Varian

It was a bright sunny morning in the kingdom of Corona. The birds were chirping and everyone was ready to start off the day doing outdoor activities. Well…everyone except me.

Don't get me wrong, I love spending time outdoors just as much as the next person. But I have important work to do today. A few months ago, after the entire kingdom (including me) defeated the evil Zhan Tiri, the Royal family had appointed me the first ever Royal Engineer. I was over the moon at the fact that I was given such a title! And I was even more thrilled when the king and queen themselves requested that I create a new formula that will improve Corona's defenses for the better.

The first thing that came to mind was rebuilding the Rooster, a defense mechanism of which I had made for the kingdom. Unfortunately, it got destroyed because it had too much Flynnoleum. But that is a story for another time.

As I finally reached the castle, I went straight into my lab and closed the door, looking at the latest design of the Rooster 2.0. It was halfway done but it was still better than nothing. I walked over to my desk which contains multiple measurements of chemicals that I need for my project. I took a deep breath, put my goggles over my face, and went to work while grabbing a dropper.

"This is it, Ruddiger! I'm finally going to get it right… after 107 test runs…"

My pet raccoon chittered with a thumbs-up. I beamed at the encouragement as I dropped a small dose of purple liquid into the beaker. Steady now, easy…

Kaboom!

Cough, Cough

We waved away the smoke created from the small explosion from the latest chemical compound that he was working on. I opened the door in order to clear out the room, while getting a breath of fresh air along the way. Glancing back at my study, I gave a look of dismay to see everything a mess…again.

"Ugh, seriously?! This is so pointless!" I yelled in frustration. 108 times now. 108 times creating this stupid formula! But each and every one of those attempts end up blowing up in my face, both literally and figuratively.

Ruddiger gave a concerned look and I sighed wearily. He has been my number one supporter, other than our friends and my dad, ever since I started working on this plan. And he was always there to comfort me after so many failures.

"I'm sorry, bud. It's just… I didn't think it'd be this hard," I stated as we started to clean up. "I mean… I know that I had a lot of mishaps with my inventions in the past, but somehow this feels a bit different, yet also similar in a way."

Ruddiger tilted his head in confusion and I let out another sigh. Well, you can't expect a raccoon to understand that.

"C'mon, let's just finish cleaning up."

He chittered in agreement as he picked up some rods. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and we both turned around. I put a couple of empty beakers on my desk and called out, "Who is it?"

"Varian? It's me. Can I come in?" It was Rapunzel, the crown princess of the kingdom of Corona and one of my closest friends. I walked up to open the door, revealing the princess's smiling face. Her green eyes were bright with enthusiasm and her brown hair shone in the sunlight.

I blinked at her and she had a confused expression on her face as I continued staring. "Um…Varian?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry Princess," I snapped out of it and rubbed my neck, sheepishly. "It's just…I'm still getting used to seeing you without your long hair, even though it's been quite a while now."

"Oh, right…yeah, a lot of people have said that to me," She responded, staring at her hair.

"Well, long hair or not, you're still Rapunzel no matter what," I told her, causing her to smile.

"Aww, thanks."

"Anyway, what brings you out on this side of the castle?" I asked, wanting to change the subject.

"Well, I wanted to check up on you because one of the servants told me about the explosion," She explained as I gave her a nervous look. "Is everything okay?"

"Well…" I hesitate for a bit. I didn't want to make her worry, but I didn't want to lie to her either. That would just bring certain memories I want to forget. "Actually, no. Remember when your parents asked me to create a new formula to improve Corona's defenses?"

"Of course. It's been keeping you so busy that we've barely seen you out of your lab. What's the matter?"

"I'll tell you what's wrong," I began, exaggeratingly. "When they told me the news, I was excited to create a new combination for the kingdom. You guys and my dad were supportive of me, telling me that you have faith in me to help make Corona, and the world, a safer and better place…which is something I clearly understand ever since what happened with a certain evil demon sorceress months ago. After getting to work, I've expected the first several tries to be hard since I had put up with similar symptoms since I started doing alchemy. But "several tries" eventually became a WHOLE lot of tries!"

