Whatever the compound had been before the war's devastation, it had evolved as best it could. It hadn't been a large city like the ones advertised on fading postcards. The buildings didn't touch the sky or shine from the reflection of thousands of twinkling windows. It had been a modest city with a small college and a handful of subdivisions. Their ancestors may have called it a war, but it was a demolition of life. When it struck, this humble city had become an evacuation point. Evacuation to where? Nobody knows or nobody remembers. The army commandeered the entire city and left signs in a fifty mile radius indicating "civilian evacs ahead at army compound." Eventually the evacuation helicopters stopped coming, but civilians did not. The compound was re-established once more into a functioning city with the only remnants of its old world prominence being fading signs still bearing the name "compound." As the population increased, the citizens had no choice but to squeeze new buildings in between the old and to crudely add additional floors when necessary. This feature allowed for effortless access to most of the entire compound via the rooftops. One could easily step from one roof to another and then step next onto someone's balcony.

If there ever was a time for Rapunzel to be grateful for living in crude, patchwork neighborhood, it was now. The street lights, the few still functioning, were too short to illuminate the adjusted rooftops. The three teenagers were able to effectively slip towards the north end of the compound without being questioned. The journey began with flat out running north, but after the first half mile of rooftops, and with at least another mile still ahead of them left, the group conceded to a quick jog at Rapunzel's request. She heaved slightly from the exercise; the only running she did was for a medical emergency. At first the rush of speed was exhilarating, but after a few minutes the novel feeling wore off and she was thoroughly exhausted. She was slim built, but not athletic like Merida or even the other two boys with her. She was strong, but cardio wasn't her forte.

"What's…the plan?" she asked breathlessly. Up ahead Hiccup jumped nimbly down as the rooftop gave way to a balcony below. Although Hiccup was lean, he was still more muscular than Jack. She suspected it was an effect of swinging a hammer every day for several years. He handled the jump very solidly, like a practiced solider who calculated every move. Jack on the other hand was a wiry lean, and he managed the jump very carefree. Although she was in the rear, she could picture a smile on his face as his body soared through the air and he instinctually somersaulted into a landing and telltale "whoo!" With the determination to keep up, Rapunzel quickly scanned her dark surroundings. She couldn't see a different way across, so she held her breath and jumped.

As soon as her feet left the rooftop they felt like they were already hitting the balcony. Wow, who knew jumping down ten feet happened so quickly? She winced at the impact and ungracefully tumbled forward. She desperately wished she had a rope of something she could have used to swing across. Every once in a while, the school would have an outdoor "gym" day. It was practically the only time one could get Merida to show up. Rapunzel always did the best on the rope swing that swung from one old post to another. Perhaps, though, she would learn a thing or two from her new friends.

She picked up speed to catch up with the other two members of the rescue party.

Eventually the group came to a stop on the edge of a rooftop near the looming northern fence. The buildings naturally thinned out at the perimeters to prevent anybody from leaving via rooftops. They all peered across the street at the guard towers and patrol teams that shielded their escape. Rapunzel was in new territory; besides last night she had never even left the compound. She had no idea how they were going to sneak through. Last time they had been able to slip through an abandoned house that stood right up against the fence. Merida already knew the rotational schedule, and so it was all a matter of timing and sprinting. This section of the border was under heavier sentry.

"The plan is to get across the northern fence." Hiccup whispered.

"I figured that, but how?" Rapunzel asked impatiently. Jack pointed one end of his staff at a building near the edge of the fence. She gazed at the hole-in-the-wall that housed a fading sign and several rough looking men casually surrounding the entrance. She choked back a squeak when she could make out the vague painting of a duck on the sign.

"The Snuggly Duckling?" she asked with widen eyes.

"Great, you know it!" Oh, she knew it. Merida had shown up at Rapunzel's window in the middle of the night with a black eye, a busted lip, but otherwise joyous look on her face. Rapunzel tended to her wounds with consternation and interrogation.

