Chapter Text
This is a story of a young boy. His name was Flynn Edmund Fitzherbert, and yes. He is my handsome son!
Eugene.
Sorry! Sorry!
Flynn was the crown prince of Corona, and everyone from far and wide loved him. Some people loved him...too much. An evil race called the Changelings snuck into the night, and kidnapped the young prince in an effort to rule Corona. However, what they did not count on was the brave warrior and the loyal Alchemist to foil their plans.
~*~
“Okay okay everything has to be perfect! Cass is going to be so excited to be back!” Rapunzel shouted as she fixed the streamers.
“No offense Rapunzel, but I’m pretty sure Cass would just want to rest when she gets back…,” Varian told the Princess as he picked up a roll of streamers.
“Yes, yes I know...But it’s not everyday your best friend comes home after years being on the road!”
“Yeah I guess…”
Varian glanced around the banquet hall.
“...But do you really need a five layer cake?” The alchemist asked the Queen as he glanced at the large cake shaped like Corona.
“Yes! Each one is Cass’s favorite flavor!”
Varian sighed as Rapunzel threw her arms up in excitement. He knew she was excited, but she may be overdoing some things…Well who could blame her. This was Rapunzel after all.
“Ah, there you are Sunshine.”
“Eugene!”
A bright smile stretched across Rapunzel’s face as she saw his husband. Varian, deciding to leave the couple alone, started hanging up some more streamers on the other side of the hall.
“Back from duty already?” Rapunzel asked her husband as he slid over to her.
“Yes, we finally put the little bugger to sleep. And it only took Lance and I 16 tries! Can you believe it!?”
Rapunzel laughed softly as Eugene leaned against the table. He eyed the large cake before glancing down at the knife sitting next to it. Before Rapunzel could stop him, he grabbed the knife and dug into it. Ignoring the look from his wife, he took a plate from beside the cake. He slid the cake on it before setting the knife down.
“You know I was worried about being a Father because...You know…” He twirled the fork in his hand to emphasize the point. “But I feel like I’m finally getting the hang of it!” He shoved the fork into a piece of the cake before shoveling it into his mouth.
“Eugene! That’s-”
“Are you seriously eating my cake Fitzherbert?”
Rapunzel gasped loudly as she heard the voice. She whipped around, beaming at her best friend.
“Cassandra!”
“Hey Raps.”
You could hardly tell it was Cassandra. Her short black hair now flowed down her back in waves. Her torn handmaiden head piece was still strapped to her arm. The bright purple gems on her necklace stood out against the black armor she now wore. But what struck Rapunzel the most was the bright sun painted on her chest. The symbol of Corona.
“You weren’t supposed to be here till tomorrow morning!” Rapunzel cried as she rushed over to give the girl a hug.
Cassandra chuckled as her best friend pounced on her, “It’s been a while, huh?”
“Yes! Three years and two weeks!”
“You’ve been counting…” She tilted her head in disbelief although not entirely surprised.
“Of course I have!”
“Oh Cass, it’s so nice to see your icy demeanor again,” Eugene told her as he shoved another piece of cake into his mouth.
“Hey watch it Fitzherbert,” Cass snapped at him. She reached forward, and snatched the plate of cake from him, setting it on the table as Eugene glared at her.
“Eh, eh, eh! It’s King Fitzherbert to you,” Eugene told her as he pointed the frost covered fork at her.
“Oh, I’m sorry!”
She took a step back, and draped her arm across her chest. She dipped down into a bow in front of him. “Your Majesty.” She pronounced in a deep husky voice.
“Ah yes, that’s much better.”
Rapunzel giggled softly as the two ‘bickered’. “Speaking of royalty…”
Cassandra turned back to Rapunzel.
“Where’s the little royal?”
“Oh, Eugene and Lance just set him down for a nap.”
Cassandra glanced up to see the young alchemist on a ladder. “After all, we don’t want him to be crabby tomorrow when he meets you…”
A soft smile formed Cassandra’s face as she stared up at him.
“Hello Varian.”
“Cassandra.”
She winced at his harsh tone. Was Varian still scared of her? I mean, she couldn’t blame him...After everything she put him and this kingdom though…She only wishes that he could trust her again.
