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It is autumn, and we are standing on the ramparts of the citadel, gazing at the ships on the sound and the distant coast of the Southern Isles rising beyond, bright in the evening sunlight. Behind us the ramparts drop abruptly; growing below us are stately trees whose golden leaves are falling from their branches. Down below them are dark and gloomy buildings with wooden palisades, and inside, where the sentry paces back and forth, it is dreary and dark. But behind the grated windows it is still darker and drearier, for here are confined the most hardened criminals, the convict slaves.

A sunbeam from the setting sun creeps into the bare dungeon, for the sun shines on good and evil alike. A sullen, savage prisoner glares bitterly at the cold sunbeam. Then a tiny bird flutters against his grated window, for the bird too sings for the evil as well as for the good. For a moment it twitters softly, "Qvivit," then remains perched on the grating, fluttering its wings, plucking a feather from its breast, and ruffling up its plumage.

As the chained criminal, whose name is Hans, gazes at it, a milder expression steals softly over his rugged face. A feeling that he scarcely realizes slowly enters his heart-a feeling that is somehow akin to the sunbeam that has strayed through the grating, and the scent of violets that in the spring bloom so abundantly outside his prison.

Now there sound the clear, strong, and lively notes of the huntsman's horn. Away from the grating flies the startled bird, the sunbeam fades; all is again dark in the cell and in the heart of the wicked man. But for one brief moment the sun has shone therein, and the little song of the bird has been heard.

Keep on, sweet tones of the huntsman's horn! For the evening is mild, and the sea as calm and smooth as a mirror.

“Hello, brother…”

A voice called out from outside the bars of Hans’ cell. “Lars,” Hans muttered under his breath. He was surprised to find that his brother had arrived to speak with him. Lars hadn’t spoken with him in quite some time. Hans stood up and walked slowly towards his brother. “Lars, my brother,” Hans cried, his voice tinged with both joy and bitterness. “It’s been a long time. I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me.” Hans had bandages wrapped around his forehead and there were dark circles around his eyes.

“Believe me, brother, most of the time I wish I could forget you, but I had to come after you suffered from that strange accident in the stables,” Lars replied through gritted teeth. "What happened there? Some say a giant snowball fell from the sky and struck you. Tell me what happened! I need to hear it from you." Hans grunted and kept silent. Even Hans himself wasn't sure what to make of what had happened to him in the stables. Lars carried something that was wrapped in a large cloth. Hans eyes turned towards what Lars was carrying. “What’s that?” he asked. Lars quickly unwrapped it, revealing some krumkake. “This reminds me of slightly better times,” Hans said, eyeing the food. “Take it… eat,” Lars said, handing the krumkake over to Hans. Hans took it and quickly began wolfing it down. “Lars, why did you really come?” Hans asked, his mouth still full of food. “Did you really come because you missed me, or did someone put you up to this?”

Lars took a deep breath before replying, “Yes, Hans! Someone did put me up to this. Kai begged me to go see you. He said it would be good for me.” “So you’re listening to slaves now, aren’t you?” Hans scoffed. “Why didn’t you listen to me when I began writing letters to you?” “You were a criminal,” Lars said, looking away from Hans. “You tried killing two women! Do you think I can overlook that?” Hans paused for a moment before nodding. Lars covered his face in frustration. “By the way, how’s the slave boy doing lately?” Hans asked in genuine curiosity. “Don’t you call him that!” Lars shouted. “He’s my son!” “Sorry,” Hans said, a tinge of fear in his eyes. “So, how’s the boy doing lately?”

“He’s been behaving strangely lately.”

“How so?”

“He’s been claiming to hear music outside the castle gates; music that beckons him to follow it. But the strange thing is, I’ve never heard anything.”

Hans’ eyes widened. “Was the music that of panpipes?” he asked.

“Yes, but how could you have known this?”

“I’ve been hearing that music too, every night for the last two days,” Hans claimed. “It’s been disturbing my sleep. The strange thing is no one here except me seems to be able to hear it. I tried to write to you about it, but you wouldn't respond. I can lead you to the music for a price.” Lars shook his head. “I’ve heard enough,” Lars grunted. “I don’t know how you managed to come up with those lies, but congratulations!” With that, he left the building and set off towards the room where Kai slept. Upon opening the door of the room, he found the room to be quite empty, with Kai nowhere to be found. There was a piece of wire in the lock of the door. Kai must have used the wire to pick the lock.

”Kai!” Lars fearfully shouted. No one answered. Quickly, Lars arrived back outside Hans’ cell to ask him some questions. “Hans, I have no choice but to ask you for help,” Lars admitted. “If you can really hear the mysterious music, then lead me to it.”

“It’s a little tricky, given that I’m behind bars.”

“I’ve bribed the jailer. You’ll be let out, but you must return by 8’O Clock in the morning.”

“I promise,” Hans promised, in a manner that sounded most insincere.

Hans led Lars to where the music was leading him, which was a forest far away from the city. Three times on their journey, Hans tried to sneak off, but Lars caught him each time. "By the way, has anyone found mother yet?" Hans asked. "Nope, and it's probably a good thing no one has found her since she disappeared," Lars remarked. "She had no place here." They stopped once they arrived at their destination and hid behind a large tree.

A young boy of around 10 years old was playing a panpipe. He was talking to Kai, and that boy was hovering above the ground close to a campfire. Kai was barely a boy anymore, and he had dark skin. “Well, are you coming?” the boy asked Kai. “We both know you have no future here. Come with me to my land and you’ll never be a slave again.” “But my father will miss me if I leave,” Kai argued. “I should probably tell him about this.” “Your father will forget about you if you leave,” scoffed the boy. “My father loves me and he promised me he’ll do his best to ensure that one day I’ll become a free man,” Kai explained. “All I have to do is stay by his side.” The boy chuckled as if he were hearing a joke. “Believe me, your father is a coward,” replied the boy.

Somehow, the boy seemed to know a lot about Lars’ family, and this unsettled him. Lars quickly jumped out from behind the tree and reached out his hand. “Kai, please come home!” he begged. "That stranger has you under his spell. Snap out of it!" The boy laughed. “Why would he want to stay with you when he has no future here?” the boy laughed. "And just so you know, I'm not using magic to force him to do anything." “You have no right to take my son!” Lars shouted at the boy.

“If you want him so badly, then why don’t we make a deal? Why don’t we let Kai decide where he wants to go?” the boy cried. Lars nodded and reached out his hand towards Kai. Kai reached out and took it. The boy looked at them with an expression of disgust on his face. He reached for his dagger, and for a moment it looked as though he was about to pull it out. Instead, he said, "Warn the king to step down, or else more children will go missing. Or worse. Maybe death will follow." Lars shook his head. "He wouldn't listen," Lars replied.

The boy leapt up and disappeared into the sky. Lars turned around to find that Hans had moved away and was now making a fun for it. “Sorry, Lars, but I can’t stay!” Hans shouted. He didn’t get far when he tripped on a rock, rolled down a hill, and hit his head on a tree trunk. “Let’s get Hans back to the castle,” Lars said to Kai. Kai nodded. “And Kai, I promise you that one day you will become a free man,” Lars continued. "I'm going to see my father to demand him that he set you free!" Lars meant what he said.

After Hans was returned to his cell, Lars went to the tavern to steel himself for what he was about to do. "I'll have a pint of beer," Lars told the bartender. Lars sat by himself at a table and drink his beer. While he was doing this, he overheard two people talking. "Captain, are you sure this is wise?" he thought he heard one of them say. "We don't know if the rumors about the royal palace having a secret passage are true. We could be trapped if we try using the underground drainage pipes to find it." "If one of the underground pipes leads to the king's treasury, we'll be set for life," replied the other. "One of the pipes leads right towards the harbor. We'll make our escape there." The captain was a woman, and her name was Captain Mcalister. Lars nervously turned and sat down beside them. "You'll never make it to the palace treasury without a map," Lars told them. "Who are you?" the captain asked him. "I live in the palace," Lars responded. "I know a lot about the palace and its history." Lars took out a map from his bag and spread it out on the table. "Luckily for you, I have just the map you need," Lars continued. "You'll be able to find the secret passages you seek if you have the right map." The captain looked at him suspiciously. "Is this a trap?" she asked. "You'll never know unless you trust what I have to say," said Lars. "Keep this map. It's on the house." "Why are you doing this?" the crewmember asked.

