Disney World: The Age of Tears

Life Begins


The first rays of sunlight began to peek through open windows filling the ofttimes chilly stone tower with warmth. For many, the first light of day was the call to awaken but for her, the sun was late yet again. She had been up for nearly an hour now, unable to sleep longer as usual and so had begun engaging in her morning routines.

The tower itself did not stand out from any other. It was built of smooth and sturdy stones, high above the ground to protect from attackers. The upper half had a very homestead look with beautifully designed wooden trimmings, a short chimney, and a quaint blue tiled roof to top it off. All along the exterior moss and vines surround it.

Around the tower on all sides was a huge mountain that hid it away. But outside the tower were beautiful green trees, small animals, and grass. The back of the tower was on the edge of a short cliff that dropped into a pool of water. The pool was fed by a waterfall and it ran off into the mountain in a slow-moving river.

Inside the tower was the perfect home. A wooden staircase leading up to a bedroom along with plenty of floor space and a cooking and eating area. There was a wooden wardrobe for clothing and a mirror to aid in doing her hair or playing dress-up. When she used to do such things of course. There was a beautiful woven rug across the floor stretching from the fireplace to the center of the room to aid in arming the tower.

The stone inside the tower had been covered in the artwork she had painted over the years. Stunning and colorful displays of bright stars, noble knights, beautiful princesses, and brave warriors battling evil could be seen wherever one looked.

The girl had bright green eyes that complimented her lightly freckled fair skin. She wore a dress of purple with a pink accent. The skirt's hemline was just above her ankles showing her bare feet and allowing her to dance around as she swept the floor. Her golden hair stretched some seventy feet in length and was strewn about all over the tower causing her to have to sweep around it or lift portions at times.

She smiled playfully as she hummed a little at first but then she began to sing, "…so I'll read a book or maybe two or three…I'll add a few new paintings to my gallery…I'll play guitar and knit and basically…just wonder when will my life begin…"

The girl finished cleaning and placed the broom back where it belonged then took a long look at the tower. Her home. The only home she had ever known for her entire life.

"Seventeen years…" she said out loud. "It'll be eighteen in a few days!" a smile spread across her face as she nimbly climbed the stairs and looked out the window at the world outside. "Maybe this will be the year I finally get to go outside." She sighed, imagining all the things that she would experience. Surely the outside world was not as bad as mother said. How could something so beautiful be so evil? The very idea baffled her.

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel! Let down your hair!"

The girl's green eyes grew big and the smile threatened to split her face. "Mother! She's here!" Rapunzel leaned out of the window and looked down. Far below a woman stood looking upward, her hair hidden beneath the hood of a black cloak. "Mother! Mother! Hello!" Rapunzel waved frantically.

"Hello, Rapunzel." Her mother said, a hint of annoyance in her tone. "Now let down your hair, please. It's been a long journey and I have a surprise for you."

"Surprise?!" At that Rapunzel grabbed a handful of her hair in both hands and flung it up into a pully that hung on ropes dangling just above the window. Her hair fell and her mother grabbed hold then Rapunzel began to pull on it slowly raising her mother to the entrance.

After a few minutes later her mother made her way into the tower. Rapunzel immediately hugged her tightly while saying, "I'm so happy you're here!"

Her mother hugged her back but swiftly pulled away, "Oh, Rapunzel don't be so dramatic. It doesn't become you." She pinched her daughter's cheek lightly then laughed and waved her hand. "I'm only teasing you, darling. I've missed you too."

"What's the surprise?!" Rapunzel was overly excited.

Her mother removed her hood and took off her cloak, handing it to Rapunzel without even looking, "Now, now, Rapunzel you know I like to relax a bit after a long trip."

Rapunzel's mother had long wavy black hair with gray highlights, though Rapunzel noted there seemed to be grayer since the last time she saw her. Her face was slightly wrinkled, and she was beginning to show signs of age although still an exceptionally beautiful woman.

Her mother pulled a chair from beside the wall and took a seat, producing a soft brush and beckoning for Rapunzel to come to her. Rapunzel did as she was told, picking up a small pillow as she made her way to her mother. She sat on the pillow and her mother began to gently brush her hair and hum a sweet melody. As she hummed Rapunzel began to sing a sweet tune.

"Flower, gleam and glow. Let your power shine. Make the clock reverse. Bring back what once was mine…" as she sang her hair glowed brightly.

Her mother smiled as the glow brightened and then the glow began to flow around her. The gray in her hair turned black and the wrinkles on her face subsided. "You have no idea how much your singing heals my weary bones, Rapunzel." She said lovingly.

"I'm happy to help mother." She replied. "So, tell me about your trip?"

The two sat on the floor together as her mother shared tales of her latest journey into the outside world. While she told the story, she continued to brush Rapunzel's hair inch by inch until finally, it seemed she had done the entire golden river.

After she finished brushed her mother stood up, "Well, I guess now is a good time to share my surprise with you." She said.

Rapunzel was elated, "Okay!" she easily sprang to her feet. Being cooped up in this tower all these years had given Rapunzel plenty of time to climb and jump around the rafters making her very athletic. She stood behind her mother eagerly awaiting the reveal. Hoping, deep down inside that this would be the year she got to leave the tower.

"I found all the ingredients to make your favorite meal!" her mother announced joyously. In her hand, she had a sack filled with sweet-smelling herbs, spices, vegetables, and meats.

Rapunzel could already taste the delicious meal and closed her eyes, inhaling the sweet aroma. But she was still saddened. She had hoped to see the lights this year.

Her face must have betrayed her thoughts. Her mother frowned, "What's wrong, Rapunzel? You don't look pleased."

Rapunzel forced a smile and said, "No, no mother I am happy. This is amazing."

"But?"

"But?" Rapunzel tried to play coy, but her mother placed a hand on her hip and Rapunzel knew there was no point in lying. "But…it's just that…" she hesitated, afraid to hear no again.

"What? What is it, Rapunzel? You know I hate when you do that. It makes you seem weak." Her mother snapped then immediately laughed and waved it off. "I'm teasing you, darling. Now tell mommy what's wrong."

