An: Everyone: Thanks to Creator of Magic for coming up with Matt x Donna ship name. I think Matonna is my favorite. But I was on a roll today so I just wrote this whole thing. If you're a Magic or Choices reader I'm sorry I didn't get out a chapter before this one but its on its way!
Creator of Magic: I enjoyed reading your novel lol. Hopefully this chapter will make you not hate me. It doesn't really end on such a cliffhanger. I'm glad you're getting into it though. No, the parents don't know about Matonna. Donna's still building trust with Raven. Although, they are going to find out soon...
So the deal with Eliza's eyes is that Laura was controlling them from her window. Originally, I was going to have Donna throw magic up at Laura instead of the tree, but then the mysterious escape wouldn't have worked out as well. But you're also right because the Evil Queen possessed Laura and she's possessing her friends.
The Raven's Calling will make sense in the chapter. Well part of it anyway. There's a little more to it then what I'm giving out, but there is an answer in here I promise. You're right with the character elements. There's a mix of characters in there that will reveal themselves. These elements were also in Donna's first vision. Thanks for your reviews! I love reading them!
Sky: OH YEAH THEY'RE BACK! I honestly just loved reading that. It makes me happy that you get pumped up for them. I'm low-key thinking of writing a small prequel story about them just for you. What do you think?
Thank you for your continued support!
After breakfast at the Queen's castle, Matt felt uneasy. It was all read. What if he didn't find anything? Even if he did, then how would he know if it was useful. Donna was counting on him. He had to find a way. He just had to be optimistic. Considering his past, it wouldn't be easy for him. He definitely was his father's son. Wade would get this way when he was stressed, but Maddie would always cheer him up.
Except his love was locked up in a psycho ward, or technically a hospital. With both bracelets on his wrists, he wondered which to give to Ryder to use. Donna did make him one, but somehow he was soo attached to the one she wore on his wrist. He took off hers and passed it to Ryder across the table. "Should I go with you?" Raven asked.
"Oh," Maddie shook her head. "The boys will be fine. Our little mice have run up the clock and they don't need us anymore." She took a sip of her tea. Matt narrowed his eyes at his mother. He wished she would never call him mouse. But it was his nickname since birth. Raven shrugged and nodded.
"I can look around here too," Raven nodded. "Although, I don't know if I'll know where to look. My mother changed the entrance to her lab before she got trapped in the mirror prison." Ryder nodded and the two boys began their search.
They had walked through the castle's wing, only to stop at a tapestry with a tree holding black apples. Matt had never seen a tapestry like it. He was surprised that Raven hadn't taken it down. He was about to touch it, but stopped when he noticed Ryder looking down the dark entrance. "I've never been in this wing before." Ryder admitted.
"Why? Didn't you grow up here?" Matt asked. Donna didn't say much about her childhood. He never really asked either.
"Yes, but we weren't alone," Ryder turned to him. "My grandfather lived in that wing. Mom hadn't told me much, but I think they weren't on the best of terms after the war. I've only seen him once in my life. I think he didn't want anything to do with us. My mom did really mess things up for the older folks. And you know, I don't think he was ever happy with his life anyway."
"That's terrible," Matt was sympathetic. "Your grandparents should be apart of your life." He wouldn't know what he would've done without the Mad Hatter in his life. It explained so much of his mother's personality.
"I've always had the Charmings," Ryder shrugged. "But its just weird after all of these years. I've been forbidden to go into this wing. Now that the Good King is gone, I almost feel like his empty soul still lives in there."
"His soul might just be the answer," Matt put a hand on Ryder's shoulder. Ryder nodded and they set off in the dark tunnel. Once they came to the other side, Matt looked into the wing. It looked the same compared tot he other, except many walls had book shelves that rose up to the ceiling. "We could be in here for hours."
"We've got the time," Ryder sighed.
Ally still couldn't find Ryder nor Matt. Catherine hadn't heard from Ryder at all. It made Ally suspicious. Something was wrong here. She just knew it. Ally hadn't received anything from Donna either. The last time they talked was on Thursday. It wasn't a very good conversation. Just basic things about each's daily life. Ally didn't like being so unconnected to Donna now. Sure, she did have Derek, but it was still weird without Donna.
