Chapter XXV

Aquaria watched from behind the hay stacks as the shots were fired. Four to be exact.

With each shot, amber erupted around the Cassandra cutouts.

It finally worked!

"Alright Team Awesome!" Varian stood up with Eugene, both of them moving their goggles to their head. They high fived and then bumped butts. "Project: Obsidian is a success!"

Aqua stood as well, moving her goggles up onto her head. "Finally!"

"Project: Obsidian?" Rapunzel walked over with a confused but curious look on her face.

"Project: Obsidian!" Varian started with a smile. "It's a device that can destroy Cassandra-dra's self esteem!" He corrected himself after Eugene nudged him. He then quickly slipped away and Aqua grimaced.

"Eugene, we are not attacking Cassandra," Rapunzel said seriously.

"Of course, we're not going to attack her, sunshine. But I'm captain of the guard now. I have to be prepared to protect our people from any contingencies," Eugene explained to Rapunzel before Varian shot at the last Cassandra cutout. "But I'm-" he was cut off by more shooting from Varian.

Aqua flinched and gave Varian a hard look to which he quickly stopped. He walked over to the group with a sheepish smile.

"But I won't use this thing without your approval," Eugene continued as he pulled out a contract with a solemn expression.

"Princess, believe me. I don't want to hurt Cass either, but we can't promise that she won't try to hurt us." Varian frowned and Aquaria put a hand on his shoulder.

"None of us want this but, sis, we do need it," Aqua added.

"Okay. I will sign it to protect Corona. But we won't need it because I know the Cass we love is still in there somewhere," Rapunzel said and she took the quill Eugene held up, signing the contract.

Aqua looked down and sighed softly before she felt a hand on her shoulder. She glanced up at Eugene who was giving her a reassuring smile.

"Everything is gonna be alright. I just know it," Eugene said as he hugged Rapunzel, Aqua, and Varian.

👑

"I regret to inform you that in light of recent events, I have decided to exercise caution and cancel the Goodwill Festival this year," King Frederic announced and Aqua slumped as she heard the displeasure amongst the crowd of Coronans.

"Unless anyone has any objections?" Rapunzel spoke up and looked into the crowd with hope.

"Rapunzel, we talked about this," Frederic said quietly to his eldest daughter.

"I know we did, dad, but I still think we need to let the people decide. Hmm?" Rapunzel looked at parents.

Queen Arianna put a hand on her husband's arm and gave a curt nod.

Frederic sighed and gave in. "Very well."

"If the Goodwill Festival is important to you, speak now or forever hold your peace!" Rapunzel announced to the crowd.

"I'm with you, princess!" A voice called out and the royal family looked out to see Father in the crowd with his fist raised.

"Faith, really?" Rapunzel looked excited.

"Whoa, coming out of her shell," Eugene commented.

"Look, we don't always have control over what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond to it, right?" Faith looked around. "So when tough times come to Corona, Corona fights back by doubling it's good cheer! That's why we're gonna make this the best Goodwill Festival ever!"

"Well, it looks like the festival is happening after all," Frederic said and Aqua smiled at Varian who was standing off the the side.

🧪

"I'm a temporary guard," Varian said to Aqua pridefully. "Isn't it so awesome?"

Aqua giggled and straightened his apron. "My knight in shining armor." She leaned up and pecked his lips.

Varian beamed and kissed her forehead. "I will protect you, my love," he said in a lower voice to be cheesy.

"Oh, my handsome knight, what would I do with you?" Aqua played along as she threw a hand up and pressed the back of her hand against her forehead dramatically.

"I think you would die of boredom and unlovedness," Varian said as he held her close. "I will forever protect you from the boredom and unlovedness monsters."

"My hero." Aqua giggled and pressed her lips to his cheek.

"You missed," Varian joked and Aqua laughed before she kissed his lips. He kissed her back with a bright smile. He pulled back after a moment and grinned before saying, "bullseye."

"You're such a dork," Aqua said as she shook her head, laughing lightly.

"Would you have fallen in love with me if I was anything but?" Varian pointed out.

"No. Your personality, as nerdy as you are, is the reason I fell for you. You're too cute and I couldn't resist," Aqua admitted as a light blush dusted her cheeks.

"And you were too adorable for me too resist. Plus, you were the only person who wanted to be my friend. You're always here for me whenever I need you. Even if I don't deserve it," Varian murmured as he stroked her cheek gently.