Rapunzel inhaled and then said, "It's just that every year on my birthday there are these bright lights in the sky." Her mother started to speak but Rapunzel cut her off quickly producing a notebook. "Before you say that they are stars, you can see here that I've been tracking the stars for a while now. Those lights on my birthday aren't stars."

"Okay." Her mother frowned. "And?"

"And I was hoping that since I was turning eighteen this year you would take me to see them."

Her mother shook her head, "Rapunzel you know how dangerous and evil the outside world is. Those barbarians would be on you in a moment! I wouldn't be able to protect you."

Rapunzel grabbed the broom, "I've been practicing a bit of swordplay as well, mother!" she stabbed at the air showing a few of her moves before the broom fell from her hands.

Her mother chuckled, "Like the knights in your stories." She mused.

"Exactly!" Rapunzel clapped. "You see! I'm ready I can-

"No! No, Rapunzel. Because out there it is not a story or a game. It is real. There is no mercy. No love or honesty. Just brutes looking to take what they can from who they can. If they found out about you…" her mother had the beginnings of tears in her eyes. "…if I lost you."

Rapunzel's shoulders fell a little seeing her mother about to cry. "Mother, I just-

"Enough about these lights!"

The abrupt rage her mother suddenly displayed caused Rapunzel to step back in fear. Her mother saw this and exhaled to calm down. "Let's just have a nice dinner together, alright?"

Rapunzel nodded her head. "Yes, mother." She whispered with her eyes cast down.

The preparation and eating went back almost in silence. The few words exchanged between them only served to make the uncomfortable feeling worse. All she wanted to do was see the lights. Surely the world was not so bad that she would be kidnapped and killed in one day. She was just a girl.

'A girl with magical hair,' she reminded herself. Maybe the world was not such a bad place for normal girls but unfortunately for Rapunzel, she was anything but a normal girl. Despite admitting this truth, she still could never shake the feeling that there was something more for her out there. Something calling to her.

"I noticed we're running short on some necessities," her mother interrupted her thoughts. "I'll go and get them tomorrow, but I shouldn't be gone too long."

"Okay, mother," Rapunzel replied. The fact that her mother often left their home did not help her want to leave this tower. Rapunzel got up from the table and began to clean up the dishes.

"Such a dutiful daughter," her mother kissed her forehead. "I'll see you in the morning, dear."

"Goodnight, mother," Rapunzel said over her shoulder.

She intentionally washed the dishes slowly to avoid having to talk to her mother again. Rapunzel swore her mother slept harder than the old people in her stories she would read. Once she was asleep it would take much to awaken her.

As she placed a clean dish aside, she sang softly, "…and I'll keep wanderin' and wanderin' when will my life begin?"

Directly to the right of her a purple swirl of light opened and out of it flew a creature. Rapunzel screamed and grabbed the first thing she could defend herself. A frying pan from the sink. The purple light vanished, and she stepped backward watching the creature move on the floor.

She could see the creature was hurt and hear it groaning. "W-Who are you?" Rapunzel stammered. The creature slowly turned over and sat on its back. "A giant mouse?!" Rapunzel almost left her skin behind she dashed away so quickly and hid behind the wardrobe.

She stayed there for a while, wide-eyed, clutching the frying pan to her chest. Until she heard a small voice.

"Where am I? What happen- Mickey! Mickey! Mickey where are you!?"

Rapunzel inhaled and held her breath, slowly peeking around the corner. She could see the mouse wearing what looked like the light armor warriors wore in her stories. It was covered in blood and that made Rapunzel hide again.

'A brigand!' she thought fearfully. 'Oh God…a giant mouse brigand!' Rapunzel was not even sure such things existed but perhaps this was one of the monster's mother had described. Giant mouse brigand people. How terrible! But as she peeked around the corner of the wardrobe, she saw the mouse had stopped shouting and had flopped onto the floor crying hysterically. "Brigands don't cry." She whispered to herself.

Rapunzel closed her eyes for a moment, 'If you handle this situation maybe mother will let you see the lights.' She told herself for reassurance. With a deep breath, she came from behind the wardrobe.

Clutching the frying pan in shaking hands she tried to sound tough as possible saying, "Who are you? Why are you here?" but her voice cracked, and her hands were visibly shaking.

The mouse looked up, eyes puffy and red from crying. "Y-you…your hair…" she stammered.

Rapunzel held the frying pan up to attack, "I knew it! A brigand! Here for my hair!"

The mouse sprang to her feet, "What? No…my husband..." the mouse looked around. "It was true. Everything he said was true. It worked. This must be the other world!" the mouse smiled, and Rapunzel stopped in her tracks.

"Another world?" Rapunzel's face twisted in confusion. "What is going on?"

The mouse wiped her eyes and straightened herself. "My name is, Minnie and I'm from another world."


The night sky was quiet and boring as usual. It was a clear night with the guard's field of vision being quite large from his post atop the castle wall. He yawned and stretched, being a guardsman was boring work, but the pay was good, and it was relatively safe. Some tavern brawls or messy breakup between lovers most commonly were the issues he dealt with. Usually, all he had to do was stay awake all night and do some patrols.

'Easy money,' he grinned as he yawned again and wiped his eyes. The night sky was beginning to lighten up and he knew his shift would soon be over as the sun slowly rose from its slumber. 'Lucky bastard.' He chuckled at his joke.

He was lucky too, however. After his shift ended, he could go have some breakfast and visit Cecilia. He had been going to the tavern every morning for the past few months to eat but mostly to court her. Beautiful Cecilia! The woman that held his heart. If he saved up enough money and got a new home maybe she would marry him?

The guard was so deep in his thoughts of Cecilia that he did not hear a grappling hook latching onto the top of the wall. He did not see the man that swiftly climbed up and hid pulled back into the shadowy corner to watch him. The man's light brown eyes looked around the area and saw nobody else. The man was dressed in a dark tunic with matching trousers and boots. Across his chest, he had four small daggers strapped with a larger pair of daggers at his hip.

He crouched and pulled a dagger from across his chest while stalking toward the guard whose mind was still on Cecilia. He pounced, flipping the dagger and jamming the hilt into the back of the guard's head knocking him out.

