Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prologue

Sitting in his home with sadness while opening his journal before applying ink to his pen, Merlin sighed when opening his book to write down his thoughts in hopes of remembering. That is if he doesn't forget about having a journal.

"Can't remember how long it's been since the darkness has overcome the valley." Merlin writes down. "But I can start from the beginning. Once upon a time, there once was a powerful ruler and founder of a beautiful land called Dreamlight Valley. He is the only person to wield the magic power that is called Dreamlight magic. His name, I forgot. But he is the prime example of what friendship is all about. He is the only person that made it possible to make coexistence between heroes and villains and make them be neighbors of the valley that he rules."

Merlin rubbed his head when feeling his memory slipping but continued to write. "The King of Dreamlight Valley was praised and beloved by all of us. We all became a family. That is one day our king disappeared without a trace. Thus, bringing forth the shadow of darkness that is the Forgotten. He has corrupted our beloved home into his liking filled with night that filled the valley and blocked off each Biome. Along with the thorns having a powerful spell of forgetfulness that spread to all of us. Some have fled back to their realms, some went somewhere that I don't know where, and some like myself stayed in order to try and fix this mess."

Merlin sighed once again. "Unfortunately, we are unable to stop the thorns or the Forgotten. Before all of this happened there was a prophecy foreshadowing that had happened. Darkness will overcome the light. However, there is more to it. In the ancient writing, it reads that someone who has the unlimited power of Dreamlight magic will come and fight against the dark."

Merlin closes his book and puts his quill away. He got up to grab his wooden cane and exit out of his home. Outside is glooming dark with night thorns filled as far as the eyes can see.

"I have to find the one," Merlin whispers to himself.

He steps out into the shadowy courtyard, his cane tapping against the cobblestone path. The air is thick with the scent of decay, a stark contrast to the sweet aroma of enchantment that once filled Dreamlight Valley. The moon casts an eerie glow on the thorny vines that have swallowed the landscape. The once-vibrant gardens are now overgrown with malevolent plants, their tendrils reaching out like grasping hands.

"Huh, but I can't remember my spells." Merlin said to himself when walking his way to the plaza before seeing his home being covered in night thorns. "Blasted!."

Merlin's gaze shifts to the town square, now a desolate place where joy once reigned. The buildings stand tall, but they are shrouded in the dark embrace of the thorns, their windows boarded up to keep out the creeping shadows. The fountain at the center is dry, the fish that once danced in its waters now just a memory. He walks with a determined step, his eyes scanning the ground for any signs of the forgotten hero that could help him remember. But no one was in sight. He sat down on the bench and tried going to sleep.

"One day. Our hero will come." Merlin closed his eyes.

Somewhere in the real World on his janitor shift working like a dog and currently sweeping the floors of the pool area, there is an African American man with a low fade haircut with a short beard who is keeping his eyes on what he is doing.

"David!." His manager yelled.

David sighed and looked up to see his boss. "Yes, sir?."

"Why haven't you collected those towels and not taken them to the laundry room?!." He spoke harshly.

"I will right after I'm done sweeping, sir." David replied calmly, his eyes never leaving the floor.

The manager threw his hands up in exasperation. "Fine, but hurry up. We can't have guests tripping over wet floors!."

David nodded, his mind elsewhere, lost in the tales of Disney movies and wished that he was somewhere else. "This life sucks."

"David!. I need you to clean up on the fourth floor!. Some kid vomited!." His boss yelled.

"I'm on it." David responded with a sigh, pushing his mop and bucket aside. As he made his way to the elevator, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. His life felt like it was going nowhere, and the mundane tasks of his job only served to remind him of that.

After doing his job for the day he headed to his rundown apartment with fatigue as he headed for his place. Upon entering his one bedroom apartment and closing the door, David sat down and went to flipping channels and found his favorite Disney movie. Frozen was getting started in the film and David watched his crush, Elsa singing Let it Go.

"She sounds so lovingly." David commented while drinking his water.

He watched as Elsa's powerful voice echoed through the speakers, filling his tiny apartment with a sense of wonder and magic that he hadn't felt in a long time. As the snowflakes danced on the screen, David couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. He had always been a dreamer, but life had a way of making those dreams feel far out of reach. His eyes grew heavier, and soon the TV was the only source of light in the room, as he drifted off into a deep sleep. What felt like seconds, he heard his door being knocked and quickly went to open up to see his mean female landlord.

"Here is your rent bill." She hands the envelope.

David opens it with worry and sees the amount. "Hey, I can't afford this!."

The landlord's eyes narrowed. "Then get a better job, or you're out on the street."

"No one is hiring. I barely afford my car insurance." said David with stress showing. "Can't we negotiate?."

The landlord's voice was cold and unforgiving. "This isn't a negotiation, David. You're three months behind, and I've been more than patient. Pay up by the end of the week, or I'll have to find someone who can."

David sighed. "You know what?. That's ok. I'll pack and leave tomorrow."

The landlord's expression didn't change. "Make sure you leave the apartment clean. And the key. Goodbye, David."

With a slam of the door, David felt the weight of his world come crashing down. He looked around his small, cluttered space and realized how much he had been holding onto the idea that one day he would leave this place behind for something better. But now, it was happening, and it wasn't because of some grand adventure but because he couldn't keep up with the bills. He sighed, feeling the warmth of defeat spread through his body. He dropped down and started crying. He has no friends, no wife to seek comfort, and can't handle life.

But for some odd reason he gets bizarre dreams of having a wife and feels whole. But every time he wakes up it all goes away like a stream of water.

David packed his bag, his heart heavy with the reality of his situation. He had nowhere to go, no family to turn to, and the thought of being homeless was a cold slap in the face. He only has his small car to live in until he finds a place. He took his money that was just two thousand dollars and put his last box in the trunk before driving off.

Chapter Text

"Come on. Work. Work!." Merlin used his magic to remove a thick pile of Night Thorns. "Come on!."

Unfortunately, his magic didn't have any effects on the dark magic that is the Night Thorns. He couldn't even make a dent in it to help boost his motivation. Merlin stopped his magic casting and sighed in defeat. He stroked his long white beard with depression in his mind. He can't even give the exact times that he made the multiple attempts in removing the Night Thorns as it has been going on since the fall of the valley.

"Uh, what is the use?." Merlin stopped stroking his beard before putting on a disappointed facial expression. "None of the magic that I know or remember can undo the Night Thorns. I can't even remove the thorns that are blocking this house."

Merlin sighed with the feeling of fatigue. His goal was to remove the Night Thorns that were blocking the door to the small abandoned house to go sleep in it. Unfortunately, for him, he has to once again sleep on the only bench that is available. He walked over towards the bench and sat down.

"Sleeping on a bench is not good for my bones." Merlin had a little tear drop. "I'm too old for that."

Merlin took the moment to look up at the night sky to see the stars shining above. Just then he saw a shooting star fly past and made a wish. A wish that he selflessly desired that he wants to come true.

"I most certainly wished that the hero that the prophecy has claimed would be here and fulfill their destiny and restore the valley like it once was." Merlin spoke before laying down on the hard bench and trying to get some sleep.

Meanwhile in the real world driving up and down on the road looking for a place to call home, David had tried to find places that were affordable and fair. He didn't mind paying to stay but he wants it where the rent doesn't hurt his pockets. So far all the apartments he has seen were overpriced and out of his pay range. He drove down to the countryside in hopes of finding something to live in.

"Inflation." David spoke in distaste. "Got to hate it."

David continued to drive before reaching the area filled with tall trees. "Yep, I am officially in a country town."

As soon as he reaches that point he notices that he is drifting on the road and pulls to a full stop on the side of the road. He pulled the breaks and turned off the car with a sigh before rubbing his tired eyes.

"Haven't slept in days. I'm sleepy." David felt his stomach growl that made him rub his stomach. "Haven't eaten either. I should have some crackers left over."

He searched through his car's glove compartment and found the half-eaten pack of crackers. He took them out and popped a few into his mouth. The bland taste was a stark contrast to the rich flavors he was used to, but at this point, he was too exhausted to care. After finishing what was left, David exits his used car and begins to walk in a grassy area where he sees a single tall tree. He looked at it to see if it was safe to sleep under before sitting down. He leaned his back on the tree and exhaled his breath. Sleep calling him while making himself think of something that is happy and peaceful that is the opposite of the real world. That is when he once again thought about Disney.

A place where happiness and dreams come true. Him being a grown man thinking something childish would be frowned upon and questioned. David, however, didn't care. Thinking and imagining Disney characters and the world of Disney itself was his escape from the real world. He knows all the characters and their stories like the back of his hand. But his main Disney character got his attention the most out of all of the characters. No, it wasn't Mickey Mouse. It is Elsa from the movie Frozen. Something about her just made David feel clicked and felt at peace.

"Elsa." David closed his eyes and thought about her. He thinks about her every time he goes on break or just finds some peace from stress. "Wish there was a place. A place where kindness, happiness, and friendship is valued overall."

His eyes finally closed as he dozed off with his mind forming up the ideal place that he longed for. For some odd reason when he thought of that kind of place it felt real. It felt like some place does exist and just have to find a way to reach it. At that very moment something is starting to happen to David. With his mind dreaming extremely deep on imagining such a place, a few sparkle dust began to engulf his whole body until it became part of it. He vanished into thin air and out of the real world without him knowing it.

To what felt like a short second, David started hearing crickets playing loudly which made him wake up. When opening his eyes he sees that he is longer underneath the tree, but instead was sleeping up against an empty sized well covered in some strange thorns that he can't recognize. Confused, David gets to his feet and sees he is standing on solid ground that looks like that structure platform. He looked around to see a bunch of thorns everywhere both on the ground and on buildings. He also noticed how creepy everything looks.

"Where...Where am I?." David asked himself this question before daring to explore.

He took the sorta cleared path where a boarded up house is covered in thorns and walked down to have a look at the building. That is until he looked to his left to see an elderly man sleeping on the bench. David's eyes grew in shock as he recognized who is but just could not believe it.

"Merlin?." He called out, his voice echoing through the eerie quietness of the night.

The old man stirred and slowly opened his eyes, looking around bewildered before focusing on the unfamiliar figure standing in front of him. "Who...who are you, young one?." Merlin's eyes widened as he took in David's modern attire, a stark contrast to the medieval garb he was used to seeing.

"Unbelievable!." David examines the old man close up. "You're Merlin. The most powerful wizard!."

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "I may be old, but I'm not that senile yet. I know who I am, but how do you know me?."

"Well... let's just say I know my information research." David spoke with a bit of awkwardness.

Merlin stared at David with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. "Your attire... it is not from this realm." He sat up on the bench, his joints cracking with the movement. "Where do you hail from?."

"Uh...the real world." David answered.

"The Real World?." Merlin jumped up on his feet when hearing this. "How interesting. The only person that I know who is from that world is..."

"Hey, can I ask you something?." David interrupted his thoughts.

Merlin looked at him with a questioning gaze. "What is it?."

"Where am I?. What is this place?." David asked when looking at his surroundings.

Merlin looked around, his eyes scanning the thorn-covered village. "Young man, this is Dreamlight Valley. A place where magic and dreams coexist, or at least they used to." He sighed heavily. "Now, it is shrouded in darkness. The Night Thorns have taken over."

"I can see." David eyed their surroundings. "You need a contracted lawn service."

Merlin chuckled. "Even if I do, it won't do any good. No, these aren't your average thorns. These are pure dark powered thorns. These things will make you forget things."

"Such as?." David raised his brow.

Merlin stroked his beard. "Oh, many things from remembering what you like to do to knowing who your friends were."

"That's heavy." David began to think on the biggest question. "Do you have any idea how I even got here?."

This made Merlin think and ponder on that good question as he too is wondering the same thing. He knows that nothing can't enter the valley due to the Night Thorns hold of everything and blocking off anyone. Yet, here is this young man who has managed to get in without going through any of the once magical wells. Perhaps this is the one that the prophecy has spoken of.

"Yes, Yes, Yes, I'm sure of it." Merlin nodded to himself to David's confusion.

"You're sure about what?." asked David.

Merlin looked at David with kindness. "That you're the one that we've been waiting for so long to come. You're the hero. The Hero that is going to save Dreamlight Valley!."

"What?." David is even more confused. "Me?. A hero?. Sorry, but I'm not the saving type. I can't even save myself from being put out of my old apartment."

"Oh, trust me, I'm not wrong about these types of things. You're the only person besides my old ruler that can travel anywhere without the need of going through any doors or having some physical connection to draw them here." Merlin looked at David before sighing. "You have to be the one to have the desired power to remove the Night Thorns."

David is doubting everything that this Disney character is saying. However, for unexplained reasons he felt within himself that this feels right or feeling some deep familiar sensation. "What kind of power?."

"Magic." Merlin answered. "Not just any kind of magic. The special magic. The magic that is created through kindness, caring, and friendship. Which is Dreamlight magic."

"Huh, if what you said is true then why can't you use it?." David asked another question.

"I really do miss social interaction and answering questions." Merlin happily spoke. "Dreamlight magic can't be used by anyone, regardless of how much kindness, caring, and valuing friendship you have. No, this specific powerful magic can only be used by the welder who is destined to have it. The old ruler is the only person in existence to be able to use it. By the grace of the Universe, so can you through your hands."

Taking all of that in, David took the time to look at his hands to study them. He was in disbelief at what Merlin had just told him. Him having magic powers is impossible. He shouldn't be where he is now talking to a Disney character, and yet here he is doing just that.

"You're the only person that can stop the Forgetting and defeat the Forgotten…" Merlin was stopped by David.

"The Forgotten?. Whose he?." David looked more confused.

"He is the one that turned this wonderful valley into a wasteland of darkness and depression to his liking." Merlin frowned when being reminded of that fiend. "He is the one that took our king away from us. He must…He must…uhhhhh."

"Uhhhhh…what?." David waited for a response.

Merlin sighed. "Uh, I'm…I'm sorry, I can't seem to remember what we were talking about."

"The Forgotten?." said David. "And something about the Forgetting?."

"Oh, right!." Merlin jumped up. "Well, give me a moment before telling you how it got its name." For just a few seconds he started to tell David. "All, right, listen closely and I'll tell you the tale in summary of everything…before I forget again."

"By all means, please don't forget." David crossed his arms and listened.

"Dreamlight Valley used to be a cheerful place full of happy villagers." Merlin began. "Life was flourishing, all thanks to our Ruler's magic. He is the founder of the enchanted place. Before he discovered this valley, it was once home to mysterious unknown natives that none of us have yet to solve who they were. Anyways, one day, our Ruler had disappeared from sight by the evil being that is Forgotten. Once he had removed our Ruler from his ruling and protection of the valley, he unleashed his power of the Forgetting. The dark power had its extreme effect on all of us. Our memories had begun to fade away, and our beloved Dreamlight Valley became a shadow of its former self."

David listens in on the information that is given to him as he was all engaged into it like watching a Disney movie come to life.

"Myself and the others, including our Ruler's Queen, have done our best to preserve the memories of the life that had been. But the power of the Forgetting is just getting stronger and stronger by the day. Some of us had returned to our realms to where it was safe. Some, like myself, stayed behind to try to do whatever we can to save our home. And some had gone somewhere that is unknown to my knowledge." said Merlin, with a sad sigh and a look of disappointment. Then he looked back up at David with a look of hope. "And as I can see into the future, I knew that someday, someone would come to help restore the Valley and set things right."

Taking everything all into what Merlin had just said, David felt the will to do just right. He now sees that his wish had come true. He can escape the sad depressed life that he once lived and start a new one. The one where kindness, caring, and friendship is the foundation of everything. He looked at Merlin with a look of determination and excitement with his genuine smile.

"I'm ready. I'm ready to help to restore the Valley!."

"Excellent!." Merlin jumped for joy for a second. "Now, before we can make it all happen, we first need to take small baby steps."

"Okay." David nodded. "What is the first step?."

"We start with this house." Merlin turns and points to the yellow house covered in thick Night Thorns. "In order to restore the Valley, we must get some sleep. You see, ever since the Forgetting, I've been trying to keep this house maintained as this once belonged to the Ruler and his Queen. It's their second home when they don't feel like walking to their castle and just want to live amongst their people."

"Wow, the Ruler and Queen of Dreamlight Valley must be very down to earth and noble." said David, in surprise to hearing such royalty to have that kind of mindset.

Merlin nodded in agreement. "They truly were. Now, let's focus on removing these pesky Night Thorns, shall we?."

Merlin led David to the covered yellow house and was currently looking at the covered door. "Now, just concentrate on removing the Night Thorns. When you do, then swish your hand."

David nodded and took a deep breath. He stared at the thorns and felt a warm energy building up within him. He raised his hand and swished it. The thorns began to shrivel and turn to dust before disappearing completely. "It worked!." He exclaimed.

Merlin's eyes widened in shock. "By the stars, you really are the one!." He clapped his hands together. "Now, let's get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day!."

Open the door and enter the small room where there is a worn out bed, a worn out cushion chair, a small table, a fireplace, and a stove along with a bunch of Night Thorn bushes. After clearing off the bushes, David pulled a chair to the table and sat down. Merlin went over to the fireplace and made fire with the flick of his cane.

"Aw, much better." Merlin went over to the bed. "You don't mind letting an old man like me have the bed?."

David shook his head. "No, you should take the bed. I don't want you to have stiff joints. I just sleep on the table."

Merlin looked at him with a soft smile. "Your kindness is appreciated, young hero, good night."

"Good night." David lays his head on the table while using his arms as pillows. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

David's Blurry Memory Dream

David, wearing a heavy coat and toboggan, was somewhere in the snowy cold on a bridge having a fishing rod in hand and looking at the ripple water before throwing his line in its center. "Baby, fishing here in the Heights is the best idea you came up with."

The voice from the back was Elsa's. She had a basket filled with goodies that she had packed for the two of them. She looked at him with a smile that could melt ice. "I'm just happy that you're enjoying it."

"Of course, I am. It's peaceful here." David took a deep breath, feeling the crisp cold air fill his lungs. "After all, the cold never bothered you anyway."

Elsa chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "No, it never has." She stood beside him, placing the basket that has thier lunch between them. "I bet that I can fish out either a crab or salmon."

David turned to look at her with a smirk. "Is that so?. Well, I'll hold you to it." He leaned back and watched as Elsa focused on the water. Her breath turned into little snowflakes that danced around her.

"On your mark, get set, go!" She shouted playfully, dropping her line into the water. David couldn't help but laugh. The sound was music to his ears.

"If I win, I want a good foot rub," said Elsa.

"If I win, I want a snowball fight." David countered.

Elsa looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You're on."

The two spent hours on the bridge, their laughter echoing through the quiet night as they competed to see who could catch the most fish. Each time a fish was caught, the other would playfully tease about the size or species. Suddenly, Elsa pulls out a nice fat salmon and smirks in victory while holding her catch.

"Looks like you're going to be rubbing my smelly feet as soon s we go home." Elsa laughed in victory.

"Cheater!. You probably used your ice powers!." David playfully accused, his own smile never leaving his face.

"I never said I wouldn't use my magic." Elsa replied with a cheeky grin.

David wakes up with sleep inertia as he gets up from the table. The memory of the dream that he had dreamed and felt to be more, had once again faded away with him forgetting about what had happened in that dream. Just like the others, his dreams were warming and wholesome until he woke up and couldn't remember any of it or remember any details. He rubbed his eyes in fatigue while yawning. He sighed before looking over to the corner to see a purple bag with a sparkle symbol on it. Curious, he got up and went over towards it and picked it up.

"What are you?." David examines it before seeing it disappear in his bare hands. "What the?!."

Merlin opened the door and went in to see him up. "Ah, good, you're awake!. Now, let's get started on today shall we?."

"Wait, what?." David looked around the room, noticing that the light from outside was the same. "How long have I been out?."

Merlin chuckled. "Long enough to not miss a thing, young hero. But fear not, the day is still young, and we have much to do. And good morning."

David looked around the room, his eyes adjusting to the light when getting outside. "Good morning, even though we can't tell due to the misty fog. I had a weird dream."

Merlin looked at him with interest. "Ah, Dreamlight Valley does have a way of seeping into one's dreams. Perhaps it was trying to tell you something important."

"No, I've been having them before I got here." said David, before stretching.

Merlin's eyes sparked with curiosity. "Fascinating!. Maybe your subconscious was preparing you for your destiny."

"I don't know about that, Merlin." said David.

"Well, can you give me details of your dream?." Merlin asked before seeing David remove a medium sized Night Thorn bush that is blocking an apple tree beside the house.

David grabs two apples from the short tree. "I can't recall. It's all blurry and forgetful."

Merlin grabs the other apple from David before taking a bite. "Hmmm, that is interesting."

"What is?." David asked, taking a bite from his apple.

Merlin looked thoughtfully at him. "The fact that your dreams are already connected to this place, even before you arrived. It might be a sign that you're more connected to Dreamlight Valley than you know." He took another bite, his mind racing with possibilities.

"But how?." David takes another bite. "I never knew this place existed."

"I wish I could tell you but can't." Merlin takes another bite of his breakfast. "Cause I don't know."

David gave a sigh. "Can you explain about the disappearing bag?."

Merlin chewed thoughtfully before swallowing. "Ah, yes, the Mystical Purple Bag of Provisions. It's a relic that belonged to the Ruler. It holds everything you could possibly need with little storage limitation. You are the only person who can see what is in your inventory. Try storing something."

David took in mind what Merlin instructed him to do. He went back to the apple tree and picked another apple. Thinking that he would do the same thing with what he did with the Night Thorn bush, he focused his mind on storing the apple. The apple disappeared from thin air like David predicted it to happen. Next, he imagines the bag in his hands and then opens it, and when doing so he sees a large bluish square that has mini squares inside and sees the apple he just stored right there.

"Are you seeing this like I am, Merlin?." David has his eyes on the object.

Merlin threw his apple core to the other side before answering. "Only you can see it and no one else."

David nodded, still in awe at the bag's power. He closed it and saw the square disappear. "Alright, so what's the plan?."

"Well, you're going to do some lawn service. Clear up all of the Night Thorn bushes from the Plaza. And when doing so, try finding the Royal Tools."

"Royal Tools?." David raised his brow.

Merlin nodded. "Indeed, the Royal Tools are ancient artifacts that hold a piece of the Ruler's power. With them, we can start to purify the land and bring back the Dreamlight. "You'll know them when you find them. They have a certain...glow to them."

"Alright, but...how many are there and what do they look like?." David asked before making his way to another Night Thorn bush.

Merlin paused. "Ah, well, they come in four forms. A watering can, a shovel, a fishing rod, and a pickaxe."

"Those are the tools?. They seem normal to me." said David, before removing a bush.

"Ah, but they are not just ordinary tools, young hero. Infused with Dreamlight, they hold the power to aid you in any given situation, the same that they have done for our Ruler." Merlin said with a knowing smile.

David went to work on both removing the Night Thorn bushes and attempting to find the Ruler's Royal Tools. So far, he removed a few until he felt very tired. "Why am I super tired from removing these thorns?."

Merlin looked at him with understanding. "Ah, it's because the Night Thorns drain your energy as you remove them. It's a defense mechanism for the Forgotten. You simply just take a break or eat something to restore your energy."

"I guess I'll take a break." David leaned against the house, feeling the exhaustion weighing on him. He took out the apple he picked earlier and took a bite. The sweetness of the apple seemed to fill him with a bit of strength. "How do I find these Royal Tools?. Do they just glow in the dark or something?."

"They'll give off a sparkling glow that you can easily find." said Merlin, before heading back inside the house. "I'll be inside trying to remember anything. Come see me after you get those Royal Tools."

David nodded and took a deep breath before taking another bite of the apple. He then resumed his search by clearing inside of the house's fence before making his way around until seeing something shiny sitting there behind some broken barrels. Reaching down to pull it out, the object started floating and revealed itself to be the watering can that Merlin mentioned as it spun around David until it hovered above David's head. Feeling odd in what to do next, David takes a hold of the water can and vanishes from sight. He looked down to see a dried up wheat plant and then summoned the watering can back before moving it a bit to hear water. He poured some and the wheat plant instantly went from dry to healthy.

"Nice." David turns to water a dried flower and sees it hack to full health. "Talk about having a green thumb."

Resuming back to clearing up the plaza after unsummoned the watering can, David worked his way towards a boarded up building with a dressed duck with a top hat standing in front with a sad look on his face. Seeing that he is surrounded by Night Thorn bushes, David starts removing every last one of them and reaches the duck.

"Hey..." David felt his excitement. "You're Scrooge McDuck!."

Scrooge looked up with surprise in his eyes. "Scrooge McDuck, at your service!" He tipped his hat slightly. "But young man, what on earth are you doing here in Dreamlight Valley?."

"Merlin said I'm the hero destined to save this place." David shrugged, still in a bit of disbelief. "I guess I'm here to help you folks out."

Scrooge's expression grew more curious than ever. "A hero, you say? Well, we could certainly use one of those around here. Since you clearly know who I am. What's yours, laddie?."

"Oh, right." David took a moment to think. "I'm David."

Scrooge studied him, his curiosity piqued. "David from...?."

"The Real World." said David.

"No kidding?!. Why, our Ruler was from that realm." said Scrooge.

"That's what I heard." David looks at the building. "You own this building?."

"Aye, I used to. Before the thorns came, it was the heart of the village. My store, McDuck's Emporium, was bustling with life and laughter. Now, it's just a sad reminder of the joy that's been stolen from us." Scrooge's expression grew solemn.

"What were you selling?." David asked while looking.

Scrooge looked at the store with nostalgia in his eyes. "Everything!. Furniture both in store and file order. Some clothes, and floors. Plus, I do real estate and renovations."

"Wow, sounds like you had it all." said David before taking a moment to think.

"True. But..." Scrooge sadly takes his top hat off his head with a sad sigh. "Unfortunately, when the Forgotten had taken over, all of my neighbors left and I had to shut down my shop due to lack of money coming in."

"That's sad to hear." David sympathized. "But with my help, we can restore the village back to its former glory."

"Indeed." Scrooge's spirits lifted slightly. "But first, we must deal with these pesky thorns. They've been sprouting everywhere, choking the life out of our land." He puts his top hat back on his head with an idea. "I'll tell you what, David. If you can help me revive my shop, I'll help you make this valley financially stable."

"Deal!" David's eyes lit up at the challenge. He swiped his hand and the remaining thorns vanished, leaving a clear path to the boarded up store.

Scrooge nodded approvingly. "Good lad. Now, let's see if we can salvage anything inside."

David went to work on another house and went to remove the night bushes around it before entering the inside. He looks and sees some thorns covering the room and sees a familiar mouse who is looking down in the dumps.

"M…Mickey?." David spoke.

Chapter Text

Mikey looks up to see David there in his house before instantly jumping up with a fresh attitude. He quickly went over to David to take a better look of him as if he hadn't seen another person in forever. David watched the mouse and waited to see what his reaction was going to be before anything.

“Well hot diggity dog, it is so nice to see someone in person again!.” Mickey happily spoke before starting to get dizzy and slowly moving like a drunk.

“Hey, Hey, take it easy, Mic.” David guides him to the couch.

“Gosh, thanks, pal.” Mickey spoke while holding his head as if he had a headache.

“What do you mean by seeing someone in person again?.” David asked in confusion as he crossed his arms and stood in front of him.

Mickey slowly lets go the side of his head and looks back at him. “Well, believe it or not, I have been trapped inside my home due to those night thorns. As you can see they managed to root themselves inside my house.”

David takes a good look at the surroundings of the fair size house. Seeing a few bunches of night thorns from here to there. “I see.”

Mickey nodded with a sigh. “Yeah. These awful things have been messing heavily on my memories. I don't remember much as to what led my valley to a life of darkness and despair. I remember someone that I cared very much about but don't know who. She meant something to me. Don't know her name though.”

David rubbed his hairy chin. “Hmmm, is it Minnie?.”

Mickey's eyes grew wide at the mention of the name. “Minnie. Yes, Yes, that's her name!.” He sighs sadly. “I don't remember what even looked like nor what her personality was.”

David, knowing the knowledge of all Disney characters, spoke. “Well, I know her personality.”

“Y…You do?.” Mickey looks at David with hope. “Can you tell me?.”

David smiled. “Sure. Her personality is being kind, caring, and sweet.”

Mickey smiled and nodded. “Kind. Sweet. Caring. Yes, that sounds like what her personality was. My memory is extremely foggy. Oh, I haven't gotten your name.”

“My name is David.” David spoke before continuing. “Long story short, Merlin says that I have the same power as your old ruler and he went on to say that I'm part of some prophecy of saving Dreamlight Valley by removing the forgetting and this Forgotten character.”

Mickey jumps up in big excitement. “Hot dog, that's the prophecy!. Don't remember much in details but I do recall it saying that someone who has the unlimited power of Dreamlight magic will come and fight against the dark.”

“That's what Merlin said to me last night when I arrived here.” David spoke while removing the thorns.

Mickey watched him remove the thorns with the power of Dreamlight which he thought he wouldn't never see again. He was relieved to see the night thorns completely gone to thin air. “Say, uh…where are you from again?.”

David looks back at him with confusion. “I did not tell you where I was from yet.”

Mickey slightly smacks his forehead. “Oops, sorry, David. These darn night thorns keep making me think that I was told of the information but then forgot.”

“Don't beat yourself up, Mickey.” David resumed removing the remaining night thorns.

“Thanks, David. It's just so frustrating, you know?. Feeling like you're in a perpetual fog bank. But enough about me, tell me about you. What realm are you from?."

"The real world." David spoke.

"The real world?. Say, my old ruler is from the same exact realm. What a coincidence." said Mickey.

"No kidding." David cleared the last thorn. "That's all of them. Now, I must resume finding that last royal tool that belonged to your old ruler. The pickaxe."

Mickey's ears perked up. "The royal pickaxe?. That's a mighty important tool. It's been missing for ages!. That tool comes in great handy for mining and breaking rocks."

David nodded. "Merlin says that I need all the tools if I'm going to save the valley." He heads over to the door. He looks back at Mickey. "Ready to go?."

"You bet!." Mickey quickly ran over to him.

After exiting the house, David took the moment to see Mickey reuniting with Merlin and Scrooge for a brief. All three looked very happy to see each other again. David resumed his search for the pickaxe as it was clever in hiding. He looked everywhere in the Plaza but no luck until he looked at the big heep of rock sitting there blocking an entrance to what he assumed was another part of the valley. He approaches the big rock to examine it. It was and looked difficult to remove as it sat still with no signs of weak spots. He looks at the center of the rock and sees something stuck inside as he notices a handle sticking out.

"No way." David cleared a few mosh to see none-other than the pickaxe itself. "Found it." He excitedly grabs the handle and uses his strength to pull it out.

With a final pull the pickaxe pulled right on out. It's magic sparkled as it was happy to see him for some odd reason. At that very moment something happened. The whole gloomy darkness that consumed the Plaza had magically lifted up off the area along with the large rock that held the pickaxe had busted into tons of regular sized rocks. The whole sky of Dreamlight, once dark, is now turned to normal blue sky. Merlin and the others were in utter joy at seeing this happen as David can't believe he is the one that did this.

"My boy, you uplift the dark magic of the Plaza!." Merlin spoke happily.

"All because of removing the pickaxe from that former boulder." David spoke before making the tool vanish until later use.

Mickey looked around in amazement. "My, My, My, I haven't seen the sun in such a long time. It feels like a dream."

Scrooge nodded in agreement when looking at the sky and the clouds. "Aye, how I miss the sweet white clouds."

Mickey chuckled. "And I miss the sky being blue!."

David nodded in agreement. "The valley looks so much more alive now. A part of it though."

"Exactly." Merlin walks over to where the boulder once was as the spot it stood was indeed an entrance way to another biome. "Aw, yes, this area right here is another biome of Dreamlight Valley and my favorite area in the valley. Peaceful Meadows."

David walks beside him and sees nothing but a bunch of night thorns and boulders. "It doesn't look peaceful to me."

Mickey nodded. "It used to be before the thorns took over and debris. Well, we have work to do."

"Let's start with collecting these rocks. I just hate it being the walk way." Scrooge spoke before starting to pick his share.

"Here, let me get it." David begins putting them in his invisible bag with ease before making his way to the nice lavish steps leading to Peaceful Meadows.

Using what's left of his energy he removed a night thorn bush before going to an apple tree from the Plaza and ate a few to regain his energy. Making it consistent he removed as many thorns and ate apples as possible until he reached a good clearing on the far right where he saw a closed down stall, and saw a nice size pond.

"Alright." David summoned the fishing rod. "Fishing time."

He looks at the water and sees strange bubbles surrounded by one being blue and the other one on the other side is green and colorful. Suddenly after seeing this a foggy memory had reentered itself.

Flashback

"Well, gosh buddy, how are you so good at fishing?. It's like you know exactly the right spot where a fish would be for a guaranteed catch." Goofy asked while standing in front of David.

David chuckled. "It's really simple, Goofy. My rod. It's magical to be able to catch things that a regular ordinary rod can not do. " He points at himself. "Also, I'm magic as well. I can see color spots in any pond or ocean. There's five color bubble spots. White, Blue, Green, Gold, and Red. Each having a rarity of its own."

Goofy's eyes grew wide. "Whoa, that's super cool, David!."

"Want a demonstration?." David asked before eating a nice slice of strawberry cake.

Goofy nodded eagerly. "Oh boy, I sure do!."

David looks at the water and then points at the center. "There in the center. It's showing me a gold bubble spot. This bubble is going to give me either a Fugu or a Swordfish." He throws his line in the gold spot.

The line goes down and the water bubbles. A few moments later, it jerks up and down, indicating a catch. David reels it in with excitement and when the water settles, he pulls a Fugu. He shows it to an amazed Goofy.

"Tada!." David grinned.

"Whoa, David!. That's amazing!." Goofy's mouth was wide open. "Say, can you point me in the direction of another color bubble spot?."

David put his fish in the bag. "Sure." He looks and points. "There on your side very close to you. Drop your line right there. That bubble color is blue."

Goofy nodded and followed his instructions, dropping his line into the invisible blue bubble spot. A moment later, he pulled out a nice sized catfish. "Thanks, David!. Got myself a catfish!."

The flashback ended as David looked back at Mickey and the others. The memory returns to fogginess as it was there in his head and then it slips. He went over to the stall to see what it was. The stall itself was boarded up for a good while as Scrooge looked at the stall as David and spoke to him about what its purpose was.

“This stall is one of its varieties and the only village market in the whole valley.” Scrooge pointed at the stall with his cane. “This particular stall sells what grows here in Peaceful Meadows. Plus, the owner of these stalls is willing to buy things from you no matter what it is. That's a good business mindset. Buy and sell works hand in hand.”

“Who owns these stalls?.” David looks at him.

Scrooge happily spoke. “Why, Goofy, of course!. He is the village’s only market buyer and seller of all seven biomes.”

“No kidding?.” David looks over to see another house that looked very similar to Mickey’s home based on the color and design.

What gave away this house indicating that it in fact belonged to Goofy is when he sees a large model green hat sitting on top of the building. Seeing there are Night Thorns surrounding itself as an obstacle, David started to go remove them to make his way to the door. Upon entering he then sees the goof of goofs himself who is currently scratching his head in deep confusion as to what he was going to do. Goofy didn't notice that David was there in his home due to thinking way too hard.

“Hey, Goofy?!.” David spoke with enthusiasm.

Goofy stopped thinking to look at him. His facial expression went from confusion to joyful excitement. “Well, hey, stranger!.”

Goofy walked over to David. He leans at him while rubbing his chin. “Hmmm, have we met?.”

“Uh, no.” David spoke while letting him examine more.

“Huh, it's funny that you sorta look familiar, but that's impossible because we just met.” said Goofy.

David nodded. “Right. Do you remember anything during the Forgetting?.”

Goofy sighed heavily. “I don't. Been cooped up in my home for so long.”

“I saw your boarded up stall outside.” David spoke while removing the thorns inside.

“Oh, yeah, my stall!.” Goofy lifted his head up high. “Yes, I own and run stalls in each of the seven places in the valley.” He laughed in his goofy manner.

“So I heard.” David removed the last thorn.

The two walked out and then approached the stall. Scrooge tells Goofy that he is willing to restore his stall back to its full glory for free this time to help kickstart in regaining their old way of living in the valley before the Forgetting. While Goofy and Scrooge began talking further about rebuilding the stall, David walked over to explore the area of the biome while cleaning up to make it neat. It's wild that he is actually in a world where Disney characters are actually alive and being in this world that is filled with pure magic. David went over with the pickaxe in hand to bust this big boulder that was blocking the other part of the stairway that is a one-piece entrance to Peaceful Meadows. After busting them in pieces and collecting the rocks he was about to go check out the other side until spotting a torn page.

“Huh, well that's interesting.” David reached down to pick it up. “An actual page that looked torn from a book.”

He examines the writing which looked ancient yet for whatever reason he is able to read it let alone recall what Disney movie he saw a few times that has this form of writing. “Weird. It's written in Atlantean. Hmmm.”

‘Light is the opposite of Dark and Dark is the opposite of Light. In my deep research of the Dreamlight shard, there is its twin opposite sibling. Question is how and what's the process of making one?. So much to learn. I learned everything that is the power of Dreamlight magic which is not only everywhere in shard form, but also within me with the major differences is my magic of Dreamlight is unlimited. Now, I must learn everything there is to know about its polar opposite.’

David puts the paper away in his pocket. He spoke to himself. “Huh, that page is written by the old ruler of this valley. He was conducting some secret research that…”

His attention was caught by a blue outlined filled person that looks way familiar based on the figure. Then the figure vanished from thin air as if it was never there. He went over to where the figure once was, which is by the other pond that was a bit wider than the other one near the stall. He was confused as to what that figure was and wondered what it wanted. He shrugs it off for now when turning his attention towards a medium sized pillar with a filled hole in its center covered in thick dark purplish fog. Merlin was standing in front of it with a sigh and examining the structure.

“What is this thing?.” David stepped up beside the old wizard.

Merlin strokes his beard. “That my friend is what used to be the Pillar of Friendship.”

“Pillar of Friendship?.” David raised his brow. “What’s its purpose?. Is it important?."

"It is important, David. This pillar is the foundation of Peaceful Meadows. Friendship is one of the things that is the biggest value than money. Don't you agree?." Merlin turns to look at him.

"I do, but how does a pillar keep a place like this together?." David questions.

Merlin's eyes light up with a hint of a smile. "Ah, young one, in this valley, friendship isn't just a feeling or a bond. It's a magical force that keeps the balance of the neighbors in check. Me and the old ruler have yet to fully learn its full nature. We started the basics but are still studying the advance. I kinda remember him saying that it's just the opportunity to have something to experience and learn something new in the process. He was such a character."

"No kidding." David looks at the pillar. "So, did the Forgotten the one responsible for this?."

"Indeed." Merlin frowned. "He corrupted or damaged all the pillars in the sake of fitting to his liking. The valley is all but a shadow of its former self. Now, we can fix this pillar and revive it to its former self through you."

"How so?." David asks curiously.

"By being the nature of what the pillar represents. Friendship. Since you do have similar traits as my old ruler, you should be connected to the whole village itself. Meaning that the task that I'm about to give you would help the Pillar of Friendship." said Merlin.

David nodded with a smile. "Alright, lay it on me. What's the task?."

"Be friends with the neighbors that you just met or do something that helps them. Start off with me." Merlin started to walk. "Please remove the night thorns that are blocking my home."

"Uh, sure. Sure." David followed him.

Merlin's house was a quaint cottage that looked like it was pulled straight out of a storybook. It was covered in ivy, and there was a chimney that puffed out smoke as if something was cooking in the cauldron inside. The door was blocked by a thick bush of night thorns that looked particularly nasty. Using his Dreamlight magic, David undid what was done and cleared the area.

"There you go, Merlin." David smiled.

Merlin nodded in approval. "Thank you, my dear friend. Now, I will be doing some book search and..."

"Hey, what's this?." David picks up a round object. "It's a doorknob."

Merlin's eyes light up. "Ah, yes, that doorknob belongs to a door to a house."

"But, I thought that was your house." David looks at Merlin's cottage.

"It is. The house that I'm referring to belonged to a good friend and neighbor that I know." said Merlin with a bright smile.

"What friend?." David asks with curiosity.

"Mirabel." Merlin spoke before seeing David get excited.

"Mirabel?!. Cool, I loved that character!. Oh, I most definitely need to meet her." said David.

"Well, that is going to take some time. Her house disappeared from the valley and I have a good feeling that the Forgotten is responsible for this." Merlin resumed stroking his beard again. "It's going to take time for me to come up with how to fix this."

David nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Well, I guess I'll have to make some friends around here before we tackle that. Do you have any suggestions?."

"Try with Scrooge and work your way up to Goofy." said Merlin as he entered his home.

David sets out to do just that. He walks his way back to the Plaza to go see Scrooge in his store until Mickey stops him with a paper in his hand.

"Hey, look what I found in my house after you cleaned from the night thorns." Mickey hands him the paper.

"Another page?." David sees the same writing from the one he found. He reads it.

'Onyx. Onyx is such a rare gem in Dreamlight Valley. I mined and got lucky in getting a few from time to time. Despite the gem only worth 300 coins at Goofy's stalls, which is a decent amount if you are trying to make money, I have never even considered knowing its properties. The Onyx gem is more than meets the eye. I myself know to never overlook something that looks undesirable nor see its value besides its worth.'

"Mickey, this written page belonged to your old king." David pulls out the other paper he kept. "He was doing some research. Do you know what he was doing?."

"Actually I don't. In fact, I don't even remember he was doing any research for that matter." Mickey spoke in honesty. "I don't even know how that page even got in my house."

David nods before looking back at each page. "I don't suppose you have an empty no page book lying around in your house?."

Mickey nods. "Yeah, I might have one. I'll go grab it."

"Thanks." David waits for it while eyeing both the pages. "It's weird." He got very confused. "Why is his handwriting the exact same as mine?. It's the exact match."

Mickey returns with an empty notebook. "Here you go, David. It's empty."

David takes the notebook and carefully places the pages inside, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu. "Thanks, Mickey. This might be important. These pages are very...odd."

"What do you mean?. Wait, you can read that language?." Mickey looked surprised.

"Strangely, yes." David looks up to see the biggest beautiful castle that he has ever seen. "Nice castle."

Mickey looked and smiled. "It sure is. It's special. Very special. It's more than just living there. Don't remember what is inside but it is special."

David nodded while looking at it with wonder. "I'm sure it is. I'm sure to visit inside when I get free time and after I'm doing the task that Merlin has given me." He pats Mickey on the back. "Thanks for the book. I'll make sure to keep these pages safe and see if I can find any more. Got a feeling there is."

Mickey nodded as he watched David head off towards Scrooge's store. As he walked, he couldn't help but feel a strange sensation that he had been here before, that he had walked this very path with someone he had cared and loved deeply about. The memory was faint, but the feeling remained strong.

Chapter Text

It took some hours in doing some friendship tasks for Scrooge, who is making signs for his store to help encourage the small current group of people including himself. David has completed the Scottish duck’s request while being amazed at how good he is at crafting. The crafting station. A station to craft whatever that is needed in just a fast short seconds and Wham!, the desired crafted item is made. David has no knowledge nor having any memory of having experience of working on crafting.

Yet, for whatever reason when he was first introduced to the crafting station inside of Scrooge’s store near the counter and that large vault door, David felt like second nature to him when he went to work crafting at top speed without hurting his fingers or losing coordination. What made it even funnier he found a booklet that was in the small cubby of the desk and looked through the index. Listed and ideal numbered materials in order to make the exact object that is above the needed materials. It was odd to David that these items can be made with such ease without the need of time consuming.

Scrooge, who was checking his current sale items, noticed David eyeing the booklet and happily spoke. “Curious now, are we not?.”

“Huh…” David turns to look at the duck "Oh,well, it is just that…well…it is hard for me to believe that this work station can make any items based on simple materials with zero need for basic tools, and no time consuming.

Scrooge chuckled when walking up to him with cane in hand. "Oh, my dear lad, this crafting station here is magic!. Why I wish we had these babies back in my world. I would make a serious profit off it."

David chuckled. "Trust me I know. I finished making and putting the advertisement signs all around the available space of the valley. Am I done?."

Scrooge looked around with a critical eye before nodding. "Yes, yes. You've done well. Those signs will surely bring in more customers. Now, if only we had more residents, we'd be in business."

David nodded as he made his way out. Scrooge quickly comes back out with a piece of paper.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Unintentionally." Scrooge spoke as David stopped to turn to him. "Here."

David takes the paper and looks at it. "Huh, another page. Thanks."

Scrooge nodded before turning back to enter his store again. David walks over to one of the plaza’s benches to have a seat in. He is still wondering why these written pages are scattered to random places that he or anyone else can not explain the reason. The page just like the others that David has started collecting slowly was written in Atlantean. He leans back and pulls the page closer to him and reads.

‘Scrooge McDuck’s store. A place to get any clothing, furniture, shoes or anything that isn't food. A businessman (or Duck for that matter) is a genius. The things he has are only for one day only selling. Once the day ends, Scrooge would put them back into his inventory and replace them with something new. Calling it a healthy business move to get customers to go spend their money on the things that caught their eyes, but he does bring the old items back to display in a random cycle movement.

Yes, it is no secret to anyone that Scrooge McDuck has a reputation for being greedy for money and not always willing to give things without paying, unless it is beneficial for the valley itself. I taught him that giving back or lending valuable things to anyone doesn't require you to expect something in return. Now, I now understand his greed. His greed is money. My greed is unlocking and discovering the Dreamlight crystal’s secret.’

David summoned the book that Mickey had given him and put the page with its siblings before vanishing it back. He gets up to go assist with the others that they wanted any tasks done before heading his way to Merlin’s home and knocks on the door. He waited for a second before hearing the old wizard’s voice to enter. David was very impressed at the inside of Merlin's home looking very wizardry. Merlin, who is at his desk, looking at some books while having the doorknob resting on his work desk.

“Hello, David.” Merlin cheerfully spoke while having his eyes glued to his current book that he is reading. “Ah,yes, it is so good to remember my spells again once reading my books and regaining my memories. Now, I don't remember the important stuff or remember my old ruler’s name, but it is a start.”

David nodded when walking closer up. “That is some positive news.” He smiles at him. “Any fun spells that you remember?."

Merlin chuckled. “Oh, quite a few. Though I don’t dare to try them without proper preparation. But I did manage to figure out how to bring back not only the house that this doorknob belongs to, but also the valley's good old family and friendship-valuing neighbor."

David had the look of excitement. "You found a way to bring back Mirabel?."

Merlin nodded, his eyes still focused on the book. "Indeed I have. Without your help, I wouldn't be able to get it done."

David felt a sense of pride swell in his chest. "How can I assist you in this quest?."

Merlin adjusted his glasses and looked up at the man. "Based on my research. Mirabel's house, Mini-Casita, is in a deep dimension that is unreachable for any of us to do about it. Except through the powers of Dreamlight which you have."

"Looks like I'm going to enjoy this." David rubs his hands together with happy determination. "What's the spell ingredients?."

Merlin gets up and grabs his cane before walking around his desk. "You need ingredients that only you can make it work since what I'm about to say would sound very silly and have no logic."

David nodded eagerly. "I'm all ears."

"One, have daily conversations with two people. Two, give two of their favorite things as gifts. And finally take three pictures with all of us." said Merlin.

"Huh, speaking picture taken..." David digs into his pocket and pulls out his android phone. "My mobile phone is magic as well. Better yet, whatever reason is a secret royal tool for some odd reason. Like when I took a picture of a cute squirrel, the screen asked if I wanted it to be physical or let it remain in digital format. Curiosity, I pressed the physical option and then the picture magically appeared out of the phone and appeared physically."

David pulls out a fair sized picture of what he took to hand over for Merlin to have a look. "Well?."

Merlin takes the picture from him and examines it closely. His eyes widened with amazement. "This...this is more than just a mere camera, my boy. Now, I do remember my old ruler having a secret royal tool. A mobile phone he calls it."

"Weird." David looks at his phone. "I have had this phone since...well... always. There isn't anything special about my phone back in my world."

Merlin nods, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Ah, but in this realm of Dreamlight, everything holds a touch of magic. Still, I do wonder how you have it."

David nods. "Me too. I'll get going with the tasks."

Merlin nods. "Remember, the ingredients are not to be taken lightly. The conversations must be genuine, the gifts from the heart, and the photos must capture the essence of the moment. Only then will the magic of the Dreamlight respond."

David went his way in doing this task. He made his way in talking to Mickey. "Hey, Mic. How are you?."

Mickey looked up from his confused pondering about the pillar of Friendship and smiled. "Hi, David. I'm good. Just pondering about this pillar. Something about it makes me curious."

"Yeah, it is something to ponder about." David started to think on how to further the conversation. "So, about Minnie. Do you have any memories of her?."

Mickey's smile grew sad. "Some, not much. But enough to know she is important to me."

David pulls out his phone. "Wanna take three pictures with me?. That would cheer you up."

Mickey's eyes light up. "Picture taken?. That sounds like a lot of fun!."

"Great. Selfie time." David points to his phone with a big smile. "Come on and get in."

Mickey jumps into the frame, grinning from ear to ear. The flash goes off, capturing their friendship in a moment frozen in time. They take a few more photos, laughing and making silly faces until they're both satisfied. With the first part of Merlin's spell ingredients partially collected, David went to go to Goofy who was messing with his stall.

"Hey, Goody, have time to chat?." David looks at his stall.

Goofy's eyes light up when he sees David approaching. "Oh, hi there, pal!. Sure do!. Whatcha wanna gab about?."

David thinks of something nostalgic. "Let's talk about your son and his girlfriend. How do you feel about their relationship?."

Goofy's face turns into a smile that could light up a room. "Max and Roxanne?. Oh, I'm so proud of them. They're young and in love."

"And... how do you fit in their lives?." David asked further.

Goofy's expression turns into a thoughtful look. "Well, I'm still figuring that out. Max is growing up, you know. And I want to support him, but sometimes I miss the little guy I knew."

"He's still there, Goofy. You see there is a time and a place to be goofy. Max knows that. And somehow I bet Roxanne is goofy too." said David.

"Oh, she sure is!." Goofy chuckled. "She is a natural goof."

David raised his brow with a look of interest. "Really?. She's goofy?. Like how?."

Goofy's eyes had that look of excitement as he leaned in closer. "Let's just say she can match Max goof for goof. And she's got this laugh, it's like a bell that rings in your heart, you know?."

David got very interested. "Any fun goofy memory about Roxanne?."

Goofy's face lit up with pure joy as he recounted a tale. "Oh, there's so many, but one that sticks out was when we all went camping. Roxanne tried to roast marshmallows but ended up starting a massive explosion by adding gasoline. Max was so impressed, he couldn’t stop laughing. She told us that she has never had any experience with camping or starting a fire, and didn't want to disappoint us. What a goof!."

The two friends shared a hearty laugh, their spirits lifted. David snapped a few more pictures with Goofy, capturing the warmth of their friendship. As they finished, Goofy handed David an apple. "Here, on the house!."

"Hey, thanks." David bit his red apple as he went over to Scrooge. "Hey."

Scrooge looked up from his ledger. "Ah, David, what brings you back?."

"I wanna talk to you about your triplet great nephews." David munched more of his apple.

Scrooge's eyes narrowed slightly. "Huey, Dewey, and Louie?. What about them?."

"What is your best method in keeping them from causing mishaps?." David waited for a response.

Scrooge let out a sigh that was almost a chuckle. "Ah, those rascals. Well, I don't always manage to keep them out of trouble, but when I can, it's all about keeping an eye on them and knowing their habits. They're clever lads, but they can be predictable if you know what to look for."

David nodded after finishing his apple and then tossed the core to the side. "Hmmm, that's a good note to remember. Have time to take three pictures?."

Scrooge looked surprised but nodded. "Ah, why not?. It's not every day someone wants to capture my likeness."

After David had made the three pictures from Scrooge he then began to think about what kind of gifts he should get for two people. Eyeing a nice mining rock and going over to go mine it while Scrooge for whatever reason followed him. Summoning his pickaxe, David started chipping the rock as rock bits began to pop out. Then the large rock started to sprout something colorful like a gem as he wacked his last wack until it chipped out five garnets. Scrooge, feeling like it is second nature to him, went over the now demolished rock and magically digs out an extra garnet.

"I didn't know you could do that." David said, before vanishing his pickaxe.

Scrooge shrugged. "Ah, it felt familiar but I don't recall why."

David grabs the garnets. "Want them?."

Scrooge's eyes glinted with greed, but he quickly composed himself. "Nae, lad. They're yours. You earned 'em."

"I insist. Take it as a gift." David assures him.

Scrooge's beak turns into a smile and nods. "Alright then, I shall take one. But remember, I will return the favor." He says as he takes one garnet.

David then decided to give the rest to Merlin who is fishing. "Here. Figured you need some ingredients for your magical experiments."

Merlin looked up from his fishing spot with surprise. "Garnets?. How kind of you, David. I can indeed use these for my research that I postpone."

"I got all the ingredients needed." David says before Merlin hands him the golden doorknob.

"Pick an available spot and use the ingredients and your magic to bring back her house." Merlin tells him.

David walked around the Peaceful Meadows for the perfect spot until seeing that it is easier to have the house right in front of Goofy's. "Alright, here goes nothing."

David tosses the doorknob to the open spot. He pulls out his phone and then points it at the spot. Closing his eyes and concentrating on the memory conversations he has made with Goofy, Mickey, and Scrooge and using his Dreamlight magic. The atmosphere of the area started to turn as the doorknob started to float and twirl around crazily and within a blink of an eye, the Mini-Casita appeared right in front of everyone as the doorknob went back into its proper place. David's mind once again triggered a there and gone memory.

Flashback

"Amigo, you are the sunshine of this valley. " David happily spoke before taking another bite of her Buñuelos. "I really needed that healing after Anna accidentally dropped that heavy book on my foot."

Mirabel chuckled while taking a bite of her dish. "Anna needs to stay focused on doing something like that."

David chuckled while stretching. "Hey, what can I do about my sister-in-law?. Between her, Kristoff, and Olaf, I really don't know how me and Elsa can put up with them."

Mirabel's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Si, they do bring a certain charm to the place, don't they?."

"Yelp!. So you requested my help based on my magical to do list. What's the issue?." David asked in his fun matter.

"Well, I wanted to have a fun secret door knock that only we can share whenever you come to see me in my house." Mirabel played with her hair a bit and looked down at her feet. "It sounds very immature, I know."

"Oh, nonsense, Mirabel, there isn't anything immature about having secret door knocks. I have a few of them to ensure security for my big personal vault back at my Dreamlight Castle" said David, before offering his arm for her to take. "Lead the way."

They walk to Mirabel's Mini-Casita. Mirabel gleefully walked over to the door of her house and pondered the ideal knock she wanted them to use.

"Well...?." David playfully spoke.

Mirabel looked up with a glimmer in her eyes. "Alright, it's simple but fun. It's a pattern of three knocks and then a pause, and then two quick knocks."

"Sounds perfect. Let's give it a world..."

End of Flashback

David quickly did the knock before the memory slips. He waited for a response.

The door to the Mini-Casita swung open, revealing Mirabel. She looked around, her eyes widening with shock at the sight of her home back in its rightful place. "What...what just happened?. Am...Am I back home?." she stammered, as happily looked around. "I am!."

"Hola, Mirabel!." David greeted.

Mirabel's eyes shot towards him. She grinned and waves. "Hola, to you as well!. Who are you?. Do I know you?. You look kinda familiar though."

"I'm David. No, you don't know me. Plus, we never met till now." says David before being pulled into a strong hug.

Mirabel laughs and releases him. "Well, I don't know how this happened, but I'm so grateful to see my lovely village again!. It feels like a piece of home in my heart has been restored. Gracias!." She looks around her small but charming abode, her eyes misting over with happiness.

David hugs back. "Glad to help."

Mirabel wipes her eyes and steps back. "Come inside, por favor. I'm sure there's something to talk about over a cup of tea."

"Sure." David joins her. He sees the inside looks very similar to the movie itself before being pulled to sit on a nice armchair.

David watched Mirabel make tea while humming her signature tune before handing him a cup. "Thanks."

Mirabel sat across from him, her curiosity piqued. "So, David, tell me about yourself. How did you end up in Dreamlight Valley?."

"I was a former janitor and once lived in a rundown apartment. I eventually drove into the woods before sleeping underneath a tree and suddenly I'm here." David takes a sip of his tea.

"Huh..." Mirabel takes a sip of her tea. "Interesting. It sounds very similar to my old best friend/ruler in the last part of your story. He once said that back in his realm he was a mailman."

"You don't say." David sips his tea some more. "Goofy says I look familiar and now you're saying the same thing. Weird."

Mirabel nods thoughtfully. "Indeed it is." She gives him a friendly smile. "The Night Thorns... they're a pain in the el culo, am I right?."

David nodded. "Right. Uh, what's el culo?. I'm not very good in Espanol."

Mirabel laughs. "It's slang for 'butt' in English. It's just a figure of speech, don't worry about it."

After having tea they went over to the orb of Friendship that is bounded by Night Thorns and facing its pillar. David rubs his chin before approaching the thing closer. Mirabel watched David interact with the trapped orb with just a swift of his hand. Then the thorns shattered into sparkle dust. Freeing the orb to Mirabel's happiness.

"Alright, David!." Mirabel did a quick twirl.

"Thanks." David picks up the orb and faces the pillar. "Back in you go."

The orb floats back to the pillar and reattaches itself. The pillar starts to glow brighter before the thorns retreat into the ground and the color of the area starts to brighten up. Mirabel claps her hand happily. "Look at that, it's alive again!."

A big blast of energy has waved the whole Peaceful Meadows making the whole Biome healthy. Yet, the Night Thorns are still there sucking the nutrients of the area's strength. David made work in clearing them out while Mirabel catches up with her old neighbors. Once clearing the last one, David decided to go rest when he felt his energy depleted and sat down on the bench in the Plaza. He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep. He did not prepare or expect to encounter someone in his sleep. He couldn't see him but he sure can hear his dark echoing voice. He sounded furious.

"No, No, No, No!. How is this even possible?!."

David looked around in the deepest and darkest of places and was obviously uncomfortable being in this situation. "Who's there?. Show yourself!."

The voice growled in anger. "I got rid of you. I went as far as removing your memories. Yet, you managed to find your way back here!."

David walked around in the dark before stopping himself. "Do I even know you?."

The voice sighed. "No matter. Regardless of you returning to Dreamlight Valley and trying to undo what you started, I would never let you stop me in my ultimate plan. This is my kingdom. I am dark. I am the ruler of the Forgetting. I am your polar opposite. I am...The Forgotten!."

David snaps awake and jumps off the bench with fear written all over his face. Breathing heavy while holding onto his chest, he looks around to find himself still in the Plaza before letting out a big sigh. "Oh, thank goodness. It was just a dream...yet it felt real. Too real."

Getting up off the bench, he makes his way by the well to have a great look at the biggest castle that anyone can see no matter where anyone is in any Biome. He looks at the beautiful castle as if it was something that would put a calm relaxing atmosphere.

"Ah, you're curious about the old ruler and Queen's castle." came a voice.

"Hey, Merlin." David didn't bother looking at him since he heard his voice. "What's so special about the castle?."

