By Amanda Pizzolatto (alias Aurora Mandeville)
Word Count: 3205
Rating: PG (threats, mild violence)
Summary: Jack Frost and Hiccup Haddock are Hiccup and Jack North, based on the Hardy boys, and with the help of Merida and Rapunzel, must stop the villainous Peter Black.
The two young men pressed themselves up against the tree as best as they could while the light flashed around the yard. The younger one, Jack, had a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. Black might prefer the dark, but he still needed a light to thwart the Norths in their race to the treasure. The older one, Hiccup, was focused on two figures pressed up against another tree not far from them, visible to the boys, but completely out of the limelight. Merida and Rapunzel had insisted on going with them, but Hiccup only agreed to it as long as the two stayed far away from the mansion and would go for help at the first sign of danger. He let out a little huff, he would have to rely on Rapunzel’s sense, Merida would dash right into the mess. That is, if Merida would actually listen to Rapunzel. He glanced at his younger brother, he’d probably end up dying from a heart attack because of those two.
“Hiccup, Black’s moving,” whispered Jack. Hiccup glanced over Jack’s shoulder at the house, the light was definitely moving, and to the other side of the house.
Jack crouched before glancing over his shoulder at Hiccup, “Well?” Hiccup rolled his eyes and sighed before waving over the girls.
“Alright, listen, Jack and I are going to scout out the place, see if Black really is by himself. And don’t do anything stupid, like trying to rush in to stop him or take him on by yourself,” stated Hiccup, eyeing Jack.
“What? Is it wrong to try and stop the bad guys?”
Hiccup groaned, “No, but it would be best if you could do it smartly so you won’t get caught or hurt by an obviously bigger man.”
Jack scoffed, “I’m more slippery than that.”
Hiccup sighed, rolling his eyes, “Whatever. OK, I need you girls to act as lookout . . .”
“Seriously?” mumbled Merida as she crossed her arms.
“Will you please let me finish? You’ll get a piece of the action, don’t worry. I just want to make sure Black is by himself before we proceed any further, we will need your help to catch him, especially if Kristoff doesn’t get here with Chief Terrebonne soon.”
“Especially since there’s still something you wanted to check out before Chief Terrebonne got here, right?” The Norths grinned sheepishly and nodded slowly. Merida sighed, “What did you want to check out?”
Jack spoke, “The final clue to the treasure.”
Rapunzel blinked, “What clue? I thought you had it all figured out!”
Hiccup nodded, “So did we, but we took a closer look at the rhyme, and at the pirate Pilbin Black. He wouldn’t have made the clues to the treasure that obvious, all of the previous clues were hard to crack, so it didn’t make sense that this final one, the rhyme, was easy. Or, at least at first glance, at second glance, things start to get complicated as there’s too much to consider.”
“Basically, we need to come at this from a whole new angle,” blurted Jack.
“But, doesn’t that mean Pierce Black is on the wrong trail?” asked Rapunzel.
“Yes, but he’s still a criminal, Punz, and he’ll still track our search for the treasure if we don’t send him to jail for for his crimes,” Jack promptly replied. He turned to Hiccup, “We’d better get going, Captain.” Hiccup glanced at the house, the light a dim beam in the distance.
