Proof that the remaining 10% is worth dumping random chemicals on black rocks for here.
These are recommendations made by tropers for Tangled: The Series fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.
You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page, though; that goes on the discussion page.
(Note: Any Tangled fanfics written before the release of this series or that explicitly ignore this series should go here.)
Authors and Websites
AquaQuadrant
- Recommended by Storygirl 000
- One of the co-creators of the Moon Powers!Varian AU, Aqua specializes in and excels at writing AU stories for the series. Definitely worth a look.
General Fics
Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.long be hidden by AquaQuadrant
- Recommended by: Storygirl 000
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: When Varian is kidnapped by a mysterious cult following who aim to unleash the power of the moon inside of him, he discovers things about himself, his family, and the kindred spirit who saves him in more ways than one.
- Pairings: Varian/OC (Not quite the focus of the story)
- Comments: Takes place a few months after the season 1 finale. The OC is well-written and likable, and the interactions between them and Varian are done well. Definitely worth checking out.
- Tags: Non-binary OC, Moon Powers!Varian
Tangled: The Series: A Speculative Continuation by DaoAdreian
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: This is a speculative continuation of Tangled: The Series post Season 1. It follows Rapunzel and her friends and their efforts to uncover the mystery of the rocks and Varian's journey of discovery.
- Pairings: Rapunzel/Eugene
- Comments: The story is well-written and pays heavy attention to details as well as relationships. The interactions between Rapunzel and Varian are very complex and character accurate. The original characters all have unique characterization and contribute to the plot in meaningful ways. It reads like a genuine continuation of the series if a little darker. The author is an aspiring author, meaning the story reads like a novel.
Gauze in the Wound by CodyNaomiSwire
- Recommended by: AJ Smith
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: After the events of Secret of the Sundrop, Xavier the blacksmith takes on Varian as his apprentice in an attempt to help him heal. Little do they know that, right under their noses, there is a conspiracy unfolding that threatens all of Corona...
- Comments: The story is extremely well-written and pays heavy attention to emotion and character development. The pacing and general tone of the story feel very genuine, making Varian's redemption seem more realistic.
Tangled: Witch War by BubblesRRJ
- Status: Complete
- Recommended by: Sky Hawk 1298
- Synopsis: Taking place after the events of Tangled: The Series Season One, Tangled: Witch War explores what would happen if the treasonous alchemist, Varian, escaped from prison six months after the Battle of Old Corona. With a mysterious map from his father, Varian sets out for a cursed forest in search of a witch who once served the king - and who may know how to save his father.
- Comments: This story takes the popular Moon Powers!Varian AU and makes it feel unique enough to stand on its own. It has compelling original characters and expands upon the magic in the Tangled universe. The story is darker than the series it is based off, but it never finds itself being edgy for the sake of just being edgy. Rather, the darker tone makes it feel more realistic than one would expect.
''Light of the Moon by ZoneRobotnik
- Status: Complete
- Recommended by: dragonwing7
- Synopsis: An AU where Varian was born with the powers of the Moonstone, and was kidnapped by Gothel when he was eight. For six years he lives with her, being raised as Rapunzel's foster brother. But just because he's a captive doesn't mean he doesn't long for escape as much as a certain long-haired girl...
- Comments: A short but interesting story. Everyone is in character, and Varian's backstory was very well done. Plus, the brother-sister relationship he forms with Rapunzel is very sweet.
- Has a tropes page.
Darkest Destiny: A Tangled Story by Fanfic_Acolyte_Vanessa
- Status: Ongoing
- Recommended by: Sky Hawk 1298
- Synopsis: An AU in which Cassandra kills Zhan Tiri right before she is able to steal the Moonstone, and goes on to acquire the Sundrop as she had previously intended. With both in her possession, she becomes a virtual demigoddess, usurping the throne and becoming the self imposed Queen of Corona. With Rapunzel left powerless, there is no one left to oppose her, and all who resist her rule are imprisoned or made examples of. Cassandra takes Rapunzel as her bride, using her as a means to mollify the tensions of Corona's defeated people, and also to take out her darkest desires upon...
