TwilightSky15: I'm so super sorry this chapter is so late...as always This last semester was way more stressful then the last. I had to take more classes to be able to reach 12 credits to be considered a full-time student. I had the next math class up from the one I took last semester, Creative writing (Which only had 6 people in it), Modeling and Animation, Graphics and Animation, and Focus on Character Animation. I basically had a project every week that was due by Friday and they got more complicated and require more detail as the semester continued. I can't promise that this chapters will come out in a timely manner even in the summer because I will be helping my mom pack up the house for her (or maybe our if I go) move back to Texas.

Anyways enjoy the chapter (I tried to make it extra-long because of the wait) and remember I own NOTHING except for Alona.

Alona woke up early the next day with a yawn, she almost didn't recognize where she was until she remembered the events from the day prior and got up to get ready for the day before any students started showing up. She turned on the shower and stepped into the gilded claw foot tub and let the warn water run over her and soak her chestnut hair. She stayed under the water for a while, just relaxing and attempting to mentally prepare herself for the day before even washing herself. When she was ready Alona ran, her favorite rose scented shampoo through her hair and starting to wash her body.

Once she was finished she turned the water off and pulled the crimson and royal blue shower curtain back and wrung out her hair before wrapping herself in her towel and stepping out onto the bath mat. Alona quickly dried herself off and got dressed in her usual attire which consisted of a black short sleeved shirt with a white chain pattern crisscrossing it, dark blue jeans, a black zip up jacket with the inside of the hood and outside of the pockets along with sleeve cuffs dyed white and black running shoes with a white blooming swirl pattern on them. As much as he fathers somewhat disliked that she wore a lot of tee-shirts and jeans as she got older it was really the only thing she felt truly comfortable in when she went out exploring on her own. When she finished getting dressed She looked at herself in the full-length mirror on the wall next to her and couldn't help but study herself.

Alona hadn't changed much over the years since being adopted by her father other than being in much better condition than when he found her; her chestnut brown hair was soft and smooth as she ran a hand through it to get the tangles out of it, her clear dark brown eyes shone brightly as she brushed a lock of her hair out of her face before trailing over her body. Even after all this time it felt odd that she was at a normal weight compared to how skinny she used to be, she wasn't portly like her father but she wasn't underweight for someone her age either. Her light skin was clear except for a few light scars from her earlier days with that awful man. All in all

After she was done she went to her father's office for her last breakfast with him before she had to start eating with the students.

"So, how did you sleep last night?" Her father asked as he cut into his fluffy buttermilk pancakes with fresh apple and black berry compote.

Alona sighed lightly before digging into her vegetable quiche "I slept okay, I woke up a little confused though."

Her father chuckled at this, "I'm sure you'll get used to it soon, you will have to share a room with someone after all."

"Er…I guess…" Alona mumbled as she continued to eat.

Once breakfast was finished Milton stood up from his seat "The students will be arriving soon for their first day and I need to be ready to greet them. Are you ready?"

Alona wiped her mouth one last time and stood up from her chair before letting out a nervous shaky sigh "Y-Yeah…" As the morning wore on Alona watched as the halls filled up with students and generally tried to stay out of everyone's way and sight as best she could without attracting too much attention to herself. That didn't last long though after Apple White arrived and caused everyone to fawn over her excitedly; causing Alona to try to retreat even further into her locker as she possibly could. She watched as Apple walked over to Daring Charming and started talking to him before being approached by Blondie Locks who started talking about an interview or something. Alona had already decided that she was going to avoid the gossipy daughter of Goldie Locks at all cost if she could help it she didn't need or want any attention from something like a mirrorcast.

She had just finished watching Apple and Daring walk off arm in arm towards the Castleteria as the students in the hallway had gone back to their own business when one of the three little pigs announced that Raven Queen had arrived and caused every student to panic and flee, instantly clearing the hallways. Alona let out a long sigh of pure relief she didn't even know she had been holding as she slid down her locker and onto the floor once she though everyone was gone.

