Watching the "Rise of the Brave Tangled Dragons"

Part 5: The Healer

The screen showed the words: "Six Years Ago."
The scene changes to Scotland's mountains. But this time much faster, we go over one last hill, revealing a DunBrouch camp.
"I remember this!" Merida exclaimed, her eyes bright with joy.
Elinor walked into view and looked like she was trying to find something... or someone. "Where are you? I'm gonna get ya."
The camera move down under the table and see a five year old Merida trying, but failing, to hide her giggles.
Younger Merida quickly moved away from under the table into a new hiding spot, just before Elinor ducked down under the table.
Finding no one there, Elinor straightened again. "Where is my wee birthday girl?"
Rapunzel smiled at the heartwarming sight. She love birthdays.
They turn to her back, to see little Merida sneaking up behind her. Elinor turn's around and spotted her. "AH HA!" She reached out to grab her. Five year old Merida squeaked and tried to run away, but is to late as Elinor grabbed her and started tickling the uncontrollable giggling redhead.
The viewers smiled at the mother and daughter playing together.
The camera zoom out a little and see a meaty hand place a large bow 'n' arrow on the table.
Elinor looked up and stop's tickling the little girl and looked stern. "Fergus, no weapons on the table."
Merida jumped out of her mother's arms and picked up the to big bow. "Can I shoot an arrow?! Please, please, please!" She fell on her bum and laughing.
Fergus rubbed his chin. "How about shooting one of your very own!" He pulled out a much smaller bow.
Merida gasped and a huge smile spread's across her face. "Happy Birthday my wee darling."
"No great surprise there," Erika remarked.
"You are pretty impressive with archery," Hiccup complimented Merida.
"Thanks Hic." Merida smiled at the two kids warmly as she took the compliment.
The screen changes to a target with a bunch of arrows on the grounded in front of it.
"That's it pull back, right to yer cheek. That's it," Fergus instructed Merida gently.
The camera zoom in on Elinor and she's was holding a hand to her heart, scared for her daughter's safety.
"And lose!" Fergus commanded.
Merida let go of the arrow and it goes flying over the target and into the woods.
"I missed," she stated.
"Ya think?" Jack said, his blue eyes glittered with amusement.
"Shut up ya snow cap!" said Merida.
Elinor bends down to her daughter's level. "Go fetch it then." Merida gives her bow and ran into the woods. Elinor then turned to Fergus. "A bow, Fergus? She's a lady."
"So what?" Erika was quick to defend Merida and her earlier actions. "Everyone — including ladies — needs to learn how to defend themselves at some point."
Elinor sighed, now knowing that Erika has made a valid point.
The screen changes to Merida running through the woods.
She hit some leaves while she ran past. Merida slowed down and looked around. She spotted the arrow in a tree, Merida ran over and pulled it out.
There was a small rustle from behind her. She turned around and yelped in surprise of what she saw. Levitating in the air was a small floating bright blue flame.
"I told ye I saw one!" Merida exclaimed, while everyone else stared wide eyed. Some had their mouths hanging open. While some watched on with confusion and curiosity.
"What is that?" Erika asked Merida curiously.
"You're about to find out," replied Merida.
Merida slowly walked towards it and touched it, only for it to disappear.
"They are real." Young Merida chases the wisps, trying to catch them.
The wisps lead her deeper into the forest, away from the camp.
"Oh, no" Rapunzel whispered.
Merida continued, not really knowing where she was going. The wisp led her to a curtain of vines. She pushed through the vines.
A cave was on the other side.
When she reached the other side of the cave she met with a very amazing sight.
Scene changes to show a large tower, at least 10-12 meters long, a pointed roof and a single window.
Gothel glared at the screen. Some one had found where she hide her flower!
While Rapunzel gasped and smiled, this is the first time she meet Merida! And Merida was doing the same. No one could forget that long golden hair, while every one else was looking at the screen in confusion.
Why was there a tower in the middle of a hidden cove?
