AN: Thanks to everyone who read, altered, favourited, and especially reviewed! Your wonderful feedback inspires me. As a special treat, for once, a really fast update.
This chapter's songs (there's a lot of them!):
Song#1- youtube at .com/watch?v=eftKKjVo6Y8 (dropped first couple of verses in this one)
Song #2- Healing Incantation, which can be found in my profile under chapter 5 links.
Song #3- youtube at .com/watch?v=RhqoQOkjs9k
Song #4, 5, and 6: youtube at .com/watch?v=rj1v5tXs9Jo&feature=related
Links will be posted to my profile, along with song names and links to the original lyrics.
Disclaimer: I do not own Tangled or any of the things that compose it, which are property of Disney. I also do not any of the songs I base my parodies off of, which are also property of Disney.
Mother knows best
No...
Listen to your mother
No...
It's a scary world in here
No!
Rapunzel found herself back in her tower, sitting in a chair, bound to it. She tried to move, but her struggles were useless. She looked down to see what it was holding her...and gasped when she saw it was hair. Her hair. Her dead, brown, ugly hair to be precise. Somehow, the long brown locks were menacing, killing her, making it hard for her to breathe.
Rapunzel took in more of her surroundings. It was dark and scary, the only light coming from a few candles. The most prominent part of the darkness around her, however, was her mother standing in front of her. Gothel was frighteningly beautiful in her red dress, her body young. Gothel continued her song, somehow managing to be both comforting and intimidating.
Mother knows best,
Yes, you feel so smothered
Everything is wrong, I fear
With every single line of song, a new Gothel appeared to sing the next words. There were now three terrifying Gothels circling Rapunzel like sharks, as Rapunzel rapidly spun her head trying to track them all.
They hate you, sung anther Gothel, who rose from a cloud of smoke. The lights to the room flashed on. Instead of her usual tower surroundings, they appeared to be in the middle of a auditorium. Filling the stands were all the people of the castle, all looking at Rapunzel with severe contempt. Prominent amongst them were her family, glaring down at her with absolute disgust. Rapunzel shrunk back, the dark stares hurting her.
Fool! Shouted a handsome voice. Rapunzel gasped as Eugene materialized, angrily looking at her, insulting her. Tears flowed from Rapunzel's eyes at his words.
Worthless are you, dumb girl scolded the Queen from the stands, standing up to the cheers of the crowd.
You ruined our lives, sister sung Roseanne, looking on sadly.
Rapunzel shouted out in distress fruitlessly: "No!"
A fifth Gothel came from behind Rapunzel, her head resting on her shoulder. "Yes!" Gothel five shouted.
Rapunzel tried to interject. "But-"
Look at them all, the sixth Gothel appeared right in front of Rapunzel's face.
Beasts with pointy teeth all six Gothels sung, as the crowd transforming into dark monsters with terribly sharp fangs.
Stop! No more! Won't let you hurt her! A seventh Gothel appeared, stomping, banishing the monsters away, saving Rapunzel from them.
Mother's right here,
Mother will protect you all seven Gothels embraced the still bound Rapunzel, the princess mourning into them.
Darling here's what I suggest Another new Gothel, appearing much older than the other six, singing her suggestion.
Skip the royals
Or you'll toil
Mother knows best
All the Gothels faded into the night, which was now filling up the mysterious room.
Go ahead, get trampled by a workload yet another older Gothel sung, as a desk appeared in front of Rapunzel. Gothel had her head on the desk, surrounded by papers, looking exhausted.
Go ahead, as he leaves you for dead a young Gothel stepped forth to sing the line. As she did so, the ghostly form of Eugene appeared again. He was dancing with the flaming haired Isabelle, laughing in joy, before he bent down to kiss her passionately. Rapunzel gasped at the sight, before it faded into the air.
We are just your mother, now on death's road, Eight Gothels popped up around Rapunzel, making a total of ten, forming a choir.
For only attempting to save you.