"I have grievances with the king," Lars answered. Lars got up and prepared to leave. However, the captain said, "I think you deserve something for your troubles." The captain reached into her pocket, pulled out a compass, and gave it to him. "It's a compass!" Lars said, half to himself. "It's not just any compass," explained the captain. "This compass led us to a land where time ran very differently to this land." Lars accepted the gift and left to return to his chambers. There, he picked up his sword and sheath before arriving outside the king's throne room. He knelt on the ground, put his palms together, and began to pray a prayer he was familiar with. It went like this:

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As he prayed, the captain and her crew were already making their way towards the king's treasury through an underground pipe. He steeled himself and went straight into the King's throne room to "talk" with him. Lars felt as though he was about to have a heart attack as he walked into the King's throne room. His father, King Jacob, sat on the throne and glared at him ominously. Jacob was a beardless old man, yet he looked younger than he actually was. "So, Lars, have you come here to ramble about history?" King Jacob growled. "Yes, father, but not ancient history this time," Lars said, glaring at his father. "I want to discuss recent history." "I'm intrigued," King Jacob said. "This is something new." "And I want to discuss it privately with you." King Jacob eyed him suspiciously. "Very well," Jacob said after a moment had passed. He turned to the guards, saying, "You're not welcome here right now. Come back when you're needed." The guards did as they were told and left the throne room. "Lars, what do you have to say?" King Jacob growled. "Speak quickly and get this over with!" "There have been reports of a piper kidnapping the children of this kingdom," began Lars. "I've heard that the piper wants you to step down otherwise more children will disappear. Children may die!" "I'm certainly not going to step down," Jacob confidently replied. "If that piper wants to challenge my authority, he hasn't thought things through. Everything will be alright, son."

"And, also about my bastard son, Kai," Lars began. "I let you make my son into a slave. I was wrong to do that, and I want you to release him." The king chuckled in response to this. "Why do you care so much about him?" King Jacob chuckled. "He's not like us. I can have him executed if you want him put out of his misery." 

Upon hearing this, Lars lost his temper and pulled out his sword, pointing it an inch away from King Jacob's neck. "You will free my son or face the consequences!" Lars roared. "The worm has teeth!" King Jacob said with a smug expression on his face. "Go on and do it! Do you really think threatening me will make a difference? If I die, my successor will surely execute your son just to spite you." Lars dropped his sword, knowing that his father had a point. "Guards! Guards!" shouted King Jacob. "Arrest Prince Lars and throw him in the dungeons! There's a steep penalty for treason. I hereby declare that he will be stripped of his inheritance." So the guards did as they were told and threw Lars into the dungeons before exiting. The cell Lars was thrown into was right next to Hans'. "Well, well, well," Hans grinned. "What do we have here, brother?"

But Lars kept silent and looked at Hans sternly. "Please say something!" Hans pleaded. Before Lars could react, cannon shots rang out! So loud were the noises, the two of them felt their eardrums would burst. Guards entered the dungeons once again. "The treasury has been robbed by pirates!" one of them roared out to the two of them. "We're going to need all the help we can get to catch them." With that, the guards opened the doors of their cells and began to lead them towards the docks. "Hans, you'll be working on THE DARK ONE, and Lars, you'll be working on THE SUMMER GULL with your father," the Captain of the Guards told them. "But THE DARK ONE is a slave ship!" Hans spluttered. "If you have a problem with this, take it up with the king," the Captain replied. 

Hans and Lars soon parted ways. Hans was led to THE DARK ONE, while Lars arrived in front of THE SUMMER GULL. King Jacob and Prince Caleb, the eldest of the princes of the Southern Isles, were there waiting for him. "I ordered you here for a reason, my boy," King Jacob sternly said to Lars. "You have one more chance to prove yourself that you're capable of a bit of loyalty towards me. If you pass, you will be shown mercy. Behave, and I will exile you rather than keep you imprisoned." Lars thought about this. Before he could give an answer, two children ran up to them. One was a boy, and one was a girl. They appeared to be around the same age which was around 10, and they bore a striking resemblance to Caleb. "Papa, please don't go!" the boy begged Caleb. "You're never around to spend time with us." Upon hearing this, Caleb acted in a way that was different from his usual demeanor. He knelt down and hugged the boy. "Prrft!" mumbled King Jacob, scoffing at Caleb's sign of affection. "Francis, I don't have a choice," replied Caleb. "I must leave by the order of the king." "You coward!" shouted Francis. Caleb made no attempt to reply to this. 

King Jacob's eyes turned from Francis to Caleb. "Caleb, scold your son!" Jacob demanded.

"Yes, father."

"Father, I can't do this anyone!" sobbed the girl to Caleb. "For once in your life, will you please stop listening to that brute." Great fear formed in Caleb's eyes when he heard those words, and he turned to look at his father. Jacob walked towards the girl and said, "What did you call me?" He swung his fist and punched the girl on the face, causing her to collapse to the ground. Then he began kicked her over and over again, and all this time all Caleb did was look on fearfully. But Lars ran over to Jacob and punched him squarely on the face, causing Jacob to fall to the ground. "Enough of this!" Lars shouted. Guards quickly ran over to Lars and seized him. King Jacob rose to his feet and slapped Lars on the face. "Sometimes I think I'm too merciful for my own good, Lars, my boy!" Jacob said. "You and Hans are cut from the same cloth, aren't you? Since you're so fond of your baby brother, you'll be working with the slaves. Guards, take Lars away and make him serve on THE DARK ONE. I never want to see him again. And get these revolting children out of my sight as well!" Lars was quickly dragged away by the guards. 

Caleb saw this and wanted to protest, but the words would not come out. "There's no time to waste, Caleb," Jacob said. "Let's go now!" So, Caleb reluctantly followed his father onto the ship. When Lars boarded THE DARK ONE, Hans sneered when he saw him. "Welcome aboard, brother!" Hans exclaimed. The anchor was quickly raised and everyone sailed off to catch the pirates. Hans and Lars cleaned the cannons while the slaves scrubbed the decks. Lars noticed that Kai was among the slaves aboard the ship. “Kai, no!” Lars said to himself when he saw his son scrubbing the decks. "Did they have to take you along as well?" For he knew how harshly the slaves aboard THE DARK ONE were being treated. While Hans was scrubbing the cannons, he overheard a conversation between two slaves that made his skin crawl. "Great news!" one cried. "Did you see Prince Thirteenth? Apparently, he's lost his inheritance due to committing a heinous crime in another kingdom." "Thank goodness for that!" the other responded. "It's been long overdue. He was the prince who'd treat us the worst. He was even worse than Caleb and Runo." The first one nodded. 

Time passed and the pirates still weren't caught. Nathaniel Gibbons, one of the officers on THE DARK ONE approached Bates, who was the commander of the ship, with a question. Bates was a young man who was around Hans' age. "Commander, how long are we going to stay at sea?" asked Gibbons. "I want to go home! Besides, I don't get paid enough here." Bates looked at Gibbons as if Gibbons had just insulted him. "We must follow the king's orders," Bates replied. "We'll stay at sea forever if we have to." "You can't do that!" a voice cried out. "Oh, Kai!" Lars sadly muttered to himself. Kai got up and approached Bates. "What about all the crewmembers with families of their own?" Kai argued to Bates. "Won't they be missed by their families if they don't return soon?" Bates clenched his fists and struck Kai on the face, causing Kai to fall to the ground. Then he struck Kai with his boot. Lars moved to strike Bates, but Hans grabbed his hand. "Don't move!" warned Hans. "You'll only get your son into further trouble." "Let me hear another word from you, and you'll be whipped!" Bates warned Kai. 

Soon the sun began to set. Hans approached Kai with cuffs in his hands. "Kai, give me your hands, it's time to go to your cell," Hans said, a tinge of guilt in his voice. "I'll get them off you once you're in your cell." Kai hesitated, but he listened to Hans. Hans reluctantly placed the cuffs on Kai's hands. "Hans, you coward!" shouted Lars, lunging towards Hans. "How can you do this to your nephew?" Before Lars could reach Hans, Bates stretched out his leg and tripped Lars. "Be quiet, Lars, or your nephew gets the whip," shouted Bates. That shut Lars up.

That night, an idea formed inside Lars' mind about how to set Kai free. He sneaked over to Hans' cabin and knocked on the door. "Who is it?" Hans groaned, struggling to get out of his hammock. Hans opened the cabin door and Lars entered, before quickly closing the door. "Can't sleep?" Hans asked.

"Yes, but not only that. I have a plan to free my son."

"Not that again! There's nothing you can do to help him. If you try, you'll only get yourself in more trouble."

"Hans, I can pick the lock to Kai's cell. I have the tools to do so. Now, Kai's cell is located close to where the boats are. The three of us can all escape in one of the boats. Land is not far off, and we can start-"

"Please, brother, stop this foolish talk," Hans interrupted, tears forming in his eyes. "The both of us have been branded criminals. What chance do we have of starting over? But if we make good impressions then father might pardon us." 

"Hans, that's never going to happen."

"Probably."

