The next day, Greenly and the others decided to do their own kind of research. Greenly was going to pay Madame Baba Yaga a visit. As the school's advisor for dark magicians and sorceresses, surely she would know if something evil was going on. When she's not on duty, Baba Yaga would spend her time in her cottage, which happens to have giant chicken legs underneath it so it can move to wherever she wants! Luckily, Baba Yaga didn't park her house too far. The only downside is that it was in the Dark Forest, the one place you should NEVER get lost in.

Greenly looked at the entrance to the Dark Forest. It looked like a foreboding portal to another story, a story with a sad ending. Greenly knew the Dark Forest can be dangerous, but she had to be brave. She wandered into the Dark Forest and didn't look back. The air seemed to go stiff and cold as Greenly ventured deep into the forest. All kinds of sounds reached her ears. Insects buzzed and chirped, toads were croaking and crows cawed. Normally, it was enough to spook any fairytale princess, but Greenly didn't mind. In fact, she found it...hexciting. Is this how brave knights feel when they go on adventures? It was actually pretty cool!

"Hey!" a voice said from behind. Greenly jumped, her hexcitement now became panic. She unzipped her gold wristlet and pulled out a small knife. She swiftly turned to whoever surprised her.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Coming from behind a gnarled tree was Cerise Hood. "Easy!"

"Cerise?!" Greenly quickly put her knife away. "What are you doing here?!"

"I was going to ask you the same thing!" Cerise said in her usual quiet voice. "You shouldn't be out here in the Dark Forest! It's dangerous!" She lowered her hood.

"I know that! Why do you think I had a knife with me?" Greenly retorted. "I'm looking for Madame Yaga. Have you seen her?"

"Yeah, she's not too far away. Follow me."

And so, Greenly and Cerise walked together into the Dark Forest. As they walked, Greenly felt a bit awkward to be around the famously antisocial Cerise Hood. So, she decided to break the ice with a burning question. "So, how are things going for you?" asked the princess.

"Huh? Oh, just fine." Cerise replied.

But Greenly could feel the hesitation in her voice. "Are you sure? Because I've been a bit...concerned about you."

Cerise stopped walking and turned to Greenly. "Concerned about what?"

Greenly rubbed the back of her head. "Well, I never see you hang out with anyone, let alone talk to anyone. And you seem so...lonely." She looked at the hooded girl with serious eyes. "Is it because of Mr. Badwolf?"

Now Cerise looked alarmed. Knowing she struck a nerve, Greenly diffused things before they got worse. "I mean, if that's the case, I totally understand!" she said quickly.

Hearing this, Cerise calmed down a little. "You...do?"

"Yeah, I may not have a villain in my story. But I understand that having the villain in your story as a teacher can be, well, stressful. So, it's perfectly natural for you to keep your guard up."

"Oh, I see." Cerise gave a relaxed smile. It was the first time Greenly ever saw her smile.

"And if Mr. Badwolf is giving you any trouble, you have to let Headmaster Grimm know." Greenly advised. "Even he knows that a villain should never go too far when it comes to evil."

"It's okay, Greenly. Mr. Badwolf isn't bullying me or anything." said Cerise. "He treats me just like any other student. But I appreciate you thinking about me."

"No problem." Greenly casually kicked a pebble aside.

"So, do I really look that much like a loner?" Cerise joked.

"Well, yeah, you do." Greenly replied in a no-nonsense tone, making Cerise blink in surprise. "You see, seeing you all by yourself kind of reminds me of, well, me."

"You?"

Greenly nodded. "Yeah, I was always alone growing up. I didn't have a lot of friends. In fact, I thought I didn't need friends, so I feared the worst when I learned I was going to a public school for the first time. But when I came to Ever After High, I was able to make some really good friends that made my school life so much better. I know there are some people here that aren't exactly the most pleasant to be around, but that doesn't mean you have to keep your guard up so high. Things would be so much better if you'd open up a bit and just relax."

Cerise's smile grew even bigger. "Thanks, Greenly. I'll keep that in mind." She pointed to a clearing where Baba Yaga's house was. "There she is."

"Awesome! Thanks, Cerise!" Greenly waved goodbye and took off. Cerise smiled to herself as she disappeared into the shadows. Greenly smiled too. Guess Cerise was never in any real danger after all. And she seemed nice too. A loner perhaps, but she was no bad seed.