Or at least she thought everyone was gone until a pair of shadows suddenly loomed over her "Uh, hey are you alright?" a voice asked a bit hesitantly.

Alona immediately stiffened and looked up to see the daughters of both the Evil Queen and the Mad Hatter respectively looking down at her with slight worry.

"I-I'm fine…" she said so quietly Raven almost had to strain to hear her.

"Are you not afraid of me? You didn't run like all the other students." Raven asked.

Alona slowly stood up with her back still pressed against the wall "I t-thought I was alone…I just d-don't really like being around people…" She said quietly as she averted her eyes.

Just as Raven was about to respond, Maddie's watch went off "Yay!" the brightly colored girl cheered "Tea time!"

As she said this she pulled a small table and chair out of her hat, along with a complete tea set, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Maddie then proceeded to sit down and pour tea into three cups as she started talking what Alona assumed was her pet Dormouse. Raven giggled at her friends' antics and gave Alona a wave goodbye before she headed off to the Castleteria for lunch. Alona was just about to get up to go eat lunch herself when Maddie suddenly shoved a tea cup full of said hot liquid into her hands; leaving a bewildered Alona looking down at her reflection in the drink "W-What's this?" she asked quietly.

Maddie giggled "To calm your nerves silly! It is your first day after all!" Her Dormouse nodded in agreement.

"…Thank you…" Alona mumbled as she took a small sip, surprised at how good it tasted, quickly finishing it off as she stood up "I…I have to go…sorry." She added before she gave Maddie back her porcelain cup; scurrying off to the Castleteria as calmly as she could manage without giving away just how scared she truly was.

"Have a hatastic day!" Maddie called after her.

Alona only nodded without looking back and picked up the pace while wondering how Maddie knew about it being her first day.

After she got her food Alona shyly looked for a place to sit, silently hoping she could find a lone table with no one sitting at it, only to be disappointed to find the only available table was the one Raven was sitting at all alone and looking bored. She gave a small gulp as she slowly walked over to where the supposedly evil girl was sitting and attempted to clear her throat to get her attention, she had noticed it was a habit she had picked up from her father over the years, but just as she opened her mouth Daring Charming's younger brother Dexter came up to Raven and started talking to her. There was a sudden blinding flash from the other end of the room, causing everyone to look over and see that Apple and Daring had entered the Castleteria to the usual fanfare as they made their way over; prompting Alona to start backing away and attempt to blend in.

"I don't need to eat, I need to get out of her." She thought nervously as she tried not to be noticed.

"Raven! How's every enchanted thing?" Apple greeted as her and Daring got closer.

"Apple White, good to see you," Raven greeted back "Hey Daring."

"I uh have to warn you; don't stare at the teeth. Just got em whitened." Daring cautioned before looking away and smiling, unintentionally causing Alona to flinch at the blinding light.

It was then that the group of four noticed her "Hey, you're that girl I met in the hall earlier" Raven said with a friendly smile "I don't think I ever caught your name."

Alona felt like a deer caught in a flashlight, she wanted nothing more than to run into the Enchanted Forest right then as the four students awaited her answer. After a solid two minutes of slightly awkward silence she finally found her voice again "A-Alona Hikari" She said just loud enough for someone to barely catch it if they were listening closely enough.

Apple seemed rather interested in this "Hikari? I've never heard of a story with that kind of last name before."

"It's not a very well-known story." Alona blurted out quickly

"Well, I'd love to hear it sometime if you ever have time!" Apple exclaimed happily as the bell rang to signal that the lunch period was over "Oh, oh! There's the bell. Time for Good Kingdom Management. Raven what's your next class?"

Raven scanned her schedule until she found what she was looking for "Uh, History of Evil Spells."

"Oh, that is so perfect for you!" Apple gushed.

Alona didn't stick around to hear anything else as she dropped her tray onto a table and took off to her Science and Sorcery class.

