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.

15. Stabbington

Welcome all.

Before we begin, I'd like to give a big public thank you to ElsaLuver for helping me with this chapter, the info provided about the Southern Isles really helped me grasp the culture and ideology of that kingdom... And then of course as I tend to do, I then blow these things out of proportion for entertainment sake XD.

And a nice thank you to Soundhunter for the continued support.

Also a big welcome to admiral809 and my unnamed Guest.

And more good news. I have posted another picture on DeviantArt. Hope it gives you the warm and fuzzies.

Now here it is.

•••

Chapter 15

Stabbington

•••

The town prepared to view the magic screen again, though with trepidation and some measure of anxiety. It had been a rollercoaster of emotions for everyone in town; shock, horror, relief, joy, sadness, exultation.

Many were still reeling from the most recent screening. And many wrongs needed to be made right.

With her head bowed, Rapunzel pleaded with King Adam and Queen Belle to pardon Wrenn for the burning of All Hallows Eve, though estranged as it had been it was still a town under the sovereignty of Belle and Adam.

Thankfully all was forgiven. It took no effort to convince the couple that Wrenn had only done those terrible things under the possession of an evil spirit. Further more, Belle herself was a kind, compassionate and understanding mother, and so with her arms around Rapunzel in friendship she declared that there shall be no umbrage between their two nations. Indeed Belle and Adam were grateful to the Heroic Seven for sealing the Dark Portal thus saving the greater of their kingdom and the neighbouring countries.

It was widely believed that the audience would never again look upon Flynn, Wrenn, Aidan, Amelia, Eri, Novak and Neoma with the same idolatry they once had. That belief turned out to be true... they look to them with greater idolatry now.

In celebration Anna suggested a big serving of Arendellian black forest cake.

Rapunzel, Elsa, Anna, Cassandra, Lady Caine Eugene, Kristoff, Varian and Hans retook their seats, the rest of their families did the same. All with their desserts in front of them.

"I hope to never see the kids fight one another again." Sighed Rapunzel.

CLANG! CLANG!

The sound of weapons clashing echoed throughout the town square.

Novak brought his double edged straight sword down once, then twice, each strike was turned aside by Flynn's dual single edged swords. Flynn fought back and the pair traded blows back and forth.

"Oooh. What the hell happened this time!?" Cursed Rapunzel.

Anna huffed, Elsa frowned.

"Novak is doing well." Cassandra complimented.

"Hm. He's moving a bit slow." Muttered Lady Caine.

For the untrained eye it would appear the two boys were fighting, but for two professional warriors like Cassandra and Lady Caine, they both knew otherwise.

Flynn slipped under Novak's thrust and placed his two swords against Novak's chest.

"Damn." Cursed Novak.

Game Over.

"Well done, you two. That's enough training. Let's call it a day." Aidan clapped. He approached while the two combatants lowered their weapons.

"All of that was just training?" Asked Elsa, incredulously.

"I seriously thought Flynn and Novak wanted to gut one another!" Exclaimed Anna.

Rapunzel slumped on her seat, her hand over her forehead while a chuckling Cassandra rubbed her on the back.

"Good fight, Novak." Said Flynn. Sheathing his swords and giving Novak a pat on the shoulder.

It was late in the afternoon. The three boys were standing in a grassy clearing on the top of a cliff. From there, the screen zoomed out to show that they were on an island of rocky shores and jagged cliffs. The island itself wasn't big, perhaps a quarter mile in diameter, a perfect size for a small group.

But even though the island was otherwise uninhabited and unremarkable, it's geography was still ominously familiar to some.

"Heh. I think we've seen that island before." Sideburns remarked.

Patchy seemed to agree. "Those rocks, few trees and patches of grass look native to-."

"It's Otte, the eighth island of our homeland, you dopes." Answered Mathew, the crown prince of The Southern Isles.

"Oh hell no!" The Stabbington Brothers groaned loudly, they made no attempt to conceal their disdain. The Southern Isles was the last place either of them wanted to revisit!

"Eighth? I thought The Southern Isles only consisted of seven islands." Elsa inquired.

"Oh they have eight islands." Lady Caine confirmed.

"But the eighth is so small that the royal family deemed it too insignificant to be worth mentioning." Explained Cassandra.

"Tch. That is just like the Westergaards." Hans frowned.

Lady Caine cast a glance at Hans. Of the three brothers, her husband would be the one to feel the greatest disdain towards the Westergaard family. This would be a hard episode for them to watch, and exponentially more so because-.

Novak's expression was down cast. He regarded his right arm, the appendage that ended in a stump above the wrist, his right hand was lost. Novak had only his left arm to live with. And though he did well to conceal his pain the lost ate into his soul like none could comprehend.

King Marius frowned as he observed the boy crippled by the amputation, his expression hard, but passive and silent.

Patchy Stabbington narrowed his eye at the king. Whatever the thoughts behind Marius's look harboured, the one-eyed bandit kept a suspicious glare at his father.

•••

"Umm, Novak. Are you alright?" Asked Neoma.

The boy looked up at the concerned girl. The group of seven were by the beach sitting around a large campfire... a curiously large campfire, though no indication of what was above the fire.

"You haven't touched your shark yet." Said Wrenn.

The screen zoomed out and there it was, a great white shark roasting on a giant Black Rock spit. Hence the enormous campfire.

"Goodness gracious me!" Exclaimed Frederic.

"At least we don't have to worry about the children not eating well enough." Chuckled Arianna.

"I must say. Good catch, girls." Praised Flynn, chowing down his piece greedily.

"Glad you're enjoying it. Though I can't say we fished it on purpose." Admitted Eri.

"Hmm. What happened?" Asked Aidan.

"Well. While you boys were sparring. Eri, Wrenn, Amy and I decided to go for a swim." Explained Neoma. "When all of a sudden-.

"This big sausage with teeth came at us looking for a bite!" Grunted Amelia, with much exertion she was rotating the shark over on the spit. "Well. We sure put it in its place!"

With a display of jaw dropping strength, Amelia successfully turned the twenty foot animal belly up. Planting her fists on her hips she dramatically puffed her chest proudly at her achievement. Amelia stole a glance at Novak, she was delighted to find that his mood had lifted. Novak was now chuckling at her and smiling, he had even eaten a few pieces of shark since the conversation began.

Alas Novak's mood quickly soured once again and in no time a look of hurt and loss returned to his features.

"Thanks for dinner, girls." Novak lowered his ice plate and rose to his feet. "I'm going to go train some more."

And so, without a backwards glance, Novak hurried away from the group, making his way back up the clearing until he was out of sight.

"You know. I'm really starting to worry for him." Said Flynn, picking at his food.

"You're not the only one." Said Eri.

"How would you feel if you lost a hand?" Asked Wrenn.

A chorus of murmurs answered the Sun Princess, none of them sounded positive.

Amelia did not take part in the conversation, she merely stood and watched Novak retreat for the hill, her own mood deflating when he was out of sight.

Neoma looked down and flexed her prosthetic left arm, the Black Rock fingers rolling up and down at her will. That's when she made her decision.

"I have work to do." Neoma declared. Snatching her drawing pad, Neoma built herself a Black Rock drawing board and began to scribble furiously. The others knew not to disturb her.

"Alright. I'd say dinner is over. Let's chop this big boy up." Said Aidan. "Eri, ready an ice box... a big one. Amy, We need some muscles over here."

Breaking from her thoughts, Amelia painfully turned her gaze away from the hills and back to the campfire.

•••

High on the rocky cliffs, the auburn-haired boy stood in a grassy clearing, his sword again was drawn. He gripped the treasured weapon in his one and only remaining hand.

His teeth gritted hard.

••• Flashback •••

"Heeyah!" A shout.

A hard snap.

"Oof!" A young boy hits the ground. "Oww. That one really hurt." Whined a smaller Novak, rubbing the lump on his head.

"Get up, Novak." Lady Caine instructed. Tapping her training sword on the ground impatiently.

"Mom. Why am I only allowed to use my left hand?" The little boy complained.

"Evolve and change. I taught myself to be ambidextrous and I expect you to be the same." The viscous mother declared. Lady Caine spun her training sword in an intricate floral pattern in her left hand then in her right hand. "It is important to learn skills outside your comfort zone. You never know when you find yourself in a situation with only the hand you're not used to. Now get up!"

Younger Novak rose to his feet and his mother resumed his mentoring.

"Now I'm going to teach you how to stop a person's heart."

••• End of Flashback •••

"Guess I found that situation." Novak grunted. "HYAA!"

A slash, a boulder was cut clean in twain.

"Hmph." Lady Caine made a pained smile.

"Hey. Now that I look back on it, a lot of our fights back in the days you would switch sword hands." Rapunzel reflected.

"Wow. That is an impressive skill to have." Anna praised.

Novak swung his sword left and right, he displayed dexterity with his left hand every bit as proficient as his right.

It was bitter work, Novak was breathing hard. His muscles ached, his lungs burned but he just kept going. It was as though stopping was more painful than the training.

"That sword is designed to be used with two hands." Muttered Hans.

No matter how well Novak fought with his opposite hand this was still a glaring problem that no amount of training could overcome. Yet Hans could not help but smile with paternal pride in his son's perseverance.

"Your boy has heart." Praised Eugene.

As Novak swung some more, another memory came to the fore.

••• Flashback •••

"You hit it. Uncle Patchy, you hit the deer!" A much smaller Novak cheered.

The tiny boy, perhaps six years of age cheered at his uncle while pointing at the felled animal.

"Ha. Looks like I win." Laughed Patchy, slinging his crossbow and grinning at Sideburns. "That means you'll have to drag it back, brother."

A grumbling Sideburns Stabbington slung his own crossbow to trudged over to collect their catch.

All eyes from the group at the table turned to look at the Stabbington Brothers. Patchy and Sideburns had not expected to be in Novaks thoughts while he trained.

On their way back to their settlement the curious tiny Novak kept placing his hand over his left eye and off again.

"Uncle Patchy?" The little boy asked.

"Hmm?"

"It's hard doing things with only one eye. How are you able to keep up with Uncle Sideburns?" Novak asked. To which his uncle chuckled.

"Ha." Patchy laughed. "Oh it Is not easy, Novak. Indeed it is very much a disadvantage and I must work harder, put in the extra effort just to keep up."

Patchy noticed his nephew looking at him with sadness in his eyes.

"Aww. Don't let it get you down, boy. Look. Things aren't always fair, sometimes life will throw a rock at your balls, and when it happens it will knock you to your knees and keep you there. IF you let it." Patchy lectured. "No one wants to have to work harder than others, and there is always the chance that people will think less of you for having to. But if you stay down, if you let the bad stuff keep you down then you really are lost."

Hearing this caused King Marius and Prince Mathew to glance at one another.

The audience were surprised. They never in a million years expected Patchy to impart such an inspiring piece of wisdom. Indeed it surprised Patchy himself.

Novak blinked and paused as his uncle stopped to face him. Patchy place a rough hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you for caring, Novak. You are a good kid, better than your father, your uncle Sideburns or I at your age. I'm sure you will grow to be a great man."

••• End of Flashback •••

"HYAAA!"

Novak continued to train. And train he did well into the night.

"Now that is dedication." Edmund smiled proudly. He more than most appreciated Novak's defiance in the face of losing a good hand.

•••

The morning came. Seagulls squawked, taking to the skies in flocks with the rising of the sun.

The sudden activity caused Wrenn to rouse from her slumber. She groaned in protest at first but quickly felt good about waking up, the sun always gave her strength, as did her companions.

Since that night, after the incident in the forest. The four girls have grown inseparable, spending every waking moment together. Evidently they spent their non-waking moments together also.

The audience saw that Eri was lying at Wrenn's left and Amelia at the right. Neoma was on the opposite side of Amelia with her drawing pad still in hand, a sign that the Black Rock Alchemist had fallen asleep while drawing something.

"Wow. She sure reminds me of Varian." Cassandra chuckled.

Varian wondered what his daughter was inventing.

Rapunzel, Elsa, Anna and Cassandra giggled at the adorable sight of their daughters cuddling together. They were heartened by the sweet display of closeness their girls shared.

"We should try that." Suggested Anna.

Sadly though, this closeness did not come without consequence.

"GAH! AMY!" Wrenn choked.

Amelia had her arms around the slim waists of Wrenn and Eri, and her legs around Neoma's. The Arendellian princess snoozed, blissfully oblivious to her three fully awake victims squirming and struggling under her curiously strong grip.

"If Anna is like that. We are so not trying it." Said Cassandra.

•••

"Chuu." Amelia snored.

A disheveled but freed Eri, Wrenn and Neoma glowered at the sleeping Amelia.

"That's the fourth time she's done that!" Grumble Neoma.

"I love you three, I really do. But I think we should all agree to keep to our corners when we sleep from now on." Said Eri.

"Mm." Neoma and Wrenn nodded.

"Chuu." Amelia continued to snore.

••• Later •••

"Whoa. What the Helheim happened here?"

Amelia had been tasked to walk to the top of the cliffs to locate Novak, a task she gleefully accepted despite being a punishment for oversleeping. She did not expect to find this however.

All around Amelia was a scene liken to a great battle, or a demolition job gone wrong. Trees were sliced, branches severed, great rocks were left with gashes, there were holes kicked in all throughout the grass.

"Novak!" Gasped Amelia.

She spotted the boy. His back was turned to her and he was standing ominously close to the cliff's edge.

Novak was simply enjoying the sunrise, his mind was calm and his features were serene. It was a quiet meditative activity until-.

"BLAHBLURGUYAH!" Came the high-pitched scream.

Before he could respond or even make the futile attempt to discern what was screamed, Novak felt a pair of strong arms constrict around his waist with crushing strength. His abductor hoisted him into the air, hurried him back to the centre of the clearing, then POW! She body slammed him to the ground!