Lars was getting more impatient by the minute. "Hans, the window of opportunity is slipping away even as we speak," Lars cried, reaching his hand out towards Hans. "You have no make a choice whether you want to remain by my side or not. I know you want to leave with me. I can feel it!" But Hans stayed silent. Lars snapped and pulled out a knife, pointing it directly at Hans neck. "Hans, for your own sake, come with me!" Lars begged, a tear forming on his face. "You think you have anything to threaten me with, brother?" Hans grouchily replied. "You think my life is of special value to me? Look at me, brother! I'm little more than a slave now." Lars looked at the hand which held the knife with a shocked expression on his face. He quickly put the knife back in his pocket. "I hope you're happy in the life you've chosen," Lars angrily said, before getting up and leaving the cabin.

As soon as Lars was out of sight, tears streamed down Hans' face like waterfalls. "I'm sorry, brother," he whispered to himself. He took a gun out of his pocket and loaded it. Then he got up and walked towards Master Bates cabin. Once he made it, he waited outside for some time before knocking on the door. "This better be important," grumbled Bates, gun in hand. "It is," replied Hans. "There's a deserter. Lars wants to leave the ship with his son." Hans and Bates wasted no time recruiting 3 extra men to apprehend Lars. 

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Meanwhile, Lars went below deck, picked the lock of Kai's cell, and woke his Kai up. "Kai, we're getting out of here," Lars urged. "Is this a joke?" replied Kai, who was very surprised. "No, but we don't have time to lose," said Lars. Lars and Kai quickly made their way to where the boats were kept. They were halfway through making preparations to escape when they heard the cocking of a gun. “What are you doing?” a voice called out. It didn't belong to Hans or Bates, but it belonged to the man holding the gun. Lars turned and saw that it was Father Jude, the preacher aboard the ship. He was a thin old man dressed in black robes. "What are you two up to?" asked Jude. "Are you trying to get off this ship?" All Lars could do was nod. "Then do it quickly," Jude replied, turning around to walk away. Lars immediately went after him. "What are you doing at this hour, father?" Lars asked. "I couldn't sleep," responded Jude. "There are too many people around this ship who've rejected the gospel. How can I sleep? I have to go now. Don't want anyone spotting me." "Then can you at least pray for me and Kai?" pleaded Lars. 

Jude prayed, saying something like this. 

But now, this is what the Lord says—
     he who created you, Lars,
     he who formed you, Kai:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
     I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
     I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
     they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
     you will not be burned;
     the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
     the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

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The royal ship of Arendelle was sailing from Vakretta back to Arendelle. “It’s been a long couple of months away from home on our royal tour, but I can smell home already,” Queen Elsa remarked. “Anna, you were right to say that it’d be safe to sail back home using a shortcut. The seas here are safe!” “Yeah!” Anna replied. “All those rumors about a so-called sea monster swimming in these waters were just stuff and nonsense.”

As soon as Anna finished saying that, a loud sound rang out from across the ocean. “What was that noise?” Elsa wondered. “Surely it’s not a whale!” “It’s a kraken!” the Captain of the Ship, Captain Jens’ said. More sounds rang out from across the sea. The sound of canon fire and horns. “Sail towards that sound!” Elsa ordered her crew. “There may be people who need rescuing.” “Your majesty, it may be too dangerous!” Jens protested. “If we don’t find out more about what’s happening, more people may get hurt,” Elsa cried. “Besides, I have my ice powers.” “But your majesty, it’s been less than a year since you froze the kingdom,” Jens argued. “You may not have full control over your powers!” “Don’t underestimate my sister!” Anna shouted. “She’ll be fine as long as I’m by her side.” “Captain, I just want to take a closer look at what’s happening,” Elsa timidly said.

The Captain gruffly nodded and sailed the ship towards the direction of the sound. As the ship sailed, the weather took a turn for the worse. Thunderclouds started forming, and rain began pouring down. Everything began to look so dark that people could barely see anything. Despite all this, Elsa could see the ruins of a ship in the water. Just then, lightning from the sky struck the ruins of the ship, setting it ablaze. Elsa could make out the smell of whale oil. That ship must have been a whaling ship! “Bring out a rowboat!” Elsa ordered. “There may be survivors!” “But… but…” the Captain cried. “If we find even one survivor, it will be well worth it!” Elsa continued. The Captain quickly but begrudgingly brought out a rowboat. Elsa hopped into it, along with four sailors. “Elsa, I want to come with you!” Anna yelled. Elsa held to Anna’s shoulder tightly. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that,” Elsa said. “I want you here to comfort the crew. You’re more of a people person than I am.”

The rowboat was quickly lowered into the water. Soon, Elsa made her way close to the ruins of the ship. There, she thought she saw what could be a survivor. Someone seemed to be holding onto debris and that debris would not hold him long. The sailors reached out their arms and dragged that survivor onto the rowboat. That survivor seemed to be conscious, so Elsa placed a blanket over him. “What happened here?” she asked him. “I’m from Vesterland,” said the survivor. “Our captain saw what he thought was whale, so he ordered us to sail after it. Once our ship wasn’t too far off, we sent out a rowboat after it in order to kill it. One of our harpooners managed to strike it. But the creature charged at us and wrapped its tentacles around parts of our ship. That’s when we realized it wasn’t a whale.” The survivor wouldn’t tell them any more after this.

Suddenly, Elsa noticed a disturbance in the water a few meters away. Without thinking, she dived into the water to get a better look. Were there other survivors? What Elsa saw under the water wasn’t a survivor. The creature that disturbed the water wasn’t a survivor of the ship. It had the darkest eyes Elsa had ever seen, and its skin was as tough as metal armor. It had eight tentacles which were all covered with poisonous spikes. It was a creature many people called the Kraken. In a flash it burst onto the surface of the water and tried to strangle the life out of Elsa with one of its tentacles. It even struck Elsa with one of the poisonous spikes that were on its tentacles. Elsa used her ice powers in an attempt to freeze it in a block of ice. At first it seemed to work. The creature was encased in ice, but her ice magic was so powerful it spread, encasing Elsa in ice also. “Elsa!” Anna cried, attempting to jump into the water to help her sister. “You can’t, Princess Anna,” Captain Jens shouted, restraining her. He tackled her to the ground and accidentally knocked Anna unconscious when she fell and hit her head on a barrel. Just then the people on the rowboat rowed back to the ship, and made their way to the deck.

Cracks began to form on the ice that encased Elsa and the kraken. Quickly, the kraken burst out of its icy prison and began swimming towards the ship. Elsa was also free from her icy prison, but she didn’t seem to be moving. She burst out of the ice and ended up floating on some debris, but no one could see her. “We’re as good as dead!” Captain Jens yelled. “The Queen can’t help us now. Let’s sail away now back to Arendelle. We’ll return to look for the Queen if she’s still alive!” Everyone on the ship reluctantly listened to the Captain, and they all sailed away. Fortunately for the crewmembers, they managed to avoid being drowned by the kraken, and very soon the kraken was out of sight.

Not too long after this, a pirate ship called THE THROWAWAY, sailed to where Elsa weakly held onto the floating debris. There she was spotted by the sailors aboard the ship. One of the sailors, a teenage boy called Kai, shouted, “Uncle, there’s someone in the water!” Kai was the pirate captain’s nephew, and the pirate captain was Hans. By now, Hans was starting to grow a beard. Kai was about to leap into the water when his uncle grabbed hold of him to prevent him from jumping. “Kai, I’ll handle this!” Captain Hans shouted. Taking off only his boots, Hans dove into the water. He quickly spotted Elsa floating on the debris, but he didn’t recognize her. Instead, he saw a woman with pale irises and dark hair. Her face was covered was red veins, and her clothes were reduced to tatters from the fight with the kraken. It must have been the poison’s doing. If he’d known her face half as well as Anna did, he’d have recognized her. Quickly, Hans and Elsa were lifted onto the deck of the ship. Then a blanket was laid out on deck and Elsa was placed on it.

“Should we hold her for ransom?” asked Crowley, one of Hans’s crewmembers. "Yes, let's hold her for ransom," suggested Gibbons, another crewmember. "Hans, I joined you because you promised us a life of wealth and adventure. There's adventure, but where's the wealth?" Kai scoffed. “I doubt she has any family that has anything to offer us, if we even manage to find her family,” Kai argued. Hans looked unsure about what to do. “What’s your name?” Hans gruffly asked Elsa. But Elsa closed her eyes and fell unconscious. Just then, Kai pointed at a picture of a crocus that was embroidered on Elsa’s tattered clothes. “Is this the crest of Arendelle?” Kai asked his uncle. “It looks that way,” Hans answered. “Arendelle’s a good guess. We’ll drop her on the shores of Arendelle, and then depart. She’s poisoned. Leaving her there is her best hope.”

