No More Once Upon A Time

Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Summary: Desperate to escape her destiny, a young, rebellious princess flees her home land, for a new life, unaware that she's fled over the rainbow... Written 2013. Found: September 2017.- Licia

She was tired of being told that she needed to be evil, that it was her "destiny."

She had never believed in destiny the way the others at Ever After High had. And, if she were truly honest with herself, she hated how destiny was taken so seriously in Bookend. Especially in regards to Legacy Day. She wanted a new place, a new life, a chance to write her own destiny.

But she would never get that chance as long as she remained in Bookend, at Ever After High.

Lightning split the sky, and after a moment, she slowly climbed out of bed, being careful not to wake Apple. The perky blonde was the last one she wanted knowing about what she was about to do. She quickly slipped into a pair of black ballet flats, pulled on her coat and then grabbed her knapsack; only her most precious possessions went into it- her journal, a sapphire necklace her father had given her before her first year at EAH, as well as a few other trinkets of sentimental value. The last thing she grabbed was a small, green glass bottle that had belonged to her mother. She gently traced the design on the glass, before slipping it into the bag and slinging it over her shoulder. She opened the door as quietly as she could, turning back as lightning briefly lit the room up, and her gaze fell on her sleeping roommate.

"I'm sorry, Apple. But I can't find my true destiny if I stay here. Goodbye." Then, with one last look about the dorm, she slipped out the door and shut it softly behind her.

Her feet led her to Maddie's room, and she quickly slipped a folded sheet of paper into the keyhole, silently wishing her best friend in the world one final goodbye before leaving. She then moved out to the stables, in search of her beloved little dragon-

"There you are, Nevermore." The little purple dragon chirped as she knelt down beside it and hugged her close. "I'm so sorry, Nevermore, but I can't take you with me. I wish I could, but I don't know where I'm going, or even if wherever I end up is a good place for dragons." The dragon's big dark eyes widened and welled with tears. "I could end up somewhere where dragons don't exist and lose you forever." She kissed the dragon's feathery head, and sniffled. Of all those she was leaving behind, this was the most painful. She loved Nevermore, and couldn't imagine her life without her scaly little companion. "I'm going to miss you most of all."

Nevermore, sensing the pain her mistress was in, curled close, nudging against her, the meaning clear. I don't want you to go. Let me come.

"I can't, Nevermore. Believe me, I wish I could." She sniffled, and quickly wiped away her tears before climbing to her feet. She picked up her knapsack and slung it over her shoulder. "I love you, Nevermore. I promise, I'll never forget you."

As she finally made her way through Bookend, she took a deep breath, trying to figure out where exactly she was going to go. If she could somehow find her way to Wonderland...

No. I love Maddie, and Lizzie and Kitty are wonderful, but I don't think I'd be able to stand living in Wonderland. There has to be some place else that I can go, that I can escape to.

She didn't know of any other magical worlds besides Wonderland and Ever After. She'd never been anywhere else. But she was willing to find a new world, even if it meant many days walking, as long as it carried her far, far away from Ever After High and those who were determined to force her to follow her destiny. It was evident that Headmaster Grimm wasn't going to allow her to even consider writing her own destiny, especially after he'd told her that if she didn't sign the Storybook of Legends that her story would cease to exist and she would vanish into thin air.

Once she reached the road at the edge of town, she took one last look at the town that had been her home for the last year or so. She knew that if she left, she would never see her father again, or her mother- while she loved her mother, that would be a good thing. But she was also leaving all her friends behind, and Nevermore.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and took the first step over the rainbow and towards her destiny.