Hello all you lovely readers! This is the beginning of everything falling apart for our characters. The next chapter will be the end of part 2 and it's about to get crazy! I'm heading out of town for a week, so it might be a little longer before my next post. Also, The writer of this fic in no way agrees with Daring's interpretation of Raven. I love her just as much as all of you!
This is not my favorite chapter, in fact, I think it could use some help! I'm sure I will do a massive edit and overhaul of this piece a few years from now, but I wanted to get it to you guys as soon as possible.
As always, please leave reviews. It is the only currency we fan-fiction writers get for our work and believe me, we love it! Thanks!
A Trip, Some Cuddles, and a Game of Wits
Raven is pulled from a strange dream by someone pushing their way into her bed. The dream was awful. She and Apple were talking and Raven kept telling her over and over again that she loved her and wanted to be with her, but every time Apple tried to cuddle or kiss her, Raven would push her away. Apple got more and more frustrated throughout the dream until she finally broke down and wept. Raven just stood there, watching her cry and making no move to comfort her. In the dream she was overpowered by her love for the sobbing princess, but her body would not react the way she expected. She just kept pushing the princess away from her over and over again. As she becomes more and more cognizant with waking she notices the distinct sense of foreign magic surrounding her.
Now, with the dream fading from her memory, she realizes that she is being smashed against the wall by a wriggling Apple. Raven stays quiet, trying to stifle a giggle, but Apple senses she is awake and looks up at her with very blue eyes.
"Good morning, Apple. You know my bed is pretty big so you don't have to smash me up against the wall."
"I woke up and I saw you, sleeping, and it was okay when she was little, but now… I got a little jealous." Apple looks down with a blush.
"Apple, what are you talking about?" Raven sits up a little in a bed and notices that Maddie, now full size, is clinging to Apple's back.
"Oh! I guess she's done being small!" Raven looks back down at Apple. "So you got jealous and snuck in-between us?" Raven gives Apple a smile.
"Mmhmm." The light brush of red across Apple's cheeks is so beautiful that Raven can't stop herself from taking the messy-haired Blonde into her arms and squeezing with all her might. The scent of Apple's pajamas, her messy hair, her face sans makeup, all of it is beautiful. Apple nuzzles in and hugs back, her hands wandering across Raven's back, until… suddenly the hands are tickling and Raven is rolling and pushing, trying everything she can to get away from the torturous tickling. Apple's eyes have a mischievous glint and Raven can't stop giggling. Finally she gives a huge push, hoping to get Apple off of her, which sends Maddie flying off the bed and onto the floor. Apple stops tickling and looks at Raven guiltily, but before either of them can say anything, Maddie springs up to a standing position.
"One off the boat takes a ride in the castle moat!" Her eyes are full of surprise. She looks down at herself and then over at the girls in bed. "I'm big again!" Her confused look is replaced by a dazzling smile.
"Yes, it must've happened in the night." Raven crawls reluctantly out of bed and begins picking her clothes for the day. It's a Sunday, so she doesn't have to worry about school.
"Well, I guess it's time for me to go back to my room!" Maddie stands at attention and gives the girls a salute.
"Maddie, you are always welcome here, if you need anything just come over." Apple gets out of bed and gives Maddie a hug.
"Feel better Maddie, don't keep it all in, okay?" Raven gives her friend a big hug.
"Thanks for everything you two, charm you later!" Once Maddie is gone Raven turns back to her wardrobe and begins rummaging through, finally picking her hangout-and-be-lazy clothes.
"You aren't going to want to wear those." Apple says from behind her.
"Why not?"
"Because I want to steal you today and make up for a mistake I made." Apple looks at Raven imploringly.
"Okay, but what mistake?"
"All of… this." Apple sweeps her arm dramatically across the room. "This evil furniture, the evil crown, even the evil throne. All of it will be taken out today. And while it's being removed, you and I will go to Bookend and get you some new things, my treat. I'm sorry for the way I acted. I want to make it up to you."
"Oh Apple, It's not a big thing. You don't have to make it up to me." Raven tucks a stubborn strand of her sleep tussled hair behind her ear.
"Okay, I don't have to, I want to. Please let me."
"Okay." Raven lets out a sigh. It's better to let Apple have her way, besides, a day of being spoiled by Apple sounds amazing!
"Yay! Apple jumps up and starts picking out her clothes for the day. She grabs a delicate sundress with sunflowers on it and turns to Raven. "And I want you to wear this."
"In public?" Raven can't hold back her blush.
