Chapter 1: Back at the Tower
Chapter Text
Rapunzel's voice:
This is the story of how the love of my life died in my arms...
Don't worry, though. He's not the type of man who dies easily
This is the story of a man named Eugene Fitzherbert
And it all starts...with the moon
Once upon a time, a single drop of moonlight fell from the Heavens
and from this small drop of moonlight formed a single opal stone
It had the ability to destroy any and all who would seek to possess it
Centuries passed. The Opal's defenses spread and, from that, grew a kingdom
Generation upon generation, Kings and Queens protected the world from the Opal's limitless power
But it was Edmund, the last of these kings, who tried to end this legacy and destroy the Stone.
...that didn't go well.
In the fallout, Edmund commanded his subjects to leave the kingdom and never return.
Even his own son.
I'll give you a hint: that son was Eugene.
Edmund sent his most trusted soldiers into the world to ensure that the Opal's power was kept a secret.
It would mean certain doom if it ever fell into the wrong hands.
These knights called themselves...The Brotherhood.
Now, back to Eugene.
Eugene would grow up in an orphanage, alongside other orphan kids.
Every night, Eugene would read them all a book called "The Tales of Flynnigan Rider"
swashbuckling rogue, richest man alive, not bad with ladies either.
Not that he'd ever brag about it, of course.
One of these kids in the orphanage was Arnwaldo Schnitz, who would quickly become Eugene's best friend, and almost like a brother to him.
The two would grow up to become the infamous thieves known as Flynn Rider and Lance Strongbow and would gain enemies and allies alike.
Well, perhaps more enemies than allies.
And some enemies worse than others...
Eventually, Lance and Eugene would lose contact, leaving Eugene on his own for quite some time.
Up until the day he climbed to a tower hidden in the woods of the Kingdom of Corona.
“ AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!” He screams as long blonde hair drops him off the tower. This was not his day. What started as a lucky morning stealing a crown that would finally give him the castle he had always wanted ended up on the worst day of his life yet. Persecuted by guards, a crazy horse, and now some girl with ridiculously long blonde hair dropped him off her tower just because he refused to take her to see some floating lanterns.
He closes his eyes, expecting a painful landing against the ground. He opens his eyes one by one, seeing that he's hanging a few meters off the ground. He looks above and sees Rapunzel, frowning while Pascal is on one of her shoulders, crossing his arms and frowning just like her. Flynn grins awkwardly at her, perhaps hoping that she'll make the fall free from any pain.
“ Ugh.” The blonde girl rolls her eyes and with one move of her hand, she pulls from her hair, freeing Flynn from the chair tangled in her hair, and making him drop face first against the grass. He groans, probably more out of his pride and ego being hurt than out of physical pain. He quickly stands up and looks above, as the blonde golden hair pulls the chair back inside.
Flynn sighs. “ Now where to...?”
Flynn quickly leaves the place, venturing himself back into the woods, hoping that the horse isn't around anymore. He walks alone, with only the chirping of birds keeping him company, until he feels a hand touch his left shoulder.
“AH-” He quickly turns around startled."Damn it, not that horse again", he thinks, but to his surprise, it's not who he thought it would be. A young woman of his age, with long wavy brown hair tied in a high ponytail. She has dark brown eyes, and wears a light beige top and a long red skirt, and black boots. Her skin has a warm tan, and her lips a warm red. “Isla?! What are you doing here?!”
“Hiding from the guards, just like you. You're not the only one on the run, you know.”
Flynn sighs. Great, this is just what he needs. His ex-lover and ex-partner in crime is also in The Kingdom of Corona. Though, he's thankful that it's Isla and not Stalyan. Isla came into Flynn's life somewhere after he lost contact with Lance; out of the LONG list of one-night stands and ex-lovers, Isla was among the most important and impactful ones in his life alongside Stalyan.
“What are you doing here, though? Last time I saw you, you were on your way to meet The Baron.”
“Oooh, that.Yeah.Look, I'll cut to the chase. I was stealing the crown of the Lost Princess alongside the Stabbington brothers. Remember when I told you about the Stabbington brothers?”
“Yeah, wonderful people”, Isla says with sarcasm.
“Well, the operation was a success. We stole the crown, we ran into the woods, no big deal. We separated and then I had to find a hiding place. Turns out there's this tower hidden in the woods, and inside that tower, there was this blondie with really long hair and her weird frog.”
“A frog?” She asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, a frog. And she asked me to take her to see the floating lanterns that the kingdom does for the lost princess every year”
“And you said…”
Flynn raises an eyebrow and scoffs. “No? What else was I supposed to say? Like I told her, the kingdom and I aren't exactly "simpatico" at the moment, so obviously I wasn't taking her or her frog anywhere. Besides, she knocked me out with a frying pan.”
Isla sighs. She doesn't know Rapunzel, who she is, and what she's been through, but from what Eugene told her, she can tell it's just a girl with a very innocent request. Besides, she notices something important: He doesn't have his satchel with him.
“The girl knocked you out with a frying pan, and you still walked away? She’s clearly tougher than you. At least make it worth your while. Besides, it's clear that she still has something from you.”
Flynn raises an eyebrow and then looks around. Damn it. He sighs and rolls his eyes as he sees that his satchel is nowhere to be seen. Which only means it's still with Rapunzel
“ OH COME ON!!” shouted the thief, frustrated.
“ Yup.” Isla nods as if she knows exactly what Flynn needs to do. And she did “You are going back into that tower, you're apologizing to that girl, and you're taking her to see those damn lanterns”
Eugene sighs in defeat. Isla's look in her eyes softened. She knows that Flynn Rider is nothing but a facade-a mere mask that Eugene uses for the rest of the world, and this? This may be Flynn Rider's doing, but she knows the real man behind the mask of the charming swashbuckling thief.
“You keep running from your problems, and one day you’ll run out of places to go.” Flynn stays silent. He knows damn right she's right, but he doesn't want to admit that
”You of all people should understand what it’s like to want freedom, Eugene. That girl trusted you, and you walked away. If you can’t even help her, what does that say about you?”
“ Two things: one, who says she wants freedom? And two, the name's Flynn Rider.” Flynn said, crossing his arms and slightly frowning. Isla crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow. She is not having any of his nonsense.
He sighs in defeat. “ Fine. I'm going back to the tower.” Isla smirks and gives him a small smooch on his cheek.
“That's the Eugene I know.” Flynn’s eyes widen the moment he feels the kiss on his cheek and blushes a bit, before smiling softly.
And like that, he makes his way back to the tower of the girl with the long blonde hair. He climbs it with the 2 arrows he got from his chase with the guards. Everything is like a big deja vu, though this time he knows what to do. However, the moment he steps a foot inside the tower, he is welcomed with a well-deserved hit on his head with a frying pan. WHAM! and he falls unconscious. The moment he wakes up, he is once again tied to the chair with Rapunzel's long blonde hair. She does not look happy to see him, not one bit.
“ You know, we really need to talk about your frying pan problem. It was the frying pan again, right?” Rapunzel doesn't answer. He had already said no, why did he come back? And then, Rapunzel's brain makes the connection and she rolls her eyes.
“ Let me guess. You are not here because you've changed your mind. You're here because you've remembered that I still have your precious satchel, aren't you?” Eugene stays silent and sighs. She's not wrong but she's also not right.
“Yes, I came back for my satchel, but that's not the only reason I'm here, though.”
“You know, Mother always told me people like you would take what they wanted and leave. And guess what? She was right!”
“ Look, I’m not saying I’m a hero or anything. But... maybe Mother’s not as right about the world as she says she is.” Rapunzel stays silent.Perhaps he did have a point, but, then again, he left when she was asking for his help. She takes out her frying pan and points it at Eugene's face.
“ Hey, can you please take the frying pan away from my face now? I don't want my smolder to be broken, again.” The brunette man says, trying to move his face away from the frying pan.
“ Maybe you should stop doing things that make me want to hit you.” Eugene sighs. She is not going to stop until he says it, right?
“Fine!! I'll take you to see the lanterns. Happy now, blondie?”
A small smirk forms on Rapunzel's face. And just like that, the duo ventured out of the tower, and for the first time, Rapunzel could feel the grass beneath her feet, the cool breeze on her face, and she could hear the soft chirping of the birds in nearby trees. She couldn't believe she actually did it, but what would mother think about it if she ever found out? "She'd be devastated", the blonde girl thought to herself.
Chapter 2: Seeing the light
Summary:
As Flynn and Rapunzel venture themselves on a journey to see the Lanterns and begin to learn more about each other, a shady figure from Eugene's past loom nearby,threatening to claim him back as their property.
Ps: Following the feedback of the AO3 subreddit, I've decided to change the format of the fanfic. Hope that y'all like the changes 😄
Notes:
So,this is where things begin to get a bit dark for poor Eugene :(
Warning:This is the part where sexual abuse is gonna be referenced.However I'll try to be as less graphic as I can be :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Flynn clears throat " You know, I can't help but notice you seem a little at war with yourself here." Rapunzel looks up at the handsome man's face. Wiping her tears off her face
"What?"
"Now, I'm only picking up bits and pieces here, of course. Overprotective mother, forbidden road trip. I mean, this is serious stuff." Her eyes are watery, she's a bit confused, but she listens to him regardless
"But let me ease your conscience. This is part of growing up. A little rebellion, a little adventure, that's good. Healthy, even." Pascal gets on his shoulder, with a skeptical look. Ever since Flynn appeared in their lives, the little chameleon didn't trust the man with the goatee. And, despite being just a tiny reptile, he was extra protective of Rapunzel and wanted nothing but the best for her. Eugene notices Pascal on his shoulder and quickly removes him with a movement of his hand.
"Ha..you think?" The blonde girl asks with a smile, while her eyes are still watery
"I know. You're way overthinking this, trust me. Does your mother deserve it? No. Would this break her heart and crush her soul? Of course. But you've just got to do it." Rapunzel's smile fades away as Flynn mentions how this journey may affect her mother. Conversely, Eugene plucks a grape off a nearby vine and looks at it nonchalantly.
"Break her heart?"
"In half."
"Crush her soul?" Flynn squeezes the grape until it's crushed " Like a grape."
"She would be heartbroken. You're right." Flynn helps her get off the ground. Worry and guilt fill Rapunzel's eyes.
"I am, aren't I? Oh, bother." He sighs, as an idea comes to his mind. If she is so worried about her mother, then that is his ticket to get his satchel back and finally get that castle once and for all.
"All right. I can't believe I'm saying this, but..I'm letting you out of the deal."
Rapunzel hears his words and her eyes widen in confusion. What did he say?
"What?"
"That's right, but don't thank me. Let's turn around and get you home. Here's your pan, here's your frog." Flynn walks over to where Pascal and the frying pan are and quickly grabs them both. The small green chameleon lets out a surprise squeak as Flynn hands Rapunzel her pan while putting the chameleon on her right shoulder. " I get back my satchel, you get back a mother-daughter relationship based on mutual trust and VOILÀ!! We part ways as unlikely friends."
The blonde, at hearing this, quickly shoves Flynn's arm away from her. She just got out of the tower, she's not giving up on her dream that easily. She is seeing those lanterns, no matter what.
"NO!! I am seeing those lanterns." The calm expression on Eugene's face fades away. This whole day was just NOT his day, and he was not having it.
" OH COME ON!! WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR ME TO GET MY SATCHEL BACK?!"
Rapunzel, without hesitation, pulls out her frying pan and points it right over the thief's most treasured spot on his entire body (aside from his groin)-his face.
"I will use this."
Flynn raises his arm in surrender. The day passed and the duo had encountered odd people and enemies alike. Flynn, at first, brought her to the snuggle duckling, hoping to scare her off, but this last-minute plan backfired when the ruffians of the tavern turned against him, humiliating him more than he already was. Thankfully, Rapunzel saved him from what was an assured permanent injury to his nose. When they least expected it, however, the horse and the royal guards quickly came inside the pub.If it wasn't for the thugs and the secret passage to a canyon, to which unfortunately the guards had followed them.
They barely make it out alive if it wasn't for the fact that Rapunzel's hair could glow, however, glowing wasn't the only thing it did. Flynn injured his hand back in the canyon, but by singing a specific incantation, Rapunzel managed to heal his hand, much to Flynn's surprise. That night, both of them opened themselves to each other, with Flynn revealing the true story of Eugene Fitzherbert, the man behind Flynn Rider. For the first time in a long time, Eugene heard something that he thought would never hear from someone outside of Isla herself.
"For the record, I like Eugene Fitzherbert much better than Flynn Rider."
Those words alone moved something in him. She accepts him- his true self, rather than the mask he had worn for so many years.
"Then you'd be the first. But thank you."
He goes to get some more firewood for the fire. This warm feeling he has in his chest. He doesn't know what it is. Friendship perhaps? Who knows, but he likes how it feels, much more than whatever jewels or gold could bring. And then, a familiar voice talks from behind his back
"Still having problems with the guards, I see..."
Eugene quickly turns and sees him: silver hair, beard, muscular and big enough to overshadow him. He was wearing the type of clothing only the nobility of Corona wore, in dark colors of black and navy blue.
" Dorian! Fancy meeting you here. What brings a refined man like yourself to the deep woods of Corona?" Dorian is a member of Corona's high society and one of the main reasons why the guards were never able to catch the charming Flynn Rider. The man and his wife, Selene Ravensdale, are some of the most influential people in all of Corona, influential enough to have connections with the king and queen themselves. However, both of them are far more than what meets the eye. Owners of a successful yet shady brothel, they took Eugene in when the thief had nowhere else to go. Not of course without making Eugene do things that...well, let's just say he'd rather not tell anyone about it. Ever
"Oh, I was in the mood for nostalgia. You used to run to me when you got into trouble. Now, you just run..."
Eugene's smirk fades away, and in its place, he frowns. Dorian always had a way to get him, and unfortunately, he knew that the older man wasn't afraid to use physical force against him.
"Yeah, well, I’ve been busy. Got a new job, new…priorities..."
Dorian Chuckles " Ah, yes.The young girl with the golden hair.."
"You wouldn't understand, Dorian. She prefers Eugene over Flynn Rider. She-"
The young brunette man sighs. How was he supposed to explain to Dorian how he felt for her? Eugene looks at the grass below his boots, softly smiles, and says:
"She accepts me for who I am..."
Dorian lets out an incredulous, cruel chuckle."The thief fell in love" , yeah, good joke.
"Please, don't be foolish, Eugene. We both know that all that you can offer to her ... is this..." The older man says, signaling to Eugene's body with his open hands.
"No. She's not after that. She wants to see the kingdom's floating lanterns and that's where I'm getting her."
"Do you really think you can keep her safe? You can’t even keep yourself safe, Eugene."
The thief falls silent. He's right. The old man's right. They almost drowned back in the canyon, and the entire royal guard is after him.
"Well, I-"
Dorian quickly cuts him off.
"You may have run off, but you’re still mine. You can play pretend all you want, but when the world turns on you—and it will—you’ll come crawling back . Just like before.
Eugene's fists tighten, his stomach twisting in a way he hates. Because Dorian isn’t just taunting him—he’s reminding him of the times he did go back. When he needed him. Dorian chuckles—slow, quiet, infuriatingly amused. He steps even closer, just enough to lower his voice to a whisper.
" Sure, she likes you now, but I do wonder how she'll react when she finds out that her beloved thief was once... for sale? You’ll be back, Eugene. You always come back."
And without anything else to say, Dorian Ravensdale turns back and leaves, disappearing among the dark of the forest. Eugene's hands shake, and his entire body burns with frustration. His breathing quickens. His heart pounds. But he forces himself into taking deep breaths, before picking up some firewood and returning to Rapunzel, who also seemed a bit worried about something, but well, she said she was just "lost in thought", and who was he to question her?
The next day was...something else. The horse, whose name is Maximus by the way, came back for revenge, and if it wasn't for Rapunzel's intervention, who knows what would have happened to Eugene? (aside from losing his boot, of course). The blonde girl manages to get them both to leave their differences aside just for this one day, and with all said and done, Rapunzel, Eugene, Pascal, and Maximus all go to the kingdom. That day was just..magical.They've read books, painted, bought and ate food, and danced with the kingdom, but before doing all that, they had to deal with Rapunzel's hair, as it kept getting stepped on and caught beneath the feet of other people.
A group of 4 sisters with ginger hair nearby helped braid Rapunzel's hair. When Eugene saw her with her braid, he was happy for her...no , more than that. She looked beautiful, the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Fun fact: The dance was all Rapunzel's doing, and that moment? When they danced alongside the people of the kingdom, it was like for a moment she and the kingdom were one. And then, the time had finally arrived: The floating lanterns. Everyone was ready. Eugene got themselves a boat so they could have the best seat and the best view. But as the night time arrived, Rapunzel didn't look so sure anymore. She seemed...in doubt. "You ok?" Eugene asked her
"...I'm terrified"
"..Why?"
"I've been looking out of a window for eighteen years, dreaming about what I might feel like when those lights rise in the sky." She looks up to look at the kingdom, while he looks at her.
"What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be?
"It will be." She turns to see him.
"And what if it is?.... What do I do then?"
Well, that's the good part I guess. You get to go find a new dream." He smirks at her, slightly, softly.
As the lanterns floated above them, Rapunzel’s heart swelled with a feeling she’d never known before. The warmth of the lights, the gentle rocking of the boat, the way Eugene looked at her—not with mischief, not with an ulterior motive, but with something deeper, something real.
Eugene watched as Rapunzel reached out, her fingertips brushing the glow of a passing lantern. The light illuminated her face, making her golden hair shimmer like the lanterns above. And in that moment, something shifted inside him. The crown, the satchel, his old dreams… none of it mattered. She was his new dream.
Rapunzel turns around , and sees him, Eugene, holding two lanterns , while he smirks. But not that typical Flynn Rider smirk, but rather a warm smile , that is not proud of whatever gold or jewelry he had stolen , but one that is proud of Rapunzel.
"I have something for you too" Rapunzel pulls out Eugene's satchel and shows it to him. However, instead of taking it with excitement or relief, he just looks ... confused. That satchel , that crown, they don't mean anything to him anymore.
"I should have given it to you before, but I was just scared. And the thing is, I'm not scared anymore. You know what I mean?" Eugene gently pushes the satchel aside, his cheeks slightly blushing, and he smiles softly. He now feels, he KNOWS that the crown won't fulfill his dream and goals , not anymore. He now has a new dream, and that dream is right in front of him, smiling at him with those big green eyes. Eugene and Rapunzel gently release the 2 lanterns, both rising into the sky, together.
"I'm starting to."
The young man with the goatee looks up at the lanterns he and Rapunzel just launched into the sky, before seeing her again. Her eyes light up when another lantern passes by, and she gently pushes it into the sky, lightened by the lanterns.
He sees her, he sees how her happiness , her smile lights up the world , his world. She's the most beautiful thing he has ever seen.
Their hands found each other naturally, fingers intertwining as if they had always meant to. Eugene felt his heartbeat quicken as she turned to face him, emerald eyes reflecting the soft glow of the lanterns. He had been blind before, chasing fleeting dreams of wealth and freedom, but now… now he saw everything clearly . And Rapunzel? She noticed how he looked at her, the way his cheeks blushed, how his full attention was on her and her alone, and not on his satchel or even the lanterns. That look was something she had never seen before on another person, but for some reason felt much more warm and intimate than anything Gothel had done for her.
Pascal, sitting nearby, turned a deep shade of red and tried (and failed) to avert his gaze.
Eugene swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Their faces were so close now—closer than ever before.
And then, finally, he leaned in.
But before he gets to kiss her, a familiar figure is seen in the distance.
Notes:
Unironically,I had a bit of trouble where to place "I see the light",because I was also planning to add it in a much later chapter.
But this is honestly such a key moment that I just couldn't just skip it.
So yeah,i'll see what I do about that.
I hope that you've enjoyed this chapter,feel free to give any feedback!!
Chapter 3: A New dream
Summary:
After sharing a magical moment beneath the floating lanterns, Eugene steps away to settle unfinished business with the Stabbington brothers—unaware that the twins already have a plan of their own. A plan that could change everything.
Notes:
At last, It's finally here. Apologies for taking such a long time compared to the others and if this chapter seems longer than the previous ones 😭
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Eugene’s gaze lingers on the darkened shore, his body going still as his eyes lock onto two familiar figures. The Stabbington Brothers. His stomach twists. He knows exactly why they were here, and he knows it wasn’t good.
"Is… everything okay?"
She follows his gaze, turning slightly to look over her shoulder—but there is nothing there. Just the quiet, empty shoreline
Rapunzel’s voice pulled him back.
"Huh?" He blinks, snapping out of his thoughts. When she turned back to Eugene, she caught the tension in his posture, the way his jaw had tightened just for a moment before he forced a brief easy smile.
"Oh, yes! Uh, heh. Yes, of course. I just…" He hesitates, mind racing. He couldn’t let them come near her. He has to handle this alone. He dips the oars into the water, steering the boat back towards the shore. He gets out of the boat and picks up the satchel.
"I’m sorry. Everything is fine. There’s just something I have to take care of."
Rapunzel hesitates, watching him carefully. For a fleeting moment, her gaze flickers toward the satchel at his side. But then, she pushes aside the doubt. She trusts him.
She smiles softly. "Okay."
That simple word, the unwavering trust in her eyes, made him feel relief.
Eugene nods. “I’ll be right back.”
As he walks away, Pascal lets out a low-pitched squeak. The chameleon’s wide eyes dart to Eugene, and how tense the young man looks. "It’s alright, Pascal," Rapunzel reassures her little friend, though she, too, couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Nearby, perched on a rock, Sideburns Stabbington runs a wooden stick against a knife, sharpening the point with slow, deliberate strokes. The rhythmic scraping filled the night air.
Eugene forced a grin as he approached. "Ah, there you are! Heh, I've been searching everywhere for you guys since we got separated." His tone carried a forced lightness—not to ease the tension, but to mask his unease.
Sideburns doesn't react, his only response is the continued scrape of wood against steel.
Eugene presses on. "Hey, the sideburns are coming in nice, huh? Gotta be excited about that." He gestures vaguely, hoping for some semblance of humor to break through.
Nothing.
The redheaded thug stops sharpening, finally meeting Eugene’s gaze with a dark, unreadable scowl.
Clearing his throat, Eugene drops the act. "Anyhow, just wanted to say—I shouldn't have split. The crown is all yours." He reaches for the satchel, tossing it toward Sideburns. The bag landed on the ground with a dull thud, the golden crown tumbling out.
"I'll miss ya, but I think it's for the—"
He turns, only to collide with something solid—no, someone."
Patchy.
"Best…"
The word dies in his throat as the second Stabbington brother looms over him.
Sideburns finally speaks, resuming his slow, deliberate sharpening. "Holding out on us again, eh, Ryder?"
Eugene’s pulse quickens. "What?"
"We heard you found something." His voice is smooth and dangerous. "Something much more valuable than a crown."
Sideburns tosses the knife aside, stepping past the crown without a glance. With a lazy, almost bored kick, he sends the treasure rolling into the dirt.
He stopped in front of Eugene, his smirk changing into a scowl.
"We want her… instead."
Eugene’s breath hitched. No. No, no, no. This can't be happening. They weren’t supposed to know about her. They weren’t supposed to care.
Before he can react, Patchy’s grip on his arms tightens like a vice, pinning him in place.
"Wait—"
The first punch slams into his gut.
"Agh —!" Eugene chokes, his knees nearly buckling. The pain exploded through him, sharp and unforgiving.
Another hit. And another.
He swears that even Maximus’s hoof to the gut had hurt less than this—and that was something he should be scared of.
He gasps, struggling against Patchy’s iron hold. "Wait—plea—"
The last thing he sees is Sideburns’s fist swinging toward his face before everything goes black.
Rapunzel waits for him to return, and she’s relieved to see his figure in the distance. She lets out a relieved sigh.
“I was starting to think you ran off with the crown and left me” Even Pascal exhales in relief .. But then, the masculine silhouette splits into 2. Rapunzel’s smile fades away and her eyes widen as 2 taller redheaded men appear instead of the handsome brunette.
Sideburns smirks cruelly. "He did."
"What? No. He wouldn't", Rapunzel responds to the twins with conviction. She had no idea who these men were—but they had no idea who they were talking about.
See for yourself," says the tall red-haired man, pointing with an open palm to a boat sailing off.
"Eugene?" Rapunzel steps forward, her breath catching as she peers toward the water—only to see Eugene, unmistakably, in the boat.
"EUGENE!" she cries out—part shock, part desperate hope that he might hear her, that he might turn back.
"Fair trade," Sideburns drawls, smirking. "A crown… for the girl with the magic hair."
Rapunzel spins around, heart pounding.
How much do you think someone will pay to stay young and healthy forever?" The Stabbington sibling says in a dark tone as he pulls out an empty sack. Rapunzel stumbles back, pleading.
"No, please. No!"
"NO!" She sprints, heart, hammering, before— yank!—her braid snags on a low-hanging branch. She desperately tries to pull her braid away from the branch in the trunk, this whole thing was like a living nightmare, and she just wanted to wake up. Then—THUD. THUD. Silence. A familiar feminine voice calls her name “RAPUNZEL!!”
Rapunzel stumbles back onto the scene—only to find the two redheaded men sprawled unconscious on the ground. And standing over them… was her mother.
"Oh, my precious girl!" Gothel cries, arms wide open. Rapunzel doesn’t hesitate—she rushes into her embrace. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Gothel’s hands flutter over her, but her fingers linger on Rapunzel’s hair before she even looks at her face.
“Mother,h-how did you-“ Rapunzel tries to ask her how she managed to find her, but is interrupted by Gothel herself.
"I was so worried about you, dear," Gothel breathes. "So I followed you, my friend Dorian here helped me find you. And I saw them attack you, and—" She pulls Rapunzel into another hug.
"Let's go, let's go before they come too!"
Before she can move, her eyes flicker toward the water—and there, drifting further and further away is the boat. Eugene’s boat. Her chest tightens, and her heart… just shatters.
Dorian steps closer, his voice low, almost gentle. "I took him in when he had nowhere to go, you know." He sighs, shaking his head. "I know who he is, Rapunzel. Whatever he told you, whatever he made you believe—it was never real. Just another one of his games."
Rapunzel doesn’t move. Doesn’t even turn to look at Dorian. She just stares at the boat, her mind whirling. The way Eugene held her hands. The way he looked at her. The way his cheeks flushed when she touched him...Was it all a lie?
She slowly turns to see Gothel, who opens her arms. Her eyes fill with sorrow as she realizes that not only Gothel was seemingly right about Eugene, but that she was the only person she could trust. She breaks into tears as she hugs her mother.
"You were right, Mother..." Rapunzel whispers, a fresh sob wracks her body. "You were right about everything."
Gothel caresses the girl’s hair, while Dorian disappears “I know, Darling. I know…” Gothel says softly as she takes the girl back with her.
Eugene groans, his head throbbing as he blinks into the dim night. Something's wrong. His wrists burn, and his body feels stiff. Then it hits him—thick ropes bind his arms and something heavy tugs at his left hand. He glances down. The crown. Tied to him. Like a curse.
"Uuh...Rapunzel.." His head feels so dizzy, that it takes a few seconds until he remembers what Sideburns Stabbington told him before he was beaten and knocked unconscious. "Rapunzel?!"
He startles and looks around. Unfortunately, two guards who were on night duty quickly recognized the crown, and most importantly—him. Without hesitation, a group of guards gathers and all jump on him.
"No, no, no, no—wait, wait, wait! Guys—guys!" Eugene thrashes, twisting against the grip of four armored men. Hands clamp down on his arms, and his shoulders, shoving him down. He fights harder, panics surging in his chest like fire. "RAPUNZEL!" he cries, his voice raw.
Maximus who was waiting nearby notices his former human rival being taken away by the guards he has always been loyal to, and when he hears Eugene crying out Rapunzel's name, he KNOWS he has to do something.
Eugene walks in circles in the cell, his heart hammering against his ribs. Getting caught had always been his worst fear, ever since he was a street kid running cons. But this? This was different. He’d been arrested before, back in Vardaros. Captain Quaid had been tough, but fair. Corona’s guards? The king himself? There would be no mercy.
Then, the Captain of guards arrives alongside 2 guards.
"Let's get this over with, Rider."
"Where are we going?" The younger man asks, but the captain doesn't say a word, he just frowns at Eugene in silence.
"Oh..." The sound barely escapes his lips. Slowly, his hand drifts to his throat. His fingers brush against his skin, feeling the steady, terrified pulse beneath. His chest tightens. Is this it? Is this how Flynn Rider’s story ends?
Meanwhile, Isla, Eugene's former partner in crime and, well, ex, arrives at Snuggly Duckling. The guards were still after her so she needed to find a hiding place. She was tired from all that walking; all she needed now was rest. She sits on one of the counter's stools and orders some ale. Her story with Eugene is complicated, to say the least. They met back when Eugene was still working with the Baron and had another partner in crime with him. The Baron's daughter, Stalyan.
She didn't fall for him at first, if anything she found his first attempts at flirting and his "smolder" quite annoying. But what mostly bothered her was that he was doing all that while at the same his partnership with Stalyan not only turned into a relationship, but they also were expecting a wedding.
However, as much as that bothered her, she couldn't deny that Eugene—or Flynn as she knew him back then, did have a way with girls just as he claimed he had. The guy knew how to genuinely flirt and drop the act when he needed to. What started as just Flynn Rider trying to get with a woman who wasn't interested in him turned into a friendly yet fiery rivalry. They always tried to outmaneuver each other, always betting on who could pull off the better heist, etc.
She remembers how surprised, and even frustrated he looked when she matched him step for step and even managed to get the upper hand. Soon after stolen glances, and teasing smirks would soon follow. They became friends with benefits, all while he and Stalyan were expecting a wedding. And while Isla knew that he and Stalyan had something, she didn't mind it at first. Isla always knew Flynn Rider was trouble, but damn if he wasn’t fun. One night they were in the heat of the moment: lips crashed together, breathless and reckless, until he’s the one who screws it up.
"Mmm… you sure you wanna keep kissing a man who’s about to get married?" He murmured against her lips, half-teasing, half-cocky.
"You're WHAT?"
Flynn froze. That's when he realized he completely fumbled this. Isla’s face goes from shocked to furious in seconds. He tried to find words, but he couldn't find any.
"You mean to tell me that all this time, you weren’t just some bastard fooling around—you were someone’s fiancé?"
"W-Well, when you put it like that-" He stammered, trying to fix it, but nope. She was pissed. Maybe even hurt, though she wouldn’t admit it at that moment.
"You are going to marry her, Flynn. And you never thought to mention that?"
"Come on, Isla, It isn't that serious-" Flynn tried to charm his way out of it, but Isla was NOT having it. She was furious because she thought she knew him.
"So what was I, Flynn? A distraction? A way to pass the time before your wedding?"
Flynn had no good answer for that. he didn't even try to dodge it. He sighed as he lowered his shoulders and his head.
"My name isn’t Flynn..."
At first, Isla thought it was some sort of attempt to pity him. She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. What, you’re about to tell me some sob story now? That you’re some lost prince? That you don’t really wanna marry her? Spare me, Flynn."
But then, she saw it. The way his smirk was nowhere to be seen, the way his shoulders tensed. That look in his eyes—the kind of pain you don’t just fake. The kind of weight a man carries for years. And for the first time since she met him, Flynn Rider didn’t have a clever comeback. Instead, he left out a slow breath and said:
"My real name...is Eugene Fitzherbert."
It was quiet, almost like a confession. And when he looked at her again, It wasn't with that cocky, smug confidence. It was...raw.
His wedding with Stalyan wasn't an act of love, it was a negotiation. The Baron arranged the engagement between Eugene and Stalyan, while Dorian agreed to “let” Eugene marry Stalyan but ensured that, behind closed doors, Eugene still belonged to him. At some point, Eugene believed that a marriage to Stalyan would give him some freedom. Only to realize it was another cage. Isla helped Eugene escape from Dorian Ravensdale and his deal with the Baron, leaving Stalyan at the altar in the process. He had to go talk with the Baron, maybe there was some kind of deal he could strike with him if it meant he'd finally be free from Dorian Ravensdale. However, even he knew the risk that entailed, and Isla knew that.
"You can’t go back, Eugene. Not now. Not ever. If you do, they’ll never let you go."
Those were Isla’s last words before she parted ways with him. Even now, she could picture the way he had looked at her—half grateful, half conflicted, brown eyes filled with a weariness he rarely let anyone see. She had watched him walk away, not knowing if they’d ever cross paths again.
She smiles to herself, the memory bittersweet—
BANG.
The doors slam open, and a gust of cold air rushes in with a flash of white. A few thugs yelp as a chair topples over. Isla snaps her head toward the entrance just in time to see a large, frantic horse charging inside.
Maximus.
The stallion is not okay. His eyes are wild, hooves stomping hard enough to rattle the floorboards. He neighs loudly, swinging his head as if demanding attention.
"Woah, woah!! Easy!!" Isla throws her hands up as she steps toward him, speaking firmly but calmly. The last thing they need is a panicked palace horse kicking someone across the room.
Maximus snorts but stops stomping, though his ears flick restlessly.
"Okay, okay, what’s with you, horse?" Isla frowns, hands still raised. That’s when she notices it—clutched between his teeth is a wanted poster. Not just any wanted poster. One of Flynn Rider’s many terribly drawn wanted posters.
Maximus jerks his head, pointing toward the door with his snout.
Isla’s stomach clenches.
Wait—Eugene’s in trouble?"
Maximus violently nods.
Isla's brow furrows. "Hold on—you're a royal guard’s horse." Her gaze flicks over his saddle and polished bridle. "Why do you care what happens to—" She stops mid-sentence, breath catching as realization slams into her.
Her eyes dart to the wanted poster again, then back to Maximus.
"You’re not just here for him, are you?" she mutters, more to herself than anyone else. "She’s in trouble too, isn’t she? The blondie."
Maximus snorts and nods—a confirmation. She turns around to leave, but Maximus stops her.
“What?” The Hispanic brunette raises an eyebrow as the stallion points at the snuggly duckling thugs with his snout.
She sighs and takes her palm to her face “Please don’t tell me you want to bring them along” The White equine nods. She sighs, praying he’s not making a mistake.
She turns around and walks to the center of the pub and claps her hands together loud enough for the whole pub to listen to her.
“Excuse the interruption, but if I may ask, I’d like to ask for your help. I need to rescue Flynn Rider”
The pub stays silent for a few seconds. Then, laughter erupts—booming, raucous, and utterly dismissive. A burly man in the corner nearly spits out his ale. Someone else snorts, shaking their head.
"You want us to help Flynn Rider?" Hook Hand leans forward, grinning. He wipes a tear from his eye "Oh, that’s precious."
Isla scowls. "I’m serious."
“What’s wrong? His luck finally ran out?" Vladimir responds with his usual intimidating frown.
“Besides, why should we help him?” Asks a random thug “HIS DREAM SUCKED!!” The pub agrees with him. More laughter. Isla clenches her fists. She knew this was a bad idea.
"Unbelievable," she mutters under her breath.
"Alright, LISTEN!!" She says, raising her voice. "I know the guy’s an ass—believe me, I know. When I first met him, I thought there wasn't anyone as egotistical, selfish, annoying, and Don Juan as him." The brunette woman says with a firm tone.
"And yes, he can still be all those things, but he's more than that. When I saw him again two days ago, he refused to fulfill some girl's innocent dream because it didn't fit his agenda. But then I told him that, if he kept running away from his problems, one day he would also run out of places to go. He listened, and he came back to that tower, for her" The whole pub falls silent. Now, she has their attention.
"And now he's in trouble," she continues, "which means she is too." She looks over at them, frowning but also determined. "So, are you gonna stay here? Or are you gonna come with us and help that girl fulfill her dream?"
The whole pub stares at her, scowls on their faces. Hook Hand slowly approaches her. She didn't fear him, nor anyone in that pub; She was ready to kick as many butts in there and run to whatever dungeons Eugene is being kept in.
"A few days ago, another girl your age came in this place alongside him. She said that her whole life, her most wanted dream was to see the lanterns" Isla's eyes widen. They were here before?
"You got guts, lady. And I like that. What's your name?" Hook Hand asks Isla, his frown softening.
"Isla" She responds cautiously.
"So, Isla—what’s your plan?"
Isla smiles warmly.
Meanwhile, back in the tower, Gothel had taken every flower off of Rapunzel’s hair, taking away the last thing that could serve as a reminder to Rapunzel that she ever had been outside. Gothel tries to cheer the blonde girl by telling her she’s making hazelnut soup, but Rapunzel’s unhappiness is such that she can’t even raise her head to look at Gothel.
“I really did try, Rapunzel. I tried to warn you what was out there. The world is dark, and selfish, and cruel. If it finds even the slightest ray of sunshine…It destroys it.”
Those were her last words before she closed the curtains of Rapunzel’s bedroom. Rapunzel opens her palms and looks at the purple flag with the kingdom’s crest on it that Eugene bought for her back when they were in the city. Eugene Fitzherbert. Flynn Rider. Whatever his name was, he had lied to her. She knew that now—Mother’s friend had said so, and Mother never lied. Mother knows best, right?
…Then why did it feel so wrong?
Pascal leans on her. The small reptile’s color changes from his usual green to a sad blue, to show that he is sad too for her. She tries to smile, but her sorrow is such that her lips barely move.
Something was off here. Back when she and Eugene were at the campfire when she told him about her hair's qualities, its power, why Gothel kept her in the tower for 18 years, and why she never left the tower up until that point, he seemed so concerned about her. There was something in how he looked at her. It was genuine pity.No, more than that. He was…sad for her as if he understood what it felt to have one’s freedom denied.
She flops onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her eyes trace the familiar patterns—until they stop. A shape. A sun. No… many suns. Her breath catches as she pushes herself upright, her heart pounding. How had she never noticed this before?
A memory stirs—blurry figures, a palace, warm voices she doesn’t quite remember. The golden crest of the sun. Her fingers tremble as another image rushes in— the mural in the city, the lost princess’s face.
Blonde hair. Green eyes. The same as hers. And to complete it all, she remembers when she tried on the crown Eugene had stolen when he first arrived at her tower. Her breath quickens. The truth slams into her, heavy, undeniable.
She is the lost princess.
Rapunzel gasps, staggering back. The world tilts—everything she’s ever known shatters around her.
And then, horror strikes her all over again.
Eugene.
In the dungeons of the city of Corona, Eugene is being taken to the gallows.
He’s going to die. And Rapunzel… Rapunzel will be trapped in that tower forever.
No. No, no, no. He can’t let that happen. He won’t.
And then he sees them. The Stabbington Brothers.
Rage floods his veins. His fists clench. His breathing turns sharp. Those BASTARDS.
Before he even realizes what he’s doing, he slams into one guard, then the other. Pain jolts through his skull as he headbutts the second man, but he doesn’t care.
He jumps over his handcuffs. His hands—shackled as they are—somehow find their way to Sideburns Stabbington’s collar, yanking him against the iron bars with enough force to rattle the cell.
"HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT HER?!" Eugene roars. His grip firm on Sideburns’s collar. "TELL ME. NOW!!"
The redheaded man is genuinely shocked. Sure, Rider was cocky, snarky, full of himself, and a bit of an airhead from time to time, but they never saw him lose his temper. Not like this.
"I—It wasn’t us!!" he sputters. "It was the old couple!"
"Old couple?" Eugene’s mind races. His breathing is uneven, his pulse hammering in his throat. And then it hits him.
The blood drains from his face. His stomach twists. The guards grab him before he can ask the brothers more questions.
NO!! WAIT!!" Eugene fights as hard as he can, but the guards wrestle him back. Shackled hands aren’t enough. They shove him forward, ignoring his cries.
"YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!" His voice cracks with desperation. "SHE’S IN TROUBLE!! WAIT!!"
They don’t listen.
They never listen.
And just like that, he’s being dragged toward his execution.
In the tower, Gothel starts wondering why Rapunzel hasn’t come down to eat the hazelnut soup she just made for the girl. The girl begins to agitate in her room, as panic begins to take over. Her chest tightens. The air in the tower feels suffocating, walls closing in on her. This place—it’s not home.
It’s a cage.
It already felt like a prison before she realized what she currently knew, but at least before she had the comfort of knowing that her mother was gonna be there for her. Or so she thought.
"I'm the lost princess..." she says in a low tone, as she comes out of her room. Gothel rolls her eyes. "God. this girl and her mumbling", she thinks.
"Please, speak up Rapunzel. You know how I hate the mumbling"
"I am the lost princess!" The young blonde woman says, raising her tone. "Aren't I ?"
Gothel's eyes widen. She knows. The girl finally knows. No, no, no. That’s impossible. That’s ridiculous. For a split second, her mask slips—just enough for Rapunzel to see the panic in her eyes.
"Did I mumble, mother?" Rapunzel asks with a scowl, one that Gothel has never seen in her before "...Or should I even call you that?"
Then, the older woman recovers. She scoffs, waving a dismissive hand.
"Oh, Rapunzel, do you even hear yourself? Why would you ask such a ridiculous question?" Gothel opens her arms, hoping that Rapunzel would respond positively to a warm embrace, but this time the girl was NOT having it. Now it all made sense: Why she never left the tower, why Eugene suddenly "left her", the twins attempting to kidnap her, and that man Dorian appearing out of nowhere to tell her about Eugene. She pushes Gothel away from her.
"It was you!! It was all you!!"
Gothel looks at her in awe. Rapunzel has never acted this way with her. The older woman frowns in disapproval and annoyance, but mostly annoyance. "Everything I did was to protect you."
Rapunzel can't stand it anymore, she doesn't want to hear any more of Gothel's lies. Not anymore. She pushes Gothel out of her way and walks away from the woman she once saw as her loving mother.
"I spent my entire life—hiding from people who would use me for my power..."
"RAPUNZEL!!" Gothel calls her out, not believing the young woman's insolence.
"...when I should have been hiding...from you!!"
"Where will you go? He won't be there for you" Gothel says with a scowl, referring to Eugene. Rapunzel's look softens in worry. Where did Gothel send him to? Where was that boat heading to?
"What did you do to him?" Rapunzel asks with concern. She thought of asking Gothel who Dorian was, but there just wasn't time for that. She needs to know what is gonna happen to Eugene.
"That criminal is to be hanged for his crimes" Unfortunately, Gothel was right. Just as they were speaking, Eugene was being taken to the gallows to be hanged for his crimes as Flynn Rider.
Rapunzel gasps in horror, she feels her heart aching from just imagining Eugene dying in such a dreadful way. "no.."
"Now, now. It's alright. Listen to me. All of this is as it should be..." Gothel tries to pat Rapunzel's head, but out of a sudden, the young woman grabs Gothel's hand with a strong grip.
"NO!! You were wrong about the world. And you were wrong about me! And I will NEVER let you use my hair AGAIN!!"
Gothel looks in shock as she tries to free herself from Rapunzel's grasp. This anger, this rebellion against her. She had never seen Rapunzel this way. Ever. Gothel stumbles back. A sickening CRASH echoes through the tower as the mirror shatters, shards splintering across the floor. For years, Gothel has admired herself in that mirror. Smoothed back her curls. Adjusted her cloak. Practiced her gentle, motherly smiles.
Now, the reflection is in pieces.
Just like the life she built.
Rapunzel can’t stay in here any other second. She needs to find Eugene, and she needs to do it now. For the first time in Rapunzel’s life, Gothel stops pretending.
Her face darkens. The warmth is gone. The motherly smiles, the gentle voice, the soft caresses—all gone.
Her next words come out like a hiss.
“You want me to be the bad guy? Fine. Now I’m the bad guy…”
Gothel murmurs in a low, dangerous tone.
Back in the dungeons, Eugene is taken to the gallows. This is the last corridor before they reach the location that'll be the last thing the handsome young thief sees. He struggles even to this moment, but the guards hold him in place. Even while he is being taken to his demise, his heart can't help but ache at the idea that not only he won't see Rapunzel again, but that she won't be the last thing he'll see. He fears for her well-being, because if Dorian has been working with her mother all this time, what are the chances he won't try to take advantage of her?
Before he can even finish that thought, his attention is brought to a single, small ceramic unicorn placed nearby. All nearby doors are slammed shut.
"WHAT'S THIS?!" The Captain asks furiously and confused, before proceeding to bang the wooden door "OPEN UP!!"
The window is slid open, but instead of a guard, Shorty of the Snuggly Duckling answers, much to everyone's confusion.
"What's the password?" The old short man asks before sliding the window close again.
"What?" The Captain is confused. What is going on?
"Nope" the shorter man keeps denying them to pass.
"OPEN THIS DOOR!!" The captain demands in anger.
"Not even close!!" Responds Shorty. The Captain doesn't have time for this crap.
"YOU HAVE 3 SECONDS!!"He responds firmly "ONE!!" From the ceiling, a hook takes the first guard to Eugene's left. "TWO!!" A big burly hand takes the guard to Eugene's right. The young man with the dark turquoise vest is confused and even a bit shocked.
"THREE...?" The captain turns around, and to his surprise and confusion, only Eugene is standing. The younger man smirks at him, as the door behind the captain opens. BANG! The captain falls to the ground, all thanks to Attila and a trusty frying pan.
"Frying pans!! Who knew, right?" Answers a grinning Eugene, before Isla steps from behind Attila with a warm smile.
"Isla!" For a moment, Eugene almost didn't believe what he was seeing—Isla, in the dungeons, here to save him? "Did you-"
Before the Hispanic brunette could explain herself and the plan, a group of guards behind them took down the door. "RUN!!" she grabs Eugene's hand and with Attila, they run away from the guards following them, who are quickly taken out thanks to a clever tactic of Ulf the mime, and Vladimir.
Eugene, Isla, Hook Hand, and Attila all arrive at the gallows yard. Hundreds of guards run to them, but Hook Hand quickly picks up Eugene and places him to his right.
“Head down” commands the bald bulky man.
“Head down” follows Eugene
“Arms in?”
“Arms in”
“Knees apart”
“Knees apa-“ Eugene stops his thought “Knees apart?” The younger man asks confused. “Why do I need to keep my knees apa-“
Before he can even finish the sentence, Eugene is launched into the air thanks to Vladimir jumping on the opposite side of the kart Eugene was placed without consent by Hook Hand. The group of thugs and Isla all smile proud that the plan has worked.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!” the brunette man screams mid-air. He closes his eyes, expecting a painful landing, but to his surprise, he lands safely on Maximus’s saddle.
“Max…You brought them here?” The horse smirks with confidence.
“Thank you…” Eugene says, moved by what his former equine rival has just done for him. Max nods nonchalantly.
“No, really…Thank you, uh...I feel maybe this whole time we’ve just been misunderstanding one another, and we’re really just-“ The stallion raises an eyebrow.
“Yeah, you’re right. We should go”
Three guards appear behind them, raising their crossbows. Eugene barely has time to react before—whoosh, whoosh—arrows whiz past them. Maximus dodges effortlessly, weaving between them with the precision of a trained warhorse. Eugene notices a large group of guards coming to their right, blocking their exit. Their only sane exit at least.
“Max?” The stallion keeps running, not stopping nor considering to. “Max!” Eugene begins to panic, and at the last second, the white equine makes a dangerous jump. “MAX!!”
The horse jumps over the castle’s walls to the roof of one of the city’s many houses. Max jumps over the head of a small redheaded girl and to the city’s streets, who looks in awe. The people look in shock and confusion as they see the white stallion and the brunette man with the dark turquoise vest pass by at high speed.
“Ok, Max. Let’s see how fast you can run” Eugene says with determination, his heart pumping fast. The horse neighs as it speeds up. The duo leaves the city behind them as they venture to the Woods of Corona. Their destination? Rapunzel’s tower.
Eugene and Maximus arrive at the hidden tower’s location. The sky becomes grey, as dark clouds block the clear sunlight. The moment Eugene gets off of Maximus, he runs towards the tower.
"RAPUNZEL?!" Eugene calls out the blonde young woman's name but receives no answer. "Please answer," he thinks, his heart beating with deep worry. "RAPUNZEL, LET DOWN YOUR HAIR!!"
She is not answering. Without thinking twice, he begins to climb the tower, brick by brick. But then he hears the sound of the Tower's window opening. The girl's long golden hair is released out of the window, and for a second, Eugene feels relieved. She heard him. He begins to climb up by using her hair as a rope; He can't wait to see her, to hug her, to resume that kiss that was left interrupted back in that boat.
"Rapunzel, I thought I'd never see you again!!" He says, hoping that she'll run to his arms. But to his horror, the image is much more horrifying. His smile disappears, his eyes widen, and his relief turns into horror as he sees her, Rapunzel, chained like some wild animal and gagged with a piece of white cloth. Her green eyes, the same eyes he remembered filled with excitement, joy, and love, are now filled with panic. She tries to call out his name through the gag. But without expecting it, and to Rapunzel's horror, Gothel appears behind him and stabs him in the abdomen. A sharp, searing pain tears through his stomach. The world spins as his legs give out beneath him. He doesn’t even register hitting the floor—only the warmth of his blood pooling beneath him.
Eugene falls to the floor, and Rapunzel desperately calls out his name while gagged. Gothel, on the other hand, scowls as she looks at the younger man on the floor with disgust, her knife stained with his blood. To hell with her deal with Dorian, he won't mind it either way. After all, he didn't seem worried when his precious Flynn Rider was taken in by the royal guard.
“Now, look what you’ve done, Rapunzel” Gothel says with cruelty, as she vaguely gestures to the stabbed young man.
“Oh, don’t worry dear. Our secret will die with him” Rapunzel tries to reach him, as he doubles over in pain.
“And as for us, heh” Gothel walks behind the girl and grabs her chains. “We are going where no one will ever find you AGAIN”
Rapunzel cries out Eugene’s name, while Pascal, who was hiding nearby, tries to intervene, but the woman notices the small reptile biting off her dress, she cruelly kicks him, his little body hitting a wooden pillar.
Gothel pulls Rapunzel to the hidden trapdoor of the tower. Despite being at a disadvantage, the blonde uses every strength in her to get Gothel off of her.
"RAPUNZEL, REALLY!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!" Gothel tightens her grip over the chains and pulls harder "STOP FIGHTING ME!!"
At the last moment, the gag on Rapunzel's mouth comes off, and she manages to back away from the woman who she used to call 'mother'.
"NO!! I WON'T STOP!!" the blonde responds while she gasps for air "FOR EVERY MINUTE OF THE REST OF MY LIFE I WILL FIGHT"
Despite being chained against her will, despite that the odds are against her, Rapunzel refuses to be Gothel's victim. She refuses to let herself keep being played by this woman.
"I WILL NEVER STOP TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM YOU!!"
But Eugene’s bleeding, agonizing. His face is pale, his body trembling. She can’t risk herself to lose him.
“But..” Rapunzel pants, her cheeks red from her struggle with Gothel “If you let me save him…I will go with you..”
“No!” Eugene looks at her—weak, but still trying to reach her.his fingers dig into the floor as if trying to get her. Eugene’s vision blurs as another wave of pain burns through his gut. His fingers tremble, struggling to grip the hard floor. He feels like he’s slipping—like his body is giving up on him before he’s ready. He feels a pang in his heart. “No, Rapunzel!!”
“I’ll never run, I’ll never try to escape. Just let me heal him, and you and I will be together. Forever!! Just like you want. Everything will be the way it was. I promise…”
Pascal, still recovering from Gothel’s kick, feels his little chameleon heart aching at what his best friend is offering to the wicked Gothel.
“Just like you want…” Rapunzel repeats. If sacrificing her freedom means saving him…then so be it. “Just…let me…heal him…”
Gothel on the other hand, remains highly skeptical about this poor attempt of a deal. Her eyes are cold and ruthless. But regardless, she accepts. She proceeds to release Rapunzel from her chains and instead chains Eugene to a wooden pillar of the tower. She doesn't understand what Dorian and Rapunzel saw in him. But what's very clear to her, is that she doesn't want to see his stupid face around Rapunzel ever again. He should have stuck around the people of his class rather than pursue some foolish love story.
"In case you get any ideas about following us" Gothel threatens the agonizing younger man, securing his handcuffs.
"E-Eugene!!" Rapunzel holds his face and checks his wound. Gothel stabbed him very deep in his abdomen, and the blood had stained both his shirt and his vest. Eugene groans, coughs, and whimpers in agony, and the mere touch of Rapunzel makes him jolt in pain a little.
“Oh, I’m so sorry! Everything is gonna be ok, though” She tries to reassure him as she tries to wrap her hair around his wound.
"No, Rapunzel!" Eugene pleads to her while trying to push away her hand the best he can. "I promise, you have to trust me" she continues to reassure him. He can't allow her to do this. She can't throw her freedom away for someone like Flynn Rider, for someone like him.
"No.." At this point he isn't sure what hurts the most; His stomach, or the agony that would be losing her. With a heavy heart, he looks at her, his pain reflected in his eyes. "I can't let you do this..."
"And I can't let you die..." Rapunzel can't allow herself to leave that tower while his life is fading away.
“But if you do this…then you..will die..” Eugene struggles to even make a sentence. She gently holds his face.
“Hey…” She murmurs softly “It’s gonna be alright..”
Eugene feels like he’s using all of his willpower to not shed a single tear, he doesn’t want her to see how much this is hurting him. Regardless of what’s going to happen, this may be the last time they’ll see each other. He remembers what they’ve been through together these last 2 days: Their first encounter, The Snuggly Duckling, the lanterns. He remembers the campfire and how she opened up to him about her hair’s qualities, and what happens to said hair once cut.
“Rapunzel…” She opens her mouth to begin singing the healing incantation, but he interrupts her. If this is it, he wants to go looking at those beautiful green eyes without any hair getting in the way. “Wait…”
He gently moves her hair out of her face. His vision swims, but he forces himself to focus—just one more act, one final gift. For her. And while grabbing a nearby sharp piece of glass, and using the last of strength he has, cuts Rapunzel’s hair short, giving her his last gift for her: freedom.
“Eugene!!Wha-“ Rapunzel looks in shock as she touches her now short brunette hair. Gothel’s face goes pale in pure horror, as she sees what he has just done.
"NO!!" The girl's 70 feet of golden blonde shifts to a dark brown. The older woman clings to the hair, but it's all useless. "Oh no...NO!!" Her skin wrinkles and becomes pale. And her hair, once beautiful curly black hair turns white.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" the woman asks with fury to the younger couple. To Eugene for cutting her hair, and to Rapunzel for not stopping him from cutting it. Her real age and appearance are now revealed. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"
"NO!!" She runs to the shattered mirror to see herself, but instead of a gorgeous woman, she only sees the decaying old witch she had avoided for so long. "NO..."
Her disgust at her elderly appearance is such that she tightly pulls on the hood of her cloak over her head. She stumbles backward, to the window specifically. Pascal, noticing this, grabs Rapunzel’s cut hair with his mouth, making the elderly woman trip and fall out of the window “AH-“
Despite all those lies, despite stabbing Eugene and leaving him to die, Rapunzel extends her arms to Gothel. Because she still has fond memories with that woman, at some point, she truly believed she was her mother.
Regardless, Gothel falls out of the tower, screaming while falling. But when reaches the ground, only her cloak and dust are left. She’s gone.
The brunette girl tries to assimilate what just happened. Mother—No. Gothel is gone. Her eyes drift to Eugene and immediately holds his limp body. “No, no, no, no, no.Eugene?”
Her voice filled with worry and panic. Eugene barely manages to cough. Rapunzel’s breath agitates as she holds his head.
“No..” Her voice becomes more desperate “Look at me, look at me. I’m right here” She frantically caresses his face “Don’t go, stay with me Eugene!!”
She grabs his hand and puts it on her head, hoping that some of her magic is still in there. “Flower gleam and glow, let your…” Her eyes water and become red, and her voice cracks “Power shine…” He can’t go. Not like this.
He can barely open his eyes. Hearing her voice, her sheer distress. He doesn’t want to see her like this. “Rapunzel…” He barely manages to speak.
“Make the clock reverse..” She’ll sing, and she’ll keep singing until that wound goes away. Her desperation is clear in the way she sings the incantation
. “Hey..” Eugene’s eyes fill with tears. Seeing her break like this is just breaking his heart. He weakly tries to reach for her one last time.
“Bring back what once was mine..” Her heart beats fast as tears threaten to run down her face.
“Rapunzel…” Before he leaves, there’s one last thing he has to say. One last confession.
“What?” she asks with a sob.
“You were my new dream…” He murmurs, his eyes closing. His words feel like a dagger in the brunette girl’s heart.
“And you were mine..”
It destroys her how it took all this time to realize that a future where she’s free isn’t a future she wants to be in if he is not in it. Despite the short time they’ve spent together, Eugene feels like he can finally part, knowing that not only she is free, but that she knows that his newest goal, his new dream…was her. His breath hitches, like maybe—just maybe—he’s holding on. But then… nothing. His eyes close and his last breath comes out of his mouth.
He’s gone.
Everything feels grey around her. With unshed tears in her eyes, she holds his face, one last time.
“Heal what has been hurt…Change the fates’ design..” How she wishes he had known sooner that he wasn’t just ‘a friend’. ‘Thank you’ falls too short for everything she wishes to tell him. She loves him. She knows that now, and she doesn’t know what she’ll do without his jokes, his sarcasm, his smile, his…love. A thief loved her more than the woman who raised her for 18 years.
“Save what has been lost…Bring back what once was mine…”
She hugs his body and presses her forehead to his ‘Please come back to me, Eugene..’ she thinks as she feels the warmth of his body fading from his skin.
“What once was mine..”
One single tear drops into Eugene’s lifeless body, as Rapunzel cries with sorrow.
Everything around her goes muffled. She can’t hear anything other than her own sobs.
His skin immediately absorbs her tear, and a faint golden light briefly shines.
From the wound of his corpse, tendrils of light that resamble her now lost golden hair begin to surround the main room of the tower.
Rapunzel looks in awe, but also in confusion. The Sundrop flower shines in the center of all, Eugene’s stab wound. The lights, and the flower fade away inside the wound. She swears, and just for a moment, she hears the sound of chimes—like the sundrop itself is whispering goodbye.
The young brunette woman gently touches the place where the wound used to be. All of the blood had disappeared. Wait.
Without wasting a second, Rapunzel leans closer to check if Eugene is breathing.
He slowly opens his eyes. He takes a sharp inhale, like air is returning to lungs that forgot how to work.
“…Rapunzel?”
The former blonde’s face lights up and lets out a very brief, small gasp “Eugene” she whispers.
He inhales softly as he takes in her new look. Where did he see that hair color before? Oh, right. Stalyan, Isla, and now Rapunzel.
“Did I ever tell you I’ve got a thing for brunettes?” He says with a soft smirk.
“EUGENE!!” She gasps in pure happiness as she throws herself into his arms.
She hugs him as tight she can, and he does the same as he sits up. He holds her tightly with his left arm. He doesn’t want to let her go, because he fears that if he lets her go, he’ll lose her again.
She breaks from the hug to see his face. He’s here, he’s really here. His face lights up with a smile. After what they’ve been through, all those interruptions, she isn’t wasting more time. She pulls him into a kiss that catches him off guard. Her lips crash against his, cutting through whatever thoughts he might have had. Finally.
He returns the kiss, and for a moment he feels the world has shifted. Again.
The couple doesn’t waste any time and leave the tower through the tower’s trapdoor. They return to the kingdom, hoping that 1: The King and Queen will recognize them, and 2: That the royal guard won’t try to take Eugene in again. Thankfully, and thanks to Max’s help, Eugene and Rapunzel are welcomed into the castle. The palace guards quickly alert Frederic and Arianna: they’ve found her.
At first, Arianna approaches the girl with caution and is even confused. Could it be her? But then, she sees Rapunzel’s eyes. She has her eyes. The queen’s eyes water at the same time as Rapunzel’s, and the two embrace each other with no hesitation.
Frederic’s eyes water and also joins the hug. Their girl is finally home. The 3 of them kneel on the floor while still hugging.
Eugene on the other hand, is just happy to see that they’re all together again. Arianna extends her hand to him, and to his own surprise, he is taken into the embrace. Eugene barely has time to register what’s happening before he’s pulled into the warmth of their embrace. He’s never been held like this before. Not by a family. Not like… this.
Eugene:
Well…you can imagine what happened next.
The kingdom rejoiced. For the Lost Princess had returned. The party lasted an entire week, and honestly, I don’t remember most of it.
Dreams came true all over the place. Hook Hand went on to become the most famous concert pianist in the world!! If you can believe it.
And Big Nose…well, he eventually found true love.
With the acceptance of Hook Hand and the rest of the Snuggly Duckling crew, Isla became the Snuggly Duckling’s newest bartender—always ready to lend a hand, pour a drink, and break up the occasional bar fight. What can I say? The place has character.
Thanks to Maximus, crime in the kingdom disappeared almost overnight.
Rapunzel: And also, thanks to someone here we all know.
Eugene: Ok, ok. Let’s leave that story for much later.
Pascal…never changed.
At last, Rapunzel was home, and she finally had a real family.
She was a princess worth waiting for.
Beloved by all, she led her kingdom with all the grace and wisdom that her parents did before her.
And as for me, well. I started going by Eugene again, stopped thieving, and basically turned it all around
Rapunzel: Eugene...
Eugene: What? That was a great ending.
Rapunzel: You know that’s not the end.
Eugene: Oh, come on, let me have this one!
Rapunzel: Now, I know what you’re all thinking.
Yes, Eugene and I did get married, but make no mistake
Getting to the wedding day, and living our happily ever after would be the biggest adventure we would ever face.
Notes:
I am so relieved that this chapter is finally finished, and I'm so excited to begin working on chapter 4!!
I can't wait to finally introduce the characters from TTS, especially Cassandra.
I hope you guys enjoy, let me know if there's anything I can improve!!
Chapter 4: The Tangled Years: Part 1
Summary:
Six months after leaving the tower, Eugene and Rapunzel's lives would change forever when they met Cassandra, a brave young woman with the spirit of a knight, assigned to be Rapunzel's lady-in-waiting.
Notes:
This is the first part of many that will adapt Tangled: The Series, and each of its seasons. A few episodes, like Once a Handmaiden and Plus Est En Vous, will be adapted as their own chapters.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Eugene: This is the story of how I died…and went to HEAVEN!!
Haha, okay, so the Kingdom of Corona, to be exact, but hey, let’s not get hung up on semantics. So, 6 months passed after Lost Princess Rapunzel returned to the kingdom with arguably the world’s most dramatic haircut. Her coronation as an official princess was getting near.
Life was good!! Really good, until a certain Lady-in-waiting came into our lives.
Rapunzel: Eugene…
Eugene: Alright, Alright. It was still good even after Cass came into our lives, but we can’t deny that she and I had a rocky start.
Anyway, the Welcoming Ceremony had arrived, and Rapunzel…well…she was busy.
It was a whole new world for her. There were new customs, new rules, new names to remember, and Madame Ice Demon following her everywhere like a shadow. Heck, Rapunzel and I couldn’t even have a private moment together without her coming out of nowhere! -sighs-
Anyway,moi on the other hand? I was happy, excited, even! The royal banquet was finally here. And despite Cassandra having me sit at the children’s table, I didn’t let that stop me. I couldn’t wait anymore, I needed to ask her. That night was to celebrate the princess, and I, for one, couldn’t think of a better way to do it than to propose to her.
From the moment I first met her and she knocked me out with that frying pan, I knew it was love. She’s my light. She’s my best friend, and I wanted to be her partner in all things. I couldn’t wait to laugh with her and share with her…But I guess that wasn’t the right moment to take that step.
-sigh-
Anyway, while I tried to cover up for Rapunzel’s absence in the castle- Because yes, Rapunzel sneaked out of the castle that night WITH Cassandra, mind you- she and Cass went beyond the Corona walls to explore what was out there. That’s where they found these strange, sharp black rocks, exactly where the magic golden flower that once healed the queen was found. Rapunzel touched one of the rocks and, surprise, surprise! Her blonde hair grew back, as long as it used to be, and was immune to all sharp objects and damage.
I was so upset that Rapunzel had to keep something from me once I found out that her hair had grown back, but I told myself it was okay, that she needed space, that I needed to trust her. And I do. I do… but that didn’t stop that nagging feeling in my gut. A feeling I chose to ignore. Because come on—what was the worst that could happen?
Anyway, her coronation finally arrived, and it didn’t end quite as everyone thought it would. Lady Caine, the leader of a pirate gang I once knew back in my days as Flynn Rider, interrupted Rapunzel’s coronation and took all of the royals in. Thankfully, Blondie, Dragon Lady, and I were there to save the day.
That was the first of the many adventures that awaited us for the years to come. And while I didn’t understand why she said no, I promised her to take things slowly and do everything I could until I could.
Oh, and you might be wondering: What happened to Dorian?
Well, I’d love to say that all my demons stayed in the past, but this one in particular? He disappeared without a trace the very moment Rapunzel’s return to the royal family became public.
“Hey, promise me one more thing.”
Rapunzel asked with uncertainty. But not about their love, because she loves him with all her heart. But after what happened those last few days, she needed to know if he was willing to follow her in this new stage of her life and if he was willing to wait for her until she was ready.
“Anything.”
Eugene responded, his eyes softened.
“That you’ll be patient with me...”
There was a whole world out there she hadn’t met before. And she swore she was going to get there, but she needed to know if he was willing to be alongside her, regardless of what the future held for them.
“Absolutely.”
He smiled softly, gently moving his hand to the blonde’s right cheek, before they gave each other a warm kiss.
Dorian Ravensdale is gone…right?
That was the main question that tormented Eugene’s mind for a good number of weeks ever since Rapunzel’s return.
Ever since finding out that the Ravensdales had disappeared from Corona, the young man couldn’t help but feel uneasy at the idea that one day, the man who tormented him for so many years would return. But then weeks passed, and…nothing. No unwanted surprises, no attacks of any kind to him or the royal family. Nothing.
That man was gone, and Eugene? Eugene finally had the life that he had dreamed of ever since he was a boy. A castle in which he was allowed to live, and tasty food. Heck, now he even could afford to get a manicure and maintain his hair in perfect condition at a proper hair salon ( Not that it needed any fixing, but what sin was there in attempting to maintain it the way he liked it?).
And the best of all? He was alongside the woman he loved: Rapunzel. For the first time in his life, he could finally relax. And so he did. He allowed himself to relax, crack jokes, and make smart comments more often; to be as silly and vain as he wanted to be because, for the first time in his life, he finally had all of what he ever wanted.
Unfortunately for Cassandra, this was the Eugene she met. For her, he was insufferably vain, totally unserious, and incapable of taking anything seriously, always trying to piss her off, an overall idiot, and a LONG etc. What Rapunzel ever saw in him was something she asked herself night after night.
However, despite his dislike for Cass’s attitude towards him and mutual dislike for her, not everything was fighting and rude comments. When Eugene decided to apply for royal guard and struggled to pass the tests of training ( Mainly due to The Captain of The guards sabotaging him while also making the tests harder for him) Cassandra herself not only was impressed by how he was doing at the training tests so far, but also encouraged him to go on.
“You know, for someone who spent most of his life breaking the rules to get what he wants, you’re having an awful lot of trouble dealing with someone who is breaking the rules to get what he wants.”
Her words alone inspired him not only to continue but to pass the final test the only way he knew: If the captain were bending the rules and making it harder for him, then he’d just have to adapt to them. In the end, he passed the final and became a probationary trainee as a royal guard, much to Cassandra’s approval and the Captain’s dislike.
Unfortunately, his spot as trainee guard didn’t last, but thanks to him discovering an art thief and capturing said thief with some help from Cassandra, he managed to get a spot as an instructor for the royal guard and as a consultant.
However, this, of course, wouldn’t stop their fights. At some point later on, Rapunzel herself was forced to develop a game that would force Eugene and Cass to work together, locking them up in one of the dungeon’s cells in the process.
“Some game, huh?” He asked while both were lying on their beds in the cell. His eyes drifted to the cell’s ceiling and stone walls. Damn, this was getting boring.
“Yup.” The black-haired young woman replied with a blank face before she closed her eyes. As Eugene’s eyes turned to her, his mind drifted to the day he tried to apply as a royal guard. She believed in him during the training tests, and she believed that he was telling the truth when he tried to warn the captain, Cassandra’s father, that “The Giovanni” whom his guards saw wasn’t the real one. She wasn’t all that bad. Besides, Rapunzel liked her, so it was fair to assume Cass had more than met his eye.
“So, Cass, let me ask you something. What’s your deal?” Eugene asks with a smirk.
“What do you mean?” She raised an eyebrow before looking back at the ceiling again.
“I mean, you know, other than being a venomous cobra woman who has to follow my girlfriend anywhere, I don’t know the first thing about you.”
Part of him wanted to know more about Cass. The love of his life was always hanging out with her, plus they fought side by side when Lady Caine attempted to ruin Rapunzel’s coronation day.
“So?” Her expression remained blank. Knowing how Eugene acted with her, she expected him to come up with the most stupid, eye-rolling, self-centered comment.
“So, as I see it, you always make fun of my past; it’s only fair I know something about yours.” The brunette young man with the goatee said with a smirk. “Plus, we have nothing but time.”
“What do you wanna know?” Cassandra asked, turning her head to see him.
“I don't know, what are your hopes? Your dreams? Is there a venomous cobra man in your life?” Eugene almost chuckled at the thought of Cass dating a man with the same personality traits as her.
“Cobra man?” Cassandra chuckled at Eugene’s question. Probably the first time he had ever heard her laugh at a comment he made. Though she didn’t know what was funnier: The cobra man, or her dating, well, a man. “No. Besides, I…I don’t have time for dreams.”
“ ‘Don’t have time for dreams’?” Her response itself sounded a bit ridiculous to him. His girlfriend managed to win the heart of an entire group of thugs just by asking them if they even had dreams. What did she mean by ‘I don’t have time for dreams’? “Honey, you are hanging out with the wrong princess.”
“My dad taught me at a very young age to focus on the here and now.” This wasn’t new information for Eugene. After all, who else could have taught Cass to dislike him as much as he knew she did?
“Yeah, wow.” His mind drifted to all those years he had crossed The Captain of Corona and his guards. And one specific moment comes to his mind: When he was set up by the Stabbingtons and Gothel to be taken in by the guard. The captain was more than eager to take him to the gallows, and to be honest? He didn’t blame him. Flynn Rider was a criminal, a very good-looking criminal, but a criminal in the end. But while he was being taken to the gallows, Rapunzel was in danger, and the captain was too biased against him to even listen to his pleas.
“Being raised by the Captain of the guards musta been a real treat…”
“He’s a good man, and he taught me a lot.” A soft smile formed on the black-haired young woman’s face. “He showed me how to defend myself, how to take on responsibility, how to earn my keep.” But that smile doesn’t last, as it quickly fades away.
”Besides, I don’t remember my real parents, so I got nothing to compare him to anyway.”
“Yeah, I don’t remember mine either.” He understood that feeling all too well. And for the first time, he allowed himself to take off his emotional mask with someone who wasn’t Rapunzel or Isla. “I used to imagine they were swashbuckling explorers searching the world for treasure, and once they found it, they’d…come back and get me.” Eugene’s eyes and voice softened.
“It’s dumb, I know. How about you?” He tried to brush it off. “I mean, you ever imagine what your parents were like?” He asked with a soft smirk. But the moment Eugene asked the first question, Cass turned to face the stone wall without saying a word, probably trying to hide how much the subject affected her.
“You know what? I don’t really want to discuss this with you, Eugene.” There are things she doesn’t even tell Rapunzel herself. Why would she open up to him out of all people?
“Ok, fine! I’ll just shut up, then.” Eugene was taken aback for a second. For the first time, he was finally opening up to Cassandra, CASSANDRA out of all people, and she just shuts him out like that.
Just when he was starting to feel he could finally trust her in something he only shared with very few people. He frowned before he sat on the bed and looked at her.
“You know, just when I think I start to see a glimmer of a speck of a pinprick of a soul, you flip your ice switch back on”.
Despite being shut down and the Stabbington brothers taking them hostage, Eugene and Cass managed to come out on top with a clever plan using a halberd and one of the sewers’ wooden structures to knock out the redheaded twins.
Rapunzel apologized to Eugene for things getting out of control, and Eugene promised to be “nicer” to Cassandra. Everything turned back to normal. Then Lance returned.
After years in jail, Lance Strongbow had finally been released from prison, and to make things worse, not only did he need Eugene’s help to recover a supposedly lost treasure, but the treasure wasn’t lost at all. It was located in a basement, the Baron’s basement, to top it all off.
“Haha! Wow!” Lance laughed as he put his hands on the stolen treasure. “There’s more gold coins in here than I can COUNT!!” The dark-skinned man said with excitement.
“So there must be more than seven. ” Eugene responded, clearly upset and angry at Lance for lying to him.
“What’s wrong with you?” Lance asked the white, brown-haired young man.
“You duped me! You took advantage of my loyalty!” There was a time when Eugene would have gladly helped Lance steal the treasure back from the Baron. But he wasn’t that man anymore. He wasn’t “Flynn” anymore.
“I wouldn’t say I took advantage, I borrowed it.” Lance mockingly shows his empty hand. “Here, you can have it back.”
“Ok, you know what? We are done, ‘friend’. I don’t want anything to do with you anymore.” The brown-haired white man turned around and sat on the rock he was sitting on previously, but this time with his back turned to Lance.
“Wow. Money has really changed you. ‘Eugene.’ The smirk on Lance’s face quickly disappeared as he crossed his arms. He didn’t see what the big deal was about all of this. Stealing and lying were what they grew up on, and now ‘Eugene’ was being all sensitive about it.
“Yeah, Arnwaldo. I have changed. I am a different person, a better person. But money had nothin’ to do with it.”
Rapunzel would have found out about Eugene’s lie later on, specifically after Eugene realized that a ring that fell from the bag of the stolen treasure once belonged to Queen Arianna herself, which was stolen by Eugene and Lance years ago.
After catching (and knocking out) Eugene and Lance, disguised as thieves attempting to “steal the ring back”. Cassandra, on the other hand, already suspected Lance’s intentions from the start and knew that Eugene, sooner or later, would have helped him. To Eugene’s surprise, Lance admits that he was to blame for what had recently happened. Now, all that was needed to be done for Eugene was to come clean to Arianna.
“Eugene, what you did was deceitful, and by every right, yes, you should come clean to my mom, but…I can’t let you do that.” The blonde’s frown softened.
“Wait, what? Why?” His eyes widened a bit in confusion.
“Because I love you, Eugene, and I will forgive you, but I can’t be sure they will. So…” Rapunzel was reasonably upset and disappointed with him, but she couldn’t just allow him to do that, not if that meant that Frederic would punish the man she loves for stealing a ring. With a sigh and knowing the truth, the blonde began to formulate a plan in her head.
“Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do. We are going to sneak the ring back into my mom’s room-”
“Rapunzel…” Before she could continue talking any further, Eugene interrupted her and gently held one of her hands. “Hey. Stop. Look, I-I love you too, so much, and thank you, but I can’t.”
He gently held both her hands while looking directly into her eyes, his eyes filled with honesty.
“Cheating, lying, and deception, that may have been how Flynn Rider would handle this…But I’m Eugene Fitzherbert now, and I have to do this the right way. That means accepting the consequences…No matter what they are.”
Eugene returned the ring to Queen Arianna, and while she appreciated the young man’s honesty and apology, she wasn’t sure if she could forgive him, despite though that the robbery was many years ago. However, upon seeing how happy Rapunzel was around him, she decided not only to forgive him but also not to tell Frederic about the robbery.
Weeks later, Eugene would assist Frederic in pranking King Trevor, a rival king from the kingdom of Equis, worried that Rapunzel’s father didn’t take him seriously, while using the opportunity to prove himself to him. In the end, Frederic revealed to the young man that he indeed took him very seriously, after all, Eugene was the one who brought Rapunzel back home, to him and Arianna.
After that, Eugene and Lance assisted the Captain and his guards in training them to catch “The silent striker”, a new thief that was terrorizing Corona. To everyone’s surprise, “The Silent Striker” was a duo of two little girls: one with very short black hair who Eugene called Angry, and the other with long red hair, who Lance called, well, red.
Both Eugene and Lance struggled to make the girls listen to them, Eugene more so than Lance. They went as far as to reach Isla and the Snuggly Duckling thugs to help them, with the plan being to use Hook Foot (Hook Hand’s brother, since Hook Hand left on a world tour as a pianist), Big Nose and the rest of the Snuggly Duckling crew to scare them.
The Hispanic brunette was not sure in the slightest about Eugene and Lance’s plan, and much to her surprise (or lack thereof), the plan failed. Eugene then came up with the idea to take the girls to see Rapunzel, which was seemingly working, going as far as both girls enjoying their time with Rapunzel and Pascal.
That night, the duo of girls was taken to a room in the castle where they could sleep. Those were probably the first beds they’d slept in after quite some time.
“Nice cozy bed. Not too shabby, huh?” The brunette white man asked with a smile. “Just think. If you let me help, you can get one of your very own.”
“Why are you doing all this?” The black-haired little girl asked, mildly confused by what the man and his friend had done for them. “Usually, adults just try to get rid of us. They don’t take us to meet princesses.”
Eugene’s eyes softened at the child’s words. “Well, honestly, at first, I was only trying to get Lance a job.” He says as he turns to look at his snoring friend. “But now, I just really wanna help you start over.”
The black-haired little girl yawns before turning around in her bed. “Well, starting over is not that easy. Stealing is.”
“Look, I know what it’s like to be angry at the world. And you’re right, stealing is easy.” A soft smile formed on Eugene’s face. “But Rapunzel showed me that it’s when you stop taking things for yourself that you really get the most in return.”
“It’s not like we wanna steal. We just need enough to get away…” The small girl confessed while she fell asleep.
“Get away from who?” Eugene felt his heart clench at the girl’s words. “Angry?” He called the young girl by the nickname he gave her, but she was already asleep. At some point, before meeting Rapunzel, he tried to bargain with the Baron. The Crown of the Lost Princess of Corona, plus resuming the wedding with Stalyan, and he would finally be free from The Ravensdales’ grasp. At some point, he was also in these girls’ position. At some point before, he also had needed enough to get away.
He could almost feel his eyes watering before he tucked her in and caressed her head softly.
And without making any noise, he and Lance quietly left the room.
The next morning, however, Rapunzel’s tiara had been stolen, and the girls were gone. They’d soon find out that both girls had been running from The Baron himself, after seemingly stealing from him.
Not wanting Angry and Red to get hurt, Eugene and Lance struck a deal with Anthony the Weasel, the Baron’s right-hand minion: Themselves in exchange for the girl’s freedom.
Feeling guilty for leaving the older men behind at the Baron’s mercy, the girls returned to rescue Eugene and Lance, using the ‘ Drop and Stop’ technique of ambush that Eugene and Lance used back in their days of thieving. The older men couldn’t force them to change their ways and return what they’d stolen from Corona, but they could be there until they were ready to.
“Here, I want you to have this.” The brunette man said, giving Angry his comb with the name ‘Flynn Rider’ carved on it.
“As a shameful reminder of my life of crime?” The black-haired girl asked with a giggle.
“As a reminder of the first day, you didn’t have to steal something, because someone was happy to give it to you.”
Eugene responded with a soft, warm smile. Angry put the comb away, and before she and Red disappeared from their sight, the girl gave the dark brown-haired man a tight embrace.
The stolen goods they’d stolen before were returned to the Kingdom of Corona, just as Eugene was ready to take full responsibility for every stolen good.
Notes:
Sorry for the wait 😭 I had been busy trying to adapt TTS as faithfully as I could while also trying to give it my little touch and view on it. I hope you guys like it 😄😄
Chapter 5: The Tangled Years: Part 2
Summary:
As the black rocks grew in Old Corona, the united trio of Rapunzel, Eugene, and Cassandra faced a life-threatening blizzard, and the rage of Varian, a young alchemist who swore revenge on the royal family when they gave their back on him when he needed help the most.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Months later, the black rocks grew more and more in Old Corona ever since the last time Rapunzel, Eugene, and Cassandra visited Varian, a young boy with great passion and talent for alchemy.
His father, Quirin, and Varian himself traveled to visit the King and warn him about the rocks, but Quirin ended up lying about it.
The young alchemist would confront his father about his lie, but due to Varian's previously accidentally spilling a chemical, amber crystals grew from the black rocks, trapping Quirin in the process. Desperate, Varian ran back to Corona’s castle to get help.
Meanwhile, Frederic and Arianna would leave Corona for their anniversary to their mountain retreat, leaving Rapunzel to be queen temporarily.
At first, it seemed she could handle it, but it proved to be more overwhelming than she thought. One day, she was going to be queen, and she wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to handle it all. Eugene, of course, cheered her up the best he could.
“Blondie, come on. Look at all the amazing things you’ve done since leaving that tower,” He says as he picks up her hairbrush.
“Do you think you would’ve been able to do any of them if you’d stopped to worry about how you were going to do it?”
A soft smile formed on the blonde’s face.
“I know you didn’t choose this, but you of all people should know that when life hands you lemons…” He smirks and winks, waiting for her to finish the sentence.
“...Yes? Finish that thought.” She asked, mildly confused and with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh! Well-” Eugene was taken aback for a bit, he expected she would understand the phrase he was quoting. “Uh, no, it’s not much of a thought as much as an expression.”
“Because you can do a lot with lemons. Make lemon meringue. Soften your hair. Uh, clean tough stains, juggle…”
“Or make lemonade..?” The dark brown-haired young man asked with a smirk.
“You know? Not a fan,” She admitted, before Eugene sat beside her and gently held her hands.
“Okay. My point is that you, more than anyone I’ve ever known, are able to take any situation and make the best of it. You’re the queen! Go with it!”
The blonde smiled softly before it started snowing.
She was excited since she had never been outside when it snowed, but Eugene? He hated it.
In many ways, snow reminded him of Cassandra: It’s cold, it’s a pain, and it ruined his day, but somehow snow seemed warmer than Cassandra herself.
Everyone was having fun with the snow day, everyone, except Eugene: He got hit with snowballs, the ground was slippery, and worst of all is that Cassandra was there to tease him, specifically cuz Eugene said before that since Rapunzel was the temporary queen, that made him temporary king (He wasn’t, but he loved to say it, even if it was something he only half-believed).
However, snow in Corona was not normal: Eons Ago, a blizzard that swept across the land was cast by an evil warlock. That warlock was Zhan Tiri.
The storm would have destroyed everything back then if it weren’t for Lord Demanitus, an ancient engineer and inventor.
Using both magic and science, Demanitus built a massive subterranean machine deep in the mountains of Corona. The machine changed the direction of the wind, pushing the flurries out to the seas and defeating Zhan Tiri. However, some said the curse of the storm lived on to strike Corona again at its weakest.
The wind began to blow stronger, and Rapunzel was forced to end the snow day and head back inside the Castle.
Much to her and the others’ horror, Maximus was tasked to deliver King Frederic and Queen Arianna to their mountain retreat, but something went wrong along the way.
Rapunzel needed to go look for her parents, but Nigel, Frederic’s royal advisor, advised her not to do so. At that moment, she was the queen of Corona, and she couldn’t abandon her people in the Kingdom’s darkest hour. Going out in this weather was a death sentence—one the queen couldn’t afford to risk. However, someone else could.
“He’s right, Rapunzel,” Eugene said as he appeared alongside Isla, Lance, Maximus, and the Snuggly Duckling thugs. “You can’t…But we can.”
“But you’ve just heard Nigel. It’s a death trap.” The blonde’s eyes were filled with concern.
“Look at us, Princess,” said Lance, Rapunzel’s eyes drifting to the group behind Eugene. “If the rest of the world had its way, each and every single one of us would either be on the run or locked up somewhere.”
