Chapter Text
A month passed after the coronation.
Pascal ran through the castle halls looking around until he ran to the right with Rapunzel chasing after him looking for her reptile pal.
She walked slowly, viewing the artifacts that were on display in the hall each on a cement pillar. She passed a small horse figure and took her a moment to realize that Pascal was on its back camouflaged into the same shade of the figure.
“Boo.” Scaring Pascal and returning into his original green shade. He squeaked in fear, jumped off the horse and dramatically fell onto the floor as the princess laughed.
The chameleon stood up on his two with his arms crossed, stuck his tongue out at her before zooming off again to play another round of hide and seek with his friend turning around, ready to chase after him once again.
Rapunzel passed her parents and Eugene, the three watched her in confusion. Fredrick and Adriana exchanged looks with a smile. The princess went back, embracing both her parents in a big hug and giving Eugene a kiss on the cheek, smiling as she ran off to find her animal companion again while her boyfriend laughed.
Upon entering her bedroom she noticed a cloaked woman had her hood up, standing at her window. The princess couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It was Gothel.
“Hello dear.” Gothel removed the hood from her head. Revealing her youthful looks, no wrinkles, bags under her eyes, not a single gray or white strand of hair in sight.
“Did you think that I was gone forever?” Fixing her hair as she smirked, walking up to Rapunzel.
“What’s the matter flower ?” She stood in fear as Gothel stroked her face, circling around the girl. Rapunzel wished that her brother was here, to help reassure her that everything was going to be okay and stand against their fake mother.
“Aren’t you happy to see you mommy?” The older woman held her golden locks before dropping it down, heading back to the window. Gothel raised her arms in the air as sharp black rocks sprung out from the ground filling the room and towards her.
Rapunzel gasped in fear, trying to run off but each corner where bigger, taller and larger spiky black rocks appeared in front of her. She looked up not knowing what was happening, her hair started to glow brighter and brighter releasing it from the braid as it started flowing.
“And look, your hair has returned ooh isn’t that wonderful.” The image of Gothel appeared in the reflection of the dark rocks.
“Come now dear, let's go find your brother and get back to your tower where you’ll both be safe and secure.”
“Rapunzel!” Gothel shouted. The place flashed into a white light. The princess woke from her nightmare, her hair was floating in the air. Pascal opened his eyes to see if the girl was okay to notice the levitation of the blonde strands, bewildered by the sight as it decided to fall onto the floor.
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Varian gasped from a nightmare as well, waking Ruddiger up who was lying on his bed, now worried for his friend as he made his way over to him, slightly surprised to see the boy’s hair.
A knock was heard from his door.
“Come in.” Allowing the person to enter as he held his head.
“You alright?” The blonde held a tray of breakfast for him.
“Yeah just a nightmare that’s all.”
“Do you wanna tell me about it as I figure out why your hair is floating and glowing blue?” Placing the tray down in front of Varian.
“What?!” The younger boy turned to look at his hair in the mirror across his room, seeing it fade back to its usual color and fall back down to his face.
“Oh before I forget, your dad wanted me to tell you that he left early to do some chief work or something like that and not to overwork yourself again. ” Hugo tossed Ruddiger an apple before pulling up a seat near his desk and sat down.
“Thanks Hugh.” Varian eyeing the food. Cut up fruits, a small cup that contains either hot chocolate, coffee or tea inside, another cup that had water, utensils neatly organized on top of a napkin, and small little jars that had syrup, honey and butter not knowing which one Varian preferred on his beautifully decorated pancakes. His eyes lit up, the food was way tastier and delicious than the ones Gothel made which was dry, bitter and flavorless.
“Is it good? Do you enjoy the breakfast I made just for you sailor moon?” He grins at the boy’s reaction. Varian was unamused before swallowing his food.
“Don’t make me regret it Milo Thatch but yeah I’d say the food is way better than whatever Gothel made. The food has more flavor and love to it, that's what makes it so much tastier.” Placing another piece in his mouth.
“I just want to do something nice for someone, I care about and allow me to stay at their place after the whole chaos.” The older alchemist blushed, flustered by his words before noticing Ruddiger chewing on the core of the apple.
“Hey! Don’t eat the seed wash rat or I’m going to have to take that away from you.” He scolds at the furry creature on the floor, who just gave him a mad glare while Varian chuckles.
“You know Gothel?” The moon boy placed his utensils down and eyes Hugo, who shifted to him confused and angry.
“The old hag that took you and your sister away from your families in an ominous location, stabbed Eugene and I? And harmed you verbally, physically and probably mentally. How could I possibly forget so tell me what happened? It must be bad if you randomly brought her up.” Leaning forward, ready to hear the boy’s crazy tale that caused his entire hair to glow again without using an incantation but the floating was something entirely new.
“Well the dream started out fine-” Varian began telling him about how his dream became a nightmare. He was with Hugo and Cassandra in the castle, he’d forgotten something in the other room and it faded to seeing Gothel alive and in her youth no longer a dried raisin or a pile of dust. She summoned these unfamiliar black spiky rocks from the ground, the area turned into a deserted dark dead place, his hair started glowing and noticed his sister’s scared expression with her hair glowed and floated as well. The moon boy tried to reach and call out to her to only be surrounded by more rocks which soon had reflections of Gothel on them, she spoke about returning to the tower then shouting his name and all of a sudden everything turned to white .
“Huh strange.” Hugo could’ve sworn he heard something about those rock from Cyrus.
“It felt as if they were trying to tell me something?”
“Probably a warning of what’s yet to come, your hair did glow during the banquet.” Playing tug of war with Ruddiger and an apple core.
“Maybe you're right.” Slightly amused by the sight.
“Well I’m going to the head pub, do you need anything there?” The blonde stood up.
“No, I’m good, thank you.” Hugo took his tray, everything was devoured clean, not a single crumble or drop remains.
“I’ll see you soon, don’t push yourself too hard.” Heading towards the door.
“Alright, I won’t.” He waved.
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The kingdom’s bell rang as birds chirped. The king and queen are having breakfast in the gazebo. Fredrick looked at his food to what looked like he was building a tower out of his eggs.
“Fred?” Adriana called out to her husband, catching his attention as he looked back at her puzzled.
“You haven’t touched your food.” She watches him continuously poke his scrambled egg with his fork.
