_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
The Alchemist returns
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
Varian is working In his lab, "If I get this to work the NO ONE will ignore us again!" He chuckles evilly.
Ruddiger cowers under Varian's desk.
"I mean, I don't have to tell the girls all of my plans... Just the 'main' part..." Once again he laughs.
A bell dings.
"Oooo! My cookies are done!" He chuckles then skips over to get them out of the oven.
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
Meanwhile with you and Sophie
Your in Varian's room playing cards with Sophie.
"Can you smell cookies?" You sniffed.
Sophie sniffs too then gets excited, "Varian must be making them C'mon!"
She drags you out if the room.
You go to the kitchen, but the smell wasn't coming from there.
"Is it coming from his lab?" Sophie asks.
"I think so... what a strange place to make cookies..."
You both walk up to his lab, you try to open the door but it's locked.
"Since when did this door have a lock?" You ask.
Sophie shrugs then knocks.
The door opens slightly and Varian peeks his head through, "Yes?"
You raise a brow, "Are you making cookies in your lab?"
Varian stares blankly then chuckles, "Uh... Yeah! Weird right? I just thought they would... taste better made in here! Nothing to worry about."
He thinks for a second then closes the door. He comes back and hands you both one, "Here, I'm nearly done, might as well try it. I'll be out soon!" He kisses your forehead then slams the door, locking it again.
You both hold the purple cookies in confusion then Sophie shrugs taking a bite.
You take a small bite and it seems normal.
You both finish the cookies and you sigh looking at the lab.
You jump when Varian comes out. "Hey, were going to see the princess."
"Are you sure it's safe to go out?" You ask worriedly.
Varian strokes the side of your face, "I'm sure." He smiles then fixes his bag. "Now C'mon, let's take the underground caverns."
"Underground tunnels? You're saying some caverns lead to the town?" Sophie asks.
"Yep," Varian replies.
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
In the caverns, you can only hear Ruddiger and Ash chasing each other while Leo is perched on your shoulder.
"So (__),"
"Hm?" You reply.
"Where do you think the sundrop flower would be?" Varian asks.
"It would be in the Royal Vaults, but I took it." You cover your mouth in a panic.
Varian stops and turns around, Sophie's eyes widen in shock and nudges you.
"What do you mean, YOU took it?" He stares at you seriously.
You held a hand over your mouth but Varian grabs it away then you spill it out, "I kept seeing visions of you taking the flower, so I asked Sophie if she would come with me to get it before you could!"
Varian narrows his eyes at you both then tuts.
"Varian, please don't be mad. I didn't want you to get into trouble so I just thought if I took it first..."
Varian sighs deeply his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, "Change of plans..." he continues to walk, "I'm not mad, but before you go do something where you could get into serious trouble, tell me."
He kicks a stone, "We're still going, then you will give me the flower afterwards."
You bite your tongue and gulp, "Okay."
"The serum will wear off soon, I gave you two less than it should be."
Sophie stops walking then blinks, "serum? Varian why would you-"
"To get truthful information, I didn't want to, but you both know the castle more than I do."
You grab his shoulder and make him turn around, "Okay Varian, you've been acting weird since I got back from that banquet. What happened."
Varian glances down not wanting to look into your eyes, "I don't know what you're talking about, nothing happened!"
You lift his chin with your finger making him look at you, "Varian, you used a serum on us to get us to tell you the truth when we would have told if you just asked. It's time for you to do the same..."
Varian whacks away your hand and turns around, "Shut up! I am fine leave it at that!" He yells.
He had never yelled like that before, especially to you. Your eyes water and you felt a pain in your chest. Sophie notices your upset and hugs you before continuing to walk.
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
You walk out of the tunnel holding your arm and looking down. Not long after, you feel an arm wrap around you.
"Look, I'm sorry... I'm just stressed about everything and it's getting frustrating that we're not getting anywhere. And you and Sophie are the only family I have left, so I just wanted to protect you..."
You lean your head onto his shoulder, "I get it, but please don't take it out on the ones who love you. We can get through this all together."
Varian smiles and kisses your cheek, "Got it." He takes your hand, "And (__)?"
"Yeah?" You reply.
"I love you too."
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
In town, you and Sophie help Varian sneak around town with Leo in the skies looking for any patrols.
Sophie spots Rapunzel heading to the docks.
