Hello, fans! I'm back!
In a previous update, I mentioned I was going to work on Charmed more, but I ended up redoing the list it was on, so I decided to take a break from it. Plus, Moonlight Phantom was at the top of the list, and there was a high demand for it, so this works out for everyone.
Now, this one's gonna be a little shorter, partly because I don't like this episode because the captain annoys me. I'm just procrastinating at this point. The rest of the episode will be covered in the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Tangled. I only own this story idea.
Rapunzel tossed and turned in her sleep, her brow furrowed. She was dreaming again about the rocks and the Moonlight Phantom.
"Phantom?" she called. This time, fog obscured the area around her, but she could still see the shapes of the black rocks within it. "Phantom, are you here?!"
"I'm here!" he called, though she still couldn't see him.
"Rapunzel!" She looked behind her and saw the castle. Her father stood with his arm outstretched, pleading with her. "Please, don't go. Stay here with me."
"Rapunzel." She looked back toward the fog as it began to fade. The Moonlight Phantom was there, surrounded by calm black rocks this time. He reached out a hand to her, silently inviting her to come to him.
"Rapunzel!" King Frederic called again.
"You're not alone, Rapunzel," Moonlight said. "And I'm never too far away."
"I… I…" Rapunzel looked at each man, feeling torn as she held her head. The princess gasped as her hair began to glow and lift into the sky again before black rocks rapidly emerged from the ground.
"Rapunzel!" her father called.
"Don't be afraid!" the masked teen urged her. "They won't hurt you!"
Rapunzel curled up on the ground as the black rocks surrounded her, her hair still floating into the sky…
And then she woke up with a gasp and groaned, rubbing her eyes. "Ohhh, wow… that was crazy." She got out of bed and opened her balcony window, looking out at the rising sun. Sitting on the railing, she gazed towards the mainland as the wind caught her hair and drifted in that direction.
While Rapunzel couldn't shake the feeling that something magical was behind her dreams, a part of her wondered if her anxieties were also fueling them. On one hand, she loved her father and was thrilled to be home again. However, her father was so overprotective that she felt like she was back in the tower, cut off from the world she longed to understand. On the other hand, the Moonlight Phantom had been there for her when she truly needed a friend, much like a certain alchemist she had befriended.
She glanced over at the painting of Varian she'd left on the easel and sighed. Both boys had been so understanding and weren't pushing her to be someone she wasn't. The Phantom reminded her she was brave, innovative, and strong and could easily leave this place. Varian wanted to help her find answers that her father had forbidden her to seek.
Rapunzel felt caught between two sides that wanted what was best for her, yet it seemed that only one was actually listening to her desires. It hurt that everyone around her was trying to make her feel satisfied with a sheltered life as if she couldn't make that decision for herself.
Sighing again, Rapunzel resolved to keep this dream hidden from anyone who could read or hear about it. The last thing she needed was more headaches. After all, she had that famous painter coming in two days to create her royal portrait. She couldn't afford to be distracted now.
Rapunzel felt nervous about meeting someone new again. What if she made a bad first impression at the welcoming ceremony? And what would she do for her picture? These questions required some thought.
She glanced back at the woods, aware that Old Corona lay somewhere within. "Maybe I should pay Varian a visit. It's been two weeks since we were last over, and maybe he could give me some advice."
Pascal woke up and yawned before surveying his surroundings. He came over to join her, climbing onto her shoulder. "Hey, Pascal," she smiled, greeting him. "You're up early, too?"
Pascal squeaked happily, and she smiled, rubbing his nose.
(Later that day)
"Okay, guys, wait for it…" Rapunzel put on a flower headband. "How's this?" She sat on the ground, posing with her guitar. Beside her were a few books and burning incense.
"Hmm," Cassandra rubbed her chin. "Too bohemian."
"Ugh." Rapunzel sighed and slumped slightly. She then grabbed the books and balanced them on her head. "What about… this?" She put on a pair of glasses and held an open book near a bouquet of flowers. Pascal perched atop the stack, balancing his own book on his head.
"Way too uptight."
"Mmhmmmm?" Rapunzel prompted as she posed beside a bust, sculpting tools in hand.
"Too…"
"Lighten up, Cass, it's just a painting." She turned to Eugene, tossing an apple in his hands.
"It's more than a painting, Eugene. This is the Princess's royal portrait." Cassandra gestured to Rapunzel as she played with a tennis racket.
The princess sighed as she lowered the racket. "She's right. I mean, every one of these portraits says something about what made that particular king or queen unique."
"It's tradition, and she's gotta decide on her look soon. The Giovanni gets here in two days, and, from what I hear, that guy is as famous for his temper as he is for his art." Cass smirked a bit in amusement.
"Well, look at this guy," Eugene said, nudging the painting beside him. "He's not doing anything, and he seems pretty happy."
"Whoa! Careful!" Cassandra rushed over and righted it. "These paintings are priceless, especially that one. That's the only known painting of Robin the Eleventh."
"Wait." Rapunzel went over to join them. "This kingdom had eleven Robins?!"
"Nope. Just this dud." Cassandra pointed at the picture. "They called him Robin the Eleventh because the only thing interesting about him was that he had–"
"Nine, ten. Eleven fingers," Rapunzel realized. "That's right, I remember reading about him."
"Listen, Raps, if you're trying to find your defining activity, don't listen to this dud," she said, jabbing a thumb at Eugene over her shoulder, "whose whole work history is being a two-bit hood."
Eugene laughed condescendingly. "Two-bit hood?! Hold the pastry! I'll have you know, Cassandra, Flynn Rider was a légende."
Cassandra scoffed, crossing her arms. "Key word being 'was.' And, what is it you do now?"
"I, uh… I do many… things. You know, important things. So important that you wouldn't understand them! Sometimes, I don't even understand them! Tell her, Blondie." He said awkwardly before turning to Rapunzel, who was lost in thought while Pascal bounced on the tennis racket, changing colors.
"What?" she asked in confusion, noticing their stares. Cass simply looked at Eugene smugly.
(Sometime later)
Having sent word ahead with Owl, Rapunzel and Cassandra rode Fidella to Old Corona.
"You know, he's not going to have the answer to everything," Cassandra said as she and Rapunzel approached the village.
"I know," Rapunzel sighed before they stopped and climbed off the horse. "But he might help me feel less uncertain. I mean, it's supposed to be a painting about me. Why am I having so much trouble knowing myself?"
"Hmm." Cass hummed as they headed toward Varian's house.
As they walked, villagers noticed the princess and waved to her, which she reciprocated. Rapunzel smiled when she saw some little kids playing hopscotch, and they waved to her, too.
The girls paused momentarily while the princess absorbed the tranquility of the village. Then she frowned and asked her friend, "Hey, Cass?"
"Huh?" she replied.
"Is it… wrong that a part of me wishes this were my life?"
"What do you mean?" The handmaiden looked at her in confusion.
"I just… I love my parents and am glad to be with them again, but… I wish the life that came with them was more like… this." She gestured to the farm life around them. "I'm so used to managing everything myself and caring for my corner of the world. It's been strange having other people do things for me and having a packed schedule that I can't control."
Cassandra wasn't sure what to say to her, but it was clear that this had been bothering her for a while. Cass felt guilty for not noticing it sooner since she was one of the closest people to Rapunzel, aside from her boyfriend.
"Ah, Princess," they looked up to see Quirin approaching them. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Hello, Sir Quirin," Rapunzel smiled. "I just wanted to visit Varian and maybe ask for some advice. Is he around?"
"Last I saw, he was still in his lab," Quirin replied. "Go on ahead. I still have some work to do in the fields."
