WE'RE BACK FOLKS!🎉 🎉

Now this chapter is what I have been looking forward to writing. Ever since I gained the thought of writing this story, I always wanted it to end differently than how the episode ended. Instead of Rapunzel's young friend betraying her. This will end the same way the first half of the finale ended.

"How?" Orion inquired trying to figure that out.

Dude. You're in the chapter. You obviously know.

Oh and there's a small cameo of one of my other OCs in this chapter. Someone you and I are already well acquainted with. 😁😉

Also I know that according to season two, the black rocks originated from a mystical object at a place called the Dark Kingdom. But I don't think it was always called that. So with the help of me playing Uncharted 2. I decided to use another myth to connect with the Dark Kingdom without affecting too much of what happens in Season Two.

Which will also connect a classic Disney film I enjoyed as a child. After you read this story. Can you guess what it is? 😉

Before we do that however. Let us first answer some comments.

SPYRO 101: Thank you! Yeah she is not happy about everything that has happened. But in the words of Alfred. 'Things always get worse before they get better.' And the better part starts in this chapter. 👍😉

RustyPete12: Thank you! Oh trust me, I have a huge plan for all three Mavericks. And you'll see a hint of it in this chapter. And don't worry. I will not neglect my other two Mavericks writing about this one. In fact after this. I will focus on Aiden and Connor's stories for a while before I post another one for this one. I just had to get this one out the way before I could continue the others. 👍😉

Alright. Now that we're all here.

LET'S GET DANGEROUS! 😎


The Maverick Returns.

Morning in Corona...

All was bright and positive for the kingdom of Corona. And things at the castle were running smoothly. Especially since everyone all over town was getting ready to celebrate the birthday of their beloved Princess and her return to the kingdom.

But speaking of the Princess. Rapunzel was all but happy. In fact she walked in from the front entrance looking pissed off as her bare feet stomped across the floor. Passing several people.

"Good morning, Princess." A young maiden greeted as she passed by.

"Beautiful day." A guard greeted her.

"Someone's in a hurry." A noble mused as she passed by.

And Shorty was in a gold vase recovering from his lifetime hangover and the one he acquired from the Snuggly Duckling last night.

"Gesundheit M'lady." Shorty slurred as he popped out and hung.

But Rapunzel ignored them all as she was marching to the throne room. Ready for answers. Whether her own father was ready to give them or not.

Currently King Frederic was on his throne listening to a report delivered from a town official. While Nigel was reviewing the report with the King.

And Roman the guard was there. Acting as the King's guard for the throne. Which was his job as always. Roman guarded the throne every time someone walked in. In fact he was there when Quirin lied to the King about the crops.

But he was never a people person.

The side door to the throne room opened, making everyone turn to see Rapunzel walk in, an angry look on her face.

"You lied to me." Rapunzel seethed out.

Sensing that this was going to get bad, the Official, Nigel, and Roman stepped out of the throne room to give Frederic and Rapunzel privacy.

"Rapunzel, I just heard what happened in Old Corona." Frederic said as Rapunzel stomped up the steps to the throne and he stood from his throne. "I, I assure you, my intent was only to protect you."

"From what?! Your own men and the corpses they made?!" Rapunzel snapped back at him. None too happy about what happened.

The Captain and his guards weren't honest while stalking Rapunzel, and wearing hostile masks while traumatizing her with corpses. making Her think that they were a threat. If they were there to protect The Princess from those Mercenaries, They should have made themselves known and warned her about the danger they posed instead of letting her walk into it none the wiser.

The king looked to the side, having been caught in his deception, while also feeling guilty that his daughter had to witness such brutality.

"It's time for answers, Dad." Rapunzel stated firmly as Frederic stepped down the stairs of his throne. "I want to know why you lied about Old Corona? And why you've been covering up the fact that our Kingdom is being destroyed by those black rocks. What are you trying to hide?"

Frederic stood with his back facing her, his eyes closed.

"I'm sorry, my dear. I did not want to lie to you." Frederic said before opening his eyes and turning to face her. "But you are not ready for the truth."

Rapunzel did not like that answer as she rubbed her forehead in frustration.

"Oh, Dad, we are beyond what I am and not ready for." Rapunzel said as she waved her arms about, trying to make her father see reason. "People have died! And they are still in danger!"

"Rapunzel!" Frederic snapped before speaking to her sternly. "I am the king, and I have the situation under control."

Rapunzel just narrowed her eyes before turning to walk away. But she stopped and sighed, before turning her head to her father.

"You know, you are not the first person to lie to me and tell me I am not ready for the real world." Rapunzel said bitterly, Referring to Gothel, before storming out, slamming the door as she went.

Frederic was hurt when Rapunzel said those words, but felt more guilt and regret about how this all turned out.


Meanwhile in the Captain's office…..

Cassandra was wearing her Lady-In-Waiting outfit as she was turning in her sword, and guard helmet. Looking blankly to hide the resentment and disappointment she had in her heart for this to happen. All she did was accompany Rapunzel in her quest to find the bronze graptyc. And she protected her best friend from her own father and the guards.

Now she's paying for it.

The King had her status as a guard removed and put on probation as the Lady-In-Waiting. Thankfully the King never found out about her helping Rapunzel sneak out of the castle the day before her coronation. So the convent sentence never happened. But to be stuck in the one job she held no value in. The position that held back all of her potential. Cassandra hated it. But chose not to fight against it, because there's nothing she can do to change her mind.

"You should know. This decision brings me no pleasure." The Captain stated as he took his helmet off and held it while he was standing at the door, talking to his daughter. "Perhaps after this threat has quelled and some time has past, perhaps we can…..help you regain the King's trust and reinstate your previous status."

"Hoot Hoot!" Owl hooted as he was perched on a desk near the entrance looking back and forth.

"Dad. All I ever wanted was to be like you. I wanted to be a royal guard and serve my Kingdom. I...I wanted to make you proud." Cassandra admitted as she looked heart broken.

"Honey…." The Captain breathed.

"There was a time in my life, where I would've done anything, gone to any lengths to keep from disappointing you." Cassandra stated as she passed Owl and patted his head before she walked by the Captain with her eyes downcasted. "The last thing I ever expected was for you to disappoint me."

Then Cassandra walked out of the office. Leaving her father to stand there. Having the same feelings the King has for his daughter.

Guilt and regret.


Later in Rapunzel's bedroom…..

Rapunzel and Pascal were pacing back and forth in the room while Eugene sat by the window.

"So, I guess it's a pretty safe bet that Corona won't be hosting a Daddy-Daughter anytime soon!" Eugene quipped with a smirk, which fell from his face when Rapunzel and Pascal glared down at him. "Yeah, sorry. Not the time for jokes."

Rapunzel sighed and sat down next to Eugene on the windowsill.

"I'm not sure what's going on. But I know Corona is in danger." Rapunzel said with sadness in her voice. "But besides Orion, I... I feel like I'm the only one who wants to do anything about it."

"No. No, you're not." Eugene opposed, taking her hands in his. "Listen, Blondie, no matter what we're up against, I'm with you all the way."

"I know. Thank you. I just." Rapunzel turned away from Eugene with a sigh. "I think I need some time alone."

Eugene smiled sadly in response to his girlfriend.

"Understood." Eugene said, stepping up and walking to the door before turning around and addressing her. "You know, things do seem pretty dark right now. But if anyone can find a light, it's you."

This brought a small smile to her face.

"I've got a feeling everything's gonna be okay." Eugene said with a smile.

"Quit being so mean, Pete!" Rapunzel and Eugene heard Stan yell from the other side of the door. Eugene opened the door to see Stan and Pete across the hall, Stan having his back to Pete.

"Wait! All I said was your breath smells like tree-rot, you're a sub-standard croquet player, and previous instances where I asserted you had a lovely singing voice were patently false." Pete rambled before clamping both hands to his mouth with a gasp.

Stan gasped and turned around to face Pete, a hurt look on his face.

"You've always loved my voice!" Stan cried out.

"Pete, what are you doing?!" Rapunzel called out as she ran up to the two. "Stan's your best friend!"

"I know, I can't help it!" Pete cried out in duress. "It's like I... I have to say whatever's on my mind!"

"Oh yeah? Well you have cookie crumbs on your cheek!" Stan exclaimed, pointing at Pete's face before running off crying with his hands to his face.

"Stan, wait! I'm sorry!" Pete called out as he ran after Pete.

Eugene walked up to Rapunzel. Seeing the commotion as he needed to relieve her of it.

"You've got enough on your plate, Blondie. Go get some rest. I'll handle this." Eugene said and walked off, leaving Rapunzel alone with Pascal.

Rapunzel sighed and walked back to her room. Once she closed the door, she lied on her bed and closed her eyes to let sleep claim her. Rapunzel had a really tough night. Being chased by the guards of her castle. Witnessing mercenaries being killed. Her tower falling apart along with the remnants of her childhood. And last but certainly not least. Watching a little friend she loves like a brother being tortured.


Dreaming in the Station of Awakening….

Friday awoke and found herself silenced and standing in a world, pitch black dark and standing on top of a pillar with a stained glass image of herself in her Shift form. She looked around, confused and was wondering why she was here.

"Where am i?" Friday whispered.

Then she heard a voice.

"You have done so much. You have seen much."

Friday was wondering who the voice was.

"You have made a difference and you will continue to do so."

"Take your time. Don't be afraid."

Just then, three pedestals rose around Friday. One with a sword, one with a shield and the other with a magic staff.

"Power sleeps within you. If you give it form… it will give you strength. Choose well."

Understanding the test. Friday walks up to the sword. And took it in her hand. And observed it's well crafted pattern.

The power of the warrior. Invincible courage. A sword of terrible destruction. Is this the power you seek?

"Yes." Friday chose. Then the weapon vanished.

"Your path is set. Now, what will you give up in exchange for it?"

Friday was thinking for a moment, then she walked over to the staff and picked it up to see what it was for.

"The power of the mystic. Inner strength. A staff of wonder and ruin. Do you give up this power?"

Friday had seen first hand how important magic really is. So her answer was. "No."

Then Friday left the weapon on it's pedestal And went over to check out the shield.

"The power of the guardian. Kindness to aid friends. A shield to repel all. Do you give up this power?"

Friday was already a guardian. And was taught the true meaning of kindness from friends and her boyfriend Orion. She had her powers as protection. So why would she need a magic shield to give her what she already was given?

"Yes." Friday answered as the weapon vanished. Then she stood back in the center of the pillar.

"You've chosen the power of the warrior. You've given up the power of the mystic. Is this the form you choose?"

"Yes." Friday answered.

Then the whole area immediately shifted into the lounging wing of the Mav Club. Friday looked around and saw Rapunzel sitting at the couch. Groot standing by the snack bar. And Orion standing in a corner.

She approaches Orion first and he looks at her.

"What do you want out of life?" Orion asked and mimicked 'The last Crusade'. "You must choose. But choose wisely."

Friday thought for a moment and answered. "I want to be accept by everyone. To not have to hide what and who I really am all the time."

"You have chosen….wisely." Orion mimicked humorously then disappeared.

Then Friday walked over to Rapunzel. The Princess smiled warmly at her.

"Hi Space Sis. What is most important to you?" Rapunzel asked her in an optimistic voice.

All her life, Friday lived with limitations and isolation because of her alien heritage, and lived on an island to prepare her for life. With a talking tree. And then Orion came into her life. He cared for Friday and gave her his heart, and vice versa. No one was ever close to her like Orion.

The answer was simple for her.

"Orion. He's the most important thing to me." Friday stated truly and without missing a beat.

"Thank you." Rapunzel smiled before disappearing.

Then she walked over to Groot who turned and smiled at her.

"I am Groot?" Groot asked her. Translated: "What are you afraid of the most?"

Friday wasn't sure how to give a straight answer for that one.

"I guess….what I'm afraid of the most is...What comes after we win." Friday answered, while leaning her forearm on the wall.

"I am Groot?" Groot asked her why.

"I've always been afraid to experience the feeling of not knowing what happens next." Friday sighed feeling dejected. "I've always been afraid of uncertainty. That's why I was terrified and heart broken when I thought I lost Orion. I never want to lose him most of all."

The voice seemed to understand.

"I am Groot?" Groot said in realization. Translated: "You're afraid of losing people in your life."

Friday nodded. "Yes. Of all the physical pain he and I endured. The last thing I would want is the worst kind of emotional pain." She said with a tear going down her eye.

It's funny. Orion has already been through that pain. And so has Rapunzel, and yet they've handled it . 'How do they do it?' she wondered.

She looked over and saw that Groot had already vanished.

"You want to be accepted for who you are. The Maverick, is the one you love. He is who most important to you. And you're afraid of losing people."

"Your desires will be tested when your strength is needed. Take a leap of faith when the time is right, and you will be free from the darkness of your limitations."

"Be ready. And may your heart be your guiding key."

And just like that. The dream was over.


Back in the Mav Club….

Friday immediately shot up awake, she looked around and realized. She's back in the lounge room, in her regular blue skin Kree form. Wearing a white and blue striped t-shirt and blue shorts and was barefoot.

Friday looked around as she realized she was home and sighed before leaning back on the sofa.

"Hey! Friday!" Orion ran over looking excited while wearing his red keyblader outfit. "I just found something that's totally 'mcguffin' cool and- You alright? You look like you fell asleep at a motivational seminar."

"Ugh, like I'd be found dead at one of those." Friday muttered, rubbing her eyes. "I'm fine, just had a very strange dream is all "

"Ah, dream. Well, my folks used to tell me to follow my dreams. That's why I always followed you home back on the island." Orion quipped

"Oh brother." Friday yawned, still drowsy to really care about his flirting at the moment. "Just tell me what's got you so excited."

"Alright. Back when I was in Kenya yesterday. Bob and I recovered a large hazardous container. Like the size of a storage crate. I brought it back to the Mav Club using the magic storage of my ring to suck it up like a hollow cube from a Jimmy Neutron cartoon. And you're not gonna guess what was inside." Orion declared looking excited.

"A Turbo Man doll?" Friday asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It's not Christmas yet! I mean no." Orion deadpanned and declared with a big grin. "Vibranium!"

"Vibranium?!" Friday exclaimed, sitting up on the sofa, now fully awake and excited about the implications of such a find. "Are you speaking of the same vibraniumI'm thinking of?!"

"F-bomb in serious Babe. We have one of the rarest metals on Earth. The metal of the Black Panther himself. And it was only supply Francis somehow acquired from the Marvel World." Orion declared like a fanboy.

This caused Friday's excitement to drop a bit.

"Wiat Francis had it first?" Friday asked as if she was checking.

"Yeah, why?" Orion responded.

"Then who's to say he never got his hands on it by illegal means?" Friday pointed out. "We should probably return it."

"Probably." Orion shrugged with a nervous smile.

"I mean he more than likely got it from some dangerous people." Friday pointed out.

"Yeaaah?" Orion nodded slowly.

"And who knows how those dangerous people even got it?" Friday added. "They probably broke into Wakanda or even killed some of their local authorities to get their hands on it."

"I agree. One hundred percent. No argument. No objections." Orion bit his lip.

Friday looked at him before she gave him a blank but slightly annoyed look.

"You already started using it, didn't you?" Friday deadpanned at her boyfriend, knowing him too well.

"Only a little bit! But just enough for a side project I was making for you-know-who." Orion said in his own defense like a little boy. "There's still a big chunk of it left, I swear."

"Orion, you shouldn't have used it at all!" Friday scolded. "The same metal Wakanda fought and bled to protect it."

"And I used a breadcrumb instead of the whole bred! Besides, Wakanda and the Black Panther protect it from folks who would use it for their own personal gain. I used a little to keep someone special safe." Orion hinted at someone on his mind.

"Who?" Friday asked, crossing her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Check the calendar." Orion pointed at the wall.

Friday walked over and saw what was written on the calendar for today and realized what Orion was doing with that bit of vibranium.

So she sighed and gave Orion a bemused look.

"So are we good? In the green?" Orion said nervously.

Friday sighed and gave Orion a bemused smile.

"Yes, we're good." Friday said before taking on a serious look. "But you better not use any more after this. The rest goes back to Wakanda. Do I make myself clear?

