Greenly, Amber, Ian, and Bentley were immediately sent to the headmaster's office. They all sat in their own respective chairs as Headmaster Grimm glowered at them, his arms folded across his chest. After being interrogated by Baba Yaga, Charlotte immediately confessed everything about Ms. Fairywell's plan to destroy Raven and steal her life. Once Headmaster Grimm received the whole story, he returned to talk to the four students.
Amber leaned over to Ian. "Are we in trouble or something?" she whispered.
"Beats me." Ian responded. He had been in trouble before, but these were unique circumstances. So he had no idea what to expect.
"Silence!" snapped Headmaser Grimm. "You four nearly destroyed the school because of your little rescue mission! All you had to do was report to me about this fairy's scheme to eliminate Miss Queen! You couldn't of spared a few precious moments to report to me?!"
"We're sorry, Headmaster Grimm." said Greenly. "We just figured you wouldn't believe us. So, we took matters into our own hands."
The headmaster responded with a sigh. "Well, if it wasn't for you and your friends, Miss Pea, I never would have known about this whole conspiracy. So, none of you will be punished for the damage you caused."
The four students began to cheer in gratitude, but Headmaster Grimm raised a hand. "However!" he began, seizing their celebration. "There's just one catch."
"Aw, man! There's always a catch!" Ian complained.
Minutes later, Greenly and the others left the headmaster's office. "So, we can't tell anyone about stopping Ms. Fairywell and saving Raven Queen or we get punished?" Bentley asked casually.
"Well, I don't think it's fair!" said Amber. "Everyone should know so we can be crowned as heroes!"
"Guys, we didn't do this to be heroes. We did this to save Raven." Greenly reminded them.
"Hey! You guys!" said a familiar voice. The friends turned and saw the one and only Raven Queen running towards them. Thanks to Madame Yaga, she was back to her old self. "Baba Yaga just told me everything! You guys saved my life!" They all felt the gratitude in her words.
"It was nothing, Raven." said Greenly.
"Are you nuts?!" Raven retorted. "An evil fairy was going to completely steal my brain and live the rest of my life living like a goat! And Headmaster Grimm said that I can't tell anyone or I'll get in trouble! He's just trying to save his own skin! Everyone should know what you guys have done!"
But Greenly looked at her fellow princess with serious eyes. "No, Raven. If people knew that an evil fairy disguised as a teacher was plotting to destroy you, it would just cause pandemonium! All the students will become paranoid and it'll just bring more problems! Headmaster Grimm was right not to tell the students about this. Besides, there's no point in scaring people with something that's already over. So, remember, we have to pretend this never happened, okay? This was just an ordinary-'
"HEY!" a rageful voice shouted. Greenly saw Briar Beauty marching over to her in an angrily fashion. "You and your stupid friends ruined my party, Greenly!"
"What?!" said Greenly. "What are you talking about?!"
"Oh, don't play dumb! You had Bentley play his stupid horn and blow a hole right through the dance floor!" Briar took out her mirror pad and played Blondie's latest episode of her mirrorcast show, 'Just Right.' Blondie's face appeared on the screen. "Blonide Lockes here with a breaking news story! Briar's epic end of the school year party was epically destroyed by a sound wave that burst through the floor! Everyone was lucky to avoid any serious injuries! According to eyewitnesses, the attack came all the way from the school basement and came through several floors, ruining Briar's party in the process!" A picture appeared next to Blondie. It was a picture of Greenly, Amber, Ian, and Bentley leaving the school basement. "Here is a photo of Greenly Pea, Amber Spite, Ian Crywolf, and Bentley Blue leaving the school basement the same time after the attack nearly destroyed the school! Was this a school prank gone too far? Or does Greenly Pea, the Powerhouse Princess, have an axe to grind with Briar Beauty? We may never know. I'm Blondie Lockes and we'll see you next time on another episode of, 'Just Right!'"
And the screen went dark. Briar glared and pointed her finger at her. "I don't know what your problem is, Greenly, but you and your crazy friends stay away from me and my friends!" And she stormed away.