"GAH! Amy. What are you-."

"YOU IDIOT! DIN TULLING! DU NARR! TONTO!" Amelia screamed.

It was all Novak could do to keep his back pressed against the grass while Amelia climbed on top of him, took him by the collar and called him an idiot in every language she knew how to.

"ANATA WA BAKA, NOVAK KUN! BAKA!" Amelia bawled. "I can't believe you were about to jump!"

"What? I wasn't going to jump!" Exclaimed Novak.

The island fell silent. Not a seagull or even a crab made a sound.

"...You weren't?" Squeaked Amelia.

"No!"

Amelia gaped and blinked several times at Novak. "Oh."

Rapunzel giggled.

Many in the audience laughed.

"You know. Anna is very much like that too." Chuckled Elsa.

Anna scrunched her face at her sister.

"You mean Anna has misinterpreted a situation and then reacted explosively?" Asked Lady Caine. It seems like an odd behaviour for a queen.

"Oh yeah. According to Kristoff, Anna did that during his first three proposal attempts." Said Olaf. "One time she thought Kristoff believed we were going to die and she panicked."

Anna crossed her arms and pouted.

Eugene and Varian grinned at Kristoff, they prodded the man for details. But Kristoff was oblivious to them.

With eyes as wide as saucers, Kristoff balked at the screen with a mixed look of horror and outrage.

"That POSITION!" Cried Kristoff.

Hans saw it too and he immediately averted his eyes with a huge cringe plastered on his face.

"WHOA!" Exclaimed Flynn.

Both Amelia and Novak turned and spotted their friend gaping at them.

"What's the matter, Flynn?" Asked Amelia.

"I came up here to fetch Novak. Aidan and I were going to take him into town, we thought that it might lift his spirits." Flynn explained. He then gestured at the pair and a mischievous grin grew on his face. "But I would say that you're doing far a better job, Amy. So don't let me stop you."

As Flynn turned and hurriedly retreated down the hill, Amelia and Novak both became self conscious. Novak still laid with his back on the ground while Amelia sat straddling him!

"Oh my..." Anna laughed.

"WAAH!" The red faced boy and girl yelped.

••• Later •••

"Alright. Now that Aidan and Flynn have taken Novak off shore, that leaves us with six hours to give this island a full fixer upper." Stated Eri.

The other three girls were with her.

"Oh. He'll be in for a surprise when they get back." Chirped Wrenn.

"One more thing." Neoma let out a yawn as she opened up her drawing pad. "I stayed up all night working on this. I need your help to build it."

•••

As the girls remained on the tiny island to work on their secret project, the three boys sailed on a scavenged dinghy boat. Novak sat at the stern of the vessel staring at the clouds while Aidan and Flynn did the rowing.

"He needs help." Muttered Aidan. "He looks so confused."

"Mhm." Flynn hummed. A hidden grin formed on the Sun Prince's lips, he could guess what Novak was thinking about and he wasn't about to interrupt it.

They continued to row towards En, the capital island of The Southern Isles.

A frown appeared on Hans's face. He did not want his son near that island, especially when he considered his own company growing up.

•••

SMACK!

"OOOOF!"

In the royal training grounds a little boy fell backwards, he bodily hit the pavement with a painful cry. A wooden training sword fell from his hand with a sharp clatter.

"Pick up your weapon at once, Prince Timothy!" A large man in the uniform of a Southern Isle guard bellowed. He aimed his wooden sword at the apparent prince. "The sword of a swordsman of The Southern Isles is sacred. In battle his life should leave his body before his weapon does!"

With a groan, Prince Timothy took up his wooden sword and resumed sparring with the large soldier.

"Seriously? That boy is only five or six years old!" Cried Rapunzel, when she saw little Timothy take another hit. "The guard showed him no restraint."

"It's like that in The Southern Isles, your majesty." Said Sideburns. "Westergaards are lions, not mice. The Old Man would always say."

"Agreed. We are taught to fight at a young age. Scrapes and bruises are commonplace, prince or not." Patchy confirmed. "I see some customs have not changed since we left."

Hans meanwhile remained silent, as he watched he noticed another unofficial custom that had not changed.

Timothy was knocked down yet again, a small crowd began to congregate. They were all children, some in their early teen years, all of them finely dressed, all of these other princes were older than Timothy. And they relentlessly threw cruel derogatory abuses at the downed boy.

Anna's hands flew to her mouth.

Elsa frowned.

Hans gritted his teeth.

"Hmph, that little runt of yours is turning out to be quite an embarrassing sight. Eh, brother?" Jurgen, the forth son of Marius grinned at his brother across the table.

Prince Franz watched his son get knocked down repeatedly and he growled.

King Marius frowned. His thoughts though remained unreadable.

"Ah, so that little boy is Franz's." Laughed Prince Mathew.

Several heads turned to the crown prince in shock. Mathew did not even know who's son his nephew was!

"Did you pretend he was invisible too?" Growled Hans. His question caused Anna to stare at him.

For a instant, Anna was thrown back to the night at the tower. She had wondered how much of what Hans said about his life was true. This one sadly was.

Mathew shrugged.

Patchy and Sideburns exchanged worried glances to one another other.

Hans had been banished from his homeland for over six years. He had never known Timothy but he understood this nephew all too well. Hans still remembers the abuse he himself received from his brothers, all because he was the youngest.

Further thinking about this brought a new wave of anger in Hans's core, for he knew that if his family were to somehow live in The Southern Isles, it would not be Timothy but Little Novak who would instead be the target of the abuse. Hans swore he would be damned if he allowed that to happen to his son!

The banished prince's resentment for his former family threatened to boil over. But then.

Before another blow could be struck, a strong hand caught the wrist of the guard's sword arm, halting a swing aimed at Timothy's forehead.

"Enough." The command was stern and the look that came with it was iron.

"Yes, Prince Lars." The guard backed away and bowed.

Turning away from the guard, Lars then glared down at the assemblage of spectating young princes. "Don't you all have training to do?"

The other boys quickly left.

Ignoring them, Lars knelt down to the battered Timothy. "Are you alright, Timmy?"

Timmy sniffled. A silly question.

"That's enough training for today. You have fought harder than the others." Stated Lars, his demeanour was kind and his expression friendly. "Come. I have prepared for you your favourite tea, with lots of sugar and cookies."

Timmy wiped the last of his tears from his puffed cheeks. "Thank you, Uncle Lars." The boy smiled.

The anger that burned in Hans's heart slowly died down. Of all his brothers, Lars was the only one who was ever kind to him, growing up.

"Heh. That is just like Lars." Chuckled Sideburns.

Varian's head perked up upon hearing large man's remark. "Hey, you two, I understand why Hans was kicked out." Varian whispered that last part. "But why did the two of you leave The Southern Isles? You said you couldn't stand King Marius and Prince Mathew, but I sense there was more to it than that."

The faces of Patchy and Sideburns darkened, the former twin princes glared at the displayed training grounds.

"We were once respected sons of Marius, but all of that changed one day after a fateful sword stroke." Sideburns stated.

"Jurgen took out my left eye during a sparring match." Patchy growled. "But that wasn't the worst of it."

"There was no compassion, nor sympathy or remorse. None of that exists in the house of Marius." Said Sideburns. "Only reputation and prestige matters."

"Because of my injury, my value dropped. I became nothing more than damaged goods in the old man's eyes. Like rubbish to be thrown out." Patchy growled.

The one-eyed Stabbington cast another suspicious glance at the king. If his father dared to look at Novak in the same manner, there will be blood!

"The other brothers saw this and began to treat Patchy the same as Hans." Sideburns raised his fist.

"I think they even made a song about it." Muttered Hans.

"Ah yes! They did." Sideburns eyes lit up, his mood turned a one-eighty. "What were the words again? It was kinda catchy."

••• Flashback •••

"We don't talk about Runo no no no." The Westergaard Brothers sang.

••• End of Flashback •••

"We don't talk about Ru-. Uh. Ahem." Sideburns ceased his singing. And good thing too, for everyone was glaring, Patchy looked ready to slug him.

"Anyway. I alone refused to let it stand. I told them all to get bent, then Runo and I left the island together." Sideburns slapped his grumbling twin on the back. "We changed our names and began a new life, turning from unwanted princes to highly wanted bandits."

Sideburns grinned proudly despite that last part earning them a few disapproving looks.

•••

The magic screen then shift its focus on a different young prince, this one was big, as old as the seven teens.

They were watching Orson, the first and oldest grandchild of Marius.

With a savage yell, the prince brought his wooden sword down onto the guard's shoulder, tearing a cry of pain from the guard. He was relentless, merciless, he beat the guard into submission. And when the man conceded defeat, the prince struck him across the jaw.

"Weak." Orson spat.

The people of The Southern Isles know well that Orson was the king's golden grandchild, just as Mathew was the king's golden child.

But then there comes a rift.

Mathew observed the teen with a darkened expression.

Orson is in fact the son of Mathew's second brother, Orghotts. It has long been made clear that Marius favored Mathew simply for being the oldest son, so naturally it was anticipated that the oldest grandchild will attain the king's favour just as well.

Since Mathew had such turbulent marriages which resulted in two divorces, Orghotts seized advantage of his elder brother's woe and hastily sired a son.

Now Orson walks the lands of The Southern Isles unimpeded. Unforgiving and vicious, character traits that Marius see as befitting of a Westergaard. Orson trampled all who oppose him under his heel without consequence, such is the boon of the king's favour.

"Make way for the prince, you bumbling oaf!"

In the markets a passing merchant was shoved aside and his cart of goods tipped over.

Orson's displeasure is easily earned and the retributions are often brutal and cruel. His entourage of personal guards see to it.

The townsfolk scrambled to clear the way. They fear him, Orson knows it and he revels in the fear he evokes.

Anna was appalled.

The second encounter came. A little girl dropped her ball and was caught in the way of Orson as she tried to retrieve it. An 'Orsonite Guard' readied himself to strike her.

The little girl's father threw himself at Orson's feet, begging the prince to punish him instead.

"You are a brave and responsible man." Said Orson. "Very well. I shall oblige you."

The little girl's father was rewarded with a hard punch to the face. He hit the ground while the little girl cried at his side.

"I see Orson is still as much a little tyrant as I last saw him." Growled Hans.

"What a brat!" Exclaimed Cassandra.

"That kind of treatment of ones subjects is barbarous and unjustifiable." Said Elsa.

Anna, Rapunzel, Arianna, Willow, Frederic Edmund all agreed. Even Mathew seemed to agree, but mostly only because he dislikes Orghotts and his son on a personal level.

King Marius said nothing nor voiced any comments, merely watched as a passive observer.

Then came the third encounter of the day, and by far the worst.

A person stepped away from a street vendor and bumped bodily into Orson, knocking the prince back a few steps. The entire street fell silent.

"Ah, whoops. Sorry about that." The person apologized, casually.

"You blundering buffoon. It is not that easy!" The guards surrounded the offender. "ON YOUR KNEES!"

The lead guard drew back his fist and powered it towards the buffoon's gut. The hit never landed. The lead guard was surprised that the offender would reach out and catch his fist, he was even more surprised when felt his wrist twisted backwards. The sharp cry of pain was silenced when a boot to the gut sent the lead guard flying back a dozen feet.

Novak does not take crap.

"Oh man, this is gonna be good." Sideburns rubbed his hands together.

It took a few seconds to register, normally no one dared to attack a guard of the Southern Isles. The Orsonite Guards finally broke from their shock and rushed Novak. One rushed into Novak's elbow and had the wind knocked out of him, the next two were less successful.

Novak spun on his heel and landed his boot on a guard's jaw, he continued his momentum, leapt in the air and landed a tornado kick on the fourth guard's face.

"Oooh!" The crowd grimaced.

Hans watched on the edge of his seat. He was thankful that Novak could still hold his own. But muscle memory may work against his son.

In the heat of the moment Novak had forgotten that he was missing a hand. And when Orson decided to step in to throw a punch and Novak threw one at the same time, Novak's punch was sadly a few inches too short. The hit to the eye knocked him back a few steps and suddenly the guards dog piled on him.

"You call that a punch?" Taunted Novak. While struggling against the guards holding him.

"At least I can throw a punch with either hand. You will have none to throw with after today." Orson approached with sword drawn.

•••

"Now!" Yelled Aidan.

Flynn ran and leapt on Aidan's outstretched palm at full speed. Aidan dug his heels on the bricks and with a fierce shout he launched the human cannonball at the ring of guards.

KAPOW!

Orson and four of his guards were thrown off their feet by the shockingly brazen and unconventional attack.

"There they are." Rapunzel sighed with relief.

An enraged Orson surged to his feet to swing his sword at the interloper. However, his foe proved to be a slippery one.

Flynn ducked under the over extended swing and kicked Orson's hamstring, dropping the prince on his face.

The guards that were not knocked down and those that managed to recover turned their ire against Flynn. The two guards holding Novak attempted to drag their captive away. But Aidan was upon them.

Seizing the two guards by their heads, Aidan used his impressive strength to slam their skulls together. With a sickening thump the two men collapsed limp to the ground.

Freed from his captors, Novak fell upon the other guards again with a vengeance, a whirlwind of kicks he knocked out three more guards. Aidan and Flynn joined him. More local law enforcers rushed in.

It was pandemonium on the streets of En. The guards resort to drawing their swords! Not that it helped.

Flynn found a cookery stall and decide to borrow a few items.

"Why grab the two frying pans?" Asked Kristoff. "That stall was chock-full of knives and meat cleavers."

"Oh he chose wisely. Those guards are as good as dead now." Laughed Eugene.

CLUNK! CLONK! CLINK! CLANK!

Meanwhile, Aidan caught a guard's sword arm by the wrist and slammed the man's knuckles against a light post. He then picked up the screaming guard and with a full spin he threw the man against a brick wall.

