Kingdom Hearts III: Final Mix
Disclaimer: I do not own the story or characters featured in this story. They are the sole creation of the Walt Disney Co., Square Enix, Pixar, Tetsuya Nomura and Marvel Comics. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 32: Meeting Rapunzel
Meanwhile, back in the Kingdom of Corona, Rapunzel was taking in her newfound freedom from outside the tower.
"I can't believe I did this! Mother would be so furious with me," she thought out loud to herself, only to then push the thought away swiftly. "It's okay though, what she doesn't know won't kill her, would it?"
Half a minute later, Rapunzel lamented "Oh my gosh; this would kill her!" Again, she eventually decided to push those thoughts away.
Though Flynn was less than enthused with Rapunzel seeming to stall their progression towards the kingdom, Sora, Donald, and Goofy watched in bemusement as Rapunzel enjoyed her newfound freedom.
"Best! Day! Ever! I am never going back!" However, she eventually exhausted herself as she collapsed onto her knees and sobbed on the grassy knoll. Flynn decided to take this moment to offer some advice.
"Seems to me that you're a little at odds with this whole 'running away' sort of thing," Flynn suggested.
"More like a lot!" Donald piped up, only for Flynn to shush the duck who gawked in confusion.
"Anyway, this is just part of growing up, really. A little adventure, some rebellion... that's good; healthy, even! Would this break your mother's heart? Probably, but you just have to do it!"
"W-would it really break her heart?" Rapunzel asked, her voice raspy from crying.
"Right in half, but if you don't want to do this, I'll take you back home and I'll get my satchel back, and we can part ways as unlikely friends," Flynn answered as he proposed an alternative deal.
"No! I am seeing those floating lights one way or ano-" Rapunzel said back, as she got back up on her feet and started to take notice of Sora and his friends. "Ah! Ruffians! What are you doing here? I have a frying pan and I'm not afraid to use it!"
"Whoa, we're not gonna hurt you!" Goofy yelped in panic, as he tried to assure the girl that Sora and co. meant no harm.
"The dog's right, Blondie, 'cause these are the sidekicks I told you about."
"Sidekicks?" Sora remarked in confusion, as Flynn brought the Keybearer aside.
"Listen, kid, I made a promise to Rapunzel here to take her to see the floating lanterns that are set off every year, and with those creepy monsters around, I may know the way of the land, but you three are certainly more better suited in combat than I am," Flynn explained.
"Well, that's true," Sora admitted.
"Of course it is!" Donald piped up. "Because we're heroes!"
"Exactly!" Flynn remarked, just rolling with what Donald and Goofy were going to say.
"So, Sora, do you think we can help Rapunzel?" Goofy asked.
"Of course, Goofy. Because I can really imagine how she feels right now, with everything new and a bit scary. When I first left the island, I didn't know what to think of everything that was thrust upon me with the Keyblade, dealing with Heartless, but then I met you and Donald, and the rest has just been unforgettable."
"Great! Then let's get a move on while there's still daylight!" Flynn spoke as the group started walking onward.
"And I want to see what else there is the outside world has if we can!" Rapunzel added, as Sora nodded in assurance that he'd make it possible for her.
In another part of the forest, Mother Gothel was returning from her search for Rapunzel's favorite shells for painting when she was taken aback by a white horse leaping out at her from the bushes, only for it to give her a puzzled expression.
"Just a palace horse," she remarked, before she stopped in the realization that something about it seemed off, and that it was close towards the tower's hideaway. "But where's your rider? ...Rapunzel!" Quickly, she dashed through the cave and rushed to the base of the tower and shouted up towards the window. "Rapunzel? Let down your hair to me!" There was no response. "Rapunzel?!" She questioned again before deciding to just claw away at a concealed entryway to get inside the tower from a staircase behind the worn away wall of discolored bricks. "Rapunzel? Rapunzel?!" she cried as she turned the inside apart for some sort of sign that could tell her where her 'golden flower' had gone off to. Then from the corner of her eye, she saw a faint glimmer under the floorboards going up towards Rapunzel's bedchamber. Moving the board aside, she saw a satchel with a glittering tiara inside. She knocked it away in horror, knowing full well the truth behind it. If Rapunzel were ever to know who she really was...
"Missing someone?" a voice called from the shadows.
"Who's there? Reveal yourself this instant!" Gothel demanded, as she saw a swirling purple and black vortex open and a man with rose-colored hair, dressed in a obsidian black robe, stepped forward.
"The one you seek, she is indeed a precious gift;" the man explained. "If you would allow, I can help bring her back to you, unharmed, of course." Taken aback by him, Gothel however could not deny the truth and sincere warmth behind his words, and she let her inner darkness take over, in spite of herself and her inhabitions so that she could reclaim her gift of immortality, and never let it slip from her grasp again.
And that finishes this new chapter; and what a way to end it, huh? I hope you enjoyed this little update and please remember to leave a review to let me know what you think about the story! See you next time, and may your heart be your guiding key.