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Chapter 73 -
Putting The Heart Back In The Alchemist
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A quick wooden bang from the trapdoor had alerted you, Arianna, and Varian. You see Varian slip behind the curtain with his staff. He glances at you two then rolls his eyes when the trapdoor squeaks.

“Augh!....What? What is this?” You hear King Frederic.

Varian silently counts down and grins when the trapping chemicals are released.

You and Arianna glance at each other as Varian goes out, making sure to close the curtain again. You blush and felt a little ashamed when Varian laughs evilly, “Welcome back….. Rapunzel.”

Varian grabs Pascal and Mimi who were on Rapunzel’s shoulder, locking them in a small cage. Rudiger had been watching the whole thing, but he didn't want to disobey Varian, so he just hid.

“Varian, I demand you release us. Tell me where the Queen is?” Frederic demanded.

Varian tsks, “Your MAJESTY. I know it's hard for you, but the first time in your life.” He slams the cage on the table. “YOU are in no position to demand ANYTHING.” He slightly glares at the King and Princess.

Rapunzel frowns, “I know you have my mom, Varian. I'm also worried as to where (____) is.”

Varian walks to her and frowns, “What's it to you, Princess?” He pretends to examine his fingers, “I recall that you didn't even check once on (____) in the past few days, not even to check on me. Some friend you are.”

You hear his footsteps stop in front of the curtain. “BUT since you all are so keen on this whole friendship and family thing, plus in the spirit of compromise…..how about I meet you all half way.”

The curtains are pulled back and you see Rapunzel and Frederic’s feet trapped in pink goo.

“Mom!” Rapunzel gasps and reaches for Arianna, but Frederic holds his daughter from falling. Her green eyes have a look a despair, “(____)!”

Arianna gives Rapunzel a reassuring look, “We're okay, Rapunzel.”

Rapunzel glares, “Let them go Varian, please!”

“First you're going to do something for me.” He steps in front of you two.

Frederic growls, “What do you want?”

Varian rolls his eyes, “Oh! So NOW you care about what I want.” He laughs sarcastically while kneeling down next to the Queen.

He grabs her shoulder harshly, “And all it took was threatening the ones you love the most.” Varian frowns at them.

Varian furrows his brows and realizes you've been quiet this whole time. He shakes his head and laughs, “Are you enjoying the show, Lady (_____)?”

You glance at him and he's smirking at you which you blush and look away.

Varian shrugs and heads to the other side of the lab, pulling out the drill.

Rudiger silently crawls over to you with clear chemball which was the neutralizing particle and a key in his mouth.

You take them, hiding the chemball in your pocket with the key.

“What are you going to do Varian?” Frederic asks.

The drill is pushed close to the amber and Varian shrugs, “Yeah, I’ll-I’ll spare you the details about the Sundrop and darkness.  Blah blah blah and get to the good stuff.”

Varian goes up to a black rock and taps on it, “Unbreakable.” He moves over to Rapunzel and holds her hair, “Unbreakable. To put it plainly with the assistant of my drill. Rapunzel's hair should….” He sighs, “....be able to shatter the amber and free my father.”

Frederic narrows his eyes at Varian, “What do you mean SHOULD?”

Varian taps his chin, “Uuuuh, I suppose it's likely to shatter Rapunzel. I mean the properties-”

You get up after hearing that just as Frederic pulls out his sword. “Absolutely NOT!”

Rapunzel closes her eyes and holds her hair, “It's not your choice, Dad.”

Varian leans on the King’s shoulder and look at him, “She's right, DAD.” He pushes his sword down, “Oh! And I almost forgot we're on a time crunch here.” He pulls out a vial with lemon colored chemical in it. “So I'm gonna need to speed things along.”

Your eyes widen when you see it, “Varian stop!” Your chains suddenly freeze then disintegrate to ash at your unstable mood.

Varian smiles smugly, “Well.” He holds out the vial to you, “Shall we get started?”

You glance at Rapunzel and Frederic before shakily take the vial and pour it on the short black rocks near Arianna.

Varian slips on his goggles and goes over to Rapunzel.

You hand Arianna the key and she hides it while you go to stand next to Frederic. As Varian sets up the drill with the tips of Rapunzel's hair, you slip the chemball into the King's hand and gesture him to stand down.

You glance to Arianna and nod a bit. She unlocks her ankle chain and moves behind the curtain.

“Varian, if something happens to me, please, please let my mom go.” Rapunzel begs and didn't notice her mom is safe.

“I can't make any promises, Princess.” Varian says without turning around and pumps up the drill.

Her hair glows and she gasps in pain, “Augh!”

The drill spins on the surface of the amber and doesn't make a scratch.

Varian panics and pushes up his goggles, stopping the drill, “WHAT?! Why?!” He growls and pushes the drill again.

Rapunzel groans and falls to the floor. You knew she couldn't take anymore and you frown while grabbing her hair.

“Rapunzel!!” Her mother and father now run ever to her in fear.

Your mark glows and you raise your other hand as her hair that was wrapped around the drill immediately comes to life.

