#generation 8a

Cassandra teleported onto the balcony and looked through the window. Nothing much changed in the house. All the people still looked the same. They all sat at the table in the room that was Lance's bedroom. Eugene must have returned from work not long ago because he was wearing his police uniform.

Cassandra quickly murmured a spell to be able to hear their conversation better, hoping that it would be something of significance.

'That's crazy that Adira came in the middle of the night and I never heard anything.' Lance sighed.

'Well, I suppose you do sleep in the other room a lot now...' Eugene shrugged. 'But more importantly, what are we going to do now? This battle will be much more difficult.'

'Isn't Elsa just a ghost?' Lance frowned. 'Like, what can she do? Jump scare us?'

'Oh, Lance, you weren't with us when we were fighting my mother all those years ago.' Rapunzel shook her head. 'It took a whole crew from the Windenburg Inn and a few vampires to beat her. And a couple of sages, too.'

'And I died!' Eugene made a dramatic gesture and chuckled.

'What?!' Lance sat up straight on his chair, his eyes darting between Eugene's and Rapunzel's faces. He was not sure what question to ask first. 'What do you mean you died?!'

'It's a long story, man.' Eugene shook his head. 'But what's important is that that woman is no joke. We need to be ready for this battle or it will end really badly this time. How's your magical training going, dear?'

'Well, everyone's saying that I'm doing well. But is it enough? I will obviously continue to practise as much as possible. And I suppose I could visit the market in the Realm and possibly prepare the potions. Just in case.'

'Better safe than sorry. That potion helped immensely the last time.' Eugene nodded.

'Is there anything you need from me?' Lance asked. 'Anything I can help with?'

'Just stay brave, Lance.' Rapunzel smiled lightly. 'And be prepared to make some difficult choices if need be. We don't know what to expect from Elsa. What sort of powers she has now. And how Cassandra is mixed into the whole thing.'

'We don't know what sort of sacrifices we'll need to make.' Eugene added.

Cassandra took in a deep breath. What she'd just overheard shook her to her core, but she knew she couldn't let fear get to her.

The next morning, Rapunzel, Cassandra and Lance sat down at the table. They have just finished their breakfast. Eugene was already at work.

‘So are you two ready?’ Rapunzel asked, trying to cheer them up.

‘For some action? Always!’ Lance laughed.

‘We know what we’re looking for. It’s not difficult.’ Cassandra shrugged. ‘I just hope we won’t come across anyone. Especially not Varian.’

‘I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just don’t stay there for too long.’ Rapunzel took in a deep breath. ‘Grab the most important stuff and get out of there. But make sure you’re not being followed.’

'The table's ready.' Rapunzel announced, having entered her bedroom. Eugene smiled at her brightly. 'The dinner will be ready in the evening.'

'That's great, honey.' The man approached his girlfriend. 'You know, I've been thinking. Since it's Kiera's and Catalina's first Christmas dinner with some sort of family. I thought maybe we could take them out. Entertain them.'

'Do you have anything specific in mind?'

'Well, yes. I've been thinking about ice-skating. Lance will be thrilled to teach the girls something. And I know you love it.' Eugene smiled lightly.

'Oh, this is so sweet, Eugene. But you know that we can't really take them anywhere.' Rapunzel looked upset. 'You know that they are officially still missing from the orphanage.'

'I know that, darling. But I thought... maybe... you could use a spell or two?' Eugene looked at his girlfriend with his iconic smolder plastered on his face.

Rapunzel couldn't say no to that. She smirked, feeling weak in the knees.

With a whiff of a warm wind and a flash of bright pink light, Rapunzel and Cassandra landed on the sandy beach of Sulani. Right in front of the Bjorgmans’ summer house.

‘Ugh, why are we here, Raps?’ Cassandra frowned.

‘I don’t exactly know where that mafia mansion is located so I went with the one place that I know very well.’ Rapunzel shrugged.

‘Fine. We must get going if we want to reach the villa before sunrise.’ Cassandra nodded her head and looked at the tall palm trees that covered the major part of the island. ‘The search will probably take some time. You really should have listened to me when I said wear dark clothes.’

‘It’s just clothes, Cass. I hope we’ll manage to get in, grab Eugene and Lance, and teleport back without alerting anyone anyway. This way, it doesn’t matter what I’m wearing.’

‘I really hope you’re right about this.’