As I’m busy working on the next book in the Animal Magic series, I wanted to share a short story. I wrote it in the summer and has a few mild similarities to the magic system used in Magic Denied.

This story is set in the same story world as Superheroes and Bakeries, but the characters are completely different. If you’re wondering if this is part of the next release, my answer is no. However, this scene might find its way into a future book.

Enjoy this short story as Rapunzel tries to take down the Villain Dame Gothel.

Rapunzel cringed and tossed her braid over her shoulder. The end of it thumped against her calf. Since her superpower was tied to the length of her hair, she wasn’t planning on cutting it any time soon. She took another step and winced when the pebbled apartment rooftop crunched under her. She’d risked coming up here at night to try and spot Dame Gothel.

There’d been a string of attacks against supernaturals resulting in the loss of their powers during the last month. The Supernatural Response Team started tracking the attacks after the first supernatural sought medical attention at Mercy Hospital. A hospital with specially trained medical professionals who understood super-naturals. The attacker was nicknamed Dame Gothel because it was believed she siphoned the power from super-naturals.

Rapunzel’s partner, Goldilocks, who could multiply herself into three fighting machines, was the most recent victim. She was recovering in the med ward at headquarters. Rapunzel took the attack personally. She had to catch the elusive villain and stop her.

Rapunzel crept along the rooftop, stepping lightly to avoid making a noise. She wasn’t sure why she felt she’d get a better view from up here, especially with the cover of night, but she’d seen nothing on the streets. Sometimes a different perspective was helpful.

A scuffle below alerted Rapunzel. She peered over the edge at the darkened alley. There were two people, but they appeared as dark shadows in the dim lighting. One figure’s head was covered in a hood and a cloak flowed down over their slight frame. Rapunzel guessed the small build belonged to a female. The other figure was… Prince Charming. She’d almost whispered. Most of the guys on the team were called Prince Charming since the females opted for code names of fairy tale heroines.

Rapunzel’s real name was Cressida, but she’d chosen Rapunzel as her superhero name since her power was tied to her hair.

The cloaked figure extended her hands towards Prince Charming, who backed up, planting his foot in a cardboard box. Momentarily distracted, the cloak figure curled her long fingers around his arm.

Prince Charming was strong. That was his ability, and he should have been able to easily slough off the cloaked figure’s hold. Instead, his body sagged.

Rapunzel wasn’t sure if the cloaked figure was the villain, Dame Gothel, but Prince Charming needed help. She loosened the end of her braid, so her hair was divided into numerous tiny braids. Taking one, she tied it around a large vent and tugged to make sure the knot would hold. Her power would work regardless. Rapunzel tossed her loose braids down the side of the building.

“Rapunzel, let your hair down,” she whispered, using the small braid as a repelling line. The power she channeled through her long locks strengthened the braid, holding her weight. Another neat feature of the super ability is that she didn’t feel the pull of the braid.

Prince Charming cried out. Rapunzel risked a glance over her shoulder as he fell to the ground. There were only a few feet to go. She jumped to the ground, and the braid still holding the vent on the roof loosened.

“Let him go.” Rapunzel added steel to her command.

The cloaked figure chuckled. “Almost done. You can be next.”

Rapunzel made a quick loop with one of her braids and sent it out like a lasso. It fell over the cloaked figure’s shoulders, and Rapunzel tightened the loop.

The cloaked figure stiffened and released her hold on Prince Charming. She turned and lifted her head.

Rapunzel couldn’t see the cloaked figure’s face, but her lips curved upwards. A slight weakness rushed through Rapunzel. Her knees crumpled, and she staggered. Planting a hand on the wall to steady herself, Rapunzel shook her head, but the weakness didn’t pass.

“Such power.” The woman’s voice sounded old and creaky, but delight coated it.

Rapunzel understood. “Dame Gothel!” The supervillain had weakened supernaturals because she’d siphoned their powers. It had been a guess, but now Rapunzel knew it for certain.  She grabbed a pair of shears and cut through the braid lassoing the villain.

“Dame Gothel? Is that what you’re calling me?” The woman chuckled. The voice sounded a little less creaky and younger. “I suppose it’s appropriate.”

Rapunzel sucked in a long breath as her power stabilized. The power increased with the length of her hair, but since her super ability manifested in her hair, Rapunzel was a bit perplexed about how to take down Dame Gothel. All she needed to do was get close enough to slap a pair of power shielding cuffs on the woman and take her in. But if the villain could siphon power by mere touch, how could Rapunzel do that?

Dame Gothel turned back to Prince Charming. “I’ll be with you when I’m done here.” She stretched out her long fingers.

Rapunzel’s braid, the one she’d cut off, lay on the ground. She gathered it up, knowing it no longer channeled her power, and made another loop with it. “I don’t think so.” She swung the braid overhead and tossed the loop, so it landed around Dame Gothel’s shoulders. Then, I pulled it tight.

Dame Gothel shook her head. “Haven’t you learned anything?” The woman’s eyes darted to the ground and then to the end of the braid in Rapunzel’s hand. “I see.”

Dame Gothel yanked on the braid, and since it was no longer attached to Rapunzel or Rapunzel’s power, it easily loosened. Once the villain was free, she turned from Prince Charming and faced Rapunzel.

“Don’t bother following me, but we will meet again.” Dame Gothel spun and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Rapunzel wasn’t sure if the smoke was dark grey or black. The back alley was shrouded in night with a trickle of streetlight from a block away. It was the only source of illumination save the stars and the moon above.

Dame Gothel was gone. Rapunzel let out a slow leak of air as her adrenaline settled. Gathering her cut braid, she went to her friend and knelt beside him. She felt for his pulse and was thankful he still breathed. It’d take him time to recover and restore his powers like the others.

Dame Gothel still ran free and had promised they’d meet again. Rapunzel had learned she can’t use her hair, her best weapon, against the old woman. But she’d brainstorm with the others and come up with a plan. For now, she had to call this in, get Prince Charming back to headquarters, and write a report. She grimaced. She hated writing reports.