He nodded, “Let’s go.” He turned to the girls, “We’ll be back in a sec.” The two dashed off, splitting up and heading around the sides of the house, Hiccup going right, Jack going left. Jack kept as close to the house as possible and he skirted along it, peeking into each window as carefully as possible. Sure, he would just enjoy dashing in and being the hero of the day by capturing Black, but Hiccup was right, they had to be smart about it. It was no use getting caught when they were so close to not only finding the treasure, but also putting another criminal behind bars. Jack quickly peeked in one window, and just as quickly ducked. He slowly went back for another peek, there was Pierce Black, rummaging through the room. Jack watched in amazement, what was he looking for? The treasure was clearly in a tower! Unless, there was another reason, Black was a criminal after all, trying to con and steal his way through life, his records one of the dirtiest Jack had ever seen, and he had seen quite a few. One of the worst things Black could have ever done was kidnap children and sell them, and that was just not something Jack was going to let him get away with. Jack gritted his teeth as he watched Black rummage around some more in the room, he was going to make sure this guy went down, one way or another. Jack finally broke from the scene in the window to continue on. Keeping as low as he could, he crawled as quietly as he could to the back of the house. He didn’t see Hiccup, but something else caught his eye. The wind had picked up, and Jack could smell the rain in the air when a lightning bolt flashed across the sky, and Jack noticed something glittering in the trees behind the house. Jack took a quick look around before dashing towards the spot he had seen the sparkle. When Jack burst through the trees, his excitement died down real quick, it was just the old two-story tower that Pilbin Black built for his daughter’s enjoyment. Jack sighed and turned to leave before he paused, an idea sprang to mind. He turned back to glance at the tower, what if this was the tower? He glanced back at the house, he didn’t see Hiccup, or anyone else before turning and dashing into the play tower. The ground floor was made to look like a great room, with the kitchenette against the north wall, a table and chairs set in front of it, with a sitting room set up at the southwest wall, and the stairs spiralling up at the east wall, with a picture of Pilbin’s daughter Emily just to the left of them and a mini grand posing in front of it. Jack walked up to the painting, could she be the answer, was she the flower mentioned in Pilbin’s rhyme? Jack went over it in his head: To find my treasure, you must go; Over the mighty moat you must row. Check that one off. Once there, head straight to the tower; And search for my precious flower. Well, if Emily was his precious flower, here she was. The final key is not far behind; Only push it soft and kind. Jack grinned, the piano! But which key? He glanced at the picture.
“Mind telling me which key?” he muttered as he brushed his fingers over the white keys. He blinked as he glanced between the picture and the piano, what if it was E, for Emily, and maybe even a B for Black? But then his face went blank, he didn’t even know which key was which! He heaved a sigh, well, he had gotten this far, maybe Rapunzel could help with the rest, she was really the only one who had had any piano lessons, the few that she did have. But Jack was by now nearly bursting with excitement, he had figured out the rhyme for sure! He just had to look at it figuratively rather than literally, which they had been doing. He turned to walk out the door, but had to stop, a large figure loomed in the doorway.
“Now, what would compel you to come out this way, Jack North?” Black asked cooly.
“None of your business,” Jack replied as he crossed his arms.
“Is it now? Are you sure? This is by right my property, you know, I could get you arrested for trespassing.”
“I’d probably would only get a slap on my hand compared to what’s waiting for you for your crimes,” retorted Jack.
Black smiled with amusement, “Yes, I’ve committed quite a few crimes, some I’m sure my ancestor, Pilbin Black, would have been proud of, compared to my weak cousins.”
“Are you trying to relive Pilbin’s glory days, or something?”
“Come, come, now, you know bad blood runs in the family, why should I not embrace it?”
“Uh, because it’s wrong to lie, steal, kidnap children, and cheat,” blurted Jack.
“Oh, it’s wrong to lie, now, is it? Then why are you lying to me?”
“I didn’t lie, I only said that it’s none of your business, and that is the truth.”
“So, you won’t tell me, despite the fact that this is technically my property?”
“Technically, this property belongs to Emily Jane Black, and the only reason why you’re acting now is because, once she’s married to Flynn, all bets are off for you.”
“Oh no, Jack, I was just giving you a chance to tell me of your own free will, but I guess I have no choice now.” Black stepped out for a minute and returned, pushing a bound and gagged Rapunzel in front of him, a gun to her head. “Oh come on, Jack, don’t give me that look, it’s pretty obvious that you like her. Now tell me what you know, or murder’s going to be added to my list of crimes.” Rapunzel’s muffled cries just about cut Jack’s heart in two, but he only snarled and clenched his fists.
“Fine, push the E on the piano, gently.”
“No, you do it.”