Go ahead and leave them, they deserve it the next Gothel stated, as an image of Rapunzel's parents, sister, and Eugene appeared before Rapunzel's eyes. They all looked sinister; with glaring red pupils and hideously deformed features.
Let them be alone here, for the best sang the entire group.
Don't be too late,
You'll see, just wait
Mother Knows Best The mass of Gothels all laughed maniacally, fading once more.
Mother Knows Best,
Take is from your mumsy,
Trapped in here, you won't survive Voices of Gothel alternated in the background. They reappeared again, all circling her, their faces gradually aging and now melting as the room took on a hellish red tinge.
Sloppy, under dressed,
Immature, clumsy,
Please, they'll eat you up alive!
The song quickened as did their steps, as more and more Gothels appeared in the background, all taking on a look to suit the nightmare. Their faces melted to show masses of Kings, Queens, Roseannes, and Eugenes, all sinister. They too slowly melted, the song eating them alive.
Gullible, naive,
Positively ghoulish,
Ditzy and a bit well, vague!
All the faces and monsters blurred around Rapunzel, who struggled in her seat, crying, so confused by everything. Her brain could not comprehend what was occurring. She desperately pulled at her hair, but it only become more constricting.
WE DO BELIEVE! Boomed the voice of a hundred Kings, all sounding as intimidating as they did when he came in on Eugene and Rapunzel kissing.
That you are so foolish cruelly stated a hundred Queens.
I must say I never loved you shouted a hundred Eugene's. The line caused Rapunzel's heart to crumble.
All the awful faces and clones vanished. Rapunzel was finally free from her hairy chains, as she breathed deeply. She was standing there, alone, Gothel there before her. Gothel, warm and loving and open. Gothel sang:
Mother understands,
Mother's here to help you,
All I have is one request!
Rapunzel, in desperation, ran to her mother and latched onto her. Gothel took her in her arms, and spoke. "Rapunzel?"
"Yes?"
"Please slaughter those royals and that damned thief for me."
"Yes mother."
"They hate you very much dear."
"I hate them more.
"They hate you most."
Don't forget it,
They'll regret it
The King, Queen, Roseanne, and Eugene all appeared on a hangman's platform in front of Rapunzel. They were all standing, nooses around their necks, eyes downcast.
Gothel walked over to a lever, grasping it, finishing the song.
Mother knows best
She pulled the lever and the ground fell from the royal family. All of their necks snapped, killing them instantly. They hung there, lifeless, their eyes still wide open and horrified.
Rapunzel just watched on, uncaring.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" cried out Rapunzel in absolute anguish as she sprang upwards from her bed, eyes and hands darting around blindly. Pascal, who had been curled up next to her, sprang upwards in surprise. Upon seeing her distress, Pascal tried to climb up Rapunzel to reach her face, but in her panic Rapunzel accidentally whacked Pascal off the bed, causing him to hit the ground quite hard.
Rapunzel, in the midst of a panic attack, shook uncontrollably. Twin rivers poured from her eyes as she sang a song of comfort, sang for what she wanted so much. She said the lyrics rapidly, too crazed to speak slowly:
Flower gleam and glow let your powers shine Make the clock reverse bring back what once was mine Heal what has been hurt change the fates design Save what has been lost bring back what once was mine
She wished and wished with all her might. One of her tears shined like the sun and hit the bed, fading into the sheets.
Rapunzel felt someone embrace her, holding her to their chest. It was familiar, hot, safe. Rapunzel wept into the chest, calming herself down, able to breathe again. For some reason, in these arms, Rapunzel knew everything was going to be alright.
"Did you miss me, dear?" said the voice softly.
Rapunzel's eyes widened, as she gasped, pulling out of the embrace and leaping off the bed. To her amazement, Gothel was sitting on her bed, smiling up at her. Gothel did not look completely like her old self. She was young and beautiful, but there was something...unreal about her. Her image reminded Rapunzel of a faded painting. Yet, she was there, and still appeared to be very solid.
"You're...you're dead." Rapunzel stated simply, shaking in fear.
