First Stop Corona
Morning came, and as would be expected the crowd congregated towards Arendelle's town square.
Due to circumstances all schedules for the celebratory event were thrown out the window, instead the viewing of the magic screen took priority. Thankfully food and drinks will continue to be served. The street vendors also wisely took the opportunity to set up stall near the venue.
Elsa, Anna and Kristoff walked out of the palace gates followed by Rapunzel, Eugene, Frederic, Arianna, Willow and many royal guests. This time the royal families brought the children with them.
The sight of little Aidan, Amelia, Flynn and Wrenn brought much cheer to the crowd, people saw the children with new eyes after the viewings from the previous night. And as the royal family passed by, the understandably confused children found themselves showered with praises and blessings.
Rapunzel noticed across the streets that even five year old kid Robert has found himself assailed by folks praising him for his loyalty and bravery. Indeed his proud parents have already begun contemplating his enrolment into the city guard.
"It's too bad Neoma, Eri and Novak aren't also here with their parents." Rapunzel sighed. "They sure are missing out."
Hearing this made Anna turn and beam at her sister. "So Elsa, have you given any thoughts about 'conjuring' Eri anytime soon?" Anna asked with a wink.
Elsa snorted. "Now Anna, that's not something I want to just jump into."
Anna made a pouted look at her sister making Elsa sigh.
"I do want to have children, Anna. In fact after last night, I want Eri more than anything. But I don't know if I'll make a good mother, I'm afraid. I'm worried I can't raise Eri as well as you did... from the future." Elsa breathed hard. "You've seen how worried and uncertain Future Eri was. What if she hates me for creating her?"
This made Anna look at Elsa sternly.
"Elsa, you are a smart, responsible, strong and caring woman. You've always been a shining example for me to follow, you'd make a great mom." Stated Anna.
Elsa smiled slightly, but Anna wasn't finished.
"There is no other person in the world like her. So she will be uncertain and she will feel alone,." Anna conceded. "But just like in the alternate future, we just have to make sure she knows she isn't. And this time you will also be here to teach her that."
"You always know what to say, Anna. Thank you." Smiled Elsa.
Anna and her group entered the town square. Varian, Cassandra, Lady Caine and the Stabbington Brothers came down from the Mega Blimp to join them. Edmund, Willow, Marius and Mathew arrived too.
At last everyone returned to their tables and with the witch at the stage, the movie resumed.
Out in the emptiness of space, like what most would relate to as a beautiful starry night sky. The image panned and slowly a large sphere of blue and green came into view. Then out of the emptiness a bright sparkle of amber light lit up and a long column shot into the blue and green sphere.
Where the column hit the ground, the seven teenagers tumbled onto the grass in a tangled heep.
"AHA! It's ROUND! Pay up!" Patchy held out his hand and Sideburns begrudgingly handed him some coins.
"Owy!" Groaned Amelia.
It was the dead of night and the seven teens struggled to separate their bodies of tangled arms and legs in pitch darkness.
"Is everybody here? Is everybody ok?" Aidan asked as soon as he disentangled himself.
After hearing six calls of confirmation the blonde prince was satisfied that everyone was accounted for.
"Did it work? Are we in the past?" Wrenn asked.
"I think we are." Novak answered. The dark auburn haired boy ran his hand along the ground. "Grass."
An owl hooted and crickets chirped. The teens looked astonished, even the noise was different.
"If you think that's strange, try this." Said Flynn. He rolled his shoulders back and took a lung full of-. "Flesh air."
Everyone followed his example.
"Okay we're definitely not home." Neoma concluded. "So what now, your highnesses? Where do we begin?"
Aidan began to fish into his backpack, but then heard his sister yawn.
"I think we should set up camp and get some sleep first. And please, there's no need for formalities anymore." He laughed. "Eri, kindly build us a nice big fort."
"Shouldn't we try to be more subtle?" Flynn suggested.
"We don't know where we are. This could be the middle of hostile territory and no subtly can hide from that. Better we build a great big fort that says 'Don't mess with us!'" Aidan explained.
"Sounds good." Eri agreed. "I'll get right on it."
"I'll help." Neoma offered. The two girls went to work their respective ice and black rock magics.
"You all should get some rest, I'll take take first watch." Novak offered.
"Nah, we have a general rule. 'Always make Amy take the first watch.'" Aidan smirked.
Flynn and Wrenn snorted while Amelia rolled her eyes.
"Trust us Novak, Amy is a deep deep sleeper." Wrenn laughed. "Once she shuts her eyes she'll be down like a log.
"And once she is down, it takes way too much effort to wake her up again. That's why we always make Amy go first." Laughed Flynn.
"Hmph. You all exaggerate!" Amelia rebuked. The light auburn haired girl folded her arms and turned her head away, refusing to look at her brother and second cousins.
•••The Next Morning•••
"Wake Up, Amy! WAKE UP!" Exclaimed Eri. The Snow Princess roughly shook her sleeping cousin.
"Umgh.. whaat... Are we under attack?" Amelia groaned. Still down and refusing to budge.
"No, but you have got to come out and see this!" Eri chirped in an unusually excited manner.
Her excitement didn't seem to faze Amelia however.
"Urgh... leave me alone!" Amelia shooed.
There was much laughter and giggling in the crowd.
"What'd I tell you? She sleeps just like you." Kristoff teased.
Anna laughed and tapped her baby daughter's nose, the little one was still asleep. In fact, true to Wrenn's description, even after Anna had wheeled the pram down the street and pass the cheering crowds, Amelia had astonishingly slept through the excitement.
Elsa just smiled, the interaction between Eri and Amelia brought back nostalgic memories of herself and Anna.