"Hey, it was my fault too. I should've gotten over myself and helped you take the flower. I should've helped you. I wasn't there when you needed me the most and I'm really really sorry," Aqua said as she leaned into his touch.

"No, you were trying to protect me but I was too blinded by my own anger and selfishness to see that you were only trying to keep me from getting punished by your father. You came after me in the storm and you still tried to get me to see reason after I told you that... that I hate you... you still loved me even after I told you all the awful things I did while you were in Arendelle." Varian looked down.

"I still loved you because I knew that you weren't evil. I know that you are still and always will be the little alchemist I played with on my birthday every year. The boy I fell head over heals in love with," Aqua said softly and she pulled him into a soft kiss.

Varian melted into her arms as he kissed her back, handling her like she was made of porcelain. She was so precious to him and he knew that he would never stop loving her. He had no idea what the future held for them but he did know that he would fight to stay by her side through it all.

"It's the time, folks! The gopher grab is about to begin! So make your way to the stadium!" A man called loudly through a funnel to project his voice loudly. Varian pulled back and smiled warmly.

"Well, you better go be my knight in shining armor, freckles. Love you," Aqua said before she pecked Varian's lips one last time.

"I'll keep you safe. I love you too," Varian replied before left to meet up with Eugene.

Aqua ran to fond her sister and smiled.

"Aquaria! Hey!" Rapunzel smiled at her sister brightly.

"Hey, Raps. Ready for the gopher grab?" Aqua asked as she walked beside her older sister.

"Yep! Holding the gopher grab in the courtyard will take some getting used to but if dad thinks it's safer than out in the woods," Rapunzel said and Aqua nodded before Rapunzel saw someone. "Oh! Faith!"

Aqua ran over to the handmaid with her sister.

"There you are," Rapunzel said as though she had been looking for the girl. "So about that play, that got kinda weird, huh?" Raps said but Aqua didn't know what she was talking about. "Can I ask you something? What made you change the lines like that?"

"Oh, I, you know, I just heard there's a lot more to the story," Faith explained with a small smile.

"There is," Rapunzel confirmed. "Cass has reasons for doing what she did and though her methods may not be the best, I really believe deep down she is still a good person."

"Really? Raps I... I have something I need to tell you. Um, can we talk in private?" Faith said and Aqua hummed.

"I'll leave you two to talk," Aqua said as she gave them both a smile.

"No, I-I was actually hoping to talk with the both of you," Faith responded quickly.

"Oh, okay," Rapunzel said before she started to walk with her younger sister and Faith.

All of the sudden, the shapeshifting cloak of Retudnus was pulled off of Cassandra. Both sisters gasped in shock.

"Cassandra?" The two princesses said in unison. Rapunzel walked closer while people ran but Aqua was frozen in shock.

"Rapunzel, listen. I-I can explain," Cassandra said as her own panic set in.

"Step away from her now!" John, one of the guards, ordered as they ran towards Cassandra.

"Wait! Stand down!" Rapunzel ordered before Cassandra shot black rocks at the guards but made sure that they weren't sharp.

🧪

Varian was riding on Fidella when all the commotion started.

"Captain! Cassandra is in Corona! She's attacking Rapunzel and Aquaria!" Tyler, another guard, pointed in the direction of the princesses and Cassandra.

Varian's eyes widened as his heart plummeted to his feet before he looked at Eugene, sharing a hard look.

Eugene hated that they had to do this but it was to protect their loved ones. He gave Varian a silent nod before they both took off towards the fight.

Varian immediately had his sights locked onto Aquaria once they got to the scene. He hopped off Fidella and knelt down, aiming the cannon at Cassandra.

"Hold your fire," Eugene said to Varian as they all prepared for the worst but hoped for the best.

Varian couldn't take his eyes off of Aqua, so afraid that something could happen to her. He didn't know if he would be able to live with himself if something happened to Aquaria under his watch.

All of the sudden, the weapon fired and Varian gasped.

"No! I said we didn't need to attack her!" Rapunzel cried as Cassandra was encased in amber.

Varian stood up as Aquaria spun around in shock to look at him.

"I don't know what happened! It-it must have malfunctioned!" Varian's eyes were practically begging them to believe him.

Aqua went to run to Varian's side as Cassandra broke through the amber, sending a blast that sent both the princesses back.

"Project: Obsidian, huh? Zhan Tiri was right," Cass said as she glared at Rapunzel.

"Cassandra," Rapunzel tried desperately, her heart aching.

"You want me to be the bad guy?" Cassandra pulled out a vial. "Fine. Now I'm the bad guy."

