The Heroic Seven

by MaloKen 17

The Frozen and Tangled characters peer into the future and to their horror witnessed the world attacked and decimated by creatures of ultimate darkness. But there are those who would defy this fate. Join Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel and their families as they watch their children from the post apocalyptic future cross the boundaries of time to prevent the Storm of Unquiets.

11. Danger Zones

Greeting everyone :D

First of all. Another great big thank you to ElsaLuver and Soundhunter for their continued support. And also thanks to all those who faved and started following this fanfic. A big welcome to Betaworkshop460, glad there is another writer who writes Hans x Caine fanfics.

Also I posted another new artwork on Deviant Art since my last update just look up theheroicseven and it will be the one with Hans and Lady Caine before and after they married.

I hope you will all continue to enjoy the story.

And here we have Chapter 11. Please enjoy.

Chapter 11

"Uh, so remind me again why we are all dressed up like this!?" Lady Caine growled. The fierce former pirate leader glared down at herself and was visibly annoyed with what she has been made to wear.

A cute frilly magenta dress with elegant grey bows.

"Oh come now, Caine. You look great!" Chirped Rapunzel, bringing a teacup to her lips. Rapunzel herself wore a pink frilly dress.

It was the late afternoon and the town had decided to take an intermission from the viewing of the magical screen. A moment for everyone to stretch their legs, grab a bite and mingle. The families of The Heroic Seven and close friends have gathered to enjoy tea and cake together.

Of course when Rapunzel mischievously suggested they dress for the activity Elsa eagerly obliged, casting her ice magic over the group. And now Lady Caine, Rapunzel, Elsa, Anna and Cassandra all wore matching frilly dress, not dissimilar to the party dresses their daughters wore prior to the party in Iluka.

"Aren't we a bit too old to be playing dress up?" Asked Cassandra in a light purple dress, looking every bit as uncomfortable and annoyed as Lady Caine.

"You are only as old as you feel." Laughed Willow. She and Arianna weren't dressed up like the others but they were having a blast just watching. They were not the only ones.

"I think you look great, Cassie!" Varian laughed, savouring the rare moment of his wife in a cute dress. Cassandra glowered at him.

"I still can't believe our girls had trouble selling these dresses!" Exclaimed Anna. The Arendellian queen wore a turquoise green dress just like Amelia's.

"Oh they'll definitely be selling now." Chuckled Elsa in an ice blue frilly dress. She looked across the street at the retreating form of Ginger. Elsa had given the seamstress a sample dress and no doubt the woman is eager to mass produce Eri's attire.

"The children have made a big impression on everyone." Arianna stated. Placing a hand on her niece's arm.

Elsa cast her gaze around the town and from what she could see of the populace, her aunt was right.

Mattias along with the local guards and some foreign military personnel were discussing fighting styles and weapon applications used by the seven teens. Children ran around the streets whacking each other with sticks and toy weapons, posing as their individual favourite heroes.

Lastly, Elsa saw Melody approach and offer thanks to each of the present children. She watched and chuckled when a smiling Frederic placed Little Wrenn in the girl's arms. It was truly heart warming, as Melody and Frederic both had their lives saved by The Seven.

Eri, Amelia, Aidan, Wrenn, Flynn, Neoma and Novak have made a huge impression on the viewers.

"Thank you so much, you guys!" Cooed Melody. Little Wrenn giggled as the older girl gave her a peck on the forehead. She gave Flynn and Amelia one as well.

A chuckling Kristoff hoist up little Aidan, and placed him in Melody's arms.

"Whoa! You're a big one!" The girl laughed under the surprising weight of the oldest member of the team.

"I wish Eri, Neoma and Novak were here too." Melody sighed.

Anna heard the half mermaid and immediately pondered on the matter at hand, particularly with Novak and by extension, Hans.

Hans. For six years that name was a curse on her lips . She had been so mad at him and wanted to stay mad at him... But now?

Would that she and Elsa will meet Hans again, they are after all tied in together now, their paths once again destined to cross with the assembling of their heroic children.

Anna both dreaded it and yearned for it. Though she was still mad at Hans, the strange thing is... she doesn't want to be mad at him anymore. In fact Anna wanted nothing more than to make peace with Hans and put that past behind them.

"You know, I once heard a story about a far eastern monk who could absorb energy just from staring intently at food." Lady Caine said to Anna, breaking the queen from her thoughts.

Anna turned her head to face the former pirate leader who grinned at her.

"Is that what you've been attempting?" Lady Caine laughed.

Anna looked down and indeed she was staring at the cake. "Hah, I didn't even realise it!" She laughed and gobbled it up.

"Lady Caine?" Asked Anna.

"Just Caine." Lady Caine responded. And Anna smiled.

"Ok Caine, just call me Anna. I just wanted to ask you, what do you do for fun?" Anna asked.

Lady Caine's brows perked, this was a surprise for her. She blinked a few times before answering.

"Well. When I'm not working or looking after Novak I like to go out for a drink, hit the shooting range or beat up the kingdom guards... on the training grounds of course." Lady Caine smiled upon dwelling on her favourite activities. "Be it with training swords or fists I clobber them all with equal ease. The only people that can give me a real challenge is Cassandra and maybe Nash occasionally."

Anna smiled widely, she like how fondly Caine reflects on her life. That alone speaks well of how happily Caine is living, a life with Hans. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to meet Hans after all.

"Do you and Hans often spar with one another?" Asked Anna, her interest peaked.

"Only behind closed doors, just so 'Hans' could use his Southern Isle fighting style without anyone noticing. I guess we won't need to hide anymore." Lady Caine explained, deciding to switch to her husband's real name.

"You are both so good with swords. With two masters to train him it's no wonder Novak is so good." Anna smiled. "Mattias tried to teach Kristoff and I a few times but we're just hopeless."

Anna chuckled at the memories. She never doubt that Kristoff and her can hold their own in a fight, they just lack that grace and finesse that most nobles exhibit when wielding a sword.

"What else do you and Hans like doing?"

•••

With warm smiles Elsa, Rapunzel and Cassandra watched the two women engage in cheery conversation. It was a most unlikely friendship and they were pleasantly surprised with how well Anna and Caine were getting along.

The day was about to get a lot more interesting.

But first.

•••

It was a quiet sunny day in the beautiful undisturbed lush country side. Birds sang, animals grazed, nature at its most peaceful outside of human contact.

That is until...

"Siege Giraffe Formation!" Yelled Aidan.

The seven teens were seen on the fields moving rapidly and purposefully. Their dirigible was parked a safe distance away.

Aidan, Amelia, Eri, Flynn, Wrenn, Neoma and Novak scrambled into action.

Neoma raised a tall three storied black rock tower, splitting the earth, uprooting grass and raising dirt.

The seven teens jumped into the indestructible tower.

"What are they doing?" Anna wondered.

Kristoff shrugged his shoulders.

Elsa observed the teens and found them to be serious and stone faced in their conduct. This was battle mode for the seven. But...

"It doesn't look like there is an enemy for them to attack." Rapunzel noted.

Flynn and Wrenn took up position at the second and third level of the tower, using their Sundrop powers as torches to shine light on the enemy. Amelia took the roof, fire lit her Keyblade and she readied her weapon like a turret on a battlement. Lastly Eri blanketed the surrounding grounds with snow to bog down any would be attacker, then took up position at the middle with Flynn. Her ice magic ready to unleash hails of frozen shards.

Aidan and Novak stood outside the tower with their sword and halberd drawn, ready to engage in close quarters should the enemy enter melee range of the tower.

Cassandra narrowed her eyes as she concluded a tall, unbreakable tower with many points of attack. Though still no sign of an enemy.

"Destroy!" ordered Aidan.

Amelia and Eri opened fired. Flynn and Wrenn joined, launching bursts of light magic. The enemy...

"A cliff side?" Rapunzel asked.

The firing ceased and the smoke cleared.

"Alright. Well done, people." Aidan praised. "This would work great against single large target enemies."

"Wait, they were just doing a drill?" Anna asked.

Everybody hopped out and the tower collapsed.

"So why exactly have we started doing these Formation drills again?" Asked Eri.

The audience were wondering the same thing.

"We need to better our teamwork in order to maximise our combat effectiveness." Said Neoma.

"You don't think we're fighting good enough?" Asked Wrenn, her hands on her hips.

"It's not that, Wrenn. It's just that there is always room to improve and evolve." Explained Novak, reciting a quote from his mother.

"Yeah, you two weren't there at Orihalia when fought the sea infiltrator." Said Amelia. "The fight was pretty messy, and we totally trashed Krakadan's palace." She laughed.

"Let's not forget we had two-. No, three near team kills." Flynn added.

"That's why I've spent the last few days drawing up these battle formations." Aidan explained. "So we might better work as a team, more destructive to the enemy, safer for us and less effort required."

Wrenn shrugged, Eri nodded. It seems everyone was in agreement.

Cassandra smiled and nodded approvingly. She tapped her husband on the shoulder to get his attention.

"You know, Varian?" Whispered Cassandra. "Aidan may be immature at times, but he's pretty smart."

Varian appeared confused by his wife.

"Yeah, I gues-. ACK!" Varian suddenly gagged. He stole stole a quick glance at Kristoff and was relieved find him obliviously focussed on watching the movie. He turned back to stare at his wife.

"Great." Aidan cheered. "Now let's try something that'll work great on a group of attackers. MAN MOWER FORMATION!"

The group formed a defensive battle line.

Neoma raised a her black rocks, forming some large construct.

"Hey Varian." Cassandra squinted her eyes. "Doesn't that look an awful lot like that 'lawn mower' you built?"

Varian spun at the screen. "It does!"

"You mean that cog worked push trolley you use to cut grass?" Lady Caine asked.

"The one that nearly took off Quirin's big toe?" Rapunzel gasped.

The rest of the people at the table looked at Varian with surprise and horror.

"That was an early design, I have since installed a blade guard for protection." Varian clarified. "I can assure everyone that my lawn mower is completely safe and excellent in its application for cutting simply grass with minimal effort and skill from the operator."

"But instead of grass, we will be mowing people!" Neoma smiled. "And I removed the blade guard."

The look on Varian's face was palpable.

"Ready Eri?" Asked Neoma.

"Ready." Cheered Eri.

Both Eri and Neoma held up their hands, and with a small exertion of effort the two girls telekinetically made the row of ice and black rockpropellor blades spin.

