An: ALRIGHT READERS! WE MADE IT! A little surprise again at the beginning and then we really get into the good stuff. The battle shall begin! (Also a new story cover is coming! Probably will be up by next chapter! It's got everyone on it!)
Creator of Magic: Glad to see you're back! I know, so much time has passed for us. I can't believe I've been working on this story for almost a year and a half! Although it's more like two stories in one. But I think I might do a short compilation story of the rest of teen's years at Ever After High. the prequel will be first of course. What do you think?
I thought Danielle questioning the group was fun too! They were all just destined for each other. (or at least I wrote them that way ;) ) The love triangle has become quite the popular subject. I love writing Brandon in these awkward situations. I couldn't resist and I had to throw in Briar and Hopper. I miss writing about them.
Darling and Apple's story was one that I wanted to go into for Broken Glass, but I couldn't really fit Darling into the war. So it was an old story that I brought up. I love both ships, but I thought even if this were real, Apple would have chosen Humphrey because of the shared experience with the battle. I also like Darling and Chase support each other nicely.
NymhadoraTonks: Apple hid the book in order to protect everyone from it. I won't reveal where just yet, but I do have a plan for that. What do you think of a small continuation after Broken Legacy? Just a small story I was thinking of doing to finish out the years at Ever After for the teens.
PowPow456: Oh yes! We all love Hopper and Briar! I think the triplets will have mixed reactions. We'll just have to wait and see. Not any Hyde and Cassidy in this chapter, but the next one for sure! Brandon is still at crossroads, but he will have to choose. Just keep your fingers crossed! If they do get together, Derek will of course give the big brother talk. It's unavoidable! More Derek and Lily will be in the future.
Ryder woke the earliest. It was still dark out when his sprung up from his bed. He sat on the edge of his bed and told himself it wasn't real. A nightmare of his sister haunted his dreams. He put his head in his hands as he took several deep breaths. Nerves tickled his insides. He didn't like this feeling. It was as if his sudden dreams of Donna were real.
Donna had been standing on the top of the Queen of Heart's castle. She had the raven skull, and was about to destroy it. Then suddenly, Donna was thrown off of the castle. The raven skull wen along with her. When Ryder had looked over the edge, Donna's body lay at the bottom. The skull disappeared but then turned into purple flames. And echoing laugh cackled as the Evil Queen materialized.
It was terrifying.
It all felt so real. Ryder had now caught his breath. There was no used to going back to sleep now. In order to avoid the nightmares and because it would only be a short while until the sun would come up. He dressed into his tunic and pants that went under his armor. The dark purple armor matched the dark strands of his hair. Once the armor was on, Ryder looked at himself in the mirror.
Aside from his hair, Ryder looked exactly like his father. It was so strange to think, but at least Ryder had a lighter skin tone. If he was identical, he wouldn't be able to live it down. Donna would be sure to remind him daily. Donna of course couldn't say much either. She looked exactly like Raven, just with a more tanned skin and brown hair.
He then thought about the other's and their similarities. His thoughts traveled to Catherine. Ryder's cheeks began to glow a light pink as he recalled last night. Proclaiming their love, and then sharing their first kisses. How Ryder wished he could see her now.
Suddenly, the mirror's image changed. It showed Catherine getting ready in her room. She was strapping armor plates over her shoulders, and was struggling. Ryder backed away from the mirror. This was weird. How did this happen? How did the mirror know his thoughts? It didn't so, the magic had to come from somewhere. Was Donna playing a trick on him? No, she wouldn't do that with everything going on.
He silently wished he could help his struggling girlfriend. Ryder's body suddenly disappeared from his room. The next thing he knew he was staring at a different ceiling. Ryder sat up immediately and back up until he hit the wall. "Ryder? How did you get in here?" Catherine stared at him from across the room. Her face was in shock and confusion. Ryder felt his heart pound inside his chest.
"I-I..." Ryder said quietly, his eyes darting everywhere. Catherine walked to him with a concerned face. He held out a hand. "No! Don't get close to me. I don't know what's happening to me."
"Uh..." Catherine raised an eyebrow. "Are you...alright?" Ryder looked to her. His nerves didn't take over him like they did yesterday.
