Chapter 14

For the lost princess. He saw Rapunzel was dancing along with the people of the city. Her hair was braided now, too, and threaded with flowers. “Should we join ’em?” he called. “Of course!” Donald bounced into the air, shaking his tail feathers. All three of them joined hands with the townsfolk and began to dance, working their way around the circle until they finally found themselves back with Rapunzel. Even Flynn, who had been watching from the sidelines, joined the circle eventually. Time flew by, and before they knew it, the nighttime part of the festival was almost upon them. Once it was dark, Rapunzel would at last be able to see the wondrous lanterns in person. The evening sun sank into the sea, and night fell upon the Kingdom. Rapunzel and Flynn had gone out on the lake together in a small boat. Goofy came over and sat down to watch the sky on a nearby jetty next to Sora and Donald, who were griping at each other again. “Don’t you dare interrupt!” “I know, I know!” The big moment was almost here. Out on the boat, Rapunzel, too, was gazing up into the night. “I’ve been looking out a window for years, dreaming about what it might feel like when those lights rise in the sky. What if it’s not everything I dreamed it would be?” “It will be,” Flynn assured her gently. “And what if it is? What do I do then?” “Well, that’s the good part, I guess. You get to go find a new dream.” Rapunzel smiled, and Flynn gazed back at her intently. During the festivities, a special bond had formed between them. A small light—a lantern—rose up from the Kingdom, signaling its fellows to join it in the sky. The view was like something out of a dream. Rapunzel watched with rapt attention as the night sky filled with innumerable lights, and then she turned back to Flynn. He was holding a lantern in each hand. Their eyes conveyed everything that needed to be said. Rapunzel took a lantern from Flynn, then released it into the air as he did the same with his. They watched their lights float away together, drifting closer and closer as they rose into the night. Sora, Donald, and Goofy watched all the lanterns make their journey up into the sky. Unfortunately, the quiet was shattered when a bunch of Nobodies appeared behind them. “Could you guys have possibly picked a worse time?” Sora sighed as he got to his feet. “I don’t think they appreciate the moment, Sora,” Goofy quipped. “Not one bit!” added Donald. “It’s time for these wet blankets to go!” Sora and his comrades jumped into battle with the Nobodies. Not long after, the lanterns vanished into the night, and Rapunzel and Flynn returned to shore in their boat. Flynn seemed somewhat nervous. “I’m sorry. Everything is fine. There’s…just something I have to take care of,” he said, walking away from Rapunzel. “Okay.” She nodded uneasily. “I’ll be right back.” Flynn vanished behind some rocks farther down the shoreline. Pascal appeared on Rapunzel’s shoulder, an uncertain look on his face. “It’s all right, Pascal,” she told him, perhaps trying to convince herself as well. A short time later, Rapunzel spotted a small boat sailing slowly along the black surface of the lake while she was waiting for Flynn to return. She peered at it. She thought she could make out Flynn on it, but she couldn’t quite tell from here. “Eugene?” she called to the boat. There was no response. Instead, someone else appeared in front of her. “Who are you?” Rapunzel asked, even though her eyes were still on Flynn and the boat. “Forget Flynn Rider,” said Marluxia. “You know where you belong, and it’s not with him. Now…” Nobodies materialized as if to keep her away from Flynn. Rapunzel gulped nervously and turned to flee. She had only run a short distance, though, when her hair snagged on a log, trapping her. Someone suddenly called her name. “Rapunzel!” “Mother?” It was her mother, gripping a branch in her hands. The Nobodies had vanished. Did Mother defeat those monsters? Rapunzel’s heart was flooded with relief. “My precious girl.” “Mother…” Mother Gothel ran over to Rapunzel and swept her up in her arms. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?” “M-Mother, how did you—” “I was so worried about you, dear. So I followed you. And I saw them attack you, and—” Mother Gothel pulled Rapunzel into another tight embrace. “Oh my. Let’s go. Let’s go before they come to.” Still in her mother’s arms, Rapunzel turned to look at the small boat making its way across the lake. It’s just like Mother always said: The outside world is a terrible place. I was right to be afraid. Keeping close to her mother, Rapunzel began to walk away. “Hey, isn’t that Rapunzel?” Once their battle with the Nobodies was over, Sora, Donald, and Goofy spotted Rapunzel being led away by a woman. There was no mistaking that gleaming golden braid, but at this distance, they couldn’t identify the woman she was with. “Wait! Rapunz—” Sora shouted, but he cut off before Rapunzel could hear him as Marluxia emerged from the darkness. “Show some decorum.” Sora and crew got their weapons ready for action. “You again!” Donald shouted angrily. “The girl has found her dear mother,” Marluxia admonished them. “You should let them be.” “And why is that?” Sora couldn’t hide his irritation. “Because Rapunzel is far too important. Atop her tower, she must remain out of sight, and live out her days with Mother Gothel.” “And never see anyone else?” Goofy was confused, but Sora quickly caught on to the implications. “But that’s like…locking her in prison!” Now that she’d experienced the wonders of the world outside, Rapunzel’s life in the tower would be so much harder. “That is exactly what it’s like. Rapunzel’s hair holds the powerful magic of healing. And yes, Mother Gothel wants it for herself. As do others. And, if Mother Gothel’s actions will protect Rapunzel, preserve her…then she is doing the Organization a favor,” Marluxia admitted shamelessly. Sora was stunned by how unbelievably selfish Marluxia’s logic was. “What favor?” he asked curtly. “Let’s say she’s keeping Rapunzel on the shelf for us. An extra pawn in case you fail to find the remaining guardians of light, and we have occasion to call on other hearts of light instead. A New Seven Hearts to fill out the ranks.” Sora hadn’t heard anything about this. “‘New Seven Hearts’?” he repeated softly. That meant Organization XIII needed the new lights of the princesses as backup. There were seven guardians of light and seven new hearts. Marluxia had also mentioned failing to find the other guardians—he must be referring to Aqua and the others. “Yes. Seven who inherited the princesses’ light after their role was fulfilled.” “So, you don’t care about her. You guys just want Rapunzel for your own purposes!” Sora glared at Marluxia and jabbed his Keyblade at him. “Well, you’re done here!” “Hmph. I just knew you would go and make a scene. Very well, then it’s lights out for you.” With a wave of his hand, Marluxia sent a mist swirling toward Sora and around his face. Almost instantly, Sora felt his head growing heavy. Huh…? Is this…? A dream from which there was no awakening. Sora’s consciousness was slipping away. “Sora!” He could hear Donald and Goofy calling out to him from far, far away. I can’t remember when, but…I don’t think this is the first time I’ve fallen asleep like this. When—when was that again? I can’t… I’m just too tired… “You always were a sound sleeper.” Those were the final words Sora heard. Meanwhile, Rapunzel was lying in bed after returning to the tower with Mother Gothel. Everything that happened—it all seemed like a dream. Maybe it really was a dream. The outside world was a nightmare, just like she said. …Or was it? Was it really so full of terrible things? Rapunzel clutched a small flag that she had gotten at the festival in her hand. It was embroidered with the sun-shaped crest of the royal family—exactly the same as the symbol on the ceiling, she realized. Yes… Yes, I remember now. That tiara—it belonged to me. I know the truth now. I—am the lost princess. Rapunzel got out of bed and began to pace around aimlessly. “I… Mother Gothel was with her, watching her. “Please speak up, Rapunzel,” she said. “You know I hate the mumbling.” “I am the lost princess. Aren’t I?” Mother Gothel’s eyes went wide. “Did I mumble, Mother? Or should I even call you that?” “Oh, Rapunzel. Do you even hear yourself? Why would you ask such a ridiculous question?” Mother Gothel said soothingly as she reached out to Rapunzel, but Rapunzel swatted her hand away. “It was you! It was all you!” “Everything I did was to protect you.” Rapunzel shoved away Mother Gothel and her attempt at an embrace, then dashed down the stairs. “Rapunzel…” “I spent my entire life hiding from people who would use me for my power…when I should have been hiding from you!” She hurried over to one of the tower windows. “Where will you go? He won’t be there for you,” Mother Gothel declared