“But your parents had the heart to give us a second chance.” Added Isla, “ A chance to prove ourselves, and go straight.”
“The least we can do is give them a second chance of their own,” said Attila.
“Listen to them,” Eugene said, his hands on his girlfriend’s shoulders. “Rapunzel, there is no other option. The mountains made for a great hideout back in the day. I know those roads better than anyone.”
The more Eugene insisted, the deeper Rapunzel’s worry grew.
“Face it, we’re the men and the woman for the job.” The brown-haired young man said with a smile, perhaps attempting to comfort her while showing her that he knew what he was saying.
“Besides, even a make-believe king has gotta make himself useful.”
His eyes drifted to Cassandra behind Rapunzel, since she’s the one who told him that, even if this whole “king” thing gave him actual power, it would be better if he put it to good use, but she never meant for him to potentially risk his life in such a way.
“Your Highness, the guards should really be the ones to go.” The captain insisted on Rapunzel, perhaps in an attempt not to allow the younger man to risk his life in the snowstorm.
“If this storm keeps up, things could get ugly, and this kingdom will need its guards.” Insisted Eugene.
“Your Highness, it’s your call.”
The captain finished saying. Rapunzel stared at Eugene in silence, while a soft smirk formed on his mouth.
It wasn’t just the snowstorm that worried her, but the last time he played hero to save someone in a life-or-death situation was back when Gothel chained her back at the tower. She still remembered him agonizing on the floor of her tower, and later dying in her arms. She couldn’t bring herself to even imagine losing him again.
But her parents are out there, and they need help. ‘Don’t do anything reckless, Eugene, ’ she thought to herself.
“...Go.” With a sigh and a heavy heart, Rapunzel had no other choice but to allow Eugene to do this.
“We’ll be back.” He didn’t want to leave her side, even less make her worry this much, but he had to do this. Not just for the kingdom, but for her. “I promise.”
With a hug and a kiss on Rapunzel’s forehead, Eugene left the castle alongside Isla, Lance, and the others.
On the other hand, Varian managed to reach the castle despite wind, snow, and ice covering the land.
He was so determined to save his dad, to prove to him that he was more than Quirin dreamt he’d be. He was determined to make him proud and to come back triumphantly.
But the storm was worsening, and the Kingdom’s only hope at that moment was to call a state of emergency and evacuate to shelters.
“PRINCESS RAPUNZEL!!” The black-haired boy with the turquoise streak shouted as he entered the hall.
“Sorry, Princess. He ran right past-” The guards ran after Varian, only stopping him when he was right in front of the blonde princess.
“Wait! It’s ok.” Her attention immediately changed to Varian the moment the Captain released his grip from the boy’s shoulders.
“Rapunzel! My dad’s in danger!” The boy was desperate, he gasped for air when he began to speak, “You–You’re the only one who can help! Please!”
Everyone around them seemed either confused or concerned for the boy, Cassandra more than the guards or even her father.
“You have to come to Old Corona with me. Now”
Concerned for her friend, Rapunzel took the boy to a more private place to talk in more detail about what was happening to him.
“Varian? What’s wrong?” The blonde asked with concern.
“Please. Please! The rocks. They–They’re encasing my dad.” Varian’s desperation was clear as water.
“Encasing? Wh-What are you saying?” She asked with slight confusion.
“Come! Come see for yourself! You can help! I-I know you can! You have a connection to these rocks!” The boy ran, expecting her to follow him. But she didn’t.
“Varian, it’s a state of emergency here. I’m sorry!” Her concern and worry slowly started to mix with guilt.
How was she supposed to tell him that she couldn’t help him? She wanted to say yes.
Every fiber of her being screamed at her to follow him. But she couldn’t—not now, not with the kingdom on the brink of disaster. Her duty to her people outweighed even her own heart. “I-I-I can’t help you! Not right now!”
“No! No, no, no, no.” But he can’t leave without her; she’s his only hope. “Listen to me. My dad doesn’t have much time. You are the only one who can help!”
“Rapunzel, please!” Varian pleaded, but then Nigel came in to talk Rapunzel out of this dilemma
“Your majesty, please. Whatever the boy’s problem, it must be set aside!” The advisor said with urgency, “ The storm’s growing stronger by the second! We need you to make a decision!”
“No!” Panic overtook Varian, and he ran to grab Rapunzel by her arms in desperation, “No, no, no, please! Please, Princess, you-”
Seeing the boy lay his hands on the princess, Nigel quickly calls Stan and Pete to escort Varian out of the castle.
“Wha– You promised you’d help me! You promised!” His grip was tight, desperate, but unfortunately, the 2 guards grabbed the boy by the arms.
“RAPUNZEL!” Varian cried out the blonde’s name as he was escorted out of the castle, “PRINCESS!! MY DAD NEEDS HELP!!” The boy’s voice broke in betrayal.
“No!! Don’t hurt him!” She pleaded to the 2 guards as her friend was taken away. Her green eyes filled with regret and guilt for having to turn her back on a friend who needed her.
“RAPUNZEL!” The boy disappeared from her sight, yet his cries echoed through the halls of the castle. YOU PROMISED!! YOU PROMISED!!”
This moment would mark a before and after for both Rapunzel and Varian.
The island of Corona would be evacuated, and regardless of what others said, Rapunzel and Cassandra went on to visit Xavier to search for the Demanitus Device, finding a secret passageway in the underground tunnels.
Meanwhile, Eugene, Isla, Lance, and the Snuggly Duckling Crew finally arrived at the place of the accident.
“There they are!!” Eugene exclaimed, spotting the broken royal carriage.
“Vlad, the ropes,” Isla ordered to Vladimir. Using the ropes, the dark brown-haired white man and the Hispanic brunette proceeded to climb down to rescue the royal couple, but the surface of the cliff made Eugene slip.
“EUGENE!!” Isla exclaimed, her eyes widening in worry. Thankfully, his grip on the rope was strong, and he managed to climb up, giving a thumbs up to the Hispanic young woman.
“You know what happens when I get stressed?” Big Nose asked Hook Foot as he was about to sneeze, being stopped at the right moment by Hook Hand’s brother.
“What are you trying to do?! Bring the whole mountain down on top of us?! ACHOO!!”
The sneeze echoed, bouncing off the cliffs. A deep rumble followed.
Eugene’s stomach dropped. “Oh, man, I hate snow,” Eugene said with annoyance.
“You id-” Isla couldn’t even manage to finish her sentence as the snow dragged them down.
However, after the avalanche had covered them, Queen Arianna herself moved the snow out of the face of one of them, revealing none other than the swashbuckling former thief’s face. He spat snow out of his mouth as he took in the queen’s face.
“Oh!” He spat snow out of his mouth as he took in the queen’s face. “Hello, Your Majesty. We’ve come to rescue you!”
“Eugene! I’m stuck!” Lance said muffled. “I’m stuck! Can’t feel my face.” Isla, who cleaned the snow out of her winter coat, rolled her eyes as she helped the dark-skinned man stand up.
“We need to hurry. The king’s hurt.” Arianna said as she helped Eugene stand up.
Rapunzel, Cassandra, and Xavier managed to find the Demanitus device, and for a moment, they got it to work, if it wasn’t for one pebble getting in between the engines.
Eugene and the others, on the other hand, successfully rescued Queen Arianna and King Frederic. The King was being carried up to safety while one of his legs was injured. But the wind began to blow stronger, causing Rapunzel’s father to slide down and almost fall off the cliff.
“FREDERIC!!” Arianna shouted in horror, her eyes widening.
“YOUR MAJESTY!!” Eugene ran, and at the last second, managed to grab the king’s hand. “Hold on, Your Majesty!” He grunted and struggled to pull Frederic up. His grip on the snowy ground tightened.
“Quick!! Help us get down there!” Lance exclaimed to the thugs as he and Isla prepared to assist Eugene.
“Eugene…” If these were gonna be his last moments, he had one request for the younger man. “Please, take care of Rapunzel.”
“We are gonna get you outta here.” He was NOT leaving without his future father-in-law. He promised the woman he loved that he’d be back, WITH her parents. “Besides, you should know by now Rapunzel doesn’t need anyone to take care of her.”
He could feel Frederic’s glove slipping from his grasp, but at the last moment, Lance, alongside Isla, managed to grab the king’s hand. The 3 friends all pull Frederic to safety.
Simultaneously, Rapunzel and company struggled to get the pebble out of the engines. Pascal, seeing no other way, and while tied to his best friend’s hair, did the unimaginable and untied himself from Rapunzel’s hair.
“PASCAL!!” The blonde cried out, tears in her eyes, as the tiny reptile jumped on the pebble, removing it from the engines and making the Demanitus Device work. She was devastated. And while she cried on Cassandra’s shoulder, a tiny squeak came from nearby.
“Look!!” Xavier called Rapunzel and Cassandra. The tiny chameleon was alive, covered in dirt and a bit bruised, but alive.
“Pascal!!” Without hesitating, the princess picked up her tiny friend in her palms and took him close to her.
Alas, the snowstorm was undone by the subterranean device, and soon, everything went back to normal. Rapunzel received Eugene and her parents with a warm embrace, relieved that they had come back home safely.
But not everything was a celebration. That same day, Eugene came with a celebratory cupcake, but Rapunzel, well, she wasn’t in the mood to celebrate.
“Hello? Blondie? Come on! You kicked butt and saved the day! What are you upset about?”
His smile disappeared as he set the cupcake aside.
“Eugene, today I turned my back on a desperate friend in need. I sent the man I love to face possible death, and then did the same to my oldest friend.” Rapunzel said with sadness and guilt.
“I entrusted the entire welfare of Corona to a fairytale. In a lot of ways…today was the most difficult day of my life.”
“Sweetheart, what are you saying?” His eyes softened, and concern was heard in his voice.
“I…I’m not sure I want to be Queen.”
His eyes widened in heavy concern at her words, and he sat beside her.
“Hey, Rapunzel. I know today was overwhelming, and I can’t say I wouldn’t be feeling the same way,” he turned to see his beloved girlfriend, “ but you becoming queen is a long time away.”
“Just know that when that time comes, no matter what you decide…I will be right here with you,” He finished as they gave each other a warm hug.
“Thank you for bringing my parents home…” She said softly.
“Hey.” He gently holds her face with his right hand. “You got it.”
However, as months passed, things seemed to only worsen. A heartbroken Varian swore revenge on Corona, promising his dad that he was not only going to get the answers he needed to free his father but that, regardless of what came of him, anyone who stood in his path was going to pay.
Rapunzel would be contacted by Varian later on via note, after dealing with the spirit of one of Zhan Tiri’s followers. The note would detail that Varian had seemingly discovered the secret of the black rocks, that the blonde needed to find a bronze graphtic in his lab, and that she needed to watch out for people watching in the shadows.
Upon reaching Varian’s lab, Rapunzel and company would not only find out that the black rocks had seemingly taken over Old Corona (After her father had told her that the situation about the rocks had seemingly been handled), but she, Eugene, and Cassandra would be attacked by a group of mysterious helmet-wearing men.
They weren’t going to be able to make it back to the castle, so instead they retreated to a place Rapunzel had sworn to never return to ( And has only returned to some time before a day Pascal went missing, but that’s beside the point): The tower.
In there, Rapunzel managed to open the Graphtic, which contained a scroll. But before managing to decipher what the scroll said, the same group of mysterious men arrived at the tower’s location.
The tower had been infested with black rocks ever since Rapunzel had returned after Pascal, and in an attempt to make the mysterious men back off, she let down her hair, making it touch one of the black rocks.
The contact with the rocks caused an explosion of light, which caused the men to be blasted away, but it also caused the rocks to climb up the tower. The trio (plus Maximus, Pascal, and Owl) managed to jump out at the last minute using Rapunzel’s indestructible hair as a shield.
The scene after that was heartwrenching. The blonde watched as the tower crumbled to ruins. A single tear ran down her face’s right cheek, as 18 years of memories came to her mind. Sure, that place was a cage Mother Gothel had carefully crafted to keep her in forever, but at some point, that had been her home once. Her first meeting with Pascal, her paintings, her first meeting with Eugene, all of that happened in that tower.
She picks up a piece of debris, a piece of the wall of her painting, in which she painted how she had contemplated the floating lanterns from her tower.
The mysterious revealed themselves to be none other than the Captain and his guards, who were just following King Frederic’s orders.
Frederic lied to her, and Rapunzel was NOT happy. She confronted her dad about Old Corona and the fact that the Kingdom was being destroyed by the black rocks.
“I’m sorry, my dear, I did not want to lie to you.” Frederic said calmly, “But you are not ready for the truth.”
“Ugh, Dad, we are beyond what I am and not ready for. People are in danger!”
“Rapunzel! I am the king!” The man’s posture shifted from calm to tense, and his tone was firm, almost strict. “And I have this situation under control.”
The young woman’s frown deepened as she turned around, before letting out a slight sigh.
“You know, you are not the first person to lie to me and tell me I am not ready for the real world.”
Frederic’s angry frown faded away as his daughter compared him to the very person who once took her away from him: Gothel.
She knew that Corona was in danger, but so far she felt like she was the only one trying to do something about it. At least that’s what she told Eugene that day.
“No, no, you’re not,” Eugene said as he held her hand. “Listen, Blondie. No matter what we’re up against, I’m with you. All the way.” He said with a soft smile while he held her hands.
“I know, thank you, I just-” She was thankful to have him by her side, but right now she needed to clear her mind. “I think I need some time alone…”
“Understood.” He stood up and walked to the door. He was always willing to give her space whenever she needed it. But he also knew that she was capable of achieving great things.
“You know…things do seem pretty dark right now. But if anyone can find the light, it’s you.”
A smile formed on Rapunzel’s face as her cheeks blushed.
Later on, Varian reached out to Rapunzel, in person this time. According to Varian’s translation of the scroll, the black rocks could only be stopped by the Sundrop flower. The flower was rumored to be long gone, and considering the current status of Rapunzel’s relationship with her father, she couldn’t ask him to hand the flower over to them, which is why they had to resort to stealing it.
Varian and Rapunzel managed to sneak through the tunnels of Herz Der Sonne, finally reaching the vault where the Sundrop Flower was being kept. But once the flower was in their hands, Varian revealed his true intentions.
He used truth serum to keep everyone else distracted while he simultaneously lied to Rapunzel about being concerned about the welfare of Corona.
“I defied a direct order from my father, the King, because I trusted you. We both broke the law.” The blonde princess said as she tried to assimilate what was happening.
“Give me the flower, Varian. We can find a way to fix all of this. The rocks, your dad, everything. I promise you. I promise! Just– this is…not the way. Please…”
Rapunzel begged Varian to stop this, but just as soon as guilt appeared in the boy’s eyes, it soon faded away and was replaced with a burning anger.
“Sorry, Princess. But I know firsthand how well you keep promises.”
Just as Eugene and Cassandra arrived at the Vault, Varian used smoke bombs to disappear. But in his lab, the young alchemist found out that the flower no longer possessed the power of the Sundrop. Not anymore.
That’s when he realized something.
“The Sundrop isn’t the flower anymore…It’s Rapunzel.”
Then, Rapunzel’s 19th birthday arrived. Frederic, upon reading Rapunzel’s journal months prior, sent Cassandra to work at the stables as she awaited to be sent to a convent.
After an Automaton had attacked the Castle, he also took the drastic decision to have Rapunzel under constant surveillance in the most secure location in the whole castle: her own room, only this time, not even the balcony was to be accessible to her.
The moment Eugene learned about this decision, he requested a word with the king. Immediately.
“How is what you’re doing to Rapunzel any different than what was done to her for the first 18 years of her life?!” The young brown-haired man with the black vest said with indignation.
“Remember yourself, Fitzherbert. You are-”
“Nigel.” Frederic interrupted his advisor, “Eugene, son. I realize how this situation might appear, but…you must trust that I have no choice.” The older man tries to approach the former thief with diplomacy, but this just infuriates the young man more.
“Wha– OF COURSE YOU HAVE A CHOICE!! YOU’RE THE KING!!”
Eugene could almost feel his blood boiling from how Frederic was treating the woman he loved, but at the same time, he was trying the best he could to maintain control. “You cannot keep her up there!!”
“I’ll do whatever I must to keep Rapunzel safe from harm!”
Frederic liked Eugene, really. He will be forever thankful to him for bringing Rapunzel back home and always trying to make her happy. But at that moment, he needed him to back off and let him do his job.
“And so will I..” He whispered, and with a frown, Eugene left the throne room.
That night, Rapunzel formulated a plan to escape from her confinement. She was already locked in a tower once; she was not gonna let that happen again.
While Lance distracted Stan and Pete the guards, while Eugene (and Hook Foot) were launched to Rapunzel’s tower.
It was more painful than the former thief expected, but regardless, it worked.
“Hey, blondie!” Rapunzel gasped with joy the moment she heard his voice.
“Eugene!” Without hesitation, she ran into his arms.
“I’ve come to rescue you from a tower. Again.” He said with a smirk. Without wasting any other second, the duo ran down the tower while using the young woman’s hair as a rope.
However, as soon as they were all reunited, Varian’s plan began to work. Using fog and a modified beast, Ruddiger, Varian distracted everyone while he kidnapped Queen Arianna.
That night, Frederic opened up to Rapunzel about the night the Sundrop Flower was found.
He was warned that by removing the light, he’d be awakening the darkness, but he had no choice.
He always knew about the rocks and had expected everyone, including himself and Rapunzel, to ignore them. Father and daughter set their differences aside and began to plan to rescue the Queen and stop Varian.
The rescue didn’t go quite as they planned, and both Rapunzel and Frederic ended up falling into a trap, all while the forces of Corona were being simultaneously ambushed by Automatons.
At first, the machines seemed indestructible, but thanks to Eugene's suggestion to use the black rocks against them, the forces of Corona quickly gained the upper hand.
Varian, on the other hand, tried to use Rapunzel’s hair to free his father from the amber.
The process was painful for the blonde princess, and some amber poured by Varian threatened to take Rapunzel’s mother as well.
Unfortunately for Varian, the plan didn't work, and with some help from Pascal and Ruddiger, Arianna was released before the amber consumed her.
Overtaken by anger, Varian used a modified Automaton to take Arianna and Cassandra and crush them to death with the claws of his robot.
But suddenly, and much to Rapunzel’s surprise, she became surrounded by black rocks, and as if her hair came to life, each tendril of locks of hair touched the black rocks around them, releasing Rapunzel and destroying the remaining Automatons.
Summoning and grabbing 2 black rocks, Rapunzel took brief control over the rocks as a whole, destroying Varian’s robot in the process and releasing Arianna and Cass.
The black rocks broke a hole in the wall of Corona, creating a path. But the moment the blonde in the purple dress released the 2 rocks from her grasp, she lost balance as she passed out.
“Rapunzel!” Eugene ran after her and managed to hold her at the last second
“Blondie…” his voice was filled with worry, his heart racing.
But soon she opened her eyes and saw him. As handsome as ever, and more worried than ever. She gave him a quick kiss on his lips, as a soft smirk formed on her lips.
“Hi…” She said softly.
He smiled as he felt as if his soul returned to his body.
“We have…got to start finding better ways to spend your birthdays.”
Varian was arrested for his crime, and Frederic assured his daughter to give Varian and Quirin the help they needed.
The path made by the rocks was for Rapunzel to follow, and if she ever lost her way, the lanterns would be there to guide her, just like they always did.
“Find your destiny, Rapunzel,” Arianna said as she gave her daughter a warm embrace.
“I’ll take care of her, Your Majesty,” Eugene said, as the blonde held his hand.
“Eugene, you should know by now. Rapunzel doesn’t need anyone to take care of her.” The older man says with a confident smile.
“Haha. Touché!”
And like that, Rapunzel, Eugene, Cassandra, and others embarked on a new journey, a new adventure that would change their lives…forever.
Notes:
So here's part 2. Forgive me if "Ready as I'll Ever Be" Isn't mentioned or referenced 😭😭 I may use it or reference it later on.
Chapter 6: The Tangled Years: The Journey: Part 1
Summary:
As the trio and their friends ventured out of Corona's walls, old enemies from Eugene's past threaten to break him and Rapunzel apart: The Baron and his daughter, Stalyan.
Notes:
Here's the first part of what'll be the team's journey to the Dark Kingdom.
Chapter Text
Everything was ready. But before they could leave on their journey beyond the walls of Corona, Eugene and Rapunzel needed to ask one last person if she’d join them.
The Snuggly Duckling was bustling with noise and mismatched music. Isla stood behind the bar, drying a mug.
“...Sooo, what do you say?” Rapunzel asked, hopeful, her smile bright with excitement.
“I’m flattered, really. But I’ve got a pub to run,” Isla replied, arching a brow. “You really want me to leave this place in the hands of Shorty?”
She glanced down at the half-drunk older man beside the bar. “No offense, Shorty.”
“Nun taken,” he slurred.
“Okay, fair,” Eugene said deadpan. “But come on—you’ve fought guards, helped save the king, and most importantly, not only have you survived this place… You own it. You’re basically overqualified.”
Isla’s expression softened. She crossed her arms.
“This isn’t just a pub. It’s my pub. After everything that happened… this place gave me a second shot. A home. I owe it.”
Eugene and Rapunzel exchanged a quiet, understanding smile.
Just then, Big Nose and Hook Foot approached.
“Don’t worry, Isla,” Big Nose said. “Vlad and I can keep things running while you and Hook Foot are gone!”
“Wait—why me?” Hook Foot asked, clearly caught off guard.
“We even made menu cards!” Big Nose added proudly, holding one up like it was a treasure map.
“You… made menu cards.” Isla blinked. Then sighed. The effort meant something. She set the mug down.
“Fine. I’m in. But if I come back and find glitter in the ale barrels, I’m blaming you three.” She pointed at Big Nose, Eugene, and Rapunzel in turn.
“Noted,” Eugene said with a smirk.
“Welcome to the team, Isla,” Rapunzel beamed.
And like that, the team was finally complete.
Rapunzel was so excited to finally be outside of Corona, while Cassandra kept herself a bit skeptical of Isla, Lance, and Hook Foot coming along. Eugene, on the other hand, was also excited to propose to Rapunzel one more time, though Hook Foot, Lance, and even Isla had doubts about it.
“Didn’t she say no the first time you proposed?” Lance asked, and Isla immediately frowned at him. “I’m just sayin’, you probably thought that’d be perfect, too.”
Eugene frowned, almost pouting as he shut the ring box with a snap. “Thank you. Lance.”
“It makes perfect sense to me: The princess is out in the free world for the first time in her life. I’m sure she’s just itchin’ to settle down with you .” Hook Foot said with sarcasm, but was quickly hit by Isla’s elbow. “OW-”
“Don’t listen to them, Eugene. I’m sure Rubia does want to marry you, but you gotta be patient with her. Just like she asked you that night, remember?” Isla said with a smile, which Eugene returned with a slight nod.
The duo of Lance and Hook Foot left the scene as soon as Cassandra announced they had arrived in Vardaros. Isla, on the other hand, decided to stick around with Eugene, Rapunzel, and Cass.
Despite her history with Eugene, she more than anyone knew that what Eugene felt for Rapunzel was real.
No, more than real.
She had never seen the man who once was the heartthrob womanizer Flynn Rider ever love a woman as much as he loved Rapunzel, but she also wasn’t stupid.
She heard through the wooden walls of the caravan how Eugene tried to convince himself that the love of his life wanted to get married to him, even if part of him said otherwise.
“Come on, Fitzherbert! Forget Hook Foot, forget Lance!”
He said to himself as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. “ This is Rapunzel we’re talking about, of course, she wants to get married!”
“I mean, besides—I'm not asking her to settle down and throw her life away. I'm just asking her to...” His smile faded . “...Settle down.”
He swallowed, then quickly shook his head and brushed the thought away.
“Oh, ok. You just have to ask her flat out,” He got on one knee, as he imagined the scenario in his head. “Rapunzel, will you-”
Unfortunately for him, Rapunzel was also listening. He quickly hid the ring away and denied to the blonde anything related to a proposal. After discovering that Shorty ate all the food, the group decided to travel to the city of Vardaros, but much to Eugene and Lance’s surprise, the city was pretty much in ruins.
Deciding to keep a low profile, Rapunzel and Cassandra took the Caravan back to the camp, while the others searched for supplies.
“I told you she was gonna say no. She wasn’t ready!” Hook Foot said with a smirk.
“For the last time, she didn’t say ‘no’, Hook Foot. She didn’t say anything!” The former thief admitted, “Which…in a way is kind of worse than saying no, so I’d appreciate it if you just changed the subject.”
“You got it, pal. I’m not gonna say another word,” The fat man said with a smirk.
“Thank you,” Eugene said with a frown. Of course, Hook Foot didn’t keep his promise.
“Hey, here’s a fun fact: Rapunzel’s agreed to marry ME as many times as she’s agreed to marry YOU! And I didn’t even have to ask-”
Before Hook Foot could finish the sentence, Isla delivered a kick to his nose SO hard that the man was instantly knocked to the ground.
“Now that’s enough, Hook Foot! Eugene’s in pain.”
Lance said as he pulled Eugene to his side.
“It’s not his fault he couldn’t see that asking a girl who is free for the first time in her life to clip her wings, and get hitched would be a horrible idea.”
Both Eugene and Isla frown, annoyed at Lance, who, for obvious reasons, wasn’t helping AT ALL.
“But! Eugene is still our friend, and we should stick by him, no matter how oblivious or-”
“Desperate!” Added Hook Foot.
“Yeah.”
“Downright pathetic he comes across,” Shorty finished, adding salt to the wound.
“Isn’t that right, buddy?” Lance said mockingly as he laid a hand on Eugene’s shoulder, while Shorty hugged him, and Hook Foot approached closer with a mocking smile.
“...Trio de idiotas.”
Isla murmured in Spanish, her native language, with a heavy frown, “Perhaps Cassandra wasn’t all that wrong about you, and that’s saying a lot.”
Meanwhile, back in the camp, Rapunzel and Cassandra met a mysterious woman who had white hair and half of her face painted red, whose name was Adira.
The 3 women quickly engaged in battle, with Adira gaining the upper hand. And before anyone got hurt, Hook Foot and Isla arrived at the camp with terrible news.
“Isla!! Hook Foot!! Are you guys ok?!” Rapunzel asked, alarmed.
“I can see you have your hands full. I’ll seek you out later,” Adira said as she left the scene.
“We fought as hard as we could and barely got away alive!” The fat man said, agitated.
“Wait, wait—fought–fought who?! Where’s Eugene?!” The blonde asked, worried for her boyfriend’s welfare.
“Rubia…I am so sorry...” Isla said softly, shame in her voice, “Eugene…they took him...”
While Eugene and the rest were getting supplies, the former thief and Lance (and Shorty) had been captured by none other than The Baron himself.
“Quit playing games, Rider. I’ve been waiting for this moment,” The Baron said, his tone menacing. “It’s time to make amends for what you did to my Stalyan.”
“Oh, right, the Stalyan incident,” Eugene said, trying to hide his fear behind a facade of fake confidence. “You really should let this whole Stalyan thing go. Come on! I mean, it’s ancient history, let’s all just move on.”
“Let’s not,” A female voice interrupted. Stalyan. A stunning, slender woman with violet eyes and long brown hair.
“Hello, Stalyan,” Eugene said nervously and slightly intimidated.
The woman’s hips swayed as she walked past the former thief and his friend.
“Hello…Rider,”
She said to him dismissively, casually slapping him on his face. She walked towards her father and kissed him on his cheek.
“Heyyy, Stalyan.How are ya? Uh, before you get too upset, I can explain.” God, how was he supposed to explain all of what happened ever since the last time he saw her?
“Oh, I’m not upset, Rider. Besides, what’s to explain? You left me at the altar.”
Her smirk fades away as her tone changes to an angry and resentful one at the last sentence.
“Did I…Did I…do that? Is that how it went down? Because that’s not how I remember it. But hey, you know, it was…” Eugene laughs nervously, “It was quite some time ago. Who’s to say who did what that day? I mean-”
“Stop talking.”
With those 2 words, the brunette managed to make the former thief shut his ever-talking mouth.
“After what you did, I swore that if I ever saw you again, I would break a lot of bones.” She did not move on from that day, not one bit.
“Fair, fair. We’re talking about my bones. Is that correct?” His humor, as always, did what it could to hide his nervousness.
“But with time comes perspective.” Her frown suddenly changed to a delusional smile.
“I’ve realized that we were meant for each other, Flynn Rider. Partners in crime. Partners…in life. We can’t change what we are.”
“Wait, wait, w-wha, what are you talking about?”
He really doesn’t understand what is going on. Or, at least, he’s pretending he doesn’t know where this is going.
“I’m making you a proposition, Rider.” The Baron said, his voice deep, “Keep good on the promise you made to my daughter, and marry her.”
“Waiting for the or…”
“Or you, Strongbow, and your patrol will perish...” The Baron finished with a dangerous yet low tone.
“Wha- You can’t make me marry her, Baron.”
Eugene knew that the Baron was dangerous, but all this time with Dorian Ravensdale as one of his worst demons made him forget why the Baron was so feared in the criminal world.
“Oh, I’d like to give it a try.” The bigger and blonde man said, as from his ring came out a spider. Lance gasped in panic the moment he saw the arachnid.
“It’s a spider. Eugene? Eugene, it’s a spider. You know I hate sssspiders.”
The dark-skinned man said as he hyperventilated.
“Not just any spider. It’s a Venomous Kai Spider.” The Baron said with a cruel smirk, “Its bite causes fever and delirium. Only when there’s swelling on the tongue and throat, you know the end is near.”
The spider crawls over to Lance’s shoulder, biting him while the man comically panics before he passes out.
“NO!! Is he dead?” Eugene asked, worried for his friend.
“No, the half-wit passed out from fear,” The Baron pointed out while rolling his eyes.
“He’s right. That’s exactly what happened.” Lance said, immediately waking up.
“But he will be dead by nightfall...” The captured duo’s eyes widened in panic at the Baron’s statement, “Unless, of course, you have this.”
The Baron reached beneath his collar and pulled out a thin chain. At the end of it dangled a tiny glass vial filled with a glowing orange liquid.
“The anti-venom. Marry Stalyan, and this will be your wedding present from me.”
“Trust me, Rider…” Stalyan walked to her father’s side with a cruel smirk. “It’s meant to be.”
Eugene’s mouth opened, but no words came. His eyes flicked to Lance, still breathing shallowly, and to the vial. One life in exchange for his own freedom. His chest tightened.
Rapunzel and others searched and asked for Eugene everywhere for hours without any luck. Cassandra suggested going back to Corona and sending for the cavalry, but Rapunzel was NOT going to have it. They were not leaving that city until Eugene was safe and found.
And suddenly, trumpets. The city was reuniting for some sort of announcement.
“Hey! That’s the guy that attacked us!!” Hook Foot frowned as he recognized Anthony the Weasel, the Baron’s right-hand man.
As the Baron showed up on stage and prepared to make the announcement, Eugene tried to reassure a sick-looking Lance.
“Hang in there, buddy. I’m gonna get you out of this,” He said, concerned for his longtime best friend.
“Wow. You should see all the people out there,” The copper brown-haired said with a smirk.
“Stalyan, come on. This is stupid,” He said, almost pleading with her with his eyes.
“I know it is. I told my dad the spider wasn’t necessary, but you know, bad guys.” A teasing smirk formed on her lips. “They have such a flair for drama.”
“That’s not what I meant…” Eugene said through gritted teeth.
“I know what you meant.” At this point, Stalyan already knew. She knew about the brief affair he had with Isla behind her back, and she also knew about how he supposedly found the one.
“Stalyan, I can’t do this. I’m in love with someone else!” He said with firm conviction about the love he had for Rapunzel.
“Yeah, I know.” Her smirk widened. “We’ve all heard the story by now… How the daring, ne’er-do-well thief rescued the lost princess from her tower.”
“Let me ask you,” Even if she wasn’t her father or, heck, Dorian, Staylan was the daughter of the Varon at the end of the day. She knew how to be cruel, and with what she knew? She knew just where to hit her former partner-in-crime where it could hurt him the most.
“Do you really think it’s fair to ask a girl who’s spent the first 18 years of her life in prison to give up her freedom for a lifelong relationship with…someone like you?”
The final 3 words were laced with malice and even mocking. She can’t be right, she’s wrong…right? His eyes filled with sadness and disillusionment at the prospect that maybe she wasn’t as wrong as he wanted her to be. Rapunzel is out of Corona for the first time, exploring the world outside the castle’s walls…being free. And if she had to choose between a life of freedom and a life alongside him…He knew that he’d end up losing. ‘She’s never going to marry me. ’
“I am pleased to announce the re-engagement of my daughter, Stalyan. The Baron said as Stalyan arrived on stage, very few people clapped.
“Wait…The Baron’s daughter?” Rapunzel asked with confusion
“What a daughter…” Hook Foot said in awe of the brunette woman’s physical beauty.
“And her fiancé…Flynn Rider”
The last 2 words that came out of the Baron’s mouth felt like an arrow of a crossbow impaling the heart of the blonde princess.
“...huh?”
To the shock of everyone and Rapunzel’s horror, Eugene came out onto the stage, his face filled with guilt and heartbreak. Rapunzel approached the stage carefully. What is happening?
“Eugene!” She called out his name among the crowd of people.
“Rapunzel!” His eyes widened upon seeing the woman he loves.
“Eugene, I don’t understand. What’s going on?” Her chest tightened. The Baron raised an eyebrow upon seeing the blonde girl approaching, but Stalyan quickly approached her ‘fiancé’ with a cruel smirk.
“Rapunzel, I-” His words were quickly interrupted by the brunette thief and criminal.
“He’s with us now.”
“This is some kind of joke, right?” She wanted to believe that perhaps it was some cruel joke orchestrated alongside Lance, but Eugene’s look didn’t lie. One of the Baron’s men whistled at him, reminding him what was at stake here: Lance’s own life.
“I uh…I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Rapunzel…but I made my choice.” Without anything left to say, and with the heaviest of hearts, Eugene and Stalyan left the stage.
“Eugene?” She called his name, but he didn’t return “Eugene!”
Isla couldn’t help but feel horrible for the scene before her. This isn’t Eugene’s doing. Her theory is confirmed when Stalyan winked at her with a cruel smirk as she left with who is her closest friend, yet at the same time, the man she once slept with.
She knows. ‘La Maldita sabe,’ The Hispanic Latina thought.
“Eugene…”
Rapunzel sobbed on Cassandra’s shoulder, as tears began to come out.
Chapter 7: The Tangled Years: The Journey: Part 2
Summary:
After being forced to marry Stalyan, Eugene, Rapunzel, and others continue their journey, while Rapunzel and Cassandra's bond strengthens despite their differences.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Eugene, Lance, and Shorty spent the night in a cell of The Baron’s castle.
“Lance, buddy, just…hang on, alright? I’m gonna get you that antidote, I promise I’ll do whatever it takes,” Eugene swore to his friend that he was going to get out of there, no matter what.
“It’s the right thing, you know? Getting hitched," Stalyan approached them with a wicked smirk.
“Stalyan, you need to call this off and get me that antidote right now,” The former thief pleaded to his ex, but she didn’t listen.
“You know what I was thinking about earlier? Our trip to Pincosta. Remember you said stealing the Sultan’s jewels was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had?” Eugene looks at her, confused about what that has to do with any of this. “But then, I made you go through with it, and well, we made a fortune that day.”
“My point is, I know what’s best for you, Rider. I always have. I know in my heart that this is where you belong, Flynn. And deep down, you know it too.” Her words didn’t come off as caring at all. On the contrary, she had him in a cell for crying out loud. She was trying to manipulate him, but it would be a lie to say part of Eugene wasn’t questioning if Stalyan was right.
“Well…It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, and the last thing any of us needs is…” Her eyes drifted to the ill Lance “...bad luck. Right, Flynn?”
“Eugene now.” The handsome former thief remarked as Stalyan walked away.
“No, it’s not.” She threw the keys to his cell to him. “See you out there.”
Back at the camp, Rapunzel began to question how Eugene could even be getting married to another woman. Sure, she wanted him to be patient, because there’s a whole world out there she wants to explore and experience, but not at the expense of him, NEVER at the expense of him. It was never her intention to make him feel like that…but what if she did?
“What if that’s the last time we’ve ever talked? Why didn’t I say…yes?”
Rapunzel looks at the empty room of the caravan and wonders if she could have handled things better before. What if she had spoken instead? Why did she go on concealing her confusion about a life married together?
If only she could take that moment back. If only he were still there to ask her one more time, to feel his palm against her cheek and the warmth of his lips against hers…But now he will never get that chance.
Eugene, on the other hand, wondered if perhaps he wasn’t being as patient as he promised her back then, the night after her coronation. Maybe if he had stayed at the camp, her things would be different, but now they’ll never know.
“If only she could take that moment back — the moment she let him walk away without knowing how much he meant.
How they wished they could be alongside each other, to turn back time and get a brand new start for both of them.
Then, Cassandra and Isla walked over to Rapunzel, who was sitting alone, looking at the full moon.
“Uh, Rapunzel?” The short black-haired woman interrupted, “We all know Eugene and I don’t always agree on everything.” Isla raised an eyebrow behind Cass, not angrily, but slightly skeptical.
“But over the last year or so, I’ve noticed something that makes him…less detestable. He loves you, Rapunzel. More than anyone has ever loved anybody.” Cass knew that Eugene could be annoying, a bit oblivious, and overly worried about his looks. But she couldn’t deny how much he loved and cared for Rapunzel.
“And I feel the same way about him…” The blonde admitted, sadness in her eyes, “I’m just sorry it took all of this to truly realize that.”
“Look, I know what we both saw down there.” She kneeled beside her best friend. “But you, Isla, and I all know this isn’t something Eugene would ever do.”
“She’s right, Rubia…” Isla finished, taking one step forward, “As much as I hate the idea of agreeing with her. That man, as much of a mujeriego he used to be, has never loved a woman before as much as he loves you, Rapunzel.”
“And you wanna hear something I know Rapunzel would never do?” Cassandra added, “Rapunzel would never give up. She’d pick herself up, stop feeling sorry for herself, and she’d fight back with everything she had.” An encouraging smile formed on Cassandra’s lips.
“So what do you say we get out there-”
“And get Eugene back!” Rapunzel’s eyes lit up as she stood back up.
That same night, the group managed to sneak inside the wedding with Rapunzel using a thug disguise, and Cass, Isla, and Hook Foot were sneaked inside with the help of Vex, a not-so-friendly teenage girl who could always do things for other people, for the right amount of coins.
As Eugene waited for a wedding he dreaded, he turned to Lance. The dark-skinned man looked awful, with green spots over his face and red eyes. He had difficulties just breathing. Eugene’s eyes softened as he approached him.
“Look, Lance, I’m sorry I got you into this.” It wasn’t his fault they were in the current situation, not at all, but he couldn’t help but blame himself. He was the one who attempted to make a deal with the Baron in exchange for freedom, and immediately forgot about it the moment he fell for Rapunzel. “No matter what, I just want you to know, I love you.”
Lance smiled softly, “I...always wanted a cat named Clovis,” he said in delirium.
“Clo-Clo-Clovis…?” Eugene chuckled softly yet awkwardly. Not the emotional moment he had in mind, but then again, could he blame Lance? “ ‘ Does have a fun ring to it.Glad we could- glad we could share this moment.”
“Wait here, guys. I’ve got to do this one thing.”
And with nothing else to say, Eugene left to get married to a woman he didn’t even love.
The wedding was getting ready, and Rapunzel, well…she hated the decoration. Whether it was genuine dislike for it or just her being biased against Stalyan was up to interpretation.
Eugene appeared at the altar and waited for Stalyan, who arrived a few seconds later. The music was…eh, depressing, and she wasn’t even wearing a bride's dress. Just her casual, black dress and her black blazer jacket.
“Let’s get on with it, shall we?” Said The Baron. But suddenly, a female voice interrupted the ceremony.
“Funny! I was just thinking the same thing!” Ditching her oversized hat, Rapunzel revealed herself.
“BLONDIE!!” The former thief with the goatee’s eyes lit up upon seeing the woman he loves at this attempt at a wedding.
“Eugene!” the blonde waved at her boyfriend. But as soon as the Baron stepped forward, his men were ready to attack.
“Blondie, you shouldn’t be here!” Eugene said, his eyes widened the moment he saw all those men pulling out their swords.
“Yeah, move along, ‘blondie.’ “ Stalyan rolled her eyes.
“Hey, Eugene, just listen, please.” Before the action started, Rapunzel had something to tell him, something she wanted to say the last few hours, ever since he was taken away from her.
“I may not know what my future holds, but I do know you are meant to be in it. I love you.”
Eugene sighed in love. Some people even went ‘Aww’ out of being touched or in sheer confusion.
“And now that I've spilled my heart out to a room full of hostile strangers, feeling a little self-conscious,” The blonde said, feeling awkward.
“Well, that was lovely. Are we done here?” This was starting to annoy Stalyan. She was getting married, no matter what.
“Not even close.” Rapunzel said, removing and throwing the oversized jacket away, “I’m just warming up.”
“Cass! Isla! Hook Foot! Brace yourselves! It’s about to get rough in here.” She ran to a nearby black rock. Everyone took cover, but when Rapunzel touched the black rock…nothing happened. The blonde even tried to rub her hair against it, but the response was the same.
The fight quickly unleashed, and swords began to clash against each other. Stalyan attempted to take Eugene away, but then, golden locks of hair wrapped around the torso of the handsome former thief.
“His name...” Rapunzel began to pull her boyfriend towards her. “...is Eugene”
She said with a frown.
“His name is RIDER and he belongs with ME!!” The brunette argued as she pulled as hard as she could.
“How would YOU know? You had to poison his best friend to get him to MARRY you!!” The blonde responded, pulling even harder. That is HER man. That lady whose name sounds like a horse needed to back off.
“That is a good point, Rapunzel—” Eugene tried to speak, but it was like his words weren’t even registered. Instead, he was the human equivalent of a tug toy at a dog park.
“In fairness, that was my DAD’s idea!!” Stalyan argued.
“LADIES…THERE’S PROBABLY…A BETTER WAY TO WORK THIS OUT!!” The poor man could almost feel both the rope and the locks of golden hair tightening enough to feel the air squished out of his lungs.
“ We’ll work this out as soon as we get back to the CARAVAN!!”
Rapunzel’s voice was sharp with determination, and Eugene was certain one of his ribs just popped. Thankfully for the sake of his lungs and ribs, Pascal crawled over to Stalyan.
“And just what are you gonna do, frog?” The brunette was almost amused at the small chameleon coming at her, until the tiny reptile used his quick tongue on Stalyan, making her yelp in surprise and release Eugene as soon as she felt Pascal’s tongue on her nose.
“I love you-” Eugene said as he was finally released from the grip both women had on him.
Unfortunately, Rapunzel didn’t have a backup plan in case the rocks didn’t react. But suddenly, and almost out of nowhere, Adira would appear, leaning back against a pillar.
“They’re not reacting because they found the Sundrop,” explained the white-haired woman. “That would be you.”
Without giving any unnecessary explanations, Adira would proceed to free Maximus and Eugene, allowing them to join in the fight. Without wasting time, Eugene would face the Baron, quickly engaging in battle. The Baron would gain the upper hand and almost use the Kai Spider on the younger man. But thanks to Shorty stumbling amidst the battle at a very opportune time, the spider would end up biting The Baron himself instead, and the anti-venom would be used on Lance.
“IF I’M GOING DOWN, THEN I’M TAKING YOU WITH ME!!” The large blonde man would threaten Eugene
“HEY, BARON!” But before he could even lay a finger on the former thief, a frying pan would fly to his face, knocking him out.
The fight was at last over, and Eugene and Rapunzel were reunited .
“We’ll find the anti-venom, and then I will settle this, Rider,” Stalyan swore her revenge on her ex-fiancé
“The name’s Eugene,” He’d respond with a smirk, while he held Rapunzel’s hand.
With a frown, and her father poisoned, Stalyan left the now ruined wedding. And now that they were finally together, the blonde had something to clarify with her boyfriend.
“I wanted to talk about when you asked to marry me. I…didn’t quite know what to say,” She confessed with a smile. She now knows she wants him in her life more than she initially thought. Pascal, who stood in a nearby structure, encouraged his best friend to go on.
“But I do now…” A soft smile formed on her lips. “Eugene, will you-”
“No, that’s not necessary,” He interrupted, leaving Rapunzel confused.
“What?”
“You’re finally free and out in the real world. I understand now that making a lifetime commitment is probably the furthest thing from your mind,” He explained himself with a soft yet warm smirk. “In other words, now’s just not the time.”
“Oh.Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you’re right, you're right. Now is not the time. That is…totally what I was about to say.” She was a bit confused about his answer. Sure, she initially said she wasn’t ready for marriage, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t willing to marry him now if that brought happiness to the man she loves. “I’m really…glad you feel the same.”
“But if the time does come, we need to have a serious talk about the ceremony decorations beforehand. I mean, did you see that swan?” He said, pointing to the same swan statue that Rapunzel was hating when she sneaked inside the wedding.
“I know, right?! So tacky!” She responded, still not sure about the decorative statue.
“Tack…? No, that swan is a-” She slowly shook her head with an awkward smile, leaving him with no choice but to agree. “Awesomely tacky, I mean, what?! Outrageous.”
Regardless of the decorative choices each had, the couple was finally reunited and held each other’s hands with a warm kiss.
The next morning, Rapunzel wondered what the destination was that the black rocks were going to lead her to. The mysterious Adira would soon appear to give the blonde some insight into what awaited ahead.
“Listen, I don’t have all the answers, but now that I’ve seen all that I have, I have no doubt.”
The White-haired woman gave a piece of paper to the blonde. It was the other piece of the scroll she discovered in Varian’s lab.
“These rocks were looking for you, and you must follow them…to The Dark Kingdom”
Rapunzel felt a strange sensation in her chest. Worry? Maybe. But regardless of how dark the path was going to get, regardless of every jeopardy that they’d face, they were ready to walk down that path and discover where their destiny lies.
On their last day in Vardaros, after attempting to celebrate the Goodwill Festival and everything going out of control, Rapunzel and Cass reconcile after disagreeing on the plans and activities for the Festival, specifically after Eugene himself chained the 2 women together in an attempt to help them mend their friendship.
“Cass, I couldn’t have asked a better person to be chained to,” said the blonde in a warm tone.
“Me neither.”
Responded the Lady-in-Waiting. Little did Eugene know, this may be the start where Cassandra’s perspective may have started to…change.
Weeks later, Adira would return to guide the group through the Forest of No Return. Eugene, who had been guiding the group until that point, became uh… a bit jealous of Adira’s skillset.
In an attempt to show his friends that he was still capable of guiding them on his own, he recklessly attempted to pass over the field of Silver Geysers and ended up falling into a sinkhole.
He’d meet Adira, after putting trust in Adira’s map (Who, by the way, he reluctantly accepted to use yet ignored at the same time up until that point). The white-haired woman didn’t seem impressed to see him, especially after seeing him (and the others) jump across the clearing like a delirious madman.
“So what’s your plan?” She asked with a blank face.
“My plan…is for you to take the lead.” His eyes softened as he handed over Adira’s peculiar map back to her. “Please, help me find my friends.”
A smile formed on the woman’s face.
“I know exactly where we are, but I’m not sure about the others. The map can only point its user to the exit,” She pointed out.
“Well, maybe they made it out! Come on!” He tried to stay as positive as he could and encouraged Adira to follow him.
“I wish I could say they have, but…” But of course, things weren’t that easy. “You need the map or me to get to the exit. And, as you can see, both of those things are right here.”
Eugene sighed. This situation was his fault. Not hers, not the map, just him and his ego. “Adira, I’m sorry for the mess I’ve gotten us into. It’s just…”
He sat in a nearby mushroom (Because yes, the forest had mushrooms big enough to be used as seats)
“Before I met Rapunzel, being an adventurous devil-may-care rogue was the one definite in my life” As much as he loved his current life alongside Rapunzel, as much as he allowed himself to ‘loosen up’ for his new life away from people like Dorian Ravensdale, The Baron, and Stalyan, he couldn’t deny that a part of him missed the man he was back then.
He didn’t miss the stealing, the lying, the constant going from bed to bed without any true feelings involved in the act that wasn’t, well, lust.
But he missed being the most skilled man in the room, and as much as he likes having Isla, Lance, Hook Foot, and yes, Cass around…He missed when it was just him, Rapunzel, Pascal, and Maximus.
“It just felt nice to be in charge like that again…” His eyes filled with a bit of melancholy before the mushroom above him moved on its own and barked, startling him.
“Pup-shroom,” Adira pointed out with half a smirk. And just like the name suggested, with only him throwing a piece of a branch away, the mushroom went away as it went after said branch.
“But…I guess I’m not that guy anymore.” He lowered his head, accepting the fact that those days, those 3 days that changed his life forever, are…gone.
“You’re right. You’re not who you used to be.”
Adira reflected on what he just told her and what she had learned about the group ever since she started observing them from afar and up close.
“As you may be aware, I’ve been observing you and your friends. And it’s clear that because of the princess, you’ve become much more than just a swashbuckler. You’re also a friend.” A warm smile formed on the woman’s face.
“You bring laughter and warmth. You’re the fish skin that holds this group together,” Adira said, referencing the nickname she gave to Eugene a few hours ago.
“Hold up, did you just say-” He raised an eyebrow. He thought that ‘fish skin’ was just Adira criticizing his skin, the same skin he takes care of with the utmost attention it deserves.
“It’s the optimum compound for making glue,” Adira says with a smirk. “I use it to repair the soles of these boots. Not too bad, huh?”
“Oh! Fish Skin is a compliment?” He asked, almost excited.
“Uh…sure,” She shrugged. Whatever makes him happy.
“But we can’t just give up. Come on, Adira, I-I don’t care if we have to turn this forest inside out, we’re gonna find my friends,” He said, conviction and determination in his voice. Suddenly, an idea came into Adira’s mind.
“Wait, inside out, that’s it!” She finally figured out how the forest worked and how its sections moved: They moved inside out. Adira and Eugene would manage to find the others and rescue them from a group of Drexis, hybrids between bats and spiders. The group would emerge victorious and exit the Forest of No Return successfully.
Days later, both Eugene and Cassandra would face a scenario that neither would want to experience again. After encountering a couple known as Mother and Father, both Rapunzel and Cassandra would be turned into birds. Eventually, Eugene, Lance, Isla, and Hook Foot were turned into birds after encountering the odd couple with the magical teapot, but all of them, and even previous victims, would go back to normal. All, except Rapunzel.
“EUGENE!!” The Hispanic brunette ran to help Lance contain Mother in her hawk form, “GO WITH CASSANDRA!!”
“But-” He was quickly pushed aside by Isla, as she took his spot in containing the bird of prey.
“RUBIA!!” That word alone would be all he needed to snap out of it and run as fast as he could to get to the cottage. But when he arrived, all he found was Cassandra back to normal, desperately trying to find the last egg and finding none.
“Cass?” He asked as the short-haired young woman threw away the basket, which once contained the eggs. His heart sank as he noticed that…there weren’t any eggs left.
“No, no, no, no, no. Blondie?” He rushed to kneel alongside Cassandra, who held the bird-turned Rapunzel in her palms.
“Oh, Raps..” The short-haired woman’s eyes filled with sorrow. “You’re my best friend.”
“Rapunzel, we are going to find another egg. I promise.” He said as he opened his palm, allowing his girlfriend-turned-bird to hop on it. “Please, just-”
The small bird would softly caress the man’s cheek as she chirped sadly.
‘I’m so sorry, guys…I love you, Eugene. Her eyes turned black and blank, and neither Eugene nor Cassandra could contain their emotions. His eyes watered, as Cassandra did the best she could to not only not cry in front of him, but to hold her tears.
Eugene didn’t say a word. He just stared at the tiny body in his hands, eyes wide, chest rising unevenly.
“No…”
In an attempt to avenge her friend, Cassandra ended up destroying the teapot, leaving the couple, alongside their cottage. And just when everything seemed lost, a peacock-turned Shorty would lay one egg, allowing the princess of Corona to turn back to normal.
“RAPS!!” Cassandra would run to Rapunzel, spinning her in mid-air. Eugene’s eyes widened in confusion for a second. He had never seen Cassandra this happy, even less spin her like that. Regardless, Rapunzel was back to normal.
“Ugh! Am I the only one craving worms?” She’d say as she turned to Eugene, smiling at him warmly.
“I know I am,” Shorty would say as he laid another egg. Isla would roll her eyes as she used the egg on the short and bearded man.
Eugene and Rapunzel would share a warm kiss before returning to the Caravan.
“You have no idea how close I was to getting feathers tattooed on my arm in your honor.”
He said, making her chuckle softly.
“Listen, Raps.” Before they resumed their journey, Cassandra had something to tell the blonde princess, “What you said before about being afraid? It’s okay. I’d be afraid, too. But I want you to remember that no matter what you have to face at the end of this road, you’re not going to face it alone.”
“Thanks, Cass. Really,” Rapunzel laid a hand on Cassandra’s shoulder before the group resumed their journey.
The group’s journey next brought them to a strange wagon where they’d meet a monkey named Vigor the Visionary.
Eugene and Rapunzel would meet the monkey after they’d decided to have a date alone. Eventually, the couple reencounter Angry and Red, who had decided to steal Vigor to find Angry’s family, and for a moment, the girl thought she found her biological mother and father, only to find out that not only neither were her real parents, but that they were thieves breaking havoc on the local village of Fortuna.
After being saved by Rapunzel herself, the couple would find Angry and Red free from their captors. The girls knew how to defend themselves. But Angry was greatly disappointed and even a bit sad.
“Follow the leaf to find your tree…” He read the broken fortune. “Hey, did you know when I found Rapunzel, I was looking for a crown? And when Rapunzel found me, she was chasing lights in the sky…” He said with a chuckle as he softly caressed the blonde’s cheek.
“That’s what we thought would bring us happiness. That’s weird, right?” He smiled as he remembered how different his current goals were from his old ones.
“So? Why are you telling me this?” The black-haired girl would ask the man with the goatee.
“Well, because you thought finding your ‘tree’ would bring you to your family. But who’s by your side right now when you’re feeling your lowest?”
The little girl’s eyes widened as she saw her red-haired best friend.
“You have a family in red. And if the journey helps you realize that, then following the leaf helps you find your tree.” Eugene saw Angry’s eyes softening, realizing that Red was her family, her sister.
“So, I don’t forget who my family is.” Without any words left to say, Angry would give Red a warm embrace. Eugene and Rapunzel smiled warmly as he held her by her waist.
The next few weeks would be some of the most agitated days the group would have ever faced. From retrieving the third part from the scroll to being stuck on an island inhabited by leaf people known as the Lorb Tribe.
While on their way back to land, Eugene and Maximus become stranded on a ship taken over by criminals they’ve fought in the past, including Lady Caine and the Stabbington twins. Rapunzel and company manage to rescue them and put the criminals back in their cells.
Days later, after another encounter with Vigor and Madame Canardist, Eugene and others would be seemingly taken to the jails of Pincosta after the handsome former thief was recognized as Flynn Rider. In an attempt to free Eugene and her friends, and being given 2 days to find The Eye of Pincosta, Rapunzel was forced to make an unlikely team-up with none other than Stalyan.
“Wow. Didn’t think ‘Princess Sunshine’ could find me in a place as shady as this,” Said the copper-brown-haired woman as she held a cutlass and diamond-studded dagger in her hands.
“Well, maybe you’re not the judge of character you thought you were,” The blonde responded with crossed arms.
“Let me guess, Rider’s in trouble and you want my help to save him”. A smirk formed on Stalyan’s face. Rapunzel was too predictable for her taste. She picked out a knife and began to pull out the diamonds from the dagger.
“Yeah, I need to find The Eye of Pincosta, and you two stole it together.” She promised Eugene that she wasn’t going to let him (or the others) go to work at the Copper Mines of Malanay.
“We stole a lot of things together,” Stalyan smirked as she managed to finally pull out the diamond. “Yeah, I know where it is, but why would I help you?”
“Because I’m charming?” The blonde asked awkwardly with a chuckle, “It was worth the shot.
I think you’ll help because you still care about Eugene. And…there’s good in everybody.”
“HA! And you are a terrible judge of character,” Stalyan rolled her eyes as she sat on the table. “I want nothing to do with Rider. And doing the right thing has never been a priority of mine.”
Despite refusing to help her, Stalyan reluctantly agreed to team up with Rapunzel in an unlikely alliance.
The eye of Pincosta was in the hands of Virtuous St. Goodberry, who agreed to hand them the jewel if they participated in a wrestling match.
Stalyan initially betrayed Rapunzel, running away with the Eye to use it to win Eugene back for herself. However, thanks to a note that Rapunzel had hidden in her canteen, she had a change of heart.
After Rapunzel was beaten in ways only Eugene (and even Lance as well) has been beaten up, Stalyan returns at the last second, teaming up with Rapunzel and beating up their opponent.
“You know, now I get why he went for you,” Stalyan said with a smile, but not a sarcastic or even one with malicious intent, but a sincere one.
“Eugene?” Rapunzel asked
“I looked at him and I saw a thief. And you looked at him and saw a good person. Which made him want to be a good person. And it…worked on me too,” The brunette admitted as she gave Rapunzel The Eye of Pincosta. “Tell Eugene I said hi…”
With that said, Stalyan went her separate way.
“I’m sorry you had to deal with Stalyan,” Said Eugene after he and the others had been released.
“She’s not that bad. She didn’t even take the payment I offered.” Rapunzel checked on her satchel, but she couldn’t find the key. “Wait, where’s my key?”
“We’ve been robbed!” Exclaimed Hook Foot, as in their vault was nothing but a new frying pan for Rapunzel, with a note that said ‘You guys are a really good match, and I’m not gonna say that that’s easy for me to deal with. But the gold will help.’
Notes:
In this chapter, I took some liberties, specifically in Freebird. I thought that I could let Eugene react and grieve with Cass to the fact that Rapunzel was turned into a bird without a way to bring her back.
Chapter 8: The Tangled Years: The Journey: Rapunzel and The Great Tree.
Summary:
As they venture inside the Great Tree, Rapunzel discovers a new incantation, while Cassandra begins to feel ignored and overshadowed.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The group’s next stop would be at The Great Tree, a once sentient being and a force for good, until Zhan Tiri corrupted it, turning it into the sorcerer’s stronghold, until the tree’s magic was stopped by Lord Demanitus. The Tree was currently intensely protected by Hector, one of the 3 members of The Brotherhood alongside Adira, and to everyone’s surprise, Quirin, Varian’s father. Cassandra began to question Adira’s actions and motives, despite the woman having helped them throughout the journey up until that point.
“Look, Adira. You may have sold my friends on being the wise but kooky old mentor, but I’m not buying it. I’m watching you.” The Lady-in-Waiting said with distrust and an accusatory finger before she crossed her arms.
“Well, if that’s what you want, be my guess.” Adira was unbothered by the young woman’s distrust of her. She was here to guide Princess Rapunzel to her destiny, not her. “But as a servant of the princess, isn’t it your job to watch over her?”
“I’m not a servant,” Cass answered with a frown.
“Oh! I thought that’s what a lady-in-waiting was…” Adira responded with sarcasm before following the others.
While Rapunzel and others managed to find an area of the tree that revealed that not only did it have a scroll with the same healing incantation she learned from Mother Gothel, but also another incantation.
While Rapunzel learned all of this, Eugene and Lance end up getting lost ( due to Lance picking up flowers for Adira, despite that the woman wasn’t interested in him at all), stumbling with a strange plant’s hallucinogenic pollen, making them act stupidly unserious, yet at the same time express their friendship to each other.
“I’m sorry I called you dishonest, Lance,” Eugene said stupidly while giving Lance.
“Well, I can play a little fast and loose with the truth. But you wanna know one thing I never lie about? You! You’re my closest pal!” Responded Lance equally as stupid.
They were each other’s buddies, ‘best buddies’ according to the duo, and they were about to get eaten by the plant, all while being each other’s ‘best buddies’.
Anyway, back with Rapunzel, Isla, Adira, etc. The other incantation written and translated in the scroll was none other than the Moonstone’s.
“The Sundrop’s power was to heal . What’s the Moonstone’s?” Asked Cassandra before Rapunzel stepped in to read the incantation.
“Wither and decay, end this Destiny. Break these earthly chains, and set the spirit free,” the blonde recited, but nothing happened at the beginning. She read the incantation once again, and plant life around them began to, well, decay. Flowers died, and the grass lost its color, turning dark gray.
“Uh…Raps?” Cassandra asked, concerned as she looked below her feet. The blonde’s eyes turned completely black as the incantation began to gain power, and her friends fell one by one to their knees.
“Ok, Raps, you can stop now-” Cassandra couldn’t even finish her sentence properly without coughing. “Rapunzel-”
“ Wither and decay…End this destiny.” The 70 feet of blonde hair began to turn jet black, releasing itself from the braid. “End this destiny…Break these earthly chains, and set the spirit free…”
Her empty eyes turned to see the moon symbol on one of the walls, while the power of the moonstone summoned by the incantation threatened to end the lives of everyone in the area.
“The spirit free…”
“Rapunzel...stop…” Cassandra reached out to Rapunzel with the strength that was being drained away. “Please…” She begged her best friend to stop, but Rapunzel continued reciting the incantation to the point where she even began to shed tears. Not being able to take it anymore, Adira pushed Rapunzel aside, making her fall.
“RAPUNZEL!!” Cassandra ran to Rapunzel’s side, as her jet black hair turned back to blonde. “Raps? No, no, no, no, please!”
She held Rapunzel, desperate, until the blonde opened her eyes.
“That was…Unexpected.” The blonde smiled warmly.
“Oh, you’re okay.” Cass tightly hugged Rapunzel the moment she knew she was ok. “I’m sorry, Raps. I’m supposed to protect you.”
“It’s ok, Cass…” For one second, Cassandra swore that she saw something in the blonde’s eyes. She smiled, but that smile faded away when she heard Rapunzel’s next 3 words, “Thank you…Adira”
Cassandra frowned, maybe even a bit with jealousy. And to top it all off, the carnivorous flower that was going to eat Eugene and Lance falls from the ceiling, alongside Pascal and Maximus.
“Rapunzel…WHAT'S UP?!” Eugene said before falling unconscious.
After the effects of the hallucinogenic flower wore off for Eugene and Lance, the group finally reached a higher point, and Adira suggested spending the night there. Cassandra? She was not having it.
“No way. We are getting out of this tree as soon as possible.” Adira was too cryptic for Cassandra’s taste, and from her point of view, she risked the lives of Rapunzel and everyone else the moment she guided them to that tree.
“I’m not sure that’s your call, kid,” Said Adira, her posture calm just like her tone.
“Cass…” Rapunzel intervened, her tone gentle, but with a touch of concern in her voice. “We could use the rest…”
“Rapunzel, this place almost got us killed an hour ago.” But much to Cass’s disdain, Adira responded almost immediately.
“And thankfully, I was there to prevent it.” Cassandra felt her pulse rising the moment Adira opened her mouth.
“YOU STAY OUT OF THIS, ADIRA!” She couldn’t believe that Adira had the nerve to talk about ‘preventing it’.
“I think you should calm down.” The white-haired woman raised her tone, yet remained calm, unlike Cassandra, who was losing her temper.
“You know what I think? I think you’re playing us.” Adira frowned at Cassandra’s accusation, “I think you let us here on purpose and for some sick reason you wanted Rapunzel to find that incantation and read it.”
“Come on, Cass. Listen to yourself!” Rapunzel tried to reason with Cassandra. Ever since Adira came into their lives, all the way back to their visit to Vardaros, she has done nothing but help them and even guide them. What is she talking about?
“Rapunzel, I’m telling you right now, we need to get out of this tree, but more importantly, we need to lose Adira before she gets us all killed.” Cassandra wanted Rapunzel to take her side; she ALWAYS took her side. She’s her best friend for Corona’s sake.
“I can’t do that…Cass” But unfortunately for the lady-in-waiting, Rapunzel was determined. She needed Adira’s help, THEY needed Adira’s help. Only she knows the way to the Dark Kingdom.
“What do you mean you can’t do that? Of course you can. Are you that obliviously naive that you can’t see-” The lady-in-waiting couldn’t even get to finish the sentence before the princess finally lost her patience and snapped at her.
“ENOUGH, CASSANDRA!”
Eugene, Isla, Lance, even Pascal, and Maximus looked in surprise when Rapunzel raised her voice against Cassandra out of all people. Cassandra’s surprise could be seen in her face as she took a step back, letting Rapunzel’s arms go.
“No one is getting rid of anyone. Is that clear?!” Rapunzel’s tone was firm; a decision had been made. Cassandra’s face fell as she turned to the others, and then to a confused yet shocked Eugene.
‘No one is getting rid of anyone. ’ That sentence made Cassandra realize that…perhaps things weren’t as she thought. Perhaps she and Rapunzel are not the equals she thought they were.
“Yes, Your Highness…” She lowered her head as she walked away from the group. “I’ll keep first watch.”
Rapunzel wasn’t like this at the beginning when she and Eugene just moved to the castle. She was new to that new life away from the tower, and Cassandra helped her adjust to it. They became friends almost instantly, and Cassandra? She had never seen someone so sweet and bright. Aside from Eugene (And her own parents, of course), Cass was one of the few people the princess could trust, and the second human friend she made ( the first was Fitzherbert himself before their friendship turned into something much deeper and well, romantic).
“I don’t get it, Eugene.” The blonde’s eyes stared at Cassandra, who sat a few feet away from the group, alone. “I have never seen Cass act like this before.”
The brown-haired, handsome man immediately sat beside her. “Yeah. Angry, broody, impatient, I’m stunned,” He rolled his eyes. Cassandra calling him insults was something he got used to in their dynamic, despite them growing closer ever since Rapunzel’s parents allowed him to live in the royal castle.
“You know what I mean. Ever since we left Corona, she’s been…different.” Rapunzel swore that the way Cassandra had been looking at her for the past few months was different somehow. They grew much closer together, and that is something even Eugene had been noticing in small bits.
“Because she is. We all are, Blondie!” A warm smile formed on his face. “We’ve all had to make some adjustments since leaving Corona. We’re not the same people we were six months ago, and…Well, why would Cass be any different?”
“It’s just that ever since I’ve known Cass, it’s like she seems so…together.” She knew that Cassandra, out of all people, was capable of snapping at people. She saw her snapping at Eugene more times than she could count, but this? She hoped that the lady-in-waiting, out of all people, would understand why following Adira was important to her.
“You of all people should know things aren’t always what they seem…” He knew firsthand from that time that he was locked alongside her in a cell that the adoptive daughter of the captain of the guards wasn’t the type to share her most vulnerable side with others.
Encouraged by her beloved boyfriend, Rapunzel walked towards Cass to have a conversation with her.
“So, earlier…” the blonde didn’t even know where to begin. “That got awkward, huh?”
“Which part?” Cassandra couldn’t even look at Raps. She looked at her for a moment before looking down again.
“I know. It’s been an unusual day…” And it was. Their encounter with Hector, the Moonstone Incantation. This day has been more intense than others.
“You know it’s not just about Adira, right?” Cass finally turned to look at Rapunzel. “I mean, she’s a jerk and I can’t stand her, but it’s just…since when did you stop trusting my judgment?”
“Cass…” She kneeled in front of her friend, her eyes softening, “You are the closest thing that I will ever have to a big sister…”
For some reason, those 2 words, ‘big sister’, felt like a short pang in Cassandra’s heart.
“But I’m not that naive girl fresh out of the tower anymore. I am going to be Queen …someday. And, I can promise you, I’m going to make decisions that you’re going to disagree with, and I need you to be okay with that.”
It wasn’t what Cass wanted, but she did understand. A soft smile formed on her lips.
“Well, I better get some rest,” The blonde yawned before walking away. “I’m…on the next shift.”
‘Guess we all are born with parts to play…’ While everyone slept, with only the dark and the moon keeping her company, she wondered…how long is she gonna have to keep on waiting?
While others like Rapunzel and Eugene shone together like stars, she was just…in the way.
She knew that she was meant for glory; after all, she was the daughter of the captain. Yet that was not what her story brought, and she kept on waiting.
She imagined herself leading Corona’s troops with passion and drive, as she waited for that moment centre stage to arrive. With her heart blazing, she was ready to reach all those amazing things… but was left waiting in the wings.
She heard her cue, she knew what needed to be done, yet she kept on waiting for her moment. Someone else always gets to sing…while she is left waiting in the wings.
With head held high, and all her will, she had always kept on keeping on, but just one blink and her chances are gone. Always overlooked unfairly by the kingdom, by Rapunzel, while pretending it didn’t sting her heart.
Regardless of how loud the silence rang, she’ll keep on waiting, even if no one cheers, even if she has to hold back her tears.
But soon after, when she was about to rest nearby, Hector and his Binturongs quickly attacked Cassandra. Adira intervened, and the two members of the brotherhood quickly engaged in combat. The green-eyed man was determined to keep anyone away from The Dark Kingdom and the moonstone, and in his own words:
“Keeping its existence secret was the king’s wish. And to do anything otherwise is treason.”
Adira had high hopes that the Sundrop’s power could change Hector’s mind once he saw its power firsthand when they returned to the Dark Kingdom. Unfortunately, the white-haired woman was defeated, and Hector was determined to attack Rapunzel and the others, until…
“Leave her alone!”
It was Cassandra, and she was willing to fight him. The fight didn’t last that long. It took 2 hits for the green-eyed man to leave Cassandra on the ground while trying to reach her sword.
“Tell me, Lady-in-Waiting…” He ruthlessly stepped on her hand as he leaned close to her.
“What are you waiting for?”
He said, his tone dangerous yet low, all while grinning sadistically.
But the captain’s daughter didn’t give up.
She threw dirt into his eyes before proceeding to push him off the platform. Surprisingly, Hector survived the fall, and refusing to give up, he removed the spear of Lord Demanitus, awakening the dark magic of Zhan Tiri within the Great Tree.
To his surprise, he was possessed by the tree’s dark magic, and without wasting a second, he proceeded to attack Rapunzel, Eugene, Cassandra, and others. Another fight was unleashed, and while Eugene and Lance slashed against the tree’s tendrils, Cassandra struggled to keep one at bay.
“CASS!” The blonde called out to her best friend while a tendril threatened to smash her. “WATCH OUT!!” She quickly swiped her friend away from being squashed by the giant tendril of the tree. “Gotta watch that flank”, Rapunzel responded with a small wink.
As the fight continued, Hector dropped the spear, which revealed to Cassandra that the possessed Hector could be defeated. Despite their efforts, the team was quickly overpowered and taken by the tree’s tendrils, and Rapunzel was almost knocked out. Now, only one thing could take down that thing.
“Raps, wait!” Cassandra gasped as she saw Rapunzel wrapping her golden locks around the plant that possessed Hector. “You can’t do that incantation again!!”
“I don’t have a choice, Cass.” Rapunzel turned to Cassandra, as Eugene, Isla, Lance, Hook Foot, etc struggled against the tendrils.
“Please, Raps! That spear can kill it!” Cassandra points to the spear in front of her. “Let me try and grab it! Trust me!” That thing could be defeated; she just needed to grab that spear.
“AAAAH!!” Eugene yelled in pain as the tendrils threatened to painfully crush his ribs.
“EUGENE!!” The blonde’s eyes widened as she heard his painful yelling, “I have to do this!!”
“NO!!” Cassandra was close to grabbing the spear. For once, ever since they arrived in that cursed tree, she needed Rapunzel to give her a chance.
The mere situation painfully reminded her of the day when she had to be Queen for a day. When she was forced to ignore Varian’s pleadings in favor of saving the Kingdom. Trust Cassandra’s judgment, or save her friends and the man she loves from being crushed to death. ‘I’m sorry, Cass. ’
“Wither and decay, end this destiny. Break these earthly chains, and set the spirit free…” The blonde’s hair turned jet black once again, and her eyes turned full black. The tree began to crumble as its energy was drained away, freeing Eugene and others.
“Rapunzel…” Eugene barely managed to verbalize before he lost consciousness. Lance and Isla rushed to hold their best friend.
“LANCE, ISLA, GO!!” Rapunzel called Lance. She needed him to take Eugene to safety as fast as he could.
“But princess-”
“NOW!!” The sclera of her eyes became visible for a second. She needed to concentrate, and she couldn’t do so with pieces of wood threatening to crush the man she loves. Without needing to ask her anything else, Lance picked Eugene and ran out of the tree alongside Isla, while Maximus and Fidella carried Hook Foot, Shorty, and Pascal.
Adira and Rapunzel tried to convince Cassandra to leave, but she refused. She refused to leave without her. The short-haired young woman attempted to grab Rapunzel by the arm, but much to her pain and horror, the incantation burned her right hand.
“CASS!! NO!!” Rapunzel immediately stopped the incantation upon seeing her friend’s injured hand.
“I…I could have stopped it. You should have let me try.” Rapunzel could have” allowed her to try, she could have listened to her…But she didn’t
“LISTEN!! YOUR FRIEND IS RIGHT!” Hector managed to say, still tied to the dying tendrils of the tree. “ADIRA IS LYING TO YOU!! She…she might have you think she’s helping you to find your destiny, but if you go to the Dark Kingdom…You’re doomed.”
Those were Hector’s last words before falling to an almost assured doom.
“Rapunzel!” Adira approached the young blonde woman. “Stay on the path. All our destinies lie within you,” Adira pleaded to Rapunzel to continue the path she and her friends were currently following, before jumping into the void Hector had fallen into.
“ADIRA!!” Rapunzel tried to reach her, but the woman had already jumped. The princess picked up Cassandra and rushed out of the tree, which quickly crumbled apart.
To both her surprise and relief, both Hector and Adira were alive, and the former was taken away with the help of his binturongs.
“Oh, Cass, your hand. Are you ok?” The blonde rushed to the black-haired young woman.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Her hand was burned to be left jet black, and the pain was almost unbearable.
“Are you sure-” Rapunzel noticed how much it must hurt. But Cassandra didn’t want her help, not after what happened.
“I said I’m fine!” She almost snapped at the blonde. Perhaps if she had listened to her, things could have gone much differently.
“But you’re hurt!” The blonde was only trying to help a friend. Her closest friend.
“I know!” Cassandra’s eyes drift to the nearby armor that must have fallen out of the tree. “And it won’t happen again.”
“So, what now?” Eugene asked with concern visible on his face.
The blonde looked at a black rock lying flat on the ground. Do they keep on following this path? Or do they listen to Hector’s warning?
“It’s your call, Raps,” Cassandra said, now wearing the armor she found. It fit like it had been waiting for her. Just like she had always been… waiting. She may have been upset at Rapunzel for not listening to her, but now she understood: This journey was for Rapunzel to complete.
“This path has been laid out for me. There is no turning back. This journey started with her wanting answers and to follow her destiny wherever the black rocks pointed her. She is not stopping now, “I am going to The Dark Kingdom.”
And so, everyone followed Rapunzel, without the caravan, and determined to reach the end of this road.
Notes:
At first, I thought this chapter could be posted as part 3, but considering how key this episode is, I've decided to post it as its own thing.
Chapter 9: The Tangled Years: The Journey: Part 3
Summary:
As they approach closer to the Dark Kingdom, the bigger the threats become. Isla and Rapunzel say goodbye to Hook Foot, and while the bond between Cassandra and Rapunzel continues to strengthen, so does the rift between them.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Without a caravan and tired from walking, the team from Corona would end up meeting a friend they hadn’t seen for a long time: Hook Hand.
Isla and Rapunzel were so happy to see him again, and Eugene was too until he learned that the bald man with the mustache still wasn’t very fond of him.
Hook Foot, on the other hand, wasn’t happy to see his older brother, not one bit. Both Isla and Rapunzel would learn that Hook Hand had always dismissed his younger brother’s dream: dancing.
The blonde and the Hispanic brunette were so disappointed to see that the fame of being a recognized pianist went to his head because, at some point, he was just a thug with only a dream.
And if it hadn’t been for the naive blonde girl from the tower and the ever-so-clever Flynn Rider stumbling into the Snuggly Duckling that fateful day, he’d still be playing in that pub only for a group of ruffians.
After attempting to sabotage Hook Hand’s concert for King Trevor of Equis, Hook Foot would challenge the monarch to a dance-off.
With the support of Isla, Rapunzel, and Hook Hand himself, Hook Hand’s younger brother ended up outshining Trevor, winning the dance-off.
And, once he was ready to part ways with his brother once again, Hook Hand surprised his younger brother by showing that he was willing to not just include him in his piano concerts, but that he was also willing to form a duo with him.
“But, my friends…I have to leave them.” That had been his dream for so long, and now he finally had the chance to make it true. But that would mean that he was not going to be able to finish the journey that started in Corona.
“Hook Foot…” Isla stepped in.
“When we left the kingdom, I wasn’t sure if leaving the pub to follow Rubia and Eugene all the way here was the right choice. But now I see that this journey has opened a new path for you to follow.” The Latina smiled softly with pride.
“Anda, ve por tu sueño”
“Thank you.”
The Hook brothers hugged Isla and Rapunzel in a warm embrace. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more…happy.” And with that said, Hook Foot would leave with his brother to go and fulfill his dream.
Days passed, and Cassandra was still getting used to her burned hand, while Rapunzel wished she could talk about things with her, but she refused to talk about it.
To everyone’s surprise, Eugene and Maximus managed to find the Caravan, though it was heavily damaged.
They needed supplies, and that was the perfect excuse for the blonde to have a private talk with her best friend. The duo would find a destroyed village, in which they’d find a wand with the ability to erase memory.
“Too bad there’s not an ‘open-up-to-your-best-friend-about-the-thing-you-guys-are-fighting-about’ wand, huh?” The blonde murmured.
“What was that?” She asked as she placed the wand and the book back in their place. But she wasn’t stupid; she heard her loud and clear.
“Cass, I know you’re mad at me, but I did the right thing. I didn’t have a choice.” She wanted Cassandra to see things from her point of view, to put herself in her shoes, to understand.
“Look, if you feel that way, then it’s fine. We’re good.” Cassandra quickly shut her down, because yes, she did feel upset at Rapunzel, but she didn’t want to talk about it. “Come on. We should set up camp for the night.”
That night, Rapunzel tried once again to talk with her, but Cassandra just kept shutting her down and telling her she wasn’t upset, wishing the blonde would just forget about the whole thing.
Then, the wand activated, and much to Cassandra’s surprise, it erased Rapunzel’s memories, taking her mind back to when Flynn Rider wasn’t even a thought in her mind.
“Answer me! How did you get me out of my tower?”
Cassandra was taken aback, in utter shock.
The blonde demanded answers; she needed to know how she was taken out of her tower.
She told her that ruffians used magic on her to take her out of the tower while promising to take her back to her ‘mother’.
Regardless, the woman in armor wasn’t willing to tell her what actually happened and open up about her feelings, because according to her, she didn’t do ‘touchy-feely”. The plan was simple: Make the spell while she ‘led her back home’, what could possibly go wrong?
While Cass collected the ingredients for the potion, Rapunzel experienced freedom all over again– the grass beneath her feet, the chirping of the birds, swinging on trees with her hair. She seemed so happy, and Cassandra was happy for her too, no, more than that. For quite some time, she had stopped seeing the princess as ‘just a friend’, but she never understood what it was, or at least didn’t want to understand it. How long was she going to deny it?
Was this what Eugene felt when he took Rapunzel out of the tower? Was this…love?
After being saved from falling off a cliff while picking Minne flowers for soup, Rapunzel apologized for causing the lady in armor trouble.
“It’s not a big deal, Raps. Really,” Cassandra assured the princess of the long golden locks.
“No, Cass. Saving my life is a big deal.” The memory-wiped princess insisted, “Thank you so much; not just for this, but…for everything. I am so lucky to have someone like you that I can trust. I don’t know what I'd do here without you.”
Cassandra couldn’t help but wonder: Was this what Eugene felt when he took Rapunzel out of the tower? Was this…love? “Okay, well…That’s enough for one day, don’t you think? We’ll head north to the tower in the morning.”
The night had finally set, and while the duo of Eugene and Lance worked on the caravan, part of the handsome former thief wondered why the girls hadn’t come back yet. Sure, they needed supplies to fix the caravan, but at these late hours, he’d hoped they’d be back. Sure, he knows that regardless of his worries, she can take care of herself, and she had Cass alongside her, there was nothing he had to worry about…right?
Meanwhile, the duo of Raps and Cass made a campfire not so far off. The soup turned blue as Cassandra added the minne flowers. The fire crackled softly between them, casting golden light across Rapunzel’s cheek. Cassandra didn’t mean to stare—but the way the light danced in her eyes made it hard not to.
“Hey, soup smells good!” The blonde said as she brought some wood for the fireplace. She sat alongside the lady in armor, and for one second, Cass allowed herself to take in how beautiful the blonde princess was. Both women had things they wanted to say to each other, but…perhaps one is not what the other would like to hear.
“It needs to simmer overnight, remember? We can taste-test it in the morning, and then we’ll head to the tower.” The short-haired woman said as she closed the book with the recipe for the potion.
“Sure, I just…Maybe a small part of me doesn’t wanna go back to the tower…?” Rapunzel sighed in relief, finally speaking her mind, “Oh, wow. It feels good to get that out. The world is just such an amazing place, and… I don’t know if I’m ready to give it up.”
For her, this wasn’t a deja vu; this was experiencing the world for the first time, even if she couldn’t remember that she had done so a while ago. “I feel so bad saying this because my mother only wants what’s best for me, and the world is kind of dangerous, but…isn’t that what makes it exciting?”
“Why are you telling me this?” Could it be? Could it be that, with Fitzherbert out of her memory, Rapunzel would finally see her the way she had seen her ever since the first day they met? Because…would she even see her that way if she got back her memory? Would she still trust her if she learned the truth?
“Because we’re friends. That’s…what friends do, right? They…tell each other what’s in their hearts?”
And there it was. Even if Rapunzel had no memory of ever meeting Flynn Rider, she still just saw her as…just a friend. Cassandra’s face fell in disappointment, and her heart ached enough to hurt.
“Well…good night.” The blonde quickly left, and Cassandra turned her face to Owl, hoping the bird of prey could enlighten her, but the owl just turned his face away.
“Raps…?”
The blonde turned to see the lady in armor.
“...good night.” She almost said it, she was about to, but decided not to. Right now, her priority was to get Rapunzel back to normal, her Raps, and maybe who knows? Maybe one day she’ll confess her feelings to the blonde…or maybe not, who knows?
But just as she tried to fall asleep, the princess of long blonde locks noticed something: They weren’t heading to the tower. Angry and betrayed, Rapunzel ran away from Cassandra, but much to her surprise ( and believing Cass’s lie), Rapunzel stumbled upon Eugene, Lance, and Shorty, whom she believed were ruffians, and hid away from them, but not before noticing Pascal on Eugene’s shoulder. Thinking they kidnapped her small reptile friend, the blonde furiously swore to free him from ‘the ruffians’. Cassandra would soon arrive.
“No time for details. We have to find Raps; she lost her memory. She thinks she never left the tower. We’ll cover more ground if we split up.” Cassandra quickly and very briefly explained to the men before running to find the blonde princess.
“Oh, boy, that’s a lot to take in. I’m gonna need a moment,” Eugene paused for a moment to assimilate what was happening. “No, strike that, that moment’s not helping.”
“EUGENE! Focus!!” Said Cass, making him snap out of it.
“RIGHT! We need to find her. But hey, this is fresh out of the tower, Rapunzel, right? She’s inexperienced, we got the upper hand!”