"I don't know," Ryder admitted. His voice kept getting higher as he quickly explained. "One moment I wished I could see you and then your image appeared in my mirror. I saw you struggling with your armor and wished I was there to help you. And now I'm suddenly here and I'm scared. I'm afraid you'll touch me and something's going to happen. I'm just really freaking out now."
Catherine started to laugh. Ryder looked at her with a confused expression. She crouched down next to him Ryder flinched, but she lay a single hand on his shaking one. "I'm still here." she said quietly. "I think you've gotten your powers."
"What?" Ryder looked down at his hands. "I'm supposed to be powerless!" Catherine giggled again. He sighed. That wasn't what he meant. The probability of both he and Donna getting powers was slim. He thought he would be the normal one between the two. Well...somewhat normal.
"Try summoning something," Catherine poked at him.
"Uh..." Ryder looked around. His eyes settled on Catherine's book on the nightstand. Conjuring all memories of Donna doing magic, he snapped his fingers. He then disappeared again, but this time he was sitting on the bed next to the nightstand. It was so strange. He looked back to Catherine. She had a smile on her face. Her eyes filled with wonder.
"Wow, my boyfriend is so cool!" Catherine got up from the floor. He liked hearing her call him "my boyfriend", just as he called her "my girl". Catherine grabbed one of her books from her backpack. She flipped it open and began running her fingers down the lines. "I knew magic could come at later ages. But, I didn't think you would get it." Ryder looked at her with amusement. She was such a dork sometimes. It was adorable.
"Yeah, you and everyone else," Ryder stood. "I think I'm not going to try that for a while." He began to wonder what activated it. Why now and not earlier? Donna's came when she was so mad at Brandon and Ally. Maybe anger? But Ryder was angry. Perhaps in matter's of the heart? His feelings were so strong for Catherine that they caused his newfound powers? He stared at his hands in wonder. Ryder was deep in thought when he gazed up. Catherine was still struggling with her armor.
"Would you mind sparing some magic for this cursed thing?" Catherine bit her lip in concentration. She then ultimately dropped her hands to her sides in frustration. Ryder was about to use his new found magic, but he didn't want to risk it. Instead he walked over to her and reached around her arm to strap her armor to her skin. She let him do the rest of the cuffs and plates.
He adjusted her wrist cuff before letting his hands linger on her arm. With all the excitement, he had forgotten all about what was to happen today. Ryder dropped Catherine's hand. But she took his face and both of her hands on tilted it towards hers. Her face was solemn, her green eyes gazed only into his. "Everything's going to be alright," she whispered. He didn't change his expression as he pulled her in for a hug. The clangs of the armor together made a small smile come to his face. "I love you." Catherine whispered.
Ryder pulled away from the embrace. Faces only an inch apart, Ryder whispered. "I love you, too." Catherine grinned before she leaned in and gave him the once-a-day-for-a-week kiss. He kissed back as he squeezed her to him. Once they pulled away, Catherine leaned her head on his shoulder. Ryder continued to hold her, trying his best to calm his mind.
This was it. It was no longer avoidable. Donna had awoken without a dream. She had stayed up for most of the night, just thinking about what was to happen. Matt had done just as he wanted to. He held her all night, he usually let go of her half way through the night in his sleep. But Donna awoke in his arms.
She knew it was early because the room showed very little light. Donna could go back to sleep, but she knew it couldn't come. Instead, she turned towards Matt. He awoke at her movements. His drowsy eyes gazed upon her. A sad smile came to his lips as he tucked her bang behind her ear. He let his fingers trace behind her ear and under her jaw.
He then pulled her to him. Donna buried herself in his shirt, trying her best not to cry. He placed his head on top of hers and stroked her hair. They laid like that for a while, but then, Donna pulled back. She twisted his purple curl around her finger before wiping the one tear that escaped his eye. She examine his freckles before pressing her forehead to his. Then, in a purple flame, Matt disappeared.
