Chapter 5: Mission Break the Curse!

"Gentleman, to break this curse, we're going to have to work as a tight-limit team. Which means, you do everything I say." Arthur stood before a map as he used a stick to point at it.

"Escuse?" Pino asked in confusion.

"Huh?" Nocchi and Cchio added in.

"No!" Merlin shook his head.

"You've got to be kidding me." Jack rolled his eyes. Arthur ignored them and continued to explain the plan, having the six of them split up, with Arthur taking Red Shoes to Golden Goose Avenue.

"Golden Goose Avenue, which happens to be your go-to place for a date." Merlin leaned forward as he frowned.

"We are going to focus on the mission, and then see where the evening takes us." Arthur said the latter rather smugly as Merlin sat there scowling.

"The only thing you're going to shop for on Golden Goose Avenue is rejection. And you can't even afford that." Merlin leaned back in his chair confidently. Hans sat next to him, eating snacks from a bag with "dog food" written on it.

"I like my odds. You saw what she did. An expression of affection. Each woman shows it differently." Arthur pointed to the red mark from Red Shoes' hand as everyone looked at him with a concerned gaze.

"You took your shot, you get slapped." Jack retorted.

"May I remind you, this is the closest thing to a kiss anyone's gotten since this curse was put on us! Let's work together to guide Red Shoes' feelings towards me so we can break the curse." Arthur said so confidently as the other six sighed, but most agreed, except Merlin.

"What about the rest of us?" Merlin asked in aggravation.

"After I resume my princely form, the word about F7 will be out. Ladies will be begging to kiss your green mugs." He smiled assuredly.

"Really?" Pino asked.

"Sounds Reasonable." Nocchi shrugged.

"I'll bring the gelato!" Cchi smiled as he raised his hand. The triplets began giggling together as they imagined a plethora of princesses lining up to kiss them.

"One kiss sure is easier than getting seven." Jack said as he picked up his teacup and began sipping at it.

"This is not a plan! He's just out for himself!" Merlin stood up, clearly outraged.

"A half-baked plan is better than none at all." Hans said as he polished off his bag of snacks.

"Don't worry Merlin, I have a big assignment for you." Arthur said haughtily.
"Hmpf, big assignment?" Merlin furrowed his brows.

The next day all eight of them gathered in front of the house.

"Here you go, I drew these up last night." Red Shoes handed out her charcoal drawing she did the other night.

"I can't tell if this drawing is terrible or really avant-garde!" Hans exclaimed.

"Oh my neighbor's a great art teacher. Pablo Picasogre." Red Shoes smiled.

"One thing's for sure, daddy's on the big side, of big. You must take after your mother." Merlin observed.

"No, I look a lot like Pa- oh, I mean, yeah, my mother. Gosh, yeah, exactly. Twins!" Red Shoes began laughing nervously.

"Alright, you know the plan. Let's move, deploy. Dwarfs are go!" Arthur commanded enthusiastically as Merlin sighed and Red Shoes giggled. Thus they began to head out, but when Merlin began following, Arthur stopped him.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"Hu?" Merlin looked at Arthur.

"Your post is right there." Arthur pointed towards the stables.

"You watch the savage monster." Pino walked by Merlin as he pointed right at him.

"I call him vicious." Nocci said.

"I call him Wood Bottom!" Cchio said cheerfully.

"Don't worry Merlin, we'll make sure you get kissed too. Eventually." Jack teased as Merlin's upper lip quivered, his brows furrowed together as he gritted his teeth. He just imagined Red Shoes kissing any of the other six as he fisted his hands, but perhaps Arthur would be able to get Red Shoes to kiss him. Perhaps it was easier for him to stay behind and have another beautiful woman kiss him. Prince Merlin grumbled as he walked over to the stables and sat down.

"I know exactly where to look to find your father." Arthur said as he and Red Shoes split up from the others.

"Really?" Red Shoes asked with excitement.

"Wow, is this what I think it is?" Red Shoes leaned forward as she noticed they'd approached a familiar and popular attraction.

"I present to you Excalibur, a legendary sword, trapped in this rock for centuries. Waiting for a man of great strength to release it. You know they say Prince Arthur was once able to wield it." Arthur said as he held up his fist.

"It says 'Do not attempt to remove by force.'" Red Shoes observed the sign posted nearby.

"Oh, right, uh, the truth is, I realized you were the woman of my destiny. The moment I laid eyes on you. I thought if I could show you my strength, I would be worthy of your affections." Arthur continued talking, but Red Shoes paid no mind to him as she attempted to pull out Excalibur, succeeding on her first try.

"Huh!" Arthur realized Red Shoes was holding the sword that was once in the stone.

"Oh, uh, oops. I'll just put it back." Red Shoes went to put the sword back when Arthur tried to lunge at it.

"Wait, let me just hold it!" He pleaded, but it was too late; thus he made every attempt possible to attempt to release the sword, but to no avail. Thus, they made their way to Golden Goose Avenue. Upon the stone, it read:

Unselfish, gracious, and truthful must yea be, to set the sword Excalibur free.

Back with Prince Merlin and the wooden bunny.

Prince Merlin sat atop a bucket as he munched on a carrot.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm the real prisoner here. What?" Prince Merlin was talking to the wooden bunny as it looked upon him with sad eyes. The wooden bunny had watched Prince Merlin eating the carrot and was practically drooling. Prince Merlin began to tease the wooden bunny, when suddenly he was struck with an idea. He grabbed a bag full of carrots, let the bunny out, and rode on its back as he threw carrots in the direction of Golden Goose Avenue.

Back at Golden Goose Avenue with Red Shoes and Arthur, who had been moping since they left Excalibur behind, she began handing out flyers as Arthur walked off. As Red Shoes began approaching people and asking them about her father, she was amazed at how warm, welcoming, and helpful they were all trying to be. She continued being apologetic, shy, and timid until she final had realized that by appearing different than usual, she was better able to approach people to ask for help. No one was ignoring her like they used to, and yet no one had spotted her father. She noticed a child who had let their balloon go, and she helped her catch it. She then grabbed a snack and found Arthur sulking in a corner.

"Arthur, I was thinking, what if I just like pulled Excalibur for you, our secret." She winked as Arthur jumped up with glee.

"Really? We have a secret now?" Arthur smiled brightly as Red Shoes nodded.

"Yeah."
"I like a girl who can keep things classified. Let's go find your Pops Red!" Arthur marched forward as Red Shoes followed suit. As she looked around, she noticed a wanted poster with her face on it, she was shocked, taking it down as two guards recognized her and began chasing after her. She managed to find a secret cul de sac but there was no way out. Thus, she began attempting to open doors, but they were all locked. She began panicking, then she noticed a broken mirror and came up with a plan. She quickly removed her shoes and picked up the mirror, the guards were about to arrest her when she put the mirror down and immediately apologized and turned away. Snow White smiled to herself as she put the mirror down. Suddenly a group of soldiers stumbled across her shoes.

In the meantime, Arthur was looking for her, then Merlin appeared.

"What are you doing here?" Arthur asked as Merlin smirked, leaning against the wooden bunny.
"I'm walking the bunny." Merlin held up a carrot as the wooden bunny reached over and ate it. Arthur grunted as he turned away and continued looking for Red Shoes.

"Hey have you seen this girl?" A guard came up to Merlin and showed him the wanted poster with Red Shoes' picture on it.