The man glanced around and then leaned over the wall waving his hand. A few minutes later two muscular men had joined the man atop the wall. They were twins, both with fair skin, red hair, and light blue eyes. They both had big eyebrows, big noses, and big jaws that somehow fit well with their large bodies. One of them had a curved scar on the right side of his face. He wore a sleeveless green shirt with a longsword strapped to his back. He had grown out some large porkchop sideburns to hide his scar, but it did not work.

The other twin was identical except for no scar, no sideburns and he had an eyepatch over his left eye with a scar underneath it. He was dressed similarly to his brother except he wears a long-sleeved shirt underneath his sleeveless. His longsword was strapped to his side.

The twin with the eyepatch looked at the unconscious guard and said, "Should'a killed 'em, Ryder."

Flynn Ryder held a finger over his lips, "No killing, Patchy. Watch him, Sideburns. He's a rogue if I ever saw one." He whispered with a cheerful smile then looked around one last time. "This way."

The three men moved silently from shadow to shadow, avoiding every guard that was out on night duty. A task that was not difficult at all. Everyone on duty was exhausted and simply trying to stay awake until their relief arrived. Something Flynn Ryder had made note of hen doing his reconnaissance for the job. Rumors had swirled around town that the royals were having a new crown forged. It was to be a beautiful work of gold revealed in a few days at the Lighting of the Lanterns ceremony.

The Lighting was an annual event in the kingdom of Corona in remembrance of the Lost Princess. This would be the eighteenth year since the King and Queen lost their beloved daughter, stolen away by a hooded figure in the night.

It was a sad day to be sure but for Flynn, he saw an opportunity. This would be the job to finally get him the notoriety he so rightly deserved. He was the best thief in all of Corona, but few knew his name. How would the bards and poets write sonnets of his deeds if they did not know his name? A most terrible travesty that he would soon rectify. Everyone in the Kingdom would know and revere him just like the Captain of the guards.

By some strange twist of fate, it seemed that every job Flynn pulled off throughout his career the Captain was always there. Flynn thought it strange at first but eventually began to expect and enjoy their little game of cat and mouse. The Captain had seemingly made it his life's duty to brig Flynn Ryder to justice. A worth start for a budding famous criminal, but this would make his legend.

They snuck easily following the path Flynn had mapped out. They had about thirty or so minutes before daybreak and with that the change of the guard. More than enough time to see this through. If everything went according to-

Flynn froze in his tracks.

Directly in his path was a guard he had not seen before. But this made no sense. He had watched this route every night for a week in preparation. He knew every little detail down to the exact length of the rope he would need. His chest pounded and he could feel a ringing noise developing in his head, something that happened in situations where he had lost control. It was the reason he prepped so heavily for everything he did in life.

What was he going to do? Knock the guard out obviously but-

Sideburns grumbled something, stood up, and said, "This ain't the way to the washroom. Must'a got turned around somewhere."

The guard immediately placed a hand on his sword hilt, "You're not supposed to be here!"

Sideburns held his hands up as he approached, "I'm just a little lost. Ya' know where the washroom is?"

The guard started to draw his sword, but Sideburns dashed forward and grabbed the smaller man by the neck-snapping it quickly.

Flynn's eyes widened as the guard's limp body hit the guard. "Damn it, Sideburns! I said no killing. Now we're murderers." Murderers were not sung about in songs and loved by maidens everywhere.

Sideburns looked at Flynn disapprovingly, "Ya' hang for either one, Ryder."

Flynn said nothing. He took one last look at the dead guard and continued. It pained him to admit it, but Sideburns was right. Flynn hesitated. That hesitation cost that man his life. Sure, Flynn wanted to be a renowned thief and that was probably ruined now but he never killed anyone on a job before. He said a silent prayer for the guard as they continued.

After another climb, they finally arrived. Flynn held up his hand for silence. They were atop a roof that overlooked the main throne room. Portions of the roof had been built from glass panels instead of stone to allow sunshine into the massive hall during the day. Unknown to most was that off from the main throne room there was a secondary room where the crowns and royal jewelry were kept. The King and Queen would enter the room, dawn their accessories and then proceed into the throne room.

That secondary room also had a glass panel ceiling. Flynn peered down into it and just as it had been before, there was one guard standing watch over the entrance. There, sitting just behind the guard was the new crown. Beautifully worked gold with several large diamonds in it. Flynn began to loosen the long length of rope he had around him.

"Now, this is where you two come in," he told the twins while beginning to tie the rope around himself. "You both are going to use those muscles to lower me slow down. I will pull the rope once for you to stop then I will grab the crown. When you feel me pull the second time haul me up and we're out of here."

Sideburns looked at Patchy who nodded then Sideburns said, "Easy enough." Before taking the rope from Flynn and handing it to his brother.

Flynn took a tool from his hip and then began to work on the edges of the glass panel for a few minutes before he heard the clicking sound, he was looking for. With a gentle lift, the panel came up as it would on warm summer days to allow fresh air in.

Flynn climbed over the edge and looked down. If he fell, he would die and forever be remembered as the thief that fell to his death. He looked at the twins to assure they had firm grips. "Here we go." He said with a half-grin before lowering himself into the window. His heart was pounding a million beats a minute, but the twins held, and he was slowly being lowered down into the room.

Torches lit the small room. He could see the King and Queen crowns sitting in their respective display cases. The royal jewelry was off to the left near a bookshelf that stretched almost ten feet into the air. The room itself had little in way of decoration except for some gold etchings on the edges of the stands for the crowns and jewelry displays.

It felt like an eternity, but Flynn finally was low enough and pulled on the rope once. He jolted to a stop and hung there for a moment watching the guard in front of him.

Silence.

Then he heard a snore. 'Yes! The fools asleep on his feet.' Flynn used the tool he opened the roof with to easily pop open the crown's display case. It looked exactly as he had heard it described and mouthed thank you as he grabbed it in his hand. The gold had some weight to it, he noted. With his free hand, he tugged at the rope, and then he began to rise again.

The twins were sweating and breathing heavily when Flynn finally got back onto the roof. He grinned as he showed them the crown. "Here it is, boys. Now let us get out of here." He stashed it away in a sack around his hip and they bolted back the way they had come.

