It was a busy day in the Clan Dunbroch.

All four clans, joined together for the ceremonial completion—where each oldest sons of Macintosh, MacGuffin, and Dingwall would shoot for the hand of the fair maiden in Dunbroch. The said young maiden, or Princess if you prefer, was slouching in her wooden throne; a look of disgust on her face showed how she was clearly unexcited by today's events.

Her orange curls were hidden and her cheeks were pinker than usual from wearing an extremely tight blue gown. She shook her head in disapproval as she watched her parents start the games—the games for her hand. What was she? A piece of meat to be won over?

"Archers!" Merida's mother, Queen Eleanor announced, holding her husband's hand. "To yer marks!" The Queen was a tall woman, with brown hair that reached her ankles. She still had a young and elegant look to her, despite her having one gray streak in her hair. She wore a gleaming green dress, which matched her tiara.

Her husband, King Fergus, clutched her hand. "A—Aye, archers! Eh, t-to yer marks!" King Fergus was a large beefy man, with vibrant orange curly hair and bright blue eyes. As good as a sword fighter he was, he was dreadful at speech making.

"May the lucky arrow find its target!"

The three princes were lined up and ready to compete. Prince MacGuffin, a large blond man, gulped nervously as the crowd roared behind him. Prince Macintosh, however, took advantage of the crowd. Grinning and showing off moves for a group of female admirers behind him, who squealed eagerly. Poor Prince Dingwall just had a lost look on his face, as he plucked the strong of his bow idly.

"GE'H ON WITH IT!" King Fergus grinned, plopping into his throne beside his daughter. The Princess grinned, shifting something beside her throne with her foot: Arrows and a bow.

Prince MacGuffin went first. He picked up his bow, squinted at the target ahead of him and shot. The arrow hit the board alright—but it missed the target by a landslide.

The Prince groaned as the crowd let out noise of disappointment; a couple of people laughed as his father, Lord MacGuffin, facepalmed himself.

Meanwhile, over at the thrones, Princess Merida said to her father, "I be'h he wishes he wos tossin' cabers," she grinned.

"And hold up dem bridges," Fergus whispered making him and Merida snort in their hands. Eleanor gave them a disapproving look as she jabbed her husband with her elbow.

Now it was Prince Macintosh's turn, as he proudly arched his bow and noosed an arrow. Quickly flashing a smolder at the ladies and making them scream, he shot his arrow; missing the target by inches.

"NOOOOO!" Prince Macintosh screamed, throwing his bow in the air and himself to the ground; he started banging his fists against the ground, crying.

"That's attractive," Merida scoffed, wrinkling her nose at the Prince.

"At least you hit the target son!" Lord Macintosh called, throwing a smirk at Lord MacGuffin. His son flung his bow up in the air; it soared above the heads of the audience until a hand shot up and wrapped its fingers around it.

"I GOT IT!" An excited voice yelled.

"Good arm," Merida commented.

"And such lovely, flowing, locks," Fergus whispered, batting his eyelashes mockingly.

"Fergus."

"What?" Said king laughed innocently.

The lost Prince Dingwall stuck his tongue between his teeth as he noosed his arrow, his eyebrows furrowing as it got stuck a couple times. The crowd began to laugh behind him.

"Aw, wee lamb," Merida stated mockingly, pursing her lips.

Prince Dingwall arched his arrow…but the arrow slipped from his noose. Again…..and again….

"Oh, c'mon," Fergus complained, running his palms across his face and beard. "SHOO'T BOY!" Fergus's outburst startled Prince Dingwall and he shot the arrow unintentionally—there was a whoosh and the sound of the arrow hitting a perfect target.

Lord Macintosh and Lord Macguffin's faces were etched in horror as the clan Dingwall erupted into cheers. Lord Dingwall laughed happily, "Well done!" He did a little dance as the crowd applauded and lifted the back of his kilt to the two lords behind him.

"Feast yer eyes," Dingwall said pompously. Macintosh and MacGuffin gave sounds of disgust and shielded their eyes, running away from the horrible sight in front of them.

Eleanor and Fergus gaped at the crowd in front of them, eyes wide. Eleanor gave a little breath, calming herself slightly.

Fergus, still in shock, said, "Well, tha's just grand now isn't it? Guess oo's comin' ta dinner."

"Fergus," Eleanor whispered disapprovingly.

"By the way, hope you don' mind bein' called Lady Ding—" Fergus said, turning to face Merida; only that she wasn't there. One of the royal dogs were there panting in her seat.

Fergus turned just into time, to see the crowd as a hooded figure planted another clan banner into the ground. The banner of the clan Dunbroch.

The hooded figure whipped of its cloak to reveal a head full of vibrant, curly red hair. It was none other the Princess herself, bow and arrow in hand. The crowd let out awe's as she announced, "I am Merida! First born descendent of the clan Dunbroch!"

