Rain poured down from the dark sky as lightning flashed. Out in the forest, a female chameleon was running through the grass. She looked back to see something white approaching her. She took off again as a white snake with one red and one orange eye loomed over the grass.
It hissed, chasing after her, then lost sight. A young Pascal gripped onto the tail of his invisible mother, and she turned visible to smile at him, nuzzling his cheek. She sensed the snake moving and she run off. The snake discovered their hiding spot, but saw neither chameleon. The mother sped as fast as she could in the rain, the snake seeing them up ahead.
Tiny water droplets hit the leaves as they ran by, and she eventually came to a stop at a river. Clearly, they wouldn't be able to get across on their own since it seemed to be too deep. She looked back to see the snake arriving. No matter what happened to her, she couldn't let him hurt her baby. She hugged him one final time, placing him on a lily pad and watching him leave with a sad whine. She took off, hoping to find another way around...
But came face-to-face with the snake. It lunged forward and lightning flashed from Pascal's eyes as he stared at the dark fog...with no sign of his mother. He eventually fell down a waterfall, landing in the water. He swam up to the grass, coughing and resting his chin for a second. He got back up sadly, as he was now all alone...
He walked a few steps before falling, closing his eyes. Suddenly, he heard humming, his big eyes looking up to see a tower. The lights were on and he smiled, walking towards it...but didn't realize that the same snake had been following him.
The little chameleon crawled up the walls of the tower, opening up the window from the outside. He fully opened it, but didn't get to see who was singing as the snake appeared. It surrounded Pascal and leaped forward, pricking his side with a fang. Once it got back up, it was immediately hit by a frying pan, causing it to lose a tooth. Pascal looked up to see green eyes peeking behind the weapon. The snake lunged forward at the girl, but she swung forward, sending him out of the tower. She looked at the chameleon as the poison from the fang started to take effect.
This was it...he was gonna die. He closed his eyes, awaiting his end as his skin turned grey.
Flower gleam and glow
Let your power shine
Golden light appeared, moving around on its own.
Make the clock reverse
Bring back what once was mine
Rapunzel had wrapped her hair around the little chameleon, using her healing powers to save him.
Heal what has been hurt
Change the fate's design
Pascal started to turn green again, looking in awe before seeing the girl in front of him.
Save what has been lost
Bring back what once was mine
What once was mine
Her hair turned dark in blonde color as the song stopped, confusing Pascal. He suddenly backed away a little as it moved on its own.
"Don't be afraid, Mr. Frog," She bent down so that she was at eye level with him. "You're safe now." Rapunzel took off one of her purple buttons, holding it out to him. "Here. It's yours." He suddenly freaked out, hiding behind the windowsill. "It's a gift."
He eyed the object and stepped forward. She placed it on his head and he turned purple like the button. This made her giggle and he did too, holding the button in his tiny little hands. She held out her own and he jumped onto it.
"All alone, huh?" She asked as she held him in her hands. He nodded sadly, recalling what happened to his mother. "So am I...most of the time," She stroked a lock of her hair. "If you want, you can stay with me! Then either of us will be alone ever."
He crawled up to her shoulder, nuzzling her cheek in happiness.
And so they spent years up in the tower, baking, playing chess, makeshift sword fights, and also seeing the lanterns together on her birthdays. She sighed happily at the sight as he wore a little blue birthday hat.
18-year-old Rapunzel smirked at her friend, who helped her paint the ceiling, try out her cooking, and played chess. She let him win, to his excitement. Then they did a sword fight, and she jumped up into the ceiling, letting him slide on her long hair. She lowered herself to Pascal in the ceiling that night.
"Goodnight, Pascal," She kissed the side of his head. "You'll always be my best friend..."
He opened an eye and smiled, closing it.
Young Daisy and her mother were enjoying the pond, sitting in the water. She knew that she was different from the start; she couldn't fly like all the other ducklings. She tried and tried, but nothing worked, though she wasn't too bothered by it. Her mother still loved her the way she was, and she knew so. She didn't care if she couldn't fly, as long as she got to enjoy the way her life was now...
Suddenly, a twig snapped, and they looked up to see a strange man holding something. They looked up at him and he just scoffed, holding a gun right towards them. The two ducks squawked in alarm, swimming away as fast as they could. Two gunshots went off, but they hit the water instead. Daisy managed to crawl out just in time, running after her mother. She squawked as loud as she could out of fear, her mother holding her feathers over her head to protect her. They ran side-by-side, the hunter chasing after them and gritting his teeth.
Daisy was faster and picked up speed, her mother following close behind. She went as far as her webbed feet could take her, faster and faster to the point that she didn't even know if her mother was following anymore.
She saw a tiny cave up ahead and dashed into it, a gunshot echoing into the forest...
Her eyes shut closed as the sound rung in her ears. When she was well enough, she stepped out...
But didn't see her mother.
The little duckling squawked as loud as she could, but got nothing in response. She began to grew worried; wasn't her mother right behind her? It was starting to rain as she looked around.
She knew that she should stay there where it was safe, but she couldn't do that when her mother could be cold, lost, worried, or even snatched away by that man...
Before she realized what she was doing, her little orange feet walked into the cold rain, in search of her mother.
She called into the forest, but nothing.
Daisy tried again, and got the same result.
Her worry evolved into fear, as she had been searching for what seemed like hours. Not a single trace of her.
