A/N: Hey people, I know I haven't updated this in a while but I was so focused on my other story I didn't have a lot of time to work on this. But here it is anyway! Hope you enjoy.

P.s. I own nothing.

The Rules: Chap 4

Rapunzel's POV

I can't really tell you what happened after I slid down the tower (which in itself was the most thrilling, exciting activity I've ever done in my short soon-to-be 18 year old life). Because everything happened; it was a very long, very hazy, and a very, very blissful blur of events.

I remember the moment I first touched the grass, those wonderful blades of dark green that tickled my toes to no end. I remember stepping into a calm stream; and even though the water reached only to my ankles, I felt like fish, perfectly content under the water as if I'd spent my whole life swimming. I remember running, and the rushing feeling of adrenaline coursing through my thin legs that for so long were barely used in a 150 sq. meter tower. I remember the singing, the racing, the dancing, the prancing, and I especially remember the heart pounding. It was all so magical; the wind against my face, blowing back 70 feet of hair like a tail, the rush of blood in my ears, the fresh pine-scented forest air filling my lungs. Those lonely eighteen years in a tower meant nothing now. I truly felt like I was born again, and I knew. . .this is when my life begins.

I knew this is what it feels like to be free.

I could barely keep the laughter that was bubbling inside me, a long, hysterical, beyond happy laugh that I wanted the whole forest to hear. "Free at last, free at last, hello new world I'm free at last!"

And then something caught my eye; a faint flash of white in a backdrop of green and brown. I stopped running and looked back to see what it was. I then found myself face to face with a large oak tree. Well, face to face with what was on the tree; a white paper showing the picture of a man. He was a little difficult to describe with his smug grin, his perfect (not pointy, mind you) teeth, wavy hair, light eyes, hairy chin, and. . .an extremely pointed nose?

Excluding the last feature, he looked. . .hmm, what's the right word? Pretty? No, not that. Handsome? Yeah, that's it; he looked handsome and very different than Mother's description of a man. Underneath the picture, the paper said:

'WANTED THIEF: FLYNN RIDER'

CAUTION: SUSPECT IS ARMED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CONTACT GUARDS ON SIGHTING.

Oh my, a thief. An armed and dangerous thief! Hmm, I better watch out for him.

So I moved on after that, thinking 'what was I going to do next?' The thrill of finally leaving the tower was starting to die down and I had already spent the day running, and singing, and prancing, and just enjoying myself in the woods. The floating lights were still days away, so what now?

Luckily, or unluckily depending on how you look at it, my growling stomach answered that; find food, I'm starving. Apparently so was Pascal as he then popped up on my shoulder, rubbing his stomach and giving a small pout.

"You hungry too?" I asked.

He nodded.

"I'm sorry Pascal, I didn't bring any food." I said sadly. It was my fault; I didn't plan far ahead, I never even considered leaving until a few hours ago. I was so mad and upset at Mother I just walk out into the world unprepared, it was stupid of me to bring just some clothes and a frying pan for a trip like this.

And then. . .the air started to smell different. It smelled. . .sweet, like some sugary aroma got lost in the forest. If I didn't know better, I'd say it smelled like cupcakes.

Without even knowing it, I started walking toward the smell, following it like a moth would toward a flame. I was so hungry it was hard to resist, not that I wanted to of course. But who would be baking cupcakes in the middle of nowhere?

And then I saw the source.

A very misshapen building that was basically lying against a very large tree. The building looked so bent and twisted it seemed like it was about to cave in on itself any moment now, but strangely, it gave off this comfy, homey vive. The sign next to the strange building had the picture of a yellow duck surrounded by grass, underneath saying: THE SNUGGLY DUCKLING.

"Well," I said with a small smile to Pascal, "I do like duckling." before I walked toward the building.

Flynn Rider's POV

Everything was perfect.

There really wasn't any other way to say it. My day was just turning out real well, which is a first for an unlucky guy like me. I had gotten the job of a lifetime, found two of the best partners in crime to help, had a few beers, and still got a few more days to pull the job off. And to think, it's only 11 in the morning. I had a feeling this was gonna be a really, really big day. One that'll go down in history as the start of how Flynn Rider, squash buckling rogue and infamous thief that he is, stole the one thing that was once thought unattainable by any man, thief or otherwise, The Crown of the Lost Princess of Corona.

