AN: Thank you for holding on guys! This is the final chapter before THE BATTLE! We're all excited for that. This will focus on the parents because I think they deserve a little attention. Also the end is a little surprise! Not really dealing with the storyline exactly, but I think some will enjoy. I'll be writing the battle as fast as I can!
NymhadoraTonks: That would've been funny if Hyde or someone was listening outside the door during the Catherine x Ryder scene. I just wanted to show that they had come a long way since the last time I had written about them. They know each other so well and the circumstances have made their love grow significantly.
Brandon's at a crossroads because he doesn't wan to hurt anyone's feelings. He is simply comparing what Lily said to what Danielle said. He wants to be interested in Danielle, but she is sending him such mixed signals he just doesn't know what to do. With learning about the crush Lily has on him, he just doesn't want to hurt her. It'll be all clear soon!
**also ch. 20 of Magic of your Choices will be coming out probably Tuesday. just a heads up
THANK YOU!
"Ally, you'll be fine," Derek said, wrapping his arms around Ally. She buried herself into his chest.
"You think so?" Ally asked, unsure. Derek put his hands on her shoulders. He looked her straight in the eye.
"Of course I do," Derek said with a small smile. "I'll be waiting for you with the rest of the gang just down the stairs. Okay?"
"Okay," Ally nodded with a grin. With a quick kiss, Derek disappeared from the hall. Ally watched him go as the blush from her cheeks slowly faded away. She turned and walked to where she knew her mother was. She knocked on the door softly.
"Yes?" Apple called after a knock on the door. It swung open to reveal Ally. Apple smiled at the sight of her daughter, Ally only grinned.
"Hey, mom," she said with a tone of nervousness. "Is dad here?"
"He just left," Apple was brushing her hair. "I was just about to go meet with him the the other parents. Do you want me to go get him for you?"
"No," Ally said instantly. Apple raised an eyebrow. She was acting strange. "I wanted to talk to you...alone."
"Well," Apple clapped her hands together, "What do you want to talk about?" She watched Ally take several deep breaths. It worried her.
"...Darling," Ally said. Apple's mind went spinning.
"Wh-What about...Darling?" Apple managed to choke out.
"She told me about, what happened between you two," Ally said simply. "I would just like to know your side of the story." Apple took a deep breath and conjured up the memory she had tried so hard to forget over the years.
...
"Darling? What are you doing here?" Apple asked. She had opened her dormitory door to see the youngest Charming. Her silvery blonde curls were pinned back to fall behind her tense shoulders. The girl walked into the room and then turned to Apple. The daughter of Snow White closed the door.
"Apple, you remember what happened last month?" Darling asked. Her voice had a serious tone.
"Yes," Apple grinned. "You saved my life! I can never thank you enough!"
"Well..." Darling looked down nervously, then looked back to her. "What if I didn't save you because of CPR?"
"What do you mean?" Apple put her hands on her hips.
"What I mean is...what if it means...I was destined to kiss you?"
Apple didn't respond to this. It could've made sense. How a Charming's act of true love saved her from her death sleep. But why was Darling talking like this? What was she suggesting?
"I'm not sure I understand," Apple said quietly.
"What if the kiss worked because we were meant to be together," Darling took Apple's hands. "I didn't realize it then, but I realize it now. I think...I...have feelings for you."
What? Apple had never thought about Darling romantically before. Sure, she thought of her as a close and good friend, but nothing more. Now, this sudden idea was in her mind. How was she supposed to feel about this? Relieved, that she would get her destined happily ever after? Confused, because this made her question everything? But Apple could only think about one thing in that moment. She would be in despair, because she would loose Humphrey.
"Darling, I-" Apple stopped and looked at her. Darling leaned in and kissed her. For a moment, Apple almost kissed back. Only a split second passed before she pushed Darling away. You can't do that! Darling, I'm dating Humphrey." She wiped off her lips.
"I know," Darling looked down. "I just wanted to try it again. Before you completely break my heart, will you at least think it over?" Apple didn't say anything, she only nodded.
She had told Humphrey about what happened between her and Darling. He wasn't that pleased, but he wasn't surprised, either. "Please don't be mad. I didn't kiss her back," Apple was standing in Humphrey's lab. He was sitting in his lab chair. He didn't say anything for a moment.
"Okay," Humphrey nodded. "I think you should do exactly that."