"What happened?" she had asked. She couldn't tell from her voice if she was more worried or cross at her reckless friend.

"Uh, well, you know that place I told you about?"

"The Snuggly Duckling?"

"Yeah. Well….I may have gotten into a bar fight with a particularly over friendly patron."

"Wait," Rapunzel was distractedly deflated. "The Snuggly Duckling isn't a wholesome family dining experience?"

Merida rolled her eyes. "I was teasing when I said that." Rapunzel smacked her lightly on the arm. Merida grabbed it and winced, but grinned wickedly when Rapunzel tenderly apologized with beseeching eyes. The blonde realized Merida's teasing (again!) and exacted her revenge by ruffling her hair. Merida yelped with discontent and attempted to flatten the increasingly disheveled locks.

"Well, what does the other guy look like then?" Merida grinned proudly.

"He's missing an ear."

Now, Rapunzel gazed at the infamous Snuggly Duckling with wariness.

"I wouldn't have pegged you for a Snuggly Duckling girl," Jack teased. Rapunzel rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide the obvious apprehension on the rest of her face. What was the phrase Merida always used? When breaking the rules, go big or go home. Sneaking out with two boys, going to her first bar? This was certainly piling up under the dictionary's definition of "big."

"I've never been inside nor am I acquainted with those….those….ruffians." Jack smiled, amused. "I've only heard about it from Merida. She got into a bar fight with some guy who hit on her, and I patched her up afterwards." Jack whistled lowly.

"A bar fight at the Snuggly Duckling? She's one tough chick."

"Are you honestly surprised?" Hiccup asked dryly. "You know she pulled an arrow out of her own shoulder before?"

"How did she get an arrow in her shoulder?" Rapunzel asked, mystified. Jack laughed and nudged her lightly in the ribs.

"Who do you think put it there? Hiccup's not a natural archer like your buddy. I guess I'm just surprised someone got a hit in on her though. How bad was the other guy? If you had to stitch her up, I'm guessing he was way worse."

"Apparently she took his ear off."

"She what?!" Hiccup screeched. Both Jack and Rapunzel jumped with surprise. Immediately, all three of them ducked as low as they could in case anybody heard Hiccup's outburst. Rapunzel was between the two, and so Jack had to reach over her body to roughly deliver a thwack to Hiccup's head.

"It wasn't like it was your ear, you goon."

"But it could have been!"

"What does that even mean?!"

"I don't know! But she took his ear off for just flirting with her!"

"You put an arrow in her. I think she'll spare you an ear." All Rapunzel could register though was that Jack's arm hadn't returned to his body, but had remained next to Hiccup. Jack was using it to prop himself up over Rapunzel, and he was leaning very close to her reddened face in order to bicker with a flabbergasted Hiccup. Any chill in the night air was eliminated the second Jack had practically covered her upper body with his torso. Rapunzel was inches from the same blue hoodie she had worn earlier in the day, and she remembered how soft it had been to wear. She repelled the urge to reach out and rip the sweatshirt off Jack as the two males quarreled softly around her. She blushed more fiercely when she envisaged not stopping at the hoodie. She gingerly poked the man of her vision in the chest.

"Hey, guys?" Jack seemed to realize that he was practically sprawled over Rapunzel. He laughed apologetically. His body shifted off of her, but he leaned in close to her face and whispered "Sorry, Punz." The teasing glint of his pale eyes in the moonlight said that he was not 'sorry.' He was leaning much too close though, and they were on a rescue mission of all things! She turned away from his mischievous face to readdress Hiccup.

"What are we doing here, again?"

"That," Hiccup pointed at the Snuggly Duckling with a triumphant grin on his face, "Is our ticket out of the compound."

The trio approached the dimly lit door of the bar. Rapunzel clutched nervously at her satchel as a colossal beast of a man stared each of them down. Jack didn't seem fazed by the man's gruff exterior, and he strolled casually by the bouncer.