Early next morning, when the ship had sailed close to Arendelle, Hans lifted a still unconscious Elsa onto a rowboat and began rowing for shore. Once he reached the shore, he placed her onto the soft sand and laid a few extra blankets over her. Three of Hans' shipmates approached him. Their names were James, Finn, and Liz. "Hans, there's something that I, James, and Finn, want to ask you," Liz told Hans. "We want to get off this ship and explore dry land. We don't expect to see you again after this." "Have fun then," Hans replied, patting Liz on the shoulder. "I know I haven't treated you well in the past, and I apologize for it. I just hope there are no hard feelings between us." "Well, bye then!" Liz said, waving to him before running off with James and Finn. Hans placed a few firecrackers beside Elsa and was just about to set them ablaze, when Elsa mumbled something while she was still delirious. “Anna,” she said in a weak, raspy voice. “That’s your name, isn’t it, Anna?” Hans asked. Elsa made no reply. “Well, Anna,” Hans continued. “I’ll be going now. I’m not welcome here because of what I’ve done.” “Whatever you’ve done, I forgive you,” Elsa weakly replied. “Whatever it was you did, be free of it.” “That’s nice,” Hans half-jokingly said. "What's your name?" she asked. Hans paused for a moment, then said, "Call me Johannes." Then he lit the fuse on the firecrackers, got on the rowboat, and rowed for his ship.

Soon, the firecrackers started burning, making loud crackling sounds. A few people from the kingdom heard it and ran over to where the sound was coming from. Upon seeing Elsa, they said, “We must get you to the palace!” On the deck of his ship, Hans watched everything unfold through his telescope. A concerned expression was written on his face. Hans thought one of these people bore a resemblance to Princess Anna, but it could have been a trick of the light. “You’re missing her already, aren’t you, uncle?” asked Kai. “Both of us should really settle down with women.” “Shut up, nephew!” Hans replied. “Do you still have that compass your father gave you?” Kai quickly tossed it to Hans. Hans looked at it and said, “Let’s see where this thing leads us!”

The next day, Elsa opened her eyes and found that she was resting in a bed in her own room. She had been weak and delirious the day before, but now she felt surprisingly healthy. Her eyes, hair, and skin, had returned back to normal. “Elsa!” shouted a voice that almost caused Elsa’s eardrums to burst. Elsa turned her head and saw Anna sitting beside her. “I know you’ve got powers, but you’ve got to stop being so reckless,” Anna sobbed. “I’m sorry, Anna, I guess I can’t help myself,” Elsa apologized. “You looked so sickly when I saw you; I thought you were a goner,” Anna cried as the tears continued to flow down her face. “But luckily, Kristoff was able to treat you with troll medicine. Who’d have thought Kristoff had any medical knowledge? But how did you end up on the shores of our kingdom?” “I was floating in the ocean on some debris,” Elsa answered. “A man pulled me out of the water and brought me here. My eyes were so weak I could barely see him. I want to send ships out to look for him because I don’t think he’s from around here. His name's Johannes.” “Whoever this Johannes guy is, I love him,” smiled Anna. “By the way, Captain Jens wants to know what we should do about that sea monster out there. He wants to send ships out to attack it.” A stern expression crossed Elsa’s face. “That’s not going to happen,” she said. “I’m sure the creature only attacked because it got attacked first by the harpoons. We’ll simply and sternly warn people about how dangerous those waters are.”

Just as Elsa finished speaking, there came a knock on the door. "Come in," said Elsa. A servant entered with a man with a goatee. "Your majesty, I'm glad you're alright," cried the servant. "I hope I'm not disturbing you. You see, there's some urgent news. The man I brought with me might be able to explain things better." The man with the goatee bowed. "Your majesty, my name is King Leon of the Southern Isles," began the man with the goatee. "I'm afraid there's trouble brewing in the Southern Isles." "King Leon?" replied a very confused Queen Elsa. "Yes, Queen Elsa," explained Leon. "A tragedy befell my father and older brother, leading me to assume the throne." “I'm sorry,” said Elsa with genuine concern. "Please find a place to sit down and we'll discuss it over tea." Elsa, Anna, and Leon, all sat down at a coffee table and discussed things further. "You see, Hans led a mutiny on one of our slave ships," explained Leon. "I'm not exactly sure about the details, but he took charge of the ship and sailed away from us, giving the ship a new name. My father and older brother tried sailing after him, but he sunk their ship. I need your help to bring him to justice. Help me search for him." "I'd be happy to, but would you try helping me find someone in return?" asked Elsa. "He's someone called Johannes. He saved my life by pulling me aboard his ship."

"I'll try to."

"What are you going to do with Hans if you find him?" Elsa wondered out loud. "Death, of course," Leon casually replied. Hearing Leon reply that way unnerved Elsa for some reason. 

"And what about the others involved in the mutiny? What are you going to do with them? Were any of them slaves?"

"Most of them were slaves," answered Leon. "Regrettably, they're going to die if they get caught." Upon hearing this, Elsa's mind was made up. "Leon, I'm going to send a search party out to look for Hans and Johannes, but I'm not going to tell you if I ever find them," Elsa unexpectedly said. "What!" growled Leon. "Arendelle does not condone slavery," Elsa angrily said. "Even if I find Hans and the others involved in the mutiny, I'm not going to hand them over to you. I'm going to do with them as I see fit!" "The Southern Isles doesn't take this disrespect lightly," said Leon angrily. "Leon, it's time to go!" Elsa sternly said. "Very well, but you'll regret this!" warned Leon, walking towards the door. "Don't say I didn't warn you if Hans returns to seek his revenge on you and your sister!" With that, Leon soon left the building. Anna giggled a bit after seeing this. "That's my sister!" she beamed. 

Chapter Text

Soon after this, Hans followed the compass to a lush island. Up ahead was a sea cave that looked like a skull. Kai was observing the island with his telescope when he saw something most strange. "Uncle Hans, I think I saw a mermaid!" he exclaimed. "It might be a manatee," Hans replied. "They're often mistaken for mermaids, but I've seen too much to simply dismiss what you just said. It might indeed be a mermaid. But now we must lower the anchor and explore the island. I hope there may be something in this strange land that might bring back the dead. Your father, for instance." Hans and his crewmembers then took out rowboats and rowed to the shore. There were 14 crewmembers altogether, including Hans. Secretly observing Hans with a telescope from the skull shaped cave, was a young boy with reddish hair and green clothing. 

Once all the crewmembers made it to the shore, Hans said to them, "Let's explore this land. We didn't come here just to look at it." So they all looked around and began exploring the interior of the island. They saw some strange plants and wondered if they were edible. Some brave souls even began munching on them. Walking further, they came upon a deserted area made up of a few huts with holes in them, yet the area appeared to be deserted and surrounded by no people, only a dozen skeletons. The clothes the skeletons had on them did not appear to be European in nature. Gibbons and Crowley shivered and hugged each other nervously. "Captain, what do you think happened here?" asked Gibbons. "Maybe sickness killed those people," Hans answered, a bead of sweat dripped down his forehead. "No, not sickness," said Kai, pointing at the skeletons. "Look, there are stab marks all over their clothes. Maybe there was a war." "Captain, it doesn't look safe here!" cried Crowley, the former slave. "Let's leave the island." "We'll stay three more days," Hans firmly answered.

They weren't able to explore more of the land before the sun came down and they had to rest. They all took shelter under a large tree and slept there. In the middle of the night, Hans was woken up by the sound of panpipes, while the rest of the crew continued sleeping. Sweating, he touched his neck and realized that Kai's compass, which was tied around his neck with a cord, was gone! He felt as though he was the only one who could hear the music. The tune played on the panpipes was a tune he was familiar with. It was a tune his mother used to play to him. "Mom?" Hans said to himself, wondering who was playing it. He got up, began walking towards the sound, and recalled something about his childhood.

Back when Hans was 10, he was alone and reading a book in the royal library when his brother Lars burst in. Lars grabbed him by the hand and pulled him out of the room. "Brother, what's going on?" Hans gasped in confusion. "It's about mum!" Lars worriedly replied. "She's missing! Father wants to see all of us now!" Lars quickly pulled Hans into the throne room where King Jacob and his other sons were gathered. "As usual, Hans, you're late again!" King Jacob roared as soon as Hans entered the room. "Don't you care enough about your mother to make it here earlier?" Hans lowered his head in shame. "Never mind about Hans, father!" said Prince Leon, one of the king's sons. "He's hopeless. But father, what should we do now that mother's missing?" "All of you must go out and split up to look for her," ordered the king. "The servants are out looking for her. I expect you all to do the same. If you do not find here, then none of you are to return to the palace until after 2 days. If she thought I was horrifying before, I'll show her what horror really means!"

