The situation has gone from bad to worse since we last read about our princess. After the heated argument between Apple and Kitty, Raven left to have some time to herself. However Raven is missing, and Apple has no idea where she could be. Maddie tried to call Raven but the number seems to have been disconnected! Is Raven just lost? Did she lose track of time and forgot to head back to her or dorm? Or is Raven in danger, unable to do anything to escape? Can our fair, young princess find Raven in time, or will Apple fail in her endeavour? Let us read on to find out if Apple, Kitty and Maddie have waited until morning to search for Raven.
"Maddie...Please tell me you dialed the wrong number. You did dial the wrong number, right? Right?"
Apple was on the verge of going ballistic. As soon as Maddie ended the call, Apple had grabbed her shoulder with a tight grip. The last couple of minutes Apple had held her grip, repeating the same question over and over again. Maddie would gladly answer her repeated question, if only Apple would stop constantly shaking her body. Kitty, while shocked that Raven's number was disconnected, was trying her best to separate Apple from Maddie.
"Apple! Enough with shaking Maddie!" Kitty almost yelled. "Narrators know that she has a crazy enough mind as it is. You don't need to make her more mad."
"Not until she answers my question." Apple retorts back through clenched teeth.
"That won't happen if you don't stop shaking her!"
Apple stared at Kitty, sending her the meanest glare she could muster. The only problem was that Apple knew Kitty was right. As much as Apple wanted to deny the truth she knew that Maddie had called Raven. Apple did not want to hear it. Shaking Maddie was an on the spot escape; a diversion to keep the denial going. With an exasperated cry, Apple finally lets go of Maddie.
"I know!...I know." Apple took a couple of steps back and took a seat on Maddie's bed. She hung her head, unable to look the other two in the eye. "I know shaking Maddie would stop her from giving me the answer. I'm just...worried about Raven. Her phone was working just fine earlier. I know because you were hexting each other this morning."
Kitty nodded her head, confirming the fact that she did indeed text her girlfriend. The question hung in the air, settling the mood of worry and fear; why was Raven's phone disconnected?
"Okay let's not panic…," Kitty took a quick glance at Apple. "Anymore than we already have. There has to be a logical explanation for this. What if Raven changed her number?"
Apple clapped her hands at Kitty's explanation. "Yes! That must be why we can't get connected!"
"Sorry to burst your bubbles, but Raven would tell all of her friends that her Mirror number would change." Maddie stated.
Apple and Kitty both groaned at the reasonable response. Raven would never change her number before letting everyone know. The disappointment in their idea quickly left them as their focused was turned to Maddie. A small table and chair had materialized in the middle of the dorm room. Even though Maddie had spoken, her attention was focused on the window as she sipped some freshly brewed was a strange calmness behind Maddie's statement. Apple and Kitty were confused by the demeanour of Maddie. She was unusually tranquil and collected.
Apple stood up and slowly made her way towards Maddie. "Maddie, why are you so...quiet? I would think out of the three of us you would be the most vocal."
Apple was right. Every so often it was difficult for anyone to stop Maddie from talking. Her cheerful personality mixed together with her Wonderland traits proved to be very...overwhelming. Even when she was not talking, Maddie would continue to release energy by constantly moving. To the two girls this was a rare sight to see.
Maddie had still yet to answer Apple. Apple looked back to Kitty, silently asking if this was normal behaviour for the daughter of the Mad Hatter. Although having grew up with Maddie, Kitty was just as confused as Apple.
"Can't you sense it Kitty?" Maddie asked, surprising Apple and Kitty.
"...Sense what?" Kitty hesitantly inquired.
"At first I thought I was just remembering the feeling." Maddie stood up and made her way towards the window. "It was such a long time ago but I can still feel it...still be afraid of the damp, frigid touch. The experience of hopelessness, that nothing you can do will work or save the people you love. You and I...even Lizzie know this feeling all too well."
A cold chill went down Kitty's spine. Her whole body started to shake uncontrollably as she hung her head, forcing Kitty to wrap her arms around herself. Kitty knew exactly what Maddie was talking about. It was a memory that plagued her dreams every time she felt thronesick. For some reason the dreams became more frequent since she started attending Ever After High.
"How is it here?" Kitty's voice wobbly as she spoke to Maddie. Her fear could clearly be heard.
