"I take it that you understand why I called you here?" Headmaster Grimm said.

Briar Beauty stood in front of his desk, her pink sunglasses upon her head. She nodded. Briar wanted nothing more than to go out, start a party, or get planning for the Legacy Day dance, but this was a grave matter.

Both Apple and Raven had gone missing.

"At first Raven had disappeared, and now I am afraid that Apple has disappeared trying to find her." Grimm turned to the window, his face hinged with a dark glow. Everything was unraveling.

"So…what do I do headmaster? How do I-"

"Yes me dear." Grimm turned back to his desk and pulled out a small circular object. It reflected in the light like a mirror. "This is a relic of old magic. Once long ago, our ancestors used to travel to different worlds to spread their stories, but as time went on, those ways died out." Headmaster Grimm placed the sphere in Briar's hands. "I tried to tell Apple of this but she ran out far too quickly for me to explain. She may very well be where Raven is now, but she has no way of getting back home."

Briar nodded.

"Simply say who it is you want to be near, and the sphere will take you there, and when you are ready to return home, speak the words and home you will be."

Briar tightened her hands and nodded. She understood. This wasn't the first time Raven's actions put her best friend in danger, but she would have no more of it. None of the Royals would. Briar didn't know why Raven was so adamant about destroying Apple's future, but that dream would end now.

"Do you understand your task?"

Briar nodded.

"Hexcellent."

Briar left Headmaster Grimm's office and headed for the Castleteria. She had a mission, but that didn't mean she would do it alone.

"You want us to what?" Daring ask, nearly spitting out his cola. Briar was thankful he didn't, her shoes were new.

"I need you guys to help me find Raven and Apple."

"But Briar, no one knows where they are." Ashlynn said. She was just as worried as everyone else, but the guards had looked everywhere and had had no luck, what made Briar think they could do any better?

"Not only that but we have no way of even getting to where they are." Blondie said, "I keep hearing rumors that there not even in Ever After anymore."

Briar rolled her eyes, "It doesn't matter where they are, we'll find Apple and bring her home." Briar shot a look towards Daring that made his heart stop. "If anyone should be leading this charge it's you Daring. You're supposed to be the hero. What are they teaching you in those classes?"

"That it's stupid to charge in face first with no idea of what you're doing." Daring countered. He missed Apple just as much as anyone else, but there was no sense in getting flustered over it…it would mess up his hair.

Briar took out the sphere and placed it on the table. "The headmaster gave me this, it can locate Apple and take us to her."

The sphere rolled onto the table, and the entire group grew silent.

"Look, I don't like this anymore than you guys do, but Apple's our friend and we have to do everything we can to help her. Are you guys with me?"

Ashlynn's hand trembled, but she nodded her head. Blonde, for the first time they had ever known her, put her MirrorPad away and nodded. Daring's jaw tightened and his eyes flashed. Briar got the message.

"Alright then. Let's go."


It didn't take long before all of Asgard was charmed by their new guest. The servants were beguiled by Apple's manners, the blacksmith was enchanted by her voice, and even the All Father was impressed by her knowledge of court.

"You certainly know your politics, Lady Apple." Thor said.

Apple giggled, "Yes, I want to do my best to be as prepared as possible for my destiny."

Thor's cape fluttered in the breeze as the two walked. "And you will make a fine queen."

Apple's face shifted, her once bright eyes gave way to a dull doubt. Thor could see it as clearly as a fog. She still worried of the sorceress that threatens her rule. Thor closed his eyes, he knew what treachery magic could bring, especially when wielded by unworthy hands. Loki was proof enough of that. Apple did not say much about this Raven, but the one thing that was clear was that she was the one thing that could undo Apple's future, and Thor could not let that happen.

There was something about Apple. Something that made Thor…and not just Thor, but everyone, want to protect Apple. Keep her from harm; it seemed even the very weather brightened when she smiled.

