We're back folks! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
As a reminder for an advise. Please watch Tangled season 1. If you haven't yet, you might get lost on what's happening in Corona in this chapter.
This chapter is inspired by the Fox/Marvel classic Deadpool. For those of ylu that have seen that film. You'll know from when you see those scenes.
And I must warn you all. Even though I promised that Orion will not betray Rapunzel like Varian did in the show. And I will keep that promise. That still doesn't mean this story will go smoothly as you might think. Because if Aiden can face harsh painful reality. Orion is about to get his cut in this chapter.
(Warning: This chapter will be my most intense and dark chapter in the whole story. Which will include a character death.)
But it will pay off for the story later.
"We are proof that it will!" Rapunzel and Orion stated and beamed. "JINX!"
Cute. Any how. Let's answer some comments.
superkoola: Thank you! That's the idea. Having Rapunzel as Orion's sister is the goal. They already have somewhat of a sibling relationship at this point of the story. And don't worry. I'll still make that one shot. Maybe after I post this story. 👍
RustyPete12: I'm very glad you enjoyed it! Especially Friday having her new armored form. Like I told a lot of people. I adore the soundtrack of The Greatest Showman more than I do the movie. And I use the songs to fit around the stories I write. I might do at least two or three more songs from that film. But I'll also do other songs as well. Also yeah. My Holidays were amazing! 🎄👍
SPYRO 101: Oh absolutely! Her keyblade doesn't show up until later. But yeah! Orion and Friday are variants of Aiden and Victoria. 😉 But with different voice actors.
Just as a reminder.
Orion is voice by Vic Mignogna. And his Maverick form is voiced by Shawn Baicho.
Friday is voiced by Kelly Sheridan. Including her Shift form.
Lash is voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.
Alright! With that said. Now that we're all here!
LET'S GET DANGEROUS! 😎
Queen For A Day.
Midnight at the Mav Club...
Orion was sitting in his blue bedroom robe and slippers. Drinking a cup of smoothie while he was sitting at his computer. Processing data for a cure. A cure for something that has been bothering him for the last two years.
Eversince Orion's father got him treated for Leukemia, Orion figured the cure was permanent. But when he turned twelve. He started showing symptoms again. He used the cure again. But the next year it started back up on the same day. Soon it started much sooner, like six months later. Then three months later. Then it soon became once every week.
Each time his Leukemia returned. The time shortened. And ever since meeting Rapunzel, Orion's conditions didn't start back up until a few hours ago when he started having trouble breathing and having nose bleeds. He took the cure and it ended his conditions.
But for how long?
Orion was at his computer to figure this out.
"IRIS. Give me a 'permanent cure' update." Orion requested looking up at the computer.
'Most of the common ailments of your condition do not match your current one. Given that Leukemia is a type of blood cancer. You were not showing all of the symptoms that come with it.' IRIS stated while processing data.
"Yeah? Because I swallow it down, it keeps coming back up." Orion responded sarcastically.
'Your familiar disease at a young age didn't start back up. The familiar symptoms you would feel were actually related to other conditions.' IRIS stated showing some information.
"Like what?" Orion asked, looking worried.
'Before your Leukemia started up. But then the antibodies in your blood system, altered by your genetic code, causing the T-cell virus shift and turn into a different virus. eighteen months ago you had stomach cancer and that ended by the cure. Twelve months ago you had Crohn's disease. Nine months ago you had asthma. six months ago you had type-1 and type-2 diabetes. Three months ago you had lung cancer.' IRIS listed the many diseases Orion survived due to the cure. 'Each time the cure ended the virus. Your antibodies cause a form of regeneration in the virus, thus it would give you a new disease.'
"Isn't there a way to just remove this virus?" Orion asked, hoping for an answer.
'I am in the process of finding an answer. For now. You have at least a week before you'll start showing new symptoms again.' IRIS assured.
Orion took a deep breath and felt no pain while doing it before he decided to drop the subject and get some sleep to worry about it later.
One week later...
Orion was in the research room having a new batch of the cure. Or rather the same one he's been taking every time it starts up. But while his cure was being prepped in the fabrication hub.
Orion was bent and hunched over a trash can.
"Bluaaak!" Orion was barfing and throwing up his dinner in the trash can. Going at it for five minutes of puking.
Then Orion sniffed and slowly stood back up. Moaning a little as he felt a strong fever and a heavy sweat while limping over to the dispenser. His cure popped out in the form of a needle and syringe. Filled with a green substance.
Orion took it and injected it in his left forearm. Once the cure was inside his blood stream. His symptoms faded and he started feeling better. As he felt a little relieved, Orion teleported over and sat on his computer desk.
"What was it this time IRIS?" Orion asked while taking some ultra pepto-bismol.
The disease IRIS mentions made Orion roll his eyes. As if he didn't suffer enough.
'This time it was related to what is known as Malaria. Your cure should work for another week. But I'm almost done processing. Just five more minutes left.' IRIS stated.
"Thank God." Orion shook his head feeling exasperated that it took so long.
'Maverick. I am being contacted by an unknown assailant off-world.' IRIS picked up on a call.
"Off world? Patch him through." Orion shifted into the Maverick armor in case this caller was a threat.
He never received any calls off-world before.
The call displayed on the screen and it was just a man. A man in a black suit and tie. Regular looking clean shaved face. From the back of Orion's mind. This guy reads 'perv'. But will call him 'The Recruiter'.
"Mister Forge I presume? Don't worry your secret is safe with me." The Recruiter responded.
Normally Maverick would be extremely concerned of why someone knows his identity. But he just recovered from a new sickness, so he can barely give a crap as he shifted back into Orion.
"How can I help you? Besides luring children into a panel van?" Orion answered back sarcastically.
"I understand that you've been diagnosed with multiple different terminal diseases that came and ended." The Recruiter sympathized.
"Stalker alert." Orion nodded with a quip.
"It's my job. Recruitment. I'm sorry you've had such a tough go. But you're a fighter. An independent keyblade wielder. Who saved many lives." The Recruiter elaborated.
"And ended certain doom and gloom curses and historical events. Once every seven weeks. Same rate most folks get a haircut." Orion remarked as he took a sip of ginger ale. And stated. "It's to wash the taste out. It's tough to forget being so impressive."
"And now you spend your days sticking up for the little people…" the Recruiter said.
"People change. What do you want?" Orion asked, getting mildly impatient.
The Recruiter leaned forward on the screen. Looking at Orion.
"I represent an organization that may be able to help." The Recruiter responded. "What if I told you, we could cure your recurring disease? And what's more, give you abilities? Not just the abilities you have now but in addition, abilities most men only dream of."
Orion was fascinated by the idea. But didn't show it. He couldn't read the man's heart rate or tell he was lying due to being so far and out of reach from this guy. That and it's a call. It could be a lie or the truth.
Unless this guy is a Nigerian Prince than it's definitely a lie.
"I'd say you sound like an infomercial. But not a good one, like Slap Chop. More Shake Weight-y." Orion quipped gesturing a shake with his hand.
"The Multiverse needs extraordinary warriors. We won't just make you better. We will make you better than better." The Recruiter stated on the screen. "A Guardian."
The Recruiter then posted a ping with an address and location on his world.
"If you decide 'yes'. That's where we can pick you up and take you to the location we're set up in." The Recruiter stated.
Orion looked unfazed as he gave a witty response of uninterest.
"Look. Agent Smith. I'm already in the Guardian business and I'm leaving a big mark for it. But if I ever hit '***k it' I'll look you up." Orion snorted and added as he was getting up. "Oh, um...shit. My hot dish network satellite tells me you're within five hundred yards of a school. So you may wanna...You know."
He was making a 'white van' joke.
Then Orion ended the call and left the Mav Club to go to bed. He wondered if this guy was right. The thought of being cured permanently and gaining extra abilities sounds awesome. But Orion was also skeptical about this Recruiter. He wasn't sure if he could trust him.
Orion didn't know if he should.
The next morning in Old Corona...
A little white bunny stepped out from behind a tree and looked around for a moment before spotting a blueberry bush. The little bunny hopped to the berries to eat. But stopped at the sound of thunder. It looked up and saw storm clouds moving fast, and crows cawing as they sped through the sky. The bunny looked scared, as a powerful gust of wind blew him over.
Over by a cabbage patch, a farmer by the name of Quirin was working in the patch. He heard the thunder himself and turned to the sound.
"Hmmm" the farmer said as he looked towards the mountains as storm clouds and crows moved at a fast pace.
Suddenly, he heard a girl giggling, and he looked up to see a young girl crawling on the branch of a nearby tree, trying to pick a flower from the branch. Another gust of wind blew, causing the girl to fall off the branch with a scream. Luckily, Quirin rushed forward and caught her in his arms.
He smiled in relief and set the girl safely on the ground. She then ran off, giggling, as she passed by a house with black rock spikes poking out of the ground by the side of the house, the owner of the house looking at it with concern as Quirin walked up.
"What do we do, Quirin?" The man asked, gesturing to the black rocks. "My home! These rocks are destroying everything in their path!"
They both turn to see the concerned chattering of other people in the village. Quirin stepped forward to address the concerned crowd.
"Take ease, friends" Quirin started. "Our situation may seem dire, but we mustn't lose hope."
"But, what are they?" A nearby farmer asked, "And where are they coming from?"
"I don't know. But I will go see the King to discuss this matter." Quirin assured the farmer and everyone else.
Everyone took in Quirin's hoping he and the King would find a solution to these rocks. If no one does soon, this could mean the end of not only Old Corona. But the entire kingdom itself.
Luckily Quirin isn't the only one concerned about the black rocks.
Later at the backyard of Orion's Mansion...
Groot was out back watering some trees with a large watering can. Groot being a living tree himself, had great pride in taking care of the yard work. He planted a variety of different flowers. Plants and even some different color trees to make the back yard and open fields of the mansion look like paradise.
Meanwhile Quirin's pet Racoon Ruddiger. Came running across the open fields. Since nobody saw him leave or reported him missing. Quirin would've figured Ruddiger was just out in the fields playing and would find his way back.
The racoon found the open flower fields of the mansion's backyard after running a good distance away from the village to explore. And chase a squirrel. The Racoon came upon the backyard.
Groot hadn't seen him yet. But Ruddigar saw Groot and tilted his head in perplexed curiosity. The large tree looks over to see Ruddigar standing there. His first instinct was to scare him away. But Groot saw a pet collar around Ruddigar's neck letting him know he's domesticated.
So Groot smiled and waved at the Raccoon.
"I am Groot." Groot softly gestured to the Racoon to come closer.
Ruddigar timidly came closer and saw Groot hold his wooden hand out. Ruddigar sniffed his hand before Groot reached up at the tree, extending his other hand. Then he pulled an apple from the tree.
"I am Groot?" Groot offered the apple to the Racoon who sniffed it.
Ruddigar chirped and smiled before he grabbed the apple and started to chomp into it looking happy.
Groot smiled in return as he stroked Ruddigar's furr. The Raccoon purred and nuzzled into the wooden hand seeing that the gentle tree was nice and friendly.
It was at that moment a Raccoon and Tree became friends.
Meanwhile at the front door of Orion's Mansion...
Quirin came over having just walked a little from the village and was holding his baby in his arms. Varian was cooed silently and was comfortable in his father's arms.
Quirin came up and knocked on Orion's front door. And he heard the door unlock. And it was Friday who answered.
