An: Took a while to write but here it is!
NymhadoraTonks: Thank you, I did work really hard. I wanted to show everyone but make them look like EAH characters. It's not easy to draw in that style! You'll find out the plan. It's a wild one. I really think it's a twist. I hope you like it. But Brandon's confusion is starting to go clear. There's just one obstacle thrown into the mix that'll help. In the next two chapters, he's gonna know who's the one...
PowPow456: Correct! We're starting right off with a fight scene. A little more on Ryder in this chapter. He's going to get used to his powers. He has to.
Thank you Both!
Brandon instinctively stepped in front of Lily. It was a strange impulse. She put a gentle hand on his elbow. Assuring she was there. Hyde stepped protectively in front of Brandon. He had always done this, even when they were kids. Only this time, Brandon didn't mind it. Humphrey and Cerise both tensed up. Cerise sniffed the air before growling slightly.
"Draw your swords," Cerise commanded. Her hood was down to reveal her wolf ears. They perked to nonexistent noises. Brandon and Hyde did what she told them. Lily didn't do anything. Brandon looked to her. Her eyes were wide and watering, peering out into the garden.
"Invisible wolves," Lily breathed out. Brandon looked where she was. he couldn't see anything. Hense the invisible he guessed. "You can see them only if you allow your senses to." She whispered this, but it was so quiet, it didn't matter. "They're usually harmless creatures."
"They're not real, they're possessed," Hyde reminded.
"On your left, Hyde!" Cerise yelled. Hyde swiped. Lily screamed as the wolf whimpered. Blood trickled down the middle of the air.
"No!" she cried, "Don't hurt them!" She screamed again as she was ripped away. Lily was being dragged away. Brandon gasped as he chased after her, but he was tripped back. He hit the ground. Hard. He could feel the hot breath on his pale skin. Then it was gone as Hyde's sword appeared just a foot above Brandon's nose. Hyde then pulled him up to his feet.
Brandon looked for Lily. She was out of sight. Panic began to rise inside of him. Cerise and Humphrey both were fighting their own wolves. Brandon tried to do what Lily said. Open his senses. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his mind. That's when his ears perked to the tapping of paws against the grass. He turned his sword to his right, just above Hyde's head.
Another one hit. The two brothers stood back to back, fighting off any wolves they could. They were gaining on them, Brandon could feel it. That's when he heard another scream from Lily. He then moved to locate her. "Lily!" he called out.
"Brandon!" her voice screamed. "Don't come closer!" Brandon readied his sword. He tried to hear them, but his heart pounded too loudly in his chest. His breathing quickened. That was when he saw Danielle.
"I got you," Danielle fought off a wolf that was charging. She moved with her sword gracefully. "You're safe." She yelled to him. Brandon wasn't concerned about his own safety. Only Lily's. He looked to see a black wolf with a white-tipped tail was facing Hyde. He was pointing a sword at it, but then Hyde stopped.
"Cassidy?" Hyde asked. The wolf growled before jumping over him, clashing with an invisible wolf.
Brandon looked to Danielle, who was slightly struggling. He wanted to help her. Brandon took out his sword and began listening to the growls. "I've got this. Don't worry about it!" Danielle pushed him out of the way. "I told you I would protect you."
But Brandon for once didn't want to be protected. He wanted to be brave. So he ran into the garden, looking for any sign of the youngest Hearts-Charming descendant. Gasping for air, he ran through rows and rows of red rose bushes. He suddenly came to a halt. Beside the white rose, Lily was standing with Laura clinging to her neck.
Lily's face brightened when she saw him. "Bran-an-don," she struggled to whisper. Lily clenched her teeth as Laura tightened her grip. She looked much different than Brandon remembered. Her usually blonde hair was now black. Her tan skin was paling. Purple veins were crawling up her neck. The possession was taking her over. She had a wild look in her dark blue eyes.
"Oh, this is a turn of events," Laura tilted her head. "It seems the Weak Frog Prince has decided to muster up the little courage he has to save the Princess of Wonder. The knight of flame wasn't enough for you?" Lily struggled against her grip, but Laura only held on tighter. She would start to choke her.
"Let her go," Brandon said with all the confidence he had.
