A/N: Sorry if the Tangled Arc was more like a rehash from the game, but I have said that this story is mostly based on the game with some changes here and there. I'll say it now to give everyone a heads up when it finally comes; the Keyblade Graveyard much later in the story will play out somewhat the same but differently, but that's all I'm saying.
Same with the Frozen Arc when we get around to it(though Arendalle won't be the next Disney World in the next chapter). Anywho, this could very likely be thte last chapter of the Tangled Arc, so let's get to it!
Please note that I still suck at battle scenes, sorry.
I don't own Kingdom Hearts. If I did, Kingdom Hearts 3 would've been different.
Chapter 20: Power of the Flower.
Despite his attempts to get back to sleep, Sora found that he hardly got any sleep at all after seeing a memory of Xion and Naminé that concerned to just before Roxas merging with him. He'd end up thinking about it before he finally dozed off for maybe an hour or two, three if he was lucky. But he woke up somehow refreshed despite the lack of sleep, and was staring absently at the now burnt out campfire, as the sun rose up.
Close by were Donald and Goofy who'd piled up onto each other in an awkward position, snoring away while peacefully asleep, until the sunlight hit their faces slightly that stirred them awake. Goofy clumsily climbed off of Donald who once the weight was off, yawned and stretched, as did Goofy. This got Sora's attention as he turned to see his friends.
"Good mornin'." Goofy yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"Morning." Sora greeted with a small wave, before turning back to the campfire, lost in thought. When they turned to gaze at him, the duo saw that he wasn't all that cheerful this morning, which not only fully woke them up to awareness, but also concerned them once more.
"Sora? What's wrong?" Donald asked, concerned.
"Ya' couldn't sleep?" Goofy guessed.
"Oh, um...Yeah." Sora nodded distractedly. He knew he should pay attention and now that they were all awake and could use some breakfest of whatever fruit they can find, they should get back to finding Rapunzel and Flynn and continue on to the Kingdom. "I'm okay, though. Really."
"Are ya' sure?"
"Yeah...it's just-" Sora sheepishly scratched the back of his head.
"Wh-wh-whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa." A familiar voice cried out from the distance that inadvertly cut Sora off and alerted him and his friends. "Easy boy, easy! Settle down. Whoa, whoa!"
"That voice!" Sora exclaimed as he, Donald and Goofy stood up.
"It's Rapunzel!" Goofy cried out.
Quickly putting out the rest of the campfire and deciding to find some fruit a bit later, Sora, Donald and Goofy quickly raced through the woods to follow the source of the voice, while wondering what was going on.
Not to far from them, Rapunzel, Pascal and Flynn were once again at the mercy of Maximus who found them, soaking wet and now alone with every intention of getting Flynn. But Rapunzel was attempting to get the horse to settle down. Pascal stood on her head and silently gestured him to sit.
Grumbling, Maximus slowly obeyed and sat.
"Oh, you are such a good boy!" Rapunzel cooed, rubbing Maximus on the nose which almost instantly made the horse wag his tail like a dog, liking the affection from the human girl she was giving him already. "Yes you are! Are you tired from chasing this bad man all over the place?"
"Excuse me?" Flynn asked, feeling a bit insulted, but was ignored as Rapunzel was continuing to coo Maximus who, already liking her and nodded in sadness.
"No one appreciates you, do they? Do they?" She continued as she was hugging Maximus who whined in agreement.
"Oh, come on. He's a bad horse!" Flynn protested, unable to believe what he was seeing after nearly being clobbered by the horse that'd been chasing him for days. He was sitting on the ground as he witnessed the performance.
"Ohhh. He's nothing but a big sweetheart." Rapunzel pointed out, returning her attention to the horse. "Isn't that right...Maximus?" Her eyes trailed down to the royal harness and saw Maximus's name.
'Maximus? Now she's naming the horse?' Flynn thought in disbelief. "Wha? You've got be kidding me." He groaned aloud, only to flinch when Maximus growled at him with a glare, only to be held back by Rapunzel.
"Look, today is kind of the biggest day of my life, and the thing is, I need you not to get him arrested." She sighed and explained with a pleading and hopeful look in her eyes. "Just for twenty-four hours, and then you can chase each other to your heart's content. Okay?..."
Flynn, in relief even though he was mentally grumbling at the deal Rapunzel was making with the horse, stood up and held out a hand for a truce. Maximus looked at him before looking away with a look that said, 'No way'. Why would he want to do that? Sure the long-haired lady was very nice, but still...
"And it's also my birthday. Just so you know." Rapunzel added.
Hearing this made Maximus torn, before he felt guilty for ruining a girl's birthday which even he knew was a special day and he didn't want to spoil it. Even if it meant agreeing to not arrest the thief for a whole day. So he sighed and grudgingly held out his hoof, allowing the man to shake it. This was going to be a long day. He just knew it.
"Rapunzel!" Sora's voice called out.
At the sound of her name, Rapunzel, Flynn, Pascal and Maximus looked up to see Sora, Donald and Goofy run up to them. While Rapunzel smiled in relief as she approached the trio and even Flynn held a relieved look, Maximus off-handedly(or should I say off-hoovely) punched the man in the stomach with a hoof. Flynn wheezed at the unexpected punch fell backwards in pain, while the horse smirked in amusement. Just because they called it a truce, doesn't meant he can't have a bit of fun behind Rapunzel's back.
"Sora, Donald, Goofy! I knew you were okay." Rapunzel greeted happily. "I was worried that you drowned."
"We were worried about ya's too." Goofy replied.
"And look! I made a friend." Rapunzel gestured to the horse who gazed at the three guys who helped Flynn yesterday. "Meet Maximus."
'Oh...Not him.' Donald mentally groaned, recognizing the horse from the canyon.
"This is Sora, Donald and Goofy." Rapunzel told Maximus who leaned up close to the trio who leaned back, startled. "I know about what happened yesterday, but they've been helping me."
