Chapter 36

"Why can't I go outside?"

"The outside world is a dangerous place. You must stay here, where you're safe. Do you understand, flower?"

A girl with very long golden hair, wearing a purple dress, was leaning near her window, looking sad. She then looked outside her window and smiled. Outside in the night sky were bright lights, spreading throughout the night, starry sky.

Those lights appear every year on my birthday-only on my birthday. And I can't help but feel like they're...they're meant for me. I need to see them. And not just from my window… In person. I have to know what they are.

The group was taking a stroll in the forest on a bright sunny day.

"It sure is a pretty day.", said Goofy.

"Yeah.", said Wendy. "This forest is really pretty as well!"

"Yeah, the weather is great. It'd be perfect for a picnic.", said Sora.

"That is a wonderful idea.", said Erza from a far off distance.

The group turned and saw Erza, laying on a blanket that was on the ground, with baskets, plates and food.

"You're kidding, right?", asked a stun Sora.

"I've always dream of having one. A picnic."

"What's with her?", asked Donald.

Wendy explained. "Erza-san really wanted a picnic when me, Charle, and Cana-san were out on a adventure. But we interrupted by a group of guys and she got really mad."

"Really?", said Goofy.

"Anyway, why do you think we came here?", asked Donald as everyone was on the blanket, eating.

"Got me.", Sora answered.

"We'll figure it out as we go.", said Goofy.

"But for now, let us enjoy the beautiful nature.", said Erza as she ate her sandwich. "Yummy!"

"I'm sure we were brought to this world for some good reason, but can't we sweat it later?", said Sora.

"It's probably a new power up or a new ally to help us!", Natsu suggested.

"Way to use your noggin', Natsu!", said Happy.

"Fine with me, as long as there's no Heartless.", said Donald.

They then heard a yell and stop eating to search their surrounding. They then saw a man rolling down from a cliff and landing on the dirt ground. As he got up, he turned and saw Heartless jumping down from the cliff. He then started to run towards the group.

"Make way! Make way! Make way!", the man said as he waved his arms and ran passed the group while Heartless stepped on their food, making break her fork with her hand.

"Heartless!", said Sora as the group (Except Erza) got ready for battle.

The man hid behind a large rock and looked behind it to see if he is still being chased. He did see that the Heartless had stop in front of the group and was curious on who they are.

"You see? Soon as you mention 'em, they show up!"

"There goes our picnic.", said Goofy.

"I didn't do it!", said an angry Donald.

"S'okay. Let's send these guys packing.", said Sora.

"It is not okay, Sora!", shouted Lucy as she backed away from Erza.

The man from before then said, "Say, since you guys seem to know what you're doing, mind if I leave this one to you?"

"Yup. We'll take care of them. Go on, skedaddle!", said Natsu.

"You have my thanks. The horse was enough. Don't need any monsters on my trail."

"That what was enough?", asked a suspicious Donald, making the man jump.

"Oh, nothing, nothing. Name's Flynn. Flynn Rider. Ohh! Watch out, they look mad!"

Flynn then started to walk away slowly while saying, "Slowly… Slowly… Outta here!" He then ran off into a different direction.

Erza finally stood up. "How dare they do this to me! I'M GONNA MAKE YOU PAY FOR RUINING MY PICNIC!"

She then requip into Lightning Empress Armor and fired a large blast of lightning at the Heartless, destroying them all. Everyone, except Laxus, screamed in terror and backed away very quickly.

"She's always like this?!", asked a nervous Sora.

"Yup!", said Happy.

Erza then looked at Donald. His entire body was shaking from head to toe, for fear of Erza's wrath.

"Where is that man? Flynn Rider, was it?", she finally said in a calm tone, making Donald collapse and something white came out of him.

"Something came out of him.", said Happy.

"He skedaddled.", said Sora.

"I think I saw him go thataway.", said Goofy as he pointed towards north from where they were.

"But 'thataway' is...just a dead end."

"Yeah. That's puzzling."

"Well, did he?", asked Donald as he got up.

"I got his scent.", said Natsu. "And it's in that direction."

"You sure?"

"Never underestimate a Dragon Slayer's noes!", he said as he crouched down and sniffed the dirt.

"Lead the way, Salamander.", said Gajeel.

The group followed Natsu as he stayed on the ground and sniffed the area like a dog, eventually stopping at a large rock with green plants on it.

"He couldn't have come this way.", said Donald.

"He definitely came here, but...", said a curious Natsu. "His scent keeps going here, but there's nothing left in this area."

"Yeah, same here.", said Wendy.

"These woods are really strange.", said Laxus.

"Do you think there's a secret passage in these woods?", asked Juvia.

Sora went up towards the rock with the green plants and examine it.

"Well, at least he got away safe. Right?", he said.

Sora decided to lean against the rock. But just when he could, he fell through the green plants on the rock.

"Hey! Now Sora's gone, too!", said Goofy.

