Here's my newest Tangled story. I got the idea for this story after getting back into Danny Phantom.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Tangled. I only own this story idea.
Here we go with chapter one.
Once upon a time, millennia ago, a clash in the heavens became known as the Cosmic Event. Two drops of light fell from the sky, creating two celestial artifacts: the Sundrop Flower and the Moonstone Opal. Both were immensely powerful, yet they possessed opposing abilities. The Sundrop could heal the sick and injured, while the Moonstone could summon destructive black rocks and drain the lives of those who ventured too close. Upon their discovery, two kingdoms arose around them to worship and protect these artifacts. However, their fates turned out to be very different.
Not much was known about the Sundrop's protectors, not even the name of their kingdom. All that is known is that something went wrong, and they vanished without a trace. The golden flower remained alone in its secluded spot by the ocean, undisturbed as a new kingdom, Corona, formed not too far away. Its only consistent visitor before that was a witch named Gothel, who sought to keep the flower hidden to use its power to remain young forever. Corona knew nothing of the Sundrop beyond legends and had no reason to search for it… until Queen Arianna fell ill. From that point, everyone knew the Sundrop's story.
The Moonstone, however, was kept secret and protected for centuries. The Kingdom of Lunos, known to outsiders as the Dark Kingdom, was built around, worshiped, and adapted to the whims of the sentient Moonstone Opal. Each generation, the Moonstone chose special protectors to serve as personal bodyguards. These protectors were granted unique abilities and blessings. These warriors called the Brotherhood, devoted their lives to serving the Moonstone.
However, the Moonstone had turned cruel to the Kingdom over the last few decades. People perished from a plague generated by its decay magic, and many were impaled or driven from their homes by the black rocks it summoned. No one understood what they had done wrong or how to stop it. When the queen fell ill and died, the king resolved to abandon tradition and sought to destroy it. The Moonstone retaliated with a blast that obliterated what remained of the once-proud kingdom, claiming many lives. Facing no other option, the king sent away those who remained, instructing them never to return. He stayed behind as a last line of defense to ensure the Moonstone's magic never crossed the kingdom's borders, while the current Brotherhood was dispatched to prevent others from approaching the Dark Kingdom.
However, this is not where the story of the Moonstone ends. It will pick up again sixteen years later with the son of the Brotherhood's leader.
His name is Varian.
Varian's father, Quirin, settled in Corona after the fall of his home kingdom. Since then, he has become the leader of the farming village of Old Corona and has married Varian's mother, an alchemist. By the time Varian was eight, his mother had been gone for four years after disappearing on a trip, leaving Quirin to raise him alone. During that year, Varian discovered he possessed special abilities no one knew about. Powers from a piece of the Moonstone were passed on to him from Quirin after he had been exposed to the Moonstone's energy many years earlier. He kept this secret and experimented with his powers, learning more about himself and what he could do. Varian realized that intense emotions triggered these abilities, which radiated from his hands. He could control them as long as he wore his gloves.
By the time he was twelve, Varian had a solid grasp of his abilities. He could prevent himself from glowing when using them but still wore his gloves since he would light up if he became too excited or angry. At this age, Varian realized he could do much more with his powers than hide them. After saving his village from a potential attack, Varian became Old Corona's silent protector, watching over everyone, even though many didn't like him due to his alchemy mishaps. With his powers allowing him to move between the village and the island, that protection extended to the rest of Corona.
That is how the legend of the "Moonlight Phantom" was born.
Who the Moonlight Phantom was depended on who was speaking. To the average citizen, he was simply a legend, possibly not even real. To those who had seen him, he was real and safeguarded the peace of Corona. However, to others, especially the Corona Royal Guard, he was a menace and an outlaw who took the law into his own hands. The Phantom had drawn the Guard's ire by interfering with arrests, often those involving orphans or petty theft. When confronted about his loyalties, he once declared, "I'm loyal to the people, not the Crown."