Unfortunately for Eugene and others, her memory wasn’t the only thing altered by the wand’s spell; her fighting prowess had also seemingly been affected. Her tactics would lead not only her to take down Isla without even fighting her hand-to-hand, but would also lead both Eugene and Lance to be held upside down above a river of hungry piranhas.
“RAPUNZEL!!” Cassandra arrived just in time to stop this seemingly wild Rapunzel.
“YOU!! You lied to me, too! Don’t try to deny it!” But the memory-wiped princess wanted nothing to do with the lady in armor.
“Is it possible for this conversation to happen when we’re ON THE GROUND?!” Eugene tried to intervene. He was too beautiful to get his face bitten by piranhas.
“Alright, alright! Yes, you’re right, Rapunzel. I did lie, I did use magic on you, and this potion will bring back your memories!” The lady in armor quickly picked the potion out of the hidden pockets of her armor.
“Memories…?” The out-of-control princess raised an eyebrow.
“I erased some of your memories. I didn’t mean to! I..” Rapunzel frowned upon learning this from Cass, but her frown quickly softened as she listened to her. “Look, I’m not big on talking about feelings, and I didn’t want to tell you how mad I really was about what happened at the tree, so I…I kept it all in. Until I lost my temper.”
“And how do I know you’re not just lying again?” Considering her current state of mind and who raised her for the first 18 years of her life, it was expected that the young woman to still have her doubts about Cass.
“Friends just have a way of knowing,” Cass smiled softly, offering the potion to Rapunzel. As for Eugene and Lance, well…the branch on which Rapunzel’s hair was holding them broke, and the 2 still fell into the water. The 2 women watched uncomfortably before Rapunzel turned back to Cass.
“And this will really bring them all back?” She asked as Cassandra handed her the potion.
“It should,” Cass responded, perhaps too calmly, as the duo of Eugene and Lance struggled in the waters.
Rapunzel stared at the shimmering liquid. Her fingers tightened around the bottle. “Okay…”
The blonde finally drank the potion. She gasped as she saw her boyfriend and his best friend get bitten by the carnivorous group of fish.
“EUGENE!!” She exclaimed in panic, quickly throwing her hair into the water. With the help of Cassandra, the duo of former thieves gets pulled out of the water. Eugene gasped and coughed for air as a piranha bit his butt.
“AH, BLONDIE!” She rushed to hug him. All of the memories they made together came back to her in a flash, and that recent image of him with the piranhas was not it.
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry!! Are you ok?!” She checked on his bleeding left cheek, which also had a bite mark from one of the piranhas.
“Hey, hey, I’m fine. Or, at least I’ll be.” A soft smirk formed on his lips before the couple shared a quick, warm kiss. Cassandra’s face fell for a second, and she quickly brushed off the feeling as she looked away.
“I…I’ll go help Isla…” The lady in armor said, with a hint of disappointment in her voice.
The next morning, with their bite marks and injuries patched, Eugene, Lance, and Isla finally set the caravan back to its original state, while Cass and Rapunzel talked about their issues and what happened at the tree.
“...and I could have beaten the tree without the decay spell if you had just trusted me. So that’s why I am still angry, Rapunzel” Cass wasn’t ready to come out to Rapunzel about ‘the other thing’, not yet, it was still too soon, way too soon, and she would be lying if she didn’t say that she wasn’t upset that Rapunzel didn’t trust her back at The Great Tree. “But still, I’ve never should have even touched that wand.”
“It’s ok, Cass. I get it…” It wasn’t the answer Cassandra wanted, or deserved after what happened, but she didn’t want to keep being mad at Rapunzel.
“But Raps…I won’t always be mad at you. I’ll get over it. That’s what friends do.”
Rapunzel held Cassandra’s hand for a very brief moment before giving her a warm embrace.
At last, the Caravan was fixed and ready for the team to take them to the end of this path.
3 weeks later, a storm forced the team to shelter in a giant seashell estate called ‘The House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow’.
In there, they’d all be welcomed by the Innkeeper, a Frenchman called Matthews, and once inside, things would get…odd.
Doppelgangers from a mirror would take the place of Eugene, Shorty, Lance, Isla, and Cassandra.
At the same time, Rapunzel would be threatened to be replaced by a doppelganger of her own, if it wasn’t for her throwing said doppelganger back into the mirror.
One team would deal with mirror Rapunzel, while the real blonde princess would handle the mirror copies of the others, tricking them into believing she was a doppelganger.
With some teamwork (and a little help from Eugene’s smolder), the team would manage to subdue the Rapunzel doppelganger, and the rest would be sent back inside the mirror by a clever plan made by the real Rapunzel.
Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be the last thing they’d experienced from ‘The House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow’, as not only they would be forced to stay after the door in which they entered had seemingly disappeared, but Cass, Shorty, and Lance would all be turned into kids after Cassandra had found a spinning top with the magical capability to turn them into children.
Eugene, Rapunzel, and Isla would all be faced with the tasks of not only searching for the magical spinning top to turn them back to normal but also looking after and taking care of these child versions of their friends.
While Rapunzel tried to handle the child Cassandra with a more gentle approach, Eugene used a firmer approach, since, according to his own words, kids respond to authority.
As Eugene took Lance to the bathroom, the small boy wouldn’t stop asking him question after question about, well, everything.
“Look, can we PLEASE stop with all these pointless questions?! Because you are KILLIN’ me here!” He did know how to handle kids; heck, he was raised in an orphanage and grew up alongside the man-turned-kid before him. But if Lance could be annoying to him from time to time in his adult form, this was just another level to test his patience.
But then, kid Lance would begin to make puppy eyes, threatening the former thief with crying.
“Oh, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, please don’t cry, please don’t cry! I hate seeing kids cry. It’s gonna make me cry and I have a really ugly crying face!” He said as he tried to give an example of what his ‘ugly crying face’ looked like.
“HEY! How about that piggyback ride?” The mere question erased the ‘tears’ from Lance’s face immediately, and poor Eugene was forced to take the small Lance on a piggyback ride.
Rapunzel, on the other hand, wasn’t doing any better, as Child Cass didn’t listen to anything she ever said. Isla attempted to help her, but she already had her hands full watching baby Shorty. The trio would find the ‘Top of Time’ in the nursery, and after the blonde princess tried to make the children listen to her, the man once known as Flynn Rider would end up losing his patience.
“Give me that top right now, young lady!” He’d raise his voice to a confused child-turned-Cassandra, who would quietly refuse to give the man the spinning top, the more numbers he added to his counting.
“One! Two! Two and a half! Two and three quar…GIMME THAT TOP!”
“Eugene, yelling at them won’t get the top back!” Rapunzel would intervene. She had a point, even if her approach hadn’t given the results she had expected either.
“Oh, what should I do? Cuddle it out of them?” He crossed his arms while Isla stepped back to watch ‘Mom and Dad’ argue.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rapunzel and Eugene rarely argue, and the last time they argued was back when they were trying to help Hook Foot date a mermaid when they were stranded on the Lorbs’s island.
“It means you let these kids walk all over you!!” Rapunzel’s mouth opened, offended by the sheer audacity of his accusation.
“And BOSSING them around seems to have worked out really well,” She responded with offended sarcasm as he frowned. As they were distracted aiming at each other’s mistakes, Lance and Cassandra took the chance to quietly walk out of the scene.
“Oh, hey, Lance was doing just fine until he was back under Cass’s influence!” While the couple kept arguing, Isla was left with no choice but to take a step back. She knew both of their approaches were flawed, but were they going to listen to her if she told them that? Probably not. Then, she notices the group of kids getting into the kart.
“Um, guys?”
“Somehow, I find that hard to believe. You know what? Let’s just spin that top and get out of this place,” Rapunzel crossed her arms, hoping that would end their argument.
“FINE!”
“Fine!”
“GUYS!” The couple snapped back to reality when they noticed the 2 children rushing away in the kart, and to top it off, they ended up stopping at the dog kennel room, in which 3 vicious dogs with sharp fangs and red eyes were sleeping. Rapunzel tried to tell the mischievous Cassandra as gently as she could to exit the kennel, but the girl simply rolled her eyes and said:
“Wow, Eugene was right. You do let us walk all over you. You guys are going to be disasters as parents.”
The blonde’s face fell at the prospect of a future where not only would parenthood negatively affect her relationship with Eugene, but they wouldn’t be able to provide their own future kids the happiness they deserve if Eugene and she ever had kids. Determined to prove Cassandra wrong, and seeing Eugene trying to be less strict with Kid Lance, she’d pick the girl away from the dogs.
“Ok, listen up, young lady. Playtime is over! You get your rear end out of this kennel right now and walk on those tiptoes.” The princess just had enough. She was NOT going to let a child version of her friend tell her how the future with the man she loves is going to be.
“But-”
“No buts! Out. Tiptoes. Now,” Rapunzel would point to the door, as Cassandra would leave with nothing to say but ‘Yes ma’am’.
“Listen to me! We have got to go! Why can’t you just do as you’re told?!” Eugene said, desperate for the kid to listen to him. He had tried to be ‘gentle’, but it didn’t work.
“Because…I’m a kid.” It all came together as Lance made puppy eyes. It was just like Rapunzel said before, ‘Kids need to feel heard.’
“And…kids need to feel like they’re being heard. Okay, Lance, what do you wanna do, huh buddy? I’m listening.” His posture relaxed, and a smile formed on his face.
“I don’t know. Play chase?”
“I was hoping you’d say that. Tag! You’re it.” The brown-haired man would poke Lance before he got picked up by Eugene, as the child ran in the wrong direction.
The baby Shorty would escape from Isla and would end up waking the dogs.
The trio would run from the dogs until Lance would mishear Eugene, accidentally closing the door. Baby Shorty would throw the spinning top to the ground, and as the feral dogs ran to them, Pascal would activate the magical toy, turning the dogs into puppies. Cassandra, Lance, and Shorty would all be turned back to their normal adult selves, but the exit door would still be yet to be found. But not everything had been negative that day.
“Today was really tough, but you know? Even though we didn’t always agree on everything, I think our different approaches ended up being…complementary, in a weird way,” Rapunzel said as she held Eugene’s hands.
“Ha, Blondie, I completely agree. And if we ever do decide to have kids, assertiveness, compassion…”
“And a whole lot of love”
Who knew if the couple was ever going to have kids? But one thing was sure: They were going to be there for each other, and their children.
Unfortunately, what they didn’t know was that ‘The House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow’ was nothing more than a facade. The mirror and the spinning top of time had been just attempts to keep Rapunzel and her friends inside, and Matthews? He served a force of evil that by that point they all knew thanks to Xavier and Adira.
“...But I promise you, master, I will keep The Sundrop in this house. Forever”
The next morning, Rapunzel didn’t even wake up in the inn owned by ‘Matthews’, but in Corona, specifically during her coronation weekend, when her hair was still brunette and short.
Everything was perfect: The birds were chirping, Lady Caine and her crew had been arrested before even attempting to disrupt the coronation, Frederic was already planning festivities, and Eugene and Cass were getting along well, perhaps too well.
And then the unexpected happened, she was visited by a blonde, long-haired version of herself, who, unlike everyone else, remembered what had been happening ever since their leaving Corona up until their last few days in The House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow.
She was under a spell, in a dream, and if she didn’t do something, she’d be trapped in that dream forever.
Meanwhile, Eugene, Cassandra, Lance, and Isla would all go in search of Rapunzel, who had seemingly disappeared ever since the incident with the spinning top.
“Cassandra…”
A mysterious, female voice would call the lady in armor from one of the doors of the inn. Hesitant, she’d enter the door, separating her from the others, the very moment the door abruptly shut.
Eugene, Lance, and Isla would find Rapunzel trapped in vines and unconscious, and Pascal trapped in a cage.
“RAPUNZEL!!” The handsome former thief would run to her, but unfortunately, they weren’t the only people in the room. Matthews was also in there, his attire now more similar to that of some sort of priest.
“Matthews. I knew you were up to no good.” He rolled up his sleeves. He was ready to throw as many punches as he had to if that meant saving his girlfriend from danger.
But ‘Matthews’ was more than just a sinister man with a French accent. His real name was Tromus, and he was a follower of none other than Zhan Tiri. His true form was that of a green spirit, and his true intention was to give the Sundrop to Zhan Tiri.
“...Once these vines wrap around her completely, she’ll have surrendered to the dream world, and the Sundrop’s LIMITLESS power would belong to ZHAN TIRI!”
“BLONDIE, WAKE UP!” Eugene called the blonde, but it was useless. Only she could wake herself, but would she want to leave paradise? Probably not.
Meanwhile, In Rapunzel’s dream world, The blonde version of Rapunzel would tell her what she needed to do: Just like that fateful night, she’d had to find the black rocks outside the walls and touch them, because if she did otherwise and accepted the crown, she would be trapped in that fake Corona, forever.
And as the real Eugene desperately called her name, hoping to wake her up. Rapunzel started to doubt if going outside the walls was the right choice, especially after reliving her race with Eugene with Maximus and Fidella, but instead of seeing a beautiful outside world, there was an ugly, decayed world.
“The pressure of the Coronation has really gotten to you, hasn’t it? You must feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.”
The fake Eugene was just as comforting as the real one. The touch of his hand on her cheek felt just as warm and gentle.
“But it’s not. All of us are here to carry that weight to make those choices for you. Which, speaking of all of us, it’s about time we head back to the Castle for the Welcoming Ceremony. Besides, nothing to see out there but a whole lotta nothin’ “
The dinner and Eugene’s proposal went almost exactly the same, except for the fact that now, Rapunzel’s blonde version had reappeared to warn her about what would happen if she accepts the crown. If she strays from the path.
“I know leading the team out on the road hasn’t been easy. It would be easier for you to step back and let someone else make the tough calls. But you know we can’t do that. We have to go back.” That world seemed perfect, but it wasn’t real, not in the slightest, and she needed Rapunzel to wake up.
“Even if what you say is true, why would I leave all of this? Cass is fine, my friends are safe. Nobody is asking me to make some kind of huge life decision.”
The blonde Rapunzel would look at the fake Eugene, kneel, with the proposal ring in hand, and then at her short-haired, brunette self with an incredulous eyebrow raise.
“You know what I mean. Everything is perfect here, so WHY would I come with you?”
“If you don’t…It could literally be the end of the world as we know it. Her subconscious blonde self was 100% right, but Rapunzel was tired. She didn’t want to keep going on with the burden of knowing that her closest friends had suffered for the choices she had to make, that Eugene had to push his dream of marrying her aside just to follow her to who knows where, and that perhaps this journey hadn’t been worth of those sacrifices, those mistakes.
“Well, maybe I don’t want that responsibility. Maybe I just want to be happy. Is that too much to ask?!”
“So is that a…maybe?” The fake Eugene asked, confused.
“Don’t do it, Rapunzel,” The blonde Rapunzel warned her one last time, but unfortunately, the brunette made a decision.
“No…it’s a yes. My answer is yes! I would LOVE to marry you, Eugene, and to stay in this castle forever, and ever, and ever…and ever.” The blonde Rapunzel’s face fell in disillusionment as she disappeared. The fake Eugene‘s eyes lit up as people cheered. But as he hugged her, a dark grin would form as his eyes glowed a sinister green.
The Sundrop’s power was almost in Zhan Tiri’s grasp, but as the vines crept closer and Eugene struggled and threatened Tromus to break free, Rapunzel started to notice things weren’t right the moment that a fake Queen Arianna would come to give her an empty version of her journal with the french phrase ‘Sois Satisfaite’ written rather than ‘Plus est en vous”
“Sois Satisfaite. It means ‘be satisfied’. As Princess, you need to show your subjects that you are content.” That wasn’t what Arianna said, not at all.
“What if I decide to-” The young woman is interrupted by a hug from her ‘mom’.
“Rapunzel, you don’t have to decide anything.”
Something was wrong. Something is not right, but not even Pascal acknowledged so. And then Cassandra arrived.
“Cass…are you happy here?” Cassandra was the one who took her out of the walls of the kingdom to explore what was out there that night. She saw how much she craved freedom, and that’s what she gave her that one night. Sure, she’ll recognize if something was wrong, right?
“Of course! Why wouldn’t I be? My best friend is getting crowned princess. What’s better than that?” That…wasn’t what Rapunzel expected.
“Absolutely nothing”
“Good. Now, what are we waiting for? Let’s get you coronated.”
The fake lady-in-waiting took the princess out of her chambers. Meanwhile, in the physical world, the statue of Zhan Tiri was almost full.
“Rapunzel, please wake up!” The desperation in Eugene’s voice was palpable as the vines glowed brighter. “RAPUNZEL!!”
In the dream world, the coronation had finally arrived, and just as the crown was about to be placed on the brunette’s head, the words of Rapunzel’s subconscious blonde self echoed in her head. ‘ Once you put that crown on, you’ll accept this world and you will be stuck here forever.”
“This isn’t real!”
The blonde slapped the crown away, and the fake Eugene quickly tried to intervene.
“Oh, I know. Being crowned princess. It just doesn’t seem real, right? Haha..”
He quickly rushed in and tried to convince her to put on the damn crown.
“Blondie, what are you doing? Just PUT your crown on, everything’s fine!”
“It is tempting to follow the path of least resistance, but that…is not me!”
His plan has failed, and now he has no other choice but to reveal himself.
“Mm. This one’s got some kick!”
The fake Eugene’s voice suddenly changed the tone, while a French accent would give away his true identity.
“I tried to do this the easy way…”
It was Tromus, and he was going to make sure to change the dream into a nightmare.
As she tried to escape the castle, a circle of green fire would surround her, and from its flame would emerge none other than Cassandra.
“You did this to me, Rapunzel…” Her glare was cold and resentful, with a flaming anger, as she took off her glove to show her burned hand. “It’s all because I FOLLOWED YOU!”
The illusion disappears soon after Rapunzel blocks the sword of her best friend's illusion.
She tried to escape the castle as best she could, but Tromus would use as many tricks as he could, even using a giant monstrous version of Pascal. But the worst of all is that she would be taken not only to the tower for a third time, but also, she’d hear a voice she had sworn was long gone.
“Hello, Rapunzel!”
Gothel, just as Rapunzel remembered her, “Oh, I’ve missed you, my precious flower!”
Rapunzel would quickly look away as she closed her eyes. Gothel’s fake motherly tone sounded almost as she remembered.
When will you realize I will always get the better of you? Whether you’re trapped in a tower...Or trapped in your own mind.”
“My own mind…?”
That’s when Rapunzel realized that she was in control; she was always in control. In the end, this wasn’t the real Gothel, but Tromus in disguise, but he held no power over her; he never did. Remembering what her subconscious self told her, she took herself over to where she first touched the black rocks.
“I am a lot tougher than you think. From now on, the only thing I follow is my destiny.”
“BLONDIE!” Eugene’s eyes widened in relief as Rapunzel finally woke up. The place started to crumble, as sand and small pieces of debris began to fall.
“Eugene!” She’d rush to him, giving her boyfriend a quick kiss.
“Hate to be a squeaky third wheel, but can we get out of here, please? THIS PLACE IS COMING DOWN!”
Lance quickly panicked, and the couple, alongside the duo of Lance and Isla, promptly ran out of the inn. The place would crumble and disappear in thin air, only leaving sand behind.
Everyone managed to escape: Max, Fidella, Shorty, they were all outside…except for someone important.
“Get ready, guys. There’s no telling what kind of subhuman monster might come through that door,” Eugene said, as a door would be summoned among the sand, and from there, a tired-looking Cassandra would come out.
“It’s even worse than I thought.”
“CASS!” Rapunzel would run to her best friend, but instead of smiling warmly, a scowl would form. She wouldn’t even return the blonde princess’s warm embrace. “Thank goodness you’re safe! Are you alright? Where were you?”
“I’m fine, Rapunzel. Let’s get moving, huh?” Isla raised a brow. That was odd, VERY odd. Did she scowl at Eugene…or at Rapunzel?
Cassandra had seen something behind that door that changed her perspective on who she was, or who she was supposed to be in this journey, to be more exact.
“Ok, then, time to hit the road. Destiny calls…”
The blonde said as that door, the last piece of The House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow turned into sand.
Notes:
So, I took some liberties with Rapunzel: Day One. I wanted Cass's feelings for Rapunzel to feel real, but I didn't want to sideline Eugene, so I added one and changed one or two things.
Chapter 10: The Tangled Years: The Journey: Lost and Found
Summary:
After meeting Vigor the monkey once again, Eugene and Rapunzel venture into a maze where they encounter Lord Demanitus himself.
Chapter Text
The Dark Kingdom was so close, and Eugene not only knew so, but he could almost feel it.
“Are you ok, Eugene? You seem distracted.” Rapunzel noticed, as Eugene stared at the 3 pieces of the scroll in confusion and even a bit of worry.
“Huh? Oh, uh…I didn’t wanna make…light of it?” He smiled awkwardly, referencing Rapunzel’s joke about packing torches to the ‘Dark’ Kingdom. Pascal rolled his eyes.
“Look, it’s just…Now that we’re so close to The Dark Kingdom, it all feels more real, ya know? Hehe. I mean, crazy Rhino-man said if we went there, we were doomed. And we have no idea what we’re in for. And our only clue as to what’s waiting for us is on three stupid pieces of a torn scroll…that we can’t even read!!”
“I know it’s scary, Eugene, but we cannot turn back now. Besides…you and I have other plans, or at least we should have other plans.” A mischievous smirk formed on the blonde’s face. Eugene was completely confused. Plans?
“Birthday plans?”
“Oh my gosh, I forgot your birthday!”
Eugene panicked. Oh god, did he actually forget such an important date?
“HOW COULD YOU FORGET, EUGENE?!” The blonde panicked
“I’m so so sorry!! You know what? I’m pretty sure that giant firefly scorched my date book, heh…Wait a minute, it’s not your birthday.”
And it wasn’t. Of course, Eugene immediately remembered the princess’s actual birthday date. After all, he did fall in love with her on her birthday.
“Haha, got you! Oh, you should have seen your face! Pascal, Pascal, do his face”
The small chameleon quickly mocked the expression on Eugene’s face from seconds ago. Turns out it was just a silly prank the princess was playing on him, and the person whose birthday was being celebrated was Eugene himself.
“You know I don’t have a birthday, right?”
“I know we don’t know ‘when’ you were born, but everybody has a birthday. So I figured, Why not today?” He spent the first years of his life in an orphanage, without an official birthdate of his own to celebrate a birthday. “Oh, make a wish! Uh, just don’t eat the cupcake.”
“Eh, I don’t believe in the whole ‘wish-making’ thing or really anything, haha, that I can’t see with my own eyes. That I see, frog.”
He said as he spotted Pascal eating one of the berries of the strange cupcake.
“Ok, ok, fine. You don’t need to make a wish; it is your day. You do what you want.”
She smiled softly as she fixed his hair and softly caressed his face.
“Let’s just make it our day. And you know what? I’m not gonna worry about tomorrow, or The Dark Kingdom. I’m just gonna live in the moment. And nothing, and I mean nothing… can ruin this moment”
Just as he was about to kiss her, the sound of a llama interrupted the moment, as the wagon of Madame Canardist and Vigor. According to Canardist, the monkey grew attached to the couple and wanted to give them a new prediction, for free this time. The prediction would say: ‘ For you, the path awaits. Where the final quarter lies, after many dire straits.’ The blonde immediately figured out it must be talking about the scroll, regardless of Eugene questioning the monkey’s ability to read the future. And Vigor was going to guide…for five silver pieces, of course.
The monkey would lead them to a labyrinth specifically called ‘The Path of Demanitus.
“It’s a…a…” Eugene tried to form words as he took in the size of the maze.
“A-maze-zing? This is great! I’ve always wanted to go through a giant maze!” The blonde was excited. She had never seen a maze that big.
“I’m happy for you, I am, but look at THAT! It woulda been nice if Demanitus left us, I don’t know, a map or something.”
“You require no map…” A deep, masculine voice said behind them, and it came from none other than Vigor, only this time his eyes were aligned, and his stare serious.
“For I…am Lord Demanitus”
Eugene looked in shock before he burst into laughter. It must be a joke, some type of costume, strings perhaps, but it was no subterfuge.
“I am Lord Demanitus, protector of Ancient Corona, devotee of science and invention, who has emerged from this monkey in your time of need…Banana!” Though Demanitus was speaking through Vigor’s body, it was clear the monkey’s instincts were still bleeding through.
“What is going on here?” Eugene asked, confused, as the monkey took the time to eat two bananas.
“Listen, and listen well. Millennia ago, a mysterious event in the heavens divided an ancient power in two. The Sundrop and Moonstone fell to the earth. Three of my pupils and I researched the legend of the Sundrop and Moonstone: Two elements that longed to reunite.”
Demanitus explained, telling the couple the origins of the two elements.
“We searched, but alas, could not find them. Unfortunately, we were not the only ones looking. My pupils betrayed me and summoned my old nemesis, Zhan Tiri, a warlock from another realm, bent on destruction. It took all of my powers to banish the evil from our world. I knew the research I had written about the Sundrop and Moonstone was valuable, dangerous in evil hands. So I tore the scroll and hid the pieces. I placed the final piece within the maze, which I created to keep away the unworthy.”
“Oh, you have a little something right there, I think it’s banana.” The blonde pointed out before the monkey wiped the bits of banana off his face
“And you’re a monkey because…” Eugene asked, very confused about all this.
“I could not let Zhan Tiri find me. Using my scientific acumen coupled with an ancient spell, I was able to create a hiding place, a living simian creature, inside of which I would lay dormant until such time as I could emerge, again.”
“Ironclad logic,” Eugene would roll his eyes, unconvinced by the simian’s explanation. Demanitus was no sorcerer, but what he understood from the spell was that it would allow him to emerge from Vigor only once for a few short hours. After which his spirit shall retreat into the monkey forever.
“Wow. If this guy really is Demanitus, this is a huge honor!”
The blonde was excited that she had met Lord Demanitus. Eugene? He was a bit more skeptical.
“If this guy IS Demanitus. How do we know he isn’t another one of Zhan Tiri’s cronies?”
“I hear you, I hear you, cautious Optimism. Emphasis on the caution”
The trio would pass several puzzles along with riddles, finally reaching the center of the maze, where the last piece of the scroll would lie. The only problem would be that, to pick the last piece, one of them would have to cross a fragile crystal bridge.
“Before thou claim thy glory, have faith the crystal bridge shall lead to thy quarry. Use the key to unlock, after thy faithful walk…” The brown-haired, handsome man would read the sign before him. “...It’s really not your best work.”
“Yes, yes, but look. A mon-key!” the simian Demanitus/Vigor would grin, showing the gold key with a monkey face on it.
“No, denied.”
“Here,” And as Eugene crossed his arms, the simian would throw the key, expecting the man to catch it. Unfortunately, the key would fall into the acid, melting instantly.
WHY DID YOU JUST DO THAT?!”
“YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO CATCH IT!”
“I WASN’T READY! YOU GOTTA WARN ME!”
The former thief with almond brown eyes argued.
“I SAID…HERE!!”
“That is NOT-” Before the simian and Eugene continued their argument, Rapunzel would quickly make her boyfriend snap out of it.
“Eugene…you can pick the lock.”
“Fine. Rapunzel? Bobby pin me.” The blonde would pick a bobby pin from her hair, giving it to Eugene as he prepared himself to cross the crystal bridge.
“ ‘mon-key’...”
He’d quote Demanitus, feeling a bit petty about what just happened. The crystal bridge cracked the moment Eugene made his first step over it. He looked down, and there was a whole pit of green acid. “Acid?! Really?!”
The monkey smirked as he pointed out the word ‘faith’ on the sign. Using the skills in lockpicking he developed over time as a thief, the brown-haired man manages to open the box, grabbing the last piece of the scroll. But suddenly, the bridge began to crack and rumble.
“EUGENE!! RUN!!” Without wasting a second, and listening to his girlfriend’s call, He’d run as fast as he could to the other side. The bridge cracked again. A shard of crystal plummeted into the acid with a hiss. Eugene bolted, the soles of his boots sliding on the slick surface—until Rapunzel’s golden hair whipped out like a lifeline, catching his arm. If it wasn’t for Rapunzel throwing her hair at him at the last second, he would have melted in acid. Alas, they finally had all the pieces they needed; in an act of magic, all the pieces came together: the scroll was finally complete.
Unfortunately, their problems wouldn’t end there, as one of Demanitus’s defense mechanisms would activate due to Eugene not leaving a coin as one of the riddles told.
Eugene, Rapunzel, and Vigor/Demanitus would find refuge in one of the many rooms inside the maze.
The time for Demanitus’s consciousness was running out, and the walls of the room weren’t going to hold the stone golem-like machine for much time.
“Listen, one must unite the Sundrop and the Moonstone to summon the ultimate power. The fourth piece of the scroll contains the instructions to wield that power.”
“Wield the power?” Rapunzel asked, confused, as the place crumbled before them.
“In the right hands, it can be used for good. In the wrong hands, it could be inconceivably deadly. Now you know why I tested your faith. To ensure the purest of hearts controls the power.”
“Then what if we just leave the Moonstone alone, right?” Eugene asked. If the ‘ ultimate power’ was so dangerous, then perhaps keeping the Sundrop and moonstone away held the key, right?
“If the Sundrop does not join with the moonstone, the black rocks will reawaken and seek you out forever. It’ll destroy everything in your path!”
“Oh, yes, let’s not do that. I have a question, HOW DO WE GET OUT OF THIS MISERABLE DOOM LABYRINTH?!” The machine was getting closer and closer to taking down the walls that separated the couple and the simian from it.
“The moon cannot be seen without the sun’s light…” Demanitus rushed to the couple, grabbing the hands of both the princess and the former thief and putting them together. “...she gives you light. Now you must return the favor with your faith.”
“Demanitus, I don’t think I have it…”
Ever since entering the maze, his faith in the maze’s riddles and puzzles wasn’t the best, nor the strongest.
“It’s not that you need to have faith, it’s that you need to FIND the faith you already have. Think!”
Eugene closed his eyes, and all he could hear was Rapunzel’s voice leading him, guiding him. And he followed it, with the faith that one of these days, or one day perhaps, they’ll both be ready to take that next step in their relationship.
“I do have faith.” Eugene turned to the blonde princess, gently holding her hands in his. His eyes softened. “I’ve always had faith in Rapunzel…”
Unfortunately, the time had come. Demanitus’s consciousness could fade into Vigor at any moment.
“No, please stay, Demanitus! I have so many questions! H-How does my hair work?! What does the moonstone do?!” Rapunzel kneeled to the monkey, desperately holding one of the simian’s hands in the hope he could answer so many questions she had about this journey.
“Questions you must answer yourself. I waited millennia in this monkey to meet the Sundrop.” Rapunzel smiled gently. For years, he had hoped to see the one who would one day wield the Sundrop’s power. Now he did. “I have faith in you.”
The simian walked away from the couple, and Demanitus was gone. Only Vigor would be left in the small simian’s body. The golem-like machine finally smashes its way inside.
“Blondie, you’re going to save us,” Eugene said, with a gentle hand on Rapunzel’s shoulder.
“How?!”
“I don’t know, but I’ve always believed in us. I’ve always believed in you.” He smiled, holding her hands once again.
She’d close her eyes, and while holding Eugene’s hand, her hair would wrap around them, forming a safe cocoon of hair that erased the maze and the machine away in an explosion of golden light.
“Well, looks like my birthday wish came true…” Eugene said with a smirk, holding her close to him as he held her face.
“That was…”
“Don’t say it.”
“A-maze-zing”
“Oh, there it was.”
Eugene and Rapunzel would return Vigor to Canardist, but not before Canardist gave Eugene something: the red jewel from Vigor’s turban.
That night, the team all reunited around a fireplace, the fire crackled softly as Rapunzel told them what happened that day to Cassandra, Lance, and Isla. Eugene leaned against a nearby tree while he enjoyed seeing Rapunzel being so happy alongside the people she loved. Out of curiosity, he’d opened the jewel, which was holding one of Vigor’s predictions. What was written in it would make his skin crawl.
‘At the end of Rapunzel’s journey, one of her party shall turn against her.’
His eyes would scan each member: Lance, his best friend, always reliable in a pinch. Isla—Rapunzel’s newest friend, eager and loyal. Shorty—somehow still standing. Max and Fidella are ever watchful. Pascal, never far from her shoulder. And then Cassandra would look at him, mildly confused…before turning to look at Rapunzel with a cold smirk, something that didn’t belong.
‘Oh no…’
Chapter 11: The Tangled Years: The Journey: Destinies Collide-Part 1
Summary:
After such a long journey, Rapunzel and her friends finally arrived at the Dark Kingdom, while a note warns Eugene about a traitor among them.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
And then, the day finally arrived—the Dark Kingdom. As if destiny were giving them a sign, the caravan crashed off a low cliff and came to a grinding halt below. There was no turning back.
“Your destiny awaits, princess…” Cassandra said. Her voice wasn’t laced with jealousy. Not even bitterness. Just… resolve.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” Eugene asked, worry softening his tone.
“I just wish I knew what this is. I mean…Demanitus said if I don’t grab the Moonstone, the black rocks will destroy everything. But, I have no idea what to expect to happen to me when I do”
“I don’t know, but whatever happens, you won’t be facing it alone…” After what she saw behind that door in the House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow, Cassandra wasn’t sure all three of them would return to Corona. But one thing was clear now more than ever:
They had to stay united.
It was now or never to face the future with clear sight. What began as a journey of two hearts bound by fate had become a journey of three, braving the unknown, together. One thing was certain for the blonde princess: There was nothing she couldn’t do, not with both of them by her side.
Maybe their story will come to an end tomorrow. Maybe the fate of one of them is to be separated, who knows where their paths will be bending? How Rapunzel wished the three of them could stay together, but there was no point in pretending that everything was going to change for the three of them.
If they’re destined to go different ways, then they have to make the most of their day and go out in a glorious blaze.
For one moment, no arguments. No doubts. No resentment.
Just three hearts, beating together, moving forward. By land and by water, as one, undivided.
And when their future selves look back at that moment, they shall tremble with pride. Because at one point, there was nothing they couldn’t do, so long as they stood side by side.
But unfortunately, Eugene couldn’t get Vigor’s prediction out of his head.
“ ‘When Rapunzel enters the Dark Kingdom, one of her team will turn against her’...” The handsome former thief would read the paper. He wanted to tell this to someone, but he couldn’t risk revealing this to the wrong person.
“I don’t wanna believe it either, Max, but...Demanitus has been right about everything so far.”
In the end, Rapunzel herself would find out when she and Pascal found Eugene talking to Maximus about it.
“No one is gonna turn against me,” The blonde scoffed. “Demanitus has to be wrong. Everyone’s had my back this far, they’re not gonna stop now.”
“Unless they think they’re protecting you. After all, that’s how Cass injured her hand.” Eugene pointed out.
“You don’t think that Cass…” Rapunzel would subtly turn to look at Cassandra for a brief second.
“Look, look, look, look, I love Cass, she’s become like a sister to me. Granted, you know, an annoying sister you only put up with because you have to. But maybe we should… You know, keep an eye on-”
Eugene wouldn’t get to finish his sentence as a silly-looking raven bumped into him. An entire flock of ravens would fly to the group to attack them. Fortunately, Rapunzel would send all of the birds away, but the problems didn’t end there.
50 yards of chasm separated the group from the Castle, and one of the crows had already alerted the person living inside its walls. The only way across was an old gondola that seemed to have been abandoned for who knows how long, and the only way to access it was if someone got across and got the gondola back to where the others were.
“I can get it,” said Cassandra, offering herself. “I’ll get across, then wheel it back here for the rest of you.”
“Um, I don’t know, Cass,” Rapunzel hesitated, her voice soft with concern.
“Trust me, I can do it.” She knew she was the most fit for the job, but she noticed hesitation in both Eugene and Rapunzel, especially in Eugene.
“Of course I trust you, um…” The blonde turned to her boyfriend, whose stare expressed far more distrust. “We trust you, but…your hand”
“Even with my hand, I’m still the most agile of all of us.”
Despite their hesitation and her heavy armor making her lose balance for a moment, the daughter of the captain of Corona finally managed to get to the gondola.
“Wow, that takes a lot of guts,” Said Rapunzel, amazed by her friend’s skill.
“I guess she really does have your back…” Eugene was confused. Because why would Demanitus’s prediction fail this time? But at the same time, he was relieved for his girlfriend, unless… “Unless she’s planning on taking that car on the other side of the chasm and leaving it there, then you’d have no 2way of getting across!”
The blonde’s smile disappeared after she heard her boyfriend’s words, and for one moment, she felt as if her heart stopped when she saw the kart moving towards the other side of the chasm. Until the kart began to move in their direction. She’d hug her best friend before they all entered the gondola.
“Uuh, that was pretty brave what you did back there! I-I mean, I was gonna do it before you volunteered, but uh…”
“Thanks, Lance. All in the name of fulfilling destiny.”
“You really…buy all this destiny stuff?” Lance asked Cassandra with a smile
“I believe everybody’s got a destiny,” She smirked. Rapunzel had her destiny to fulfill, and now, so did she.
As Cassandra and Lance continued cranking the gondola, Eugene and Rapunzel talked about the recent events. Specifically, Demanitus's prediction and Cassandra herself.
“I told you Cass wouldn’t let us down.” The blonde said with a smile, confident about her best friend’s intentions.
“Ok, ok, I might have read too much into that monkey’s warning. It’s just…” He wouldn’t lie that when he first met Cassandra, he didn’t like her, not just because of how their personalities clashed, but also because of a bit of jealousy. Grating personality, always on edge, constantly reminding him that she technically didn’t trust him either. But that was then.
Now, he’d known her for nearly two years. He knew how much she meant to Rapunzel, how much the princess loved Cassandra, and how close they had become. And the mere idea of someone that close turning against her… “The thought of anything hurting you…”
He wouldn’t even get to finish his thought before a large axe came down on the gate to the Gondola’s roof.
“Can we not go just one place without some weirdo jumping out of NOWHERE?!” exclaimed Fitzherbert as the mysterious man tried to break his way in.
“Lance, Cass, you guys keep cranking! Get us across this as fast as possible!” The blonde princess commanded, as the lady in armor and Lance began to crank faster.
“Eugene. Isla. Let’s see what our new friend wants.”
Cassandra would raise an eyebrow as the trio formed by the princess and the former thieves would go to confront the man with the bear mask. A brief frown formed before she continued helping Lance.
The mysterious man was tough enough to handle all 3 of Rapunzel, Eugene, and Isla, even coming as close to almost getting his axe down at Eugene, if it wasn’t for the two women having his back. To everyone’s surprise, Adira would briefly appear to aid the princess and her team.
“And now Adira’s here! Because why wouldn’t she be?!” Eugene exclaimed, pointing out the white-haired woman’s showing up just at the right time. She was skilled enough to hold the mysterious man on her own, before her sword was thrown off, and her kicked off the gondola.
The team managed to make their way to the other side, but the wooden mechanism that held the gondola was cut, and the gondola itself was losing balance. Time was running out, and the man in the bear mask was far from defeated.
“Rapunzel! You and the others go. I’ll hold off Mister.Personality.” Fitzherbert commanded, determined to face the threat on his own.
“But-”
“I said, go! Now!” The gondola was going to fall at any moment, the bear-masked knight was now in front of him, and Rapunzel had a destiny to fulfill with the Moonstone.
“Cassandra!! Wait!” The princess of Corona exclaimed as Cassandra tried to pull her to safety. She wasn’t going to leave him to fight that knight on his own.
“Alright, what do you say we call this one a draw?” Fitzherbert attempted to use his typical charisma on the knight, perhaps as a distraction while he attempted to formulate a plan.
But then, he stumbles and falls over. His eyes widened in shock and fear as the larger man raised his axe. But then, instead of bringing the axe down and opening the handsome young man’s skull in half, the mysterious knight just…froze.
“EUGENE-” The blonde called his name before the lady in armor pulled her to safety. Her breath caught in her throat. She couldn't get to him, and suddenly, SNAP! The cable broke and both Fitzherbert and the knight fell “NOO!”
“NOOO!”
The gondola crashed a few meters below. Surprisingly, Eugene was alive, though his whole body was aching from the impact.
“Oh…Oh! That was thoroughly unpleasant,” He said, holding his head. Unfortunately, the knight was also alive.
“Oh, thank heavens, you’re ok.” He rolled his eyes as he said with sarcasm.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” His tone shifted as he shut his eyes, but much to his surprise, the knight had seemingly no intention to execute him.
“I…I won’t fight you.” The man quickly took off his bear mask, revealing his face and features: Dark brown hair, brown eyes, a mustache, a goatee, strong, squared jawline. Eugene blinked, trying to process what he had just heard. The man looked at him, eyes full of something like regret. “You…are my son.”
Notes:
So, Destinies Collide will be separated into two. It probably won't be the only episode separated into two or more parts.
Chapter 12: The Tangled Years: The Journey: Destinies Collide-Part 2
Summary:
Eugene discovers that he's part of a much larger legacy. Now he must decide between trusting Rapunzel and protecting her from the Moonstone.
Chapter Text
“Father…?” Fitzherbert froze at the revelation, his brain could barely process the four words.
“You’re my father…” He didn’t know whether this man was telling the truth or not. He narrowed his eyes before erupting into incredulous laughter.
“PFFT, HAHAHAHA! WELL, OF COURSE! Of course, you are! I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. I mean, the dark, soulless eyes, the unbridled aggression that drives one to attack TOTAL STRANGERS?!”
H is typical cocky relaxed facade quicked shifted into anger. If this was true, if this man was really his father… then where the heck had he been all this time?
“I am your father…” he’d say after swiftly cutting through a black rock with Adira’s sword.
Meanwhile, the others were still processing what had just happened.
“I’m…I’m so sorry, Raps.” Cassandra looked away. She hadn’t stopped him; she should’ve. But Rapunzel wasn’t crying. Confused? Sure, because so far Eugene had yet to do something so risky ever since he rescued her parents from that snowstorm, but her heart knew that he was not dead.
“This is not how our story ends. We’re going back to get him.” Before they formulated a plan, Adira herself crawled back from the chasm. She had also survived the fall.
“No need, he’s fine. He made it safely into the cave below. I saw it. Now come, Fish Skin didn’t risk his life so that we could waste time looking for him.” Instead of following her like she had done so far, Rapunzel grabs the white-haired female warrior with her long blonde hair.
“Just a minute, Adira. You knew that knight back there. In fact, I bet you know a lot of things you’re not telling us. We’re not going another step until you start giving us answers.” The blonde was not leaving without answers. They finally had the full scroll, they finally WERE in the Dark Kingdom. If there was a time to finally give answers, it was right there.
“You’re right, princess. It’s time you heard the whole story…”
Once upon a time, a single drop of moonlight fell from the heavens. And from this small drop of moonlight formed a single, seductive opal stone: The Moonstone. It could destroy any who would seek to possess it. Centuries passed, the opal’s defenses spread, and from that grew a kingdom, the Dark Kingdom. The mysterious ‘knight’ wasn’t just a mere knight; it was King Edmund himself, and generation after generation of his ancestors stood guard, helpìng to protect the world from the Moonstone’s limitless power.
It was Edmund himself, the last of the Dark Kings, who tried to destroy the stone and end the legacy. That didn’t go so well. In the fallout, he commanded his subjects to leave and never return. Even his own son, who was just a baby at that time. King Edmund sent his most trusted soldiers into the world to ensure such power was kept a secret. For it ever fell into the wrong hands, it would mean certain doom. Those knights called themselves…
“...The Brotherhood, which I always thought was a bit odd, because, well, one of us is a woman,” Adira commented as she told the story of the Dark Kingdom to Rapunzel and others. “I refused to believe such darkness could exist without a light of equal power somewhere in this world. As usual, I was right. After years of searching, I found the Sundrop. Only you, Rapunzel, can restore balance to all things.”
“If you’ve known this all along, why have you been so cryptic?” The blonde asked Adira.
“While I’m certain bringing the Sundrop to the Moonstone would neutralize its threat, I’m not sure what will happen to you.”
“You mean if Rapunzel touches the Moonstone, she could-” Cassandra spoke, her face filled with worry for the princess.
“I did not come this far to stop now.” Rapunzel interrupted. She had embarked on a long journey to reach the Dark Kingdom and, most importantly, the Moonstone, in hopes of fulfilling her destiny. She was not stopping now.
Meanwhile, inside the walls of the castle, Edmund took Eugene to the hall where Edmund once held banquets and dinners with his wife, the queen.
“Welcome home…” Edmund said as he opened the gates.
“Yeah, it’s uh…” Eugene looked around. The chandeliers didn’t have any candles lighting up the room, and black rocks could be seen coming from below the polished floors. “Wow, you really went all-in with the whole ‘dark’ theme, didn’t ya?”
“Oh, he likes it,” Edmund smirked, not realizing the sarcasm of his son’s voice.
“So, tell me this, Old, brooding armor guy. What makes you think we’re related anyway?” Despite Edmund himself having explained the story of the Moonstone and the Dark Kingdom, Eugene was yet to be convinced by the king.
“It’s your eyes. I can tell a lot by looking into a man’s eyes. Also, my ravens have been following you ever since you left.” Eugene felt awkward around the older man. Edmund picked up some of the posters of Flynn Rider from Corona and gave them to his son. “These don’t do your nose any justice.”
“THAT’S WHAT I’VE BEEN SCREAMING!!” The former thief exclaimed, finally relieved that someone noticed the horrible job they’d done by portraying his nose.
“Oh, I think this reunion is off to a GREAT start. We’re finding common ground, exchanging stories. I just might win him over yet!”
“You know, I can hear what you’re saying,” Eugene said, raising an eyebrow before he crumpled the poster into a ball, throwing it away.
“O-Oh! I’m sorry, I must be speaking my thoughts out loud. I have been alone a long time.” Edmund cleared his throat and turned around. “How’s this? You are unaware of what I’m thinking now, yes?”
“Yeah, no, you’re saying everything that you’re thinking out loud, and I can still hear all of it.”
“Drat! I will work on this skill.” Without anything else to say, and his son feeling awkward and uncomfortable, Edmund took his son to have dinner. It wasn’t a banquet; it was just him, Eugene, and Edmund’s silly-looking raven.
“Over time, my raven’s lost track of you.” Edmund said as his raven fell on his own from the table, “Oy! You see what I have to work with?”
“Right. Look, uh, I’ve got to find my friends? You see, I need to make sure Rapunzel is ok,” Said the young man with the goatee, standing up from the table.
“So long as she stays away from the Moonstone, she will be”
“But she can’t; she’s the Sundrop,” Eugene argued.
“You don’t know that she is, son,” Edmund said as he took a sip of the wine in his goblet.
“Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah! You do not get to call me son!” Eugene slammed his palm against the table. He was NOT gonna let this complete stranger call him ‘son’, while simultaneously undermining the fact that Rapunzel IS the Sundrop.
“Alright, listen. I didn’t want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice. Here comes…’The Glower. “ In an attempt to ‘intimidate’ Eugene, and very similar to Eugene’s own smolder, Edmund attempted to pull a not-so-intimidating grimace.
“Wow, ok, yeah, you can stop that. “ Eugene said, completely and utterly unimpressed.
“This is kind of an…off day for me. This doesn’t usually happen.”
However, Edmund had yet to explain why he did not trust Rapunzel to come in contact with the Moonstone as much as his son did. “A quarter of a century ago, I had you taken as far away as possible. Yet after all that time and all those miles, you wind up here in front of me, with this”
Edmund pulled out Adira’s sword, a sword that was made not only from black rocks, but could also cut through them. “A weapon that could actually have the power to destroy the Moonstone.”
With one swift movement, Edmund slashed a nearby black rock, cutting its tip as if it were soft wood. “We shall destroy the Moonstone together.”
“We?! No, listen. The black rocks made a path for Rapunzel, leading her here.” Fitzherbert pointed at the floors of the castle.
“Leading you here, to put an end to the Moonstone. It can get in your head, fill it with thoughts. That’s what it’s doing to your friend. That’s what it did to me, and I nearly destroyed my own kingdom. I barely survived, but…not everyone was so fortunate.”
Edmund’s eyes drift to the portrait of him and his wife, the Queen. Eugene’s own mother. He knows better than anyone how the opal can affect a man’s mind, how much it can affect kings. “Your mother…”
Eugene looks up at the portrait. The hesitation could be seen in his eyes.
“Perhaps it isn’t Rapunzel’s destiny to grab the Moonstone, but yours to save her from doing so. Don’t allow the same fate to befall the love of your life.”
Fitzherbert’s face fell in deep worry, because if the Moonstone killed his mom…what would happen to Rapunzel if she came in contact with the Opal?
The team was close to the main gates of the castle, and while traps were hidden along the way, they were old enough to collapse once activated. Rapunzel’s hair also began to glow with a warm, golden light. The golden locks floated on their own for a few good seconds before they returned to their natural state.
“Uh…what was that?” Cassandra asked with a raised eyebrow.
“The Moonstone, it must know the Sundrop is close.” Responded Adira.
“Then we'd better get on with this.” The blonde was determined to complete her mission. Once the team arrived at the castle’s gates, Cassandra, Adira, Isla, and Lance all helped open them. And much to her surprise and relief, Eugene was right on the other side. The blonde gasped the moment she saw his face.
“EUGENE! Oh, thank goodness you’re ok! I was so…” Adira, Lance, and Isla all noticed the gloom and ache in his eyes, and the blonde noticed it too, the moment he took a step back rather than run into each other’s arms. “...Eugene, what is it?”
“I’m sorry, Rapunzel…But I won’t let you in.”
Those were his final words, filled with heavy regret, before Edmund cut the chain, forcing the doors to shut abruptly.
“EUGENE!! LET ME IN!!” Her eyes widened before she desperately knocked on the closed gates and called for his name. “EUGENE!!”
Her breath quickened, and her chest tightened. Eugene felt horrible, his heart ached for having done that to her, and both wished nothing but to open those gates and fall into each other’s arms. But there was no other choice if that meant that he could save her from potentially dying at the hands of the Moonstone’s power.
“ ‘One of her company will turn against her.’ ” The blonde quoted Demanitus’s prediction, the same prediction Eugene had warned her about. How could Eugene be that person? “I can’t believe this…”
She wiped a tear from her eye before Lance and Isla stepped forward.
“Princess, listen to me. I’ve known Eugene my entire life, and he has never, and I mean never, loved anyone as much as he loves you.” Lance had firsthand witnessed how much of a ladies’ man Eugene used to be as Flynn Rider, and he had never seen his best friend so in love before meeting Rapunzel.
“His heart burns for you, Rubia,” Added Isla, and due to once having the experience of having an affair with Flynn Rider himself, she knew the difference between her former affair and Fitzherbert’s relationship with the princess of Corona. She knew that what he had with the blonde princess was probably the purest, most dedicated, and passionate form of love she had ever seen.
“Yeah, Raps. Whatever he thinks he’s doing, he must be doing it for you,” Cassandra finished, adding. And regardless of what she felt for the princess, at that point, she couldn’t deny that what he felt for Rapunzel was genuine. Pascal squeaked to Rapunzel, trying to reassure her as best he could.
“You guys are probably right, but…I need to hear it from him.” She knew deep in her heart that he hadn’t done that out of shady intentions or to genuinely betray her. He must have a good reason to have just done that.
“We have to hurry. The king has my Shadow Blade, which has the power to cut these rocks. I know exactly what he’s going to do with it…Destroy the Moonstone,” Said Adira.
“Pascal, find a way inside, get to Eugene, and don’t let him anywhere near that stone.” The little chameleon jumped from her shoulder as it began to climb up the castle’s walls. “The rest of us need to look for a back entrance, or something. This can’t be the only way into the castle.”
“I’m afraid the king has sealed all the entrances to the-” Adira couldn’t even get to finish her sentence as the ground began to rumble, and Rapunzel’s hair began to glow and float once again. The black rocks began to spread, as if they searched to clear the path for Rapunzel and her team.
“If I know Rapunzel, she’s gonna find a way in here.” Eugene knew that it was a matter of time before his girlfriend and their friends made their way inside.
“Then we must get to the Moonstone first.” Edmund, on the other hand, was determined to put an end to the Opal and its dangerous power by any means necessary. In a round hall before the one where the Moonstone was kept, Eugene felt goosebumps at what was before him: statues. Large statues of the different monarchs that once protected the kingdom, their height was such that they reached the tall ceiling. And, in one empty place, where a statue seemed missing, different posters of Flynn Rider were seen scattered around that specific area. “These statues. Are these my-”
“They’re our ancestors, generation after generation have sacrificed to keep this stone from the world. And now, you’re here to help me destroy it once and for all and take your place among them.” The next thing that Edmund showed Eugene left the young former thief speechless, before Edmund opened the gates before him.
“There it is, son. The Moonstone…” The blue opal stone shone as it floated behind a cage made by its own power. Unlike the Sundrop, whose light was warm and gentle, the light irradiating from the Moonstone was cold as ice. “No longer shall its burden fall upon us. For all that stands between us and our destiny is this bridge.”
However, neither man would be able to go across, as two large black rocks would block their way, destroying the bridge in the process. The opal wasn’t going to let anyone near it who wasn’t the Sundrop.
As Pascal finally made his way past Edmund’s raven, Eugene felt…lost.
In the loneliness of the hall, only the different posters of Flynn Rider kept him company, and each of them more different than the other, each a different facade. But at this point, wasn’t who he was at that point a lie as well?
For most of his life, he had been an outcast, standing alone. A rogue, a thief, a joker, undeserving of a home and love. Until he found her, the kindest and most beautiful girl he had ever seen, and with her, a new dream that he could share. He thought he knew his purpose and where he was supposed to belong, but he was wrong.
Everything he ever thought he knew about himself, where he had been, and where he was going turned out to be a cruel lie from destiny. Everything he planned and yearned for was now crumbling castles made of sand. Who is he supposed to be?
Every love, every hope, and feeling they were done and gone. And what was left? He, destined to spend the rest of his life alone in that castle.
“I guess I’m someone else now... I wonder...Who I am…”
Meanwhile, as Eugene sat alone in the hall, the team fell into a sewer full of lava, which could lead them directly below the throne room. The black rocks would soon manifest in the sewer, almost making it crumble on top of Rapunzel and her friends. But the rocks weren’t there to attack Rapunzel or to kill her friends; their purpose was the same as it had been ever since Corona: Guide the princess to the Moonstone. The sharp black rocks would quickly flatten, forming a path across the tunnels that the team would follow.
Pascal finally managed to find Eugene alone in the hall.
“Pascal?” The young brown-haired man raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”
The small chameleon would change from its usual red to a scarlet red as it made an angry squeak, basically demanding answers of why Eugene would do such a thing to the green reptile’s best friend.
“Are you ok, frog?” He’d ask about the small reptile’s squeak. “Yeah, yeah, I-I know, I know you’re mad at me, but I didn’t have a choice”
Pascal wasn’t buying it; he would stick his tongue out before Eugene himself picked him up.
“Look, this is gonna sound crazy, but this place…is where I come from.” The small chameleon’s color would change back to green, his small eyes softening.
“I know we brought Rapunzel here to grab the stone, but everything…everything is different now! Look, the last time someone tried to destroy the Moonstone…I lost my mother.”
His face fell in sadness as the small chameleon squeaked sadly.
“I mean, what if we lost Rapunzel, Pascal?” The small green reptile would then crawl to one of Eugene’s pockets and pick the paper of Demanitus’s prediction. ‘One of her company would turn against her.’ “It’s me!”
“I’m the one who turned against Rapunzel…” Pascal would nod with a small frown before crawling over to Eugene’s right shoulder. “I should’ve known better.”
With a small nod from the chameleon and with a clearer view of who he wants to be, Eugene rips apart the paper and runs out to find his friends. “Alright, Pascal. Let’s go find Rapunzel.”
Rapunzel, Cassandra, and others finally managed to reach the throne room. The only thing in their way? King Edmund himself.
“The Moonstone chamber is just through those doors,” Adira said in a low tone.
“Ok, I’ll need a distraction so I can slip in,” Rapunzel responded before Cassandra crouched next to her.
“No way! You’re not going in alone. Who knows what’s in there!” The lady in armor argued.
“Rapunzel should go in alone! Only the Sundrop can access the Moonstone’s great power.”
Just as Adira responded to Cassandra’s argument, Rapunzel remembered the events of The Great Tree, how Cass felt left aside, and how that affected their friendship later on. She wasn’t going to leave her aside again.
“Cass and I will go. Adira, you’re with Lance and Isla. You three run interference against the king so we can slip by.”
“Ok, on my count. One, two…” The team would attempt to sneak in and put their plan to work, but Rapunzel wouldn’t even get to finish counting before Edmund threw an axe towards them that would have gotten the blonde princess if Cassandra hadn’t pushed her aside at the last second.
“My next throw will find its target. You were warned to stay away!”
“Edmund-” The female warrior and member of the Brotherhood would try to reason with the king she had fought for, but Edmund was not in the mood to talk things out.
“I GOT NOTHING TO SAY TO YOU, ADIRA!”
Lance, Isla, Cassandra, and even Adira attempted to fight the king, but Edmund easily took them down with a few moves, one by one.
“Your majesty, please…” Rapunzel was the only one left standing, and soon her hair began to float and glow with that golden, warm glow that was summoned the closer she got to the Moonstone. “The Moonstone knows I’m close, I have to go.”
“NO!” Eugene’s father stepped in, getting in the blonde’s way. “No one may enter that room.”
“I’m going in, and you don’t want to get in my way.” She was so close, just a few meters away from her destiny. She is NOT backing down.
“You’re not getting past me,” Edmund said in a challenging tone, almost threatening.
“YES SHE IS!” A familiar masculine voice interrupted what could have become a battle between the royals of two different kingdoms. “LET HER IN! SHE’S THE SUNDROP!”
It was Eugene who finally made it just in time. His first instinct? Run to Rapunzel’s arms.
“EUGENE!” Her eyes lit up almost immediately.
“Rapunzel, I am so sorry. I just thought-” His first instinct is to hold her. He was so relieved to see her again. He wanted to explain everything; he never wanted to turn against her.
“Look, there’s no time for that. We have to get to that stone. This place is coming down around us!”
“But the Moonstone must be destroyed, son!”
The couple frowned at Edmund, but the moment the word ‘son’ reached the blonde’s ears, her first instinct was to turn to Eugene as her frown quickly faded away.
“Son?” She asked, her expression changing into an excited smile.
“Son?” Asked both Isla and Cassandra with raised eyebrows.
“You finally got adopted!” Lance exclaimed, happy for his best friend.
“Look, I’ll fill you all in later,” Eugene said with a cocky smirk. “Thumbnail, I’m a prince. Probably”
“No!” Edmund froze in sheer confusion as his son dragged him away.
The blonde ran to the doors of the Moonstone’s chamber, but before she could even push them open, the glow of her hair disappeared the moment the hall began to quake.
“It can’t be…” Edmund’s voice filled with shock.
“What is it?” Rapunzel asked, concerned.
“For centuries, my ancestors have sworn to protect this threshold. And now, their spirits have arisen to uphold that oath!”
The spirits’ sacred duty was to keep away all who threatened to take the Moonstone, as in the past, one of their own had threatened to take the power of the Moonstone and use it for selfish and dangerous reasons. Even though they’ve been awoken by Rapunzel attempting to enter the throne room, they felt that someone in that throne room aside from Rapunzel also desired to take the Moonstone, but for themselves, and they weren’t going to allow that person anything in the world.
“Not necessarily how I imagined meeting a family…” Rapunzel would say, as the spirits were ready to attack. A fight quickly unleashed. But before, Rapunzel had to ask her boyfriend something.
“So, you have a dad?” She asked while holding his hands.
“Yeah, turns out you weren’t the only one who had a destiny waiting here.”
Two spirits would attempt to attack the couple, but with a swift, coordinated attack move, the couple would momentarily kick the spirits away. Rapunzel ran towards the Moonstone’s chamber as Edmund ran after her to stop her, but his son tackled him at the last moment.
“NO! SHE MUSTN’T BE LET IN!”
“LISTEN! Your Majesty! Father, I-I don’t know what to call you, but you have to stop these spirits!” As long as the spirits were present, the princess wasn’t going to be able to enter, and Eugene knew that.
“Even if I could, she must never enter that room!” The king would grab his son, quickly throwing him away. As the fight continued, everyone seemingly had everyone’s backs: Rapunzel had Cassandra and Isla’s backs, while Lance had Adira’s. But no matter how many times they were defeated, the spirits would keep coming back.
As Rapunzel and others became surrounded by the spirits, Edmund held Eugene by the collar of his shirt. But if that man truly was his father, then he would have to listen to him. Maybe he can talk some sense into him.
“You know, maybe you’re right. Maybe me coming back here is fulfilling my destiny, but what if my destiny is not to join you in this place, but rather it is to rescue you from it? You don’t have to fight anymore. She has come to put an end to all of this. Trust me,” Eugene tried to reassure his father the best he could.
“How?! How can you be sure?!” How could the young man be so sure that Rapunzel coming in contact with the Moonstone wouldn’t unleash a new era of death and destruction?
“You said you can tell a lot by looking into somebody’s eyes, right? Well, look into mine.” Edmund narrowed his eyes because, after witnessing firsthand what that stone was capable of, he didn’t want it to cause another tragedy. But they softened upon noticing the sheer, unwavering faith his son had for that girl. “Because I have faith in Rapunzel, and you should too.”
The Dark King’s grip on his son weakens, and Eugene runs to aid the others.
“Couldn’t get through those ghosts, huh?” Eugene asked his girlfriend as the spirits surrounded them.
“Believe it or not, they are surprisingly stubborn,” She said as she dodged a spirit floating above her.
“Go figure!”
Unfortunately, the ghosts weren’t going down easily, and surprisingly, only Lance was left standing.
“Ok, Lance, buddy. I think we learned something today: everyone has a destiny. We have no idea what that fate is, but we do know one thing: We are not gonna meet it today!”
A smirk would form in the dark-skinned man’s eyes as he spotted Adira’s sword, the shadow blade. Rushing towards the blade, he grabbed it and jumped towards one of the statues of the spirits, slashing it in half and causing the spirit of the once Dark Queen to vanish.
“LANCE, YOU’RE A GENIUS, AND THAT’S THE FIRST AND LAST TIME I’LL EVER SAY THAT!!” Eugene grinned, surprised that his best friend managed to find the weakness of the spirits.
“GUYS!! COVER FOR LANCE!!” Following Rapunzel’s command, the team quickly began to take down each statue one by one. The statues weren’t just statues; they were the spirits’ direct link to the world of the living and what allowed them to return and keep threats, both physical and spiritual, away from the Moonstone and the Dark Kingdom. But the team needed to allow Rapunzel to enter and meet with the Moonstone; otherwise, the black rocks would follow her and her friends until they had destroyed everything in their path. And that is something that the spirits didn’t understand.
Eugene was about to destroy the last statue, but a spirit got in his way, making him fall. But before the ghost’s axe could come down on him, the spirit of the previous dark king just…vanished.
“Our family is just…awful,” Edmund said, as the head of the last statue fell, crashing on his own statue ( which was in progress to be made), cutting the connection of the last of the spirits who had protected The Dark Kingdom from its enemies.
They had at last won, and, regardless of future threats that may appear due to this act, Rapunzel and Eugene knew that, whatever awaits them either in the near or far future, they were going to face it together. The blonde ran to her lover’s arms, giving him a quick, warm kiss before embracing him.
Now, all that was standing in the way of the trio of Rapunzel, Eugene, and Cass was the head of Edmund’s statue. The moment had finally arrived.
“It’s all up to you, now,” Edmund said to the blonde princess. Goodness knows he had just broken the seal of many dangers awaiting, but the trio wasn’t stopping now.
“No…It’s up to us.” Rapunzel turned to Eugene, a warm smile filled with determination. Rapunzel passed below, followed by Cassandra. Eugene turned to his father, who only gave him a nod of approval. That was all they needed before The Dark King’s son followed the 2 women to the Moonstone’s chamber. And then, the doors closed.
“We made it, guys…” In the cold chamber, it was just her, Eugene, Cassandra…and The Moonstone. Their eyes widened upon seeing the opal in the distance, the black rocks, all sharp, pointing at it.
Her hair began to flow and glow once again, as the black rocks also began to glow and pulsate with blue light.
One step into the abyss, and the bridge recently destroyed by the black rocks began to form under Rapunzel’s bare feet. The Lady in armor and the former thief, now known to be the lost prince of the Dark Kingdom, nodded to each other before following the women they both loved.
The Moonstone was now centimeters away from the trio.
They made it.
Rapunzel turned to Cassandra, a wide smile on her face, before walking to the lady in armor, who softly smiled at her.
Both went through a lot, and the blonde could not have asked for a better woman to walk this path with.
“Look, I know these last few months haven’t been easy for us…” Rapunzel’s tone was soft, gentle as she held Cassandra’s hands in hers.
“I wanna thank you…for everything”
The blonde gave the short-haired woman a warm hug, and Eugene, as jealous as he had felt against Cassandra in the past, couldn’t help but smile as well.
“Ok, Rapunzel…It’s time.”
Cassandra didn’t respond to the hug; she froze in place because she knew that it wasn’t the type of hug or demonstration of love her heart desired. And then Rapunzel walked over to the man who started it all, the one who gave her the freedom and love she had once hoped to receive from a fake mother.
“This is it, Rapunzel…” Eugene said softly as they both held hands. They didn’t have much left to say, because their hearts knew deep down the type of love that beat in them.
“Now go get your destiny.”
She kissed his hand before putting it on her right cheek. Only three words she had for him: “I love you…”
Eugene gave her a soft kiss on her forehead, before the princess gave her reptile companion a small kiss and a short petting. Her heart rate quickened, Eugene’s as well, as the blonde walked towards the glowing blue opal stone.
The cage self-imposed by the Moonstone opened as the opal floated towards Rapunzel. She slowly reached for the stone, and just when she was centimeters away from it, when this journey that started with an ill yet pregnant Queen Arianna was going to end, something unimaginable happened that the blonde didn’t expect from someone so close. They had been warned.
HE HAD BEEN WARNED.
The opal was suddenly snatched away from Rapunzel’s reach…by…
“Cassandra?!”
The blonde’s face fell in sheer shock, but the eyes of her friend, or, who she thought was her friend, were only filled with defiance and a scowl. “What are you doing?!”
The blonde’s hair suddenly lost its glow as it stopped floating. The Moonstone quickly began to lose control as it was firmly held in the lady in armor’s hand.
“I’m fulfilling MY destiny!”
Rapunzel tried to reach her, but Eugene quickly pulled her close to him. He couldn’t believe it.
Rapunzel’s heart shattered.
An explosion of blue light sent the couple away from the traitor. The energy released in bolts in Cassandra’s hand, before she slammed the moonstone on her chest. And the moment the opal clashed against her chest, the black rocks stopped acting in favor of Rapunzel, as they began to surround Cassandra. She was suffering a transformation: Her metal armor was replaced with a sleek black and blue one, and her black hair became turquoise blue.
“I tried to warn you, Rapunzel…”
The traitorous Cassandra said with a dark chuckle. Black rocks formed as she took a step forward.
“You have to be careful who you trust.”
Chapter 13: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Rapunzel's Return: Part 1
Summary:
Tired of being overshadowed and ignored, Cassandra steals the Moonstone, marking a before and after on her relationship with Rapunzel and Corona as a whole.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“Cassandra…” That’s what the mysterious voice in The House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow had whispered to the Lady in Armor through that mysterious door.
The owner of said voice? A mysterious short girl with blue hair, braided in two buns, and her dress was of light blue and white colors. Cassandra had hoped the mysterious ‘Enchanted Girl’ would lead her to Rapunzel, but rather, she would lead her, show her something. A place she thought she had never seen before, yet it felt…familiar.
“This place feels familiar…”
A cottage near a waterfall. Inside, a small little girl with ebony black hair.
It was Cassandra when she used to be a child, though she wasn’t alone in that cottage.
“Not now, darling. Mommy’s in a hurry,”
said the mysterious old woman.
A woman who once used the Sundrop flower’s powers to keep herself young forever: Mother Gothel.
The small Cassandra used to be so much different than her current self: sweet, gentle, always willing to make the vain Gothel happy and get some recognition.
How the lady in armor had craved for years to know her mother, to feel the same unconditional motherly love Queen Arianna had for Rapunzel.
To make it worse, the same night that Gothel had kidnapped baby Rapunzel was the same night Gothel had once abandoned her.
Though the captain and his guards had arrived in time to adopt the small child, the wound had already been opened for the adult Cassandra.
“I’m sorry that happened to you, Cassandra. Sometimes the most painful truths are the most difficult to remember.”
For the first time in a while, Cassandra allowed herself to cry, but perhaps not in front of the right person.
“You’ve always felt outshined by Rapunzel, haven’t you? Fitzherbert, too. And you always will. Unless…”
“Unless…?”
Back to the moment after Cassandra had taken the Moonstone, Cassandra confronted the couple of Eugene and Rapunzel with the information she had learned since leaving The House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow.
“You saw all of this in the House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow?” Rapunzel asked, confused yet concerned. Eugene, on the other hand, wasn’t all that convinced about Cassandra’s reasoning.
“I saw everything, Rapunzel,” the blue-haired Cassandra said, her tone filled with anger.
“Cass, if what you’re saying is true, it means-” The blonde would be suddenly interrupted by who once was her friend. She still is, or at least that’s what she hopes.
“IT MEANS THAT I’M GOTHEL’S DAUGHTER! And your destiny belongs to me.”
Cassandra’s tone shifted from anger to dangerous, as the Moonstone flickered on her chest.
However, the princess refused to step back.
“Cass, we are friends. In fact, being Gothel’s daughter, that…that makes us closer than friends. It makes us sisters!”
She attempted to get near the current bearer of the Moonstone. But Cassandra only chuckled at how ridiculous that sounded. She didn’t want to be Rapunzel’s sister.
“SISTERS?! My own mother chose you over me!! My whole life, I’ve been cast aside for you.” The turquoise-haired woman pointed at Rapunzel with an accusatory finger.
“No more…”
“So what did we miss?” Lance would say with a grin, as he, Isla, Adira, and Maximus entered the Moonstone’s chamber.
“Lance! Not now!”
Eugene would say in a low tone. Isla raised an eyebrow upon seeing the turquoise-haired Cassandra wearing that sleek black armor and surrounded by the black rocks glowing blue.
“Cassandra, please. Let me help you.”
After all they’ve been through, the blonde hoped that the woman who fought side by side alongside her, who took her out of the walls of Corona when all she needed was one night to feel the wind in her hair, would come to her senses and listen to her.
“Stay back!” but Cassandra didn’t want the princess anywhere near her. Rapunzel didn’t stop.
“Cassandra! You’ve got to give me the Moonstone; it is too dangerous. The whole world is at-”
“I SAID STAY BACK!!”
Rapunzel would be hit by a wave of black rocks. She’d try to shield herself with her hair, but the short wave of black rocks would hit her, sending her flying to Eugene and Isla.
“RAPUNZEL!!” He’d pick her up, his eyes widening in alarm as Isla let a gasp in shock. The princess flinched in pain as she held his hand, before the two former thieves’ looks of shock changed into furious frowns.
“CASSANDRA!!”
His voice rose in anger.
Adira ran towards Cassandra, her Shadow Blade sword cutting through the sharp black rocks with ease.
“Release the Moonstone, short hair! You don’t know what you’re dealing with.” The warrior woman of the Brotherhood tried to warn the former Lady-in-Waiting, but as it was expected, she didn’t listen, even less to her.
“Neither do YOU!!” With a release of energy, Adira would be sent back by the explosion of energy, hitting the side of a nearby black rock. The Shadow Blade would fall in front of Cassandra, who would grab it without a second thought, making it her own as the black rocks reinforced the sword.
“OH NO, YOU DON’T!” Eugene and Isla immediately stood up and ran after her.
“EUGENE!! ISLA!! NO!!” The blonde cried out, before her lover and his former partner-in-crime were hit out of the way by another of Cassandra’s black rocks.
“Cassandra!! Wait!!”
Rapunzel immediately ran after the bearer of the Moonstone, leaving Eugene behind.
Isla’s face almost fell when she saw Eugene being left aside, clearly injured.
While Rapunzel, the woman who is supposed to love him, ran after someone who not only had just attacked the people who were supposed to be her friends, but also attacked her. Isla will never, ever forget that scene.
But Rapunzel couldn’t give up on Cassandra, not now. Whatever her friend was going through, they were going to fix it together, just like they’d always done. However, from Cassandra’s point of view, Rapunzel only thought they were friends, all while being condescending towards her until that very moment. But that wasn’t true, and the blonde knew that deep in her friend’s heart, she knew it too. It wasn’t too late before she crossed a line and lost what they’d built for almost two years.
“Just wait…” Rapunzel tried to reach for her, hoping that Cassandra would give her the moonstone and things would go back to normal.
“Wait?”
No.
Not anymore.
A barrier of black rocks blocked Rapunzel’s path, as Cassandra ran away.
“No, I won’t wait…”
There was a line that Rapunzel couldn’t see, but that Cassandra saw and felt very clearly.
She did her best to ignore it, and goodness knows how she had tried to jump that great divide, but now she knew where they all stood: Cassandra with the luckless and the losers, Fitzherbert with the chosen, and Rapunzel with the winners and the blessed.
As she opened the doors of the Dark Castle, she swore not to be patient anymore, not to wait anymore.
She was finally ready to cross that line. If she was burning a bridge, then might as well let the damn bridge burn.
She didn’t care anymore. And as she crossed to the other side of the chasm by forming a bridge made from the Moonstone’s own black rocks, Rapunzel ran to her, tried to reach her. But Cassandra had already made her decision the moment she had decided to betray her.
“AS FOR US, IF WE’RE OVER, THAT’S FINE!!”
And as she raised the Shadow Blade over the bridge, if this was the last time they were going to see each other, she wanted the blonde to know that she was more than ok with this ending.
“CASSANDRA! WAIT!”
“I’m crossing the line…”
With one slash, she destroyed the bridge, cutting all ties with the princess and those who once were her friends.
“Gentle hooves, Max. Gentle hooves.” Fitzherbert said as the pale stallion tightened the bandages on his arm. He was fine, it was just a superficial injury, and he had gotten worse. Who shouldn’t be fine, however, was Rapunzel. But she seemed awfully calm, despite having seen her closest female friend essentially betray her for the Moonstone’s power.
“Hey! Sunshine. I couldn’t help but notice you’re kinda doing that…thing.” He knew what she was doing. He knew because he had been doing it for almost his entire life, and had continued to do so for almost 2 years now.
“That thing?” The blonde asked with a grin.
“You know, the thing. Where you act like everything’s peachy, when clearly it’s…” He stopped in his tracks the moment Rapunzel’s grin grew wider and, well, faker. Clearing his throat, he’d reformulate his sentence. “Sweetheart, what Cass did…”
“YEAH!! That was bad! Anyway, moving on.” With a wide smile and trying to shift the focus on something else, Rapunzel would walk to the others, leaving a confused Eugene.
“Eh…what?” With no other option, he’d follow her to where the others were.
Not so long after, a hot air balloon would arrive shortly after. The person who was steering it? Ulf the mime.
“The mime?!” Eugene asked, confused, while Rapunzel ran to hug the member of the Snuggly Duckling, shortly followed by Isla. But something was off: Why did Ulf, out of all people, go after them? Why not send a guard? Turned out that Corona was being attacked by invaders, and the Mime just managed to follow the black rocks to their location.
“Guys, there’s trouble in Corona. We need to get back as soon as possible.” Rapunzel said, and without wasting a second, the team began to prepare to go back to their home kingdom.
“You sure you can’t come with us?” a concerned Lance asked Adira.
“My path has changed, and my destiny leads elsewhere. Not with you.” The warrior was very aware of the crush the dark-skinned man had for her.
“I know it hurts, but I want you to know-”
“Lance, let’s go,” Isla interrupted, as she finished helping Ulf set up the balloon. Lance grunted before letting a sigh of defeat.
Edmund, on the other hand, approached his recently found son, who was about to leave just after finally meeting him after all those years.
“My son, I have dedicated my entire life to protecting-”
“So, you’re staying or you’re going?” Eugene asked with indifference.
“I must think of a way to soften this blow.” Edmund clearly was still not letting go of the habit of speaking his thoughts out loud.
“You’re staying, I got it. I’ll see you later.” His son smirked at him before getting inside the balloon. Everything was ready, everyone was already in the balloon, and ready to go back home. But as the hot air balloon finally took off, she couldn’t help but look back at the Dark Kingdom one last time. To think that was the place where the love of her life found his place of origin, but also the place where a woman she trusted with her life decided to leave. But there was no time to think about that. Home awaited them.
“CORONA, HERE WE COME!”
Then, the balloon would stop, realizing they were going northeast.
“Hey, uh, guys? Hehe, Corona’s the other way,” Rapunzel remarked awkwardly while Isla sighed. The hot air balloon turned southwest, disappearing into the clouds…all while Cassandra watched them from afar, Owl resting on her forearm.
Her mission was far from over.
The team floated miles upon miles, and different previously visited locations caught their eye: From the now collapsed and gone Great Tree, to the Forest of No Return.
Edmund’s ravens watched from a distance, keeping their vows to watch over the dark king’s son. And, behind a group of clouds, and after being away for almost 2 years now, the group finally arrived. Rapunzel’s eyes lit up; she’d never thought she would be so excited to be back when, at one point, all she wanted was to explore the world outside her kingdom. The team all cheered once the balloon had finally landed. She was finally home.
“FINALLY!” Eugene exclaimed, basically jumping outside the balloon, “No offense to any of you people, but we have been together for way too long, and I need a break from your faces. Except for you, of course, Rapunzel. And you, too, Isla.”
The Hispanic woman rolled her eyes with a friendly smirk on her face.
“I can’t believe how much I’ve missed home. Home!”
Rapunzel didn’t just miss the castle, no. She missed Corona as a whole, and now she was finally home. The Book Store, the Fountain, The Sweet Shop/ Bakery. Everything was where she remembered. Though something key was missing.
“You know what I missed about Corona? The people,” Lance would remark as he looked around the empty streets. “In fact, I’m still missing the people.”
“Rubia, I don’t mean to also ruin and blow this moment of happiness, but don’t you think someone would have already come out to greet you?” Isla remarked as well, raising a cautious eyebrow as she looked around. The Kingdom was absolutely empty. The reason? Everyone in the Kingdom was sent to the quarry to mine some strange green minerals.
All by order of King Frederic himself.
The group wouldn’t doubt going to the castle to speak with Frederic about this decision.
“MOM!! DAD!!” The blonde wouldn’t hesitate a second before she rushed to their parents. “Oh, you guys. I have missed you SO much!”
“Uh, Frederic?” But instead of embracing their daughter in a warm embrace, Queen Arianna just froze in place as her daughter gave her a tight embrace, Frederic raised an eyebrow before he too got hugged by his daughter. Her mother’s arms didn’t move. Her father’s eyes didn’t soften. Not even a flicker of recognition. Just… nothing.
“Young lady, please.”
“Young lady? Dad, what’s going on?” The blonde asked, confused. Her eyes drifted to her father’s medallion. It wasn’t the sun of Corona, as it normally was, it was…
“Saporian,” A masculine voice would say behind them. It was Andrew, the current leader of the Separatists of Saporia, a former rival Kingdom who merged with Corona centuries ago. He was defeated a year ago by the trio of Cassandra, Rapunzel, and Eugene, after the former lady-in-waiting managed to lure Andrew when she learned his true identity.
“Oh, less-attractive-than-me guy with the man bun! Yes, I remember you now.” Eugene said, after failing to recognize him at first when the Saporian separatist self-proclaimed to have ‘single-handedly felled Corona.’ He was the one behind the attack on Corona, which they began to call ‘New Saporia.’
“I’m sorry, but you, man-bun guy, and your flower children took over Corona?” Fitzherbert chuckled cockily as he drew his sword from its sheath. “Well, this is only gonna take a minute.” A pink bomb would be thrown at the brown-haired man
“Eugene!” The blonde would rush to her lover, whose feet were now stuck to the polished floor with a strange, sticky pink substance
“What the goop?!” He’d say, looking at his own feet.
“Oh, we didn’t do this alone. You might recognize my former cellmate.” The man with the man-bun pointed towards the wall of reddish-pink smoke, revealing the identity of someone who, much like Cassandra, was once a friend, before revealing against the princess and her friends.
“Welcome home, Rapunzel,” said Varian. The young alchemist smirked smugly.
The blonde gasped in horror to see that someone who had been her friend once was now behind her home being attacked. Again.
"Oh, I see you’ve already met my ‘new friends’…” The boy walked over to Andrew and the others. His trench coat was black with red outlines.
“Ah! Varian, my most trusted advisor.” Frederic said with a smile.
“Varian?! Mom, Dad! Uh, don’t you remember what he’s done?!” The alchemist laughed mockingly at Rapunzel’s question.
“No, no. They don’t.”
“They don’t remember?” She asked him, confused yet worried. Then her eyes drifted to the wand in the hand of one of Andrew’s allies. It was the same wand Cassandra accidentally used against her to wipe her memories. “That’s a Saporian Wand of Oblivium. You have erased their memories!!”
“Oh, me? Oh ho! No, not really. Actually, as you know, I’m all about the science. But uh, Clementine here she added a bit of uh…texture!”
“Magic,” said the short old woman with the wand.
“Yes, today the King and Queen. Tomorrow, Corona.” Eugene and Rapunzel’s faces almost fell in shock when they realized just how much was at stake in Varian and Andrew’s plan.
“I’m synthesizing the wand’s power into a gas that will erase the memories of everyone in Corona! And I named it Quirineon, so NO ONE will ever forget they turned their back on my father!”
“But once the people are affected by this gas, they will forget that they turned their back on your father,” Eugene said, while Isla raised an eyebrow. At him, or Varian, for not thinking of that little detail?
“Yep, that’s some flawed logic right there,” Lance agreed with his best friend.
“No, ye…So? You know what I mean!”
“I can’t let you get away with this. Hey guys? Let’s send these Saporians back where they came from!” Said Rapunzel as she untied her braid.
“Hehe. I thought you might say that. Saporians!” And then, a battle was unleashed.
The Saporians quickly got the upper hand due to Varian’s alchemy bombs, but the team of Corona wasn’t going down easily.
“I have to admit, I’m relieved I have to fight you and not Cassie. Where is my old flame, anyway?” Andrew asked, as his sword clashed with Eugene’s.
“Sensitive subject,” Fitzherbert would respond as he tried his best to fight him while stuck to the floor. As the blonde faced off against Varian, the rest fought against the others the best they could. Lance and Isla would be forced to intervene in Eugene’s confrontation with Andrew once the Saporian Separatist managed to disarm Fitzherbert.
“So, you wanna play rough, huh?” With a swift movement, the leader of the Saporian Separatists would untie his man-bun, freeing his long, yet voluminous hair. Isla would raise an eyebrow, completely confused, but Eugene and Lance? They were in complete awe. It wouldn’t help that Andrew winked at the duo while simultaneously throwing them a kiss.
“So…much…volume,” Said Eugene. He swore that he felt something tingling down there in that moment.
“Look at that sheen…” Lance added. Isla sighed heavily as she moved a hand to her face. The man with the long, ebony hair would attempt to throw his hair (which had two of Varian’s pink ‘goop’ bombs) at the trio, but thankfully, the brunette Latina reacted in time to throw them away with her sword.
"You're both hopeless."
Unfortunately, the team of Corona would find themselves cornered by the separatists.
“Varian!! Tell them to stand down!” The blonde pronounced firmly. They’ve just returned from one of the longest and harshest journeys of their lives. Losing Corona wasn’t an option.
