Lance lets out a hearty laugh as they're getting very close to being eaten. "Hey buddy, you know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say we're about to get eaten by a flower."
"You are spot-on. And it looks like I'm going in headfirst," Eugene states in a happy tone in his voice. "Well, I guess this is goodbye, huh?"
"I mean, if you gotta go, I couldn't think of a better guy to go out with," Lance comments, to which Eugene laughs.
"Ha! Right back at ya, buddy."
Suddenly a neigh is heard as Max comes running in with Pascal. He neighs again, trotting up to them and leaving holes in the wood. The horse throws the chameleon onto Lance's shoulder.
"Max, Pascal! Thank goodness you guys are here," Eugene smiles widely.
"Yeah, I need help," Lance agrees with him, pulling out flowers from his collar. "Do you think Adira would like these flowers? I mean, not the one that's about to eat us," The vines start to block the entrance, Pascal squeaking in alarm. He crawls up to the vines, pulling on them as hard as he can. Max stomps on the flowers, but one of them opens up and sprays the pollen on him.
His eyes widen as they turn red, swirling around. Max sits down and then starts neighing in laughter. Pascal stares at him in confusion, before realizing what the pollen has done. He takes a deep breath and holds it, running over to Max. The pollen hits his face, but it has no effect on him. He reaches the horse, who hallucinates him being a little devil. He neighs in fear and turns around to face his friend, who is taunting him.
He narrows his eyes and chases after Pascal. He looks at the horse literally foaming at the mouth. Max imagines Pascal mocking him as he runs, now more determined than ever to stop him. Pascal dodges the hooves as they run around in a circle, the floor cracking with each step.
They're also right above the room that the others are in.
"Whither and decay, end this destiny," Harmony recites to them. "Break these earthly chains and set the spirit free."
"Harmi, it's time to end it!" Rapunzel lets out a weak cough.
"Harmi..." Cass calls out, almost out of breath.
"Princess..." Hook Foot holds his side, hoping she could hear all of them and stop herself.
"Turquoise, you have to stop!" Adira stands up, about to tackle her.
"Wait!" Varian calls out, suddenly having the strength to stand up, shaking from the power of the incantation. He can also see that Harmony has tears coming from her eyes. "Just wait, you can tell that something's wrong inside her mind. I-I can get through to her, Adira! I know I can."
She stares at his pleading look and nods slowly to let him try. Varian turns around to the girl he loves, clenching his fists bravely. Harmony continues to say the incantation, still floating in the air with an angry look directed at everyone. This was all of their fault. If they hadn't done with they did to her, she wouldn't be coaxed into doing this...but she'll make them pay.
Continue, my dear. Don't let anyone stop you.
"Whither and decay, end this destiny."
"Varian, hurry! Please," Cass begs with him, dropping her arm.
"Harmi..." Rapunzel looks up weakly, upset that her sister is like this.
"Whither and decay, end this destiny."
"Mona, it's me, Varian," He speaks up, gesturing to himself. She simply stops and turns her head to look at him. "I don't know what's going on, but you need to stop. I know that you don't really wanna do this to us...I know we all did terrible things towards you, but we all didn't mean to hurt you. Please...I already lost my father...I can't lose you too..."
He closes his eyes sadly. His words reach her and then she finally stops, gasping. Her hair shrinks back down to her regular length as she slowly lands on the ground. She grips the grass as her hair is brought over her head, and then it turns back to brown with her blue bangs.
"What...what happened?" She lifts her head up and everyone looks to see that she's back to normal.
"Harmi?" Cass asks slowly, running up to the girl.
"Mona!" Varian bends down and hugs her, smiling in relief. "Are you okay?"
"What did happen?" Rapunzel runs up to the girl, bending down to her side. She hugs her sister in relief. "That was...unexpected."
"At least you're okay," Cass murmurs in relief as well. "I'm sorry, Harmi and Raps. I'm supposed to protect you both."
"It's fine, Cass," Rapunzel places a hand on her shoulder. "She's alright...but please tell us what happened. I need to know, Harmi."
"I don't know what just happened, I...I heard a voice and then she appeared and then I wasn't able to stop myself..." She looks behind the two and her eyes widen. Harmony scrambles onto her feet as she looks at the state of her friends. "Oh my god, guys! I...I didn't mean to, I..."
"It's okay, Turquoise...no one's injured," Adira holds up a hand. Daisy flies into Harmony's hands, perfectly fine. Ruddiger crawls back onto Varian's shoulder.
"Thank you for not hurting her, Adira," Rapunzel says gratefully. Cass tenses up at this, glaring towards Adira. She could've done something too...
Suddenly the ceiling crumbles above them as Max's running was enough to make a circle in the ceiling. Rocks fall into the water before the whole ceiling falls apart, with the large flower landing right in front of them. They all stare in confusion, wondering just what is going on. The flower opens up to reveal Eugene and Lance.
"Rapunzel, Harmony, what's up?" Eugene calls out like he's loopy, falling onto the leaf. Max and Pascal fall soon afterwards. The four cringe towards each other.
"Oh boy...they stumbled upon poisoned flowers," Harmony steps up to them. "That must've been where they ran off to."
"Is it permanent?" Rapunzel stares at them.
