The Miracle
A/N: In this chapter Eugene learns how to heal; and the true extent of his new found power; a power many times greater than he or Amanda first thought…
A/N#2: This story "kind of" follows my other stories, so you might recognize a few of my OCs here that are still awaiting their full development there… I am also providing this spoiler alert. That said; I hope not to spoil things too much.
A/N#3: This is my own tear transference story. I hope you enjoy it. And, oh yes, I do not own Tangled or its primary characters, though I do own mine and the idea…
Chapter Seven: The Tactic Learned, Part 2
The tear, falling from Eugene's jawline and making its way towards the injured bird seemed to slow as it fell. To those watching, it seemed like it would never reach its target. When it finally did, it was almost anti-climactic as at first nothing seemed to happen.
"Eugene…" Kimberly sighed, as she looked at her son in absolute awe.
"Mama…?" Eugene replied, perplexed at her tone.
"Oh, honey. Would you look at that?" Kimberly asked as she gestured for her son to look down at the injured bird.
At first Eugene could not believe what he was seeing, nor could anyone else for that matter. Nothing in any of the seven's previous experiences, to include that of Eugene as he had thrice seen the glow of Rapunzel's hair, prepared them for what they were to witness.
As they all watched, the injured bird began to glow from within with a surreal golden glow. The glow began at the point where the tear drop had landed and quickly absorbed into the injured wing and slowly began to spread outward. As it spread, it gained in intensity; soon bathing the entire room in a heavenly glow. As the stunned onlookers watched, the once broken wing slowly straightened and reformed itself, the broken bones miraculously healed by the power of the sun. The blindingly bright glow of the tear drop spread and shaped itself in the form of a most miraculous flower with multi-hued tendrils fanning out to all the corners of the room as they spread and spiraled about, flitting here and there as they wound their way around the room before fading back into the bird's flank. The glow faded to nothingness, plunging the room into a momentary darkness as the onlooker's eyes re-adjusted themselves.
"Wow!" William and Catherine replied as they watched the now uninjured bird slowly stand in Eugene's hand and gaze up at him as if a savior, which he was, in a way. He gingerly exercised his wing a few times, playfully nipped at Eugene's thumb before flying gracefully out the open balcony doors.
The now quite stunned collection of Coronian citizens all sputtered out, "The power of the sun…?"
"Yes." The spectral visions of Katelyn and Kimberly stated.
"What else can it do?"
Katelyn and Kimberly, knowing what was to come later, decided to play it safe and simply say, "It can do whatever Eugene wishes it to."
"Wishes it to?" Eugene asked, quite perplexed by this newest revelation.
"Yes, within reason of course." Kimberly stated with a seriousness that was not missed by those present and was taken to mean that he did not have the power of life over death. Of course, as events were to play out, this could not be further from the truth.
"Eugene, please be careful and listen to the inner voice of the Wirkungen as it is sure not to mislead you." Katelyn stated as she and Kimberly slowly faded from view.
"Oh, mama." The tearful Eugene and Amanda sighed as they were both embraced warmly by William and Catherine.
"So, Eugene, would you like to get something to eat so that you do not appear too scrawny when Rapunzel returns in three days' time?" Catherine asked, attempting and succeeding to lighten the mood.
"That would be most wonderful, Catherine."
"Dinner should be ready any time now, I should think." William added, as he heard the clock tolling six in the not so distant village square.
"Let's eat then!" Eugene happily shouted as he was the first to run out the door, quickly making his way towards the dining room.
"EUGENE!" The four shouted, happy to see the true self of Eugene roaring back.
"What took you so long?" Eugene happily asked as the others reached the ornately decorated dining room.
"EUGENE!"
Dinner was a quiet affair as both Amanda and Eugene seemed deep in reflective thought. In order to spare them any further heartache, the other's attempted to keep the conversation light and airy, instead concentrating on the coming Ioian Ball of Celebration. This gala affair, lasting four days and culminating in perhaps the biggest formal ball of the year, was set to celebrate the wonderful relationship enjoyed by the four Kingdoms' of Constella, Corona, Estrella, and Orion as they renewed almost one hundred years of unity.
The next morning as the sun began to rise, and after having the first nightmare free sleep in almost two weeks, Eugene awoke refreshed and ready to face the world. He quickly dressed in his favorite white shirt with blue vest and brown pants. He chose his favorite old boots as they were the most comfortable pair he owned as well as having a sentimental value as well.
"Good morning Eugene, out and about so early?" Catherine asked, quite surprised to see him up before noon, as she happened upon the young man as he reached the front foyer of the palace.
"Eugene, hear me … soon it will come…"
"I…, I tho…, I thought I would go out for a walk and get some fresh air, Catherine." Eugene stutteringly replied as he suddenly felt something that he was sure was very near.
"Are you going out far?" She asked, ever curious to see what was to happen next and wanting to be there to witness it first-hand.