Laura's mouth curved into a smile. "Did you really think it was that easy? Because you were right." She let go of Lily. The blonde girl ran to Brandon quickly. She crashed into his open arms. But then, he sank to the ground. The last he saw of Luara, she was burning in pink flame. "We'll see what happens now. Weak Frog Prince." She cackled before she disappeared.
Brandon felt himself pass out, but not for long. The next thing he knew, he opened his eyes to see Lily, Humphrey, Hyde, and Danielle all staring at him. He let out a shaky breath before asking, "Did I hurt my nose again?"
"No," Hyde raised an eyebrow, "You've done a lot more than that." He reached to Hyde, but instead of his pale hand, he saw his skin was green. He suddenly touched his face. It was all smooth. His hair was gone. He flopped over to his side where his sword was lying in the grass. He was a green frog. His big eyes widened before he screamed, which then turned into a croak.
"Wh-what! H-how?!" Brandon began to hyperventilate.
"Whoa," Humphrey cut him off. "No need to knock yourself out again."
"Here," Lily said calmly as she reached down to him. She scooped him up into her hold. His eyes stayed on hers as she grinned. "Now you can see from a better height."
His small body turned on her palms. He looked to the others. Danielle was cringing, while Hyde was trying not to laugh. Humphrey just looked confused. "Is there a way to get him back?" Danielle asked.
"True loves kiss," Humphrey stated. "That's how it worked for Hopper and Briar." Brandon swallowed nervously. Great. He was never going to be human again.
"Better to just keep him that way," Hyde shrugged. "Now he's travel-sized and can catch his own food." Just at that moment, an appetizing fly flew by, and Brandon's tongue flew from his mouth, catching the snack. Danielle clapped a hand over her mouth.
"I agree with Hyde," Danielle cringed again. "Lily, you just keep him with you. That way I can just protect you and you protect him." Lily nodded and everyone turned their attention to the growls behind Hyde.
"Easy Cassidy," Cerise held out her hands. "You must calm down. Otherwise, the transformation won't work. That's what my dad used to say." The black wolf nodded and closed its eyes. The fur began to swirl off of the creature's body. It was completely out of sight, then the black cyclone receded to reveal Cassidy. She was on her knees, breathing deeply. She was back in her armor and her hair tied into two braids.
"Cass," Hyde let out a sigh of relief. Cassidy was embracing her mother as Hyde rushed over to her. She barely had time to let go of Cerise before she was picked up by Hyde. They embraced tightly as he swung her around.
"Hyde," she playfully scolded, "Put me down." He did, but he didn't let go of her.
"I'm so glad you're alright," Hyde smiled as he tucked her hair whisps behind her ears.
"Of course I am, I can handle myself," she smiled.
"I know," he returned a grin. She then leaned her head against his chest. Hyde pressed his lips to the top of her head as they embraced. He felt Lily adjust him in her hands, placing him on her shoulder. It was so strange, being a frog. He just hoped he didn't have to stay this way long.
"Dad?"
"I'm here, son," Wade held up Matt's head. The last thing Matt remembered was letting go of Donna's hand. Why did he do that? He was so stupid. Maybe if he would've hung on he could still be with her right now. But she was all alone. Probably being tortured by Laura and her posse. Surely she had taken the castle guards under her control. Donna would have no hope.
At these thoughts, Matt straightened up. "Whoa, calm down Matt," Wade put a hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down? Calm down?!" Matt raised his eyebrows. Heat and anger were rising within him. "How can I be calm when I failed her?! I failed the girl I love again! I- I-" He was whisked into an embrace from Wade. He let tears fall from his eyes. His body shook as he whispered, "I told her I would be there this time. That I wouldn't leave her. She needs me."
"I know, I know," Wade said soothingly. The two stayed frozen in the hug until Matt heard sniffles not coming far from them. Matt turned, ignoring the pain in his back, to see Raven. She was hugging her knees to her chest and was leaning against the dark brick wall. Matt's heart sank even further into his stomach. She was the one that thought Donna might die, now it was bigger of a possibility. "Raven," Wade called quietly.
"Just give me a minute," Raven said as she continued to sob. "Dexter and Ryder are missing and Donna's on her own. I can't just pick up and keep going."
