"You're absolutely fucking right I won't allow Rapunzel to be punished!" Ned nearly screamed.
"I told her so! and guess what? There's more!
Kowa owes me something, it may be small but we can use it to determine whether We hand over Rapunzel or not." Yuri said.
"Wouldn't Not 'handing Rapunzel over' cause you and your business trouble?" Ned asked, "It will, big trouble at that too but...I won't be making anymore moves concerning your family against your wishes, I owe you that much Ned." Yuri replied.
"Thanks...What does Kowa owe you?"
"To give you the full story, Kowa asked why I was emotional about saving Rapunzel, and in return for telling her why, she would tell me what sort of punishment Rapunzel may be facing, and I did end-up telling her my reasons, about my bond with Jade and all.
But I forgot to demand from Kowa to hold her side of the deal because she started to mock me right away, but I was still trying to help Rapunzel by asking Kowa to call-off the trial Which angered her, so she left my office without telling me what's the punishment." Yuri explained.
"I see...Nash!" Ned said turning to face the young Alpha, "Yes! big brother." Nashoba replied.
"Forget about Grey, I need our help, you'll be coming with us to see this Kowa woman." Ned said.
"Huh?!" Nashoba was confused, "Why would you ask him to accompany us?" Yuri asked.
"Let's just say, I have a strong feeling Nash would be very helpful." Ned replied slightly smirking, it made Yuri and Nashoba glance at each other with mutual worry.
Suddenly, someone knocked on Ned's office door, "I'll open it!" Nashoba said hurrying to the door and he quickly unlocked it.
"Lovely can I come in?...oh! Nash Hi! is Ned here?" Garrick asked.
"Yeah I'm here Rickie...is something wrong?" Ned asked approaching them.
"No, it's just that I couldn't really eat without you by my side." Garrick said feeling himself blush.
Chuckling, "How cute! well unfortunately you might want to reconsider and go have a bite, because I have business that has just popped-up And I won't be eating anything just yet.
Long story short, I have to go somewhere now." Ned replied.
Disappointed, "Really?...Can I come with you?" Garrick asked.
"Umm..." This caused Ned to glance at Yuri and Nashoba, and through Their bond Garrick felt like Ned didn't want him to tag along.
"Wait, is this business somehow related to me?" Garrick asked a little serious.
"I'm starting to hate how strong our bond is." Ned mumbled.
"Lovely, I wanna help so please don't send me away."
"It's not that I want to send you away, but I'm not sure I need your help...though you are somewhat involved."
"Really? can you tell me what's going on?" Garrick asked.
"Maybe he can help us Ned." Yuri said.
Sighing, "Come inside and close the door behind you." Ned said and Garrick did as told.
...Few minutes later...
"Punishment?...is This trial even necessary? This woman seems to have decided the outcome of the trial before the trial itself happens?!" Garrick asked, "I had the same thought, I'm afraid the trial is just...an excuse to punish Rapunzel." Ned replied.
"Kowa is known for two things, she's extremely beautiful and extremely harsh.
Kowa showing Kindness for no valid reason, is as rare as a sheep with five feet." Yuri replied.
"I think My moth-...I mean Rapunzel, should know about the trial as soon as possible so she'd be prepared." Garrick said.
Surprised, "You're okay with Rapunzel being prosecuted?" Yuri asked.
"What's on your mind Rickie?" Ned asked worriedly.
"This trial means Rapunzel would be back to where she presumably belongs in 'El Masabeeh'...Judging by what you've told me, it's a safe haven so she should be safe there from..."
"From my father." Ned finished Garrick's words, "Actually, it's not a bad idea...
When Fernando was not on our side around the time he was controlling Tacito's body, Tacito had a similar idea by escaping to my office so Fernando wouldn't be able to control him, because my office is enchanted against these kinds of things." Yuri said.
"And if Jihi's office is as safe, then a kingdom for genies in a different world must be like Garrick said, a safe haven for Rapunzel." Nashoba said.
"Alright, so we have two things to do at the same time...Talk again to Kowa, and inform Rapunzel of the trial." Ned said.
"So who's gonna do what?" Nashoba asked.
"Rapunzel is Garrick's Mother, so it would be better if he speak with her, I'll help him talk with her just in case she might react badly and I have to...Subdue her, she might get scared and decide to run.
You guys may not realize it, but Rapunzel is a bit overpowered compared to the majority of you." Yuri said while looking at Garrick who nodded in agreement.
"Which means big brother and I would tag team to deal with this Kowa lady." Nashoba replied.
"Will you be alright Rickie?" Ned asked eyeing his mate, "Yeah..." Garrick nodded, "I'll be alright."
"Good, then I'll leave now with Nash." Ned replied.
"Actually, I forgot to ask an important question." Garrick said.
"Yeah?"
"Should I talk with Rapunzel in private? I don't think the other should know yet." Garrick asked.
Ned an Yuri glanced at each other in somewhat confusion, before Ned answered, "The Choice is yours...if you don't want the others to know, you can just bring her here to My office and talk in secret."
"Then I'll stay here in the office, you can bring Rapunzel, it'll be less suspicious that way." Yuri said to Garrick.
Nodding with a poker face expression, Garrick started walking outside Ned's office without uttering another word, "What the hell is wrong with him? I think he's angry at you." Nashoba whispered to Ned.
"Give me a minute, I'll go see." Ned replied and followed Garrick outside the office.
As Garrick walked the hallway slowly, "Hey, Rick!" Ned called out from behind him, "What?" Garrick asked without even turning back to look at Ned.