coldly. “What did you do to him?” “That criminal’s to be hanged for his crimes.” “No…” “Now, now, it’s all right. Listen to me. All of this is as it should be.” Mother Gothel drew closer, pressing Rapunzel up against the window seat, then reached out to stroke her hair. Rapunzel caught hold of her wrist before Mother Gothel could touch her. “No! You were wrong about the world. And you were wrong about me. And I will never let you use my hair again!” Mother Gothel shook off Rapunzel’s grip. “You want me to be the bad guy? Fine. Now I’m the bad guy.” A dark aura appeared around Mother Gothel, and her eyes took on a crimson glow. I’m asleep… Where am I? What—what am I doing? “Sora!” It was the morning after the festival, and the pale light of dawn fell across Sora as he slept. Donald and Goofy were shouting at him desperately, but he wouldn’t wake up. Suddenly a young man riding a white horse came galloping by—Flynn and Maximus, as it turned out. Flynn had escaped his perilous situation thanks to the help of his friends, and now the two of them were on their way to rescue Rapunzel. “Whoa, Max! Whoa, boy.” Maximus screeched to a halt, and Donald and Goofy looked up, clearly upset. “Oh!” “Flynn!” The young man peered at Sora from atop Maximus. “Is Sora okay?” “We don’t know. We keep callin’ his name and shakin’ him, but he won’t open his eyes.” Flynn sighed as Goofy filled him in on their dilemma. “Sora!” “Wake up!” No matter how many times his friends shouted at him, Sora never stirred. “Hmm… Unresponsive sidekick… Wait a minute. I know how to fix this!” Flynn thought for a moment, his arms crossed, then turned his eyes toward the horse. “Max, give him a wash!” Maximus licked Sora’s face. “U-unh…” Sora’s eyes slowly opened. “Well, that did the trick. Nice work, Max!” The horse beamed proudly at the praise. Since when were those two friends? Donald and Goofy watched the interaction, puzzled. “Huh? How did I end up…,” Sora wondered as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and got to his feet. Umm… Then it came back to him. “Oh no! Flynn, Rapunzel’s being held prisoner!” “That’s right. In her mother’s tower. This calls for a rescue.” He paused and looked Sora in the eyes. “Are you with me?” Flynn held out his hand. Sora took it, and Flynn pulled his friend up behind him atop Maximus. “Yeah.” Donald and Goofy jumped astride as well, with Donald on Sora’s shoulders and Goofy sitting at the very back. Naturally, the weight of the entire crew was almost too much for Maximus’s legs as he struggled to stay upright. But with a low, determined whinny and mighty effort, the horse managed to pull himself together and neighed again. “Let’s go, Max!” Maximus set off at full gallop for the tower where Rapunzel was trapped. The dense trees and flower fields of the forest sped by; they were traveling as fast as Maximus could go, until Nobodies appeared to bar their way. They looked to be pretty tough customers. Sora, Donald, and Goofy leaped down from Maximus, their weapons ready for combat. “We’ll take it from here, Flynn. Go help Rapunzel.” “Thanks!” replied Flynn, skillfully weaving his way through the enemies with Maximus. “Okay, it’s party time!” Sora charged into the pack of Nobodies. Flynn made his way up the tower as quickly as he could. I hope she’s okay. Well, Mother Gothel wants Rapunzel for her power, so she wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. But as long as she’s here, Rapunzel will never be free. Once he had scaled the wall of the tower, Flynn poked his head in the window. “Rapunzel! I thought I’d never see you again.” Then, he realized she was bound with chains, her mouth covered by a cloth, and he hurried into the tower to free her. Rapunzel shrieked a warning around the gag as Mother Gothel crept up behind him to strike. Just as he realized what was happening, Flynn felt something like fire in his stomach. Rapunzel’s screams were still muffled. Flynn fell to the floor and groaned at the dizzying pain, but he didn’t take his eyes off Rapunzel. “Rapunzel, really! Enough already! Stop fighting me!” Mother Gothel dragged the girl along by her chains, but Rapunzel was putting up a fierce struggle. The cloth fell from her mouth. “No! I won’t stop! For every minute of the rest of my life, I will fight!” Mother Gothel looked down at her fearfully. “I will never stop trying to get away from you!” Rapunzel told her vehemently, then looked back for a moment at Flynn. Her