Tangled!

Rapunzel stood at the edge of her tower window, the evening breeze tangling through her golden hair. The sky was painted in deep shades of purple and orange as the sun dipped below the horizon. Pascal clung to her shoulder, his tiny tail wrapped tightly around her braid, as if trying to hold her back.

Her heart thundered against her ribs.

She was really going to do this.

For eighteen years, she had never set foot beyond these stone walls. She had spent every single day dreaming about the world beyond them, imagining what it might be like, the colors, the sounds, the people.

And now?

Now, she was leaving.

Behind her, Flynn Rider was still tied up in the chair, watching her with mild amusement. "So, just to be clear," he said, "you've never left this tower? Ever?"

She shot him a glare. "No. And that doesn't matter. Because I am leaving now."

Flynn smirked. "Right. And how exactly do you plan on getting down?"

Rapunzel turned back toward the window and took a deep breath. She knew exactly how she was going to get down. She had thought about it a thousand times before.

She just... had never actually done it.

She ran her fingers through the long, golden strands of her hair, gathering them together. Her magic hair, Mother Gothel's most prized treasure. The same hair that had kept her here all these years.

But maybe, just maybe, it could help her leave.

She wrapped a section of it around the hook near the window, braced herself against the stone ledge, and—

She jumped.

The wind rushed past her, her stomach lurching as she plummeted toward the ground. The golden rope of her hair tightened, halting her descent just before she hit the earth.

She gasped, dangling inches above the grass, her fingers digging into her hair for dear life.

Then, softly, gently, her feet touched the ground.

Silence.

Rapunzel stood frozen, her bare toes pressing into the cool, damp earth.

Her heart pounded.

She had done it.

She was standing on real ground.

For the first time in her life.

A strange, overwhelming sensation swelled in her chest, something she couldn't quite name. A mix of fear, exhilaration, and pure, unbelievable joy.

She let go of her hair, stumbling forward. Her legs felt shaky, unsteady. The grass tickled her feet, the scent of wildflowers filled her nose, and the rustling of the trees above her sounded... alive.

Pascal let out a tiny squeak.

Rapunzel's lips parted.

Then, she let out a breathless, disbelieving laugh.

She grabbed a handful of dirt, feeling its weight and texture in her hands. She ran forward, then back, then spun in wild circles, her hair whipping around her.

She was outside.

She was free.

"Whoa, okay, calm down there, Blondie," Flynn called down from the tower, still tied up. "Before you go frolicking off into the sunset, how about letting me go?"

Rapunzel stopped mid-spin, blinking up at him.

Right.

She had almost forgotten about that part.

Hurrying back to the base of the tower, she pulled her hair back up, using it like a pulley system to hoist Flynn down. He landed on the ground with an undignified thud, groaning as he rubbed his sore wrists.

"Well, that was an experience," he muttered.

Rapunzel barely heard him. She was still taking in everything, the sky, the air, the trees stretching toward the heavens like giant green towers.

Everything felt enormous.

She turned to Flynn. "Alright. Now take me to the floating lights."

Flynn gave her a long look, dusting himself off. "You know, I was kinda hoping you'd change your mind."

She crossed her arms. "The deal was that you take me to the floating lights. And in return, I'll give you back your satchel."

Flynn exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Okay, fine. But let's get one thing straight, this is going to be dangerous. We're going to have to go through forests, cross rivers, avoid palace guards—"

"I can handle it," Rapunzel said quickly, her voice firm.

Flynn studied her for a moment. There was something different about her, something determined, something untamed. He had expected her to be timid, hesitant. But there was fire in her eyes.

This girl had been locked away for eighteen years.

And now that she was free, she wasn't going to waste a second of it.

Flynn sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, fine. Let's get moving."

Rapunzel beamed.

Pascal let out a triumphant squeak.

And with that, the two of them, an unlikely pair, set off toward the unknown.