Every soldier in Arendelle's royal guard and Sophie were taken prisoner in the dungeons. The Queen and her family remained locked in the study none the wiser to what was happening outside, and there was still no sign of either the Princess or Jack.

On her way down to see the prisoners escorted away, Anna was informed that they had one soldier standing guard at the hidden tunnel that led out of the village in case any 'rebels' tried to return and fight back. With that knowledge, Anna was hatching a plan, but she would have to be cautious.

Every window she passed so far, she could see the gigantesque still hovering in a silent prayer... Or maybe it was just sleeping. Light dripped from its wings. Anna went searching for where the study was, but couldn't remember her way around the damn castle she'd spent less than a day in. She imagined Hans would already have someone guarding the door, so that should be her hint.

Anna wouldn't have much time to search, as Hans found her first. She bumped into him by the staircase on the first floor. Now that he could see her in proper candlelight, he took note of her bruises and cuts... and yet somehow she looked clean and her clothes had noticeable stitches in them. Anna sensed him scrutinizing her with suspicion, so she said, "Shall we get a look at the throne room?"

Her question caught him off guard, but he grinned, "Of course." They were walking beside each other, Anna as tense as ever. "I'm glad you weren't badly hurt. I thought my ankle had been broken, but it was only twisted. We're a lucky pair, aren't we?"

"I suppose it's lucky we survived at all." Anna looked down and saw the chime was strapped to Hans' belt. Break the chime, break the spell. But the last thing she wanted was an angry bat out of Hell destroying everything in sight without any way to stop it. Could she send it far away and then find a way to destroy it?

Maybe those guardians could take it to their world where no mortal could touch it ever again.

When they reached the throne room, lifeless and dark, Anna said, "Hans, suppose the Princess or Jackson do turn up whether it's by dawn or not. What will you do then?"

"I don't know... The fact alone you were able to make it here is still doing my brain in." Hans confessed. He should give Anna credit—she'd always been resilient. She had to be in the world she lived in. She was resourceful as well. "What plan do I need besides using the Angel?"

"You piss off the wrong person, you start a war. Angel or none." Anna answered. God, she sounded like their father. Unfortunately, she'd learned a lot from him. "This has to be done diplomatically. If Jackson doesn't return with Elsa, do you honestly think she'll be talked into marrying you after what you've done?"

"Hmph. Well, it won't be up to her now, will it? I can still persuade the Queen, maybe then the Princess will bite her tongue."

"And if all goes well?" Anna asked, knowing Hans hadn't thought that far ahead. While Hans liked to think he was clever, he really only liked to piggyback off of his father's ideas. When he didn't respond, Anna asked the next important question. "What will you do about that... thing?"

"I keep her hidden and close by. You never know when we'll need her again."

"So you're saying you think you'll need her when you're King?"

Hans sensed Anna was doubting his political prowess. He was tired of this conversation. "Enough, now." He had one thought, however. "Do you actually think Jackson might still be alive?"

Anna replied, "We survived. The Princess is alive. Who says two ice mages couldn't handle an avalanche?" She paused. "Why? Are you worried he'll show up?"

"Did I say I was worried?" Hans hissed, clearly irritated by her question.

Anna bristled. "I was only asking." She knew she was pushing her luck now. She was grateful he wasn't asking questions about who brought her here and from where. "Brother, I'm very tired. I think I'm going to lie down."

Hans nodded. He'd only had her back for a few minutes and he was already sick of her face. "Any of the rooms will do." He said.

Anna left him there to gawk at the empty chairs, she had a mission that she could not risk failing.

...

Elsa stood in the middle of the crowd of flustered Norsemen. North was beside her. "Everyone, listen here!" She said. "I know you're probably not happy about yet another stranger showing up in your village, but he's our lead to the Angel." The Vikings all listened, giving queer looks.