"Alright, Amy. Have it your way." Eri warned.
With a wave of her hand the ice walls came down and bright golden sunlight poured onto Amelia's face, the sleepy girl groaned and shied away from the light.
"GAH! Alright I'm up, get that torch out of my face!" Amelia pleaded.
"It's not a torch, Amy. Come on, I'll show you." Eri laughed.
•••Outside•••
"Can any of you remember the world being this bright?" Novak asked, the boy's hands were raised and shielding his eyes from the sun.
Aidan, Flynn, Wrenn and Neoma were also outside, likewise shielding their eyes while taking in the view. The group of five stood atop a green hill overlooking a beautiful lush valley, a valley blossoming with life. Trees, flowers, grass, all manner of vegetation and animals.
"Can't say I remember any of this." Wrenn replied.
"Yeah, this is totally alien to us." Flynn agreed.
The audience were shocked that something as simple as clear skies and sunlight, an everyday essential they have taken for grant had been lost to the people of the future.
A groan was heard and Eri is seen leading a groggy Amelia out of the icy black rock fort to join the others.
"Ah, I see you managed to wake up Sleeping Beauty. Well congratulations Eri." Aidan laughed, but Amelia was too stunned to hear her brother's teasing.
Eri chuckled. "Amy, behold. The world before the Unquiets."
•••Fast forward•••
The group marched seemingly aimlessly down a paved road. Curious and awestruck by their surroundings, even though to the audience they were just everyday trees and bushes.
It began as marching, then strolling, then full frolic and playing.
Amelia and Wrenn couldn't resist running off and picking a few flowers on the way.
Eri chased some birds.
Flynn decided to remove his boots and walk off-road just to feel the grass under his bare feet.
"Reminds me of you when we first met." Eugene chuckled. "When you left that tower for the first time."
Rapunzel smiled.
Everyone felt heartened to see the kids acting like... well, kids.
"So what exactly is our plan to save the world again?" Neoma asked.
Everyone paused, eyes wide opened. "Umm."
Rapunzel, Eugene, Anna, Kristoff, Elsa, Cassandra, Varian and Lady Caine all balked. The kids came without a plan!
Suddenly Novak tensed and drew his sword. "Heads up, we got company!"
A group of men a dozen strong jumped out of the thickets and trees. They surrounded the group of teens, weapons drawn and leering greedily.
"Well what do we have here?" Laughed Dwayne.
The Coronan royals groaned in recognition of their local and mostly incompetent small time criminal, and his motley band.
Cassandra's head perked up. "Wait, if Dwayne is here, then that means the kids are near Corona!"
Rapunzel let out a squeak of excitement. Frederic and Arianna turned to one another and smiled.
"A bunch of kids...with stolen Coronan and Arendelian guard gear? May come in handy." Said Dwayne, raising his sword. "Let's kill them and take their stuff!"
The bandits cheered and made their approach.
"Hey, a gang of bandits." Said Aidan. "Lets kill them and take stuff!"
The rest of the group ready their weapons.
Arianna sighed. She wasn't worry about the kids, they could undoubtedly handle a band of bandits. If anything this could well be Dwayne's last robbery attempt. Arianna was instead, disappointed. She had seen the intimidating ice and black rock fort from earlier, had seen how Amelia clung onto her sword like a teddy bear and blanketed herself with her shield as she slept.
Arianna knew that these children grew up in an unforgiving world and have gone through so much in their young lives. The grandmother just wished they could see that this world is a safe place. Her husband felt the same way.
"Of all the civilised folk in our kingdom to run into, why did it have to be Dwayne and his gang of buffoons?" Frederic complained.
•••Cuts to after the fight•••
"Gee that really wasn't much of a fight." Said Novak.
Everyone agreed, most were actually left quite confused.
"Not even worth killing." Wrenn said.
The seven rode away on a stolen wagon leaving the defeated bandits beaten, bruised and sprawled all over the path behind them.
"The old world is safer than I ever expected." Flynn deduced.
"Oh." Said Arianna and Frederic.
"Those guys back there thought we stole weapons and armour from Arendellian and Coronan guards." Amelia looked down at her torn and bloodied battle gown. "Dead Arendellian and Coronan guards, most likely."
"We need to procure new clothes, before we enter any inhabited human settlements. Dammit we should have looted those bandits back there!" Cursed Neoma
Eri, Amelia, Wrenn, Flynn and Aidan snorted, earning puzzled looks from Neoma and Novak.
"Eri, show them your thing." Amelia asked.
With a wave of her hand, ice magic shot out from Eri's fingers and a second later everyone wore fresh travel clothes.
"Huh, that's handy." Said Novak.
"Have I ever told you how much I love that trick?" Anna leaned her head on top of Elsa's shoulder.
Elsa just chuckled and rested her head on top of Anna's. Gladdened the kids will always have access to clean clothes.
Neoma opened her knapsack and took out her treasure, a purple clip with silver moon and cog patterns. She attached it to her hair. Novak did the same, pulling out a red clip with a single silver sword painted on. He attached it to his jacket.
Amelia gasped.
"You two have the same matching clips we do!" Amelia cheered, showing her own yellow clip.
Flynn, Wrenn, Aidan and Eri did the same.
Rapunzel gasped. The kids had held onto the clips after all those years.
"Wow Blondie. The same seven clips you've painted are for the same seven kids who are meant to save us. What are the chances of that?" Eugene remarked.
"Maybe it's fate." Said Willow.
The adventuress was well versed with trinkets of the mystical kind. It is not uncommon for special items to draw people together.
