*Rapunzel and Eugene are not married yet. This takes place before Tangled Ever After.*

Rapunzel's POV

"Now you'll be a good boy while we're gone, won't you Maximus?" I stroked Maximus while feeding him an apple. He happily gobbled the apple and nodded.

"You too Pascal." I stroked Pascal and fed him a slice of mango. He turned yellow and nodded, sticking his tail up high.

"The two of you take good care of each other, all right?" I reminded.

"Are you ready? Cause I'm starving." Eugene asked.

And then we headed to the forest. Eugene and I were walking towards the Snuggly Duckling. We're actually going to explore the gateway that appeared here in Corona. But first, we just thought we stop by the Snuggly Duckling for breakfast. It has now became a very successful place. Dreams have come true for all the people there, I couldn't be any happier for them.

"Let's see... I think it's a left, then a right, then another right should do it." Eugene tapped his chin.

All I did was smile. I looked around, recognising a few places, the first few parts of the forests I saw when I first ran away from my tower. The tower is still there, it's still in perfect condition. I left everything in its place, maybe it's a memory that I don't want to forget despite how much that happened. I did visit it for quite a few times, remembering everything. The only thing that I took out from the tower were all my paintbrushes and paint. During my free time I would paint the walls of the castle. Of course it was much harder now without my long hair to keep me balanced on those high places, I needed a ladder instead. Now, my hair is slowly growing again, it's still brown though. But, I still posses the power to heal, it's just the magic won't be from my hair. I'm guessing my healing powers are fueled from my heart.

"I think we're going the wrong way, sorry." Eugene confessed.

"Trust your instincts then." I suggested. And by using my instincts, I walked South.

"You sure? We could be even more lost." Eugene said as walked along.

"Well, you're already following me, means you trust me." I crossed my arms.

"Good point." Eugene nodded and held my hand.

It took us a while all right, but we finally reached the Snuggly Duckling. Eugene's stomach was already growling. And it was louder by the minute. Is there a bear in there? I wanted to ask.

"Oh good, I can already smell food!" Eugene yelled in joy.

He quickly walked past me and pushed the doors open. "Garcon, your finest table please!" Eugene said loudly.

"Hello all!" I greeted.

Immediately the music, basically everything stopped. All eyes were on us. One person even dropped his drink. This scene is way too familiar...

"Your highness!" Hook Hand stood up abruptly from his piano, quickly bowing down, his hook nearly poking his stomach. And everyone else did the same. I'm still not quite used to this princess stuff where everybody bows or kneels down when I'm present. To me, I'm just a normal person. This is awkward. For me, at least.

"Please, no need for royal stuff." I said. "So, how is everybody doing?"

"Looks like the place has improved a lot!" Eugene complimented.

"Thank you, please, let us get you seated. Attila!" Hook Hand called.

Attila waved at us and walked us to a table. "We have some new stuff, do try it, it's on the first page." He passed us a menu.

"They sure do sound interesting!" I grinned.

*Time skip*

"No need, it's on the house in honour of the princess!" Hook Hand said as we were about to pay for our meal. Of course, we said all sorts of stuff to make him change his mind but he insisted. So, we secretly tipped Attila and Vladimir, the waiters.

"All right, so I suggest that we ask of any of them know a shorter route to the gateway. I don't wanna get lost." Eugene said.

"Good idea." I nodded in agreement and Eugene went to Hook Hand.

"You WHAT?!" Hook Hand's yell echoed across the room. Everything was silent again. Shorty woke up in shock and fell down. He was quite drunk already.

"Now why in the world would you want to go the the gateway?!" Hook Hand continued.

"The gateway?" "Gateway?" "What?!" Voices were everywhere.

"Are you serious?!" Greno asked loudly from a corner. "No one goes to that place!"

"Please, does anyone know how to get there, fast?" I pleaded. "Let's just say... We have a dream. We would like to explore the gateway."

"But why? No one ever makes it back alive!" Attila exclaimed.

"It's too dangerous!" Vladimir added.

"We're just exploring around it, it's not like we're going into it!" Eugen said in defence.

"But what if something happens to you and her highness? We can't risk losing the princess again. The whole kingdom will be devastated!" Greno asked.

"Well, that was worth a try." I whispered to Eugene. "Maybe we ought to go before there's more commotion."

"Your majesty, if you truly insist on going there, we would like to offer some protection." Hook Hand said. "There's no telling what's there. Who's with me?"

