(Sorry for the wait. I made this chapter a bit longer.)

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Chapter 68 -
Not In The Mood
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Rapunzel yells and her back slams onto the floor hard. She pants heavily, “STOP! Please.” She pleads then her green eyes widen when a sword is an inch away from her throat.

The sword glints in the lighting of the room.

“Begging already? I was just getting started!”

Rapunzel gulps, “(____), please. You're not thinking clearly! You're making a mistake!”

You slowly grin and chuckle ominously, “Oh no. You're the one who made the mistake, PRINCESS.”

“(____), think about Varian!” Rapunzel says.

You laugh evilly, “Varian?” You sneer, “It's the other way around Princess. This is aaall your FAULT!” You swing the sword.

“NO, (_____), DON'T!”

Another sword stops yours and you're knocked down by King Frederic. “GUARDS! TAKE HER AWAY!”

Guards grab your arms and you struggle while laughing sarcastically, “Is that all you can do?”

Rapunzel looks at you sadly, “No! Dad don't do this!” She look at her Dad who glares at her, “Take my daughter and her friends too.”

You glare harshly, “Having your friends in need get dragged away again? Some Queen you'll soon to be, PRINCESS RAPUNZEL!” Your voice fades down the hall.

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(24 Hours Earlier)

You pick up a freshly baked bread and examine it, then hum. You put it back and go over to a stand that's selling vegetables. You sigh and dig through a pile of corn.

The crops in Old Corona had all been messed up by the rocks and that left Varian with nothing.

You had your satchel on as always and held a basket in your hands to carry food. Mimi was asleep on top of your head.

It was the afternoon and you were lucky you didn't have to be at the banquet that welcomed Griffin of Pittsford, since Frederic didn't want make comments since Griffin was a bit….insecure about his height.

You paid for the corn before getting cheese and peaches.

“Oh! Confetti cannons are a great idea! My fans are going to love it!” Eugene’s voice is across behind you. Which was the Chinese Stand.

You turn to see Eugene holding up a confetti cannon to Cass. “Tell her, Blondie.”

Rapunzel crosses her arms, “Yeah, I'm not gonna tell her that.”

“Put it down, Eugene! There is no way you're bringing that thing back to the castle.” Cass says annoyed.

“Oh so now you're taking her side, huh?” He gestures to Rapunzel.

“I'm not taking anyone’s side, Eugene.” Rapunzel sighs.

“Maybe you should for once!” Cass glares at Rapunzel.

Rapunzel huffs, “Okay then sign me up for the side that says this is all ridiculous!”

You blink and groan. It was the third time this week that the three of them had been bickering with each other. You were lucky to avoid them when it got serious.

“(____)!”

“Spoke too soon.” You mumble to yourself and smile sheepishly, “Yeah?”

“Tell Eugene that a confetti cannon isn't necessary! He already has a fog machine.” Cass accuses.

“A confetti cannon and a fog machine? Well it would be super awesome-” You start.

“Thank you!” Eugene grins.

“-IF it wasn't the Griffin’s Welcoming Banquet.” You finish.

“Thank you.” Cass smiles.

Eugene’s face falls, “What?! Who's side are YOU on?”

“Mine.” You cross your arms and smile, “Though the fog machine sounds good.”

Cassandra’s face falls now, “No!”

Eugene points at her, “Ha!”

Rapunzel smiles warmly, “(____), why don't you help us with this?”

You smile a bit, “Not today, I have things to do, but I'll be back.” You start on your way.

“You know you don't always have to check on Varian 24/7. Maybe take a break?” Rapunzel asks hesitantly.

Cass and Eugene stare at Rapunzel then slowly look at you.

You stop with your back still to them, “Thanks for your consideration, but I'm fine.”

In Old Corona, you make it to Varian's home after it turned nightfall. You step inside and place the basket onto the table. Mimi jumps down and sniffs around before scurrying toward Varian's room.

You follow and gently open the door. Varian was laying on his stomach on the floor with a single candle lite and writing on paper. Books littered around him and he sighs deeply.

“Varian.”

Varian looks to you and smiles softly, getting up, “(____)!”

You're pulled into a tight embrace and feel Varian kiss your cheek. You giggle softly and hug him tightly, “I missed you.”

“I did too.” He nuzzles your hair.

You glance at his paperwork, “Are any of the formulas working out?”

Varian sighs and leans on you tiredly, “No. Nothing is working and….” He pulls away, “I'm suppose to be smart.”