rebellion turned to supplication. “But…if you let me save him, I will go with you.” “No! No, Rapunzel…,” Flynn pleaded, his voice full of pain. But Rapunzel wasn’t finished. “I’ll never run… I’ll never try to escape. Just let me heal him…and you and I will be together—forever, just like you want. Everything will be the way it was. I promise. Just like you want. Just…let me heal him.” Mother Gothel glowered coldly at Flynn, then swiftly moved over to him and bound his arms with chains. “In case you get any ideas about following us,” she hissed once she was sure he couldn’t move. “Eu…Eugene!” Rapunzel ran over to Flynn. “Everything is going to be okay.” “No…Rapunzel…” Saving me means she loses her freedom forever. “I promise. You have to trust me.” “No! I can’t let you do this.” I want you to be happy, even if it costs me my life. But Rapunzel just softly rested her hand on his cheek. “And I can’t let you die.” “But if you do this…but if you do this, you will die,” Flynn gasped out. The pain was starting to cloud his mind. “Hey. It’s gonna be all right,” she said gently. Flynn made one last attempt to save her. “Rapunzel…wait,” he murmured. She paused, and he reached out to hug her close—and then cut her hair with a shard of glass he had kept hidden in his hand. “Eugene, what—?!” Rapunzel’s blond locks darkened before their eyes. “No!” screeched Mother Gothel, gathering the fallen hair to her. Its golden light was already gone. “Oh, no. No…” In a heartbeat, Mother Gothel’s body began aging, her raven hair turning white, her firm skin growing wrinkled, and her back hunching over. “What have you done?” Mother Gothel pulled the hood of her robe over her head to conceal her decrepit form. “What have you done?!” Even her voice croaked like an old woman’s. She thrashed about, screaming like a madwoman, and just as she drew near the window… Pascal took the remnants of Rapunzel’s long hair on the floor in his mouth and gave them a hard tug. The hair tangled Mother Gothel’s feet, throwing her off-balance and sending her staggering right into the window—and out of it, plunging to the earth below. Sora’s eyes went to the top of the tower as he heard the scream. Something was falling—but all he could see was a robe. What had become of the old woman, Mother Gothel? Marluxia was watching from a distance. “Fallen to darkness…,” he murmured to himself. “We can’t allow her near our pure light now. Her presence would only cast a pall over it.” The Organization member gave a dismissive wave of his hand, sending flowers dancing around Mother Gothel’s robe. Darkness enveloped it, transforming it into a gigantic Heartless that resembled a tree—Grim Guardianess. Sora summoned his Keyblade as he stared at the four-armed monstrosity that looked like something straight out of the heart of a cursed forest. The vile creature rushed toward him with frightening speed and loomed over him, bringing its arms crashing down. Sora sprang out of the way, while Donald used the opening to fire off a quick spell. Grim Guardianess took the hit, then rolled her big eyes over angrily toward Donald and slammed her leafy, dark green head into the ground, releasing a shower of pollen over Sora and his friends. “Quachoo!” Donald sneezed loudly. Sora and Goofy couldn’t stop sneezing, either. “What is this stuff…? Achoo!” It was all Sora and his comrades could do to avoid the Heartless’s attacks, since they were too busy sneezing to launch any of their own. Meanwhile, Grim Guardianess latched on to the tower and started shedding branches to form a cage around the trio. When she had them trapped, she started raining down bombs shaped like nuts. “Oh, come on! Achoo!” Sora managed to break down the cage using his Keyblade in between sneezes, while Goofy knocked away the bombs with his shield. Donald took off running, with Sora and Goofy close behind. It was time to turn this around. Donald and Sora dashed up the tower and teamed up to unleash a massive flaming barrage that eventually set her ablaze. Grim Guardianess toppled from her perch, and Sora jumped after her. He struck at her with his Keyblade while Donald kept up the heat with magic. “Let’s end this!” When Sora landed the final blow, Grim Guardianess fell still and vanished in a burst of light. “What about Rapunzel?!” “Let’s hurry!” Sora and his friends began climbing to the top of the tower. “Don’t go. Stay with me, Eugene.” Rapunzel cradled him in her arms; he was limp and