"Thank you." She nodded before the girls headed toward the manor.
Going in the same way they came before, they opened the door and stepped inside, noticing that the lab door was open as they approached it. Hearing a commotion inside, the girls exchanged glances and rushed in to see what was happening.
"Come on, get out of there!" Varian yelled as they found him reaching under his desk. "You can't hide from me!"
They could hear him struggling with something out of sight before he tumbled onto his back, his goggles askew as he held a squirming raccoon. Rapunzel giggled at his appearance, catching Varian's attention. "Rapunzel!" He pushed his goggles up, happy to see them. "Uh, one second, please…" He took something from the raccoon's paws and placed it on a shelf. "There." He let the creature go, and it scampered off to a table and curled up. "Stop grabbing my stuff, Ruddiger!" He dusted himself off and walked over to the girls. "Sorry about that."
"Ruddiger?" Rapunzel hummed, looking at the raccoon. "Isn't that your last name?"
"Yeah, that's actually the raccoon I had trouble with. After coming in through the chimney of all places, Dad said I could keep him as long as I kept him out of the orchard. I figured that since he was going to stick around, he needed a name, so I thought giving him my family name would work just as well as anything," Varian explained. "I was so happy when I got your letter saying you guys were coming over."
"Well, I figured it had been a while since we last saw you, so we should visit again," Rapunzel said. "Besides, I could use some advice about something."
"Advice about…" He pointed to his hair.
"No," she shook her head. "This is about something else. Do you have time to talk?"
"Sure, come on up," he said, leading the way out of the lab and to the manor door. "You're just in time for lunch, anyway."
"Sounds good," Cassandra replied as they followed him up.
Varian led them to the kitchen, where he took off his gloves and apron. "Are ham sandwiches okay with you?"
"Sure," Rapunzel replied as the girls sat at the table. After a few minutes, the sandwiches were ready and served with mugs of apple cider. "Thank you."
"So, what advice do you need?" Varian asked as Ruddiger came in and devoured a bowl of fruit he had placed on the floor for him.
"Well…" Rapunzel sighed. "This famous painter is coming in two days to paint me, and I'm… I'm not sure what to do for it. It's my royal portrait, very important and special. It's supposed to showcase how I'm unique, but I can't decide on a hobby."
"It's tradition for her to have a portrait," Cassandra nodded.
"Ah. Well, first of all, hobbies don't make you 'unique.'" Varian clarified. "Hobbies are things anyone can do. If we interviewed everyone in the Kingdom, I'm sure you'd have one or two in common with many of them."
"Hm, good point," Rapunzel agreed.
"What you need to do is think of what makes you stand out in terms of appearance. Is it your long hair? The fact that you don't wear shoes? Or maybe that you always have your chameleon with you… By the way, where is he?"
"Pascal decided to stay at the castle this time," Rapunzel replied. "He probably wanted some alone time."
"I see," Varian nodded before getting back on track. "Anyway, the issue is that you're concentrating on the wrong parts of you. It's not about what you can do. It's about what makes you… you."
Rapunzel looked down at her bare feet and fidgeted with her hair. "You're right. I was being silly."
"No," Varian shook his head reassuringly. "You just got caught up in the 'tradition,' which is a loaded word that means different things to different people. It's a shorter list when you focus on the right areas."
She nodded, smiling. "You're such a big help to me, Varian. Thank you."
"Happy to help." He grinned.
A few minutes later, Quirin walked in. "Well, looks like a party in here."
"Hey, Dad," Varian smiled at him. "I left a sandwich on the counter for you."
"Thanks, Son," Quirin replied with a smile. He served himself and sat next to Varian as they ate and chatted.
With the others occupied, Rapunzel took a bite of her sandwich, her mind drifting back to last night's dream as she chewed. The Moonlight Phantom had told her not to be afraid, assuring her that the rocks were safe, yet she always felt so fearful during the dream. Then, there was another part of the dream where she felt she was being forced to choose between her father and the Phantom, one offering protection and the other providing understanding.
A part of her wanted to ask Varian about it since he was so good at problem-solving, but she decided against it. She didn't want Varian too involved in this, fearing he would get in trouble if either of their fathers overheard.
They heard a knock at the door, and Quirin got up to answer it. "Yes?"
"Hello. I was taking a cab back home, but the driver took me to the wrong place and left me here. Would you be so kind as to take me home?" a rather distressed-looking old woman asked.
Quirin glanced at Varian. "Are you going to be alright?"
His son nodded. The village head returned the nod and exited, shutting the door behind him. "Yeesh, I sure hope that driver doesn't keep his job," Varian said with a grimace. Rapunzel hummed in agreement before taking another bite of her sandwich.
(Around sunset at the castle)
Pascal landed on a pillow, nuzzling into it to take a nap. He had just closed his eyes when the door suddenly swung open, jolting him awake.
"Who knew having a job would be so much work?!" Eugene asked wearily, slumping into a chair. After the girls left, Eugene vented at the Snuggly Duckling before trying to find a job to prove Cassandra wrong. However, that endeavor wasn't going as well as he had hoped, given that he failed most of the jobs he tried and got fired. The one job he did well at didn't work out because he had stolen from that person before.
"I mean, what with all those rules and responsibilities, you should've seen some of these guys I worked for. Like, hey, buddy, who died and made you boss?! Ugh," he said, putting his head in his hands. "Maybe Cassandra was right… ugh, just saying those four words sent bile into my mouth, down the throat, oh, that–ugh!" Eugene groaned before being depressed again. "But it's true, maybe the only thing I was meant to be was a—"
"Thief!" they suddenly heard a woman shout before peering out the window. "Stop, thief!"
A man in a dark hood raced through the castle courtyard, gripping a sack over his shoulder.
"I know where he's headed," Eugene murmured as he realized the direction the thief was taking. "I know where he's headed!" He bolted out of the room, leaving a bewildered chameleon behind.
The guards arrived just as the thief slipped through the crowd, trying to track him down. "Guys, he's headed for the docks!" Eugene ran up to them, pointing in the direction he went.
"We'll handle this, Rider, and besides, he ran in the opposite direction, genius," the Captain shot back before they hurried off the other way.
"No one calls me a genius and gets away with it!" Eugene proclaimed, running toward the docks.
The thief arrived at the docks just as Eugene had predicted, glancing behind him with a smirk upon realizing no one was following. He was halfway down the pier when a black boot emerged from behind some crates, sending him tumbling onto some wooden planks. He looked up to see Eugene before rising to face him. The former thief kicked a knife into his hands, cutting a rope beside him, which released a pile of fish onto the thief before a net fell over him, trapping him.
"Psh, amateur," Eugene scoffed.
"Rider, what are you doing here?" The Captain appeared with the other guards.
"Well, Captain, I don't wanna say I just did your job for you, but I just did your job for you. It was the old distract-and-run-to-the-docks-to-catch-the-last-ferry tactic. I know because I invented it. Nice hustle, though. Keep your chin up." He said smugly, striding past them and the assembled crowd.
"I don't believe it. Flynn Rider on the side of law and order," Stan remarked, causing Eugene to pause before breaking into a grin of realization.
(Back at the castle)
"You're gonna become a royal guard?" Rapunzel asked her boyfriend in surprise.
"It makes total sense, right?! I tried to have a normal job, but I'm just not great with authority! Being a guard, I am the authority!" Eugene said excitedly before striking a pose. "Plus, I'd look great in a uniform!"
"What uniform?"
The couple jumped in surprise when they spotted Varian in the doorway with his satchel. He had come back with the girls after lunch to get some supplies from Xavier, leaving a note for his dad.