“No no I-I’ve touched it. I’ve moved my eggs.” He smiled confidently
“From here to here you see.” Motioning it from the right side of his place to the left side.
“Oh sweetheart, it’s been a month.” The queen immediately knew that something was troubling him and held his hand.
“Just talk to her.” Trying to encourage him to talk to their daughter. Communication is after all.
“You do recall my last conversation with Rapunzel didn’t go quite as I hoped.” Fredrick sighs in response.
“Uh, you can find her at the walls of Corona under martial law. If that’s a father-daughter conversation, I would hate to see what a conversation is.” Adriana shook her head with a smile still on her face.
“Just cause it was a difficult choice, doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right one.” Fredrick looked down at his breakfast angrily.
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“Come on, Cass! Those dreams are trying to tell me something. Ever since that night.” Cassandra in her lady-in-waiting uniform, sitting on her bed, fixing the princess’s hair. Rapunzel became extremely stressed out about the dreams she’s been having ever since her long blonde hair grew back.
“Shhh! Raps, I told you we can’t tell anyone about that night.”
“Um, I think the secret is pretty much out.” She turned to look at her friend with a smile and placed her arm down.
“Yeah, Yeah, Everyone knows the hair is back but if anyone knew I was the one who snuck you out when it happened, I would be sent to a convent. Literally a convent.” The female guard freaked out about the situation of anyone finding out and snitched to the king about that night of the rocks.
“Well, I have to tell Eugene.” Wanting to tell her partner about the night.
“No, no, no, no, no. As far as he knows, something happened when you took your brother to the medical wing and you just woke up that morning with long hair.” She stood up from bed still having issues when it came to trusting Eugene.
“But Eugene is my boyfriend. We tell each other everything.” Rapunzel frowned, she didn’t like keeping secrets from him.
“I know this is a lot to ask but I can’t risk it. Please don’t tell Eugene.” Holding the princess’s hands wanting to keep the secret between them.
“Tell Eugene what?” The two immediately turn to the voice.
Eugene stood at the opened door confused with his arms at his sides.
“Oh, come on you guys keeping secrets?” He starting to walk up to his girlfriend.
“It’s not really a secret, it’s more like a … sensitive situation.” Rapunzel held her arms, avoiding eye contact from him for a bit.
“Sensit- S- ha! Sensitive? And you think Cas-SAN-dra’s gonna help? Blondie, I’ve met glaciers with more warmth and compassion and faster. She’s slow.” Pointing at Cassandra before placing his hand on Rapunzel’s shoulder
“Rapunzel, it’s me Eugene, whatever’s going on you can tell me.” Eugene kneels down to her holding both of her hands and looks into her eyes with a sad smile.
“I know I can, it’s-.” The blonde girl spoke with a soft smile.
“I don’t trust you! You have a big mouth.”Cassandra interrupted their moment with her arms crossed as he glared her.
“ I do not. Name one time I blew a secret.” Eugene gasps, offended by the response.
“Let me guess. When Rapunzel gave her mother a gift, you announced what was inside, how about time you announced our opinions out loud while some dignitaries were leaving, and can’t forget you caused me to drop all the plates that I was holding for a surprise party that was supposed to be a week after.” She listed the things that were meant to be kept a secret.
“I said one time, Rapunzel, are you really not going to tell me?” He scoffed at Cassandra before shifting to his girlfriend.
“I’m sorry.” She rubbed her face in disbelief.
“Fine but you should know I have things I keep from you. Lots of things.” He heads out the door .
“Name one?” Cassandra spoke, giving him an idea.
“Pete the guard is terrified of mimes.” Eugene smirked not noticing Pete appear behind him out in the hallway drawing his attention.
“Hey! they see things that aren’t there.” The guard’s voice was trembling telling them his reason for his fear.
He saw him back away while Ulf walked behind him pulling on an invisible rope, waving at the three before continuing his act.
“Pete, wait! No it was a different Pete the Guard, you don’t even know him.” Eugene after him, feeling bad for blurring out his fear.
Rapunzel exchanges with Cassandra, holding her hand out as to say “there see what I mean.”
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Afternoon
Eugene heads to the snuggling duckling pub with Maximus by his side.
“Ahh! there they are! A veritable cornucopia of confidants, who trust me implicitly and would divulge their innermost secrets.” Burst opened the door to see some of the guys sitting at the bar unamused by his presence while Maximus walked in looking around the pub in confusion.
“Oh hey Hook foot? where is your brother Hook hand anyways? I don’t see him around.” Scanning around for the other hook brother.
“There.” Attila slammed his hand on a Hook hand world tour poster on the wall.
“What!? Hook hand went on a world tour? Does no one share anything with me? No feelings, no secrets, no news? Why won’t anyone open up to me?” He walks around, grabs a sleeping Shorty’s face as he immediately releases him while the old man’s head slammed back down onto the bar counter. Eugene placed a hand on Vladimir’s back looking at him.
“It’s easy, You are not really interested in what we like or do.” Hugo was in the back, placing his cup down.
“What? What do you mean kid I’m interested in your guys’ hobbies. Oh speaking of which I haven't seen you after the big day, how's living with poindexter?” He walked up to the now irritated boy who was sitting alone at a table.
“Don’t call him that, Fitzherbert and he’s doing just fine in- .” The blonde boy was interrupted by a door slam.
“Ahhh.” Big nose enters the pub sniffing some flowers in his hands clearly in love.
“Big nose! Now there’s a guy who knows how to share what’s on his nose I mean mind.” Eugene corrected himself.
“Here comes loverboy with more of his romantic escapades.” Attila sounded extremely annoyed while the other guys including Hugo’s face were rather displeased.
“Hey, are those flowers for Assunta? Am I pronouncing that correctly? How is your lady friend anyways?” Eugene stares downward at the yellow flowers in his hands.
“Why would you ask him that!” The alchemist screams knowing that the amount of time he spent at the pub, he knew that Big nose would never shut up about his love life.
“Oh, I’m glad you asked but perhaps this poem I wrote will tell you.” Big nose tossed the flowers aside. Max stared at him curiously as the guys in the pub groaned, Hook foot did a facepalm while Hugo pitched the bridge of his nose.
“I call it ‘Can you keep a secret? I love you.’” He held a notepad close to his chest while shutting his eyes.
