Sofia Whitman

Waking up at 1 in the morning usually meant a trip to the bathroom.

At first, I thought the whole thing was a dream. I mean, it couldn't possibly have been anything else. Right? There was one way to check.

I slipped out of bed, my bare feet feeling rough from walking outdoors. I quietly opened the door to my room, watching as my parents' bedroom light flicked off. I crept down the hallway as quietly as I could, avoiding the loose floorboard halfway between mine and Lucas's rooms.

I knocked as softly as I could. 10 seconds passed before Lucas appeared. And I knew it hadn't been a dream.

After Lucas and I discovered our powers, I didn't think life could get much weirder. I was so wrong, of course.

For once, I made it to breakfast without having to be pulled out of bed by Lucas, despite waking up in the Magic Kingdom in the middle of the night. I think coming to terms with the finality of the situation made me even more eager to figure out what my parents were up to.

Neither of them looked great. They were as put together as usual, but the dark circles under their eyes, a signature of parents everywhere, were even more pronounced. My dad was even drinking coffee (which he hated).

By the time lunch rolled around, I was desperate to talk to Alex about last night's events. At least to confirm that it had actually happened and wasn't some twin telepathy thing. Alex and Lucas both seemed to have the same idea because as soon as the bell rang I met them at the table.

"We're in trouble," Alex said, jumping immediately to the negative.

"Tell me about it," I agreed.

He pulled out his laptop, furiously typing for a few seconds before spinning it so we both could see.

"I've managed to hide our data from anyone who might be monitoring the server," he said, "But if someone goes looking for it, they could probably find it."

"What does that mean?" I asked.

Lucas answered, "If our parents start to suspect us, or if someone spots us roaming the park, they'll have evidence."

"Then we'll just have to not get caught."

I don't know where my confidence came from. I wasn't even really sure we should go back there, but something told me we needed to.

"I think we just 'crossed over'," Alex said.

Uncle Philby had first mentioned the name in the soundstage, but it didn't have any meaning until now.

"So, just to be clear," I said, trying to wrap my head around what exactly we were doing, "Our parents remodeled their holograms to cross over into the parks in order to find Wayne Kresky, who supposedly died over 20 years ago and created the DHI program?"

"Yeah, that pretty much sums it up."

"And," Alex added, "The Disney villains, the Overtakers, probably kidnapped him. Peter said it wasn't safe for us to be asking about them, and then he practically forced us to leave."

"Right, Peter Pan. This whole thing is a mess," I said, running my hands through my hair.

Yeah, and add on that Lucas and I have magic powers we haven't told anyone about and this could be the plot of a weird KK fanfiction.

"No kidding,"

Noah Luowski caught my eye from across the cafeteria. Something about him seemed… off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but he seemed even more confident, or rather egotistical, if that was even possible. As if queued by my gaze, he got up, signaling to a few of his goons.

"Trouble incoming," I warned.

Alex glanced discreetly behind him, cautiously shutting the lid to his computer and putting it safely away in his backpack. Lucas didn't even bother turning around.

"Look what we have here fellas," He said, roughly placing one hand on each of Alex and Lucas' shoulders. I could feel the pressure from his grip on Lucas. It was strong, unnaturally so. "A couple of lost puppies."

"What do you want?" I asked, as bluntly as I could manage.

"To deliver a message."

I raised my eyebrows. That was definitely not what I was expecting. Luowski never did anything for anyone, especially if it didn't benefit himself.

Seeing he had our attention, he continued, "You've gotten yourselves into things that don't concern you. But now that you have, it is highly suggested you watch where you meddle."

He released his hands, and his eyes met mine before turning and strutting away. I realized what exactly was off: his eyes were bright green. Noah Luowski had blue eyes.

Despite Luowski's warning, I dressed for action that night, in dark clothes and sneakers. It felt odd to be going to sleep with shoes on, but I knew it was necessary to be running around the park.

The encounter earlier had done nothing to calm my nerves about our situation. If anything, it did the opposite, and caused more questions to arise in the face of Luowski's involvement with whatever this was. Why was he suddenly delivering other people's messages? And for whom did he work? Why was he now wearing colored contacts? What did all of this have to do with us or our parents' connection to Disney?

I had no trouble falling asleep, in spite of the anxiety bubbling at the bottom of my stomach. After what felt like seconds, I woke up again in front of the castle. Not quite the exact same place as last night, but still on Main Street USA, closer to the hub.

I spotted Emma a bit further down the street, just waking up as well. She also wore dark clothing, her blonde hair pulled back in a French braid. Joining her, we crept down the sidewalk, turning right to go through Tomorrowland instead of straight through the castle.

We were careful walking, on the lookout for any other person around. But the park was quiet, despite Peter's claims that there were many characters roaming about.

As we circled back through New Fantasyland, I shivered instinctively. It had suddenly gotten much colder, a feeling I realized Emma shared as well. We stopped in unison, glancing around for the source of the frigid air.

A figure stepped in our path. She was instantly recognizable, with her signature maroon dress adorned with the emerald gem, and silver hair in the classic updo as seen in Cinderella. If possible, she was even more intimidating than her cartoon form, standing tall and proud as she looked down at us.

"Hello, girls," She said, smiling at us as if she could smell our fear.

"You're Lady Tremaine," I said, quietly.

It wasn't a question, but a fact. The older woman seemed pleased to be remembered, as her eyes lit up at my words. I glanced over at Emma, who had taken half a step behind me in fear. Lady Tremaine was her least favorite villain by far. As a kid, I remembered her cuddling with her mom whenever we would watch the movie. Being confronted in person only heightened both of our fears.

"I'm glad I don't have to introduce myself." She said, staring at the both of us, "Now, this can be very simple or less so, but that depends on you. One of you in your silly little band of children has something a dear friend needs, and we are very much inclined for her to have it."

"I don't know what you mean?" I replied, confused.

"Don't play dumb, dear." Lady Tremaine countered, all sense of politeness disappearing, "We know one of you three have it. Simply give it up, and no one need be harmed."

At the mention of possible injury, Emma moved slightly closer to me. I still wasn't sure what this woman was talking about. I thought the villains were only interested in this Wayne dude, not us?

"3?"

"Yes, yes. Must I spell it out for you? It's between the two of you and that brother of yours. Give up the magic and you'll be free to go."

Magic? I felt my stomach drop. She meant our powers. They- the Overtakers- knew about our abilities somehow. I thought it was impossible: no one knew besides Lucas and I. And why did they think Emma could have some too?

Lucas. If Emma and I were being stopped, he probably was too. We had to get out of this. Preferably, in one piece.

"No offense, ma'am," I said, with as much politeness as I could muster, "But we have no idea what you are talking about."

"Keepers, always playing dumb." She scoffed.

Lady Tremaine took a few steps towards us, but a horse quickly blocked her from view. It whinnied, galloping to a stop in between us and the villain.

"Lady Tremaine," The man sitting atop the steed addressed her, "You are not welcome here."

She took a few steps back, sneering at the man all the same. With his epaulettes, dark hair, and otherwise attractive features, he was definitely a sight.

"You will soon find, Charming, that protecting these children will only bring about your own demise."

"Then let it." He retorted, "But I will not allow for your intimidation any longer. Be gone!"

With one last look at him, she turned and walked away. Prince Charming faced us, holding out his hand for us to take.

"Come, your friends are waiting at Belle and Adam's castle."