An: Sorry it took so long but I had to rewrite a scene twice to get it right. I think you guys will like it a lot better than the original I had cooked up this morning. It was the Snow scene. I had to make sure it was written the right way. Anyway, enjoy! Also Happy Holidays!
Creator of Magic: I'm glad you like Lily. She was just a last minute add to the story, but I think she's going to stay on now as a side. She's a lot like Darling, but with a good mix of Lizzie/Maddie. We'll see a little bit more of her in this chapter. Catherine has really come out of her shell, but still is a little shy on the inside. I think she's a good mix of her parents, while the other two are pretty much one or the other. I think Dally, Cyder, and Cassyde would be good names. What are your thoughts?!
NymhadoraTonks: More of Ally and Derek, and more of Matt and Donna too! Lily is a solid mix of Darling and Lizzie/Maddie when it came to her character developing. I wanted her to act more like the Maddie of the group instead of Matt because he's more like his father. Even though Lily and Maddie aren't related through blood, they're very alike. We'll see more of her in upcoming chapters.
The sun was just beginning to rise on the poisoned Wonderland. Without a single nightmare, Donna felt for once well rested. Hearing Matt's heart beat always made her feel better, but right now, she couldn't hear it. Her eyes fluttered open to see he wasn't laying beside her. Donna jolted up at once. That's when her eyes settled on the reading boy sitting on the other side of the bed.
"You're really jumpy this morning," Matt said, meeting her eye. He raised an eyebrow while Donna took a deep breath.
"You scared me was all," Donna admitted. She looked at the book in his hand. "How are you reading in this dim light?"
"I think the question is how can I read at all?" Matt corrected. "I've read a full two pages in the past hour. I think I'm getting pretty good at this."
"You've been up for an hour?" Donna asked. She sat up and flipped her hair over her shoulder. Her eyes gazed at the clock. It was a little past seven.
"I can't sleep that well," Matt set down his book. Donna looked at him, confused. He was always able to sleep back when he stayed the night in the dorms. "You're not the only ones who has nightmares." Matt mumbled.
"About what?" Donna asked, scooting towards him. He never told her about any nightmares before. Her violet eyes widened as he looked down.
"My accident," Matt reached up and touched his head. "They only come once in a while. Its just post trauma. Most of the time its just flashes of what I remember from that night. Yours are more serious than mine. Its nothing to worry about."
"But it is," Donna got closer to him. "You should wake me when those happen."
"No, really, its alright," Matt just looked down at the book. "I just wish the effects weren't so terrible. I wish I had a normal life." Donna sunk back. A normal life. She wasn't giving him that at all. Was he even happy? Donna had been focusing on her needs more than Matt's.
"If you want normal," Donna looked down. "Then you shouldn't be with me."
"What?" Matt turned his head sharply. His eyes widened as he realized what he had said. "No, Donna. That's not what I meant." She didn't look back up at him. She felt like such an idiot. "We're both broken, but we complete each other." He turned her face with his hands. "Like two halves of a whole." There faces were inches apart. Donna couldn't help but grin a little. Matt always knew what to say.
She leaned forward and kissed Matt's lips softly. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she parted from him gently. They were still close together as Matt brushed the bang from Donna's cheek. They kissed again, only this time it was with more passion. Donna pulled Matt by his hoodie as she scooted closer. Matt was leaning back as he ran his fingers through her hair.
That's when there was a sudden knock on the door. With first instinct, Donna pushed Matt off of her, and he went right over the side of the bed. Accept he didn't hit the floor. Donna had used her magic to transport him to his room. Matt should have been sitting on his bed by the time Raven opened the door to Donna's room. Donna darted up and tried to look sleepy.
"What's going on mom?" Donna asked as she yawned.
"Get dressed and come downstairs, quickly." Raven's voice sounded nervous. Donna quickly go out of bed. As soon as he mother left, Donna looked down at the nightstand. Matt's book was still laying there. Donna pointed at it, and is disappeared into flames.