What kind of witch would ever want to bring misery to her? Yet, the ways of the mad are unknown to all. Thor had no idea Loki had harbored such hatred towards him. Such jealousy, such bitterness; it had grown in his brother's heart like a vine around a tree. Strangling every inch until there was nothing left but anger.

Is that what magic did? Is that what this Raven had gone through? And now, like her brother, she seeks the ruination of all.

Neigh, that could never happen. Not on Midgard, Asgard, or anywhere, Thor would not allow it.

"Perhaps we can have Heimdall find her." Thor said.

"Heimdall?" Apple asked.

"Aye, he is the watcher. His sight allows him to find anyone throughout the Nine Realms, if Raven is anywhere to be found, Heimdall shall find her." Thor smiled brightly.

This was Hexcellent, if Heimdall could find Raven, then Apple could return her home, and convince her to sign the book. Everything would be alright.

Thor took Apple to the end of the Rainbow Bridge, where Heimdall stood vigil.

"Ho, Heimdall, I have need of your all seeing gaze."

Heimdall stood proud and tall like a giant, a sword plunged deep into the earth where he stood. This man had a presence that could make any giant seem small.

"Yes my prince, I know of your troubles, but I am afraid my gaze may not be able to locate the sorceress you seek."

"What?" Thor asked. "But you are Heimdall, your gaze can find anything."

"Yes, but there are some that even I cannot see. There are magics that cloak others from my sight, Loki is proof enough of that. Who's to say this sorceress does not have the same abilities? Who's to say she is not loyal to your brother?"

What Heimdall said was true. His sight was great, but there were still limits, if nothing else, this witch could simply redirect Heimdall's sight to another place, giving her time to escape when Thor went looking.

"But perhaps there is another way." Thor said. Friend Stark, the man of iron, had said that his mortal science could match any feat done in Asgard, perhaps he might have a solution.

Thor turned to Apple and smiled. "Fret not my lady, for I know of a way to bring Raven out of hiding." Thor's eyes flashed like lightning. "Have you ever heard of the Avengers?"


If Maddie had known Raven would be gone for so long, she might not have told Raven about the mirrors in the old vaults. It was beginning to get scary, so Maddie did the only sensible thing she could think of. She went down into the vault of lost tales to speak to Giles Grimm. He too, was worried about Raven, but there wasn't anything he could do. He was trapped inside the vault after all.

"The madness shall rise to the new dawn." He said.

There may not be anything he could do, but there was something Maddie could do. He placed a small sphere in Maddie's hand.

"A new world can't be seen unless others open their minds to what has been."

This sphere was once used as a way to travel to other worlds, but it is now a part of forgotten magic. Maddie could use it to find Raven and return home.

"Thank you Giles."

Maddie was…for lack of a better word…mad. But even she wasn't crazy enough to take on this challenge alone. Raven was at stake, she needed as much insurance as she could get, and she knew where to get plenty.

"I don't know about this Maddie." Cedar said as she examined the sphere. Maddie had called everyone she could think of and told them to assemble in the Enchanted Forest. Cedar, Cerise, and Hunter. Out of everyone in the school they were the ones who understood Raven's idea, or at least, they were the ones who defended it.

"Well, what choice do we have Cedar? We can't just wait around, Raven could be in real danger."

Hunter stepped forward and puffed his chest out. "I say we do it. Raven's our friend and she needs our help." He wasn't about to turn his back on someone in need. That's not what heroes did.

"And I agree" Cedar said, "But we don't know what's over there. We need a plan, or at least something we can use to protect ourselves."

Cerise stepped forward. "We'll be fine. Count me in."

Cedar took a deep breath and agreed. Cedar was so worried about Raven that her arms were beginning to break out into splinters. She wanted to throw caution to the wind and leapt right into the fray, but she knew better. The tree that grows the fastest often gets chopped down the first. But this was Raven they were talking about.

"Alright." Cedar handed the sphere back to Maddie. "I'm in too."

Maddie smiled. "Tea-rrific."

She held out the sphere and closed her eyes. The birds fly diagonally; return them home to the forests. Help them find their way.

"Please, take us to Raven."