Rapunzeltopia, Part 3/5

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     Varian awakens back in reality, with the illuminated vines wrapped around him and his hand still on the Zhan Tiri statue. Half of the statue has transformed from black to glowing green, and Varian recognizes that there isn't much time remaining.

 Half of the statue has transformed from black to glowing green, and Varian recognizes that there isn't much time remaining

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     Checking that he is still invisible, he looks over at Rapunzel. She is still lying unconscious on the table, wrapped in vines. Tromus is standing over her, with handfuls of the vines in his grasp. Varian realizes with horror that the spirit is attempting to control Rapunzel's dream world. "Something is interfering with her dream," Tromus says. "But I believe I have stamped it out!"

It'll be okay, Varian thinks, striving to calm himself down. The others will find her and save her from—

But before he can finish his thought, he realizes that Eugene and Lance are already in the room. Tromus has them pinned to the wall with vines, and despite all of their struggling they can't escape.

Cass isn't here, though, Varian thinks with relief. I know she'll do everything she can to rescue us!

But as he glances at the statue again, and notices how much of Rapunzel's power Zhan Tiri is soaking up, he realizes that there just isn't enough time to put hope in Cassandra. Looks like it's still up to me... He grabs the statue again, and attempts to make another connection with Rapunzel...

Varian finds himself outside, standing atop the Corona wall, still wearing the cloak. Realizing he has returned to Rapunzel's dream, he sighs with relief. "Good. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it back in, with Tromus trying to control things."

In the distance, he catches sight of Rapunzel riding towards the wall atop Fidella. She stands on top of the horse, who happily gives her a boost so she can climb onto the wall. Not having noticed Varian, Rapunzel and Pascal, who is on her shoulder, stare out at the view beyond the wall... a desolate, dry wasteland void of color and life.

"Wow, Pascal..." Rapunzel says, sounding disappointed. "That is... some view." Pascal only shrugs in response.

Of course Tromus would make everything outside the wall look unappealing, Varian thinks. Anything to keep Rapunzel in her fraud Corona...

Varian steps forward, and taps Rapunzel on the shoulder. Upon seeing him, she yelps in surprise. "Hello again," he says with a slight wave.

 "Hello again," he says with a slight wave

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