"Seriously, kid, get a bell!" Eugene stressed.
"Sorry. I ran into my dad, and he had a few things to discuss with the King first, so I thought I'd hang out with you guys until he's done." Varian apologized as he walked into the room and noticed something. "What's all this?" Rapunzel was kneeling on the floor with her journal open on her lap. Surrounding her in a semicircle were books, an easel, vases, flowers, instruments, and more.
"Oh, this is everything I used earlier to figure out my portrait. I just haven't put it away yet. I'll do that once I decide on my look."
"I thought you'd decided on that?"
"I have; I'm just working out the details," Rapunzel replied, sketching designs in her journal. "I'm considering wearing a shorter skirt and anklets to show off my feet, but I'm not sure what style to tie my hair in."
"Well… why not just go with the usual braid?" Eugene asked.
"I thought of that, but that's the look I wear every day. I wanted to do something different for the portrait."
"Hm," he nodded before asking. "And, uh, how short a skirt are you talking about?"
"Oh, probably just knee-length. I don't know if I could do any higher." Rapunzel blushed.
"Uhm, sure, whatever you want." Eugene nodded, thinking of Rapunzel in a miniskirt.
"I know she's your girlfriend, Mr. Rider, but get your mind out of the gutter," Varian said, giving him a side glance.
"I'm behaving!" he responded quickly, causing the princess to laugh. Eugene blushed and cleared his throat. "Anyway, uh, you should go with the usual braid."
"Or maybe two braids," Varian added. "It would showcase how much hair you have."
"Hey, yeah!" Rapunzel nodded, sketching the design. "It's perfect!"
"All that's missing is your crown, and you're good to go."
Meanwhile, Pascal was fiddling with the telescope. As he peered through it, a face with green eyes stared back at him, making him jump back with a terrified squeak.
"What the–?" Eugene glanced over at him.
"Oh, sorry," Varian apologized as Ruddiger climbed onto the stack of books. "That's Ruddiger, my raccoon. He came with me from Old Corona."
"It's okay, Pascal, Ruddiger's friendly," Rapunzel assured her lizard friend. Pascal stepped closer to the raccoon again before giving the lizard a friendly squeak. He held out his paw, and Pascal shook it with his claw, smiling at each other.
"Oh, that's so cute!" Rapunzel cooed before drawing in her journal. "I've got to sketch this!"
"So, getting way off topic, what were you guys talking about when I came in?" Varian asked.
"Just Eugene's dumb idea about joining the Royal Guard," they heard Cass say as she appeared in the doorway.
"Ho… How long have you been standing there?!" Eugene exclaimed, pointing at her.
"Long enough to know you're about to make a fool of yourself," Cass replied as she approached Rapunzel. "Still deciding?"
"Nope, I've got it figured out now," Rapunzel smiled. "I'm going to wear two braids, a shorter skirt, and anklets to show off my hair and feet."
"How short?"
"Just to the knees."
"Okay, then. What about your crown?"
"That, too. Dad wears his crown in his portraits."
"Well, I'm off to get signed up." Eugene began to walk away.
"Uh, Eugene–" Varian started,
"You really think you have what it takes to be a guard?" Cassandra interrupted, smirking at the older man.
"Hmm, let me think…" Eugene turned to her, tapping his fingers against his cheek. "Superior athletic ability, razor-sharp acumen, impressive stature, making guards all around the world, including Corona, look like bozos for decades? Yeah, I think I can swing it."
"You wanna know what I think?"
"That I care what you think?" Eugene asked sarcastically, laughing at his own joke. "Let me save you the trouble. I don't."
"I bet you don't even make it through basic training."
"Training?" Eugene scoffed at the idea. "What, like school? I was great in school! Easiest three days of my life. Who's the teacher anyway?"
"My dad," Cassandra said casually. His eyes widened at her response.
"Yeah, you might wanna rethink this idea," Varian said. "Don't get me wrong, I think you can do it, but do you really want to be part of a guard where you're taking orders from the guy who would gladly launch you out of a catapult?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cass glared at the alchemist.
"I'm sorry, Cass. I like you and consider you a friend, but I have serious negative opinions about the Captain," Varian stated honestly.
"What opinions?" Rapunzel asked.
"He's close-minded, prideful, egotistical, obstinate to the point of being irrational–"
"Obsti-what?" Eugene asked.
"It means refusing to change one's mind despite the words of others. To put that into an example, no matter what you do or try, the Captain will always believe that once a criminal, always a criminal," Varian explained, hoping the former thief would understand what he meant. "I guarantee he'll do whatever it takes to find a reason to fail you, and if he can't, he'll make your time on the Guard miserable until he can find a reason to kick you off."
"You're right; those are strong opinions," the older man commented.
"My dad knows how to separate his personal feelings from professional opinions," Cassandra said defensively.
"The events of earlier suggest otherwise," Varian retorted.
"What happened earlier?" Rapunzel asked.
"Oh, I caught a thief the Captain was chasing. I tried to tell him he was headed to the docks, but he wouldn't listen," Eugene explained, his eyes widening. "Wait, how did you know about that?"
"I hear things," Varian said, glancing off to the side.
(Flashback)
In his Moonlight Phantom disguise, Varian observed from the roof as Eugene dropped a net full of fish on the fleeing thief.
(Present)
"Okay, look, my dad is an honorable man who follows the rules," Cass argued. "If Fitzherbert makes it through training–which I doubt–he'll treat him like everyone else in the Guard."
"I'll bet a trip to Monty's he won't," Varian countered. He really didn't want to have this fight, but he had enough encounters with the Captain as Phantom to know the truth.
The handmaiden groaned. "Look, it doesn't matter. Fitzherbert wouldn't survive boot camp anyway."
"Well, it would be my pleasure to prove you wrong," Eugene said as he left the room. "I'll show you and the Captain that I'm more than just a former thief!"
After the former thief disappeared from view, Varian shot Cass a stern glare, catching her off guard before he hurried after the older man. Ruddiger and Pascal exchanged glances before the raccoon darted after his human. The handmaiden stared at the ground, feeling guilty about the altercation. While she considered Varian a friend, the Captain was still her father.
"Cass…?" Rapunzel called out, sensing that her friend was troubled.
"I'm fine, Rapunzel," she said as she moved around the room, picking up items to put away. The princess watched her momentarily, aware that the conversation troubled her. She wasn't naive enough to believe that friends never have disagreements, but she could imagine it's even worse when they disagree about someone one of them cares for.
"Not everyone has to like everyone, Cass. You taught me that," Rapunzel said gently, causing the older girl to pause. "I mean, you and I get along, but you don't like Eugene. Maybe you and Varian could just agree to disagree?"
Cassandra sighed. "Maybe..." Although she was willing to defend her father, the warrior handmaiden recognized that Varian was right about some of his comments. Her father could be stubborn and hard-headed, but it felt strange to hear the opinions she kept to herself expressed so openly by someone she trusted.
"Want some help?" Rapunzel asked as she stood up and walked over to her. "I was planning to do this myself later."
"Thanks, Raps," Cass replied with a slight smile as the girls began to work.
Meanwhile, Eugene was on his way to the Captain's office when Varian caught up with him. "Eugene, are you really sure about this?"
"Of course I am! I've tried every other job in the Kingdom, and none of them worked out. This might be the only one I can do."
Varian fell silent for a moment before saying, "You don't have to prove anything to anyone, you know. Rapunzel loves you no matter who you were or what you did. She knows you've changed. I know you've changed. Isn't that enough?"