She shivered in the rain, but she didn't care about that right now. Because it was so dark, she didn't see the hunter carrying her mother away...back to his house for...
Dinner.
She never saw her mother again.
As she walked sadly into Corona, she squeaked sadly, drooping her head. She wished that she was with her again...
While walking through the town, a foot stepped in front of her, and she looked up to see a young girl wearing a dark cloak over her body, so she couldn't see the girl's face. The duckling backed away on instinct as she bent down; was she gonna hurt her too?
"You poor thing, you must be freezing..." She held out a finger, touching the duckling's head. "You could catch cold..."
Daisy could only squeak weakly, as she'd been traveling alone for a while now. "Come on. Let's get you some food and near a fire," The girl held out her hands and the duckling jumped onto them. She felt like she could trust the stranger, and she wanted nothing more than to be warm...
The girl came to a stop, noticing a tiny daisy on the ground that was in bloom. "This is so pretty..." She plucked it from the ground and hummed, examining it. Her eyes shifted over to the female duckling, looking between the daisy and the duck.
"Hmm..." She placed it near the duckling's ear, staring at her.
"How about I call you Daisy?"
Once Harmony found her that night, the two were inseparable. They'd play hide and seek in the castle, sneak pastries from the kitchen, play pranks on the guards, visit the horses at the stables, and slide down stairs together (though with a mattress).
Though there were days that the young princess would just sit in her room in the dark all day...those were the days Daisy hated the most...because her friend was hurting and she understood why. Because of what happened to her sister...and herself.
She told Daisy all about it, which only earned understanding and sympathy in return. She knew how it felt to not have a family member around anymore...
But that was why they were such good friends, the best of friends. And Daisy never wanted to forget any of these memories with the princess...
Once the girl was 14, she got more and more reserved...but she didn't let that show with Daisy. With her only friend, they still played together in her room, except during meals of course. Sometimes they'd sneak out of the castle and come back just before the guards checked up on her in the morning. That was a part of her father's worries since her sister was still missing...though they still kept hope that she would return to them someday.
Harmony heard the door open and put on a proper look. She looked towards her luggage, as she would be leaving to aid one of the kingdoms. It had been said in a letter that crops were scarce and that some citizens needed guidance. Daisy was glad to go, as she hadn't been past Corona in years.
"I'm happy to go, but at the same time...I don't want to disappoint my father," The princess sighed a bit, seeing Daisy's happy expression and smiling herself. "You look excited too," She scooped up her hands, the duckling jumping into them. She nuzzled Daisy's cheek with her own. "Thank you for being here for me. I'll never forget your friendship, Daisy."
The door knocked and they looked up to see Stan standing there. "It's time to go, princess. Are you ready?"
She took a deep breath, grabbing her bag and stepping forward.
"I'm ready."
In Rapunzel's room, Pascal opens his eyes, stretching his back. He lowers his branch near Rapunzel's bed, but doesn't find her in it. He looks around in confusion, silently wondering where she could've went. Then he remembers that it's breakfast time and he lowers the branch further to go find her.
Similarly, Daisy hops off the nest-like bed, sliding down bannisters to reach Harmony, though she's not in bed either. She jumps onto the floor, running off to go find her friend while pushing the door open. Her not being able to fly was a disadvantage at times, but she had gotten used to it, especially after the princess had gotten back into inventing. She's created all sorts of ways for Daisy to get around in her room that require no flight whatsoever.
The two pets meet each other in the hallways, greeting each other with their own noises before walking together to the kitchen.
There, they find the two princesses making breakfast together. Rapunzel hums as she puts some plums into the pot. Pascal and Daisy wave their hands to get their attention, but the two girls don't notice them. Pascal flicks his tongue to Rapunzel's ear, startling her.
"Oh! Pascal! Daisy! Thank goodness my trusty taste tester is here."
"You wanna try some too?" Harmony holds out her hand for Daisy to jump onto. She holds the duckling up as Rapunzel stirs some of the gravy. She holds out a spoonful to her lips, blowing on it and holding some out for Pascal.
"Ooh Mama, plum gravy!" Eugene suddenly moves his girlfriend's hand so that he can try it instead, to the pets' dismay. He swizzles it in his mouth, Harmony staring at him.
"Who tries plum gravy like that?"
"Mm," He swallows it, not noticing the glare from the duckling and chameleon. "Could use a touch more balsamic."
The two continue the glare while the princesses roll their eyes. "Mm. Yeah. Maybe just a little."
Eugene pours in the whole thing and tries it, Rapunzel and Harmony cringing at their friends. "Now that's plum gravy, baby!"
He holds out two spoonfuls to the pet duo, who move their heads away, as the balsamic had probably ruined the taste of the gravy at this point. He force-feeds them and they stick out their tongues in disgust.
"What do you know, frog? It's an acquired taste. Brownie loves it when I make it for her, don't you?"
Harmony slowly inches away, smiling nervously. Whenever Eugene brings her something that he made, she usually throws it out the window. In fact, she's done this so many times, she has a giant trash can right underneath her window.
Daisy spots a little cake nearby and waddles up to it. Before she can take it to Harmony, Eugene snatches it away and eats it.
Cass walks up to the entrance of the castle, where Rapunzel and Pascal are playing chess. The crown princess eyes the board as he stares at her smugly, waiting for her to make a move. Rapunzel slides her piece in an L shape, but Pascal knocks the piece off the board.