“NEVER!” The alchemist countered furiously. But then, Andrew intervened.
“Why would we? When we have the upper hand,” The Saporian Separatist smirked as he threw at them a special grenade Varian invented. The team tried to run out of the way in the last minute, but unfortunately, the explosion got them.
“Powerful stuff, kid. This is gonna be fun. Come on,” Andrew remarked with a smirk. However, Varian’s face quickly fell with guilt. A sense of shame fell over him before he followed Andrew. Thankfully, the team managed to survive the explosion.
“Is everybody ok?” Rapunzel asked as she looked around. Lance and Isla stood up. They were dizzy from the explosion, but seemingly without major injuries. Eugene however…
“THERE IS A HORSE ON ME!” The man muffled as he had Maximus’s full weight on top of his upper body. He gasped for air the moment the white stallion stood up. However, Andrew’s crew would come down to check if they were alive or not.
“Let’s get out of here!” Eugene exclaimed. They’ve already got their butts kicked. They couldn’t risk suffering yet another defeat.
“What?! We can’t just leave! We’ve gotta stay and fight!!” The blonde disagreed as she pulled her damaged frying pan from the debris. “How do you think those Saporians would like a face full of frying…ness?” Her conviction faltered upon noticing that she could see through the holes of her frying pan.
“Blondie, trust me. Sometimes is better to live to fight another day.” Following Eugene’s advice, the team ran away from the Castle.
Notes:
I'll be honest, I have no idea how many parts Rise of Cassandra will take 😭 hopefully not that many, lol.
Chapter 14: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Rapunzel's Return: Part 2
Summary:
As Rapunzel struggles to deal with the loss of her relationship with Cassandra, she teams up with a repentant Varian, who seeks to be redeemed.
Chapter Text
Thankfully, and to everyone’s surprise, Xavier was still in Corona.
“Xavier!!” the princess excitedly said in a low voice.
“The Captain of the guards sent out many search parties to find you. He has yet to return, but, in the meantime…”
Along with Xavier were Friedborg, Big Nose, Monty, and Attila.
“Princess! Isla! You’re back!” The eyes of the two women lit up upon seeing their friends.
“GUYS!!” Isla rushed to give her friends from the Snuggly Duckling a warm embrace.
“It is so, so good to see all of you!” The blonde princess also rushed to give each of them a hug. “Even you, Monty.”
The owner of the sweet shop briefly smiled at the princess, despite the distaste for each other they’d shared in the past. According to Xavier’s own words, everyone in Corona lived in fear as they spent their days mining the green minerals for Varian’s experiments by royal decree. Any act of aggression against the King and Queen would be treason, but with Rapunzel now back in the kingdom, they finally had a chance.
Meanwhile, Varian was still preparing the Quirineon, calculating that once heated, it would convert to a gaseous state that would wipe the memories of everyone in the Kingdom.
But a miscalculation would cause the chemical to burst in a small explosion.
“Evidently, my calculations were not correct.” The young alchemist barely managed to murmur as he fell onto the floor.
However, the chemical reaction gave Andrew and Clementine some ideas to give the chemical other uses.
Meanwhile, back in the blacksmith’s shop, Eugene approached Rapunzel, in hopes of finally talking about a certain person who had recently left them for a certain powerful opal stone.
“Hey, blondie. How ‘you holding up?” The brown-haired, handsome man asked the blonde, who was fixing her frying pan. The intense clanking of the hammer against the pan was all that could be heard until Fitzherbert appeared.
“Me? Fine!” Said the blonde as she dipped the pan in water. The steam, mixed with the blonde’s smile that abruptly changed to a pout and a frown, indicated that she was indeed not fine. “What do you think? It’s not bad, right?” She asked Pascal, who nodded before immediately turning to an equally concerned Eugene.
“You’ve been through a lot since we got back. Not to mention what happened with Cassandra.” He remarked cautiously, but the blonde immediately chuckled.
“What? Oh, I mean, to tell you the truth, I haven’t even thought about that…person.”
A frown formed when the word ‘person’ came out of her mouth. A short-lived frown, which was once again replaced with a smile.
“Rapunzel, you can’t even say her name! There’s a difference between setting feelings aside and burying them so deep they change who you are.”
Pascal let a small squeak as he agreed with his best friend’s lover. Eugene knew what she was doing. He knew it all too perfectly.
“What are you saying, Eugene?” Her eyes drifted lower, almost as if she tried to find something to use as an excuse to stop this conversation.
“What I’m saying…is that you’re not alone in this.” His eyes softened slightly . He couldn’t bring himself to have her do the exact same thing he has been doing for so many years. He couldn’t let her do what he had been doing for the last year, almost two now, because he knows how much pain one can hide behind a smile or smirk. And he won’t let her lose herself within a mask.
“I know…but maybe it would be better if I were…” She murmured, almost sadly
“What was that?” Eugene raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend’s answer. But then, Xavier walked in.
“Am I interrupting?” Asked the dark-skinned blacksmith.
“No!” she chuckled lowly before she raised her newly/recently upgraded frying pan, now with the crest of Corona painted on the inside center of the frying pan. “I’m just making a new pan!”
“Princess, we need to discuss our strategy.” Xavier’s tone was urgent. There was no time to lose.
“I’ll be there in a second,” The blonde said, before sharing a quick, sweet kiss with Eugene, who followed Xavier back to the others. But then, her smile faded, and she looked towards the town. “...right after I take back my kingdom”.
The blonde princess would sneak inside the Castle, and Eugene immediately noticed the moment she didn’t come to discuss a strategy.
“How could she have run off on her own like that?” Eugene asked, half towards the group, half to himself out loud. ”If I know one thing about Rapunzel, it’s that she is tough. But she is only one person, right? How is she supposed to take on all those Saporians by herself?!” He paced around the room.
“And Varian,” Lance added.
“You are not helping!” Fitzherbert spat back. “I’m going after her. Anybody else?” He asked while raising his fist to the air.
“Count me in!” Responded Shorty.
“Anyone else?” Eugene asked again, Shorty’s smirk instantly fading.
“I’m in.” Isla immediately stood up.
“You’re a lifesaver, you know that?” Fitzherbert responded, to which she let out a short chuckle.
Meanwhile, Rapunzel managed to sneak inside the castle, with a slow pace, and avoiding the Saporians, she ran inside one of the rooms to hide. What she didn’t count on was that it would be none other than Cassandra’s room. A whole year of memories flooded her head as she slowly paced towards the closet, where the now turquoise-haired woman kept her weapons and clothing. A quiet sob came out of her lips as she held Cassandra’s former lady-in-waiting's dress. She sat on the edge of the bed as she buried her face in the dress.
“I thought she would always be here…” Rapunzel murmured, clutching the dress as tears rolled down her face’s cheeks. Pascal squeaks softly, trying to comfort her. But then, the small reptile would stiffen, his eyes going wide as he heard steps behind them.
“Well, well, well. Look who we found.”
Andrew’s henchmen quickly found her and sent her to the dungeons. Her brow frowned, her eyes looking not at Andrew or Clementine but at Varian.
“Varian…” She walked closer to the bars. “How could you do this?”
“I want you to know I wish it didn’t come to this.” A smirk formed as he mockingly knocked on one of the bars of the cell with a knuckle. “But when someone trusts you…and you betray them? Well…this is what happens.” He was angry. He was still angry and disappointed in Rapunzel. He wished he hadn’t needed to lure her into a trap to make her see how terrible the situation was back then. But that was exactly what it took the princess to reach out to him.
“My kingdom needed me. I couldn’t do anything about the amber, and I had to stay. I never meant to break my promise to you, Varian.” Her eyes softened upon remembering that mistake, her mistake, and how things used to be back then. “We were friends…”
“That’s the beauty of my plan! In the end, when your memory has been erased, we could be friends again...”
“But you’re only making it worse! None of these people did anything to you!” And she was right. If he had anyone to be angry at, it was herself and her parents.
“It’s not what they did to me…it’s what I did to them.” The young alchemist’s voice immediately broke in regret, his face falling with shame. “And there…there is no way that they will ever forgive me.”
“How do you know if you don’t give them the chance?” Varian’s eyes immediately widened upon hearing Rapunzel’s words.
“I took their queen prisoner! I-I’ve threatened their princess! I helped these guys take over their kingdom! You think anyone is gonna give me a second chance? I don’t think so.” It was clear that the boy didn’t feel the same anger he felt towards the kingdom. Not anymore.
“No, making them forget is the only way to fix what I’ve done…”
“...Yeah, there’s been a slight change of plans, buddy,” Andrew spoke with a smirk as he held Varian’s shoulders. “Now that she’s back, we don’t have time for you to get your memory formula right.”
“We are still using the formula you’ve curated.” Clementine talked in. “Quirineon explodes! It will turn Corona to ashes…” An evil grin formed on the old woman’s face.
“Wha- NO, NO!! WE AGREED NOBODY WOULD BE HARMED!!” Varian immediately walked away from Andrew. This was not part of their deal.
“Relax, Varian.” Andrew rolled his eyes before putting on a fake smile. “You don’t wanna end up on the wrong side of history. You understand, buddy.” The leader of the Saporian Separatists would nudge the boy. And then, feeling conflicted and not knowing what to do, he’d turn to Rapunzel, whose green pleading eyes would make him realize what he had to do.
“You’re right. So I’m gonna have to ask you…” The young alchemist reached his pocket to grab a blue chemical bomb. “...to step inside that cell.”
“Are you betraying us, boy?” Clementine asked, her smile never leaving her face. Rapunzel’s face, on the other hand, lit up upon seeing that the Varian she once knew was still there.
“I’m getting on the right side of history.”
"Take him out!” Clementine said, before Varian threw the bomb at them. Much to their advantage, and Varian’s disappointment, that was neither a defensive nor an offensive bomb, as bath foam covered the Saporian team.
“Ooh…sorry, guys. That was uh…yeah, that was a bath bomb…” The young alchemist felt himself shrinking. Those were Varian’s last words before he was sent inside the same cell Rapunzel was in.
“He’s made his choice. Let’s move. We launch the airship in 20’ “. And with nothing left to say, Andrew and his team left the dungeons.
Rapunzel tried her best to sneak her head out of that cell, but it was all useless. Varian, on the other hand, felt too ashamed of his actions to even move from the seat in his cell.
“All I’ve ever wanted was for my father to be proud. Of course, if he were free from the amber now and…saw everything I’ve done. Well, he’d be ashamed.” He couldn’t even get to look at Rapunzel, because in the end, this was all done because of her not keeping her promise.
“You know, standing up to Andrew just now was…pretty brave.” She didn’t know what Quirin would think of his son if he learned all of what he had done a year ago. But she does know one thing. “Look, I know how much it hurts to have someone you trust let you down. I mean, after you go through something like that…how can you ever trust anyone again?”
“I don’t know…” The boy raised his head from his knees. “That-that’s why I thought maybe, if I can make you forget everything that happened. You know, we could be friends again. Learn to trust again. But I guess life doesn’t…really work that way.”
The two turn to look at each other, and, instead of just frowning or feeling bad for each other, they just…smiled. Then, a masculine voice interrupted the moment.
“Ok, this is very sweet, but honestly, I’m offended. I can’t believe you were going to break into something and you didn’t even ask me! It’s kind of my thing.”
It was Eugene who immediately opened the door for them with a visible smirk on his face.
“Thank goodness you’re here!” The blonde immediately ran into his arms, giving him a warm embrace. Varian, however, didn’t seem to be included in the team’s escape plan.
“And where do you YOU’RE going, little man?” Lance asked, his eyebrow raised high, just like Isla’s and Maximus’s. The dark skinned man proceeded to erase the young alchemist’s goatee, which seemed to be a fake one made with a marker. Eugene, Lance, even Maximus chuckled mockingly, though, surprisingly, Isla didn’t. She just kept her eyebrow raised, her expression highly skeptical.
“Guys, we’re going to have to trust him,” Rapunzel said. Her tone was frank yet sincere.
“After everything hair stripe here has done, you’re going to trust him?”
Eugene couldn’t see above the fact that Varian attempted to hurt Rapunzel in the past, not to mention the fact that they had faced him just after they returned to Corona.
But the poor boy couldn’t help but wince a little upon his idol’s words ( because yes, before everything that happened, Varian was a fan of Flynn Rider).
“Yes,” responded Rapunzel to Eugene’s question. “He is the one that made the formula that the Saporians are about to drop on Corona.” Rapunzel walked over to the boy and gently held him by the shoulders. “We need him.”
Varian smiled softly before Rapunzel quickly left with him. Eugene seemed a bit confused, Lance and Maximus even more so. But Isla couldn’t help but smile a little—a short-lived smile.
Later, the newly formed team sneaked their way to spy on the Saporians, who were loading the barrels of Quirineon onto a ship tied to two hot-air balloons.
“There’s enough Quirineon on that ship to destroy Corona ten times over,” Varian said, approximately calculating the amount of Quirineon being loaded onto the ship.
“Is there anything you can do?” Asked Rapunzel.
“If you can get me on that ship, I think I can neutralize it.”
Before their eyes, the memory-wiped Frederic and Arianna got into their carriage. Andrew’s instructions were clear:
“Take them to the outskirts of Corona to watch their Kingdom fall. Once it’s done, get rid of them.”
His past words lowered with a dangerous tone. They must be stopped.
“Eugene, I need you guys to free my parents,” Rapunzel says to Eugene and the others, to which Fitzherbert smirks confidently.
“You heard her, guys. Let’s go.”
Eugene, Lance, Isla, and Maximus all rushed to reach the royal carriage, while Rapunzel and Varian began to formulate a plan to get on the ship. As Rapunzel and Varian managed to get on the ship, the trio of former thieves got closer and closer to the carriage. Max and Fidella ran as fast as they could. The duo of Eugene and Lance jumped on the carriage’s sides and attempted to open each door.
“IT’S LOCKED!!” Stated Eugene, unable to open the door.
“THIS SIDE TOO!!” Replied Lance. Noticing that it was going to be harder than they thought, Isla jumped from Max over to the top of the carriage and carefully walked over to where Kai ( The Saporian Separatist who was driving the carriage) was. She swiftly grabbed the burly man’s neck and pulled her dagger close to his neck.
“THE KEYS!! WHERE DO YOU HAVE THEM?!” Isla commanded, making Kai’s eyes widen in fear.
“O-ON MY BELT!!” Kai barely managed to speak. Isla, on the other hand, smirked as she got to the coachman’s part of the carriage, quickly snatching the key and kicking Kai off the carriage, almost ruthlessly.
“Was that necessary?!” Eugene asked her as he attempted to open the carriage with his lockpick.
“Oh, I don’t know. Did you have any luck with that lockpick?” Eugene's face changed to a deadpan one. She had a point.
“Touché. Lance, you go take the reins! Isla, the keys!” Isla quickly made her way back to the roof of the carriage and extended her hand over to Eugene, who quickly grabbed the key, managing to finally open the door. “HA!!”
Frederic and Arianna looked at their daughter’s lover oddly. And then suddenly.
"Guys, uh...we’ve got a BIG problem!!" Lance showed the snapped reins to the other two.
“YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!” Just when Eugene thought things were going smoothly. “MAX!! FIDELLA!! THE CARRIAGE!!”
The two horses quickly ran in front of the carriage and buried their hooves on the ground, attempting to stop the moving vehicle as the other horse ran away. In the end, the carriage managed to stop just in time, and the King and Queen were safe.
“Are we stopping for lunch?” Asked Arianna the moment she stepped out of the carriage.
Meanwhile, Varian and Rapunzel managed to defeat Andrew and the Saporians, but the ship was only floating with one balloon tied to it (the other exploded when Andrew attempted to cut with his dagger). Not wanting to risk Varian’s life, Rapunzel was now the only one left on the balloon. The Quirineon was finally heated up, since that was what they needed to make the balloon float higher. But it was only a matter of time before the balloon exploded.
The green flames of the artificial chemical began to burn around the barrels and the wooden ship. She closed her eyes as her hair surrounded her, forming a shielded cocoon.
“That’s it, blondie. Now come on,” Eugene rooted for her on land. And then, it happened. An explosion just as big as the whole island of Corona happened just above the kingdom.
“RAPUNZEL!!” Lance exclaimed, as Isla gasped in horror.
“No…”
“Just wait, Lance. Just wait,” But Eugene didn’t panic, not one bit. A soft smile formed on his lips as he looked over where the explosion had happened. He knew by now what the princess’s hair was capable of. “She’ll be ok…”
And from the green smoke, a golden ball of light was seen slowly coming down.
“See?”
The team of former thieves, along with Maximus, all ran back over to the Kingdom. And the blonde, using her long hair, used it to swung from one of the castle’s towers and landed safely. For a brief moment, just a second, he’d thought she wasn’t going to make it. But then she saw her, safe on the ground, and ran into her arms. Her eyes gleamed the moment she saw him running to her.
“I knew you’d make it,” He said as both tightly hugged each other.
“It’s all over.”
“Not yet,” Rapunzel replied, as he softly moved the hair off her face. He looked directly at her, completely in love.
“There’s still one promise I need to keep.”
Later that night, Rapunzel went on her own to visit Varian. Back then, she didn’t have the tools to help him free his father from the amber–he didn’t even know where the black rocks came from. Now, not only did she know the full story, but she also knew an incantation that could break chains and destinies.
“Once I start this incantation…I won’t be able to stop it. And it could seriously harm you and your father. So, I’m trusting you to snap me out of it once your father is free.” Rapunzel’s voice was laced with seriousness yet worry. Only she and a few people knew how lethal and dangerous the decay incantation was.
She handed the teenager a bucket of water for when that moment comes. His face remains skeptical for a few seconds, but then, a soft smile forms on his face. “You can trust me, Rapunzel.”
Rapunzel took hold of a few strands, the rest already coiled tightly around the amber holding Quirin captive, and while reciting the words of the incantation, her hair once again changed from golden blonde to pitch black. “Wither and decay, end this destiny. Break these earthly chains, and set the spirit free…”
Varian’s expression immediately filled with worry, but then he gasped as he noticed something: the amber was melting. “It’s working…IT’S WORKING!”
“Wither and decay…End this destiny…” Rapunzel began to sing, her eyes like black voids. The incantation melted the amber enough to free Quirin from the amber.
“ AH!! DAD!!” The young alchemist almost ran to his father before stopping to look at the princess of his kingdom.
“Break these earthly chains…and set the spirit free…”
Varian threw the bucket of water at her, but it was no use. “WAKE UP!!” He tried to grab Rapunzel, but his gloves immediately melted away the moment she touched the princess’s shoulders.
“The spirit free…”
“RAPUNZEL!! SNAP OUT OF IT!!”
The boy tried to call out to her friend, but she did not respond. Her hair stood black, her eyes voided of any sign of consciousness. “Rapunzel…”
“Rapunzel…?” He couldn’t believe it. She fulfilled the promise she made to him a year ago…but at what cost?
“You didn’t give up on me. I’m not giving up on you.”
Then suddenly, GASP.
Rapunzel snapped out of the trance. Her hair turned back to its natural blonde as she fell to her knees.
“Are you ok?” The alchemist asked, concerned. And then, a smile formed upon seeing him. She was fine, and the teenager couldn’t help but hug her upon noticing that. She may have lost Cassandra, but she got back a friend she once thought was lost.
“Thank you…” And then losing another the second, the boy rushed to hug his father. “DAD!! DAD!! YOU’RE ALIVE!!”
“Oh, son…” Quirin managed to say, now free from the amber. Varian could almost feel the tears building up, but then, his attention was brought to the note Quirin had written ever since freezing in the amber.
“Dad, the note!” Varian pointed out. As the paper melted away. “W-What did it say? I need to know.”
“All it said was…I’m so proud of you, Varian. I always have been…” That’s all that Varian needed to know from Quirin. No matter what, he was proud of his son.
“I love you, Dad.” The boy hugged his father once again. Part of him can’t believe this is happening.
“I love you, too, son.”
At last, Rapunzel, Eugene, Lance, and Isla were at home after facing who knows how many dangers and adventures. Still, they were not quite through yet. There was still much to do.
Wounds needed to heal, and plans to turn real, with a certain proposal at the core of those plans. Sure, blunders and errors may also await them, but they were going to face them head-on. The people of Corona cheered for the return of their princess, Fitzherbert, and the rest of their friends who followed them on their journey outside of the kingdom. Were they going to give up now? No, never. They were stronger than ever before.
Sure, they made mistakes and had some bad breaks with people whom they once saw as brothers (or, to be more specific, sisters). But that only made them tougher, and victory had to be earned, not given. There were still miles yet to go, who knows how far. But til the next endeavour, one thing was sure: They were stronger than ever before.
Sporting a brand new outfit with a dark purple jacket sporting the crest of Corona on each side of it, and a brand new golden chain around his neck ( probably either in honor of Lance, or in request of Lance himself), Eugene entered Rapunzel’s room.
She was now wearing a purple dress, like the dress she had worn ever since leaving the original tower in the woods, but it was far more regal. Just like Eugene, she wore the sun of Corona on it, but instead of on each side of her shoulder, she wore it on her chest, plus a belt buckle.
“The number one reason I’m glad to be back in Corona, you ask? Why, the cupcakes.” Eugene said, pulling out a cupcake before stepping inside.
“I’m glad you were able to keep your promise to Varian. You know, it feels good to trust that little guy again, right?”
“It does…” She said with a soft smile and putting the cupcake aside. “And Eugene…?”
Her eyes drifted to the floor of her room as Eugene looked at her, wondering for a moment what she had to tell him.
“...I think I’m ready to talk about Cass.” It felt a bit strange, but so relieving to finally be able to tell that to him.
“Well then, I am all ears, sunshine…” A soft smile formed, before it changed to a smirk, the classic Fitzherbert smirk.
She stood up, and finally, she allowed herself to speak her mind.
“At first, I felt so betrayed. After all, Cass is my best friend and I still love her…” And so, Eugene took the time to listen to her, to hear her, to be there for her. He knows deep down that what happened in The Dark Kingdom may not be the last they have seen from Cassandra. But in the moment, he just wants to breathe and be in this moment.
Chapter 15: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Return of the King
Summary:
As Rapunzel steps up as the temporary queen of Corona, Eugene deals with his father's arrival at the Kingdom.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Days had passed, and peace seemed to reign over Corona. Frederic and Arianna were still yet to recover their memories, so Rapunzel acted as queen for the moment.
“Rapunzel, you realize that as queen, you don’t need to be out in the streets all the time, right?” Eugene asked with a smile. The blonde had been in the streets, visiting the people of the kingdom from door to door, rather than just sitting on her throne.
“Well, remember, technically I’m still a princess. Besides, this is where the real action is.”
And just like if she had manifested it, a panicked horse carrying a cart of straw began to run out of control throughout the streets of the kingdom.
“WATCH OUT!!” Eugene managed to shout before he and his girlfriend dodged the out-of-control cart. “And there’s the action. Right on cue.”
Without thinking twice, the couple got on Maximus and Fidella and ran after the cart. Though the panicked horse ran through alleys and almost ran over a duck crossing, the princess managed to stop the cart in time, though, in the process, Eugene was sent flying through the air. Using her hair, she managed to make his fall less painful, though it didn’t stop him from hitting the ground.
“Nice save, but she’s really gotta work on that landing.”
He said, his voice mixed with a pained groaning. But then, his eyes drifted to a nearby figure. A tall, masculine, familiar one.
“Oh, hello, son,” Edmund said with a wide grin.
“Edmund?” What is he doing here?
“What are you doing here?” Eugene asked his father. He didn’t look too happy to see him. The father-son duo was sitting with Rapunzel in a nearby cafe.
Edmund’s crow cawed as feathers were spitted out. “No, Hamuel. Let me tell him. After our rather…unfortunate run-in with the family recently, I wanted to ensure you got this.” Edmund passes a wooden box over to Eugene. “It’s a priceless heirloom that has been passed down for generations. It’s our family sash.”
Rapunzel gasped as Eugene opened the box. “Pretty!” She said, upon looking at the brown sash, with the crest of the dark kingdom on it.
“Oh!! Fantastic, that’s fantastic. This will go so great with my chain mail dinner jacket. So, thanks for stopping by and making everything awkward, as usual. Bye now!” Fitzherbert said sarcastically before he frowned at his dad. On the other hand, the princess couldn’t help but feel bad for Edmund, while simultaneously frowning slightly in disappointment at her boyfriend’s treatment of his father.
“Oh…I uh..” Edmund chuckled awkwardly as he stood up from his seat. “I suppose…I should leave. Although I’m actually hoping they’d invite me to stay.” Edmund said, speaking his thoughts out loud.
“Aww,” Rapunzel said, feeling bad for her (hopefully) future father-in-law.
“Yeah, no. He says what he thinks. A lot.” The former thief crossed his arms before Rapunzel herself walked over to the Dark King, making a frown again.
“Your majesty, you have come such a long way. Why not just stay for the night?” Eugene’s eyes almost widened the moment Rapunzel offered his father to stay.
“Oh, no. I really shouldn’t”
“Yeah, no. He really shouldn’t!” Insists Eugene, standing up from his seat.
“I insist.” Says Rapunzel, as Eugene rolls his eyes and sits again.
“Well, who is this old pile of bones to argue with a princess?” Edmund said, excited by the mere thought of spending time with his son.
“Oh, brother.” But Eugene wasn’t nearly as excited as he rested his face on both fists.
That same afternoon, Eugene was caught sitting on one of the castle's roofs. His mind was deep in thought as he looked at the Sash, until he was interrupted by a feminine voice.
“Thinking about your dad?” It was Rapunzel who quickly walked over to him to sit alongside him.
“Alright, first of all, he’s not my dad, okay? He is a strange man who can’t keep his thoughts to himself. Second, he abandoned me! As a child! And he didn’t even try to stay in touch with me. And then, this.”
He shows his lover the box with the sash. For years, he had to steal, lie, and make deals with the shadiest and most disgusting people out there, just to survive. Where was he when the world spat on his face so many times?
“Edmund’s only company is a crow , who could get lost in a boot. He’s lonely…”
Rapunzel understood where Eugene’s anger came from; she really did. But she also saw how Edmund attempted to get closer to his son, and how the same son kept shutting him down. “Come on! You might even get to like him!”
She said, trying to cheer him up.
“And Shorty could sprout wings and lay an egg. But hey, you never know.” Eugene said, with a frown and a pout. Unironically, on their travel to the Dark Kingdom several months ago, Shorty did become a bird, a peacock to be more precise. Then, Hamuel passed by flying, with a boot on his head.
“I’m sorry, is that my boot?” Eugene asked as Rapunzel held his hand.
The next morning, Eugene had finished having a hearty breakfast alongside Pascal.
“Froggy, I gotta say, that was the most delightful breakfast. Whaddaya say we head up to the room for a quick food coma?”
He had eaten so much during breakfast, but he didn’t mind. All he wanted now was that sweet, sweet food coma to get Edmund off his head.
“And the best part of the food coma is, Edmund will b
e leaving- GOOD GRAVY WHAT HAPPENED?!” His eyes widened in surprise upon noticing that his room had been turned into a complete mess. And then his attention was caught by the sash’s box on the ground, left open and without said sash.
“Wait a minute, someone stole the sash. I’VE BEEN RO…I’ve been robbed! So that’s how that feels.”
It didn’t take long before Stan and Pete began to search throughout his room, and that the news reached Edmund’s ears.
“Somebody STOLE the sash?!” The Dark King asked Rapunzel, visibly upset.
“I…don’t know, your majesty. But Eugene will help you find it.” The blonde said with conviction.
“Woah, Woah!! Stan and Pete are on it! They are perfectly capable of handling this.”
Eugene quickly retorted.
Unfortunately, not even he believed that lie, as neither guard was capable of finding the clue he had to find himself. To make it worse, he had to accept going with Edmund, after Rapunzel frowned her way into making him accept.
“Ok, ok. Why don’t I just…tag along?” It took his girlfriend frowning and even hitting him with her elbow to accept going with his father to Mount Saison.
“Oh hohoho! Excellent!” Edmund said, his eyes brightening with excitement as an excited grin formed on his lips.
The father-son duo quickly got on their respective horses. Everything was ready.
“You packed food, right?” Fitzherbert asked, his expression deadpan.
“Of course I did, Horace! A bounty unlike any you’ve ever had.” The Dark King showed his bag proudly.
“Woah, woah, woah…Horace? Hahaha. Did you just call me Horace?” Eugene let out a sarcastic fake laugh. Horace? Really?
“Indeed. Horace is your given name! Did I not mention that before?” Edmund asked, confused.
“No, you didn’t. How is it possible my real name is even worse than EUGENE?!” He almost felt he could scream by how ridiculous his birth-given name sounded to his ears. Maximus’s neigh almost sounded like a chuckle. At moments like these, he wished his real name actually were Flynn Rider. “Haha, real funny. You know what? Nevermind. Let’s just get on the road.”
“That’s the spirit! This jaunt may actually prove quite fun!” Edmund said as their horses began to walk out of the Kingdom’s town.
“But for the record, we are STICKING with Eugene. Got it?” Eugene remarked.
“Whatever you say, Horace.”
And just like that, Eugene was saddled up for a father-son bonding trip he never asked for, with a man he barely knew and a name he never wanted. Meanwhile, in the Kingdom, two men who held a grudge against the handsome, former thief returned for revenge one more time: The Stabbington Brothers. The moment she learned about this, Rapunzel ordered Stan and Pete to double security and patrol every hour. Unfortunately, the criminal twins would end up catching the duo of guards off guard, not before accidentally revealing Eugene’s location. It wouldn’t be long before the princess found out and decided to search for the Stabbingtons herself.
On the other hand, the more time Eugene spent with Edmund, the more annoyed he became with the odd antics of Edmund.
Plus, the older man constantly called him Horace DESPITE Fitzherbert asking him several times to call him Eugene, and his persistence was also starting to get to his nerves.
Still, the straw that would break the camel’s back ended up being their weapons sinking on a nearby lake, after The Dark King threw them on a nearby tree stump, in an attempt to start a game for a piece of figgy pudding from Edmund’s pockets.
“EDMUND, OUR WEAPONS!!” He couldn’t believe he just did that. He watched his sword disappear into the lake.
“Well, lucky for us, nothing is more dangerous than our cutting wits! EH, Horace?”
“It’s Euge- You know what? This is impossible.” He turns around to leave. This was just not it.
“If something is not impossible, it’s not worth doing!” And then, Edmund said that phrase, a phrase Eugene knew all too well.
“I MEAN WHAT IS WRO… wait, did you just say “if something is not impossible…It’s not worth doing?” Eugene turned, suddenly less angry, his voice softening. A smile formed as he turned around to look back at Edmund.
“...It’s not worth doing! Why yes, I did!” Edmund and Eugene said in unison the last part of the sentence.
“Flynn Rider and The Lost Treasure of Scotia!” One of Eugene’s favorite books ever since he lived in the orphanage as a child. And his own father had also read it?
“One of my favorite books!” Exclaimed Edmund with an excited smile.
“Me too! Until I lost it. I accidentally dropped it off a cliff. Hey, do you remember when Rider is on the canoe, heading for the waterfall?” He had read that book, from beginning to end, and from end back to beginning.
“Yes. He leaps onto the rocks, but not before saving the…”
“THE TREASURE!! OH HOHO, IT WAS BRILLIANT!” Father and son share a hearty laugh, for the first time since Edmund had visited Corona.
Later, while Rapunzel was getting nearer to Mount Saison, the father and son duo made their way through hills of tall, dry grass.
“Hahaha! Oh no, and do remember when Flynn Rider says ‘The Kingdom and I aren’t exactly 'simpatico' at the moment?’ ” That was one of his favorite quotes from the book, and he recalled using it the day he met Rapunzel. Father and son had spent almost an hour and a half talking about the book of Flynnigan Rider.
“Yes! And people think it’s a kids’ book. Adults everywhere appreciate the nuance of Flynn Rider’s adventures.”
But then, the sound of steps set Eugene on alert. His smile disappeared as he stopped abruptly. “Shh, shh, shh. Quiet, I don’t think we’re alone.”
“Right again, Rider,” Said a familiar gruff voice behind him. “Or is it ‘Eugene’?”
The Stabbingtons had arrived. Maximus and Edmund’s horse had been tied by Sideburns, as Patchy pulled out his daggers. But Eugene wasn’t scared, not in the slightest.
“Edmund, long-lost father, meet Stabbingtons, lifelong nemeses. Edmund claims he’s my father, but you know, I actually have more of a history with you guys. So, in a way, this is kind of like a family gathering for me! Say, who wants some pudding?”
“I can tell he wants some pudding!” Without warning, Edmund grabbed the pudding from his pocket and threw it at Sideburns’s face.
“He can tell a lot by looking into a man’s eyes.”
With a smirk, Eugene jumped, landing a flying kick to Sideburns.
A fight was unleashed, the son handled Sideburns while the father took care of Patchy.
Even though Sideburns was still clearly bigger and stronger than him, the former thief used his agility, wits, the environment, and the knowledge of the Stabbingtons having no patience with him to his advantage, taking down Sideburns while simultaneously (and accidentally) making him do a split after making him trip by tying down some long strands of grass to his right foot.
Edmund, on the other hand, took care of Patchy without too much struggle, ending the fight by throwing him to Sideburns, making the ginger twins fall into a shallow pit nearby.
“Alright, alright, they’re not gonna stay down for long. We need to buy more time.” Eugene said as he ran to untie Maximus.
“I have an idea.” The father-son duo quickly left, and using a yo-yo and a toy crow as a distraction, the Stabbingtons were left furious and with their hands empty. For the moment, at least.
“EDMUND, THAT WAS INGENIOUS!” He reaches for his father, but then immediately backs off a bit. “Yeah, ingenious!”
“Heh, who knew this bag of lucky baubles would come in so handy?” Eugene laughed at Edmund’s comment, but his laugh was abruptly interrupted when his attention was brought to something inside Edmund’s bag.
“The sash. Wait, you stole this from my room? You had this the whole time?” His smile quickly vanished ass his eyes widened.
“Well…yes, I did. It was I who wrote the ransom letter and sent us on this errand.” Edmund admitted, guilt creeping in his voice.
“This is an errand?! We’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with no food, no weapons, and two MANIACS on our tail, but yeah. Lovely little errand this is.” Panic took over Eugene before his patience exploded. They got so far away from the Kingdom for nothing.
“I wanted to be part of your life, Horace. And I thought a father and son trip might-”
“Might what, huh? Make up for 24 years? And for the love of everything that is holy, my name is EUGENE!!” Eugene had to sing out his name for him. Edmund’s eyes filled with sadness, but his son had lost his patience. He had to bear Edmund’s antics for what? Nothing? And he told him again and again that his name wasn’t Horace, that Eugene was HIS name, yet the Dark King was seemingly too blind to even understand that. “You know what? Here’s your sash. I’m heading back to town.”
With his shoulders stiff and his frown filled with anger and disappointment, Eugene left Edmund with the sash his father had given him a few hours ago.
Poor Edmund felt as if he had lost his son yet again, but that stopped being the least of his worries when the Stabbingtons took him hostage. Tying a dagger to Hamuel, Eugene would get the message that his father was in trouble, and, reluctantly, followed the crow near a canyon’s cliff.
“Edmund! Edmund!” He called for his father, but only his horse was seen nearby. “Hey, Domino. Where is Edmund?” He asked the white horse with black spots.
“RIGHT HERE, SUNNY BOY! YOU WANT ‘IM?! COME AND GET ‘IM!!” Sideburns shouted, with a cruel smirk on his face. Edmund, gagged and tied with a rope, tried to warn his son about the trap set by the Stabbingtons, but the criminal twins wasted no time. The moment Eugene was in the right spot, Patchy dropped an enormous boulder on top of him.
“MAX!! WATCH OUT!!” Eugene shoved the stallion just in time—but the boulder crashed down, swallowing him in a cloud of dust and stone.
“The Great Flynn Rider is gone,” and the Stabbingtons thought so too, as both Sideburns and Patchy smirked cruelly. But he was far from dead; he was just trapped in a cave.
“First, he lies, then he gets me trapped in a cave. Definitely “father of the year” contender.” Eugene complains, and just as Hamuel began to fly around cawking incoherently, the bird grabbed onto a bag on Domino’s saddle, pulling it and making it fall.
“Would you quit it, bird? You’re making a mess-” His frown faded the moment he saw the objects that fell onto the ground. “Wait a minute…”
He gasped. They weren’t just some meaningless junk.
“These are all things from when I was a kid! My marked deck of cards! My two-headed coin. And my loaded dice!” He couldn’t believe it. His eyes lit up as a smile formed on his face. Grabbed the two dice and the coin and threw them like he used to when he was still just small, poor Eugene from the Orphanage.
He gasped again — “This is my first hand mirror. He has been keeping tabs on me.” Hamuel nods towards the bag. There is still something inside.
“Flynn Rider and The Lost Treasure of Scotia, MY OLD BOOK! You had it, I can’t believe it!”
He grinned, holding the book in his hands— until a familiar female voice called his name.
“Eugene! Are you out here?”
“RAPUNZEL!! I’m in here!” — He recognized her voice almost immediately. Without wasting a second. The blonde tied her hair to the tip of the rock blocking the cave and to Maximus and Fidella.
“Eugene!” — The couple ran into each other’s arms, but there was no time to waste.
“Ah, thanks, Blondie.” Maximus pointed at the Stabbingtons escaping away in one of the tree trunks being transported throughout the log flume.
“Alright, that’s it. No more ‘Miss Nice Princess.’ “ The couple quickly stood over another tree trunk, and using her hair, Rapunzel pulled on a nearby handle, allowing more water to flow. — “Just for the short term. After we deal with these guys, I am totally nice again.”
“Wasn’t worried, but thanks anyway!” And so, the chase began.
The princess and the former thief rode the tree trunk until they were finally side-by-side with the Stabbingtons.
“RIDER!!” — Patchy exclaimed, almost from the sheer anger of seeing him again. Patchy was never one for talking, always mute. Only he and Sideburns knew how much they despised that cocky little man.
“Yup! Still alive! You dropped a boulder on me, and you missed. I mean, who misses with a boulder, really?” Eugene smirked cockily, and a fight quickly unleashed. The two twins attempted to jump on him, but the cocky brown-eyed man swiftly dodged their assault.
“Horace! You’re alive! And you came to rescue me!” Edmund exclaimed, more than happy to see that not only is his son alive, but he also came to his rescue.
“Well, what did you expect?” Eugene’s smile disappeared almost immediately the moment he heard the name ‘Horace’. A small bump would make Edmund fall from the tree trunk; thankfully, Eugene caught him just in time.
However, just as Eugene pulled his father back on the tree trunk, Sideburns walked on behind him, intending to stab Fitzherbert. Rapunzel noticed this and, without wasting a second, she immediately slapped the dagger away from Sideburns’s hand with her hair.
“Nice try,” She said. The woman standing before them wasn’t the same naive young girl who ran away in fear when she first met the duo of criminal twins for the first time. And then, by grabbing an incoming tree branch, Domino would knock out the duo of the Stabbingtons.
“Ye-haha! Nice teamwork!” Eugene said to the trio of horses. But just as victory seemed near, the blonde noticed something from afar.
“Guys? Log jam, log jam, log jam!” Rapunzel exclaimed, “Everybody, my log, pronto!”
The three equines quickly jumped onto the log, and just as the father and son duo were about to jump as well, Eugene quickly rushed to the Stabbingtons.
“Oh, who am I kidding? They’re like family, right?” Had the Stabbingtons attempted to kill him in the past? Yeah. Did he want them dead? No.
“Son, we cannot save these cretins in time. It’s impossible!” Said Edmund, unsure if they could save the Stabbingtons without risking their own safety.
“If something’s not impossible…” Said Eugene as he attempted to lift Sideburns.
“...It’s not worth doing!” Edmund finished the sentence as he rushed to help his son. The father-son duo picked up the two redheaded criminals until the sash fell from one of Sideburns’s pockets.
“Ugh! The sash!” Eugene spotted it tumbling from Sideburns’s pocket, gleaming against the shifting log.
He reached for it—
“Leave it, Eugene!” Edmund barked. Finally, calling his son by the name he chose to go by.
“Dad, you called me Eugene.” A smile formed on Eugene’s lips.
“You called me dad!” Said Edmund.
“Guys, seriously?!” Rapunzel was all for a touching father-son moment, but right now? When the log jam was meters away?
“GO, GO, GO, GO!” Exclaimed Eugene, before the impact sent both him and Patchy into the air. Thankfully, Rapunzel quickly grabbed them both before they could fall off the log flume.
“HAHAHA! This woman is amazing.” Said Edmund.
“I KNOW! And she’s getting so much better at her landings.”
Exclaimed Fitzherbert before smirking at his girlfriend.
That afternoon, Rapunzel, Eugene, and Edmund all returned to the log flume near the canyon to find the sash. Pascal, ever the loyal chameleon, searched through the debris, but unfortunately, all he managed to find were the broken pieces of the Sash’s crest. Pascal squealed sadly, holding up the broken pieces of the crest with his tiny hands.
“You went out of your way to rescue us…again?” Sideburns was deeply confused. They worked with Gothel to separate Eugene and Rapunzel away from each other. They took him and Cassandra hostage a year ago, and all this time, their goal was to kill him. So why did he take the effort to save them, after all they’ve done?.
“I guess my son believes in second chances.” Responded Edmund, while Maximus snorted at Sideburns as a warning, making the redheaded man sit down.
“I learned that from the best,” Eugene responds, turning to Rapunzel and gently holding her hands before giving them a gentle kiss.
That night, Eugene and Rapunzel played with some of the toys that were in Edmund’s bag. Eugene with the wind-up toy crow, and Rapunzel with the yo-yo.
“Hey, hey, hey! You guys, I invented a move. I call this one ‘Stroll with a bloodhound.’ “ The blonde said with a proud grin.
“Uh, Blondie, they already invented that move, actually. It’s-” His cocky smile changed into a awkwardly nervous grin when the blonde raised an eyebrow. “You know what? Never mind.”
Clearing his throat, Edmund would step inside the room. Eugene would immediately stand from the floor to greet his father.
“EDMUND! Oh, ah. We were uh, we were reminiscing.” Eugene chuckled awkwardly as he held the toy crow in his palm. “Not playing, reminiscing, like adults do, with my old toys.”
Eugene said, trying to hide the fact that they were indeed playing with his toys. Rapunzel just smiled softly and quickly left the two to have the private talk she knew they needed.
“I decided we didn’t need that old sash, anyway. Xavier and I made you a new one.” And so, Edmund handed Eugene a new sash, his new sash. The son of Edmund threw the toy crow away before taking the sash in his hands.
“White and gold, just like the Flynn Rider book.” And with the sun of the crest of Corona rather than the one from the Dark Kingdom. A soft smile formed on his lips.
"It’s one of my favorites, you know.” And without expecting it, his son would warmly hug his father. For years, he had wished for that hug. Now he knew what an embrace from his son felt like.
Meanwhile, in the dark loneliness of the woods, Cassandra stood alone. Just her and the black rocks. She extended her hand to one of the sharp, black minerals, but they didn’t respond to her like they did when she left the Dark Kingdom.
“JUST…FOCUS” She forced her burned arm, hoping that the rocks would respond to her, but it was no use. They weren’t responding to her. She groans in pain before dropping to her knees, “I CAN’T!”
And then, that same voice, that soft and youthful feminine voice, called her name once again.
“Cassandra…”
Notes:
Ngl, at first this was going to be part 2 alongside Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf, but since this is an Eugene-focused fanfic, it's going to be a chapter of its own, lol.
Chapter 16: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra:part 3
Summary:
As the Kingdom is rebuilt, Rapunzel copes with Cassandra's absence. Isla helps Eugene deal with his differences with Rapunzel over Rapunzel's former best friend.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
A few days later, Old Corona was getting rebuilt. Angry and Red had returned to the Kingdom of Corona, deciding to leave their lives as thieves behind and finally settle down in the Kingdom. However, it didn’t take long before things started to get weird: Something has been terrorizing the livestock across the kingdom. That’s when they meet a tracker going by the name of ‘Captain Creighton.’
She explained to the blonde and her friends that she was tracking none other than a werewolf, a normal citizen of Corona, under the Wolf’s curse. According to her, the Wolf’s Curse travels across the globe, seeking a proper host. It fed on the rage and anger, inhabiting the host, and transforming said host every full moon. Creighton was intending to kill the beast, but Rapunzel had none of it. Whoever was suffering from the wolf’s curse was one of her subjects, and she wasn’t gonna let this random woman attack or injure her people, even less let her kill them. They had to find that person before Creighton could. Whoever it was.
The blonde’s first suspect was Monty, after she saw what she thought was the wolf’s blue mark on his neck. And that night, Rapunzel, Eugene, and Lance all spied on the owner of the candy shop and even got in a chase with him, but it turned out that what he had on his neck was just blue paint. The real werewolf was still out there, and it was wreaking havoc in Old Corona.
The beast was tall, corpulent, with sharp teeth and red eyes.
“You know, Old Corona should really consider enforcing leash laws.” He said as both he and Rapunzel hugged in shock. However, they weren’t alone: Creighton also arrived, and the moment she saw the wolf, she began to shoot arrows at the beast.
“Eugene, keep Creighton busy! I’m going after that wolf.” And so, the blonde left to follow after the werewolf, while he handled the female tracker. The fight was even. Creighton knew how to fight, but by that point, Eugene had fought worse than that old woman.
“Ooh! Tsk, Tsk, Captain. Never bring a crossbow to a swordfight.”
He smirked cockily as his tone lowered almost seductively, before his sword clashed against Creighton’s crossbow. And, with a swift move, he threw the crossbow away with his sword, winning the fight.
“UGH! YOU’RE STILL A MILKSOP!” Creighton shouted as she ran away.
“Well, it’s no frying pan, but there’s nothing like a classic to get the job done.” He said, looking at his sword proudly while smirking cockily. Meanwhile, Rapunzel would face the werewolf face to face, but her eyes widened the moment she noticed the leaf collar with the golden leaf.
“No, it can’t be…” The beast’s eyes widened, recognizing the princess before rushing away.
“The wolf…it’s Red!”
The moment she recognized the girl, Rapunzel, Eugene, and Lance all reached out to Angry, who knew where Red would be: their tree house. And there she was, covered in an old blanket. The redheaded girl explained how the spirit reached out to her, telling her that she could get what she wanted if she let the Wolf’s Curse in. And so she did.
Red wasn’t ready to move out of the tree house, but Angry didn’t listen to her. That night, and following the instructions of a ritual in Creighton’s book, the group reunited on the only mystical ground they knew: Janis Point, the place where one of Zhan Tiri’s followers ( a woman who went by the name Mrs. Sugarby) once attempted to free Zhan Tiri. The ritual was almost complete, but before she could finish the sentence, Red stopped reciting it.
“It’s ok, kid. You’re almost there.” Eugene attempted to encourage the redheaded little girl.
“Come on, Red. You have to!” Said Angry to her sister. That’s when Red finally snapped.
“I don’t want to!! Maybe I like being the wolf, maybe…maybe I’m tired of everyone telling me what to do! And…I’m sick of people assuming I’m ok just because I won’t say I’m not!”
She was tired of pretending to be fine. She didn’t even like the name ‘Red’; she had only gone along with it because, from her point of view, that’s what everyone expected. Angry attempted to talk to her, but it was too late. Just as Creighton appeared on the scene, Red began to transform into the Werewolf beast, before jumping to a nearby cliff and rushing to the woods.
Creighton disappeared and soon tried to locate her, but what she didn't count on was that the werewolf was the one hunting her.
With a few attacks that Creighton barely dodged, Red left Creighton disarmed and trembling for her life. Until…
“CATALINA, STOP!!” Angry exclaimed, coming out of the fog. “It’s me, Kiera. Please don’t hurt her. She may be a jerk, but…you’re not a monster. I’m sorry I didn’t listen better, I promise I’ll try harder. But please, let her go.”
“It’s ok to be angry and frustrated, but this? This is not the way you deal with those feelings.” Rapunzel added, stepping out of the fog as well. In the end, Red came to her senses, and Creighton ran away like the coward that she was.
Weeks had passed, and Rapunzel, Eugene, Lance, Isla, and others helped to rebuild the girls’ tree house into a much bigger one, with stairs, a bridge, among other new things.
“I brought some of the princess’s old paintings from the castle! Thought they might spruce the place up.” Said Lance as he took one of the paintings from the wooden box. A painting of himself, to be more specific. “Best one of the bunch. Look at that. Ooh! So handsome.”
Isla rolled her eyes with a tiny smirk before the others laughed briefly.
“Thank you so much for fixing this place up for us, Rapunzel,” Kiera said to the blonde with a warm smile.
“Aw. I’m just glad we found a way for you guys to stay close by, after all.” Rapunzel smiled at the black-haired girl.
“Yeah! Not quite civilized, not quite the wild. I’d say it’s picture perfect.” Added Eugene before kneeling to Catalina. “But just promise me, if you ever need anything, you know, like…help managing the RAWR!, then you’re gonna ask for it.”
“I promise.” The red-haired girl smiled softly at him before grabbing Kiera’s hand.
“Because the last thing we want is for you to bury your anger again,” Rapunzel added, before her eyes spotted a painting in the box. Her smile faded away as her face fell with regret as she picked up the painting. “That…never helped anyone.”
The painting? Nothing less than about her and Cassandra, together. A reminder of who the current Holder of the Moonstone was before she transformed into who she was at that moment. Isla noticed the drawing and only brought herself to frown at it before turning to her friends.
Somewhere else, Cassandra was still trying to get the black rocks to respond to her, but nothing happened. It was useless. Until that voice spoke again.
“You’re doing it wrong.” It was the Enchanted Girl.
“You…What are you doing here?” The turquoise-haired girl asked coldly.
“I’m here to help you learn to master the Moonstone’s power. It responds to hatred and anger. If you truly want to wield the Moonstone, you mustn’t be afraid to tap into the depths of your deepest rage.” The blue, transparent girl held Cassandra’s hand as this one’s eyes widened for a moment. Did she truly want to do this?
“Remember what she put you through, and use that fury, Cassandra.” The Enchanted girl stepped to the side before Cassandra’s doubtful, soft look turned into a furious scowl. The isolation… the pain in her chest… it all boiled up at once. The ground began to rumble, as she remembered how she was cast aside so many times. The moonstone in her chest began to glow as the black rock began to grow and glow.
The next few weeks had been busy ones: The throne room was in ruins, and a group of citizens who volunteered to help fix it had trouble working together. However, behind one of the walls of the throne room was a map that led to King Herz Der Sonne’s lost treasure. This gave Rapunzel the idea of holding a race to reach the treasure.
“Nope.” Said Isla the moment Rapunzel revealed that, not only were they going to race in teams, but her weird bingo-inspired machine, to which she called ‘The Horotory Automated Team Builder’, or, to put it briefly, ‘HAT’, was going to pick the teams.
“Come on, Isla. It probably won’t be that bad.” Said Eugene, trying to convince her that it wasn’t going to be all that bad.
“I appreciate Rubia’s effort, Eugene, but I’ll have to pass. Have fun with your treasure hunting race or whatever.” She said, turning around and leaving the palace.
Regardless, the race ended up in the awakening of The Undead Protectors of Herz Der Sonne's Treasure, and Rapunzel and company were forced to put the treasure back in its place. The throne room had also been successfully renovated, adding chairs, tables, dishes, etc.
“You know, sunshine, I think it all kinda turned out well for everyone,” Eugene said before wrapping an arm around Rapunzel’s shoulder.
The next few weeks had been busy ones, and that was reflected on Rapunzel’s agenda.
“Alright, Eugene. Agenda me.” Said Rapunzel as Eugene, Lance, and Isla walked by her side.
“Okie dokie. We’re gonna start off with what promised to be tons of fun. The semi-annual wheat crop report.” Said Eugene as he read the papers in his hands.
“Already reviewed! And I know you were kidding, but believe it or not, it was fun.” The blonde remarked with a confident smirk.
“Next, you’ve gotta approve the design for the castle’s new footbridge.” He immediately handed the reviewed papers to Lance.
“Did it this morning. In fact, while I was at it, I designed a few more footbridges. Or would it be feetbridge?”
“Woof!” Fitzherbert exhaled abruptly. Where did she get the energy to get so much done in such a short time?
“What? I’m used to getting a lot done by 7:15,” She mentioned with a smile.
“What about breakfast?” Lance asked.
“Breakfast? I eat motivation for breakfast.” She smirked as Pascal picked a croissant from the plate of a female servant who was passing by. “Well, and cherry croissants. Thanks, Pascal.” She gave the croissant a bite before thanking her small reptile friend.
“Heh, y’ know, I gotta say, Sunshine, even, AH-” He startled as he stumbled upon a sparring dummy with his face painted on it, and several knives around the dummy’s head.
“Cass’s sparring dummy?” Rapunzel immediately rushed to her former friend’s dummy.
“Oh, that’s rich. Cass isn’t even here, and she still finds a way to annoy me.” He wasn’t even offended. Ok, maybe a little, though he didn’t know that Rapunzel herself painted his face on Cassandra’s dummy. The blonde was brought to Old Lady Crowley, taking the stuff of the former Lady-in-Waiting out of her bedroom.
“Mrs. Crowley, what are you doing with Cassandra’s things?” Rapunzel raised an eyebrow as her attention was brought to what could be Cassandra’s halberd.
“Meh. She’s gone, so now it’s junk.” The old woman said as she grabbed Cassandra’s helmet.
“Now, just—a minute. I have faith that Cass will return. So…kindly put her things back where you found them.” She didn’t sound offended or angry, just defensive over her former friend’s belongings.
“Sure, while I’m at it, are there any beds you would like me to unmake, or trash that needs to be brought back in, Your highness?” The old, short woman asked with dry sarcasm.
“No, no. I guess I’ll just do it.” She frowned, almost a pout, as she picked up on the older woman’s sarcasm.
“Help yourself. I’m on my break.” Crowley handed Rapunzel the helmet and quickly left the corridor. “The rest of her stuff is in the storage vault.”
Giving the helmet a sad look of regret, almost mourning, the blonde headed to the Storage Vault to get the rest of Cassandra’s things.
Though they all followed her, only Rapunzel was the one searching for Cassandra’s belongings. Isla just stood there with her arms crossed, and Eugene didn’t seem too thrilled to help. He just sat there as his mind drifted away. “Ugh, Cass’s stuff has gotta be here somewhere. Aha!”
Spotting a nearby chest, the princess moves away a metal frame and opens it.
“Ah, it’s Cass’s things alright. Look, her shield, her maze.” She grabbed and picked up the weapons with care and longing. “Aww. Her lucky halberd head.”
“Look, I know you love Cass. And I can totally understand why you want her back in your life. But don’t forget that she betrayed you.”
His face formed a frown that faded almost instantly, because he wasn’t upset over the fact that she missed someone who wasn’t there anymore. He just didn’t want to keep seeing her suffer for Cassandra’s absence.
“She’s still a friend…” Part of her wanted to believe that at any moment, she’d return and they’d be able to talk things out, and things would go back to normal. That this whole thing with the Moonstone could be fixed between the two of them.
“I just don’t wanna see you get hurt anymore, that’s all. It’s to put yourself first and let her go.”
He walked over and stood up in front of her, as Rapunzel clung to the box of Cassandra’s belongings. What if Cassandra comes back and doesn’t want to talk things out again? What if she attacks Rapunzel again? He can’t let her get hurt like that, neither physically nor emotionally.
“Eugene, friends don’t leave friends behind, okay? I need you to understand that.” But she wasn’t ready to give up on Cassandra, not yet.
“Rapunzel…She’s the one who left you.”
What he just told didn’t sit well with her; he could tell by the slight frown that formed on her face. But he wanted her to be ready if the Cassandra who comes to Corona isn’t the one she knew.
“Hey! Haha, look what I’ve found.” Lance laughed as he showed Eugene a target with Eugene’s face painted on it.
“Haha! For once, they even got your nose right! Not to mention that this…” But Eugene didn’t even turn to look at the target; he just stood there, looking at Rapunzel. “...is so very awkward.”
“It’s ok, Lance.” Rapunzel laid the box with Cassandra’s stuff on a cart, and a stool with golden goblets was sent flying into the air.
“I-I got it, I got it.”
Eugene rushed to pick up the stool and put the goblets in place. He was only hoping that the blonde would get that he wasn’t trying to hurt her feelings, or to erase Cassandra’s memory, but was trying to get her to realize that maybe it was time to move on.
“I think I’m gonna go outside. Get some air and…reorganize this stuff.” Rapunzel couldn’t stay in there anymore. She picked up the box and walked out of the storage vault. Isla couldn’t help but raise a judgmental eyebrow as Rapunzel left.
“Eugene, can I talk to you for a second?” She asked her former lover.
“Uh…yeah, sure. Lance, can you take care of this for me? I’ll be back soon, I promise.” Fitzherbert said as he followed Isla out of the Storage Vault.
“Sure, don’t worry, buddy. I’ll be here and watch over Cass’s stuff. You go talk with your ex.”
Lance said with a smirk and a chuckle. Eugene didn’t even answer; he just turned to Lance and looked at him with a deadpan look before he and the Latina headed to the Snuggly Duckling.
Eugene sat on a stool near the counter as Isla poured some ale into his mug. He looked inside the mug, as his mind began to drift again.
“So…” She talked as she poured herself some ale in another mug. “Want to talk about it?”
He didn’t even know where to begin.
“She doesn’t hate you, if that’s what’s bothering you.” She said, her voice calm, yet understanding. He raised his head before letting a sigh, his eyes still locked on the mug.
“I just don’t want her to get hurt. And I-I get that she loves Cass. But-”
“But she attacked her. Cassandra attacked her.” Isla interrupted as she took a sip of her ale, remembering the events that took place in the Dark Kingdom months ago. “Not before running away with the Moonstone and leaving those who were supposed to be her friends behind.”
“Yeah…” His head lowered, as it began to drift to the worst of scenarios. “What if ‘talking it out’ isn’t enough anymore? What if she attacks her again?”
“What if she doesn’t?” His eyes immediately drifted to her face as she spoke. “Look, I would be lying if I said that I agree with Rubia. She’s expecting to fix things with someone who betrayed her right in her face. But I can’t say I don’t understand where all of this is coming from…”
Silence hung between them for a couple of seconds, the look on his expression softening.
“Eugene…You two had known this woman for 2 years. She’s the second human friend she made after she left that tower. ”
“Uuh…” Eugene raised an eyebrow with a deadpan expression as he looked around the pub, and his gaze landed on Big Nose, who waved at them in a friendly manner. She rolled her eyes as she let out a sigh.
“The second real connection she’s made, alright? You get what I mean.” She said before he left out a chuckle, as she formed a soft smirk on her lips. “What was that you promised her after her coronation?”
“...I promised her to be patient.” His mind drifted to that quiet moment he and the blonde princess shared in her chambers. At that moment, he thought Rapunzel only referred to his wedding proposal, but perhaps it was much more than that.
“Exactly. You have to be as patient and understanding as you can be, now more than ever.” She said softly, with a warm smile.
“...Heh. You know…Sideburns Stabbington once told me the exact same thing as Rapunzel.” A smile formed on his face as the strange memory came to his mind.
“ ‘Friends don’t leave friends behind’ ?” She asked, recalling the blonde princess’s words.
“Yeah. We were all just kids, just tryin’ to survive while working for the Baron. And Sideburns?... He was acting really weird that day.” He said, recalling how strangely caring the ginger acted back then.
“I didn’t know you and the Stabbingtons knew each other since childhood.” Her eyes widened slightly. She didn’t know they had known each other that long.
“Teenagehood to be exact.” He remarked with a raised index finger. A smirk formed on his face. “The weird thing is... I remember his voice sounded different that day. Not rough and gruff like he usually does, but...softer.”
“So if you believed that back then…why did you leave with the crown when you came back here as adults?” She asked skeptically. “If they were your friends…why leave them behind?”
His face fell as his mind drifted back to the moment where Sideburns shattered the hourglass by slamming it to the ground.
Back then, the young Eugene Fitzherbert was nothing but a scrawny teen boy with acne, a ponytail, and a black trench coat, and Arnwaldo Schnitz just started to grow a mustache.
“Great. You dropped it, Burnsie. If that thing had any sort of value, we could’ve used it to pay the Baron back.” The young Flynn Rider pointed to a teenage Sideburns Stabbington.
“Dropped what? Where are we? We were just running away from the guards. How did we get here?” The whole day they had been acting strangely, oddly enough, neither remembered anything about what happened since they were running away earlier that day.
“Don’t worry, Flynn. We’ll figure out how to deal with the Baron. We always do.” The teenage Lance said as he crouched to pick up a piece of the broken hourglass.
“That’s true, buddy. Everything’s a little easier with a friend by your side. Ain’t that right, Burnsie?” The brown-haired boy said as he approached Sideburns, laying a hand on the older teenage boy’s shoulder while smiling in a friendly manner.
“Get your hands off me.”
The ginger boy with the bandana didn’t hesitate a second before pushing the young Flynn away from him, but Lance caught him before he could fully hit the ground.
“Yeesh, this guy’s dealing with some major mood swings today, ” Eugene said as he stood up from the ground while he brushed the dirt off his trench coat.
“Pfft, teenagers.”
Said Lance with a deadpan face. Then, a high-pitched neigh came from behind them. It was Maximus, who at that time was a young colt with hopes of one day being the Captain’s stallion.
“This horse is getting to be a pain in my side,” Eugene said, as his eyes narrowed in annoyance.
Maximus smirked, confident that he was going to bring all the young thieves in.
But then, a large shadow would cast over them.
“Let the boy go and run back to the stables, colt.” The deep voice said, lowering to a dangerous tone.
“Unless you want to end up on my wall…”
The owner of the voice? None other than Dorian Ravensdale, whose crossbow was pointing in Maximus’s direction.
The colt panicked and ran away without a second thought.
“Okay, sir, that was pretty uncalled for of you. There was no need to scare the horse away like that.” The young Eugene said, and while he wanted to get rid of Maximus, he never thought of going to such extremes.
“Who are you, by the way?”
“I am Lord Dorian Ravensdale. What’s your name, boy?” The man asked, a sinister smirk forming on his lips.
“Oh, me? Flynn Rider, legendary thief, at your service.”
The boy smirked, bowing mockingly.
“Wait, you don’t look like the type of person who would walk around these woods in these late hours.”
“I am a man of many hobbies, boy. Hunting’s always been a favorite of mine. Big, small … their size doesn't matter...as long as they run.” Dorian raised his crossbow with a dark grin, making Lance squeak in fear before hiding behind young Eugene. “I’ve overheard that you are having trouble with your payments to the Baron. I may help you…If you allow me so.”
“Wait...you know the Baron?” The young thief asked, skeptical.
“He’s an old friend, and I am a man of many riches, boy.” Dorian picked a generous bag of gold coins and threw it in Eugene’s direction. “Come with me, and you’ll become the man you've always wished to become. You won’t have to miss a meal ever again.”
“Flynn-” Lance attempted to talk with his friend, but Eugene quickly squashed him.
“Shh, I’m thinking.” A look of worry took over Lance’s expression, while the young Eugene considered his options. His stomach grumbled; he hadn’t eaten in hours, and all he wished he could have right now was some lobster from the harbor. “...Deal.”
Dorian smirked with malicious intent as he shook the hand of young Eugene with a firm grip. “Smart choice.”
“You have a strong grip, you know that?” Said Eugene, shaking the hand he used for the handshake.
“Now, come, my boy. Your new home awaits.” Eugene and Lance quickly began to follow Ravensdale, but the moment Dorian noticed Lance following them, he stopped walking to look at the dark-skinned boy.
“Only the boy.” He snarled at Lance.
“Woah, woah, woah, Lance is my best friend. If I’m going, he’s going.” Eugene quickly stepped in. That was his best friend, his best buddy. He wasn’t going to leave him behind.
“As you wish.” Dorian rolled his eyes. “Sooner or later, you’ll realize that not every ‘friend’ views you as such.” He turns to the Stabbingtons and looks at them up and down with indifference.
“Some people aren’t worth the time.”
And so, young Eugene and Lance were taken in by the Ravensdale into their home.
Their home was just like the manors and castles they’d always dreamed of: Spacious, fancy, worthy of a noble family.
Though what caught the attention of young Eugene and Lance was the hourglass on the shelf of one of the manor’s furniture: It looked exactly like the hourglass that Stabbingtons had stolen earlier on. It was the hourglass.
The same one Sideburns had broken… right? But this one was flawless. No cracks. He stared at it for a moment longer than he should.
His voice trailed off, his mind still lingering in that memory—young, hungry, desperate, and holding a stranger’s hand for a second chance. Eugene took another long sip of ale, the taste grounding him again in the Snuggly Duckling.
“That’s how I met Dorian Ravensdale,” he finally said.
“And soon...I found myself unlearning all that happened that night. And then...Lance left; Selene said there was nothing we could do to uh...get him back. That—‘he got caught.’ ”
“And the Stabbingtons…?” Isla asked with concern. Eugene scoffed.
“Neither Sideburns nor Patchy were ‘friends’ after that day. Whatever he told me...he never said it again.”
Isla fell into silence as her stomach twisted. She knew that Dorian was dangerous because she helped Eugene escape from him in the past. But the way Eugene talked about Selene... the way he said he’d forgotten everything...
“Regardless…I guess Rapunzel may be right. We can’t give up on Cass.” His words made Isla’s eyes widen in confusion.
“What makes you say that?”
Isla asked, and a brief silence hung in the air for a few good seconds.
“Cassandra said that the spirit of a girl helped her remember that she was Gothel’s daughter.”
A frown formed on his face as a theory began to form in his head. “What if that spirit wanted her to remember?” he asked, his voice dropping.
“You think that Cassandra is being manipulated somehow?” Isla asked, frowning with worry.
“Yes…”
Eugene stood up and began to walk toward the door.
Wait, where are you going?” Isla asked with concern as she stood up.
“I’m going to keep my promise to Rapunzel…” With that said, Eugene walked out of the pub. Isla’s body tensed a bit. She couldn’t help but worry for him. She hoped—prayed—that Eugene was right. That somewhere beneath that black rock armor, the same woman who fought by their side for two years now was still there.
Notes:
So, I took my liberties to give No Time Like the Past a VERY necessary Eugene POV, plus, explain how he met Dorian Ravensdale in the first place.
Chapter 17: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra:part 4
Summary:
As Cassandra struggles to handle her new power, the Enchanted Girl guides her further away from the light. Rapunzel refuses to give up on her friendship with her.
Chapter Text
Some time later, near the outskirts of the Dark Kingdom, Cassandra walked among the ruins of the caravan. Some of the belongings of her friends were seen scattered across the ground: Rapunzel’s paintings, Eugene’s Flynn Rider book, and a necklace with a fire-red sun jewel were some of the objects that Cassandra could see scattered around. As Owl posed himself on one of the caravan’s broken wheels, one particular painting caught the turquoise-haired woman’s attention. A painting of her and Rapunzel, together, happy.
“I sense your guilt, Cassandra.” Said the Enchanted Girl, as the bearer of the Moonstone’s eyes softened in guilt. “After all, Rapunzel was your friend, and you betrayed her. But…one could argue that she deserved it.”
“Maybe…” Cassandra responded, doubt in her voice as she looked at the painting.
“Oh, yes. More than you know, for she has already taken a piece of your newfound power.” The Enchanted Girl said, her voice, while gentle, was tainted with a hint of malice. Cassandra immediately turned to the Enchanted Girl, her frown with a hint of confusion.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Corona, Rapunzel had tried to find a new Lady-in-Waiting. Though no handmaiden had yet to fill the position or pass Rapunzel’s tests. The last one ran into Eugene after the blonde attempted to show her a secret passage she and Cassandra once used to sneak outside the castle.
“Woah! woah, woah.” His eyes drifted to the blonde the moment the princess closed the door behind her. “Oh! Sunshine! There you are. Hey, I’m trying a new hair product today. Tell me, honestly, too stiff or just bouncy enough?” He grinned smugly as his voice dropped to his semi-flirty tone.
“Oh! Hey, get a load of this. Eugene’s preening again. Huh? huh? Do you wanna uh…zing him with some sort of witty one-liner?” The blonde jokingly poked at the handmaiden, which only made the situation more uncomfortable for the young woman being tested by the princess. Eugene’s expression immediately shifted into concern and confusion.
“Uuh…I should go hem something.” Faith said as she backed off awkwardly.
“Oh, okay. Well…thank you—heh—for all your help today!” The handmaiden basically ran away from the place. Another one who rejects the position. “What.a.dud!”
Fitzherbert tensed as his eyes slightly widened in confusion. It wasn’t like her to talk about people like that.
“Okay! Sorry, that was harsh. I didn’t mean that. Still, I don’t think that’s gonna work out.” Rapunzel said as she shook her face in disapproval for the handmaiden’s performance.
“This is the fifth handmaiden we’ve tried out. I mean, don’t you think maybe you’re expecting your new Lady-in-Waiting to be someone she’s not?” Eugene puts his hands on her shoulders. Does she want a new Lady-in-Waiting? Or a new Cassandra?
“I am not expecting her to be Cassandra.” She immediately walked away from him before crossing her arms.
“I never said that.”
“Well, good. Because she’s gone, and I’m over it.” Yes, she didn’t want to give up on Cass. She wants to believe she’ll come back and things will go the way they used to be. But what if she isn’t coming back?
“Well, then maybe you need to give the ‘dud’ a little more time. You and Cass took a little while to warm up to each other, didn’t ya?”
“No? Cass and pretty much got along right away.” No, they didn’t.
In the very beginning, Cassandra was nothing but annoyed by the princess’s presence.
Sure, the first few days when Rapunzel and Eugene had moved to the castle, Cassandra did nothing but help the princess adjust to her new life in the castle.
However, the princess’s energy and eagerness to become close friends with her did nothing but irritate her at first. It would take a competition in an event called ‘The Contest of the Crowns’ and a heart-to-heart talk for the lady-in-waiting to not only appreciate her as a teammate in a competition, but as a friend.
During the competition, the Queen of Ingvarr offered Cassandra a place in her army, to which the lady-in-waiting initially accepted.
Though when she had to choose between winning the competition to take that place in the army of Ingvarr, and losing and staying alongside Rapunzel, she chose to lose.
She chose her new friend.
So why were things different this time?
Why?
She looked at her journal, her eyes filled with melancholy.
“Look, I just think with this Lady-in-Waiting thing, maybe no one’s working out for you because you’re not over Cass,” Eugene said as Rapunzel sat on the top shelf of her library.
“That has nothing to do with it, Eugene. I have moved on.”
She closed her journal and turned around, and then she saw them, the spirit bracelets she had made for her and Cass that day. With a heavy sigh, her eyes began to water.
“Oh. Oh, hey…hey, Blondie, it’s okay...” His voice softened as he sat beside her. He hated seeing her like this—like the light inside her was dimming, one memory at a time. It just made his heart ache.
“Look, I know it’s hard. What Cass did it’s—it’s a very big deal.” He gently held her face and wiped a tear before they shared a short hug.
“No, Eugene.” She separated, her voice breaking for a second. “She could’ve had everything she wanted. She had the chance to become a warrior, but…she chose our friendship instead. And I’m not giving up on her yet.”
The blonde rested her head on his shoulder, while he gently rested his against her head.
Meanwhile, back with Cassandra and the Enchanted girl, the holder of the Moonstone raised a confused eyebrow.
“What do you mean Rapunzel stole some of my power?” Cassandra asked, her brow furrowed.
“When Rapunzel touched the Moonstone’s black rocks, they gave her their protective power.” The Enchanted girl explained, and Cassandra’s jaw dropped in slight surprise.
“This kept the Sundrop safe until she made her way to the Dark Kingdom.”
“So that power that she took—belonged to the Moonstone.”
“And the Moonstone belongs to you.” Added Enchanted girl. “So you see, even the power of the Moonstone is not completely yours.”
In the shadows behind her, the Enchanted Girl’s eyes glinted with a quiet triumph, as a smirk played on her lips. Step by step, Cassandra was becoming hers.
Cassandra frowns because even at this point, even now, Rapunzel STILL has something she does not have.
They are still not equals, and the realization makes her rip the painting in half. A black rock erupted from the earth, splitting the ground between them.
The painting—Rapunzel on one half, Cassandra on the other—fell to pieces.
Each side crumbled away in opposite directions.
However, before she left the place, the holder of the Moonstone glanced at the necklace with the red jewel, whose glint had called her attention.
She didn’t know what it was, or what it did—but something deep inside told her it was best to keep it close.
Just in case. The amulet gave off a faint glow—one she hadn’t noticed until it was safe in one of the pockets of her armor.
Her journey to her destiny began. She was halfway through, yet she felt as if her powers weren’t there yet. Was she angry? Furious? Perhaps not enough. She struggled to make even one black rock rise from the ground before she collapsed on her knees to the ground.
“I can’t control it!” She said, as the Enchanted Girl floated behind her.
“You will, Cassandra, in time.” The blue spirit said as she floated near the holder of the Moonstone.
“I thought by taking the Moonstone, my destiny would become clear.” However, a great part of her began to question if what she did was just one big mistake. “But…what if I don’t even have a destiny?”
“Of course you do. It is to destroy Rapunzel.” A sinister smirk formed on the Enchanted Girl’s lips, and Cassandra’s eyes widened.
“Destroy Rapunzel? But…I...I couldn’t-” Before she could finish the sentence, a trail of red rocks began to sprout from the ground. “What’s happening?”
“You are connected to the rocks. They respond to your feelings…even fear.” Explained Enchanted Girl.
Meanwhile, in Corona, Varian stood all night transcribing and translating Demanitus’s scroll. He fell asleep and he didn’t even notice it.
“VARIAN!!” His father, Quirin, screamed his son’s name in despair. He was encased in the amber again, and the people of Corona surrounded the desperate Varian. But before the Coronians could reach him, the young alchemist woke up. It was a nightmare. However, something was wrong, and Ruddiger, his pet raccoon, knew it.
“What is it, buddy?” The alchemist asked as the raccoon ran to a nearby red rock and took a sniff before backing off. “Well, this is new.”
It wouldn’t take long before the red rocks began to grow out of control all over Corona, wreaking havoc among its citizens, and calling the attention of Rapunzel and Eugene alike.
“Everybody ok?” Eugene asked in alarm as he arrived near one of the castle’s walls.
“We’re fine, but we have some new additions.” Rapunzel’s expression changed to worry as she looked at the large, spiked, red rocks. She touched this new variant of the rocks, but what she felt left her even more confused. “...Cassandra?”
In a matter of a couple of hours or less, the red rocks began to act upon the population. Soon, the population began to run in fear, as they began to see some of their worst fears come to life.
“Hey now, what’s gotten into him?” Eugene asked Rapunzel as Lance ran away in fear.
“It’s like these new rocks are making people see their worst fears.” Responded Rapunzel.
“Yeah, but the rocks aren’t doing anything to me. Probably because I’m not scared of much.” Said Eugene confidently. He had no fears, or, at least, that’s what he tells himself every morning. Then, he turns around to see his reflection on the glass of the nearby store, and his confident smirk fades away.
“No, no. No, no, no, no, no, not a cowlick. NOT A COWLICK!! SOMEBODY WAKE ME UP FROM THIS FRESH MISERY!!”
He blinked, and for a millisecond, the reflection changed. It wasn’t just him with a cowlick, a mere hair out of place—it was him, but not him. It was Flynn Rider. The man in the reflection stared back, the cocky grin etched onto his face like a mask, one that hurt to wear.
“It’s ok, Eugene! These rocks are messing with our heads. Woah!” The blonde reassured her overreacting boyfriend before she was taken by surprise by Varian, who was holding a Ruddiger, frozen in red and in fear.
“Sorry! Sorry. Just me. Hi, and uh…and Ruddiger. Kind of.” The Alchemist left his frozen pet raccoon over a nearby barrel.
“Varian, is he okay? What happened?” The princess asked, concerned for the poor raccoon.
“Uuh…I’m not quite sure, but I think it has something to do with these new rocks. I mean, I’ve only been able to study them for a few hours, but their effects appear to be extremely dangerous.” The young boy explained, a hint of worry on his expression.
“Oh yeah?! More dangerous than bringing people’s greatest fears to life?!” Eugene asked, looking at his own hair, trying to convince himself that his fear was the cowlick, not…whatever was the other thing.
“Yes, well, if people remain under that fear spell for too long, it looks like they’ll become frozen…with terror, permanently!”
And with that said, the team quickly began to take action, starting by adding signs around the town to warn people to stay away from the rocks.
“Couldn’t you have made us look a little more, I don’t know…brave?” Eugene asked with a raised eyebrow, as in the middle of the painted sign, Eugene and Varian were painted with terror on their faces, while Varian carried Eugene.
“I really wanted to get the point across. Besides, you’re so cute when you’re screaming in terror!” She said jokingly as she pinched his cheeks.
“Hehe, well, that is true.” His cheeks blushed before he and Rapunzel shared a short-lived hug. Though he noticed something odd with Rapunzel and these new red rocks.
“Hey, sunshine, how come you’re not affected by these rocks? I mean, why aren’t you screaming your head off at some vision of your worst fear?”
The blonde fell into silence. He had a good point, and she didn’t have an honest answer to give him. “Because…as long as I have Pascal with me, I’m not afraid of anything.”
“Guys? I think I might have an idea.” Said Varian, before they all returned to the castle to discuss their next move.
“Now, theoretically, if we sever—” Varian searches with his eyes for the lowest point on a map of the internal structures of the red rocks, before drawing a circle around it. “— this chain of rocks, using one of my alchemical solutions, then, we can cut off the red rocks’ fear power.” Varian explained his idea to the couple, a smirk of smug pride forming when pronouncing ‘alchemical solutions.’
“Oh, we can so cut off their power.” The blonde responded with a smirk.
“You just need a cavern that runs deep enough.” Said Varian, finishing his explanation.
“Deep cavern…” Rapunzel gasped as an idea came to her mind. “I know just the place.”
Suddenly, a handmaiden would pass screaming, before turning red and freezing like a statue. “No, no, no, no, no!” Those were her last words before freezing.
“Oh no. It’s getting worse.” She gasped before approaching the frozen handmaiden. “We can’t let this happen to anybody else. Your plan starts now.” She said to Varian.
And so, Varian gathered a bag with different chemicals, as he prepared to follow Rapunzel underground.
“It’s up to you three to keep the people’s spirits up,” Rapunzel said to Eugene, Isla, and Lance. “Remember, you can’t let fear take hold of anyone for too long or…”
“Don’t worry, sunshine, we’ll think of something.” Said Eugene confidently.
“Yeah, with us three putting our heads together, AH-” Lance shouted in terror as he saw a big “clown-spider on top of Rapunzel. This, of course, is due to the red rocks. “GET AWAY CLOWN SPI- CLOWN SPIDER!!”
Lance ran away in terror, leaving Eugene and Isla on their own with mild frowns.
“Or Isla and I will be thinking of something, at the very least.” Said Eugene, unimpressed, while Isla moved her head from side to side in mild disapproval, while sighing. Everyone had something to do: Eugene, Isla, and Lance had to keep the people of Corona from freezing in fear, while Rapunzel and Varian had to stop the rocks to save the already frozen ones. Varian was as nervous as he could be, repeating “No problem, we’ve got this.” 23 times (Yes, Rapunzel counted). After Pascal accidentally pulled a trap, the group would be left with only one vial of chemicals, not before Rapunzel saved the Alchemist from falling into the trap.
Meanwhile, in the kingdom, both Lance and Isla looked at Eugene skeptically when Fitzherbert suggested throwing a talent show. The idea sounded silly to the former Hispanic thief, but did she have any other idea? No. The people were terrified, and they needed to be distracted from that fear as soon as they could.
“Not much further. We’re almost there, Varian,” Said Rapunzel.
They were getting close.
“Have that solution of yours ready.” But then she noticed that Varian wasn’t moving.
“Varian, whatever the red rocks are showing you…they’re just visions. They’re not real.” She said, concerned for her younger friend.
“But they are. Do you know what this is?” He asked, raising the vial with the chemical.
“It’s what’s gonna help us sever the red rocks’ power.” She responded
“Yes, but it’s also the same compound that encased my father. You know, the red rocks make everybody else see hallucinations, but what I see is something that really happened.” Rapunzel couldn’t help but feel terrible for Varian. Deep down, she knows that part of why he felt like this was her fault. “This stuff ruined my life, because of this, I did- I did terrible-”
Just as he spoke, the vial slipped from his hands and almost dropped, if it wasn’t for Pascal grabbing it with his tongue in time.
“Great snag, buddy,” Rapunzel said to Pascal.
“If that had smashed, then Corona would’ve been done for, and everyone would hate me even more than they do now. Not that I blame them,” He lets out a heavy sigh, because how can he ever forget what happened almost five months ago?
“Varian, you can’t be so hard on yourself.” She said, with a gentle tone.
“That’s easy for you to say, you’re the embodiment of the Sundrop! You know, the wondrous, magical sundrop.”
“Ah! You hear that, Pascal? He called me ‘wondrous and magical.’ “ She said to her small chameleon friend in a friendly tone, while Pascal smiled warmly at Varian.
“No, what I’m saying is for ordinary people, like me…fear is just a little bit more debilitating.” A smile almost escaped from the boy’s lips. Rapunzel reached out to hold his hands, holding them gently.
“Varian…there is nothing ordinary about you,” Rapunzel said, her voice like a gentle promise. Those words were what Varian needed to keep going.
Meanwhile, somewhere else, Cassandra looked at one of the black rocks. “She didn’t mean for this to happen, but it did. It happened; she caused it.
“There must be another way.” She said to the Enchanted girl. Her expression was almost unreadable, except for her clear hesitation.
“You once questioned why you had no destiny. Now that you have one…don’t question it.”
Said the spirit, a slight frown on her face.
“You must wield the power of the Moonstone and the Sundrop. But you cannot do that…without destroying Rapunzel.” A smirk formed on her lips, just as Cassandra’s expression filled with heavy doubt. How can she stay here? With this person, while plotting to destroy someone she loves so much? Is this what it takes…to finally be seen as her equal?
Meanwhile, the night had already arrived, and the talent show held by Eugene and Isla finally began. Though…it wasn’t going as good as he expected. Each new act seemed to terrify the crowd even more, and when Kiera and Catalina took the stage, people actually ran screaming.
“Ay no…”
Said Isla, before Catalina turned into a werewolf once again, scaring the people watching the show. The red rocks threatened to grow more. Eugene and Isla looked in horror as not only did they grow more, but another inhabitant of Corona also became frozen by the red rocks.
“Eugene, this is not-” Isla didn’t even get to finish her sentence before Lance started to demonstrate to Attila how to sing, demonstrating a talent that could help them save the rest of the people: singing. A smirk formed on Eugene’s face before he approached his best buddy.
“Lance, I just figured out who’s up next: You. You are gonna calm the people of Corona down…by singing.” Both Eugene and Isla smiled as Lance laughed.
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA….what?” The dark-skinned man’s eyes widened when he saw that this time, Isla was smiling too. They were serious about it.
Meanwhile, the tunnels around Rapunzel and Varian began to crumble. Thankfully, they’ve arrived just in time.
“You wanted a big underground cavern? I give you… The Demanitus chamber .”
Varian’s eyes widened upon seeing the chamber home of the Demanitus device. “Woah. It-it’s amazing.”
“You should have seen it before all these red rocks,” Rapunzel said with a smile, recalling the day she had to save Corona from Zhan Tiri’s cursed snowstorm, all while being queen for a day.
“Y-You’ve actually seen this before?” Varian asked, taken aback slightly.
