Flynn was frustrated. He had no idea how, but he had to save Eugene. He couldn't let him pay for his crimes. After a bit, he made his way to the last area that the Stabbingtons had been seen in. Not far from there, he found both Stabbingtons unconscious and the empty satchel - the one that had once held the crown - a few feet away from them.
Working quickly, he went through the bags he had on Luc's back. Finding a few ropes, he decided to tie the Stabbingtons up before they woke up. That way he could force them to answer questions. Maybe they would be able to tell me everything that happened to Eugene. Right about the time he had gotten them both tied up, they started to awaken.
"Who? What?" the first brother asked, looking around. "What happened?"
"Well it looks like you messed with the wrong person this time. Someone knocked you both out and stole the crown from you."
The brothers looked at each other before looking back at Flynn.
"But why are we tied up then?"
Flynn smirked. "Cause I tied you up. Where is Eugene? What did you do with him?"
"Y-you tied us up?" one of them asked.
"Yes, and if you want me to untie you, I want answers."
"Why should we answer your questions? You may have tied us up, but we won't always be tied up."
Before Flynn could answer, Luc headbutted one of the Stabbingtons and stood over him looking angry.
"Oh, I don't know. Luc here might have some ideas." Before Flynn had even finished talking, Max showed up and was soon standing over the 2nd Stabbington.
"Max may have a few more. Tell me what I want to know and I will untie you before alerting the guards to where you are. Refuse and I hit you a few times with this frying pan, leave you tied up, and then go tell the guards where you are."
"You won't do that. They will arrest you. You're a wanted man, remember, Rider?"
"I might be wanted but I'm not Flynn Rider, I'm just a lowly look alike. Besides, I know a guard that owes me a favor." Flynn stated calmly.
"Fine. Whatever. What did you want to know?"
"What happened to Eugene? How did you find him? Where is Rapunzel?"
"Eugene was arrested after we tied him to the steering wheel of a boat and drove it straight into the pier where the guards were."
"And Rapunzel?" Flynn asked, trying to keep his anger in check. "How did you know about her, anyway?"
"The girl? The one with the magic hair? The old lady told us. She even led us to her."
Flynn almost growled. Looks like Rapunzel's 'mother' had gotten her way after all. She plotted and schemed to get Rapunzel back by making it appear that she couldn't handle the real world and that people would use her for her abilities. Well I won't let her get away with it. Flynn thought to himself. He angrily turned around, wanting to punch something. Before he could do much, though, Colton, the father of the girl Eugene had rescued, found them with more guards following a short distance behind him.
"Flynn," Colton said, "you need to leave. I know where Eugene is. But you have to stay free if you want to save him. Besides, I can tell the other guards that I found them like this."
"How do we know they won't say anything? They aren't exactly known for their kindness."
"True." Colton looked over to the Stabbingtons. "Well, are you willing to keep your mouth shut about Flynn and Eugene? Or do we need to do something drastic?"
"Well," the one brother stated. "I for one do not intend to go down alone. There was another person involved with the theft of the crown. It was someone that is trusted. He is even an advisor to the king and queen."
This got both Colton's and Flynn's attention. Seeing the guards almost there, Flynn moved to hide in the trees surrounding the clearing. Colton turned back to the Stabbingtons.
"Oh yeah? Who would do such a thing? The advisors have all been screened. Nothing came up. No one gets that close to the king and queen anymore. Not since the princess was kidnapped all those years ago."
"I want some guarantees. I want a lighter sentence for me and my brother. We only did what he paid us to do."
Colton shook his head. "I can't guarantee a lighter sentence, but if there was someone else involved, you need to tell us what you know. If you tell me, I can tell the magistrate that you were cooperative. That should help keep your sentence lighter. So what's it gonna be? You going to cooperate and tell us who paid you to steal the crown?"
"The guy that paid us is one of the advisors. He figured if he could 'recover' the crown, it would help him get a chance to prove he was worthy enough to marry the other princess. The younger sister. Since the older sister is nowhere to be found, he figured he could rule the country if he married the younger sister." Right as this was said, the rest of the guards reached the clearing. Knowing that Flynn must be furious and probably already plotting something, he turned a pointed look in the direction Flynn had disappeared as if to say, 'Don't do anything stupid.'
Colton was quiet as the guards helped the Stabbington brothers to their feet and slowly led them back towards the palace dungeon. Who would be so ambitious as to pay common thieves to steal the crown? What advisor thought they could actually marry Princess Arabelle? I better see if I can talk to the Captain. He might have an idea. Colton thought to himself. He might even know who would do such a thing.
With that, Colton left the group of guards currently escorting the prisoners and headed towards the Captain's home, knowing he would have returned home rather than joining the festivities surrounding the festival.
Meanwhile, Arabelle had gone to talk to her parents. After explaining the situation, Arabelle decided to see if they would send someone to help her with getting Eugene released and Rapunzel rescued from the evil woman who had held her captive all these years.
The king and queen were hesitant to allow Arabelle to leave the safety of the castle again.
"Arabelle, we will do what we can to help Eugene, but I don't think we need to worry tonight. He should be fine overnight and we can have him released first thing tomorrow." her father advised her.
"But, Dad," Arabelle argued, what if he gets hurt? What about…" Arabelle cut off. He doesn't know about Rapunzel being alive.
"What about what? Arabelle." the king asked. "What else is going on?"
Arabelle sighed, not sure how to answer without giving the secret away about her twin.
"Well, there was a girl that Eugene was with. I'm worried that something might have happened to her. Would it be possible to get a couple of guards to go with me for protection? I think I know where she is. Well, not the exact location, but I have a friend who can lead us there. The guards can keep me safe and I can help out the girl Eugene was with. I would feel better if I could see her."
The king sighed as well. "You aren't going to let this go, are you, Arabelle?" he asked her.
"No, Dad. I can't. I just have a bad feeling that she's in trouble. Please, Dad. Let me help her."
Sighing heavily, the king gave in. "Fine, but you will take 2 guards with you and your friend. But if you are not back home within 2-3 hours, you will be in serious trouble young lady. Got it?"
"Yes, Dad. I understand. Now can I go?"
"Yes, Arabelle. Good luck and stay safe. You will be taking Colton and another guard of his choosing with you. Remember I love you."
"I love you, too, Dad." Arabelle responded. Then she waved and walked away.
Meanwhile, Gothel had gotten Rapunzel back to the tower. As she took the last flower from Rapunzel's hair, she sighed.
"There, now it never happened." Gothel said. "Now wash up for dinner. I'm making your favorite - hazelnut soup."
Rapunzel sighed, causing Gothel to turn back around.
"I tried, Rapunzel. I really did try. I tried to warn you about what was out there. It's a dark and selfish and cruel world. Even the slightest ray of sunshine is destroyed." With that, Gothel closed the drapes and walked away from her.
Rapunzel sat dejectedly on her bed. She knew that Gothel had told her the entire world was bad, but Eugene hadn't seemed that way. Opening her hands, she realized she was holding the small flag of Corona that Eugene had given to her before the lantern ceremony. Pascal squeaked sadly looking at Rapunzel's face before nuzzling into her side. Rapunzel glanced once more at Pascal and flopped back onto her bed.