"I don't know...but I felt it awhile ago." Maddie replied, her voice toneless. "It was coming from the Enchanted Forest."
Kitty's head shot up in surprise. "It's leaking out! That should be impossible!"
"Maybe, but it came from another place too." Maddie's focus was still on the Enchanted Forest through the dorm window.
"...Where?"
"Through the mirrorphone when we tried to call Raven."
It felt like a mirror just shattered for Kitty. The fact that Maddie felt 'it' in the forest and just a moment ago did not bode well. Every bone in Kitty's body was screaming and shaking in fear.
Apple was trying to follow the conversation as best as she could. The two inhabitants from Wonderland were talking about a memory that they feared, causing Apple to become confused and question how exactly it was connected to Raven at this moment. Finally Apple had had enough. She needed to know what exactly the two before her were talking about about.
"Hold on. I have no clue what you two are talking about. What's this memory that has Kitty shaking as if she just took a cold bath? Why is it in the Enchanted Forest? And for dwarf sakes, how is it connected to Raven?!"
"You should know just by how we're reacting." Kitty pointed out. "Every fairy tale knows. If 'she' wasn't captured...then every land would be in the same state as our home."
Apple quickly placed her hands over her mouth to stop any noise from coming out. Full realization came to Apple as she remembered all too well the stories of what happened to Wonderland. Apple was starting to put the pieces together.
Apple took her hands away from to finally speak. "Please tell me...Raven is not in the forest right now. Please...tell me she has not come in contact with…"
Apple stopped talking. The words she needed to say were stuck in her throat. The mere thought of uttering her last sentence made Apple's chest compress and lose all air in her lungs. Apple was dumbfounded at how this could have been possible. Maddie and Kitty just nodded their heads, confirming that the impossible was happening right now.
Maddie looked away from the window, all self control gone as her body started to shiver. "The Curse of Wonderland is here and I'm afraid Raven is right in the thick of it."
Through the dark hallways of Ever After High, someone was moving from pillar to pillar. Trying their best to make as little noise as possible, the being stealthy made its way down the hall. It seemed to being carrying a relatively large bag. The slightest noise made the being jump and put their guard up. As soon as they felt safe, they would press forward.
After what seemed like hours of tiptoeing, the being saw their destination. Large, oak doors with the Ever After High logo painted right in the middle. Foregoing any more sealth, the being made a beeline to the doors. They opened the door and rushed inside, slamming the door behind them and quickly locked it. Their body leaned against the door as the bag was placed beside them. The being was taking large breaths as they tried to calm themselves down. After wiping their brow with the back of their hand, the being picked up the bag and made their way towards a large desk at the back of the room. With but a flick of a finger, the table lamp was turned on revealing the being to be none other than Headmaster Grimm.
The room that Headmaster Grimm had occupied was his office. It was a spacious room, having several several bookcases between the doors and the desk. Among the shelves of the bookcases. and even the walls themselves, were trinkets or photos of past memories. Centuries of previous Headmasters could be seen from portraits, quotes underneath to inspire knowledge and courage for following destinies. While the desk and several plush chairs were on top of a red carpet the rest of the room had dark, oak floorboards. The window behind the desk was so large that the Headmaster could practically see the whole Enchanted Forest. However, Headmaster Grimm chose to let the rich, purple velvet curtains go to hide the view.
"Alright then," Grimm was muttering to himself. "The students should be asleep and the staff have been told not to interrupt me unless it is an emergency. Doors locked, windows and curtains closed. Hexcellent! I can finally get started on my speeches for the year. First one shall be Parents Day."
Grimm picked the bag that he carried up and onto his desk. Grabbing the bottom of the bag, Grimm proceeded to pour out its contents. Taking up most of the desk was what seemed to be small wooden figures, dolls and horses. The odd one out was a miniature podium. Working fast, Headmaster Grimm stood every piece upright in rows. Once everything was placed in the proper spot, Grimm opened a drawer and took out one more wooden figure. It was an exact duplicate of himself.
Grimm cleared his throat. "Right then. I come from the side of the stage...Or should I come from the back straight up the middle? Maybe I should be up on the stage with the rest of the staff as to not waste time...No this Ever After High! Where drama and intensity go hand to hand! I'll come from the back down the middle."
Headmaster Grimm moved his look-a-like doll down the middle of his assembled pieces and placed it right behind the podium.
