Tangled: The Series

Alternative Series, Story #9: Storytime With Lady Starlight

Season 2! The only story in this series that takes place during season 2. Because Varian wasn't in it! And sadly, he's not in this story (this story will however have flashbacks that will include him). This story is all about what Ophelia has been up to sense leaving Corona. And later on, some explanation of how she came to be a traitor along side her precious Vary-Berry. Trust me, there's more to why then just what happened to Quirin.

This 'Own Episode' takes place right at the end of the season 2 episode; 'Brother's Hook.'

Hook Foot hugged Rapunzel, prompting his brother Hook Hand to join. Eugene tried to join in too, but the pianist growled at him, making the ex-thief let go and back away.

When the hug ended, the brother pulled away from the princess. "Well, we should get going. I've…sorry. We've got another show in East Ipsil in just a few short days," Hook Hand said, grabbed his brother by the shoulder affectionately.

"Sorry we can't travel there with you and see your show. We've gotta keep heading northeast," Rapunzel apologized.

"Northeast, huh?" Hook Hand paused to think for a moment. "Well, if you're still interested in seeing a show, I know another great traveling performer doing shows in a town in that direction," he told her before reaching into his pant pocket and pulling out a rolled-up piece of paper. "Here's her flyer," he said, handing it to the blonde princess.

"Wow. Thanks, Hook Hand." Rapunzel accepted the flyer without looking at it.

"Real swell gal. Sweet and talented too. Sings, plays piano, and tells a lot of neat stories."

"She sounds amazing! We'll definitely try to go see her."

Hook Hand and Hook Foot both hopped into the doorway of the giant caravan just before it started to move. "Well, if you do, tell her Hook Hand says bonjour!" he yelled back to them.

The brothers waved goodbye to their friends, who waved back as their caravan got further away.

"So where are we headed?" Eugene asked when they were gone.

"Let's see." Rapunzel unrolled the flyer and quickly glanced down at the bottom to see where this person was performing. "Shows in a little town called 'Wrenlark,"' she read.

Lance pulled out their map and started looking for that name. "Wrenlark…Wrenlark—oh, here it is," he said, pointing to the spot on the map and quickly calculating how long it would take them to get there. "On foot, we can make it there by tomorrow afternoon. While still making a few stops to eat, sleep, and at a normal walking pace," he said relieved. Heaven knew none of them wanted to go through what they went through to make it to Hook Foot's other show—which they missed anyway.

"Great!" Rapunzel exclaimed excitedly. "We are going to have so much fun watching the performances of the amazingly talented-" Rapunzel directed her eyes to the top of the flyer where the performer's name was written it big letters. "…Lady Starlight!"

Everyone needed a moment to process that information.

"Who?" everyone but the princess asked before crowding around her to look at the flyer too.

"Wait a minute," Cass uttered, squinting at the illustration of the young maiden performer on the flyer.

"Is that-" Eugene said before it suddenly dawned on all of them.

"OPHELIA?!" they all exclaimed at the same time.

None of them could believe it but it was her. Their old friend turned enemy; Ophelia Hilt.

The flyer illustrated her from the waist up, her hair in a fancy braid-crown, smiling, and holding a small pig in her arms.

Rapunzel stepped away from the group, staring down at the flyer. "It-it can't be," she muttered. Her face was unmistakable on the flyer but she still wasn't sure. Maybe it was just another girl who looked exactly like her.

"Oh yes it can," Cass told her firmly, walking up to her. "Remember, she was never caught after the Battle in Old Corona. Varian said she escaped. And come on. Just look at her," Cass gestured back down at the flyer and all the give-ways it held. "Singer, piano player, has a pet pig, and come on, Starlight? That was Varian's little nickname for her," she listed.

Rapunzel and the others had to admit, those were all convincing facts that pointed to this girl being the young kitchen maid they used to be friends with.

Eugene approached them, glancing down at the flyer again. "So this is what she's been doing all this time? Traveling from town to town, entertaining people like some show girl?"

"Hey! Just like Mimi the Amazing," Lance said. Eugene grinned, agreeing with his old friend.

"Who?" Cassandra asked.

"Mimi the Amazing," Lance repeated. "She's a character in 'Flynn Rider and the Forbidden Fortress.' I remember Ophelia telling me that is her favorite book in the series, and Mimi is her favorite fictional character of all time."

"Looks like she's taken on a new persona out here based on her," Eugene added, pointed to the flyer in his girlfriend's hands.

"At least she didn't take the name straight out of the book like other people would," Lance said teasingly, nudging his old friend playfully.

Eugene just chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah. That's just silly."

"Well now we definitely need to get to Wrenlark," Cassandra said, determined.

"Wait, Cass," Rapunzel spoke up. "Maybe we shouldn't."

Cass just looked at her like she was crazy. "Why not?"

"Well, if it really is Ophelia…I don't think she'll be all that happy to see us." Rapunzel still remembered clear in her head the last time she saw the girl with violet auburn hair. She was angry, upset, and a bit manic. Just like Varian.

"Of course, she won't. I know I won't be happy seeing her again either. But she is a traitor to Corona and needs to be brought to justice," Cass told her.

"But we're not in Corona. Legally, we don't have any authority over her out here," Eugene reminded her.

"Which is why she left. To avoid imprisonment," Rapunzel added grimly. "Like Varian." She remembered his rant just before he was carted away. Even through he was being arrested, he looked sort of happy—in a crazed way—because he knew his beloved wasn't going behind bars too. She strongly believed they had planned that from the start, if their first plan had failed.

"So we'll capture her and take her as a prisoner until we get back to Corona where we can legally arrest her," Cass growled.

Rapunzel gasped. "Cass, that's kidnapping!"

"Okay, no kidnapping. But we should still go to Wrenlark. If it is Ophelia, maybe we can at least talk to her," Eugene suggested calmly.

"Yes! Talking! That's a great idea, Eugene," she thanked her boyfriend before addressing the whole group. "Maybe we can resolve things peacefully with her, then who knows. Maybe she'd be willing to help us patch things up with Varian when we return home," she said optimistically.

Cass crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "That sounds great, Raps. But a little too much like wishful thinking." Rapunzel turned back to her, giving her that look of pleading trust. After a few seconds, Cass sighed. "We can try talking to her, but if things go sour, we gotta be ready for whatever she tries to dish out," she said, punching her fist into her palm.

"Of course," Rapunzel nodded in agreement. That was more than fair. She really wanted them to be able to resolve this calmly and civilly, but she knew it was more than likely something would turn bad. Turning back to the others, Rapunzel grinned. "Alright guys, next stop; Wrenlark!"

Not sure when this will be updated again, but it's plotted out and I'm working on it.

So please stay safe, stay healthy, stay respectful, and stay tuned ;)

Also review, favorite, and follow. Please and thank u.