AN: To Sky: Yes, I have been getting your review on my email but it takes a couple of days for them to post on the actual story. Thank you so much for your praise to my writing ability. This chapter is dedicated to you.
Other guest who wrote in on first chapter: Thank you. I will keep doing more.
Matt's heart raced intensely. He quickly texted Derek to go to Apple's office and spread the word. He took one last look and Laura, Eliza, and Fauna. It must've been some sort of curse. Matt wondered if they really knew what was going on. What would happen when Donna was broken out of the spell.
"I have to go," Raven almost ran, but Matt stopped her mid step. "You stay here and keep an eye on them."
"No way," Matt fought back immediately. Her eyes widened at him, he wanted to tell her how he could stop Donna. Tell her that he loves her, but he thought that Donna should hear those words first before her mother. "I have to go. Donna and i are close. I have more leverage when it'll come down to talking."
"How do you know you won't set her off?" Raven asked quickly.
"Why else do you think she sent me into that trance," Matt looked into Raven's violet eyes. He thought about Donna. "She needs me."
"Then come on!" Raven grabbed his wrist and ran up the stairs. They ran through the halls till they saw the closed office door. Matt wondered if Donna was in there. Was Ally in trouble. He placed his hand on the door knob and tried to open it, but the door was locked. He jiggled it a little bit, but there was no budge. "Get back," Raven commanded him.
Matt did as she said. Raven placed her hands away from her sides. She closed her eyes. Suddenly, she yelled a little and thrusts her arms in front of her. The door shattered. Raven opened her eyes as the purple glow whore off. Matt looked inside to see Ally and Lily clinging onto each other, sitting in Apple's chair. Donna was no where to be seen.
"Ally?" Raven walked in. Matt felt this wasn't a good idea. Ally's blue eyes were pin pointed on something traumatically. She didn't move a single muscle. Matt walked in after her.
"Sh-she's here," Ally whispered before they burst into flames. Matt gasped. The purple flames swirl around the room. Matt follows it with his eyes. It suddenly came swooping towards him. he ducked just in time, but turned and ran after it. Raven followed behind as it went straight into the castleteria. Matt didn't take his eyes off it as it bounced around the room.
"What is that thing!?" Derek's deep voice called next to Matt.
"Its Ally and Lily," Matt said slowly. He could feel the fear rise in Derek.
"Raven," Dexter's voice came from behind Matt.
"What's happened to those students?" Apple's voice shrieked.
"Where's it going?" Hyde's voice asked. Matt didn't take his eyes off it, but it was safe to say the whole group was together again. The ball of magic continued to bounced around the room until it went into a hallway.
"It's headed towards one of the library entrances," Matt said before running down the stairs. "Half of you go to the other entry way!" He could feel the others on his trail. he looked at the crowded circle of students. Only a very few looked to see the two groups running. Matt saw Apple and Humphrey go into the crowd, seeing what was going on. He turned his head back to the hall he was chasing the purple fire down.
He watched as his assumptions were correct. The purple ball of fire zoomed into the entrance of the library. He hope there weren't any other students there. What would happen if they got in Donna's way? Matt could only imagine the worst. He lead his group into the library. He lost sight of the purple flames. The library was darker than usual. The big curtains were closed.
When they got into the room, the doors slammed shut. Matt turned to see Raven, Dexter, Ryder, Derek, Daring, Lizzie, and his mother all turned to the shut door. Ryder went up to it and jiggled the door handle. He heard small screams come from the other entrance as the doors slammed shut. Everyone was locked in. This is what Donna wanted for revenge.
A chill ran up Matt's spine as a whisper came to his ear, yet no one was around him. He could hear the words "I need you." He didn't know if it was Donna saying it to him, or the memory he had in his mind. Either way, it was what he needed to hear in order for him to take another step. He could hear the other group creeping quietly. They didn't know what going to happen.