Orion gulped and nodded. "Yes Ma'am." He muttered, as he crossed his heart.

Boy, his girlfriend can be scary sometimes.

Anyhow. before he left to go see Rapunzel. Orion reviewed and recapped everything he discovered and all the surveillance he has on some of the associates that work for Ajax. Some that were in prison and others that were still out there. Folks that Orion chose to spare as the Maverick. Not that he has killed anyone. In spite of Orion's desire to save his first kill for Francis, he does not have the heart to destroy who he is.

But it still isn't an impossibility.


Back over at Rapunzel's bedroom...

Rapunzel was sleeping in her room when she was woken up by the sound of waltz music playing. Curious, she got up to check what was going on.

She made it to the ball room and opened the door to find several people and chairs about for a party. Frederic turned around and saw his daughter walking in and up to him. Looking happy for some reason.

"Rapunzel, there you are!" Frederic greeted her and took her hands as they started to dance.

"Dad, what is all this?" Rapunzel asked with a confused smile.

"Look, Darling, I feel horrible about the way we left things. And, well, I'm hoping to make it up to you." Frederic said as they danced, which brought a warm smile to Rapunzel's face.

"Oh Dad." Rapunzel started. "I'm so relieved to hear that-"

*Crack!*

"Ah!" Rapunzel cried out as black rocks sprouted out between her and Frederic, separating them.

More black rocks began spreading, out of control. People began running and screaming out of the castle trying to get to safety. And Rapunzel tried to run to her parents, only for more black rocks to sprout out, separating them.

"Oh!" Rapunzel gasped out before looking behind her.

She was now outside, watching as the black rocks began sprouting around Eugene and Cassandra. Trapping them

Rapunzel gasped seeing this and started running towards them, She kept dodging the sprouting rocks as she ran from ones chasing her. All of a sudden, one rock sprouted out and impaled Rapunzel's ponytail, which trapped her and stopped her from running.

Desperate, she began pulling, trying to free her hair. Thankfully she pulled hard enough to get her hair loose from the rock and resumed running, as fast as she could.

Then the Princess looked to see Cassandra being completely caged in by the rocks.

"Cassandra!" Rapunzel cried out to her friend.

Then Eugene began to be surrounded.

"Eugene!" Rapunzel cried out to her boyfriend, who looked around, stressed and afraid, as he tried to reach his hand out to her, only to become completely engulfed by the rocks.

Rapunzel ran to where her friends once were, leaning on the rocks and panting in dismay at their possible fates. Distraught that the rocks have destroyed her life, all was fine until she touched those black rocks. And now her world was

Then. Without warning...

***Loud Thunder!***

***Strong cold wind blowing!***

Behind Rapunzel was a bright light with a cold wing twisting in a circle like the top of a tornado. And electric sparks around as it caused the wind to blow and energy to surge like a break between dimensions. It made Rapunzel shield her eyes and grimace as it was too bright.

And then she heard a voice. A voice she had never heard before calling to her. A voice using the same nickname Orion used.

***"ZEL!***

Rapunzel turned and gasped in shock. Seeing the Maverick in a new blue and green suit. But with extra armor and ice around it as he reached his hand out to her.

Then the Maverick shifted and showed a sixteen year old boy who looked almost like Orion. But with pale skin. Blue eyes and platinum white hair And an outfit similar to Orion's keyblader. He looked troubled as he was calling out to her from the portal created by his great power.

(A future version of someone we already know too well at this point. So I'll use his name.)

"ZEL! LISTEN TO ME NOW!" Aiden bellowed louder than the wind in the form of an echo that couldn't be misunderstood.

Rapunzel took a step back in shock. Many questions popped into her head. Like who he was, how he knew the nickname Orion gave her, and how this stranger was a Maverick?

"IT'S YOZORA! VERUM REX! HE'S THE KEY!" Aiden screamed an answer.

Rapunzel looked shocked and confused. What did he mean? Who is this Yozora? And what's he the key to?

"AM I TOO SOON?!" Aiden asked and exclaimed in a scream of frustration. "I'M TOO SOON!"

Rapunzel really could not understand what he was talking about. She took a hesitant step forward, hoping she could get answers, and make things clear.

And then he went to the one thing Rapunzel could mostly understand.

"YOU WERE RIGHT ABOUT ORION! YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN RIGHT ABOUT HIM! SAVE HIM!" Aiden screamed before his form shifted into water like a sky formed body as he backed away, the lights were shifting into mirrors as well.

Rapunzel gasped in shock. At what he said and what is happening to him right now.

"FIND US ZEL! TELL HIM TO FIND US!" Aiden screamed loudly as everything was clashing and the lights were becoming brighter.

Rapunzel, at this point, had to shield her eyes because of how bright things became.

And then at that moment the dream ends.


Rapunzel's eyes shot open. And in her vision, she sees a glowing strand of her hair moving. She shot up in bed to see her hair was glowing, and moving on its own like a blonde Medusa. Only hair instead of snakes.

"Uh..." Rapunzel looked around nervously.

Her hair knocked over her clock, her book. And she heard a squeak and turned her gaze and saw Pascal, wrapped in her hair above the bed and being squeezed.

"No, Pascal!" Rapunzel cried out and dove for him and her hair stopped glowing and moving.

"Oh!" Rapunzel quickly unwrapped her hair from Pascal. The little guy let out a gasp as he got air again.

"Oh Pascal!" Rapunzel soothed softly, and hugged the little chameleon to her face briefly before looking at him with a sorrowful look. "I would never do anything to hurt you."

Pascal gave her a reassuring smile, one she returned.

"Come on." Rapunzel said, carrying Pascal out of the room.

Rapunzel had enough with 'sleep' at that moment. She needed some fresh air. The only thing that won't lie, attack or confuse her. Rapunzel was starting to lose hope that she would ever come to grips with these discoveries. Her traumatic experience. And if she would ever gain the answers she needed to save her home. And her family.

And the Princess wondered if she would ever see Orion again.


Later that day at the docks…...

Rapunzel was sitting on a lifeboat at the pier, near the waterfront where she could be alone. To think and take her mind off of everyone else. But not what was important to her. The Princess sat there with her arms wrapped around her legs. And was lost and fighting hopelessness, as she was not sure what to do or who to turn to now. Her father lied and tried to stop her. Old Corona is in shambles. Orion and Friday are still missing. And the black rocks are still growing everywhere.

And her father still refuses to act.

The Princess had so many questions. And 'where's Orion now?' are among them. Especially after the videos she saw.

."I don't know Pascal. I don't even know what to do anymore." Rapunzel sighed andlooked away.

Pascal squeaked something soothing to her as he was perched on her arm. Smiling at her that she shouldn't completely lose hope.

"Yeah, I know. There's always a way. I just have to find it." Rapunzel said as she scratched Pascal's chin with her finger.

Rapunzel just wishes that Orion was here.

Just then they heard the sound of the wind flowing a couple of barrels down by the alley. Which startled Rapunzel.

"Did you hear something?" Rapunzel looked back as Pascal chirped curiously.

Then Orion teleported behind her. Pascal saw him as his jaw dropped. And he tapped on Rapunzel's shoulder. She turned around and gasped.

"Don't freak out." Orion eased as he seemed okay.

His skin wasn't seen red yet because he was wearing a holo-disguise mod to his suit, which hid his red skin tone and made himself look like he did before the experiment happened. Just the way Rapunzel saw him last.

Upon seeing him, Rapunzel smiled with great joy and relief, as tears of happiness threatened to fall from her eyes.

"Oh Orion!" Rapunzel cried and tackled him into a hug and cried for a minute, as Orion hesitantly hugged back. She pulled away to look at him. "Where have you been?! I've been so worried about you!"

"Yeah...I know. It's okay, Zel." Orion soothed before he separated their hug. "I wish I could've told you sooner. But my treatments were taking much longer than I thought...And...A bit more dramatic than a common episode of ER. But the good news is, I'm cured!" He exclaimed the last part.

Orion lied about the treatments but the part about him being cured is true.

"Orion, please. You don't have to lie." Rapunzel said with great sadness as the tears fell from her eyes. "I know."

This confused him.

"Meaning?" Orion inquired.

Rapunzel took a steady breath before continuing.

"When Cass, Eugene and I were looking for the graptyc, we came across these mercenaries." Rapunzel whispered, making Orion pale in concern. "We got away, due to them already being dead. But we also got a hold of a digital tablet, one of them was carrying."

"What was on this tablet?" Orion asked hesitantly.

"It-" Rapunzel choked on her tears for a moment. "It had videos of what those horrible people did to you... From start to finish."

Orion furrowed his brows wondering how she would know before he realized looking down.

"Security footage in the cloud." Orion realized, shaking his head.

"Orion." Rapunzel choked out. "I am so sorry. For everything. It's all my-"

Orion cut her off and looked at her with a serious look.

"Don't. Don't even think or have the nerve to put all that shit on you." Orion warned her as he didn't blame her. "You didn't walk me in there. And you warned me. But nothing you could've said would've stopped me. The hell I was facing before, was far worse than anything they put me through."

From Orion's perspective in how life treated him. That is true.

"But you still suffered, none the less. I should have done more." Rapunzel argued softly. "At the very least, I should have told Friday everything, when you didn't come back when you said you would."

"And then what?" Orion inquired, glaring at her. "You'd both end up in their cross fire to save the red skinned armored damsel? Only to end up mounted on the wall next to me?"

"Red Skin damsel?" Rapunzel asked, concerned about what he was saying.

And then it dawned on Orion. "The videos weren't in color were they?" He asked.

"No." Rapunzel answered.

Orion grit his teeth as he scoffed, rubbing his hair before he sat back and took off the holo-disguise mod on his suit. Causing the holo-disguise so shine and fade out, And for his red skin to be revealed in front of Rapunzel.

Rapunzel gasped in horror and covered her mouth. Orion's heart dropped seeing her reaction.

"Oh my God. Orion…." Rapunzel choked out before reaching out hesitantly, to touch his cheek. "How can those monsters do this to anyone, let alone a child?"

Orion grabbed Rapunzel's hand and dropped it before he scowled.

"This sunburn I got from holding my breath. Is just a reminder of how much the 'monsters' that surround us, don't care!" Orion snapped as his voice raised. "And my dark situation didn't care about my time either. I had no choice. People like me are never offered one."

"That doesn't mean you should have to suffer!" Rapunzel argued back.

"It happens though." Orion scoffed sarcastically with a shrug. "You think a shark is gonna run off seeing his prey and decide not to eat him because it's a tiny red fish who did nothing?"

"We are not sharks or fish." Rapunzel stated. "We are people who have will, and the ability to differentiate between right and wrong."

"And people have the will to be sharks and treat folks less than fish! Reality, all realities! Are not built on a mural compass! They're built on darkness!" Orion snapped looking upset. "And if you think being a long haired Cinderella, locked in a fully furnished tower for eighteen years means you've seen the ugly side of life..."

"Now wait a minute-" Rapunzel was about to argue with a glare.

"You're not in it like I am Zel! You've never seen how low darkness can go! Up until this point, all of this was a game to you, it's still an adventure! Another chapter of a preschool storybook! You haven't been taken to the edge yet." Orion stated in anger as he was getting up to leave.

"That's edge of what?!" Rapunzel snapped as he turned his back and stopped.

"The abyss. The place where you don't care anymore. Where all hope dies. I've been there, way before I started looking like a humanoid hot rod." Orion stated glancing back at Rapunzel. "I survived the threshold of darkness. I don't need you to be in second place."

Just as Orion took a deep breath while pinching the bridge of his nose, and was about to walk off the boat. Rapunzel spoke up softly.

"I'm not her, you know." Rapunzel stated, stopping Orion in his tracks.

"What?" Orion looked back at her in a low tone. Hoping he didn't hear what he thinks...He knows he heard.

The Princess bit her lip as she could not lie to the young Maverick. She knew she hit a strong personal nerve. Even Pascal knew it as he kept looking back between them.

"Friday...She told me about what..." Rapunzel swallowed as she revealed. "What happened to your sister, and I-"

"Rapunzel!" Orion hissed as he cut her off sharply with a hard glare. "You are treading on some, mighty thin ice here."

Trish was always a hard subject for Orion.

Rapunzel was hesitant to continue because she knew this was rough for Orion. Very rough.

"I... I'm sorry." Rapunzel said softly. "You lost your family, in the worst possible way, by those monsters. And I know, it's hard. But you're not alone anymore. You have friends, and family, who want to be there for you, and to help you when you need it most."

"I came here to put an end to Lash and the Dark Mongers. Not to look for replacements." Orion refused to submit as it was hard to open up.

But Rapunzel wasn't going to give up on Orion.

"No one says you have to replace the ones you lost, or forget about them." Rapunzel said softly. "But you have to allow yourself to heal. To allow people in. You have to move on. Would any of them want you to hold on to this pain?"

"I don't hold on to pain. It's clenching to me like a sandpaper jockstrap. Just ask the permanent tan!" Orion snarled, gesturing his red skin. Before he sighed and asked. "Why won't you just let me go?! I've brought a lot of chaos to your front lawn since showing up!"

At this point, Rapunzel is crying, having seen the pain Orion went through, those horrible horrors, horrors she was not prepared for, and the fact he blames himself for it all.

But she couldn't let him do this to himself. She had to save him from his inner demons.

"Because I love you! That's why!" Rapunzel cried out.

Orion looked blown away. He didn't think Rapunzel would say that directly to him. And it's obvious that 'love' is not just romance. Love applies to all types based on the word family.

"Come again?" Orion asked as held his breath

"I mean it, Orion. I love you. Whether you like it or not. You're more than a friend to me. You're like my...No. You are my brother. You've always been. And I don't care about what you've done or what you think of yourself. I know who and what you are. You are one of the most amazing people I know, and you don't need to to heal in isolation." Rapunzel said firmly and softly at the same time, with tears falling from her eyes as she took his hand in hers and squeezed it . "Don't go Orion. We can figure all of this out. T-The rocks, Francis, Lash. Everything. Because I'm not giving up on you. And I promise, I won't fail you again. I promise. Just...Don't turn me away. Please."

Orion looked at her and saw that she truly cares. From the sincerity in her heart and the pleading tone in her voice. And took a deep breath before sitting down with his back to her.

"You're too much like her." Orion whispered.

Rapunzel saw a glimmer of hope hearing that as she gave a tender look through the tears. Because she knew the boy was talking about his sister.

"You gotta understand. They didn't just kill Trish." Orion said in anger and grief as he shed a few neon tears . "They made her suffer. Those god forsaken shit stacked androids, brutalized her and ripped her apart! AND HE MADE ME WATCH! Even after I was forced to leave. I could still hear her screaming in agony. Just as I was sailing away. And did nothing." Orion snarled the details. Some of those details he bellowed.

Back then Orion was one that was on a lifeboat sailing away from his ship, and was forced to listen to his sister's long minutes of screaming before she finally died.

That horrible event. It was worse than anything Ajax put him through. And it wasn't even done by humans.

"I know. Friday... Told me everything." Rapunzel said with a shaky breath. "But what happened isn't on you. You think you have to suffer, to atone for not being able to save your sister. But all you're doing is adding to her pain." That got Orion's attention. "You said it yourself that I'm too much like her. Well if that's true, then I know for certain, that she would not want to see you suffering like this. She would not want you to destroy yourself over something you had no control over. She would want you to move on, let go of that pain, and be happy."

Rapunzel was understanding now that Orion wasn't just going to the doctors to get cured out of fear of dying. But the chances of causing him pain fed his penance. The need to make up for his sister's death.

"Trish said a lot of things. Similar to your words. What used to be my favorite was 'love is not earned. It's given'." Orion answered without looking at her.

Rapunzel smiled sadly at that.

"All I've ever done since that night is give. Hoping it would be given back, despite never expecting it. Hoping that I've repaid what I owe to her. I guess in a ***k up scenario. I've paid back double the prize. And look at me now." Orion sulked as he gripped the sides of his head.

As if he was reliving that horrible moment when he lost his sister…... Only to finally feel her arms again. Orion was not expecting it, when Rapunzel wrapped her arms around him and hugged him from behind.

"Then I think it's about time you are given the sisterly love 'you' are overdue for." Rapunzel whispered, putting all the love for a brother she can into the hug. "That is, if you'll let me."