Down the rope, passed the guard with the broken neck, through the arched pathways they had passed before and around the corner to-

The Captain of the Guard and four men.

"Captain! It's him!" one of the guards pointed at them before they could turn around.

The Captain looked up," Flynn Ryder." He said with malice.

Sideburns ad Patchy drew their swords and charged. Flynn hesitated and then pulled his long daggers from his side to join them. This was the fastest route. It was through them or no escape at all. He had no choice but to fight. The twins went at the guards with ferocity striking down two immediately.

This gave Flynn an opening. He sprang up onto the wall and nimbly dashed along it running right past the fighting. If he slipped, he would fall over the wall to his death, but this was his moment. With a few swift steps, he was near the rope to repel down and escape.

"Ryder!" he heard Sideburns scream.

"Next time I say no killing I mean it!" Flynn screamed back and vanished beyond the wall as he slid down the rope into the breaking dawn.


"This is the most amazing thing I have ever heard in my life!" Rapunzel shouted. She quickly covered her mouth with her hands and glanced up to where her mother was sleeping. She silently prayed she would not wake up.

After a moment she breathed a sigh of relief and looked back and, Minnie. "These things you've told me are incredible."

"I know." Minnie sat in a chair with a cup in her hand. On a table next to her was the Sorcerer's Hat. She looked at it and only thought of Mickey. She had no idea if he was alright. Could he survive whatever hit them without the hat?

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Minnie had told Rapunzel about everything. The way she had arrived on this world, the history of Disney, of Walt of Chernabog and his evils. Rapunzel had sat there wide-eyed and entranced by the magnificent tale Minnie had shared. The entire time Minnie could only wonder if this was indeed the warrior she had been sent to retrieve. Rapunzel certainly did not seem like much of a warrior. But then how many people could have seventy feet of golden hair?

"I was sent here for a reason," Minnie said. "I was sent to gather warriors to come to help us defeat Chernabog once and for all."

Rapunzel stared at Minnie for a few moments not understanding what was said. Then her face scrunched up as the realization began to dawn on her. "You're talking about me?" she pointed at herself.

"I believe so, yes," Minnie replied.

"But…but I'm no warrior." Rapunzel stood up. "I haven't even ever left this tower!"

"What?" Minnie was confused. "How have you never left here?"

"Because-

"Rapunzel?" her mother's voice called from upstairs. "Rapunzel what is all that noise?"

"Quickly! Hide!" Rapunzel swiftly moved to the wardrobe and opened it for Minnie. She closed the door hiding Minnie just before her mother came out of the bedroom upstairs.

"Girl, what are you doing awake so early?" Rapunzel's mother rubbed her eyebrows and pulled a robe tighter around her shoulders. "Have you been up all night reading again?" her mother started to walk down the stairs.

"Yes." Rapunzel quickly lied. "I just got so caught up in-

"Rapunzel you need to get your sleep the circles under your eyes will come back and you know those don't become you." Her mother rubbed Rapunzel's face and laughed. "I'm teasing, but seriously can you start a fire? It is freezing in here."

Rapunzel glanced at the wardrobe. "Okay, mother." She said and picked up the firewood.

Throughout their entire morning routine, all Rapunzel could wonder was what Minnie was doing inside the wardrobe. It had been a few hours now and she was not quite sure when her mother was going to leave for those supplies.

Her mind had also begun to wonder about what Minnie had said. Was she a chosen warrior? What use could she have on the battlefield? All the warriors in her stories were brave, knew how to fight, and had horses. She did not have any of those. Still, if this warrior mouse from another world believed in her then maybe…

Rapunzel had not been listening to a thing her mother had been saying when she interrupted her, "I know you said enough with the lights but mother I think if-

"Rapunzel why do you always have to ruin a good thing?" her mother stood up from the table with a disgusted look on her face.

"But mother if you just listen-

"I know what I'm doing seems wrong to you. Cruel even. But I am doing it for your protection, Rapunzel. You have no idea what those…those savages are capable of out there! But I do! So, you will never leave this tower! Ever!"

Rapunzel recoiled from her mother's words with a whimper of fear.

Her mother's expression softened for a moment then she stood up straight and said. "I'll be back soon." Her mother put on a cloak, wrapped a sack around her shoulder, and went up to the window.

Rapunzel followed her silently the entire way. Shut down and defeated she loaded her hair into the pully and lowered her mother down. Her mother did not even say goodbye. Rapunzel watched her mother until she vanished into the forest then plopped down onto the floor and began to cry.

She was not even asking to leave the tower forever, Rapunzel liked it here for the most part. She only wanted to see the lanterns. She sobbed so loudly she had not heard Minnie come out of the wardrobe and approach her.

Minnie had heard everything. Over the years of war, she had become accustomed to sitting in one place without moving for a long time. Tasks had often required long hours of watching patrol routes or hiding from the enemy for long periods.

Rapunzel's mother did not sound the way the mothers she knew did. There was almost an absence of love in her voice altogether. And the way she spoke to Rapunzel! And keeping her locked in this tower all these years! How could she?

Minnie reached out and touched Rapunzel's shoulder causing her to scream and jump in surprise. Minnie had forgotten how silently she moved. "I am sorry," Minnie said then reached down and hugged Rapunzel.

The girl broke down more into Minnie's small shoulder. It reminded Minnie of comforting Marian after Robin's death. Minnie struggled against her emotions so she would not begin crying as well from her loss and sadness.

After a time, Minnie asked, "You have never left this place?"

Rapunzel lifted her head from Minnie's shoulder and wiped her eyes. They were beginning to puff up. "No," Rapunzel sobbed a little. "Never."

"How old are you?"

"I'll be eighteen in a few days."

Minnie recoiled, "Eighteen years?! Rapunzel! This is a prison!"

Rapunzel was taken back by the accusation. "This is my home. I haven't left but I'm not kept in here by guards or anything."

Minnie started to understand the underlying issue. "You are afraid." Rapunzel nodded once. "But of what? To leave or to disobey your mother?"

"I…I don't know…"

Minnie just hugged her and said, "Rapunzel there is a whole world out there, and good or bad the only way you will experience it is to leave this place."