Merlin walks closer to David. "Well, it was once a place of joy and love. The Queen and the ruler would host grand festivals and parties. The Queen, she had the heart of a saint. So pure, so kind. The ruler was strong, wise, and had the power to match and out match it. But the real special thing about Dreamlight Castle is the grand hall of realms."

"The grand hall of realms?." David sees the old man motion him to follow into the castle.

Chapter Text

David followed Merlin into the luxurious castle as soon as the gates opened up automatically. Merlin leads him inside the long beautiful hallway that has a nice dreamy style long royal blue rug with gold symbols on them. There are multiple sections of hallways that can make you get curious to explore and possibly get lost, but Merlin is led straight forward towards a massive large open room. David takes a good look to see this area is very special. Multiple layers of structure with each section having doors covered in Night Thorns.

He sees a few purplish shooting stars passing by. The place looked like it came from space itself. David turns to Merlin who is waiting for him to be done with sight seeing.

“What is this place, Merlin?.” David asked, with his face in curiosity.

“This place, my friend, is the room of realms. This is the room where my old ruler was able to enter the realms of our neighbors and invite them to move and stay in the valley. Oh, my old ruler enjoyed bringing new neighbors into our neighborhood and becoming instant friends, both hero and villain.” explained Merlin.

David nods while making his way to the first layer of the doors. There were three doors with each symbol that he automatically recognized. One having a plant symbol. The second one has a similar Hawaiian style symbol. And finally the third one had a rat with a chef hat and holding a wooden spoon. He pondered on which one he wanted to mess with first.

“In your opinion, which one would you want to open first?.” David looks to the left side where Merlin stood. "Which doors, I mean."

Merlin strokes his long beard thoughtfully, his eyes scanning over the doors. "Well, each realm holds a unique charm and challenge. Whatever you choose is your choice."

David looks at each door. Rubbing his shaved face, he looks right at the door on the far left. With no hesitation, he used the dreamlight energy to remove the thorns that were blocking the door. "This one."

Merlin nods approvingly. "Behind this door, you'll meet a robotic little fellow of few words but great charm. I recalled that my old ruler had fixed that issue with him having limited verbal communication and understanding."

"Assuming that is no longer the case." David grabs the handle and then back at him. "See you when I get back."

Merlin nods with a knowing smile. "Remember, balance is key in all things, even in friendship."

David opens and walks through the door. In just a blink of an eye he was in the realm of Wall-E. The environment of earth is exactly how it looked from the beginning of the robot's movie. Experience itself with the smell of rust, dust, and trash was something. David looks at his surroundings and spots the struggling Wall-E who looked sad and defeated. David walks up to him without scaring him.

"Hey, there..." David sees he has his attention. "Don't worry, I'm a friend."

Wall-E's mechanical eyes light up slightly, but he still looks skeptical. David extends his hand in a peaceful gesture, and Wall-E cautiously takes it. The grip is firm, yet gentle, surprising David with the strength behind the rusty exterior.

David noticed his right wheel was damaged. "Ah, I see. Your wheel is broken."

Wall-E nods, making a sad noise.

David looks around. "Hmmm...I might find a spare."

Making his way to a dropped down refrigerator that was caught in the soil, opens the door to find nothing inside before making his way to what looks like a small storage unit and finds the part. David returned to Wall-E and patched him up all thanks to his experience in changing tires on his car. He watches Wall-E roll around in delight and gratitude.

"Great?." He asked.

Wall-E chirped happily and rolled around in a circle, showing off his newfound mobility. David couldn't help but chuckle at the little robot's excitement.

"Glad to help...say what's this?." David gets on one knee to get on the robot's height. He looks at a broken small device that was sideways inserted to his energy bar meter. "Huh, it's something. I don't recall you having this. Do you know what it is?."

Wall-E shakes his head, his eyes looking hopeful and a little sad. David pulls it out to see it was shot and once had screws on outside. David went over to a craft station that he didn't expect to see there in this realm. Finding useful functional technology pieces he repaired the device and came back to plug it back in and put the screws in to prevent it from falling out. The smooth round lightbulb lits up green and shows the same symbol as the door to the realm.

David gets up and looks at Wall-E with a theory. "Say something."

Wall-E tilted his head. "Like what?."

David's eyes lit up. "Hey, you talk!. Fully!."

Wall-E, surprised, squeaks out, "Oh, yeah! I guess I do now!." His voice was surprisingly clear and cheerful.

David crossed his arms and grins. "This is great. How did you get that handy voice communicator?."

Wall-E started to think before going to mess with the grassless dirt. "Someone made and installed it for me."

David squinted his eyes, trying to recall any details from the movie. "Was it Eve?."

Wall-E shook his head while still messing and looking at the dirt. "No. He's human."

David rubbed his chin. "Is it your ruler?."

Wall-E nodded vigorously. "Yes!. That's him!. King of...of...of...huh."

"Don't overthink it, Wall-E. Just like the others. Your memory is foggy. I'm here to take you home." said David.

Wall-E looked up with excitement. "Home?."

"Yes, home. Dreamlight Valley." David tells him.

I'll go!. But first." Wall-E raised his hand.

"First what?." David was confused.

"First, I need to finish cleaning up. Want to help me?." Wall-E asked.

"Sure." David summoned the magical shovel from thin air, aweing Wall-E, before working on digging out piles of trash.

Wall-E, being the sensitive robot that he is, went over to scoop the trash into his compactor and transform it into a thick cube. They went for at least twenty trash turned into cubes before neatly stacking them. David turns to where the door was supposed to but it wasn't there anymore. Confused, David went over to see if it was invisible but there wasn't anything there. David started to think about how he can return to the Dreamlight Castle and then bring Wall-E back. He turns to the robot who is waiting patiently and is curious as to what he is going to do.

"I know it's a long shot, but do you recall how your Dreamlight King got from realm to valley?." David waited for his answer.

Wall-E nodded with excitement. "Yes!. He used...uh...magic!."

"Magic. That's not enough to run on." David started thinking and thinking while his stomach growled. "I need food."

He started to think about the valley itself without realizing that he is slowly disappearing with colorful dreamlight sparkles surrounding him, while Wall-E looked in pure awe and tried to alert David but was too late. David snaps out of his thinking to find himself back in Dreamlight Valley to his shock. Merlin walked up to well where David stood puzzled.

"Welcome back. Did you have fun with that wonderful robot?." Merlin happily asked.

"How did I just get here?." He looks at the old wizard. "I was in Wall-E's realm and then started thinking about this valley and...wham I'm here."

Merlin strokes his beard. "Ah, yes, you teleported yourself from his realm to return to the valley. You see, my old ruler was the only person that is capable of traveling to our realms and back here. Yes, we can enter our realms but be unable to return due to the door being gone as soon as we close it back. Now, we can magically travel throughout the valley through the wishing well trees in each Biome. However, we can only travel from the Plaza to Peaceful Meadows due to your work on removing the major hold of the Night Thorns."

David comprehended what is told to him while figuring out how he can bring Wall-E back to the valley. "Wall-E can't come here on his own will. So, I have to build something in order for it to bring him here."

"Exactly. And that answer is giving him his own house in the valley." Merlin spoke before making his way out back to Peaceful Meadows.

The feeling was strange to David as he started conjuring up a foundation of the ideal house for Wall-E in the Peaceful Meadows and informed Scrooge to have his construction workers begin building it as he has blueprints for each neighbor's ideal home. With a reasonable fee of course after he paid him the amount of two thousand coins. Within seconds the exact copy of Wall-E's house stood tall and great. Suddenly, David felt the warm light within him heats up as he felt the urge to go back to the wishing well tree. In the blink of an eye the sparkle wave came out of the well and did a twirl to bring forth a figure who was looking around in wonder. Wall-E fully appeared and was excited to return to the place he little remembers.

David pulls out his phone to take a picture with him. "Pose."

Wall-E did just that and took a picture. After taking the picture and letting Wall-E go and go try to remember his time here that he once did. David’s stomach started growling and he needed something to eat that wasn't an apple. Upon making a move to go see if Mirabel has some food to share with him, he was inches away walking past Mickey’s house until he spotted something sticking up from the ground. Curious, he summoned his shovel and dug the object right out of the ground to see that it was a book.

“Odd.” David unsummoned his magical shovel to go pick up the book to open it. He looks through each page. “It’s a cookbook. Simple ingredients for complicated dishes. Where are the instructions on what setting of temperature or what time for the food to be cooked?.”

Mickey, who was walking up from Peaceful Meadows with some fish he caught, sees David with the cookbook and instantly remembers. “Oh, David, you found the cookbook!.”

“Yeah, a cookbook with no instructions on how to prepare the food, just give me the list of ingredients. This is confusing.” David looks back at the mouse.

Mickey chuckled. “Nonsense, David, this cookbook isn't confusing. You see, our old ruler, the founder of Dreamlight Valley, discovered a lot of things before inviting all of us to live in his kingdom. With his experimental understanding of how things work around here, he managed to create a full fledged stove that just runs on manual coal. Instead of operating the old fashioned way, we just come up to it and a nice long thick large pot will appear with active boiling water. Add the ingredients and instantly pops out the food you desire to make.”

“That's amazing since I can't cook at all. I suck at making a nice dinner.” confessed David. “Can you show me an example?.”

“Sure!. I'm making fish sandwiches anyway.” Mickey leads the way inside his house and guides him to the kitchen.

Just like Mickey said. He approached the stove and set the coal inside its burning before the pot magically appeared with something bubbling inside of it. David watched the mouse simply drop a bream and one strain of grain into the pot. Within a few seconds the pot immediately shoots out a plate of a freshly made fish sandwich once Mickey has caught it. He turns to a now impressed David who was given the plate of sandwich to give it a try. His stomach is begging him to consume it, he took a good bite of it before munching on it in great joy.

“Delicious!.” David continued eating. "This is really good."

"Yep!." Mickey made himself his own fish sandwich. "No more cleaning, deboning, or seasoning fish or any seafood anymore with these magical stoves. Perfect for people who can't cook."

David nodded, his mouth full of the delicious sandwich. "I need one of these."

"We all have them. My old ruler is capable of having one on the go when he goes traveling or in case of emergencies. I buried that cookbook for a friend of ours who is the top expert of cooking. It is his cookbook after all." said Mickey.

"Who does it belong to?." David finished his food.

Mickey wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Chef Remy. He mostly likes to be called just Remy."

"Remy?. Ratatouille." David's mind started to give him another fogged memory.

Flashback

David, in his chef gear and in the restaurant's kitchen, is doing his usual routine of helping out in the Remy's restaurant. He was in front of the stove and waiting for the next order once Remy came back from serving.

"Alright, buddy, who do we have next?." David spoke with enthusiasm as the rat climbed up on his designed stand to watch the food being made.

"I have two orders from two people on the right side of the restaurant." Remy spoke with his same enthusiastic attitude.

"Who are the customer's names and what food they want to eat?." David asked while looking at his favorite rat.

Remy took out his order pad from his tiny chef's hat. "The first is Lady Tremaine, she would like a bouillabaisse."

"And the second customer?." David asked while making the dish.

"Ah, the second customer is Cinderella. She's in the mood for a nice seafood pie." Remy answered as he put his small pad down.

"Gotcha." David finished making the food and headed to go give it to them. "Hello, Tremaine. Cindy. How are you two feeling tonight?."

"Just fine, your majesty." Tremaine took her bouillabaisse with a smile. "Your presence is very welcoming."

Cinderella took her seafood pie and gave him a sweet smile. "Thank you, David."

"You two enjoy it." David nods and is about to leave but remembers something. "Oh, and how's my advice for you two is working out with your family relationship?."

"It's been...challenging." Tremaine said with a sigh. "But it's definitely getting better, thanks to you. Isn't that right, Cinderella?."

Cinderella nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Yes, it has. I've started spending more time with my stepsisters that doesn't involve me being their personal maid. Turns out they're not so bad after all."

"That's great to hear. See wasn't a smart decision in seeking council with your number one friend?." David looks at the two with his signature friendly charm.

Both Tremaine and Cinderella nodded. "Yes, indeed. We both have seen a change in the relationship. I'm starting to feel more like a mother and less like a stepmother." Tremaine took a sip of her bouillabaisse with a nod of approval.

"Excellent." David returns to the kitchen where Remy was waiting for him. "Bussisnes as usual, huh?."

"Oui, my friend." Remy grinned, his whiskers twitching with excitement.

End of Flashback

David's mind is once again in a blur and forgot what he recalled at the moment. "I need sleep."

In the coming weeks, David has learned a few things about the old ruler's royal tools and how he can use them in certain situations. He managed to help everyone out with their little crisis that helped benefit the valley itself. One was helping Mickey remember a bit more about Minnie. He helped Goofy in paying off in fully building his stall to get things going. He assisted Scrooge in his shop's security by planting security short trees in front of his store. David helped Mirabel in restoring a little bit of her memories in hanging out. Merlin cheerfully in gratitude for him to collect gems, rocks, and a few available flowers to help him conduct some of his work that he postponed since the forgetting.

Currently, David was in the back end of Peaceful Meadows planting seeds in the small community garden that Wall-E was originally in charge of since it is his job and contribution to the valley. Wall-E, who is singing his favorite song, dug more holes for David to drop seeds of tomatoes in the dirt before watering them down.

"Great work, David." Wall-E happily spoke before going to check to see if he had more seeds. "I'm starting to remember myself as the valley's gardener. I love planting and doing something other than turning trash into trash cubes."

"Yeah, it's definitely a change of pace from your usual job, isn't it?." David chuckled, placing his hand on the robot's shoulder. "But you're doing great."

Wall-E nodded. "If I had a facial expression, I would show you a smile."

David laughed. "You don't need one. I can hear it in your voice and body language."

Wall-E paused his digging and looked up at David. "You think so?."

"Definitely." David smiled. "Your enthusiasm is contagious."

The two continued their work in companionable silence, the only sounds the digging of the earth and the occasional rustle of Wall-E's metal body. As they worked, a gentle breeze picked up, carrying the scent of blooming flowers from the nearby meadow. It was a stark contrast to the desolate wasteland David had found him in, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of joy in the progress they'd made. After done with the garden, David walks back to the Plaza where Scrooge ran over to him in urgency.

"Ah, just the man that I needed to see. I have a situation." Scrooge spoke.

David looked at him with a puzzled look. "What's wrong?."

"Ghost, my dear boy. A ghost!." Scrooge spoke.

"A ghost?." David was intrigued. "You saw a ghost?."

"Yes, I saw it one second and gone in the next." Scrooge used his cane to point the direction where Dreamlight Castle is. "Saw it going to my king and queen's castle. We never had any ghosts around this valley. That's not good."

David's eyes widened. "Alright, calm down, calm down."

Scrooge took a deep breath, his usual sternness momentarily giving way to a hint of fear. "It's just...it's not right, David. This is supposed to be a peaceful place, a haven from the troubles."

"Did Mirabel see the ghost too?. Was it once had...say entered your store?." David asked.

Scrooge nodded. "Aye, she saw it. And she said she was looking for something in the castle. But she didn't go after it. I don't blame her, ghosts can be spooky creatures."

"Hmmm..." David spots Mirabel. "Amigo, were you frightened by the ghost?."

Mirabel looked at him with her usual cheerfulness. "It was definitely spooky, but I'm not one to run from a little scare. Plus, I had more important things to do than chase after a flicking figure."

"Flickering?. You said it was flickering?." David started to piece this together.

Mirabel nodded. "Yeah, it was like it was trying to stay in one place but couldn't. The ghost was definitely looking for something."

David knows his Disney characters. There is only one individual that flickers. "I'll handle this. You guys just relax. It's not a ghost. It's one of your neighbors."

"You know who it is?." Scrooge was surprised.

"You'll all see once I come back." David heads his way back to the castle. "She's probably in the hall of realms."

David entered and looked around the place before walking up the stairs to the very top where the nice big water fountain stood, but missing something that was alerting him which he can't not tell what it is. His attention was caught when seeing something standing over there flickering and looking at him.

"There you are." David looks at her. "Vanellope is that you?."

The flickering figure solidifies into a young girl, dressed in a hoodie and pants with a candy necklace around her neck, her eyes wide with surprise. "David?. What are you doing here?."

"Yes, it's me and... wait...how do you know my name?." David is now thrown off in confusion.

Chapter Text

Vanellope rubbed her chin while having her eyes looking to the side. Her face showed deep confusion and from the looks of it she looked confused in a more mental way. David waited for an explanation as to why she knew his name as it didn't make any sense how she knew him. Yet, she was treating him like they were best buddies for years. Vanellope stopped rubbing her chin and then looked back at David.

“What was the question again?.” She asked.

“How did you know my name?.” David waited.

Vanellope shrugged. “I don't.”

“Wait, what?.” David is now confused. “You just said my name.”

“I did?.” Vanellope raised her brow while glitching uncontrollably.

“Yes.” David crossed his arms.

Vanellope leans forward and gives a childish facial expression. “You sure?.”

"Yeeeessss." David looks at her. "Huh?."

"Huh, what?." Vanellope.

"Your easily quick forgetfulness is a result of endless constant exposure to the Night Thorns." David sighs. "Let's forget the moment from the start of our conversation. What happened to you during the beginning of the Forgetting?."

Vanellope's glitching subsides a bit, and she looks around, trying to gather her thoughts. The memory of the colorful chaos of Dreamlight Valley seems to swirl around in her head, as if reflecting her own inner turmoil. "I...I...It was a dark day when it happened. The kind of thing you would most definitely expect on the final level of a videogame."

"You don't say?." David sat down on the edge of the fancy indoor water fountain while Vanellope joined him.

"It's true. The sky turned a nasty shade of purple, and everything...just stopped making sense. Like someone hit the pause button on the whole universe, but only here." Vanellope began to speak before playing with her hair sadly. "I recall helping and attending a nice reminder party for my best friend who is the king of the valley. He was...huh....hmmm. I can't remember. I hate that."

"Don't put yourself down, V Sweets." said David.

Vanellope looked at him with her eyes wide. "V Sweets?!. That's my aka!. My best friend gave me that name due to me loving, eating, and living in my old video game of sugar."

"It makes sense since that world of yours is a number one hot spot for diabetes." David chuckled before being hit in the shoulder by Vanellope who grinned.

"You know who you are talking to right?." Vanellope said playfully.

"Well it's true. I know a couple of families that are diabetics but can't say no to cake, pies, or anything sugary." David chuckled.

"Ow!." David winced as Vanellope lightly hit his shoulder again, her glitching subsiding. "Okay, okay, sorry," she said with a cheeky grin.

"Mind telling me how you ended up...well... glitchy uncontrollably again?." David asked.

"Since the Forgetting and forgetting memories are getting worse, I started to head back to my realm that is way better than anyone else's. The Internet." said Vanellope.

"Wait, you have access to the worldwide web?. From here?." David was very surprised.

Vanellope nodded. "Yeah, I can travel through the internet tubes, it's like teleportation but with more data." She winked. "Unfortunately all that nasty dark energy of the Night Thorns, caused me to get stuck between the Internet and here causing me to glitch uncontrollably."

"So you're in-between. Hmmm, that's a good challenge." David gets up. "What do you suggest I should free you?."

"Hmmm." Vanellope gave it a thought. "I wish my ruler was back. He knows exactly how to get me out of this predicament. He always has a solution."

David gives it a good thought while taking the moment to pull out his phone and mess with it. Vanellope kicked her feet back and forth in waiting for a solution while glitching. David begins to recall the moment of him taking pictures with the guys in order to help summon back Mirabel's house and herself. He grins.

"Hey, I have a solution!." David looks at her.

Vanellope's eyes brighten up. "Really!?. What is it!?."

"It's simple. I'll take a picture of you which would make you get sent into my phone. Then I'll go outside and send you out on the plaza. If I'm correct, the wishing well will guide you through the Internet and bring you back fully with controlled glitch." said David.

Vanellope's eyes sparkled with hope. "That could work!." Her facial expression dropped in doubt. "But what if it doesn't?."

"Have a leap of faith. Rather jump for it and not be scared of it." said David, giving her a trusted smile.

Vanellope took a deep breath, and with a nod of determination, she agreed. "Alright, let's do this."

"Perfect." David got his phone ready. "Say cheese."

Vanellope leaned closer to him, grinning widely, and David snapped the picture. The moment the image captured, she glitched out of existence, leaving David with his phone in hand. He exited out of the castle and walked his way down to the wishing well and pressed the sent button, and saw the well sprout out sparkles and spun in front of the well to transfer a small figure. Vanellope popped right back into the valley and was super happy.

"I'm home! I'm home!." Vanellope jumped in pure joy and did her little dance.

David watched in amazement as she twirled around. "Your glitching is under control!. It worked!."

"Thanks to you!" Vanellope cheered, spinning to a halt in front of him. She started to remember something and started crying.

"Hey, what's wrong?." David got concerned. "You're not crying for joy. You're crying in sadness."

"It's...It's...what you said." Vanellope wiped her running nose. "Back at the castle."

David was confused. "What did I say?."

Vanellope's glitching stopped completely, and she looked at him with wet eyes. "You called me 'V Sweets'. That is exactly what my best friend said. I call it just a coincidence at first but...when you said that 'Have a leap of faith. Rather jump for it and not be scared of it'. It was those exact words that my best friend told me when I wasn't so sure and confident about becoming a new neighbor to his kingdom, after he helped myself and Ralph from our little online adventure."

David's eyes widened. "Wait, so you do remember some things from before the Forgetting?."

Vanellope nodded, a smile forming through her tears. "A few bits and pieces, yes. That's his signature line. It's like he's trying to tell me something, even now."

"Huh, guess me and the old ruler think alike." David wasn't prepared to be hugged by Vanellope as she smiles while tears fall. "Huh, never knew you as a sensitive person."

Vanellope pulled away, her cheeks a bit red. "I'm not sensitive, I just miss him." She said with a sniffle. "Besides Ralph, he is in top tier boss mode."

David nodded. "I can imagine. Say, why don't you go see Scrooge and pick out a space to build your home?. I have to go to bed. I wanted to be rested so I went back to the castle to open another door that I have my eye on."

Vanellope wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, composing herself. "Thanks, David. I'll go talk to him now." She turned and skipped away, her glitching now a controlled part of her movements.

The next morning after eating and stretching, David headed to the castle with determination in unlocking the blocked door and bringing another neighbor back to the valley. Upon taking on the day he rubs the back of his head taking in on what just happened yesterday with Vanellope. He somehow jogged Vanellope's memory with just a few simple words that felt natural for him to say. He heads inside back to the castle and into the Hall of Realms. His stomach is growling like crazy as he is indeed hungry. He eyed that one door that he looked and desired to open as he approached the door and used his energy and removed the thorns.

David opens and walks into the realm to the greatest chef in Disney. Chef Remy. The rat.

Flashback

David sat in his home with his girlfriend as they were about to eat a nice dinner. The problem was two particular chefs wanted to serve them. One wanted to serve French cuisine and the other wanted New Orleans cuisine. David looks at his kitchen where Remy and Tiana argued a bit about what they wanted to serve.

"You couldn't just pick one to cook for us on our dinner date?." Elsa whispered.

"It's not easy to say no to them when it comes down to who should be catering." said David, before hearing the argument volume going up a bit.

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of both French and New Orleans cuisine. The smell of gumbo and fresh baked baguettes with brie cheese filled the room. Elsa raised an eyebrow watching Remy and Tiana trying to serve them.

"Remy, Tiana, you know we love your food. But you guys are fighting over who gets to serve us, let alone the type of food." David spoke up with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Both chefs stopped and looked at David and Elsa with surprised expressions. Tiana spoke up first, "Oh, I'm sorry, David. We just wanted to make sure everything was perfect for you two. And I do mean give you two nice yummy foods of New Orleans."

Remy shot back. "Oui, and I wanted to bring a touch of Paris to your evening. You know, for a bit of romance. You don't want to eat any lousy, too spicy Louisiana cuisine."

David sighed and as he saw Tiana got mad at his comment. "And here we go again." He watches them argue.

Elsa watches them as well. "Oh, boy."

"I have you know, I've been cooking since I was a little girl, while you just sneak around in an elderly woman's home watching a chef on TV saying Everyone Can Cook and teach you how to properly cook." Tiana crosses her arms. "That's not a desire, it's inspiration."

Remy crosses his arms. "And I have been cooking since I had to fix that soup that my old friend Linguini had accidentally ruined on his first day on the job. And he was a garbage boy at that time."

"Well, I had to start somewhere, you dirty rat!." Tiana retorts, her hands on her hips.

"Now, now, no need to get personal." Remy said, raising his hands in defense. "At least I didn't waste my life working like a donkey in multiple jobs to save up on that one building, and then get duped by the sellers who once sold that building to someone else."

Tiana rolled her eyes. "Well, I had to work hard to get where I am. Didn't just get lucky to find myself in Paris and found my hero's restaurant, and then be able to cook in disguise while not getting any credit."

Remy's face turned red. "I'm a master chef, not a liar!. Besides, you got your own hero's restaurant right here!"

"My hero is my Daddy when it comes to the kitchen, thank you." Tiana spoke while dropping a few spices in the pot.

Elsa whispers to David. "Do something."

"Now?. The show is getting good." David spoke before getting kicked in the leg. "Ouch."

"Come on, David. We can't have them ruin dinner." Elsa gave him a stern look.

"Find." David gets up and walks over. "Alright, you two that's enough. You both are great cooks in your own right no matter the origins of it. Different types of cuisine is an art and culture which was meant to be siblings and be shared to everyone."

Remy and Tiana both nod as they stop their arguing. "You're right, David." Tiana says with a sigh. "Let's just work together. I'm sorry for... everything I said, Remy."

Remy nods. "Me too, Tiana. I didn't mean to sound...so French about it." They both chuckled.

"Great." David looks at Elsa and blows her a kiss.

Elsa smiles and nods. "Now, that's what I like to see. Cooperation."

"And just to make sure that this doesn't happen again, if you two start arguing about food dishes or what culture cuisine is better let alone insulting each other, I'll inform Simba to keep you two away from any of the Dreamlight Trees to get its fruit." David threatened and saw their scared reaction.

"You wouldn't!." Tiana and Remy both exclaimed.

"As king of Dreamlight Valley, I can and I will." David crossed his arms and smirks. "Trust me, Simba takes his role as guardian of all the Dreamlight Trees in each Biome seriously. Don't let his relaxed and laid back Hakuna Matata attitude fool you. He will strike and defend the trees from any neighbor who is banned from getting its fruits by my authority."

Remy and Tiana both gulped and nodded, not wanting to give their king any reason to act on it.

"Good point," said Tiana, giving Remy a nudge. "Let's cook something amazing for our friends."

Remy nodded eagerly. "Oui, we shall create a fusion cuisine that will make them say, 'Magnifico!'."

David sits down. "And that's how you handle the situation like a ruler." He winks at his woman.

Elsa giggled and nodded. "I'm proud of you, David. Now, let's eat."

"Here you go, Elsa." Tiana sets a bowl of gumbo. "Enjoy."

Remy follows suit, placing a plate of Ratatouille in front of David "And this is a dish from my old stomping grounds."

"Thanks." David grabs his fork and picks a piece and takes it towards Elsa. "Here comes the choo-choo, say ah."

Elsa giggles and opens her mouth as he feeds her. "You're such a child."

"It takes one to know one." David shots back while watching her scoop a spoonful of gumbo and getting ready to feed him with it.

"Oh, you want to play that game, huh?." Elsa smiles and feeds him a spoonful of the gumbo. The warmth of the gumbo filled his mouth and the taste of home cooked love was evident in every bite.

"Love you." David feeds her again.

"Love you more." Elsa feeds him again.

End of Flashback

David entered the realm of Ratatouille and didn't expect to be in a nice fancy five-star kitchen. What caught his attention was the rat himself who was in deep panic mode while he was running up to the checkout counter looking at the list of orders in ponder of how he is going to do them. David looks around at the clean kitchen that is stocked with food and there isn't any single cook in the kitchen except for Remy. David walks over to Remy who is too distracted by wondering what to do to bother hearing him walk up to him.

"Remy?." David spoke.

Remy jumps up and then turns to see him. "Wow, hey, where did you come from?!. You shouldn't be in the kitchen?!. Oh, no, I'm exposed. My restaurant is ruined."

David laughs a bit. "Relax, no need to worry. I'm not a threat."

"Wait, what?." Remy was shocked and confused. "Y...Y...You can understand me?."

"Yelp." David watched Remy be very surprised.

The two talked for a while as David explained where he comes from before Remy exchanged his information about his cooks took a good long vacation and he is stuck in the kitchen with too many orders he can't do all at once. David happily offered his service in helping the rat with his kitchen in exchange that he would come back home where he belongs. Remy agrees despite not knowing what Dreamlight Valley is but he was desperate to get the food cooked and served so that he doesn't care.

"Start by washing the dishes. They are overflowing." Remy tells him while going to grab the orders.

"Sure." David went over to a few bus boxes that were filled and looked like it would dare tip over.

Instead of doing the old fashioned way of soap and water in the sink, he summoned his magical water can and poured the unlimited cold water onto the dirty dishes that instantly started to become sparkling clean. He studied all of the royal tools and its benefits and have to say they do come in handy. After cleaning and putting them away in their proper place before heading over to Remy who is looking at each order while rubbing his chin.

"Dishes done and put away." spoke David.

"That's quick." Remy spoke while looking at the orders. “How did you do it?.”

"Magical tools. It works like a charm." said David in full confidence.

"Magic?." Remy looks at him. "That's real?. Not stage?."

David nodded, pouring more magic water onto a plate. "Very much so. It's a part of who I am, and it seems to be pretty useful in situations like these."

"Hmmm...that would explain my stoves." Remy went over to one of them and a boiling pot magically appeared. "Don't remember how I even got these stoves. Heck, my cooks told me that I got em from some place."

"It's Dreamlight Valley. Can't remember anything?." David asked.

Remy tapped his foot in thought. "Vaguely, I remember a place with a lot of happy faces and a king who enjoyed my food. But it's all jumbled up, like a soup that's been overstirred. It feels like it's a dream."

"It's not a dream. It's real." David takes a look at one of the orders.

Remy nods, still a bit skeptical but eager to get back. "Okay, if you say so. Now, let's get cooking!." He starts chopping vegetables at lightning speed.

Remy looks over to where David is seeing him grabbing the items needed for making the meals and stops what he was doing when watching him drop the items in the boiling pot without proper washing or chopping the vegetables.

“Hey, what are you doing?. That's not how you…” Remy sees the ordered food shoot out from the pot with its proper plate. “What?.”

“What?.” David blinked as he carried the plate to the counter. “You don't remember that the magical stove can produce food without the need for cleaning, washing or chopping?.”

Remy closed his mouth while having the facial expression of something he remembers. “Just…Just continue cooking. We have a lot of work to do.”

David nodded and resumed working.

Chapter Text

Doing the long food rush with literal making it done with absolute ease without any slip backs or chaotic overwhelming, Remy could not help but to sit and watch David easily make the food without the proper preparations of making it. He could not believe that the pots he had been using were magical despite him not paying too much attention to them due to being in the office checking on the paystubs and his employees timecards. David easily dropped the unclean ingredients in the boiling pot and waited for the full cooked dish served with its own plate or bowl and grabbed it before heading over to the counter. Remy was starting to feel something familiar. Something about David makes Remy feel that they had quite a history together but can't say or recall.

“Anf that's the last meal.” David looks at him with a friendly smile. “What's next?.”

Remy rubs his chin and then speaks. “Today is a banquet club party. I have orders for multiple desserts to make and serve.”

“What type of desserts do they want to have?.” asked David.

Remy went over to grab the long list order before reading it. "A multilayer cake. A gooseberry pie. And two apple pies."

"No problem." David looks and grabs what he needs to make it and drops the items in the pot which made the rat say something.

"Ok, stop." Remy couldn't take what he was seeing. "That's not how you prepare cake or pie. Magic or not."

"Sorry, R, but the magic stove has no limits." David dropped the last ingredient which is a sugarcane before instantly seeing a big slanted cake with multiple candles popped up out of the pot. He quickly grabs before dropping it. "Oh, wow, this is Aurora's cake."

"Aurora's cake?." Remy raised his brow. "Who's Aurora?."

"Sleeping Beauty." David spoke while putting the cake on the counter. "Order up!."

David returned to make the pies and dropped them off at the counter. "And done."

"Uh, thanks. Well, you can go now." Remy spoke but his voice betrayed him.

"I'm not going anywhere until I take you back to Dreamlight Valley." said David.

Remy sighed. "Again, with this Dreamlight Valley." He climbs down and heads to his office with David following him.

David sees the office and sees how nice the place looked as it is medium sized with a desk and a chair facing the desk. "Nice office, CR."

Remy looks over his shoulder with a puzzled expression. "Thanks. Why do you keep calling me CR?."

David shrugs. "Don't know. It felt oddly right. CR is short initials for Chef Remy. Does it not sound catchy?."

Remy chuckles, feeling a bit flattered by the nickname. "I guess it does have a ring to it." He sits down on his desk, looking over the party's order sheet with a sigh. "Alright, so we have the desserts sorted, and the paychecks are finished being made and just need to sign them."

"Then you will consider returning to Dreamlight Valley?." David spoke hopefully.

Remy sighs, grabbing his black ink pen. "I don't know, David. This place is...familiar, but also so strange. It's like I know everyone there, yet I don't. It is weird."

"Those Night Thorns did great work in making your memories become forgotten." David sits down in the chair.

"Night Thorns?." Remy asked while signing the checks.

"An unfriendly plant that causes you to forget everything. It was created by this guy named the Forgotten." said David, before Remy looks up.

"The Forgotten?. He... sounds... familiar." said Remy. "But I'm not sure."

David sighed and waited for the chef to be done with not only the checks but also checking the books before wrapping up. He noticed a nice sized picture sitting on the desk and got curious.

"Do you mind?." David points at the picture for permission to grab and look at the frame holding the picture.

Remy looks at his picture with caution before looking back at David. "Promise not to look at me differently?."

David nods with a smile. "I promise. I want to see, not to judge."

Remy hesitates for a moment, then nods. David picks up the frame, revealing a photo of the recognized female chef that he knows all too well. Her smile is so beautiful and looked very happy in the picture. David was expecting a picture of the rat's family or a nice female rat girlfriend but this isn't what he expected to see.

"Colette?." David looks at Remy. "You got a crush on Colette?."

Remy blushes deeply, his cheeks almost matching the red of the strawberries on the dessert menu. "It's not like that," he stammers, trying to regain his composure. "We... we...sigh...yes... I'm in love with her."

"Really now?." David sets the picture back.

"Yeah, she taught me some things about how to properly cook and how to use the fresh ingredients. Despite her not knowing what I say, she is willing to work for me alongside Linguine when we open the new restaurant. Huh, funny." Remy stopped his work.

"What's funny?." David asked.

"I literally had this conversation with someone that I trusted very much. He was a free of charge personal therapist/councilor or a confidant." Remy started to remember a little bit about the individual. "He was my best friend."

"The Old Ruler?." David asked before seeing a nod.

"Yeah, the Old Ruler, who I forgot his name." Remy gave it a thought and then back at David. "Tell me more about Dreamlight Valley."

Moments later, David has successfully managed to bring Remy back to Dreamlight Valley as the rat chef's memories were slowly coming back to him before he headed to a nice small building that was closed and boarded up.

"My restaurant. It's in shambles." Remy sighs. "I recalled that the Night Thorns were so bad that I have returned to my own realm to prevent the chance of losing my memories of why I love to be a chef."

"Well, gosh, Remy, it's good to see you again." Mickey spoke while holding the cookbook. "I kept it safe just for you."

Remy took the book with a gentle smile, his heart feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, Mickey." He looks around the restaurant, noticing the dusty counters and the sad state of his kitchen. "It looks like it's been abandoned for years. How long has it been since the Forgetting?. I can't remember."

Mirabel rubbed her chin. "Hmmm, I...I can't put my finger on it. Goofy?." She looks at him who is currently scratching the back of his head.

"Gosh, I can't even say. It's been so long and I'm forgetting things." said Goofy.

Wall-E looked around the restaurant and found a sheet of paper written in strange writing. "Hey, guys, I found something."

The paper was in fact another journey note that David had collected and went to read it while everyone listened.

'Chez Remy. The second best place to go other than shopping at Scrooge's store. Fine dining. The French atmosphere vibes. And my fair share of volunteering in assisting Remy in the kitchen during lunch and dinner rushes. It was very fun. Remy is an excellent inspiration besides Tiana.

He has the mindset of creating new things that no one even thinks about. He goes as far as changing the recipe that has been established for years to improve its flavor and taste. His inspiration helps me dive further into my research in understanding the other half of Dreamlight Crystals that I haven't even considered doing or thinking about. The Dreamlight crystal that I dubbed the Purified Night Shard has its own Yin and Yang. Dream Shard and Night Shard. There are two ways of creating the Night Shards. Either through the Purified Night Shard or the Onyx.'

"Huh. That's something to know." David puts it in the journal with the others.

"Hey, before you go, can you help us clean up the place?." Remy looks at David. "I happily appreciate it."

David nods, eager to assist. "Sure, CR. I got your back."

Everyone helped remove debris and clean off the cobwebs before going as far as mopping. The inside of Dreamlight Valley's number one's restaurant is looking spotless and fresh like it once were. Mirabel grins at the work they created.

"This is fantastic!." She spoke before Goofy commented.

"It sure is!." Goofy nodded before speaking in a high pitched voice. "It's like it's brand new!."

Remy couldn't help but smile at the sight, his heart swelling with gratitude for his friends. "Merci beaucoup, everyone. This means a lot to me." He looked over at David, feeling a sudden sense of camaraderie with the young man who had brought him back to his true home. "Especially you, David. I can't thank you enough."

"No problem. If you guys need me, I'll be at home to rest." David exited the restaurant and walked over to his house.

He got in and sat down at the table and relaxed. His mind started to recite what he just read. Two ways to make a night shard. One of them being an Onyx. He gets up and goes over to an old trunk that was sitting there and opens it to see a nice Onyx sitting there before picking it up.

"Hmmm, how can I make a Night Shard with this?." David then eyed the crafting station and felt what to do. He crafted the Onyx gem as if he knew exactly how to do it and then in an instant he has an actual Night Shard.

It is in fact purely dark and the major object of its twin. What makes it very weird is that David knows exactly what to do as to how to make one. He can't bother thinking about it as he was tired and needed a nice sleep. He lays down the bed after taking his shoes off before drifting to sleep but wasn't expecting to get another memory dream when thinking about the Chez Remy restaurant as it somehow triggered another foggy blurry memory.

Flashback

David and Elsa sat in the back of the restaurant having a nice dinner as husband and wife but there is an issue between them or should I say it's David. He was too busy in his journal to give full attention to his wife who is talking about her day today while he was gone somewhere in the valley that no one can find him.

Elsa is getting upset. "David?. David?. David?." She reached over and slapped his right arm.

David flinched. "Ouch." He looks at her in an upset tone. "What?."

Elsa crosses her arms, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "You weren't even listening to me, were you?."

"Of course I was." David resumed back into his journal.

"Then tell me what I said." Elsa challenged.

David flipped a few previous pages. "Uh, you said something about you, Snow, Jasmine, and Ariel doing... whatever."

"That was five minutes ago!." Elsa's voice grew frustrated. "I was talking about how I discovered a new way to manipulate ice for decorations at the party without the coldness!."

"Uh, huh." David still had his eyes on his book. "Okay, you and Belle were talking about something."

Elsa's eyes widened, feeling hurt. "Belle?. We weren't discussing anything about Belle!."

"Cinderella?. Mulan?. Give me a hint here, baby." David spoke.

Elsa took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool. "I said I was helping Ariel and Tiana set up for the party."

"And whose party is it?." David added something in his journal with his pen.

"The party for the New Year's Festival!." Elsa's voice grew loud, her frustration reaching its peak. "Why are you so...so...distant?!."

"Elsa, I'm doing something that is way important that can't be ignored or put on hold." David spoke while looking at what he wrote.

"It's bad enough that you weren't home for Christmas morning and I have to open my presents with my sister, Kristoff, and Olaf while hosting the Christmas dinner with everyone at the castle, while you were nowhere to be found." Elsa glared at him.

David looked up from his journal, his gaze meeting hers. "You know I'm sorry about that, Elsa. You know I'd never miss it if it wasn't important."

"But what could possibly be more important than your own family?." Elsa's voice cracked with emotion. She looks at Gothel, Rapunzel, and Flynn who were sitting on the side of them. "Tell David how you feel when he wasn't around to even say thank you or open the presents you have for him."

Gothel spoke up. "We all miss you, David. Your presence is what makes the holidays special."

Rapunzel nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I know you're working hard, but you're always in your own little world."

Flynn gave a sigh. "It's like he's married to that journal of his."

"Oh, I'm not hearing this..." David stopped when Elsa put her hand out.

"I'm not done yet." Elsa spots the five members of the Country Bears walking over to their reserved table on the other side of the restaurant and immediately calls them. "Ted. Fred. Zeb. Tennessee. Trixie. Over here please."

"Oh, great." David got frustrated.

"Shut it." Elsa snaps back at him before seeing them approach them. "Please tell your king how hurt, upset, and disappointed you are about him for not coming to the Christmas dinner and not being there to hear you perform after the dinner. Go on, tell him."

The five Country Bears looked at Elsa before looking at David with sadness. "We miss you, David." Zeb spoke first.

"We sure do." Tennessee nodded. "Christmas isn't the same without your cheerful energy."

Elsa kept her arms crossed. "Fred?. Ted?. Trixie?."

Fred looked down. "We just wanna say, it's been a blue Christmas without you, David."

Trixie nodded, her eyes sad. "You're always so full of life and ideas. The party felt a little less...magical without you."

Ted scratched the back of his head. "Yeah. The party sucks."

David closes his book and looks at Elsa with a look that isn't happy. "Are you done dragging me in the mud or do you still want to continue it?."

Elsa nodded. "I had to. Maybe this will knock some sense into you. You're pushing everyone away with your secret projects."

"Correction is just one project." David puts his little journal away. "Remy, check please." Remy hands him the check and drops it on the table before getting up. "Pay the bill and go home, Elsa."

"You're not coming home tonight?. Again?!." Elsa is now furious.

"I've told you it's important. And it can't wait." David is getting defensive and gets up.

"Fine, but don't expect any breakfast from me in the morning." Elsa shot back.

"No need. I got a camp stove where I'm going." David walks out before a ball of ice hits the back of his head. "Ouch!." He looks back at her. "Did you literally throw an ice ball at me instead of a snowball?."

Elsa's eyes are burning with anger. "It's what you get for ignoring me!."

David grabs the ice ball and throws it back at her. "Think fast."

Elsa felt the ball hit her nose. "Ouch!."

"Huh, looks like the cold does bother you anyway." David leaves without apologizing.

End of Flashback

Two Weeks prior to unlocking the realm of Ratatouille along with bringing back Remy to the valley, everyone was starting to remember some things of their lives of living in the valley. David spent those two weeks redecorating his new home and removed the old wallpapers and floors, and then switching them with brand-new ones. The wallpapers and floors are Dreamlight themed wallpaper. He changed the fireplace with a nice fireplace to match everything. During his time living in Dreamlight Valley, David loves every second of it as he has no type of bills or rent to pay, let alone getting exactly what he wished for. A place where the overall value is kindness, happiness, and friendship.

Today he headed down to Goofy's stall in Peaceful Meadows to sell the gems and rocks that he had mined in both the plaza and meadow.

"Morning, Mirabel." David spoke when stepping down the last step to enter Peaceful Meadows.

Mirabel looked up from the community garden, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. "Hi, David!. How's the new decorations coming along?."

"Great. Just needed more money to buy new furniture at Scrooge's store. I'm two thousand coins short of getting that nice black cushion couch." David walks over to the stall.

Goofy looked up from his bookkeeping and offered a hearty wave. "Howdy, partner!. Whatcha got for me today?."

"Gems and rocks." David lets out a lot of rocks and a few gems from his bag.

"Gosh, that's a lot of rocks." Goofy chuckled while counting them before giving him the full total of payment to him.

"Thanks, Goofy." David pocketed the coins with a grin, feeling a bit closer to his dream couch. "I've got some extra time today, so I thought I'd help out around the meadow. What needs doing?."

"Well, I was hoping that you could kinda be ready to liberate Dazzle Beach." Goofy points towards that big massive Night Thorned bush.

"Dazzle Beach?." David looks at the huge blockade.

Mirabel nodded. "Dazzle Beach is the only beautiful beach that is the best part of the valley. I remember playing in the cool ocean water with my feet and toes."

David raised his brow. "Really?. Any fun memories you guys mind sharing with me?."

Mirabel's eyes sparkled at the question. "Oh, so many!. It's where I learned to surf. And Goofy here would organize sandcastle building competitions that would go on for days!."

Goofy chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Those were some good times, weren't they?. And the food!. The seafood was out of this world. I could go for some right now."

David likes the idea of the beach as he can't recall going to the nice salty sea waters. The idea of seafood sounded good before deciding to go lift the burden shackles of Dazzle Beach. Facing the edge of the blocked boardwalk steps, he puts his arms out with his hands open. Concentrating, the power of Dreamlight formed in his palms and then threw the energy right towards the Night Thorns as it evaporated in a sweep. Everyone was happy to see the beloved beach reopened. They were about to go enjoy the water but spotted all the patches of night thorns and decided to wait until David clears it all up. David walked down the wooden steps.

He sees tons of patches of night thorns and a bunch of large, medium and small sized hard green debris that looked like it came from the depths of the ocean's waves. He explore around while cleaning the night thorns as he walked on the bridge to reach the other side of the beach where he sees another stall of Goofy's, a separate medium sized sand spot that is close to a huge rock carved with the face of skull, which reminded him of a certain few characters that is associated with that rock. He was about to go clean the next night thorn until he looked on the other side to see a purplish figure with purple aura watching him which made him jump.

"Wow!." David was shocked and surprised to see the figure.

The figure looked furious and displeased to not only see David but also to uplift his night thorns of Dazzle Beach. David gave it a thought as to who this see until it hit him.

"You're the Forgotten." David spoke in awe.

The figure's aura grew stronger, and the air around it began to crackle with energy. It stepped closer, its purple eyes narrowed. He hesitated and decided it isn't the time to interact as he created a darkish purple portal and steps through and closes it while casting a dark hard on something near the rock wall. Without a second thought, he ran to the second entrance to Peaceful Meadows and went to get Merlin who looked a bit forgetful.

"David." Merlin quickly approached. "Whatever happened at the beach, a dark presence ran through and made us forget slowly again."

"I saw a Dark Entity not too long ago." David tells him.

Merlin paused at what was told to him. His brows swift to seriousness. "Come again?."

David nodded, "Yes, a purplish figure. It had an angry aura and it didn't seem happy that I was there. It did something near that rocky section on the far left corner."

"The Forgotten." Merlin choked his cane. "It's him. He's the popular opposite of Dreamlight magic. His magic is Nightmare magic."

"His powers rival my own." David connected the dots.

Merlin nodded gravely. "Indeed, the balance between light and dark is delicate. David, myself and the other villagers are getting worried. Since you have managed to alert the Forgotten of your presence, our memories are starting to get clouded once again. We fear that the Forgetting is trying to work its way back again."

David clenched his fists. "We can't let that happen. We've all worked so hard to get things back in order step by step and to rebuild the valley."

Merlin rubbed his temple. "Oh, what a big magical mess this all is."

"From what I can see from a far distance, The Forgotten have some sort of energy of a dark entity. He... cursed a cave."

Merlin's eyes widened. "Ah, so that's the source of our sudden memory clouding." He got serious. "If we're going to stop the Forgetting from happening again, we must fully understand the situation. The what, the who, and the how!."

David nodded and got serious. "Got it. Where do I start in order to make this happen?."

"Easy, David. My Old Ruler once taught me this. 'There is no such thing as doing things alone. Yes, there will come a time where you have to do things alone, but if the situation isn't overwhelming or difficult to handle then you need help'. Remember, David, every villager including myself is with you."

David took in what Merlin told him. Those were in fact good teaching. "Your Dreamlight King was very wise."

Merlin nodded. "Indeed he was. And speaking of villagers, there is one person in particular that you must find."

David's eyes lit up. "Who's that?."

"It's someone who understands power and magic quite all too well. I hate to seek help from her, but she is my neighbor regardless of her class being a villain." Merlin adjusted his glasses. "It's Ursula, the Sea Witch."

"Ursula?." David tilted his head in pure shock. "Isn't she dead?." Recalling the movie he watched too many times.

"When it comes down to Dreamlight Valley, anything is possible. But, yes, she was once dead, but for whatever reason I forgot, she is alive and well. Something having to do with my king. He did something to save her from death itself." said Merlin.

David took a deep breath, trying to process the information. "Okay, I'll talk to her. Do you even know where she is?."

Merlin nodded. "Yes, I do. The last time I spoke with her was during the later moments of when the Valley fell into chaos, Ursula told me that she is going to try finding a solution to ending the Forgotten and make finding our beloved king as the next priority. She fled to a cave by the sea. Bet this is the exact cave that you mentioned to me since that's the second cave on Dazzle Beach."

"Huh, so she must be in the one that I saw on the north side of the beach getting hexed." said David, before looking back at the entrance to the biome.

Merlin nodded, "Exactly, David. Investigate that cave and find her. If there is one thing that myself and the Old Ruler know about Ursula, it is that she always has secrets she is willing to trade to make a deal."

"Yeah, I know. Fail to pay on time and you'll be a jew edition to her garden." said David, remembering that scene from the movie.

Merlin chuckled a bit. "Just don't make any deals with her unless absolutely necessary. She is cunning. But, if she has information on how to counteract the Nightmare magic, she could be our best bet to restore peace and keep the memories of the villagers intact."

David nodded and was about to head over and carry out the task until Merlin stopped him. He hands him a page. "Another page journal?. Where did you find this?."

Merlin strokes his long white beard. "It was very odd. It was in my house inside my telescope. I tried to look at the stars from my window but couldn't see through the other end. I found it there in the big lens. I can't read what it says as I don't understand or know this writing. Everyone tells me that you're been collecting them and are able to read them."

"I do. Wish me luck." David walks off and returns to Dazzle Beach to be alone to read what the Old Ruler wrote.

'I always consult with my counsel of all magic when something has to do with magic or anything related to it before taking action against the situation. I handpicked them myself.

Merlin, Ursula, Maleficent, Maui, Jafar, Yzma, Evil Queen, Fairy Godmother, Hades, Mother Gothel and good old Dr. Facilier. All eleven individuals assisted me as my personal advisors before making important decisions regarding magical situations. After all they have their wild and questionable experiences. They often tell me to trust my own judgement as they will always support them, which I can say that is truly a strong trust that they have in me.

However, this time around, I'm going fully independent and not seeking their council in my experiment. No, this magic is personal for me. Yes, I am looking forward to seeing those results.'

"Gosh, this ruler is something else." David summoned the book to place the new page in with its siblings before putting it away.

He walks further to where the cave is located and once again sees another page slightly sticking out of the sand. "Two in one day. What a bonus." He carefully digs it out and reads it.

'I had a slight falling out with Elsa at Chez Remy. I know I have been avoiding everyone and my duties as their king, but this experiment of mine needs my full complete attention regardless of the upsetness from everyone.

Last night I went to sleep under a nice palm tree, since I wasn't in the mood to hear my wife's mouth and yapping my ear off. When I woke up this morning at day break before everyone awakes up, I couldn't move. Purple vines had grown around and over me. Their thorns cut me with no sympathy, but they could not cut me enough away to stop further in my research.

Turns out, the cause and source of all this was the Night Shard that I had in my hand and went to sleep with. It was a gain of knowledge as the shard was reacting to my calm dreaming sleep and responded in making these sticky annoying thorns. Luckily, the thorn's weakness so far is my Dreamlight magic once I freed myself. I saved one piece of it and will take it to my secret lab to see what other weaknesses it can't stand other than my Dreamlight.

I have to go anyway to go eat since I know my wife would keep her word about not making me breakfast. I know that she and everyone else would not guess the fact that I'm not attending the New Year's Festival this time because I won't. Don't know if this Night Shard is building my mind in ambition in seeing this through or is it my thirst of curiosity being unquenchable?. Is it both?. If so, then I've just become its willing servant.'

David read the whole thing and what came out of his mouth wasn't about the Dreamlight King's discovery or him creating a council of magic, but instead it was the other thing that bothered him.

"Ah, man, he married Elsa. Darn it. That's my sweetheart crush." David kicked the sand in upsetness. "Damn. The Old Ruler beat me to the punch." David spoke to himself before resuming to do his mission.

Chapter Text

Somewhere unreachable and unknown about its existence stood a dark and twisted version of Dreamlight. Its surroundings were blocked by extremely thick black night thorns, only access was a dead wishing well that isn't active and the pathway to the polar opposite of Dreamlight Castle. Nightmare Castle. A castle that is gloomy, dark, unfriendly, unwelcoming, unhappy, and most of all nightmarish. This is the place where only one individual that lives in it let alone created it. The one that shaped Dreamlight Valley into his idea and image. The Forgotten.

Forgotten, coming through his portal from Dazzle Beach, is furious and disbelieving of how his plagued misery is being undone by only one individual that shouldn't be there. He made sure of that since the day he was born. The Forgotten, having a short beard and fresh haircut and wearing a royal nightmarish purple-black fur coat, boots and a purple crown that is the opposite of the Dreamlight King’s crown, headed to his castle and made his way to the entrance. He was immediately welcomed by his two manipulated and brainwashed servant teenagers.

“Welcome home, Master Forgotten.” Roxanne stepped up and did a curtsy with her maid outfit.

“Master Forgotten.” Max bowed midway in his butler attire. “Welcome home.”

Forgotten he looks at them for a second and then growls. “Not now!.” he spoke in his echo voice.

Roxanne, whose eyes were a shade of purple due to her mind having given up its will forcibly by The Forgotten, steps back in fear. "Is something troubling you, Master?."

"You have no idea." Forgotten walked down to reach the room he desired to go with the two following him.

Forgotten entered the corrupted version of the hall of realms, where each single door is inactive and leads to nowhere except for a short few doors that reach the main floor. The area is in shambles just the way he likes it. He steps down to the first level of the doors and goes to the left door that leads him to the massive room where he seeks his council from one person that not only provides him some twisted wisdom, but also provides him endless depression, miserable, and gloomy music. Standing before him stood a massive live pipe organ with his face that screamed 'CGI'. This individual was once the Maestro of the Beast's castle and later on met a self demise end. But the Forgotten had revived him but cut his powers of illusions and just had him play music and speak.

"Forte." Forgotten spoke to the living pipe organ. "Play me something very gloomy to help drown out my gloom."

Forte, with his usual lack of enthusiasm, began to play a mournful melody that echoed through the hollow halls of Nightmare Castle. The notes were deep and haunting, a perfect reflection of the Forgotten's current mood and character.

Roxanne dusted his night thorny themed throne chair. "Hear, Master, have a seat."

Forgotten sat down with a thud, the chair groaning under his weight. He looks at her. "Bring me a cup of dark tea. Put a stone in it."

Roxanne nodded and quickly disappeared through a side door, her footsteps fading down the corridor. Max remained, his eyes flicking from the floor to the Forgotten, unsure of what to do or say.

"Max?." Forgotten looks at the only child of Goofy.

"Yes, Master Forgotten?." Max responds with trepidation.

"Make me a bowl of gruel. The bitter the better." Forgotten ordered him.

Max nodded, trying to keep his tremble in check, and went to the kitchen to prepare the meal. He knew better than to argue with his master when he was in a foul mood even though it's the very first time this is happening. Forte sees that something is most definitely bothering his new master and goes to try to break the tension.

"Is my music helping, Master?." Forte looks at him with the attitude of a confidant.

"Indeed it does, Forte." Forgotten spoke while eyeing the former human. "I'm distressed."

Forte paused his tune, his facial pipes moving slightly as he spoke. "What troubles you, my lord?."

Forgotten growled at saying it. "Him."

Forte's eyes lit up in understanding. "Ah, I see." He looks to the right. "He had returned. What a surprise."

"Somehow, he did it. Despite me removing his memories in order to keep him from ever knowing how to return or use his powers, he still manages to make his way back to Dreamlight Valley." said Forgotten.

"Hmmm, David." Forte disliked the child at heart and lovable king of Dreamlight Valley. "He's no threat to you. As long as his memories remain as they are, you have nothing to worry about."

"Nothing to worry about?." Forgotten glares at him. "He found the Royal Tools that I personally hid them away. He freed both Peaceful Meadows and Dazzle Beach, and most of all he is both bringing back and helping regain the villagers' memories. Let alone he freed and restored the Pillar of Friendship."

Forte's eyes widened slightly. "Ah, yes, the tools. A bit of a setback, but hardly insurmountable."

"It doesn't take this long for me to get my tea and food!." Forgotten yelled out for Roxanne and Max to hear.

The two servants rushed back into the room, Roxanne holding a tray with a steaming cup of tea and a small stone, Max carrying a wooden bowl filled with thick, lumpy gruel. They set the items down on a table next to the throne, bowing their heads in submission. Forgotten dropped the stone in the tea and grabs the cup to sip on it.

"Very satisfying, Roxanne." Forgotten continued sipping.

Roxanne nodded, "Thank you, Master."

He takes a bite of his gruel. "Flavorless. Bad. Just how I love it. Good work, Max."

"Happy that it satisfies you, Master." Max nodded.

Forgotten takes off his Onyx crown and hands it to Roxanne. "Make yourself useful and shine my crown."

Roxanne took it with trembling hands, her eyes wide with fear. "Right away, Master." She took out a black handkerchief and went to polish it.

"Spit shine it." Forgotten tells her before resuming his drinking.

Roxanne nods quickly, retreating to a corner where she can focus on her task without disturbing his thoughts. Forgotten rubbed his chin before finishing his meal.

"Master, may I say my peace?." Forte waited for the approval.

Forgotten nodded. "Speak."

"Let's not forget that you took his memories and had no clue how to tap into his Dreamlight magic. You hid the orb of the Pillar of Remembrance in the Dreamscape and where your polar opposite's memories remain. No one knows that either of the two is there, so we still have the advantage on our side." spoke Forte, with an evil smirk.

"True. However, he always finds a way. There's two individuals that I personally locked away who still have their memories with their king and the valley itself and neighbors before I was born. One tried to trap me in her willow house and the other tried to duped me into believing he was on my side, and even go as far as to negotiate with me letting him have Dreamlight Valley. Them and all the villains are extremely too loyal to him and would do whatever it takes to help in regaining his memories and restoring their beloved neighborhood." said Forgotten, remembering the two villains that tried to play hero.

Forte gave a nod. "Indeed. As long as they are kept away from David, you can still continue your devious plot."

"Yes..." Forgotten started to think about another individual. Someone who isn't a villain and much more than just a goody in the hero faction. "That is if he dares to open his favorite realm of them all."

Max looked up, about to go make another bowl of gruel this time adding rotten clams, asked. "Master, what do you mean by that?."

Forgotten looks at Max with his eyes glowing hard in purple. "The only realm that he personally values and loves. The Frozen realm. The one person he married made as his queen."

Max's eyes went wide with realization. "You mean Queen Elsa?."

"The very one," Forgotten said with a sneer. "If he dares to step foot into her realm again and they see each other face to face, then that would mostly differently ignite David's memories. The sweet romantic love they have for each other and the memories they have made together, would guarantee to jog David's memories back. If not, then it might make him think that he isn't just a plain neighbor who got lucky in teleporting himself to the Valley."

