(This chapter is based on the episode of the same name. It's written to show the events for Varian and Lashanie and therefore, it misses parts where they are not around. To get the whole picture for all characters involved, I recommend to watch the epsiode first. That being said, please enjoy!)
A storm is heading for Old Corona. Dark clouds start to loom over the mountains behind the fields. Quirin raises his brows at the sight, suspending his work for a moment. The wind picks up and the storm seems close, but it'll be hours until it'll actually reach the village.
Something far worse, than a simple storm, has come over Old Corona anyway - black rocks. They started to arise from nothingness and where they appear, they only leave destruction. Houses, stables, fields... they spare nothing and no-one.
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One of the villagers, a blonde man, stands next to a cluster of rocks, that's about to pierce through the walls of his house. "What do we do, Quirin? My home! These rocks are destroying everything in their path."
Other people from the village start to gather up behind them, their nervous whispering is getting louder. Quirin darts an asking glance at Ludwig, but he only shrugs cluelessly.
"Take ease my friends, our situation may seem dire, but we mustn't lose hope.", Quirin raises his voice over the brambling of the crowd.
"But, what are they? Where are they coming from?", another man asks.
A voice, that belongs to a quite young person, interferes "I've been studying these rocks and I think, I discovered a vulnerability in their alchemical makeup."
The people step aside and reveal Quirin the look at his son and his best friend. They're standing close to a cluster of rocks and Varian rubs his chin as he thinks.
Ludwig only shakes his head at the two teens. He's been stating many times, what he's thinking of Varian's passion and how much he disapproves, of his daughter joining him in his experiments, tests and studies.
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Quirin steps up to his son. After his last ... accident, Varian should know better, than to publicy bring up his alchemy.
"Son, I told you, leave those rocks alone!" With a stern expression, he leans down closer to his boy.
"Yeah I know, I know, I know" Varian nods.
He wasn't expecting his dad to be enthusiastic or something, but he could at least show some indorsement. Varian is just trying to help after all. And to him, it feels like he's the only one, who really works to do something about the rocks anyway. So with a wry smile, he tries to convince his dad. "But something has to be done and I think, I may be onto a solution."
Lashanie tries to bolster him up. "Right. I think if you would just lis-"
But her dad cuts her off harshly "No! You two should stay out of this!"
The big pout she pulls, is her only response.
.
Before Varian gets the chance to argue, Quirin explains "Besides, something is being done. In fact, I plan to travel to see the king this afternoon, about this very matter."
"Oh!" Varian's face brightens up in delight. "Well, uhm - then, can - can I come with you?" he asks, throwing his best puppy eyes at his dad.
Who first responds by rolling his own, letting out a sigh. But then he pays his son a smile "Very well. You can travel with me."
"Really? Yes. Yes roadtrip!" happily surprised, Varian jumps of joy. He starts to do a silly little dance, while he chants "Varian and dad going to see the king!" He stops and chuckles.
While the other villagers just watch him with deffident miens and even Quirin seems to be somewhat embarrassed, Lashanie can't help to giggle herself. Not just because she finds his ditziness to be kinda cute. She also knows all too well, how much the chance, to spend some time with his dad alone, would mean to Varian.
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Suddenly, the boy's eyes widen. "I will pack ham sandwiches!" he exclaims in excitement, before grasping his friends hand, ready to scuttle off with her in a hurry.
Quirin laughs "Yes." But before they can leave, he places a demand at them "In the mean time, you both stay away from those rocks!"
"Uh, okay. But, uhm - that's getting harder to do by the minute..." Varian's eyes wander across the village. There's not a single corner left, where no black rocks cover the area.
In this very moment, the cluster next to them increases. Just in time, Lashanie moves to the side, saving her leg from getting scratched open. "Bimberries!"
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As they head off, Ludwig watches them with crossed arms. "They sure are a handful. Especially when they're together."
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Varian's home - getting ready
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"So, you're going to explain our situation to the king. And then?" Lashanie hands Varian the last sandwich, so he can put it into his bag. "Is there -"
After taking the snack from her, he gently takes the slim girl by the shoulders, to slighty move her aside. He reaches for his notes, as he catches a light push from her.
Her hands pressed to her hips, she pouts at him and protest against the interruption "Vary!"
"I know, sorry" he can't hold back a soft laughter.
