Disclaimer: I don't own anything canon.

Eugene

Rapunzel had been missing for about a month now. Lanterns had been launched back into the sky. Max had soldiers everywhere. We've gotten nothing.

The biggest lead I had was the letter. I hadn't told anyone about it. It was crazy. But a Rapunzel was mentioned, and it wasn't a common name.

There were rumors going around about two other royals missing too. A Viking chief, and a Scottish princess. People were saying that the disappearances were connected. The king had mentioned something about coming into contact with the other countries if we had nothing else to go on.

Everything seems so much more dull without Rapunzel around. I don't see why I have to stay in Corona. I've asked the king numerous times if I could go out and search, but each time I get the same answer. Stay here just in case Rapunzel comes back. Look after the queen.

Yes, the king went out searching for his daughter, leaving me and his pregnant wife to look after the kingdom. I could tell the king didn't want to lose his daughter. Not again.

One day, I was just so tired of waiting around for something to happen, so I decided to take a walk and visit Rapunzel's tower. I've done that a lot lately, clinging to every bit of memory I have of her. I don't know why. I mean... it isn't like she's dead.

I sighed and kicked a rock in front of me. I had decided to take the long way, around the water where Rapunzel and I had watched the lanterns rise on her 18th birthday a year and a half ago. Had it really been that long? It felt like just yesterday. Even though it also felt like forever since Rapunzel disappeared.

I had been thinking so hard, I didn't realize I almost missed the bridge and walked right into the canal. Sighing, I changed route and started running to the forest, taking the same way as I did when Max was chasing me the day I met Rapunzel. I even always find a branch to fall off the cliff on. Good times.

Of course, the one time I can't replay is meeting Rapunzel, which is a shame. Funny, since I got knocked out at least twice that day.

That's pretty much how I spend every free day I have. Just thinking about Rapunzel. Coming to the tower. It's not far away, not when you take the cliff. Especially if you fall in just the right place.

In fact, that day I hit it spot on. Right in front of the curtain of vines that hid the entrance to the tower valley. I pushed the curtain aside without any hesitation.

The valley was exactly as it was during my last visit. Peaceful and quiet and beautiful. I walked over to the tower, running my hand on the stone bricks. I closed my eyes and breathed in deep. When I suddenly heard voices.

I ran behind the tower and knelt, hand on my sword hilt. Very few people knew about that place. Who could it be?

And then she burst into the clearing.

I stopped breathing. Rapunzel. No, it couldn't be. This girl was so different.

No, it was definitely her. Just- not her. She had the same bubbly, energetic body language and smile, but instead of her pink dress she wore a green shirt, a frilly green skirt with a brown belt, white leggings, brown boots, and a green cape. Her cropped brown hair was somehow blonde again and in a braid that curved over her shoulder and ended at her stomach. The hilt of a sword peaked out from behind her back, in front of the cape.

It was Rapunzel. She was back. I was shocked, to say the least, for her to just show up there absolutely fine, sporting a new fashion statement, grinning. Not to say I wasn't ecstatic. I was about to run out there and squeeze her to death. But then, I saw him.

A tall, handsome older guy holding an enormous sword followed Rapunzel through the curtain, looking around with a little smile on his face. I recognized my childhood hero immediately. Flynn Rider. The man who wrote the letter. The man who claimed to be my father.

The world spun. Of course, I thought the man who wrote the letter used Flynn Rider as a fake name or something. I never thought it'd be the actual Flynn Rider from the stories. But this man looked exactly like the character.

Rapunzel turned and gestured wildly at Flynn Rider to hurry. "Come on Flynn!"

They were on first name basis!

"Are you sure no one will see us here, Rapunzel. You know you-"

"Can't go back until I'm finished with training. I know." Rapunzel sighed and pouted before her face brightened again. "BUT, I do get to see Eugene now! That's still great!"

Flynn chuckled. "By Jack's expression when you told of seeing Eugene, he did not think it was so great."

Rapunzel waved it away. "You know how Jack is. He's just being... Jack."

The warmth in her voice when she said this Jack's name sent a shiver down my spine. I felt myself start to feel resentment to this Jack person. Rapunzel couldn't have moved on.

"Stop it." I chided myself. "He's probably just some friend."

"Well then, let's find him." Flynn Rider's voice came, and I realized I just missed the rest of their conversation. I watched in wonder as Flynn swung his sword before stabbing it into the ground. A beam of light came out of the ground and an image appeared. I squinted at it, not being able to see it because of Rapunzel standing in the way. Suddenly Flynn and Rapunzel became very stiff. Then they both slowly turned over to where I was hiding.

Rapunzel squealed and jogged over to me, nearly running into the tower and tackling me into a hug. She was much, much stronger than she was before. But still as gentle. She squealed my name into my ear and pulled me in for a quick kiss before blushing -probably thinking about Flynn- and pulling back into a hug. I buried my head into her shoulder and fought back the urge to cry.

"Rapunzel." I looked up to see Flynn smiling in amusement. "You're making the grass grow."

I looked at the grass in confusion. My eyes widened when I realized the grass had grown a foot taller.

Rapunzel giggled and blushed. "Sorry." She held out her hands and pushed them downward. The grass shrunk with her hands. I gaped and stared at her. She simply smiled at me and stood up, holding up a hand to help me up. I grabbed it and pulled myself up. Hugging her with one arm, I turned to Flynn Rider.

"Hello Eugene." He greeted, a tinge of sadness in his voice. "I'm Flynn Rider. Rapunzel tells me you know me well?" I nodded. That was an understatement. "Do you understand what is happening?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Very well. It's easier to explain there."

"Where?"

All I could do was shield my eyes from the light that came, pulling Rapunzel close to me.