"Hey Phil. Nice night." The man grunted in return and turned his attention towards another group of approaching citizens. Rapunzel scampered past to follow Jack and Hiccup into the dark bar.

"I take it you guys have been here before?" She squeaked. She glanced nervously around at all the ruffians and thugs accommodating the bar. They came in all shapes and sizes, ages and genders. Jack may have stood out with the pleasant smile adorned on his face, and Hiccup didn't blend in either with his tidy appearance. Rapunzel, on the other hand, felt entirely exposed and un-incognito. She was unconditionally positive that her carefully brushed silken hair, feminine purple top, and unintimidating posture were good indicators.

"Yeah, Jack and I have done a few odd jobs for the owner. In return, he lets us come and go whenever we want," Hiccup whispered loudly in her ear. It was the middle of the night, and the Snuggly Duckling was in full swing with card games, pool hustling, excessive liquor consumption. Rapunzel stayed close to the boys as they moved towards room in the back.

"Come and go where?" Rapunzel asked as they skirted around a group of men throwing knifes at a dart board.

"Outside the compound of course," Hiccup replied. "The Snuggly Duckling is one of the leaders in smuggling, and for that they need a secret entrance in and out of this place." Rapunzel wondered what was so essential that Jack and Hiccup needed outside access to the northern portion of the compound. She didn't figure them to be mixed up in smuggling unless there was a greater purpose to it. At least, she hoped not. She already had enough association with patrons of illicit activities. Well, just one patron of the admirer type, but that was plenty for her.

The trio approached the back room of the bar where they were met with another bouncer. After a quick word with Jack and Hiccup, the large man stepped aside and allowed them to pass through. The back room seemed no different than the rest of the bar. A table of hefty men were playing cards in one corner. One may have looked up and acknowledged their entrance, but otherwise the card players made no indication of the trio's sudden presence. In another corner several men were having a hatchet throwing contest at a well chipped wall embellished with a painted target. Scattered throughout the room were men chatting or drinking quietly amongst themselves. While the rest of the bar had been regulars of all varieties, these men were all huge and menacing as if they had been created from a cookie mold designated for 'threatening bar members.' At the very back of the room stretched a well-stocked bar. An overweight, balding man was expertly wiping down the counter. As the gang approached, Rapunzel noticed he only had one hand; the other was a polished, metal hook. The man glanced up passively at the oncoming teens.

"Ah. Jack Frost and Hiccup Haddock. What can I do for you? This isn't your usual night out," he ran his eyes over Rapunzel. "Or usual company."

"Usual company?" she asked a little too disdainfully. She had meant for it to come off as an off-handed question. The bald bartender laughed.

"Don't worry girlie. By usual company, I meant any company. You're the only person I've ever seen come in with these two. In fact, they're in here together so much, I pegged them as being more than partners-in-just-crime." He laughed cacophonously at his joke and even Rapunzel had to smile. Neither Jack nor Hiccup were amused at the man's joke at their expense.

"Anyway fellas, what can I do you for?" Hiccup responded first.

"We need to go out tonight."

"Tonight, hm?" The bald man methodically rubbed down the bar, but he spoke with a tone that had an invitation for implication. Jack sighed and tossed his staff to his other hand. Rapunzel noted that he tended to do that when agitated.

"You're not going to ask for another favor, are you?"

"I think we've done you enough favors to allow us one night out, without strings attached." Hiccup argued. The bald man shrugged nonchalantly.

"You haven't been in for a while-"

"You mean a measly week?"

"-and I had to ship some product myself, and now I've got the guard's looking a little closer than normal. Would sure help me out if you guys could pick up a couple of extra loads this week."

"Loads of what?" She couldn't help but ask. She realized as soon as the words spilled from her lips that she shouldn't get any more involved with ruffian affairs, but she was curious. The bartender beamed proudly.

"Moonshine, of course! Finest brew in the state, or what's left of it. Every town in a two hundred mile radius gobbles the stuff up." Rapunzel's eyes widened. She turned to the pair of boys sheepishly averting her gaze.