“Here we go.” The blonde sighs, his eyebrow starting to twitch.
“Our love is like a timeless trust, it knows no tick not tock. Our love is a big toe of honesty poking through the hole of your favorite sock.” Big nose read his poem out loud.
Valdimir and Hook foot got up from their seats, growling and glared at Eugene. He eyed the two nervously as hook foot brought his hook to his chin.
Was this a mistake to make? He wondered to himself.
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“I was thinking about your hair.” Cassandra sat beside Rapunzel at the stairs of the gazebo.
“Maybe there is a way we can discreetly try to get some answers, just the two of us and I might know who can help.”
“I still think you’re being unfair about Eugene but who is this friend of yours?” The princess closed the black book and placed it on her lap.
“You already know Raps, it’s Varian and some call him a wizard.” She whispers about the boy.
“Varian? a wizard? I know he likes doing science and all but it’d be funny to see him with those pointy hats, long cloaks, a staff and a spell book.” Imagining her brother in a ridiculous get up as he yelled some made up words.
“Very little people know about him and most rumors aren’t good. Some say that he’s dangerous.” Cassandra frowned; she knew the boy was harmless, he’s been nothing but kind, supportive and helpful after those sixteen years of going missing. The boy wanted to be free, to see his sister happy but terrible rumors were already spreading throughout the light kingdom.
“Sure he can be clumsy and create accidents with his experiments but he’s not dangerous. You know him, he wouldn't hurt anyone unless you mess with his loved ones or his belongings but if we need answers he’s the best we got. Right?” Rapunzel leans over as her lady-in-waiting gives a slight nod.
“Sounds like we were visiting old Corona, I wonder how’s he doing lately. I haven't seen him since that day.” She stood up with excitement to see her brother once again. Hoping he had fully recovered from his head injury.
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“We keep no secrets, me and you, our love stays fresh like the morning… dew. You see, what I really try to do is capture the oneness of our relationship.” Big nose continued his poem.
Maximus got irritated as he placed his chin on the window sill, shifting his eyes to the side until he saw something that drew his attention.
He ran to Eugene, lifting him the vest and took him to the window.
“Yep oneness, got it.” Eugene pretended to care as he turned to look out the window, notice his girlfriend, the female guard and a stallion going somewhere, he frowned.
“‘Cause if you can’t share everything with that someone special, then maybe that someone isn’t so… special.” Slowly rotate to Big nose, being released then went to Hugo, who faceplated and hit his fist on the table.
“We gotta go. This has been great. You keep writing those words down ‘cause one of these days…you’ll have more of them. Okay bye everybody!” Eugene grabbed the blonde, dragging him out with Maximus behind them.
The door slam woke Shorty up from his nap.
“Good morning! Hey Big nose, what’s going on with that lady that you have?” Shorty snorted, turning around to Big nose as he smiled, holding out his notepad again, ready to continue his poem as the others groaned.
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They arrived in old Corona through the forest, eyeing the only mansion from a distance. The two hopped off Fidella and started strolling up to the big house.
“It seems kinda different, cozy, in a ‘I wish I had said goodbye to my loved ones before I left. kind of way’.” Rapunzel scans around the worn out house while walking up the stairs. Was this place always worn down before?
Before they got the chance to knock on the door green smoke seemed underneath. A loud rumble could be heard, the ground began to shake and soon the door automatically opened.
“Varian? Are you here?” The two exchanged stares, entering the house.
“Just watch your step Rap. Come on this way.” Cassandra led her to the pinkish purplish glowing basement.
“It’s just fog, I’m sure it's okay.” She tried to reassure herself that there was nothing to be scared about; they’re here for her brother after all.
The female guard stepped on a wire which triggered a built-in trap, lighting a match as it heated up the breaker, chemical trailing down pouring into a ball as it launched and exploded at them. The two coughed.
“Fine. A booby trap.” Trying to free themselves from the pink goo that traps their feet to the ground.
“Raps everything’s gonna be- oh!” They notice a dark figure with glowing lime green eyes appearing.
“What do you want?!” Varian’s voice sounded distorted and angry as he stood in the middle of the dark foggy room.
“What are they doing?” Eugene spoke, arriving with Hugo and Max standing next to Fidella.
“Hm I don’t know, maybe they’re just visiting my only alchemist friend.” He placed his hands on his sides.
“Friend? I thought you two were dating?” They crouch down behind the bushes.
“We’re not dating yet and may I remind you that you wouldn’t let us until we both turn eighteen!” The blonde boy yells.
“Ah that’s right and don’t forget it.” He ignores the other boy's rant as he stares back at the house.
“Um, hi so sorry to bother you sir, do you happen to know a boy named Varian? He's this tall, clearly gay into alchemy and magic but I urgently need to talk to him about my hair and hoped that he might help me since he’s a magic exp-“ They watch the dark figure. Rapunzel hesitates when speaking and holds out her hair to him.
“Magic I do not work with magic!” He yelled before removing the mask above his head revealing it to be her brother.
“I mean technically I studied it but I'm still trying to figure it out. I mostly work with alchemy instead but don’t… don’t sweat it… also I'm bisexual.” Varian placed a sassy hand down, Pascal came out of hiding giving the sixteen year old boy a mad glare. He terrified them a second ago.
“Got it. So, what is this?” His sister nervously laughed, lifting her foot up in the goop.
“Oh it's a new chemical compound of my own design, thank you. You see, I've been working on a trap in case of any intruders and through the miracle of modern alchemy, I have found a humane way to solve the problem…Hugo left for a bit to discuss something with the guys at the pub but in the meantime how can I help you ladies?” Varian places his mask to the side.
“Nice jacket Varian. Did you make that yourself?” The dark green layered trench coat had silver grommets on the top sleeves and silver button in the middle that the boy had taken off.
“Hm? Oh yeah I did, thought it’d look cool that’s all.” Placing the folded jacket down on the table.
“This is riveting but could you get us out of here?” Cassandra looks over at the moon boy as he freed Ruddiger who also got caught in the goop and placed him outside.
“Oh! sure sorry about that..now where did I place that neutralizing part- nope no you don’t buddy.” He notices his animal friend making his way back inside. The young alchemist picks the fluffy light gray raccoon up and places him back out, Ruddiger looks at him with a pleased expression to be let back in.