Greenly and the others jus stood there, surprised by what just happened.
"Well, everyone hates us now and we're officially at the bottom of the food chain." Amber declared. "Still think we should keep our little secret?" she asked Greenly.
"Yes." Greenly said right away, surprising everyone. "You guys know I don't care about royals or what they think of me. They can all suck a dragon egg for all I care, especially Briar. Don't forget the reason why we became friends in the first place."
Amber, Ian, and Bentley didn't forget. They all smiled and nodded amongst each other. But Raven was confused. "Wait a minute. What are you guys talking about?"
"Well, you see, Raven," Amber began. "we became friends because we hate royals and everything about them. Royals are just spoiled, selfish, good-for-nothing snobs who care about nobody but themselves. So, we-"
"Hey! Amber!"
Amber spun around and saw Rosabella Beauty, daughter of Beauty and the Beast. Ashlynn Ella, Cinderella's daughter. And Farrah Goodfairy, daughter of the Fairy Godmother. "Amber! We've been looking for you everywhere!" said Ashlynn.
"Blondie and everyone else keeps saying that you guys ruined Briar's party. But that just doesn't sound like...like you!" said Rosabella. "We just couldn't believe it!"
"We came to check on you to see if you were alright!" Farrah said with concern.
A look of panic came over Amber's face. Greenly wore a look of shock on her face. Amber was...acquained with other royals?!
"Bentley! Ian!" cried another voice. Greenly's heart started to flutter when she saw Dexter approach the two boys. "I just saw Blondie's mirrorcast! There has to be some kind of mistake! You guys would never use Bentley's power to ruin Briar's party!"
Now Ian and Bentley looked panicked. Greenly's friends turned to the princess. Greenly looked stunned to say the least.
Amber sighed in defeat. "Okay, okay, the jig is up. Greenly, we didn't want to tell you this, but we've been friends with other royals for a long time now."
"We're sorry for lying to you, but we just didn't know how you'd react." said Bentley.
Greenly was silent.
"Look, I know this is...awkward, but Rosabella and Ashlynn are really nice! Even if they are princesses!" Amber insisted. "I mean, lots of people are too scared to go near me, but Rosabella doesn't think I'm scary at all. Even when I act scary, she doesn't run away from me. And Ashlynn cares so much for the environment. Plus, she's not superficial in the least. She truly is one with nature!"
"Okay, but, why would you be buddies with Farrah?" asked Greenly. It was very unusual for a dark fairy to be friends with a nice fairy like Farrah.
Amber looked down, saddening. "Well, because...I'm a fairy. And I always wanted a fairy friend that could relate to me, y'know? But since the Dark Fairy is one of the most powerful and popular fairies ever after, all the fairies usually suck up to Faybelle and her side of the family. But Farrah doesn't judge me just because I'm magically weak. And even if I'm a blood relative of Faybelle, she still likes me for me. And that...really means a lot to me."
"And Dexter maybe a prince, but he's no bonehead like his stupid brother." Ian said bluntly. "He's cool."
"Um, bonehead's a little harsh." said Dexter.
"Does this mean we're not friends anymore?" Amber asked Greenly. "I mean, we all became friends because we thought royals were bad. There's no reason for our group to exist anymore."
"That's not true!" Raven said suddenly. "You guys don't need to have a common enemy to be friends. I may not know why you guys hate royals that much, but you only knew a small part of what they were like. I mean, Greenly's a princess and that didn't stop you three from being friends with her."
"Raven's right." said Rosabella. "The whole point of being friends is getting along, having fun and being happy together!"
Greenly was silent for a moment. "Yeah, you guys are right. I'm sorry about brainwashing you guys into thinking all royals were bad." She smiled a little. "But I'm going to make it right! So, how would guys like to come with us to The Herald's Hamburgers?"
"I love that place!" said Dexter. Everyone else cheered in agreement.