She was still dressed in her formal dress, as she turned and looked at her mother who was sitting far away, "An ah'll be shootin' fer my own hand!"

The Lords let out sounds of surprise and the Queen stared at her daughter in disbelief. "Wha are yeh doin'?"

Merida made a motion to arch her arrow and noose a bow, but her tight sleeves barely let her raise her arms above her waist. She made sounds of disgruntlement and tried to lift her arms higher.

"MERIDA!" The Queen yelled frantically as she rose from her throne.

"URGH!" Merida yelled. "Curse this dress!" She bent down, and with all her strength she jerked her limbs. The dress ripped at the seams—down her back and sides; the crowd gasped.

Merida hesitated slightly but then arched her arrow.

"MERIDA, STOP THIS!" Eleanor yelled, rushing down the steps of the royal platform.

The Queen of Dunbroch was outraged, as she watched her daughter do the unthinkable, horrible and most unwise.

Merida didn't listen, but merely shot at her target. The arrow whizzed in the air and there was a dull plank: target met. Deep in concentration she went to the next goal. The arrow pierced the target within a heartbeat.

"Don' you dare noose another arrow!" Eleanor cried out, face turning red. She grabbed the folds of her dress and started walking as fast as she could. Merida didn't bother looking her, as she let out a deep breath, all her concentration on her last target.

Please don't do this…

You leave me no choice…if you won't listen to my side my only option is rebellion….

"MERIDA I FORBID IT!"

As is in slow motion the last arrow was notched. It whizzed in the air, spinning. If it missed or met a target a certain fate would be bestowed upon the kingdom. Heads whipped and everyone held their breath—a pin could have been dropped and it would have made a difference in the volume.

The arrow snapped the other target into two; the arrow of the Dingwall crunching and flying into pieces. Merida's arrow pierced perfectly onto the target.

So it would be this fate, would it?

She smirked hearing the awes of the crowd behind her. This would be the fate that would be best for everyone….

Merida turned and found herself face-to-face with the enraged face of her mother.

It was your choice…You wouldn't listen.

This means war.

XxX

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third never expected that he would be the first to tame a dragon. Yet here he was, soaring in the heavens, with his russet hair blowing around him. As he and Toothless rode the air, Hiccup felt something he had never felt before:

Freedom.

"That's right bud! Keep going, we're doing great!" Hiccup shouted, as he and Toothless shot upwards in the sky.

It just showed how special their connection was—the fact that Toothless was a dragon and could yet understand him.

Hiccup never even thought how flying would feel like. However, now that he was here—now that he was actually flying; he had to admit…

"OH, THIS IS AMAZING!" Hiccup yelled in a slight sing-song voice, grinning, as he and Toothless flew higher and higher. Hiccup was also grateful for the sheet he had, so he could fly Toothless without getting into an accident.

Well…less accidents anyways. But there was more of that later.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew the sheet away. Hiccup yelled out, trying to reach it, when his wire slipped off Toothless's saddle. Then they both dropped like stones.

The wind pushed against them; Hiccup could feel his eyes watering from the amplitude, but he managed to snatch the sheet back.

"Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods," Hiccup screamed, green eyes widening as he started freaking out; he splayed his arms and legs out and finding it was slowing his fall slightly. Toothless thrashed in the air, roaring in either confusion or fear.

"You—you gotta try angling yourself!" Hiccup yelled, trying to reach Toothless as he spun. "Go forwards! Go back! Go back—OW!" Hiccup cried as Toothless's tail whipped him across the face. He curled into himself; pressing his hand against the burn Toothless's tail had given him.

Focus, Hiccup! Focus!

Adrenaline took over and Hiccup somehow managed to free fall above Toothless and re-attach the wire.

Okay! Let's see how long they had before they died!

Hiccup pulled the rears of the Toothless's saddle to stop them from face-planting into the ocean below them and they managed to soar back right into the air. Toothless roared or screamed; it was kinda hard to tell from a Night Fury.

They did rear up, however, while Hiccup was busy looking at the sheet he had risked his life to grab, he didn't notice the gigantic rocks in front of him.

Hiccup glanced upwards and did a double take.

Hiccup yelped out in surprise, and let go of the sheet. Hiccup didn't know if it was instinct or just sheer dumb luck, but he managed to dodge the rocks and fly Toothless like he'd been doing it for years. They whizzed past the boulders; Hiccup flawlessly pushing the pedal at the right time, with he and Toothless moving as one…as if they'd been flying for years.

They burst past the rocks and into the open air, just above the ocean. Hiccup could still feel his heart beating frantically like an idiot…but they did it!

Hiccup lifted his arms, lost in the moment. "YEAAAAHHH!" He yelled, grinning in accomplishment. Toothless got excited and let out a jet of fire….which they were about to fly through.