Roxanne, who was done spit polishing every inch of the crown, walked over to her boyfriend and ruler. "Master, I'm sure that you ensure to it that you did give a triple dose of the forgetting down on Elsa and her sister to have them forget everything about Dreamlight Valley and their lives there. In fact, they are to this day still clueless as to what they're supposed to be doing or why they are in the Enchanted Forest."

Forgotten slouched in his chair. "I did that because I had a feeling that the sisters were going to be an issue. Mostly the eldest sister. I even made sure to upset the environment of the Enchanted Forest to have them be forever stuck there."

Forte's music grew a tad bit more sinister. "Ah, yes. The loving bond of sisters is a strong one, but romantic love is even stronger. But fear not, my lord. I'm sure you're quick and clever in thinking of taking the necessary precautions to ensure that the Queen of Dreamlight Valley remains... out of the picture. So why worry now?."

"The second part of the prophecy." Forgotten grabs his crown and puts it on. "It's finally coming to a fulfillment. I waited for years for this day to defeat or prevent the hero from ever undoing what has been done. But I never expected or imagined it would be the one who kickstand the first part of the prophecy. My other half. Grrrr...David."

The room grew colder as his anger spiked, the flames in the fireplace flickering and dying out slightly. Roxanne and Max looked at each other nervously. They knew better than to interrupt their master when he was bothered. Forte stopped playing as Forgotten's anger isn't to provoke by anything including the sound of music. Forgotten knows within his dark self that he is afraid. Afraid to fail. Afraid to lose against the real David. He did everything to keep him to remain in his realm of the real world, by giving him employment under an ungrateful boss while having a run down apartment in the smack center of an awful neighborhood, and a landlord who isn't kind enough to let you skip rent to make ends meet.

"I put him in a situation where there is no hope, no kindness, no happiness, no love. Nothing but the nature of the cold cruel world. Yet, he still finds his way back." Forgotten mumbled under his breath.

Roxanne looked at him with fearful eyes. "What should we do, master?."

"You just resume your chemistry on what I have ordered you to do in the next phase of my work. Before you do, get on your knees and spit shine my boots. NOW!." roared Forgotten.

Max sees how tired and overworked Roxanne's hands are to the point he can see the skin of the back of her fingers peeling. "Master, please, let me..."

"No, I want Roxanne, not you, boy!." Forgotten snaps back. "Hurry up, maid!."

Roxanne's eyes widened even more, and she dropped the handkerchief, her hands shaking as she bent down to spit shine his boots. Max stepped back and bowed before leaving to go make another helping of food. Forgotten ordered Forte to resume playing before finishing his tea.

"Master, can I have some water?." Roxanne looks up at him with her dry crusted lips. "I'm parched. I can't produce any spit."

Forgotten sneers at her. "Very well." He snaps his fingers and a glass of water appears in her hand.

Roxanne takes a sip of her drink but quickly spits it out. "It's filth water." She looks at it closer. "I can see dirt and unknown particles in the water."

Forgotten's eyes narrowed at her. "You dare to complain about my generosity?."

Roxanne cowered. "I-I'm sorry, Master. I didn't mean it that way."

"Then drink. Get back to shining. And Shut Up!." Forgotten spoke.

Roxanne took a deep breath and sipped the dirty water, forcing herself to swallow it down. She knew better than to argue with her master. "Thank you for the wa..."

"I said shut up!." Forgotten used his Nightmare magic and shocked her.

Roxanne's body jolted with the dark electricity that crackled through the air. She bit her lip to stifle a scream, eyes watering as she cautiously took another sip of the murky water. The taste was worse than she imagined, but she knew better than to argue with Forgotten again when he was in such a foul mood. She began to spit shine his boots again, her hands trembling slightly.

Chapter Text

David stood face to face with the blocked shield that covers the cave that is in fact cursed. Looking at it with a wonder of how he is going to uplift it and if he is able to go through it. Getting closer, he took his foot out to go touch it to only find out it went through.

“Interesting.” David told himself before pulling his foot back.

“Hi, David!.”

David jumps back in utter scare surprise of hearing a voice coming from nowhere but then sees Vanellope pop out of nowhere. “Dang, V Sweets, you almost gave me a heart attack!.”

Vanellope couldn't help but to laugh at what she did. “Sorry, I just wanted to check in on you before playing in the water and sand.”

David calmed himself. “Just checking this barrier out.” He looks back at it. “It for whatever reason allowed my foot to go through. I'm curious. Try going through it."

Vanellope looks at the thing for a second before shrugs. "Sure." She tries to go through but the barrier isn't letting her in. "That's bonkers!."

David rubbed his shaved chin. "That's very weird. It allowed me to go through but not you."

Vanellope pondered for a moment. "Maybe it's because it might know you."

"Know me?." David made a doubt noise with his mouth doubtful.

"Well, you're the hero of this valley after all," Vanellope said with a playful nudge. "Maybe it recognizes your heroic aura!."

"Who knows." David looks back at it. "If Ursula is in there then I must enter. Wish me luck."

Vanellope nods, her smile fading to a look of concern. "Be careful, David. Remember, we don't know what's on the other side."

"Noted." David makes his way inside. The inside was a short tunnel until reaching the end.

There he sees the inner side of the cave looking like it was once part of the ocean floor based on the tons of corals, ocean plants, the ocean sea smell with a little ocean water. He looks around to see clams and oysters as well before catching eye on what was in the small water. The Sea Witch herself who had her back turned to him. Probably didn't notice the noise of his footsteps or his presence there. He walked up and spoke.

"Hello, Ursula." David got her attention.

Ursula turns and looks at David and ponders with a tap of her cheek. Looking curious. "Huh. And here I thought I knew everyone in the village. Who are you, angelfish?."

David smiled. "I'm David."

Ursula raised an eyebrow. "Are you the one who trapped me here?. Leaving me to waste away, wretched and alone?."

"What?. No. No, I'm not the one who did that to you. I bet it's the Forgotten that did this to you."

Ursula's expression sharpened as she leaned closer to him, her tentacles coiling in anticipation. "The Forgotten, you say? That explains it. Yes...Yes, I kinda remember what had happened to me here in my little laboratory. Not everything but little. I have been trapped in this cave for so long and those night thorns have been radiating through this cave. My memories are foggy and easily hard to remember."

"Oh, you poor thing." David showed real sympathy that made Ursula happy.

"Thank you for your kindness, David. It's been so long since I've had anyone to talk to who actually showed me some compassion." Ursula looks at him closer. "Hmmm...if you are here, then you must possess great magic if you got yourself through the cave's entrance."

"As a matter of fact, I do have magic." David nods. "I have the power of Dreamlight."

"Dreamlight?." something crossed Ursula's mind. "Dreamlight. Yes, I remember that. A magic that is special. Unique. Something that is impossible to have since it is a destiny kind of thing. There was only one person that wielded that magic. My Old Ruler. Oh, he was the kindest person that I ever encountered. So much that he sometimes tempt me into taking an advantage of."

David nodded. "Well, I'm here to help. To restore the Dreamlight and fix the mess the Forgotten made."

Ursula rubs her double chin in ponder until it is solved. "So the prophecy has finally been fulfilled." She looks back at him. "If you can get in, then that means you can also get out."

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Merlin sent me to find you." David explained further.

Ursula sighs. "Oh, that old windbag being neighborly. That's a good trusted neighbor. In that case, what do you say, dearie?. Will you help your jew friend Ursula out of this cave?."

"That's the plan. The problem is how to get you out." David takes a good look around the place. "This cave looks very romantic."

Ursula chuckles. "It's not all sunken treasures and mermaid kisses, I assure you. But yes. Now, about freeing me."

"Yes. Let's start there. Tell me about the pillar of this Biome." said David.

"Very well. My memory is slowly coming back to me. "Before the Forgotten and the Great Forgetting happened, the Pillar of Power protected Dazzle Beach from cursed and evil magic. But as soon as the Forgotten began his evil reign and his powers of the Forgetting took effect, a starfish informed me that the Forgotten had stolen the orb from its pillar and saw him enter this cave on the beach. It was odd that it would be in the place where I do my 'non-shady spells', but I was just dying to help my neighbors and village since my experiments aren't giving me results in stopping the Forgotten or finding a way to bring back our king. So I started to search this exact cave to try and find it." said Ursula, having a look of defeat.

"I guess you didn't find it." David spoke while listening.

"No, I did not," Ursula admitted with a hint of embarrassment. "One thing led to another, I'm stuck here. But you, you have the magic of Dreamlight. Perhaps you could do what I could not?."

"Of course. Since you have been in this cave for some time, then it's safe to say that the orb isn't in this cave but in another cave. I think that starfish duped you." said David.

Ursula's eyes widened. "Oh, the little sneak!. It's a good thing I didn't turn him into a necklace. Now, I should know better than to take information from a starfish. Especially that starfish that had a purplish aura. Hmmm, must be one of the Forgotten's tricks in luring me here. I now recall him taking my necklace that held me in human form and crushed it. Thus, turning me back to my original beautiful self."

"Well, let's not focus on that right now," David said with a comforting smile. "We need to find that orb and get you out of here. Do you know anything about another cave?."

"In fact I do. This cave is where myself and my fellow council members of magic come together and have our meetings with the king on every Wednesday. It was he who chose that cave as our meeting spot. I recall him saying that we needed a place that is private, secret, and a bit ancient. Here, I have a personal key to unlock the cave. Our king gave us each one in case one of us is nearby and would like to open the door first and get the meeting ready. He calls it the Crystal Key. To this day he still hasn't told us about the ancient stones or where these Crystal Keys originated from." said Ursula before reaching and pulling out a hand sized crystal from her bosom.

"Uh, thanks." David is hesitant to grab it that was from the Sea Witch's bosom.

Ursula laughs at his discomfort before tossing the key at him. "Don't worry, it's not booby-trapped. Now, off you go...oh, and take this as well. I found it when I got trapped here. Throughout this time, I still haven't understood the writing on it."

David thankfully sees that Ursula hands him a bottle with the paper inside and not in her bosom. "It's another journal page." He takes it out of the bottle and reads what the Old Ruler has written down.

'Despite helping her in making a brand new magic necklace to help regain human form so she could enjoy the valley better, and get involved or be part of the annual parties or festivities, Ursula still wants to live in her house on the beach. Just like Ariel, Eric, Donald, Maui, and Moana. The ocean is both a second home and an obsession.

I can't blame them. Dazzle Beach is my favorite Biome of my kingdom. The nice warm sand, the cool water, the best fishing spot, Elsa’s sweet bikini-Er, I mean the nice view of Skull Rock. The soil of sand is something that most people don't rely on when it comes to growing things. For me, I'm starting to consider using the beach’s sand as a potential final move in my experiment. Don't know yet, but it's on the maybe list. Though I have to do it at night when everyone is asleep since Ursula was concerned about me not attending the meeting sessions with the council of magic. Which is that we do our meetings every Wednesday around nightfall.

Sometimes if it's an emergency we have to do it in the daytime. I assured Ursula that I would not miss next Wednesday’s meeting and quickly made my exit before she went and asked what I'm doing. And here I and everyone thinks that Daisy was the Valley’s nosey busybody neighbor.'

David summoned the book to put this page in with the others while leaving the cave. He came out to see Vanellope still in the same spot as he left here. "You are sensitive. You're still waiting for me and haven't played in the water or sand yet."

Vanellope's eyes lit up with excitement. "I know, right? I couldn't leave without knowing what you found!. Did you find what you are looking for?."

David nodded, pocketing the Crystal Key. "Yes, but it's not what we expected as the main result. I'm referring to myself and Ursula. I need to find another cave, where the orb that belongs to the Pillar of Power is."

Vanellope looked at him, her eyes wide with excitement. "Oooh, a quest!. That sounds like a blast!. Can I come with you?."

David gave it a quick thought. "Hmm, sure, come and tag along with me."

Vanellope did her signature dance before walking beside David. The two walked everywhere on Dazzle Beach to find the second cave but no luck. All they did find was a broken raft and a wooden raft paddle by the short far small island that is close to Skull Rock. It was odd and curious but it has to be put on hold for now as finding the orb is the top priority. Vanellope did her fair share in finding the second cave but no luck until spotting that flat carved stone structure on the rocky wall surrounded in nice short grass and palm trees.

David leads the way to see a big piece of Atlantean stone statue sitting there and then sees a carved stone pedestal right there at six feet from the stone wall itself. David is now thinking about the term Crystal Key which he pulls it out from his pocket to look at it closer. It was displaying energy within itself but not too much of it. It made him realize what he has in the palm of his hand.

"No way." He says in awe.

Vanellope looks over his shoulder. "What is it?".

David looks at her and then back at the crystal. "This is an actual Atlantean crystal."

Vanellope's eyes sparkle with excitement. "Wow, really?. What's Atlantean?. Also what does it do?."

"A lot of stuff. Like power stoned statues, a car made of stone, or healing any wounds no matter how serious they are." David recalled from the Atlantis movie.

"What's that got to do with this cave and the Pillar of Power?". Vanellope is curious.

"It means, Vanellope, that this crystal is also both a key and a power source in opening the wall." David went over to the pedestal and set the crystal on top.

At that moment the whole pedestal started to light up in light blue while the crystal itself was hovering on its pedestal. As expected, the stone wall opens itself up and reveals the second cave they were searching for. The two high fived each other before entering the cool cave that looked almost identical to the cage Ursula was in , except this one was massive. The entire cave is built on ancient Atlantean themed culture as there was a giant carved face that isn't hard to spot.

"Wow, look at this place!." Vanellope glitched herself over to the open part to look down. "Hey, come look how deep this is!."

David went over and looked down with a nod. "It's like looking into the abyss of the sea itself." He took a deep breath. "But we're not here to sightsee. We need to find that orb."

David walks down to the smooth clear water free ocean floor to find the first level of the cave having three large statues in each spot of the small floor with their hands out and having a small gem as part of their necklace with each of them having different colors. What stood out was the entrance being blocked from the source of Atlantean energy. David knew better than to dare to touch pure energy and didn't want to end up exactly how Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke did from the movie. Vanellope, who is looking at a small stone with an unknown symbol above the written words that she doesn't understand, called David over to see if he can make out what it reads.

"Provide the gem that matches best to continue on your hero's quest." David reads.

Vanellope looks at the glowing inscription with excitement. "Maybe it's a puzzle!."

David shook his head. "No." He looks at the statues. "It has to do something with these statues."

Vanellope nodded. "You think we need to find the gems that match the statues?."

"Looks like it." David looks at the one that is glowing green. "This one is a peridot." He went over to the one with a glow of red. "The second one needs a garnet." He went over to the third one to see it has an ocean-like color. "And the last one needs an aquamarine gem."

They both searched outside the cave to mine what they needed to move forward. In due time they managed to find them. David places the peridot first. "Here's the first one." He places it in the statue's hand and the gem glows brighter.

Vanellope finds the garnet that she found not too long ago in her house and runs over to the second statue. "Here you go, big guy!." She says cheerfully as she places it. The garnet glows with a fiery light along with the statue.

David nods with satisfaction before turning to the last statue, which requires the aquamarine. He looks at the stone and the glowing inscription above it. "This one should be interesting." He says as he places the aquamarine into the statue's hand. The gem glows with a cool blue light, matching the color of the water outside.

The blocked energy that blocked the door has lifted and made them walk through to see three more statues. David sees another written slab and reads for himself and Vanellope to hear.

"Discover the right crops to grow to continue on below. One is underground, the other gold and brown. What remains is red and round." said David.

"Ah, man, it's a riddle." Vanellope pouted. "I hate riddles!."

David chuckled at her reaction. "Don't worry, I got this." He studied the riddle for a moment. "So we need to find a crop that fits this description. I think I know what it is asking."

Without a moment sooner he went to pull out from his bag with seeds of carrots, wheats, and tomatoes and planted each single one under each statue before using his magical watering can to have it watered. It took some time which Vanellope could not tolerate as she bid David a day and went to do what she had planned to do on the beach. David waited patiently for the crops to grow fully. Once the minutes were up he went to harvest them and walked through the second entrance and found a very nice built camp cooking stove and saw another slab and read it.

"The Final riddle, let it be known. To cook and eat what you have grown." David went over to the camp stove as the magical pot appeared. "Got it."

Dropping the crops that he grew in the cave and adding two basil, he catches a plate of fresh veggie pasta and happily pulls out a fork from his invisible bag and goes eating it slowly while the third door is free from its blockage. He took his time walking down to the final floor while eating his food to find the area in front of him with a deep puddle of water and three round stones while everything surrounding it was filled with debris. Something was once there. Something that caused David to once again have another foggy memory.

Flashback

David was at the every Wednesday meeting with his council as he misses the last one and tries to make this one up with tonight's meeting but he couldn't pay attention nor stay focused on what is being said at the long table that is on a nice stone structure that looked like it was meant for it.

David pondered in thought without realizing that they were waiting for his response to what the conversation they were having. It upset all eleven of them.

"You see?. He's even doing it here." Yzma frowns at the sight of her king not listening to them.

Evil Queen nods in distaste. "It's obvious that he didn't hear a single word about what tonight's subject is."

Ursula, who is in her human form, set her cup of coffee down. She frowned. "It's bad enough that he skipped last week's meeting, but dares to daze off tonight is really getting to me."

Maleficent, who sat close to David, raises her staff and slams it down to get his attention which works as she frowned like the others.

"Wow, what?!. Who?!." David looked around. "Uh, is it my turn to speak?."

The room of council members sighed collectively. "Yes, your highness," said the Fairy Godmother, who was keeping minutes of the meeting. "We are discussing your neglect."

"My neglect?." David was offended. "I'm not neglecting anything."

Hades rubbed his temple. "Aye, you are, David. We all know. The prime example is your wife."

David looked around, confused. "My wife?. Oh, man, did Elsa put you guys up in giving me this talk. We're supposed to be talking about something to do with magic. Not my married life."

"It's more than your marriage life, it's everything." Jafar spoke up while holding his cobra staff.

"I couldn't agree more." Dr. Facilier spoke while playing with his fortune cards. "We all have been feeling your neglected attitude in the valley. You stop spending time with any of us and never bother to have dinner at the New Year's festival."

Gothel ate her apple. "Not to mention you mistreated your own wife by throwing that same ice ball at her face. I had to reposition her nose despite her squirming while making her tilt her head back."

"In my defense she started." David got slapped hard in the back by Maui. "Ow!."

"Hey, I don't care who started, but it isn't cool to throw something solid at your own wife. Yeah, me and Moana argue every now and then, but you don't see me whacking her with my hook." argued Maui.

David rubbed his back. "Okay okay, I'll admit I was wrong. But that doesn't mean you guys can jump on me like sharks."

Merlin adjusted his glasses. "We all have been curious as to what you are writing in that book of yours. One thing I do know is that it isn't a diary."

"That information is between me. Myself. And I." David responded and got up. "This meeting is over."

"But David," The Fairy Godmother called after him. "You can't keep shutting us out."

David pulls his chair back in. "It did wonders with my wife towards her own sister."

The room grew eerily quiet for a moment before the council members looked at each other in shock.

"That's low even for you." Maleficent spoke in disgust.

"Hey, she's an adult. She's the one that purposely robbed her own childhood, which I have to be the person that I am and gave her a second childhood by doing all the things she missed out on." David spoke before making his way out but was grabbed by the arm. "Let me go, Maleficent."

Maleficent glared at him. "You're the king, you can't just go off without telling us where you are going."

"I can and I will." David pulls his arm off from her grip. "Goodnight, everyone."

The council members watch as he storms off into the night.

End of Flashback

David managed to fish out the orb from the waters with the royal fishing rod and made his way back outside and returned it into its pillar. Just like what happened to the pillar in Peaceful Meadows when the orb is reunited with its pedestal, the Pillar of Power bursted its energy all around Dazzle Beach breaking every curse and any evil energy lurking around. The cave that Ursula was in had finally been lifted as she came out from the cave through the water channels and pulled up in the spot of the ocean. She laughed her signature laugh in pure happiness.

"You did it!. I'm free!." Ursula spoke before seeing Merlin walking up to her. "Windbag?."

"Witch." Merlin can't fight the smile on his face at seeing his old friend. "We have a lot of work to do in restoring our beloved Valley and finally give the fight to the Forgotten."

Ursula looks around, her eyes shimmering with newfound hope. "Indeed we do. But before we jump into that, I believe we need to get my house back in order."

"Indeed." Merlin nodded.

David walks over to the wreckage of the raft to examine any clues as to who was on it. Instead he sees another page and picks up to read what the Old Ruler has written this time.

'The Mysterious Cave. My favorite part about Dazzle Beach is the place that not only holds meetings with my council but it is where I discovered Atlantean alphabets and numbers, and also the written drawing. When I first discovered Dreamlight Valley and went to explore every inch of each Biome, I discovered the alphabet table of Atlantis.

Now, at first I wasn't so sure what they were until I looked closely to see each symbol has a big and lower symbol. Meaning that it is an uppercase and lowercase letter. Learning the ABCs version of Atlantis, let alone speaking the language and writing it was tricky at first and a lot harder than learning Spanish, but it was extremely easy to learn and I can say that this knowledge of learning came in handy in writing the Atlantean language in this journal to prevent what I'm writing.

As for the written drawing that I discovered on the wall. It was the written prophecy about that dark will one day consume the light and that a hero with the powers of Dreamlight would stop the darkness. Now, I have been ruling my kingdom for years and have yet to see that day come. Or…based on what I'm doing with my research…do I play a part in dooming the valley?.'

Days went on after restoring Dazzle Beach's pillar and freeing Ursula from her imprisonment, every villager enjoyed the beach and what the Biome had to offer. David was enjoying water and sand with Mirabel and Wall-E while enjoying the fishing with Goofy who was happy to run his second stall of the Valley. They all had only one issue which is the multiple debris that they all agreed to call it the Sea Debris. David tries to break it down with the magical pickaxe but it refuses to break.

Ursula tells him that her king's magical tools needed an upgrade. She was happy to help but unfortunately it was beyond her knowledge on how to make it happen. Then there was the broken raft which Goofy helped him repair through collecting thirty hardwood sticks, seven ropes, twenty-five clays, and ten iron ingots. Getting these items was half easy and half difficult. Since having access to the beach, he can fish out seaweed to produce the fiber to make the ropes. But getting tons of hardwood and clay wasn't easy, especially where to find the sources in the valley. Took him a while but he finally got the materials that Goofy needed. Currently, the raft is finally repaired and ready to set sail.

"Great work, Goof." David spoke with joy.

The raft looked sturdy and seaworthy. Goofy grinned back at him. "Thanks, David. Couldn't have done it without you."

David rubbed his hands together. "Now, I can go see who took this raft and find that individual."

Mirabel looked up at him with curiosity. "I'm curious as well. Wish you luck."

"Thanks." David took a step on the repaired raft but hesitated in getting on.

Mirabel noticed his uncertainty and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You'll find them, David. I believe in you."

"It's not that. It is that I don't know where I'm going or how to make my way back. I'm not an expert on the ocean." David spoke in honesty.

Mirabel nodded, understanding his concern. "Well I do remember one particular neighbor that knows her way in the ocean."

David's eyes lit up. "You mean Moana?."

Mirabel nodded. "Yes. She might be able to help you navigate the waters and avoid any trouble."

David looks over at the sea debris and figures out who can help him. "If Ursula is unable to help upgrade the pickaxe, then I know a certain demigod that will." He looks at the two. "Guys, I'll be back. Going to Dreamlight Castle and going to bring those two back to the valley."

"Tell Moana and Maui that I said hi!." Mirabel spoke in cheerfulness.

"That's if they still remember anything about their neighbors and this valley." David went over to the wishing well and teleported himself to the Plaza.

Goofy looks at Mirabel. "I still wonder who rode this raft."

Mirabel shrugs. "It's a mystery waiting to be solved. Let's hope Moana and Maui have some answers when David finds them in their relam."

Chapter Text

David made his way back to the Hall of Realms in looking forward to opening the door in the center with the can't describe symbol, but one thing is for certain is that it symbolizes Moana and Maui’s realm. Without wasting any time in removing the thorns, he opens and enters inside the realm which takes him to a nice size sandy island surrounded by a nice body of ocean water. Palm trees looked beautiful with their fruits of bananas and coconuts that looked like they were perfect for picking.

“This is a good place to have a vacation.” David commented in awe while slowly walking to find any signs of Moana and Maui or anything.

Taking in that nice salty aura that the ocean is giving off while enjoying the sight of the waves repeatedly going to the shore and returning back to the ocean just to repeat itself again. He made his way to the other side of the island and spotted a very familiar large boat with the sail having that same exact symbol. Feeling excited, David started jogging his way closer to that boat but then stopped right after hearing an argument. He looks to see two figures that stood feet away from that boat itself. One figure being a beautiful Hawaiian woman in Hawaiian attire with no shoes or socks and having long black hair, while the second figure being a big Hawaiian male with multiple tattoos, a necklace, black long hair, and carrying a big object that looked like a fishhook on his shoulder. It is them.

“Moana. Maui.” the words came out of David's mouth as he was in awe in seeing them.

Seeing the two looking upset with each other, David decided to quietly hide behind a nice sized smooth boulder and peeked his head up a little to not only hear better but also see. The confrontation was different compared to watching their movie. They were arguing more like a married couple than as friends. Not making a sound. David stayed quiet and watched the confrontation between the island princess and the self praising Demigod.

"I really don't know who to hate between you or your irritating ego." Moana crosses her arms and has a frowned facial expression.

Maui rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in exasperation. "My ego saved you and your precious island, princess!. And now you're just going to toss me aside like a piece of rotten fruit?. Typical mortal. Always ungrateful." His voice boomed across the beach, echoing through the palm trees and causing a flock of birds to take flight.

"Correction, I'm a Demigoddess, remember?." Moana spoke back.

"No, I haven't. But I prefer calling you the old ball and chain." Maui smirks at his insult.

David's eyes widened as he realized he might have stumbled upon something important, something he wasn't meant to see. He held his breath, hoping the sound of the waves would cover his heart's hammering. The tension was palpable, even from his hiding spot. He could see Moana's jaw clench and her eyes flash with anger.

"You know what?. For such a big strong shape-shifting Demigod with endless victories and accomplishments, you aren't able to learn how to swim or float. If you did then you haven't been sitting on your butt for the last thousand years on an island hoping that a raft would wash ashore." Moana points her index finger at him in a sassy way. "And if it wasn't for me and the help of the ocean to find you, you would still be on that island working on waiting another thousand years. So, you're welcome."

Maui's smirk faded, and he looked slightly taken aback. "I can swim!." He protested.

"Yeah, like a rock." Moana shot back again.

"Well...Well...if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't even learn how to operate a boat, so there!." Maui got sand kicked at his bare chest. "Really?. You're kicking sand at me?. That's very mature of you."

Moana rolled her eyes and turned away from him, her hands on her hips. "Look, Maui. We need to work together to get off this island. We have a job to do, remember?."

"Well, now, it's your problem." Maui turns and walks off.

Moana looks and watches him walk away. "Hey, where do you think you're going?!."

Maui answered while having his back turned. "Far, Far, Away, from the nagging, nagger."

"Well, find!. Be that way!." Moana put her hands on her hips. "I can get it done without you and when I get my boat fixed, you will be crawling back to me and apologize!."

She watches him walk further away as her bold facial expression dropped to worry as she was bluffing about. "Please."

After seeing that confrontation finally ended, David slowly gets up from hiding and carefully walks up to a saddened Moana who didn't pay attention to the noise of his feet walking on sand. Being six feet apart from each other, David thought it was the only thing to get her attention. He coughed.

"Ahem!." David spoke through his fake cough which made Moana jump in fear. He had his hands out to show no threat. "Wow, Wow!. Calm down. I'm friendly."

Moana's hand went to her chest and she took a deep breath, her heart racing. She looks at David, his face looking very familiar. "H...Have we...met before?".

David has been getting something similar like this with Vanellope. "No. We have never met before until today."

Moana studied David with a puzzled look. "But you look like...never mind." She took a step closer, curiosity getting the best of her. "I'm Moana of Motunui."

David extended his hand. "I'm David. I come from a place called Dreamlight Valley."

"Dreamlight Valley?." Monana started to scratch her head. "That name. It sounds familiar."

David nodded eagerly. "You guys have been there.You guys once lived there before The Forgetting."

Moana's eyes widened in realization. "The Forgetting... Yes, I remember something about forgetting. My memory is foggy on that subject."

"Don't try to think too hard. I don't want you to have a headache because I don't have any Advil or Tylenol." said David.

Moana chuckled slightly at David's attempt to lighten the mood, but her face was confused. "Advil?. Tylenol?. What are those?."

David laughed nervously. "Oh, right. That's probably not a thing here. Just something we have in my world to help with...uh...pain... In the head or whatever is hurting within. But anyway, I'm here to help you guys get back to Dreamlight Valley. Plus, I need your assistance in a search and rescue mission back on Dazzle Beach."

Moana's eyes lit up. "Dazzle Beach?. That sounds like a place I've been to!. Whose missing?."

David shrugs. "I don't know. There weren't any clues as to who was using that once damaged raft. Me and my friend Goofy had repaired it but I'm not so confident in my directions on the water."

Moana nods, her expression turning serious. "The ocean can be tricky. But I know these waters. If someone's out there, I can find them. But..."

David notices her hesitation. "But what?."

Moana sighs in defeat. "But I have things I need to do before I leave with you."

"Things?. Like what?." David asked.

Moana happily claps her hands together. "Fishing. You see, I'm searching for some rich fishing spots in the ocean. Now that my people are voyagers again, we can find more options for fishing. Me and Maui were setting sail that day until a hurricane came out of nowhere and made us crash here on this island."

"You were caught in a hurricane?." David was shocked. "Were you guys literally dead center of it?."

Moana nodded solemnly. "It was terrifying. The ocean was not in a good mood that day. But we're okay. Been stuck on this island for days with nothing to eat but bananas and coconuts. I'm guessing you overheard our argument not too long ago, yes?."

David nodded awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I wouldn't call it an argument, more of... a...disagreement?. Exactly, why did you call yourself a demigoddess?. You're mortal, right?."

"Well...I was mortal." Moana spoke while playing in the sand with her big right toe with a blush.

"Was?." David's voice was filled with confusion.

"You see...me and Maui. We're not friends. We're husband and wife." said Moana.

David's mouth dropped. "You're married?!. To Maui?!."

Moana nodded with a sheepish smile. "It's a long story. The short version of the story is that the big ego idiot proposed to me under the night sky and we got married on the beach... Dazzle Beach...yeah, that was the place."

David was speechless, trying to imagine the scene she described. "I...I had no idea. So, how exactly did you become a demigoddess?."

Moana looked around before leaning in closer, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "It's a ritual. Two things that need to happen in order for me to be a demigoddess. Wedding Day. Sexual Intercourse."

David's eyes went wide, his mind racing with questions. "You're pulling my leg."

Moana giggled, the sound light and musical, like the chime of seashells. "No, really. It's all true. That's how it works when marrying Demigods, Demigoddesses, Gods or Goddesses."

"Huh, I learned something new today. Now about your boat." David moved back to the main subject.

Moana nodded in glee. "Right. First we need to go fix the canoe."

"I thought this was a boat." David went over to examine the damage.

"Canoe, boat, same difference when you're stuck on an island." Moana chuckled, walking towards the large boat with the damaged body. "But yes, it's a canoe, and it's been through a lot. We had to upgrade it to withstand any storm. Never thought about hurricane proofing it."

David followed her, taking in the intricate carvings on the canoe. It looked like it had been through a battle and survived. "Looks like it's seen better days."

Moana nodded solemnly. "It has. We just need some wood and woven leaves. Been looking all over the island for loose wood but no luck, unless I'm not looking good enough."

"Well, let's not waste any more time then." David rolled up his sleeves. "I'll help you find the materials to fix it. Maybe together we can get it done quicker."

Moana looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you, David. I really appreciate it. I was very worried about not getting it done with my husband's help."

They set out into the dense vegetation of the island, David's eyes scanning for any signs of suitable materials while Moana explained the specifications for the repairs. The sun was high in the sky, casting dappled light through the canopy of leaves above them, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant sound of waves crashing. They managed to find what they needed and went to work in fixing the boat in great timing. They talked a bit about things like each other's cultures which were all very interesting. Tying and nailing down the last wood the two looked at their finished work.

"And good as new!." Moana happily spoke while having the biggest smile.

"Teamwork. It's the only way to make things happen." spoke David before looking back at her. "So...uh... about Maui..."

Moana sighs, leaning against the canoe. "What about him?."

"Shouldn't we...go get him?." David asked.

Moana took a moment glance at the direction where Maui went before turning her attention back to David. "I'm still mad at him. I still want my apology."

David rubbed his shaved chin. "Can't you just bury the hatchet and move on as a married couple?."

Moana crossed her arms, her eyes on the horizon where the sun was setting. "It's not that simple. Maui has a way of pushing people's buttons. Especially mine. You can go talk to him but he isn't getting on this canoe without apologizing to his wife."

David watches her jump on the boat and check to see everything is ready for sailing. "One thing I'm not following."

Moana looks at him. "What's that?."

"Why can't he just use his magical fishhook and shape shift into any bird and fly around to get help?." David waited for that answer.

Moana jumps down and walks over to him. "This island. It's something magical. Dark magic. Its power is keeping Maui from using his powers. Ever since on this island, I still haven't found my own godly tool."

"You got your own divine tool?." David was surprised.

Moana nodded solemnly. "It is a canoe paddle. A wedding present from Te Fiti after we told her of our engagement. After the crash on this island, I awoke to find my canoe missing and searched everywhere for it but no luck. Especially that particular spot that had me forget what I was doing and turn back around."

David's attention was caught by the last part that Moana just said which was suspicious. "Where exactly is that spot that keeps making you forget?."

Moana pointed to a place in the distance where the trees looked eerie and the light from the setting sun barely touched the area. "It's over there. It's like a pocket of darkness that no matter how bright the sun is, it never shines in that area. I've tried to go there, but every time I get closer, it's like my brain goes foggy and I turn back."

David nodded. "Gotcha. I'll tell you what. Why don't you get this canoe in the water and I'll go investigate that spot. While I go check on Maui."

Moana looked at him, her eyes filled with worry. "Be careful, David. This island isn't like any other."

David nods again and walks his way to the spot that Moana pointed to. He could feel what she was talking about but the dark magic isn't affecting him not once. It was very strange as spots the source of where it was coming from as a spot on the ground his cracked. Pulling out the magic shovel, he dugout one time and out came two objects. A medium sized wooden canoe paddle with its ancient markings all around its body, and a medium sized Night Thorn bush to David's suspension. He asked himself how did a night thorn got here in this realm and on this island. It was too coincidence.

David removes it and watches it turn into evaporation of ashes. "Me and Merlin are going to have to talk about this once I get back to the valley."

Taking Moana's godly canoe paddle he then make his way in fund Maui which he was up on the only hill looking over at the waters. He walks over to the big muscular demigod and sees him turned to face him. Instead of looking mad, Maui looked pleased and clam.

"Let me guess. You're my wife's new helper, right?." said Maui.

"Helper?." David raised his brow. "Now, I don't know if you're saying that in a good way or in an upset way."

Maui grinned. "Oh, it's all in good fun, my friend. So, did Moana send you to get me to apologize?."

"No, just here to check on you. How are you feeling, big guy?." David held the paddle tight.

Maui chuckled, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "I've been better. But I've had time to think. You know, about what she said."

"Which is?." David encouraged him to continue.

Maui looked down at the paddle in David's hand, then back at him. "That she's a demigoddess now. And I've been treating her like she's still just a mortal and not as my equal. I guess I got a bit...complacent. Forgot that she's more than capable of holding her own."

David nods. "That's a good confession. Sometimes we forget that we need each other due to our capabilities and cockyness."

Maui looks over at Moana, who's waiting by the canoe, her eyes fixed on them with hope. "You know, I think you might be right." He takes a step closer to David, his expression earnest. "But tell me, why are you so keen on getting us off this island?. What's your stake in all this?."

"In honesty I'm here to take you guys back home to Dreamlight Valley and I need Moana's help in sailing the raft on Dazzle for a search and rescue mission."

Maui nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Ah, so you need a navigator. Well, I suppose I can swallow my pride for the sake of helping others. But only if she'll let me on her boat."

"No problem. Just apologize. It lets her know that you love her dearly." said David, before handing him her paddle. "Here use this as a apology gift."

Maui took the paddle with a smile. "Clever. I like that." He nodded and turned to head down the hill. "But I've got my own way of saying sorry."

David follows and listens to the conversation between the Demigod and Demigoddess.

Maui walks down the hill and approaches Moana with a swagger that only a demigod could pull off. "Hey, there, beautiful. Got something for you." He holds out the paddle with a charming smile.

Moana looks at it, then up at him, her eyes narrowed. "Is this your way of saying sorry?."

Maui nods, his smile never wavering. "Well, it's a start. Besides, you know I can't resist a good sail. And if it means getting to spend more time with you, I'll swim to the ends of the earth for you. Literally."

Moana's stern expression softens, and she takes the paddle, examining it closely. "Is this...my paddle?. Forget how it looks."

"Indeed it is your godly paddle that Tei Fiti has given you as a wedding gift." said Maui.

Moana's eyes widened, and she looked at Maui in surprise. "How did you...?"

"Let's just say I found it in a spot where it wasn't meant to be," David interrupted, giving Maui a knowing look. "But the important thing is, it's back in your hands now, and we can get going."

Moana happily holds her paddle and then looks back at Maui. She sighs. "I can never stay mad at you."

"Want a apology kiss?." Maui raise his brow with a smirk.

Moana couldn't help but laugh, throwing the paddle playfully at his chest. "You know what? That's all I needed." She stood on her tippy toes and gave her husband a nice loving kiss on the lips. After breaking their lips apart, she turned to David with a warm smile. "Thank you, David. You're a life saver." She walked up and gave him a gentle hug.

David felt the warmth of her and hugs back. "That's a good friendly hug."

They turned to each other with smiles before heading back to the canoe. Moana held her paddle close to her chest, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Let's get out of here, shall we?."

David watches her paddle glow in a light shade of aquarium and put the blade of the paddle in the water. Watching the ocean creating a smooth pathway. Maui started stirring the boat and off they went in finding the rich spots for fishing. They managed to find the canoe's torch that broke off during the hurricane and attached back into its proper place. They sailed to different spots for potential fishing spots before finding a few of them and marking them down in a map. The three talked for hours. It felt very weird for Moana and Maui to be talking to David so easily and yet familiar as if they had known him for years. And the mention of Dreamlight Valley just made them very eager to go there.

The name itself sounded also darn familiar and felt like it was a real home to them. A place to be themselves and feel where they belong. Stopping at a nearby small island for rest, the three ate roasted bananas and coconuts as it is a new one for David.

"My wife knows how to roast yummy coconuts." said Maui, while chewing the inside of a coconut.

David, who is eating a full removed peeled banana on a stick, munched on it in happiness. "It's delicious."

Moana and Maui shared a look before bursting into laughter. "You've never had roasted banana before?." Moana asked with a chuckle.

"Nope. But I'm not complaining. It's good." David said with a grin.

Moana looked out at the horizon, her eyes distant. "Dreamlight Valley... I can't believe we're actually going home. Our real home. Don't remember much but it felt familiar."

David nodded. "Trust me, it's a magical place. You guys will love it. I just need to go back there to built you guys a home on the beach. That's the only way you guys can be pulled back into the valley."

Maui looked at him skeptically. "And how exactly are we supposed to get there? That boat doesn't look like it's going to handle the stormy seas between here and there."

"Oh, no, Dreamlight Valley isn't in your realm but it's outside of it." explained David. "You just wait right here and I'll go return to the valley and get your house ready."

David closes his eyes and imagine Dreamlight Valley and start to the same thing he did in Wall-E's realm and disappeared with Moana and Maui looking on in disbelief. They looked at each other for a second and then back at the spot where David once was before looking back at each other.

"He's not a demigod like us is he?." Maui asked his wife.

Moana shakes her head. "No, but he's something special. And he's our way back home."

David returned to the valley and picked Dazzle Beach as his way back home. He sets out to find a nice spot in the Biome to set the house at and then figures out the right place which is beside the island near Skull Rock and where the raft is and sets the construction materials and waits for Scrooge to come get his money.

"Ah, yes, Moana and Maui. I miss those two deities. I remember that Moana is our only fishing woman that goes out to capture all kinds of fish and brings them here and give it anyone who needs a specific fish for free." said Scrooge.

"For free?. Like what the community garden is for?." said David as this was new information for him.

Scrooge nodded. "Indeed, she's quite the philanthropist. Her and Maui are like a powerhouse couple here. Our old ruler had given us all jobs that fit us all too well that everyone can benefit from. Me being the only store that sells clothes, furniture, or order direct requests and being business construction and building supplier. Remy's restaurant helps keep us together and enjoy good dining while he goes and tests new ingredients to make delicious foods. I can keep going if you want."

"Maybe some other time. How much would it take for their house built?." David pulls out his magical red money pouch that holds tons of coins without making the bag feel heavy at all.

Scrooge's eyes widened at the sight of the magical pouch. "Well, let's see." He pulls out a small abacus and starts to calculate. "Considering the location, the size, and the fact that it's for two very important neighbors, I would say... 10,000 coins."

"Cool. Good thing I saved up a lot." David puts the coins into Scrooge's own magical pouch with the gold money symbol on it.

His workers built the house up in just mere seconds and the towering house that looked like a big rock island with a few greenery. David teleported to the Plaza to welcome Moana and Maui who had appeared through the wishing well and was amazed how the logic of Dreamlight Valley works. Taking out his magical android phone, David took a big selfie for them to take together.

"Alright, guys give me your best pose before I snap for the picture." David tells them.

Moana and Maui looked at each other with a smirk before striking their best pose. Moana with her hand on her hip and Maui with his fishhook at the ready. The camera flashed, capturing their smiles and the excitement in the air. David then turned the phone to show them the picture. The two looked around the Plaza as a memory of their own had triggered. A memory of them having marriage counseling with the only marriage counselor in the valley. Tennessee O'Neal aka one of the members of the Country Bears.

Moana and Maui's Flashback

The two were sitting on the couch together looking upset and facing Tennessee who was sitting behind his desk listening into their issues.

"I'm telling you, Tennessee, he never considered that I might want a week's break in during our laundry and he should do them for once." Moana crosses her arms. "It's like I'm having a toddler in the house and not a man."

Tennessee leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin. "Maui, what do you have to say about this?."

Maui sighed heavily. "Look, I know I've been a bit...absent-minded lately. But I've had a lot on my plate, you know?. Fishing, keeping the village safe, and doing my patrols as a space ranger with Buzz, Mulan, Remy, and Scar."

Moana looked at him with a head tilt. "Uh, hello?. I'm Space Ranger too. Don't pull that mess with me."

Maui chuckled, a sheepish look on his face. "Right, right. You're the best space ranger I know, babe."

Moana looks at Tennessee. "What do you think?."

"Both of you have good argument points." began in Tennessee. "Sure you two would fight over laundry or wanting to go out at Chez Remy. But one thing is crystal clear. Do you want to know?."

"Yes, please tell us." said Moana.

"At least the both of you have each other for eternity... unlike Me!." Tennessee started breakdown crying while slamming his fist on the desk with things on it shaking or falling over. "Me and Trixie had another argument and she's currently giving me the silent treatment. Oh, Trixie!."

Moana and Maui were completely unsure as to what to do or say when Tennessee starts acting like this every so often.

"Maybe we should leave him to sort this out." Moana whispered to Maui.

Maui nodded, his eyes filled with empathy for their friend. "Aye, let's exit as soon as possible. Uh, we will leave our payment with Trixie at the front desk."

Moana nodded and followed her husband out of the counselor's office. They couldn't help but exchange a look that said 'only in Dreamlight Valley'. As they step out into the office, and sees Trixie at her secretary desk filing her claws with a plain look.

"He's crying like a screaming banshee again, isn't he?." Trixie looks up at them while hearing her boyfriend's constant crying.

Moana nods. "Yeah, he's really going at it today. At least helped us with our dispute."

Trixie nods and resumes filing. "His only method works all the time. Ready to pay for your session?."

Moana nods and pulls out her pouch. "How much?. Anna told me that he has a special this week."

Trixie smirks. "Oh, he always does. For marriage counseling, it's usually 5,000 coins, but since he does have a special this week, just pay 1,000 coins."

Moana handed over the coins and Maui pats her back. "Good job, love. Let's go home."

They walked hand in hand towards the main exit.

End of Flashback

"Moana." Maui looks at his wife with a proud smile. "We're finally back home."

Moana nods, her eyes filled with tears. "It's beautiful. Just like I remembered."

David had his arms out as body language welcoming with a friendly smile. "Welcome back to Dreamlight Valley, you two."

"Thanks." Moana spoke in gratitude.

"You're Welcome." David spoke. "Now, about the situation I needed help with..."

"Oh, right!." Moana holds her paddle tight. "The stranded individual. Come on, let's go. Maui, I'll be back. Just reconnect with our neighbors while you wait."

Maui nods, watching his wife and David rush off. He sighs, then turns to the village square, seeing familiar faces and structures. He walks towards the well, leaning on it, feeling the coolness of the stone against his hand. David guided Moana to the raft as they got on it and pushed off to reach full water. She turns her paddle upside down where the blade is facing her as she leans towards it.

"Take us to the individual who once rode this raft." Moana speaks to it before flipping it back and starting using it in the water. "My paddle will definitely take us where I tell it to take us in the ocean, no matter how difficult it might be found. It comes in handy when you're stranded in the middle of ocean water."

"That's great, because I'm terrible at navigating on water. I'm awful at using a compass." said David, while making sure the sail is open.

Moana laughs, her voice as warm as the tropical sun. "Don't worry, the paddle knows the way. It's a gift from the goddess, after all."

It didn't take long but just to nightfall since the day was in its evening in Dreamlight Valley. They pulled up on a well deserted spot that had a few ship materials like nets, broken barrel pieces, and bits of debris. They walked around on the small island with no one in sight. The spot was completely empty with no signs of anyone being on there.

David looks and then looks back at Moana. "I think your paddle might be faulty."

Moana's eyes widened. "What?. No, it can't be. It took us exactly where we needed to be."

"Moana, look around. There isn't anyone here." David points out while summoning his fishing rod.

Moana's eyes narrowed as she studied the area. "There has to be someone on here. My paddle doesn't make mistakes. It's perfect."

"I have a second opinion." David threw his line in the water and waited for an instant bite. He got a bite. "Hey, now, I got something big on my hook."

Moana rushed over to him with excitement. "What is it?."

"Don't know. This fish must be a fighter." David reels hard. "Assist, please."

Moana grabs onto the fishing rod with him and together they pull until a human sized female with a green tail comes out of the water. She had long red hair and a light purple shell bra. Most of all she had David's hook caught in her mouth.

"Ouch!. Are you crazy?!. Get this hook off my bottom lip!." Ariel panics and is mad.

David and Moana's eyes widened as they realized who it was. "Ariel?!."

"Yes, it is me, now get this hook off of me before I bleed out!." said Ariel.

David came to her and kneed and tried to pull his hook out of her lip. "My magical rod never needs any bait on the hook. Why did you take it?."

Ariel glared at him, her hand over her mouth. "I thought it was a starfish!." she exclaimed, her voice muffled.

"How did you mistake a hook for a starfish?." Moana asked with a look of confusion.

Ariel rolled her eyes, painfully. "Well, when you've been stuck on an island with no one including fish for company, you tend to get a bit... desperate."

David finally managed to free the hook from her lip, and she let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks. I guess I owe you two."

"Wait..." David unsummoned his fishing rod. "Are you the one who took this raft?."

Ariel nodded, holding her sore lip. "Yes, I was running away as far Dreamlight Valley from the Forgetting and the Forgotten as I could. I guess I got carried away in my sailing and ended up here."

"Aren't you supposed to be able to walk?. Didn't your Dad turn you human?." David points out.

Ariel nodded, her eyes widened. "He did. But the dark magic that plagued the valley had got its grip on me. It's like it's trying to pull me back to how I was before it did succeeded."

"Hmmm, I bet Merlin can fix you." David puts his hand out in front of Ariel. "I'm David by the way and she is Moana."

Ariel takes his hand and shakes it. "Thanks, I'm Ariel which is weird how any of you know my name. Are you sure that this Merlin person can do something about my mermaid form?."

David nods. "Oh, yes. He's our village's only powerful wizard. He'll know what to do." He looks over to Moana. "What say we head back to the village and rest. I'm going to need it since reopening your realm has burnt me out."

Moana nods in understanding. "Agreed. And Ariel, don't worry. We will get back home to Dreamlight Valley. Do...Do you know me by any chance?."

Ariel frowned in confusion. "Mmmm, no. Don't recognize you or David." She reached up and squeezed her nose. "I most definitely don't remember that nose."

Moana chuckled at the joke, despite the seriousness of the situation. "Well, we're happy to have you back with us, Ariel. You are just like me, and my husband. Our memories are foggy too and we don't remember our king of the valley. What I recall is that he was a true best friend with a heart of diamonds and gold."

"King?." Ariel raised an eyebrow. "Dreamlight King. He...He...He...was a person to forever cherish."

Moana nodded. "I'm sure he was. Forgot how he looks, acts, talks, and his name."

David dared push their fogged memories. "Does his wife's name ring any bells to any of you?."

Ariel's eyes lit up. "The queen!. Yes, I remember her! She was so kind and gentle. Her name... it's on the tip of my tongue.....uh, what was the question again?. Moana?."

Moana shrugs. "I forgot the question that fast too."

David sighs. "Let's get back on the raft."

Chapter Text

Forgotten took a look in Dreamlight Valley with a look of despair when seeing Moana and Maui return to the valley. There are three people that make him uneasy and anxious of his reign coming to a screeching end. And those three individuals are Moana, Maui, and Elsa. Two deities and a queen that has the power of winter. Sure he is stronger and more powerful than the three, but he knows that their mindset is heavily focused on bringing back their beloved king knowing that David is the only person to stop him.

So with great ideas in mind, Forgotten did encourage the weather in Moana and Maui's realm in creating that hurricane to have them crash on that island. Despite the two having no memories of Dreamlight Valley or recall about David, he couldn't be relieved from worries. With insurance he took Moana’s paddle and buried it along with planting a small night thorn to both keep her from going near this spot, and enchanted the island to make Maui's fishhook unable to be used. Forgotten made them a cage just for them. But now that cage has been broken all thanks to David. Currently he is going to take his failure and anger out on either Max or Roxanne.

"Hurry up with that horsewhip, Roxanne!." Forgotten yelled.

The usually cheerful and bright but now brainwashed Roxanne flinched at the sound of his harsh voice. Max looked at her, his own fear palpable. He knew what was coming. They are going to suffer from his failures.

Forgotten snatched the whip from Roxanne and made her stand beside her boyfriend. "Now, then, how should I do this?. Let's do this logically. What am I thinking right now?. Go."

"Uh, misery?." Roxanne asked with gitty body language.

Forgotten, shaking his head. "Nope. Max?."

Max swallowed hard, his eyes darting between Roxanne and Forgotten. "Anger?" he ventured.

"Nope. You both got it wrong. It's enjoying the suffering and agony of others." Forgotten used his dark magic and morphed the horsewhip into a familiar barnacle whip. "Want to know a little fun fact about this whip?."

Max and Roxanne both took a step back, their eyes wide with horror. They could see the maliciousness in Forgotten's gaze as he cracked the whip in the air. The sharp sound echoed through the chamber, making them flinch.

"This is the exact whip that 'Bootstrap' Bill Turner used on William Turner, who is his son, in order to spare him from deeper wound lashing from Jimmy Legs who is the sadistic bosun of the Flying Dutchmen under Davy Jones himself." explained Forgotten, before turning the thick handle towards Max. "Whip your girlfriend."

Max's eyes widened in horror as he stared at the whip and then back at Forgotten. "What? No, I can't do that, Master!."

"Too late!. I made up my mind." Forgotten looks at Roxanne. "Get on both knees and hunch over."

Roxanne's eyes filled with tears as she did as she was told, her heart racing with fear. Max's hand trembled as he took the whip, glancing at Roxanne's pleading eyes. The room was filled with a heavy silence, the only sound being the faint crackle of the whip in Max's hand.

"Began whipping." Forgotten orders while relaxing in his chair.

Max looked at Roxanne with sadness. "Ready?."

Roxanne nodded slightly, tears rolling down her cheeks. She knew that Max had no choice in this. If he didn't obey, Forgotten would do something far worse to both of them. Max took a deep breath and swung the whip, aiming it at the ground just in front of her. The sound it made was enough to make Roxanne jump, but she felt no pain. Max had missed on purpose, the whip barely grazing her.

Forgotten's eyes narrowed. "What is the meaning of this, Max?!. Whip her or should I do it?!."

Max gulped, his mind racing for a solution. "I-I'm sorry, Master. I'll do it right this time." He took another swing, but this time, the whip wrapped around a nearby pillar instead, the force of the swing making it crack loudly.

Forgotten growls and gets up. "Give me that!." He takes the whip and goes to whip the crap out of Roxanne.

Roxanne screamed in pain as the barnacle whip lashed across her back. Max watched in horror, his eyes filling with pure horror. Forgotten whipped and whipped until he was satisfied. Next he went to whip Max for his disobedience.

"Master, please, no more!." Max pleaded, dropping to his knees beside Roxanne. The pain on her face was too much to bear.

"Don't tell me no more!." Forgotten whipped Max hard.

The sharp sting of the barnacle whip sliced through Max's clothes and into his flesh. He gritted his teeth, trying not to scream in front of Roxanne. He could feel the warmth of his blood trickling down his back as the pain grew with each hit.

"Master, please, let me receive all the whipping!." Roxanne uses herself as a shield to protect Max. Tears running down hard. "Please, Lord Forgotten, punish me!."

Forgotten paused for a moment, his eyes flickering with surprise at Roxanne's sudden act of bravery. He then let out a wicked chuckle. "Very well, Roxanne. You shall take his place." He raised the whip again, ready to continue his sadistic punishment.

Forte watched the teen get whip relentless until she was out cold from all the beating. He watches Max put her in his arms and carries her out of the room leaving just him and Forgotten to talk.

"Master?." Forte spoke.

Forgotten vanish the whip, his eyes still gleaming with maliciousness. "What is it, Forte?."

Forte clears his throat. "Master, you still have the Forest of Valor, Frosted Heights, Sunlit Plateau, Glade of Trust, and the Forgotten Lands under your control, let alone hidden away each of their orbs. All except the one in the Forest of Valor of course."

"Of course." Forgotten stroking his beard in thought. "The Pillar of Courage. That orb has got to go."

Forte nodded in agreement. "Indeed."

Meanwhile back at the water sailing their way back to Dreamlight Valley, Ariel had her tail in the water while enjoying the boat ride while sometimes looking at David and Moana. Moana hummed her signature song while paddling the raft with her paddle. Ariel is having a rough time challenging her mind in remembering what got her on the exact raft in the first place.

"How's your bottom lip?." David asked while looking at the stars.

Ariel rubbed her bruised bottom lip with her hand. "It's fine." she replied, trying to hide the pain. "Thanks for asking. That hook of yours is not a joke."

David gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. I was looking to catch a fish but instead I caught a mermaid."

Moana can't help but to break a giggle while covering her mouth before grinning. "Sorry."

David chuckled. "It's okay. It's pretty funny looking back on it now."

"Well, not for me." Ariel licked the sore spot on her bottom lip.

Moana's laughter subsided into a concerned look. "I hope we can get all of our memories back soon."

"Hopefully I will be able to help with that. Once I rest." said David before he yawned.

The night grew colder and the stars shone brighter. They arrived at the beach of Dreamlight Valley and stepped off the boat. After informing Merlin about finding Ariel and tells him that they need to talk once after he takes his rest. David tells him to come to his house in the evening as he wanted to relax in the house. Once saying bye to Moana, who headed inside her and Maui's home, David makes his way back to the Plaza and makes his way to the house that belongs to the Dreamlight King and his wife.

"Man, I still can not believe that he married Elsa." David was still upset about the fact that his dream woman is already taken and married.

He opens his magical mailbox and pulls out a few envelopes from the neighbors. It amazes him that you just write a letter, put it in the envelope with the name of the person that is supposed to be sent to, and the mailbox magically transports it to the person who is supposed to get the letter into their mailbox. Everyone can tell they have mail in their mailbox when seeing the red metal flag is up. To David in his world the red flag is supposed to alert the mailman that there is mail that needs to be outgoing.

David shrugs. "The logical laws of Dreamlight Valley are very different from my world." He entered the house and then noticed a magical path to the left. "Huh, that's funny. Didn't see this before."

He walks towards the blueish sparkling path and sees a hallway with its walls being bluish sparkling. Curious. He went forward and walked through the hallway and saw a door with a symbol. Half Dreamlight and Half Snowflake. He opens the door and enters to see a mega nice luxuriously large bedroom with celestial wallpapers, floors, and ceiling. He sees a matching king and queen sized bed and two dressers. He spots Elsa's ice throne chair sitting in the corner beside a celestial lamp and a round celestial fireplace. He then sees an ice-crafted couch on the other side of the room by the second door facing a short table with a flat screen TV on top of it.

"That's crazy." David was amazed. "So if this is the actual room then what was the first floor?."

David explores more and enters the other door to see an Arendelle themed bathroom with a modern bathtub and a shelf with robes with one roll down being Dreamlight themed and the other role being Elsa themed. Not wasting any second he turns on the tub and starts to undo his clothes and takes a nice soak.

"Aw, man, I most definitely needed this." David says to himself before sipping down in the warm bubble free tub.

He couldn't believe that the house he moved into has multiple rooms despite the house looking like just a small first story. Enjoying the warm water for just a little while before grabbing his bar soap and washcloth to wash himself. He spent his time in the tub for a good couple of minutes before getting himself dry and went over to the robe shelf and took the king's robe that had the letter D big and bold on the right hand side.

"His first name starts with the letter D." David spoke before seeing Elsa's robe having the letter E on it. "Huh, she has one as well. Hmmm, I wonder what their ruler's name is?."

Putting it on it felt strange and weird as the robe was a perfect fit as if it was made for him. Exiting the bathroom, David jumps on the incredibly soft bed that felt like exactly how a nice resort bed would feel.

"Ah, yes, I am going to sleep well on this bed." David looks up at the ceiling before closing his eyes as he dozes off.

His sleep had triggered a next foggy memory which happens to be about this very exact bedroom he is currently sleeping in.

Flashback

David hummed while tying his robe before closing the door to the bathroom. He sees his wife in her chair reading her book that she and the bookclub members were reading. David sat down on his side of the bed and watched Elsa being so into the book.

"What story did Belle pick out for you and everyone to read this time?." He asked.

Elsa looked up and smiled. "Oh, it's a classic. 'A Tale of Two Cities'." She replied right before looking back into the book.

"That's nice." David lays down on the bed. "What does Merida think about the book?."

Elsa chuckled. "Merida thinks it's a bit too romantic. But she's enjoying it for the adventure parts."

"What about Minnie?." David waited for the response.

"Minnie?." Elsa looked up with a puzzled expression. "Oh, she loves it!. It's got the perfect balance of drama and romance for her taste."

