We're Back Folks!ππππ
I just saw 'Eternals'. I was entertained for the most part, but I find my perspective to be interesting and complicated. Go and watch Jeremy Jahns' review of 'Eternals' on YouTube to see my full opinion on the film.
I will need to see the movie again when it comes out on Blu-Ray and Disney Plus so I can get a full analysis of the characters and story before I can decide on whether or not I can have the Eternals appear in my series.
But for now. I'll give 'Eternals' a rating of: 7 out of 10.π
"Remember to cover your eyes when you go out to the beach." Maverick quipped a hint (To those who've seen the movie.)
But... I give 'The Guardians of the Galaxy' video game a rating of: 9 out of 10ππ
OMG that was an awesome game! If you people are video game players/MCU fans and have not played that game yet...SHAME ON YOU! WHY?! π‘...Oh wait you're planning to buy it soon? Alright cool π
"Seriously. Buy the game and play it or he'll chew your ears off." Maverick whispered to the readers warning them.
And now back to the story.
Holy crap it took me a while to post this. But it was worth it. I have to once again advise that you all watch season 1 of the Tangled series if you haven't yet, to get a perspective of this story. This will be based on the episode when Varian asked Cassandra for help as an assistant for his invention while she was preparing for her first duty as a royal guard.
This one being a 'What If' type story will be different from that plot. With similarities that will still make it feel like that episode.
But before we start. Let's answer some comments.
KingdomWarrior125: Thank you. Not only are you catching on yo this story, but you've read my mind. Also I've added one of thr songs you've requested from your previous comment. But I'll save the other song for later. ππ
Alton: Thanks bud. I would also like to thank you for once again helping me by co-writing this chapter. π π
olehbilenko93: Thank you. I appreciate your support. π
superkoola: Well now that you mentioned it. It's not an impossible dream. Because that's the plan for my future Kingdom Hearts III story. When Aiden and Sora visits Corona. They'll visit this story's Corona. ππ
RustyPete12: Thank you! Oh I assure you. Lash is not someone that can be taken down that easily. And it will really show as we continue with this story. Orion will face some challenges or Rapunzel will not be prepared for. But it will all work out in the end. I promise. And Rapunzel's relationship with Orion will continue to grow. π
Alright! Now that we're all here!
LET'S GET DANGEROUS! π
Great Expotations.
Morning under the rivers of Coronaβ¦..
Deep under the blue clean waters of the kingdom. As the fish swam about to their aquatic business. While literally on the ocean floor, where a set of pipes connected in a system that shouldn't exist until much later in a modern society. These pipes are a part of the indoor plumbing project Orion showed to Eugene on the day he first met Rapunzel and the others. Orion had spend all this time especially after the 'Challenge of the Brave' to put all his effort in making this project work.
Currently he was underwater in his Maverick form installing some advanced filters, in case anybody tries to pollute it. He got the feeling Lash and his Dark Mongers would try something like probably inject a lethal toxin in the water supply. Orion watched enough movies to know how dangerous that is.
Once Maverick installed a filter system on the types using the holo terminal on his suit. He made sure that the only thing allowed through the pipes was clean water and nothing else. While Maverick was hovering in the water he communicated with his personal A.I assistant.
"IRIS? Confirm that the plumbing system is now operational." Maverick spoke.
'Already confirmed. Although the water system that's meant to channel at the demonstration of Corona's upcoming Exposition of Science is yet to be installed.' IRIS stated.
"Can't we run an auto construct under the structure?" Maverick asked.
'I'm afraid not. The castle's water system has to be installed manually.' IRIS stated.
"Damn Just when I was thinking of having an early 'Friday' morning." Maverick sighed about his girlfriend.
'It's Sunday.' IRIS said.
"I was speaking of the Blue Meanie I live with." Maverick deadpanned as he started to fly out of the ocean.
Once Maverick flew out of the water, he zoomed way above the surface and took off flying back to Old Corona. Once he landed near his gift shop he found a quiet safe spot to shift back into Orion and he came up to the Sunrise Gift Shop and used the back door. Thankfully Orion made sure the shop is closed on weekends so he didn't have to work today.
He went down the secret elevator and into the secret lair.
Down in the Mav Clubβ¦
Friday was still asleep in her bedroom a half an hour later, the blue skin girl was only wearing a pink sleeveless t-shirt with a UFO in the middle, and a pair of dark red shorts. She was sprawled out on her bed sleeping above the covers as she snored from having a busy night training and running the shop for Orion while he was out setting up the plumbing system all day yesterday.
The lair's indoor stereo speaker system was turned on as it played a certain song on purpose to wake Friday up.
(Friday - Rebecca Black)
It's Friday, Friday
Gotta get down on Friday
Everybody's lookin' forward to the weekend, weekend
Friday, Friday
Gettin' down on Friday
Everybody's lookin' forward to the weekend.
Friday gave a snort in her snore as she formed a small grin and raised her head up, which was face down on the pillow. She slowly sat up on the bed and yawned before she got up and walked into her bathroom to do her personal hygiene. Then she barefooted out of her room which was inside the East Wing of the Mav Club. She and Orion had their own bedrooms in the lair set up and personalized to fit their living conditions.
Friday made it to the Lair's kitchen which was next to the lounging chamber. The kitchen looked like a luxurious bar under a cave. Like if a future race was living underground. The blue girl saw her boyfriend making some morning smoothies with a blender while serving pancakes.
"Morning Blues." Orion mused as he slid her smoothie glass on the counter while leaning over for a morning kiss.
"I told you not to call me that." Friday scolded with a smirk as she leaned forward to give him a passionate kiss on the lips.
Once their lips separated, Orion served their pancakes and they went over to talk about their plans in the lounging room with Groot who was already sitting and eating his pancakes.
"I am Groot." Groot said good morning while he was chewing.
"Morning Groot. Don't talk with your mouth full." Friday greeted and warned the talking tree as she and Orion took the couch with their plates and sat them on the coffee table.
"Okay so I know what you're thinking." Orion started as he took a bite of his pancakes.
"No you don't." Friday deadpanned as she took a bite of hers.
"What did Orion do all week while Groot and I were keeping the business running and holding down the fort?" Orion humorously mimicked Friday's Kree accent.
"Don't care." Friday deadpanned as she took another bite.
"I'm glad you asked." Orion beamed as he stood up.
"I'm not." Friday deadpanned as she took another bite.
"Okay so as you may know-" Orion started but was cut off.
"Famous words of lazy script writing that ruined a lot of films." Friday teased those words Orion just said.
"I'm sorry, who did the labor and research so his girlfriend can spend time painting her nails and do the other hard work?" Orion inquired sarcastically.
"Fair enough. Proceed Beluva." Friday shrugged and grinned as she listened, while using a Kree petname Orion likes.
"That's more like it." Orion mused as he continued and displayed a hologram projection of the water pipes flowing under the entire kingdom of Corona. "I've spent a majority of my time coming up with a big money making plan in addition to keeping the innocent bystanders of this world safe. And the answer to that plan are these pipes, but not just around Corona but in-"
"The entire continental border around Corona. Get to the point." Friday finished and urged in mild annoyance.
"Well excuse me, Spicy Blue Cheese." Orion sarcastically responded and showed a diagram of the system plans under Corona Castle. "Unfortunately the pumping under the castle hasn't been done yet because it can only be finished manually and in person."
"The castle having indoor plumbing was never part of the plan." Friday reminded Orion.
"Until now. Several major companies from Germany, Great Britain and good old Uncle Sam are coming to Corona ready to look for great minds to buy projects worth millions. Names like Boston Manufacturing. Dixon Industries. Roxxon, yes this world has one." Orion pointed out. "These companies are going to be at this upcoming Science expo looking for bright minds with a gold mind."
"You mean the Exportation of Science?" Friday remembered the name of the Science Expo from the posters hanging up around town.
"Exactly." Orion smiled as he dropped the hologram and bent down holding Friday's shoulders. "Not only will we make millions. But more than enough to rebuild the Star Search. And with Roxxon there, they'll sell us material and fuel to earn a share in the stock this whole deal will be making. They'll be begging us for a slice of money pie and while they're fighting for seconds. We'll finally be off this world."
Friday was happy to hear this as she had been wanting to leave this world for a long time, she and Groot. But the blue girl wondered about what they would be leaving behind. Or who they'll be leaving behind with those black rocks. And what Rapunzel is dealing with.
"I am Groot?" Groot asked out of concern.
"They'll be fine Pal. We can always use the ship to come back and visit them." Orion reassured Groot about Rapunzel and her friends.
"You sure it's a good idea to just up and leave while Rapunzel's still struggling with the magic black rock situation?" Friday asked while considering everything that's been going on.
"Those rocks haven't been spreading any further since the day Rapunzel touched them. And we hardly have the magic or the resources to deal with them ourselves." Orion stated and sighed as he insisted. "Look. I care about Rapunzel's safety, I do. But if there's an answer on how we're going to help and find a mystical Barbershop. We'll have to find it out there in the stars."
"Point taken." Friday nodded while reluctantly agreeing with Orion.
"For now, my focus will be trying to find a way to set up the plumbing under the castle without raising suspicions. While your focus will be to present the project to the public. Under a new alias." Orion revealed.
"You mean you're too shy to do it yourself?" Friday inquired.
"No. The corporate masterminds of any world will want to invest their gold into artists unknown. Not a teenage gift shop owner." Orion pointed out a fact about business.
"Got it, so basically you have stage fright?" Friday asked humorously.
"Come on girl, work with me!" Orion groaned.
"Right right, sorry." Friday said while chuckling a bit.
"Anyway. Since I had you working as a male alias last time. I figured it would be fair to go with a female for once. And I found the perfect face to go by." Orion mused as he displayed a new alias for Friday to present the indoor plumbing project at the Science Expo.
Unfortunately this is a face that Friday found to be pretentious. The moment the hologram of her alias was shown. Friday was nor happy.
"Hell no!" Friday exclaimed furiously as she stood up and glared at Orion. "Are you out of your mind?!"
"Yes but that's not the point. Come on. Do it for me. And mostly for the hard cheddar we're gonna score." Orion insisted with a smile. "Without that money we'll never get out of Storybrooke."
Friday took a very very deep breath, on one hand, she's gonna hate herself tomorrow, on the other hand, they need the money. "Okay." Friday said in defeat.
"And if it helps. After the Expo, you'll get a free revenge shot. How about that?" Orion bargained while inhaled a little at the end knowing he'll regret making Friday regret this decision.
"Revenge shot you say?" Friday asked in a devilish grin, oh yeah, she's definitely gonna enjoy this.
"Is it too late to take it back?" Orion gulped looking at Groot.
"I am Groot." Groot grinned.
"***k." Orion muttered.
Whatever Orion has to do to pay up for Friday. Either way everything was going according to plan for this upcoming Science Expo.
Later on at Corona Castle...
Everything was being set up for the upcoming science expo as there were display stalls owned by many contestants who were setting up for their demonstrations. Fortunately the entire Expo had perfect security from the guards of the castle. Unfortunately for Rapunzel's Lady-In-Waiting Cassandra. Wasn't a part of the guard duty.
Instead, Cassandra was busy doing chores and setting up the place as she was stand up on a ladder, tying up the Expotation of Science banner up between two support poles, while she was standing on a ladder with her owl nearby.
"Don't see why the lady-in-waiting has to help set up for this thing," Cassandra grumbled under her breath as she was trying to finish tying the rope.
The two guards passed by and she stared at them. She wanted to be a part of it, but the whole lady-in-waiting stuff kept her from doing that...not that she hated being a friend of the princess.
"Dumb science expo's for dorks, anyway." Cassandra grumbled about her disinterest in the Expo.
Then she heard someone behind her respond to that.
"Well it was the dorks who invented the sword. Otherwise every Wonder Woman would have one hell of a manicure after a catfight." Orion quipped in the background like he was listening in.
Cassandra turned around to see Orion and Friday in her human form pushing a cart full of equipment under a large cloth up past the castle main entrance as Orion saluted Cassandra with two fingers.
Cassandra groaned as she rolled her eyes in annoyance, not that she hates Orion, but when it comes to the science and some form of boy humor, she tends to get annoyed no matter what.
"Anyway. Friday, just take these permits and see if you can at least five more guards. We're gonna need a certain amount to get these approved." Orion gave Friday a task while handing her a pen and clipboard.
"Got it." Friday nodded and walked off towards the castle grounds.
Then Orion looked up at Cassandra. "Yo Cassie! I hope this ain't a bad time but me and my invisible crew need a small favor." He stated and quipped. "But be on the lookout, I hear a certain armored nutjob is still on the loose."
He referred to himself.
"Oh. Hey, Orion." Cassandra dryly answered while leaning on the ladder. "First off, it's Cassandra, not Cassie. Secondly, I'm slammed, so-"
"I hear ya. Sign hanging is a royal pain. Literally. Just when you have time. My 'employer' is about to come into some cold hard cash. So if you can put in a good word and-" Orion tried to say when Stan the guard came up and stood in front of the boy to bring good news for Cassandra.
"Cassandra, I thought you should know, the Captain is short on guards for the expo. This could be your big chance!" Stan said, making Cassandra smile at the news as she slid down from the ladder.