So they all split up to look for mother. Even Hans, as young as he was, wandered alone to the docks to look for mother. Soon he heard the familiar music of panpipes. The tune was something he instantly recognized, for his mother would sometimes play that tune for him with panpipes. Following the sound, he saw his mother playing the panpipes to a few people who were apparently her friends. They were walking towards a ship. His mother had auburn hair like he had. "Mom!" Hans yelled, running towards her. "Hans!" his mother gasped in terror. Hans hugged his mother tightly, while she had an expression of unease on her face. "Where have you been?" Hans cried, tears flowing down his face. His mother paused for a moment before answering. "These people have agreed to take me on a little adventure," she said. "I'll be back soon, don't you worry." Hans frowned, for he knew she was lying. "Mother, please be honest with me," Hans softly said. She placed a hand on Hans cheek and said, "I'm leaving the isles. This is no place to raise a child, so I made a deal with these people. They will drop me off in some other country so I can better raise the child I am about to have." She pointed at her belly. "Then let me come with you!" Hans shouted. "Sssh!" whispered his mother, covering his mouth with a hand. "Be quiet or people might see us. I'd love to take you with me, but I won't have the means to provide for you." "I don't care!" Hans argued. "I still want to go with you." His mother frowned, pointed at something, and said, "Very well, but look! Is that your father over there?"

Hans turned around and saw nothing. "Mother, are you sure you saw what you saw?" he asked. While his back was turned, his mother picked up a beer bottle from the ground and knocked him out. Then everything went black! "That was brutal, Simone!" one of his mother's companions exclaimed. "I'm surprised you were able to do it." "Well, to be honest, I never loved him," Hans. mother guiltily replied. "Now let's get out of here!" When Hans came to, his mother was gone, and he found himself in his room. “Get up, son!" King Jacob growled at him. "Tell me what happened to you? Did someone strike you? If someone struck you, I'll find them and skin them alive. No one strikes what belongs to me!" Hans nervously looked at the wild expression on his father's face and said, "It was no one. I fell and hit my head on something, that's all." "Clumsy fool!" Jacob growled. While this was happening, Simone was sailing away from the Southern Isles on a pirate ship. She was screaming due to being in labor. Moments later, her water broke and her child was born. "What shall you call her?" one of her companions asked. "I'll call her Emma," replied Simone with a detached expression on her face.

Soon after this, Simone and her child were dropped off at the shores of Arendelle. Simone placed silver in the hands of the captain, Captain Mcalister. "Good luck on your new life!" Captain Mcalister said to Simone. With that, Captain Mcalister sailed away.

Back in the present, Hans kept following the sound of panpipes until he saw a boy sitting on a large rock playing the panpipes, illuminated by the moonlight. "We meet again, my boy!" the boy sneered. "Apologies for not introducing myself the last time we met. I'm Peter Pan." Pan took Kai's compass out of his pocket and spun it around. Hans was about to shout for help when Peter said, "Make one sound and your precious compass here will be shattered." "Have you been following me since the last time we met?" Hans asked him. "No," Peter replied. "This is my land. It's more likely you've been following me." Hans paused before demanding, "Give me the compass! I need it back." Peter chuckled evilly. "I don't think I will," sneered Peter. "Where's the fun in that? Let's make it a game, my boy!" "It's not a game!" growled Hans. "The compass lead me here. It might be the key to leading me away." While this was happening, Kai awoke and saw that his uncle wasn't by his side. After searching a little, he noticed Hans speaking to Peter. He hid behind a tree, desperate not to be seen.

“It's starting to get boring in Neverland, which is the land you're in,” explained Peter to Hans. "Especially since my last adversary, Old Hooky, was eaten by a crocodile. I'm going to hide this compass away, and if you can find it, then the game's over. You'd better be quick about it. If you don't find the compass in 20 years, I'll have it destroyed! Good luck!" With that, Peter flew off, and within seconds he was out of sight. As he flew, he was approached by his fairy friend, Tinkerbell. She was small and glowed with a yellow light. "That wasn't nice, Peter," she sternly said. "They've done nothing to you." "Hans stole my chance at revenge against the king," growled Peter.

Horrified at the thought of potentially being stranded in Neverland forever, Hans collapsed to the ground and shook with fear. Upon seeing his uncle so scared, Kai got out of his hiding space and placed a hand on Hans shoulder to comfort him. “Kai, something terrible has happened and it’s all my fault,” Hans explained. “We shouldn’t have come here!” "I know, Uncle Hans, I heard what Pan said," replied Kai. "But we might be able to leave the island without using the compass." "You're right, Kai, we have to try!" exclaimed Hans. Hans quickly ran over to his sleeping crew and woke them up, yelling, "Wake up, you lazy bums! We're leaving!" His crewmembers reluctantly did as they were told and sailed away with him.

Back in Arendelle. Elsa, Anna, and Olaf, made their way to the port in a carriage. Elsa got off the carriage and prepared to board a ship. Anna grabbed hold of her hand. "Elsa, you can't go out to sea to look for Johannes!" she cried. "The kingdom needs you. I need you! What if something happens to you?" "I'll be fine," replied Elsa. "I have ice powers, remember!" "Then at least let me go with you to search for him," begged Anna. Elsa kissed her sister on the cheek and said, "Take care of Arendelle and Olaf, please." With that, she boarded the ship and sailed away until she was out of sight. All this time, Anna stood at the port watching her sister leave her once again.

Years ago, in Arendelle, Simone and Emma walked past an old beggar. By now, Emma was around 7 years old. "Alms for the blind!" the blind beggar begged. Emma was filled with compassion towards the blind man, so she walked to him and placed a silver coin in his begging bowl. Rage swelled up within Simone when she witnessed her daughter's act of generosity. "Emma, you fool!" screeched Simone, shaking her daughter by the shoulders. "That was our last coin! Let me get it back!" Simone creeped over towards the beggar's bowl and stole two silver coins from it. Before Simone could get away with the monkey, the beggar got up and tackled her to the ground. "I may be blind, but I know what you're trying to do!" roared the beggar. "You have some nerve trying to steal from a blind man!" The beggar swung his fists and began repeatedly punching Simone on the face. Blood dripped down her nose.

Chapter Text

Emma ran over to the beggar and grabbed his fist. "Please, stop!" she begged him. "She's my mother! She's all I have." A slight expression of guilt formed on the man's face. "You're better off without her," the beggar said. "But I want my money back." Simone reluctantly gave the beggar back his money and left him alone. "You shouldn't have done that, mother," Emma later said to Simone. "You're right, but I had no choice," Simone replied. "We're out of money, but I'll think of something. I always do." "Not having much luck, are you, Simone?" a familiar voice said. It was Captain Mcalister. "It's you!" gasped Simone. "What are you doing here?"

"My crew wanted to stretch their legs on land. We'll be fine as long as no one is able to identify us and report us to the authorities. You look down in the dumps. Are you hungry?"

Simone nodded. "Then I have a proposition for you," proposed Captain Mcalister. "There's food on my ship. Hop onto my ship and cook something for us." Simone and Emma quickly boarded Mcalister's ship. There, Simone cooked some pasta and fed it to the crew. Simone and Emma ate some as well. "Not bad," said Mcalister, licking her lips. "I need a new cook after my old one left. Will you and your daughter stay on the ship? You won't need to do any fighting, just prepare meals. You're too old for it anyway. Will you join my crew?" "I will," Simone gratefully said. Upon hearing this, Mcalister straightened up and yelled, "Raise the sails and prepare to set sail!" Her crewmembers quickly did so, and the ship sailed away. "Where are we sailing to?" asked Simone. "A place some call Neverland!" answered Mcalister.

In the present day, Hans examined another compass he had on him. This compass was supposed to point North, but it didn't seem to be working. It kept spinning around and around. Up ahead an island came into view. "Kai, there's land up ahead!" Hans cried. "We managed to get away from Neverland." But once he was able to get a closer look at the island, his face fell. "But that land we've sailing towards is Neverland!" replied Kai. "We've right back to where we started." Hans paused for a moment, then roared at the top of his lungs, "I'm going to kill that kid!" Hans screams caught the attention of a stranger who was walking along the Neverland shore. He ran towards the ship, tripping multiple times for he was blind. On his right wrist was a hook where his hand should have been. "Can you give me something to eat?" he shouted at the top of his lungs. He looked so thin that his bones almost became visible, and his skin had a sickly look to it. “What's your name, landsman,” shouted Hans. "It's Jim," replied the stranger. Soon, Jim was led onto the ship and given salted fish to eat. "I don't know how you got here, but you should get out while you still can," Jim said to Hans, his mouth full of fish. “It's a bit too late for that,” replied Hans. "You see, a flying boy stole a compass of ours. Without that compass, we have no way of leaving." "You bumped into Peter Pan," said Jim with a wild look in his eyes. "The brat took my hand... I think. Anyway, I tried getting revenge on him but as you can see, things didn't quite work out. A crocodile swallowed me, but I managed to pierce its stomach with my sword. Even though I managed to escape, the stomach acid blinded my eyes." "Jim, you've been here longer than I have," said Hans. "Does Pan have any weaknesses?"

