Here's a new crossover story between Tangled and Danny Phantom. I recently got back into the last series, and after seeing a few other crossovers done by another author, I decided to write one of my own.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Tangled or Danny Phantom. I only own this idea. I got the idea while looking at FamousFox13's Phantomverse series on AO3, so shout out to them.

So, let's begin. (Let me know if I should change the title.)

This was a bad idea. Danny Fenton knew that deep down. When he snuck his friends, Sam Manson and Tucker Foley, into his parents' basement lab to show them the ghost portal they'd been working on, it was supposed to be a quick 'check this out,' and then they would leave.

So, Danny had to wonder how they got to this point…

"Smile!" Sam cheered as she took a picture of him holding a black and white hazmat suit.

Danny blinked the flash out of his eyes before speaking. "Okay, I showed you the portal. Can we get out of here now? My parents could be back here any minute. Besides, they say it doesn't work, anyway."

"Come on, Danny. A Ghost Zone? Aren't you curious?" Sam persisted, looking at the portal again. "You gotta check it out."

Danny had to admit he was a little curious. While he had never been gung-ho about his parents' research, he couldn't help but wonder, 'What if…?'

"You know what? You're right," He conceded, starting to feel excited. "Who knows what kind of awesome, super cool things exist on the other side of that portal."

Not wasting another second, he slipped on the hazmat suit, a determined look on his face.

"Hang on," Sam said suddenly, walking up to him.

Danny thought she had reconsidered the plan for a moment, but instead, she just pulled off the Jack Fenton sticker on the suit.

"You can't go walking around with that on your chest." She explained, pointing to the sticker.

Looking at his friends one last time, Danny turned to the portal and headed inside. He glanced around the inside of the portal and saw nearly nothing. Despite the lab's lights, the portal itself was dark. Danny reached up and placed his hand on the portal wall to keep from tripping in case of loose cords or something along those lines.

Unknown to Danny, on the wall was a small panel with two buttons, one green with the word "on" underneath it and a red one with the word "off" underneath it. In a matter of seconds, Danny felt the button and accidentally pressed the green one.

The trio's only warning was an electric whine as the circuitry inside the portal lit up like a Christmas tree. Danny didn't even have time to react as the portal lit up with energy. The machine activating and his friends' cries were the only sounds he heard before his vision was engulfed in a bright flash of light.

A burning pain shot through his body as a scream tore from his throat. Everything felt hot and cold simultaneously, and Danny just wanted it to stop.

After that, everything went black.

(Scene Change)

Darkness and weightlessness greeted Danny as his senses returned to him. Air was rushing past him, and the sensation reminded him of those dreams where he was falling. Before he could try and open his eyes, his entire system was shocked back online when he hit something hard, cold, and watery.

His eyes snapped open to find his world was a twilight zone of light and darkness. He could see a ball of light that he assumed was the sun above him, but his eyes were shielded by the dark blue around him.

The involuntary gasp he took on impact clued Danny in that he had fallen into a body of water since he began inhaling the liquid surrounding him. Panicking and acting on instinct, Danny scrambled for the surface, clawing his way toward air.

He managed to breach the surface, coughing and choking out water as he tried to breathe, his hacking nearly causing him to go back under. Treading water as best he could, he whipped his head in all directions, trying to get his bearings as best he could with his wet bangs in his face. He caught sight of land and began moving toward it, hoping he didn't imagine things.

To his relief, it was real. His feet started brushing the ground beneath the water as he got closer. He tripped on something on the bottom but was close enough to crawl onto the shore. When he stopped moving, he continued coughing up water (salt water, if the taste left behind was any clue) before his arms and legs gave out, face-planting on the ground.

However, Danny's pain was becoming more known now that the adrenaline was wearing off. A steady throb of agony made its way through his entire body, causing him to groan as he continued to cough, which caused him to hurt even more.

He eventually stopped, gasping as he tried to steady his breathing again. Even so, everything hurt, and he felt so tired now like he wanted to sleep for the next twenty years.

As his eyes started to close again, Danny sensed a presence as a shadow fell over him.

"Hey, are you okay?" A voice asked as the person came closer, kneeling in front of him.

Danny tried to look up at him with what strength he had left. His eyes wouldn't clear enough to make a good picture, but he could make out black hair and pale skin. When the person brought their hands closer to him, Danny could tell they were wearing gloves.

