It's that time again! This is going to be an…interesting chapter. When I started this project I never thought I'd have a chapter mostly devoted to King Frederic but here we are. More serious warnings this week since we'll be talking about torture including eye torture. Nothing too graphic but just a heads up.

Content warning: torture, eye torture, permanent injuries, partial blindness, lies manipulation, victim blaming, mental instability, and confirmation bias.

Chapter 27

Confirmation Bias

(noun: confirmation bias

the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories.)

King Frederic, ruler of Corona hesitated for just a moment before bravely stepping through the door to the unknown world to rescue his daughter. Once he was on the other side he looked up expecting to see a strange land. What he saw instead was…Corona? He looked back hoping to see the House of Yesterday's Tomorrow and demand an explanation but there was nothing there.

"I should have known this was a con." Still he wasn't expecting Nigel to be a part of such a charade. Perhaps he was duped as well. He looked over to see the castle which was thankfully not far away. He made his way to the capital realizing something was amiss. It was the afternoon when he entered that strange house, how did it become night all of the sudden? And what was that strange pattern in the clouds? He was going to have a very long talk with Nigel once he got back.

Despite it being night time there were still a few citizens on the street. He spotted a woman carrying an empty basket heading towards the castle.

"Pardon me Miss." The woman turned and gasped when she saw who it was. "Would you mind alerting the castle guards that I need an escort to the castle?" The woman was looking at him strangely, almost as if she was afraid.

"You-you want me to alert the guards?" He nodded and was surprised to see her take off running, dropping her basket in her hast. He had no idea what that was about but she was following his command without hast so he was unconcerned. But he should have been.

With lightning speed he was met by a battalion of guards. More than he needed but that was fine.

"Thank you for getting here so quickly. I need some of you-" his words were cut off when one of them thrust a sword in his face. "What is the meaning of this?!" he shouted as two others grabbed him while another searched him for weapons.

"What are you doing you fools! Unhand me, I am your King!" Some of them actually laughed.

"Not anymore." Once commented. "I didn't think he was still alive." Frederic was getting concerned. Were these knights from an enemy country disguised as his guards?

"Move it! Your Highness." the leader said, mockingly. He had no choice but to follow.

To his surprise he was taken exactly where he wanted to be, the castle. As they entered the throne room however someone else was sitting on his throne.

"So the rumors were true." Upon the throne was Varian. Wearing a dark blue royal robe that looked like it was made from the black rocks themselves. His hair was glowing pale blue with a white stripe in place of his old teal one. A crown rested upon his head with the moonstone gem as its centerpiece. He wore gloves, which was not a surprise he knew he would have scars on his wrist. But he has another scar, one that wasn't hidden. It was a crescent shaped moon scar around his eye. He looked down at Frederic with a smug smile.

"Another Frederic has come to play." He and some of the other guards laughed.

"Another-what are you talking about? How did you get the Moonstone? And what are you doing on my throne!?" They just laughed louder.

"Your throne?" He stood up and that's when Frederic noticed he looked older. Not quite an adult just yet but bigger than that scrawny kid that had escaped from his dungeon. "Oh Freddy, it hasn't been yours for quite some time now." He eyed him up and down, never losing that gleeful smirk on his face.

"What the bloody hell is going on here?" Varian raised an eyebrow.

"If I were to hazard a guess I'd say you tried to enter another world and wound up here by mistake. It would somewhat explain that crack that appeared in the sky." Frederic's eyes widened. So he did enter another world but…this couldn't be the Varian he knew. He had somehow gotten lost but if that was true how would he ever get home to save Rapunzel from the real Varian?

"Andrew!" The Saporian who was supposed to be in the dungeon appeared by the young terrorist's side.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"The girl who warned us that the old king had returned, be sure she gets extra food rations. In fact, reward her whole village. Break into my private stash if you have to! Let everyone know that their king is pleased and she has stopped a tyrant from trying to take back the throne." Andrew smiled as left to fulfill the King's request.

"Now where were we? Oh yes, welcoming our newest resident to his new home in the dungeon." Frederic tried to be brave as Varian made his way towards him. The rocks on his hand formed into tiny needle-like spikes.

