AN: To the guest. Thank you so much for your praise! Often times the space doesn't get used when I write the phrase "Come on" but sometimes I use it just to tell that the character's are slurring the two words together. I will keep a better eye out for those mistakes. We will eventually dive deeper into Matt's past experiences with "the triplets" (As Cassidy dubbed them). Each side character will have their own time of spotlight so please to patient with me:) I always appreciate the reviews.
Ally couldn't believe what she had witnessed. Her young mother talking to the now dead Evil Queen. At first, as a friend, then as an enemy. Then, Ally's parents fighting each other. Apple receiving serious injuries. The mirror breaking, then resealing itself. Ally looked at it now. Shiny and new. Thoughts ran through her mind before they were silence by an evil laugh. "I call that a milestone." The Evil Queen's voice echoed.
Suddenly, the mist began to disappear. Ally looked down at her feet until she heard the crack noise. The mirror glass was breaking again. Ally couldn't do anything but stand still. There was a intake a air echoing before the glass shattered. Ally ducked down and put her hands over her head as the glass flew everywhere. She screamed, and this time, she heard herself.
She kept her eyes shut tight. Her body didn't move a muscle until she felt the warm hand on her back. All she could hear was a slight ring. Then she heard Derek's low voice. It was muffled at first, then she could understand what he was saying. "Ally?! What happened?" She poked her head up. The mirror glass was still on the floor, but the mist was gone.
"There was a mist," Ally stuttered a little,"My mother, she talked to her."
"Talked to who?" Derek asked. His hand still on her back.
"The Evil Queen," Matt's voice came from the door. Ally stood up suddenly. She looked around for any mirror shards. Derek stood up after her. He was about to take a step.
"No," Ally stopped him, but his foot already cracked a mirror shard. Her blue eyes looked up at him. He looked back at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What's up?" Derek asked.
"The mirror shards," Ally said shakily,"You'll see the memories. Horrible."
"I don't see anything," Derek stepped on another one, which made Ally flinch.
"Neither do I," Matt stepped on one,"Donna saw what you saw, except the aftermath didn't work for you. It doesn't make sense though. You aren't related directly, and you don't have any magical powers."
"Well the memory was about my mom," Ally put her hands on her hips.
"There's only one way to be sure," Matt shook his head,"Derek, call Ryder and tell him to come to the west tower." Ally dropped her hands. Her wrist then was caught on her dress. She looked to see her half of the friendship bracelets. She remembered the one that used to belong to Donna. It was still back in her room. She still wondered how it got there.
Matt later collected Ryder and brought him into the room. "What is this?" Ryder looked around the room,"Are these the old dormitories?"
"Yes," Matt confirmed,"We'll explain later but can you please step on this glass shard?"
"You brought me up here to step on a glass shard?" Ryder looked into the room. His black and purple bangs fell in front of his face as he looked down at all the mirror shards.
"No questions just do it," Ally ordered. Matt pushed Ryder into the room. He stepped on a piece of glass and stood very still. Ally studied him. Ryder didn't move a single muscle. Everyone was silent. Ally exchanged looks with Matt and Derek, before he spoke.
"What am I supposed to be seeing?" Ryder suddenly asked. Everyone sighed.
"A memory," Matt explained,"Remember how I told you about your grandmother's gravestone thing. Its another one of those."
"Wait," Ryder turned around,"You're still doing this little detective thing. Even after all this time. And last night? I thought you dropped this?"
"Well we picked it back up again," Matt folded his arms,"The less people knew the better."
"Hold it," Ally commanded,"Ryder is in this too?"
"Well I was," Ryder folded his arms too,"But back then there wasn't anything left for us to find. After the dance she just disappeared, and Matt told me she was alright."
"Uh.." Matt shrugged,"I may have lied so you wouldn't think anything of it anymore. I didn't want to risk telling your mom yet."
"Well now she's on her way," Ryder became very worried suddenly,"I feel like I should've been telling her what's been happening this whole time. I-I ...just don't know what to say. I feel like its all my fault. Maybe if I would have been more open with Donna, she would have let me know what was going on. I could have stopped this. I shouldn't have let her go that day." There was a moment of silence.
"Its not your fault," Ally shook her head. "Its everyone's. We all had some part of Donna's state. We're all in this together." Ally exchanged looks with Matt. "Don't be so hard on yourself. Otherwise, we won't be able to save her."
"You're right," Ryder put his hands on his hips,"I think we should let the triplets and Cassidy what's been going on. They were also there last night, and at the dance, they deserve an explanation before they're told by our parents."
"But one thing still isn't clear," Matt cut in,"Ally can see these memories, but no of us can. We thought you being blood related would prove you have some sort of magic too, but Ally doesn't have any either. Nor is she blood relative, well distantly, but unlikely. Especially if Ryder can see it." Ally tried to think. She put her fingers on her chin and heard the jingle of her bracelet.
"That's it!" Ally started fumbling with the bracelet.
"What are you doing?" Matt asked as she clasped it around his arm.
