Alchemist of The Boiling Isles [Adopted]

Episode 17: The Great Tree Pt 1

With that, Luz, Eda, Lilith, Amity, Willow, Gus, King, Hunter, and Varian walked through the portal door. It closed shortly after they walked through, and they walked towards the caravan. Varian nervously walked up to the door then knocked on it. They waited a few minutes then Varian knocked on the door again, this time they heard someone coming. The door opened and it was Eugene looking half tired. His face changed to shock when he saw Varian and his friends, he rubbed his eyes to see if he was dreaming but he wasn't. "Hey, Eugene. I'm back." Varian said.

Eugene stammered out Varian's name then he fainted. "Well, that was unexpected." Eda stated.

Eugene woke up again seeing Varian and his friends then he let out a small scream. "Cool, humans freak out just like us." Gus commented.

Varian quickly calmed Eugene down then explained everything and asked if he could talk to Rapunzel. Eugene told him that she and Cass went on a scout trip, and they'll be back in the morning, but he did offer Varian and the others to stay for the night in the caravan. Eda told him that they were fine sleeping outside under the night sky. Eugene gave them blankets for the night. The palismen, King, and Ruddiger each laid on top of the blankets and soon everyone fell asleep. Eugene took one last look at Varian, relieved to see him back safe. He was going to tell Rapunzel and Cass about Varian.

The next morning, Rapunzel and Cass returned from the scouting trip and helping Eugene pack the supplies. They were heading out to the Great Tree just over the ridge. She then spotted the blankets on the ground not far from the caravan. She walked over to where the blankets are and was about to pick one up when King woke up. He slapped Rapunzel's hand away, "Do you mind? We're sleeping here!" King shouted.

Rapunzel jumped back in shock seeing King then Varian woke up to King's shouting and his face went pale seeing Rapunzel. He wasn't sure if he was afraid to see her or embarrassed that she had seen him sleeping with his mouth open. Instead, Rapunzel walked over to Varian then she wrapped him in a tight hug and cried. She told him that she was so happy to see him and that she was so sorry about what happened in Corona. Soon the others woke up from Rapunzel's sobbing. Rapunzel pulled away from Varian then she helped the others up and apologized for waking them up.

"It's alright, long hair." Eda stated.

"Let me guess, you're the famous Eda the Owl Lady?" Rapunzel asked.

"That's me. And you met my son, King. The nerd with glasses is my sister, Lily. And the kids are Luz, Amity, Willow, Hunter, and Goops."  Eda spoke.

"It's Gus!" Gus shouted.

Rapunzel couldn't help but giggle a little. The palismen even walked up to her asking for attention and Rapunzel couldn't help but call them adorable. She even gave King some tummy scratches like Luz did when she first met him. She did ask why they were even sleeping out here in the first place when they could have used the caravan. They didn't want to intrude but Rapunzel told them that they were always welcome to stay with them. Hunter kneeled in front of Rapunzel like he was still the Golden Guard and thanked her for shelter. Rapunzel smiled and told him that he didn't need to act like a soldier in front of her.

They helped Rapunzel put the blankets away in the caravan, Luz would share some of her and Varian's adventures in the Boiling Isles. Rapunzel seemed fascinated with Luz's adventures and how she met Amity, Willow, Gus, and Varian. They could hear Flynn, Lance, and Hookfoot arguing like crazy in their part of the caravan. Cass wanted to talk to Rapunzel about that jump; she and Max took over a ditch of black rocks, but Rapunzel told her that she can handle herself out there. Suddenly, the ground began to shake, they thought it was just a small earthquake, but it was something much worse.

Everyone gazed up at the hill behind them and that was when they saw a strange man sitting on top of a rhino with two binturongs by his side menacing growling. The man had dark, braided hair, acid green eyes, a sword at his side and he was wearing a red cape with fur lining. Eugene popped out of the caravan after dealing with a fighting Lance and Hookfoot, unaware of the unwanted visitors. But as soon as he saw their astounded expressions, he turned around and let out a yep. Seconds later, the rhino roared, and it was prepared to charge. "Why are we just standing here?!" Eugene shouted, "Run!"