"Come on, let's go!" Cassandra said as she grabbed Stan by the arm and left with him.
Leaving Orion alone.
"Great. Now I'm talking to myself." Orion muttered and looked up at Cassandra's owl who was still perched up at the ladder. "I used to get the same attention from Wal-Mart customer service."
The owl tilted his head wondering what that meant. Then the rope holding the sign was coming loose. Cassandra may not have tied it tight enough, probably because she didn't care enough about a Science Expo to do so.
Owl caught the rope with his talents before the sign could fall and tried to hold it up as best as he could. But the poor bird of prey was struggling.
"Hold on Jareth. I got that." Orion mused as he teleported up the latter and tied the rope more securely. "They should never send a lady to do a bum's job."
"Cassandra! Lookin' good! You should see some of the inventions on display! Look at these crazy goggles!" Rapunzel said as she readjust the goggles, and when she did, she saw clearly that instead of seeing Cassandra. She sees Orion. "Oh. Hi, Orion!"
"What up, Goldilocks." Orion greeted and teleported down to help take off those goggles she was wearing. "Better take those off before you end up as Princess Ronnie Millsap."
"Woah...You're so right, whoever that is." Rapunzel giggled as the goggles were removed and she felt how her vision was a little out of focus, before she regained her balance on her bare feet. Then she stood and smiled at the boy "Still it's good to see you. I haven't seen you since we-"
Eugene, who was standing next to her smiling, beat her to it.
"Since we saw you use those golden tonsils to blast the arena to bits. So glad you're here. With what looks like another mystery mind blower." Eugene figured.
"Sorry Fitz, this one's not going to be a nectar of the fates spectacle. It's just a common house piece for almost every home back where I came from." Orion remarked. "But this whole deal took five years in the making. Longer than the production of Terminator 2."
"Terma-who-in-the-what now?" Eugene asked Orion since he literally didn't understand that reference.
"Remember that 'pipe dream' I showed you in my basement? Well let's just say it's the home stretch when this nerds convention starts up." Orion reminded Eugene about those water pipes and the fact that he kept it a secret as Orion asked him to do so.
"Ooooooh right, got it. The only secret I can give credit for 'not spilling'. Next to Blondie's secret." Eugene remarked with his arms crossed and a grin.
"What are you guys talking about?" Rapunzel asked, looking confused since she was never told about the pipes.
"Tell me one thing Zel, do you know how the Roman Empire was able to run aqueducts and canals under Alexandria or how London operates their water fountains for display?" Orion gave Rapunzel a short quiz as they walked over to the boy's cart.
Given that Rapunzel is royalty she had her time in getting a good amount of education and catching up on some important facts. Even if some things slip her mind like negative opinions or pranking.
"Underground water channels?" Rapunzel guessed, hoping she got it right.
"Right. More specifically underground plumbing." Orion mildly corrected. as he unveiled the cart which had a stack of pipes.
"Wow. You're still going for the wet dream." Eugene mused while giving a weird look at all of the pipes.
"One thing you should know about the business world and an economy is that politicians can melt gold into coins. Manufacturers diamonds. By land and property and can kill or sweat to own land. Don't ask what 'sweat' means." Orion snickered as he explained. "But the one thing no kingdom or nation can live without is water. People run to water when they're lost in a desert, your ancestors who built this castle found water before they built Corona. Rome and Mesopotamia knew how important water is for a society to live, so they took control of it. If you control the water you control everything."
"Soβ¦Where is this all leading up to?" Rapunzel asked curiously.
"What if I can make it easier for the common folk? Instead of them working hard to get up and go get some water. We bring the water to them, with the turn of a knob." Orion stated the most important part about indoor plumbing.
"Wait, you're giving us indoor water, hot baths, cold baths, the whole package?" At first Eugene didn't understand at first, but now hearing what Orion just said, it felt like it's a dream come true.
"That's the idea Fitz. Only to the public. I'm not doing it but one of Friday's aliases will do it and sell this to some major corporations who will be watching like auction bidders that will pay a fortune to own this." Orion stated while trying his best to hide the excitement.
"Ok I understand the first part, but I fail to understand why you're not taking the credit for your inventions." Eugene humorously stated since he knows how Orion's mind can change the world and the world should know.
"Think about it, Fitz. If the general public saw that a fourteen year old thrill junkie with a knick knack stand can invent the water bill. It would without a doubt shattered the illusion of disbelief like a Church mural. Then they'll ask. 'Wait is this young genius the Maverick'?"
It would be easier for the public to connect the dots. If push comes to shove.
"Behold the curse of a secret identity." Eugene remarked, now understanding why Orion isn't taking the spotlight on the expo.
"The only miner set back is that every building under Corona is equipped for being liberated from the dark ages. But this castle is the only place that's dry. I need to install these pipes manually on certain parts of the castle." Orion explained another reason why he was there.
With the castle under alert for the Expo and this being the home of Rapunzel's parents. That would make things difficult for Orion while everyone would probably be watching.
"Wait wait wait, you mean like in the castle? Like inside where anyone and their mother with the king can see you? Look Kid, having you around the castle is dandy and all but the royal staff might get a little too noisy if they see you digging under the floor mats and installing those pipes." Eugene made a colorful concerned statement.
"He's right Orion. Even my parents will notice you working and constructing around the castle with everything going on." Rapunzel placed a hand on Orion's shoulder speaking her caution.
"I knew that. Which is why I need you two to cover for me." Orion stated.
"We're listening." Eugene said while waiting to hear Orion's plan.
"Nope. That's it. I need you and the blonde ambition to cover for me. How? I don't know, I never thought I'd get this far. But this is how it has to be done." Orion expressed the importance of this plan.
"I don't know Orion, I mean I trust you and I believe in what you're doing, I really do." Rapunzel expressed her opinion in Orion's plan but share's concerns. "But with the Expo coming up, it's a risk for you to be seen doing all of this."
It could even expose Orion's identity to the public. And exposes the fact that Rapunzel knew the whole time.
"My old man once said that 'risks make progress' either that or 'Boy put that bottle back where you found it!' But either way I've taken risks to save lives." Orion said as he was insistent on this. "This is five years of hard manual labor and losing sleep. And billions of hard earned money on the line. Even the rest of the money I made from the arena was spent into making all of this possible."
"Oh. Now he tells us." Eugene groaned.
"Look, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to put you both in a difficult...Wait a sec." Orion noticed a rat going in the sewer drainer.
He sparked an idea.
"What's wrong?" Rapunzel asked, noticing Orion's zoned out expression.
"Hey, how is the inventory in your pest control staff?" Orion asked.
"It varies. Why?" Eugene inquired.
"Zel, come here. Here's how this will work..." Orion whispered in Rapunzel's ear his brilliant idea.
"That's perfect!" Rapunzel's eyes lit up as she liked Orion's brilliant idea.
"Wait. What?" Eugene was confused.
Later on in the castle meeting room...
Cassandra and Stan came into the meeting room without anyone noticing as her father the Captain of the royal guard was debating the plans on how the Expo's patrols are going to be laid out. But things were getting heated as the final plan was becoming more difficult as he kept placing guard figurines on the map of the castle grounds. And for some reason he kept running out of guard figurines out of the box he was holding, which meant that he didn't have enough guards to patrol around the expo.
Which was Cassandra's chance.
"No, no, no! We'll need men here! We'll put guards here, and..." The Captain stated before he noticed he was all out of guard figurines, again. "Does this mean we're out of real guards too?!"
Pete simply shrugged as he didn't know how else to answer that. Which made the Captain slam the box down on the table
"Blast it! This Exposition of Science is just spreading our ranks too thin." The Captain groaned as he left the plan table.
Max the horse was in the room as he saw a figurine fall over and used his teeth to stand it back up before he followed the others.
"We need more guards!" The Captain said as he looked stressed to have this Expo secure.
Pete looked across the table and saw Cassandra enter the room and cleared his throat so the Captain could see as well. Cass was standing there silently with the look of a guard as the Captain knew why she was there. Even Max knew and he was giving the captain a smug eyebrow look
"I'll need the room." The Captain told the others.
They obeyed so the Captain could speak alone with his daughter.
"So, you want your first guard assignment..." The Captain knew as he took off his helmet. "We talked about this, Cassandra. I just don't know that you're ready."
"Dad, I've been training with the guards since I was six. I know castle procedures and protocol better than anyone, so if there's any other reason why you feel I'm not ready besides me being your daughter, I'm all ears." Cassandra spoke candidly to her dad.
The captain glanced away with a small frown. It's true...Frederic and the captain share some common ground about being a father and learning to trust their daughters more while keeping them out of danger. Even though Cassandra is adopted the captain sees her like his own flesh and blood. But his little girl is growing up and wants to serve her kingdom.
And they do need more guards for this upcoming Expo. The look the captain gave at the empty box of soldier figurines proved that.
"Very well...But." The Captain stated sternfully.
"There's always a but." Cassandra scoffed and crossed her arms with a grin while listening.
"Your lady-in-waiting duties come first. Only after you finish those, including setting up for the Expo, may you help." The captain stated as he handed her a rolled up list of chores. "Are we clear?"
"Crystal." Cassandra agreed.
And as her father, the Captain was leaving. Cassandra looked at the list like it was a shore one, but then as it unrolled onto the table and empty box. Showing how long it was. Meaning it was going to be a lot of chores. Cassandra groaned sadly feeling like she may not have time to be on duty as a guard. As always her handmaiden duties keep getting in the way.
Later on in the throne room...
Multiple members of the royal staff were all around panicking and yelling loud words in the throne room. From the cleaning service to the kitchen staff were yelling and protesting for the king's help.
King Frederic and Queen Ariana were looking at the crowd in concern and confusion.
"Okay! One at a time please!" Frederic eased them while he gestured them to calm down.
"You're Majesty! There are blue rats scurrying all over the kitchen!" The royal cook protested.
"There are blue rats all over my material!" The royal tailor protested.
"Blue rats are scurrying all over the hallways! AH! There's one right now!" A royal maid screamed in a fight while pointing down.
"Those are just my shoes." The royal gardener deadpanned as a blue flower was stuck under his boot.
"Everyone stay calm, I'll handle the situation and take care of this rat problem." Frederic said to the staff to ease their stress.
"Already being handled Your Majesty!" They heard Eugene say as he and Rapunzel entered in with a guy in a thick brown leather bodysuit and mask with a large can of spray. Probably poison.
They walked up to the king and queen as Rapunzel spoke on behalf of this stranger.
"Mom, Dad. This is Rodrigo Barreto. He's an Exterminator from out of town." Rapunzel introduced the man in the suit who gave a short bow to the king and queen.
"Add in his own colorful language which I got most of. He speaks Portuguese just an FYI in case you didn't catch the name but I'm sure you did. He will kill every last blue vermin on the castle premises." Eugene protested confidently and with a little added humor as he nudged Rodrigo. "Won't you Rodney?"
"SΓ³ para ficar claro. Eu cobro o dobro por fazer trabalho fora da cidade. As despesas de viagem nΓ£o sΓ£o gratuitas." Rodrigo stated in Portuguese.
"Right...We probably should've paid for the translator package." Eugene chuckled nervously.
But thankfully Queen Ariana is good at translating.
"Thank you for your services Mr Barreto. We'll happily compensate for your services at this castle." Queen Ariana expressed their gratitude.
"Tudo parte do trabalho, senhora. Obrigado." Rodrigo thanked the queen with a short bow.
"De nada, senhor. E bem vindo a Corona." Ariana told the Exterminator that he was welcome while welcoming him in the kingdom.
Which surprised Frederic as he wasn't sure what they were saying.
"Right! Anyway Rodney. Let us show you where the rats are." Eugene said as he and Rapunzel escorted the Exterminator out of the throne room.
While the castle staff departed as they were relieved that the situation was being handled by a professional.
"Since when did you learn to speak Portuguese, Dear?" Frederic inquired as he was a bit surprised since he never heard his wife speak Portuguese that well.
"I've had a very wild early life, Freddy." Ariana scoffed playfully pointing out that she used to travel the world.
"Ah." Frederic nodded and smiled while looking forward before he raised an eyebrow at her looking concerned. "How wild?"
Outside the Throne room...
Eugene and Rapunzel got the Exterminator out of there as they were relieved.
"I can't believe that worked." Eugene sighed while leaning against the wall.
"Believe it, Sly Cooper." Rodrigo quipped as he adjusted his mask.
For it turns out that Rodrigo wasn't a Portuguese Exterminator from out of town. But he turned out to be the Maverick under that suit. His plan to be working in the castle actually paid off. While he's installing the pipes. The castle staff will think he'll be working to kill off the blue rats.
One blue rat scurried by as Maverick picked it up showing that it was just a neon construct.
"I just didn't know you could speak Portuguese, I was just going to pretend you had laryngitis." Fitz remarked
"This ain't my first rodeo Fitz. I speak every Earth known language. I got that ability the moment the ring and keyblades chose me." Maverick stated while being mildly muffled under the gas mask.
"Is there anything you can't do?" Rapunzel mused while still impressed by Orion's many talents.
"I can't breathe fire. And I can't die, don't worry your boyfriend's medal on that second talent won't be passed on." Maverick quipped as he picked up his spray can and walked off toward his cart of water pipes.