You move in front of him and place your hands on his shoulders, “Varian, you are smart. It's just we're missing a piece that's unknown to us. Once we find out, then it'll work.”

Softly you lean your forehead on his and close your eyes, “Varian, please don't give up yet.”

Varian stares at you and smiles tenderly, “I won't. As long as you're here.”

There's a small growl and you raise a brow, then chuckle, “Hungry?”

Varian blushes and nods.

“Well, let's go make you something to eat.”

The two of you go out to the kitchen. You stop and glance at Varian's lab. A hand takes yours, “Don't even think about it.” Varian whispers and leads you away.

Varian managed to eat two corn and he began to yawn. You help him up and lead him back to his room.

The blanket covers the both of you and Varian wraps his arms around you. Your fingers run through his soft hair and once you see that he's out. You stare at the sky blue strand of hair.

With a sigh, you look at his face. Sleep deprived. Not eating. The back of your hand gently caresses the side of Varian's face.

You need to get that book and you quite surprised no one had notice the things you took.

Soon your eyes close and you stay close to Varian as you slept. Rudiger and Mimi decided to take turns watch over you two, so you get good rest.

“I slept a little better last night.” Varian says while you hand him a peach.

“That's good.” You smile tiredly but happily.

Varian tilts his head and walks up to you, “(____). Are you taking care of yourself too?” He asks in worry.

You nod and feel slightly tired especially after that whole Sugracha incident. You didn't tell Varian because he most likely would think it's nonsense.

“I know you're lying, but I won't push it.” Varian smiles a bit. “Will you be back?”

You chuckle, “I always tell you. I will be back and maybe I can bring something freshly cooked from the castle kitchens.”

Varian chuckles, “Dumplings?”

“Maybe.” You giggle and get ready to walk out when Varian takes your hand.

“(____), I……” He blushes and glances away shyly, “Um…..just have a safe trip back.”

You could he wanted to say something else, but didn't want to push him so you smile. “I will.”

Varian watches you again then laughs lightly when Mimi runs to catch up with you. Rudiger jumps onto his shoulder, chittering happily and Varian pets his head. “Let's get back to writing again.”

You stroll back into town and head toward the Blacksmith. Xavier has to have something even though you looked through all the books.

“Xavier, can I- MOTHER DUCKLING! Xavier!” You grew panicked after seeing Xavier knocked out cold on the ground of his shop.

Max and Pascal stood there, both smiling sheepishly.

“What did you two do?!”

Pascal holds up a tiny three leaf plant and still looks sheepish.

You take it and narrow your eyes, “Why do you guys have a three leaf Echo Plant?”

Max takes something from Xavier's shelf and hands you a bottle with swirl designs.

You stare at it and glare, “Please tell me you didn't use this whole bottle of Moodtonic. Why did Xavier even give this to you two?”

They look at the castle and you groan, facepalming, “You used it on Cass, Eugene and Rapunzel.”

You go over and pull out a book of potions. “Why do things happen when I'm gone?” You throw the Echo Plant into a mortar and crush it with the pestle. “Did Xavier tell you that it's only suppose to be ONE drop per person? A WHOLE bottle can take DAYS to wear off.”

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Mimi squeaks, “What did you two do?”

Pascal chuckles nervously, “We wanted to stop those three from fighting.”

Max huffs, “But Pascal dumped the whole bottle into the lemonade. Which caused their personalities to reverse.”

Pascal pouts, “It was an accident, I swear! They came in at the wrong time!”

Mimi sighs and shakes her head.

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You mix another clear chemical with the oil of the echo leave into a glass tube, using tongs to hold the glass over the fire.

Soon the liquid turns purple, so you carefully pour it all into the swirl glass bottle to cool.

Max and Pascal cheer, but you held the bottle in your hands and sigh. “Where are they?”

Max nods for you to get on the saddle so you guys could get into the castle faster. Max ran with Pascal and Mimi on his head. Max kicked down the door to the banquet hall and neighs happily while running in….without looking.

“Max!” You panic and pull his reins, making him come to an erupt stop before he ran into the fog machine.

You unfortunately fall off Max and land hard on the floor. “Ow….”

Pascal screeches in panic as he and Mimi pull up the swirl bottle from the fog machine and only a few drop are left inside the whole bottle.

You feel around and realize the bottle isn't in your hands. Plus the machine randomly malfunctioned and turned on.