"Wooh! Wouldn't want to get close to the kids with that spinning in front of them!" Anna laughed.

But little did Anna know. The victims would have no say in that matter.

"The rest of us push." Aidan declared.

And they did.Aidan, Amelia, Novak, Flynn and Wrenn went behind the large contraption and pushed.The construct wheeled into the array of makeshift straw men set up for the test.

"WOOH!" The seven teens whooped. Billows of straw flew all over them.

"That's pretty horrendous!" Exclaimed Eugene.

The others nodded.

"You all know. Instead of grass, the kids will be be covered in blood and guts when they try this for real. Right?" Asked Lady Caine. She was amused with the reactions when she saw everyone else pale at the thought.

Rapunzel, Arianna and Willow passed one another a worried look. Anna and Elsa cringed. Frederic, Edmund, Eugene, Kristoff and Varian frowned.

Cassandra just rolled her eyes at her friend. "Really, Caine?"

The audience continued to watch the kids practice more bizarre, shocking and... well surprisingly effect battle formations. Many of them quite bloody in theory. The thought was enough to turn a few stomachs.

None of it seemed to bother the teens however.

"Ok, who's hungry!?" Yelled Wrenn. She presented the group with a large picnic basket with a rather large assortment of food.

Everyone began to salivate.

"Courtesy of Jarred and Suzy, Melody and Ascot, and a little batch of sweets from an equally sweet little girl named Cindy." Amelia chirped.

"Aww, that's so nice of them." Eri cooed.

"Let's dig in!" Aidan ordered.

CHOMP NOM SLURP HARMPH NOM CHOMP.

Like a pack of wolves tearing at a goat, the seven teenagers savaged their foods.

"Guess it's not just Eri and Wrenn." Anna mumbled.

The parents watched in astonishment as once again they are treated to the unsightly mannerisms or there lack of that their children displayed.

"Oh, this is sooo good!" Flynn moaned, his mouth still full.

"Bless our friends from Iluka." Amelia swallowed, then burped.

"I hope the next place will be just as hospitable." Neoma said, looking at the distant.

•••

No such luck.

"So this is Weasel Town!" Aidan laughed as he read the map.

"It's Weselton." Eri corrected.

"Oh, this place?" Anna groaned, looking disgusted.

Elsa silently rolled her eyes.

"I'll go see if they have an inn." Said Novak. The boy broke company from the group and went on his search.

The rest of the group passed through the outer town, it was an average settlement, not much excitement going on, certainly not as colourful as Iluka or as vibrant as Corona. Everyone carried on with their business rather mechanical in their routine.

"Rather dull." Grumbled Wrenn.

Most of the audience silently agreed. Overall Weselton was an unspectacular, bland duchy on a similarly unassuming patch of green land. Though it did have one impressive feature.

"Wooh, that's a nice wall!" Amelia whistled.

In front of a long line of fine carriages and luxury coaches stood a tall one hundred foot brick wall surrounded by a deep water filled moat. The huge construct barred the kingdom's inner city, a tower and battlement guard each of the six corners of the hexagonal perimeter.

"I'm sure it came in handy under the all out attack... initially." Neoma observed as they neared the entrance. "Of course a wall is only as good as the guards holding it."

Speaking of which.

"Hold. State your business!" A gate guard demanded . Three other guards defended the drawbridge and the iron portcullis.

"Umm, we're just here for sight seeing?" Amelia answered.

The guards did not look amused.

"This part of the city is off limits to peasants and low born peons. Visitors are unwelcome!" Was the not so welcoming answer of the guard.

"Insolence!" Cursed Edmund.

"Those buffoons have no idea who they just disrespected!" Frederic growled.

The others agreed.

"Well there goes our quiet way in." Eri grumbled, her hands on her hips.

"No biggie, we'll just have to find an even quieter way in." Flynn suggested.

The super thief already turning to examine the wall and any weaknesses to exploit. His sister joined him.

The group prepared to leave when suddenly.

"AAH! IT'S THEM!" A woman screamed.

The group and the guards turned around and saw a teenage girl running towards them. She was finely dressed and unmodestly laden with expensive jewellery.

"They were in Iluka, they used magic to put out a fire!" The girl exclaimed with a raised finger at the group.

"Ah, someone who recognises a star when they see one." Amelia grinned.

"Maybe our celebrity status will get us inside." Aidan laughed.

Unfortunately though.

"Oh no." Groaned Elsa.

"Weselton folk hate magic!" Anna cringed.

And the proof was in the pudding, as the the audience watch the sudden show of hostility from the guards.

The teens suddenly found themselves surrounded by swords and spears menacingly aimed at them.

"What is the meaning of this!?" Neoma demanded.

"For the crime of using magic, possessing magic and associating with people possessing magic, you are here by under arrest!" The guard captain declared.

Elsa growled. The guard captain was Francis, one of the two soldiers that accompanied The Duke during her coronation. Who tried to kill her!

"Soldiers of Weselton, take them to the castle dungeons, DEAD OR ALIVE!" Francis ordered.

A contingent of guards twenty strong began their advance while the group all drew their weapons in response.

"The Duke will know how to deal with you!" Said Francis.

Mass frowns spread quickly around the town, the parents of course were especially unhappy with the situation playing out.

"Ooh. If that old turkey harms a hair on our kids, I'll roast him on a spit!" Anna threatened.

"They'll be fine, honey." Kristoff comforted. "It's the guards we should be worried for."

"Hold it, hold it!" Aidan raised his hands brokering a ceasefire. He turned square towards the guard captain and raise a finger at him. "Did you just say: 'Take them to the castle dungeons.' ?"

Francis blinked. "Yes... I did say that."

"Well then." Aidan grinned. "Everyone drop em."

The rest of the group looked at one another, for a short moment they appeared confused. But quickly enough they all threw down their weapons as per Aidan's order.

•••

"This is your bright idea!?" Wrenn complained.

In shackles they were as the group was escorted through the inner city streets.

"Hey, we're inside. That's what matters." Aidan replied, he never dropped his goofy grin all the while under arrest.

The armed escort lead them to the palace dungeons.

The screen paused.

"Well. I believe we are due for an intermission." Grinned the witch.

"What!? But we just had one not twenty minutes ago!" Exclaimed Rapunzel. Her confusion was widely shared.

"Oh, las. Would you not give this old lady a moment more to rest? Maintaining this screen is rather draining you know." The witch feigned fatigue.

"Oooh, I hate cliff hangers!" Anna complained.

•••

And so, the town resumed their break from the movie, many opt to have an early dinner while they waited.

Anna, Rapunzel, Elsa and their families and friends pleasantly conversed while they waited for their meals to arrive. But it was not the wait staff that came to them.

"Your majesty!" Kai, the steward of Arendelle rushed to the royal family with much urgency.

"What is it, Kai?" Asked Anna, surprised.

Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf also stared at the plump steward. The man looked like he just ran a mile... or in Kai's case, it was probably just a few paces.

"A... dirigible... pilot... from Corona... has landed." Kai huffed between breaths.

Cassandra, Varian, the Stabbington Brothers and Lady Caine passed one another a know glance. There was only one pilot left!

"He says there is an emergency in Old Corona!" Cried Kai, finally able to speak a full sentence.

"Oh no!" Gasped Rapunzel, a mask of horror blighted her radiant cheery features. Her worst fears have come.

•••

"Really. I only need to quickly speak with Engineer Master Varian, get some info and I'll be on my way." Suggested the pilot. He still wore his flight helmet and goggles. "There is absolutely no need to trouble the queen of Arendelle!"

But the kingdom guards were insistent they not only inform Varian, but Rapunzel and Anna as well. Much to Nash's dismay.

"Mister Stabbington. If it is an emergency as you say. Then surely Queen Rapunzel should be informed. And as this is happening in Arendelle's sister kingdom, Queen Anna should know about it too." Mattias declared, making no attempt to hide the state of emergency from the conversing crowd.

Before Nash could protest, a loud screechy cry silenced the streets. Rapunzel barrelled past the Arendellian guards and seized Nash by the collar.

"What's going on, Nash? What is the emergency!?" Rapunzel cried. Frantically shaking the man, surprising more than a few spectators with her burst of strength. She continued to shake Nash to the point when he became a blur! "Gosh darn it, Hans! ARE WE UNDER ATTACK!?"

Hans immediately brought his hands up to disentangle himself from the panicking queen's grip.

"Whoa! Do not call me that! Especially in this place of all places!" Hans exclaimed. He was flabbergasted that Rapunzel even knew of his real name.

"Just answer the damn question!" Lady Caine demanded. "The whole town already knows it's you!"

The rest of the group arrived with her. Hans could only balk at the sight of his fiery wife in a frilly magenta dress, something he didn't normally expect to see her in. Then there were the two people he thought he'd never see again, Anna and Elsa.

The Arendellian queen stopped abruptly a good fifteen feet from the pilot, the Northuldran queen took up position beside her. Both sisters stared at him with wide troubled eyes.

For a long moment Hans just stared at the group, specifically at Anna and Elsa. It wasn't until Rapunzel impatiently cleared her throat did he finally shake himself from the trance.

"What, oh.. no we are not under attack." Hans quickly confirmed. "One of the boilers in Old Corona has been shaking violently and oozing green slime."

"Oh!" Everyone simultaneously sighed, relieved it wasn't what they had feared. It was still much too early for The Storm of Unquiet.

But then Varian's head jerked up. "Actually the boiler situation is still pretty serious!" He warned.

"Will it explode?" Eugene asked, casually.

"Not just the usual annoying explosions, these newer boilers may very well level a few blocks." Warned Varian.

"Tell me how to fix it!" Hans demanded.

"Easy. Just turn it off, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on again..."

Everyone was silent. They all stared wide eyed at Varian.

"...That's it?" Asked Kristoff.

"Yeah. That'll do it." Varian shrugged. "Universal remedy to all technical problems."

"Great. I'll return right away to tell Quirin." Not wasting another second, Hans spun on his heels to make for his balloon. The flight to Arendelle took almost three hours and the return trip will likely take just as long. He wasn't looking forward to the long trip especially without rest, but this was an emergency after all and he wasn't keen on lingering in Arendelle any longer than necessary.

"WAIT!" Cried Anna, taking a step forward with her hand outstretched.

Hans paused, confused. It was not the command that stayed his feet, but the pleading tone in Anna's cry.

"I have a way to deliver the message faster." Said Elsa.