Eugene looked unamused by the joke as he muttered. "I deserve that medal because I came back to life."
"Welp. Now that all of this is taken care of. Come on. We gotta go see the Expo!" Rapunzel said as she dragged Eugene out of there.
Pascal crawled fast across the floor and ran up on Rapunzel's shoulder shivering from all of the blue rats running around.
"Oh It's okay Pascal. The rats are fake, they're a part of Orion's plan." Rapunzel assured her little chameleon which relieved him as they ran outside to the Expo.
Down at the Expotation of Science...
"Come on, come on, come on!" Rapunzel said as she dragged Eugene all while eating popcorn.
The Expo had many contenders with stalls and tents open to show off their inventions and science projects to the general public. The many different inventions was making the princess thrilled while Eugene was just being a boyfriend and a tag along. Pascal on the other hand was marveling at everything while standing on Rapunzel's shoulder.
They went up to one tent which had a woman wheeling a bike contraption. As she poured some pancake batter onto a spatula which was hovering over a grill. They watched the women's invention automatically add the pancake and flip it.
"Woah! That makes flipping flapjacks look like a piece of cake! Or should I say pancake?" Rapunzel chuckled when she made a joke.
"I wouldn't." Eugene responded while looking unimpressed with a grin.
Then they went over to another tent to see a short guy with a white beard walking stilts with springs announced to the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, forget everything you know about spring-loaded stilts!" An old man with stilts started.
"Done!" Rapunzel did exactly what the guy stated as she ran off while dragging Eugene away.
"Uh...Great?" The guy felt weirded out by how his choice of words sort of worked.
Then while Rapunzel was looking around excitedly by the many participants of creativity. The Princess saw a stall where Friday was standing and showing a list of permits to the Captain of the guards aka Cassandra's father. Which piqued her curiosity to see Orion's alien girlfriend there in the form of a human fourteen year old doing business.
"Well. Everything checks out. But you need at least one more signature from a guard. Twenty signatures are required and you only have nineteen." The Captain stated.
"I know. Me and my partner are working on that." Friday assured.
"Still. Not to sound rude, young lady, but I really don't see how this will grant you and your employer first prize at the Expo." The Captain stated his concerns as they eyed a kitchen sink.
Which was the only thing at the stall. Next to a shower head posted against a pole.
"They can have the ribbon. My employer is only interested in endorsement from several companies that will be attending." Friday stated her intentions for her and Orion to be there.
"Duly noted. Just wait here for my patrols to clear their first schedule and you'll be free to walk around the castle looking for one final signature." The captain stated a small instruction for Friday.
"Understood. Thank you Sir." Friday nodded respectively.
As the Captain walked off. Friday was checking on the indoor plumbing project as Rapunzel and Eugene walked up to greet her.
"Employer huh?" Eugene smugly inquired about her mentioning an 'employer' which he knew was just another alias.
"Don't ask." Friday rolled her eyes as she made sure the sink was stable.
"Are all of these for the indoor water you and Orion are installing?" Rapunzel asked since she's never seen any of these before.
"Pretty much. It's almost done as soon as the human glow stick is done around the castle." Friday gestured the project while referring to Orion. "Please tell me he didn't go for the old blue rats trick."
Friday always thought that the idea of the Exterminator and blue rats was unethical.
"If we say 'No' would it be bad?" Eugene said with a wince. That's all Friday needed to know.
Friday took a deep breath as she placed her hand on her hip giving Eugene a knowing look.
"He did, didn't he?" Friday inquired with a scowl.
"Yes." Eugene said while looking down in shame.
"Ugh! Melaka!" Friday groaned and hissed a Kree swear word. "I swear that boy keeps making me cover for his ass every time he goes to this extreme and slips at the last second!"
"So, he's done the whole blue rats thing before?" Rapunzel asked Friday.
"Oh you have no idea. What is worse is that I've had to shapeshift into different damsels in distress of any gender to pose as a punk or a wuss crying and screaming like toddlers running from rats that weren't there. I swear if he makes me shift into a woman in a bath towel again, I'm nailing him to the wall." Friday expressed her frustration before sighing.
"If the kid doesn't have a healing ability, he better get one." Eugene said hoping that Orion survives the wrath of Friday, but then again, he has a feeling that Orion survived worse things than this.
"Anyway. Enjoy the Expo." Friday took a deep breath as she calmed down. "But whatever you do. Steer clear of the milk man in that stall."
"Which stall? That one?" Rapunzel looked over to see what Friday was talking about.
Inside the stall was a goat being milked by another elderly man with his dust pump machine that uses a tube to milk goats without having to do it manually.
Which seemed like a good idea. Until Shorty was seen inside the milk bucket. Probably naked due to his bare knees and feet showing out of the milk. Aching like he's bathing in it.
"Mm, fresh from this goat's body and into my tummy." Shorty mused like a drunk while holding a straw in his mouth to drink and swim goggles.
Which made the crowd gag in disgust as they groaned at the side. Rapunzel stuck her tongue out in disgust while Eugene covered his mouth trying not to puke.
Then a puff of pink smoke came from another stall which got their attention. As a dark skin woman in a pink striped italian dress stepped out of the smoke.
"Attention,science lovers! I am the one and only Fernanda Pizazzo!" The woman now known as Fernanda Pizazzo announced herself, making the crowd cheer and applaud.
"Yes. Thank you, thank you." Fernanda thanked the audience. "You may asked yourselves what revilutionabilly, stupendimonious invention lies behind this veil? You're about to find out when revered master scientist, and handsome morsel, Dr. Alcott arrives to name my entry into this contest first prize!" Fernanda spoke confidently that she'll win this.
Rapunzel gasped at the creativity of Fernanda's invention as everyone around being creative was sparking her heart.
"This is all so inspiring! I'm gonna go invent something right now!" Rapunzel ran off, squealing.
"Should've seen that coming." Eugene said in amusement.
Later at the Castle garden yard...
Cassandra was busy ironing table cloths in frustration as she was hoping to have her endless list of chores done before her duties as a guard starts.
Just then he sees an Exterminator digging on the grass near the steps as he was making a small mess as dirt was dropping one the white clean steps.
"Hey! I just cleaned those steps!" Cassandra glared and yelled at the exterminator.
The Exterminator rose his head up and held his hand up using his neon abilities to sweep up the dirt and vaporize it. Thus cleaning the steps instantly. Cassandra was surprised at first, but then she put two and two together. It didn't take a genius to know that's Orion the Maverick in that suit.
"I should've guessed." Cassandra muttered and sigh.
"If I promise not to make another mess and make one in Fitz's bedroom. You're not gonna blow my cover are you?" Maverick asked cautiously under the mask.
"Only if you let me in on that plan." Cassandra suggested with a grin, wanting to make a mess in Eugene's room later.
"I will put it on my tab." Maverick saluted her with a grin.
Then Friday came up to Maverick from across the yard holding a clipbook with the permits as she didn't look happy or angry. The kree girl had an unreadable expression which only Maverick knew. Which made him shiver.
"Oh snap, here comes Blues Clues. Uh...Hey Friday! Did you get the permits?" Maverick greeted as he shifted into Orion while stepping over the hole.
"Did you get all of the blue rats?" Friday inquired with a seeth.
Which made Orion turn pal. "You...Know about that don't you?" He muttered nervously.
"What were you thinking?!" Friday snapped quietly.
"I figured the blue rats rumor spreading all over the castle was your deal." Cassandra grinned as she was cleaning while enjoying the team drama show.
"I was thinking we had to speed up production. We're on a deadline Babe!" Orion protested.
"No, I'm on a deadline. It's bad enough that I took that dumbass alias you sneezed out of the computer!" Friday glared at her boyfriend.
"More like a dope idea but I catch your drift." Orion smugly added with his arms crossed while taking in his girlfriend's complaints.
"But now I have to publicly embarrass myself to keep the rat plant from raising suspicions!" Friday protested.
"You don't have to! This place has a staff full of Splinterphobic folks." Orion pointed out.
"Aaaah! blue rat!" A gardener ran by them screaming out of the castle.
"See what I mean? This castle has its automatic damsels." Orion gestured humorously as he stated. "Just worry about getting the permits done. I'll handle the rat plan this time and I'll install these pipes."
Friday took a very very deep breath and let's it all out in a deep sigh. "fine, you got lucky. But remember, you promise that I get a revenge shot. When that time comes, and it will. There's going to be carnage." Friday said in a tone that scares Orion so much that he's shaking like a leaf.
"This is what it's like to see a teen on death row." Orion said to Cassandra while biting his lip.
"Noted." Cassandra said while cleaning a table.
"Anyway. Cass-Not-Cassie. I didn't get to conclude our conversation earlier." Orion started as he resumed his work and started a conversation.
"I did." Cassandra said while arranging the flowers on the table trying to ignore Orion.
"I know, it was dead on arrival, but I'm bringing it back from the dead." Orion quipped as he finished installing the pipes around the yard and used his neon powers to fill the hole back up with the dirt and rearranging the grass back together.
"What my smart but idiotic boyfriend means is we need to have the permits ready for the Expo and without them we'll be forced to lose the stall. So far I've got nineteen signatures but we need only one more." Friday explained as she was making notes over by the steps.
"So do you think you could put in a good word for any of your fuzz co-workers or any other guards that haven't signed yet?" Orion asked, trying to come up with a color way to say it.
"Coworker? What? Cowor- No. Look." Cassandra was about to say something when she accidentally spilled the drink on the table and gasped. "No! I can't catch a break today."
Cassandra groaned as she went to find a towel to wipe the stain. While she was away, Orion and Friday gave her a look of concern at all of the hard work Cassandra was doing. Orion has been considering Cassandra for her potential since he had that vision back at the arena. And he needed to consider where everyone's actions were pushing her to do.
"Orion I think it's best if we leave her out of it. She's too busy to lend a hand." Friday said concerning Cassandra.
"No it's okay. It's time to be the hero." Orion winked as he summoned his keyblades and waved it. "Cleanse." He commanded.
And he used a secret cleaning spell to make the table spotless and clean of the stain. Then Cassandra came back frustrated and ready to end the conversation.
"Orion, Friday, thanks for stopping by, but I wha-? Huh? The stain. It's gone! But how?" Cassandra was flabbergasted seeing that the stain she made is now gone.
"I tried to give that stain tickets for the musical of The Room but it took it personally. Nah, just kiddin. That was me and the old black magic." Orion spun his keyblade."Only it's blue and green."
"He used a cleaning spell which came in handy during a job he and I pulled in Texas. A major bar fight nearly cost an old man's inventory. Orion spun his keyblade one second and before he knew it. It was like it never happened." Friday explained how it worked while referencing how well it worked in the past.
Hearing this actually impressed Cassandra enough for her to grin.
"So, you've got a knack for this kind of thing. Any chance you'd want to help me finish all these handmaiden chores?" Cassandra asked Orion if he's willing to help.
"Actually we'll do better than that. Since we heard from the grapevine that you're about to go medieval call of duty." Orion started.
"That's 'fancy modern boy talk' for becoming an official guard." Friday translated for Cassandra.
"Friday and I will take care of the list of those knuckle grinding housework tasks for you, and in return. All we'll need is for you to sign your signature on our permits. Since you'll be a guard it will be official and don't worry. You won't be held accountable for anything else." Orion stated the deal.
"Meaning we'll take all of the heat in case anything happens which is a very slim chance." Friday assured.
"So, is it a deal, Officer?" Orion held his hand out to shake Cassandra's.
"You got a deal, Forge." Cassandra said as she shook Orion's hand, making the deal official.
"I'll definitely deal with this a lot better than playing multiple wusses in distress." Friday remarked as she agreed to the deal and smirked "Especially if I get to use a bullwhip on this clown."
"Eh...Maybe next time. So what's the first task for us co-Ladies-In-Waiting? Or should I be called Sir-In-Waiting? Actually I'll go with MegaMan-In-Waiting." Orion guessed as he constructed a neon cart for a pile of dirty laundry Cassandra was bringing over.
"Let's not put a label on it." Cassandra said as she dropped all the laundry onto the cart and left it.
"Too late." Friday mused as she and Orion pushed the cart of dirty laundry away.
Castle cleaning montage...
(Sunflower - Swae Lee & Post Malone)
Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy (Ooh)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (Ooh)
Ayy, ayy
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Cassandra later has trouble with getting food stains off table utensils, only to look up and see Orion causing the utensils to float and spin through multiple beams of neon lights clearing the stains out with ease. While he was installing another pipe in the ground with the help of Friday who tagged along.
He caused the forks, spoons and knives to be placed on the table as they shine which made Cassandra smile.
Needless to say, I keep in check
She was a bad-bad, nevertheless (Yeah)
Callin' it quits now, baby, I'm a wreck (Wreck)
Crash at my place, baby, you're a wreck (Wreck)
Needless to say, I'm keeping in check
She was a bad-bad, nevertheless
Callin' it quits now, baby, I'm a wreck
Crash at my place, baby, you're a wreck
Later Cassandra was mopping down a hallway filled with dirt from who knows what. As she was starting she was getting frustrated. Orion walked by and held up a hand to stop her.
While Friday was under the castle installing the middle pipes below ground Cassandra watched curiously and Orion twirled his fingers constricting five neon swifers to sweep the floor at a rapid fire speed. Clearing the hallway with ease.