Matt didn't even know what had happened. One moment, he was kissing Donna. The next, he was falling. And now, he was laying in his own bed. Was it all a dream? He looked around before licking his lips. Definitely wasn't a dream. Donna's lip balm flavor was coated on his lips. She always put it on before she went to bed. He liked the flavor. Peppermint.
As his heart began to pace normally, Matt stood up from his bed, but his eye was caught by the purple flames on the nightstand. They disappeared when his book reappeared. He grabbed it and flicked it open, wondering with Donna left anything inside. A small note placed on the inside of the cover. Come downstairs. My mom is worried about something...
He dressed quickly. His bed was already made, so Matt went to his door. As he opened it, his father was already standing there. He had his hand raised, ready to knock. "Hey son," the White King chuckled. "I was just about to come get you."
"Is something wrong?" Matt asked. He knew something was, but he was hoping his father would tell him the issue.
"I'm afraid so, just come down with me now. Our guests should be arriving." He ran his finger through his silver hair before turning down the hall. Matt followed. Anticipation was building up inside him. He couldn't tell what was happening. What guests were arriving?
As they entered the main hall, Matt caught sight of Donna, standing with her family. His mother stood there too. They all were talking about something, but stopped when Matt and Wade came down the stairs. Donna looked at him with concerned eyes. The rising light was coming in through the clear windows. It reflected the poisonous clouds, making the white walls a shade of dark pink. Before he could ask what was going on, the two big entrance doors opened.
His eyes met the blue of Apple White's. She ran in and hugged Raven. "Oh, Raven!" Apple exclaimed. "Its just terrible."
"I know," Raven said, hugging back. "Just try not to worry."
"Worry?" Apple pulled away and raised her eyebrows. "I'm terrified! Why would all of the kids go missing? What if someone took them?"
"You saw the rope," Briar said. Mat looked to see Hopper, Brier, Cerise, Humphrey, Daring, and Lizzie. Lizzie looked different somehow, her face was glossed over with tears. The heart that was usually painted over her eye wasn't there. Daring had his arm around her. His gazed only laid on his wife.
"Rope?" Donna asked.
"Made of sheets," Briar shrugged. "Its a typical sneak out trick." Briar was surprisingly calm about the situation; which was odd.
"Aren't you worried?" Apple asked. "You do have three kids."
"Only about Brandon," Briar admitted. "The other two don't surprise me. But Brandon's a softie, like his father."
"Briar I'm standing right here," Hopper held out his arms.
"Its not a lie," Briar said in a sweet voice before she kissed his cheek. Hopper immediately melted from his offense. His cheeks began to flush with embarrassment. "See," Briar motioned to him.
"Why would they even want to escape?" Raven asked. "They knew they couldn't come with."
"Because they want to help Donna," Ryder added. "That's what I would do if you sent me home." Matt felt the same way. He wouldn't sit around either-waiting for someone else to recuse Donna.
"I thought they would be here," Apple said. "But there was no sign of them?"
"The guards didn't observe anything during the night," Wade said. He placed a hand on Matt's shoulder as he spoke. Matt was suddenly reminded that his father tried to talk to him last night. Raven was afraid, but what about? He would have to ask him later.
"What's with Lizzie?" Dexter asked. Everyone turned their attention to the crying girl. Maddie was now also had her arm around the girl.
"Just everything with her mother," Daring said calmly. "Derek will be fine. I trusted that I trained him well enough to handle himself."
"I know but, " Lizzie let another tear fall. "I don't want to go through all of this again. I know you all are thinking it too." Everyone was silent. Matt looked around to each parent; they had all gone pale. He was sure the war had tainted them in many ways. Maybe that was why they were so afraid for their children.
"Maybe we can congregate later and make a plan. You all have come along way, please, make yourselves at home." Wade said after a moment. "Breakfast is also ready if you would like some." There was still nothing but silence, but the warriors had filed out of the main hall. Dexter, Raven, and Maddie had gone with them.
"I guess its just us then," Wade shrugged. "Well, let's go!" Matt, Donna, and Ryder all followed the king to the dining room.