Maximas blinked in surprise and stared at Sora, Donald and Goofy. So that's why they were with Flynn; they were really helping Rapunzel. Well, that explained everything, he thought. Relaxing now despite what happened, the horse gave the trio a friendly smile, which they returned even though Donald was a bit reluctant.
"Hey there, Maximus." Sora greeted as he and Goofy gave the horse a friendly wave.
"Come on." Flynn told the group, still sore from the punch but managed to stand up. "The Kingdom's not far."
Despite the weirded looks from the others, the reunited group, now joined by Maximus, all continued onward towards the Kingdom, much closer now in making Rapunzel's wish finally come true.
It wasn't long before they finally reached the exit of the forest and stood by the beach of a large river, and up the path lead towards the bridge into the amazing Kingdom itself. Rapunzel thanked Sora and the others for helping her making it this far, and that she knew that the outside world would be filled with wonderful things.
As soon as they reached the kingdom's gates, Rapunzel was utterly enthusiastic that she gazed around her new surroundings, and even the people didn't seem as scary as she thought. They all seemed nice, just like her friends. Flynn and Maximus followed her with smiles, with Sora, Donald and Goofy behind them as they stopped, witnessing the blonde-haired girl.
"Rapunzel sure looks happy." Sora remarked with a smile. He knew what it was like to see new places he'd never seen before, and even now he was still amazed at his new surroundings. For now, though, Rapunzel's happiness was pure.
"She sure does." Donald agreed.
"Well, her dream's gonna come true." Goofy pointed out. "They're sendin' the lanterns up after dark."
"Cool!" Sora exclaimed in awe. "We don't wanna miss that!"
Donald and Goofy both nodded in agreement, as they and Sora then hurried into the kingdom, greeting the friendly citizens as they learned that, ironically today was also the missing Princess's Birthday and that every year the King and Queen release the lanterns in hopes that their daughter would come home and that she went missing eighteen years ago. Which confused the trio since Rapunzel has lived her whole life up in the tower which made them think maybe it was just a coincidence.
By the time they caught up with Rapunzel, Flynn and Maximas, Rapunzel's hair was now set up in a braid with flowers in it to make it far easier for her to walk around which she really liked. It wasn't until she noticed that there was a wall mural of the King, the Queen, and, as she and her friends learned earlier, the lost Princess...who as Rapunzel gazed at the baby, looked very identical to her. The same blonde hair, the same green eyes...
'Why does the lost Princess look like me?' Rapunzel thought to herself. Seeing the baby in the royals' arms just felt so...right. Like Rapunzel belonged in that portrait, but didn't understand how or why.
Little did she know that there was more to that and herself than she ever knew.
Later, after a fun day in the kingdom such as dancing which everyone in the town square were praising Rapunzel for her wonderful talent, it was dark as the day was drawing to a close. The group separated and promised to meet up at the Square again and while Maximus wandered off somewhere, Sora, Donald and Goofy waited by the docks which also made a perfect view, and Rapunzel and Flynn were out on a boat for a better clear view, and were talking among themselves while they waited.
Rapunzel sighed, feeling rather nervous which Flynn noticed, because he couldn't help but ask in concern, "You okay?"
"I'm terrified." She admitted as she leaned against the side of the boat.
"Why?" He asked softly.
"I've been looking out of the window for eighteen years, dreaming about what it might feel like when those lights rise in the sky." Rapunzel explained, and that left her feeling both excited and worried. "What if it's not everything that I dreamed it would be?"
"It will be." Flynn reassured her with a small smile.
"And what if it is?" She asked, glancing at him. "What do I do then?"
She had thought about it. Now that Rapunzel was finally having her dream come true, she couldn't but wonder what else she would do with her life after that. She did make a promise to return to the tower, but the more time she spend outside, the more she felt torn. The world was not as terrible as Gothel made it out to be. On top of that, she still felt the unusual pangs since she spotted the picture that almost felt like...like she belonged here in this Kingdom.
"Well, that's the good part, I guess." Flynn shrugged, and when Rapunzel looked at him curiously, he added. "You get to go find a new dream."
Find a new dream...those words echoed in Rapunzel's mind. Somehow, even though she'd only just met him earlier yesterday, he actually made her feel better. Despite his reputation as a thief, he'd been nothing but charming and protective but not overly protective, encouraging and sweet and kind...it made her heart warm up and the more time she'd spent with him, the more she really grew to like him as a friend...maybe even more.
Then, on cue as the two of them looked out towards the Castle once more, there were the first signs of the lanterns rising up into the sky. Rapunzel's eyes widened as the lanterns appeared from behind the castle, and soon more and more appeared, and were floating into their direction, surrounding them in the most beautiful sight Rapunzel has ever seen. To be up this close was like she was flying in the air. She then blinked when Flynn held out two more lanterns, and then realized what he had in mind.
"I have something for you too." Rapunzel said, and to Flynn's surprise and shock, it was the satchel which Gothel had secretly given her the night before with a warning, but the young blonde-haired girl decided to give it back to him now. "I should have given it to you before, but I was just scared. And the thing is, I'm not scared anymore. You know what I mean?"
Flynn couldn't believe it. Rapunzel had actually kept to her word. Yet, as he gazed at it, he realized that it was wrong to simply take it and run off. He wasn't sure why, but the more time he spent with her, the more he really came to like her, especially since he admitted the truth about himself, and his past earlier. In fact, he was pretty sure that Rapunzel somehow changed him...for the better.
"I'm starting to..." He replied, gently pushing the bag aside.
The two of them shared another smile before living the two lanterns and releasing them into the air to join the rest. It was then that Flynn knew what he had to do, because one way or another, he'd decided he wanted to spend more time with Rapunzel than take off with the tiara.
Because, as he realized, he'd fallen in love with her.
Unfortunately, little did both of them know that Gothel was creeping closer and that they would be separated...despite that Rapunzel would soon know the truth of her past.