"Do what?" Apple asked, confused.
Humphrey rose from his chair. He put both of his hands on her shoulders and looked her straight in the eye. "Think it over, and then choose. I want whatever's best for you Apple. I-I love you, and all I want is for you to be happy." It wasn't the first time he had said it to her, but he still got nervous around her. He then left her alone in his lab, without the usual forehead kiss.
It had been a week since the encounter with Darling. Apple hadn't known what to do. She had played the kiss in her head. She was trying to decipher what had been going through her mind. Apple liked Darling, she was very straight forward, brave, and kind. Darling could be Apple's protector. She could be Apple's destined true love. The only thing was, Apple had felt she had no destined true love.
Humphrey, had always cared for her. Before they had started dating, she could always be herself around Humphrey. Be the technology nerd she secretly was without feeling any judgement. She could even wear her glasses around him. She refused to wear her glasses in front of anyone. And yet, he told her she looked even better with them.
With the war, it felt like they had this unbreakable connection with each other. Not even the Story Book of Legends could change that. He loved her, and that's all Apple wanted. All she needed.
That was when Apple had gone to Humphrey's lab. He was fixing the wire under his desk. The conversation was light. How they talked about graduating next month. And How Apple was thinking of being headmistress. "I just wanted to remember Grimm. But is that what you want?"
"What do you mean what I want?" Humphrey stopped looking he pulled himself out from under the counter and sat on the floor.
"I don't know," Apple sat down. "I guess I'm just used to people telling me what to do."
"Well now its all in you hands," Humphrey kissed her cheek before returning to under the counter. "Isn't that what we fought for anyway?" Apple laid down next to him, and held up the flashlight for Humphrey to see.
"I don't know what I was fighting for," Apple admitted. Her blue eyes were staring blankly up. "Revenge maybe? I guess I still haven't gotten used to the fact that this is okay."
"I don't blame you for wanting revenge on the Evil Queen, but I don't think that was the sole reason. And its all new, but just think about it, we're all free to choose now. Even though it may feel wrong now, our kids will never have to think twice about their choices. Its just their given right. You'll never have to be like your mother and treat our kids like she did to you."
"Our kids?"
"Maybe, if I am the one you choose." There was a slight pause. Humphrey turned his head towards Apple. She blinked before turning her own head towards his.
"I choose you."
...
"I never told Darling," Apple admitted. "Me and Humphrey were in the castleteria. Our eyes connected across the room. I grabbed your father's hand to tell her I had made my choice. That was the last time I had ever seen her. She had disappeared only two days later. She finished her schooling at Wonderland High and married Chase Redford, I suppose. I still remember the hurt look on her face. I hated that look. It felt as if I could see her soul crushing. I wish I had the chance to say sorry to her."
"I tried to get Darling to come with, but she wouldn't. I wished she knew how much everyone had missed her."
Apple hadn't noticed the tear falling from her eye until Ally wiped it off her cheek. Apple looked at her daughter. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"No, mom," Ally hugged her. "Thank you for sharing that with me." They stood like that for a while.
"Well, we have to remember the agreement," Apple grinned. "No more lies." Ally's face became pale.
"Then... I have to tell you something," Ally took a deep breath. "We didn't just go get Lily at Charming Castle...We visited the prison near by." Apple was confused by this. Why would Ally visit a prison by Charming Castle? Apple then froze. Snow White.
"What did she say to you?" Apple asked, concerned.
"I wanted to go there to see if I could get any information on the skull, but all she did was...was..." Ally trailed off. Her own eyes were beginning to become teary. "She just told me about the White legacy. How you've grown into her and how I rebelled. I'm just afraid that...that..."
"No, no," Apple pulled her daughter in for another hug. "I will never become my mother. I will never force you to do anything again. I would only give her what she wants. No, we're not going to end up like me and my mother. You want to know why?" Apple held Ally out so she could see her face. "Because we don't have to be enemies. Break the stupid legacy of how children don't get along with their parents. In order to keep us together, we have to stay close. Until book's end."
"Until book's end," Ally nodded. The mother and daughter hugged once again. "But mom, Snow said something about the Story Book of Legends. It's not destroyed, is it?"
"No," Apple said quietly. "But no one will ever have to sign it again, because I've hidden it."
"Where?" Ally asked.
"A good question, for another time."