“You can say that.” She smirked as she gave Pascal a small pat on his little reptile head.
“Man, I would’ve loved to have met Demanitus, hoho.”
“I did, nice guy. He was a monkey.”
She recalls the day she and Eugene met Demanitus when they needed to pick the last piece of the Demanitus scroll. “Uh, long story.”
The duo walked down the stairs, as small pieces of debris fell from the ceiling. Varian quickly spotted a nearby spike at the base of the red rocks. “Oh, okay. There’s the base. Encasing it in amber should stop the fear fr-” The young alchemist couldn’t get to finish his sentence as the ground beneath them began to rumble. Time was running out.
“Okay, less explaining, more pouring.” Rapunzel quickly tied some of her long blonde hair around Varian, holding him as he approached closer to the rocks. But before he could do so, a familiar voice screamed below him in despair.
“VARIAN!! Please help me.”
Down below, the boy didn’t see the base of the red rocks; he saw his father, encased in the Amber, screaming for help.
If he doesn’t pour the amber solution on the red rocks, his father’s screams will never stop. He has to do it.
He pours the majority of the solution over the red rock and quickly takes cover behind Rapunzel, but then…nothing happens.
“What? Gah, I don’t understand, this solution should encase the red rocks I…”But then it hit him—hard. The silence after the pour wasn’t relief. It was a failure. Why should a solution that worked on black rocks work on red ones? “Oh…Of course! UGH! so dumb, Varian! Whatever turned these rocks red must’ve also changed their internal chemistry.”
The blonde’s eyes quickly began to search for any unchanged black rock that they could use. “So, that solution only works on black rocks?”
“Yes, well. What’s left of it.” He taps the almost empty vial, almost empty if it wasn’t for a few drops. “But I—” He sighs, frustrated. “I don’t even see any black rocks.”
“I do.” On top of the now destroyed Demanitus device, among spikes and spikes of red rocks was one singular spike of a black rock. There was a chance.
“Okay—this just got a lot harder.”
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Corona, near the royal castle, the vision of the clown-spider mocked Lance, leaving him almost frozen in fear. But everyone was waiting; they needed him.
“Come on, buddy. You’ve got this, I believe in you!” Shouted Eugene, as he held a reflector that was ready to shine over his best friend at any moment.
“Tu puedes, Lance!!”
Isla cheered down below, trying to encourage him as well. The support of his friends was all he needed to confront the clown-spider. And soon he began to sing, showing that they were bigger than those visions that haunted them. Eugene and Isla both smiled proudly when people began to clap and cheer for Lance.
Back with Rapunzel and Varian, the alchemist chuckled nervously as he noticed how high the black rock was. “You’re telling me I gotta climb all the way up there? Ha, nobody in their right mind would climb-”
Then, Rapunzel jumped to a nearby red rock before running towards the black rock. “Race you to the top!”
“Oh, come on.” He said, narrowing his eyes in slight offense. As much as he hated it, he couldn’t back down now. And so, he followed Rapunzel, climbing to the top as carefully as he could, before a rock and falling debris made him lose balance and fall.
“VARIAN!!” Without wasting even a second, she jumped and threw her hair at him. Grabbing a sturdy piece of the ruined Demanitus Device, she anchored herself and hauled Varian up beside her, as both now hung over the red rocks.
“It’s no use, Rapunzel! I can’t do this!” He was scared. His grip was tight on the blonde’s locks.
“Varian, you cannot let fear run your life. Look, I’m afraid, too.” Rapunzel said.
“Yeah, you said that, princess, but you don’t see what I see!” He looked below and there he was, Quirin, his father, encased by the amber.
“That’s true, I don’t. But that doesn’t mean I’m not seeing…Other things.” Her face fell as she imagined a scenario she wished would never become true: Her kingdom destroyed, and Cassandra standing over its ruins, coldly. “I see Corona, it’s covered in Black rocks, and I see Cassandra. She’s conquered the kingdom, destroyed it forever, and you know what the weird part is? What I’m most afraid of is losing Cassandra as a friend…forever.”
“I had no idea,” Varian said, laying a supportive hand on her shoulder.
“I guess we both have trouble talking about what scares us.” She smiled softly at the young alchemist, but then, the ceiling began to rumble again, signaling that they were running out of time.
“I’ll do it. Just uh…give me a lift.”
“One lift coming up.” She swung, and with a pull, she lifted Varian so he could land safely on the Demanitus Device’s broken structure. “Hurry, Varian!”
As Varian climbed to the only spike of black rock, Rapunzel started to be surrounded by red rocks. And, just as she attempted to stop them, somewhere else, Cassandra reached out to the red rock, her hesitation rippling through the enchanted minerals. Rapunzel groaned until she felt her.
She felt her friend somewhere.
“Cass?”
“Rapunzel…?” Asked the turquoise-haired woman. What is happening?
The blonde didn’t have time to do anything next as she began to notice the red rocks beginning to freeze her. “Uh, Varian?!”
The boy also started to freeze, but there was no time. “It’s not real. You can do this!” He told himself, and surprisingly, the red from the red rocks began to back off. He is SO close, less than a meter away. He pulls the vial from his backpack. “Come on, come on!”
But then, the vial slips from his fingers. “The vial, no!” He barely caught it on his foot. He can hear his father screaming his name as the last drop threatens to leave the vial empty. “No, no, no, no, don’t-”
Somehow, someway, he manages to find enough strength to kick the vial back to his hand, in a moment where the red rock’s sheer power threatened to consume him and Rapunzel.
“Fight the fear, fight it!” He said as he struggled to pour the LAST drop of the amber solution over the black rocks. And just before the last black spike turned red, the solution spilled over it. He did it.
“It’s working, hahaha! It’s working!” He exclaimed, half happiness and half relief, as golden amber blossomed over the red spikes. Rapunzel quickly climbed down, followed by Varian, as the red rocks at the base turned black again.
“Ah! You tackled your fears, Varian! I knew you had it in you!” The blonde said after giving the alchemist boy a warm embrace. Varian smiled warmly, happy that it was finally over.
The red rocks quickly began to retreat: Nigel, Ruddiger, and others quickly unfroze.
“They did it!” exclaimed Lance, as he, Eugene, Isla, and the people of Corona celebrated.
“So did you, Lance.” Said Old Lady Crowley as she clapped alongside others.
“They love me. They really LOVE me!” Said the dark-skinned man. Eugene and Isla both clapped behind him, smiling with pride for their friend.
However, not everyone was celebrating. The red rock that Cassandra reached quickly vanished as she reached it, desperate in an attempt to gain more control over the black rocks.
“Do you see now? Rapunzel can strip you of your power, Cassandra.”
Said the Enchanted girl, her expression unreadable. “If you do not destroy her…she will destroy you.”
Cassandra stands up from the ground, her fear, her worry, and guilt all vanish from her face. Bit by bit, she was getting closer, right to where the Enchanted girl needed her to be. Perhaps destroying her is a necessary risk if it means she won’t feel overshadowed by the princess anymore.
Meanwhile, in Corona, Ruddiger returned to Varian, and the raccoon was happy to see Varian again. Rapunzel had spread the word that Varian helped her stop the red rocks, so, for once, the people began to see him as something other than ‘the kid who attacked the royal family.’ However, things were far from over.
“So, Cass is attacking Corona now? Well, that’s delightful.” Asked Eugene.
If this were true, then he hated the possibility that he was right, because after his talk with Isla, he was 98% sure there was still a chance with Cassandra.
“She wasn’t.” Rapunzel sighs. It wasn’t easy to explain. “I…don’t know how to explain it, but when I touched the rocks, and—stay with me on this…I sensed her. And…she wasn’t attacking us, she was just as afraid as we are. As I am.”
“So then that means…” Eugene asked, Rapunzel’s eyes softening with worry.
“There’s still a chance to save her.”
The couple held hands as they gazed out at the horizon. Wondering…can they arrive on time?
Chapter 18: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra:part 5
Summary:
After Pascal befriended a dragon hatchling, Eugene and Rapunzel received a visit from Owl, Cassandra's bird companion.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Days passed, and a lot happened between them. One of those was a dragon that accidentally came to Corona via a shipment from Neserdnia when his egg was confused as a marble of sorts.
It wasn’t a marble, it was a dragon egg.
The dragon, which Rapunzel gave the name of ‘Little Big Guy’, formed a friendship with Pascal ever since he was born. Though Little Big Guy grew quite fast, and could copy certain characteristics from his loved ones, while simultaneously could also give some of his to his loved ones back.
This not only gave him Pascal’s natural ability of camouflage and prehensile tongue, but he was also able to give Pascal wings, a horn, and a dragon tail.
However, Nigel quickly found out and immediately wanted to get rid of the dragon by any means necessary, since he knew beforehand how destructive dragons could actually be, due to seeing it with his own eyes after he attempted to befriend a baby dragon as a child.
Regardless, the guards weren’t able to catch Little Big Guy, though they almost got him after throwing a barrel of sleep potion, and Rapunzel fell alongside the dragon and Pascal, after she attempted to stop him from falling. Though just when they were about to hit the floor, Little Big Guy was flying, above the river, above the woods of the Kingdom. For one brief moment, she felt as if she could fly. The Kingdom looked so small as she felt the cold breeze on her face.
Eugene was, of course, amazed and happy for her, though he couldn’t say he was all that ‘fond’ of dragons. The damn reptile landed on top of him for goodness’ sake.
“I love you, too.” He groaned painfully as the heavy reptile licked his face before walking off of Eugene. It was hard for Pascal to say goodbye to his friend; he basically watched him grow up. Though Rapunzel had a surprise for him.
“Believe me, Pascal. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a friend. So, I made you something that I think just might cheer you up.”
She took the time to paint Little Big Guy flying while Pascal perched on the flying reptile’s head. Now, whenever they went to sleep, they could always remember him. Hopefully, it wasn’t going to be the last time Corona sees dragons again.
Weeks passed, and both Frederic and Arianna’s memories began to return. The memories they made ever since their daughter returned home all came back ever since that year’s Day of Hearts.
“It’s good to have you back, Dad.” She said softly.
“And I have you to thank for that, Rapunzel. Throughout this entire ordeal, never once have you strayed from our side.” The king wrapped an arm around his daughter. “Family sticks together, right?”
“Family sticks together.” She said. Then suddenly, Eugene stormed in to complain about Lance’s latest audacity.
“Can you believe the audacity of Lance? Not only did he borrow my moisturizer, but he left the LID OFF! Now it’s all dried out!” He frowned, basically a pout, until a familiar bird of prey slammed against the window. Rapunzel gasped as her eyes widened. “Guys, don’t worry. I have a backup bottle.” The former thief said with a smirk.
“Oh, Owl! Are you okay?” Where have you been?” Rapunzel rushed and opened the window for Cassandra’s pet bird. “Wait…does this mean…?”
The poor bird was tired, exhausted. Pascal carefully put a pillow under the bird’s head. Who knows how many miles he had flown?
“Where’s Cass?” Rapunzel asked, concerned for the well-being of her friend. Suddenly, from one of his claws, Owl released the blue roots from a plant she and Eugene had seen before.
“It’s a Pompoen,” Eugene said, his expression shifting to a worried one as he recognized the fruit’s roots.
Rapunzel sighed. “Looks like we’re going back to Terapi Island.” Without thinking twice, Rapunzel and Eugene took the hot air balloon to fly, while Owl acted as their guide.
“Blondie, do you really think Cass would go back to that island? I mean, with all the cursed idols, giant fire-breathing houseflies, and crazy fish-people?” He asked. “Actually, come to think of it, Cassandra is a pretty good fit for that place.”
“This is our best lead so far. We haven’t heard from her in months , and then suddenly Owl shows up with a fruit that can only be found on Terapi Island? I would say that’s a pretty good sign.” Her mind was running 100 miles per hour. What if she’s injured? What if she needs help? “At the very least, it’ll be nice to see Alfons and the other Lorbs again.”
“Oh, right, the little leaf guys who think they’re superior to human beings. They are a delight!”
However, upon arriving, the Lorbs’ village was…empty. The silence of the nearby jungle and the sound of the waves were witnesses to that.
“Hello?” The blonde called out as she looked around.
“Little leaf people! Hello?” He called before turning to look at the empty village. “Well, their little people village looks empty. I was not expecting it to be this qui-” He wouldn’t get to finish his sentence, as a loud parrot nearby squawked loudly, startling him.
“He did that on purpose,” Eugene said before walking to the village, followed by a chuckling Rapunzel. As they were searching around the village, a passing Lorb passed by, before he startled and ran away in fear the moment he noticed them. Rapunzel, Eugene, and Owl all followed him as fast as they could.
“This little guy sure can move, and with such little legs!” Eugene said as he ran alongside Rapunzel. In the end, they managed to find the Lorb hiding behind a leaf.
“AH! DON’T HURT ME WILD FRIENFLOOFERS!” The Lorb begged for his life.
“Don’t you recognize us?” Rapunzel asked with a smile.
“Mmm…” The little humanoid creature looked them up and down before he just shrugged. “Eh, sorry. All frienfloofers look alike. Except the new one.”
“Wha…the new one? Could he mean…Cass?” She asked as she and Eugene followed him. Turned out the rest of the Lorbs were celebrating somewhere else. Some sort of event, as everyone cheered nearby.
“You can tell the new one apart by his mustache.” The Lorb pointed out.
“Mustache?” The blonde raised an eyebrow. Cassandra wasn’t “the new one”. Much to Rapunzel and Eugene’s surprise, celebrating with the other Lorbs was none other than the Captain of the Guards.
“Princess? Fitzherbert!” He approached the couple as he danced to the rhythm, before giving them a tight hug. “What a surprise! Join the party!”
“Captain? What are you doing here?” The princess asked, completely and utterly confused as the man she once knew as Cassandra’s uptight father danced at the rhythm of the Lorb’s festivity.
“I think they call this one the ‘Glaushnuffer.’ Hoho! Aren’t these Lorb fellas great?” The Captain asked as he gave the Lorb near the couple a few pats on his head.
“No, not really. They treated us like pets.” Eugene said, his confusion visible through his blank stare.
“Mm, didn’t have that problem.” Said Cassandra’s adoptive father.
“That’s because we love his mustache!” remarked the Lorb.
“Ohoho, his mustache? Really? That’s the reason-” Eugene crossed his arms, offended. “Well, it’s not my fault my face is perfectly suited to a goatee.”
“Oh, I know, I know. No one’s making fun of your perfectly sculpted face.” The blonde reassured her pouting boyfriend. “But Captain, really, what are you doing here? Xavier said you left Corona months ago to look for us.”
“I did! And I searched for you for a long time. After a while, word had traveled that you’d returned to Corona, and Cassandra had made…” The Captain's face falls as he remembers his daughter. “...other arrangements.”
“Captain…I know how difficult this must be for you.” Rapunzel said as she laid a comforting hand on his right shoulder.
“Difficult? No, see, that’s what makes this island so great.” A smile formed on his face. “Come, come. I want you to meet someone.” Eugene, Rapunzel, and Owl all followed the Captain, but the couple’s eyes widened as they noticed something, someone near a fireplace: A little girl with black ebony hair and a green dress. “Hi, daddy!”
“Cassandra?” Both Eugene and Rapunzel said in unison.
“But that’s…” Rapunzel was speechless. It looked like Cass, but it was far, FAR more…younger.
“Cassandra, my daughter!” Said the Captain, finishing the sentence.
“Um, Captain, while she may look like Cassandra-”
“Can it, Fitzherbert” Said the little girl, sounding exactly like her grown-up version for a second.
“Ha ha ha! And she certainly sounds like her, uh, I can’t help but think that you may have overlooked one small detail: She’s four!”
It was odd, it was VERY odd, but alas, the Captain just returned to his daughter as she called him. “Daddy, watch me!”
“What is it, Cassandra?” He responded in a sweet tone.
“This must be why Owl brought us here.” The princess whispered to Eugene. Owl hooted as he posed on a nearby palm tree. “Captain. Uh, a word, please.” The blonde called out as the Captain saw the younger version of his daughter play with blocks. Pascal attempted to approach the girl, but something in the way she turned to see him made the small reptile back away in slight fear.
“Captain…um…where did she…come from?” Rapunzel asked as her eyes drifted instinctively to the little Cassandra.
“Uh, I understand your concern. At first, I couldn’t believe it either, but now I think I can explain.”
Eugene crossed his arms with a high eyebrow. “Well, we’re all ears.”
“I guess, sometimes, the universe simply hears your heart’s desire…” The captain’s eyes softened as he looked away.
“Well, that …clears that up. Thanks.” Fitzherbert said with sarcasm.
“...And gives you a second chance.” Before they could ask him any more questions, the Lorbs continued their festival with a game called “Shalpendoofen”, a dance game very similar to limbo. “Oh, boy, Shalpendoofen! They always win, but maybe today’s our day. Right, Cass?”
“That’s right, daddy!” The little girl responded happily. Everyone celebrated—the Lorbs, the Captain, and the little Cassandra. But what made Rapunzel freeze was the firelight behind her. Where there should have been a shadow…There was nothing.
After the Shalpendoofen, the couple, the reptile, and the bird all reunited in a secluded area of the jungle. “She doesn’t have a shadow? Now that is creepy, and normal Cass is creepy enough. So this little girl, what is she?” Asked Eugene.
“I don’t, I don’t know! But we do know there is dangerous magic on this island. So, we gotta figure out where she came from before the captain or anyone gets hurt.” Responded Rapunzel.
“Okay. So, what’s our plan?” Eugene asked, a smirk forming on his face.
“Um, I-I need you and Owl to poke around and see if you can find out what type of magic this could be.” She said, her tone urgent yet serious, as Owl posed on Eugene’s left shoulder. “And more importantly, how to get rid of it. Meanwhile, Pascal and I will keep an eye on that…uh…whatever she is. There’s no telling what kind of danger the Captain could be in.”
Eugene frowned. The next day, Rapunzel spent her day watching over the Captain and the small (fake) Cassandra, while Eugene searched for clues on how she was summoned. So far, the blonde had been proved wrong on the small girl having any ill intentions against her father. At some point, she thought she tried to hit him with a brick or rock, only to find out it was a brush.
“I wanted Daddy to do my hair.” The little girl explained innocently as she pulled out a hairbrush.
“Um…I..ho, I-I thought I saw…a-a bee. I saw- It was a big bee, so big. And I didn’t want you to get stung.” She tried to explain, but both the Captain and Little Cass’s expressions showed they weren’t buying it. Eugene, on the other hand, went to the library of the Lorb’s village, but unfortunately, he didn’t find anything. Owl hooted at him as he posed over the pile of small books.
“Yes, it is possible I missed it. Did you see how small this writing is?!” He searched, investigated, and even ran away from the Lorbs after a girl Lorb screamed, “STRAY FRIENFLOOFER!”. However, what, or who, to be more specific, he found locked up in a nearby cave left him all the more confused.
Rapunzel, on the other hand, had failed to find any evidence that the girl was harmful. She was sweet, innocent, and so far, both father and daughter were just having fun.
“Maybe she‘s not dangerous, Pascal.” She spoke to her reptile friend. “I know she’s not Cass, but…look how happy they are.” A soft smile formed on her lips as she saw the captain playing chase with the younger version of his daughter.
“If she’s harmless…why should he have to lose her again?” They were, looked so happy. The little girl and her father played on the beach. The water was cold, and the sun was setting.
Daddy, daddy, higher!” She said between laughs.
“No one’s ever going to harm you, little one. You’re safe with me.” After a few more minutes on the beach, father and daughter both returned to their Lorb home to take a nap.
But then, “Psst, Rapunzel.” Eugene called her, hiding behind a Lorb house.
“Eugene! Look, I’m starting to really-”
“Babababa.” He interrupted.
“What?” She raised an eyebrow. What is going on now?
“You have to follow me, now.” A high-pitched “THERE HE IS!!” Was heard in the background, making his eyes widen. “And the faster, the better, really.” She followed to cave he found moments earlier.
“What? What is it? Did you find something?” She asked, but “something” perhaps wasn’t the right word.
“More like…someone,” Eugene moved the leaf of a nearby palm tree away, and Alfons, the leader of the Lorbs, appeared, after being absent ever since their return to the island.
“Alfons! Where have you been?” Her eyes lit up the moment the “little leaf person” appeared before her. After spending almost two days now, perhaps they will finally get the answers they need.
“I found him locked up!” Responded Eugene.
“YES! It was AWFUL! The mustache frienfloofer! He did this!” Said Alfons, in indignation at how he was treated.
“The captain?" She blinked.
"Oh, yeah! Follow me, I will explain everything.” The leader of the Lorbs walked to a nearby wall, covered in vines. “The mustache frienfloofer came for this: The Fountain of Anbietengenpfeifen. It was enchanted by the Lord Warlock, Horb, to grant wishes.”
“So that’s how 4-year-old Cass got here. He wished for her!” Exclaimed Rapunzel.
“I first suspected the mustache Frienfloofer’s intentions when I found him digging in search of the fountain’s magical coin. I tried to warn him, but he didn’t listen and locked me up!” Explained the leader of the Lorbs.
“Warn him of what?” Asked Eugene.
“You know firsthand of the wickedness behind Lorb magic. The fountain gives you what you want, at first.” A frown forms on Alfons’s face.
“At first?” Asked Rapunzel. Knowing what the magic of the island is capable of, she knows where this is going. “Oh, let me guess, then the wickedness comes in.”
“Yes, unless the wisher takes his wish back, the fountain takes even the purest of wishes, and twists them into the darkest nightmares, at sunset, on the ninth day.” The mural showed how a pompoem fruit summoned by the fountain turned into a monstrous one, all because the wisher didn’t take their wish back.
“When did he make the wish…Oh, nine days ago.” Her face fell with worry. They don’t have much time.
“Of course.” Added Eugene.
The group didn’t waste time and headed to the house where the captain and the 4-year-old Cassandra were sleeping. Owl hooted as he posed on a nearby wooden structure.
“Captain? We really need to talk!” Rapunzel knocked on the door with urgency, and thankfully, the Captain opened the door immediately. “Look, we know about the fountain, and I know this is really hard to hear, but…”
The Captain walked outside his house, yet he didn’t look at either Eugene's or Rapunzel’s faces.
“Something really bad is coming if you don’t take that wish back right now!” Eugene finished the sentence. He is just as worried as Rapunzel.
“...It’s worth the price.” Murmured the Captain.
“But the magic on this island nearly did us in. You cannot take that risk.” She pleaded with her eyes to him to take that coin.
“I have to! It’s my only hope. Rapunzel, when I said I stopped looking for Cassandra…I lied.”
Some time ago, the Captain searched for his daughter, his REAL daughter. He ventured himself on the now-abandoned walls of the Demanitus Maze. Something watched him, someone watched him.
“I traveled tirelessly in search of my daughter, and then…”
When he least expected it, someone attacked him, almost catching him by surprise. Swords clashed violently before that turquoise-haired woman slashed the sword away from his hand and kicked him to the ground.
“...I found her”
It was Cassandra, but she was much, much different. Her stare, her eyes were filled with rage and fury.
“Cassandra! Why have you turned your back on the princess?” He asked, before the woman who used to be his daughter pointed the Shadow Blade sword at him.
“How DARE YOU ask me that?! YOU KNEW ALL ALONG how much was taken from me! You KNEW who my mother was, and you kept it from me.”
Her fury, that tone in her voice, he never, EVER saw her that way. “Cassandra, I only did-”
“YOU ONLY DID WHAT WAS BEST FOR YOURSELF. That’s all anyone in my life has ever done. Well, now, that’s what I’m doing. THIS is mine, THIS is MY destiny.” She drew her free hand to the Moonstone.
He couldn’t let her go like that. “I command you to SURRENDER!!” He raised his voice.
“Never.” With two swift slashes, she struck two pillars nearby, allowing the structure to fall and block the Captain from reaching her.
“CASSANDRA!!” He called for her daughter, who jumped over the walls of the maze with the agility of a feline predator. “CASSANDRA, NO!!”
And just like that, ignoring her father’s pleas, Cassandra left the place. She was gone.
“She was filled with a rage I have never seen. That person…wasn’t Cassandra. So you see, this is the only way I can fix my mistakes.” The Captain’s face fell with guilt, shame, and even disappointment.
“Captain, please. We are out of time, it’s almost sundown.” But then, the land beneath their feet began to rumble, as the sun began to fade on the horizon.
“Captain, you don’t understand! Only you can take your wish back! If you don’t take that coin out of the fountain, the Lorb magic will turn on you.” She begged, pleaded for the Captain to hear her, but it was too late.
“Blondie? I think that ship is sailed.” Said the former thief, as the sun had disappeared from the sky. Nighttime had arrived, and soon enough, a bird with a curious-looking hairstyle posed on the leaf of a palm tree. “I recognize that bird.”
And then another, and another. A flock of different birds, all looking exactly the same, posed on the palm tree’s leaves.
“Hello.” Said the birds in Cassandra’s voice.
“So glad we came back to this island. RUN!” Said Eugene, before he, Rapunzel, and Alfons all rushed away. “OKAY, OKAY!! I don’t know what wickedness I was expecting, but it definitely was not this!”
Unfortunately, the bird Cassandras weren’t the only ones on the island. “Well, hello ‘friends’ “
Said one of the many Cassandras. Lady-in-Waiting Cassandra, Lady-in-Armor Cassandra, Guard Cassandra, and even Kid Cassandra from the House of Yesterday’s Tomorrow all began to surround the couple.
“Alright, blondie, let’s do this. And just remember, they are not the real Cass.” Eugene drew his sword as Rapunzel unbraided her hair. A fight with an army of Cassandras was unleashed.
“YOU’RE STILL HERE? I thought Raps would have dumped you by now!!” A Cassandra said as her sword clashed against Eugene’s. Three Cassandras were against him.
“YOUR GOATEE LOOKS AS DUMB AS EVER!!” Said another Cassandra.
“Oh! Well, now I’m keeping the goatee just to spite you! And you, and you.”
While he handled the Cassandra, and Owl handled the Cassandra birds, Rapunzel began to be surrounded by another group.
“Oh, hello, Cassandras…Cassandri? Cassandries? How would you like me to address you?” She barely managed to avoid a group of Ladies-in-Waiting Cassandras that tried to “brush her hair”. She spotted two Cassandras attacking the Captain’s Lorb house.
“Captain, please, you have to undo the wish!” She pleaded, but he wasn’t there. He was gone.
Then she turned around and spotted him running to the hot air balloon with 4-year-old Cassandra in his arms.
“Wait! Please! You have to undo the wish!” She pleaded.
“I don’t wanna hear it, Rapunzel!” He said as he turned the fire on. “I have my daughter back!”
“Captain, I know these feelings are real, but she’s not . The real Cass is still out there somewhere!”
Her best friend, HIS DAUGHTER, the one that he raised for 20+ years, is still out there.
“Daddy…?” His eyes softened when the girl looked at him, confused.
“Listen to me, soldier. You do not just get to forget about Cass and start over. Family sticks together!”
He looked down at the little girl he was hugging tightly. So innocent, so familiar. He can’t, he just can’t. “No, Rapunzel! This is my only chance!”
“No!” Rapunzel’s eyes widened as the balloon began to take off.
“I know I can do right by her this time.” The Captain said, before the screams of Eugene interrupted. Pascal and Alfons on each shoulder, and Owl flying close by.
“Everybody!! Hang on!” She threw her hair into the hot air balloon, and just in the last second, Eugene grabbed onto the young woman’s hair.
“Now we can start over, Daddy, right? No one but you and me.” Said the little girl in the Hot air balloon. However, his eyes widened, and he immediately backed off, sighing upon realizing that Rapunzel was right. “Daddy?”
As much as it hurt, he didn’t have a choice. He couldn’t give up on his daughter. He pulled the lever, and the balloon turned around in the direction of the island.
“Would you believe I’m actually starting to miss the real Cass? I mean, her charm, her wit, the fact that there was only one of her.” Said Eugene, as he realized that perhaps Rapunzel wasn’t the only one who missed Cassandra. The balloon landed near the fountain’s location, though he could see the army of Cassandras running in their direction.
“Princess, you’re right, I haven’t failed Cassandra yet. Just as long as I don’t abandon my daughter, my real daughter.” The Captain said, his eyes softening until the voice of one of the Cassandras gave away that they were finally there.
“Captain, go!! We’ll hold them off!” The Captain followed her order and ran inside to the fountain’s location. But then, a familiar voice spoke.
“Rapunzel.” Among the Cassandras, one in particular stood out. One who wore armor made of black rock and had turquoise hair.
“Eh, that is one of the fake Casses, right?” Eugene asked, though he missed the real Cassandra, the prospect of meeting the real one right there was not one he was fond of.
“You are not real.” Said Rapunzel with a frown.
“Huh, you would say that. You never take me seriously!”
And so, another fight against the Cassandras was unleashed. This time, with the Moonstone/Black Rock Cassandra at the front. The Captain left the 4-year-old girl near the fountain, as the battle continued outside.
“Daddy, what are we doing? Why are we here?” The child asked, confused.
He held her little hands tightly, knowing it was their last day together. “ I’m sorry, Cassandra…I’m so sorry.”
“You gotta take the coin out, Cap! We can’t do it for you!” Said Eugene, who was pushed inside the temple by one of the Cassandras and immediately rushed back to the battle.
“You mean…you’re gonna leave me?” The little girl asked, her little face filling with sadness.
“No…I’ll never leave you, the real you. From now on, I’ll always be with you.” He reached for the coin, but just as he did so, she gently laid her little hand on his.
“No, daddy. Please, don’t. Please!” He could feel his heart shatter as his eyes widened. He looked into her eyes — her eyes — and for a second, the world went quiet. He could take her and run. He could forget it all. But the real Cassandra… she was still waiting, still hurting. And he had to go back to her.
Meanwhile, outside the temple, Rapunzel fought against the Moonstone Cassandra. Her magical hair clashed against her sword. However, she was getting tired, and the Cassandras were far from that.
“Okay, Eugene. You take the hundred on the right, I’ll take the hundred on the left,” The princess told her boyfriend.
The Cassandras all laughed and immediately ran after them. But before they could lay a single strike, all of them disappeared in thin air, as if they all turned to dust that got carried away by the wind. The Captain came out from the temple with a long face. He will always miss Cassandra at that age, but he can’t rewind time. He threw the coin into the sand as a frown formed on his face.
“Let’s go get my daughter back.”
The next morning, Everyone was getting ready. The Captain shook hands with Alfons as Eugene prepared the hot air balloon. “Sorry for all the trouble.”
“Eh, say no more. This island seems to have that effect on friendfloofers, mm!” Said the leader of the Lorbs with a smile.
“We’ll find her, Captain.” The blonde said with a reassuring smile to the older man.
“I won’t give up until we do.” He responded as the Lorbs below waved them goodbye.
“We’ll miss you, mustached frienfloofer! And you too, wild frienfloofer!” Shouted Alfons, as nearby Lorbs wore mustaches made with leaves.
“It’s good to have you back, Cap.” Said Eugene. Despite his history with him and the countless chasings, he had to admit that Corona was not the same without their Captain.
“It truly is. Let’s go home.” Said the princess, as the balloon flew away into the horizon, while Owl followed them close by. However, what the bird may never tell them is that he saw Cassandra, the real one, but chose to leave her at some point, before he ended up on the Lorb’s island.
At the ruins of the Great Tree, Cassandra and the Enchanted Girl were looking for something very specific: The incantations.
“I told you, this is all that’s left of the Great Tree. The incantations were destroyed.”
Said Cassandra. Her skin was white as snow. Her eyes, once grey-green, changed to turquoise ever since she had taken the moonstone.
“Those incantations were our only hope of unlocking the power of the Moonstone. Aside from the Demanitus Scroll, but that was destroyed millennia ago.” If she wanted Cassandra to unlock her full potential, she needed those incantations.
However, Cassandra’s eyes widened as she turned to the blue spirit. “Did you say Demanitus Scroll?”
The Enchanted girl turned and looked at the Bearer of the Moonstone with confusion. She knows about the scroll?
“Ha…Looks like our next stop…is Corona.”
A dark, sinister smirk formed on Cassandra’s face.
Notes:
Unrelated, but I liked Cass's fight in the Captain's flashback, lol. Though I find her design of Moon Cass a bit too simple compared to other people's Moon versions of the characters, I think hers is cool enough!! 😄😄
Chapter 19: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Cassandra's Revenge: Part 1
Summary:
After months of mastering her control over the black rocks, Cassandra finally returns to Corona. Her goal? Get her hands on the Demanitus Scroll.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Days passed, and a special day arrived in Corona. Rapunzel painted across the ceiling of her bedroom all the different adventures she had experienced for two years and counting.
Life has tested her with both wins and losses alike, and even though things had gotten dark, she can see the dawn coming through.
There’s still so much to do, but for now, she’s thankful for her family, her friends, and a certain you-know-who.
Because now she was no longer “the lost girl in the tower”, but “the girl who has everything”, grateful for the blessings the world could bring.
Her eyes lit up because while she had practically everything she once ever wanted, her heart knew there was more of everything.
But for now, everything was fine.
And that was enough.
However, someone near the woods thought that, perhaps, she had more than enough.
Cassandra was back in Corona, determined to take what was rightfully hers.
Eugene, on the other hand, looked at the box with a ring with a golden jewel on top.
After two failed attempts, how can he know now is the right time?
“Okay, Fitzherbert. Is today the day?”
Lady Crowley would pass by, humming ‘The Girl Who Has Everything’, and he would rush to ask her a question.
“Oh, uh, hey! Mrs. Crowley! You seem like a passionate soul well-versed in the delicate inner workings of the human heart.”
The old woman turned to look at him with an unfriendly frown.
“Right. So let me ask you: Do you think now is the right time to propose?” He’d ask the old woman.
“You’re not my type.” She responded with the same deadpan frown.
“The feeling’s mutual.” He deadpanned, realizing she hadn’t understood his question at all.
Minutes later, different people came to help Rapunzel decorate the throne room.
“Girls, don’t run!” Said Isla, as she helped tie some ribbons while Kiera and Catalina ran around.
Everything is looking so great, you guys! Oh, Eugene’s surprise birthday party is going to be amazing.” It was his birthday, and she wanted it to be perfect. Then suddenly—
“What’s going to be amazing?” Eugene asked with a smirk.
She immediately rushed to the doors, blocking his path as a nervous grin formed on her face. “What? Nothing. Nothing is amazing, why—why would you think anything is amazing?”
“Heey, are you planning a party?” He asked as his smirk turned into a grin. He knew her all too well to know when she was hiding something.
“NO! I-I mean, yes, but it is not for you. It’s for my…” Isla gritted her teeth, praying Rapunzel doesn’t give it away just by body language alone.
“...parents! It’s their anniversary.” The blonde said with a forced grin.
“But their anniversary was six months ago.” Something was odd. Nothing that he should worry about, but something was odd.
“Uh, no, it’s six months from now—that’s what makes it a surprise!” She added.
“Great! So put me to work.” He smirked as he grabbed his jacket with each hand on each side.
“Uh, no! You can’t come in! I have a list of very important things I need for the party. Lance!!”
Isla gasped upon noticing that Lance was tied, basically covered in pink ribbon, by Kiera and Catalina.
“Go with Eugene, make sure he’s gone long enough–” Rapunzel whispered to the dark-skinned man’s ear before her voice rose to her normal tone so they don’t raise Fitzherbert’s suspicion.
“-And get everything that’s on the list of very important things!”
“What?” Lance raised an eyebrow as he looked at the list in his hands. “Oh, oh, right, RIGHT! Right. Eugene! Come with me.”
“I honestly think I’d be more-” Eugene didn’t even get to finish his sentence before Raunzel closed the door. Her grin disappeared as she sighed. Isla, her parents, and Edmund approached her.
“What’s wrong, dear? You seem nervous,” said Arianna.
“No, I’m just…I’m worried that Eugene suspects something is u-”
“Relax, princess, he doesn’t suspect a thing! How could he?” Interrupted Edmund.
“ He has no idea that today is his real birthday. I’ve even avoided thinking about it around him! Now, high-five Frederic to show camaraderie.” Edmund said out loud before he and Rapunzel’s father shared a high-five.
“You’re right. This is gonna be the best surprise first birthday ever! And that’s not all.” A smirk formed on her lips as she picked up Pascal. “Come on, Pascal.” She picked up the small reptile, turning to Isla before she left.
“Oh— you, too, Isla.”
“Me?” The brunette with the high ponytail asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rapunzel nodded as a smile formed on her lips. “There’s something I need to show you.”
Arianna shrugged at Frederic as a smile formed on her lips.
The blonde and the brunette rushed to Rapunzel’s room. There is something that she wants to show Isla before the surprise party is ready.
“So, what is it?”
Isla asked as Rapunzel climbed to the upper level of her library. Her eyes widened when she saw the blonde coming down with a small blue box.
“This is the biggest surprise of all. Right before he blows out his candles, I am going to propose to Eugene. Heh, he will never see it coming! ”
Said the blonde, as a wide smile formed on Isla’s lips. “Finally”, she thought, with a wide grin.
“I don’t wear shoes —but if I did, I believe they would be on the other foot.”
“Can I see it?” Isla asked. Rapunzel smiled and opened the small, blue metal box. It was a golden ring with a beautiful yellow jewel at the centre, and with the sun crest of Corona drawn alongside a pattern of golden lines that surrounded each sun on circles. Isla’s eyes softened with happiness for the couple.
“Oh, Rubia…he’s gonna love this.”
“I’m gonna be the girl who has everything…As soon as he wears this ring, and swears that he’s mine…” The blonde sang, while the Latina tried not to cry from just imagining how happy her friend would look as soon as he saw the woman he loved walking to the altar…to him. True, neither she, Rapunzel, nor Eugene knew what obstacles fate might bring, but…
“...why put off everything…when we can share everything. Cuz once he’s my everything…”
Rapunzel climbed to a specific spot on the ceiling. One with a painting where Eugene hugged her in his arms, while she wore a silver ring on her hand. She gently painted the golden ring on his finger, a warm smile forming on her lips.
“Then…everything will be fine.”
She leaned against the painting on the wall, and when she closed her eyes, she could almost feel his warmth.
Isla smiled softly as she closed the box with the proposal ring, and Pascal sighed.
That night, Eugene and Lance returned from finally fulfilling all of the “important tasks” Rapunzel had given to Lance.
The brunette man with the goatee rolled his eyes as Lance chuckled.
“Would you hurry it up? Since when are you this thorough about anything?” He asked Lance, knowing perfectly well that his best friend was never this attentive to details. On the contrary, actually.
“Eugene, the princess asked me to do a job. Are you suggesting I don’t do everything in my power-”
All Lance was doing was waiting for Pascal to give the sign of approval that it was safe for them to come in. And once the little chameleon came out to give him a thumbs up, he dropped the list and pulled Eugene into the throne room.
“Well! That’s everything. Come on, Eugene. Quit dillydallying. Let’s go, let’s go!”
“Hey, wait! What’s with the pushing? Alright, alright, I’m going! Why are we even going in-”
Then, the dark Throne Room lit up.
“SURPRISE!!” Everyone said in unison, Rapunzel stood in the middle of it all as a sign that said ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY EUGENE FITZHERBERT’
“GAH!” Eugene looked around in utter confusion. “Wha…this is for me? Why?”
“Because today is your actual birthday!” Rapunzel exclaimed with a wide smile.
“It is?”
He asked a nodding Edmund. Eugene’s eyes widened as he looked around.
“Oh wow! This party is for me! An entire evening where everyone gathers to pay homage to my existence? Oh, how did I go so many years without-”
“Because I sent him away as a babe, and his whole life was a lie!” Said Edmund, still unable to think without speaking his thoughts out loud.
“Always a dependable ray of sunshine, eh, Dad?” Eugene said with sarcasm as he crossed his arms.
“Well, bring on the cake!”
Rapunzel signaled Attila, who quickly came in with a cake of the castle, Eugene’s face on it, and 26 candles on it.
“Hold up. I don’t mean to nitpick, but there are one too many candles on this cake.”
“Uh, no. Nope, that’s right. You are one year older than you thought, Eugene.” Said Rapunzel. “Hooray for another birthday surprise!”
“Hahaha, you are so funny, but also incorrect. I am 25 years old. The number of candles on this cake indicates that I’m 26 years old. One year too many.” He smirked as he crossed his arms. He was 25, he was sure of it.
“No, no, you’re 26 years old today.” Edmund corrected him.
“Yep! That’s right. 26!” Everyone started to murmur and whisper about Eugene’s true age.
“Would everyone stop saying my age out loud?!” He exclaimed before Shorty came out of the cake.
“Happy 26th birthday, Horace!” The short old man said before falling off the cake. Isla rolled her eyes as she picked the cake off his face.
“Wow…” he said as Lance offered him a seat. It wasn’t much, but it was a lot to take in for him.
“I am a year older than I think I am? This explains the lines on my eyes! Are these crow’s feet?” He pointed to his face, as Hamuel crowed on Edmund’s shoulder.
“Why don’t you take your mind off your age and make a wish? Come on.”
The blonde princess encouraged him as she held his hand.
He smiled softly at her while he stood up from the chair.
“Well, I can think of at least one wish I’d like to have come true, in the very near future.”
Rapunzel took a step back to give space to blow out the candles. She turned to Isla, who smiled at her. A smile formed on Rapunzel’s face as she held the ring box behind her back.
He leaned in, ready to blow out the candles — but a sudden cold gust of wind beat him to it.
“What the…?” He looked around in confusion. The wind blew the birthday sign out of its place, and the candles that kept the Throne room lit up soon blew out as well.
Eugene and Rapunzel noticed a familiar figure behind the crowd.
“Swell party.” Said the figure of the uninvited guest. “I’m guessing my invitation got lost in the mail?”
Everyone gasped in astonishment. Frederic and Arianna looked more offended than shocked. Kiera and Catalina both looked worried and slightly awkward. Isla looked both confused and shocked. Lance? He was terrified.
It was Cassandra.
“I think for the next party I’d like to have at least some input on the guest list,” Eugene said, trying to hide his unnerving.
The turquoise-haired woman in the black armor drew the Shadow Blade sword, scraping the floor with it. The screech of the mineral sword against the polished floor made everyone flinch, covering their ears. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just help myself to a slice of this cake.”
“What does she want? Why show up here now? Is she here to apologize or for a fight?” Lance murmured as he ate some popcorn. Isla immediately hit him softly with her elbow.
“Lance, not now.” Lance turned to look at Isla. Her frown said it all: She was worried, confused, on high alert. This was not the time.
“It’s…” Rapunzel wanted to tell her that it was Eugene’s Birthday, that they were just celebrating, and that it was nice to see her again. However, one question that she had wished to ask her for so many months came from her lips.
“Where have you been?”
“Helping myself, you might say. It’s about time I helped myself, don’t you think?” Cassandra’s tone was…unreadable. Mocking one may say, as she grabbed the knife and cut the tower of Rapunzel’s room from the cake.
“I thought a lot about how we left things, and it makes me sad.”
The bearer of the Moonstone said, cynically and tauntingly.
However, the blonde princess was unable to see that.
“Oh, it makes me sad, too. I-I miss you, Cassandra. I want us to be friends again.”
“Yeah. We both have things the other wants, which brings me to why I’m here. I want you to give me the scroll.”
Rapunzel’s face fell for a second, realizing that the woman who came through that door didn’t come to fix things.
Eugene moved to Rapunzel’s side. “I wouldn’t do that. The scroll has the instructions to wield the power of the Moonstone and the Sundrop.”
He whispered with a nervous smile. Something that Cassandra always disliked about him was whenever he tried to talk her out of anything, just because ‘he wants what’s best for Rapunzel.’
“Stay out of this, Fitzherbert! ‘Blondie’ can think for herself. Mm?”
He had no choice but to back off. Isla frowned as Cassandra approached Rapunzel, before she gave Eugene a brief look.
“Give me the scroll and I’ll leave Corona in peace.” Said the bearer of the Moonstone, her expression unreadable.
“Cassandra, I don’t think-” Rapunzel spoke up, but was immediately interrupted by her.
“Oh, I know! It’s hard making decisions when the only friends and advisors you have left are ex-convicts…and losers.”
Cassandra said with a smirk, mockingly. Isla frowned. This is the friend that supposedly needs their help?
“HEY!! We are not ex-convicts!” Said Eugene with a frowned that turned into a smirk the moment Lance spoke.
“Technically, we have never been convicted of anything,” Lance added before he gave Eugene a fist-bump. Isla raised an eyebrow at the duo.
“I’ll give you some time to decide. Enjoy your party, Fitzherbert.”
Cassandra said cynically, before she threw the plate with the piece of cake she had cut at him.
He barely managed to grab the plate, as Lance caught the piece of cake with his mouth. With all said, Cassandra left the throne room.
“Just to be clear, because I think it’s important. I did not wish for that.” Eugene said his humor was running 100 miles per hour in an attempt to hide how much he hated this.
That night, Rapunzel reunited everyone to discuss what they were going to do next.
“I can’t give Cassandra the scroll.” She said as a worried frown formed on her face. As much as she wanted to fix things with Cassandra, she knew that whatever she wanted the scroll for wasn’t good.
“Hey, I agree! On the one hand, if she gets the scroll, it could be the end of the world. On the other hand, she did say we would never see her again. So, you know, pretty big upside.” Said Eugene, trying to lighten the mood while trying to relax as much as he needed to.
“Does anyone here wonder where and what she did all this time?” Isla asked, her frown serious. As much as she respected Rapunzel and loved Eugene as a friend, she did not trust Cassandra. Still… she wanted to trust her friends’ judgment.
“Yeah. Who knows what she’s been doing since she disappeared?” Lance asked, far too relaxed for his own good — but even he had to admit Isla had a point.
“Probably practicing betrayal. Thinking a lot about doing harm.” Said Kiera as she spun around the globe in Rapunzel’s bedroom.
“Readin’...” Added Catalina.
“Reading a lot about doing harm?”
Kiera said, before Eugene stopped the spinning globe, with a frown that said, ‘That’s enough.’ Did Cassandra ruin his birthday? Yes.
Was she planning on harming them? Probably, but was it the time to give up on her?
“So, Cass gets the scroll, total destruction of us, got it. So we should hide it, yes? Where is it?” He asked Rapunzel, as both he and the woman he loved sat on one of the bedroom’s couches.
“That’s the other downside, heh…I don’t have it.” Responded the blonde princess.
“If you don’t have it, well then, who do have it?” He asked.
The results? In the hands of a certain teenage alchemist they all knew. Varian had been working on the translation of the script for a good amount of time ever since the red rocks’ incident, and so far, he was almost finished. Now, he was taking a short break, testing the durability of both steel and iron, as Ruddiger passed him a glass of warm cocoa.
“Ah, yes, thank you, Ruddiger. This is perfect.” He picked up the glass, letting out a laugh worthy of a cliché evil scientist.
“Warm cocoa will really hit the spot. Thanks, bud!”
He took a sip of it before he was interrupted by a cheerful, feminine voice. “Hi Varian!”
He splurted the cocoa out in surprise at Rapunzel’s visit, leaving his poor pet raccoon wet with liquid chocolate. “AH! Hi! I—uh, wasn’t… wasn’t expecting you. So soon! I mean, we did agree that I’d need at least five weeks of solitude to decipher this thing, so I had some-some privacy, mm.”
“Varian, don’t be embarrassed!” The princess responded with a smile.
“Hey, goggles, real quick. Do you have any anti-aging alchemies, maybe some skin-tightening serum?” He asked as he picked up a bottle with a purple liquid, which triggered a chemical reaction that covered the place in purple smoke. The result? His 26-year-old face now looked closer to 70. He gasped as he tried to assimilate the wrinkles and grey hair.
“I’m getting older by the second!”
Lance and Maximus both laughed. Isla was just wide-eyed and frozen in sheer awkwardness.
“Ah! Please be careful! That stuff is very delicate.” Responded Varian, while Isla grabbed an apple and threw it to Maximus’s mouth. The horse was taken aback, but regardless, he munched the fruit with delight.
“How do we turn him back to normal?” Isla asked, concerned if her best friend’s lifespan had just dramatically shortened.
“Oh, it should wear off in-” The teenage boy didn’t even get to answer Isla, as Eugene’s face returned to its normal state. “any second.”
“Ah! Thank heavens.” Eugene sighed in sheer relief before Isla frowned at him. “I know I’m getting old, but-”
He stopped mid-sentence as he noticed Isla’s disapproving frown.
“Right. Chemicals, all very delicate. Got it.”
“Oh, thank goodness. You have the scroll.” Rapunzel sighed in relief and smiled when she noticed the scroll on the wall.
“I do! Oh, I do, and it took a while, but I composed this key to translate the text in its entirety.” The teenage alchemist pointed to the writings he had made on the wall.
“Varian, you’re a genius! What’s it say?” She asked with a smile.
“This is the healing incantation...”
He said, pointing to the symbol of the sun beside it. The decay incantation is also written in the scroll’s original language near the symbol of the moon.
“This is the decay incantation, and this, hoho, is a third incantation. It would allow whoever possesses the Moonstone to wield complete control over the black rocks.”
“That’s why Cassandra wants the scroll,” Rapunzel said. It made sense.
“Yes, yes, but there’s more. It says here that there are four incantations, not three! But I can’t seem to find it anywhere on this scroll.” Varian grabbed the scroll, narrowing his eyes. However, Eugene, Isla, and Maximus all froze upon noticing that someone else had gotten inside the Demanitus Chamber.
“Uh, guys, you might wanna stop talking about the secrets of the scroll.” Lance said, the words ‘secret of the scroll’ coming between a nervous cough. Rapunzel gasped, spinning around with Varian just a beat behind.
A voice cut through the room like a blade.
“Don’t stop on my account.” Said Cassandra, with a dangerous smirk.
“CASS!” Varian exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. Rapunzel’s blood ran cold.
She extended her arm protectively. “Varian! Don’t get any closer! Hide the scroll, we cannot let her get her hands on that incantation.”
“But the scroll is worthless without the translation key.” He said, accidentally giving out important information that, obviously, reached Cassandra’s ears.
“Well, then it sounds like I need two things.” The bearer of the Moonstone drew the Shadow Blade sword.
Without thinking twice, Eugene drew his sword and ran towards his former friend. “Get that scroll out of here! Blondie, I’ve got this.”
The eyes of Lance and Isla alike widened when they saw him run towards Cassandra, his sword raised high. “HAAAA!!” But then, when the sword clashed against her sleek black rock armor, his sword shattered. The pieces of metal scattered around like shattered glass.
He looked at his broken sword in surprise and confusion. “Her armor is made of the ro-”
Without giving him a chance to finish the sentence, the traitorous Cassandra kicked him, making him land on Lance, Isla, and Maximus.
Not satisfied with that, she proceeded to slash one of the metal spheres of the Demanitus Device, forcing the four former thieves and the stallion to run for their lives. Maximus attempted to take them out of there, running to the wall and spinning in the air, but ended up walking over the sphere.
The sphere crashed against the wall, and while Lance and Isla landed safely on the ground, Eugene and Max were at risk of falling to the abyss below the Demanitus Chamber.
“AH!” Eugene looked down, while he held to Max’s tail as tightly as his grip could allow him. Both Lance and Isla rushed to help them both get up.
“Give me that scroll, Rapunzel!” Said Cassandra as her sword clashed against Rapunzel’s hair.
“Cass! Let’s just…talk!” The blonde princess said as she struggled against Cassandra’s sword.
“Oh, sure, let’s have another chat about how my mother chose you over me,” Cassandra said, her sarcasm fueled by her senseless anger.
“Cass, Gothel took me and held me against my will. It wasn’t my decision, you know that!”
The blonde tried to understand her former friend’s reasoning for her anger against her. But she never got a choice. Gothel never chose her out of love; she chose her out of vanity and greed.
“Well, was it your decision to push her out a window?” Rapunzel GASPED at Cassandra’s comment, before Cassandra broke the grip between them.
HOW could she even ask her that?
“You weren’t there! You have no idea!” Responded the blonde princess. Even now, even then, she tried to be as reasonable with the traitor as she could. Varian backed off in fear as he stood behind Rapunzel.
“Then why don’t you MAKE ME understand?” She frowned, her teeth gritting from the anger she felt. Then suddenly, Ruddiger jumped on her, the pet raccoon chittered and shrieked as he scratched her face. “GET OFF!”
He jumped off of her and took the scroll off of Varian’s hands, before frowning at her. The Moonstone wielder ran after him, but Rapunzel quickly tripped her by wrapping her hair across her feet. Pascal ran across the locks of hair before grabbing the scroll, sticking his tongue to the traitor, and running away.
She stood up and ran after the chameleon, while Rapunzel ran after her. Ruddiger, on the other hand, tried to give Lance and Isla a hand, but was quickly tempted by the apples in the pouch of Maximus’s saddle.
“Ay, no, no, no. Mapachito?”
Isla’s native Spanish slipped the moment the raccoon crawled to the saddle and picked an apple. Maximus neighed angrily, as he only made the weight heavier.
Pascal squeaked nervously as he managed to crawl to the Demanitus Device’s structure.
His eyes widened when Cassandra threw the Shadow Blade at him, making him fall. He barely managed to stick himself back with his tongue, while the scroll fell to the ground.
But then, Rapunzel grabbed the scroll before her former friend could manage to get her hands on it.
“Look at me! You KNOW me, Cassandra! I have always supported you! Whatever this anger is, come on! Let’s face it together!”
Something inside is telling Cassandra to give in to her rage, but rage isn’t all that she is, and the blonde princess knew it better than most. Better than anyone.
“Cass, somewhere inside you know this isn’t right. Just come back home with us. We can figure this out.”
For one moment, for one brief moment, Cassandra hesitated. She let go of the Shadow Blade. But when that mysterious little voice in her chest stopped talking, another one started talking, “Questioning your path, are you?”
It was the Enchanted Girl, floating behind a worried Rapunzel. “No, I wasn’t,” Responded Cassandra.
But only Cassandra could see her.
“Who are you talking to?”
Asked the blonde princess. Then, that voice talked again. Faintly, but enough to fuel the traitor’s rage.
“Cass, I’m not gonna fight you.”
The blonde attempted to walk closer to her former friend, just as the Enchanted Girl said to Cassandra’s ear.
“She’s trying to trick you!”
Just then, the Moonstone Wielder turned and saw Isla and Lance struggling to pull Eugene, Ruddiger, and Max back up. “Don’t wanna fight? Don’t fight.”
She picked up her Shadow Blade sword, which lit up in blue as she gave the Demanitus Device a precise strike.
“NO!! STOP!!”
Rapunzel exclaimed as the Demanitus Device and the ceiling began to crumble.
Debris began to fall, and soon, the Demanitus device fell too, threatening to crush Eugene and the others. Rapunzel ran to the opposite side of where the enormous machine was falling.
Then, a piece of the device fell on top of Isla and Lance, and the three former thieves, and the two animals fell into the abyss.
If it wasn’t for Maximus sticking the piece on the wall near the abyss and swinging while the others grabbed firmly onto him, who knows how it would have ended? Eugene, Isla, Lance, Maximus, and Ruddiger all land safely on their feet.
For one moment, all four of them froze, unable to process what had just happened, before they saw the machine threatening to fall on top of them. They ran as fast as they could, and before they got smashed, Lance seemingly ‘held’ the structure.
“Woo! Heh, guess I don’t know my own strength.” Of course, it wasn’t Lance.
“Get…out…of there!” It was Rapunzel who tried her best she could to hold the structure with her hair.
“I…can’t…ho…hold it!”
She struggled to hold the structure. Just as she was using all of her strength to protect her friends and boyfriend, the traitorous Cassandra comes in and picks up the Scroll from Rapunzel.
“Thank you.” She said mockingly, and it took one second, one short second for Rapunzel to lose concentration and get pulled in by the structure.
“AH!” the princess yelped. Even though she landed on her feet, she wasn’t safe. Her hair was tangled around the machine, and the chamber threatened to throw debris on top of her.
“RAPUNZEL!!” Eugene exclaimed as his eyes widened in fear. Isla’s too, before she locked eyes on Cassandra. Without thinking twice, the brunette with the high ponytail ran to Cassandra and drew her sword down on her. It broke just like Eugene’s, but she wasn’t stopping there. She didn’t care if the sword broke. She didn’t care that Cassandra was stronger. That traitor is not getting away.
She threw a kick, which was easily blocked by the traitorous woman with the turquoise hair.
“Aw, cute. But not enough.” Only one punch was enough to knock her out. She’s Fitzherbert’s former lover. That alone told Cassandra all she needed to know from the Snuggly Duckling’s current pubkeeper. She wasn’t worth her time.
Meanwhile, Varian hid behind the overturned table. He desperately mixed the acid in the beaker until the voice of the one responsible for the attack spoke behind it.
“Hey, Varian,” Cassandra said, whistling before she slashed the wooden table in half.
“If you wanna read that scroll, you are gonna need my translation key!” The teenage alchemist said, and without losing a minute, he threw the acid on the beaker to the wall, erasing the translation he had worked on ever since he decided to work on it. “Ha! And, now that I’ve destroyed it, you’ll never know what the scroll says because the only translation in earthly EXISTENCE is locked safely away up here.” He said, pointing to his own head. “BOOM!”
“Is that a fact?” The Moonstone Wielder asked with a cynical grin.
“Hoho Yeah!” His eyes widened in realization before he backed off in fear. “I should not have said that out loud.”
“Then I guess you’re coming with me.”
A sinister grin formed on her lips as she approached the young boy.
Meanwhile, Rapunzel ran as she freed her hair from the crumbling Demanitus Device.
“RAPUNZEL, HURRY!” Eugene shouted as she freed what she thought were the last strands of hair stuck in the machine. “RAPUNZEL!!”
His desperation was as clear in his voice. She landed in front of him. She thought she was free, but the machine yanked at the last few strands still stuck.
“OH!” She gripped the strands of hair that were still stuck on the device and pulled as hard as she could to not be pulled along to the abyss.
“HURRY, PASCAL! LET’S GO!!” Eugene exclaimed at the chameleon, who ran across the stuck hair. Pascal scurried across the golden strands, his little feet a blur as he unraveled the knots anchoring her to the machine with his mouth.” “JUMP!”
Eugene and Lance both helped Rapunzel pull her hair until it was finally completely released from the Demanitus Device. A loud crashing of stone was heard, along with dust being released from the impact. Everyone coughed; the chamber was now left dark.
“CASSANDRA!! VARIAN!! ISLA!!!” The blonde called for her friends and the Moonstone Wielder. Cassandra and Varian were nowhere to be seen. Only an unconscious Isla was seen. Rapunzel gasped. “ISLA!!”
Rapunzel, Eugene, and Lance all rushed to the unconscious pub keeper. Eugene held her in his arms. “Come on, Is,” Eugene murmured, brushing hair from her face. “Not now...”
Then, a cough followed. Isla opened her eyes. “Eugene?”
All three of Eugene, Rapunzel, and Lance sighed in relief.
“And Cassandra?” She asked. That’s the last person she saw, Cassandra. The traitor. Only Ruddiger came out from the overturned table.
“She took him!” Exclaimed Lance.
Minutes later, and with an unconscious Varian, Cassandra walked through the woods of Corona. The Enchanted Girl grinned wickedly. This was going better than she thought. She floated towards the Moonstone Wielder. Perhaps she can push her a little bit more. “So, this is your plan? Running away?” the spectral voice echoed.
“No one is running-” Cassandra responded defensively, before she was interrupted.
“One would think that now that you have the power of the black rocks, you wouldn’t feel the need to hide.”
“I don’t hide from anything!” Cassandra responded. She isn’t hiding, and she’s certainly not hiding from Rapunzel or pfft. Fitzherbert.
“I don’t need to remind you that defeat is not an option. And when Rapunzel comes for you, you must be prepared to protect what is rightfully yours.” The Moonstone wielder’s defensive frown calmed as she nodded to the spirit. “What you need is-”
“A stronghold. And I know just where to build one.” Cassandra smirked. She knew exactly where to build such a place. In the exact place where her mother raised Rapunzel. The tower.
Everything was destroyed, of course, due to the incident that happened a year ago, when Varian was still planning his revenge against the crown. She picked a piece of debris with her sword, which once belonged to the ceiling of Rapunzel’s bedroom in the tower, before it crumbled to pieces.
Then, Varian’s eyes opened. A weird taste in his mouth was the first thing he noticed before he looked around. “Ugh…Huh, Huh? H...Hey! Where are we?”
“I need that third incantation, Varian.” Said the Moonstone wielder.
“Never,” He responded with a defiant frown. He isn’t giving her anything. Alongside her was not only the scroll, but also the different chemicals, serums Varian used. Some kept for special occasions like this one, while others he used daily on his experiments, etc.
“I knew you’d say that. That’s why I went through your little bag of tricks.”
She dropped the boy’s bag, almost with annoyed disgust, before she picked up a small vial. “I found something in here that might change your mind.” She walked to him, showing him the small crystal bottle with the label “Truth Serum” on it.
“Recognize this?”
“Ha, no.” He smirked before a painful pang forced him to talk. “GAH! Yes, it’s a truth serum of my own design, and it compels the drinker to tell the truth and answer any question asked. Wait, but I never drank that.” He basically released the answer, forcefully, one might say.
“Lucky for me, you sleep with your mouth open. So let me ask you…What’s the third incantation?” Her smirk turned into an annoyed scowl.
“Gah…I uh…” The teenage alchemist boy tried to resist as much as he could, but he knew it was going to get worse the more he resisted. He grunted as he tried to shut his eyes.
“Crescent high above…Evolving as you go…Raise what lies beneath…and let the darkness grow.”
A dark yet satisfied smirk formed on Cassandra’s lips. She walked towards the destroyed remains of the tower. She extended her palm in front of her and said. “Crescent high above…”
Without needing to tap into her anger, a black rock surged from the ground. Her eyes widened because, for once, she finally got it. The rocks respond to her. She smirked as she extended both arms.
“Crescent high above…Evolving as you go…”
Each black rock suddenly began to grow more and more, consuming the ruins of the tower.
The land in the Kingdom began to rumble. Fidella and the palace horses neighed, the snuggly duckling thugs snapped from their drunkenness, Shorty’s eyes snapped wide as a mug fell to the floor.
Frederic and Arianna looked outside the balcony of their chambers, looking around and wondering where the quake came from.
Rapunzel, Eugene, Isla, and Lance all felt the quake. The princess’s eyes widened in sheer shock while they were in the tunnels beneath the kingdom.
“Raise what lies beneath and let the darkness grow…Bend it to my will, consume the sunlight’s glow…”
Cassandra continued to recite as the black rocks began to shape the stronghold. The structure grew taller and taller while still forming itself.
Rise into the sky and let the darkness grow…”
“What is that?” Asked Varian. The Moonstone in Cassandra’s chest glowed as sparks and bolts formed around her and the structure.
“Let…darkness…grow…”
Releasing a wave of energy, Cassandra’s new stronghold was finally complete. It stood tall above the woods, the moon glowing behind it. A satisfied yet dangerous smirk formed on the woman’s lips.
“Home sweet home…” This stronghold wouldn’t be a cage for Rapunzel. It would be a battlefield.
Notes:
So, this is where I sneak in some parts of the lyrics. Of course, I don't use every one for obvious reasons, but I wanted to sneak at least one or two.
Chapter 20: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Cassandra's Revenge: Part 2
Summary:
Varian tries to convince Cassandra that she's making a decision she'll regret in the long run. Rapunzel, Eugene, and the others try to get inside the Stronghold.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The next day, the team reunited in Rapunzel’s bedroom once more. Cassandra has Varian with her, and while they don’t know what she’s planning, they do know they need to rescue the boy.
Rapunzel paced back and forth. “We have to figure out what Cassandra is planning to do with Varian and the scroll,” she said. “We’re not just gonna sit by and let her ruin Eugene’s birthday or…” She opened her satchel—the same one Cassandra had once gifted her—and took out what was supposed to be Eugene’s big surprise: the ring. “...or anything else. Right?”
“Sure…just…” Said Fitzherbert, not 100% in. Lance, Eugene, and Isla all looked around. They were unable to give her a straight answer. “...gimme a minute.”
“Seriously, guys. Cass has Varian, not to mention an incantation that can control the rocks! We have to stop her.” Said Rapunzel, her tone firm.
“Uh, princess… were you in the same fight as us? We don’t stand a chance against Cass and that unbreakable armor.” Said Lance. He saw both Eugene and Isla rush after Cassandra, and both ended equally badly.
“Oh, come on, Lance. She wasn’t that bad.” Said Eugene, trying to shrug off the fact that he could have died in that fight.
“Oh, I’m sorry. What were you doing during that fight? There was a large boulder and you were…” Pascal appeared on the globe and quickly began to run around, trying to imitate Eugene’s scared expression in the moment of the fight, while Lance laughed. “Yeah, yeah, like that.” Said Lance, trying to wipe one of his eyes from the unshed tears of laughter.
Eugene frowned, narrowing his eyes in offense.
“Okay, okay, he’s getting offended.” Said Lance as he stopped the globe, accidentally sending Pascal flying across the room.
“What are you laughing about? You were right there with me.” Said the brown-haired former thief as he crossed his arms.
“Nah, nah, nah, nah, you’re remembering it all wrong. You know, they say-” Lance approached Eugene with a teasing grin, until.
“Lance.” Isla interrupted. “We were all there. We could’ve died.” She wasn’t frowning, she wasn’t even upset at Lance for being, well, Lance, but she would appreciate it if they recognized that moment for what it was.
Lance’s smirk faded away, just as Eugene’s frown softened.
“Listen, I know Cassandra’s dangerous, but we cannot forget…she’s also our friend.” The princess said, her tone soft as she placed both hands on her chest. Isla didn’t say anything at first. Her arms were crossed, and her mind drifted back to that moment where Cassandra struck the Demanitus Device with her sword.
“Is she?”
Asked Isla, and for one moment, Rapunzel turned to her. Her eyes widened, not in offense, but in disbelief that Isla could ask that. Eugene opened his mouth like he wanted to answer Isla, then closed it. Now wasn’t the time.
“Fine, there’s only one big problem. We don’t know where she is!” Interrupted Eugene. He ignored Isla’s question, not out of disrespect, but to avoid what could start an argument between the two women. Then, Max neighed as he looked and pointed towards the window.
“I think we know where to look.” Even from miles away, the Stronghold loomed where the old tower once stood, rising above the mountains of green.
Meanwhile, Cassandra took Varian inside her new Stronghold. The Enchanted Girl followed the duo. “You’ve done well, Cassandra. Soon, Rapunzel will come for the boy.”
“And then what?” The Moonstone wielder asked, making Varian raise an eyebrow, because…it was just the two of them.
“Then, you will face her with the full power of the Moonstone.” The feminine spirit said, before she disappeared, leaving her and Varian on their own.
“Who is she talking to?” The teenage alchemist asked, mildly raising an eyebrow, when they arrived at the hall at the top of the Stronghold. Black rocks were seen everywhere. The light that entered the hall gave the rocks and the walls a blue color.
“Look, I know none of this is your fault, and I don’t want to hurt you.” She opened her palm, and using her control over the black rocks, she broke Varian’s cuffs. Her fight was against Rapunzel, not against him.
“So when Rapunzel comes for you, don’t try anything foolish.”
“Cassandra, you’re angry, I get it. Believe me, I know what it’s like. But you are making a mistake,” Varian said. He knew better than anyone what she was doing, or at least, how she felt. The path of hate is a dangerous track, one step and it’s hard to turn back. It pulls one along, and though it seems wrong, it just feels right. How can she not see that the path she is taking will leave a permanent mark? It may feel good at first, but it’ll soon turn dark. With each passing day, she’ll be further away from the light.
She’ll see that she lost her way and the tread. Lose her cool and her head, and every loss will be harder to excuse.
“Then you’ll see you’ll lose your faith and lose your soul ‘til you lose complete control and realize there’s NOTHING left to lose! Nothing left to lose.”
Cassandra walked away from him, for moments her eyes softened, only to be hardened again by her fury. Then, she reached her hand.
“Cass, trust me, becoming the villain isn’t the ans-” He didn’t even get to finish her sentence before she turned to look at him with rage in her eyes.
“Is that what you think I am?!”
The path she’s on is a path paved in black. She’s taking that road without looking back. Each twist and turn will lead straight to where she’s yearning to go. And yes, her path may be dark, but at least she can see where it’ll end. She can see her rivals falling while her power ascends. He and his friends can despise her all they want, but she’s taking what’s hers even so.
“Not like you. You lost the nerve, YOU LOST THE GAME ! But you and I we’re not the same! I’m not lost, this fate was mine to choose!” Cassandra sang, each black rock serving as steps and platforms for her.
So she chooses to lose her doubts and her chains. She extends her hand, and her black rocks support a piece of debris from Rapunzel’s tower. Specifically, the piece in the hall where she painted herself looking at the lanterns.
“...Lose each weakness that remains! Now that I have nothing left to lose. NOTHING left to lose!” Destroying that bond with Rapunzel was all she needed to do. She threw her hand towards the debris, but Varian held her before she could destroy it. He could see that she still had so much to hold on to, but the only thing she wanted was her rightful due.
“LISTEN PLEASE!!” Varian begged. “You’ve lost your grip and lost your mind! All’s not lost, don’t be so blind! Cut the losses, drop the IOUs!”
“LOSE? I’M NOT GONNA LOSE!!” Cassandra roared back . “ I REFUSE!! I REFUSE!!”
Both sang at the same time, the boy desperate to make her return to the light, while the Moonstone wielder refused to lose her current path. She won’t lose tears or sleep, what she wants she’ll take and keep.
However, one thing was agreed: Neither can stop the turning of the screws.
Using her power, she formed two hands made of black rocks. Both of which turned into a cage she locked Varian in.
“You’ll stay in that cage until this is done. And just in case you think of escaping…”
She pushed him away, out of the stronghold, leaving his cage hanging mid-air and only being held by the bridge connecting the cage to the stronghold. And then, with a snap of her fingers, a spike of black rock surged, breaking the debris of Rapunzel’s tower into pieces that fell to the floor.
She walked to her throne.
Alone.
“Now…I have...nothing…left…to lose.”
Her voice broke as she deep down realized that now she had nothing, except for the Moonstone. The torches at each side of her throne lit up with blue flames, while black rocks surged behind and in front of her throne.
Later, following a path she knew too well, Rapunzel, Eugene, and the others arrived at where the tower once was located. The wind blew gently, but instead of finding the tower where she once was locked up, all that Rapunzel and her friends found was an enormous, imposing stronghold. Far taller than the tower ever was, or even the royal palace.
“Woah…” Said Kiera. The black-haired little girl’s eyes widened in awe of the Stronghold’s sheer height.
“It’s taller than the castle.” Added the red-haired Catalina.
Rapunzel knelt to pick a piece of debris from one of the paintings she once made on her bedroom ceiling. “Cass is sending a message. She wants me to know that everything that once was mine will belong to her.”
“The only message it’s sending me is ‘good luck climbing this.’ “ Lance said, contemplating the Stronghold’s size before Maximus arrived. The horse neighed after he had run around the black rock-made fortress.
“No entrances at the bottom, Max?” The blonde princess asked, before the stallion neighed negatively and frowned. That’s the closest entrance, huh?”
“How are we supposed to get all the way up there?” Asked Lance.
“We get up there by…a lot of climbing.” Said Rapunzel with a positive smile. Eugene, Lance, and Isla all widened their eyes before Lance began to back off. Fitzherbert frowned as he grabbed the dark-skinned buff man by the back of the collar of his shirt, dragging him to start once and for all.
The duo of former thieves linked arms, each stepping on the opposite wall, and began (or attempted) to climb the Stronghold.
“You want to climb like this the whole way?” Asked the buff, dark-skinned man as he began to struggle.
“Back in my days…towers were much…shorter.” Said Eugene, just before he and Lance fell.
“I got a better idea.” Said Lance. His idea? Using the sap of a nearby tree. The team proceeded to follow his idea.
“See? No slipping.” Lance declared proudly. The only problem? Well…
“Uh, Lance? I can’t move.” Said Rapunzel, while Isla concealed all her thoughts on a poker face. Plan C? Using a nearby tree as a catapult.
“Eh, once you’ve been catapulted a few times, it’s not so bad,” Eugene said. How many times has he been catapulted into the air? Probably enough times that it’s almost normal to him by now. Isla sighed as she crossed her arms. This better work.
“Don’t worry, Lance. It’ll all be over soon.” Said Rapunzel, smiling confidently that this would work, before she noticed that something sounded off in the sentence she just said. “Um, the catapulting, I mean, haha! Not your life.”
Max pulled, and by Pascal’s command, he let the rope go, launching the former thieves and the princess into the air.
“TOO HIGH!” Lance shouted.
“Look at you go, Lance! You’re a natural!” Shouted Eugene, not even scared at this point,
“WE’RE GONNA MAKE IT!!” Shouted Rapunzel, probably too excited for her own good. Did they make it, however? No. They just ended up landing on another tree and being catapulted into a red Kiera and Catalina had set up in a tree.
“Ah…anybody else got an idea?” Asked the princess while the three former thieves lay on top of her.
Kiera giggled before she and Catalina smirked as an idea came to their minds.
“We do.”
Said the black-haired little girl.
Their idea?
“This is quite literally the exact same plan,” Eugene said before the four got catapulted again.
Above in her stronghold, however, Cassandra laughed amused. “Ah, I can watch them do this all day.” She had almost forgotten how silly her former friends could be.
But then, the Enchanted girl interrupted. “Let them in,” Said the spirit.
“What?” the Moonstone wielder raised an eyebrow.
“Defeating her isn’t enough. You must take away who she is, force her to fight you, break her spirit.” Cassandra frowned as she looked down at them again. “You’ve held back long enough. Let her in and finish this now.” The blue girl finished with a smirk.
Cassandra sighed, “Fine.” She stood up and walked away. The Moonstone shines against the sunlight.
Without any more ideas left, the team regrouped near one side of the Stronghold, surrounded by jagged spikes of black rock. “I am telling you, the sap thing will work.” Lance insisted to his friends. “We just have to try a different tree.”
“Come on, Cassandra…” Rapunzel stepped closer to the stone wall, reaching out gently. “Just…let me in,” she whispered.
As if she’d been heard, a rift slowly opened in the wall. The team stared in stunned silence as the stone split, revealing a path inward. Inside, the ruins of Rapunzel’s old tower lay scattered around.
However, the multiple paths raised one question. “Which way do we go?” Lance asked, eyeing the different tunnels.
The blonde looked around before she turned to her boyfriend. “It’s your birthday, Eugene, so you get to decide which path to take.” Rapunzel smiled at him while he frowned in doubt. “We’re celebrating and adventuring. It’s a…celebrenture!”
“Alright! Here we go. Onesie, Twosie, redsie, bluesie, this one.” He pointed to the path to the right. “Blondie, you and I are gonna go this way.”
“And the cool kids will take this tunnel,” Lance said with a confident smirk. “Come on, girls. You, too, Max.”
“Uhh..” Isla raised an eyebrow. As much as she appreciated Lance as a friend, could she trust that he was going to reach first and not give them a tour around the Stronghold in circles? “I think I’ll go with Rubia and Eugene. No offense, Lance.”
Eugene smirked at Lance as the big man pouted dramatically. “Okay, fine. But you’ll be missing out once we reach the top.” Said the buff former thief as he left with an unserious offense.
Meanwhile, in an unknown space—an endless, purple void—Varian opened his eyes with a gasp. He wasn’t in the Stronghold anymore. “Wha?! Wh—Where am I?” He startled before he stood up. In the distance, the ruins of what seemed to be Janis Point, the place where Sugracha, one of Zhan Tiri’s followers, once attempted to free her master.
“What the…” Varian was completely confused, and it just got worse as the Enchanted Girl’s head appeared over the tree. “Wha…Whe-Where am I? Who are you?” He asked, the spirit’s grin wide.
“A friend. Or at least I’d like to be.” Her head vanished—only to reappear upside down beneath his feet, now attached to her full body. She hovered below the platform, smiling widely. “There is a way to save Cassandra. The final incantation. The Sundrop must use it against the Moonstone’s power.” She floated to Varian, splitting herself in half as a horrific grin appeared on her face.
“What, no, no, but there is no other incantation. It’s not on the scroll.” He said as he took out the scroll and pointed at it.
“Isn’t there? You just need to know how to look.” Her head twisted unnaturally as she disappeared again, before she disappeared as a whole. The scroll ripped from Varian’s hands and grew in size. “You need to use the sun…to see the sun.”
“Use the sun to see the sun- ” Varian didn’t even finish his sentence. What does that even mean? The symbols of the sun and the moon left the scroll and spun around him like a cyclone. “Wh- I don’t understand.”
The sun symbol slammed into the platform. Flames—green and unholy—erupted beneath his feet. “AH!”
“Use the sun to see the sun.” Those were her last words before the young boy fell off the platform. And then…
GASP.
Varian shot awake. It was some sort of dream. He was back. At the top of the Stronghold. Inside the cage Cassandra had left him in.
“That was a dream.” He said, his eyes widening, as he was still stunned. Then he looked around. “Oh, why couldn’t this be a dream?”
He picked up the scroll and took a close look. “Use the sun to see the sun?” He asked himself. All while the Enchanted girl saw him from afar, as her grin widened like a Cheshire cat.
Meanwhile, Eugene, Rapunzel, Isla, and Pascal continued to make their way upward. Walking through what once was the entrance to the tower.
“This was…” Isla asked, but neither Rapunzel nor Eugene answered. It was, and she could tell by the looks on their faces alone.
“Getting in here was too easy.” Said Rapunzel. They were just a few steps away from the top, and so far, nothing appeared to stand in their way. “We could be walking into a trap.”
Pascal squeaked at her as he used his camouflage to blend in with the black rocks.
“Good idea, think you can get in without being seen?” Asked the princess with a smile, holding the small reptile in her hands as Pascal squeaked in approval.
“Be careful, buddy.” Rapunzel kissed his tiny forehead before she gently placed him on the floor.
He quickly began to climb up the stairs. How lucky (or soon to be unlucky) Isla was not to follow Lance. The buff former thief had taken the girls and Maximus walking in circles until they were back at the entrance.
Pascal, on the other hand, managed to sneak into Cassandra’s throne room. At first, the room seemed to be empty, until Cassandra surged from the ground while black rocks were her elevator. He immediately camouflaged the moment he saw the turquoise-haired woman appear. His big eyes softened in concern for Rapunzel’s former friend. He continued to sneak around, hiding behind the black rocks as she made her way to the throne. However, the last black rock he used would disappear into the ground. She saw him.
The small reptile smiled and waved awkwardly before she reached her hand to grab him.
Minutes passed, and Pascal wasn’t returning. Something was wrong.
“This is taking too long,” Rapunzel said, as she stood over the ruins of the entrance to the tower. “I’m going up there.”
“Rapunzel, wait.” Interrupted Eugene, unease. “Wait, if you can’t convince her to come back? What if the only way out is to…” He held his neck with both hands.
“This is Cassandra. Not some monster. She’ll come around.” She jumped down from the structure as a smile formed on her face.
“I have to believe that.”
“And if you believe it, then so do I."
He smiled back as he held her hands. Isla’s expression softened. Cassandra couldn’t be trusted—she knew that. But the way Rapunzel and Eugene looked at each other…the way they wanted to believe?
She couldn't help but hope they were right.
Meanwhile, high above the woods, hanging mid-air, Varian looked around the scroll, as the words of the Enchanted girl repeated in his head over and over.
“Ugh! Need the sun to see the sun, what does that even mean?!” He grunted in frustration and threw the scroll and his goggles away. But then he noticed something that made his eyes widen in realization: The sunlight that reflected on his goggles onto the scroll revealed a secret incantation. The final incantation. “Sunlight…”
A grin formed as he looked at the setting sun. “The words are hidden, and it needs a beam of sunlight to reveal the incantation! DEMANITUS, YOU GENIUS!!”
Notes:
Ngl, I thought this chapter would be part 1 and part 2, but I guess I'll have to make it a three-part chapter, lmao 😭
Chapter 21: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Cassandra's Revenge: Part 3
Summary:
As Eugene and Isla help Varian reveal the Sun Incantation, Rapunzel faces off against Cassandra.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Meanwhile, the trio finally arrived in the throne room. Cassandra was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Pascal.
“Pascal? Pascal?” The blonde princess called for her small reptile friend. “Come out, buddy.” She murmured.
“Blondie…” Eugene’s voice interrupted as he took a look outside. “I found Varian…”
The former thief pointed outside to the cage hanging by the bridge connecting it to the stronghold. Isla gasped, concerned.
“Don’t worry, Varian! We’re gonna get you out of there!!” Shouted Rapunzel. Though the boy had other plans.
“Not now, I found the last incantation! It was hidden with a photoreactive ink!” Said the boy as he tried to reflect the sunlight onto the scroll with his goggles. “Obvious, right?” He snorted.
“Yeah, super obvious,” Eugene said, rolling his eyes while frowning. It was not that obvious.
“The problem is I need a concentrated beam of sunlight to see it,” Explained the teenage alchemist as he showed the back of the scroll. “I mean, I tried using my goggles, but they’re too scratched up.” He held his goggles while rubbing them. “I need…something else! Like a-a prism, or a glass!”
“Or…” Rapunzel hesitated, then reached into her satchel. “A crystal?” She asked as she held up the ring. It was supposed to be a surprise, but they had no other choice for the moment.
A smile formed on Eugene’s face as he lifted a brow.
“Is that a…”
“Yeah…” Rapunzel’s voice softened with a warm smile.
“...For me?”
His smile deepened as his eyes softened. One hand lifted to his chest. All this time, he’d thought he was the only fool dreaming of something more than just lovers. More than boyfriend and girlfriend. Isla’s wide grin confirmed something else, too. “Is…you knew?”
She just nodded, clasping her hands together.
Eugene turned back to Rapunzel, took her hands gently in his own. “You were going to ask me? I mean, I was going to ask you! All this time, and you still find ways to surprise me.”
Then, the Stronghold rumbled, and Eugene almost dropped the ring before he caught it at the last second.
“Uh, she must know we’re here! Okay, g-get the ring to Varian! I’m gonna go find Pascal.”
She turned to leave—but paused as Eugene reached out and gently cupped her cheek, just one more time.
“Be careful…” He said. The blonde princess smiled softly, gently holding his hand, then slipped away.. Now, it was up to Eugene and Isla to reach Varian to give the alchemist the ring.
“Pascal? Are you here?” Rapunzel’s voice echoed through the throne room. Suddenly, the smooth, dark-blue floor rippled, and from it, Cassandra emerged. Pascal was unharmed, only trapped in a small cage made of black rock.
“Yeah, he’s here,” Cassandra said flatly as the cage opened in her hand.
Pascal blinked, disoriented—but then spotted Rapunzel and leapt into her waiting arms.
Rapunzel gently picked him up with her palms and hugged him, as Cassandra walked down to her.
“You made a mistake coming here.” The blonde’s former friend frowned.
“Cass, I am not leaving this tower until this is resolved.” Rapunzel stood firm as Pascal climbed onto her shoulder. Cassandra smirked darkly. She raised her arms above her head, and the Moonstone flared to life. All around them, the windows slammed shut, including the open archway that connected the throne room to Varian’s hanging cage outside. From beyond the archway, Eugene and Isla looked on as the Stronghold shook again.
“Then I guess you’re not leaving,” A sinister smirk formed on Cassandra’s lips. Rapunzel untied her braid. Her soft, sad eyes narrowed into quiet defiance.
“You do realize I have complete control over the rocks, now. And you know what this tower is made of,” The Wielder of the Moonstone smirked as spikes of black rocks surged around Rapunzel, showing that she was not kidding around.