"Nah, they'll be fine in an hour or two."
"Was I dreaming, or did your hair grow?" Varian stares at Harmony, whose eyes widen as she remembers that part.
"It did...I think it only grows when I would want to extend power to something..."
Once the two boys have recovered along with Max, they continue to a clearing of the Great Tree. The boys fall onto the ground, exhausted from all the walking. Eugene looks over the edge to see the long path that awaits them.
"Whoo! Whoa. It's a long way down," He sits down on the floor.
"I guess this means we're at the halfway point," Rapunzel states, looking over to her sister. Varian has a hand on her back to comfort her as she's been silent the whole walk up.
"I suggest we camp out here for the night," Adira pulls out her sword.
"No way!" Cass denies furiously, "We are getting out of this tree as soon as possible."
"I'm not sure that's your call, kid," Adira crosses her arms.
"Cass..." She looks over her shoulder to Rapunzel and Harmony. "We could use the rest."
"Rapunzel, this place almost got us killed an hour ago," Cass protests to her friend.
"And thankfully, I was there to prevent it, with a little help from the son of Quirin."
He smiles softly at the recognition.
"You stay out of this, Adira!" Cass screams at the woman.
"Cass, we're in no shape to go down that long path," Harmony gestures to the edge.
"I think you should calm down," Adira warns the lady-in-waiting.
"You know what I think? I think you're playing us. I think you led us here on purpose, and for some sick reason, you wanted Harmony, a teenage girl, to find that incantation and read it. What are you trying to do? Lead us out and then destroy her when you have the chance?"
Adira just glares at the baseless accusations.
"Come on, Cass," Rapunzel walks up to her along with Harmony. "Listen to yourself."
"Cass. You're being ridiculously out of line. Adira saved us from the Forest of No Return and gave us a scroll piece. Why are you being so antagonistic towards her?"
"Rapunzel, Harmony, I'm telling you right now, we need to get out of this tree, but more importantly, we need to lose Adira before she gets us all killed," Cass insists to them.
"If Adira hadn't helped us in the first place, I'd be dead in the hands of that sadistic freak!" Harmony hisses as she points to where they were. "And we wouldn't have even gotten this far! Is that what you want?"
"Of course not, but you did use the decay incantation, so maybe you should go back to the entrance with Adira-"
"We can't do that, Cass," Rapunzel interrupts her.
"What do you mean you can't do that? Of course you can. Are you two that obliviously naïve that you can't see-"
"ENOUGH, Cassandra!" Rapunzel screams at her friend.
"You know what? Maybe we shouldn't listen to you talk bad about a friend, Cass! Maybe you aren't being a good friend if you can't see what you're doing here!"
Her eyes widen as her mouth drops open. Everyone looks on in shock at the exchange. Cass steps back, letting go of their arms. She couldn't believe it; her friends were angry at her, but she was just trying to protect them. Harmony also was the one who almost killed them.
"No one is getting rid of anyone! And we are not sending Harmi back now! She just lost control! That doesn't make her any less my sister or to be cut from the group for that! Is that clear?" Rapunzel yells at Cass defensively. Harmony stares up at her sister, holding her hand gently. Varian looks between her and Cass, not sure what to feel...
Cass looks towards the others, who are shocked by her tone. She squeezes her eyes shut, narrowing her eyes at them.
"Yes, your highness...I'll keep first watch." She walks past the two to be alone, Rapunzel wondering if she was alright. She thought of Adira as a friend as well...she helped out her sister, encouraged her to use her power for good...even if that seemed impossible to anyone else. She tucks a bang behind her ear, staring to where she left.
"Rapunzel...my mistake is why Cass is angry," Harmony holds her arm. "I should have never trusted that incantation..."
"No, Harmi," Rapunzel bends down to her, holding her shoulders. "It's my fault. I didn't protect you. And I'm sorry for pushing you to use it when you didn't want to. We just...all got a little carried away, that's all. We'll talk about it later."
She kisses her sister's forehead as she walks off to go set up camp. Harmony sighs slowly, trying to calm herself down. This is exactly what she didn't want when she held that scroll. Why would the ghost girl turn her against her friends like that out of her free will?
"Are you gonna be okay?" Varian whispers softly, stepping in front of her.
"I suppose..." She looks away, rubbing the side of her neck. "But from now on...I'm not using that incantation unless I absolutely have to...wait a minute!"
Her eyes widen as she steps back a bit, thinking to herself. "I can't believe we didn't see it sooner. Vari, that incantation...you experienced how powerful it was, right?"
"Yeah...?" He raises a brow, wondering where she's going with this. He gasps in realization. "You...you really think...?"
"Yeah..." She nods slowly, smiling weakly. "This could really free Quirin..."
"We...we found it!" He grabs her waist, spinning her around. Despite all that happened, she lets out a laugh anyway because he looks so happy. "Wait, wait, wait..." He puts her down to look at her in the eye. "But you hate that incantation. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable asking you to do it again."
"Yeah, but...you spent these entire 6 months trying to figure out the answer to free him, and you couldn't find it. Now that we have it...well, I'm willing to do that for you, Vari. I'll be fine using it."
He smiles at the girl, touched that she's making that sacrifice for him. "Are you...really sure, Mona? I know how much you feel about it..."