"What about the others?." David invested his time in listening to his wife.

"Well, Ariel thinks it's a bit too heavy for her taste but she's sticking with it. And Moana said it reminds her of her ancestor's tales." Elsa said with a giggle.

"And?..." David waited.

Elsa closed her book, placing her finger on her page to mark her spot. "And Rapunzel said she's surprised by the historical context, while Pocahontas is just happy to finally understand the concept of a 'city'."

"Isn't it your turn to bring the snacks to your bookclub today?." David spoke before watching her resume her reading.

"Not this time. It was Helen's turn to bring them. Alice brought a variety of teas." said Elsa, while putting her leg over the other.

David noticed that she didn't tie her robe and saw her underwear. "I see you brought yourself a pair of four-leaf clover panties."

Elsa blushed. "It's my lucky day, obviously."

"That's funny." said David before moving himself over and patting a space in the bed. "Come on and sit with your man."

Elsa grinned and stood up from the chair. She gracefully walked over and sat beside him. "Thank you." She leaned into him and kissed him deeply, her hand finding its way to his chest.

"Mmm, surprisingly warm." David spoke when feeling her hand on his chest.

Elsa giggled. "Is it now?." She looked up to him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Yes, it is." David smirks, his arms wrapping around her waist. "I guess you can never be too cold with a man around to keep you warm."

Elsa blushed deeper and leaned into his touch, enjoying the warmth and safety his embrace provided. They laid there together, the fireplace crackling and casting a soft glow over the room. The warmth of their bodies melded together as they shared a quiet moment, just the two of them in their sanctuary.

"Ariel and Eric seeked my counsel today." David started his own subject for the next of their conversation.

Elsa looked over with curiosity. "Oh?. What about?."

"They were discussing about making a baby together and they asked two things." David sees the big interest on his wife's face.

"And what were those two things?." Elsa asked, her voice filled with excitement.

"They asked if we wanted to be godparents to their child. I told them I would talk to you and see how you feel about it before giving them that answer." said David.

Elsa's eyes lit up like the Northern Lights. "Oh, David, that's wonderful!. We would love to be godparents to their child!." She exclaimed, snuggling closer to him.

"That's a check mark to one of their questions. The second question was what to name the baby. Eric hopes it's going to be a boy while Ariel says it's going to be a girl. I'm with Ariel on this one. They are definitely going to have a baby girl whenever they decide to get busy in their bedroom with a purpose besides making each other feel good." says David.

Elsa giggled. "What did you tell them?."

"I told them that they should name their daughter, Melody." David spoke while playing with her hair. "The name fits all too well. Plus, I know they are going to have a daughter ahead of time."

Elsa's eyes widened. "How do you know that?."

David smirks. "Let's just say that I know things and how I know it is a bit complicated and would make you question your own self."

Elsa looked at him. Catching on to what he once told her on their dates when she once asked him about his world and why he is good with everyone else. "I still don't believe what you said that day."

"About what?." David looks at her. "That you and everyone else are cartoon characters in movies or shows?."

"Uh, yeah. I'm not a cartoon. I'm real. I'm real just like you. I think, eat, sleep, get hurt, get sick, and feel things just like you." Elsa points out.

"I know you're real." David tells her. "Again, my realm is different from all of yours. It's the actual real world."

"Your world is weird and upside down." Elsa chuckled in doubt. "Me and Anna have merchandise and always flies off the shelf. If that was true then how come neither of us saw a single coin of it?. Hmmm?."

David rolled his eyes. "I'm not answering that."

Elsa chuckled and leaned in closer to him. "Fine. Now, let's distract ourselves from that weird conversation."

David grinned and leaned in for another kiss, feeling the warmth of Elsa's body against his. They both knew that their love was strong and unbreakable, even if their worlds were vastly different. As they kissed, the tension of the day melted away, and they found themselves lost in each other's embrace.

"Feel like copulating tonight?." David asked as he felt excitement in his pants.

Elsa's cheeks flushed pink at David's question, and she playfully swatted his shoulder. "You always know how to set the mood, don't you?." she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Is that a yay or nah, my Dreamlight Queen?." David waited before Elsa got on top of him.

"I'd say it's a very strong yay, my dear King." Elsa's eyes twinkled with desire as she straddled him, her hands tracing his abs. "Ready for me to rock your world?."

"More like to subzero my world." David spoke before seeing her removing her robes. "Hello, Winter."

Elsa giggled. "Always the charmer." She leaned down and kissed him again before starting to unbutton his pajama top.

End of Flashback

David woke up and went to use the bathroom to go pee before walking down to the first floor to grab something to eat.

"What a dream. A dream I don't remember what happened in it." He tells himself before pulling out a plate of fruitcake. "Hello, fruitcake."

Chapter Text

David found the washing machine and dryer and went to do his laundry as he was amazed that these electronic devices or buildings don't need any outlets or connected pipes to run or drain water. Dreamlight Valley is a thousand percent environmentally friendly. David washed the clothes he wore yesterday and was still in the robe before going to check out the Old Ruler’s clothes since he isn't around and no one can't say what happened to him, meaning that David can freely dig through his dresser.

“Hmmm.” David pulls the second drawer and sees a nice Dreamlight royal attire with long pants. “Nice.”

He puts them on as it is a nice perfect fit. He checks the closet which is a massive walk-in closet with two separate sides with one being masculine and the other side being feminine. He looked for matching footwear to match the nice attire before going to do anything today. He spots the matching footwear which happens to be a pair of boots. Slipping them on without any issues putting them on his feet.

“Huh, it's my size.” David sees himself in the large mirror. “In fact, this whole outfit fits me well with ease. It's like tailor made fashion.”

David turns to Elsa's side of the closet and goes to look at her clothes. “Guess she wears more than her dress. There are multiple varieties of shirts and T-shirts for all four seasons. She has sports sneakers?. I wonder if she plays basketball or baseball?. She might be a soccer woman.”

David hears the house doorbell ringing and quickly walks down to answer it. Reaching back down to the first floor and peeping through the peephole to see Merlin outside waiting for the door to be open.

David opens the door. “Evening, Merlin. Hey, it's raining outside.”

“Indeed it is, my dear boy.” Merlin walks in with his clothes quite wet as he enters the kitchen. “My, My, I now remember this room being a kitchen and not a small bedroom with just a fireplace.”

“I know right?.” David closed the door and went to the black refrigerator that he brought from Scrooge's request order and pulled out a plate of peanut butter cookies he got from Remy. “Cookies, Merlin?."

Merlin's eyes lit up and took a cookie with a nod. "Ah, Remy's finest. Thank you, David. You're a lifesaver." He took a bite and sighed in pleasure as the warm cookie crunched in his mouth. He noticed David's attire. "Now, what do we have here?. Is that my king's clothes you're wearing?."

David nodded as he poured a glass of milk for him. "Yeah. Hope you don't mind."

Merlin chuckled. "Not at all. In fact, it looks quite dashing on you. Now, you want to talk..."

"Yeah." David went over and took a seat at the countertop. "When I was in Moana and Maui's realm, I discovered a night thorn buried on the island along with Moana's paddle as well. Kinda weird."

Merlin stroked his beard with a look of upsetness. "A Night Thorn?. In their realm?. On the very island you found them on?."

David nodded with concern. "Yeah. It was there alright. Not by accident but on purpose. Is it possible that the Forgotten is able to travel through realms like me?."

Merlin took a deep breath. "I'm afraid so, David. Forgotten has the same exact capabilities as my king, except for having the power of Dreamlight magic. He can sneak around freely to any Biome of this valley or any realm he wants to go. Have you noticed that a couple of doors in the Hall of Realms don't have any image symbols as to what realm belongs to an individual or individuals?."

David nodded again. "Yeah, I've seen those doors. They're mysterious."

"Yes, those other doors were active but when the power of the night thorns came to existence, the doors were stripped from its source. There was no point in me in trying to reverse it since not a single spell has ever worked." Merlin sighs before drinking his milk and then sets the glass down. "That is until you came along. Turns out the only way to uproot and remove Night Thorns is Dreamlight magic."

David nods. "Looks like I'm the Valley's great hope."

"Our only great hope." Merlin corrected him. "Since things are slowly but surely getting back to the way things are, but everyone is feeling a bit fearful of the thought of this being only temporary and feeling that the Forgetting is going to reclaim their memories once again."

David nodded solemnly. "I understand. It's a heavy burden, but I'll do what I can to protect everyone here." He felt the weight of Merlin's gaze on him, filled with both hope and caution.

"Admire your determination, David. You remind me so much of my king." Merlin spoke with a warm smile.

"That's very kind of you to say. Do you think he would approve of my efforts in fixing his beloved kingdom?." asked David.

Merlin's smile grew wider. "I'm sure he would be proud, David. Now, let's talk about strategy. We need to have our neighbors to feel safe and secure. Our king handles major things in this valley while the queen handles the minor things."

"Such as?." David was interested in what Elsa does as queen of Dreamlight Valley.

"Well," Merlin began, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Elsa handles the social aspect of the kingdom. She's quite adept at making sure everyone is happy and content. Her warm personality and her ability to listen to people's problems are unparalleled. Well almost unparalleled compared to her husband."

David chuckled, feeling a bit of relief knowing that Elsa wasn't just a figurehead but had a significant role to play in the kingdom's well-being. "That is nice to know. She must have been a wonderful wife to the king."

Merlin nodded with a sigh. "They were a perfect pair. Which is why we need her back to the valley."

David was recovering from using so much of his Dreamlight magic and wasn't ready to unlock another door. "Sorry, Merlin, but I'm not opening the Frozen realm right away. I'm still tired from using the magic of Dreamlight. I need to rest more."

Merlin nodded understandingly. "Of course, my dear boy. It's not something to be trifled with. The magic of Dreamlight is potent but your energy isn't infinite. Rest is vital. Plus, it's not like the realms are going anywhere."

"Right." David takes a bite of a cookie. "I'm a living person. Not a machine."

Merlin nods sympathetically. "Indeed you are. Now, while you rest, I can start preparing for our next move. It's important we keep the momentum going, even if it's just a little bit."

Using his magic, Merlin exited the house and used his cane as an umbrella as the rain didn't touch him but fell down while carrying his cane exactly like an umbrella. David didn't buy a single umbrella and just had to wait it out until it stopped to make his way outside to go check on Mickey. Ringing the doorbell and waiting patiently for the door to be answered.

Mickey opens the door with a yawn, looking sleepy. "Hey there, David!. What brings you over?" He looks over David's royal attire and raises an eyebrow. "Looking fancy, I see."

"Hope you don't mind me wearing your ruler's outfit." David steps inside the house.

Mickey chuckles, shutting the door behind him. "It suits you surprisingly well. Besides, the Old Ruler wouldn't mind. He's not exactly here to argue, is he?."

David shook his head. "Nope.

Mickey offered him a seat at the table before pulling himself a seat. "I have been able to remember Minnie. It took awhile but I remember her halfway."

"That's excellent progress, Mickey. What do you remember of her so far?." said David.

Mickey leaned back in his chair, his eyes distant as he searched for the memories. "Just bits and pieces. Her laugh, the way she smiles, the sound of her voice. It's all so faint, like a melody just out of earshot."

"Anything else?." David asked while closing his hands together.

"We were married." Mickey spoke with zero hesitation.

"Now, we're getting somewhere." David was interested. "How did you propose to her?."

Mickey's cheeks flushed red. "Well, it was quite the event. I had rented our Remy's restaurant at night, with roses everywhere, and a big banner saying 'Minnie, will you marry me?'." He paused for a moment, his eyes lighting up with the memory. "The ring that Goofy made me was perfect."

David leaned in, captivated by the story. "What was the reaction?."

Mickey chuckled. "Oh, she was surprised. But in a good way. She was so happy, she cried. It was the most magical night of my life. And then we had the most amazing wedding in Dreamlight Castle with all of our friends. Donald was my best man and he didn't get upset easily."

David nodded. "Where did you honeymoon in Dreamlight Valley?."

Mickey's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh, we went to the Sunlit Plateau. It's a beautiful place. It's always summertime there, with the most amazing flowers. We had a picnic with a basket full of goodies from Remy's kitchen. It was perfect."

"That's awesome. Do you remember what happened to her?." David asked a touchy question.

Mickey's smile dropped and was replaced by sadness. "I don't. I wish I knew. I miss her very much, D."

"We're going to find her, Mickey." David reassures him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Mickey slowly smiles back. "Thanks. Say, since we're both up. Why not have ourselves a nice midnight meal?."

"Sounds good. What do you want to eat?." David spoke while watching Mickey go into his fridge to pull out two things of wheat and two things of catfish.

"I'm making a specific food that is myself and Minnie's favorite food. Fish sandwiches and five things of crudites." Mickey spoke when dropping the first ingredients to make fish sandwiches. "I figured we should eat them at my wife's favorite spot in the valley."

"Peaceful Meadows?." David guessed.

Mickey nodded with a smile. "You know it. It's a spot where she used to love to paint. The light is perfect there."

Making the food without a moment to waste, the two left the house to take their food down to Peaceful Meadows. Mickey takes David to the spot where he and Minnie have always eaten their picnic by the pond to the far left corner and sits down on a nice red picnic blanket that Mickey sets down. Mickey whistles his signature sailing tune while opening the picnic basket to put the food out.

"Should have brought soda pops." Mickey spoke before setting down the napkins.

"I think we would be just fine without sodas. Water is good anyway." David spoke before grabbing his fish sandwich.

Mickey nodded before opening the Tupperware containers to reveal perfectly cooked fish sandwiches. The smell was heavenly and David couldn't help but take a bite before Mickey. "Oh, these are delicious!."

Mickey laughed. "Thanks."

They ate and enjoyed the night as the meal was purely delicious. They munched on the crunchy fish sandwich which was very juicy. They were about to share the crudites until a glowing shadow-like figure appeared and walked in front of them and then vanished. It surprised them as they saw that figure only appeared in Peaceful Meadows and nowhere else in the available Biomes. It shows up for a short second and gone the next.

"What was that?." David gets up to trace where the figure had walked past them.

Mickey looks around with a mix of fear and curiosity. "I don't know, but it looks like we're not the only ones enjoying a midnight snack. The figure looked familiar."

David's eyes widened. "Could it be... Minnie?."

Mickey jumped up, hope sparking in his eyes. "Minnie?!."

"She is... somewhere... somewhere that looks unreachable." David spoke with a brow raised.

"What do you mean by that?." Mickey grabbed his sandwich again, his appetite suddenly forgotten.

"What I mean is that Minnie is some dimension that is unknown." David explained.

"I see." Mickey rubbed his chin. "I'm going to talk to Merlin before I get back to you."

David nodded. "Okay. See ya."

Mickey took off, leaving David to finish his meal. David decides to go walk back to the Plaza and spots Ariel in her human form looking at the locked Biome that is the Forest of Valor.

"Hey, I see that Merlin has managed to revert you back to human form." David got her attention.

Ariel turned around with a sad smile. "Yeah, he did. But I'm not sure if it's for good. I still feel a bit... off."

"In the chest?." David pointed to his own chest.

Merlin nodded. "It's an emotional thing. I'm thinking about Eric."

"Eric?" David realizes what she means. "I haven't seen any signs of what happened to him."

Ariel sighs heavily. "Me neither. But I know he's out there somewhere. I just... I can't explain it. I bet Ursula knows."

"What makes you think she knows that?." asked David, watching her have that serious look.

Ariel bit her lip. "Because she's the sea witch, David. She's cunning and manipulative. It's her style to keep tabs on her enemies."

David crossed her arms. "Ever since I freed her, she hasn't done anything bad. She's not the same villain as she once was."

Ariel nodded slowly. "That's true. But she's still a witch with unknown motives. We can't trust her fully. And if she has something to do with this, we need to be prepared."

"Ariel..." David crossed his arms and gave her that doubtful look. "I strongly believe that your old king has managed to reform her. You have to put the past behind you and not let it be your friend or future."

Ariel looked away from the Biome with a sad expression. "I know, but it's hard to trust when your heart's been played with before through deceiving."

David nodded, understanding her pain. "Take the time to ease yourself. When you are ready please come see me so we can both talk to Ursula to find out what exactly happened to Eric."

Ariel nodded, looking back at him with a glimmer of hope. "Okay, David. I'll do just that."

David watched Ariel leave feeling he did good work in helping her little issue before heading back to his house to rest some more. He reached back to the nice walk-in closet and started searching through Elsa's things which were just clothes and shoes. He had a feeling that something was in the closet located on Elsa's shared side and managed to find her light purple sneakers and pick up the right one. He reaches down and pulls out a piece of paper.

"Yelp, that is what I'm expecting to find." David sets the shoe back on its rack beside its twin. "I don't understand why these journal pages are scattered everywhere."

He exited the walk-in closet and headed to the bedroom and sat down on the ice couch. He unrolled the page and went to read what the Old Ruler had written.

'During some of the time that there isn't any single thing that needs my attention or my assistance, I just spent my free hours in my study room at the Dreamlight Castle. I was planning on moving my studies into the other house but Elsa insists me to just leave it where it is. My old study was a nice one. Expanding my kingdom. I did my calculations, star studying, and even investing my time studying Atlantean stones. Managed to trace its energy and read the texts written in the cave at Dazzle Beach.

I managed to find an extremely massive large island that shares the same energy and ancient carved stones as my Dreamlight Valley's own Atlantean. This island is special just like Dreamlight Valley. It too has promising discoveries. The island itself is lost in time. I know it's true when I was finding a spot where the right route to take to get there was, my pocket watch time was going back and forth non-stop let alone would completely stop. Indicating that there is no time there regardless of the sun going down and up. The hands on my watch have never moved.

The Island itself is exactly like Neverland. You leave your world and stay on Neverland for weeks, and then return home to see that you have only been gone for five hours or the day hasn't entered the next day. I theorized that this island might be a sibling to Neverland. Anyways, I gave it a name that fits well. I call it Eternity Isle. The island where time can't touch. The real beauty about the island is its ultimate treasure. The Spark of Imagination. A powerful relic that makes things come to reality through your creative mind and innovation. I originally theorized it was the source of all Dreamlight and allows its wielder to control time and space. I got halfway right. It's the key to controlling time and space but isn't a source of what my magic comes from.

That relic would make a great addition in my vault where I keep my other trinkets. One of them is the Royal Hourglass that I made as part of my royal tools. I used my Jewel of Time gem to help not only create the Royal Hourglass but also have a piece of its time energy. My overall goal was to go to Eternity Isle and conquer it as my expansion of my Dreamlight Valley kingdom. However, I have to put that on the shelf.

My full focus is all on the Night Shard.'

"What's with him and the Night Shard?." David asked himself this question before putting the page in the book.

Curious. David made his way to Dreamlight Castle in search of the Old Ruler's study room. He never did explore the entire castle but he is going to make an effort during so.

The castle was eerily quiet, with no sounds of occasional creak of the floorboards that would be echoing through the grand halls. The place had a certain charm to it, a mix of medieval grandeur and whimsical magic that was uniquely Dreamlight. David climbed the grand staircase and down several corridors, the warm glow of his Dreamlight guiding him like a beacon in the darkness. He finally found the study room, a large door with intricate carvings of stars and moons adorning its surface filled with many books and papers stacked everywhere.

David spotted Mirabel and Wall-E inside the massive room. "Hey, guys."

Mirabel looked up from her book. "Oh, hello, David. What brings you here?."

"Just here looking for some maps or anything related to what I just read from the page of your Dreamlight King's journal page." David went to look over a long nice desk that was filled with scattered papers.

Wall-E rolled closer, his lights flickering with curiosity. "Maps?. What kind of maps?. Maybe I can help you find them. I've been here a while, and I've seen a thing or two."

David looks around and picks up a few papers. "No. No. No. And No. It's not here."

Mirabel closes her book and comes over to David's side. "What are you looking for, exactly?."

"A map to a place that your king had discovered before the Forgetting." said David, looking through stacks of papers.

Mirabel's eyes widened. "Interesting."

David nodded, his eyes scanning over the room. "The page I found talked about an island called Eternity Isle. It's supposed to be a place where time doesn't pass. Do either of you know anything about it?."

"No, that's a new one for me." said Wall-E.

"Nope. Never." Mirabel shakes her head.

"Figures." David sighs and stops. "Whatever that I'm looking for is missing. Someone took them."

Mirabel looked at him with concern. "What do you think is on that island?."

David shrugs. "Don't know. I don't even know how to get there. How is your anxiety feeling about the whole Forgetting?."

Mirabel sighs heavily. "Better, I guess. Knowing that you're out there fighting to bring back everyone's memories gives me some peace of mind. But I can't help but worry for our queen."

"Elsa?." David asks, his eyes searching through more papers.

Mirabel nods. "Yes. She's been so strong during the beginning of the Forgetting. Protecting all of us against the Forgotten while our king went missing."

"She is still in her realm. From what Merlin told us, he has to make her and Anna return back to Arendelle where it is safe." Wall-E looks at David with hope. "You are going to unlock the Frozen realm, right?."

David nodded. "As soon as I can. I don't want to risk my health. But I promise you guys, I will bring Elsa and Anna back."

Wall-E's lights dimmed a bit. "Thank you, David. We believe in you."

The two left the room, leaving David to his thoughts as examines the study room with a feeling as if this place is familiar but more like it belongs to him.

"This is oddly strange." David sits down on the nice fancy chair that is part of the desk. He looks over the table and messes with the papers until a foggy memory comes to him.

Flashback

"David, I brought you a little treat while you study." came a sweet loving voice.

David, who was writing something down while looking at the map of his work, looks to see his wife carrying a tray with a nice steamy mug as he starts to have that look that a child would have when it comes down to sweets. "Is it a mega large warm hot chocolate with marshmallows and a big plate of piles of a variety of cookies?."

Elsa laughs lightly as she approaches him. "It is indeed. How did you guess?."

"The sweet mixed smells of different types of cookies." David sees the tray approaching him. He sees his wife in her silk pajamas. "Looking lovely."

Elsa giggles as she blushes. "Thank you, darling." She sets the tray down. "I figured you could use a break from all that heavy thinking."

"Thanks." David patted his lap. "Have a seat, big girl."

Elsa sat down on his lap with a giggle, wrapping her arms around his neck as she took a sip of the hot chocolate. "You're always working so hard, David. You need to rest too, you know?."

"I will, baby, I will. I'm just so excited about what I'm discovering." David grabs a cinnamon cookie and dips it to soak and then takes a bite of its soft wetness. He dips the other half and faces it to Elsa. "Open wide."

Elsa laughs and opens her mouth. David feeds her the cookie, her eyes closing in delight as she chews. The warmth of the room and her closeness to him fills him with comfort and love.

"Mmm, yummy." Elsa grabs a blueberry cookie and dips it. "Your turn. Open wide."

David laughs and opens his mouth, allowing her to feed him the cookie. The sweet taste of the blueberries fills his mouth, and for a moment, it's like no time has passed at all. He swallows and kisses her cheek. "Thank you, Elsa."

Elsa grabs the mug and takes a sip of the drink through a straw and shares it with him. "I was at Scrooge's store tonight and spotted Eric and Ariel ordering a nice beautiful girly ocean themed baby crib. They are taking what you said about them having a little girl to heart."

"Of course. I'm right about these things." David sipped the drink.

Elsa smiles big. "I think you're just eager to spoil your future godchild."

"It's a promise. I know you too want a child of our own, yes?." David looks at a paper on his desk.

Elsa's eyes light up. "More than anything. I wanted a child that we made together. I wanted to be a mom."

David nodded. "We will have a baby one day, Elsa. We can't rush it. Making a baby is all about good timing and a lot of love."

Elsa leaned into him, her eyes sparkling with hope. "I know, but it's just so exciting to think about. A little bundle of joy to call our own. Anna and Kristoff being aunt and uncle. A child having our powers equally. Can you imagine it?."

David nodded, his heart swelling with love for her. "I can. And I promise you, Elsa, we will find our happiness in that together. But for now, we have to focus on the here and now. We have a kingdom to rule and protect. Eric and Ariel are preparing but waiting on the right moment to finally do the deed."

Elsa giggled, leaning into him. "I know, I know. But a married woman can dream, can't she?."

David chuckled. "Of course, you can. Now, I will be here for just another hour and I will meet you in bed."

Elsa kissed him. "I will be waiting for you." She got up from his lap and left the room with her usual grace. She stops and turns. "Don't forget that you are going to handle a little dispute between Jack and Barbossa."

"Is it about the Black Pearl, again?." David sighs.

Elsa chuckles. "It's always about the Black Pearl with Jack and Barbossa."

"I thought Elizabeth fixed that issue between them?." David asked while eating another cookie before seeing her walk back to him barefooted.

Elsa laughs. "You know Jack and his obsession with that ship. It's never truly fixed with him." She took a cookie from the plate. "I swear, I don't know what Jack truly loves the most. The Pearl or his wife."

David shrugs. "From what Tennessee told me what Elizabeth tells him during the therapy session that Jack would be hesitant to say about his answer. He gives the ups and downs between the ship or her. If you ask me, Jack puts rum over Elizabeth any day."

Elsa rolls hers and walks out. "Silly Jack Sparrow. What a typical pirate."

"Correction, Elsa, it's Captain Jack Sparrow." David called out and looked back at his desk. "Now, back to you."

End of Flashback

David rubs his head as the memory goes away just like the others. "I remember something but forget them."

He gives it a thought of his situation. Yes, the Forgotten is powerful and he can't be able to keep everyone at ease by himself. Let alone considering some help in fighting the nightmare that is the Forgotten. Making the final decision, David gets up to make his way to the Hall of Realms. Taking the steps to reach the second layer of the next three covered doors. He stood face to face with the covered door to the Frozen realm.

"On the other side of this door, you will find yourself encountering a brave, determined and childlike nature woman who loves sandwiches, and a very powerful woman with the ability to control and conjure winter itself." said a voice.

The voice startled David when jumped up to turn and saw Merlin on the first level looking up at him.

"Ah, dude, you had me jump out of my underwear for a second." David spoke while catching his breath.

Merlin chuckles. "My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you. But, I see you are going to unlock the door to the Frozen realm. It was my king's favorite realm out of all the other realms."

David mumbled in jealousy. "Yeah, because he bagged himself a hottie for a wife."

Merlin chuckles. "Indeed, he did. The last time I spoke to Elsa and Anna was exactly the same spot as you are at right now. Elsa never wanted to retreat back to her realm. She wanted to stay and fight but she couldn't. She can be an excellent help in helping you in taking down the Forgetting and the Forgotten."

David sighs. He turned to the covered door and used his magic to break the door free from its capture as the Snowflake symbol glowed and ready to let him in. "To be honest. I always wanted to visit Arendelle anyway. Wish me luck."

Merlin nods. "Good luck, David."

David opens the door and enters the Frozen realm. Not expecting what waits for him. Including the Forgotten himself.

Chapter Text

David was setting up the picnic table in Dazzle Beach as he set a nice Arendelle table cover before smoothing out the wrinkles. Next, he pulls out two full large plates of Tiana’s delicious beignets, a big plate of tea sandwiches and sets them on the table. Then he pulls out a nice teapot set with tea ready for drinking.

“Oh, and I almost forgot.” David pulls out a plate of a big pile of crumpets and sets it in the middle. “Can't be a nice long lost reunion without some crumpets.”

David had organized a ‘Get To Know Each Other’ sweets and tea on Dazzle Beach for two sisters who have no clue that they have a long lost baby brother. This was a great idea when writing the invitations. In his beach swim attire, he waited patiently for his girlfriend, her sister and husband to get here, while waiting for the other couple to come.

He looks up and sees Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff coming down from the second entrance to the Forest of Valor and waves at them. "Hey, guys!. Over here!."

Elsa, with her hair pulled back in a neat ponytail, spots the table first. "Oh, David, this looks amazing!." She exclaims, her eyes lighting up with joy.

Anna, ever the bubbly one, runs ahead, her curly hair bouncing. "Tea Sandwiches!." She says with a laugh. "I haven't had these since... yesterday with Alice and Hatter."

Kristoff looks at the table with an approved nod. "Not bad with the spread, David. Looks very welcoming."

David smiles nervously. "Thanks. I hope everything is okay." while expecting the other couple to appear any moment.

It didn't take long to spot Tarzan and Jane coming from the other side of the beach. He told them to be casual for Tarzan's sake as they approached them. Jane traded her old lifestyle of England for the jungle, as she had a nice yellow one button less shirt and a well torn green skirt and being barefooted. David approached them with open arms.

"Jane. Tarzan. So glad you came." David spoke with cheerfulness.

Jane grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We wouldn't miss it for the world!. Tarzan's been looking forward to this all week." She leaned in to whisper, "I'm just worried about his table manners."

David playfully whispers back. "Don't worry. Kristoff doesn't have any good table manners either." He chuckles.

Tarzan, hearing this, gives a hearty laugh and slaps his hand on David's back. "Good to know I'm not alone!."

David motions them. "Come, Come, they're waiting."

Guiding them to where the others were, Elsa and Anna immediately stood beside each other and saw their long lost baby brother. Tarzan was a bit nervous at seeing two people that are actually his family let alone his siblings.

Elsa, with a gentle smile, was the first to speak up. "Hi, Tarzan. It's nice to see you this morning."

Anna nodded happily. "It is nice. Baby Brother."

Tarzan, still a bit overwhelmed, managed a shy smile in return. "Sisters. I still can't believe I have a living family."

As they all took their seats, David began to pour tea into the fine bone china cups, passing them around the table. The scent of freshly brewed Jasmine tea leaves wafted through the air, mingling with the sweetness of the beignets. The sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

"Now then let's recap." David set the teapot down. He looks at everyone with his signature friendly smile. "I cracked the mystery that anyone says is impossible to solve. I solved the mystery of your parents' last whereabouts at the sea before meeting their unfortunate end in the jungle."

Elsa nodded while grabbing her tea. "Yes. Mother and Father were out at sea going to visit one of Arendelle's potential trade countries, but a massive storm came and lightning struck the ship..."

"Causing a fire and causing them to escape a watery grave. Fortunately they were at the coast of whatever part of Africa. At the same time mom gave birth to Tarzan. We didn't know she was pregnant." said Anna, before munching down on her tea sandwich.

"And I put two to two together and solved the mystery of who Tarzan's parents were and what exactly happened to Elsa and Anna's parents. Conclusion. You guys share the same parents and you three are siblings." David spoke before grabbing a crumpet.

"Indeed." Jane happily spoke as she sipped her tea. "It's so good to know that I have sister-in-laws."

Kristoff leaned back in his chair, a proud smile on his face. "This is going to be one heck of a reunion."

"Let's begin." David looks at his girlfriend and her sister. "Ladies, please tell some fun things about yourself to your brother."

Elsa took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking up, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "Well, Tarzan, when Anna and I were young, we used to play in the palace halls, pretending to be brave explorers. And even though I had my... issues with ice and snow, Anna never left my side."

"Good, Good. Anna?." David sips his tea.

Anna giggled, her cheeks slightly pinking up. "Okay, okay. Well, Elsa and I had a habit of sneaking out to play in the town square without the guards knowing. And, let's just say, we got into a bit of trouble more than once." She glances at Elsa, who rolls her eyes with a playful smirk.

"Great." David turns his attention to Tarzan. "Your turn."

Tarzan looked around the table, his gaze lingering on each face, unsure of where to begin. "Well, I was raised by gorillas. That's pretty unique." He starts tentatively, then with a deep breath, he goes on. "Growing up, I learned to swing from trees and talk to animals. It was a different kind of life, but it taught me strength and a bit of independence."

The group leaned in, captivated by Tarzan's tales of the wild. Jane squeezed his hand, her eyes shining with pride. "And he's quite the hero, too. He's saved me countless times from danger in the jungle. Go on. Tell your sisters."

Tarzan's chest puffed out slightly at her encouragement. "There was this one time, I rescued a baby elephant from a trap. It was a close call, but we became friends. And another time, I helped a family of orangutans find their home after they were lost in a storm."

Elsa's eyes widened with wonder. "That's incredible. I can't even imagine living in a world without walls and ceilings. Nothing but woods, bugs, and wild animals at every corner."

Anna looks at Jane. "How do you even tolerate that life?."

Jane laughs, "It's an adventure every single day. Plus, I have the best guide and protector." She glances lovingly at Tarzan.

The conversation shifts to their favorite memories and childhood experiences. Anna shares a heartwarming story about their mother teaching her to bake the perfect kransekake for their birthday, while Elsa recounts the time their father took them on a secret midnight ice-skating trip under the Northern Lights. Tarzan, in turn, tells them about the time he discovered the glowing glowworms in the trees and how they reminded him of the stars he could never have had much interest in until meeting Jane and her father. After eating and drinking, David invites them to the water as he pulls Elsa in the water.

As they laugh and splash around, Elsa turns to Tarzan, her eyes filled with excitement. "Hey, want to see something cool?." Without waiting for his response, she uses her ice powers to create a slide from the water's edge, leading back into the sea.

"Wow, Elsa!." Tarzan exclaims, watching as the icy structure shimmers in the sun.

"Come on!." Elsa leads the way to the icy ladder.

Tarzan, intrigued, follows her. "This is incredible. How do you do that?" He asks, watching her manipulate the water and ice with a grace that only a natural-born royal could possess.

Elsa grins, feeling the joy of sharing her gift with her newfound brother. "It's all about the flick of the wrist and the power within." She demonstrates, sending a spray of water into the air, which quickly freezes into delicate ice crystals.

Anna, ever eager to participate, runs over. "Can I try?."

"Sure!." Elsa lets her climb the ladder.

Anna squeals with delight as she climbs up the ice slide, her bare feet sticking slightly to the cool surface. "This is so fun!." She says before sliding down with a giggle.

The siblings take turns on the slide, each one of them enjoying the feeling of the icy rush as they glide into the sea. David and Kristoff watch from the shore, chuckling at their antics. Jane took her chance and slid down.

"Your turn again, Tarzan." Anna says, in deep excitement.

Tarzan, not one to back down from a challenge, eagerly climbs up the ice ladder. "Alright, Elsa. Watch this!." He calls out as he takes a deep breath and dives into the slide, letting out a roar of pure delight. The water sprays around him as he slices through the sea like a dolphin.

The siblings' laughter echoes through the beach as they continue to take turns, each trying to outdo the other. Meanwhile, David and Kristoff went to put the remaining food away and divided equally for takeout. After they are done playing in the water and Elsa turning the ice back into water, David leads them to another side of the beach where a nice settlement is set up.

"Oh, David, you set up a cricket field!." Jane spoke in delight with her eyes wide in utter excitement.

"I sure did, Jane." David picks up a cricket bat. "Made them myself with the craft station. I have played this game one time in middle school and forgot how the game works. This is your country's favorite game besides soccer. Teach us how to play."

Tarzan, his curiosity piqued, walks over to the cricket setup, his eyes scanning the wickets and balls. "Cricket? I've heard of this. It's an English game, right?. Jane?."

Jane nods, her eyes alight with enthusiasm. "Yes, it is!. It's a bit like baseball, but with more rules and strategy."

Kristoff picks up the ball in curiosity. "Please. Tell us."

Jane claps her hands together. "Alright, gather around. Cricket is quite simple. There's a bowler who throws the ball at the wicket. The batsman's job is to hit the ball and run to the opposite wicket without getting out."

Elsa nods, her eyes focused on Jane. "And what are these pads and gloves for?." She asks, picking up one of the cricket gear.

"Ah, those are for protection!." Jane says, explaining. "The bowler throws the ball pretty fast, and the batsman needs to be quick on his feet to hit it. And if you're the one who's bowling, you'll need these to throw properly." She demonstrates the correct stance for bowling, her arm swinging smoothly.

"Sounds fun!." Anna picks up a bat. "Let's play!."

"I got dibs on being the bowler." David puts the gloves on before grabbing the ball.

Jane smiles. "Remember, keep your arm straight and swing from your hips." She gives him a quick demo.

David nods, taking his place at the bowling crease. "Alright, I think I've got this." He winds up and throws the ball with surprising force, it zooms straight for the wicket, but Elsa, with surprising agility, hits the ball with her bat, sending it flying through the air.

"Good shot, Elsa!." Tarzan cheers from the other end, as they all watch the ball soar over their heads and into the ocean.

"Good thing I made spares." spoke David when grabbing a spare.

The fourth round game of cricket began with David as the bowler, Elsa as the batswoman, and Tarzan as the wicket-keeper. Anna eagerly took her place as a field player, while Jane and Kristoff served as umpires, reminding them of the rules to the others again as the game progressed.

The ball was thrown and Elsa, with her swift reflexes, hit it with a crack, sending it flying towards the boundary. Tarzan leaped into action, his jungle instincts taking over as he sprinted towards the ball, his bare feet digging into the sand. He dove at the last moment, his hand just managing to tip the ball before it could leave the playing area. The group cheered and applauded his athleticism, even though it was clear he had never played before.

"This is really fun." Elsa looks at Jane with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Sister-in-law."

"My pleasure, Elsa. Now, let's see if you can hit it like that every time." Jane winks playfully.

They continued playing until they were completely satisfied and called it a day. David hands them the leftovers and bibs them a good day. He took a big group selfie before they went about their business for the remaining day. He was heading back to the castle to go take a shower until Elsa catches up to him.

"David!." Elsa runs over to him. "I just wanted to thank you for making an effort in getting this day ready for myself, Anna, and Tarzan. That meant the world to us."

David smiles back. "Anything for my loving girlfriend."

Elsa had a sad smile. "Do you think my parents would rest easy more in the afterlife now that we're reunited as a sibling trio?."

David nodded. "I'm sure they would be overjoyed. And they're looking down on you now, proud that their three kids are together."

"Thank you, David." Elsa's eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "It's a strange feeling, knowing you have a brother you never knew about. But it's also incredible. I've never thought I'll be blessed with another sibling, let alone a brother."

David wrapped his arm around her. "You're not just blessed with a brother, Elsa. You've got an incredible one. And look at the amazing wife he found in Jane. It's like destiny brought you all together."

"More like you have brought us together." Elsa gives him a kiss on the lips.

"Thanks for the kiss. Now, if you excuse me, I have a shower waiting for me. You should head home and get a bath too. I noticed you forgot to put on deodorant. I can smell your armpits and deep sweat from them through your shirt." David points out and does not try to laugh before walking back to his castle.

Elsa blushes at the remark. "I'll... I'll take that into account next time." She says before running to the Forest of Valor where her ice cave is located. "Stupid me. Why did I forget to put on deodorant this morning?."

Chapter Text

Something went horribly wrong when entering the realm of Frozen. Instead of being where Elsa and Anna are, David finds himself in a realm of what looks like a shadow version of Dreamlight. He was all confused as to where he is or why he is.

“What the heck?.” David looks at his surroundings. “Where is this place?.” not expecting to get an answer.

“You're in a place where no one or thing can find or reach.”

David turns around and sees…Him. “You…”

Forgotten emerges behind a swamp tree. His resemblance looked exactly like David except his skin is dark purplish with a fiery aura. David shook his head at what he saw in front of him. Assuming that the Forgotten is a shape shifter and trying to get in his head.

Forgotten grinned evilly. “We meet again, only this time we meet face to face.” He got closer to David who stepped back. He tilted his head with a look of amusement. “Look at you. Weak. Pathetic. Soft. But most of all to my liking. Dissociative Amnesia. That credit belongs to me of course.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” David felt uncomfortable. “I only heard of you. You're the villain.”

Forgotten throw his arms out. “And I'm very proud of it.”

Forgotten and David walked around in circles looking at each other. David's mind is forcing himself to remember uncontrollably but with no luck or positive results. David's mind is trying to make David remember. He can feel it in his chest but his mind tells him that there isn't anything to remember. He has no connections to Dreamlight Valley or any of the Disney characters that are supposed to be nothing more other than mere fictional characters.

Forgotten chuckled darkly. “I never would imagine that the prophecy was all about you ending the darkness that is me. Funny. The Atlanteans have discovered the lands of Dreamlight Valley. Their one and only wise Oracle had foreseen a vision of the one who would one day rule this land. A king who is the only welder of the magic that is Dreamlight. The master of friendship. They constructed those wishing wells. They carved their culture into the Biomes as a way of informing who was here before the neighborhood was born.”

"So...they are the ones who built the Dream Castle?." David taking in the shared information.

Forgotten nods. "Yes, indeed. The Oracle knew what the king was all about. The one who would bring heroes and villains together and build a forever friendship."

"Look. If the prophecy is about me beating you and restoring the valley back to its former glory, then yeah let's do it. But I have no knowledge about Dreamlight Valley. Don't act like you know me." said David, being brave.

Forgotten's grin grew wider. "You think you can beat me?. Oh, how adorable. You don't remember because I made sure of it. Forte is right. I have nothing to worry about. As long as I keep you away from her, I can still remain in my reign. Putting you here is a guarantee. Ta Ta."

"Hey!." David ran towards him but saw him vanish through the closed portal. "Damn. I'm stuck here in this...what is this place anyway?."

"It's the Here and There." came a female voice.

David turns and gasps in shock at who is standing there. There standing beside the tree is a female mouse with heels and a cute bow on top of her head. What stood out was that she is fully seen and not looking at a form of energy.

"Minnie?. Is that you?." David slowly approaches her.

"Yes, it's me. You must be David." Minnie spoke happily. "I see you all the time helping everyone out in the valley. Thank you, for helping Mickey in his time of loneliness."

"Wait, you can see everything in the valley but we don't see you except your figure flickers for a moment until you vanish in a blink of an eye?." David was amazed.

Minnie nodded, her smile big. "I've been watching over everyone. Not by choice. A while back, my ruler had discovered this dimension. He calls it the Here and There. He says that it's an ideal place that the naked eye can't see. He says that no one can hear or see you. He mentions that there is a low ten percent possibility that you can be seen from the outside of the Here and There."

"Guess you got that ten percent chance." David was pulled into a strong hug. "Wow, for a woman mouse, you got a good strong grip."

Minnie laughs. "I've had a lot of time to work on it." She steps back, her eyes glistening with joy. "When you have nothing to do but do push-ups to keep yourself from going crackers, you have no choice but to work on the biceps."

The two of them take a moment to absorb the surreal situation. David glances around the shadowy landscape, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and unease. "So, what's the plan then?. How do we get out of here?."

Minnie shrugs. "Don't know. The king never said how or did he ever figure a way to enter and leave the Here and There."

"Oh, great." David can't believe what he is hearing. "You're pulling my leg, right?. Please, tell me you are pulling my leg."

Minnie shakes her head. "I'm sorry, David. But no one has ever returned from here. This place is a prison."

David started pacing back and forth while rubbing his chin. Thinking what to do and how to get themselves out of here. If the Forgotten have the ability to exit out of the Here and There then David can do so as well. He pulls out the book that has the Dreamlight King's journal pages. Hoping to find a solution in one of the pages the king has written. Recalling such a page, finding one underneath his bed. He looks at the page and gasps.

"Yes!." David alerted Minnie.

Minnie's ears perked up. "What is it?. Did you find something?."

"Your Dreamlight King has mentioned briefly about the Here and There." David felt Minnie getting close to read.

"Never seen that language before." Minnie commented with a look of confusion.

David nods, "It's an Atlantean language. Your ruler studied and understood it."

Minnie nodded, "The king was quite the scholar. Despite him not getting any scholarships for college and just having to settle in just having his high school diploma."

"I don't remember if I ever graduated." David looks at the page.

'The Night Shard is just like the Here and There. Dark, Gloomy, Depression, and Lonely. Despite myself never being there to study it personally, I managed to know how to exit out of the place or if anyone somehow managed to accidentally enter themselves into the dimension.

Very simple. To those who don't have the powers of Dreamlight at hand, like myself, you just need a Dream Shard. Second, recall a happy memory while holding on to the shard and look directly at it so the shard can observe what you said. You know it's working when it glows solidly. Third, the shard would be powered by your memory and you just ordered it to take you wherever you desired to go and throw it over. Then...Boom!...a portal is summoned. Doing this to the shard is like having a transport ticket. One person. One shard. So, it's best to share the shard with that individual so the portal can allow more than one person to walk through it.'

David closes the book and sends it back to his invisible bag. "By any chance, did you have a Dream Shard on you before you got here?."

Minnie nodded. "Yes, I always carry one. It's like a good luck charm to me and Mickey."

David sees the pure shard and instructs her. "Now, look at the shard directly and say one happy memory to it."

Minnie holds out the shard with her human sized hand and closes her eyes for a moment, thinking. Then, she opens them and a warm smile spreads across her face. "The first time Mickey and I danced together at the Starlit Ball, under the moonlit sky, surrounded by our closest friends. It was magical."

The shard glowed faintly and Minnie tossed it to David. He paused himself on what to recall a happy memory. His mind wants him to recall what he dreams but can't remember what happened in his dreams.

"What's wrong, David?." Minnie has that concern look on her face.

"I don't remember my happy moments. They're all...fuzzy." David's voice trailed off as he stared at the shard. "I want to recall what happened in the valley but my mind refuses."

Minnie's expression turned gentle. "It's alright, take your time. Think of something that made you smile, something that filled your heart with warmth."

David tries to remember what he dreamt. "It's hard to recall that memory that I believe it's a dream."

"Don't worry. It's okay. Sometimes the heart remembers what the mind forgets." Minnie encourages him.

David took what Minnie just said and let his heart speak for him. The shard glowed hard as it started collecting a copied happy memory that he dreamt about but doesn't remember what happened in it.

Flashback

David and Elsa sat at an empty Chez Remy waiting for Remy and Tiana to come with the book for the wedding menu. Elsa happily playing with her silver ring that had four shiny diamonds on them.

"You made this ring look very beautiful on my hand." Elsa looks at her groom to be.

David smiles. "Yeah, I crafted exactly how the ring would rightfully match you."

Elsa looks over to the kitchen. "Remy?. Tiana?. I don't want to sound impatient but could you please hurry with the wedding menu?. Me and David have to head over to Minnie and Daisy for a fitting."

"Coming right up, Elsa!." Tiana's voice echoes from the kitchen. She grabs the book and has Remy on her shoulder.

"Alright, let's get started." Remy jumps off her shoulder as she sets the book down and opens it. "We combined our cookbooks as a variety of options."

"Great." David pulls the book over for himself and Elsa to see.

"I want the sweets to be everything chocolate." Elsa spoke with zero hesitation while eyeing the pages.

David chuckles, "Of course you do. I don't know why I didn't guess that. For starters, I want leek soups."

Elsa giggles. "You always did love that soup."

Tiana writes it down. "Okay. What else?."

David thinks for a moment. "Let's add apple cider glazed salmon as one of the main dishes. And maybe a bit of your famous gumbo?."

Tiana nods eagerly, scribbling down the suggestions. "Oh yes, that will be a delightful fusion of flavors!. Elsa, it's your turn to pick the other half of the main dish."

Elsa taps her chin thoughtfully, her eyes scanning the book. "Hmm, how about... a winter berry stew with a hint of mint?. It's a recipe I learned from the cooks back in Arendelle when I was a little girl."

Remy nods. "Hmmm, that's a fun experiment to work on. Now, the fun finger foods..."

"Tekka Maki, Tamagoyaki, Sake Maki, and Creamy Garlic Scallops." David and Elsa spoke in unison. They paused to look at each other for a second and busted out laughing.

Tiana tilted her head with a loving look. "Ah, look at you two lovers. You're speaking in unison. That's romantic."

Elsa's cheeks flushed pink and she giggled. "We just have the same taste in food, that's all."

"And for the wedding cake?." Remy waited for his answer.

"A four-tier chocolate fudge cake with mint buttercream and a hint of raspberry filling." Elsa spoke like a little kid.

"I'm very surprised that neither you or Anna haven't yet developed diabetes based on that insane consumption of chocolate." Tiana spoke truly.

David laughs. "Diabetes don't have a chance against the Arendelle Sisters. Besides, Anna has a knack for burning off those calories."

"And my tennis games with Maid Marian have helped me a lot." said Elsa, pretending she had a tennis racket and hitting the air in a tennis swinging motion.

"That's good to know. Any song selections going to be held at the wedding?." Tiana folds the paper and places it in her bosom.

David nods, "I already got the list of who is going to sing at the wedding. Each individual having a personal song that means something to them."

Elsa nods and looks at the two. "We have Aurora singing Once Upon A Dream as the first one to go. We have Judy singing Try Everything. Max and Roxanne wanted to sing and perform I2I from their favorite singer. Aladdin and Jasmine singing their duet of A Whole New World. And finally the Country Bears are singing Straight to the Heart of Love. That's the song me and David are going to dance to when we have the ballroom floor to ourselves."

Tiana nodded with deep excitement . "Wow, Elsa. That's wonderful!. I can't wait to hear and dance to them all!."

The flashback vanished as soon as the shard absorbed the happiness from the memory. David looks at the shard and it glows a solid blue. He looks at Minnie who is super excited.

"Yes, I'm coming home, Mickey!." Minnie cheered.

David was about to tell the shard to take them back to Dreamlight Valley but stopped. "Hey, Minnie, if it's alright with you, I wanted the portal to take us to where Elsa and Anna are. I originally was supposed to bring them back to the valley after unlocking their door, but the Forgotten interfered in letting me do just that."

Minnie nods. "That's very kind of you, David. Thinking about others before your own self. That definitely reminds me of my ruler."

David smirks. "Thanks, but I just want to make sure that I bring Elsa and Anna back to the valley, since Merlin says I needed Elsa to help me in this fight against Forgotten. So... want to join my quest?."

Minnie's eyes lit up. "Of course, I'll help! Besides, I'm sure that Mickey would wait for me just a bit longer."

"Great." David looks at the shard and spoke. "Take us to where I originally supposed to go."

He throws the shard as the two instantly see it transform into a swirling portal before they jump right into it. They jumped out to the other side of the portal as it completely closed up. The two looked at their surroundings as if it was completely wrong as David can tell without even having to take a double glance.

"We're not in Arendelle." David looks around in deep confusion. "This isn't Arendelle at all."

Minnie sees tons of jungle woods, vines, and moss all over as far as eyes can see. "No, it's not. This looks like a wild jungle."

"A jungle?. How can we be in a jungle if I opened the Frozen..." David stopped talking and jumped in fear when hearing a woman screaming. "You heard that?."

Minnie nods and hears it too. "Someone's in trouble." She hears it again and points at the direction. "This way."

The two quickly ran to that direction while trying their best not to trip over tons of tree roots that were poking out of the ground. They reach a clearing where they see a barefooted woman in torn clothing running from a group of uncontrollable babooms that had the same aura as the Forgotten. Their eyes were deep red and angry. Minnie sees the woman heading towards them and instantly recognizes her.

"Jane?!." Minnie was in disbelief.

"Jane Porter?!." David can't believe what realm he is in. "If she is here. Then..." He hears a man hollering.

Looking up he sees Tarzan sweeping Jane off her feet and swings forward while noticing them on the ground.

"Don't stand there, RUN!." yelled Tarzan.

David and Minnie looked at each other and sprinted deep into the jungle. The baboons were gaining on them, their angry screeches echoing through the dense foliage. David's heart raced as he navigated the unfamiliar terrain, ducking under vines and jumping over roots. Minnie kept up with surprising agility, her heels seemingly not hindering her at all.

"I got plenty at home." Minnie takes her heels off and tossed them away.

"Can you run barefoot with all these roots sticking out?." David jumps over a big root.

Minnie nods without looking back. "I'm a mouse, David. Running is what we do best."

The two continue to sprint through the jungle, the sound of the baboons' pounding feet growing closer. David's mind races, trying to think of a way to outsmart the creatures. Jane, who is in Tarzan's arms, looks down at the two who were heading the same direction as them and recognizes that female mouse.

"Minnie?." Jane spoke loud. "You two, head over to the treehouse!. Just keep running straight and don't look back!."

"But what about you guys?!." David yelled back.

"We'll distract them off!." Tarzan shouted as he let Jane go as she grabbed herself a vine.

They swung away in a different direction, diverting the baboons' attention leaving David and Minnie with a chance of getting to the treehouse.

"Come on!." David grabbed Minnie's hand and they dashed ahead as fast as they could. The jungle was a blur of greens and hot sun, and David could feel the tension in his chest as he pumped his legs faster.

They reach a clearing and see a large makeshift treehouse sitting there as they see a boat connected to the top indicating it's an elevator. They heard the baboons somewhere in the jungle as Minnie didn't waste any time.

"Quick get in!." Minnie jumps inside the boat.

"Right!." David gets in and quickly goes over to the rope that is the pull rope and pulls themselves up with Minnie's help.

The boat ascended rapidly, the wooden planks groaning under the sudden weight. The baboons had noticed their escape and were now climbing up the tree, their fiery eyes glinting in the sunlight. The rope holding the boat jerked and swung as they approached the treehouse. They got out quickly and rushed inside, closing the door behind them. Jane and Tarzan jumped through the window with ease before they closed and locked the door. Professor, who was in the middle of something that involves chemicals, turns around in surprise.

"Good heavens, what's going on?!." Professor asked while holding his test tube.

"Baboons, Daddy." Jane tries to catch her breath. "Baboons going bananas."

"Yes, and I never seen them like this before." said Tarzan, grabbing his spear from the corner.

David and Minnie looked at each other, the reality of the situation setting in. They weren't just in the Frozen realm; they had somehow ended up in the Jungle, where Tarzan and Jane resided. Meaning that Jane, Tarzan, Professor, Elsa and Anna both share the same realm.

David sighs. "I should have stayed at home resting if I knew that I was going to end up doing some monkey business."

Tarzan tilted his head in confusion as to what David said and turned to his wife. "Jane?. What is...monkey business?."

Jane giggled at the question despite their dangerous situation. "It's just a phrase, darling. It means something unexpected or unplanned."

Chapter Text

Flashback

David walks his way to the Biome of Sunlit Plateau on a royalty business as he receives an urgent letter from Tarzan and Jane seeking an audience. Mostly it's Tarzan who seeks his audience. David casually walks his way in the territory of Sunlit Plateau in his Dreamlight themed T-shirt with a pair of black shorts and a pair of sneakers matching the shirt, heading to the treehouse oddly similar to the one Jane, Tarzan, and Professor lives back in their realm. Climbing the ladder up to reach the front door, he knocked on the door a few times and waited for a response.

The door opened by Jane who was expecting David to arrive as she had a nice smile on her as she opened the door all the way.

"David, thank you for taking the time to come answer our urgency." Jane closes the door behind him.

David smiles at her. "I always have time to deal with any of my friends' issues. After all, I am the king of Dreamlight Valley. It's part of my responsibility."

Jane nods and gestures for him to follow her. "Come, Tarzan is waiting for you in the study."

Jane takes David to the study where Tarzan is sitting down reading an advanced book that is way over his reading capability. David noticed the book being 'The Great Gatsby' and can only guess who had assigned him that book.

"Let me guess." David sat down at the table with an amused smile. "Belle wanted you to work on expanding your vocabulary and assigned you this book, right?."

Tarzan looked up from the book, his expression a mix of confusion and yet curious. "Belle thinks this book would help me improve my reading skills."

Jane smiled as she showed David another book. "She also loaned my husband this."

"A dictionary?." David was very impressed. "Talk about no one being left behind."

Jane nodded while grabbing a tray of fresh sliced apples and bananas. "Indeed. She's quite the teacher. Now, Tarzan, why don't you tell David what's on your mind?."

"Right." Tarzan closes his book and sets it down. He looks at David with a displeased look. "David, I...I don't feel like I belong here in Dreamlight Valley."

"Oh?." David grabs a piece of a sliced banana. "What makes you feel this way?."

Tarzan sighs, running his hand through his hair. "Everyone here is so... civilized. They live in actual houses, they have technology, they wear clothes. And here I am, trying to fit in with nothing but a loincloth and my vine-swinging skills with no vines to put to good use."

"I see." David eats his apple. "Well, Tarzan, I'm going to have to disagree with you about the civilized part."

Tarzan looks up at him, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?."

"What I mean is that there are a good handful of neighbors that aren't civilized but yet are willing to adapt to their new environment. The biggest person from the bunch is Pocahontas and John Smith." David takes a bite of another fruit. "Despite John being civilized compared to his wife, he is adjusting to the modernized living conditions of a house like A/C, water from a faucet, a magical stove, and don't get me started on the toilet."

Tarzan chuckles, his mood lightening a bit. "I see what you mean, but it's just... I feel out of place. Like a caveman in a spaceship."

"Pocahontas felt the same when I wanted to take a selfie with her. She was amazed about my phone and once accused it of snatching a piece of her life force." David can't help but chuckle on that memory. "But she has come a long way since I introduced her into the valley."

Tarzan nodded, looking a little more hopeful. "What do you think I should do?."

"In reality, Tarzan, my kingdom and its Biomes are in fact its own jungle. Each section of the kingdom has things you have to have or wear in order to survive its environment or have to learn to befriend the animals that inhabit certain spots in order to keep them relaxed around you. Remember how Jane was when she was introduced to the jungle." David starts it out. "Instead of respecting the jungle through letting Manu have the drawing of himself that she has drawn, she finds herself running for her life when his whole family of baboons chased her in anger. Remember that, Jane?."

Jane nods with a small laugh, taking a few slices of apples from the tray. "Oh, I do. I had to learn quickly that respect for nature is the most important rule of the jungle, even here in Dreamlight Valley."

David turns back to Tarzan. "Like I said. Dreamlight Valley is another jungle. A jungle that you can be able to adapt to. If you can do it as a kid, then you can do it again as a man."

Tarzan looks at Jane who nods encouragingly. "I suppose you're right, David." He sighs and takes a deep breath. "But how do I do it?. Everyone else seems to fit in so easily."

"That's because I oversee their comfort in the valley. Here, let's go outside and let me guide the way." David gets up from his chair.

They step out of the treehouse into the warm, vibrant Sunlit Plateau, and Tarzan immediately feels the urge to swing on the branches of a nearby tree. David notices his restlessness and nods with understanding. He encouraged Tarzan to go and get on that tree and work his way to Simba, Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa's home. Tarzan swung through tree to tree until reaching the house similar to Pride Rock and landed down where Simba and Nala were resting by the front entrance.

"Hey, guys." David spoke to his favorite felines. "Hakuna Matata."

Simba looked at David, his eyes squinting with a smile. "Good to see you, David. What brings you here today?."

"Just making Tarzan feel one with the valley." David tells Simba before summoning his fish rod and then a regular one. "Take this, Tarzan."

Tarzan looked at the fishing rod in surprise. "What's this for?."

"Fishing, darling." Jane spoke as she showed him.

"Yes, the rod is a great tool to catch fish and more effective than throwing a spear in the water in hopes of capturing any fish." David tells him before throwing his fishing line into the water. "Modern things can be your best friend if you let it be."

Tarzan took the rod hesitantly, his strong hands wrapping around it. He watched David cast his line with ease and mimicked the motion, feeling the weight of the rod pull back before letting it fly. The line soared through the air and dropped into the water with a soft plop. They waited until getting a bite and pulled in their line and caught themselves a Pike.

"It's quite... peaceful." Tarzan said, watching the water ripple from the fish's struggle. "But, David, I still feel like an outsider."

"Roxanne felt like an outsider in her realm." David unhooked the fish and tossed it for Nala to have. "A beautiful young teenager who is a popular kid in high school, but doesn't quite fit in due to being shy and not being able to embrace her true self."