"Mr Quirin?" Friday asked, looking a little surprised to see him there.
Quirin knew them well considering he gave them a place to stay and run a small business in the Old Corona village. Ever since they made their fortune and moved out. Quirin was glad for them. Feeling proud to see two responsible children running their own lives like Entrepreneurs and adults.
For old time sake there were times when Quirin would ask Orion or Friday to watch after Baby Varian. Ruddigar would take care of himself since he had fruit and children to play with him in the village. But his baby needed someone to watch him from time to time.
"Good morning Mr. Quirin. Nice to see you again." Friday greeted the village leader.
"Good morning Friday." Quirin greeted, with a smile. "I hope that I'm not disturbing anything important?"
"Not at all. Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee? I make them fresh." Friday offered.
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I would have to decline at this time." Quirin stated before gesturing to his son. "I came by to see if you and Orion would be willing to look after Varian for a short time while I'm gone."
Varian was asleep and wrapped in a blanket. Friday has had experience with watching him in the past. And the baby formed a special bond with her and Orion. Especially Groot who hates to change his diapers.
"Of course. We don't mind at all." Friday said with a little smile.
"Thank you." Quirin said, handing little Varian to Friday. "I'll be sure to pay you back for your generosity."
"Don't worry about it. It's fine." Friday said looking down at Varian with a kind smile before looking back at Quirin with curiosity. "If it's alright to ask, where you are off to?"
"I'm going to see the King." Quirin stated, surprising Friday slightly. "The recent rise in the quantity of these black rocks sprouting out has left me and my village with great concern. I'm hoping to seek an audience with his majesty to address this. And I did not want my son anywhere near those rocks."
"I've heard about those things." Friday said out of concern.
"Don't worry. This will get resolved. And you'll be as long as you and everyone stays away from those rocks." Quirin stated firmly before he looked down and stroked his son's baby cheek and spoke softly. "Be good to your friends my boy. I love you. And I'll be back soon."
Baby Varian coed against his father's touch as he slipped.
"Take care of yourself out there Mr Quirin." Friday smiled.
"I will. Thanks again for watching him." Quirin nodded with a smile before he turned to leave.
As Friday gave a goodbye wave. She looked down to see Varian asleep in her arms. Friday thought the baby was very cute as she gently rocked him in her arms and went back inside.
Meanwhile Groot and Ruddigar was out back in the yard playing fetch with an apple. As if the Racoon was trained as a puppy. Still all was well at the mansion.
Hopefully it will remain the same in Corona itself.
Meanwhile at the Corona Castle throne room...
Rapunzel was sitting in her seat to the right of her father, King Frederic with Queen Ariana on his left side. They were listening to the citizens of Corona who sought an audience with the King for one reason or another.
"Your Majesty." Feldspar, an orange haired man with a brown mustache and a missing tooth, who works as a shoe maker, holding a small hammer for making and repairing shoes. "Ever since you repaved the roads, wear and tear on people's shoes are at an all-time low!"
Pascal, who was on Rapunzel's right shoulder yawned, sticking his tongue out, making Rapunzel look towards him with a small, sympathetic smile. She probably found it a little difficult to sympathize in regards to the fact she preferred to always go about barefoot, just like she was doing now.
"Not one person has come into the cobbler shop all week!" The shoemaker exclaimed with a wave of his arms.
"I see. Well, we can't very well unpave the roads." king Frederic started, with a small smile, trying to be patient and understanding, before leaning close to Queen Ariana. "Can we, Feldspar?"
Queen Ariana cleared her throat, trying to hide a giggle. Feldspar, the shoe cobbler, looked down, closing his eyes in disappointment.
"However." King Frederic started again, making Feldspar look up as the king stroked his beard in thought. "It occurs to me that the royal guard is in need of new boots. Do you think you might be of service, Sir?"
"Might, might I?" Feldspar started, before breaking out into a bright smile, bowing to them with a wave of his arm. "Why, of course, Your Majesty!"
With that concluded, Feldspar proceeded to leave the throne room.
Rapunzel then poked her father's arm, getting his attention as she leaned towards him.
"Do the guards really need new boots?" Rapunzel whispered to her father.
"Uh, no." King Frederic stated. Upon seeing Rapunzel's confused look, he continued. "But the livelihood of our local businesses is worth the extra cost."
Pascal just looked on with a raised eyebrow while Rapunzel had a smile on her face, which she showed Pascal, which he returned.
"Wow." Rapunzel started, kicking her bare feet up in the air as she sat in her chair. "I have learned so much from you these last few days!"
"Good. Because you must be prepared for any contingency while we're gone." King Frederic stated with a wave of his finger.
"Uh, Frederic, we're going to be away for two days." Queen Ariana said to her husband, making him and Rapunzel look towards her. "We deserve a little break. I think she can manage."
"Oh, I know she can." King Frederic started, a proud smile on his face. "After witnessing the supreme judgement she exercised while defending Attila, there's not a doubt in my mind. But that doesn't mean a father can't worry."
Rapunzel looked at Pascal with a smile, before looking at her father with a smile.
Meanwhile in Eugene's bedroom...
Oversince Rapunzel told Eugene and all her friends that she'll be Queen for a few days. It's been going to her boyfriend's head figuring that he'll be in charge as well. Being the Princess consort-on hold-for-a-wedding.
Eugene took some ink, and drew a crown on the mirror in his room. He smiled into the mirror, as the crown looked to be over his head. Feeling the sense of entitlement.
Lance was in his room as he looked over his friend's shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Lance teased.
"Ah!" Eugene jumped from having his train of thought pulled out of a nice day dream he was having.
Eugene turned and decided to be straight with wit and confidence.
"Since Rapunzel is pretty much the queen for a couple of days, that makes me pretty much the king." Eugene smiled proudly.
"Oh pray tell, your majesty, what hast thou planned to do with thine newly bestowed might?" Lance mocked in a regal tone while sitting on the bed.
"Well, I thought you'd never ask." Eugene mused as he looked at the ink that spilled on his hands, and tried to wipe it off while talking. "I thought I'd start small. You know, take a bath in the royal pool, try out that furry cape-y thing, take a little snooze on the throne. And then from there, I can move on to bigger stuff. You know, make a few decrees, negotiate an accord, proclamate a..." He wiped his forehead pondering his next statement. "Proclaiming things."
The entire time Eugene had been talking. Lance was glancing a condescending bemused look at his friend.
"You're out of your head," Lance raised a brow with a smug smile.
"You're out of your head, Your Majesty." Eugene corrected him amusingly with a bow
Lance stiffed a laugh and started bursting it out. "Your Majesty..." He wheezed
While he was laughing, Eugene turned and his eyes widened to see in his reflection that some ink landed between his eyebrows, and then he sees that the ink was still on him.
No wonder Lance was laughing. It's not like Eugene can be a King of Comedy. Orion took that throne.
Speaking of Orion...
Down at Uncle Monty's Sweet Shop…..
Ever since the Maverick was revealed to be a hero to both the king and the Captain of the guards. He was no longer a wanted man and was free to mingle and bask in his fame among the people.
Store owners around town were selling Maverick merchandise by the bulk. Toys. T-shirts. Ornaments. Portraits. Even Shift and Groot were part of it.
Even some kids were playing by the fountain pretending to be Maverick. They all were while they had a ball they were kicking as the bad guy.
But down at Monty's sweet shop. The Maverick was standing at the entrance as Monty was explaining his new Maverick and Shift theme flavors for some new hard candy.
"And so you see. I wasn't sure what to call my blue ones. I mean you sure use a lot of blue. But do you think I should call them razzle berries maybe?" Monty asked Maverick's advice.
Maverick was amused.
"No. Because razzle berries are a very illegal and lethal fruit that raises the blood sugar and causes most folks to act high like a bottle of rum on gunpowder. Trust me I've done the research." Maverick quipped and winked before he wrote a flavor name on the bottle of blue Shift hard candy. "Call it 'Shift The Sky Blue Berries' Most kids think about the sky when they see blue. Either that or the Chlorine in your local swimming pool. Either way this one will make them wish they could marry their own taste buds."
Monty was impressed by the letter designer and the name.
"Oh my. That's brilliant! Thank you Mr. Maverick!" Monty beamed and shook his hand in excitement. "I will sell these like hot cakes! Oh...Maybe I should sell some 'I am Groot Hot Cakes!' There's no telling what me and Attila could bring in!"
As Monty hurried inside. Maverick couldn't help but feel glad to help as some kids ran by and waved.
"Hi Maverick!" A boy called out.
"Take that Mongers!" Another boy was tossing rocks as some cans with drawings of Dark Mongers on them.
Maverick teleported over and bent down next to the kid and whispered a secret.
"Actually say 'Eat my lights, Mongers'. And always aim for either the head or in between the legs. They always sing that way." Maverick whispered and wink.
"Ooooh...Got it." The boy winked and resumed tossing rocks at the cans. "Eat my lights, Mongers!"
"I am a bad influence." Maverick snickered to himself before he teleported up to a rooftop where no one could see him.
Then Friday called him on his communicator. He answered and pulled up a hologram of her.
"Ryan? Are you busy?" Friday asked on the communicator.
"Never for you Thunder Cookie." Maverick mused as he shifted back into Orion and asked. "Are you doing okay?"
"I'm doing fine, but I have my hands full at the moment." Friday stated before showing that she had little Varian in her arms, who Orion recognized, but could never resist having a little fun.
"Friday, you got some splainin to do!" Orion quipped. "When were you going to tell me? And am I the father?"
"Oh stuff it, you psychotic light show." Friday snapped back good naturedly. "Quirin showed up and asked me to look after him while he went to see the King about the rocks popping up out of nowhere. Would you be able to follow him and secretly listen in on their conversation?"
"Is it about those tacky dark spikes we've been investing in?" Orion asked curiously while he coughed a little bit.
"It definitely is. Things have been escalating down in Old Corona." Friday answered while rocking Varian in her arms.
Orion remembered how Rapunzel stated that she and her friends weren't allowed to talk about the rocks and the King doesn't know about the time Rapunzel came to the Maverick for help about those rocks.
"Well. This might finally put everyone on the 'dark pebble alert'. There's no way the King can ignore this from the village leader." Orion figured.
"Exactly. If the King ends up getting involved finally. Rapunzel might finally have a chance to stretch her arms while we deal with the problem." Friday stated the possibilities.
"Let's hope it comes to that. Who knows, he might make me the neighborhood watch." Orion remarked.
"You already are a 'Self Appointed Neighborhood Watch' ." Friday grinned.
"Yeah but he might give me a batch this time...Eh scratch that." Maverick realized he'd rather be a freelance protector. "Maybe he'll make me a premium Neighborhood Watch without a batch."
"Well you won't find out until you get your daydreaming butt over there." Friday sarcastically stated.
"Don't you mean ass?" Orion inquired.
"Watch the language in front of the baby." Friday sternly warned, Orion snicker at how adorable his girlfriend sounds right now.
"Alright. I'll look into the meeting and be home later. I love you." Orion said.
"I love you too Beluva." Friday smiled in response. "And I'll have a nice burger meal waiting for you when you get back."
"Sweet..." Orion mused before he ended the call.
Then he shifted into the Maverick and took off flying toward the castle. To look into Quirin's meeting with the king.
Back in the throne room...
The King was sitting on the throne with his Royal Advisor Nigel standing at his right side while Rapunzel was standing at his left.
