This is a sequel to my other story, Tears of an Alchemist. I decided to write this because I couldn't bear to end Varian's story so sad :(

Also, some of you wanted more! XD

Anyways, I absolutely love Varian and wanted to expand more on him. Enjoy and leave a review!!! :D

P.S. I absolutely CANNOT wait for season 2 to come out. Disney Channel isn't even airing reruns of season 1 so I'm pretty sad about that…

Rapunzel walked down the steps of my house, her hands clenched in a fist. "That's enough Varian," she said sternly. Her green eyes filled with anger, but I saw fear. I knew she was scared.

But I wasn't scared of her. She held no power, I HAD THE CARDS. My automaton held two things most dear to her, Cassandra and the Queen. How dare she order ME around?

"It's not over until you've endured the pain and agony I HAVE!" I snarled.

I cranked up the strength of my automaton and slowly squeezed Cassandra and the Queen, hearing their cries. I saw Rapunzel's eyes open wide, as she stood there helpless. Helpless like the day I was dragged out of the castle. Helpless like I was when I saw my dad encased in the rock. This was perfect, she knew how I felt.

Out of nowhere, rocks formed around the princess, and all was quiet until the rocks retracted.

No, it can't be. The princess… is she using the rocks? Around me, the automatons were being destroyed by rock outgrowths that seemed to be controlled by her. Rapunzel held onto two rocks which seemed to flow in response to her.

NO NO NO NO! I needed to get rid of her. NOW.

I cranked the lever, quickly propelling my automaton towards Rapunzel, anger flowing through my veins. This was her fault. My father is trapped because of her.

As I moved closer and closer I saw a blue light from around the princess and my automaton was thrown backwards in the blast. It was damaged, but I cranked the lever and mustered up enough fuel to keep going. I charged at the princess, but the rocks jutted out, destroying the legs of my machine. I got closer and closer, but limb before limb was being torn off. I was so close. As the legs of my automaton were torn off I raised the remaining arm, aiming to strike down the princess. But before I knew it, the rocks drove straight into the body of the automaton, rendering it dysfunctional.

"NO! NO!"

Victory was so close! Before long, the guards pryed open the automaton, and dragged me out, their grip digging into my arms. They put on handcuffs and threw me into a dungeon carriage like I was an animal. As the door closed, I glared at the princess, who was celebrating with the king and queen. How could they be so happy at my expense? They didn't deserve it. None of them did. Ruddiger ran up my shoulders. At least he was loyal. "I will make you proud dad. If it's the last thing I do" I whispered to myself as they faded into the distance.

My vision began to grow blurry as I heard the horses start their march. Before long, the smell of the fresh air quickly turned into a damp smell and I quickly jolted up, awaken on a stale mattress in a barred room.

It was just a dream. My eyes were soaked and my heart was racing. My fists were clenched so tight that my nails dig into my palm, drawing a bit of blood.

These flashbacks. Why do they torment me so? I looked outside the bars of my cell, greeted by nothing but empty cells opposite to mine. First, I had recurring nightmares about my father… and now… Rapunzel. Why do I feel such guilt? I banged my head against the concrete wall, trying to sort out my thoughts. How could I do this to Rapunzel? I hurt the ones she loved, and I…. I hurt her.

"AHHHHH" I screamed, trying to let out my frustrations.

It had been a few weeks now since the battle, and I hear the cheers of Coronans outside my prison walls. But the cheers gave me a purpose. The cheers fueled my anger, my yearning for escape.

Just then the jingling of keys filled the hall, and the footsteps grew louder. A royal guard approached my cell, with a prisoner next to him. This was strange. It wasn't lunch time yet.

"Hey, make it quick," the guard whispered to the prisoner, handing him a wooden baton. The prisoner took out a brown pouch that jingled with coins and handed it to the guard.

The royal guard smiled and opened the door to my cell, a smirk spreading across his face. The prisoner entered, and the guard closed the gate behind him, and stood guard outside the door nonchalantly.

Before I could process what was happening, I saw the man swing a punch at my face, causing me to fall onto the ground. Before long, I felt him land a kick onto my diaphragm, forcing the air out of my lungs.

"Stop—" I tried to say, but my words were silenced by another barrage of strikes.

I tried to cover my face with my arms but I felt the baton strike my forearm, and pain shot through me. It was no use.

I tried to stand up, but a kick at my calf crumpled me back down. All I could do was yell.

"Help! Help—"

The large man grabbed me by the neck, and started to choke me.

"Shut up kid, or I will kill you"

I couldn't breathe. My mind was racing as I struggled to get a lick of air.

"Hey!" I heard a familiar voice coming from the entrance to the dungeon.

My eyesight was fading from oxygen loss, and I couldn't make out who it was. But I saw him approach the guard and I heard a loud punch and saw the guard fall down, the clang of his armor echoed through the halls.

Before long, the grip on my neck released as my attacker turned around, only to be met by a series of punches that caused him, like the guard, to fall down.

I tried to get up, tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids and cheeks were swollen from the pain. I felt the mysterious man pick me up from the ground and prop me up against the wall.

Just then, the sound of gallops and clanging armor echoed through the chamber. My eyes were swollen shut and I could only make out the silhouette of a horse and more royal guards.

"One of my men did this?" I heard of the men say.

"I'm afraid so Captain," replied the man holding me.

The Captain of the guards? Why would those scum want to help me? After all, all they did was lock me up here in this miserable cell.

I tried to get up, but a sharp pain shot through my stomach.

"Woah woah hold on kid, I think you're bruised pretty bad," he gently placed his hand on my abdomen, which made it hurt even more.

I clenched my teeth to stifle my scream of pain.

"Eugene. Thanks for your help," the captain mentioned. "And Maximus, help Eugene bring the boy to the castle"

Wait, he was Eugene? So they did care about me...

The horse whinnied in response and clopped his hooves.

I wanted to thank them, and tell them I was sorry for all I did, but I could hardly speak nor breathe.

All of a sudden, I was lifted up and placed on top of the horse on my back. And slowly, I was moved. I must have had a concussion or I was really tired, but the rhythmic clopping sounds and the swaying of the horse made me fall asleep.

This time, I didn't dream of pain. I didn't dream of loss. I didn't dream of anger.

I dreamt of blonde hair, of having the mother I never met. It was a warm feeling, a safe feeling.

Before long, I began to hear the outside world again. I heard the voice from my dream. The voice of the princess.

"Varian…. I promise I will care for you and won't let any of this happen again."

Silence followed as I heard her softly weep. I opened my swollen eyes the best I could, and mustered up a smile.

The princess's distraught look quickly faded as her mouth curled up into a beaming grin. She held my cheek with a gentle motherly touch. "I promise Varian. I promise."