The blonde princess frowned as she blew a hair off her face, as Pascal waved at her like saying, ‘ Is that all you’ve got?’
A whisper echoed in Cassandra’s ear.
“Show her how powerful you’ve become,” said the Enchanted Girl.
“I’m not going to fight you,” Said Rapunzel firmly.
“Then this will be very easy.”
She raised her hand.
“Crescent high above, evolving as you go.”
Her fingers curled into a fist, and the stronghold shook.
“Cassandra, don’t!” Rapunzel barely got the words out before a massive black pillar erupted beneath her, launching her into the ceiling with brutal force.
But when the pillar sank back down, there was no body. No blood. No crushed corpse.
A large, golden beam of sunlight came from the pillar, and, much to Cassandra’s frustration, Rapunzel came out from a cocoon formed by her hair.
“Maybe it won’t be as easy as you think,” The blonde princess frowned.
“Now that’s more like it.” Cassandra’s lips curled into an amused sneer. “But there are some things your hair can’t block.” She clenched her fist, and the rock pillar beneath Rapunzel instantly crumbled.
Rapunzel screamed as the ground vanished beneath her, and if it wasn’t for her hair getting caught in a spike of black rock, she would have fallen off the stronghold, just like her satchel did.
Meanwhile, Eugene and Isla carefully walked over the bridge until a loss of equilibrium made the duo of former thieves fall.
“Man, I really hate birthdays,” Said Eugene.
“Hurry, the sun is setting!” Varian urged the duo. “Eugene! Come on!”
“We’re going as fast as we can, kid! Without dying,” They slowly stood, finally reaching the boy.
“Come on!” Urged Varian. For one moment, Rapunzel’s proposal ring slipped from Eugene’s hands before Varian managed to catch it.
“First memory, and now balance?! Age! Why do we have to age?!” The handsome thief whined before Varian raised his hand, ring in his hand. “Nice snag!” He said, as both he and Isla smiled approvingly.
With the ring finally in his hands, the teenage alchemist proceeded to reflect the natural sunlight onto the scroll. “It’s working,” Varian smiled as the ancient, unreadable words began to show.
“Way to go, kid!” Eugene said. And then, the scroll got caught on fire.
“AH- NO! NO, NO, NO, NO-” Varian panicked, Isla’s eyes widened in shock as Eugene began to blow air on the old paper. In just a matter of seconds, the boy transcribed what he could before the scroll burned to ashes.
“I got it!”
All three of them sighed in relief. That was a close one.
“I certainly hope so, because that thing was not easy to come by,” Eugene said, remembering how much it took them to get all the pieces of the scroll. A journey of a whole year.
“Now, can you figure out a way to get through these bars, and then how do you get back into the building? Because I got nothing,” Said Eugene to the boy.
Meanwhile, and much to Cassandra’s annoyance, Rapunzel climbed back inside the Stronghold.
“Sorry, Cass, but you’re not gonna get rid of me that easily,” Said the blonde, with a determined frown, before her former friend slammed her with a spike of black rocks. Black rock spikes surged from the floor, but Rapunzel swung over them, her hair catching a nearby spike.
“Cass, please! This is not who you are!” The blonde said. Desperate.
“WRONG! I finally know who I am.” She raised her arm, and from the ceiling, large spikes of black rock began to follow Rapunzel. The moonstone glowed on her chest, feeding on her rage. She sent one massive spike that pinned Rapunzel’s hair to the wall. The blonde yelped in pain. Then, one by one, Cassandra drove six more spikes into the wall around her.
The Enchanted girl smirked behind Cassandra.
“I will never stop trying to get through to you.” Exclaimed the blonde. “I won’t fight you, I won’t justify your hatred, and there is NOTHING you can do to change that! Nothing!”
She attacked her, tried to smash her, left her dangling meters above the ground—and still, she refused to fight back.
What would it take? What would break her resolve?
Wait. There is something.
“OH HOHOHO!! There isn’t? ‘Cause I kinda think there is.” Cassandra smirked, but it quickly changed into a frown.
Eugene, Isla, and Varian awaited outside until suddenly, the bridge started to retract.
“Bad, this is bad,” Said Eugene, as his eyes widened.
“Uh oh..” Said Varian.
Isla’s eyes filled with worry. “Ay no…” She muttered in Spanish.
“Eugene…?” The boy’s eyes were wide with worry. What is going to happen now? The former thief saw it and extended a comforting hand.
“Stay close, kid…”
Said Eugene, as Isla also extended her hand to Varian.
The boy held the hands of the two former thieves.
As the bridge retracted, the cage slid back into the Stronghold.
The archway yawned open—just long enough for them to enter—before black rock spikes slammed shut behind them.
“Welcome back, boys. Replacement,” Said Cassandra.
Eugene stepped in front of Varian as he firmly held Varian’s hand, frowning.
Isla’s frown in disbelief as her eyes darted between them. Replacement?
“Let me help you out.”
With an extension of her hand, the traitorous Cassandra sent a wave of black rocks that quickly encased Eugene, as one spike slammed Isla away, before she, too, was encased.
“ISLA!!” Eugene exclaimed before he grunted in pain. The Wielder of the Moonstone walked towards him.
Why him? Why does Rapunzel always choose him? The thief who got to the tower first, who wormed his way into the princess's heart.
Was it because he was charming? A man? Because he was always there while Cassandra was kept in the background? Forgotten. Second.
“You won’t fight me, but will you fight…” Her cold, gloved hand held him under his chin.
“...for him?”
The traitor asked, her eyes wide while with a small smirk on her lips. Eugene’s eyes stood wide, tense.
“Cass! Leave him alone!” Rapunzel frowned, but she didn’t lose her composure.
“Break her spirit!”
Said the Enchanted girl as she floated near Rapunzel.
“I just realized I forgot to give you my birthday present, Eugene.”
The traitor purred sadistically before she clutched her fist in sheer rage, and her smirk changed as she gritted her teeth.
The encasing prison tightened around him, threatening to crush him.
“NO!!” Shouted Isla, her eyes widening in horror.
Eugene’s stunned eyes shut when he felt the magic mineral tightening around his torso.
“Don’t give in to her!! Don’t do anything she says!!”
He said to the blonde, his girlfriend, risking himself only to fuel more into the traitor’s rage.
“RAPUNZEL! I have the final incantation! You have to use it!”
Varian exclaimed, paper in his hand.
He extended his arm outside the cage, and Pascal immediately picked up the paper with his tongue and opened it so the blonde could read it.
“Final incantation? What is he talking about?”
The traitorous Cassandra stopped torturing the handsome former thief.
“Never mind that! You are more powerful! FINISH this!” Encouraged the Enchanted Girl while also lying to her.
“Crescent high above! Evolving as you go!”
The turquoise-haired woman began chanting again. With one step, different spikes of black rocks surge from the floor.
“RAPUNZEL!” Use it,” Exclaimed Varian, as black rocks threatened to reach him and Isla.
“Power of the sun…Gift me with your light…Shine into the dark…restore our fading sight…”
The princess and her long hair began to float away from the rocks. Her hair glowed in a bright, golden light. Her eyes glowed a bright gold. An aura of golden light surrounds her.
“Rise into the dawn…blazing star so bright!”
An explosion of bright, golden energy was released from her. The Enchanted Girl grinned, her eyes gleaming like a predator’s in the light. She wasn’t scared—she was hungry. Excited even.
“Impossible!”
Said Cassandra, in offended surprise. She tried to cover herself before the blinding light toned down.
“Burn away the strife…let my hope ignite…let hope…ignite…”
Isla, Varian, and Eugene all looked in awe. It was as if she had tapped into some divine power.
“Let him go, Cassandra…” Her voice didn’t waver. She wasn’t begging. She wasn’t pleading.
She was commanding.
Cassandra’s eyes widened as she couldn’t believe what was happening.
Something inside her cracked. The world was shifting again, against her.
Second place. Ignored. Forgotten. Again. No.
NO.
“I don’t follow your orders ANYMORE!!”·
She raised her arm, sending a wave of surging, tall spines of black rocks.
“I SAID, LET HIM… GO!!! ”
Rapunzel threw her arms wide. Light exploded from her like a nova, and the wave of black rock shattered, splintering into a storm of debris.
Cassandra hurled another wave of black rock—but the glowing blonde didn’t even blink. Just an extended open palm, and her black rocks HER WEAPONS shattered.
The Enchanted Girl giggled with malice as a black hole of purple energy opened above her.
Finally.
The spirit floated, entering inside.
“Let him GO!!” Rapunzel repeated, her voice like thunder. She wasn’t going to say it again. However, Cassandra’s unhinged grin said other things.
She waved her arms violently as she sent another barrage—but this time, larger, stronger, more powerful. She was gonna give her everything she had.
Her eyes glowed white as she hurled every ounce of her rage in one final, all-consuming wave.
Rapunzel extended her arms—and with a single, blinding wave of solar energy, she did the impossible: she shattered the Moonstone.
One small single fragment of it came off, and the blue opal stone began to flicker as bolts came off it.
The traitor backed off as she tried to reach her chest, before the throne room exploded in a blue explosion.
The prisons of black rock that Eugene and Isla were encased in broke, freeing the two former thieves.
“AH, EUGENE!!” Shouted the teenage boy amidst the explosion of golden and blue light.
“VARIAN!!”
The man with the goatee shouted before the boy fell off the Stronghold.
Cassandra backed off, blinded by the golden light, and then fell off.
She screamed as she fell meters and meters.
Creating a last-minute platform, she managed to avoid what could have been an assured death.
The light ceased, and Rapunzel immediately passed out, while Varian, on the other hand, fell right into Lance’s arms as the Stronghold’s throne room crumbled.
“Varian!! See? Here he is, and I led us right to him,” Said Lance as the boy embraced him.
And then, the princess woke up. No one was seen around her. Heck, not even the throne room was seen around her; it was gone. All that was left was debris of black rocks. “Eugene!! Pascal!!” She called for her animal best friend and her boyfriend.
“Rapunzel!!”
Exclaimed the former thief, his arms open, while Pascal rested on his shoulder
. She walked to him and embraced him.
“I know this is an emotional moment for you, but I just gotta say, that.was.AWESOME!”
He exclaimed before the couple held in a tight embrace. Just as they held each other in their arms, Rapunzel gasped.
“Isla!!” The princess exclaimed, and Eugene turned to see his friend.
“Oh, don’t worry about me, I’m fine.” Said the Hispanic woman.
“You sure?” Eugene asked with concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said with a warm smile.
“I’ll check on Varian and Lance.”
She turned around, giving one last smirk before leaving the couple alone to continue their hug.
That night, Rapunzel sat on the bed in her bedroom, looking at the proposal ring. The crystal wasn’t shining, so she polished it with one of her sleeves.
“Well, Blondie,” Eugene entered her bedroom and sat alongside her. “One of these days we’ll get this whole proposal thing right, huh?” He asked with a flirtatious smirk.
Rapunzel smiled before she looked at him. “Mm. I just…” She sighed. Earlier that day, she was so sure that Cassandra was going to listen to her. That they could fix it together, and that she’d be alongside them as they spoke. But she wasn’t. “I thought I could have everything. But…after today…I’m not sure it’s gonna be that easy.
He held her hands in his and gave her a warm kiss on her forehead, before she leaned her head on his shoulder.
Then, a familiar voice interrupted. “Oh, there you are.” Who was it? None other than Lance. “Looks like someone forgot to eat their BIRTHDAY CAKE!!” He sang as he entered with Isla, the girls, Max, and Shorty, the latter who still had the part of the cake with Eugene’s head still over his head.
The couple stood up, hands still held together.
“You know, I’ve been thinking. Getting old won’t be so bad…so long as I get to do it with you,” Eugene said, his eyes softening as he leaned his forehead against hers.
“Happy first birthday, Eugene,” Rapunzel responded with a soft smile. “Make a wish.”
And so, he finally got to blow out the candles.
Meanwhile, back in the Stronghold, or, well, what was left of it, Cassandra managed to climb her way to the top. Her throne room? Gone. Only the crumbled ruins of what once was for one day. The traitorous woman panted and gasped for air, her face and sleek armor had some dirt on them. Her eyes widened before she looked at the Moonstone. That one empty space, while small bolts of energy sparkled around the damaged opal.
Suddenly, purple energy surged behind her. She turned around, and in a short flash of light, a portal had opened. Someone was finally free.
“Ah…finally,” Said the Enchanted Girl, no longer a “spirit.” Her skin was pale white, her hair grey, her dress black and grey, and the jewel on her forehead purple. “The clash of sun and moon has released me from my prison.”
Cassandra backed off, confused as the moon shone above her.
“It’s good to be back,” The Enchanted girl purred with a smirk before her hand curled into a fist.
Notes:
I'll be honest here. The remaining chapters (Which adapt what's left of Tangled: The Series after Cassandra's Revenge) are probably the type that'll need two or more parts 😭
Chapter 22: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra:Race to the Spire: Part 1
Summary:
After receiving a distress message from Calliope, Eugene and Rapunzel embark on a quick trip back to Spire.
Chapter Text
Meanwhile, weeks away from Corona and near the location of the Spire vault, Calliope, the current keeper of the Spire, was alongside her mentor, the former keeper, as he prepared her for when she would no longer need him.
“Now, then, Calliope. Show me what you have learned,” said the older man, his long beard reaching past his waist.
“Ahem, well. Here we have the Masks of Alastros.” The short, ginger woman began to count each magical object she knew so far, with an overconfident smirk on her face.
“This, of course, is a Snafarian Sarcophagus, and here—” she gasped. “Huh. That’s strange. The shape-shifting cloak of Retudnus is missing.” Calliope said, raising a brow.
“Never mind that, child. Tell me—where is the mind trap?” the Keeper said, his voice growing sharper.
“You mean the talisman that can control the minds of any who’ve sworn loyalty to the Moonstone? Like the Brotherhood?” She asked, while her pet baby Kurloc began to growl at the Keeper, which is something the small bear-like cub hadn’t done until now.
“Yes! Now, where is it?” The ‘Keeper’ asked, his tone growing hostile.
“Oh, hoho, why, locked away in an enchanted box that can only be opened with a key that I possess!” The short woman smirked as she pointed to herself with open palms.
“Then I’ll need that key…”
The old man reached up and tugged sharply at his ear. In an instant, the illusion dissolved, revealing Cassandra underneath.
“...Now.”
“Ah! There’s the cloak,” said Calliope with a smirk, as the Kurloc cub growled aggressively at the wielder of the Moonstone.
“The key…” hissed Cassandra. She was not repeating herself.
Upon noticing that Rapunzel’s former friend was not going to back down, Calliope ran to a nearby room, blocking the doors with a sword between the door handles.
“Guard the door, buddy,” She told the Kurloc cub as she ran to search for a specific bottle. “Where is it? Where is it? That one? Oh, aha!”
She grabbed a green bottle with a dragon design on it and began to write a note—
SLAM.
One of Cassandra’s black rock spikes smashes its way through the door. Calliope gasped and stopped writing; time was running out fast.
She wrestled with the bottle’s cork, gritting her teeth as she tried to yank it free. “Darn cork!” she cursed until the crystal cork popped out and rolled away. Another slam, and the Kurloc cub’s growling started to become louder. Without losing any more time, she dropped the key inside the bottle, but before she could put the message inside.
“The doors exploded into a hail of splinters and wooden pieces as Cassandra stepped inside.
“Stay.”
She said with coldness as she encased the Kurloc cub in a cage made of black rock spikes.
That, of course, didn’t stop the small bear-like cub from growling.
“Give me that key, or I will tear your precious Spire apart!”
The traitorous Cassandra threatened. She still had the power, and if she wanted, the spire could be left in nothing but ruins.
"It is pronounced ‘Spyre’."
Calliope frowned ever so slightly as she put the note inside the bottle. Black rock spikes surged from the ground, hurling Calliope’s desk aside. The glow of the Moonstone pulsed in Cassandra’s chest as she stepped over the broken wood, her glare fixed on Calliope.
The short ginger woman laughed nervously. “W-Why do you need the mind trap anyway? There’s so much other great stuff here.
There’s the panflute of Hawthorne!” She grabbed the panflute and played a bit before throwing it away. “The Casque of Icarus! O-Or the hard candies of Ambrosia. Mm! These things are so good. Want one?”
She offered, holding it up with a weak smile, right before it slipped from her fingers and rolled to Cassandra’s feet. She raised an eyebrow before Calliope put the cork in the bottle, and the bottle teleported away.
The short woman coughed before she let a sheepish giggle at the traitor.
“That was a poor choice,” Cassandra said coolly.
A black spike lashed out, pinning Calliope by the sleeve. Two more hissed to life, stopping just short of her throat.
“Where did you send it?”
Meanwhile, near the Kingdom of Corona in the Snuggly Duckling, Rapunzel celebrated alongside Eugene, Isla, and the rest of the Snuggly Duckling crew.
Shorty swung over the iron chandelier, accidentally kicking Eugene into Vladimir’s arms.
The two men laughed until Vlad dropped the handsome man with the goatee.
Then, the laughs stopped when Calliope’s bottle appeared under a beam of green light.
Rapunzel, Isla, Ulf, Attila, and the rest of the thugs immediately took fighting poses until Attila picked up the green crystal bottle.
“Wow! I’ve read about these—enchanted message bottles! I’ve always wanted to get one,” Rapunzel beamed, still clutching her guitar.
“Attila, what does it say?” Isla asked, arms crossed, before the note opened itself in front of the masked baker.
“Ooh! Your lucky day. It’s for you!” said Attila.
“Yes!” The blonde’s grin widened. But her smile faded instantly when she read the message in the note.
“ ‘Rapunzel, help. Cass attacking Spire. Keep this.’ And then it ends.”
She raised an eyebrow, but then it all instantly clicked. “Calliope must be in trouble.”
“Calliope?” Eugene raised a skeptical brow.
“Oh, right. The obnoxious know-it-all keeper of the Spire.”
The blonde frowned in disapproval at him, as Isla and the Snuggly Duckling crew kept their weapons raised high.
“Guys! Put the weapons down already! It’s just a bottle, for crying in the night!”
He chuckled before frowning in disbelief. Isla rolled her eyes.
“Guys, you heard him. Put ‘em down.”
She said, and everyone around immediately lowered their weapons.
The blonde princess shook the bottle ever so slightly and then poured the key into her hand.
“A key? But for what?” He asked the blonde.
“Uh, I-I don’t know, but one thing’s for sure. We have to get to the Spire as fast as possible, and help Calliope!”
Due to their recent encounter with Cassandra at the Stronghold, she now knows better than ever that her former friend is capable of ANYTHING. She wanted her back, but…who knows what she might be doing to Calliope as they spoke?
“Uh, sunshine, this is the same Calliope who lied to us and almost got us eaten by a bear monster,” He responded with a smirk.
“Look, Eugene, I am not her biggest fan either, but she needs our help.”
Sure, Calliope had been insufferable. And yeah, she’d lied about being the Keeper before she officially got the title. But none of that mattered now—she needed their help.
Eugene’s smirk softened.
“It’s just my luck to fall in love with the most compassionate person in the world.”
Eugene said, smirking as his eyes looked only at her emerald green eyes. He knew he was the luckiest man alive.
“Fire up the balloon!” Said Rapunzel, and, much to their surprise and Isla’s, the thugs around them instantly pulled out their torches, on fire.
“No, guys, she means ‘fly the balloon’, not… never mind,” Eugene dropped his arms. He just can’t with these people.
And so, the couple reached out to the one person who could modify a balloon to get to the Spire as quickly as possible.
“I chemically treated these thrusters, so the flames will burn hotter and longer than any natural flame,” Varian smirked, smugly proud of his creation.
“ You’re gonna fly like the wind.” But then his smirk faded into an annoyed blank stare upon noticing Eugene reaching for the bucket of glue.
“Don’t touch that.”
He tried to reach for another thing when Varian immediately noticed it.
“Or that.”
Eugene frowned, annoyed, before turning to the engine behind the balloon.
“OH WAIT, DON’T TOUCH THAT, IT’S GONNA BLOW!”
Varian screamed in panic, startling Eugene as he fell screaming to the bottom of the balloon.
“HAHA! Gotcha, just messin’ with you.” Said the teenage alchemist with a mischievous smirk.
“I knew that,”
Eugene grumbled as Pascal giggled. “And you’re on my list, frog.”
“Guys, focus?”
Rapunzel smiled.
“Look at this. It took us weeks to get to the Spire on foot, but thanks to Varian’s speed balloon and this direct route, we’ll make it in a day.”
“Good job, buddy,” Eugene stepped off the balloon, reaching for something nearby. But then, Varian raised an eyebrow upon noticing where the route passed over.
“Oh, wait, this takes you over Kresten Loch,”
Varian pointed out, but Rapunzel just smiled without any worry in the world.
“Uh, Kresten Loch? The Frozen Sea? Miles upon miles of deadly, wintry expanse?”
Pascal squeaked, scared as he recoiled on Rapunzel’s shoulder.
“That’s the one!” Answered the princess.
“Well, if it were anybody other than you, I’d be worried- OH!” The boy fell over as he tried to walk away. His boots stuck to the ground with glue.
“Who glued my boots to the ground?”
“That’s for your little balloon prank earlier,” Answered Eugene, holding the glue bucket and a brush.
“Eugene Fitzherbert never forgets!” He put the brush in the bucket, but then noticed the pencil was glued to his glove.
Meanwhile, back in the Spire, Cassandra attacked the chest where the mind trap stone was. Spike after spike hit the locked cage, but no strike was successful.
“It’s no use. I can’t get to the Mind Trap Talisman,” Said Cassandra, almost giving up.
“Then it looks like we’ll need to get that key, after all,” Replied the Enchanted girl, calmly.
“Calliope sent it to Rapunzel, and something tells me she won’t just hand it over to us.” The wielder of the Moonstone knew that, if Rapunzel had the key, then a direct confrontation wasn’t wise, considering their last encounter and how it ended for Cassandra herself.
“To us? No. But we may have other methods at our disposal,” The Enchanted girl smirked, a glint of malice in her purple eyes.
Meanwhile, Eugene, Rapunzel, and Pascal were already halfway through. Fitzherbert offered Isla to come with them, but unfortunately, the pub keeper had to decline. So now it was just him, Rapunzel, and her frog, just like good ol’ times.
“You know, Sunshine, this all kind of reminds me, remember when we used that cauldron to launch the caravan off that rock thing?” He asked, before the blonde showed him in her journal a painting of that day. Eugene’s face was shrieking in horror in the painting. “Of course, you painted a picture of that. Why do you keep drawing me so scared in this?” He asked, almost whining.
“I paint it like I see it!” She responded with a smile.
“I do not look like that when I am scared. I look much more handsome,” He smirks confidently.
“Oh, really?” Without a warning, she pulled the lever and abruptly increased the balloon’s speed.
“AAAAAAAHHHH!!” The former thief screamed as he clung to the balloon as hard as he could while his eyes widened in shock and his teeth gritted.
“There it is! heh.” The blonde smiled teasingly.
“You’re making fun of me, too, frog?” Eugene frowned, annoyed, while raising an eyebrow at the seemingly shocked Pascal. However, he wasn’t making fun of him.
Her smirk faded, replaced by a furrowed brow.. “Actually, he’s not.” The small green reptile squeaked as he jumped onto Eugene’s shoulder. The sky had been clear just moments ago, but now the clouds loomed like giants. Below them, waves of ice jutted out like jagged teeth. In front of them? Large, imposing frozen waves of ice, dark, smooth clouds floated above the frozen waves.
“Pascal? I would like to sincerely apologize. Your previous expression of terror was completely valid.” The handsome former thief said, and as the cold air began to blow, both Eugene and Rapunzel crossed their arms to keep their bodies warm.
The princess, the former thief, and the small reptile companion traveled among the sharp waves of white. It was as if the waves had been witnesses to a battle of forces. Pascal froze on the Lost Prince’s shoulder, and the latter cringed until the green chameleon shook the ice off of him.
“Okay, so we’re pretty cold…But at least we’re not that guy!” Eugene pointed to a nearby frozen prehistoric sea monster frozen in one of the waves.
Rapunzel exhaled. “If we keep up this pace, we can make it to the Spire by nightfall.” She smiled, and then, when they least expected it, something hit the balloon. Something sharp.
“We must have come too close to a wave!” He exclaimed as he looked up.
“Wha–but we weren’t anywhere near a wave!” She closed her eyes as her grip over one of the balloon’s ropes tightened. “Brace yourselves!”
Looking around, and much to Rapunzel’s surprise, Eugene immediately hugged Rapunzel tightly. “AAAAAAHHHHH!” He began screaming, and soon she joined too, as the balloon began spiraling out of control until it deflated.
“Everybody ok?” She asked after the balloon finally stopped.
“All in one piece,” He smiled before he looked around. Snow, ice, and the cold wind blowing were their only company. “What do you think took us down?”
“I’m not sure. But I am sure this place doesn’t get any warmer at night. Alright, guys, let’s get sewing.” Her voice echoed across the frozen sea.
And so, Eugene and Pascal sew the slashed area, until a strange, high-pitched howling was heard in the distance.
“Uh, any guesses as to what that might be?” She asked. Eugene stood up, and she quickly followed. There it was again, that odd, high-pitched howl, almost human. Eugene took a fighting stance, ready to face whatever was causing that sound.
Then, a familiar, short figure came running in.
“I SAW YOUR BALLOON GO DOWN! ARE YOU COMING TO HELP ME? AH!” It was none other than Calliope. The short ginger woman ran to them with a smile before slipping and falling right in front of the couple.
“Calliope!” The blonde immediately reached the keeper of the spire as the shorter woman stood up. “Oh, thank goodness you’re okay! We got your message. What are you doing here, and what happened with Cassandra?” The blonde asked, concerned.
“I escaped, but your friend is still at the Spire. She’s after the Mind Trap, an artifact that would give her control over the members of the brotherhood!” answered Calliope.
“The Brotherhood?” He remembered some of the names of his father’s most trusted soldiers. “Like Adira and Hector. What would she want with them?”
“What do I look like, her biographer?” Calliope said to him.
“Ugh, whatever Cass plans to do with this Mind Trap, we cannot let her have it,” Said Rapunzel, before Eugene noticed something moving under the ice.
“Wait…what was that?” He asked, as figures swam under the ice.
“Is something moving under there?” The blonde princess asked as the figures swam towards them.
Eugene turned to Pascal. “Sew, Pascal. Sew like you’ve never SEWN BEFORE!!” He raised his voice, almost singing it out loud. The little reptile began sewing as fast as his little hands allowed.
And then, big, humanoid fish creatures jumped out of the ice. They were similar to the fish-men they’d met back in the Lorbs’s island, but their skin was of a lighter blue, and their weapons were made of ice. They roared and hissed as the creatures began to surround them.
“AAAH!! GET ME OUT OF HERE!” Calliope screamed as she ran away to hide. Eugene and Rapunzel quickly dodged the creatures’ attacks.
“Pascal! Eugene and I will keep you covered, and Calliope is…” Rapunzel paused as she spotted the ginger.“ ...hiding.”
The growling of one of the creatures called her attention. “Eugene, duck!” She exclaimed as the monster threw its ice axe at the Lost Prince. Eugene dodged as the axe chopped the point of the wave away. Calliope runs away screaming, trying to find a new hiding spot.
Fitzherbert saw a nearby chunk of ice, which he quickly ripped off the ground and threw at the creature. The throw barely hit the monster, who quickly took the piece of ice in its mouth and crushed it with its jaw.
Gulp. This was harder than he thought.
“Eugene! Twirl Attack!” Exclaimed the blonde.
“Do we have a move called Twirl Attack?” He asked as he barely dodged the axe of one of the monsters.
“Uh, We’re about to!” Without losing a second, the blonde ran to her lover. He spun her in the air, her braid hitting any and every monster that ran after them. He tossed her into the air, and she spun gracefully before landing back in his arms. For a split second, as she spun mid-air, he caught that fearless, radiant grin of hers. Even surrounded by monsters… she was still sunshine.
“HAHA! Twirl Attack! First try, alright!” He smirked cockily as he raised in index finger. Then, the balloon began to float. Pascal, despite being in an environment that put him in danger as a small reptile, managed to sew and make the balloon float again.
Rapunzel and Eugene grinned proudly. “Way to go, Pascal! You fixed it!” Eugene said before the Vodnik monsters ran after them. They ran to a solid spike of ice, just managing to leap into the balloon before it floated away. Rapunzel turned the crank of the balloon before she noticed someone was missing.
“Uh, where’s Calliope?” She asked as the balloon floated away. The short ginger was still down there.
“HELLO!! Are you just gonna leave me here?!” Calliope asked before the blonde reached out her hand.
“Calliope! Grab my hand!” The blonde extended her hand as the keeper of the spire ran as fast as she could. She couldn’t reach her hand, and the Vodniks ran after them. In the last second, the princess unbraided her hair and caught Calliope, pulling her inside the balloon. The short ginger woman sighed in relief. However, the frozen sea monsters were not stopping.
“Jeez, they’re fast! The leg muscles on those things must-” She didn’t even get to finish her sentence before an ice axe nearly decapitated her.
Eugene reacted on time and deflected the attack. “CAN’T SHE PAY YOU A SIMPLE COMPLIMENT?!” He exclaimed.
“Uh, this could be close,” She said as they were approaching a nearby frozen wave. She pulled the lever and augmented the speed. The monsters ran after them, two jumping above the gap between two waves, but missed.
“We made it! Calliope for the win!” exclaimed Eugene and Rapunzel, frowning in annoyance. “You’re welcome.” She grinned smugly. Then, a cry was heard behind. Rapunzel turned around, recognizing the half-roar sound.
“WAIT! They’re in trouble!” she cried, spotting the two Vodniks clinging to the edge of the frozen wave. “We need to go back and help them.”
The ice was breaking, and below them, sharp spikes of ice threatened to end their lives painfully. Their friends growled in panic.
“But they just tried to obliterate us!” argued Calliope.
“Sorry, but that’s not the way the princess works,” Smiled Eugene. The blonde pulled a nearby lever, and the balloon turned back. Just as the ice broke and the two Vodniks almost fell to their deaths, the princess let down her hair from the balloon at the last second. The monsters’ eyes widened as they landed safely among their comrades.
“Think of it this way,” The blonde smiled. “You guys are gonna have so much fun sliding back down that thing.” She waved happily, as the monsters waved back in sheer confusion.
Chapter 23: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra:Race to the Spire: Part 2
Summary:
Eugene and Rapunzel face off against Cassandra and the Enchanted Girl for the Mind Trap Stone.
Chapter Text
And so, they left Kresten Loch behind… but places like that tend to remember you. Nightfall reached as they finally reached the Spire.
“There it is…The Spire,” the princess said, looking at the large vault. For millennia, different magical objects have been guarded in this place by the Keeper. “Let’s just hope we’re not too late, and Cass hasn’t gotten that box open.”
“Speaking of the box, where’s the key?” Calliope asked. Mm, strange.
“Oh, heh, I have it right here in my bag, which has its very own security system. See?” The blonde opened her satchel, and Pascal popped his head out, squeaking furiously and trying to look as intimidating as a four-inch reptile can.
The balloon landed, and as Eugene tied the balloon to the ground, Rapunzel could only ask herself one question.
“Where’s Cassandra?”
She asked out loud. As they entered the Spire, a wicked smirk formed on Calliope’s face. Meters upon meters of hidden magical objects lay in front of them. Near a spinning wheel, once enchanted by the Mistress of All Evil, was the Mind Trap’s chest.
“Here it is,” said Calliope as she picked up the box.
“Now give me the key so we can make sure the Mind Trap is still here.” The ginger woman smiled.
“Mm…I am gonna pass on that.” The princess’s smile faded away.
“I think the box should stay closed. Now, where’s Cassandra?” She frowned at ‘Calliope.’
“She’s right here.”
Came a voice. Cold. Familiar. Cassandra’s.
She walked down the stairs to her former friends.
Eugene’s and Rapunzel’s eyes widened before the lost prince frowned.
“I don’t…wanna fight you again,” Said the blonde, frowning at the wielder of the Moonstone.
“That’s on you. Where’s the key?”
Asked Cassandra. Her expression was unreadable behind her frown.
“Hi, sorry, while we’re asking questions, I’ve been sitting on one. The blue hair, what’s going on there?”
Eugene asked with a cocky smirk.
The same smirk she hated so much. The traitor didn’t think twice before pulling out her Shadow Blade sword.
“Woah, woah, woah, woah, easy.”
He said, showing his open palms before taking a step back.
“You’re not getting the key. I’ve hidden it,” Replied Rapunzel with a smirk, before Calliope walked past the couple.
“It’s in her bag,” the short ginger woman said. Both Eugene and Rapunzel raised their eyebrows. And as if her skin were removable, she removed the shape-shifting cloak from her.
She wasn’t Calliope.
“Ah, I love this cloak,” Smirked the Enchanted girl as she held the Mind Trap’s chest.
“What have you done with the real Calliope?” asked the princess. Both she and Eugene were frowning at her former friend and this new person.
“She’s fine, or at least she will be, provided you give Cassandra what she wants.”
The short woman said with a slight grin.
“I’m sorry, have we met?” Rapunzel was confused. Where did this woman come from? Who is she?
“Introductions later,” Said the traitor as she put her sword back in its sheath. “Now hand over the key.”
Eugene frowned as his fist clenched. Cassandra emptied her former friend’s bag, but…the key was nowhere to be seen.
“Huh, it’s not in there?” Rapunzel asked the duo.
“Maybe I put it in my other bag.” She smirked.
Cassandra frowned, gritting her teeth before her posture calmed.
“Come on, I knew this wasn’t the real Calliope,” Rapunzel smirked before crossing her arms. “I suspected something was up back at Kresten Loch. I knew a wave hadn’t cut the balloon. But something had…”
The Enchanted girl smirked as she pulled out a sharp, metallic boomerang.
“Yeah, that would do it! And when you coincidentally showed up moments later and then didn’t correct my pronunciation of Spire? I knew you weren’t the real Calliope,” finished the princess.
Eugene’s eyes widened a bit, and his mouth gaped as he finally connected the dots.
“Huh. You know, come to think of it, I thought you were somewhat less annoying. Not much, but somewhat,” He pointed out.
“I enjoyed our trip together, Rapunzel.” The Enchanted girl said as she passed the chest with the Mind Trap to Cassandra. “It provided me with an invaluable lesson. Your weakness: compassion.” The short, gray-haired woman narrowed her eyes in disgust as she held the boomerang in her hands. “You went out of your way to help the Vodniks, because you felt…sorry for them.” The Enchanted Girl’s words raised Cassandra’s brows in confusion.
“Some people would say that’s a strength,” The princess raised an eyebrow, each hand on her hips. Eugene narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowed, and Cassandra tried to hide her confusion in her frown. Cassandra doesn’t interrupt. She frowns, but says nothing.
“Haha! Strength? No. Useful? Yes.” Her purple eyes widened in amusement before she threw the boomerang. The object whirred through the air, slicing a candle that crashed to the floor, its flame flickering to life.
And in that sudden light—Calliope. Gagged, bound, and suspended a group of spikes of black rocks that were previously summoned by Cassandra earlier on.
“Calliope!” Exclaimed Rapunzel. “Let her go!”
But then, Cassandra walked past Rapunzel, and with a slight movement of her hand, the black rocks began to rise. One particular spike brushed against the rope holding Calliope, threatening to cut it.
“Give Cassandra the key, or Calliope becomes a permanent artifact here,” said the Enchanted girl, her grin wide.
“How do we know she’s the real keeper of the Spire?” Eugene asked, his brow furrowed until the short ginger woman began to mumble under her gag.
“Actually, it’s ‘Spyre,’ “ Calliope said, freeing herself from the gag.
“That’s her,” Said Rapunzel. That’s her alright.
Time was running out, and they couldn’t make the duo of Cassandra and whoever that other person was wait any longer.
“Time’s up, Rapunzel. Hand over the key now, or Calliope pays the price,” Said Cassandra with a scowl.
“Pascal?” The blonde called for her small reptile friend, who squeaked as he handed his best friend the key before growling in annoyance. “First, let Calliope go,” Said Rapunzel with a frown.
“No chance,” Cassandra grinned, coldly with apparent malice, before it faded away as she began to approach her former friend. “Listen, Rapunzel. I don’t wanna hurt her. Really, I don’t, but I will. Now give me the key.” Cassandra opened her palm, but much to her surprise and Rapunzel’s, the Enchanted girl’s boomerang flew past them. Rapunzel raised her arm instinctively before the boomerang hit the key away from her, flying all the way to the Enchanted girl’s hand.
“Oh, let’s speed this up.” Said the Enchanted girl before Cassandra walked towards her. Rapunzel’s face fell as Cassandra began to open the chest. And then, a blue light glowed from inside the chest. “Yes!” The grey-haired, short woman smiled. Cassandra’s eyes widened in surprise. Her lips parted, just slightly, before they narrowed in a frown.
“Cassandra, the Brotherhood of the Dark Kingdom is now yours to command!” The Enchanted exclaimed with a grin as Cassandra smirked as she held the blue stone with the symbol of the Dark Kingdom on it.
In one fluid motion, Rapunzel unbraided her hair and lashed it toward the Mind Trap—but Cassandra raised a wall of black rock just in time.
“What do you want with the Brotherhood?” The blonde asked with a frown.
“You can’t have a war without soldiers, princess,” Cassandra replied with a smirk. “But at the moment, you’ve got other things to worry about.” Without mercy, she used her power to make the black rock brush against Calliope’s rope grow in size.
“NO!” Rapunzel exclaimed as the rope snapped. Before the rocks could impale Calliope, she wrapped a tip of her blonde hair around the black rock. The hair served as a slide before she threw the short ginger woman into Eugene’s arms, basically falling on top of him.
The duo of Cassandra and the Enchanted girl were about to leave, victorious. The Mind Trap Stone was finally in Cassandra’s possession, until the blonde ran in front of them, blocking their way.
“Not so fast,” Said Rapunzel, smirking as she held a fighting stance.
“Do you really think you can stop me?” Cassandra asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, maybe not.” Interrupted Eugene. The turquoise-haired woman turned around to face him. “But we’re in a room full of magical artifacts. And I don’t know what any of them do!”
Tired of this whole situation, not thinking about it much, and perhaps playing dumb for Cassandra, he removed a nearby golden sword from the rock it was embedded in.
The floor glowed golden before it disappeared, and all fell to a lower hidden floor.
“Ugh, okay. So we know what the sword does,” He said, until he noticed Cassandra in front of him. She didn’t waste time until she began crawling to the Mind Trap. He took a look around and spotted a nearby crystal ball. “Oh ho ho ho, no you don’t,” He said before throwing the ball to the ground. A purple cloud formed above, and from it rained…Badgers.
“Oh! Ah! It’s raining badgers? Why is this even a thing?” He asked as a badger clung to his boot.
“That was to end the Great Badger Scarcity of thirteen TWELVE!” Calliope attempted to answer before a badger fell on top of her. Everyone struggled with the Badgers, the mind trap stone being carried around as Eugene, Calliope, and even the Enchanted girl attempted to grab it before one of the Badgers took it away from their reach each time.
“I can’t BELIEVE you brought the key back! I told you to keep it away!” Complained Calliope.
“No, your note said ‘Keep this, ’ ” Said Rapunzel as she followed the slipping Mind Trap stone.
“I started to write ‘Keep this away ’, but I was under attack!! What do you want from me?!” Exclaimed Calliope, who still had her hands tied.
“Rapunzel!” The stone slid right into Eugene’s hand. “I got it!” He smiled as he held the Mind Trap. But the Enchanted girl wasn’t going to let them get away that easily.
“Great! Let’s go,” Answered the blonde before the stone was snatched away by the grey-haired girl’s boomerang. Eugene tried to follow her, but a falling badger would abruptly stop him.
“Hey! Get off me,” He said as he stumbled back, a bag fell from a shelf above him, and from it a giant, white hand appeared in front of him. “Wha?!”
He quickly dodged the slamming of the hand before running away from it. “This is one angry hand!” He exclaimed as he tried to get it off him.
“Uh, technically, it’s raging. It’s called the Raging Hand of Bombados!” Calliope clarified, still tied up. She tried to reach the stone, but the Enchanted girl immediately took it before she could reach it.
“I’ll take that,” Said the grey-haired short woman before Calliope threw hard candies at her, making the Enchanted girl lose balance and fall, dropping the Mind Trap in the process.
“HARD CANDIES OF AMBROSIA. BABY!”
Calliope celebrated as Rapunzel struggled with Cassandra. The Enchanted girl grunted until a nearby lamp at her right made her raise a smirk.
Meanwhile, the Raging Hand cornered Eugene. “Quit it, stop it, stop it,” he said as the hand poked him. However, it took one slap before the giant hand shrank and crawled back to its bag. “Where’s all your rage now, hand?”
“Get me out of this hair,” frowned Cassandra, her hands tied with Rapunzel’s hair.
“Gladly,” replied the blonde, yanking her hair and pulling Cassandra away. She picked the Mind Trap and quickly rushed towards Eugene. “I got it! Let’s go!” She said, but before she could make it to Eugene’s side, the Enchanted girl tackled her from behind. However, just as the stone slipped from her hands, Pascal immediately jumped from her hand and over the rock. The small green reptile slid his way past the badgers and over to Eugene.
“Right on, frog!” He exclaimed with a smile as the small reptile reached his hands. Rapunzel reached the two, and Eugene handed her the stone. “Quick! Let’s get out of here before-”
But then, a voice interrupted.
“Oh, princess,” called the Enchanted girl as she held the lamp in her hand when Cassandra threw Calliope in front of it.
“Please, not the Lamp of Territoo! I’d be trapped in limbo for 10.000 years!” Calliope exclaimed as the golden light of the lamp threatened to suck her in.
“Give Cassandra what she wants,” grinned the Enchanted girl as Cassandra stood behind her.
The couple’s expressions fell with worry: Take the Mind Trap and doom Calliope to be sealed away in a lamp for 10.000 years, or save her and doom their home to be attacked by the most skilled soldiers of the Dark Kingdom. Calliope yelled as the lamp loomed over her. They don’t have a choice. Not one that’ll allow them to sleep at night.
The blonde stretched her arm, Mind Trap Stone in hand. “...Take it.” That’s all Rapunzel said to Cassandra and her unsettling companion. The wielder of the Moonstone approached and grabbed the Mind Trap Stone away from her hands, holding it almost possessively.
“Thanks for your compassion,” The Enchanted girl said mockingly, before Cassandra elevated them to the Spire’s upper level.
The blonde’s face fell in sadness and defeat, as Eugene wrapped an arm around her.
They lost the Mind Trap; now, all they could do in the Spire was put everything back in its place.
“They really should put labels on these things,” Eugene said as he struggled to put the golden sword back in its place. “Ah! Whew!”
After the golden sword was back in its place, he immediately noticed how the blonde looked at the Mind Trap’s empty yet closed chest. A smile formed on her face as she handed him the chest. “Let’s get out of here, huh?” He smiled, to which the princess sighed.
“I’ll be right there,” Rapunzel responded with a soft smile.
“You got it. I’ll go prep the balloon.” He said before he exited the Spire, leaving the blonde alone with Pascal, who squeaked in her shoulder.
“Aw. Thanks, Pascal.” However, they weren’t alone. Not yet, anyway.
“I believe Cassandra promised us a proper introduction. But she failed to deliver, didn’t she?” The Enchanted Girl’s voice broke in. The princess’s soft expression immediately changed into a frown.
“Frankly, I’m surprised you haven’t guessed who I am, seeing as how we’ve already met…In a way.” The purple-eyed girl grinned maliciously as she approached the blonde princess. “You see, over the centuries, I’ve taken the form of whatever suits my needs. A warlock, a demon…even a blizzard.”
This was all very specific. Only one person, a warlock, once cursed Corona with a blizzard that would target Corona once again when the Kingdom was at its weakest. A warlock who fought against Demanitus for years and years.
It all clicked in Rapunzel’s mind.
“You’re…Zhan Tiri.” It can’t be. “But that doesn’t make any sense, Cass knows how evil Zhan Tiri is.” It didn’t make sense at all. Why would Cass work for Zhan Tiri out of all people? “Why would she team up with-”
“Cassandra knows only what I want her to know,” Interrupted Zhan Tiri. “I’m playing her Rapunzel.” She responded with a mocking grin. “She has no idea, but she is under my complete control.”
She walked up the stairs, near one of the many magical objects of the Spire. Zhan Tiri’s smirk was gone. “Prepare yourself, Sundrop. An Eclipse is coming, and when it does, Corona will become nothing more…than…dust.” The sorceress grabbed the nearby object, a teleporting ring. She tossed the ring, and before it hit the floor...she was gone.
Rapunzel’s eyes widened, her mouth agape before a worried frown formed. Cass is planning to destroy their home, HER HOME, and she doesn’t even know she’s doing it for the worst of enemies.
The sun arrived, and the couple were finally leaving the Spire.
“GOODBYE RAPUNZEL AND EUGENE!!” Calliope waved as both Eugene and Rapunzel waved, an awkward grin on the Lost Prince’s face. “SORRY YOU BLEW IT, BUT…IT WASN’T MY FAULT!” Calliope waved with a smile.
“Hahahaha, bye!” Eugene waved, gritting his teeth into a forced grin. “Haha, I really can’t stand her.” However, Rapunzel’s smile faded away as her expression fell with worry.
Eugene’s grin immediately faded away upon noticing this. “Hey, blondie. Look, I know today didn’t pan out how we hoped it would.” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “ But…you did what you had to do, and we will get Cass back.” He smiled warmly at her. Though Cassandra wasn’t what primarily worried her now.
“Actually, Eugene, at the moment. I’m…beginning to think Cass is the least of our worries.” She said as she stared with a worried frown at the rising sun. Eugene raised a confused brow.
Later, in Cassandra’s Stronghold, the Wielder of the Moonstone smirked as she sat on her throne. She had managed to rebuild it even after her encounter with Rapunzel and the final incantation. A smirk formed on her lips as she held the Mind Trap in her hands. She closed her eyes, and from the stone talisman was released a wave of blue energy that dispersed across the globe. Hector, Adira, even Varian’s father, Quirin, fell under the Mind Trap’s control, their eyes glowing blue before turning back to normal. They were now under Cassandra’s control, and they didn’t even know. Whoever has sworn loyalty to the Moonstone shall fall under the control of the Mind Trap.
Meanwhile, somewhere else, far beyond Corona, in an isolated manor among the mountains. A blonde woman with long hair that reached below her waist read a book. The hourglass on the table beside her, pink magenta energy on the top, blue turquoise energy on the bottom, both rippled inside it. Suddenly, the wave of energy summoned by the Mind Trap caught her attention.
“It’s active…” Selene Ravensdale said, before a wicked grin formed on her lips. “The Eclipse is coming,” she said—not with fear, but with satisfaction.
Chapter 24: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: A Tale of Two Sisters.
Summary:
Rapunzel ventures on her own to an abandoned Cottage that once belonged to Mother Gothel herself.
Chapter Text
Days later, Zhan Tiri, the Enchanted Girl, visited the now-abandoned chamber of the Demanitus Device. “Hello again, old friend.” Zhan Tiri said mockingly.
“My dear Demanitus, I wanted you to know…you’ve lost.” She smirked as she threw a broken piece of a gear into the hole where the Demanitus Device lay.
“When the Eclipse comes, I shall draw the powers of the Sundrop and the Moonstone to myself.” As Zhan Tiri talked, from the cloud of dust formed the silhouettes of Rapunzel and Cassandra, holding hands as the space between them formed a heart before both were strayed apart.
“And as for their human hosts, to ensure that their once inseparable bond doesn’t interfere…I have set a plan into motion that will cement their rift.” Her purple eyes glinted with malice as a smirk formed on her face.
“However…”
Her gaze shifted to another corner of the swirling dust cloud.
“Should Cassandra stray from her path—or my plans be foiled…”
The silhouette of Eugene emerged, sharp and unmistakable, looking at Rapunzel and Cassandra from afar.
“I’ll trust Dorian and Selene to reignite their original design. After all, even a Hollow shell can cast a long shadow on the Full Moon… if given proper purpose.”
Days later, as Rapunzel played alongside a group of kids, one in the background seemed too… concerned. Too worried for a boy his age.
“Is little Seth okay?” asked Rapunzel to the trio of girls.
“No, I heard he saw a ghost last night,” said one of them.
“Oh! I’ve seen tons of ghosts. And there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Said the blonde as she approached the ginger boy. “You know, Ruthless Ruth has a surprisingly beautiful singing voice. Although the ghosts of my boyfriend’s family…they weren’t as nice.” She remembered that day. The same day that Cassandra took the Moonstone. “ What did you see?”
She asked Seth. However, the boy looked down as he remembered what seemed to be the ghost of an enemy the Kingdom had thought was long gone.
“Uh…Gothel.” The boy murmured, and Rapunzel’s face immediately fell in worry.
“What did you say? It…sounded like you s-” She didn’t even finish her sentence before the boy exclaimed in fear.
“GOTHEL!! OLD LADY GOTHEL!! I SAW HER GHOST!!”
exclaimed the boy, his eyes widening. Pascal turned white before fainting on Rapunzel’s shoulder.
“Where?”
She asked, frowning with worry.
“That old cabin, out in the woods.”
Without losing any more time, Rapunzel, guided by Seth, went to the lost Cabin deep in the woods of Corona. The boy, of course, didn’t stay with them; poor Seth was too scared to even enter again in that place again.
Pascal squeaked as he peeked his head from Rapunzel’s satchel.
“I know, buddy. I don’t like it either. But…whatever’s going on in there, I need to see for myself.”
However, as Rapunzel approached the cabin, a figure hidden nearby saw her enter. The place seemed to be in ruins; no one had been there for a long time. Moss and ivy had seemed to grow around the door and walls, a mirror in a corner seemed shattered, and the furniture seemed to be dispersed and in poor condition.
“H…Hello?”
She called out, but nobody answered. However, behind a nearby door lay something she didn’t expect. She opened the door and gasped as the figure of Gothel rushed to her, before stopping abruptly. Then, after 6 seconds, the figure goes back to where it was. A fake Gothel?
“How are you…” She slowly reached for the figure’s cloak. Pascal hid under Rapunzel’s golden locks. It looked real. Too real, until she pulled the cape and dress away.
“Made of…wax?” She reached and touched the doll’s face. It was a Gothel doll made of wax.
“What is this?” She whispered as she looked around at the rope tied to the fake Gothel. “Clearly, someone wanted people to think that Gothel, or…her ghost, was hiding here. The question is…”
“Why?” Finished the voice of the person who was spying on Rapunzel earlier. That person? Cassandra, of course. Rapunzel recoiled in shock, as Pascal squeaked in shock.
“What are you doing here?” Asked the blonde, unease.
“My friend told me there were suspicious things going on,” Replied Cassandra.
“Your friend?” How can she call her friend? “Listen, Cass. That little friend-” Cassandra pulled out her sword before Rapunzel could get to finish her sentence.
“You don’t belong here!!!” Exclaimed Cassandra, pointing her sword at her. Just as Rapunzel backed off, the Gothel wax mannequin pulled back, slowly activating a mechanism hidden behind the wooden post that closed the door shut.
Now, they were trapped, and Cassandra wasn’t gonna spend a second with the two of them in the same room.
Soon, a fight was unleashed, and Cassandra summoned her black rocks at her, before Rapunzel untied her braid and threw it towards Cassandra.
The Moonstone wielder quickly tied it to a wooden post, also tying the Gothel mannequin in the process.
However, the blonde wasn’t defenseless. Rapunzel lashed a lock of hair forward like a whip. The braid snapped across Cassandra’s wrist, sending the Shadow Blade clattering to the floor.
“I wonder, are you fighting me, or are you fighting yourself?” Rapunzel asked with a frown.
“Pretty sure it’s you,” replied Cassandra.
She ran to her sword and threw her hand forward—a black rock burst from the ground, surging beneath the blade and launching it back toward her outstretched hand.
And as Rapunzel untied her hair from the post, her former friend ran at her, and almost decapitated her, cutting instead the head of the Gothel mannequin.
But with a swift kick, the blonde managed to gain enough of an advantage to grab the sword with her hair before the wielder of the Moonstone could even grab it.
“Wait! Can’t we just talk about this?” Rapunzel asked, frowning as she held the sword. That cottage wasn’t any cottage. It was the cottage where Cassandra grew up. Cassandra’s turquoise eyes widen as the chime of the crushed music box she picked up earlier on begins to play. She closed her eyes as she took it close to her chest.
She wasn’t going to wait anymore. Not for Rapunzel. Not for Gothel. Not for anyone.
“I am THROUGH waiting!” Exclaimed the Moonstone wielder before summoning a large spike of black rock that tilted the whole cabin to one side. The wax head of Gothel fell onto a candle, activating a secret passage in which both Cassandra and Rapunzel fell in.
The two women screamed until they fell into a mine cart. Rapunzel looked around, and Cassandra’s head spun until she was just beside her. The princess’s former friend only saw red as she leaned forward, but that only caused the cart to move forward.
“What is this place?!” Cassandra demanded, eyes scanning the strange tunnel.
“Worry about that later! Right now, let’s-” The princess’s eyes widened as a large stalactite appeared in front of her. “-DUCK!”
The two ducked the piece of rock before the cart spiraled and crashed. Cassandra looked around and noticed something: It was just her and Rapunzel now. Rapunzel was the first to stand up. She tied her braid back and took a look around.
Cassandra gritted her teeth when she realized something: She was alone, with her. She stood up on her feet, and without losing time, and not thinking much, she prepared to summon another black rock.
“No, no, no!” The blonde raised her hands, trying to signal for her to stop. Too late. A black rock spike burst upward, smashing into the ceiling of a nearby tunnel. The tremor triggered a sudden collapse, stones raining down to block the tunnel.
“And now we’re stuck. Under a mountain,” The blonde raised an eyebrow. She knows they’re not on good terms, but…really?
“Perfect. Locked in here alone with you,” Cassandra crossed her arms and turned away. Then, a low, inhuman growl echoed from the depths beneath them.
“Maybe not so…alone,” Rapunzel said, both peering into the darkness below. And so, the duo tried to remove the rocks the best they could, but it was no use.
“Look, Cassandra. You wanna get outta here, I wanna get outta here, Pascal definitely wants-” Rapunzel turned to look at Pascal, who was having too much fun trying to eat as many insects as he could. He tried to eat so many insects that the flies basically lifted him off the ground as his tongue was still stuck on them. “Okay, uh, Pascal’s having fun, but I know he has my back on this.”
As Rapunzel talked, the Moonstone wielder looked around, trying to find any possible exit.
“We will get out sooner if we work together. So…” The blonde ran in front of her former and extended an open palm. “Truce?”
Cassandra frowned. Truce? With her? After everything? Not a chance.
“Temporary truce? Teeny tiny temporary truce?” The blonde smiled awkwardly.
“I don’t need your help.” Cassandra hissed, and without hesitation, she summoned a group of black rocks that launched against the collapsed tunnel.
“Cass, stop!” Rapunzel shouted as the ceiling of the mountain’s cave began to rumble. “You could bring the mountain down on both of us!”
However, the mountain coming down on them wasn’t their only problem. “And your rocks made rifts in the floor.” Rapunzel pointed out the rifts, fissures cracked across the cave floor—thin, glowing lines. A moment later, greenish gas hissed out like the cave itself was breathing.
Nearby, a cluster of white mushrooms blinked with bioluminescence—then shriveled, blackened, and died.
“Which are, evidently, leaking poison gas. Wonderful.” Rapunzel looked around as the yellow, greenish gas leaked out.
“Nothing good comes out of a rift, huh?” Cassandra pointed out. As much as her Enchanted ‘friend’ and that voice in her chest pushed her towards this path, she realized that attacking Rapunzel wasn’t productive at the moment. Rapunzel smirked. Could her friend maybe start to see it?
As Pascal attempted to eat the flies, a mischievous mole came out and ate the flies he was trying to eat. The green chameleon growled as the underground creature stuck out its tongue before it went back inside a hole in one of the cave’s walls. But the reptile’s nostrils captured the odor of the gas and quickly crawled its way back to Rapunzel’s shoulder.
“Me too, Pascal. Let’s find a way out of here,” The princess said, as Cassandra found a nearby hole leading to an upper level, and the flies that flew to her face went through the hole. The blonde immediately noticed her entering through the hole and followed her.
“Cass, don’t you think that we’ll improve our odds if we stick together?” Rapunzel asked before Cassandra took her sword out of its sheath.
“Rapunzel, there is no bond between us anymore, got it?” The Wielder of the Moonstone snapped at her, her tone harsh, her frown sharp. “The sooner you can accept that, the better off we’ll be. So I’m going in this direction, and you’re going to go…anywhere else.” But her eyes didn’t match her voice.
However, there was no ‘anywhere else.’ That was the only exit. “Yeah. Anywhere else isn’t really working for me.” Rapunzel said, as more gas began to fill the place.
With no other choice, she followed Cassandra. However, what Cassandra encountered there was no less than something to be aware of: A giant mole. The creature sniffed her, forcing her to back off. But then, the creature just backed off and left, as if he hadn’t found anything.
She stepped back and nearly fell into a pit, if not for Rapunzel’s hair catching her at the last second.
“Cass, you gotta watch where you step,” said Rapunzel, before her former friend shushed her. They weren’t alone. Enormous bats sleep on the cave’s ceiling. The blonde extended her hand, to which Cassandra immediately frowned in refusal. The ceiling began to rumble as the Giant mole made his way back. With hesitation, Cassandra takes the blonde princess’s hand and gets yanked back on her feet by Rapunzel.
Then, her music box slipped from her armor and chimed as it hit the ground. The Giant Mole’s roar immediately caused the bats’ red eyes to open. A high-pitched screech echoed across the cave as the bats dove toward the source of the sound, their wings slicing through the damp air.
“They’re drawn to the sound! Shut that music box off!” Said Rapunzel as she tried to get the bats off of her, trying to catch one of them with her hair before releasing it away as they shrieked and swarmed around them.
“I am otherwise engaged!” Responded Cassandra, too busy as she tried to get the bats off of them, as she swung her sword at them.
“Pascal!! Shut that box up!” Following the princess’s command, the little chameleon ran to the chime of the music box, until that pesky mole came in, taking it off his hands as Pascal was about to throw it into the nearby hole.
“You know, for blind things, these guys are pretty good at finding us,” commented Cassandra before the giant mole’s tail made both trip and fall.
“Technically, uh…bats aren’t actually blind,” Rapunzel remarked with a grin.
“Good to know,” Responded The Moonstone Wielder with dry sarcasm, as she smacked a nearby bat away.
“Now, watch out!” The blonde pointed to the Giant Mole. He knew there were intruders in his cave; he could hear them.
As the mole reared back to roar, thinking fast—and maybe not well—Rapunzel and Cassandra shoved a fistful of blonde hair straight into its mouth. The creature gagged in confusion.
“Could use an assist, Pascal!” Exclaimed the blonde, as her reptile companion finished getting the music box off the smaller mole’s claws. He put the music box back inside Rapunzel’s bag, and using the reptile agility his small body could offer, he jumped above the heads of the bats. From head to head, he reached Rapunzel. He used his tongue to temporarily blind the bats, and finally released his best friend.
“Hey, handsome! Over here!” Shouted Cassandra, immediately catching the giant mole’s attention. She ran to the hole she almost fell into, the enormous mole following her, until it fell inside. Using two nearby bats she grabbed by their feet, she avoided falling as well. The Giant Mole roared as the bats flew back to an area where she could land.
“You said these bats can see, right?” Cassandra asked as Rapunzel tried to whip the flying creatures away. “So make your hair do the bright thing!”
The blonde’s eyes widened as she remembered what Cassandra was talking about: The final incantation.
Rapunzel inhaled sharply, closed her eyes as she put one hand over her forehead, and in her mind she recited: ‘Power of the sun…Gift me with your light…’
Her hair flared gold, then burst outward in a flash that sent the bats scattering like leaves in a gale.
“Uh, we should get out of here before their eyes adjust,” Rapunzel suggested.
“I think they already have,” responded Cassandra as the bats flew in their direction.
Rapunzel spotted a wooden door. “In there!” She exclaimed as both ran to it.
Cassandra cleared a path with her sword while Rapunzel kicked the door open. The two slammed it shut behind them just as the bats crashed against it.
A pant of relief escaped from Rapunzel’s lips. “And THAT…is going in the journal. Three pages, easy.” She is 100% painting this in her journal, and probably will even tell Eugene about it. She chuckled as she began to braid her hair again.
“Nice move on that mole, by the way.”
This wasn’t part of the plan. Not her visions. Not needing her. Not being saved by her. But she couldn’t just black-rock her way out of there.
“Okay, fine!” Cassandra’s jaw tightened like she hated the taste of the word.
Rapunzel’s eyes lit up.
“Fine, what?”
The Moonstone Wielder turned to the princess. She extended her hand to her.
“...Temporary truce. But just until we get out of here.”
Her voice had softened—not friendly, but no longer combative. She genuinely was offering a truce.
“Well…Now I have a new condition.” Rapunzel smirked with slight smugness.
Cassandra clenched her fist before she dropped it in exasperation. “Let me guess, I have to be nice to you.” She rolled her eyes.
“That’s not what I was gonna say…Okay, that is what I was gonna say, but…” Said the princess. Cassandra’s expression fell into a poker face because, of course, she smirked. That smirk. Too much time around Eugene. Where else would she have picked it up?
“...You just have to not be mean,” Finished the blonde, before extending her hand. After a pause of a few seconds, the two women shared a handshake.
“That was, oh so delightful,” Said Cassandra with sarcasm as she looked around the room they were in. Rapunzel lit up a nearby torch with the matches she carried in her bag.
“Alright, I’ll let that slide, because we’re just starting,” Rapunzel said, more to herself than Cassandra.
No, this wasn’t a reconciliation. Cass wasn’t coming back to Corona, not today. But a truce was still something. A beginning.
What they found in that room raised some questions: A wooden rack held bottles, dusty books, loose pages, and notes with symbols.
“What is this stuff?” Cassandra raised a brow as she looked over the notes.
Theories on the Sundrop, Moonstone, the black rocks, and each incantation. Scrawled between the notes were names—Demanitus, Dorian, Selene, Tromus—And one phrase, underlined twice: “Fifth incantation?”
The princess gasped as she recognized the symbols drawn on the papers. “The Sundrop. Oh, look at this. ‘The Sun Incantation’.” The blonde grabbed a paper and took a better look. The Sun Incantation must be the fourth, final incantation she used back in Cassandra’s Stronghold. “Gothel was alive a long time.” She added. Who knows how old all of this was? But then, her eyes drifted to the underlined phrase. A fifth incantation? That can’t be true.
“Woah.” Rapunzel breathed. Mirrors, lots of mirrors. “I knew she was vain, but…” Her voice trailed off as she stepped deeper into the room. “It looks like one’s missing.”
Cassandra brushed her fingers against one of the mirrors—and immediately recoiled.
Gothel’s figure materialized behind the glass.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Smiled the reflection of Mother Gothel.
“Mother?” They said in unison, eyes wide. Their eyes were wide in shock.
Pascal sprang off Rapunzel’s shoulder and darted to the rack, instinctively searching for cover. The last time he’d seen Gothel, she’d kicked him across the room—while Rapunzel lay chained and gagged. To make matters worse, he accidentally bumped a small vial, and a strange, green liquid spilled over the ground.
“Well, don’t you look lovely today. Smoky eyes definitely work for you.” Cassandra stared. For someone who’d upended her life over this woman’s legacy, the whole display felt…off. Too polished. Too fake.
“And she’s…talking to herself.” The princess didn’t need to see this. She already saw it, each day of the 18 years she spent inside that tower. The two women touched a few other mirrors, each playing a reflection of Gothel talking about the compliments she received over her beauty.
“Magic Mirrors..” Cassandra narrowed her brown eyes with a frown.
“Looks like these can trap images and play them back. Like a…diary, or something.” Rapunzel noted.
“And I thought your journal was-”
“Nah pu pup pup.” Rapunzel cut in, wagging a finger. Deal’s a deal: no meanness.
Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Less annoying than this. Happy now?” Cassandra hissed as she continued forward.
“Yes, I am,” Rapunzel said with a grin as Pascal crawled to her shoulder.
At the end of the room, a painting of Gothel herself stood over an extinguished fireplace. Rapunzel quickly threw her torch on it, and the room quickly illuminated. The firelight climbed up the walls, catching the oil-painted smirk of Gothel’s portrait. Her eyes seemed to watch them, smug, eternal.
Cassandra, on the other hand, reached a nearby mirror.
The reflection of her mother brushed her face with a makeup brush, with a vain smile on her face. “I was paid the nicest compliment today. There I was, picking up fruit, and then-” Her smile disappeared as she side-eyed a little Cassandra that was brushing the dust off with a broomstick.
“Ugh, Cassandra. Would you be a dear and sweep a little quieter?” The reflection vanished, leaving one question in Cassandra’s mind: Is she really doing it for that woman?
“Ugh, well, that’s…typical Gothel right there,” Said the blonde princess.
“What do you mean?” The Wielder of the Moonstone raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“She wasn’t exactly the nurturing type. When she was around, that is.” The closest thing she ever got to compliments was whenever she sang the incantation for her ‘mother.’
“Funny, she was never around for me. I wonder why.” Cassandra frowned as she vaguely pointed at Rapunzel with an open palm.
“It’s not like I asked to be taken from my parents by a mad woman. And all Gothel ever wanted from me was my hair.” Her eyes softened. If only Cassandra realized that it was never her decision to ‘take Gothel away from her.’ “She didn’t love me. She didn’t love either of us.”
Cassandra’s eyes widened before frowning and looking away. Unseen by either woman, the Enchanted girl, Zhan Tiri, put a hand mirror into Rapunzel’s satchel. A grin, all teeth and knowing malice, before disappearing into the shadows.
“Cass…the only good thing Gothel ever did…was bring us together.” She couldn’t ask for a better friend.
“Only good thing?” Cassandra raised an eyebrow. “You really think this is a good thing?”
“It was…” Rapunzel’s eyes softened.
“For you, maybe…” The turquoise-haired woman murmured before she turned away. As Cassandra turned away, neither of them noticed the trail of green liquid leaking from the spilled vial, slithering toward the fireplace.
“Cassandra…do you really think that woman cared about anyone but herself?” Rapunzel asked, as a stream of green liquid passed behind her.
“Cassandra! What are you doing in here?! I thought I told you to make us dinner.” The voice of Gothel spoke through a mirror that her daughter touched. Could Rapunzel be right?
“You and I have something in common that no one else could ever understand.” But then, before she could continue talking, the green liquid reached the fireplace.
“Rapunzel!” Shouted Cassandra as a green flame rifted them apart. The fire reached the wooden rack, which, in consequence, made the potions and chemicals start boiling.
“WATCH OUT—” The Moonstone Wielder shouted. Cassandra didn’t think—she raised her hands, summoning two black rocks that strayed her former friend away.
And then, the bottles exploded.
Both young women were pushed onto the ground.
“Now we’re even,” Cassandra frowned, but her eyes widened when she noticed a faint hissing sound. Cracks in the stone floor. Gas was seeping from the rifts on the ground. “What the..”
The blonde gasped, springing back to her feet. “The gas!”
“Please tell me that gas isn’t also flammable.” Unfortunately for their luck, it was. The gas quickly reached the fire, causing yet another explosion.
The duo of women hid behind one of the mirrors, as Gothel’s painting burned away in green flames. Now, just an empty space lay where her smirking face once was.
“Moles, bats, gas…and now fire?” Rapunzel raised an eyebrow.
“We’ve dealt with worse.” The Wielder of the Moonstone rolled her eyes. A smile formed on the blonde’s face as she remembered her adventures alongside Cassandra. Before the whole issue with the Moonstone, of course.
“Yeah, at least there’s no savage mermen warriors,” She pointed out, remembering the Vodniks they’ve encountered on the Lorbs’ Island.
“Or Sneeze Weasels,” Added Cassandra.
“Or those Drexis things,” the princess finished adding. And for one moment, Cassandra smiled at her. Just a brief moment where they remembered who they were.
“Good times,” Rapunzel smiled.
“Do you mind if we find a way out of here?” Cass asked, before the shrieking of the bats outside caught Pascal’s attention. The little reptile quickly pointed outside the room.
“Pascal is right!! Looks like the bats have already found one. They must know a way out of the mountain down there.” However, there was a problem: The hole where the bats were escaping was none other than the same hole Cassandra used against the Giant Mole.
“The problem with the mole hole…” Cassandra said, “That there is a whole mole in it! Remember, Raps?” Without her even noticing, she called the blonde the same way she used to call her when their bond was once unbreakable. Raps.
Rapunzel’s eyes lit up when she heard it come out of Cassandra’s mouth. “You called me Raps!” The blonde clasped her hands together. She knows deep down that her former friend still is her friend. “You haven’t called me Raps since…”
“Oh, don’t read into it.” But then, Cassandra immediately shut her down, her unreadable frown returning to her as Rapunzel’s face fell in disappointment. “Now let’s get out of here, fast!”
The Moonstone Wielder exclaimed as Rapunzel noticed something: At the end of the path stood a rusted mine cart—barely intact, but it might be their only shot out.
Without losing time, the blonde jumped inside the cart. “All ashore, that’s goin’ ashore!”
“How do you expect this thing to go anywhere?” Cassandra asked, frowning impatiently.
“Maybe somebody could shoot a rock out of the floor and push it?” Rapunzel smirked before murmuring. “That somebody is…”
“Me! I get it! I thought you said more black rocks would bring the mountain down on us!” The turquoise-haired woman snapped. Not aggressively, but impatient.
“Could! I said could!” Her former friend clarified before she sighed.
“This is a very bad idea,” Cassandra murmured before the ceiling began to crumble.
“Oh, that’s your cue!” Without losing time, Cassandra summoned a spike of black rock that pushed the cart forward.
The cart spun out of control and plunged into the hole.. The two women screamed as they involuntarily hugged each other, and Pascal almost fell off Rapunzel. Thankfully, the cart didn’t stop rolling and continued through a nearby cave. Unfortunately, they were far from alone: Bats flew towards them, but they lost them very quickly. What they wish they’d lost was that giant mole.
“Uh oh.” Cassandra’s eyes widened. The ground trembled as the giant creature carved its way in. The giant mole roared, the tiny one perched on its head, sticking out its tongue with spite. They veered the cart just in time, avoiding a collision with the giant mole, but starting a chase where they were the chased ones. Pascal’s eyes widened as he recognized that damn mole over the giant one sticking his tongue out.
“He’s gaining on us!” Exclaimed the wielder of the Moonstone.
“I think that’s your department,” Rapunzel told Cass. If someone could easily stop the monstrous mole from following them, it was Cassandra herself. Raising her hand, she summoned six spikes of black rock that blocked the beast’s path. The giant mole roared before turning around. The intruders left.
“Nice move!” Rapunzel smiled.
“Thanks!” It would be the second time a smile slipped without Cassandra herself noticing it. But then, a dead end, the end of the tunnel. Their eyes widened in shock.
“Give me a post!” Exclaimed the blonde, before the Moonstone wielder summoned a black rock on the tunnel’s ceiling. Rapunzel untied her braid and threw a lock that quickly wrapped itself around the magic mineral from the Moonstone.
Grabbing onto Rapunzel, the two jumped outside the cart before it crashed against a nearby boulder.
“Minecarts. Who knew?” Said the blonde before the two erupted in laughter. “And look! With a little black rock help, our exit.” She pointed to the end of the tunnel.
Then, Cassandra’s eyes drifted to the mirror that came out of the dropped satchel on the ground. It’s the same shape as the spot of the missing mirror in Gothel’s mirror room. She picked it up and turned to her former friend.
“The missing mirror. You took it?” Cassandra’s brow furrowed, her mouth tightening. Why would Rapunzel have this? Why now?
“What? No! I didn’t.” The blonde denied. “I have no idea how that got in my bag.”
The Moonstone wielder’s face fell as she brushed her fingers over the cracked mirror. One piece was missing.
The image of the blackened glass warped, and a memory of Gothel played in front of her eyes.
“Here, let me show you. Sweetheart. Turn the key, like this…” Gothel said to Cassandra’s child-self as she wound up the music box. The little girl’s eyes were wide in innocent curiosity. “So whenever you hear this tune, you’ll think of your dear, sweet mother…and the love I have for you.”
A smile formed on the little Cassandra as her mother offered her the music box. “I love you, Mama.” She said, hugging her mother before walking away with the music box she was gifted, and the memory ended.
Cassandra froze. Her eyes were wide, her mouth agape as she lowered the mirror. She looked at Rapunzel—not with fury, she just…froze.
“Cass…I have never seen that.” That’s all Rapunzel got to say, all her brain managed to formulate because…What else can she say but her truth?
“Really?” Cassandra snapped, a frown of indignation forming on her brow. “The one mirror showing that mother…MY mother had a shred of affection for me, and it just happens to wind up in your bag?!”
Her voice cracked when she said ‘affection’, her expression crumbled as she hoped for an answer that made sense. A twisted plan or tactic to get her back on her side? Only an answer, that’s all she wanted. But she got nothing.
Rapunzel fell silent, and the air suddenly left her lungs.
“Out of my way…” Cassandra muttered, almost hissing, as her stare hardened in a frown.
“Cass…” Rapunzel called softly, but the woman didn’t turn back, as she opened an exit on the cave with her black rock spikes.
“Goodbye, Rapunzel.”
“What?! No–” The blonde couldn’t even reach her before the wall of rocks collapsed, blocking the exit. “Cassandra!! AAAH!” The blonde screamed, frustrated, as Cassandra walked away from the mountain, her stare cold.
“CASS!”
The woman with the Moonstone stopped for a moment. Her expression fell as she looked at the collapsed wall of stone. But she can’t look back, not anymore. Shutting her eyes, she walked away from the mountain.
And now, Rapunzel’s alone. She’s gone. She feels like she has lost her again.
Then, the hiss of the gas coming from the rifts. Pascal poked her shoulder.
“Hold your breath, Pascal!” She said as the toxic gas began to fill the air. She pushed the stone wall with every bit of strength she had, but nothing seemed to work.
Her strength quickly left her as the gas began to fill her lungs. “Cass…” She managed to say between panting. Her legs and arms weakened, she panted and gasped, then collapsed over a boulder.
Pascal nudged her, but she was unconscious. He looked around, searching for something that might save his best friend’s life. Then, he spotted the fallen satchel. He ran to it, holding his breath the best he could, and picked up the music box, winding it up.
It didn’t take long before the moles appeared, attracted by the sound. The green chameleon rushed to the blocked entrance and threw the music box somewhere between the rocks. The Giant mole roared as he crashed his way through the collapsed exit, but immediately backed off the moment the sun’s light reached his sensitive eyes. The gas had dissipated.
The tiny mole stuck his tongue out to Pascal before plunging to where his giant relative went. Of course, Pascal stuck his tongue out in return.
But then, his eyes widened as Rapunzel’s unconscious body fell from the boulder to the ground. Not thinking twice, he rushed to her side.
He nudged her, squeaking with worry.
Then, she coughed, blinking against the sunlight. A smile formed on Pascal’s little face. Her arms felt like lead, but she pulled herself upright.
“Pascal…” She picked him up with her palms. “Oh, my hero…”
He squeaked sadly.
“I know. Cass is more lost than I thought, but…She’s not gone.”
Perhaps Isla was right. Perhaps Eugene’s worry was more than valid. But her friend is still out there. Somewhere hidden behind that armor of black rocks.
“I promise I will never give up on her.”
Later that night, behind the walls of Cassandra’s own stronghold, Zhan Tiri smirked as she held the lost fragment of the mirror. She turned around, hiding it behind her as the Wielder of the Moonstone surged from the floor.
“You were right. Rapunzel did know that Gothel loved me,” Cassandra said, her frown unreadable.
“You poor thing,” Replied The Enchanted girl, Zhan Tiri, with fake concern and pity. “But, now, you know. And that knowledge will only make you stronger.”
As Cassandra walked away, Zhan Tiri flicked the fragment from the window like garbage, watching it spin into the woods below.
“… So whenever you hear this tune, you’ll think of your dear, sweet mother…and the love I have for you.”
“I love you, Mama.”
The memory repeated, though, once the little Cassaandra was out of sight, Gothel’s warm expression immediately shifted into annoyance.
“Hopefully, that’ll keep her out of my hair for a while. Lousy, little pest.”
Gothel hissed before the memory ended, and the fragment fell into the woods. Gone.
Chapter 25: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Flynnpostor: part 1
Summary:
With the Captain retiring and another man taking the mantle of Flynn Rider, Eugene is forced to step up as the new Captain of the Guard.
Chapter Text
Rain, lightning, Cassandra’s stronghold. That’s all the Captain saw that night.
“It doesn’t matter how many of you there are. Each of you will fall!” Cassandra held the shadow blade tightly, and Corona’s guards ran after her before they were blown away by a wave of energy cast by The Moonstone Wielder the moment her sword clashed against the ground.
“Cassandra! Stand down!” Exclaimed the Captain. He doesn’t want to fight her again.
“You’re the one that should stand down, father…While you still can.” She frowned, deadly.
“You know I can’t do that,” He muttered as he unsheathed his sword.
“Then you will fall like the others.” With a sudden throw of her arm, she sent spikes of black rock at him, but one swift throw of his sword would shatter the Moonstone into pieces. “No!! MY POWER!!”
The Captain picked up his sword and pointed it at her, but she was far from defeated.
“I don’t need my powers to defeat you .” She stood up, her blade in hand.
“Cassandra…” He can’t fight her. That’s…that’s his daughter. His Cass. “I can’t fight you…”
“Then you will never be able to protect Corona.”
With sword raised high, she launched at him, and before he could strike his blade down, his eyes opened.
He was in his bed, in his chambers. Lightning and thunder roared out of his window.
His heart raced, and his breath became heavier, before he brought his hands to his face. It was a nightmare…but for how long? How long until he’s forced to fight the woman he raised?
The next day, the Captain stood before Frederic and Arianna. Eugene, Rapunzel, Isla, Varian, Lance, and a crowd of gathered citizens were present as well. The Captain’s most loyal men stood behind him.
“King Frederic, Queen Arianna. As the Captain of the Corona royal guard, I have sworn to defend this Kingdom against all who threaten it. But as a father, I cannot face my daughter in battle.” He took off his helmet and kneeled to the King and Queen he had served for so many years. “And so it is with a heavy heart that I…retire from my post.”
Rapunzel, Eugene, Lance, Maximus, and even Isla all gasped as their eyes widened. Attila, Vladimir, and Ulf were taken aback, and Pete the guard fainted in Stan’s arms.
Frederic looked at his wife briefly. He understood where this was all coming from.
“ Captain, you have served Corona with dignity and pride for so many years. Thank you.”
It has truly been an honor for the King to have had such a man fight for his kingdom for many years.
“And we respect your decision,” Arianna said in a softer tone.
As a mother, she couldn’t help but think about how the current situation must be affecting the captain.
“And as for my replacement…It was a very difficult decision. There are so many qualified guards.”
The Captain’s eyes drifted to the fainting Pete.
“Can we get some water over here?”
Asked Stan, trying not to overly panic.
“Have any of these guys ever successfully guarded anything?”
Lance muttered to and nudged Eugene and Isla. Eugene smirked as he took a sip of his cup of tea, while Isla shrugged.
There was a time she’d have rolled her eyes at all of this—the Captain, the guards, Stan and Pete's nonsense. But two years and change in Corona had done something strange: it made her care.
“My replacement has put his life on the line for Corona countless times, and so it is with utmost confidence that I recommend…Eugene Fitzherbert.”
The Captain extended his former helmet to Eugene, and the former thief and Lost Prince’s eyes widened as he spat out his tea.
Isla GASPED.
Is this really happening?
“Wha…?!” Eugene trailed off. His brain froze for a second.
WHAT?
“HAHA! Captain Fitzherbert. I like the sound of that,” Lance laughed as he put an arm around his best buddy.
“Yeah, buddy, I have a few outstanding citations, so if those could somehow, you know, disappear?” Lance muttered with a low chuckle. Isla narrowed her eyes at him.
Eugene blinked. The world seemed to stop spinning for a second.
“What do you say, Fitzherbert?” the Captain asked, his voice steady, helmet in hand.
“ME?!”
“Captain of the guard?” He asked Rapunzel. The royal staff wasted no time crafting a custom Captain’s uniform just for him, one that strayed heavily from the former captain’s attire. High collar, white gloves, the crest of Corona on his chest, white pants, and black boots.
“What is he thinking?”
Rapunzel smiled as she held the Captain’s former helmet, positioning it above Eugene’s head as she played with perspective. “That you’re the perfect choice!” Knowing what he did for the Kingdom these last few years, she couldn’t think of someone better fit for the job.
“Oh, l-look, I’m flattered by everyone’s support. I really am, it’s just that, me? Come on. I was a legendary thief. I was Flynn Rider!!”
He pointed to his face, the same face that appeared on Wanted Posters for Corona for years before he arrived at the tower.
“Ah, you were Flynn Rider. Now, you’re Eugene.”
She smiled warmly, Pascal nodding with a squeak. She set aside the helmet as she stood up and held his hands.
“Maybe…give this Captain thing a shot!”
Then, Stan’s voice interrupted.
“Come on! Let’s check over here!”
“Woah, woah, woah, hey. What’s the commotion?” Eugene raised an eyebrow as he peeked out of his room.
“The princess’s crown. It’s been stolen! Again!” Said the guard as he rushed to the scene of the crime.
“Ooh! Sounds like the kind of thing the Captain of the guard might handle, huh? Mm?” Rapunzel nudged her boyfriend and fixed his hair with a teasing smirk.
“For the record, I have not-yet-accepted-that-position!”
Regardless, he followed Stan and Pete, discovering that whoever stole the crown did it from the exact spot, using the exact same tactics he used that fateful day: A rope and a hole in the ceiling.
“The ceiling!” Stan exclaimed. “No one would think to stand guard up there. Whoever did this must be a criminal mastermind, the likes of which Corona has never seen!”
“Stan, Pete.” The new Captain interrupted. “I literally committed the exact same crime.”
Then, a guard came in, holding a Wanted Poster. “Sir! We’ve got a detailed description of the thief.” He extended the Wanted Poster to Eugene. However, Eugene glanced at it and froze. He blinked, deadpan. Nope. Not funny.
“Very funny, who put you up to this?” He frowned as he picked up the poster and showed it to the guard. The man in the poster? None other than Flynn Rider, but with a mustache. This has to be a joke. “Oh, nobody wants to own up, huh? Okay. Well, I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Without losing any more time, he stormed inside to the one person who had been getting his nose wrong all these years. Just as the old man was painting the latest poster, Eugene stormed in, holding the poster in offense.
“You know, it’s one thing you get my nose wrong all these years. But this mustache bit is taking things too far!” He showed the poster to the old man. “I demand…”
Then, he noticed something. The poor artist’s glasses were cracked. That explained a lot.
“Ooh! This was not intentional, and I can see you are very busy, and I will close this door right now.” He smiled awkwardly before shutting the door behind him. But still, someone out there stole the crown. He had seen lots of weird things these last few years, but…what is it now? Clones? Doppelgangers?
“Is it possible that there’s another Flynn Rider out there?” Eugene asked himself as he walked back to the castle. However, as he left, a shadowy figure loomed over one of the posters of this new ‘Flynn Rider.’
“Rider…” The figure growled. His green, poisoned hand ripped the poster from the wall.
Later that afternoon, Varian reunited the princess, the new captain, Isla, Lance, and the girls in the Castle’s courtyard to present his latest invention.