“I’m sorry but I don’t want you getting hurt buddy, why don’t you go out and eat as much apple as you want, Ruddiger.” Varian laughs as the furry creature beams and zooms off as he closes the door.
“Ah! found it, once again I am so sorry your highness.” Sprinkling it on their feet freeing them from the trap, kneeling down and bowed.
“Your Highness? Oh you don’t need to do or call me that. I'm still your sister Varian so please our sibling relationship is just fine.” Eyeing her brother, he nods in response and stood back up.
“Okay, So there have been fantastical stories about your long hair, it spread throughout town. People say that the magic has returned as well but personally I find that impossible.” Varian took a look at Rapunzel’s hair.
“Now as you already know I am a man of science, different kinds but specifically al-“ He was interrupted by the female guard.
“Alchemy, We all know. Now listen kid, we need your help but let me make myself clear. What happens here stays here, you can’t tell him or Eugene this has to be a secret between the three of us you got it.” Cassandra pulled him up by the shirt.
“G-Got it I’ll keep it a secret, if…if they ask anything about what happened or what you told me I’ll play it dumb I won’t tell them I-I swear.” The moon boy trembles in fear.
“Cass put him down, you're scaring him. I told you before that he's loyal to his word. He is good at keeping secrets like one time when I accidentally broke Gothel’s favorite hand mirror I told him to keep it between us and when she found out instead of telling her, he ended up taking the blame for me so I wholeheartedly trust him.” Rapunzel gave her a stern look.
“Fine.” Placing the boy back down to the ground.
“O-Ok then about your hair. Do you mind untying it and laying down on this table for me so that I can examine it, great thanks I’ll be right back.” He pointed at the empty table then ran away to get some supplies.
Rapunzel laid down on the long table, watching her brother return with a big wheeled magnifying glass. Spreads her long hair throughout the table and starts examining it.
“Oh, yes this. This is, Ah is… it’s very long as before.” Staring at his sister as he placed the magnifying glass down.
“I don’t see anything different in your hair from before but don’t worry Rap I am sure that I can unlock the mystery of your hair with the power of science! Ow!” Varian pushes aside the magnifying glass in the air, not realizing it swinging and hitting him upside the head.
The princess sat up concerned for the boy.
“Don’t sweat, it’s just a little-.” He laughed awkwardly placing a hand on his head but looking back at it was a mistake and noticed the sight of blood. He began to babble his words, entire body felt uneasy, his head began to spin, losing vision and fainted to the floor.
“Um, what just happened?” The female guard turns to Rapunzel confused as to why he fainted.
“Oh no not again. During one of those coronation days he got badly hurt by one of the guards and ended up with a concussion. Also he has hemophobia, he’ll faint at the sight of blood.” Staring back at her friend.
“Got it.” The sundrop hopped off the table and squatted down to check the unconscious teen.
The three stood outside for what seemed like twenty minutes. Eugene held a golden pocket watch in his hand constantly looking at the time.
“What is taking them so long?” He groaned, closing and placing it back in his vest pocket.
“Maybe they’re making up for lost times?”
“What lost time? They haven’t seen each other in a month, glasses.”Eugene gave an irritated look .
“My point exactly, a month is a long time to them. She is probably wondering about his condition since he has been sentenced to bed rest for two weeks.” Adjusting his glasses.
“Whatever I’m goin in!” The brunette man stood up and began strides toward the house with Hugo sighing in annoyance while he chased after him.
An apple hit Maximus in the head, the white horse looked up in confusion, seeing the apple tree filled with fresh delicious red apples filled him with excitement, and walked over without realizing he tripped over a wire releasing another alchemy orb which exploded causing the pink substance to trap them in place.
Ruddiger climbs on Maximus’s back grabbing two apples, handing one to the white horses and scurrying off with the other. Happy he was given his favorite fruit and ate it though they wonder where he ran off to.
The moon boy slowly regains consciousness.
“Varian oh thank goodness you’re awake. You okay?” Rapunzel held his head.
He slowly blinded like a frog.
“Do you know where you’re at?” She asked worried that he might have another head injury after just recovering from the accident.
“Basement?” It took him a moment to respond.
“Good, How are you feeling?”His sister helped him sit up, using her arm as a boost.
“Pain.” Mumbling his answer.
“Well, you hit your head pretty badly and since the medical wing is hours away from here we thought that we should heal you using the healing incantation so sit on that chair for me please.” Varian groaned and stood up,
“I can walk.” The two girls immediately grabbed his arm when he fell over, losing the strength in his legs as they walked to the chairs. Sat down watching his sister removing his goggles from his head and wrapping her long hair around his head like it was bandages with the protective eyewear on the counter beside her.
“Ready?” Rapunzel sat in the chair next to him.
“Flower, gleam and glow, let your power shine, make the clock reverse and bring back what once was mine.” The moon boy stared at the floor for a short bit then to Pascal, waiting for the healing magic to take away this unbearable throbbing pain in the back of his head.
“Heal what has been hurt, change the fates’ design, save what has been lost.” The incantation was almost over. Something wasn’t right, shifting attention up at Rapunzel his eyes widened. Her hair wasn’t glowing, she no longer had the healing ability or it just didn’t want to work.
“Bring back what once was mine, what once was mine.” The song finished as her brother looked up at his head frowning while shifting back to her, worried to tell her that the incantation was no longer useful.
“Better?” Wondering if his pain went away. Varian unraveled her hair off of his head, gently placing it down on the floor.
“Oh yeah- no!”Sarcastically until he saw the newly fresh blood on his gloves, immediately shutting his eyes and turning away in disgust as if it was like clapping a fly or high-fiving a creepy crawler on the wall and killing it.
“Huh that used to work.” She grabs a part of her hair, disappointed that it couldn’t help him.
“Don’t worry about it, Raps. I’ll be fine, I appreciate your help though. Well, the silver lining is we’ve acquired some critical data about your hair. It no longer possesses its legendary healing power.” Staring at the ends of her hair.
“You will probably be in another two weeks to a month rest or supervised again since you were just bleeding earlier.” He shivers at the thought of the dark red fluid.
“Progress! Now let’s figure out exactly what this hair is made of.” Held clumps of blonde hair, walking to the other side of the room, pulling the covers to reveal what was hidden were machinery .
