Book I: Serial Dilution

Chapter XVI: The King's Orders

Morning came, and King Frederic sat upon his throne, with Queen Arianna at his side. A golden cane was at his other side as he stared sternly at the group assembled before him in the audience chamber. Sora, Donald, and Goofy all knelt respectfully to the ruler of Corona, while Eugene and Rapunzel stood.

"So," the King said at length, "Let me see if I understand clearly. This creature took one look at the light from Rapunzel's hair, and focused its attack on her immediately?"

"Yeah, that's right," Sora answered, then, when Frederic narrowed his eyes, amended his response: "Er…I mean…yes, Your Majesty. The Heart-ah, the Dark Creatures couldn't touch her hair, either. It's as if her light was too much for them, but they were trying to-"

"Extinguish it," the King finished in an ominous tone of voice.

Sora blinked…then lifted his head and slowly nodded.

"Y-Yeah…that's…that's about right."

Frederic's frown deepened.

"Dad, I don't know what these things want from us – from me – but we can't allow them to keep moving. We have to do something to-"

"We," the King suddenly intoned, with great authority, using his cane to stand; he winced as his ankle stung, then tried again.

"We…don't need to do anything. The situation can be handled by myself and the guards."

Stan and Pete were standing nearby; at the King's words, they eyed each other doubtfully.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Sora spoke up, "I'm not sure if that's true. They've already done a lot of damage in Old Corona, and if the Heart-ngh…if the Dark Creatures are already growing this strong, and are this determined to get into the castle…"

"Your concern is appreciated," Frederic glared, "But with all due respect to YOU, young warrior, I'm not sure even you fully realize what's happening."

"You're right," Sora responded, somewhat tersely. "I don't. But I'd like to figure it out."

There was a pause. Then the King looked to Rapunzel.

"Rapunzel," he began, and his voice grew heavy and heartsick. "Your safety is more important to me than anything else. You know that, don't you?"

The Princess of Corona blinked, then looked up at Flynn, who shrugged as if to say, Don't look at me, he's YOUR dad.

"Ah…yes, I do, but…?"

"These creatures are in some way connected to you. They're targeting you, for one reason or another, and the situation is growing more desperate. I cannot afford to risk your safety in another fight with those monsters."

Sora looked to Donald and Goofy, who both looked back with matching expressions of worry.

"I've got a bad feeling about what he's going to say next," Sora whispered.

"Therefore," the King went on, and took a breath before continuing: "As much as it pains me to order this…in light of this vicious assault, I see no other choice: until the threat of these Dark Creatures has been neutralized, you are to remain under constant surveillance, locked in the most secure room of the Castle."

"WHAT?!" all five of the heroes exclaimed, the three Champions of Light jumping to their feet.

Frederic snapped his fingers and nodded to Stan and Pete. The guards looked at each other, shrugged sadly, and then marched towards Rapunzel. Flynn Rider tried to block their path, but Stan pushed him aside.

"Stand aside, Fitzherbert," he growled, uncharacteristically serious.

"So sorry, Princess," Pete whispered, somewhat shakily, as he and his fellow guardsman took hold of Rapunzel's shoulders and began to lead her out of the throne room.

"No! W-Wait! Dad! DAD, DON'T!" Rapunzel shouted.

"Rapunzel!" Sora gasped, as she was hauled out of the room, still struggling to break away.

"See to it she's cared for!" Frederic called after the guards.

"Oh, those are FINE words to choose," growled Flynn, rounding on the King in an instant.

"You can't do this to her!" Sora snapped.

"Frederic," Arianna spoke up, catching the attention of all, an expression of deepest doubt on her face; she seemed stunned by what had occurred. "Call them back; we should-"

"Arianna," the King snapped, interrupting her…then, at the look his wife gave him, softened his tone. "Darling…I…I need to speak with…"

He gestured towards the four at the foot of the throne.

"…Privately. Please…will you see to Rapunzel?"

The Queen's green eyes bore into the King's for several long, agonizing seconds…then, without a word, she stood…and coldly turned her shoulder to him as she left the throne room through the side entrance.