"You two deliver his illegal alcohol? How do you even safely travel hundreds of miles a night?" The boys exchanged glances before Hiccup spoke.

"It's a long story, but we'll show you once we leave." He faced the bald bartended and shook his hand in agreement. The man eagerly ducked under the bar and then reappeared with three enormous mugs.

"Are we…are we actually going to sit here and drink?" she asked as the man filled up each mug with his good hand from a spigot protruding up from the bar. Jack was already jovially clutching his mug as Hiccup gave Rapunzel a response about 'the politeness in accepting a known smuggler boss's brew.' The beer was dark and foamy from what Rapunzel could tell, and that was all she knew. Mother had never allowed her to consume alcohol before and frankly it sounded like it turned people into scoundrels. Jack promised they would be able to leave as soon as their drinks were finished, and so the three teenagers settled down quickly at an empty wooden table.

Rapunzel eyed her drink uncertainly. She clutched at the mug with a firm grip and prepped herself for whatever taste was going to ensue. The beer had a strange, almost bitter, taste that left Rapunzel with a scrunched face and smacking lips. It wasn't bad per se, but perhaps not delicious like summertime lemonade or freshly pressed apple cider. She watched Hiccup and Jack consume their drinks like old pros. Hiccup drank his quietly and steadily, unsurprisingly. He seemed to handle his drinking more maturely. Jack on the other hand was taking quick large gulps like a child guzzling his favorite beverage. She couldn't hold back a wistful smile. Rapunzel imagined herself drinking alcohol slowly and steadily while Merida probably downed the liquid like it was spring water. The drink in Rapunzel's hand tasted bitterer as she thought regrettably about their last fight.

Just as the last few sips of the inebriating beverage disappeared, a commotion stirred outside the backroom's only entrance. The hook-handed man grumbled vehemently to himself, but waved his good hand dismissively. Two hefty thugs left the room only to return seconds later holding a man up by his biceps. He was carried up to the bar and dropped harshly in front of the boss man. From the back all Rapunzel could make out was longish brown hair, a blue vest, and the un-denying swagger belonging to one infamous Flynn Rider.

She remembered vividly meeting the handsome brunette for the first time a year ago. She wasn't a full time healer yet, but she had been left in charge for the day while her mentor gathered herbs outside the compound. Flynn had attempted to sneak into the healing center to snitch some medicine, and Rapunzel, out of fright, had hit him with the only weapon she could find; a cast iron frying pan hanging on the wall next to the stove. When he awoke, he pleaded using a tear-jerking speech about using the medicine for the local orphanage. Rapunzel had of course fallen for it, and she let him go without involving the police. How mortified she had been when the law came around a week later informing her that the wanted thief, Flynn Rider, had been selling the medicine on the black market. How naïve she had been.

Flynn eventually showed up several weeks later asking quite dashingly for more medicine when Rapunzel berated him like a stern mother.

"I trusted you!" Her voice quivered from either fury or grief. Maybe both?

"A horrible decision, really, Blondie."

"It's one thing to lie to me, Flynn. I'm probably the only person who trusted you and I barely even know you, but you essentially lied to those orphans. You promised me you would bring them medicine, and that's the same as promising them. And you broke it! You could at least have the decency to say it's for one of your rapscallion friends." Her face was probably red and her eyes glossy from the heartbreaking betrayal. She tried to never let someone's reputation cloud her own opinion, but Flynn had been the first to actually break her trust. Perhaps she was naïve, but she believed everybody just needed someone to believe in them. She must had said something that hit home for him though because Flynn simply apologized and left. Ever since, the orphanage in their sector had a Robin Hood character delivering items of need and Rapunzel occasionally discovered various gifts bestowed upon her doorstep.

She was torn between shouting his name and hiding behind her new friends; she wasn't sure yet if being associated with Flynn right now would be welcomed.

"What is it this time, Rider?" The bartender asked exasperated. He idly shined his hook while maintaining a withering stare at the smug thief.