"You can't kill me Rapunzel." said Gothel simply, standing up to approaching the trembling girl. "I am a part of you. Just as you are a part of me." Gothel embraced Rapunzel, who was too weak and subconsciously desired the comfort too much to stop it.
"How?" was all Rapunzel could say.
"You wished me back here, Rapunzel. And so I came. Came to help you, when no one else will."
"But I don't need any-"
"Don't lie to me Rapunzel. You and I both know you are not meant to be here. This is why I never told you what you were- that is why I took you from them long ago. The King and Queen are cruel, horrible people- just as cruel and horrible as the rest of the world. I have seen so many princesses grow up, Rapunzel- seen them sold off to the highest bidder, or married to pigs. I didn't want to see another poor girl get taken like that, and so I took you away."
"No. You're lying. You- you took me for my hair..."
"Only to keep your hair safe from the rest of the world. The world is not meant for your incredible gift, Rapunzel. You remember those horrible brothers. And there are many, many more people like that out there. I meant it when I said I wanted to keep you safe."
"You killed Eugene!" Rapunzel managed to break free from the hold Gothel had on her, turning around in fury.
"Only to protect you dear." said Gothel.
"Eugene would never, ever hurt me like you-!"
"But he already has. Have you already forgotten his old friends? His old tryst?"
Rapunzel gasped. "How do you know about that?"
"Oh, I know many things, Rapunzel. I've been watching you, been watching him. I see him for what he truly is. He is just like the rest of the awful people of the world Rapunzel. You think he'll stay around with all this? He'll go for the next pretty girl that comes by and leave you."
"No..." Rapunzel refused her words weakly.
"You can feel the doubt Rapunzel. You know what I say is true. You don't belong here, and you need to escape."
"I can't just leave-"
"Yes you can, flower. You'll never be free here. I can see now, that you can handle yourself. I was wrong before about that."
Rapunzel changed tracks in surprise. "Really?" she asked foolishly.
"Yes, I mean it. I can't help you physically, so you must do it yourself. Now, listen to me- the only chance you have of escaping is quite simple. You must kill the King and Queen of Corona first."
A sharp thud. Rapunzel, refusing, yelled out again. "NO!"
Rapunzel suddenly found herself back in her bed, panting, trying to collect herself once more. Rivers still flowed down her cheeks, but she was not to panicked. She was able to breathe in deeply, her mind scattered, not knowing what had just happened.
"Rapunzel!" said a voice. Rapunzel turned to see Eugene walk in through her balcony, looking down at her. Upon seeing her distress, Eugene climbed into the bed and took her into his arms. Rapunzel, deciding not to question this miracle, accepted the embrace, pouring her grief into a real alcove of safety.
"How...?" Rapunzel managed to squeak out.
Knowing what she meant, Eugene responded. "I've been around long enough to know my way around the castle. And they should know that you can't trap me. I just needed to see you- that you're OK."
Rapunzel continued her emotional outpouring. She was tempted to tell Eugene about Gothel, but decided against it. It was all just a bad dream...and Eugene had enough to worry about. Thus, she tried to force the memory of Gothel back inside herself, and save Eugene from that kind of pain. "I can't stand this Eugene. My parents...they...we.." her statement was blocked out by sobs.
"Shh. It's going to be alright Rapunzel. Remember what I said." Eugene took a deep breath inwards. He figured the best way to comfort this loving girl was through something that always seemed to make her feel better: song.
Come stop your crying
It will be all right.
Just take my hand Eugene reached out to grab Rapunzel's hand in his own
Hold it tight before squeezing it in a comforting gesture.
I will protect you
From all around you.
I will be here,
Don't you cry
Rapunzel's gasps started to subside sightly and Eugene's beautiful song. She cried silently into his vest, listening intently.
My Rapunzel,
Just please stay strong
My arms will hold you
Keep you safe and warm he emphasized his point by squeezing her tighter to him.
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
Eugene grabbed her other hand, and pressed it softly over the left side of his chest, directly over his heart. She felt it beating strongly.
Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what kings say Eugene stared deeply into the green eyes of Rapunzel, promising, expressing.
You'll be here in my heart, always.
Rapunzel sang the next couple of lines very softly, voice losing it's usual energy, but sounding as beautiful as crystal.
Why can't they understand
The way we feel?
Eugene answered her strongly afterward.
They just can't trust
A person like me
They say we're different but,
Deep inside us
We're not that different at all
And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on,
Now and forever more
Rapunzel looked downcast, no longer crying but still feeling hopeless. How could they possibly carry on their romance in person with their parents so against them? Eugene went along, sensing her unasked question.
Don't listen to them
What do they know,
We need each other
To have, to hold
Eugene inclined her head, his brown eyes burning into hers with a passion that Rapunzel could not question.
They'll see in time
I know
When destiny calls you,
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
Rapunzel was won over by the Eugene's determination, and joined him in his song:
We'll show them together
Cause you'll be in my heart they clasped their hands together, Rapunzel now smiling, won over by her lover's words, singing with him:
Believe me, you'll be in my heart
I'll be there from this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart
Always
They finished, grinning at each other, before weariness claimed Rapunzel again. Seeing her exhaustion, Eugene inclined her to lay down, climbing out of her bed. Rapunzel submitted as Eugene started to tuck her in, finishing his song:
Alwayssssss
I'll be with you
I'll be there for you always
Always and always
Just stay calm, we can do it
Just stay calm, we can do it
Just stay calm we can do it Eugene finished putting her to bed as Rapunzel's eyes started to droop, and she started to fall into what would be a dreamless sleep. Eugene, not being able to resist, placed a loving kiss on her forehead, before whispering his last lines into her short brown hair.
I'll be there always
Rapunzel, in her last bouts of consciousness, felt some doubt, and whispered like a child "Will you love me forever?"
Eugene responded. "Yes, Blondie." Rapunzel smiled, before being carted into a land without dreams. Eugene grinned bigger than when he had been alone with the crown jewels of corona. He moved away from Rapunzel's bed, not yet tired, and strolled towards the balcony.
Pascal finally climbed up onto the bed, panting in exhaustion, struggling after being injured by Rapunzel's errant hand. He had listened in on everything, groggy, and though he found himself warming up to the thief after what he had just done, Pascal was still rather confused as to what had happened before Eugene had walked into the room.
Eugene sighed, gazing out into the night sky, feeling oddly happier than he had felt in a long time. Somehow, just being Rapunzel made him feel better- like nothing could go wrong. His comfort of her had comforted him in an astounding way, and he basked in the glow of their loving bond. He was so happy, that he broke out into yet another song, reflecting upon is new found romance:
So many times out there,
I watched a happy pair
Of lover's walking in the night
They had this kind of glow around them
It almost looked like heaven's light
Eugene frowned in contemplation, recalling his life before he met Rapunzel, the life everyone but her seemed to assume he still lived. Remembering his old opinions on love:
I thought I'd never need,
That great warm love I fleed Eugene closed his eyes and continued
I admit it filled me with fright
No man as cold and poor as this one Eugene touched his own chest, directly above his heart, which still felt warm from Rapunzel's touch.
Could ever handle heaven's light
Eugene opened his eyes, feeling jubilation rising within him as he fetched the memories of his and Rapunzel's days together, specifically their first night by the campfire. He looked back at the sleeping beauty, and continued:
But then that angel came up, and smiled at me
And against me she put up quite a fight Eugene chuckled, remembering her persistence and her frying pan. He turned around again, looking towards the night sky once more.
I dare to dream that we,
might well be meant to be,
And as I comfort her tonight he reached his arms out, motioning towards all the stone around him.
This cold dark castle seems so bright
I swear it must be heaven's light
Eugene turned around, walking back into Rapunzel's room, intending to sleep with her in his arms for the first time.
While Eugene sang of new love, however, another man sung of dreams lost. Far across the castle, past more towers, through many halls, all the way at the other end of the massive structure, a man looked into a raging fire.
