Reunion at Sea

Wither

Rapunzel let out a sigh as she looked up from a scroll she was reading. "I don't believe it."

"What? What is it?" Hookfoot asked.

"It's another incantation!" Rapunzel revealed.

"Another Sundrop incantation?" Cassandra asked.

"No..." Rapunzel frowned.

"The Moonstone, then?" Varian walked over to her to look over her shoulder. "The same person translated this one." He murmured.

"The Sundrop's power was to heal." Cassandra looked towards the pictures non the wall. "What's the Moonstone's?"

Varian frowned. "Wait, maybe you shouldn't test it out." He said as Rapunzel walked away from him. "Rapunzel!"

"Wither and decay. End this destiny. Break these earthly chains, and set the spirit free." Rapunzel paused, checked her hair, then shrugged before repeating it. "Wither and decay. End this destiny. Break these earthly chains, and set the spirit free."

This time, something happened. A flower died, and the ground and walls started to turn blue. "Uhhh, Raps?" Cassandra said nervously.

"Rapunzel, stop!" Varian said firmly.

She seemed to be in a trance, and then her hair turned black and broke free of its braids, drifting in the air like it was alive as she started to sing the incantation.

Varian clenched his fists as everyone fell to their knees around him, begging her to stop as they gasped for air. He glared at a lock of hair that was near him and pushed it aside as he angrily stormed over.

"Varian! Stop!" Cassandra coughed.

"If you get too close--" Adira started.

"KNOCK IT OFF!" Varian yelled, moving in front of Rapunzel. "CAN'T YOU SEE YOU'RE--What happened to your eyes?! They're black like ink!"

He looked past her at the others and then raised his clenched fist before he opened it and then pulled his hand back to slap her across the face. She fell into the water, her hair returning to normal, as he watched his glove burn away, leaving his uninjured hand exposed to the open air.

"Varian!" Cassandra yelled angrily.

"Oww..." Rapunzel whimpered.

"That was my mother's glove!" Varian fumed. "Are you awake now, Princess?!"

"Uhm...uh-huh." She slowly got up.

"Does it hurt?" He asked. She nodded. "Good. Rapunzel, do you remember when I asked about my father's past and Aunt Adira mentioned the Moonstone creating a plague? Congratulations, you just recreated that plague!"

Rapunzel hung her head. "I'm sorry, everyone."

Varian sighed and looked at his bare hand before he stormed over to take off his backpack and get his spare gloves out, putting the remaining one into the backpack where it'd be safe.

"How did you do that?" Adira asked him while everyone else went to Rapunzel's side.

"Do what?" Varian asked as he fastened his spare gloves on.

"Touch her. You should have lost the use of your hand. And the plague didn't affect you at all?" Adira's brow furrowed.

"I have no idea, Aunt Adira, I'm still processing it all myself." He replied. "I can't believe she just...she needs to listen to me!"

Adira looked thoughtful, then looked towards where Cassandra was fussing over Rapunzel's cheek.

--

Lance laughed. "Hey, buddy, y'know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say we're about to get eaten by a flower!"