After a long walk, the two Rapunzels decided to take a moment to rest in a small clearing in the forest.

The older Rapunzel crafted herself an ax from a stone which she tied onto a stick and chopped a few trees into firewood. The younger Rapunzel watched in amazement as her older self placed a chopped wood into a pile. "Wow. That is incredible. Where did you learn how to do that?" she asked.

"Experience," the older Rapunzel huffed. "Couldn't have learned it from being cooped up in the tower by 'Mommy Dearest.'"

The younger Rapunzel's expression turned solemn at her older self's sarcasm in regards to Gothel. "Listen, I know my mother isn't your most favorite person in the world, but you have to admit, she was right about the wolves," she said.

The older Rapunzel scoffed. "Ugh, anything could've shown up in those woods! This is all a-"

"Huh?" the younger Rapunzel wondered.

"Never mind," the older Rapunzel said as she placed the firewood. She then took two stones and began rubbing them together to make a fire. "Look, just because she was right about the wolves, doesn't mean I was wrong about her. Trust me, you're better off without her."

"But...but that can't be true. She's taken care of me and loved me like any mother would," the younger Rapunzel protested.

"It's all an act! I know you don't wanna believe it, but it's the truth," the older Rapunzel said.

"No, I don't believe it. I'm sorry but I know you're wrong. I know who my mother is," said the younger Rapunzel.

"So do I and that woman is not her," the older Rapunzel stated with stern firmness.

Both Rapunzels were tired and the older one didn't feel like discussing the issue any further for a while, so for the moment, they dropped the subject and sat down together in front of the fire.

After getting a bit warm, the older Rapunzel told her younger self of her adventures outside the tower until she and her eventually fell asleep, resting their heads on one another.

On the subject of Gothel, back at the Magic Kingdom, said woman decided she needed some time away from the castle for a while went for another shopping run. Quite frankly, Golett's constant chatter and flirting with Maleficent was beginning to get tiring for her. And so was being flanked by Shadow Demons whom she ordered to stay behind.

In town, she browsed through a clothing store, reminding the owner that she could call on the shadow demons any time, and tried on a variety of dresses. As she did, looking upon her reflection in a mirror, she couldn't help but ponder what Yen Sid had previously said to her. Because of this, no matter what dresses she tried on, she couldn't properly judge herself in the mirror. The thought just kept crawling in her head like a worm that you couldn't get out of your hair. Growing frustrated, she finally decided to give up on her shopping and leave the store, more contempt with just taking a walk.

Save for the abundance of Shadow Demons, the streets were practically empty. The atmosphere was as dull and depressing as it could be and the constant growling and cackling of the Shadow Demons was really starting to get on Gothel's nerves. Ultimately, she decided to leave town to find somewhere private where she could get some peace and quiet.

But as she made her way out of town, she suddenly heard a voice from out of nowhere.

"Um...excuse me," the voice said softly.

"Who said that?! Where are you?!" Gothel demanded.

"Over here..." the voice said.

Gothel followed the sound to a nearby alley where she found the silhouette of what appeared to be a small child.

"Come out of there!" Gothel demanded again.

And in fact, it was a small boy who emerged from the shadows with his eyes stuck the ground with his hands behind his back as he stood before Gothel.

At first, she didn't recognize him, glaring at him with a sneer and was ready to just walk away, but after taking a good look at the child again, she recognized him as the boy from before. Admittedly, she found it odd that the kid was running around without his parents, though given how much she and the empire and Golett had taken over, it wasn't too surprising. Still, once again, she didn't think too much of the kid and was ready to leave.

"Miss...Gothel..." the kid said.

"What?" Gothel said, slightly annoyed.

The young boy nervously took his hands from behind his back and presented Gothel with a somewhat messy bouquet of flowers. "I...uh...want you to have these..." he stuttered as he held the flowers up to her.

As she looked into the innocent boy's eyes, the very same thing she felt the first time she met the child returned to her. Suddenly, an image of a younger Rapunzel popped into her head in place of the young boy holding the very same flowers, saying the exact same words. At the same time, a feeling in Gothel's gut began to take form. It was as if a thousand butterflies were in her stomach. For a moment, she puzzled. Why did this kid remind her of Rapunzel? And what was this strange feeling that she was having all of a sudden? She firmly held her abdomen before she looked back at the child and sneered at him in disgust, holding her head up in the air.

"Listen, brat. The only reason I helped you was because you weren't worth it. It would've been a waste of time to take such a worthless hostage," she said.

Gothel's harsh words made the child break out in tears before he dropped the flowers and ran off.

