That evening, the group spread out around a small fire. Unsurprisingly, after a meager meal of what they found from the wreckage of the caravan, no one felt much like talking. Everyone said good night and stretched out under the stars, but Rapunzel found herself wide awake, lying with her head on her folded hands. After a while, a voice broke the silence.

"Can't sleep?" Eugene asked softly.

"Are you surprised?" Rapunzel quipped back.

"No." Eugene sat down next to her.

"I just can't stop thinking about Cass," Rapunzel admitted. "Where she is right now, what she must be thinking or doing."

"We'll get her back," Eugene assured. "I know it."

"It's not just that," Rapunzel sighed. "What if… what if she was right?"

"About what?"

"About me. About being underappreciated. We all know she has as much skill as half the royal guard put together, yet she's stuck following me around the castle, worrying about things like my schedule, or my hemline."

"Hey," Eugene shook his head. "It's not like you chose that for her."

"But what have I done to help her see how much I value her? To help her reach her dreams? I upstaged her in the Challenge of the Brave, and I've contradicted almost every piece of advice she's given me since we left Corona."

"It's not a crime to disagree with someone, even Cass- actually, in some cases, especially Cass."

"Eugene..." Rapunzel stifled a chuckle.

"Seriously, though," Eugene went on. "How many times have you done your best to patch things up between you and Cass? And each time, it's worked out. It's like you said; that wasn't our Cass back at the Dark Kingdom. Something happened to her; the Moonstone got her all corrupted or something, I dunno. The point is, it's all going to work out. I'm sure of it."

"I hope you're right. Heh. To think all three of us had destinies waiting for us in the Dark Kingdom."

"Yeah… definitely did not see that coming."

"How are you handling the whole dark prince revelation?"

"Parts of that haven't fully sunk in yet, to be completely honest," Eugene nervously chuckled. "Not entirely sure what it all means. Especially considering what's left of our kingdom."

"Your dad seems nice," Rapunzel said encouragingly.

"He is. It's just… well, I understand why he sent me away- I mean, can you imagine growing up there?- but… why let me grow up an orphan? He only kept tabs on me using ravens."

"That, I couldn't say. But, I do know one thing. You know how he said you can tell a lot about a person from looking into his eyes? Well, I've looked into his, and I only see love and regret in them; the same way I saw the love and regret in your eyes when you thought you had to push me away to protect me."

"Heh," Eugene chuckled softly. "Guess it's not so hard to imagine doing something that hurts the person you love if you think it's for their own good."

"If you felt like talking to him tomorrow…" Rapunzel prodded.

"Maybe. Not sure if either of us are ready for a big father-son heart-to-heart yet."

"Well, I'm right here with you whatever you decide."

"Thank you. Now, you need to try to get some sleep. Tomorrow is another big day."

With a smile, Eugene kissed Rapunzel on the head.

"Would you stay by me tonight?" Rapunzel asked. "I really don't want to be alone."

"Of course, Sunshine," Eugene agreed. "Good night."

"Good night."

Rapunzel turned over once more, comforted by the warmth of Eugene's shoulder. Something told her that she probably should have protested when his arm wrapped around her, but she didn't. Before she knew it, her eyes had gently shut.

Moonstone

Sundrop

Honor

Glory

Destiny

Rage

Loyalty

Betrayal

Power

Light

Oblivion

Cassandra put her hands to her head, as if that would quiet the voices within. Only, the more she resisted, the louder they became. The louder the voices got, the more her blood boiled, urging her forward- to where, she didn't know, only that she had to keep going.

What are you doing? She asked herself. How could you do this to Rapunzel?

That girl doesn't deserve you, a different voice said. She used you. Lied to you as long as she's known you.

She's your best friend.

She's keeping you from your destiny.

Is any destiny worth it without her in it?

The voices rang round and round in her head. The agony pulled her in a million different directions. Equal parts of her wanted to keep pushing on, and drop to the ground and let herself fall into oblivion. It was enough to make her claw at her chest, wishing to free herself of the cursed opal. No luck, though. That left nothing for her but to continue on.

Soon, Master Zhan Tiri.

Rapunzel woke up to a deep clearing of the throat. Opening her eyes, she saw the stern, long face of King Edmund. Jumping, she sat up and scooted away from Eugene.

