Angel: Thank you for all of your comments regarding the recent special. I work as hard as I can on them, because we all know how the specials can be XD I am officially finished with Beyond the Corona Walls! Can't wait to do the rest of the episodes, Freebird is definitely going to be a favorite. Gonna have to re-watch the other two specials, because I've only seen them once...
Also, a couple of you are PMing me about the fact that now Harmony saw Varian being turned away, that she might turn evil like Cass. I know that Harmony has the powers of the moonstone, but that does not necessarily mean she will turn against her sister. That's kinda being stereotypical, I mean she's better than that. Give Harmony a little credit. Not everyone who is associated with the Moonstone has to be like Cass!
I will do something like that along the lines of season 2, but I just won't have her turn evil, and especially not for a period of time like with Varian or Cassandra. I just can't see myself doing that to her...
I initially was not going to upload today, because I'm working on a cold, and it sucks...hate being sick. But I can't just leave the aftermath of the special up in the air.
Rapunzel: Previously, on Tangled...
"Rapunzel, Harmony, I think your parents are in grave danger."
"You can't just leave your kingdom in its darkest hour!"
"My dad needs help! Rapunzel! You promised!"
"We need to make a decision!"
"Punzie, why did you do that?!"
The Demantius device spun around, coming to life as it started to stop the storm. Zhan Tiri's symbol flashed and then a green spirit came from it, flying away out into the snow.
"Zhan Tiri!"
Harmony makes her way into Old Corona, frowning as it's been basically abandoned...she had no idea if she'd find Varian's house in this mess, but she had to check up on him. She didn't care if people thought he kidnapped her, he would never do something like that to her.
She weaves through the cluster of her own rocks and to the front door. Harmony knocks on it, only to find that the door is already open. It creaks as it moves, slightly creeping her out. She steps inside the home, where it's cold and dark. She shivers at the dark feeling in the air.
"Vari? Vari, are you here?" There's no response and she lets out a sigh, walking around the house. It's like the place hasn't been lived in for days, or maybe even weeks. She'd been meaning to visit, but she needed time to think about the recent events...and contemplating what to do about her sister. She hadn't said much to Rapunzel ever since she returned to the castle, and she wasn't sure if she would talk to her again.
She walks to a staircase that goes to the floor below, stepping down carefully. As she gets closer to the bottom, she hears crying.
The stairs lead to a door, which is slightly open. The crying is clearer now. She opens the door further...
To see Varian crying onto his knees.
She looks up at what he's staring at and is stunned to see Quirin trapped into the amber. He has a pained expression on his face while holding a piece of paper.
The princess slowly walks over to him, kneeling down in front of him. "V-Vari? What's going on? What happened?"
He flinches and looks up at her, tears streaming down his cheeks. He had been crying for a while. She can see how hurt he feels inside. She looks up at Quirin.
"Quirin...did the amber...?" She's afraid to ask him, she doesn't want him to be more upset than he already is. But he wipes his tears and nods slowly.
She puts her hands on his shoulders to comfort him, but he grabs her arms and pulls her into a hug, crying into her shoulder.
"I never wanted this to happen! ...I just want to find an answer...I just want him back!" She rubs his back and he hugs her tighter. "I never wanted this...it hurts, Mona..."
"Vari...I'm so sorry..." She puts her arms around his neck. "I can't believe it..." She pulls back, cupping his cheeks and wiping the tears away. She had been so focused on trying to stay alive from the cold and on her parents that she never asked about Quirin.
"Mona...you'll never break a promise to me...right?" He looks into her eyes, and she couldn't help but stare into his beautiful blue ones. She nods, smiling sweetly at him. She was never planning to hurt him, not even for a second.
Hopefully she can find it in her to forgive her sister...
He leans in closer to her, closing the space between them into a sweet kiss. She kisses him back, her heart pounding against her chest.
Harmony walks into the hallway, wanting some time to herself when Rapunzel opens the doors, having come from the library. She's eating an apple when a cart passes by them.
"Oh! Oh! Excuse me!" She calls out to a man pushing a statue.
"Good morning, princesses."
"Oh," Harmony steps out of the man's way, bumping into Rapunzel.
"Harmi!"
"Punzel," The girl murmurs at her presence. She hadn't seen or spoken to her sister ever since the storm. Which makes this encounter a little uncomfortable, since the crown princess had sent Varian away.
"Pardon us, princesses," Two men call out and they step away from all the chaos.
"What's this?" Rapunzel notices all of the banners in front of them, people moving art pieces. They see Frederic and Nigel not too far away. "Dad! What is going on? What's with all this art?"
"Ah, there you are, girls. I'm glad to see you alright, Harmony."
"Alright isn't the word I'd use," She looks away for a moment.
"I've got little surprises for you."
Rapunzel smiles as Harmony tilts her head in confusion.