You all run to the boats and hop in one, "Ruddiger, make sure no one is with the princess."
Varian lets the raccoon runoff go to Rapunzel.
"Ah! Oh Ruddiger, where did you come from?"
Varian grabs Rapunzel and pulls her into the boat, covering her mouth, "Shh!"
When she doesn't make a sound, he let's go of her mouth.
"Oh, Varian!" She hugs him, she turns to you and Sophie and drags you both into the hug.
"Where have you three been, I was so worried about you's..."
Varian sighs as Ruddiger jumps into his lap, "Uh, yeah we had to lie low after those guys were watching us."
"They attacked us, and hurt Varian pretty bad trying to get that Graphtyc." You explain.
"Wait, the Captain attacked you three?" Her voice rises a bit.
Sophie huffs in disbelief, "The Captain? But why?"
Rapunzel groans, "Our dad... he must of had them watch over us."
Leo perches on your arm, "Well, I guess no one is too keen on someone attacking their princess." You chuckle slightly.
"Attack me? You mean... (__) that wasn't your fault." Rapunzel says with sadness in her voice.
"Attack the princess?" Sophie and Varian say at the same time.
"Long story." You giggle.
Varian sighs, "Okay? Anyway, at least now you got to see why we need your help." Varian looks at her in sorrow.
Rapunzel gasps and covers her mouth, "Kids, I am so sorry I head no ide-"
Varian puts his hand up, "You had to save the Kingdom, you had to do what you had to, but you can help us now, Rapunzel. Do you have the scroll?"
Rapunzel digs around in her satchel, "The scroll! I got it just like you asked." She hands it to Varian. "I dont know what it is but my dad was desperate to keep it from me."
"So desperate that he would attack three kids?" You question. "Damn."
"I'm so sorry they attacked you. I didn't know-"
Varian rolls his eyes and sighs, "It took me a while to translate this old language, but from what I can tell. Those black rocks are some sort of ancient darkness. Its destructive power can only be stopped by its counterparts. The sundrop and the star crystal, now we've already tried with the star crystal but it's weak against the ambe- I mean rocks."
"Rapunzel, the flower..."
"You mean THE flower? The one that healed my mom and gave me my hair, but my dad said that was long gone."
Varian stares at her seriously.
"Rapunzel, our dad lied." You say.
"What? He couldn't have lied about this."
Varian hums then puts his hand up to his chin, "Would you say your dad has been a reliable resource of information?"
"Well um..."
Varian shakes his head, "Rapunzel, no. It's still here. I'm sure of it. Your dad wouldn't just throw away something that could wield that kind of power."
You and Sophie realise Varian is playing Rapunzel along so she can help, "Just a single petal could help us solve all of our problems! That's all we need."
"Yeah, but even if the flower was here, I dont think we could just ask my dad to hand it over."
You smirk and help Varian out, "Oh, we know we cant. Which is why we have to steal it."
Rapunzel is hesitant but agrees on helping you three into the castle.
Guards go by and you realise Rapunzel is sneaking towards the Herz Don Sonne's Journal... which is also in your satchel.
"Gah! Princess! What are we doing here?" Varian panics slightly, "The flower would most likely be in the Royal Vault which is on the other side-"
"The other side of the castle, I know, but if we want to get passed the vault's security. Our best chance is the underground tunnels. In Herz Don Sonne's Journal, it has a complete map of them."
Your eyes widen and you bite your lip, hoping she doesn't open it. You glance at Varian.
Rapunzel runs out and takes your hands, "Change of plans, I don't know if I can do this. About to steal the journal, stealing the flower, these are all acts of treason."
Sophie shrugs, "Meh you get used of it after the first few times."
Varian frowns, "Rapunzel. This may be my dads only hope. This may be Corona's only hope... Rapunzel Corona needs our help."
She sighs, "For Corona..."
You all go back inside and grab the 'journal'.
Rapunzel runs but immediately stops and causes you to run into her.
"EUGENE!" Rapunzel laughs nervously, "Hey!"
"Blondie, what are you doing?"
"N-nothing! Nothing!"
Eugene sounds unsure, "Right! Okay. I know you want to be alone, but Cass and I-"
He stops talking after Rapunzel glances back at you three, throwing the journal at Varian, you silently point at Eugene. Rapunzel looks back then chuckles.
"You okay?"