"Nice move, Pascal. I didn't even see that coming!"
"What was that?" Cass demands as she approaches them.
"What was what?" Rapunzel asks in confusion.
"Congratulating your opponent? Chess is war, Rapunzel, and your opponent is the enemy," She picks up Pascal and moves him away, taking a seat. "First rule of a game of chess is getting in your opponent's head. Now, give me your game face!"
Rapunzel twitches an eye, gritting her teeth with a growl. Pascal tries moving her eyebrows and Cass stares at them.
"I don't know, Pascal. That's more...confused face," She puts him down and moves the eyebrows downwards.
"Game face!"
"Uh, we'll work on that later! Now, I want you to look at this board with only one strategy: no mercy!"
Pascal protests as he watches, since he and Rapunzel were playing first before she butt in. "Not now, Pascal, I'm no-mercying my enemy," She puts down a piece and Pascal pushes one down, walking away from the table.
Daisy and Harmony are playing hide-and-seek together, the duckling looking happy as it was just like they used to. Harmony puts her hands behind her back as she walks past a flower pot with daisies inside. "Hmm, where could a tiny yellow duckling be...?"
She walks past the hiding spot and Daisy thought she had it in the bag when the princess picks her up gently.
"You almost had me there, Daisy. Good camouflage technique," Harmony giggles and suddenly Stan arrives in the hall.
"Princess! I was wondering if you could show me how the Weed-Be-Gone works again?"
"It's a simple tug and then it turns on," She raises a brow in confusion.
"...Oh, by show me, I meant fix it...?"
She sighs and puts Daisy on a table, walking away. "Third one this month..."
Later on, Pascal and Rapunzel are having a sword fight with wooden swords. Rapunzel laughs while Pascal smiles, but she knocks his sword away, to his disappointment. "I know. We're better with pans, Pascal, but swords seem to be the weapon of choice outside the tower."
She hears a whinny, looking up to see Max grabbing the sword with his mouth, challenging her.
"Ha! Finally, a worthy opponent! En garde!" She charges up to the horse, Pascal looking down sadly.
Harmony and Daisy slide down a flight of stairs, cheering as they reach the end. The mattress spins around once it touches the floor. Harmony giggles a bit, petting Daisy on the head affectionately. They're about to go another round when Eugene appears at the top of the stairs.
"What are you doing there, Brownie?"
"Mattress sliding. I sometimes do it whenever I'm not busy with princess duties or my classes," Harmony shrugs up at him.
"Oh, Lance and I used to do that at the orphanage! Man, those were good times. But you're doing it all wrong."
"I am?" She asks in confusion and he takes the mattress from her.
"Come on, I'll show ya."
Once they reach the top of the stairs, he stands on top of the mattress and holds out his arms, letting himself ride it all the way down, his hair flying.
"Whoa!" Harmony's eyes widen at him. "I wanna try! I'll go get a spare!" She runs off, leaving Daisy behind, to her dismay.
Rapunzel is fixing her hair, Pascal brushing the ends. Cass comes in and groans. "Let me," She snatches the brush from him. "We're late enough as it is." He blows a raspberry at her. "And you still need to sign Friedborg's card."
"Looks great!" Rapunzel smiles at the reflection. "Thank you. This girl is ready to party~!" She sees Pascal pumping up his fists and cringes. She sighs, taking him into her hands. "I'm so sorry Pascal, you know Friedborg is allergic to lizards, right? Remember the hives?"
He turns yellow with purple dots and she smiles a little. "I'll save you some cake."
He nods up at her and she kisses him on the forehead. Pascal watches them leave. "This is gonna be so much fun!" He faintly sees them knocking on Harmony's door across Rapunzel's room.
"Come in!" Harmony is just finishing up her hair, leaving it in her usual down style. Daisy is putting the finishing touches, the white roses, as the two come into the room.
"Are you done yet?" Cass asks impatiently. "Let me do it," She moves Daisy onto the ground gently, braiding whatever was left and quickly planting the flowers. "Did you sign Friedborg's card?"
"No, but I have it here," She holds up the card and Rapunzel takes it.
"I can't wait! And I invited Varian too!"
"Great..." Harmony smiles softly at the mention of him, standing up. Daisy chirps, waddling after them, but Harmony stops at the door.
"Aw, Daisy..." She bends down to her. "Friedborg isn't allowing any pets to the party, she's taking precaution for her allergies. Not even Ruddiger's allowed to come...I'm sorry," She nuzzles Daisy's head with her finger and leaves.
The two pets dejectedly walk through the halls, Pascal having turned his skin blue. Ever since Rapunzel moved in, and that Harmony had returned back to the castle, they've always managed to make time for them. But now their schedules have piled up a lot, leaving no quality time for them...people were either butting in, or replacing them. Daisy was glad that Harmony is being more sociable, given her past, but she was Harmony's friend just as much as everyone else's.
"All alone again, huh?"
They look up to see Shorty sitting in front of one of the doors. "I know how that goes, believe me. Sometimes friends can let you down."
The duo nod in agreement. "But you know what I say? The key to that door is not to let it keep you down."
Pascal looks up with a tiny squeak, turning green again. "Now that's what I'm talking about! Now you get out there and you do that thing!"
They nod with happy smiles, waving and running off. Soon, their friends would be doing all the things they used to do with them. "So, you just gonna sit there all leafy and silent, huh?" Shorty is talking to a dead plant. "Fine, don't take my advice...oh, forget it. I can't stay mad at you!" He hugs the plant.
