(My inspiration for this chapter, Let Me Try sung by NateWantsToBattle!)

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Chapter 48 -
Varian Saves The Day
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11-4-19-12-4-19-17-24

“You're not messing with Corona’s Science Expo! Especially my best friend. No one messes with him ever!” You try to push Dr. Croix away.

He suddenly caught you off guard and stepped away while letting you go. You fall forward and try to catch yourself, unfortunately you hit your head and you groan painful. Why is it always your head?

Everything sounded muffled and slightly unbalanced, but you could see Dr. Croix turning something and reaching for a lever.

“Dr. St. Croix! NO! You're building too much pressure!” Varian yells in panic.

The invention shoot up after he pulls the lever and it flies around right when Cass and Varian came onto the stage. Varian helps you up and you lean on him, holding your head.

“(____) is your head-”

“Watch it!” Cass tackles you two off the stage and Varian's invention knocks Dr. Croix away. You're on top of Varian and before you could comprehend it, a loud exhilarating sound reaves up.

“Oh this is bad!” Varian helps you up.

The invention had attached to Fernanda’s magnetism contraption and started breaking out into bright green electricity.

“How is this, Varian?” You were afraid to ask as the dangerous machine began to float up and the wind picked up drastically.
“Introducing counter centrifugation to the magnetism could result into, well, THAT!” Varian gulps, “It's angular momentum is rapidly approaching critical velocity once that happens, it'll suck up everything in sight.”

“So you mean us and basically everything?”

“Yes!”

It felt like a very strong and unnatural whirlwind. There was a loud violent flap and with the blink of an eye, something harshly wrapped around your ankle.

“AH!” You yell and your body is flung airborne with what looked like the banner of the expo.

“(____)!!!!”

Varian grabs your arm at the last second and gets pulled up too.

Cassandra yells in slight fear, “Varian! (____)!”

The two of you yell, flying up toward the machine. Varian's foot tangles around the beaded decoration on the machine. It snaps on one side which now leaves you two dangling in the eye of the dark whirlwind.

The banner still tugs harshly on your leg and making Varian's grip on your arm slip to your hand.

“Varian!” You say fearfully.

Varian holds on tight, “We gotta get that off your leg!”

“KID!”

Varian looks down to see Eugene had tossed up a covered dagger. He catches it, swiftly uncovering it and uses all his strength to pull you down and swing at the end of the banner.

You scream, your body now flipping up right.

Varian wraps his arms around you tightly, “Don't worry, I got you!” He holds you close, “I got you!”

You look up at him as he smiles confidently. The two of you stare at each other, trying comprehend what this weird feeling that came over you two.

Varian suddenly felt determined and glares at the machine, “CASSANDRA! We need an equally powerful wind source to counteract the vortex!”

Without warning, a green electric energy struck onto you and you scream in pain. Varian yells out in pain too as it travels onto him. More power began to strike around in the vortex.

No one noticed, but further into the whirlwind something began to open slowly before eyes watch the damage being done below.

Varian yells out, “IT NEEDS TO COUNTER PULL TO THE VORTEX'S……...CRITICAL VELOCITY!”

You felt you mark start burn.

“(____)!”

“......What?!....”

Varian opens an eye, “WE NEED…..TO PULL THE BRAKE LEVER!” He manages to grin, “POWER OF TWO!”

You barely open your eyes then manage your own grin, “POWER OF TWO!”

Varian takes your hand in both of his while you get ready to swing as well. A bit of gravity began to pull back down to earth, making it enough velocity to toss you.

“NOW!” Varian yells.

You swing downward and Varian uses a very surprising amount of strength to throw you down at the machine.

The lever stood out to your hand and you pull it.

Everything shut off, causing everything that was in the air to fall back to the ground. Dr. Croix tried to limp away, only to have you and Varian land right on top of him.

Dr. Croix look at you and glares, “YOU-” He stops and holds his neck, whimpering, “Eh… Neck…..hurts…..”

You groan, feeling sore, “You…..deserve it.”

Guards surrounded you three, Stan and Pete help you and Varian up while the others take Dr. Croix away along with Fernanda.

Rapunzel, Eugene, and Cass walk up in confusion. Varian felt confused as well, “Why are you guys taking Dr. St. Croix away?”

Stan frowns, “Apparently he isn't a real scientist.”

“Yeah. He stole other people's inventions and who knows what else he did, other than acting like a scientist.” Pete continued.
You panic a bit when you remember that the ribbons and medals were in the podium. Quickly you head to it and dig inside your coat for the key.

Rapunzel turns to Stan, “How did you guys find out?”

“Oh, well (____) found his journal and turned it in to the King.” Stan and Pete left to help clean up the mess.

Varian looks in your direction and you're struggling to turn the key which for some reason, wouldn't unlock the podium compartment. He walks over then kneels beside you, “Maybe turn it the other way?”

The key turned to unlock and Varian smirks at you. You blushed and laugh nervously, “Well I feel dumb now.”

He smile softly, “I guess, you did lose a bit of common sense there.”

You pout and gently shove him as he laughs lightly. You smiled despite Varian's small taunt and chuckle, taking out the small chest.

“Are you okay after that electric shock?” He places his hand on your shoulder.

A faint blush appears on your cheeks, “Yeah. I feel a bit drained, but I'm fine.” You give him a closed eyed smile.

Varian glances down shyly, “Hey…...thank you.”

You meet his shy expression, “For what?”

“You know….Dr. St. Croix.” He sighs with his head down, “Even if he was a fraud scientist, I still lost and I got disqualified. I should've listened when you said Cassandra was busy. Finding an assistant in less than five minutes was difficult.”

