'Halloween: Part 2' is now up! Eugene has a plan to give Rapunzel the Halloween experience he knows she deserves, but at what cost is he willing to give it to her? Read on to find out.

1. I want to thank everyone, again, who has favorited, followed, and reviewed my story. I haven't added much to it in a week or two now with the main thing wrapped up (these chapters I'm posting I wrote a bit ago) but, again, I hope one day I'm able to garner inspiration to add something onto it. I have a few ideas but I need to first and foremost figure out a way to put them into action.

2. Apologies for any spelling/grammar mistakes.

3. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 20 - Rapunzel's First Halloween: Part 2 of 5

Type: Five-shot short story

Description: Eugene's heart is aching as he begins to think that something is troubling his love, so he comes up with a plan of making this Halloween Rapunzel's own special day. During all of this, the Crown Princess of Corona is fully dozed off in a treasured slumber, until she finds herself locked inside a nightmare that revolves around one the most important moment in her life.

Eugene did not sleep that night, but it was his choice. He had other plans on his mind that were far more important to take care of.

First, even though he felt really rude for doing so, he knocked on the King and Queen's doors, telling them he had something urgent to inform them. It wasn't urgent, actually. Not even life or death, and he can't lie and say they were pleased to learn he had interrupted them as they prepared for bed so he could get their input on a simple plan he had in mind for the coming day's Halloween.

Both their expressions changed though when they learned who this specific plan was about, and the two monarchs agreed wholeheartedly to do everything in their power to help him go through with it. Even if it was super, ultra-cheesy, and probably the stupidest thing he's ever done.

Hey. Love makes people do stupid things. What can he say?

After letting the King and Queen go on with the rest of the evening, Eugene assuming they both went straight to bed after he left because he caught them in their pajamas, he went to work. Before doing anything, he made a stop by the kitchen and drank four cups of coffee, and practically bouncing off the walls with energy at that point, he ran to the King's study, where he would be grabbing many envelopes after getting his permission to do so, before eventually guiding himself back to his bedroom. A few guards on the night duty gave him looks, one even grabbing him by the arm and asking if he's feeling alright.

He told all of them what he was doing and... surprisingly, they seemed okay with it. After all, all the doors are locked to the rooms with valuables, so even if his intentions were to steal something, he'd most certainly get caught doing so.

The first few hours were spent writing all the letters he'd have to give to the townsfolk to let them in on the deal. They're the most crucial part of it, after all, and he didn't have any doubts that they'd be hesitant with going along. The citizens of Corona love their Princess, and have accepted her with open and welcoming arms. If they're given a chance to work as one singular unit, one singular team to do something in her honor, he thinks that's something they'll simply do without asking any questions.

It was the most annoying thing he's ever done, writing dozens upon dozens of the same letter, the same wordings over and over, folding each and every one properly and placing them into individual envelopes, labeling each envelope the same thing. By the time he was finished, he had practically memorized the entire note he had written by heart.

To the Island Citizens of Kingdom Corona:

I write to you all today in need of a special request that pertains to the Princess we all love and hold dear to our hearts. My name may be familiar, but I do not expect it to be.

My name is Eugene Fitzherbert, the man who saved her majesty and brought her rightfully home where she's forever belonged.

As many of you know, Princess Rapunzel has not experienced the outside world for the greater portion of her entire livelihood. I have conducted a plan that I wish for you all to take part in, a plan that is only possible through all your help.

My only two requests I have for the Citizens of Corona is to light one lantern per building, and have it set at your door with a piece of candy attached. I intend to take her royal majesty on a walk through the Kingdom later this evening after all the children have returned home from Trick-or-Treating, in hopes of giving her the true Halloween experience we all know she deserves. I also ask the Citizens of Corona to stand by your doors and offer her your support. I assure you all that she will appreciate every one of your acts of kindness in this trying time.

I must inform you all that if my plan goes on without any alterations, she may be wearing a costume of her own making. I have received word from his royal majesty, King Frederic, with specific instructions: To support, and to only support her. She is the future of our Kingdom, meaning she will one day be Queen of our children and their children's children.

If you will not do it for me, then I understand.

But please, do it for her. Do it for your Princess.

Signed,

Eugene Fitzherbert

Next would be the tricky part. King Frederic told him during their little exchange earlier about the Art Gallery's supplies room, which holds all sorts of cardboard, paints, Styrofoam; practically any material you could think of that someone might use in building a three dimensional piece. He made multiple trips back and forth between there and Rapunzel's art studio, eventually having everything in specific place and order.

He turned to check the clock, wiping some sweat off his brow. "Would you look at that…" he whispered, reading the small hand as it laid slightly past the three, and the bigger hand at the ten.

He took another trip to the kitchen to refuel himself on coffee, lacing his boots up soon after as he stood at the front doors of the palace, zipping his jacket up. He grabbed his old satchel; the old thing's been with him through countless of his journeys and is about to be with him through another one.

Without further waiting, he whisked himself away into the darkness of the night.