"Eugene, the time has come; the weak shall suffer first…"
"I…, um. Yes. I thou…; I thought I might go to the orphanage to see the children. I haven't stopped by there in such a long time. They always seem to be most vulnerable despite the efforts we have recently made to improve their lot in life. If you will excuse me, I shall be on my way." Eugene abruptly replied as he turned and began to walk away, suddenly quite distracted by something or some…"
"Yes, Eugene. There is where you will find the pestilence's first victim. Be mindful of your surroundings…"
"Of course…" Eugene whispered to himself, almost silently.
Catherine, always observant of changes to the norm and knowing that it had been quite recently when he had last visited the orphans and sensing something more, decided that she would remain with Eugene, at least for the morning, as he suddenly seemed quite distracted by something.
"Eugene, wait! I wish to come too." Catherine replied as she jogged up to him.
"Of course, my ladyship," Eugene replied as he held his arm for her, "if I may?"
"Always the gentleman..." Catherine giggled, amazed at the politeness of the former Flynn Rider, as he gracefully took her arm and walked the pair towards the compound gate.
"Good morning, your highness; Sir Eugene." Sergeant Major Samuel stated as he bowed in respect to the pair as they walked up to the front gate.
"Yes, it is, Samuel." Catherine replied.
"Going for a little stroll around the village?"
"Um…, well. No, not really. I mean…, it has been so long since I visited the orphanage and all…" Eugene, his cheeks reddening, stammered out, his garbled speech surprising the veteran NCO.
"Are you alright, Eugene?" The concerned Samuel asked, he being perfectly aware of the orphanage visit made by both him and Rapunzel the day prior to her departure.
"Eugene, you must hurry…"
"Yes; of course." Eugene fibbed. He was not alright. He was downright terrified. How would he, by himself, stop the sickness and death?
"Take care, Eugene…" A concerned Samuel added as the pair walked off; he too walking towards the palace, intent on finding Rupert and Amanda to report Eugene's unusual behaviors.
"Eugene, are you alright?" Catherine finally asked as the pair walked in silence.
"To be perfectly honest, Catherine, I am terrified."
"Why?"
"It is time…" Eugene mumbled, more to himself.
"It is time, Eugene?" Catherine asked, surprised that the time was already upon them and grateful that Rapunzel was not due back for another two and a half days.
"Yes, Catherine. I have voices in my head telling me that I must go to the orphanage right now to stop the pestilence."
"Oh, so it indeed is time." Catherine decisively stated, even though she did not feel all that confident at the moment.
"Yes. It is indeed the time for action…" Eugene replied before suddenly stopping as he heard yet again another important piece of information.
"…Eugene, the pestilence is arriving from the docks."
"Soldier!" Eugene suddenly called to a nearby guard, his epiphany suddenly ringing out to him.
"Sir!"
"Go to the docks! Quickly! Tell them to kill all rodents they discover; with extreme prejudice! Set out all the traps you can. Burn the carcasses and ensure nothing, I repeat nothing remains! Destroy all the cargoes and ships arriving from Cretania; by fire; ensure nothing remains, not even ash!"
"Yes sir. Of course, Sir Eugene." The guard replied as he ran off to carry out the order.
"Yes, Eugene, the vectors of the pestilence will be destroyed, you have all under control … except for one sick child; one will be all it takes …"
"Catherine! We must hurry!" Eugene cried as he suddenly took off running the mile and a half to the orphanage.
"GO! I will catch up!" Catherine stated, as she turned to borrow a nearby soldier's horse.
Running like the wind, Eugene quickly arrived at the orphanage, much to the surprise of Nan, still the able caretaker even after thirty plus years.
"NAN!" Eugene shouted, out of breath.
"Eugene? What are you…?"
"There is no time. Are there any sick children?"
Nan, surprised by Eugene's question could only nod her head and gesture to a small room off the main hall.
"Little Becky must have been bitten by some sort of rodent during the night." Nan sadly said as she gestured to the obviously quite ill little blond haired, blued-eyed girl.
"She is the one. You are just in time. You know what to do…"
"Nan, please excuse me for a moment." Eugene asked as he, entered the room and softly closed the door.
"Of course." Nan replied, knowing that Eugene would explain all when he had a chance.
"Rest easy little one. I am here to help you, ok?" Eugene kindly said; he not even noticing the ugly boils beginning to form on her arms and legs.
"Um, ok…" Little Becky sadly sighed, the pain of the illness wracking her little body. She was mesmerized by the handsomeness of the one she once knew as Flynn Rider.
"Let's see. The tear is one way to heal. I wonder if my touch will work too; while I sing the song. I guess there is only one way to find out." Eugene softly spoke, more to himself, although Becky, Nan, and Catherine, who had just arrived, easily heard him. They all pondered the words spoken.
"Tear? Touch? Song? What song must he sing?" The three thought to themselves.