Rapunzel gave me a sympathetic look as I continued to rant. "I've failed 108 times now, and I still can't get it right!" I exhaled out a long breath in exaggeration. I REALLY needed to let that out.

"Varian, just because it's something new, doesn't mean we automatically get it right," She gave me a reassuring smile as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "Certain things take time to process. When I reunited with my parents after 18 years, I knew that being a princess would be difficult because of all these responsibilities. It took a while…but I kept reminding myself that as long as I can believe in myself, and with the help of my friends and family, I can be capable of anything."

I smiled at her reassurance. The Princess always has a way to make people feel better when they're at their lowest. It's also the reason why she's won so many people over.

"Anyway, let's meet up with everyone else. It's lunchtime and I have some pretty big news that I want to share."

"Sure, Ruddiger and I could use a break." Ruddiger climbed onto my shoulder as we walked down to the dining room. While walking, I couldn't help but think that maybe…maybe I'm missing out on some things. Maybe there's more to life than just alchemy…

I was still trapped in my thoughts when we reached the dining room. Eugene, the princess's fiancee, was the first to greet us.

"Hey there, Sunshine. You look beautiful as always, and Goggles, it's about time you got out of that lab 'cause we haven't seen much of you lately."

Rapunzel giggled as she gave him a kiss. I noticed Eugene's best friend, Lance, already sitting at the table looking pretty hungry. He was also with his adopted daughters, Angry and Red, or Kiera and Catalina. From the looks of it, they must've been waiting for quite a while now. Although, I don't blame them for that since I'd probably feel the same way.

"Hey, V. We haven't seen you since you started working on that new project months ago. We were starting to think that you might have disappeared or something," Kiera says.

"Uh…what Kiera's trying to say is that we were worried that you'd be so wrapped up into your work, that you'd be missing out on everything else that's been happening in Corona," Lance explained, sheepishly.

"That's okay, I'm just glad that you guys are here for me at the moment," I told them, happy that they were by my side. Then I turned to Rapunzel. "Anyway, you said that you have some news that you want to share with us, right?"

"Oh, of course!" The princess exclaimed as she was carrying a piece of paper, turning to Eugene and Lance. "You two remember Vex, right?"

Eugene rubbed his chin in thought for a few seconds before his eyes widened.

"Oh right, the teenager we met in Vardaros who turned us in to the Baron, then helped us save the city from Weasel with Captain Quaid. Yeah, I remember her, but why are you asking us about her?"

"Well, Quaid just sent me a letter…" Rapunzel held up the letter to show us that it is indeed from Quaid himself. "To ask if Vex can stay in Corona for the summer."

We all blinked, surprised at the news. Rapunzel, Eugene, and Lance had told me, Kiera, and Catalina all about the adventures that they've had outside of Corona when they were following the black rocks to the Dark Kingdom that year. It was…also right after they defeated me and my Automaton army. It was a time that I want to forget for the rest of my life, but…I know that's impossible.

Lance and Eugene gave each other skeptical looks while Kiera and Catalina huddled together and started whispering. The princess and l glance at them in confusion.

"What's with those looks?" She asked her boyfriend.

"Oh, nothing!" Eugene said as he and his best friend gave awkward smiles. "It's just…um…"

"Just what?" Rapunzel asked, a bit impatiently.

"We don't think Vex will like it here in Corona!" Lance blurted out. Eugene turned to narrowed his eyes at him.

"Lance!"

"What?! Someone has to say it!"

"Now just a minute, you two," Rapunzel said, sternly. "What makes you think that Vex won't like Corona? It's an amazing place."

"Of course, Corona is amazing, Sunshine," Eugene said. "But think about it, Vex, like all of the other citizens of Vardaros, is the edgy and no-nonsense kind of person. Heck, she'll probably cook up some witty remark about how "lame" our kingdom's traditions are."