Suddenly Aidan pulled the reins bringing the wagon to an abrupt hault. Someone down the road was hailing them.
Eugene narrowed his eyes. "Is that Monty?" He asked.
"It is!" Rapunzel cheered. Glad the kids finally encountered someone more civilized... well civilized towards everyone but her, but still.
"But wait, what's wrong with his wagon, and why is Monty clutching his arm like that?" Varian asked.
"Hello youngsters! Thank goodness you're here, please help me!" Monty hailed the group. "These roads are terribly cracked, I think my arm broke when I fell from a my wagon. I cannot repair my damaged wheel like this. Please, will you help me?"
"Oh poor Monty." Said Arianna.
The old candy merchant pleaded. But the teens did not leave their wagon, merely glared at Monty with suspicion in their eyes.
"Wait, aren't they going to help him?" Elsa wondered aloud.
"Oh this won't end well." The Stabbington Brothers said in unison.
"HE AIN'T EVEN HURT!" Aidan declared.
He spurred the horses forward. Their wagon plowed Monty aside, sending the plump old man flying into the bushes.
The audience gasped. A few "Oooowh." And cringes. Everyone was shocked that the teens had rammed Monty!
The Coronan royal family plus Varian and Cassandra were left gaping.
The kid's wagon shook and rocked violently, true to Monty's words the road was in dire need of repairs. Their back wheel also broke and the wagon collapsed in a heep.
"Everybody out!" Aidan yelled.
"Defensive positions!" Wrenn ordered.
The kids all drew their weapons and took fighting stances around their broken wagon. A few tense seconds passed, then another, but nothing happened. No arrows came flying, no screaming braying raiders came barreling out of the bushes. The only sound that could be heard were the whistles of blowing of leaves and Monty's groans.
Slowly the seven teens lowered their weapons and turned to look at Aidan.
"Ahehee... oops." Aidan sweat dropped.
•••Fast forward•••
"I am so SO sorry for running you down back there Mr Monty!" Aidan profusely apologised.
He, Flynn and Wrenn slowly set Monty against a rock. The twins knelt on either side, quickly preparing to work their magic.
"I swear it was only because we thought you had an ambush waiting to kill us." Aidan tried to explain.
Monty just looked back at him with a frown.
"Yikes, looks like we've finally found someone else Monty hates." Eugene joked.
Rapunzel just scoffed, she was obviously more concerned about Monty's injuries.
"Trust me. Where we come from, people do that all the time!" Flynn backed up his friend.
Slowly Monty's expression softened, he looked back up at Aidan with sad eyes. "Good grief, what kind of hard unforgiving world do you youngsters hail from?"
"Oh, it was rough." Aidan shivered.
"Some might call it post apocalyptic." Wrenn added.
Monty released a sigh. "Well I'm happy to let you children know, you are perfectly safe here in Corona." Monty smiled.
"WE'RE IN CORONA!?" Flynn and Wrenn blurted in unison.
"Yes." Monty replied. "I'll happily take you there once I can move again-."
"Okay, you're good to move!" Flynn stood up. Wrenn stood up too.
Monty looked surprised. But noticed his arm didn't hurt anymore, nor did any scratches and bruises from the ramming remained.
"Wait, how did I? You two are magical!" Monty gasped. "And your hairs have changed colours. You are both just like Queen Rapunzel!" Monty exclaimed.
Rapunzel gulped. She did not want her kids to hear what Monty has to say about her.
"Such a wise and compassionate ruler she is, the kingdom has flourished and changed for the better thanks to her leadership." Monty praised. "But don't tell her I said that."
That last part left the twins and Aidan slightly confused. And they weren't the only ones.
Rapunzel's mouth was left gaping, a moment passed. Eugene, Cassandra and Rapunzel exchanged silent glances to one another. Then all three burst out laughing!
"Ah, too bad we all heard it, Monty" Rapunzel laughed.
Amelia and Neoma returned. "We solved your broken wheel problem." Amelia cheered.
"We couldn't fix both our broken wheels, so we'll just let you have the good wheel from our wagon." Neoma explained. The engineer's daughter dusted her one good hand. "It's the least we could do after the ramming."
Eri and Novak also returned, with four horses in tow.
"We managed to get all the horses back, didn't realise Novak was such a good tracker." Praised Eri.
With everything set right, the seven teens and Monty prepared to leave for Corona island.
•••
"Whoa." The seven teens gaped, their wide eyes finally beheld the magnificent island city of Corona.
The party rode down the bridge and into the bustling city. Monty acted as their tour guide as the wagon rode down the busy streets, though it is questionable whether or not the kids even heard Monty. They were all so engrossed by the beautiful bright city so full of colours and life.
At last they came to a stop outside Monty and Attila's joint sweets business. The teens hopped out and continued gawking at the city and its population.
"Wrenn, we're here. We're finally home!" Flynn cheered.
"It's everything I've ever dreamed it would be, but more." Wrenn nearly choked. "None of the stories mom told us could compare to this."
Rapunzel could feel tears forming in her eyes. This is where they belong. She looked down at the stroller with the twin babies, little Flynn and Wrenn watched their older selves with curious amusement.
The lively city under the morning sun was breathtaking for the post apocalypse survivors.
"Do you think Arendelle is like this too?" Amelia asked her brother.
Aidan shrugged.
"Hehe, are you youngsters enjoying the sight? It is beautiful isn't it?" Monty laughed as he prepared to unload. Then the sweets merchant sighed in sadness. "I only wish you seven could see the kingdom during happier times, when things are not so sombre."
"Sombre!? What are you talking about? This is the happiest town I've ever seen!" Laughed Aidan. "Just listen. No widows crying, no amputees screaming." He took a few steps. "I'm able to walk ten feet without someone trying to shank me. This place is great!"