“LADIES AND GENTS!! I give you, The Roo-” Until suddenly, Eugene’s voice interrupted Varian’s presentation. The boy frowned as his eyes fell on the new captain.
“I just can’t believe how much this guy looks like me! And he’s using my moniker–”
“AHEM!!” Varian cleared his throat, a brow raised high. “I’ll wait.”
“Oh,” Fitzherbert cleared his throat, “Sorry.” He responded as he grabbed the poster behind his back.
Varian smirked. “Thank you, I’ll start again. I GIVE YOU…” He jumps off the wooden box in the middle of the courtyard and pulls a rope. “The Rooster!”
The wooden box’s walls came down, and from it, a machine that was yet to be assembled.
“Or at least it will be once we put it together!” He grinned as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“It doesn’t look like a rooster.” Commented Kiera. Isla, Lance, and Catalina didn’t look all that convinced either.
“Uh, it’s an early warning system. If Cassandra or any other danger threatens the Kingdom, this will fire a glowing mortar into the air and alert everyone in Corona.”
The teenage alchemist boy explained. If Cassandra came back, and everyone expected her to do so at any moment now, at least they’ll be able to alert everyone, or at least, as many as they could.
“Great idea. Right, Eugene?” Rapunzel smiled, laying an approving hand on Varian’s shoulder before turning to her boyfriend. Her brow raised, almost a frown, upon noticing that he wasn’t paying attention.
“Eugene?”
“Sorry, it’s just—cheekbones like these, they just don’t come around twice in a generation, people. They don’t!”
This didn’t make any sense. If the thief truly is ‘Flynn Rider’, why does he look exactly like him?
“Eugene.” The blonde princess approached him, pulling down the poster in his hands.
“This is more important than some…fake Flynn Rider.”
She needed his attention in this. Her former friend may, and will, return to the Kingdom one day, any day now, to conclude their plans of destruction, and she can’t have him be distracted by some man pretending to be a former version of himself.
“Rapunzel, he stole the crown! I mean, only I could get away with that—Look, Flynn Rider has a reputation. I refuse to have it tarnished by some hack impostor! I am going after him.”
Was he exaggerating? Probably. But as much as he was overreacting, Flynn is part of his past, who once was. He can’t let some rando take that.
“Well, then…I am going with you.”
She smiled at him. If going after this other Flynn Rider was gonna unbind him from any distractions, then she might as well help him catch him.
Flynn Rider may have been part of Eugene’s past, but they’d come so far from that life. She needed him here, now.
“Uh, uh, hate to nag, but who’s gonna oversee the Rooster’s installation?” Varian interrupted, holding his index finger in the air. “All military grade applications require supervision by the Captain himself.” He turned around and saw Lance attempting to touch something. “Gah–Don’t touch that!!”
“Lance? You’re acting Captain of the Guard until I get back,” Said Eugene as he left to find this new ‘Flynn Rider.’
“SWEET! A PROMOTION!” Lance smirked confidently.
“A-ta-ta-ta, It’s temporary,” Clarified Rapunzel as she left too.
“Sweet! A temporary promotion!” A promotion was still a promotion to the Dark-Skinned man. Isla narrowed her eyes at Lance. If he were going to play Captain, she’d be the one making sure Corona didn’t burn down in the meantime.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure ‘Temporary Captain’ doesn’t start a fire, or a war.” She watched Eugene and Rapunzel go. If things go well, perhaps she can save Varian some valuable time from keeping Lance to do who knows what to his machine.
“ Please, Isla. You can start calling me ‘Temporary Captain Strongbow’.” Lance smirked.
“Captain Disaster seems more fitting.” She narrowed her eyes with a deadpan frown.
And so, the couple found the impostor somewhere in the woods, rejoicing over the stolen treasures of the royal family, and over it all, the crown. The man looked exactly like Eugene did when he used to act as the swashbuckling thief, except for the light mustache. He giggled and laughed as he threw the golden coins up in the air. “It’s good to be me!”
However, hiding behind some bushes, Eugene was seething at what he was looking at.
“Would you get a load of this villainous scum, huh?” The new Captain turned to Rapunzel, Maximus, and Pascal. “Sorting through his booty with his well-manicured hands.”
Not any hands. HIS hands. He turned to look at Rider, who was pouring coins into his pants, and then back at Rapunzel.
“Counting his loot with those piercing, almond brown eyes.” He turned one last time to look at this faker.
“He makes me sick.”
But then he turned around, and in a blink, he was gone. “Huh?”
Eugene rushed to the place where he saw his doppelganger. “Ah! He’s onto us! Max!”
The Captain whistled, and without wasting time, the duo began chasing the impostor. Rider ran through the same tree Eugene ran over that day when he was running away from the guards. “Come on, Max! This fool is as good as caught!”
The white horse neighed, hooves hitting the grass beneath them.
“What do you mean he’s faster than me?!” Was he really faster, or was he overreacting as he has been doing ever since he found out about this new Flynn Rider? Regardless, even if he was faster, he wasn’t being original. The fake Flynn used a hanging liana nearby and swung around the tree.
The duo of Max and Eugene immediately stopped, and raising a frying pan high, the new Captain prepared himself and—
BANG.
The Fake Flynn was sent flying backwards, rolling on the ground before landing face-first against a tree.
“Not so fast now, is he, Max?” Eugene asked as he threw the pan back in Rapunzel’s hands. “Now, time for some answers, huh?”
He frowned, Rapunzel smiled until catching a frowning Pascal, who mimed a tiny fist punch in the palm of his hand.
When the impostor Flynn woke up, he had Pascal’s tongue on his ear— “What is—” And long, blonde hair wrapped around his torso. “Is this hair?”
His eyes drifted to the owner of all that hair: the princess herself. “Yeah, it does the job.”
The blonde smiled as Pascal climbed onto her shoulder.
“Oh, it’s your hair? In that case…Hi.”
He smirked, eyebrow arched high. “The name’s Flynn Rider.”
Her eyes fell into a deadpan face. It didn’t work on her the day she met the original Flynn Rider, and it won’t work this time.
Even less if it’s coming from someone who isn’t Eugene.
“No, it’s not! Nope, sorry, nada, full stop.”
Interrupted Eugene. “You thought you could steal the crown better than me, huh? Did ya, did ya?” He held Rapunzel’s crown, his fist clenched.
“Well, you thought wrong. Can we lock that thing up better, please?” He asked as he handed Maximus the crown. The equine held it with his mouth.
“Thanks.”
He walked over to his doppleganger.
“But let’s talk about the real offense: Grand Theft DE PLUME! And how do you look exactly LIKE ME?!!”
However, the fake Flynn couldn’t help but let out a mocking laugh. “Exactly like you? Come on, come on, now. Don’t flatter yourself, pal.” Eugene’s eyes widened before frowning in indignation.
“NO, DON’T FLATTER MYSELF—DON’T FLATTER YOURSELF, BUDDY!” The impostor rolled his eyes as Eugene exploded. “ OKAY? CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS GUY?!”
He turned to Rapunzel in offended indignation for a second before turning back to Fake Flynn. “Big talk from a persona stealer.”
“You stole it first,” The doppelganger smirked teasingly.
“I ADOPTED the persona. There is a difference.”
Rapunzel looked at them in deadpan disbelief as they argued. Are they really doing this?
“Lawman Sellout,” The impostor frowned at the new Captain.
“Ooh, ooh! Who you calling ‘sellout’, huh? And you know what? Flynn Rider never had a mustache. So there!” Fitzherbert pointed his accusatory finger at Flynn.
“That’s because yours truly gave him a long overdue upgrade. Big ears.”
GASP.
He did NOT just say that.
“You, SIR, have gone too far.” Eugene grabbed him by the collar of his dark turquoise vest. But before he could lay a hand on the impostor, a lasso of hair pulled him away from the thief.
“Eugene, relax.” The blonde’s voice soothed its way to her boyfriend’s brain.
“Yeah, Eugene.” The thief chuckled mockingly. “Relax.”
“Don’t test me, Rider.” The blonde frowned at him. Not only has this other Flynn stolen her tiara. He’s making them lose valuable time. “Come on, let’s get this ‘Flynnpostor’ back to Corona.”
Eugene rolled his eyes and sighed as he followed her. As they began to return to the ‘Flynnpostor’ back to the Kingdom, A large figure saw them from afar, hiding behind a group of bushes.
“In the hands of the law again. I’ll bide my time.” The former ruler of Vardaros grinned before disappearing between the bushes.
Before heading back to the castle, the group made a quick stop at the Snuggly Duckling. Isla wasn’t inside—she was out back supervising Lance’s latest disaster-in-progress: Varian’s machine rebuild as a literal rooster, a chicken. Metallic feathers, beak, and everything.
“Lance,” I sla muttered, arms crossed, “I get that you wanna have fun with this whole ‘Temporary Captain’ thing. But La Loca could show up any day now. When she does, I don’t want a mechanical chicken alerting the kingdom.”
Lance raised a confused eyebrow as his eyes narrowed. “Wait, La Loca is Cass, right?”
Isla sighed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, it’s her, why?” She raised an eyebrow.
“I know she tried to get the scroll and all. But this is Cass who we are talking about, Is. She wouldn’t—”
“She wouldn’t what? Attack us? Because she already tried that, Lance. On Eugene’s birthday.” A frown formed on her face. “ She’s dropped an ancient machine on our heads. She nearly crushed Eugene to death. That’s not confusion. That’s intent.”
Lance’s eyes widened in surprise. She respected Rapunzel’s decision of not giving up on someone who once was a friend, and understood better than most why Eugene supported that. But she was tired. Tired of calling betrayal confusion. Tired of pretending Cassandra hadn’t tried to kill them.
You weren’t there when it happened,” Isla said, softer now, her voice almost breaking. “You didn’t see her face. How…willing she was.”
Lance opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
“Maybe…” Her eyes softened. “Maybe there’s something I’m missing that Rubia clearly isn’t. Maybe she still sees something in her beyond the Black Rocks and the Moonstone. But I can’t unsee what I saw in that throne room.”
Chapter 26: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Flynnpostor: part 2
Summary:
Rapunzel and Eugene face off against the Baron after he had kidnapped the Flynnpostor.
Chapter Text
“Why do you always bring people here when you don’t even like it yourself?” Asked the blonde as the fake Flynn made his way to the Snuggly Duckling. “Well, aside from Isla, of course.”
“I bring people here because I know they will hate it,” Eugene smirked as he made his way inside. Rapunzel’s eyes widened, realizing why he brought her to the Snuggly Duckling the first day she got out of her tower.
Unfortunately, just like that day, Eugene’s plan backfired. The fake Flynn immediately managed to charm his way through the Snuggly Duckling Crew.
“So there I was. You know, I’m surrounded by a battalion of guards, all with their arrows drawn and pointed at ‘numero uno.’ So I hand over the goods, and I say… ‘I see your point. ’ “ The Flynnpostor pulls out a dagger and points to his right.
The thugs all laughed, amused. “Where’d you get this guy? He’s great!” Vladimir pointed out with a smile.
“Great?! Wha—That’s not even his story, it’s mine!! And he forgot the best part.” Eugene walked over to the table where “Flynn” was standing. “Hhaha, S-So then, The Captain says ‘Lock him up and throw away the key”, and this is where it gets great, He actually does!! I spent weeks in jail while they searched for it, but man, it was worth it. For the story! You know. Haha, ah…”
Nobody laughed. No one. Even Shorty seemed to have fallen asleep. “But uh…I guess you had to be there.”
Feeling emotionally defeated and stripped away from something that was supposed to belong to him, he went back to Rapunzel and crossed his arms.
“Eugene, you really need to let your jealousy of this guy go. That’s not who you are anymore.”
He had supposedly moved on, so why was this such a trouble to him?
“Flynn Rider was the closest thing to an identity I ever had, okay? S-Sure, I was on the wrong side of the law. But I was my own man. In Corona, I’m just Rapunzel’s incredibly attractive boyfriend. Or that super, super good-looking freeloader living in the castle. I can’t let somebody tarnish my legacy.” He crossed his arms and looked away.
“Legacy?” She scoffed with a frown. “You were a thief. Behind each stolen item is someone who’s upset or heartbroken that it was taken. Is that a legacy to be proud of?”
He thought it for a second. “Well, honestly, it depends on the–” Eugene stopped mid-sentence, noticing her deadpan face and eyebrow raise, and stammered.
“No, No. Definitely not.” He grinned awkwardly.
“Instead of locking him up, why not try to help him? Wouldn’t that be a more rewarding legacy?” She smiled at him.
He sighed. It wasn’t that easy, and not just because he didn’t like this new ‘Flynn’, but because it wasn’t as easy as she just explained it. For most of his life, all he had was nothing but what he wore and Lance. For most of his life, he had nothing, and the people who he had stolen from? Yeah, they weren’t going to miss a missing bag of gold and jewels.
But honestly, was it even worth it to argue about it? “You’re right, you’re right! You’re right, Sunshine.” And so, he approached the table of “Flynn” and the other thugs.
“There’s the Eugene I know.” The blonde muttered to Pascal.
However, when he reached the table, “Flynn” was long gone. Only Shorty, wearing the wanted poster on his face, was left.
“You helped him escape?!” Exclaimed Fitzherbert.
“What? he was funny!” Said Attila.
“Just wait until I tell Isla about this!” He swore as he rushed to the hidden secret trapdoor behind the counter. He groaned in frustration as he found it open. “And he did it the same way I would’ve done it.”
However, as the Flynnpostor rushed throughout the tunnels, he suddenly ran into someone rather large. The fake Flynn Rider fell on his butt as his eyes widened.
“Well, hello again…Rider.” The large blonde man before him growled.
‘Flynn’ cleared his throat. “Do I know you?” He grinned nervously.
Meanwhile, Varian managed to reassemble the Rooster. It was almost complete. Now, all that was needed to do was add a few drops of Flynnoleum.
“Hmm. I don’t think that’s enough.” Commented Lance, skeptical.
The young alchemist dropped the first drop as his face also dropped into a deadpan expression. He chuckled as he put his goggles back over his head.
“Okay. With all due respect, I’m the alchemist. Flynnoleum is very powerful. Add too much of it, and this will shoot so far, we’ll end up warning another kingdom.”
He smirked before his eyes widened.
“Doh! I forgot the fuses. Keep an eye on this stuff, and DO-NOT-TOUCH…anything. Isla, you’re my eyes and ears on this one.”
The teenage boy climbed the ladder to the nearby tower.
Lance remained with a blank face until Varian left. “ ‘ I am the alchemist,’ ” He mocked. “Well, I am the guy wearing the captain’s uniform, and I don’t think it’s enough—”
“Lance, Lance.”
Interrupted Isla. Lance slowly turned to her.
“Touch anything in that machine, and I’ll make sure you don’t get any cupcakes, sweets, or pastries of any kind for the next month.”
She turned to Kiera and Catalina.
“That goes for you two as well.”
Lance gasped in horror as the girls’ eyes widened in shock.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me,” Isla’s eyes narrowed.
Meanwhile, following the scent left behind by the ‘Flynnpostor’, Eugene and Rapunzel are led back to a place both thought they would never return to: The dam. Ever since its fall, it has been rebuilt to almost its original state. Though they didn’t say much, part of themselves could hardly believe it was even rebuilt.
“Trail ends here, huh, pal?” Eugene looked down, but in the distance, a large figure was seen carrying the limp figure of the fake Flynn.
“He’s not alone. Who is that?” The blonde princess narrowed her eyes.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say that’s…The Baron?”
That raised questions in him. What was the Baron doing in Corona? One thing was for sure: Though he knows how dangerous the Baron is, he’s thankful it’s him and not…Dorian.
“The Baron? Here?” Rapunzel turned to Maximus, who neighed in confusion.
“Yeah, I know. Awful, right?” However, when she turned around, Eugene was already leaving.
“However, it also solves our problem, doesn’t it?” Whatever the Baron wants to do with that ‘Flynnpostor’, he wants nothing to do with it.
“The Captain of the Guard’s duty is to protect all of Corona’s citizens.” She frowned at him while Maximus neighed low in disapproval.
And though he was giving her his back, his brow furrowed too. Does he really have to go down there and save that faker? Maximus neighed at him, louder this time.
The stallion’s frown said it all.
He turned around, and his frown disappeared.
“I mean, do we know for a fact that he is a citizen of Coro—” He stopped mid-sentence upon noticing his girlfriend threw her hair into a nearby wood. “Okay, okay, okay. I’m coming.”
And so, the couple and the Stallion made their way to an old, crumbled bridge.
Nighttime had arrived hours ago, and a stream ran across the ruins of the bridge.
“That’s the Baron’s hideout?” Eugene asked, his voice echoing throughout the almost deserted area.
“Ooh! About your fixer-upper.”
Commented Rapunzel.
However, somewhere below, inside a cave forged beneath the bridge’s ruins and rocks, the Fake Flynn remained tied to a post. The faint sound of drops of water echoed throughout the cave.
He looked around, and the place wasn’t familiar to him at all.
“You were supposed to steal this for me years ago.”
The large, blonde man said as he held the crown of the princess of Corona in his hand.
His figure, barely hidden beneath the shadows, threw the crown at the tied thief. “And now that I’ve got it…it doesn’t even matter. Look what’s become of me.”
The Baron growled, his blonde hair unkept, half his face painted in a poisoned green.
“Y-Y’ know, I’m looking at you, an-and there’s a lot of you. And I am, I’m—I’m drawing a blank. Now, don’t take this the wrong way, but you have a face that is hard to forget. ‘Cause believe, I’m trying.”
The faker’s eyes widened in fear.
“Enough games. Rider! I’ve lost everything because of you, and now I’m gonna take everything from you.”
The former ruler of Vardaros gripped the vest of the man he thought was the original Flynn.
“ ‘Kay, H-Here’s what I think. I-I-I-I think…t-that you think, that I-I-I’m somebody else…”
The impostor grinned nervously, trying to contain every bit of panic within him, as the Baron growled, the grip on his vest tightening as a furious scowl formed on his face.
He was poisoned thanks to that scumbag and his princess; his empire no longer seemed to exist, and he hadn’t seen Stalyan in a long time. He’s gonna make him pay.
Meanwhile, back in the castle, Lance and Isla narrowed their eyes as they stared directly into each other’s eyes. She was the only thing standing between him and the machine.
“Why do we have to be left without sweets? We didn’t do anything!” Kiera protested, arms crossed. Catalina pouted beside her.
“I know you didn’t—but I also know you two. And this machine isn’t a toy.” Isla turned for just a second. One second is all it took Lance to grab the barrel with Flynnoleum and abruptly fill it.
“NO!!!” Her eyes widened, and she immediately jumped on Lance. Too late, Varian came back with matches to turn on the Flynnoleum. She dropped Lance and ran. “Varian, for all of alchemy and everything sacred, please, do NOT throw that match in there.”
Varian raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? The Rooster’s ready. Don’t worry, everything’s under control.” He pushed her back, confident that his machine was going to be successful. “The Rooster’s first test is a go in a three, a two—” He notices Isla backing off alongside the girls.
“Oh, oh, you don’t have to stand back. I calculated so the blast is contained and focused––”
“VARIAN!!” Isla shouted, Lance grinning, overly confident. “GET AWAY FROM–” The machine began to tremble, and then—
BOOM.
An explosion of green energy launched a green fireball into the air.
Varian huffed a green cloud of gas, his hair became messy, and his eyes were stained with the ashes left by the explosion.
“You added more Flynnoleum, didn’t you?”
He frowned and stood up. Isla, who was almost knocked out, also stands up. Varian yelled at Lance, as Isla frowned and shook her head in disapproval. However, only a ringing could be heard by the dark-skinned man.
“WHAT?!” Asked Lance, deaf.
Isla groaned in frustration as she drew her hand to her face. “Dame paciencia…”
“Steady…Steady.” Said Eugene as he climbed down, he held Rapunzel’s hair. But then, Pascal heard something— a loud, firework-like screech. He climbed over to Maximus’s ear and flicked it. The white Stallion looked behind, and his eyes widened. He nudged the blonde, and turning around, she saw it: a green ball of fire aimed at them.
“Uh oh!” She exclaimed. The fireball hit the ruins of the bridge. Maximus moved Rapunzel out of the way, and Eugene lost his grip on his girlfriend’s golden locks. Even though he managed to avoid getting his head smashed against the rock, he ended up falling into the Baron’s cave.
The fake Flynn’s eyes widened in relief as the Baron looked at the Captain in confusion.
“You came for me!” Exclaimed the Flynn impostor. “Eugene! Alright! Do you know this guy?”
“This guy? Unfortunately, I do. Baron! That must be you, right? I mean, I can’t really tell because I don’t think you’re aging very gracefully. Like, at all.” He held his side as he looked over at his ex-father-in-law and now one of his many nemesis. “Have you considered a moisturizing consultant? Because I can put you in touch with my guy. He’s very cheap.”
‘Flynn’ grinned awkwardly at the Baron.
“There are…two of you?” The Baron asked, backing off with a confused raised brow.
“Well, it’s…more like one and a half, if I’m being honest.” The fake Flynn chuckled teasingly.
“If you’re being honest.” Eugene mocks the impostor’s chuckle. “You hush your mouth! You’re not even a third of the man I am—”
“Break it up!” Interrupted the Baron, tired of their arguing. “You’re obviously the real Rider.” The large, blonde man confirmed, pointing at the man dressed in the new captain's uniform.
“Ah!” Eugene’s expression changed into a surprised grin. “Well, thank you very much for recognizing the genuine article.” He smirked smugly at a frowning ‘Flynn.’
“Nobody has that fragile an ego.” Finished adding The Baron. Eugene’s smirk disappeared.
“So, then it’s settled!” The fake Flynn smirked. “Uh, if you could just unlock these shackles, my good man, I’m gonna—” He clicks his tongue. “Get on out of here.”
“Not so fast.” The Large blonde man grabbed Eugene by the collar of his uniform. “I’m gonna get rid of you both.” The Baron’s eyes widened in sheer rage, his teeth gritting, as Eugene frowned, while the Fake Flynn’s eyes widened in shock.
Rapunzel quickly noticed that Eugene wasn’t coming up. “Well, it looks like it’s up to us, Max.”
Without losing any time, she slid over the debris, landing near and over the hole to the Baron’s hideout.
“Just knowing this is the last time I’m ever gonna see you.” A venomous grin curled across the Baron’s ruined face—more a baring of teeth than anything resembling joy.
“It really brings a smile to my face.”
“Barry, Bobby.” Eugene chuckled, his hands tied back to the cuffs behind his back.
“Seriously? Last time? Last is so…finite.” Eugene said, trying to hide his fear behind a smirk.
“And, hey look, I—Honestly, I’m having a hard time making that out as a smile. More of a stern glare.” Added the fake Flynn.
“He’s got them both, Pascal.” The blonde murmured to her reptile companion, who stood over her shoulder. But then she turned, and the Baron turned too. He could see her. Rapunzel gasped—and that was all it took to be spotted.
“Your girlfriend’s here.” Remarked Stalyan’s father as the blonde princess disappeared from his sight for a second. “But not for much longer.” Reaching a nearby rock from the walls of the cave, he removed it, and a rushing hiss filled the cave as water began to pour in from behind the stone.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
He climbed out of his cave. Now, they were both tied together, and the increasing water was threatening to drown them once the cave was filled with enough of it.
“Let them out of there, Baron.” Rapunzel frowned as she held her golden locks. She stood on a crumbling platform of stone, just above the cave’s mouth.
“When this is through, you’re gonna wish he had stayed with my Stalyan.” He growled as he grabbed a nearby boulder.
“Stalyan has moved on. Why can’t you?” She asked, her frown deepening. Her grip over her locks was tightening.
“Because I have nothing to move on to!!”
He was in no mood to talk. Without hesitation, he threw the boulder towards the young woman. Her Indestructible hair blocked the strike. However, it wasn’t enough to block the second one: The former ruler of Vardaros launched a bigger boulder, managing to knock her off her feet, landing not so far behind.
Meanwhile, the cave continued to be flooded. Eugene struggled the best he could to free himself.
“Uh, Eugene.” Interrupted the fake Flynn. “It occurs to me that uh, since we’re about to face our doom, now might…” His eyes lowered. “Now might be a good time to apologize.”
“Actually, no. Now is a good time to help me get us out of here!” The new captain said as he struggled to free himself of the cuffs.
“Will you just listen to me? I’m sorry. I stole your name, but…it gave me an instant reputation.” The fake Flynn’s eyes lit up before remembering that, without the name of Flynn Rider, he probably wasn’t much.
“Without it, I’m nobody. Just boring old…Brock Thunderstrike.”
“Come on! We gotta—”
Eugene froze mid-struggle. Slowly, he turned to look over his shoulder. “I’m sorry. What did you say your name was?”
Meanwhile, above the cave, the Baron picked a third, larger boulder. Rapunzel, still conscious yet not standing, managed to barely block it with her hair. Before the Baron could pick a fourth one, she covered her head, forming a shield with her blond locks. Her eyes drifted to Pascal.
“I’ll hold off the Baron. You go help Eugene.”
The little reptile gave her a small nod before rushing to the flooded cave.
“I’ll tear it all down if I have to!!”
Exclaimed the Baron. He slammed his hands against a nearby, rectangular stone pillar.
The impact sent it crashing down toward Rapunzel. Her mouth was agape in shock. But before she was crushed under the debris, Maximus tackled her away from danger.
“Thanks, Max!” She said, barely catching her breath as the stallion let out a low neigh.
She stood up, but she immediately felt a pull on the back of her head.
“Agh, I’m stuck!” She exclaimed as she picked the stuck lock of hair. Much to her surprise and shock, another pillar behind her lost its balance.
“AH!”
She covered herself, bracing for a painful impact. But then…it stopped.
She looked over and saw Maximus, holding the pillar of every bit of equine strength he had. His legs were trembling, but he held firm, just long enough.
However, the cave where Eugene and Brock were located started to become increasingly flooded.
“Alright, sit still. If you can get your wrist close enough, I can pick your lock, and then you can pick mine.” Eugene said to Thunderstrike.
“Got it.”
And so, the thief got his wrist closer to the new Captain’s reach.
With a little bit of effort, Eugene managed to free Brock.
But rather than freeing him in exchange, the thief raised his hands above the water.
“Nice work! Man, you are better than they say. Color me impressed, whoo!”
Eugene narrowed his eyes, annoyed.
“Thank you very much. Now, could you please—”
His eyes widened in panic when Brock began to walk away.
“No, no, no, no! No, where are you going?!”
The fake Flynn quickly began to climb up to the surface, to the exit of the cave.
“Sorry, pal. Not my fight. I want your reputation. Not your problems.”
“COME ON!! You wanna be Flynn Rider?! Go ahead. Leaving someone like this is definitely something Flynn Rider would do!!”
The fake Flynn stopped, a selfish smirk on his lips.
“But ask yourself…Is it something Brock Thunderstrike would do?”
Eugene’s words immediately made Brock’s selfishness and smirk fade away.
But then…he left.
Eugene’s eyes widened. He was alone again, just like back then, when Lance was sent to prison, when he felt that not even fate had his back. He struggled against his cuffs until a familiar squeak was heard nearby.
“Oh! Ah, Pascal!” A smile formed on his face. “Quick, there’s a lockpick in the—”
He couldn’t even finish his sentence before the water swallowed him. The chameleon didn’t lose time and jumped into the water, swimming to one of his uniform’s pouches. With the lockpick in his hands, he swum to the man’s wrists. Eugene held his breath as much as he could, as the reptile worked.
And then—
GASP.
Eugene emerged to the surface, and Pascal’s little head emerged soon after.
“Alright, frog!”
Eugene exclaimed, a smile on his face. Now they had to get out of there.
The duo climbed outside of the cave, which was now mostly underwater.
Eugene gasped as he was followed by Pascal. “Oh, thank goodness that’s over.” He hoped that had been the last time water threatened to end his life by drowning.
Then, a familiar voice cried for help. “Eugene!” Rapunzel called his name as she struggled to pull her hair out of the debris.
He didn’t hesitate for a second to run to her. “Don’t worry! I’ll get you—” Then, a large body tackled him. “Oof!”
The Baron held him tightly while holding a boulder in one hand. Eugene’s eyes widened in fear.
“This is how it ends, Rider!” But then, PANG. The Baron’s large body fell.
Behind him was none other than Brock Thunderstrike, holding Rapunzel’s frying pan.
“Ooh, mama, I have got to get me one of these!”
He grinned at the pan before extending his hand to Eugene.
“Flynn, you came back!”
Never in his life was he happier to see his impostor. Well, never in the hours they spent together.
“Yeah, well—” Brock’s smirk faltered for a moment.
“No, Flynn didn’t come back. Brock did.”
“Eugene!” Rapunzel called for her lover’s name.
Her hair got stuck under a large, round boulder.
The duo of Fitzherbert and Thunderstrike didn’t waste time and ran to the boulder. Pascal, through small, also put his best efforts to push the boulder off.
“Almost—” The rock moved, and her hair was finally free. “Ah! I’m free!”
She exclaimed in relief. But her eyes immediately drifted to Maximus, who neighed in panic as the pillar threatened to crumble over him.
Using her hair as a lasso, and her hair finally free, they rushed to wedge the same boulder beneath the crumbling pillar.
“Run!!” She exclaimed, and once the rock was placed under the stone pillar, the latter began to crumble apart.
But as they attempted to run away, Brock’s leg was suddenly caught by the Baron’s hand.
“Help!” He exclaimed as he was pulled by the larger man. The Baron refused to be defeated. Brock screamed as the large pieces of rock threatened to fall on top of him.
Just as the rocks came crashing down, Rapunzel’s hair whipped out like a lifeline, yanking Brock out of the Baron’s grasp and clear of the debris.
Thunderstrike coughed as the dust cleared away. His eyes widened, amazed by her skill.
“Wow. Uh, weren’t we supposed to save you?”
Rapunzel smiled warmly, yet regally, worthy of a princess like herself.
Eugene chuckled as he stood by her side.
“Uh, yeah, no. She usually does most of the saving.”
The couple smirked at each other before Pascal squeaked behind them. The tiny chameleon held the princess’s tiara high and ran to her.
And so, with the Baron unconscious, they headed back to Corona. As Captain of the Royal Guard, Eugene should’ve hauled ‘Flynn Rider’ off to jail.
“So, I uh… I-I guess this is the part where Flynn Rider goes to jail, huh?”
Brock extended his wrists.
“Eugene?”
Rapunzel raised a concerned eyebrow as her lover approached Thunderstrike with a frown and cuffs in hand. However, instead of handcuffing him, Fitzherbert just grabbed his hand in a signal of gratitude.
Eugene cleared his throat.
“Uh, it’s true, yes, Flynn Rider should go to jail. But as it turns out, I only see Brock Thunderstrike standing before me.”
A warm smile formed on his face. “Just promise me that you’ll make your own future, and carve out your own identity.”
Brock’s eyes widened in confusion.
He really is just…letting him go?
Perhaps Captain Fitzherbert is much better than Flynn Rider. But he didn’t need to be him. He was Brock, he was his own person. A faint smile formed on his face.
“And whatever you do…Do not let an awesome name like Brock Thunderstrike go to waste, man. Because, wow! What a name.” Eugene exclaimed. “That’s like a gift from the heavens, you know.”
“Well, in uh…” Brock cleared his throat. “In that case, Princess, Captain, various pets.” He smirked at Rapunzel and Eugene before waving awkwardly at Pascal and Maximus.
“Are you pets? I-I don’t even know.” Pascal growled skeptically as Maximus narrowed his eyes.
Then, something poked him. A crab that followed him from the ruins of the old bridge.
“Ah! My own pet.” Brock immediately picked up the orange crab. “Brock Thunderstrike, and my new pet, Hulk Lightningclaw, bid you adieu.”
With a bow and his new pet crab snapping his claw, Brock left, not as another Flynn Rider, but with an identity of his own, and a new journey ahead of him.
“He’s not so bad.” Smiled Rapunzel, before Eugene spots a nearby Wanted poster with Brock’s face on it.
His face changed into a petty frown as he yanked the poster off the tree and curled the paper into a ball. “I really don’t like him.”
Later, with Varian’s Rooster machine destroyed and Lance being temporarily deaf, Isla greeted Rapunzel and Eugene.
But her surprise took her aback upon noticing that they hadn’t returned with a fake Flynn Rider, but with the Baron himself.
She dreamed of this moment for years. The Baron groaned in defeat as his former nemesis slammed the door of his cell shut.
“So let me get this straight,” said Eugene.
“Lance is…deaf now?”
“Yup,” She responded, to which he let out a sigh and drew a palm to his face. She chuckled as a smirk formed on her lips.
He chuckled as well, and soon the two were laughing out loud.
“Oh, why did I even choose him as the Captain?” He asked as he wiped a tear from his left eye.
“Temporary Captain,” She clarified with a smirk, to which he chuckled.
“If I’d known that was gonna happen, I’d have picked you.” He said, a smile forming on his lips.
“Me? No.” She looked forward. “Can you imagine it? Me? Wearing armor and having to deal with Stan and Pete’s nonsense? Yeah, no thanks.”
Eugene giggled. He knew that she had what it took to be a competent leader. If she could manage the Snuggly Duckling and all of the things that happen each day in that pub, then she could manage some soldiers.
But then, the look on his face softened when he remembered who was, and will be, the new Captain for who knows how long.
“You know, Isla….” His eyes fell onto the stone floor for a moment as he exhaled from his nose.
“Is…everything alright?” She asked with concern.
“It’s hard to admit this, but when they wanted to make me the Captain, I was scared. I-If I can just open up for a moment. I love that I’m confident, stunningly handsome, and worldly, but deep down, I failed to wonder…Who is the real me?”
For two years now, ever since Dorian and Selene had disappeared from Corona, from his life, he had felt as if he were wearing yet another mask.
The jokes, the vanity, the goofiness. All to hide away his burden, his worries, and free himself from the reality that his abusers were somewhere still out there.
“It’s been a long and amazing journey, let me tell you, but for the first time in my life, I feel like I’ve finally reached the end of an…era.”
He is no longer Flynn Rider, and the more he thought about it, he soon’ll stop being the former thief, or the princess’s lover.
Isla just stood silent, listening to him. How long has he been keeping this to himself?
“That’s when I realized, if they believe me…well darn it, it’s okay for me to believe in me too. And I finally…do! Which is why I have decided…to accept the position of Captain of the guard.”
A smile formed on her face, and without wasting a second, she hugged him tightly.
His eyes widened for a second before slowly wrapping his arms around her.
“Haha, ah. Why, that feels good to get off my chest.” He broke the hug for a second to look at her.
“Thanks for listening, Is.”
“Always.” She smiled warmly at him.
“Serás un excelente capitan.”
“I spent so long trying to be what others expected me to be: A thief, a boyfriend, a joker. And I do love Rapunzel—I always will—but I’m not doing this just for her. I’m doing this for me, too.” He smiled as he looked at his own hands.
“I finally know where I’m going.”
Chapter 27: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Once a Handmaiden: Part 1
Summary:
Finding out that she has been deceived by Zhan Tiri, Cassandra sneaks into Corona in hopes of talking with Rapunzel. Isla suspects she might be planning an attack on Corona.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
As Captain of the guard, protecting the Kingdom of Corona from anything and anyone that could pose a threat had become Eugene Fitzherbert’s top priority, which included people the Crown once trusted—Lord Ravensdale, yes. And... Cassandra.
Varian was developing a new project, a weapon that could potentially stop the Wielder of the Moonstone.
He called it ‘Project Obsidian.’ However, unlike his previous Rooster project, Project Obsidian employed a more… aggressive approach.
Eugene had his doubts; he knew that Rapunzel would disapprove of it. He could already hear her asking, hoping there was another way. But Isla didn’t share that hope.
Not anymore.
“I don’t know, Is. As Captain of the Guard, it’s now my duty to protect Corona and its people from every danger. But…”
He knew deep down that the princess wouldn’t forgive him if they attacked Cassandra. He could already picture the disappointment in Rapunzel’s eyes, and her voice asking him, ‘Eugene…there has to be another way.’
She didn’t just give forgiveness. She lived by it.
“I know. You promised that you wouldn’t give up on her. But she attacked us several times now.” Isla frowned, not in disapproval, but in concern.
“Even on your own birthday.”
Eugene stood silent, his troubled eye staring into the mug of ale in his hand. He didn’t like the Snuggly Duckling; he never did. But with Isla there, even the usual hecklers kept their distance.
She reached for his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
“Look, Rapunzel will have to know sooner or later. And as the princess of this kingdom, and your soon-to-be fiancée, she’ll understand that this isn’t coming from a place of ill will. It’s coming from a place of love and care.”
The two smiled at each other. The kind of smiles only siblings—or close friends who knew you better than anyone—could give.
And so, weeks had passed, and Project Obsidian was nothing less than a powerful gun capable of shooting the chemical needed to generate the same amber that once encased Varian’s own father.
One could question whether the boy using the chemical to produce the resin was something to be concerned about, but at the moment, keeping their home safe was a primary concern for Eugene, Isla, and Varian alike.
And so, early in the afternoon, near Varian’s house at Old Corona, Eugene reunited with Varian for the last test of Project Obsidian.
Several wooden targets with Cassandra’s face lay in front of them. The device was ready for testing.
Suddenly, they were immediately hit with beams of amber, which immediately encased them.
“Alright, Team Awesome!!” exclaimed the teenage alchemist, giving a high five to Eugene and bumping hips with each other.
“Project Obsidian is a success.”
“Project Obsidian?” A female voice interrupted. Rapunzel’s. She and Isla came in to check in for ‘Team Awesome.’
Eugene’s eyes widened, and the duo quickly turned around, as Varian held the gun behind him.
“Project Obsidian! It’s a device that can destroy Cassandra–” Eugene elbowed him, before Varian could get to finish his sentence. He raised an eyebrow, before his smile returned to its place. “-dra’s self-esteem!”
With nothing else to say, the young alchemist rushed away, leaving Eugene alone to deal with Rapunzel and Isla.
“Eugene! We are not attacking Cassandra.”
She wasn’t angry, just confused and disapproving of any of this.
“Of course, we are not going to attack her, Sunshine. But I’m Captain of the Guard now. I have to be prepared to protect our people from any contingency.”
He reassured her calmly, his tone reasonable and gentle. He didn’t want to argue with her, nor did he wish to use the device on someone who became almost like a sister to him.
But as the new Captain, he must protect his home.
Then, Varian shoots at one of the wooden targets, just to be 100% sure that the device worked fully.
The purpose of the gun was to encase its target in amber. And though Quirin has managed to come out of it thanks to Rapunzel’s decay incantation, there’s no clear way of telling if Cassandra would be able to do the same, at least on her own.
“But I-” Fitzherbert didn’t even get to finish before Varian shot two more times. There, all done. “But I won’t use this thing without your approval.”
His voice softened as he pulled a decree that, if signed by someone from the crown, would give the green light to the device’s use.
Rapunzel’s eyes fell with doubt and unease as Isla offered a comforting hand on the princess’s shoulder.
“Princess, believe me, I don’t wanna hurt Cass either. But we can’t promise that she’s not gonna try to hurt us.”
Said Varian. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Cassandra. But he saw firsthand how different the traitor was from the woman he met two years ago.
“Rubia, this is what I was trying to tell you…” Isla’s eyes softened. “I understand that you and Eugene refuse to give up on her. But knowing what she has done, what she tried to do, and what we know so far…”
The Hispanic woman sighed. “It’s only fair for your Kingdom to defend itself.”
“Okay…” Rapunzel picked up the piece of paper.
“I will…sign it to protect Corona. But we won’t need it, because I know the Cass we love is still in there somewhere.”
She can’t say no to them. She believed that Cass could be reached, but knowing what she learned at the Spire, who was pulling the strings…She can’t give up on her.
Picking up a quill offered by Eugene, she signed the decree.
With each passing day, Cassandra felt closer to fulfilling her destiny. That day, and for the first time in quite some time, that flaming fury in her chest felt like ceasing. The birds chirped, the wind blew in her hair, and everything felt so peaceful around her looming Stronghold.
And then, a glint of sunshine interrupted the moment.
The sunlight was being reflected through a piece of a hand mirror. But not just from any mirror.
From her satchel, she pulled off the mirror she had taken from the abandoned cave below the cottage in which she used to live with Gothel, and brushed her armored fingers against the glass.
“… So whenever you hear this tune, you’ll think of your dear, sweet mother…and the love I have for you.”
That’s what Gothel said, the memory reflected in the mirror, at least. A faint smile formed on Cassandra’s lips before her eyes drifted to the fragment of the hand mirror.
The fragment fitted right in, and then, the rest of the memory played.
Gothel’s motherly facade immediately fell as her eyes rolled in annoyance.
“Ugh. Hopefully, that’ll keep her out of my hair for a while. Lousy, little pest.”
Cassandra's expression fell for a moment; she couldn’t believe it.
She betrayed her friends, her family, and Rapunzel…for a woman who never loved her?
Her teeth clenched, her brow furrowed, as her glare shot at the Stronghold.
“Do you wanna explain to me how this got here?” She asked Zhan Tiri, though, she didn’t even know that. She only knew her as “Enchanted Girl”. She didn’t even know that Imp’s damn name.
But the sorceress was far from startled or shocked. She smirked as she ate a bunch of grapes, which she quickly threw away when Cassandra walked in.
“Back at Gothel’s, I thought Rapunzel was hiding the one memory that proved my mother loved me.”
“And?” the short sorceress asked with a smirk.
“And you manipulated that memory! Didn’t you? You took this piece out.” She threw the mirror and its missing piece away as she walked to the throne, her throne…right? “You’ve tricked me into abandoning Rapunzel!”
“Perhaps. Or perhaps I simply pushed you to become what you were always meant to be.”
The Moonstone Wielder couldn’t take any more of this girl’s lies.
“Who are you?”
But the moment she laid her hands on the sorceress, she saw it. That was no girl.
Cassandra gasped as she backed off a step.
“You’re…You’re that ancient Demon Zhan Tiri?!”
“Oh, quit pretending you’re horrified. We’re not so different, you and I.”
Cassandra fell to her knees. The more she thought about it, the worse she felt.
“We were both cheated out of our destinies. In fact, we’re more like sisters than you and Rapunzel ever were. We even want the same thing, and we can get it if you continue to let me help you.”
Cass frowned at her and stood on her feet.
“No…No, I’m nothing like you. Just because I’m pursuing my destiny doesn’t make me a bad person!” She didn’t try to hurt anybody. She was just trying to reach her destiny…right?
Zhan Tiri chuckled, sat beside Cassandra’s throne.
“Doesn’t it?”
She can’t be in there; she needs to run away. Cassandra rushed out of the stronghold, but Zhan Tiri’s last words echoed throughout the walls.
“RUN, CASSANDRA. BUT YOU CAN’T RUN FROM WHO YOU ARE! !”
She closed her eyes as she ran as fast as her legs allowed her to, black rocks forming around her.
And when she stopped, that fury burned in her chest again.
Why does it burn? Why is her first instinct to use the powers that Zhan Tiri lured her to get?
She summoned black rocks, lashing out at everything—stone, bark, soil. Nothing mattered.
Her fury carved a tree in half like paper.
But then, tacked to the bark of a half-shattered tree: a wanted poster with her face.”
“WANTED. Cassandra. TRAITOR” was written on the poster held in her hands.
“...Am I the bad guy?”
Cass murmured to herself, and she swore that from a distance, her stronghold looked like a fortress worthy of one of the villains from the fairytales her father used to tell her as a little girl.
With a sigh, she sat behind the broken tree. “What am I doing? To my home, my friends…Rapunzel.”
Eugene, Isla, Varian…Rapunzel. She buried her face between her knees. Those were her friends, her home…
“I… I’ve gotta fix this.” She said, raising her head from her knees.
Then, a familiar laughter interrupted her train of thought—Shorty’s.
“Remember, guys. You can use Shorty as the ball, so long as you don’t overdo it. I don’t want to call Eugene again to help me pick him from a tree.” Isla said, her arms crossed.
“Yes, Isla.” Said both Attila and Vladimir in unison, like children to a mother.
The brunette rolled her eyes and sighed before going back inside the Snuggly Duckling.
And so, the thugs played throw and catch with Shorty as the ball, until he fell right behind the bushes where Cassandra was hiding.
“Oh, hello, tall, dark, and blue,” Said the drunk short man to the wielder of the Moonstone. Immediately, the thugs came to pick up their friend, until…
“Huh?” Attila, Ulf, and Vladimir all saw her.
“Look, I’m just on my way to Corona to–” She didn’t want to fight. Not unless she had to, and right now, she didn’t. But she didn’t even get to finish her sentence before the thugs assumed the worst.
“You heard her!! SHE’S GONNA ATTACK CORONA!! STOP HER!!” The trio rushed at her. She threw up a black rock spike—not to hurt, just to block.
Isla, who was cleaning a table inside the pub, heard Attila’s shouting and rushed outside with her sword. But all she saw were the sharp spikes of the black rock, and no thug in sight.
No bodies, no injured, just the long, sharp mineral that proved that Cassandra had been there not long ago.
The thugs had probably scattered or run after her.
But then, Attila’s voice echoed in her brain.
‘She’s gonna attack Corona!’
As far as she knew, she came in and attacked Attila and the others.
If that wasn’t a warning on Cassandra’s behalf, what was it then? They allowed her to find shelter in a kingdom that once saw her as nothing but a former partner-in-crime of Flynn Rider.
They let her find a new home.
Her home.
To think that two years ago, Rapunzel asked her, begged her to let Cassandra in the pub.
Because she was ‘a friend.’
To think that she allowed her to come and go whenever she wanted to.
“She’s heading to Corona…” She muttered, her brow furrowing.
“Eugene has to know. Before it’s too late again.”
Meanwhile, Cassandra ran as fast as she could and hid behind the nearest tree she saw. Attila, Vladimir, and Ulf all ran past her hiding spot.
That was close. She didn’t even want to imagine Isla’s reaction if she saw her right now.
Suddenly, a familiar hoot sounded from a nearby tree branch. Her eyes drifted to a branch of a tree next to her.
It was Owl.
Her Owl, the Owl.
The bird of prey hooted again as he turned his head around.
“Owl!” Cass’s eyes lit up when she saw her longtime feathered friend.
However, the bird hooted in disapproval as his eyes narrowed. He was very much aware of what had become of her ever since he left her.
“Oh-” She fell and sat under the tree, as the birds chirped in the distance. “I know. I…I’ve been…not the nicest person lately, but that’s going to change.”
She had no idea how, but if she didn’t do something now, she’d lose her chance to prove Zhan Tiri that she’s not the monster she wanted her to be.
The nocturnal bird of prey hooted as he perched himself on the roots of the tree.
“No, I—I can’t just go talk to her face to face.”
The bird hooted again, sounding close to a ‘Why not?’
“Why not? Because she won’t be— I mean, the people won’t be happy to see me. You saw the pub thugs.”
The bird gave a short hoot.
“I…” She sighed. The bird knew her all too well.
“I’ll have to find a way to get close to Rapunzel without being noticed.”
“Useless,” grumbled a voice nearby.
“Absolutely useless. You’re supposed to be collecting flowers, Faith. Flowers! Do you know what a flower is? Because these look like sadness on stems!”
It was Old Lady Crowley who was scolding Faith for picking up the most dead-looking flowers she had ever seen.
“I can’t do this anymore!” the handmaiden sobbed as she ran back to the castle.
A smirk formed on Cass’s lips as an idea came to her mind. She may have just found her ticket back inside the Kingdom. At least for a day.
“I have an idea.”
Using the shape-shifting cloak, Cassandra sneaked inside the town posing as the handmaiden she spotted minutes ago. Owl hooted as he perched himself in a broken shutter of a window.
“Owl, there you are!” The owl hooted in confusion when the disguised Cass came to him.
“Oh, it’s me.”
She quickly pulled the hood off her head, smiling at the bird of prey, who turned his head to one side and hooted again.
“Does it matter where I took the cloak from?” Cassandra rolled her eyes, and the bird nodded in response.
“Ugh, fine, I took it from the Spire.” She pulled on the hood again and once again took the form of Faith.
But her eyes immediately caught on a poster pasted on the stone wall. Even though it was about a play for the Goodwill Festival, from her view, it was just as bad as a wanted poster: Rapunzel facing a demonized version of Cass herself, with horns, fangs, and claws.
So that’s how they see her. A monster that needed to be stopped by their princess.
“But I gotta figure out how to show everyone that this…is not who I am.” She only hopes that she can reach Rapunzel and talk things out…before someone discovers this last-second plan shattered like everything else around her so far.
“I regret to inform you that…in light of recent events, I have decided to exercise caution and cancel the Goodwill festival this year.”
King Frederic announced to the kingdom, the people had gathered in the castle’s courtyard. Rapunzel’s expression fell with a hint of sadness.
Isla couldn’t blame him for making such a decision .
She hadn’t seen Attila or any of her crew near the town, and she could only hope they’re okay.
“Unless anyone has any objections?” Rapunzel asked, her sad look changing to an excited smile.
Maybe someone among the crowd had something to say.
“Rapunzel, we talked about this,” Frederic murmured as his smile did its best not to falter.
“I know we did, Dad, but I still think we need to let the people decide. Mm?”
From where she stood, Isla could tell that Frederic wasn’t convinced at all.
And considering what the Kingdom knew so far and wide, why shouldn’t he be?
Arianna laid a hand on Frederic’s chest and nodded with a gentle smile.
The king sighed. “Very well.”
“If the Goodwill Festival is important to you, speak now, or forever hold your peace.” Said the princess. She was trying to bring joy despite all that was happening. Isla always admired that.
Isla tried to raise her hand, but then, another voice interrupted.
“I’m with you, princess!” exclaimed a handmaiden.
“Faith, really?” The Blonde smiled.
“Woah. Coming out of her shell,” Added Eugene, each hand on his hips.
Isla had never seen him standing there, right beside Rapunzel and her parents.
“Ha, look. We don’t always have control over what happens to us. But we can choose how we respond to it, right? So when tough times come to Corona, Corona fights back by doubling its good cheer! That’s why we’re gonna make this the greatest Goodwill Festival ever!”
The people cheered around Faith, their fists raised high. Mm, probably the first time she had ever been this expressive.
“Well, it looks like the Festival is happening after all!”
“Raro… ” Isla murmured.
Since when was Faith one to not only talk to the royal family, but to give such an emotional response?
That night, Cass managed to sneak into one of the many rooms of the castle. She couldn’t risk herself to go to her old chambers.
Owl hooted as he perched himself on the windowsill, not before Cassandra herself booped him on the beak.
“Okay, I know. I know you think I should just go tell Rapunzel it’s me and talk to her.”
Owl hooted as he turned his head to one side.
“But don’t you see? This Goodwill thing is a perfect opportunity to extend an olive branch. Trust me. This is going to work out fine.” She smiled as she sat on the bed.
The owl flew outside her window.
What neither knew was that they were both being watched.
“I’m sure it will.” Said Zhan Tiri, sitting on a branch of the tree in front of the window.
She let out a low, maniacal giggle.
The next morning, Isla accompanied Rapunzel and Eugene to check over the Gopher Grab, the Festival’s main event. However, Gregorio, the Gopher, which was used for every year’s Gopher Grab, was…well, old.
“Is it just me, or did he get even lazier?” Eugene asked Isla.
“It’s not just you.” Isla crossed her arms, watching the poor creature struggle to blink. They needed a new Gopher for the Festival. Fortunately for them, Shorty knew about a place where they could find a new Gopher.
“So, it’s a Gopher you’re after.” Interrupted the short old man. “There’s only one place you can go to get a Gopher. Some say it doesn’t exist. Others say it doesn’t exist.”
“So…it doesn’t exist?” Asked Eugene, as Isla facepalmed.
“Or does it?!” Exclaimed the old man.
“It does. It is a Valley of Gophers. And I call it…”
“Shorty…” Isla sighed as the drunk man hummed a presentation song.
“...The Valley of Gophers!” Shorty finished.
Never again will she let Attila and the others play handball with him as the ball.
“Color me surprised, it actually does exist,” Eugene said.
There was a whole valley of them.
The grassy hills were filled with holes from which the furry little creatures peeked their heads out.
“How did Shorty know about this place?” He asked, as Cassandra struggled with a gopher who pulled from her shape-shifting cloak, making it shift into Frederic wearing a Lady-in-Waiting dress.
“He said he got married here, so that’s nice,” Rapunzel smiled, but then immediately regretted it. “Uh—Do not read into that. I don’t want my wedding here.”
Behind them, Cassandra changed to Adira, before changing to Eugene.
Yuck.
Anything but being him out of all people.
“Hahaha! Yeah. That would be even worse than getting married in Vardaros.” Eugene turned around, but he only saw Faith, smiling awkwardly as the Gopher kept pulling.
“Oh, Vardaros isn’t that bad,” Rapunzel said with a smile.
Then, said smile disappeared when she remembered what happened in Vardaros when they first left Corona.
“Unless it’s you getting married to Stalyan in Vardaros, then it’s bad. Very bad.”
She said, whispering the last two words.
Her views on Stalyan had changed ever since she helped her with the eye of Pincosta, and Stalyan’s on her, too.
But she’d rather marry in a valley of Gophers than see the man she loves marry another woman.
“Yeah, can’t really think of anything worse than me and Stalyan getting married anywhere. Faith?”
Eugene, Isla, and Rapunzel all turned around, and ‘Faith’ was…touching the ground?
“What are you doing?” Eugene asked, confused.
“What, this? I-Im-uh-I’m stretching. Haha.” The handmaiden said as with her foot she kept the Gopher from getting near her.
“Neat! Where’d you learn to stretch like that?” The blonde asked.
Eugene wasn’t convinced, and Isla even less.
Faith quickly stood straight and walked away from the rodent.
“Uhhh, acting class! It’s- It’s a–It’s a warm-up. Let’s catch us a gopher, shall we?”
Weird way to stretch for someone who stumbles every now and then.
What caught Isla’s attention, however, was the fact that Owl was following them.
“Acting, huh?” Eugene narrowed his eyes. He could also sense that something was amiss with Faith. “I mean, she doesn’t exactly strike me as the performer type.”
“What are you saying, Eugene?” Asked the blonde, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m just saying it’s a little strange.”
“Shh, look.” She whispered. Faith managed to find an isolated group of Gophers eating grass nearby.
Trying to make as little noise as possible, Eugene, Rapunzel, and Isla approached the handmaiden, who was hiding behind a tree. “Faith, this was such a great idea! Everyone is gonna be so excited to do the Grab with a brand new Gopher!” Exclaimed the blonde in a low tone.
Among a group of Gophers (Most of which looked a little too ugly for Eugene) stood a yellow, cute one.
“We got the bait, right? Who brought the Bimberries?” Asked ‘Faith.’
“Bimberries? No, no, no, no. Bimberries make them crazy. It’s Dimberries that you want.” He pulled a bunch of purple berries that the handmaiden quickly tried to snatch from his hand.
She missed, and the berries fell to the ground, within the Gophers’ reach.
The rodents all took a nibble from the berries, and the effects didn’t wait: Their eyes began to pulse yellow and purple in a spiral-like pattern.
The Handmaiden frowned and grabbed the captain by the collar of his uniform.
“Don’t tell me you mixed them up again!”
Eugene’s eyes widened.
The handmaiden’s grip on his collar was strong for someone like Faith.
Isla raised an eyebrow high as she backed off one step, startled.
That tone, the frown.
She had never seen her grab someone like that before.
Faith’s eyes widened, and she immediately let Eugene go with an awkward chuckle.
“Is what I would say if you had done this previously.”
The rodents quickly jumped on Eugene, before running away and coming back to him a few seconds later.
“No, I don’t have any more dimbe—bimbe—whatever kind of ‘im’ they are, get off!” Eugene said as he tried to get the rodents off of him.
The Gopher they needed had somehow escaped from their sight until Rapunzel finally spotted the furry rodent.
“Faith! There she is!” She pointed to a hole in a nearby hill.
The princess and the handmaiden tried to reach the gopher, but tripped mid-chase.
The two women laughed together, as if they were the best of friends.
“Where did she go?” Asked the princess mid-laugh.
“Look, up there!” The handmaiden pointed to the branch of a nearby tree.
The blonde would undo her braid and throw it to a branch, which would serve the handmaiden to swing and pick the gopher.
So now not only was she stretching, she was also swinging through the air with the athleticism Isla saw on the best of thieves. Or knights.
“Good job, Raps!” Said Faith as the blonde gave her a high five.
Rapunzel’s eyes widened for a moment.
“I…I mean, your highness.” Faith’s face quickly fell in shame, and perhaps a bit of panic, too.
“No! No, no, it’s okay, heh.” The blonde tried to reassure.
“Actually, an old friend used to call me that.”
Suddenly, Eugene interrupted.
“You better be worth…this.” He frowned at the Gopher as he gestured at his uniform, which was stained and torn all around. Even his perfectly combed hair was wet.
Regardless, that Gopher Grab wasn’t the only event that day. Before the Gopher Grab, there was Feldspar’s play, an original production based on some of Rapunzel’s encounters with Cassandra since she’d taken on the Moonstone.
Isla was on her way to tell Rapunzel about the play until she spotted Rapunzel talking with ‘Faith.’
“Part of me was a little worried about having the Goodwill Festival this year. Considering I’ve spent the last few festivals with…”
The princess’s smile disappeared before she let out a short sigh.
“Well, it just…it…brings up a lot of memories. But I am glad that I have you …here with me.”
The two women smiled softly at each other.
That softness in their eyes.
They were looking at each other like close friends, not a princess and a handmaiden.
She just began talking to her in less than a day.
“Thank you for sharing. It means…a lot.” Said Faith, moved by the princess’s words. Too moved perhaps?
But before the two could continue talking, Feldspar interrupted.
The lead of his play called it quits, and he needed a new actress (Or actor) for the role.
Thankfully, and conveniently enough, ‘Faith’ was an actress.
And soon, Isla found herself waiting for the Play to start. And Faith was playing none other than Rapunzel herself.
“Noo, Cassandra.” She read her lines straight from the script. Some actress she was.
“Don’t take the Moonstone. We can make this right.”
Then, from the other side of the wooden stage, Vladimir stepped in, wearing a blue Cassandra wig.
“The Moonstone is mine!” Exclaimed the thug.
“Wait, Vlad? He’s playing—C–Cassandra? Oh, that’s just swell.” Said Faith, rolling her eyes.
Yeah, it wasn’t that great of a play.
“Your destiny belongs to me!” He said.
Okay, yeah, she said that. “Tremble in the face of my evil villainy.” The thug exclaimed as Kiera and Catalina stepped in. The girls were playing Cassandra’s black rock spikes.
“Okay, this is not accurate.” Murmured Faith as she took another look at the script and dropped it.
“Cassandra? I understand…you’ve been feeling like—like no one ever gives you a chance. And that is my fault.”
That is…not entirely accurate.
”When I accepted this role, I specifically said I don’t do IMPROV!” Vladimir growled before leaving the stage.
Just like that, the Play was left without a Cassandra.
“Oh! Oh, this is a catastrophe,” Feldspar said as he held the Rapunzel wig in his hands.
Noticing this, Rapunzel stepped in and wore the Cassandra wig.
“You’re right, uh…Rapunzel.” She chuckled awkwardly by referring to herself in a third person.
“It may be your fault. Uh, partially.” She almost murmured the last word.
“But maybe if I had been more honest about how I was feeling…things would not have gone this far.”
The crowd softened as a few awws were heard from the public. Isla wasn’t all that sure it was just good acting.
“Well…maybe it’s not as easy for everyone to say how they’re feeling. Not everyone can look someone else in the eye and say…’I’m hurting.’ Or ‘I’m sad’, or even ‘I’m…I’m sorry.”
Said Faith, her voice breaking mid-sentence, her eyes filled with a believable sadness.
No.
Guilt.
Those weren’t lines. It was almost as if Faith truly felt them.
The princess’s expression softened sadly.
“Just because it’s not easy, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.”
“Wait,” Suddenly, Monty interrupted among the crowd.
“I’m confused. So, who’s the bad guy in this story?”
“It’s complicated!” Both women said at the same time.
Eh…if you say so.
Attila began to slowly clap as Feldspar threw the script to the wooden floor of the stage.
“Oh, what’s the point of writing anyway?!” He said as he walked off the stage.
Notes:
Ngl, I have the feeling that Once a Handmaiden might be the longest episode to be adapted, yet. Perhaps Plus Est En Vous will be longer, but we'll see.
Chapter 28: The Tangled Years: Rise of Cassandra: Once a Handmaiden: Part 2
Summary:
Cassandra's disguise is revealed at the worst time possible.
Chapter Text
After the play was done, Cassandra returned to the Gopher’s tent. She removed the shape-shifting cloak and sat on a nearby couch.
But just as she thought she was alone, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
“You didn’t really think your plan to make things right would work, did you?”
It was Zhan Tiri.
“What are you doing here?” A frown formed on Cassandra’s face. Out of all the people she knew, she was the last one she wanted to see.
“I don’t understand.” The short sorceress jumped off the chair she was sitting on. “You could’ve just gone up to her and apologized, face to face.”
“I said, get away from me!” The wielder of the Moonstone raised her tone. But Zhan Tiri just smirked as she crept closer to her.
“You’ve had more than a few opportunities, and even still, you haven’t done it. Why is that?” The sorceress kept smirking. “I think—”
“BECAUSE I’M SCARED SHE WON’T FORGIVE ME!”
Cass exclaimed, almost a confession.
“You’re right to be scared.” Zhan Tiri’s smirk warped into a malevolent grin, while Cassandra crossed her arms and looked away.
“I’m guessing she hasn’t told you about Project Obsidian. A weapon that was designed to destroy you. Rapunzel just authorized it yesterday.”
“What? No, I don’t believe you.” The blue-eyed woman’s frown faltered. They wouldn’t. She wouldn’t…right? She could almost feel the doubt tighten in her chest. “She would never—”
“You can ask her yourself if you don’t believe me.” Zhan Tiri’s smirk was deceitful, almost teasing. She pulled a small, white bottle with a yellow shade.
“You might want something to defend yourself against her. This potion may be your only protection against the princess…when she inevitably turns on you.”
Cassandra frowned at her. She now knows that she lied to her about the mirror, so why should she listen to her now?
But then, the Festival’s announcer’s voice interrupted.
“IT’S THAT TIME, FOLKS!! THE GOPHER GRAB IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!!”
Her hand drifted to the bottle in Zhan Tiri’s hand. She can’t trust her. But…perhaps…
She picked it up. Just to prove that she is lying one more time.
“SO MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE STADIUM!!”
“Pero será-” Almost all day, Isla tried to reach Eugene, to tell him about her suspicions about Faith, but he was ‘Too busy Captaining.’
“If he only listened to me instead of…”
She sighed as she poured some ale into mugs.
“But maybe he’s right. He is the Captain now. He’s busy, and I can’t bother him with some theory. Maybe…maybe I am seeing things...”
But then, a familiar, feminine, and cheerful voice interrupted her train of thought.
“Oh! Faith!” It was Rapunzel. “There you are!”
Without wasting a second, Isla leaned an ear against the tent.
“So, about that play, that got kinda weird, huh?”
Isla couldn’t see them, but she did hear them.
“Can I ask you something? What—— made you change the lines like that?”
“Oh, I-” The Handmaiden let out a shortly lived chuckle. “You know, I’ve just heard there’s a lot more to the story.”
“There is.”
Said the princess.
“Cass has reasons for doing what she did, and… though her—— methods may not be the best, I really believe that deep down, she is still a good person.”
“Really?” Said the handmaiden. Her tone? Perhaps too happy.
“Raps, I…I have something I need to tell you.”
Huh?
“Um…Can we talk in private?”
“Oh…okay,” Rapunzel responded.
Without losing time, Isla left the mugs with Ale and walked out of the tent.
She lost them for one second, until she spotted Rapunzel walking closely together alongside Faith.
They were just ahead.
“Rubia!!” Isla called the blonde.
One second.
That’s all it took.
Faith was gone.
Isla froze in place. Her stomach sank.
Her eyes weren’t lying.
Where a mere handmaiden used to stand, now stood the bearer of the Moonstone. Her skin was almost pale white, her eyes and her short hair were turquoise. Her sleek armor was made of black rocks, and the Moonstone was close to her heart.
Rapunzel gasped in shock as she backed off of what she thought was just a handmaiden. A new friend.
“Cassandra?”
The Wielder of the Moonstone froze as she took a step back.
The people began to scream in horror and run out of the castle’s courtyard.
A father took his son in his arms and ran away as fast as he could.
But Rapunzel tried to approach her.
“We have to protect the princess!” Exclaimed one of the guards.
“Rapunzel, listen. I-I can explain.” Cass said. Isla was still shaken.
What is she supposed to do? Rush to Eugene? Her brain could barely process what was happening, and she didn’t want to seem like she was trying to condemn Cassandra just yet.
“Step away from her, now!” Exclaimed the guards, rushing at the traitor.
“Wait! Stand down!” Rapunzel ordered them, her arm extended to them with an open palm.
They weren’t going to stop? Fine.
Without a second thought, Cassandra knocked the guards away with her black rocks.
Enough of this.
Isla rushed to the town, running as fast as she could.
Not too many people were in town that day. Most were at the Courtyard, where the Gopher Grab was supposed to take place.
At the entrance to the village, Eugene and Varian stood guard, both on Maximus and Fidella, while two other guards guarded the main gates to the Capital city.
Then, the two see Isla, rushing at them, urgency on her face.
“EUGENE!”
Varian and he immediately turned to Isla.
“Cassandra is in Corona!! She’s attacking everyone !!”
With one nod to Varian, he extended an arm to Isla, pulling her up over Maximus, and rushed to the castle.
Meanwhile, the guards launched themselves at Cassandra. Without wasting time, she summoned black rocks from the ground, knocking two guards away, before Rapunzel grabbed her arm.
“Cass! Don’t do this!” She begged her friend, but she wasn’t listening. Raising her hand, she trapped an upcoming guard with her black rocks.
“It’s not too late for us to make things right!” The blonde knew that it was not too late. After all that happened, she KNEW her friend was still in there.
The frown on Cassandra’s expression softened as she backed off.
Just before Eugene, Varian, and Isla arrived.
“Hold your fire,”
Fitzherbert murmured to Varian. Both he and Isla frowned as their eyes locked on Cassandra’s movements.
At the same time, Varian’s expression quickly shifted to worry as he held the project obsidian gun, pointing at the Moonstone wielder.
“Rapunzel, I want to believe you, but-” Cass felt guilt, fear, and doubt tighten around her chest.
How can she make things right?
But while everyone’s attention was on her, Zhan Tiri crept behind Varian.
One push from the sorceress on a button on the device and the gun activated, sending a blast of amber at Cassandra.
The blast hit her, encasing her as she tried to reach a hand to Rapunzel. The amber crystal extended, covering her whole body.
“NO!!” Rapunzel extended a hand to her before frowning at Eugene, Isla, and Varian.
“I said we didn’t need to attack her!”
Isla’s expression fell into horror.
That look in Cassandra’s eyes.
She wasn’t going to attack Rapunzel.
“I don’t know what happened!” Exclaimed Varian as he held his gun. Eugene, Isla, Maximus, and Fidella all turned to look at him.
“I-It must have malfunctioned!”
But the Moonstone wasn’t going to let it all be over like that.
With spikes of black rocks bursting from the ground, Cassandra released herself from the amber.
“Project Obsidian, huh? Zhan Tiri was right.”
An angry frown formed on her face. Even though for a moment she felt clarity, that rage came back. Burning in her chest.
“Cassandra!” Rapunzel wanted to reach her, but Cassandra wasn’t going to listen.
Not anymore.
“You want me to be the bad guy? Fine. Now I’m the bad guy…”
Those were Gothel’s exact words after she had decided to drop her facade around Rapunzel. If that’s what the world wanted her to be, then so be it.
She pulled from her satchel the bottle that Zhan Tiri had given her.
“Cassandra, no!!”
The blonde extended her arms to the wielder of the Moonstone.
But it was too late.
Cassandra threw the bottle against the ground, making it crash.
Rapunzel coughed as the blue smoke surrounded her. A sleeping potion.
And once it dissipated, she fell unconscious.
“NO!!” Eugene exclaimed as his eyes widened in horror. He hopped on Maximus and reached her, as a group of guards threw a net over the traitor to restrain her.
He picked up his lover and put her unconscious body on Maximus’s back, while Pascal jumped from Rapunzel onto Maximus.
“Max!! Pascal! Get the princess as far away as you can. Now!”
Without hesitation, the stallion obeyed Eugene’s order and ran outside the castle, outside the Kingdom’s town.
‘Please be okay, blondie.’
Cassandra growled under the net. Eugene. That bastard stole more than just a title.
He stole everything— her dreams. The life that was rightfully hers since childhood. Recognition, spotlight. Love. All stolen by some guy who once came into the castle with the lost princess.
She clenched her fist, and a pillar of black rock surged below Eugene, launching him into the air before he hit the ground.
The impact knocked the wind from his lungs. He quite literally was punched in the ribs by a giant boulder.
He groaned in pain as she broke herself free from the net, blasting the guards surrounding her with black rocks that surged from the ground, before encasing them in cages of black rock.
She tried to do the same to Eugene, but he managed to dodge the cage just in time, avoiding the surging cage from the ground.
She sent sharp, black spikes after him until Isla pushed her to the ground.
“She trusted you!!”
Isla exclaimed with a frown at the traitor. But Cassandra wasn’t going to listen to some poor attempt at a replacement.
“And you-” Isla was quickly sent back by a surging pillar of black rock. The Hispanic woman felt the air leaving her lungs as she crashed against a wall.
“Cassandra, please!” Varian exclaimed, the young boy didn’t want to harm her. Nobody did. Even if he held Project Obsidian in one hand, he wouldn’t shoot at her.
“This is your home.”
He refused to give up on her.
“Not anymore,” She attempted to make amends. It didn’t work.
Now, she’s willing to follow the goal she proposed to herself ever since building that Stronghold deep in the woods.
“CORONA FALLS TODAY!!”
With a clenched fist, the wielder of the Moonstone summoned black rocks from the ground, making the young alchemist back off.
Without mercy, she began attacking everything and everyone around her. Frederic and Arianna watched in shock and horror. Large spikes surged from the ground, threatening the lives of everyone around Cassandra.
Commoners like Feldspar, Monty, and Shorty began throwing things at her before being quickly taken out, falling into holes made by the surging spikes.
Nigel quickly rushed to the King and Queen, avoiding the black spikes before evacuating them out of there.
Zhan Tiri chuckled as she hid behind a black rock, watching as Eugene tried to avoid getting struck by the sharp spikes.
“Cassandra, I’m putting a stop to this right now!” He exclaimed. Rapunzel gave her so many chances, and even he decided to do the same, because the love of his life saw light in her hardened heart.
How can she do this?
But time and time again, ever since she left with the Moonstone, all she tried to do was to tear them apart.
“HOHOHOHO!! THIS OUTTA BE GOOD!!”
A vicious grin formed on Cassandra’s expression.
The spikes of the black rocks around her retreat as she summons her Shadow Blade sword.
She was ready to crush him like the bug he was.
But he wasn’t ready to fight her. He didn’t want to.
“Cass, please. You were like a sister to—” He held out his hand. After all they’ve been through, she was like a sister to him.
But the last thing she wanted was to listen to him.
“Save it!”
Using a pillar of black rock beneath her feet, she launched herself at him.
Eugene barely managed to dodge the incoming sword, aiming at his face.
“CASS, STO–” He extended an open palm, but another pillar pushed him, right to her blade.
He managed to block with his sword just in time and attempted to strike back, but a surging black rock launched him into the air.
Another pillar struck him, and Eugene landed away from her. “Ow!”
“That was not fair.” He frowned. She didn’t play fair.
He can’t fight her and expect a victory. But he can do his best to keep the citizens of Corona safe.
Nearby, Isla lay on the ground. Her head was spinning, and she could barely hear what was happening.
All she could hear was the faint sound of black rocks surging from the ground and her own heartbeat.
Damn.
‘La Loca…I mean, Cassandra isn’t playing.’ She thought to herself.
But just as her eyes were adjusting to her surroundings, a tall, shadowy figure standing above her, with glowing blue eyes, chuckled at her.
But one blink…and the figure was gone.
No, it can’t be.
“...Ravensdale?” She whispered.
Dorian Ravensdale was banished the day Rapunzel’s return to the kingdom became public.
He couldn’t be here.
Then, a familiar masculine voice echoed, calling her name.
“ISLA!!”
The voice called her, becoming clearer as the ringing faded away.
It was Eugene.
The Captain held out his hand. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah…” She held her head as he pulled her to her feet.
His grip was strong, yet steady, despite having been launched into the air by Cassandra.
“Eugene, I’m sorry. I should’ve-”
She should’ve reached out when Cassandra was still disguised. She should’ve told him.
“Hey, hey. This is not your fault, Is.” He said with a slight frown.
None of this was her fault.
“Look, let’s focus on keeping everyone safe, okay?”
He asked, to which she smiled with a nod.
He needed to know about what she had just seen.
But not now.
Lance helped pull Monty and Feldspar out of the hole that Cassandra had created, and with a group of remaining citizens, they all fled to the castle.
But the Wielder of the Moonstone wasn’t going to let them go in so easily.
“Sorry, but the Castle’s off limits.” She grinned as she pulled the Mind Strap stone from her satchel.
Hopping off his rhino and accompanied by his two growling binturongs, Hector and Adira made their presence known.
Their eyes were glowing a bright blue turquoise.
The same blue that Isla saw in Dorian moments ago.
“Adira? Adira! It’s me! Lance!!” The dark-skinned man exclaimed with a smile, glad to see the female warrior of the Brotherhood.
But the white-haired woman just looked at him in silence. Almost sizing him up.
“What’s wrong?!”
Without another word, she pulled out her sword and swung it at him.
“Why is love so fickle?” He said in disappointment.
“Be careful, Lance!” Fitzherbert exclaimed. “It looks like she and Hector are under the influence of the Mind-Trap Talisman!”
Anyone who’d sworn loyalty to the Moonstone will fall under the control of the Talisman.
Eugene and Isla stood side by side next to Varian, who sent blasts of amber crystals at Cassandra.
Each black rock summoned by the traitor was shattered by the amber blast.
“Isla!! Go help Lance!!” Exclaimed Eugene.
“But-” She is not leaving him. No way.
Every part of her told her that she should stay by his side.
“Now!!”
He’s right.
As much as she’d like to stay alongside him and fight off that monster, she knows that Adira is a warrior to be feared.
Plus, she’s not giving La Loca the pleasure of seeing their defense falter.
With a short nod, she left to aid Lance.
“Lance!!” She intervenes, blocking an incoming slash from Adira.
While Isla and Lance faced Adira, Edmund—Eugene’s father— faced Hector.
The guards struggled against Hector’s Binturongs and rhino.
All while trying to keep the battle within the castle’s courtyard.
“Eugene!!” Isla called out.
We have to fall back!” Lance added.
“We are NOT falling back!” Eugene stated. He is NOT abandoning his home, THEIR home. All his life, he had been running away—guards, the Baron, the Ravensdales, his fears and insecurities. He is not running away anymore.
Cassandra scowled as she hid behind spikes of black rocks that served as shields.
Placing a palm on the ground, a surging row of black rocks reached Varian and Eugene.
The spikes struck Project Obsidian, shattering the gun in half and making the captain trip and fall.
They lost their advantage over her black rocks.
The guards were no match for the angry rhino, who ran loose in the castle’s courtyard.
Isla lay defeated on the ground, while Lance hid away from Adira.
But as the civilians ran away, Edmund managed to momentarily knock Hector out with a hard push from his shoulder.
“SON!! YOU CANNOT SAVE A KINGDOM BY BEING TRAPPED INSIDE IT!!”
Shouted the Dark King to his son.
Cassandra is not falling back. With each step, her black rocks grew more and more.
And everyone was tired, overwhelmed even.
There is no choice.
“EVERYONE!! FALL BACK!!”
Eugene shouted.
Citizens, guards, etc, all began to run out of the Courtyard.
Cassandra growled, extending her arms at them.
They are not getting away.
Eugene, Isla, and Varian all ran as fast as they could.
“AAAAAAAH!!” Cassandra raised her arms to the sky, letting out a raw, thunderous war cry, as her power burst in an explosion of rage, with large spikes that surged from the ground, larger and bigger than ever before. They swallowed the castle’s courtyard and all around her.
Everything turned black.
Then, a voice called.
“Rapunzel?”
Eugene?
“Rapunzel?”
The blonde opened her eyes. Eugene and her parents before her.
His smile widened in relief. Thank goodness.
“Blondie…”
“Agh, wha…what’s going on?”
She looked around. They weren’t in the Castle’s courtyard anymore.
Pascal, Maximus, Isla, Edmund, Varian, Quirin, Kiera, Catalina, Lance, Feldspar. Even Monty and Old Lady Crowley were there.
“Thank goodness you’re okay.” Eugene hugged her as tightly as he could. She let her head rest on his chest. Just for one second, she just wanted to hear his heart beating.
Then, she remembered the last thing she saw.
“What happened to Cassandra?”
He laid a gentle hand on her left cheek.
“Aw, Sunshine…I don’t know if you should be–”
Without even letting him finish that sentence, she stood from the bed set up earlier by Isla and ran outside.
It was already nighttime. Eugene followed after her.
What she saw made her heart drop.
“No!! I-I don’t believe it.”
She drew her hands close to her mouth.
Corona, the castle, the village.
All covered by enormous spikes of black rocks that were larger than the castle itself.
And the full Moon shone brightly over the destroyed Kingdom of the Sun Crest.
Eugene and Rapunzel held hands together, tightly.
The others quickly came outside, as a frown formed on the princess’s expression.
This has gone too far.
However, in the abandoned streets of Corona, no soul was seen on the destroyed streets.
No soul could, as the spikes of the black rocks covered… well…everything.
Only one soul was in the whole kingdom.
In the loneliness of the throne room, struck by the large black spikes…
Only Cassandra stood.
With a cold scowl, she sat on Frederic’s throne.
Now, Corona belonged to her.
Chapter 29: The Tangled Years: Plus Est En Vous: Part 1
Summary:
Cassandra took over Corona. Rapunzel, Eugene, and others leave for the mountains in search of Demanitus's designs.
Chapter Text
Eugene: This is the story of two best friends…Okay, so they weren’t best friends at the moment.
It’s uh…It’s complicated.
You see, her whole life, Cassandra had felt second best.
Going back to when her own mother, Gothel, chose Rapunzel over her.
And as a result, Cass has developed a, uh…a grudge.
That little blue opal thing in her chest? That’s the Moonstone,
And it’s the cosmic counterpart to aha, you guessed it, The Sundrop.
The two belong together, but that’s not the way Cass sees it.
To her, the Moonstone is her destiny.
And now that she has it, she’s out to take down Rapunzel, Corona
and anyone who ever underestimated her.
Not only does Cass have a brainwashed Brotherhood on her side,
She’s also pals with a goat-headed monster.
And no, I’m not talking about Shorty with a goat on his head.
Zhan Tiri, an ancient, evil demon.
Only now, old Zhan Tiri looks like a little girl.
Zhan Tiri manipulated this fight between Cass and Rapunzel
to gain the power of both the Sundrop and Moonstone.
It’s enough to make even the most resilient hero give up.
But good thing this is Rapunzel we’re talking about.
Far from the castle, beyond the walls, Rapunzel stood in front of the same spot where the Sundrop Flower was found all those years ago.
The sky was pink, as both the Moon and the Sun were closer each passing moment.
The Eclipse will rise at any moment, and once it does…who knows what’ll happen once it’s finally here?
The pedestal in front of her was in the exact same spot where the Miracle Sundrop Flower was found years ago.
“There’s got to be a way to fix all of this, Pascal. But how?”
The blonde asked her chameleon friend, who was perched on the pedestal.
The little thing just shrugged before getting gently petted by his human best friend.
“Did I ever tell you about the biggest fight your aunt and I ever had?”
Said Arianna. The Queen of Corona stood, not so far from her.
“We were just teenagers, but Willow was so mad she actually built a brick wall in the middle of our bedroom!” She smiled as she took a look at the black rock spikes around them.
The blonde gasped as a smile formed on her face. “What?”
“I’m not kidding! Your grandfather nearly lost his mind.”
Her mother remembered it as if it were just yesterday.
“I tried talking to her through the walls, slipping notes between its cracks, but she refused to talk to me.”
The blonde exhaled a chuckle.
“What did you wind up doing?”
“I got a hammer and I knocked that wall down. But after that, Willow saw just how much working things out meant to me. How I wouldn’t let anything stand between us.”
The queen smiled as Rapunzel’s smile faded away.
Her mother noticed the sadness in her eyes and gently lifted her face.
“Rapunzel… Only you can get through to Cassandra.”
A smile formed on the princess’s face before her mother gave her a gentle, short kiss on her cheek.
The little chameleon squeaked on Rapunzel’s shoulder, a wide smile on his little face.
“She’s right, Pascal…It’s time for the fight of our lives.”
With a hopeful sigh, she got on Maximus.
Mother and daughter raced each other. Rapunzel on Maximus, Arianna on Fidella, galloping near Old Corona, near Varian’s lab, feeling the wind in their hair.
Across the farms on the outskirts of the kingdom, through the deep woods, and under the waterfall, they headed back to the Snuggly Duckling.
Meanwhile, inside the Snuggly Duckling, not everyone was in their best mood.
Isla served some ale to any who could use a drink with a heavy sigh.
“Okay…spirits are at an all-time low. Think, what would Rapunzel do?”
Eugene asked out loud. Ruddiger approached him, shrugging in confusion.
“Ooh! Got it!”
He turned to the others with a wide smile.
“Hey! Haven’t any of you had a problem you just couldn’t solve?”
He grinned as he picked up Varian’s pet raccoon.
“One we could sing about, preferably a bouncy tune that makes you forget how bad…”
He made Rudigger bounce up and down. But just as everyone raised their heads to look at him, they quickly fell when they all remembered what happened to their home.
“...everything–Oh, come on! We can’t just give up.”
“Yeah!” Interrupted Lance. “If Eugene can lose an entire kingdom in humiliating defeat, and still hold his head up…”
He blew the fire out of the marshmallow he was roasting.
“Then so can we.”
Eugene raised an eyebrow with a blank face. Really?
“That’s right! I’m sure our captain has a plan to victory.” Added Edmund, before letting out a chuckle.
“Poor sap has no idea how doomed we are. Doomed, I tell you! Hold it together, Edmund…”
The Dark King took a deep breath before grinning at Eugene.
“I believe in you, son.”
“Thank you for the support, Dad,” Eugene said, raising an eyebrow.
Isla rolled her eyes before stepping on Lance’s marshmallow.
“HEY!! I was gonna eat that!!” Exclaimed the dark-skinned former thief.
“I don’t care. Both of you should be ashamed. Eugene did the best he could to defend this kingdom, and it was YOUR idea to fall back.”
Isla shot a glare at both Lance and Edmund, who both fell into silence as they looked down in slight guilt.
“The only one to blame here? Is Cassandra. We didn’t lose Corona because of Eugene, we lost Corona because she turned her back on all of us.”
Eugene blinked, surprised at Isla’s words.
“Isla…Thank you.” He said softly.
The Hispanic innkeeper nodded with a smile at him.
“Now, come on. There’s gotta be a way out of this.” Eugene said, raising his index finger.
“There is.”
Someone entered the pub.
Rapunzel.
“But there’s only one way out, and that’s through it.”
The princess and her mother both walked inside.