The boys stopped when Eugene hesitated, sighing heavily. "Yeah, I know, it's just..." Understanding this would take a minute, the former thief ushered Varian into a guest room where they could talk privately. Closing the door, Eugene sighed again as he tried to gather his thoughts. "Look, I'm glad Rapunzel believes in me, and knowing that you two acknowledge I've changed would be enough. The problem is the love of my life is surrounded by people who don't believe in me, and I don't want to put her in the middle of that, especially since one of them is her best friend."
"Yeah, Cass grew up hearing less-than-flattering stories about you from her dad. I don't like talking badly about my friends, but she can be just as stubborn as the Captain sometimes," Varian said honestly as he sat on the bed.
"Well, that explains why she doesn't like me," Eugene muttered before sitting beside him. "Speaking of Cass, mind if I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"She mentioned once that the Phantom led a prison breakout. What's all that about?"
"An example of the King's rampage at its finest," Varian scoffed, then grew serious. "A group of street performers came through a few months before you showed up with Rapunzel. They were mostly musicians, playing instruments and dancing, but a couple of them knew things like tarot card reading and sleight-of-hand tricks, which made some people uneasy. The fact that they were Romani, a group with negative stereotypes, didn't help."
Eugene nodded, having encountered groups like that while on the run. Despite the stereotypes, they were actually very welcoming. Eugene met one group when he was injured after a job, and they helped him without hesitation. "The moment someone accused them of stealing, the Royal Guard rounded them up, including the children who were with them. One of them was barely any older than me."
"Yeah, that's the age when they start treating you like an adult offender."
"Well, it felt like those rules didn't exist back then," Varian remarked as he continued his story. "The boy my age accused the Guard and the King of unfairly targeting his people, and the King thought that warranted an execution."
"What?!" Eugene gasped at what he had just heard.
"That was my reaction, too, when I heard about it. Many people spoke out, but the King didn't listen. The rest of the group was going to be kept in the dungeons until after the execution, and then the adults were going to be sent off to a prison island while the children were placed in the orphanage. Obviously, I didn't let that happen, but breaking them out was one of my more daring feats since I had to break into the castle and fend off the Guard."
The former thief fell silent for a moment before asking, "What happened to them?"
"I led them out of Corona through the tunnels that criminals use to sneak in and out of the city undetected."
"You know about those?!"
"I found one near my village but kept the discovery to myself in case I needed it. I warned them to avoid Corona, even if the Princess returned."
"Wow…" Eugene breathed, shocked by what he had just learned. "You were right about things being bad."
"They've gotten better, I'll admit, but the King is so paranoid about the rocks that I'd call it a fragile peace."
They were quiet for a moment, Ruddiger climbing into Varian's lap for some affection. The alchemist gave his raccoon what he wanted before turning to the older man. "Eugene, are you really sure about this? I do believe you could be a great guard, better than the ones we have now in more ways than one. It's just that the Captain won't give you a fair chance out of spite, and the King may make choices you disagree with."
Eugene sighed again. "You're right, but I've tried everything else, and nothing worked out. I got fired from the one job I was good at because the guy remembered that I stole something from there years ago."
"One of Corona's flaws. They welcome everyone as long as they're perfect, law-abiding citizens. If it's someone with a criminal record, they turn cold and act like that person doesn't exist. It's no wonder they fall back into crime. They can't get their lives back on track because no one will give them a chance," Varian criticized, having witnessed this firsthand as the Moonlight Phantom. "It's all a vicious cycle that everyone refuses to break because they don't want to acknowledge that this kingdom isn't as perfect as they thought."
Eugene glanced at Varian, recognizing the frustration he had held onto for years. Ruddiger climbed onto the alchemist's shoulders, gently patting his face with his paw to comfort him. "... Then maybe it's time for that cycle to break," Eugene smiled, capturing their attention as he stood up. "I'll be the first reformed criminal in the Guard! Not only that, but I could be your eyes and ears inside the Guard! That way, if someone catches onto your identity or the King tries something like before, I can send you a warning!"
"What, wait, Eugene, no!" Varian protested, jumping to his feet. "I can't ask you to take that kind of risk for me. The King wants me caught so badly that hiding my identity is practically considered treason. You could get arrested if he finds out, and I'm not sure if Rapunzel could protect you."
"If he finds out. Besides, you're not asking. I'm giving you my help free of charge." He placed his hand on the teen's shoulder reassuringly. "I've got your back, kid."
Varian looked up at Eugene and smiled as he hugged him. The older man returned the gesture, offering the kid his full support. "If this doesn't work out, I'll help you find another job," the alchemist said as they pulled apart.
"Thanks, kid."
"And good luck with the Captain."
Eugene laughed but then became nervous. "I nearly forgot about that…"
(Later)
"Alright, maggots!" the Captain exclaimed the next day. "Line up!" Three students in boot camp uniforms, including Eugene, lined up in front of him, standing straight with their hands behind their backs. The Captain's expression made it clear that he didn't want Eugene there.
Cass and Maximus sat on the sidelines, observing and exchanging skeptical glances. Varian was also there, eager to support Eugene and curious about his future adversaries.
"This boot camp will push you to your very limits," the Captain explained as he paced in front of the group. "By the time I'm through, you'll be sweating tears and crying sweat! But if you make it through camp and pass the final exam–" He turned around and stopped short when he saw Shorty, who had appeared out of nowhere. The old man let out a yawn, smacking his lips. The Captain laughed at him before continuing, "And for some of you, that's a highly unlikely if–will receive probationary trainee status."
"Shorty," Eugene whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry. Is this the line for the men's room?"
"Well, well!" The Captain turned to him sharply before confronting the former thief with anger. "Looks like I got a couple of aces in the mix."
"Captain, sir," Eugene responded. "I know we've had our differences, but I'd just like to say–"
"Quiet, maggot!" The other man snapped, cutting him. "You are a loathsome, pathetic excuse for a human being, and it is my full intention to make your life a living nightmare."
Varian frowned and gave Cass a pointed look that she attempted to ignore.
"You know, I've never said this to another man... but you have very handsome teeth." Eugene smiled pleasantly, trying to win over the Captain, but it wasn't effective.
With that, it was time for training. First, the trainees faced a wall they needed to climb over. The Captain blew the whistle, and the first trainee attempted to scale it but slid back down. The second one tried to use the first to jump over, but he was still too short to reach the top. When it was his turn, Eugene ran and leaped onto the other's shoulders, successfully jumping over the wall with a smile.
"Yes!" Varian exclaimed, pumping his fist in excitement for him.
The Captain poked the former thief on the shoulder and pointed to a much taller wall behind him. Eugene stared at it in dismay, utterly unsure how to get over it. The Captain blew his whistle again, making Eugene flinch before running toward the wall.
They did push-ups next. The Captain walked among them before stopping at Eugene, who was doing one-handed push-ups. He winked at the Captain, who glared down at the man for his tactic. Varian smiled proudly from his spot.
Then, they practiced with weapons. Eugene walked through an obstacle course of boxes, armed with a crossbow, as if he were searching for convicts. When a cutout appeared, Eugene fired at it, hitting his target. Two more popped up, and he fired twice, striking both. Eugene stepped back proudly while the Captain glared in irritation. Cass and the horse stood behind him, wide-eyed in shock. She smiled in approval, genuinely impressed, along with Max, while Varian clapped happily for his friend. However, the moment was spoiled when the Captain chose to play dirty. He kicked a switch on the ground, activating a tripwire. As Eugene exited the course, he tripped and fell, causing his crossbow to discharge and hit a cutout of the king.
The Captain laughed at him, reveling in his failure. "Crossbow procedure number one, Rider. Always keep the safety on." The former thief side-eyed the Captain from the ground while Cass and Max frowned in disapproval.