"May I just thank you for your hospitality foremost, and secondly, is that a new hook? It looks quite dapper on you, you know." The owner of said hook rolled his eyes and waved his hand. The two thugs left Flynn's side and returned to their position by the door.

"The last time you were here a dozen guardsmen including a deranged horse came crashing in after you. I hope you know I won't have that happening again."

"Oh naturally! You're running such a fine establishment I'd hate to get in the way. In fact, I'll spare you any trouble and time now by just being on my way out of the compound."

"Not without discussing business first."

"Of course! What'll it be? 5%? 7%?"

"If you have what I hear you have, it's going to be closer to 80%." Flynn recoiled, but quickly regained his aloofness.

"You mean, you want 20%...?"

"You know what I mean. And my boys will be fencing it instead of you." He nodded briefly to the three of them seated at the table. Rapunzel quickly reached down and fiddle with her satchel and hoped Flynn didn't look back at them.

"Come on Hooky. A man's gotta make a living, too."

"We have another matter to discuss. You have a bad habit of double crossing people, Rider." As if on cue, all the men in the room stopped their activities and stood up, brandishing weapons. The thugs at the door blocked the only way in and out.

"Only the Stabbington brothers, and between you and me, they had it coming." Hook-Hand strolled out from behind the bar towards the thief. Flynn hastily backed up to establish a greater distance between them.

"Word on the street is you let Vladimir get picked up by the guard to save your own skin. Vladimir was one of my men you know."

"There's so many Vlads, it's hard to keep track of who's with who-"

"How many other Vlads out there wear ceramic unicorns on a damn necklace?!"

"Uh…well…"

"Grab him." Before Flynn could protest men grabbed him on either side and held him still. "I'm gonna send you leaving here with a lesson you'll never forget Rider." He twisted his hook into the azure fabric of his vest and pulled his one good arm back. Rapunzel yelped with protest and vaulted over the table towards her friend who was currently chanting "not the nose." She came up behind one of the thugs clutching Flynn and hit him as hard as she could on his upper arm. His howls of agony were cue for Hiccup and Jack break their astonishment and to leap into action as well.

It all happened in mere moments.

The thug she had hit immediately dropped his grip on Flynn who then head-butted the second thug. Rapunzel wielded her frying pan at Hook-Hand who had released his hold on Flynn with a shocked expression on his face, which quickly turned aversion. Hiccup withdrew a sword like contraption from his side, and it instantaneously lit into a blazing fire. Jack held his staff up menacingly, and from the hesitation on the thug's faces, they had had nasty encounters with the weapon before. The three teenagers were back to back, forming a ring around Flynn.

The thief was just as startled at the appearance of his mysterious rescue.

"Blondie?! What the hell are you doing here?"

"Blondie? How original."

"Hush. Bailing you out again it looks like," she hissed disapprovingly.

"You know this idiot?"

"Hey! I'm the greatest thief in practically the country, or what's left of it." Someone snorted behind Rapunzel. She couldn't see who, but it sounded like Jack.

"A decent thief wouldn't have wanted posters all over the place."

"What do you know about stealing besides five fingering bubblegum from your local grocery store, junior?"

"We aren't wanted criminals, dick, so more than you."

"All right, enough." Hiccup interrupted the spat. "Rapunzel, what's the plan?" The blonde stared at the looming smuggler boss she had just pissed off who had them outnumbered 10 to 1.

"Um…let Flynn go?" She heard all three of the guys behind her groan. "Flynn's a good person. If he did you wrong, he'll make it up to you. Please, just give him a chance and don't hurt him." Rapunzel gave the smuggler boss her finest pleading expression and waited. Slowly, Hook-Hand spoke.

"You're got a lot of spunk standing up to me missy. Your friends are the best smugglers I have employed, and lucky for you I need them more than I hate Rider. Something tells me they're gonna have a problem with me if I have a problem with you. He leaves here unscathed on two conditions. First, I get 100% of profit from what he's trying to sell, and second, I don't care how but he gets Vlad out of the slammer. Deal?" Rapunzel eagerly nodded her head in agreement and everybody in the room relaxed. There wouldn't be a fight tonight.

