Cassandra (Tangled)

"I tried to warn you, Rapunzel. You have to be careful who you trust."

- Cassandra revealing her true nature to Rapunzel.

Cassandra is the tritagonist-turned-main antagonist in the TV series spinoff of the 2010 animated movie Tangled and its prequel special Before Ever After. She initially starts off as a hero and supporting character, serving as Rapunzel's Lady-in-Waiting and one of her closest friends, but by the end of season 2, she eventually betrays Rapunzel by taking the Moonstone for herself so she could fulfill her own "destiny" and is set to become the main antagonist of the third season.

She was voiced by Eden Espinosa as an adult, and by Cassie Glow as a child.

Background
Cassandra never knew her parents as a kid, as she was adopted and raised by the Captain of the Guards, and she has been training to join the Royal Guard since the age of six.

History
Cassandra is first seen waiting for Rapunzel's return from a ride with Eugene at Corona's village gates. From there, Cassandra takes Rapunzel to attend to the various duties of a princess, specifically in preparation for her upcoming coronation ceremony to officially crown her as heir to the throne. Rapunzel laments her feelings about the stress of the pressures of royalty overwhelm her. Cassandra believes the princess should take a break regardless of what her father wishes, but Rapunzel refuses to do so. Later at a dinner event, Cassandra sits with Pascal, while Rapunzel sits with her parents, and Eugene sits at the children's table (an arrangement made by Cassandra, who was in charge of seating). Eugene takes the time to propose to Rapunzel, but due to her fears of being bound to live in the castle, Rapunzel rejects and leaves. Seeing the princess upset angers Cassandra, who glares at Eugene. She is Princess Rapunzel's best friend and the adopted daughter of the Captain of the Guards. She has a strong dislike for Eugene, but eventually warms up to him and is also a highly trained warrior.

In Season 2, she joins Rapunzel on her journey to follow the path of the Black Rocks, but as the season gradually progresses, their friendship becomes increasingly strained. She calls out Rapunzel for repeatedly doubting her judgment, and one instance of this causes her right hand to become severely disfigured and disabled, What seemingly breaks it is when Cassandra enters a room in the House of Yesterday's Tomorrow in one episode and is not seen again until she escapes at the end of the episode, following the house's destruction. When Rapunzel rushes up to her, she scowls at the Princess and flinches when she hugs her. The following episode hints at a change in her when Eugene receives a prophecy saying that one person in their group will betray Rapunzel at the Dark Kingdom. Cassandra flashes a sinister smile when Eugene looks at her. Although it seems that Eugene himself unwittingly fulfills this prophecy, Cassandra steals the Moonstone just as Rapunzel is about to take it. She bonds with its power, which changes her appearance and makes her the Moonstone's human vessel, the opposite of Rapunzel.

Powers and Abilities
Cassandra is a skilled swordswoman and fighter, having trained in the ways of the Corona Royal Guard since she was six years old. She is adept with many types of weapons, as shown through her collection of them in ''Before Ever After. She can handle her own in most fights, easily taking down Lance Strongbow, a world-renowned thief, as well as some of the Seven Kingdom's toughest fighters, as seen in Challenge of the Brave''. However, she is not unbeatable, as she is overwhelmed by warriors who have trained longer than she herself has been alive, such as Adira and King Edmund of the Dark Kingdom. Following her bonding with the Moonstone, she has most likely gained the life-draining abilities that it possesses, as shown through its power coursing through her hair.

Trivia

 * She has been training to join the Royal Guard since the age of six.
 * She is very similar to Varian, another one of Rapunzel's allies who turned against her. Like Varian, Cassandra started off as a close ally and friend to Rapunzel. Her journey to the Dark Kingdom, however, began to strain her relationship with the Princess, ultimately ending with her betrayal of her closest friend.
 * She is four years older than Rapunzel