When he guides them into another room, he pulls away a curtain to reveal a model. "The Gallery of the 7 Kingdoms!"
Rapunzel gasps at it. "Really?! You're actually gonna build it?"
"Yes, we already have. And in the spirit of artistic expression, I've asked the citizens of Corona to contribute their work as well. Including any sculptures," He puts an arm around Harmony, her eyes widening.
"R-Really?" She wonders in excitement and he nods. Inventing wasn't too far off into building a sculpture, like with alchemy and cooking almost being the same.
"This is amazing!" Rapunzel beams at the news.
"There are two pieces I'd like to add before opening the gallery...a mural and a sculpture by Corona's most celebrated artist and inventor, Princess Rapunzel and Princess Harmony," He smiles at his daughters.
"Dad...I'm speechless," Rapunzel steps up to her father.
"I can't believe it..." Harmony murmurs slowly. "But isn't that more for a sculpture artist? A sculptor and inventor aren't necessarily the same thing."
"Well, let's just say after the events of the great storm and the judgement you demonstrated, I've been looking for ways to implement more of your good ideas, both of you. And for you to be heard in some way, Harmony. You can do anything you set your mind to."
They glance away with small frowns at the mention of the events, but then replace them with big smiles. "Now get creative!" He hands Rapunzel a brush and Harmony a mallet.
"Harmi, can we talk please? It's important."
She takes a deep breath. Her talk with Varian is slowly helping her feel better, but a part of her is still hurt by it.
"Alright," She replies slowly, the older girl leading her away into her room.
"Come on, let's sit," Rapunzel takes a seat on the bed, the princess adjusting her skirt as she sits next to her sister. "Listen, I know that you've been through a lot with what happened lately, and...I can understand your frustration with me and others. But I want you to know that turning you away was not what I intended to do, at all. And I am so sorry for what happened with Varian and coming to conclusions, I...I was just so scared on whether or not you were actually alive, and I was so relieved to see that you were alright. Hurting you was the last thing I wanted to do that day."
"Sis..." Harmony closes her eyes. "Thank you for that. When Cass told me that I shouldn't let my feelings get in the way of what's best for the kingdom, I...I lost it. I just wanted to help him like you did with the kingdom...and so I went to Old Corona, where I eventually found him. He saved me, Rapunzel. He brought me to his house and warmed me up, but the guards just assumed the worst without even asking first. And I'm so jealous that you saw the Demantius device!" She suddenly pouts, Rapunzel giggling at her. "Anyway, while I was taking time to think about it...I thought about you, and how you must've felt to do that to Vari. To make all those hard decisions and deal with the consequences...it has an effect on you."
Rapunzel sighs slowly, looking away. "You're right about that..."
"But...I was never mad at you, or anyone. No matter what happens, you're my older sister. I don't wanna stand in your way of being queen one day."
"Oh, Harmi," The blonde pulls her into a hug. "That will never happen. I promise. And this time...I mean it."
She smiles, returning the hug and Rapunzel pulls back, giving a sad look. "Is...is he...?"
"Vari? Oh, Rapunzel..." Harmony murmurs, looking away as she remembers seeing Quirin. "I...don't know if I'm ready to talk about that."
"You don't have to," She shakes her head. "Whenever you're ready, you can come to me. But why didn't you tell anyone that it wasn't a kidnapping?"
"After what he's done, do you think they'll believe me?" The girl asks incredibly. Attacking Rapunzel doesn't exactly help his case. "I have no proof that he didn't, I was unconscious for most of the time. And believe me, I've already thought about it. Besides, after what Vari's been through...I don't think he's comfortable coming to the castle to defend himself. Hopefully I can figure out a way..."
The kingdom is excited about the gallery opening, some of them painting while others are making sculptures. The spirit from the Demantius device is roaming around.
Feldspar squirts blue onto his palette as the spirit flies around. Feldspar puts a tiny amount. "Finally, I get to express my artistic side! Time to shine, Feldspar!"
He starts painting a boot, the spirit's white eyes staring at him from the canvas. "Oh, well, thank you so much!" He looks around in confusion.
"This is a dream project, Pascal!" Rapunzel flips through her journal. "I've had so many ideas for what a mural this size could look like. It's hard to pick just one!" She stands in front of a large canvas for the mural.
"And for me to build a sculpture!" Harmony flips through her own journal. "I have no idea where to even start!"
A paintbrush and a mallet are held up to them nearby. Rapunzel smiles in amusement, taking the other end and holding up to reveal Pascal on the other end. Harmony takes the hammer, grinning at Daisy.
"You're both right." Pascal slides onto Rapunzel's shoulders. "Just make a decision and go with it."
"Yeah! Just...choose an idea..." Harmony says slowly, holding the mallet over the picket hesitantly.
"Just...make a decision. Uh..." Rapunzel also feels hesitant.
