Chapter Seven
They found nothing. Apple didn't know what to think. On one hand, Ashlynn had always been one of her friends, was still her friend, and she was suffering because Apple had tried to help her. But Apple knew, in the end, as she sleepily stumbled out of the library at six in the morning, that she had done the right thing. It wasn't like any of them had an easy path. It was a simple fact that unlike other princess, princess' with stories did not lead normal lives. Most of them would at some point get their hands dirty. Unlike Briar who soaked and treated her skin, especially her hands, Apple had never bothered, not with all she did to help around the kingdom and her destiny of cleaning up after the dwarves. Though at least she did not have sword calluses like her mother.
Ashlynn would be alright. Angel was supposedly the Poison Village, she would make sure she got out soon. Well, or at least did not come to harm. It was just hard to believe that someone she still counted as a close friend was actually a fraud. Now Apple actually felt good about making a deal with Angel. Not that the revelation didn't hurt, but if Ashlynn wasn't really Cinderella, than she shouldn't be in that story, and if she had cast the spell that made them all think she was Cinderella she deserved to be sent to the Poison Village. Still, Apple would miss her friend, perhaps she would write to Angel to at least send messages to her old friend if Angel couldn't help get the poor confused girl help.
"Apple, you alright?" asked Daring. Apple tried to hide her shock and simply allowed herself to fall back into his grip a little. By letting Daring support her, she wasn't just giving herself a break, but letting Daring also be the strong prince he had always meant to be. Then her prince grunted in what only could have been pain.
Apple instantly turned around to get a good look at her Daring. She scanned over him carefully, hands lightly ghosting over his body.
"What happened Daring?" asked Apple. "Did you pull something."
Daring gasped as Apple's hands ghosted over his body. The prince gasped again as she pushed a little harder at his ribs.
"I was trying to save Ashlynn from those thugs," said Daring, looking to where he had been hurt. "They were very powerful."
Apple felt her entire body stiffen in righteous anger. How dare those brutes hurt her Daring. She opened her mouth, then let out a breath. She had to be diplomatic about this. If she just yelled or scolded Daring then he would pull his old "I'm so handsome and I don't need help" thing. And that would help no one in the end. So Apple thought and then smiled. Daring might be self-centered, but he loved his family above all, well, that and damsels in distress.
"You know, it seemed like Dexter had been hurt when everything went wrong," said Apple, trying her best to look innocent. "But he spent the entire night working with us. You don't know if he went to the nurse first do you know?"
Daring shook his head. His expression fierce. "He shouldn't do that. He's much more fragile than me."
"Well then, maybe we should try to get him to the nurse then. Maybe I can sweet talk him," she said, trying to push him in the right direction.
"Yes, let's go get him. He needs to see the nurse. He isn't tough enough too..." Apple watched her prince's face. She had meant to shock him into going to the nurse himself, but now she realized that Daring was even more worried then she thought he would be. They walked through the stacks until they came to where Dexter was falling to sleep over his book. Daring actually appeared to awkwardly manhandle his brother up, his words obviously harsh but his touch both insistent to get his brother up and going. Dexter looked annoyed at the treatment and Apple could see him angrily talking to his brother under his breath.
She followed the two out. Daring was practically dragging his brother, though when Dexter made a noise that made it sound as if he had been hurt, Daring let go of his brother slightly, and made a move as if to brush his hair, or some other trick he often used on princesses to soothe their fraying nerves. Before Daring caught himself, making an almost exasperated sound before continuing to lead them toward the nurse's office.
Apple followed afterwards, ready to intervene between what was obviously a touchy situation between the two. She wanted to be a good, not quite girlfriend, but well, if something went wrong and Daring needed her to intervene or soothe or anything, she was close by.
Plus, she had to make sure Daring himself got treatment didn't she?
They entered the medical ward. Apple looked around it. At home she was used to the Old Nurse, or whatever her story was, bustling around and tsking at Snow White's potions. Nurse, as she liked to be called, was a firm believer in the stories. So even though Snow White was no longer the princess who needed a kiss or a queen struggling to save her kingdom but remain pure. Nanny still expected her to act like it.
