The Great Tree, Part 1/7

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"Speaking of last night, Raps," Cassandra continues. "That jump you and Max took..."

"Oh, you mean the jump that won us the race?" Rapunzel says with a smile, striding over to Maximus and giving him a scratch.

"It wasn't a race," Cassandra says. "But, yeah, that one. It was kind of reckless."

"Cass, you of all people should know I can handle myself pretty well out here," Rapunzel says.

"Wait, what kind of jump are we talking about?" Varian asks.

"An impossibly wide one lined with sharp black rocks," Cassandra replies.

"And you guys jumped it?" Varian says to Rapunzel and Maximus. "What were you thinking?!"

"I was thinking Max could handle it," Rapunzel says. "Come on guys, stop being so overprotective! I don't need someone to keep me safe."

Varian shakes his head as Rapunzel begins to head back inside the caravan, but he is stunned when he sees the hurt expression on Cassandra's face. What Rapunzel said seems to have really affected her. He hates to see her look so dejected, and he feels a desire to fix it. "Cass...?" He says, extending his hand to touch her arm.

     Before he can say anything further, the ground begins to shake

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Before he can say anything further, the ground begins to shake. The horses nicker nervously as it becomes apparent that something large is stomping towards them, closer and closer. They gaze up to the hill behind them, and see a strange man sitting on top of a rhino —a rhino! He also has two binturongs with him, and they growl angrily.

The gang stare fearfully at the strange man and his animals. He has dark, braided hair and eerie, green eyes. He sits atop his rhino, glaring at them menacingly. Varian is frozen in shock, unsure what to do.

"Have no fear, the peacekeeper worked his magic!" Eugene says as he strides out of the caravan, unaware of their visitors. He notices the astounded expressions on his friends' faces, and lets out a yelp when he turns around and takes in the peculiar sight.

The rhino rears up and lets out a roar, preparing to charge.

"Why are we just standing here?!" Eugene shouts. "Run!"

They all hop onto the front of the caravan as quickly as possible, Eugene having to pull Varian up as he scrambles to climb on.

     They all hop onto the front of the caravan as quickly as possible, Eugene having to pull Varian up as he scrambles to climb on

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