“Well I mean, you could go visit him,” Rapunzel told her.
She walked over to her friend, and set a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll just have to do it really quietly.”
Cassandra reluctantly listened to Rapunzel. Being silent really wasn’t her strong suit...But she has no other choice.
“Don’t worry, he won’t even notice I’m there,” She told her before heading towards Flynn's room. She walked through the purple and the gold halls of the castle. She always thought that the colors were tacky, but after a few years she realizes it’s a nice color scheme. She slid her hand across the wall. As she walked, her hand got caught in some fabric.
“What in the…”
She pulled her hand away and took a step back. She gasped when she saw a large white tapestry. A large gold tree was sewn on it. In between the branches were faces of the past royals. However, outside the tree around the border were pictures of her and Rapunzel going on their adventures. Cass smiled as she ran her fingers against the tapestry. She moved her hand away before continuing to walk to the prince’s room. As she walked, she noticed the many paintings that lined the wall. She traced her fingers over these new paintings. The new memories that Rapunzel had without her… But she smiled when she saw the last painting. It was her surrounded by her friends. Even though Rapunzel and the others had new memories without her, she can make new memories with them. Feeling satisfied that her friends would have fun with her, she continued her way to the nursery. She stopped, however, when she heard a soft clanging sound.
‘What was that?’ She thought to herself.
She heard another noise, and put a hand on the hilt of her sword. She cautiously rounded the corner. However, when she turned no one was there. Cassandra sighed before returning the small inch of her sword back into her hilt.
‘I must be imagining things,’ She assured herself. ‘I have been on the road for a few years…’
She jumped when she heard the same clanging sound from before. Instinctively, she pulled out her sword and looked around the corridor. She heard it once more, but this time she knew where it was coming from. She rushed towards the nursery, and slammed open the door. The white walls were brightening in the moonlight rays. The rays were the only light in the room. Toys were scattered around the room along with several books. Some were unopened, others were opened at random pages. In the corner was a small stack of books along with a cloth covered chair. She glanced at the white crib before slowly walking over. She peered in to see the sleeping form of Prince Flynn. His brown hair framed his face as he slept. She smiled down at him before reaching down. She gently stroked his cheek with the back of her hand.
“Hey little guy…,” She whispered to him.
She heard a rustling sound before whipping around. She knew someone was in here, and it was her job to find out who.
“...I know you’re in here,” She whispered as she raised her sword slightly. “Show yourself.”
Laughter filled the room as she navigated her way around the room. The eerie laughter became louder as she neared the center of the room.
“Cassandra~”
Her hair stood on end when she heard the eerie deep voice. She pulled out her sword as she heard more laughter.
“How do you know my name?” She demanded as she raised her sword higher.
“Our queen knows all.”
“Your queen?”
She gasped when she saw something move across the floor.
‘I have you now…’
She saw something move in the corner. She saw the cloth move up signaling her that the person was in the chair.
“Gotcha!”
She pulled up the cloth to reveal a white rocking chair. She frowned when she saw nothing was there
“Where did you go?”
She whipped around when she heard crying. Her eyes widened when she saw a person carrying Flynn. The boy continued to cry as they rushed over to the window. Out towards the kingdom…
“Oh no you don’t!”
Cass rushed over to the window. She reached her hand out as the person flung open the window.
‘Just a little bit more…!’
She hears the ringing in her ears before she knows what happened. Stunned by the impact of something colliding with her head, she falls to the ground. More laughter came from behind her. A loud clanging sound came from the frying pan as the person behind her dropped it.
“Frying pans...Who knew it would be such a useful weapon.”
Her vision was going in and out as she watched the person walk over to her partner.
“Let’s get home before anymore show up.”
The two walked out onto the balcony.
“With the arrival of the Prince…Queen Titania’s plan will finally come to fruition!”
Cass let in a sharp gasp as she reached out towards the balcony.
“No…!” She gasped.
Flynn’s cries filled her ears as her vision faded. The last thing she saw before falling unconscious were the two jumping off the balcony, Prince Flynn in their arms.