Rapunzel pulled away from Minnie slowly and stood up. She wiped her eyes and face then went and sat in the window looking out at the forest. "You're right. I know you are and even still I…I'm just so afraid."

"I felt the same way before my first battle," Minnie said. "Before the Age of Tears, everything was so peaceful. So perfect." Minnie looked out at the forest below them and for a moment was taken back to that paradise so long ago. If she had any hope of ever seeing that again Minnie would have to help Rapunzel solve her problems.

"Before the battle, all I could think about were the what-ifs. What if this happened or what if that happened. It was horrifying. With hindsight now, while what I experienced was terrible, what I imagined was worse. The point is that until you do something you will never know. And it probably won't even be that bad anyway." Minnie smiled warmly.

Rapunzel nodded her head a little, starting to understand what Minnie was saying. "I've never disobeyed mother before." She whispered as if fearful her mother might hear her words.

"I never had a mother," Minnie replied. "I was created by Walt for my husband. Given intelligence and skill. But I often think of one day when the war is over becoming a mother. And I have known many mothers. She will be upset but she will never stop loving you."

Rapunzel stood there quietly, mentally taking in all that she had been told and all that she had learned. The very idea of leaving the tower made her head pound but at the same time her heartbeat quickens excitedly. She wanted to see the lights more than anything in this world.

For years she had wished to see the world outside this tower only to be given the chance to see another world as well. Here she was talking to a being claiming to have been friends with the God that created her. Created all of this! Out of all the people in two worlds she had been chosen. She might miss the lights, but they would be back next year. And while Rapunzel did not know what she could contribute to a war effort she made up her mind right then and there.

"Alright," Rapunzel said firmly and with much resolve. "I'll do it. I don't know how but I'll try to help you save, Disney."


The bright yellow sun was high in the sky shining down its light on an open clearing. It was a beautiful day, the kind of day one would spend relaxing and enjoying the little things. The lovely sounds of nature could be heard all around, it blended with the faint echo of humans bustling about nearby.

In the clearing, a black spark flashed several times before bursting into a large black portal with purple at its center. A moment or two passed then one by one Jafar, Scar, and Shere Khan stepped out into the sunlight. As the last one exited the portal vanished.

Scar looked around and sniffed the air before saying, "Truly a new world." With a devilish grin. His mind immediately set ablaze with thoughts of conquest and riches.

Shere Khan did the same, "I smell man." He growled a little. "A large settlement. Perhaps a city."

Jafar ignored them both while he took everything in from a human perspective. He could see wagon tracks and the signs of a smoldered fire. People seemed to use this clearing as a rest area. He picked up some dirt and tossed it into the air, watching it carry off by the wind.

"What on, Disney are you doing?" Shere Khan asked.

"We're not on, Disney anymore," Jafar replied. "I was making sure things work the same here."

"Ah," Shere Khan nodded approvingly. "What is our first move?" he asked his fellow companions. While he was not close with the two leaders, he did have respect for them. Both had done what few had accomplished over the centuries and conquered their lands. They were powerful allies to be sure.

Shere Khan had nearly taken over the jungle as well but Mowgli was proving a most elusive prey. The man-cub, as Shere Khan stilled him, had taken to guerilla warfare once the open war had been lost. The decision had proven an excellent choice as Mowgli, Bagheera, and Baloo proved to be adept at such fighting. Hunting them had become increasingly difficult over the years as well. When he completed this task Chernabog was sure to receive some reinforcements to end Mowgli once and for all.

"Find whoever our ally is," Scar replied to Shere Khan. "They will know the land better than us."

"Agreed," Jafar said. "But where to-

"Let us loose! We will help ya' catch, Flynn Ryder!"

The three all turned at once hearing the voice and could tell it was getting closer. "The trees! Quickly!" Shere Khan bounded toward cover with the others right behind him. They ducked low and watched as a wagon came into the clearing.

Two men dressed in golden breastplates and helms sat in the driver seat of the two-horse wagon. On the back there was a large cage and inside were two men with their wrists chained. The two men were twins. One of them had an eye-patch while the other had large sideburns.

"C'mon, Ryder tricked us! 'Es the one ya' want!" the twin with sideburns shouted.

One of the guards whacked the cage with a stick. "Shut up! We will catch, Ryder. He will hang for his crimes. Don't you worry."

"You two on the other hand are headed for the mines." The other guard said with a chuckle.

"The mines?! Just hang us now."

"Not hanging for you saps." The two guards laughed then one said to the other, "We'll rest the horses here for a bit before continuing."

Jafar stroked his beard and said, "Follow me. I have an idea." He stepped out of the tree line saying. "Hello, gentleman." With a dangerous smile.

The two guards looked over, "He's got a lion!"

Shere Khan stalked out of the trees after Scar, licking his chops.

"And a tiger!"

"Their fear is delicious!" Shere Khan charged forward and leaped with claws bared and mouth wide. He took one of the guards straight out of the wagon landing atop him on the ground tearing the man apart.

"The tiger talks!" the other guard jumped out of the wagon and tried to run.

"So much for a plan." Scar snickered.

Jafar shot a fireball from his staff killing the guard instantly. "Indeed." He and Scar started to walk toward the cage. Shere Khan could be heard devouring the other guard. The two men inside the cage cowered in fear. "Seems this land is not familiar with lions and tigers talking. Perhaps I should take the lead here. These two could be of use." Jafar said to Scar.

"The guards did seem a bit shocked." Scar laughed.

Jafar looked at the two twins. "What are your names?" he demanded.

"I-I'm, Sideburns..th-that's, Patchy."

"How quaint." Shere Khan said as he came around the corner and sat down. He began to lick the blood away from his fur while he eyed the twins.

"Are you both familiar with this area? I find myself in need of a guide of sorts. I need information about the land." Jafar leaned close to the cage.

Sideburns looked at Patchy and swallowed hard. He knew they did not have a choice. "Born 'n raised 'ere, sir." Sideburns said.