“I don’t know which one it is!” Black cocked the gun. Jack put up his hands, “OK, OK, I’ll try.” He walked over to the piano, Black not far behind with Rapunzel. He took a quick look at the keys, how was anyone supposed to distinguish between them? He let out a sigh through clenched teeth and proceeded to push a key. A noise from Rapunzel made him pause and look at her, she shook her head.
“Oh, so you know which one is the E. Continue on to the next key Jack, we’re wasting time.” Jack moved his finger over the next key, Rapunzel shook her head again. She shook her head no for three more keys before nodding. Jack had his finger over the right key. He pushed it, as soft and as kind as he could. Nothing happened at first, until a large crack opened in the floor on the other side of the stairs, and opened wider until another set of stairs could be seen. “Jack, you first, be a good fellow and find us a light.” Jack growled before walking down the stairs, pulling out a lighter from his pocket to look around. He found a few torches which he lighted before he saw the treasure.
“Whoa,” he breathed, there were chests filled with gold, jewels, and coins, some spilling out onto the floor.
“Jack, don’t you get any funny ideas!”
“I’m lighting up some torches! It’s not exactly an easy job, unless you want to come and do it!” snapped Jack.
“Alright, but make it quick!”
“You bet I will,” muttered Jack. He set about lighting the rest of the torches, glancing around quickly each time he moved on to another torch, looking for a way out or some way to distract Black. He glanced at the treasure every now and then, it was the best distraction for now, but for how long? He paused, something that wasn’t glittering caught his eye. He stooped to pick it up, and grinned, it was a pocket knife! It was smaller than his own, to be sure, but if Black was going to search him for his pocket knife, this little baby might just go unnoticed. To be on the safe side, Jack thrust it in his left back pocket, his own pocket knife being in his right. For extra measure, Jack placed a couple of coins in each back pocket before heading back up the stairs. Black and Rapunzel were standing at the very top, waiting.
“Well?”
“Alright, the whole thing’s lit up, if you want to come see your treasure.”
“Good, I will, but first, bring down two chairs.” Jack stared at him in surprise. “Come on, do it.” Jack gritted his teeth as Black placed the gun against Rapunzel’s temple before going to get the chairs. It was technically what he wanted, but he was still surprised by Black’s order, and furious at him threatening Rapunzel. Once Jack brought down the two chairs, Black told him to have them back to back and to sit in one. Jack did as he was told, and Black tied them together. “There, that’s better. Ah, finally, the long-lost treasure of Pilbin Black, and I have you to thank.” Jack growled as Black merely grinned back and walked towards the chests. But the instant the gun was put away, Jack put his plan into action.
“Punz, see if you can get my pocketknife. It’s in my right back pocket,” he whispered. She nodded, and managed to fish it out after a couple of minutes, without letting a single coin fall. Jack took it from her and quickly set to work cutting the rope. “Keep an eye on Black for me, will you?” Rapunzel nodded again, her eyes going back and forth between Jack’s work, and Black’s overjoyed play with the treasure, laughing and whooping as he threw coins in the air. “I’ve almost got it. When we’re free, you head straight up to the piano, and hit either the E or the B, one of those two has got to close the door. I’ll make sure Black stays as far back as possible.” The next second, the rope was off, and Jack motioned her towards the stairs, his eyes flitting between it and Black. Rapunzel took off the gag before heading for the stairs, Jack not too far behind. Black let out a yell and a few shots when he noticed their escape. Rapunzel shrieked as the bullets ricocheted off the walls. “Go, go, go!” Jack shouted, throwing the chairs in front of the stairway before climbing up. Rapunzel rushed towards the piano. “Push the B, just push the B!” Rapunzel pushed it, and the hidden panel slammed shut behind Jack. A muffled yell from Black came, followed by a few bullets through the floor. Jack grabbed Rapunzel’s hand and raced towards the door, throwing it open only to stop and yell.
“Jack! Rapunzel! Thank goodness, you’re alright!” Hiccup engulfed his brother in a tight squeeze, Merida doing the same to Rapunzel.
“Did I just hear gunfire?” asked Kristoff worriedly.
“Yeah, we got Black trapped in the treasure room,” replied Jack.