"And plenty of lovely girls too." Flynn added. "Hello ladies."
Flynn and Aidan winked at a group of girls. The four ginger sisters giggled as they passed them and entered the sweet shop. Wrenn and Amelia groaned.
Kristoff chuckled. Aidan is turning out to be quite a lady's man. He was glad that his son is more social than he was.
Eugene just laughed, he wasn't surprised at all with his son's behaviour.
"Jokes aside." Said Wrenn, suddenly exuding an air of seriousness. "Why is this a sombre time for the kingdom?" The brunette asked, showing concern for her native home.
Monty paused his work, then turned. He gazed up at the palace with an expression of worry.
"A few weeks ago the King Father, Frederic came down with a most mysterious and sudden illness, he has since become bed ridden and his body grows weaker by the day." Monty sighed. "He has shown no sign of recovering and we are all fearing the worst."
Flynn and Aidan immediately stopped in their horsing, the seven teens all balked at the news. A mask of dread fell upon Flynn and Wrenn's faces.
"Oh no."
Frederic suddenly paled at the re-mentioning of his recent brush with death illness. Arianna promptly looped her hands around Frederic's arm.
"Oh Uncle Frederic." Anna whispered.
Rapunzel lowered her head, she began to figit and breath erratically. That was a dark time for her.
Elsa noticed Rapunzel's distress and pulled her cousin close. Eugene, Cassandra and Varian watched and reflected on those truly heart wrenching days.
"Ah, so the kids arrived six months ago and we are now looking at the past." Lady Caine stated.
A few people looked at her awkwardly.
"Oh. And poor poor Frederic." Lady Caine added.
The kids had just bade Monty farewell and the seven of them now marched towards the palace. On their way the twins revealed a most shocking piece of news.
"Our grandfather isn't under some illness." Flynn stated.
"He was deliberately poisoned." Wrenn finished.
"WHAT!?" Everyone at the table exclaimed.
"I was poisoned!?" Cried Frederic.
The audience all gasped and began muttering.
"But who would want to hurt uncle Frederic?" Elsa asked.
Eugene, Cassandra, Rapunzel, Arianna, the Stabbington Brothers and Frederic all turned to the prime suspect.
"Hey! It wasn't me." Lady Caine stated, a tint of annoyance in her voice.
Anna, Elsa and Kristoff felt confused, why would they suspect Lady Caine?
So everyone turned their gaze towards their second suspect!
"I am shocked, you all think I'd poison Frederic!" Trevor gasped.
"Nah, it wouldn't be Trevor." Frederic ruled out. "He doesn't want to kill me, he justs wants me to suffer."
"Vorgan Gelt. The palace yardsman." Flynn accused. "Well, more accurately it was an Unquiet that assumed the form of Vorgan Gelt."
"That slimy wretch couldn't resist rubbing it in our faces, well now we know." Wrenn smirked. "So the joke's on him."
"We need to speak to our head of staffs." Arianna said. Eugene, Rapunzel and Frederic nodded.
"There are currently half a dozen such infiltrators deeply rooted in some of the surrounding kingdoms." Eri stated. "Destabilising order and leaving them vulnerable when the Unquiets attack."
All the leaders and royalties in the audience began to worry.
"So it's decided." Said Amelia. "Let's get you two to fix great uncle Frederic and then we'll expose Vorgan!"
"Then we'll figure out who the other infiltrators are and expose them too." Eri declared.
The group nodded.
Arianna gasped.
Frederic's eyes widen. Could it be that his grandchildren from the future were the ones that cured his illness... poisoning?
They have now just reached the palace.
Stan and Pete however stood sentinel by the entrance. "Ho there! State your business." Stan demanded.
"We wish for an audience with King Eugene and Queen Rapunzel, it concerns the King Father Frederic's health, and his condition." Flynn declared.
"The Queen and King will not be seeing anyone during these trying times, but if it does concern the King Father's health as you say. We will happily relay your message." Pete offered.
"Ok, here goes..." Wrenn took a deep breath and began her explanation.
•••
"AAHH- OOOF!" An airborne Wrenn flew down the stairs and hit the ground. Novak went flying down next, then came Eri, Aidan, Neoma and Flynn.
"WAAH!- OOOF!" Last flew Amelia, landing on the top of the pile.
"You kids need to go back to school!" Berated Pete.
"Other than that, you may want to consider writing fiction novels. You'd make a fortune with your level of imagination." Stan suggested.
"Stan and Pete, we are going to have a word about this!" Eugene growled.
Wrenn burst out from the bottom of the human pile up, throwing everyone else off her.
"Why you. I'll show you fiction!" Wrenn flexed her arms and spread her stance. "Hyaaa-."
But her transformation was cut short. Before anyone could react, Aidan suddenly threw his coat over Wrenn's head and whisked her off her feet.
"Excuse us." Aidan said.
With his arms around the screaming and flailing Wrenn he retreated into the alleyways, the rest of their group followed. A few onlookers watched with confusion.
"What's the big idea!?" A blonde haired Wrenn demanded.
She threw the coat back at her second cousin. Flynn, Amelia, Eri, Novak and Neoma also expected an explanation from Aidan.
"Change of plans. We can't let anyone know who we are or what we're doing." Aidan declared.
"WHAT!?" Was everyone's response.
"Hear me out! We know Vorgan isn't the only infiltrator, in order to save the other kingdoms and by extension, the world. We need to take those infiltrators out too!" Aidan explained
"If we make ourselves known and we expose Vorgan. Word is going to spread like wild fire, it'll reach the other kingdoms and their infiltrators. Our enemies will change strategies and it'll be exponentially harder to track them." Said Aidan.