The Stabbington Brothers, having survived their ordeal with the flooded canyon, were just about to approach the area where they knew they would find the satchel and Flynn, when all of the sudden they found themselves surrounded by Heartless and Nobodies, much to their shock. They brought out their swords, preparing to fight.
"You will not be needing those."
Flinching in fright, the two men turned around and saw Marluxia with his large scythe in hand and a dangerous smirk and look in his eyes. "I'm afraid I cannot let you near the ones I seek."
Before the Stabbington Brothers could demand what he meant, Marluxia swiped his weapon to create a huge gust of wind which blew them backwards as they screamed in alarm, dropping their swords in the process and crashing into the crowd of the monsters who soon engulfed the two men. They tried to fight the monsters off, but there were too many of them and as Marluxia watched on in satisfaction, the Stabbington Brothers were soon clawed and swiped to their deaths which caused them to sink into the growing darkness...and their hearts consumed by the Heartless.
"Now then, to take back the Princess to where she belongs for eternty." The pink haired man muttered as he soon teleported away for the next phase of his mission.
Meanwhile at the docks, Sora, Donald and Goofy were sitting on the platform as they watched the lanterns fly by in awe. The few from here was perfect and they couldn't help but wish that it would last forever.
But as Sora thought how cool this was, suddenly he felt again the same jolting feeling as he felt before, which vaguely made him realize that he was about to witness yet another memory that wasn't his...though at first he wasn't sure who it was, but soon it showed him...
Ven and Aqua were sitting on the edge of a ledge at a night clear sky in a mountain area. Gazing at the stars before Ven turned to his older friend and asked, "Y'ever wonder what stars are? Where light comes from?"
"Hmm...well, they say-" Aqua began after thinking about how to answer her friend's question.
"That every star up there is another world." Another voice answered for her, causing both Aqua and Ven to look behind them and saw that Terra stood there, with Aqua acknowleding him before he continued. "Yep, hard to believe there are so many worlds out there besides our own."
He continued as he approached his friends with Ven turning fully towards him. "The light is their hearts, and it's shining down on us like a million lanterns."
"What?" Ven blinked, puzzled. "I don't get it."
"In other words, they're just like you, Ven." Terra replied.
"What does THAT mean?" Ven asked as he stood up and approached him.
"You'll find out someday, I'm sure."
"I wanna know now."
"You're too young to know now."
Ven made a face and pouted. "Quit treating me like a kid!"
Their not-so-bickering only made Aqua smile before she ended up laughing, which made the two boys to glance at her questionly.
"Hey, what are you laughing at?" Terra demanded.
"I can't help it." Aqua giggled. "You two would make the weirdest brothers."
That only made Ven and Terra look at her dumbfounded with slightly shocked expressions as though she'd gone crazy. But Aqua's laughter was contagious and the two of them couldn't help but join in the laughter...
Sora blinked as Ven's memory ended once again, before gazing more closely at the lanterns that began to disappear into the distance. As he did, he thought about what Terra told Ven from twelve years ago. They shone down at everyone, like real stars did...stars that represented both worlds and people.
'The light is their hearts...shining down on us like these lanterns...' Sora thought to himself. Could that really be true? For some reason, he felt the different pang in his chest...just like when Riku and Mickey told the bad news of what happened to Aqua in Yen Sid's tower.
Unfortunately, Sora was brought out of his musings as were both Donald and Goofy when they heard and sensed unwanted company. Alarmed and standing up while turning, to their irritation were the same kind of Nobodies they fought yesterday.
"Could you guys have possibly picked a worse time?" Sora groaned in annoyance. Why do Heartless and/or Nobodies always appear at the wrong place and wrong time?
"I don't think they appreciate the moment, Sora." Goofy pointed out, even though he felt the same as his friend did and Donald muttered an agreement, twice as annoyed that their peaceful sight-seeing was now ruined.
Seeing how they had to fight, Sora nodded and summoned his Keyblade as he declared. "It's time for these wet blankets to go!"
Donald and Goofy agreed and summoned their weapons. The trio quickly fought off the Nobodies which told them that Organization XIII were back, which meant heaps of trouble. Sora and his friends finished off the monsters with Sora again using his Wisdom form to make quick work before he and his friends hurried to find out where they were coming from.
They saw no sign of Flynn or Maximus, but as they reached the shores of the path where they came from earlier, to their shock, was Rapunzel who, found by her 'mother' and being told and lied to about Flynn leaving her behind and having escaped Marluxia and the Nobodies, were walking away back into the woods, back towards the tower.
"Hey, isn't that Rapunzel?" Sora asked, recognizing the girl but didn't recognize the woman that was taking her away. Could she be Rapunzel's mother? But...Gothel didn't look like Rapunzel's mother. Seeing how they were walking off, he cried out for the teenage girl to wait, only to be forced to stop in his tracks when someone suddenly appeared in front of him, Donald and Goofy.
"Show some decorum." Marluxia scolded as he appeared from the darkness, blocking their path.
"You again!" Donald snapped angrily, as Sora grunted the Nobody's name.
"That girl has found her dear mother. You should let them go." He continued, ignoring them.
"And why is that?" Sora demanded suspiciously.
"Because Rapunzel is far too important. Atop of her tower, she must remain out of sight, and live our her days with Mother Gothel." Marluxia explained darkly.
"And never see anyone else?" Goofy asked in disbelief.
Sora couldn't believe what he and his friends were hearing. Rapunzel has to be left alone with Gothel for the rest of her live with no access to the outside world? To live out her live the way she wants to?
"But that's like...locking her in some prison!" Sora protested angrily.
Marluxia smirked. "That is exactly what it's like. Rapunzel's hair holds the powerful magic of healing. And yes, Gothel wants it for herself. As do others. And, if Gothel's actions will protect Rapunzel, preserve her...then she is going the Organization a favor."