Orion wasn't expecting it to come in from her directly and this sooner. But he had no reason to resist.. Before...Earlier...A few minutes ago he would've.

But he can't resist this time.

He leaned into her hug from behind as he was feeling the connection of his heart with hers.

"There's...Something you can do...Also." Orion whispered a request for the Princess.

His sister.

"Of course, what is it?" Rapunzel asked kindly to Orion.

Her brother.

"I'm not the only one suffering. Friday couldn't live with herself after the way she lashed out at you in the castle. I promised that I'd bring you home with me. So you can both talk." Orion explained his girlfriend's guilt. "It would mean a lot to both of us...And yes Geico can come also."

He made a short quip about Pascal. But he's also requesting for Rapunzel to come and make up with Friday. Pascal squealed at the sight. Not only happy to see Orion and Rapunzel make up. But now they're siblings. And they don't need blood or paper to say otherwise.

Rapunzel smiled and stood on her bare feet, down at him and kissed him on the head

"I'd like that very much." Rapunzel said, ruffling his hair. "Little bro."

Orion couldn't help but grin a little and scoff as he stood up as well.

'I take it back, Trish. It sounds lamer when she says it.' Orion thought to himself as his red skin was glowing. As if he felt a light shining inside him.

And then he pressed his ring.

"IRIS. Open the ground bridge and beam us back to the lair." Orion told his computer.

'Yes Maverick' IRIS obeyed.

Then Orion and Rapunzel along with Pascal. We're beamed back to the Mav Club under Orion's Mansion.


Back at The Mav Club...

Orion and Rapunzel reappeared at the lair's Ground Bridge chamber as the Princess looked around to see that Orion finally got the bridge up and running. So he could appear anywhere on Earth.

"Woah..." Rapunzel whispered.

Pascal saw a fresh fruit bowl over at the lounging wing of the lair and scurried off to jump into it and munch on the grapes.

"For the record. When I became the Maverick. My ring didn't just make me smarter and comical, that last part I did by myself. But the ring heightens my tolerance level of taking pain. But that doesn't mean I like giving it." Orion stated why he doesn't seem too affected by the torture he endured.

"That's one of the reasons why you're such an amazing person. You don't like seeing people suffer, whether you know them or not, and you do everything you can for them." Rapunzel smiled softly, brushing his hair affectionately. "And I hate seeing you, Friday, or anyone else I care about in any pain too."

"Right, except. I nearly lost that part of me. These past few weeks I've been hunting down Francis. That British wheezing back of dicktips who calls himself Ajax? He vanished after my escape and I've been hunting him down. Finding people that were...Associated with him." Orion confessed in a low tone as he leaned against the wall thinking. "What you saw in the videos. They were doing it to others...And I made them suffer for it. While getting information out of them."

Rapunzel looked concerned.

"Did you... Kill any of them?" Rapunzel asked, worried about her newfound brother.

Orion shook his head. "Hell no. I'll never go that far. But...I made them wish I did." He stated. "Last month I came across a group of Workshop members. The same ones who ambushed you at Old Corona. The remaining ones that the Captain didn't axe off...They were...They had a five year old Hispanic girl who was Autistic. They kept her for several weeks. Chained to a wall. Already covered in scars. Two of the guards were about to...assault her."

Orion was describing his last encounter with Ajax's associates. The night before he reunited with Friday.

Rapunzel gasped as her face turned pale and eyes widened in horror, her hand on her mouth, trying not to be sick. She knew what Orion meant by assault.

"Oh my God! To a five year old girl?" Rapunzel choked out. "How can those monsters do something so horrible? She's just a baby! Please... Please tell me that girl is okay."

"She is. Now she is." Orion nodded while thinking back. "But I made those assholes suffer first. I beat them within an inch of their lives. And locked them in a room full of yellow jackets."

Pascal squealed and perked up from the fruit bowl hearing a mention of a bug species.

"The un-edible kind." Orion corrected.

Pascal winced knowing that it meant 'bees'. And among the wasp family, yellow jackets are one of the most extremely painful ones on the planet.

"After that I used a healing spell from my keyblade and a foreteller ritual to heal the girl's scars and her autism conditions. But I had to erase her memories. Otherwise she wouldn't have moved on after what they did." Orion explained. "I found out she didn't have any family so I dropped her off at an Orphanage in Dallas Texas. As if my perfect timing was in a red zone. She instantly got adopted by the town sheriff and his wife. A perfect couple, nice place to live. The whole nine yards.

Talk about a complete u-turn with a pretty bow.

Rapunzel let out a breath in relief at the last bit.

"What a relief, and it's good to hear that's she's now with people who will love her." Rapunzel sighed out before she frowned sadly. "But I still can't fathom how other humans out there are capable of such cruelty. It makes me sick to my stomach."

"Heh. Don't ever read 'A Clockwork Orange'." Orion remarked about people being inhumane. "In the words of our foretellers, or possibly one of Edgar Allan Poe's books. 'As long as there is Light so deep. Darkness will go deeper to snuff it out'. As long as people are capable, the depths of cruelty will always be deep. I guarantee you. Ajax. His men. They make your old fake mom...Uh...What was her name again? Gertrude? Gossamer?"

"Gothel." Rapunzel narrowed at that name.

"Right, her. 'May she rest in hell'. Anyway the things they do out there. Would make old fake mother Gotham look like the Angel Gabriel." Orion quipped about how cruel Ajax's men are.

Also Orion accidentally called Gothel 'Gotham'. Or maybe it wasn't an accident.

"I know. I think I saw a glimpse of that when I saw what was done to you." Rapunzel whispered sadly, knowing now, just how dark the world can be. She smiled sadly at Orion. "But I still want to believe that there is redemption in the world despite it's depths of cruelty. Because I know there are good people out there, like you, and Friday, who refuse to stand by, while the monsters play."

"There is still good out there. But the world, the Multiverse, is broken. And as long as it remains that way, darkness will seep through the cracks. Tempting life with its endless possibilities without conscience." Orion stated and looked at Rapunzel. "My job. Our job. Are to prove that consciences are more than real. And there are no happy endings in darkness. I always thought that I was the only living example that Light is stronger. And the only way. That is...Until I met you." He spoke those last words to Rapunzel.

Rapunzel was surprised by this, but smiled at his words, knowing she had a positive impact on him.

"Well, that just makes me all the more grateful that we met, Little bro." Rapunzel said sweetly, lightly tapped his nose with her finger. "Boop!"

Orion's masculinity side felt unamused by the boop to his nose though.

"Ditto. Among many other things that are colorful and censored to describe." Orion deadpanned.

Rapunzel giggled at this as they walked over to the elevator.

Suddenly the elevator opened up revealing Friday with a holo tablet in her hands. And she was wearing her new white and blue outfit.

"IRIS?! I need you to construct another set of diapers! Pronto! Varian just went through an entire back and now their full...off..." Friday halted her words seeing Rapunzel's standing there. As she looked surprised. "Shit." She muttered

Granted she was told Orion would bring The Princess home with him. But not this soon.

Rapunzel saw Friday, and was glad to see she was ok. She even checked out her new outfit, even the white boots.

"Hey, Friday." Rapunzel said warmly. "Love your new outfit. It's pretty cool, even the boots. Makes me almost want to give up going barefoot... Almost."

Friday was just standing there. The guilt of attacking her and losing it that snow day. She wasn't expecting Rapunzel to be happy to see her. And she didn't feel like she deserved it.

"Um….How...How are you?" Friday asked a little nervously.

"Mmm...Had better days to be honest. But still I'm good." Rapunzel optimistically answered and asked. "You?"

"Same." Friday gave a smile while rubbing her arms looking regretful. "Listen. About what happened...During the storm...I'm not good at saying..."

Friday was trying to apologize but didn't feel it would be enough.

Rapunzel didn't need to hear anything. She just brought Friday into a hug surprising her.

"I'm so glad you're okay." Rapunzel whispered softly, hugging Friday with all the love she could.

Friday just stood there looking afraid and shocked before she gave Rapunzel a hug back. Somehow this Princess who's full of heart. And she shares that heart to the people that need it.

"I'm sorry." Friday whispered shedding one tear.

"It's okay. There is nothing to be sorry for. I'm just happy to see you again, Little sis." Rapunzel whispered, stunning Friday as she pulled away slightly to smile at the blue girl. "Or should I say Thunder Sis?" She finished with a wink.

Friday responded to that nickname with a mildly annoyed look.

"I take it back." Friday deadpanned.

"Oh come on, you love it." Rapunzel teased while flicking some strands of her blond hair away.

"No I don't." Friday deadpanned.

"Yes you do." Rapunzel sang.

"I think it sucks." Friday deadpanned.

"Uh huh sure." Rapunzel teased while shifting on her bare feet.

"And you should get lost." Friday deadpanned.

"Sorry Thunder Sis. you and your boyfriend are stuck with me." Rapunzel teasingly assured.

And that was a promise. A promise that made Friday finally smiled.

"Kay if you ladies are done sending awkward fumes in the air. We'd better go upstairs. We have some important sub plots to discuss. Starting with the rocks." Orion quipped and gestured for them to follow him in the elevator.

Pascal crawled up on Rapunzel's shoulder on that point to go with Orion.

Friday's expression became serious and Rapunzel's, concerned.

"Right, let's go." Friday simply stated and stepped into the elevator while Rapunzel followed suit.

"Do you guys have any new information about them?" Rapunzel asked once she was in the elevator.

And then the elevator doors closed as they went up stairs for Orion to answer her questions.


Later on in the library of the Mansion...

The Library had two floors to it, with bookshelves lining the walls. On the right wall, was a large fireplace with a magical portrait that had images of Orion and all the people close to him, Rapunzel now magically added to it, along with Eugene, Cassandra, Lance, and all their animal friends. The end of the hallway had windows arranged to be a round shape with the curved tables lining it, and a larger desk in front. And the floor was a shiny white with a white carpet in the center of the room. And on the carpet were two black and white sofas and a black and white chair arranged in a circle with a round glass table in the center.

Rapunzel was sitting on the comfortable white chair facing Orion and Friday who were both sitting on the main sofa, and Baby Varian was sipping on a pacifier cooing in Friday's arms. Completely calm as she bounced him a little. While Pascal was sitting by the open fire relaxing. Groot was sitting on the second sofa.

Before they got to business. Rapunzel told Orion and the others everything about what happened during her visit to Old Corona and what happened between the King and his guards.

"So it was the Captain and his men playing cloak & dagger the whole time?" Orion asked about those men in masks that chased Rapunzel to her tower.

"Yeah. And let me tell you, I was not too happy with Dad when I found out." Rapunzel said, a tinge of anger at being lied to before it became a concern. "He's been lying to me about what's been happening. He said he was helping Old Corona with everything that's happened. But then I learned that was a lie. He's been hiding the truth while Corona is in danger. I don't understand what he's trying to hide. And I fear for the fate of the kingdom."

"Don't we all?" Friday whispered while she held the baby.

"Well since King Freddy is not willing to talk. I only have half of the details. But I do have a big important part of it." Orion stated as he teleported and brought back four glass bottles of red crush and sat them on the coffee table.

"Where do we start?" Rapunzel asked as she took a bottle and opened the top and took a swing of her drink.

"For starters. Do you have the scroll?" Orion asked, holding his hand out to her.

Rapunzel almost spit her drink out and choked on it a little bit as realization dawned on her.

"The scroll!" Rapunzel gasped and quickly put her drink down to grab the scroll from her bag. "I, I got it, like you asked." Rapunzel handed the scroll over to Orion. "I have no idea what it is, but my Dad was desperate to keep it from me."

"Well it took me a while to translate what language this is after my overly dramatic doctor's visit..." Orion said with an eye roll hinting at the 'Workshop'. Then he used his ring to scan the encrypted message in the scroll and the images on it.

"Since it's only half, I can't identify the full message completely...I wish this Earth used gig-sticks instead...Alright from what I got. Those rocks are an ancient dark power that plagued this world centuries ago. Probably way back to the beginning of the keyblade war. And the only thing that can destroy them is a pure source of its counterpart. The Sun Drop. Meaning, the flower." Orion stated looking at Rapunzel and putting the scroll down.

"You mean the flower?" Rapunzel asked surprised, grabbing a hold of her hair. "The one that healed my Mom and gave me my hair?"

"The very same McCoy." Orion replied.

"But..." Rapunzel started. "My Dad said it was long gone."

"I am Groot." Groot pointed out about The King's honesty. Translated: "You're Dad also said that the black rocks were taken care of."

"Well, um...Yeah. You do have a point there, Groot" Rapunzel muttered in thought before something clicked and she whipped her head towards Groot. "Wait! GROOT! Did I just understand what you just said!?"

"What the frick balls?!" Orion dropped his jaw. He understood Groot so he knows she's not bluffing.

Friday was shocked as well. Before she began to realize from Orion's description of his experiment.

"Wait...You said that Francis mixed the DNA of Rapunzel's hair into the serum, right?" Friday asked her boyfriend.

"Yeah?..." Orion nodded. And then it dawned on him as he muttered. "Oh."

"I am Groot." Groot gestured with a grin. Translated: "Thus the reason why you both have the same eyes."

Rapunzel's eyes are a bright green. And now Orion's eyes are the same. It's as if they really are related. Since he has her blood in him.

"It's like, we're actually brother and sister, by blood now." Rapunzel muttered, a smile on her face at the thought, before she became confused. "But how does that help me understand Groot?"

"Groot's language is based on relationship and connection. And...As cliché and corny as this may sound. Our hearts are connected. Therefore my connections to the people around me are now a part of yours. Since we both carry the same blood and your heart being an open book. It would make sense why you're able to understand him now." Orion explained in perfect detail.

Rapunzel was wide-eyed at this, before a smile formed again, and she placed a hand over her heart.

"Our hearts are connected." Rapunzel muttered, happy at the idea. "I think that's amazing."

"Just a little FYI though. This only works on your end. So don't expect me to take on any of your traits. Cause I'm keeping my Nikes on." Orion pointed out humorously about not going barefoot. "And I sure as hell am not kissing Fitz, I ain't going 'Love, Simon' ."

"Basically Orion does him, while you do you with a little bit of him." Friday said to Rapunzel with a remark.

Rapunzel just giggled at their antics.

"Okay now I'm a little worried about what that might entail." Rapunzel teased, not at all worried. "Also, if you don't wanna be like your big sister, it's your loss."

"If I was anything like you, folks would start calling me the Red Hobbit." Orion quipped back before saying. "But getting back to the flower?"

"Right, please continue." Rapunzel sat up meekly.

"Hear me out on this one. Your dad would never toss away anything that nostalgic or something that can wield such a power. If there's anything left on the flower or a trace of the Sun drop. Then just one single petal from that thing all we need to find the solution to all our problems." Orion stated while shedding some hope in Rapunzel's dead end.

"Yeah, but..." Rapunzel started. "Even if the flower is still there, I don't think we can just ask my Dad to hand it over."

"I know that. Which is why...As wrong as this might sound. We're going to have to sneak in and find it ourselves." Orion stated carefully.

Rapunzel was surprised by the idea, and looked down with reluctance.

"I don't know Orion." Rapunzel said hesitantly. "It sounds like you're asking for us to steal it. We would be communicating treason against the kingdom. And if we're caught, you'll get in a great deal of trouble."

"I know. It sounds wrong. But time is running out, Zel. Lash and the Dark Mongers keep attacking Corona because of those rocks. And too many people have died already." Orion stated while gesturing to Baby Varian who was now asleep in Friday's arms.

Fact of the matter is. Varian is going to grow up without his father. And the rocks are responsible for it. Getting Lash's attention.

Rapunzel looked towards baby Varian in sadness at the reminder that he is now an orphan. She closed her eyes and let out a shuddery breath.

"Alright." Rapunzel sighed, before opening her eyes again, now full of determination. "If this will bring us one step closer to putting a stop to Lash and the Dark mongers. Then we have to do whatever it takes. Let's do it."


One hour later inside the castle...

While Friday and Groot stayed at the mansion to watch over Varian. Rapunzel and Orion went down to the castle to do the breaking and entering job themselves.