"We know now what month and what year it is, I'm sure you're all aware. The Storm of Unquiet's is only just over a year away! We don't have time to expose each infiltrator, trial them and execute them in turns. We should just find them and do what we do best." Aidan raised his halberd and slammed the pommel onto the ground.
A deafening silence fell over the group. They knew what this meant, and it weighed heavily on them.
"I know you all want to meet your families, I want to meet mine as well. But we have to put our own wants aside, The Mission Must Come First." Aidan finished.
Everyone remained silent.
Rapunzel felt her heart sink, she already knew she wasn't going to see herself meet her older children. That just wasn't how things went.
"Sunshine?" Eugene placed a hand over his wife's in concern.
"I'm okay Eugene. I just wish circumstances had been different." Rapunzel sighed.
"That's why she didn't tell me." Kristoff also sighed, crestfallen.
Anna squeezed his hand in comfort.
"What. About. My. Grandfather!?" Wrenn growled through gritted teeth.
She stomped towards Aidan with her fists clenched looking ready to sock him in the jaw. She probably was.
"WHOA!" Aidan shot his hands up in supplication and took a step back away from his angry second cousin. "I didn't say 'don't save great uncle Frederic!' I meant save him without anyone knowing."
Wrenn slowly became lucid. Everybody relaxed, a fight was averted. Flynn stole a glance back up the castle then turned to the group again.
"Alright I guess we better plan on how we're gonna sneak in."
"Sneaking into what?" Spoke a gruff voice from behind.
The kingdom's Captain of the Guard eyed the group them with suspicion. Neoma gasped.
Cassandra's eyes widened.
"The townsfolk say they witnessed a kidnaping, care to explain?" The captain demanded.
Aidan gagged while Wrenn groaned. "We were just...goofing around?"
The Captain took note of his suspects and that's when his eyes fell on Wrenn, Flynn and then Neoma.
"Hmm. You three, where have I seen you before?" The Captain asked.
He studied the familiar features of the blonde girl, the brown haired boy and lastly the girl with the raven hair.
"Hmm. If I find your faces so familiar then that can only mean one thing." The Captain's eyes narrowed. "You're TROUBLE MAKERS!"
"What? No!" Amelia responded. "We're... world travellers. Exploring the world and... Writing adventure stories?" Her answer caused Aidan, Eri and Novak to facepalm.
"Right, and why would a group of writers so young be travelling the world alone and so... Heavily armed." The Captain eyed Amelia's shield and sword, Wrenn's chain flail, Flynn's double falchions, Novak's sword and at last his eyes fell on Aidan's exposed halberd.
"Huh. Young man, that is a poorly maintained halberd I've seen weapons in better condition after a demon incursion." The Captain admonished.
"Oh if only that was all we had to deal with." Flynn muttered, Wrenn elbowed him.
"As you mentioned, Captain." Neoma stepped forward to speak face to face with the man. "We seven travel alone and without guardians, so it is necessary for us to be armed." Neoma explained, she spoke maturely. "We even encountered a gang of bandits on our way here."
"Dwayne's gang." The captain muttered "Are you kids alright?"
"We're fine thank you, the seven of us are combat proficient. But we are somewhat lost in this big city, my company and I have never been to Corona... within memory. Can you please show us to an inn and a blacksmith?"
Seeing no reason not to, the Captain lead the seven teens towards an inn and to Xavier's workshop nearby. Flynn and Wrenn took the time to scope the castle walls for weaknesses to exploit.
Neoma however kept pace with the captain, walking beside him rather than behind. They did not speak to one another, but the girl would occasionally steal a glance or two at the captain.
"Rapunzel, is there some connection between Neoma and the Captain?" Elsa asked.
"The Captain is Neoma's grandfather, Cassandra's father." Rapunzel answered with a soft smile.
Neoma close her eyes and drew a deep breath, treasuring this brief moment with her unwitting grandfather into her memory.
"Oh, yes. Now I see." Elsa replied.
The Northuldran Queen spied her cousin's friend a few seats away. Cassandra maintained a stoic expression, but Elsa having spent much of her life concealing her own feelings was able to read through the other woman's facade.
"Well here we are. The City Inn, and over across the road is Xavier's Metal Works." The Captain presented. "I hope you kids enjoy your stay and please, keep out of trouble."
"We will. Thank you, Captain." Neoma bowed. She gazed up at her grandfather one final time.
The Captain seemed slightly taken aback, this girl wasn't trying to act cute or feign innocent to throw him off. She was sincerely smiling at him.
Satisfied that this group of kids would be no trouble, he nodded then turned around and left.
Neoma stood alone while everyone else went to check in at the inn. She watched until the Captain was out of sight, then continued to stare into the streets.
Cassandra released a heavy sigh, her shoulders sank. This wasn't a proper meeting but it was the best Neoma would have with her maternal grandfather. Varian had his arm around his wife.
Elsa came and sat beside her.
"Hey, how are you holding up?" Elsa asked.
"Huh? I'm-I'm okay, thank you Your Majesty." Cassandra replied.
"Please, we're all friends. You can just call me Elsa. You too Varian." Elsa acknowledged Varian as well. "Have you noticed our daughters seem to have similar powers."
The three went into friendly conversation complimenting each other and their girls.
A concerned Flynn and Wrenn slowly approached Neoma. Hers back was turned to them, she was still staring into the distance where the captain had disappeared from sight.
"Hey Neoma, are you alright?" Wrenn asked.
Slowly Neoma turned. Her features were peaceful, as though fulfilled, she smiled at the twins. "Let's save your grandfather now."
