Hey y'all! I know it's been like forever since this story was updated and I'm totally sorry, but that's gonna change. So, I hope y'all'll enjoy this chapter. Thx again to everyone who's reviewed.

Austin was sitting on his throne. He was completely bored. Tonight was his 18th birthday and he was to decide on a Princess. Austin's mother, Queen Antonia, had a friend of another kingdom with a beautiful daughter. Austin had seen a picture of her but as a baby. He wasn't interested but his mother went anyway to invite them to the ball holding tonight for the Prince's birthday. Many were already coming.

The doors of the palace opened revealing the Queen to enter. Tasha, Queen Antonia's royal employer, opened the door as she walked in. Austin stood up as his mother came close. She looked utterly depressed. Austin went up to her.

"Mother, what's wrong?" Austin asked.

"My dear friend…her daughter is still missing." Antonia replied with tears.

Austin said nothing. He didn't remember how she looked due to seeing the picture long before. "She's missing?" Austin watched as his mother lowered her head.

"Yes, her daughter was kidnapped the night of her birth. I was hoping that one of my visits, her daughter would be there but every year is the same." Austin felt horrible. Sure, that is one less princess but Austin had a warm heart. He was soon pulled into a hug by his mother as she said, "I dunno what I'd do if I lost you." Austin pushed away. His mother sniffed before she stiffened up.

"Tasha," Queen Antonia called. Tasha instantly came to her side. "Make sure everything is ready for tonight. I want each table to be properly decorated, I want the ballroom to be wonderful and to awestruck everybody. Come, I must see how the royal decorators are doing."

"Yes my Queen." Tasha replied as she followed her. Austin was left there, staring into space about the missing princess. Maybe he should pay a visit to this kingdom. Austin called for one of his guards to ready up his horse Maximus.

Pablo ran into the kingdom where the Queen and King sat. They looked up towards their guard hoping it was news on their daughter. It wasn't…

"You Majesties, Prince Austin is here to see you." Pablo stated. "Do you wish to see him?"

"Yes," Queen Luella jumped. "Let him enter."

Tyrone and Pablo opened the doors to allow the young prince to step in. The Queen was wide eyed to see her long time friend's son. Last time she'd seen him, he was a baby. He was born a year and a day before her own daughter.

"Austin, so nice to see you," Queen Luella said trying to be happy. It was hard to do since her daughter's disappearance.

"And you," Austin replied. He looked around the room. "I came to personally pay my mourning in the disappearance of your daughter."

"Thank you." the King said. "If you wish, you may stay for the Golden Light Festival. It is occurring tomorrow."

"I mustn't…tonight is my 18th birthday and I am to pick a princess." There was a pause in thought. "If you don't mind me asking…I've never heard of this Golden Light Festival."

"The Festival is our daughter's birthday. A full day of freedom throughout the kingdom as later in the evening, we launch out over a hundred pink lanterns hoping she sees them." Queen Luella said.

"Ah, I see those lanterns every year the day after my birthday. I liked to watch them." Austin explained.

Austin thought. He didn't really want to have that party his mother was planning for him but he knew he had to attend. "Maybe I'll return for it tomorrow." Austin bowed before leaving. Tyrone and Pablo opened the door for the prince as he walked out to his hoarse Maximus. Austin hopped onto Maximus and began to ride off out of the kingdom. Suddenly, an alarm went off as Austin heard Pablo and Tyrone's voices yelling.

"Stop them! Thieves! They stole the Lost Princess' crown!"

Austin slowed down just as three men ran by him with a satchel. You could see slightly a glint of a golden grown interweaved with silver and encrusted with pink diamonds. At that, Austin kicked Maximus to go faster to catch up upon the thieves.

"Give back the Lost Princess' crown! As a prince, I command you!" Austin yelled as pulling out his sword. The thieves looked at the prince, determined to lose him. Unfortunately, for the thieves, they hit a dead end. They turned to face the prince's blade.

"If you're a prince, where's your crown?" one asked.

Austin had to prove it one way. He went near Maximus, still aiming his sword at them, and opened a bag attached to the horse. The thieves watched as the so called "Prince" pulled out a golden crown with blue and purple jewels as inside the rim of the crown read Prince Austin carved in. Austin slipped the crown away as he made his way close to the thieves.

"Hand over the crown." Austin demanded. When they didn't, Maximus ran forth making the three thieves split. "Maximus, quickly, leave the other two! Go after the one with the crown!" Austin ordered as he and Maximus followed the thief to a cliff side.