Gothel gave a wicked smirk as she looked at the flowers on the ground and picked them up.

"Forget-me-not's? Really? He couldn't have picked a better choice? Honestly, he must not have good taste in flowers," Gothel scoffed, continuing to insult the flowers as she carried them with her.

As she left, she took a short look back at the child before continuing back to the castle.

It had felt like hours since both Rapunzels had fallen asleep, which was why it was surprising when the older Rapunzel woke to find it was still dark, though not that surprising. Considering she was in an illusion, she couldn't be sure exactly how the weather worked, so she just had to roll with it. With this in mind, she figured now was as good a time as any to continue forward as she gently woke her younger self.

The younger Rapunzel softly yawn, stretching out her arms as she awoke.

"Have a nice sleep?" the older Rapunzel asked.

"Yeah, the grass is surprisingly comfy," the younger Rapunzel said.

The older Rapunzel chuckled, remembering how she felt the same way when her feet touched the grass for the first time as well, before offering her hand to her younger counterpart.

Hand in hand, the two Rapunzels continued, making conversation along the way.

"So what's it like in a castle?" the younger Rapunzel asked.

"Well it's...big. You definitely don't have to worry about leg room, that's for sure. Though it can be easy to get lost, especially when you're trying to find the bathroom," the older Rapunzel teased.

"Really?!" the younger Rapunzel asked.

"Nah...I have guards who go for me..." the older Rapunzel said in response.

The two Rapunzels then chuckled at one another before continuing on.

The older Rapunzel began telling her younger self about her other princess friends and their adventures which made her wide eyed with amazement. Her younger self implored her to tell more stories to which she acquiesced. Though she technically wasn't real, the younger Rapunzel felt almost like a sister to her older self. She had never had a sister before and this was just about the closest she ever had to one other than her friends.

The two had walked for a while, but the night didn't seem to get any brighter and there were nothing but trees from left to right. That is until the older Rapunzel noticed a building in the distance. And not a moment too soon as she and her younger counterpart were getting hungry and she figured they might be able to get something to eat. As they approached the building closer, the older Rapunzel began to recognize it and a smile came on her face.

"What is it?" the younger Rapunzel asked, noticing.

"Younger me, I think you're gonna like this place," the older Rapunzel answered.

"Really...cause it doesn't look very...what's the word...'pleasant,' the younger Rapunzel said incredulously.

The older Rapunzel didn't try to deny it, but that didn't stop her from taking her younger self by the hand and taking her to the building, which as it turned out, was a place she knew very well; the Snuggly Duckling.

Approaching the door, the elder Rapunzel knocked and a small window slid open revealing two very familiar eyes; Shorty's eyes.

"Ah! Rapunzel and...short Rapunzel..." Shorty said, noticing the two.

The younger Rapunzel was taken back a bit by the fact that this stranger knew her, by the elder one smiled and greeted her friend before he opened the door to let them both in.

Inside, wild ruckus was being made by the inhabitants of the pub. Swinging on chandeliers; throwing cups, bowls, and plates, and even some getting into rough fights.

"Um...maybe we should head back," the younger Rapunzel said, nervously taking a few steps back.

The older walked up to her. "It's OK," she said with an assuring smile.

Seeing this, the younger Rapunzel, though still a little nervous, trusted her older self's judgment, took her hand again, and the two proceeded into the pub. Once inside, she grasped her older self's arm tightly.

The elder Rapunzel didn't blame her for being nervous, seeing as how she was the same way the first time she walked into the pub, she assured her that she wouldn't let anything bad happen to her.

The two then took a seat at a nearby table where they were approached by Atilla.

Seeing the hulking brute, the younger Rapunzel again grabbed her older self by the arm.

"It's OK. This is Atilla. I know he seems big and muscular and scary beyond all belief, but he's just a big marshmallow underneath, aren't you.." the older Rapunzel said, tickling Atilla in the stomach.

Atilla jittered which made the younger Rapunzel feel a little more comfortable around him.

After which, Atilla presented them with menus consisted of all kinds of desserts from cupcakes, tarts, pies, cookies, and puffs.

The two Rapunzel's mouths watered as they couldn't decide what they wanted, by eventually, they came to a decision.

"We'll have two orders of the strawberry lemon tarts and red velvet cupcakes, please," the older Rapunzel said.

Atilla nodded and took both the menus before heading into the kitchen. He then quickly came back with a large plate filled with said tarts and cupcakes, much to the two Rapunzel's delight.

And so the two partook in consuming the treats, enjoying each bite.