In the morning, Ally felt a little sick to her stomach. Sleeping on the wagon probably wasn't the best idea. She also didn't feel well mentally. Leaving her parents like that made her feel guilty. Derek had made her feel better last night, but she still felt a pang of guilt. She wondered what was running through Apple's head right now. Worried? Scared? Distrusted maybe? Broken?
She was a little scared at first when she woke up in this strange new place. Ally awoke in a beautifully decorated quest room, so she assumed she was in the Charming castle. Sunlight flooded through the window. After getting ready for the day. Ally reached for her glasses on the table. But then she realized she never put them on there. A smile was brought to her lips when she thought of Derek tucking her in for the night. She picked up her phone and turned it over to see a morning text from Derek.
When she sent a reply, a ding came from outside of her door. Ally went over to her door and opened it. Derek was leaning on the doorframe. His blue eyes matched hers. "Hey," Ally smiled. Derek didn't say anything as he pulled her in for a hug. Ally was taken aback by this, but she sank into the embrace. She leaned back after a moment. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Derek's lips curved. "I just missed you was all." Ally smiled before getting up on her tip toes and kissing Derek's cheek. Derek then leaned down and kissed her. Her cheeks became a light shade of pink. The two headed downstairs for breakfast. Ally took in most of Charming Castle. She had been here once before, but she was so little. She never remembered the intricate designs on everything.
As they neared they entered the dining room, Cassidy, Hyde, Brandon, and Catherine all looked to the couple. "Morning Sleeping Beauty," Lily said as she came from the kitchen. Her silvery blonde hair was put into a braid going down her back. Her blue eyes looked to Ally as she smiled warmly.
"Morning," Ally smiled back. As they sat down to eat, there wasn't much conversation. Ally was sure they were all thinking about the same thing. What were their parents doing right at this moment. Surely they would be in Wonderland by now, but once they get there, will they come back to try to find them? Or will they think they were taken? Ally couldn't settle her mind on it, so she just didn't think about it.
"So Lily," Derek said as they started to eat. "When you were visiting grandma, did anything seem, off?"
"No," Lily shook her head. "I had a little bit of a headache. That's why I had come home early. If there was anything truly wrong I don't think anyone noticed it. What does this evil want with grandma anyway?"
"She's looking for a raven skull," Ally answered. "Something about the Evil Queen's soul lives within it. If she finds it before we do, then it's game over."
"Well," Cassidy interrupted. Her bandage was gone, and all that was left was a few stitches. "It's not game over. The Evil Queen would return, but Donna could so defeat her."
"You think so?" Ally raised an eyebrow.
"No," Hyde shook his head. Cassidy shot him a look of disgust. They were always fighting about something. "Donna's powers were given to her by the Evil Queen. Wouldn't she just take that power back?"
"That depends," Catherine got in on the discussion. "If Donna's powers were just heightened by the Evil Queen. She is still bloodline, so she could just have magic herself. my bet is that Raven and Donna will have to work together to defeat her."
"You all talk to lightly on this subject," Lily said in a dreamy voice. "Isn't this Donna your friend? Then why are you betting on her like she's a play in a silly little game? Well, I guess life is a game if you look at it through a different angle." Everyone was quiet. Ally felt guilty after Lily's words. She had a strange way of talking for a teenager.
After breakfast the team suited up and got ready for a shorter journey. Ally could already feel her nerves brewing in the pit of her stomach. It was time. She was going to see her grandmother she had never known about. The whole thing was just unbelievable. The famous Snow White who she thought was dead not only was actually alive, but in prison serving for the past twenty years.
Ally had been staring into into the air. "Hey," Derek placed a hand on her shoulder. "Its going to be alright. We're going to be with you." Ally looked at him and nodded. He turned away from her. "Lily! We're going!"
"Not without me you're not," Lily said as she ran down the stairs. She had a small backpack and was wearing a light blue jacket. "I'm coming with you."
"No you're not," Derek crossed his arms. "You're too young and I don't want you put in danger again. I think Donna would understand why I didn't bring you."