Then Orion used a neon microphone to do a mice drop and salute Cass with two fingers who smirked back being impressed as Orion left to help out Friday.
Thinkin' in a bad way, losin' your grip
Screamin' at my face, baby, don't trip
Someone took a big L, don't know how that felt
Lookin' at you sideways, party on tilt
Ooh-ooh, some things you just can't refuse
She wanna ride me like a cruise and I'm not tryna lose
Then when they went back outside toward the main courtyard . Orion used a healing spell on all of the flower pots around the tables while Friday installed some more pipes. Cassandra smiled in appreciation as Orion and Friday were doing their part to make her job easier for the upcoming chance.
Pretty soon the last of the pipes were installed and Maverick's Exterminator alias was soon going to collect payment for taking care of the 'blue rats'.
Then you're left in the dust, unless I stuck by ya
You're a sunflower, I think your love would be too much
Or you'll be left in the dust, unless I stuck by ya
You're the sunflower, you're the sunflower
So far for both Orion and Cassandra, things were making progress.
Back up in Rapunzel's bedroomβ¦..
After spending some time at the Expo, Rapunzel was inspired to create something of her own, so she can be a part of the creative experience. So she invited Eugene into her bedroom to witness her first idea while Pascal assisted by keeping his eyes closed while Eugene sat down waiting to see what his girlfriend got.
"Okay, so for my first invention, I wanted to start off with something small and simple." Rapunzel stated.
"Uh, can he take his tiny little claws off my eyes now?" Eugene asked while Pascal's tiny claws were covering Eugene's eyes.
"Oh, yeah. Pascal?" Rapunzel gestured.
And the little lizard took his hands off Eugene's eyelids.
Eugene opened his eyes to see Rapunzel's intended purpose, which was a spool of thread which resembled a common children's toy. Only Rapunzel is giving it a different name.
"I give you the Hey-Hey! When I was in the tower, I devised a way to play catch by myself using a ball and string. Now, I believe I've perfected that design. How does it work? Glad you asked. It's powered by potential and kinetic energy. Science! Hey-Hey! Hey-Hey!" Rapunzel spun the toy up and down like a Yo-Yo. Because it is technically a Yo-Yo.
"Huh. Rapunzel, that's really amazing, but it's already been invented." Eugene tells her.
"Hmm. Okay. I guess I'll chalk that up to being locked in a tower for 18 years." Rapunzel said as she felt a little hurt that she didn't know about that but she shrugged it off.
"Good thing I have lots more amazing ideas where that came from."
After that, Rapunzel left to go make more ideas for an invention. Eugene was amused by Rapunzel's inventive spirit. Even if she needs help with being original.
Later down in the portrait hall...
After Orion and Friday managed to install the last water pipe under the castle. Friday went down to the Expo to 'shift' into character for the presentation. While Orion was busy cleaning the frames of the hanging portraits using cleansing bottles and wipes made of neons as his cleaning was going fast. The limit to his power was always his energy and imagination.
"IRIS. Status." Orion spoke to his ring.
'The indoor plumbing project is now completed. Ester systems and the pipes integrity under the castle is 100% stable.' IRIS reported.
"Thank God with a cherry on top that's over. All I need to do now is finish some housekeeping bills and get ready for another finale." Orion grinned as he watched his progress finishing up.
Cassandra came in at the last second.
"Huh, look at that. You make a pretty good co-lady-in-waiting after all." Cassandra smirked while impressed at Orion's hard work.
"Wow. That stings." Orion snickered in amusement as he teleported down the ladder. "I thought labeling titles were outlawed."
"Okay, so I could've been a little nicer earlier." Cassandra said as she handed a bucket of water to Orion. "It's just, today's kind of a big deal for me."
When Cassandra said that, Orion can tell that there's more to this than she's letting on.
"I reckon this is about that guard assignment you've been pulling teeth to get from your old man right?" Orion figured as he used the water in the bucket and hovered it on the rags using his neon abilities.
"No matter how much I want it or how hard I work, his standards for me are higher than they are for anyone else." Cassandra said as Orion understood what she's going through.
"Yeah. I could eat my way through a wall faster than I could get my old man to even give a damn about what I do for him." Orion remembered what his dad was like and shrugged. "At least your Dad is hard because he cares about you."
Cassandra had to admit Orion made a good point. It's because she's the captain's daughter that the captain would be strict with her. His tight drills maybe hard on Cassandra. But it never came from a bad place.
Which made her curious about Orion's dad.
"What's your dad like?" Cassandra asked Orion.
"He was cold. Always calculating. He never told me he loved or even that he liked me. Instead of reading a bedtime story he would read a stock market manual and bore me to death." Orion rolled his eyes as he finished cleaning and then he took a sip of his bottle of soda. "To put it plainly. My old man was always about business and I was a distraction. If he had his way, he would've sold his own mother for an extra three grand."
Orion spoke without tears or hurt in his voice because he felt like he was personally beyond the lack of a father's love. Because he had something better in his mind.
But he wasn't going to share that detail with anyone yet.
Cassandra had no idea what to say next, she knew and understood what it is like to not want to open up all of the details, but this, this is one of them.
Just then the sound of the castle bells chimed signaling that it was noon already. Cassandra groaned at this while walking away a bit and holding her head.
"Who am I kidding? None of it matters anyway. It's already noon and I still have to make up all the guest rooms." Cassandra stressed
Then she leaned against the wall with her arms crossed while she noticed the guards walking by. Making her frown.
"Actually no you don't. The guest rooms are already done." Orion stated since he had helped. Which shocked Cassandra.
"Wait, when did-" Cassandra was cut off when Orion answered her question.
"I improvise with magic. That, and Friday knows how to do things under the rug." Orion assured. "No need to thank me. As the great Fred Rogers once said 'It's what friends are for?' ."
"Right. Friends." Cassandra said as she smiled at what Orion did for her.
"Right." Orion nodded as he cleared his throat and picked up a pocket. "I better get going before someone asks for a palace pass or something. You go on ahead and get checked in for law and order, Paragon." He winked.
"Paragon eh?" Cassandra smirked at the nickname.
"Yeah. look it up in a dictionary, it works perfectly. Besides I'm not good with first names passing through my comedic golden lips. I gotta use some kinda nickname." Orion remarked with a grin as he was getting ready to leave. "Plus you're right, 'Cassie' does sound corny. Save it for a future date, if you ever get into that stuff."
"You do know that you're with Friday, right?" Cassandra teased Orion with a smirk while arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.
"I was being a brief matchmaker, not prince charming. Don't make me get an ulcer." Orion humorously pretended to sound grossed out by that suggestion Cassandra made and quipped. "Oh and whatever you do, don't use your new sword to kill Fitz. No matter how satisfying it'll be."
Cassandra snorted at what Orion just said. "I make no such promise, Forge." She snickered a bit.
Just as Orion left the hall and was making his way to wrap up his whole 'Co-Lady-In-Waiting' job by finishing one last chore, he received an alert from IRIS on his ring.
"Yes IRIS?" He asked.
'I am receiving some strange readings within the castle walls.' IRIS reported.
"Where in the castle specifically and what kind of readings?" Orion inquired.
'These readings match the same enemy signature as the dark mongers.' IRIS answered which made Orion's eyes widened.
Back in Rapunzel's bedroomβ¦
Eugene was sitting at a chair in front of a table with a large cloth covering it as if it was a surprise whole he had his arms crossed looking unamused. But he indulged his girlfriend's ideas even if some were either unoriginal or uninspiring.
Once Rapunzel removed the cloth the table was revealed to have plates of different vegetables. Pascal was assisting the Princess on this idea. Whatever it was.
"Carrots, celery, cucumber. What do these have in common?" Rapunzel quizzed.
"Uh, I don't eat them. No, wait. Don't tell me." Eugene sarcastically until he was interrupted when Pascal threw a tomato at Eugene's face.
Pascal laughed smugly in response to Eugene's scowl.
"We chop them! But knives can be really dangerous. That's why I invented the Safety Slicer!" Rapunzel removes the cloth to present her invention.
When The Princess revealed it, Eugene's eyes widened to how the Safety Slicer strongly resembled a small purple guillotine. Which is the total opposite of the first word.
"Just load it up, and..." Rapunzel pulled the string up with the sharp end attached like an axe, Then she dropped it which cut off the carrot's end. "Slice! Voila!"
Pascal then held up the end of the carrot like a decapitated head along with a look that really made Eugene uncomfortable.
"Ooh! That seems a little extreme, right? I mean, for produce?" Eugene asked while he held his neck with his left hand. "Besides, I think they have something like that already."
"Really? This too? How am I supposed to know everything that's ever been invented?" Rapunzel sighed sadly while sitting on the lounge in front of her bed and stared down at her toes.
"I don't know, maybe something a little more practical? Eugene suggested to Rapunzel.
"Practical...Okay. Sure." Rapunzel shrugged as she still looked unsure. Then she noticing something walking by her door and inquired. "Double glowing swords?"
"Now that I have not seen. But way too specific and extreme for someone so lighthearted as you." Eugene remarked on what she just said but noticing what she saw yet.
Rapunzel got up and went outside and while Eugene inquired why, he jumped when Pascal used the 'Safety Slicer' again as the little chameleon executed another vegetable.
Rapunzel walked out of her bedroom to see Friday walking down the hallway with a double glowing sword she carried like a staff in the middle while using a tracker in the other end.
"Friday?" Rapunzel inquired curiously.
"Shhh." Friday cautioned the Princess which made her eyes widened.
"What's going on?" Rapunzel whispered cautiously.
"Something's in the hallway. Ryan and I are searching for it." Friday gave her a short answer.
"Where are the guards?" Rapunzel asked Friday.
"They're all down stairs. I'm staying in my human form in case any shows up." Friday answered as she kept scanning.
"Actually they're all down stairs in a staff meeting. The room is soundproof. The king and Queen are having a trade dispute in the throne room which is also sound proof. Thank you very much." Orion spoke from Friday's communicator.
"In that case." Friday shifted back into her normal blue alien form as she narrowed her eyes scanning the end of the hallway.
"Should I get the frying pan?" Eugene asked nervously.
"I'd say there's no need, but we're not sure what it is. So yes." Friday whispered in response as she was getting a closer signal, from behind a door.
"Here, I figure you needed one too." Luckily, Rapunzel had a spare frying pan in case Eugene ever needed one.
"I hope you had cooking in mind instead of whatever the heck we're hunting." Eugene sarcastically hissed.
"Where does this door lead?" Friday asked Rapunzel.
"It's where the royal staff stores extra pillows and comforters." Rapunzel answered. "Why?"
Friday didn't answer. Instead there was a tense moment when she slowly reached for the door knob making Eugene sweat and bite his nails.
Then Friday yanked the door open and pointed her double weapon at whatever was inside. What they found instead of an enemy or a monster was a small round device that was beeping and blinking red.
"Oooh boy. For a moment I thought I needed to summon my shrink." Eugene sighed in relief.
Friday shifted her double weapon into just a small handle and holstered it before she picked up the small device and scanned it.
"Is...That what you were tracking?" Rapunzel asked, looking confused.
"Pretty much." Friday scanned and figured out. "It's a DM military grade communication disruptor."
"Meaning?" Eugene asked Friday.
"It blocks out our signal trackers to keep us from tracking the Dark Mongers. It's how they're able to get around Corona without Orion and I to detect them." Friday explained.
"Until they attack." Rapunzel grimly understood.
"Precisely." Friday growled as she used a glowing dagger to slice it in half.
"Okay. Wow, if it wasn't any of those things I didn't understand but could tell was bad. I'd use it at the Expo." Eugene humorously said in fear.
"Well at least they can't enter the castle without knowing right?" Rapunzel figured since Friday destroyed the jammer.
"Not quite. When it comes to signal jammers. They're always more than one." Friday stated how serious this was.
Then Orion teleported into the room and assured the Princess.
"It's alright Zel. I'll track down every single one of these little midget muters and break em. In the mean time just focus on the Expo." Orion reassured Rapunzel.
"But what if the Dark Mongers-" Rapunzel wanted to worry but Orion cut her off.
"Zel, do you trust me?" Orion asked her.
Rapunzel was worried about her home and her parents, her friends and family being exposed and unprotected against the Dark Mongers. But it felt much better that Orion was there to help them.
"I do." She nodded, looking less worried.
"We got this. Don't worry, just act natural at the Expo. And if you're going for that chop shop gizmo you just made. I'd call it just a Slicer. Because the first word is the total opposite of what it is." Orion referred to Rapunzel's 'Safety Slicer'.
"Wait a sec. How'd you-" Eugene gawked
"door." Friday cut him off while she pointed at the open door to Rapunzel's room seeing a clear view of the slicer.
"But I couldn't think of anything original." Rapunzel huffed in protest as she sulked. "All of the best ideas have already been invented."
"Zel. Just because almost everything in this era has been invented, doesn't mean it's claimed and marked as someone's territory. Instead of blowing steam out of your ears trying to be the next Da Vinci, just invest and update an idea that's already been done, and make it better." Orion advised.
"Hmmmβ¦..You know what. You're right. I can definitely do that." Rapunzel smiled as an idea popped in her mind and started to sound excited instead of afraid this time.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me. I need to finish my house-keeping bargain and start a mouse hunt." Orion mused.