This healing room, or whatever, was run by a centaur. Very knowledgeable, but not only was he wicked, but also had what looked like a jungle growing around beds and medicine. The centaur as always, immediately yelled something that had something to do with beds and they all moved to find a bed not occupied by someone who was passed out on the bed or holding onto some body part and whining.
Apple twisted her fingers together as they led Dexter further down into the jungle of the healing room. Her feet, unfortunately, did not want to agree with Apple's worrying side and wanted to walk her right back out the door. Because she couldn't see the door and this place was giving her the willies.
"Really, whenever Briar throws her parties, the Headmaster should let me bring in at least a few other centaurs to help me," said Chiron. From the waist up he was a rugged looking man with tan skin, huge muscles, tons of hair, and no clothes. From the waist down he was a giant white horse that looked like one kick could smash your brains in. Why such a creature was allowed on school grounds as a nurse of all things mystified Apple.
"They would have to cut your pay because the other centaurs would be here so often," Daring pointed out. Then tried to, more playfully than seriously, to push the centaur away. This never worked. Chiron was impossible to move. "I'm not the one who needs to be looked after."
"Sure you don't big guy," said the centaur. "But I'd rather deal with whatever small problems you're having. Than the headache I'm going to put myself again after I look after your brother and have to lecture you both again."
Apple actually covered her mouth to mask a gasp at that. She hadn't known that Dexter ended up in the hospital room that often. He didn't do any contact sports. He was a king for queen who would probably do most of the ruling or at least make all the hard decisions. So what could he have done to end up so often in need of healing?
"Looks like you got into a fight instead," said Chiron and then he shook his head. "I suppose I shouldn't ask if Dexter was in on this again. The Book Ball game all over again."
"I got him off the team last year," Daring said with a snap and the two Charming's then shared a glare.
The centaur made out a noise of derision before glaring at Dexter until the younger prince sat on the bed. A layer of hanging vines twisted their way in Apples face. She reached forward but stopped when she swore the things hissed at her. She took a step back to look at the situation. The entire bed was covered in the vines. Apple gasped. Did Chiron really think that Dexter would need protection of the vines for his modesty? Did that make any sense at all? Dexter hadn't been hit that hard had he?
What if there was something she didn't know? Apple felt a bead of sweat forming and her entire body tremble. How had she missed so much over the years? What kind of queen was she going to be? She hadn't realized Raven was wavering in her destiny until this year. She had allowed a girl claiming to be Cinderella's daughter to become her friend when she knew about Cinderella's inability to have children. Why hadn't Apple questioned that more when Ashlynn came into her life? When had Ashlynn come in? She couldn't even remember anymore.
Now Apple was realized that she didn't know what was wrong Dexter. She made a deal with an evil character.
The future queen's head was filled with so many thoughts that breath seemed to be hard to catch as her knees started to buckle and the earth started to spin. A warm body cuddled Apple close to his firm body. Apple looked up and blushed, as Daring flashed his winning smile. She hoped that her dramatics were helping her almost boyfriend cope and not distracting him from important matters.
"Alright," said Chiron, his vines disappearing as he snapped off his gloves and gave a long sigh. Apple looked over to Dexter and bit back shock at how angry he looked. His glare so sharp it could cut diamond and for some reason it was directed at Daring. "I have no idea how your brother did it Daring, but somehow he got enough to clot his blood through the night. Now I'm going to be holding him for the day to detox."
The centaur frowned over at Dexter, and Dexter's glare became more of an angry pout before he huffed and threw himself on the bed so he was facing away from them.
"Hopefully by tomorrow I'll have flushed out all the magic, but until then my nymphs are going to search for his source," said Ciron. Then he glared at Daring. "Right now you should start getting ready to spend every minute of the day with your brother. Or, if classes don't allow, than getting a minder for him."
"That idiot," said Daring harshly. He then seemed to remember Apple. He smiled at his future princess and took her hand in his. "Come Apple, let's go. I'm sure that you have more interesting plans on this day."