Rapunzel nods, "mHmM!"
You and Sophie facepalm.
She sighs, "Eugene, how far would you go to find the truth?"
"Personally, not very far, the truth is not all it's cracked up to be. Blondie are you Alright?"
"Yeah, sorry. It's a... it's just, I've had a lot to process lately. I promise I'll talk when I'm ready."
"Okay, just let me know if you need anything." Eugene walks away and Rapunzel pulls you three outside in a hurry.
Outside, where no one is around Varian opens up the 'journal'
"I wanna be where the people are? What?"
You try to quickly walk past but Varian grabs yours and Sophie's wrists.
"Okay, which one of you has the journal." He crosses his arms.
Rapunzel looks at you both, "Girls?"
You both stand there like two little kids who've just got in trouble until you cautiously take the journal out of your satchel.
You laugh sheepishly, "heh, how did that get in there..."
Rapunzel takes the journal off you then sighs, "Well, I suppose it's a good thing it was you and not someone else." She opens the journal and glances around. "The entrance must be somewhere around here..."
Varian sees a man whole and lifts it open to check, "I found the entrance."
It was dark, Varian quickly finds a decent stick to use as a staff and ties three glowing vials to it.
He hops down first then helps Rapunzel and Sophie down. You look to see Varian holding his arms up to you. You jump in and Varian catches you.
Leo flies in and Ash hops into Sophie's arms. And for Ruddiger, he just fell in.
You stay close to Varian while Sophie was messing around trying to make the tunnel creepier than it already was.
"We have to go this way." Rapunzel now leads the way.
"Um, that way?" She wasn't so sure herself.
Ruddiger chitters happily and Leo hops onto Varian's head to stay away from the rats, but Ash was doing the job of keeping them away or at least playing chase with them...
You held hands with Varian walking down the tunnels and Varian smiles, "Wow, oh, oh! These tunnels depicted an ancient technology of-" He moves his staff in front of him.
The three of you yell when a skeleton comes into view, "OH!"
Varian gulps and stares in fear, "Uh, Eee, this way!" He makes a sharp turn to the right.
"Guys, we have to be careful. These tunnels may have been forgotten but traps still litter around here." You warn a little nervous.
Varian laughs, "As you can recall, (__). I know a thing or two about booby-traps." He steps forward and sets off a trap.
"Varian!" You all shout.
"AH!" He closes his eyes when an arrows shoot out and luckily they got lodged into the staff. "Woah..."
"Varian!" You punch his arm.
He chuckles nervously, "Well, that's one down!" He grimaces and continues walking.
You cross your arms, "Don't jinx it, Varian."
You all step into a room and the exits close up. "Uh, it's too late for that," Varian says nervously.
The walls on either side start closing in towards you four. You all go try to push the walls, "Were gonna get squished!" Varian shouts.
"Figure that one out ya self did ya Genius!" Sophie yells out sarcastically.
You scan the surroundings then pick up a bone. "Leo, Pascal! Go to the small opening where the wall is being turned."
Pascal grabs the bone and Leo picks up Pascal then flies up towards the clogs.
"Leo, wedge the bone into the Axle, Pascal goes behind the wall to find the release mechanism."
Leo stops the wall from moving and Pascal goes behind the wall. But not long after, the bone breaks and the wall move again, but faster.
"Oh no!" You lean against the wall and you try to use your feet to push on the other.
"Woah!" Varian yells and you both panic when you get squished together.
Varian smirks, "Oh, hello there."
"This isnt the time to flirt with (__), goggle head!" Sophie yells at him.
The wall stops before it gets to tight. Leo flies down with Pascal and land on Rapunzel's head. "You guys did it!" She cheers.
You glance at Varian who looks pale.
"I think I'm gonna be sick..." he whispers.
"Don't you dare be sick on me!" You shout.
The door in front of you opens and the walls releases you four. You yell when you fall on the floor and Varian lands on top of you.
Varian looks down and flushes pink and quickly gets off you.
Sophie saw what happened and snickers.
"Oh shut up Soph!" You pout as Varian helps you up.
"You two are such dorks!" She bursts into a laughing fit.
Rapunzel smiles then walks over, "C'mon we should be getting close."
You all stop when Varian does, "Tripwire." He steps over and you all do the Same.
Ash squeals at Ruddiger and they both go over the tripwire. Pascal squeaks when he sees a spider that crawled on the wire. He goes down and eats the spider.