Rapunzel quickly turned to face Flynn with blazing green eyes. She raised her frying pan at him began scolding him incessantly. Several men were smiling joyously as they watched the notorious, fearless Flynn Rider be berated by a petite blonde with a cooking pan. The thief glowered under her reprimanding and wasn't sure if he could still opt out to be beaten instead. At least it was a manlier defeat.

"Flynn! Are you even listening to me?" Instinctively, he nodded yes. "Why can't you stay out of trouble then?"

He swooped down and swiftly kissed the top of her head. While this gesture only further enraged Rapunzel, Flynn made smarmy eye contact with both of her companions. He gleefully watched the white haired one bristle and scowl vehemently at him while the brunette gazed at him with a glare and an eyebrow raise that a mother would give to bickering children.

Rapunzel ripped her head away from Flynn's amused lips. "Stop that."

"Whatever you say, Blondie. And as grateful as I am that you basically gave away a year's worth of money," he paused to hold up his hands at a peeved Rapunzel, "which I'm totally fine with since you saved my ass, but I don't think you showed up just for little old me. What in the world are you doing here?"

Rapunzel looked uncertainly at Jack and Hiccup who gave her nods of encouragement.

"Merida snuck out to go looking for something in the woods north of here. We're going after her."

"Uh-huh. What is little miss trouble after? Your magic flower?" Rapunzel blushed with embarrassment.

"This isn't a joke, Flynn. She's going after something very dangerous and very real."

"Oh, well I don't know anything about mysterious dangers hidden in the woods, but let me know if you need help handling your other magic flower," he flirted suggestively. Rapunzel raised her frying pan to threaten Flynn again. She wasn't familiar with relationships, but Flynn had given her experience with incessant flirtations. Before she could react however Jack moved forward and used the end of his staff to push Flynn not-so-gently in the chest.

"We don't need your help, and you're welcome for ours." He smiled cheekily at the bemused, older thief. "You can go back to trying not to get your ass kicked by literally everyone who knows you while we go and do big kid things." He gave his staff a gentle shove that pressed Flynn backwards. The thief glowered at Jack as the teen cockily thrust one hand in his hoodie pocket and relaxed his stuff over his shoulder. Flynn quickly shrugged off the encounter.

"Your loss. Blondie, always a pleasure." Flynn mockingly saluted the group and winked at Rapunzel. As he turned to leave, he addressed her one last time. "Nice satchel by the way. Looks good on you." Jack looked momentarily confused while she flushed at Flynn's teasing. Just as Jack realized the insinuation of Flynn's comment, Hiccup grabbed them both and guided them towards behind the bar.

"Are you actually wearing his satchel?" Jack asked incredulously.

"Jack, come on. It's just a purse," Hiccup scolded.

"It's a satchel."

"Whatever, we've already lost enough time."

"Somebody should explain to poor Rapunzel about the implications of wearing another man's satchel."

"And that's what? That some guy was saved from constantly wearing a man-purse? Please, share with us your wisdom on bags while Merida is being killed outside."

"Oh, no," Rapunzel cried crestfallen, "I hope it's not too late already." Hiccup laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sure Merida's just fine. I was just trying to make a point to dumb-dumb here," Hiccup glanced pointedly at Jack. "Let's go."

Hiccup reached out and pulled down on a beer tap with a yellow dug carved on the top. A door unhinged from the floor in front of the trio and Rapunzel let out a soft gasp. She let Hiccup and Jack crawl through the trapdoor first, and then she cautiously followed. Hiccup pulled out matches from one of his many pockets and lit a torch hanging from the wall. The trapdoor closed leaving them in nearly complete darkness. Rapunzel pulled out her frying pan, just in case. The light from the torch flickered on the walls and dimly lit the way. Jack and Hiccup seemed completely at ease; they were chatting to each other while Rapunzel followed silently behind. The darkness of the tunnel reminded her of what lay outside the walls and she realized she was once again venturing out into dangerous territory except this time, to be honest, it was with almost complete strangers. But she trusted them. She didn't know anybody else who would have come with her to save Merida, and without these two caring so much for her friend she wouldn't have known Merida had gone missing.