"Excellent." Jafar pointed his staff at the door of the cage. The eyes glowed red and then the lock melted. The eyes glowed again and the chains around the twin's wrists melted away as well. "And as a show of good faith," Jafar reached his side and picked off a pouch of coins then tossed it to the two men. "Have some coin."

Patchy caught the sack and opened it. Inside was a handful of gold and gems. Enough to take care of them for years. Sideburns eyes widened, "Who are you?" he asked.

Shere Khan snicked, "Your new masters." Scar laughed at this.

"I will take these two and search for our ally then take care of Minnie. Make yourselves at home but be careful. This seems to be an area where humans come to rest." Jafar told Scar and Shere Khan.

"Good," Shere Khan smiled, not bothering to contain his excitement at hunting more men. "I will try not to overindulge while we are here."

Scar and Shere Khan then slowly walked into the forest leaving Jafar with his two newest henchmen. Jafar closed his eyes and held his staff in both hands. "Show me the way." He said in a barely audible whisper.

The eyes glowed again but this time a black color like that of Chernabog. The darkness swirled from the staff and up Jafar's arms to his head. He opened his eyes, and they were black as night but through them, he could see everything through a lens of darkness. Flowing through the blackened trees was a white trail leading him where he needed to go. The darkness faded and he turned to the twins.

"What is that way?" Jafar pointed where the trail led.

"The Dark Forest." Sideburns replied. "They say it's haunted or some such, but it isn't. If that is where we're goin', we'll get ya' there."

"Good." Jafar smiled. "Come along then." And started walking.


The forest was quiet, and she liked it that way. The large trees hid out sunlight casting deep shadows that she was able to slip into if needed. That rarely happened though. Most people avoided the Dark Forest and over the numerous years of her life, she had done much to aid in their fears. Fires at night, screams that echo through the forest, the occasional kidnapping and release of a random passerby. All of these served to bolster the rumors of the forest being haunted.

It was tedious, sometimes hard work but it was worth it. If nobody came into the forest the likelihood of them finding her hidden tower was almost non-existent. For the past seventeen years, her plan had worked flawlessly, and Rapunzel's magical hair had been hers alone. Her supposed daughter was beginning to ask about leaving the tower more and more, but she knew how to keep Rapunzel in line.

Nothing would come between herself and eternal youth. It was her right! Why should she age? Become wrinkled and disgusting? Such beauty should be allowed to thrive forever. With Rapunzel's healing hair that could be accomplished. And when the time was right, she would find a suitable man to breed with Rapunzel to have another child once Rapunzel grew old and died.

"A flawless plan," Rapunzel's mother mused aloud to herself as she walked.

"It was almost flawless."

Rapunzel's mother sprang forward and had a knife in her hand quickly. She looked to see where the voice had come from.

"Don't attack," the male voice said smoothly. "I'm an ally. Potentially."

From seemingly nowhere appeared a tall, slender man in dark robes with a long golden staff topped with a snake's head. Several feet behind him were two large men. The woman had seen the two before on wanted posters. They were twin thieves nicknamed the 'Stabbington Brothers' by the local Captain.

Rapunzel's mother readied herself for a fight. "Who are you?"

Jafar smiled and held up his hands in a peaceful way, "My name is, Jafar. I am the Sultan of Agrabah. These are my new associates, Sideburns and Patchy. I've been looking for you."

"Looking for me why?" she began too slowly back away.

"Because I think we can help each other. You want to keep your golden-haired daughter to remain youthful and I have been sent here to kill a mouse." Jafar continued to smile and keep his distance.

At the mention of Rapunzel, the woman tensed, "How do you know about her?" she demanded.

"My God told me. The same God that created you. Sit with me and let me tell you about my world, Miss?"

Rapunzel's mother stared at the man for a long time with narrowed eyes. Something about him. His words. She lowered her dagger but kept it in her hand, "My name is Gothel."

"Scar and Shere Khan are off entertaining themselves while I take care of this matter with you." Jafar sat on a tree stump across from Gothel with his legs crossed. It had taken quite a while, but he had told Gothel the truth about everything. Unsurprisingly the woman sat in deep silence trying to grasp what she had just been told.

"It is a lot, I know," Jafar said. "But all true. We are apart of a larger war for both of our worlds. The very Gods themselves fight in it."

Gothel's face twisted in displeasure, "I'm not a warrior and I don't want to be. I am doing what I want right now. Why should I involve myself in any of this?"

"Because right now, Minnie is likely seeking out, Rapunzel."

Gothel's eyes lit up, "Why?"

"I can't imagine a situation in a centuries-old war where healing hair won't be useful." Jafar quipped.

Gothel stood up, "How do you know this, Minnie is here?"

"She went through the portal several hours before we did. She might have already met, Rapunzel." Jafar told her.

"Damn!" Gothel turned and started to run.

"She'll kill you!" Jafar called calmly to her. "Minnie is the wife of, Mickey. A battle-hardened warrior. If you face her alone, she will kill you with ease."

Gothel slowed down and then stopped, pausing for a moment before turning around. "What do you want?" she asked. She knew how these things worked already.

Jafar stood up, smiling at his victory. It had been all but assured from the moment he arrived, but he still relished in the feeling of success. "Chernabog sent me here to kill, Minnie. Help me do that and Rapunzel is yours forever."

Gothel looked at Jafar and then the Stabbington brothers before nodding her head, "Alright. You have a deal, Sultan. Follow me."

Gothel began to lead the three men through the forest. They walked in relative silence for a long time before Sideburns asked, "You live here?"

Gothel did not look back just said, "Yes." Over her shoulder.

"You the reason those fools think this place is haunted?"

Now Gothel looked back and smiled, "I am."

Sideburns nodded approvingly and they continued walking eventually reaching a large rock formation covered in shrubbery and plant growth. Gothel lifted a large patch of the plants revealing a tunnel into the rock formation. They continued into the tunnel and came out into a hidden forest with the tower hidden during it.

"Without help, nobody would ever find this," Jafar commented as he looked around.

"That's the point." Gothel kept walking.

They neared the tower then Gothel ducked down behind a tree prompting the others to do the same. From where they were, she could see Rapunzel sitting in the window talking to who she assumed was Minnie.

"As I suspected," Jafar whispered to himself.