Apple smiled sweetly at him and took Daring's arm. He led her out, but she was able to convince him to go off on his own to start looking for whatever stash his brother had. Apple frowned a little as she watched him go. She wished she could be of more help, but it was clear that Daring wouldn't do anything more for his brother with Apple by his side. His family secrets hidden even from Apple. Which Apple understood. The many children lost to a witches curse that drove her mother to basically ignore her only daughter she had been able to have and had then go on to not be a kind and giving queen, but a warrior one instead. Which kept them safe after the chaos caused by Raven's mother, but now a days was over the top and rather jarring.
Apple sighed and shook her head. What was going on lately? First Raven spear heads the Rebels and threatens the very fabric of their lives. Then it turns out that not only is Ashlynn Rebel, but she tricked them into thinking that she was the daughter of Cinderella until the Headmaster had broken the spell without even realizing what he had been doing.
With a sigh, the future queen draped herself on the windowsill. Her friends all looked irritated and tired. Those of them, Ashlynn's close friends were confused and scared by the magic that had been used on them, had researched that sort of magic all night. The only one who got any sleep was Briar. Right now the future Sleep Beauty was looking over Hopper's notes. The future frog prince was already in his frog form, but even small and green Ashlynn could still see bags under his eyes even as he tried to cozy up to Briar. Finally the partying princess stood and Hopper had to quickly jump away or be squashed by the angry princess.
"Briar, you okay?" asked Apple softly as her best friend passed close to her. Briar paused for a moment, Apple just watched her. She had kept her voice soft enough that if Briar wanted to she could pretend she hadn't heard Apple and continue on to wherever she had been heading.
"No," said Briar softly and then she sighed, body collapsing stiffly to the bench Apple was sitting on. Her body was practically shaking. "It isn't right. It doesn't feel right."
"You weren't the only one," said Apple. She winced in pain as her nails started to dig into her other hand. She took a deep breath in and looked at the sky. "I don't even remember all those times that convinced me we had grown up together. I mean, I know I believed we had learned to talk to animals together, but then I learned the truth and it all fell apart."
"That's not what I meant," said Briar with a sigh. Apple looked over at her but Briar just huffed and shook her head. After a moment she laughed a little. "It's a pretty wild year isn't it?"
"If you want to call it that," said Apple with sigh.
"So, I heard you left with the Charming boys this morning," said Briar, her tone light and her smile teasing. Apple let her own queenly smile grace her lips.
"Yes, Dexter is in well... family trouble I suppose," said Apple, and cursed herself. In her haste to go along with Briar and start gossiping on lighter subjects, she had almost let slip on of Daring's family secrets. Her father was right, she still had training and practice before she was ready to take on more serious affairs of the kingdom.
Then Apple noticed Briars scandalized reactions that quickly morphed into one of interest. Apple thought back to what she had said and realized that her wording had been very poor.
"No, not that sort. It's nothing so..." then Apple started giggling with Briar.
"Could you imagine? Poor Dexter, I could almost believe he was so desperate," said Briar. "That poor boy just can't get out of his brother's shadow."
"That isn't fair," said Apple. Dexter wasn't the most dashing prince, but not all princes needed to be dashing.
"Life isn't fair," sang Briar, smiling at her friend and Apple shook her head. Apple yawned. "You didn't get any sleep did you?"
"No," said Apple. Briar frowned, but Apple held up her hand. "I need to stay on my sleep schedule."
"Then wake up at noon like normal a student," said Briar while rolling her eyes. She stood up and reached for Apple. The future queen smiled gently and held up her hand. Briar gripped her wrist hard and dragged Apple so she was standing next to her friend. With a smile, Apple allowed herself to be dragged along. She let out an exasperated sigh as Briar ignored Hopper who had turned back into a human and was trying to get Briar's attention, though he changed into a frog quickly when he became flustered that Briar wasn't listening to him anymore. Apple sighed. At least Briar wasn't insulting him over what he was anymore.