Merida walked towards the tower and found a weak spot in the stone bricks. She began breaking them apart with her arrow that she had held onto.
The bricks broke away, and on the other side was a dirt tunnel, at the end of the short tunnel was wooden stairs, leading up to the wall. Merida walked up the creaky old steps and pushed on the roof at the top. It budged and opened.
Merida climbed into the tower and looked around. "Hello!? Is anyone here?"
"Who's there?!" a female voice asked, sounding scared.
"Um, my name's Merida DunBrouch. I found this tower and uh... could you please come out, where ever you are," Merida replied warily.
A young girl, about the same age as Merida came out the shadows. She had big green eyes and golden blond hair that reached past her feet. She was holding a frying pan as a weapon and had fear in her eyes.
"Hi. I'm Merida, what's your name?" Merida asked kindly.
"R-rapunzel," the girl stuttered.
"Well, Rapunzel. What are you doing in this tower?" Merida asked.
"I've been here all my life. My mother left to the kingdom of Corona, to get more food. A three day trip. She left about an hour ago," Rapunzel answered.
"Three days? Won't you get lonely here, all by yourself?" Merida asked.
"Well, it can get a bit lonely. Why?" Rapunzel questioned.
"Maybe I could keep you company! My home is only about an hour walk from here," Merida said.
"I don't know," Rapunzel said, unsure.
"I could bring some food and games for us to play," said Merida.
"Well... Alright," Rapunzel answered with a bright smile.
Gothel was shocked, but it soon turned to anger. How could she!?
"Great! I'll be back tonight! Oh! And guess what! It's my birthday!" Merida exclaimed.
"Wait! It's your birthday too!? Maybe we could watch the floating lights together!" Rapunzel exclaimed happily.
"It's your birthday too! Wait, what's the floating lights?" Merida asked.
"The floating light's. They rise up from the kingdom of Corona every night only on my birthday. I watch them every night, on this very day," Rapunzel explained.
"I'd love, too! Be back tonight!" With that Merida jumped back down the hole in the floor and ran back to the camp.
"Wow, how long have you two been friends?" Erika asked
"Well, this happened when we where six or so. For ten years, Merida would come to my tower with food and games," Rapunzel said.
The screen soon changed and showed the words: "Ten Years Later."
Hiccup, Toothless, Erika, and Storm were following Jack Frost through the forest together. They were talking and laughing with each other.
Then a bloodcurdling scream echoed across the field.
Everyone in the audience jumped out of their previous humor from the traveling friends, as did the four and Rapunzel especially. That was her!
Jack, Hiccup, Toothless, Erika, and Storm looked around, guards up, but couldn't see anything. They then turned to the curtain of vines. Jack reached out with his staff and brushed some of the vines away.
A cave was on the other side.
They looked to each other, and nodded, knowing what they were going to do. They all rushed in.
When they reached the other side of the cave they were meet with a very amazing sight.
Scene changes to show a clearing with a rushing waterfall and trees around the area, but it in the middle of the clearing stood a tall, almost regal looking tower which reached from high into the sky, backlit by the morning sunlight and the waterfall. The tower had to be seventy feet high at least. It was built out of stone and brick, but the top most part was built out of wood. It had a small window with closed shutters and potted plants facing them. But that wasn't what has their attention.
It was the Grim Gnasher dragons circling the tower, as screams from inside ring out and bounced around the rock pit the tower was in.
"Grim Gnashers!" exclaimed Hiccup, recognizing the dragons. "What are they doing there? They usually live in the west."
Many of the dragon experts shrugged, some were looking concerned and/or confused. While the dragons rumbled and glanced at each other in confusion.
"They probably got lost in the storm," Erika said.
Gothel's eyes were wide with fear. Her spells were wearing off. Now those stupid dragons were going to harm her flower.
One Grim Gnasher, the red one, the leader, landed on the window and reached his head in, ready to grab his prey. The five of them began running towards the tower, Jack beginning to fly as he did, similar to a jet on a runway.