"So! Do we even have a plan to offer right now? Or are we going to expect from the king to come up with something?" Unlike Varian, Lashanie doesn't put too much hope into that meeting. Sure, they don't really have any other choice and yet... what was the king supposed to do!?
But Varian waves off her concerns. "We will. Once I've explained to the king, what I've been able to find out about those rocks, we figure out the perfect solution. You'll see, we'll return with a way to save Old Corona!"
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Varian rummages through the mess on his table.
With a kind smile, Lashanie hands him the notes, he's been looking for. "I hope you're right Vary."
"Don't worry! He'll know what to do. He's the king!" Greatful, he smiles back at her, before he stuffs the papers into his bag.
The girl raises an eyebrow. The title alone, sure doesn't convince her.
Varian decides to ignore her silent objections. She couldn't possibly know, how important it was, that it would be true. They will return with a solution - they have to. And then, when their home is finally saved,... he will tell her.
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From the corners of his eyes, Varian watches his friend, as she murmurs to Ruddiger in a silly voice. "He's the king, Ruddiger! And the king always knows what to do!"
The young alchemist can't help to chuckle. He lifts Ruddiger to his shoulders. "Now stop that. I tell you, it'll all be good." It has to...
Her lips form a soft smile and she bats her sharp eyes at him. "Alright. I trust you'll find a way. I just hope the king really is the right person to turn to."
With a tiny chitter, Ruddiger agrees and Lashanie reaches out for the chubby raccoon. While giving their fuzzy buddy a stroke, her fingers touch Varian's cheek and first he's about to flinch away... but the look in her eyes, gives him the notion, she might be doing it on purpose.
And no matter if his notion is right or not, feeling the heat in his face, he knows one thing for sure - he's turning red.
Before Varian's brain can grasp what he's doing, the boy puts his own hand over Lashanie's, pressing it to his cheek. She blinks at him in surprise, her mouth shaped to an O.
The closeness between them, gives the perfect chance for Ruddiger, to playfully switch from Varian's shoulder to Lashanie's and as the fluffy tail of his buddy slightly brushes his face, Varian realizes what he's doing. He coughs and pulls his hand away.
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Smoothly swinging from one foot to the other, Varian moves towards the door, spinning his hands. "Well - haha. I - I guess, I should be on my way now. Dad's - dad must be waiting for me!"
He's already out the door, when he leans back in the frame once again, pointing at his raccoon. "I'll leave you in charge, to take care of Birdy whilst we're gone." With a cheeky grin, he gives Lashanie a wink.
While Ruddiger raises his little paw, saluting, Lashanie sarcastically calls after him "Very funny!"
Shaking her head with a smile on her face, the girl turns back to the table, to find, Varian had forgotten something there. "Varian your -" With a loud bang, the frontdoor in the hall falls shut. "... your bag."
She sighes, instantly getting nudged by Ruddiger, who brings back her smile.
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At the castle - courtroom
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As happy as Varian is, that his dad allowed him to come along, that they're having this trip together, there's nothing the young alchemist is looking more forward to, than meeting the king and finally getting help for his home. They're next in the row and in a moment, they could finally get the problem with the rocks solved - together!
Varian feels the excitement inside him rising and just in this very moment, it strikes him - they're missing a strategy! A good presentation should make it a lot easier, to get the help they need.
He stands by the side of his father "Okay dad, what's our strategy? I mean, I tried to get a sample of the rocks, to show to the king, but they just won't cut-"
They're motioned to get in court and Quirin interrupts Varian "Son, wait here, while I speak to the king."
"Dad, I think I should go in there, to help explain the scientific-"
"Varian!" he doesn't let his son finish. Annoyed, he rubs his eyes "Children have no place in court."
With sad eyes, the boy watches his dad turning from him, leaving him in front of the door, while Varian still quietly tries to insist "But I - I'm not a chil-"
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His dad can't expect him, to just keep standing there like this and wait, not on such an important matter. Varian searches for a way, to at least hear what the king will say.
Quickly, he makes his way to a side entrance and watches the meeting. But he neiter understands, nor likes what's happening in front of his very own eyes.
"Your majesty." he hears his dad say "Old Corona is facing quite the dilemma"
"Oh?"
"Uh, yes! It would appear, this years harvest is proven quite bountiful.", Quirin continues. "So much so, that I humbly request more land, to accommodate such bounty."
Varian doesn't get it. Confused, he whispers to himself "What!?"