•••
"In the brief time our dad was the Captain of the Guards, he and the horse Maximus made some drastic changes in guard training, infrastructure reinforcement and security measures." Flynn stated.
The seven teens crowded around a small table in a small room with only one bed.
"Really, couldn't they rent a bigger room?" Anna blurted out.
"Kinda cramped in here, eh Aidan?" Amelia complained.
"Sorry sis, but we have to conserve what money we thieved from the thieves." Aidan defended.
"Anyway." Flynn resumed. "Our dad used his experience and knowledge as a former super thief to identify all the castle's weak spots and ways to rectify them."
"So in other words?" Eri asked.
"Very difficult to get in." Wrenn answered.
Eugene leaned back on his seat and smiled, feeling proud of himself.
"However there is just one little factor our dad didn't foresee." Wrenn smirked.
Flynn moved to stand beside his twin. "We're the ones breaking in." They both grinned.
Eugene raised his eyebrows, Rapunzel gaped, Frederic and Arianna glanced between their son-in-law and the twins on the screen.
"I see they also take after you, son." Arianna laughed.
•••
"Hrrr." Flynn grunted with exertion as he climbed up a rope.
It was night, the twins are seen a hundred feet above the ground, climbing the side of a palace tower. Flynn was in front and Wrenn was just behind.
"Okay, dad definitely went out of his way to make things difficult for us." Said Wrenn.
The bricks of the tower have been paved over, it's surface now smooth, making it much harder to plant a foot on its sides. Thus the twins had only the ropes to reach the top of the two hundred foot tower.
"Alright we've reached the half way point, it's your turn." Flynn grunted. His grappling hook arrow now right in front of him.
Wrenn from behind nodded. With a little effort the girl raised her lower body above her head and wrapped her legs around Flynn's waist. Firmly secured, Wrenn then let go of the rope, and with her hands free she took out her bow and shot her grappling hooked arrow onto the roof.
The rope from the second hook fell down and the twins moved onto that rope.
"Okay, colour me impressed." Eugene praised. "That's pretty good teamwork."
Frederic sighed. Though they were breaking in to save him. This certainly wasn't the sort of activity he would encourage of his grandchildren.
As they neared the top, Wrenn cast her eyes towards the city and all its candle lit lights.
"Oh I could get use to a view like this." Wrenn sighed.
"Eh, I'm already used to it." Flynn finished.
"Heh, this feels familiar." Eugene chuckled.
The Stabbington Brothers grunted at the memory.
"Hey Flynn, what do you think Angry and Catalina would say to this?" Wrenn asked.
"Oh you know those two. Catalina would usually give out praises and encouragement while Angry would light a torch under us to make us go faster." Flynn grunted. "If she was here, you can bet we'd also have some flaming arrows to deal with."
"Kiera and Catalina taught them how to steal!?" Rapunzel laughed.
"Well that explains how they're so good." Eugene said.
The two were about to reach a window.
"Uh oh, not that one, kids!" Eugene cringed.
"Dammit, this window is painted on!" Wrenn complained.
The audience watch as the twins overcame a myriad of obstacles, several bells and firework alarms were nearly tripped.
It even became apparent that Eugene wasn't above setting booby traps for intruders, one of which even had a skeleton lying on the side!
"EUGENE!?" Rapunzel, Frederic and Arianna exclaimed.
"Oh yeah, that's right, I had meant to dispose of that body. Just kinda got married and became the King that same week so I totally forgot about it." Eugene admitted with a chuckle. "What? No-one could see that skeleton from the ground, and those who do see it are clearly trying to break in. If the skeleton could act as a deterrent then all the better."
Everyone on the table continued to glare at him disapprovingly.
•••
The scene switch to a rider and his horse trotting down the path outside the city towards a small house at the edge of the cliffs.
The rider reached his destination and dismounted.
"Vorgan Gelt!" Growled Rapunzel.
"Vorgan Gelt!" Yelled... Rapunzel?
This caused present day Rapunzel to furrow her brows in confusion. But weirder was still to come.
Stepping out of the shadows was, Future Rapunzel!
"Future Blondie is here!?" Eugene exclaimed. This confusion was shared by everyone.
Even Vorgan was confused. "Your Majesty? Gosh, I knew these last few weeks have been rough on you. BUT DAYUM!" Vorgan almost laughed.
Future Rapunzel narrowed her eyes and approached the man... Or rather a monster posing as a man.
"My face? You should take a look at yours. Like what is with that dot on your head?" Rapunzel raised her hand and pointed at the spot between his eyes.
"What do-."
Before he could finish, before he could react, Future Rapunzel's finger shot forward, spearing Vorgan between the eyes. The sharp ice nail drove through his head and burst out the other side.
The audience all yelped in horror and shock. NO ONE saw that coming!
But the thing posing as Vorgan did not fall, it screeched and clawed at its attacker. It's wails were unnatural and it's form slowly morphed and became a dark contorted, anamorphic horror.
"NOW!" The non-Rapunzel yelled.
Suddenly Aidan, Amelia and Novak rushed out of the bushes. Aidan thrust his Halberd into the Unquiet's back while Amelia and Novak drove their swords into its sides. The four teens held tight as the Unquiet made its final death throes.
But just when they thought it was over, the Unquiet's horse made a bone chilling roar and lunged at Aidan from behind. It's hooves morphed into bird like talons and it's teeth became a forest of razors. The second Unquiet latched it's claws onto Aidan's shoulders and reared its head, ready for the kill.
But just before it could bite off the boy's head-.