Before that happened however. Things at the castle were acting weird. More than usual. It wasn't just Pete and Stand acting strange. It was everyone working there. As if no one could lie.

Currently Eugene was standing in front of a Knight's suit of armor display staring at his reflection because of what someone told him about his appearance.

"It can be hard to look away from shiny things, huh buddy?" Cassandra said smugly, standing next to the suit of armor. Eugene turned to address her.

"The royal chef just told me my ears were too big for my head!" Eugene whined, making Cassandra snort.

"What? No." Cassandra said with a fake surprised tone. "It's just your head's too small for your ears."

"No, no. Seriously!" Eugene said, holding his chin in thought. "People are acting really strange."

"Then you're gonna love this." Cassandra smirked, gesturing him over to the doors to the meeting room, which she opened, revealing several people, including Nigel, standing about, talking. And bickering. Honestly becoming chaos as secrets spill.

"I vonce dropped the King's eclairs on se floor, but gave them to him anyway." The Royal Chef exclaimed, before clamping his mouth shut. "Uh oh."

"I stole half these medals from the supply cabinet." a random guard stated, before putting a hand to his mouth. "Oh."

"People are often impressed by my regal accent. But the truth is…." Nigel spoke in a regal voice, before sounding a little naisely and average. "I really sound like this."

Nigel clamped his hands to his mouth and ran off.

With that Eugene closed the door and turned to Cassandra.

"Yeah, we might wanna look into this." Eugene stated with stress lines under his eyes.

Rapunzel was casually making her way to the portrait room where the journal of Herz De Sonne was being kept. The same journal Cassandra's ex/fake boyfriend Andrew tried to steal a while back. Thankfully Cassandra and Rapunzel stopped him. But Rapunzel is now doing it for a better reason. As she made it to the door. She gasped seeing a fat lady in a Victorian blue dress Giggling with white hair, holding a fan in her hand to cover her face as the lady walked over to Rapunzel.

The lady lowered her fan revealing that it's Maverick with a disguise on as he looked back and forth feeling shifty.

"Is it just me or is the Castle acting like Banana Split?" Maverick inquired about how everyone was acting strange.

Maverick was obviously wearing that disguise to get past the guards. Since he can't just teleport in. He would have to know where he's going and there are still parts of the castle he hasn't been in before. Like the royal vault.

It's kinda embarrassing when an armored dude has to put on a dress to make progress.

"Yeah...Right." Rapunzel replied awkwardly looking at him and stated. "Let's just handle one problem at a time."

"Which is precisely why we shouldn't be here. We should be going for the flower. It should be in the royal vault on-" Maverick tried to say.

"The other side of the castle, I know. But if we want to get past the vault security, our best bet is to use the underground tunnels, and Herz de Sonne's journal has a complete map of them." Rapunzel explained as she opened the door.

"A book full of maps to everything important in this place? No wonder the FBI was needed." Maverick muttered to himself.

Once Rapunzel was inside. She saw the journal on display. The Princess went over and placed a hand on the open book as she sighed. Feeling the desperation of saving her kingdom. Just as she picked up the Journal and was about to walk out. Rapunzel saw the portrait of her father. Remembering everything he taught her about order and how the laws of Corona must be upheld. She's doing something that many enemies tried to do. And it made Rapunzel uncomfortable. Even Pascal can see it.

"What am I doing?" Rapunzel sighed quietly.

Maverick walked in while still wearing the dress as he was keeping himself steady in the heels. He looked at Rapunzel and felt concerned seeing the downcasted look on her face.

"What's wrong?" Maverick asked her.

"Taking the journal, stealing the flower…" Rapunzel said with sadness. "Orion, these are all acts of treason."

Maverick realized how hard this is on her. It may be easier for him to break and bend the rules for the greater good. He felt bad for not accounting that Rapunzel has never done this before.

"Rapunzel..." Maverick said as he insisted. "I know this is all bat-shit crazy. And me talking like this in a drag queen dress is adding to the fire. But Lash. The rocks. The Dark Mongers...Whatever else I'm missing due to the atomic wedgie from this damn pair of sandpaper panties. They're all not going to wait for us to get comfortable. Corona is next. And that flower is their only hope and we need it." Maverick spoke with determination. "Corona needs it."

Rapunzel saw his conviction to protect Corona, and realized this had to be done, to save their home. Rapunzel closed her eyes and took a breath to steady herself. And when she opened her eyes again, they held pure determination.

"For Corona." Rapunzel said firmly, earning a proud smile and nod from Orion. Then Rapunzel smirked at his attire wanting to feel the need to tease like a big sister. "I will admit, you really seem able to pull the dress off. Looks fabulous."

Maverick scoffed like a lady and waved his fan at her. "That's no way to talk to a lady." He scolded playfully in a regal female tone.

Rapunzel just giggled.

"Oh, I do so apologize, my dear lady." Rapunzel playfully scoffed with a slight curtsy in her own regal voice.

"Kay, now it feels awkward to continue. Come on." Maverick gestured out the door.

Rapunzel nodded as she stiffed a small laugh, and went out the door first with Maverick following behind trying to keep up in the dress.

Just as they were quickly making their way to the exit. Eugene stepped around the corner of a hallway and Rapunzel almost bumped into him. For a split second Maverick quickly flew up to the ceiling and pushed himself against it like his back was laying flat as he waited for Eugene to pass by.

"Blondie! Whatcha doing?" Eugene greeted Rapunzel.

"Doing? Uh, I wasn't doing anything." Rapunzel smiled widely and nervously at him while she was holding the book behind her back and leaning her elbow on the corner.

"What do you got there?" Eugene tried to peek behind Rapunzel's back.

"What?" Rapunzel inquired as she quickly tossed the book up from behind her and Maverick caught it while holding his breath. Then Rapunzel shrugged showing both hands while chuckling nervously. "Nothing! nothing!"

"Everyone is so shitty at pretending." Maverick whispered so quietly no one heard him as he was getting a little annoyed.

"Right... Okay" Eugene said, going back and forth with his eyes. "I know you wanna be alone. But Cass and I were-"

Rapunzel was looking up at the ceiling nervously at Maverick who was holding a toy gun to the side of his own head, hoping this would end. Then Rapunzel quickly noticed Eugene's look and chuckled nervously.

"You okay?" Eugene inquired.

"Mhm." Rapunzel nodded rapidly with her eyes closed.

Then Rapunzel opened her eyes and gasped lightly seeing Maverick about to drop a neon anvil on Eugene's head. But the armored keyblader exhaled and decided not to before making the anvil fade away.

"Rapunzel?" Eugene inquired sternly.

Rapunzel closed her eyes for a second and sighed. "Eugene, how far would you go to find the truth?"

She had this whole ordeal on her mind. She had to ask without giving anything away.

"...Personally." Eugene pondered and grinned. "Not very far. Frankly, the truth's not all it's cracked up to be. For example I thought the Maverick was a handsome devil in his mid thirties until we all found out he was just a boy in girly blue, and a few clones short of a circus..."

Maverick glared hard and held up two middle fingers at Eugene and made multiple threatening gestures from above Eugene. '***K YOU FITZ!' he flashed on his mask screen.

"Blondie. You sure you're okay?" Eugene asked again out of concern.

"Yeah, sorry." Rapunzel sighed before saying. "I just….. I've had a lot to process lately. I promise I'll talk when I'm ready, okay?" Rapunzel assured her boyfriend.

"Okay...just let me know if you need anything," Eugene smiled and caressed her cheek before leaving.

When they finally had the chance, Rapunzel gestured Maverick to leave with her before she ran off with him flying. Just as Eugene pondered.

"Umm...Blondie? Are you sure..." Eugene stopped when he turned around and noticed she was gone.


Outside the castle...

Rapunzel ran to an empty alley where no one was around. She was relieved to be out of there without anyone noticing what she and Maverick were doing.

Maverick landed next to the Princess and began to tear and shred the the tight dress off in frustration. Before he exhaled as he could finally breathe properly.

This kind of disguise deal was mostly Friday's specialty.

"Wheeew...I was almost ready to do some illegal crap to Prince Charming." Maverick exhaled as he was glad to be out of the dress and taking the lady heels off his armorer.

"Well I'm glad you didn't." Rapunzel said with a slight giggle at Maverick's behavior over the dress. "I was a little worried you were actually going to drop that anvil on him."

"I wasn't going to brutalized him. If anything it would tranquilized him. The anvil look was just a cliché theme." Maverick explained as he opened up the lid of the manhole which led underground. "By the way. How's Lady Paragon doing?"

"Huh? Oh you mean Cass. She's doing okay, all things considered." Rapunzel said, a sigh escaping her lips. "She's sort of at odds with her father for trying to stop us back at the Tower. And now she's been put on probation for trying to help me and Eugene find the graptyc."

"Ah, well. When this town sees Lash's helmet hanging on a pole. Guaranteed promotion." Maverick assured as he brightened the neon lights on his suit to be used as a flashlight. "We're near the home stretch Zel. You're ready?"

"Yeah." Rapunzel took a breath to steady her nerves. "Let's do this."


Then Rapunzel and Maverick went under the manhole and they both entered into the underground tunnel system beneath the kingdom.

Maverick's suit lighting the tunnels with neon lights.

Rapunzel started walking down the path with the book open, Maverick following right behind her.

"We have to go this way." Rapunzel said, using the journal as a map, as she led them through the tunnels. They passed by another pathway, but quickly turned around to enter the pathway. The two stopped as Rapunzel tried to figure out where they had to go next.

"Um... Uh..." Rapunzel thought aloud as she read the journal. Then pointed to the left towards another path. "That way?"

She was not a hundred percent sure, but led them down that way, hoping she was right.

Maverick followed Rapunzel while whistling the theme to Indiana Jones as he looked around. And saw how old the tunnels were. They weren't rotting away and they didn't smell of an Indian sewer. But the layout in his mind depicted an area of Pre-Corona based architecture.

"What do you suppose these tunnels are for? To provide shelter for chocolate zombies? Or their ex wives?" Maverick asked in a scary voice as he looked around.

Rapunzel just giggled at his antics before answering.

"No, Silly. These tunnels were probably used for different reaso-oaaAAAHHHH!" Rapunzel cried out at the end when she saw a skeleton laying about the ground. Pascal squeaked in fear on Rapunzel's shoulder and hides behind it.

"Woah dude! Pants! You're junk is a 'dead' giveaway!" Maverick covered his eyes while making a pun, and then he peaked. "Wait. Your junk is empty."

Pascal rolled his eyes at Maverick's pun.

"Anyway. Don't get up, we'll see ourselves out soon." Maverick quipped before he almost walked down one of the tunnels.

But Rapunzel quickly stopped him by gripping her hand on his shoulder.

"We've got to be careful." Rapunzel advised with a concerned look. "Herz de Sonne's tunnels may have long been forgotten. But, that doesn't mean they're not dangerous. They are lined with deadly booby traps."

"So are the ingredients for a Wendy's Shake. Relax, as long as they're no lazers, giant scissors or a pool of sharks. We're good." Maverick assured as he went down the tunnel to the right and stepped on a pressure pad brick which activated a trap.

"Orion, Watch out!" Rapunzel yelled as two arrows shot out at him. But he just flicked his wrist, summoning his Keyblade, and knocked the arrows out of the way. And he just stood there and yawned.

"One down." Maverick said, sounding bored as they went further down the tunnel.

The two entered another chamber and gazed around. The two tried to walk to the next passageway, only for it to seal shut by a large metal door. The same occurred with the passageway they came in.

"Uh oh." Rapunzel muttered nervously as the room began to shake and the walls began to close in on them, intent on crushing them. Rapunzel ran to one wall, trying to stop it's advancement, with Maverick doing the same with the other wall.

"Oh. So George Lucas stole the idea from your town's ideas first." Maverick quipped.

Maverick then decided to let loose with his new found abilities. Instead of pushing on the walls. He instead hovered and charged the heat in his hands.

"Zel! Get down!" Maverick warned.

Rapunzel took cover on the ground while holding Pascal.

Then Maverick fully charged his hands with magma and fired heat beams from his hands into the walls. Not only melting the metal. But incinerating the gears behind the walls. And then the walls stopped and Maverick stood back on the ground.

"Dinner time." Maverick mused as his hands stopped heating as smoke emitted from it.

Rapunzel got up from the floor and looked about with shock and awe.

"Whoa! That was awesome!" Rapunzel exclaimed in excitement after the shock faded. "I didn't know you could do that!"

"Oh." Maverick muttered and looked embarrassed. "I forgot to tell you. In addition to torturing me and playing 'Monkey in the Middle' with my sanity. ***k face Francis and his group of adult virgins also gave me the power of the flame god formally known as George Foreman."

Rapunzelwas able to read in between the lines of the quips and references to understand what that means.

Rapunzel found his powers very impressive and a thought came to her, making her giggle slightly.

"You know it's ironic. Those monsters tried to bring you down. But in the end, you're even more powerful than you were before." Rapunzel said before another thought made her smile. "You're like a phoenix."

"Or a vintage Sears furnace. Which ever is hotter." Maverick quipped as he held his hands up and ignited a flame around them. "Aren't you de-lighted?"

Rapunzel giggled at his pun.

"I sure am. You know I just 'lava' good fire pun." Rapunzel joked back, replacing love with lava. "Come on, we should keep going."

"Sure..." Maverick amusingly agreed as he melted the door open to their way out to go further in the tunnels as he whispered something about her pun. "Laaaaaame."


Meanwhile back up at the castle...

Eugene and Cassandra observed the chaos that was beginning to ensue in the throne room.

"How dare you point out my obvious flaws with cutting accuracy?" An older gentleman in sailing captain's clothes seethed, getting in a guard's face. "I'll box your ears!"

Two maids, one of them named Faith, rushed between Eugene and Cassandra each other, the one walking away from the angry Faith.

"You take that back! I don't care how true it is!" Faith yelled at the other maid as she chased after her.

Behind Eugene and Cassandra was the Royal Chef with a Strudel in hand and arguing with another man.

"Let's see you speak your truths with a mouth full of Strudel!" The Royal Chef threatened.

"This is getting out of hand." Cassandra said, looking at all the people arguing.

"Yeah, this reminds me of Xavier's mood potion." Eugene agreed with Cassandra. "Only now, everyone can't help but tell the truth."

"Out of my way, Big Ears!" Some random guy pushed past Eugene.

Eugene coughed in his fist.

"Except for that guy. He has no idea what he's talking about." Eugene tried to cover for his ears.

"If this is some kind of truth potion, we have to figure out how it got into the castle." Cassandra stated before turning to Eugene. "Who was the first person you noticed being a little too honest?"

"Hmm..." Eugene thought with a finger to his lip, remembering who he first noticed.


One moment Later...

Eugene and Cassandra had Pete with them in a dark room for interrogation. A single candle on a small table lighting the room. There were three chairs around the table. They had Pete sitting in one of them. And he was nervous. Eugene stood behind him while Cassandra stepped forward, a serious look on her face.

"Okay, Pete. Let's start at the beginning. Walk us through your day." Cassandra ordered.

"And relax. Just tell us what happened." Eugene said, all friendly.

Eugene was playing good cop and Cassandra was playing bad cop.

So Pete started talking.

"Well, I woke up confused, because my mouth tasted like beans, but I had no recollection of eating beans the day prior." Pete rambled, making Eugene and Cassandra share a glance, having a feeling this was gonna be a long one. "Then I saw my cat, and I said "Hello, Mr. Happy-Paws! Who's a fluffernutter?" Of course, he can't talk."

At this point, Eugene and Cassandra plopped down in the other chairs with tired sighs of exasperation. This was gonna take a while.


Meanwhile back in the underground tunnels...

Maverick and Rapunzel were still walking underground as they were getting close under the castle. As they were taking a new path according to Herz Der Sonne's journal.

When they came up to a tripwire on the floor.

"WOAH!" Maverick teleported in front of Rapunzel and stood with his back to her while his hand kept her back as he looked down.

"Trip wire?" Rapunzel figured, looking at Maverick.

"AKA the famous deadly Aztec mystery menu." Maverick remarked as he walked over it and so did Rapunzel.