"Great now I have to come up with a fake fairytale if she ever asks…" she thought with a heavy sigh as she walked into class.


That night Alona returned to her dorm room for the first time since she had left for breakfast with her father that morning. Pausing when she got to the door she knocked gently as a warming to her new roommate that she was coming in before taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm her nerves once she felt calm enough she opened the door and stepped inside. She got to the end of the hall and looked around the room in awe at how beautifully her roommate had decorated her own side of the room in reds, blacks, and red flannels. Looking towards the bed Alona saw a girl, who she assumed was Cerise, with long, dark brown hair that had several white streaks and her outfit consisting of dark colors along with a red cape with a hood. She was writing in a book until she looked up when she heard Alona approach.

"Oh, um hi. You must be my roommate Alona Hikari," the girl said as she closed the book and stood, trying to pull her hood down a bit more over her face as she got a bit closer.

Alona's heart pounded against her chest nervously as the girl inspected her with her slate gray eyes "Uh, y-yeah that's me…" Alona said softly "I-I'm guessing you're the daughter of Red Riding Hood?"

The girl seemed to be concentrating and taking a few deep breathes, similar to how a dog would when getting used to something, gaining a look of slight concern before she registered Alona's question and snapped out of it hastily nodding as she replied "Yes, I'm Cerise. I didn't recognize your last name when I first saw it, whose daughter are you?"

"I'm from a really obscure fairytale to be honest…" Alona mumbled

Cerise seemed like she didn't quite believe her but didn't push the subject any further "Are you alright?" She asked slowly "You seem like you're really nervous or scared."

"I-I'm just not a people person…" Alona admitted as she rubbed her arm and looked away "new people kind of scare me."

"Don't worry I won't bite." Cerise joked lightly

Alona finally looked her in the eyes and was relieved to see nothing but calm and friendliness reflected in them, her posture seemed to relax and she gave Cerise a small smile. With the awkward tension broken the two seemed to have an easier time getting to know one another.

…So why were you breathing weird when you first met me?" Alona asked a bit nervously after talking with Cerise for a while, as if she was afraid the question would anger or offended her new roommate.

"Oh, I uh have a cold." Cerise answered sheepishly

"It's okay, I understand."

Cerise smiled "thanks

Alona nodded "Well, I have some thronework to get done before tomorrow."

"Okay, I still have some last minute stuff I need to work on myself."

It wasn't long before their curfew hit and it was time for them to get ready for bed. Alona got up to change into her nightgown when she noticed Cerise gathering her own nightwear up and going to change in the bathroom, thinking it was odd but not being one to judge she quickly got changed behind her folding screen and was dumping her clothes into her hamper just as Cerise was coming back out.

"You even wear a hood to bed?" Alona blurted out before realizing what she had said and quickly covering her mouth "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry I didn't mean to sound rude!"

Cerise gave a small smile "It's okay, and yes I even wear one to bed. My mother made both my hoods for me so I never take them off."

"Well, that's understandable considering your story." Alona said with a small smile.

Cerise pulled her hood a bit tighter around her head and looked a bit sad "Er, yeah I guess you're right."

Alona frowned when she noticed and wondered if she had said something wrong; silently chastising herself for saying something rude. After they had both gotten into bed Alona turned off the light.

"Night." she said as she crawled back under her covers and hugged Mr. Midnight.

"Night." Cerise said back as she rolled over onto her side and quickly nodded off.

Alona lay in the dark and thought about how her day went and about Legacy Day Rehearsals the next day. Tomorrow was the day her secret came out and everyone would know she was the Headmasters daughter; this thought caused her earlier fears to resurface. What if everyone didn't trust her anymore or didn't want to be around her because they thought she was a snitch or something? She didn't want to have to tell anyone yet, not if it would cost her her opportunity to learn to trust people and have some real friends.