"What'd I tell ya?" Varian said, knowing this would happen.
After that, things only seemed to get worse. Eugene had to climb another wall, momentarily losing his grip before continuing. He struggled with push-ups, and the Captain smirked at him because the heaviest guard was on his back.
"Come on! Not fair!" he groaned.
Eugene reached the top of another wall, panting in exhaustion. When he jumped down, he was surprised to land on a seesaw. The heavy guard jumped onto the other end, catapulting him back up the wall and leaving him dangling by his shirt. All the guards laughed at him while Cassandra shot her father a disapproving look. Varian balled his fists and glared at the Captain, struggling to keep his temper as small black rocks formed around his feet, thankfully going unnoticed.
(That evening)
When training ended, Eugene returned to his room and collapsed onto his bed. "Well," Varian said, sitting next to the older man. "That was as bad as I thought it would be and yet worse than I imagined."
"Yup."
"Ready to give up?"
They glanced over to see Cass leaning against the door. Varian observed that she wasn't as smug as he had expected. "Oh, you'd love that, wouldn't you?" Eugene shot back.
"Honestly… I don't care," Cass confessed.
"Then why are you here?" Varian asked without thinking, surprising both himself and the adults. He sighed guiltily, aware that it stemmed from hours of pent-up rage. "I'm sorry, today was just…"
"No, no, I understand," she replied sympathetically. "Today left a bad taste in my mouth, too."
"Still, I shouldn't be taking it out on you."
"It's okay, kid," Cassandra assured him before directing her attention back to Eugene. "Back to my question, though…"
"Look, it doesn't matter anyway, okay?" Eugene replied. "No matter how hard I try on that final tomorrow, your dad will cook up some cheap shot to make sure I fail! He wants me out, end of story."
Cass stared at him for a moment, exchanging a glance with Varian. The teen's eyes communicated that Eugene was right but lacked any spark, reflecting concern and perhaps even helplessness. She decided to leave, stepping off the door before pausing. "You know, for someone who spent most of his life breaking the rules to get what he wants, you're having an awful lot of trouble dealing with someone who is breaking the rules to get what he wants." She cast a knowing smile back at the former thief before exiting the room. The boys watched her leave until Eugene turned to the side. Varian looked at the older man.
"Do you still want to go through with this?"
He was quiet for a moment before a hint of a smile appeared on his face, turning into determination. "... I do."
"You sure?"
"Yeah," Eugene grunted slightly as he got up, feeling sore but with renewed energy. "If the Captain wants to play hardball, I'll just have to change tactics. Besides, I'm not giving him the satisfaction of thinking he won by me dropping out."
Varian smiled slightly, relieved that Eugene would be all right. He then got up, realizing it was getting late. "Well, I better head home before my dad gets worried."
"Need a ride?"
Varian shook his head and glanced around to ensure no one was listening before whispering to Eugene. "I can use the rocks to go anywhere I want as long as I know where I'm headed. My dad knows I came to visit you guys, and as far as he's going to know, I left an hour ago and just got back."
"In that case," Eugene said as he walked over and closed the doors, leaning against them, "As far as anyone else will know, you just left, and I'm getting ready for dinner with my girlfriend. Come and see my final tomorrow?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Varian smiled as he removed his gloves. Black rocks appeared around him, silent as a mouse, with a blue light flashing beneath his feet before Varian sank into the floor. The rocks vanished behind him, leaving no trace as Eugene watched the display.
"That was weird," he commented to no one. "Cool, but weird."
(The next day)
The sun rose over the castle as it came time for the final. Two of the participants showed up as Shorty slept on the ground beside them. However, Eugene wasn't one of them. Cass, Max, and Varian were off to the side to watch the final. The lone female let out a deep sigh as the trio looked around.
"Where is Eugene?"
"I hope he didn't change his mind about taking the exam," Varian whispered, crossing his arms.
The Captain approached the recruits to begin the exam. An hourglass rested on a barrel beside him. "The rules are simple: obstacle course," he explained, glancing at the course before holding up a whistle. "Whistle. Complete the course before the whistle blows." As he paced in front of the men, he was pleased to see Eugene absent. "Is that clear?"
"Actually, sir," his eyes widened in shock when the man himself appeared. "Can you go through that one more time? It's just my brain is so used to tuning your voice out that I–" Cass and Max exchanged surprised glances while Varian smirked, knowing he did it intentionally to mess with the Captain.
"Line up, Rider!" the Captain interrupted, sneering at him. "I can't believe you made it this far, but I'm glad you did because I made this course especially difficult. Just. For. You."
"I'm touched," Eugene said as he hugged the man, much to the other's shock.
"Get off me!" the man shouted, pushing him away. "Go!" With that, Eugene and the other trainees sprinted toward the obstacle course. The Captain stepped over Shorty and walked to the hourglass, flipping it over. He smirked before glancing at the short man, still snoring at his feet.
Eugene was in the lead. He ran through the mud, jumping onto the grass as a net swung up, catching one of the other trainees. Varian beamed from his spot, watching Eugene in his element. The Captain growled before signaling to some guards who had sandbags ready. Eugene stepped onto the wooden beam, shuffling a bit for balance. The guards threw the bags, but he managed to dodge them easily. The other trainee was taken out in the process as Eugene moved on.
The Captain's mouth hung open in shock as he glanced at the hourglass, which was nearly half full. Eugene soon came upon a familiar sight: the giant wall from yesterday. He smiled slightly before pulling out two arrows. He jumped up and stabbed the wall with the arrows, using them to climb just as he had at Rapunzel's tower. Once at the top, he flipped to the other side, landing on the seesaw again. This time, however, as the large guard jumped, Eugene got off before he could be catapulted, leaving the guard stuck in the mud.
"Come on, Eugene!" Varian encouraged quietly. "You're almost there!"
Eugene kept running, his eyes on the finish line, when several guards stepped in to block his way. Nevertheless, Eugene smiled and pushed forward as the Captain watched him. He slid under Stan, pulling down his pants as he grabbed his belt. Then, he used the belt to tie the wrists of the middle guard and swung him into the last guard, jumping on them as he raced toward the finish line. The Captain looked anxious as he saw the time. Varian cheered while Max and Cass smiled.
Eugene was about to cross the line when he suddenly stopped, causing the Captain to pause. "Almost forgot something."
The others exchanged confused glances as Eugene approached the Captain. Upon arrival, he picked up the still-sleeping Shorty to carry him across the goal. "Someone had to make this challenging," he remarked, sniffing the air as he turned to leave and gagged. "Ugh, you never did find that men's room, did ya, Shorty?"
The Captain was baffled as he left. Glancing at the hourglass, he smiled when he noticed the time was almost up.
Eugene raced toward the finish line while the Captain watched the hourglass with anticipation. He had just reached the goalposts when the last grain of sand fell. "Ha!" He heard the Captain laugh, prompting him to look back. "You lose!" The Captain chuckled as he reached for his whistle but paused when he couldn't find it. "Where's my whis–?"
The sound of a whistle interrupted him, and he looked up to see Eugene on the other side of the finish line, holding his whistle. Shorty lay on the ground beside him while the other trainees watched, gasping for breath. "Complete the course before the whistle blows, right? Look at that. I can follow rules," he said, striding over to the Captain before tossing the whistle back. "I'll take a medium uniform, sir. Athletic fit."
The other recruits ran over to cheer for him. Cass crossed her arms in approval as Max whinnied.
Varian ran up to him, beaming with pride for his friend. "Way to go, Eugene!"
"Thanks, kid."
The Captain simply watched with a glare.