By then, what strength he had faded, and Danny's eyes started to shut again. He wasn't sure if the person said anything else, but he felt hands on him as someone tried to pick him up. Whoever it was hoisted him up and moved him around until he was positioned on their back. The person then started walking, stumbling off balance a few times but still able to keep going.

At some point, Danny couldn't stay awake anymore. All his questions and worries were still in the back of his mind as he fell into darkness again.

(POV Change)

Varian wasn't sure what to do as he snuck back into his village. He had been looking for ingredients for his new alchemical solution when he heard splashing from the shore. Following the sound, Varian found a boy not much older than him pulling himself out of the water. Knowing he couldn't leave him there, Varian hoisted him onto his back and headed home.

While he knew helping the other boy was the right thing to do, Varian now had other problems on his hands. For one thing, the doctor in Old Corona was long gone along with everyone else. They left when they realized help wasn't coming. Varian, Ruddiger, and… his father were the only ones left, not counting the men wearing masks that showed up not long after the village was deserted.

This led to the following problem: The men. The King sent them to keep Varian isolated in town for some reason. They started searching his lab after he found the strange graphtych in his dad's room. What were they going to do if he brought someone home? Take him who knows where and do he-did not-even-want-to-imagine-what to him?

Besides that, he also found himself nervous about dragging his possibly foreign guest into his home. He didn't know where this person came from or their intentions.

Varian was fast yet sneaky as he made his way home. Ruddiger came out of wherever he was hiding and scampering alongside him, but human-wise, they seemed to be alone. The alchemist scrambled up the stairs awkwardly, trying not to drop the stranger. After struggling for a minute, he managed to open the door and stumble inside with his charge, kicking the door shut behind him.

Remembering the lock was busted, he turned to Ruddiger. "Ruddiger, goo bomb."

The raccoon nodded and grabbed a pink orb out of his pocket. He tossed it at the closed door, and the door was engulfed in pink goo.

Satisfied, Varian moved towards the living room and deposited his guest on the couch, adjusting him so he was lying on it properly. He pulled the old-almost ratty quilt off the backrest and put over the other teen to try and make him a little more comfortable.

After closing the drapes so they had privacy, Varian sat on the coffee table, ignoring the scolding voice in the back of his mind. Now that they were safely home, Varian took a minute to observe his guest better.

He was taller than Varian, with fair skin and black hair like his own, with an odd white stripe running through it. He was soaking wet, wearing a strange black and white body suit, something Varian had never seen before.

Varian knew he needed to get towels and dry clothes. He should also try to make something warm to eat and drink.

"Ruddiger, could you keep an eye on him for me, please?" Varian asked, getting up.

Ruddiger chittered in an affirmative, hopping onto the coffee table.

Varian made a quick detour to his lab before starting on any food. He wanted to drop off the supplies he gathered before he forgot about them.

Unpacking everything onto his work table, Varian thought over the situation. While he knew a few things about medicine through his alchemy, he was no doctor. There was only so much he could do on his own. He didn't know who this boy was, didn't know where he came from, or how he ended up in the ocean. There was a chance of him catching a cold or pneumonia since he didn't know how long the other had been in the water before finding him. To top it all off, Varian was short on supplies between the men and the rumors circulating around town.

Varian sighed, feeling at a loss. He really wished his dad was here…

The alchemist wiped at his eyes when he felt tears starting to form. He couldn't break down now. It wasn't going to help with anything.

Glancing across his desk, his eyes fell on a parchment from several months ago. It held the data about Rapunzel's hair from when they first met. They hadn't been able to review it because of the water heater debacle.

Varian sighed, several different negative emotions swirling inside him. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he needed help. He needed Rapunzel's help, a fact that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He was still angry at her for breaking her promise, but this wasn't about him anymore. The boy he found wasn't part of this, and he wasn't petty enough to drag a stranger down because he didn't like the person who could help them.

Taking a deep breath, Varian swallowed his pride and got to work.

(Elsewhere, The Capital of Corona)

It was a beautiful morning in Corona. The castle's exterior was decorated with sun symbols and purple banners, and multiple tables with purple coverings and flower vases were set up in the courtyard.

Princess Rapunzel and her father, King Frederic, were setting up more decorations to prepare for an upcoming event. Rapunzel smiled in amusement at her father as she tossed a streamer to him, watching him fumble with the ribbons and get tangled up in them.

"Oh, confound these infernal streamers!" He exclaimed in frustration as his daughter laughed.

"Aww. Is the mighty king having a hard time?" Rapunzel teased him.