"If you know I ended up here by mistake then why threaten me?" He laughed again but this time it was more bitter.

"You see, when I did what no one else had the guts to do and ended that monster's life!" he grabbed his chin, the spikes on his hand cutting into his flesh. "I was filled with regret." He dragged his thumb down, splitting his lip and cutting into his chin.

He then released his face and was now casually stroking Frederic's hair and playing with his crown. The needle tips of his fingers scratched gently just shy of breaking his skin again.

"Regret that I ended things too quickly and he left this world not experiencing even a fraction of the pain and suffering I have!" He dug his hands in ripping his scalp while grabbing a fist of his hair and pulling him down to meet his eyes. Those deranged eyes. "I saw the way you looked at me when you first came in." he snarled. "It's the same look my Frederic showed me for years so I have no doubt you're just like him."

"No, that's not true! I-"

"Liar!" he slapped his face with the spiked gloved blooding his face. "You're lies won't fool anyone any longer. You have no power here."

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The queen of Corona graciously made her way to her private quarters after supper carrying a basket in her hand. With the king absent the guards watched her around the clock save for when she retired for the evening. She was heading in a little early tonight much to the relief of Nigel who was glad she wasn't still pestering him and asking questions about her husband again.

Once inside she locked the door and set her basket on the table. Once she was sure the guards had left she pulled back the blanket to reveal a pile of treats she had snuck out of the kitchen before dinner. It wasn't ladylike to indulge in too many sweets after all. Just as she was about to dig in she heard a sound from behind her.

"Oh good, you're back." The hidden door in the closet opened to reveal a disguised Arianna. "I wasn't sure I could keep a straight face any longer." Willow said, chomping down on the cupcake.

"Well I appreciate you doing this for me." Arianna said, sitting down next to her sister. "Are you sure no one realized you weren't me?" Willow laughed.

"After the amount of time we fooled our parents a few stuffed shirts were easy."

"Even Nigel?" Willow took a tart from the basket.

"The guy was avoiding me if he could help it." She was about to take another bite before seeing the look on her sister's face. "I take it that what you found wasn't good news." Arianna sighed.

"I managed to track down the guards who were on duty the night Varian escaped. It took some convincing and a little of this." She held up a bottle of truth serum confiscated from the boy's home. "But I got them to admit he didn't so much escape but was…spirited away." Willow looked thoughtful.

"But why would anyone lie about that? And is it really a big deal?" Arianna's eyes hardened.

"It is if you knew what else found." Willow went up and put a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"Whatever it was, I'm here for you sis." Arianna wrung her fists in her skirt so hard she nearly ripped the fabric.

"I just…what if I'm making too many assumptions? The proof I have is flimsy at best but I can't just ignore it."

"Ari, I think it's time you told me what it was you found." the queen hesitated. "Whatever it is, I'll believe you."

"I…God I hope this isn't true. For my sake the Kingdom's sake and especially Rapunzel's sake." She paused for a few moments to gather her thoughts and told her sister everything.

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The moment Mathews awoke and was rested enough he contacted his mistress directly. He feared he may have slept too long but thankfully they still had some time but not much. He was able to show his mistress where the king had ended up and it wasn't pretty.

He expected her to be angry but she just smiled instead.

"This may work out even better than I hoped." He supposed that meant he wasn't going to be smited, at least not immediately. As she explained the plan to him and his new role he understood and smiled at the simple but brilliant plan.

First order of business, get his master's spiritual form to the king.

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Frederic was thrown into the dungeon and left to tend to his bleeding wounds himself. He noted that it was the same cell he had thrown his Varian into almost a year ago. He doubted it was a coincidence.

After several rounds of torture he was tossed back with no crown or robes just rags to wear. He had no mirror but he knew he must look like a mess. He was having trouble seeing out of his left eye and was concerned there was permanent damage. That damned boy had used some alchemist chemical and forced it into his eye drop by drop.

He cursed that boy. He knew he was dangerous from the start even before he kidnapped his wife and attacked his kingdom. This one was further proof of how much worse he could be if he ever got his hands on the Moonstone. His old friend Quirin had tried to hide it but his spies confirmed Varian held the power of the Moon like his daughter held the power of the Sun.