The next day as Alona hurried out to Legacy Day rehearsals after lunch, not wanting to be reprimanded for being late she quickly headed out to Legacy Stage and ran up the steps to join her classmates. Maddie waved her over to where her when she reached the top. Alona glanced at her father and locked eyes with him for a split second, a ghost of a smile appeared on his face before returning to his usual seriousness as she reached Maddie and Raven before Headmaster Grimm started speaking.

"Now that everyone is here we can finally get started. So, when your magical key appears" The Headmaster started, holding up an ornate golden key that Alona recognized as the key to a chest in his office where he kept all his unicorn stuff. She bit her lip to keep from laughing as he continued "you insert it, gently, into the Storybook of Legends then stand, shoulders back, and declare your destiny to the world! Have I made myself clear?" He asked after he had finished.

Raven held up a hand "Headmaster Grimm, but what if- "

"No questions? Good." Headmaster Grimm said, cutting her off as if she hadn't said anything.

Alona, who had moved back so she was hiding a bit more in the back, frowned at her father's response to Raven's question. Why wouldn't he answer her?

"Now, we're going to practice with this tiny manual of entirely reasonable school rules." He continued as the sons of the three little pigs carried a huge book up the steps and tossed it onto the podium. Alona made a face when she saw it because it reminded her of when her father had her read it over an entire summer so she would be prepared for taking on her new role as Headmaster someday. The smallest of the three pigs leaned against the podium trying to act cool until the Headmaster cleared his throat and raised a disapproving brow at him, causing the young pig to scurry after his brothers.

Once he was gone Headmaster Grimm turned back to the students "Who will go first?" He asked.

Apple raised her hand excitedly and practically started jumping up and down "Oh! Me! Me! Me! Oh, Oh, Oh!" she exclaimed as she walked forward and took the key from Headmaster Grimm who relinquished it to her "Right this way, my future queen." He said with a smile and a slight bow; causing Alona to roll her eyes and shake her head slightly. Even she had to admit that sometimes her father could be a bit of a suck up when it came to the students of royal descent and their parents.

Apple stepped up to the podium and held the key "I am Apple White and I pledge to follow my destiny as the next Snow White." She recited happily before turning and walking back to the group of students and handing the key back.

"Perfect" Headmaster Grimm beamed

"I know" Apple said proudly as she handed the key back to him before joining the other students.

Alona watched as different students went up to practice reciting their pledge before walking back to join the group, as it got closer for her turn to go she quietly hid herself in the back of the crowed to try and hide. She would have to reveal herself as the headmaster's daughter soon and she would be exposed as a liar in front of everyone. She gulped as she watched Raven Queen go before her.

"My name is Raven Queen and I pledge to follow my destiny as" She hesitated before speaking again" …um, I have a question."

"What is it?" Headmaster Grimm asked in annoyance.

"I was just wondering, I mean, what if I don't want to take the pledge?" Raven asked hesitantly.

Everyone present gasped in shock at what the young Evil Queen had said.

Apples mouth hung open in shock until Daring closed it. Apple snapped out of her stunned stupor and started panicking "She has to do it! I mean, if she never poisons me then I'll never fall asleep and I'll never get kissed by my prince and I'll never become queen and I'll never have my Happily Ever After!"

Alona sighed when she saw the look on her father's face, she knew exactly where this was going.

The headmaster sighed and turned back to Raven "Now Raven, erase that dangerous idea from your head."

"What? It's just a question." Raven said with a slight shrug

"And here's your answer," Grimm said as he approached her "if you don't pledge your destiny your story ceases to exist."

"Ceases to exist?" Raven parroted with slight fear "So then what happens to me?"

Headmaster Grimm pointed a finger at her "You will cease to exist. Poof."

Raven flinched at this.

"Now Raven, continue." He prompted.

"But Mr. Grimm- "Raven started to protest

Grimm cut her off again before she could speak "Poof! Poof!"