"No, he's still here I can smell him.", said Natsu.

"Then where did he go?", asked Gray.

They all heard Sora say, "This way, guys! It's a secret passage!"

"Sora-san's voice came from the plants.", said Wendy as she pointed at the rock.

Goofy grabbed the plants and pulled them apart, revealing a long dark cave. Sora had already started running into the cave.

"I can smell Flynn's scent!", said Natsu. "Wait up, Sora!"

Sora continued to run until he stopped at what appears to be the exit of the cave as it appears to be brightly lit. When they all reached the exit, they saw a wide open area with tall mountains serving as fences and a waterfall behind what appears to be a tower with a purple roof, one window, and no doors.

"Wow, so pretty!", said Wendy.

"It's so quiet and peaceful here!", said Lucy.

"If you ever wanted to live in a place that's quiet, then this would be it.", said Lily.

"Hey, I can smell that guy.", said Gajeel. "His smell leads to that tower."

Inside the tower, Flynn's body, wrist, and legs were tied to a chair by what appears to be golden hair. A girl, in a purple dress with long golden hair, appeared in front of him, holding a frying pan.

Flynn smiled and said, "How ya doing? The name's Flynn Rider. How's your day going? Huh?"

The girl looked confused, but cautious. She then pointed her frying pan at Flynn threateningly, making him back away, and asked, "Who else knows my location, Flynn Rider?"

"All right, hang on, Blondie."

"Rapunzel."

"Gesundheit. Here's the deal. I was in a situation, gallivanting through the forest when I stumbled upon a-" Flynn then began to panic. "Oh! Oh no no! No no no! Where is my satchel?"

"I've hidden it.", said the girl, Rapunzel. "Somewhere you'll never find it."

After a long pause, Flynn said, "It's in that pot, isn't it?"

Rapunzel immediately hit him in the head with her frying pan.

Flynn awoke again when a small chameleon stuck his tongue in Flynn's ear. Flynn knocked the chameleon off his shoulder and rubbed his ear with his shoulder.

"Would you stop that?", he angrily said.

"Now it's hidden, where you'll never find it.", said Rapunzel with satisfaction.

She then circled around the chair, still holding the frying pan threateningly, and asked, "So, what do you want with my hair? To cut it?"

"Wha-?"

"Sell it?" she pointed the frying pan in his face.

"No!"

"Wait. You don't want my hair?"

"Why on earth would I want your hair? Look, I was being chased, I saw a tower, I climbed it, okay? End of story."

Rapunzel looked unsure. The chameleon from before appeared on her shoulder and the lizard stared at him with a 'are you sure' look, making Flynn a little uncomfortable. The chameleon extended it's tail and it pointed at the door that was next to Rapunzel. They both walked over there to talk in private, Flynn meanwhile was struggling to break free.

After talking with the chameleon, she said, "Okay, Flynn Rider. I'm prepared to offer you a deal."

"A deal?", he asked disappointingly.

"Look this way.", she said as she walked towards the curtains and pulled her hair that was around Flynn to make him see the curtains, but it only made his chair fall to the ground and squishing his face against the floor.

"Do you know what these are?", she asked when she pulled apart the curtains, revealing a painted of a grassy tree area with small lights in the sky.

"You mean the lantern thing they so for the princess?", he answered with his face still stuck on the floor.

"Lanterns? I knew they weren't stars. Well, tomorrow evening they will light the night sky with these 'lanterns.' You will act as my guide, take me to these lanterns, and return me home safely. Then, and only then, will I return your satchel to you. That is my deal."

"Yeah… No can do. Unfortunately…", said Flynn as he move the cair towards the side to get off of the floor. "The Kingdom and I aren't exactly 'simpatico' at the moment, so I won't be taking you anywhere."

Rapunzel looked at the chameleon on her shoulder. The chameleon responded by pounding his fist into his other hand. Rapunzel got down onto the floor and started pulling Flynn towards her using her hair.

As she was pulling she said, "Something brought you here, Flynn Rider. Call it what you will: Fate, destiny… So I have made the decision to trust you."

"A horrible decision, really."

"I am serious.", she said with determination as she pulled his chair close to her, making his face close to hers.

Flynn sighed. "Let me get this straight. I take you to see the lanterns, bring you back home...then you'll give me back my satchel?"

"I promise."

Flynn looked at her with doubt and raised an eyebrow.

"And when I promise something, I never, ever break that promise. Ever."

Oh, what to do?, FLynn thought. I cannot let her find that tiara. Okay, just think… I need the satchel and Blondie has it. There might be more monsters out there… I've got it! The guys in the funny outfits. They looked tough enough to come in handy.

"All right fine, I'll take you. But on one condition: my sidekicks come along.", he said with a smile.

"Really?!", Rapunzel said excitedly. But when she put her arms against her chest, she accidently let go of the chair, making Flynn fall to the ground and landing hard on his face.

"Oops."