Like the teens had, the parents gathered in one of the many living rooms. Apple had joined late, but she did not miss much of the conversation. With every second that passed, Raven could feel nerves building inside her. It was a lot like the first time she had gone into battle. Only this time, she wouldn't be facing her mother, it would be Donna facing her grandmother's spirit.
"Seems like old times," Daring said softly. "The calm before the storm." He had a comforting arm around Lizzie. Her face was tear streaked from the disappearance of her beloved mother. Raven couldn't help but feel guilty once again. After all, this was her fault from the start. All three battles. The first, she made Apple angry enough to fight her. Then, she made her mother so angry she came after her and her friends. And still now, from the grave, somehow, the Evil Queen had come after her daughter, hoping she would turn evil.
"Only this time, we'll have more help," Cerise said as she looked to Wade.
"Yes, I've arranged for some guards to assist us this time." Wade looked to Maddie, who was calmly sipping her tea.
"And the kids will be of help," Maddie said in a calm voice.
"Or just a worry," Hopper said. Raven turned her eyes to him. Briar had been taking a sudden power nap. Her head was resting on a pillow on Hopper's lap. She had been out for almost twenty minutes. It reminded Raven of when they were in school. How she would fall asleep at random times throughout the day. "Briar's been stressing about it for the past couple days. I don't know what's gotten into her lately. She hasn't taken this many naps in years." Hopper looked down at his wife and stroked her long brown hair.
Raven thought about Briar. She had changed a little since she had fallen on and killed the Evil Queen. She had taken less risks than she had before. There were times when she seemed stressed, but she had come a long way after all of these years. Even still, Raven felt guilty for everything. It affected everyone's lives in so many ways.
"Well, we were the same age when I tried to take over the school," Apple said from her chair. "I'm sure they'll be fine. They'll be with us. We can protect them."
"It's better than leaving them in the castle," Lizzie said quietly. "That way we can keep track and not loose them." Everyone nodded in agreement. That was one think Raven feared the most, loosing Donna.
"Then we must stick to the plan," Raven said. "Try everything in our power to keep our kids safe tomorrow. Even with the chances of finding the skull are small, I want everyone to fan out. I'll deal with the girls the best I can."
"It's crazy to think that Ashlynn's daughter got wrapped up in this," Dexter shook his head. Raven looked to her husband before placing a hand on his arm.
"She must be worried sick," Apple said with a slight daze.
"I know she is," Briar said. She was suddenly awake and sitting up. "Hunter called me, looking for updates. Ashlynn is...just...just.." Briar stood up suddenly. "Very concerned. Excuse me. I feel another nap coming on. I'll see you all tomorrow, goodnight." She then hurried off out of the room. Hopper watched her with concern. He stood slowly.
"I better go see if she's alright," he said as he walked. "Goodnight, guys." Everyone bid their fair wells to him. That was when they went off couple by couple. Cerise had left first, followed by Daring and Lizzie, then Maddie and Wade, then Humphrey went by himself. Apple looked to Raven.
"Don't worry," Apple said as she hugged her best friend. "I know we can do this. We've done it before. We just have to stay together."
"Till book's end," Raven whispered before she let go of Apple. She walked with Dexter back to their room.
As they got ready for bed, Raven looked at herself in the mirror. But, she didn't see her reflection, but her high school self. Her purple hair pulled half up. Her eyes lined with the magenta eyeliner. Her violet eyes much more prominent, and innocent. Raven reached up to the mirror and touched her fingers to it. The pass Raven did it too, but then she changed into Donna. Raven bit her lip as she stared at her daughter. Donna looked scared. Her eyes were lighting up before the life drained from them. She tried to fight back the tears that were welling up. It was because her Donna's life was in danger. It was because of her she was no longer innocent.
"Raven," Dexter called. Raven blinked, the mirror image of Donna disappeared. It was back to her current reflection. She had a single tear rolling down her cheek. She looked to Dexter. He was standing by the bed. His framed eyes were gazing to her with concern.
"I don't want Donna to die," Raven said suddenly. Another tear fell. "Because of me." Dexter practically ran to her before he pulled her close to him. Raven didn't let anymore tears fall as she kept her eyes shut.
"She's not going to die," Dexter said in a whisper. "After tomorrow, she's going to live a long, happy life. We're not going to ever go through this again."