Fatigue came over you, but you swipe your hand as the hair twists the drill to counter the way it was suppose to go and breaks the machine.

Varian backs up and holds his hands to his hair, breathing heavily, “I-I ah-I-I DON'T UNDERSTAND!! Her-her hair! It-it should've cut through it! It should've worked!” He slams his fists on the amber.

“Varian!” You say and drop Rapunzel's hair as it stops glowing along with your mark. “She can't take it anymore. I'm sorry, but you have to see that this amber can't be broken with just one Compound. Don't you realize you need a solution just like you're making your chemicals. If you don't balance all the compounds right it'll have a negative reaction.”

Varian shakes his head and wipes his face, “No, no, I wasn't wrong.”

You turn him to you, “Varian, you need to listen.”

He looks at you then glance at the Queen, King, and Princess who were hugging each other, “It wasn't my fault. None of it.” He glares furiously, “It's HER fault.”

“Varian, it's not anyone's fault.” You state a bit fearfully.

Suddenly you're slammed against the amber and barely see Varian sneering at you, “I THOUGHT YOU WERE WITH ME!”

He lets go and you drop to the floor as he runs underground. The floor shakes and the automaton bursts through, nearly hitting you.

“Sorry, PRINCESS, we were in this together, but if I can't have a happy ending then neither can YOU!” He yells and raises the metal arms, slamming them down.

Luckily, the Royal Family moved out of the way and they run outside with Varian stomping behind.

You get up while feeling anger bubble in your chest, “If I can't get you to listen…..then I'll have to show you.”

Your mark glows brightly and you grab Rapunzel's iron pan that lay on the floor.

Varian rams out the front door and goes outside. He sees Cassandra leap at him with her sword raised, “AAAAH!”

He grabs her on midair and brings her close, growls angrily, “Hello Cassandra. Did I sweep you off your feet NOW?”

An iron pan flies and makes a dent on the side of the machine. “Put. Her. Down.”

Everyone turns to see your stoic posture and you stare seriously at Varian. He glares back and stomps closer. You walk down, “That is ENOUGH, Varian!”

You're grabbed and brought closer to the red window. Face to face with Varian. You were scared in your dreams, but when it's happening now, you weren't. Varian needs to come back home.

“It's not enough until they endure the amount of pain AND AGONY I HAVE!” He says in rage and makes the metal hand squeeze you tightly.

You wince in pain and Varian throws Cass as she tumbles into the thugs. The other hand now goes over the one that's holding you. “AND YOU!”

You can see he's sobbing in anger, “You said you'd always be there for me! YOU PROMISED you'd HELP ME!”

The metal is crushing you and you try to breath, letting out a painful cry, “I am always here for you and I did promise…..To MY Varian the Strong-Hearted Alchemist!”

Varian stops still panting.

“I made a promise to the one who is passionate about Alchemy because he always loved the moment his mom was there to teach him. The one who wants to help his village and be like his dad, but in his own special way. The Sweet Baby Boy that learned from his mom that The World Can't Tell You Who To Be Because You Are Not What They See.”

Varian has his head down and his shoulders are shaking with tears falling, blurring his vision. His dad. His mom. He lost sight of who he was.

A purple hue goes over him and all the anger wash away.

You see Varian look at you with big tear filled blue eyes. He lets go of the controls as guilt washes over his face.

You smile softly.

Through the moment, everyone was still fighting the rest of the automatons and no one had notice a shadow slip into the mechanism.

You felt the claws crushing you immensely and you yell out in pain.

Varian panics and tries to move the control, but they weren't moving, “THE CONTROLS AREN'T WORKING!”

Everyone panicked and seen Varian at the controls, but not knowing that he was trying to stop the uncontrollable levers.

Your mark began to glow along with Rapunzel's hair and a soft blue glow.

The black rocks all sprouted wildly while glowing. Varian panics more when they encase Rapunzel, then they get close to you as they break through the automaton.

The shadow immediately leaves and melts back into the dark spots.

He opens the window and jumps out while pulling you from the now loose claws. He rolls to ground, protecting while doing so.

The both of you stare at each other and he gives you the dorky smile, but it fades when the black rocks surround you two.

It was dark until a single black rocks rises from front of you as it glows.

You blink at it then hesitantly reach out only to pull back fearfully.

Varian notices then takes your other hand and speaks softly, “It's okay. I'm right here with you.”

You hold his hand tightly then take a deep breath and let your hand grasp around the slick surface. At that same moment, Rapunzel had done the same.

The rock glows brightly as you all yell.

A very powerful and bright blast of energy blew everyone back and nearly crumbled the remainder of the homes in Old Corona.

Your eyes are shut tight and you began to remember everything. Sanghelios. Corona. Zhan Tiri. Demanitus. Cordelia. Her Baby Son. And especially what you really were.

Tears streamed down your face, but you weren't letting that last part break you.

Varian feels the energy coming from the rocks and managed to see the two of you were no longer covered.

He seen a path start to sprout and point in one direction as the rocks break through the wall of Old Corona.

At the same time, you and Rapunzel let go of the rocks and start to fall forward from exhaustion.