A blue rat chirped on the ground.
"Not you Fievel." Orion deadpanned before teleporting away.
The rat chirped sadly before fading away.
Later at the main courtyard...
Cassandra stood next to her father the Captain, with a smile as she was finally in a guard's uniform and helmet while in position at the front doors of the castle. Cassandra was happy to finally be on duty instead of doing something below her potential.
The carriage of Dr. Alcott St. Croix arrived. A man renowned for his brilliance and sense of creativity by many. But in reality, he was a total eccentric snob. Croix was so snobbish that he would start a war if you passed him a napkin instead of 20$ hanky.
As the doctor stepped out. The captain greeted him.
"Master Dr. St. Croix, welcome." The Captain bowed in respect and greetings. "It is a pleasure to have you with us."
"I imagine it would be. I assume you are to be my personal security detail." Croix asked the captain of the guard.
"Um, unfortunately no. But I've chosen my very best man to do the job." The Captain assured while gesturing to his guards.
"Mhm." Croix took the captain's word for it while maintaining his demeanor.
Later down below the castle's laundry hall...
Orion had finally finished Cassandra's chores the moment he shoved a large load of dirty cloths down a laundry shoot. He took a deep breath and drank down his water bottle.
"Whew! Lord have mercy on Handmaidens." Orion sighed after drinking.
"Wiped out?" Cassandra asked Orion.
"Nope just fainted- I mean finished. And recovering from a heart attack." Orion stated and quipped. "That last part was an exaggeration. Seriously, you officially don't have a long Cinderella to-do list anymore."
"Finished? Wow. Orion, I'm impressed." Cassandra praised Orion's hard work.
"I have a knack for blowing folks out of the water. But it's what Co-Ladies-In-Waiting are for." Orion assured and humorously stuck two fingers in his mouth pretending to choke for saying that. "Ugh...My masculinity is dropping fatally."
Cassandra laugh a little at that remark.
"You don't have any masculinity. The suit does that for you." Friday in her human form teased as she walked up to them and she whispered "He still collects dolls."
"Action figures Blue Moon, they're action figures." Orion deadpanned at his girlfriend making her eyes roll in amusement.
"Anyway. If you could sign here now that you are officially deputized. This will complete our permits." Friday handed Cassandra a clipboard and feather pin as she requested her to sign her name on the permits.
As per their agreement.
"And this won't be a liability for my first day right?" Cassandra asked Orion and Friday because she has to be sure.
"Worst case scenario we lose the contest or our project goes sour and we walk away broke. But either way your hands will be clean." Friday reassured in her own words.
"Damn. Do you have to sound so morbid?" Orion bit his lip before saying to Cassandra. "That's her way of saying 'yes we're sure'. Besides, your dad's name is on it too."
Cassandra looked at the permit and saw that they're right, her father did sign his signature in the permit, So Cassandra saw no problem and signed her name on the documents and passed the clipboard over to Orion. Now they can present their invention at the Expo and Cassandra can now act other duty as an official royal guard.
"Good luck you two. And thank you.." Cassandra smiled and wished them good luck before she went away on her guard duties.
"Stay frosty out there Trooper." Orion saluted her as Cassandra walked away.
Then Friday gave Orion the info she found around the castle concerning the signal jammers.
"I found three more jammers in the castle. Two of them were in the throne room and one was in the castle money bin." Friday stated while handing Orion three more jammers.
"Sounds like the IronMongers all want to be close to the big red buttons that would bring this town below the great depression." Orion figured as he crushed them with his bare hands.
"But how did these jammers end up here? It's not like they can walk around this place without being noticed." Friday wondered.
"Oh like we can't? Besides, Lash had human associates like that Caine Lady with the mole she calls a tattoo, and those other hench-thugs we trounced." Orion reminded her.
"Except IRIS stated that these things were placed recently." Friday revealed a fact.
Meaning someone working in the castle as a staff member is a traitor. Working for Lash.
"You're suggesting Lash has a bellboy on his payroll?" Orion inquired.
"Orion. If there's one thing we know about the Dark Mongers is that we can't predict anything about them or they're intentions. they're like Darvanian Squids. You don't see them until they attack." Friday expressed with an example of a space creature.
Meaning the only way they know how to deal with the Dark Mongers is when they attack. Nothing else can be predicted.
'Maverick. I found the remaining jammers. They're on all four sides of the walls surrounding the main entrance. Upon the watchtowers' IRIS informed Orion. 'They are much more complex and we'll require you to hack them manually before they can be removed.'
"Alright. As soon as those boom boxes are destroyed, we'll be able to keep close tabs on the castle." Orion stated.
Meaning Rapunzel and her family will be much safer with Orion monitoring it for Dark Mongers.
"What can I do?" Friday asked.
"Get ready for the Expo. Stay with our game plan and remember your lines. I'll handle the jammers." Orion said to her.
"Okay. I still despise what I'm about to become out there. But I trust you." Friday nodded in agreement.
Just then they heard a loud crash nearby into one of the main halls.
*Crash!*
"Ow! My back!" Someone yelled.
Orion and Friday went over and stood by the exit to see what was up. They looked over to see Stan, the guard who was one the floor looking hurt. While Rapunzel and Cassandra were there checking to see if Stan was okay.
"I went to get Master St. Croix a drink and slipped on the floor! What kind of monster would leave a wet floor where people could slip on it?!" Stan asked Rapunzel and Cassandra.
Orion and Friday heard as Orion sighed. He made the floor wet from cleaning it real fast.
"Why did I forget to follow McDonald's rule to put up a wet floor sign?" Orion muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Damn it Orion." Friday exhaled in frustration.
Then the captain came over due to the commotion.
"Stan, what happened?!" The Captain inquired.
Stan tried to sit up with Rapunzel helping him, but he felt something pop and a sharp pain as he hissed "Oh, my back!"
"We need someone to replace him as Master St. Croix's security detail." The Captain stated as he facepalmed himself out of frustration. "Pete! On the double!"
"On my way- Woah!" Pete rushed right over, only to slip and fall on the floor just like Stan did. "Ow, my back! Why is the floor so slippery?"
The Captain exhaled bemused at how unfathomable the pattern of accidents are rushing real hard.
"Hey, Pete, are you oka-Whoa! My back!" Another guard slipped on the floor.
"Quick. Let's vamos, that guy did sign the liability waiver." Orion whispered as he and Friday quickly left without no one noticing.
The Captain sighed and looked at his daughter. "Cassandra, are you up for this?"
"I'll do it." Cassandra said with a look of confidence.
Later down at the Expotation of Science...
As the audience gathered around the main courtyard where the expo was held. Everyone was prepared to demonstrate their inventions as several foreign diplomats and CEOs to some major industrial companies worldwide were there to see where they could invest most of their money.
Meanwhile the Maverick was standing above a tower wall using his suit's hacking mod to disable the first jammer he found on the roof.
Groot was also up on the roof with Maverick to help remove those jammers carefully without damaging anything.
While he was hacking, Maverick looked down to see St. Croix himself standing on stage ready to present the first waves of creativity while announcing these things.
"Hey Groot. Check out Dr. Eggman's paternal uncle down there." Maverick snickered seeing how weird the doctor looked with his body figure and pointy nose.
"I am Groot." Groot chuckled.
"Yeah I bet his wallet is used to cover that flu shot he calls a nose." Maverick quipped as he resumed hacking.
"One of you will walk away with the greatest prize in all of sciences. My approval. As for the rest of you, may the universe show mercy..." Dr. Croix paused for effect, making the crowd gasp and glared. "β¦on your wretched soul."
"I am Groot?" Groot inquired.
"No, I'm pretty sure he's the Grim Reaper's box of oatmeal." Maverick quipped as he continued hacking.
Then he finished as Groot removed it quietly and safely.
"Alright. That's one. Moving on Pal." Maverick stated.
"I am Groot." Groot nodded as they left the first tower and snuck down to the second one without anyone noticing.
"Good luck." Dr. Croix stated as he went over to his judge stand.
While Cassandra followed him in uniform. When a woman in her mid forties wearing a business outfit and glasses came over.
"Congratulations on your Promotion Lady Cassandra." The lady stated which surprised Cassandra.
"Wait, how do you know aboutβ¦.." Cassandra was about to ask
Then the lady winked at her, showing her Skrull red eyes. Cassandra at this point figured out who that was.
"Oh, right." Casssandra muttered.
"Hello? Security detail? I have moved my person in this direction." Croix said smugly to Cassandra as he's waiting for her to keep guard.
"Sorry, good luck." Both Cassandra and Friday whispered to each other before the former went to guard Croix and the latter went over to prepare her and Orion's secret project.
"Let the judgment begin!" Dr. Croix announced as the crowd applauded.
The first invention was the goat milks guy with the automatic milker as he used the pump with his foot. Needless to say he'd better be glad shorty isn't in the bucket this time. But a snob like St. Croix couldn't care less.
"Can it milk a cow? Dr. Croix asked the old man.
"No sir, but-" The old man tried to answer but was cut off.
"Next!" Dr Croix wrote it down a little bit frustrated as the curtain closed and reopened with another contestant.
The next one was Big Nose. Though it should be Doctor St. Croix's name given that his nose is big enough to make a reboot of ALF.
As Big nose was stepping up to present his invention which seemed to be a swiss knife but with kitchen tools. Rapunzel and Eugene were standing back behind the stage checking on the Princess' invention which seemed to be a giant purple fan.
Whatever Rapunzel invented she took Orion's advice way too much to heart.
"Okay, Pascal, we've had some missteps, sure, but I think this one is the winner." Rapunzel beamed and chuckled out of excitement.
"You've got this in the bag, blondie." Eugene reassured her.
Pascal was riding on top of Maximus's head as he and the horse nodded in agreement with Eugene.
"Showtime!" Rapunzel beamed.
Meanwhile Big Noses was showing the many different tools that were in his swiss knife. Maybe too many for St. Croix to count. Because for some reason the old coot wasn't even impressed.
"Next!" St Croix exclaimed and closed the curtain, much to Big Nose's dismay as he walked off.
"My money's on the glitter woman." Maverick remarked, referring to that Fernanda Pizazzo lady from earlier.
Just then Rapunzel came up from behind the curtain to announce her invention. The people applauded to see their beloved Princess attending as she gave a timid wave at them.
"Dangerously wet hallways. Cold wet clothes. Wet hair that takes forever, and I mean, forever, to dry. All of those things are yesterday's problems. Say hello to the Mega Dry!" Rapunzel finished as she revealed her invention to the crowd.
"Okay well, sure. Hairblowers are a chick with long hair's best friend." Maverick remarked not thinking it was that bad.
"Assistant?" Rapunzel gestured for Eugene to demonstrate.
Eugene obliged and splashed a bucket of water on his hair making it damp.
"I'm all about the wet look." Eugene mused while posing and Rapunzel gave him a smug look.
"I am Groot." Groot muttered, making Maverick stifled a laugh. Translated: "That's what she said."
Then Eugene stood in front of the mega dry as Pascal ran across a spinning wheel while Maximus the horse was running on a treadmill connected to the fan to get it running and blowing in front of Eugene's face and hair.
"The Mega Dry uses cutting-edge equine technology to release a powerful, focused stream of air. The result? What used to take hours to dry, now takes seconds" Rapunzel elaborated as it was making progress.
Much to the audience's interest, they gave a respected clap to see that Rapunzel's invention worked. Eugene's hair was just as dry in seconds before he splashed his hair as he turned and gave a smirk to the crowd.
"Well hello." Eugene mused to himself like a flirt.
*Puff!*
Eugene's hair suddenly puffed up looking like an afro. The crowd laughed as Eugene looked up at his hair and gasped with a girl shriek before he ran off whimpering and using a bucket to cover his hair.
"Oops. I think I still had it calibrated for my hair." Rapunzel winced nervously
Cassandra bursted out laughing at Eugene's predicament before she straightened herself up remembering who she was guarding.
"Next!" St Croix concluded Rapunzel's presentation.
"I am Groot?" Groot asked while he and Maverick were laughing.
And Maverick was using a camera on his suit to take pictures of Eugene's afro.
"Oh I took enough to last to infinity. Betty Davis down there is in for it." Maverick announced while laughing.
Then they concluded the second jammer and removed it.
"Two down, two to go. Come on Groot." Maverick left the roof with Groot.
As Maverick was working on the third signal jammer. And no one was noticing him. He had a good view of his girlfriend entering the stage in her alias form of the business woman Cassandra bumped into just earlier.
And that alias is a genderbend version of a former legendary but controversial businessman. Who's best known for cell phones. A kind of alias that Friday feels like an idiot to be presented as. She watched enough of Orion's Earth archives to know what the alias is based on. And she thinks it's stupid and humiliating to her personality and her character.
But for the sake of the money and the revenge shot later. She went with it and stayed in character. May she have mercy on Orion's soul.
"Good afternoon. I am Stephanie Jobs. Today you are about to witness the next step in progress for civilization worldwide." Friday stated as Stephanie Jobs.
The curtain opened to present a map of water pipes below the surface of Corona's streets. Even showing some below the castle. No one seemed to notice or were smart enough to but Friday spoke opening.