Tarzan nodded as he watched Nala gobble up the pike. "I understand that feeling."

David looks up to see Roxanne walking around with her fishing rod. "Roxanne, please come over here."

Roxanne sees David and Tarzan and waves as she approaches. She had her hair tied up in a loose ponytail, with a Dreamlight Valley branded fishing hat on her head. David tells Tarzan to watch her movement as she approaches them. She walked normally for a few seconds until she put her leg in front of the other and self tripped herself and hit the ground.

"See?." David watched her get up. "That's her true self that she is unable to embrace in her realm. She is a goof, just like Max and his dad."

Tarzan's eyes followed Roxanne as she approached them, her cheeks reddening slightly from her stumble. Jane had thrown the line back in the water to get another fish.

Roxanne held out her hand to show a small trout she had caught. "Hooked it using a blueberry for bait, hyuck!." She beamed proudly.

David nods in approval. "Ah, yes, that good old hyuck sound. Max is lucky to have you as a girlfriend."

Roxanne blushes harder and looks down. "Thanks, David. That's very sweet of you to say."

"Now, please tell Tarzan how great you feel in moving to the valley and feeling your true self compared to your realm." David put his fishing rod away and waited for his answer.

Roxanne looked at Tarzan with a gentle smile. "Well, I felt normal. Back home I was shy and not feeling that much happy. Yes, I was one of the popular girls but I wasn't having a real smile on my face and just had to make a forced one. When Max told me that he and his father were moving out to be living in this place and wanted me to go with them, I couldn't say no to the idea of a place that is environmentally friendly and the harsh attitude of the real world doesn't have a place here. Here, I can be Roxanne Rover aka, Little Miss Goof, without the judgement of my peers or anyone I know in my realm."

Tarzan looked at her, his gaze thoughtful. "But you're not from the jungle, Roxanne. This is all new to you too."

"Any environment is a jungle regardless it is not an actual jungle itself." Roxanne tells him before looking back at David. "You're still coming over for dinner, right?. Mr. Goofy is making his Swedish fish-meatballs in gravy."

"What's for dessert?." David can't help but ask with a look of excitement.

"Well, I was thinking of making gooseberry pie." Roxanne said with a wink. "But if you want, I can ask Max to whip up something extra special. He's been practicing his cooking skills with Chef Remy."

"I'll be there when nightfall comes." David tells her.

Roxanne nods and smiles before walking away, leaving David and Tarzan to continue their conversation. Tarzan watched her go, then turned back to David. "How do I find that kind of belonging here?. It seems so... forced."

"It's not force. You're just overwhelmed and overthinking." David looks back at him. "As long as you have your wife and new friends to help guide you, you will find your place in this valley. Everyone here is your family including myself."

Jane nods and puts a comforting hand on Tarzan's shoulder. "Remember, we're all just trying to find our way in this magical place. Sometimes, you just need to take a moment to appreciate the little things and the new experiences it brings."

Tarzan looks at her hand and then at David with a sigh. "You're both right. Maybe I've just been too caught up in trying to be what I'm not."

"Exactly," David said with a nod. "You're Tarzan, the king of the jungle. But here, you can be Tarzan, the friendly neighbor who doesn't need to swing vines to get anywhere." He turns to Nala who was done eating the fish. "Belly rub before I go?."

Nala rolls onto her back with a happy purr. David chuckles as he rubs her belly, feeling the vibrations from her purrs. "Good girl."

Tarzan watches the interaction with a small smile. "Maybe I need to start small. Like, you know, learning to cook or something."

"Cooking is the best choice." David rubs Nala's belly and then goes to scratch behind her ears.

"Ahhh, yes, that's the spot." Nala enjoying her comfort.

David laughs. "I'll talk to Remy about giving you some cooking lessons, Tarzan. Maybe you can start with something simple like a fruit salad."

"Sounds good." Tarzan smiled big.

End of Flashback

Back at Nightmare Castle in her laboratory mixing a couple of chemicals before watching their reactions before resuming back to work, Roxanne was trying to continue her task while still feeling the pain from the lashes she endured by the Forgotten. She worked tiredly in creating the formula that he wanted her to produce before and after David arrived in Dreamlight Valley. She hears someone entering her laboratory with a hint of fear that it might be her master. Daring to turn back, she was then relieved to see it was only Max who had a bottle of what looked to be a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a small bowl of cotton balls.

"Hey." Max approached her.

"Hey." Roxanne responded before going back to her science.

"Brought this to help with your back. We can't have you get a nasty infection, now do we." Max tells her when setting the items down on another table.

Roxanne nods wearily. "Thanks, Max. Our Master can share his upsetness and failures upon us without any hesitation or our well being."

Max nodded while opening the bottle. "That is who we serve, Roxanne. We're his loyal servants."

Roxanne sighed, her eyes still on the bubbling cauldron. "I know, but sometimes I wish there was a way out of this endless cycle of pain and fear. But due to his dark powers and him manipulating our minds, we can't break free."

"Stop what you're doing and show me your bareback." Max tells her when putting alcohol on the cotton ball. "Undo your maid outfit."

Roxanne hesitates for a moment but ultimately obeys, her movements mechanical as she unties her apron and lifts her shirt to expose the fresh wounds. The scent of antiseptic fills the room as Max dabs gently at her injuries with the alcohol-soaked cotton. She winces at the sting but doesn't make a sound, her mind elsewhere. Max took his time dabbing at the deep cut wound of open flesh that Roxanne has on her back. He was angry but what can either of them do?. They are servants to the unloving, uncaring, unapologetic, unkind, and evil king.

"Do you miss your father, Max?." Roxanne asked while feeling the burning sensation on her open skin.

Max paused for a moment, his eyes reflecting a flicker of something unspoken. "Every day," he murmured, before returning to his task with renewed vigor. "It's been years since I last saw him. I took him for granted."

Roxanne felt a pang of sympathy. She knew all too well the ache of not seeing your family for a period of time. The pain of separation is most definitely unbearable. "You didn't take him for granted, Max."

"No, I did. I remember that summer trip he wanted to take me to that same fishing spot his father had taken him while traveling across the country to get there." Max remembered the details of it a long time ago. "I changed that map to have us go to Los Angeles to see Powerline, just so I can keep my little lie alive for you. I remember how upset he was when I proved Pete right about me being dishonest."

Roxanne's eyes softened as she watched Max's pained expression. "We all make mistakes, Max. Your father knew you had good intentions, and I'm sure he's proud of the person you've become, even though you selfishly threw away a happy father and son summer moment with him to win my heart."

"I know. I know." Max sighs in sadness. "I...I...I really wanted you to love me and not be uncomfortable with my inherited goofiness.

Roxanne smiles gently. "Max, I liked you for who you were, not because of what you did on the final day of school and you getting on stage with Powerline. I liked you for your kindness and your willingness to help others. Plus, don't forget that I love your goofiness and I too am on the same boat as you and your dad."

Max can't help to chuckle while getting a new cotton ball to soak the alcohol in. "Yeah, that is true."

Roxanne looked at her notes and then added some things to it using a sharp pencil. A smile came to her lips. "Remember that Superbowl party that you two invited me to come over?. Me willing to start the propane grill for PJ's Dad?."

Max laughs, his eyes lighting up at the memory. "Oh, man, your first attempt was...less than successful," he says, his voice filled with affectionate teasing. "You literally turned on the propane gas and went to lighting the grill despite it having a safety starter button."

"Well, I didn't know that!." Roxanne retorts, a hint of laughter in her voice despite the pain. "And thanks to your dad, we had the best BBQ ever, after I didn't blow us all up."

"But you did blow the grill up skyhigh and you flew right into the pool. Still can't forget your cute Goofy Holler when you flew." Max grinned on remembering that memory.

Roxanne rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Yeah, well, at least I had a good landing. Mr. Pete's face was priceless. I had to give him all of my Wonder Burger paychecks to pay him back for a replacement grill."

Max chuckles, but the smile fades as he looks back at the wounds. "These are deep," he says, his voice sobering. "We need to hope he succeeds in stopping David from reaching his wife or else we get to be used again as Forgotten's anger relief method."

Roxanne nods solemnly. "I know. The last thing we need is to be caught in the crossfire again."

"He escaped the Here and There." Forgotten shuts the door hard and sees it made the two jump. "Now, he is in the jungle where I infected baboons to reign havoc to keep Tarzan and Jane forever distracted, but looks like I have to take another L because David is there with them. Plus, he brought Minnie with him. Damn!."

Max and Roxanne exchange a look of disbelief and dread. "Aunt Minnie is with him?" Max asks, his hand hovering over the half-covered wound on Roxanne's back. "Please don't take it out of any one of us or Roxanne, Master. Her back can't take another beating."

Forgotten summoned a medium sized Bambusa Blumeana with its spikes nice and sharp. He grinned evilly. "Her bare feet would do just fine."

Roxanne's eyes grew wide at the sight of the thick bamboo. "Not the Bambusa Blumeana bamboo. Anything but that, Master, please."

The Forgotten's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "You see, the thing about this bamboo is it's unforgiving just like me. Plus, it's my Night Thorn version bamboo. Notice the texture color?."

Max gulped, his hands shaking slightly as he tried to finish tending to Roxanne's injuries. "Master, if I may suggest, perhaps we can find another way other than using Roxanne as your torture slave?."

"Nope." Forgotten didn't hesitate. "Her painful screaming is most enjoyable. Oh, Roxanne?."

Roxanne's heart raced, bracing herself for what was to come upon her. "Yes, Master?."

"Remove your shoes and socks. Then lay on your abdomen and have your feet up so I can start laying the suffering." Forgotten tells her with evilness. "Now."

Roxanne's hands tremble as she bends down to untie her shoes, while her eyes never leave the sharp, menacing bamboo. Max finishes bandaging her back and moves to her side, offering silent support as he bites down on his fist as he can't do anything. She pulls off her socks, the cool stone floor of the laboratory offering a stark contrast to the heat of fear burning through her body. Slowly, she lowers herself onto her stomach, her feet bare and vulnerable. Forgotten approached her soft smooth and most definitely sensitive naked feet and raised the bamboo up in the air.

"Start screaming." Forgotten slaps the sharp thorny stick on her feet.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

Roxanne's body jolts with the sudden pain, a scream ripping from her throat. She bites her lip, trying to hold back the tears as the thorns dig deep into the soft flesh of her soles. The sound of her pain echoes through the chamber, a sickening symphony of suffering that Max can't bear to listen to. Forgotten picked up speed in whacking her feet with zero mercy as the cries of her screaming was music to his ears to the point he was humming to it.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

Roxanne's feet felt like they were on fire, the pain shooting through her body like lightning bolts with every strike of the bamboo. She tried to keep her cries as quiet as possible, not wanting to give Forgotten the satisfaction of knowing just how much he was hurting her, but it was a futile effort. The thorns tore into her flesh, leaving a trail of blood and agony in their wake. The Night Thorn being enhanced with the bamboo just makes her nervous system jump like crazy in the feel of pain. Her brain only has one thing on her mind and that is nothing but agony of pain.

"Ahhhhh!." Roxanne screamed as tears and snots flowed out of her.

Max's stomach churned as he watched Roxanne's ordeal, the sound of the bamboo striking flesh echoing through the cold, stone chamber. He wished with all his might that he could do something to stop this, to save her from the torment that seemed to never end. But he couldn't. If he dared then he would put more painful suffering on her that is already heavy enough as is.

"Ahhhhh!." Roxanne screamed on the top of her lungs when feeling the thorns deep inside her feet muscles and feeling her master dragging the bamboo like a garden hoe opening up the ground to plant seeds. "You monster!."

Forgotten chuckled, not caring about her pain. "You know what this is for, Roxanne. If I suffer for my failures then you will feel the suffering of it through physical pain. And I'm not a monster...I prefer myself as a demon!. Hahaha!."

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!." Roxanne passed out in a thud.

Forgotten pulls the bamboo out of her feet as he watches them drop down. "Max!."

Max quickly responds, "Yes, Master?."

"Give me that bottle of alcohol." Forgotten had his hand out.

Max handed it over, his own hands shaking slightly from the horror he just witnessed. Forgotten didn't even flinch as he poured the alcohol directly onto the deep gashes on Roxanne's unconscious feet, the liquid searing into her wounds like liquid fire. Roxanne's body twitched and spasmed as the alcohol did its work, cleaning the wounds and bringing her back to a state of semi-consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing the depth of her agony, but she remained silent, her teeth clenched. Tears falling like a broken faucet.

Forgotten chuckled darkly before vanishing the bamboo stick. "Get back to work."

Roxanne dared herself to touch the floor with her completely damaged feet but they refused to comply. "I can't stand up. My feet are too damaged to do it, Master. Please, have mercy on me."

Forgotten, who was inches away from exiting through the door, and turned to face her. "Want another helping of lashing?. This time I'm using a whip."

"No, Master. I will manage." Roxanne's voice quivered but she was determined to get back to her feet and work. She gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles white with the effort, and pushed herself up. Max rushed over, offering his shoulder for support, and together they managed to get her to a chair. She hissed as her feet made contact with the floor, sending waves of pain shooting up her legs, but she didn't dare show any more weakness in front of the Forgotten.

"No, work while standing up. Remove that chair from her, Max." Forgotten ordered the boy.

Max looked at the Forgotten with a pleading gaze but ultimately did as he was told, his heart heavy. Roxanne's eyes filled with fear as she took a deep breath and forced herself to stand, her body trembling with the effort. She clutched the table, her teeth grinding together as she fought the urge to scream out in pain. Her feet are begging for pressure relief but won't be getting it any time soon.

"The sooner you finish your work the sooner you can rest. That's if you don't pass out!." Forgotten laughed evilly and exited himself out.

Roxanne looked at her boyfriend with a look of pure anger. "Damn, him. Damn him to hell."

Chapter Text

Dreamlight Valley is engulfed in pure darkness with every Biome filled with endless night thorns that were unbearable to be around with let alone unhealthily for their memories. The entire lands were nothing but filled with massive pure chaos with zero solved solutions. Inside the Dream Castle hosting a major community meeting in the royal throne room, Elsa alongside Anna, Kristoff, Tarzan and Jane stood facing the massive upset of Dreamlight Valley’s villagers.

“This is absolutely unacceptable, Elsa!.” yelled Grumpy.

Donald nodded with shared anger. “Yeah, this has been going on for months!. You're our queen. You're not coming up with any resolved solutions!.”

Elsa pleaded with her hands up. “Donald, please, I…”

“All of our memories are getting worse!.” Jasmine showed her frustration. “We can't keep living like this, Elsa!.”

Gaston nodded in anger. "This is your fault!."

Elsa snapped back and pointed at herself. "My fault?!. How is it my fault?!."

"Is it not obvious?. If you had taken your wifely duties seriously and prevented David's obsession with whatever he wrote in that journal of his, then we wouldn't be suffering from his mess!." said Gaston.

"Hey, Hey, Hey, it's not our sister's fault for what David has done to this valley." Anna steps up to aid her and Tarzan's big sister. "No one knows what David has been up to all this time until that day. Now, we're all trying to figure out what happened to him once after the Forgotten had emerged. Please be patient with Elsa."

Kristoff steps forward beside Anna. "Yeah. We've all been trying to find clues to what David has been writing in that journal. But we can't find it anywhere. Let alone why the Forgotten looked exactly the same as David."

"And how long has that been?. Finding his journal?." Merida crossed her arms. "Since that day our beloved home has gone dark."

Elsa flinched at the word "beloved." The castle windows rattled as her control slipped, frost blooming across the throne room tiles. David had called this place beloved too. He’d traced these very tiles with his fingertips the day they married, whispering about sunlight patterns. Now those tiles were buried under creeping shadows, and his absence was a physical ache beneath her ribs. She pressed a hand to her sternum, ice crystals forming on her hand.

"You don't have a clue what to do!." Gothel frowned angrily.

"Mother, please calm down." Repunzal placed her hand on her bicep with a look of plea.

Elsa's breath hitched, the frost spreading faster. Gothel’s words were knives, precise and cold. David’s journal. The one he’d scribbled in obsessively, hiding pages whenever she entered their study—felt like the only key left in this suffocating darkness. She remembered the leather cover, worn smooth by his hands, the scent of ink and smooth paper that clung to him in those final weeks. The Forgotten’s hollow eyes flashed in her mind, mirroring David’s but empty, cruel. A shudder ran through her, and the chandelier above tinkled with forming icicles.

"I don't know where his book is. It's like it vanished." Elsa spoke honestly.

"And you have no lead as to what has become of our beloved king?." Elizabeth asked before opening her bottle of rum.

"We looked everywhere." Merlin adjusted his glasses. "Not a single clue to be recovered. Forgotten had ensured that our ruler wouldn't come to our desperate need."

The frost reached Elsa's ankles as she watched Elizabeth take a long pull from her rum bottle. The sharp scent cut through the throne room's chill, mixing with the earthy decay drifting through the cracked windows. Ariel combed her hair with her favorite fork while having a look of anxiety while Eric tried to comfort her. Scar, who was lying down, angrily clawed the floor to keep himself from doing something he might regret. Goofy, who was sitting in his chair, got right up and walked forward and spoke with a large volume.

"Some of you may or may not know that since the reign of the Forgotten and the Fall of Dreamlight Valley, my son, Max and his girlfriend, Roxanne, have been missing throughout this whole ordeal." Goofy looks at Elsa with sadness. "I love those kids. I really do. I don't know what I would do if something bad happened to my Max and Roxanne."

"Not to mention that my wife is missing as well." Mickey speaks with sadness. "I honestly don't know where she is."

Elsa tries to stay strong in front of everyone but every effort she threw out since the start of the Forgetting had failed insanely. "I'm sorry for both of you. I promise to bring them back home."

"Your promises are empty!." yelled Beast before roaring in anger.

Belle reached for her husband. "Adam..."

Beast pulls Belle off his arm. "Don't start. Elsa, you promise so much to us and yet we aren't gaining any fruits from them."

"Dreamlight Valley is dead!." someone spoke.

Elsa tried to say something but was stopped by another voice being female. She tried to stop the multiple yelling with simple hand gestures but she reached her limit. "STOP!. JUST STOP!."

The frost surged violently across the throne room floor, jagged ice shards erupting around Elsa’s feet as her voice cracked like breaking glass. Every villager flinched backward, even Scar paused his clawing. Silence, thick and fragile, settled over the crowd. Elsa’s chest heaved, her knuckles white where she gripped her own arms.

"Pointing fingers won't grow back the sunlight," she whispered, the words carrying unnaturally in the sudden quiet. "David isn't here to guide us out of the situation. The Forgotten walks in his shadow. And this...darkness eats at us all. Specifically our memories. The one thing that I know from what David once told me was this. Dark Times are always temporary and never forever. We just have to have faith and stick together."

Sadness wiped a tear from her face. "David is never returning to us. Isn't that right?."

The question hung like frozen mist. Elsa opened her mouth but no sound came. Only the memory of David’s laugh echoing through sunlit orchards, now swallowed by the shadows clinging to the castle walls. She felt the villagers stare, heavy as stone. Faith felt like ash in her throat. They all questioned if the master of friendship and the king and welder of Dreamlight would return to them and save them. Maleficent gave up all hope including Hades as the two had to take action not only in their interest but for everyone.

"May I have a say, your majesty?." Maleficent, who is sitting down, stroking her pet crow that is on the table.

"Please do." Elsa nodded.

Maleficent rose up and got everyone's attention. Her face looked defeated. "We all need to come to terms and accept that there is no saving Dreamlight Valley. Our beloved home, once a place of harmony and happiness, has now traded itself in something that is not to my liking, despite me living in the Forgotten Lands. Me and Hades have been talking and decided it is time for us to find a new home."

Hades stepped forward. "I'm sorry to say this to you all, but Maleficent is right. There is nothing here for us. I'm not going to spend the rest of my life in this darkness. So, I'm leaving and building a brand new kingdom with Maleficent."

The throne room erupted into chaos. "You can't leave us!." pleaded Alice.

"We need to stick together!." Mickey added.

"Sorry, Mic, but we tried everything to stop the night thorns." Hades took the moment to light his black cigar. "But nothing seems to work. The only option is to settle into a new home. Me and Maleficent found a spot and it looks promising. Of course we do need some volunteers to come do some things."

Maleficent's crow cawed sharply as she raised a hand. "If you wish to join us and contribute in making the place livable let alone explore the landscape to gather useful information. We will depart as soon as possible. This valley is beyond salvation."

"Are you actually going to turn your back against your own king?." Jane questions the Mistress of Evil.

Maleficent's gaze remained unflinching. "David is gone. His journal containing whatever he jolted down is forever lost. And this valley..." She gestured toward the window, where thick night thorns pulsed like diseased veins against the gloom. "It consumes hope. We offer survival. Not to mention that I have something personal in hopes of what I seek to aid my godchild."

Scrooge looks at Maleficent in shock. "What on earth happened to Aurora?."

Maleficent looks at her staff while not looking at him. "Let's just say a certain current person that we all are facing against has put my goddaughter in another sleeping spell. A spell that I or Phillip can not break.

Hades looks at everyone with sympathy. "Again. Who wants to volunteer to enter a whole new land?."

Merida sighs and steps forward. "I'm in. If it would help us in starting over then so be it."

Rapunzel tugged Gothel's sleeve. "Mother, please. We should go too." Gothel's eyes narrowed, but she shook her head.

Flynn holds her hands. "I'm going."

"What?." Repunzal was in disbelief.

Flynn squeezed her hand, his voice low. "I have to try and help make this new land work if we're able to move away from here."

Rapunzel's eyes welled, but she nodded slowly, her fingers tightening around his. Flynn gives her a good kiss before walking over to where Merida is. John and Pocahontas looked at each other with the same look of determination and nodded in understanding and walked towards Elsa, who sat down in her husband's beautiful throne chair and didn't want to hear it.

"Elsa?." Pocahontas spoke to her best friend. "Please look at me."

John knelt beside the throne, his voice low. "We’re not abandoning you or this valley we call home. But staying means watching everyone fracture further. This could buy us time. Resources, perhaps even a desired solution." He placed a hand on her hand. "David wouldn’t want us to wither here nor sit around hoping things would get better on its own."

Pocahontas’s fingers brushed Elsa’s shoulder, grounding her. "Trust us. We’ll scout this new place to see if it holds any answers or simply shelter. But we need your blessing. Not as our queen, but as family."

Elsa’s gaze drifted to the cracked window where night thorns writhed against the glass like skeletal fingers. David’s voice echoed in her memory. 'Darkness only wins if we stop looking for the light, love.' She inhaled sharply, the throne room’s chill biting harmlessly into her lungs. "Go," she whispered, the word a fragile plume of frost in the air. "Before I change my mind."

Pocahontas stood up and did her people's signature body language of farewell and spoke in her native language. "Wingapo."

Anna and the others imitated what she did and spoke in unison. "Wingapo."

"Ready to go?." Maleficent spoke patiently.

John nodded. "We're ready."

"Hades nodded. "Good." He snapped his fingers and a portal was formed. "Ladies first."

Maleficent stepped through the portal, her raven swooping after her. Merida followed, shoulders squared, then Flynn with one last glance back at Rapunzel. John and Pocahontas shared a final, lingering look with Elsa. A silent promise before vanishing into the swirling darkness. Hades then looks at his nephew who had his arms crossed and had something on his mind.

"We could really use a hero on this journey." said Hades.

Hercules shook his head. "Not this time, Uncle. I've decided to go back to our realm and be with my wife. Tried many times to convince her to join this family, but you know of her nonblind handicap."

Hades sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. Stay with your stubborn wife. But don't come crying to me when you regret it. Tell your turn people into stone Gorgon of a wife that I said hi." With that, he vanished through the portal, leaving it to shimmer like oil on water.

"The meeting is over. Go home." Elsa gets up and makes her way out through the second door. She noticed Anna, Kristoff, Jane, and Tarzan were about to follow her. "I want to be alone, thank you."

The door clicked shut behind her, sealing her in the dim corridor. Only the faint glow from her own ice crystals illuminated the path as she leaned against the cold stone wall, sliding down until she sat crumpled on the floor. David’s absence was a physical weight now, crushing her ribs with every breath. She fumbled in her pocket, pulling out a Night Shard that she dug up a week ago. Staring at it with hate as she tightened her grip around it.

"This is all your fault. You took my husband and our kingdom away from me." Elsa frowns but tears fall like rain. She leans back against the wall and cries herself to asleep in regret of not stopping David in time.

Chapter Text

“Baboons. Why does it have to be baboons?.” Jane mumbled while hoping that the house would stay strong.

David looks around in the treehouse and thinks on what to do. “I believe that I have a plan.”

“You do?.” Professor asked in hope. “Why, by all means tell us.”

“You see these baboons are engulfed in the essence of dark energy from a certain evil person that I encounter, called the Forgotten.” David explained halfway.

“Forgotten?.” Tarzan raised his brow in confusion.

“He is a very scary and evil person, who turned Dreamlight Valley into a wasteland.” Minnie answered while trying not to get a scare jump when hearing the heavy banging.

Jane tilted her head. “Dreamlight Valley?. That sounds oddly familiar. It's a place is it not?.”

“Indeed it is, Jane. As I was saying, I strongly believe that the Forgotten has come here and put his negative energy on these poor unfortunate baboons. These baboons are acting out as if they were on extreme rabies.” said David, before looking at the Professor. “Is there an exit door to exit from?. I think I can fix this if I just see the source of it?.”

"We do have an exit door out of the treehouse." Tarzan gets up and guides David to the far inside of his home.

David spots the door hidden behind a large bookshelf. He carefully pushes it aside, revealing the exit. But just as he opens it, he hears the baboons outside becoming louder and more aggressive. Tarzan opens the latch and lets David go through after telling him he will stay behind and protect the others. After crawling out to find that he is on ground level, David quietly went another direction without alerting the baboons as he did feel something dark in the area when he and Minnie had arrived. Taking a few minutes to feel the source getting stronger, he stumbles upon an infected tree as it was glowing like it was exposed to serious radiation material.

"Huh, that's the source that I felt." David used his magical watering can and poured it on the tree. "No results?. Crazy."

David looks at the tree as there must be something that has to fix the situation. He needs to find the source to stop the tree from being sick and uplift the dark energy of the baboons. He looked and looked around the tree until catching an eye on something sticking out inside the tree trunk. It is round with a color of gold and light purple stripes. Reaching at it and pulling the object out with a little force and pulling out the object. Surprise to what came out of the trunk is something that David was not expecting at all. A nice smooth nondented musical instrument.

"A... trombone?." David raised his brow. "Why would he shove a..."

Flashback

David was in the Biome of the Forgotten Lands having a look around his part of the kingdom to go see Maleficent at her house. He finds the all black medium sized castle and rings the doorbell. Seconds later the door opens up as Aurora has answered.

"Hey, sleepyhead." David used her nickname he gave her. "Is your godmother home?. She says she has a gift for me."

Aurora shook her head. "I'm afraid she's in the middle of... redecorating the garden."

"Oh, shoot." David got invited inside. "How long will that be?."

"Shouldn't be too long." Aurora said. "She just had a disagreement with Merlin over the proper placement of enchanted topiaries. Things got... heated."

"How heated?." David looks at her.

Aurora sighs as she closes the door behind him. "Merlin insisted on geometric precision. My godmother prefers... organic chaos. There was fire involved. Mostly metaphorical." She gestures toward the garden doors where distant shouting echoes. "The topiary unicorn may never recover."

"Take me to them." David instructs her.

"Follow me." Aurora leads the way.

The indoor garden was very Halloween as there were lots of thorny black roses and seeing Maleficent and Merlin bickering at each other. David and Aurora walk up to them as they didn't notice or bother seeing them.

"Maleficent?. Merlin?." David gave them his friendly seriousness. "Talk to me. What's wrong?."

Maleficent whirled around, her robes swirling like dark smoke. "This meddlesome wizard insists my garden requires symmetry!" Her voice crackled with barely contained magic.

Merlin adjusted his spectacles, unflinching. "Chaos without balance breeds disorder, my friend. Even topiaries deserve harmony."

Aurora sighs. "Godmother, why do you always have to have an argument with the other neighbors?."

Maleficent glares at Merlin. "Because they always get in my way."

"Let's have common ground." David smiles at the two. "Let's trade flowering. Maleficent you get Merlin's flowers and Merlin you get her flowers. Understand each other's perception of gardening and know that all flowers have few things in common. They need water, rich soil, and plenty of sunlight. Meaning they are all the same but have different appearances."

Maleficent pauses, her green eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "An exchange? How... unexpectedly equitable."

Merlin strokes his beard, intrigued despite himself. "Our king speaks wisdom. Very well, I will accept this horticultural détente."

As Maleficent and Merlin reluctantly shake hands over a thorny rosebush, Maleficent takes David and Aurora to the living room where a nice pot of tea is ready for them. David spots her raven, whose name is Diablo, resting on his bird stand reached into his pocket and sets down a nice sum of dry bits of corn.

"Here you go, Diablo. Fresh dry corn to enjoy." David tells him before seeing happily flies over to eat it.

"Aurora?." Maleficent looks at her godchild.

"Yes, godmother?." Aurora replies.

"Be a dear and fetch that trunk in my room for me." Maleficent tells her while pouring a cup for David.

Aurora nods and heads off, leaving David alone with the Mistress of All Evil. Maleficent slides a steaming cup toward him. "You've a knack for diplomacy, friend. Though I suspect Merlin's begonias will wither in my garden's embrace. Plus, my flowers only need moonlight and not sunlight."

David shrugs. "Thanks for the fun fact." He sips his tea. "Mmmm, wild cherry flavor."

Maleficent nods. "My favorite. Now, I made a gift for you. It's very nice and it's something that you're familiar with back in your school days. Aurora, that trunk should not be that heavy."

Aurora enters the room struggling to carry a large chest. David quickly gets up to help her. Inside, nestled among velvet folds, lies a gleaming trombone. Its gold finish catches the dim light, purple stripes swirling along its bell like captured twilight.

Maleficent smiles. "I recall you mentioning band practice fondly. Consider it... an appreciation for helping me build bridges with my godchild, which her parents have gone back on their deal with me all those years ago when they sought my aid in helping Aurora's mother to be able to conceive..."

"Godmother..." Aurora looks at her with worry. "Don't stress yourself about the past. We're finally together and making up for lost time."

Maleficent waves a dismissive hand, though her eyes soften. "Enough sentiment. David, play something for us. This bass instrument is supposed to remove bad energy from objects or individuals. I used gold ingots and Dreamlight crystals to make it. The magical powers of the instrument can only be activated by you. Sure, anyone can play on it but won't get the full advantage of its purpose."

"Cool." David gets up and licks his lips while can't help being excited. "I'm playing when the saints come marching in." He blows into the mouthpiece as dreamlight magic starts coming out from the bass hole.

Maleficent nods in approval while enjoying the sound. "Perfect."

Aurora couldn't resist dancing to the bass music. "Lovely!."

End of Flashback

David, for whatever reason, blows into the mouthpiece of the trombone and plays whatever song that comes to mind. Something that touches his heart. The magic of the horn blasted out and the dark energy lifted up from the fruit tree turning it back to normal. The sound of the brass instrument echoes throughout the jungle as it reaches the ears of the baboons who got turned back to normal. Everyone in the treehouse heard the playing instrument which was quite nice to hear. They exit the house to find the baboons running off to whatever they came from before seeing David playing the trombone.

"Oh, my, that's the Dreamlight Horn!." Minnie's eyes were wide in seeing that instrument in David's hands.

David stops playing. "Yeah, I found it inside a tree trunk that was engulfed in dark energy. I took care of it by playing Let It Go. I'm assuming that it affected the baboons right?."

Minnie nods. "That horn is infused with purified Dreamlight. It can cleanse corruption... but it shouldn't be here. The Forgotten must have stolen it." She lowers her head. "He is clever. Very clever."

"Tell me about it." David spoke before being patted on the back by Jane.

"Jolly good show, friend. You saved us and saved the baboons." Jane spoke with a warm smile.

"Thanks, Jane." David spoke before going to work in assisting in repairing the damages.

Taking the time to help out in building fences to protect Tarzan and Jane's ape family from being attacked by jungle predators or hunters before heading back to the valley and setting up a new home for them. Jane, Tarzan, and Professor were amazed at the beauty of the valley before starting to remember some things of their time being there. Little memories but effective either way. As for Minnie, she instantly ran to where Mickey is and gave him the biggest hug and kiss that she ever gave him.

"Oh, Mickey, I missed you so darn much!." Minnie hugs him tight with tears falling in her face.

Mickey holds her close, his own eyes misty. "Gosh, Minnie, I was worried sick!." He gently brushes away her tears with a gloved thumb. "What happened to you?."

"It's a long story." Minnie smiled at him. "We will talk about it later. I want snu-snu."

Mickey chuckled softly, his cheeks flushing red. "Okay." He picks her up off her bare feet and heads to their house.

David looks back at the trombone and puts it in a trunk in his house while feeling that big fatigue within him. He was unable to retrieve Elsa and Anna in their realm at all due to the Forgotten messing with him. Too tired to go back to that door, David heads back to his bed to rest despite what Merlin told him that he needs Elsa to help assist him. Meanwhile in the Enchanted Forest which is majorly reduced to pure utter insane chaos as the winds were blowing super hard and the storm isn't calming down for nothing. Somewhere in the very small camp trying to get warm around the campfire, well basically one individual, was trying not to freeze to death while the other one was completely overwhelmed.

Anna pulls out a small pack of crackers and hands them to her sister. "Here. Eat."

Elsa shakes her head, pushing the food away. "Save them. You need strength more than I do."

Anna nods and puts it away. Rubbing her biceps while fighting the harsh winds touching her. "I still don't remember why we're even here."

"Me either." Elsa spoke while watching the water boil in the pot. "I don't remember the purpose of being here."

Anna nods while adding rocks into the boiling pot and fresh pulled grass. "I don't even remember what motivated us to be in this crap hole."

Elsa stares at the campfire as the flames flickered in the harsh winds. "Neither do I. All I recall is we left Arendelle and told the captain to leave us here." She wraps her arms tighter around herself, her breath misting in the frigid air. "I don't even know the purpose of us coming to this...this...this... Unknown."

Anna stirs the pot of the food she is making for them. "I know how long we've been here based on no supply of food. We had tons of food we brought. Enough for twenty-two years."

"Twenty-two years?." Elsa took the moment to process this. "It's been this long?."

Anna nodded slowly. "That's what I counted. We've been rationing, but..." She gestured toward the empty crates. "It is all gone."

"Twenty-two years. I'm very surprised you and I haven't aged physically. We look exactly the same." Elsa said before seeing a bowl of something facing her. She was disgusted.

"What?. It's rocks and grass soup. Kristoff taught me this recipe." Anna spoke before pushing the bowl at her sister.

Elsa stared at the steaming liquid, flecks of green floating in murky water. Her stomach churned. "Anna, I appreciate the effort, but... rocks?" She prodded a smooth grey stone with her spoon. It clinked against the ceramic.

"Hungry people can't be picky." Anna grabs her spoon. "Sipping on the rocks is high fiber and protein."

Elsa watches her sister slurp the murky broth, then sighs. "Fine." She lifts a spoonful to her lips. She took a big sip and spit it back out. "Yuck!."

Anna glares at her. "Don't be wasteful!."

"Anna this is disgusting!." Elsa spoke in high upsetness. "We're literally eating germs and have no idea if those animals were using their business on these rocks."

"I have you know that I washed these rocks before putting them in the pot." Anna shots back at her sister.

Anna’s glare deepened, frost crackling at the edges of her cloak. "Do you want to starve?. Because complaining won’t fill your stomach." She shoved another spoonful into her mouth, crunching defiantly on a pebble.

Elsa looks down at her bowl with disgust. "I wish it did."

Anna rolled her eyes. "You're such a drama queen."

Elsa shoved the bowl away. "And you're turning into a goat."

Anna looks and spots a few crickets and quickly goes stomping on them before collecting them. "Here, eat this."

Elsa shakes her head. "No. I'd rather eat my own hair than eat that."

"I heard eating your finger and toe nails has a lot of fiber." Anna munched one of the crickets.

Elsa's nose wrinkled. "That's disgusting, Anna." She pulled off her boot and sock and went to work on peeling the nail of her big toe off with her teeth.

"So you are going to eat them." Anna chews more on the crickets.

Elsa pulls off the nail with a wince. "It's my nail. It's clean." She pops it into her mouth. "Tastes like... nothing." She chews slowly. "Just... keratin."

"More like toe jams." Anna tries not to crack a laugh.

Elsa spits out the half-chewed nail, gagging. "That's... foul." She glares at her sister, ice crystals forming on her knuckles. "Why must you ruin everything?."

"I wasn't." Anna takes another sip of her broth. "Just keep eating your nails."

Elsa didn't hesitate when looking at her fingernails to see if any nail was long enough to safely bite off. "Eww, I taste dirt in the pinky nail. I need to stop scratching my head."

"Your hair is awful." Anna munched on her pebbles.

Elsa’s eyes narrowed. "Says the woman eating gravel." She flicked an ice shard toward Anna’s bowl, freezing the broth solid. Anna yelped, dropping her spoon as it clattered against the sudden glacier in her hands.

"Hey!. That was dinner!." Anna spits on her sister's nails as a get back.

Elsa recoils in disgust. "You are vile."

"And you're a glacier." Anna retorts, rubbing her hands together.

The howling wind bites through their threadbare cloaks, and the campfire sputters against the onslaught of snow-laden gusts. Ice crystals form on Elsa's eyelashes as she glares at her sister, the silence between them colder than the storm. Anna shivers, her breath fogging the air, and looks away first, staring into the guttering flames.

"Sorry." Elsa spoke in sadness.

Anna sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Me too." She nudged the frozen bowl with her boot. "We're just... tired. And cold." Her teeth chattered.

"The cold doesn't bother me..." Elsa sees a glare in her sister's eyes.

"Don't finish that line." Anna warns her.

Elsa watches the frozen broth in Anna's bowl, regretting tightening her throat. She extends a hand, letting warmth pulse from her palm until the ice melts back into murky liquid. "Better?."

Anna picks the bowl up. "Thanks."

After eating either a meal of rock broth or nails, the two Arendelle sisters decided to call it a nap. They couldn't tell if it was day or night since everything was very dark and cloudy with raindrops pouring everywhere. They shared the same large tent since the day they arrived on the lands of the Enchanted Forest. Laying together as sisters, Elsa and Anna just stare at the ceiling on their tent with their minds just wandering randomly and speak whatever that comes through their mouths.

"Wherever Kristoff and Olaf are, I hope they are alright and safe." Anna spoke.

"Me too." Elsa had something on her mind. "Is there a man out there for me, Anna?."

"Of course, Elsa." Anna smiles widely. "There's every guy for every woman. You just have to look for him, that's all."

Elsa sighs as she breaths deeply. "It's just that in my mind it is doubtful and foggy in memories of recalling if I ever did have romance. But my heart on the other hand...it says yes I have a man in my life."

Anna shifts onto her side, her eyes searching Elsa's face in the gloom. "Your heart knows things your head forgets. Especially here." She gestures vaguely at the howling darkness beyond their tent flap. "I don't know what is eating our memories like hungry wolves but I do know it has to be some serious black magic."

"There is nothing ever good when it comes to black magic." said Elsa, before wrapping her sister's waist and pulling her closer to be warm.

Anna snuggled into Elsa's side, seeking warmth against the relentless cold. "I feel very cozy."

Elsa tightened her embrace. "Sleep, Anna. Tomorrow... we will find the answers to our questions." She closed her eyes and into the darkness, her breath misting in the frigid air.

The wind's mournful howl seemed to whisper secrets she couldn't grasp. She slept well as something had triggered something in her mind. A voice of a combination of familiar and unfamiliar went into her mind. An advice given to her.

'So, you want to go back to your realm and check in on your people in Arendelle, but you are worried about not being able to return to your one true home?. Don't worry my special Snowflake, I will tell you how to get back here. Simple. Just close your eyes and imagine one of your favorite places in the valley. You can choose Frosted Heights, which is your personal favorite Biome. But if you're in a rough stressful situation, just think about Peaceful Meadows and remind yourself what you did there.'

Elsa wakes up with her eyes awake and lifts up. The voice was telling her something important. She has been hearing this exact voice and having that foggy dream for a good while now. Whatever reason they both were getting aggressive as if they are just more than just losing her marbles.

Elsa shakes Anna. "Anna woke up. Wake up."

Anna groggily opens her eyes. "What?."

"I heard that voice again." Elsa tells her.

Anna sat up, rubbing her eyes. "The one that comes with those foggy dreams you've been having?." She shivered, pulling her thin blanket tighter. "What did it say this time, Elsa?."

Elsa's voice dropped to a whisper, her breath misting in the frigid air. "It said... 'Just close your eyes and imagine one of your favorite places in the valley.' Frosted Heights. Peaceful Meadows." She paused, her blue eyes wide in the gloom. "He called me his special Snowflake."

"Special Snowflake?." Anna looked interested.

Elsa nods, her gaze distant. "Yes. The voice felt... intimate. Protective." She shivered, not from cold, but from the weight of forgotten affection. "What if this 'valley' is real, Anna? What if we're meant to be there?."

Anna chewed the inside of her right cheek. "Then how do we get there?. Close our eyes and wish real hard?." Her tone was skeptical, but a flicker of hope sparked beneath it. She reached for Elsa's hand, her fingers icy. "Let's try. Right now. Together."

Elsa nodded with her heart beating in hope. "Close your eyes and imagine Peaceful Meadows." She closes her eyes and tries to imagine such a place. "I see flowers."

Anna squinted, trying to conjure the image. "What kind of flowers?."

"Daises...red, white, and yellow." Elsa shut her eyes tightly. "Green and Purple Rising Penstemon."

Anna frowned. "I don't remember seeing those." She squeezed Elsa's hand harder. "What else?."

"Fishing." Elsa spoke.

"Mmmm, fish...bass...brim." Anna started to remember something about fishing in a very clear spot somewhere. "The stall."

"What kind of stall?." asked Elsa.

Anna's eyes flew open. "Goofy!." She gasped. "A blue cart with fishing rods. He sold worms in a little bucket... and he laughed like this." Anna attempted a high-pitched "hyuck-hyuck," the sound jarringly familiar yet alien. She stops herself when seeing their surroundings that isn't the tent. "Uh, Elsa?."

Elsa starts hearing crickets chirping and opens her eyes to see that they are no longer in the Enchanted Forest. "Where are we?."

Anna gets up and looks around. "This...This must be... Peaceful Meadows."

Elsa looks around to see the flowers that she imagined but barely sees in the dark. "We're in Peaceful Meadows."

Holding each other's hands the two walked forward on the pathway that was halfway ruined and not complete. They headed towards those beautiful steps before spotting someone coming down. David wanted to buy himself two small boxes of raspberries to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to go with a glass of cold milk.

"I hope Goofy is still up." David steps down on the last step. "Because I most certainly..."

In an instant, David and Elsa locked eyes with each other like a nasty unwanted fly going towards a bug zapper. The two stare at each other like they were looking into a mirror. Neither making a move. David's eyes were strongly all over Elsa's gorgeous pale face. Her sweet lips that were covered in rosey red lipstick that were begging to be kissed. Elsa can't turn away from that masculine black face. His eyes felt like they were a pick and a hammer that would break her like a thick fat ice. Looking at each other had triggered a big memory that was much larger than any memory they have been experiencing. Their minds ran on those foggy memories.

Ignoring everything or anyone around them. Anna tries to break her sister's trance but fails. Mirabel, who just left Scrooge's shop with a new dress, tries to get David's attention through waving her hand in front of his eyes but no results.

Chapter Text

David and Elsa’s Flashback-Frozen Realm

Elsa, after having her secret powers of ice being revealed on the night of her coronation due to Anna’s refusal to accept her refusal of her sudden engagement and demanding the gates to be closed once again, she ran far away from the civilization of Arendelle and into the extreme deep of the snowy plains. Accepting and embracing of who she is, Elsa used her ice magic to create a thick ice castle in the middle of nowhere while singing a song to represent herself of being her true self.

Elsa is currently standing in her main floor about to make it official that she is finally free, she picks off the beautiful crown off her head and looks at it for a second. She shakes her head and sings. “I'm never going back… the past is in the past!.”

She proudly tossed the crown to the side and used her magic to transform her royal queen attire and shoes into something that fits her well, after she got done messing up her hair to let her hair braid down. A nice beautiful blue gleaming ice dress and a pair of ice heels.

“Let it go, let it go!. And I'll rise like the break of dawn!.” Elsa walks her way up the steps and is still singing. “Let it go, let it go!. That perfect girl is gone!.”

Elsa reaches her brand new balcony and sings loud and proud. “Here I stand in the light of day!. Let the storm rage on!.” She smirks and proudly says freely. “The cold never bothered me anyway.”

After chuckling lightly after using her magic to make cold wind to close the double doors of the balcony. She planned on examining her very own brand new castle and seeing what her magic had made, until she heard a singing humming sound from nowhere which froze her in her tracks.

“What?.” Elsa raises her brow and has a confused look on her face. “There shouldn't be anyone for miles and miles.”

Walking forward in tracking down while hearing the clinking noise from her heels making contact with the ice floors. Elsa's ears are letting her know she is getting closer and closer to the source of who is singing. She reached the rail of the indoor balcony and looked down to the main floor to see the same individual who showed up at the church earlier before anyone else got in, let alone made her dance at her coronation ballroom party. David, admiring the craftsmanship of the inner castle, hummed while not noticing Elsa looking down at him.

“My, My, My, what a beauty.” David spoke with a look of amazement.

"Hey, you!." Elsa called.

David looks up and grins big before giving a whistle. "Well, Well, Well, look at you. Don't you look ravishing."

Elsa leans over the balcony rail, her palms unfazed of the serious coldness of the ice. "How did you get here? This place is miles from anywhere." Her voice echoes sharp in the cavernous hall, bouncing off crystalline walls.

Below, David just chuckles and crosses his arms. "If you most know, I followed you up here."

"You followed me?." Elsa was in disbelief.

"Yep, I walked in this winter wonderland while listening to you sing like an angel." David sees her blush on the last part he just said.

Elsa's fingers tightened on the railing, frost spiderwebbing beneath her touch. "You shouldn't be here," she said, her voice colder than the air. "I am...I am ... I am dangerous." She remembered the ice spike she'd accidentally sent toward Anna, the fear in her sister's eyes.

"Dangerous?." David can't stop grinning. "Dangerous?!. Oh, you are not dangerous. Now, having a brain freeze is dangerous. It makes things so difficult when slurping on a nice yummy smoothie or snow cone...or..."

"I get it!." Elsa got a bit irritated.

"Are you mad..." David made a click noise with his mouth. "Or nah?."

Elsa felt a chill that had nothing to do with her powers. "You saw what happened back in Arendelle," she hissed, ice fractals blooming on the balcony beneath her gloves. "People flee from me. You should too."

"You're not scary or dangerous." David shakes his head. "It's ice. There is nothing scary about ice and snow. Catching a cold or flu is normal and common. You are believing in yourself on a lie."

Elsa stares at him, her knuckles white on the railing. "You don't understand," she whispers, her breath misting in the frigid air. "I hurt people. I freeze things without meaning to. I'm unstable."

"If you're talking about financial-wise, then yeah you are unstable." David jokingly spoke. "Bet you would spend the people's tax money and buy a bunch of things you don't really need."

Elsa's eyes narrowed, frost crackling audibly along the railing now. "This isn't a joke," she stated, her voice low and dangerous. "Go...away...NOW!."

Elsa used her powers and spread multiple big chunks of ice spikes and lumps as obstacles. David sees all of this as it all blocked him from even daring to reach her through the steps.

"Seriously?." David sees his breath when talking. "Now, you're acting childish."

Elsa stares at him silently. Her fingers curl into fists. "You are not getting anywhere near me. The door. Exit. Now."

David smiles. "Did you forget?. I too have magic as well."

Elsa doubted what he told her back at the castle. "You're just bluffing. You don't have any magic. I bet you're not even a king who rules a unique kingdom. Dreamlight Valley...Pfft. I'm not stupid. I wasn't born yesterday."

"No, but like the old saying goes. Seeing is..." David had his hand out and summoned his pickaxe out of thin air. "Believing."

Elsa gasped as the tool shimmered into existence. A solid wood handle, gleaming golden metal tip. "That's... impossible," she breathed, leaning further over the railing.

David looks at the spike in front of him. Lifting his pickaxe up and dropping it down on it. Turning the spike into three large balls of snowballs. He picks one up and bites into one. "Mmmm, cold and delicious. This is pure fresh and clean water right here."

Elsa watched, stunned, as David casually crunched the snowball. Her mind raced on how could he do that?. How could he touch her ice and turn it into snowballs like it was nothing?.

"That... that shouldn't be possible," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the creak of settling ice. "Where is the logic?. There is no way that a simple pickaxe can break a thick large ice spike in just one single hit, much less turn it into a bunch of soft snow balls."

"It's called magic." David busted every single spike and lumps into snowballs before presenting his pickaxe. "This here is one of my royal tools that I created. The magical pickaxe. It's more powerful and stronger than your average pickaxe."

Elsa stared at the tool, its golden tip gleaming unnaturally. Her own ice magic prickled beneath her skin, reacting to the strange energy radiating from it. "How?" she demanded, her voice tight. "Ice doesn't just... shatter into snowballs."

"Again... it's magic." David used his magic to glide himself right up the steps which made Elsa's eyes go wide.

"H...H...How...H...H...How..." Elsa can't even finish her sentence.

"Dreamlight magic. That's one of my fun feats. Dreamlight gliding." David performs it and glides all around her as she spins around.

Elsa got dizzy and was about to fall over the rail if it wasn't for David to stop it from happening. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." David smiled. "Now, you see? I'm not lying. I am the king of Dreamlight Valley."

Elsa pulls herself off of David's grip. "I said leave!. I'm happy here alone and I don't want any guests."

"So, you're telling me you don't want anyone visiting you?." David plays it off.

Elsa glared, frost swirling around her feet. "Yes," she snapped, stepping back toward the balcony doors. "This is my sanctuary. My freedom. I won't have it invaded by... by..."

"A handsome, fun, friendly guy?." David winks at her.

Elsa sighed, exasperated. "By anyone," she clarified sharply, turning toward the balcony doors. Her ice heels clicked against the floor, echoing in the vast chamber. Frost trailed her steps like a reluctant shadow. "This place is mine. My escape."

"So, you disown your birthright as queen of Arendelle and everything Arendelle related?." David asked in wonder.

Elsa paused mid-stride, her shoulders stiffening. "Yes," she stated flatly, without turning. "The crown, the throne... the fear. It's all behind me now." Her voice echoed hollowly in the ice chamber. "Here, I answer to no one."

David nods. "Good to know." He pulls out Elsa's crown. "Since you disown everything that is Arendelle, I wonder how much Goofy is willing to give me for this crown?. A million coins?. Trillion?. Mmmm, nah, I doubt he can count to a trillion at such a number. Scrooge on the other hand is a definite yes."

Elsa felt a bit of anger when hearing what he just said. "Hey, you can't pawn the royal crown!. That crown has been passed down in my family for generations all the way to Arendelle The First herself!."

"Hey, you disown it. Meaning it's up for grabs." David teased before pulling the crown away from Elsa who tried to snatch it from him.

Elsa's breath hitched as she lunged for it but missed it. "Give that back!."

David sidestepped smoothly, the pickaxe vanished from his hand at his will. He chuckled, flipping the crown like a coin "Temper, temper. Didn't your royal tutors teach you patience or you were self taught?."

Elsa lunged again. "That belongs to my kingdom!." Frost crackled across the floor, racing toward David's boots.

"You did say let it go." David puts the crown into his magical infinite storage space backpack.

Elsa froze mid-lunge, her outstretched hand trembling. The sudden disappearance of the crown felt like a physical blow. Her sanctuary now felt violated, the ice walls closing in as panic clawed at her throat. "That crown... it's history," she whispered, her voice raw. "It's my history."

"More like disowned history." David puts his red backpack down. "Like I told you back in Arendelle. Just because we're rulers doesn't mean we have to wear our crowns everywhere we go. That would put people down."

Elsa sighs. "Yeah, you told me once."

"You need to smile and feel happy." David studies her up and down. "I know a good remedy to make that happen. Just need to know where your sensitive spots are."

Elsa stiffens. "Don't you dare touch me." Her voice drops dangerously low. "I mean it."

David dared walk towards her and looked down at her feet and grins. "Oh, we are going to enjoy this moment... mostly me."

Elsa instinctively backed away, her ice heels scraping sharply against the frozen floor. "Stay back!."

"I played defensive line back in school. It's time to tackle." David charged at her and tackled her down gently and summoned a strong rope and tied her arms behind her back.

Elsa struggled against the ropes, her ice magic flaring uselessly against their strange, shimmering fibers. "Release me this instant!" Frost crackled from her fingertips, but the ropes absorbed it like sunlight.

David grinned, flipping her onto her stomach with surprising gentleness. His fingers found the delicate arch of her right foot, exposed by the ice heels. "Gorgeous feet."

"No!. Don't you..." Her protest dissolved into a sharp gasp as she saw him remove her shoes. "I'm warning you!."

David looks back at her and grins. "And I'm warning you to prepare yourself for the tickle-tickle!."

Elsa's eyes widened and busted out laughing. "Hahaha!."

David grinned mischievously as his fingers danced lightly across the sole of her right foot. "See?.Told you I'd find your sensitive spots!."

Elsa laughed like she hadn't laughed in years. "I'm so going to get you back... hahaha!."

"Who has sensitive feet?. Who has sensitive feet?." David treats her like a dog.

Elsa laughs uncontrollably. "Hahaha!. Stop!. Hahaha!. Please!. Hahaha!."

"I said you had sensitive feet?." David used the nail of his thumb and went all around her arch area.

Elsa's laughter pitched higher, sharp and breathless. "Hahaha! Stop! Please!." Tears streamed down her cheeks, freezing into tiny crystals before they could fall.

She bucked wildly, but the ropes held firm, shimmering faintly with absorbed frost. Her magic surged uselessly against them, a cold fire trapped beneath her skin. "Alright!. Alright!. I am!. I am!. I have sensitive feet!."

David paused, fingers hovering just above her arch. "Say it louder for the ice sculptures in the back."

Elsa gasped for breath, her chest heaving. "I... have... sensitive... feet!" The admission tore from her, raw and disbelieving. She glared up at him but her smile betrayed her as strands of platinum hair stuck to her damp temples. "Now untie me, you lunatic."

"Sure. After this." David went to work cracking her toes and hearing her relief. "Like it?."

"Love it." Elsa lets out a big sigh. "Ah, boy, I never had any attention on my feet. Ooooo." She felt the deep massage. "Oh, yes, a deep tissue massage."

David grinned, pressing his thumbs into the ball of her foot with expert precision. "You hold all your tension here, Ice Queen."

He worked the knots, feeling the rigid muscles yield beneath his touch. Elsa's head lolled back, a soft moan escaping her lips as years of coiled stress melted away under his fingers. After being done rubbing her feet he lets her go and doesn't expect any physical attack from her.

"Look, all jokes and fun aside, Elsa, you can't run away from your loved ones." David tells her.

Elsa sat up slowly, rubbing her wrists where the ropes had been. Her cheeks were still flushed, but her eyes held a wary curiosity. "You don't understand," she murmured, tracing a frost pattern on the floor. "Anna... I almost killed her. My magic... it's uncontrollable. Everyone knows my secret."

"Never be afraid of what you are. Your powers are a gift and not a burden. You just need a guide." David points at himself. "I am your guide."

Elsa scoffed, frost swirling around her ankles. "A guide? You're a nuisance who tickles royalty and steals crowns."

"Your words hurt but your face says something different. See?." David pulls out a mirror to show her facial reflection.

Elsa stared at her flushed cheeks, the lingering smile lines around her eyes. She touched her face, bewildered. The reflection showed warmth she hadn’t felt in years. "That’s... not me," she whispered, frost prickling her fingertips.

"It is you. It's telling me that you longed for a childhood that was taken from you." David hands her his mirror. "This is the first time you are ever happy."

Elsa traced the unfamiliar curve of her own smile reflected back at her. The warmth felt alien, fragile. "Happy?" The word tasted strange. "It feels... stolen. Like I don't deserve it." She looked away from the mirror. "I wasted precious precious years in that room with zero contact with my sister. I always keep telling her to go away. Yet, she still comes to see me. But now, she learned the rules of keeping her distance away from me."

David leaned against a smooth ice pillar, watching her. "Distance isn't the answer, Elsa. Fear builds walls thicker than any ice castle." He tapped his temple. "Control isn't about locking yourself away. It's about understanding. Your magic reacts to your emotions, sure, but to amplify them. Joy?. Creates beauty." He gestured at the intricate frost patterns swirling across the ceiling. "Fear?. Creates spikes." His gaze sharpened. "Love?. That’s the strongest amplifier of all. And you buried yours deep."

Elsa sighs while David goes over to his bookbag and takes out a full pie. She looks at the creamy surface with her eyes wide. "Is that..."

"Chocolate cream pie?." David sticks a fork in the center of it. "Yes, Elsa. Yes, it is chocolate cream pie. All for you."

Elsa stared at the pie, her stomach growling unexpectedly. She hadn't eaten since fleeing Arendelle. The rich scent of cocoa and cream filled the air, momentarily overpowering the sharp tang of ice. Hesitantly, she took the fork David offered. The first bite melted on her tongue, impossibly sweet and smooth, a stark contrast to the cold solitude she'd embraced. A small, genuine smile touched her lips.

"It's... wonderful." Elsa looks at him with happiness. "The yummy taste of cool chocolate and smooth cream just sent me to pure paradise."

David grinned, leaning against the ice wall. "See? Joy makes things better." He watched her take another bite, savoring it slowly. "Running away cuts you off from moments like this. From Anna, from pie... from people who care."

Elsa lowered the fork, the sweetness turning bittersweet. "Anna deserves better than a sister who hurts her."

"That's the depression talking. Anna loves you. Always." David watched her take big chunks of the pie like a greedy piggy and chuckled. "I have another pie..."

Elsa's fork paused mid-air, chocolate smudging her lip. She stared at him, eyes wide. "Another?."

David grinned, pulling a second pie. This one is cherry filled. "Variety's the spice of life." He slid it across the icy floor toward her.

Elsa caught it instinctively, her fingers leaving frost trails on the tin. The silence settled thickly, broken only by her breathing and the distant howl of wind outside. She traced the cherry filling with her fork, hesitating. "Anna..." The name hung heavy, unfinished. "She tried so hard to reach me."

David watched her, leaning against a pillar. "She still is." His voice softened. "Every day for years."

Elsa throws away her fork. "I always wanted to do this." She uses her hands and eats the pie.

David chuckled, shaking his head. "Royalty eating pie with their hands?. What would the nobles say?."

Elsa spoke with her mouthful. "The nobles can kiss frostbite."

David laughed, a genuine sound that echoed warmly in the icy chamber. He watched her smear cherry filling across her cheek like war paint. "There's the spirit." He pushed off the pillar, stepping closer. "Running hides that fire. Not protecting anyone."

Elsa digs her face into the pie and eats it like an animal. "Mmmm, creamy."

David can't resist pulling out his magical phone and taking a picture. "What are the odds of snapping this?. You are such a pig.”

Elsa grins back at him and playfully makes a pig noise. “Oink!. Onik!."