King Frederic, the ruler of Corona, particularly despised the Moonlight Phantom. Corona had never been a welcoming place for magic users, and it had only worsened since Princess Rapunzel's kidnapping. Ever since his daughter was taken, Frederic had harbored a deep mistrust of anything magical. The Moonlight Phantom clearly embodied that magic, summoning moonlight and shadows.
For this reason, Varian kept his double life a secret from everyone, including his father. Quirin and King Frederic had been friends longer than Varian had been alive, so he didn't want to put his dad in an awkward position with the King. Additionally, Varian was aware of the dangers despite his father's efforts to shield him. He knew that people could disappear for something as simple as knowing basic apothecary, which made secrecy a high priority.
For the past two years, being the Kingdom's defender had become the norm for Varian. Now, at fourteen, he was constantly discovering new things about his powers, and life was… well, it had its ups and downs. While he felt that his alchemy and engineering skills had improved, people still didn't trust his work. However, by this point, he had come to accept that. He realized that no matter what he did, no one would trust him if his secret ever got out, so it didn't matter.
Researching his magic, Varian became very interested in the Sundrop Flower and the events surrounding it four years before his birth. He also studied the young princess who was born with long, blonde hair that shone like the sun and had been taken away at night without a trace. Varian couldn't explain it, but the young hero was convinced that the flower was essential to uncovering the answers to his powers. He didn't know how, but Varian felt so confident that he couldn't ignore the sensation.
"They still haven't found her, huh?" he murmured thoughtfully, watching the lanterns drift over his town from the section of the Coronan Wall that stretched behind his home.
Every year, the king, queen, and everyone in Corona released paper lanterns, hoping to guide their lost princess home. This year marked the eighteenth time, yet there was still no sign of her.
Varian decided it had been long enough. He would go out to find her himself if necessary, regardless of what his father or anyone else said.
The next day, however, he learned that Princess Rapunzel had been found (The one night I don't go on patrol, and I miss all the fun, he thought to himself when he heard). A celebration was held in her honor. Varian attended it, keeping to the shadows to avoid being noticed.
The vigilante turned his attention to the cheerful brunette sharing a hug with the king and queen. Her hair was short and choppy, making her appear less like a princess and more like... well, she no longer liked her mural. Yet, at the same time, Varian sensed something within her. As he focused on that feeling, he let out a soft gasp. Her hair may not be long and golden, but her power was still present.
Varian looked down at her from his spot on the roof. She looked his way as if sensing his gaze. He then watched as she turned her attention to a group of redheaded girls and walked over to them.
"I better get home," Varian said, standing up. "I don't want to make Dad worry."
He smiled at Rapunzel one last time as she interacted with the subjects who had missed her for so long. He then jumped from roof to roof, careful not to be seen as he made his way home. As much as he wanted to talk to her, she would likely feel tired soon. She went from being alone to being the center of attention in just one day, and he didn't want to overwhelm her. He'd have other opportunities.
Varian returned to Old Corona, and life continued as usual.
(Timeskip)
It had been six months since Rapunzel was rescued from the tower where she had lived for eighteen years. Six months of learning about the life she never knew she had, getting to know her birth parents, and adjusting to living in a castle. Now, her coronation was here, marking the moment when everyone in the Seven Kingdoms would officially recognize her as the Princess of Corona.
"Rise and shine, Raps," her lady-in-waiting and best friend, Cassandra, said as she opened the curtains to let the sunlight in. Rapunzel curled up under her blanket as Cassandra walked over and yanked it off her. "Come on, you've got a busy day ahead of you."
"I know…" Rapunzel said sheepishly as she climbed out of bed and let Cassandra get her ready. She removed her nightgown and put on her casual dress, not seeing the need to get her formal clothes out right now.
"I had a strange dream last night, Cass," she said as the older woman brushed her hair.
"Yeah?" she asked, distracted by a tangle.