The ceiling above you shakes and starts to break. Ruddiger panics along with Ash. Sophie immediately grabs them and pushes you out of the way when debris falls and nearly crushes you.
You pant heavily, "Woah..."
"Are you guys okay?"
"Yeah." You say and Varian hugs you tightly before walking again.
Rapunzel sighs in relief, "We're getting closer to the surface, we dont want to alarm the guards."
Varian smirks, "Oh, I'm pretty sure they have their hands full."
You stare at him suspiciously and grab his hand, "What do you mean?"
Varian chuckles then turns around, seeming to compose himself, "I, uh I mean just um..." he grins then grabs your hand off his shoulder, "H-hey! They have their hands full every day, Corona, you know." He leans on a beam.
You see it sink into the wall and the floor under Varian caves in. "AH!"
"VARIAN!!" You all run-up to the trap.
You sigh in relief when you see Varian's staff had caught him.
"Hang on!" Rapunzel shouts.
Varian looks down at the black abyss and gulps.
Sophie smirks, "I think he's way ahead of you on this one."
You all grab onto Varian's staff and help him up. You hug him and he smiles softly before kissing your cheek.
The ground shakes and the floor begins to cave in "What do we do?!" Varian panics.
"I'm gonna go with RUN!" Sophie runs off.
You all run down the tunnel and the floor keeps falling apart. You stop at a dead end. "Uh, dead-end!"
Rapunzel pulls the beads out of her hair and throws some around a beam. "Guys hold on!" She grabs onto Varian , Varian holds tightly onto you and you do the Same for Sophie as she holds the animals.
She swings you all to a doorway.
Varian and Rapunzel managed to get on the floor but you slip and hang on for your life with Sophie clinging onto your leg.
The animals climb up onto the safer ground.
"VARIAN!" you shout holding onto the edge.
"(__)!!!!" Rapunzel and Varian run back and help you both up.
Varian wraps his arms around you protectively. You cling onto him and he decides to hold you, walking along.
"Varian, you are sure this flower is worth it right?" Rapunzel fixes her hair back. "Its Corona's only hope."
Varian hums, "It should be, but uh... I'm not really concerned about Corona."
Rapunzel looks at him, "You don't care about Corona?"
Varian gently places you back on your feet, "Oh, uh, of course, I'm concerned about C-Corona. I mean just right now I'm more concerned about how it's going to help my dad." He says nervously, "Corona too."
You Sophie and Rapunzel glance at each other then follow Varian.
The room you came to had seven pillars and up above is a vault looking door.
Varian groans, "Another dead end?"
Rapunzel shakes her head, "No, this is it. We are right under the vault. Do you see that trapdoor?" She points to the door before scanning the room
"How do we get it open?" Varian asks.
Rapunzel counts the pillars then pushes the smaller ones to the right.
Suddenly the door above makes noises as it opens a ladder is now present.
You grin excitedly then stop when you feel a massive stomp behind you guys.
"Guys..."
You slowly turn around to see an automaton.
Varian's eyes widen in excitement, "Fascinating! I believe this is an automaton. A marvel of technology really! I've just read about them, but just to-"
The metal arm of the automaton raises up and in panic and tackle Varian down to the ground before the hand smashes the ground he was stood on.
"Now is NOT the time to fanboy over them! You can tell me all about them later- actually don't do that-"
Varian laughs and stands up, "Don't worry, I got this (__)." He says with confidence and runs at the automaton with vials in his hand.
He keeps throwing chemicals that explode when in contact with the metal being and it runs straight into a pillar.
Varian grins proudly, "See I got this." He flips his hair.
You run over once you see the automaton move. "Varian! You can be an adorable dork at home but now- VARIAN!"
He gets smacked into a pillar and slides down. You and Rapunzel run over to him, Sophie was going to but gets picked up by a metal claw.
Varian says, "Despite the excruciating pain and the fact I am about to pass out, the science at work here is spellbinding!"
"GUYS!? seriously?! I swear if you weren't my best friends I would have stabbed you 24 times for all the times you've got us into these situations! AND I'M COUNTING!!!"
Your eyes widen when you realise she's in the automaton's clutches, "HEY AUTOMATON!"
It turns to you just to get bombarded by explosions by you and Varian.
Sophie covers her face.