He was warned by Nigel that Varian was destined to go up against his daughter and soon after she returned home he discovered they had become friends. He knew he had to do something. Once he had Varian in custody he came up with a plan to protect his family and his kingdom. For a while it looked like it was going smoothly and the wicked boy was weakening. That is until he escaped from prison swearing revenge.

But that mattered little now, he was stuck in this hellhole with little chance of escape. His only reprieve was the Saporian holding his king back, preventing him from outright killing him. He mentioned something about waiting for someone else to arrive before they could both go all out but he was too delirious from the pain to hear who it was.

He feared for his life but he was even more afraid for his daughter Rapunzel. He had no allies here to help him either. Everyone loyal to him was executed by the Moon King when he took over. No one would dare help him now.

"That's now necessarily true." a voice said from the corner.

"Who is it? Who's there?" A semi translucent figure emerged from the shadows. It looked like a little girl or a very short woman. She was dressed regally, likely royal or at least someone of nobility.

"A friend or at least I'd like to be." She explained she was the spirit of an ancestor of his and was sent to help guide him to his missing daughter and to help him fulfill his destiny. Since she was a mere spirit she couldn't touch anything but she could instruct him.

The guards were never careless with their keys so he would have to learn to pick the lock. He was never given utensils with his putrid rotting food but certain meals would include bones. Not the best for picking a lock and he went through quite a few before he heard that beautiful click and at last he was free.

The spirit told him he would need one more thing before he could escape. Something that would help him greatly in the future. She went ahead, guiding him to Varian's private office. Seems only he could see her since she was of his blood. This only made him trust her more.

She showed him where a careless guard left the office key unattended. He quickly used it to claim his prize. Unfortunately he set off some kind of trap and if the spirit didn't tell him to move when she did his feet would have been stuck to the floor and all would be lost. He would still have to deal with the guards but he was weak from his injuries and that inedible food.

The spirit was not worried though.

"Just a few more moments my King." Frederic worried he didn't have a few moments more but she hadn't steered him wrong yet so he would trust her.

"There he is!" One of the guards shouted as he and several others rounded the corner along with King Varian. Frederic had no weapons on him, just his treasure which would not do him any good against these knights. Just when he thought his time was up a door, similar to the one in the house of Yesterday's Tomorrow, opened before him.

"Hurry my King!" he flung open the door trying to outrace that devil child before shutting it in his face.

An instant later the door disappeared but he was no longer in the castle. It was still a palace but from a distant land and it appeared to be abandoned. The palace was…odd to say the least. There was an abundant amount of art on display with signs and details everywhere.

"What is this place?" he said as he spotted a row of pictures capturing the image of the past kings and queens of this land.

"Paris, France your Majesty." the spirit answered as Frederic's eyes went wide.

"This is…France?"

"We are currently in another world where France also exists roughly about 200 years into the future." she gestured around her. "This was once a grand palace but it has been turned into a museum. The people of this once great kingdom rebelled and overthrew their own rulers."

Frederic was appalled by this. Looking around he lamented this once gallant palace was now a mockery of what it once was. It was just the place Varian would flee to.

"My King, while this place may look abandoned there are still people here." She explained how Varian had summoned the rocks closing off the building leaving some people trapped here." She continued as she led him up the stairs toward a storage room in the attic.

"He's been corrupting your daughter and filling her head with doubts about herself and you. He hopes to return and take over Corona with your daughter as his mindless puppet." Frederic balled his fist, every thing he feared about the boy was coming to pass. He had to do something, he had to protect his little girl.

"How can I stop him?" if he wasn't so blinded by hate he would have seen her smirk in triumph.

"The boy is currently out recruiting the brotherhood along with your daughter's entourage. He's even gone so far as to recruit two other versions of himself from other worlds to aid in his conquests. He left something behind however. Something you can use to turn the tide in this war before it can even take root." Frederic entered the room and was greeted by the sight of the Moonstone itself currently encasing a young man in the center.