"Cassandra, no!" Aqua cried out as Rapunzel was hit with the contents of the vial after Cass smashed the vial on the ground.

Rapunzel fell to the ground and Eugene's heart raced.

"No!" Eugene cried out before he got on Maximus.

The guards threw a net over Cassandra to hold her diwn and keep her at bay. Aquaria dropped to her sisters side, having been far enough away to not be effected by the potion.

Eugene got off Max and scooped up Rapunzel before putting her on Max's back. Aqua yelped when she was put onto Max as well.

"Max, Pascal. Get the princesses as far away as you can. Now!" Eugene ordered.

"No! I can help!" Aqua cried but it was too late as she was whisked away to safety.

Varian watched and locked eyes with Aqua, sharing a silent, 'I love you', before he turned and ran to find Cassandra.

Cass was just pushing herself up off the ground after a guard had knocked her down.

"Cassandra, please," Varian pleaded. "This is your home."

"Not anymore," Cass said with a hard look. "Corona falls today!"

She knocked Varian down with some blunt black rocks before a bunch of black rocks erupted around her.

She blocked herself from the attack of the city folk and knocked them down as well.

"Cassandra! I'm putting a stop to this right now!" Eugene declared as he stood at the entrance to the palace gates.

"Oh! This oughta be good!" Cass smirked as she pulled her sword from one of the black rocks.

"Cass, please. You were like a sister to-" Eugene started as he held out a hand.

"Save it!" Cass cut him off before she attacked him.

Varian looked at Lance and started helping the people out of sunken parts of the ground.

"Quick! Everyone to the castle! We'll be safe there!" Jeanette cried out and everyone started running to the castle.

"Sorry! But the castle's off limits!" Cass grinned as she held up the Mind Trap Talisman of the Brotherhood.

Adira and Hector were guarding the palace but Varian was too busy firing Project: Obsidian at Cass to try and keep her restrained.

He kept firing but couldn't land a solid hot on her.

"We have to fall back!" Lance called to Eugene.

"We are not falling back!" Eugene argued persistently before Cassandra sent a rock that broke the cannon and another to knock back Eugene.

Eugene got up and looked around him. Guards being thrown around like ragdolls by Hector's rhino.

"Son! You cannot save a kingdom by being trapped inside it!" King Edmund yelled to his son and Eugene looked at the suffering townspeople.

He grit his teeth but he knew what had to be done.

"Everyone! Fall back!" Eugene ordered seriously and everyone made a break for it.

Varian dashed out, followed by Eugene as the black chased them down the street.

"Are you okay, goggles?" Eugene asked as they kept running.

"Yeah! I'm fine! Let's just get back to the princesses!" Varian was so worried about Aquaria but he was glad that she had gotten out safely.

💧

Aquaria had nearly gone back but she knew that it was best to stay with her sister.

Max had gone to make sure the others knew where they were, leaving Aqua, Pascal, and an unconscious Rapunzel at the Snuggly Duckling with the pub thugs.

Aquaria paced as her worry ate her alive.

"Squirt, it's gonna be okay. I just know it," Atilla assured and Aqua looked at him.

"But what if something happens to Varian, or Eugene, or my parents, or-" Aquaria was cut off by the door opening.

She saw the townspeople coming in and she felt her breath catch in her throat before she saw Varian. She ran to him immediately, eyes brimmed with tears.

"I was so worried!" Aqua cried as Varian caught her, spinning her once.

"I'm okay. I promise. Are you okay?" Varian asked quickly as he checked her for any injuries.

"I'm perfectly fine, Varian. I love you so much," Aqua said before she kissed Varian gently.

Varian smiled as he kissed her back before pulling away. "I love you so much more. I'm so sorry. I really didn't set off Project: Obsidian. I don't-"

"Don't be sorry, Var." Aqua gently cupped his cheek and he leaned into her touch. "It's not your fault. I know you wouldn't have fired the weapon without the order."

Varian sighed before he tenderly pressed his lips to hers in a loving kiss. He pulled away and then realized the whole tavern was staring at them.

"What are you guys looking at?" Varian blushed bright and Aqua turned to look at everyone.

"You guys are just so cute," Lance gushed. "You're like the shining light in this awful situation. Do it again! Do it again!"

"No! Don't encourage them!" Kiera begged and Aqua laughed softly.

"We won't do it again, Angry," Aqua said.

"Thank you," Kiera breathed out and everyone else pouted.

"Good gracious..." Varian facepalmed.

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top