But as they were walking away, Pascal noticed a spider walking on the trip wire. Hungry for the insect, he jumped off Rapunzel's shoulder and extended his tongue out, grabbing the spider with his tongue, which did not go unnoticed by Rapunzel or Maverick

"Pascal, no!" Rapunzel called out, getting his attention. "I need you to carefully let go of that spider."

"Listen to your Mommy, Geico. Just imagine if that spider has Drake Bell's face. He's bad news for all of us." Maverick warned, looking just as worried.

Pascal got the message and carefully removed his tongue from the spider, preventing the trip wire from breaking as the spider walked off.

Rapunzel and Maverick sighed in relief. Another trap avoided.

"I'm actually disappointed. The castle protects one of their most prized possessions with an outdated kitchen trap?" Maverick inquired as he leaned his hand on the wall.

Which he accidentally pushed a panel in the wall causing the floor to collapse beneath them

Rapunzel immediately jumped and rolled out of the way to safety and gasped looking at Maverick.

But The Princess was relieved to see Maverick hovering in the air due to his flight ability as he sighed in annoyance.

"Okay. I'm keeping my hands in my pockets. And shit I don't have any pockets." Maverick deadpanned as he flew away from the hole and resumed walking down the tunnel with Rapunzel.

"We're getting closer to the surface." Rapunzel noticed the wall designs changing and cautioned Maverick. "We don't want to alarm the guards."

"Tell that to the schmucks to design this lameberith." Maverick snorted looking back. And added. "Besides I think the heat and everyone else has their hands full."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Rapunzel asked, confused.

"I'm guessing you didn't get the memo?" Maverick asked while walking backwards, more like hovering backwards. "Everyone working at the castle is going banana-balls over their own honestly. The one thing that would destroy liberal media. Basically it's like everyone upstairs lost the ability to lie or withhold their true feelings. Causing the same mad strife."

Rapunzel was shocked by this before realization struck.

"That's why Pete was acting so strangely earlier, when he said he just had to tell the truth, because he couldn't lie." Rapunzel said about her realization. "But what is causing it?"

"When you're a lady you notice things. And no comment about that god awful dress." Maverick grit his teeth mentioning the dress he wore earlier. "Anyway I had IRIS scan the air content for any pollution. And most of it was coming from the crowd's breaths. Six of the ingredients are in sugar cookies, and two of the other contents are similar to some of the ingredients I use to make the ethers and elixirs I would take in battle."

"So, Someone fed them cookies, made with some kind of truth potion." Rapunzel concluded, but was still lacking information. "But who did this?"

"Woah. Lucky fricken guess." Maverick looked surprised that Rapunzel figured that out before he could. "I was thinking that someone sprayed the air with a truth spray or made a wish from a birthday candle. But...Yeah that makes more sense. Give the lady with the ten mile hair due a prize."

Rapunzel giggled at his antics.

"Well thank you very much." Rapunzel said before looking smug. "I'm not just a pretty face, ya know."

"And no. I'm not sure who's in charge either. But I have a theory. The mystery two-timing ass wipe who shot Friday with the dart that exposed her." Maverick figured as he was steaming from his suit a bit holding back the anger of knowing what his beloved went through.

"If you're right, and it's the spy you warned me about, then what could he possibly gain from everyone being unable to lie? I mean besides the discord that's growing" Rapunzel asked, a bit sad that such tensions are building up between people who are supposed to be friends and allies.

While they were talking. Pascal saw a fly crawling on the wall and lit up looking hungry.

"No clue. Maybe it's to raise hell early for Lash or-" Maverick was about to guess before...

*Tongue Snap!*

Pascal snapped his tongue on a brick that had a hidden button on it for another booby trap.

"Pascal!" Rapunzel exclaimed with her eyes widened.

"Ugh What did we just say?!" Maverick groaned.

Then the floor collapsed. And Rapunzel almost fell with Maverick before he grabbed on to her and hovered in the air. He looked around and saw a alternate root through the tunnels down below the floor. So he flew down their which actually lead to a direct path to the chamber where the flower is kept.

Once he landed, he set Rapunzel down and the two continued onward.

"That was too close." Rapunzel sighed before looking at her brother. "You are sure this flower is worth it, right? It's Corona's only hope?"

"Zel. We wouldn't be down here in a tunnel full of bones and single noted death traps. if that wasn't the case. I am very sure." Maverick assured Rapunzel as they walked up the steps.

Rapunzel gave small smile to him.

"Okay….I trust you." Rapunzel said to her brother.

"Besides, all of this is a big deal for us. Given what's been what those tacky goth rocks are capable of. Corona falling would be the least of the Multiverse's worries." Maverick sighed thinking about some other reports he had been hearing.

"What do you mean by that?" Rapunzel asked, confused and a bit concerned by his words. "What could be worse than losing our home?"

"Losing everything else around our home. What I mean is if it's just one world, it's devastating. But if the rocks were spreading across all worlds. There would be nothing left." Maverick declared the worse part. "Worse case scenario, we could always move everyone to a new world if it comes to that. And that's a big if."

Rapunzel understood this. The last thing she would ever want is to lose their home. But it would be worse if her people had nowhere else to go. And if all life across the Multiverse would cease to exist.

Rapunzel rubbed her arm feeling nervous. Hoping it will never come to that. She loved her Kingdom and everyone who lives here.

So the Princess was putting her faith in the Maverick.


Back up at the castle...

After half an hour, Pete was still rambling on, and Eugene and Cassandra bored right out of their skulls.

"I got into work, high-fived Stan, and I noticed his hand was sweaty-" Pete was interrupted when Cassandra grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close, glaring at him, having had enough of his useless ramblings. "Oh, boy! You are scary."

"Listen! We've been here for thirty minutes, and all you've been doing is boring us with useless information!" Cassandra seethed, having lost her patients.

"Useless?!" Pete exclaimed, slightly offended. "I gave you my recipe for strawberry scones!"

"That was the most useless part!" Cassandra snapped, near the point of just throttling the guard.

"Okay, okay, okay! Let's try this." Eugene said, rubbing his face, trying to get rid of his growing headache. "Can you recall anything out of the ordinary? Maybe something not soul-crushingly boring?"

Poor Eugene was at his wits end as well.

The guard pondered for a second looking off for a bit before he remembered one thing.

"Well. I did find the man in the bush who gave me purple cookies a bit peculiar." Pete answered.

Cassandra scoffed as she slouched back on her cheer. "You think you might have led with that?!" She crossed her arms sarcastically.

"Everybody's been eating these things!" Pete exclaimed happily, taking out a purple cookie, about to eat it.

*Slap!*

"Don't!" Cassandra ordered with a firm tone after slapping the cookie out of his hand. "Someone may have laced them with some kind of truth serum."

Eugene leaned forward in his chair.

"Listen, Pete. What else can you tell us about the man in the bush?" Eugene asked, needing more information.

"Well, let's see," Pete started, getting his thoughts in order. "His voice was kind of... British?"

Hearing this made Cassandra's eyes narrow in thought.

"Oh and..." Pete continued. "He was asking about the Sundrop flower, which the king has been secretly hiding in the vault ever since he used it on the queen."

"W-w-wait! The Sundrop flower?" Eugene exclaimed in shock with his arms flapping about.

Cassandra stood as well, her eyes narrowed even more.

"So... Someone with a British accent trying to keep a low profile used a potion to get information about a magical flower." Cassandra concluded before turning to Eugene with her arms crossed and a dark look on her face. "Sound like someone we know?"

Eugene thought for a moment before his eyes widened in realization before filling with anger.

"Francis." Eugene seethed out, the name of the man who took advantage of a friend's desperation to capture and torture him.

Just then the door bursts open as Roman the Guard comes in looking alarmed.

"Sir!Ma'am! We found two intruders holding hostages in the kitchen!" Roman alerted Cassandra directly to Eugene and Cassandra.

"It must be Francis and that sadistic wench sidekick of his." Eugene ground out.

"If it is, they're dead meat." Cassandra seethed to Eugene before turning to Pete. "Pete, go to King Frederic, warn him about the vault."

"Right away!" Pete said before standing up and running out of the room to warn the king. Cassandra then turned to Roman.

"We're heading to the kitchen. We will handle these intruders personally." Cassandra said to Roman, earning a nod from Eugene in agreement.

As Eugene and Cassandra dashed out of the room with Roman behind them. Hoping to catch Francis and Angel Dust, save the hostages and give them a piece of their hard minds for what they did to Orion.

While Pete was running around the castle looking for the Captain and King.

As Eugene and Cassandra quickly ran down the halls and made it to the kitchen. Eugene was the first to bust through the door with a frying pan as Cassandra followed suit with a dagger she pulled from her emergency stock pile.

"Hands up bi-aaah...Where are they?" Eugene inquired as they looked around the kitchen.

No Francis and no Angel Dust. Not even the hostages. The kitchen was empty. What was Roman talking about?!

"Roman where ar-" Cassandra halted her question when she felt the tip of a sword touching her back. She froze as she wasn't sure who it was. Until she heard Roman speak.

"Hands up." Roman ordered Cassandra.

"Roman?! What the hell?!" Eugene gawked before he felt the tip of a gun press against his back head. Held by a dude with a familiar British voice.

"I'm sure you watched enough movies with the boy to know what this is Gent." Francis mused with a smirk.

"Well, guess we found our hostages." Eugene muttered nervously as he and Cassandra raised their arms.

"You pathetic son of a bitch." Cassandra hissed in anger seeing Ajax.

"Now now. Watch the language little girl. Or I'll paint the kitchen with whatever your partner bleeds." Ajax threatened amusingly.

"I bleed red. What else?" Eugene snorted nervously.

"Lash. We have em. And the targets are almost in position." Ajax spoke to someone on a radio attached to the left strap of his vest.

"Good. Make sure to wait until they're about to leave. Do this right and I'll pay you handsomely."Lash's voice was heard on the other end.

Which shocked Eugene and Cassandra. Not only is Roman a traitor working with Ajax. But Ajax was hired by Lash?

Makes a lot of sense actually.

"Done deal." Ajax ended the transmission and called Angel Dust. "Angel Open the door."

Then a secret hatch behind the spice shelf opened up like a double door of a closet. Which led underground. And Angel Dust standing on the other end.

"Let's take a walk." Ajax smirked as he and Roman forced Eugene and Cassandra into the secret entrance as their hostages.


Meanwhile back below underground...

Rapunzel and Maverick just entered another chamber, with several Columns.

"Ugh, Dead end? I knew we should've taken that left turn at Albuquerque." Maverick groaned, seeing the end of their path.

Rapunzel looked up, her eyes widening.

"No. This is it. We are right under the vault." Rapunzel said before pointing towards the sealing. "Do you see that trap-door?"

"You mean that one up there, looking like a Banksy Bowl? Yeah. How do we get it open?" Maverick asked Rapunzel.

Rapunzel started thinking, and then she looked to the floor, and saw seven small pillars on the floor, in a circle inside Corona's symbol.

"One, two, three, four, five, six... Seven pillars." Rapunzel said before kneeling down slightly to look at them. "Huh."

Then Rapunzel took hold of one of the pillars and pushed it to the right slightly, the other pillars moving as well. Seeing that the floor below her was spinning slightly like a wheel.

Over in the corner, unseen by the two, something large and mechanical, looking like a mechanical golem, started activating with a mechanical whir. It's eyes lit up, the color green, three small eyes in the pattern of a triangle on the right side. And two eyes, one small with a large one above it, in the style of a thought bubble, on the left side.

It stared at Maverick and Rapunzel.

Steam was released as the ancient machine dislodged itself from the wall and took a few steps.

Rapunzel continued moving the columns to the right, until she heard a click, and all seven pillars sank to the floor.

Maverick of course gawked at the sight.

"REALLY?! You folks are outdated for indoor plumbing but not for making an automaton?!" Maverick exclaimed and hung his head back. "I'm moving to Xander after this."

Then as the Automaton raised its fists to smash Maverick. The Armored keyblader then summoned his two keyblades. With the second one being fire themed. as he swiped both keyblades when the fist came down.

*Slash!*

The Automaton's hand fell as Maverick flipped in the air andhe slashed into a spin to decapitate the robot, causing it to crash forward and then Maverick landed on its back.

Then Maverick lifted the head with both hands and looked inside the head.

"Hey! Where's the candy?! The dollar tree books lied to me!" Maverick exclaimed humorously before tossing the head away. "This Pinata sucks."

Rapunzel stiffed a giggled at his witt.

"Maybe they forgot to fill it before leaving it here." Rapunzel quipped before she gasped as another Automaton came up from behind Maverick. "Orion, look out!"

"Huh?" Maverick said, turning to see the other Automaton behind him with a raised fist. Rapunzel grabbed Maverick's hand and pulled him away as the fist came down. She pulled Maverick behind a pillar with her.

"This one made a hell of an entrance!" Maverick quipped as he constructed a neon Xbox controller in his hands as he looked back at the robot. "Let's give him a 'big hand' ".

Pun intended.

***PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH!***

Maverick was controlling the fallen hand of the other Automaton to beat the crap out of the Automaton attacking them. Using a neon barrier around the fist to lift it with his mind as he used the giant fist to punch it's torso and smash its head. Then he slam the fist down on the robot multiple times like a piston until the Automaton was down and scattered into pieces. Then the head was knocked into the air and Maverick used the floating giant hand to flick the head away with a middle finger.

But then as they both smiled seeing the second Automaton down. Five more Automatons appeared from the corners as one of them knocked the hand away.

"I'm switching to Playstation." Maverick deadpanned as he dropped the neon Xbox controller.

Then they noticed the first four Automatons were staying back for the bigger one in goal to step up and attack them.

Maverick flew in to take that thing head on. But the Automaton swung it's arm.

*Bash!*

"Ugh! my kidney-" Maverick grunted as he got slammed into a pillar causing it and the roof above to crack a bit.

"Ryan!" Rapunzel cried out, running to her brother. "Are you okay?"

Maverick moaned as he stood up, eyes on his face screen rolling counterclockwise.

"My whole life, flashing before my eyes...Holy shit I was awesome!" Maverick exclaimed before shaking his head, getting his focus back.

The Automaton started stomping its way over to them.

"We're gonna need some kind of plan if we're gonna defeat that thing." Rapunzel said, running to the pillar to their right. "Uh... Hey, you! Um, Metal-head!"

"Automaton!" Maverick said, giving a pretend cough as he did so.

"Come and get it!" Rapunzel taunted the Automaton, making it stomp towards her and tried to punch her. Rapunzel dodged the punch, making it hit the pillar as she hid behind it.

She looked up to see the pillar, up by the ceiling, was beginning to crack, giving her an idea.

She turned to Maverick, who was standing behind the pillar to her left.

"Distract him and draw him towards you!" Rapunzel said, pointing at her brother.

"Ugh, such a waste of my true talents." Maverick moaned jokingly as he did so.

Then Rapunzel undid her braid, letting her hair down. and Maverick fired a heat shot at the Automaton, getting its attention as he ran between the pillars, just as Rapunzel planned. Rapunzel then wrapped her hair around the two pillars, in essence, creating a giant tripwire. When the Automaton tried to reach them, it struggled against her hair. This caused the pillars to be pulled until they broke and collapsed on top of the Automaton. The Automaton began shutting down, its green eyes shutting off.

"You know if you're ancestors that built this thing wanted to boost their 'wow' factor. They really should've given that thing laser eyes-" Maverick almost said before...

***Lazer eye beam!***

The big eye of the robot that was down came on and shot a beam through Maverick's chest backing him stumbling a bit. Rapunzel gasped in horror.

"Ow! Damn it! No one likes a sore loser, Rosey!" Maverick barked back while pointing a finger at the robot.

Then he shifted back into Orion and charged his eyes to turn orange.

And then...

***Heat vision blast!***

Orion fired heat vision beam from both eyes like a natural Superman as he burned the Automaton's head, creating a round hole through its head.

Then Orion sighed before he doubled over and winced covering the big round hole in his chest which looked painful.

"Ryan!" Rapunzel cried out and ran to her brother's side, tears in her eyes and hesitant to touch his large wound. "No no no no no no no. This can't be happening. Please hold on! I'm gonna get you out of here! And..."

Then Orion placed a finger on her lips to stop her which surprised her.

"Shhhhh...Hush my child. And watch as I blow your roof." Orion whispered amusingly like a 60s guru.