Quirin had just made it to the castle while Rapunzel saw a faint shadow on the floor. She was the only one to notice. The Princess looked up and was surprised to see Maverick perched up on the roof window looking down in the room without anyone but her noticing.
Pascal was on Rapunzel's shoulder and even he noticed.
Maverick looked down at Rapunzel and silently requested her to not give away that he's there by placing a finger to his mouth gesturing the silence. As in don't let anyone know he's there.
Rapunzel nodded in response without making a sound.
"Quirin, my old friend." King Frederic greeted as Quirin made his way to the front of the throne and bowed with his arm to his chest. "What brings you from Old Corona Village?"
"Your Majesty, Old Corona is facing quite the dilemma." Quirin stated as he rose from his bow.
King Frederic and Rapunzel looked on with concern.
"Oh?" King Frederic stated.
"Uh, yes." Quirin stated, smiling up at the king. "It would appear this year's harvest has proven quite bountiful! So much so, that I humbly request more land to accommodate such bounty!"
Quirin finished with a bow kneeling on one knee with his right fist to his chest while Nigel looked through a scroll of parchment. Nigel then leaned over to King Frederic.
"Your Majesty." Nigel whispered. "We've received no such crop reports from Old Corona."
Rapunzel and Pascal looked on, surprised and intrigued.
"Hmm." King hummed in thought before looking towards Quirin with a serious look while still Bowing to them. Rapunzel looked on in concern, but turned her gaze to her father, who began speaking.
"Quirin, I am pleased to hear how well Old Corona is faring and even more pleased to grant your request." King Frederic stated with a smile on his face as he stood up from his throne.
Quirin looked up from his bow surprised which turned into a grateful smile as he stood up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Quirin said with a grateful nod of his head before walking to the door.
Rapunzel looked confused as the king walked away, before turning to Pascal who gave a shrug and a squeek, confused. Turning to Nigel, she was given a shrug as well.
Rapunzel then looked up at Maverick who slapped his forehead looking disappointed that Quirin didn't speak. Then he gestured while pointing up at the toward above the castle. Gesturing Rapunzel to meet him up at her room.
Rapunzel gave a silent nod looking concerned as she walked out of the throne room.
Meanwhile up in Rapunzel's bedroom...
Maverick landed on the flagpole of her roof like a ninja as he was hanging his head back annoyed.
"Damn it Quirin...Just when I thought you had the hard as stone balls to get...Ugh forget it!" Maverick groaned as he lost his train of thought.
It wasn't just his frustration with the town leader. It was also the back that he felt a little short winded.
"That's...Weird...Why is the earth spinning?" Maverick slurred as he felt everything was waving and he felt very dizzy.
Then Maverick shifted back into Orion to breathe properly thinking it was just a suit glitch. But it wasn't. Then he began to feel a new wave of sweat and a fever as his blue faints were showing all over his body and his skin turned pale as a corpse.
Then he started coughing.
"Awk...Hack!" Orion coughed loudly like a choke as he fell off the pole and collapsed on Rapunzel's balcony. Cracking the floor as he impacted on his shoulder and started coughing more violently and loudly. As blood was dripping on his lips.
****Cough! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!***
And everything started fading black.
The door to the room opened and Rapunzel walked into her room and looked around.
"Orion? Are you here?" Rapunzel called out looking about. Pascal let out a loud squeak catching her attention and seeing Pascal look horrified. "Pascal? What's wrong?"
Pascal only pointed to the direction of the balcony. Rapunzel looked at herself and gasped in horror, hands rising to her mouth.
On the floor of the balcony layed Orion, as pale as death, and blood on the floor when he coughed.
"Oh my God... Orion!" Rapunzel cried out and ran to him. She kneeled down, shaking him lightly. "Orion! Are you okay?! Speak to me!"
He stayed unconscious, but released a slight groan, letting Rapunzel know he was still alive.
Rapunzel then lifted him off the ground and walked over to her bed where she set him down.
Orion fell limp on the bed as Rapunzel took a cloth and ran hot water on it. Courtesy of his Science fair project back at the expo. She wiped the blood off his face and mouth. Then she took a clean cloth of cold water and patted Orion's cheeks with it.
Orion began to stir and open his blood shot eyes. Showing that he was waking up.
"Ugh...What the hell..." Orion inhaled as he coughed a few times. But not as hard as earlier.
"Orion..." Rapunzel breathed out and placed a hand on his cheek. "Thank goodness you're awake. What happened to you?"
Orion slowly sat up with a grimace on his face as he took a syringe out of his left coat pocket.
"Just...Give it me a minute." Orion groaned as he injected himself with the cure. And his skin turned back to normal and he was breathing slowly. "God damn it...I didn't think it would happen that sooner..."
Orion was given a neural report on what disease it was this time.
"Sooner? What do you….what's going on?" Rapunzel asked with concern. "A moment ago, you looked like you were right on death's door. I was actually worried you were dead."
"I'm close to it actually." Orion responded about the 'dead' statement. "If it's obvious yet. I'm sick, Zel. Real sick. Like the season finale of a Walking Dead video game."
"What does that mean?" Rapunzel asked, concerned. Since the pop culture reference threw her off from understanding.
"Listen. I never told anyone this. Not even Friday. But...I've been battling a virus. A genetic modified based virus. Due to me dealing with Leukemia for two years back when I was three." Orion revealed.
Rapunzel gasped, horror plastered on her face.
"You were that young?" Rapunzel asked sadly. "Oh my... But... Why did you never tell Friday, or anyone else?"
"I thought it was resolved. And that I had it under control. Because this stuff stopped it." Orion stated gesturing to the empty syringe. "A little gift from Dad for my sixth birthday. But then I didn't start feeling these symptoms again until I was twelve. Every time I felt these symptoms, I would take this stuff and it worked. Once every few months. Now it's once every week. And now...Probably once every twenty four hours."
"you mean..." Rapunzel looked Orion with a horrified realization plastered on her face. "Your cure is no longer working. Your illness is getting worse."
"Yeah...Like a Jack-In-The-Box. It's magic can only last for so long." Orion shrugged and shook his head. "The worst thing is that it's my damn powers that keep causing my virus to wake up and evolve into a new strand."
Pascal squealed, looking sad.
"First it was leukemia. Then it was swine flu. Then stomach cancer. Pneumonia. Crohn's disease. Diabetes. Lung cancer. Leprosy...I think. Yesterday it was Malaria. What you just saw now was Tuberculosis. But mutated beyond anything on medical records." Orion stated all the details of every disease he had ever felt.
It was hard to face the facts and for Orion to avoid it. He's dying. There's no denying it now.
"Are you saying... Are you saying that you're... Dying?" Rapunzel asked, tears at the corners of her eyes.
"I'm not sugar coating it. Yes. I am." Orion admitted.
"No…..What about IRIS? Couldn't she run some tests like on my hair? And find a solution?" Rapunzel asked, remembering how accurate the results were.
"She has been doing that. But the girl's a feminine search engine. Not my personal Jesus. She couldn't find an answer. Because there isn't a cure. Not with my powers in the way." Orion explained dejectedly.
"Oh Orion…." Rapunzel breathed, putting a hand on his cheek. "Is there anything I could possibly do to help you?"
"You can. But first...I have only one option. It came last night. But I'm not sure if it's legit." Orion shrugged remembering the call last night.
"What's that?" Rapunzel asked out of concerned.
"I was contacted by a Recruiter off-world. He says he wants me to meet with him to take me to a research facility. He said they could cure me. Permanently." Orion stated which made Rapunzel's eyes lit up feeling hopeful.
"Really? That's great!" Rapunzel beamed before she became hesitant. "But, don't you think this might be too good to be true? I mean, can you even trust what they're saying? That they are really offering what you're looking for?"
"I don't know if I can trust them. But...I don't have a choice. I'm already dying, Zel. What's the worst that could happen? I could grow a second head or a taste for castor oil?" Orion protested his limited options.
"They could hurt you and use you for their own personal gain?" Rapunzel stated, knowing exactly what that is like. To be hurt and used for someone else's benefit.
Orion sighed and looked at her. "Zel. I've been at this duck and disease shit for two years. IRIS couldn't find an answer or a cure. And I'm running out of time and options. If I skip out on this, I could end up with a disease I'll never recover from." Orion stated seriously. And showing his desperation. "And...mmmm I don't wanna die."
That was the first time he ever sounded scared.
Rapunzel, seeing his fear, pulled Orion into a hug, which he hesitantly returned. She didn't want to lose him, but she also knew that this might be his only chance.
"Alright Orion…..Just promise me you'll be careful. And that you'll come back safe." Rapunzel pleaded with tears in her eyes.
Orion hugged her back as he was relieved to see that she understood. He leaned into her hug then he pulled away and wiped her tears.
"It's gonna be okay. If they try anything." Orion assured as he lit up some neon in his fingers. "I'll 'brighten their day'."
By 'brighten' he means kick their asses as the Maverick with neon. Which made Rapunzel smile sadly.
"But you have to promise you won't tell anyone about this. Not even Friday. Cause I don't want her to be dragged into this personal hell that I'm ending soon." Orion pleaded with her in a serious tone as he shed one small neon tear. "With what I am now. I can't handle her seeing me like this."
Hoping his girlfriend won't find out about his struggles. The same struggles that bring him personal shame. And he couldn't bear to look in Friday's face and tell her he's dying.
"I promise. I won't tell anyone." Rapunzel said before smiling nervously. "I just hope it doesn't come down to Friday asking me. She can be scary when she wants to be."
"It won't come to that. Trust me. I know how to handle her. She won't even bother asking." Orion assured as he stood up and fixed his jacket.
"Everyone will wonder where the Maverick is though." Rapunzel pointed out.
"I'll only be gone for a weekend. Besides, it's a big world out there. And the Mav Man could be anywhere." Orion stated as he shifted into his Maverick form. "Even rescuing stray cats in Texas."
Orion's jokes tend to get lacking after a serious moment with someone he cares about.
"You might need to work on that one." Rapunzel stiffed a giggle while still looking worried.
"I got plenty more in the tank after this. See you around Zel." Maverick winked before he ran off the balcony and flew out into the sky. On his way to the location where the Recruiter told him where to meet.
And hopefully to be done with this disease once and for all.
Rapunzel looked on with sadness in her eyes and a tear rolling down her face.
"Orion..." Rapunzel whispered, her hand on her heart. "Please come back soon."
While he was flying out across the sky. Maverick contacted Friday via his suit's built-in communicator. And called her on speaker.
"Ryan? Is everything alright? How did the meeting between Quirin and the King go?" Friday asked on the other end.
"He didn't tell him. Quirin got cold feet and lied to the King face telling him everything is dandy." Maverick stated in response.
The funny thing is that Maverick was going to talk to Rapunzel about this matter. But after what happened earlier. It would work better between him and Friday.
"Damn it. How could he not have the stones to tell the king that his kingdom is being threatened by magic rocks?" Friday groaned at this in frustration.
"I don't know. But this means it's on me to deal with it. Listen I found a strange source connected to the rocks that's thousands of miles off the coast. It could mean something big or what we're looking for. I'm going to be gone for a couple of days. Like a business trip to Microsoft. Can I count on you to watch Casa De Mav while I'm gone?" Maverick stated and requested her to watch over everyone and everything at the mansion.
But he was really on his way to get cured. And he hated lying to Friday. But on the bright side. She fell for him, given how convincing he sounds.