"I'm not asking you to," Wade shook his head. "I just want you to trust us with your feelings. Otherwise, you'll just weigh yourself down. I know you hide your feelings, Raven. Maddie has told me plenty of times how y-"
"Well they're not true," Raven suddenly stood up. "I do not hide anything. Let's go." It was so weird how she changed emotions so quickly. Matt's tears were still streaming down his face. He didn't bother to wipe them. Matt would prefer to let his sadness dry on his cheeks. They walked down the dark tunnel in silence. Until his father broke the silence.
"I'm sure Dexter is fine," Wade shrugged. "If we're together, I'm sure he's with-"
"Maddie," Raven and Wade said together. They both laughed.
"What's so funny?" Matt asked.
"Oh, Dexter and Maddie have a hard time communicating," Wade chuckled. "She's a little too...wonderous for him."
"He just can never understand her," Raven laughed, but her smile quickly dropped. "It's my mother's tactic, you know. Splitting up everyone into groups that would drive each other mad."
"Well, that's not going to happen," Wade shook his head. "We just have to keep a level head. And pray that Maddie and Dexter are alright." Raven nodded as she glanced at Matt. Her eyes weren't cold like they usually were. They were familiar, almost like the way Dexter gave him that approving look on the way to the Well of Wonders. It also made him blush slightly. He admitted he loved Donna to her mother before he let Donna herself know. Before, he never knew when the moment was right. But now, the next time Matt saw her face, he would tell Donna he loved her.
Even if it was the last thing he ever did.
Many minutes passed since both Briar and Catherine had been taken away from them. They sat in silence. Ryder didn't know if he was in more physical or emotional pain. With his uninjured arm, he held Catherine's book bag. He was just glad that he was left-handed. Otherwise, he wouldn't know how to untie the strings on the opening of the pouch.
Inside, there were three books. He rolled his eyes with a smile. She was such a dork. He loved that dork. He picked up one. Titled- Dark Magic Trough the Malicious Ages. Technically, Ryder fell under that category. He wondered where Catherine had even got her hands on such a book. Most magic books were restricted to public usage.
He flipped it open. There was a name scratched out on the inside of the book. He looked closer at it, but he couldn't decipher it. He continued to flip through it. Some pages had been ripped out and replaced with new drawings and strange markings. He had seen these markings before. No. They couldn't be the same. Could they? Ryder looked within Catherine's bag. He then found it. Donna's notebook.
Ryder thought Donna gave it to Raven. All of those papers she scribbles symbols on during her possession. Then he realized, that Catherine had made copies. Smart girl. She seemed to be trying to crack all of these codes. Her handwriting was on the pages as well as the book. He watched her study enough to know the curve of the c's she wrote. She hadn't gotten much cracked but so far, she had one limerick.
Skull and Soul
Heart in a Bowl
Calling of a bird's white rose
The skull was referring to the raven's skull that held her soul. The heart was referring to the Queen of Heart's castle. But what could the bowl be referring to? Perhaps some room in the castle. And the white rose? The rose garden perhaps?
He looked at the other symbols. They had very complex writing to them. It must've taken Donna hours to originally write these. He ran his fingers over the symbols, then he did the same to the book.
If the one were to rise
Only when the raven cries
Does one soul die
The voice came like a harsh whisper in his ear. Well, at least now he knew what the rest of the message was. Ryder rubbed his temples, wincing at the pain from his arm. Its leaking blood was beginning to go through the bandage.
"Don't move it otherwise you're going to tear the wound," Hopper said quietly. Hopper had his head in his hands. There was something else in the man that was fueling the tears. Ryder didn't know what, but there was definitely something. Or perhaps someone. He thought about what he witnessed this morning at breakfast.
Briar had look absolutely sick. Pale and drowsy. She didn't eat much. Mostly drank water. He wondered if she had gotten sick during the night. Catherine was sitting next to him and had mentioned that it was rare for her mother not to eat at breakfast. Ryder recalled the look of Briar's armor when she was wrapping his arm. It was different from the rest, but he didn't know why until now.
She was pregnant. That was the only reasonable explanation why Hopper had kept her so close to him. Well, probably not the only reason. He still would want to protect his wife either way. But now it made more sense why he was so protective when that gate opened. It was why he was crushed now. Ryder looked to the man next to him.
"Is Briar pregnant?" Ryder asked.
Hopper's head popped right up at that. "Where did you hear that?"