His warmth lingered for a moment, but then the chill of the fall air surrounded Donna. She laid on her back for a moment before getting up. Her violet eyes stared at the silver and purple armor waiting on her chair. She sighed before she began to ready for the day. It was so strange. to act as if she were getting ready for school, only this time she was getting ready for war.
She wore a purple tunic and thick black leggings. The silver metal came in pieces. A breastplate laced in the front, shoulder guards, and cuffs that went up to her elbow. It was a different look, but it somehow made her feel powerful. She didn't care to do anything with her hair. Donna never minded if it was in her face.
Donna then took a deep breath before opening her door. She jumped back when she saw Raven frightened. She held her hand up like she was about to knock. She was dressed in her own silver armor. "Mom?" Donna caught her breath. "What are you doing?"
"I just came here to..." Raven lowered her hand. She then suddenly grabbed Donna and the mother wrapped her arms tightly around her daughter. It took Donna a moment, but she then hugged back. "I'm going to do my best to protect you today. Know that," Raven whispered to her.
"I'm sorry for everything," Donna said letting a tear fall from her eyes.
"No," Raven soothed her. "It's all the Evil Queen's fault. Don't blame yourself. No one else does. We won't have to deal with this ever again, we just have to stay together."
The mother and daughter walked down to the gathering hall. They were both one of the first ones to arrive. Donna ran to her father when she saw him. Embracing him with all of her might. Dexter embraced her right back, almost as tightly as Raven held her minutes before. Wade and Maddie of course were already there, but Donna knew they liked to get up early. It felt so weird to see the Maddie she knew as a crazy teacher, and the crazy mother Matt told her about, to be dressed and ready to go to war. Her expression dim.
"Ah," Wade dismissed the guard he was talking to. "Our star players have arrived. Maddie, escort these two to the dining hall while I talk to Raven a moment." Donna and Dexter both followed a skipping Maddie. She looked back to where her mother was, the two didn't start talking until she had left the room.
After not eating much breakfast with the others, Donna's nerves began to pile. They had gathered in the main hall again. Everyone dressed in different colors of armor designed by Lizzie hearts, but made by Raven's magic for the kids. Each had been given a sword too. Donna looked to Matt, dressed in silver armor with mint accent shoulder plates and wrist guards.
She looked to him, hoping her eyes would attract his gaze. When he did look at her, his face paled again. She wondered what was bothering him so much. It was the same as earlier. Even last night he looked at her as if she was dead. It was so strange, but this was war. Everyone seemed different.
It was a quiet march to the Queen of Hearts castle. Donna walked mostly alone. Her father and mother ahead of her with Wade. Apple, Maddie, and Humphrey were up with them. Behind Donna, was a mix of everyone else. She could feel many eyes on her, but she tried not to think about it. Donna took deep breaths as she heard the clattering of the knights armor. It reminded her of shattering glass.
The visions of the glass orb Donna first touched that lonely night replayed in her mind. It was horrifying. How she had looked at her refection in the mirror shards. How much she had changed since then. Her possession made her go practically mad before she let it take over. How could she be so weak? Everyone had reached out to her, asking what was wrong, and yet she still had turned them away. She wished she would've handled things differently.
When Matt's fingers intertwined with her own did she snap out of her thoughts. She didn't look at him, she couldn't bare to see the paleness of his face. The warmth of his hand was comforting, though. It made her feel less broken inside. She thought about how simple everything was yesterday, how she longed to go back to it.
They had arrived at the wall of thorns. Donna felt nerves bury themselves into her stomach. She squeezed Matt's hand tightly before letting go. She took a deep breath as she walked up to her mother, who was eyeing the obstacle. "I think I can spell it to open. I want you on back up in case it goes wrong. With my mother's magic, you never know what's going to trigger."
But even before Raven could raise her hands, the briars split open. They formed themselves into a tunnel straight to the courtyard. Maddie jumped up and down and clapped. "This is much easier than I thought!"
Donna watched as her mother continued to stare at it. There was something Raven was thinking about. And it wasn't good. "Let's go," Wade commanded. So, they all followed the White King into the tunnel. Donna stayed next to Raven, ready to spell something that dared tried to move. Her eyes darted around, searching for the trap.