"You can count on me Beluva. I'll probably do a better job at babysitting than you anyway." Friday said jokingly. "Be safe out there."
"Thanks Babe. And...Not likely but I'm counting on it." Maverick joked back about her doing a better job and he hides a heartbroken look for doing this. "I'll be home later. I love you." He added on a warm convincing voice.
Luckily Friday didn't ask if something was wrong. Because she was used to him doing solo recon missions at this point.
"I love you too, you walking nutcase." Friday smiled warmly.
Then they hung up. And Maverick sighed before flying ahead. Heading to the Recruiter's location in hopes to finally be rid of this disease. But he understood that the worst part about this wasn't what the sickness does to you. But what it does to the people you love.
And Rapunzel understood. Which is why she agreed to keep her promise and not tell Friday. Who knows if this guy can cure Orion. But he had to try.
Isn't that what heroes do?
Later at the main entrance of the castle...
Rapunzel was standing outside with her friends and family watching as the King and Queen were loading up their luggage on the carriage. Heading out for their honeymoon trip.
King Frederic and Queen Ariana were dressed in winter warm outfits given the snowy roads they'll be taking out there. But it's nothing too serious.
Especially since Maximus will be their horse.
"We hope to make it to the mountain retreat by noon." Arianna remarked as she was holding her daughter's hands.
"I am so excited for you guys!" Rapunzel beamed as she hugged her mother and Pascal hugged as well. In spite of her worries about Orion. She had faith that he'll be okay. And she has the same faith that her parents will be too if not more.
Then the Princess smiled and told him. "Take good care of them, Max."
Maximus stood proudly and huffed an acknowledgment to the Princess. Pascal responded to the horse with a wink and a thumb up.
"You two kids have fun now!" Eugene came over and quipped standing next to Rapunzel.
Lance, Cassandra, and their other friends were there to see the king and queen off on their trip.
"Are you sure you'll be okay Rapunzel?" King Frederic asked his daughter. "Because, your mother and I can always stay. We have plenty of anniversaries to come, you know."
"Frederic..." Queen Ariana sighed in fond exasperation.
"Don't worry, your Majesty." Lance said, walking up, pulling Rapunzel and Eugene into one armed hugs. "We've totally got everything under control."
Pascal just shook his head, in the negative to Lance's claim.
"Uh, thank you, you. That's comforting." King Frederic stated before looking down and frowning with a raised eyebrow. "I'm sorry, are those my shoes?"
They were indeed King Frederic's shoes Lance was wearing. Lance Just crossed his feet and gave a nervous laugh and backed away with his hands behind his back.
Rapunzel walked up to her father with a smile.
"Hmm, I won't let you down, Dad." Rapunzel promised her father, Who put a hand on her cheek and smiled at her, which she returned.
"I know you won't." King Frederic stated. "Now remember, you'll discover when you become Queen, many, many voices will demand to be heard. But when all is said and done, the voice in your heart is the one you should follow."
With his piece said, King Frederic walked away to the carriage. Queen Ariana put a hand on Rapunzel's shoulder and smiled before walking off to join her husband. Rapunzel waved goodbye.
As the King and Queen got in their carriage. Everyone was saving goodbye as Arianna waved back at them.
Then the carriage was pulled out of the main entrance. Once they were out of sight. Rapunzel was feeling a second sense of absence. But not as bad as when Orion left. While everyone was acting like the man and woman of the house were gone. And thought like teenage boys ready to start a block party.
Lance was with his pals from the Snuggly Duckling as he felt the thrill. Hook Foot, Attila, Big Nose and Vladimir.
"Kitchen Raid!" Lance declared as he and his friends ran past a shocked Cassandra. They sprinted wildly into the castle while Cassandra pulled out a sword and chased after them with a look that could be more deadly than her sword growling in anger.
While Eugene chased after Cass to pacify her rage.
"Hey, hey, hey! Cassandra, make good choices!" Eugene pleaded while going after her.
Rapunzel was the only one standing there with a smile. But it didn't last as she thought back to Orion. On one hand. The Princess had hoped that she'll see him again. But she's worried all the same.
Rapunzel and Orion were close now. Closer than ever before. They hung out together all the time. That is whenever they were available on weekends. Sometimes a three day weekend. Whenever their not together it's mostly Rapunzel living and handling the glamorous life of a Princess and it's responsibilities. While Orion would be living the glamorous life of a rich boy. And handling the responsibilities of being the Maverick.
Either way. All Rapunzel had was faith. And she could feel it in her heart. Orion will see this through.
Rapunzel has to see this short time as Queen through.
Later at the castle courtyard...
The courtyard was abuzz with activity, with several people painting, sprucing up. And at the center of it all was Eugene, dictating orders.
"Good, now Don't forget the trim on the left." Eugene instructed the people painting the roof of the gazebo while looking over plans on a sheet of parchment.
"Really taking advantage of that King clout aren't you, your Majesty?" Lance said, walking up from behind him and greeted him with a mock bow.
"Blondie asked me to do a check-in on the renovations as part of her queenly duties." Eugene explained as Shorty climbed up a ladder behind him to get to the top of the Gazebo.
Lance just stood there with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.
"It's an important job." Eugene exclaimed before a bucket of yellow paint fell on his head, covering him in the paint. He removed the bucket quickly and looked up to the top of the gazebo.
"Sorry Buddy! My Bad!" Hook Foot called down from the top of the gazebo.
Lance smirked at Eugene's annoyed glare and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Good to be the King, huh?" Lance said teasingly, patting his shoulder before pulling back and noticing the yellow paint now on his left hand. He got rid of it by rubbing Eugene's back, which just aggravated him more, to which he turned to Lance, poking his chest.
"Ok, you want to see me flex a little muscle? Watch this." Eugene said before calling up to the people up on the gazebo clapping his hands. "Alright boys, let's get the lead out! After we wrap this up, I'm gonna need some renovations to my room!"
The painters did not seem amused.
"I'm thinking Sunroof." Eugene said to Lance before a bucket of orange paint landed on his head.
"Just for the record, that one was on purpose!" Hook Foot called down.
"Mmm-hmm." Lance hummed smugly at Eugene.
Meanwhile on the road to Old Corona...
Quirin was walking on the way back to his village with a look of guilt as he felt it was better for the King to not know the danger. Especially given that he had history with the rocks. This situation will get worse no matter what anyone does.
And Quirin thought it was better for them to not know. But his fear spoke louder than any other sense
Suddenly as he was passing by several trees. He could hear some noises from the bushes. That sounded like metal boots of a knight. Or an attacker.
Quirin pulled his knife out and stood on his guard.
"WHO'S THERE?! SHOW YOURSELF!" Quirin called out to the secret attacker.
Then he heard a voice standing behind him.
"Oh I've shown myself plenty." The voice stated.
Quirin turned to see Lash standing there . And before Quirin could react or speak.
*Stab!*
"Ack...Ahh..." Quirin gagged and gawked in pain as his eyes were wide.
He looked down to see Lash's large dagger impaled in his chest.
"That wasn't smart. The rocks are a warning and you should've let everyone know." Lash stated seriously. "It's a shame. I'll have to do the work for you."
Then Quirin began to collapse as his breath was leaving him. Then Lash left the large dagger in his chest and walked away. Leaving Quirin to fall on the grass face first And his life faded.
Lash has killed Quirin! What is his next plan?
"Bring the body." Lash ordered two Dark Mongers that were with him.
Later at the 'Workshop'...
When life leaves you breathtakingly ***k. You can generally trace it back to one, big bad decision. The one that sent you down the road to Shitsburgh.
This...Well. This was Orion's decision.
One moment he came to the location and co-operated with the security guards at the Recruiter's location. Which was a large one story modern building in the middle of Antarctica. Apparently this facility has connections to so many across the Multiverse.
At least that was Orion's theory as he was silently praying that this was possibly a Nova Corp facility or a Shield facility. Like in his comic books.
But Orion's confidence was shrinking as he was being strolled away through a hallway on a hospital gurney. Wearing only a white hospital gown. And his wrists and feet were strapped to the table.
"Mr. Forge." Orion looked over to see the Recruiter he met online standing there with a smile. "Nothing warms my heart than to see a boy change his own. You finally hit '***k it'"
A remark from what Orion said to him before.
"Just promise that you'll do right by me. So I can do right for everyone else." Orion requested in response feeling confident.
"Of course." The Recruiter nodded.
Then the gurney was being strolled away.
"And please don't make the super suit black. Or with large clown shoes!" Orion added before the doors closed.
As Orion was being strolled through the halls. He heard sounds of screaming coming throughout the facility. He can only assume it was other patients being put through more severe treatments for worse conditions. The high pitch drilling noises in some rooms reminded him of his trip to the dentist when he was seven. The time he had his teeth cleaned.
Something told Orion this is more extreme than the dentist.
As his gurney parked inside of a rustic old hospital room. He wondered if this place was only modern on the outside.
"This place seems sanitary." Orion mused as the two guards lifted him while he was wrapped in a containment sheet. "Woah. My first request is warmer hands. Wooo! Jesus. And a warmer table."
Orion was placed on an observation table while his wrists and ankles were strapped to the restraints. Orion tried using his powers as he felt something was wrong.
His powers weren't working.
"Hey, can somebody take a look at my ten lighters? They seem busted." Orion asked one of the guards.
"They aren't. This entire facility shuts down all powers that aren't given a pass key." One of the guards stated before they both left him there.
"Ugh...Now Agent Smith tells me." Orion rolled his eyes in frustration and decided to make the best of a horrible situation as he struggled a little against his restraints. "You know you should come up with a safe word, Fellas. I'm thinking 'Pork and Beans!'"
There was no response for a few minutes until a large woman walked in. With black hair, a dark leather modern street attire and the body of a professional wrestler.
"Hey there. Aren't you a little strong for a lady?" Orion asked while making a joke in greeting. Butthe response he got was forcing his head back against the table. "Ow!..Ugh...I'm calling Wang."
The lady wrapped a neck strap to Orion's neck to keep him still on the table. That doesn't sound good.
"What's with the matches?" Orion asked the lady who was chewing on a match like a toothpick. "Oral Fixation? Or just a big Stallone fan-"
The lady immediately covered Orion's mouth to shut him up.
"Patience, Angel." a British voice told the lady named Angel.
Orion looked over to see a white guy with buzz cut hair doo and a five o clock shadow walk in wearing a labcoat. And a dark blue t-shirt. "All in good time."
Orion could tell these folks were not from around here. And something doesn't smell good about this place.
"Are you with the turndown service or what?" Orion inquired with a quip.
The doctor gave him a weak grin and looked at Angel. "We have another talker." He remarked.
"I'm just excited about the first day of superhero camp." Orion shrugged.
"Shut the ***k up." Angel ordered as she placed a cloth strap gag on his mouth.
Then the doctor took a small flashlight to shine it into Orion's left eye while keeping it open as the boy grunted a little from how bright it was.
"Mr. Forge, my name's Ajax. I manage this workshop." The doctor stated taking the flashlight to shine on his other eye. And then he turned it off to speak to Orion. "Ah, my welcome speeches use to be full of euphemisms like...'This may hurt a little'. 'This may cause you some discomfort'. But I've grown blunt."
Orion was wondering what that meant.
"This workshop is not a government-led program or something owned by any world government. It's a private institution that travels to different worlds thanks to good ol gummi tech and magic to...find and turn reclamation projects such as yourself to people of extraordinary abilities." Ajax stated. as he was getting some equipment ready. "But if you think superhuman powers are acquired painlessly. You've been wearing that ring for too long."