Ally decided to call Matt at lunch. It took two tries before the son of Madline Hatter picked up. "What Ally?" He didn't seem to be in a very good mood.
"Um," Ally bit her lip. "Hi to you too. Where are you and Ryder? What happened to my seat buddy?"
"Oh that's right," Matt sighed. "I'm sorry but something came up with Donna and we had to go right away."
"What's wrong with Donna?" Ally asked. She could hear Ryder talking in the background.
"Uh I'll call you back later Ally. I have to go." There was a sound of magic coming from his end.
"Wait where are," the phone was hung up. "You?" Ally finished her question before slowly putting the phone down in her lap. She couldn't believe it. There was something wrong with Donna and no one had let her know about it. She didn't need to look up to see the group's eyes on her. Ally blocked out their questions and rose to her feet.
She walked out the Castleteria onto the student balcony. Ally wrapped her blue jacket around herself as the cold November air nipped at her face. She leaned against the white railing and looked out. She wondered if Donna had a window in her hospital room, so that Donna could look out and wonder if Ally was thinking of her. Ally wished she was there right now, but she didn't even know where to start. What if they weren't at the hospital? She looked at the red beaded bracelet on her arm. She hoped that Donna hadn't forgotten about her.
"Are you okay?" Derek's deep voice asked behind her. Ally didn't answer as she continued to look at the woods. She felt his warm hand press gently on her back. "Hey, talk to me. What did Matt say?"
"Nothing," Ally shook her head.
"Well he had to say something," Derek looked at her, but then looked away and dropped his arm.
"I asked where he was or what he was doing and he just said he had to go because something came up with Donna."
"Is she in trouble?" Derek asked.
"I don't know," Ally was frustrated. "I just hate how everything is just so uncertain and I can't get a grip on things. My mom and I haven't talked. I know I should but I just don't know what to say."
"Well you're not the only one who's confused," Derek said after a moment. Ally turned to him and raised an eyebrow.
"What are you confused about? Donna?"
"Of course. But, that's not what I'm talking about." Ally didn't respond. Derek met her eyes, then leaned against the rails. "Last night, you just seemed a little off."
"Off?" Ally recalled last night. She had her first kiss in front of the whole school. Of course, it wasn't something she intended on doing, but she wasn't off.
"Well, you kissed me, and then you just were quiet the rest of the night," Derek adverted his eyes. "Did you really think I couldn't handle Molly? Do you not trust me or something?" Ally recalled the after party, she did just hang low.
"Of course I trust you," Ally turned to him. "I kissed you to prove a point to Molly. Was that so bad?"
"I just didn't think our first kiss was for the right reasons," Derek shook his head. "I was hoping it was a little more, special." He turned his face to hers. Inches apart, Ally couldn't help but lean in a little. Before she got too close, Derek turned his head.
"So what are you trying to say?" Ally raised her eyebrows.
"What I'm trying to say is," Derek sighed. "Are you really in this for us, or for your image?"
"What?" Ally was shocked. "Why would you even think that?"
"You've always told me about how your family must up hold an image," Derek straightened up. "How do I know that you're really in this?"
"Derek," Ally whispered as she clutched her heart. It was slightly pinching. "I care about you. Don't you ever doubt that. I wanted to kiss you so I did. Didn't you want to kiss me in that moment?"
Derek looked down for a while. Ally's heart began to beat in her ears. He then looked up. "You never answered my question. Don't you trust me?"
"Derek I-"
"Do you trust me?" Derek said this in a louder voice. Ally honestly didn't know. She thought she did, but the way he was asking about her image, she was questioning it.
"I d-don't know," Ally admitted. There was a long silence.
"Then I don't know either," Derek said before he turned around. "I'll see you around."
"W-" Ally felt her words get cut off in her throat. She watched as Derek went back into the school. Now she was even more confused. Did this mean they were broken up? A tear fell down Ally's cheek. She watched it fall onto her blue sneakers. The golden glasses charm stared back up at her.