"It was nighttime with a full moon. I was in the woods near my old tower, and fog was everywhere. A person was running through the mist, and I could only see them because blue light was coming from them," Rapunzel elaborated.
"Interesting," Cassandra nodded. "As much as I want to hear more, Raps, you have a welcoming ceremony to prepare for."
Rapunzel cringed slightly. "Oh, right… That…" She took a small gulp before inhaling deeply. "Today's going to be fine. No pressure. I just have to… not embarrass myself in front of everyone."
Cassandra sighed and then smiled encouragingly. "Raps, you can do this. Just relax. Your parents will understand a few mistakes. Plus, I'll be there to make sure those mistakes don't happen." She set her hairbrush down. "It's going to be fine."
Just as she finished brushing her hair, the door swung open, and Rapunzel's boyfriend, Eugene Fitzherbert, strode in. "Good morning, beautiful!" he announced as he approached Rapunzel. "I know you've been a little nervous about today, so I thought we could go riding this morning. Relax for a bit and get some fresh air."
"My dad would never allow it," Cassandra reminded them. "Her dad would never allow it."
"Well, that's why we're going to be sneaky," Eugene said with a wink. "What do you say, Sunshine?"
Rapunzel smiled and took his hand. "I'd like that."
"Then, off we go!" He pulled her along, and the couple laughed as they ran through the castle together.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Cass mumbled after they vanished.
(Old Corona)
As Quirin finished his work, he looked at the sun to check the time. He and Varian would be attending the princess's coronation, and they needed to be ready by the time the coach picked them up.
Quirin admitted he had never enjoyed dressing up or attending large social gatherings. His son shared similar sentiments. However, his son was the reason he chose to participate in this event. Over the past six months, Quirin had noticed his son acting differently–more so than he had over the previous six years. Varian's sleep patterns had always been erratic, but they had worsened. There were days when Varian slept until the early afternoon and stayed up until the early morning. When Varian was awake in the mornings, it made Quirin wonder how much sleep the teenager had gotten the night before.
There was also Varian's attitude and demeanor. He used to be excitable and energetic, constantly chasing after his father to show his latest invention. Now, his son seemed to have mellowed and become more independent. He would mention his projects when asked, but he wasn't as insistent on sharing his alchemy with everyone as before. Quirin should've felt happy about Varian's newfound maturity, yet all he felt was worry. It was as if there was a wall between them now—a glass wall that allowed them to see each other but prevented them from truly connecting.
Quirin sighed as he approached the manor. Some villagers had suggested getting Varian out of the house more often, and he was beginning to think they might be right. Hopefully, Varian would manage well among all those nobles.
The former knight opened the outer door to Varian's lab and called down, "Varian! It's time to get ready!" There was no answer. "Varian?" he called again before stepping inside. Upon entering the lab, Quirin found it empty, leading to another tired sigh. "Now, where did he go?"
(At the same time)
"Woohoooo!" Rapunzel cheered, spreading her arms as she leaped over a river on a guard horse, Fidella. She continued riding through an open field until she halted Fidella upon reaching a towering wall at the edge of Corona, known as the Wall of Corona.
Rapunzel and Fidella approached the wall, standing just inches away. The mare glanced back at the young woman, who pulled on the reins to move closer. Fidella reared up and planted her hooves on the wall as Rapunzel climbed up, the mare using her head to boost the princess to the ledge. Rapunzel pulled herself onto the wall, smiling brightly as she gazed at the world outside. She took a deep breath, spreading her arms as she absorbed the beautiful horizon.
"Pascal…" she said dreamily. "Look at that view."
Her chameleon friend squeaked in agreement, sighing contentedly.
"Ha ha!"
Hearing enthusiastic yelling behind them, they turned to see Eugene standing atop Maximus, the guard horse. The horse halted suddenly, sending the man flying off his back. He flipped through the air before landing gracefully on the wall beside the princess.
