The Darkness Within

Chapter Two

Rapunzel's P.O.V.

It all happened so fast. I was shoved in a sack and tossed through some kind of portal. I had no idea what was going to happen to me. Maybe that's why he looked at me with so much fear in his eyes... He saw them coming before I did. Or maybe he simply thought of me to be a monster. I heard Jack try to fight and get me back. Hopefully he would be looking for me. I was actually a bit worried. He was left alone with those big... hairy... whatevers! But I had other problems at the moment. I had to find a way out of this sack! My hair took up most of the room. I couldn't breathe. I was actually experiencing my first moment of claustrophobia. "Let me out! Please!"

Jack's P.O.V.

I stormed through North's workshop. I gripped my staff with such force I was afraid it was going to break. But that didn't matter to me right now. All that mattered was why. Why he would take Rapunzel. If it was Rapunzel... I'm not sure. I haven't seen my ray of sunshine in a long time. Three hundred years! Since I was lost to the frozen lake. I felt my heart shatter a bit. But it wasn't the lake that made me upset, though. It was something else. But I wasn't sure what.

"North! What's going on here?" I frowned, my eyes showing great seriousness. "'Bout time ya got 'ere, mate." Bunny said, hopping over to me. "I wasn't talking to you, kangaroo." My voice showed great hostility. "Woah. Calm down, mate." He put his hands up, his eyes showing a bit of fear. "He's right, Jack. You need to calm down." Tooth said in her usual soft voice. She always helped me find my humanity. "Now tell us what's wrong." My frown slid off of my face. It turned into a calm and relaxed expression. "That... That girl. Why are you guys kidnapping her?" "Kidnapping? Oh no, Jack. We are not kidnapping. We are bringing her here for initiation." North said proudly. "Initiation?" I asked. "Yes! Man in Moon has chosen a new Guardian!" My eyes widened in shock. New Guardian? Oh boy.

Suddenly, I heard the small plead of someone's voice. "Let me out! Please!" Rapunzel! I rushed to the bag, finding the opening and allowing her to climb out.

Narrator

Rapunzel gasped, feeling the cool air being restored to her lungs. She panted, feeling relief flush through her. "Here. Lemme help you." Jack was about to grasp her shoulders with his hands when Rapunzel stopped him. "No, don't touch me!" She shouted, scooting away from him. She grasped her hands, trying to keep herself from going out of control. "It is alright. You are safe. Nothing here can touch you." North said gently. Rapunzel hesitated, wondering if they were lying to her. But their expressions showed nothing but kindness. Jack crouched down, balanced on his toes. "It's okay, Ro. You can trust us."

She felt her cheeks become warm. And suddenly, she felt at ease. The girl stood up. Jack followed after her. "Who are you?" She asked, observing the workshop and the unfamiliar faces around her. Her eyes fell upon the yetis. "Ahhh!!!" She shouted, pointing a frying pan in its direction. The Guardians looked at each other, arching their eyebrows. "Th-that thing! He kidnapped me!" "Did anyone else see 'er pull that pan outta no where?" Bunny asked. "No, no, Ro!" Jack started. "He brought you here because-" "Because you are new Guardian!" North announced proudly.

"Music!" The elves and yetis began playing celebratory music. Baby Tooths came and placed a flower crown on her head, which obviously wilted, turning completely grey. Streamers were thrown into the air as the Guardians smiled brightly at their newest member. But Jack didn't seem too thrilled. He saw what she felt in her eyes. It was the same way he felt when he was first chosen.

"No, no, please that's alright." She said as the Baby Tooths kept giving her wreaths. "Please, just stop the music...." She said gently. "Just-just stop." She said covering her ears. Jack knew all too well what was going to happen next. "I said enough!" Rapunzel threw her hands out, allowing dark energy to spike from them. The colorful wooden floor of North's workshop became gray and decayed. The ruined wood fell down to the yetis and elves making toys below. All except the wood Rapunzel was standing on. She saw the looks of horror on the Guardians' faces. They were afraid of her. Just like everyone else was. "I-I'm sorry. I just... I shouldn't be here. I should go." She grasped a long chunk of hair from her head, throwing it and allowing it to catch onto something. Tightening her hair, she swung towards the exit.

"Ro, wait!" Jack ran after her, but Tooth placed her hand on his shoulder. "No, Jack. Leave her be. She's dangerous." "I don't believe that." "Jack, she's a-a... Not best for this position. Maybe the Man in the Moon made a mistake." He looked at Tooth with surprise in his eyes. "How could you say that?" The winter spirit looked at all the other Guardians. They agreed. "How could any of you say that?" They looked away, ashamed. "You all think she's a monster. Well monster or no monster, Rap--, er, Ro, will freeze out there. She needs us. Since when do the Guardians turn down someone in need?" The room remained silent. Jack scoffed in disbelief. "I'm going after her whether you're helping or not." And with that, he flew off, into the cold winter.