Tales From Corona

by disneyfanatic1993

Summary:

Varian and Cassandra's daughter, Opal, is the chosen heir to Corona's throne. Her life in this kingdom is anything but dull.

"Tales From Corona" continues the stories of Varian, Cassandra, their kids, and their friends.

Chapter 1: Cover Art

This will continue from where "Life of Opal" left off. It's no longer just her story!

Chapter 2: Nightmares

Varian and Cassandra have tucked Opal in for the night. She snuggles into her pillow, ready for whatever dreams may come. Her dreams usually show her people or events from the past, and if she tries hard enough sometimes she can control what she wants to see.

     For example, last week her parents told her the story of how they fell in love. Once she fell asleep, she was able to dream of all the amazing places they told her about on their adventures! She knows what some of their friends look like that she has never met, and she has even seen a guy who doesn't exist anymore. Somehow, it makes her feel closer to her parents.

     But tonight is different. Tonight, her dreams aren't quite so adventurous and fun...

     First, she sees a dark sky over her father's old home in Old Corona. There are pointy black rocks jutting out of the ground, and a giant robot is attacking several of her parents' friends. Her mother is even clutched tightly within the robot's fist.

     No, not this... Anything but this event.

     But for some reason, Opal isn't able to control her dream or wake up from it. She watches helplessly as she observes a much younger version of her father, who is controlling the robot, try to destroy her aunt Rapunzel.

     "It's not enough until you endure the same amount of pain and agony I have!" Varian screams at Rapunzel through gritted teeth.

     Opal tries to turn away, terrified. But instead of disappearing, the scene shifts... Now she is standing within a dark chamber, the Moon Stone that she has heard so much about floating within the center. Her mother is there, and so are Rapunzel and Eugene. Rapunzel is about to grab the Moon Stone, when Cassandra grabs it instead.

     "Cassandra? What are you doing?" Rapunzel asks in shock.

     "I'm fulfilling my destiny!" Cassandra shouts. The Moon Stone transforms her into someone completely different, and Opal is horrified. She attempts to scream, but nothing comes out of her throat.

     And the dream only gets worse... She sees different moments in her mother's year of villainy, moments that she never wanted to see. Cassandra stealing, attacking people, even trying to hurt Rapunzel. And eventually, taking over the kingdom.

     Opal has heard the stories of her parents' pasts. She knows that they each briefly descended into villainy. But she has purposely avoided viewing these events in her dreams for as long as possible, because she knew how horrific they would be. She never wanted to see her parents in this way. But apparently, something within her thinks it is time she saw.

     Finally, the horrible visions end. Her dream fades to black, and for a moment she believes she may be waking up. But then...

     Then she sees a young girl, a teenager. The girl looks an awful lot like her. It is her, but older. The scene around her is still black, so she can't tell what is happening around her. But her older self appears angry. More than angry.... Furious.

     "I'm sorry, but I have to do this!" The older Opal shouts. And then she is gone.

     Opal finally wakes up, instantly sobbing. She has no idea what that last part of her dream was about, but she does not like the way it made her feel. She doesn't like the way any of her dreams tonight made her feel.

     Hopping out of bed and running down the hallway, Opal makes her way to her parents' room. Tears stream down her face as she enters. Both of them are sleeping soundly, until she hops into bed with them. They awaken, and are startled by their daughter's heavy sobs.

     "Opal, what is it? What's wrong?" Cassandra asks, wrapping her arms around her daughter.

     "I... had... bad... dreams!" Opal can barely speak, she is crying so hard.

     "Oh, Little Gem," Varian says in as soothing a voice as he can muster. "It's okay, they were just dreams."

"But... they... weren't!" Opal says. "I... saw... you... attacking... and... being... bad!"

Varian and Cassandra exchange a worried look. Though Opal may be difficult to understand at the moment, they realize what she was dreaming about. They were afraid this day would come...

     "Opal, I want you to listen to me closely," Cassandra says, squeezing her tighter. "Those things you saw are not who we are. We made mistakes, but we will never do anything like that ever again."

     "It was wrong for us to act the way we did," Varian adds. "Sometimes, hurt feelings can make you do things you never thought you would do. They can make you act in a way that is opposite of who you are."

     "I... know," Opal says. "But... I didn't... just... see... you."

     "What do you mean?" Varian asks hesitantly.

     Opal begins to hyperventilate. Cassandra strokes her hair, and speaks to her softly. "Shh, shh, it's alright. We're here. Take slow, deep breaths. In and out." She breathes in and out slowly herself, and Opal copies her. Before long, Opal has calmed down. "That's good, kiddo. Now, tell us what you saw. If you want to."

     Opal wipes at her eyes. The tears are still there, but she finds it easier to speak. "I saw myself, but older. And... I was angry."

     "What were you angry about?" Varian asks.

     "I don't know," Opal replies. "But I feel like I was about to do something bad."

     Varian's brow creases with worry. "I... I'm sure it's nothing," he says. "Just, uh, try to get some sleep. You'll probably have better dreams."

     "Here," Cassandra says, lifting the blanket and tucking it around her daughter. "You can sleep with us tonight."

     Opal nods. She sniffles, and snuggles in between her parents, comforted by their warmth. She is able to fall back asleep, feeling safe and secure. But she doesn't notice the fearful expressions her parents give each other.