Chapter Text

Instantly the two quickly holded their heads as a massive headache took center stage in their foreheads. David lifted his head up in hopes gravity would ease his painful suffering. Elsa did the same as well as she couldn't stand having pains in the head.

“Headaches…I hate them.” David spoke before sitting down on the steps.

Mirabel went to work helping him. “Let me get you some ice…”

“I have ice.” Elsa conjured up a block of ice while holding her ice on her forehead.

Mirabel looks at her and nods. “Thanks.”

Elsa, who stood close to David, slowly bends down to be on the same length as him. She sticks the medium sized block of ice towards him. “Here.”

David, fighting the pain, tries hard to open his eyes to see where the ice is before getting it. “Thanks.”

“You're welcome.” Elsa looks at him while feeling very familiar and curious. “Have we…met?.”

“No…we have not until tonight.” David looks at her and once again admires her beauty. “You look breathtaking.”

Elsa was taken by what he just said. "Really?. I'm breathtaking?."

"Are you kidding?." David managed to fight back the aching. "You're the most beautiful woman that I ever laid eyes on." He takes a real good look at her. "You have wonderfully beautiful pale skin. Lovely hair that smells like... winter. I love winter. It's my favorite season."

Elsa's cheeks flushed a soft red. She studied David's face—the earnest curve of his mouth, the way his eyes held hers without flinching. "Winter... yes," she murmured, almost to herself. "It has its own kind of magic."

A flicker of something unspoken passed between them, quiet as snowfall. Anna and Mirabel caught wind of how much Elsa and David were into each other which was a bit strange. David managed to stand up and hold the ice on his forehead and see her did a curtsy.

"My name is..."

"Elsa." David interrupted her. "I know who you are all too well."

"Oh?." Elsa stands up. "That's... weird. What's your name?."

"David." David takes out his hand for her to shake with a friendly smile. "My name is David. David Johnson."

Elsa hesitates for just a moment, her gaze flickering from his outstretched hand to his eyes. She takes it, her grip cool and firm. "David Johnson," she repeats, testing the name. "You know me, yet I don't know you. That feels... unbalanced." Her head tilted slightly, the ice still pressed to her temple. "David...David...David...I recall someone with that name."

David's smile falters, replaced by a flicker of confusion. "You do?." He searches her face, the headache momentarily forgotten. "Where?. When?." His voice is low, intense. The air between them crackles with unspoken history, thick as frost on a windowpane.

Elsa felt her headache trying to get worse but managed to recall someone with that name. Of course it was blurry, but it was there in her head. "David..."

Elsa's Memory Flashback

Elsa sat in the therapy session with Tennessee sitting behind his desk waiting patiently for David to come to the session. Elsa, having her leg over the other while kicking her foot furiously, was very upset that she is waiting for her husband for the past four hours and is about to swear in the building. Tennessee looked at his watch and then at the clock on his wall to see if they were saying the same thing before looking back at his second ruler.

"Are you sure that you informed him that you two have a session with me?." Tennessee asked while putting his paws together and rested them on the desk.

Elsa stopped kicking her leg. "Yes!." She snapped. "I told him last night. I told him this morning. I told him an hour ago!." Her voice rose, sharp as icicles. "He promised he'd be here. Promised." She twisted the wedding ring on her finger, the cold silver biting into her skin.

"After you just said this, I strongly think that he just said those things just to get you out of the way." said Tennessee.

Elsa sighed. "I know. I know that. But I don't understand why he would do that to me. Him and that stupid journal of his."

Tennessee leaned forward. "Journal?. Tell me more about that. I too am curious about it."

Elsa sighed. "It's this worn leather thing he carries everywhere. Scribbles in it constantly. But he never lets me see it. Says it's private." Her voice dropped. "Sometimes I wonder if he's writing about...us. Or someone else."

"Ah, you're feeling the sense of being cheated on." Tennessee leans back in his chair. "Name me a few women that envy you for winning his love. I do mean single women."

Elsa's fingers drummed on the armrest, sharp and rhythmic. "Mirabel, from the library. Always bumping into him with those doe eyes." Her voice turned brittle. "And that florist near the plaza, Merida. Send him free roses every Tuesday. Claims it's for loyal customers even though she is sharing the business with Beast." She scoffed, a puff of frost escaping her lips. "Then there was a happy go lucky emotion that is Joy."

Tennessee gave her that look. "Not little Joy."

Elsa's jaw tightened. "Oh, yes. Always bouncing around him, laughing too loud at his jokes. Touching his arm." She shivered, not from cold. "But all that I just said happened back when we were dating."

Tennessee's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "And now?. Any new... distractions?."

"Just that stupid book of his." Elsa spoke in bitterness.

Tennessee tapped a claw on his desk. "And you think he's hiding something in it?. Something...hurtful?." His voice was gentle, probing like a thaw in early spring.

"It's already hurting. It's hurting his duties as king of this valley. It is hurting the friendships with all of our friends. But most of all it's hurting our marriage." confessed Elsa, before making the whole room get cold.

Tennessee rubbed his biceps despite wearing his therapy sweater. "Uh, Elsa?. The cold?."

Elsa snapped her fingers. The frost vanished. "Sorry." She slumped back, the fight draining out of her. "I just... I need him to choose. The journal or me. This secrecy is a wall of ice between us."

"And he chose....?." Tennessee waited for the answer.

Elsa stared at her hands, the memory sharp as broken glass. "He walked in late that early morning. Looking burnout both mentally and physically. Didn't even apologize." Her voice was a thin whisper. "He sat down at the kitchen countertop, opened that damned journal right there, and started rereading pages or writing. Like I wasn't even there." The air crackled faintly with suppressed frost. "I asked him what was so important. He just said... 'It is a Me, Myself, and I' thing."

Tennessee leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "And that's when you...?."

"I grabbed that fresh apple pie and roughly slammed at the top of his head. That...That is when I regretted quickly." Elsa paused herself on that memory.

Tennessee's eyes widened slightly. "You... assaulted him with baked goods?."

"He got even." Elsa spoke the other half.

"He hit you?!." Tennessee got upset.

"He punched me square in the face and had me hit the floor hard. I came two and noticed it was nightfall. David was nowhere to be seen or didn't bother to leave any medication. I had a nice black eye from that punch." said Elsa, while adjusting her shades.

Tennessee growled. "Show me your face. Now."

Elsa hesitated, then slowly removed her sunglasses. The bruise was a sickening purple bloom around her left eye, stark against her pale skin. "He didn't even look back or apologized," she whispered, her voice cracking like thin ice. "Just grabbed that journal and walked out before I was unconscious. He treated me like I was... nothing. But a burden."

Tennessee's claws dug into his desk, leaving faint grooves in the wood. "This isn't secrecy anymore, Elsa. This is violence." His voice dropped low, dangerous. "A king who strikes his queen?. In this valley?. Unacceptable!. I'm calling Judy..."

"No!." Elsa stops him. "He didn't mean it!. Honest!."

Tennessee freezes, his paw hovering over the phone. "Elsa... look at your face." His voice is gravelly with disbelief. "That's not a mistake. That's a choice."

"That I forced him to." Elsa argues back. "He was mentally burnt out. You have that before a few times."

Tennessee sighs, the anger draining from his posture. "Burnout doesn't excuse a closed fist, Elsa. Ever." He leans forward, his gaze steady. "What if he does it again?. What if next time, it's not just a pie that triggers him?. What if it's Anna asking an innocent question?. Or Olaf needing help?." He pauses, letting the chilling possibility hang in the air. "A king who can't control his temper is a danger to everyone in this valley."

"You know David isn't aggressive, Tennessee. He is a good man." Elsa spoke in honesty. "Please, keep this between us, Tennessee. Please."

Tennessee sighed deeply, the sound like wind through bare branches. He studied Elsa’s bruised face, the way she held herself stiffly, as if bracing against an invisible storm. "Secrets like this have a way of thawing out, Elsa," he murmured, his voice heavy. "And when they do, the flood can drown everyone."

"You're bending my arm." Elsa stands up. "As your Dreamlight Queen, I order you to keep this between us."

Tennessee holds her gaze, the silence stretching like ice on a pond. He finally nods, a single, slow dip of his head. "Very well," he concedes, the words heavy.

End of Flashback

Elsa looks at David after having that flashback. "By any chance, have you been getting those sudden triggered flashbacks but can't remember what happened in them, no matter how hard you try to remember?."

"You have no idea." David sighs. "You look hungry."

"I'm starving." Elsa felt the stomach pain and heard the growling. "So starving that I might just eat a couch."

"Well, Remy opens nightly since nighttime is a French thing for dining." Mirabel grins. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind making a spread for you both."

Anna nods and fears her stomach pain. "I'm so hungry that I might be a pig if I eat more than two plates."

David chuckles. "Well, you guys just go ahead and eat, and then go get some sleep."

Elsa smiles and nods. "Thank you." She looks at her sister. "Let's go, Anna."

Anna grins. "Race you to the restaurant!." She takes off in a blur.

"Hey, wait up!." Elsa chuckles while running to catch up.

David watched her backside and whistled. "White girl with a black girl butt. Gorgeous."

Mirabel rolls her eyes. "Men. Always thinking with their pants."

David chuckles, the sound rough in his throat. "Can you blame me?. Look at her." He watches Elsa disappear around the corner.

Mirabel shakes her head. "Mama always told me that boys will always be boys. Sigh, I wish a guy was slobbering over me. Night, D."

David watched her head back to her house. "Night." Before going to the stall.

Elsa and Anna entered the small restaurant where they saw a small few tables before finding a table next to a couple. Remy ran and climbed up the table, and looked at the sisters.

"bonne soirée!. Welcome to Chez Remy." Remy spoke professionally. "The menus are on the table."

Anna rested her right cheek on her right fist while admiring Remy. "Huh...a talking rat. First Olaf and now this. Now, I have seen everything."

Remy puffed out his chest. "I prefer 'small chef with exceptional taste'. Now, what can I get for you lovely ladies?." He gestured towards the menus with a flourish.

Elsa scanned the options, her stomach growling again. "Pizza?. I'll try the pizza."

Remy scribbled on his tiny notepad. "Excellent choice!. Thin crust, loaded with veggies, or perhaps something more... adventurous?." His whiskers twitched with enthusiasm.

Anna leaned in, her eyes wide. "Fish. Lots of fish."

Remy nodded. "An order of fisherman platter it is then!." He scurried off towards the kitchen.

Elsa and Anna waited for their shared food before glancing at a couple enjoying their food. Jane and Tarzan were sharing a big bowl of fish creole until they noticed them.

"Hi." Anna cheerfully waves at them.

Jane smiles warmly, a smear of sauce on her chin. "Hello!. Say, you two look awfully familiar."

"You know something...I got that same feeling as well." Elsa spoke while taking a look at Tarzan. "You look like the closest spitting image of our late father."

Tarzan tilted his head, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I do?."

Elsa nodded slowly, her gaze tracing the strong line of his jaw, the familiar curve of his brow. "Yes. The resemblance is... uncanny." She paused, the memory of her father surfacing like a ghost in the frost. "He had that same quiet strength in his eyes."

Back with David, his mind was really starting to pound insanely as it forcefully tried to make me remember more after meeting his crush for the first time ever. Elsa. The legit Elsa. An Elsa that is not a cosplay, actress, or street performer. His brain was hurting like it is having a massive earthquake that is unable to fix.

“What is going on with my freaking head?!.” David sat down in front of his house holding his head. “It's not stopping!.”

David's Flashback

David sat on a wooden bench somewhere in the Forgotten Lands taking in on what he had done to his wife. "I hit her...I hit my own wife. I was raised by my mom and dad, and they told me no matter what, don't hit a woman."

"The bitch deserves it!." a dark echo voice spoke in his head. "She was in the wrong and doing what she did."

David pulls out the night shard and sees it glowing. The shard had unlocked what lay deep inside and now it has a voice. "I love her. Why did you encourage me by punching her in the face?."

"Because she doesn't respect your work. You have to remind her of her place." the voice hissed inside David's skull.

The night shard pulsed in his palm like a diseased heartbeat. David can't believe what he just did nor allow to listen to this voice that was his own but dark.

"I need to apologize to her..." David jumps from yell.

"NO!." It tells him.

"Why?." David didn't know why he even asked.

"Because she'll see weakness." The voice slithered through his thoughts like oil on water. "She'll twist this against you. Make you grovel. Your work must be your top priority. Fuck her!."

"Don't you cuss about my wife!." David stands up in anger.

"David?." Aurora, who was about to leave the Biome to meet her husband, catched everything she saw and heard him talk to himself.

David was quiet and then asked. "How long have you been standing there?."

Aurora's eyes widened, taking in the pulsing Night Shard in his palm. She took a cautious step back, her voice trembling. "Long enough to hear you arguing with... with yourself." Her gaze flickered between his face and the glowing crystal, understanding dawning with cold dread. "David, what is that thing doing to you?."

"You won't understand." David tells her.

"Try me." Aurora got closer.

"No." David puts the shard back in his pocket. "Go home, Aurora."

Aurora didn't move. Her eyes stayed locked on his pocket where the shard pulsed faintly through the fabric. "That thing's poisoning your mind," she said, her voice steadier now.

"Good-bye, Aurora." David teleported out of the biome.

End of Flashback

David slowly starts to feel relief when the pain is easing up before getting back to his feet and enters the house. His mind came to a realization.

"Now, how am I going to live here if Elsa is back?." David crossed his arms. "Ah, man."

Shrugging it off before going to the bathroom and handling his business. Back at the restaurant stuffing their faces like pigs, Elsa and Anna can't help but fill their bellies up and go eat themselves another round of pizza which is their fourth helping.

"You two must be really famished from wherever you two have been." Jane looks at the two in a bit of amusement.

"We were in the Enchanted Forest for exactly twenty two years." Anna spoke before biting her pizza crust.

Jane froze while waiting for the check to come. "Twenty two years?. Weird... because when myself, Tarzan and my father have returned to this valley it truly felt like we haven't been here for twenty two years."

"Because that is exactly how long it has been since the era of the Forgotten and the Forgetting." Merlin closed the door behind him.

Merlin approached towards the sisters and bowed towards Elsa in pure happiness. "Queen Elsa of Dreamlight Valley. It is so good to have you and your sister return to the valley."

Elsa was confused about the first part that was said to her. "Queen of Dreamlight Valley?. I don't recall being a ruler here."

Merlin chuckled softly, adjusting his spectacles. "Ah, but you were, my dear before the Forgetting scattered our memories like autumn leaves."

"A...Are you sure?." Elsa felt like it was true.

Merlin nodded, his expression turning serious. "The Forgetting erased much, but fragments remain in those who've returned. You ruled wisely during turbulent times before the darkness consumed our memories and forced our people to exodus back to their realms."

"Wait, hold on." Anna had her hands out to pause the conversation. "If you are saying that my sister is queen of these lands not by birthright but by.... marriage?."

Merlin couldn't help chuckle in delight. "Indeed!. Elsa married the founder and the one and only king of Dreamlight Valley!."

Anna gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Married?!. Elsa, you never told me you got married!."

Elsa stared blankly at her plate, pizza forgotten. Her fingers traced the condensation on her water glass. "I... don't remember any of this." Her voice was barely a whisper, thick with confusion. Fragmented images flickered in her head of standing in front of the Plaza's wishing well and seeing herself dancing on the beautiful red ballroom floor. "I have a husband?. A man that really loves me?. Love me for who I am or what I am?."

Merlin leaned forward, resting his weathered hands on the table. "His name is David. Took me forever to finally remember my ruler's name. Ironically our prophecy of a hero has the exact same name."

Elsa remembers the man she met not too long ago at Peaceful Meadows. "Yes, that is ironic and an absolute coincidence."

Anna leaned forward, eyes wide with curiosity. "So, Merlin, what kind of man is David?."

Merlin couldn't help but smile. "The David you know just now is oddly familiar with your brother-in-law. Truly a best friend indeed. Yet, he is fully mature. Yes, King David was mature but it is part time maturity."

"I'm not following." said Tarzan, looking at the man.

Merlin sighed, rubbing his temples. "Apologies, my boy. The Forgetting plays tricks on the mind. What I mean is King David possesses a rare duality. A regal wisdom beyond his years, yet retains the playful spirit of youth when the moment calls for it." He glanced at Elsa, whose knuckles were white around her glass. "He built this valley from friendship and happiness. He loved the entire kingdom and those living in it fiercely. But you, Elsa?. You were his shiny diamond inside a hard sphere coal. A diamond he must have to compete himself. I recall him giving myself and others a lecture about royalty. Care to listen?."

Elsa nodded slowly, her gaze distant as if straining to grasp a fading dream. "Please. Tell me."

Merlin adjusted his glasses. "He told me and others that, if you're a single king or queen then you really aren't a king or queen. Yes, you are a king or queen but by title. You're only such if you marry the polar opposite, and then you would be truly king or queen by both title and symbolism. He says this can only work with working time in building romantic love."

Elsa's breath hitched. A sudden flash of strong arms wrapping around her waist, laughter echoing in a sun-drenched forest. The welcoming aroma scent of fresh pinecones surrounding them both and something uniquely...Him...vanished as quickly as it came. Her throat tightened. "That... feels right." She whispered, her voice thick. "But why can't I see his face?."

"That I wish I knew, my queen." Merlin spoke sadly. "Can't remember how he sounds or looks. But as long as David keeps removing the Night Thorns and undoing what the Forgotten has done to our beloved home, we would eventually be able to remember how our king looks and sounds."

Anna leaned forward, her pizza momentarily forgotten. "So... the David we are seeing now shares the same characteristics of my brother-in-law?."

"Exactly!." Merlin tapped the table for emphasis. "King David was known for his kindness, patience, bubbling fun, and easy going traits which is what your sister cherished deeply. He'd spend hours listening to villagers' troubles, always solving them with quiet wisdom and getting his hands dirty." He chuckled softly. "Though I recall him being fiercely protective too. When Scar wanted Dreamlight Valley, our king gave him the Sunlit Plateau to rule. Smart negotiation. He went as far as to say his reasoning to Scar which that conversation was between them in private, but David made sure to monitor Scar and how he treats the Biome, let alone how he treats the neighbors living or visiting there. David took something from Scar and made it a motivation reward for him to help do right as a ruler of Sunlit Plateau. David didn't want the Biome to suffer the same fate as the Pride Lands under Scar's care."

Elsa’s fingers traced the cool rim of her glass. A phantom sensation brushed her shoulder – warm, reassuring, the ghost of a touch from someone impossibly familiar yet lost. Her gaze drifted towards the window overlooking the Plaza. "He sounds... remarkable. W...Was I a good loving wife to him?."

"The very definition of it." Merlin spoke boldly.

Chapter Text

David walked through the Forest of Valor at night in order to make his way to the Frosted Heights to reach his secret laboratory. Making sure not to step on any sticks to prevent anyone from waking up from their sleep. Walking up on those icy steps, David made his way in Frosted Heights towards the rock wall and pressed his right hand on the front of the wall and the rocks double slid wide open. Stepping into his secret laboratory where tons of book piles were scattered in different directions. David went over to his work table where the Night Shard sat in its holding. Looking at it briefly before undoing his winter coat and pulling out his journal and pulling his chair towards him to sit down in.

David dipped the pen in the ink jar while opening the book to go to another empty page and jolted down. “This ongoing research is making me isolated and lonely from all of my friends and my family. I'm still rattled by being physical to my own wife. I punched her like how Muhammad Ali did against George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle boxing match. I laid Elsa out in the first round. The shard told and encouraged me to do it. No man or boy should never hit the opposite sex. NEVER. Yet, I ate my own rules of my kingdom. I'm blessed to have a wife like Elsa. Loyal and faithful. So much so that she didn't tell Anna about it.”

David paused his writing to put more ink on the tip of his pen and resume. “Because Anna would not hesitate to punch me back. She did it to Hans, and I myself isn't getting any special treatment. Regardless of me being her brother-in-law. Elsa wanted the incident to be behind them and leave it in the past for the exchange of us going to an appointment with Tennessee for marriage counseling. Even though we sometimes go to maintain our happiness since we don't have drama or fallouts, lately due to my obsession with this experiment, it has caused us to have to actually go there.”

David dipped more ink into his pen and continued writing despite seeing the Night Shard glowing darkly. “The Night Shard. The inner voice in my head that sounds just exactly mine, except itself echoes without the assistance of a hollow cave. They both have twisted my priorities of going to counseling and just remain in my work. Too ashamed to come home. Why was I so darn curious when seeing that Dreamlight Shard sitting on my study desk as a decoration, and have it both inspired and motivates me into wanting to learn its other side. I pause my research of my expansion of my kingdom to Eternity Isle and my quest for its one and only ultimate treasure, the Spark of Imagination.”

David gets up to make himself some ice tea as he was parched and takes a big gulp before sighing. “My mouth got dry. I needed that.” Went back to writing.

“I was so close to starting my fun exploration to Eternity Isle and getting my hands on the Spark of Imagination. Based on my calculations it would take me a good couple of weeks to months based on if I wanted to drag my feet around and relax and enjoy the environment, then yeah that is going to be a good while. Reminds me of the time of my last journey a few years ago with finding the Jewel of Time with the help of Kenai, Koda, and Nita. We had such a fun time finding it since their realm’s Northern Lights were the map guide to finding the jewel.” David sips his tea and stops writing.

Doing hours of doing his experiments and getting results in a positive and negative light, David yawns in fatigue before getting up and exiting his secret laboratory and exiting his way out of Frosted Heights and not being bothered by the neighbors who live in this particular Biome. He spots Pocahontas getting out of her and her husband’s magical tent to stretch her arms. John came out and looked refreshed and ready to start another day in Dreamlight Valley. David hoped that neither of them would say anything to him when walking past them, but that isn't going to happen at all.

"Oh, look, John." Pocahontas spoke enough volume for David to hear. "Our noble friend and king is once again doing who knows what and avoiding all of us in the process."

David froze mid-step. He kept his eyes forward, pretending not to hear. The morning air suddenly felt colder. He could feel their stares on his back, heavy and judgmental. He turns to face them and puts on a forced smile. "Morning you two. Sleep well?."

John crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "We're preachy."

Pocahontas stepped closer, her gaze piercing. "We've noticed you avoiding everyone, David. Elsa looks exhausted from staying up for you. She covers it well, but we see the shadows under her eyes." Her voice softened slightly. "Whatever you're doing in your research... it's changing you."

"It's not changing me, Pokie. It's just demanding me to take full focus on it." David tries to keep it civil while the voice in his head keeps edging him to do something regretful.

John steps forward, his voice low but firm. "Your wife is worried sick. She paces the castle halls or your other house until dawn, waiting for you. This is neglect."

Pocahontas nods, her eyes narrowing. "And what about the bruise on Elsa's eye last week?. She said she slipped on ice, but we both know that Elsa is slip resistant when it comes down to ice."

"Make up with a quick lie and let's keep moving." The voice tells David.

"Uh, she probably means icing. She spilled some on the floor and forgot to clean it up. That's it." David spoke.

Pocahontas exchanged a skeptical glance with John. "Elsa?. Forgetting to clean cake icing?. Anna?. Understandable. But Elsa?. That is like saying Merlin forgot his tea kettle." She took another step forward, her moccasins crunching softly on the frost grass. "We've seen you talking to yourself near the Glade of Trust. Whispering to that shard you carry."

David shakes his head. "No, I was overthinking something and accidentally didn't realize I was saying something to the shard."

Pocahontas's eyes narrow further. "Overthinking?. How stupid do you take us for?."

"I have no time for this." David waves off. "Good early day, you two."

David walked out of the Biome before Fred and Zeb asked him about joining them for fishing. He heads his way to ease himself to the Forgotten Lands while avoiding everyone who is either greeting or seeking his help.

"Oh, David?!. David!."

David sighs in frustration and looks at the one calling him. "Yes, Hatter?."

The Mad Hatter skips towards him, his mismatched socks standing out in the Plaza. "Tea time's approaching, and we've got a riddle conundrum!. Alice insists the answer is marmalade, but I say it's bumblebees in waistcoats. Settle this for us, would you?." His grin falters as he notices David's tense posture. "You look peaky, old chap. Like you've been wrestling badgers all night."

"Work can do that to you." David works his way in avoiding the scheduled tea time. "Listen, I unfortunately can't come to tea time and..."

"AGAIN?!." Hatter got upset. "You've been skipping our tea times for months!."

"Look, Hatter, I'm sorry but I have prioritized something that can't be out on the shelf." David tells him before seeing an upset Alice who was picking flowers. "Don't give me that look, Alice."

Alice drops her basket, her voice trembling with hurt. "You promised to help me pick blueberries for tea yesterday. I waited by the mushroom circle for hours." Her blue eyes welled up. "You're breaking all your promises, David."

"Oh, stop crying." David pulls out a handkerchief for her to have.

Alice refuses to take it. "I'm not crying. I'm just disappointed. You used to be fun. Now you're just... grumpy." She turns away, her shoulders slumped. "This valley is already has a grumpy."

David rolled his eyes. "I have no time for this." He was about to walk his way to Sunlit Plateau until he was stopped again.

"David!." Ariel cried with glee.

"Oh, for freak sake." David is getting very irritated. He turns to see her and Eric. "What?. And this better be good."

"Well, me and Ariel were at Scrooge's store and can't pick what type of nursery room package we should get before we start making the baby." said Eric with a bright smile. "Under the Sea theme or pirate ship theme."

David tilted his head. "What's the difference?."

Ariel beamed. "Well, the Under the Sea one has coral mobiles and seashell rattles. But the pirate ship has a treasure chest toy box!." She clapped her hands. "We need your opinion!."

"Oh, my goodness, go seek Elsa's opinion." David blurted out.

Ariel's smile vanished. "Elsa said you'd know best. She said you've been planning... things." Her voice trailed "After all it was you who said that we're going to have a daughter. This is your future goddaughter we're talking about. Contribute."

David felt his mouth getting thirsty for water and approached the wishing well. "You two have plenty of time to pick before you guys conceive."

Ariel's eyes narrowed. "Why aren't you happy about being a godparent like Elsa?. You used to be super excited and looking forward to welcoming our future daughter to her home."

David scooped water from the well with steady hands, avoiding their confused stares. The cold liquid soothed his dry mouth. "I am happy. Just... preoccupied." He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, the motion abrupt. "Again, seek Elsa's opinion. Bye."

David marches his way to Sunlit Plateau to get to the Forgotten Lands and then reaches his way to the entrance of the Forgotten Lands, until a certain lion stops him. "Grrr, what, Scar?."

Scar stepped out from behind a cluster of sun-bleached rocks, his tail flicking lazily. "Temper, temper, Your Majesty. I merely observed your... remarkable talent for disappointing everyone you hold dear." His voice dripped with deep concern. "Elsa's tears water the castle gardens at night. Quite the fertilizer."

David gives him a stern look. "Leave me alone or I'll make you leave me alone."

Scar chuckles, a low rumble in his throat. "Such fire. Reminds me of Mufasa before... well." He circles David slowly. "That shard whispers sweet nothings, doesn't it?. Promises of power?. Knowledge?." His eyes gleam with predatory interest. "It always starts with whispers."

David shakes his head. "Don't try to make me feel like a hypocrite." He walks up to the entrance of the Forgotten Lands.

David walks further and further in the creepy Biome and sits down on a flat rock. "Finally. Peace and quiet."

Taking the moment to reach into his bag and pull out his mail and see who it is from. One from Winnie the Pooh. The second letter is from Jim. The third letter was from Kim. The last one is from Elizabeth. He opens Elizabeth's letter and reads that she needs his help on the Black Pearl as Jack and Barbossa are fighting for control of the ship as captain.

"Exactly what had happened at the World's End movie." David sighs as he teleports himself to Dazzle Beach and makes his way to the dock where the Black Pearl stood. Walking up the ramp he spots the two captains trying to out captain each other as they were trying to over the hem.

David steps up beside Gibbs. "Alright, G, how long have they been at it this time?."

Gibbs sighs, wiping rum from his beard. "Since dawn, Your Majesty. Sparrow claims Barbossa stole his favorite compass. Barbossa says Sparrow insulted his hat." He gestures at the chaos. "They've nearly capsized us twice."

"Where's Pintel and Ragetti?." David asked while watching Jack and Barbossa act like children.

Gibbs pointed towards the main mast. "Tied themselves to it after the first near-capsize. Smartest thing they've done all week." He took a long swig from his flask. "Elizabeth sent for you specifically. Said only you could talk sense into these two idiots. That was weeks ago."

"I'm here aren't I?." David catches sight of a pissed off Elizabeth. "Hi E..."

"Don't you 'hi E' me!." Elizabeth marched over, her boots thudding on the deck. "I sent that letter weeks ago!. Where have you been?." She jabbed a finger towards the arguing captains. "They've been like this since the last full moon!. Jack keeps hiding Hector's apples, and Hector retaliates by hiding Jack's hat in various places on the ship!."

"You know you being the Pirate King, I see your authority isn't respected." David shoots back.

Elizabeth's eyes flash with fury. "Don't you dare! I've been holding this ship together while you've been holed up with that cursed journal!" Her voice drops to a dangerous whisper. "Elsa told me about that book of yours."

"What a snitch." David walks up to where the hem is located and stands facing the two. "Alright, enough. Cut it out."

Jack Sparrow paused mid-insult, squinting at David. "Ah, the elusive monarch graces us!. Come to settle this dispute with royal decree?." He gestured dramatically at Barbossa. "This bilge rat pilfered my compass!. The one that points to what I desire most!."

Barbossa snarled, adjusting his feathered hat. "Lies!. The scoundrel called this hat unfit for a barnacle!. An insult to my dignity!." He drew his sword slightly. "I demand satisfaction!."

David lets out an uninterested sigh. "Why don't you two just sit down at Gaston's poolhall and pub, and drink yourselves with the finest rum of Dreamlight Valley. Rum fixes everything."

Jack brightens. "Rum!. Why didn't I think of that?." He immediately pulls out a bottle from his coat, uncorking it with his teeth.

Barbossa glares but slowly lowers his sword, his gaze fixed on the bottle. "Aye... perhaps a temporary truce over quality spirits."

David throws Barbossa a sack of coins. "You two have fun now."

As the captains stumble off toward the pub, Elizabeth storms over. "That's it?. You just bribe them with rum?." Her voice cracks with frustration. "This ship needs leadership, not... not distractions!." She gestures wildly at the chaotic deck where it is just Gibbs and Pintel and Ragetti. "You used to care about things like this!."

"Hey, you're Jack's wife and Pirate King. I can't be your aid every freaking time." David got spitted on with a mix of rum and spit. "That's very mature of you, E."

Elizabeth wiped her mouth with her sleeve, her eyes blazing. "You're right. I am Pirate King. So consider this my decree. Fix whatever's rotting your soul before you lose everything." She turned sharply, her coat swirling. "Gibbs!. Help me untie Pintel and Ragetti, and let us go to the pub."

"You're welcome... spoiled bitch." David teleported out before she could respond and brought himself in the comfort of his second home. "Sleep. I need it."

David puts on his pajamas and lays down on the bed and dozes off. Elsa, who just walked out of the bathroom, wrapped her bath towel tightly around her head and didn't bother covering her body before spotting her sleeping king.

She quietly approached the bed and sat down on the edge. Her fingers traced the dark circles under his eyes. "You're exhausted," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But still you run."

David stirred slightly in his sleep, a furrow forming between his brows as if chasing some phantom in a dream. The Night Shard, left forgotten in his coat pocket, pulsed with a faint, sickly light.

Elsa rose silently, her bare feet padding across the cool stone floor. She went to his side of the bed and went to grab the phone and speed dial Judy.

"Hello?." Judy answered.

Elsa kept her voice low, eyes fixed on David's sleeping form. "He's home. But he's... different." She paused, hearing the soft rustle of bedsheets. "He barely acknowledges me anymore. It's like living with a ghost who doesn't interact."

"Marriage problems. I'm having that as well." Judy spoke before messing with her long ears. "I need your help, my queen."

Elsa frowned, turning away from David. "What's wrong?."

"Nick is once again slobbering over Maid Marian again. Me and Robin are pissed about it and Marian doesn't want anything to do with my husband. Always she is a fox and she is royalty, Nick forgets he is with me and tries to smooch over her." said Judy.

Elsa sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I thought that I had taken care of that situation not too long ago. In fact multiple times."

Judy's voice crackled with frustration. "He's persistent. And Robin Hood is threatening to put an arrow in Nick's tail if he doesn't back off. I need you to talk to Nick again."

Elsa glanced back at David, his breathing shallow and troubled. "I... I can't right now, Judy. David needs me here." She heard a soft whimper from the bed as she saw that David was muttering incoherently, his fingers twitching. "Something's wrong. I have to go." She hung up without waiting for a reply, the phone slipping from her trembling hand to the floor with a clatter.

"Hurt...Suffer...No Mercy..." David mumbled in his sleep.

Elsa froze. The words slithered through the quiet room, colder than any ice she could conjure. She knelt beside the bed, her damp hair brushing his cheek. "David?. Who are you talking to?." Her voice was a thread of sound, almost lost in the thick silence.

"Forget your past... Forget your current... Forget your future... Embrace...The Forgetting..." David spoke creepy.

"What the?..." Elsa gets up and steps away from her man.

David calms and relaxes into his sleep. "Can't...Stop."

Elsa backed away slowly, her heart pounding against her ribs like a trapped bird. The Night Shard's glow from his coat pocket intensified, casting jagged shadows across the wall that seemed to writhe and whisper. "I gotta get out of here!."

Elsa rushes for the door and opens it just to see something of horror that looks identical to her husband, pops his head out and gives her an evil scare with sharp teeth showing and black blood dripping from his lips which makes Elsa immediately screams and shuts the door immediately. Her scream made David wake up.

"Hey, Hey, Hey, what's up?!." David got tackled in the embrace of a crying Elsa.

"David, I saw... I saw... you outside the door!." She stammered, her voice muffled against his chest. "But you were here... sleeping!." Her fingers dug into his back, trembling. "It had your face... but its eyes... they were purple pits... and its teeth..."

David held her tight, his own heart hammering. "Shhh, it's okay. Just a nightmare, sweetheart. A bad dream." He stroked her hair, trying to soothe her, but his gaze darted towards the door, unease coiling in his gut. "I'm right here. I didn't go anywhere."

Elsa shakes her head. "It wasn't a dream, David." She looks at him with hard fear and scare. "It was literally in the hallway."

David gets up and walks to the door. "Stay here." He opens it slowly, peering into the dimly lit corridor. Nothing but the wall. "See?. Empty." He turns back, forcing calm into his voice. "Probably just your imagination playing tricks after your scare. Or maybe Jack Skeleton left another one of his Halloween pranks lying around."

Elsa clutches his arm, her knuckles white. "It felt real, David. Its breath was cold, like... like grave dirt." She shivers violently. "You summoned it. In your sleep."

"Say what?." David was confused. "In my sleep?."

Elsa nodded frantically, her eyes wide. "You were mumbling...Embrace the Forgetting. Then that... thing appeared." She pointed a shaking finger at the door. "It felt evil. Hungry. It looked exactly like you."

"Like I said. It's your imagination playing games with you." David tells her. "Want to stay with Anna, Kristoff and Olaf in the Forest of Valor for a while?."

Elsa shakes her head. "No, I want to stay with you. I'm just scared." She holds him tighter. "I don't want to leave you alone."

"Look I'm beat. It's morning. Go outside and enjoy the day." David grabs the planned clothes and makes her put it on. "Bye."

Elsa sighs. "Bye." She walks out and closes the door. She made her way down to go head down to the kitchen and out of the front door.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!

Elsa stopped in her tracks and dared to turn back to see the very figure that frightening her was standing in front of the bedroom door. It grins as black goo starts flowering through his teeth as it waves at her. Elsa dropped her shoes and bolted out of the house immediately and never dared look back.

Chapter Text

After eating themselves to complete fullness and currently rubbing their stuffed stomachs while taking the moment not to move too much, Elsa and Anna were so happy about eating a nice hot cooked meal without having to eat water to stay alive in the Enchanted Forest. Now the sisters were just admiring the fancy interior of Chez Remy.

"Mmmm, that pizza was amazing." Anna spoke before licking the tomato sauce from her fingers.

"Yes, it was, wasn't it?." Elsa looks at the pictures on the wall. "Funny, these looked like the same exact portraits back at our castle."

Anna giggled. "Maybe Remy stole them? He's a rat, after all." She leaned back in her chair, letting out a contented sigh. "But seriously, I haven't felt this full since... well... twenty-two years."

"Twenty-two years." Elsa, having a hard time to grasp on that reality, spoke more. "Twenty-two years is a long time."

Remy ran up at the table and set a piece of paper down. "And here is your check, ladies."

Elsa grabs the paper and then sets it down to go check her pockets. "I have nothing. I don't suppose you do tabs?."

Anna pats her own pockets and frowns. "I don't think I've carried money since... well. We had servants for that." She gives Remy an apologetic smile. "Sorry, little chef. We might need to wash dishes?."

"That's alright." Remy looks at Elsa. "And yes, I do take tabs."

Elsa blinked. "You do?."

"Yes, I remember taking tabs way before the Forgetting have started. Helps me out in my grocery shopping and personal money keeping." said Remy before folding the check receipt. "Good night, ladies."

As soon as he left the table, Elsa and Anna slowly made their way up from the table to exit the restaurant. Elsa looks at the Dream Castle with a feel of remembrance before a memory triggered in recalling something that happened on the bridge. Something about some sort of a royal address that her king has spoken. This is a memory that was foggy but no chronic pain.

"What an ass." Elsa slightly frowns.

"Who?." Anna looks at her in confusion.

"Oh, it is nothing important." Elsa exhaled. "Let's go lay our heads."

Elsa looks to the left and spots the house as it reek of familiarity. "This way."

They approached the door with Elsa grabbing the knob and tried to open it but no luck. Her mind is nagging her to remember about a key. She looks down to see no doormat or see any secret compartment where a key might be kept. Anna watches her big sister making herself look silly and has to say something.

"You don't have a key to this house, Elsa." She tells her.

Elsa paused, her hand still on the knob. "No, I don't. That... seems obvious now." She stepped back, studying the door's polished wood grain. "Someone is living inside this house."

"Well, let us knock then." Anna knocks hard.

David wakes up from his sleep and hears the knock on the door. Getting out of the bed and out of the room, he heads his way to the door with tired eyes when having a hard time seeing through the peephole.

"Who is it?." He calls out.

"It's Elsa and Anna." Anna answers. "We're looking for a place to sleep."

David, hearing Anna's voice and the mention of Elsa, instantly unlocks the door and opens it. "Come in."

The sisters step inside, blinking at the cozy interior. David closed the door back before locking it and then walked over to the sisters. Elsa looks and walks around with a look of familiarity.

"This is my and my husband's house." Elsa spoke without hesitation. "I remember cooking on that fancy stove." She points.

"Well, it is in fact your house." said David, having his eyes only on her.

Elsa looks back at him. "Y...You have been living here?."

"Since I arrived here." David imitated her walking around motion.

"Merlin told me you are from a realm that the Hall of Realms don't have a door to. Is that right?." Elsa questions him.

"True. I'm from the Real World." David tells her.

"The Real World?." Elsa started to recall someone telling her about that.

Anna raised her brow. "I'm still confused about this Real World realm thing."

David leaned against the doorframe, rubbing his eyes. "It's... complicated." He gestured vaguely toward the kitchen. "Imagine a place with no magic, no talking animals, and way too much limited happiness and lack of trust."

Elsa trailed her fingers along the mantlepiece, her expression distant. "I remember this fireplace." A faint smile touched her lips. "Anna burned her socks here once trying to dry them after that huge rain storm."

"I don't remember that." Anna spoke in honesty.

David chuckled softly. "That's because of the Forgetting is affecting your memories of this valley. But don't you worry, I will help you all get them back."

Elsa looked at him and tilted her head. "Something about your attitude and character just sings to me. Emotion wise."

David shrugs. "I'm likable around here. I'm surprised this place actually exists. Especially..."

He trails off, rubbing the back of his neck. Elsa watches him closely, her brow furrowed slightly. That familiar ache in her chest flares again. Not the pain, but something softer, warmer. She remembers laughter echoing in this very room, the scent of pine logs crackling in the fireplace, and strong arms wrapping around her from behind. The memory is hazy, like sunlight through frosted glass, but the feeling is startlingly clear.

"It doesn't matter." David shakes his head. "Um, this house does have guest rooms. I'll take you there."

Leading the way to the hallway and passing the main room, he leads them to a nice bedroom that was very nice. Anna stepped in and was instantly happy.

"Thanks." Anna went to work on removing her boots. "Been way too long since sleeping in a bed."

David takes the moment to examine her clothing. He knows that Anna's clothing isn't her usual clothing as this wear doesn't fit her well. He realized where she wore this attire. "The Enchanted Forest."

Anna nodded while removing her boots. "Yeah, we spent twenty-two years there." She paused, her voice dropping. "It was... rough...hey, how do you know that?."

"It's going to be hard to explain how I know. Let me ask you something. Were you guys there to find answers about Elsa's powers after hearing a tune that only she could hear?." David received a confused look from her.

"Uh, no. It had nothing to do with Elsa at all. Now, she did hear a tune, but that is when we were in the Enchanted Forest. Not Arendelle." said Anna, raising her brow in confusion.

David nods and mumbles. "Glad to know that Frozen 2 is not canon."

Anna frowns. "Frozen what?."

David snaps out of it. "Nevermind. Um, make yourself at home and..." He looks around. "Where's Elsa?."

Anna glances toward the hallway. "She was right behind us. I think she went to the other door."

David exited out and headed to his room where the doors were open and walked in and saw her looking around the room. "Uh, what are you doing?."

"This is my room." Elsa looks at a shared half of the room. One side being dreamlight themed and the other is Arendelle themed. "I remember my time in this room. This house."

"W...What do you remember?." David was intrigued to know. "Tell me. Please."

Elsa looks at her ice throne chair. "I remember reading an assigned book in a book club that I was in." She looks at the ice couch that faces the flat screen television. "I remember sitting and watching this...magic box."

"It is called a TV set." David tells her.

Elsa walked slowly to the television, her fingers hovering just above the screen. "TV set," she repeated softly. "I remember... moving pictures inside. Stories unfolding without actors on a stage." She turned, her gaze drifting to the ice throne chair. "And this book club... I absolutely enjoyed it in fun debates. Food. Drinks. And sometimes talk about our men. Well, some who have a man."

"And...who was the leader of the bookclub?." David was invested in this conversation.

Elsa paused, her fingers tracing the frost patterns on her throne chair. "A woman named...Belle," she murmured, a flicker of recognition warming her eyes. "She is the head librarian of this valley's only library. An enormous library. Full of wonderful endless literature." Her voice softened. "We discussed myths... legends... stories about heroes who overcame impossible odds." She glanced at David, a question forming in her gaze. "You seem... familiar with this valley. With...me. Why?."

"Hard to explain." David tells her. "Very hard to explain."

Elsa studied him. The tired slump of his shoulders, the earnest confusion in his eyes. It mirrored her own fragmented recollections. "You look exhausted," she observed softly. "You should rest."

"You do too." David looks at the bed. "Since this is your and your husband's room. You should have the bed. I'll take the second guest bed."

Elsa shook her head. "No. This is your home now. We're intruding." She gestured toward the ice throne chair. "I can rest here. It's... comfortable."

"No, this is your bed. If anyone is intruding it is me." David motions her to bed. "Please, take off your shoes and socks and get in the bed. Your pajamas are in the drawer."

Elsa hesitated, fingers brushing the smooth ice armrest of her throne. The bed looked impossibly soft before she faintly recalled choosing. "Are you certain?. You've lived here..."

"I said you can have it, Elsa." David stuck his tongue out. He didn't expect her to respond back with her very own face making. "Oh, you can get childish too, huh?." He made a fart sound with his tongue.

Elsa raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement cutting through her exhaustion. "Childish?." She mimicked his tongue-out gesture with exaggerated precision, then added a soft fart sound. "Is that how you win arguments?." She sank onto the edge of the bed, the mattress sighing beneath her weight.

"No, but this is how to lighten the mood." David pulled his bottom eyelid down and stuck his tongue out.

Elsa mirrored him flawlessly. "And this is how to prove I'm faster." She added a raspberry sound.

David chuckled. "Good one. Got any more?."

Elsa tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Perhaps." She placed a finger dramatically on her chin. "Wanna see?."

David snorted. "You're bluffing."

"Nope." Elsa puts her hand underneath her armpit and makes fart noises. "This makes Anna laugh back when we were little."

David doubled over, laughing harder than he had in weeks. "Okay, okay!. You win!." He wiped his eyes. "That's... unexpectedly effective."

Elsa grinned, the tension melting from her shoulders. "Anna always loves this other than me making snow." She kicked off her worn boots, wiggling her toes against the floor. "Thank you, for upkeep of my house."

David leaned against the doorframe, watching her settle onto the bed's edge. "It's yours." He paused, voice softening. "I'm... glad you're back. Night."

Elsa watched him retreat into the hallway's shadows, the door clicking shut. Silence pressed against her ears only the distant creak of Anna settling in her room. She slid off her socks, toes happily embracing the fresh air before pulling down the covers before getting into the bed all the way. David reached the second guest room and flopped down to the bed and dozed off. David’s sleep didn't last long as he heard a faint sound before getting up to go towards the dresser doors and opened to find a black memory orb. Beside it stood a journal page as he picks both the page and orb before reading it.

'I can not believe what that Night Shard had made me say these words. In fact, I didn't say anything as my inner most dark self had taken over after just testing a theory on myself with the Night Shard. I just licked the shard like an ice treat and everything went blank until I found myself on the bridge to Dream Castle, and receiving an angered glance by Elsa.

I didn't know what I did, but I just have to retrieve that memory through a spell of collecting and have it in an orb. Of course I interact with it and see the whole thing, but can not see myself due to it being blurred out. Yes, people can see this memory and myself as clear as day, but when I look into it, it shows everything but a blurry version of myself.

I'm guessing my inner darkness is the image that I see that is blurry. What my bad self said is very disgusting.'

"Now, I'm very interested in what your bad self has said." David sets the page down on the bed and interacts with the memory orb.

The orb itself glowed and hovered in front of David before gently exploding and engulfing him to that very memory that the former king had hidden.

Memory Ord’s POV

David exited the castle and stood down at the white concrete staircase before pulling out the Night Shard. "Hmm...let us see how I react to it."

He licks the shard and waits for something until his stomach starts to hurt like never before as his pupils went purple until it was no more. He stood up straight and put the shard back into his pocket. He looked down to see Elsa entering through the entrance way and spoke.

"Elsa, gather everyone at the Plaza. I want to give a kingly address." David spoke, as he was not in control or aware at that very moment. "Well, don't just stand there like a helpless brat. Get your ass going, now."

Elsa's eyes widened slightly at the harsh command, her usual serene composure cracking for just a heartbeat. She took a step back, her ice-blue gown whispering against the polished stone. "David?. Are you feeling alright?."

David made a displeased growl. "Can you just be an obedient wife and do as I say?. Or do you want me to punch you again?. This time I'm going for a concussion."

Elsa flinched, her hand instinctively touching her cheek where a faint bruise lingered beneath her makeup. She took another cautious step backward. "I will do as you say."

Elsa walks back out and spots Mickey. "Mickey?. Tell everyone to come meet at the Plaza. David wants to do a King's Address."

Mickey nods, but his eyes narrow as he notices the tremor in Elsa's voice and the way she avoids direct eye contact. He scurries off, his usual cheerful gait replaced by hurried, purposeful steps. He gathered everyone from all the Biomes to the Plaza. As usual when there is a major community meeting or a royal address that they were about to have, they started off singing the Dreamlight Valley national anthem. David loves to hear and sing along to the national anthem which he is the one who picked out of the song since the start of getting the valley started, but today is the day that David isn't behind the wheel and this version was disgusted in hearing the song.

"Smile, darn ya, smile!. You know this old world is a great world after all!. Smile, darn ya, smile!. And right away watch Lady Luck pay you a call!." Everyone sang in harmony and in tune. "And where the clouds appear you soon will find the sun!."

"Alright, Alright, enough, enough!." David yelled. "Please, shut up. Now, on with this address. Listen good and listen well."

The singing died abruptly. Mickey lowered his ears, exchanging a worried glance with Goofy. Elsa stood beside him and she too was not believing what she just heard.

"Now, people, there are two sides of every story." David shows one finger and shakes his head. "Not one, but two." He lifted two fingers and put them down. "A story is not one-sided. A story has a duality. There's two sides to every story."

Everyone nodded in agreement as this address is quite new and pretty great to hear so far. But they were in a world of scorn.

"Which my friends leads me to the mind of the phase necessary evil. I know many of you hear that phrase and say to yourself...'That doesn't even make no sense to me'. Or say...'Can't be no such thing as necessary evil'. And my favorite...'How's evil necessary?'."

David paused dramatically, scanning the crowd with unnervingly sharp eyes. His posture was rigid, unlike his usual relaxed stance. Goofy shifted uneasily beside Mickey, whispering, "Gawrsh, he's talkin' awful funny today."

Elsa kept her gaze fixed on the cobblestones, fingers twisting the fabric of her gown into frozen knots. She looks at her husband and listens to this sketchy address.

"That doesn't match. That's plaids and stripes, evil and necessary." David begins as he looks at everyone. "You see everyone, because without bad, there is no good.
Without light, there is no dark, you need both these things. Without a villain, there is no hero. Right, my princesses?."

Belle stiffened beside Rapunzel, her book clutched white-knuckled against her chest. Ariel exchanged a bewildered glance with Moana from her perch on a fountain edge, their usual bright expressions clouded with confusion.

Mulan whispered to Snow. "What kinda crazy talk is this?."

"You guys hear what I'm saying?. Do you hear the words that are coming out of my mouth?." David looks at everyone.

The crowd shifted uneasily. Roxanne stepped forward. "Gosh, David, we hear ya, but..."

"If every day is a sunny day, well, then, what's a sunny day?!." David spoke and interrupted her. "You see my friends, the bottom line that I'm trying to make is this. Evil..." He did a scary look with his hands showing his teeth. "Evil!. Is necessary. Evil is necessary, thereby, if it's necessary, evil...evil...come on people say it with me. Evil."

"Evil." They all said in unison.

"Come on, say it out loud. Evil." David encourages everyone.

"Evil." They all said again.

"Evil!." David spoke.

"Evil!." They all said again.

"Must be good!." David sees everyone's reaction to what he just said, especially the villains who were not okay with where this is going.

Jafar looks at the Red Queen. "Is he feeling alright?."

The Red Queen shakes her head. "He's talking nonsense."

"I may be the mistress of evil, but even I can say this is evil." Maleficent spoke in disgust.

David's grin widened, sharp and predatory. "That's what I think. Evil must be good, must be good. Come one, everyone, say it with me."

A hesitant murmur rippled through the crowd. "Evil... must be good?."

David nods. "That's right, That's right. Now, let me get very honest in giving an example. " He looks at the happy young couple. "Let us take Violet Parr for an example. She's faithful. She's loyal. She's grounded. She's a perfect hero to be glad we have. Right?."

Everyone nods. Violet blushes slightly, shifting her weight. Her boyfriend, Wilbur Robinson, pulls her closer to him and has a proud smile on his face along with the Parr Family.

"She's so pure that you can't tell me any different. However, I do not mind being the burden of newsflash but this week, Violet Parr was at the Forgotten Lands on her knees and giving Wilbur some head." said David, seeing a massive reaction from Helen and Bob.

"Say what?!." Helen looks at her daughter.

"Mom, I can explain!." Violet had her hands out and tried to say something but got hit by her mother's hand.

"You fast little girl!." Helen popped her hips. "You said you and Wilbur were out fishing!."

Bob glares at Wilbur. "Why you little..."

Wilbur throws his hands up, eyes wide. "Whoa, Mr. Parr, sir, it wasn't like that! We were fishing!. Mostly!." Violet buried her face in her hands, shoulders trembling.

The Plaza crackled with shocked murmurs. Goofy's jaw hung slack. Ariel gasped in total shock and even Scar looked mildly scandalized. David nods and continues.

"Oh, yeah that is evil. You tell your folks that you're going fishing up in the Forgotten Lands, but really you were just on your knees giving head. But!. But, Violet had a wonderful time giving Wilbur some head." David spoke. "Now, she may be a Super with the power of invisibility and it has limits, but when she is on her knees it is a whole different story. Now, Wilbur knows for a fact that he can drive Violet out like a car, she has no limits!."

Wilbur Robinson turned beet red, stammering incoherently as Violet let out a choked sob. Bob Parr cracked his knuckles, his eyes locked on Wilbur with terrifying intensity.

Helen grabbed Violet's arm, her voice a low, furious hiss. "We are going home. After this."

"Evil and Good. It walks hand in hand, people." David looks at everyone. "Evil is as what Evil does."

Kronks's wife, Birdwell, puts on a forced grin and looks at Elsa. She spoke through her teeth. "What the hell is wrong with your husband?!."

Elsa flinches, her knuckles white as she grips her skirt. "I... I don't know." Her voice is barely a whisper, lost in the rising tide of murmurs.

David, being under the influence of inner darkness, takes his sights on Jasmine and uses mind manipulation. Trigging a memory of the woman from her realm. A street rat named Sadira who has the hots for Aladdin and tricked Jasmine into thinking that there is something going on between them, despite her not being part of the Dreamlight Valley community and remained in their realm.

Jasmine frowns and looks at Aladdin. "You slept with her. Didn't you?!."

Aladdin's eyes widened. "What?!. No!. Wait, what are you talking about?."

"Haha!. We got ourselves another one!." David spoke proudly.

Jasmine pulls herself off from Aladdin. "Don't act stupid, Aladdin, you know who I'm talking about. Sadira."

"You know exactly damn well who Sadira is, Aladdin!." David putting more wood in the fire of confrontation. "Sadira!. Better known as the street rat whore of Agrabah!."

"The street rat whore of Agrabah?!." Daisy was shocked.

Aladdin recoiled as if struck, his easy charm evaporating. "Jasmine, I never touched that woman!." He reached for her arm, but she jerked away, eyes blazing. Abu chattered frantically on his shoulder, sensing the storm brewing.

"If that was true then..." Jasmine spots a red stain. "Then I shouldn't see a freaking lipstick smudge!."

David claps his hands and looks surprised. "Lipstick on his jacket!. Have you no shame?!."

Aladdin stared at the crimson smear near his collar, his face paling. "I... I don't know how that got there!." He stammered, panic flashing in his eyes. Jasmine's jaw tightened, tears welling as she spun away, her silks swirling like a storm cloud.

The Plaza buzzed with scandalized whispers; Rapunzel covered Flynn Rider's ears playfully, while Gaston smirked openly, enjoying the entertaining chaos. Aladdin ran after her as she headed her way to Sunlit Plateau.

"Jasmine!. Wait!." Aladdin called out.

David watched him run off and spoke. "Don't be ashamed of yourself, Aladdin. Don't be ashamed of doing what you got to do to have some ass, if Jasmine isn't giving it up." He turns back to the crowd. "Ass is good, people!."

The crowd's murmurs grew louder, uneasy glances darting between David and looked at Elsa on what is really going on around here. Elsa was seconds away from saying something but David spoke.

"Yeah, Yeah, I know what you all are thinking. What the hell is our Dreamlight King saying such things like cheating on your committed love for some ass. Heck, how did you think all got here?!. If it weren't for some ass you wouldn't be here!." said David.

The crowd shifted uncomfortably. Mickey tugged at his gloves, ears drooping. Elsa pressed a hand to her temple, her breath frosting in the sudden chill radiating from her.

Goofy scratched his head, muttering, "Gawrsh, that ain't right..."

"You can say that again, Dad." Max was in disbelief.

"Now, in conclusion of my royal address. Evil is good and ass is good. Now, fellas, if you are lucky enough to get yourself a nice piece of fat evil ass...whooo!." David spoke like a shady pastor.

The dark energy had lifted out of David as he blinked and saw the angry faces of everyone who were leaving the Plaza. He was confused as to what was going on as he looked at Elsa.

"Baby, what happened?." He looked at her, who was furious at him.

Elsa's frost-laced breath hitched. Her eyes, usually pools of calm ice, blazed with a fury David had never seen. "You... you vile creature," she whispered, the words sharp as shards.

"What did I do?. What did I say?." David asked in serious confusion.

"You are one sick twisted creep, David!." Shang spoke in anger. "Come on, Mulan. Mushu."

Mulan nodded, turning away with disgust. "We're leaving. You sick king!."

"Man, I don't know what has gotten into you, but that needs to stop as soon as possible." Mushu spoke while following the two.

David crossed his arms and looked at his in-laws. "I don't recall what I said. What happened?. Jane?. Anna?. Kristoff?. Tarzan?."

Anna shook her head, her freckles stark against her pale face. "You... you told everyone Violet was... was..." She couldn't finish, gesturing helplessly toward the distraught Parr family retreating toward the Peaceful Meadow path.

Kristoff placed a protective arm around her shoulders, his expression grim. "You are so wrong for that."

Tarzan growled low in his throat. Jane placed a calming hand on his arm, her own eyes wide with disbelief. "David, you publicly humiliated Violet. And lied on Aladdin. And...it is unbecoming."

David recoiled as if struck. "No. I...I wouldn't..."

"Don't act like you didn't say what you just said, David." Elsa frowns hard. "I am so embarrassed."

David's confusion deepened into panic. He scanned the dispersing crowd. Seeing Goofy shaking his head sadly, Belle steering a weeping Violet away and keeping Helen from disciplining her too hard and hearing Aladdin's distant shouts echoing from the Sunlit Plateau path. The Plaza felt colder, emptier.

"Elsa, please... tell me what I did," he pleaded, voice cracking. "I..." David's mouth was ice shut.

"Save it." Elsa glares at him. "You're sleeping on the couch tonight."

End of Memory Orb's POV

David shakes his head and quickly destroys the orb with his Dreamlight magic. “Damn, the old ruler was playing with dark magic and taking it too far.”

Chapter Text

Morning had arrived to start a new day as David got right up and got himself washed and dressed. Today he wanted to do something in the valley and not do anything with open realm doors or freeing any remaining Biomes of the Valley that had been held captive. Opening the door before looking out slightly, David wanted to exit the house without altering the two women. It still burns him that the old ruler had scored his crush from him as Elsa was or supposed to be asleep like Anna. David doesn't have to bother checking in on the youngest sister since already knows how she looks in her sleep. Looking awful with her hair everywhere.

"Looks like I'm in for the clear." David tells himself when walking down the hallway without making too much noise. His stomach growled. "Breakfast first and then I leave."

Making his way to the first level of the house to reach the kitchen, to David's surprise he spots Elsa playing with the stove and sees she was quite good when seeing plates of waffles and hard boiled eggs at the table. She went as far as making two things of fruit salad. Not wanting to have any interaction with her, David slowly made his way to the front door and was so close to the doorknob.

"Leaving out so soon?."

David stopped himself and put on a smile before facing her, as she was looking at him with a curious look. "I figured that I would get a head start in helping anyone in the village."

Elsa placed a plate of waffles on the table, her expression unreadable. "I made plenty of food. Come and eat with me."

"Uh, I don't know..." David tries to find the words.

Elsa's eyes soften. "I won't bite. Come eat with me."

