Secrets of an Alchemist

Varian and the Great Tree: Part 1

(Edit: Happy Birthday SophieBecky28 ! Decided to post this early for you bestie :3)
(IT'S HEEEEEEEREEEEEEEE!!! So, without any further ado, allow me to present the episode I've been the most excited to write and have been planning since starting this fic two years ago... Rapunzel- NO, Varian and the Great Tree!)
(FYI: I'm changing the timeline of the beginning of the episode slightly, so the scouting trip is early in the morning instead during the previous day. Also this is a long ahh chapter because I... *sigh* I have words guys, I have words. And I'm gonna have A LOT MORE words so I hope ya stick around! Also new POV symbol: 🌑. You'll figure out who it's for pretty quickly, though I'll most likely underutilize it.)

(Chapter warnings: Nightmare (more chill than last time), violence in accordance with the show, Hector being Hector)

Darkness. Just darkness. A cold, creeping darkness pressed in on him from all sides.

Varian's eyes fluttered open and he gasped at the scene before him. Black rocks peppered the ground and between them, a barren gray landscape with little life. He gazed around, taking in what seemed like endless dark plains.

"Hello, Varian," a sweet, childlike voice rang out from behind him, causing him to whirl around. Just like on Tirapai island, there stood the little blue girl with the hazy face. He immediately took a step backwards.

"Get away from me," he hissed. The girl gave a laugh, which rang like a bell.

"My dear moonbeam, I'm not here to cause you any harm," she murmured, taking a step closer to him. She cocked her head at him. "Don't you remember me? Or rather... my voice?" Varian suddenly gasped as the puzzle pieces fell into place.

"You're..." he breathed. His eyes narrowed. "You're the voice in my head. The one who keeps reminding me of my past..." The little blue girl gave a condescending sigh.

"I'm merely reminding you of the past so you can better move towards your future," she replied, wispy form flickering. Varian blinked, and her formless face was suddenly inches away from his. He recoiled, breath catching in his throat. "And big things are coming, little moon beam." Though he couldn't make out her eyes, Varian could feel them piercing into his soul. "You'd best be prepared."

🧪

Varian awoke to someone tapping on his shoulder.

"Mrrph," he grumbled, rolling over, consciousness slowly rising from the haze of his dream. "Five more minutes, dad."

"Varian," came a soft voice that was definitely not his dad. He shot up, eyes wide until they adjusted to the light.

He let out a soft breath of relief. "Princess, please don't startle me like that."

"Sorry," Rapunzel replied, a sincere look on her face. She held out a hand to Varian, which he took, stumbling to his feet. He raised a hand, shielding his eyes from the orange light that was creeping through the caravan windows. Swiftly, Rapunzel held a finger to her lips, gesturing at the still-snoring Eugene, Lance, and Hook Foot.

"Princess," Varian said through a yawn. "It's barely past dawn. What's up?" Rapunzel averted her eyes momentarily.

"You can go back to sleep if you want, but me and Cassandra are going on a scouting trip. I was wondering if you wanted to come with," Rapunzel offered with a small smile. Varian's eyes darted momentarily to the window, then back to his bed, then he shrugged.

"Oh, what the heck. I probably won't get any more sleep anyways," he replied, tiredly returning her smile. Her smile widened as she offered him her hand. When he took it, she swiftly pulled him outside.