Briar chatted something completely unimportant as we headed to my room. She dropped me off, snickering as we entered to hear Raven's snoring. The future evil queen had started the night, sure that something had gone wrong and Ashlynn was who she said she was. After all, Ashlynn had seemed to be the only really and truly good character beside arguably Hunter, who had been dating her.
The questions about what Apple knew hadn't stared until after midnight, when they all had hit a slump, a sort of despair that infected the whole group. It was just so sudden, and after all the upset that year this just added fuel to the fire. Apple sat on her bed she didn't really want to sleep. Last night and this morning had her head spinning to fast. First the rebels, now someone who yesterday when the spell ended for them all, everything had gone wrong. This was supposed to be the best year ever and they got ready to live out their stories. Not their stories were all in jeopardy.
Why? Raven had a point with why had Ashlynn pretended to be the daughter of Cinderella and then turn on them and become a Rebel? Why try to intrude on a story that wasn't yours, only to later back out of it? Had it been because Ashlynn had fallen in love with Hunter only this year and she had been so ingrained in her role as "Cinderella's daughter" that she hadn't known how to become her own person and meet Hunter again that way.
Apple sighed and closed her eyes, hands folded over her chest, letting her eyes close. It would be okay, maybe Angel had done something. Maybe to start things she had broken Ashlynn's spell on the so they could really get to the real stories. Apple should have known that things would get worse before it got better. Angel was a villain character, it was in her nature to cause pain as well as keeping to her promise.
Before long, Apple had fallen asleep, waking up when Raven cursed as she stubbed her toe as she sleepwalked to get ready for lunch. Apple unclasped her hands and stretched with a yawn. Everything would be okay. Stories were hard. They had happily ever afters, but first the main characters had to go through the adventure. This was just part of the adventure.
Still, the weekend was being dragged along kicking and screaming, with whispers and rumors that got out of control. The Headmaster tried to reassure everyone, but Apple only heard every other word with everyone talking over the speakers. Apple also had to help Daring with Dexter along with her other duties that kept her moving and supporting her subjects all day. Dexter went from a background brother who was slightly nerdy, to the younger, in withdrawal brother.
the entire situation was rather surreal. It wasn't that Apple hadn't seen characters going through withdrawal before. It's just, they had been in care and never of the noble family before. It certainly hadn't been anyone she had personally known before she'd known about their addiction. It was worse because she didn't actually know what the situation was. Just that Dexter had been hurt and that the centaur found out that he had been overdoing some sort of medication he had to take.
Then the week went on, just as slow as ever.
Apple wanted to tear her out her hair. Time just seemed to slowly meander, everyone tense as they waited for the next shoe to drop, but nothing did. You just had a jumble of characters who were spreading rumors and bad feelings that made everyone ready to make something happen.
And then the rumors started in earnest. Apple went to find out what had happened, who had snapped when she saw Daring storm past her, not even noticing when she tried to get his attention. She reached out, but he didn't even say anything, just glared at nothing.
"I can't believe this," whispered Blondie, reaching for her imirror so she could document what was happening. Apple tried to push her way through, but everyone was gathered at the windows jostling to see through. Finally she took a step bak and cleared her throat. That did the trick, she could get any boys and many girls attention with just clearing her throat and she grabbed Blondie's hand to make sure the other girl got to broadcast whatever was happening. It was obviously something that everyone had to see.
When she got to the window, her eyes were first drawn to the carriage that was in the path. A dark twisted thing that appeared to be pulled by rugged looking dogs as big as horses, sharp teeth, and what looked like blood dripping from the jaws.
"Is he really letting that maniac stay?" whispered one of the students. Apple gaze then was drawn to the Headmaster, and she found herself having to consciously let go of Blondie or hurt her friend. There, with the Headmaster, signing a contract in blood, was Ashlynn.
She wasn't dressed like she had been when she was thrown out. Instead she was in rags, her hair dirty and pulled back into a tight bun hidden under a headscarf. Her mouth was drawn into a frown and she absently put her finger in her mouth to suck the blood there. Apple could hear several gasps mixed with her own as she realized that the Headmaster had Ashlynn sign in blood, something for those who had evil paths or got a job at the school despite coming from the darker side of stories.