"As you can see. This project took decades in the making, by some of the best but anonymous engineers who worked tirelessly for what you're about to see. Can someone answer, what is the one thing a nation or a city can not live without?"
"Pff I thought this was a science expo, not a quiz class." St Croix scoffed and was about to end it. "Nex-"
"Hold on there Al! Let's hear what this here lady has to say." Peter Croft. The CEO Dixon Industries cut him off.
They were old business associates.
"What? But-" St. Croix flabbergasted.
"I'm sorry. Did I hear you resign our endorsement deal for your medical research in lizard urine?" Peter Croft inquired sharply.
St. Croix gulped and shut his mouth up before he could accidentally dig a grave for his money with his lips.
"He studies lizard pee?" Eugene inquired weirdly.
"Eww!" Rapunzel looked disgusted as Pascal raised a hand. "No Pascal! You're not donating any."
Pascal sulked wondering if it could make money.
"Continue Miss Jobs." Peter Croft allowed Friday to continue.
"Thank you Mr Croft. As we were saying?" Friday resumed back to the question. "What is the most important thing a town can not survive without?"
"Money?" A civilian asked.
"Close. Though some small village thrive without local currency. I'm speaking of something you can't fathom to continue without. Even pioneers and caravans look for it.
"Water?" A little girl answered in the crowd.
"Correct little one." Friday complemented making her gush before she continued. "Every city. Nation. Kingdom. Empire. Our very planet. Cannot survive without water. And everyday our daily tasks, chores, the way we prepare. The way we cook and the way we bathe. None of these are done without water. Which is why we pay People to go out and bring it to us. And we pay people to find a clean source to drink."
"You wouldn't believe the water delivery bills I have to pay for making my lovely taffy." Monty from the Sweet shop remarked to Feldspar the cobbler, who were both standing there in the audience.
"What if it's possible that instead of someone working hard to bring the water, we could do it ourselves? Be hold. The power of indoor pumping." Friday turned on a kitchen sink.
Water flowed through the sink looking clear and thick as anybody's kitchen sink from the present modern world. But this crowd seemed Intrigued by this. Even Cassandra was watching, while St. Croix had his arms crossed unamused.
What really mattered was that the businessmen were watching.
"This is what we ladies will soon call a sink. We use it in our washrooms for cleaning our hands, faces. Brushing our teeth. Or other personal hygiene. With the use of these knobs you can even adjust how hot or cold you'd want the water to be.
"Okay. Now that's scary." Feldspar quivered at the details.
"This shower head is meant for a bathtub with a drainer at the bottom." Friday presented the shower head. "You see when taking a bath. Our bodies' natural odors and fluids stay in the water with us. So some of you hardly are ever clean."
"Wow. Who knew?" A citizen bit her bottom lip feeling uncomfortable with this idea.
At this point. Maverick finished the third jammer. And was dealing with the fourth one at the last wall tower while watching his girlfriend work the deal that will seal their money problems over for good.
"But with a decent shower and a good amount of hot water running down your body. It will do wonders for your skin and hair." Friday announced.
"I know where I'm putting my money into." Eugene smiled widely at that idea.
"The Roman Empire thrived on the advantages of modern weaponry and household conveniences such as having an advantage over water. The early civilization of Constantinople would never have been an historical inspiration for the mind of today's engineers if it weren't for the secrets to how they had water to their advantages. Well. It is no longer a secret. Good people of Corona, and to all of you who seek to push forward in innovation and profit. For your consideration. Starting today. It now spans across the border of the seven kingdoms. Indoor plumbing is now officially accessible to everyone." Friday displayed the charts of where the pipes ran proof of this fact.
And the crowd couldn't be more happy to hear it.
As Friday finished, the crowd started cheering and clapping along with Rapunzel and Eugene. Cassandra just smiled since she's still on guard duty. Croix just has an uninspired look even if he doesn't speak for everyone.
"Thank you for your support. Look forward to soon having this advantage in the comfort of your own homes. Starting with the kitchen and bathroom." Friday concluded as she walked off the stage
The business men from Roxxon. Dixon Industries and Boston (I forgot the last name of the company but I'll write it soon.) went over to follow Friday and discuss business terms.
Which is all they cared about.
"Well. Now that we got the uneventful water class over with...Next!" St. Croix announced.
"Oh brother." Cassandra whispered, finding the 'good doctor' a killjoy and a real jerk.
"Groot. We can kiss our money problems goodbye. Now every business man and their mother will want to sell their soul to the devil known as my girlfriend to get their investments in our sweet deal." Maverick said in excitement as he finished hacking.
"I am Groot." Groot pointed out.
"Yeah. Now all we have to worry about is keeping folks from getting killed by the Dark Mongers before we finally blast off into space." Maverick said while hacking.
"I am Groot?" Groot asked with a sad look.
"No we're not abandoning them. But look around, they seemed to be handling themselves just fine considering Princess Curly is doing just fine with indestructible hair." Maverick retorted.
"I am Groot." Groot protested.
"I know they're the only friends we've ever made in a long time! Look I-" Maverick was about to say when he finally shut down the jammer and IRIS contacted him immediately.
'Maverick! I am detecting Lash and several Dark Monger droids within the castle grounds.' IRIS alerted which caused Maverick's eyes to widen.
"Where specifically?" Maverick pressed.
Suddenly...
*Boom!*
The windows shattered from the west hall of the castle which alarmed the crowd. It must've happened by the result of someone smashing the glass with a large metal fist. It certainly got Maverick's attention.
"Captain! Those Mongers are back! They're attaching the money bin!" A soldier ran up to the Captain as Rapunzel, Eugene and Cassandra were nearby.
"What?! Where are the rest of our men?!" The Captain exclaimed.
"All wounded inside sir!" The soldier answered."They engaged the Mongers but those metal heads are not messing around!"
"Neither will we. Follow me, we'll rally the rest of our men!" The Captain ordered before he looked at his daughter Cass. "Cassandra, stay with the doctor! And protect everyone at the expo!"
"Yes sir!" Cassandra obeyed saluting like a soldier.
As the Captain ran to gather the rest of the castle guards. Cassandra was keeping the crowd from panicking but they were too distracted from the yelling and the windows breaking to think of anything else.
"Groot. Stay here." Maverick gestured before summoning his keyblades and ran across the roof and went inside the castle.
"Everyone! Everything is going to be just fine." Rapunzel helped calm them down.
"Yeah we have accidents in the kitchen all the time! Don't try the wheat cakes, trust me I have and I still can't get rid of the rash!" Eugene added humorously.
"So why don't we proceed with the contest and conclude our Expo?" Rapunzel suggested optimistically.
"Not a bad idea. Especially if it gets all of the pipe talk out of our heads." Dr. Croix smirked almost sinisterly as he agreed. "Next."
Then they proceeded with the Expo as the crowd seemed to calm down. Cassandra's job at her post was going a lot easier despite whatever was happening inside.
Inside the castle money bin...
Lash was stepping across multiple guards who were groaning on the floor wounded and with bruises or cuts as the dark leader tore the doors of the money bin off and tossed them aside.
Several Dark Monger droids were stationed around the hallway as Lash took a few steps inside.
Then there was the sound of a horse's angry neigh. "REEEIGH!"
Lashed looked behind to see Maximus standing there puffing and snarling in fury.
"Don't leave a mess." Lash ordered the Dark Mongers
As the robots stood against the horse. Maverick came flying across the hall like he was roller skating on air. He flipped over Max and waved his hand to form neon horse armor around the horse. Even around his legs. But Max still had free range and movement despite having the neon armor pieces on. Which surprised Max during the split seconds he was given this armor.
"You'll thank me later Trigger!" Maverick quipped and he flew into the money bin.
Max smirked hard as he huffed and started fighting the Dark Mongers.
"REEEIGH!" Maximus stomped and kicked against several Monger which was easy for them to shatter due to the armor he was wearing.
When the Mongers tried shooting at him the bullets would bounce off. Even their lasers. They didn't have time to smash or punch the horse, or even had time to use their best weapons like missiles or mini rockets as Max was turning them into scrap with speed and horse powered fury.
Lash was inside the money bin, planting bombs inside the vaults where Corona's castle revenue was kept. And he set the timers to 10 minutes.
Just then Maverick entered and hovered in the room.
"Lashy how are you Booboo?" Maverick quipped which gained his attention.
"Never better Forge." Lash snickered.
"You do know that bankrupting Corona isn't going to make them less corrupt as you claim they are, right?" Maverick inquired before he slammed his keyblade against Lash which knocked the big brute away from the bomb he was setting up.
Maverick stood guard on his fighting pose as Lash didn't look like he was going to fight, yet. But speak. Maverick could stop him now, but any attempt would cause Lash to flee and he won't get any info out of the Monger Leader.
So Maverick allowed him to speak.
"Heh...I don't speak of Corona today. I speak for the Corona of tomorrow." Lash stated.
"Tomorrow?...Oh! You Manhunters are the remake cast for 'Hot Tub Time Machine'! I'm sorry I didn't realize." Maverick quipped and mocked Lash and the Mongers as he realized Lash is from the future. "I'd ask if Friday will have large boobs in the future, but I don't want to spoil anything."
"Cocky as always. That's what I always liked about you." Lash stated with a grin.
Maverick raised an eyebrow. "We're friends in the future? Friends from the past? Or were we old social media users who used to date but never shared a face because we could've been the same gender so we lived in a delusion? He inquired.
"Let's just say I've always admired you. Corona will commend you one day. But it's corruption is inevitable. Unless I play my hand." Lash stated.
"In doing what? And put your hand in who?" Maverick quipped.
"If I tell you. My purpose is wasted." Lash revealed?
"Come on, you can tell me. I promise I won't spill anything. This world doesn't have the internet yet anyway." Maverick urged humorously as he circled Lash ready for an attack.
"This world won't have anything good coming in the future if we both don't play our part." Lash stated as he pressed a button on his suit and the timer on the bomb started.
***"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOR!"***
Maverick heard a roar coming from outside.
"The bomb, the people outside, or me? You can choose two out of three." Lash spoke of the challenge he gave Maverick.
Maverick had to choose. Either he can stop Lash here and now. And while doing so in the fight, the bomb will detonate and Corona's economy will drop into the Great Depression.
And Rapunzel will die along with everyone else outside from whatever is out there that roared.
"To be continued." Maverick glared at Lash before he ran outside.
"Definitely." Lash smirked as he disappeared.
As Maximus finished off the lash Dark Monger by stomping on its head and snarling. Maverick ran across all of the wounded guards and casted a Curaga spell to heal them all. By the time all of the guards stood up fully healed, wondering what happened. Maverick was already gone.
Maximus smiled as he was the only one that knew. Then his neon horse armor faded away after Maverick left. Which made Max sulk as he actually liked the armor.
Back down at the expo...
Fernanda Pizazzo was the last contestant who presented a sample of her fun side by shooting candy wrapped chocolate pieces out of what looked like a funfetti cannon.
"I give you chocolate!" Fernanda announced.
The audience cheered as everyone including the children were catching some chocolate raining down on them.
"Now this is science!" St. Croix smiled as he caught one and ate it eagerly.
"I am Groot." Groot sulked as he was sitting on the roof out of sight from the crowd. Wishing he could have some chocolate.
"Jaws, prepare to drop. Larynxes, get ready to scream. And eyeballs, how about you take a good look around because once I unveil my marveltacular creation, the world will never look the same." Fernanda pulled off a sheet to reveal her invention. "I give you the Fantasphere!"
The crowd gasped as they marveled at a device which just happened to be two stone fan blades leaning in between an orb stationed like a jeweled egg standing on a table, while decorated in gems.
Cassandra looked confused as well as Rapunzel and Pascal. Eugene just raised an eyebrow.
Fernanda pulled the lever as the two stones leaned away and the metal orb started floating. Much to the crowds amaze.
"Huh? How'd she do it? Oh my gosh! It's awesome!" Fernanda whispered loudly.
The crowd gasped and applauded. It's as if the Expo became a circus instead of a science competition.
"Uh...What does it do exactly?" Eugene asked as he was standing next to Fernanda.
"Uh, the real question is, what doesn't it do exactly?" Fernanda said pleasantly before she flung a piece of chocolate on Eugene's shirt. "Now here, have some chocolate and shut up."
Eugene rolled his eyes and ate the chocolate as he decided not to care. Cassandra was stifling a laugh since she heard that while guarding St Croix who looked genuinely impressed. Which is a first considering how many inventions he passed up like shopping at a bankrupt hat shop.
"Its luster is glorious!" St. Croix praised Fernandawho gasped as she leaned against her invention. "I see no need to continue this contest!"
St. Croix presented Fernanda Pizzazzo with the blue ribbon proclaiming her as the winner much to her delight as the crowd cheered for her.
Rapunzel shrugged and gave a clap while she was standing next to Cassandra.
"Sorry you didn't get to win Raps." Cassandra said sincerely.
"Eh. No biggie. I got a crown. She gets a ribbon. It's a win win." Rapunzel responded optimistically, waving it off.
"All that leaves now is wondering how things are being handled inside." Cassandra wondered looking at the broken windows.
***"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOR!"***
The crowd was startled as they looked up. Just a few short minutes later. They saw the wings of a dragon. Flapping through the dark clouds that formed above the sky.