The King sighed…then his own gaze hardened as he looked back to the group.

"I will not change my mind," he said, in a warning sort of tone.

"How is what you're doing to Rapunzel now," Flynn sneered, "Any different from what was done to her the first eighteen years of her life?!"

"Remember yourself, Fitzherbert," the King growled back…then, once again, caught himself and took a breath. "I'm sorry…Eugene…son…forgive me, but no matter how this situation may appear, BELIEVE me, I have no choice!"

"Wha…?! OF COURSE YOU HAVE A CHOICE!" Flynn almost screamed. "YOU'RE THE KING!"

"EXACTLY!" Frederic bellowed. "And as King, I will do anything – EVERYTHING – within my power to keep Rapunzel safe from harm!"

Flynn stepped back, shocked by the sudden volume of the King's voice…then his eyes narrowed and his fists clenched.

"So will I," was all he said, his voice very nearly a snarl, before he turned on his heel and stomped out of the throne room.

Sora watched him go, then looked back to Frederic, blue eyes cold as ice.

"You cannot keep her up there," he said. "This is wrong, and you know it!"

"This is not your family, boy, nor your kingdom," Frederic responded. The words were not cutting or coarse, but almost…apologetic. Soothing and yet firm. "What I can and cannot do – as a monarch or as a father – none of your business to decide."

Sora opened his mouth to try and snap back some witty retort…but a hand on his shoulder made him stop. He blinked, and looked up at Goofy's sorrowful, drooping expression.

"He's right, Sora," the clumsy canine said, quietly. "We have our own job to do."

"We've meddled a lot already," Donald added at his other side, a wry sort of smile on his bill. "Too much more, and…"

Sora nodded; he didn't need to be reminded of the consequences. He hung his head quietly, glaring at the floor as he clenched his fists silently.

"We'll find a way to help her," Goofy whispered.

"Don't worry," Donald put in.

"What else can I do?" Sora hissed.

Both took a step away from him, but said nothing.

Sora looked back up at the King, and took a breath before speaking.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," he said, though he didn't sound sorry at all, "I don't approve of, nor agree with, your decision…but if it is your final word, I won't argue here."

The King nodded, without a word.

The two stared at each other calculatingly for a moment.

"…Can my friends and I have permission to stay here till our mission is completed?" Sora asked, carefully, suddenly contrite.

"How long will it take?" the King asked, patiently.

"Give us a few days," Sora responded. "A week at the most."

"Three days, then?"

"That'll work," Donald and Goofy chorused.

"Granted," the King nodded, tapping the golden staff on the floor in emphasis. "And…I hope you'll realize that-"

"Yes. I do," Sora said, curtly.

Without a word, all three now turned their backs on him and stepped out of the throne room.

The moment the room was empty…King Frederic stepped back, sat heavily in his throne…and buried his face in his hands.

"…What have I done now…?"

A short time later, Rapunzel stared out the window of her room; the window bars made it feel more like a prison than ever. She could hear Stan and Pete shuffling their feet and muttering to each other just beyond the doors, but she couldn't understand what they were saying. She had tried pulling at the door, but of course, it had been locked.

"We have our orders, Princess," Stan had called through the keyhole. "It's nothing personal."

That really didn't make the blonde-haired young lady feel any better.

She placed a hand on the bars upon her window and gave them a slight tug, experimentally. Naturally, nothing happened. She shrugged dismally; she hadn't expected anything else.

A cheeping sort of sound nearby caught the Princess' attention. She looked down and smiled gently as she saw Pascal gently paw at her dress. She picked the little lizard up in her palms and cupped him against her cheek, then gave her pet a small peck on the forehead.

"It's okay, buddy," she said softly. "I'm okay."

Pascal gave her an uncertain, skeptical smile in return.

There was a knock at the door. Rapunzel placed her chameleon friend on her shoulder and looked towards the door. Her expression was curious and hopeful: with the guards standing ready, she hadn't expected visitors of any sort…let alone ones polite enough to knock.

"Yes?" she called.

The door opened…and Rapunzel's eyes widened as she rose from the window seat and dashed over, embracing the green-eyed woman who had come into her chambers.