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From where he's standing, the boy can't hear what the royal advisor says to the king, but whatever it is, it doesn't stop the king, from agreeing to his fathers request.
"I am pleased to hear, how well Old Corona is faring. And even more pleased, to grant your request."
After thanking the king, Quirin leaves the courtroom through the entrance, Varian used to spy on them.
So now he knows, his son didn't follow his orders and kept quietly waiting... But what of it!? Varian wasn't the one, who had some explaining to do!
His father just walks past him, without paying him a look or a word. But Varian won't just silently accept this to be the way, they'd deal with the problem.
He blocks his father's way and protests in a low voice "Dad! None of that was true! Wha - Old Corona is being destroyed! You-"
Loudly, the man stops him from saying more "Old Corona will endure. You'll have to trust, that I can handle this!" He makes his way past his confused son.
This can't be his answer! This can't be what they came here for! Varian takes his dad by the arm, making the tall man look at him.
"How!? How can I trust anything, when my own father just lied to the king's face!?" he points back at the courtroom, talking as quiet as possible.
But Quirin just leans down to him and sternly orders "It's enough Varian!"
..."Yes sir."
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There's nothing more to say for the boy anyway. He can't get his father to listen to him...
Varian keeps standing there with a hanging head, while Quirin walks away without him.
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Unexpectedly, Rapunzel shows up in the hall. She obviously didn't quite believe Quirin's lies either.
"Varian? Is everything okay?"
He takes a step away from her and turns his head, as she reaches for him. "No! No, it's not!"
But Varian really has to tell her, so he faces back at the princess to explain "Rapunzel, we came to see your dad about the rocks in Old Corona."
This leaves her slightly confused "Yeah, but your dad just said-"
"My dad lied! Things have gotten worse."
Worried by his words, Rapunzel asks "How much worse?"
And Varian turns to the side, squinching his eyes shut. Visions of the destruction, those rocks have caused at his home, seem to be burned into his memory. But there's no way, he could properly describe it to someone, who hasn't seen it. So he simply responds "A lot worse."
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Rapunzel brings herself in front of him and bends down, to be face to face with the shorter boy.
She puts her hand on his small shoulder "Don't worry Varian, I haven't forgotten our agreement. We're gonna figure out the mystery behind these rocks." She puts her other hand down on his shoulder aswell and makes him look her in the eyes. "Together! Just give me, until my father returns. Everything is gonna be okay. I promise." She kindly smiles at him.
The sad frown Varian wears, turns into a greatful, sweet smile.
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Old Corona
.
On their way back, Quirin and Varian haven't been talking. Not a single word escaped from Varian's mouth, no more questions or concerns. And of course his dad didn't make a move, to break this silence. No attempt, to explain to Varian, why he didn't just tell the truth to the king.
But when they were almost back at home, Quirin finally talked to him. And then, it had to be this...
"Varian, you mustn't tell anyone about my meeting with the king."
Sure. Not only did he expect his son, to stand idle by the problem with the rocks, he also told him, to keep silent about his lies.
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Back in the village, the two run into Lashanie almost immediately.
She's sitting on her knees, fixing the doll of a very young girl. "As good as new." Lashanie hands the doll back to the girl, who thanks her with a tight hug. Then the younger one runs away, laughing loudly, as Lashanie brings herself back to her feet and adjusts her skirt.
Her eyes meet the homecomers and she waves at them, smiling brightly "Welcome back!"
But instead of returning the smile, or even saying a word, Varian speeds up, leaving his dad behind him. He takes Lashanie's arm as he walks past her and drags the girl along.
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Quirin watches, how Lashanie turns around again and again, giving him confused looks. And he can hear her ask "Wha - Varian, what's wrong?"
The man sighes. He knows, Varian will tell her...
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Varian's laboratory
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"So, you didn't get to talk to the king and - and your dad-" Lashanie tries to summarize, what Varian just told her.
"My dad lied to the king!" the boy responds bitterly.
Lashanie bites her lip "Right..." She's really sorry, for how this trip, he first was so happy about, went for her friend.
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Through the window, Varian watches his father delivering the, oh so great, news to the other people of this village. He just goes on with his lies... first the king and now them - people who rely on him, who trust his words to be true!
He can hear his dad say "I have made the good king aware of our problem and we have his blessings!"
Varian can't believe, that he can watch them cheer in happiness, while he knows, they're cheering for a lie. They boy slams his fist at the windowsill.