Then it hovered past the clouds revealing itself. The people looked up in horror seeing the dragon and how huge it was. The children were huddled up with their parents as they were frightened. The loudest thing you could hear among the gasps and whimpers were several babies crying.
Rapunzel, Cassandra and Eugene looked worried as Pascal curled up in the Princess' hair.
The dragon had the same color scheme and medal design as a Dark Monger. Only it was shaped like a dragon. And tall like a dragon with horns and sharp teeth and soul piercing red eyes. With its mouth puffing smoke with sparks of electricity.
It growled at the growl ready to attack.
***"RAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOGH!"***
Then it was met with something else zooming across the sky.
***BOOOOOM!***
The Dragon staggered as it was struck in its belly being pushed back a few feet away from the crowd.
"Look!" A little boy pointed up with a smile.
They all watch as a giant letter M Illuminated in the sky.
"Orion." Rapunzel gasped with a smile.
It was the Maverick flying around in the sky in front of the dragon as he flared blue and green lights to attract it's attention.
"Damn, for a world based on a fairy tale. These fights tend to drag-on!" Maverick made a pun and muttered. "That sounded a lot better in my head."
The Metal Dragon roared loudly and angrily as he charged for Maverick.
Then Maverick flew forward and way, starting a chase as he was being bait and drawing the monster's attention away from the crowd as he flew over the castle walls.
"Groot, you're tall enough to ride!" Maverick yelled as he flew past Groot.
"I am Groot!" Groot yelled as he stretched his arms and wrapped around the Monger Dragon's neck as it passed over the walls.
Then Groot growled as he hung below the Dragon while riding it like a hang glider.
"IRIS. Que the play list. Something less Game Of Thrones." Maverick mused.
(A Little Less Conversation - Elvis Presley and JXL)
The music played from the loud speakers of Maverick's suit as he kept the chase up while firing balls of neon at the Dragon's face. Even sliding across Rooftops backwards to shoot beams of neon at it to hurt the robotic dragon and slow it down. Before he would take off back into the air to continue the chase.
A little less conversation, a little more action, please
All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little less fight and a little more spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart and, baby, satisfy me
Satisfy me, baby
Maverick flew it in circles above the city keeping the Dragon's attention while Groot was hanging on with his dear life. Maverick started scanning the dragon looking for a weakness.
Baby, close your eyes and listen to the music
Drifting through a summer breeze
It's a groovy night and I can show you how to use it
Come along with me and put your mind at ease
Meanwhile back down at the crowd. The people watched from the distance like an audience seeing a knight slay a dragon as the Maverick fought with the monster above the clouds.
"SLAY IT INTO TINY PIECES MAV!" Rapunzel shouted while cheering like there's no tomorrow.
Just then Friday came over in her human form and went up to Rapunzel, Cassandra and Eugene. "Psst! Over here. We have a situation." She urged them to follow her away from the crowd.
Rapunzel, Eugene and Cassandra followed the alien girl. Friday led them away from the Expo and on the other side of the main courtyard where she was able to place the bomb after removing it from the money bin without being seen.
"Friday, what's wrong?" Rapunzel asked Friday.
"We mean other than the big metal demon with teeth." Eugene humorously added to clarify while asking.
" I managed to remove it from the castle. But I haven't been able to turn it off." Friday informed them.
"Oh that's bad...What is it exactly?" Eugene inquired.
"It's a bomb, Genius." Friday answered sarcastically and stated to them while showing the timer. "Once that clock says zero. Everything in a ten block radius will be blown sky high."
And the timer only had five minutes left.
"How do we turn it off?" Rapunzel asked Friday.
"We can't. Not without something hot. The bomb is temperature sensitive and has to stay cool for the explosion to work." Friday informed them.
Then Cassandra hatched an idea. "The dragon! It could burn it if Orion can get it close enough to fire." She suggested it.
"You're getting all of this Mav?" Friday inquired on her handheld comms device.
"Loud and clear! But the fire will only last a few seconds on impact. It will need an equally powerful wind source to keep the oxygen within the fire from fading!" Maverick spoke from the device informing them all.
Rapunzel realized what would do the trick. "The Mega-Dry! The Mega-Dry can generate that kind of wind speed and blow against the fire!" She realized.
"GO FOR IT! ALL KEEP MECHA GODZILLA BUSY! YOU TELL ME WHEN TO FLY IN! OW! HEY EASY ON THE GOODS TOOTHLESS!" Maverick responded to them while snapping at the Dragon for using its teeth.
For a brief but rushed moment. Rapunzel, Eugene and Cassandra got help from Big Nose and several other people to come and push the fan over to the bomb as they directed it to blow at the bomb. Maximus quickly got on the treadmill and Pascal took the spinning wheel. Making it ready.
"Okay Orion, we're in position." Rapunzel said through Friday's comms device letting Maverick know they're ready.
"Got it Zel! Get ready to blow on my mark! No innuendos!" Maverick yelled.
The dragon's wings were heard as well as Maverick's music from above the clouds.
A little less conversation, a little more action, please
All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little less fight and a little more spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart and, baby, satisfy me
(Satisfy me) Satisfy me, baby (satisfy me)
Maverick kept flying around to get the Dragon's focus while he finally scanned for a weakness. The armor turned out to be impenetrable. Except for what's on the inside. But Maverick wasn't worried about that right now.
Come on, baby, I'm tired of talking
Grab your coat and let's start walking
Come on, come on (come on, come on)
Come on, come on (come on, come on)
Come on, come on (come on, come on)
Don't procrastinate, don't articulate
Girl, it's getting late, gettin' upset waitin' around
On the last note of those lyrics, Maverick slide across a rooftop while doing a spin and tossing two fireballs at the Dragon. Then he jumped and passed under a school bell tower before he flew up to gain high altitude and the dragon's attention. Once he was high enough in the sky with the dragon following himβ¦.
"Groot! Now!" Maverick yelled as he dived back down.
"I AAAAM GROOOOT!" Groot roared as he managed to get on the Dragon's back and used his arms to extend and wrap around the Minger Dragon's neck and pulled on it like horse reigns.
"RAAAAACK!" The Monger Dragon shrieked as he was pulled down and flipped over as it started diving back towards the castle with Groot guiding it and following Maverick who was leading the tree.
"Steady Pal!" Maverick echoed through the sky.
A little less conversation, a little more action, please
All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little less fight and a little more spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart and, baby, satisfy me
(Satisfy me) Satisfy me, baby (satisfy me)
They kept the metal beast flying and falling hard towards the bomb as it built up enough heat inside to fire. Then just as Maverick got it close enough, he punched the Dragon in the stomach forcing it to shoot a fireball at the bomb below.
*Blast!*
The bomb was shot by a fireball melting the metal circuitry inside. Then Groot jumped off and landed in front of the others.
"DO IT!" Maverick signaled the horse.
Maximus then ran as fast as he could on the treadmill causing the fan to blow real hard on the bomb. Keeping the fire around it from dying as the metal around the bomb's casing was melting.
"Haha! It's working!" Eugene cheered.
Then the Dragon landed behind Groot and roared real loud at all of them.
***"ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAR!"***
The roar caused all of the people to run for their lives. Even St. Croix screamed like a little girl running. But Rapunzel and her friends stood their grounds despite being worried.
Seeing where the dragon and the bomb was placed. Maverick came up with another idea. To kill two birds with one stone.
"Change of plan! Use the fan to create a counter-pull!" Maverick told Rapunzel as he hovered.
"Max, he means you have to run backwards!" Rapunzel yelled to the horse as she followed Maverick's lead.
Max nodded and turned to run fast on the treadmill. Causing the fan to pull in a strong wind like a vacuum.
The dragon was dragged forward and the hot metal bomb was now inches in front of it. As the Monger Dragon growled. Groot stood in front of the bomb as the Monger Dragon glared and thrust its head to eat him.
Instead Groot managed to jump out of the way and the dragon ate the bomb.
"Ack! Ugh!" The dragon choked on the bomb like a hot piece of meat in its throat as it coughed and beat it's own chest trying to get it out.
But Groot shot wooden ropes out from his hands and wrapped them around the jaws of the dragon. "Mmmph!" The Dragon growled and muffled as its head shook trying to get the wooden bindings off.
"We'll take it from here Max." Friday gestured the horse to step off the treadmill which he and Pascal obliged.
With the horse and chameleon off the machine. Friday conducted electricity in her hand and grabbed one side of the fan while Maverick grabbed the other side using neon, as they both induced the Mega Dry with neon and lightning. Shifting the Mega Dry into a Mega thunder neon dead ray.
Then with the dragon in place. The fan places started to glow and spark as it spun fast on its own. And then...
*Blast!*
The fan shot out a large neon electric ray at the dragon. Blasting it into the sky as it roared one last time way above the clouds and safety out of the way of Corona. Before...
***BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!***
The Monger Dragon was blown to pieces high in the sky.
"Blondie, hands down, your best invention yet." Eugene praised Rapunzel's Mega dry before they both shared a kiss.
The fan's stand collapsed off the wheels as Eugene was kissing Rapunzel's hand making her smile.
"Pardon me, I believe I've been folded in half." Shorty muffled from under the fan. Showing that he got stuck underneath with just his arm pointing up. And still sounding drunk.
"Is he on drugs?" Friday asked Cassandra and Eugene about Shorty.
"I think he was born in a prehistoric weed field." Eugene said humorously.
"I'm pretty sure his babysitter was a bartender." Cassandra bemused.
Since no one was around the area for now. Groot came over to Rapunzel. "I am Groot?"
"He asked if you're okay." Maverick answered for him.
"I'm alright, everyone's safe, thanks to you." Rapunzel smiled, thanking both Maverick and Groot.
"I am Groot." Groot smiled.
"True. He said you did most of the set work. If it weren't for you coming up with that oversized hair dryer. This place would've been renamed Pompeii." Maverick translated Groot with his own words.
"Aw. Thanks Groot." Rapunzel beamed at Groot.
"Of course our cover would've been blown if it weren't for Cass here keeping the crowd and Dr. Scratchansniff from seeing us earlier." Maverick remarked while thanking Cassandra.
Cassandra knew Maverick was up on those walls disabling those bombs. And she didn't give it away while she stood guard. And she wasn't worried about it ruining her first day, because Orion put a lot on the line for her. Cassandra felt it was fair to do the same.
"Don't mention it Mav. And please. Call me Paragon." Cassandra winked with her hand on her hip.
Maverick grinned back since he came up with that name.
"Also I hate to rub salt on a wound but Ryan wouldn't pass up a moment like this to not be preserved." Friday handed Cassandra a photo Maverick took and edited earlier.
"GAH!" Eugene gasped in shock and horror seeing the photo.
It was a picture of Eugene with the Afro from earlier. But with blue cartoon tears falling out of his eyes with laughing emojis around the background.
Cassandra stiff and laughed out so hard that she fell on the ground much to Eugene's scowl and annoyance.
"Cassandra?! Are you there?!" The Captain's voice was heard along with several dozen footsteps which meant more guards. Which made Cassandra stand back up and ceased her laughing.
But she'll definitely keep the photo. Maverick has copies anyway.
"Great. The heat comes to burn a tender moment." Maverick sighed as he teleported Groot, Friday and himself out of there.
Then the Captain came over with a lot of guards as he walked up to Cassandra.
"Are you alright?" The Captain asked his daughter out of concern.
"Yeah, I'm alright." Cassandra reassured her dad.
The captain noticed the small patch on the ground due to the fire and several areas damaged.
"I don't know what happened out here. But I do know that you've helped prevent what could've been a disaster for all of us." The Captain said proudly as he placed his hand on Cassandra's shoulder. "Well done."
Cassandra was taken aback to this, this is the first time ever that her dad congratulated her as a guard. And she was happy beyond belief on the inside.
Maverick, Friday and Groot were standing on the roof listening in. As they were happy for Cassandra's being commended for her first act as a guard.
"I am Groot?" Groot watched in awe.
"Yeah. We totally did that." Maverick grinned.
"Though as captain of the guard, abandoning your post in guarding St. Croix doesn't bode well." The captain sternly pointed out but not as hard because he added with a smile. "But as a father. Who gives his all for Corona, and you... For you to put the safety of Corona before everything else. I'm proud of you."
Cassandra smiled and hugged her father who returned the hug. "Thank you. Dad." She whispered.
Once their hug broke. The captain cleared his throat
"And I will let you know when I have another assignment for you." The Captain stated that this won't be Cassandra's last time as a guard.
"Captain. All of the guards patrolling the money bin are okay. They reported to have seen the Maverick as well." Pete the Guard reported to the captain while standing next to his friend Stan.
"Him again." The Captain grit his teeth, not looking happy to hear Maverick's name.
"There's a lot of chatter among the crowd about him fighting a dragon." Stan reported
"Awe man and we missed it?!" Pete sulked knowing he missed some good action.
"Doesn't matter! Our direct orders from the king haven't changed." The Captain said with authority. "The next time you see the Maverick. Don't hesitate in slapping the cuffs on him."
Because they only know the story and from multiple different rumors about him. The Maverick is still seen as a threat despite everything that happened.