Rapunzel's hair...was magical? With the strong power of healing? Was that why Rapunzel's hair was that important? But then that meant that Gothel was not her mother at all, but she wanted that power for herself as the pieces of the puzzle Sora, Donald and Goofy thought of earlier and Rapunzel mentioning it, the missing Princess, the lanterns and everything started to be placed together that they came to a realization.
"Then that means..." Donald muttered in shock.
"Rapunzel is the lost princess." Goofy finished in disbelief.
"So Gothel kidnapped her and lied to her the whole time." Sora whispered, then thought about what else Marluxia said and asked. "What favor?"
"Let's say she's keeping Rapunzel on the shelf for us. An extra pawn in case you fail to find the remaining guardians of light. And we have occasion to call on other hearts of light instead. A Seven New Hearts to fill out the ranks." The pink-haired man explained.
"New Seven Lights?" Sora repeated in confusion.
"Yes. Seven who inherited the Princesses' light after their role was fufilled." Marluxia answered.
So the Organization were not after the Princesses of Hearts anymore, despite that Kairi was still at risk because not only she's a Princess of Heart, but also...one of the Guardians of Light which Xehanort wants along with the other six lights of the Guardians. Sora could've sworn his heart froze when he came to realization; Princesses or no Princesses, Xehanort could forge the X-Blade whether it was the Princesses of Heart or the hearts of the Guardians of light; Kairi, Sora himself, Riku, King Mickey, Lea, Ventus, Aqua, and/or Terra.
But now...Organization XIII has found another route; to capture new random girls with hearts full of pure light in case Sora and his friends don't restore Aqua or awaken Ven or even find Terra, and Rapunzel was one of the new victims. And that made him angry.
"I knew it! You are one of the dark horrors that's hunting her. You guys just want Rapunzel for your own purposes!" Sora growled angrily, quickly holding a tight grip on his Keyblade as he knew that they had to fight. "Well, you're done here!"
"Hmph. I just knew you would go and make a scene." Marluxia scoffed, not surprised. "Very well, then it's lights out for you."
Before anyone could think of what he is doing, Marluxia held out his hand and sent out some kind of gust of wind which hit Sora in the face. Upon impact, Sora suddenly felt drowsy and overwhelmingly sleepy. He tried hard to stay awake, but it was a losing battle. He dropped his Keyblade unconsciously as it dismissed itself before he began to collapse, much to the horror of Donald and Goofy who raced over, calling out his name. But then Marluxia used the same kind of sleeping wind on them and despite screaming and trying to shield themselves, Donald and Goofy felt the same drowsiness as their friend.
"You were always such a sound sleeper..." That was the last thing Sora heard Marluxia say before he lost consciousness even before he and his friends hit the ground.
Hours later back in the tower as Rapunzel had been shaken by the ordeal no sooner than had Flynn left her on the shores, she was now in her bedroom, her hair unraveled and had been thinking for a long while. She still couldn't shake off the feeling of what she discovered in the Kingdom earlier. She had also been handed a piece of cloth with the symbol of the sun drop, which according to the townsfolk, was a magical flower that saved the pregnant queen who given birth to the princess.
As Rapunzel stared it, she then looked up at the ceiling, and, to her shock, discovered that her paintings matched that of the symbol that she drew over her life. Sitting up, her eyes widened as she realized the meaning of it; she subconsciously drew the very same symbol, and remembering putting on the tiara when she discovered it after knocking out Flynn, and somehow it just felt...right.
Finally she remembered the painting of the baby...and as Rapunzel stood up for a better look, she felt dizzy and utterly overwhelmed that she stumbled back and accidently crashed into her dresser and mirror.
It made perfect sense now. Which meant another shocking and devastating truth. Feeling like she's going to be sick, Rapunzel stumbled out of her room, standing in the doorway, where Gothel, having heard the crash and called out her name, stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"Rapunzel? Are you alright?" Gothel asked, as though she was concerned.
"I'm the lost princess." Rapunzel whispered breathlessly, more to herself than the woman she originally thought was her mother.
Not understanding a word she said, Gothel looked exasperated and said. "Please speak up, Rapunzel. You know how I hate the mumbling."
"I am the lost princess!" Rapunzel spoke louder this time, and in a tone of anger and betrayal, to which Gothel looked at her quizzly. "Aren't I?
A pause.
"Did I mumble, Mother?" Rapunzel questioned, adding with the betrayal as she soon realized the truth. "Or should I even call you that?"
'What? No...she's has discovered the truth...' Gothel thought to herself, mentally panicking. If Rapunzel discovered the truth, then it's going to make things more difficult from now on. So in order to try and make the girl not fully accept it, she regained her composure and walked up the stairs towards her, saying. "Oh, Rapunzel, do you even hear yourself? Why would ask such a ridiculous question?"
But as she reached out, Rapunzel pushed her back and backed away in a mixture of fear and anger, snapping at the woman who she now realized had kidnapped her since the day she was just born, and had lied to her for her entire life, all because of her hair. "It was you! It was all you!"
"Everything I did was to protect you." Gothel responded coldly, only to be shoved aside by Rapunzel who decended down the stairs, ignoring her even as she called out to her.
"I've spent my entire life hiding from people who would use me for my power-" Rapunzel began.
"Rapunzel!"
"-when I should have been hiding from YOU!" Rapunzel finished as she reached the bottom, glaring at the woman who was the cause of everything that has happened. The true ruffian and thief who locked her away because of her hair. Yes, the hair part was true, but everything else, the love they shared, the outside world, everything, had all been lies.
And if Rapunzel didn't know any better, Gothel and that man Marluxia must have done something to Flynn, separating her from him as well as Sora, Donald and Goofy. She had to leave, she had to find them. Find Flynn-Eugene, as he told her his real name almost two days ago-and make sure he was okay. He showed her the truth of the outside world, protected her, been friends with her as they traveled, gave her real assurance.