"I found Donna's bracelet in my room randomly last week and I know it wasn't there before. I think the bracelets have some sort of spell put on them so you can see the memories. Just duck as soon as the glass begins to break. Try staying in the corner," Ally instructed as she pushed the boy into the room. He stepped on a piece of glass and froze. Ally watched as she stood there, frozen.
"What is going on?" Derek asked. Ally held him back from taking another step closer to Matt.
"Just wait," she whispered. They watched as Matt stayed perfectly still. Ally wondered how it would go for him. Would he be okay with the after shock? Only time could tell. She knew he would be pretty strong when it came to battling the voices in his head.
After a few moments of silence, Matt crouched down quickly. "Get out of my head!" Matt yelled. He stayed there for some time. Ally took a step into the room. Derek held onto her arm but she continued putting a hand on his shoulder. The boy suddenly shot up. His blue eyes wide.
"I saw everything," Matt said as he stumbled around a little. "You didn't tell me the part where Donna went into the room though."
"What?" Ally fixed her glasses. "Donna wasn't there."
"Yes she was," Matt insisted. "The mirror shards levitated around her as she spoke words in riddlish. She said something about the demon is awake. The legacy hasn't been broken. Then, after, the shards placed on the the mirror and it became whole again. There was a white rose and then she screamed and the glass broke." It was weird how Ally couldn't see what Matt had seen.
"White rose," Ally tried to remember the pictures that Matt had drawn,"Didn't you say that Donna saw a white rose."
"That was down at the Evil Queen's grave." Matt recalled. "The grave. We have to go see." They all started to walk together, but Ryder stopped them.
"Wait!" Ryder stopped walking. The other three turned to look at him. "We should tell the triplets and Cassidy about this. They were there at the dance, and last night. They deserve to know what's going on." He did have a point. Otherwise they would find out from their parents before they had a chance to explain.
"Okay," Ally nodded,"You and Derek go explain while Matt and I go to the gravestone."
"Wait what?" Derek turned to her. "I want to go with you."
"There's only two bracelets," Ally explained,"We'll be able to decode more things. Plus Ryder will need help explaining. You know all the current information anyway. I'll see you later, okay?" It took a second, but Derek nodded. Ally gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before walking with Matt down to her dorm where she collected Donna's bracelet. She told Catherine that Ryder was coming for her and to wait here for him.
Together, Matt and Ally headed through the crowded school. They kept an eye out for Donna in the crowds of Wonderland and Ever After kids. There were also a fair amount of parents in the mix. Ally saw her mom and made sure to avoid her gaze. She didn't want to stop the mission. They only had so much time until Raven would arrive, then all the explaining would have to take place.
They made it out into the fresh fall air. It was a little chilly since it was October, but Ally didn't mind. She didn't care about her ankle and kept a quick pace with Matt. She didn't exactly know where he was going, but followed close. Eventually, they went though the graveyard. "It would have taken longer to go around, so we're cutting through." Matt explained as he helped her over the fence to where the Evil Queen's grave stone lay.
Ally wondered why the grave was so far back from the gate, but didn't care to ask Matt. She had both bracelets on her arm. She took off Donna's silver chain and walked to Matt. He held out his arm as she clipped it on. "Do you think Donna put a spell on it as a cry for help?" He asked this in a serious voice. Ally looked up at him once she was done fiddling with it.
"I hope so," Ally nodded,"Otherwise these memories wouldn't be important."
"What if they contained magic," Matt looked closer at the purple and blue beads. Ally shrugged and nodded. "Maybe she's giving us powers and turning you evil too!" His voice was filled with worry. Ally looked up into his fearful blue began fiddling with it, trying to take it off. He was very aggressive. She could see the chain tugging. It was about to break.
"No Matt," Ally reached out and grabbed his wrist. All she remembered was the two bracelets touching before her vision flashed.
She was in the bookball field again. This time, it wasn't burning, but filled with many cheering people. She looked around, looking for any familiar face. The whistle blew, and she could hear the yells coming from the quarter back. The book was tossed to him before he threw it long. Ally watched the book fly into the hands of an Ever After player. He ran it the other way. When he made the winning touchdown, he took off his helmet to reveal his mint green curly hair. Everyone cheered and ran onto the field.
It flashed again. Ally was now in Matt's dorm room. Eliza was in there with him. He handed her a stack of papers, and in return, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Ally realized that this was Matt's previous year at Ever After. He looked happier then Ally saw him only moments ago. She left the room without saying another word.
Flash. Ally watched as Matt walked down the main hallway. Many people came up to him and gave him fist bumps, said hello, or congratulated him. He was wearing a letter coat like Derek's but his sleeves were purple. He sat with many people at lunch, talking about the games he played and what he was thinking about during the plays. He was popular among the students and teachers. Her own mother congratulated him on his playing.
Eliza, Fauna, and Laura all talked to him. Ally notice there was something a little different about the way Laura looked. Something about her eyes, they seemed lighter. It wasn't different makeup or anything, just the way they presented themselves. Kind and genuine. Her hair was its usual blonde instead of the pink tips. Eliza and Fauna hadn't had their own dyed hair either.