A large black rock peek burst out of the ground, skewering the beast and lifting it off of Aidan. A blue haired Neoma stepped out of the shadows to join the group.
"I owe you one." A relieved Aidan thanked.
Both Kristoff and Anna sank back onto their seats, feeling a bit faint. Rapunzel and Willow slowly fanning them both.
Having both been slain, the bodies of the Unquiets started to bubble and fizzle away.
"Dont let them return to the Realm of Darkness!" Amelia yelled. "Freeze them both, Eri!."
The non-Rapunzel quickly shot a stream of ice magic encasing the two dying Unquiets in a block of ice. Then non-Rapunzel herself, changed shape and reassumed her default form as Eri.
"Wow! Elsa, I didn't know Eri could imitate other people." Varian said, full of amazement.
"I can't say I knew that either." Elsa replied.
"Maybe our girl's abilities aren't so alike after all." Cassandra said.
Neoma covered the ice block with black rocks, then Eri covered it with ice again. Neoma and Eri took turns reinforcing the prison. Red fear rock, then ice, then black rock again but this time yellow liquid was splashed on top turning it into amber rock. Then ice then black rock, then ice again.
"Okay that's more than enough. Sheesh!" Novak exclaimed.
"Wow, nothing's getting in or out of that, not for a bajillian years!" Amelia laughed.
Eri and Neoma also laughed. The two waved their hands and a set of peeks launched the block over the cliff.
"Okay, maybe our powers are alike." Cassandra deferred.
Elsa raised her eyebrows. Cassandra had said 'our' not 'their.'
"Well done girls. Now let's tear that house apart and see what we can dig up." Aidan suggested. And the five teens raided the property and surroundings.
•••
Flynn and Wrenn snuck through the castle's upper hallways towards the royal chambers, not unscathed though. Both brother and sister sported scrapes, bruises, burns, an arrow in Flynn's back and VERY annoyed looks.
"Well would you look at that. Those two actually made made it inside!" Eugene laughed.
Rapunzel frowned at her husband. Frederic and Arianna frowned at him too.
It was obvious from the start that the twins would succeed. Frederic wouldn't be here after all, had they failed. But the fact that Flynn and Wrenn had to risk life and limb to sneak in while their own father had incidentally made the task all the more arduous. It brought a boat load of guilt on Rapunzel, Arianna and especially Frederic.
"Hey, hey. I was praising them." Eugene defended.
Arianna places her hand on Frederic's as they resumed watching. The twins have just reached their bedroom door.
Ever so gently did Flynn shut the door behind him. Wrenn however was frozen on the spot, nearly causing Flynn to bump into her as he turned.
The boy was about to question his sister but then he saw why.
The mood in the audience suddenly changed. Becoming very serious.
Frederic was lying asleep on his and Arianna's bed but his sleep was far from rejuvenating. Frederic's skin was deathly pale, dark rings spotted his closed eyes and he looked emaciated. Worst of all was his breathing, each precious breath Frederic took was a great struggle.
Flynn and Wrenn, two post apocalypse survivors who have witnessed countless deaths, were both frozen in shock by the state of their grandfather.
Frederic was at death's door.
Arianna buried her head into Frederic's shoulder, she could not bare to see her husband again in such a state.
Frederic pulled his wife in and the couple embraced. Frederic could hardly recognise himself, as humbling as the experience was, he never imagined what he looked like from the opposite side. What everyone had to see.
"Oh, Uncle Frederic!" Anna whimpered. The Arendellian queen covered her mouth.
"Uncle Frederic." Elsa whispered.
There was another occupant in the room.
Arianna was asleep in the room too, but rather than lying beside Frederic, Arianna had fallen asleep kneeling at the bedside holding Frederic's left hand. Her eyes and cheeks were puffed. Arianna had cried herself to sleep while praying for her husband. This was truly a most heartbreaking scene.
"I am so sorry you had to go through that, dear." Frederic apologized. His wife still held onto him.
"Are you alright, Blondie?" Eugene asked. Rapunzel in his arms nodded.
"I'm fine Eugene. It's just hard to relive this. I remember how powerless I felt, no longer having the power to save dad." Rapunzel sniffed. "But Flynn and Wrenn now have the power and they didn't let dad die."
Rapunzel smiled.
Flynn made his way towards his grandparents, but Wrenn stopped him.
"I want to do it." She whispered.
Her brother nodded, and stepped aside for her.
Ever so quietly, Wrenn climbed onto the large king sized bed. She knelt on the sheets, positioning herself beside her grandfather.
Flynn meanwhile stood beside their sleeping grandmother.
Wrenn gently took Frederic's right hand in both of hers. Then with a low humm, the brunette's hair levitated slightly and turned blonde. The Sundrop's glowing healing magic travelled into Frederic's palm, up his arm and then circulated throughout the rest of his body.
The town square was completely silent. Everyone held their breath. This was it.
Finally the colour slowly returned on Frederic's features, his heart and lungs regained their strength and his breathing became smooth and regular once more at last.
Frederic had been healed.
Satisfied with her work and heartened by the light grip of her grandfather's hand, Wrenn leaned forward and planted a kiss on Frederic's cheek.
"Goodnight, grandfather." Wrenn whispered.
Flynn followed his sister's example and planted a kiss on Arianna's cheek. "Goodnight, grandmother."
And with that, the twins left their grandparent's room and disappeared into the night.
Frederic placed his fingers on his right cheek.
"Oh Frederic." Arianna cried.
"It was them... my grandchildren... they saved me." Frederic said, not realising he'd been sobbing.
"Ugh, I really don't wanna go through dad's murder obstacle course again, in reverse!" Flynn complained.
