Ruddiger pulled the Spruce tree with ease as he, Varian, and Catalina were about to leave the outskirts of the city. However, the raccoon came to an sudden stop.
"What is it, bud?" The alchemist asked. His pet starts to sniff on the ground and following the scent.
It took a few minutes for him to finally find the main source of the smell: it was Lady Caine and her crew hiding inside a cave!
"Oh no," Catalina and Varian groan at the sight of them. They have never faced or met the female pirate personally, but they had heard all about her from Rapunzel and Eugene themselves.
"What is she doing here? I thought she and her goons was shipped away to an island prison," The young redhead glances at the streaky-haired teen with worry.
"I honestly don't know how they escaped and made it back to Corona, but something tells me that there's going to be trouble," he whispers back, narrowing his eyes at the criminals.
"You stay here with Ruddiger, I'll take a closer look and see what they're up to." Catalina jumped off the giant raccoon and tiptoed to the cave.
"What? Cat, they're going to see you!" Varian protested. She turns around to give him a deadpan look.
"I'm the second half of the Silent Strikers and I can turn into a werewolf whenever I want. I'll be fine, V."
"Oh... right," He rubs his neck sheepishly. "But still, just be careful."
She salutes to him and continues to sneak quietly and stealthily to the cave. Once there, she hid behind the left side and peek to see the bandits surrounding of what looks to be a small map. She also looks up to see Dwayne and Anthony the Weasel.
"Ugh, I should've known Weasel would team up with Caine and what the heck is Dwayne doing with them?" The girl thought with disdain.
"My lady, tell me again what exactly are we doing?" Dwayne asks, cluelessly. The auburn-haired woman facepalms at his stupidity.
"Let me rephrase the plan again," She grits her in annoyance. "The annual holiday shindig is being held at the castle tonight, which means everyone will be involved with all of the lame merriment that's spreading around."
"Therefore, when the citizens are distracted, we will seize the opportunity to destroy the royal family and take over the kingdom." Weasel adds, sinisterly.
Catalina silently gasps at this devious plan and tiptoe back to Varian and Ruddiger as fast as possible. The two turned around to see the panicked expression on her face.
"Hey, what did you hear?" Varian asks as the red-haired girl climbs back up behind him.
"They're going to attack Rapunzel and her parents during the party. C'mon, we've gotta warn them!"
"What?! Oh boy, this is bad news! Let's go, Ruddiger!" The giant raccoon did what his owner told him to do and ran back to the kingdom.
*Dun, dun, duuunnn! Didn't expect the return of Lady Caine and Rapunzel's other old enemies? I thought that they would attack her again once they find out that she doesn't have her 70 feet hair anymore.*