Tangled: Stardust and the 12 Zodiacs (Varian Fanfiction)

Chapter 58: Taurus

((Warning! Extra long chapter to make up for my 2 week absence. Enjoy!))

(January 12)

"IT'S LOCATED WHERE??" The group screamed in surprise.

"Keep it down! Or else you guys might attract another batch of bandits." Gold scolded, scrunching his nose as he covered his ears. "We just got lucky that the ones we encountered yesterday were stupid. But keep in mind that not all of them are. If we attract another one who's much more experienced we might be as good as dead."

Lance squeaked, "BUT-"

"What part of keeping it down do you not understand?" Gold hissed, cutting off Lance, who whimpered in response. Geez. Do these guys never learn when it comes to bad experiences, or were they just this naive?

"Hey, don't be mean to Lance!" Soul scolded, lightly hitting her brother on the arm. "And besides, their reactions were to be expected since Taurus has a very questionable temple location and placement. How it's still standing is beyond me." She said as she looked at the journal with mild interest, reading more about the Zodiac.

"To say we're surprised is an understatement. I mean, who would be sane enough to build a temple inside a volcano?" Varian asked, raising his voice as he threw his arms out before flopping them back down beside him. However, while doing so, he accidentally hit Ruddiger's tail in the process, causing the poor raccoon to yelp in pain as he retreated his tail close to him. "Oops! Sorry, buddy!"

"But seriously," Rapunzel started, bringing their attention back on the issue at hand, "how are we going to get to the temple if it's inside a volcano?" she worriedly inquired. "Wouldn't the inside of the crater be full of lava?"

"Well!" Gold stood from his seat as he cleared his throat. A determined look on his face that only meant nothing good would probably come out of his mouth. According to Soul at least. Varian has also seconded that notion. "I have a plan!"

"Oh, joy!" Varian exclaimed in a blank tone as he boredly leant his chin on his palm, watching the scene escalate.

"Oohhh, and what is this plan, pray tell?" Lance questioned, looking at the man with slight interest. An amused grin present on his face.

Gold returned him a grin of his own, placing his hands on his hips as he prepared his speech. "We're going to-

"-Hey, wait!" Soul shouted, stopping her brother from beginning to explain his plan. "We were wrong."

Gold paused, turning around, "What? What do you mean we're wrong?" The blonde groaned, his eye twitching in annoyance.

Soul rolled her eyes in response, motioning for her brother to look at the page she was pointing at.

Sighing, Gold obliged, leaning down to take a look. His eyes scanned the page before letting out a small hum."Oh! It appears we did make a mistake." Gold said as he took the book from his sister's hands, ignoring her cries of protest.

Confused looks broke out from the group as they stared at the two.

"Geez, was that mom or dad's writing?" Soul asked.

"This must be dad's. Mom's writings are clearer and straight to the point." Gold chuckled as he touched the page with a nostalgic look in his eyes, though it also held a bit of bitterness in them. It has been years since he last read their parents' journal. To be specific, the last time he touched the book was a few days after their passing, and he hasn't touched it since he hid it away. After all, the book did bring up slightly bad memories. To think he would have to read it again and to use it as a guide.....ahhh, what a troublesome little sister he's got.