Greenly noticed Raven starting to walk away. "Hey, Raven! Where are you going?"
Raven stopped and turned to Greenly. "I'm leaving. You guys have fun." She waved goodbye and started to walk away, but Greenly grabbed her shoulder.
"Wait a spell! Don't you want to come with us?" asked Greenly.
"Yeah, Raven! You should come!" said Amber. "You'll love Herald's Hamburgers! Lots of good food!"
"And they got a pool table too!" Ian added.
"And live music every Friday night!" Bentley added as well.
Raven looked at the group of friends with hopeful eyes. "You really wnt me to come with you?"
"Yeah, we're friends now, aren't we?" asked Greenly. "If you want to be friends, that is."
Raven felt like she was struck by lightning. "You really want to be friends with me? Even though I'm..."
"Raven, I know everyone thinks you're evil. But that doesn't mean you should be left out from enjoying your life. Besides, you've never been evil to me. And there are people out there a lot more evil than you'll ever be, just ask Ms. Fairywell."
Raven appeared thoughtful. Greenly did have a point. Suddenly, they heard a shy voice.
"Uh, hey, guys."
Greenly and Raven jumped when hey spotted Cerise standing right next to them. "Cerise?!" Raven put a hand over her chest.
"You almost scared me right out of my armor!" said Greenly.
"Sorry." Cerise lowered her hood. "I, um, heard you were all going to The Herald's Hamburgers and um...I was wondering if I could...tag along."
Everyone looked surprised at the girl in red. Cerise had always been hiding in her hood, away from others. But Greenly smiled and took the girl's hand. "Of course you can tag along!" she said happily.
Bentley popped up from behind Greenly with a friendly smile. "You're always welcome to hang with us, Cerise!"
To Greenly and even Bentley's surprise, Ian stepped forward and actually smiled at Cerise. "Yeah, Herald's Hamburgers has a special on meat lover's pizza tonight."
Cerise's face perked up. "I'm in!" She licked her lips.
Greenly was surprised by how excited Cerise was when it came to food. But then again, she had seen Cerise eating a lot of food by herself in the castleteria. A lot of meat no less. Greenly was surprised how one girl can eat so much food all by herself.
"Well? What are we waiting for?" Amber said, interrupting Greenly's thoughts. "Let's get this party train rolling!"
At The Herald's Hamburgers, Greenly and her now large group of friends enjoyed all the burgers, fries, and pizza they could eat. Greenly stood up. "Everyone! I propose a toast!" She raised her glass of soda. "To good friends!"
Everyone raised their glasses as well. "To good friends!"
Once their dinner was finished, it was time o work off that meal with some bowling at the Royal Rumble Bowling Alley. Everyone was having the time of their lives. But Greenly saw the distant look on Raven's face as she sat by the bowling ball return. She decided to join her friend. "Hey, Rav. You okay?"
"Well, not really." said Raven. "Don't get me wrong, I'm having a great time. I just still can't believe that wicked fairy would stoop to an evil conspiracy in order to destroy me!"
Greenly sat next to her distraught friend. "I know you've been through a lot, Raven. No one deserves to go through what you've been through. But I'm pretty sure that any more conspirators will be after you. Headmaster Grimm said it himself that he can't afford your destiny to be taken away."
Raven groaned as she dropped her face in her hands. "That's just it! It was my so called destiny that caused this whole thing! What if I don't-" She quickly covered her mouth. Raven looked around to make sure no one was looking at her. She leaned in close to Greenly. "What if...I don't want to be evil?"
Greenly gasped. "What?!" she whispered. She knew where his was going, that Raven was rejecting her prewritten path. And that, in the Fairytale world, was considered one of the greatest sins there was. "Are you sayng you don't want to become the next Evil Queen?!"
"Well, I know we're suppose to follow our destinies but...I just...don't..." Raven struggled to find the right words.
"You don't have your heart into it?" Greenly finished for her.