North himself wasn't happy with this much attention, but he would do what was necessary; they needed all the arms they could get. He stepped forward. "I know none of you were expecting to be called to battle, but Arendelle needs you. I trust that you've all seen your fair share of magic, so what I'm about to tell you should come as no surprise."

As he explained to them all about the guardians, who he was, and how he intended to get them all to Arendelle, Jack was still inside of the doctor's home. He could hear everything that was being said, but that wasn't important.

Jack was sweating and growling, pushing himself up out of the bed with all of his weight in one arm. "Shit...!" He gasped when he felt pain shoot through his leg and he leaned into the wall. In their haste to gather the Vikings as quickly as they could, North had carelessly left the snowglobe behind... and just out of Jack's reach.

If they weren't going to take him to Arendelle, he'd go himself. He was going to protect his family.

Most of all, if tonight was the night he died, then he just wanted to hold his kids one last time...

Okay, there was his fast-travel to Arendelle only a few feet away. If he could stand having an open wound in his chest and leg without even knowing he was bleeding, then he could force himself to grab the globe and be on his way. As for when he got there, Jack didn't know what he'd do. He'd focus on his family and let the guardians deal with the Angel.

Part of him felt guilty; like he was betraying his wife's trust. But she'd already lost her father because of the Westergaards, she didn't need to lose a mother too.

His pounding heart wasn't helping keep from bleeding through his gauze, and he was certain what he was going to do would pop his stitches. Jack didn't care. He was already starting to shake and sweat when he picked up the snowglobe and gauged it carefully. How did this thing work? He'd only used it once, but that was years ago.

He panted, "Take me to Arendelle Castle... Please?" By the time he'd said 'please' it was already beginning to glow. When it flashed with light, Jack dropped it and blinked away the spots he was seeing before his watery eyes. He could feel a slight breeze coming out from the portal. He didn't know where in the castle he'd be dropped off, so he had to be ready.

Jack took two deep breaths before hurrying forward.

The next thing he knew, he was staggering straight into a countertop, where he knocked over a pile of stacked books and a vase that thankfully didn't break when it hit the floor. Trying to regain balance, Jack wavered into the wall beside him and pressed his side into it. He could feel his wounds throbbing, to say his entire body ached wouldn't do it justice.

He spent the next thirty seconds or so just breathing through the pain and trying to stay on his feet. He hadn't even had the time or energy to try and put on his shoes. Once he felt like he could breathe easy again, Jack looked around. Of all the places to have been dropped off, it was in the library. Still, he could find his way around from here, and things appeared to be quiet for now.

All that mattered now was he didn't get caught.

...

Elsa and North, along with Hiccup, had gone back into the doctor's home to say goodbye to Jack (and promise him that they would return all right). Valka was readying her men who now had all of their weapons in hand.

When he opened the door, North's eyes widened; he was the first to see the empty, unmade bed.

"What's wrong?" Hiccup asked, unable to see past the giant of a man.

Elsa didn't like his silence, so she pushed past the both of them. Her heart sped up. "Jack?" There was no answer. All they found were his scuffed brown boots and North's snowglobe on the floor.

...

Jack remembered being led to the guardians for the first time by the tiny tooth fairy... But now he had no guide. He had to search for his family on his own in the darkened halls of Arendelle's castle. It reminded him of when he had to find his way around Amelia's accursed home in total darkness, unable to use his magic—only this time he was twice as helpless. He also recalled how he'd failed that task miserably. It was because she'd made him afraid.

He was afraid now, but his overpowering paternal instinct kept him focused.

He was sure the Angel was somewhere that he couldn't see, but as long as he didn't run into the wrong person, he doubted it would be bothering him... He hoped. He stopped again to catch his breath and he listened cautiously for footsteps or voices. He could hear the faint mumblings of some men, but it wasn't clear who it was to him. Were they his guards or Hans'?

One wrong move and they wouldn't just kill him, but Iduna, his mother, his sister, Elsa. Jack didn't want to dare think Hans was as soulless as to do away with two small children, but it was risky enough that he could leave them parentless.