"...Yes," She smiles back at him. "I'll do it for Quirin."
He hugs her gratefully, turning towards the others.
"Guys, guys! That incantation could free my dad! If it can destroy anything, then it has to work!"
"You guys, you did it!" Rapunzel engulfs them in a group hug.
"Yeah!" Everyone else cheers at the news, Adira simply clapping. Sure, she might hate singing that song, but Varian deserved his father back. He already gave up focusing on his father back on the island, and now she gets to return the favor by doing this when they return to Corona.
And she's perfectly fine with that. Besides, it couldn't be any worse than when she had to work with Morgan and Staylan for Eugene.
"This is amazing!" Rapunzel exclaimed inside the Corona castle. She was walking through the halls with Cass and Harmony, who had returned just yesterday. Harmony still had only her brown hair in a bun, but also had the moon symbol. However, it hadn't been active ever since her older sister returned. Rapunzel was holding a bunch of books from the library, where they stumbled upon the young princess. She didn't wanna come on the tour since she was reading, but her older sister begged her to.
"You haven't seen anything yet, your highness," Cass stated to her. "This is just the east wing."
"I still can't get over that library. Are you sure that I can go anytime I want?" She looked past the books, Pascal on the top of her short, brown hair.
"You're the princesses. You can do whatever you want," Cass looked over her shoulder. She led Rapunzel to her room, which was mostly unpainted walls for now. "Forgive me, your highness, but I couldn't help but notice you tend to collect...everything," She looked up at the birthday lanterns hanging from Rapunzel's ceiling.
"I can't help it," Rapunzel smiled sheepishly. "It's all so new. Don't you love it, Harmi?"
"Perhaps," Harmony inspected the room. She had been calling Harmony that since this morning. Not that she minded, but she still had to get used to it. "Do you wish to paint this room once you have settled in, sister?"
"Of course I do! How's your first day being back in Corona?"
"It has been very exhausting unpacking, but I did miss home..." Harmony stated, Daisy nuzzling her cheek.
"Well, I got you both something you might find useful," Cass held up a light blue bag and then a yellow one in the same style.
"Oh my gosh, Cassandra!" Rapunzel threw her books up into the air. Two of them landed on Pascal and Daisy. "Thank you! I love it. This is so thoughtful. Look at it. I can put all kinds of things inside it. Books and fruit, and paint supplies, seashells. And they're in our favorite colors to remind ourselves of each other!" She gasped toward her sister.
"Thank you, Cassandra," Harmony stated with a bow of her head, taking the bag into her hands.
"Yeah, you can put whatever you want in it."
"Thank you so much," Rapunzel hugged her, pulling Harmony into it. Harmony hugged her as well, Cass feeling a little surprised.
"Okay. Huh, sure."
"And not just for these gifts, but for everything you've shown me these past few days," Rapunzel pulled back with a grateful smile. "I am so, so lucky to have someone like you that I can trust and to help me adjust. Well, Harmi too with princess stuff. I don't know what I would do here without either of you. You're a good friend, Cassandra, and I couldn't ask for a better little sister."
"Call me, Cass, your highness."
"Only if you call me Rapunzel, Cass," Rapunzel winked at her.
"And Harmony for me, please," Harmony gestured to herself.
"You know, a little birdie told me that you like archery," Cass smirked a little at the young princess. "How about a match?"
"R-Really?" Harmony's eyes lit up and then she cleared her throat, realizing that she is still a princess first and foremost. "Yes, that is correct. I shall go to my chambers and gather my things to meet outside."
Rapunzel still has that same bag around her right shoulder, and she had since customized it with flowers and keychains. She did the same thing with Harmony's bag for her 15th birthday, but it's decorated with stars instead, and a little archer charm.
They both look towards Cass, who's holding her sword with her head down. Eugene and Varian join their sides.
"I don't get it, Eugene," Rapunzel states in worry. "I have never seen Cass act like this before."
"I know she doesn't like Adira, but she took it too far this time..." Harmony sighs slowly, crossing her arms.
"Yeah. Angry, brooding, impatient, I'm stunned," Eugene rolls his eyes.
"You know what I mean," Rapunzel defends, frowning a little. "Ever since we left Corona, she's been...different."
"Because she is. We all are, Blondie," Eugene explains to her.
"Yeah...this trip has changed us. We're all trying to achieve our own goals," Varian smiles a little.
"We've all had to make some adjustments since leaving Corona. We're not the same people we were six months ago and, well, why would Cass be any different?"
Rapunzel sighs a bit. "It's just that ever since I've known Cass, it's like...she seems so...together."
"She's never been this...insistent on things," Harmony stares at the woman again. "I mean, telling me to go back to the entrance, knowing that this is the only way to continue?"
"You, of all people, should know things aren't always what they seem," Eugene gives a small smile. He gestures for the girls to go talk to Cass.
Varian helps Harmony up and gently pushes her towards them. "I'm sure you'll work things out."
The two sisters join Cass' side, staying in silence for a few seconds. "So, earlier...that got awkward, huh?"
"Huh. Which part?" Cass retorts back.
"I know. It's been an unusual day," Rapunzel looks away, Harmony closing her eyes.