unconscious. I could have healed him right now, but…my hair doesn’t have its power anymore. Rapunzel touched Flynn’s hand to her hair and began to sing. The song was magic; normally, her hair would gleam and glow to heal anything, even the ravages of old age. Now, the magic of her hair was gone. “Rapunzel. Hey. Rapunzel,” Flynn murmured weakly. “What?” “Rapunzel… You were my new dream.” With that final confession, his eyes closed. “And you were mine.” Rapunzel could feel the strength leaving his body. She pressed her forehead to his and fought back her tears, still singing. A few drops still fell onto his face—and turned to light. Then the same golden gleam that had once belonged to her hair shone from his wound. “Rapunzel…” Flynn’s eyes opened slightly. “Eugene!” “Did I ever tell you…I’ve got a thing for brunettes?” Rapunzel broke out into a smile and hugged him tight. Flynn returned the embrace. Meanwhile, Sora, Donald, and Goofy, who had been watching quietly from the window, put their arms around one another’s shoulders and grinned. Down in the meadow, the brilliant light of the sun cast the tower’s dark shadow across the grass. Having bid the tower farewell, Rapunzel, Flynn, and Maximus stood facing Sora and his friends in one of the brighter spots. “Wow, Rapunzel! You’re finally gonna get to see your real home.” “I know! I mean…I can’t believe it. I can finally be with my real family! I couldn’t have done it without your help,” she said, still unable to hide her surprise at how it had all turned out. “You’re welcome,” replied Donald, and then Flynn nodded quietly. “Well, from where I’m standing, the Kingdom couldn’t ask for a better princess,” said Flynn. “And I couldn’t have asked for better sidekicks. Thanks.” Rapunzel drew close to him, then looked over at the three heroes. “Yes, thank you so much.” “Happily ever after,” Donald said with a touch of mirth. “Now, Flynn, you and Maximus play nice,” Goofy added. Flynn and the horse shared a look, until Rapunzel took Flynn’s hand. Seeing them so happy together, Sora was content. “You’re gonna be great.” “Huh?” they both asked in unison. “We haven’t seen the guy controlling the monsters in a while, so that’s one less worry,” explained Sora. Goofy added, “But there’s still a chance that he might be around here somewhere.” “Well, if he comes back and tries to bother Rapunzel again, then Flynn will keep her safe. And we three won’t be far behind.” “Yeah, I won’t let her out of my sight,” Flynn declared firmly, while Rapunzel blushed with embarrassment. “Oh… Eugene.” “‘Eugene’?” It was the first time Sora had heard that name. “Oh! That’s my real name. Eugene Fitzherbert. That’s right. I never told you guys,” said Flynn—well, Eugene now. “That’s different,” Donald commented, while Goofy added: “I think it’s a great name!” “Me, too,” said Sora. “Nice to re-meet you, Eugene.” “Hey! I thought I was the only one you were going to tell.” Rapunzel seemed a bit disappointed, so Eugene pulled her close and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ve saved plenty of Fitzherbert-y secrets just for you.” “Really?” Before they could get too lost in each other’s eyes, Sora jabbed a finger at them. “Hey! What are you two lovebirds talking about?” he teased. “Nothing!” “Nothing.” Eugene and Rapunzel laughed. Donald and Goofy seemed to have gotten the wrong idea, too. “Hey, you can tell us!” Donald griped. “Yeah, it’s not nice to keep secrets.” “This one is none of your business.” “Maximus, get him!” Sora hollered. The horse turned toward Eugene in a warning. While the two of them squared off, Pascal hopped onto Eugene’s shoulder and shot his tongue into his ear. “Ack! You have got to be kidding me!” Everyone laughed as Eugene clapped a hand over his ear. Rapunzel will be safe in this world, I know it. There in that meadow, they were happy. Right around then, Maleficent and Pete were elsewhere in that very same world. “Another world where we got doodly-squat.” “Hmph,” Maleficent snorted. “You sure this box thingy’s even real?” “Yes,” the witch replied confidently, then turned away from Pete. “Yeah, and just how do you know that?” “It is etched.” “It’s what?” Maleficent opened a Corridor of Darkness before her confused cohort. “Come with me.” “Where to? Those bozos ain’t gonna help us. Sora’s sure not lookin’ for the box.” “Who said anything about following them?” The witch stepped into the portal, and with no other choice, Pete trailed after her.