Then immediately. The hole in Orion's stomach began to close up and heal with the fire and neon filling in the whole and forming perfect red looking skin. Then the hole on his outfit magically repaired itself.

Much to Rapunzel's amazement and relief.

"I have a major healing factor now. One that would make Wolverine jealous like a rapper's wife." Orion stated and winked.

Rapunzel was still in stock for a moment. Her mind was blown by the fact that Orion can never die from any lethal attack now, before she tackled him into a hug.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again! Do you hear me?!" Rapunzel scolded as she hugged her brother hard. Sounding relieved as well.

Even Pascal looked relieved.

"It's okay Zel. I'm okay, I always will be. And I'm sorry for getting shot in the chest. Which sounds effing weird for me to say." Orion hugged her back and soothed her.

"I know. Just be more careful next time, okay?" Rapunzel said, earning her a nod before she looked up at the ceiling. "Look, the hatch is open now."

"Finally..." Orion sighed as he constructed a neon ladder all the way up for Rapunzel while he hovered up into the hatch. Then Rapunzel climbed the latter. They both looked and saw that everything was dark. And there was a glass brazer meant to light.

"We're here." Rapunzel stated.


They finally made it through all of the hiding and dealing with booby traps and giant early century but affective robots. And now they were finally here. At the chamber of the Sundrop Flower. Now it's time for Orion and Rapunzel to discover it's rich secrets.

"Let me." Orion walked over to the glass brazer.

After Orion flicked his finger like a cigarette lighter and used it to light the stim in the glass brazer which made it shine. Then the entire chamber lit up with other lamps. on the top pillars as the sun and moon symbol from the ceiling lights shines on what they were looking for. They could finally see it now. The Sundrop Flower. Sitting in an orb display lifeless with crumble petals.

"There it is." Rapunzel breathed in awe. She stepped close to look into the orb display "the flower."

Rapunzel felt quite the emotions of awe at the sight. This flower was what allowed her mother to live. And for Rapunzel to be born. This flower helped to make her who she is. Rapunzel may have lost her tower. But it felt so good to see this miraculous object.

Orion smiled at the sight. Seeing Rapunzel smile like this reminded him so much of the way Trish smiled. Somehow Orion feels no more grief. And no more sadness thinking of Trish. Because he feels like his sister is standing in front of him now.

But Orion never needs an excuse to be a wise ass.

"You know. If I knew you liked dead flowers more, I wouldn't have bothered sending you bouquets every Sunday." Orion quipped as he stood next to her.

Rapunzel was pulled out of her thoughts as she looked back and snorted with a giggle at his comment.

"Oh don't worry. I really love the flowers you sent me. " Rapunzel said sweetly before smirking. "Although it would be a lot better with some sweets to go with them."

"I will note that, Princess Peach." Orion mused as he came over to reach for the flower before Rapunzel placed a hand on his red hand.

"Remember Orion, we're only taking one petal." Rapunzel said sternly.

"Yes, Mission Control. That was my plan." Orion responded with an eyebrow raised. Before he reached for it and halted as he looked curious. "Wait a sec..."

"Oh no, don't tell me you're taking more than one." Rapunzel looked worried.

"No no...Maybe. We don't have to take one at all." Maverick figured.

"What do mean?" Rapunzel asked, very confused now. "Wasn't that the whole objective here?"

"Remember that analysis wing I had in the Mav Club?" Orion reminded Rapunzel.

Rapunzel nodded in response.

"Well I dismantled it and turned it into a spa wing. Because my suit can now do it all for me." Orion explained and gestured. "Hold up the flower for me, carefully."

Rapunzel was still confused, but still she trusted Orion.

"Uh. Sure." Rapunzel responded and gently picked up the flower in both hands and held it out to Orion.

Then Orion displayed a holographic keyboard using his ring, and a techno orb in front of himself as the holo-orb beamed a light over the flower displaying the letters 'Scanning...'. The orb displayed with IRIS's voice as Orion kept typing for just a little bit.

"IRIS, run a trace for Sundrop elements." Orion spoke to his computer.

'Scanning...Scan complete. Cross referencing the data from the tests from several months back, with the analysis of the flower, shows that the Sundrop is no longer within the flower. It is still within Princess Rapunzel. Her heart still holds it like a vessel.' IRIS stated for both of them to hear.

While she holographically displayed the source of Sundrop energy inside of Rapunzel while she was still holding the flower.

Rapunzel was stunned speechless at this news.

"The Sundrop... Is inside my heart?" Rapunzel breathed, placing a hand over her heart. "But how is that possible? I lost those abilities when Eugene cut my hair to save me."

'The Sundrop is hibernating inside your heart. Ever since your hair had been cut. It retracted as a self defensive instinct to prevent its power from surging out of control.' IRIS explained.

"And when you touched the rocks. It awoke the sundrop in a different pattern to keep it out of the hands of their source." Orion figured while speaking to Rapunzel.

'correct.' IRIS replied.

Rapunzel thought for a look of realization appeared.

"That's why I was able to save Eugene from dying." Rapunzel realized as she remembered when Eugene was stabbed. "Even after my hair was cut."

'Correct. And the reason why you are unable use the healing incantation now is because your hair is under a much stronger defensive state. You only have the physical advantage of its indestructible force flowing through your hair.' IRIS stated.

"Than. That explains why my my hair is now uncuttable." Rapunzel said, looking down at the flower still in her hands. "It's because of the Sundrop inside my heart trying to protect me."

Suddenly her hair starts to glow, making her gasp as the flower glows with her. Orion watched looking perplex as he began to illuminate onto the ceiling showing writings. On the walls as well.

They saw words in sixteenth century Latin.

'Non scripsi dimidium eorum quae vidi, scivi enim crederem'

"wow. I've never seen writings like this before." Rapunzel said in awe, her eyes wide with wonder as she looked all around the room. "What are these writings?"

Orion looked at them as if he was familiar.

"It's sixteenth century Latin." Orion stated as he began to read before translating in English. "Non scripsi dimidium...Sorry I'll translate. It says, 'I did not tell half of what I saw, for I knew I would not be believed'."

Rapunzel's eyes widened at hearing the translation.

"I've read those words before." Rapunzel exclaimed, getting Orion's attention. "It was from Marco Polo. Those were the exact words he spoke on his deathbed."

"Right." Orion nodded as he knew those words too. "It's like the flower is leaving us a hint."

Rapunzel tilted her head in thought.

"Maybe Marco Polo was somehow involved with the Sundrop." Rapunzel stated her train of thought. "Or even the black rocks. Or possibly both."

"Um...Let me think...From what I remembered reading about him. in the sixteen hundreds. Marco Polo leaves China with 600 passengers and fourteen ships, loaded down with treasure from Kublai Khan. And he landed in Persia a year and a half later with only one ship left. And only eighteen passengers." Orion gave Rapunzel a brief history background. "He wrote a lot of details about his journey but he never told anyone about what happened to those ships or the passengers. This could involve either Marco or his crew members. So everyone assumed they just crashed and sank at sea. But he never gave any confirmation."

"I wonder though." Rapunzel said, looking down at the flower in her hands while she was deep in thought. "Maybe those other thirteen ships found something and decided they didn't want to leave. Or, maybe they couldn't leave."

"Maybe...Wait.." Orion looked at something on the buds of the flowers but couldn't make out the pattern. "Place the flower back down in the orb."

"okay." Rapunzel said, wondering what Orion was thinking. She placed the flower gently back into the orb. And when she did, she let out a gasp as the flower and orb flashed for a moment, and another set of ancient letters appeared on the front wall, in the form of light.

"Woah…." Rapunzel breathed out, awed at that display, and at the new words.

Orion looked at the letters and recognized those as well. From when he found the clues in the tomb that lead him to finding the scroll in Quirin's house.

"Hold on. That's Enochian Script." Orion stated in realization as he pulled out a holo disk and began to decode the letters. "B...A..."

Rapunzel watched in intrigue while Pascal yawned and almost dozed off on Rapunzel's shoulder.

Then. As Orion was done decoding the script letters he came up with the hidden message.

"What do they say?" Rapunzel asked when Orion was done.

"It's...'Bad Crystal Cue'." Orion read as he wondered what that meant.

"What does that even mean?" Rapunzel asked, confused, with Pascal squeaking his own confusion. "It can't be talking about the rocks, can it? I mean, they're not technically crystals."

"Hold on. It's not what the rocks are. It's an anagram." Orion explained before he came up with something. "IRIS, scramble the words into a possible match."

'One pops up on record. Since the anagram is based on a fifteen century English Flyting rhyme.' IRIS stated.

"The old rap battles huh?" Orion mused and snickered before he saw the letters display in front of his eyes.

But all Rapunzel could see was his eyes glowing.

"Holy shit." Orion looked shocked.

"What?" Rapunzel asked.

"Cadbury Castle." Orion gasped

"Wait. What is that?" Rapunzel asked, trying to understand.

"Oh my God Zel! Marco's crew found Cadbury Castle!" Orion exclaimed as Rapunzel furrowed her brows, as she was still not sure what that meant. Making Orion explain in one word. "The Castle of Camelot!"

Rapunzel let out a loud gasp and Pascal squeaked loud enough to almost shatter glass, their eyes widened to their very limit.

"Camelot?!" Rapunzel shouted in pure shock. "As in... The Land of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table?!"

"The one and the same." Orion smiled looking excited as he explained. "Which means whatever is the source of those black rocks. Is still there in Cadbury Castle."

Rapunzel stood there in stunned silence before...

"EEEEAK!" she squealed like a little girl and snatched Orion in biggest, tightest hug she has ever given. And danced around on her bare feet, twirling him along.

"Whoa nelly!" Orion winced from the strong hug.

"This is great!" Rapunzel squealed out hugging him even harder, making him start to turn purple. "We just learned that Camelot was not just a myth, but as real as real can be!"

Orion winced and choked as he was mentally enjoying the hug while physically fighting the pain.

"Awk...Yeah!...God you're strong for someone so slender...Ugh...My lungs are hating my guts right now..." Orion groaned in a tight high pitched voice. And wheezed. "Is that you Marco? I didn't mean to touch your junk."

Rapunzel pulled away from the hug, holding his shoulders, letting him catch his breath all while she giggled in excitement.

"Oops Sorry Little Bro." Rapunzel giggled meekly. "This is just, an amazing discovery. And now we're a step further in saving Corona."

"Definitely..." Orion exhaled as he sniffed and stood back up to pop the joints in his back.

Even Pascal was happy to hear all of this. Nothing could ruin this moment…..

"Gotta admit. For a little bugger. He's pretty smart." They heard a voice say that made Orion's skin crawl.

Because he knew that voice. And it came from behind them. Rapunzel gasped and turned as they both saw a figure step out of the shadows.

It was Ajax! Pointing a gun at them.

"And he doesn't have a masters degree to prove it." Ajax mocked.

"Francis! What up prick dawg?!" Orion beamed mockingly with his hands out for a second. "You look all grown up. Or maybe the lab coat made you shorter."

Ajax was no longer wearing his lab coat. Now, he wore grey cargo pants, a bullet proof vest over a light blue long sleeve shirt, black elbow protectors, black combat boots, a belt with a gun holster. And two axes sheathed behind his back.

It took a second to recollect where Rapunzel saw his face. And when she remembered, her eyes were a blaze in anger.

"You... You're the Monster who tortured Orion." Rapunzel snarled in anger. Her mind flashed back to when she heard her brother screaming in the hyperbolic chamber. And she instantly saw red.

"Oh boy." Orion muttered as he found Rapunzel's glare intimidating.

"YOU BASTARD!" Rapunzel screamed in pure rage and tried to leap at him, to make him pay for hurting one of her loved ones in such a way, only for Orion to hold her back.

"Zel Don't!" Orion warned.

Knowing Rapunzel won't survive a bullet. Since Ajax was holding a gun.

"You were bluffing about a cure, were you?" Orion glared at him as he was holding Rapunzel back with one hand.

"See that? You knew I was lying. You can read the shift in a person's heartbeat now. The heat of your new power. Heighten your other one." Ajax complemented Orion's new powers.

While pointing out that Orion is now also a living lie detector. At this point Rapunzel backed down but she was still aiming a dagger like glare at Ajax.

"Yeah except it's like I got bit by a radioactive can of salsa." Orion spat sarcastically. "And who's fault is that Liverpool?"

"Oh you should thank me Boy. I practically made you invincible. Immortal. I'm actually quite jealous." Ajax smirked.

"If you're so jealous, you should have just done that torture on yourself instead on a child!" Rapunzel snarled out, doing her best not to give in to her desire to try and throttle him again. "How can you monsters do that and look yourselves in the mirror the next day?!"

"Oh perfectly. But my mirror cracks every time I do." Ajax mocked as he looked at Rapunzel. "You know my ex wife dressed up as you in her school play. Only she didn't want to be saved from a tower. She just wanted her hair pulled. Tell me. Did it make you feel good to have your hair pulled?

Rapunzel's glare hardened as she tried to march up to him but Orion kept her held back.

"If I'm 'immoral' as you say." Orion used air quotes with his fingers mocking him. "What's stopping me from taking that gun and turning it into an iron maiden for your buzz cut?"

"Hmmm...Not sure." Ajax pretended to ponder. "Maybe this."

He snapped his finger.

And suddenly. Came up in a new black outfit. Walking up with Cassandra in her grip. Struggling as Cass was being held up by the tall woman with her arm gripped around Cassandra's neck and a gun pointed to her head.

Angel Dust's outfit was all black. A black shirt that was slightly transparent on the torso with completely black sleeves. Black gloves, black straps wrapped around her chest and stomach, Black pants, and Blake combat boots that cover half her shins.

And she was silently threatening to kill Cass if Rapunzel and Orion does anything stupid.

"Cass!" Rapunzel cried out, seeing her friend being held hostage.

"Ugh You better let me go right now, you sadistic bitch!" Cassandra snapped as she struggled in Angel's grip.

"You ***k thistle." Orion growled at Ajax, seeing Cassandra in danger.

"But wait. There's more." Ajax held a finger up with a snicker before he looked back. "Remember to send my pay after this, Roman."

Rapunzel gasped hearing that name.

"Loud and clear." Roman the guard came in while also holding Eugene hostage.

Eugene's hands were cuffed in front while Roman had a knife to his neck. Rapunzel couldn't believe it. Roman is a traitor. The same guard who was in charge of watching over the king and queen.

"Eugene!" Rapunzel gasped in fear seeing her boyfriend held hostage like Cassandra.

"Hey! Easy on the hair products punk!" Eugene spat at Roman who had a knife to Eugene's neck as a threat.

"Roman, you betrayed Corona." Rapunzel whispered in anger and sadness at seeing one of their own working with these psychos. "How could you do this?! How could side with these Monsters?!"

"Easy Your Highness. I've been with Lash since the beginning. And he made a deal with Ajax's crew in order to modify the boy. You don't know it yet. But Lash is trying to prevent our world from falling." Roman explained while holding Eugene hostage.

"All I see them trying to do is ruin people's lives!" Rapunzel spat out. "They're not trying to save our world. They're trying to destroy it for their own sick gain!"

"Yeah. You guys claim you're the heroes in this tale, but you're all about as natural as a toxic cardboard cut out." Eugene snarled out.

"You all won't get away with it. You'll all answer for your crimes." Cassandra snarled out before her eyes landed on Orion, making her gasp. "Oh my God. Orion?!"

Eugene heard Orion's name and turned his sights on him.

"Oh, hey kid! Love the body paint going on there. It really goes with the new threads." Eugene greeted before his smirk dropped and realized horror made its place there. "Wait, that's not body paint, is it?"

"Nope. A mutated sunburn thanks to Big Ben's turd here." Orion stated gesturing to Ajax.

"Yikes! Now I feel stupid. Ugh! Man, I wish those videos were in color!" Eugene groaned, feeling foolish.

"It's alright Fitz, whoever owned the cameras sucked when it came to a budget." Orion assured casually.

"Is this really an important conversation right now?" Angel Dust looked annoyed.

"Josie Canseco, if you can't stand my wit you should've taken the muscles and joined Hydra instead." Orion mocked.