Jack acted fast and turned to the two Dragon Riders and their Dragons. "You handle the dragons outside, give me some cover fire. I'll help whoever's in the tower."
"We're on it." Hiccup mounted Toothless and flew in to the air, having an air battle against the dragons. Jack used the wind to fly as fast as he can to the window. Erika also mounted Storm and flew in front of the window, her bow and arrow in hand as she covered Jack.
Gothel honestly hoped they would make it in time.
One Grim took notice of the Winter Spirit and prepared to follow, before an arrow zipped by, nicking the Grim Gnasher's cheek and making it roar in pain. The vulture-like dragons turned to see Erika flying towards them before stopping when she got into the distance, knocking another arrow.
Two other Grims were approaching her quickly, getting ready to pounce, before Erika fired an arrow and the two Dragons let out their respective blasts at the enemy dragons. They dodged by taking to the sky mid-run and flew up, firing their teeth as they went. Hiccup shielded her from the blast with his shield, before picking up one of their teeth in realization. "NOW THEY'RE SHOOTING THEIR TEETH AT US?!"
"That's actually really awesome!" Jack's faraway cry answered, making the girl groan as she threw the tooth to the ground.
A few people laughed. Hiccup shook his head, a small smile appeared. He didn't even know this guy that well, but he sure knows how to turn a negative situation into a positive one.
Screeches sounded off in the sky and they looked up to see the Grim Gnashers getting ready for another attack.
Erika knocked another arrow. The Grim Gnashers roared. Hiccup fired a sleeping dart with his shield.
The scene changes to show Jack just flying through the window and looking around, the staff at the ready. Pots cluttered, rough footsteps skittered, any noise that was made, made Jack turn in that direction, only to find emptiness.
Many kids hid behind their parents, and the adults couldn't blame them. They felt chills go down their spine with every shadow that cut through the screen and every clang of pans, pots and other household objects.
Everything was silent for a moment, before Jack heard a gasp of fear, and spun to see a woman with very long blonde hair peek her head out of the closet. "Are you all alright?"
Before they could answer, the blonde's eyes went wide with fear and she pointed behind him. "LOOK OUT!"
He turned just in time to be pinned down by the red Grim. (Everyone jumped at the sudden appearance of the hungry dragon). He kept her snapping jaws away with his staff to her throat, but Jack was steadily losing strength with how much he was struggling to get her.
After a few seconds, Jack's arms began to shake. He was losing. He leaned his head away from the Grim's snapping jaws. The dragon seemed to grin maliciously, before a chameleon jumped onto Jack's forehead, then shot his tongue straight into the Grim's eye.
"HAH! Wreaked by a frog!" Snotlout gloated.
"He's a chameleon," Rapunzel corrected, but the Jorgenson paid her no mind.
The dragon roared in pain, before a frying pan hit the dragon in the face, knocking him off the Winter Spirit's body. Jack and the girl continued to hit the dragon anywhere on its body with their respected weapons, before the dragon decided it had enough and jumped out of the window, calling out to its pack members to reconvene.
Scene changes to show that the Grims were facing off the two Dragon Riders and the two Dragons, getting ready for another attack, only to respond to their alpha's call and they flew away. Erika relaxed her posture and placed her arrow back into her quiver. Hiccup sighed in relief as he relaxed his posture and turned off his aflame sword.
Back on the tower, Jack leaned outside of the tower, his crook hanging off the hook on the top of the window, watching as they flew away. "AND LET THAT BE A LESSON TO YA!"
Erika groaned, her fingers rubbing in between her eyes. While Hiccup rolled his eyes with an amused smile.
Once more, there were low chuckles.
Jack turned back to the girl. "Are you okay?" Rapunzel stood there, shocked that this flying stranger was able to help her. She nodded, stunned. Jack smiled, before looking back at the two humans and the two dragons.
"You don't mind if I bring my friends up here, do ya?" Rapunzel was silent, before slowly shaking her head, unsure of herself. Jack smiled and gestured for them to come in.
As soon as the five entered, and it was now silence.