Your highness, we need to make you to make a decision now!
The entire kingdom rests on the choice you make!
Lives are at stake here!
It's your call.
Hours later, they still haven't touched their respective things and it starts to get dark. "Okay, it's like I wanna paint...but I just...can't."
"And I wanna start building, but I can't move my arms. It's like my mind is blank!" Harmony points to her head.
"What is going on...?" Rapunzel whispers to herself.
"Sounds like painter and inventor block," Cass deduces once she's been told of the situation in Rapunzel's room.
"Painter's block? Wait, you mean like writer's block?" The blonde princess asks in confusion.
"That's a thing?" Harmony raises a brow.
"You're smart, why didn't you know that?" Cass eyes her.
"Because I've never had inventor's block!" Harmony holds her hair. "Not once in my 14 years of being in the castle."
"Maybe it's because you didn't spend all day inventing. You did a lot of stuff during one day that you didn't sit around long enough to get it. You're just having a hard time being creative is all," Cass takes a bite out of her cupcake.
"What the princesses need are ways to punch through the blocks," Lance grins, sitting on the arm of Cass' chair.
"Or maybe what they need is a little inspiration!" Eugene puts on the smolder, hoping that they'll do something with him for the projects.
"That's it!" Rapunzel smiles, but not because of his suggestion. "Come on, guys! Let's go find some real inspiration!" She grabs Harmony's hand, pulling her out of the room.
"...She walked right past the smolder...She's worse than we thought!" Eugene frowns in disapproval.
Pete is painting Stan and when he finishes it, he holds it out for his friend to see. He smiles in approval.
"Wow! Who knew Corona had so many talented artists or sculptors?" Rapunzel wonders as she looks around, sitting across from her sister. "Look at these paintings and sculptures! They're all so...beautiful!"
"I've never seen anything like this," Harmony smiles towards them, hearing a goat. They look away to see Milton painting on Shorty, who laughs as it tickles. The two sisters glance at each other, feeling a little uncomfortable from the sight.
"In their own way..."
The wind blows away a few leaves from the flower pot between them. "Life is full of tough choices, isn't it, dears?"
They turn around to see someone sitting in the dark shadows. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were talking to your little friends," She gestures to Harmony and Daisy, the duckling chirping in alarm at the woman's appearance and hiding in Harmony's bangs.
"It's okay," Rapunzel turns to her with a small smile.
"I just hear artists in trouble and I want to help...it's in my nature," The woman stands up and walks towards them.
"Are you an artist?" Rapunzel couldn't help but wonder. Harmony slides back a bit in her chair, feeling creeped out already. Something about this woman wasn't right all of a sudden.
"I'm an art teacher, dear. I'm Mrs. Sugarby, and I think I might be able to help you..."
"Umm, I think I'm gonna go...anywhere but here," Harmony takes off in the other direction.
Cass walks into the meeting room, where her father is waiting for her. "I got your message, sir. Is anything the matter?"
"I have a job for you," He tells her seriously. The Captain steps towards the lady-in-waiting, giving her a piece of paper. She gasps at it.
"A mission?"
"Of sorts." What she's holding is a missing poster for Feldspar. "In 10 years, Feldspar Winnipeg, the cobbler, has never missed a day of work. Until today. He had appointments, but he was a no-show. I sent some men to his home, but he wasn't there. I could be overreacting, but...I'd like you to look into it."
She smiles, gratefully giving him a hug. "I'm sure Feldspar is fine." Cass runs towards the door, turning back to her father. "I mean, what kinda trouble could he get into?"
Out in the woods at night, the fog separates a little as a pillar of stones that form a circle stands on top of a cliff. Mrs. Sugarby, the woman that Rapunzel and Harmony met earlier, steps up to someone as he's painting the tree in front of him.
"That's it, dear...just shut off your mind, and leave the rest to Zhan Tiri."
It's Feldspar painting as his eyes turn fully white with no pupils. "One down...four to go."
As he's mindlessly painting, a stream of pink light goes towards the spooky tree...
The next day, Rapunzel's first day of art class is starting, Pascal handing her a brush. "Thank you, Pascal."
Harmony steps inside the tent, walking up to her sister. "Hey Rapunzel. I know I said I'd come and support you, but Cass needs my expertise. Feldspar has gone missing, have you seen him?"
"What? How can that be?" She asks in shock.
"He hasn't been seen for a couple of days, and the last time anyone saw him, he had a class or something. I'm going to look into it with Cassandra, but I'm warning you to please be careful, okay? Something about this isn't right..." Harmony glances away. It's as if her powers are warning her of danger nearby...
"How can you tell?"
"I don't know, it's like I feel a dark presence in here...? Or maybe I just have a headache," Harmony places a hand on her head. "Either way it's not helping with my lack of inspiration on this sculpture."