"You know it's not just about Adira, right? I mean, she's a jerk and I can't stand her, but it's just...Since when did you stop trusting my judgement? Or understand that after Hector, I'm just trying to protect you?"
"Cass..." Harmony opens her eyes. "I'm not saying I don't trust you, but you have to understand that not everyone is an enemy." Cass raises a skeptical brow at her. "Okay, yes, sometimes you're right, but you need to understand that you're my friend just as much as Adira is! And I don't need protection 24/7."
"Cass, you are the closest thing that I will ever have to a big sister," Rapunzel sits in front of her. "But we're not those naïve girls fresh out of the tower or castle anymore. I am going to be queen someday. And I can promise you, I'm going to make decisions that you're going to disagree with, and I need you to be okay with that."
Cass smiles a little. "I'm sorry for what I said...but I'm not sorry for trying to grow up," Harmony whispers softly. "These powers taught me that I have to mature and fight for myself. I didn't come on this trip to have another person like Papa..."
The woman nods slowly in understanding.
"Well, we better get some rest," Rapunzel gets onto her feet. She lets out a yawn, looking at her friend. "I'm on the next shift."
The two walk off, Harmony joining Varian's side. He turns around and hugs her waist. A hum escapes his lips as he nuzzles into her shoulder.
Guess we all are born with parts to play
Suddenly the halfway point has little light except for the one over her. She looks over her shoulder to see everyone else asleep.
Some of us are stars, and some are just in the way
She walks past them, Owl flying over her.
I know I was meant for glory
But that's never what my story brings
Cass holds her arm, looking away. She takes a deep breath.
And yet I keep on waiting
When you have the passion and the drive
She lightly touches a stone depicting a great warrior on a horse.
You expect your moment center stage to arrive
She walks into a room full of warrior statues.
I show up with heart ablazing
Ready to achieve amazing things
Inside...she's frustrated and tired that she hasn't proven herself lately. Adira or someone else is always stepping in to do what she could do.
But I'm left waiting in the wings
I hear my cue
And yet I'm kept there waiting
She slowly pulls out her sword.
Know what to do
And still I stand there waiting
The statues light up, their spirits riding away just to show how overlooked she is.
It's always someone else who sings
She slowly lowers her arm, closing her eyes.
While I'm left waiting in the wings
And so I keep on keeping on
She raises her sword to the sky again, the spirits riding around her.
My chances come and then I blink and they're gone
Always overlooked unfairly
Cass plants her sword back in her hilt again.
While pretending that it barely stings
She gives a hurt look. She never spoke up because she doesn't want to hurt her friends, including Rapunzel and Harmony.
But it stings, yes, it stings
And I'll shed no tears
I'll only keep on waiting
She looks around at all the statues.
If no one cheers,
Well, I can keep on waiting
She steps up to the edge.
Who cares how loud the silence rings
You'll find me waiting in the wings...
She hugs herself, walking over to a pillar and pressing her back against it. She slides onto the ground, eyes closed. A snarl is heard and she looks up to see the two badgers. She steps away from them, only to be grabbed from behind to face Hector.
"You guys couldn't take a hint? Now I gotta finish you."
"Let her go, Hector," Adira speaks up and he looks to see her standing a few feet away.
"Heh." He tosses Cass away and she slides to a stop on the ground. The two glare at each other before circling around. Hector pulls out his sword, the sound getting the attention of the two princesses. They sit up, rubbing their eyes and looking up ahead to see what's going on.
Rapunzel gasps sharply, "Adira!"
"And just so we won't be interrupted or that the Moonstone is safe before I destroy her..." Hector gestures for his badgers to run towards Harmony. Rapunzel is about to push her away when a badger growls in front of her and she cringes. A badger chomps on Harmony's ponytail, dragging her backwards. Daisy falls off the girl in the struggle, chirping in a panic.
"No! RAPUNZEL!"
"HARMI!" She calls out, the others waking up.
"Mona, no!" Varian stands up in alarm.
Hector cuts away a large pillar, Rapunzel looking up at it. It lands in front of the group, Harmony brought in front of Hector. He forcefully grabs her arm and points his sword at her head, wrapping an arm around her neck. The girl struggles to pull his arm off, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Now then..." He runs up to Adira, swinging his sword at her. She moves out of the way from his attacks, swinging her legs around to kick him. He holds up Harmony as a shield and she has to hold back from hurting her. He smiles sadistically and punches Adira, knocking her back a few feet. She gestures for Harmony to elbow him and she does, knocking him back a bit. He flips and lands on his feet, laughing at them.
"Turquoise, go check on Short Hair."
Harmony scrambles onto her feet, running over to Cass' side. "Cass? Are you okay?"
Hector jumps onto a platform, spinning around to clash swords with Adira. She steps back while defending herself. "It's sad to see the once mighty Adira waste her life on a fool's dream and to protect the Moonstone."
She ducks her head and blocks weapons with him again. "Talk about wasting lives..." She kicks him in the stomach. "You and the brothers spent yours hiding something no one was even looking for. Until somehow, Princess Harmony got possession of it. And now she's trying to save the people she loves by harnessing that power for good!"