"Mom…!"

"I'm so sorry…"

"What is Dad so afraid of?" Rapunzel asked, nearly on the verge of tears. "Why is he doing this to me?"

Arianna smiled sympathetically, and lifted a hand, placing it against her daughter's cheek.

"Rapunzel…in the near-two-decades you were gone, not ONCE did your father sleep through a full night. I was there each moment of it. Your disappearance haunted him every minute of every day."

"Are you saying that makes this right?" the Princess barely breathed.

Arianna paused…then quietly stepped away from her daughter, putting her hands behind her back as she dipped her head thoughtfully.

"All I'm saying," she explained, slowly, "Is that no matter how drastic or sudden his actions may seem, or how much you disagree with them…they come from a place of love and caring. If he felt he could make another choice, he'd do it in a heartbeat."

There was a pause…then Arianna shook her head.

"But no. This isn't right. And I think he knows that just as well as we do."

She turned and smiled to her daughter, and approached carefully, taking Rapunzel's hands in her own.

"I'll try to talk him out of it," the Queen promised, "But you know how he is. I can't promise anything…but I'm on your side. Trust me there."

Rapunzel hugged her mother once more.

"Right now, that's all I need to hear," the Princess said in a tear-stained voice.

The Queen gave her daughter a gentle squeeze, and paused before speaking.

"Your friends will be staying another three days; I couldn't help but eavesdrop a bit," she smirked.

Rapunzel giggled, and nodded.

"Thank you for telling me."

"If I can convince him to let them see you, I will," Arianna said, and ran a hand through her daughter's flowing golden hair. "Whatever happens…I'll be here for you."

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you, too, sweetheart."

So saying, the Queen kissed her daughter on the cheek, and then quietly left the chamber. As Arianna left the room, Rapunzel's face set into a deep frown. She glanced back towards the window.

"Three days," she murmured. "And today is still young."

Pascal tilted his head as Rapunzel plucked him off her shoulder and placed him on her bed. She then hurried to her nightstand, and pulled out a pad of paper and some writing utensils.

"Whatever his reasons, he should have known better than to imprison ME in a tower," Rapunzel hissed, and smirked to her friend. "We're getting out of here, Pascal. I just need time to come up with a plan."

Three Days Later…

Sora, Donald, and Goofy walked through the Castle Courtyard. The dog and the duck led the way, as the teenaged boy kept his hands in his pockets, head dipped low and posture glum.

"Awww, chin up, Sora!" Goofy urged.

"Yeah! We gotta have smiles, remember?" Donald quacked, nudging their friend.

Sora gave them the very barest of thin, tight smiles, but it was gone in a flash.

The two anthropomorphic animals glanced somewhat nervously to each other.

"We shouldn't be leaving," Sora said at length. "We should stay here where Rapunzel-"

"There's not much we can do for her here," Donald shrugged. "And our three days are up."

"Nothin' has gone wrong since," Goofy added. "The Heartless must have moved on. That attack must've been what Yen Sid meant."

Sora shook his head.

"It feels too simple; too obvious," was all he said.

"Anyway, we need to check on the Gummi Ship," Donald insisted. "Routine, after all."

Sora nodded…then looked up with a spark of hope.

"Do you think…since we're heading into the forest…we can check on Varian?"

The boy's friends paused.

"Gawrsh…I don't see why not," Goofy mumbled.

"Why now?" Donald asked.

"Because it's been days since he came running into the castle during the snowstorm," Sora said seriously. "Has anybody even gone to see what was wrong with him? Rapunzel can't. Flynn hasn't said anything. Don't even get me started on the King. And we've been so busy…"

Donald and Goofy looked to each other.

"I hadn't thought of that," Donald murmured.

"Yer right, Sora," Goofy nodded, droopy ears flapping. "We should see if he needs-"

THAPP!

"Ack!" Sora exclaimed, interrupting Goofy, as something pointy but delicate jabbed into the back of his head. The object fluttered to the ground, revealing itself to be a paper airplane.