     Fear for their daughter's future, and what her dream could mean.

Chapter 3: A New Solution

Eugene strides into Varian's lab with purpose. "Hey, Hairstipe!"

     Varian is hunched over his table, mixing different chemicals in a strange alchemical concoction. "Not now, Eugene. I'm really busy."

     Eugene ignores this statement, and slaps Varian on the back good-naturedly, causing him to spill one of his vials. "Come on, you always have to make time for the Captain of the Guard. It's mandatory."

     Varian rolls his eyes, and finally turns to face Eugene. He is always holding his title over Varian's head... "What is it, oh great Captain?"

Eugene glances around, as if he is worried someone might hear what he has to say. He then leans closer to Varian and whispers, "How's that business I asked you to look into going?"

For a moment, Varian doesn't understand. He has had a lot going on lately. But then he remembers what Eugene recently asked him to do. "Oh, um... Well, I-I haven't started looking for the Angst yet."

Eugene is evidently disappointed. "What? Why not?"

"I have other things to deal with right now!" Varian replies. "I... I don't want to start until I've told Cass about it. And I haven't told Cass yet, because she's already worried about some issues we're having with Opal. I don't want to worry her more."

Eugene sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Varian, there's always going to be something else going on. You should at least get the process started."

Varian shakes his head. "You don't understand, Eugene. We're not going through the normal worries of parenthood. Opal's abilities are getting stronger, and affecting her more. She's terrified to go to sleep! And without sleep, she's not able to take on her lessons well, or do much of anything else a child should be able to do. I need to find a way to handle this problem first."

Eugene's face finally softens. "Okay, I get it. So what's your plan?"

Varian turns his attention back to his work. He mixes a couple more liquids together, resulting in a light pink solution. He holds it up for Eugene to see. "I'm hoping this will help. From what I can understand about Opal's powers, and where they possibly come from, this should aid her in tempering her abilities. At least, enough for her to get some rest... I call it, Opalium!"

"Yeah, real original," Eugene remarks. "So, what, it's like a sleeping drug or something?"

Varian shakes his head. "No, it doesn't make her drowsy. It should allow her to fall into a much deeper sleep, one where her powers may not be able to reach."

Eugene arches an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that? She's not gonna, like..." He sticks out his tongue and crosses his arms over his chest.

"Yes, Eugene, I'm going to give my daughter something that could potentially kill her!" Varian's anger flares. "What kind of father do you think I am?!"

Eugene holds his hands up defensively. "Chill out Varian, I'm not saying you would do it on purpose!"

"I've done the research and the testing," Varian continues. "I've made sure it's safe."

"Okay, okay," Eugene says. "All I can say is, I hope it works out for you. And for Opal." He leans in once more as he adds, "Just let me know when you decide to get around to my request."

Hours later, Varian and Cassandra are in their bedroom. Varian has just revealed Opalium to Cass, and has explained its desired effects to her. But Cass isn't happy...

     "What are you thinking?!" She yells at him. "You want to experiment on our daughter now?!"

"No, I'm not experimenting on her!" Varian replies. "I've already done all the research and tests I need to be convinced that it's totally safe for her."

     "You may be convinced, but I'm not."

     "Cass, do you really think I would do anything to Opal if I thought it would hurt her?"

     "I don't think you would intentionally. But Varian, she's the only one with these abilities! How can you be sure what effects it will have?"

     "I've always trusted in the science of things. And you trust me, right?"

     Cassandra scoffs. "Of course I trust you. But this is bigger than that. This is Opal we're talking about. Our daughter. She is more precious than anything we could ever have in this entire world."

     "I know," Varian says. "If anything happened to her, I don't know what I would do with myself. But it's because of how much I love her that I hate to see her suffering. I have to do something to help her. And this is what I do." He holds up the vial of Opalium.

     Cassandra still seems hesitant, but she finally relents. "Okay, fine. We'll try it for one night. But if anything, and I mean anything, seems off, that's the end of it!"

     "Agreed," Varian says. "And of course, I'll sit with her and observe her all night."

     "We both will," Cassandra says. "I'm not taking my eyes off her for one second!"

That night, Varian and Cassandra tuck Opal into bed.

     "But I don't wanna go to sleep!" Opal says. "I don't wanna have bad dreams."

     "I figured you would say that, which is why I have something for you," Varian says. He shares a look with Cass, and then pulls out the vial of pink liquid.

     "Ooooh it's so pretty!" Opal's eyes widen, and sparkle nearly as much as the solution.

     "This is Opalium," Varian tells her. "It's named that because it's special, just for you."

     Opal takes the vial. "What does it do?"

    "It should help you sleep, kiddo," Cassandra says, tucking a strand of hair behind Opal's ear. "To give you some rest without the nightmares." She gives her daughter's forehead a kiss. "And we'll watch over you all night, to make sure it does its job."

     Opal yawns sleepily. "Okay, I'll try it..." She slurps the solution down, and smacks her lips. "Mmm, tastes like cake!"

     Cassandra curls up in the bed next to Opal, who snuggles in closer. Varian blows the candle out, and sits in a chair that he pulls up next to the bed. Before long, Opal's eyes flutter closed and she breathes softly as she is overtaken by a deep, relaxing sleep...

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of Life Of Opal