Recovering from the spazzered hamstring, the furious Orson launched himself at Aidan with sword raised. He brought the deadly weapon down, but the taller and buffer teen caught him by the wrist in an unbreakable vice like grip.

Trying to out muscle Aidan was a fool's endeavour and so acting out of desperation Orson clenched his left fist and decked Aidan in the jaw.

The hit only turned Aidan's head slightly. Slowly and deliberately Aidan returned his gaze to Orson.

The look bore into Orson, the prince froze. Arrogant from a life lived unchallenged, Orson went pale when it dawned on him that he faced someone he could not defeat, could not impose his authority over. For the first time in his life Orson felt small.

Aidan cared not. With a retaliatory punch, he sent the favoured grandson of Marius across the street and crashing into a tomato stand.

"HA!" Mathew laughed at the humbling of Orson. He only paused when he caught Marius staring at him. "Oh no, I mean this is terrible. Just a pure treasonous affront against the crown."

"We're leaving!" Aidan gave the order.

"FLASH BANG!" Yelled Flynn.

•••

"WOOHOOO!"

The dinghy crashed through the waves. Flynn and Aidan rowed while Novak enjoyed the wind in his face. All three boys were laughing.

"How are you feeling, Novak?" Aidan asked over the sea breeze.

"GREAT! YEEAAAH! I FEEL GREEEEAAAT!" Cheered Novak. Pumping his fist and stump in the air.

"Ah, this takes me back to my bad girl days." Lady Caine smiled.

The Stabbington Brothers laughed.

"There's nothing quite so uplifting as winning a street fight and getting away with it." Said Sideburns.

••• On the island of Otte •••

"Uh. What are you guys doing back here so soon!?" Exclaimed Wrenn.

"You two were supposed to keep Novak away for six hours." Cried Eri.

"We needed more time to work." Protested Neoma.

"And what the heck happened to you three?" Asked Amelia, noting the torn clothing as well as the black eye, bruises and scrapes the boys have acquired.

But while Aidan and Flynn chuckled under the interrogation of the girls, Novak was staring at the altered landscape of the island.

"What's going on, what have you girls been doing?" Asked Novak.

With defeated sighs of frustration the girls decided to finally impart the plan they had made together with Flynn and Aidan.

"It was supposed to be a surprise." Said Wrenn.

"We turned the island into a giant training ground, for you." Explained Eri.

Novak's eyes widened. This was a surprise, regardless. And there is more.

"We also made you this." Neoma presented him an intricate cylindrical device.

Novak blinked with curiosity as Neoma took him by the right forearm.

"Just because you lost your hand does not make your entire arm useless." Neoma smiled.

With a click and a few straps to both shoulders, Novak now carried a new attachment fastened to his right forearm.

"This jig will allow you to attach an assortment of tools or weapons." Explained Neoma. She demonstrated by attaching Novak's sword to the jig.

"Prodigious!" Exclaimed Varian. Leaning on the table he tried to get a better view of the jig.

With a quick snap and a twist, Novak now carried an arm-blade as a weapon.

"A weapon that does not require a hand or wrist to wield." Cassandra smiled.

Lady Caine's eyes lit up.

"All of you did all this, for me?" Asked Novak. He could hardly contain his shock.

Amelia skipped over to place her hands on his shoulders. She smiled at him widely and sweetly.

"We are your friends, Novak. Remember the oath we made?" Amelia recalled the event the preceded the battle at The Spire. "No matter the odds, no matter how hard things get, we will never give up on this mission. And more importantly, we only have each other. Should any of us stumble, the rest of the team will be there to help them up no matter what."

"That oath holds true as strongly today as it did the day we swore it." Aidan declared. "And it will hold true to the end of our days."

Novak looked at the faces around him. From Aidan and Flynn who agreed to keep him busy to Neoma, Eri, Wrenn and Amy who set up the island and built him his new prosthesis.

Hans found that his vision had become misty. Upon rubbing his eyes it was then that he realised he was tearing up.

The other six children did not belittle or think less of Novak, they would not exclude or leave him behind. Novak was truly surrounded by friends who love and support him. And for that Hans's heart soared with gratitude.

"You guys... are the best." Novak hitched. He was similarly overcome with emotion. "Thank you."

Still standing square in front of him, Amelia smiled and wrapped her arms around the quivering Novak in a big hug. Neoma, Eri, Wrenn Flynn and Aidan joined in.

Lady Caine would never initiate a hug herself, so Anna took that initiative.

"Gyaaumm!?" Lady Caine whined nervously, under Anna's arms.

Rapunzel and Elsa joined in. Even Cassandra did too, though Rapunzel had to pull her in.

"Oh. You won't be thanking us tomorrow." Grinned Flynn.

Aidan popped his knuckles.

•••

"Row, Novak! ROW!" Roared Aidan.

SPLASH

With a triple hooked tongs attached to the jig, Novak clamped down on the oar and rowed with his right arm as efficiently as his left.

"You haven't used your right arm in a while. We need to build back strength and endurance." Said Flynn.

Now it was Aidan and Flynn who enjoyed the wind while Novak did all the rowing. His rhomboid muscles and his biceps burned, but Novak could not help but smile under his heavy breathing.

The boy's parents smiled at the success. They will see more.

•••

"Alright you two, get in the fighting ring." Wrenn ordered.

Novak sported a wooden fist on the jig in place of a hand. In front of him stood Aidan.

"Kind of cramped." Said Novak. The ring was a cage of rocks barely fitting the two combatants.

"That's how it's going to be; Toe-to-toe. You can out skill Aidan and Flynn, but I've noticed that you can't take hits as well as those knuckle heads can. One lucky punch and you're finished." Explained Wrenn. "So we need to work on your durability."

"No jumping around or using your fancy footwork to escape this time." Laughed Aidan. Bashing his knuckles together, he towered over Novak.

"Now BOX!" Yelled Wrenn.

More such scenes were shown.

The people in town square watched the intense interval training play out in short sequenced scenes. A rather fast pace upbeat music was playing in the background.

"Why is it being shown in this manner?" Asked Elsa.

"It's called a montage, lass. It is supposed to be motivational." The Witch explained.

The next sequence had Novak in the waters swimming with a little paddle attached to the jig.

Another showed Novak, Flynn and Aidan running laps around the island, building cardio.

"Come on, Novak. Keep pace!" Flynn yelled from the head of the group.

Novak was heaving hard but he forced himself harder. He ran until he could at least keep pace with Aidan.

•••

Novak stood with his sword attached. Eri morphed her arm from the elbow down into a long blade whilst Neoma clapped her hands together and with a thrust to the side a blade sprouted from the armor of her right arm. Together the two girls proceeded to tutor Novak with what they know about arm-blades.

Novak swung his new primary weapon in the manner his two instructors demonstrated.

•••

Another form of combat training was wrestling. Novak lunged forward but his opponent reversed his hold and slammed him onto the grass.

"Pinned ya!" Grinned Amelia, holding him down.

Novak wriggled free and went for another tackle, but-.

WHAMM!

"Pinned ya again!" Amelia laughed.

"Your daughter is having way too much fun." Hans grumbled with eyes narrowed.

"She is not!" Kristoff rebuked. "Amy is just perky in character, she is training your son very professionally."

"I think I've grown to like this position." Amelia giggled over her blushing captive.

"AAAH! Get off! Get off of that boy right now, Amy!" A horrified Kristoff shook his fists at the screen.

•••

CHOMP CHOMP.

Novak savaged the piece of shark for dinner.

"Well. I'm glad to see his appetite has returned." Anna smiled.

"Excellent. Young Novak will ingest plenty of protein from that shark." Said Frederic.

"Ah yes. That is good for muscle growth and recovery." Said Edmund. The warrior king approved.

There is also another activity that is excellent for muscle recovery.

•••

"Urgh... here goes nothing." Novak gulped. His teeth chittering.

While wearing only his trunks, Novak slowly and carefully lowered himself into a bathtub. A bathtub full of ice!

"OOOOOOH!"

"Nope. Just Nope!" Eugene cringed.

Novak certainly didn't look like the cold never bothered him anyway. But more hardship was to come. The training was arduous, perhaps too much even for him.

•••

With a final heave Novak pulled the oars before he slumped forward, tired and exhausted, muscles so strained he had lost feeling to them. The dinghy stopped dead in the water.

The music fell somber. The audience watched with uncertainty as more and more, Novak is seen struggling with his trainings.

•••

The boxing match with Aidan was not going well for Novak. This time Aidan hammered him in the ribs and knocked him down hard with several body shots.

"Come on. Get back in there." Said Wrenn, helping Novak back on his feet. "I'm a healer. I'll tell you when you can't take any more."

With a groan of pain Novak staggered back up to face Aidan again.

•••

He sparred with Eri and Neoma, the two girls meeting his arm-blade with arm-blades of their own. But Novak's movements were laboured and try as he might he could not keep up with either of the girls.

"That sword is still too heavy to use with one arm." Hans cursed under his breath.

•••

At last during a run with Aidan and Flynn, a trailing Novak collapsed face first on the rocky ground. Unable to continue, he looked defeated.

The music stopped.

Sad expressions circulated the town, the audience themselves felt defeated.

Hans frowned with worry.

Lady Caine shook her head and sighed.

Sideburns and Patchy had wobbly, quivering lips.

Perhaps there is no returning for Novak.

•••

That night an exhausted and deflated Novak sat alone on a boulder in a grass field under the night sky, the rhythmic beating of the waves were calming, Novak needed it. He was battered both physically and mentally, yet he still yearned to do more.

"BOO!"

"ACK!" A frightened Novak yelped and tumbled off his rock. "Amy."

Indeed. Standing over him was a smiling Amelia.

"For some kind of pirate ninja, you're pretty easy to sneak up on." Amelia teased. She helped him up.

Kristoff narrowed his eyebrows. It did not sit well with him that Amelia came to Novak... alone.

The pair sat together, their backs leaning against the rock.

"So why so glum?" Asked Amelia. "Is the jig not working out for you?"

For a short moment, Novak was silent. He held up his right arm, letting the light of the moon illuminate the jig, strapped to his belt were the many changeable attachments. It was the closest thing he will have to a hand again and that was more than he could ask for.

"It isn't the jig, Amy...it's me."

Another awkward silence fell over the pair. Then after taking a deep breath, Novak spoke.

"Amy. I don't have super powers like Neoma, Eri, Flynn and Wrenn. I do not have a mythical weapon that closes portals like yours. And I am not a leader like Aidan." Novak sighed. "All I have ever had was my fighting skill...but now..."

Amelia stared at Novak as he opened up to her.

"The truth is... I'm scared, Amy. I'm afraid that I might never be as good again... As I was before." Novak heaved.

That was as difficult to him as any of his trainings. His mother was the former pirate leader Lady Caine, not someone who would encourage showing weakness. And so Novak never did until now.

"That took strength, Novak."

Novak turned and found Amelia smiling proudly at him.

"See? This is what friends are for. If something is bothering you, then talk to us." Said Amelia. "My mom would always tell Aidan, Eri, Flynn, Wrenn and me to talk to one another if ever we are troubled."

"Your mom taught you guys that?" Asked Novak.

"Mhm. Oh she pretty much hammered it into our heads." Amelia laughed. The Arendellian Princess looked to the stars. "It has to do with her upbringing. My mom did not agree with how she and Aunt Elsa were raised."

Anna and Elsa glanced at one another.

"Oh. I almost forgot the reason I came." Amelia chirped. She took Novak's jig in her hands. "Neoma designed the jig, Eri fabricated it, Wrenn did the pretty little drawings."

The screen showed the assorted patterns of roses and a skull similar to Novak's tattoo.

Rapunzel giggled.

"As for me. I finally know how I can contribute." Amelia grinned with barely contained excitement. She whipped out the large canvas bag she brought with her and fished out the item inside. "For you!"

"Your sword?" Novak's mouth hung agape. "I... I can't accept-."

"You have to! No returns! No exchanges!" Amelia imposed.

She presented the sheathed weapon to Novak. "I haven't used it since our battle at the Spire, not now when I have a Keyblade. But nonetheless, this sword and I have fought through thick and thin together, it still means a lot to me and I hate to see it fall to disuse."

Novak hesitated, he still felt unsure about taking something that was so dear to Amelia. But the girl was insistent.

"I want you to have it, Novak." Amelia said with her sweetest smile. "I want to give it to you because... well... you mean a lot to me too."

Novak needed no further encouragement. Reverently accepting the sword, he smiled as he stood up to unsheath and examine the blade. It was shorter than his own and lighter too.

Hans's eyes brightened. "A one-handed sword."

"It's perfect. Thank you, Amy."

"That was so sweet." Rapunzel clapped her hands together.

"Amelia has a big heart." Elsa praised.

Anna giggled. "You know. When Amelia forced the sword on Novak. That was exactly like when I forced the sled on Kristoff."

Kristoff's heart was soaring with pride for his daughter. Though the reminder of that event with Anna did raise a glaring concern for him.

"He better not try to kiss her." Kristoff muttered.

Amelia squealed in delight. Surging to her feet she wrapped her arms around Novak in an excited crushing hug, an embrace the boy returned in kind.

Novak gently circled his good arm around the girl's waist, he held her close. Novak gazed down at the girl who was so kind to him and gave him so much, slowly he rested his cheek over Amelia's head.

"Amy." Novak whispered into her hair.

A few expressions of grins and smiles spread through the town, followed by a pair of cringes.

••• Early next morning •••

"Like this, Neoma." Said Eri.

In the clearing the Snow Princess morphed her arms and her feet into blades. She demonstrated a deadly cartwheel, leapt into the air to perform a horizontal spin using all four of her blade-ended limbs to saw up her would-be opponent.