"Me neither. Let's just jump out a window." Wrenn suggested.
"Way ahead of you!" Flynn activated his Sundrop powers also.
Without a second thought, he dove out the nearest opened window! Wrenn dove after him!
Everybody gasped.
"That is a three hundred foot drop!" exclaimed Cassandra.
"I told them not to be reckless!" Rapunzel growled.
"Ah, breaking in is easy, breaking out is the hard part." Eugene recited. "Since the twins had to cheat to escape, I'll consider my obstacle course a succes- AHH!"
Eugene shrank back as Rapunzel turned and furiously swatted him into submission.
••• The Next morning •••
"Arianna. Wake up, Arianna." Frederic called. He gently shook his wife. Arianna was still asleep at the bedside.
"Mmmh. Fred?" Arianna's head suddenly sprung up. "Frederic!?"
The sun was up and so was Frederic! He was sitting upright and full of life again. Arianna as though almost afraid he wasn't real, gently placed her hand on Frederic's chest. She whimpered when she finally confirmed her husband was real and healthy.
"FREDERIC!" She lunged at him.
•••
The palace doors swung open, Frederic strode out with his overjoyed wife and daughter clinging on either arm. His son-in-law wheeled a pram with the royal twins.
The amassed crowd cheered upon seeing the King Father again at last alive and well. The joy that spread throughout the streets was euphoric.
It even spread to the audience of Arendelle, all about the town square, people cheered and applauded.
Anna and Elsa cheered and clapped, waving at their uncle and auntie.
Willow whistled and cheered.
Edmund pumped his left fist in the air and cheered.
Cassandra, Varian and the Stabbington Brothers also cheered and clapped.
Lady Caine shrugged. Then smiled and clapped with everyone else.
Kristoff and a chastised Eugene each raised a mug and cheered.
Rapunzel bent down and gave each of her babies a kiss on the head.
An overwhelming wave of happiness washed over Frederic as he relived that beautiful moment.
And more. Up until now, his sudden recovery from the equally sudden illness had been all but a mystery. Now at last the truth has come to light. Yet from this new revelation a tinge of sadness brewed in Frederic's heart.
"What's wrong, dear?" Arianna asked.
"I just wish I could have met the teenage Flynn and Wrenn. I wish I had the chance to thank them, to let them know how happy I am, how much it means to me to have this second chance in life. To be able to spend many more years with my family."
One by one, in front of the cheering crowd, Frederic embraced each of his family members. When at last he reached down to pick up his baby grandchildren, the screen focused on the crowd and zoomed in on two particular attendees.
Future Flynn and Wrenn stood among the crowd. Wrenn clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. Flynn had to try with much effort to contain his emotions. But both watched with huge smiles on their faces.
Arianna placed an assuring hand on her husband's shoulder.
"They know." She said, smiling.
The other teens were present too.
"Hooray!" Amelia cheered. The auburn hair princess then grabbed the brunette princess and pulled her into a crushing hug. Eri joined in, then Neoma too, the four girls laughed in their tight embrace.
Flynn meanwhile was pulled into a headlock by Aidan and given a light jab to the chest. Novak then placed a firm hand on Flynn's shoulder and nodded.
The Heroic Seven allowed themselves to celebrate that day knowing they have made their first big difference on this shining new world.
"Okay. Now this is a happy town." Aidan corrected himself.
The image ended there. The witch deciding it was time for an intermission.
Very quickly a crowd gathered around Frederic. The man received a most welcomed plethora of hugs and messages of relief from every family member.
As soon as Elsa released Frederic, he was almost barrelled over by Anna. 'Gah! Just like Rapunzel.' Thought Frederic.
Others flocked to congratulate the Arendelle and Coronan royal family, even King Trevor came over to give Frederic a rough once in a lifetime hug.
"Splendid, you're still among us Frederic. You and I will be exchanging pranks for many years to come, yet." Trevor laughed.
"Oh joy." Murmured Frederic.
Then Rapunzel led the tiny twins over.
At just under a year old, Little Flynn and Little Wrenn were still walking on wobbly legs. A far cry from the roof jumping twin super thieves.
"Come here you two." Frederic knelt and picked up Flynn and Wrenn. "My brave little heroes."
The twins giggled in their grandfather's arms.
•••
Everyone returned to their seats and the moving picture resumed.
Neoma and Novak are seen parting company with the group and are now walking down the road towards Old Corona.
Varian and Cassandra gasped in delight. Their daughter would be visiting her home town.
But then the couple's heads shot up, they suddenly became fully aware that Novak was headed to Old Corona with Neoma.
"Oh no." Sideburns whispered.
"Huh, what is the matter?" Asked King Marius.
"Novak is going home." Patchy gulped.
They knew what this meant. Slowly and cautiously the Stabbington Brothers, Marius and Mathew turned and stole a glance at Queen Anna and Queen Elsa.
Lady Caine released a sigh, she already knew this was bound happen sooner or later.
"Let's just get this over with."
••••End of Chapter••••
Well I hope everyone enjoyed that one. The kids setting foot on a familiar yet unfamiliarly peaceful world. What their outlook was.
I did mention back in chapter 1 that Frederic had gotten seriously sick and then just as seriously better, and now the truth is out.
Next Chapter;
And speaking of truths. Finally the next chapter will see everyone finding out that Hans is Novak's father, how oh how will this turn out?
Also we will be exploring events that haven't been explained, such as what Cassandra did after the series finale, how Hans and Lady Caine met. And yes how Neoma lost her arm.
And of course what will everyone's reaction will be and what will happen after everyone knows all this.
Stay tuned and thanks for reading.
Next Chapter: Children of New Beginnings