...

Tap... Tap... Tap...

The guard was walking back and forth in front of the study door, back and forth, to keep himself awake. He kept going over what his orders had been. If anyone escapes, kill them. But he couldn't wrap his head around slitting the throats of a child and a baby. Maybe he'd only meant the Queen and her Lady in Waiting... whoever it was in there with her, anyway.

What frightened him more was that creature that was just out of view from where he stood. One wrong move and it could take the entire castle down, and the fact it was under the control of an impulsive, histrionic prince—

He stopped. The guard was certain he'd heard a noise from down the hall, like something heavy toppling over onto the floor. Placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, he leered down the darkened corridor.

"Pedar?"

He turned around and noticed Anna turning the corner. She was carrying a candle lamp.

"Princess, it's good to see you safe." He said. "I thought I heard something down the hall."

Anna didn't want to risk revealing the guardians should it be them, so she ignored his comment. "Hans has asked me to relieve you of your duties. I'll guard the door."

Pedar looked suspicious even though he had no reason to doubt her. Hans was offering him a moment's rest? "Has he? But who will keep watch over you?"

"You'll find that I'm quite safe here as long as my brother is in charge."

"I suppose that is true. But I'll send someone up here to check on you in a while."

"Mhm." Anna forced a grin, hoping he'd hurry up and walk away. Eventually, he did. She waited until she couldn't hear him anymore and she quietly walked into the study. As soon as she opened the door, she saw three horrified faces and a sleeping baby. They had gone as white as ghosts when they heard the door crack, but they were stunned to see Princess Anna of all people.

Anna shut the door behind her and said urgently, "Listen to me carefully."

...

Hans was inspecting the grotesque creature from the front balcony. With her hovering in waiting, the entire town was silent and afraid, like everyone had abandoned their homes in a single day. Her wings were so bright it was hard to see anything after catching a glance of her. He supposed those were why they called her the Angel; her wings were the only parts of her that could be called 'beautiful.'

As he turned away to walk back inside, he noticed Pedar. "What are you doing?"

Pedar stopped, "Your Highness?"

"Who is guarding the door?"

Pedar looked alarmed. He knew how severe the punishment could be for disobeying the Prince. "Princess Anna..."

"Anna?"

"She said you sent her to relieve me."

The way Hans stared at him was a tell-all, yet he was also confused. Why would Anna want to send him away?

...That bitch!

...

Jack held back a groan as he slumped against one of the walls. Don't be afraid. He was almost to his mother's room. That's where the crib was. He'd at least find Nicholas there. It was also the first room he could reach easily from the library. Fighting the fogginess in his head, Jack managed to limp towards the door and open it up.

"...Mom?" He whispered with hope. No, she wasn't there. He knew Hans had them prisoner, but where? North and Elsa would figure out he was missing and show up soon enough, but he was determined to at least let his loved ones see his face and know he was all right... relatively.

His fucking leg...

Jack struggled to make it to the cradle. When he did, his leg spasmed and he couldn't hold back a sharp hiss of pain. Squeezing the side of the crib, Jack peered inside. He moved Nicholas' blanket aside and couldn't see or feel anything. That only solidified his fear.

"No, no, please, no. Don't have hurt them!" He whispered in a panic.

"Have the guards block every exit, including the tunnels."

Jack froze. That was Hans' voice, close. Too close. He only managed to make it behind the wall as he heard footsteps thudding closer. Once he heard him pass, Jack peered out and saw Hans with his back turned to him. He was getting farther away. Perhaps his luck would hold.

Jack had just slipped through the open door when a burst of light shook the walls of the castle. It had come from the courtyard. The Angel let out a horrid shriek as she was brought out of her prayer.

The guardians and their army of Vikings were here.

And as he realized all of this, Jack saw Hans turn around and spot him. His reaction wasn't what Jack expected—his face went as white as a sheet, and he exclaimed, "You." His voice was shaky. To see the pale man before him was like seeing a living ghost.