With a note pad and a portable quil and ink, Elsa hastily scribbled the clear instructions for restarting the boilers as stated by Varian.

"Here, Gale."

Elsa held up the note and the paper was whisked into air by an unseen force. The rest of the group watched in astonishment as the air spirit answered Elsa's call.

"Take this note to Quirin, the headman of Old Corona. And please hurry, lives may very well be at stake!." Elsa instructed, she then turned to the fountain. "Nokk. Go with Gale."

A loud splash and an explosion of water erupting from the town fountain, the water spirit vaulted onto the streets. All watched in astonishment as the magnificent water horse galloped after the airborne paper note.

"Gale and Nokk are swift. They will reach Old Corona within two hours." Declared Elsa.

"Faster than our fastest balloon, that's another point for magic " Cassandra snickered and Varian grumbled.

But the husband and wife quickly turned staunched face again. There was no longer an excuse for their friend to run. Hans was here now and he must face the music.

Elsa turned away from the distancing forms of Gale and Nokk. She moved back to stand beside Anna, her sister never took her eyes off of Hans. And now neither can Elsa for she too carried a heavy internal turmoil regarding this man.

Hans in turn stared back at Anna and Elsa, the two sisters whom he had wronged so terribly in the past. So what was to happen now? He knew he was caught, does this mean they also know about Caine, Patchy and Sideburns? He didn't dare risk a glance at his wife or his brothers, the last thing he wanted was to drag his family into trouble with him.

Hans was not certain of his future. But as a person, he knew what he should at least do. The man raised his hands up to his face and slowly did he remove his flight helmet. A few gasps and murmurs echoed in the town square, a small crowd had congregated to watch the drama unfold.

"Hans." Whispered Anna.

Keeping his helmet and his hands to his sides Hans inclined his head and bowed low.

"Queen Anna, and Queen Elsa." He began. "I know that I am not welcomed here, and rightfully so."

Hans drew in a deep breath as he prepared himself. This was it. He raised his head again to look them in the faces.

"I'm sorry." Hans apologized.

Elsa froze. Anna gasped. There was so much remorse in his voice and his eyes.

"I am deeply, deeply sorry for what I did in the past, for what I did to both of you." Hans continued his apology.

It was something he had always wanted to do, needed to do. His wife and his brothers have made their peace with Queen Rapunzel and her family. But Hans was always too afraid to face Anna and Elsa, he often cursed himself for a coward. For the longest time he had tried to escape, tried desperately to bury Hans Westergaard, tried to forget his past. But never really could.

Now here he is finally doing what must be done and with each word he spoke Hans felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

Anna's lips quivered, she too felt a overwhelming wave of relief sweep over her. She never realised how much she simply needed to hear Hans apologize.

Elsa felt the same way. It was well and all to watch Hans from the screen, but in the end she needed to see him in the flesh, to witness him demonstrate that he has indeed changed for the better.

"Please understand, I have only trespassed against you today under the strain of a city wide emergency." Pleaded Hans. He couldn't let himself be arrested, there were people who need him. "So I beg you. Just let me leave in peace. And I promise after today, you will never see me again." He finished, bowing low again.

A frown split Anna's face, hearing those last words made her feel a bit sad. She looked to her sister and saw Elsa nod at her with a smile, it was now their turn to make peace.

"It's alright." Said Anna.

Two words, it was just two words but they hit like a bucket of ice cold water. Hans shot his head up. Elsa chuckled at the reaction. Anna smiled and stepped forward, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"It's all in the past, water under the bridge. The important thing is that you are a better person now, and I don't want to continue any enmity between us." Said Anna. Taking breath, drawing on the wisdom her daughter had displayed with Novak, Hans's son. "Hans. We forgive you."

Hans could only blink in disbelief. Anna released him and Elsa stepped forward. The enthralled crowd continued to watch in silence.

"You may not yet know about it. But there are bigger things happening than you, me and Anna." Said Elsa. "Old grievances need to be put aside if we are to overcome the storm ahead."

Hans remained silent and confused, though pleasantly confused. All around them the gathered spectators nodded and smiled at the scene, a couple even applauded.

"Please. Stay." Anna beamed. "We are all watching events unfolding on a magical screen, and you have every right to see it with us!"

And before Hans even had a chance to accept, before he could even fully process that he'd been forgiven, Anna had run off to organise a seat and an extra meal. Elsa giggled and followed Anna.

"Ah, what? I-." Stammered Hans.

Kristoff chuckled and slapped him on the shoulder before walking off to join his wife and sister-in-law.

"I LOVE WARM HUGS!" Olaf cheered and pounced on Hans. And after a brief squeeze, Olaf let go to join Kristoff.

Cassandra and Varian smiled and nodded at Hans, as did Patchy and Sideburns.

"Looks like you've been exonerated, Hans." Laughed Eugene, slapping Hans on the back while Rapunzel moved in to also give Hans a warm hug.

Whether Hans even perceived the contacts was another matter entirely, he was just so stunned. However a familiar figure that came into the path of his vision suddenly tore him from his shock.

"King Marius." Hans growled.

For here standing before Hans was Marius Westergaard, the man who he once called father. Who snubbed him, loathed him, who cast him out... rightfully so, perhaps, but not the other things! The man who rued his very existence from the day of his birth.

A thousand and one curses threatened to spill out from Hans's lips, were it not the years of his new life teaching him calmness and humility, they probably would have. And so Hans strove to be the bigger man, to contain his verbal assault, though it did little to calm the cauldron of bile boiling in his gut.

"It is good to see you, son." Said Marius, greeting Hans with a proud smile and a pat on the shoulder.

Hans suddenly nearly choked on his bile, did his father just give him a smile and a warm welcome!? And more. Matthew, his oldest brother who for the longest time pretended he never existed offered him a nod and a smile also!

Both men turned and left in good terms with Hans, that was a first. Hans could only gawk at the two retreating men, could this day get any weirder? He didn't have to wait long to find out.

Finally Lady Caine approached him. Hans now stared at his wife. Caine, his big, mean, 'Pirate Queen' was gowned in a cute magenta frilly dress. But what really caught Hans off guard was her expression, she was hard like stone but there was a well concealed turbulence of emotion that only Hans could see. 'Has she been crying?'

"Caine?" Whispered Hans, worriedly.

Lady Caine did not reply, she merely took a step forward to stand in front of him. For a long, drawn, agonising few seconds she remained still... dangerously still. At last, slowly Lady Caine bent forward and rested her forehead on his chest.

"Alright. What is going on!?"

Hans was freaking out. Caine never shows affection in public, sure she hasn't put her arms around him but this was still way too much coming from her. He looked to his two brothers for answers.

"It's a long story." Sideburns warned.

"And a what a story." Patchy added. Both brothers turning to the inactive magical screen.

Hans looked down at his wife with growing concern, she was still wordlessly resting her forehead on his chest.

"Hmm." An idea crossed Hans's mind, a not so clinically advised idea. "I wonder..." Cautiously Hans dared to slowly move his arms up, the appendages brushed against Caine's hips and slowly began to circle her slim waist and back.

This provoked a dangerous feral growl to bubble up in Caine's throat and Hans immediately shot his hands back down to his sides.

"Phew." Hans sighed in relief. "There's the Caine I love."

Rapunzel, Eugene, Varian, Cassandra and the Stabbington Brothers all laughed. Hans himself started laughing.

"Wow. Anna and Elsa forgiving me, my father happy to see me, Caine displaying affection in public?" The list went on. "The World must be about to end."

"NEVER!" Caine and everyone within earshot suddenly snapped.

•••

After the evening meals and a vague mind boggling overview was given to Hans. The witch decided to finally continue the viewing.

SLAM!

The iron barred door closed with a crash, trapping the six prisoners within.

"So which one is Novak?" Asked Hans, sounding very anxious. Though he already knew the answer.

"None of them are. Novak was booking a room at an inn when the rest of the group got arrested." Said Sideburns.

Hans frowned. He wasn't completely sold when his family and friends imparted with him on the story, that their seven teenage children from the post-apocalyptic future travelled back in time to save the world. And now seeing six delinquents behind bars definitely didn't help convince him either.

"The Duke will deal with you six after he's finished with the conference. Just my luck. I have to baby sit you!" Francis grumbled. Pulling out a chair to lounge on.

"So. Guard." Flynn called out conversationally. "Have you noticed anything odd lately?"

"Odd?" Asked Francis.

"Yeah, you know. Anything out of the ordinary?" Suggested Eri, probing for information.

As each teen had a say. Eugene, Varian, and the Stabbington Brothers listed the names and identities, much to Hans's fascination.

"Any incidents that seem to debilitate the duchy?" Asked Wrenn.

"I see Flynn and Wrenn maintain identical features well into their teenage years." Hans commented.

"Oh, they've put that trait to very good use." Laughed Rapunzel, causing Eugene to frown.

"Any known people acting out of character?" Asked Neoma.

"That's Neoma!?" Hans gasped. A great wave of shock and sadness swept over him. "I see. She really did lose an arm."

"Unexplained disappearances?" Asked Amelia.

"Sightings of monsters?" Asked Aidan.

The guard's head perked up. "Actually..."

•••

The Grand Hall of The Duke's castle was abuzz. Governors, Counts, Marquises, Barons and all sorts of highly esteemed leaders arrived for the conference with The Duke.

"Pss. Get a load of that count and countess. It's like looking at a tomato and a celery stick." One of the guards whispered.

The second guard chuckled, then pointed at another character of interest. "Hey how about that baroness. Sweet!"

"What is going on here!?" The guard captain approached the two and demanded.

Elsa frowned. This time it was Erik, the other guard who tried to kill her.

"Nothing, sir. Just monitoring the guests." The first guard answered.

Erik did not look amused. "Well, stick to it! Remember to keep an eye out for a boy with dark auburn hair. The guards outside the walls have yet to find the seventh suspect, he could well have wormed his way in here. Now stick to it!" Instructed Erik.

The two lower class guards quickly excused themselves and marched off to conduct their watch elsewhere.

"Incompetent oafs." Grumbled Erik.

The elite guard cast his sights to the palace entrance to the abundance of guests arriving, and immediately something caught his eye.

"You. Hold it right there!" Erik hollered.

He stormed towards a young man with auburn hair. Erik very roughly took the man by the shirt and jerked him in a not so dignified manner, causing gasps of shock and outrage among the many noble arrivals.

"That's not him." Hans frowned.