"Hey...Handsome, Why are you angry? did I do something wrong?"
"Leave me alone."
"What happened to calling me 'Lovely'?"
"I'm sorry Ned, I don't feel like talking right now..."
"Garrick talk to me!" Ned demanded and Garrick turned to face Ned and screamed, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
"First of all do NOT scream at me that way EVER again! I didn't say anything worth screaming over." Ned spoke firmly.
Feeling guilty, Garrick looked away and sighed, "I'm sorry...I'm just not sure why you're doing this." Garrick replied.
"Doing what?"
"Look Ned, I'm grateful for everything you're trying to do for me, especially for the two assholes that showed-up out of nowhere claiming to be my biological parents, but please just stop trying to help everyone on the expense of yourself!"
Confused, "What the hell are you talking about?!" Ned asked.
"You're the one who needs help Ned! you're the one who deserves justice, you're the one who's in actual danger! not my parents, not me...it's You!" Garrick replied angrily.
"You're angry because I'm trying to help Rapunzel?!"
"I'm angry because you're trying to help the very people who either caused you pain like Freddie, or are going to cause you trouble like Rapunzel! she probably deserves this trial and the punishment!
I'm her son and I Literally don't trust the woman, yet you let her inside your house!
She had not once but twice attacked Henrietta, She even attacked Jade! and like Yuri said she's overpowered!
We don't even know if she's been honest with us since she showed-up, what if she's not really out of your father's control?!"
Hearing that, Ned looked away from Garrick, "I understand the risks, but I wanted to help her for your sake...The one who's really to blame for this mess is my father...
And maybe me Too." He said hesitantly.
"NO!" Garrick replied taking Ned's hands in his, "No! What your father is doing is not your fault Ned!"
"But it's obvious that I'm his target!" Ned said.
"Still, it's not your fault."
"But...!"
"No but! I'm not gonna have you blame yourself for being abused." Garrick said before he pulled Ned Into A Hug.
"I'm sorry...I keep worrying you." Ned said as he nuzzled his head against Garrick's chest.
Garrick chuckled and smiled, "Now that's definitely your fault." he joked making Ned chuckle with him.
Suddenly, "About Rapunzel, are you uncomfortable letting others know she's summoned for a trial?" Ned asked.
Sighing, "Rapunzel is unstable and powerful, she also didn't believe Lady Orange's story about Kowa, and seeing how she doesn't seem to have a problem attacking her supposed loved ones, I was afraid she might react badly...
So, I think the best thing is that we talk to her privately, at least to insure the safety of the others." Garrick answered then broke Their hug.
Nodding, "I see...Do Whatever you see fit, I'll back you up." Ned replied smiling at Garrick.
Smiling back, Garrick leaned towards Ned and planted a quick kiss on his lips, "Thank you Lovely."
"Now that's my horse face!" Ned joked playfully.
"Hey! I thought we were past you calling me horse face! I'm supposed to be 'Handsome' aren't I?!" Garrick replied.
"Consider that a punishment for Calling me 'Ned' too many time, and for screaming at me!"
"Not fair I apologized for that!
Okay, from now on if you call me 'Garrick' I'll punish you too! in bed!"
Suddenly, "EWW DISGUSTING!" a voice said jokingly as a reaction to Garrick's words.
"GAH?!" Garrick got startled and jumped back, "What the hell Jasper?!" He nearly screamed.
Jasper and Faunus were now standing with the other couple, With Faunus's arms wrapped around Jasper's lovingly.
Laughing, "Father, did you really get scared?!" Faunus Asked.
Seeing how happy Faunus And Jasper seemed, Ned smiled and said "Fau, I'm glad to see you doing well."
"Thank you mother! it is all thanks to him." Faunus replied giggling while hugging Jasper's arm a bit tighter.
"Btw Mom, is everything okay? Fau and I were going to eat but then they told us you didn't come to the dinning room at all, so we came here to see you." Jasper asked.
"Yeah, I just had a sudden business to deal with." Ned said.
Although he felt a bit suspicious, Jasper nodded and smiled, "Okay then, Fau and I Will go grab a bite, that if Jade left any food for us." Jasper joked making them chuckle.
"I should go too." Garrick whispered to Ned, "Take care, handsome." Ned replied and kissed Garrick before he quickly want back into his office.
"Wait, I'm coming with you two." Garrick said catching-up to Jasper and Faunus, "Father, are you going to have lunch?" Faunus asked.
"Not yet actually, I gotta talk with my Mother." Garrick said.
"Rapunzel?" Jasper questioned.
Worried, "Why?" Garrick said, "She's not in the dinning room, At least not anymore if that's where you left her." Jasper replied.
"Her plate was empty, so maybe she went back to the living room after finishing her food." Faunus added.
"Thanks for the info." Garrick replied and decided to head straight to the living room, but upon reaching it.
He realized, Rapunzel wasn't there so he quickly went and searched the bathroom, and then he searched other rooms she has access to.
But that was fruitless so as last resort, Garrick hurried to the dining room, to see if she's back there.
At first Garrick completely ignored the fight that has broke out in the dinning room and began scanning with his eyes to find Rapunzel, but his heart skipped a beat when he couldn't see her anywhere.
"STOP!" He screamed grabbing everyone's attention, "What happened?!" Jasper asked.
"Rapunzel, she's not inside the house."
"No relatives, no friends, nobody. Doesn't that seem strange to you? Someone disappears and no one gives a damn?"-Rutu Modan