"Well, I understand. Do whatever you need to, sis. Love you," Rapunzel hugs her, kissing her forehead.
"Love you too, Raps. Pascal," She bends down to the chameleon, nuzzling his forehead. "Give my sister all of the support she needs for me. Bye," Harmony waves to her, walking off.
"Good luck with the sculpture!" Rapunzel waves back. And just as the girl leaves, Mrs. Sugarby walks in.
"Good morning, class," She greets with a slight smile. "I have some very exciting news. We have two new students joining us on our artistic odyssey. Princess Rapunzel, and Lance Strongbow." Lance is standing right next to the blonde princess.
"Hi everybody," Rapunzel greets with a wave. "I can't wait to start learning and get painting!"
"And I'm here to help the princess...and make some extra cash on the side," He looks at his palette. He figured with selling paintings, he'll be back on his feet in no time.
"Friedborg?" Rapunzel notices the other person next to her, smiling as she approaches the lady-in-waiting. "Wow, you're really getting into the whole painting thing, huh?" She eyes the woman, who of course says nothing. "Okay, Friedborg. Yeah, good talk."
Mrs. Sugarby reveals what they'll be painting today: a creepy, black, tiny tree...
"Now onto today's subject."
Rapunzel and Lance glance at each other, the man a little skeptical about it. "Okay," Rapunzel takes a deep breath. "Let's do this..."
She reaches her brush towards the canvas...but is unable to, just like last time.
Your highness, we need to make a decision now!
The welfare of the entire kingdom rests on the choice...
Lives are at stake here.
It's your call.
It has to be now.
Pascal notices her reluctance to paint, glancing up at her. "What's the matter?" Mrs. Sugarby smiles in front of her. "Drawing a blank?"
"Mrs. Sugarby, I don't know what it is..." She places the brush down near Pascal, who frowns up at her. "I have this painter's block. It's like I wanna paint, but when I try to...I just can't make a decision..."
"Ah, yes, I've seen this many times before. Everyone wants to put their own spin on their subjects, but that can lead to overthinking, dear." She places a hand on Rapunzel's shoulders. "There is nothing to think about. No decisions to be made. No sisters to disappoint. Just paint the tree exactly as you see it..."
"Okay...I'll try," Rapunzel brushes a stand of hair behind her ear. Pascal smiles, holding up the brush. Mrs. Sugarby takes it and gives it to the crown princess. She turns towards the canvas and bites her lip towards the tree, starting to paint.
She has green paint on her later on, but she's finally done as it's an exact replica of the tree. "It doesn't seem very exciting...does it?"
"Rapunzel. This is perfect," Mrs. Sugarby steps up to her.
"It is?" She smiles a little as the teacher inspects it.
"In fact, it's one of the strongest in the class. No offense, Lance."
"None taken," He grins as his tree looks like a child did it. He gives the painting a 20 for sale. "Pardon me, artist coming through," He takes his painting and leaves.
"I'm very proud of the work you did today, Rapunzel, and you should be too."
"Thanks, Mrs. Sugarby," She crosses her arms proudly. "Although, I wouldn't say it's my best work."
"Rapunzel, give yourself some credit. All things have their own beauty. Just like with Harmony and her inventor's block."
She smiles at the encouragement.
It's almost sunset as Owl is perched on his branch next to Cass, flapping his wings. "I don't know, guys. We've questioned half the town and hit up all of Feldspar's usual haunts, but nothing."
"I even went back to the last place he was to see if he was there, but he's gone..." Harmony sighs a little, sitting on Cass' bed.
"How does someone just disappear into thin air...?" Cass crosses her arms.
"You know...I wonder if this has to do with that bad feeling I've got about that art class Raps is taking," Harmony murmurs, looking up towards the ceiling.
"Art class?" The woman turns to her.
"Yeah, some people said that Feldspar was there a couple of days ago, and then after that was when he disappeared. And when I got there, I could just feel a...spirit or something around that place. Like...pure evil."
"Whoa..." Cass murmurs at the girl. "So what, you can...sense this kind of stuff?"
"I don't know...but I can't even sculpt or invent anything, so I figured to distract myself with this whole thing with Feldspar."
"Did it work?"
Harmony closes her eyes, having flashbacks.
We can't allow the princess, much less a child, to go outside by herself on a dangerous journey!
Let your sister handle this.
Your feelings for Varian must be put aside.
Open up in the name of the king!
Vari! Vari!
Before she can speak, Old Lady Crowley bursts the door open. "Hey, Crumb-Wedge! I need you in linens."
"Today's my day off. Friedborg is supposed to cover linens today," Cass glances over her shoulder, looking back out the window.
"Well, she didn't show up."
Harmony's eyes widen as she looks towards her friend. "That's not like Friedborg...Is she okay?"
"What am I? Her biographer?" The old woman slips away creepily, the door shutting on its own.