You both run around the automaton throwing the explosives making sure not to hit Sophie.
"Guys! Get it to come to this!" Rapunzel yells.
You both nod and Varian throws another explosive, "You want us? Come and get us!" You shout.
The automaton drops Sophie and charges at you all.
It gets caught on Rapunzel's hair before its weight pulls down two pillars on top of it. The automaton shuts down after getting crushed.
You run over to Sophie, "Are you okay?"
Sophie stands up and brushes herself off. "Well, that was a first, and hopefully the last!" She chuckles.
"Let's go." Rapunzel climbs up the ladder.
Varian smiles charmingly at you and lets you and Sophie go first.
You climb up to see the vault, the dome covered over like how you and Sophie left it.
But something catches your eye, an old scroll, out of curiosity you pick it up and open it.
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
Dear king Frederic,
As you know, (__) and Varian are a few months old and as we suspected, we had to transfer the magic of the star crystal to baby girl.
And for Quirins baby boy, he was born with an unusual blue streak from the 'you know what'
And if it's true, your child and the others will be destined to save us all. And maybe those kids one day will find yours.
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
"Huh? It's ripped..."
Varian walks over, "What's ripped?"
"This scroll, its gotta do with the star crystal and us... but its ripped see?" You hand over the scroll.
Varian hums in thought when Rapunzel speaks, "Wait it isnt here?"
"Oh, we know it isnt," Varian says while searching around for the other half.
"Wait what do you mean you know?"
"(__) stole it and got Sophie to help, this was just a distraction."
Ruddiger and Ash pull on Varians bag. It opens slightly and you see a very recognizable bottle. You grab the bottle.
"Varian where did you get this?"
"Sophie found it at the riverside."
"What is it?" Sophie asks.
"A very dangerous potion! Why did you give it to him?" You ask.
"I didn't know it was a potion, it's the same bottle you had when you came back to the house after the banquet! And you gave Varian some saying it was to help his head!"
"What? I didn't give Varian anything."
Rapunzel changes the subject back to Varian, "Varian, that potion is dangerous. You shouldn't be fooling with it!"
He smirks, "There was just one drop left, but it was enough for me to replicate and modify. I had to be sure the flower was here."
"So you made a truth serum..." you say.
"You'd be surprised what people would do for a cookie. Besides, you gave me the stuff after the banquet and now I feel better than I did before!"
You gasp, "Varian your under a potion! That's why you aren't yourself. And I didn't give you that potion! I wasn't in old Corona!!!!"
"Oh, yeah? So were where you!?" Sophie crosses her arms confused.
"I was in a dungeon cell after I attacked the princess!" You shout out making Varian and Sophie stare at you in shock.
"Wait... those cookies... Stan Pete! How could you?" Rapunzel shouts.
Varian smirks, "Oh, do you honestly expect me to be concerned about the welfare of Corona?"
"But you said-"
Varian interrupts her, "Rapunzel! I used you! We've been to you, and this kingdom, for help. Everyone turned their back on us! It has to be this way."
Rapunzel looks at you with sadness in her eyes, " I defied a direct order from our father YOUR father, the king because I trusted you three. We all broke the law ESPECIALLY you." Rapunzel points to you.
"Give me the flower, (__). We can find a way to fix all of this, the rocks, Varian's dad, everything. I promise you. I promise! Just this is not the way guys. Please?"
Sophie glances down, not sure on how to respond.
All you can hear in your mind is Varian screaming 'YOU PROMISED YOU'D STAY ON MY SIDE!' And you promising Quirin to keep Varian safe.
You glance down at the ground too, "Sorry, Princess, but we know firsthand how well you keep promises."
The door slams open and Eugene and Cass barge in with the guards, "There he is! Get him- (__)! What are you-"
You look up and glare at the guards and Rapunzel before chucking a smoke bomb down at the ground, grabbing Sophie's and Varian's hand and making a runner.
After the smoke goes Rapunzel stands there with tears in her eyes.
Eugene runs over, "Are you okay?"
"I- I'm fine... Varian... (__)... And Sophie..."
Eugene glances down frowning and hugging Rapunzel.
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Authors note
Yall wanted yourself on Varian's side so here ya go!
Now if you excuse me I'm gonna go scream into a pillow and wonder how the hell I'm going to make the next few chapters work-
So for now...
CYA LATER!