Jack growled, "Where are they?" He was using the wall to stand upright.

"How did you get in here? Guards!"

Jack snarled and ice began to splinter and spiderweb along the wall he was clawing into. "Where are my children?" He yelled weakly. His voice was a knife, a hammer, a bullet.

Hans was already shivering, but he took out the chime and reminded him who was in control. "You watch yourself. All it takes is a simple order and they're dead. You should have a care with how you try to take my crown."

"It'll be your crown when it snows in Hell. End this now." He fought back the urge to cringe in agony. He didn't dare let him realize that he was wounded. "There's an entire army to fight you and your pet if that's what it comes to. Don't make this any worse than it has to be."

Hans could hear the commotion. The guards were already trying to barricade the doors while the ones outside were up against... whatever that was he'd just heard. The Angel could be heard groaning, but Hans didn't know why.

Little did he know was that Tooth's young fairies were swarming around the Angel's terrible head, desperate to distract her from the humans below. Their fear made their tweets so shrill that even a regular mortal could hear them. An inexperienced hunter, the Angel grasped for them with bloodstained fingers, cursing her blindness.

What he also didn't know was that Elsa was using her power to blast at the castle doors to break them down. That North was easily batting away the small Danish soldiers like they were flies. Some were unknowingly falling through holes in the ground that appeared abruptly beneath their feet and landing far away from the battle scene.

Valka was keeping an eye on the Angel and ordering the archers to ready their crossbows while the rest of her men and women fought.

Hans truly didn't know just how quickly his plans were falling apart. Either way, it didn't change that he still had prey before him. "Do you know why I cannot let you take the throne? If a freak like you becomes king, then every Lord and Lady across the earth will vie for your alliance. What good will the average kingdom do when there's an all-powerful mage ruling in Norway? You'll take away every ounce of dignity we've spent so long earning!"

"That's not how I would rule." Jack replied. "If that's what you believe, then let me assure you that I—"

"—I'm not finished." Hans cut him off. "Killing you proves once and for all that anyone can die, magic or none."

As he was speaking, Jack glanced over Hans' shoulder when he saw a small light. It was Anna... she was guiding his mother, Iduna, and his children to the stairs. Jack's heart skipped a beat and he didn't say anything back to Hans. Anna locked eyes with Jack. Don't give each other away.

Emily turned back to make sure Agnes was following, and that's when she saw her son. Jack could see Nicholas was sleeping in her arms, but her stunned look made Agnes want to turn around too.

Agnes, please! Jack begged. Don't say anything! She was a smart little girl, but she was still only five and probably terrified.

Agnes couldn't see her father past Hans. Iduna took her hand and hurried her down the steps. Anna stayed behind, still holding the lantern. When his family was out of sight, Hans finally turned around to see what Jack was looking at.

Jack didn't miss his opportunity. He blasted ice at the ground... and instantly wailed in pain as his chest tightened. It only sent Hans barreling to his hands and knees. Jack himself collapsed, clutching his stitched wound. Anna ran forward and made a mad dash for the chime, but Hans seized her wrist before she could do that.

He rose to his feet. "I should've known you were working with them you little bitch!"

Anna struggled against him; Jack was in too much pain to be of any help.

"You are my sister! We're blood!"

"You're a monster, I'd die before I help you—! Ahh!" Anna slipped out of his grasp and disappeared. Hans himself lost his footing. He heard several thumps and thuds before he picked up the fallen lantern and looked down. He saw Anna lying still midway down the spiral steps. He couldn't tell if she was moving or not.

The eruptions of light outside tore through the silence and Hans whirled around to see Jack struggling to stand. Perhaps he wouldn't need the creature after all.

Hans noticed water dripping from the ceiling—it was coming from the ice Jack's anger had sent around the castle.

What do you know? Hans thought. It's snowing in Hell.