"Definitely not Novak!" Lady Caine confirmed.

"Excuse me. What do you think you are doing!?" The young man's date shrieked.

"Run along, missy! I have a few words to discuss with your date." Erik barked without even bothering to look at the young lady, he continued to heckle his victim. "Thought you could just throw on a nice suit and sneak in, did you? You must think I'm pretty dumb."

The young woman rolled her eyes and walked off into the hall, leaving the young man while Erik made a scene.

"Just be grateful you didn't have to deal with that here, when your identity was exposed." Varian joked.

"Oh I was honestly expecting much worse." Hans chuckled. "Somewhere between the gallows or a bonfire- ACK!."

Hans winced when he felt Caine's fingers tighten around his hand with bone grinding strength. His wife clearly did not see the humour in that joke.

"Urgh. But of course that will never happen. With my Caine here, they'll get me over a mountain of dead bodies." Hans smiled feeling Caine's grip soften.

Hans made a small chuckle, he could only imagine what Caine would do if the Arendellian guards had tried to arrest him. If they try to take him away from her child, there would be a blood bath!

Lady Caine made a silent giggle. Her husband always knew what to say. They discreetly held hands under the table, Caine could feel Hans gently brush the top of her hand with his fingers, a gesture of comfort.

The magic screen continued playing. Still focussing on the classy party in the palace halls, with particular interest in the same young lady from earlier.

"Huh, that's strange." Said Eugene. "Why is there so much focus on missy?"

The same question was on many people's minds.

The young woman was dressed like all the other noble women, she was gowned in a thick Victorian dress, her face caked in makeup and she wore a tall coiffure wig on her head.

"...No WAY!" Lady Caine's eyes bulged into saucers! Her mouth also fell open.

"Hmm? What's the matter, Caine?" Asked Hans.

"Ummm..."

Missy walked past a dessert tray and casually plucked a fruit tart with her not so dainty fingers. She brought the delicious dessert up to her lips... But then-.

To the surprise of the audience-.

CHOMP!

Instead of taking a small graceful bite like a proper lady, missy opened her mouth wide, unabashedly baring all her teeth! She chowed down the tart like an animal, loudly slurping as she did. The tart was mashed and swallowed in three bites, earning a few odd looks from the other guests.

"Wait. Is that-." Patchy began to ask but Sideburns was quick to clamp a hand over his mouth and shush him.

"Oh my gosh it's N-mmph-"

Anna's hypothesis too didnt get far either, as Rapunzel and Elsa promptly clasped their hands over her mouth. Both Elsa and Rapunzel grinned at one another, casting a glance at the totally oblivious Hans. Anna finally caught on and giggled under their hands.

"Do you think Hans has any idea?" Whispered Eugene.

"Ha. No chance." Kristoff chuckled.

Really the man in question had no clue what was going on he just wrinked his nose at the 'lady's' surprisingly atrocious mannerism. That would soon be the least of the surprises.

Now, missy is seen walking down a stone walled corridor, clearly a sub level of the palace above. She bit into a ripe red apple as she approached a trio of guards.

"Hello, can anyone help?" Called out missy. "Oh silly me, I must have taken the wrong turn somewhere."

"Get ready for a show." Caine whispered to her husband.

Hans noticed his wife had formed a wicked grin of excitement on her face.

"I'll be happy to help you, ma'am." One of them stepped forward to offer assistance.

"Oh, you are too... kind." Said Novak, he suddenly reverted back to his natural voice.

With his hand an inch from the confused guard's chest, the disguised warrior sharply turned his hips and straightened his arm, driving his fist square into the first guard's diaphragm. The force of the One-Inch-Punch threw the first guard backwards, crashing into the second guard, sending them both tumbling to the cobblestone.

On instinct the third guard reached for his sword. But before he could draw the weapon fully from its scabbard, Novak's foot shot out and struck the weapon's pommel, re-sheathing the sword. A fist to the face and the third guard was out cold.

The second guard, after shoving the winded first guard off tried to call for reinforcements with the use of his emergency bugle trumpet.

Lunging forward, Novak silenced the would be alarm by clogging the trumpet with his half eaten apple. Then he snatch the instrument from the guard's grip and bashed it across the man's face.

"Holy Cow!" Exclaimed Hans. Totally surprised.

Lady Caine continued grinning.

Eugene, Kristoff, Elsa, Anna, Rapunzel, Cassandra, Varian, the Stabbington Brothers and many others within sight stole glances at the former prince. All struggling to contain their giggles.

Novak entered what must be the guard cafeteria. Tables and benches lined the room, but more pressingly perhaps, was the fact that the cafeteria was occupied.

"Hey, lady!" A guard on Novak's right grabbed him by the shoulder.

Novak simply raised his arm up, over the guards hand then around his arm. With a hard thrust forward, Novak popped the arm joint from the guard's shoulder. The guard's screams for his dislocated shoulder were cut short when Novak kicked his feet from under him and slammed him face first onto the table!

"Ooooooh." The crowd grimaced.

"She's good!" Hans exclaimed.

"Hmm, you have no idea." Whispered Lady Caine with a smile.

The other guards sprang into action, some with food still dropping from their mouths.

Hans could only gawk as the mysterious woman proceeded to pummel her way through the guards.

One of the guards thrust his sword forward, but Novak jinked and caught the sword arm by the wrist. Still holding the captured wrist, Novak's foot shot up and struck the guard's elbow, bending the joint the other way!

"Ouch!" Arianna winced.

Another sword wielding guard came at him but this time Novak held weapons of his own. His two heeled slippers in either hand.

As the guard swung the sword downwards, Novak rushed forward with his shoes intercepting the attack at the base of the sword where there would deliver the least kinetic force.

With the two heels locked against the sword, the two combatants pushed against each other, vying for dominance.

Suddenly, Novak parted the shoes and to the shock of the guard the footwear snapped the sword in two!

Before the guard could curse, Novak stuck a heel into his mouth and jerked hard. The guard's head was pulled down and slammed onto a table, an instant knock out.

"Wow. Those are some good shoes!" Anna gaped.

A lot of women nodded in agreement.

Letting out a huff, Novak exited the cafeteria leaving half a dozen guards unconscious or wishing they were unconscious.

But just as he turned a corner-.

"Freeze!"

People gasped.

"Oh no!" Elsa cried.

A guard was standing a few feet from Novak, a pistol pointing at the boy's head!

"Drop... your shoes!" The guard ordered.

Novak complied. The slippers hit the ground in an echo of clatter. But the guard remained cautious.

"Now. Put your hands behind your head and get down on your knees!" He ordered.

Novak obeyed. He slowly placed his hands behind his head as instructed. But suddenly-.

Novak reached deep into his coiffure and in the blink of an eye, a steel fan flashed out and unfolded onto the firearm.

The guard pulled the trigger.

CLICK.

Nothing happened.

"Huh? What's going on!?" Anna impatiently asked.

The guard pulled back the hammer and hit the trigger again, as by design the flint tipped hammer sprang forward. But it never hit the fuse. The sheets of Novak's steel fan had firmly wedged between the two vital components, preventing the weapon from firing!

With a smirk, Novak then made quick work of the guard.

"That is incredible!" Anna praised.

"Hey, Caine." Chirped Rapunzel. "It's amazing what you can hide under those wigs, isn't it?"

Lady Caine burst out laughing.

While his former pirate wife and the queen merrily reminisced on old times, Hans continued to watch the disguised fighter with ever increasing interest.

Novak whipped out another steel fan from under the coiffure and resumed his rampage.

'Huh. Just like Caine.' Thought Hans. In fact-. "Hey Caine, aren't those your combat fans?"

"Hmm?" Lady Caine decided to play coy. "They do look kind of similar."

•••

"So. Is everyone satisfied with the info we've collected?" Flynn asked.

"Not really. But that's about as much as we'll get out of Francis." Eri grumbled.

"Can we get out already? I need to pee soon." Complained Amelia, making a few nervous steps.

"Alright team, I'm calling it. Time to get out of this dump." Aidan declared. Not the least bit concerned that Francis is still sitting at the table no more than twelve feet from their cell, listening to them.

"Keep dreaming." Francis scowled. "Those locks are state of the art."

"Spin the bottle, Flynn." Said Wrenn.

Her brother found an empty wine bottle and spun it on the floor.

"These kids aren't really taking this thing seriously!" Commented Hans.

"No, trust me. Compare to what they've been through. Little Weselton is just a playground to them." Said Varian.

"Looks like it's Neoma!" Chirped Flynn. "Let the demolition work begin!"

"Oh, that is so unlucky for The Duke!" Eugene chuckled.

"Huh, why? What's so bad about Neoma?" Asked Hans

"Neoma is quite possibly the most destructive of all the kids. With her Moonstone powers she could easily mangle the bars as well as half the duchy." Eugene grinned.

Cassandra glowered at Eugene, Rapunzel swatted her husband on the shoulder.

But to the surprise of the audience, Neoma did not activate her powers. She casually made her way to the bars, but instead of going for the lock she went for the hinges. With a pluck and a snag Neoma removed the pins and the door all but fell open, clumsily pivoting on the lock.

"Well, it's not as exciting. But that did the trick." Flynn shrugged.

Neoma smirked at the guard. Though as the screen was positioned straight in front of Neoma, it almost gave the impression that she was smirking at the audience, specifically at Eugene!

"HA!" Cassandra laughed. "You forget, Eugene. My Neoma is also part Varian."

Eugene just lowered his head and muttered a few words about dangerous combinations.

And speaking of combinations.

"Ah. She's beautiful and brainy." Sighed Aidan, dreamingly.

Hans furrowed his eyebrows.

"Is there something going on with those two?" Hans looked from Aidan to Neoma and back.

"No!" Varian snapped, and Kristoff snickered.

"Well there could be. Throughout the viewing, Aidan has been constantly pulling moves on Neoma, and not such bad moves if I might say." Explained Kristoff. He grinned, enjoying the explanation he was giving.

Anna and Elsa blinked. It seemed a bit strange to see Kristoff so freely conversing with Hans, almost as weird as the idea of Kristoff acting the love expert. And yet it also felt right.

"Humph. Well Neoma has been rejecting Aidan's advances all the way." Objected Varian, folding his arms and snubbing curtly. "The boy should take a hint and let her be."

"Ppft. Oh that's rich!" Spluttered Cassandra.

Everyone who knew Varian, laughed.