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He walks over to the huge cluster of black rocks, that broke through the ground of their house.
Lashanie still watches the bustle outside. "This is so wrong... and quite ironic. Your dad using a bountiful harvest as pretence, I mean. Because my father told me, that the fields are dying and most of this year's harvest is lost..."
Any other situation, he probably would have found this irony to be quite funny, but with this... He rolls his eyes and shrugs.
But the girl misses this gesture anyway, only now turning away from the window, to look at him "Yet, we can't just go out there and tell them the truth, can we?"
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Letting out a sigh, Varian shakes his head. He lifts up Ruddiger, who's been cuddling up against his legs. "No, but..."
Puzzled, the chubby raccoon blinks at his human.
Varian has made his decision! He pushes all gloomy thoughts aside for the moment. When he's only concentrating on the problem in front of him, that's when he works best. And his best, might just be good enough.
"Running away isn't going to fix a problem. These rocks must be stopped."
He places Ruddiger to sit on the cluster and the small animal slides down on it a good bit.
"Okay, you two, so what do we know about them?" thinking, the alchemist walks up and down in front of the table, where most of his notes are scattered. "They're unbreakable" he starts to list.
Lashanie adds "They're somehow connected to the princess."
"And - gah! Oh!" Trying to pull a map from his stuff, Varian slips and falls behind the table.
"Oh, Vary!"
Lashanie's worries prove to be unnecessary, when the boy gets back up just the next second and simply goes on, by unfolding the map. "Worst yet, they're growing at an exponential rate." he closes their listing.
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The map shows, where in the kingdom the rocks have already spread. Following their trail, Varian runs his finger across the paper. "Within the matter of months, they will have reached the castle."
"So, what are we gonna do? We can't just shatter them to pieces, unfortunately."
Ruddiger chitters behind the girl and Varian exhales loudly. He walks to pick the raccoon up again and let him sit on his shoulders.
"You're right, physical force has no effect on these rocks, but! They have yet to reckon with the awesome power of alchemy!"
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Snappy, Varian lifts the cover from his table of instruments and supplies and gives Lashanie an optimistic grin. He puts his tools to work and takes the liquid that comes of as result, just like a pipette, which he fills with some of his formula.
Still smiling, he holds it up in Lashanie's view and asks "Are you with me?"
Her lips form a smile, just as optimistic, as his "Always!"
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Varian puts his goggles on and pours a single drop from the pipette at the rocks. Curious, the teens watch and wait for a reaction.
The one they get though, isn't what they've expected - the rocks spark a violet flame from the chemical.
"Wha -oh!"
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Suddenly, they hear Quirin call. "Varian, son, are you okay in there?"
This is not the time, to treat his dad with silence. He sure doesn't want to make him come check on them now.
So Varian throws a cover over the flame, to shut it down and calls out "Yes, dad, yes. I just dropped a book."
Under the cover, the chemical reaction causes a small explosion, blowing Varian's hair upwards and the goggles to the top of his head. Lashanie can hardly hold back, from laughing out loud and Varian pays her a glare.
"One of my - one of my big bo - books." he adds.
A tiny giggle escapes from Lashanie and Varian motions her keep quiet. Yet, his dad seems to buy his white lie.
.
With a relieved sigh, the boy drops the cover and starts to dust down the dirt from his clothes.
Lashanie stretches, standing on her toes, to reach his goggles "Here, let - let me help you -"
Just when her fingers touch the goggles, the brunette loses her balance and for a moment, their faces are so close, that the tips of their noses touch.
Quickly, they pull away with red cheeks and turn to face in different directions. While Varian nervously chuckles, fixing his hair, Lashanie catches a look out the window.
"Snow!"
"Huh?" surprised, Varian turns to see for himself. And indeed, thick white flakes, fall from the sky.
"It started to snow... But I'm sure, the sun was still shining just a moment ago. How strange."
"Yeah. It's also getting pretty cold in here, isn't it?" he remarks, rubbing his arms.
"You're right!" Lashanie runs to the door "I'll go and get us some warmer clothes."
She's left, before Varian can toss in anything. His call "Birdy, wait!", already goes unnoticed by her.
As he walks back to his workspace, he chuckles in amusement. "A fire would have done it." Varian says with a look to Ruddiger. The fuzzy raccoon shrugs.
