**Chapter 1: A Captive's Dark Awakening**

Eugene's eyes fluttered open, only to be met with the harsh glare of torchlight. Groggily, he lifted his head, taking in his surroundings. He was in a damp, dimly lit cell, the stone walls cold and unforgiving. A faint scent of mold and decay wafted through the air, making his stomach turn. As he tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through his head, forcing him to fall back onto the narrow pallet. A low groan came from the adjacent cell, and Eugene's gaze drifted toward the sound. That was when he saw them – the Stabbing Tins, beaten and bloody, slumped against the wall. Eugene's heart sank as he took in the Tins' condition. He tried to call out, but his voice was hoarse and barely audible. The door to his cell creaked open, and a pair of palace guards entered, their faces expressionless. "You're coming with us," one of them growled, yanking Eugene to his feet. Eugene stumbled, his legs weak from the ordeal. The guards tossed him a tattered cloak, which he wrapped around his shoulders, trying to cover his disheveled clothes. As they led him out of the cell, he caught a glimpse of the Stabbing Tins, still motionless. The guards marched Eugene through the winding corridors of the palace, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. They eventually stopped at a large wooden door, which swung open to reveal a bustling courtyard. The sun was high overhead, casting a warm glow over the scene. In the center of the courtyard, a group of rough-looking men, clearly the pub thugs, were engaged in a fierce battle with the palace guards. Eugene's eyes widened as he took in the chaos. The thugs, with their distinctive scarves and gruff demeanor, seemed to be gaining the upper hand. Just as Eugene was about to be dragged away, a burly thug spotted him and rushed over, swinging a massive fist at the guard holding Eugene. The guard stumbled back, releasing his grip, and Eugene found himself swept up in the midst of the melee. The thugs quickly dispatched the guards and rushed to Eugene's side. "Eugene, mate! We've got you!" one of them exclaimed, helping him to his feet. As the dust began to settle, Eugene took stock of the situation. The Stabbing Tins, still unconscious, were lifted onto a makeshift stretcher, while the thugs surrounded him, their faces etched with concern. "We've got to get out of here," one of the thugs muttered, eyeing the palace walls. "The guards will be back, and we can't take on the whole palace." With a nod, the group set off, making their way through the winding streets of Corona. Eugene stumbled along, his head still spinning, but a sense of gratitude toward the thugs growing with each step. As they walked, Eugene caught glimpses of the city he had once known. The market stalls, the bustling streets, and the people – all seemed different now, yet familiar. He wondered what lay ahead, but for now, he was content to be free, surrounded by his newfound friends. The group eventually arrived at the outskirts of the city, where they were greeted by a warm smile from a familiar face – Rapunzel, now reunited with her parents, the King and Queen of Corona. Eugene's heart swelled with joy as he took in the scene, feeling a sense of hope he hadn't felt in a long time. The Queen, Arianna, approached him, her eyes filled with kindness. "Welcome, Eugene," she said, her voice gentle. "You're safe now. We'll take care of you." Eugene smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was home. Little did he know, his journey was just beginning, and the people of Corona would play a significant role in his life.