"But it all started because of me," Raven murmured. "I was the cause for all of it."
"No," Dexter pressed his cheek to the top of her head. "Your mother was the cause of all of it. She was the one that convinced Apple to become evil. She was the one who attacked us. She was the one that pinned you to the ground with a knife to your throat. She was the one who set up the trap that possessed Donna. None of this is your fault. You fought for a noble cause. You fought for us, for our kids, your friends, and just life as it is. Raven, the best thing you can do is finish what your mother started. Once and for all."
"What if I can't do it?" Raven doubted.
"I know you can, and so does Donna and Ryder. Even your mother knows what you're capable of. Raven, you thought you weren't capable to rebel against your destiny. You thought you weren't capable of love until you defied what everyone thought was normal. And now, you need to show that you are capable of the love you have for your family, because that is the one thing your mother never had."
Raven didn't know what to say. She was over filled with emotions. Dexter's words only reassured what she knew. Love was the one thing that she had her mother didn't. With love, comes unity. With unity, comes strength.
Dexter had shown her that. From the first time they sat on that balcony together, it changed everything. Raven had showed to her mother that she was stronger than her. It scared the Evil Queen. Even with all the dictations, attacks, and wars, Raven still rose above her. Because she wasn't alone. She had opened herself to others. Without the unity, they wouldn't be here today. It even had continued to live on within their children, all because of a Charming boy that introduced love to a rebelling sorceress.
Raven leaned back her head. She looked her husband in the eyes and managed a grin. She grabbed him lightly by the collar and pressed her lips against his. Dexter seemed surprised at first, but then he kissed her back, placing a hand on her cheek. When they parted Raven continued to gaze into his eyes. "I love you, Dexter Charming."
"I love you too, Raven Queen."
When Apple went to her room, she thought about the conversation she and Ally had. She had packed all of those feelings away years ago. Darling was a great friend to her, and she hated that she lost her over stronger feelings. Apple wondered what would've happened if she didn't choose Humphrey. It would be different, but Apple wondered if she would be just as happy.
She opened the door to her guest room. Humphrey was already in bed, typing something on his mirror pad. Apple grinned before she got ready for bed. Once she was, she slipped under the covers and then under Humphrey's arm. He turned off his mirror pad and placed if on the nightstand. He squeezed her closer to him. "Hey," he said in a low voice.
"Hi," Apple yawned.
"What's up?" Humphrey asked.
"I was just thinking..." Apple was about to mention Darling, but decided against it. "Ally doesn't know about the rap you made for me back in school."
"Oh," Humphrey chuckled, "Do you really think that I haven't been trying to forget that for the past twenty years?" Apple laughed a little.
"I thought it was sweet, even though it was a little cringe," Apple bit her lip. "I think it would be fun. She's really interested in what happened to us in high school."
"So," Humphrey paused, "she knows about Darling then?" Apple tried not to tense up, but it was too late.
"Yes," Apple said, letting her shoulders relax. "She's fine with it though. I'm glad we can work things out a little easier now."
"Was she surprised?" Humphrey asked lightly.
"I don't think so," Apple recalled. "Darling told her first, so I don't really know."
"I meant that you chose her over me."
"Humphrey," Apple sat up. "She shouldn't be surprised I choose you over Darling. I had known you so much longer. I couldn't really be myself with her."
"She could've done a lot more than I could," Humphrey looked away for a moment. "She could've protected you better when you got all that hate when you first became headmistress. I couldn't muster up the courage to-"
Apple cut him off with a kiss. They pulled away slowly. "I never needed to be protected. You gave me support, and that's all I ever needed. You'll always be the one I want, Humphrey. I can think about what might've happened between Darling and me, but I would never take us back for anything. I choose you. If you choose me." Humphrey looked at her and smiled. She reached up and fixed his glasses before they kissed once more.
Hopper had gone after Briar. She must've run, because he didn't see any sight of her. He then reached the room the stayed at. The door was wide open. He stopped for a moment before entering. the door to the connected bathroom was closed. He leaned against the door frame and listened. Briar coughed before she sniffled slightly. His heart hurt at the sound.
"Briar?" Hopper called softly. "Are you alright?" There was a small silence. He could hear her deep breaths. The toilet flushed and the sink ran for a moment. Hopper stayed at the door until it final opened. Briar looked up at him with a small grin.