"The moonstone has the power to destroy the world," He gestures to Harmony. "Keeping its existence secret and to eventually destroy it was the king's wish." The others can hear the conversation as a badger is growling at them, keeping guard. "And to do anything otherwise is treason!"
He smiles wickedly, running towards Adira. She stands up bravely and blocks his blows. She moves away from a pillar, which Hector cuts. It falls as the two continue to battle. Adira takes hold of Hector's arm, throwing him onto the ground.
"I've seen the sundrop's power firsthand, Hector. And so will you when we return to the Dark Kingdom," She smiles, holding out her hand to him.
"That'll never happen," He grabs her hand and throws her into the wall.
"Adira!" Harmony holds out a hand, worried.
"I'm sorry it came to this, sister..." He walks right up to Harmony. "You're coming with me."
"Never!"
She tries to run, but he kicks her in the back, knocking her onto the floor. He wraps his arm around her neck, jumping onto the pillar. He points his sword at her head again, Rapunzel gasping.
"Harmi!"
"Let her go!" Varian glares at him, about to step forward.
"One more step and I'll end her right here."
His eyes widen as everyone glares at him in hatred. As much as they want to help Harmony, they know better than to question Hector right now. After all, he has a sword pointed at her head.
"And now..." He lands in front of them. "For the so-called moonstone. Witness at firsthand, sundrop."
Harmony squeezes her eyes shut, lip quivering in fear.
"Leave them alone."
They look to the side to see Cass standing there bravely, holding her sword.
"Brave child," He walks up to the woman. She grips her weapon, glaring at the man. "Stupid, but brave."
"You want the sundrop and moonstone? You gotta go through me first. Now put. Her. Down."
"...Kay," He lets go of Harmony, pushing her onto the ground.
"Harmi," Rapunzel runs up to her, pulling the girl into a relieved hug. Varian smiles gratefully that she's not hurt or worse. Cass runs up to Hector, jumping up with her sword raised in the air. He ducks his head as she swings, kicking her backwards.
"You wanna try that again? Well, come on," He knocks her onto the floor, her sword sliding to a stop at the edge. She grunts as she tries to move, falling back down. "Tell me, lady-in-waiting..." He steps in front of her, stomping on the hand that was reaching towards her sword. She glares up at his sadistic smile. "What are you waiting for?"
"Funny you should ask," She throws sand into his face, distracting him. She pushes him all the way to the edge and throws him off. He screams as he falls, the badgers running up to her.
"Cassandra!" The two sisters shout. She jumps past them as they fall to their master, apparently gone. Cass pants a little, a bit dirty with soot. Hector falls through the vines and lands on the ground below. He looks up and sees something up ahead.
"The heart of Zhan Tiri's tree..."
He gets up and recoils back his sword. "Forgive me for unleashing the evil that sleeps within, and for allowing the moonstone to live a minute longer!" He steps up to the heart, where the enchanted spear is still stuck in like it has for all these years. He pulls out the spear. "For King Edmund."
The heart starts to turn green, the vines wrapping around him. He stabs at them, but the vines grab his arms, wrapping around his body. His eyes widen at what's happening...and then his skin turns a pale green, his pupils pure white. The vines start to lift him up.
Harmony gasps sharply, her eyes opening as she looks at the edge. "Guys...we have a problem," She looks at the walls.
"I can see why. You hear that?" Rapunzel asks as wind is blowing.
"Yeah, in my experience, growing rumbles never lead to good things," Eugene walks up to Lance and Varian.
"It's big..." Harmony murmurs slowly as the walls glow green, the vines coming to life. Some move away to reveal Hector himself holding the spear.
"Oh no, he didn't," Harmony backs up a bit. "He touched the heart of the Great Tree! He unleashed its power!"
"He did what?!" Varian screeches in shock, staring at the man.
"See? He has the enchanted spear Adira told us about," Harmony points up at what's in his left hand. "And what's worse, the evil magic has possessed him!"
He looks up and growls towards them. "All who enter the Great Tree of Zhan Tiri shall be destroyed!"
They take off into a run as the vines start to attack them. Max joins the group as they're surrounded. "The tree! It's alive."
"Do you remember when being chased by a rhino was the weirdest thing we had to do this weekend?" Eugene comments, a vine appearing in front of him. He jumps out of the way and Lance slices it to pieces. Eugene starts doing the same, the three horses running away from the edge. Cass pushes back a vine as hard as she can, the sisters ducking their heads.
"Cass!"
Another vine appears behind Cass. "Watch out," Rapunzel tosses her hair, capturing her friend. She pulls Cass to safety as Harmony throws up her hands, destroying the two vines with black rocks. "Gotta watch that flank." She winks and Cass smiles.
Adira jumps from a vine, running up it and slicing another in half. She kicks the spear out of Hector's hand, and it touches the bottom, turning part of it black. Cass notices this and realizes that the spear could defeat him!
Hector grabs Adira's foot as a vine knocks her away. She presses a hand to the ground, sliding safely to a stop. She watches as more vines wrap around Hector. Several try to grab Adira, Rapunzel snatching them into a bundle. She pulls it down and Harmony destroys them with some black rocks. The others are defending themselves as best as they can. Cass gets knocked away by a vine.
"Cassandra!" Hook Foot's leg gets captured and he's lifted up into the air.