"Where will you go?" Gothel questioned as she followed Rapunzel, and as though reading her thoughts, stated darkly. "He won't be there for you."
"What did you do to him?" The newly-discovered Princess demanded.
Gothel stood tall and informed her with no regret what so ever. "That criminal is to be hanged for his crimes."
"No..." Rapunzel froze up. Eugene...is hanged? That means he's...dead!? It can't be...! Her heart began to break at the coldness. The man who freed her, that she had liked-no, that she had fallen in love with-was gone.
"Now, now. It's alright." Gothel reassured her, circling the frozen Rapunzel who turned to face her. "Listen to me. All of this is as it should be."
But as she attempted to pat Rapunzel on the head, the younger woman grabbed her by the wrist, holding it there to stop her despite Gothel's struggling as the older woman was growing shocked and horrified at her 'daughter's' unexpected strength that she never knew the girl she'd kidnapped ever had. Could it be the power of the Sundrop that was within her hair?
"NO! You were wrong about the world. And you were wrong about me! And I will NEVER let you use my hair AGAIN!" Rapunzel shouted, while for Gothel to break free, but she stumbled back so hard that the older woman accidentally bumped into the mirror which dropped from the wall and shattered into pieces, much to her shock.
While Rapunzel was somewhat shocked by her own unexpected strength, she gave her fake mother one final look before turning and began to walk away, to leave and return to the Kingdom where she truly belonged. She may have lost Eugene, but she was going back to inform everyone that she is their lost Princess, to reunite with her real parents.
But Gothel, who growled in anger which because of her greed for the power of the hair seeped so deep that darkness soon clouded her heart and briefly formed around her before disappearing, would not let that happen.
"You want me to be the bad guy? Fine." She hissed as she advanced on Rapunzel threateningly, knowing that there was only one thing left to do in order to keep that power to her self for all eternity. "Now I'm the bad guy."
But neither knew that rescue was coming for Rapunzel and that Eugene wasn't as dead as Gothel had claimed.
Back just outside of the Kingdom, Tifa, who had just arrived in this world in her search for Cloud, was walking along the shores as she felt disappointed in still being unable to find him. But as she began to approach the woods, she noticed something just on the ground.
When she got a closer look, she gasped as she recognized the three figures of Sora, Donald and Goofy, who were still unconscious due to Marluxia's spell.
"Them!?" She softly gasped, before hurrying over to see that they were okay. Tifa was on her hands and knees as she called out to them. "Hey! Are you alright? Sora? Donald? Goofy?"
No response. Tifa then laid them on their backs and tried shaking them, but still they wouldn't wake up. This made her sigh in frustration as this didn't help either. Coming up with another idea, she pulled out three healing potions and used them to heal up the trio. This did the trick, because Sora gave a tired moan before he blinked his eyes open, still dazed and a bit disorientated.
"Are you okay?" Tifa asked, relieve when she saw Sora, and seconds later, Donald and Goofy wake up.
"...Tifa?" Sora groggily asked, sitting as he recognized the woman he and his friends met a few times in Hollow Bastion. First when she asked for someone, and how strong she was which made Sora, Donald and Goofy wiry about her, then when she lifted the heavy portrait of Xehanort, then when she actually helped out in defeating the horde of Heartless, and then when she arrived offering some of her light to Cloud after briefly fighting Sephiroth. She had since then left to continue her search for Cloud.
Who wasn't here given she was on her own. Donald gave out a yawn while Goofy rubbed the back of his head. They then noticed Sora and then remembered what happened, standing up and approached him worriedly.
"Sora!" Donald and Goofy exclaimed, to which Sora saw them, but was still confused at the moment.
"How did I end up..." Sora began, holding a hand to his face, until almost instantly his memories returned and he gasped. "Oh no! Rapunzel!"
"Wak! Hey, where's Marluxia?" Donald exclaimed as he and Goofy quickly realized the situation.
"Looks like he put us to sleep and then ran away again." Goofy muttered.
"What happened? Who are Rapunzel and Marluxia?" Tifa asked, as she, Donald and Goofy, who were both surprised to see her again as well, helped Sora stand up.
"Rapunzel's a friend, but she's in trouble!" Sora quickly explained.
"And Marluxia's a bad guy who put us to sleep." Goofy added.
"I guess that explains why you three were unresponsive at first, before I healed you with potions." Tifa thought in realization.
That surprised Sora, Donald and Goofy who shared a glance, realizing that it was Tifa who had woken them up by healing them. They gazed back at the martial artist who still gave them a bit of creeps, with Sora saying. "Really? Well, thanks, Tifa."
Tifa nodded with a soft smile, just as she and the boys heard a horse's neigh, and looked into the direction of the bridge where they saw Maximus running up towards them, with to the trio's surprise and relief, was Flynn riding on his back.
"Whoa, Max! Whoa, boy!" Flynn had Maximus stop upon seeing the group.
"Flynn!" Sora, Donald and Goofy greeted in relief.
"Flynn! Rapunzel's being held prisoner!" Sora told him urgently.
"I know." Flynn nodded, as after attempting to return the tiara to the kingdom, he'd ended up captured by Marluxia and arrested. But was thanks to Maximus who, seeing that Flynn was a good man after all, helped him escape after they both learned what was happening to Rapunzel. "In her mother's tower. This calls for a rescue."
He then held out a hand to Sora, asking, "Are you with me?"
Realizing that Flynn was requesting for their help to rescue Rapunzel, Sora nodded and grasped it as he replied, "Yeah."
After briefly introducing Tifa who decided she wanted to help as well, and also briefly explaining that she is looking for her friend Cloud, Sora was pulled up behind Flynn, then Goofy and Donald climbed on board, and despite not having that much room, Tifa did the same, a bit awkwardly. Though the extra weight from the four new passengers made Maximus being to sink to the ground and his legs spreading apart slightly.
"...I knew the five of us were too heavy for him." Tifa sighed, though she tried not to giggle at the ridiculous situation they were all in.
