AU where Varian betrayed the Saporians a lot sooner.
Oooo okay so in my mind this could go 2 ways:
Redemption:
1. Varian actually feels bad about what he’s done and wants to make amends. In the midst of taking over the kingdom, he alerts the guards about what’s about to happen so that the kingdom is better defended.
2. Varian volunteers to fight for Corona and gives over his weapons to the guards, including instructions on how to use them.
3. On the day of the Corona take over, the Saporians weapons are gone and Varian is no where to be found. Andrew is suspicious and takes a few of the Saporians to go hunt him down. They find him in Old Corona, trying to warn the villagers about the attack.
4. Andrew steps in and used the opportunity to pretend like Varian is still on their side, turning the villagers against Varian once more. Andrew forces Varian to watch the destruction of his village. After Old Corona is conquered, Andrew captures Varian for real, and tell him the whole “traitors to Saporia pay with their lives,” thing.
5. A guard who had become fond of Varian swoops in just as Varian is about to die, and blocks the blow, eventually capturing Andrew and the rest of the Saporians with Varian’s help. Varian is pardoned by the King, but he decides to stay in prison so that he won’t have to face his amber encased father. When Rapunzel returns, they forgive each other and she saves Quirin.
Villainy:
1. Varian agrees to be on Andrew’s side, just so that he could have an army to render Corona powerless. He promises alchemical weapons for them, but keeps them all for himself so that he has the upper hand when it’s time for the betrayal.
2. Once they conquer Corona, Varian convinces Andrew to throw a sort of “party” in the throne room, which he had rigged with traps. Once all of the Saporians are gathered, he initiates his plan, and traps the Saporians in amber.
He does the same to the king and queen (who have already been memory wiped)
3. Varian takes over the throne, forcing all of the people to mine the elements for him. Some of the guards who weren’t too loyal to the crown side with him, and act as his brawn for ruling the kingdom.
4. Varian is still in power when Rapunzel arrives, and the two have a face off. Varian uses more automatons and alchemy and Rapunzel uses her hair that is losing power since Cass took the moonstone. Varian notices this weakness, and eventually locks Rapunzel in prison.
5. Lance and Eugene are able to get away and rescue Rapunzel, but Varian has a firm grip on Corona and they need backup. They journey away from Corona once more to round up their allies and take back Corona from Varian.
Bonus: Eventually Cass finds out about Varian taking over Corona and joins him.