"Hook!" Eugene screams and a vine wraps around Varian's waist.
"Help!" He shouts as he's taken away.
"Varian!" Lance yells, but the two men are captured as well.
"Eugene!" Rapunzel rushes over to help and gets knocked into a trunk.
"Vari!" Harmony gets the same treatment, and when they get up, they see that Max, Silver, Fidella, and Adira can't hold on much longer. They look to the others as they're trying to get out, but they can't. Rapunzel stands up, looking to her sister.
"Harmi...there's only one way to stop him."
She looks up at her in confusion and then realizes what she's asking her to do. "Rapunzel, I can't control it. What if it happens again?"
"You can do it, I know you can! I believe in you."
Her eyes widen as she hesitates. If she uses it again...she might hurt someone. But she had to save her friends too.
"I'm sorry to have to ask you this, but...you need to do the right thing," Rapunzel places a hand on her shoulder. "Please understand the situation we're in right now."
"...I...understand," Harmony closes her eyes. "I'll do it."
She stands up and walks over to the base. She touches it with her hands and Cass gasps, realizing what she's doing.
"Raps, wait! She can't do that incantation again," Cass calls out, almost to the spear.
"I don't have a choice in this, Cass," Harmony looks over her shoulder. "I don't like this anymore than you do."
"Please, girls. That spear can kill it. Let me try and grab it. Trust me," Cass reaches her hand out to it and the vines squeeze Eugene and Varian.
"Eugene..." Rapunzel looks up in worry from his cries of pain. "She has to do this."
"No!" Cass cries out and Harmony looks up at Hector. She braces herself and closes her eyes.
"Whither and decay, end this destiny. Break these earthly chains, and set the spirit free..." Her hair turns black and 70 feet long again, wrapping around the base and vines. She opens her eyes as they're now black with green pupils. The ceiling starts crumbling down on them. "Whither and decay, end this destiny. Break these earthly chains, and set the spirit free."
Everyone is free from the vines except for Cass, who's still staring at Harmony. "Whither and decay, end this destiny," She continues to recite. Eugene looks up to see Rapunzel getting a bit weak.
"Rapunzel!"
"Mona," Varian murmurs in worry. Lance and Varian help Eugene up.
"Break these earthly chains...Lance, Varian, Rapunzel, go!"
"But Princess..." Lance cringes a bit at Harmony.
"I can't just leave you here!" Rapunzel protests to her sister, who turns around to them fiercely.
"Now! Go!"
The two boys nod as they get Eugene out a hole, Ruddiger and Daisy following. The vines finally break from Cass, who grabs the spear and runs past everyone else leaving. Adira is also set free and runs away from the wall.
"I got this, Cass. Go! Take my sister and get out of here!" Harmony tells them.
"You heard her. Let's go," Adira places a hand on Cass' shoulder.
"No. I'm not leaving her. Harmony, please let go," Cass walks up to her.
"Cass, no! Wait!" Rapunzel calls out.
"Break these earthly chains...I can't leave now! And set the spirit free."
"What are you waiting for?" Cass asks the girl, who turns back to them.
"I have to see this through. This tree can't stay like this any longer!" She protests to Cass, looking up as Hector's vines start to turn grey. Cass touches Harmony's arm...and then her glove burns off. She screams in pain at the burn.
"CASS, NO!" Rapunzel screams, tending to her side. Harmony finally stops upon hearing her cry of pain, running over to them.
"Cass, I told you I had it!" Harmony shouts, holding her head in horror at her hand.
"I-I could have stopped it. You should have let me try."
The two say nothing as they stare at her burn.
"Listen," They look up at Hector. "Your friend is right. Adira is lying to you."
Adira glares up at him. "You shut up!" Harmony points up at the man. "You tried to kill me!"
"She...she might have you think she's helping you to find your destinies, but if you go to the Dark Kingdom, you're doomed."
Rapunzel could only stare as the base crumbles and he falls. "No!"
"Rapunzel, Harmony," They look up at Adira. "Stay on the path. All our destinies lie within you." And with that, she takes the spear and jumps off the platform.
"Adira!"
"No!" Harmony cries out, both of them looking up. A large rock heads for them and the two grab Cass, running towards the exit. The walls start to crack inside as the three jump to the other side. The Great Tree crumbles and sinks to the ground. Rapunzel looks over the edge as Adira removes a piece of tree, looking up at the two princesses. They smile in relief, the badgers taking their masters away. Adira follows after them...
They know she'll be back.
"Mona!"
Harmony turns around and sees Varian running towards her. "Vari," She murmurs happily as he engulfs her into a big hug.
Cass groans and the two stare at her. "Oh, Cass. Your hand. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine," She grits her teeth.
"I'm so sorry!" Harmony blinks back tears. "But I told you-"
"I said I'm fine!" Cass turns to the girl sharply.
"But you're hurt..."
"I know," She states to Rapunzel, looking behind them. The three look in her direction to see pieces of armor laying around. "But it won't happen again."
They look at her one last time before walking away and she looks at the armor.
"So...what now?" Eugene asks with both Pascal and Daisy on his shoulders.
"What should we do?" Varian stares at Harmony and for a few seconds, neither of them say anything. They stare up ahead at the black rocks. Rapunzel dusts away some sand to see a black rock pointing forward.
