As Long As I'm With You

Chapter 1: Cassandra's Arrival

Deserted.  Cassandra had never seen Corona so empty.  So lifeless. So... deserted.  It was almost as if the Kingdom had been evacuated, causing the capital to become nothing but a ghost town.  It was strange.  Wouldn't they have looked for Rapunzel?  She didn't pass anyone on the way back, but maybe she missed them?

Cassandra saw Feldspar ran across the street with a bucket.  She was tempted to demand answers from him, but she decided that she wanted to keep her return a surprise.  Not exactly certain what she was planning yet, she didn't want to spoil her chance at the element of surprise.

With no plan in mind, Cassandra did what she later believed right after was a stupid mistake.  She entered the castle.  When she saw no guards, her curiosity peaked and got the best of her.  She had to know what was going on.

Unfortunately, she didn't account for the fact that the place was guarded.  The guard was just more hidden than she was.  Even with her trained ear and quick reflexes, she was unable to notice she was being followed until it was to late.  Her world turned pink with smoke and she suddenly felt her feet become entrapped by a familiar, pink substance.

Coughing, she waved her hand in her face to get clean air.  After a moment she realized what was going on.  "Varian."  She whipped her head around to see his figure appear through the smoke.

"Well, well, look what we have here."

Rolling her eyes, Cassandra scoffed.  "Let me go, Varian."

He crossed his arms.  "Not likely.  If you're here, then the priness is not far behind."

She shrugged.  "I wouldn't know."

Varian laughed.  "Right, and I'm the sun.  You're her best friend."

"I really don't know, genius.  I left her behind."

"Yeah, I'm not falling for that," Varian scoffed.

Cassandra shrugged.  "Now, we're wasting time.  Get me out."

"Yeah, not happening-"  he squeaked with shock when Cassandra caused a black rock to grow and almost stabbed his neck.  She had a bored expression on her face as she raised her brow.

"You were saying?"

Varian regained his composure and casted her glare.  "Ok, screw being nice guy."

"You literally have me stuck in your stupid trap," Cassandra retorted.

"Tch.  Hypocrite.  I never threatened your life with a pointy rock."  He tapped his finger on the rock as he stepped aside and walked towards her.

"And I never tried to crush you to death," she fired back.

Varian mocked a dramatic reaction of shock and hurt.  "Oh, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to hurt you.  Let's not mention how you crushed my heart."

Cassandra rolled her eyes.  "Still not enough to kill me."

He shrugged.  "Eh, you were never one to have your own morals straight yourself, or am I wrong?"

Cassandra growled.  "I'm getting impatient, brat."

"Oh, I'm sorry.  Am I hurting your feelings now?" Varian spat.

"Ugh!"  Cassandra's eyes began to glow and blue sparks flew off her stone.  "Listen, brat!  I could kill you right here and now!  I suggest you get  me out now peaceably."

"Even if it was my choice, I don't have my solution with me."  Varian placed his hands on his hips.

"Then get the damn solution, you idiot!"

"I don't have any 'damn solution', genius!"  Varian shot back.

"Well, make some!"

"Oh, yeah.  Grand idea!  You obviously aren't aware of this situation."

Cassandra growled in frustration.  "Fine, explain."

"I gotta turn you in, and he'll decide if we'll let you out of my trap."

"Who?  Stop being cryptic!-"  she stopped shouting upon seeing a familiar face enter the hall.

The man set his hand on Varian's shoulder, and he shoved the boy out of the way.  Varian stumbled back and bit back a complaint.  Cassandra noticed how Varian's cocky stance suddenly changed and he bowed his head with submission and shrunk within himself.  She didn't have time to think about it before the man grabbed her chin.

"Hello, Cassie.  Nice make over."

She slapped his hand away.  "Back off, Andrew."

"Hey, wait-"  Varian stuttered.  "You don't get to call her-"

Andrew passed him a glare, which caused Varian clamp his mouth shut and avert his gaze.  "Listen, buddy.  Keep in turn."  The man turned back to Cassandra.

Varian huffed and crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.  He looked away.  Cassandra couldn't help but feel like he was pouting like an emo preteen that had their ego wounded.

"Look, Andrew.  I want out, and I want out now," Cassandra demanded.  "Give me the solution and no one gets hurt."

He laughed.  "I missed that spark, but you're not exactly in a position to demand me of anything."

"I don't think you realize the gravity of the situation," she reported.  She sprouted a rock, but he dodged it slammed his fist into her head.  Immediately, she fell unconscious.  Varian winced.

"Good job, buddy.  Glad you caught my old date.  She's the most valuable person you could catch." Andrew flashed a smile.

Varian's insides twisted.  Why was he worried?  Why was he scared for her?  She was never his friend.  She never cared.  She left him, but he did care.  He cared from the first day they met.  As much as he tried to deny it all this time, he wanted her to hurt, but he didn't want her dead.  What did Andrew have planned?  Varian didn't want to know.