"What is going on around here...?" Harmony couldn't help but wonder, looking outside.
Cass knocks on the door to Friedborg's room. "Friedborg? Are you here?" She opens up the door to her room, only to find that she's gone. "Hello? Friedborg?"
The two notice a painting of the same tree from the art class. "Huh...that's...a little unsettling," Harmony eyes it. Cass slowly closes the door.
"Well...I guess the good thing is she got you painting again," Eugene eyes the same painting that Friedborg did in Rapunzel's room. "I mean, it looks like..." He glances at his girlfriend, clearing his throat. "What it's supposed to look like."
"You don't like it?" Rapunzel asks a little defensively.
"Oh, no, no, no, no. I didn't say that. I'm just saying it's missing a little...Rapunzelocity."
"Well, maybe I don't need to put my own spin on everything, Eugene," She gives him a look. She snatches the painting off the canvas, knocking Pascal around. "It's just like Mrs. Sugarby says...all things have their own beauty."
And with that, she leaves, the two slightly concerned for her.
"Hey," Lance greets as he's sitting outside at night, chuckling. "You look like a man who appreciates fine art!" The painting has gone from 20 to half off. "Like this!"
He puts his head in his hands as he was sitting there all day, and no one has shown a tiny amount of interest.
A shadow looms over it. "The life of an artist isn't an easy one, is it, Mr. Strongbow?"
"Oh! Hi, Mrs. Sugarset," He replies with a smile.
"I'm glad I found you. I've been thinking about your work? What if I could teach you to make art that you could sell for untold riches?" She grins widely.
"Untold riches?" His eyes shine at the thought and he stands up. "Those are the best kind!"
She holds out her hand and he takes it. The two walk off together past Xavier's shop. "Come...I'll show you. It will be my pleasure..." He can hear her distant voice, looking around for anything, but no one's outside.
The next day, it's just Rapunzel as Mrs. Sugarby shows that tree again. Rapunzel finishes painting it, noticing that she's all alone. "Huh...this is strange. Where is everyone?"
"Oh, uh, your classmates have progressed so splendidly that I've given them all a special project to work on together. But, don't worry. You'll be joining them very soon..."
Harmony peeks into the tent, smiling at her sister. "Hey Rapunzel. How's the painting going?"
"Harmi!" Rapunzel beams at her. "Come see!"
She walks over to the canvas and tilts her head at the tree. "Huh...doesn't seem like your style."
"I know, but all things have their own beauty."
"Who taught you that?" Harmony raises a brow.
"I did, my dear," Mrs. Sugarby steps over with a smile. The girl shudders, as there's that same bad feeling again...
"...Hey, was Friedborg in this class? And where's everyone else?" She looks around the room.
"She was when Lance and I first started. Why?"
"Because this was when her room when Cass and I went to go look for her," Harmony gestures to the painting in front of them. "She's gone just like Feldspar and come to think of it, I haven't seen Lance all morning."
"You're just overreacting, dear," Mrs. Sugarby places a hand on her shoulder and it gives her chills. "Perhaps you should join and see for yourself..."
"Um, no thank you," She removes the hand carefully.
"Hmm...ah, it needs a little something," Rapunzel looks at her tree painting, waving the paintbrush a little. "How about...some color?"
Before she can even do anything with the paintbrush, Mrs. Sugarby stops her. "What are you doing?" She asks incredibly.
"N-Nothing. I-I just thought it could use a personal touch," Rapunzel stammers at the woman, chuckling.
"That's what I thought too," Harmony looks up at her, turning towards the painting. "It's missing...you."
"Hmm. Good thought. Perhaps a brighter color?" Mrs. Sugarby walks around the two. "But what if it's not the right color? Or you put in the wrong spot?"
She closes her eyes, not wanting that to happen. "You're right...it's just...I can't decide what to do."
Mrs. Sugarby taps her cane against the floor. "Making difficult choices is a part of life."
Suddenly, both girls' eyes turn white and Mrs. Sugarby pushes Harmony out of the tent, guiding her a bit far away.
"Making difficult choices is a part of life..." The two murmur in unison. Mrs. Sugarby arrives back in the tent, placing the brush back, giving her the dark purple one again.
"There...isn't that better?"
Rapunzel smiles and the woman taps her cane again. Suddenly, their eyes turn back to normal. "Much better..." Rapunzel murmurs, turning back to her tree painting. Harmony shakes her head, placing a hand on top of her head. It feels as if someone went into her head and scrambled around her thoughts.
"What just happened...?"
"Where do you get off calling us ruffians?" Hook Foot demands to Cass and Harmony. Shorty is tossed behind him, crashing as the others are yelling. "Point taken."
"We're not implicating any of you for this," Harmony holds up a hand.
"But we're just looking for some missing people, and usually when something bad goes down, bad people know about it," Cass replies, getting a look from the princess.