“You, you two found Pilbin Black’s treasure?” exclaimed Merida.
Rapunzel grinned, “Yup, it was more Jack though.”
“Hey, you helped with the piano.”
“Well, come on, show us!” exclaimed Hiccup as everyone moved into the play tower.
“First, why don’t you tell me where you two were. I didn’t see you when I made it to the back, and Black was able to capture Rapunzel!”
“Wait, how come you didn’t see me? I waited for a good ten minutes before I started to worry. I went back to Rapunzel and Merida, they hadn’t seen you either, so I went off to hail the police car in case Black had captured you!”
“Well . . .”
“And not long after Hiccup left us, we saw the light moving in the back yard. I went to find Hiccup, I thought Black was leaving the place, either taking you as a hostage with him, or leaving you trussed up in the house.”
Rapunzel looked down, somewhat flushed, “I-I went to the house, hoping that he had left you. I was thinking I would free you, but, that’s when, when he caught me and tied me up.”
“So, where exactly where you if you were still free before Rapunzel got caught.”
“Uh, I was, uh, watching Black rummage through a few things in the study. DId you really wait ten minutes?”
“Yes Jack, I timed it.” Jack shot him a glare. “Now, would you be so kind as to show us the treasure room?”
“OK, as long as the Chief is ready to arrest Black.”
Chief Terrebonne scoffed, “Boy, am I ever.”
“Alright, have your officers ready right here,” Jack said, pointing out the edge of the secret door. “Ready, Punz?” Rapunzel nodded, and pushed the E key. The door slid open more easily, revealing a rather defeated-looking Pierce Black.
“Pierce Black, you’re under arrest for theft, embezzlement, attempted murder, and kidnapping. Officer Gordon, take him away.”
“Right away, sir.” Gordon placed the cuffs on him, and with another police officer, escorted him out. As soon as they exited, a young man and a young woman entered the premises.
“My goodness, is everyone alright?”
“Yes Miss Black, we’re all fine. And perfect timing, if I do say so myself.”
“Why’s that?”
Hiccup grinned and placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder, “Because Jack here just found Pilbin Black’s treasure.”
Emily gasped, “Really? Where?”
Jack grinned, “Wanna come see?”
“Of course!” Jack led the way down the stairs and into the room. Everyone gasped as they saw the sight of so much wealth.
“Wow, Emily, now you’re rich! We can do whatever we want with all of this!”
“But I could never keep this much, I don’t need all of it!”
“Then we’ll give some to charities, orphanages, put some aside for our children’s future, help out the poor, that’s all easily taken care of,” grinned Flynn. Emily hugged him and gave him a big kiss.
“That’s a wonderful idea! I love you!”
“I love you too. Oh, and, um . . .” he quickly whispered something in her ear.
“Oh, yes, we should!” She grabbed a small bag and filled it with jewels and coins, before handing it to the Norths. “Thank you so much for everything.”
“Wh-what? Oh no, we couldn’t accept this,” began Hiccup.
“What? Are you nuts? Yes we can, I’ve already got big plans for this money!” blurted Jack.
“Oh yesh? Like what?”
“Like, taking Punz out to the fanciest restaurant, maybe even buying her a new dress for the occasion.”
Rapunzel gasped, “You mean . . .”
“Yes, let’s make it official, Punz, let’s go out on a date.” Rapunzel squealed before giving him a big hug.
“Yes, let’s!”
Hiccup sighed, “Oh, alright, I guess we will be accepting this.” He took the bag from Emily and placed it in his pocket. “Come on Jack, we’d better get home, Mom and Dad are no doubt worried about us.”
“Yup, no doubt our parents are too,” quipped Merida, glancing at Rapunzel.
“Oh, alright,” sighed Jack. But he winked at Rapunzel as they walked out, his arm still around her waist.
“And while you’re at it, why don’t you take a break from mystery-solving? Heaven knows you need it.”
Hiccup laughed, “We’ll try, Chief, but we can’t make any promises.” And how true those words were, for it wouldn’t be long before another mystery came their way.