"Yeah, I'm just fine," Briar said in a cheerful voice. Hopper knew it was fake. He raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, I'm fine, babe." She kissed his cheek and walked into the the main room. Hopper didn't even blush from the small affection like he usually did. He only watched her with wide eyes and slight concern as she made her way to the dresser.
"Babe?" Hopper questioned. "You haven't called me 'babe' since our tenth anniversary."
"I thought I should bring it back," Briar fetched her night clothes. She turned to him with a sly look on her face. "Babe." She laid out her clothes on the bed. Hopper watched her, still leaning on the door frame. He then straightened, with a small smirk on his face.
"Did you think I wouldn't notice the black tear streak on the side of your cheek, babe?"
Briar froze in her action. She didn't keep her eyes on the floor, but she never met his. She turned slowly to him. Her hands clasped together nervously. She took a few deep breaths while placing her hand on her stomach. He was afraid she was about to throw up. "Okay. Okayokayokayokay," Briar said quickly under her breath. "You know how I said I went to go get water during the night a couple nights ago?"
"Yeah," Hopper recalled. "So?"
"Well," Briar clutched her stomach again. "I lied to you." Those words cut through him like a knife. She lied? What could she have been doing during the night? Was there somebody else?
"What do you mean?" Hopper asked before he could start accusing her. He had a lot of trust in his wife, but she was just acting strange.
"I lied because I was really in the bathroom," Briar breathed in. He could see tears forming in her eyes. "I would get sick in the early morning hours. Its been for the past couple nights. And now it's during different times."
"Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?" Hopper asked. He was more confused than ever. Why would she hide being under the weather?
"Because I was fine after," Briar stopped for a moment. She looked at him in the eyes. "I'm...pregnant." A shock ran over the Croakington man's body. He could feel nerves beginning to creep up inside him.
"A-are y-you sure?" Hopper stuttered.
Briar nodded. He couldn't believe it. "Are you okay?" she asked after a moment of silence.
"Briar..." Hopper trailed off. A smile tugged at his lips. "This is wonderful!" He hugged her so tightly. She laughed as he lifted her off the ground. I made sense now. Why she had been taking so many naps. Why she had been protective of the kids lately. He should've known.
"Watch it," Briar giggled. "I'm still a little nauseous." He set her back down and pulled away. Faces inches apart, Briar smiled. Hopper cupped her cheek before kissing her passionately. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He took a step back and tripped unto the bed. Briar laughed, still upright on her feet. He sat up and grabbed her hands.
He remembered where they were. What was abut to happen. He was then over come by fear. "You know you can't fight tomorrow." With his perch on the bed, and since Briar wasn't wearing her high heals, they were at eye level. She looked down and bit her lip.
"This is why I didn't want to tell you till after," Briar said quietly.
"Briar," Hopper brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face. "You can't go into battle this way. What if you and the baby get hurt?"
"We're not going to," Briar placed one of his hands on her stomach. "I'm still me still. There's no bump. I haven't gained weight yet. I just found out about a week ago. I told Lizzie, and she constructed a special armor for me to protect the baby. I promise, we'll be just fine."
"But what if something happens to you?" Hopper looked from their hands to her eyes. A sad smile swept over Briar's lips.
"That's the risk," Briar squeezed his hands. "But there's nothing that going to stop me from helping Raven finish what I've started. I was the one that killed the Evil Queen. It's my debt to Raven to get rid of this turmoil."
"That's what this is?" Hopper asked. "You're jest getting your vendetta instead of protecting our unborn child?"
"It's not revenge...it's loyalty," Briar said. "Please, support me Hop. Remember what Wade said? How he's going to have more guards? I'll be sure that one is always with me to protect me. The armor will do it's job to." Hopper stared at her with a blank expression. Briar took his one hand an twirled herself under it. He let himself grin.
She then pulled him up from the bed. Briar moved his arms so it was like he was dancing with her. She had always been a partier. For a moment, he forgot everything and just danced with his wife. His love for her was undying. It was when he pun her into him did they stop dancing. He just hugged her close to him and they swayed back and forth.
"Don't worry, this little bean is going to be safe." Briar whispered in his ear. He placed his chin on top of her head. Hopper could only try to not worry. But it was never a guarantee when it came to Briar's safety. Never has. Never will. As long as he loved her, his worry wouldn't stop.