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His animal buddy hops on the table, standing next to the lots of instruments, Varian has set up there.
The boy leans down "We might as well get some work done, while Birdy is gone... Never give up Ruddiger!" He starts mixing a new liquid "So our last formula didn't deliver quite the reaction we hoped."
A tiny chitter is Ruddiger's response, as Varian stirrs his new creation and it starts to show a slight glow.
The alchemist's lips form a satisfied smile "So what!? The important thing is, we got a reation!"
With an agil spin, Varian brings himself in front of the rocks. He carefully tries to drop a bit of the new formula on them, just when suddenly, the door behind him opens and Quirin walks in. Quickly, Ruddiger jumps off the table and hides, knowing this will mean trouble for them.
"Son, I just wanted to -"
Shocked, the boy turns around hastily, trying to hide his experiment from his father. In his movement, he spills the entire formula across the cluster of rocks.
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It doesn't even take a second for Quirin, to get what Varian was doing there. He paces to stand in front of his son.
"Varian, I told you to stay away from the rocks!"
Varian stammers "Uhm, yeah - I can, I - I know what you said, but ther-"
Once again, his dad cuts him off "Then there should be no misunderstanding!" He leads his boy slightly to the side "Now listen to me, you -"
But this time, Varian won't just let his father talk over him again. He will be heared. Upset, he pushes Quirin away.
"No! No, you listen to me dad! Our village is dying!" he points at the window. "You think running away from the problem is gonna fix it?" The boy's voice cracks and he has to fight back the tears, he feels coming. "No! These rocks aren't going away!"
"I know Varian! But there's more to them, than you can possibly imagine." Quirin turns his back on him.
"Then why dont you tell me? Dad! I des- I deserve to know!"
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Blinded for their surroundings from this argument, the two miss to notice the reaction, Varian's formula causes on the rocks. A glowing, crystal-like material, with spicky branches, starts to grow from it.
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"I am sorry son, you are not ready." Quirin responds and as he turns back, to face Varian, he finally takes notice of the danger, his son's in. A danger, Varian himself isn't aware of.
"Varian, watch out!"
Quirin paces over to him and with a rough push, that throws Varian across the floor, he saves his son. But...
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A little dizzy, the boy brings himself up to his knees. He looks for his father and - this can't be happening! "Oh! Dad. Dad!"
His dad is stuck in ... whatever it is, that just keeps growing and growing from the rocks. Panic strikes Varian, he runs to Quirin.
"Hold on dad, hold on! Ah - I'll - I'll get you out!"
But Quirin stops him, motioning with his free arm, for his son not to come any closer. "No! Stay back." The man hangs his head, as the rock keeps growing, building a prison on him.
Terribly frightened, Varian backs away slightly. There's a pain, a bad pain taking a hold of him. And yet, he can't let that pain paralyze him... he can't just keep standing there and watch his dad getting encased by that... amber. There must be something he can do, someone must be able to help.
Rapunzel's words echo in his mind, as the memory of the rocks' reaction to her, strikes him.
"Im - I'm gonna go get help!" Varian calls out and starts to run, quickly making his way out the door.
He can't even hear his dad's objection.
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At the entrance, he runs into Lashanie, causing her, to almost drop the clothes.
"Vary! What's wrong? Where are you going?"
The boy grabs the warm clothes she brought for him and hastily puts them on.
"Lashanie, I - my dad, he's ..." he stammers, as he desperately tries to light a lantern with his shaking hands.
Watching this, Lashanie takes it from him and lights the lantern. "Vary, calm down and tell me-"
With wide opened eyes, he cuts her off "No! No, there's no time! Dad doesn't have time! I got- I gotta go to get help. Now!"
"Alright. Then I'll go with you."
"No!", Varian takes her by the shoulders "Please, please stay with him!" he begs.
Lashanie doesn't understand what's going on, but whatever troubles her friend so badly, it must be serious. She's never seen Varian like that... so alarmed. And so she just nods in affirmation. This seems to bring him, at least a minimal, relief.
Without any further hesitation, Varian hurries off, making his way through the snowstorm.
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Lashanie walks into the laboratory, unsure what to expect. And what she finds there, causes her whole body to tense up.
She gasps in shock "Quirin!"