"It doesn't matter," Jim timidly replied. "Either way, you'll never beat him." "Does Pan have any weaknesses?" Hans sternly repeated. Jim nervously looked at him but didn't respond. "Speak up or I'll throw you into the sea," Hans growled. "There might be another crocodile waiting for you there." "Maybe you should be more concerned about your spiritual salvation than leaving this island," interrupted Father Jude, one of the crewmembers aboard the ship. "You haven't even been baptized." Hans ignored him and turned to Jim. "Well?" Hans asked. "Pan has no weaknesses, but I've heard from the Indians on the island that he can be stopped." “Indians?” replied Hans in confusion. "Yes, Native American Indians to be precise," clarified Jim. “They made a magical tinderbox built to trap him and gave that tinderbox to me. You see, they were too afraid to face Pan.” 

"Where is that tinderbox now?"

"In my last encounter with Pan, the encounter that got me swallowed by the crocodile, Smee, that clumsy quack, dropped it in the river."

A disappointed look formed on Hans face, followed by a frown. "So, you don't have any useful information, do you, Jim?" grumbled Hans. Jim nervously thought for a minute before crying, "Wait! If you have paper and ink, I'll try to draw the place where the tinderbox was lost." Hans nodded and gave Jim two pieces of paper and a pencil. Jim took the pencil and sketched out a picture. "You call that a picture?" grumbled Hans. "It's the best I can do and it's better than nothing," protested Jim. "It'll do for now," Hans sighed. He stood up and shouted to his crew, "We're going to search every river on this island!"

Meanwhile, Anna was still waiting in the docks for Elsa to come back. The sun was starting to set as Kristoff approached her with a krumkake. "Anna, you've been here for hours," complained Kristoff. "Please have something to eat." Anna took the krumkake and munched on it. "She promised she'd come back in a week, but it's two weeks now," said Anna, tears forming in her eyes. Kristoff wiped away the tears that were forming in Anna's eyes. "Let's go home, Anna," he said. "We have other things we have to pay attention to." 

"But Elsa's still out there!"

"Yes, and she'd want you to look out for me, Olaf, Sven, and the kingdom. Let's go home, Anna."

Anna nodded and then turned to have one last look at the ocean. In the distance was a speck in the middle of the ocean. Was it Elsa? The speak was slowly increasing in size. Anna decided to stay there to examine it. Soon, she figured out the speck was Elsa's ship. As soon as the ship docked, Anna waited until Elsa made her way off the ship. Upon seeing her sister, Anna ran over to her and gave her a massive bear hug. "Elsa, you promised you'd be back in a week," Anna sobbed, her words muffled. "I had to come back," Elsa replied. "The crewmembers began complaining about a lack of food on the ship." "Elsa, is it over?" Anna cried. "Did you find Johannes? If you didn't, then are you going out to continue to search for him?" "I haven't found him, Anna," Elsa replied. "I may have to look for him again." Anna's face fell, then an expression of anger formed on her face. "Elsa, stop this madness!" shouted Anna. "Whoever this Johannes guy is, you don't love him! Elsa, you once told me how ridiculous it was for me to fall in love with someone I just met. Why don't you take your own advice?" "Anna, I never said I did all this because I'd fallen in love with him," said an exasperated Elsa. "It's just that I feel the need for him to be recognized for what he did. It's not like I want to marry him. I just want to know him better."

"Elsa, please stop lying to yourself," cried Anna. "I know deep down you think you have feelings for him, but it's only a shadow you love. I get it. I once felt the same way you did." Elsa took a step back from Anna. "Anna, we'll talk about this tomorrow," Elsa sternly said. "Let's get into the carriage." So Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff, got into the royal carriage and made their way back to the palace.

That night, Anna crept out of her room, and into the hallway. She crept out of the palace and went into the stables. She got on a horse and rode to the trolls to get their advice. "Grand Pappie!" Anna cried as soon as she reached the home of the trolls. Some rock shaped objects began rolling around, revealing themselves to be trolls. Upon seeing Anna, Grand Pabbie asked, “I see you’re alone and without your sister. Is there a reason for it?” “I’m afraid Elsa hasn’t been herself lately,” admitted Anna. “An obsession is engulfing her mind and I’m afraid it’ll consume her.” “What obsession?” asked Grand Pabbie. “The obsession of trying to find something that will probably never satisfy her,” answered Anna. “A while back, Elsa got into an accident at sea. A stranger saved her life, and now she wants to find him. I understand Elsa’s grateful, but this is going way too far because she barely knows him. She barely spends any time with me or her subjects anymore. When it comes to that stranger, she just sees what she wants to see. I don't think he'll live up to her expectations if she does find him.”

Grand Pabbie seemed greatly moved by what Anna had said. He turned and whispered to some other trolls before turning to Anna and saying, "Some back to us the same time in three days. We might be able to figure out a solution to your problem." 

"Thank you, Grand Pabbie!"

Anna quickly got back on her horse and rode back to the palace. She needed to get there before Elsa woke up. 

Years earlier, Simone stood on Mcalister's pirate ship and watched her use a strange compass. "This is no ordinary compass, is it, Captain?" asked Simone. "I figured out from observing the sun that it doesn't point North." Mcalister, who stood by the helm of the ship, replied, "I bartered this compass from a witch. It leads to Neverland, a land where time flows differently, sometimes even backwards. There might be riches beyond anything we've ever dreamed of in Neverland." Suddenly, Emma pointed and shouted, "Mom, there's land up ahead!" Simone's eyes widened in excitement when she saw they were sailing towards a lush island. “Lower the anchor and prepare to row to shore!” ordered Captain Mcalister. As soon as they reached the shore, Simone jumped up and down like a little kid, giggling as she did so. "So this place is real!" Simone gasped. "I thought it only existed in my dreams. "Mom, what do you mean?" asked Emma. “When I was a girl, I used to dream of escaping my family,” explained Simone. "So sometimes in my dreams, I'd find myself in a strange land, and when I'd wake up I'd find myself back in my bedroom. I didn't know the land I dreamed about was a real place." Upon hearing this, everyone except Emma, laughed. 

“Tell us more about the dreams that sent you to this land,” chuckled Mcalister. “What did you do in your dreams?” “In Neverland, you could do all kinds of things,” explained Simone. "There, I had some degree of control over the way I looked. I could even fly!" Everyone except Emma chuckled. Simone frowned and shouted, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it to you.” She found a high rock and stood on it. Then she made a crowing noise and leapt. Did she fly? Of course not! She fell hard on the ground. Everyone except Emma laughed upon seeing this. Emma rushed over to her mother and helped her up. “Mother, are you alright?” she cried.”What’s wrong with me, Emma?” cried Simone, tears streaming down her face. “Why can’t I fly?” “You can’t fly because you never flew in the first place,” scoffed Mcalister. “You’re delusional.” “No, it’s because I forgot to use pixie dust,” concluded Simone. “With happy thoughts and pixie dust I’ll be able to fly. Now I just need to find some pixie dust.” Everyone except Emma laughed. “And where do we find this pixie dust?” asked Smee the boatswain.

Upon hearing this, Simone began to show them where they might find pixie dust. “Look inside the hollows of trees for pixie dust,” cried Simone. “The dust is golden in color.” “Do whatever she tells you!” commanded Captain Mcalister. “Captain, why do we have to do this?” complained Jim the first mate. “She’s delusional!” “Probably,” admitted Mcalister. “But if pixie dust is real, we’ll be very rich indeed.” One week later, still no pixie dust was found. “Everyone!” shouted Mcalister. “It’s clear there’s nothing of value on this island. It’s time we leave.” Everyone cheered except Simone. Suddenly, Jim pointed at a hollow tree trunk and shouted, “Pixie dust! I’ve found pixie dust! It’s inside this tree trunk!” Simone went over to the tree trunk and placed a hand inside it, hoping to find pixie dust. Instead, she felt something bite her hand. It was a spider! She collapsed to the ground, tears flowing down her face. Jim tricked her! “Watch your hands or you might find yourself one hand short!” laughed Jim. Despite the pain she was in, she got up, pulled out her pirate sword, and swung it at Jim. The sword sliced through his right hand like butter.

Chapter Text

Jim fell to the ground, screaming like a woman in labor. “Hey, Jim!” yelled Simone, picking up his severed hand. “Watch this!” Simone tossed the hand into a nearby river. As soon as the hand hit the water, a monstrous creature rose up and gobbled it up. It was a crocodile! “What is wrong with you, you animal?” roared Jim to Simone. “When I get my strength back, I’ll gut you like a fish!” “No, you won’t!” replied Mcalister, running over to Jim’s side to treat his wound. “We’re leaving soon and we’ll leave Simone on the island. There’s nothing of value on this island anyway. I’ll get you a hook you can use for a hand, Jim. Now let’s get you on the ship.” “No!” roared Jim. “I’m not done with Simone yet!” “Get him on the ship!” Mcalister ordered her crew members. So Jim was dragged away, kicking and screaming like a madman, onto the ship.