(Later)
"Well, you're going to be surprised." Cassandra walked over to Rapunzel. After the final, she prepared the princess for her portrait. "Eugene got in."
"He did?" Rapunzel turned to her. The princess wore a version of her day dress with a shorter skirt and, as planned, had her hair styled in twin braids.
"You almost sound surprised, Princess," Varian joked, having been allowed into the room once Rapunzel had changed. He decided to hang out with the girls since Eugene needed to get fitted for his uniform.
"It's not that I doubted he could do it. It's just everything you told me happened yesterday…" Rapunzel explained.
"I think he actually listened to your advice, Cass," Varian said, smirking slightly at the handmaiden.
"Well, there's a first time for everything," Cassandra chuckled before adjusting Rapunzel's skirt. "Anyway, he's been assigned guard duty in the dungeons."
"Exciting," the alchemist said sarcastically.
Cass laughed again as she stood up. "Are you sure this is what you're going with?"
"Uh-huh." Rapunzel put the crown on her head and smiled brightly before turning to her lizard friend. "Ready, Pascal?" Pascal squeaked with a nod before climbing onto her shoulder. Ruddiger chittered and climbed onto Varian's shoulders, having been hanging out with the princess and Pascal while watching Eugene's final.
"Alright, good," Cassandra nodded. "Let's go get you painted. I have some other work to do, so keep me posted on how it goes."
"I'll keep you company, Rapunzel," Varian offered as they headed out.
"Thanks, Varian," Rapunzel replied with a nod.
Cassandra broke away from them before they reached the portrait hall. Rapunzel and Varian entered to find The Giovanni already there, with his easel and paints set up. "Eh, it's about time!" the painter exclaimed in a thick Italian accent as he watched them walk in.
"Sorry, The Giovanni," she tucked a hair behind her ear as Varian grabbed a stool for her to pose on. "I was just finalizing my look."
"The Giovanni, he doesn't care!" the man snapped, causing the princess and lizard to jump in surprise. "Now, let us begin!"
"Wow," Rapunzel glanced at Varian, mumbling, "Cass wasn't kidding."
Varian shrugged and moved to the side so he wouldn't be in the frame. However, he kept half an eye on the painter as he worked. His internal alarm started going off the moment they walked into the room. At first glance, nothing seemed out of place, but he knew he would have to look closer once everyone was gone.
Suddenly, Eugene burst in, startling Varian and the painter. "Oh, The Giovanni! Can I call you The? You're the best!" He winked before turning his gaze on Rapunzel. "Hey, Blondie, I see you went with the simple choice of beautiful."
"Aww. Thank you," Rapunzel smiled back at him.
"Uh, Eugene, what are you doing here?" Varian walked over to him as Rapunzel and Giovanni glanced between them awkwardly. "Cass said you were on dungeon duty."
"Oh, I do. The Cap told me to walk the block every five minutes, but it just seemed like a waste standing there. So, I walked it twice in a row, and now I can take a ten-minute break! Math," he tapped his head. Varian pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing Eugene had just blown it.
"Yeah, uh, I don't think that's right," Rapunzel smiled nervously.
"Oh no, no, trust me, Blondie," Eugene replied as The Giovanni gritted his teeth. "I worked it out all in the brainium."
"Agh! You go now!" The Giovanni shouted, pushing Eugene out the door while speaking in furious Italian.
"What did you say?" Eugene asked, confused.
The man slowly but angrily repeated before translating, "I can no concentrate!" As he walked away, Eugene was about to say something when he heard a familiar voice shout his old name.
"Rider! Where are you?"
"Oh no," Varian facepalmed as the man cringed.
(In the dungeon)
When Eugene went down for dungeon duty, there was only one cell with one prisoner. Now, that cell was open and empty. "He escaped?! How?!"
"Apparently, someone didn't follow regulation and left the main door unlocked so they could go visit their girlfriend!" the Captain retorted accusingly.
Eugene groaned. "Math."
"And because of your delinquency, the prisoner was able to seize the opportunity to pick his cell lock and escape!" He slammed the cell door shut, causing Eugene to flinch at the sound.
"Uh… I know this looks bad…" He smiled sheepishly at him.
"You bet it does! Turn in your helmet and shield, hotshot!" He jabbed his finger at him before storming off. "You're off the Guard!" Eugene watched him leave, then looked down at the ground dejectedly. He had really wanted this to work out, too…
(Scene Break)
Eugene walked down the hall to the armory with his helmet tucked under his arm. Shorty and Varian flanked him on either side. "Ah, I should've just done what I was asked. So stupid!" he lamented.
Shorty pulled a yam with a bite taken out of it from his beard. He sniffed it before offering it to Eugene. "Why don't you drown your sorrows in the yam?"
Eugene cringed. "Uh, thanks, buddy, but I filled up on yams earlier."
"I'm sorry this didn't work out, Eugene," Varian said.
"You know what really hurts, though?" Eugene paused and turned to the alchemist. "I feel like I let you down the most, Varian."
"Me?" Varian blinked, confused.
"You believed in me the most, next to Rapunzel, and I feel like I failed you by messing this up," the older man explained as they started walking again.
"Eugene, you didn't fail me. The only way I would've felt that way is if you had given up without trying," Varian assured him.
Eugene smiled, grateful for the kid's support. "Thanks, Varian."
"Let's take a break from job hunting, and I'll help you find something better."
"Sounds like a plan. Who wants to be a guard anyway, right? All those responsibilities and rules. Plus, the Captain is a total jerk–WHOA!" he shouted as someone dashed from another hallway and collided with him. The case the other person was carrying flew open, revealing a rolled-up paper that caught Varian's eye.
"So sorry, The Giovanni." Eugene focused on the man upon realizing it was the painter, reaching for his dropped case. "Let me help."
The man grabbed the case and clutched it protectively. Grunting, he muttered something in Italian before adding, "Watch where you're going!" Then, he dashed off as the other men looked on in confusion, everyone back on their feet.
"Something smells fishy," Eugene rubbed his chin. Shorty pulled a fish from his beard.
"That would be me."
"Let's go check on Rapunzel. If he's leaving, that means her portrait is finished, and I want a look at that painting," Varian suggested before they moved again.
(Portrait Hall)
Rapunzel was inspecting her portrait with a frown (the animals had gone somewhere else for the moment) when Eugene walked in, now wearing casual clothes. Varian followed him, looking around for anything out of place. "Hey, Blondie," the older man said awkwardly, knowing she would ask about the job. "Portrait's done already. That's… great. That was quick. How did it turn out–holy horribleness!" He gasped when he finally saw the painting.
"I don't know, I don't get it, it's just… mm," Rapunzel struggled to find the right words as Varian's eyes widened at the picture.
The portrait in front of them didn't even come close to resembling the Princess. It looked like something a young child might paint.
"Really bad. Right?"
"Yeah, I'd say," Eugene said nervously. "That is really terrible!"
"I thought this guy was a professional?" Varian questioned, looking away from the portrait to examine the ones on the wall.
"Some world-famous painter!" Eugene placed a hand on his chest. "I could do a better–" He glanced up and, by chance, noticed Varian looking at him in horror. He pointed to the painting of Robin the Eleventh, then to his own fingers. Understanding the message, Eugene realized what Varian saw and gasped sharply. "I gotta go see the Captain!" he said before running out the door, Varian following closely behind him.
(In the Captain's office)
The Captain sat at his desk with Cass standing beside him, glaring at the man before him. "Look, Cap, I know I'm not on your good side, but the portrait of Robin the Eleventh has been stolen!"