"Just to get some information, Cass."
"First of all, we're not bad people," Hook Foot crosses his arms, Shorty flying over him again. "We're working on it. And second, we got a missing person of our own."
Attila appears behind Hook Foot, cleaning a class. "Ulf is missing."
Their eyes widen at the news, glancing at each other. "I thought I'd be glad to get rid of that mime. But I kinda miss the 'I'm stuck in a box' routine...you don't know how to do any mime, do you?" They focus their eyes on something else...
"No," Cass narrows her eyes at that painting again, which has been appearing everywhere when someone had disappeared...well, except for Feldspar. "Who painted that?"
"Ulf did. I thought it was kinda weird too," Attila shrugs a little. "It's a real departure from his normal work." Which, was just frames put up on the wall.
"Huh...Rapunzel and Friedborg painted that exact same tree too..." Harmony points up at it.
"Raps painted one of those?" Cass stares at her and the girl nods.
"Yeah...she wouldn't do something so bleak. And I'm getting that same bad feeling again...and I think it has to do with that. Tree," She narrows her eyes at the painting, sure of it. That painting class and the trees are connected to that bad feeling she's been feeling.
That night, Eugene is waiting on the boat, for Rapunzel. "Where is Rapunzel? She's never late. In fact, she's usually 30 minutes early for our dates. Hey, frog, goose? Is it me or has the princess been acting a little off lately?"
"Hi," Rapunzel suddenly speaks up, surprising all of them. Daisy sees something on her feet and flies away to go tell Harmony.
"There you are. I've been waiting for—holy shoes!" Rapunzel is actually wearing shoes, a giant red flag that something is wrong.
"Oh, yeah, I guess I put these on earlier." She jumps onto the boat, holding hands with him. "It feels...normal."
"Okay, what is going on here? You're being...not-Rapunzel!"
"What do you mean?" She asks in confusion, and it doesn't even sound as cheery as it used to.
"Y-You're late. You're wearing shoes!" Then he realizes that it must have to do with the recent events. "Wait, Rapunzel..." He stands up, taking a seat next to her. "Look, we both know you haven't been yourself lately. Ever since that storm, you've changed. You're afraid to take chances, to shake things up, and live every second to the fullest. It's like...you're afraid to be...you." She looks away and he caresses her cheek. "And I miss you."
She sighs deeply, closing her eyes. "Listen. Listen, I know you had to make some tough calls when your parents were gone, and it almost cost you Harmi, but queen or not, making difficult choices is a part of life."
She opens up her green orbs, tapping her fingers against the wood. Those words struck a chord. "Making difficult choices is a part of life," Her eyes turn white again, which Eugene doesn't notice. She blinks and they turn back to normal. "Part of life? Really?! Is me turning my back on Varian when he's desperately begging for my help part of life? Is deciding if Pascal should risk his life a tough call? I almost lost my little sister because of that part of life! Tell you what, Eugene." She glares at him, standing up. "The day you have to choose whether or not to put the fate of a kingdom in the hands of a fairytale is the day we can chat about difficult choices. Or when you have to choose to put in a shimmer of hope that a sibling isn't near death and you're not there to save them." Rapunzel crawls onto the dock, storming off and he stares at her in concern.
Even when she's really angry, she would never snap like that...
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, back UP!" Harmony holds up her hands in front of Daisy after hearing the news. "My sister? Wearing shoes? Are you sure?"
Daisy nods at her rapidly. "This makes no sense. Why are people suddenly disappearing and Rapunzel is being...not Rapunzel?" She paces around, trying to come up with a logical answer. Cass is staring at Ulf and Friedborg's paintings. "I know she's been through a lot, but she'd never resort to wearing shoes. That's not like her at all."
"Okay Cass," Eugene bursts into the room. "This is kind of urgent, so I don't have time to insult you right now. But do you two know what's going on with Rapunzel?"
"No, but I heard about the shoe thing. Something else happen?" Harmony raises a brow. Pascal gets Eugene's attention and he notices the paintings.
"Hey...that's Rapunzel's tree."
"We know, but these were also painted by Ulf and Friedborg. Over the past two days, several people have gone missing. Everyone who disappeared...had one thing in common."
Pascal and Daisy both gasp. "Rapunzel's painting class..." Harmony and Eugene say at the same time.
Xavier places down a giant book, opening it up and flipping through some pages. He stops on a particular one that shows a spirit and a giant tree, surrounded by five canvases.
"It is as I feared..."
Rapunzel sleeps alone in her room, unaware of the danger she's in...
Xavier moves away a curtain as he arrives in the tent, noticing the tree painting...and several others just like it. A cane taps as someone approaches him from behind. The blacksmith turns around to see Mrs. Sugarby herself.
"Can I help you find something, dear?" She smirks and he cringes as the woman gets closer.