Matt branched off as the others looked around. he went to where the shelves almost touched the ceiling. The air seemed to be getting colder with every step he took deeper in the library. He watched as Derek crept around on the other side. They both stopped at the noise. It was a slight crackle of a flame. Through the shelf, Derek exchanged looks with Matt. With a nod, they both went forward with the noise.
The end of the shelf was close. Matt tried to make sure his steps were silent. When he got to the corner, he and Derek stopped, exchanged looks once more. Matt held up a finger, then another. On three they both jumped around the corner. Nothing was there except for the boys. "What the-" Derek said, but then Matt pressed a finger to his own lips. He could hear something. It was small, but it was something.
He walked to the aisle of all the book shelves. The noise was coming from above. He looked up at the signs that directed you to the right book section. What a usual person might have seen was Fiction or Nonfiction, but Matt wasn't normal. He tried to read the sign, but the letters were rearranging themselves. Matt rubbed his eyes, hoping they wouldn't get blurry. He looked back up to the signs. For the first time in a year, Matt could fully read words.
The sign now read Ally. Another pointed and read Lily. Matt looked to see that there was no sign that pointed to Donna. He motioned for Derek to come over to where he was standing. Derek rushed over. "The signs," Matt whispered,"I can read them. Ally is to the right, Lily to the left."
"I can't see that," Derek whispered back. Matt thought this was weird. He usually was the one who couldn't read anything. "Go get Raven." Matt nodded and walked to find her. As he walked, he looked behind him to see Derek walk into the hall where Lily's sign pointed to. Matt froze on the spot. What if it was a trap? He could see The other group looking near Derek was going.
"Derek no!" Boom! Purple flames though Derek out. Everyone was silent as the lights flashed. Matt could hear a deep laugh echoing around the room. Suddenly, a book case was knocked over. Like domino, each bookcase was falling over the next. Matt panted and search for everyone quickly. The triplets and their parents, Cerise and Cassidy, Daring and Lizzie, Dexter and Ryder all were in the hall. Matt searched for Raven and his own mother, but the out burst of purple flames gave away her position.
Matt ran to the source that was lifting the final bookshelf. Raven was holding out both of her hands. Matt looked to see his mother caught between two shelves in a tiny space. Matt's heart raced as he ran and pulled his mother out. Once Maddie was out, she threw her arms around her son. Matt held onto his mom tightly. He almost lost her.
Raven pushed back the book shelves. There was more silence, but then briers began to sprout out of the hard wood floor. Matt could hear some laughter. She had to be close. That's when he saw it. Donna was standing on top of a bookshelf, holding Ally and Lily hostage. "Donna," Matt said before he pointed at her location. Briar Beauty was the first to notice. She began to climb up one of the growing briers. Cerise and Cassidy followed her actions.
Matt ran over to Raven and pointed. She focused her vision on her daughter. Her eyes then narrowed. She was about to climb on a brier when Matt took her arm. She as going to try to get her without him. She shook her head and magically floated up to the top of the bookshelf.
Matt felt betrayed. He knew he could save Donna. His eyes gazed around him. Derek was still laying on the floor, but he was awake. His parents were bent over him. Matt ran over to Derek and got down on his knees. he could hear yelling coming from the top of the shelves. He watched as Cerise, Briar, Dexter, and Cassidy all made it to the top of the briers. Maybe they could succeed in getting Donna back.
"Derek," Matt called to him. Derek sat up. Before he could say anything else, there was silence. Suddenly, the briers crackled. They began to morph. Some sprouted legs, while other only gained heads. Matt pulled Derek up to his feet as they all watched in horror. Briar, Cassidy, Dexter, and Cerise were all thrown to the ground by a brier snake.
They all scrambled to their feet and began to run towards the group. Briar was held close by Hopper and her kids. Everyone looked to see the head of the snake was watching. A chill ran up Matt's spine as the eyes settled on the group. A suddenly roar made Matt jump into action. He ran to the font of the library where decorative knights in armor stood. he took the swords from each one. He froze in his place once he felt the ground shake.