“Would you like to leave the island, or would you like to stay with your mother?” Mcalister asked Emma. But Emma didn’t reply. Instead, she ran over to her mother. “Mom, please beg for forgiveness!” cried Emma. “We don’t want to be stuck here!” “No,” replied Simone, who was still looking inside tree trunks for pixie dust. “I had to teach that man a lesson. Besides, I haven’t found pixie dust yet. You leave if you want to.” The temptation to leave the island was strong, but she stayed by her mother’s side. Already, Mcalister and her crew were making their way to the shore.

Back in the present, Anna secretly rode her horse to the home of the trolls. Grand Pabbie approached her with a crystal vial in his hand. It contained a clear liquid. “Princess Anna, please take this,” urged Grand Pabbie, handing her the vial. “Grand Pabbie, what is this for?” asked Anna. “It’s a memory potion,” explained Grand Pabbie. “If you give it to Elsa, she’ll no longer have any memory of what that stranger did for her.” Anna froze in place upon hearing this. “Pabbie, I don’t know about this,” responded Anna. “You might not have a choice,” warned Grand Pabbie. She looked at the vial for a moment. It was tempting for sure. For a moment, she put it in her pocket, but then she threw it away. “I can’t do to my sister what you once did to me,” Anna sternly said. “My sister is strong. She’ll be able to see reason without any need for a magical influence. Goodbye!” She turned and got on her horse, riding back to the palace. Elsa was watching all this from behind a tree, with deep concern in her eyes. “Oh, Anna,” she said to herself.

Years earlier, Mcalister and her crew sailed away from Neverland, leaving Simone and Emma behind on the island. Mcalister stood at the helm while Jim stood at her side. On his right wrist a hook was attached where his hand once was. “Captain, it's not too late to return to Neverland to eliminate Simone,” grumbled Jim. "It's too late!" rebuked Mcalister. "My choice is final." Jim growled like a dog upon hearing this. The wind began picking up and rain poured down from the sky. The ship began to toss and turn. "It's pouring like mad," cried Jim. "Captain, we'd better get you inside!" "Five more minutes," ordered Mcalister. Suddenly, the ship shook, causing Mcalister to lose her balance. She slipped and hit her head on an anvil that was lying on the ground. It caused her to fall unconscious. "Help!" Jim cried out. "Smee, get the captain to her quarters, and make her some hot tea!" Smee and the other members of the crew quickly rushed over to the captain and carried her back to her quarters. Hours later, Mcalister opened her eyes and saw the members of her crew. "Who are you?" she asked them. The crew members looked at each other, struggling to process what was happening. "I'm Smee," Smee told her. "And who am I?" asked Mcalister. "Where am I?" The other crew members tried explaining things to her to no avail. Smee turned to Jim and said, "Jim, I'm not sure the captain has what it takes to lead us anymore. You'll have to take over." Smee took the captain's hat and gave it to Jim. "To our new captain!" the other crewmembers shouted. Jim reluctantly placed the hat on his head. "It's time to return to Neverland so I can get my revenge on Simone," ordered Captain Jim. 

Meanwhile, in Neverland, Simone and Emma continued to look for pixie dust. Simone excitedly began teaching Emma all she knew about pixie dust. "You see, Emma, pixie dust is like honey," Simone taught. "Fairies produce pixie dust like bees produce honey." "Mother, I'm tired!" complained Emma. "It was foolish of you to look for pixie dust in the first place. We'll never find any!" An expression of pure rage and sorrow formed on Simone's face. Tears streamed down her face. She raised her left arm and slapped Emma on the face. "What did you say?" Simone softly asked. "Nothing!" Emma fearfully cried. "Thank you," replied Simone. That night, Simone struggled to sleep. She and Emma were covered in the blankets Mcalister gave them. Her eyes widened and she thought she saw a yellow light move in the distance. "Could it be a fairy?" she whispered to herself. Slowly, she got up and followed it. The yellow light landed on top of a tree. She wasted no time in climbing it. It was a struggle, for she was not young anymore, but finally she was able to make it to the top. Inside the hollow of the tree, she found what appeared to be glowing yellow dust. However, she couldn't find any trace of the fairy. A mischievous grin appeared on her face as she picked some of the dust up and sprinkled it over herself. The rest she stored in a bag. "I wish to fly," she said to herself. She made a sound like that of a rooster and leapt off the tree.

Smack! She fell to the ground, fracturing one of her leg bones. She let out a scream like that of a wild animal. "What's wrong with me?" she sobbed. "Why can't I fly?" At around that time, the sun began to rise. "Mom, are you alright?" shouted Emma, rushing over to her mother's side. "What were you doing jumping off that tree?" "Well, I found pixie dust," explained Simone, pointing at the tree where she found the dust. "But for some reason, it didn't seem to work. The pixie dust was in that tree." "For the last time, mom, there is no pixie dust," said Emma who was visibly annoyed. So, Simone opened her bag and showed the glowing dust to Emma. "That's quite something," said Emma, who was visibly stunned. Simone grabbed Emma by the hand and led her away. "Mum, where are we going?" a worried Emma asked. "We're going to do a little experiment," replied Simone, a devious grin appearing on her face.

Simone led Emma to the edge of a high cliff. "Mum, this looks dangerous," said Emma shivering. "Believe me, I'm more terrified than you are," replied Simone. This was probably untrue. Simone took out some pixie dust from her bag and sprinkled a handful of it into Emma. "Mum, what are you doing?" asked Emma. "Whatever it is, I'm scared. Is it really the pixie dust you were talking about? Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?" “I hope not,” answered Simone, tears in her eyes. "Forgive me." Simone's hands moved forwards, and she pushed Emma off the cliff. Emma fell, clearly not flying. Simone waited to hear the sound of Emma hitting the ground, but none came. "What have I done?" Simone cried. "Emma, can you hear me? Did the pixie dust work?" No one replied. "Please be alright, Emma!" shouted Simone. "I'll look for you!"

She turned and slowly made it to the bottom of the cliff. An hour later, she made it to the bottom of the cliff and saw Emma seemingly unharmed. Simone smiled and hugged her tightly. "Sorry, Emma, I must have tripped and hit you," lied Simone. "I didn't mean to make you fall. Now, tell me how is it that you were unharmed? Did you fly?" Emma looked at her mother suspiciously, before saying, "Not exactly. More like I floated." "So the pixie dust worked!" Simone said, amazed. "Mark my words, if you had a little more faith, you would have been able to fly like a bird." "But I don't want to fly like a bird," frowned Emma. "I want to go home!" "Stop that!" growled Simone, pinching Emma's arm. "Some part of you must have wanted to fly, otherwise you would have fallen to the ground and died. Tell me how you did it!" "I don't know!!!" screamed Emma. "Maybe the reason you couldn't fly is because you're out of practice."

That night, while Emma and Simone were sleeping, Simone was woken up by a buzzing sound that buzzed close to her face. Opening her eyes, she was a fairy flying inches away from her face. "I know you," said Simone, whispering in shock. "I'm sure I've seen you once when I was a little girl. You're called Tinkerbell, aren't you?" "Yes, Simone," replied Tinkerbell. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Tears flowed down Simone's face. "Why... why can't I fly?" she sobbed. "I could tell you, however I fear you might not like what I have to say," replied Tinkerbell. 

Back in the present, Anna and Elsa ate breakfast together, which they hadn't done in a long time. "Elsa, I have something to tell you," began Anna. "At night I've been leaving my room..." But before Anna could finish, Elsa touched her hand and said, "Anna, I know you've been going out to see the trolls." "I've sorry, Elsa," sobbed Anna. "I wanted to help you. The trolls offered me a potion that would make you forget all about Johannes. I was so close to using it on you." "But you didn't," Elsa responded. "How can you overlook this?" cried Anna. "I broke your trust! You should be furious with me!" "Anna, do you think I care for you so little it would actually make a difference?" said Elsa, placing her forehead on her sister's forehead. "We both have blame to share. You were right about me, Anna. I've been acting too obsessive over finding Johannes. He saved my life, but I know you would have done the same. I'll never mention his name again." The second she finished speaking those words, a servant burst into the room and said, "Your majesty, the ship is ready for your departure." Elsa looked conflicted. "I have to go now," Elsa said apologetically to Anna. "This will be the last time I go out to look for Johannes." She hugged Anna tightly, then left the palace. 

Back in the past, in Neverland, the sun began to rise. Simone rubbed Emma gently on the shoulders and whispered, "Emma, I have made you a breakfast of bread and fish, both cooked over a fire. Come and eat!" Simone picked up bread, broke it, and gave a piece to Emma. After they finished eating, Simone picked up a large bowl filled with water and heated it over the fire. She dripped a towel into the water and said to Emma, "Please, let me wash you." "Mother, I've known you since birth," replied Emma. "This is unlike you." 