"Yeah! Everyone thinks I'm this evil villain because of my mom's legacy, they all treat me like a monster even if I haven't done anything wrong to anyone!" She paused. "Not on purpose anyway." Unfortunately, Raven had a reputation of using her magic to help people, only to have it completely backfire. That did not convince people that she was a good girl.
"I know, I totally get it." said Greenly. "But I think-" She suddenly paused. The princess thought back to what Baba Yaga said. If Raven did accept her destiny, then she really will become the ultimate evil.
"Think what?" asked Raven.
Greenly blinked. "Uh, I think that...if you don't want to be evil, then don't."
Raven was taken aback by Greenly's words as she kept talking. "I just think that if there was less evil in the world, the world would be a better place. And isn't the world better with less evil in it?"
Hearing this, Raven slowly nodded.
"But hey, it's not about what I think, it's what you think." Greenly reminded Raven. "And you better think hard."
"Hey! What are you guys sitting around for?!" Amber called out. "You're both up!"
The girls decided to end their discussion and went back to their game.
And so, we saved Raven from the evil Ms. Fairywell. Sure, my reputation was ruined. But it was worth knowing that Raven was safe from harm. As for Ms. Fairywell, she was arrested and sent to the Dark Forest Prison. Because of Bentley's attack, she ended up becoming deaf. As for Charlotte, she's serving meals in the lunchroom of the Dark Forest Reform School. From what I hear, she's happy to be away from her aunt for good.
As for me, I not only had a healthy respect for Raven, but royals as well. Some royals, of course. I introduced Holly and Poppy O'Hair to my other friends and we all got along. And I became good friends with Ashlynn, Rosabella, and Farrah.
But best of all, I became close to Dexter Charming. And oh my fairy godmother! He was dreamier than I ever imagined! He was so humble and down to Earth, nowhere near as stuck up as Daring! He was the perfect prince! But I knew dating wasn't an option. So, we stayed friends and I didn't tell him how I felt. Dexter wasn't sure what story he was going to be in, but I hope he was going to be the prince in my story.
Once school was finally over, I enjoyed summer vacation to it's fullest. I even introduced Raven to my parents. They were shocked that I was friends with the Evil Queen's daughter. But they were smart enough to not be rude to her, so they acted friendly and welcomed her with open arms. But they were truly convinced that Raven was nice when she invited us to her family at her castle.
Queen Castle was everything an evil villain's home could be. They even had their own ogre named Ooglot, who was actually really kind and helpful. Inside the castle, we met the members of Raven's family; the Good King, Raven's father. Cook, the family's cook. And Cook's twin children, Pie and Butternut.
They were the kindest people we had ever met. But for some strange reason, the Evil Queen was nowhere to be seen. You'd think the most evil of evil villains would be in her own home to terrorize her guests. That's when the Good King dropped a major bombspell.
The Evil Queen was sent to mirror prison, the most secure prison ever after, for trying to destroy Wonderland.
It was a complete shock. Sure, the Evil Queen was tyrannical by nature. But attemping to annihilate an entire world?! That's crossing the line. Thankfully, she was captured in time and put away where she belongs. But it was extremely hard for Raven. She lost her mother, but she understood that her mother was too evil for her own good. So, she came to terms with her mother's fate and moved on.
After that, we all continued enjoying our summer vacation. And that included sleepovers, boat trips with the Good King, karaoke nights. Things couldn't be better! But we knew the fun wasn't to last forever. Because once summer vacation was over, it was time for our second year of school. And that meant one thing and one thing only;
Legacy Year.
I had mixed feelings about it. I knew that I was going to become the next Princess and the Pea, but I still felt nervous. Why? Maybe because signing the Storybook of Legends sounded so...final? Even though my story wasn't popular and I wasn't popular?
Or maybe I was just nervous for Raven. She didn't want to be evil or play the part like her mother did. But I didn't want to be a worrywart, so I cleared my concerns out of my head.
It was a few weeks before we went back to school. But then, my parents got a call from Headmaster Grimm. He wanted to see me immediately.
Tha's when I knew that something big was coming.