"Wow! Amazing!" exclaimed the younger Rapunzel.

"Atilla is a great baker!" said the older Rapunzel.

Going for a bite of her cupcake, the older Rapunzel noticed her younger self eating and noticed something. She brought her younger self's attention to her dress, noting some frosting on it. Her younger self looked down, but didn't see any hints of frosting, but as it turned out, the frosting wasn't on her dress, it was on her nose, for her older self had stuck her cupcake in it.

"Haha, very funny," the younger Rapunzel said in light of her older self's laughter.

In response, she took a cupcake of her own and stuck its frosting on her cheek.

The two then shared a laugh with one another as they made frosting faces on each other.

After the older Rapunzel wiped the frosting off of her younger self's face, Shorty hobbled his way onto the stage.

"Good evening, gentlemen, ladies, and assorted felons, lawbreakers; put your feet together for the musical stylings of Hook hand!" Shorty announced.

The audience applauded as a piano appeared onstage and Hook Hand took a seat in front of it.

Hook Hand played a catchy, toe tapping tune which made everyone in the pub start dancing.

Not one to pass up a dance, the older Rapunzel quickly got out of her seat, but then noticed her younger self who seemed rather reluctant.

"Afraid to dance?" the older Rapunzel asked.

"No, I'm just... barefoot! You can't dance barefoot," the younger Rapunzel said.

The older Rapunzel quickly dismissed this by showing her own bare feet and dancing gracefully, to her younger self's slight annoyance. She also remembered how Gothel had never bothered to teach her how to dance, seeing as quote, 'a waste of time and energy that accomplishes nothing.' But then she remembered that magical moment, dancing with Flynn, which proved otherwise. She herself was nervous too, but Flynn give her the confidence to give it a try and she would do the same for her counterpart.

After taking her by the hand, the elder Rapunzel began teaching her younger self step by step how to dance. At first, things didn't go too well as her younger self was tripping over herself.

"Oh! Face it! I've got two left feet!" the younger Rapunzel said in frustration.

The elder Rapunzel chuckled. "Yes I did, but I got through it and so can you," she said before taking her younger self's hands.

She again went through the steps, this time making sure her younger self didn't fall. Slowly, but surely, her younger began feeling more confident and her dancing began improving until she was practically a natural.

"Hey! I'm doing it!" the younger Rapunzel exclaimed.

"Nice work! I wouldn't think you've never dance before!" the elder Rapunzel said.

Soon, the two Rapunzels were dancing together as the whole pub watched. They did every kind of dance under the sun, from tap dancing, to waltzing, to the Irish jig; and the pub applauded with great approval.

After the dance, the two Rapunzels bowed; first to the audience, then to each other.

"You have marvelously graceful feet, Madame," the younger Rapunzel said, imitating an elegant voice.

"Why thank you, little lady," the elder Rapunzel responded they both took their seats.

Shorty returned to the stage. "And now...presenting a poem from Big Nose," Shorty announced.

Everyone in the pub applauded as Big Nose came on stage with a poem in his hand. He cleared his throat and began to read as the crowd went silent.

There are things in our past that can cause us pain

Showering us like droplets of water in the rain

Whether it's people, places, or moments in time

An act of indecency or the foulest crime

Memories so dark, they often taint the soul

And the strain is so strenuous, it often takes its toll

But for every darkness, there is a glimmer of light

That often takes the wrong and finds what is right

The past cannot be changed no matter what we do

But how it affects us, shapes us, is entirely up to you

The audience and the younger Rapunzel applauded after Big Nose finished.

The elder Rapunzel meanwhile couldn't help but give Big Nose's words a thought.

The younger Rapunzel noticed her older counterpart sitting across from her, almost stiff, caressing her chin, deep in thought. "Hey, are you OK?" she asked, concerned.

The older Rapunzel fixed her hair, trying to put on a straight face like nothing was bothering her, but her younger self wasn't fooled. Considering she and her were basically the same, she could tell something was up with her. Seeing she was still in denial, the younger Rapunzel responded by twisting her older self's nose.

"Ow! Hey!" the older Rapunzel reacted, holding her nose.

"You. Remember?" the younger Rapunzel reminded herself.

Awkwardly biting her lip, the older Rapunzel realized she probably couldn't keep a secret from her younger self for long and decided not to beat around the bush. After a breath, she was about to tell her what was on her mind, but just as soon as she was, she was interrupted by a loud banging on the door, followed by sounds of aggressive shouting.

Younger Rapunzel grew nervous and ran over to her older self who immediately held her.