"I'm not doing this for Donna," Lily admitted. "I'm doing it for grandma. I can either come with you and you can keep an eye on me or I can just leave on my own and go to Wonderland." Derek raised his eyebrows at his sister. She raised hers back. They stared at each other for a few moment before Derek shook his head.
"Fine. You're coming with us," Derek grumbled as he turned away from her. Lily smiled triumphantly.
"So," Lily turned to the triplets and Cassidy. She clapped her hands together. "I hear one of you are a werewolf." The dreaminess of her voice was gone. She had a little bit of a crazy look in her eyes. They could all tell she doesn't get out very much. Cassidy took an uncomfortable step behind Hyde.
The four were very relieved when they got to the prison. Lily had asked hundreds of questions in the twenty minute drive. Derek and Ally had sat on the front bench of the wagon again. They had rode in silence all the way. Many thoughts trickled through mind about what was to happen. She was scared more than anything. It was just so weird to think about how her mother had never gone to visit her. There had to be some reason.
Derek held out a hand for her as she stepped down from the wagon. The others pooled behind her. She shallowed hard. Her face had gone white. Derek's hand suddenly slipped into hers. Without looking at him, she squeezed his hand as she walked to the the prison. It was a huge, grey building. It was surrounded with guards and fencing. Very protected. "Hold it," the guard at the door raised his hand to them all.
"What?" Ally asked. "We're here to see my grandmother, Snow White. She is one of the few inmates here."
"You're all blood related?" the guard asked with sarcasm. His smirk suddenly changed to a straight face. "Only family members can visit. No exceptions." Ally felt a pinch in her stomach. She could feel herself shaking slightly. Derek's arms wrapped around her quickly, she was already terrified.
"I'll be waiting right here for you," Derek whispered. "She can't hurt you." Ally pulled back and nodded. She took a deep breath as she turned to the guards.
"I'm the daughter of Apple White," Ally pulled her identification from her backpack. The guards examined it before nodding. She took once last look at Derek and the gang before she was escorted into the prison.
It was cold and dark, but that was no surprise. After a small security check, Ally followed the guards down a small narrow hallway. There were only small light flickering on the wall every ten feet or so. A small leak dripped down from the wall. Every drop made an echo. Some part of her thought that a high guarded prison like this was going to be more fancy, but Ally was definitely wrong. Ally already wanted to leave this place.
As they neared the end, Ally felt like stopping. She didn't want to be here. She tried keeping Derek in her mind. He was there for her. The thought of him some how gave her courage. She was doing this for Donna and it had to be done. As the guards opened the metal door, Ally took another long and deep breath. "Stay in the circle." Once man said. Ally nodded as she entered the room.
As they shut the door behind her, Ally looked around in the dim cell. Only a small window on the top of the back wall gave soft light. The bars of the cage were not like Ally had seen before. They wrapped all around to the door. Ally was standing in a small open circle. She looked for any sign of life in the shadows. "Snow?" Her voice echoed in the room. There was a stirring just below the window. A figure stood up.
Ally felt her heart begin to beat loudly in her chest. the figure reached above its head and pulled a string for the light. A golden hue spread across the room. Ally's eyes adjusted to see Snow White. She had only seen a drawing of her once before but everything was true. Her hair was really raven, her skin as white as snow, her lips a bright red, and eyes the shade of ice blue. Only now she looked older, but she had no wrinkles across her face.
"Apple?" Snow walked a few steps.
"No," Ally shook her head. "I'm her daughter Ally."
"Apple married?"
"Humphrey Dumpty," Ally almost choked on her words.
"The egg boy?" Snow laughed to herself. "Well, you look exactly like your mom. Where is she anyway?"
Ally swallowed. "She's in Wonderland. Its cursed again. That's why I'm here. You were the one who captured the Evil Queen."
"Yes," Snow nodded.
"I need to know what you know about the raven skull. It was the only thing left of her after you put her in mirror prison."
"I remember something falling," Snow recalled. "I don't knw if it was a raven skull, but I remember it disappeared before anyone of my guards could pick it up. What does it matter?"