"Rapunzel?" She glanced up to meet Hiccup's face. He was turned towards her with a questionable stare as they continued walking. Jack's face matched.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you say something?" she asked embarrassed.

"Oh it wasn't anything serious. I only asked if there really was a magical flower or if Flynn was just being crude." Rapunzel laughed, more at herself than Hiccup's inquiry.

"Oh, no. Well, I mean yes. It's complicated." She gingerly ran her hand along her frying pan as if it would make whatever she had to say next not so childish.

"The healers used to joke about there being magical flowers outside the compound that could cure anything and everything. Broken bones, internal bleeding, infections. It's basically a miracle plant. But it's just a fairy tale. I think there used to be stuff that could do just about anything before the world ended, but now I think the healers talk about the magical flower because we're more likely to find that than have real medicine again."

"What does the flower look like?" Hiccup asked. He smiled jokingly, "Maybe Jack and I could keep an eye out for it."

"It looks like this." Rapunzel held up the front of her satchel to reveal a golden lily embroidered onto the brown leather. Jack ran a hand over the embroidery and whistled appreciatively.

"Wow, if we ever find this flower there's no way it could look as beautiful as this." Rapunzel smiled modestly.

"Thanks. What about you two? Do they tell mystical legends about enchanted anvils and…" her face scrunched in concentration in Jack's direction. "…and, what? Solid gold staffs? You know Jack, I still have no idea what you do." Both boys chuckled. Hiccup responded first.

"Jack has a job, he just doesn't do it. I think it has something to do with actually having to work instead of goof around." He playfully nudged his fun-loving friend in the shoulder.

"It's just a boring office job. No fun at all. It practically slays me," he pantomimed choking and dying while Hiccup and Rapunzel laughed.

"To answer your question, no we don't swap stories about enchanted anvils and gold staffs."

"Oh, well, what would be something you wished you had then?" Rapunzel clutched her frying pan to her chest and excitedly glanced from boy to boy. Hiccup stared off in the dark as if seriously contemplating, but Jack answered eagerly.

"I wish I could do something that helps people but still brings them fun, you know? Strict policies may look good on paper and keep everybody going, but what's the purpose of surviving the end of the world if nobody is really living? My family's always getting onto me for being so carefree and flippant. I can't help it. It's just my nature," he shrugged good-naturedly, but Rapunzel didn't miss the way smile seemed forced and his eyes retained a degree of unhappiness. She hoped she hadn't struck a nerve. Perhaps the question was too personal?

"Okay Mr. Fun Times, the day you use a game of tag to save the world, I'll stop ragging on you to go to work. I, on the other hand, just wish I could stop the nightmares on our doorstep." He turned to face Jack's scowl. He held up his hands in defeat. "With or without using fun. However it works, no matter how unconventional or incredulous, I wish I could do something to stop everything." Rapunzel tucked her pan underneath one arm and held up her free hand to count off their wishes.

"So, Hiccup wants to stop the monsters in the world by doing whatever he can, Jack wants to save everyone while using fun, and I want to find a mythical, golden lily that heals anything. You know, most people our age just wish for a date and less acne," she pointed out. They all chuckled over their strangeness.

They must have walked almost a mile by the time Hiccup announced that they were close to the end. Shortly, the path began to slope back towards the surface.

"Watch your step," Jack warned. Rapunzel peered through the hazy lighting at crude wooden steps embedded in the earth. The exit was a lone door that was angled like something you'd see for a cellar. Hiccup blew the torch out and hung it on the wall near the exit before pushing the door openly slowly.

"Looks clear. Let's move."