"It's your call, girls."
They turn around to Cass, who's changed into the armor. She tosses their bags to them and they look to their friend.
"This path has been laid out for us...There is no turning back," Rapunzel places her bag over her shoulder. "We are going to the Dark Kingdom. But before we leave, I think it's time we all have a talk..." Rapunzel looks to her sister, who holds her arm, eyes closed. "Harmi...can you explain what happened the first time?"
"How?! I don't even know what happened!" She gestures to herself, so confused still. Why would the voice who told her to come here try to turn her against her friends?
"Were you just caught up in the song that you couldn't stop yourself?" Eugene asks softly, as he's been told what happened.
"What reason would I have to do that?" She asks incredibly. "A voice spoke to me and then told me what Rapunzel did during the storm about the evacuation, but I wasn't mad. She tried to turn me against you for what happened last year, but I didn't want to do it. I swear, I'm not angry for the storm or Varian or any of that!"
"Wait...you mean when I ordered the evacuation while you were still out in the storm?" Rapunzel wonders slowly. "Did you recognize that voice?"
"Yes...it was my imaginary friend," Harmony nods slowly. "She...tried to get me to continue the spell and then suddenly...I-I felt those tiny suppressed feelings I had after the storm coming back again, but I didn't want to feel any of it again. I..."
Cass is looking on furiously, clenching her right fist. She almost killed them and her excuse was that she has an imaginary friend? She has deep injuries because of that incantation! She pushes past Eugene, glaring down at the girl.
"Or maybe it was because you still harbor anger towards your sister for what she did?"
"What?" Harmony is baffled by her questioning, wondering if this was an interrogation. "No!"
"Believe me, I regret that decision still, but Harmi wouldn't turn against us," Rapunzel places her hands on Harmony's shoulders from behind. "She said so herself: she forgives us for what we've done. She's had a year to think about her feelings and how to handle things from now on."
"Tell that to my arm, Rapunzel!" Cass holds up her right arm, Harmony wincing as she remembers clearly what happened. "You wouldn't stop singing because you still hate us for what happened. We all turned you away, and you did this to get back at us."
"No, I would never!" Harmony says furiously, the others looking at each other and then at the two in concern. Cass seems to be going a bit too far, and it might be because it's personal. And Harmony might have been angry at first for last year, but having negative feelings towards her sister wasn't going to help her get to the Dark Kingdom. She realized that long ago, and she loved her big sister. Her relationship with Rapunzel was more important than something she already got over.
"Cass, I think you need to stop," Eugene calls out before she said something she might regret.
"Then why would you continue the incantation if you didn't want to betray us?" Cass grits her teeth, ignoring Eugene. "You're the smartest girl we know and yet all you can chalk it up to someone only you could see? That's not a reason, it's a lie to save face for your intentions to stab us in the back. Why did you do it, Harmony?!"
"Cassandra," Rapunzel holds out a hand as Harmony grips her hair, squeezing her eyes shut.
"I TOLD YOU I DON'T KNOW!" She sobs uncontrollably, shocking all of them. "I don't know anything anymore!" She looks at her hands through her tears. "I-It's like it's suffocating me and I can't figure out what to do for the first time in my life!"
"Okay, okay, shh..." Rapunzel calms her down, kneeling in front of the girl. She pulls the girl into a comforting hug as she continues to cry into her sister's chest.
"Rapunzel..." She looks up at the blonde, eyes slightly red as the tears stream down her face. "Am I a bad person? Am I...am I really evil?"
The others look on sadly and with sympathy. The wielder of the moonstone is just a little girl...she shouldn't have to shoulder this alone, or to have to wonder who she really is. They know Harmony...she wouldn't do this of her own free will.
"Of course not, I love you," Rapunzel holds her cheeks, wiping away the tears. "You just lost control, that's all. We can help you, little sister...trust me, you can control this. You don't have to worry about who you are with us."
"Okay..."
"That's not who you are, Mona," Varian says softly, stepping up to them. "You know exactly who you are...don't ever forget that."
He gets onto his knees and hugs her from behind.
The boys and animals give Cass a look for what she did. Harmony might have hurt them earlier, but she just lost control. And yet Cass was making it seem like she's this evil person inside that really wants to hurt them...
Cass clamps her mouth shut and storms off. Eugene narrows his eyes and goes after her. Once they're at a safe distance away from the others, he grips her arm, stopping her in place.
"What was that?" He demands angrily. "Cassandra, you looked like you were about to hit her. Harmony's just a kid! A good, sweet kid. And you know that. All she wants to be normal again."
"Who did this!" Cass removes her glove to reveal the burnt arm. "Do you really believe her?"
"Yes, I do," Eugene states, sure of himself. If Harmony said that a voice was trying to get her to turn evil, then he had no choice but to believe her. She's the closest thing he has to a little sister, and he just wants to make her happy like a big brother does. And by her horror and crying, she truly regrets what happened the past two days.
"I may not understand how it happened...but she's not a liar, no matter how crazy it seems. With all the things we have been through, it's not impossible that this kind of thing would happen with Harmony! That look in her eyes..." He glances away, remembering the tears that came out of her face with the Great Tree. "This is more than she bargained for. And as her friends, we have a choice to help her get through this. I just hope you make it too."