"Yes! You're not the evil queen! You are choosing your own destiny, remember? I think it's about time you stopped dressing like the evil queen." Apple takes the dress off the hanger and hands it to Raven.
"Who are you and what have you done with Apple?" Raven takes the dress.
"Ha ha. Very funny Raven. I know I'm flipping the script, but honestly, I just don't see it in you. I've told you that before. Besides, I think you make a much better Prince." Apple gives Raven a quick kiss. "Anyway, let's get out of here!" Apple grabs her shower supplies and heads for the bathroom. A few minutes later Raven hears the sound of running water. She holds the dress up to her face, smells the fabric, and tries to hold back her tears. Finally, the evil queen everyone told her she had to become is dead. Apple has given her the one thing that means the most to her. Freedom.
XXX
Cloe lost her. Something must've woken her up. She draws her magic back from Raven and extinguishes the black flames under her cauldron with a wave of her arm. It is impossible to speak to Raven of the terrible things that are about to befall her, honor forbids it, but she can always send dreams. Cloe Has been speaking, sending, and interpreting dreams since before she could remember and the same question always remains. Did the intended get it? Would Raven understand her warning?
She is just finishing tidying up from the spell when there is a light knock on the door. She puts the last component on the shelf and opens the door only to be confronted with a pair of legs hanging from the top of the doorframe. She leans out and peeks up at her roommate.
"Hey Cloe, I got thinking about balloons and suddenly found myself floating. Could you be a dear and pull me down?"
Cloe's never seen magic like this. In fact she can't even read any magical signature coming off the girl. It's as if floating in the air is as natural as walking. She reaches out, slowly, and pulls on the girl's leg. She seems as light as air, but the minute her feet touch the floor everything goes normal.
"I've never seen anything like that. How did you do it?" Cloe asks as she steps aside to allow Maddie entrance.
"Isn't that normal?" Maddie shrugs off the question.
"No!"
"Oh, I didn't realize that! I definitely won't be able to do it again!" Maddie gives a giggle as she heads over to her dresser and deposits her things in a drawer. She then turns back to Cloe and introduces herself. "I know you've already met me, but I haven't you, so this ritual, we must still go through. I am Madeline Xylophone Hatter, daughter of the mad Hatter." She reaches her hand out to Cloe.
"I am Cloe Fate. Daughter of Clotho. Nice to meet you." She shakes Maddie's hand.
"Now, this next part is always fun. We are roommates, so we both agree to be best friends ever after and so on, and that part is coming, but before it does, I have one question." Maddie's eyes lock on Cloe's and her smile suddenly seems to to take up altogether too much of her face. But the girl doesn't say another word. Just keeps smiling at her. And her smile just keeps getting bigger. 'What the hex,' Cloe thinks 'is this girl insane?' As if spurred by this thought another smile, disembodied and floating in midair, appears next to Maddie. Cloe tries to back up but Maddie still has her hand. The room suddenly seems darker and more malevolent. 'What magic is this?' The disembodied smile is suddenly turning into another girl standing next to Maddie. As big as Maddie's smile has gotten is nothing compared to the smile on this magically appearing purple-haired girl. The malevolence in the room is reaching a fever pitch and Cloe still gets no magical signature from the two girls. She lets out a shaky sigh and prepares to ignite some of her own magic, but Maddie begins speaking.
"Sorry, what was I saying? Oh yes, I was listening to the voices. To answer your first question, yes I am insane, which, most of the time is great fun! But sometimes I slip into a different state of mind and that… isn't as fun. Now on to my question. Why are you sending Raven dreams? What are you trying to do to her?"
Cloe's mouth drops open. "How did you know?"
"The voices!"
"Okay, look, let me explain. I'm trying to help your friend. She is part of a situation… that she doesn't realize. It will all play out, and it won't be pretty, so I wanted to give her a warning. I honestly, and you must believe this, only want to make sure that she is okay and help her in any way I can." Cloe keeps her eyes locked to Maddie's.
"What situation?" This from the purple-haired girl.
"Honestly, I can't tell you. I would if I could, but I am honor bound to keep my mouth shut and observe. And I warn you, I will die before I break honor." With these words Cloe releases a wave of her magic. It erupts in black flames all around her. Flames darker than night, and she hopes that these two strange girls count as mortal, because any mortal that stares into her magic will see visions of suffering and madness beyond description. Her magic merely reflects back the viewers worst fears, but it is devastating to most. Maddie and the purple-haired girl both stare into the flames for a moment then jump back with a start. Cloe's hand is finally released. "Please believe me. I'm here to help Raven."
The suffocating darkness of the room lets up and light begins to flow normally once again.