There were two other people were with her. They were also dressed in rags, and both wore their clothing as if to dare people to try and find them attractive. It was clothing that looked nice in theory Apple supposed, but it was put together with clashing color, gaudy choices that contradicted one another, and one apparently had decided to be splotchy with her makeup, making her face white as a ghost and her lips sticky red white while her hair appeared to be streaked in greasy glitter gel. The other was over done in what could better be called face paint, with foundation that was cheap and eyeliner that seemed to shine, and eyelashes at least an inch long.
Then they were ushered away from the door, but not into the building.
This was... Apple didn't even know what to think about this. The whole situation hadn't even died down enough for everyone to start talking about something else. Now, they were letting Ashlynn back, after everything she had done.
No, there was probably a reason for this. There had to be. The Headmaster was keeping Ashlynn close for security reasons. No, that was why she had been sent to the Poison Village. That sort of ability was dangerous to the extreme, the spells and wards put around the Poison Village to contain the sheer amount of evil that would infect the rest of everywhere if it got out of that place.
But the Headmaster had said something about the spell affecting him but not affecting him, the whole thing had been a little weird, but maybe he decided that he needed Ashlynn close to figure out what is really happening.
"Apple!" someone called, Apple shook her head. She had automatically started to direct and try to calm her subjects while her mind was elsewhere. Apple took a deep breath. If her mother and father taught her anything, it was that the subjects under you were the most important thing. Before she started trying to figure out what was happening, first she had to calm the entire room down.
Hours later Apple finally had worked out a plan with the Three Little Pigs that would let the general public get their daily dose of gossip about what Ashlynn was doing and who were those two girls that she came with and if anything evil or well odd was going on. This also meant that no one else was supposed to interfere or they might mess up the three pigs. Since the Three Pigs had Apple's backing, that meant most characters would not only know better than to try and spy, and anyone stupid enough to try would be stopped in favor of Ashylnn's chosen.
Now, it was late, Apple was exhausted, but she was also determined. A queen never really slept, and neither did she. After a day of turmoil she was heading back to her dorm intent on changing and getting herself primped up for the impromptu party that Briar was throwing for the three little pigs new position, or at least that was her excuse. She even got the Ginger Breadman to sign permission to do a quick setup for a dance and even some teachers to chaperone, which was completely unheard of, but maybe the students just felt the need for more protection after someone as dangerous as Ashlynn who despite signing a contract and every protection put on the castle to stop those sort of spells had been able to fool them all.
Apple sighed and slipped off her gloves, somehow she had gotten marker all over her white gloves and she could only hope that the cleaning staff would be able to work out the stains.
"Well, you're a hard one to get alone." The voice startled Apple, she turned around to see one of the gaudy girls who had come in with Ashlynn. Her dress really was atrocious, and she looked rather ridiculous as she leaned against the door to Apple's dorm, a letter knocking against her fingers. "I have a little something for you."
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" asked Apple, feigning ignorance, though not offering the girl her hand. She wanted to be nice and friendly, but she also wasn't going to act like an idiot.
"No, not personally," said the girl with a lazy drawl, walking in and closing the door behind her. Apple instantly took a couple of steps backward toward the window. Maybe if she jumped out of it, than one of the gallant princes would be at the bottom to catch her. "I'm Nelly Tremaine."
It confused Apple a second. Then she remembered.
"The evil stepmother," whispered Apple. The girl smiled, and Apple quickly took a couple of steps backwards as the girl started to saunter toward her. Nelly stopped, playing with the letter in her hand, a smirk firmly stretched across her face.
"Sorta," the girl said with a nod of my head. "I'm actually the illegitimate daughter of the evil stepsister Drizella. But this isn't about me. I've got a letter from Angel. She insisted that you would want it."
Questions of why Nelly wasn't at Ever After High when she was part of such an important story slipped away when she heard Angel's name. Apple snatched the letter out of Nelly's hand and glanced the envelope quickly before trying to get inside it. A feather slowly started to fall when Apple opened the letter, and with a slight gasp, Apple went to grab it. Then her memories returned. It wasn't a spell that made Ashlynn seem like the daughter of Cinderella, Ashlynn was the daughter. Apple grabbed at her head, the confusion causing a migraine.