David sighed but obeyed as he went to wash his hands and join her at the table. After saying grace, Elsa grabs her fork and goes to work eating what she made. David takes a few bites and tries to avoid eye contact. The two ate silently and awkwardly yet felt strange around each other. It oddly felt like a regular routine. Elsa exhaled before grabbing a boiled egg and ate it whole while chewing.

"Do you like hard boiled eggs?." She asked with her mouthful.

David, still avoiding eye contact, nods before cutting another piece of his waffles. "Yeah. I love hard boiled eggs."

Elsa swallows her bite and stares at him thoughtfully. "You know, Anna used to hate them back when we were children. She'd hide hers in her napkin and pretend she ate it." A soft smile touches her lips as she recalls the memory.

David watches her expression shift, noticing how her eyes brighten at the mention of her sister, a stark contrast to the tense silence between them moments ago. "I hate to ask you this question."

Elsa pauses mid-bite, her fork hovering over her fruit salad. "Go ahead."

"Uh, what exactly kept you sane when you isolated yourself in your room all those years?." David asked but felt like this was asked before.

Elsa set her fork down slowly, the clink echoing in the sudden quiet. She traced the edge of her plate with a fingertip, her gaze distant. "The frost patterns on the windows," she murmured. "Watching them shift and grow... it reminded me that isolation wasn't stillness. Things still changed, even trapped behind ice." Her voice dropped lower. "And Anna's knocks. Every single one."

"It must be hard to miss the years of enjoying your childhood." David takes a bite of his food.

Elsa’s fingers tightened around her fork. "It wasn’t just missing childhood. It was…" She hesitated, searching David’s face. "Knowing every laugh I heard through the door carried a price. Mother’s voice always had this… tension underneath. Like she was holding her breath around me. Sometimes I think she was afraid of me."

"Not really. She was probably afraid of not finding any solutions." said David.

Elsa's fork scraped against her plate. "Perhaps." Her voice was brittle. "But fear has a sound. It’s in the pauses between words." She pushed her half-eaten waffle away. "Why do you ask?."

David shrugs. "Just trying to have a conversation with you. It's strange to feel that...we had this conversation before but we just met last night."

Elsa's eyes narrow slightly. "I feel it too." She taps her fork rhythmically against the tablecloth. "Like déjà vu layered in frost." Her gaze drifted toward the window where morning light glowed softly. "Tell me something true, David. Something small and real. Not about Anna. Not about magic. Just... you."

David had a hard time answering this. "I...I...I don't know. I don't remember anything about my past, family, or even my first trip. All I knew was that I was a janitor and getting low minimum wage, let alone once living in a rundown apartment."

Elsa tilted her head. "What was your favorite thing about..."

"Nothing." David immediately answered. "There was no kindness, happiness, and no fairness. My world's attitude is cold. No pun intended."

"That's harsh." Elsa felt sympathy. "Did you at least have a special someone?."

"Nope. Not one girl looked at me or bothered trying to get to know me. Not a single woman dared to give me a chance with zero absolute reasons." said David, before he sighed. "Not a single one wouldn't at least give me a hug, especially if they did give a few with the other fellas. I recalled having my arms out to get my turn for a hug, but she immediately shakes her head with a smile and keeps walking. That really hurts me badly. It makes me feel like I'm undesirable."

Elsa instantly had a sad and hurt look. "That's horrible, David. That's very wrong. If she had hugged another guy and refused to do the same for you, then she would have been very nasty."

David shrugged as he looked down at his plate. "That's just one example. There were plenty of others." He stabbed a piece of waffle with more force than necessary. "It's like I was invisible. Or worse...something people wanted to avoid. None of the women I worked with have never included me in ordering food from their connections. They just purposely looked over me without care."

Elsa's chokes her fork . "That's cruel!." Her voice dropped to a near whisper. "Everyone deserves kindness." She studied him. The tension in his shoulders, the way he avoided her gaze. "David...look at me." When he finally met her eyes, she held them steadily. "You're seen here. And you matter."

David gave her a warm smile. "Thanks. You know something?. I never said this to anyone. But you...it feels... oddly right."

Elsa tilted her head, her expression softening. "Oddly right?." She reached across the table, her fingers brushing his wrist with a fleeting touch, cool and deliberate. "Like finding a rhythm you didn't know you'd memorized. It's weird to me too. I never opened up like this before. I'm running my mouth to you as if we had this talk years ago."

"Yeah, it is weird alright." David pulls away from her. "I can't touch you too much. You're a married woman."

Elsa's eyes widened slightly. "Married?. Why, yes. Yes, I am married to the ruler of this valley. Want to know what's very funny?."

David raised an eyebrow. "What?."

"You and my husband share the same name." Elsa gave an innocent smile.

David raises his brow. "Seriously?."

"Seriously." Elsa resumed eating. "Now, I wonder where he is and what happened to him."

David nods. "Don't we all?." He mumbled under his breath. "Lucky bastard."

Elsa froze mid-bite, her fork hovering over her plate. "What did you say?."

"Nothing." David shakes his head. "Nothing at all." He gets up from the table. "I gotta go."

Elsa watches him stride toward the door, her gaze sharpening. "David." Her voice stops him. "You called him a lucky bastard." She stands slowly. "Why?."

David responded before tapping his head. "Use your head." And he leaves.

Elsa took what he said and looked at herself. Touching her chest and then her buttocks. "Oh, now, I get it. Sorry."

"Sorry about what, Elsa?." Anna walks in while yawning and scratching her messy poofy hair.

Elsa jumps slightly, startled. "Anna! You're awake." She quickly smooths her clothes, avoiding her sister's curious gaze. "David just left. He seemed... troubled."

Anna grabs a seat. "I don't know why." She stuffed her mouth with food.

Elsa crossed her arms. "Go wash your hands."

Anna rolled her eyes but obeyed, returning moments later with damp palms. She plopped back down and shoveled eggs into her mouth. "So what's eating David?."

Elsa traced the rim of her teacup, her voice distant. "He feels unseen. Unwanted." She paused, recalling the raw ache in David's confession. "Like frostbite on the soul. It's a parallel to my own."

Anna swallowed her eggs, brow furrowing. "But he's got that cool dreamy magic thing. And the valley loves him based on what everyone says." She gestured wildly with her fork. "He shouldn't be down in the dumps."

"It's called Dreamlight magic, Anna." Elsa corrects her sister before eating her fruit salad. "We were just discussing his world and ours. Well, about me isolating myself."

Anna nodded. "Oh, that." She paused, chewing thoughtfully. "You know, I always wondered what you did there all day. Besides freezing stuff. I'm very amazed you didn't go mentally nuts."

Elsa's fingers tightened around her teacup. "I almost did. Every day." Her voice dropped low. "The isolation... it hollows you out. It would most definitely leave you brittle." She met Anna's gaze squarely. "David carries that same emptiness. Different ache, same cage."

Outside heading to Dazzle Beach to go visit Moana and Maui's house, David was welcomed with open arms as they made him sit on the floor at the table where a nice long grilled fish lay and a few bowls of fruits. Moana happily sits down beside him while Maui sits on the opposite side of the table so his fishhook can have room.

"Thanks for letting me join you. I have wondered what the inside of your house would be like." David looks around. "It's very island and I had no idea you guys don't do chairs."

Moana grinned, passing him a bowl of raspberries. "Chairs?. Why sit on wood when the sand cushions you?." She nudged his shoulder playfully. "Besides, Maui would break them."

"That's because we haven't ordered any sturdy ones from Scrooge's shop." Maui tells her before eyeing the fish. "Do you want me to carve for our guests or should you?."

Moana chuckled as she grabbed the fish with her bare hands. "I got it." She pulls the fish apart with practiced ease, steam rising from the pink flesh. "So David," she said, placing a generous portion on his leaf plate, "What brings you here?."

David was kinda disgusted at what he saw and spoke without thinking. "Might give you guys utensils. Was your hands washed before touching the fish?."

Moana froze mid-tear, fish grease glistening on her fingers. Maui snorted, spraying raspberry seeds across the sand. "Utensils?" Maui boomed, slapping his thigh. "Kid, the ocean's out washbasin!. Taste tells the tale!" He ripped off a chunk of fish with his teeth, juice dripping down his chin. "Try it!."

"Okay, I should know better about you two's culture is different from mine and anyone else's." David looks at Moana who was cleaning her teeth out with a fishbone. "Are you for real?."

Moana grinned, pulling the bone from her mouth with a wet pop. "You worry too much about dirt. The sea cleanses everything." She tore into her fish again, droplets spraying onto David's arm. "Besides," she added through a full mouth, "Worries taste bitter. It ruins the meal."

David needed to hurry up in his reason for visiting. "Uh, I've come to talk about those ocean lumps of debris on Dazzle Beach. My pickaxe won't break through them. So I figured that I need assistance from two certain deities."

Moana's eyes lit up instantly. "Oh, those coral clusters?. They're tough as sea turtle shells!" She wiped her hands on her skirt, leaving faint fish-scale smudges. "Maui knows how to deal with that. Right, dear?."

Maui grinned, flexing his tattooed arms dramatically. "The Great Maui could lift islands, little man!. Those pebbles are nothing!. But my hook isn't capable of doing this task, but I can help godly up your pickaxe. Hand it over."

David summons his pickaxe and hands it to Maui, who examines the pickaxe with a look of impressiveness. "Well?."

"This pickaxe was crafted by the old ruler. I remember him saying that he made these tools to help assist him in his day to day tasks or be prepared for anything." Maui tossed the pickaxe in the other hand. "Perfectly balanced. He once told me how he made it and left out the secret part. He told me that I might make one of my own and go nuts. Plus, my wife over here didn't want me to play with Dreamlight magic since I have very little comprehensive knowledge of it."

Moana rolled her eyes affectionately. "You nearly flooded the Glade of Trust trying to 'enhance' your hook years ago and our Ruler had to fix the mess." She turned to David. "The coral clusters aren't natural. They appeared after the Forgotten appeared. I'm starting to think they are permanent residents on the beach."

"I feel the same." David watched Maui use his Demigod energy and charged the pickaxe. "Nice."

Maui handed it back, the tool humming faintly. "There. Now swing hard. Aim at whatever spot." He leaned closer, voice dropping conspiratorially. "And David?. Don't tell Moana I used the 'enhancement' trick. She thinks I forgot how. Plus, she always wanted to know how to use it."

David nods. "Gotcha. Uh, thanks, guys. I'll be off..." He was inches away from getting up from the table.

"Not so fast." Moana pulls him back down. "Eat and then you leave."

"Look, I don't want to sound insulting but, I'm not eating something that was ripped from your hands. I don't know where your little hands have been. You probably have been scratching your hips or forgot to wash your hands after doing your business in the bathroom." said David, speaking in all honesty.

"Oh, stop being scared and eat." Moana shoves a piece of fish into his mouth. "Good, yes?."

David chewed reluctantly, the flavor surprisingly rich despite his reservations. The fish was tender, seasoned with something bright and citrusy that cut through the grease. "It's... actually delicious," he admitted, swallowing. "But next time, plates. And forks. Please."

Moana laughed, a sound like waves crashing on shore. "Deal!. Now finish up. Those coral clusters won't smash themselves." She nudged the bowl closer.

David did just that and set his sights on one ocean debris and connected his pickaxe to it. Watching the debris get reduced into clumps of sand indicating that the debris were hardened trapped sand. He went to work removing all the debris that took him hours to do. He took breaks and a few meals until he was completely finished with the task at hand. Next, he heads to see if anyone needs help until he spots Ariel and Wall-E having a discussion. And it's about their collection findings while many would say they were collecting useless junk. David stood and watched the conversation as the two were very happy talking about junk. They didn't even notice he was there.

"I have so many thingamabobs and dinglehoppers that I am willing to trade for something that I don't have!." Ariel happily tells Wall-E.

Wall-E happily spoke. "I have so much of the same thing that I too need to trade away. See?." He pulls out to show her a light bulb without the glass bulb.

Ariel gasped. "Oh, I have that!. But mine has the glass bulb intact." She pulls hers out to show him. "Let's trade!."

"Deal!." Wall-E hands her his trade object. "Do you have any dinglehoppers on you that you're willing to depart from?."

"Why, yes, I do!." Ariel pulls out a fork from the back of her hair. "This is my very first dinglehopper. It works so well in smoothing down my hair. What do you have to trade for it?."

Wall-E chirped excitedly, extending his claw to reveal a perfectly preserved butter knife. "Based on my accurate knowledge, people used this to clean their teeth after a meal."

"Oh, Scuttle once told me about that!. Deal!." Ariel hands him the fork.

"Yes!." Wall-E looks at his new item.

"Another person's trash is another person's treasure. " David spoke that caught their attention. "But in both of your cases. Another person's junk is another person's newly added junk collection."

Ariel beamed, clutching her new lightbulb. "Exactly!. Scuttle says humans throw away the best things." She twirled the butterknife before tucking it into her fiery locks.

Wall-E chirped agreement, his new fork clutched like a precious artifact. "Best deal ever."

David chuckled softly, leaning against a sun-bleached driftwood log. "Can't argue with that. If you two love junk so much, then I should go sit together and watch a show that dedicates itself to junk. You two might take notes on how to be excellent collectors."

Ariel's eyes widened like tidal pools. "A show?. A show that is about treasures that humans carelessly discard?. Where?." She drifted closer, while bouncing on her toes.

"Yes, spill." Wall-E spoke excitedly.

"The show is called Sanford and Son." David explains further. "It is an old 70s comedy show about a grumpy widower and junk dealer, named Fred Sanford, and his well-meaning but more pragmatic son, Lamont, who work together in their junk shop in Los Angeles's Watts neighborhood. Great show. You two would definitely love it. Believe it or not, I found the full complete extended version of the Sanford and Son dvd collection in your old ruler's dvd collection. I can let you guys have it if you like?."

Ariel clasped her hands together, her tail fin fluttering excitedly. "Oh, yes please!. We'll watch it tonight!."

David does just that and hands them the box before going over to Peaceful Meadows where he spots Mirabel picking flowers with Minnie. "Hey, ladies."

Minnie turns around. "Oh, hello, David. How are you?."

"Pretty fair. What are you ladies doing today?." He asked.

Minnie gestured toward her basket brimming with sunflowers. "Decorating me and Mickey's house. He insists everything needs 'sunshine vibes'." She rolled her eyes fondly. "Mirabel's helping me find the brightest ones."

Mirabel hums her tune and sticks her flower in her hair. "How do I look?."

Minnie giggles. "Like sunshine itself!."

She looks at David. "And you?."

David grinned. "I'm gonna see if Goofy needs help fishing. He keeps complaining about those so-called sneaky brim." He mimicked Goofy's lanky stance, earning a laugh from Minnie. Just then, a sharp cry echoed from the nearby pond, unmistakably Goofy's voice, tinged with panic. "Speak of the goof..."

Goofy pulls himself out of the water. "Garsh, that was neat. I'm good though."

David nods before heading to Merlin's house which happens to be the valley's library. The old wizard had a policy for his house/library. It's open for the public but in the coming hours of nighttime the building is closed til the morning. Entering the inside to see massive super tall shelves filled with books that stretched for thousands and thousands of miles. So much that you can't find the back wall. He walks forward to where the half around desk was stood in front and looks around.

"Uh, Merlin?. Merlin?." David calls out.

A muffled thud echoed from behind a towering stack of spellbooks, followed by a plume of purple smoke. Merlin emerged, coughing, his beard singed at the tips. "Ah, David!. Excellent timing!. I was just testing a... ahem... minor levitation charm." He gestured vaguely at a hovering teacup wobbling precariously above a pile of scrolls. "What brings you to my labyrinth of lore?."

"Just checking in." David spots Jane, Professor and Tarzan coming from the other side with a good amount of books. "Hey, guys. My, it looks like you guys are going to hit those books."

Jane smiled warmly. "Indeed!. There is so much literature that we can't pick which one!."

Tarzan easily holds his stack. "Can't wait to read them."

Merlin adjusted his glasses. "You there enjoy those books. I'll document what you checked out next time."

David scanned the shelves, fingers brushing dusty spines. "It's nice to see you're keeping yourself busy."

Merlin chuckled, adjusting his crooked spectacles. "Busy?. My boy, knowledge requires constant tending! Why, just yesterday I discovered..." His excited ramble dissolved into muttering as he vanished behind another book tower.

David wandered deeper into the stacks. "That's nice to know."

Merlin reappeared abruptly, clutching a leather-bound tome emitting faint green sparks. "Ah-ha! The Treatise on Temporal Paradoxes! I knew it hadn't vanished during that unfortunate pudding incident..." He peered at David over the book's edge. "You seem troubled, my boy. Something gnawing at you?."

"Uh, I'm just trying to do community service." David tells him while taking a look at a book.

Merlin hummed, tapping the sparking cover. "Community service?. Or avoiding Elsa?" He watched David stiffen. "Ah. The thawing queen troubles you." He snapped the book shut, sparks vanishing. "She asked about you earlier. Seemed... unsettled."

"I'm jealous of her husband. The Old Ruler. He got his hands on the Ice Queen before I could even get it a crack." David kicks the air to show his upsetness.

Merlin stroked his beard as it was ancient amusement entertainment to him. "Jealousy?. Over Elsa?. My boy, that's like covering the moonlight's beauty." He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Besides, the Old Ruler wasn't just lucky. He earned her trust brick by brick, thawing years of isolation. You think charm alone wins a heart forged in ice?."

"To him it might." David spoke before hearing the man tape his cane.

Merlin sighed, the sound like rustling parchment. "Perhaps. But envy is a poor compass, lad. It leads only to bitterness." He gestured toward the towering shelves. "Focus on your own path. Build bridges, not walls." The wizard's gaze sharpened. "And tread carefully around Elsa. Her husband's absence... it weighs on her. Regardless of no memory of how he looks or sounds. I'm still having issues with that as well."

David lets him leave before heading out to go see if Ursula has some tasks she needed done before spotting a page and instantly knows what it is. "Why are these pages literally everywhere?."

Chapter Text

Walking down in the halls of the castle using the powers of the Force to track down their ruler and best friend, which took them to the study room where the double doors are closed. The two faced the double doors with hesitation before recapping on what they were going to do.

Anakin looks at his wife. "Are you sure that Elsa confessed to you that David had hit her?."

Ahsoka nods. "Yes, she told me. Not by choice."

"Not by choice?." Anakin crossed his arms and tilted his head. "Did you use the Jedi mind trick on her?."

"Nope. I took her to Gaston's bar and got her drunk." Ahsoka spoke with no shame.

Anakin's eyebrows shot up. "You did what?." He stared at her, half-amazed, half-appalled. "That's... not exactly Jedi protocol." He rubbed his temple.

"We're formal Jedis, remember?." Ahsoka smirks. "Acholic helps. Plus, Gaston has a special at the bar. Ladies get all you can drink on the break of night. That was money worth spent."

Anakin sighs. "You are a mess, Snips."

Ahsoka shrugs. "I got results."

"Who took Elsa home?." Anakin takes this moment to know.

"Kristoff." Ahsoka replied. "He was already there."

"And how did you manage to walk yourself back home?." Anakin asked before eyeing back at the doors.

Ahsoka snorted softly. "I didn't. Kristoff carried me too. Apparently, I started singing Corellian drinking songs." She shifted her weight, lekku twitching with mild embarrassment. "He dropped me at our house around dawn last night."

Anakin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Force help me." His gaze hardened as it returned to the imposing double doors. "Let's get this over with." He cheeked the doorknobs. "He locked."

"No problem." Ahsoka raised her hand and used the Force to unlock the doors. "There."

Anakin opens the door and enters with his wife behind him as the two spotted David pacing and talking to himself while holding his journal behind his back. The two former Jedis can see that he was lost in his own little world and didn't notice they were there. David took at glance at their direction and jumped.

"Whoa, hey, how long have you guys been standing there?. I had those doors locked." David tries to calm his nerves from the scare.

Ahsoka leaned against the chair that was closed under the desk, arms crossed. "Long enough to see you talking to yourself." She raised an eyebrow ridge. "Trouble in paradise?."

David raised his brow. "What do you mean by that?."

Ahsoka exchanged a glance with Anakin before stepping forward. "Elsa told me everything." Her voice softened slightly. "About the... punch to the face."

David instantly panicked. "I, uh, I, uh, I don't know what you are talking about."

Anakin stepped forward, his presence filling the room. "Don't lie to us, David. We know what happened." His voice was low, controlled, but carried an edge like durasteel. "You hit Elsa. Your wife. Someone who trusted, faithful and loved you."

David sighs while walking around the room and not giving eye contact. "It was just a minor accident."

"Minor accident?" Ahsoka scoffed, pushing off from the chair. "She had a bruise the size of my fist."

David shakes his head. "I didn't think before acting. It just... happened."

Anakin moves closer, blocking David's path. "That's not an excuse." His gaze pins David like a blaster bolt. "Violence against someone you love?. That's the path to the dark side. You know this."

David frowns. "Please don't preach to me about the dark side, Anakin. You of all people have no right to point the finger at anyone. Don't forget that you tapped into that side when you were in specific situations. One example was when your wife over here was on the brink of death by the hands of Palpatine when he used his force lightning on her."

Anakin stiffened, his mechanical hand curling into a fist. Ahsoka placed a warning hand on his forearm before turning back to David. "That's deflection," she said coolly. "And it's pathetic. We're talking about Elsa and your obsession. Let alone that address you made at the Plaza. That was not like you."

David recalled what happened after obtaining the memory and hid it in his house. "It wasn't me who said those things. Honestly."

"We sensed a dark force that day." Anakin recalled that day.

Ahsoka nodded. "It was faint, but present. Like a shadow passing over the sun." Her eyes narrowed, studying David's face. "You're saying something influenced you?. Possessed you?."

David looks to the side. "Let's say it was intentional without knowing the outcome."

Ahsoka steps closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "That journal you're clutching. Everyone has been talking about it. Show us."

"It is just a journal that I used to document my research." David tells her before making the book disappear.

"Did you at least apologize to those kids?." Anakin walks around the room.

"Who?." David didn't pay attention to the question.

"Violet and Wilbur. Remember when you exposed their secret about them doing something that they have no business doing." Anakin gave it in detail.

"Oh, you mean when I caught Violet getting on her knees and Wilbur some mouth?." David remembers that day when he heard them and then saw it. "Well, no. Plus, the boy can't tell me wrong when it was said about Violet. Her head was bobbling faster to the point that I'm convinced that her mouth never gets tired."

Anakin winced. "David, that's..."

"Look, the point is that I wasn't in the driver's seat at that time. Plus, stay out of my marriage with the both of you. What happened in my household, stays in my household." David tries to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

Ahsoka frowns. "You're starting to act like an ass and not yourself. What happened to the David we know?. The David who spoke the truth about the laws of the Jedi being unfair and wrong?. The same David who helped us finally end the conflict and bring forth peace to the Galaxy?. The Same David who encouraged me and Anakin to embrace our love for each other?."

David made an irritated noise with his mouth. "It is still me, you silly togruta. I'm just being too occupied at the moment. And you two should be thanking me for freeing you guys from a lifetime servitude of being the Jedi Republic. If it wasn't for me, Ahsoka, you would have walked away from the order if I didn't convince you to stay. And as for you, Anakin..."

Anakin cut him off sharply. "Don't." His voice cracked like a whip. "You don't get to use our past as deflection armor." He stepped forward, boots echoing on the polished stone floor. "You hit Elsa. You publicly humiliated children. You vanished for days. And now you're hiding behind shadows and cryptic excuses." His gaze dropped pointedly to David's empty hands. "Where did that journal go?."

"None of your damn business, Former Chosen One." David shoots back.

Anakin's eyes flash dangerously. "Try me." He doesn't move, but the air crackles with static, papers rustling on the desk without a breeze. "Where. Is. The Journal?."

Suddenly they hear a knock on the door and see Elsa at the door. Both Anakin and David stopped doing what was going to be a major confrontation.

"Is everything okay?." Elsa asked innocently.

David puts on a forced smile. "Of course, baby. Me and Anakin and Ahsoka were just finishing up a conversation."

Elsa's gaze drifts to Ahsoka who tries to show a non-forced happy face. "Really?." Her voice holds a fragile calmness. "Because I heard raised voices from the corridor."

"Oh, we were just talking about the funny skits that Charlie and Mortimer had with Edgar Burgen. Those three are a riot in the valley." David looks at the two with a look of warning. "Right, guys?."

Anakin forces a smile. "Yeah, a riot." He steps back subtly, the static tension dissolving like mist. "We were just leaving. Come on, Ahsoka."

Ahsoka hesitates, her gaze lingering on David's clenched jaw before shifting to Elsa's wary eyes. She gives a curt nod. "Right." She headed towards the exit before brushing past Elsa's shoulder with a whisper only the ice queen catches. "We'll talk later at the bar. My treat."

Elsa looks back at David. "Speaking of Charlie, Mortimer, and Mr. Burgen. They wanted to entertain us, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, Jane and Tarzan this evening. I figured you would at least spend a little time with your family for once."

David pulls out his pocket watch and looks at her. "You only have an hour and fifty minutes with me."

Elsa sighs softly. "An hour and fifty minutes is better than nothing." She steps forward, touching his arm lightly. "They are waiting for us in the living room."

Letting his wife guide him to the castle second living room that is small for small birthday parties, David sat on the couch and counting the seconds on his pocket watch while everyone was enjoying themselves in listening to Edgar Burgen, who is in his prime, perform with his two closest friends, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd.

"So, we have ourselves a full house tonight." Charlie spoke while looking at them. "We got all the royal members of the valley, Burgen."

Edgar Burgen smiled. "Indeed, Charlie. Indeed." He turned to Mortimer. "What do you think, Mortimer?."

Mortimer, looking lost, turns to Burgen. "Huh?."

Charlie shakes his head. "Oh, brother." He looks at the audience. "Forgive Mortimer, folks. He's a bit slow on the uptake tonight. When there was a line for brains, he stood in line for cornflakes."

Mortimer chuckles. "Cornflakes. Well, there was a special that day."

The room erupted in laughter all except for David, who was being impatient with time itself. Burgen and the two noticed it but managed to continue performing.

Charlie leaned towards Burgen. "Say, Edgar, looks like someone's got an appointment with the clock." He nodded subtly towards David. "Maybe he's expecting a call from Father Time?."

Burgen chuckled, adjusting his tie. "Or perhaps he's counting down to the moment he can escape our scintillating company."

Everyone chuckled again, but David's eyes remained fixed on the pocket watch, fingers tapping a silent rhythm on his knee. Elsa watched him, her smile tight, a flicker of hurt crossing her face before she masked it with polite attention to the performers.

Burgen looks at Anna with a warm smile. "People say that you're an expert of sandwiches. Is that true, Anna?."

Anna beams, leaning forward eagerly. "Oh, absolutely!. My specialty is triple-decker salmon club sandwiches with extra onions and a secret sauce that..."

"Whoa!." Charlie looks at everyone. "Remind me to take my distance when talking to her." he says before doing his signature laugh.

Edgar Burgen looks at Kristoff. "And Kristoff, I heard you're a man of ice." He pauses for effect. "Literally."

Kristoff chuckles politely, but his gaze kept drifting to David's rigid posture. The pocket watch clicked open and shut with mechanical precision, each snap slicing through the forced merriment.

Mortimer looks at Tarzan and Jane. "And you two are...uh...uh...uh..."

"Tarzan and Jane," Edgar supplied gently.

"Uh, yeah and they're...uh...uh...uh." Mortimer looks to the side. "Geez, they told me a few thousand times."

Tarzan chuckled softly, placing a reassuring hand on Jane's knee. "Tarzan and Jane live in the jungle," he said, politely. "Much trees. Very green."

"Uh, yeah, yeah." Mortimer nods. "That's it...uh, yeah. The jungle."

Jane nods with a grin. "Yes, the jungle."

"Yeah...the jungle..." Mortimer looks at Burgen. "Is it anything like farming?."

Charlie rolls his eyes. "Oh, brother." He turns to David. "Say, Your Majesty, you've been quieter than a mouse at a cat convention. Anything on your mind? Or just admiring that pocket watch?."

David looks at Charlie for a second and then back at his watch. "Please, don't use me in your act."

Charlie leans forward. "Well, excuse me for trying to include the guest of honor!." He looks at Burgen. "If you ask me, I think the queen over here isn't giving him any snu snu."

"Now, Charlie, that is none of your business or concern." Burgen quickly tells him. "Whatever is going on behind closed doors is between husband and wife."

Charlie shakes his head. "Well, if she was my wife, I would be..." Charlie stops talking when he sees Edgar Burgen giving him a look. "Okay, okay. Forget I said anything."

David snaps the pocket watch shut with a sharp click that echoes in the sudden silence. "Sixty-three minutes," he announces, rising abruptly. The forced cheer evaporates as Elsa's hopeful expression crumples. "I have research to attend to." He strides toward the door without a backward glance.

Elsa sighs as soon as the door is closed. "It was great while it lasted."

Jane had a sad look on her face. "I really hated to see you two like this. Really."

Anna leaned over and squeezed Elsa's hand. "He'll come around," she whispered, though her eyes betrayed her doubt.

Kristoff nodded silently, his arm wrapping around Anna's shoulders as Edgar cleared his throat.

"Elsa, I believe that this won't last long." Edgar tells her before grabbing his hot chocolate. "I'm sure whatever he is up to with his secret experiment, it would be a great payoff that we would all benefit from."

Kristoff frowns. "He hasn't been himself since... well, since before his inspiration of doing it." He avoids Elsa's bruised cheek with practiced care. "That journal he carries...it's consuming him."

Olaf sadly sighs. "I wish he finished with whatever he is doing."

"Don't worry, Olaf. This won't last forever." Tarzan tells him before eating his freshly baked soft peanut butter cookie before carrying the large tray of cookies in front of Elsa. "Cookie, big sister?."

Elsa forces a smile. "Thank you, Tarzan." She takes one but doesn't eat it, turning the warm cookie over in her hands.

The silence stretches thick and heavy until Anna leans closer, her voice dropping low. "Kristoff's right. That journal... it is like he's possessed. Remember last week?. He missed Sven's birthday because he was 'too indisposed' in the west wing." She mimics David's detached tone perfectly.

Kristoff shifts uncomfortably. "And the way he accidentally destroyed Violet's favorite sled after he missed her when she asked if he would like to join her down the snowy hills of Frosted Heights?. He says he didn't get much sleep." He glances at Elsa's untouched cookie. "How much does he get, Elsa?. Be honest with us."

Elsa traces the cookie's edge. "He sleeps less than Olaf during midsummer," she murmurs. "Sometimes I find him pacing the library at dawn, muttering equations to himself. When I ask..." She trails off, staring at the door David vanished through. "He tells me the work is too important to pause. That soon, everything will make sense."

Edgar was confused when hearing this. "Did he stay in the library way past closing time?."

Elsa nodded slowly. "He does. He even sleeps there sometimes." She paused for a second. "Belle and Merlin tried to get him out of the library. He abused his authority as king and told them to let him be. He never abuses his authority as king of the valley."

Anna's eyes widened. "He never abuses his authority?." She leaned in closer. "Elsa, he yelled at Merlin yesterday!. I heard it from Daisy!. He told Merlin to stop meddling in affairs beyond his comprehension."

"Well, everyone knows that Daisy is the queen of knowing all the gossip." Charlie spoke honestly.

Burgen looks at Charlie. "Charlie, that's not helping."

Charlie shrugs. "Just stating facts, Burgen. The Facts." He leans back in his chair. "But yelling at Merlin?. That's new. Even for him."

Elsa flinched, the cookie crumbling slightly in her hand. "He apologized later," she murmured, though the words sounded hollow even to her. "Said he was stressed about... the calculations. He didn't mean it."

"He ditched our reservation for dinner." Jane spoke honestly and was a bit upset. "We had to get a table that fits less than seven people."

Tarzan nods sadly. "We lost our spot by the window."

Edgar clears his throat, attempting to salvage the evening. "Perhaps... Perhaps we should call it a night?. Hmmm?. The hour grows late." His voice lacks its usual warmth.

Elsa nods in agreement. "Yes. Yes, let's call it a night." She gets up. "Bye."

She storms out and heads her way to the bar where she expects Ahsoka would be waiting for her. She was right when spotting her at the booth and joined her. Gaston, who is the second full time bartender of his business, walked over to them with a genuine smile.

"What can I get you ladies tonight?." He asked while cleaning the table.

Ahsoka didn't hesitate. "Corellian whiskey. Neat." Her gaze remained fixed on Elsa's strained expression. "And whatever her majesty needs."

Gaston looks at Elsa. "Well?."

Elsa looks at the incredibly large menu before looking at Esmeralda and her husband Phoebus at table drinking something foaming. "What are you two sipping on?."

Esmeralda smiled warmly. "It's called a Midnight Mirage. Ginger beer, lime, and a splash of something sparkling that Gaston won't name." She nudged Phoebus. "He claims it will lighten us up."

Elsa nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "That sounds perfect. One of those, please. Make it a triple."

Gaston raised an eyebrow but didn't comment, turning toward the bar with practiced efficiency. "Gotcha."

Ahsoka rested her chin on the right palm of her hand. "Start from the beginning," she urged softly. "What happened after we left?."

Elsa traced a condensation ring on the table. "He counted minutes like prisoners count days with his pocket watch. He didn't even enjoy the paid entertainment."

Ahsoka snorted, playing with her lekku. "He's obsessed. That journal..." She trailed off as Gaston slid their drinks across the polished wood.

Elsa took a long pull of her Midnight Mirage. The sharp ginger bite cleared her head before setting the large wooden mug down. "He apologized to Merlin today. Sort of. He says that the calculations were 'critical'." She mimicked David's detached tone perfectly. "Then vanished back into the west wing without touching any of the refreshments."

Ahsoka traced a finger around the rim of her whiskey glass. "Calculations for what?."

Elsa shrugs while grabbing the handle of her mug. "I don't know."

Ahsoka leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You live with him. You must have seen something. Notes?. Schematics?. Strange artifacts?." She paused as Elsa's gaze drifted toward the frost patterns forming on her mug. "What aren't you telling me?."

Elsa drank her booze. "If only I knew what he has." She drank until her mug was empty. She looks at Lefu, who was switching with Gaston to start his night shift. "Another round of Midnight Mirage, Lefu. A triple."

Lefu nodded and grabbed her mug once stepping on his step stool. "Want me to add more of Gaston's secret ingredient?."

Elsa managed a faint smile. "Just keep it coming."

Elsa drank and drank until she was completely intoxicated to Ahsoka's distaste as she too is drunk. Lefu stopped serving them more booze as spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Alright, who wants to take these two drunks home?." He asked. "Helen?. Jasmine?. Hook?."

Ahsoka slammed her empty glass down. "We're not drunks!. We're... conducting reconnaissance." Her words slurred slightly as she gestured toward Elsa, who rested her forehead against the cool wood of the table. "Deep undercover."

Phoebus chuckled, rising from his seat. "Reconnaissance mission accomplished, Commander." He offered Esmeralda his arm. "We'll escort the Queen home. Our cottage is on the way to the castle."

"I got Ahsoka." Genie paused his pool game with Carpet.

Phoebus gently guided Elsa to her feet while Genie floated Ahsoka upright. Elsa stumbled slightly, her icy breath frosting the air as she mumbled incoherently about locked doors and ticking clocks. Esmeralda wrapped an arm around Elsa’s waist, steering her toward the castle.

"I don't need you!... I'm my own woman, Ma!." Elsa spoke drunkly.

Esmeralda chuckled softly. "Easy, Your Majesty. The cobblestones are slippery tonight." She tightened her grip as Elsa swayed, her footsteps echoing too loudly in the quiet valley.

The crisp night air did little to sober either woman as Elsa kept muttering about "time thieves" and "equations that bite," while Ahsoka argued with Genie about hyperspace navigation shortcuts visible only to her bleary eyes. Genie reached the Forest of Valor and rang the doorbell of the Jedi style house before the slide opened to see Anakin.

Anakin looks at his drunken togruta of a wife. "Drunk again, I see. Thanks, Genie."

Genie shrugs. "Hey, she's a lightweight. And she's talking about hyperspace lanes again."

Anakin sighed, catching Ahsoka as she stumbled forward. Her lekku brushed his chin, smelling faintly of Corellian whiskey and regret. "Come on, Snips. Let's get you to bed." He nodded his thanks to Genie, who vanished in a puff of blue smoke.

"I'm not a little girl!. I can stay up all day if I want." Ahsoka spoke in slur.

"It's night, you drunk." Anakin went to work removing her boots.

Ahsoka kicked weakly, her movements sluggish. "Not drunk...strategically impaired." She blinked up at him.

"Whatever." Anakin removes her socks.

Chapter Text

Sitting in the Dreamlight Valley's library trying to tap into his legend of seeing into the future without giving himself a migraine, Merlin was curious as to how David will hold up against the Forgotten when the time comes. His memory is managing to come back to him with the Night Thorns being removed away from himself and everyone in the valley, all thanks to David for arriving at Dreamlight Valley, and was wondering the outcome of that battle. Unfortunately, his future seeing isn't showing him what the outcome is between the battle of David and The Forgotten.

Merlin stroked his beard while looking around the service desk in deep pondering. “Strange. I'm unable to see the outcome or what leads up to it. The prophecy says it but I can't see the future for that one. Hmmm…the Oracle of who has carved that prophecy is more gifted than my own self.”

Looking down at his open book of reading something that he had placed a bookmark in twenty two years ago, he is now picking up on where he has left off all those years and he was glad to remember this book. He was worried about David despite having the queen to return home. Merlin knows that David is the only person that has the power to rival against the Forgotten, but he also knows that David isn't skilled or heavily experienced in the powers of Dreamlight like his old ruler did. That was very concerning to Merlin. He has no idea of what time they have until the big brawl against the dark one comes. Merlin pulls his beard hard a bit before flipping another page and continues reading.

Suddenly, his future seeing has opened an invention into seeing something before he leaves him due to the fog of forgetfulness consuming his mind. Merlin was interested in what the distant future is available to review. Knowing if he taps into that future, he would likely forget what he sees when exiting out of it.

“Very well then.” Merlin used his magic and sent himself into the future that was available for him to see.

He arrives at a festive Dazzle Beach with lots of food spread and a nice bamboo stage set that is built to float on water. Merlin, knowing the exact time he was in based on the feel and setting, walks around as a ghost while seeing his old neighbors having a great time on the beach.

“Hmmm…twelve years.” Merlin watched Nick and Judy dancing on the sand in beach wear.

Next, he walks around to see everyone in beach attire both enjoying the amazing celebration and seeing no signs of any sadness. He spots Elsa in her bikini and sees her grab two plates of big pieces of confetti ice cream cake with extra ice cream, and sees her walk over to where two special chairs sat underneath the tropical trees where David was waiting for the cake.

"Here you go, my love." Elsa hands him his plate. "A second helping of this delicious confetti cake."

David smiles and takes it. "Thank you, baby." He takes a bite and savors it. "Mmmm, I love how Remy makes this."

Elsa sits down in her chair and crosses her leg over. "Me too. Mmm, delicious."

David looked at her. "I'm glad we can enjoy another Dazzle Funanza this year to kick off summer."

Elsa nodded, her eyes soft. "It's peaceful, fun, and relaxing. It has been twelve years since you defeated the Forgotten or those awful Night Thorns." She leaned back in her chair, the sea breeze ruffling her hair. "Remember how tense things were back then?. Feels like a lifetime ago."

David chuckled. "What an adventure. An adventure that I didn't intend to create."

Merlin was confused. "That you didn't intend to create?. What on..." He stopped when a beautiful twelve year old girl with black hair that was tied back in a ponytail and wearing a yellow bathing suit, and having a pair of matching shades over her head.

"Godmother!. Godfather!."

David smiles at his lovely twelve year old goddaughter. "Yes, Melody?."

Melody points excitedly toward the water. "Can we please go swimming now?. I want to practice my dolphin dive and want us to get on that cool waterslide you made for everyone to enjoy!." Her eyes sparkle with youthful energy as she bounces on her toes, sending sand flying.

Elsa laughs softly, setting her plate aside. "Of course, sweetheart. Just let us finish these last bites."

Melody grins widely. "Great!." She was seconds away from dashing to play beanbags with Nick and Judy's son and daughter but then turns to face her godparents. "By the way... where is Kevin?."

David took that question to heart. "That's a very good question, Mel." He looks at his wife with that usual fatherly look. "Where is that son of ours?. He better not be still at the house trying to decide which beach attire to wear."

Elsa sighs softly. "He'll be here soon. He told me he had a hard time picking which attire to wear." She glances toward the path leading from Peaceful Meadow to the Plaza, her expression a mix of motherly patience and quiet concern. "He does take his time."

"He gets it from you." David shakes his head. "I swear, he inherited more of you than he did from me."

Elsa playfully nudges his shoulder. "Oh, that’s a bad thing?."

David ate his last piece of cake and spoke. "I still want him to come and enjoy the party with us and play with Melody." He looks over to spot Moana and Maui's son playing a game with Joy. "Koa, come here."

Koa ran over to David. "Yes, Uncle David?."

"Go fetch my son who happens to be your best friend." David tells him before setting the empty plate down.

Koa grinned, already sprinting toward Peaceful Meadow. "Last one there's a rotten coconut!." His shout carried over the laughter and waves. Melody chased after him, kicking up sand in her wake.

Merlin follows the kids as they head to the same house that his king and queen live in. "Wait...is David...my old ruler?."

He reached the Plaza and ran over to where Koa and Melody were at the door to the house. Koa knocking crazily on the door and Melody messing with the doorbell like a five year old.

"Kevin!." Koa shouted. "Come out!."

Melody giggled and pressed the doorbell repeatedly. "You are missing out on the cakes, pies, cookies and tons of yummy goody of foods!."

The door instantly opened and out came a twelve year old biracial boy with small dreads that were the color of black and having a pair of blue eyes. Let alone having both powers of snow and ice and Dreamlight. Merlin was shocked to see this boy being the offspring of Elsa and David.

"Guys, I'm still deciding on what to wear." Kevin tells them while letting them inside.

Merlin floated through the doorway, his ghostly form passing unnoticed as he studied the boy. The dreadlocks which are indeed black like David's hair but shimmering with Elsa's ice-blue highlights when sunlight hits them. Making it a startling fusion of lineages.

Kevin sighed dramatically, gesturing at two outfits laid on his bed. A sleek swim trunks patterned with frost fractals, and rugged explorer shorts dotted with glowing Dreamlight symbols. "Mom's style makes me look like a snow prince," he muttered, holding up the frost-patterned trunks. "Dad's makes me look ready to battle shadow monsters." His fingers lingered on the Dreamlight symbols, tracing their faint pulse.

Koa snatched the explorer shorts and tossed them at Kevin. "Stop overthinking!. These won't glow in the beanbag pit!."

Melody giggled, already grabbing Kevin's wrist. "Yeah!. And Remy made chocolate-coconut cakes shaped like seashells!." Her urgency tugged Kevin toward the door, his indecision crumbling under their infectious energy.

"But I need something to wear to play in the water." Kevin spoke before Melody let's go.

Melody points to the chair. "Sit-down. I'm going to pick out what you should wear. Leave it to a girl to do a girl's job in picking out the right fit for a boy."

Kevin sighs dramatically but obeys, dropping onto the chair while Melody rummages through his massive walk-in closet. Her fingers brush past shimmering fabrics and textured materials before emerging triumphantly with hybrid swim shorts. A midnight blue with subtle ice-crystal embroidery along the seams and faintly glowing Dreamlight symbols woven into the waistband.

"Perfect!. It's Mom elegance meets Daddy's energetic fun." She tosses them at him. "Now hurry up."

Kevin caught the shorts, examining the blend of his mom's delicate ice motifs and his dad's bold Dreamlight sigils. He grinned as this felt just for him. "Okay, okay, genius." He dashed behind his changing screen.

Koa did his signature heroic pose. "How do I look, Melody?. Heroic or too much?. Trying to outshine my parents one day when I get my very first accomplishment tattoo."

Melody giggled, adjusting her shades. "You look like you're trying to be Maui Junior, Koa. Which is totally heroic. That and you are the son of Moana and Maui."

Kevin emerged wearing the hybrid shorts. "Well?. How do you look?."

Melody gave that lovesick facial expression with a head tilt. "Handsome and Dreamy."

Koa rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh please, Melody. You say that every time he looks good. You never commented on me."

"That's because you're not my prince. Kevin is." Melody spoke openly before grabbing Kevin's hand. "Here, let your future queen lead you to Dazzle Beach."

Kevin rolled his eyes but followed her willingly. "Hybrid Mermaid."

Melody giggled. "Prince Hybrid Ice and Dreamlight."

Koa trailed behind, muttering about romance ruining good adventures. They ran down to Dazzle Beach with Merlin following them as he still can't believe that David is David. Let alone him and Elsa producing an heir to the kingdom of Dreamlight Valley. He followed them back to where the others were and watched them.

"Sorry, for my dramatic lateness." Kevin looks at his parents with an innocent smile.

David chuckles, ruffling Kevin's damp hair. "Took you long enough, son. Melody pick your outfit again?. I know for a fact."

Kevin nods sheepishly, adjusting his shorts. "She nailed it once again, Dad. Mom's frosty elegance, your Dreamlight flair." He gestures to the subtle ice crystals shimmering along the seams.

Elsa smiles warmly, brushing a stray dreadlock from Kevin's forehead. "She has an eye for harmony." Her gaze shifts to Melody, who beams proudly beside Kevin. "Now go play. The waterslide won't wait forever."

"Come on!." Kevin and Melody say in unison as they pull them.

David chuckled, rising from his chair. "Alright, alright, lead the way, you two." He followed them toward the water, Elsa walking beside him with a serene smile. The scent of saltwater mixed with roasting pineapple from Maui's grill, while distant reggae music pulsed beneath the excited shouts of children diving off the floating slide.

Merlin drifted closer, his spectral form hovering near Kevin as the boy splashed into the turquoise waves. The wizard's eyes narrowed as Kevin's laughter echoed David's. "My, he is in fact his son."

Melody, Koa, and Kevin swam around the water and waited for their other friend to come jump in from the diving board.

"Come on TJ!." Kevin calls out before seeing the twelve year old walking up in gorilla posture.

"Yeah, come on, Tarzan jr!." Melody encourages.

Tarzan jr, also known as TJ, looks at his parents for approval. "Can I do a double jump dive?."

Tarzan nods with a proud grin. "Show them what you got."

TJ sprinted down while saying his dad's signature call and reaching the diving board. Launching into a soaring flip before slicing into the water with barely a splash. "Awesome!."

Kevin whooped, splashing TJ playfully as he surfaced. "You are a showoff, cousin!."

Melody giggled, floating on her back. "He gets it from Uncle Tarzan."

Koa pulls out from the water and grins. "And what does he have that represents his mother?."

"My British accent." TJ spoke before tackling him playfully.

TJ spluttered to the surface, shaking water from his brown curls while affecting a crisp, aristocratic tone. "Indubitably, old chap. Simply spiffing weather for aquatic endeavors, wouldn't you agree?." He grinned, the playful mimicry instantly dissolving into laughter as Kevin splashed him again.

“Cannonball!.” Sara, a young girl with the identical look of Anna and having hair color as Kristoff, jumps right into the water with joy.

Merlin strokes his beard in curiosity. "Did every couple have kids with all of them being in the proper age bracket?."

"Alright, kids!." Kronk spoke proudly and carried a tray filled with his signature dish. "Who wants spinach puffs?."

All the kids swam to the shore instantly, dripping wet and forming a line. Merlin drifted closer, observing Kronk's gentle giant demeanor as it was unchanged after all these years. He watches him as he serves each child with theatrical flourishes. The scent of baked spinach and flaky pastry momentarily overpowered the salt air. Kevin accepted his puff with a grin before biting into the golden crust. Merlin noted how the boy’s ice-blue eyes, so like Elsa’s, crinkled with delight.

The hybrid daughter of Anakin and Ahsoka, named Izzy, nudges Kevin while chewing her puff.

"Show us some cool stuff with your magic, Kevin. Let's see that ice and dreamlight." She asked before grabbing another puff.

Kevin grinned, swallowing his bite. He raised a hand, palm-up. Frost spiraled from his fingertips, forming a delicate crystalline dolphin mid-air. Then, with a flick of his wrist, tiny motes of purple Dreamlight burst around it like playful fireflies. The dolphin leaped through the shimmering lights before dissolving into mist. The kids cheered, Izzy clapping wildly. The day went on until it reached nightfall as a live performance at the water was about to begin. Lumière, standing on a barstool, spoke through the microphone on the floating stage.

"Is everyone having a wonderful time, scream Oui!." Lumière spoke happily.

The crowd shouted "Oui!." in unison, their voices echoing across Dazzle Beach as torches flickered to life around the stage. Kevin leaned against his parents' chairs, sand clinging to his damp shorts. Elsa gently squeezed David's hand, her gaze soft as she watched their son bask in the festive glow.

"Perfect!." Lumière spoke. "Now, to top off tonight before calling it a night. We will be having a singing selection from our favorite girl and will be provided in musical beats by the valley's one and only Country Bears. Please put your hands or paws together for... Melody!."

Melody skipped onto the floating stage, her yellow bathing suit shimmering under the fairy lights as the Country Bears struck up a gentle R&B rhythm. Her clear, sweet voice filled the night air, weaving through the crowd like a warm breeze.

"Twelve years of sunshine after the dark...Dreamlight chasin' away every pain..." Melody sang the lyrics she made up that honors the anniversary of her godfather ending the reign of the Forgotten. "Many have strongly thought and believed that the sun will never shine upon us ever again. Twenty two years is a long time, but the prophecy has to be fulfilled in order to resume eternal happiness, fun, and fellowship of friends."

Ariel smiles while holding on to Eric before saying to Jasmine. "That's my little girl."

Melody's voice soared, pure and effortless. "But one hero stood tall... answered the call... chased the shadows away and defeated its master...turns out the hero just so happens to be the king of Dreamlight and the master of friendship." Her gaze drifted to David, filled with adoration.

The crowd swayed, captivated. Kevin tapped his foot in the sand, a proud smile on his face. Elsa leaned her head against David's shoulder, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. David wrapped an arm around her, his own throat tight. This song was their history, their victory, their peace. Merlin got pulled back to the present as his head was a bit sore. He instantly forgot what he saw as this was expected as he looked to see David walking up and holding a colorful bunny.

"Hey, Merlin. You look like you were in deep thought." David spoke while petting his new friend.

Merlin blinked, disoriented as the vision dissolved like smoke. The scent of saltwater and roasting pineapple vanished, replaced by the aroma of library books. "Oh, was... seeing through the future. Twelve years in the future to be precise."

David placed the colorful bunny gently on the desk. "And?. What did you see?."

Merlin sighs. "I don't remember. These darn thorns are messing with my mind. It's still recovering. But it felt... peaceful."

David scratches the bunny's ears. "Peaceful sounds good. Better than worrying about it now. I came to see if you need me to put return books back into inventory."

Merlin waves a dismissive hand. "No, no, my boy. That can wait. Cute rabbit."

"Yeah, he keeps following me. It feels weird that I have some sort of connection with this one." David lifts the bunny up to him and lets it play with his nose with its nose.

Merlin chuckles softly, the sound like dry pages turning. "Perhaps it senses your light, my boy. Even creatures of Dreamlight seek warmth after darkness." He watches the bunny nuzzle David's cheek, its soft fur catching the library's lamplight. "My Old Ruler is friends with all animals in the valley. It took awhile for him to befriend them before earning their love."

David smiles, setting the bunny down where it hops onto a pile of books. "Your king is something else."

Merlin nods, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Indeed. Perhaps... perhaps your connection to Dreamlight runs deeper than we realize." He watches David gently coax the rabbit into a woven basket. "Much like him, you seem to draw warmth naturally."

David shrugs. "It's kinda odd don't you think?."

Merlin's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Perhaps not, my boy. Dreamlight Valley responds to those who nurture it." He watched David gently stroke the bunny's ears.

Chapter Text

Elsa slowly managed to remember her routine in her house after she was done assisting anyone in the valley that was available in need of help. She has gone through just about everything in the rooms of the house but nothing seems to click in her memories of how her husband looked or what has become of him. She tries not to think about it too much since she didn't want to feel another massive headache. Currently, Elsa was sitting on a bench in the Plaza trying to find David but no luck. It felt weird for her to feel something familiar with the man that she didn't know like that.

“He is something else.” Elsa tells herself this before deciding to get up to go visit Remy’s house. She knocks on the door and waits for a response since Remy was taking a break from his restaurant. "Remy?. It's me. Elsa. I don't want to sound like I have a selfish ego, but...it is me... your queen."

She hears footsteps approaching and Remy opens the door. "Oh, Elsa!. You look troubled. Come in. I was just preparing something special." Remy gestures for her to enter. Inside, the scent of herbs and simmering broth fills the air, comforting yet sharp enough to cut through her foggy thoughts.

She takes a seat at the small table, watching as Remy stirs a pot with intense focus. "Tell me what's bothering you," he says without turning around, his whiskers twitching. "It’s not like you to seek me out."

Elsa gives him a warm smile. "Oh, no, I was wanting to have a friendly conversation with someone, until I am able to find David. Your house looks very lovely."

Remy nods, pouring steaming broth into a bowl. "Yeah, I remember my lovely home. Do you see that window over there?."

Elsa follows his gesture toward a small, rain-streaked pane overlooking what appears to be a city. The scent of thyme and rosemary sharpens as she leans closer. "What about it?."

Remy looks at her with a big smile. "What you see through the window is the exact sight of Paris. This magical window is invisible both sight and physical to the people in Paris, but it is the opposite here in the valley. I can literally see my home without having to visit it. Just look at that beautiful tower."

Elsa leans closer, her breath fogging the glass. The Eiffel Tower stands tall against a twilight sky. Its wonderful lights flickering like distant stars. "It's... breathtaking," she whispers.

"Yep." Remy pushed the bowl to her. "You can only have something like this in the valley. Our king once told me that he can bring a little piece of home from our realms to make us feel comfortable in the valley. Scrooge saw this as a perfect money making opportunity. He sells windows of realms like this one with a good price. Pretty clever."

"True." Elsa picks up a spoon to eat the broth. "It's good."

"Thanks." Remy enjoys his broth. "Being in my house has brought back some memories."

Elsa glances at the Paris window. "Memories?" She stirs her spoon slowly. "Like what?."

Remy took the moment to scratch behind his right ear. "Believe it or not... I'm married."

Elsa paused mid-sip. "Wait...I am recalling you having a wife. She's a mouse. A smart one. An expert in fixing things that are mechanical. In fact, I remember that she supervised my husband in building the device to help Wall-E to be able to speak and understand."

Remy nodded, whiskers twitching as he gazed at the Paris window. "Gadget. Gadget Hackwrench."

Elsa watched steam curl from her bowl as her mind started to remember the details. Details of a little workshop with loads of tools that fits her tiny hands. Remembering Gadget's tiny hands deftly rewiring circuits while David sketched blueprints.

"I remember my lover called her the dreamer with dirty goggles. Always wiping grease off her goggles." The memory felt crisp, unexpected to Elsa. "She had a business partner."

"Yeah, she did. Those two share the same desire of tinkering." Remy spoke before scratching his head in hopes of remembering the individual. "Those two were the bestest of friends. Her name was...was...was something to do with tinkering and bells."

"Tinkering?. Bells?." Elsa furred her brow in concentration. "Tinkerbell."

Remy snapped his fingers. "Yes!. That's her. Tinkerbell." He chuckled softly. "Gadget always complained about Tink's pixie dust clogging her gears."

Elsa grins. "What does Tinkerbell say about Gadget?."

Remy shrugs. "She calls Gadget a grease mouse. Which is funny because Gadget sees it as a complement." He pauses, whiskers drooping slightly. "But... I haven't seen Gadget since arriving here. Or Tink. It's like..." He trails off, staring into his broth.

"I know." Elsa comforts him with her index finger and uses it to rub his back. "I'm doing whatever I can to bring them back."

Remy nods slowly, whiskers trembling. He stares at the Paris window where streetlights now flicker on below the Eiffel Tower. "Sometimes I swear I smell her engine oil scent when the wind changes. Or hear her humming that little tune while tightening bolts." His voice cracks. "She'd hate seeing me mope."

"Tell me...when was the last time you saw her?. During the Forgetting." Elsa listens.

"I saw her trying to come up with a machine to eat and destroy the Night Thorns. She moved the blueprints from being destroyed from the Night Thorns after it destroyed her Tinkerbell's workshop." Remy explained before resuming eating the broth. "She was so determined that it would work."

"What's the machine called?." Elsa asked and felt this was too familiar.

Remy pushed his bowl aside. "The Thorn Devourer. Gadget sketched gears that could grind vines into mulch while Tink designed a dust propulsion system." He sips a bit more of his broth. "But the Night Thorns grew faster than they could build."

Elsa's memories immediately jogged hard at the name of the machine. She remembers that the Night Thorns were so much and awful that she made everyone seek shelter in the castle. She remembers it was very rough in food rations and water, and caused a big drama amongst the villagers.

Flashback

Elsa was at the ballroom helping serve veggie broth and bread with Anna, Jane, and Jasmine to the villagers. Everyone lined up to get their fair share of the food and rationed water.

"Here you go." Anna pours the broth in the bowl.

"Next." Jasmine hands out bread slices.

Elsa watches a commotion near the entrance. Scrooge McDuck argues loudly with Merlin. "This rationing is preposterous!. My investments require me to have fuel!." Scrooge pounds his cane on the marble floor.

Merlin adjusts his spectacles, weary. "Your gold won't grow crops, Scrooge. We share equally here."

A sharp clatter cuts through the tension as Gadget's wrench slips from her toolbelt as she rushes past them, grease-streaked goggles askew. "Move!. Emergency capacitor overload!." She darts toward a humming contraption in the corner, where sparks spit from frayed wires.

Tinkerbell zips behind her, leaving glittering trails that cling to Scrooge's coat sleeves. "Get down, now!."

The capacitor explodes with a blinding flash and acrid smoke. Elsa shields her face, blinking as the sharp scent of ozone mixes with the earthy aroma of the broth. Through watering eyes, she sees Gadget frantically patting out a small fire on her overalls while Tinkerbell blows cooling pixie dust onto scorched gears. The villagers murmur, fear tightening the air like a vice.

"Hey, what are you two doing?!." Grumpy yelled in anger.

Gadget wiped soot from her goggles. "Saving your ungrateful hides, that's what!." Her tiny voice cracked with exhaustion. "This converter could've powered ration lamps for a week if Scrooge hadn't hoarded the Vitaly crystals!."

Scrooge bristled, feathers ruffling. "Business requires capital, madam!."

"Just because we're temporarily staying in the castle, doesn't mean you two can bring your junk!." Gothel hissed.

The Thorn Devourer's charred frame sat smoking in the corner as Gadget straightened her goggles. "This junk was our best shot at fighting back against those pesky thorns. But I guess we'll all just sit here nibbling bread while the thorns choke the valley and our memories." She kicked a loose bolt across the floor, the metallic clang echoing in the sudden silence.

"Wait, I'm confused." Roger asked while his wife Jessica was eating her bread. "What is it?."

Gadget sighed. "The Thorn Devourer was supposed to eat the Night Thorns and convert them into energy. But without Vitaly crystals..." She gestured at Scrooge, who clutched his money bag tighter. "...it's scrap metal."