"No, it hasn't," the Captain argued. "You wanna know why it hasn't? Because my men can adhere to procedures. Procedure dictates that the gallery be patrolled every five minutes."
"Unless there's a formal portrait being done, in which case all guards are to hold off on patrols until it's finished," Varian remarked, tossing the Coronan Guard Handbook onto the desk. "Yeah, I read this, and I know the flaws in these procedures."
"Stan? Pete?" Eugene glanced at the other guards for assistance.
"Um, sorry, Eugene. We just checked two seconds before you both arrived," Pete said awkwardly. "Everything was fine."
"It's a counterfeit!" Varian retorted. "If you count the fingers, you only get ten."
"Enough!" The Captain slammed his fist on the table, shifting his focus to the older man. "Get lost before I lock you up! And I won't hesitate to do the same to your friends!"
"Oh, you'd love that, wouldn't you?" Varian hissed, eyes narrowing as he leaned closer to the Captain over the desk. "Locked up like all the other so-called witches you've caught over the last eighteen years!"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" The Captain glared at the kid.
"I'm saying I know you and the King have been looking for a reason to lock me up since my first experiment failed," Varian whispered, his eyes flashing as the Captain's ego faltered in shock. "Tell me, what exactly are the catacombs?"
"Easy, Varian. He's not worth it," Eugene said, gently guiding the kid away from the Captain and ushering him outside. An unspoken exchange and a slight nod told Varian to go ahead, and Eugene would catch up. Once the teen left the room, Eugene turned back to the Captain, his glare startling Cass and the guards, who had never seen such intensity from him; all his usual playfulness was gone. "At the risk of getting arrested, Captain, I'm going to be quick and blunt: Stay away from the kid."
They stared in disbelief as Eugene walked out, Shorty trailing behind with a distracted smile. Cass watched him leave, feeling conflicted, before narrowing her eyes. "Come on, Shorty," Eugene muttered bitterly in the hall. With Varian gone, it was time to meet the Phantom. "We're just gonna have to stop him on our own."
"Not totally on your own."
He stopped and turned around just as Cass stepped out of the room. "Cassandra?" Eugene asked in surprise with a hopeful smile. "You believe me?"
She walked toward him. "You may be an arrogant, self-centered, inconsiderate–"
"Poorly dressed," Shorty interjected.
"Bloviating, tremendous waste of space windbag–"
"Okay, okay, can we just skip to the 'but' in this sentence?" Eugene cut in, sounding annoyed.
"But I'm guessing you didn't become a legend by not trusting your gut. So, if you say something's not right, I might believe it," Cassandra concluded, her last four words sounding reluctant.
"Cass, I…" Eugene began, feeling touched.
"Plus, if you are wrong and fall flat on your face, I'll be the first to see it." She said with a smirk as she walked past him.
"I can work with that. Okay, come on, I think I know where he's headed!" Eugene led the way down the hall, leaving Shorty behind.
"Uh… wait. What are we doing again?" he asked before running after them.
(Meanwhile)
The Captain was working on some reports when he looked up to see Stan and Pete hauling in a man who was bound and gagged. "Sir, we found this nut by the palace gate. You want us to lock him up?" Stan asked.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down," the Captain said, holding up a hand. "Who are you?"
Stan removed the gag and, speaking in Italian, added angrily, "I am the real The Giovanni!" The Captain's mouth opened in shock. They quickly untied him and rushed to the gallery. Inspecting the painting of Robin the Eleventh, as the painter ranted in Italian, they discovered that it had only ten fingers.
"Ten fingers…"
"Captain, that means Eugene was–" Stan started.
"Don't you DARE finish that sentence!" the Captain snapped, glaring at him. Stan and Pete exchanged glances, silent. "Now, come on!" He led them out of the room, hoping to catch up with his daughter and Eugene.
Rapunzel watched them leave before glancing at the irritable painter as he ceased ranting. "Uhm…" she began. "Hi. I'm Princess Rapunzel."
"I know who you are," he replied, eyeing her up and down, ready to get down to business. "So, what makes you unica?"
"Oh, well, I'm always barefoot," she said, gesturing to her legs. "I have really long hair, and I always have my friend, Pascal, with me." The lizard squeaked a hello from over her shoulder. "So… I thought I'd showcase those."
"Hm." He nodded approvingly and then tossed aside the fake's attempt before preparing his canvas. "Do not move."
Once Rapunzel was in position, he began to paint. Pascal sat on her shoulder as she rested her hands in her lap, smiling brightly.
(Back with Eugene and Cass)
Max and Fidella raced toward the docks with Eugene, Cass, and Shorty. Up ahead, they saw a figure fleeing toward a boat. "He's gonna try to catch the last ferry out of Corona," Eugene said.
The fake Giovanni hopped onto some crates before jumping onto the ferry as it pulled away. "Hyah!" Eugene whipped the reins, urging Maximus to go faster. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar figure running across the rooftops, heading in the same direction. The riders raced past some people on the docks, startling them into dropping their cargo. Turning the corner, the horses sped to the edge of the pier. Once there, Max made a mighty leap and jumped onto the ship. Fidella, however, had to stop since the boat was too far for her to jump. The sudden halt caused Shorty to fall off the horse and into the bay. Eugene looked back when he heard the splash while Cass checked on the pub thug.
"I'm sure that my beard can be used as a float–" Shorty began before sinking into the water.
"I got it," Cass chuckled before diving in. Eugene watched as she tossed Shorty back onto the dock. When she climbed out, the short man spit out some water and gave a thumbs-up to let her know he was okay.
Eugene flashed her a smile before some commotion captured his attention in another direction. His eyes widened as he saw the water freeze into ice, courtesy of the Moonlight Phantom. The vigilante leaped onto the ice and sprinted, transforming more of the ocean into ice as he approached the ship. Once close enough, he used the ice to launch himself upward as he jumped, landing on the boat just a few feet away from a stunned Eugene and Max.
"I took a page from Queen Elsa's book," he said bluntly. Max was immediately on guard, knowing this man was a wanted fugitive, but Eugene calmed him.
"Easy, Max, easy. He's on our side."
The horse settled as he eyed the vigilante. The young man approached them, extending his hand. "A truce? For now?" Horse and man stared at each other before Maximus bumped his nose against Phantom's hand, sealing the deal.
Eugene smiled before shifting his focus back to the thief. "It's just us, guys."
"Then let's start searching," Moonlight suggested as Eugene climbed down from the horse's back, holding a crossbow. The older man nodded and gestured for them to separate. Max moved in one direction while Phantom went the opposite way, and Eugene continued straight ahead. The deck was clear of people but cluttered with crates that could serve as hiding spots. The former thief scanned the area, unaware of a blue sleeve moving away. Eugene navigated carefully through the cargo, staying attentive. However, he wasn't vigilant enough, as he was suddenly elbowed by the fake Giovanni. He stumbled back in pain, dropping his crossbow, which the thief seized and aimed at him, causing Eugene to stare back in fear.
"Arrivederci, baby. It means 'goodbye.'" He sneered wickedly before pulling the trigger, but nothing happened. "Huh?"
"Crossbow procedure number one," Eugene said with a grin. "Always keep the safety on!"
The man then heard a whinny before being kicked by Maximus. The real Robin was sent flying as the thief crashed into a crate, bouncing on boxes while Max worried it might fall into the sea. Suddenly, a rope of moonlight seized the painting, snapping it into Moonlight's hand as he walked over to the others. "Yeah, baby!" Eugene cheered as they regrouped. Max dragged the thief over, who crossed his arms with an annoyed expression, while the former thief picked up the crossbow.