"Okay, okay," Eugene straightened up, adjusting his vest. "I know what you're thinking. Now, it may have seemed like you won, but you gotta take into account that my hair is actually longer than yours now, so we gotta factor in wind resistance." He flipped his hair playfully to emphasize his point.
Rapunzel giggled lightly before looking back at the outside world. "Wow… Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"
Turning to his girlfriend, Eugene took her hand with a gentle smile. "Yes. Yes, I have."
Rapunzel smiled back at him before they leaned toward each other for a kiss, with Pascal covering his eyes…
"Game's over, Your Highness," the Captain interrupted. They turned to see him and the other guards gathered by the wall. "The welcoming ceremony is about to begin."
"Well, I think we showed those guards who's boss," Eugene joked. "Now, what do you say we go and make you an official princess?"
"Ohhh, is that today?" Rapunzel asked teasingly.
"Ha ha, very funny. Now, come on, we'd better get you back to the castle," Eugene motioned for her to follow as he climbed down the wall. "Ooh, maybe I can squeeze in a royal massage..." He lowered himself before popping back up. "Before my daily trim, of course."
Rapunzel watched him go before glancing at Pascal when he squeaked at her. She turned back to the view, knowing what he was thinking. "I know, Pascal," she sighed. "We'll get out there soon..."
Rapunzel took one last glance at the outside world before jumping back onto Fidella. "Ha! Race you back to the castle!" She and Fidella dashed away quickly, with Eugene and Maximus following closely behind. The Captain let out a groan as they sped off.
(Elsewhere)
Varian was in the woods, enjoying a quiet moment as he studied a mushroom he had found. As a scientist, he saw something intriguing about everything.
After finishing his notes, Varian glanced at the sun before getting up. "I'd better get home before Dad comes looking for me." He brushed himself off, rolling his eyes at the thought. His dad needed to lighten up sometimes. It wasn't like he was five years old. He could take care of himself. Varian just hoped there wasn't a lecture about the dangers of being out alone waiting for him when he returned.
As Varian crossed the dirt road, he heard the sound of pounding hooves. The teen barely had a chance to notice the horse approaching before someone yanked him out of the way. The person turned him around and held him close, shielding him from the rider's view. Varian was about to lash out when he realized it was just his father. He must have come looking for him after noticing he wasn't home.
The teen gazed past his arm and gasped, catching a glimpse of purple and brown. It was the princess! Varian pulled away from his dad and looked after her. As she passed, a small smile formed on his face. He hadn't seen her in six months, so knowing she was doing well felt nice. He couldn't quite explain it, but a part of him felt oddly protective of the princess. He wondered if that had anything to do with the sense of their powers being connected…
"Whoa, out of the way!" someone called behind him. Quirin yanked him back again as a man on a white horse raced by. "Careful, kid!"
Varian watched him leave, accompanied by several guards on horseback. "Wow. What a crowd."
"That's enough excitement for one day," Quirin remarked. "Why don't we head back to the house and get ready?"
"Yeah, okay." Varian adjusted his satchel before realizing what his father had said. "Wait, get ready for what?"
"For the Princess's coronation," his father explained as they walked. "I informed the King that we would be attending."
"Really?!" Varian looked at his dad in surprise and excitement. His dad seldom attended events at the castle, much less took him along.
"Yes," Quirin nodded. "They should be sending the carriage by now, so we need to get changed."
"All right!" The alchemist cheered, feeling a new spring in his step. He was going to meet the princess! Maybe he could finally get some of his questions answered.
"Remember to dress in your best," his dad said as they entered the house.
"I will!" Varian promised as he ran up the stairs to get ready.
Quirin stood at the entrance, watching Varian disappear at the top of the stairs. Although his son was excited, which surprised Quirin, he felt anxious. This would be Varian's first official gathering with nobility. He had attended smaller balls before, but this one would be bigger and different. The village leader was quite concerned about how it would all turn out.
I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter. The following two will be up in a minute.