Rapunzel wakes up the next morning to see Pascal staring down at her, smiling. He crawls down her body and she notices a guitar, ballet shoes, and painting supplies. "Pascal, what is all this?" He gestures to everything with a big smile. "You planned a whole day for us? How fun!"
He nods and she's about to take the guitar when Cass opens the doors, sighing. "Rapunzel! You're supposed to be at breakfast with the duke's daughter!"
"Oh, right!" Rapunzel throws the covers over Pascal, Cass helping her get dressed. "But after that, we can-"
"After that, you have to teach art class, then you promised Max you'd play polo before your council meeting. After that is the music mix n' mingle with Hook Foot, then audience with citizens. You're booked solid all day."
Rapunzel peeks behind the changing screen to see an upset Pascal. She walks up to him regrettably. "I'm so sorry, Pascal. But these things are really important."
"Come on, Rapunzel. You can play together later."
"Oh, I know!" She clasps her hands together. "Let's have dinner! Just you and me, like old times! We can tackle one of those puzzles."
Pascal smiles and shows hands at opposite sides. "Yup. 6 o'clock. Promise."
She waves to him and he gives a thumbs up in return, the doors closing.
Harmony sits up, yawning and stretching her arms. Daisy squeaks and she looks to her left to see breakfast on the dresser for her. "Daisy? Aw, you made me breakfast in bed."
Daisy jumps onto her lap, gesturing to cooking supplies, some of Harmony's tools, and archery. "A whole day together? That sounds great!"
She's about to eat when Cass bursts into the room. "Harmony, breakfast with the duke's daughter, remember?"
"Oh...but then after that, I have-"
"Archery class taught by you, then you said you'd help Monty with making chocolate. After that is the music mix n' mingle, then also audience with citizens. Both you and Rapunzel are booked solid."
Harmony sighs slowly at this and stands up. In a matter of seconds, both Rapunzel and Cass help her get ready.
Cass suddenly smirks, moving away from the entrance to reveal Varian holding a bouquet of roses.
"Hey Mona...um, these are for-"
Her eyes widen in surprise as she takes them.
"Vari! These are so beautiful!"
"Well, I asked someone from Old Corona if he had any fresh ones, and he let me have them for a price..." He rubs the back of his neck bashfully. "Do you like them?"
"I love them! And so will the duke's daughter when I put these at the table!"
"What?" He asks in confusion as she runs past him. Then he sighs and sags his shoulders. They were really meant for Harmony, but she didn't let him finish...Cass cringes a bit, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Varian," Rapunzel frowns a little.
"You'll have plenty of time to tell her about the confusion, but now, we have to go."
Daisy looks on sadly as she watches them leave. Harmony pops her head back in. "Daisy! Let's sneak out the castle and explore later tonight at 6." The duckling perks up. "And then we can have a midnight snack afterwards," She blows her friend a kiss, waving as she runs off.
Pascal and Daisy watch the clock as it rings for 6, both of them beaming. This was it, they could finally have their owners to themselves for a change. They look towards the door as a whole feast sits on the table. He fixes a glass, but no one comes in. Thinking that they were just a little late, they wait...but nothing.
The princesses notice the time as it's already been five minutes past 6. "Those are all...interesting official Corona slogan proposals," Rapunzel laughs nervously to a citizen.
"Especially 'Corona: Hittin' them where the sun DOES shine!' Aww, that's my favorite."
"Especially that one," Rapunzel smiles weakly, pointing at him.
"Yeah...we could always use more slogans," Harmony laughs awkwardly, seeing Varian behind some double doors. He was only there for support, as meeting with citizens could be very exhausting. She mouths 'help me,' and he shrugs cluelessly. He couldn't just make the line disappear...
The citizen walks away. "Okay...that was the last citizen," Rapunzel stands up.
"Now if you'll excuse us, we have somewhere to be," Harmony smooths her skirt once she's on her feet.
"Uhh, one more," Cass whispers sheepishly.
"Your highnesses, your highnesses!" Shorty comes in riding a muddy pig, to their disbelief. "This swine demands to be heard. I will translate for your conveniences, for I am fluent in Pig Latin." Rapunzel opens her mouth in shock, seeing that it's already 6:15.
"...This is really happening," Harmony mutters as she sits back down, unsure of how to describe this moment. "We really have to listen to this? Cass, Shorty takes forever to get an actual point across!"
"Sorry," Cass whispers to them. What's worse is that they can't interrupt or leave, as that would be rude.
The two pace around on the table, hearing the doorknob turn. Thinking that it's the princesses, their smiles get bigger and bigger...until it's Lance who opens the door, and they drop their smiles. He sniffs the air and gasps, noticing all the food.
"Gangway! I smell stroganoff!" He's about to sit down when the two signal to him. "It's not for me?"
Daisy angrily shakes her head no, glaring up at him. "Oh, why, I wasn't actually going to eat it. I just wanted a second to raise a glass to you...and then lower it," He traps them underneath the glasses. "Now where was I?" He takes off a lid and there's nothing they can do to stop him.
"Your highnesses, there are more pigs than my washtub bed can accommodate," Shorty states while the princesses are trying to get the pig to stop chewing at their hair. "And so I humbly request a million money coins, that are currency, to build Corona's first piggy bank. Here is a petition, signed by several prominent members of the pig community, oinking their support."