"Thanks Kitty, I think we're done." Maddie turns to kitty, watches her disappear, then turns back to Cloe. All of the insanity has drained from her face and she looks… pained. In fact she looks like a lost and abused little puppy. She keeps looking at the spot where Kitty just was and Cloe is afraid she is going to start crying.
"Hey Cloe, we are going to be roommates, so let's be friends. Would you like to be my friend?" Maddie's holds out her hand again. Cloe watches in shock as the mad girl puts away the sadness that is written all over her face and replaces it with a beaming smile.
"Of course, Maddie. I'll be honest, we're off to a really weird start, but I know you are worried about your best friend, which I completely understand. I'm here because I am incredibly worried about my best friend as well, so we actually have a lot in common. So, if you mean it, then yes, I would like to be your friend." Cloe reaches out, reluctantly, and takes Maddie's hand. Before she can stop it Maddie has yanked her into a hug.
"Yay! I love new friends! We must celebrate with tea!" And Maddie has a tea table, fully set, within seconds.
As Cloe, drinks tea with her new friend she thinks to herself, 'I'm going to have to guard my thoughts around this one. I wouldn't want to betray honor with a stray thought.'
"But, would it actually be breaking honor if you merely thought it? One should not be judged for their thoughts" Says a smiling Maddie, as she pours Cloe another cup of tea.
XXX
Daring knocks lightly on Dexter's door and then lets himself in. Dexter is sitting on his bed looking at his mirror phone, but he stands up when he sees Daring.
"Daring! You're out of your room! That is fantastic! it is good to see you out and about." Dexter stops short of his brother and gives him a once over.
Daring hadn't thought about how his brother would feel through all of this. The last thing he expected, however, was for Dexter to be happy, but he was. Daring could see it through all of his mock concern. His brother always complained that Daring got all the girls and now he has lost one. Not just one, the one. 'I bet he is loving this,' Daring thinks, 'well, we'll see how long that lasts.'
"Hey little bro, sorry to worry you, but I'm feeling much better now. I actually came here because I'm worried about you."
"Worried about me? Why?"
"I saw you holding Cupid's hand in the hall. What about Raven? Man you were doing so good! She was way into you!" Daring puts a brotherly hand on Dexter's shoulder, which makes Dexter shrink. His posture sags and his eyes lock with the floor.
"Yeah… Cupid came to me and confessed her true feelings and I realized that I really like her." Dexter shuffles his feet back and forth as he speaks.
"Dex, you're just going for what is easy! A truly amazing girl takes work! Raven is worth the time!" Daring can feel Dexter tense under his hold.
"Yeah, I don't know, I'm really nervous around Raven, but when I talk to Cupid I feel so relaxed. She listens to me. She cares about me. And I think the feeling is mutual. I know you are just looking out for me, big bro, but I'm telling you, I think Cupid is the one for me." Dexter still can't look up.
"She's tricking you, man. She the daughter of the Goddess of love, she's pulling some kind of trick on you." Daring notices that Dexter is shaking under his hand. He's got him now. "Ignore her tricks. You and I both know that you and Raven were made for each other! The reason you get so nervous around her is because it is true love! You can both feel it!" Daring looks down, but instead of seeing the top of Dexter's head as he expected, he is confronted with Dexter's eyes. Staring right at him.
"And what do you know about true love, Daring? You couldn't even wake up your princess!" Dexter's face is red and defiant. Daring takes a step back. He never expected these words, so sharp and painful, to come from his brother. His mind goes instantly numb at the unexpected low blow. Daring would have never believed that his pride could be hurt worse than his embarrassing moment with Apple, but he was wrong. His little brother, staring up at him defiantly and saying the most hurtful words imaginable was worse. Daring wants to run.
"Little Bro," Daring reaches out his hand, hoping to reestablish some form of authority.
"Don't do that, Daring. You know What I think? You talk about Raven so much, it's all you and I seem to ever talk about, you must be in love with her. I'm sorry I said those hurtful things, Daring, I am, but I'm tired. Raven isn't my type. You know it and I know it. I think we both know the truth. You're in love with Raven. That's why you talk about her so much. You wanted me to go out with her so you could keep her close without hurting Apple, but now, Daring, you don't have to pretend. Apple's not your princess anymore, so you can make your own happily ever after with Raven." Dexter reaches out and places his hand on Daring's shoulder and even this small gesture seems like a betrayal. Another jab at his pride. Daring looks down and laughs.
"This is what you took from all this, Dex? I'm in love with Raven? You're an idiot. Raven is nothing compared to her. Raven doesn't even deserve to be anywhere near her!" Daring doesn't realize that he is screaming.