"Orion, this is serious! You should've come to us first! I knew these people were shady from the moment Raps told me about them!" Cassandra scolded Orion.

"I was dying god damn it!" Orion bellowed. "I went through every possibility and even scoped the periodic table like a map to the bathroom, and found nothing! There was no cure for me!"

Ajax smirked at the irony hearing this.

"That's his nice way of saying there's no other Ajax product. Like or not, Sweetheart." Ajax amusingly pointed out the facts to Cassandra. "I Was the only way he was ever going to live. Especially considering Forge only had twenty four hours left to live. It's not really enough time to fly to the nearest blue fairy hospital now is it?"

Cassandra tried to argue to the negative. But she realized that he was right. If Orion didn't get the cure he needed, he would not be here now. But still...

"That still doesn't excuse the awful shit you put him through." Cassandra snarled out at Ajax's and Angel Dust.

"I take pride in my world. It's the benefit of having all your nerves locked." Ajax shrugged.

Just then the doors on the left side of the room burst open as several guards. Including Pete and Stan came in with the Captain. And the King.

"LET HER GO!" The Captain pointed his sword directly to Angel Dust.

"Don't you mean 'let them go' Cap?!" Eugene inquired.

"Uh uh." Angel Dust gestured to the gun.

Which made the Captain glare and hold his hand out to his men telling them to stand down.

"Rapunzel?!" King Frederic gasped seeing his daughter in the room as well.

"Dad!" Rapunzel gasped out, eyes wide and full of panic at being caught here. "I swear, I can explain everything!"

"Awkward." Ajax sang quietly smiling at all of this.

"Stand down! I will kill him if I have to." Roman threatened while still holding Eugene hostage.

"Go ahead! See what happens next!" Eugene glared and dared at the guard.

"No!" Rapunzel cried out, tears in her eyes. "Please, don't kill him!"

"Roman, what is the meaning of this?!" King Frederic growled out in anger. "You dare betray our kingdom?!"

"I could easily ask you the same thing, Your Majesty." Roman spat glaring at the king. "If anything you're the one who caused the most damage. You forced Lash's hand because you refuse to co-operate in saving our home from the rocks! In a matter of days they will tear this kingdom apart and yet you insist on hoarding the 'solution' for yourself!"

By 'solution'. Roman meant Rapunzel. She's the only one who can stop the rocks.

"I will not put my daughter's life in jeopardy for your benefit!" King Frederic snapped in pure anger.

"And what about all the people Lash killed back in old Corona?" Rapunzel asked Roman with anger in every word. "If Lash is really trying to save us all, then what about all the innocent people who lost their lives to him and his beasts?"

"Those casualties were cruel, but necessary. Men have laid their lives down for this kingdom. People even died to discover that the Earth is round! Every progress for the greater good demands blood! If you all had seen the horrors that are coming. What Lash had shown me. You would all understand." Roman declared and revealed."He is from a dark future where we all die. The only possibility where we live are those two standing right there." He pointed to Rapunzel and Orion.

King Frederic looked towards the two and recognized Orion, despite the new Appearance.

A while back Rapunzel invited Orion and Friday to dinner at the castle. Where they met the King and Queen. Frederic recognized Orion as one of Rapunzel's closest friends.

"Orion?" King Frederic looked at him with wide eyes at his current state. "My Lord! What happened to you, Son?"

Even the guards were flabbergasted to see Orion in the new red skin.

"It's a long and very convoluted story. I really should've been a politician." Orion stated and muttered that last statement. before he revealed something. "Listen. I know this will sound insane. But double agent S-Hole over there is telling the truth."

This earned a few gasps in the room as Orion referred to Roman.

"Pfff...S-hole." Eugene stiffed a laugh at that nickname.

"Orion, you don't have to take up for him. We-" Rapunzel tried to say thinking Orion is trying to lie to get them to release Eugene and Cassandra.

"No. Hear me out. Among the many abilities I gained from the torture and experiments. I also have an availability to know when someone is lying." Orion pointed out his lie detector abilities.

"Isn't that what I just said?" Ajax inquired.

"Listen. When I fought with Lash the last several times he tried to screw over Corona. He said hebwas sending a message to stop a coming wickedness from the future. And apparently it's the reason why he's spreading chaos. And the longer we all ignore the threat those Rocks are bringing. The more Lash will attack. And if we don't act now. He will do much worse crap than what's happening now."

"So you understand." Roman looked at Orion. "You know we have to stop the coming darkness by any means."

"Wrong. Cause I'm not doing it your way." Orion glared at the guard.

"Orion, wait." King Frederic said, confused but slightly suspicious with narrowed eyes. "Why did you just say you fought with Lash before? I don't think I understand."

"Because..." Orion sighed before he shifted into his Maverick form. Making the King all the people standing at his side gasp. Even the Captain. Frederic looked shocked.

"I've always been fighting for this world. And that includes this town." Maverick stated looking at the King.

"you... You're the Maverick?" King Frederic muttered in total shock. "I had no idea that the warrior behind the mask was only a child."

"Yeah I know, it's a boatload to take in. But you trusted me before without knowing who was under the suit. If all of this flushed your trust down the drain. That's fine. Child or not. I'm not going to stop fighting for Corona. And I sure as hell am not stopping now." Maverick stated before he narrowed his eyes at Ajax.

"If you really feel that way. Then kill us. Stop us to save our home." Roman told Maverick.

"Come again?" Ajax glared at Roman as he was taking this in while pointing the gun at Roman. "You said I'd be walking out of here with the Sundrop."

"Lash doesn't give a damn about your future experiments, Doctor. This is beyond you." Roman declared.

"So I'm just the means of an end huh?" Ajax snorted as he was slowly about to pull the trigger.

"Wow. No honor among psychos, huh?" Eugene quipped while still held hostage.

"You're giving them way too much credit." Maverick muttered a quip to Eugene.

"And your boss is beyond my plans." Ajax stated as he was about to pull the trigger.

"Shift! Groot! Now!" Maverick called his team mates.

Then suddenly some tree vines wrapped around Ajax's wrist with the gun and another set of Vines wrapped around Angel Dust's neck and tossed them into a wall.

They both crashed through the wall down into the bottom of the chamber.

Suddenly Groot jumped up from the back entrance with a glare at Roman the guard.

***ZAP!***

"What the- GEGEHEGEHEGGEGEGEGEHEGEHRHRH!" Roman screamed in pain as he was zapped by a pinch in his neck.

The guard dropped his knife causing Eugene to get out of his grip and Cassandra stood back up as everyone watched Roman fall out cold.

With Friday standing behind the fallen guard in her blue form.

"Touche." Friday spat.

"Cassandra!" The captain ran over and hugged his daughter before checking for injuries. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." Cassandra smiled, a bit glad her father's first priority was making surehis daughter wasn't hurt. "Thanks to them."

She gestured to Friday and Groot.

"Hey! It's that blue demon! Arrest her!" One of the guards shouted and a few more moved in, weapons drawn to attack Friday.

"STOP!" King Frederic proclaimed with authority to the guards, making them pause. "Stand down. Friday is not our enemy. Nor is Orion and their tree friend. They have saved our lives here today, just as they always have in the past. They are our friends and allies."

Friday then went into her Shift form as she and Maverick nodded to the king while Rapunzel looked happy while she went to check on Eugene and helped take off his shackles.

Before anyone could respond. The Captain's eyes widened seeing something coming.

"LOOK OUT!" The Captain shouted and pushed Cassandra out of the way. Before

***Boom!***

An orb of Darkness blasted the Captain knocking him two feet away onto the ground.

"Ugh!" The Captain grunted when he hit the ground as the Dark Energy did some damage.

"Father!" Cassandra cried out, running to her father's side, kneeling down to help him sit up from the attack.

Maverick jumped down to the steps below and looked over, he glared seeing Ajax and Angel Dust going through a dark portal as Maverick summoned his two keyblades and ran after them.

"I am Groot!" Groot yelled and waited up as he and Shift ran after Maverick.

Once all three of them ran through the portal. The portal closed.

And suddenly they heard a large boom outside above the castle. Which let Rapunzel know where the fight was taken.

"Come on!" Rapunzel urged everyone.

"Help him out of here!" Frederic ordered Stand and Pete as he and everyone else ran out of the room. The two guards obeyed and didn't even have to be told what to do to Roman. They arrested him while they carried the captain out carefully on a stretcher with the help of another Guard.

Whatever is going on outside. Some matters were about to be settled.

Ajax is about to answer for everything.


Back outside the castle courtyard...

Maverick landed in the middle of the courtyard as he saw Angel Dust tossing some castle guards aside. He dashed up in the form of smoke as they both slammed their fists together which caused a shockwave.

Then Maverick started clashing his keyblades against Angel Dusts fists as he was being blocked while he dodged her punches with skill and athletic means.

He even tried supercharging his neon and flame abilities as she seemed super tough to land a hit. Maverick even tried dashing in the form of a fire ball while bouncing off the walls like a pinball machine into Angel Dust. But she was prepared for all his moves. So Maverick pushed himself away and flipped backwards to land and speak to his computer.

"IRIS? Cue the music." Maverick mused.

(Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J)

Then Angel Dust jumped and was about to smash her hands into Maverick. He teleported away and performed a flip kick and teleported multiple times to deliver several hits that managed to come through as he kept teleporting fast to deliver to the rhythm of the music.

Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years

I'm rockin' my peers, puttin' suckers in fear

Makin' the tears rain down like a monsoon

Listen to the bass go boom

Then Maverick was startled when a bolt of electricity blasted Angel Dust several feet away.

Maverick looked over to see Shift walking over looking pissed off.

"Tell me they got that in slow motion." Maverick quipped as he looked nervous seeing his girlfriend's death glare in her Shift form.

It's a look Maverick himself never received from Shift and prayed he never will.

"You can have the British dicktrip if you want." Shift growled as she cracked her knuckles with lighting shooting out as she walked towards Angel Dust. "This bitch is mine."

Friday remembered Orion telling her that Angel Dust was the one who carried out the majority of Orion's torture back at the workshop. And Shift wanted Angel Dust to suffer for it.

Angel Dust got back up and popped her neck before putting her fists up.

Explosions, overpowerin'

Over the competition, I'm towerin'

Wrecking shop, when I drop

These lyrics that'll make you call the cops

Don't you dare stare

You better move, don't ever compare

Me to the rest that'll all get sliced and diced

Competition's payin' the price

"RAAGH!" Shift leapt towards Angel Dust and the high speed.

Angel Dust blocked but the shock caused her to be pushed back as Shift waved her hands around as she delivered several lightning punches to Angel Dust's face and torso. With multiple punches and kicks.

I'm gonna knock you out (Huuh)

Mama said knock you out (Huuh)

I'm gonna knock you out (Huuh)

Mama said knock you out (Huuh)

I'm gonna knock you out (Huuh)

Mama said knock you out (Huuh)

I'm gonna knock you out (Huuh)

Mama said knock you out (Huuh)

"Woah." Maverick muttered seeing this. His girlfriend kickin the hell out of his main tormentor. Before he looked around for Ajax. "Where you at Francis?!"

But then he heard someone land behind him like the sound of a plane crash. Maverick slowly turned and tilted his hand.

"I hope that thing has a groin guard." Maverick remarked about Ajax's new suit.

Ajax's new armor was a light blue and covered his whole body. The helmet was black and spherical, with glowing red eyes, with only his mouth visible. His suit had a belt with gun holsters and another belt with the ammo. Sheathed behind his back were his two battle axes.

"One of my newest weapons, courtesy of Lash." Ajax said with a sadistic smirk. "Perfect for crushing an annoying nat like you."

"I hope they've blocked pain to your every last nerve, cause I'mma go looking!" Maverick snapped, pointing at the man responsible for his long torture session.

"I hear you grow back body parts now, Boy. When I'm finished, parts will be needed to grow back you." Ajax replied as he unsheathes his two axes

"Good one. Yeah, that was a good one." Maverick shrugged before he summoned his keyblades and approached Ajax looking serious. "Let's dance. And by dance, I mean let's try to kill each other."

"Ragh!" Ajax and Maverick clashed their weapons with great speed and reflexes as the music kept playing.

Groot was outside around the courtyard pulling out all the wounded soldiers to safety while covering all exit points in wood to prevent Ajax and Angel Dust from escaping.

Don't you call this a regular jam

I'm gonna rock this land

I'm gonna take this itty-bitty world by storm

And I'm just getting warm

Just like Muhammad Ali, they called him Cassius

Watch me bash this beat like a skull

Don'tcha know I had beef wit'

Why do you riff with me, a maniac psycho

And when I pull out my jammy, get ready 'cause it might go

Blauh! How ya like me now?

The ripper will not allow

Maverick at one point got headbutted before he flipped back doing a double upper kick and spin to toss his keyblade hard into one direction before he teleported and caught the keyblade in a fast spin and tossed it back at Francis before it impaled his shoulder. Right through the armor

Due to his nerves being locked it didn't hurt him. But it did make him stumble a bit before Maverick came up and shot a neon blast into his face and tossed a fire fist into his torso.

But Ajax regain his balance and slashed his axe against Maverick's right shoulder making him cry out in pain before Ajax pulled it out and was about to slam it on his head before Maverick teleported behind him and delivered a spin slash to Ajax's head armor which made the mad doctor roll over on the ground. But then he got back up to resume clashing his axes with Maverick's keyblades.

You to get wit' Mr. Smith don't riff

Listen to my gear shift

I'm blastin', outlastin'

Kinda like shaft, so you could say I'm shaftin'

Olde English filled my mind

And I came up with a funky rhyme

Shift was still busy with a fist to fist combat with Angel Dust as the latter was memorizing all of Shift's moves. Shift managed to shove two electric fingers into Angel Dust's neck stunning her and choking her as Shift delivered a triple punch to her face and then formed a large orb of electricity in her hands before shoving it into Angel Dust. Sending her three feet away and rolling on the ground.

Angel's Dust's suit was mildly scorched and burned a bit as she coughed up a bit of blood from Shift's brutality.

I'm gonna knock you out (Huuh)

Mama said knock you out (Huuh)

I'm gonna knock you out (Huuh)

Mama said knock you out (Huuh)

I'm gonna knock you out (Huuh)

Mama said knock you out (Huuh)

I'm gonna knock you out (Huuh)

Mama said knock you out (Huuh)

"Had enough, Dickless?" Shift asked with a hard glare.

Angel Dust scoffed as she stood back up. "I've delivered worse." She retorted.

Shift huffed and flared as she charged up her abilities and zoomed into Angel Dust who delivered a strong uppercut to counter Shift's attack.

Angel Dust's fist connected to Shift's daw sending her up into the sky and she started falling.

Once Shift fell down low enough. Angel Dust thrusted her left fist hard into Shift's stomach knocking the wind out of hard and amaking her smash into a wall.

But Shift got back up quickly to fly in and try attacking again. But Angel Dust picked up a loose brick and smashed it into Shift's face several times. Then Shift tried throwing her right fist at Angel Dusts while she was dazed.

But Angel Dust grabbed Shift's right arm and pulled on it, twisted it before Angel Dust threw her leg up and brought and slammed her booted foot into Shift's head.

***Smash!***

"AGH!" Shift grunted loudly in pain as she collapsed on the ground.

Then Angel Dust smirked as she grabbed Shift by the throat and slammed her on the floor before she raised her fist and was about to deliver her hardest blow to Shift's skull.

"I AM GROOOOOT!" Groot roared before he slammed a wooden hammer hand into Angel Dust.

Knocking her away as Groot delivered twelve blows her her face. But Angel Dust had plenty of adrenaline to block the last two blows and grab Groot's arms.

Then...

***RIP!***

Angel Dust savagely ripped Groots arms off.

"AAAAAAAAGH!" Groot roared in pain.

And Shift sat up clenching her broken forearm looking at Groot as Angel Dust began to stump her boot into his face multiple hard times. Cracking the floor as she does.

And as Shift was slowly getting back up into the fight.

***Flash!***

Then suddenly a light flashed in Shift's right hand, her wounds and bruises magically healed and her hand started glowing, as without warning. And much to her shock. A weapon formed in her hand. Or rather, not just any weapon. But a weapon that chose her.

A Keyblade! Much like Orion's keyblade, but more feminine and themed after her Shift suit.