He holds up a paper that has pig nose mud marks on it, which the giant pig snatches, releasing the hair and taking off into a run. This knocks the two on the ground. "No! Buster, we agreed to split that!"
Varian chuckles a bit, he couldn't help himself at the sight. Harmony looks up and gives him a tiny glare.
"I can see that you're mad that I ate every single thing at this table," Lance licks a finger while wearing a napkin over his shirt, seeing the angry looks from the two of them. The feast has been completely destroyed... "And, I know you and I haven't always seen eyeball to weird giant lizard and duckling eyeballs-"
Daisy squeaks up at him angrily. "But the thing is, you shouldn't be mad at me. Really, you should be mad to whoever stood you up, whoever took you two and all this fine food for granted. If it were me," He laughs a little, "You wouldn't see old Lance waiting around, that's for sure. Nope," He lifts up the glass to set them free and they're not even mad anymore...because he was right. "I know when I'm not wanted, but that's what makes you two better than me." He leans back in the chair. "And now, if you'll excuse me..." He sighs a bit, "I've got a food coma to slip into."
He starts snoring, the two walking away sadly.
Rapunzel and Harmony are running down the hall, just about to reach their friends. "There you are!" Eugene appears out of nowhere, walking next to them. "I need to talk to you."
"Eugene, we really have to-"
"Blondie, I've had two things on my mind all day: 'what is chutney' and you. What say you and I go to the canal for a romantic cruise, just the two of us? And I can bring Varian along," He winks at Harmony knowingly, the girl giving a deadpan look. "Still haven't figured out that chutney thing."
"I'm sorry, Eugene, we promised Pascal and Daisy we'd spend time with them, and we're already late," Rapunzel tells him.
"Plus, that sounds like a double date, and Vari and I are not a couple," Harmony narrows her eyes.
"Oh, getting ditched for a frog," Eugene deadpans to Rapunzel. "Ouch...right in the ego."
"Aww, are we jealous of Pascal?" She pinches his cheek. "Don't worry, you're both still my best friends."
"And mine," Harmony states as her sister opens the door, but the two pets hear this as she shuts it behind her.
"After Pascal and Daisy," They say in unison.
"Oh, maybe Lance can join you on your cruise!" Rapunzel kisses his cheek, waving as they leave. "Night!"
"Have fun," Harmony winks at Eugene.
"But Lance always wants to steer the boat!" He calls out after his girlfriend. "I always steer the boat! And there is no way Lance has any knowledge of chutney!"
"Enough with the chutney, I'll tell you tomorrow!" Harmony shouts towards him as she looks over her shoulder.
Pascal looks at drawings of him with Rapunzel...then the next page is of her with Eugene, her parents, Max, Cass and Owl, and lastly Harmony. He lightly touches the pages, as he's been replaced by all of them...which wasn't their fault, Rapunzel loved all of them. But that left no time for him...
He shuts the journal closed, knocking it and a box onto the floor. He crawls towards the floor, seeing the very same button Rapunzel gave to him when she met him. He takes it into his hand, caressing the button.
"You'll always be my best friend."
He turns purple like the button, holding it close before walking away from it. He opens the window and crawls out of it, going to the other side to reach Daisy.
Daisy looks at all of the inventions that she's made with Harmony. Then she notices all of the pencil drawings Harmony has in her own journal: of the girl with Eugene, her parents, caressing Max when they snuck out of the castle, smiling between Cass and Owl, laughing with Varian, and finally hugging Rapunzel. All of them had disregarded Daisy, ignoring her or pushing her away...she was really starting to prefer it when she and Harmony had the castle all to themselves, and now there hasn't been a single time lately that she's been alone with the princess...
She looks up and sees Harmony's portrait by Rapunzel for the hall (the princess managed to paint this copy herself). She can remember the girl nuzzling her before they had left Corona.
"I'll always remember your friendship, Daisy."
The window knocks lightly and she sees Pascal standing outside. The duckling takes off the daisy and leaves it on the ground. She jumps onto the desk next to the bed, then uses a tiny catapult to reach the vanity, and hops onto the windowsill. She pushes it open and follows after him outside.
"Pascal?" Rapunzel opens the door to her room.
"Daisy?" Harmony follows after her.
"Are you two in here? We're sorry we missed dinner and sneaking out of the castle."
Rapunzel doesn't find the chameleon on his branch, the curtains flying. "Pascal?"
Harmony gasps sharply, running into her room and finding it empty. "Daisy...?" She notices her window is open as well. Then she sees the flower abandoned on the ground and picks it up, lightly touching as she's realized what's happened.
The two pets jump onto a pile of hay on a cart that's exiting Corona. They look back towards the castle sadly, turning around. The cart gets further and further away from the kingdom.
Eugene is snoring in his room when Rapunzel pops up next to him. "Eugene?"
"Whoa! Leave my cheekbones out of this! Whoa, what, where?" He lifts up the eye mask over his face.
"Are you awake?" Rapunzel looks down at him, worry stricken over her face.
"I am now..."
"Pascal's missing, and Daisy too!"
"Yeah..." He sits up, rubbing at his face. "Doesn't he disappear? Isn't that, you know, his thing?" He rubs his neck.
"Well...yes, but he's-"
"I'm sure he's fine," He interrupts his girlfriend. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm sleepy-" He's about to rest his head on the pillow when she takes it away.
