The Third Power: TTS AU

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Atlantis really is beautiful, Rapunzel thought as Mari led them through the city. Even with such a simple colour scheme of whites and teals, every building looked as if it had been built to stand out - to be its own individual gem.

"What are they staring at?" Keira grumbled uncomfortably.

For the first time, Rapunzel considered something other than the architecture. The citizens of Atlantis were staring at them as they walked by. Some seemed curious, others hostile. The princess offered them waves and smiles, but all she got in return was glares.

"We're not welcome here, are we?" Catalina questioned quietly, standing closer to Keira.

Eugene rolled his eyes. "Please, let them stare," he challenged softly as he folded his arms defensively. "We won't be here for long anyway."

Rapunzel frowned at the way he said it. Maybe once all this was over, an alliance with Atlantis could be possible; trading with the city would be a help for the kingdom for things that were harder to get like fish in the winter.

But that wasn't important right now. Getting Varian back to Corona was.

Eventually, they stopped outside of a building in the centre of the city. It was largest building they'd seen thus far, with large teal doors and several towers that stopped mere inches from Atlantis' air bubble.

"This is the castle," Mari told them. "Varian and your other friends are staying here."

Rapunzel stiffened. He wasn't alone.

"He's still travelling with Cassandra?" Catalina whispered.

"I'm still not ruling off mind control," Lance mumbled.

"Me neither," Eugene agreed, brow furrowed. "Hairstripe's smart enough to get himself out of this kind of situation."

"Well, we are here to save him," Rapunzel added, more to herself than them. Despite the negativity, she felt a twinge of excitement. Soon they'd be heading back home with Varian and setting everything straight.

"This way then." Mari walked forwards. The guards opened the large double doors with bows. They added the standard glare as the humans followed.

"Not a very warm reception," Keira commented once they were out of earshot.

Rapunzel suppressed the sigh that she wanted to release. As long as they stayed civil, this shouldn't take longer than maybe a few hours. All she could hope was that that would happen.

—————

Cassandra was struggling with the urge to leave the infirmary and go deal with the princess herself. For once, could they just go somewhere with her highness coming along and causing them trouble?

"Cassandra," Eclipse called to her gently, "if you keep gripping your sword like that, you're going to hurt your hand." Her large eyes were worried.

Cass hadn't even realised how tightly she'd been gripping her weapon. The handle was just so comforting in her grasp. But she relinquished it with a frustrated sigh. "Fine," she growled. "I just wish Rapunzel would stop coming where she didn't belong."

Eclipse nodded as she turned to look out the window. "I'd hoped our last encounter in the cave would be enough to deter her from following us again but..." She shrugged. "We're just going to have to work with the situation."

Cassandra looked to Varian. He had a calculated look on his face. What was he thinking about?

"Do you think Mari will bring them to us?" the alchemist finally asked.

Cassandra went quiet. Mari bringing the princess and her friends to them was a terrible idea, and she was certain the mermaid knew that. That said, Cassandra was confident that, if she did, she could handle them long enough for Varian to get away and get to the Seastone. Rapunzel was not going to stand in the way of him claiming it.

—————

It was several minutes before they heard a knock on the infirmary door.

Cassandra breathed and moved her hand back to her sword's handle. A quick glance at Varian confirmed that he looked as nervous as she felt but wouldn't show. Eclipse had steeled her face into cold neutrality.

"Come in."

The door opened. And Rapunzel stepped inside.