2.0 | Meeting the Alchemist

                                    

                                          
The cool stone corridors of Corona Castle echoed with the sound of tiny feet scurrying along.
Pascal, the ever-quick chameleon, darted around corners with surprising speed, his little tail flicking behind him as he tried to evade his best friend.
It was hide-and-seek time and Pascal, though quick, was never able to win against the princess, who had an uncanny ability to find him - whether he camouflaged himself against objects or not.
Rapunzel's golden hair bounced with each step, shimmering under the sunlight. Her laughter rang through the hallways, echoing off the castle's ancient walls as she sped up, her eyes scanning every nook and cranny for any hint of movement.
As she rounded a corner, she slowed and caught a glimmer of green against the ornate shelf.
Pascal had found a new hiding spot - a small ornamental horse on a nearby shelf. He perfectly matched the colour and texture of the horse's glossy surface, looking like a guard.
Rapunzel grinned and crept closer, taking care not to make a sound. "Boo!" She then yelped.
Pascal's tiny body froze in shock, and before he could react, he was falling off the shelf and landing with a disgruntled expression on the floor.
His once camouflaged skin returned back to green as Rapunzel laughed. Pascal, scowling, crossed his tiny arms and stuck his tongue out at her.
Clearly upset at being caught, he dashed off, his tiny feet pattering down the hallway.
Rapunzel quickly followed after him. As she passed by the grand staircase, she hugged her parents who were standing nearby Rosalie and Eugene.
She turned to her little sister, Rosalie, and pulled her in for a tight embrace. Then she reached out for Eugene, giving him a peck on the cheek and, without waiting for a response, she ran off again.
Rapunzel's feet barely touched the floor as she entered her bedroom. Pascal wasn't there.
But before she could search further, something caught her eye - movement by the window.
A figure stood there, looking out over the castle gardens, their silhouette framed by the sunlight.
"Hello, Rapunzel."
Rapunzel's heart skipped a beat. That voice: haunting, smooth and all too familiar.
It couldn't be.. not again.
Mother Gothel stood before her, her cold eyes gleaming as she smirked at Rapunzel slyly.
Her long, dark hair swirled like shadows around her and her once-smooth features twisted into something uncomfortably familiar.
"Did you think I was gone forever?" Gothel asked, her voice silky with mocking sweetness as she glided towards Rapunzel. "What's the matter, dear? Aren't you happy to see your mummy?"
Then she walked back over to the window and raised her hands. Suddenly, the floor groaned, and a low rumble filled the room. The same jagged black rocks - sharp and pointy - burst from the stone floor, their pushing up like a trap.