Neoma watched her friend perform two more aerial spins, a backflip and a somersault before landing gracefully, balancing impossibly well on the two blade tips that were her feet.

"Now you try it." Eri encouraged.

"Yeah. No thanks, Eri. I don't want to fall on my butt." Chuckled Neoma. "You're clearly using your magical anatomy to bend the laws of physics and defy gravity."

Morphing her hands back into hands, Eri placed them on her hips.

"I'm sure Aidan will still be chasing you even if you land on that. In fact I'm certain he'll eagerly offer you a massage there." Eri teased.

Neoma's smile vanished as was expected, but what Eri did not expect however was the end reaction. Neoma did not become embarrassed or outraged. Instead she looked worried. Which in turn worried Eri.

"Whoa. I was kidding, Neoma." Eri held her hands up. "That would be too far. Even for Aidan."

"Aidan...hasn't been acting like that for a while." Neoma spoke lowly.

Eri thought on the subject and suddenly balked upon realising that her quirky cousin has indeed abruptly ceased his flirting with Neoma. That was rather concerning, that among other noticable behavioral changes.

Anna frowned.

If something was wrong they will have to confront Aidan about it.

But first.

Eri and Neoma noticed Novak and Amelia step into the clearing together. The red head girl was bouncing in excitement.

"TADA!"

A smiling Amelia presented Novak who with a smirk held up his new arm-blade for his two trainers to see. Eri and Neoma exchanged glances, they smiled then engaged their own arm-blades.

And so the audience of Arendelle watched the training resume. The montage training music reprised in a more energetic and upbeat rhythm.

Novak moved his new weapon as quickly and effortlessly as if it were an extension of his arm. Intercepted every strike from Neoma and in kind landed several controlled taps on the girl's armour, Neoma was amazed.

Hans and Lady Caine felt their spirits rise.

Eri jumped in to take over for Neoma. The Snow Princess was swifter than the Black Rock Alchemist but Novak kept up with her just as well.

Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, Cassandra, Kristoff, Eugene and Varian could see the boy's confidence return. They smiled at one-another.

And it was not just in swordsmanship that Novak was making a return at.

•••

"WOOH! Yeah, now you're on fire!" Cheered Flynn.

The dinghy smashed through the waves. Novak rowed the boat with renewed strength, physically and mentally.

•••

He fought Aidan again. Their vicious boxing match resumed as it did before. But this time Novak received punches much better, remembering to exhale when hit.

•••

During their runs Novak kept pace with Flynn and Aidan.

It was real. Novak was striving, he was gaining and he was winning!

•••

The sparring match with the girls continued to progress with surprising results.

Eri and Neoma took to ganging up on Novak, and still he held his own.

•••

Novak ducked under Aidan's hook and punch him in the jaw, followed by two body shots into the taller boy. A tenderised Aidan had to step out of the ring, conceding defeat.

A satisfied Wrenn applauded.

•••

Gaining speed, Novak ran faster than he ever did in his life. First overtaking Aidan and then overtaking Flynn. A Sundrop powered Flynn caught up with Novak but the pirate would not have it. Pushing himself beyond all his previously perceived limits, Novak left the blonde Flynn behind gasping and laughing.

•••

At the climax of the montage the rest of the group gathered to watch Novak's sparring match against Neoma and Eri, a match that grew in intensity by the second.

"Wooh! Go Novak!" Cheered Amelia.

Black Rock and Ice bladed limbs lashed at Novak from all angles, but Novak had the hand and eye coordination to block or evade the otherwise dizzying storm of attacks.

Neoma slammed her left hand to the ground to anchor herself, she sprouted blades from her heels and proceeded to swing with her legs. Her unusual handstand attack almost caught Novak off guard.

Eri smirked at Neoma. The Snow Princess did the same, morphing her blade feet as before. Both girls stood before Novak with blades on all four limbs, but Novak had a trick up his sleeve also.

Drawing out his mother's steel fan in his left hand Novak broke the standoff. Throwing the fan at the girls, he moved in for the attack, kicking Neoma over as she ducked from the projectile.

He made a quick swing at Eri. Eri blocked and made to retaliate but was almost struck in the head by a flying object. She did not anticipate the fan to come flying back. Novak swept his leg under Eri and easily tripped her over, the girl fell flat on her face.

Both girls climbed back onto their feet, no more fooling around they both disengaged their feet blades and raced at Novak with arms swinging, not holding back anymore.

The audience held their breath.

Novak held up his arm-blade and steel fan to meet the onslaught. And what a rush, the three traded hundreds of blows in a single minute of combat, but in the end, Novak overcame his teachers.

Tapping his blade against Neoma's hips and then Eri's back. It was over. The group erupted in joyful cheers and swamped Novak.

The audience likewise cheered and applauded, the parent group merrily expressed their delight.

•••

The montage finally ends with Novak running up the top of the island. Reaching the summit of the highest rock he pumped his fist and stump in the air and whooped his victory cry to the skies.

"He did it." Said Rapunzel. "Novak has made his return."

"Your son faced not only a physical challenge but a great mental battle and he overcame them." Praised Elsa.

Rapunzel, Cassandra, Elsa and Anna each bombarded Lady Caine their congratulations.

"Not without help he didn't." Said Lady Caine. She smiled and inclined her head, it was her way of showing appreciation with subtlety. "He did it thanks to all of your children."

Over at the men's group. Throughout this episode Marius had watched with a passive expression, yet despite his best attempts to remain stoic, the king of The Southern Isles could not wipe the smile off his face.

"Well that 'Montage' sure got the blood pumping." Said Kristoff. Suddenly overcome with the urge to do a run up Arendelle's mountain.

Eugene even asked Hans for a mock duel with training swords. Everyone was feeling active so suddenly.

"Ok, but who else is now feeling really guilty about eating all that cake earlier?" Asked Varian.

The alchemist was answered by a chorus of guilty groans.

•••

With the conclusion of Novak's successful training and rehabilitation, the magic screen switched to show the events of a different setting.

A far cry from the outdoors scenery of the rocky island, the alabaster halls of the grand council chamber was a place radiating with might and authority. Great bronze statues lined the walls, their imposing staunch figures watching sentinel, their features taught and disdainful.

From the high chandelier decorated ceiling the magic screen lowered the shot to a very large rectangular ornate table, the many ornamented seats each occupied by a member of power, from military officers of The Southern Isles to the princes. Personal image in the Southern Isles was everything so all of them were finely dressed and well presented.

Well. Almost all of them.

"Ahh. So this was why the renowned Prince Orson has hidden his face for the past two weeks!" Laughed Prince Jurgen.

There sitting at his seat and fuming was Prince Orson, with a big black eye. The grand halls shook with the laughter of all the members present.

Only three did not laugh at the teen.

Hans, Sideburns and Patchy recognised the silent trio. One was Lars; the most sensible of the brothers. Another was an aged slim woman who looked at the boy and the assembled princes with sadness.

"Whoa. Mom seriously aged." Sideburns whispered to his twin.

Patchy agreed.

Hans's face dropped at the sorry state of his mother. She and Lars were the only two in his family who were kind to him, the only source of comfort growing up.

The last person to disapprove of the laughter was of course the boy's father.

"SILENCE!" Roared Orghotts. The second son of Marius slammed his palm onto the expensive table. The drum of the strike echoed down the halls, and silenced the laughter.

The seat of Marius was empty, as was the seat of Mathew at the king's right. No doubt Marius was on an overseas trip and as always he took Mathew with him, so power over the kingdom fell on Orghotts who sat at the king's left.

"An outsider comes to our islands and assaults a prince of The Southern Isles. And not just any prince, I will remind you all that this is Orson, the favourite grandson of Marius." Orghotts made sure to rub it in.

The audience could see the scoffs, eye rolls and unanimous feelings of contempt written on the faces of the other princes. Indeed they need only to look among themselves and they could see the wrinkly glower on Mathew's face.

"An attack on Orson is the same as attacking the king himself!" Roared Orghotts. "Send out the brute squad, I want these enemies of the isles captured, hanged, drawn and quartered!"

He then turned his ire upon the Orsonite Guards.

"As for these disgraceful incompetent oafs. I want these men LIQUIFIED!"

Mass gasps of horror.

"You mean 'liquidated' sir?" The royal advisor suggested.

"Yes. That's what I said." Grumbled Orghotts.

"Right." The advisor said sarcastically. "Well? You men heard the prince. You are all fired."

The former guards were not about to complain. They ran out the room as quickly as they could.

Prince Jurgen took this chance to address his thoughts regarding the outsiders.

"My brothers. Let us not be so hasty with our... honoured guests." Jurgen stood and cast his smile around the room. "This was no sneaky ambush under the cover of darkness nor was it a cowardly long ranged projectile attack. The strangers attacked during the day, defeating our hallowed Prince Orson and his personal guards in plain sight of our subjects. They are obviously well versed in combat."

"What are you getting at, Jurgen?" Barked Orghotts, impatiently.

"Are the swordmen of The Southern Isles not the most renown in the world, my brothers?" Asked Jurgen. "Our country has an image to maintain. We are lions not mice. How would it look if a prince were to stand back and let his soldiers resolve his personal grievance with another man, a warrior for that matter?"

"Why do I get the feeling he is not doing this for Orson's benefit?" Asked Anna.

"He isn't." Answered Lady Caine.

The other princes at the table nodded and grinned. They knew where this was going.

"Honour must be satisfied, so I propose a challenge. These outsiders should instead be brought to fight in The Reckoning Ring." Jurgen grinned at Orson. "What say you, Orson? Does your warrior soul not burn with desire for a rematch? A chance to avenge your slighted pride? It should prove entertaining for the rest of us if nothing else."

Orghotts glared daggers at his brother. Jurgen sneered back in kind, daring Orghotts to object. Jurgen knew that Orghotts could not.

"There is so much bad blood in this family." Said Varian.

"Oh it has always been this way, a big rat race. Backstabbing and sabotage is commonplace in the house of Marius." Sideburns confirmed.

"Such are the ways of the princes of The Southern Isles, to always undermine one another. You can bet this idea of Jurgen is intended to cause humiliation to Orson, perhaps to even get rid of him." Patchy confirmed.

"That's horrible!" Cried Anna. She was aghast.

As foul as the boy was, Orson was just as much a victim in his own family.

A dark shadow fell over Marius's face.

Queen Nanna wanted to object, but couldn't. Her heart aches in seeing the way her sons and now grandchildren degrade and demean one another. But her words hold little power and she is helpless to save her family from themselves.

"Prince Orson, what say you?" Orghotts asked, yet already knowing the answer.

"I will do it." Orson declared.

•••

The cities of the seven islands were in full commotion. Gossips, rumours, panic in the streets. It was a kingdom wide lockdown, the city guards scoured every building in search of the three offenders.

The naval fleet of The Southern Isles were in full mobilisation, a great blockade of ships cordoning the eight islands prevented any civilian vessels from leaving. Merchant ships were to undergo thorough identity checks of their crew before being allowed to leave.

The navy cared not for vessels coming into the islands. Though they may come to regret this decision later.

There was much ruckus in the palace also.

Queen Nanna walked past a large stack of wanted posters prepared for distribution. She examined the ink drawings and sighed to see that the offenders were boys so young.

But something else caught her eyes. The boy with his slicked back hair, she could not put her finger on who but there was so much familiarity that it tugged at her maternal heartstrings.

Suddenly Nanna dreaded to see what would happen if the guards caught the boy, yet also yearned for it if only to find out his identity.

•••

Meanwhile, at a local hardware store.

"I'll have a pair of those goggles, that respirator and those utility belts and straps. Thank you." Said Wrenn.

"You sure know your safety gear, young lady. Are you buying these for yourself?" The store owner asked.

"No, they're for a friend. She and I got into a fight and I broke her gear." Answered Wrenn. "I feel really bad about it so I'm here to buy her some replacements."

"Personal Protective Equipment are designed to take a beating. You two must have had some fight."

"Yeah." Wrenn grimaced. "Many would call it intense."

After Wrenn made her purchases and left the store she was greeted by Amelia who hauled a large bag of edible goods. The two girls continued to happily shop for supplies when one of them noticed some papers nailed to the billboard.

"Souvenirs!" Chirped Amelia, taking a few wanted posters. "Nice pictures, huh?"

"We should head back." Said a concerned Wrenn.

•••

Back on the tiny island of Otte, the commotion regarding the fugitives was entirely missed. And thus the said fugitives continued their activities uninterrupted, and what an activity it was.

"Try not to think about it. It will be easier on you." Flynn suggested.

The Sun Prince sat on the grass with a calm expression, a bafflingly calm expression considering the position he sat in.

"THE SPLITS!?" Screeched Eugene.

Many viewers recoiled from the screen with looks of horror and phantom pain writ on their faces, especially the men.

"That is not right." Kristoff cringed. "Men should not be doing that."

With great effort and visible anguish, Aidan was trying very hard to mimic Flynn. Yet despite the larger boy's best efforts he couldn't quite reach a perfect splits.

Kristoff cringed some more.

"Hurts me just watching them!" Exclaimed Varian.

"Hey. I'm honestly very impressed." Rapunzel who practiced ballet praised. "Flynn and Aidan are both doing very well."

"It's as much a mental exercise as it is physical." Flynn reminded. "Just think of something relaxing, anything to distract the mind."

"Alright, here goes." Grunted Aidan. "Something relaxing..."

His features slowly softened, a warm smile formed on the Arendellian Prince's face.

"Oh yes, Neoma. I would like that." Aidan mumbled.

"Aidan?" Greeted Neoma. Coming up from behind him.

Aidan let out a guilty yelp. Then let out a squeak of pain when he hit reality again.

"Oh. I'm sorry, I must have come at a bad time." Neoma apologised. "I will speak to you later."

"No, no. Now is as good a time as any. Please pleeeaaase talk to me." Aidan begged.

"Okay."