"A cliff…why is there always a cliff?" Austin asked himself.

"You want the crown? Go get it!" the thief said as he threw the crown off the cliff and ran. Austin darted to the edge and saw the crown got snagged on a single branch.

"A branch…why is there always a branch?" Austin asked himself as he reached down to grab the crown. Unknowingly, the ledge Austin was kneeling on was weak and crumbling below. Maximus tried to grab Austin but it was too late, the ledge crumbled away with the Lost Princess' crown and the Prince, soon to be the Lost Prince. Austin landed in a field of long soft grass way below. He opened his eyes to see the crown in front of him.

"There he is!" a voice yelled.

Austin turned over and looked up to see the three thieves gripping at what was left of the cliff above, looking down angrily at him. Austin quickly grabbed the crown and stuffed it into the satchel he kept his crown in. He quickly shot up to his feet before running. Lucky for him, Austin found a secret cave shielded with vines. To avoid the thieves, Austin waited a moment, listening. When he heard some light voices, he decided to go deeper into the forgotten cave. It wasn't long before he saw a light coming up. Hoping it was a way out, he followed it until he came to an extremely high tower. As still hearing the thieves, Austin began to climb the tower till he came to the window. He quietly slipped in and closed the shudders. Those thieves will never look here, he thought. Speaking of here, where am I? He wasn't even able to look around when something hit him and he blacked out.

Uniqua stood behind the strange boy with a frying pan in hand. She screamed before hiding behind a chair. Sherman looked at the young boy that lay there. He slipped into the young boy's bag where he pulled out a crown. Uniqua's eyes widen as she bent down and took the crown into her hand. It was dazzling, and the pink diamonds would match her skin-tone. She looked into her mirror where she tried to figure out how to wear the diamonded ring. She slid it onto her arm as a bracelet, then tried it as an anklet, and finally placed it on her golden hair. Sherman was in awe at how beautiful Uniqua looked.

Suddenly, a grunt came. Uniqua realized it was coming from the boy. He was waking up. He half-opened his eyes. Scared, Uniqua hit him again with the frying pan. She became conscious that she needed to hide this boy before her mother saw him. Starting off, Uniqua opened her closet and tried to pick up the boy to put him in. "Ah!" she yelped as the boy fell out on top of her. She tried a different strategy that ended with Uniqua swinging the boy into the closet by her hair, but now her hair was caught in the closet's doors. Finally, Uniqua managed to get the boy in and without him waking up.

"Uniqua let down your hair!" Gothel shouted. Her voice shattered all the silence that fell upon the tower. Uniqua instantly stuffed the crown back in the satchel as she hid it in a spare pot. She was pleased she handled herself so well. In fact, Uniqua was going to show her mother. Once she saw this, she will be sure to let Uniqua leave the tower.

"Uniqua, I'm not getting any younger!" Gothel reminded.

"Coming Mother!" Uniqua said as she flung down her hair so her mother could climb it. "I have a surprise for you!" Gothel stated as Uniqua hauled her up. "I got one too!" Uniqua informed. "Oh I bet mine is bigger!" Gothel bragged. "I seriously doubt that," Uniqua mumbled to herself. Once at the top, Uniqua stated she had a surprise for her mother to see.

"I'm making you hazelnut soup for dinner! You're absolute favourite! Surprise!" Gothel said happily with a dramatic touch. It was mostly the only thing she made. Uniqua didn't have a choice.

"Mother, I've been thinking on what you said and –"

"I hope you're not going on about the stars."

"Lights and yes, I am leading up to that and –"

"Uniqua, we've been over this." Gothel had her anger rising.

"Mother, you think I can't handle myself out there but –"

"Oh I know you can't handle yourself out there."

"But Mother if you'd just listen I –"

"Uniqua that is quite enough!" Gothel shouted. "You are not leaving this tower – EVER!"

Uniqua fell silent. Her eyes widen as all joy drained from her. Sherman's mouth dropped open at what Gothel just said. Gothel sighed as she sat down on a chair and rubbed her forehead. "Great, now I'm the bad guy." Uniqua's hand slid away from the closets handle. Uniqua had to say something to fill the silence…an idea emerged.

"What I was going to say Mother was…I know what I want for my birthday."

"And what's that dear?" Gothel asked still annoyed with Uniqua.

"New paints…made by those shells you once brought me." Uniqua lied.