Greenly knocked on the advisor's door. It swung open. "Is that you, Miss Pea?" Baba Yaga called out in her shrill voice.

"Yes, Ma'am." Greenly entered and the door slammed shut. She watched Baba Yaga grading multiple papers that were floating thanks to her magic. She snapped her fingers and the papers became a pile. They placed themselves on a dusty end table.

"So, what brings you here, my dear?" asked Baba Yaga. "I hardly get visitors."

"Well, Madame Yaga, it's about Raven Queen." Greenly began. "Miss Gold seems to be asking some very personal questions about Raven from Cedar Wood, who's cursed to tell the truth. And I have a bad feeling about it."

Baba Yaga hummed thoughtfully as she tapped her chin. "That is peculiar. But understandable."

Greenly raised an eyebrow. "It is?"

"Of course. Raven Queen is destined to be the most dark and powerful villain of them all. So, I don't blame Miss Gold for being suspicious. Raven didn't ask for it, but she was born with incredible power..." Her eyes narrowed. "power that can destroy anything she pleases when mastered."

A chill raced up Greenly's spine. "But...she's not all that good at it. I mean, I've seen her mess up her magic before."

"That's because she tries to use her dark magic for good. And when you use dark magic for good, you get the spell wrong." Baba Yaga held out her hand a floating teapot poured some murky looking tea in a floating cup. "Tea?" She offered Greenly the cup.

"No, thanks." Greenly knew better than to accept anything from witches, even if they are teachers. "So, if Raven's not all that good at magic, then is she even cut out to be the next Evil Queen?"

Baba Yaga glared at the princess coldly. "That is where you're wrong, child." She took a sip of tea. "Once Raven signs the Storybook of Legends on Legacy Year, she will be able to master her magic and become as powerful as her mother, maybe even more."

Now Greenly felt afraid. She never knew that. Was Raven truly capable of causing all kinds of evil and destruction? Even more than her mother?

"Anyway, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about, my dear." said Baba Yaga. "Now, run along." And she scooted the princess away. As Greenly left the cottage and emerged from the Dark Forest, she couldn't stop thinking about Raven. She was always so kind and polite. She even apologized when she accidentally turned Greenly's pencil into a slug when she tried to use a spell to sharpen it.

Just then, Greenly spotted Apple sitting on a bench, smiling to herself as she read a book. The sunlight seemed to shine upon her as she sat. A few friendly birds chirped as they sat on her shoulders, enjoying whatever book Apple was reading.

Curious, Greenly approached Apple. "Hey, Apple."

"Oh! Hi, Greely!" Apple waved, friendly as always. She was a bit surprised to see Greenly talk to her. Greenly never talks to her.

"Apple, can I talk to you real quick? It's important." asked Greenly.

"Of course." She scooted over to make room. "Have a seat." Greenly promptly say beside her. "So, what's up?"

To make sure Apple wasn't lying, Greenly put a hand on Apple's shoulder. "Apple, are you really okay with Raven being evil?"

Apple blinked. "Of course I am." She answered without a moment's hesitation. Greenly felt no pain, so she knew Apple was being honest. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, aren't you afraid? I mean, when Raven signs the Storybook of Legends, she will inherit all of the dark and twisted power that comes with the Evil Queen's legacy. Aren't you concerned even a little bit?"

"Not at all." Apple said with a serious look on her face. Again, Greenly felt no pain. "You see, Greenly, Raven's evil legacy is important because it's her destiny. And our destinies are everything."

"But what if Raven goes completely mad with power?!" Greenly asked, still shocked by Apple's honesty.

Apple shook her head. "You don't have to worry." She smiled. "She'll play her part just fine without going overboard. You'll see." She stood up. "Anywho, I'm off to meet Briar, Ashlynn, and Blondie at The Glass Slipper. We're going to pick out the perfect shoes for Briar's party!" she sadi excitedly. "You wanna come?"

"Uh, no thanks."

"Okay. Well, see you later!" And the bubbly princess walked away.

Greenly was stunned. When she talked to Apple, it didn't feel like she was talking to a person. Nothing Greenly said to her was absorbed. Apple seemed blissfully ignorant to the chaos that Raven might bring! But Greenly concluded that if you're dumb enough to get suckered into eating a poisoned apple by a jealous queen, it can affect how you think.

Greenly's phone pinged and she checked it.

Ian: Got some results. Meet you at the place.

Greenly: Got it.