Hiccup arched his eyebrow at the incoming fire, arms still in the air.

"C'mon," he complained, the smile leaving his freckled face as he lowered his arms when they flew through the inferno.

XxX

At that same moment, somewhere far away, a chameleon scrambled out the slightly closed window of a very tall tower, hidden in the middle of nowhere. The chameleon gulped his large brown eyes fearful, as he flattened himself against a flower pot. His skin changed color to resemble the paintings on the pot behind him.

"HA!"

Suddenly the window banged open as a fair maiden cried out, slamming the doors of the window away from her. The maiden had porcelain skin which was sprinkled with freckles and she also had very large green eyes. What was most particular about this maiden was that she had a long trail, of golden blonde hair—almost seventy-five feet of it.

This maiden's name was Rapunzel.

"Hmmm…." Rapunzel said, her eyes looking rather intelligent. She pretended to be leaving, putting her hands behind her. The chameleon chuckled, thinking that he had outsmarted her.

Well, at least he thought he had outsmarted her.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a blond strand of hair wrapped around his leg. Yelping in surprise, he found himself upside down, and Rapunzel cried out, "GOT YA!" She was also upside down, using her hair to hang her from a pillar.

The Chameleon screamed, returning to his regular shade of bright green. Rapunzel let the chameleon down and put her hands on her hips, "That's twenty-two for me," she stated, in a matter-of-fact voice. "How about twenty-three out of forty-five?"

The Chameleon scowled, eyes furrowing at the idea. Rapunzel sat herself on the window sill, smirking at the reptile. "Okay, well, what do you want to do?"

Said chameleon grinned and pointed his tail over the ledge, directing to the ground seventy-five feet below.

"Yeah, I don't think so," Rapunzel stated, picking up the chameleon and putting him on her lap as she dangling her feet off the ledge. "I like it in here and so do you," she said.

This was a lie of course.

The reptile stuck his tongue out at her.

"Oh, c'mon Pascal, it isn't so bad in there," Rapunzel stated, climbing back into the tower. She ran inside, moving pretty fast. She seemed to know her way a little too well in the tower, moving like an acrobat.

"Seven a.m. the usual morning line up," Rapunzel said, starting to sing. "Start on the chores and sweep till the floors all clean!"

It was a routine for Rapunzel to sing around the tower. She felt awkward talking to herself, so to keep herself entertained she would sing. She had managed to learn from her mother, Gothel, who also had an excellent singing voice.

Rapunzel kept cleaning. She continued cleaning the tower with great speed and flexibility. Even adding her own fun twist as she mopped the floor with brushes on her feet, pretending to ice-skate. Done within fifteen minutes, she sang:

"So I'll read a book, or maybe two, or three," she sang picking up books on Botany, Geology, and cooking from her bookshelf, eagerly.

She was done with those within an hour, devouring the knowledge. She spent the rest of her time doing a different variety of activities. Such as adding a few new paintings to her gallery, playing guitar, taking time to knit, and cook; but basically….she couldn't help but wonder when would her life begin?

After lunch it was puzzles and darts and baking; paper Mache, a bit of ballet and chess. She did pottery, and ventriloquy, even candle making. She spent time to stretch, maybe even sketch. She took a climb and sew a dress!

Then she re-read the books, because she had time to spare. Tried to add room in on her tower walls for painting, there had to be room somewhere! Then finally, she brushed and brushed, and brushed her long golden hair.

By the middle of the afternoon, she was wondering and wondering….when would her life begin?

Done with her activities, she sat at the window, daydreaming. She started singing to herself quietly, gazing at the sky. "And tomorrow night…the lights will appear…just like they do…on my birthday each year."

Turning away from the tower, she looked at a painting she had completed today. It was quite beautiful; showing a picture of her gazing up at mysterious looking lights in the sky. These lights were very special. For as long as Rapunzel could remember, these lights had appeared only on her birthday. It was one of her only connections to the world outside—and one of her biggest desires was not only to leave the tower, but to go see them! IN PERSON.

"What is it like?" Rapunzel wondered, losing herself in thought, looking at the painting. "Up there where they glow? Now that I'm older…mother might just…let me go…" Rapunzel sighed, the word coming out like a question.

She would be eighteen years tomorrow….when would her life begin?

XxX

Jack Frost couldn't believe his luck. As he and the rest of the Guardians made their way back to the Pole. On the way back he joked with Bunnymund and Sandy, as North steered the sleigh. Tooth sat watching them; Baby Tooth perched on her shoulder.

"Oh, nelly," Bunnymund chortled, rubbing his paw idly on his chest. "That—that look on his face when you showed up Sandy; I swear the old creep nearly shit himself!"

They all laughed and Sandman took a little bow, looking quite pleased with himself.

Jack turned to Tooth and smiled at her slightly. "I never told you back there…that was a really great punch."