“I’m not gonna sugarcoat this. This is the biggest challenge this kingdom has ever faced.”
“No offense, Varian,” Eugene murmured as he nudged the young alchemist with a soft smile.
“Eh,” Varian shrugged with a smile. He had moved on from that.
The time finally arrived to turn the losing streak around.
Can’t turn back or sneak around, because they begin, the only way is through.
Everyone looked quite confused.
But they were hearing her.
If they want to reclaim their home, they’ll have to march tall through it all.
“It’s not gonna be easy, but it’s our only option. Who’s with me?” Rapunzel asked, a sword raised high in her hand.
Eugene soon stood up, his fist raised high, and soon, a kingdom began to realize that it was time to stand, save their home, and take it back.
At their command, everyone was in. The Snuggly Duckling Crew, even ordinary people like Feldspar and Monty.
“Onward we ride! Who knows if we’ll make it back?” Varian sang, mounting on Fidella.
“THROUGH THE STRIFE!! THROUGH THE FRAY!!” Everyone sang in a chorus as Rapunzel danced alongside Eugene.
“We can’t hold back in this time of need!” She sang her elbow against his.
“We all must heed the call!” He added as he sang.
Monty placed some empty mugs on the counter, which Isla filled with a smile on her face.
Everyone sang— no. They declared.
“STAND AND UNITE!!” FOR HOME AND HEARTH AND LAND AND KING!!”
For love and life and everything, they will rise…
“THROUGH IT ALL!!”
Princess, King, Queen, Captain, and subjects all sang as a chorus.
With a new energy pumping in their veins, everyone made their way outside.
Halberds, swords, daggers, mallets, even baguettes.
But among the people. Eugene noticed that one of them didn’t have a weapon of his own.
“Quirin!” The captain called him, throwing him a pitchfork.
But what caught his attention was that Varian’s father had the same symbol of the Brotherhood on the back of his left hand.
His eyes widened as Quirin walked away with the others.
“Eugene?” The blonde asked with a smile on her face.
“Ha…” He turned to look at her emerald green eyes.
“No one can rally the troops like you.” He smiled softly before sharing a quick kiss.
“Thanks, Sunshine.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled gently. “Huh. You know, after all this time, I’ve never come up with a cute little nickname for you.”
“Well, I’ve already got three names, and two of them are awful. So, I think we’re good.”
He said with a grin. As much as he had embraced being Eugene Fitzherbert, he couldn’t deny that ‘Flynn Rider’ sounded way cooler. Horace, however? No.
Just no. He’d rather be Eugene than ‘Horace.’
“Do you really think we stand a chance?”
Rapunzel’s smile faded away when he asked that.
“Cass has the Moonstone, The Brotherhood, and we’ve got…”
He turned to look to his left, seeing Shorty struggle with Hamuel, his father’s own pet raven.
“Not to mention Zhan Tiri. I mean, I don’t think any of us are up to fighting an ancient demon creature.”
What were they going to do? Throw baguettes at them?
“Neither was Lord Demanitus.”
Varian’s voice interrupted, drinking a mug of juice. He would’ve been drinking ale if it weren’t for Isla refusing to serve him alcohol at his young age.
“When I was researching the scroll, I found out Demanitus vanished Zhan Tiri to some kind of netherworld. But the machine he used to do it was dismantled centuries ago.” Varian explained as he read a book that spoke about the story of Demanitus.
“Great,” Isla said with a raised eyebrow.
“Can you build it again?” Asked the princess to Varian.
“If I had the plans, but Demanitus took his only blueprints to his tomb.”
The young Alchemist finished as he held the book in his hands.
“Hahaha. Let me guess, the tomb is thousands of years old, and no one knows where it is.”
Eugene said, his face falling into a poker face. He has heard this story so many times.
“Well, I…” A smirk formed on Rapunzel’s face. “I wouldn’t say no one knows.”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” Said Eugene.
And he was right.
The tomb’s location? On a mountain. The cold wind blew as the white snow covered almost everything.
“Snow…Why did it have to be SNOW?!”
The Captain’s annoyance echoed throughout the mountain.
Meanwhile, inside the walls of an empty Corona Castle, Cassandra takes the time to enter her former bedroom.
Her bed, her closet, it was all still there.
A little dusty, but intact.
She opened her closet and took the time to look at everything inside: Her weapons, Andrew’s rose, Varian’s Cassandrium necklace, that dummy with Eugene’s face painted on it that Rapunzel once made for her, etc.
She picked up the guard helmet on top of the dummy. There was once a time when all she wished was to succeed her father as the next Captain.
But then, her eyes narrowed as she noticed something above the fireplace.
Near a trophy was a picture of Cassandra, in her Lady-in-Waiting dress, hugging Rapunzel by the waist, while the blonde princess had her arm wrapped around Cassandra's shoulder.
Oh, Eugene was there too, kind of. His side of the picture was ripped out, his face barely peeking in the jagged left side.
That picture was painted by Rapunzel.
And she hated that.
She put the picture down, and her chest began to burn.
That fury in her began to fuel as she turned back to the helmet, growling before throwing it away. One by one, she began to toss her weapons and other objects out of the closet. Halberd, a spiked metal ball, the Eugene dummy, and two cloaks.
But behind the halberd, under the weapons, and at the bottom of the closet was a headdress.
Not any headdress. Her headdress of Lady-in-Waiting.
She panted as she stared at the garment.
She is not gonna wait anymore.
She is not going back to that place.
With a growl, she stood straight and made a surge of a black rock spike that destroyed her closet, pinning the headdress against the wall before leaving.
As the team made their way to Demanitus’s tomb, Eugene approached Varian. He had to know about Quirin.
“So, Varian. We’re buddies, right?”
“Team Awesome, remember?”
The Alchemist smiled. Truth be told, the two grew quite close ever since the development of Project Obsidian.
“Hoho, right. That…yeah. “
How does he even tell him?
You know how Adira and Rhino Guy have fallen under the spell of the Mind Trap?”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure we’ll figure out a way to help them.” Said Varian. IT was just a matter of time before finding a way to break them out of that spell.
“Well, yeah, of course we will. Um…but, wasn’t your dad a member of that club?”
Eugene’s expression became filled with concern. After all, Quirin had once been a member of the Brotherhood.
“What are you saying? That my dad…”
The boy narrowed his eyes in confusion.
“Listen, Eugene, my father is just fine.” Varian frowned, perhaps a little defensive on the mere suggestion that his father may betray them in the end.
“Okay, I didn’t––”
Eugene didn’t expect Varian to react negatively. He was trying to help and warn him about it, nothing more.
“L-look, forget I even mentioned it, okay?”
Without anything else to say, Eugene climbed up to where the others were.
He should’ve just kept his mouth shut. But if he learned anything from this journey, it is that it is better to take precautions than risk suffering betrayal from those you love.
Varian’s glare fell on the snowy ground beneath him.
Just a tiny hint of doubt in his mind manages to creep in before following the others.
Eugene reached the top with the others, Varian following closely.
“Phew! Did you find it?”
However, his eyes widened at what was in front of him.
“Oh, boy…”
Demanitus’s tomb. It was made of stone, with different patterns, lines, and symbols carved on it. And front and center was a monkey, very similar to Vigor.
“It’s magnificent.” Said Varian in awe.
“Is it just me, or is there no door to get in?” Asked Eugene. The tomb seemed to be completely sealed.
“It doesn’t look like there is,” Remarked Rapunzel as Varian began to quickly check on the carved stone, searching for any secret pressure plate.
But then, she gasped upon noticing a readable text carved on the stone.
“But there is a riddle.”
“Ha, classic Demanitus.”
Eugene replied as he rolled his eyes. He’s never getting over the ‘mon-key.’
“ ‘I grow but do not live. I need air, but do not breathe.’ ”
Rapunzel read the riddle.
“A FISH!!”
“A RABBIT!!
“A RABBIT FISH!!”
Exclaimed Kiera and Catalina, clearly not paying attention to the riddle.
“People!! Are you even listening to the riddle?” Asked Eugene as he turned around to find Lance playing a game with the girls.
Isla just rolled her eyes as she looked at him with a blank face.
“Oh, Sorry. We were playing charades.” Replied Lance.
“But the answer to the riddle is fire.”
“Lance, it’s not-”
Eugene was about to scold him for not taking this seriously. Until…
“No, no, no! He’s right!” Interrupted Rapunzel. “It is fire!”
She picked up an Insta-Torch, a special torch that could be activated by shattering the glass around the fire.
She hit the glass, shattering and allowing the fire to be released, before pouring it over the symbol of fire carved on the tomb’s entrance.
Every symbol, line, and figure became filled with the fire.
Varian’s eyes lit up in excitement.
The fire activated two gears that emerged from the tomb, each rotating as the gate opened.
“See, Gee-Bug? Easy Peasy.”
Rapunzel smirked as they were all staring at the dark, empty corridor.
“Escuza me?” Eugene raised an eyebrow with a blank face full of skepticism.
“Sorry. Heh. I was trying out a pet name.”
“Maybe try harder?” Eugene crossed his arms as Rapunzel smirked.
Lance began to laugh out loud, while Isla giggled silently.
“HAHAHA! NO, PLEASE!! DON’T!! GEE-BUG IS A KEEPER!!”
Said Lance as he laughed out loud.
“Come on, everyone. Gee-Bug doesn’t like to wait.”
Said Lance as he and Isla went inside the tomb.
“Come on, Gee-Bug!” Said Kiera.
“It’s nice and warm in here, Gee-Bug!” Added Catalina in a light-hearted mocking tone, giggling behind Kiera.
“Ugh, Gee-Bug,” Eugene grumbled under his breath as he followed them.
He was NOT amused.
Chapter 30: The Tangled Years: Plus Est En Vous: Part 2
Summary:
Rapunzel, Eugene, and the Coronians prepare to raid the Castle.
Chapter Text
However, what caught his attention was the amount of banana peels on the ground.
“Why are there so many banana-”
He couldn’t even finish before he slipped with one. Max pulled him back on his feet.
In front of them? A chamber, a secret sanctuary for monkeys. Vines, palm trees, and all sorts of vegetation were seen alongside abandoned machinery.
“Hey, would you look at that? A family of Vigo–” He didn’t even finish his sentence before the angry monkeys threw banana peels at him. “Hey, hey, hey, hey!”
“Don’t take it personally, Gee-Bug. They’re being territorial.”
Rapunzel reassured him with a smile.
“They could’ve thrown something a lot worse,” Kiera added with a smirk.
“MUCH worse,” Said Isla.
“Yeah, well— let’s just find those plans,” Rapunzel said as everyone walked deeper into the chamber. “This must be where Lord Demanitus found Vigor.”
“So these are his great-great-great-great grandmonkeys. Great.” Said Eugene with an annoyed blank face.
As the rest of the team inspected the place, Rapunzel found a large, locked, red book with a golden D at the center of the cover. She opened it and there they were: Blueprints of thousands of years old machinery. Among the blueprints were even blueprints for the Demanitus Device that Cassandra destroyed some time ago.
“This is it! Lord Demanitus’ plans!”
They found it. They really did.
“You did it! Excellent.” Eugene forced a grin that quickly faded. “Now, could we get out of here?”
However, due to a curious monkey and Lance NOT BEING able to keep his hands off the machine that swapped Demanitus’s minds with Vigor, the team ended up having more trouble than luck.
Not even Rapunzel herself was safe from getting her mind swapped with a nearby monkey.
“Guys! Would you please leave the Monkey button alone?”
Monkey-punzel said, the book in her monkey hands.
After a few minutes of struggling, everyone was back to their right mind.
Everyone was tired, exhausted even.
“Atatata! Ah-ah, get off!” Eugene said as he shooed a monkey away from the machine, breaking the button from it so nobody would be turned into a monkey ever again.
He cleared his throat before raising an index finger.
“I think we can all agree…that we should never ever speak of this again.”
He said before taking a bite of a banana.
“Well, Varian? Is it Something we can build?”
The princess asked as a monkey rested over her head.
“Um, building it would be a snap. It’s where we have to set it up that gets a little…tricky.”
The young alchemist said as one of the pages showed a potential machine to use against Zhan Tiri.
“What do you mean?” She asked, a bit confused.
“Yeah, it needs to be close enough to Zhan Tiri to suck her back in, and because she’s with Cass— in the castle …”
It wasn’t going to be easy at all.
“Looks like we’ll have to storm the castle and build the machine there.”
Isla’s eyes widened at the idea alone.
Storming the castle? With La Loca de la Luna and her little sidekick demon in there?
Rubia just lost it.
She raised an eyebrow at Eugene, who just shrugged.
“Let’s get to it.”
Rapunzel smiled with confidence as the monkey cheered above her.
However, hidden and abandoned deep in the Mountains of Corona was the Demanitus chamber.
The flipped and sliced-in-half table, the dried acid on the wall that covered the fourth incantation that Varian discovered, all evidence of a fight that was once unleashed in there.
A fight that starred Cassandra as the main culprit of the chamber’s current destroyed and abandoned state.
“This could have gone so differently, Demanitus.” S Zhan Tiri murmured. She decided to pay the chamber one last visit. The Eclipse was getting near, after all.
“But because of you, I will lay waste to your beloved Corona.” She flicked a piece of wood off a vial and picked it up, grinning before throwing it at a nearby rock.
A flash of light was released as the liquid splashed against the rock.
Behind Zhan Tiri’s child-like form was cast the form she was mostly known for in legends: A tall, giant monster with horns and fangs, and a wide, wicked grin.
“And all who inhabit it.”
What started as a light chuckle quickly turned into maniacal laughter. Those fools have no idea what awaits them.
Owl and Pascal made a trip to the castle and back, being careful enough not to get spotted by either Cassandra or the Brotherhood.
Everyone was preparing themselves to storm the castle. Even royalty like Frederic and Arianna helped the others pack the barrels into Fidella’s cart.
The nocturnal bird of prey perched on Rapunzel’s arm as it hooted.
“What did you two see at the castle?” Asked the blonde.
Pascal growled as he began imitating some of the people he saw: Hector, his beasts, and Adira.
“I was right. She has the Brotherhood standing guard.” She replied to Eugene. Of course, Cass wasn’t going to make it easy.
“We’ll have to take them out to get inside so that Varian can build that machine.” Replied Eugene.
“Meanwhile, I’ll track Cass down. One way or the other, I’m going to get the Moonstone.”
A determined frown formed on her face. This has gone on long enough.
“Such pluck in the face of adversity. She will certainly make an excellent daughter-in-law one day.” Said Edmund, who passed by the couple.
“Dad,” Fitzherbert drew a hand to his face. “You’re thinking out loud again.”
Rapunzel smiled softly. It’s cute, even if Eugene thinks it's embarrassing for his dad to still not be able to keep his thoughts to himself.
“No…I wasn’t.” Edmund smiled before winking at the blonde princess.
“Mm, that reminds me.” She turned around to face her lover. “Aren’t we about due for one of us to stumble through an awkward proposal?”
“Ha! Right, whose turn is it again?”
Eugene's cocky grin turned into a soft smile that quickly faded away.
“Look, I know everything is going to work out. But in case it doesn’t…”
The couple held hands together, gently.
“It will. And no matter what happens today, you are still and will always be my dream, Eugene.”
She let herself feel his hand against her cheek before giving it a soft kiss.
“And you are mine, Rapunzel.”
As everyone was getting ready, Varian approached his father. When was the last time Quirin wore that armor? He can hardly remember, but right now it is time to use it.
“Hey, Dad, here.” Quirin turned around to notice his son holding his old helmet. “I found this with your old stuff. I gave it a little polish.”
The young alchemist smiled as his father picked up the old helmet with the symbol of the Dark Kingdom.
“I never thought I’d have to wear this again. But now that I must…”
Quirin put the helmet on his head before smiling at his only son.
“...I am proud to have my son fighting alongside me.”
Varian smiled warmly at him.
For such a long time, all he wanted was to make him proud.
But then, Eugene’s voice interrupted. His fists were on each side of his hips.
“Okay, troops. Suit up!”
“Alright, everyone, you know the plan.”
The time had finally arrived. Everyone quickly lined up as Rapunzel stepped onto a tree stump.
Most were not soldiers, but they were willing to fight for their Kingdom.
“ Charge the castle, build that machine, open the portal, and send Zhan Tiri back to the Netherworld. Now let’s move out!“
Everyone cheered and roared. King, Queen, subjects, stallions, and beasts.
Without losing any more time, they all rushed back to the castle, but once they arrived, they found the doors locked.
“It’s locked!”
Exclaimed Eugene before Ruddiger, now turned into a monstrous version of himself thanks to a temporary solution made by Varian, roared and smashed his way in.
“It’s unlocked!”
Eugene said before they all went inside.
Maximus stood guard outside the castle. But when everyone stormed inside the throne room, something caught their attention: It was empty.
Only the spikes of black rocks filled the empty room.
“Where are the bad guys?” Asked Attila.
“Eugene…” Isla turned to her closest friend, a worried frown on her expression.
“I don’t know…” Eugene said, turning to look at the others for one second, his grip tight around his sword.
They can’t lose time.
“But let’s just get that machine built before they get back. Alright?”
As Fidella and Varian made their way in, Rapunzel’s worried look vanished into a determined frown.
“I’m going to find Cassandra.”
She said. No explanation, no buts.
The Moonstone has been calling her ever since her Coronation Day. She’s not backing down now.
A brief hint of worry crept into Eugene for a split second.
“Sunshine…”
But this is Rapunzel. If there’s anyone who can break through that sleek black rock armor and free her heart from the darkness…it’s her.
“...Good luck.”
A soft smile formed on his face.
“You too.”
With a returning smile, she left his sight.
Isla noticed the way his smile faded into a worried frown and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“She’ll be okay…”
He turned to her, smiling ever so slightly.
“I know…”
Rapunzel ventured deep into the empty halls.
Until her eyes spotted the mind between all of this.
“Looking for someone?”
Said Zhan Tiri. The blonde’s surprise quickly swapped into a locked frown.
“That old fool Demanitus would be proud of how far you’ve come, Princess.”
Pascal squeaked as he hid behind Rapunzel.
But Rapunzel was not scared of her.
“To be clear, we are talking about the same old fool who outsmarted you and trapped you in oblivion for over two millennia, right?”
A teasing grin formed on her face.
“Joke all you want, but the eclipse is upon us…”
A Cheshire cat grin formed on Zhan Tiri as her eyes, full of thirst for destruction, locked on the sky.
The moon was starting to cover the sun.
Bit by bit.
Rapunzel looked out the window before her eyes locked on Zhan Tiri.
But then, the sun crest on her chest began to flare. Her world around her began to spin.
“What? What…What’s happening?”
She kneeled as her head kept spinning.
“And…there.”
Varian smiled as he finished adjusting a nut.
The machine was finished.
“Okay, just pull that lever and we’ve ourselves a transdimensional portal, haha.”
“Ooh! You weren’t kidding, that was fast.” Said Eugene as he looked at the portal.
“Okay, we’ve gotta make sure everyone is clear of the portal, or else, you know, they’ll end up in limbo right along with Zhan Tiri.”
But just as Varian was explaining the portal to Eugene, Quirin, who was close nearby, immediately shut his eyes.
And when they opened, they were turquoise blue, and his fatherly smile was gone.
“Although I gotta admit, this all feels a little too eas…”
Eugene didn’t even get to finish as a war cry interrupted.
Quirin’s.
His eyes widened as Quirin grabbed the lever that would activate the portal.
“FOR CASSANDRA!!”
He cried out before his helmet began to short-circuit.
Sparks and bolts lit up under his helmet. Eugene’s eyes widened in shock as Varian felt his heart clench before Quirin fell unconscious.
“Dad, Dad! Don’t worry, you’ll be okay. I promise.” The young alchemist, Eugene, and Isla all quickly rushed to Quirin’s unconscious body.
“What happened?”
Eugene asked, concerned for both the boy and his father as he laid a comforting hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“I thought about what you said, and so…I took…precautions. I rigged his helmet with a temporary stun mechanism.”
Varian looked at his father, guilt in his eyes.
He wished Eugene had been wrong, but…he had to make sure.
“SCORE ONE FOR TEAM AWESOME, HAHA!” Eugene bumped the boy’s shoulder with a wide smile, trying to cheer him up.
“Heh, yeah…Team Awesome…”
But the young alchemist couldn’t help but feel terrible for doing this to his father.
The Captain’s smile faded away when he noticed it. The look in Varian’s eyes.
“Let’s say we get him someplace more comfortable, huh?”
Eugene said. The alchemist and the captain smiled softly at each other.
Meanwhile, Rapunzel felt as if the Sundrop began to burn in her chest, begging to be released from her body.
The Eclipse was demanding for the Sundrop to be freed.
“Come, child,” said Zhan Tiri. “Give up while you still can.”
Rapunzel panted, her frown serious.
“There’s something you should know…I’m not big on giving up!”
The moment she stood on her feet, the sewn Sun Crest on her dress burned away, and the light forced its way through, as something was released where the crest of her home Kingdom once stood.
A golden opal, shining with the intensity of the sun itself.
“Ah, the Sundrop.” Zhan Tiri grinned as golden beams of light burst from the Sunstone. But that grin quickly disappeared when the Sundrop began to glow with far more intensity.
Her eyes widened in shock, her smile gone.
The golden light concentrated into a blinding flash that rumbled the whole castle.
“What was that?” Eugene asked. Though the light didn’t reach the concealed Throne Room, he did feel the ground shaking beneath his feet for one second.
Zhan Tiri was blown away.
And when she stood up, on all fours, she hissed at Rapunzel in a snake-like manner, snarling while showing her sharp teeth and reptile-like tongue before rushing away like a threatened beast.
The blonde panted before letting out a short gasp when she looked at her chest.
The Sundrop was now exposed, shaped as a golden opal stone similar to the Moonstone.
“I’m gonna go check on Rapunzel. Isla, you’re left in charge.”
Eugene said, turning to leave the Throne Room.
“What? No!” She stepped in front of him, stopping him.
“Isla, please. She could be in danger.”
He had no idea what that was. But if Rapunzel needed his help, he was going to be there. No matter what.
“You could be, too, if Cassandra’s already there with her.”
A frown formed on her face.
“Isla–” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Listen to me–”
“No, you listen to me.”
His eyes widened in slight surprise.
“The last time you tried to even reason with her she mercilessly kicked your butt right after kicking mine.”
She hasn’t forgotten their first encounter with Cassandra at her stronghold.
And even less what happened at the Goodwill Festival.
“I get that you want Rapunzel to be okay, but if Cassandra is also there, and you go alone and unprepared, you…you could get hurt.”
Her frown softened.
“You’re not Flynnigan Rider. You don’t just run into a monster and come out on top with a swashbuckling grin. You’re a man, a good man …”
Eugene knew that she was right.
His eyes and jaw softened.
“And if you face that monster again…you may not come back.”
She came closer to him.
“Please…let me go with you.”
His gaze dropped to the floor beneath him.
He’ll always do his best to protect his loved ones and his home, but…she’s right.
He let out a sigh before looking her in the eyes.
“Fine. But we’re not going alone. Dad, you’re coming too.”
“Stay here, Hamuel. Keep an eye on things with the others.”
Edmund said, before rushing outside the Throne Room with Eugene and Isla.
The bird perched itself on the lever that controlled the portal.
His weight slowly moved the lever until the portal was active.
“Oh, that’s not good.” Said Varian before the portal sucked Feldspar.
Eugene and Isla stopped as the hall began to quake again.
The screams of surprise were heard from across the corridor.
This has to be a joke.
“Leave them alone for two seconds–DAD, I’M GOING BACK!!”
He and Isla ran back to the throne room.
“Hey, is everyone o…”
Eugene and Isla’s expressions fell in disbelief and shock when the only one left was Shorty, holding onto the lever the best he could.
In the end, the force of the portal was too much and sucked him in before it closed.
Varian, Lance, Frederic, Arianna...all gone.
“...kay?”
Eugene finished his sentence. He can’t believe this.
“Well, ain’t that a humdinger?”
Said Edmund as his raven perched on his right shoulder.
Chapter 31: The Tangled Years: Plus Est En Vous: Part 3
Summary:
Eugene, Edmund, and Isla venture back to Cassandra's stronghold. Rapunzel and Cassandra's powers clash as the Eclipse sets.
Chapter Text
Rapunzel ventured throughout the castle.
Her goal? To find the Moonstone’s wielder.
Her friend.
Cassandra.
A mouse hid in a hole in the wall, and black rock spikes were pierced through the walls and floor.
But the blonde made a quick stop when she spotted a room that once belonged to a person who was very important to her.
Cassandra's.
She walked inside, taking in the destruction caused by the spike of black rock.
The closet was torn open with the sun and moon carved on the wood.
Cassandra’s old headdress.
“I know we’ve grown apart, it breaks my heart in two…”
She missed her company as she took a look at the painting she had made for her friend.
A gift that she made for her.
And even though she didn’t like how she ripped Eugene out of the picture in her painting, she still remembered that moment fondly.
She’d give anything for her to relive everything together.
For a brief moment, she allowed herself to drop onto Cassandra’s bed, giving Pascal a small boop on his nose.
Though Darkness and despair found Cassandra in the form of the Moonstone Opal, she knew the woman who once raced with her through the hills of the Kingdom was still in there.
She’d give anything to see her smile again.
To feel her warm embrace.
“Yes, I’d give anything…for you…”
She sang softly as she carefully folded the headdress on Cassandra’s bed before leaving to a nearby window in the room.
“I know Cassandra can still be saved, Pascal…”
The blonde said before the Sundrop stone began to flicker.
The small chameleon looked at it before looking at her.
The Eclipse.
It’s calling them both.
Cassandra felt it too.
The Moonstone pulsed in her chest.
It never did that before.
“The Eclipse has already begun to weaken the Sundrop’s strength.”
Said Zhan Tiri. The two were in Rapunzel’s chambers.
“It is time for you to face the princess and take the power that is rightfully yours.”
The sorceress grinned as she did a curtsy.
“Yes, it is time.”
She turned around, Zhan Tiri following her closely.
She doesn’t want that gremlin of a woman near her.
“There’s just one other thing.”
With a raised hand, the wielder of the Moonstone summoned a cage around the sorceress, taking her by surprise.
A smirk formed on Cassandra’s face.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you.”
She let out a low chuckle before giving her back to the caged demon.
“No, that’s exactly it.”
She mockingly bowed, leaving the room.
Though Zhan Tiri made puppy eyes at her, these quickly vanished into a wicked smirk.
She chuckled as she looked at her black rock cage.
“I’ve been in far worse prisons.”
She still remembered the last prison she was in.
The Lost Realm.
But before that, she remembered her last encounter with Demanitus.
She remembered how Demanitus asked her to give up her quest for power.
“This quest for the Sundrop and Moonstone was both of ours!!”
That’s what she told him until the engineer accused her of turning their quest into something darker than she had made it all about, gaining power for herself.
But he turned his back on her.
As long as she lived, she was not going to stop until she had that power.
That day, she made him a promise.
“THIS IS FAR FROM OVER!! I will have that power. And when I do, I will destroy your beloved Corona! I PROMISE YOU!!”
She made him a promise.
No matter what, an eclipse will set on Corona.
Meanwhile, Eugene, Isla, and Edmund returned to the Throne Room.
“Come on, Dad! If we don’t get our friends back and get this thing up and running, Rapunzel’s whole plan will fall apart!”
Eugene said to the Dark King. Every second was valuable.
“Then let’s get moving. Although they really are more their friends.”
Edmund spoke to Hamuel.
Then, a growl caught his attention.
Hector’s Binturongs took Quirin’s helmet off his head, placing it on the cracked floor before being crushed under Hector’s boot.
“Hello, your majesty…”
The bearded man smirked, his Binturongs growling. Quirin stood up, his eyes glowing turquoise blue once again.
“I’m sorry. What were you saying about my friends?”
Eugene asked. Isla raised an eyebrow at Edmund before Hector, Quirin, and the raging beasts launched at them.
As Rapunzel walked across the halls and corridors of the castle, a nearby candle was blown out.
She’s here.
”Cassandra?”
“You know, Raps, it’s funny.”
The Wielder of the Moonstone spoke, and the black rock spikes moved away as she hung upside down, very much like a bat.
“I look at you and I see a girl who was used for her gifts and lied to her entire life.”
She dropped, landing on her feet like an agile feline.
“And I think, if there’s anyone who should know what it feels like to be taken for granted and cast aside for something better, it’d be you.”
“Who says I don’t?”
The blonde frowned. Even now, she’s trying to understand her actions.
“Cassandra, I am not giving up on you. We can work this out, trust me .”
“Trust you? The last time I heard those words, you had Varian imprison me in amber.”
She tried to reach out, she really did. But she was shut down before she could even speak.
“You know that wasn’t my plan!” Rapunzel exclaimed. “Ah, this isn’t you, Cass.”
“This isn’t me? Don’t you get it by now?” the wilder of the Moonstone held an accusatory finger at the blonde.
“You don’t get to tell me who I am, no one does.”
The Sundrop and the Moonstone glowed as sparks were released when they approached each other for a moment before Cassandra gave her back to Rapunzel.
“Only I decide that.”
“And have you decided, Cassandra? Is this who you are now? Is this what you really want?”
The blonde did the same, but only because Cassandra did so.
“Because I think Zhan Tiri has your head so clouded with anger and hate…that you don’t even know what you want anymore.”
The princess turned to look at Cassandra.
Deep down, she feels, she KNOWS that all of this anger, this hate…
It’s not from Cassandra.
“I know exactly what I want! I want you to know what it feels like to fall short, despite your best efforts.”
She turned around, her eyes locking with Rapunzel.
“I want you and the rest of the world to know that I come second…to no one .”
She pulled out her Shadow Blade sword.
With a clenched fist and a furious scowl, spikes of black rocks formed behind her.
She is not and will never be second to anybody.
Not to her, not to Eugene.
Not now, not ever.
The second place is for the beggars and the losers.
Meanwhile, Eugene tried to pull the lever to bring their friends back.
But Hector wasn’t making it easy.
The member of the Brotherhood’s sword clashed against Eugene’s.
Isla did the best she could to help against him.
“Oh, these guys are tough,”
Eugene said before receiving a kick to his abdomen. That hurt, but he can’t let that stop him.
Not now.
“Well, they were trained by the best,” Edmund said before knocking Quirin out of his way.
“Probably should not be proud of that fact at this moment.”
After all, the King did train them.
Though they fought their best, the trio would soon be thrown by the two warriors and the beasts.
“Alright, alright, look. The only way I see us getting to that machine…is to get the Brotherhood back on our side.”
The only way to win against them is to break them free from Cassandra’s control.
“Yes, but we’d have to know where Cassandra’s hidden the Mind Trap.” Said Edmund.
“I have an idea where she’d keep it.”
The trio all looked at their opponents.
“It’s getting there that’s gonna be a problem…”
“Her Stronghold…”
Said Isla.
Without losing any more time, Eugene, Isla, and Edmund rode Maximus and Domino to the Stronghold.
“Cass, hand over the Moonstone so we can end this.”
Rapunzel said. She wanted to give her friend one last chance to fix this.
“You are playing right into Zhan Tiri’s plan.”
“I’ve already taken care of Zhan Tiri.”
She put that gremlin in a cage herself.
“Now, give me the Sundrop.”
She raised her sword, pointing at the princess.
“I’m warning you, Cass. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to protect this kingdom.”
She tried to talk things out over and over again, and she didn’t listen.
Pascal frowned as he took a boxing position.
Now, the sun is about to clash with the moon.
As she let down her hair, she began to chant the Fifth Incantation in her mind.
‘Power of the Sun…Gift me with your light…’
All she needed to channel was just a bit of the Sundrop’s power.
Both women frowned before rushing to each other. Cassandra swung her sword at the princess, while Rapunzel swung a bunch of her indestructible hair at her.
The wielder of the Moonstone ducked under the golden tendril.
“I was hoping we’d be able to talk this out, but now that you’ve made that impossible, I am not holding BACK!!”
Rapunzel charged the Sundrop’s energy into a concentrated attack that blasted Cassandra backward.
But Cassandra was far from defeated.
“I can’t tell you how disappointing that is to hear, Raps. Because if you’re not holding back, that means this is the best you can do.”
The blonde sent two waves of solar energy, but Cassandra, with her sharp skills, spun her sword before blocking the princess’s attack. Though blocked, the blast still held power in them.
But not enough to knock her down.
“And your best is pathetic.”
The traitor hissed as she stood up, sending a wave of black rocks at her.
The spikes took the form of growling wolves that scared poor Pascal.
Rapunzel swatted her glowing, golden locks at the wolves.
She closed her eyes and walked through the black rocks. Cassandra sent more spikes at her, but the aura surrounding the princess made her immune to her attacks.
Her rocks blew into shards, every one of them, until both women were now face to face.
Eyes locked on each other.
“Come on!! Cassandra’s tower is just up this way,” Eugene said, Maximus galloping as fast as he could, Isla holding his waist tightly.
However, a roar caught Edmund’s attention.
“Oh, boy.” Said the Dark King.
“What? What is it?” Asked Eugene, as some nearby crows flew away.
Hector followed them closely, mounting his rhino while his Binturongs followed him.
The rhino smashed his way through, wrecking a boulder that was in his way.
“Fantastic.” Murmured Eugene, in a higher pitch.
“Ugh, why did I ever let him get a rhino?” The Dark King complained. Hamuel flew by his side.
“Well, your old pals are persistent, that’s for sure. Max, let’s shake 'em!”
The White Stallion narrowed his eyes with a frown.
He began running in a zig-zag pattern around the trees, Domino following close by as the rhino rammed his way through.
“You said the tower was that way!!” Exclaimed Edmund.
“Yeah, well, we’re taking the scenic route. Rhinos are fast and can bust just about anything, but I’m willing to bet there’s one thing they can’t do.”
Eugene narrowed his eyes, locking his gaze on the road ahead.
“What’s that?” Asked Edmund.
Isla’s eyes widened.
“Uh…Eugene?”
a great gap ahead.
“Eugene!”
“Jump!” He exclaimed.
Maximus was not stopping.
“EUGENE!!” She exclaimed before the two stallions jumped over the gap.
She let out a scream of surprise before the two stallions landed safely on the other side.
Hector, on the other hand, didn’t have the same luck. His rhino stopped on its track, and his Binturongs stopped too, til they bumped with his rhino, making the warrior fall from his rhino to the river below them.
“First time?” Eugene asked Isla with a cocky smirk.
At least now he wasn’t the only one who knew how fast Maximus was.
The Hispanic woman sighed.
Was that revenge for the escape plan she made all those years ago?
Hector growled as he rose from the water.
Chapter 32: The Tangled Years: Plus Est En Vous: Part 4
Summary:
Eugene and Isla fight against the Dark Kingdom's Brotherhood. The Eclipse finally sets.
Chapter Text
The moon was closer to covering the sun’s light.
The sky, which started as pink, was now red, as crows flew across it.
“Oh, Cassandra. So predictable.” Zhan Tiri said, looking out of the window.
“Have you learned nothing from me? No matter how formidable an obstacle…everything has its weakness.”
She pulled out a vial of chemical acid she found lying in the Demanitus chamber.
“And I have a gift for finding it.”
She pulled out the cork, which made a popping sound, and poured the chemical around her, forming a circle.
The acid hissed around her.
It didn’t take many seconds for the floor below her to crack, allowing her to escape via the hole she made.
Meanwhile, the battle between Cassandra and Rapunzel continued. Sundrop and Moonstone were used against each other until both women crashed their way into another hall.
“Huh, these are new, Said Cassandra, eyeing the vases around the room.
“Yeah, I thought this hall could use a little sprucing up. What do you think?” Rapunzel asked, but the moment she stood on her feet, Cassandra began to throw the vases at her.
“A simple ‘Not my style' would have been fine, but okay.”
Cassandra didn’t have time for this nonsense. She quickly began to throw them, one after one. Rapunzel dodged each one until the wielder of the Moonstone grabbed one with a big-eyed rodent at the center.
“WAIT!” The blonde extended an arm with an open palm, eyes wide. “My aunt Willow made that one, please…?”
As ridiculous as it sounded, Cass granted her some mercy and put the vase down.
Before she threw all the vases with surging spines of black rock.
Rapunzel swatted the vases, breaking them in the process.
She grabbed her former friend with her hair, taking Cassandra to the ground.
“Bet you didn’t see that coming!” Exclaimed the blonde as her opponent dropped her sword. Her golden hair wrapped around her leg and torso.
“You forget who taught you that move,” Cassandra said, “Not to mention rule number one of combat: Turn your enemy’s strength into a weakness.”
She grabbed the two strands of golden locks and summoned black rocks that quickly extended across the two strands, reaching her arms and encasing her before clenching her fist.
Rapunzel was trapped at Cassandra’s mercy.
The princess struggled the best she could, but it was useless. The wielder of the Moonstone broke a nearby window with spikes that quickly retreated.
The black rocks that kept the princess extended to the balcony of her chambers, like a snake reaching for a tree.
“This fight is over, princess,” Cassandra said, stepping down from the platform she created.
“What are we doing here?” Asked Rapunzel.
“I want the entire Kingdom to see me get that Sundrop,” said Cassandra, the eclipse setting behind them.
“And then what, Cassandra?” Asked Rapunzel. Pascal, who hid the entire fight, peeked out with a frown.
“If you win…what will you do? Have you thought about that? What will be left for you? Who will be left for you? huh?”
“Ha…who will be left for me, Rapunzel? Let me tell you something. This whole ordeal has taught me I don’t need anyone.”
“Please. I know you don’t believe that,” Rapunzel said, she knows deep down that her friend is still in there.
“You don’t get to tell me what I believe!!” Exclaimed Cassandra. She was tired of hearing her words.
She clenched a fist, and black rocks formed around Rapunzel’s head, covering the only part of her body that wasn’t covered by the mineral.
She can’t give up.
“Power of the sun…Gift me with your light…Shine into the dark…Restore our fading sight…”
She began to recite the Final Incantation in her head.
Even though the moon threatened to cover the sun, it was still there. Her hair gleamed golden, and her grip on the strands of hair she was holding tightened. The black rock prison Cassandra made around her weakened before it blew to pieces around Rapunzel.
Cassandra backed off, her teeth gritting with anger. Rapunzel’s eyes glowed golden before she blasted the wielder of the Moonstone to the bottom of the bedroom in an explosion of sunlight.
Meanwhile, the trio of Eugene, Edmund, and Isla finally arrived at the Stronghold tower. The red sky made the tower look darker than it was, giving it an obsidian shade.
“Huh, and you said my old place was creepy,” Edmund said, looking at the tall black rock tower.
“No, I said your old place was disturbing. I said the bear hood you used to wear was creepy,” Eugene said, his hands on his hips.
“Dabney? You think Dabney is creepy?” Edmund asked as Isla rolled her eyes.
“Ugh, ladies, ladies, can we focus please?” She asked. There is no time for their father-son banter.
“Alright, alright,” Eugene held his arms up as they all three ventured their way inside the Stronghold.
Thankfully, Eugene and Isla remembered the way up very clearly, Isla more than Eugene.
And there it was, floating over three spikes of black rocks that gave the illusion of holding it.
“The Mind Trap! There it is!” Exclaimed Eugene. The blue stone shone with the same aura as the Moonstone, and the two former thieves could see their reflection on the blue stone.
But just as Eugene was about to snatch the Mind Trap, another hand picked it up away from them.
“Huh?”
“I’ll take that,” Said Adira, before kicking Eugene away.
“Adira…” Eugene’s eyes widened, and Isla pulled out her sword.
But then, a familiar growling was heard nearby. Hector and his Binturongs made their way in. How did he make it?
“Uh, Dad? Wanna tell your friends to back off?” Eugene stood up and backed off. But Edmund didn’t answer.
“Dad?”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Edmund growled, his eyes now glowing turquoise blue.
“Ay no…” Murmured Isla.
“Listen to me, Cass,” said Rapunzel. The two were still in her chambers, now destroyed by the impact Cassandra had made when she crashed against the wall. “ Give up the Moonstone. Together we can unite it with the Sundrop and put an end to ALL of this, right now.”
The wielder of the Moonstone stood on her feet and pulled out her Shadow Blade sword. “Yeah, like that’s going to happen.”
She is not giving up the Moonstone. However, Rapunzel’s hair quickly radiated its golden glow and swished it against the sword.
Cassandra’s sword shattered against the Sundrop’s light. The blue-haired woman took a look at her blade.
Only its handle was untouched.
Her eyes widened. She threw it away before Rapunzel wrapped her hair around her, restraining her former friend.
“It’s over, Cass.”
Said the blonde. Cassandra struggled to get out of it.
But then, her eyes widened with a gasp.
The eclipse was almost there.
The moon was about to cover the sun’s light.
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Eugene couldn’t believe it.
“Dad…”
He backed off, tripping over with his sword and falling to the ground.
“Eugene,” Isla interrupted, her grip tight on her sword.
He looked at her as she nodded towards Adira.
They’re surrounded.
“Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait. You were a member of the Brotherhood all along?”
Edmund pulled out his glove from his only remaining hand. The symbol of the Dark Kingdom glowed on the back of his hand.
“We all took an oath of allegiance to the Moonstone, son.”
With a dark smirk, Adira threw the Mind Trap stone to Edmund. Isla attempted to catch it mid-air, but the stone landed directly on Edmund’s hand.
“ Now that I’ve managed to keep this out of your hands, that allegiance will remain with Cassandra.”
“YOU CAN’T DO THIS!!” Shouted Isla. “She never made an oath, she’s not from your home Kingdom. She stole it.”
She turned to Eugene, hoping he’d agreed with her.
But his eyes were telling something else.
“Father…”
The surprise in the captain’s eyes softened.
“I don’t wanna fight you, and I know deep down you don’t want to fight me.”
“You don’t stand a chance,” Adira said with a smirk.
And it's true. They probably don’t.
But they are not backing down.
“YEAH?! Well, I’m not one to walk away from a fight when my friends are in danger, no matter what the odds!” Eugene rose to his feet. Isla’s eyes widened as a proud smile formed on her face.
She immediately changed positions, standing side to side with Eugene.
“Just something I picked up from Rapunzel,” He said, raising his sword, pointing at Adira.
The white-haired woman turned to Hector and then back to them, shaking her head before raising her foot to land a powerful kick.
The sun’s light quickly began to fade, as if one large shadow began to cover all of the land.
The sky turned blood red, and where the sun once was was now a black sphere, surrounded by the sun’s rays, which tried to reach past the Moon.
The Eclipse has arrived.
Cassandra chuckled as the Sundrop Stone’s light began to flicker and die.
“Time’s up, Raps,” She said as the Moonstone began shining with more intensity than before.
“It’s the Eclipse. When the moon blocks out the light of the sun,” The traitor said as her former friend fell to one knee. Rapunzel felt her head spinning, her hair’s grip on Cassandra loosened as the wielder of the Moonstone rose to her feet.
Pascal squeaked worryingly as he laid a hand on Rapunzel’s neck.
With an opening of her palm, Cassandra summoned a wave of black rocks that encased the blonde princess.
“Wait!” The blonde backed off until the spikes formed a cage around her.
“Tell me something. How does it feel to be in the shadow?”
Finally. The moment she had been expecting.
Her blue eyes craved for the blonde to finally admit defeat.
Even though they fought as hard as they could, even though they gave it their all, the Brotherhood was not defeated.
Eugene panted. His usually well-kept hair was now messy, his eyes were tired, and one was even slightly bruised on the lid.
“Any possibility we call this a draw?” He asked, smiling despite the fear in his eyes.
Adira, Hector, and Edmund all frowned at the duo.
“No? Okay, well, don’t say I didn’t give you a chanc–”
Without any sort of warning, Adira smacked him away to Edmund, who quickly threw him to his knees as Eugene dropped his sword.
“No!!” Isla tried to rush at Adira and land a punch, but Hector quickly picked her up, throwing her away.
Adira picked up Eugene’s blade and threw it out of the Stronghold.
“Great! Well, now you owe me a new sword!” Exclaimed Eugene.
However, his sword didn’t fall too far away from the Stronghold.
It landed just right below, with Domino, Hamuel, and Maximus.
The silly crow was unbothered, of course, but Maximus neighed and narrowed his eyes at the top of the Stronghold when he realized one thing: Eugene was in trouble.
Fitzherbert couldn’t fight anymore. His body was bruised and tired. He did his best, but best was not enough for the warriors who swore to protect the Moonstone at all costs.
“Well, Horace, looks like the long line of Dark Kings ends here,” Said Edmund with a dark grin.
“Dad…I beg you…If there’s an ounce of compassion left in your heart…please stop calling me Horace.” If he was going to die, that was the bare minimum he could do for him.
Then, a furious neigh interrupted his thought.
“Max!”
Isla’s eyes lit up when the white stallion made himself present.
With headbutts, kicks, and stomping Hector’s foot, the horse began to fight every member of the Brotherhood.
“You guys ticked off the wrong horse!” Eugene pointed out with a smirk.
Furious that a horse was getting the upper hand, Hector sent his two binturongs to set a trap for Maximus.
While the three members of the Brotherhood surrounded Maximus, the Binturongs threw a net from up high.
Maximus had been captured.
“Nice try. But even with your horse, you’ll never defeat all of us,” Said Edmund, giving his back to Eugene.
Now’s the chance.
Sneaking in carefully, Fitzherbert took the Mind Trap off his possessed father.
“You know what? You’re right. But Dad, the good news is, we don’t have to beat all of you. Just the guy with the Mind Trap.” He held the stone high, but before he could throw it against the black rock floor and finally end this, Eugene was pushed hard, out to the Stronghold’s outside platform.
Hard enough to make him fall and drop the Mind Trap Stone.
“Okay. Okay, Eugene, that was not your best idea, aah…” He tried to crawl to the stone, but he was just too tired.
Edmund stood in front of his son and the stone. With a cold glare, he pulled out his axe.
“No, Dad! Dad, wait.”
Despite being possessed, Edmund heard and complied with Eugene’s request.
“When I first found you…I resented you, I uh–for leaving me…with him,”
With Dorian Ravensdale out of all people.
“But…but now…I realize you were just trying to protect me. I understand the sacrifice you were forced to make. And I…I forgive you.”
With all said, he closed his eyes and prepared himself for an upcoming death.
Edmund raised his axe, and with a war cry, he lowered it onto the Mind Trap.
A wave of energy was released that quickly snapped Adira and Hector from the stone’s control.
The Dark King shook his head, his glare dropping onto his son.
His only son.
He picked him up and hugged him with his only arm.
“Thank you, son…”
Eugene smiled, and though quite exhausted, managed to extend an arm to Edmund’s shoulder.
“Dad…I know this is a moment, but Rapunzel is fighting for the fate of our Kingdom right now.”
“Oh, right, bigger fish.”
Adira helped Isla get on her feet.
“Are you alright?” Asked the female warrior of the Brotherhood.
“I’m…”
Isla looked at Edmund, hugging Eugene, and a soft, sisterly smile formed on her face.
“I’m fine.”
After hours of staying in a warped world with a Unicorn, a bee with a knight, a floating eye, etc, Varian and the others were finally freed from the Lost Realm.
Their hero? None other than Quirin himself.
“Dad!! You’re back!!” Varian did not waste a second to run into his father’s arms.
Father and son shared a warm embrace. Things may be dark now, but goodness knows the boy feels happy that his father is back.
But not everything was happiness.
“I helped you find your power within. It’s only right I take it out.”
Cassandra smirked as she extended her arm to her former friend.
Rapunzel felt so tired. She tried words, fighting. Nothing had seemed to work, and it won’t work now.
“Cassandra, no…” She begged, but her former friend didn’t listen. The Sundrop Stone flickered before it floated away from her.
Her long, golden blonde hair quickly changed to brown brunette, despite still being long.
“Sorry, Rapunzel,” Cassandra smirked as the Sundrop Stone floated to her. But then…
She barely saw it coming. Not even a shadow behind her.
With a hiss, Zhan Tiri jumped on her, making her drop the Sundrop.
Cassandra struggled, barely even knowing it was her.
“RRAH!!” Without a warning, the sorceress demon ripped the Moonstone from Cassandra’s chest.
“How did you–” Cass’s eyes widened in shock.
No. No, no, no.
Her bones cracked, her turquoise blue hair turned ebony black, and her eyes turned pale green.
The sleek, black armor turned into a common grey, and the blue parts turned brown.
What is happening?
The Moonstone was supposed to be hers.
Then why did it hurt so much when it was ripped from her?
“Finally…”
Zhan Tiri’s eyes softened as she looked at the blue opal, but that soft look quickly turned into a sadistic grin.
“They’re mine.”
The black rock cage that Cassandra made quickly vanished, freeing the weakened princess.
Both Cassandra and Rapunzel lay on the floor. Their knees and hands touched the floor.
“I’d like to thank both of you for taking care of what rightfully belongs to me.”
With a maniacal laugh, the two opals began to glow on her palms.
“AT LONG LAST!! THEY ARE MINEE !!”
Cassandra backed off, her eyes wide in horror.
Zhan Tiri’s childish Enchanted Girl facade is no longer useful.
As the Sundrop and Moonstone fused into her forearms, each eye began to glow.
Her right one became blue turquoise, her left one gold.
Her voice deepened into that of an old woman, as claws ripped through her gloves.
Her dress warped into black tentacles, her face turned into that of a primate as horns grew at each side of her head.
The gem on her head turns bloody red.
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”
Chapter 33: The Tangled Years: Plus Est En Vous: Part 5
Summary:
Zhan Tiri rises, as Rapunzel and Cassandra lose both the Sundrop and the Moonstone. Now, as their friends face off the demon sorceress, the two must make amends to save their kingdom.
Chapter Text
An ancient monster had just returned.
Everyone gathered outside the courtyard of the castle, just as Eugene, Isla, and Edmund had returned.
A huge, hulking beast broke its way through the balcony of Rapunzel’s bedroom with a guttural, almost bovine roar.
Zhan Tiri.
The Demon looked around at the Kingdom she swore to Demanitus that she would destroy.
“Let the age of Zhan Tiri begin!!”
She declared, as the power of the Sundrop and the Moonstone bolted in each of her fists.
“Dios mio…” Isla said, her eyes widening in shock.
“Okay, if that thing is that little girl, then she has hit a really unfortunate growth spurt.”
Eugene said, his eyes couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Meanwhile, inside Rapunzel’s bedroom, Zhan Tiri chuckled as she looked at each of her wrists.
“At last, the power is mine. I’ve dreamt of wielding the Moonstone and Sundrop for CENTURIES!! HAHAHAHA!!”
But just as she was laughing, a lock of long brown hair caught her arm holding the Sundrop.
“I am all about people living out their dreams. But today? Not so much,”
Said Rapunzel. Even without the Sundrop, she is not giving up.
“You may have been a worthy adversary once, princess. But now you are nothing!”
With one flick of her arm, Rapunzel was sent back against a wall. The demon chuckled in amusement before her eyes turned to Cassandra.
“And you…”
She grabbed the former wielder of the Moonstone. Cassandra grunted at the strength of the demon.
“You lost before you even began, girl. Just like your mother.”
Just like Gothel herself long ago. Stripped of a power that never belonged to her.
“Felled by your own ego,”
Zhan Tiri said with a smirk.
Cassandra’s fury, her rage.
It was as if it was ripped out of her alongside the Moonstone, the very moment Zhan Tiri removed it.
“Leave her alone,” Rapunzel said, standing up, an angry frown on her face.
She is not gonna let that monster harm Cass. Her fists clenched.
“I’m sorry if I gave the impression we were having a conversation.”
Without any mercy for the young woman she deceived, she threw Cassandra as if she were nothing but a ragdoll without use.
“Cass!” The brunette didn’t hesitate a second before she ran to her friend.
“Now watch as I finally deliver on a promise I made LONG AGO!!”
She’ll finally fulfill her promise to Demanitus.
The Demon raised her fists, golden tendrils of light and blue bolts flickered around her as she cast a cage made of golden rocks. A mix between the Moonstone’s black rocks and the Sundrop’s abilities, the rocks surged as spikes that formed a dome around the two women.
“Time to destroy Corona.”
Without anything else to say, the demon left the two former wielders of the Sundrop and Moonstone.
And Rapunzel won’t be there to aid her friends against this demon.
Meanwhile, Eugene and Maximus tried to make their way into the castle. But the debris thrown by Zhan Tiri made it impossible for the rider-horse duo to rush in.
“Okay, listen up. I need everyone to get as far away from here as possible.” Eugene said as he pulled his sword out of its sheath. Rapunzel was in trouble, the Kingdom was in danger, and he was not leaving.
“But what about you, son?” Asked Edmund.
Isla tried to talk, but then.
A loud, primal roar made everyone turn to the demon responsible for it.
Zhan Tiri.
“I'm going after Rapunzel.” Without any further explanation, Eugene and Maximus ran at the monster.
“Not alone, you’re not! I’m going with you!” exclaimed Lance as he followed him.
“Me too!” Isla raised her sword and followed as well.
“So am I!” Varian said as a mutant Ruddiger roared.
But Zhan Tiri laughed at all of this. Because what could a bunch of mortals do against her?
“We are not going down without a fight!” Exclaimed Catalina. Despite her and Kiera rushing with wooden swords, they are still fighting for their home.
Soon, everyone joined against the demon. Frederic, Arianna, Edmund, Xavier. Even Hector and Adira.
“For Corona!!” Exclaimed Eugene, Maximus rushing through the surging golden rocks. “For Rapunzel!”
“FOR CORONA!!! FOR RAPUNZEL!! FOR CORONA!! FOR RAPUNZEL!!” Everyone shouted, rushing in with their weapons of choice.
But all of this was just amusing for the demon, who just chuckled darkly.
Let them come.
The castle was crumbling around them. And as much as she tried and pulled the golden minerals with her long hair, they were not moving.
“Cassandra, come on! I need your help,” Rapunzel urged her friend to help her. She was actively trying to find an exit.
But the black-haired woman was not moving. She just sat there, her face blank.
Deep in thought, she contemplated all she did when she was one with the Moonstone.
When she thought she was the moon.
The long-haired brunette approached her and grabbed her by her shoulders.
“Snap out of it, Cass! We’ve gotta stop Zhan Tiri before it’s too–”
“Too late? Raps, look around. We’ve failed, I’ve failed. ”
Cass’s eyes filled with tears.
“No, you can do–”
“I CAN’T DO ANYTHING!! Why won’t you just give up on me?! Can’t you see what I’ve done? Look around you! This is all my fault!”
She felt her chest tightening, her eyes watering.
Rapunzel’s eyes softened. For so long, all she had tried to do was to reach her friend’s heart.
As the wave of guilt washed over her, Cassandra reached for Rapunzel’s warm embrace.
“I’ve done terrible things!! All this time, I tried so hard to prove that I was more than everyone thought, but they were right.”
Oh, Cass…
“No, Cassandra…no,”
A soft smile formed on Rapunzel’s lips. Because she knows that her friend, Cass, is capable of the most wonderful things.
“Raps…I am so sorry.”
Cass murmured, her voice almost breaking as she allowed herself to be held tightly by Rapunzel.
Meanwhile, outside the castle’s walls, the people of Corona gave everything they had to fight the monster.
Regardless of how little the difference they made with their pitchforks, clubs, and swords, everyone did their best.
“Have you come to watch me obliterate your Kingdom?”
Asked Zhan tiri with a wicked smirk.
“Haha. You hear that, guys? Lady Squidbottom here thinks we’re calling it quits,” Eugene said. Despite the danger, his sarcasm and his quips never seem to run out.
As he rode Maximus, the white stallion jumped next to Zhan Tiri, giving him the chance to hit one of the demon’s tentacles with his sword.
The Monster growled when she felt the blade hit her tentacle, and without a doubt, she sent a wave of surging golden spikes at the captain.
“Hoho, you do know Coronans very well, now do you?” Eugene smirked as Maximus neighed.
“Coronans have always been the same. Pathetic.” Zhan Tiri said.
She was going to turn this kingdom into nothing more than dust.
“Come on! Let’s hit her with everything we’ve got! CHARGE!!”
As Eugene continued to lead the forces of Corona against the ancient demon, Rapunzel and Cassandra remained trapped under the dome of golden rocks.
“Cass…I was thinking about when we first met.” A soft smile formed on the brunette’s lips. “Do you know it was nearly three weeks before I heard you laugh for the first time?”
The black haired woman looked at her before her eyes fell to the floor in guilt.
“I guess there wasn’t much to smile about. You know, after being put in charge of a free-spirited flower child , who painted smiley faces all over your things, heh.”
Rapunzel still remembered the first few days of her life in the castle.
How different things were.
A brief chuckle escaped from Cassandra before her expression fell again.
“But that first laugh was so remarkable…because I knew you meant it.” Rapunzel’s eyes softened.
“What do you mean?”
“When you laughed. You had this look in your eyes.”
It was like seeing a warm light shine beneath a cold armor.
“I don't know, it was like seeing you, the real you …for the first time. And that’s the Cassandra I became best friends with.”
Cass felt confused.
How can she hold those memories with such love?
After everything she’d done.
“W…Why are you telling me this?”
The long-haired princess gently held her friend’s armored hand.
“Because…even when I look at you now, after all that’s happened, no matter what we’ve done to each other…I still see that look in your eyes.”
No longer was she seeing the raging moon.
That traitor that Isla warned her about time and time again…was gone.
All she saw was Cass.
Her Cass.
The woman who held her under her wing in a new world that threatened to imprison her in a new tower.
“You’re my best friend, Cassandra.”
Cass’s eyes lit up at Rapunzel’s words.
It felt as if she was seeing the sun rise again before her.
“And I will never give up on you.”
“Is this the best that Corona has to offer?” The dark Demon laughed as she almost crushed Ufl the mine under one of her tentacles.
Then, Catalina threw a boulder at her.
“And what do we have here?”
The demon grinned, and by the second rock the redheaded girl threw, the demon had already picked her up.
“Catalina!!” exclaimed Kiera.
However, what Zhan Tiri did not expect was for the young girl to emerge from her closed fist as a werewolf.
The werewolf pushed her fist open and howled before crawling through her arm.
“ENOUGH!!” Without mercy, she threw the werewolf away. Catalina landed hard on the ground, dust forming around her.
Hector tried to rush at her with his rhino, but the demon quickly blocked his way with a barrier of golden rocks that surged before the African herbivore.
“Hey, Zhan Tiri!!” Varian exclaimed as he quickly mixed two chemicals in a beaker. “Catch!!”
The beaker blasted away, catching the demon off guard as she covered her face.
“Yes!!” Varian exclaimed, raising his fist.
But much to his surprise, the demon was without a scratch.
“You’re only prolonging your own demise,” She growled.
She had had enough.
With an extended palm, she cast cages around Isla, Varian, Catalina, and Kiera.
Only Eugene and Maximus were left standing.
“You could have taken the form of a chimp like your buddy, but noooo, you just have to be whatever that is,” Eugene said, Maximus running as fast as he could.
The stallion dodged a spike that surged at his left side, but was forced to stop abruptly when a bunch of golden rocks blocked his way.
The captain was launched into the air, caught by the demon’s tentacles in mid-air.
“Ooh, okay, okay, ow! I’ve got you right where I want cha!” He said as he struggled against the tentacle.
“I’ve grown tired of this. At last, Corona DIES!!”
Without mercy, she threw Eugene away. The man landed near Catalina and Isla.
“Eugene!” Isla exclaimed.
He was tired.
And he was about to be even more than that.
“Wither and decay…End this destiny…”
gold and blue bolts sparkled around Zhan Tiri’s hands.
“Oh no…” Said Eugene as his eyes widened, and his mouth gaped slightly.
“Break these earthly chains and set the spirit free!”
Releasing a wave of energy, the castle quickly began to lose its colors as a wave of darkness engulfed everything.
The golden rocks turned black as the decay incantation began to slowly drain their life energy away.
Varian groaned as he tried to hold his grip on the black rocks.
Isla felt her bones weakening like they had all the way back on the Great Tree.
“The spirit free…”
As Zhan Tiri finished the incantation, Eugene dropped to his knees.
He felt a sharp pain in his abdomen, as his hand instinctively reached to hold his gut.
A wound, the wound that took his life when Gothel stabbed him all those years ago.
It may be open again.
The ancient demon laughed in dark amusement as the kingdom turned dark.
There was nothing he could do now.
Meanwhile, Rapunzel tried to find anything that could get them out of the cage Zhan Tiri cast over them. “There’s gotta be something we can use to get out of here…”
And though Cass was somewhat back to her real self, the guilt still remained.
“You know, Cass. If it makes you feel any better, when you grabbed the Moonstone before I could…there’s a pretty good chance you saved my life,” The princess with long brunette hair said.
“What do you mean?” Her friend asked, basically a murmur.
“Well, we know that the Sundrop and the Moonstone have to be reunited, but we still don’t know what will happen when they actually are.”
She picked a small box filled with some of her tools she had to make art, and dropped it all on the floor. “And if we believe Adira…”
“Ugh…” Cassandra rolled her eyes and groaned at the mention of the female warrior of the Brotherhood.
“It could be really bad for whoever puts them together. Like…” Rapunzel imitated the sound of an explosion. “...bad.”
“Well…I guess we’ll never find out. Now that Zhan Tiri has them both.” Her friend’s face dropped as she turned around.
“See? I refuse to believe it’s hopeless.” Rapunzel is not giving up. They will find an exit.
“Ha, there’s a surprise,” Cass said with a smirk.
Rapunzel sighed as she wrapped her arms around her hair and neck.
Then, a small squeak came from within the debris.
Pascal. He found something that may just give his best friend a hint of what they need to escape: Rapunzel’s journal.
The small green chameleon smiled as he gave it a few pats.
Dusting off some of the dust it had, Rapunzel opened it.
Cassandra’s transformation into the wielder of the Moonstone, the armor Cassandra got from the Great Tree, Terapi Island, her first few days when her blonde hair grew back…
And under the cover, before the first page even began, was a quote her mother wrote for her.
Plus est en vous.
“It means…there is more in you.”
“Plus est en vous.” Rapunzel repeated.
“What?” Cassandra’s eyes widened in slight confusion as a smile formed on Rapunzel’s lips.
“Plus est en vous means…there is more in you, Cassandra.”
The black haired woman’s mouth gaped before a slight smile formed.
She reached for her heart, and then something happened.
Blue sparks.
From the Moonstone.
Their eyes widened before Rapunzel stepped closer to her.
“Our first fight at my black rock tower.”
She remembers that day very well. She refused to free Eugene, and as a result, the power of the sun and the moon clashed together in an explosion of light that shattered the Moonstone.
Leaving only one small, thin shard.
“Our last hope,” Rapunzel said as Cassandra took the shard out of her chest. “Cass, you do understand what this is? It’s power . We can use it to fight back against Zhan Tiri!”
“No.”
But Cassandra now knows that the Moonstone isn’t hers. It never was.
“No, you can use it to fight Zhan Tiri. Rapunzel, this is your destiny.”
She placed the shard on her palm and extended it to Rapunzel.
The princess with long hair was slightly surprised at first, confused even.
But then a smile appeared, and when she touched it, her hair lit up.
A blue wave of energy blasted the rocks away, freeing them.
Her long, golden blonde hair was back.
Sort of.
Though glowing, it was flickering; it was not constant.
“Uh, this doesn’t look like it’s gonna last very long,” The princess said as she grabbed strands of hair.
“Well…then you better get a move on, blondie,” Cassandra smirked at Rapunzel.
And, smirking back, the temporary blonde rushed outside.
She’s got this.
Corona was defeated, their captain was dying on the courtyard’s floor, and the royal family was slowly dying in a black rock cage made by her.
She won.
With black rocks pierced around every house and every street, Zhan Tiri slides away.
But then…
“What have you done?”
A familiar voice she hoped wouldn’t hear.
Rapunzel’s.
The princess looked around in horror.
Her friends and her family encased in cages of black rock.
and Eugene…
“I am fulfilling my promise to Demanitus by destroying Corona,” said the demon before being slapped in the face by the princess’s own hair.
She’ll never forgive her for this.
With a cry, Rapunzel jumped over the roaring demon, wrapping her hair around the horns mid-air and pulling her down.
“Eugene!”
She did not waste a second.
She rushed to his side and dropped to her knees.
His eyes were shut down as she tightly held his hand.
Seeing him there, lying on the ground as life in him was slipping away…
Suddenly, she felt as if she was at the tower again, trying to make the healing incantation work on him.
Pascal jumped off of her, squeaking sadly as he took a quick look at the brown-haired man to check if he was still there with them.
Then, he opened his eyes.
A soft smirk formed on Eugene’s lips as he softly reached for her cheek.
The glowing golden hair, those emerald green eyes.
An angel came for him.
His angel.
“Sunshine…”
He said softly.
“Don’t you dare leave me again, Eugene,” She thought.
But before she could say something, anything, that demon rose again
“Do you honestly think you can stand up to my power?”
“I am NOT backing down,” Rapunzel frowned. She had nothing to say to her.
She rushed at the demon and dodged a slam from its clawed hand.
Zhan Tiri dragged her hand across the courtyard, but Rapunzel jumped over with the agility of a ballerina.
The demon swung her hand at Rapunzel, but the princess managed to dodge at the last second.
Furious, she raised her fist against the princess, but the moment she landed the punch, her hair formed a cocoon shield that protected her from the attack.
With telekinesis, she sent sharp shards of golden rocks at her.
She dodged every shard until the last one landed in front of her.
“And now…” Zhan Tiri slithered to her with a wide grin. “The sun finally sets on Coro–”
BANG.
The demon’s eyes widened before falling.
The cause of it? Cassandra and a frying pan.
“Frying pans. Who knew?”
She dropped the pan before grabbing one of the demon’s arms.
“Quick! Get the other hand!”
Rapunzel rushed to grab the other hand and smirked at Cassandra.
“Remember what Adira said about the Moonstone and the Sundrop coming together?” Cass asked, and grabbing their hands together, they began pulling.
“Pull, Cass! Pull!”
Exclaimed Rapunzel.
The Sundrop and the Moonstone at each wrist quickly began reacting to each other with small tendrils of light and bolts.
But then, Zhan Tiri woke up.
Growling, the demon stood on her tentacles again.
“She’s too strong!” exclaimed Cassandra, as the demon roared furiously.
“You’re right,” Said Rapunzel. The two began to back off, but not out of fear.
“What did you say the number one rule of combat was?” Rapunzel asked her friend.
“Turn your enemy’s strength into a weakness.” A smirk formed on Cassandra’s.
With a furious Zhan Tiri coming their way, Rapunzel whipped her hair into Cassandra’s hand.
“Like old times, huh?” She asked as she threw the locks around one of Zhan Tiri’s arms.
“Sure. Uh, I could do without the ancient demon monster, though.” Rapunzel smirked. Just like their adventures together for the past 2, almost 3 years now.
She grabbed another lock of glowing, golden hair and threw it to the other arm.
Zhan Tiri was furious. She could not believe what was happening.
“Ditto,” Rushing behind her, they began to pull her arms over her head.
“Is it your plan to keep me here forever?!” The demon asked furiously.
“No, but that’s kind of the point,” Responded the temporary blonde.
Cassandra felt her strength leaving her. They must do something, and quickly.
Her attention was drawn to something.
A sharp shard of golden rock lay over the debris.
That’s it.
“Rapunzel!”
She stepped on one of its edges, sending it flying over Zhan Tiri and into Rapunzel’s hand.
With one swift slash, she cut her own hair.
The wrists of the monster slammed together.
Her eyes widened in horror.
She investigated for centuries the properties and potential of the Sundrop and Moonstone.
She knew what was coming for her.
A blinding explosion of light pushed the two women back.
“No, no, NO, NO, NO!!”
An explosion of gold and turquoise light expanded across the Kingdom.
The black rocks on the memorial pillar where the Sundrop Flower was found, Cassandra’s stronghold, every black rock across the kingdom vanished into the forming ball of energy.
The moon began to move once more.
And so, this eclipse was over.
Chapter 34: The Tangled Years: Plus Est En Vous: Final Part
Summary:
After all that happened, the adventures, the joys, the love, the differences, Eugene, Rapunzel, and Cassandra embrace each other one last time. A new destiny awaits them.
Notes:
HOLY!! This took WAY longer than I thought 💀😭 Regardless, I am happy that I've FINALLY gotten to finish the re-telling part of this fanfic, lol.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Zhan Tiri was gone.
Rapunzel stared at what was in front of her: A perfect mix of the Sundrop and the Moonstone, an opal with both gold and turquoise, shining in a field made out of golden light and blue bolts of energy.
“It’s beautiful…” Said the princess. Her hair was just as short as when Eugene cut it to save her from Gothel. “Cass…we did it,”
She had a wide grin on her face.
This is it.
But then she noticed something.
Cass was not responding.
“Cass?” She looked around, and her eyes widened in horror at what she saw.
Cassandra’s unconscious, seemingly lifeless body.
“CASS?! NO!!”
She immediately rushed to her side.
“Cassandra!”
Taking the Moonstone took a price.
A price reserved for those who were never meant to become one with it.
“It can’t end this way…”
Rapunzel felt her chest tighten.
This was almost like when Eugene was taken from her.
The same feeling of losing someone who has been there for you since day one.
“You can’t leave…”
Her voice broke, and her eyes watered.
“I won’t let you..”
A single tear dropped somewhere between Cassandra’s lips and cheek.
But she was no longer the Sundrop; a single tear wouldn't be enough to bring her back.
She turned to the Sundrop.
No.
The Ultimate Power.
There’s one more chance.
“I’m bringing you back.”
Pascal jumped off of her. He squeaked worryingly as he stood alongside Cassandra’s corpse.
Rapunzel tried to reach the opal, but its sheer power blew her back.
“Rapunzel…” Eugene said. Despite his previous wound, he was still there.
He was not going to leave her so easily this time.
“Don’t. The power, it’s too much.”
“I’m willing to take that chance,” The brunette said as she stood up on her feet. “We did not fight so hard to bring our friend back, only to lose her now.”
There’s only one thing she can think of that could bring Cass back to them. Back to her.
“Flower gleam and glow…”
The healing incantation. But she was not singing it this time. She was reciting it.
The Ultimate Opal allowed itself to be taken by the princess.
“Let your power shine…”
Golden tendrils and blue bolts sparkled around her.
“Make the clock reverse…Bring back what once was mine…”
Isla’s eyes widened as she saw from afar what was happening.
“Heal what has been hurt…Change…the fate’s design…”
The waves of energy reached Cassandra’s body, slowly irradiating the Opal’s miracle energy onto her.
“Save what has been lost…”
And then, the air reached her lungs.
She was alive.
Cassandra slowly opened her eyes before sitting.
“Raps…?”
A soft smile formed on Rapunzel’s face when she saw her friend alive once more.
But then her eyes widened when she remembered something very important: Her family, her friends.
Her parents, Varian, Isla, Lance, and her people.
Eugene.
They were all still very weak.
“Bring back what once was mine…”
A frown formed on her face when she realized that she wasn’t doing this for Cass alone. She’s doing it for everyone.
“What once…was mine…”
Her eyes glowed golden as she began to float.
“What once…was mine…”
The light began to shine brightly around her.
A bigger wave reached everyone.
Eugene, Lance, Kiera and Catalina, Isla, Varian, and her parents.
All rose as the princess floated mid-air.
“Ah!”
The brunette lifted her arms into the air and opened her hands.
A beam of light of gold, blue, and white blasted into the sky, flying outside the Earth, across the galaxies.
It’s over.
Rapunzel fell to the floor, and Pascal immediately rushed to her.
He shook her gently as he squeaked worryingly.
It’s not working.
There’s only one thing he can try.
Without a warning, the chameleon shot his tongue directly into her ear. Her eyes immediately opened agape.
“Ah!” She turned and looked at her reptile friend, smiling happily.
“Oh, so that’s how that feels.”
Eugene rushed to her as everyone started to reunite on the courtyard's balcony.
He hugged her tightly.
He could feel the tears forming, but he couldn’t cry, not now.
“You did it, Sunshine…”
His voice broke as he held in his tears.
He’s so proud of her.
“...We did it.”
A soft smile formed on her lips as she looked at him. Pascal nuzzled against her cheek.
The couple embraced each other tightly, finally together.
But as everyone around them smiled, Cassandra slowly approached them.
Her expression fell in sadness because she knew that…she was not hers.
And after all that she did…
She doesn’t deserve to be there.
But then, as Rapunzel tightly hugged him, and he hugged her, a hand extended to her.
His.
After all that happened, the arguments, the bickering, and the..well…Betrayal, He is sure of one thing.
She was the closest thing he ever had to a sister.
She’s family.
A soft smile formed on her lips.
Cass grabbed Eugene’s hand.
And pulled her in.
And so, the trio all hugged each other, united once again.
After weeks of rebuilding the Kingdom and debates over Cassandra’s fate, Corona was finally at peace.
The squawking of the seagulls could be heard from afar, as they stood above in the bright, blue sky.
“You know, I’m not gonna lie,” Eugene smirked as he turned to Rapunzel. Though the Kingdom was more or less rebuilt, Rapunzel’s room still had that giant hole made in the battle.
“The massive hole in the room really does open up the space. I mean, sure, it could get chilly in winter, but that’s what blankets are for, am I right?”
Pascal peeked his tongue out as he gave a thumbs down.
“Eeeh, I think we’ll put the walls back up,” Rapunzel smirked as well, before the two held hands.
“Ah, you’re the boss, Sunshine,”
“Well, that’s right, Eu-geetles,”
Eugene cringed and shook his head at the attempt to give him a nickname.
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right. I-I’ll keep working on the nickname,”
But then, a familiar laugh immediately caught their attention.
“Oh, I could come up with a couple of choice names for him.”
It was Cass, wearing a brand new green outfit with a black cloak, dark brown satchel, and black pants.
She also wore Varian’s ‘Cassandrium’ necklace, and her torn Lady-In-Waiting Headdress wrapped around her right arm.
“Well, would you look at that? Cassandra’s back to normal. Dark and Icy as ever,”
She chuckled as he approached her.
“But Cass…you were worth fighting for.”
For the last few weeks, he and Rapunzel did everything they could to convince Frederic to give her a chance.
But they both know he means more than that.
Despite everything that happened when she was one with the Moonstone…
They couldn’t be more glad to trust each other again.
“I uh…I missed you, too, Eugene,” She said with a soft smile.
“Look after them, Pascal,” Cass gave her finger to the small chameleon, who softly nuzzled against it. “Something tells me they’re gonna need it.”
Sharing a nod, Eugene left the room to give her and Rapunzel the privacy they both needed.
There was so much they had to talk about.
But now is not the time.
“Any idea where you’re headed?” Asked Rapunzel.
“You know…Someone very wise once told me that there is more in me. And it’s telling me I need to go out there and find my own destiny.”
She said softly as the two of them shared the view. The sea around Corona, the mountains of green, and the sky.
They’re waiting for her.
“It’s funny…” Rapunzel’s gaze fell with a hint of sadness. “This whole time I believed your place was here, in Corona, with me…But, as much as I hate to let you go…I know you’re right,”
The two smiled at each other, softly.
There’s one last thing Cassandra has to tell her.
Something that she wanted to tell her a long time ago.
“I love you, Raps.”
Rapunzel could do whatever she wanted with it, but now that she said it…
It felt as if a boulder was removed from her.
“I love you, Cass…” Rapunzel said.
The two shared a tight, warm hug.
Probably the last one they’ll share in who knows how long.
And then, after breaking the hug, Cassandra spotted something under the debris in the room.
“Speaking of destinies…”
Rapunzel’s tiara.
She picked it up and threw it into Rapunzel’s hands.
“What are you waiting for?”
Cassandra’s father, the former Captain, was waiting for her outside the princess’s room.
The two shared a hug, and smiling one last time at Rapunzel, she left.
And now, Rapunzel was on her own inside her room.
It was damaged, but she knew that she wouldn't be alone when picking up the pieces.
She walked over to the mirror.
She felt taller, and there was a confidence in herself that wasn’t there before.
“Is this life after happily ever after? Is this who I have always been meant to be?”
She can tell she’s different somehow, and no, it’s not just the hair.
Maybe at last…
This is really her.
And as she walked over to the throne room and sat in the middle…
Being a Crown Princess didn’t feel so heavy.
“After all that I’ve done, I’ve seen, and been through…”
After all of the choices, joys, tears, and so much more.
She somehow came back to where she belonged.
“And now there’s no boundaries, no limits, no bars…”
Now there was no more tower or wall.
Life’s wide open here to the stars.
And she’s finally happily ever after, after all.
Eugene: And so, here we are.
At long last…the end of a chapter.
Rapunzel: For everyone.
Eugene: Almost everyone.
Even though Rapunzel, Fred, and I forgave Cass.
Isla…eh…
Inside the Snuggly Duckling, Isla cleaned a mug that a thug had just drunk from.
After three years of chaos, finally…peace.
She didn’t want to put much thought into the royal family’s decision on Cassandra. She respects Eugene and Rapunzel’s judgment, even if she has some differences with them.
And then suddenly, someone knocked on her door.
“Isla?”
It was Cassandra. What is she doing here?
The Hispanic woman walked over to the door and opened it.
“What are you doing here?” She asked.
Cass sighed. She never got along with her.
Always accusing her of treating Eugene unfairly, always calling her ‘La Loca.’
“I’m leaving. I just thought that I could make a quick stop to say goodbye to a friend,” Cassandra said. Though not as warmly as with Eugene or Rapunzel.
“Look, Cassandra. Eugene and Rapunzel may have forgiven you for what you did…But I can’t.”
Cass’s gaze fell slightly.
But can she blame Isla? No.
She’s right not to forgive her. She isn’t expecting everyone to do it.
But then, Isla sighed.
“At least, not fully. You came back from the Darkness, and that means something . I hope you find your true destiny.”
A warm smile formed on Cassandra’s lips before her eyes widened as she remembered something.
“I almost forgot. While I was using the Moonstone, I found this under the Caravan,”
From her satchel, she pulled off the red amulet.
“My necklace…”
Murmured Isla.
The necklace’s jewel was fire red, and its shape was the sun.
“Nobody in that Caravan wore jewelry, so I thought it might belong to you.”
A soft smile formed on Isla’s face.
“Gracias…”
Cassandra smiled softly before turning around.
“Oh…would you do me a favor?”
A silence held between them for a few seconds.
“Watch over them. Okay?”
Isla’s eyes widened slightly, and she nodded with a gentle smile.
Without anything else to say, Cassandra left.
Fidella ran across the hills, and Owl flew across the trees.
Her destiny awaits.
“YAH!!”
With a determined look, Cassandra left Corona.
Isla returned inside. She took off her choker and in its place wore the necklace.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom, the townsfolk celebrated their princess and captain.
Eugene and Rapunzel held hands as they were thrown into the air.
The two held hands tightly before he wrapped an arm around her.
“Somehow, at last, we were all truly home,” The princess sang as she leaned her head against his chest.
“Living Happily Ever After…” He added as Maximus, Frederic, and Ariana joined, too.
“Living Happily Ever After…” They sang.
“LIVING HAPPILY EVER AFTER…AFTER ALL!!” The Kingdom all sang in unity.
…
Eugene: Actually, wait a second.
There’s a little bit more.
I know what the big question is.
Did Rapunzel and I ever get married?
Well, I’m pleased to tell you that after almost three years of asking, and asking, asking…
Hehe…
Sometime later, weeks perhaps, Rapunzel and Eugene were in a boat over Corona’s sea.
The Moon, high in a night sky of stars, shone over the water
She was no longer wearing her dress with Corona’s sun crest on her chest.
Instead, she wore the dress she had worn ever since she left the tower.
“A lot has happened since the first time we were out here, huh?”
She still remembers her 18th birthday, the lanterns.
Everything.
“Has it? I haven’t noticed,” Eugene said. Here, he was not the captain.
He was not wearing his uniform.
And he was certainly not the thief anymore.
Rapunzel chuckled at his comment.
“So much has changed,” The short-haired princess turned to look at him.
“Well, I can think of one thing that hasn’t.” He moved his hand to gently hold hers.
“I love you just as much now as the first time I laid eyes on you.”
She was still just as beautiful as when he reached for her hand that night.
When the lanterns painted the water with their warm and bright light.
“I feel the same way, Eugene…”
And he still had that warmth in his eyes when he was no longer looking at the satchel.
“Oh, and that reminds me, I brought you a celebratory cupcake,”
He reached for the basket behind him.
“Eugene! You read my mind!” She exclaimed.
Pascal winked at him as Eugene picked up the strawberry cupcake and winked back.
This is it.
“Look, Rapunzel. I don’t know if you remember, but a while back I made you a promise,”
“Of course, I remember,” The night after her coronation.
“I asked you to be patient with me.”
“And I want you to know that I intend to keep that promise for as long as you need. But after everything we’ve gone through, I thought that now might be a good time to check in and see if…”
Rapunzel gasped as Pascal took the cherry with his tongue.
Her eyes widened upon seeing what had been under the cherry.
A ring, with diamonds across it that resembled that of the moon itself.
She bit her lower lip in excitement before her gaze turned to him.
“...Will you marry me, Rapunzel…?”
“Yes…yes.”
Without a second thought, she threw herself at him.
“YES, YES, YES!”
She held her hand close to his chest as he leaned closer to her.
And Pascal, who swallowed the cherry, squeaked happily yet softly.
Eugene took the ring off the cupcake and gently put it on her finger.
Her eyes watered as she looked at his almond-brown eyes.
“I love you …Eugene Fitzherbert…”
“I love you….Rapunzel…”
She couldn’t stop smiling, her grin wide.
And holding hands, with one hand on her cheek, he leaned to finish that kiss that he couldn’t do that fateful night before she jumped and kissed him first.
However, not far enough, they were being watched.
Silver hair, beard, black and blue attire.
“Soon, boy…”
Murmured Dorian, as blue bolts surrounded him.
…
…
Somewhere else, away from Corona, deep in the mountains, a hooded young man knocked on a wooden door.
“Yes?” Asked a feminine voice.
The young man in his cloak entered.
“Miss Ravensdale–”
“ Lady Ravensdale,” She clarified, almost hissing.
“Lady Ravensdale. Master Zhan Tiri, she—”
“I know,” She sighed and turned around.
Her long blonde hair reached below her waist, her skin was quite pale, and her eyes were olive green.
Her dark purple dress had long sleeves, and her nails were sharp, painted black.
In many ways, she resembled the Dark Kingdom’s deceased Dark Queen. Eugene’s deceased mother.
“I told her that we should’ve followed the original plan, but she did not listen. She was so sure that her new moon project would succeed.”
“New…moon?” Asked the confused young man.
“Cassandra. Who else, dear?” She smirked deceptively. “Alas, she is gone, and with her, her new moon. Pity.”
Her smirk widened darkly. She knew that it was a matter of time before her master was taken down once again.
“U-Um…” The hooded young man stepped forward inside the room.
There were many books, and most, if not all, talked about sorcery and witchcraft, a cauldron nearby, the time-traveling Hourglass, and the symbols of the Moonstone and the Sundrop drawn on a wide scroll, alongside each incantation known so far.
“With Master Zhan Tiri gone, t-they’ve decided that you should be the…new Demon’s Head. They want you to succeed her…”
The young man pulled out a necklace with the head of Zhan Tiri coated in gold.
Selene approached the boy, as her eyes were drawn to the necklace.
She picked it up and put it around her neck.
“Now…”
She walked over and created a projection of Eugene’s face.
“Your time will come, my prince. It’s time for your Full Moon to rise…”
Notes:
So, FINALLY, the end of this arc. For those who are already familiar with TTS, you can skip all the way to this chapter. For those who are not, well...You can take your time and read it, haha.