- Comments: This story is downright dark and quite terrifying from the very beginning. It does a great job of highlighting just how far Cassandra has fallen, to the point where she is completely and fully willing to kill anyone who dares to stand in the way of her ultimate goal of global conquest. With Zhan Tiri out of the way, this story firmly establishes Cassandra as its main antagonist. Another thing this story does extremely well is highlighting Cassandra and Rapunzel's overall mindsets and innermost thoughts in their respective situations.
- DBZFan102: One of those rare Dark Fics that manages to feel completely natural and faithful to its original source. The portrayals of the characters are very convincing, and it's not hard to imagine that this very well could have been what would have happened in the series (minus the swearing, of course). Cassandra somehow manages to be an even more heinous character than her canon portrayal while still remaining sympathetic to the reader, something that is very difficult to pull off. Now has its own trope page.
Small Steps by papergardener
- Recommended by: AGT Magic
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: In the aftermath of the final battle with Zhan Tiri, Cassandra tries to repair her relationship with Rapunzel's friends.
- Comments: This fanfic does an excellent job of highlighting Cassandra's thoughts and feelings as she comes to terms with the damage she did as a villain. The story emphasizes Cassandra's guilt over her actions, but retains the hopeful tone of the source material.
Broken Mirrors, Broken Bonds, and Broken Hearts by Ajnovels
- Recommended by: Just Dance 04
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: We all know the story by now: Eugene died saving Rapunzel from captivity. But what if he didn't? What if Mother Gothel had had her way, and she left with Rapunzel, hoping never to be seen again? What if Cassandra, wanting validation and recognition from her dad, had followed Flynn Rider into the woods? What if, despite Rapunzel's noble sacrifice, Eugene and her destined friends find a way to get her back?
- Pairings: Eugene/Rapunzel, Varian/Vex
- Comments: An AU where Eugene doesn't cut Rapunzel's hair at the end of the movie and Gothel takes her out of Corona. Cassandra and Eugene team up to go rescue her, picking up Varian and Lance along the way, and essentially segue from the movie's climax straight into season 2 of the show. The writer does a good job of keeping everyone in character while accounting for the change in circumstances and building up all the differences in the story while still mirroring canon at some points.
On Trial by Flossy2003
- Recommended by: Madeline164
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Cassandra has been placed in a room, awaiting trial for her crimes, however, not everything is as it seems.
- Comments: This fic tells a very interesting story that addresses Corona's corrupt social system, the suspense is handled extremely well, and even those who dislike Cassandra and/or find her redemption rushed will sympathize with her here. It also puts Queen Arianna, the Captain of the Guards, and Lady Caine to good use.
- Now has a tropes page.
Sisters' Tangled Adventure by Angelxoxo8
- Recommended by: kittyface44
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A retelling of Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, but with Angelxoxo8's OC Harmony, who is Rapunzel's younger sister and the embodiment of the Moonstone.
- Comments: Everyone in the story is portrayed accurately to their show counterparts. There are a few instances of canon divergence as well. Harmony, the OC, has a lovely personality that is similar to Rapunzel's yet distinct. The author also does an amazing job of showcasing Harmony's backstory as well as the struggles she faces due to her moon powers. Furthermore, Varian is also given a much, MUCH larger role in this story, which REALLY does his character good. Contains Varian X OC pairing. Now with its own tropes page.
Varian, Harmony, and the Seven Kingdoms by Angelxoxo8
- Recommended by kittyface44
- Status: Dead (as of January 2024)
- Snyopsis: Another fanfic by Angelxoxo8 that delves into the rejected Tangled spin-off, Varian and the Seven Kingdoms. Featuring the eponymous alchemist, Angel's OC Harmony, and their journey to the seven kingdoms to find hidden totems to rebuild an ancient device, discover the Eternal Library, and maybe even find Varian's long-lost mother.
- Comments: It is strongly recommended that you read Sisters' Tangled Adventure first before reading this one to learn more about Harmony and her relationship with Varian. Now has its own tropes page.
Splitting Heirs by Eternal_Phantom and Providentially_Demonic
- Recommended by Book-Draconic
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Once upon a time; Gothel stole another child. This is the story of the lost heir of a kingdom. Too bad things have a tendency to go right to hell around these parts.