“I meant it, don’t push yourself too hard.” Rapunzel still felt worried for him.
“I’ll be fine. This machine can analyze substances for chemical makeup, bitopic composition and urgu-structural integrity. I built it myself with the help of Hugo of course.” Varian walked around the layout and detailed the area before hitting a metal table as it sprung up.
“Nice but I’m seriously Varian. I will be telling Hugo about this.” She was amazed at the new invention he created and excited to see what new creation the boy can come up with.
“No don’t, he’s too protective just like you.”
“We do it because we love you too much.” Crossing her arms
“Yeah sure… if I'm right, this should tell us all there is to know about your hair.” The teen jumped off the platform and placed a hand on the control panel.
“Raps are you sure you wanna… Rapunzel?” Cassandra turns to look at the princess and notices she was no longer standing next to her.
“Let’s do this.” Already strapped to the machines, trusting him with what he had in store.
“Okay! Raps. Now um, this may get a little- .” Worry about hurting, scaring and freaking his sister out as he rubs the back of his head.
“Exciting? Just like the first time we left the tower.” Rapunzel bounced with excitement.
“Um, sure yeah! That’s a good word for it.” Awkwardly pulling the levers as the machine began to shake, scaring Pascal as he jumped off of her shoulder and ran off.
“Whoa-Kay? Whaaa! Whoa!” The metal machine spun her around to different places, pulling the golden locks in different positions and directions. Dropping it down with a ding, the number on a wooden bird house number went to zero with Pascal on the top of the little roof.
“How are you feeling? Are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that but I’m alright. Not super fun but I'm glad it’s over.” She laughed nervously.
“Oh, sorry to say this but if we need to know more about your hair we’re going to have to do more test runs. Are you sure you’re up to eighty six more tests? We can stop if you’re not feeling up to it.” Stepping away from the controls, up on the platform and was about to release Rapunzel.
“No! If this machine will help give us the answers behind my hair then continue onto the next test.” She shot up boldly, not willing to end so easily.
“Okay then, if you say so.” Varian walked over to pull the lever. The machine laid her down as a saw blade rose in the air, slowly moving to try and cut her hair.
“Ah blondie!” Eugene poked his head through the window, scanned around and witnessed a circular blade coming down on Rapunzel. He began to freak out, ran to get inside and tried to save her.
“Wow amazing! This wasn’t like this before! It’s absolutely unbreakable!” The younger alchemist ducked as a hot blade launched at him. breaking part of the control panel.
“But I bet you’re not! Let her go!” Eugene kicks open the door, pointing at Varian.
“Eugene! Hey!” The machine brought her up as it was pulling on her hair.
“Blondie! You’re okay! You wanna tell me what’s going on here?” He stood angrily placing his hands on his sides. Hugo appeared from behind and couldn’t enter the room without shoving Eugene, who was blocking the entire entryways. Rapunzel awkwardly turns to look at Cassandra, who gave her an angry expression as she laughed nervously.
“You know what? I don’t care. I’m getting you outta there.” Walking over to the machine, ready to pull it apart.
“Aye um we’re kinda in the middle of doing something, could you not do that please and thank you.” Varian spoke as Eugene froze in place.
“Oh and what is that exactly? trying to kill your sister?”
“Hey! I’m not crazy like Gothel, I wasn’t trying to kill her! I’m testing something out and she decided to help so don’t touch it!” He didn’t like when people touches his work willingly and without his permission grapping on the lever tightly.
“What are you going to do kid? Tell me unknown facts about science or sing me to sleep.” Eugene mocked the boy as he went back to free Rapunzel.
“You do forget who has the ability to destroy anything with a withering song so don’t test his patience and do what he says.” Hugo stood beside him.
“Either get away from the machine, I won’t use the wither incantation but I’m willing to use this instead.” The moon boy pulled out a wired heated weapon up ready to chase after him. if Eugene continued to disrespect him in his own home.
Surprising everyone in the room, wondering where he got that at a short notice.
“Hey now um Do you wanna put that down?” He steps away from the machine.
“Hairstripes I know you don’t like it when anyone touches your hard work without asking first but this is not worth it, he's not worth it, so let’s put the weapon down shall we.” The blonde teen chased after to stop him.
“This isn’t right, Cassandra. I have to tell him what’s going on.” Rapunzel laid back down as the machine was hitting her hair with another tool. While the raven haired woman smiled at the interaction then rotated her attention around to the princess.
“No. Rapunzel, I want to trust you and I know you trust Eugene but I don’t and if I can’t trust him then I can’t trust you and you’re just going to have to trust me. So trust me that logic tracks.” It sounded much cooler in her head.
Hugo finally got the moon boy to relax and put the weapon down.
“How was your time with other guys Hugh?” Varian sighs.
“It was fine until someone had mentioned to Big nose about his lady friend! I swear if I have to hear another one of his awful poems I’m gonna make his nose even bigger than Big nose himself .” He glared at Eugene while Varian wasn’t amused by shifting his eyes with a disdainful expression.
“Hey, everyone was keeping secrets from me and wouldn’t tell me anything besides Big nose.” Eugene ran and hid behind a wooden table, that had piles of Ulla, her twin brother and her friend’s work.
“Cause you can’t keep a secret and we all know it.” The older alchemist formed a fist while standing next to Varian.
The floor began to rumble, the house started to shake which caught everyone’s attention.
“What was that trembling?” The small earthquake that had stopped.
“Trembling? I didn’t notice any trembling.” Varian shifts his gaze away to the side, pretending that nothing happened.
“Oh! Yeah! Um hey I almost forgot to get the sectromefric press. It’s the only way I can read the results of the test. Hugo, you wanna help me with it. You come along too, Eugene yapper.” Placing the weapon on a table.
“If you come along, we can show you something more interesting than Big nose’s poems but you gotta keep it a secret.”
“Yeah no, I don’t wanna know about you two’s Romeo and Juliet love life. I’ve heard enough from Big nose for today. ”Eugene turned away with his arms crossed.
“What? No! It’s not that you're an idiot. He's talking about creation likewise but you have to keep it a secret cause it’s still a work in progress now come on.” Hugo pointed at Eugene and the door.
“Is he talking about us falling in love within a week after meeting at a masquerade party?” That youngest member didn’t know what they were talking about.