"Good, Eugene, good; you are listening to your feelings. The power will flow through you unimpeded now…"
Catherine was standing there with Nan and lightly conversing, after finally catching up with Eugene and was to be as amazed by what was to follow as was Nan, the other children, and, perhaps all the citizens of Io.
Eugene, taking a deep cleansing breath to relax and to draw in a new found power, gently placed his hands on Becky's forehead, grimacing at the extremely feverish touch, and distended stomach and began to sing…
"Yes, Eugene; you are indeed one with the Wirkungen…"
"Flower gleam and glow…,"
As he began to sing, the awesome power of the universe began to funnel through him; his normally hazel eyes began to glow with a surreal golden hue; as if his eyes were two miniature suns themselves. At first little Becky was frightened, but she soon relaxed as Eugene softly sang to her the song he had heard three times.
"…let your powers shine…,"
As he finished the second stanza, the glow of his eyes had spread to his entire head, lightly bathing the room in a golden light. Becky, completely amazed by the sight, was too awestruck to be frightened.
"…make the clock reverse…,"
The glow, spreading throughout his upper body and growing ever brighter, began to shine out the single window of the room and reflecting as many wonderful designs on the ground as a kaleidoscope would, and coming to the attention of Catherine and Nan as they softly conversed outside.
"What the…?" The two women asked, their eyes wide as they looked first to the other and then to the building, stunned into silence and immobilized by shock as they took in the sight of the eerily glowing Eugene visible, as he was, through the single window.
"…bring back once was mine…,"
The glow, now surpassing the brightness of the cloud obscured sun, had now spread from his upper body down his arms and hands, and into the young girl's body, causing her to begin to faintly glow as well. Becky could almost hear and feel the invasive bacteria's screams of agony and attempted flight as they were surely destroyed by the universe's ultimate creative power.
"…heal what has been hurt…,"
With this phrase, the girl's entire body suddenly glowed as bright as the sun as the invasive bacteria were quite quickly isolated and completely and totally destroyed; all the while returning her health to normal. She involuntarily shuddered as the fever suddenly left her little body along with all the sickening bacteria. Her flushed and scarred skin soon returned to its normal light complexion as the sores instantly healed.
"…change the fates design…,"
As Eugene continued singing, his and Becky's glow grew brighter and spread out even further, soon encompassing the very ground on which the orphanage was sited and actually destroying the one remaining disease carrying rodent.
"You have done it Eugene! The final vector has been destroyed…"
Additionally, as the glow permeated every nook and cranny of the entire orphanage and killed every vermin within and without the orphanage grounds, the building itself began a transformation into a home worthy of princes and princesses, let alone the poor Ioian orphans. Catherine and Nan, and the children outside playing, rendered even more speechless than before, could only stare, wide-eyed as the entire orphanage seemed to transform into a palatial villa.
"What is happening?!" The children asked in unison.
"…save what has been lost…,"
The golden heavenly glow, now so bright as to make the light of the sun seem no brighter than the smallest candle, soon rapidly spread out even further afield into the many nearby villages. Citizens all over Io were soon stunned by its brightness and power; even those so far a field that the glow appeared as only a faint glow on the horizon although its effect brought forth bounty where only destitution had reigned. Needless to say, the poor residents living closer to the capital of Corona were first terrified and then amazed as their drought wilted crops, victims of the poor rains that year, grew out into their full glory, ever ready for the harvest. The slack jawed villagers, happily realizing that all was not lost, dropped everything and quickly made their way in the direction of the glow, curious as to its origin. As they approached what they thought was the orphanage, they were amazed to see what could be described as the Royal Coronian Palatial Apartments, in miniature.
"…bring back what once was mine…,"
The glow, now so bright as to be seen even as far afield as Estrella, Constella, and Orion as well as coming to the attention of those citizens of Avandell, caused a surprised princess to state that she had to get back home, immediately, as she hurriedly packed, poor Pascal never more confused by his friend's actions than now.
"…what once was mine."
"You did it, Eugene! You saved all of Io! The pestilence has been obliterated! We knew you were noble enough to wield such power. You, and another, will soon be suitably rewarded…"
As the final phrase faded into silence the still glowing, yet slowly dimming, figure of Eugene looked down at the now quite healthy and brightly smiling eight year old Becky as she looked up so very lovingly at her savior. He quite happily, although two unique and joyous tears had begun to slowly stream down his cheeks, picked her up as she eagerly reached up to and firmly hugged him about the neck, and walked outside where a large crowd had gathered. Each and every individual present was singularly intent on seeing the source of the miracle first hand. Eugene had barely emerged from the orphanage's front entrance and walked outside into the road fronting the orphanage when a round of thunderous applause quite easily startled him. Stunned by the applause and cheering of people who once loathed him, the two gold tinted tears suddenly and quickly ran down his cheeks and dropped from his lower jaw onto the dirt road outside of the orphanage. What was to happen next was to stun all of Corona.
No; it was to stun all of Io!
A/N #4: Please Review…