Chapitre 23: Once Upon a Time 2

(Continuation of Gothel and Rapunzel Story)

Gothel studied every kind of book of how one should take good care of a baby.

*spit!*

"Wahhh" The baby spitted out the milk she created in the bottle and cried more.

"Does it taste bad?" Gothel tasted the milk and immediately spit it out as indeed it tasted weird.

The book said that bears' milk are delicious for babies. I even got it from that bear family while they are reprimanding someone who trespassed their house. But sadly, it tasted horrible.

Then let's try this lion's milk. I'm glad their king let me have this without much difficulties when he heard it is for a child.

She feeds the bottle with milk again to Rapunzel and this time she happily drinks it.

"Uhbah!babu" Rapunzel speaks with some baby words happily.

Finally! Gothel sigh in relief.

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Then a year passed and Rapunzel finally got to walk.

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Then one day, "Go-thel!"

As she came from gardening and entered the house, a small plump kid wearing a white dress runs to Gothel.

"Gothel!" The little girl called again. Rapunzel finally said her first words! And it's her name.

Something in Gothel's heart tingles. She doesn't understand what is this feeling but she knew she is very happy right now.

First, Gothel just took this kid to observe the aftereffects of the rampions to her. But she didn't know when it started.

She is now sincerely caring for this kid.

"Oh! Young one! You finally said your first word!" She happily carried Rapunzel.

The little girl giggled.

As years passed, Rapunzel grew. She learn to read, write and sing different songs almost everyday. Gothel was now slowly forgetting about her first intention as she didn't expected that she would experienced this kind of happy and peaceful life.

Then, when Rapunzel was almost twelve years old. They appeared.

Rapunzel's real parents. They appeared with her when Rapunzel was back after she sneak out of the mansion.

Rapunzel's parents are greatly shocked to find and see this mansion again.

From the beginning, Gothel didn't hide anything with Rapunzel and the fact that she's not her real mother. It is not really a problem for her if she got to meet her real parents again.

They were happily united and Gothel just let them be since she saw how happy Rapunzel is. Gothel even let them built a small house near this place so they could always see each other.

But there is this some foreboding feeling she can't shake off. So Gothel secretly observe the couple with some invisible magical items.

And one day, Rapunzel's father got hurt from a pack of wolves that suddenly appeared in the farmland. This is where Rapunzel's power to heal first manifested. She healed her father's injuries.

'This. Healing?' And soon Gothel found out that there is now some changes in Rapunzel's internal constitution. A magical core which is not there is now appearing in her inner heart.

Is this the rampion's effects now?

And she find out more that Rapunzel's powers is not just simply healing. She could reverse back time! Up to a certain moment only to reverse or maintain something. And this is the much closer to the immortality she seeks.

But, instead of happiness for this great success. Gothel felt fear and worry. If the world find about this, many villains and evil people will hunt Rapunzel.

A day before Rapunzel's twelfth birthday.

"Look! Gothel! Mother taught me to draw! And I made this!" Rapunzel said happily as she handed Gothel a piece of paper. In it, was her and Rapunzel holding hands with flowery designs all over.

"I asked mother on how I could thank Gothel for everything. And she said I could do this instead. I hope you like this." Rapunzel shyly said.

"Oh. Dear child. You don't need to thank me. I would do everything so that you could always be happy." Gothel said as she hugged Rapunzel.

"You better sleep now, your birthday is coming up tomorrow."

"Yes! It's my birthday! I can't wait to celebrate it with everyone! I'm going to sleep now. Good night Gothel" Rapunzel kissed Gothel's cheeks as she ran towards her room.

Gothel watched her with smile plastered on her face. 'I hope she will like my gift.' She then look again in the drawing with a smile on her face.

'I look terrible on this one' Gothel chuckled as a blue box appeared in her left hand. She placed the drawing there carefully, and the box went back to her bracelet with white pearls.

After some time, in Gothel's room...