But Maximus, determined to rescue Rapunzel as well, forced himself upright and ignored the heavy weight of the group and at Flynn's signal, the horse rode off into the woods with Flynn, Sora, Donald, Goofy and Tifa on his back, as fast as he could.
Just as the group were nearing the secret passage to the tower, Maximus was forced to stop when more Nobodies appeared, blocking their path. Knowing what has to be done, Sora, Donald, Goofy and even Tifa shared a determined nod before the four of them hopped off, and the travel trio summoned their weapons while the female martial artist stood ready.
"We'll take it from here, Flynn. Go help Rapunzel." Sora advised him.
"Thanks." Flynn replied, then gestured Maximus to keep on going. Once the two of them were further ahead, Sora, Donald, Goofy and Tifa quickly fought long and hard to defeat the Nobodies with the combined attacks of Keyblade skills, magic, shield and punches and kicks.
But just as they were about to hurry to help their friends, Sora's group were forced to stop once more as Marluxia appeared, blocking their path with a glaring frown at their direction.
"Out of the way, Marluxia!" Sora ordered, taking a fighting stance once more.
"So this is Marluxia you talked about?" Tifa asked Donald and Goofy who both nodded to comfirm it.
"Rapunzel has discovered the truth of her past. The greed in Gothel's heart has caused her to succumb to darkness. We can't allow her near our pure light now. Her presence would only cast a pall over it." Marluxia spoke darkly.
That shocked the trio. If Gothel had succumbed to the darkness despite that she was unknowingly tasked by the Organization to keep Rapunzel safe, then that meant Rapunzel was in much more grave danger now than ever. Especially from Organization XIII.
"You leave Rapunzel alone!" Donald shouted.
"Yeah, she doesn't belong to you or Gothel or anybody!" Goofy added bravely.
"Rapunzel deserves a life and freedom she longed for, not to be locked away from the world for her whole life! Forcing people to do that would only cast darkness in their hearts because they'd never know the real meaning of seeing the good in other people. You and the Organization only want to use Rapunzel because her powers. Well, guess what, Marluxia? We won't let you hurt her!" Sora declared after explaining what Rapunzel really deserves.
Marluxia could only scoff, as while Sora, Donald and Goofy would never remember, this reminded him of the time when they and the Riku replica attempted to save Namine who had suffered the similar imprisonment because of her powers, and how the Nobody of Kairi soon grew guilty for her actions and would risk her freedom for Sora's safety.
"Fine. If you want to protect her, then you will have to prove it to me!" Marluxia declared, holding a hand up as a flower petal appeared, then took form of his scythe while taking up a fighting stance.
Sora charged and attempted to strike Marluxia, but the Organization member blocked each attacks from the Keyblade Wielder, forcing him back and attempted to slice him in half. Sora though dodged the attack by flipping backwards and landed safely on the ground. He, Donald, Goofy and Tifa then dodged the strong gusts of wind Marluxia sent out, though it did knocked them back a bit but they ignored the minor injuries.
Marluxia then disappeared in particles of petals before reappearing behind Sora and whispered something in his ear which made him quickly jump out of the way before he disappeared again. However, the pink-haired man appeared again in the air as he then waves his arm and a tornado of wind and rose petals that surrounds them while Sora pushed back by the pressure. Tifa attempted to sneak up behind Marluxia and even though it didn't work, Donald quickly cast Firaga on the pink-haired man who winced at the unexpected flames, and grunted in pain when the woman behind him kicked him in the back of the head, sending him stumbling to the side.
Marluxia then attempted to slash at her, but Goofy tossed his Shield at him to distract him. The Nobody quickly blocked the attack with the scythe, sending it back and Goofy screamed when he clumsily caught his shield and nearly fell over. By then Sora and Tifa both use this as an opening and while Sora whacked the pink-haired man in the stomach that caused him to scream in agony, Tifa punched him several times in the chest and face and sky-upper-kicked him in the jaw-line, forcing Marluxia back once more.
However, the enemy had another idea, as he kept on dodging and blocking the group's attacks including Donald's Fireworks spells and then swiped the scythe which unleashed powerful gusts of winds, sending them flying backwards and hitting the ground hard as they screamed. Quickly using Curaga on themselves, Sora, Donald, Goofy and Tifa dodged and blocked more of Marluxia's attacks until Sora had an idea.
"Tifa!" Sora shouted, giving her a look with his eyes which translated on what he had in mind.
"Got it!" The dark-haired woman nodded, taking the hint. She then bend low and then launched herself towards Marluxia who smirked and was about to slice her, when Sora leaped up into the air and tossed his Keyblade down at his head, and before he could even teleport, at Sora's signal, Donald chanted Blizzaga that froze the man's legs on the ground, stopping him and Goofy tossed his shield at the man's side. Both weapons hit him hard.
Tifa then grabbed Marluxia by the collar of the coat and tossed him high into the air, much to his shock. Sora then used his Wisdom Form and blasted light from the Keyblade-Pistols, attacking Marluxia repeatedly while he cried out in pain, unable to escape the attack.
Sora and his friends continued the fight even as Marluxia crashed into the ground and recovered, until the pink-haired man fell onto one knee, panting. Sora, back in his normal form, charged to finish him. He leaped into the air to strike, but Marluxia, sensing this, quickly teleported out of the way, causing Sora to miss and slash the air instead.
"Huh?" He muttered, looking around until he and the other saw their enemy reappear to the side near a tree, glaring at them, but with a smirk.
"Hmph...It seems...you have proven yourself worthy...to protect the light, Sora." Marluxia admittedly praised. "When we meet again, it will be at the fated place."
"I hope you won't cause any more trouble for Rapunzel and Flynn!" Sora grunted, glaring back.
"Heh...Only if you gather the rest of the guardians. It's a pity that skilled woman with you does not count." Marluxia chuckled, before vanishing into darkness and teleporting away to recover.