"I figured it out," Ryder shrugged. He then winced again. "I noticed the armor difference. It's thicker, isn't it?" Hopper nodded. "Besides, she looked like she had been throwing up last night. Believe me, with Donna and I combined, I've seen enough drowsy looks to know when someone has been sick."
"She just told me last night," Hopper said lightly. "I told her it was a bad idea. But she insisted she would be just fine. And I was stupid enough to believe it." He was about to put his face in his hands again, but Ryder stopped him with his free hand.
"You loved her enough to trust her. That is not a bad thing," Ryder grinned. "It's never a bad thing to love." Hopper raised an eyebrow. He was probably wondering where this wisdom was coming from. Ryder didn't really know either. He had heard it from his dad once. He was saying it to Raven.
Hopper looked to Ryder's arm. "You really saved Catherine's life?"
"She probably exaggerated," Ryder laughed to himself. "But, I did what I had to do." He looked to Hopper who nodded approvingly.
"I suppose we've got to find them, or anyone else in that matter," Hopper stood up. "Still feeling weak with the arm?" He asked this as he held out a hand to Ryder. He took it.
"I'll live," Ryder smirked as he got up to his feet. "I think I know a way to help us find the others and maybe the skull."
Donna felt her breath quickening. She knew this place. These stone walls. She knew it all. She picked herself off the floor. Donna looked to see no figure was standing behind the bars. It was shocking, how the real thing felt exactly like the dream. Donna pushed her hair behind her ear so she could hear the small panting. That tiny breath was near.
The girl turned around to see the Queen of Hearts. She only knew that because of her red hair. Otherwise, she looked beaten and starved. She was chained to the wall. "Queen of Hearts?" Donna whispered. The short breaths stopped as she lifted her head.
"Don't you come near me you witch," the queen scolded. "Or it's off with your head!" Yp. It definitely was the Queen of Hearts.
"I'm not Laura," Donna shook her head.
"No, but you have the same eyes as that ginger one," the Queen of Hearts gasped. She was talking about Eliza. "Oh! Those horrid violet eyes." Donna tried her best not to let her words cut her like daggers. Even though her heart dropped, she took a deep breath and ignored it.
"Let me help you," Donna moved forward, but the queen tried her best to mold with the wall. Donna stopped and focused on her cuffs. With a snap of a finger, the cuffs broke. The Queen of Hearts smiled, but then the cuffs clamped back on her wrists. The queen herself disappeared. She screamed before there was nothing. Donna gasped. What had she done?
"This is all your fault, you know," a smooth voice came from behind her. Donna's face suddenly hardened. This was the moment she had always dreaded. All of the visions and nightmares all have been preparing her for this. She rose to her feet calmly. She dusted off her armor before turning to see Laura stepping from the shadows. Some part of her thought it was going to be Ally- like in the vision- but it must've only been a trick provided by Luara.
"No, it's not," Donna took in the sight of Laura. She tried not to scream. Laura's hair was not jet black. Having a purple glow in the light. Black veins were crawling up her arms and neck. The possession it was taking over. There wasn't much time before the Evil Queen would materialize. Her eyes at least were a darker blue. It gave Donna hope. "It's not yours either. Laura, don't listen to that voice inside your head. It's not you."
"I know it's not me," Laura snapped. She stepped closer to the bars between them Donna felt like a caged animal. "It's you. You're the one who did this."
"What?" Donna whispered. She was utterly confused. Donna found herself being pulled closer to the end of the prison. Some magnetic force was motioning her body forward.
"You don't know?" Laura raised a brow. She then laughed softly. It sounded a lot like the Evil Queen's. That's what scared Donna. There was a wild look in her eyes. "Then maybe we should revisit that day together." Donna tried to run back from the bars, but Laura grabbed Donna's arm before she could pull away. There was a flash of light, then everything went black.
...
"Hello?" a muffled voice called to Donna. She fluttered her eyes open to see the morning sun reflecting on the grass."Hello?" the girl's voice called again. Donna suddenly sprung up. She looked around to see she was still by her grandmother's grave. When she saw it, she scooted back from it quickly. "You're okay," the voice said.
Donna turned her head to see a girl with dirty blonde hair with pink tips. Her grey eyes studied Donna. "Who are you?" Donna asked.
"I'm Laura," she said with a slight grin, "Who are you?"