Meanwhile, Gothel was glaring at the screen with wicked eyes. She was glad her flower was safe from the Grim Gnashers, but now she was angry that her flower has allowed strangers into her tower.
With the situation less tense, Jack, Hiccup, Toothless, Erika, and Stormstrike studied the girl. The woman had long blonde hair. VERY long hair, at least seventy feet long. Green-eyed, barefoot, purple and pink dress, and a green chameleon on her shoulder, and a frying pan at hand.
Jack quirked an eyebrow. "Who are you?"
She looked at him shyly. "Rapunzel. And this is my friend, Pascal." She then gestured to the chameleon on her shoulder. Pascal gave a casual wave, but kept cautious eyes on them. Rapunzel then addressed them. "And who are you?" She held her pan in front of her threateningly.
Jack held up his hands in surrender with a smile. "I'm Jack Frost, and this is my friends."
"I'm Hiccup." Rapunzel placed a hand over her mouth to keep giggling under control. "Go ahead and laugh. Lots of people does." Rapunzel giggled softly at that. "And this fish-eating reptile—" He received a small slap by the annoyed male Night Fury "—is Toothless."
"I'm Erika." She looped her arm casually over Storm's shoulder. "And this my dragon friend, Storm."
"I'm Rapunzel." The three of them can see that the girl who looked white as a ghost with wide green eyes as the dragons stepped forward.
"Don't worry, Rapunzel, these two won't hurt you," Hiccup assured her.
"A-Are you sure? Be-Because they're just staring at me," Rapunzel stuttered.
"They're curious about you is all, Rapunzel," Erika reasoned.
"Are you absolutely sure?" Rapunzel asked, uncertain.
"Yes," Hiccup and Erika replied in unison.
"You promise?" Rapunzel questioned.
"We promise," Hiccup and Erika confirmed in unison again.
Rapunzel gulped and nodded nervously. Hiccup could easily tell that she really wasn't comfortable with Toothless and Cielo. His eyes brightened with an idea. Hiccup walked over to Rapunzel and held out his left hand.
"Rapunzel, could you give me you right hand, please?" Hiccup asked.
"What?" Rapunzel asked.
Many Vikings agreed with Rapunzel at that statement.
"I'll show you that Toothless and Storm won't harm you," Hiccup stated.
"But are you really sure?" Rapunzel asked.
"If you're able to trust us, could you give our other two a chance?" Hiccup asked.
Rapunzel looked between the two dragons, took a deep breath, and let it out. She nodded at her choice. "Okay. I'll give it a shot."
"Thank you, but I know you're not going to like the first thing I'm asking you to do," Hiccup said.
"What's that?" Rapunzel asked.
"Could you hand over the frying pan to Jack?" Hiccup asked.
"What?! Why?" Rapunzel panicked, clutching her frying pan.
"Trust comes from both ways. If you don't have a weapon on you, he'll also see that you mean no harm towards him as well," Hiccup explained.
She glanced at Hiccup and then Toothless and back at Hiccup. She took a deep breath and let it out. She handed her frying over to Jack and placed her right hand into Hiccup's left. He gently held it and led her over to Toothless.
"Toothless, this is Rapunzel, she's a friend," Hiccup introduced. "Rapunzel this is Toothless."
Toothless's big green eyes dilated and gave her a gummy smile. Rapunzel couldn't help, but give a little chuckle at how adorable he looked. Hiccup held Rapunzel's hand and let it hover over inches away from Toothless's snout. Then he let go of her hand.
"Now, it's his decision," Hiccup said as he stepped back.
Rapunzel looked at Toothless with nervousness. Toothless could easily tell by her shaking hand. He was a little bit weary of her when she had a frying pan on her. But for some strange reason, her eyes kind of reminded her of Hiccup. Taking a chance, he closed the distance between her hand and his snout. She gasped and soon smiled at his choice. She gently strokes his head which made him purr and closed his eyes.
"See? You and Toothless are friends." Hiccup confirmed.