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Varian - through the storm
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Varian makes his way through the snow, while the storm seems to only grow stronger with each passing minute. He can't deny to himself, that he's scared, more than ever before in his life. And lonely, he never felt so alone. Icecold, the wind keeps blowing in his face and for moment, the cold lets him freeze in place, shaking. But if he doesn't keep pushing forward, his dad would be lost.
Pressing the heel of his hand to his eyes, he fights the tears. That's when he remembers something, Lashanie told him.
She said, that whenever she felt really bad or lonely, she would sing. And soon, forgetting her sorrows, she'd feel better as the song spend her comfort.
Varian holds up the lantern, to light the way through the storm. He moves on, step by step and while doing so, he starts to sing to himself.
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Maybe I make things a mess
And maybe you're right to have doubts in me
Maybe, but nevertheless
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The snow and wind make it hard to see anything. And as he strides on, he slips off the edge of a small slope and lands in the snow. He slams his fist at the ground and pushes himself back to his feet.
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If you for once could just trust me
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Just this once let me come through for you
The way that you want me to
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His way leads to a running stream. The only way across, would be to use the ice floes, the stream carries, as steps and jump to the other side.
Varian shakes of his insecurity, takes a run-up and jumps.
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Let me make you proud
Let me show you the best in me
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Deftly, he leaps from one floe to the next until his feet touch save ground again.
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Let me give you a reason
To believe that I can stand tall
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He crosses a gaping abyss, balancing on a fallen tree. Climbs an icy wall, passes bridges and fields and lonely woods. Nothing that comes in his way, can stop him from moving forward. He will get to Corona and he will save his dad!
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And when I return
And I'm more than you dreamt I'd be
Maybe then you will realize
That you never actually knew me at all
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Varian reaches a cave. It's covered in ice and snow, just like all his surroundings, but he enters it anyway. At least here, he will find some shelter from the storm and it's harsh winds.
He puts down the lantern and pulls from his bag, a tube that's filled with a green liquid. As he gives it a shake, the liquid starts to glow. Holding the tube clenched in his fist, Varian makes his way deeper into the cage.
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Sure, I've made lots of mistakes
I know that I've disappointed you
Still, though, whatever it takes
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A wall of snow is blocking the way out. Varian pulls out another tube, a purple one and throws it at the blockade. The small tube, causes a big explosion and blows the way open.
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I'm gonna fix it, just watch me
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He picks up a stick that's laying on the ground and with a piece of rope, Varian attaches some of the glowing tubes to it. That'll do much better, to spend him light on his way!
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Just you wait, I'll make it up to you
If it's the last thing I ever do
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In front of him, another slope gapes. Climbing down would take too much time and Varian's sight falls to a great piece of bark, that's stuck in the snow. He takes it and valiantly slides down the slope on top of it.
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I will make you proud
I will make you have faith in me
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Abruptly, his slide ends, leading into the deep and Varian just manages, to jump off the bark and land on one of a few stone pillars that tower from the abyss.
It's not a safe way really, but using them as steps, could bring him to the other side. And so Varian jumps again, from one of that pillars to the next one.
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I will prove that the way
I used to be is all in the past
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And with some run-up, Varian crosses the deep abyss, that separates the pillars from his destination, with a great leap.
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I will save the day
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Savely landing on his feet.
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And come back here triumphantly
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Just some more steps.
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'Cause I long for that look of surprise
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Just up that hill...
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When you see your son rising at last
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Varian lifts his head. Finally, the castle meets his eyes.
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The pride in your eyes
When you see your son rising at laaast
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Lashanie - by Quirin's side
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"Quirin!" she's about to pace over to him, when Quirin calls to Lashanie "Don't! Don't come too close."
By only moving his eyes, he motions her, to look at the amber. It's still growing, encasing him more and more and if she'd try to help him, she'd only get stuck in there herself.
She nods. "But - I... Quirin, tell me, what can I do to help?"
The man only shakes his hanging head and tears start to run down Lashanie's cheeks.
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As it keeps growing, the amber takes everything in it's path and so, it pushes one of the tables towards Quirin. He considers - there's a blank paper and he's still got one hand free.
"Maybe ... there's something you can do." he tells Lashanie, picking up the feather, to leave a message for his son.
She struggles through loud sobs. "What is it? I'll do anything!"
"Take this letter. Make sure Varian gets it!"
Maybe he should have just told Lashanie, what this message contains and leave her, to deliver those words to his son. But he couldn't. None of this should have happened and he wouldn't drag that poor girl even deeper into it.