"Another one of the boy's cruel tricks." she pointed to the Moonstone embedded in the boy's hand. "It takes a strong will to control the power of the Moonstone. This one was eager but weak. Varian possesses a piece of the Moonstone's power naturally and can do great harm on his own. But once he returns for the rest…well, you've already seen what he is capable of doing." Frederic touched his unseeing eye, he knew all too well.

"I can not let him gain this power. So if I must be the one to take on his burden, so be it!"

In an instant he grabbed the stone trying to pry it from Jalil's frozen fingers. He could feel it trying to fight him but he poured all of his rage and anger into his attempt to claim the Moonstone for himself.

The pain he felt from losing his daughter to the witch, the anger he felt when learned the boy knew about the rocks and was carelessly spreading that information around. And finally the rage he felt when that same boy threatened his family.

With an unbridled roar he wrenched the cursed opal from its first host and set in the center of his chest. Armor made from the rocks formed around him as he felt the power coursing through his veins. At first it wanted to consume him and devour him whole but he was the king and he would bow to no one even the Moon itself.

Zhan Tiri smiled. At last her well crafted plan was finally taking shape but she had to keep the king moving. They had no more time to spare and she still needed a few more things in place for her victory.

"Magnificent my King." she bowed low in submission. What was a little pride when she was so close to having it all.

"Where is Varian and my daughter now? I need to put an end to this nonsense as soon as possible."

"Fret not my King, they will be here shortly. However…" she trailed off waiting for him to ask.

"What is it?"

"Forgive my concern, my King but while it is wonderful you have taken control of the Moonstone, Varian is still its rightful holder. The stone is powerful in your possession but the boy may still be able to take it from you." Frederic was not pleased by this bit of news but he had to stop him no matter the cost.

"What do you suggest I do?"

"Well the boy was taken in by an evil wizard when he first arrived. They've grown quite fond of each other."

"I could use the wizard for leverage. At least then he won't be so quick to attack."

"Brilliant my King."

He did just that. The spirit led him to Gabriel Agreste in the ruins of a library. Frederic could sense the moon's magic here, no doubt the boy's work. He easily captured the distracted man and hid him away in the museum for when he needed him.

He then began to really test his power and unleashed the rock once again on this ungrateful city. He found he could even sense some things through his connection to the rocks now. He tried to take out all three Varians but the original was able to halt his attack and save his comrades. The spirit was right, the boy's connection to the rock would be a problem. He would need every advantage he could get.

The spirit also informed him he still had at least one ally who was not swayed by the boy's lies. He revealed himself to Cassandra outside the museum as the others were going in. She was very distressed by his appearance and when he revealed it was another Varian who did this, one who had the full power of the Moonstone her decision was made.

She reported that to her regret she had not been able to secure the moonstone herself and that she was having trouble bringing Varian to him with all the powerful allies he's made in this world.

He thanked her for being a loyal soldier and explained in a note what she must do. It instructed her to keep suspicion on herself so no one would know he was here until he sprung the trap. They would protect Rapunzel together.

He went back inside through a side entrance and waited. Sure enough the boy and the others arrived promptly. Just like the spirit said he went for the young man in the rocks and took him out of the building. Cassandra gave him the signal and he quickly trapped the Brotherhood, Eugene and Lance in inescapable rock cages. He also sealed the entrance to the storage room to keep that other Varian out and from warning the others.

He left out his loyal guard as well as his daughter. He couldn't put her in a rock prison because of her connection to the rocks. Besides, he wanted a chance to talk with her. Hoping against hope she wasn't too far gone.

Then the boy reentered, shocked to see just about everyone trapped. He and Rapunzel started to question Cassandra asking what she had done.

"I did nothing, just as ordered." Both Varian and Rapunzel looked at each other confused.

"Ordered?" Rapunzel asked as Varian was frantically looking around.

"From who?"

"From me!" Frederic was pleased to see the look of terror on the boy's face as opposed to the other way around.

"Dad?" Rapunzel looked almost as terrified as the boy. That wouldn't do. He would get her to see, he would free her from the clutches of this monster with a child's face.

"We have much to discuss."

It was for her own good after all.

To be continued…

Next time: Frederic reveals his plans for Rapunzel and Varian. It's worse than anyone could have imagined.