Purple fog now blew out and filled the room. Everyone coughed and you sit up, rubbing your head from the land.

“I feel normal again!” Rapunzel says cheerfully.

Eugene takes her hand, smiling happily. “And so do I!”

“No one cares how you feel.” Cass says a bit coldly, but grins.

“And she does too!” Eugene says.

“START THE BRAAAAWL!!!” Queen Arianna brawls out and takes the cake in front of her in her hand and stuffs it in her mouth.

Nigel laughs without stopping, while Pete and Stan start rough housing and everyone acts different.

“Oh no! The vapor reversed EVERYONE’S personalities!” Rapunzel says in worry and looks at her dad.

King Frederic throws off his coat and pulls out a sword at Griffin, “Corona’s offering in partnership was a mistake! It's time to show the world the true power she wields.”

The short man with a tall golden bird helmet on his head known as Griffin takes out his sword too.

“So it comes to this…..WAR!” Frederic yelled.

“Wait, the counter elixir reversed everyone's personalities?” Eugene questions as everyone began to go crazy.

A sword falls from Stan’s waist and slides over by you.

A purple hue goes over you before it disappears and you eye Rapunzel. Slowly your hand wraps tightly around the handle of the sword and you pull it out of its sheath.

“RAPS DUCK!” Cass yells.

Rapunzel almost said where, but screams and ducks, “Whoa!”

You smirk and keep swinging at Rapunzel. In the corner of your eye, you see Cass come at you. “Oops.” You grin smugly when you step to the side, then swing your leg to kick Cass onto a table.

“(____)! Snap out of it!” Rapunzel tries not to hurt you as she only dodges your swings.

“What good would that do? I find this rather FUN!” You jab at her and when she turns to dodge, you grab her hair. “Rapunzel! Let down your HAIR!” You laugh and swing her a few feet way.

Rapunzel yells and her back slams onto the floor hard. She pants heavily, “STOP! Please.” She pleads then her green eyes widen when the sword is an inch away from her throat.

The sword glints in the lighting of the room.

“Begging already? I was just getting started!”

Rapunzel gulps, “(____), please. You're not thinking clearly! You're making a mistake!”

You slowly grin and chuckle ominously, “Oh no. You're the one who made the mistake, PRINCESS.”

“(____), think about Varian!” Rapunzel says.

You chuckle darkly, “Varian?” You sneer, “It's the other way around Princess. This is aaall your FAULT!” You swing the sword.

“NO, (_____), DON'T!”

Another sword stops yours and you're knocked down by King Frederic. “GUARDS! TAKE HER AWAY!”

Guards grab onto your arms and you struggle then laugh sarcastically, “Is that all you can do?”

Rapunzel looks at you sadly, “No! Dad don't do this!” She look at her Dad who glares at her, “Take my daughter and her friends too.”

You glare harshly at Rapunzel, “Having your friends in need get dragged away again? Some Queen you'll soon to be, PRINCESS RAPUNZEL!” Your voice fades down the hall.

You can hear the three talking in their cell and yours was across from them. Rapunzel glances over and you just continue to stare with no emotion.

Eugene pulls out a key to unlock their cell and they all come up to your cell doors.

“(____). Please fight it, this isn't you.” Rapunzel begs.

You slowly glare and don't answer.

She sighs sadly, “I'll be back to help you, I promise, okay?”

You get up and hold onto the bars, “Oh, I know how well you keep your promises, Princess.” You chuckle and shake your head before slamming the bars. It shook and scared them backwards.

You frown deeply and part of the bars where your hands are had disintegrated. The three of them stare in panic.

“Tick tock, Rapunzel.” You say and Eugene tells Cass to take Rapunzel out.

You grin, “Flynn Rider! How kind of you to stay.” You roll your eyes.

Eugene holds out a paper to you, “I know you will fight this. Just remember who you're doing it for, Kid.”

You take the paper and he runs out. You scoff and turn the paper over before staring at it.

Varian. It was the original portrait of him that you used for your oil painting. This must have slipped out of your journal again.

You lean on the wall and take a deep breath. “I always come back at the wrong time.” You sat there for quite some time before a purple hue goes over you again you began to come to your senses.

“I almost killed Rapunzel and I didn't care….” You felt your blood turn cold, “I didn't even care about Varian.”

Mimi comes up to you and she gently squeaks. “I feel so horrible now, Mimi. I mean some of it wasn't true, it's just my negative emotions got the best of me.”