The three looked down at it, Sora scratching the back of his head carefully. The teenager picked it up, unfolded it…and gaped.

"What is it?" Donald asked.

"Who's it from?" Goofy put in.

A smile slowly spread over Sora's face, and he looked up.

"It's from Rapunzel," he grinned. "She has a plan. We need to find Flynn! Hurry, see if he's inside, I'll check the stables to see if he's with Maximus!"

The dog and duck duo immediately jumped into action, and darted back towards the castle. Sora pocketed the paper, and glanced towards the palace gates. A worried look briefly crossed his face, as he seem to gaze beyond them.

"I'm sorry, Varian," he whispered to himself, "But it seems you have to wait a little longer. I'll see you again soon…I made a promise. And I'm going to try and keep it."

With these words, the keybearer hurried towards the stable yards.

The laboratory had seen better days. In three days time, spider-webs had begun to gather in the corners, and dust had begun to accumulate on the many surfaces. Only spots of the three tables seemed clean; a sign of someone who had been frantically working…but neglecting to sweep up or keep things tidy. Just struggling to get his work done.

A pair of scissors had been stabbed into the surface of the drafting table. A sketch of Rapunzel herself was held in place by one, and a familiar scroll, covered in scribbles, was being pinned by the other. At the chemistry set, the Alchemist worked; the already thin and slight figure of the boy in the apron and goggles seemed a little bonier than usual.

In three days, he had barely eaten a thing, and it showed.

It was easy to ignore the growling in his stomach, for Varian; all the lad had to do was dare to peek at the large tarp that covered the massive obstruction stationed front-and-center of his workshop, and the cause of his frenzied working became clear.

Varian brushed away his blue-striped bangs with a trembling hand. He muttered incessantly, speaking to himself in a voice that barely audible, let alone comprehensible, his thoughts spilling from his lips and past his large, sharp front teeth as he continually mixed scientific observations with sneering, hissing curses.

Ruddiger sat on a stool behind him, watching the boy work. The coon was silent and very scared; he'd never seen Varian this way before. The teen could get passionate about his work, true…but this wasn't his normal self at all.

This wasn't passion. It was obsession. It was fury.

Finally, Varian stood…and did something that made the raccoon's blood run cold: he laughed. But it wasn't his usual, nervous, twittering giggle. It was a low, throaty, hoarse chuckle…a sound that was far too pleased with itself, and for all the wrong reasons.

Varian stepped back from the table, and pushed his goggled out of his eyes with one gloved hand; his baby blue eyes were baggy and seemed to glitter dangerously, like shards of broken blue glass.

"There," he murmured. "That oughta do the trick. Now…what will I…?"

Varian trailed off and glanced around…and his eyes landed on Ruddiger. The raccoon flinched at the look in those eyes.

The moment he did that…the eyes softened, and so did the boy's smile.

"Hey…buddy…you okay?" Varian asked quietly, seemingly truly concerned.

Ruddiger smiled nervously and chittered softly, tail between his legs. A hurt sort of look came over Varian's face.

"You're…are you scared of me?" Varian pressed.

Ruddiger bit his lip…and nodded.

The hurt look became more intense, the watery look in those weary eyes nearly breaking poor Ruddiger's heart.

"But…why? I'd never do anything to hurt you, buddy," Varian promised. "C'mere…let me…"

He paused…then something flickered in Varian's eyes…and he reached back towards the chemistry set…

…And Ruddiger's ears perked up, his tail unfurling and beginning to wag, as an apple was now held in the lad's hand.

"…Let me make it up to you," Varian offered, sounding very shy and timid.

Ruddiger smiled. How could he say no? He was hungry, after all…and Varian seemed to be doing better now.

Carefully, the racoon hopped off the stool and scurried over. He lifted his paws, making "grabby hands" for the apple. Varian bent down and gave it to him.

The raccoon smiled, trusting and good-natured, as the Alchemist smiled at his pet, watching him take a bite out of the apple.

With that first bite, Varian felt his heart break.

Internally, he prayed Ruddiger would forgive him for what was coming next.

I'll find a way to make it right. Whatever it takes.