"But, that takes a walk due to three days' time." Gothel said annoyed she'd have to walk just for some stupid gift. She looked up and saw the look on Uniqua's face. She sighed. "All right," Uniqua's face brightened up. "Are you sure you'll be alright here all by yourself?"

"I know I'll be safe as long as I'm here." Uniqua answered. Uniqua packed a basket with well fresh food for her mother's walk. Gothel took the basket as she clipped on her cape. She then climbed down Uniqua's hair.

"I love you very much," Gothel said.

"I love you more," Uniqua replied.

"I love you most."

Once Gothel was out of view, Uniqua ran towards the closet. She opened it allowing the boy's body to fall out. Uniqua then did what she could only do…

Austin opened his eyes and gasped.

"Is this…hair?" Austin wondered. Austin was tied to a chair by long blond hair.

"How did you find my location?" a voice broke out.

Austin looked around just as a girl emerged from the shadows. The girl was flushed with a pink colour as she had dimmer spots of pink on her face. The hair Austin was tied up with, it was the girl's. Her hair was around 70 ft., long and blond. Sticking out on the top of her hair were two curled antennas. She wore a pink purplish flowing dress cut above her ankles.

Uniqua looked at the boy. The boy was purple skinned with a tiny nose in a deeper shade of purple. He had tall ears on his head and a long tail trailing behind. He wore some type of rich outfit. A ruffled light blue shirt and dark jeans with boots attached with a sword.

"What do you want with my hair?"

"Huh?"

"Do cut it or to sell it?"

"What? Look, the only thing I want to do with your hair is to get out of it – literally."

"Wait, you don't want my hair?"

"Why on earth would I want your hair? Look, I was being chased or – oh no. Where's my satchel?"

"I've hidden it, somewhere you'll never find it."

Austin turned his eye to a spare pot. "Is it in that pot?" She hit him again. Austin woke up once more.

"Now you'll never find it."

Austin rolled his eyes. "Listen girl,"

"Uniqua,"

"Gazoontite…Look, I need to get back and I need that satchel along." Austin explained.

Uniqua said nothing. "Look, maybe we can work something out, boy." she said.

"Austin." Austin informed.

"Look over here," Uniqua said as she hopped onto the fireplace and pulled back the curtains. Austin was amazed by the mural. It was so beautifully crafted. "You see these floating lights?"

"You mean the lantern thing they do for the Princess?" Austin asked.

"I knew they weren't stars." Uniqua whispered to herself. "Anyway, I wish to see them and you will act as my guide. Take me to see the lights, bring me home safely and then – only then, will you get your satchel back."

"How can I trust you?"

"I promise. And when I promise something, I keep it."

"Well…" Austin knew he had to be back for tonight. "Listen," Uniqua hissed. "You can tear this tower brick by brick but without my help, you'll never find that satchel."

Austin sighed before looking at the girl right in front of him. "Fine…I'll take you to see the lanterns."

"Really," Uniqua said happily as spinning around causing the chair Austin sat on to tip over. "When do we leave?" She asked still with a wide grin.

"Right after you help me up and untie me."

"Right…sorry,"

Austin carefully climbed down the tower. He looked up to the window where Uniqua stood. "Are you coming?" He asked in a grumpy tone while continuing to climb down.

Uniqua looked over the ledge of the window. Austin was halfway down. Sherman nodded to Uniqua as he sat on her shoulder. Uniqua looked far out. She tied her hair onto the ledge so she could swing down from it.

"Look at the world - so close, and I'm halfway to it!

Look at it all - so big - do I even dare?

Look at me - there at last! - I just have to do it

Should I?

No.

Here I go..."

Austin's eyes widen as he saw Uniqua swing outta the tower from her window. He couldn't believe this, not for one second. Uniqua was laughing along with Sherman but quickly stopped. She was an inch away from the grass below. Slowly, Uniqua dipped her feet into the grass and happily lay down.

"Just smell the grass! The dirt! Just like I dreamed they'd be!

Just feel that summer breeze - the way it's calling me

For like the first time ever, I'm completely free!

I could go running

And racing

And dancing

And chasing

And leaping

And bounding

Hair flying

Heart pounding

And splashing

And reeling

And finally feeling

Now's when my life begins,"

Uniqua ran out from the hidden cave and happily spun around.

"I can't believe I did this!" Uniqua shouted happily. "I can't believe I did this," Uniqua echoed but in a worried way, "Mother would be furious."

5 minutes later…

"That's okay though, what mother doesn't know won't kill her."