Flash. She was at another bookball game. This time, Matt was running with the book, but he was being pursued. Ally About three men of the opposing team tackled Matt. They all rolled around on the ground for a little. The whistle blew, and the players got off of Matt. He was laying there. Ally's view then came from his own eyes. He was blinking, trying to get his vision into focus.
His eyes then closed, making Ally's vision black. There were muffled but urgent voices filling Matt's ears. Ally tried to listen, but there was no use. His heart beat pounded in his head. In the darkness, Matt could see a distant blue light. It was like a tunnel. He kept moving towards it. His heart beat slowed down. He was dying. Then, a muffled voice entered his ears. It sounded like his mothers. "Please don't leave me." It was like a whisper. "The clock strikes midnight until the mouse runs down." Ally could translate the riddlish message to I'll wait till you come back.
The light then started to shrink. His heart beat pounded again. His eyes opened to see the light. His mother's face was the first he had seen. She had been crying, but her face was now filled with joy. She threw her arms around her son quickly. Matt then looked to see his father, Wade. he was a medium built, white haired man. He nodded at his son. Matt looked around the room to see no one else had come to see him.
Flash. Matt was at bookball practice. He seemed to be his normal self. He ran and called out his position. The book was thrown to Matt, who had gone long. Ally's vision went into his. He held his hands ready to catch. Then his vision went in and out of focus on the book. His heart pounded in his ears. Visions of his accident came back into his mind. He then collapsed on the field.
"You'll never be able to play again." A male's voice echoed in the darkness. Ally assumed it was a doctor, but the sincerity of the voice.
Matt was sitting at his desk. There were many papers in front of him. Many names weren't his on the top of the papers. They were all blank. Matt stared at the words, but they were all rearranged. Tears fell onto the sheets as he struggled to make out any words. He then slammed the pencil on his desk and push back his chair. "What is wrong with me!" He yelled as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Flash. Matt was walking down the hallway. Then he was suddenly thrown up against the lockers. It was one of his own old teammates. "Where's my assignment Hatter!" He pinned Matt up by the collar of his shirt.
"I- I-" Matt said with a very scared expression. He didn't answer.
"You're a freak," The player threw him back at the lockers. Matt hit his head and fell to the ground. His vision was very unfocused. His breathing quickened. He then was helped up by a magical force. Matt looked up to see Eliza. Now, her hair had green dyed tips.
"Eliza," Matt managed to say,"How did you do that?"
"Laura put a spell on me," Eliza crossed her arms,"Isn't it cool?"
"Isn't that dangerous though?" Matt asked. "You told me you stopped."
"A little," Eliza said without much expression."But so what if I faint once in a while. Its totally worth it."
"NO," Matt said suddenly. Her eyes widened at him. "Look, I know its cool to have magic but you do not want to have these episodes like I do. Its not safe."
"You can't tell me what to do," Eliza said defensively.
"Well someone should." Matt said in a serious voice.
"What is wrong with you?" Eliza looked at him up and down. "You always were cool with it until now. Do you have my chemistry assignment done? Its due today. I'm a little concerned that you didn't give it to me sooner."
"You're concerned about your homework?" Matt raised an eyebrow,"Well if you're so concerned about it do it yourself. You obviously don't care about your health, just your image."
"You should be more concerned about your image," Eliza fought back,"You've turned from the cool jock, smart guy who everyone used to like. But now you're just a dramatic, ex bookball player, stuck up dyslexic boy who no one wants to even talk to." Matt looked at her with hurt.
"Laura's magic had tainted you," Matt shook his head,"You're not the same free spirited, hard working, kind, generous girl that I used to like. Now you're just a girl who only wants to coast through life on someone else's coattails." Eliza looked shocked at first, then she narrowed her eyes.
"I hope you enjoy the loneliness," Eliza said in a cold voice,"Because we're done." She turned on her heal and left Matt alone in the empty hall. A tears rolled down his cheek before he wiped it with his coat sleeve.
Flash. Matt sat alone at his usual lunch table. He received many looks from others as they gossiped, but he didn't care to look at them. His roommate left him, so he had a room to himself. Matt sat alone in the back of classrooms. He walked through the halls. He wasn't bothered or bullied. Everyone acted as if he didn't exist. He didn't look sad though. He seemed at peace with his own company.
He then sat at his desk. Drawing on pieces of paper. Each was a memory Ally had just seen. He labeled each one with his sloppy writing. Matt pushed all of them into a pile and put them into a folder. He then opened his drawer, and put the folder away. Once the drawer shut, everything went black.
Ally whipped her hand back. She had seen everything in such little time. She pushed up her glasses as she breathed heavily. Her ears then heard breathing. She wished Matt wasn't there. She needed time to collect her thoughts on what had just happened, but there was no time. Ally had to tell him something. Surely not what she saw, because he had already lived through it all himself.
Her eyes looked up to connect with Matt's wide blue ones. They stared at each other with scared expressions. She wouldn't know what was to come next.