"Now I'll be addressing the parents for this speech. Should I start with 'Welcome back to Ever After High,' or 'Thank you all for coming?'...Ah! Yes I should start by saying-"
-SWISH-
"HEADMASTER GRIMM!"
Headmaster Grimm yelped in surprise as Kitty, Maddie and Apple had just materialized right in front of him. He was so surprised that he knocked every figure off the table, sending them flying everywhere in the room.
"Miss Cheshire! Miss Hatter! Miss White! What in Warlocks name are you doing in my office? At this hour of the night?" Grimm almost yelled.
Ignoring the yelling Apple rushed towards the desk. "Headmaster Grimm, Raven's in trouble!"
Grimm gave off a disappointed sigh. "What has Miss Queen done this time to renounce her destiny?"
"It's nothing like that! Raven is in the Enchanted Forest!" Apple was finding it hard to control her voice.
"Why in all the Kingdoms would Raven be out at this hour?" Grimm questioned.
"Raven...needed some alone time to think." Apple said quietly. "That's not the point though! Something has happened to Raven! She's in danger!"
"Miss White. Please lower your voice. Raven is a talented young witch; albeit a troublesome one." Grimm muttered the last part to himself. "Nevertheless, she is very powerful and should be able to protect herself just fine. There should be nothing in that forest that Raven shouldn't be able to handle. Once she returns I will give her a stern talking and a warning for being out this late. Now if that is all the three of you may go."
"That is not everything Headmaster Grimm." Kitty placed herself right beside Apple. Maddie doing the same thing on the other side of Apple. "While it's true Raven could handle most stuff, what she is facing is not normal."
"How in Merlin's Beard do you know what Raven is facing?" Grimm countered.
"Maddie and I know it all too well. We can sense it because we've experienced it before." Kitty said coldly.
Headmaster Grimm raised an eyebrow at the serious tone Kitty had. This peaked his interest as he knew Kitty was a carefree spirit, perfectly suited for her story. If Kitty was serious about something, than it would be wise to listen the future Cheshire Cat.
"Experienced what before?"
"...The Curse of Wonderland."
Headmaster Grimm reeled back in shock. Out of everything that could have been possible, the Curse of Wonderland never crossed his mind.
"It's not possible." Grimm whispered.
"Expect the unexpected." Maddie spoke. "Words to live by in Wonderland. If there is any Kingdom that the Curse could spread out from, Wonderland would take the tea kettle."
Grimm's eyes flickered between his three students. All of them had looks of concern, but from the way they spoke, the three were not lying. Grimm placed his head in his hands. He knew all too well what the Curse was like. The fact that it was in the forest right beside the school made him extremely worried. Grimm had a duty to protect his students from anything life threatening. He may not show it, but Grimm always took the safety of his students as his main concern. It was also what pushed him into making sure the students followed their destiny; to make sure that they don't fade from this world.
"...Thank you for bringing this to me." Grimm rose from his chair. "Rest assure that this will be taken care of. I will gather the staff and make our way to the forest. We will take care of the curse and we will rescue Raven Queen."
The three girls were still frightened but were now happy that Raven would be getting help.
"Now then, please return to your rooms." Headmaster Grimm ordered. "I know you won't get any sleep but staying within the walls of Ever After High is the safest place for you."
Maddie and Kitty nodded their heads and proceeded to hold hands to teleport back to their room. When Kitty extended her other hand to Apple, the young Cheshire cat was surprised to see that Apple was glaring at the Headmaster. Grimm was also startled by the glare as the two always had a good student/teacher relationship. Now, for the first time in her fairy tale life, Apple did not agree with Headmaster Grimm.
"No," Apple said coldly. "I refuse to wait in my room while my friend is in trouble. I don't care if it'll be dangerous. I'm going into those woods."
Grimm was shocked to hear those words come out of Apple's mouth. For years she was the perfect future Snow White. Aside from the wrong hair colour and Apple needing glasses, Apple had everything else that was necessary for the role. Now she wanted to go rescue instead of waiting. Grimm could not help but mentally question what had changed since Legacy Day for Apple to forgo her princess attitude.
"As much as I...admire your courage Miss White the fact is I cannot let you go. You are an important figure for the future. If anything were to happen to you, your mother would have my head."
"Actually that would be Lizzie's mom," Maddie pointed out. "She would be all like, 'Off with your head!' Then she would laugh maniacally while getting her tea ready. I forget that she can be so funny at times."