You curl up and Mimi crawls up to do her best to lift your head. She gives you an expression of sympathy.

You smile a bit and feel that you're back to yourself. Though you don't know how long you'll be in this cell. It was a whole night when you woke up in the morning and heard someone at the cell doors.

“(_____), are you okay now?” Rapunzel asks softly.

“Yeah…...though I scared myself with how I acted.” You close your eyes, “I never want to be like again.”

Rapunzel comes in and sits next to you, then pulls you into a hug. “You won't. I'm happy you're back to yourself. Besides, it wasn't your fault and there wasn't too much damage.”

You cling to her, “I'm sorry.”

“(_____), you don't have to be sorry, but if it makes you feel better then I forgive you.” She smiles warmly, “Come on. Let's get out of here.”

You hold onto her like a child while her arm is around your shoulders. “Griffin is departing in awhile and I hope to throw away that potion.”

“How are you going to do that?” You ask.

“Maybe having it lost at sea. I can't believe something so small can have such an effect.”

You stop, “Rapunzel. Maybe we should get rid of it a different way. It may be lost at sea, but at some point it will come to land and someone will find it.”

Rapunzel hums, “Well what else should we do?”

You have Eugene, Cassandra, Max, and Pascal follow you and Rapunzel to a clearing no one will walk on. Mimi watches from your shoulder as you dump the rest of the potion into the dirt and churn it so it dries.

“There.” You place the cork back onto the bottle and no trace of purple is in it. “I should give this bottle back to Xavier and tell him not to do this again.”

“Yeah, make sure to tell him.” Cass says.

They went to give the Griffin a goodbye while you dropped off the bottle with Xavier. He had his head wrapped up, but he was okay.

“Let's go eat, Mimi. I am starving especially when I didn't eat last night.” You grin at her and she squeaks happily.

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Nightfall came as Xavier hung up his tools and turned in for the night. A shadow of a person walked into the workshop and pulls out the potion book. After a few minutes, a familiar bottle is placed in a basket next to a big jar of lemonade.

In Old Corona, Varian dug through the chest in his father's room. Finding the armor and sword. He raises a brow at some shackles that had weird engravings on it then puts it aside.

At the bottom, he pulls out something wrapped up tightly and unravels it. A Bronze Graphtyc and before he could turn it open, the front door opens and closes downstairs.

“Varian!”

He grins at your voice and place the Graphtyc down.

Rudiger runs into the kitchen then stop to stare at you. You pull the top off the glass bottle and dump the Moodtonic into the lemonade, leaving only a few drops in the bottle.

Your eyes shift to Rudiger then you stomp at him, making the Raccoon run off in fear. You chuckle softly and place the bottle in the basket.

“Rudiger, you alright?” Varian questions the raccoon on his shoulder and walks into the kitchen. He sees you and smiles, “Hey, I didn't know you were coming back. I thought you were checking on me in a few days.”

You smile softly, “Well I thought I would bring you some lemonade I made and you know I can't stay away from you.”

Varian chuckles, shaking his head, “All the way here to drop off lemonade? I'm more happy you're here.”

You pour a cup of lemonade for Varian and hand it to him. “It's just a visit, but I will be back again.”

Varian takes the cup and drinks half of the cup, then grimaces. “It's bitter.” He shrugs and drinks the rest of it.

You turn to the basket and smirk darkly while pulling out the glass bottle, “Oh and I got this from Xavier. He didn't need it anymore, so I thought you might want find a use for it.” You fake a sweet smile, “What better way than give this to an Alchemist.”

Varian takes it and examines the bottle, “I'll have a look at it later.” He smiles and you walk to the door.

“I'll see you soon!”

Varian raises a brow at your sudden departure then sighs, going to his lab and puts the swirl designed bottle on the table. He goes to head to his dad's room again.

A purple hue goes over Varian and he stops in his tracks, frowning deeply. He turns around and strolls over to the Alchemy Table, grabbing the bottle along the way.

Outside you're standing there and you chuckle deeply before your form morphs into a dark figure. “Let the show begin.” It melts into the shadows.

Rudiger chitters at Varian and the young Alchemist, slightly sneers, “Don't worry, Rudiger. I'll make them hear me.”

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King Frederic stood in the Royal Guard Room, “After what (_____) pulled yesterday, accident or not. I need you to secretly keep a close eye on her and Varian.”

Captain bows, “Of course, Sir.”