Tangled!

Rapunzel glanced between them, her heart pounding. These men knew Eugene. And judging by the way his jaw clenched, this wasn't a happy reunion.

Eugene kept his voice light. "Now, now, let's not get caught up in the past."

The first brother smirked. "Oh, we're very much caught up, Rider."

Eugene exhaled slowly, positioning himself protectively in front of Rapunzel. He had hoped to avoid this exact scenario, but luck had never exactly been on his side.

The Stabbington Brothers stepped closer, their heavy boots crunching against the forest floor.

Rapunzel clutched her frying pan tighter, heart hammering. She could feel Pascal trembling against her shoulder.

Eugene put on his most charming grin, though Rapunzel could see the tension in his shoulders. "Now, fellas, let's be reasonable—"

The taller brother cracked his knuckles. "Where's the crown, Rider?"

Eugene hesitated for half a second, just long enough for Rapunzel to notice. She didn't have it.

And if he didn't have it…

She inhaled sharply. Mother Gothel.

Eugene quickly recovered. "Funny thing about that crown—"

The shorter Stabbington lunged.

Eugene barely ducked in time, shoving Rapunzel back. "Run!"

She hesitated, just a second, but it was enough for one of the brothers to grab her arm.

"Let go of me!" she cried, swinging her frying pan with all her strength.

CLANG!

The impact was solid, and the man stumbled back, groaning.

Eugene seized the moment, grabbing Rapunzel's hand and pulling her into a sprint.

Branches tore at them as they ran, the sound of pursuit right behind them. The Stabbingtons were strong, but they weren't as fast. If they could just get far enough ahead.

Up ahead, the trees thinned out into a small clearing. A river shimmered in the moonlight, its current moving fast.

Eugene's mind raced. They needed a way out. A distraction. Something.

Then he saw it.

A broken, half-rotted log stretched across the river. It was their only chance.

"Rapunzel, trust me?" he asked, breathless.

She nodded without hesitation.

"Then keep running."

He leapt onto the log first, gripping her hand as she followed. The wood creaked dangerously beneath them.

Behind them, the Stabbingtons skidded to a stop. The taller one sneered. "You think that'll stop us?"

Eugene grinned. "Nope."

Then he grabbed Rapunzel, jumping off the log into the river below.

Rapunzel barely had time to scream before the cold water swallowed them whole.

The current pulled them under, the roar of the river filling her ears. Eugene's grip tightened on her wrist as they fought against the rush of water, struggling toward the surface.

They broke through, gasping for air.

Eugene kicked toward the riverbank, pulling Rapunzel with him. After what felt like an eternity, they crawled onto the shore, coughing and drenched.

For a moment, they just lay there, catching their breath. Then!

Rapunzel burst into laughter.

Eugene turned his head toward her, raising an eyebrow. "You're laughing?"

She grinned, pushing her wet hair from her face. "That was incredible!"

He let out a breathless chuckle, shaking his head. "You're insane."

She smiled at him, and for a moment, despite everything, the danger, the chase, the stolen crown, it didn't seem to matter.

But as they sat there, hidden in the darkness, neither of them noticed the Stabbingtons watching from the other side of the river.

Watching. And waiting.