Alona saw Raven glance past him and look at Apple before seeming to make a decision "I have to go." And with that she ran off before anyone could stop her, leaving everyone there in confusion and fear. Alona took this opportunity to leave by taking the emergency stone steps carved into the back of the stage and slipping back into the school unnoticed; intent on following Raven wherever she was going before she saw her run into the enchanted forest. The sun was slowly sinking behind the mountain by the time Alona finally found her sitting on a log in a clearing.

"Raven! There you are!" Alona called out as she ran up to her "I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Raven was surprised "Alona? What are you doing here?"

Alona sat down on the farthest end of the log "I got a little worried after what my father said to you." She admitted

Raven looked at her in shock "You're Headmaster Grimm's daughter!?"

Alona covered her mouth in shock when she realized what she said "I-I…"

Raven sighed sadly "I'm guessing you came here to tell me I need to follow my Destiny so I don't disappear?" She asked

"No actually, I came to see if you were alright. Just because he's my dad doesn't mean I agree with him," Alona replied with distaste "My destiny is to become the next Grimm even though I don't want to. My father's been trying to 'get me ready' since I started High School last year."

"Why did you lie to Apple I the Castleteria yesterday?"

Alona rubbed the back of her head sheepishly "I didn't want anyone to know I was the Headmasters daughter because I thought everyone would think I was a snitch or wouldn't trust me," She gave a heavy sigh "I-It's hard enough for me to make friends as it is…"

"I understand, it's just like how everyone is afraid of me because of who my mom is." Raven said before remembering something "Hey, can I ask you something?"

Alona nodded "Sure."

"Why are you so afraid of people?" Raven asked softly

Alona hesitated "If I tell you, can you keep it a secret? I just don't feel comfortable with other people knowing, at least not yet."

Raven smiled "Of course, you can trust me."

Alona gave a timid smile back before taking a deep breath "I-I was abused when I was really little," She started before she saw a mix of horror and anger on Ravens face "Not by Headmaster Grimm!" She reassured her quickly "you see, I'm actually adopted. I lived somewhere else with my real parents or a least I did until I was three…" She squeezed her eyes shut as the memories came flooding back.

"You don't have to continue if it's too painful." Raven told her with a look of sympathy

Alona shook her head "I'm okay. It's always going to be hard talking about it no matter who I tell…" she took a deep breath before continuing "anyways, when I was three a man broke into our house and killed both my parents over money before knocking me out before taking me. Next thing I knew we were in his cabin in the Enchanted Forest. I lived with him and his girlfriend until I was five and I was able to run away, not long after that I met my father and he's taken care of me ever since. I'm still scared of people because of everything those two did to me so it's hard for me to make friends and meet new people…"

"So that's why you were so afraid of me yesterday," Raven said quietly "you weren't afraid of who I was you were just afraid of me."

Alona looked away and rubbed her arm "I don't care who anyone's parents are…I just can't trust anyone…"

"You can trust me," Raven offered "we can be friends if you want."

Alona looked over in surprise before looking downcast "You wouldn't want to be friends with me…I'm worthless."

"I don't think your worthless." Raven offered kindly "from what I've seen you seem like a good person."

Alona perked up "You really think so?

Raven nodded "I know so.

Alona smiled "Thanks." She got up off the log and stretched "Well, I'm gonna head back, you coming?"

Raven smiled "Thanks but I think I'll stay out here a bit longer." She replied as a raven perched next to her on the log.

"Okay, see you at dinner." Alona smiled as she started walking towards the school.

"See you!" Raven called back

Alona was deep in thought as she walked back, did she really just make her first real friend? She couldn't help but laugh a little and shake her head as she thought of all the stories her father had told her about the students and who to avoid. Raven had been at the top of the list of who to avoid just because of who her mother was and who she was going to become, but after meeting her for herself Alona could hardly believe she had been worried at all.

As Alona got closer to the school she looked up at the late afternoon sky and smiled maybe this year wouldn't be so bad after all.

TwilightSky15: Well there you have it. I tried my best to make this chapter longer to make up for the long absence so I hope you enjoyed it.