10 minutes later…

"Oh my goodness, this would so kill her!"

15 minutes later…

"This is so fun!"

20 minutes later…

"I am a horrible daughter, I'm going back."

25 minutes later…

"I am never going back!"

30 minutes later…

"I am a despicable human being."

35 minutes later…

"Best day EVER!"

40 minutes later…

Uniqua sat crying behind a boulder. Austin simply walked up. He had been watching Uniqua and how she changed from emotion to emotion. He'd never seen anyone move their mind that quickly. Austin leaned against the boulder as he tapped the blonde's shoulder.

"Listen, I can't seem to help but notice you seem a little at war with yourself here."

"You noticed?" Uniqua sniffed. Who could miss it? Austin thought.

"Look, maybe I should just take you home so you can get back into an everlasting mother and daughter relationship based on mutual trust and I get back my satchel. Here's your worm thing and let's be off." Austin said as pulling Uniqua to her feet.

"Wait, no…I am gonna see those lanterns!" Uniqua protested.

"Oh c'mon, what's a teen gotta do to get back a worthless satchel?" Austin muttered as seeping into his usual grumpy moods.

"I will use this," Uniqua threatened as stuffing her frying pan into the kangaroo teen's face.

"You actually brought that?" Austin said through raised hands.

Suddenly, a rustling sound was heard in the bushes lurking behind them. Uniqua screamed as hiding behind Austin. "What is it? Who is it? Giant bugs, thugs? Have they come for me?"

Just then, a fuzzy little grey bunny with black eyes and buck teeth popped out. It looked up at the teens while wiggling its tail and nose. Uniqua felt stupid for what she had done.

"Careful," Austin said dramatically, "it prob'ly smells fear."

Uniqua climbed off of Austin's back and apologized. "Sorry, I guess I'm a bit jumpy."

"Right…"Austin rolled his eyes. "Hey, are you hungry? I know a great place where we can eat."

"Where is it?" Uniqua said happily. "Don't worry; you'll know it when you see it." Austin said as pulling Uniqua along.

Meanwhile, Maximus was sniffing around looking for his lost rider. Suddenly, he heard footsteps. Thinking it was the thieves; Maximus dove behind a rock while pulling a branch in front of him. It turns out; moss climbed the rock causing it to look like a horse body as the branch was trimmed into a horse face. At the snap of a twig, Maximus jumped out.

"Ah!" Maximus stopped when he saw an elderly crocodile lady before him in a draped cape and a basket. "Oh," Gothel calmed her heart. "A palace horse," Instantly, Gothel's eyes widen in fear as she asked. "Where's your rider? Uniqua…"

Gothel ran like wildfire all the way back to the tower. What if the rider found her daughter? How would Gothel become young without Uniqua's hair? Nervously, Gothel waited below the tower as calling Uniqua – a call that wouldn't be answered.

"Uniqua let down your hair!" Gothel called. "Uniqua…?"

When she wasn't answered, Gothel ran to a hidden entrance to the tower located in the back blanketed in vines. Gothel ripped the vines away as she ran through the tunnel that led up to a loose floor tile. She pushed the tile away as Gothel rapidly began to run around the small tower calling the child's name over and over before collapsing to the floor. Without Uniqua, she would grow old and die. All her extended years will rush up to her as she melts away in dust.

Gothel suddenly caught a glint of light near the stairs. Making her way over, she lifted up the loose stone, beneath was a satchel. Gothel awkwardly opened the bag to pull out a silver and gold crown crusted in pink diamonds. Gothel gasped as dropping the ground. After a brief moment, Gothel dug more deep in the bag. She found another crown with the name Prince Austin carved on the rim.

Gothel silently made her way over to the dresser where she pulled out a large sharp knife that glinted in the reflection of the crowns that looked almost perfect beside each other. All they missed were the wearers – only, those two crowns will remain empty forever buried, in the darkness of this forgotten tower.

Dun, dunn, dunnnnnn!

Like that? I hope ya did 'cause I hired that guy with the piano just to do it. Anyway, I hope this chapter was worth the extremely long wait. I know what lotta you readers're thinking, "Austin plays Flynn Rider, so why was he a prince and not a thief?" well, to answer that question, I did say at the beginning of the fanfic that the story will have ideas from the movie Tangled, and from the original Rapunzel book, and my own ideas. I still hope this story was good. Plz R&R and no flames!

Thx for reading and putting up with my AN, now remember…Backyardigans Rule!