Donna didn't know if she should trust this girl. They had just met, but she didn't know what to trust a the moment. "Donna Queen-Charming," she said quietly.
"Hi Donna," Laura held out a hand. Donna shook it. For a moment, Donna felt a weird power go through their hands when they touched. She took back her hand quickly. "Why are you in the graveyard?"
...
"That weird little feeling," Luara said in the present. She still clutched Donna's wrist tightly. "Was mutual. I could feel something within me ever since that day I took you in. I thought it was nothing to worry about. That my powers were getting stronger. And they were but in a whole new way. Did you ever wonder what happened when you went crazy?"
Yes. She did. Donna thought she never would have the answer. What had happened between her and the other girls? Why was Luara sent to the magic hospital?
"Well, since you're speechless I'll take it as you don't know," Luara let out a long breath. She let go of Donna. and turned away from her. "While you were fighting yourself in your mind. You were just fighting off part of the Evil Queen. The girls and I were in the castleteria when suddenly I started to speak fluent Riddlish. I didn't remember what happened until I was in the hospital. Others told me that my eyes had turned purple and veins began to crawl up my skin."
"The possession was trying to completely take you over," Donna concluded. "She was angry that I resisted so much. She needed a new way."
"Well, she found one," Laura snapped again. "But, before the transaction was complete, my mother had been called. She's a specialist when it came to this stuff. The possession was stopped from spreading. Eliza and Fauna had been injured in the process. Freshman year, I had given the girls a piece of my magic. What I didn't know is that I gave them a piece of myself. So, when the possession was stopped in me, Eliza was the next one to get it. It just spread like a disease. A powerful and magical one. One person to the next. But, I hadn't gotten rid of the spirit like you had, so I needed to be free from my confinement. We've been residing here ever since, waiting out the time."
"So pieces of the Evil Queen are in all of you?" Donna asked. She was horrified of what she was hearing. Three girls possessed with the Evil Queen's spirit?
"Not just us, you too. How did you think you could see all of the visions? Just a convenience?" Laura laughed. Her voice changed. it made Donna think she wasn't talking to Luara anymore "No, we've been waiting for you and your gang this whole time. Now that you're here, we can finally complete the mission. We can rule the world with our powers. You are our missing piece."
This was all a trap. Donna should've known. They were waiting for her. She wanted Donna and the others to come and find the raven skull. Because then, all four of them can truly bring the Evil Queen back from the dead. Once the skull was found. It was all over. "I won't help you," Donna said, taking a step back. She couldn't concentrate enough to make a spell. She was getting too angry.
Laura laughed again. This one was much deeper. "I thought that was what you might say. You're fighting that voice in your head. I know it's still in there. Even if you thought it was gone. It's not. It only hid in the shadows."
Some part of Donna knew that was true. All along. The visions and nightmares weren't because of what had happened in the past, it was because of what was about it happen. How could she have been so stupid? She had been playing the game this whole time. Donna felt her heart drop. She had led everyone right into a trap. One that was meant only for her.
"If you resist again, we'll make sure your family, friends, and that stupid little boyfriend of yours don't make it out of here alive. Right girls?" That was when Fauna and Eliza both came from the shadows. Fauna looked quite normal, it was Eliza whose grey eyes had turned to violet, just like the Queen of Hearts said. She had a smug smile on her face. "I'm sure Eliza will take great pleasure in killing Matthew herself. Wouldn't you, Eliza?"
Eliza's smug smiled faltered. She looked shocked at the notion. If she truly was possessed by the Evil Queen, she wouldn't have hesitated when she said, "Gladly." Donna looked at her. Eliza was still in there. She looked to Fauna, who appeared to be terrified. They were both there. They hadn't lost hope yet.
"Make sure to tell him before you kill him that Donna isn't dead, but will suffer for the rest of her days," Laura laughed again. At Luara's look, Eliza's confidence came back and she too began to laugh. They were acting as if Donna wasn't even there. She gritted her teeth as anger built up inside of her.
"Don't. You. Dare. Touch. Him."
Laura stopped laughing once she heard this. She gazed to Donna, who gave her a cold stare. Laura walked forward, her face inches from Donna's. "Try me," she said lightly. Donna would. She reached for Laura's collar, lighting her hands with flames, but then Donna felt herself falling backward. Her vision had once again come true as she fit the floor of a solid black room.