The man was neither old or young in reality, though his face bore lines of one who had experienced much. A tall and lanky figure, he was evidently not physically adept. Medium length dark hair, a long clean shaven face, and piercing blue eyes completed the physical attributes of the peculiar man. He wore a large dark cloak to help keep him warm, both from internal and external chills.
He took a long gaze into the fire, before inclining his head upward to a dominating portrait up above his fireplace. It was of a beautiful raven haired and pale skinned woman, gazing ahead and smiling with a look of sereneness. The man began to sing, directing his words to the picture above him:
Oh my dear, Maria,
You know how much I miss you so,
How I long to hold you close to me the man hugged himself, longing to be held by another.
Oh my dear, Maria,
You know how my soul weeps with woe,
Beyond this dream I'm afraid I can't see.
The man grew in anger and passion, and raised his arms towards the fair woman.
Please tell me, Maria,
Why my search brings me to there,
Why is there no answer but the girl
The man turned his attention back towards the flames, which seemed to take on sinister shapes.
I feel her, I see her,
the baby with the golden hair! A fiery image of a long-haired baby seemed appeared in the fire before him.
Filling me with rage I am unfurled the man's hands balled into fists, as blazing water filled his eyes.
It's fire! Hellfire, the man clawed at himself through his cloak, trying to stop the painful sensation that attacked him from the inside out.
This burning makes me wail,
My guilt is so dire,
Claim me hell I have failed the man, no longer able to stand, fell to his knees. He extended a hand towards the flame, burning himself mildly, a fractional repayment for his failure.
It is my fault he heard choirs of people, sickly people, shouting him down, insulting him as he so deserved. They were everywhere, dressed in bleeding robes.
I am to blame
I can not find the cure,
so please kill me in flame
The man turned his head slightly towards a photo to the left of him. It was a portrait of the current King of Corona, gently looking down on the observer. Rather that be consoled by the picture, however, the agonized man only felt his anger rise. He directed his rant towards the damned figure that he loathed.
Also his fault,
He burned my plans.
Oh why is that King so much strong than,
This man!
Reminding himself of the anger of the king who ruined himself, he was able to climb himself out of the swamp of self pity long enough to beseech the woman shining down above him, as he originally intended to do. He clasped his hands together as if praying, asking for help from the heavens above.
Please help me, Maria,
Please help me reclaim what was lost,
Help me fight this fire and find my dream.
He climbed up to his feet, summoning up his strength. He took an unlit torch from the wall nearby and lit it in the fireplace, before moving over to the portrait of the King and setting it on fire. The picture caught easily, the fire spreading fast, as the paint started becoming undone. The man went on in his song:
And destroy that damned King! He shook a raging fist at the dying King.
And let he taste the fires of hell,
he lost the world it's one chance I so deem
A sharp knock at his door seemed to extinguish the inferno in his room. Gasping, the man scrambled, quickly grabbing one of the buckets of water near his bed and putting out the blaze over the King. The picture was little more than ash and charred paper. The man composed himself, breathing in and out deeply, before putting on his figurative mask and walking over to the door.
He opened the wall-high door to his room to see a portly man named Oswyn standing there. The man spoke, warmly, gently: "Good evening. To what do I owe the pleasure, Sir Oswyn?"
Oswyn beamed up at him, loving his formal politeness, before delivering his message. "A good evening to you as well, Doctor Rynsford! I was just coming into to deliver the most delightful news."
"And what news would that be?"
"Well...as impossible as it sounds, the lost princess has returned!"
Rynsford's expression went completely blank, before his eyes widened and his composure cracked. "Are you absolutely sure?" Rynsford inquired with a bit too much force, no longer truly looking at Oswyn but beyond him.
Oswyn, presuming correctly that Rynsford was just rather stunned, nodded. "I saw her with my own great eyes- a spitting image of the Queen, and they have already accepted her as their daughter. Though the adjustment has been a bit chaotic." Oswyn explained.
