Raven Queen didn't like being evil; she didn't want to be like her mother. But everyone else expected it from her, even sweet as sugar Apple wanted her to be evil. Even if it was more for Apple's benefit. Raven did her best to try to show everyone she was a good person. However, she already had one person convinced; his name was Dexter Charming. The young Prince Charming in training had been smitten by her from day one of school. But without any of the confidence of his brother Daring, he could never approach Raven to ask her out. But he did his best to help show people who she really was. One day, Dexter saw Raven at her locker. She looked a bit down.

"Hey Raven, why so gloomy?"

"Hi Dex. Today has just not been my day. The alarm on my phone didn't go off causing me to be late and that doesn't sit well with Madam Yaga so I got double work and the heel on my boot broke; thankfully Ashlynn had an extra pair for me. And my spell in Evil Magic backfired and trashed the classroom. Ugh, I wish this day would be over!"

Then Dexter got an idea.

"Hey, how about we get some ice cream after school. My treat."

"Really? You sure?"

"Yeah; I figured you could use some cheering up," he said nervously and blushing quite hard. He hoped Raven wouldn't notice his blushing but she did and she didn't want to embarrass him further.

"Thank you Dex, I would love that."

"Great," he said with a little more enthusiasm than he would have liked. "I mean, hexcellent. I'll meet you at the front gate after school."

With a skip in his step, he headed for his next class. But a dark shadow was watching them.

"So, he fancies her then. And she seems to enjoy his company. What a pair they would make; pity he's too good for her. Perhaps I should bring him down to her level."

An evil smile formed in the shadows as its plan formed into action. After school, Dexter and Raven headed for the Hansel and Gretel's Candy and Ice Cream Shop. Dexter just got a regular vanilla cone while Raven got a death by chocolate sundae.

"Thank you so much Dex. I really needed this," said Raven as she devoured her ice cream.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. You know, I hope I'm not being to froward about this but, um."

"What is it?"

"I, uh."

"Dex?"

"I, promised Daring I'd spar with him later! I'm sorry, gotta go!"

"Wait! Dex," said Raven as he dashed out the door. He ran to a nearby alley. Kicking himself for what he did.

"Why did I lose my nerve like that?! Why is it so hard to just ask her for a date?! I'm pathetic. Daring wouldn't have this much trouble."

"So you wish to ask her out then," said a voice. Dexter's instincts kicked in and readied himself to fight. He was a good fighter despite his meek appearance but he didn't like to fight if he had a choice.

"Show yourself!"
"Easy there Dexter. I'm not here to fight but to help," an older woman appeared before him. She was dressed similarly to Madam Yaga.

"I admire you Dexter Charming. While most Prince Charming's go for the Princess, you have set your sights on a Queen. A very bold goal."

"I don't think 'bold' is a word that I would use to describe myself."

"Perhaps you are wrong. Perhaps you have it in you to be great. To be even better than you are now. Even, dare I say, better than your brother."

Dexter's eyes shot wide open. How did she know that he secretly envied Daring?

"How do you plan to help me?"

"Simple; take this potion and it will give you the boost of confidence you need to sweep your Queen off her feet. And might even show up Daring for once."

She handed Dexter the vial and then disappeared. He stared at it for a while. Part of him wanted to drink it right away and the other part was saying don't do it. Then, his thoughts turned to Raven and his desire to be better than Daring. It grew stronger the longer he stared at the vial. Then, without even thinking, he opened the bottle and drank it. The taste was bitter and salty and left a horrible aftertaste. He figured he'd rinse his mouth out twice before bed tonight. Later that night, Raven was in her dorm room with Apple, telling her what happened between her and Dexter.

"Wow, I can't believe he actually did that," said Apple brushing her hair.

"Yeah, and I wanted to know what he was going to say. Guess I'll never find out."

"Raven, you do know he likes you a lot?"

"Well, I get the feeling he does. Call me old fashioned but, I wish he would just tell me."

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

"You do?"

"Yeah. I sort of have a crush on someone else, too," said Apple as she blushed.

"Who?"

"Humphrey."

"Humphrey?! Really?! But I thought you and Daring were..."

"Well, most everyone pairs me with Daring. Don't get me wrong, he's the perfect Prince Charming. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if it was Humphrey instead."

"Well, if you like Humphrey, why not just go after him?"

"But everyone expects me and Daring..."

"But what about your heart and your feelings. Doesn't that matter?"

"Hey, I thought I was supposed to give you love advice?"

"I think we'd better leave that to Cupid. Well, I think I'll go to bed. Night."

"Good night," said Apple as she turned the light off.

Meanwhile, Dexter was rinsing his mouth out for the seventh time. He could still taste that awful potion.

"Bro, you've been in there longer than I am when fixing my hair. I need to get in there," cried Daring from the other side of the door.

"Just give me a second ok!"

Daring was surprised to hear his brother speak to him in that kind of voice. He never heard Dexter sound that angry before. A minute later, Dexter walked out.

"Geez bro, what troll lives under your bridge?"

Dexter just glared at him and went over to his bed. As he laid there, a sense of guilt came over him.

"What is wrong with me? Why did I snap at Daring like that?"

"Hey bro? You ok," Daring asked with concern.

"Yeah. Sorry about earlier. I'm just mad at myself for being stupid about Raven and I took it out on you."

"You still haven't told her how you felt?"

"No. I don't understand. Every time I'm around her I just..."

"Lose your head?"

"Yeah. How would you know?"

"I'm kind of in the same boat," Daring started to blush.

"With who?"

"Cerise."

"Really? I thought you and Apple were a thing?"

"That's just what our story is saying. Ever since Raven decided to write her destiny. I kinda would like to do the same. But don't tell Apple; she's already got enough to worry about trying to get Raven to sign the book."

"Well, I think you owe it to Apple and Cerise to be honest with them."

"I should say the same to you about Raven."

"Yeah, if I can ever get the courage to do so."

"Hey, we're Charming's and we always get the girl we go for."

"No, that's just you," Dex said under his breath.

"Well, time to hit the hay. Good night Dex."

"Night Dare."

Later that night, Dexter began to have a strange dream. He was standing in a dark room with a purple fog surrounding him.

"What is this place?"

"This is the most inner part of your soul," said a voice that sound a little like Dexter.

"Are you me?"

"In a sense. I represent your inner most feelings. Your deepest desires. Whatever your heart wishes. I feel them and share them with you. If you let me."

"If I let you?"

"Part of me is bound by your logic and reasoning. If you release me, you can obtain what you have always longed for. Or in this case, who."

"What?"

"You desire a certain queen's heart. I can help you capture it. Let me take over and you will have everything."

Dexter wasn't sure; his offer was tempting but in the back of his mind it didn't feel quite right. His other self had sensed this and decided to dangle a carrot in front of him. A Raven materialized in front of him.

"Raven?"

"Hey Dex. I know how much you like me. And I want you to know that I feel the same way."

"R-really?"

"Yes. But I want you to prove it to me. Prove how much you like me. Kiss me."

"What?!"

"Please Dex, don't make me wait any longer."

Dexter walked over to her slowly, trying to gather up his courage. He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned in to her face. His lips chastely touched hers. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, he pulled her in closer. Something had awakened and all the desire he kept hidden within him surged through his body. The Raven in front of him turned into vapor and flowed into Dexter's mouth. He didn't understand, why was it painful? It hurt so much. Everything went dark after that. Back in the real world, Dexter had been tossing and turning in his bed. When he finally stopped, an evil grin formed on his face.