Tangled!

Eugene sat in the cold, dimly lit prison cell, heart pounding in his chest. Time was running out. Dawn was fast approaching, and with it, his execution. But as much as that terrified him, something else gnawed at him.

The Stabbington brothers. Their words echoed in his mind.

"The girl."

He clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. Rapunzel was in danger, and he was stuck in this damn cell, unable to protect her.

A sound interrupted his thoughts, footsteps approaching. Eugene tensed, expecting the next guard. But when the footsteps stopped right in front of his cell, he didn't see the face of a guard.

A hooded figure appeared, casting a shadow over the bars.

Eugene squinted, confused. "Who—?"

The figure pulled back their hood.

To Eugene's surprise, it was a familiar face: Pascal.

"Pascal?" Eugene blinked, confused. "You're here... with...?"

The tiny chameleon flicked his tail in a seemingly knowing manner, and Eugene's attention turned to the wiry figure standing just behind him, an unmarked man, wearing the outfit of a guard but with an air of secrecy about him. Without a word, the man slipped a key into the lock of the cell.

"We don't have much time," the man said quietly.

Eugene's brow furrowed. "Who the hell are you?"

"No time for that now," the man replied, pushing the door open. "You need to get out. Now."

Eugene didn't question it. His gut told him this was his only chance. As he stepped forward, Pascal perched on his shoulder.

They moved quickly, silently, through the corridors. Eugene's mind raced with one thought—Rapunzel. He had to save her.

---

Hours Before...

The Stabbington brothers were dragged past Eugene's cell, bickering as usual. Their voices cut through the thick silence of the dungeon, filled with bitterness and spite.

Eugene glanced up at them. "You two again?"

One of them sneered at him. "What do you want, Rider?"

Eugene's gaze narrowed. "You wanted the crown, sure, but why get involved with Rapunzel?"

The other brother snorted. "We don't care about the crown anymore. We just wanted to make sure you're out of the picture."

Eugene's eyes widened. "Then how the hell did you even know about Rapunzel?"

The first brother smirked and leaned closer to the bars. "It was the old lady."

Eugene's heart stopped. The words didn't fully register at first. "The old lady?"

The brothers were dragged away, muttering to each other as they vanished into the shadows. Eugene stared at the spot they had just occupied, his thoughts racing.

Gothel.

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. It was all her.

Gothel had been the mastermind behind everything. She'd used the Stabbington brothers to create the chaos, manipulate him, and secure Rapunzel's return. She wasn't just some overprotective mother. She had been using Rapunzel all along, controlling her for her own gain.

Eugene's mind reeled. His instincts had been right. Rapunzel wasn't just in danger, she was being played. Gothel had orchestrated this entire scheme.

Eugene clenched his fists against the cold bars. He couldn't waste any more time. He had to get out and warn Rapunzel before it was too late.

He needed a paradox, a miracle, he had one thing in mind, save the love of his life.