"Huh. Actually saved by one of the Captain's dumb rules." He mused, then paused and shot Max a look. "Don't you dare tell him. The last thing I want is to see that guy get a big head." As he crossed his arms, the crossbow suddenly went off because Eugene was waving it around. Max narrowly ducked out of the way before glaring at Eugene, who smiled sheepishly.
"I'll go tell the captain to turn the ship around," the Phantom said bluntly before walking away.
(A short time later)
Once they returned (Varian quickly changed back before their arrival), the thief was handed over to the Royal Guard, with Stan and Pete escorting him to the waiting prison cart. "See, I knew something was up when he cursed me out. His Italian was terrible! Subject-verb agreement was way off!" Eugene explained with a laugh before noticing the looks Varian and the Captain were giving him. "What? I speak Italian. They have stuff to steal in Italy, too, you know. Anyway, the rest was just putting the pieces together. You see, you gotta think like a crook in order to catch one. You just can't teach that, Cap."
The man looked thoughtful for a moment. "... Perhaps I acted precipitously when I dismissed you, Rider." Varian rolled his eyes, knowing that was the closest they would get to an apology.
"Ah, let me guess," Eugene grinned as he playfully rolled his eyes. "You want me to join the Guard again. Well, I'm flattered, but–"
"Oh, no. Heavens, no." The Captain waved his hands, rejecting the idea. "You're a terrible guard, Rider... but I do have something else in mind."
(The next day)
The guards stood proudly as Eugene walked past them, clearing his throat to get their attention. "Good afternoon, gentlemen, and welcome to Thinking Like a Thief," he addressed the class, with Shorty standing at the front dressed in a guard uniform. "I am your instructor, Eugene Fitzherbert. You may call me 'Mr. Fitzherbert.' No, wait. Professor Fitzherbert. Let's add an 'honorable' in there. The Honorable Professor Fitzherbert! Esquire. Masks on." He pulled out a black mask and put it on.
Shorty glanced at him, yelping before he started to quiver. "Take the women and children! Don't hurt the money!" Eugene watched as the old man ran away, screaming and crying, prompting the taller man to chase after him.
"Shorty! Wait, Shorty, it's me! Come back!" Above, Varian and the girls watched from the balcony overlooking the training yard.
"Wow, my dad has no idea what he just unleashed!" Cass commented with a shrug. "Eh, all's well that ends well, I guess."
"This seems to work for him," Varian noted, glancing up from his sketchpad. "The other idea I had was bounty hunting."
The handmaiden smiled at Rapunzel and said, "Nice to see you back in a long skirt again. Are you happy with the painting?"
"Mmhm." Rapunzel smiled. "I think I am. Mom and Dad seem to like it, too."
"Good." Cassandra nodded.
The princess glanced at the alchemist, catching his eye. "A wise friend reminded me that hobbies don't make you unique. Hobbies are things anyone can do. What's important is what makes you stand out from the rest."
Varian smiled and blushed slightly. He felt flattered that she considered him wise. "Thanks for helping her with that, kid," Cass said. "I was worried she'd try to pose with everything if she couldn't figure something out."
Everyone laughed at Cass's remark before turning their attention back to Eugene's class. "Say, Varian, what are you drawing?" Rapunzel asked after a moment.
"Oh, just blueprints for a new invention," he replied, although he was really sketching new outfit designs for his phantom costume. He had wanted to redo it for a while and hoped to ask Eugene for input later. Varian packed up his things and joined the girls. "Eugene's class is probably more interesting."
"Do you draw for fun?"
"Sometimes, I'll show you some of those sketches later."
"Great!"
(Meanwhile)
"Your Majesty," King Frederic turned as the Captain approached him. "May I have a private word with you?"
"Of course, Captain." The two men left the hallway and entered the king's study for privacy. "How's Eugene's class going?"
"I already regret this," the Captain mumbled as the king closed the doors before getting back on track. "But that is not what I wanted to discuss, Your Majesty. It's about Sir Quirin's son."
"Oh, dear," Frederic sighed, having heard this more than once. "What's he done now?"
"Nothing, sir, but… it's more about something he said," the Captain struggled to find his words. "The other day, I had a… disagreement with Rider. In a moment fueled by emotion, I told him to leave, or I would lock both of them up."
"Captain." The king looked at him sternly.
"I know, I shouldn't have done that, but I wanted to inform you about what happened afterward. Instead of leaving after I said that, Varian became… agitated, almost hostile even," the Captain explained, observing King Frederic's growing concern before sighing. "He revealed that he was aware of us monitoring his actions."
"What?" Frederic's eyes widened.
"He made it clear that he is aware and unafraid of us. He also asked what the catacombs were, which left me quite confused since I didn't have the slightest idea what he was talking about."
The king turned pale when the Captain mentioned the catacombs but quickly composed himself by clearing his throat. "Let's not worry about that right now, Captain. Do you know how Varian might have been made aware of our movements?"
"I do not know, Your Majesty, but I suspect the Phantom may have told him."
"What makes you suspect him?"
"My daughter did some research for the Guard during her off-hours recently. She discovered that all the earliest sightings of the Moonlight Phantom began in Old Corona. They lingered there for a while before spreading throughout the Kingdom."
"So, the Phantom is holed up in Old Corona, is what you're suggesting," King Frederic concluded from the information.
"Yes, sir, but we are still no closer to uncovering his identity," the Captain added.
The king hummed in thought as he processed this information. He knew he could easily send a squad of guards to search the village for clues. However, he didn't want to jeopardize his friendship with Quirin, knowing the former knight would never agree. Besides, if they found nothing, they could scare the Moonlight Phantom into changing locations, and they would never find him.
"There's one more thing, Your Majesty," the Captain said after a brief silence. "I'm not sure how much he knows, but Varian seems to have gained an ally in Rider. He intervened in our, um, dispute, and once he ushered the boy out of the room, he made it clear to, as he put it, 'stay away from the kid.'"
"Hmm," Frederic hummed again. "And he's become close with my daughter, too…."
"Both of our daughters," the Captain replied before returning to the topic at hand. "How shall we proceed, Your Majesty?"
The king was silent for a moment, contemplating the best way to address this new development. "Let us continue as we were for the time being. As far as we can tell, Varian has not informed his father or our daughters of what he's learned. Let us keep it that way."
"As you wish," the Captain said, bowing at the waist.
"Notify me if the situation changes."
"Yes, sir." With that, the Captain left to resume his duties.
Alone in his study, King Frederic gazed out the window, lost in thought. While he appeared calm, his mind raced a thousand miles a minute. How could Varian have discovered the truth, especially since the Catacombs were sensitive information known only to the sitting blood royal of the Sonne Family and the Royal Advisor? If he learned this from the Phantom, how did he find out? Then again, who knows what that ruffian sees and hears when out of sight?
It didn't seem as though Varian had informed his father of the situation. Knowing Quirin as Frederic did, the former knight would've threatened regicide if Frederic even considered harming Varian. He was just as protective of his son as he was of his daughter.
Since the Moonlight Phantom was Varian's most likely source, Frederic wondered what else the masked felon might know. He obviously knew about the rocks since he could summon them, but how much did he truly understand? Did he know why they were here and what they wanted…? Had he told Rapunzel about them?
King Frederic hardened his expression at the thought. "No. I won't lose her again." He glared defiantly at the sky, silently declaring war on the Moonlight Phantom.
At the same time, Varian felt a chill wash over him as he observed Eugene's class. If he didn't know better, he felt like someone had just threatened his life…
I'm serious about redesigning Varian's hero costume. I may use it as a season two costume for him or sooner. In the meantime, I'll be back for Challenge of the Brave.