"He's never ever spent the night away from me before! It isn't like him! What if something happened to him?! What if he's alone and scared and in danger?!" She pulls him up to face her, and he can see the agony in her eyes at the thought of Pascal being harmed.
"I'll get my boots. Where's Brownie?"
"She's waking up Cass and then she's going over to Varian's in Old Corona."
Daisy nods to Pascal, jumping off and landing safely at her spot. He waves to her as he lands not too far away. He looks up at the trees, glancing behind him and heading straight, but a familiar hiss is heard behind him...
He walks down the grass, a white snake eyeing the chameleon. And it's the same one because it has the same red and orange eye, and a missing fang from what Rapunzel did to him. It follows after Pascal, wanting to do the same thing that he did to Pascal's mother.
Daisy waddles into the forest, eventually reaching the same lake that she lived at as a child. She reaches the water and pokes a foot into it before settling on top, closing her eyes. A hunter eyes her, the same one that took out her mother as he readies his gun...
Max sniffs the ground as it's now early morning, the princesses searching for their friends.
"Pascal!"
"Daisy!"
"Pascal?"
"Daisy?"
Eugene and Varian follow after them tiredly. They search a hall. "Pascal?" Rapunzel looks into a flower pot. "Hello?"
Harmony checks one of Daisy's hiding spots, the vent. "Come out, buddy!"
"Daisy, please," The girl pleads as she looks like she's about to cry.
"Blondie, are you sure you wanna keep-"
"YES I'M SURE I WANNA KEEP LOOKING!" Rapunzel screams at him, Varian stumbling back a bit out of fear. After that response, he wasn't going to ask Harmony the same thing...
"Okay! I'm looking! Still looking!" Eugene eyes the hall while Varian looks behind a pillar. Cass walks up to the princesses.
"Girls, I-"
"Hey, good morning. You look less pale today," Eugene points to her nervously. "Looking for the princesses? Yeah, I wouldn't. They're a little upset, so you might wanna keep-"
"Move it, powder puff," She pushes him away, to his annoyance.
"Ole."
"Raps? Harmi?"
They turn around frantically, Harmony's hair a little messy out of panic. "Did they turn up? Did you find anything? Did anyone see anything? Are they okay?"
"Uhhh...no," She says slowly. "No word on either Daisy or Pascal."
Harmony sniffles a bit, Varian hugging her in comfort. "We'll find her, Mona. I promise," He whispers into her hair.
"Look, we're going to have to call off the searches for now."
The princess slowly lifts up her head, staring at her lady-in-waiting in disbelief. "What are you talking about?"
"I know you two are worried about Pascal and Daisy, we all are, but you have another packed day ahead of you. Listen Rapunzel-"
"No!" The two interrupt sharply. "You listen!"
"Cancel everything," Rapunzel grits her teeth. "Lock down the castle. Nothing gets done until we find them. Nothing is more important than that. Nothing! Is that clear?"
"I don't care right now about what I have to do today," Harmony clenches a fist. "I'm not going to put my duties first anymore. The day that you ask me to put my position first over Daisy, you'll have to do it over my dead body. So shut up and do what we ask!"
Cass stares at them with wide eyes, unable to say anything as she watches them walking away. Varian simply opens his mouth in shock. He had never seen that side of Harmony before, and it was honestly a little scary...though he understands where she's coming from. If Ruddiger went missing, he'd stop everything and look as well, and be just as annoyed as she seems to be.
"I would do what they say," Eugene whispers to her.
"Now that is a game face," Cass couldn't help but be impressed, no matter how frightening they had looked. Max just whinnies, raising a brow at them.
Rapunzel and Harmony are drawing something and they turn around to reveal missing posters for the two friends.
"How are these?"
"Well...they're good likenesses, but why do they look so terrified?" Eugene notices the eyes from both pictures.
"Because he's so scared and all alone and frightened without me," Rapunzel sits on her bed. "He ran away and it's all my fault. I have been so busy with other things that I've neglected our friendship..."
"It's not just you," Harmony takes her seat next to her, placing her hands on her cheeks. "Daisy was my first friend that I made while being stuck in the castle my whole life. She listened to me, she cried with me...and I was so wrapped up in things that I forgot about her..."
"Uh, plus you missed dinner and sneaking out with them," Eugene interjects, getting two glares in return. "Uh, don't be so hard on yourselves, Blondie and Brownie. You don't know that for sure. Besides, they couldn't have gotten far. They're tiny."
"That's not the point," Harmony says sharply as Rapunzel notices the button on the floor. She takes it between her fingers, nuzzling it slightly. She bites her lip, knowing the one place that Pascal would go to. She gasps, turning around to her mural behind Cass and Varian. She sees the look from her friend and looks up at the wall.
"I know where he is."
"But how are we gonna find Daisy?" Varian looks to Harmony, who looks at the daisy between her fingers.
"...She showed me a lake once...when we snuck out of the castle for the first time..." Her eyes widen as she stands up. "It was the same lake where she grew up with her mother!"
Pascal opens up the window to the tower. He crawls inside, still failing to notice the danger that had followed him inside.
Rapunzel and Eugene ride Max, Cass rides Fidella, while Harmony and Varian ride a white horse with long silver hair. His name is Silver, and he's Harmony's horse for travel. They go over the bridge that lead to Corona.