All I had to do now was strategize. Believe me; this was not going to be an easy job. What'd you expect? I sneak in from the rooftop unseen, drop down to the ground where the crown sat on a fluffy pillow, grab it under the Guards' noses, and sneak back out? Yeah, if only it were that easy. I had to get eyes and ears from inside the palace, map out routes and schedules to find the best entry and exit at whichever time. I had to pick up some gear, anything useful in a break-in would do; disguises, ropes, a satchel, but no weapons. Rule number 6: NEVER CARRY A WEAPON, you carry one and you'll be tempted to use it. And that's when things get bloody. The Stabbington Bros. didn't necessarily like my rules, especially number 6, but they learned to deal with 'em and some actually made good sense.

After that, all I needed was an opportunity; and what better opportunity to steal the crown than on her birthday, exactly 5 days away. Corona City and the Royal Palace will be crowded with people and guests, far too many for the Guards to spot or control.

It would all go according to plan, and it was a full-proof plan. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

Until she walked in.

All 5 feet 4 inches of green eyes, dimples, and golden blond hair while moving those petite, slender curves of hers. Flashing a pearly white, awestruck smile as she stepped inside the pub. What was even more surprising than her looks, was her hair. It flowed behind her like a bridal train, and was probably twice as long as one too.

I was completely unfazed by it all of course.

"Rider." I heard the voice of Jack Stabbington say, "Hey Rider!" he yelled in my ear.

I think he almost took out my eardrum from that. "What!" I yelled back.

"Why you drooling over the blond chick like a schoolboy goin through puberty?"

Ok, maybe slightly unfazed. "No, no, no, no, no. I was NOT drooling." I stated firmly.

He smiled slyly, "Yes. Yes you were. Hey, don't worry about it. She's cute I'll give ya that, but don't ya think you should be drooling over someone a bit more. . .what's the word? Mature! Come on Rider, girl barely looks legal."

"Oh and you're so innocent?" I challenged, raising my brow.

He shook his head, "Never said I was. And we're thieves, you know better than to ask a bone-head question like that."

"Never mind." I said, rolling my eyes to find where that girl went. She was already sitting with the pub thugs, munching on one of Attila's cupcakes as if it were a slice of heaven, while they talked and examined her ridiculously long hair. The Pub thugs, those old softies were barely trying to hide their sickeningly mushy feelings around the girl. They usually at least tried to act terrifying and nasty before going soft, but they didn't this time.

"What do ya suppose they're talking about?" I asked Jack.

He raised a brow in return. "Does it look like I give a damn? And weren't you just leaving anyway?"

I grinned, "Nah, I might stick around a bit longer, enjoy the atmosphere some more."

He snickered, "What atmosphere? This is the Snuggly Duckling for God's sakes, Rider. The place where soft thugs, the kingdom's most wanted thieves, and now young run away damsels all converge in the spirit of eating, drinking booze, and discussing their 'feelings'. Give me a break." He said with an eye roll. "So quit bein such a pussy and talk to the damn girl."

I sighed in defeat, he wasn't gonna let this go. "Ok fine, but only because she's new to the pub."

Jack mumbled something back but it was too low for me to hear. I ignored him and strolled over to the blond on the other side of the pub. Jack was right, she looked young, I mean really young. And surrounded by all those huge, unruly thugs only made her seem all the more innocent, like an angel amongst lower men.

When I reached their table, I said "Hey."

She looked up from her cupcake and said politely "Hi." It was almost too cute; she had a bit of pink frosting on the tip of her nose, and I was really tempted to wipe it off before that sounded really intimate and creepy. So I put on my best smile and said "The name's Rider. Flynn Rider. You've probably heard of me before, and I know what you're thinking; those wanted photo's really don't do me justice."

But as soon as I said it, I knew something was wrong. There was a flicker of fear in those emerald green eyes at the mention of my name, and she dropped her sweet in the process. She looked tense and nervous now, like a scared, cornered wild animal filled with panic.

I was about to ask what was wrong, but then she stood from her seat and swung something cold and hard against my face. Then everything went black.

This wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I said 'really, really big day.'

I may not have known it at the time, but this was the beginning of a long, tangled adventure. One I may not live to tell about.

A/N: I'm not too happy with the ending, I wanted to add more but then you guys would probably have to wait much longer. Next chapter the story will start to pick up, I promise. Also, next week I have Mid-Term exams so you most likely won't see any updates on my stories till after. Please Review!