Neoma sounded unsure, but agreed regardless. She stepped around to face Aidan directly, kneeling to meet his eye level and there she stared into his eyes with much concern.

"Aidan. You've been acting differently for a while. Are you troubled, are you feeling alright?" Asked Neoma. She seemed as tense as Aidan himself.

"Well I am in a world of hurt right now. But I'm guessing that's not what you're asking about." Aidan made a strained grin.

The audience could see that the attempt of a joke did bring some measure of assurance to Neoma. But the girl pressed on.

Anna leaned forward with great interest. Worried as any mother would if her son was troubled.

"Okay I just want to be... a better leader." Aidan stammered. He knew better than to conceal.

"Neoma, I feel bad for what happened at the mountain, that battle ended disastrously. We were left fractured and scarred. Then you almost died and Wrenn almost died. I cannot let that happen again." Aidan admitted. "As captain, I am responsible for the lives of my team members. I need to stop fooling around, I need to be a better leader."

A moment passed and Aidan seemed to slump lower. Neoma starred at him, blinking as she gauged in what she heard.

"Aidan. That wasn't your fault. No one is blaming you for what happened." Neoma assured him.

Aidan looked up at Neoma. The girl looked him in the eyes and continued.

"We fought a powerful enemy that day, a Gate Keeper Unquiet with a lot of tricks we weren't expecting. Don't think of the injuries of that battle as incompetence on our part especially yours. The Unquiet just outperformed us... until it didn't." Said Neoma. "When the situation called for it you instructed us to use the right formations for the right fights. We gladly followed you then and we gladly follow you now."

Aidan blinked.

Neoma could see that her words have raised the boy's spirits. She had more to say.

"You are a great leader, Aidan. And if circumstances were different I know you would make a great king, so stop worrying. You once said to me that we should relax and have fun outside of mission mode. Well here we are outside of mission mode now, so take your own advice and have fun." Neoma finished.

For a moment Aidan was speechless. Then surely as it is inevitably his wide signature smile returned.

"Thanks Neoma. You're such a pillar of strength for me. You'd make a great queen!" Aidan grinned and winked at her.

Neoma's face grew bright red. "Glad to have him back." She silently muttered, looking at anywhere but Aidan's direction.

Anna squealed in delight.

"Queen Neoma does have a nice ring to it." Laughed Kristoff.

Elsa, Rapunzel, Arianna, and Willow smiled.

"Neoma is so encouraging. It's hard to believe she is the daughter of Cassandra, who always seems dead set on knocking people down." Eugene laughed.

"Only with you, Fitzherbert." Cassandra rolled her eyes.

Flynn who silently watched the pair, finally blew a long approving whistle.

"She is absolutely right, Aidan. And look at you, you have done a full splits!" Praised Flynn.

"GAH!" Wailed Aidan.

It was at this moment when Flynn and Neoma were laughing at the fetal-positioned Aidan that Amelia and Wrenn returned. The new arrivals blink questioningly at the odd reception.

"Nice to see that two out of three of you are having fun. Where are Eri and Novak?" Asked Amelia.

"They are both at the top of the hill. Eri is giving Novak one final lesson before the big fight tonight." Explained Flynn.

•••

In front of Novak stood a large wall of ice. His trainer waved her hand and in an instant the jagged surface of the ice construct was magically polished smooth. Novak stared in astonishment at the now ice mirror.

"This will be your final lesson, Novak. It is the training of the mind, heart and spirit." Explained Eri. "To master one's self."

The Snow Princess stood beside Novak, with a raise of her hand she gestured at the boy and girl looking back at them.

"Novak, I want you to take a good hard look at yourself, at the man standing before you. Because no matter who else challenges you, no matter what hardship impedes you, the person in that mirror is and always will be your greatest foe. I believe that in fighting and I believe that in life." Said Eri. "Whatever doubts you have, whatever thoughts of uncertainties that hold you back, I want you to look at yourself and let go of it all."

Novak did as Eri instructed and he saw a confused boy staring back at him, lost and unsure, his right hand was still missing.

Eri noticed this and resumed her mentoring.

"This is you now. Don't hate it, don't try to run from it. Accept him and you will find inner peace."

Eri's words echoed in his mind, he understood that all negative thoughts were of his own making. Novak took a deep breath, he looked back at the mirror and smiled, seeing himself standing straighter and more confident.

"Think back on all your training, the things the guy in the mirror accomplished, the things you accomplished. Remember how you out-fenced Neoma and I, how you out- brawled Aidan in boxing and how you out-ran Flynn."

Eri moved in closer and with a mischievous smile she whispered. "Remember how you reversed that grapple hold and finally pinned Amy under you."

"HE DID WHAT!?" Bellowed Kristoff.

"Ehh." Novak saw himself blush while Eri teased him.

"Gee. I guess Eri isn't the over protective sister type." Snickered Anna.

"Well it's not like Amelia was trying to marry Novak after one day." Said Elsa.

Hans let out a groan and covered his face with his hand.

After a few a hearty bouts of well needed giggles Eri recomposed herself, she placed a sturdy hand on Novak's shoulder and resumed her mentoring.

"In any case. What truly matters, is that you know you have come a long way. Be at peace with yourself, Novak. As I have come to be at peace with myself."

With that said, Eri reach up and slowly brushed her hair aside, the curtain of hair that has draped over the left side of her face since the battle at the Witch Haunt. And so it was at last revealed the injury that Eri had suffered on that fateful night.

For a moment Elsa's breathing froze, her heart nearly missed a beat.

Anna's hands flew to her mouth.

"Oh Eri." Whispered Rapunzel.

Novak gaped at his friend. On the left side of Eri's face, from her brow down to her cheek, the thousands of ice crystals in that area remained grey and inactive, devoid of their usual lively sparkle. Her left eye no longer resembled a human's left eye, rather a glowing blue orb floating within the eye socket.

"My crystals, the ones that were affected. The magic was drained from them. I can no longer command them to morph or change colours, as far as things go, I have lost my ability to effectively morph into other people." Eri spoke with lament. She looked sadly at the disfigured girl in the mirror.

"Eri I... I am so sorry." Said Novak.

He knew he was not the only one to suffer a serious injury that night, but he didn't think that Eri had also lost a piece. A part of her had died, literally.

"You don't need to be sorry, Novak. You were the one who saved me, remember?" Eri smiled at him. "You hacked off the portal guardian's arm before it could do worse. So thank you, Novak."

Eri continued.

"There are very few things in this world that can harm me, before then I have never felt physical pain or needed to fear for my life, that incident was the closest I ever came to dying." Eri shivered, the temperature plummeted. But then Eri raised her head and smiled warmly again. "Though as traumatic as it was, it was from that experience that I have grown to respect you mortals all the more."

Her words were reassuring but Novak still looked at Eri with a sadness in his eyes.

"I am alright, Novak. I can still see with both eyes, thank goodness." Eri smiled. "My injuries are mostly just cosmetic."

"Wow. I never thought I'd hear a princess say that." Whispered Sideburns.

An airborne steak knife from an unknown source landed blade first into the table in front of Sideburns. He spoke no more.

"Eri, is there any way to reverse the damage?" Novak asked.

"There might be." Eri place her fingers on her cheek. "My mother created me. I believe she can repair me. When all of this is over, I will finally go home to meet my mother and ask her to revive my damaged cyrstals. I just hope that she will accept me."

Rapunzel scoffed at the girl's doubt. Of course Elsa will accept her.

Elsa herself swallowed a lump in her throat, their eventual meeting cannot come soon enough. She became hopeful.

"Urrgh. That reminds me." Novak cringed. "My mom is going to blast me out of a cannon when she sees my stump!"

"Oh it's happening." Lady Caine warned.

His joke caused Eri to giggle. A much needed uplifting of the sombre mood.

"Thank you for that and thank you for listening to me." Eri smiled at Novak. "My aunt Anna would always encourage us to open up to one another, and it is also important for the other person to listen. I am glad I finally got that out."

"Amy said the same thing. Queen Anna must be a very wise and influential ruler." Said Novak.

"That's my Anna." Praised Kristoff.

Everyone at the table agreed with Novak.

Anna felt a wave of overwhelming relief that Eri remains strong even after her injury. Pride welling in her heart at having learnt that she had taught the next generation well the value of communication. She was gladdened that her niece and children will never feel as alone as she and Elsa had, and now that teaching was taught to Novak in his moment of need.

A single silent tear rolled down Elsa's cheek. The conversation that just transpired filled the Snow Queen's heart with a plethora of strong emotions; relief, joy, pride, exultation and love. Her daughter has shown that she is stronger, hardier, more confident, trusting and far braver than Elsa herself ever was. And it was thanks to Anna.

Warm smiles spread throughout the town.

Lady Caine considered the lesson taught to her son and wondered if she should be more opened herself.

"Never you mind me, Novak. This is about you. Tonight's fight will be a hard one, physically and mentally, you must master yourself before you can conquer your opponent."

Novak took a deep breath, he smiled at Eri then at his reflection.

"Yes. I can do this." He said with confidence.

Eri place a firm and encouraging hand on Novak's shoulder.

"We want you back, Novak. You are very important to all of us, don't you forget it."

And with that, Eri circled her arms around Novak and pulled him in a strong and loving hug. An embrace that Novak returned in kind.

Kristoff's eyebrow twitched.

"That's my niece!" He grumbled.

Novak just keeps getting into more trouble with the prince consort of Arendelle.

Elsa meanwhile wordlessly turned her head and gave Hans a dangerous look. The boy's father Immediately grimaced under the icy glare of the girl's mother.

Unbeknownst to Hans though, once Elsa turned away from him she quickly started giggling with Lady Caine.

"What'd I tell ya? That look always terrifies him." Lady Caine chuckled.

But for Kristoff however, this was no laughing matter. He continued to twitch his eye, and he wasn't alone.

•••

"Sooo. Eri is giving Novak a lesson for tonight's fight, huh!?" Growled Amelia.

With her hands against her hips and a twitch in her eye the girl glared daggers at the oblivious pair embracing in the distance. A giggling Wrenn turned from her volatile second cousin to face Flynn and Aidan instead.

"Speaking of the 'fight.' You two and Novak made quite a ruckus the last time you three were in En." Wrenn scolded.

She handed them the three wanted posters taken from town.

"Looks like Prince Orson really wants a piece of you three." Said Wrenn. "Is that what you meant about 'tonight's fight?' Is the plan to have Novak defeat Orson to rebuild his self confidence?"

It was a serious question but it made Aidan and Flynn burst out laughing.

"Wrenn. Both Aidan and I have already had a swing at Orson. And trust me." Laughed Flynn. "One hand, two hands or no hands, Novak would still wipe the floor with him."

"Right. How silly of me." Wrenn rolled her eyes at her brother. "So. Are we going to let Novak solo the Infiltrator?"

Frantic mutters quickly echoed througout the streets. Everyone had forgotten about the dangerous shapeshifting Unquiet that has wormed its way into The Southern Isles.

"Oh no. This is bad!" Cried Hans.

However.

"Nah. We have something bigger in mind." Said Aidan.

"What could be bigger than the infiltrator!?" Exclaimed Willow.

Seeing the same questioning expression on Wrenn's face, Neoma approached the puzzled girl and decisively asked.

"You and Amy don't know what's about to go down, do you?"

•••

CRASH!

With a loud crack of splitting wood and the screech of twisting iron, the great double doors of The Southern Isles palace were smashed inwards. The body of the gate keeper that was so violently thrown through the doors hit the floor in a crumpled heep, scattering the frightened staff.

The palace guards swarmed in toward the entrance with weapons drawn, Prince Orghotts and Prince Franz who were present also drew their swords, ready to meet this brazen attacker.

"WHO GOES THERE!? WHO DARES DISHONOUR THE HOUSE OF MARIUS!?" Roared Orghotts.

The offender stepped through the ruined doors. He was a man of enormous stature towering head and shoulders above the assembled guards, his heavy foot falls boomed throughout the pillared hall, and with the setting sun at his back the behemoth cast a long horned shadow that blanketed over Orghotts and Franz.

"Oh." Croaked Willow.

"I am Kroza Kul." The stranger announced. His voice sounded deep and metallic through the grills of his horned helmet. "And I have come to test the might of the famed swordsmen of these lands!"

"Wait. Didn't I hear Elsa's daughter mention Kroza Kul in an earlier episode?" Asked Hans.

"Same guy." Confirmed Eugene.

"What impertinence is this!? Southern Guards, remove this fool!" The royal advisor gave the command.

Kroza Kul displayed no concern for the dozen strong men-at-arms converging on him. The barbarian king narrowed his piercing eyes at the advisor, his unnatural perception seeing what others could not. Without a word Kroza unlatched a tomahawk from his belt and hurled it at the gangly man!

SPLACTCH!

The sound of a wet snap! The tomahawk bit deep into the advisor's sternum. But the man did not fall. Dozens more sickening wet snaps caused not by the attack but by the victims own doing, the man's body contorted and twisted, unfurling until it took the form of a warped monstrosity.

"The advisor was the Unquiet!?" Gasped Varian.

"But he was the most civilized man in the conference room." Said Kristoff.

"That's why we put our money on him, he was the most out of place." Said Patchy. "Pay up!"

Eugene handed over a silver coin to each of the brothers, including Hans.

The exposed Unquiet Infiltrator thrashed its long wicked barbed arms left and right, the stunned Southern Guards were smashed aside like paper men. Prince Orghotts managed to break from his shock just quick enough to avoid the creature's claw, he ducked under a decapitating sweep and swung his sword in retaliation.

The weapon hacked a good inch into the monster's side, wedging between bone and immaterial flesh. With a blood curdling howl the Unquiet smacked Orghotts aside. Another man made to attack it, and some meager residual mental capacity of the Unquiet would remember him as Prince Franz. But the Unquiet cared not for Franz, instead the monster with its claw raised lumbered straight for Kroza Kul!