"Not helping Maddie," Apple hissed at back to the Hatter.
"...You won't back down from this will you?" Grimm asked.
"No. I stand by what I want to do." Apple stated.
"Very well then." Grimm turned his attention to Kitty and Maddie. "Miss Cheshire and Miss Hatter please make your way back to your rooms."
Kitty could tell there was no room for arguing. Once again taking Maddie's hand, Kitty teleported out of the room. Happy that the two girls left, Grimm went to his desk and pulled out a small mirror. With a wave of his hand, the mirror's surface shimmered changing the reflection of Grimm to Baba Yaga. As if it was set up the mirror was encased in a cloud a smoke, slowly disappearing to reveal the real Yaga Baba.
"You summoned me Headmaster?" Baba Yaga asked.
"I did." He gestured towards Apple. "As you can see Miss White is out of her room and refuses to go back. Would you kindly escort her back and place a lock spell on the door?"
Apple's jaw dropped. Before she could even protest a small bubble appeared around her and lifted her whole body up into the air. Yaga Baba had used her magic to make sure there was no trouble when bringing Apple back.
"Will that be all Headmaster?"
"No. Once your done with Apple please gather all of the stuff. I have some grave news to report."
Baba Yaga nodded her head. "Very well."
"Alright Apple, I'm going to place the spell on the door now. It should wear off by the morning so that you may leave your room."
Apple showed no sign that she heard Baba Yaga. She kept her back turned from the teacher as she sat at her vanity. Accepting that she would not get a response, Yaga took one last look around the room. One of her eyebrows rose as she noticed Raven was out of bed and no where in the room. Baba Yaga concluded that Raven was out of her room. She would report to Headmaster Grimm about this when she returned to the office.
Apple patiently waited for Baba Yaga to leave. Once she heard the door closed, Apple started gathering all the sheets that were in the room. With every sheet now in her possession, Apple started to tie them together. Apple was escaping her makeshift prison. She did not care if Headmaster Grimm locked her in the tallest tower, Apple would do anything to get to Raven.
When she felt that her sheet rope was long enough Apple tied one end to her bed post and threw the other end out of her window. Apple checked to see if it was long enough. She hoped it was since she ran out of sheets. From her view Apple decided that it was long enough and began to make her way down.
After a minute or so Apple had reached the end of the rope. Unfortunately for her, it did not make it to the ground. There was still a good half a story left till the ground.
"Oh applesauce!" Apple cursed to herself. Taking a look back up, Apple debated on climbing back up to see if by some chance there was still one sheet left. The rope seemed longer going up to Apple than going down. After a moment Apple knew it would take too much time to go back up. Raven needed help fast. There was only one option left for Apple. With a deep breath Apple started to swing. Having seen the boys do this plenty of time during Hero Training, Apple knew she needed enough momentum to try and land safely. With one last swing Apple lets go of her rope.
Apple lands on her feet but her legs buckle under her as she drops to the ground fast. Hissing at the pain, Apple slowly gets up. This was nothing compared to what Raven could be going through. Before Apple could fully stand up, a sharp pain goes through her ankle. Her muscles feel stretched and torn, telling Apple she had a sprained ankle.
Apple was annoyed that she hurt herself like this. "An injury will only slow me down. Hex it all!...Nothing can be done now."
Apple starts to move forward, limping to avoid putting weight on her ankle. "I'm coming Raven. Just please be safe."
Apple is going into the Enchanted Forest alone to rescue Raven! Such amazing bravery coming from this princess. Strange that the Curse of Wonderland has appeared right when Raven entered the Forest. What will Apple find as she journeys through the forest? Will Raven be fine when Apple finds her or will it be too late? The answers...will be in the next chapter.
Hey everyone! What a chapter huh? Bet you no one was hexpectig that. We are finally getting into the really good part of the story where it deviates away from a normal 'getting together' story. Tell me what you thought of it in a review.
Anyway there will be...I'm thinking two more chapters and an epilog left. So that brings up the question; what happens after. Well I'm sorry to say that there won't be a sequel.
THERE WILL BE SEQUELS!
Yes that's right. I am making this story into a series. It will be the 'True Heart' series. Don't know how many more I'll do but for sure expect at least two more stories. Man been wanting to tell you guys that.
Until next chapter,
Morantis