Chapter Text

"Emma, you'll understand why I am doing this soon," said Simone. "Hold out your hands so I can wash them." Emma held out her hands and Simone washed them. Then Simone washed Emma's hands and feet as well. "Mom, I'd like to apologize to you," Emma said, once Simone had finished washing her. "When I fell down the cliff, I no longer trusted you. Now I regret that." Simone shook her head and said, "Distrusting me was the wisest thing you've ever done. I can never be the mother you need me to be. I'm too weak." Emma laughed and said, "You're not the least bit weak." "I know you believe what you're saying, but you're wrong," Simone ominously said. "This is the last day you're going to spend with me." Emma blinked and said, “I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.” “Emma, a fairy of the island came to me last night while you were sleeping,” Simone explained. "She explained to me there was a way off the island. That she could take us away from here." "Really?" gasped Emma in mock surprise. "That's great news. Where is she now?"

"I'm right here!" said Tinkerbell, flying inches from Emma's face. Emma beamed with excitement, and said, “So you were telling the truth, mum! But how is a small fairy going to take us off the island?” “You'll see,” said Simone. "Last night, Tinkerbell, who is the fairy right here, also told me how I might be able to fly again?" "That's great, mum!" exclaimed Emma. "It looks like things are finally looking up for you again. How are you going to fly?" "By letting go of the thing I love most ... you," said Simone, looking at Emma with a pained expression on her face. Tinkerbell's form suddenly began to change. She grew bigger and darker until she resembled a dark shadow hovering in the air. Tinkerbell wrapped her dark arms around Emma's waist and pulled her into the air, while Simone, feet firmly planted on the ground, grabbed Emma's hand. "Mum, help me!" begged Emma, sweat dripping down her face. "Tinkerbell's a monster!" "Sorry, but we've reached the end of the line, Emma," Simone ominously said. "To fly, I have to believe I'm young, but you've always made me feel old." "Mum, please ... help me!" begged Emma. "Tink will drop you off somewhere far from this island," explained Simone, tears dripping down her face. "You'll be able to live a good life without me. Motherhood is just not for me."

With that, Simone let go of Emma. Tinkerbell dragged Emma far away from the island, dropping her in a faraway kingdom. "Don't leave me here!" shouted Emma, but Tinkerbell flew away, back to Neverland, leaving Emma stranded. 

In Neverland, Hans traveled around the island with his crew in search of the tinderbox that would trap Peter Pan. Hans would dive into rivers with a rubber hose in his mouth, and a nose that was blocked with a peg. His crewmembers would stay at the surface and pump air to Hans with a small pump. All this time, Hans found no trace of the tinderbox. Soon, many years passed, and the 20-year deadline was days away from being met. Hans rose out of the river and onto dry land. Kai approached him, asking, "Uncle Hans, have you found anything?" Tears formed in Hans eyes, and he shook his head. “How long is it going to be until we leave this place, Hans?” grumbled Crowley. "We should never have agreed to take part in the mutiny. We were better off as slaves." Most of the crewmembers nodded in agreement. "This reminds me of what happened when the Jews left Egypt," Father Jude remarked. "After Moses led them away from Egypt, many of them wanted to go back to Egypt to return to being slaves." “Hans, not only are you a terrible pirate, you're also a terrible captain,” complained many of the crewmembers. "Hans, please, give up trying to escape," begged Jim. "We'll never find what we're looking for." The cries of anger against Hans only grew louder as sweat poured down Hans forehead. "You're not even trying to find the tinderbox, are you, Jim?" accused Hans. "Who cares, Hans?" argued Jim. "You're never going to defeat Pan with or without the tinderbox. Believe me, I tried."

Hans frustration had reached its breaking point. "Why you!" Hans roared, swinging his fist at Jim. Jim tried dodging the blow. In fact, he was so close to moving out of the way, but Hans fist still struck his nose, causing blood to come out. Hans eyed Jim suspiciously. "You really think you can punch your way out of this pickle you're in?" grumbled Gibbons. 

That night, while in his tent, Hans struggled to sleep. After tossing and turning for hours, he got up out of his tent and walked over to the tent where Jim was sleeping. He whistled a little and whispered, "Jim, I'm sorry for punching you today. I acted out of line, and I have no excuse for that." No one answered him. Minutes later, he opened the tent only to see there was no one inside. However, he was not too surprised to see this. He went over to Kai's tent and woke him up. "Nephew, we have some observing to do," said Hans. "It looks like the so-called blind man, Jim, has gone wandering off. Let's wait for him to come back." Kai rubbed his eyes, got up, and said, "Uncle Hans, maybe Jim got kidnapped by Peter Pan." "We shall see," said Hans. "Let's hide behind a tree." An hour later, Hans and Kai heard footsteps approaching them. They noticed Jim walking over to his tent with an apple in his hand. Kai was about to say something when Hans covered his mouth. "Nephew, let me handle this," Hans whispered. Just as Jim was about to enter his tent, Hans jumped out from behind the tree and shouted at the top of his lungs, "So you've somehow regained your sight, haven't you, Jim?"

Jim frozen, then seconds later said, "Well, when you've been blind for a long time, you start to develop a sixth sense." "Do you take me for an idiot?" said Hans, raising an eyebrow. "I've suspected that you've regained your sight for quite some time. Anyone with a brain can see you're not as blind as you claim to be." By now, everyone in the camp began waking up due to the commotion. "What's all this about?" asked Gibbons, getting out of his tent. "Old Hooky here has regained his sight, or maybe he never lost his sight in the first place," answered Hans. "You're wrong!" lied Jim at the top of his lungs. "Oh really?" mocked Hans, picked up a heavy rock and tossing it at Jim's face. Jim managed to dodge the rock just in time. "Stop lying, Jim," yelled Hans. "Everyone knows the game's up!" Jim turned and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Hans took off in pursuit of him, and within minutes, Hans was just a few feet away from Jim. Then Hans lunged on top of Jim, took out a dagger. After a lengthy fight, Hans wounded one of Jim's eyes, rendering that eye useless. "Now you truly are blinder than you were just a moment ago, eh, Jim," chuckled Hans. "You've got some explain to do, before I take out your other eye."

Father Jude wrapped a bandage around Jim's eye, while Jim began explaining himself to the crew. "My eyesight gradually came back," Jim said. "I can't explain it. Maybe my eyes healed." "Or maybe your blindness wasn't physical, but mental," suggested Crowley. "You'd better give a good explanation about why you didn't tell us about your restored eyesight, Jim," growled Hans. "You'd have thought I was lying about being blind if I told you about my restored eyesight," answered Jim. "Also, if I told you everything, you'd have pushed me harder into searching for the tinderbox." "Yes, that's what I'm going to do," admitted Hans. "Tell me where to find the tinderbox or I'll take your last eye." 

Jim led Hans and his crew to a river not far from the skull shaped sea cave. "My memories are fuzzy, but I think you should find the tinderbox at the bottom of this portion of the river," claimed Jim. "Now that you know this, you probably won't be needing me here anymore. I'll return to the camp and wait for you there." The sound of a pistol rang out, and Hans pointed it at Jim. "Oh, no, you don't," warned Hans. "You've put me through so much pain all these years. Now it's your turn. It's your turn to dive into the river to search for the tinderbox." Jim shook his head, fear written on his face. "You can't defeat Pan with or without the tinderbox," argued Jim. "Believe me, I tried. Pan is just too fast, and we can't use the tinderbox against Pan unless he's within range." "Talking won't save you from what I want you to do," shouted Hans. "You're going to dive down into the river and search for the tinderbox for me." Jim's eyes widened in fear. "No, what if there are crocodiles in there?" said Jim shaking his head. "Jump in the water or I'll take your other eye away," threatened Hans. "No violence, please, captain!" begged Father Jude. "Keep your mouth shut, Father," roared Hans. 

Hans gave Jim goggles rope, and a rubber hose so Jim could dive into the water to search for the tinderbox. "Jump into the water before I shoot," warned Hans. Jim closed his eyes and dived in. 10 minutes past, and the crewmembers saw ripples in the water. "A crocodile!" shouted Gibbons. It was indeed a crocodile, and it was not too far off. "Pull Jim out of the water!" ordered Hans. Hans and his crewmembers pulled on the rope as though their lives depended on it. One minute later, Jim was pulled onto dry land. Jim's hook was hooked onto the handle of a box. A tinderbox that still looked as good as new despite having been underwater for decades. The tinderbox appeared to be crafted from silver and gold. "How does this tinderbox work?" Crowley asked. “I've forgotten,” answered Jim. "Oh, really?" asked Hans, pointing his gun at Jim's head. "You supposedly need faith," said Jim, sweat pouring down his face. "Supposedly?" said Hans. "Yes, supposedly, it should work but it didn't when I tried to use the tinderbox against Pan," answered Jim. "Or maybe Pan was just too fast. I urged the tinderbox to save me from Pan, but it didn't work. Maybe my faith wavered, but I'm pretty sure it didn't." Hans took the tinderbox from Jim and said, "Well, Jim, if this tinderbox works, then get in it!"

FIN