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Lashanie stretches as far as she can, to get a little closer, but not too close. Ready to catch the letter.
But just when Quirin's about to drop it, the amber closes too far around him. His outstretched arm cramps and his fist won't open, it keeps holding the letter clenched tightly.
"No! No, Quirin!" Lashanie cries out under tears.
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While forcing a last stretch from his body, Quirin places a final plea. "Lashanie, take care of my son."
And then, it's too late... Quirin is encased by the amber, entirely.
.
Lashanie falls to her knees, alone with the sound of her tears hitting the hard ground underneath her. She stays, keeps sitting there with a heavy heart, as she slowly starts to grasp, what just happened. While her mind's still trying to deny, her heart already seems to know, as it's hurting with every singlebeat.
.
Carefully checking his surroundings, Ruddiger crawls back to light from his hideout. Crouching, he makes his way to Lashanie and cuddles up against her. A sad squeak comes from the raccoon and Lashanie wraps her arms around him. His soft fur, sticks to her wet cheek.
"Oh Ruddiger. What do we do now?"
.
Varian - at the castle
.
Finally! Finally he's made it to the castle. Now he only needs to find the princess and-
A hand grabs him by the shoulder and a tall, lanky guard holds him back, from getting any further.
"What are you doing here boy? Are you all alone? Where are your -"
Harried, Varian cuts him off. "Please I - I need to see the princess! She said she'd help me!" Varian tries to walk on, but that guy isn't letting him go.
"Sorry boy, but you can't. You've noticed the storm? We're at a state of emergency and the princess isn't meeting -"
That's enough for Varian. He didn't come all the way, just to let himself be stopped so close to his goal. With a quick move, Varian frees himself from the guard's hand and starts running.
"Stan!", Varian hears the guy shout and suddenly, he's being chased down the halls by two royal guards. But that doesn't really matter now either... No, Rapunzel would understand! He doesn't have enough time, to explain everything to the guards first.
.
Varian keeps running and the guards keep chasing after him. But he's almost made it, he can hear Rapunzel's voice coming from one of the rooms, that lie ahead of him.
"Stop, boy!" the lanky guy shouts.
Varian speeds up and storms into the room. "Princess Rapunzel!", having the guards following right behind him.
He runs to her, has almost reached Rapunzel, when the captain of the guard grabs him.
"Sorry princess, he were in my path.", the one he ran from, apologizes.
In attempt, to free himself from the captain's grip, Varian tries to pull away, while the man's about to hand him, to the other guards.
But Rapunzel interferes "Wait! It's okay."
.
They let go of the boy. He pants, trying to get his breathing back to normal. That chase sure was exhausting. After a few breaths, it feels like he can speak again and he doesn't lose anymore time, to place his request.
"Rapunzel, my dad's in danger! You're - you're the only one who can help. Please! You have to come to Old Corona with me! Now!"
She doesn't say anything, but takes him by the arm and leads him into the corridor, where they're alone. Only then she asks "Varian, what's wrong?"
"Please! Please, the rocks, they're encasing my dad!" he begs with folded hands.
Perplexed, the princess asks "Encasing? What - what are you saying?" The confusion in her face grows.
"Come - come see for yourself! You can help! I d- I know you can, you have a connection to these rocks!" He starts to run down the corridor, thinking Rapunzel would follow him... But she doesn't.
.
"Varian, it's a state of emergency here! I'm sorry, I - I - I can't help you. Not right now!"
His eyes widen in shock. He can't return without her, he needs her help.
Varian runs back to her. "No! No, no, no! Listen to me, my dad doesn't have much time. You are the only one who can help!" Again, he holds his folded hands up, as he begs "Rapunzel, please!"
He's sure, there's still hope for his dad, if he can only make her go with him. If he can make her keep the promise, she gave him.
.
And for a moment, it seems like she considers to fulfil that promise, but then, the royal advisor joins them.
"Your majesty, please! Whatever's the boy's problem, it must be set aside. The storm's growing stronger by the second. You need -"
"No!" Varian loudly interrupts the man. He can't let this happen. He needs her help. "No, no, no, please!" he takes Rapunzel's arms and turns her away from the advisor. That man doesn't understand, how urgent his situation is anyway.
"Please, princess, you- you-" Varian can't control his breathing right, as his heart keeps beating like a hammer inside his chest. "You promised you'd help me! You promised!"