Rynsford took in the information slowly, his mind in a state of disbelief. Unable to put on his completely composed face, he requested to be alone. "This is most wonderful news indeed. I thank you for delivering it. Please, do not be offended, but could you leave? This has come as quite a shock to me, and I need some time to recover and contemplate."
Oswyn, on good terms with the castle's head doctor, grinned. "Certainly, old chap, certainly. I understand completely. A good night to you."
"Good night." Rynsford said simply, before slamming the door shut.
Rynsford sprinted towards his bookcase, throwing literature to and fro, doing something he'd thought he'd never be able to do again. At last, he dug through his secret safe behind a few stacks of books. Unlocking it clumsily, his hands so sweaty with excitement, he opened the metallic door to see his greatest treasure sitting there, just as he left it five years ago.
He pulled out out, eyes trained deeply upon it. The journal had no distinctive features on the outside- a very basic yellow cover. As he flipped through it, however, his old hopes and dreams reignited. Images of the golden flower, all the notes he had taken about it, re-telling of the ancient legend, all his research bombarded him. Unable to take in so much, he shut it, hugging the book to his himself. Breathing deeply and sighing.
When he opened his eyes again he found his feet had carried him back to the figure of his lost love. Gently, he began singing in his jubilation:
For very long I've sought,
the healing, flower brought,
with all ignoring my great plight
Now I feel this kind of glow around me the man walked towards his window, bathing himself in the beautiful light of the stars and moon.
I swear it must be heaven's light
Opening his book, he turned to a detailed illustration of the golden flower, fingers tracing the pencil marks. He continued:
I thought I'd never know,
that golden, awesome glow,
Though I might wish with all my might.
No dream as difficult as this one,
was ever meant for heaven's light.
Rynsford turned his head back towards his dead love, smiling bigger than he had in eighteen years.
But suddenly an angel, smiled down at me
And grants my wish without a trace of fright.
He directed his attention towards the city below him, which was entrenched in darkness. He sung for them:
I dare to dream that I,
will end those poor folk's cries,
And as I ponder here tonight
This cold dark castle seems so bright
I swear it must be heaven's light
His body sagged as he finished his song. He gently placed the book on the windowsill, before again walking to the fiery warmth. As he took his former place, he looked at the remains of the hideous painting of the King. Knowing the difficulty of the road ahead of him, and feeling the rage returning at the sight of what was once an image of his mortal enemy, Rynsford sung angrily into the fireplace once more.
Hellfire, Dark fire,
Now at last it's my turn
He ran over swiftly towards his dresser, as he looked into the mirror reflecting him. Speaking to himself, he went on:
Succeed or, in fire he punched the mirror, shattering it, blood seeping from his hand. He outstretched his hand towards the sky, promising not to heal it with anything but the power of the flower.
I'll win or I will burn!
Specters and shadows surrounded him, laughing in delight at the man they were to claim as their own. Rynsford, ignorant of them, turned back towards the fireplace and his holy wish granter.
Angel, thank you for her
My dream will now go on,
Rynsford rushed towards the former picture of the King, grabbing it's remains and tearing the bits to pieces. He shouted out to the castle, promising to it:
Disease will now die or I, will, burn! The doctor let the shreds of burnt paper fall into the wind, as he reached his arms out to the sky, before the emotional burden became too great and he fell to the floor, the flame of his body receding, no longer able to suspend him.
AN: Well, hope you all enjoyed that. I'd really like feedback on my newest OC, Doctor Rynsford, who I have been looking forward to introduce fo a long time. I'd also like to here our theories/speculation on his plans/meanings/intentions, to get a better idea of whether I conveyed enough while still keeping him a bit shrouded in mystique (for now). I'd also love to hear the Gothel theories, to see if I did what I intended to there.
New note: I'm giving this story a name change. It doesn't change anything that is going to occurr in this story from what I intended, but when first began I didn't put much thought into the title. "Heavenly Tempest" much better reflects the central conflicts of the story, and is much grander name to suit the grander nature of the tale.
Please review!