The barbarian stood his ground and met the living avalanche that dwarfed even him. With a forceful thrust of his palm Kroza jarred the descending claw, his opposite hand powered forward driving a devastating punch into the creature's abdomen.

Spittle sprayed from the Unquiet's mouth, the huge monster was raised an inch off the ground with that thunderous hit. It dropped down to one knee, right at Kroza's eye level.

Taking hold of one of the Unquiets tusks, Kroza jerked the head of the monster down, caving in its face with his knee in a shattering crack of bones. It was time to end this, discarding the severed tusk Kroza drew his heavy iron sword and with a two handed horizontal swing he brought the sword into the creature's side.

Now Kroza's sword wasn't as sharp, nor was it serviced with such reverence as Orghotts's. Nevertheless, with Kroza's strength behind the swing the weapon tore through the monster's torso and arm, cutting the monster in two in a spray of black ichor and splintered bones.

"Unquiet Infiltrators. Disgusting creatures." Kroza spat.

The two princes, the guards and the few staff watched as the barbarian brought his boot down on the monster's head in a decisive splatter.

"...Well. That takes care of that problem!" Anna chuckled, she was trying to make light of the situation.

"A warrior should not live to see themself wither, and nor should a warrior kingdom crumble from within."

The giant turned to the Southern Islanders again.

"Now. Gather your greatest warriors, I long to cross blade with a worthy foe!"

"Urgh. They are all totally screwed." Said Lady Caine.

"Mmmm." Was the general concensus.

"He butchered that Unquiet like he swatted a fly. Who is this Kroza Kul!?" Asked Hans.

"A warrior king from a long forgotten age, cursed never to die. He is estimated to have walked the Earth undefeated for five thousand years." Answered Varian.

"This guy knows about the Storm of Unquiets that's coming and he knew about the Infiltrator. No doubt Kroza wants to have his fight before the end of the world." Said Kristoff.

"Well. The Southern Isles is well known for their prestigious swordsmen, and even more well known for bragging about it." Said Sideburns.

"Guess all that bragging finally bit them in the ass." Said Patchy.

Marius and Mathew watched silently and grimly. They were absent at the time of this incident and only learnt of what transpired through second hand experience.

"In this scenario I could only imagine how things will play out... or played out in the other timeline." Said Cassandra, her eyes narrowed. "Nobody could beat Kroza one-on-one so the soldiers decide to mug him. That's when he kills everyone."

As simple and outrageous as it sounded, it was likely an accurate assessment since grim silence fell upon the table. But then.

"Hold on! Novak is suppose to fight him!?" Cried Hans. The boy's father shot his eyes at the screen again at the warrior king. Horror plastered on his face.

"That would be the plan." Confirmed Cassandra.

"But why Novak?" Asked Hans. "Why couldn't Neoma tank him? Amelia blast him? Eri freeze and shatter him? Or Wrenn reduce him to bones!?"

"Because that won't work, Kroza will just keep coming back. We've seen him do it." Said Eugene, thinking back on Flynn's fight with the barbarian. "The condition of his ever existence can only be broken if he is slain in honorable combat."

"Eugene is right." Said Elsa. "I hate to say it, but in this kind of scenario having magical powers only works against us."

"Okay...So why not let Aidan do it then?" Hans suggested.

"Oh no. This is Novak's day." A nervous Kristoff declined.

"Hmm. I've been thinking." Varian rubbed his chin. "What if Eri were to freeze Kroza- cryogenically without killing him, or Neoma encase him in Amber Rock. Then drop him into the ocean?"

"No. It has to be Novak!" Lady Caine declared.

Many heads were turned towards the boy's mother. Most were curious, as what mother in their right mind would want this of their child?

"My son needs this." Stated Lady Caine. "In order for Novak to prove to himself that he is at least as good as he was before his injury, then he will have to defeat Kroza Kul. Again!"

Lady Caine was resolute. She didn't like it but there was no other way.

"Again?" Gasped Hans.

•••

CLANG!

Rang the sharp pitched echo of metal clashing against metal. On the stone tiled arena of The Southern Isle's famed Reckoning Ring did two combatants duel.

The audience watched a decorated officer cross swords with Kroza. The Stabbington Brothers and Hans recognize the uniform to be that of a general, a rank not easily earned, and not easily bested.

The general swung his sword with well practiced motions, each attack blending into another.

Many an expert would nod approvingly at the man's skill. Hans sorely hoped the general could deal with the barbarian before Novak arrived.

"GWAAAAQUAK!"

No such luck.

Moving faster than any man of Kroza's size should, the barbarian king bullied past the general's defenses and rammed the iron sword into the general's stomach.

The crowd on screen and audience watching the screen all cried out in horror. They cried even more when Kroza raised the impaled man into the air then flung him off the ring, The airborne blood trailing body flew over the moat and hit the crowd.

Kroza bashed his armoured fist against his bare chest, an invitation for a challenge and expressing his contempt towards weakness.

"BRING ME ANOTHER! BRING ME BETTER!" Kroza's deep voice boomed through the amphitheatre.

"He mocks us." Growled Orghotts.

From his dais Prince Orghotts observed the fights with ever increasing anger. Thus far four of their country's high ranking officers have been bested by this stranger. They were losing face in front of their subjects and the morale of their armed forces have taken a hit.

Prince Jurgen who sat beside Orghotts took notice of the expressions on the many captains and other generals assembled. Their eyes betray their stoic expressions, what began as a highly desirable chance to earn the favour of the princes quite quickly... lost its desirability.

"The men grow fearful. It appears the novelty of glory has lost its charm." Said Jurgen.

"We waist no more men." Prince Franz declared, rising from his seat he took up his sword.

"Are you sure of yourself, brother?" Asked Jurgen, though he sounded more curious than concerned.

"Yes. I will handle this myself." Said Franz.

Orghotts said nothing to Franz, merely gave his agreement with a wordless look.

Worried mutters circulated the amphitheatre as the crowd watched one of the princes step into The Reckoning Ring.

"Father, no!" Cried Timmy.

A firm hand on the little boy's shoulder held him in place.

"It will be alright, Timmy. Your father is the finest swordsman in our kingdom." Lars assured.

Queen Nanna watched with her hands clasped to her chest and a mother's worry in her eyes.

"Nanna." Whispered Marius. He then cast his gaze to his son. "Franz."

Franz was an accomplished warrior, a grandmaster of Southern Isles's knightly order, a position he rightly earn. His technique was flawless, his skill exemplary. Indeed he out-skilled even the millennia old Kroza Kul.

After locking swords Franz turned his weapon and slipped his blade under the handguard of the enemy's sword. Kroza was forced to release his weapon less he lose his fingers. Franz had disarmed the barbarian king.

"Huh. Way to go, Franz." Applauded Mathew.

He may have spoken too soon.

"Victory in the name of The Southern Isles!" Roared Franz, raising his sword.

He too spoke too hastily.

Kroza caught Franz's sword-hand within his iron paw. Franz lashed out with his left arm and delivered a fierce punch to the barbarian's diaphragm... that did nothing.

Kroza's far more devastating retaliatory punch floored Franz flat on his face. The prince's own sword speared down into Franz's shoulder pinning him to the ground. Franz's cry of pain echoed through the amphitheatre.

"NO!" Cried Nanna.

The people of The Southern Isles cried in dismay when Kroza planted his boot on the proned prince's back. The fight was over.

"You are the best!? I am disappointed!" Kroza bellowed. Then he roared at the crowd; "IS THERE NO ONE ELSE!?"

All the officers and princes gripped their scabbards with whitened knuckles but none of them drawing their swords. It was all they could do to grind their teeth at the barbarian.

"It looks like there really is no more warrior who could duel me." Kroza retrieved his iron sword and raised it in preparation for a decapitating strike at Franz.

But then.

"STOP!"

The voice was still squeaky from youth but its high pitch silenced the amphitheatre.

"Let my father go! I will fight you!" Yelled Little Timmy.

"Goodness!" Gasped Arianna.

Many parents similarly voiced their shock.

Marius's eyes widened.

All eyes were on the little boy who somehow managed to enter the ring. He stood with a wooden training sword in hand, raised in defiance to the towering barbarian king.

"Timmy!" Cried Lars.

The third prince scrambled to reach the ring but a dozen hands held him at bay, the guards were desperate to keep him back.

"No, your highness. He will kill you!" A guard reasoned.

Nearby, Queen Nanna was likewise held back from rushing in to save her grandson.

In the ring Timmy continued to stare down the towering Kroza. The barbarian removed his boot from Franz's back.

"Timothy, get out of the ring!" Shouted Franz.

Franz yelled in pain as he struggled to stand. But his own sword still pinned him down and he was powerless as he watched the barbarian turn on his son.

"You have my respect, little one. But you have also sealed your doom." Kroza raised his iron sword above his head, the weapon itself was several times Timmy's size. "You have challenged me. And I must answer."

The tiny boy was frightened, terrified in fact. His lips quivered and his legs shook, but he refused to yield to the giant.

And so it was. In The Reckoning Ring of The Southern Isles, Timothy Westerguard died...

...BUT NOT IN THIS TIMELINE HE WON'T!

THWACK!

Someone else appeared in the ring and sent a powerful uppercut to Kroza's tricep. The attack halted the descending sword strike.

"Enough." Said Novak.

"He's finally here!" Gasped Elsa.

"Let them go, Kroza. I shall be your opponent." Declared Novak.

A huge wave of relief washed through Arendelle followed by cheers of excitement.

"Come on sweetie. Let's get you out of here." Said Amelia.

The girl scooped up the stunned Timmy and swiftly vacated the ring, Flynn and Aidan saw to the boy's father.

"This is gonna sting!" Aidan warned.

Before Franz had any time to prepare himself, Aidan plucked the sword free from the screaming man's shoulder. Aidan and Flynn each grabbed an arm and hauled Franz off the ring also.

The rest of the team were already seeing to the injured and the recently deceased.

"How long has he been dead for?" Wrenn asked, indicating at the general with a hole in his stomach. When she received no answer she shouted. "HOW LONG!?"

"Umm. Two minutes, ma'am." A guard answered hesitantly.

"Savable." Wrenn mutter and revived the human donut.

Aidan and Flynn released Franz rather roughly, the man screamed as he hit the bench. It was only an instinctive scream as he had already been healed without realising it.

Flynn picked up a severed arm, he located its owner and proceeded to ram the appendage back into the stump of a screaming captain.

"Oh quit your belly aching, your arm is still re-attachable. Others were not so lucky."

•••

Novak stood before Kroza, the two combatants were locked in an intense stare off.

Kroza for his part was examining his new foe. His first initial response was to shout in outrage, that the only ones willing to fight him were either children or cripples. But the ancient warrior had a way of reading his opponents, a skill acquired through the millennia of fights. And one look into the eyes of the one armed swordsman caused him to pause, he withdrew his judgement. Wordlessly Kroza pointed his sword to the centre of the ring, a sign of a challenge accepted.

The people of The Southern Isles watched the two warriors take fight positions. The boy with the dark auburn hair was recognizable to them, a general expression of confusion was shared throughout the amphitheatre.

Nanna's eyes widened. The boy looked even more familiar now that she saw in the flesh and in colour.

"This is the one who attacked Orson!?" Barked Orghotts.

"Indeed. And it seems the other two have made their appearance as well." Said Jurgen.

Flynn and Aidan took up seats at the front row along with the others. The guards kept a wary eye on the six teens, unsure whether they should still arrest them or not.

"NOVAK!" Amelia cheered. Standing on the benches, waving her arms and yelling at the top of her lungs. "You're the greatest swordsman in the World! YOU'VE GOT THIS!"

The girl's upbeat energy was an odd shift from the doom and gloom just minutes ago. And so it was with high spirits that Novak fastened the sword of Amelia to his jig and held it up towards Kroza.

Hans for his part was gripped by a turbulent mix of emotions. He felt immensely relieved that Novak stepped in and saved young Timothy, but is now cold with fear for Novak himself. The sight of his son losing a hand and collapsing in a puddle of blood still haunted Hans and would likely never go away. Yet despite the harrowing memory, the new Novak gave off an unexplained aura of assurance, something that banished the father's fears.

Lady Caine leaned forward. This was it. "Go get him, boy."

Novak made the first move, closing the distance in the blink of an eye, he whined back his sword arm and swung the arm-blade at the barbarian in one motion.

Kroza intercepted the backhand slice at the last second. The attack was predictable, but something about the impact made Kroza narrow his eyes in surprise. The barbarian felt his sword arm pushed back further than he anticipated, and though his stance was firm his boot scraped backwards against the tiles. And what's more, the meeting of their blades also created a sound unlike any Kroza had heard that night. There was no way to explain it but the ringing was somehow purer. That it was pleasant to the ears spoke well of the man behind the attack.

The barbarian wanted to cross blades again.

The audience watched the two exchange attacks, every swing intending to end one another's life.

Kroza lunged, stamped and thrust, wielding his sword with both hands. And with each second they fought Kroza read more into his opponent.

And the audience saw it too.

Novak did not fight like the men of the Southern Isles. His movements were fluid, his mind unclouded. The teen cared not for personal image thus he was not weighed down by the fear of losing face, Novak did not fight for the validation of others. His only thoughts were on the fight itself.

Thus was Novak able to spot an opening. He drew the arm-blade across Kroza's right shoulder, tearing a large gash and a shout of rage from the large man. First blood went to Novak.

Kroza thrust his weapon at the teen. The attack was swatted aside to Kroza's right and so Kroza brought his weapon around and up, ready for a downward chop. But the boy had resumed his rotation and launched a powerful kick into Kroza's stomach just as the barbarian's sword was raised.