"I guess you're right." Rapunzel said as she continued to stroke Toothless's head who purred at her touch. Storm slightly bumped her shoulder and she stood back a little. Then she held her hand out, waiting for Storm to trust her. She closed the distance between her palm and her snout. She smiled once more and petted Storm's head who purred at the attention.
"It looks like you're friends with Storm as well," Hiccup pointed out.
Everyone (except the villains) were all stunned at the sight before them.
She smiled at them warmly, before lowering her pan and walking off toward the kitchen. "You... guys hungry?"
Jack looked over to Hiccup, who nodded, and Erika, who smiled. "Yeah, I could eat." Rapunzel smiled and walked over to the kitchen.
The scene fades away to the group on the table, having some chicken noodle soup. Jack was eating his soup casually as was Hiccup and Erika. Rapunzel was eating a little uneasily, her eyes drifting from Jack to Hiccup to Erika to Toothless to Storm, and then back to her soup. The scene quickly changed to show Pascal jumping onto the rim of the cauldron of chicken noodle soup, and lapped at it, before burning his tongue and jumping off, squealing.
Toothless laughed and Storm snorted, making the chameleon glare at them.
"So... you lived here all your life?" Hiccup asked her carefully.
Rapunzel nodded shyly, stirring her bowl with nerves. "Yeah."
"And you just live here alone?" Jack asked, "With your mother and pet chameleon? With nothing to do. Doesn't seem like much fun."
Rapunzel suddenly looked excited. "Oh, no! I have plenty to do. I do chores, (she ignored Jack's sounds of disgust) ((much to everyone's amusement)) I bake, play the guitar, read a book or two, games like chess or ventriloquy." She then went quiet, thinking, before her eyes gleamed. "Oh!" She jumped up, and flung her hair up on a hook, quickly hoisting herself off the floor and on top the fireplace. She then pulled back the curtains. "And I love to paint!"
Jack, Hiccup, and Erika looked in awe at the painting (as did the audience). It was showing the Corona Woods, under the veil of night, and floating overhead were many different colored lights. And sitting on one of the trees, watching the lights, was a painting version of Rapunzel.
"You sure know your way with a paintbrush there, Shelia," Bunny complimented, and Rapunzel blushed.
Jack asked the big question. "Is that supposed to be the Coronian Lanterns?"
Rapunzel smiled. "Yes. It happens every year on my birthday."
"Are you going to see them?" Erika asked her curiously.
"Oh, I am." Rapunzel's green eyes shone brightly. "Once my friends come here, they're going to be bring to see the lights."
"WHAT?!" Gothel roared in outrage, making the girl flinch. Toothless immediately shifted himself closer to the girl and raised his wings, shielding her protectively from the woman's fiery glare. Storm stepped in front of them and coated herself in electricity to protect their friends.
"Um... it's ok... dragons? It's just my mother. She's just overprotective." Toothless did not move. He did not trust the woman who was up on the higher levels with the Dragon Queen he despised. This girl was going to be a part of Hiccup's life, according to the Spirit. Until he knew more, he was going to protect these kids with every fiery breathe in his body.
Jack looked surprised, as did Hiccup and Erika. "Why?"
Rapunzel looked like she was looking for a reason, before tossing her hair up to another lever, shining a light on some other paintings and moving the curtains. "I've watched the stars, and their always constant, but these lights appear only on my birthday. And every night, I would sneak out to watch them, feeling like their... calling to me."
Jack and the two Dragon Riders watched, mesmerized as she continued. "I need to see them, not just from my window, in person. I need to see them for myself."
"RAPUNZEL!" The teens and their reptiles all jumped in place in surprise. Toothless and Storm placed themselves in front of the startled teens.
"Three guesses who that might be." Erika chuckled at Jack's playful tease.
They soon saw Merida. Her arrow was aimed at them after she climbed through the window. Behind her was none other than Flynn Rider.
"Wait!" Rapunzel got in between the two groups. "They don't mean any harm." She gestured to her new friends behind them. "They saved me from those teeth throwing dragons."