He's trying so hard, to convince her, that he unintentionally tightens the grip around her arms, causing Rapunzel to squinch her eyes.
.
Out of a sudden, the guards take him and start dragging him away from the princess. Varian can't do anything to escape them. He calls out for his friend "Rapunzel!"
But this time, she doesn't stop them. She watches, as Varian's harshly being escorted out the palace.
"Princess, my dad needs help!" he shouts, only getting dragged away further from her.
"No, don't hurt him." he can hear her say, but she doesn't order them, to let him go.
Varian shouts, so that his voice loudly echos through the castle's hallways, "Rapunzel, you promised! You promised!"
.
Back in Old Corona
.
Fast, faster than ever before in his life, Varian runs back home. He has to get back to his dad, has to save him.
The princess wouldn't keep her promise? Fine! Then he'd save his dad by himself. If only he hadn't wasted his time on her. If only he'd been smart enough to see, she never intended to help him anyway... And now he's wasted so much time, time his dad's running out of.
.
"Dad, I'm back!" he calls out, even before he's reached the door. Hastily he runs up the stairs and through the door.
"Vary!" Lashanie shoots up from the ground.
To keep the snow from storming in, Varian properly closes the door behind him, before he turns to look and see what happened while he was gone.
He starts to explain "Dad, the princess refused to help, but I-" As his eyes meet his encased dad, Varian's words die away.
.
"Dad? Oh no!" The shock in his face, slowly turns into painful grief.
"Vary... I'm so sorry..." he hears Lashanie whisper with a hoarse voice.
She tries to put her hand to his shoulder, wants to comfort him, but he can't let her. He runs past his friend, runs to his dad. Varian drops his staff and as he stands in front of the amber, he slams his fist to it's hard surface. "No, no. No! No! Dad! Daddy!"
Tears fill his eyes, as he tries to reach for his father. "No! No, no, no!" He finally sinks down to his knees, hit by the harsh realization, that he's too late, that his dad was trapped inside there, completely out of reach for him.
"No..." He's shaking from loud sobs, writhed on the floor with trembling shoulders, as tears keep falling from his eyes. In this moment, his entire body just feels like a bad, painful injury.
.
Just when the tought, that he's all alone now, tries to crawl up inside of him, ready to pull him down deeper, he feels Lashanie wrapping her arms around him.
She's forcing herself, to be strong now. Seeing him like this, thinking of Quirin, she feels like crying again, but that's not going to help, especially not for Varian. He doesn't need a crying mess next to him right now, so she swallows down her pain.
.
Her comfort, in every other situation, he would have been greatful for it. But now, it's just too much for him to take. It feels like he can't breath in this embrace. The pain is just too present and it's already taking all of him, not to burst under it's pressure.
He slowly pulls away from her caring hands and rasps "Please, Lashanie, leave me alone."
"No, no I can't leave you like this!"
Facing away from her, Varian only shakes his head.
"Vary, please -"
.
"Lashanie!" her father's call sounds through the closed window.
The young girl throws her hands up in despair. Of all times, of course he must be looking for her right now.
"Please, would you just leave? Please?" Varian begs, his eyes locked at her.
And again they hear the call "Lashanie!"
She presses her forehead against Varian's and whispers "I'm so sorry."
Varian doesn't flinch or pull away. For a short moment, he just closes his eyes.
"Lashanie!" the calling of her father gets louder and Lashanie pushes herself back to her feet.
"I'll be back soon!" She feels terrible leaving him now, even though he begged her to. But she doesn't really have a choice, with her father looking for her...
Varian waits until the sound of Lashanie's steps is gone. He didn't move from the spot in front of the amber, but when he's sure, he's alone now, he makes a vow.
"Don't worry dad, I will get to the bottom of this. I promise." Pain is flowing in his voice and he's still sitting on the cold floor.
.
I will make you proud
Get the answers and set you free
Don't you worry, whatever it might take,
I'm finding a way
.
Slowly he gets up, leaning against the amber. There's a feeling, a burning feeling, that keeps growing bigger inside of him.
And I swear right now
That no matter what comes of me
Anybody who stands or stood in my path, they're going to pay!
.
Scared by the sudden change in Varian's voice and the anger in his face, Ruddiger backs away, hiding under a table.
With his fist clenched tightly, Varian stands by the amber. By his dad.
.
They ... Will ... Pay!
.
-x.ღ.x-