"Near who?" Dexter drops his hand and takes a step back.
"Apple! You think I would even notice Raven when she is standing next to Apple White? Raven? With her half-assed attempts at rebellion and her wishy-washy desires to change her destiny! Raven is weak. She is a child playing at control, but she can't control anything! She doesn't even lead the rebels! They just kind of… followed her. She is blundering through greatness, but Apple… Apple is yanking greatness out of thin air and creating it with her bare hands. That is strength, Dexter! That is power, true power! The power of a queen. The power to destroy self. To become what your kingdom needs you to be! Apple has done this, and she helped me do it too! That is sacrifice! Raven is an embarrassment who is just taking the easy way out!" Daring's face is bright red and he's breathing heavy.
"Oh Daring." Dexter reaches out again, but Daring is already leaving.
Daring turns and runs out the door before his little brother can rip at his pride anymore. Raven! How could Dex be so dense? How could anyone even notice Raven when Apple was standing next to her! His plan with Dexter and Raven had failed, but it didn't matter. He would've preferred Dexter with Raven, that way he could spend more time with Raven and hurt Apple, but he would have to adapt. Apple still wouldn't get Raven, so it didn't matter, he'd still get to watch her fall apart!
XXX
This weight in her arms. This excited laugh. This silky hair. This smile. This warmth. Cerise is in love. All she wants is Kitty. All of her childhood dreams and desires have been replaced by Kitty.
For the past week Kitty has been meeting her after classes for a run, but today has been especially nerve wracking, after what happened last night. But Kitty hasn't said anything and neither has Cerise, so she just grabs Kitty and… starts running.
And now she is in love and love is complicated. Cerise is nervous about Kitty's past. What has she done? Who has she been with? She tries not to think about these things, but her mind won't let up. She's jealous. Someone had Kitty before her. Someone had all the firsts that she was hoping to have with Kitty. Just holding Kitty in her arms was so thrilling it made Cerise's heart explode! But who was holding Kitty before? Did being held still excite Kitty, or was she already used to it?
Her mind won't quiet down, so she changes direction and heads deeper into the forest.
"This is deeper into the forest than you've ever taken me. You aren't planning something naughty are you?" Kitty gives her a sly smile.
"Of course not. I want to show you something." Cerise can't hide her blush because her hands are full, which Kitty takes full advantage of by reaching up and pulling off Cerise's hood. The wind feels good against her ears, but not as good as the light caress of Kitty's hand on her cheek.
"So beautiful. Every time I look at you you take my breath away." Kitty's hand lingers on Cerise's cheek.
"We're here." Cerise comes to a stop, but doesn't put Kitty down. They are standing in a clearing with a large mountain in front of them.
"Where is here?" Kitty looks around.
"This is the tallest mountain in the dark forest. One day I'm going to make it to the top. You see that stunted shrub sticking out of that cliff face three quarters of the way up? That's as far as I've gotten." Cerise stands proudly looking up at her nemesis.
"Silly puppy! You're so used to doing things on your own you forget about the people around you. The people who love you. I want you to do something for me Cerise, but I need you to promise to do everything I say. Do you trust me?" Kitty looks up imploringly at Cerise.
"Wow, I really do. I totally trust you."
"Good. Close your eyes." Cerise does as she is told. "Now breath in and out very slowly. Whatever you do, do not open your eyes. Focus only on your breathing. You are going to feel a cold gust of wind in three. Two. One." Kitty's voice fades away and Cerise is engulfed in a cold wind. The wind is fresh and seems to lift her into the air. Then, just as soon as it appeared, the gust is gone, replaced by a slightly chilly breeze. "Keep breathing. Now open your eyes."
And Cerise opens her eyes to find that she is no longer in the same place. She is standing on craggy rocks on the top of the mountain. Her heart leaps as she realizes Kitty has helped her reach her peak. She is finally on the tallest peak in the Dark forest. Cerise puts Kitty down, walks to the very edge, throws her head back, and lets out a long howl. She listens intently for a few seconds, and then jumps for joy when she hears a return howl from the direction of Ever After High. Her father had heard her.
"Kitty! Thank you, thank you, thank you! How I've longed for this day! Traveling with you was so much easier this time!" Cerise swoops Kitty up into a hug. "And you know what, You're beautiful! I'm not as good at expressing myself as you are, but I really mean that. You are gorgeous! I can't believe I'm…" But Cerise never finishes that sentence. Kitty's lips lock over hers and this time, Kitty doesn't pull away before it starts getting good.