"Rapunzel..." The woman's voice calls out to the sleeping crown princess. "Rapunzel..."
She opens her eyes to reveal them as white again. "It is time!"
Eugene moves away the flaps to the tent as they arrive. Cass holds up a lantern. "Um, usually, I'd enjoy you keeping your mouth shut, I mean, obviously, but do you wanna tell me what's going on?"
"I don't know, but we need answers," She whispers to him, looking around.
"I can't explain it, but Mrs. Sugarby, Rapunzel, the disappearances, the creepy paintings...every time we get closer and closer to the truth, I get this strong feeling about...evil. Especially in this tent," Harmony glances around.
"So what, like a sixth sense for this kind of stuff?"
"Maybe. Mrs. Sugarby...there's something weird with her," The girl shakes her head slowly. "There's more to her than-"
One of the easels falls down in front of them, alarming the five. They suddenly hear muffling, Cass moving the lantern over to see a tied up and gagged Xavier.
"Xavier!" The three help him out. "What happened?" Cass looks at him in concern.
"Sugarby. Her highness is right. She's not what she says she is."
"Yeah, way ahead of you on that one, Zave," Eugene comments, thinking that she's just creepy.
"No," Xavier shakes his head. "She's worse than you can imagine. Cassandra, when we used the Demantius Device to stop the great storm, we unwittingly freed something." He stands up, walking a little. "Something terrible. The disciples of Zhan Tiri."
Harmony gasps sharply at the name. "Zhan Tiri? You mean the ancient, evil sorcerer?! Way to go, Cassandra."
"Can we focus here?" Harmony crosses her arms.
"Lord Demantius was in a constant battle with Zhan Tiri and his brethren. Over the years, Demantius captured many of the evil spirits, and held them prisoner in that chamber."
"So what you're saying that when we used this device, we may have freed one of those evil spirits and-"
"And now, one of those minions is trying to free their master. I'm afraid she's going to use the crown princess and the others to do it. Because the Moonstone Opal is the embodiment of death and destruction itself, it can sense this evil power. Something that it's never done before." He glances to the princess, who looks up at Eugene and Cass. So even though it's destructive, it can sense other evil around...or at least, those who have its powers can. And because no one else had absorbed its power before, it can do new things...
"Rapunzel is in grave danger."
"Oh no..." Harmony covers her mouth in horror.
Mrs. Sugarby smiles next to a hypnotized Rapunzel, in front of the pillar of stones. "It's time for your final project." The fog clears to reveal the same big tree Xavier saw in his book.
Mrs. Sugarby places the paintbrush in Rapunzel's hand. She approaches a canvas being held by black vines, lifting up her arm.
Fidella, Max, and Silver race as fast as they can to the three. "Are you sure it's this way?" Eugene calls out to Harmony, who's leading up front.
"Positive. This ceremony is taking place at Janis Point. I can feel it a mile away," Harmony looks over her shoulder. Cass snaps her reins and Fidella runs even faster.
Rapunzel's hand hesitates in front of the blank canvas. "Go ahead, Princess," Mrs. Sugarby starts lighting torches. "By painting this idol exactly, you are pledging your allegiance to Zhan Tiri. And it will be that allegiance that frees our master from his otherworldly prison!"
The crown princess moves her hand away. "I can't..."
Mrs. Sugarby blows away the fire from her stick. "Rapunzel, dear..." She steps up to the blonde. "I know all those difficult things you've encountered. Darling, I promise you'll never have to make those kinds of decisions again..." She taps her cane again, hypnotizing Rapunzel once more. "Or will ever have to worry about your dear sister..."
A hypnotized Feldspar appears out of nowhere, followed by Lance, Friedborg, and Ulf. They take their places as Mrs. Sugarby guides Rapunzel's hand to the canvas.
"Yes!" She cheers wickedly. "That's it! Once this totem has been recreated five times, the portal shall open, and Zhan Tiri shall again be free!"
As they start painting, pink vines travel from the stands to the giant tree. It starts to glow, opening up the portal. "It's working!"
"Oh! You are just a terrible teacher!" Eugene exclaims at her as they've arrived.
"Release my sister!" Harmony growls at the woman.
"And our friends!" Cass gestures to the others.
"Please," The old woman rolls her eyes. "Sugarby was merely the vessel I chose to suit my purposes," Her eyes glow green and there's suddenly a flash. She turns into her true form. "I am Sugracha the Eternal, and I can take so many forms!"
"Uh, any chance we can stick with the sweet old lady form? Cause I'm kind of missing her already," Eugene asks nervously, Harmony elbowing him in the arm.
"Eugene, you get Rapunzel to snap out of it," Cass turns to them. "Harmi, you try to the same with the others." She snaps the reins again, Fidella running towards the witch. "I'll handle the witch."