"If there is one thing I've learnt from Cassandra and Varian's own relationship it's that persistence and genuine devotion pays off in the end." Rapunzel giggled.

Cassandra rolled her eyes, but smiled.

Now it was Varian who sank forward and dropped his head to mutter while everyone else poked fun at him.

Hans could not help but smile at the warming sight of his friends and new friends carrying on, care free in their banter even with him an ex-enemy present.

For years now Varian and Cassandra have been good friends with Hans and Caine, and of course Neoma is also a cherished family friend too, almost like a niece to him. Certainly more so than any of his real nieces or nephews back home.

And so Hans continue to watch the screen but this time with a slightly stern expression when observing Aidan with Neoma.

Francis sat dumbfounded on his seat with a very perturbed look on his face as the six teens casually walked out of their cell. Then the ginger haired girl of the group raced towards him.

"Bathroom. Where!? NOW!" Amelia demanded. Shaking him by the collar.

Francis pointed at the room in the corner, in which Amelia promptly disappeared into.

"Well, that wasn't too difficult." Shrugged Neoma. "Too much focus on the lock, not enough on the rest of the door."

"We'll see ourselves out now, thank you for the reception." Wrenn mocked the guard.

Francis stood in defiance to the six escapees.

"Do not get cocky, you urchins may have me outnumbered. But I am still a captain for a reason!" Francis warned. He levelled his crossbow in a threatening manner.

The guard captain and the remaining five teens entered a tense stand off. For a moment everyone was still, nobody moved. But one of the teens took a step forward and-.

PEW! SLYCH!

Hans gasped in horror, physically recoiling at the gruesome sight. He turned to his wife and brothers but was surprised to see them unfazed. Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and indeed most of the town seemed oddly unconcerned. What's going on?

Without moving her head, Eri looked down, her eyes focused on the crossbow bolt impaling her neck! At first she acted surprised, then her brows furrowed.

"Son of a Bitch!" Cursed Eri. She wasn't so much horrified by an assault as she was annoyed and insulted like someone had just spat on her.

The others quickly moved in on the guard captain.

Not stopping to question why the girl wasn't downed by the shot, Francis expertly drew a new bolt and reloaded the crossbow in record time. He didn't have time to aim, a flash of gold and blue lights from the edge of his vision followed by a shadow told him that one of the teens was upon him. Quickly angling the weapon up Francis let loose the second bolt!

"AHH!" Cried Wrenn. She fell back clutching her stomach and the bolt protruding from her wound.

The third girl came and this time Francis made no attempt to reload the crossbow, he dropped the expended weapon and pulled out his pistol. With a bang he open fired at point blank!

"OOF!" The projectile struck Neoma in the ribs, it shattered against the unbreakable armour in a shower of sparks and hot shrapnel. Neoma was thrown aside by the the force of the impact.

Finally, Flynn leapt over Neoma and landed a flying kick on Francis's chest. The man was knocked back against some dry goods wooden crates. Then an enraged Aidan threw a mighty haymaker, sending Francis bouncing back against the crates.

At last the finisher. Both Flynn and Aidan grabbed Francis by the shoulders, physically lifting the man and smashing him through the crates in a hail of chipped wood. Francis twitched once, then twice, then the guard captain was out like a light.

All was quiet, which was when Amelia finally re-emerged.

"Wooh, what a relief." The girl sighed. "So what did I miss?"

"Seriously?" Hans asked. "Is this girl for real?"

"Secure the area!" Aidan gave the order.

Flynn and Eri obliged, the latter simply shrugged, pulling the deadly crossbow bolt from her neck and went on like nothing happened.

"Wait. How did she just...?" Hans looked around, unsure how to finish his sentence. The girl who was just impaled through the neck, pulled the offending object out like it was a thorn. Or not even, a thorn should at least provoke some reaction of pain. The child of Elsa displayed nothing.

"She's fine, really. Don't worry." Rapunzel answered.

"There are not enough bolts, arrows or bullets in the world to kill Eri." Cassandra laughed.

"Any expedition force that goes after my niece with only swords and crossbows... They go to their deaths." Anna warned.

Hans gulped. He knew what Anna was referring to.

But then.

"Eheheh." Anna started laughing."Hahaha."

Kristoff, Olaf and Elsa joined her, some others within their group laughed too. Slowly Hans made a few cautious chuckles. Perhaps in time they could all enjoy a good laugh together without being awkward. Hans wondered.

Elsa finished laughing and let out a sigh, she was relieved that her daughter has not only her powers but is leagues more durable than her.

And speaking of durable girls.

Neoma wiped away the soot mark, from where the bullet struck her ribs and shattered against her armour. As she did this, however, Aidan approached her. When she felt the boy gently put his hands around her upper arms, she looked up.

"Are you ok, Neoma?" Asked Aidan.

Neoma was caught off guard to find him behaving seriously, he was looking at her with genuine worry and concern in his eyes.

"I. I'm..." Neoma stuttered.

"Is SHE ok!?" Wrenn protested loudly, still with a crossbow bolt stuck in her stomach.

"Pfffft, I already know that you'll be fine, Wrenn." Aidan laughed and waved off his second cousin. Reverting back to his usual goofy manner.

Letting out a grunt of effort and pain, Wrenn ripped the bloodied bolt from her gut. True to Aidan's words the blonde girl's wound glowed yellow and in less than a second later, Wrenn was as good as new. Though it still did little to blunt the Sun Princess's annoyance, nor did it spare Aidan of her wrath.

FDONK!

Everyone winced.

Wrenn stormed away to secure the cell block with the others, Amelia followed.

Neoma chuckled. She approached Aidan who was now squatting down and caressing the large lump on his head.

"Thanks for worrying." Neoma smiled. Gently rubbing the lump.

"Ahh." Aidan sighed, soothed like the lump on his head had also magically healed.

"Oh my. It looks like Neoma is finally warming up to Aidan." Elsa giggled. Happy for her nephew.

Anna let out a squeel of uncontained could not help but chuckle at the sight of the jovial queen of Arendelle, Anna was quite literally bouncing on her seat.

Cassandra caught Anna grinning widely at her and couldn't help but grin back. "He's got her." Cassandra gave Anna the thumbs up.

"Noooo." Varian sobbed. The engineer plopped his head on the table.

"Score one for the Big guy." Chirped Kristoff.

Eugene nodded approvingly while wrapping an arm around Rapunzel.

Hans watched Rapunzel lean into Eugene. He was amazed with how seemingly at ease the couple was at seeing their daughter get shot and then recover just as quickly, considering how baffled he was when he saw it happen. Then there was his first time seeing Eri and Neoma with their powers. Living in Old Corona he had heard stories of the Moonstone of Cassandra, and still he was astonished.

Hans wondered what other surprises were around the corner, he still hadn't seen his son yet.

"You'll never escape." Francis croaked. "There are thirty guards standing between you and the palace halls, you will never reach there with just the six of you!"

BAMM!

As if on answer the entrance door to the cell block crashed open and a prison guard blundered inside, tumbled over the hand rails and collapsed flat on his face in front of the six teens and Francis.

Stepping into the cell block to greet them was someone in a Victorian dress. The strange lady looked down at the group as they stared back.

"...Novak, what are you doing?" Neoma snorted after a brief observation.

"Novak!?" Exclaimed Aidan, Amelia, Flynn, Wrenn and Eri.

"Wait WHAT!?" Hans balked.

"Aw. You spoiled my thunder, Neoma." Novak feigned disappointment. He removed the coiffure wig, revealing his usual slicked-back dark auburn hair.

"HAHHAHAHHA!" Everyone at the table laughed. Namely at the father of the boy.

Hans had the most hilarious face! His mouth was wide open but at an odd angle, his eyes were bulging but his brows were crossed, altogether it was as mentioned a hilarious expression.

"Ah, that look is gold!" Anna spoke in fits of giggles.

Elsa was also giggling. Though she was always more conserved and behaved more regally than her bubbly younger sister. But for this occasion Elsa would let herself loose.

"Huh, so that's how I looked." Eugene nervously chuckled. He was both amused and embarrassed.

"That's our Novak!" Patchy cheered, placing a firm hand on Hans's shoulder. Both Stabbington twins were now on either side of Hans, ruffling him up.

"N. Novak!?" Hans stammered, completely oblivious to his invasive brothers. "That was Novak all along!? But why!?"

"Hey. The city guards were combing the streets looking for a boy with dark auburn hair." Explained Novak. "So... I took a page out of Flynn's book and posed as a girl."

After few seconds of contemplating the rest of the group nodded in agreement.

"Pretty smart." Praised Eri. The master disguiser approves.

"And brave, definitely brave." Added Flynn.

"Wait. So Flynn posed as a girl too?" Questioned Hans, shaking off his brothers.

"Yeah, it was hilarious." Caine laughed.

•••

At the conference room of The Duke's castle, a conclave of leaders and heads of states, all with a common agenda made their rally.

"The threat of the mystical nature must be brought to heel!" Screeched The Duke, in his usual annoying squeaky voice. At the head of a large oak table, he dramatically addressed the gathered like minded leaders.

"Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble!" They all chanted incoherently. Though it appears they do agree with The Duke.

"Its very existence is an affront to the safety and balance to any civilised society. And it is my whole hearted belief that we should be the ones to teach the world why magic cannot be tolerated."

"Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble!"

"Urgh!" Groaned Elsa. Her distain was shared by many.

"Same old Duke of Weasel Town." Kai rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe he actually has friends." Said Kristoff, not at all pleased with the assembly of leaders who hate magic.

"Someone needs to shut that goose up!" Cried Anna.

"ATTENTION PLEASE!"

"Novak Stabbington." Whispered Eugene.

Standing at the entrance of the conference room was none other than Novak. He drew his sword, a straight double edged weapon resplendent in quality befitting royalty. Novak swung the sword over his head and down to the ground announcing himself.

Hans eyes widened as he took in the sight of his son.

Out of the dress and now in his usual black sleeveless shirt, his arms bare, revealing the skull and rose tattoo on his right arm, a gift from his mother. Novak wore black cargo pants, knee pads, combat boots and a long black scarf that reached down to his hips.

"He is more pirate than prince." Remarked Hans, though he certainly wasn't unhappy with the discovery.

"Hmm." Lady Caine smirked.

"Round them up!" Novak ordered.

Coming from all sides. Aidan, Flynn, Wrenn, Amelia, Neoma and Eri burst into the conference room weapons drawn and held over the terrified guests.