- Comments: A continuation in the style of the Series, blending humor, action and drama into a compelling, engaging narrative. Taking place some undetermined time after the events of the Series and Tangled: Ever After, it chronicles the story of Gothel stealing a child before she stole Rapunzel - this time in order to gain the power and throne her master, Zhan Tiri had promised her before their banishment, a baby taken from the womb of the Queen of the Dark Kingdom, a fraternal twin to Eugene/Horace - and the reveal of who exactly the missing heir is.
Twisted and Tangled by UmbraTsuki
- Recommended by kittyface44
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: What if Rapunzel was the one manipulated by Zhan Tiri into leaving the group and furthering her plans, rather than Cass? Cass still gets the Moonstone, but we see a new side to the Sundrop. And a new side to Rapunzel.
- Comments: This is an AU fanfic that explores what could've happened if Rapunzel was the one who got manipulated by Zhan Tiri instead of Cassandra. Because of the reversed roles here, the third and fourth incantations of the Sundrop and Moonstone are altered a bit to suit the roles of their respective wielders.
Recovery and Renewal by Tangledfangirl
- Recommended by: AGT Magic
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: In the aftermath of the final battle with Zhan Tiri, Cassandra undertakes community service and tries to repair her relationship with the people of Corona.
- Comments: A warm-hearted hurt/comfort fic centred on Cassandra's desire to atone for her misdeeds. The story explores Cassandra's guilt and the self-destructive elements of her personality, but still manages to maintain a positive and hopeful tone which feels true to the Tangled-verse. The story allows Cassandra to have strong interactions with characters underdeveloped in the series including Queen Ariana, Xavier and Lance.
Destinies Fulfilled by DaylightLucidity
- Recommended by: AGT Magic
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: In the House of Yesterday's Tomorrow, Cassandra makes a friend. It doesn't take her long to realize that her new ghostly companion isn't what she seems. With the stakes higher than ever and no more time to keep on waiting in the wings, Cassandra decides to take her destiny into her own hands and beat Zhan Tiri at her own game.
- Comments: An alternate retelling of Cassandra's villain arc that allows her to take centre stage. It removes many of the most problematic aspects of Season 3, allowing Cassandra' multiple grievances to be properly explored and giving her plenty of character development. It also provides a strong take on Zhan Tiri, who remains a threatening Big Bad, but is given more sympathetic motives.
Swear Not By The Moon by solisaureus
- Recommended by: Ordeaux26
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Set in a world where the Sundrop and Moonstone never existed and Cassandra is the Prince(ess) of the renamed Dark Kingdom, Diadem. Where Cassandra and Rapunzel end up falling in love.
- Pairings: Rapunzel/Cassandra
- Comments: The story explores a very interesting idea and is really well written and has a very fun and heartwarming plot.
Crossover
Stories that crossover with other series.Of Rocks and Robots by bethhigdon
- Recommended by: Madeline164
- Crossover with: Big Hero 6: The Series
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: While trying to free his dad, Varian gets sucked into another world. Can his new found friends help him to move on from his traumatic past or will he be forever haunted by his mistakes?
- Comments: An AU where Varian gets sucked into the Big Hero 6 world before the Season 3 premiere and befriends the titular gang, this fic does a really good job at showing an alternate growth of his. Also, the storytelling, character interactions, and Fish out of Water elements are amazing.
Heart Like An Axle by pikablob
- Crossover with: The Secret of Kells
- Recommended by: Tropers/Gordhanx
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: While trying to escape from Corona during a blizzard, Varian stumbles upon a strange green eyes girl, who agrees to help him for a favor.
While it is not primarily a TTS fanfic, Zhan Tiri is the main antagonist of the second episode of Disney's RealmWalkers by LumiTea.
- It is also mentioned by the witch Zami Reddick that the Tangled: The Series universe was likely one of many realms conquered by a malevolent interdimensional entity known only as "Him", with Tiri likely being bound to His servitiude as a result. The fates of the other TTS characters are as of yet unclear.
- Also found on Archive Of Our Own here