"Really?" Merida lowered her bow and put her arrow. Her expression softened as she gazed at the three kids and the two black dragons. "Thanks for saving our sister."
"Sure thing. I'm Hiccup." Hiccup soon patted Toothless' head. "And this is Toothless."
Jack snickered at that.
"I'm Erika." She lightly petted her dragon friend. "And this is Storm."
"And the Snow Cap?" Jack looked stunned when Merida had spotted him.
"I'm Jack Frost," he said excitedly.
"Prove it." The three new friends' eyes widened as Jack Frost stood up as he lifted his left hand and made a snowball. He then threw it in the air. It then exploded into snow. "Okay, I believe you now." Merida looked around with amazement.
Merida stood tall and proud. "Merida. Firstborn descendant of Clan DunBroch."
Fergus was glad she still carried her title with pride.
"I'm Flynn Rider," said Flynn. "Former thief. But now a new explorer."
The Corona guards were surprised by this news, but the captain was uncertain by this and still has loyalty to his King and Queen.
"We should get out of here," Merida said. "From what I've learned about her mother, she doesn't take kindly to unknown visitors."
The mentioned woman scowled and grumbled under her breath.
At that, everyone left the tall tower. Jack went by air and watched as Hiccup and Erika flew out of the window on the saddled backs of Toothless and Storm, while Merida and Flynn started climbing down.
Jack then looked up at Rapunzel. "You coming, Blondie?"
Rapunzel looks down, her hair hooked around the window hook, looking below, before looking out into the world. Slowly, she looked over to her painting. For a second, she looked like she was having second thoughts, before taking a deep breath and then.
She jumped.
A trail of long blonde hair fell, then Merida and Flynn ducked closer to the tower when they both saw Rapunzel sliding down. She laughed joyfully, before freezing when she was inches above the ground. Carefully, she touched the grassy earth with her toes, before planting her feet fully onto the ground. She laughed as she wiggled her toes.
She was finally free.
With a happy laugh, she ran off, leaving Jack, Hiccup, Erika, Toothless, Storm, Merida, and Flynn in the dust.
"I'm glad there was a shortcut for her." They laughed at Merida's sarcastic response.
Some laughed at that sarcastic comment from the Scottish Princess.
Scene changes to bird's eye view Rapunzel just as she exits the curtain. She twirls around, laughing joyfully to herself.
She spins until she spots Angus, who just stood there watching her with curiosity. She jumped fearfully before Merida and Jack burst out of the curtain and Merida got in between Rapunzel and Angus.
"It's alright, Rapunzel. It's just my horse Angus. He wouldn't hurt a fly." Rapunzel looked out from her frying pan and slowly approached the horse, hand raised peacefully. Angus snorted softly, making her flinch before she braved it and place her hand on his snout. Angus nickered to her and Rapunzel giggled.
The scene shows them, the were all smiling before Jack looked up and saw that it was getting dark.
"We better get moving. The sooner we get the Corona the better. And this neck of the woods is no place for us after dark." Merida and Rapunzel nodded, though Rapunzel did it much more timidly.
Jack began looking around for any shelter that they could use for the night, just as the rain started to get a little heavier. He then spotted a small cave not too far ahead. He grinned.
Some girls swoon. Merida rolled her eyes, to which Rapunzel giggled at while Erika shook her head and Flynn chuckled. Hiccup just ignored it. He was used to the 'hot guys' getting the attention.
They all sighed once they reached the shelter of the cave. Hiccup braided Rapunzel's hair and Erika decorated it with flowers, Merida took her bow and quiver off and set them aside, and Jack froze the water on him, then tapped his body with his staff, shattering the ice off.
Time cuts to show Merida clanging flints together near a tent of sticks. Hiccup and Erika gathered some food and blankets. Jack was standing by the cave, making sure to stay as far from the heat's rays as he could. Merida finally got the fire started and began to blow on it softly, making it bigger and stronger. Merida smiled, proud of herself before she began to dig into her bag, pulling out loaves of bread, handing each to her friends.