"What are we going to do?" Gothel asked Jafar.

He thought for a moment then an idea struck him. "You don't want, Rapunzel to ever leave that tower?"

"Never," Gothel said firmly.

"I will use my magic to make the tower a never-ending trap for anyone who enters. She'll never be able to get out, but you can come and go as you please." Jafar grinned.

"Magic?" Gothel raised an eyebrow. "Magic is real?"

"On, Disney magic is everywhere. Here it seems not so much."

"And you can make that happen?" Gothel looked skeptical.

"Yes, but it is powerful magic, and I'll need to rest for a time after casting the spell. You'll take, Sideburns and Patchy, go inside the tower and kill Minnie."

Gothel looked at the tower and then the twins. "You up to kill a mouse?" she asked them.

"He paid us." Sideburns said flatly and Gothel nodded.

"Alright." She told Jafar. "You've got a deal."

"Good." Jafar grinned again. "Stand back." He walked from behind their hiding place and closed his eyes to focus. He held his staff in both hands and the eyes on it started to glow red as he began to mumble magical phrases. Energy began to swirl around him like the wind, growing in ferocity every second until the plant life around them was being whipped. Finally, Jafar slammed his staff down into the ground.

A visible field of energy began to trickle from the roof of the tower down to its base. The hair on Minnie's neck stood and she immediately knew something was wrong. "Get down!" she interrupted Rapunzel and pushed her down.

Crouching low Minnie peered over the window's edge and saw him looking directly at her and smiling. "Jafar…" she said. "…but how?"

"Who?" Rapunzel looked and saw a man standing there.

"A powerful sorcerer from my world and top commander in Chernabog's army," Minnie told her.

"and he's here!?" Rapunzel ducked back down fearfully.

"Chernabog must have sent him after me." Minnie surmised. "And if he's here then, Scar isn't far behind." Minnie began to worry but before she could do anything else the entire tower began to writhe and move as if coming to life.

The wood creaked loudly, and the stone seemed to morph and stretch. Minnie and Rapunzel clutched at each other as the floor seemed to expand below them. Staircases grew from the walls, doorways appeared from nowhere in strange places. Minnie could feel the buzz of magic all around her.

"Hold on, Rapunzel. We will be alright!" Minnie shouted over the growing noise of the tower changing.

Jafar smiled broadly as the tower began to morph into a new and hideous form. He began to walk back toward Gothel and the Stabbingtons at once. Then all the energy suddenly left his body. He stumbled and fell to a knee, only kept up by his staff.

Patchy helped him to his feet and back to the trees where Jafar sat down. "It's then done," he was breathing heavily and sweating. "Now kill, Minnie and your secret to immortality will remain hidden in that tower forever."

Gothel frowned a bit. She did not fully trust Jafar but what else could she do? She turned to the twins, "Let's go boys." She started walking toward the tower leaving Jafar to nod off and rest against a tree.

Rapunzel clung to Minnie as the only world she had ever known churned around her. It was the most terrifying thing she had ever experienced. Suddenly, as quickly as it had come, the movement stopped, and the tower became still again. Minnie looked at Rapunzel and they both stood up. Minnie started looking at the newly transformed tower while Rapunzel glanced out the window.

"Mother!" she gasped.

Minnie rushed over. Rapunzel's mother was stalking swiftly toward the tower with two men with her. She did not look pleased. "Who are those men?"

"I don't know," Rapunzel replied. "But I've never seen mother look like this. Dangerous." First the tower and now this? Rapunzel's heart was beating a million beats a second. "What should we do?"

"If, Jafar is down there with your mother I think it is safe to say she isn't coming to welcome me." Minnie looked around. "We've got to hide. Figure out exactly what is happening and then plan our next move."

"Hide? But where?" Rapunzel just stared at her mother who glared back menacingly.

"Anywhere," Minnie said. "Look around."

Rapunzel turned away from the window and finally took in the inside of her tower. Half a dozen staircases were leading in impossible directions. Doorways to known rooms, the floor had expanded, and the roof had grown taller. It was sheer insanity.

"What is going on?" Rapunzel wondered as Minnie led her down the stairs to find a hiding place.


"Faster you damned beast!" Flynn Ryder kicked the horse he was riding in the sides again to get even the slightest increase in speed. The horse he had stolen neighed loudly and kept on moving.

Flynn looked over his shoulder, "Yep. Still there." He said to the horse.

Behind him, the Captain of the Guard rode atop his prized horse Maximus leading half a dozen guards in the chase after Flynn. He would be flattered if not for the fact that the chase had been going on for half a day now.

After Flynn had left Sideburns and Patchy, he thought himself free, but the damned Captain had come crashing down the rope in pursuit. They had played cat and mouse all over the city before Flynn managed to steal a horse and ride from the gates. His small victory was again short-lived as Maximus was the swiftest horse in all of Corona. The horse had somehow tracked him, and the chase had been on-again ever since.

Flynn knew his horse would tire soon and had made up his mind. If he had any hope of escape, he would have to make it into the Dark Forest. He prayed that the damned Captain would not follow him there, but he could not be sure. Still, it was his only option, so he guided the horse off the road and into the trees.

There were several instances where Flynn had managed to lose them. Or so he thought. Every time, no matter what he did, that damned horse somehow led the Captain to him. It was as if the beast was able to track like a bloodhound. Flynn's horse dashed around trees and leapt over shrubbery. There were no roads anymore and he hoped that would aid in his potential escape.

'Eventual escape.' He corrected himself before urging the horse again with, "Ya! Ya!" and light whips of the reins.

A crossbow bolt whizzed past his head causing him to yelp in surprise. He looked back and saw two of the other guards had produced crossbows. The second guard fired, and Flynn ducked just in time.

'Damn. Damn.' He was starting to panic. It was only a matter of time before a bolt hit him or his horse. When that happened, he was screwed. The only thing he could do was try to dodge and reach the Dark Forest.

Flynn managed to dodge several more crossbow bolts before he could see what he knew was the border of the Dark Forest. "Almost there." He grinned and then felt the horse beneath him jerk suddenly. He was flung forward and slammed hard onto the ground. he struggled to his feet, no time to even appreciate that he had not been crushed by the horse.