Tooth smirked back at him, her cheeks a light pink color. "What can I say? No one messes with my fairies." She grinned brightly at the memory that had occurred not too long ago. A toss of a quarter and—BAM! Pitch's tooth skids across the icy surface.

Aster let out a low whistle. "Geez, Sheila. I haven't seen ya like this for a –"

"—a long time?" Toothiana grinned. "I guess I should get in the field more often?"

Jack chuckled. "No kidding." They both smiled at each other. Sandman smiled softly looking at them while Aster smirked slightly.

It was a peaceful moment. It was peaceful all the way until….until they saw the Pole. North cried out and everyone turned their heads to see smoke rising from his workshop. The ceiling has blasted through, leaving a gaping hole.

"Everyone buckle up!" North ordered, lashing the reindeers.

Bunnymund cried out. "But—but there ain't no bloody seatbelts!"

"YA!"

Jack almost lost his balance, and he pulled Tooth's wrist to get her away from the edge. The sleigh soared right into the building. Yeti's let out cries and dived out of any danger zones. Elves skidded away so they wouldn't get killed. Jack knocked his head as the sleigh skidded into a halt.

North jumped off the sleigh and gazed at his workshop. It was dark burnt out. The giant globe was unlit and whatever toys had been in here was nothing but ash. The rest of the Guardians watched North sympathetically.

Jack couldn't believe it. His blue eyes were wide and his mouth was partially open. Who...who could destroy such a wonderful place?

North had his back turned from the rest of the Guardians. Without warning, he let out a terrible yell and stabbed his sword into the ground. He kneeled at the sword, breathing hard.

Tooth gulped. "N—North?"

He didn't answer. Tooth exchanged looks with the rest of the Guardians. She slowly flew out, and Jack climbed out after her. Baby Tooth whizzed over and sat on Bunnymund's head, peeking around his ears.

Tooth bit her lip attentively and placed her hand on North's shoulder. "North?"

He didn't say anything, but slowly rose to his feet. He turned his head slightly and stared at Tooth and Jack. His blue eyes were wet.

"Vho ever did this…they vill pay," he rumbled. Jack gripped his staff tight, till his knuckles turned white. North looked really menacing.

Bunnymund and Sandman had climbed out of the sleigh as well, standing behind Tooth and Jack. His eyes narrowed, Bunny said, "No North. We'll make them pay."

North nodded, lifting his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. Suddenly, a blue light lit up, filling what used to be a wonder filled place. The Guardians squinted at it, looking more surprised than they ever had been.

Jack, however, just looked at it confused. "What is that?"

"Man on Moon," North whispered. "Has chosen a nev Guardian."

Jack's face dropped. He looked at North in panic. "W—What?"

The blue light shone brighter and jets of white shot out. The Guardians winced and covered their eyes. This light had never been so bright. A statue shot out of the ground, looking bulky and large. The Guardians, yetis and elves rushed over and gaped at the statue.

Jack really didn't know what to think. He walked closer and looked up at the statue, mouth parted slightly.

There were two girls and a boy. You couldn't really see their faces, and they all had their heads bowed. One of the girls had long hair that spilled around her. Her hair even trailed down onto the ground, off the statue. A couple of elves came out from the shadows and started poking at it cautiously. For some reason she had a flower hovering above her head.

A girl that looked as though she had a yeti for hair stood next to the flower girl. This girl however, had a leaf above her head. It reminded Jack of leaves he saw in Florida—full, healthy and green. It was those leaves he accidentally killed.

Well, define 'accidentally.'

The boy stood next to the yeti girl. He too had a leaf above his head, except it looked more worn. It was an autumn leaf.

Suddenly there was gasp, and Jack whipped his head around to see the rest of the Guardians gaping at him. Or, more like something above him. His looked up just in time to see a snowflake above his head. He stumbled back, falling on the ground and saw it vanish as the statue sank into the ground.

The Guardians stared at each other in shock.

"What was that…?" Jack said slowly, trying to stop himself from shaking.

North cautiously stared at Jack and muttered, "I think… Man on Moon has chosen three nev Guardians. And he vants you to lead them."

Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "W—What?"

Tooth gazed looked deep in thought. "Spring, summer, autumn," she looked at Jack, her magenta eyes wide. "And winter."

Bunnymund groaned. "Are ya serious? No vacation or anything? What kinda gig is this?!"

"Hold up!" Jack yelled. He got up, brushed the front of his sweatshirt and narrowed his eyes at the Guardians. "Do you all know something I don't?"

North shook his head. "No Jack. Ve are as easily confused as you…." North paused, and brought a hand to his beard. "Hmmm…." He said, as he stroked it. Suddenly, his blue eyes lit up. "But I might knov someone vho can tell us."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Sandy puffed his cheeks, frowning.