“No hairstripes.” This boy was too pure to know that in the story they have a tragic fate.
“Our friendship shrine underneath that curtain?” Varian quickly covers his mouth.
“Aww is that what it is?”Rapunzel imagines a little shelf with a bunch of hearts, pictures of each other, flowers, Hugo’s wanted poster, Varian’s moon lantern, books about their adventure and items of when they spent time together.
“That’s another time.” He ran out.
“Was that supposed to be a secret?” His sister asked.
“No, he’s just embarrassed about it but besides that, come on Fitzherbert.”
“Wow, the kid wants to tell me a secret? Did you hear that everyone? Vanitas, Valentine, -V-Variety, Var-.” Glad to know that someone wanted to share a secret with him but he still couldn’t remember people’s names so instead he usually gave them nicknames.
“Really? It’s Varian, He’s giving you a chance to talk about something secretive, let alone forgive you that quickly and yet you can’t even remember his name.” Hugo gave a grim look, leaning against the door frame.
“I can’t remember names but hey the kid wants to tell me a secret!” Eugene smiled widely as he sprinted out the door and closed it behind him.
“Oh no I have a bad feeling about this.” Cassandra turns around to Rapunzel.
☾⋆｡ ๋࣭ ⭑˚
“Listen buddy, I need you to tell me everything that the princess told you.” The three boys step outside. Catching up to Varian, turned him around by the shoulders to where he was now facing him.
“Oh yeah.” Smirking, he knew Eugene would ask him that.
“Well okay, first she said ‘Um, hi sorry to disturb you sir but do you happen to know where my brother Varian is at? he’s this tall, clearly gay but we haven’t talked in a while.’ Which is funny cause I’m actually bisexual in definition I like guys, gals, and nonbinary pals but the funny thing is that she didn’t know it was me until I took the mask off.” Varian chuckled while motioning the interaction in a sassy way.
The blonde boy couldn’t help but smirk.
“Wait hold on, let me backup a bit when they came in they accidentally triggered a trap, so-.” He looked up before getting interrupted by Eugene who exchanged looks with Hugo, who just shrugs.
“Yes that’s great but what I meant is tell me all the important stuff she said.” Annoyed and impatient with the younger boy as he leaned forward towards him.
“Well Mr. future brother-in-law. When my sister… the princess of Corona speaks directly to you, every word is important.” Points at the older man before walking away from them. Eugene did another facepalm, Hugo held in his laughter as he knew what the moon boy was doing.
Heading to the shed. The alchemists began their search for the missing tech.
“I know that the press is here somewhere.” Varian moved bottles to the side on a high shelf.
“Here it is!” Hugo shouted, removing the cover to the machine.
“Oh thanks.”
“So what does it do after the machine is done and all.” The blonde ex-theft shifted his glance to him.
“Once the tests are done, it’ll print the results on parchment paper -.” Remove the other written old results off the press, crumb the paper into a ball and toss it in the trash bin. Once again getting interrupted by Eugene.
“That is really very interesting but getting back to what the girls said.” He really wanted to know what they were hiding.
“Whoa whoa whoa.” The floor began to rumble again. Eugene tried to stay balanced while Hugo held Varian in a protective embrace not wanting anything to fall and hurt the boy.
“Why does that keep happening!?” He shouted at the two boys kneeling on the ground. The two exchanged glances before standing up.
“Eugene Fitzherbert, I believe I did promise you a secret.” Varian pushes the older guy to the side to reveal a secret floor hatch, opening it to an underground pathway with part of a ladder sticking out. The three started climbing down on the long ladder.
“Now if my father found out about this, he’d kill me.” Varian chuckles as he grabs the nearest iron glass lit up lantern.
“Why would he kill you? He just got you back.” Hugo stood next to him as the boy shrugged his shoulders while the oldest jumped off and landed on the ground.
“That’s true but of course if he knew what I was actually doing down here. He’d be impressed.” They started getting deeper into the tunnel with Varian leading the way.
“These underground pathways run through all of Corona. Which makes them perfect for my… I mean our project.” Hugo spoke with pride.
“What project?” Staring at the alchemists in confusion wondering what those two have been working on.
“I told you before we left. This project that’s still a work in progress.”
“I don’t get it.” Eugene looked at the huge machine unimpressed not knowing what it does.
“Ugh, through the miracle of alchemy with no magic involved. We found a way to heat this entire tank of water.” Hugo rubbed his temple, dealing with him always gave him a headache.
“And with just a single drop of my newest compound which I call Flynnoelum.” Varian placed the lantern on the table, holding up a beaker with glowing green liquid inside.
“I still don’t get it.” He shook his head, still confused by what was happening.
“Let me simplify it down. We’re going to surprise the village by bringing them hot running water.” Placing the beaker gently back down on the wooden table, chuckling as the machine made a loud hissing sound.
“We’ve already constructed five of these all throughout different caverns.”Hugo smirked after making some hand gestures.
“Wait, wait,wait, wait,wait,wait, wait. These things, these tremors? Are the machines causing them?” The brunette man now understood what they were trying to do. Their creations were causing the random earthquakes.
“Oh no,no,no. Our machines are not causing them. The chemical reactions they trigger do.” Varian grabbed a pipette of the green chemical bringing it to a barrel of red heated liquid, releasing a single drop of Flynnoelum as it created a fire explosion with the boy backing up of course.
“And no one else in the village knows that you two are doing this?”
“Listen kiddos, I am no expert in whatever this is but anything that can create an earthquake cannot be safe. We gotta warn people about this.” Eugene leans towards them, pointing at the machine.
“No! We can't, okay? You gave me your word that you’d keep this a secret and besides we’re experts with this kinda stuff it’ll all be perfectly safe.” Varian crossed his arm, looking away annoyed before the three watched the metal bolt launch pass them hitting the wall.
“No worries, it does that all the time.” Hugo scoffed as he climbed up to replace the bolt on the machine.
“Really now.” Eugene crossed his arms.
“Be careful.” The younger alchemist watches.
“Kay and done.” The blonde jumped down.
“We should probably give them the press so let’s go.” Varian grabs the lantern and starts to head back.
“Only twelve more tests to go!” Rapunzel was being shaken side to side by the contraption violently looking at the countdown clock and cheering when she heard a ding as the machine stopped.