Rapunzel, Eugene, and Cassandra felt uneased that both the king and Cassandra's father still sees Mav as a threat. Especially to Rapunzel, since she knows in her heart that Orion would do anything to protect those who can't protect themselves, even those who view him as a threat.
Pascal and Maximus felt the same way.
Cassandra knew her father's heart was in the right place. But he has no idea who the Maverick is under the suit. And the anonymity of the Maverick will only make his public image in front of the law worse. Even though some citizens believe him to be a hero. Maverick is still mixed above the crowd.
"I am Groot?" Groot asked
"I'm pretty sure that includes you. Sorry pal." Maverick responded as they teleported out of there.
Later at Corona Town Square...
After that, Maverick, Friday and Groot were away from the castle for royal staff to clean up and repair the damages. Now that the science Expo is concluded. They had no reason to be there now. They were standing on a rooftop above the Corona town square away from any viewing eye, and Maverick was comfortable enough to shift back into Orion.
"Speaking of which. Where is that Victor Quartermaine wannabe?" Orion inquired since they didn't see St Croix at the Science Expo after they left.
Groot pointed down near the streets. Orion and Friday looked down to see an empty water barrel on the sidewalk and St. Croix's stagecoach driver knocking on it.
"Sir the dragon is gone. It's time to go." The stagecoach driver insisted.
"GO AWAY!" St Croix whimpered in the barrel.
"I am Groot." Groot shook his head. Translated: "What a man."
"Man? In his dreams maybe." Orion scoffed.
"His family tree must be a cactus because he was a big prick." Friday remarked.
"Hehe, good one." Orion snickered and sighed looking at Friday with a little conviction.
"Listen Babe. I'm very sorry for earlier...You know when you were..." Orion was trying to bring up the female Steve Jobs bit.
"Before we get to that, take a look at all the names we have here." Friday passed him the contract signed by different companies.
Orion looked and read the contract with Groot reading as well. Their eyes widened. All of those head business men signed the contract. With his name on it as the main contributor and inventor. And the amounts of state and foreign bonds attached to the contract were worth multiple fortunes.
"Is this legit?" Orion asked as he was trying to keep himself from fainting. He was thrilled.
"As legit as that comment you said to Lash earlier." Friday said with an evil smirk as she crossed her arms.
Orion's eyes widened as he became paler and paler, he gulped as he began to shiver at what came next. "Y-you heard all that?" Orion asked.
The comment he made about asking if Friday's cleavage will get bigger in the future.
Even though Orion wanted to cheer that he's rich now. He was too distracted by what's coming to him later like an inmate waiting for his execution.
He bit his bottom lip and came to a decision.
"You know what? Who says we can't spoil our dinner now. Go ahead and please make it quick." Orion grimaced, expecting it to happen.
The revenge shot he promised.
"You sure you want it now?" Friday asked Orion if he's absolutely sure.
"Yes, I'm sure, just make it quick." Orion insisted.
That's all she wanted to hear.
"Ok then, close your eyes, no peeking." Friday smirked mischievously
Orion did as he was told. At first he thought he was gonna get a very powerful slap on the cheek, he hoped it was that. But he was so dead wrong.
As Friday backed up a bit, pulled her right leg as she was about to kick something hard but not too she swung her leg forward, she targeted Orion's swimsuit region.
*Slam!*
She slammed her shoe into Orion's nethers. Making Orion squeak in absolute pain. His eyes bulged out and glowed bright.
"Oh fu...Right in the infinity stones!" Orion wheezed in a chipmunk sounding voice as he clenched his groin with both hands and collapsed.
"I am Groot." Groot winced hard at the sight like he was watching a horror film.
"You're the one who raised the stakes, I'm just glad that I fulfilled my end of the agreement." Friday said as she enjoyed the scene.
"What was your first idea when the stake was raw?" Orion inquired as his chipmunk voice was still there and he was clenching his privates while still on the ground.
He was curious what she would've done before the 'boob' comment.
"Originally it was just going to be an electric pimp slap." Friday shrugged as she said in truth.
"Funny. I was expecting that at first." Orion grimaced and inhaled. "Could you hold my hand up?"
"Sure." Friday helped him by holding his hand up while his other hand was clenching.
Then he summoned his keyblade.
"Curaga!" Orion casted a healing spell in his chipmunk voice.
Then after the Curaga spell healed his sore family jewels. Orion stood back up and cleared his throat.
"Are we even now?" Orion asked in his normal voice.
"Yes Ryan, we're even now." Friday reassured Orion.
She kissed him on the lips to reassure there are no hard feelings which he returned to let her know the same.
"Good. Next time, I'll let you make and choose the alias." Orion said in relief.
"Chin up Beloved. We're rich, more specifically. You're rich." Friday grinned up at him with her arms draped around his neck. Which made Orion smile back.
"No, you had it right the first time. You're the reason this all worked out." Orion shared another quick kiss with her.
"True." Friday had to agree as they shared another kiss.
"But which felt better, the paycheck or the pay back?" Orion inquired.
"Technically both." Friday smirked as she stroked his cheek condescendingly with two fingers. Before she stated with honest love. "But don't worry. With our new life coming up. There is no one I'd rather have it with."
Orion felt really good hearing that. In spite of the revenge shot he received, he couldn't think of a life in the future without the alien girl he loves.
"I love you." Orion whispered.
"I love you too Ryan." Friday responded with another loving kiss which he returned.
While this was going on Groot scratched his head watching the two teens as he is sometimes weirded out by Orion's inhuman response to extreme pain.
"I am Groot." Groot remarked.
Later down at the snuggly duckling...
Orion was sitting up at the bar drinking his mug down and slammed it back on the counter.
"Another root beer?" Attila inquired while wiping the counter.
"Hit me." Orion answered sternly after another burp.
Atilla shrugged and took the mug to fill it up with more root beer.
Orion was relieved that the day was over. But he wasn't sure how to move on. Now that he's rich and has the means to buy all the material he needs to rebuild his gummi ship. He's wondering how to move on. And how will he leave?
Should he stay and protect the people of this world from the Dark Mongers? Or will the danger leave with him? Will the Dark Mongers follow him to another?
And above all. How will he tell Rapunzel that he's leaving?
"Hey. Is this seat taken?" A familiar bubbly optimistic voice asked.
Orion looked over to see Rapunzel take the bare seat next to him.
"Oh hey." Orion greeted and cleared his throat. "No, if it was taken. He probably got axed off by toro over there."
Orion gestured to Atilla because of the horns on his helmet.
"He was." Attila admitted.
"So how did the pipe dream come along?" Cassandra asked as Orion looked over to see her take the seat on the other side of Rapunzel.
"Short answer. Me, my girl and the large jar of raw fiber are filthy stinkin rich now." Orion smirked as he caught his mug of root beer after Atilla slid it over to him.
"Wow, that's great, I'm really happy for you!" Rapunzel said as she gave Orion a hug.
"Congrats Forge, you deserve it." Cassandra congratulated Orion.
As Eugene took the vacant seat and asked Atilla about something.
"Uh not to pollute the water, no pun intended. But isn't he a little young to be here?" Eugene asked Atilla.
"Eh. The age range is more of a guideline than a rule. Besides, the kid pays well." Attila gestured to the pile of coins he laid on the table.
Which made Eugene gawk.
"I get paid every hour, probably will be every second of the day. Every day. Letters with cheddar keep arriving at the mail faster than the milkman, and now Roxxon and several other major corporate empires are now installing sinks and showers in everyone's house." Orion stated the details. "I get paid. Every time someone turns on the water. Can you believe that?"
Orion was just feeling thrilled and did his best to keep his cool. The smile did the talking for him in that area.
"Damn, you might be even richer than the people I used to steal back in the day." Eugene remarked about his 'Flynn Ryder' days before he stole Rapunzel's tiara.
"Pretty much Robin Hood. My old man 'may he rest in peace' can't talk shit about me being a little freeloader anymore!" Orion laughed.
"Achem." Atilla pointed at the swear jar.
"Really? In a Thug Pub?" Orion inquired as he dropped some coins in the swear jar.
"I don't make the rules Kid, I just enforce them. Sometimes lethally." Atilla remarked in his helmet.
"Anyway. How's being a local law enforcer treating you Cass?" Orion asked.
"Actually I'm back to being a Lady-In-Waiting. For now. At least until another event comes up." Cassandra stated and smiled. "Of course I'm closer to getting my dad to see more potential in me, now more than ever, thanks to you and Friday."
"Glad to hear it. We may not be in the neighborhood next time. So you'll get all the credit when you make your next move." Orion remarked.
"Huh? What do you mean not in the neighborhood?" Rapunzel asked, looking concerned.
Orion swallowed a bit. He knew she wasn't quite ready to hear that he's leaving yet.
"I mean I may not be due to my other 'freelance' job." Orion hinted at his job as the 'Maverick'. To cover that statement.
"Oh. Right, I knew that." Rapunzel giggled slightly in relief.
Eugene and Cassandra could tell she's starting to become attached to Orion sibling wise. It's not totally obvious to everyone. But it's mostly to her closest friends.
"So you're here to just celebrate or something? Because I've never seen anyone do it in silence without music or punching someone's lights out." Eugene inquired about why Orion was here in the Snuggly Duckling.
"I'm just getting out of the cave and pondering my next step. Now that the money problem is over, I can just..." Orion was about to say when his ring started blinking. "One second."
Orion answered from his ear piece so they couldn't hear anything as if Orion could hear someone chattering to him. He looked mildly disturbed hearing the details.
"What's wrong?" Rapunzel asked out of concern.
He looked at Rapunzel with a serious expression. "You're gonna need to see this." Orion stated about what he just heard.
Down at a grassy field a few miles away from Old Corona...
Orion arrived with Rapunzel and Cassandra as they stood together in the field looking at what sprouted up like weeds. Friday and Groot were there too as well.
To see that it was the black rocks. The ones Rapunzel and Cassandra found before. The same ones that brought their hair back.
"When did these show up?" Cassandra asked.
"IRIS stated they sprouted up a few weeks ago. We weren't able to find out about it until now." Friday answered.
On a count of Orion destroyed the other signal jammers. They must've had a longer range than what they thought.
"But...This shouldn't have happened. I thought the rocks stopped growing after we left them at-" Rapunzel stopped the moment her hair started to glow.
When Rapunzel stood close to the rocks, both her hair was glowing gold and the black rocks were glowing blue.
"IRIS talk to me. Actually say to all of us." Orion ordered putting her on speaker.
'It would seem the rocks demonstrate a mystical physical response to Princess Rapunzel's hair.' IRIS stated on speaker so they could hear.
"Meaning the rocks and hair are having a chat?" Friday inquired.
'The same energy signature of both her hair and the rocks can be the conclusion of many theories. For now nothing is confirmed.' IRIS elaborated.
"So until we know for sure what's going on..." Friday guessed.
"I am Groot." Groot stated. Translated: "We're sticking around until we find out how to deal with this."
"Exactly Pal." Orion agreed.
Which surprised Friday to hear. She was glad to see Orion actually deciding to stay in Corona to help Rapunzel. She couldn't be more proud to have him as a boyfriend.
"What did Groot say?" Rapunzel asked, looking concerned.
Orion held her hand and gave her an assuring look. "Listen. We...I am going to figure out what all of this means. Even if I have to dig through the devil's attic to find out where these bland stones came from." Orion promise. "And if Lash tries to pull another stunt like he did with that Predacon knock off. He'll have to get through me."
"By Predacon he means the dragon we blew up." Friday remarked.
And he was serious. Orion cares a lot about Rapunzel enough to feel like someone is taking it personally with him whenever someone threatens her life. Rapunzel smiled warmly as she pulled him into a hug, but this time, it was much more like a sister hugging her brother.
"Thank you Orion." Rapunzel whispered as she was still hugging him.
Orion had that blank stare again. Every time he got a hug from Rapunzel. It felt like...Trish was back. But he won't admit it. Because he wasn't ready to let Trish go, or let someone else fill that empty void he tries to hide with humor and other traits.
Instead Orion soon returned the hug and it felt good to do so.
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS!ππ
Boy I gotta tell you. I've been waiting to use that Elvis song for a fight sequence in Corona for ages. And it feels good to finally do it. π
That and I can officially say that this was the longest chapter I ever had to right. But it was worth it! π
I must warn you, that when we get to the chapter based on the episode 'Queen For A Day'. Things will get more intense for Orion, more than what Varian went through. π
"So I'll get a break after not getting a break. This is why being a main protagonist sucks sometimes." Maverick sighed.
But like I said, it will work out for Orion in the end. And Rapunzel's connection with Orion will be deeper. Like siblings.π
"Awe." Rapunzel gushed sweetly.
Also as I hinted in the chapter, Lash has connections. Not just a mole in the castle. But other connections. π° Like a certain Marvel villain that I will reveal later. I won't spoil anything yet. But fill free to comment and guess on who it is.
"Gasp! I can't believe it! It's you!" Maverick dramatically and humorously gasped.
The only hint I can give for the villain is that it's no one too big. And thr secret villain is not Thanos big. But you'll know when you see the villain. π±
Thank you all so much for reading! Feel free to leave comments to let me know your thoughts and don't forget to fave and follow this story if you like what you've read!
And as always Disney/Square Enix fans!
FISTBUMP! πππ ππππππ