"No please, we would not want so many people to be involved." I said. "If you have some directions that would be helpful, if not, it's fine and we would leave soon."

"We have protection. Behold... The frying pan!" Eugene announced proudly, waving about the frying pan.

"Well, yes, we know how to get there." Hook Hand sighed.

"Wonderful, may we know the directions?" I asked.

"Certainly. Vladimir, Attila! You're in charge." Hook Hand announced.

*Time skip*

"Wow!" Eugene was the first to yell at the sight of the gateway.

"This is amazing!" I exclaimed. "Thank you very much, Hook Hand."

"My pleasure." He nodded.

"We'll be fine from here." Eugene assured and he walked back to Snuggly Duckling.

We immediately split up and started looking around the area. Every place looked majestic. There were these gorgeous leaves that were glowing. Then there was the sky, it looked quite weird in my opinion. It was clashing in between sunset and night time. I could see two objects that looked like planets side by side. Which made me wonder, does the gateway bring you to another planet? Another world?

"A beautiful flower for a beautiful lady?" Eugene came behind me.

I looked back at him and gasped at the sight of the flower. It was not an ordinary flower, the petals were like sparkling gemstones!

"Where did you find it?" I asked.

"It flew from somewhere and landed on me." Eugene explained. "I looked around for where it came from but I found nothing."

"Oh well, come on, let's go a little nearer to the gateway." I said as I stuck the flower into my hair.

The minute Eugene put his foot on the steps of the gateway, that step suddenly glowed. I panicked so much until I nearly lost my balance. It took us both by surprise.

"My gosh that scared the life out of me!" Eugene exclaimed. After a couple seconds of calming down he tried walking up two steps which glowed every time he did so.

"That's... Interesting." Was all I could say.

"It's safe, come on, try it! It kinda has the same glow as your hair when you sing last time." Eugene held out his hand.

Soon enough, Eugene was no different than a 5 year old kid running up and down the stairs. All I could do was look at him, thinking about how immature he was.

I made my way up cautiously. So this is the gateway that everyone fears? How can something so beautiful be so deadly? How certain are we that people never make it out alive? I demand some proof, otherwise I wouldn't believe such nonsense. There could be life on the other side. Something that needs exploring.

Without thinking twice, I touched the gateway. A ripple effect was created, but it wasn't pulling my whole arm into it, I had control of myself.

"Rapunzel!" Eugene exclaimed. "Careful!"

"Relax, I'm fine! Look." I assured.

"Wow, how does it feel like?" Eugene asked.

"Kinda tingling." I replied, not knowing how to describe it. Eugene then put his hand into the gateway as well. "Cool! But it's kinda getting warmer."

"Well, it's broad daylight in there." I pointed.

"Can I say something crazy?" Eugene asked.

"Yes?" I replied.

"It's really really crazy." Eugene warned. "Well... Uh, I want to go into the gateway."

I was quite shocked to hear this. Honestly, I have been wanting to do the exact same thing the minute we arrived here. But I didn't want to say it since Eugene might think I'm crazy. Originally, we were just gonna have a look at the gateway, that's it. Eugene, how did you know what I was thinking? Did you read my mind and agree to this?

"I understand." Eugene said after my silence. "You must think I'm insane right now."

"No," I finally spoke. "The truth is, I feel the same way. I too have the same crazy idea as you."

"You do?!" Eugene asked in disbelief. "You really do? Cause, I thought I was nuts and you might probably smack me with the pan to knock some sense into me."

"Well if I didn't feel the same way I would have probably done that." I said.

"So, you're serious about going into the gateway?" Eugene asked again.

"I'll go if you go." I held his hand and smiled.

"You're not concerned about the consequences?" Eugene raised a brow. "About the dangers?"

"Let's see, I've been locked up for 18 years, we nearly drowned in a cave, I nearly got kidnapped by two gangsters who wanted my powers, you nearly got killed by Gothel, I think we've been through much worse Eugene." I listed out.

Eugene was about to speak but his mouth was just left open, no words came out. "Well, I guess you're right." Eugene kissed my cheek.

I stood up, more determined than ever to go through the gateway. Sure it might have been a hasty decision, but I just can't help it, I need to know what's behind the gateway. Curiosity is currently in control.

Arm in arm, Eugene and I walked into the gateway.

It all went black.

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