The two boys had been searching the room all day without nay luck. Matt had to admit it was harder than he thought. It was nearing five o'clock when Matt gave up on the final bookshelf. He sighed and crossed his arms. "This doesn't make sense, how can there be no memories in this whole bookcase."
"Well we haven't checked for bedrooms yet," Ryder shrugged. Matt turned to see where Ryder's gaze had lead. A spiral staircase lead to a closed door.
"I suppose so," Matt looked down at the bracelet on Ryder's arm. He headed off with Ryder up the steps. When they entered the room, it was surprisingly clean. Sure, it was dusty, but everything had been tucked away. Decorations of blue scattered the room. In here there was yet another bookcase. Matt refused to look through anymore books.
They began to scavenge the room. Matt let Ryder take the books while he do the rest. After shifting through drawers, closets, and the nightstand, the golden crown that lay on the bed caught his eyes. That thing had to have some memories. Something important. Hesitant at first, Matt slid his fingers under the crown. He raised it up to eye level and got a good look at it. "Ryder I think I got something." Matt called him over.
"What do you think we'll see?"
"There's only one way to find out," Matt grabbed Ryder's arm. Together, they touched the bracelets to the crown. The decorations changed from blue to purple and black to match the stone walls. A big mirror was propped up on the wall.
Why would you do such a thing?" a man's voice called from outside of the door. Matt and Ryder both jumped out of the way as the door swung open. A younger Evil Queen and Good King stormed into the room. Matt's heart began to beat in his ears. He was filled with terror for a moment, then realized this was the memory. h
"Because I'm already on my way to mirror prison," she collected some things from the room. She grabbed a raven skull on the dresser and placed it as a jewel in her spiked up hair. "Why aren't you out fishing or something?"
"I'm too busy raising our daughter," the Good King said firmly.
"Oh," the Evil Queen stood up straight, "You're going to bring that up again?! She needs to learn how to be bad for her destiny. I'm doing more than you think!"
"But poisoning Wonderland," he furrowed his eyebrows. "That's too much! Our daughter needs a loving home!"
"I want world domination!" her eyes were filled with fire. "All I needed was my destiny! And that's all Raven needs! I will teach her the ways of evil by being the most feared queen in history!" She laugh as she stormed out of the room. The Good King stood there, tears forming in his eyes.
When everything faded away, the boys stood there in shock. Matt tried to understand what was the significance of this. The raven's skull had looked familiar. Not just because she wore it, because he had seen it before. He recalled all of his memory experiences. Everything the bracelet had shown him. There was a connection, he just couldn't remember what.
He looked over at the dresser where it lay in the memory. Matt stepped up to it and ran over the spot with his fingers. The spot turned black. Matt jumped back as Ryder gasped. "Whoa dude." Matt did turn to him, he kept his eyes on the black mark. He grabbed Ryder's wrist and pressed the bracelet to it. Nothing happen for a moment. No memory had shown.
When Ryder lifted his hand, there was a small echo of the Evil Queen's laugh. Matt's eyes studied the spot as the black mark began to turn into a dust. It swirled up into a small cyclone. Both of the boys back away as it came off of the dresser. It circled around their head before it travel through the door. Matt exchanged looks with Ryder before they chased after it.
Matt took the spiral stairs while Ryder jumped to the ground halfway down. They ran through the wing to chase the echoing laugh. As they neared the tunnel, Maddie and Raven appeared. "Did you guy-" Raven started, but she was cut off when Ryder took her hand. Maddie gave her son a concerned look, but Matt then grabbed her arm and guided her.
The four ran through the tunnel and when they had reached the other side, the dust had run itself into the tapestry. They all stopped in front of it. Out of breath, Matt raised an eyebrow. He walked slowly forward and reached out his hand. When he touched the woven fabric, the tapestry ripped down from its post. It fell on top of him. It was surprisingly heavy.
"Matt!" Maddie called as she uncovered her son. "Are you alright?" Ryder and Maddie helped Matt to his feet.