"Well this feels familiar." Grumbled Frederic.

"What is the meaning of this!?" The Duke protested in outrage.

"I would imagine one would know a stick-up when they are caught in one." Flynn grinned.

"GUARDS!" Cried The Duke.

"They won't do you any good I'm afraid." Wrenn chimed.

"We have already taken care of them." Giggled Eri.

•••

"Mmmm! Mmmmm!" Francis and Erik made muffled cries as they struggled against their bindings. They have both been tied up back-to-back, with Novak's coiffure covering both of their faces. It was big enough.

All around them in the cell block, the other guards were likewise bound and gagged.

"Impressive." Sideburns smiled.

"Couldn't have done a better job ourselves." Patchy agreed.

"These kids would make a good pirate crew. Certainly more competent than my old one." Lady Caine said in a curtly manner.

While the three former outlaws praised the performance. Hans, Marius and Mathew looked at them with scepticism.

Though to be honest, whatever Novaks disposition, Hans was immediately impressed with the manner his son carried himself. Tall and confident, not with the arrogance that he has so often seen among princes, but with purpose and determination.

That is until.

•••

"Try the fruit tarts, they're seriously out of this world." Novak Suggested.

"Mmmmhmm." Moaned Amelia. Stuffing her mouth. "They're soo good!"

The boy and the girl were fawning the nearby buffet table, gleefully taking their plunder.

"I'm not gonna lie. While I was fighting my way down to rescue you, I was seriously tempted to pause and run back to grab another." Admitted Novak.

"Hey. I would have totally ran back." Amelia laughed.

"Ah. Novak's one weakness." Lady Caine sighed. "Food."

But Hans had other concerns on his mind, something far more distressing. He frantically kept glancing between Novak and Amelia, observing their interactions with wide worried eyes. Hans cast a questioning glance at Caine, then one at Anna and Kristoff.

Caine shrugged.

Anna giggled.

Kristoff violently shook his head, almost a blur.

"Nothing! Zilch! There is absolutely nothing going on between those two!" Kristoff vehemently denied. "They are just sharing their enthusiasm to food. There is no way in hell those two are flirting!"

"Umm. Why are you looking at me like that?" Asked Novak.

Amelia gazed at him with a wide mischievous smile.

"You said 'rescue you' not 'rescue you guys.'"

Novak went a bit red.

Kristoff went a bit white then a bit green.

"Hey you two, quit flirting. We have a job to do." Aidan scolded.

"And leave some food for the rest of us." Wrenn grumbled.

Both Novak and Amelia turned around with full mouths and puffy cheeks. The group entered their usual huddle.

"The guard captain, Francis. He revealed that the infiltrator may be one of the palace staff or one of the attending guests." Stated Aidan.

Novak wrinked his nose. Aidan shot his hands up in a defensive gesture.

"Hey. I know, he told us what we already know. But still, at least we can rule out another alley way fight." Said Aidan.

"Either way, we may as well get on with it. I mean we already have everyone tide up." Sighed Wrenn

"You won't get away with this!" The Duke cried, he was tied to his chair. Like him all the guests and the palace staff have been tide up too. It was quite a funny sight seeing so many squirming on the floor or on chairs.

Anna giggled.

Neoma pulled out seven tubes for the team to see.

"My dad's invention, based after his Rooster warning fireworks alarm." Neoma explained. "Unquiets cannot stand to have one of these flares shone on their faces, so everybody grab a flare and shine it on the faces of The Duke and his guests."

After taking the flares from Neoma. The group of teens proceeded to indignantly drag the frightened victims from their huddling groups and force a flare an inch from their faces.

"Everyone, stay calm." Amelia addressed the hostages, acting cute and non hostile.

"One of you is a shapeshifting... witch in disguise. We're just going to find out who it is and then brutally brutalize them to a brutal death!" Amelia finished still sounding cute.

Everyone sweat dropped.

"So... Just to mentally prepare myself." Hans began. "What exactly do these 'Unquiets' look like?"

"Ugly."

"Claws."

"Fangs."

"Pincers."

"Tentacles."

"Baboon bottoms "

Everybody each gave him their two cents, none of it he looked forward to seeing. Hans hunched down on his seat with grim curiosity.

••• Minutes Later •••

"Excuse me, sir. But did you just say you're the Marquis of Meanville?" Eri politely asked.

"Yes I did." The gangly Marquis nodded.

"The Marquis of Meanville?... The one and only Marquis of Meanville?" Eri asked again and both times the man confirmed his identity.

"Oh. Well nice to meet you." Eri calmly greeted.

KAPOW!

Eri knocked the man unconscious with a viscous punch!.

"Ooow!" The audience winced.

"I saw that coming." Ascot chuckled.

"Wooh! That was for our ambassador." Melody cheered.

Ariel, Eric and Admiral Ludwig glanced at one another. Then shrugged.

At the sudden display of hostility, Aidan, Amelia, Flynn, Neoma and Novak aimed their weapons at the incapacitated man.

"Whoa, whoa. At ease, guys." Eri held her hands out to broker for calm. "He's not the target, he's just a jerk."

Everyone grumbled and went back to scanning their own hostages, who were now more agitated than ever... It was about to get worse.

"This is pure nonsense, it doesn't prove a thing!" The Duke complained.

"We thought you might feel that way." Smirked Aidan as he grabbed another random. "You would be the perfect subject for the Un... uh witch to impersonate, the one it could cause the most damage as. We'll do you last." Aidan declared as he half-mindedly held his flare up to his current hostage.

Nothing happened.

"Hmm... strange." Muttered Aidan. "I thought you would be the one to give me a surprise-."

"BLAAARGH!"

Aidan and everyone spun on the spot to find Novak and the Unquiet transforming in front of him.

Hans blanched, physically recoiling from the sight of the grotesque warping monstrosity.

The screen showed the transformation in close up sparing no detail of the spectacle for the horrified audience. What started as a man suddenly had its face swell up, the sores burst and with a wet snap, it's bones parted and the thing's face split in two!

"Sweet spirits!" Cried Hans.

The Duke's guests and his staff screamed and scrambled to get away from the monster in what way they could. All of them were still tied up and had to hop away on their chairs or slink away like caterpillars.

"AHH! AAH!" The Duke screamed. Incidentally he was the one tied up right next to the Unquiet!

The Thing continued to spaz in its bindings as it bloated up, it's faux fluids oozed from its many orifices. The now useless faux eyes rolled forward and spilled out of their sockets, one landing on The Duke's lap.

The Duke continued to scream and cry his head off.

"AMY!" Yelled Aidan.

"COMING!" Replied Amelia with a full mouth. She shuffled past and hopped over the panicked and slivering crowd. Reaching the monster with Keyblade in hand Amelia brought the mystical weapon up to her shoulder and swung for the Unquiet's head.

Too late. The monster broke from its bonds and jumped high, latching onto the ceiling. Novak took this chance to pull the screaming Duke away.

Amelia held her Keyblade high, aiming it up at the Unquiet. "FIRE!" A sphere of cleansing fire shot out from the tip of the weapon, colliding with the monster.

The Unquiet fell down, it's weight breaking the large oak table.

Amelia leveled her Keyblade again and shot a stream of fire at the creature.

The Thing whilst engulfed in flame clumsily stumbled towards the exit. The screaming and crying crowd that had congregated at the exit scrambled to shamble out of its way.

Wailing in distorted cries, the thing crashed through the glass door, it stumbled out into the courtyard where it at last collapsed.

Stepping out into the courtyard also. Amelia raised her Keyblade skywards, a mighty crack of thunder shattered the skies and a bolt of lightning shot down from the heavens. It struck the prone Unquiet and obliterated its sizzling remains. A glowing pink heart rose from its final place of death.

Back inside, silence filled the room. Only a few cries and whimpers could be heard.

"Well." Flynn laughed, breaking the silence. "That worked about as chaotically as planned."

Hans looked around the table.

"Yeah, these kids do try to plan their attacks." Answered Kristoff.

"But most of the times they just end up winging it." Eugene explained.

"Just like every heist we ever do." Patchy laughed.

"Huuuh." The Marquis of Meanville yawned, having just woken up. "What happened, what'd I miss?" He looked around the trashed and smoke filled conference room.

•••

"She's clear. Cut her loose." Wrenn declared. Pulling the flare away from a countess. "Next!"

The seven teens decided they should test them one at a time instead, this way they would be more ready for it if happens again.

Removing her binds, Flynn and Aidan came in and lead the countess away to the cleared group. Next, Eri and Neoma pulled a prince to kneel in front of Wrenn. The worried prince frantically scanned his immediate surroundings, it wasn't Wrenn he was worried about, but rather the girl standing beside Wrenn.

Amelia stood sentinel with her Keyblade in hand. The blade head was lit and Amelia aimed her makeshift flame thrower at the terrified prince. He quailed in fright.

"Hey. Eyes on me!" Wrenn instructed.

After a quick inspection, Wrenn removed the flare, Amelia aimed her Keyblade away and Flynn and Aidan lead the prince to the cleared group.

"Alright, last one." Eri said as she and Neoma deposited The Duke in front of Wrenn, chair and all.

Amelia gleefully aimed the flamer at his face.

"Hah. That's my girl." Anna grinned.

Kristoff made an odd look at his wife. Even Elsa was perturbed.

"He's clean." Wrenn finalized. Everyone relaxed. A big sigh of relief swept through the ruined conference room.

"Well. That was exciting. At least nobody died." Laughed Amelia, slinging her Keyblade.

The Duke frowned, really frowned.

•••

"This stinks!" Complained Amelia.

It was night.

The screen showed the group of seven hiding in an alleyway, taking cover behind some dumpsters. All across the wealthy district, the duchy's guards aggressively swarmed the streets. They were out for blood!

"Did you really think they wouldn't want to peel the skins off our bones after what happened?" Wrenn asked. Her second cousin grumbled.

•••

"Leave no cranny or nook unchecked!" A guard sergeant ordered. "I want these urchins dead if possible, alive if necessary!"

•••

"Would have been less painful for them if they didn't try to arrest us on arrival." Huffed Eri.

"We can't expect everyone to agree with our methods." Said Neoma. "The important thing is, the infiltrator is destroyed."

"She's right. Our job in Weselton is done. Whether they like it or not, we move onto the next target." Said Novak.

"Make the call, Captain." Said Flynn.