"Yep, I wouldn't be surprised if she scoffed at how we really celebrate the Goodwill Festival, especially considering the time that we introduced it in Vardaros," Lance added.

Rapunzel paused for a moment. After a few seconds, she finally spoke up. "Okay, you guys have a point…but look on the bright side; Quaid's letter says that Vex has lived in Vardaros her whole life and believed that being out of town for some time would get her to know a little more of the world."

Eugene and Lance glanced at each other again with raised eyebrows. After a few seconds, they both turned to the princess with small smiles.

"Okay, sweetheart," Eugene said with a sigh. "We'll give it a shot when Vex comes to the kingdom."

"Yeah, who knows. Maybe, she'll change her opinions once her visit is over," Lance added.

"Kiera, Catalina, what do you two think?" Rapunzel asks. But we all saw that the two of them were talking quietly. They then turned around when they saw us looking at them.

"What? Oh, sorry about that, princess," Kiera apologized, sheepishly. "It's a neat plan…it's just-"

"When you mentioned Vex, we couldn't help but feel like we've heard her name before," Catalina finished her friend's sentence.

Rapunzel slightly bends down to them with a smile. "Well, look on the bright side, when she comes, you girls can introduce yourselves and see if you've met."

The girls grinned at this and nodded as the princess walked over to the table and took a seat. "Well, guys. How about we discuss some more ideas on how to make Vex feel welcome in Corona during lunch? And afterwards, I'll write a letter to Quaid to tell him that he has our approval".

The rest of us all cheered as we took our own seats at the dining table. Soon enough, lunch was served and we each suggested our ideas to Rapunzel as we ate. The princess smiled as she listened.

"These are some great ideas, you guys. But there's just one more thing," She turned her gaze to me. "Varian, how would you like to be Vex's official guide?"

I nearly choked on my food when she said that. Thankfully, Lance patted my back as I coughed. Catalina handed me a glass of water.

"You okay, kid?" Eugene asked as I was gulping down on the water. Ruddiger chittered in concern as he pawed on my leg. I placed the cup on the table and caught my breath.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I managed to say, getting over my shock. I turn around to face Rapunzel.

"No offense, princess. But are you sure that I'm the right person for this? I mean…it's not like I don't want to do this, but–"

"No buts, Varian," She interrupted. "The reason why I picked you is because I trust you to make Vex feel welcome in Corona. On the plus side, you and her are close in age. This is another great chance to be better acquainted.

"Also, you could really start spending more time outside of the lab," Rapunzel added, everyone else snickering. I shoot them a look, even though she does have a point. I sighed a little and smiled.

"Okay, I'll do it," I said, confidently. The princess squealed and gave me a hug.

"Thank you, Varian. I promise that you won't regret this. Oh, speaking of which, I have to write the letter right now!"

She dashed to her room, leaving her unfinished lunch behind. Lance noticed it and gave a sneaky look.

"Hmm, maybe she'll be fine if I–"

Eugene slapped his hand away from Rapunzel's plate. Lance winced in pain as he rubbed his hand.

"Nice try, Lance. I'll bring her lunch to her," Eugene picked up the plate and followed the princess, Lance giving a pout.

"I'm gonna go raid the kitchen," He got up from his seat and looked at me, Kiera, and Catalina. "You kids wanna come with?"

"Sure, we don't have plans today anyway," Kiera spoke up as she and Catalina stood up. "What about you, V?"

"No thanks, guys. I'm just gonna go back to my lab," I said, Ruddiger jumping onto my shoulder. After going our separate ways, I turned to my raccoon with a worried look.

"I know Rapunzel said she trusts me with this, but I'm still unsure of how I'll do it," I sighed. "Heck, I'm nervous just thinking about it."

Ruddiger chittered encouragingly and I gave him a small smile.

"Thanks, buddy," I said, gratefully. I opened the door to my lab with a determined look on my face. As much as I want to finish building the Rooster 2.0, I know that I can't let Rapunzel down. I need to make sure that I have to be a good guide for our visitor.

Besides, maybe spending time with Vex won't be so bad...

...Right?