"Wait, Marluxia!" Sora cried out, but he was too late. He sighed, left wondering what Marluxia was talking about, until he quickly remembered Rapunzel. He turned to his friends and urgently told them, "Let's go! Rapunzel and Flynn need us!"
Tifa, Donald and Goofy nodded in agreement, and the four of them quickly hurried through the secret passage, unaware of what was happening in the tower which would be devastating.
While the fight outside was going on, Flynn had ended up walking into a trap and was fatally stabbed by Gothel who forcefully drag a tied up Rapunzel who, despite threatening to always fight, offered her life and freedom to her in order to at least allow her to heal Flynn to safe his life. Even though Gothel was skeptical, she seemed satisfied by it and approved before untying the girl and chained the slowly dying man to the wall.
"Everything's gonna be okay." Rapunzel whispered, placing her hair onto Flynn's wound.
"No, Rapunzel." Flynn wheezed weakly.
"I promise. You have to trust me."
"No...I can't let you do this."
"And I can't let you die." Rapunzel pointed out tearfully.
"But if you do this...then you will die." Flynn replied.
Rapunzel smiled tearfully at him, stating. "Hey, it's going to be all right."
She was about to start singing her healing song, when Flynn told her to wait, and as Rapunzel looked at him, he caressed her hair and at first it seemed like they were about to kiss a tearful goodbye, what she and Gothel didn't expect was Flynn picking a broken piece of glass and with the last of his strength, sliced through her hair and cutting it away, leaving behind a short part of it and the rest of it falling, much to their horror.
"E-Eugene!?" Rapunzel gasped, as her now former blonde hair turned brown. She couldn't believe the man she loved had just sacrificed his life...and destroyed her power, for her freedom.
"NO!" Gothel screamed in horror and panic as the rest of Rapunzel's cut hair rapidly turned brown, even as she tried to scoop it up into her arms in a futile attempt to save it. "Oh, no. No! What have you done? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"
That wasn't the only thing that was rapidly changing. Because she had a connection with Rapunzel's hair, Gothel's skin quickly turned as pale as a ghost, as wrinkly that would put Yzma's wrinkles to shame, her hair pure white. Quickly scanning for the mirror, she shrieked louder in horror as she saw her aging appearance, horror increasing as she donned on her cloak and pulled up her hood to hide her true age.
Unfortunately for her, Pascal, who'd been knocked out for a bit and recovered, used the remains of Rapunzel's cut hair as a tight rope and pulled hard, which caused Gothel to blindly trip onto and stumble out of the window where she screamed and fell, only to turn into dust and then nothing, leaving behind nothing but her cloak...just as Sora, Donald, Goofy and Tifa reached the bottom of the tower just in time to see the material land on the ground.
"Wasn't that...?" Sora began, then gasped as he, Donald, Goofy and Tifa then sensed that something went horribly wrong. The four of them shared a worried glance before they quickly began to climb up the tower despite that it was difficult.
Inside the tower, Rapunzel was devastated as she couldn't believe that this happened.
"No! Look at me! Look at me, I'm right here. Don't go! Stay with me, Eugene!" She tearfully pleaded. She placed his hand which was going all cold onto her head with the last remains of her now short hair, and began to sing in a futile attempts to use her healing powers to save him. "Flower gleam and glow...Let your power shine...Make the clock reverse, Bring back what once was mine..."
"Rapunzel!" Flynn wheezed to get her attention.
"What?" Rapunzel tearfully asked, as behind her, Sora heaved himself up and leaned on the window sill, followed by Donald, Goofy and Tifa, only for all four of them to see, to their horror and devastation, that they were too late. While Rapunzel was safe, her hair was cut short, her healing powers were gone, and Flynn...was wounded and dying.
"You were...my new dream." Flynn told her in his dying breath.
Rapunzel tried hard not to cry, but those words alone told her that he loved her, and so she replied back, declaring her own love. "And you were mine."
Flynn managed to smile in response before took his final breath and then went limp in Rapunzel's arms. Rapunzel's eyes began to swell in tears as she cried and hugged the man's body. Behind her, Sora silently shed tears on the urge to cry as well, due to the fact that he and the others had just lost a friend. Donald and Goofy held him close, their hearts breaking as well. Tifa placed a hand over her mouth before beginning to softy cry herself. She may not know Rapunzel or Flynn, but the mere sight broke her heart.
"Heal what has been hurt... Change the fate's design... Save what has been lost... Bring back what once was mine...What once was mine." Rapunzel finished her song despite that it would not work, and Flynn was gone.
However, as she began to cry over the loss, her first single tear dropped onto Flynn's face. The next thing that happened as it absorbed itself into his skin, a glimmer of golden light forming on Flynn's side got everyone's attention they looked up to see what was happening. Rapunzel's eyes grew in surprise and awe as did everyone else's. All at once, bright strands of golden light flooded the chamber.
The light then became a shape of a flower over Flynn's body before it vanished. Everyone watched in awe as Flynn's head began to move before his eyes blinked open and he gasped in the air, before looking up at the stunned Rapunzel.
"Rapunzel?" Flynn muttered.
"Eugene?" Rapunzel replied, relief and happiness looming her expression as did everyone else's.
Flynn smiled, saying, "Did I ever tell you I've got a thing for brunettes?"
"Eugene!" Rapunzel cried happily and hugged Eugene as tightly as she could.
Sora, Donald, Goofy and Tifa all smiled happily at the sudden miracle that Flynn was brought back to life. The trio hugged each other happily while Tifa giggled, tears of joy falling from her eyes this time. Against all odds, the last remains of Rapunzel's healing powers had saved Flynn's life, and Gothel was gone.
Short time later, everyone climbed back down the tower as Rapunzel and Tifa were introduced to each other and the latter explaining her goal in finding Cloud. Maximus was with them and all were smiling.
