoulders back. "Trust me, it gradually becomes easier. If you try to confront it now, you'll be less afraid."

"What happens now?" Speaking of which, she had to confront the reality since he returned home.

"Excuse me?"

"What happens now that you're home? I find it unlikely that you would return back to Arendelle."

He let out a deep breath and lowered his head. "Colonel Miller wants me to stay here for the time being and his word is essentially law. If I could come back to Arendelle with you, I would."

"So are we going to take our separate ways?"

Artyom nodded his head. "It was bound to happen. After all, you're just a princess and I'm a son of a station commander. Someone like me has no right to be with royalty."

His response was blunt. "You are being too harsh on yourself. We could see each other again and I could get a good word with the colonel. My coronation will happen this year and I would like to have you there."

It was a blessing to see his smile. "I'm honored."

The hospital door opened as the two noticed Petr enter and step aside for someone else. Then another slipped in before they closed it shut. There was a moment for them to speak to each other until the guardsman nodded his head in their general direction. Elsa got a closer look at him, only to find a weary old man whose grey hair announced his age. Unlike the old men she had seen inside of the Metro, he was surprisingly lean and fit as his weapon hung over a ragged uniform.

"Elsa, it's my step-father."

The knowledge that this man was Artyom's family was enough for her to remember the training she had for formal affairs.

He walked past the various tables and carts that were in the way. As he closed in on the duo, Elsa rose up and made a lady's bow as expected of her. To her surprise, he totally ignored her and made his way towards his step-son, hugging him on the bed. "Son, I am glad you came back."

Artyom returned the gesture with a tight grip. "Dad, I am sorry I left you."

"That doesn't matter. You came back. That is all that matters."

Seeing this moment almost made her want to cry. The memory of the last time her parents embraced her had almost resurfaced. Yet, she maintained her emotions from getting out of control.

When they were finished, the young man gestured his hand out to her. "Dad, I want to introduce you to somebody."

The station commander turned around to find her standing her. "Who are you?"

She found the courage to talk. "I am Crown Princess Elsa of the Kingdom of Arendelle. It is quite an honor to meet Artyom's father."

Her title seemed to have left him confused. "Sukhoi, station commander of Exhibition Station. Artyom, did she just say that she is a princess?"

"Yes, you are talking to one. She is real and so is her kingdom." Artyom explained.

He began to laugh. "I… I have no words to describe it."

"Did I do something wrong?" Elsa wondered.

"No," Sukhoi shook his head, "It's just a twisted detail to think about. My boy left his home to fight monsters and returns back with a legit princess. Petr, doesn't this sound like it is straight out of a fairy tale?"

"Yes sir." The guardsman answered.

"Excuse me, but I am having a surreal moment that Artyom returned home with a beautiful lady such as yourself."

The flattery was enough to make her happy. "Thank you. My friendship with your son is why I am here in the first place."

He regained his composure and stood tall and upright. "If you are a friend of Artyom, then you are a friend of Exhibition. You're highness, I will do what I can to make you feel comfortable. Exhibition has no palace, but there will be a celebration."

"Thank you for your hospitality."

Sukhoi made his way towards the door and a voice echoed out. "Come Petr, let's leave them be."

"That went well." Artyom commented.

She looked to her left to find him getting his feet on the ground. "He is a nice man. I wish my parents were here to meet him."

"I am sure he would have liked their company."

His comment about her being a fairy tale had stuck with her. "Does he really think I am a fairy tale come to life?"

Artyom had some strength left to get off the bed. "Russia has not had a ruler for over a hundred years. The idea of my people speaking to royalty sounds like straight out of fiction, yet, here we are. It's a good thing really. You are strange, but of the good sort. It's been a long time since I've seen my step-father this happy."

"Well, I suppose it is a complement."

"It still is," He walked up to her and pulled out a necklace from underneath his shirt, "Take this."

When it was handed over to her, Elsa was surprised by its simplicity. "What is it?"

"Dogtags. It belonged to a close family-friend of mine, who passed it down to me. Now I am giving it to you."

"Why?" She asked.

"Something to remember me by when you leave the platform. Keep it. From one friend to another."

Dameos: Thank you. I appreciate the review. Just so you know, I have a massive backlog of chapters that I haven't posted right now so expect a surge of consecutive updates.