"You two go after Daisy, and we'll head straight," Rapunzel calls out. Harmony nods at her and she snaps the reigns, Silver turning left.
"Where are we going?" Cass calls out.
"The tower!"
"The tower?" Eugene asks in surprise. "The tower tower? Okay, we really need to start voting on decisions like these."
"So I have to ask," Varian speaks up while the horse is still heading towards the lake. "What happened to you...when your sister was on her way to return home?"
"You mean when all of that...stuff with her and Eugene happened," She bites her lip. "When she lost her hair, my moon symbol just stopped glowing altogether. I lost a few of my powers, but I still had the power to create moonlight. My hair wasn't like the way it is now, but I guess the reason why it's only my bangs that turned blue is because I don't use my powers that often. I don't even remember the song...but I got through it with Daisy..."
"We'll find her safe and sound, Mona," Varian pulls her into a gentle hug and she returns it. "I swear."
"Thank you, Vari."
Pascal had managed to start a fire at the fireplace, hugging himself as he looks up at the ceiling. Everywhere he could just remember a childhood memory with Rapunzel. He smiles at each spot, each memory just as fond as the next one...
He senses that something is off, but shrugs it off. The white snake reveals itself, lunging towards Pascal. He chirps and jumps, the snake knocking him into a pot and breaking it. He lunges forward towards the chameleon.
Daisy looks over her shoulder, eyeing the area around her.
A chuckle is heard as the gun clicks, pointed towards the duckling. "You're gonna go great into my tummy..."
She looks back and moves away in alarm as the gun goes off.
The others reach the tower, the crown princess gasping and recoiling back at the sight. Eugene places his hands on her shoulders sympathetically as they stare up at the tower...the same one that she lived in for 18 years, thinking that she was Gothel's daughter the whole time...
"Wow...so this is where it all happened..." Cass steps up a bit, crossing her arms.
"Yeah...this is the first time I've been back since..."
"Rapunzel," Eugene says, not wanting to overwhelm her, "You don't have to go up there alone."
"Yes...I do. I owe it to Pascal," She starts walking forward.
"Ah, it's probably better I stayed down here. I have a strict rule about dying in the same place twice."
She looks up at her false home, going around to the front door. Moving away some of the plants, she stands in the doorway, glancing to her friends. Cass and Eugene smile encouragingly, which she returns before slowly stepping inside. Some of the plants have overgrown inside as she takes a deep breath.
"Come on, you got this...don't be afraid, Rapunzel. It's just a tower..." With a shaky breath, she raises a foot and takes a step.
Silver finally reaches the lake, where it's all foggy, so they can't see what's happening for the moment.
"This is the lake..."
"Where she was born, yes...it's also where she lost her mother," Harmony finishes for him and his eyes soften.
"I never knew..."
"Neither did I at first...until she showed me where she died. I would show it to you, but I don't think you'd be able to handle it."
Varian smiles weakly, as she knew fully well what would happen if she showed him blood. Suddenly the smile drops as they hear a gunshot. Harmony gasps, running forward through the thick fog. "Oh my god. Daisy?!"
"Daisy, where are you?"
Rapunzel walks further up the stairs while Pascal is being chased by the snake. He looks up and moves around a pot, pushing it towards the reptile. He dodges it, only for a pot to land on his head. The chameleon throws some bottles from the shelf, the snake avoiding them and hissing. Pascal runs up to the ceiling, dropping a pan, but the snake continues its attack.
He looks around and sees the place where he used to sleep, crawling up the stairs all the way to the top. The white snake lunges towards the reptile as he jumped, but misses at the last second. Pascal sighs in relief.
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god," Harmony mutters in worry as the two follow the sound as best as they can. Daisy runs left and right, avoiding all the gun shots. She jumps up over another bullet, pushing a little log towards the man. He jumps over it, sliding onto the ground due to mud. Daisy tosses some at his face, causing him to growl. She runs off again, the hunter relentlessly pursuing his prey.
"Hold still!"
She notices what's up ahead, a drinking lake she'd go to with her mother. She sees a lily pad and jumps inside, hiding underneath the pad. She closes her eyes in relief.
"Pascal?"
His eyes widen at the voice and he looks over the basket. The snake hears her and grins, preparing to bite her. "Pascal, are you up there?"
He removes the rope, falling towards the ground. The white snake falls for it and slithers towards the object, biting at it before realizing Pascal's not inside. Rapunzel lifts up the door, her back turned. "Hello?" She steps into the room. "Pascal?"
The snake hisses at her and she turns around in alarm. He slithers up to her, but Pascal, who was hiding, grabs his tail and pulls him back. The snake hits the cabinet, Pascal turning invisible. He appears behind the snake, who hisses and tries to eat him. The chameleon slams his face with the frying pan, the other tooth falling out. The reptile hisses in anger, Pascal making the fire stronger. The large shadow looms over the snake and he sees his prey with a tooth in his mouth, snarling. Pascal walks up to him and he slithers back in fear, only to touch Rapunzel.
She smacks him out of the tower and into a bush behind Cass and Eugene. They turn around and see the snake. "Friend of yours?"
Cass narrows her eyes.
"Daisy!"
The hunter hears the princess' voice, smirking. "Friends of yours, huh? Then I guess I'll have to get rid of them too."
Daisy's eyes widen as Harmony and Varian stumble upon the man. "HEY! What do you think you're doing?" Varian demands to him.