Aidan peaked over the dumpster to assess the situation. "Hmmm. Four dozen footmen on the streets, twenty on horseback, riflemen with muskets along the district walls, the entrance drawbridge is raised and the portcullis is down."

Lady Caine, Eugene, and the Stabbington Brothers frowned as Aidan listed the many obstructions he and his group faced.

"Is that bad, Caine?" Asked Anna.

"I think I'd rather be caught in a Spanish Bull Run while wearing a Christmas sweater than this." Laughed Caine. "It's bad, Anna."

Hans raised an eyebrow. Caine and Anna address each other in their first names, there were no titles or formalities.

"But you would still know what to do in this situation, right?." Elsa joined in, also very casually.

Lady Caine shrugged. "Well I suppose, maybe I'd stow away aboard a shipping cart as it leaves the city, or steal some guard uniforms and march out the front, or even pop open a manhole and escape through the sewer network and into the moat outside." Caine listed her thoughts on an escape, while Elsa and Anna listened intently.

Eugene and the Stabbington Brothers nodded in agreement with Caine's ideas, all of which required subtly, cunning and tact.

"Yeah, but Aidan is the one calling the shots." Kristoff warned. "And if he is anything like Anna..."

"We bash our way out!" Aidan declared. "Does everyone remember the Escape Mouse Formation?"

•••

BANG!

CRASH!

With the sound of an explosion, something large, heavy and fast smashed aside the dumpsters. A patrolman spun on his heals just in time to see a wagon sized blur of black obsidian zip past him.

Lady Caine, Anna, Elsa Rapunzel, Cassandra, Hans, Kristoff, Eugene, Varian, Frederic, Arianna, Willow, Edmund, the Stabbington Brothers, Marius and Mathew gaped. Their jaws left hanging.

It was a half cone shaped ram made from black rocks, the roof and sides were also black rock, protecting the occupants within. In a way, from a distance it did look like a giant mouse.

And it was moving fast.

"Wow, what a take off!" Amelia gasped.

"Flynnolium." Neoma huffed, reeling from the adrenaline.

The Escape Mouse sled down the road, Eri constantly created slippery ice over the ground for the Mouse to effortlessly slide over.

Some of the guards were stunned, those assertive enough to give chase were quick to fall behind the surprisingly fast construct.

A bugle trumpet was blown and the alarm was raised, city guards uniformly converged on the teens.

"We have pursuers." Flynn warned.

A mounted division gave chase. The riders readied their pistols.

"Deploying flares!" Declared Wrenn.

A small hatch opened up on either side of the construct. Flynn and Wrenn stuck their hands out and released dozens of Sundrop energy orbs each.

The pursuing horses neighed and reared to a halt when the glowing orbs exploded in blinding flashes. The sudden stop of the frightened animals caused several riders to tumble off their mounts.

"Well that sure comes in handy!" Exclaimed Eugene.

"Hard left, twenty metres!" Novak warned. "And NOW!"

At the last moment, Eri created an ice wave-turn at the street's intersection. The Armoured Personnel Carrier rode six feet up the magical construct before coming back down having turned a perfect ninety degree angle from before.

"Holy Cow!" Varian exclaimed.

The Escape Mouse continued down towards the exit, but something was waiting for them.

"Blockade!" Warned Novak.

Through the small ice windscreen the seven teens crammed together and could see a large contingent of footmen barring their path with crossbows raised, a row of riflemen also stood at the blockade.

"Oh boy." Muttered Kristoff.

"FIRE!"

Gunshots and whistles of crossbow bolts zipped down the streets causing residents to scream and duck for cover. The deadly projectiles ineffectively struck and bounced off the black rock APC. One bullet did however make a crack on the small windscreen.

A few of the audience winced. Were it not for the ice windscreen, that shot would have hit Novak square between the eyes.

The guards didn't get a chance for a second volley. The black rock APC careened forward without slowing down from the fire.

"SCATTER!" Yelled the sergeant. Most of the guards managed to dive out of the way.

POW!

A few unlucky ones were ploughed aside or thrown through the air. They smashed into street signs, through windows or into their fellow guards.

"Ooooow."

The teens made another turn.

Only one obstruction remained between the seven teens and the exit. The raised drawbridge, the lowered portcullis guarding it, and the large array of riflemen stationed along the walls above.

"OH CRIMINY!" The teens cursed as no less than fifty muskets trained on them.

"FIRE!"

BANG BANG BANG

A hail of of hot iron rained down onto the Escape Mouse. From inside, the seven covered their ears and screamed. The armoured transport shook violently, and the cackling of bullets rattling against the APC's walls was deafeningly loud.

"RETURN FIRE, AMY!" Shouted Aidan.

"ME!?" Yelled Amelia.

"YES. YOU'RE THE TURRET GIRL!" Aidan yelled back.

The roof hatch opened up.

Flynn and Wrenn held their hands out, and with an exert of energy, blindingly bright spheres flashed in their hands. The flashes were so bright as to light up the town, turning the night into an afternoon. And the rapid flashing provided the perfect cover as the riflemen could not bare to look at the flashes.

That's when Amelia's popped her head out from the roof hatch, she levelled her Keyblade at the riflemen with malicious intent.

"My turn!" Amelia laughed. "FIRE!"

Orbs of searing fire blasted against the battlements, the explosive forces throwing the defenders into disarray and spraying burning debris in the air.

"THUNDER!" Amelia raised the Keyblade skywards.

Bolts of lightning crashed down onto the walls of Weselton in blinding flashes and deafening loud cracks.

The riflemen dropped their muskets and dove for cover, clutching their heads and whimpering under the onslaught of magic missiles.

"When did Amelia learn to summon lightning?" Asked Elsa.

Anna shrugged.

"We're approaching the exit." Said Novak.

"We need more speed!" Said Wrenn.

"I'm on it!" Said Neoma, loading another Flynnolium charge into the booster chute.

"Amy, get back in here!" Aidan yelled at his sister.

"WAAAH!" Yelped Amelia, ducking back inside before she would lose her head.

BANG!

Another loud Flynnolium explosion and the Escape Mouse was sent rocketing at neck break speed.

Eri cast one final spell right before the portcullis, a launch ramp.

Thus the Escape Mouse soared through the air in the climax of its escape. The APC crashed through the portcullis as easily as it would a Japanese paper door, splitting wood and iron like nothing.

Last was the drawbridge. Little did the audience know, the intention was to knock down the drawbridge, instead the launch did too good of a job and the APC snapped the drawbridge in two!

The airborne APC continued its spectacular dive until it lost momentum, the audience watch from the other side of the moat as the Escape Mouse splashes into the murky waters.

Then suddenly-.

SPLOOSH!

The APC miraculously resurfaced, pushed out of the water by a great elemental force. A large wave formed under the Escape Mouse, nearly draining the moat. It threw the APC and its occupants onto the dry land of Weselton's poor district in a heap.

"Unbelievable." Gasped Hans. He couldn't quite wrap his head around what he just saw. His shock was shared by everyone. Like EVERYONE.

"Thank you, Melody." Amelia huffed, holding her glowing Keyblade.

"Urgh." The other six teens groaned. They were all in a mass of tangled arms and legs.

"Who's hand is that!?" Asked an annoyed Eri.

"Sorry." Said Flynn.

"Neoma, prepare to launch at once." Aidan groaned, supporting himself against the APC's walls.

"That's going to be a problem. I'm out of Flynnolium charges." Groaned Neoma, rubbing her head.

Everyone stopped groaning, they all paused and stared at Neoma as the realisation hit them. They're grounded.

"Well... In that case-."

"LEG IT!" Cried Amelia.

No time to waste. Eri and Neoma tore down the APC, the seven teens bailed out of the wreckage and made a sprint for their lives. The stunned citizens of the poor district watch as Amelia, Aidan, Flynn, Wrenn, Eri, Neoma and Novak bolted down the streets like the devil was on their tail.

There was really no need. All of Weselton's guards had been recalled to the rich district during the manhunt and were now trapped due to the mangled portcullis and demolished drawbridge.

Nonetheless. Showing impressive stamina plus a little added energy boost from the twins, the seven teens managed to hightail out of town in astonishing speed, crossing the countryside before finally disappearing out of sight in the woods.

...For a long pause, the kingdom of Arendelle was dead silent. The audience tried to comprehend what they just saw.

"In all my years in the criminal underworld, I have never seen or heard of a break out like that one!" Lady Caine balked.

"Pss. Do you think the kids may have actually caused more damage than the Unquiet Infiltrator?" Cassandra whispered.

Everyone at the table paused. They reflected on the smouldering defence lines their children left behind, the guards they beat up, the Duke, his staff and his guests they traumatized.

"Eh, nobody died." Anna quoted Amelia.

Everyone else nodded. It seems the general consensus was one of apathy.

•••

As it is in real-time, night had fallen.

The seven teenagers have set up a camp fire at the very same spot they tested their various battle formations that very morning.

"Phew! What a day." Wrenn sighed. A plethora of groans of agreement from the rest of her companions.

"That Escape Mouse formation was really something." Sighed Eri.

"Hear Hear!" Said Flynn. Everyone agreed.

"Yeah, I honestly didn't really think it would work but hey. Glad I called it." Laughed Aidan.

The others stared and glared at him.

"By the way, the purpose of formations was to improve our team effectiveness... Amy, when we were examining the hostages why were you still stuffing your face!?" Aidan suddenly accused his sister.

"Hey, a girl's gotta eat." Amelia argued. "Besides. If you feel so strongly against it, then I guess you won't want the dinner I procured!" Amelia laughed as she opened her knapsack to reveal a small banquet worth of fancy food.

"Oooh." The whole group salivated.

"Well, eat up!" Amelia chirped.

Everyone reached in to grab a piece.

"Ahh ahh, not you." Amelia said to her brother. "You were being mean to me."

"Aww, Amy no. Don't deny me food." Aidan begged. He tried to reach for some but Amelia had halted him with but a hand to his chest, showing surprising strength despite their difference in size. The two fighting siblings continued to struggle until.

"Here Aidan. You can have this." Said Neoma holding a small pie, seeming annoyed by the fighting. "This one I snatch from the table myself." She admitted.

Aidan was stunned.

"Oh Neoma..." Aidan sniffles exaggeratedly. "You're making me weak on knees. HAVE YOUR WAY WITH ME!"

Aidan sank on his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist!