Kroza was shocked that someone so small could kick so hard. There was no time to ponder about it. Novak concluded his spin with his own spear like thrust aimed for Kroza's heart. The barbarian batted the attack hard, spinning the teen in the opposite direction.

From the corner of his eye Novak could see Kroza prepare for a counter attack. No time to think, no time to strategize, there was no chance he could stop the spin, regain his balance and meet the monstrous retribution of Kroza. Novak's body reacted on pure instinct. Still in momentum, Novak vaulted into the air, he spread his legs in a perfect one hundred and eighty degree straight angle, a perfect splits. The bottom of his boot slammed square into Kroza's visor, flooring the barbarian.

Some swore they felt the ground shake when the massive barbarian hit the tiles.

"Seriously!?" Exclaimed Kristoff. "These boys stretch and torture their groin muscles just to do some flashy propeller kick!?"

Novak himself was surprised by his own action.

Everyone else seemed to approve though. Anna cheered, Eugene whooped, Elsa and Arianna applauded. Cassandra and Lady Caine smiled widely, frank admiration on their faces.

"Hah. I never thought to use the splits like that." Laughed Rapunzel.

Hans was still too frightened and worried to express his thoughts.

In the presence of the enthralled Southern Islanders did Novak and Kroza resume their duel. For a while neither men could land anything decisive.

Then Novak speared his blade through Kroza's right forearm. The teen brought his right boot up and kicked the iron sword out of the barbarian's grip while also dislodging his own weapon from Kroza's impaled forearm in a spray of blood. Continuing his turn from the kick Novak spun on the spot to spear at Kroza's torso.

Ignoring the pain of his ruined sword hand, Kroza brought up his left gauntlet. The blade ran a gash along the iron brace but the armour held, and Kroza caught the teen by the jig in an unbreakable vice like grip. As was before with Prince Franz, Novak struck out with his left fist, and also as before Kroza struck back with his right. The iron gauntlet smashed into Novak's cheek sending him sprawling on the ground.

It was once again Kroza who delivered the more devastating punch... Or so it seemed.

Kroza paused his advance, he let out a grunt of discomfort. Something was not right, he felt a great tightness within chest while also losing feeling to other parts of his body. Kroza staggered and stumbled, feeling confused and disoriented. No, something was very wrong!

"It's called The Death Punch." Said Novak. The boy rising to his feet and wiping a trail of blood from his cheek.

Lady Caine's eyes widened in recognition.

"My mom taught me that move. Strike at that spot with the right amount of force and you can jumpstart a person's heart. Strike with more and you can stop it." Novak announced.

Everyone turned toward Lady Caine with wary expressions while Lady Caine smiled proudly at herself.

Kroza sank to one knee, losing control of his muscles he suddenly found it hard to breath. He began to wheeze. The Barbarian King was dying.

But no time to celebrate.

The other six teens gripped their weapons tight, this was it. Novak had made sure that everyone in the amphitheatre heard his announcement, more accurately he made sure one particular spectator had heard it.

"There you are." Whispered Novak, spotting a blur of movement at the corner of his eye.

Spinning on his heel, Novak threw his steel fan at the fast approaching shadow.

Brad the Defacer yelped in confusion, pausing momentarily to swat the projectile away but that split second delay was enough to cost him. A wall of ice surged from the ground, splitting The Reckoning Ring in two and barring the vampire's path.

The people of the Southern Isles cried out their outrage and confusion at the sudden intrusion.

The other six teens stormed the ring, falling upon the isolated defacer of men.

Lady Caine fell back on her seat to let out a huge sigh of relief. Elsa thoughtfully materialized a cold hand towel over Lady Caine's brow.

"Thanks." Moaned Lady Caine.

Brad the Defacer is a swift and brilliant bladesman with centuries of battle experience, confident in a fight against dozens of men at a time. Yet tonight, against only six, the surprised Brad found himself desperately fighting for his life.

Aidan, Flynn, Amelia, Wrenn, Neoma and Eri assailed the vampire with their array unconventional attacks.

•••

On the other side of the wall of ice the barbarian raised his clenched fist high, he struck his own chest. Again and again he hammered at his disobedient heart until finally at the edge of unconsciousness Kroza roared and slammed his fist down with thunderous force.

Lub dub... lub dub.

Kroza Kul was fine... unfortunately.

"FUGGNUGGERY!" The barbarian cursed, in truth he wished to have died by the Death Punch. But alas it would not have been an honorable death had he not tried everything in his power to keep fighting.

Kroza rose to his feet. His right forearm was too torn up to perform a firm grip, thus did Kroza take up his iron sword in his left hand alone.

Novak stood waiting for Kroza, never once attempting to attack while the barbarian fought against the cardiac arrest. Removing Amelia's sword from the jig, Novak likewise took up the sword in his left hand.

"Why?" Demanded Kroza. "This wound was caused during our battle, your advantage was earned fairly. Why do you handicap yourself!"

The one-armed swordsman was not arrogant, the barbarian knew that much.

"I am doing this for me." Answered Novak, his voice was low, he held the sword firmly yet flexibly.

It was a good answer. The barbarian asked no more. The two raised their swords and resumed their duel.

•••

Back on the other side.

Brad slashed his sabre across the blunnette's mid section, but nothing came of it. Try as the vampire might he could not hurt the blue haired girl.

Brad lunged away, deciding to target someone softer. He found a different enemy and drove his sabre into her torso pleased to see his sabre stab all the way through. But the girl did not fall and nor did she bleed. Brad found that his weapon was stuck, frozen in the girls torso.

With a twist of her hips Eri snapped the vampire's sabre in twain.

Flynn rushed in, converging his two swords in a pincer attack that would see the vampire bisected. But his foe leapt over him. Flynn felt the feather weight clasp of Brad's hand on his shoulder.

Rapunzel's hands flew to her mouth as she watched Brad perform the familiar technique. The terrible move that he used to murder Future Eugene is now being used on Flynn!

An upside down Brad plunged his dagger towards the boy's skull.

KLSSSHHH.

Like broken glass the dagger shattered into a dozen pieces, steel yielding to indestructible magic hair.

"This can't be happening!" Exclaimed Brad. "Who are you kids!?" His weapons have been destroyed. He was about to lose more.

Amelia and Aidan struck at both the ligaments behind Brad's knees, dropping the vampire on his back.

Then finally came the terrible Wrenn.

Throughout this encounter the vampire had noticed the blonde girl with the chain flail was showing noticeably more hostility toward him than the others did. He wondered what he did to upset the girl.

Roaring like a beast at having witnessed Brad attempt that detestable attack on her brother, Wrenn flung her chain flail in a deadly arc. She did a spectacular spin and brought the iron ball down onto the vampire's chest with bone shattering finality.

Streams of blood sprayed from the vampire's lips, the damage was beyond fatal. Suddenly it all made sense to Brad. The missing Unquiet Infiltrators, the lost connection to the portals.

"You!" Brad choked.

His lungs were crushed, his stomach ruptured, his liver was split and his bowels displaced. All of these wounds were superficial of course... being a vampire. But the fragments of broken ribs poking dangerously at his heart brought a wave of panic to the vampire's eyes.

Brad exploded into a swarm of bats, taking to the skies and fleeing the ring altogether.

"Oh no you don't."

A swirling green and black Sphere of Decay soared into the night sky. The magic missle detonated at the centre of the swarm, the explosion of death saw the hundreds of winged critters reduced to falling bones and smoldering ash.

Everyone looked at Wrenn.

"Woah. That wasn't me." Said Wrenn. She was still blonde.

The group shifted their eyes to Flynn.

Rapunzel gasped. Her son's hair was dark as night and his eyes were pitch black.

"What? Whatever Wrenn can do, I can do." Shrugged Flynn. "And hey, I've always wanted to give that hurt incantation a shot."

Flynn was still Flynn. What a relief.

•••

Novak and Kroza collided, the ringing of their swords blotting out all activities outside of their duel.

The ice wall collapsed into soft snow around their ankles, the other six teens exclaimed at their friend but kept their distance, keeping a ring formation around the duo. Novak and Kroza broke their deadlock, a moment to recollect themselves.

A piece of green ember landed on the snow in front of Kroza's feet. The barbarian king looked up at the scattered remains of Brad the Defacer falling like green volcanic ash.

Kroza had no words for the detestable backstabbing blood sucker. He brought down his boot, grinding vampire's smoldering remains under his heel and launched himself at Novak again.

The parent group continued to watch with building anxiety.

The climax of the duel has finally been reached.

Novak ran his sword along Kroza's flank then another down Kroza's back.

Roaring in fury the barbarian spun with a backhanded slash, Kroza struck Novak's defense with enough force to bisect an ox. The teen was thrown off his feet, his weapon flew out of his hand and plunging tip first into the tiles.

Amelia gripped her Keyblade with whitened knuckles, genuine fear marred her cheery face. The rest of the group also found it harder to hold their position.

But Novak refused to disappoint them. Rolling away from a chop that raised the snow and shattered the tiles, the teen surged to his feet, ducking under another powerful backhand sweep, Novak drove his right elbow into Kroza's gut. The body weight behind Kroza's lunge combined with Novak's own forward offensive made for a truly devastating elbow attack.

Kroza staggered, the wind knocked out of him. The assailant stayed close, Novak clasped his jig over the cross guard and ricasso of Kroza's iron sword and slammed the clamps shut. The barbarian found that his sword was locked in place to the boy's strange contraption.

Novak kicked hard, bringing his boot up and fast into the barbarian's elbow.

Kroza yelled in pain and wide eyed shock as he felt and saw his left elbow bend the wrong way!

Novak jerked to his right, wrenching the iron sword free from Kroza's limped fingers, Novak continued his momentum in a full circle and finally drove his elbow and the length of the stolen sword into Kroza's stomach.

Wide gaping mouths filled the streets. They had never seen a move like that before.

Disengaging the clamps, Novak released the weapon and stepped away from his impaled opponent.

Kroza fell to his knees, his blood poured in torrents, reddening the snow covered tiles of The Reckoning Ring. He was dying. Both of his arms have been rendered useless, this time there was nothing more that he could do. Kroza couldn't believe it, after so long, so many years and lifetimes. Here and now he can finally rest, having at last been defeated in honourable combat. He looked around at the environment, at his place of death; green embers falling on the snow, strangely poetic.

Novak retrieved Amelia's sword and clamped it in place as he slowly approached Kroza. The barbarian was smiling at him, he could not see it through the horned helmet but he knew it was there.

Novak smiled back. Then with one diagonal cut the curse was lifted. The barbarian collapsed to his side, never to rise again. Kroza Kul, king of the ancient Iron Hearts tribe, the warrior eternal was no more.

Novak sheathed his sword, he had no further need for it tonight. The duel was over.

The audience erupted into cheers. People stood up and applauded.

"YES!" Lady Caine squeeled.

"He did it Caine! Novak is as strong as he was before the injury!" Cheered Rapunzel.

"No. He is stronger than before." Corrected Anna.

"He has grown in heart beyond where he has ever been." Said Elsa.

Cassandra wordlessly slapped her hand against Lady Caine's back.

Eugene and Kristoff cheered and whistle. Eugene wrap an arm over Hans's shoulder and rapidly but gently knocked on Hans's chest.

"Breathe buddy. It's over now. You can let yourself breathe again." Eugene laughed.

"I... I don't believe it!" Hans gasped.

The Stabbington Brothers drunkenly cheered, skulling mouthfuls of ale in celebration.

Mathew applauded.

"YESSS! He did it!" Marius pumped his fists despite himself.

Frederic, Arianna, Edmund and Willow applauded with wide smiles... Well, Willow took it further, waving her arms and cheering at the top of her lungs.

A squealing Amelia took Novak by the hips and spun him in the air.

The rest of the group swamped in within milliseconds.

"I knew you could do it!" Cheered Flynn.

"Looks like all those knocks to the head paid off." Laughed Aidan, poking at the dry blood trail on Novak's cheek.

"That was quite the move. I've never thought the jig could be used that way." Praised Neoma.

"Kroza Kul is dead and so is Brad the Defacer. Your father will not die by their hands in this time." Eri smiled.

Hans gaped at the screen.

"Our dad won't die either. Thanks to you, Flynn." Wrenn smiled at her brother.

Kristoff gave Eugene a pat on the back.

The Southern Isles crowd were not so vocal in their take of the events. Without the approval of their monarchs they dared not voice their acceptance of the strangers.

Orghotts, Jurgen and the other princes sat with disdainful looks, the high ranking officers likewise expressed their displeasure. This should have been a victory for The Southern Isles, not some outsider.

Marius's smile vanished upon witnessing the behaviour of his sons.

Clap.

Clap.

Prince Lars rose from his seat and applauded, Little Timothy followed happily. A wave of applause and cheers quickly spread and reverberated in the amphitheatre.

The other princes were not happy but nonetheless they begrudgingly offered a few claps each.

Novak stepped forward to address the country's leaders. The crowd silenced themselves.

"Princes of The Southern Isles. My companions and I have answered your challenge. We fought in The Reckoning Ring... against a barbarian king and a vampire count no less. If that is all, I ask that you grant us safe passage."

"Prince Orson?" Asked Orghotts.

Orson stood sentinel at his father's right. The young prince clenched his jaw and gripped his scabbard with whitened knuckles. For a moment all eyes were on Orson.

"Now, young man. Don't be foolish." Warned Edmund.

"Honour is satisfied!" Orson relented. "Leave The Southern Isles at once!"

Safe passage was granted. Orghotts and the other princes allowed the group to leave in peace. But some questions still begged to be answered.

"Warrior, wait!" Cried Nanna.

Novak turned to meet eyes with the queen. The aged woman stared intently into his face, searching for answers to a question that plagued a mother's heart.

"You look like us. Who are you?" Asked Nanna.

A few mutters circulated among the nobles.