You frown, putting the chest down and tenderly lift Varian's head to look at you, “Yeah, but you were able to show your invention to everyone.” You sigh, “He may be a fraud scientist and made you feel like you weren't capable of anything, but Varian….”

You smile sweetly, “He was wrong about everything. This isn't just about the contest, it's about showing what you're capable of and proving to everyone that you are unique and special.”

Varian stares at you with a sentimental expression now, “You think I'm special?”

You laugh softly, “Of course. You're the one and only Varian. The one who is so passionate about Alchemy and the one who is so compassionate about helping his village.” You glance down, “And you're so kind-hearted despite having most people not believing in you.”

The next words had made a new light spark inside Varian. Something that he couldn't quite understand, but it feel amazing.

“You are Varian the Strong-Hearted Alchemist.”

You pull your hands away and bite your lip, blushing heavily. Especially since Varian was only staring, almost like the time he first put your glasses on for you.

Your fingers subconsciously tuck your hair behind your ear, “So what was this MAGICAL invention of yours?” You chuckle sheepishly.

Varian snaps out of it and pulls out something from his pants pocket, “Oh…..well my invention made this.”

A glistening violet gem of some sorts is placed in your palm and your eyes widen, “Wow….” You hold it to make it shimmer in the light. “Your invention made this? It's so breathtaking.”

Varian shrugs with a shy smile, “It was the Elemental Remagrafier. The rotation on it caused friction to heat the 50 pounds of sand I poured into it, while the counter centripetal promoted particle compression.” He watches you, “Which resulted into a new element, that I named Cassandrium.”

You hum and chuckle, handing it back to him, “Well, Cassandra should have the very thing that is named after her.”

Varian chuckles a bit, “I suppose…” He sighs again and attaches the new gem to a decorative string that lay near him.

You knew he felt down still, so you tap his nose, “Excuse me, sir, but have you seen my dorky friend? He has dark hair, freckles, and these magnificent sky blue eyes. Oh and he LOVES everything to do with alchemy.”

Varian raises a brow at you then had to grin and laugh.

You smile softly, “There's my Varian. Come on. You're not done with this Expo and not leaving without nothing.” You stood up and began to announce loudly.

“ATTENTION! ESPECIALLY ALL SCIENCE ENTRIES! PLEASE STICK AROUND FOR WE HAVEN'T YET PICKED THE WINNERS OF THIS YEAR'S EXPOSITION OF SCIENCES!”

Varian stands up in surprise, “What?”

You grin and pick up the chest, “Be here when the winners are announced. Besides, it's all a do over and I have a feeling you aren't disqualified. I need to change, so go give Cass the necklace.”

Varian glances toward Cass then to you as you walk inside the castle. A thought comes back to him and grins with happiness, “She thinks I'm special.”

A few minutes passed as you go to head up another set of stairs when Varian slips past you and nearly tips over a vase. “I got it!”

“Varian? Is everything alright?” You ask worried.

He grins and hugs you, “Everything is fine, but I need to show the Princess something very important near my home. We'll be back. When does the contest start back up?”

You hum, “Evening. About 8.”

“Good. I'll be back.” He runs out again, not giving you time to answer.

“That's Varian.” You giggle and sigh happily.

In your room, you had cleaned up and now it was time to decide on a dress. Back and forth. You didn't want to wear a dress, but this event had now turned to one to try to represent Corona in a good way. Meaning, wearing a dress and…..dancing for entertainment.

“Maybe I shouldn't have hid from the dance lessons.” You say embarrassed.

A knock is heard and you call out softly, “Yes?”

Pete sticks his head in, “Someone named Quirin is here to see you, Lady (____).”

You blink then smile, “Let him in.”

Pete lets in Quirin before going back out to keep guard.

“Hi, Quirin.” You notice he's carrying a flat box.

Quirin smiles slightly and places the box on a chair, “Hello, (____). It's been awhile.” He opens his arms which you hug him.

“If you're looking for Varian, he should be back in a little while. He forgot something at the house, so he went back to get it.” You lied.

“I see. Well he did invite me here to see his… Invention. Please tell me it didn't cause any dangers.”

You hum, “Well to be honest, it did, but don't be upset. Someone else messed with it and Varian tried to stop him. Please don't be upset with Varian.” You plead and frown, “This fake scientist has done enough in having him feel bad about himself.”

Quirin sighs then smiles a bit, “It's actually good to here Varian didn't cause it. I'm guessing, you fixed everything.”

You nod and smile happily, “Yes. Varian is going to be so happy you're here to support him even if you're late.”

He chuckles lightly and jokes for the first time even if it's lightly, “Fashionably late.” He picks up the box and hands it to you. “The seamstress in town gave this to me, but I did help pick it out. Hopefully it'll help your decision crisis.” Quirin gestures to the dresses you had out.

This was a very big shock and surprisingly kind of Varian's dad. You didn't expect this from him and you take the box, smiling warmly, “Thank you, Quirin.”

Your thoughts went back to Varian. He had saved you. He went against his own invention to save you. Sure, there was that time when the water tanks exploded, but…….there was something different about this save.

He stuck through the pain of it all to keep you safe. He trusted you and you trusted him through that dangerous situation.

You held yourself, smiling on a daze as you remembered how you felt so safe in his arms.

Quirin watched you hold the dress close to you and sway slightly. He knew you didn't know that your actions were subconsciously moving to what you were thinking. What you were feeling.

He had to see if it was truly there. Luckily, his son knew how to dance.

-

“Elx tsniewele ltj zpig fykeco. Chg abcj mi furx flni tsebe, Ncivusnj.”

A voice spoke after the machine had been shut off by you, causing the the unnatural window to close immediately.