"It's not funny," He brushed a piece off his shoulder. "Have you any idea how difficult it is t–"

Rapunzel cleared her throat, casually twirling a piece of her hair before giggling again. Frederic glanced at the streamer as he realized what she was implying. "Oh. Hm."

Soon, they were laughing together, enjoying their father-daughter time together.

Overhead, a floating lantern with a sun on it flew into view. It had a string attached to it with a scroll on the other end.

Rapunzel looked up at the object, gasping happily at the sight. They always released floating lanterns on her birthday, and she loved seeing them in flight. She watched it fly over the castle, darkening against the backdrop of dark clouds that had appeared.

When Rapunzel turned around, her happiness turned into a sharp gasp. Somehow, her hair was out of its braid, the ends spread out on the ground as it began glowing golden. Not only that, she was now standing in a wasteland, surrounded by the battered walls of Corona. She touched her hair in confusion, wondering what was going on.

"Rapunzel!"

She turned to see her father standing a few yards away with the castle behind him.

"Stay here, with me, where you belong…" He begged, Rapunzel's eyes softening at his worried tone.

"Rapunzel!" Her eyes widened when she heard Varian's voice, turning in the direction of his cries. "Help me!"

"Darling, don't!" Frederic held out a hand to stop her as sharp, black rocks appeared around him, making Rapunzel turn back to him.

"Dad!" She shouted as the rocks surrounded him. "Dad!"

She ran to him as more black rocks shot out of the ground around her. She gasped as she almost fell to the ground, narrowly avoiding them as she ran. Once she reached her father…

He was encased inside a black rock, his eyes closed in agony. Rapunzel's hair stopped glowing as she took a tentative step forward. She reached out to touch the rock but decided against it at the last second.

"Dad…?" Rapunzel questioned, becoming more confused than upset.

"Rapunzel!"

She turned to see Varian standing in front of a sizeable amber structure. Next to him was a boy she had never seen before with black hair and a white stripe in his hair. The alchemist was helping him to his feet, staying close to him like the other was injured.

"I really need your help this time!" He looked at the blond with a pleading expression.

"What?" She murmured.

Suddenly, black rocks started appearing around the boys, frightening them. Varian took the other boy's hand and started running toward the Princess, the rocks following their every step.

"Varian!" Rapunzel shouted as he approached.

One of the rocks touched her hair, and they began to glow. An explosion followed, causing Rapunzel to gasp as they were engulfed in it.

Rapunzel's eyes snapped open with a gasp as she woke up. Realizing something was wrong, she glanced down to find herself hovering above her balcony, her hair stretched out in every direction as it clung to the walls of her tower bedroom.

Just then, her boyfriend, Eugene Fitzherbert, walked into the room.

"Hey, Blondie, you want–aah!" He started to say before gasping in horror at the situation. He then saw her fall as her hair began to lose its grip. "Rapunzel!"

Reacting quickly, he rushed forward and caught her in his arms just in time. He kneeled on the ground, setting Rapunzel beside him for her to do the same as she panted slowly, wondering what she had just seen.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Eugene asked.

"I–I…" Rapunzel tried to answer but didn't know how to describe what happened. "I–I don't know… oh…"

She turned around, looking at the sun rising over the horizon. Still shaky, she turned back to Eugene and curled up in his arms, her boyfriend hugging her back.

(A short time later)

Once Rapunzel got dressed and her hair was put in her usual braid, she got to work trying to sort out what had happened. She painted the dream on separate pieces of paper and posted them on the wall over her story mural. Altogether, they created a picture of Rapunzel kneeling in front of the rocks with her hair flying in the hair above her.

"It was like the dream I had after my coronation, only more intense," Rapunzel explained to Eugene and her best friend/lady-in-waiting, Cassandra, better known as Cass, before picking up another paper. "This one, this one was… trying to tell me something."

Cass and Eugene looked at each other before looking back at the Princess.

"Tell you what?" Cass asked as Rapunzel put the paper on the wall with the others.

"I'm not sure… The rocks, my hair, Varian, this other boy he was with." Rapunzel looked at the picture of the two frightened boys. "It's like they're all connected… and I have to find out how."

"Uh, hey, guys, sorry to interrupt dream chat here, but is no one else even a little bit concerned that Rapunzel woke up suspended in mid-air?!" Eugene exclaimed, hands on his hips.

Pascal, Rapunzel's pet chameleon, came out of hiding on the boys' painting, squeaking as he pointed to himself with his tail.

"Eugene, what I saw… meant something." Rapunzel insisted.