"That little duckie of yours is my prey," He glances over his shoulder, looking at Harmony. "And if you get in my way..." He turns around, pointing the gun. "Well...you'll be saying goodbye sooner than later."
"You sick monster!" Harmony shouts at him. He puts his finger at the trigger.
"Don't believe me?"
The two back away in horror, Varian standing in front of Harmony protectively. Daisy narrows her eyes bravely, shooting out of the water and flying towards the man. To the teens' shock, she pecks at his eyes while flying, causing him to drop the weapon. Harmony grabs it as he falls onto the ground.
"Get off me!" He tries to swat her away and she flies off into hiding. He looks up and eyes the grass, the fog starting to clear up a little bit. Daisy finds two branches and chirps, grabbing them. She moves into the grass, causing it to rustle as the man looks around, unable to see her. Suddenly a large 'monster' appears, thrashing around its arms. He lets out a scream, running into Harmony and Varian. The girl grins, reeling her arm back and punching him in the face.
"Ha ha. Not so tough now, are you?" Varian teases, tossing a pink ball and trapping the hunter in goop. The monster reveals itself to be Daisy, holding onto two arm-like logs.
"Daisy...I can't believe you flew," Harmony bends down to her. The duckling flies up to her eyes, chirping happily. The girl smiles, glad that she's not hurt or worse...
Pascal turns green, noticing his friend. Rapunzel smiles softly and he returns it. She sits down in front of him. "Oh, buddy...I know why you came here. Life was so simple when it was just the two of us," She picks up Pascal in her hands. "But that doesn't mean that I don't love you. That will never change. You'll always be my best friend...besides, nobody could ever take your place in my heart," She places the button on top of his head and he turns purple. He crawls onto her shoulder, nuzzling her cheek. "Or on my shoulder."
"I'm so glad that's over…" Harmony sighs in relief, sitting onto Silver's saddle as they're heading back home. They dropped the hunter off to the nearest authorities, and hopefully, he'll never hurt another animal again.
"We're also glad that you're alright," Varian smiles, nuzzling Daisy with his finger. She chirps happily at the contact.
"I'm so sorry that I've been neglecting you, Daisy," Harmony stares at her guiltily. "You came to the lake because what happened to your mother was the first time you told someone about it...I know that things have been...hectic with my life ever since my sister came back..." She scoops up Daisy into her arms. "No matter what happens, you're my best friend, and I love you. I never wanted to hurt you..."
Daisy smiles up at her, flying around the two. Harmony giggles at her. "And I'm so proud that you can fly! Besides..." She holds up a finger, Daisy landing on it. "Nobody could ever replace you."
Daisy looks up and gestures to Harmony, winking. Varian gets the hint and clears his throat. "Um…Mona, about those flowers-"
"Oh, those roses?" She interrupts, playing with the necklace in her hand. "Those were really pretty, Vari. The duke's daughter thought so too."
He chuckles awkwardly, rubbing his arm. "But, um…those flowers were actually meant for you, and as a gift."
Her eyes widen as her mouth drops open. "…And I thought it was for the breakfast. Oh, of course! So stupid, Harmony!" She chastises herself.
"You're not," He places his hand on her shoulder. "At least you enjoyed it…it was actually a present for your birthday."
She turns to look at him with a soft smile. "My birthday's not for another few weeks, Vari."
"I know," He rubs the back of his neck. "But…you looked like you needed it after the long days you've had lately, and…I just wanted to do something nice."
She leans in and kisses his cheek softly, causing him to blush.
"Thank you...for the flowers and for helping me find Daisy," The girl nuzzles Daisy's cheek with her own.
"Of course! I know how much she means to you...and I'm sorry if I got in the way of that."
Daisy flies up to his head, landing in his hair. They both chuckle, looking up at her as she uses it as a makeshift nest.
"I guess that means I'm forgiven."
Rapunzel looks at the new picture of herself with Pascal, Harmony, and Daisy. She closes her journal. "It wasn't the same without you here," She looks to her best friend on her shoulder. She plants the book on her dresser, kissing Pascal on the head. "Goodnight Pascal."
He jumps onto the branch, but she uses her hair to bring it down. "Uh uh. I don't think so." She plants him on the other pillow. "Here is better...right by my side."
They both smile, falling asleep together.
Daisy and Harmony stare at the page as the princess is just finishing up drawing herself with Rapunzel, both pets on their shoulders as the girls' backs are towards each other with big smiles. Their hair cascades past their backs.
"Even though Rapunzel's back and my family's complete..." Harmony starts off, nuzzling Daisy's head with her finger. "I really missed you."
She closes the book and puts it away, Daisy flying up to her face. "Hmm. Goodnight Daisy," She kisses the duckling on her forehead, laying her cheek on the pillow. Daisy is about to fly towards her nest bed when Harmony whistles to her.
"Nope. Get back here. You're sleeping by my side tonight," She smiles and Daisy lands on the other pillow. They both fall asleep peacefully.
The four make food together, with Eugene and Varian as taste testers. Then they best Cass as a team in chess, play with Max in a sword fight, and watch as the princesses put up a new slogan, helped by Varian.
Corona: Hit them where the sun does shine!
Varian and Harmony nail up the sign for Shorty's Piggy Bank.
Daisy and Pascal smirk at Lance, who got stuck with all the dishes from his feast, which he had to clean up as punishment.