It was when Donna walked out of the thorn tunnel did the crackling noise begin. Donna whipped around did she see the thorns beginning to move. The only ones out were her parents, Matt, Wade, and Maddie. "Everyone run!" Donna called. The others began to run, but the briers were too quick. They began to move around them. Donna ran to the opening, she threw out her hands.
Raven followed her motions. They were pushing back the closing hole with purple flames. Donna could feel the briars pushing back hard. She looked to a frightened Ally, who almost made it through. "Donna!" she called as she reached out her hand. Donna did the same. By reaching out, Donna had undone her spell, the briars enclosed everyone, including the guards.
"No!" Donna yelled. The briars had started on fire. She could feel Matt's arms pulling her away from the flames. She fought against him, but then, the ground beneath her feet began to shake. Matt had let go of her to regain his balance. Donna put a hand on the ground. She could feel the traveling briars. The group was being transported into different directions.
"Donna!" Raven called. Donna looked up to see briars breaking out from the grass. Grabbing Matt's arm, she ran to her mom. They were going straight for the castle. The opening was in sight. It gave Donna a shimmer of hope. Then, a briar split the kids from the parents. They had completely disappeared.
"Mom!" Donna screamed. She tried to climb the briar, as did Matt, but it whipped her back. She fell back onto the grass, hitting her head slightly. She spit out the blood in her mouth onto the grass. All she could hear was a distant ringing. Her vision focused in and out. Heart beats and breathing were rapid. She lay there on the ground for a few more moments before hearing his voice.
The girl looked up to see the briars have captured Matt. He was calling out to her. She got up on her feet and ran to him, throwing balls of magic at the plants. It slowed down his capture. As he reached for her hands, she only tired burning the briar that was wrapped around his middle. "Donna! Stop!" Matt called to her. She didn't listen. He then said in a low voice. "Please, Donna." It felt as if everything was in slow motion. Donna looked up to him. His blue eyes were calm. He tucked her hair behind her ear. When his fingers grazed her cheek, she grabbed his hand. Their bracelets were only inches away from touching. A tear streamed down her face as he was pulled away form her.
She was knocked back again. This time, she hopped back up again. Her eyes gazed to where he was wrapped in the briars, but he was gone, and the briar was still. Donna ran at the briar and began to punch it will all of her might. She slowly began to recede her attack. "NO! Matt!" She pushed her head against the sturdy plant. Tears continued to pool in her eyes. They all traveled down her cheeks. She put her face in her hands as she sank to the ground.
"No, Matt," Donna whispered to herself. She began to shake as she hugged her knees to her chest. "I need you." How much had changed in a minutes time. Donna had thought she was going to win because she had all of her friends with her. Now, she was alone again. She was too weak. A hollow feeling brewed in her chest as she continued to sob.
The ground began to rumble again. And in it was an echoing laugh. Using the strength she had left, Donna managed to pull herself to her feet. Everything was still and quiet in the courtyard. Donna tried not to make a sound as she scanned the area. There was a croquet game set up even in the midst of all the chaos. She kept one hand on her sword hilt, and the other shaky one was slightly held out, ready to spell anything.
Taking deep breaths as she crept to the door, Donna thought she was in the clear. As she pushed the big red doors open, the rumble was coming back. Donna held her breath as she ran through the main hall. She had been here so many times in her visions and dreams, she seemed to know exactly where to go. She placed her back against the wall of the next room. If she was quiet enough, perhaps she could outsmart the growing seekers. She felt like a trembling deer trying to blend with the forest trees, trying to avoid the blow of a hunter.
A rumbling seemed to cease. The only thing she could hear was her heart. Fear started to fade as the threat did. After about a minute of silence, Donna let herself breathe again. Then suddenly, the briars burst through the wall. Donna was caught of guard, but she drew her sword and began to swipe at every branch that came her way. As one briar snatched her free hand, she burned the branch. Donna sheathed her sword before pressing all of the power she could muster into the briar that was wrapping around her.
She was going to make it, until the floor beneath her crumbled. Donna didn't fall far, the briars slowed her descent. When she did hit the bottom, she felt an all too familiar cold floor pressing against her burning cheek.