Matt turned back to see the snake was now one of three. Matt hurried over to everyone and distributed the swords. There weren't enough for everyone, but it was at least something. The snakes all stared at them. Then they launched their attack. "Split up!" Dexter commanded the group. Matt ran the book cases. Derek followed him.
Both of the boys were extremely quiet. They watched as the brier snakes slide past. Matt turned to see Ryder had followed him as well. The others began to fight the snakes. Both Matt and Ryder were unarmed, while Derek held a sword close to him. "I need to get up there," Matt said quietly as he pointed to the top of the shelves. They were at least fifty feet up.
"The only way you'll get there is by climbing," Ryder whispered. "There's not enough time to climb the shelves."
"I need to get Ally and Lily," Derek whispered,"Before its too late." Matt watched through the shelves as Cerise and Cassidy ran along a snakes back and together cut off a pat of the brier.
"That's it," Matt turned back to the tow boys,"We are going to trick the snake into giving us a ride up there."
"How are we going to do that?" Derek asked.
"You're going to have to get up on a shelf. Ryder and I will jump on its back as its slithers up to get you. Then we could possibly throw a book up far enough so the snake will chase it, thinking its Derek. But I don't know if I have the strength to throw it up there."
"I'll do it," Ryder said,"I was a pretty good thrower back at tryouts." Matt nodded. Together the boys ran out to where all the action was happening. Cerise and Cassidy were trying to kill the one snake. They were running out of time. Matt looked up to see purple flashes of light. He hoped this plan would work. Hopper, Briar, Maddie, Daring, and Lizzie were all facing one snake. He saw Hyde, Catherine, and Brandon all running from another snake, this was the one they would use. Derek got into position rather quickly.
He ran with Ryder over to the snake. When he came face to face with it his mind flashed memories of bookball. He remembered the day of his injury. The pain. The loss. His breath began to quicken. He couldn't have a panic attack, not at this time. It felt like everything stopped for a moment. His hearing went dull. he could only hear muffles until he heard her voice. "I need you."
Matt snapped out of his trance and began to run away from the snake. He grabbed Brandon and tugged him out of the way. Ryder threw Catherine and Hyde out the other way, then threw the first book up at Derek to get attention. The snake looked up to see Derek. During this short stopping time. Matt and Ryder both climbed on top of the snakes back. Since there were many briers it was easier to hold onto.
"Come and get me," Derek waved his sword around. The snakes glowing eyes focused on Derek, and the snake began the climb. Matt looked nervously at Ryder as they held on tighter. They were almost dangling off the snake. Derek began to climb the shelves as the snake chased him. Then, Derek took his sword and jabbed the snake between the eyes. The brier snake roared.
Ryder threw the second book above the shelves, but the snake didn't move. Derek climbed onto the snake's head and turned the sword. Somehow, the snake obeyed the direction Derek thrusts the sword. Their plan had worked. Matt couldn't help but smile as rode up the shelves. Once they reached the top, they jumped off the snakes back.
In their luck, a stray fire ball came right at them. The boys ducked at it hit he snake straight on. Purple fire began to eat up the snake as it shrieked in pain. Matt watched it shrivel before turning to see what was going on. Raven was the furthest thing from them. Ally and Lily were tied back to back behind Donna's back. Derek immediately ran to them.
Matt watched as Raven and Donna threw magic at each other. This was almost too familiar. It was like in the memory of Raven fighting the Evil Queen with hostages waiting to be rescued. A fire circle suddenly appeared around them. There was no way he was going to get in there now. Matt didn't know what to do. Suddenly, Ally was at his side. "Matt where have you been?! You have to do something! Donna wants to take over Ever After."
"What can I do?" Matt asked,"I don't have magic."