The residents of the pub stood their ground with gritted teeth and weapons in hand as the door cracked further and further until a group of menacing looking thugs; even more so than the ones in the pub; came bursting through.

They were vicious looking brutes, carrying weapons such as maces, swords, and axes.

Luckily though, the other thugs had the very same weapons and were not afraid to put up a fight.

And it didn't take long for a fight to break out. Within seconds, the Snuggly Duckling turned a small battlefield. Tables flying around, axes being thrown, cuts and bruises left and right.

None of this did anything to help the younger Rapunzel's nerves as she shivered, holding on tight to her older counterpart.

Thinking fast, the older Rapunzel took the table and made it into a shield which she and her younger self hide behind.

"I told you! Mother warned me this would happen!" the younger Rapunzel.

"Not the time!" Rapunzel pointed out. "Right now, we have to get out of here!"

Suddenly, a big thug carrying an ax popped out from over the table, scaring the younger Rapunzel half to death. He raised his ax high above his head for the strike, but once again thinking quickly, the older Rapunzel whipped her hair around one of his legs and tripped him, much to her younger self's amazement.

But there was no time to remain amazed for more thugs closed in on the two princesses.

Just then, the older Rapunzel spotted a frying pan laying next to her on the floor and at her request, the younger Rapunzel hid herself behind the turned table. Frying pan in hand she knocked out a number of thugs. Using her hair, wrapped it around one thug and made him collide with the other. She then used it to blind one thug and trip him with a sweeping kick.

The younger Rapunzel watched in astonishment as her older self took out each of the thugs one by one.

"If this is what I'm gonna be, then I can't wait to grow up!" she thought to herself.

But though her older self was fairing quite well, a large group of thugs soon ganged up on her and it didn't take long for her to realize this was a fight she couldn't win. Right now, the best thing to do was to get her young self and get out of the pub.

Meanwhile, said younger Rapunzel continued to watch from behind the table. Unbeknownst to her, a large thug slowly crept behind her. It wasn't until his shadow engulfed her that she turned around and saw him. She let out a loud scream as he lifted up his ax and went for the strike. The young princess manage to get out of the way, but the thug had managed to give her a cut on her left barefoot. Wincing in pain, she held her foot tightly, crying.

Seeing this, the older Rapunzel quickly vaulted over the table in front of the thug and gave him a hard whack with her prying pan, knocking him out. She then turned to her young self.

"Hey! Are you OK?!" she asked, checking her foot.

The cut wasn't too deep, but it was still pretty bad. Her young was going to need medical aid and fast, but she needed to get the both of them out of the pub first.

The rest of the thugs closed in on the two princesses. In response, the elder Rapunzel kicked the table towards them, knocking them all down. This gave her the opportunity to grab her young self and quickly escape.

The young Rapunzel limped as her older self carried her by the hand. The elder Rapunzel knew she was in pain, but they couldn't afford to slow down, she needed to find them a place to hide and fast. As they went deep into the forest, the older Rapunzel looked around for some place, any place where they could get shelter, but had no luck. To make matters worse, the vicious thugs were closing in behind them. There was no time to rest as the two princesses kept going. The elder Rapunzel kept looking and looking until finally, she happened upon a cave. She quickly took herself and her young self into the cave with the thugs close behind.

The thugs followed the two into the cave but found no trace of them, unaware that they had hidden behind a large boulder. Figuring there was no point in going inside, they took their search elsewhere.

The elder Rapunzel, who held her younger self's mouth to keep her from screaming, breathed a sigh of relief. With the thugs gone, she could now focus her attention on her young self's wound. She sat her down on the cave wall and got another look at the cut. Obviously, it needed to be wrapped up, but unfortunately, she didn't have any band aids on her, nor were there any around. Just then, she got an idea, looking to the cave entrance and told her young self that she needed to leave her for a few seconds, but she assured her she'd be back.

Once outside, she went to a nearby bush and tore a number of leafs off, then came back to the cave.

Using the leafs, she wiped the blood off of her young self's foot, then she pressed two others onto the cut, to keep more blood from coming out. Finally, she tore off a piece of her dress and tied it around the leaf to keep them in place.

The young Rapunzel still cried a little from the pain, prompting her older self to comfort her.

"It's OK," the elder Rapunzel said, wiping a tear out of her eye. "You'll be fine."

"Thank you," the young Rapunzel said, sniffing.

The elder Rapunzel sat next to her with arm around her and her young self laid her head on her.

"I won't let anything bad happen to you anymore. I promise," she said.

As her young self held tightly onto her, the elder Rapunzel couldn't mean those words more if she tried.