Chapter Text
I.
Elsa’s parents had gone out for a few days, knowing their just-turned-eighteen daughter could take care of herself, though they warned her to not do anything stupid, like freeze the whole Warren—which is highly unlikely considering she wasn’t four anymore and freezing everything at a single touch. She remembered her dad talking about the adjustments he and Mum had to make for her as a snow Pooka with winter powers, and she had kinda felt bad at one point, though Dad had assured her it was fine. Pooka’s were adaptable and he didn’t mind a bit of nippy weather.
Currently her home is now a mix of summer grass and wintry frost, her Dad having allowed her Mum to plant flowers that bloom only in the winter, among other things. As a result of the wintry frost and drop in temperature, some of the tree leaves have turned yellow or red in response, which Elsa was sure that wasn’t supposed to happen.
At the moment, she was simply messing with her powers, freezing things harmlessly (a few leaves or so), and absolutely bored out of her mind.
Technically, as a young adult, she could do whatever she wanted—except leave the Warren. She was allowed to access the tunnels, but not leave them. She was allowed to explore the nests and all that wildlife that lived there, but not leave. She didn’t understand why she wasn’t allowed to leave even at age eighteen—she felt like Rapunzel in her high tower (but that didn’t mean her parents were evil, just… overprotective?)
“Ugh!” She groaned, “Nothing to doooo!” She hopped around the cavern of nests, slouched exaggeratedly, snout turned down in a frown. She’s tried painting, jumping through tree branches like a monkey (which is surprisingly difficult to do), exploring the tunnels, and even playing with Dad’s little eggs (googies?) even though Easter had already passed. Hadn’t she used enough of her winter powers? Could she try the abilities she inherited from her dad?
At that, her long ears perked up when she suddenly got a crazy idea: Practicing her time-jumping like her dad does! But then she’d run the risk of causing a bunch of paradoxes! That is definitely a big no-no from both Mum and Dad. Though didn’t Dad say Pooka were immune to time paradoxes? She couldn’t just run around changing history willy nilly, right?
Argh, Elsa was so darn bored!
“Only if I don’t tell them…” She concluded to herself suddenly, feeling mightily sly. Giggling, she raced to the wide open area of the Warren where multiple entrances to various tunnels were visible. Situating herself at one of the doors, far enough to not trip and crash, she thumped her foot against the mossy ground and grinned.
Dad had taught Elsa at a young age how to time-jump, an ability that was pretty unpredictable and quite risky if one didn’t know what they were doing. He had showed her his talent, popping from one place to another like teleportation. He’d always remind to have a clear image of where to go and to not hesitate during the jump. Disastrous things can happen if one isn’t paying attention. (The haunted look she’s seen in Dad’s eyes sent shivers down her spine.)
Despite the dangers, she was curious. Elsa wondered if it’d be a good surprise to jump to where her parents were, wherever that was. She’d never time-jumped outside the Warren before; maybe she could show how good she was at it!
Wait—she didn’t know where her parents were. Did they go to North’s workshop? Elsa paused, reconsidering her options. Maybe instead of going to the unknown where her parents were, she’d arrive at North’s place! Hey, that sounded like a solid plan!
Eagerly, Elsa leaned forward in a form that Mum and Dad had taught her: a mix of a human and Pooka form that helped her stamina during jumps. Paws touching the ground, hind legs pulled back and wound up for movement. Her grin grew wider, her little tail wagging in excitement.
With both her hind legs, she bounced forward, focusing on the air around her. With her parents in mind, Elsa then switched to one leg at a time, which was easier than a normal Pooka since she had a few human traits from her Mum.
The image of the Globe Room in the mighty tall building deep in the Arctic flashed through her mind, crystal clear.
One.
Halfway to the tunnel.
Two.
Ten feet.
Three!
Just as she was about to ram headfirst into the door of a tunnel, there was a sudden popping noise and the world around twisted and turned. Yelping, she face-planted onto the ground, a little dazed. Taking a moment or recuperate, Elsa wiggled her paws, making sure nothing vital was broken. A little sore sure, but nothing bad. Good, she told herself, you did it.
Crouching on her hind legs, a dazzling smile lit up and she let out a laugh of joy. “I did it!” She crowed, “I time-jumped! On my first try!”
A sea of green greeted her, the familiar foliage of the Warren reaching out to meet her as she slowly took in her unexpected surroundings.
Oh. Maybe I hadn’t been as successful as I thought, Elsa mourned quietly, gazing at the oddly beautiful forestry.
A sudden warm breeze got her attention, and her nose twitched in confusion. “That’s weird… It’s warm!” Warmth in the Warren was a little higher than 50 degrees, for both a Spring and Winter Pooka, adjusted to accommodate her human mother. This warmth, however, was far higher than what she was used to—nearing 70 degrees at best! It was even warm enough that there wasn’t any snow! Looking around, Elsa saw that, yes, there was only green everywhere, no frost in sight!
A smidge of unease pooled in her gut. “Uh oh.”
“Mum? Dad?” Carefully she awkwardly crawled on all fours, ears pinned down in worry. “You there?”
Another gust of warmth breezed past her, and with it carried a voice. A familiar voice, deep and soothing. “Mum!” She bounded from her spot and followed the sound, feeling the Wind push at her back, as if guiding her.
Elsa had just turned a corner, shouting, “Mum! Dad—!” But then stopped, staring at the two people before her. “Oh. Oh shit.”
For her Mum and Dad, significantly younger and smaller, stared at her without an ounce of recognition in their eyes. Elsa groaned, hiding her face. “Aw crap.”