"Are you telling us that..." Esmeralda points at the thing with a brow raised. "Is our solution to remove the thorns?."

"In theory." Tinkerbell sat down on the edge of the table.

"Theory?." Beast growled. "Theory?!. We don't need theory, we need a solution!."

Elsa stepped forward, her voice cutting through the rising panic. "We need unity." She looks at the mouse and the fairy. "What makes you believe this is going to work?."

Gadget held up a blueprint stained with grease and pixie dust. "The Thorn Devourer uses harmonic resonance." Her tiny finger traced a spiral pattern. "It vibrates at the Night Thorns natural frequency, shattering them at a molecular level."

Tinkerbell fluttered beside her, adding, "And my dust supercharges the converter!. It'll turn thorn debris into pure dreamlight energy!."

Sully strokes his chin. "Mike, does that sound logical to you?."

Mike squints at the blueprint. "Well, I'm not a scientist, but it sounds like a solid plan. If we had those crystals." His eye drifts meaningfully toward Scrooge's bulging money bag.

Merlin shakes his head. "It won't work. We have to rely on the prophecy."

"Not this again." Gaston rolled his eyes. "Old man, those Atlanteans don't know what they are talking about."

"If that was true then we wouldn't be in the situation that we are in now." Eve spoke while scanning the blueprint.

Merlin raised his staff, its tip glowing faintly. "The prophecy speaks of someone having the power as our king. I don't know how long that day will come but...we must have faith."

"Faith isn't getting us anywhere. We need to take action." Scar growls in anger.

The argument escalates as villagers take sides. Scrooge defends his hoard while Merlin insists on prophecy. Gadget's wrench clatters to the floor when Beast slams a fist on the table, rattling broth bowls.

Anna grabs Elsa's arm. "Do something!."

Elsa was too extremely overwhelmed and too extremely stressed. "Everyone...Shut The Fuck Up!."

Everyone froze. The silence was thick enough to slice. Elsa's chest heaved as she locked eyes with Scrooge, then Merlin.

"We're starving. We're forgetting ourselves. And you're arguing over shiny-shiny crystals and prophecies?." Her voice dropped to an icy whisper that made Gaston shrink back. "Gadget?. Tinkerbell?."

The mouse engineer straightened her goggles, trembling slightly. "Y-yes, Queen Elsa?."

"Find an alternative that isn't Vitaly crystals." Elsa looks at everyone. "As for all of you. Eat your portions. Stay in your rooms. And please give me my privacy." She walks off and exits the ballroom.

Elsa heads to her room and closes the door. She slumps down into her chair and rubs both sides of her head. This was extremely too much to handle for one ruler. She now understands that it takes two to run a kingdom and not an individual. She looks around the room to keep herself from crying. Elsa has finally lost her calmness and the need for a tough exterior.

"I don't know what to do." Elsa says to herself while removing her heels and tossing them lazily everywhere. "I don't know what to do. I'm at a loss." She hears a knock at the door. "I said give me my privacy!."

"It's me. Shego."

"Go away, Shego. I mean it." Elsa spoke and waited for a response.

"Look, I'm not your sister. You're not shutting me out. Let me in before I break the door down." Shego warns.

Elsa sighs, unlocking the door. Shego slips inside, leaning against the wall with crossed arms. "Heard from my hubby, Ron, that you snapped. I'm impressed."

Elsa sinks onto her bed. "I shouldn't have yelled."

"There's nothing wrong about yelling. Its good for your health." Shego helps herself get comfortable.

Elsa looks at her with a raised eyebrow. "How?."

Shego shrugs, examining her green nails. "Clears the lungs. Releases tension. Scares idiots into silence." She gestures toward the door. "They needed that ice-cold reality check. Especially McDuck and his investments." Her smirk fades as she studies Elsa's exhausted posture. "But you're not built for this solo act, Frosty."

"Please, no winter puns." Elsa lays down.

Shego sits beside her. "Fine. Truth time. Look, you're drowning because you're trying to hold up the sky alone." She taps Elsa's temple. "That big brain of yours?. It's wired for ice bridges and snow castles, not ration math and supply chains. David handled that."

"Don't remind me. I'm doing all that I can here." Elsa looks at the green skinned woman. "Did Ron send you up here to talk to me?."

Shego snorts. "Ron's busy teaching Stitch how to make nachos. They're probably burning down the kitchen as we speak." She leans closer, her voice dropping. "Listen. When I first joined the valley and took private therapy about hating to play second fiddle with Possible. But your husband helped me out in the rough spot and I became a whole better individual." She points toward the door. "Out there?. That mess needs a mechanic, not a queen. Let the mouse and the fairy work. You handle the emotions."

"The last part makes me feel some type of way." Elsa tells her before getting up. "Very well."

End of Flashback

Elsa gets up. "Come, Remy, I think that I know where your wife is."

"You do?." Remy felt happy as he ran to sit on her shoulder.

"You bet." Elsa walks to the door to leave.

Taking the path that leads to Peaceful Meadows, Elsa headed for the Dreamlight Valley's public library and walked down and looked around.

"Do you recall where the tech department reading section is?." Elsa looks at the halls of books. "This place needs signs."

Remy points a tiny paw finger toward a narrow staircase hidden behind a shelf of dusty atlases. "Down there. I remember Gadget always complained about the dampness rusting her spare parts."

Elsa made her way and walked down the steps and saw a whole separate section dedicated to anything mechanical. "Gadget?. Gadget?."

Remy jumped down from her shoulder, nose twitching as he scurried between towering shelves of engineering manuals and schematics. "Gadget!." His tiny voice echoed in the quiet. "Are you here?."

"Sniff her out." Elsa tells him while looking at books.

Remy's whiskers quivered as he darted past diagrams of steam engines and blueprints for clockwork birds. He paused near a workbench littered with half-assembled gears, nose pressed to a faint smudge of engine oil on the floorboards. "This way!." He scampered toward the work bench.

Reaching up to the surface, he sees a female mouse standing up and putting a hand on her pants that covered her small bubble butt hips, while the other hand had a monkey wrench. Her clothing is covered in black grease and oil.

"Darn, just my luck." Gadget spoke while her tail moved around. "I'm missing a part that Tinkerbell took with her when she went off with Snow to that..." Her nose started picking up a too familiar scent of French.

She turned around and saw Remy standing on the workbench. Her eyes widened behind grease-smeared goggles. "Remy?" Her voice cracked, barely a whisper. She pulled the goggles down, revealing tired but bright eyes. "Is that really you?. My word it has been..."

Remy rushed forward, stumbling over loose bolts in his haste. They collided in a tangle with their tails intertwined and tiny arms wrapping around each other.

Gadget's wrench clattering to the floor. "You're here."

Remy choked out, burying his face in her oil-stained jumpsuit. "All this time... down here for twenty-two years."

Gadget pulled back, wiping grease from her goggles with a trembling paw. "Twenty-two years?." Her eyes scanned Remy's face. "But...Oh, my... I've been putting my nose in the grindstone trying to get my invention up and running. Twenty-two years and my idea hasn't gotten off the assembly."

Elsa knelt down and gave a smile. "Do you remember me?."

Gadget pushed her goggles up onto her forehead, squinting at Elsa. "Queen Elsa?" Her eyes were wide and jumped at her and hugged her face. "Your highness!. Buddy!. It's so great to see you again!."

Remy tugged gently at Gadget's sleeve. "Honey, what were you working on?." He gestured toward the workbench where a complex assembly of gears and copper tubing lay partially assembled, emitting faint sparks.

Gadget released Elsa, wiping grease from her paws onto her jumpsuit. "The Thorn Devourer prototype." Her voice grew animated as she pointed to a modified resonator chamber. "I finally cracked the harmonic frequency problem using the Vitaly crystals!. Tink helped me gather it before..." She trailed off, goggles fogging slightly. "Before she left with Snow and took the final piece with her."

Remy scurried up the workbench leg. "Tink’s gone?." He was a bit sad. "Where?."

Gadget waves it off. "It doesn't matter. I don't know how to get where they are, even if this piece of crap works." Her stomach growled crazily in a quick second.

Remy pulls her closer to him. "Hey, we'll get you fed first." He pressed his nose against her cheek. "Then we'll figure out the rest. You want cheese or Ratatouille?."

Gadget laughed softly, the sound rusty from disuse. "Both. Always both." She glanced at Elsa, who was studying the Thorn Devourer's core resonator with a furrowed brow. "Without Tink's dust infusion, it's just a fancy paperweight without a cover."

Elsa traced a finger along the copper coil humming faintly beneath her touch. "Where did they go?" The question hung heavy in the dusty air, punctuated only by the rhythmic tic-tok sound of a dismantled grandfather clock nearby. "Snow wouldn't abandon the valley without reason."

Letting them get on her shoulder, they exit out and leave the library without knowing that David was in the library. He followed his little bunny friend as it hopped happily as they were far deep in the library. So deep, that David can't find his way back out of the library.

"Boy, are we lost." David looks at the books while walking. "Where are the signs on where I'm going?. I need a map."

The colorful bunny hopped its way while jumping up and down to keep following him before resuming hopping to the left. David follows as he was curious as to why the bunny is taking him so far. He pulls out the page and reads the paper that is written by the ruler.

'Villains. They are not bad. Yeah, they are bad but not hundred percent bad. They are fifty percent. Heroes have bad in them but lay dormant and unconscious unless encouraged. What both factions have in common is this...they have balance. Like The Evil Queen. She poisoned her daughter and walked out. She should have slit both of Snow's wrists as soon as she ate that spiked apple. The queen has balance as a villain.

Hercules saves Meg and punches Hades into the pool of souls. Yet, he didn't bother to kill his uncle because it is basic knowledge that you can't kill a god as mortal but as a god, then yes. This ties to my research. What if the balance was off balance?. What if the bad level went from fifty percent to hundred percent?. I'm going to find out through myself. I'm good, but I too can tip my balance to unbalance.

The question is...what would my bad self actions commit?. I have bubbled trauma from childhood and betrayal that is overflowing. I therapy everyone in the valley but not my own self. That's because I don't believe that none of them would understand my pain. Including Elsa.'

"That's deep." David puts the paper away before the bunny comes up to him with a page in its mouth. "Another one?. Good boy."

David takes it and reads it. "Huh, a note. SOS!. Please, save us, David!. RR."

Goofy, who was checking out a book, looked over his shoulder and was shocked. "Hey, I know that handwriting."

David turns, startled. "Goofy?. What are you doing here?."

"I was checking out a book about fishing. But I know who wrote that." Goofy grabs the note and examines it.

David leans closer. "Who?."

"Roxanne Rover." Goofy tells him. "She wrote this."

Somewhere in the Nightmare Castle running for her life after getting whipped like crazy with her maid outfit is destroyed. She hears the whip echoing throughout the halls.

"Get back here, you little bitch!." Forgotten yelled.

Roxanne scrambled behind a crumbling pillar, heart pounding against her ribs like a trapped bird. The whip cracked again, snapping stone chips near her head. She pressed her torn maid's uniform tighter against her skin, the coarse fabric scratching her burns.

"Should have stayed in that darn library." she thought bitterly, remembering the dusty peace where she'd scribbled that desperate note for David. Forgotten appeared behind her and lashed her back with the thorny whip.

Roxanne screamed as thorny vines tore through her uniform, leaving stinging welts across her shoulders. She stumbled forward, the cold castle stones scraping her palms raw. Forgotten’s laughter echoed, sharp and cruel.

"Where were you?!." Forgotten whip her legs.

Roxanne cried out, collapsing onto her knees as fresh pain lanced up her calves. She scrambled backward, fingers scrabbling against loose rubble. Forgotten loomed over her, thorny whip coiled like a serpent. "I...I was just...tidying the library..." Roxanne stammered, tears mixing with dust on her cheeks.

"There isn't a damn library in my castle!. Liar!." Forgotten whipped her hard.

Roxanne curled into a ball, arms shielding her face as the thorned vines tore through her sleeves. Blood speckled the stones beneath her. She choked back a sob. "Please, Master..."

The whip cracked again but struck empty air. Roxanne scrambled backward, her shredded uniform catching on jagged rock. Forgotten hissed, advancing like shadow given form. "You're hiding something. Where did you go?." The vines coiled tighter around the whip handle, dripping dark sap that smelled like rotting dreams.

Roxanne's fingers brushed cold metal. A discarded candelabra to be exact. She swung it blindly. Iron clanged against thorny vines, buying her a second. She bolted down a side corridor, lungs burning. Blood trickled down her spine, warm against the castle's chill. Forgotten transported back in front of her and whipped her in her tit.

Roxanne gasped, stumbling against the damp wall. Pain bloomed hot and sharp across her chest. The candelabra clattered uselessly to the floor. Forgotten materialized before her, blocking the corridor's end. The thorny whip dripped dark sap onto the stones, its scent cloying and sickly sweet.

"Last chance, Rover. Where. Did. You. Go?." Forgotten hissed, vines tightening around the whip handle.

Roxanne's breath hitched, fingers trembling against the cold stone wall. "The...the library," she whispered, blood trickling from her lip. "The one you don't want to exist." Her voice gained strength, defiance sparking through the pain. "The one He built."

"You reached out to him?!. My goody good, fun loving, and stupid want to be everyone's friend counterpart!." Forgotten went crazy and went to whipping her like a slave on a cotton plantation.

Roxanne screamed with each lash, curling tighter as thorned vines tore through her skin. Blood pooled beneath her, dark against the stone.

Forgotten’s shadow loomed, cold and suffocating. "He’ll never find you. He doesn’t even remember who the hell he is!."

"Just kill me already!." Roxanne yelled.

"And let my plans not reach the finish line?." Forgotten hits her again. "No!."

Roxanne choked on dust and blood, her vision swimming. The whip cracked again, tearing flesh instead of fabric this time. She tasted copper, felt the cold stone bite into her cheekbone.

"He’ll remember," Roxanne gasped, spitting red onto the stones. "He will defeat you. Your day is up!."

Forgotten froze, the whip hovering mid-air. A low, guttural growl vibrated through the corridor. "Defeat me?." The word dripped with venomous amusement. "He’s fractured. Weak. Nothing."

"A... Admit it, Forgotten." Roxanne managed to get back to her feet. She smirks at him. "You're extremely scared of David."

Forgotten's thorny whip trembled. "I fear nothing!."

Roxanne pushed herself upright, bracing against the wall despite the agony screaming through her body. "Then why throw him away back to the Real World?." Her voice was raw but steady. "Why erase his memories?." Blood dripped from her chin, splattering onto the stones like dark punctuation. "You're terrified he'll remember who he truly is. You are scared that my queen is back. You're scared of seeing the reality that your twenty two year reign was only temporary."

Forgotten growls. "Shut up!." He jumped and punched her into unconsciousness.

Roxanne slumped against the wall, her body limp as darkness swallowed her vision. The last thing she heard was Forgotten's enraged roar echoing through the corridors before silence claimed her. "Liberation is finally here."

Chapter Text

Max found and recovered his girlfriend in their quarters before going to work on fixing her wounds. Roxanne was out cold and looked like she had once again tipped off their master. He went to grab another ointment to go put on her lashed tit while holding back his tears. Max knows and strongly hates the fact that he is in fact powerless against the Forgotten. Ever since David has returned, The Forgotten have been bloody cold towards them with such fearsome suffering.

Roxanne, slowly coming two, sees Max over her before weakly smiles at him. "Hey, handsome."

Max's hands shook as he gently applied the cool salve to her wounds, the scent of chamomile and antiseptic cutting through the metallic tang of blood in their cramped quarters. He avoided her eyes, focusing on the brutal welts crossing her shoulder. "Don't move," he murmured, his voice thick. "Just... just let me fix this."

His thumb traced a particularly deep laceration, feeling the heat radiating from her inflamed skin. "Why did you write that letter to him?."

"Because he needs to save us from this hell." Roxanne spoke before hissing from the sting. "David needs to remember who he is and come to the end the Forgotten."

Max’s fingers froze mid-application. A drop of salve fell onto the rough wool blanket, soaking in the dark. He finally met her gaze. "You really think that David will remember everything and then come save us?. Let alone restore what has happened?. Roxanne, David isn't himself. He's like a tourist. He is foreign to the valley."

"Max..." Roxanne flights through the pain. "David will remember. It just takes time. Elsa is back. She can revive his memories."

"She doesn't remember that the David she sees is the David she married." said Max, before going to make a cup of ice water.

"David has cleared tye and night thorns away from the Biomes and so people are slowly remembering their lives in Dreamlight." Roxanne sees her boyfriend put a straw in the cup. "Remember what David once told us."

"Those memories are never gone." Max lowered the cup down for her to drink the water. "They're just taking a vacation. Hehehe, he was funny on that one."

Roxanne sipped the water slowly, the coldness a sharp relief against her dry throat. She watched Max's forced smile waver, the tremor in his hands betraying his attempt at lightness. "He was funny," she whispered, her voice raspy but gaining strength. "And hope. That’s why I wrote to him. I hope somewhere in his mind it would trigger a memory of his saying that little humor of his."

"True." Max went back to work on patching her up.

Back in Dreamlight Valley finding his way out the library after giving the help note to Goofy to have, David is trying to piece together what had happened to the king of the valley while trying to keep his jealousy at bay. He let his bunny go about his day in the meadow before thinking on what to do next before seeing Anna rushing over to him.

"Hey, David, do you have a second?." She asked.

"Of course." David looks at the bubbling happy sister of his crush.

"I am looking for Kristoff and Olaf." Anna spoke while showing her ring finger. "You see, I remember my wedding ring that I somehow lost. I remember getting hitched back in Arendelle."

"You don't say?." David was intrigued to hear. "Was the wedding everything you ever hoped and dreamed of?."

Anna's eyes sparkled with nostalgia. "Oh, David, it was perfect—frost flowers decorating the chapel, Sven wearing a bow tie, and Kristoff..." She trailed off, her smile faltering as she twisted her bare ring finger. "But now it's gone, vanished like morning mist. I've retraced my steps and I remember where our house used to be in the valley."

"Where?." David asked before being pulled by Anna.

Anna takes him out of Peaceful Meadows and takes to the blocked Biome that lay aside of the Plaza. David looks at the Biome which he put it in his to do list, once he finally rested his mind and body and it still needs recovering.

"The Forest of Valor?." David looks at Anna. "That's where your house is?."

Anna nods, her expression shifting from nostalgia to frustration. "Exactly!. Our house was a piece of Arendelle on the inside and the outside being Elsa's touch."

"The outside layer is made of ice?." David was amazed to hear.

Anna grinned, tapping the shimmering barrier blocking the forest path. "Elsa's magic kept our home cool during summer picnics. But now?." Her shoulders slumped. "This thorny blockade swallowed it whole when the Forgetting began. I believe that my ring is back in the Enchanted Forest. I can't prove it but I have a feeling that it's there."

David looks at the Biome before feeling the procrastination kicking in. "Look, Anna, I'm still recovering from that crazy moment in the jungle when I helped rescue Jane, her father, and Tarzan from those once brainwashed baboons. I'm trying not to overdo it with this Dreamlight magic. I don't know how your brother-in-law handles burnout."

Anna rubs her chin in thought. "His magic is separate from his body. His magic is unlimited but his body isn't unlimited."

"Meaning?." David crossed his arms.

Anna chuckles. "Meaning that your body is like an output contraption. Your magic doesn't feel any sense of fatigue. You do."

"Oh, for goodness sake, just tell him!." Mirabel, who is hearing all of this and having a basket to use for collecting raspberries. "Get to the point. I hate it when you do that."

Anna rolled her eyes at Mirabel's interruption. "Fine, fine!. David, I don't want to overwork you, but could you free the Forest of Valor's Biome?."

"Again, I'm recovering." David tells her before yawning.

"Here let me order you a plate of Buñuelos at Remy's place. I help remind him how to make it. It's a great appetizer." Mirabel guides him into the restaurant.

When entering the fancy French restaurant before seeing Elsa at the table watching Gadget stuff her mouth with cheese and piles of Ratatouilles. Elsa glanced at David before quickly getting to her feet and approached him.

"David, I was looking all over for you." She spoke before grabbing him by the hand and paused. "W...Why, your touch. It's... It's..."

"Familiar." David said it as he felt the same vibe as her. "Your hand feels so smooth like the inside of a seashell." He explored her hand with his fingers as Elsa did the same to his hand. "Your hand feels so feminine."

Elsa's cheeks flushed red as their palms pressed together. "It's... warm," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Like sunlight melting glacier ice unexpectedly, but not unwelcome." She traced the lines of his knuckles with her thumb, a shiver running up her spine that had nothing to do with frost. Your hand feels very masculine."

David didn't get the chance to speak when Elsa started to work on feeling his right bicep. Doing a deep tissue rub in checking out his muscle as he sees her eyes lit up like a virgin bachelorette on a reality dating show on the island.

"Oh, my. Oh, my. Oh, my, my, my, my." Elsa started to saliva. "You're a hunk."

David froze, acutely aware of Mirabel’s raised eyebrow and Anna’s stifled giggle. Elsa’s fingers dug into his bicep with surprising strength, her cool touch sending an unexpected warmth radiating up his shoulder. Her blue eyes, usually reserved like frozen lakes, now sparkled with unabashed fascination, darting over the curve of his muscle like she was inspecting a rare gemstone.

"Solid," she breathed, her voice husky. "Like packed snowdrifts under moonlight. How do you maintain such a definition?." The clinical detachment in her tone was utterly at odds with the blush creeping up her cheeks.

"I'm naturally built and constantly do heavy manual labor." David tells her before she goes to check his chest. "Oh, hubba hubba, hubba hubba, hubba hubba."

"Oh, hubba hubba, hubba hubba, indeed." Elsa spoke before feeling a sharp hit upside of the head.

"Elsa?!." Jane scolded her. "I'm surprised at you. You're a married woman. Where's your loyalty to your husband?."

Elsa winced, rubbing the back of her head where Jane had smacked her. "I... I was merely assessing his physical condition!." she protested, her voice cracking with embarrassment. "David's been overexerting himself with magic...this is purely scientific observation!." But her flushed cheeks betrayed her, glowing like summer roses against her pale skin.

Jane tapped her foot while having her hands on her hips along with having that look. "Assessing his physical condition, you ain't fooling anyone one, you self homewrecker."

"I beg your pardon?." Elsa tries to recover. "I'm not a homewrecker. I love my marriage."

"We can't tell after how you touched me." David sat down and ordered the appetizer.

"I'm deeply sorry." Elsa sits beside him, smoothing her ice-blue gown. "It's just...your touch...it feels familiar."

David stares at his plate of Buñuelos. "Familiar?. I say the same thing too." He takes one and eats it. "Mmmm, Mirabel, this is excellent."

Elsa leans closer. "Your magic signature... it resonates strangely with mine. Like a forgotten melody." She grabs one to eat. "When we touched, I felt an echo. From before the Forgetting." She pauses, studying his face. "You don't remember anything strange when arriving to Dreamlight Valley, do you?."

"I do... every day. It's like something is telling me that I belong here." David tells her before catching the aroma of her breath. "Whoa."

"What?." Elsa asked.

"Your breath...it smells like fresh snowy winter." David spoke openly. "It's intoxicating in a wonderful way."

Elsa froze mid-chew, the Buñuelo crumbling between her fingers. "My breath?" Her voice held genuine surprise, tinged with something softer than embarrassment. "I...I suppose it would. Frost magic permeates everything." She paused, a thoughtful frown forming. "But yours...like sun-warmed earth after rain. Comforting. Strong." Her gaze locked onto his, the air thickening with unspoken questions. "Why do our magics feel like two halves of the same song?."

David shrugs. "Who knows."

After eating the dish and saying goodbye to Remy and Gadget, who was shocked in realization as to who he truly is. Remy calms his wife down as she swallows her cheese.

"It's David!." Gadget happily spoke.

Remy nodded, whiskers twitching. "What about him?."

"Remy..." Gadget can't believe the question she heard. "It's David. Our David."

"I'm not following you." Jane looks at the mouse in confusion.

"David is our king that went missing throughout those twenty two years." Gadget finally says it. "He's finally home!."

Mirabel tilted her head until her memory started to open wide like an earthquake. "David!. Oh, my goodness, it is him!."

Jane's eyes widened as her memory finally kicked in. "He is my brother-in-law." She looks at Anna. "And you're my sister-in-law!."

"You're my and Elsa's sibling-in-law?." Anna started to recall Jane. "You mean...if you are our in-law. Then that means..."

Jane nodded slowly, her gaze locking onto David. "Yes. David is Elsa's husband and Tarzan is your brother!. I have got to go and find my father and Tarzan."

Anna gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Elsa's husband?!" She whirled towards the double doors that he left along with her sister. "No wonder why I feel so comfortable around him!."

David and Elsa stood in front of the locked Biome before looking at each other for a second and then looked back at their objective. Gathering up his energy, David freed the Biome as the night thorns turned into ashes. David felt a dark presence in the Forest of Valor before quickly running through the entrance and looked to see the pillar and three people.

"Forte told me that I should have done this a lot sooner." Forgotten spoke before jumping through the portal with the orb.

"Hey, stop, you fiend!." A duck in a sailor outfit jumps right into the portal.

"Donald, no!." Kristoff calls out to his best friend. "Damnit!."

Chapter Text

Merlin paced around in the library trying to concentrate and remember what he had seen in the future. He knows that it was very important and informative but his mind is unable to hold onto the memory.

"I must remember something. Something that is a promise that I can remember." Merlin heads to the medium sized room where the DVDs are located for checking out as an option other than books.

Merlin checked around and spotted the closed shelf that had a lock on it. It had a label that said 'First Holidays of the Valley'. "Curious."

Merlin surprisingly had the key inside his coat before unlocking the door and examined the section before pulling out a tape. "First Adult Halloween. Hmmm, now I wonder if this is what I think it is."

Spying the big portable television with a built-in DVD player, he went to turn it on and inserted the disc and waited for it to play. The screen went from blue to full picture as it shows a very tall skeleton figure in a black and white suit. Beside him is a slightly tall stitched up doll-like woman. Merlin pulls himself a seat and watches to see if it would trigger a memory.

"You know something, Sally?." Jack looks at his wife. "For years we've been catering our holiday to kids, am I right?."

Sally nods, her stitches shifting softly. "But tonight, we're hosting the first grown-up Halloween party in Dreamlight Valley. Adults deserve tricks and treats too. And we're not talking about candy either."

The two separate as the scene breaks into a song as ghosts start singing a musical number. A musical number that is using the melody of Halloween Town's This is Halloween theme song.

"When you're a child, Halloween is very sweet!. Trick or Treating getting some candy!. Having a fun scare when going through a haunted house gives you nothing but a fun memorable time!." Ghosts floating around the Forgotten Lands. "But when you become an adult, there is a whole other reason we celebrate Halloween!."

Merlin looked at the screen and adjusted his glasses to see his adult neighbors in costumes and doing some serious adult stuff. One of them is drinking or doing inappropriate dancing. He immediately spots Elsa in a sexy queen bee outfit with her top showing her melons of a chest and having a pair of matching flats while holding a cup of alcohol. Behind her who is enjoying her rubbing her backside on him was David in a vampire costume. The ghost started singing.

"This is grownup Halloween!. This is grownup Halloween!. Grown Up, Grown Up Halloween! Halloween!." The Ghosts fly around.

Merlin sees Tinkerbell and Esmeralda having a beer chugging competition with a few cheering them on to see who could drink all the beer without stopping to breathe. "My word..."

Elsa danced and sang her tune. "I'm the woman who is dressed like a queen bee!."

Sally leans over with a grin while Elsa moving from side to side with a grin and proudly not caring her top is out and showing with the costume not trying to cover it up.

"Oh, girlfriend, that's not a bee, I have seen a bee." Sally looks at her melons.

Elsa giggled, "Oh, Sally, you know what I mean." She spun around, her stinger tail bouncing as David grinned behind her. Suddenly something cold pulled out from her skirt both surprising and shocking her.

A physical ghostlike frosted individual came out with two arms and did a singer number. "I'm the freezer burn that lives in her genitals. And I jump out to burn and give you a nasty scare!."

The camera focused on Mulan dressed like a hooker while Shang was dressed as her pimp. Ironically, Mickey and Minnie copied them as well.

"I still can't believe we all came out of the house with the same ideal costume." Mickey looks at Shang before handing him his cup of liquor.

Shang shrugs, "Great minds think alike." He takes a sip while Mulan leans over to Mickey. "I'm the one wearing the costume, Mickey. He is just wearing a suit and a tipped hat."

Mickey nods, "True. True."

Minnie put her hands on her hips. "Tell me, Mulan, wanna see which one of us can run from here to the open bar on high heels like a real hooker?."

"Loser buys a double pumpkin spice spiked shot." Mulan grins.

Minnie casually walked on the purple cobblestone and got in a run position. "Tiana, gives us the countdown."

Tiana grinned as she held up her fingers. "Three...two...one...GO!."

Minnie wobbled instantly, her red heels skidding on damp cobblestones. Mulan's stride was steadier, shoulders squared like a soldier marching into battle until her ankle twisted sharply. Both stumbled into Gaston's makeshift bar.

"Who won, Gaston?." Mulan asked while trying to regain her balance.

"Neither," Gaston chuckled, wiping spilled ale from his countertop. "You both crashed like clumsy pheasants." He slid two frothy tankards toward them anyway. "Drink up, it's Halloween."

The camera switched over to Jasmine, Merida, and Cinderella wearing each other's clothes while sharing a flask. All three danced with no rhythm due to being drunk. Merida looks at Cinderella and roughly taps her on her arm.

"Bitch, don't hog the flask, pass it." Merida drunkly spoke.

Cinderella giggled, hiccuped, and passed the silver flask to Jasmine who took a long pull, her eyes unfocused. "Here you go, Merida."

"That's Jasmine." Merida points at herself drunkly. "I'm Merida, you drunk!."

Cinderella laughs too hard, stumbling against Jasmine. "I'm Cinderella!."

Merida snatches the flask back. "Whatever. The point is, I'm still thirsty." She takes a swig, grimacing at the burn.

The scene shows a scene of David on a black Halloween themed couch having a makeup section with Elsa, who is on top of him with alcoholic breath. David held her by the back of her thighs while she was kissing his crazily.

"Hey, babe, I think we should slow down." David sees her stop when looking at him.

Elsa pulled back, her bee antennae askew. "Why?" Her breath smelled like pumpkin spice vodka. "You don't like your girlfriend trying to pollinate you?."

David grins and shakes his head. "No, I just have no protection on me."

Elsa waves it off carelessly. "Fuck it. We're supposed to have fun."

David hesitates. "But..."

"It's Hallo..." Elsa immediately threw up all over David.

The screen flickered as Merlin leaned closer, eyes narrowing behind his spectacles. He watched David recoil, wiping pumpkin-spiced vomit from his vampire cape while Elsa slumped sideways onto the couch, groaning. Next, he sees Anna, Kristoff and Pocahontas playing in the apple barrel where Maleficent and Hades were hosting.

"I hope there is more of a treat than a trick in this barrel." Anna dips her head in the water.

Maleficent grins. "Maybe."

Anna plunges her head into the murky water, emerging with a dripping live crab that got a grip on her nose. "Ouch!. That's not funny, Maleficent!."

Maleficent laughed, swirling her wine glass. "Consider it...trick or treat."

Anna yelped as the crab pinched harder. Kristoff tried to pry it off, fingers slipping on the wet shell. Pocahontas went to get her turn in dipping her head into the water.

Maleficent raised her glass. "Oh, do try to relax, dear. Pain is merely... festive seasoning."

Hades chuckled beside her, swirling his own drink. "Lighten up, princess. It's just a little pinch!."

Ursula was at the bar with Gaston and is happily emptying a whole bottle of whiskey into a mixed concoction in a pumpkin as Jack picks it up and hands it over to Sally.

"Drink up, Sally." Jack tells her while watching her chug it down.

Sally gulped the pumpkin concoction, whiskey fumes curling around her like spectral ribbons. "Tastes like... burnt pumpkin guts and regret," she coughed, wiping her mouth.

Gaston roared with laughter, slamming another bottle onto the bar. "Regret's the best part, Sally!. Makes the next one taste sweeter!." He sees he has another customer. "Name your poison, Genie."

Genie grins. "Something blue, Gaston!. Something potent!. Something that'll make me forget I ever was inside a lamp!." He leaned conspiratorially towards Ursula. "Seen Aladdin? He's trying to impress Jasmine by chugging against Tinkerbell. I'm very surprised about that fairy winning against Esmeralda."

Ursula chuckled, as her human hand was swirling with a spoon as she mixed Genie's drink. "Oh, he's drowning his sorrows. Jasmine's dancing with Merida now, looks like Cinderella passed out." She gestured towards the trio.

Jasmine swayed clumsily with Merida, who was shouting slurred Scottish ballads, while Cinderella lay curled beneath a bush, pumpkin spice flask clutched loosely in her hand.

"Can't say they don't know how to have a good time." Genie grabs his drink before dropping coins in the tip jar. "Thanks."

Ursula nods. "Don't mention it." She watches Genie float towards Aladdin, who's slumped over the barrel, groaning while Tinkerbell triumphantly downs another shot. Her wings flutter unevenly.

"Whose next?!." Tinkerbell slowly starts to wobble.

Aladdin groaned, "I'm tapping out. That fairy's stomach is made of iron."

"No one can win a beer chug like Gaston!." Gaston spoke as he grabbed a tube that is connected to a sealed barrel. "Ready, Tink?."

Tinkerbell grinned, hovering unsteadily. "Bring it, muscle man." She gripped her end of the tube.

Gaston inhaled deeply, cheeks puffing, and began gulping. Frothy ale surged through the tube. Tink met his pace, her tiny throat working furiously. The crowd roared as Gaston's biceps bulged, veins popping, while Tink's wings vibrated like hummingbird wings, spraying golden dust. Elsa sat down with a large bottle of cold rum and popped the cap open to drink more before passing it to David.

"Let's get wasted!." Elsa burps.

David grimaced at the rum bottle she thrust into his hands, indicating he is trying not to get too drunk. The smell of fermented sugarcane burned his nostrils. He took a reluctant sip, the liquor thick and cloying on his tongue, while Elsa slumped against him, her queen bee costume askew and sticky with spilled drinks. Across the clearing, Gaston and Tinkerbell’s beer-chugging contest reached a crescendo. Gaston’s face flushed crimson, sweat dripping from his brow as he strained against the torrent of ale. Tinkerbell, hovering inches above the cobblestones, gulped furiously, her tiny body trembling with the effort, golden fairy dust puffing out in frantic clouds with each desperate swallow.

Tinkerbell stops drinking to fly down and barfed hard. "Y...Y...You win." She throws up more.

Gaston grinned as he dropped the tube and patted his stomach. "Told ya. Nothing beats Gaston." He leaned against the wooden table as Ursula rolled her eyes.

Elsa takes the bottle out of David's hand to set it on the table before pushing him back on the couch. "Back to making out. I wanna tongue kiss."

David sighs as he leans back. "Fine." He kisses her back as she climbs on top of him.

Elsa’s tongue tastes like spoiled pumpkin spice and stale rum, sharp and cloying. David winces at the sourness but keeps kissing her, feeling her cold hands fumbling with his cape clasp. Suddenly, David started feeling a cold and burning sensation coming from down below.

"Wow, Wow, why are you cold and burning down there?." David pulls her off as it was unbearable.

Suddenly, the freezer burn pops out of Elsa's skirt and grins. "Boo!."

"Ah!." David jumps far back from his girlfriend. "Elsa, what the hell?!."

Elsa blushed hard in pure embarrassment. "David, I swear, I don't have any transmitted disease. I'm a virgin just like you. I swear!."

David stared at the frosty ghostly figure as it easily pushed itself back into Elsa's gential. "Then what the hell is that?!."

Elsa tugged her skirt down, face flushed crimson. "I told you it's just my magic acting up!. When I get... excited... sometimes things freeze unexpectedly." She feels it on her sensitive womanhood. "It's embarrassing, not contagious!."

"Okay, I'm calling it a night." David gets up off the couch. "You seriously need to go see Fairy Godmother to have that checked out. Because that was an instant turn off."

Elsa looked at him in disbelief as she got up. "David, wait!. It's just a little frostbite!." She tried to keep her balance but she was wobbling and nearly fell onto the cobblestones. "Come on, it's Halloween!. Don't be such a buzzkill!."

Merlin injected the DVD and turned off the television. "I wish that I had not seen that. Strange. That video is years old and David is in it. If he's in that video that was taken years ago then that means...."

Merlin's memories have finally been cleared from the Night Thorns as his eyes grew wide in realization of what he just unraveled. "David Johnson!. My old best friend!. He finally returns!. Oh, great joy!."

Without a moment to waste he exited the room and ran hard out of the library to go find his king and figure out that he might have to try to fix his forgetting.

Chapter Text

Inside the classroom that is located on the Floating Island’s version of the Forest of Valor, Kevin sat bored out of his mind while Belle was going on and on about something. The boy wasn't even paying attention at all as some of his neighbors/classmates/friends were either listening while jolting down notes or some were in their own little world. Kevin tapped his desk with his pencil in rhythm before looking beside him where TJ is before looking at the boy's open notebook that he is currently drawing a funny sketch doodle of Aunt Belle. To his left, he looks at Melody who had her head down sideways with both of her arms underneath her. She snored and had a drool coming out of her mouth indicating she was out cold since she is a deep sleeper.

Kevin turns back to see his other cousin who is making 3D art with her paper. He sees Sara with her tongue out in deep concentration in making a cool paper airplane with cool designs on it. Next, he looks at his Aunt Rapunzel and Uncle Flynn’s short brown haired daughter whose name is Stacy was happily looking at herself in her portable tiny mirror. Just like her Grandmother Gothel, Sara loves her looks and always made sure her hair was clean and dandruff free. Let alone being influenced by her grandmother to belittle and demean her friends. A minor consequence of Repunzel and Flynn who constantly drops her off to Gothel to babysit when she was once at the age to repeat or take in knowledge from someone while they do couple time.

Kevin stretched his arms to keep himself from going stiff while noticing Jasmine and Aladdin’s son, Jamal, was playing with a nice plump apple by pretending it is a ball and tossing it up to catch it, knowing for a fact that apple belongs Belle who didn't know he snatched off her desk. Guess you can say stealing just runs in the family. Koa was jolting down something in his notebook which is doubtful it was what Belle wrote on the chalkboard. Izzy looked like she was paying attention without fooling anyone. Including Belle and Beast's son.

"Which is why it is very important not to mess with time itself." Belle stopped scribbling on the chalkboard to put the chalk down. She turns and sighs at what she sees. "Kevin, were you even listening to what I said?."

Kevin jumped abruptly in his seat, jolted back to reality. His pencil dropped with a sharp clatter onto the wooden floorboards. Around him, classmates froze mid-action. TJ hastily flipped his notebook shut, hiding the caricature; Melody stirred with a soft snort and a trickle of drool escaping her lips; Jamal fumbled the stolen apple, catching it before it rolled off his lap. The sudden silence pressed in, thick with embarrassment.

Kevin felt his ears burn as he stammered, "I... uh... kinda?."

Belle crossed her arms. "Then tell me...what did I say about the Time Gem?."

Kevin scrambled internally. His eyes flickered across the room like a trapped animal seeking escape. TJ subtly nudged his notebook open, revealing the caricature's edge where hastily scribbled words peeked. 'Don't make paradoxes!' it wrote. Kevin seized it like a lifeline. "That...paradoxes could unravel reality?." His voice cracked.

Belle smiles. "That's correct."

The relief that washes over Kevin is cool and dizzying. Until he hears a strong slap of a ruler which made everyone sit up straight up. Belle, having her short wooden ruler in hand, had slammed on her desk with a look of frown.

"Wrong. I said it will cause everything around you to go slow or make things go forward and back until you find yourself visiting a couple of hours ago or later and not staying in the current." Belle tells him before crossing her arms. "Were you in la la land again?."

Kevin squirmed under her gaze. Across the aisle, Jamal stifled a laugh by biting into the apple with an audible crunch. TJ jabbed Kevin’s ribs with an elbow, nodding urgently toward the chalkboard. There, Belle had sketched swirling timelines with arrows looping backward like tangled yarn and Kevin’s stomach clenched at the sight of jagged words that said 'TEMPORAL COLLAPSE'. Belle noticed something was missing on her desk before locking eyes with Jamal munching down on a juicy apple.

"Jamal, is that my apple you're munching on like an apple worm?." She asked before approaching him.

Jamal froze mid-chew, cheeks bulging. Juice dribbled down his chin and onto his velvet vest. The classroom held its breath. Stacy’s portable mirror forgotten, Sara’s paper airplane crumpled slightly in her grip. Jamal swallowed hard. TJ snorted into his hand, shoulders shaking.

Jamal swallowed hard. "I, uh, found it?." he offered weakly, shifting the half-eaten fruit in front of her. "Wanna share?."

Belle’s nostrils flared slightly as she leaned over his desk, catching the scent of crisp apple mingling with chalk dust. She plucked the ruler from her belt and tapped it rhythmically against her palm. TJ held his breath, hearing every drip of Melody's drool hitting her sleeve. Across the room, Stacy snapped her mirror shut with a click that echoed louder than intended.

Belle's eyes shifted to Stacy. "Little Miss Pretty?. Are you done looking at yourself in the mirror?."

Stacy flinched at 'Little Miss Pretty' as was her grandmother’s favorite jab. Her cheeks flushed scarlet as she slipped the mirror into her desk drawer. "I was paying attention."

"How much?." Belle tried her challenge.

Stacy hesitated, fingers twisting a strand of glossy brown hair. "That... messing with the Time Gem could... cause wrinkles?. And having wrinkles suck." Her voice pitched upwards nervously.

A ripple of suppressed laughter passed through the room. Jamal choked on his bite of apple, muffling coughs into his fist. Kevin slumped lower, grateful the attention had shifted. Koa can't help but cover his mouth to break a laugh before Belle approaches him.

"And what about you, demigod boy?. Let me see your notes." Belle ordered him calmly and patiently.

Koa's fingers twitched protectively over his notebook as Belle approached. He hesitated before flipping it open to reveal not timelines or physics equations but intricate sketches of Atlantean glyphs and winding underwater trenches. The scent of graphite rose faintly from the page. "I...I was listening!." he protested, pointing toward a corner sketch showing a drawn image of the Time Gem. "See?. You said time would ripple outwards...like water disturbed by a stone."

"I said when it accidentally drops into the water. Most likely it will make it happen in any water in the Enchanted Forest in the Frozen Realm." Belle walks over to TJ who quickly puts his notebook away. "Pull it right back out of the desk, Tarzan Junior."

TJ groaned and slid the notebook reluctantly onto his desk. Belle flipped it open to reveal the exaggerated caricature with her nose hooked, glasses crooked, and speech bubble shouting 'STOP YAWNING!'. TJ sank deeper into his seat, ears flushed crimson as he mumbled, "Just... doodling the lesson?."

"I don't wear glasses." Belle looks at the sketch. "That's a poor doodle sketch of me."

TJ scratched his neck. "Sorry."

Belle rolls her eyes and walks over to Melody who looks lost. Looking at her from head to toe. "I don't even have to ask you anything, because the answer is all over you. Your hair is messy. Drool stains on your chin and lips. And not to mention the obvious body language position."

Melody blushed. "I was..."

"Dreaming?." Belle cut her off smoothly. The ruler tapped Melody’s desk quietly, each click sharpening Kevin’s dread. Dust motes danced in the afternoon sunlight slanting through the window. "Trying to beat Sleepy's or Aunt Aurora's record?." Belle added softly.

"I can't compete with them." Melody answered innocently. "One is inherited to be sleepy and the other is formerly cursed, and possibly lazy."

Belle sighed, rubbing her temples. "That's beside the point," she murmured before looking at the far end desk that was close to the door. "I know you paid attention, Andrew. Tell Mommy what I said."

Andrew stood up confidently, pushing back Beast’s messy brown hair that he inherited. "If the Time Gem interacts with water anywhere like the sea, river, and puddle. It triggers localized temporal distortions," he recited smoothly. "Like echoes rippling outward. One wrong drop, and you could drown reliving the same minute endlessly."

Belle nods. "And who last held the gem?." She spots Izzy's hand raised up. "Yes, Izzy?."

Izzy put her hand down and answered. "Uncle Jafar. He thought he could use the Time Gem to travel back in time to go and prevent Uncle David from being interested in the idea of the opposite of Dreamlight magic. Without proper preparation of handling such power by not protecting his hand, the Time Gem's power has converted Uncle Jafar back to his villainess ways for holding on to the gem too long."

Kevin nods on that information since it does tie in to his dad and mom dealing with that issue when the two and the grown-ups went to Eternity Isle. "Tell me about it. Man, I wish I could see my mom and dad take on Uncle Jafar after he disguised himself as Merlin. Then followed them and let them do all that dirty work ungrounded in opening pathways to reach the Spark of Imagination, and then tricked them into handing it to him."

Melody can't help but to have that excited smile at the mention of her godparents fun adventure from years ago. "Not to mention they and everyone were experiencing the logic and world of Black and White. Especially Uncle Mickey, who got turned into some Black and White version of himself."

Belle nods in agreement in remembering that moment back when they were turning the Isle into a livable and suitable place to be the second expansion of Dreamlight Valley. "Yes, and it was something else. But your Godfather was all at ease and was tolerant about it. He says that, and I quote, 'Before there was color entertainment, there was Black and White entertainment'."

Zack, the son of Jack and Elizabeth, nods in agreement. "Aye, I wish I had that Time Gem and travel back to that time when my folks and everyone traveled to Eternity Isle. I would most definitely get my hands on the Isle's ultimate treasure that is the Spark of Imagination."

Izzy raised her hand again immediately. She was grinning eagerly. "But what if Uncle Jafar manages to travel back in time successfully?. What happens then?."

"Then David wouldn't begin his research. Thus, the rise of the Forgetting never happened and the Forgotten would never be born, and just remain a dormant feeling within David." Belle explains as best as she could since they are the ages of the young double digits. She can easily see the confusion on their faces on the last part she said.

Jamal leaned forward, suddenly intrigued. "So...wait...if Uncle Jafar changed that, would we just...poof?. Why would we wanna stop that?".

Belle nods on that good question. "Good point. If Jafar did succeed in saving David and the Valley twenty two year demise, then none of you would not be born or even the opportunity of the moment wouldn't come."

Stacy rested her chin. "Like how?."

Melody raised her brow in deep confusion. "How did we even get here?."

"Oh, boy." Belle wasn't expecting or prepared to tell the kids about sex. "Have you kids...uh... sometimes hear your Mom's giggle or saying things like taking the pole in any hole behind the closed door of their bedroom with Daddy?."

Several confused stares met her question. Jamal crunched another bite of apple loudly. "I do recall Dad telling mom to rub the special lamp to get that white gravy."

Kevin looks back at Belle with a shared tale. "I recalled walking past my parents door to go to the kitchen to get myself something cool to drink and hearing Mom saying she wanted that meaty chocolate. I didn't know there was such a thing as chocolate meat."

Belle started to get nervous and overwhelmed with hearing this and wanted to end this discussion but Kevin pushed further.

"Hey, Melody, what about your folks?." Kevin looks at her in curiosity.

Melody shrugs. "Dad says weird stuff about grabbing those pearls all the time before closing the door." Her nose wrinkles. "Mom just laughs and says something like sticking his snarfblatt in her big buns. Were they making a sandwich?."

Belle did a dry laugh nervously. "Oh, they were making a sandwich alright."

TJ scratched his head. "One time I heard my Mom saying to Dad that she got his banana in her hand and got to make banana pudding. But there wasn't any banana pudding in the fridge. What gives?."

The flush crept up Belle's neck like spilled ink. She tightened her grip on the ruler. "Okay, that's..."

"I got my fair share to say that is even weirder at my house?." Izzy got her friends' attention. "I was laying on the living room couch barefooted and reading a good book, and overheard my parents doing some Jedi training in the bedroom."

"Jedi training...in the bedroom?." Belle didn't like where this was going.

Izzy nods. "Yeah, Dad told my Mom to close her eyes and use the Force to find her personal favorite lightsaber. What gave off a red flag was that Dad said lightsaber in singular and not plural, since Mom has two lightsabers and they were literally on the coffee table."

"That ain't nothin, my Mom and Dad were outside in the far deep of ocean water at night, with my Mom on all fours and covered in the water and Dad was behind her with his hands on both of her shoulders..." Koa immediately got stopped from going forward.

"Class dismiss!." Belle spoke quickly.

"Really?." Zack, Nick and Judy's hybrid son spoke, with excitement. "We didn't get our homework assignment."

"You all are getting none today. In fact, no school tomorrow." Belle tells them before getting the expected reaction from all of them.

The classroom erupted. Paper airplanes soared, notebooks slammed shut, and chairs scraped against the wooden floorboards in a chaotic symphony of escape. Jamal shoved the remaining apple core into the trash bin with a grin, Stacy snapped her mirror open once more with practiced vanity, and TJ kicked Kevin’s dropped pencil in his haste sending it skittering toward the chalkboard where Belle’s diagram of temporal collapse seemed to pulse under the afternoon sun.

Melody put her sandals back on her feet and was about to rush out with her backpack strap on her shoulder but stopped. "But...but what about the Time Gem quiz?." she whispered hoarsely, only to be drowned out by Koa’s triumphant whoop.

Belle, who slumped in her chair while fanning herself from all that bad moment, looks at her. "Forget about it. Go."

Melody didn't need telling twice. She bolted toward the doorway, her messy ponytail swinging wildly as she vanished outside to go touch the wishing well and be teleported down Dazzle Beach and go seashell collecting and swimming.

"I'll tell Dad that you gave us early release and tomorrow off." Andrew kissed his mom on the cheek. "See you when you get home."

Belle waved vaguely without looking, rubbing her temples as Andrew disappeared through the doorway. "Looks like I'm going to have to host a major PTA meeting about this sooner than later."

Kevin teleported to the Plaza and rushed down to his house and used his key to get inside and toss his backpack to the side. He spots his parents at the dinner table going through their planning for the Valley's Thanksgiving dinner before going to the fridge.

Elsa looks at her son once she is done marking what she wanted to happen at the dinner. "You're home early."

Kevin grabs an ice-cold soda from the fridge, popping it open with a satisfying hiss. He takes a long sip, the fizzy sweetness cooling his throat as he recalls the awkwardness in his aunt's classroom from Jamal’s stolen apple, TJ’s caricature, and Melody’s drool stain. "Aunt Belle let us go," he says, leaning against the counter. "Things got... weird."

"Weird how, kiddo?." David looks at his little legacy with a big smile.

Kevin took another gulp of soda. The condensation dripped cold onto his fingers. He hesitated. "Aunt Belle asked if any of us heard grown-ups talking… weird stuff behind closed doors. You know, like… Mom saying meaty chocolate or Aunt Jasmine rubbing that special lamp. Then Melody said Uncle Eric talks about grabbing pearls, and TJ mentioned Aunt Jane saying she got Uncle Tarzan's banana and going to make banana pudding, but there wasn't any sight of the dish in his refrigerator."

Elsa choked on her water, fist thumping her chest. "I'm sorry but, what?."

David froze with the pin midway in writing something down in the binder. "Yeah, I beg your pardon?."

Kevin spoke nice and clear. "Izzy swore her parents were doing Jedi training. Uncle Anakin told Aunt Ahsoka to close her eyes and use the Force to find a lightsaber, singular and not plural mind you, as her actual lightsabers that were on the coffee table. Then Koa started talking about Aunt Moana being on all fours in the ocean at night with Uncle Maui behind her..."

Elsa's ice-blue eyes widened as her cup slipped from her fingers, spilling water a bit before David stopped it. "Oh dear heavens. Why were you listening on our door?."

Kevin scratched his neck, shifting his feet on the kitchen tiles. The scent of roasted vegetables from tonight's planned dinner mingled with the sharp tang of spilled soda. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop," he mumbled, tracing a droplet of condensation on his can. "Just walked past your room once. I thought you were askin' Dad for dessert."

David rubs the back of his head in an awkward mood and situation. "She did and she ate the white cream filling...ouch!."

Elsa stomps her husband's foot beneath the table with a glare colder than her ice magic. "David!." She looks at her son. "Baby, go to your room and watch some TV."

Kevin frowned, throwing the linoleum in the recycling bin. "But Mom..."

Elsa sighed, rubbing her temples. "No buts, sweetheart. This conversation is officially over." Her voice carried the brittle edge of ice fracturing. She shot David a warning glance sharp enough to freeze seawater in case he says too much. "Go."

"Yes, ma'am." Kevin obeys while knowing better not to challenge her authority.

"Hey, Hey, Hey." Elsa stops him from reaching the magical hallway. "Where's Mommy's kisses?."

Kevin rolls his eyes lightly before walking over to kiss his mom on the cheek. "Love you, Mom."

Elsa smiles softly despite her exasperation. "Love you too, baby. Now shoo." She watches him disappear down the hallway.

"You," Elsa hisses, turning back to her husband. "That mouth of yours will...”

"Says the one who wants me to let it go all over your face with my own special icing of mine." David got her there with a smirk.

Elsa's cheeks flushed crimson. She gripped her napkin so tightly the linen threatened to tear. "David!." She whispered furiously, leaning across the table. "Control yourself!. That was..."

"Our little routine." David taps his wife's nose. "Next time, I'm sucking your toes when Kevin isn't home."

Elsa likes the idea when resuming her work with him. "As long as you suck my big toe."

David grins and nods while grabbing his pen to continue writing the list for Thanksgiving. "Then it is a deal."

"Gross." came the familiar voice.

Elsa and David said it in unison and parental attitude. "Kevin!."

Chapter Text

David rushed towards Kristoff who is currently panicking on what to do after seeing what he just witnessed. “Hey.”

Kristoff quickly turns. “Oh, hey, where did you come from?.”

“I freed this exact Biome from the heavy Night Thorns. I'm David.” David extended his hand.

Whatever reason felt natural despite not exactly sure why, Kristoff shook his hand and managed to smile.

"I'm Kristoff." Kristoff lets his hand go. "You have no idea how refreshing it is to see a new face or any face that isn't Donald's for years."

David nods. "That's understandable. I sorta saw what just happened. Donald went after the Forgotten through that portal after he took the orb of..."

"Courage. It's the orb of courage." Kristoff informs him while crossing his arms. "Me and Donald were guarding the orb as it was a beacon of hope at the time. We've been around every Biome trying to find my brother-in-law's journal."

David was intrigued. "You don't say?."

Kristoff sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. We had no leads at all in finding his journal. Me and Donald have been constantly camping out like bums. My brother-in-law's journal was the key to saving this valley and possibly give us an edge on how to defeat the Forgotten."

"Believe it or not, when arriving here, I managed to find the pages of the Master of Friendship's journal that was questionably scattered everywhere whenever I'm walking around or someone finding one." David summons his book and opens it for him to see.

Kristoff looked at the handwriting in confusion. "What language did he write?."

"Atlantean." David tells him. "He learned how to write and understand the Atlantean native language." He closes the book and makes it disappear.

"Kristoff!." Elsa rushes over to where they are and gives him a big hug.

"Elsa!. Why I haven't seen you or Anna for..." Kristoff took in the realization of everything.

"Twenty two years." Elsa lets him go. "We've all been away from each other and this valley for twenty two years."

Kristoff rubs the back of his head. "Man, that's heavy. I need your help."

David nods. "I know. I can't go in blindly. I need to go get Merlin."

"Or perhaps me!."

They turned over by the pond sat Ursula who looked happy to assist since David has been helping her out throughout the valley for some time. Not wasting any time, David ran over to Ursula who was grinning at the opportunity of lending her services with the hero and queen.

"Ursula, it is great to see you." David spoke in a show of neighborly attitude.

"Likewise, David." Ursula turns her attention to Elsa and nods. "Queen Elsa, it is great to see you once again."

Elsa returns the nod with a small smile, though her eyes flicker with caution. "Ursula."

"Now, then..." Ursula looks at David. "I know a way for you to go through that portal to find that easy tempered duck. It's quite simple. I need just one of his feathers. I'll enchant it so it can be a guide for you in finding that duck."

"Oh, that's excellent!." David was relieved to hear this before feeling his bicep being grabbed.

Elsa pulls him over to the side to have a private chat with David while Ursula waits. The queen of ice had that serious look on her face. "I may not have all of my memories running through my head yet, but I do recall Ursula having a reputation of not helping others for free. Despite living in the same Biome with others."

"I know, Elsa. I know that Ursula doesn't do charity. She wants something in order to give something that we want from her." David walks around Elsa. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing when it comes to Ursula."

Elsa folds her arms, clearly unconvinced. "What exactly do you plan to offer her then?."

"It all depends on what she wants." David walked over to where she waited patiently. "Sorry for the wait, U. The Queen of Dreamlight Valley was being...you know."

Ursula chuckled slowly, her tentacles curling in amusement. "Oh darling, I certainly do. And trust me, I've dealt with far worse skeptics than Elsa. And since I am in a great mood along with you helping me out to re-establish myself as one of the valley's deal makers, this service is on the house."

David brightens up when hearing this. "Excellent!." He looks at Elsa. "See?. Ursula isn't always a 'What Do I Get In Return' type of person for 24/7."

Elsa remains silent with her arms still folded, though her shoulders relax slightly. David found one of Donald's feathers and handed it to the Sea Witch who used her supplies and ingredients to enchant the feather as it slightly glowed.

"Here you go." Ursula hands him the feather. "All that you have to do is walk and look at the feather's glow. If it glows solid then you are on the right trail. If it faintly glows then you're getting cold."

"Got it. Thanks, U." David looks at Elsa. "Aren't you going to say thanks?."

Elsa releases a sigh before nodding her head at Ursula. "Appreciate your help."

Ursula waves a tentacle dismissively. "Oh, politeness from royalty, how quaint." She turns and sinks beneath the pond's surface with a light chuckle, leaving ripples that distort David's reflection.

The two returned back to where Kristoff is and faced the portal as it awaits them. With fair thinking, Elsa told her brother-in-law to wait outside while she and David entered through the portal. One by one, the two entered the portal to the other side being a slightly foggy version of the Forest of Valor as there weren't any animals to hear or see. The sky has that light fog greenish look with no indication of this place having a sun.

"This place is kinda...off putting don't you think?." David spoke before slowly walking forward.

Elsa exhaled sharply, her breath frosting visibly in the stagnant air. "It's like a corrupted echo of our Biome. Even the wind feels...wrong." She flexed her fingers instinctively, her magic responding sluggishly as if weighed down by the oppressive atmosphere.

Following the glow of the feather, the two were extra cautious to their surroundings when feeling the uneasy feeling of being watched or something lurking in the shadows. Or the shadows were watching them. It didn't take long for their suspension to be correct as the lingering shadows morphed out into hunched green eyes glowing figures with sharp claws and sharp teeth. It made both David and Elsa on high alert when coming closer together.

"W...What are those things?." David is starting to get scared.

"The heck if I know." Elsa spoke honestly and frightened. She looks behind her and jumps back. "There's more."

David gulps, feeling his heartbeat pounding against his ribs. The creatures circled them, their elongated limbs moving with unnatural fluidity, like shadows given form. The feather in his hand pulsed brighter. Whether in warning or guidance, he wasn't sure.

"Oh, boy." Elsa and David both said in unison.