He stopped by each and every shop, house, piece of land he could see, and placed an envelope in each of their mailboxes. The whole process took him roughly an hour to do so. He only had to make one trip, thankfully, as he could go down the main island and then on his way back up, check every mailbox in case he missed one.

He knows that he can not afford to risk the slightest chance, even if it's minimal at best, that this plan fails because of something he overlooked or missed.

This has to be perfect. Nothing short of perfection for the love of his life.

Rapunzel is hurting. He doesn't know why, but he has an idea. And if this doesn't show her that he still loves her with all his heart, and that he would do absolutely anything for her, then there's only one other thing that will. And a certain King and Queen would probably kill him if he did that to their daughter before marriage.

It was 4:45 A.M now and Eugene was... practically done with everything. He contemplated taking a quick nap, but it'd be of no use now, because he knows he wouldn't be able to wake himself up afterwards. The whole point of this is that he's supposed to be there with Rapunzel and he can't exactly do that if he's asleep, obviously.

He thought things over and went with the option of a book. Feeling quite nostalgic and in a delightful mood, he grabbed 'Flynnigan Rider' and scurried down the hall to Rapunzel's room. She probably wanted nothing to do with him but for his plan to work, he needed to be there with her when she woke up.

He quietly tiptoed in and took a seat by her fireplace, then remembering a maid or a servant would probably be up and about to come in and light this thing. He made the decision to do it himself and stood near the door until they came by.

The servant, an older man, peeked in and saw the fire already lit.

Eugene whispered to him, "I've got it handled, sir."

The man eyed him up and down before giving him a soft smile, nodding. "Thank you, Sir Eugene."

Eugene watched as the man slowly walked on down the hallway, eventually entering the King and Queen's bedroom. For the rest of the time he had before Rapunzel would wake, he curled himself up on the closest seat nearby the fireplace, turning his gaze every now and then from the story, to the fire, back to the story, and so on. He heard Rapunzel's soft breaths even above the crackling fire, and he exhaled a breath of content.

There's not a doubt in his mind that this is the life he wants. He's still afraid of the whole idea of being a Prince consort, but Rapunzel... if Rapunzel is with him, he can get through anything.

He sat there for the rest of the hour, envisioning it in his mind that she would wake when the clock strikes 6.

Rapunzel was on her balcony with her parents and Eugene. They had just seperated from the hug and the King and Queen looked upon her with dampened eyes filled with love.

"Oh, my daughter, my sweet... my sweet baby girl," Frederic choked with tears in his eyes.

Her mother lifted a hand up to her cheek and Rapunzel choked on her breath at the sensation of her touch. Yes, this was her Mother. Her real mother, the one who gave birth to her eighteen years ago almost to the day.

She couldn't control the tears that strolled down her cheek as she threw herself once again into her arms, never wanting to leave, forever wanting to bathe in her warmth and love.

Frederic stood behind the two of them and she noticed out of the corner of his eye him lifting his fist up to his mouth, and the next thing she heard was a loud and violent cough.

His voice soon reigned over them. "Who is your friend, daughter?"

Rapunzel looked up over her Mother's shoulders into her father's bright dark blue eyes. "Oh... oh, yes." She backed away and stood next to Eugene, who placed a comforting hand on her shoulder in support.

"This... this is Eugene Fitzherbert, and I owe him my life." She gestured to him and smiled her brightest smile ever. "I wouldn't be with you right now without his help. He's done so much for me in these past few days, and I.." Her voice teetered off as a fear began to rise within her stomach. They had talked about this very thing during their ride back to the Kingdom.

Eugene was fearful of his eventual return by her side, so Rapunzel made a proposal that she should return alone in order to secure his safety.

"No, Rapunzel... if you do that, they won't understand... I'm willing to take the risk of facing death, for the slim chance we can be together. I was telling you the truth when I said you were my new dream….and I can't give this up without a fight. We just need a chance." She remembers that smile. His damned smile, the same one she's fallen helplessly in love with.

King Frederic stroked his chin, thinking deeply about why this man seems so oddly familiar. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted before he could utter a word.

"Sir," Eugene cleared his throat, "I have to be honest." He rubbed his wrists anxiously. "I'm the rogue thief known as Flynn Rider. Or, I was. I've given that title up by bringing your daughter back home. I go by Eugene now, Eugene Fitzherbert." He grinned sheepishly, "That's my birth name. Your daughter convinced me to change my ways."

Arianna held her palm to her husband's chest as he wrapped his arm around her. His brow was furrowed and he spoke in his low, deep voice. "I know who Flynn Rider is. He is known across these lands to be heartless, cruel, cocky and self-centered. You have recently stolen our most precious treasure, my daughter's crown. It pains me to ask, but why steal her crown to only return her in person merely two days later. Was this your plan all along?"

Rapunzel looked up to Eugene. It seemed like a simple answer to her: Because she's his new dream, and he is hers. That's what he told her back inside the tower. That's what she believes to be the truth, deep down inside her heart.

But she was sadly mistaken.

Eugene retracted his arm and wiped himself off, a more serious, stern scowl rising upon his face. "No, it wasn't. And I've returned her to you this day with a proposal in mind."