"It does't matter," Ally held up his wrist and her own. The bracelets. "Show her." This could work. He walked over to the ring of fire. He touched his hand against it. There was no effect on him. the bracelet was the key.
"Ally you're coming with me," Matt said as he jogged back to her. "If we don't go now one of them is going to be killed just like the last war." Derek, Lily, and Ryder all looked at Matt. "You guys need to get to safety."
"We're not going anywhere," Derek said.
"No," Ryder told Derek,"We will." He turned to Matt his time. "Just tell her I care. I always have." Matt nodded. He then turned to the purple fire wall. His heart raced. This was it. It was the time. Ally grabbed his hand. He looked at her. Her blue eyes connected with his. She nodded, then he. Together they ran to the wall of flames, and they went in.
Matt's vision flashed. There was a locker door. The door swung open to reveal the picture Matt had drawn of Donna from long ago. He was surprised she kept it after all this time.
Flash. He was in the girl's room. Donna was looking at a framed photo of her and Ally. Ally was asleep in her bed. Donna looked at her. Matt could tell there was some anger in her. She set down the photo and clipped the bracelet off her arm and laid it next to Ally's on the night stand.
Flash. He was now in another dark room. He found it to be his own. He was sleeping on his bed. His rabbit under his arm. he was wondering why this was being shown to him. Then the door opened. Donna crept into the room. She looked at all of the pictures he drew of her on the board. She silently walked over to where Matt was sleeping. She bent down next to him. A grin on her face. I was the one who wronged you, Matt. It was her thoughts. They were only inches apart. She then got up and opened the door, taking one last look at Matt before leaving.
They were now on the other side of the firewall. Matt and Ally both laid on the floor. Once Matt came to his senses, he stood up quickly. He helped ally up before looking to see what was happening. Donna and Raven continued their fight. Matt still didn't know how to get her attention, so he just yelled. "Donna!"
The fighting ceased quickly. Donna stood motionless for a moment. She then turned around to see Matt and Ally. She didn't look like herself anymore. He looked like her grandmother with Raven's black and purple hair. Her eyes were still hers though, Matt needed to remember that. "What do you want? Ithought you were too obsessed with your own problems."
"That is not true," Ally said loudly. Donna's eyes widened at Ally.
"I was not talking to you," Donna waved her arm. Ally was sent flying back to where Raven was. Raven caught her, but she was knocked down.
"This needs to stop Donna," Matt tried to stay calm. "Before anyone gets hurt." The fire wall crackled in the silence. Matt could only wonder what Donna's thoughts were fighting about in this moment.
"I'm already hurt," Donna's voice said quietly. "No one cares about me. You've all wronged me in some way."
"I agree with you Donna," Matt took a step closer. "We've all wronged you. But you are cared about." Matt watched as Ally got up to her feet. Once she noticed he was looking. She pointed her bracelet and clipped it off.
"How would you know?" Donna's voice was higher pitched.
"Because why else do you think we are here?" Matt asked,"Because we don't care about you at all?"
"No, you care," Donna said,"Only about the fame you'll get for saving Ever After once I'm locked up."
"I'm not here to save Ever After," Matt said,"I'm here to save you."
"Save me?" Donna was taken aback. "No one cares about me enough to try to save me, only defeat me."
"Not true," Matt said as Ally was struggling with her bracelet a little. He had to stall. "Your parents care about you. Ryder cares, he told me to tell you that.. Ally cares. Derek cares. I care. Donna I care so much about you. You remember that day in the old dormitory hallway. I told you that, and you believed me, because it was true. Everyone has been working on your case ever since the dance. We want to know what happened to you. You need to come back because...I need you."
These words made Donna's eyes become wide. He could see the old Donna coming back to the surface. Matt felt for a moment that he had gotten to her. Ally was beginning to run towards Donna. Matt waited till the last moment, but ran at her too. Donna didn't realize what happened until it already happened. Matt and Ally both grabbed Donna's wrist and touched the bracelets together.