Sugracha smirks, holding out her hand and hitting the two with her powers, freezing them in place. Silver and Max run towards the group, only to be frozen as well.
"Blondie, it's me."
"Eu-Eugene?" She stammers, turning around as her eyes are back to normal again. Zhan Tiri, who's waiting in front of the portal, waves a hand and silently tells Sugracha to stop them. She lifts the three up into the air, throwing them towards the cliff.
"Well, way to handle the witch, Cassandra," Eugene replies sarcastically.
"You were supposed to help Rapunzel!"
"Now is not the time to point fingers!" He yells back at her.
"Guys! Our friends need our help!" Harmony shouts between the two. "Focus!"
"Don't let them fall..." Rapunzel says weakly, due to the prolonged hypnosis. "Please..."
Sugracha turns back into Mrs. Sugarby, standing in front of her. "My dear, whether or not they fall is completely up to you. Finish my spell, and I'll spare them." She taps her cane once more. "The choice is yours."
Her eyes shift between white and green as she tries to gain back control. "Think about how much simpler and easier everything could be if you just finish that painting," She moves Rapunzel's arm towards the painting, which Is half finished. "No more self doubt. No more regret. No more difficult choices. Give in to Zhan Tiri."
The sorcerer is getting close to being free once more. "Rapunzel...you've got to stop. I know you can hear me. Please!"
"Raps! Big sister, I know you hated what happened during the storm, but that's just part of life! I shouldn't have went into the storm, but you can own up to those mistakes...right here and now!" Harmony calls out, hoping that her sister will listen.
Her hand wavers before she grips the paintbrush. "Difficult choices...are what make us who we are." And with that, she destroys the painting with the paintbrush. Sugracha turns back to her true self.
"NO!" She cries out as the pink flames destroy all five canvases before they could be completed, also destroying the big tree. "What have you done?!"
The horses are released from their hold, and they run up towards their friends.
"No...!" Sugracha watches the portal shrink in dismay. Fidella kicks her inside and when she lands, the portal disappears completely.
Eugene, Harmony, and Cass fall towards their doom. "No!" Rapunzel shouts, untying her hair quickly. She whips it and Eugene catches some, grabbing Cass' hand. Harmony grips Cass' leg, looking at the water below her and sweating a little. "No!"
Her shoes cause her to slide and Eugene looks up in horror. She reaches the edge and he notices the shoes. She slips them off and they fall into the water below. Eugene beams in relief as she slides to a close stop, the horses helping her pull them up.
"Come on, Max! Pull!"
Together, they pull their friends up back to the cliff. Pascal runs towards his best friend, who smiles at the five. She runs up and hugs Eugene. They share a brief kiss.
"It's good to have you back, Blondie."
"It's good to be back, Eugene," She smiles up at him. Harmony is helped up by Cass, both of them sighing in relief. "Harmi!" Rapunzel dashes up to her and they share a big hug.
"Thank goodness...I'm so lucky to have you as my sister," Harmony grins up at the woman.
"And I'm luckier to have you for a little sister," Rapunzel strokes her hair. "I just thought of a great idea for the mural! Come on!"
They all start to leave the area. "Oh? Re-oh, now? Not-not later, when it's light out. That's fine. I'm not gonna question the creative process."
"Eugene...let's go," Harmony smiles at him in amusement.
The next morning, Rapunzel places two initials: R + E. "Wow! Looking great, Blondie! I suppose your painter's block is gone for good."
"I sure hope so. But, if it ever does come back..." She looks towards Ulf, Lance, Cass, Feldspar, Pete, Stan, and Friedborg all contributing to the mural. "I've decided not to fight it all by myself." She smiles up at Eugene, the two of them sharing a hug.
Harmony hums as she rolls her sculpture towards the group. "How's it going, guys?"
"You're finished?" Cass looks over her shoulder.
"Yup! Let's just say that I found some inspiration from someone who deserves it."
They look at her in confusion as she takes off the sheet, to reveal a yellow-painted sculpture as the base, looking like flames. Implanted on the sculpture is a few sculptured objects: the Corona symbol, the lanterns, a paintbrush, and the Sundrop Flower.
"Wait..." Rapunzel gasps at it. "Is this supposed to represent me?!"
"Yes," Harmony smiles at her. "I figured that you had been through a lot, and I didn't exactly make things easier...but-"
She brings her sister in for a bear hug, spinning her around. "I love it! And so will Dad!"
Harmony rubs her arm bashfully once she's released. Everyone stops painting to admire the sculpture, looking in awe at it. The princess looks on with a smile.
"Nice," Eugene smiles as well, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hey...how's he doing? Honestly."
She takes a deep breath, letting it out. "H-He's okay, I guess. He's going through a lot of stuff...being turned away by Rapunzel really did a number on 'im."
The girl had no idea where to even begin...but maybe with some time and her visits...maybe he'll be okay.