"I agree with my mother's observation's, young man. You do bear resemblance to the proud Westergaard lineage." Said Lars with a welcoming smile. "Perhaps we can trace you to our family tree."

"Ha. I would wish you luck, Lars." Jurgen scoffed. "Our family is so virily wide spread that any scum on the street could be related to us. Even under our roof we each have nine brothers."

"Nine brothers?" Novak asked sharply.

The teen seemed to take offense to that.

"Yes. Nine brothers!" Orghotts declared impatiently. "Marius Westergaard sired ten sons!"

Lars and Nanna turned to Orghotts. They both shared hurt expressions on their faces, Orghotts in turn refused to meet their gazes.

The people in Arendelle's town square murmured their disappointments amongst themselves.

Mathew frowned. A week ago he would not have batted an eye but these past two days have changed his perspective and seeing the expression on Novak's face made him grimace.

Marius's face was one of sadness combined with horror and shock driven realisation.

An outraged Amelia made to protest. But a firm hand from Aidan halted her.

Novak for his part was hurting inside. He thought of his father, his uncles Patchy and Sideburns. Drawing back on his memories, of the last visit to Old Corona he remembered Little Novak giggling and surrounded by people who loved and valued him. It was a life his father, mother and uncles built from scratch, a new life after placing their pasts behind them. Novak smiled, his heart soared with pride, that was his family.

The amphitheatre was quiet, everyone awaited the one armed swordsman's answer.

"No. We are not related." Novak's voice was low but everyone heard him. Then with his head held high he proudly announced himself.

"My name. Is Stabbington."

"Bring it in!" Sideburns cheered.

Both Sideburns and Patchy wrapped their large arms around Hans, the youngest of which awkwardly patted them back. Lady Caine who sat a few seats away chuckled at the sight of the trio.

"How is it that none of the other kingdoms heard of what transpired that night?" Asked Rapunzel. "I mean this was huge!"

"Isn't it obvious, Raps? Someone, likely everyone ordered a complete information blackout." Said Cassandra.

"In contrast, if it had been one of the Westergaard princes who defeated Kroza, you can bet the seven kingdoms and beyond would be made to know about it." Said Lady Caine.

•••

Early in the next morning the seven teenagers were back on the tiny island of Otte the place they had made their retreat for two and a half weeks. But now that their tasks in these lands were accomplished, it was time to move on.

They packed their belongings and made ready to depart from The Southern Isles. But first they had one last service to conduct.

The audience watched the seven gather at the beach.

With a grunt of effort Novak pushed the dinghy boat off the sands of Otte, the seven stood back as winds and the waves carried the small vessel and its heavy content out to sea.

"Wait. Is that Kroza Kul lying in the dinghy?" Anna narrowed her eyes.

It was.

On command Amelia sent a fireball to set the boat aflame.

"So long, big guy. Can't say any of us know how your tribe liked to conduct their funerals. But I hope this old Viking send off suits you." Aidan gave a casual salute.

"Rest now, Kroza Kul." Novak offered his farewell "And thank you. In our fight I too was able to find peace."

It was astounding for many. Kroza was Novak's enemy and yet the teen treated his fallen foe with more respect than the Westergaard would treat one another.

"Do you think they gave Brad the Defacer a funeral?" Varian asked Kristoff.

"I don't see the point. I mean he was already blown to flaming bits." Laughed Kristoff.

"It would be waste considering he's not dead." The Witch muttered.

"WHAT!?" Elsa, Anna and Rapunzel exclaimed.

"I mean he's undead!" Cried the Witch.

•••

Far away did the burning boat drift until it was finally claimed by the sea, and that was the last time anyone ever saw Kroza Kul.

The teens boarded the dirigible one by one. A trio of ships from the Southern Isles Navy awaited to escort the group. Prince Lars himself offered to oversee the teens safe passage out of the kingdom.

It was clear that they were not wanted. Novak released a sigh, he took one last look at the island of his rehabilitation before he boarded the dirigible. But then.

"WAIT!" Cried Timmy.

The little boy stopped in front of Novak, huffing and puffing with his hands on his knees.

Novak blinked at the tiny prince.

"Mister... Stabbington, sir?" Timmy spoke after catching his breath.

"Yes. And 'Timothy' was it?" Novak replied.

"Yeah. Um... I want to say thank you for saving me. And even if my father didn't like it, I want to thank you for saving him too."

The display of gratitude caught Novak by surprise. He had thought the worst of the Westergaards.

"Oh. You're welcome, Prince Timothy. I'm glad you weren't hurt." Novak smiled. "How is your dad, has he recovered yet?"

"Father's alright. But he is very angry with me. He said what I did was stupid." The little prince cringed with nervousness. "Even Uncle Lars was angry too. I guess what I did was a bit dumb."

Novak frowned. He lowered himself to one knee to meet the tiny boy's eye level.

"Reckless perhaps. But that was a brave thing you did. You stood up to Kroza Kul to defend your father when no one else would."

A familiar image flashed onto the screen a replay of the event of the alternate future. When a younger Novak watched his own father step up to face the barbarian king. Then himself crossing blades with the vampire.

Hans gasped and turned to his wife. Lady Caine locked eye with him, she smiled and nodded at her husband.

"Hey. I know." The teen's face lit up. "Here. I want you to have this."

Novak presented Timmy with the two handed sword of his father.

"It's a lot more impressive than a wooden training sword, am I right?"

"You- you want give me this sword!?" Timmy gawked with wide eyes. "REALLY!?"

"That's right. I cannot wield it anymore." Novak let out a sad sigh as he inclined his head at his stump. "But you still can once you get bigger."

Novak placed the treasure onto Timmy's trembling hands.

"This was once wielded by a swordsman who was the best in... his homeland. And from what I have seen, you are the strongest warrior in The Southern Isles. And so I bequeath this sword to you."

As much as Hans treasured and valued his prized sword he could not find it in himself to fault Novak for giving the weapon to Timothy. The young prince certainly was deserving of the honour.

It was a wonderful act that lifted the hearts of many.

Indeed, Little Timmy himself was moved to tears.

"Wow... Thanks!" Timothy said between hitches. He looked up at the older boy with his huge wobbly eyes. "None of my... cousins are ever... this nice to me. I wish you could be my cousin."

Novak froze. What the boy said struck him hard. For a moment he stood silent. He thought back on the old woman, the queen who looked at him with sadness in her eyes. Then there was Princes Lars who was supportive towards them.

Novak continued to contemplate in eerie silence, Timothy wondered if the older boy was offended by him. But then.

"Maybe." Novak finally responded. "In a better world. Perhaps we could be cousins."

There was still a chance.

And so it was. Novak, Amelia, Neoma, Eri, Wrenn, Flynn and Aidan sailed away aboard their dirigible, leaving The Southern Isles without incident thanks to Lars and in good ties all thanks to Timmy.

•••

"Well that was nice of them. I totally thought we'd have to bash our way out like we did in Weselton." Laughed Flynn.

Everyone else in the group cringed at the memory.

"Perhaps not everyone in Novak's estranged family are jerks." Chuckled Aidan, swatting Novak on the back. "By the way. You really inspired that little guy back there."

"Yeah. That was really really sweet what you did for Prince Timothy!" Cooed Wrenn.

"It was a certainly a gesture that made his spirits soar." Said Eri.

"Oh, I knew it would." Replied Novak, tapping his hand on his new short sword. "Believe me, I know how great it felt."

He flashed a smile at Amelia and in his eyes he displayed all the appreciation he felt for the girl. Amelia in turn looked back at him admiringly.

"Anyway." Neoma cleared her throat in a scolding like manner. "Where do we go next from here?"

"Ah sorry, Neoma. Take us North-West." Aidan ordered.

The citizens gasped and for good reason.

"We go to Arendelle."

Anna squealed. Kristoff gaped, memories of his last encounter with Amelia resurfaced.

And with that parting declaration the screen flicked off.

•••

Dinner was served before the citizens and honoured guest retired to their dwellings and lodgings after another day of the magic screen.

Another big round of hugs and hand shakes were shared around the parent group. Anna, Rapunzel and Elsa gave Lady Caine a big congratulatory hug. Cassandra being more reserved merely gave Lady Caine a slap on the back, but that didn't mean Cassandra can escape hugs altogether. Rapunzel grabbed her sworn sister and squeezed tightly and lovingly.

•••

While most retired for the night some have decided to spend the later part of the evening at the bar, a good place for a strong drink.

"Arendellian Aquavit is quite nice." The witch took a swig. "But it's no Dunbroch Scotch."

The tiny old woman smiled when she noticed a presence near her.

"I knew you would come, Marius." The witch smiled. "Take a seat."

"I guess you also know why I have come." Marius admits. Taking his seat.

The king of The Southern Isles was a large man and was accustomed to holding his head high and looking down with his eyes when he spoke with others. Yet tonight at the presence of the short statured old woman Marius inclined his head, meeting the witches gaze as an equal. Tonight he was not a king but a man concerned for his family.

"I seek your council." Said Marius.

It was a fortunate mercy for him that the witch had chosen a secluded area for their meeting, for Marius Westergaard would hate to have his thoughts heard publicly.

All these years Marius had know of the harsh upbringing of his heirs, it was a custom that he had not only allowed but actively encouraged for he believed that was what makes strong individuals. But the Magic Screen has an innate way of showing the world in a perspective that is not the viewer's own. And out from his ivory tower did Marius see his own house with different eyes.

What Marius saw made his heart balk. Each of the princes lived and fought only for themselves, there was no unity. He witnessed the frailty and uncertainty of the sons of Westergaard. No one will ever be truly strong for they will always be sabotaged by one another. Marius beheld the desperate nature of his sons, their inherent weakness goaded by jealousy, distrust and ambition.

And in the end, all of this comes back down to Marius himself, the patriarch who sought to build a strong line in his family, ended up treating his sons and grandsons as tools for grandeur. He had even dismissively discarded those he deemed useless to him.

Marius thought back and remembered his own jealous rage that drove him to furiously order that no one in his kingdom speak of the advent of Kroza Kul or the one armed swordsman, under pain of imprisonment. And in that unworthy act Marius saw the doom of his lineage.

He needs to... he must set things right.

"That took strength, lad." The witch smiled, like a mother praising a boy. "The first step to recovery is to acknowledge that something needs fixing."

"But can it really be done? After so many years?" Whispered Marius, for the first time in his life he felt unsure, like he had no power. "Can such a divisive nature truly be undone?"

"You are the most pig headed man of them all and yet here you are seeking its undoing. Runi and Runo were the most abusive towards Hans growing up, now look at them." The witch encouraged, there was more.

"The Southern Isles should have fallen that night, that was what befell your kingdom in the alternate future. You would have returned from your overseas trip as a king without a kingdom. And yet today The Southern Isles stands, its fate undone thanks to your grandson. Now can changing mere attitude still be so hard?"

"No. It shouldn't." Whispered Marius.

His 'grandson.' With the truth of that night laid out to him, Marius felt his heart well with gratitude yet tightened with shame. Novak had saved his kingdom and was offered no thanks or recognition for it. But then again Novak would not have wanted his name spread to the four corners of the world, the young man was not a seeker of fame, indeed for the sake of the mission he and the other six heroes preferred to keep a low profile.

Marius slowly shook his head but smiled at the irony as he did. Novak Stabbington was everything he wasn't and yet he couldn't be happier for it.

But with all that was said and done could Novak ever reconcile with The Southern Isles? Thanks to Lars, Nanna and Timothy there may still be a chance.

"Timothy." Now there was another grandson who has earned his admiration. This truly was an enlightening night.

And so Marius left the tavern with a new purpose and the witch's wise words echoing in his mind.

"Mend the bond torn by pride."

•••

End of Chapter 15: Stabbington.

•••

Chapter Notes:

Phew! That went WAY longer than I expected.

I just want to say that I am a huge fan of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky movies, very inspirational. I just had to give Novak a training montage.

Another thing I couldn't resist was making Novak do the Helicopter Kick or the Van Damme Kick as I like to call it.

That move he used on Kroza in the end was inspired by Kratos's finisher against a Traveller in GOW Ragnarok... with a minor alteration.

I suspect I might have ruined a few childhoods with that "Pinned Ya!" bit. Sorry. XD

The part with Marius deciding to change his ways was inspired by Charles Dickens's The Christmas Carol. And I even added my own Tiny Tim. And yes there was a bit of Abuela Alma from Enchanto in that.

•••

Character notes:

When I designed the seven OCs I made the decision to give them mostly Flat Positive Character Arcs (Wrenn had a minor hiccup, but that was only under possession). I know this arc is quite unconventional nowadays but I wanted the teens to embody the culmination of the Parent Group's canon character developments. Having passed down their life lessons to their children, the seven will not make those same mistakes (plus we've already seen it in the movies/series and I doubt any of you want to see the kids repeat them here, LOL).

And it helps that there is a sweet feeling of vindication for the parents when they see it is so.

Hence Neoma turned out undyingly loyal to her friends, why I chose her to reach out to Wrenn in the previous chapter. Novak for his part would never steal or be dishonest to his friends and would never degrade or demean anyone. Eri has learnt to be open and communicative etc.

I would like to thank the YouTuber: "Totally Not Mark" for his videos: "Son Goku: The Misunderstood Character" and "Frieza: The Unsympathetic Villain" Both really helped me make the decision to go with Flat Character Arcs for both the heroes and the villains (besides Kroza perhaps).

•••

Fun Fact:

Going WAY back, before Kroza Kul was invented. Novak and Neoma's characters were originally supposed to be evil :O

Novak was supposed to arrive in The Southern Isles and go all Killmonger. And earlier in chapter 4 it wasn't Flynn vs Kroza, it was actually Wrenn vs Neoma. I'm really glad I scrapped those ideas.

•••

Thank you for reading, and please leave me your thoughts.