"So it really could be anywhere," Ally said to herself. "Its holding the Evil Queen's spirit. It had taken over Raven's daughter, Donna. Then, we got it out. Now, there's another host. We have to destroy the skull before she does, or the Evil Queen would come back."
"Why did you come to me for help," Snow raised an eyebrow. "How do you know I didn't give you false information?"
"Why would you lie?" Ally asked. She was confused.
"Didn't your mom tell you? I worked with the Evil Queen."
"I knew," Ally recalled. "But why would you lie?"
"Maybe its because I want the Evil Queen to come back," Snow grinned. "Don't you know how this works? Its us parents against the kids. We're old school. Just because they legalized writing your own destiny doesn't mean that I've changed my mind."
"Why? You broke from your story," Ally crossed her arms. She was getting her confidence back now.
"I did that for reason," Snow shot back. "I had raised Apple right. She accepted her destiny, but then she betrayed me. I had to show her what was right, but she overpowered me. I couldn't have been more proud."
"What?" Ally was confused again.
"By her rebellion against me, she was using her power. She is now a leader again, and that's what's the White's legacy is about." Snow's voice was calm. She had walked over to the bars and was pacing the circle around Ally.
"She's not following the legacy, she's not like you," Ally shook her head.
"Isn't she though?" Snow narrowed her eyes. "She didn't ever tell you a smile makes everyone's day brighter? She didn't teach about how to lead others? Isn't that why you're here without her? To get answers for what she wouldn't reveal to you?"
"Yes but-"
"No buts," Snow cut her off. "Believe me, I know the game. She's grown into me, and you shall as well. The only thing is with your rebellion, you can take back what's rightfully yours." She stopped directly in front of Ally and stared at her with her fierce eyes. Only now did Ally recognize the small bird on her shoulder.
"What's that?" Ally asked.
"Your happily ever after, of course," Snow was amused. "You just have to take back the Story Book of Legends."
"I can live one myself, I don't need a stupid book," Ally defended. "Why are you so fixated on it? It was destroyed."
"The thing with the book is, it brings balance. Its declares who is evil, and who will rise up against it. The book was made to write the story of Ever After. And no, the book was never destroyed. Without it, you wouldn't be standing here, and neither would I."
"That's not possible," Ally shook her head as she took another step forward.
"It is," Snow crossed her arms. "It built this world, and it can take it down. That's why we must keep the balance. Everyone has their role to play, and nothing terrible can happen. Do you want to die Ally? Because you didn't sign for your happily ever after? That to me, just seems like a waste of life. If we still had the book, then the world would be peaceful."
"No, it would be dull and hopeless," Ally argued. "Its people like you that are making our destinies terrible. If everyone could just live their own lives, you wouldn't be here rotting in this jail cell." Snow opened her mouth to retaliate, but Ally grabbed her by the collar through the bars and pulled her face until their eyes were inches apart.
"That seems to me, like a waste of life," Ally said harshly. "And my mother raised me to do the right thing. My rebellion isn't to her, its to you." Snow's face was shocked, but then she started to laugh. Ally's hard expression slowly melted into confusion.
"You see, its already working," Snow's voice was now deep. "The White's blood will never change. We will always want dominance over the other. It will just go on till the book's end." Ally let go of her collar and pushed herself away from Snow. She didn't even know what had come over her. Ally touched her forehead. Her heart pounded in her ears.
As she opened the door, Snow laughed again. "I know we'll meet again, granddaughter. By then you hopefully will have realized what you are." Ally stopped and looked straight ahead. Her expression filled with fear. Without looking back, Ally blinked and her her expression changed to anger. The guards closed the door behind her.
She ran out into the early morning light. Derek was leaning against the wagon when he saw her. Tears were beginning to pool in Ally's blue eyes as she ran to Derek. He held his arms open for her, and she dove in for a hug. She shook as tears fell from her eyes. They bled into Derek's jacket as he stroked her blonde hair. "Its over. You're safe now." Derek whispered softly. From Snow White, yes. From herself, she didn't know.