Once they were all free from the smuggler's tunnel, Hiccup silently lowered the door closed. On the front was another faded duckling that matched the one on the bar's sign. As she watched, Jack clutched Rapunzel's shoulder from behind. She jumped considerably at the contact and had to cover her mouth to prevent any sound from escaping.

"Sorry," Jack whispered apologetically. "I was just going to warn you to stay quiet. Our ride is in a darker part of the forest where no light can penetrate. This won't be like the hidden valley trip." He leaned in closer next to her ear. Rapunzel watched Hiccup withdraw his sword-like contraption, unlit, and attempted to act natural. She was completely confident Hiccup could hear her heart beating like a spoon to the bottom of a pot if he listened close enough, and for more reason than one. Jack's breath was practically in her ear and she assumed it was warm, but she couldn't be sure because her whole head was on fire. "Which, by the way, we should repeat sometime." His breath disappeared as he materialized in front of her. "There will be a degree of peril involved now. Be careful." Hiccup motioned to the two of them to follow him into the thickening darkness.

Rapunzel glanced anxiously at Jack who reciprocated with an encouraging smile. She followed Hiccup wordlessly while Jack brought up the rear. The tree canopies were so thick they blocked out all moonlight. She moved slowly mainly because she couldn't see where she was putting her feet. Hiccup seemed to know the way and glided inaudibly over tree roots and under low hanging branches. Rapunzel watched the outline of his figure and tried to duck when he ducked and step higher when he stepped higher.

They broke free of the forest and came upon a ravine encased in rock and aged trees. The tree's branches attempted to reach across the rocky abyss, but there remained a large gap where the width was too large and moonlight could shine down into otherwise shadow. Rapunzel clutched at a tree trunk and leaned over the edge. A small pond glistened in the moonlight while the edges taunted murkiness. At least there was some moonlight visible. So far they hadn't encountered any trouble.

"Let's go," Hiccup whispered. He led the way down the side of the rock face. There wasn't a path cut anywhere, but both boys knew which outreaching ledge to leap down to and they guided her efficiently down the ravine. It wasn't high, and they descent was finished swiftly.

Hiccup whistled softly into the night and gazed around, searching. Rapunzel furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Did they have horses all the way out here? It seemed unlikely, especially since the only way out of the ravine was to either climb out or fly out.

Now that she thought about it, how were they going to catch up to Merida? They would need something faster than a horse, and by the way Jack and Hiccup acted they had something that would catch up to her in no time.

Hiccup had moved further across the ravine and was whistling softly again. Jack muttered something that sounded like "lazy lizard."

"Should we help?" she asked.

"Nah, we won't do any good. Might as well let Hiccup call him out."

"Him?"

She had only meant to take a few steps in Hiccup's direction just in case he needed help. As she moved forward, branches rustled in the trees above her and leaves fell in front of her petrified face.

"Rapunzel, don't-" A low growl interrupted Jack. It came from above her, and she forced herself to tilt her head upwards towards the sound. A matching pair of green eyes glowed back at her.

She let out a soft gasp before stumbling backwards. The creature dropped from above and landed so close to the faltering Rapunzel it caused her to lose her footing and tumble backwards into a surprised Jack. He clumsily gripped her forearms trying to keep them both upright, but Rapunzel was making it difficult as she stubbornly continued to press backwards into Jack. The creature was dark like a shadow, but her focus was hooked on its menacing jade eyes that towered well above her head. It was one of the creatures that gave children nightmares at night and destroyed humanity in the blink of a single night.

She forced Jack back into the rock wall and held out her frying pan threateningly when she realized there was nowhere else to go. The monster growled with ferocity at the weapon and lunged forward with its enormous mouth gaping wide. Rapunzel screeched involuntarily and swung her frying pan as hard as she could.

A/N: Oh goodness, it's been a bit. I went back and rewrote part of the chapter, so that's part of the extensive delay. The other is just general senior year nonsense. I do appreciate everybody who waits so patiently for each update. It warms my heart, it really does.