No, what Angel had done wasn't to break apart Ashlynn's spell. Angel had been the one who created the spell. She had somehow made them think that Ashlynn's life had been a lie. But why? How did this help. Apple blinked and shook her head and looked down at the letter at her hands, but quickly brought the paper to her chest when she realized that Nelly was trying to look at the spindly text.
Nelly just smirked and rocked back on her heels.
"The deal you made with Angel doesn't really matter to me," said Nelly, that smirk still plastered on her oddly painted face. "I get to spend sometime around my supposed to be stepsister, and she really isn't that bad. Though I wouldn't think a good-two-shoes like you would dare associate with someone so blatantly evil."
Apple glared at the stepsister who just continued to smirk before she turned on her heels and left. Apple quickly shut her door behind her and then leaned her back against the door. She still didn't understand why Angel had made everyone forget. How would that make it all alright? How could taking her past, making her not the next Cinderella make sure other characters follow their stories?
Dear Apple,
I'm sure you're at least a little confused. But in crafting my plans, this was the one that made the most sense. I'm sorry that it won't be perfectly to the story. But now Ashlynn is stuck with no friends, suffering under a hard people who are not going to treat her nicely and with the two sisters who are not a cake walk. The story should end at the end of the year dance where she will get her prince and the spell will lift and you'll have your friend back.
Sincerely,
Angel
P.S. This letter is spelled so only you can read it, but to be safe you should burn this.
It was direct and left some questions behind, but overall there was nothing to worry about. At least Apple didn't think so. Still, it really did go against the stories in some way. But maybe it was enough that Ashlynn at least wouldn't change into dust. Apple felt tears gather in her eyes and she shook her head. How had Angel got this done if she had no magic of her own. Apple had thought the other girl could only do potions.
Apple found three metal, shallow pieces and then ripped the letter into tiny pieces and afterwards she scattered those pieces on the metal. Using a match she then burned the pieces and then one by one dumped those metal pieces out her window and spilled the rest down her drain.
It wasn't long until Apple had freshened up and was heading out the door. Hopefully she would be able to distract herself from everything that was happening around them. If Apple was lucky she would find some time to do to think what had happened over the last few days.
The atmosphere in the gym was one of forced cheer with the undertones of tension. Some characters asked if Apple had seen one of the two ugly girls that came with Ashlynn heading from her dorm. Apple shook her head, saying she just missed them, and that they really shouldn't call them ugly, it was more that they dressed eccentrically. No reason to have people learn before they had to that the two were the two ugly stepsisters.
"You were lucky," said Cedar. "I cannot tell a lie, and I met that girl on the stairs. She definitely had a dark soul."
"At least a wicked smirk," said Blondie as she tapped at her mirrorpad. Probably putting on the finishing touches of what she had already gotten from the three little pigs for her to post.
"I don't like it one bit," said Charming, coming to stand next to Apple. Apple leaned back against her not boyfriend with a sigh. She looked up at him. It had always seemed strange to her that she was destined for Charming. He was so different from her own father who was a bit of a wimp. Her father had his mind on the people while Apple's mother had the mind for the military. A weird situation, but really, in the end, the only thing Charming really did in his story was kiss her and agree to invite Raven to their wedding. Where they would burn Raven's feet.
"You alright Apple?" asked Charming, running a finger down Apple's cheek. The princess smiled up at her not boyfriend. Charming might only have one truly important story, but Apple had never taken to the military and fighting like her mother, so she was happy to switch roles back to the conventional standards.
"Yes, the day has been just a little overwhelming," said Apple.
"Well, then as the dashing prince, I'll just have to take your mind off it," said Charming with a flip of his hair and his teeth seemed to glitter under the playful lighting. "It's not as if that'll be hard."
Apple laughed but let herself be danced away in the arms of her love. Daring was perfect, and even f her story didn't deserve him, she knew that he was hers.