His horse was dying. It had a bolt lodged in its neck and a leg was broken from the fall. Flynn grimaced as he stood, pain shooting up his right side. He started hobbling on his numb legs as fast as he could. After a second the feeling returned to his legs and he was moving at nearly full speed. He could hear the galloping behind him growing closer every second.

Flynn was nearly out of breath when he crossed into the Dark Forest and even then, he could not stop running. He needed somewhere to hide. As he ran, he scanned with his eyes. To the right, he noticed denser trees and began to run that way.

It would at least low down the horses if they were still pursuing. His breathing was growing labored and he had to slow to a jog now after so much running. But the pain was well worth not being hung or beheaded if he got caught.

Flynn stopped paying attention to how long he had been running.

His lungs and legs felt as if they were on fire. He had a sharp pain in his right side as well from pushing himself so hard. "C'mon, Ryder!" he urged himself to continue through the pain in his legs. He moved around a large tree and finally knew he could not continue without rest. He ducked behind it and struggled to catch his breath for a moment. He managed to get control of his breathing and then peeked around the tree to see if he had lost his pursuers.

Off in the distance, he made out the Captain of the Guard sitting atop Maximus. The damned horse was sniffing at the ground like a bloodhound. Flynn had to stifle a laugh. What was the ignorant beast doing? Horses could not-

The horse looked up and right in his direction and started charging. "What the…" it took Flynn a moment to register what had just occurred. It finally dawned on him and he broke out at full speed again. Somehow that damned horse had tracked his scent!

'Impossible…' Flynn told himself, but he had seen it with his own eye's moments ago. Perhaps that was how the Captain always found Flynn.

The situation was growing worse by the second. He could never hope to outrun Maximus and ahead of him was a sheer rock wall that rose. It stretched off into the distance to the left and right. The horse would surely catch him if he tried to run around. The rockface was covered in shrubbery and vines and Flynn knew what he had to do.

He said a prayer in his head and prepared himself to climb. It was not the best plan, but it at least took the horse out of the equation. He took a couple of bounding steps and then sprang up as high as he could. He braced himself, expecting to slam into solid rock but instead flew right through the hedging and slammed face-first into the ground.

He rolled over, "This day keeps getting weirder and weirder." he rubbed his head and saw the path behind him was hidden by the foliage he had just fallen through. He looked around. He was in a cave of some kind that led deeper in. Flynn's options were to face the Captain and Maximus or find out where this cave led to.

He got up and started walking.

It took a couple of minutes but then he started to see light at the end of the tunnel and began to job. He was greeted by the sounds of rushing water fed from a waterfall. He heard birds singing, saw beautiful trees and flowers, and amid it all was a tall tower. All this splendor is hidden away behind the rockface he had crossed through.

"Wow…" Flynn murmured. Then he heard movement up ahead and instinctively ducked down. After he was sure he was not seen he began to crawl along the ground. He could hear voices but could not make any words out yet.

He neared the edge of the bushes and peeked through. He saw a man in dark robes with a gold snake-headed staff walk from behind a tree. The man held his staff up and Flynn felt the hair on his neck rise. The tower began to twist, and morph. Flynn covered his mouth and ducked down.

'What is going on?' he struggled to control his breathing. He could hear the wood and stone straining from the transformation.

After a moment, the noise stopped, and Flynn gathered the courage to look again. The robed man was now sitting down next to a tree and standing with him was a woman, Sideburns and Patchy.

"This is getting out of control," Flynn whispered.

"It's done," The robed man was breathing heavily and sweating. "Now kill, Minnie and your secret to immortality will remain hidden in that tower forever."

"Immortality?" Flynn's eyes widened.

The woman, Sideburns, and Patchy walked toward the tower and Flynn watched the robed man fall asleep almost immediately. Flynn's mind was going crazy. At any other time in any other place, Flynn would have written such claims off as tall tales. But he just witnessed this man use magic to turn that tower into a twisting mess. If that was possible then anything was. Who needed a single legend when you could live forever always creating new tales and stealing treasures?

He slid back behind the bush and pulled the crown he had stolen from his sack. He turned it in his hands and stared at it for a time. Beautiful, expensive, it was surely enough to set him in comfort for life when he sold it. That should be enough, shouldn't it? As he pondered those thoughts a nagging voice in the back of his head kept speaking to him.

'It'd be foolish not to at least see if it's true.' The voice whispered. 'Immortality? How often do you get a chance like that?' Flynn shook his head and cleared the voice. Why would he involve himself in something like this? Not only was this magical guy a threat to his life, but Sideburns and Patchy also were here too and he doubted they would be forgiving of his desertion.

Then the voice said, 'The greater the risk the bigger the reward, Flynn. You know that.' Followed by, "And it will give time for the Captain and that horse to leave.'

Flynn grinned and it was done. His mind was made up. He peered at the sleeping magic man one last time and then began to sneak past him toward the tower.

Patchy, Sideburns and the woman were gone now, and he could see no visible entry to the tower as he approached it. After several minutes he reached the disfigured behemoth and touched it with his hand. The stone was warm from the sun.

Flynn spent the next few minutes walking around the entire tower looking for a doorway. He found none. Not even a hint of one. 'Should have kept my eyes on that woman.' He thought to himself as he stared up at the only opening, he could see. A window up near the top of the tower.

'Is immortality worth it?' he wondered. The window was rather high off the ground.

'Yep!' the voice said.

Flynn pulled two daggers from his hip and stabbed one into the stone. Little by little, slowly and methodically he climbed up the tower using the daggers. He did not look down nor was he afraid. Flynn had scaled numerous buildings before and had been doing it since his teenage years when he first got into thieving. It was an arduous task, and it took him several hours to complete. He rested when he needed to, hanging from the wall on good foot purchase for several minutes to regain strength.

Finally, Flynn reached the window and pulled himself in. He was sweating profusely and panting but he had done it! He was one step closer to obtaining immortality. He sat in the window for a while resting. When he felt good enough, he stood up.

"Now let's see what's in here." He murmured to himself.

Flynn took four steps, something hard hit him in his head, and he blacked out.