"ACK! Let go of me!" Yelped Neoma, red face and flustered, she tried to disentangle Aidan from her while still holding the pie.

Amelia giggled, the others laughed.

Anna, Elsa and Rapunzel giggled. They gave Cassandra wry smiles. Cassandra just stared at the screen with a bemused smile.

The audience giggled too. All except the girl's father.

Varian frowned in annoyance. "Tell me, Kristoff. Did your son get that from you?"

"Actually I'm pretty sure both my kids get their unabashed bubbly social behaviours from their mother." Said Kristoff, a small sweat drop on his temple. Aidan was making even him nervous.

Hans snorted.

"Let's dig in!" They all cheered.

Once again, lacking any and all manners, the seven teens ate like there was no tomorrow.

Hans looked to his wife.

"Yeah. They do that. The kids are used to eating each meal like it's their last." Lady Caine explained.

"So." Lady Caine asked her husband, deciding to raise a different subject. "What do you think of our teenage son?"

"The Novak from the future? My gosh, Caine! He's incredible." Hans breathed, taking in all that he saw. "He is cunning, clever, unafraid to use unorthodox methods to overcome obstacles, can fight at least as good as you or me and he has such conviction in his eyes." Hans ranted his astonishment.

But Hans became troubled, a great weight fell over his shoulder, wiping the smile from his face. "Caine. Our son from the future... did I treat him right?" He was afraid to ask. "Was I a good father to him?"

Caine could see the soul rending fear in her Hans's pleading eyes. Hans twitched his left eye and she knew right away that he was thinking of his own rough upbringing with his father. Her own features became serious, she squared herself up and looked him dead in the eyes.

"Hans." Caine said, sternly.

Hans gulped. This was the first time in years she had called by his real name. He knew she was dangerously serious.

And she was.

"For as long as he has had you in his life, he had a father, a real father." Caine breathed. "The you from the future loved him then every bit as much as the present you love Little Novak now. You never wavered in your promise to provide him the loving family you never had. Even after the world ended. The me from the future made sure he knew all that."

Hans felt his mouth agape but couldn't find the bodily control to close it.

"Wait a second, Caine. What happens to you... do... did you die in the alternate future?" Asked Hans.

"I can't say for sure. Right after we gave the kids their final send off for their mission. We were all dug in, ready to take on Chernabog." She lowered her head. "I can't say I would bet money on us."

Hans watched Caine press a finger on his chest. She looked back up at him, her eyes becoming misty.

"Make no mistake, now future Novak is doing all of this for you, for us. Just as we all strove to give him a life with a loving family he is fighting to ensure we will have a long and happy life, and you already know the level of conviction in his eyes." Caine finished. Sideburns and Patchy who were listening in both nodded.

Hans took a deep breath, taking in all that he heard as well as a well needed lungful of air, after he had temporarily forgotten to breathe thanks to his wife's explanation.

"Now, I have a much more important question for you." Caine comically became stern and serious again. "Before you flew here, what did you do with Little Novak!?"

"Huh? Oh I left him with Quirin." Hand blinked. "He offered to take care of him while I'm gone."

"You left our baby boy at Quirin's!? Ground Zero of what could be Old Corona's biggest boiler explosion!?" Lady Caine was aghast.

"Hey now, Quirin's not an idiot. I'm sure they'll head for the hills if things get critical." Hans tried to calm her.

Little did they know, Hans and Caine's little exchange was being observed with great interest.

"They make an interesting couple." Elsa chuckled.

"Should we tell them that if Novak from the alternate timeline survived then Little Novak should be fine too?" Asked Rapunzel.

"Nah. Let's keep watching." Anna giggled, she cupped her chin on her hands as she watched Hans and Caine.

"Urgh!" Lady Caine groaned. "Nevermind. Whatever the case, Quirin should be getting a knock on the door right about... now."

•••

KNOCK KNOCK.

Quirin answered the door and was surprised to find a a horse standing at his porch.

"Ah. Good evening, Axel." Quirin greeted. "Are you here to pick up Novak?"

Axel neighed in reply, then nudged on the stroller he brought with him.

RRRRRRRRGGGRREBB!

The ground shook and rumbling can be heard from the back.

"Yeaaah, I think you better take him far from here." Quirin suggested, and Axel huffed in agreement.

Gently securing the baby in the stroller, Axel clamped down on the handles and made a beeline out of town. Though not before passing Fidella and giving her a wink.

Quirin watched the black stallion gallop away and out of sight. Then he turned back to the source of the rumbling. "At least Novak will be safe. Oh I'm sure glad Neoma is staying in the island City with the captain."

KNOCK KNOCK!

Quirin answered the door again to find another horse at his porch.

"Ah. Lieutenant Maximus." Quirin greeted.

Maximus neighed in urgency.

"Yes I know. I'll get it under control-."

RRRRRRRRGGGRREBB!

"I hope."

Maximus left to prep a town wide evacuation. But not before passing Fidella and giving her a wink.

Quirin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This is getting out of hand. Where in tarnation is Nash!?"

KNOCK KNOCK.

Quirin answered the door for the third time and was shocked to see a third horse at his porch! This one he didn't recognise. In fact it was a horse made of water!

"Umm, how can I be of service?" Quirin asked, a little unsure.

The water spirit made a neigh and a white note carried by the wind floated in front of Quirin.

"Hmm what's this?" Quirin caught the note and read it's contents. "A message from the Queen of Northuldra? Oh these are instructions from Varian to stop the rumbling!" Gasped Quirin. "Thank you noble animal, forgive me but I must attend to this at once." Quirin bowed and quickly ran back inside.

Nokk raised his head and snorted proudly.

Pwph!

Gale on the other hand blew the surrounding air in annoyance. The unseen spirit wasn't even acknowledged by the headman.

Prompting the disgruntled Gale to follow him, Nokk turned and prepared to return to Arendelle. But something nearby caught the water spirit's attention.

Fidella looked up from watering the flowers and found the strange water horse winking at her. The mare snorted and rolled her eyes, she was getting too old this.

•••

Back in Arendelle the sun had long set and it was fast approaching time for everyone to retire for the night.

"Alright everyone. Let's call it a night, we will continue to watch what happens tomorrow. I'm sure we all have a lot to take in after today." Anna laughed, standing on the podium and addressing the crowd. "Phew. I know I certainly do." Anna rubbed her head exaggeratedly.

Anna's subjects and her honoured guests all shared a chuckle. And so the collective audience dispersed, retiring to their respective dwellings, inns, ships, or guestrooms in the palace.

Anna, Kristoff, Elsa, Rapunzel, Cassandra, Varian, Lady Caine, Hans, and the rest of their families gathered to bid each other goodnight before meeting up again the next morning.

Anna gave Cassandra and Lady Caine a hug much to the surprise of Hans, even more surprising was that Caine hugged back. He was still wrapping his head around the fact that Anna and Caine had become friends.

Then Anna approached Hans himself and gave him a gentle playful punch to the mouth. "You behave yourself. You're in my town now." Anna grinned. Everybody chuckled at Hans's baffled expression.

•••

"Phew. What a hectic couple of days." Huffed Anna as she pushed a pram that carried a sleeping baby Amelia. She, Elsa, Rapunzel, Kristoff, Olaf, Eugene, Frederic, Arianna, Willow and Edmund made their way back to the palace. "That was so much to take in."

Everyone agreed.

"Just two days ago we all believed our lives were perfect. That we have all found our happily ever afters and we'd be spending our best days living in peace" Sighed Rapunzel.

"Maybe we still can." Frederic encouraged. Looking at his daughter and then at the stroller she was pushing, where little Flynn and Wrenn slept peacefully. Taking a deep breath and flexing his shoulders, Frederic smiled and said. "It sure feels good to be alive."

Everyone smiled. It was the children from the future that have made their wonderful lives possible.

Kristoff while carrying his son, proudly rubbed the toddler's back.

"The world may become a very different place." Elsa commented, looking up at the night sky. "Whether we prevail or not, our lives will never be the same again."

"Oho, for you I can imagine." Eugene snickered. "You suddenly became a mom!"

Kristoff left out a laugh, nearly waking little Aidan.

Rapunzel and Anna giggled too.

Elsa gave the two men a wry look, but found the humour nonetheless.

•••

After splitting off from King Marius and Prince Mathew, who both retired aboard their kingdom's flagship. Varian, Cassandra, Lady Caine, Hans, Patchy and Sideburns boarded the Megablimp.

Lady Caine and Hans entered their shared quarters. It was a long day for them both, Lady Caine had witnessed so much, and had gone through such an emotional rollercoaster. Meanwhile Hans had to spend a good portion of the day flying over an ocean, not terribly exciting. Added he had to take in the story so far in brief detail.

Lady Caine turned to lock the door while her husband removed his flight gear and prepared for bed. As is well known by now Caine prefers to keep public affections hidden, but now that they're behind closed doors...

Click.

"Oh boy." Hans braced himself.

"ARGH!" Lady Caine bodily pounced on him!

•••

Kristoff's eyes widened.

"Whoa, Anna. I think I just saw the Megablimp rock." Kristoff called back into the room. He was at the balcony observing the kingdom when he noticed the strange activity.

"Oh Kristoff, come back inside." Anna called.

Obeying his wife, Kristoff walked back into the large bedroom. And on the invitingly comfortable king-sized bed laid Anna, looking particularly inviting herself. Kristoff raised an eyebrow at the provocative display.

"Well Kristoff. Won't you have your way with me?" Grinned Anna.

"BAAH! The boy definitely takes after you!" Laughed Kristoff.

"Naww, I got that one from him." Anna giggled, she reach up and pulled Kristoff down to lie with her.

••• End of Chapter •••

Hope you all enjoyed that!

••• Preview•••

The next chapter will feature Stalyan, Brock and the Baron. Also the teens will go to The Dark Kingdom.

••• Author's Notes•••

I've decided to add a lot more content for the parent group in this chapter. I had to remind myself that the story of the seven teens is only half the adventure, and that the equally important aspect of this story are the canon characters.

So I hope the confrontation with Hans was long enough and to a satisfactory level.

I always like to put references to movies and games and cartoons I love.

Now. Has anyone seen the 1982 movie The Thing? Really good horror movie, I highly recommend it.

If you have then I definitely recommend going on YouTube and watch FROZEN – BLOOD TEST SCENE a Stop motion Animation by Lee Hardcastle. It's hilarious! XD

Anyway. Thank you all for reading and see you next time.