He goes back to comforting Harmony, joining Rapunzel and Varian in hugging her. Cass watches as Eugene strokes her hair softly. True, they have been through a lot...but only she heard that voice, and she made the choice to continue singing and to use that incantation after the fact. After all this...
She's not sure what to believe.
Later that night, everyone else is sleeping on the grass in a forest nearby a lake. Varian, however, can't sleep. The truth of his father is still in the back of his mind...he couldn't fathom it. At one end, his father wasn't as ruthless as Hector in the Brotherhood, but on the other end, he also didn't bring any of this up before he was trapped in the amber...
But he could never be angry at his father now that he gets a sense of why he didn't know. And something in his mind tells him that he won't be confronting his father with this information until he was ready to talk about it...which was fine with him.
He glances to his girlfriend laying down on the grass, surrounded by little daisies. Her hands are on her stomach as she looks up at the stars. He can tell that she can't get any sleep either...
Varian gets onto his feet and approaches her. She doesn't seem to have heard him as she doesn't look his way. He lays down in the grass next to her, taking the same position that she is.
"Hey."
"...Hey," She replies so quietly he almost didn't hear. He turns his head to look at her.
"Are you okay?"
She snorts, closing her eyes. What a ridiculous question to ask. "Not really. Cass is pretty much furious with me...I endangered everyone's lives...and for the life of me, all I can ask myself is why my imaginary friend from 5 years ago would do this."
He clamps his mouth shut, looking back up the sky. He watches as a shooting star flies past the crescent moon. Drumming his fingers against his stomach, he takes a deep breath.
"Mona...I know you're upset, but...you know I don't think of you as...well, you know..."
She opens her brown orbs, a bit hesitant. "Thanks...for saying that."
"I wanna let you know that you're not alone in this," He places his hand on top of hers, interlocking their fingers together. Despite him having his gloves on, she can still feel the sincerity and warmth from this boy... "I know it's hard. It's almost like what I'm going through with Dad..." He closes his eyes, shaking his head. They may have the answer now, but Quirin must be suffering in there...not even knowing where his son...or how he's doing. "But...I have you. And you have me. So...if you ever need to, just talk to me...whenever you want to, of course."
"I… I'm not sure if I really want this kind of power anymore," She squeezes her eyes shut. "When I started this trip and had so much control, I thought I could use them for good…I guess that was foolish thinking."
"…No," Varian opens his eyes. "I get it. That's what you tried to do for my father when I…" He doesn't finish his sentence as they didn't have to say it out loud to understand what exactly he's trying to say. "Anyway… I think that's a first, trying to use it to help others. That's definitely something you would do…try to make the best of things no matter how bad it can be."
Both of them chuckle lightly.
"Yeah…but after what happened…I'm not sure if I want to keep these powers after we reach the Dark Kingdom. Maybe it's better off to give them up after I free your father…"
"If that's what you end up doing, then…I support you, Mona."
She squeezes his hand slightly, and then she finally turns to look at him. He tilts his head to see those same eyes staring into him, and a small smile appears on her lips between all the flowers surrounding her face. They don't even compare to her features. He smiles back too and bites his lip.
"Um..." He clears his throat. "Wanna dance with me?"
"You?" She raises a brow. "Now this I have to see. You haven't danced since my birthday."
"Hey," He replies in a fake hurt tone. "If you haven't noticed, we've been traveling to the Dark Kingdom for six months!"
Harmony lets out a small chuckle and he helps her onto her feet. "I take it that's a yes?"
She steps forward and gently takes hold of his hand. "Yeah...I'll dance with you."
He smiles sweetly as his other hand moves onto her waist. The night falls sweet around them, stars joining together as if to give them a single spotlight by the lake. Together, they dance in slow movement which they don't seem to mind.
Harmony then starts humming and Varian hums along with her. They move away from the others so as not to disturb them. After going through so much, both of them feel like in this moment, they don't have anything weighing on their shoulders. No decay incantation, no hidden lives, no pain...
Varian spins them around slightly, Harmony almost doing a little hop. Heels click together in the grass as they feel like they don't even need to look at their feet. Almost like the moonlight is giving them everything they needed right now: a reason to move forward with this trip.
He stares into her eyes as they continue humming in tune. No particular song, and they didn't care. It matches perfectly with the dance. Varian spins them around again and again until he holds her hands, lifting her up as they continue spinning. She lets out a laugh as she feels like she's flying and then he puts her back down.
He presses his forehead to hers. Together, they could move on...together they could handle anything that comes their way. She gives him the strength to try and make himself a better person—not just for himself, but for everyone.
"I love you," He whispers softly to her.
"...I love you too," She hums, giving him a brief kiss. He wraps an arm around her waist as they continue to dance the night away.
Sure, they'll be tired to walk the next morning, but all that matters right now is them.
Angel: The idea of Harmony being angry towards everyone came from reaperking100. No, this does not mean Harmony will turn completely evil. If anything, this incident with her was more like suppressed feelings she had. I kind of got the dance from Steven Universe, you know, when Ruby and Sapphire first met. I thought it'd be good for the two, they really needed it after everything.