Ajax then injected Orion's left forearm with a large needle making him grunt a little.
"I'm injecting you with a special serum acquired by the data of some loose brown hair we found in a tower in the middle of the woods." Ajax stated.
Orion's eyes widened when he realized...Rapunzel's tower! There was some hair left from the last time it was cut! 'Why didn't I think of that?!' The boy wondered.
"With the DNA of your Princess playmate. It will activate any mutant genes lurking about in your DNA. For it to work we need you to subject you to extreme stress." Ajax stated as he taped the needle in and turned a machine on that began to inject him with the serum he mentioned.
"The good news is this will halt your incoming disease for a longer amount of time. The bad news...Well. You've heard the saying 'Make an omelet, break some eggs' bit, right?" Ajax smirked. "I'm about to hurt you boy."
Orion sweated a bit hearing this. He could handle pain. But he's wondering about the results after all of this. Then Ajax injected Orion with another syringe. He saw the first serum was blue while the second serum glowed a bit like Rapunzel's hair. Golden like her hair.
"I was a patient here once myself, you know. The treatment affects everyone differently. It made Angel Inhumanly strong. In my case, it enhanced my reflexes. Also scorched my nerve endings. So I can no longer feel pain." Ajax stated with a small amusing shrug. "And in fact. I can no longer feel anything."
"Mmmph...Mmmph!" Orion muffled in his gag.
Ajax nodded to Angel to take off the boy's gag which she did.
"Gah. Thank you a thousand to one!" Orion exhaled and added looking at Ajax. "You have something in your teeth. Right in the middle there, I don't know. A little nugget of romaine lettuce or something. It's been bothering me the entire time you spoke."
Ajax was amused. Even under this kind of treatment. Orion can't take threats or any promises of pain seriously. Then Ajax looked over in the mirror to check his teeth to see if he had anything on it. Which made the boy chuckle
"Ha! Made you look. Hey, is Ajax your actual name? Cause it sounds suspiciously made up. What is it really? Kevin? Bruce? Scott? Mitch? The Rickster?" Orion asked while quipping. Then he asked in a British accent while smirking. "Is it Basil Fawlty?"
Ajax smirked sinisterly, not being affected by the boy's witty humor.
"Oh joke away Boy. One thing that never survives this place is a sense of humor." Ajax declared.
"We'll see about that Posh Spice." Orion challenged.
"I suppose we will." Ajax accepted the challenge and nodded to Angel. "He's all yours. Give him the kitty meal."
Then Ajax walked out of the room to leave Orion with Angel. For the procedure of a painful experience.
"Oh come on! You're gonna leave me all alone here with less angry Rosie O'Donnell?" Orion called after Ajax.
Angel responded by knocking Orion out with a fist. And everything went back from there.
Back down at Orion's Mansion...
One moment all over Corona. There was a sudden Snow Day. Even Rapunzel and her friends started enjoying it. Everyone was. Only Friday remained inside since she was always more of a tropical person. And the snow is no fun without Orion there to enjoy it with her.
So Friday is sitting by a window lounge wearing a purple sweater and matching pajama pants while barefoot. She was in her normal blue skin form and yet Varian didn't seem to be scared by her. If anything, being a baby. He was fascinated by her blue alien skin. At least until he was on the floor playing with some baby toys she made from the 3-D printers down in the Mav Club.
Which consisted mostly of plastic building blocks, plastic toy keys and a Maverick blush toy. Varian was on the floor wearing warm blue one piece pajamas. More like a navy blue that matches the tiny bit of hair strand that was irregular on his small bit of hair on his baby head.
"Do me a favor, Little One. See if you can rip his head off. That will teach him to ignore calls." Friday mused smiling down at Varian who was slamming the Maverick doll down.
"Aaaaiii!" Varian squealed and giggled as he tossed the plush doll and crawled over to it.
Friday giggled a little and looked out to see Groot playing tag in the snow with...a racoon. Friday shook her head and kept her smile while she tried to call Orion on her gummi phone a second time.
Still he doesn't answer. And every time she asked IRIS. The computer keeps telling her that he is still on his mission and will get back as soon as he can. The computer kept telling her he's fine.
But Orion isn't really fine.
Earlier he activated a security protocol within IRIS to keep what he is doing (or rather what he is going through) a secret.
"Mmmmmm..." Varian made a mouth full of noises as Friday looked down to see Varian suckling and drooling on the head of the Maverick's plush doll. He looks up at Friday while doing it.
Friday just giggled and got up from her seat.
"Awe, guess that means you're hungry" Friday giggled and picked Varian up while tickling his tummy.
Varian just squealed and giggled in reply.
"Yes you are, let's go get you your bottle." Friday said carrying Varian into the kitchen.
"Bababababa." Varian babbled as he was hanging onto Friday.
"Yes I know. We got a fresh baba waiting for your tum tum." Friday chirped as she took a warm baby bottle from a dispenser and made sure it was filled with a warm milk based formula with enough protein and nutrients that was good enough to drink.
Then Friday tested the bottle and held Varian on one arm while she placed the tip of the bottle in his mouth.
"Here you go Darling. Drink up." Friday soothed.
Varian cooed as he began to slurp and relax in Friday's arms. She made sure it was just enough in the bottle to not give him a tummy ache. Varian had very beautiful light blue eyes as he fluttered his eyelids trying to stay awake and drink.
Once the bottle was empty he gave a very adorable yawn with his little mouth wide open.
"Such a big mouth you got there." Friday teased. "Though usually boy's at your age would hiccup after a good meal."
On that note.
"Hic! Hic! Hic!" Varian began to hiccup little squeaks.
"Well that's karma for you." Friday joked as she held him close and patted the baby's back lightly.
After Varian gave a light burp. Friday smiled and walked over to carry him upstairs for a nap.
Friday took another glance to see Groot was playing with Ruddigar outside. When suddenly Ruddigar looked worried and began to sniff something was wrong. Then the Racoon ran off. Groot looked confused as he called for the Racoon but he didn't come back.
Then Groot came over and walked inside while shaking the snow off.
"Easy Groot. Remember who has to mop later." Friday softly warned Groot about tracking snow in the room.
"I am Groot." Groot apologized meekly.
"It's alright big guy. Could you help me wit-" Friday almost asked when something interrupted her.
Then IRIS's alert system displayed in the kitchen. Thankfully it wasn't a loud alarm given they had a baby in the house. Orion and Friday installed these systems after moving in.
'Alert! Alert! Old Corona is under attack!' IRIS alerted Friday.
"Oh, shit." Friday whispered, before turning to Groot. "Here Groot. Watch over him while I'm gone."
"I am Groot?" Groot asked surprised before Friday gently shoved Varian into his arms.
"You'll be fine." Friday said before changing into Shift. "Later!"
With that, Friday went through the open door and took off, closing the door with the shockwave of her takeoff.
Groot looked down at Varian then back where Friday was a moment ago.
"I am Groot?" Groot asked nervously. Translated: "But what if he needs changing?"
That would be the least of their problems. Groot looked outside and noticed that the Snow Storm was starting to become stronger.
Down over in Old Corona...
Dark Mongers troops were shooting all over the village of old Corona. Villagers were running for their lives while others were trying to defend their village. Several bodies were dropping like flies from the ones defending the village. Red Dark Mongers started burning their crops as three farmers were running from out of the fields. One of then caught fire and was screaming in agony while dying and rolling on the floor
"No-AAAAAAHHHHH!" The burning farmer screamed.
"DAAAD!" A young farmer screamed out to him.
"Where's Quirin?!" A villager who was taking cover from the bullets asked
"I don't know!" Another villager yelled.
Then for some reason. The Dark Mongers stopped shooting. As the villagers rose up from taking cover wondering if they were gone. But they were standing there and went into formation.
Then the villagers looked up in horror as Lash himself was hovering down, large and bulky as ever. Like a tower, as he landed on the ash covered grass and was holding a body.
Quirin's body.
The villagers gasped in horror as several women began sobbing for their fallen leader. Then Lash tossed Quirin's body to the ground. And looked around at all the pain and devastation and took pride in it all. Homes burning and bodies laying on the streets as he began to make his speech.
"Look upon your fallen leader! Corona of Old! He failed to heed the warning of the rocks! Failed to make your King aware of the coming wrath of the dark one!" Lash echoed throughout all the people standing or hiding. "QUIRIN! Was that his name?! His fear of taking action! Brought this all on you! Rest assured! Your sacrifice! Your death will send an even greater message! In the hopes that your leaders will act and set everything on the path of your world's salvation!"
Ruddigar had arrived and looked horrified to see his owner dead. And the Racoon growled knowing Lash is responsible. So not caring about the danger. Ruddigar ran out and tried to slash his claws at Lash's leg.
But the big brute felt nothing as he looked down and chuckled before he gave a light kick which caused the Raccoon to roll over on the ground moaning and whimpering in pain.
One of the Dark Mongers was about to shoot and kill the Racoon when Lash held his hand up.
"No. I see spirit in this little vermin. Perhaps he will benefit." Lash figured seeing potential and opportunity.
Then he gave an order to another Dark Monger.
"Take the Racoon to our contact in Halfworld. He'll be thrilled to have a new specimen." Lash ordered.
The Dark Monger obeyed while picking up Ruddigar who was too weak to fight back. While glaring at Lash. Before the Dark Monger flew away in the sky with Ruddigar.
Taking the Raccoon to the planet known as Halfworld.
"Where was I?" Lash turned his attention back to the villager raising his hand. "Ready and Aim." He ordered his Dark Mongers troops.
The robots then pointed their cannons at the people as children were crying and huddled up against their parents or caretakers.
And then. Just as Lash was about to give the order to fire.
Lightning began striking down all of the Dark Mongers around Lash as he looked up and smiled sinisterly to see Shift in the sky causing lightning to strike down his troops.
Lash jumped into the air as the villagers looked up to see their feminine savior fight back as Shift delivered a lightning punch into Lash who hovered and recoiled to send a punch to her stomach. But Shift was full of rage to take the pain as she delivered a multi layered punch into Lash. Before he slammed both fists into Shift and caused the female armored warrior to crash into a burning house.
Lash zoomed into the house. And a few seconds later. Shift was tossed out of the house and she grunted when she rolled over as a Dark Monger Heavy Troop slammed into her.
Shift collapsed groaning on the snow ground as she tried to get up. But then Lash dashed over and gripped her throat while dragging her through and across the ground. Causing the ground to make a trail of destruction as he slammed her back down and tried to stomp her only for Shift to scream "ENOUGH!" And she blast Lash with a bolt of electricity out of her hands. Sending him across the field.
The snowstorm was blowing so hard that the sky was thick in a fog.
Then she turned and gave a death glare to the Dark Monger brute and five remaining robotic troops. Only for her to hold her hands out and cause them to static and short circuit. And then...
*Ka-Boom!*
They blew up.
With the Dark Mongers dealt with. Shift looked over to see Lash was gone. Due to the snow storm, he was able to slip away easily. Then Shift looked over at all the devastation. And Quirin's body on the ground. Varian's father. Now that sweet little baby she was just watching over. Is going to be raised without his father.
Shift went over as her armor was scraped and her metallic face looked bruised a little with a few cuts. And she picked up Quirin and walked over to several villagers who were grieving for their leader as she passed his body over to two men that volunteered to take the body and bury Quirin.