“Sorry to keep you ladies waiting but Team awesome is baaaack~” Her brother sang returning to the room sprinting with the press in his arms and the others behind him.
“Now, Raps I know the tests have been a pain in the… um rear.” Adjust the press on the platform.
“Aw, I wouldn’t say it’s a pain.” Not wanting to be rude to him.
“Oh real quick, Shield or close your eyes everyone!” Varian shouting as a bright ball of lightning filled the room, everyone covered and closed their eyes from the light.
“Ugh, now I will say it’s a pain.” Her hair frizzled out, body in pain from the blast.
“You alright?”
“I’ll be fine, if this machine gives us all the answers that we want?” She eyed the boy slightly kickin the press machine.
“Oh yeah it will.” Angrily watching it slowly write while Rapunzel cheered for the answers.
“Sooo Eugene got yourself a secret huh?” Cassandra smirked, walking up to the guy knowing that he’ll immediately blur it out in any second.
“If you wanna call it that. The kid ha- nice try Cass.” The rumbling happened again.
“Where did he come from?” Hugo witnessed Ruddiger fall from the ceiling and ran out the room.
“Look Raps, I think it’s time to go now.” Eugene rotates his attention to his girlfriend and points at the ground.
“Now? You’re kidding right? This is almost finished.” The siblings watch the timer with eight more to go.
“Right um can us guys talk outside for a bit.” Shifting glares at the two alchemists.
“Of course! That’s what team awesome does… w0ah!” Eugene grabs Varian by the shirt and Hugo by the arm as the three zoomed out the room.
Run outside, release the two and slam the door. Eugene pace around like an angry parent.
“Those things down there are dangerous!” He yelled leaning over to the two.
“Dangerous? No way they can’t be dangerous? We’ve adjusted our calculations for every possible outcome.” Hugo placed a hand down in a sassy way. Eugene facepalm while walking past them irritated.
“The margin is less than point five six percent or was it point five seven?” Varian mumbled with a hand under his chin and counted with his other hand.
“I don’t know! Look Varian, Hugo. I think you’re both good kids, very smart with great intentions but I’m asking you both, begging for the love of my life and the entire village to shut off those machines till a seismic quake atologist can come inspect them. Please do it for team awesome and the safety of others.” Eugene placed a hand on both of their shoulders.
“Ohhh!” They were interrupted by the ground shaking again.
“I suppose I can turn it down a bit. Hugo, can you check on Rapunzel’s test for me while I’m gone.” Varian turns to the blonde alchemist as he responds with a nod and a thumbs up.
“Thanks.” He ran off to the shack. The ex-thieves exchanged looks and ran back to the room. Bursting in to hear a ding.
“Alright, six more tests left then we can all leave right? Go someplace far away, really really far away.” Eugene watched the countdown and laughed awkwardly.
“Why do you want us to leave so badly?” The raven haired girl stood behind him with her arms crossed questioning his reasoning.
“Oh no you can stay, in fact it’d be great if you stayed this way when these things blow u- Oh boy never mind.” Eugene walks up to Cassandra realizing he just spilled a secret as Hugo facepalms behind him.
“Whoa whoa wait! What did you just say?” Noticing Hugo’s reaction, she knew something was up.
“ I said absolutely nothing?” He stared and started to pace the room nervously.
“Eugene, what is up with you? ” Rapunzel asked.
“Okay! you wanna know why we have to go?” Eugene stood in front of her but before he could speak an explosion of light blue smoke filled the room.
Down in the passageway Varian ran to the machine
“Okay I …uh I guess it was supposed to be point five seven.” Chuckled awkwardly and freaking out. The moon boy tapped on the thermometer now turning red which wasn’t a good sign the machine hissing loud.
“Don’t worry, I can just adjust it, everything will be fine.” Grabbing a wrench on the side of the table, climbing on top to adjust the screw on the wall, accidentally knocking over the beaker as it broke and spilled all over the floor.
“Oh no the Flynnoleum!” Varian hopped off the table, quickly snatches a cleaning cloth to scrub away the remaining chemical so it wouldn’t reach the machine. Turning around to see the Flynnoelum almost reaching the red chemical on the floor.
“Oh sodium hydrogen iodine tennessine this isn’t good I gotta shut the other machines off.” He got up from the ground and ran out the passageway.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆
“Look, I tried to show you I could keep a secret and you were right I can’t! This kid.” The countdown went to three with flames blowing on her hair. The rumbling happens more often. A ding came from the machine as it turned the number to two.
“Varian and Hugo got five of these huge, highly pressurized, clearly unstable underground machines. The kid went to shut it off but I don’t know what’s happening anymore and I think they could blow up any minute!”
“You left Varian alone!” She shouted.
“He said he’ll be right back.” Eugene tried to reassure her.
“It doesn’t matter, he has a head injury.” Extremely worried about the youngest member.
“What!” It caught Hugo’s attention. Why didn’t Varian tell him? Was it because he didn’t know how to ask for help due to his past life experience, or maybe he hated seeing a doctor. He knew he didn’t like being treated like a baby.
The room lighting turned red, hearing explosions from outside, parts of the ground blew up and the windows glass started to crack.
“And that minute is now.” The four watched in surprise.
“Get me out of this machine!”Rapunzel grunt and scream as she struggled to free herself.
“Uh, guys hurry!" The bell chimped for the last test; the metal parts from the top of the machine surrounded her and began to spin. Eugene ran to the control and started messing with levers trying to turn it off, looking over to Cassandra as she pulled out her sword launching at it to only have her weapon fly out of her hands and to the roof on the other side.
“Move.” Hugo shoves him to the side. Pulling the three of the levers completely up and shutting the machine off.
“Give me your arm!” Cassandra shouted trying to pull the metal strap off with Eugene and Pascal’s help. Rapunzel looked at them struggling to free her before looking out the window.
“Eugene!” Catching his attention, he stared at the window to see Varian running.
“Varian! He’s gonna get himself killed!” Worried for the boy while still trying to free his partner.
“There is a buckle in the back on the right side of the machine attached to the launch plate, press it and that should free her from the metal webbing. Once you free her, get outta here as soon as possible! I’ll get Varian.” Hugo ran out the house to chase after him, parts of house collapses blocked the exit.
“It’s over!” The clock shifts to zero.