"Yeah," Matt brushed himself off. "I'm fine." He looked to see Raven was staring beyond them. Her eyes were wide. Matt turned to where she was looking. The bricks were gone. Now, a small entrance glowed.
"Her liar," Raven whispered. "Its been here all along?" No one responded. Raven took a few steps forward. She then walked into the door, and fell straight down. The three gasped.
"Mom!" Ryder exclaimed. He ran to the door and looked down. He then stepped into it and fell himself. Matt and Maddie both jumped back a little. After a moment, Maddie grinned.
"Hat tastic!" she exclaimed. "Its like the well to Wonderland!"
"I don't know," Matt crossed his arms. "Its the Evil Queen's making."
"Ah whatever," Maddie grabbed her son's hand and ran to the door. Matt tried to fight her, but before he knew it he was falling down a black hole.
When they reached the liar, they floated to a stop before placing their feet on the ground. Matt looked around to find Raven and Ryder already looking at everything. It was a grey stone room. Many potions and more books sat on shelves. There was only one book out of place. It was sitting on a stand in front of a cauldron. "Raven, have you ever been here before?"
"Once, before my mom was put away," Raven ran her fingers along the cauldron. "She turned my puppy into a bone rat." Ryder's face cringed.
"What's this spell book?" Maddie asked.
"It was her pride and joy," Raven ran her fingers along it. "She wouldn't want anyone to have it. I don't even think I should be touching it. Its full of dark magic."
"Is there something in there to help Donna?" Matt asked. He rounded the cauldron and looked at the book. On the page open, was a spirit spell. It was designed to help people stay after their death. They can posses a figure as long as their source wasn't damaged. A source could be anything that wouldn't dwindle. It was an old spell cast down from three Evil Queen's ago. Matt wondered if any of them used it.
He suddenly remembered. The raven skull. Matt had seen the memory of the Evil Queen's capture. He was in Donna's mind when it happened. He had forgotten about it till now. After Snow White put her mirror prison, what was left behind was the raven skull. Of course. It was her spirit source. It couldn't be moved with magic. That's why she had worn it in the first memory. That's why Donna had seen the raven in her visions. Her Raven was calling.
They had to find it and destroy it. Then her spirit would be gone forever.
This was the answer.
Ally was sitting in her dorm alone when Matt called. "Care to tell me where you are now?" She said this in an angry tone.
"Uh, hi to you too," Matt voice sounded confused. "We've got it. We're going to save Donna."
"What was even wrong with Donna?" Ally asked in her angered tone. "You didn't tell me anything, remember?"
"She was going to have her mind erased by the doctors because they didn't know what to do," Matt explained. "Then she got attacked by Fauna and Eliza because she wouldn't help Laura escape. Since she used magic out of permission she's on lockdown at the hospital. Now, we're going tomorrow morning and getting her out of there. We have to destroy the raven skull."
"The what?" Ally was confused. Donna's mind's getting wiped? Why didn't she tell her? Oh wait, the lockdown. Ally felt like her stomach was in knots. First Donna, then Derek, and now Matt was confusing.
"If you go to my room and look at a drawing of the Evil Queen you'll see it," Matt confirmed. "We don't know exactly where it is, but it might be in Wonderland. If we can destroy it Donna won't need her mind erased."
"We should come and help you," Ally nodded.
"No!" Matt said all of a suddenly. Ally gasped a little. "I need you to stay put and see if Laura and her goons come back. I don't know what's happening with them, but I think it has something to do with the skull."
"But Matt I-" Ally started.
"Please Ally, for Donna," Matt cut her off.
"For Donna," Ally whispered.
"Thanks," Matt said after a moment. "I'll let you know if there's any major breakthroughs."
"Okay," Ally said dully. She was hoping he would notice her tone, ask her what was wrong, but he didn't say anything other than his goodbye. Once he hung up, Ally let a tear fall down rom her cheek. This was all so overwhelming. How can she just sit here and do nothing while the other's were going on a mission to save Donna again?
Ally fell asleep before dinner. She didn't even hear Cassidy or Catherine come in. She was too focused on her dreams of worry of being left behind.