Shift held the weapon up in her hand, both surprised and amazement. Then she glared up at Angel Dust.

Just as Angel Dust grabbed Groot by the hard bark of his chest, while he was moaning in pain. Angel Dust was about to rip his chest open, when suddenly.

"Hey Dusty!" Shift called her attention and then…..

***SLAM!***

A slash from Shift's keyblade knocked Angel Dust and tumbled her into the water fountain and crashed.

Thus ending the fight with her.

"Groot! Are you okay?!" Shift ran over and helped the armless tree uo on his feet.

"I am Groot..." Groot groaned that he was Okay. But then he looked shocked to see a Keyblade in her hand. "I am Groot?"

Back over with Maverick vs Ajax.

Ajax was knocked over as he rolled on the ground and tossed one of his battle axes at Mav who caught it and spun it back at Ajax. Then Maverick delivered a twirl kick which knocked Ajax further in the ground.

Then Maverick got out a new chemical bomb and teleported on top of Ajax. Maverick ripped Ajax's helmet off and placed the chemical bomb in his mouth.

"Say ah." Maverick mused before he teleported away.

*Puff!*

Then the gass bomb went off in the color green as Ajax's vains were showing and immediately thrusted himself on his knees looking like he was possessed as he was gasping. Like he couldn't breathe and he clenched his shoulder like he was...In pain.

"Breathe it in asshole." Maverick snarled as he paced around Ajax who was tearing his armor off looking like his suit had ants inside. Like he was panicking.

"What...Did...You...Do?!" Ajax choked out.

"I found all the locks in your nerves. It took me time to make sure the recipe was right. They had to restock all the ingredients at Wal-Mart." Maverick smirked mischievously.

Ajax glared up at Maverick and rushed in to slash him with his axe. But Maverick blocked and snatched his axe. Grabbed it and thrusted the butt end of the axe into his teeth, knocking some loose.

Then Maverick slammed his keyblade into Ajax's left elbow.

***Crack!***

"Aaaah!" Ajax screamed and collapsed as he clenched his broken arm.

Then Maverick grabbed his chin as Ajax was huffing in pain for the first time.

"Yeah. I've seen these side effects before. I could cure them." Maverick stated and leaned in to whisper "But where's the fun in that?"

Using the exact same words Ajax used on Orion the day he stole that boy's physical humanity. Cruel and beautiful irony.

"Oh I don't know. Pain just ups the thrill. Just ask your sister." Ajax chuckled weakly looking up at Maverick with sadistic eyes and blood in his mouth. "Oh wait. I forgot. She's fish debris now."

Maverick suddenly shifted from a smirk to a glare as he felt his suit steaming. Smoking.

"What's funny is that Lash recorded her last screams. I listen to them every time I drink coffee." Ajax spat and laughed. "I've got 'em on my ring tone. Care to listen?"

"Shut the ***k up." Maverick sneered as his suit was lighting up.

"Lash. Told me how she died. Very creative. He also told me...It was your fault...You watched her die...Horribly...And Helplessly...Like a lost warm looking for a meal..." Ajax laughed.

"RAGH!" Maverick slammed Ajax down to the ground. And started pounding his face with flaming fists.

Ajax still had the mutant ability to survive most lethal impacts. But the pain was coming through by force.

***PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH! PUNCH!***

As this was happening, Rapunzel and Cassandra ran out of the castle, just in time to see Maverick furiously punching Ajax in the face.

"Orion." Rapunzel whispered worriedly trying to get to him, only to be stopped by Cassandra grabbing her arm.

"Rapunzel, don't." Cassandra said to her.

"He's going to kill him! If he doesn't stop, Ryan will destroy himself!" Rapunzel exclaimed, worried and concerned in her eyes.

"I know." Cassandra said before letting her go and started walking towards the fight. "Let me handle this."

Ajax's armor was broken and shredded to pieces as his face was covered in bruises and blood.

Maverick huffed as he stood back up and shifted back into Orion. Whose face was instantly healing some cuts and bruises of his own. Orion then grabbed one of Ajax's battle axes with both hands and walked slowly to Ajax who was still lying on the ground. He had a smirk on his face seeing the wild look on what he saw as his own creation.

Orion's red skin.

"Any last words?" Orion inquired as he lit the axe in his hand on fire.

"What's my name?" Ajax answered.

"Who ***king cares?" Orion grit his teeth as he raised the axe over his head. Making the man who stole his humanity.

About to see Orion as he is now. Before he dies.

Orion swings the axe down. Aming for Ajax's neck. Before...

***Clash!***

Cassandra had slid in, grabbing the other axe and blocking Orion's fire axe with it. To stop him from killing Ajax. She was one one knee using all her strength to keep him back. Orion usually is stronger. But his heart was too weak to fight against Cassandra's strong heart. Which was the only thing about to spread light.

"LET ME ***KING HAVE THIS!" Orion roared as his voice echoed and his skin was smoking. His face read nothing but anger and hatred. As a few tears fell.

"Orion. I get it. After what this bastard has done, he deserves nothing but death. But not like this. Not by you." Cassandra said very sternly. "Killing him is what he wants. If you do this, he'll destroy who you are. Do you think we all want to see that? Even Rapunzel?"

At hearing her name, Orion turned his gaze to Rapunzel who stood there, tears running down her face, fear and worry in her eyes, all for her brother.

"Please, Ryan. Don't do this. This isn't you." Rapunzel whispered softly, begging him not to throw away his humanity. "You're not a killer. You're my brother."

Hearing this with his enhanced hearing abilities. Orion felt a spark in his heart that made him shift back in his Maverick form.

As he was back in his armor. Maverick hid the tears in his eyes as he looked back at Ajax. Physically broken and defeated on the ground. Right there. Waiting for him to be killed.

For three months Maverick searched the globe, tracking down this pathetic worthless pile of death worshipping garbage and to send him to hell.

But Maverick started to come to his senses. And realized what he wants. Won't end with Ajax's death.

As he remembered those words of wisdom from Cap himself.

Maverick exhaled as he dropped the axe. And looked down at Ajax who was staring back.

"Don't save me a spot in hell, Doc. I'll be in first class upstairs." Maverick muttered as he walked away. He left Ajax's on the floor as Maverick huffed and at a chance to kill him. But he didn't.

Because Ajax doesn't get to destroy who he is.

Before anyone could say anything. As Rapunzel was running over to Maverick. Ajax had plenty of energy due to his mutated stamina to pick up one of his axes with the only arm that wasn't broken. Ajax dashed past Cassandra who didn't turn around in time to see him pass.

Maverick's back was turned to Ajax as the armored keyblade wielder was recovering and healing quickly. Even his armored form was repairing itself.

But before Ajax could strike at Maverick.

***BANG!***

Ajax' face was blank as he suddenly fell to the ground. It was Rapunzel, standing behind him with her frying pan in her hand, and a hard glare on her face.

"That's for my brother." Rapunzel stated firmly as Maverick turned to see what happened.

Thus the fight was over.


"Damn, Raps. Didn't know you had it in you. I'm impressed" Cassandra said with a smirk as she walked up to them with her arms crossed.

"Great timing, Rachel Ray." Maverick smirked at his sister before he whispered loud to Ajax. "Guess your sneak attack didn't Pan out."

Rapunzel's response was hugging her brother and giving her a tender look.

"Are you alright?" Rapunzel said as she stepped back slightly to look him over.

"I will be. Now leeeooooOOOAAAAH MY CHOCOLATE COATED GOD!" Maverick exclaimed and pointed at Shift who was walking over. carrying an out cold Angel Dust over her shoulder with one hand. And a keyblade in her other hand.

Rapunzel and Cassandra turned to see it as they were just as shocked.

"Woah." Cassandra muttered looking surprised.

"I should've worn my white pants." Maverick wheezed in joy as his eyes on the helmet screen were wide ans shaped now like hearts.

His girlfriend has a keyblade now.

"Woah! That is just...Woah!" Rapunzel exclaimed, excited and happy for Friday. "Way to go, Thunder Sis!"

Maverick teleported over to Shift as she dropped Angel Dust on the floor.

"You in the key chain now, Babe." Maverick complemented her.

"Not too shabby right?" Shift grinned back and looked at Rapunzel. "Don't worry. We'll get you a new weapon."

"Oh pff! Get real. I don't need one. I'm fine with just my-" Rapunzel paused as she held up her choice of weapon only to see that it was just the handle.

Her Frying pan broke in half Suddenly. Probably as a result of smashing Ajax's head with it.

"Oh, man..." Rapunzel moaned at the loss of her favorite weapon.

"But at least it died epically." Maverick teased in a western actor voice.

"I am Groot." Groot came over to Rapunzel with a smile. And his body now without his arms due to Angel Dust ripping them off.

"Oh my God! Groot!" Rapunzel exclaimed in shock, seeing him without his arms. "What happened to your arms?!"

"I am Groot." Groot assured her it's okay. As some vines and roots instantly sprouted out of his arms like instant branches. And they formed into arms. Courtesy of his Super Photosynthesis. "I am Groot." He smiled showing his new found arms with inviting a hug for her.

"Oh. Thank goodness." Rapunzel said, relieved as she hugged Groot. "What is with you people always making me worry like this?"

"I am Groot." Groot protested.

"I know you all don't do it on purpose, but can you try to give me a heads up from now on? My heart is very important." Rapunzel pouted in response.

"Wait. Raps, you can understand him now?" Cassandra looked surprised to see Rapunzel respond to Groot.

"Yeah…..That's another long story." Rapunzel bit her lip in response.

"Not really. What can we say? We're eternal, we're connected and we're awesome. Not that I can say much for Doctor Fish & Chips down there..." Maverick looked at Ajax and didn't finish as he noticed him shaking on the floor. "Wait, is he sleep dancing or something?"

Rapunzel turned and gasped as Ajax suddenly dematerialized right before their eyes. And Angel shook on the ground as she dematerialized as well. Maverick, Shift and Groot looked a little stunned and confused as this happened.

Ajax and Angel Dust died in their sleep, right before their eyes and without explanation.

Then Groot picked up something on the ground. A piece of a shot shell before passing it to Maverick.

"I am Groot." Groot stated a guess.

Lash.

"Who else?" Maverick responded.

'Incoming transmission.' IRIS alerted

"Patch it through." Maverick said as IRIS obeyed.

Then a hologram of Lash himself appeared in front of them.

"I'm disappointed in you, Orion. After all that animal did to you. Whathe has done to others. You would've let him live to see another day. As if he deserves to. Figures I had to be the one to send him to hell myself." Lash stated in the status red hologram of his own image.

Because Maverick refused to kill. Lash killed Ajax and Angel Dust for him. Since Ajax and Angel Dust were both linked to Lash's dark power. Lash had their 'off switch' on speed dial.

Talk about making a deal with the devil.

Those two were monsters, right to the core, especially Ajax. Orion hated them with every fiber of his being. Rapunzel, Cassandra and especially Shift felt the same way. But not enough to cross that dark path of vengeance.

They deserved to pay for what they did, but killing them was too far.

"If you know Ajax deserved to be put down, then why even work with him in the first place?" Shift hissed in a snarky tone.

"Ajax and his secret operation were all part of the plan. To turn the Maverick into the ultimate weapon. Now they've served their purpose." Lash.

"So you've killed them all." Rapunzel realized with a disturbed look.

Every person who worked for Ajax is now dead. Because of Lash. Sure those people did horrible things beyond the term inhumane. But killing them was too much.

"What's wrong? Too much? Would you rather lock them up so they can break out to add more victims to their list?" Lash responded before looking at Maverick. "I gave you an opportunity for justice, to end them for what they did to you. And you rejected it. I, for one, wouldn't have done the same thing."

"Yeah well I'm not in your 20 to 30s overalls Big Mac. This isn't about me or about what I want. Not anymore. It's about keeping my world safe. Once I knock you into ground zero. No one will ever threaten it again." Maverick stated while glaring directly up at Lash.

The response Maverick got was a dark chuckle.

"That remains to be seen. But if you really want to end this now. My base is hovering above the open field of Old Corona. Come and get me." Lash stated darkly and added. "Oh and I borrowed something important to ensure that everyone will be there to watch as you end me for good."

"Who?" Shift demanded.

"You'll see." Lash smirked.

And then the transmission ended as Lash's hologram faded.

"OH MAN! Did I miss the finale?!" They heard Eugene whine as he had just finally arrived with Frederic and several other guards.

"No. Just half time." Maverick answered him.

"Typical. he usually comes in when it's half over." Cassandra said with a smirk.

"Or maybe I'm just the dashing one man relief team!" Eugene scoffed sarcastically at Cassandra.

"You're a bottle of Aspirin?" Maverick inquired about what that meant.

"No, he would be the one causing the headaches." Cassandra said with a taunt.

"Just how she causes frostbite with her cold heart!" Eugene quipped back.

"See what I mean?" Cassandra mused and rolled her eyes.

"Sooo...What happened to Miss Brick Wall and Doctor Pain?" Eugene asked about Angel Dust and Ajax.

"They're dead." Rapunzel muttered, getting everyone's attention. "Lash killed them, and all their associates."

"Oh! Well..." Eugene croaked out, shocked by this tidbit of news. "Welcome to the League of Psychos, where backstabbing is all the rage."

"I'll say. Good riddance." Cassandra muttered quietly, crossing her arms.

Frederic looked around at the courtyard and was glad to see that there wasn't that much damage around the area, except for some cracks and fallen debris. But nothing that can't be fixed. A good number of Castle Guards were on the ground bruised and mildly injured. But no casualties.

Lance was there as well, having just arrived only to be knocked out before Maverick showed up to end the fight. So Lance got up from the ground and popped his back. The smack he received from Angel Dust was hard. But he was still in one piece thankfully.

"Ah...The old jazz dancing tree is still alive. Haha! I must be invincible too." Lance remarked as he stepped over to join the rest.

"Jokes on him. I used a healing spell while he was drooling on the ground." Maverick whispered to Eugene.

"My lips are sealed Kid." Eugene whispered back and winked smugly.

"Hey wait…..DID I MISS ANOTHER FIGHT?! UGH!" Lance groaned in disappointment to see Maverick saved the day again and he didn't get to see it. Then he shrugged. "Oh well. There's always tomorrow or later tonight. Whichever comes first."

Everyone seemed okay. Even Maximus got back up and huffed as he joined the others. Which was relieved to see.

But that relief would soon be short lived.

A guard ran out of the castle front door and stood at the patio.

"Princess Rapunzel! King Frederic! It's the Queen! She's gone!" The guard reported in horror

Everyone was shocked to hear it. Where could Arianna have gone? And then Rapunzel narrowed her eyes as she realized the term 'borrowed something' in the message.

"Lash." Rapunzel seethed in realization.


THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS!

So yeah. Rapunzel and Orion are now officially siblings. Friday finally has a keyblade. All three of them have made up.

And I bet you all weren't expecting an Aiden cameo huh? 😁

"You're welcome." Aiden smirked.

And if you're confused as to why he mentioned Yozora as in the guy who showed up at the end of the KH III DLC and the one who Rex confused Sora for in the Toy Story World. If I hadn't mentioned it before I will here. Just as Orion is Aiden's dimensional double (or variant according to marvel). Then Yozora is Sora's dimensional double as well.

Basically Orion and Yozora. Same as Aiden and Sora. Understood? 👍

*Yeah!*

Alright. Also yeah. I've made the Dark Kingdom Camelot. And if you've all seen the Season two finale. That means you-know-who is extremely connected in a way that will make 'The Sword In The Stone' town connect.

Also we all now know who the traitor is and everyone knows who Orion and Friday are now. And that they can be trusted. Ajax and Angel Dust have now paid the price for all the suffering they caused. And Orion never broke his 'no killing' rule. And if you've seen the finale of season one. You know that Arianna will be alright. 👍

As for what happens next. And who this Multiverse's version of Lash is.

Find out in the next chapter!

Thank you all so much for reading! Look forward to me finally updating and adding another chapter to Kingdom Hearts II: Guardians Of The Multiverse next!

Please don't forget to leave comments and reviews to let me know your thoughts! And add this story to your faves and follows if you like what you see!

And as always Disney/Square Enix fans!

FISTBUMP! 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊 👊