"G-good morning, Your Majesty," she chuckled. "Did you sleep well?"

"I'm not one to jump to conclusions," Edmund replied. "But, this is how rumours start."

"Your Majes- er, Father!" Eugene exclaimed, her face turning red as he stood.

"I think I'll go see if Adira needs help with breakfast," Rapunzel said, excusing herself.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Eugene hissed as soon as she was out of earshot.

"I could ask you the same thing," King Edmund replied.

"Are you talking about me and Rapunzel? Nothing happened. I was just comforting her. For heaven's sake, she thought she lost me, fought the spirits of our ancestors, then her best friend stabbed her in the back all in one day!"

"Be that as it may," Edmund replied. "It isn't appropriate for a prince to be with a woman in that way, even when it doesn't lead to anything."

"Excuse me," Eugene said, narrowing his eyebrows. "Is that any of your business?"

"As king and your father-"

"Oh, so you get to be the father figure now that your crows are out of a job?"

"Ravens," Edmund corrected. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

"I think you know full well what I mean!"

"Biscuits anyone?" Adira called, toting a tray of bread as she wedged between the two men.

"We're not finished with this discussion," Edmund huffed.

"You may not be," Eugene replied. "But I am."

Oh boy, Rapunzel thought as she joined the others around the fire. This is going to be interesting.

For the most part, breakfast was silent. Awkward stares were the only thing shared between the company. Finally, once the plates were cleared, the group addressed their standing issue.

"So, what's the plan to save Cassandra?" Lance asked.

"Hard to say," Rapunzel answered. "As reassuring as it is to know Cass will try to find us eventually, we don't know when that will happen. In the meantime, we also don't know what the Moonstone will do to her."

"We don't exactly have a way of finding her at the moment," Adira reminded.

"Maybe the scroll has some ideas," Lance suggested.

"You actually found the rest of Demanitus's scroll?" Adira said incredulously.

"Yeah, not long ago," Rapunzel nodded.

"Don't get me started," Eugene said, shaking his head. "It was this whole deal with a monkey and a labyrinth… Anyway, we still can't read it."

"May I see it?" King Edmund asked.

"Certainly," Rapunzel agreed. She pulled it from her bag and handed it to the king.

"You can read this?" Eugene asked.

"Perhaps. You'd be surprised the things you learn being raised in a castle."

"Yeah, guess I really would." the young prince scoffed.

"Anyway," King Edmund cleared his throat, unfurling the scroll. "Let's see here…"

"Flower, gleam and glow,

Let your power shine," he started.

"Yes, yes, the healing incantation," Eugene said. "We know that one."

"I thought you couldn't read this," Edmund huffed.

"I sort of grew up with someone who knew it," Rapunzel explained. "Long story."

"Ok, then…" he went on.

"Wither and decay,

End this destiny-"

"Not that one!" the others cried in unison.

"We saw a translation of that one," Adira added.

"Well, there's only a couple of parts left," Edmund replied. "Let's see…"

"Sun and moon collide,

Two are made as one

The lights side-by-side

Darkness is undone"

"Huh," Rapunzel said. "So, reestablishing the fact that I need to touch the moonstone."

"But, I thought the Moonstone represented darkness," Eugene noted. "Here, it's called a light."

"By itself, it is darkness," Edmund nodded. "The moon has no light of its own. Without the sun's light to reflect, it's nothing but a hunk of rock. But, with the sun…"

"It shines," Rapunzel finished. "Giving light and hope even through the darkest night."

"Think the 'ultimate power' has something to do with that?"

"Could be," Rapunzel nodded. "Still doesn't give us any clues about what happened to Cass, though."

"There is one last stanza," Edmund cut in. "Although, I must note that it goes outside of the pattern of the others."

"Go for it," Rapunzel encouraged.

"The ultimate power may have but one master

One who interferes is bound for disaster

Unless the lights are reunited,

Darkness consumes the one who'd fight it."

"Meaning Cass," Rapunzel surmised. "If we don't find her and get that Moonstone… she'll be lost to us and herself forever."

And yet, still no one jumped with any suggestions on how to keep that from happening. What was there to do?