Then Friday looked over and saw the gift shop. The same Sunrise Gift Shop burning down. All of her and Orion's hard world and first few years in Corona are now gone. Thankfully Jordan Pinkle seems to be alive. But the poor teen just stood there, looking around watching sadly as the rest of them.
And what really made Shift gasp was seeing Genevieve. Orion's dark skin French Psychiatrist on the ground with a few cuts on her face with ashes. But that's not why she's on the ground.
Genevieve was on her knees. Mourning over her dead husband, Arthur. Crying hard with streams of years staining the ashes on her face as she rose up to sob and inhale.
"Arthur ! Arthur ! Mon bien-aimé! Je suis désolé! Christ Tout-Puissant pourquoi ?!" Genevieve sobbed loudly.
Shift watched from a distance feeling heartbroken and overwhelmed by the damage that's been done. Shift managed to shed a few tears, especially for Genevieve and her dead husband. Orion had invited them both to dinner at their mansion last week.
One thing's for sure. Lash is going to pay for all of this. All of his crimes. Shift tried contacting Orion again but no answer.
"***k. Where are you?" Shift hissed as she was walking away.
And then it hit her. Orion heading to the castle the last time they spoke. Rapunzel might know where he is.
Back down at the castle Meeting room...
Rapunzel who was now wearing a large pink winter coat and a pink winter attire, including matching winter boots. The Queen for a day was now pacing back and forth in one of the castle rooms, with Nigel and the captain standing to the side and Cassandra, who is also donned in winter attire, standing in front of the window, looking out towards the blizzard.
All of a sudden, Cassandra's pet owl appeared outside the window with a loud screech, making Cassandra gasp. Cassandra quickly opened the window to let him in and Rapunzel helped closed the window.
The owl landed on Cassandra's right arm, a troubled look on her face.
"Cass, what is it?" Rapunzel asked, concerned as the owl flew off Cassandra's arm with a hoot.
"The worst of the storm is yet to come." Cassandra stated, as the owl landed right next to Pascal in front of the fire, using it to warm up.
Rapunzel and Cassandra turned to Nigel and the captain as they stepped forward.
"Unless we do something, Rapunzel, the whole island will be buried!" Nigel informed with great concern on his face. "Our only hope is to call a state of emergency, evacuate to the shelters on the mainland, and pray this storm blows over."
"We'll never be able to get everyone to safety in time." Rapunzel stressed out, very panicked. She took a deep breath to calm herself before conditioning. "That can't be the only way."
Rapunzel started pacing trying to think, before an idea came to mind.
"What about Xavier?" Rapunzel suggested surprising Nigel.
Earlier. The Blacksmith named Xavier told of an ancient legend that was very familiar with the snow storm. A tale about Lord Demanitus, a warrior who was equal in both science and magic, built a machine to counter the curse of Zhan Tiri, an evil warlock who hated Corona. His device won and was set to be somewhere under Corona now.
But others had their doubts since it's just a legend.
"Your Highness! With all due respect, lives are at stake here. We can't go chasing after fairy tales in our darkest need!" Nigel exclaimed stressed and slightly frustrated.
Before Rapunzel could respond. They heard some noises down the hall as Pete and Stand were knocked across the floor screaming.
"Ahh!"
Everyone came over to see this as Friday came limping in the room with a hood over her face wearing a black and dark purple winter attire.
Friday's face was covered in scrapes and cuts with a swelling bruise under her eye. And she had a serious look on her face.
Rapunzel and her friends were shocked to see the state Orion's girlfriend was in.
"Sorry. I didn't have time to get a hall pass." Friday dismissed her aggression.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Nigel demanded.
"Young lady-" The Captain was going to take her out of the room but Rapunzel placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's alright! Captain. You can stand down." Rapunzel stated calmly to the captain, to reach he complied and steps close. "Friday? What happened?! Are you okay?"
"We need to talk. Alone. Just give me five minutes." Friday asked with a small short breath.
From the sound of her voice it was urgent and possibly bad news.
Rapunzel looked concerned at this, but nodded in agreement before turning to the other occupants in the room.
"Please excuse me for a moment. I need to speak with her privately." Rapunzel stated, which did not sit well with Nigel or the Captain.
"Your Highness-" Nigel tried to deject.
"It's okay, Nigel. I won't be long." Rapunzel said calmly before leading Friday out into the hall and shutting the door.
Once they were alone. Rapunzel spoke first as she needed to know what happened? And why Friday was desperate enough to burst in and cause a scene like that in her castle. The Princess wasn't mad, she was concerned for Friday. And also Orion.
The Princess hoped this wasn't bad news about him.
"Friday, what's wrong?" Rapunzel asked.
"Old Corona was attacked by Lash and the Dark Mongers. I fought Back, but..." Friday grimaced, closing her eyes for a second before looking up at her. "Quirin is dead."
Rapunzel gasped in horror, her eyes widened and a hand went to her face.
"Oh my God… It can't be. He was just here not too long ago, speaking with my father about obtaining more land for the crops." Rapunzel rambled, heartbroken at the terrible news. "Why would Lash attack him and the village?"
"He lied to your father. There aren't that many crops. They're land was being torn apart by the rocks. And now there isn't much of Old Corona left. Lash and his troops killed Quirin along with dozens of villagers." Friday dejected.
Thus the bruising marks on her body
"No..." Rapunzel gasped, tears in her eyes. "All those innocent people. How can they do something so horrible?"
"Because Lash is a psychopathic ***k." Friday spat and exhaled." Listen I know you have your hands tied with the storm. So let's deal with one problem at a time. Do you know where Orion is? I tried calling him but he won't answer."
"You mean he isn't back yet?" Rapunzel looked surprised.
Orion was only on his way to get cured. Surely it won't take that long for him to get treatment.
"What do you mean yet?" Friday inquired.
Rapunzel realized her mistake.
"Oops." The Princess bit her tongue looking worried.
"Rapunzel? Where is he?" Friday inquired sharply.
"I don't know where he is." Rapunzel said nervously. Which technically, she didn't know exactly where he went to.
But Friday could tell Rapunzel knows more.
"What did he tell you? IRIS told me he was speaking with you last." Friday approached her with a skeptical look.
Sadly IRIS' protocol could only keep so much info away. But the computer still didn't say where Orion was.
Rapunzel tried to think before she sighed, trying to calm herself.
"I'm sorry. But I don't know anything." Rapunzel said sadly.
But Friday wasn't having it. She immediately grabbed Rapunzel by the collar of her coat and backed the Princess into a wall.
"I won't ask again. Where the hell is he?" Friday sneered angrily.
Rapunzel looked afraid of what Friday might do if she didn't answer quickly. But while the Princess was trying to come up with an answer.
*Prick!*
"Ah!" Friday winced.
Something pricked Friday on the side of her neck making her hiss as she used one hand to feel her neck. Friday pulled out a small dart in her neck. And suddenly her skin turned blue as her human form dropped and her skull eyes were showing.
And suddenly...
"CAPTAIN! THE PRINCESS IS BEING ATTACKED BY A BLUE DEMON!" A castle guard named Roman was standing in the hallway and saw what was happening at the last second.
The Princess is pinned against the wall by a dangerous looking blue girl.
The captain and the others ran out of the room and saw the scene with different levels of shock. Cassandra was not expecting this at all. But before she could get a word, the captain beat her to the punch.
"Guards! Seize this demon!" The Captain ordered his men.
As the guards were running up to Friday. Roman the guard fired his crossbow into Friday's left leg.
"Aaah!" Friday shrieked and collapsed as an arrow went into her leg. But then she stood up and growled like a skrull. "RAAAAGH!"
Then Friday ran away and jumped out of the hallway window. Shattering the glass and disappearing into the storm.
"Guards! Search the Perimeter! That demon may still be here!" Captain ordered the guards. "And get this window sealed up!"
"Sir!" The guards saluted and they all ran off to do their jobs. The captain and Nigel left to inform the other guards as well, leaving Rapunzel and Cassandra alone.
"Rapunzel, are you okay?" Cassandra asked, stepping close and putting a hand on her shoulder. "What just happened?"
Rapunzel took a few breaths before talking to her.
"Friday just came from Old Corona. There was an attack by Lash and his Dark Mongers." Rapunzel said, shocking Cassandra. "Several people were killed, including Quirin."
Cassandra looked shocked and sadden to hear this
"Damn. That's….grim. And that would explain Friday's condition." Cassandra said before frowning. "But where was Orion during all this? And why did Friday have you pinned against the wall with her disguise down?"
"I don't know what happened to her disguise. I think she was surprised about it too." Rapunzel explained. "As for being pinned, Orion left to do something important and he made me promise not to tell Friday. But he hasn't returned yet like he said he would. So between worrying about him and not knowing where he is while dealing with this recent tragedy, she became desperate."
"But where is Orion then? What could he not want her to know?" Cassandra asked, skipping over the whole pinning a moment ago now understanding their friend's urgency during the time.
Rapunzel hesitated answering before deciding she could trust her with this secret.
"Orion is dying." Rapunzel whispered, horrifying Cassandra.
"What?" Cassandra asked.
"He's been dealing with this illness since he was a kid. But the cure he's been using is no longer working." Rapunzel said sadly. "Someone contacted him, saying they knew he was and what he was going through. And they said a way to cure him for good."
"So some stranger who somehow knew who he was and about his illness, called him out of the blue, saying they have the cure he was looking for?" Cassandra stated, not happy that Orion went along with an obviously shady proposal. "What the hell was he thinking?"
"He knew it was risky. But he was out of options. He was running out of time." Rapunzel said, a great sadness in her eyes. "He looked so scared."
"So he told you all this, made you promise not to tell Friday, and when he hasn't come back yet, especially with this recent attack, she gets stonewalled looking for her boyfriend." Cassandra muttered, making Rapunzel feel guilty. "No wonder she looked so pissed."
"I wanted to tell her. But I promised Orion." Rapunzel whispered, fighting back tears. "I couldn't break his trust. I couldn't-"
"I know, Rapunzel." Cassandra said sympathetically, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I know."
Then Cassandra pulled her into a hug which Rapunzel returned.
"Orion, Friday." Rapunzel whispered, looking out the window sadly at the blizzard. "Please be okay."
Later on at the Workshop...
"This is how's going to work." Ajax told Orion. "Adrenaline acts as a catalyst to the serum, so… we're gonna have to make you suffer. If you're lucky. Your mutant genes will manifest in a spectacular fashion. If not… then we'll have to keep on hurting you. In new and different ways each more painful than the last. Until you finally mutate. Or die."
On that note. Orion under goes hours of different painful tests and torture routines.
Moments like Orion tied and strung up by his wrists bound to the ceiling, while wearing only a towel. As a guard made him suffer from getting punched to the face and stomach multiple times. Getting bruises and a bit up blood and spit sipping from his mouth, and grunting in the background from each punch.
Then Orion was stripped and hosed down in a cage. Trying to breathe as it happens. Hot water.
Then Orion was Locked in a box full of cold water and ice for several hours. Suffering the pain of being near Hypothermia.
Orion was then later waterboarded in a tub full of mucky water. Having a bad taste in his mouth as he was dunked repeatedly
And then Orion chained to a wall with a bag over his head, being electrocuted. Shocked multiple times until he passed out from the pain.
And in all of these painful moments Orion endured. He wasn't fazed by any of it. Because he has become someone that doesn't take pain very seriously.