Frederic raised an eyebrow. "A proposal?"

"Yes, a proposal." Eugene clenched his jaw and stood up straight. "I care for your daughter, just as she cares for me. Meaning that I will go to the ends of this Earth to be with her, just as she would do to be with me." He glanced down at her but Rapunzel was mightily confused.

This..this doesn't feel right. This doesn't sound like Eugene. What's happening? This can't be real..

This can't be real..

Frederic exchanged a glance with his wife before turning back to face the shorter, younger man. He swallowed. "Is this true, daughter?"

Rapunzel didn't know what to say, nor what to do. This all feels so suddenly foreign to her. It's as if everything came naturally just moments before, just seconds before he said that one sentence. 'Because I have a proposal for you, sir.' Those words have struck her heart for whatever reason.

She suddenly felt the urge to cry, but did not know why.

Frederic noticed his daughter's silence and sighed, shaking his head.

"You have your answer, sir. Now I am here to propose my deal."

"Go on, Mr. Rider." The King said in a solemn voice.

"I will leave your Kingdom, and I will leave your daughter's life in exchange for a hefty sum of money. Gold, silver, all the riches a man could ask for." Eugene turned to Rapunzel who had begun to tremble and an evil smirk rose in his face. His next words were directed to her.

"I need this money so I can fulfill my life-long dream. A dream that is, in comparison to the common dream many folks hold, much less touchy-feely."

Rapunzel felt the hot burn of her tears welling up in her eyes. What is he saying!? "Eugene, Eugene, please, this-this isn't you," she whispered. But he continued on as if she wasn't even there.

"A dream that mainly happens somewhere warm and sunny." His voice was cold, completely empty of that warmth, the kindness it held just... minutes... seconds before…

His glare intensed and his jaw clenched. His voice grew louder as his speech grew longer. He choked out through a big smile, "On an island. That I own! Tanned and rested! And alone!"

Rapunzel couldn't hold the tears in anymore and they began to briskly fall down her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak, but was now voiceless. She tensed the muscles in her arms and legs to move, but they were limp. She was completely stuck in place, forced to gaze upon the man she thought she loved.. the man she thought loved her/

And then he said those final dreadful words in a dark and evil-toned voice. "Surrounded by enormous piles of money."

Rapunzel's voice choked as she regained only the ability to swivel her head. She turned to her father who wore a big grin on his face. "You will leave our Kingdom and exit my daughter's life in exchange for only a hefty sum of money?" There was a bit of hopefulness in her eyes. Why is he going along with this!? Why is Mama going along with this!?

"Yes, sir." Eugene turned back to face the King.

Frederic nodded. "Very well. Come, Mr. Rider. I will show you your reward for bringing my most precious treasure home."

Rapunzel made an attempt to scream, to somehow gain their attention! They're acting as if she's not even here! Why, why are they going along with this!?

Eugene! Eugene! EUGENE!

"Eugene!" She finally managed to get something out and all three people turned to face her. Eugene was right behind the King, and the two of them had already begun to walk back inside the castle.

"Why…. why… Eugene... you told me I was…." Her heart burned as her eyes scrunched up even more. She suddenly found it very hard to breathe. "I-I thought.."

"Oh, that thing?" Eugene waved her off. "I wasn't lying to you, sweetheart. Though, the whole death thing kind of slurred my words a bit." He strolled up to her and bent over, his face mere inches away from hers, smiling... he was smiling at how broken she was..

"I told you that you were my new dream, and that wasn't a lie. You were my new dream."

Rapunzel's eyes widened with a bit of hopefulness. Maybe he's re-thinking this? Maybe he actually loves her after all?

He tilted his head and said with clenched teeth, "What-I-meant was is that you were the key to my new dream. My new dream of living on an island that I own, tanned and rested and alone, surrounded by enormous piles of money!" He bopped her nose with his finger and stood up, straightening his vest in the process. "No hard feelings? Come on, you should've known who you were dealing with, sunshine. My fake reputation kind of said it all."

That was when she felt her heart break.

Eugene walked back up to the King who was standing in the doorway. He made a few triumphant steps, turning one final time to face her.

In his most cockiest salute and yell, he licked his lips,

"Sayonara, Princess! See ya in another lifetime!"

Rapunzel could only stand helplessly and watch as her new dream, the man she had rescued from death...slowly fade away into the darkness of what is soon to be her new home…

Never to be seen again.

A/N: Bit of a cliffhanger here, but don't worry. If it wasn't clear already, Rapunzel is having a nightmare. I thought of this nightmare idea out of the blue and think it connects well with the idea that she is having some second thoughts on whether or not Eugene's care, his interest for her is dwindling. I envision that, in this universe of the story, everything that was said up until the 'Because I have a proposal for you, sir.' line had actually happened/been said. That's where her nightmare really begins; in reality, Eugene never said that line, and you'll learn what he actually said/meant in the next chapter.

As for edits, I've only refined some of the sentences.

Edit History (MM/DD/YY):

1. 6/11/20