Ding! The clock finally struck at midnight. And Gothel opened her eyes with a jolt to the sudden killing intent directed at her.

"Die! Just like your parents, witch!" It was someone wearing a black mask and some black suit. Gothel evaded it. She Immediately waved her hand and red energy surged out from it. Hitting the man directly.

"You should have died with your parents a long time ago! You despicable people who destroys our kingdom!" The man shouted his last words before completely dying.

'This?! A survivor from that kingdom?'

"Ahh! Gothel help me!"

"That voice! It's Rapunzel!" Coldness flashed in her eyes and she immediately disappeared in her place.

She appeared now in front of Rapunzel. They were out in the garden. Five masked people surrounded Rapunzel while one of them is carrying her like some sack of grains.

She immediately waved her hands. The same thing that happened to the guy before happened to them as they were thrown out in different places.

Gothel instantly went to the one who was carrying Rapunzel and gave them a kick. The masked guy losed hold of the little girl but Gothel caught Rapunzel in her arms immediately.

"Gothel! Gothel! I'm scared. It's the mom and dad. They arr-ived at my room. And to- told me to come with them since they said you're a bad guy. But I didn't believe them." Rapunzel said between her sobs.

Hearing this Gothel spoke up "They are right my child, I'm a bad guy." She didn't know why her chest felt so heavy saying those words.

"You're not! I know you are lying but even you are a bad guy, I know you truly cared for me so I will never hate you Gothel!" Rapunzel said as she hugged Gothel more tightly

Gothel was slightly shocked hearing Rapunzel's words. This child when did she get matured and grown so much. A warm feeling envelop her chest as she caress the little girl's head. "My child don't worry. I would never hate you too."

"Give her back to me! Her power would definitely bring back our kingdom! So give her back!" Gothel glanced at the one who spoke.

The mask covering her face is no longer there. And she's not really surprised to see who it was. It was no other than Rapunzel's real mother.

"It's finally nice to meet you, Dame Gothel, after you disappeared twelve years ago, I really have difficulty in finding you. I am Dianna Atlanta, the last royal blood of the kingdom, your parents destroyed. So if you're kind enough, please give me back my daughter." She said but Gothel just coldly gazed at her.

Gothel sprinkled sleeping dust on Rapunzel and she immediately slump down in her shoulders.

"So you're a witch and a fallen one too. From what I could see based on that black aura coming out from your body you have already fallen into darkness. You even possessed that woman's body. If my guess is right it is almost thirteen years now. Do you expect that I would give this child to you knowing that she would just be in danger." Gothel said.

'So it is really no surprise that my wall were easily climb up that time when I am in slumber.'

"Hahaha! As expected from the one who is held as a powerful witch! Yes! I plan it all, from this barren woman's got miraculously pregnant and the rampions. But why do you even cared about that?! That child is not yours to begin with. So just give her back to me."

Gothel scoffed. "I'm sorry for what happened to your kingdom. But I can't let you have this child." As she said that, fire suddenly burst out from all over the mansion and soon the whole garden was also engulfed now. "I really grown to love this place but nothing is more important now than Rapunzel's happiness."

"This is our farewell, I hope we don't meet each other again. 'Cause if we did, I might really kill you that time." Gothel said as she disappeared. Dianna screamed as what she only grab were thin air from the recent location of the sorcereress.

"Ahh! This is not over yet!" She screamed and then disappeared into thin air. The whole place now was completely engulfed by the raging flames of the fire.

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Meanwhile...

In the middle of some forest, Gothel build an enormous tower.

"You will be safe in this place my dear child. I'm sorry this happened in your birthday." She said as she placed Rapunzel on a bed and then kissed her head.

A small light engulf Rapunzel's head and then disappeared in an instant.

Gothel just erased Rapunzel's memories of today's happenings. This little girl doesn't need to remember any of this events.

"Sweet dreams my dear and happy birthday again."