"Okay! Let's say it did. But what if it was a warning, telling you to stay here, where you're safe," He approached Rapunzel as she picked up another paper, gently taking it from her. "I mean, we've got it pretty good here, right? Maybe you should leave the mystery behind these rocks alone."

"No!" Rapunzel answered, clenching her fists. "I can't. I need answers, and I think I know where to start looking."

She glanced at the part of her mural that stuck out from under the new paintings, which showed herself reuniting with her long-lost family.

(Later)

Frederic was walking down the hall, looking very annoyed. "I made it clear that we were not to discuss magic or glowing rocks."

"Has anyone been to Old Corona lately?" Rapunzel asked, causing her father and Nigel, the royal advisor, to look at her in surprise. The Princess frowned worriedly as she faced her father. "I'm worried that Varian is in trouble."

"Princess, Varian is dangerous," Nigel argued, leaning in close to her. "Have you forgotten the boy attacked you during the storm–"

"Nigel!" Frederic cut him, making Nigel back up. He sighed lowly, looking at his daughter. "Come with me."

They walked away together, leaving Nigel to watch them go. They went to the King's war room to talk privately.

"I've been aware of these rocks for quite some time," Frederic confessed, looking at the model of Corona. Rapunzel gasped silently before looking at the model, noticing black flags in the Old Corona part. "They posed a real problem. Um… displacing people from their homes… damaging roads…"

"Oh no," Rapunzel murmured, looking at the flags.

"But–But fortunately, we've taken care of them," He continued, plucking the flags from the diaphragm. "One by one. The rocks have been removed, and the people of Old Corona are all well and good."

"But… why all the secrecy?" Rapunzel looked up at him.

"Rapunzel, I apologize for not being more candid at first. I can only hope when you're Queen, you'll understand the value of not drawing attention and causing a panic over problems that… have been handled." He gripped the flags in his hand tighter, something that didn't go unnoticed by the Princess before he set them down. "You see? And now you know what the situation is. Or rather, was."

"… That's a relief," Rapunzel smiled a little. "And thanks for being honest with me, Dad."

The two hug, Rapunzel not noticing her father glance at the model with an unreadable expression.

"Yes, of course," He chuckled a little, smiling at her before Rapunzel turned to leave. "Now, run along. We've got more pressing issues before us. Like planning your birthday party."

Rapunzel stopped at the door, smiling over her shoulder at her father before leaving. Once she was gone, Frederic lost his smile, shaking his head with a downcast expression as he picked up the flags again.

(Later that day)

Rapunzel was taking a walk with Eugene and Cassandra. They were strolling along the dirt path past her statue, surrounded by flowers and early gifts for her birthday.

"Happy birthday, Rapunzel!" A little girl waved as she ran past.

"Thank you," She waved politely before they stopped in front of her statue. "We still don't know anything about where Varian is–"

She cut herself off with a gasp when she saw a floating lantern at the statue's base. She had seen it before…

"The kite…" She whispered, approaching the item. "Wait, it's the same one from my vision."

She took it in her hands and noticed a string attached to the lantern with a scroll tied to the end.

"There's a note," She said, unrolling the scroll to read the contents, finding another surprise. "And a key! It's from Varian."

She began to read it aloud as her companions moved closer to see for themselves. "Rapunzel, I need your help now more than ever. While collecting alchemy ingredients recently, I found an injured boy pulling himself out of the ocean. I took him home to treat him, but there's only so much I can do on my own. The doctor left town along with everyone else because of the rocks. I'm the only one left. I need you to take him to the city where he can get better treatment. Keep the key I sent safe. I'll tell you what it's for when you get here, but be careful. They are watching and will do anything to keep you away from Old Corona."

"They? Who are they?" Cass asked in confusion. "And if everyone in Old Corona's gone, why is he still there?"

"It's always somethin' with that guy," Eugene crossed his arms.

"I knew it!" Rapunzel turned back to them. "I knew it! He still needs our help!"

"What do you wanna do?" Cass asked her seriously.

Rapunzel looked down at the note, clutching the key in her hand. Then, she looked back towards the castle. There wasn't even a question. She knew what she had to do.

"Sorry, Dad," She murmured. "We gotta go to Old Corona."

She then started walking away from the statue to prepare for the trip, Cass and Eugene following her.

Not a bad beginning. I'll be back soon with the next chapter.

Edit: You probably noticed I combined the first two chapters into one. I'm trying to make my chapters longer, at least eight pages. This one measured out to six, but I can settle for that this time.