Even though all of this is inhumane child abuse. Orion is no child. He's only in the body of one. He has the mind of an adult. But...that mind doesn't take up everything about him.
The worst thing is that Orion doesn't have the means to summon his Keyblade or use his powers due to the Workshop's dark ability to shut down all powers.
Orion is facing the darkest moment of his life.
Later on...
Orion was strapped to a table in his cell. Awaiting the next treatment as he was lost in his thoughts and recovering from the last shock torture.
When the guards brought in a new patient. A guy wearing the same hospital gown as he was. Only he had large braids like a Jamaican clown and a devious expression.
This guy also had yellow skin and a weird design to his face like animation.
Orion knew for quite some time that certain shows on TV, comics books especially video games have their own worlds that magically feed ideas to prime conduit writers and authors.
In this case. Orion was sort of mildly surprised to see a character from The Simpsons's world show up. And that character is none other than...Sideshow Bob.
"Greeting." Sideshow Bob greeted with an evil chuckle.
"Hey." Orion nodded to him. "So what are you in for?"
"Oh a cop on Ajax payroll. Which consisted of gluten-free donuts. Was paid to bring me here. They figured it would lesson my sentence." Sideshow Bob stated obliviously.
"Sheesh. So you didn't have to be convinced like a dumb ass to end up in here." Orion shrugged.
Actually that's just the first half of the story. I refused escape through the back of the kitchen where they keep all the lima beans." Sideshow Bob clarified.
"Ugh...That stuff is the worst." Orion gagged at the thought of a room filled with lima beans. "I hope they don't go with force-feeding me those Kermit droplets next."
"Where was I? Oh yeah. And there I was, as I was wallowing in defeat at my failed attempt to kill that Simpson brat, a guy in a black suit told me that I could get the power I need to get revenge. Next thing I knew, I was strapped in a hospital bed." Sideshow Bob dramatically told Orion how he really ended up there.
"I see... You do know they're going to kick your ass to turn you into a glorified power tool right?" Orion pointed out.
"Ooooh sounds fun." Sideshow bob beamed sinisterly at the thought of being tortured.
"Oh yeah. You'd love it. They might even pull a back tooth out. They haven't done that to me yet. Maybe my teeth won't sell much due to my size….Age maybe?..." Orion quipped as he was engaging into a conversation. Then Orion realized what he just said. "Dang it! I just called myself a tiny little pipsqueak." He muttered in frustration.
"So seeing that we are more than likely going to die happy and in agony. Anything on your bucket list?" Sideshow Bob asked.
"Well I'd really like to light a spliff off of the Olympic Torch." Orion shrugged.
"Oooh...Pass it to me right after." Sideshow Bob smirked sinisterly thinking about burning Bart.
"You know there's more to life than just killing a smart ass pain driving ten year old. Or at least I think Bart is ten." Orion pointed out and pondered about Bart's age.
More than twenty seasons and Maggie still isn't potty trained.
"Not really. You must understand my dear boy, killing Bart is my life purpose, so long as he lives, I can never find peace." Sideshow Bob stated to Orion.
"Yeah. I hear you. I'm the same way until they kill Negan in the Walking Dead. But really I always wanted to kill off the little sister from Drake & Josh." Orion smirked at the thought.
That mean spirited girl was half the reason the ratings went down eventually. The Tree House episode was the worst.
"Then. You know how I feel." Sideshow Bob sympathized himself with Orion.
"Still. There are other thrills I'd like to do before I can truly be at peace. Let's not forget naked tandem base jumping with the WNBA Sacramento Monarchs." Orion pointed out.
"Hmmm. Then again. After killing Bart. Anything afterwards on my bucket list would involve public nudity." Sideshow Bob figured.
Orion snickered at that. "And even. Giving Meredith Baxter Birney a dutch oven." Orion added another on the list.
"Oh nonononononono No! Receiving a dutch oven from Meredith Baxter Birney. Making banana pancakes for my kids. They're names are Pistol. Chainsaw and butcher knife. Because that's what they are. I'm having another kid by the way. I think it will be a multi tool teddy bear, which will make it a girl." Sideshow Bob fantasized.
"Good for you Man! Hey, be sure to send me family photos!" Orion congratulated sideshow Bob.
"With Bart or maybe the President, or maybe a video game film director in the color paint background?" Sideshow Bob hinted at using his kids to paint the background red with someone that deserves it.
"Anyone! It doesn't matter!" Orion beamed. Deep down Orion was still nuts.
Then in his thoughts, as Sideshow Bob spoke out his plans if he ever got out. Orion was drifting as he looked up at the ceiling. Thinking about the one person he wanted to be with right now.
This facility has a darkness that makes time slow down. As if hours in the real world is days in here. And Orion was starting to feel the absences.
"Friday..." Orion whispered a special bucket list. "I wanna see Friday...Zel."
He was also thinking about the one person he was starting to see as a sister. Like Trish.
Then the door opened as Ajax came in.
"Lovely. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm touched." Ajax came in with a smirk that meant he was up to know good.
Which made Sideshow Bob shiver and gulp.
"We we we were...You know just joking." Sideshow Bob chartered his teeth.
"No, no. It's okay. I encourage distractions. Wouldn't want you giving up on us, now would we?" Ajax mused as he gripped Sideshow Bob toes.
Making the Simpsons character gulp and sweat.
"Hey, don't take any shit from him, Bob. How tough can he be, with a name like Francis?" Orion spat and choked on a chuckle.
"Francis?" Sideshow Bob inquired about Ajax's real name.
Ajax...Francis now had a dark look with a small grin on his face. Hearing Orion use his real name.
"That's his legal name. He got Ajax from the dish soap." Orion chuckled and wheezed a bit.
Even Angel was in the room with a bemused look. As Francis was slowly approaching Orion's table.
"F, R, A, N, C, I, oops! I nabbed the dry-cleaning tag off your lab coat." Orion remarked, showing his restraint hand showing a tag with a receipt. "FYI, I could probably get you the Keyblader's discount."
"You are so relentlessly annoying. For someone not old enough to drive yet." Francis remarked.
"Thanks. Never heard that before." Orion quipped.
"Why don't you do us all a favor and shut the ***k up? Or I'll freeze your mouth shut." Francis quietly threatened.
Orion looked unfazed. "Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you. See, here's the problem with round-the-clock torture. You can't really step it up from there." He pointed out.
Francis smirked sinisterly and leaned down to look at Orion.
"Is that what you think, Boy?" Francis inquired.
Later on in another room...
Several guards were assisting with strapping Orion to a clear glass hypobaric chamber. This side of an upturned tanning bed.
Ironic choice for words for what happens next.
Francis was in the room eating a lunch salad and waving a fork in his hand as he explained.
"If this doesn't unlock your mutation, well... Nothing will. Now, what we're going to do is lower the oxygen concentration in there to the exact point you feel like you're suffocating. If your brain waves slow, meaning you're about to pass out, then we'll turn up the O2. If your heart rate slows, meaning you're able to catch your breath, we'll turn it back down. And that's where we'll leave you. Right there." Francis pointed out sinisterly.
"Ugh, I thought you guys were dicks before." Orion looked weirded out and slightly nervous by the details.
"You know the funniest part of all this? You still think we're making you some kind of better superhero. You, a dishonorable discharge hook deep in fairy-tale hookers? You're nothing." Francis mocked Orion's intelligence while revealing the true intentions of the Workshop and it's dirty secrets. "Our secret, Boy, is that this workshop doesn't make super heroes. We make super slaves. We're gonna fit you with a control collar and auction you off to the highest bidder. And doing this business across other worlds is really booming. Even more than that Pleasure Island act we tried. Until a keyblade wielder took care of them sadly. But...Who knows what they'll have you do. Maybe they'll have you kill him. Or...Have you go out...Terrorizing citizens across the Multiverse, putting down freedom fighters. Blowing up a world for an alien tyrant. Maybe Thanos...Or. Maybe just mow the occasional lawn."
"The ***k's wrong with you?" Orion inquired hearing all these details and taking in his suspensions. Even Rapunzel was right to doubt this place.
Orion was realizing that and it's too late now.
"You're never going home after this." Francis said, which received a glare from Orion. Making him smirk. "Now there's a brave face."
And just as they were about to close the camber seal. Orion panicked a bit.
"Wait, wait!" Orion yelled, making them halt as he took a deep breath. "Seriously, you actually have something in your teeth now."
Francis looked slightly amused and stood up with a sinister smile.
"Enjoy your weekend Forge." Francis suggested.
"Weekend? Back up, weekend?!" Orion asked, looking flabbergasted.
Then the seal shut in the chamber.
Then the chamber began to empty and lower the level of oxygen to a certain point. And Orion's veins began to show as he choked and couldn't breathe. He gasped and echoed in the chamber trying hard to breathe. Francis walked out while eating his salad enjoying the sound.
"Ack…...Haaa!...Ulgh….." Orion had trouble breathing.
This doctor was a real sadist.
As Orion was left in the room. The sounds that were made were just him suffering and the sounds of a heart beat monitor raising up. Showing that he was reaching a high level stress point.
This was where he thought he was going to die. But then Orion's bruises and scars from the amount of torture he was given was healing on their own.
Then his skin starting from his flexing bare feet was turning blood red. And the color was rising up. As his hands turned red. And then his upper body. His face. His hair was turning deep orange. Like blood orange. And his eyes were turning bright green. Like Rapunzel's eyes.
Did everyone think this was a love story? No. It's a horror movie.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! AAAAAAAAHHHH!" Orion exhaled a blood curdling scream of pain with the little breathe he had. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
And this went on.
Later on...
Francis and Angel returned into the room seeing that they're experiment was a success. Amd Francis opened the hatch to the chamber. Causing steam noises as it opened.
"GAHH!" Orion gasped and breathed hard to gain a breath back after being at that point for what felt like hours. Maybe days.
"***kin hell. Looks like someone lost his shot at homecoming queen." Francis remarked about Orion's new look.
Orion is now red skinned. Deep red like a ruby on fire. And his hair is the color of blood orange. His eyes are now green (like Rapunzel's eyes). It's like Orion is no longer human.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!" Orion bellowed in pure rage.
"I've merely raised your stress levels high enough to trigger a mutation." Francis mused.
"YOU SADISTIC ***K!" Orion spat in nothing but hatred.
Francis took that as a complement.
"I've cured you, Boy. Now your mutated cells can heal anything." Francis pointed out. "Not only are your viruses gone. No longer there as if they weren't. But you wield the sun's power like a nursery rhythm."
True. Orion is no longer sick. And nothing can kill him. But...At what cause? His own physical humanity?
"You know, I've seen some of the side effects before. I could cure them." Francis pointed out like an offer before he smirked. "But where's the fun in that?"
Orion looked angry still as he was backing down a little bit more.
"Now I'm gonna shut you in again Boy. Not because I need to." Francis mused as he leaned forward and added. "But because I want to."
Orion then stared blankly at the ceiling, as it seemed that Francis won. Orion felt a surge in his heart to keep going.
"Quick question. Just a little pop quiz before I go. What's my name?" Francis teased for that earlier remark Orion made.
As if it was a little payback.
And then...
The boy smirked as the room began to smoke and steam. Angel looked around slowly with her eyes while standing there.
"Sorry Francis. My lips are sealed." Orion mused before...
Without warning...
***KA-BOOM!***
The entire facility blew up like a gasoline bomb inside a mall! This was the cause of Orion's new found power.