"Wow, Rapunzel! You're finally gonna get to see your real home." Sora remarked happily.
"I know! I mean...I can't believe it." Rapunzel said excitedly. "I can finally be with my real family! I couldn't have done it without your help."
"You're welcome." Donald replied.
"Well, from where I'm standing, the kingdom couldn't ask for a better princess." Flynn said smiling to Rapunzel who smiled back. He then gestured to Sora, Donald and Goofy, adding, "And I couldn't have asked for better sidekicks! Thanks."
"Yes, thank you so much." Rapunzel added.
Hearing what Flynn had said, though, Tifa couldn't help but ask Sora, Donald and Goofy while giggling, "Sidekicks?"
"It's a long story. A-yhuck." Goofy whispered, which made Tifa giggle even more.
"Yeah, I can see why." She replied.
"Happily ever after." Donald proclaimed to Sora who nodded in agreement.
"Now Flynn." Goofy said to the former thief. "You and Maximus play nice."
This made Flynn and Maximus blink in surprise, then smiled and the former replied, "Fine." while holding hands with Rapunzel who held him by the arm.
"You're gonna be great." Sora said, much to their confusion before he explained. "We fought off the guy controlling the monsters, so that's one less worry."
"But there's still a chance that he might come back." Goofy pointed out, knowing that Marluxia could return to continue to target Rapunzel.
Sora placed his hands behind his head, stating. "Well, if he comes back and tries to bother Rapunzel again, then Flynn will keep her safe, and we won't be far behind."
"Come on." Donald scoffed. "Rapunzel's the tough one, if you ask me. Just like Tifa."
"Oh? Are you saying that girls aren't tough?" Tifa teasingly challenged, placing her hands on her hips, which only made Donald gulp nervously, Sora to scratch the side of his face sheepishly and Goofy to hold his hands up in surrender.
"I didn't say that!" Donald protested.
"True. But nevertheless, I won't let her out of my sight." Flynn promised.
"Oh, Eugene." Rapunzel giggled, which made the others confused once more.
"Eugene?" Sora blinked. Why did Rapunzel call Flynn "Eugene"?
Suddenly remembering that Sora and the others didn't know his real name, Flynn-no, Eugene-answered. "Oh! That's my real name. Eugene Fitzherbert. That's right. I never told you guys."
"That's different." Donald admitted.
"I think it's a great name!" Goofy said.
"So do I." Tifa agreed.
"Me too." Sora nodded, then said to Eugene. "Nice to re-meet you, Eugene."
"Hey!" Rapunzel pouted to her lover. "I thought I was the only one you were going to tell."
"Don't worry." Eugene whispered to Rapunzel softly. "I've saved plenty of Fitzherbert-y secrets just for you."
"Really?" Rapunzel whispered back with a smile.
"Hey!" Sora spoke up accusingly, noticing that they were whispering but couldn't hear what they were saying. "What are you two lovebirds talking about?"
"Nothing!" Eugene quickly replied.
"Nothing." Rapunzel replied more calmly.
"Are you sure about that?" Tifa asked, even though she had a feeling that this should be left alone. On the other hand, she was finding herself curious.
When Eugene refused to tell them, Sora had another idea and ordered Maximus with a cheeky grin. "Maximus, get him!"
The horse, suspicious, leaned up close to Eugene's face with a warning glare, causing the man to lean back in fright. Pascal, also getting into the game, leaped from Rapunzel's shoulder and onto Eugene's and licked him in the ear again, much to his discomfort.
"AH!" Eugene shrieked, cringing at the slimy feeling. "You have got to be kidding me!"
This only made everyone laugh.
After safely guiding Eugene and Rapunzel back to the Kingdom, Sora, Donald and Goofy and Tifa all went back into the woods to scan the woods, they found themselves back at the area for the third time in days, just as Sora felt the familiar warmth inside his chest and like back in the two previous worlds, his heart began to glow in warm light. It was then that he sensed it; the warm feeling close by. Turning to look behind him and his friends, the entire wall of the secret passage entrance began to glow in golden light like the sun and a Keyhole appeared.
His own eyes widening in realization, Sora summoned the Kingdom Key and held it up towards the Keyhole. The beam of light shot out from the Keyblade and straight into the Keyhole which glowed brighter until something began to emerge from it. A glimmer of light that began to form and materalize into a silver-white key much like the ones in Twilight Town and Kuzco Empire, but with a yellow heart-shaped crystal attatched onto it on the top. Glittering in light, it floated down gently before it hovered in front of Sora who carefully picked it up and held it in his hand.
"What's that?" Tifa asked, curious.
"It's a Piece of Light." Goofy realized.
"So it was here. Who'd have thought?" Sora murmured. To think that the third piece to the Key to Return Hearts was here all along, talk about ironic.
"Oh boy! Now we got four more to find!" Donald exclaimed excitedly.
"What're they for?" Tifa asked.
"Well, it's meant to be kept secret, but they're keys to find a way to save those who went missing twelve years ago. There's seven in total." Sora explained.
"Then I guess I shouldn't stop you. If you see Cloud, let him know I'm still looking for him." Tifa nodded her understanding.
"Will do, and if you see him first, tell him we said hi for us, 'kay?" Sora replied with a smile. "And thanks for helping us out, Tifa."
"You helped me out in finding Cloud the first time. I think that makes us even." Tifa said.
Now with the three pieces of light found, Sora, Donald and Goofy bid farewell to Tifa who left to continue her quest to find Cloud, while the trio left behind the Kingdom of Corona to find the remaining four pieces of light to continue their Key to Return Hearts quest.
A/N: Thus ends the Tangled Arc! I know this chapter was overly long, and I couldn't fit the other parts of it into this chapter, but they will appear in the next chapter as well as the next Disney World. Though I'm torn between either going back to Riku and Mickey in locating Aqua, or back to Kairi and Lea in the Timeless Realm.
Hopefully I'll make my decision by then. See you later!