“I need those results!” Rapunzel said, glancing down at the press writing something down.
“No!” Part of the roof crushed and destroyed the press.
“Lookout!” Eugene continues to pull on the silver webbing.
“No! There is no time, both of you get out of here!” She looked at the two sadly.
“We’re not leaving without you, I love you Rapunzel.” He held her hand.
“I love you too more than you will ever know.”
“Found it!” Cassandra finally found the buckle and freed Rapunzel.
Rubble of the roof fell on top of them, the three embraced each other not knowing her hair had wrapped around them as a shield from the impact. Her hair started to glow, destroying the debris and freeing them.
“What the hair?” Eugene and Cassandra were bewildered.
Part of Varian’s house fell and exploded. While the blonde teen ran through the field trying to find him, jumping fences dodged ground explosions as the horses watched and neighed, trying to escape their trap.
“Woah!” Hugo uses his acrobatic skills to avoid huge falling debris that almost crushed or hit him, jumping over a pipe and grabbing Varian's arm.
“Ugh Hugh?” He stops and rotates towards him.
“Listen, we gotta get out of here!” He looked around as the other boy tried to pull himself free from his grip.
“No,no! Gah No please I’ve got two more that I need shut off and I can’t let this happen! I can’t risk anyone getting hurt Ah!” An explosion appeared in front of them, a huge pipe was launched into the air, falling towards the two. Hugo’s protective instinct immediately kicked in, he ran to shield and protect the boy as the pipe trapped them inside.
“You okay? Are you hurt?” He held the now trembling moon boy.
“No, no I’m okay, just frightened. What about you? You didn’t get injured by protecting me again did you?” Varian looked up at him to see any injuries on the older boy.
“Don’t worry, I'm alright Hairstripes?”
“Now then we have to climb our way out.” Hugo started to climb to the top and pulled the younger alchemist up.
“Thank you my knight.”Varian joked with a soft smile while the blonde stared at him puzzled.
“Oh so you remembered.” Hugo gave him a smirk.
“Varian! Varian! Hugo! ” Quirin searches around, lifting huge parts of wood, metal and stone to try and find them.
“Quirin! Thank goodness you’re here!” Villagers appeared and more began to surround the man.
He wished he could answer them with their questions but all the chief could think of was searching for his son and his future son-in-law.
“Varian! Son! Where are you?” Quirin ran past them scanning the area, close to breaking down he couldn’t face the feeling of losing him again.
“Dad, I'm over here!” They jumped out of the pipe
“Oh thank goodness.” His dad ran to him, giving the sixteen year old a tight embrace.
“Are you hurt? What happened?” The huge man kneeled down and placed his hand on his shoulders.
“Hugh and I are alright, I have a tiny head scratch before all of this went down… I-I’m sorry dad one of my experiments went extremely wrong, I really wanted to help our village, didn’t know it’ll turn out this way.” Varian eyed the ground in shame, holding his hands together tightly waiting for his dad to yell, scold, shame or hit him.
“Varian, son mistakes happen sometime and we can learn from it to improve for the future, what matters most is that you're okay. We can repair the damages together but please be extremely careful next time, I can’t bear to lose you again.” His dad said softly which caught Varian by surprise, his eyes welled up with tears and nods in response.
“Thank you for being there for him, Please I’m entrusting you to take him to a medical professional later.” The chief turned to Hugo with a smile.
“It's nothing really and will do sir.”
“With that being said.” Quirin stood up and shifted to the villagers.
“Is everyone alright?” Walking away from the boys. Hugo places a hand on the Varian’s shoulder while the moon boy wipes his tears away.
“Quirin this is terrible what do we do?” Villagers began to surround the man again. The younger alchemist started picking scrap of metal one after another. Until they made it to the view of his house that was completely destroyed.
Fear filled his body, tossing the piles of metal to the side as he sprinted towards his house concerned for his sister and everyone else’s well-being to only see them climbing out.
“Rapunzel! Oh stars I’m so sorry I should’ve listened to Eugene and shut down much sooner than none of this would’ve happened.” Varian ran to them giving her a hug.
“Thank goodness you’re alright. I was so worried you’d get hurt when we saw you running outside.”
“I’m alright Hugo saved me but I believe it'd be best for you to head back not that I don’t like having you around, it's just that old corona needs some rebuilding and remodeling to be done.” He said as they walked back to the horses.
“Remember you can always come to me for advice, help, or if you need me or just want to spend some time and see what I can do. I can send some aid here when I return to the castle.” Willingly to help by sending supplies and portraits.
“I know and you don’t have to do that really but Thank you.” The two chatted until they saw the two horses in pink goop.
“Varian.” She smirks and turns to the boy, who pulled the white vial out of his apron pocket.
“On it.” Walking up to the horse, sprinkle it on their hooves and free them. Varian stood up and watched Maximus prancing around in joy.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get those test results blondie.” Eugene came over to them. Rapunzel plays with her hair as she avoids eye contact not knowing her brother awkwardly scooted away.
“I should never have kept a secret from you, from now on no more secrets ever.” Gazing up at her partner boldly.
“Oh yeah? Well what about Cassandra?” He tilts towards the female guard, who is taking care of Fidella.
“That’s between her and me.” The princess leans over at her as well.
“Okay. The truth? You know how I said I just woke up with my hair long? Well I didn’t. The night before Cass kinda helped me break out of Corona.” Rubbing the back of her neck.
“Ohhh, I knew it! She’s gonna get in so much trouble!” Pascal, Ruddiger and Maximus gave Eugene a mad glare. Rapunzel was terrified and backed away a bit.
“That is of course if anyone were to find out.” Max growls.
“Which they won’t because this guy is a vault.” The brunette helped his girlfriend up while getting punched in the arm by Hugo and hit in the face by Max’s tail.
“Bye Rapunzel.” Varian waved before leaving with the blonde teen and fluffy trash panda on his shoulder.
“Come by at the castle today for a check up please.” Haven forgotten about him passing out earlier.
“Oh we will come by to see Doctor Lee today even if I have to carry him.” Hugo glanced at the raven haired boy who just groaned in agony.
“Excellent well then see you two later, bye old Corona.” The three rode away. Rapunzel telling Eugene about that night.
They didn’t know that on the other side of the wall a sharp stone grew closer.
End.