Orion now has the power of fire!
The next morning at the castle...
Rapunzel was busy drawing a picture of Corona covered in snow into her journal. Rapunzel was sitting on her windowsill, looking at the town now free of snow, with a sad expression, thinking back to past events.
Knock knock knock.
Eugene entered her room with a cupcake in hand.
"Hey, celebratory cupcake, huh?" Eugene declared walking towards her.
"No... Uh, no thank you." Rapunzel declined in a depressed tone, looking outside as Eugene stopped in the middle of the room.
"Hello, Blondie. Come on." Eugene said, taking a few steps closer. "You kicked but and saved the day. What are you upset about?"
"Eugene, today I failed to give a friend the answers she needed and now she's injured and who knows where, while Orion is going through who knows what." Rapunzel said with great sadness and self-loading. "I sent the man I love to face possible death, and then did the same to my closest friend. I entrusted the entire welfare of Corona to a fairy tale. In a lot of ways, today was the most difficult day of my life."
Rapunzel looked away in shame.
"Sweetheart, what are you saying?" Eugene asked, concerned for his girlfriend who now looked back with sad eyes.
"I….." Rapunzel sighed sadly. "I'm not sure I want to be Queen."
Eugene was surprised to hear this, and the sadness in her face made his heart ache. Rapunzel looked away again in sadness. Eugene sat next to her.
"Hey, Rapunzel, I know today was overwhelming. And I can't say I wouldn't be feeling the same way. But you becoming queen is a long time away" Eugene smiled softly to Rapunzel and took her hand. "Just know that when that time comes, no matter what you decide, I will be right here with you."
Rapunzel smiled and hugged Eugene, which he returned.
"Thank you for bringing my parents home." Rapunzel said, tears forming in her eyes as they pulled away from the hug.
"Hey, you got it." Eugene replied back, giving her a kiss on the lips. Which she returned.
Rapunzel felt content as Eugene's words sunk in. Whatever happens. He'll always be on her side.
Later at Orion's mansion...
Friday was in the Mav Club. She had been in there for several hours after her fiasco at the castle. Now that people know she's an alien. She and Orion will be hunted down. Thankfully no one knows where they live except for Rapunzel and her friends. But they won't spill secrets. Rapunzel made that very clear to her.
And the best thing about this mansion is that it can go into stealth mode. Now the mansion looks more like an empty mountain with a large river. No one would dare step into this place.
Especially with the many security installments around the perimeter. Not even the Greek army could break into this place.
Friday stepped out of a chamber with steam surrounding her. She was wearing a white tank top and matching undergarments as her blue bare feet stepped and crossed the platform steps to the Healing Chamber.
Now all her injuries were healed as she had a serious look on her face. She was determined to go find Orion. Her beloved. Whether anyone will help her or not.
"IRIS. Have you annualized the content and chemical agent of this dart?" Friday requested.
The blue girl had the computer scan the dart that turned off her shape shifting abilities. Thankfully those effects were only temporary. Friday tested I by shape shifting into a villager woman to escape the guards that were searching around the castle and near it.
'The basic compounds that are identified are Natron. Aspartame +. Lead. Natron and a neurotoxin found at the nearest pharmaceutical store two yards from the castle.' IRIS stated.'The other three compounds are alien based. Barbic acid. Rubaticium. Therium. And Vartallic acid.'
All words that are foreign in the human periodic table.
"IRIS, could you please explain it to me more clearly?" Friday asked patiently, tapping her bare foot on the floor.
'The compounds are half Earth based and half alien. The alien half are the common compounds for the Dark Mongers arsenal of weapons.' IRIS explained the first part.
Then Friday remembered something important. Orion had a theory that the Corona castle probably has a traitor working there. And possibly working for Lash. Perhaps the traitor shot her with that dart.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. And I'm just remembering this now?" Friday groaned, rubbing her forehead in frustration with herself, and with her boyfriend for now being here. "I swear, I'm gonna give that boy an earful when I see him again."
'While the protocol The Maverick activated prevents me from revealing his current location. It can't prevent me from revealing his last known location. So we can trace it to his current location.' IRIS noted a perfect possibility to find Orion. 'I would recommend searching for him.'
"My thoughts exactly." Friday stated with determination on her face. "I'm gonna find that idiot, make sure he's ok, then give him a piece of my mind."
'Be careful, Miss Shift. I can't say what. But what the Maverick is enduring, is far worse than anything a human being at his age can handle. My advice. Find him. And restore my full functions. For he has my functions split into two operating systems.' IRIS stated grimly.
It seemed IRIS' main systems are on Friday's side.
"Understood IRIS. I won't let him fall into darkness" Friday agreed before shifting into Shift.
A few minutes later upstairs in the mansion kitchen...
Groot was busy holding his breath as he extended his wooden arms toward the trash can. Holding another dirty diaper. This was a stink bomb times eleven.
"I am Groot." Groot exhaled after holding his breath.
And the tree was relieved to see Baby Varian asleep in the living room crib.
Suddenly noise came up from the secret elevator right by the grandfather clock as the wall slid open for Friday, who step out wearing a new outfit consisting of a blue leather jacket with a hood and her sleeves rolled up. A dark purple shirt underneath. A pair of long dark pants and combat boots. And her white hair was tied up in a ponytail.
Friday walked out in the elevator looking ready to leave with a travel sack full of supplies hanging on her shoulder.
"I am Groot?" Groot asked curiously. Translated: "Are you okay?"
"I'm going out to find Orion, and bring him home." Friday said before looking at Groot. "Groot, you're in charge of looking after Varian while I'm gone."
"I am Groot?!" Groot looked stunned speechless again.
Friday did not reply to him and just walked over to the crib to look at Varian.
"I'll be gone for a while. Be good for Groot while I'm away. I'll be back when I can." Friday whispered and leaned down to softly kiss his forehead.
"Nuauh..." Varian cooed in his sleep while he brought his hand up to suck on his thumb.
Friday gave him such an adoring look. Now that his father is gone. Varian is their responsibility now. It's gonna be tough being without a father. But they'll be there for him every step of the way.
Friday then shared a hug with Groot who returned it. Groot knows about what happened at the castle and that Orion is missing. As a guardian over these kids. He feels for both of them. Especially Friday.
"I am Groot." Groot softly said to Friday while hugging her. Translated: "Please be careful out there. You and Orion are my only family."
"Don't worry. I'll be careful, and I'll bring Orion home." Friday said as she returned the hug. "I promise you."
Groot nodded looking sadly but gave her a smile.
Feeling content to leave. Friday walked out of the mansion and shifted into Shift before she took off into the sky.
To search for the one she loves.
Later down at the Workshop crater...
The entire facility in the Arctic was now in rubble as the patients were running out into the snow and stealing gummi ships to escape and fly off. The guards were incapacitated and Francis. Well...He and Angel were now missing. They somehow survived the explosion and are now vanished like air.
Sideshow Bob was sitting on a pile of dead guards corpses like a sofa while sipping a cup of coffee. Wearing warmer black colored clothes stripped from one of the corpses.
And drinking a cup of coffee.
"Ah. The sweet smell of a failed corporation. Like RadioShack." Sideshow Bob sighed happily to be out of there.
Then suddenly. Orion crawled out of the snow and ruble. Having survived the explosion and collapse due to his healing factor. And his skin is still red. And he was naked. But the frozen climate didn't bother him due to his new heat powers protecting him from Hypothermia.
"Woah. Hot sauce on father's magazines!" Sideshow Bob gawked. "What happened to you?"
Orion responded by conjuring up a keyblader outfit made of fire. Looking just like his previous one but red and orange.
"Just a bad day at the office Bob." Orion remarked darkly. "IRIS. How many days was it?"
'Actually it was just ten hours.' IRIS corrected.
The IRIS Orion was speaking to was her second operating system that's separate from the one Friday was speaking to.
"WHAT?!" Orion exclaimed. "How the flying flark is that possible?!"
'The Workshop was under a dark aura that not only blocked your magic. But it slows down time. Making one day feel like several.' IRIS explained.
"It felt like an eternity in that hellhole. Like a Dharma & Greg marathon." Orion exhaled on how awful it was.
"Excuse me but aren't you that boy who was my cell mate that died?" Sideshow Bob inquired while clearing his throat.
"Do I look dead, Lenny Kravitz?" Orion snorted looking at Sideshow Bob.
"No. To be honest you are hard to look at now." Sideshow Bob mused.
"Like the Pinterest logo with teeth." Orion quipped about his own looks.
"You look like Hellboy face-screwed the Republican map of Utah." Sideshow Bob stated also.
"Exactly. And the only guy who can fix this fugly mug is the British shitstick who ran this place." Orion declared."And I'm gonna hunt him down. Force him to fix me and feed him his own teeth."
"Ooooh. Sounds fun. Can we eat him afterwards?" Sideshow Bob asked, looking excited.
"You can have him all you want afterwards actually." Orion smirked before shifting into his Maverick form. "If you join in the hunt."
Maverick's armor replaced the blue and green with red and orange. Now that his neon powers are in the colors of red and orange, like his skin and hair color. And his fire powers.
Slideshow Bob tossed the mug aside and straightened his jacket.
"Count me in...What's your name again?" Sideshow Bob inquired.
"Orion Forge. AKA The Maverick." Maverick introduced himself offering a handshake.
"Nice to make your awful acquaintance Melvin." Sideshow shook his hand.
"It's Maverick." Maverick deadpanned.
"Malcom." Sideshow Bob corrected himself.
"Close enough Bobby." Maverick quipped before he grabbed the back of Sideshow Bob's jacket and took off flying in the air.
"WOOOOHOOOOOO! I AM DEAD BART HAPPY UNTIL I GET HOME!" Sideshow Bob cheered through the air as Maverick flew off carrying the serial Nutcase from Springfield.
Maverick was now on his way to track down Francis. Knowing that since he blew up his facility. Ajax and Angel are stranded on this world somewhere. Looking for their next opportunity to strike and possibly get back in business of taking advantage of people who were and ate suffering like Orion.
Maverick plans to find Francis. Force him to fix him. And then kill him. If no one stops the Maverick soon.
He will lose himself to the darkness known as vengeance.
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS!
Crap! This was very tough for me to write. 😓😰. I normally don't like writing anything with torture and abuse, or even a character being secretly sick the whole time. But for the sake of the plot and where it's going. It had to be done.
Also I'm so sorry for those of you who were fans of Quirin from the show. But given that Varian is only a baby in this story. He will be in good hands after this. And I have something very special planned for him that you all will love in the end. So don't worry 😉
Oh and I almost forgot. On the bright side. ORION HAS FIRE POWERS! IN ADDITION TO NEON! 😁
So...
Aiden has neon and ice powers.
Connor has neon and water powers.
And Orion has neon and fire powers.
Talk about a variety.
Also on the bright side as well. WELCOME SIDESHOW BOB! Played the Frasier star himself! Kelsey Grammer! Our first character from the Simpsons to finally show up in one of my stories.
"Thank you. And tell me where Bart is." Sidehow Bob replied.
Uh...*clear thoat.* Anyway. Thank you all so much for reading!
Be sure to add this story to your faves and follows if you like what you see and leave your comments and reviews below to let me know your thoughts.
Thank you against SPYRO 101 and Alton for helping me write this chapter and getting through it.
And as always Disney/Square Enix fans!
FISTBUMP! 👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊
