I do not own Kamen Rider Ryuki or Ever After High. They belong to their respective creators and not me. I am not writing this for profit, only for fun.
Knights of the Otherworld
By Ten-Faced Paladin
Chapter 21: Thronecoming Part 2
The school was abuzz as everyone heard the most unbelievable news. Raven Queen, who had originally refused to sign the Storybook of Legends, had changed her mind!
Blondie was covering it on her MirrorCast.
"Can you believe it, fairy tale fanatics? Raven Queen is going to sign the Storybook of Legends! This has to be the most epic thing to happen since, well, since she didn't sign the book. Now, first, 'Huntlynn' - That's my cute ship name for Hunter and Ashlynn - what do you think of this new development in Raven's story"
"When Raven decided not to sign the book, we thought there was hope for us," Ashlynn confessed.
"Wait, Raven's gonna sign?" Hunter blinked.
"You really need to read the MirrorBlogs."
Responses to Raven's decision varied. Many supported her, there were some who refused to accept it and there were few who were indifferent about it.
There was one person who felt strongly about it, however.
Ever After High - Halls
"Raven, I just heard the news. Is it true? Are you really going to sign the Storybook of Legends?" Arthur asked as he met Raven in the halls.
"Yes, I am," Raven confirmed. "And I've decided to sign for my true destiny and follow in my mother's footsteps."
"Why!? You'll be miserable if you do that! What about the other destiny you saw!? The one where you're happy!?" 'With me', he wanted to add.
"If I decide to choose that as my destiny, everyone else will suffer! I can't do that to them, Arthur! I can't be selfish!"
"There's nothing selfish about wanting to be happy, Blackbird! You have a right to be happy too!
"I'm sorry, Arthur! I'm sorry! I just don't want you to get hurt too! I think...I think we should..."
"No, Blackbird. Don't. Please don't." Arthur knew what was coming but he refused to believe it.
"We should break up." Raven sputtered, starting to cry. "Y-you deserve better than the Evil Queen's daughter!" Not wanting to draw it out any longer, Raven turned around and ran away from him, away from her Happily Ever After.
"Blackbird, please!" Arthur cried. He wanted to run after her but his legs felt like lead. "Raven!"
Ever After High - Empty Classroom
The girls were all being fitted for their dresses for the parade. Apple was happy that Raven would sign the Storybook of Legends and accept her destiny but she then noticed her frenemy was depressed.
"What's wrong?" Apple asked.
"Oh, nothing. I'm just anxious about signing the book," Raven forced a smile. Apple was not convinced and she sat beside her roommate to lend an ear.
"Now, Raven. We've been frenemies long enough for me to know when something's bothering you. Just because you might poison me someday, that doesn't mean I can't lend you a friendly ear."
Maybe talking about it would help convince her that this was for the best.
"Arthur and I...we broke up," Raven confessed.
"What!?" Apple gasped.
"'Arven' split up!? This is so not just right!" Blondie cried in shock.
"Why!? Isn't he supposed to be your Good King?"
"I just believe...he deserves better," Raven reasoned.
"But you saw your destiny in the Storybook of Legends! You were going to be together!" Apple soon realized the truth. "Wait, when you said you were going to sign, you meant you were going to sign to follow...your original destiny."
"Yeah," Raven confirmed, letting out a hollow laugh. "You should be thrilled, Apple. I get to be your destined storybook nemesis, you get your Happily Ever After, everyone wins."
"Everyone but you!"
"I thought this was what you wanted."
"It is, well it was, I don't know," Apple let out an exasperated sigh. "The Storybook of Legends showed me that I can still choose how to get my Happily Ever After and you had a shot at it too. Your Happily Ever After was supposed to be with Arthur."
"Well, some of us don't get to have Happily Ever Afters, not if it means my friends have to suffer for it."
Apple blinked, confused, "Raven, what are you talking about?"
Raven fidgeted with her fingers, "At...at Heritage Hall...my mom's gift was a wishing well coin. So I used it to see what would happen if I didn't sign the book and…"
"You saw everything being ruined if you didn't?" Apple concluded, making Raven nod. "Okay, but why sign for your mom's destiny and not the one that you can be Happily Ever After in?"
"Because...because I don't want to force him into a destiny like I have to," Raven trembled. "And, and if I don't sign for my mom's destiny, then I'll ruin other stories and I might end up making that vision come true anyway."
"Raven, are you even listening to yourself?" Briar questioned. "You're giving up your Happily Ever After, broke up with a great guy like Arthur, all because of some vision?"
"It was not just some vision, OK!? Ever After was in ruins, villains were terrorizing Ever After, and you guys were suffering!"
"I don't believe you. You wanted to write your own destiny. You know my story, right? I have to sleep for 100 years."
"Guess you'll miss a lot of parties."
Briar frowned, placing her hands on her hips, "Is that what you all think of me? As some 'party girl'? I sleep for 100 years and all of you just move on without me!"
"Briar..." Apple spoke.
"I guess...I never thought about it that way," Raven confessed, ashamed.
Briar continued to frown, but she was on a roll, "Because after 100 years I get a Happily Ever After, right? How can I be happy when I lose all my friends? But Harry gave me hope and swore he would fight so I wouldn't have to sleep for more than a day and I would still get my Happily Ever After. Raven, didn't Arthur promise the same thing to you?"
Raven wilted, "He...he promised to be my Good King and keep me from going bad…but, but how can I subject someone like him to being with an Evil Queen? My mother's so rotten to my dad and...and…"
"But the book itself gave you a choice, didn't it?" Briar asked. "So it should be okay to choose the one you get your Happily Ever After in, isn't it?"
"But what if…" Raven began.
"No! No, what if!" Briar cut her off. "Take it from someone who had the same worries. 'What If' just slows you down and makes you avoid making a decision. Forget about 'what if' and go with what your gut tells you!"
Book End Library
"I find it so strange to see you doing paperwork, troublemaker."
The voice made Merlin stop his incessant scrawling and he looked at the door of his office. Seeing the person standing there, he grinned, "Well this place has to keep running and I lack minions to do it for me. You made good time getting here, though."
"When it's about my grandson, I can practically fly," the man replied. "So now what's going on that we have to break our little vow of silence?"
"What isn't going on?" Merlin sighed. "Milton's playing his desperate games to keep his stories from deviating even a little. He's manipulated your grandson's little girlfriend into thinking she has to sign for the Evil Queen destiny or else everything is going to be destroyed. And Arthur is torn since that book showed him four different destinies, two of which he dies in. He wants to stay with Raven, but he's terrified he's going to get killed somehow if he stays. Duty and fear are pulling him apart, but love is what's keeping him from going either way. Considering how sulky I saw him earlier, I dare say Miss Raven Queen told him something to the extent of which destiny she was going to sign for and it likely isn't the good one."
"Not a good day then," the man sighed.
"And worse, those kids just don't trust me!" Merlin whined. "Come on, I can pull a fast one but I don't act like that much of a schemer, do I?"
"I grew up hanging around you. I wouldn't trust you as far I could throw you," the man retorted, making Merlin whine in depression. "I assume they're all getting ready for the parade."
"Suiting up and ready to go," Merlin nodded.
"Then maybe I'll have a word with Miss Queen first and convince her to see how much baloney that little trick of Milton's really is," the man nodded. "By the way, did Arthur get my gift?"
"Well, he got a little woozy after he saw your portrait," Merlin answered. "He's got the chest, but he hasn't opened it yet. He's too confused with everything else that's going on."
"Ah," the man nodded. "I guess learning there is more to their being here was a little too much for him to handle."
"Seeing a grandfather you thought dead looking like a legendary king would do that," Merlin agreed.
"So it would," the man sighed, turning to leave the room. "I just hope he can forgive me."
"I wouldn't worry," Merlin smiled as the man left.
And now we return to the Thronecoming Parade, where for many, things are not as happy or as exciting as they should be.
No, no, no! Raven, don't break up with Arthur! You two are so Happily Ever After material!
Now don't worry, Brooke. The story is far from over.
Book End - Parade Route
Ryuki sighed as he sat on his throne and waved to the crowd as their float passed them by. This was a day of spellebration but his heart just wasn't in it. Luckily, his helmet concealed his face so none of them could see what he was feeling.
He was heartbroken. Raven had just dumped him. He had not told anyone yet, not wanting to bring down everyone else's mood for Thronecoming. They had been looking forward to it. He would have time to sulk in his heartbreak later. All he had to do was get through today and he could fall apart later.
"Look at all the fans!" Verde waved as he saw a group of Wonderlandians wearing T-shirts with his symbol on them. "My people!"
Gai waved and spotted kids wearing masks that looked like their helmets.
"Is this what it's like to be famous?" Abyss wondered as he waved to the crowd.
"Just drink it all in, man," Scissors encouraged.
Book End - Town Square
In the middle of the town square, where the Thronecoming parade was circling for the people, Raven sat with Apple as they waited for Headmaster Grimm to finish preparations and to let everyone settle from the excitement. He wanted the entire town to be there for when Raven accepted her true destiny.
"I know you said you're sure about this, Raven," Apple began. "But...are you, like, sure sure?"
"I don't have much of a choice," Raven sighed. "I mean, what's my happiness compared to so many others?"
Apple frowned sadly, holding Raven's hand. Yes, her own Happily Ever After might go as planned with Raven signing her original destiny, but she just looked so miserable about it. Breaking up with her boyfriend, just to keep their relationship from souring like her parents' did, had to be depressing. Seeing Raven so sad, it really made Apple consider trying to get Raven to sign her second destiny and let the book choose a new Evil Queen to poison her.
"Excuse me, are you Raven Queen?" a masculine voice asked.
"Yes, I-!" Raven looked up from where she and Apple were conversing to stop and gape.
The man in front of her was, well, very familiar. He had blonde hair, although it was streaked with grey from age. His eyes were bright green, vibrant, and full of life. He had some age lines around his eyes and a neatly trimmed greying blond beard. He wore a blue pinstripe suit and vest, making him appear dashing and mature. For a moment, Raven wondered if Arthur would grow up to be just as handsome as the man standing in front of her. It made her regret breaking up with him more.
"Hello. I'm King Arthur Pendragon," the man smiled. "I'm told you're rather close to my grandson?"
Raven and Apple's jaws dropped. This was Arthur's grandfather? The one he was named after?
"Could I have a moment of your time?" King Arthur requested. He didn't demand or order like some royalty would regardless of Raven technically being a princess. He merely asked, but it felt like it would be such a shame to tell him no.
"Ah, ah, y-yes, of course." Raven sputtered.
"Excellent," King Arthur smiled. "Is Hocus Latte an appropriate place?"
"S-sure," Raven nodded almost robotically. She walked with the man to the coffee shop, although it left Apple to take a quick photo and start hexting like mad about how she just met a believed to be missing spellebrity.
Raven and King Arthur made their way to Hocus Latte where he ordered two drinks for them. The barista almost seemed hypnotized by King Arthur's natural charisma, but she managed to snap out of it to do her job.
Soon they had their drinks and were seated at a table. King Arthur took a sip of his drink "Ah, I've forgotten how good this place is. Now then, I do understand you and my grandson have hit a rough patch recently."
"A-ah," Raven gasped. "I, um….p-please don't think it was something bad. I just...just…"
"You had a bad premonition that if you did not sign that stupid book as you were expected to, all you love would suffer," King Arthur finished. "So you decided to break up with Arthur to spare him the experience of having to be with the next Evil Queen."
Raven wilted. How could he know all that? "Y-yes?"
"Milton Grimm and his tricks," King Arthur muttered as he shook his head. "Raven, if your trip to Heritage Hall didn't tell you anything, but my little court and l didn't sign the book. We left immediately after graduation. The world kept spinning, Ever After remained, and more students came and went. Not even so much as a rainy day happened when we did so. I think you're very much safe from destroying the school if you don't sign."
Raven blinked, blinked again, but then a look of abject horror came across her face as King Arthur's words sank in. Covering her mouth in shock, she whispered, "What have I done?!"
"You were tricked by that destiny-obsessed twit Milton," King Arthur smiled reassuringly even as Raven struggled not to cry. "And I wouldn't worry. I very much doubt your relationship is beyond saving. I plan to have a bit of a talk with Arthur myself and help smooth this over. Even if I didn't, if I know my grandson, Arthur would be trying to think of a way to get you back."
"Would he? I just...I just ended it...like that," Raven sniffled.
"All the more reason he would try, seeing as you obviously didn't want to," King Arthur replied, handing Raven a napkin so she could wipe her tears. "If you want him back, and he wants you back, then just make it happen."
Yes, he would talk to his grandson and after that have a few words with Milton himself. Right now, though, he wanted to help Raven.
The girl herself was wiping her eyes, "I've been so dumb."
"Not dumb. Just deceived," King Arthur shook his head. "I'm just glad I caught you before you tried signing for any destiny. I understand you got a choice of two of them. That's never happened before. Perhaps it's a sign that things must change."
Book End - Town Square
The parade came to the very center of Book End where an elaborate stage was set up. Normally, a speech would be held to commemorate Thronecoming and everything it stood for. This year it would be slightly different. This time, it would be a redo of Legacy Day where the most obstinate student would finally sign for her destiny, much to Milton's relief and delight.
As the crowd gathered to hear the speech and witness what came next, Milton took the stage and spoke. In front of him were not only citizens of Book End and his students, but also television crews broadcasting to the far corners of Ever After and beyond.
"And so, as many of you remember, there was a minor chapter break on Legacy Day but that has now been resolved. Raven Queen has decided to sign the Storybook of Legends," Milton announced, sounding proud and strong.
Raven wasn't the only student on the stage. Other students who missed their chance due to the Shereghost Attack were there to sign for their destinies as they should have during Legacy Day. Pinnochio's daughter watched with her Revealer Rays which she hadn't taken off since she got them. Usually, they revealed little things like which dresses were fake designer brands or who was trying to sell her something at an inflated price. Her eyes wandered down to the podium where the all-important book was resting. As she did, the helpful fairy in her glasses fluttered to the book and began pointing at it while the book flashed red. Cedar gasped as she realized that something wasn't true about the book.
Raven Queen went up to the book, addressing the audience, "My name is Raven Queen. And I..." Raven trailed off as she looked at Arthur who gazed back at her. Recalling King Arthur's words, she winked and blew a kiss his way, making Arthur blink in confusion. She now knew what she had to do. She opened the book, but not to the story of Snow White, but to the story of The Raven Princess and the Red Knight. "And I..."
"Raven! Raven, wait!" Cedar Wood yelled as she ran to the center stage.
"Miss Wood! Please, do not interrupt!" Milton scolded. He would not tolerate any more interruptions or divergences. He was so close to having Raven finally sign and get destiny back on track! He couldn't lose this opportunity now!
"But that isn't the real Storybook of Legends!" Cedar protested. "It's fake!"
Gasps rang out from the audience and Milton turned ghostly white. On the stage, everyone's jaws dropped. The reporters and film crews suddenly got a lot more energetic. They all but stormed the stage, trying to get footage of the book. Reporters were shoving their microphones at Cedar and Milton, wanting to know how they knew the book was fake or answers to other questions.
"Fake?" Arthur repeated. All those destinies he saw, what Raven broke up with him for, was all from a fake book?!
Book End Library
The aftermath of the botched signing and the revelation of the Storybook of Legends being fake was intense. Reporters were going everywhere, trying to dig up clues as to how the book was swapped with a fake. They were looking for anyone who might have a clue and asking them questions to get their opinions.
Arthur and the others relocated back to the library, each of them having their own opinions about what the book being fake meant for them and their friends.
"What a crazy twist!" Darren laughed. "The Storybook of Legends was fake the whole time! Whoever set up that prank has to be a genius!"
"Guess that renders all destinies signed in it invalid," Rex commented.
"Apple Pie must be royally upset. I better call her," Lance spoke up, already calling her on his phone.
Arthur was quiet. He did not understand what was going on. The book was a fake and also Raven blew him a kiss. Nothing was making any sense and it was giving him a headache. Still, he had some hope. Did that kiss mean Raven changed her mind? He considered calling her, even hexting her. Still, he was afraid she hadn't changed her mind and the kiss was just a goodbye.
"Whew! Crazy day," Merlin chuckled as he approached the group from between the stacks. "Man, the book was a fake? I never would have guessed that. I guess we now know what the Evil Queen meant when she slipped up when you met her, huh Arthur?"
"Huh?" Arthur had not been listening. After a moment, he remembered what Merlin was talking about, "Oh, right. Yeah, it makes sense now. She knew the book was fake. She probably was the one that made it."
"Best magic-user of her generation," Merlin agreed. "Takes a lot of skill to make a convincing enough forgery. I do wonder how she got it to mimic the destiny prediction ability the original had." He began to ponder, but Mira came from another row of stacks with an announcement.
"Quickly, come to the parlor. You each have a visitor," Mira rhymed.
The knights looked to each other, puzzled, but then followed Mira. They came to the parlor and they saw the guests, fourteen of them who had apparently come to see them. They were dressed in suits of various colors, save the one woman who wore a smart business dress. At first, the Riders weren't sure who they were, but once they saw the faces, they began to gape.
"Grandpa?" Arthur gasped.
"Grammie?!" Gwen shrieked.
"...papa…?" Gawain gasped.
"Grandfather?" Rex's eyes bulged.
"Grandpa," Lance choked.
"Uncle Hector?" Harry blinked.
"Wow. I thought you were dead, Grandad!" Rob gasped.
"Yeah, so was Grandpa Lionel," Kevin gasped.
"Aha! I knew you were playing a prank, Pops!" Darren accused.
"...Am I dreaming?" Ben wondered
"Grandpop!" Gabe yelled.
"Oh crap," Max gasped. "I knew you'd come back to haunt me!"
"Ah, this is a joke, right?" Kyle asked nervously, seeing his own grandfather in the group.
"..." Tristan was just speechless.
Merlin walked into the parlor with his staff and grinned almost like he was at a big family reunion, "Well, I guess I can't hide it any longer. Not when things were getting tense between us all. Let me introduce your alumni from Ever After High, King Arthur Pendragon and his Knights of the Round Table. Otherwise known as your grandparents."
*THUD!*
Someone passed out from the shock, which turned out to be Harry. The other Riders looked at him before looking at their grandparents.
"Okay, pay up," Sir Dagonet chuckled as Sir Hector passed him a coin purse of gold.
(-)
After Harry was woken up, the Riders went to speak with their legendary grandparents. Sir Gawain spoke in single-word sentences, but it was the most anyone heard Gawain Jr. speak. Gwen almost acted like a little girl again as she rested her head in Guinevere's lap, letting her stroke her hair. Although Guinevere seemed disappointed that Gwen had cut it short, even if she liked the blue color she had highlighted it with. Darren was taking it the easiest, joking around with Sir Dagonet as if his supposed death was a big prank he just figured out. Max almost seemed afraid of his grandfather Sir Mordred, but that was revealed since Mordred proved to be a doting grandfather and liked to tease his grandson relentlessly. Sir Kay was mortifying Kyle through wanting to hear any of his escapades with the local princesses and offering tips from his long years of experience.
The entire gathering, to an outsider, would look almost like the past and future were being reflected. The Riders were like younger reflections of their grandparents. Their features were just that strong. Save for their heights, some signs of aging, and how they carried themselves, one could have thought their grandparents were just older versions of their grandchildren. With how well they seemed to have aged, it was an easy comparison to make.
"Grandpa, how are you here? You're supposed to be dead. I was at your funeral. We have an urn with your ashes sitting in the study back home," Arthur demanded.
"I know," King Arthur smiled sadly. "It was one of the hardest things I had to do...but to keep this world a secret, I had to. We fairy tales tend to live much longer than most. Look at Milton. He founded the school in 1812."
Arthur blinked, but shook his head. He had to keep on track!
"But...What is going on?"
"Like your lovely little blackbird, I too refused to sign the Storybook of Legends. I knew what would happen to me, my friends, and the close circle of friends I forged since coming to this school. I refused to die or become miserable. So I refused to sign and when we all graduated, we picked up and left to find a new life to live our way," King Arthur explained
"But how did you get to Earth?" asked Arthur.
"I think at this point, you know there are ways to open paths to Earth. Merlin just helped us find one and we set out to build lives and families of our own," King Arthur nodded. "I was happy with your grandmother and we had your father. Of course, hearing tales of him and then your ambitious mother, they kind of wanted that life back for us. More so when they saw you were more or less my mirror image."
"It sucked," Arthur huffed. "I know what I'm good at and pursued it. They acted like I should be good at everything."
"Ah, your father's rose-tinted view of me," King Arthur shook his head. "I told them to ease up. A firm hand is important, but you have to let your children pursue their own destinies and seek what they want. Your parents' ambitions just kept pushing for you to emulate me and make the name great again."
"Make the name great," Arthur gulped, "I...I saw so many destinies from the book. Even if it was fake, if it was good enough to fool Merlin, it was still able to show destinies at least."
"Which regardless if it's fake, already shows you're ready to surpass me," King Arthur chuckled. "You're at a crossroads. You can try to go back home and live an ordinary life again. You could take up my destiny and draw Caliburn again. There is also the chance you take the crusade on those Mirror Monsters and end up falling in the end. You could also choose love and build up a new life with Raven. Lovely girl by the way."
"Thanks," Arthur smiled. "But, as much as I want to pick Raven, what if something forces me to choose Caliburn, or, or what if those monsters swarm and I went to fight them only to…"
"A hard question," King Arthur nodded. "So you want to pick the destiny you and Raven share. But outside forces may push you onto the path of the other two which lead to ruin and death. That begs the question though, what might cause those destinies? You already have the power of the red dragon. Even if it's not Y Ddraig Goch, it's still powerful enough. What do you need Caliburn for anyway?"
"Well...proof of leadership...if I need it?" Arthur weakly suggested.
"I only needed to draw Caliburn because of tradition which my ancestor, the first Arthur, began. If you intend to make your own way, you don't need my symbol to do it. You have to make your own."
Arthur nodded. Logic would have said as much, but to hear his grandfather, one of the biggest influences in his life say it, it made him feel like it was true.
"And...the swarm?"
"Well, you defeated one already, haven't you?" King Arthur reminded, referring to the Shereghost Attack on Ever After High during Legacy Day. "You know how to defeat the next if it ever appears. I'd wager since the book showed you four destinies, there is a chance that swarm may not appear. So I'd say hope for the best, but expect the worst."
"Make preparations, expect the unexpected," Arthur agreed.
"Also, you're not alone. Just like I did, you have a fellowship, your Knights of the Round Table, your brothers-in-arms."
"Yeah," Arthur nodded. "You know, I wondered why Merlin picked all of us for coming here...but seeing all of you...I guess we all had ties here."
"When Merlin told us what was going on, we were ready to charge here and rip him a new one for not telling us sooner," King Arthur chuckled. "Oh, you and your friends don't have to worry about your parents. Some of our proxies are spinning some yarn to make your parents think the summer camp is longer and then you were all accepted into a private school. No one is thinking you lot went missing."
Arthur sighed in relief, "Thanks, Grandpa."
"Consider it the start of making up for all those birthdays I missed," King Arthur chuckled. "Now, tell me more about that lovely girl you're dating. Raven Queen is her name?"
Arthur's brief chuckle died as his shoulder drooped, "We're not dating anymore. We broke up."
King Arthur sighed, feeling sympathetic for his grandson, "That must've been hard for both of you. But still, tell me what she's like."
"She's beautiful. She's smart, confident, witty and she's literally magical," Arthur described, smiling as he thought of Raven even if it hurt.
"Magical, you say?" King Arthur raised an eyebrow.
Arthur shrugged, "Well, her mother is the Evil Queen but she's nothing like her."
"You know, I knew a dark sorceress during my day. Morganna Lefay was her name."
"Heard about her," Arthur nodded. "Nothing like my blackbird."
"That's good. Otherwise, I would have to step in," King Arthur nodded. "You miss her, don't you?"
"Every minute," Arthur wilted. "She...she just suddenly decided to sign the destiny where she becomes the next Evil Queen and I don't know why! All it will do is make her miserable. I'd even settle for her signing the one where we're together if she wanted to! Why would she just sign for the one that'll make her suffer just to make everyone else happy? She deserves to be happy too!"
"And you can make her happy," King Arthur nodded. "Well, I saw the ceremony too. It seems she wasn't going to sign what everyone thought if that kiss she blew was any indication."
"I hope so," Arthur nodded. "I just...what if it was just a final goodbye? What if-?"
"The words 'what if' have been an obstacle for many people who are afraid to find out and it often leads to regrets when the time passes," King Arthur interrupted his grandson. "Don't let them stop you. You should know if Raven changed her mind. If she did, you can fix your relationship and if not, at least you know and can begin to move on."
"That sounds so easy," Arthur sighed.
"Perhaps harder in practice, but it can be done," King Arthur nodded. "But we're Pendragons. What is 'hard' to us when we're used to 'impossible'?"
(-)
In other parts of the parlor, more of the previous Knights of the Round Table were conversing and getting caught up with the lives of their grandchildren.
"So, Rex. Bookball, huh?" Sir Percival asked his grandson. "And the Thronecoming game to boot."
"Y-yes," Rex nodded. He was rather floored to discover his grandfather was secretly Sir Percival. Perhaps not the original who first found the Holy Grail, but of that bloodline. It was more shocking than being distantly related to royalty!
"Then may you obtain victory, my boy! Now, I've heard from Merlin you've already courted a damsel."
Rex blushed, "Ah, ha ha ha, yes, my candy princess Ginger…"
"You've always had a sweet tooth. Of course, the girl who can win your heart is able to satisfy your hunger."
(-)
"You are mad, my boy! Courting a Wonderlandian! And the daughter of the Queen of Hearts!" Sir Dagonet laughed. "No normal folk can understand them."
"Good thing I'm not normal then!" Darren grinned.
"Never be normal! Our family motto!" Sir Dagonet patted his grandson on the back proudly. "You, my boy, are indeed a chip off the old block! You remind me of when I met your grandmother out in Wonderland. Ooh, she was as lovely then as she is now!"
"Well, I learned from the best and that's you, Pops," Darren smiled. He then paused and blinked. "Wait, grandma's still alive too?! Awesome!"
(-)
"So, you prefer girls, Gwyneth?" Guinevere asked her granddaughter.
"Grammie, I go by 'Gwen' now," Gwen blushed.
"Ah, ah, you're my adorable granddaughter so I can call you whatever I want," Guinevere retorted. "But don't try to change the subject. You decided you prefer girls and are dating a Charming girl? Tell me about her."
"Darling's a darling," Gwen smiled. "She's strong, brave, fearless, everything I ever wanted."
"And a good kisser, I hope."
"Grammie!"
(-)
Gabe was like a little boy again as he told his Grandpop everything that happened since they landed in Ever After. Sir Galahad smiled, watching his grandson being so animated. It was almost like he didn't grow up since he was still short and cherub-faced.
"And this Holly girl is your princess?" Galahad asked.
"She sure is, Grandpop!" Gabe beamed. "She's my one and only! I just wish I could be the dashing type of guy she deserves."
"Hey, hey, none of that," Galahad reminded his grandson. "If she wants to be with you, then obviously she doesn't care if you're tall and dashing like a Charming or not."
"Well, I'm going to give her a surprise at the Thronecoming dance," Gabe admitted. "It'll make the night go perfectly, no sniggers about her babysitting or entertaining a little brother."
(-)
Lancelot was with both his grandsons, Harry and Lance. Hector was with them too.
"The two of you are still the worst twins ever but I am still proud of both of you, Lancaster, Harold," Sir Lancelot smiled.
"Thanks," the twins grinned, happy to see their grandfather and granduncle again.
"Amazing how each one takes after one of us," Sir Hector shook his head. "But dating Snow White and Sleeping Beauty's daughters? You two have our courage, that's obvious."
"Hope you boys made a good first impression," Sir Lancelot remarked.
"Saved her life," Lance grinned proudly.
"She fell asleep on me. Apparently liked it," Harry shrugged.
(-)
"Old Man," Max greeted his grandfather, Sir Mordred.
"Brat," Sir Mordred replied gruffly. Max rolled his eyes but smiled and offered his hand.
"Good to see you again."
"You as well," Mordred smiled, taking his grandson's hand. "Now, what's this I hear about you dating a she-wolf? With how mild you can be, I'm surprised she hasn't eaten you yet."
"Ugh. Not even five minutes and you're already teasing me?" Max groaned.
"Not my fault your parents are stiffs," Mordred shrugged. "Someone needs to help you all lighten up. So, how are you doing in school? I heard you were signed up for all the villainy courses."
Max shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal, "It took time for me to embrace my new environment but I've become acclimated."
Sir Mordred snickered, "The she-wolf's influence, no doubt."
(-)
Rob and Bors were getting reacquainted in their usual means, by bonding with an arm-wrestling match. Both were grunting and gripping the table with all they had. If he was younger, Sir Bors may have won easily but Rob had been getting stronger and fighting Mirror Monsters helped him bulk up.
"Had….enough...old...man?" Rob grunted.
"Just...getting...started, kiddo!" Sir Bors retorted.
It was going to be a while.
(-)
Bedivere smiled as he hugged his grandson, "I think you've grown even taller since I saw you last."
"It was a few years," Ben squeezed his grandfather tightly. "I missed you."
"I know. Sorry I had to vanish like that, but people would start asking questions when I didn't seem to visibly age as much as everyone else," Bedivere sighed. "But enough about me. I've heard you really came out of your shell. Found your singing voice again and a lovely mermaid girlfriend? I'm proud of you."
"Ah, um," Ben blushed brightly.
"Heh, still some ways to go, but I can see you've really grown," Bedivere grinned, slapping his grandson's shoulder. "So tell me about this girl. Little Mermaid's daughter right? That was your favorite film when you were a kid. Said you'd marry Ariel if I recall right."
"Shhh!" Ben hurriedly hushed his grandfather. "Not so loud!"
Bedivere just chuckled, enjoying his grandfatherly right to tease his grandson.
(-)
Kevin was being interrogated by his granduncle who wanted to know about his life at Ever After High. Not that Sir Lionel felt like Kevin was doing anything wrong, but he just wanted to hear if Ever After High was being as good to Kevin as it had to him.
"Wait, everyone thought you were supposed to be dating Cinderella's girl when you wanted to be with the Dark Faerie's daughter instead? How did that happen?"
"Well, I saved Ashlynn and romantics looked too deep into it," Kevin shrugged. "And I just got set up with Faybelle. We kind of just stuck together since."
"She hasn't cast a spell on you, has she?" Sir Lionel worried.
"Well, not a magic one," Kevin answered. "Boy, can she kiss though."
"You know, back in my days in school, the fair fae ladies all wanted to date me," Sir Lionel claimed.
"Uh-huh. Princesses are sure eager for the next new thing, huh?" Kevin nodded.
"Boy are they," Sir Lionel nodded. "It can make finding the right one hard sometimes when you don't want to follow your supposed destiny."
(-)
Tristan had to explain to Sir Tristain he had not deliberately blown a hole in a street in Book End.
"So, your beast was the one doing the shooting?" Sir Tristain asked with his arms crossed.
"I didn't know he would go nuclear like that," Tristan sighed. "I never used the Final Vent until then."
"You should have practiced before then," Sir Tristain admonished.
"I know," Tristan sighed. "Rex made sure of that."
"Well, you must have made an explosive impression during your official debut then."
(-)
Gawain smiled as he sat across from his grandfather. They just calmly talked with each other about what was going on. Gawain easily figured that his papa had to hide his extended lifespan and pretend to pass away. It was sad, but now he was back. Fairy Tales had happy endings that way.
"Gawain. Doing well?" Sir Gawain asked. He could speak perfectly fine, unlike Gawain who just got into the habit of speaking the way he did. Sir Gawain just spoke that way to help Gawain feel more normal. Now it was just how they talked together.
"Yes. Happy. Free," Gawain nodded.
"Parents?" Sir Gawain frowned.
"Firm. Too much," Gawain shook his head. "Happy now."
"Space. Free," Sir Gawain nodded. "Princess?"
"Rosabella. Love her," Gawain beamed.
"That's my boy," Sir Gawain smiled.
(-)
Kyle felt like he wanted the earth to swallow him up. Why did his grandfather have to be so embarrassing?
"Now don't be like that, kid," Sir Kay chuckled. "I know all about you and the swan princess dancing around each other. She's a lot like her mom that way. You know, Odette and I used to have a thing going on. I could pass you some tips which might work on her daughter if you want."
"Ugh," Kyle shivered. He did not want dating advice from his grandfather!
Ever After High - Headmaster Grimm's Office
With the revelation that the Storybook of Legends was in fact a forgery, Milton had to do damage control and had not returned to his office until much later. A storm had moved in, perhaps symbolizing Milton's mood as rain and lightning showered down. Milton never felt more frustrated and humiliated in his life, played like a fool in front of the entire land!
Milton scowled down at the fake book in his hands, "What a disaster! The Storybook of Legends, a fake!?"
Milton slammed the book on his desk and faced the mirror in his office angrily. Milton already knew who had swapped the books. He and his brother had caught her in the process of what they thought was an attempt to steal the book so long ago.
"Tell me!" he demanded of the mirror and its imprisoned occupant. "Where have you hidden the real Storybook of Legends!?"
The mirror cackled evilly in response.
In the middle of his tantrum, Milton's secretary, Trollsworth, poked her head in. She was a portly woman, which was expected since she was a troll, but she was amazingly competent at her job. Especially when Milton needed something sneaky done.
"Headmaster, sir, there's someone here to see you," she reported, looking nervous. That wasn't good. If she got nervous then someone with some clout had come across her desk. Was it yet another parent checking to make sure he wasn't trying to cover up some other disaster that hit his school? The fake book of all things was making waves as it was.
Milton briefly paused his indignation, "Do they have an appointment?"
Trollsworth gulped, glancing back out the door, "Well, no, sir-"
Milton immediately turned his back to the door, "Then send them away. I'm busy."
Trollsworth gulped and attempted to obey, but found herself brushed aside by the person waiting outside. The door opened and King Arthur pushed his way in. It made Milton's secretary yelp, clearly intimidated. Turning, Milton felt the chill in the air and he knew he was looking at some serious trouble if he wasn't careful.
"Busy scheming, Headmaster?" The man frowned as he entered the room.
Milton's eyes widened as he saw King Arthur standing before him. For a moment, Milton, ever the smooth talker, found his voice failing him, "King...King Arthur!?"
"Hello, Headmaster Grimm. It's been a long time, hasn't it?" King Arthur said but his tone was anything but friendly.
"A-ah, yes! Yes, it has," Milton gulped. "I, we, we thought the worst when you took what would have been the future Camelot and disappeared without signing the Storybook of Legends! Are- are the other knights with you?"
"We're doing the rounds, catching up with old friends, seeing old sights, visiting our grandchildren," Arthur intoned darkly. "And I've been hearing some interesting things about you."
'Oh, no,' Milton inwardly gulped. While he treated King Arthur like any teenager while he was in school, the man in front of him had clearly grown up and become someone quite powerful in so many ways. That charisma alone would make him a mighty king if he had followed his destiny. How had he developed it if he hadn't founded Camelot?!
"Manipulating them into signing the book? Your manipulations drove my grandson and his girlfriend to break up just because someone gave her a vision of Ever After falling apart if she didn't sign that book!" King Arthur hissed. "Funny. I don't recall even so much as a bad wind on the day myself and my friends refused."
"Now, K-King Arthur, I f-fail to see how I-!" Milton began.
"Merlin," King Arthur cut him off. "You know he has eyes in many places. We asked him to keep an eye on the relics we left for our successors. You think he didn't sneak in a familiar to watch them?" Milton paled at King Arthur's words. "He saw your secretary swap Miss Raven's new wand for a wishing well coin. One I dare say would show her something terrible if she wished to see her future. With the pressure you're putting on her, no doubt she would have."
Milton realized he was busted. He could try to bluster his way out or call his former student's bluff, but he knew from experience that King Arthur never lied, but he could sniff one out a mile away.
"W-what do you w-want?"
King Arthur leaned over Milton's desk with a threatening glare, "I want you to stop interfering in their lives. If they choose to sign the Storybook of Legends, then fine, it will be their choice. They do not need to be manipulated by some old relic who fears change. The thing you've failed to learn after all this time is that stories change. If they keep being retold over and over, they stagnate. You need new stories to keep Ever After fresh and alive."
"P-Preposterous! Keeping to destiny is what allows our world to continue onward!" Milton sputtered.
"I'm proof otherwise. I took my entire court with me," King Arthur retorted. "Now, I expect you to leave my grandson and his court alone. No more schemes, no more desperate bids to manipulate destiny. You're clearly wrong about it, now leave those kids alone. Oh, and don't forget to return Ms. Queen her wand."
King Arthur turned around and adjusted his lapels before leaving Milton's office. The Headmaster had broken into a cold sweat from the experience and couldn't help but gulp.
"Now that is a king," the Evil Queen's voice purred from within the mirror.
Ever After High - Dorms (Raven & Apple's room)
Raven stared at her MirrorPhone, her gaze lingering on Arthur's name in her contacts list. She wanted to call him, maybe even send a hext, but she did not know what to say. She was strangely relieved to find out that the Storybook of Legends was fake but it still did not ease her heart. She had still broken up with Arthur over a fake vision. King Arthur said Arthur would forgive her, but she was so afraid to take that first step to find out.
"Raven, can we talk?" Apple asked from her side of the room. The tension was thick since they got back from the botched signing and Apple couldn't take it anymore. "It's about the book."
Raven put her phone down, "Sure, Apple."
The two sat on Apple's bed, the blonde girl playing with her fingers on her lap. Raven could understand why it was bothering her. Apple had signed the Storybook of Legends, accepted her fairy tale destiny, but with the book being fake, it made everything invalid and put everyone who had signed the book at risk.
"I can't believe the Storybook of Legends was a fake this whole time," Apple expressed. "What will happen to our Happily Ever Afters now?"
Raven sighed, looking down at her own hands, "Apple, I don't think we need a book to tell us how to find our Happily Ever Afters."
"But you were going to give up yours," Apple pouted
"I was...until I changed my mind." Raven sighed. "King Arthur helped me get my head back on straight when I was panicking over 'what if' and someone was trying to manipulate me."
Despite being upset about the book, Apple was happy to see the confident and brave Raven back, "So does that mean you and Arthur are back together? I did see you blow a kiss to him."
Raven shook her head, "I don't know. I want to talk to him but I'm too nervous. Can't even hext him either. It'd be too awkward."
Apple pondered on how she might be able to help before she remembered the next big Thronecoming event, "Well, there's the big bookball game tomorrow. He'll be there supporting Rex so you might see him there."
Far from being comforted, even if she appreciated the advice, Raven buried her face in her hands. She needed a distraction, but her mind kept going back to the Storybook of Legends. If the one they had was a fake, then one person should know where the real one was kept. She likely still wouldn't sign it, but it was important to know where the book had ended up since others did want to sign it.
Steeling herself and finding something to focus on aside from her emotional turmoil, Raven stood up.
"Apple, come with me. We're picking up Maddie and going to the library."
"What? Why?" asked Apple.
"There's someone I want you to meet."
Ever After High - Bookball Field
The Thronecoming bookball championship game took place the following day. Everyone needed a distraction to forget the events of yesterday. School spirit was high as people dressed in their team's colors and held homemade signs and all the sports paraphernalia they could get their hands on to show their support. The opposition was going to be fierce, but the fans were confident that their team could beat Beanstalk High and win the championship.
The knights were sitting in the bleachers to show their support for the EAH bookball team. One of their own was on the team so it was more than just school pride which had them attend. They were all in high spirits, all but Arthur. He glanced over and saw Raven sitting with Maddie. He was still confused by her demeanor, wondering what the kiss she blew yesterday was about and what she was thinking. He wanted to know the answer, but was still afraid to ask.
The knights' grandparents had also come to watch the game. Most of them came to support their old alma mater while Sir Percival came to watch his grandson play. They didn't like the odds, but they would be bad grandparents and alumni if they didn't at least show some support for their old school.
Finally, Max was looking at his little black notebook. He had gone around collecting bets. The odds for Ever After High were not good, however, as they were playing against Beanstalk High, a school for giants like TIny. That was why Max bet against his own school, so he could collect all the winnings himself. He planned to spoil Ramona with a steak dinner after Thronecoming with his winnings.
Meanwhile, the EAH team was on the field, getting warmed up for their championship game. They knew the stakes, but they were confident they could pull out a win. Tiny shared with them a giant's weakness and their entire strategy hinged on taking advantage of it.
"OK, boys. Be careful and I mean it. I don't want you kids to get flattened," Coach Gingerbreadman warned his team.
"Don't worry, Coach," Daring said confidently. "We've got this."
"Tiny told us that giants have a weakness in their pinkie toes," Hunter added, pointing to Tiny.
"I know! That's why the other team are wearing toe protectors!" the coach pointed.
The EAH team turned to where the Beanstalk High team was huddled together for their strategy. Their stomachs sank when they saw the opposing team, every single one of them a giant. Worse, on each pinkie toe, they wore spiked bracers, covering the entire digit and properly protecting it from being tickled.
"Curses," Rex hissed. He had a feeling that was going to be the case. The giants may not have been able to have shoes made large enough to cover their feet, but enough material to cover their pinkie toes was something else entirely.
"I'll stay on the bench!" Sparrow ran away.
"Uh...is it too late to forfeit?" Hopper raised his hand.
"It's fine, men. They may have us outsized, but the bigger they are, the harder they'll fall," Daring informed his teammates. Either bravado, courage, or just plain overconfidence fueled his speech, but it served to raise the team's spirits a little despite their odds.
Rex shook his head. This was going to be a long game. If he was allowed to use his armor, they could win, but that would just be cheating and he was no cheater. Even if the other team was ridiculously overpowered compared to him outside of his suit.
"Looks like your grandson might be in over his head, Percy," King Arthur said.
"He'll do fine," Sir Percival crossed his arm, confident in his grandson's athletic ability.
As soon as the match began, it was clear that Beanstalk High had the Ever After High team outclassed. The match was so one-sided it wasn't even funny. The giants of Beanstalk High were dominating the game, landing touchcrowns easily. All they had to do was take a few steps and they could cross the field. When one member of the EAH team got the bookball, one of the giants would just flatten them with a slap or just pick them up and carry them the other way. The EAH team tried their best with Tiny on their side but the lone giant was no match for a team of them as they dogpiled him, leaving one member to recover the bookball. The giants were even taking turns so every member of the team could score a touchcrown. Nice teamwork for them, but it doused the spirits of the EAH team.
It just got humiliating when one giant, when he got a touchcrown, used his hands to dance at the endzone like a small puppet.
It was a miracle that nobody got majorly hurt or worse by the giants of Beanstalk High.
"I can't watch!" Ginger covered her eyes as Rex was sent sailing through the air.
"Ouch!" Gabe winced.
"That's gotta hurt," Gwen said as Sparrow got stepped on. How he didn't need a doctor after that, the Princess Knight couldn't say.
Darren wore a foam finger but it had gone limp with how badly their team was losing.
"Hello?" Max answered his phone. "Yeah, sorry. All bets are final once the game starts. Then you should've thought carefully before you made that bet."
The whistle was blown, ending the first half of the game. The scoreboard displayed the scores of both teams.
EAH: 0
Visitors: 50
"Finally!" Dexter gasped as he lay flat on the grass. "A break!"
"I think I broke my crown," Hopper croaked.
Hunter just wanted Ashlynn to kiss everything better.
"Kinda wished you could use your armor, dude," Sparrow groaned as he spoke to Rex. "That teleporting trick would come in handy."
"I won't cheat," Rex said firmly. It was unsportsmanlike for him to use it during a sanctioned sporting event like this, even if his body was sore all over. Fairy Godmother, this was so humiliating, and in front of his girlfriend and grandfather too.
"Don't worry, men. It's only the first half. We are just lulling them into a false sense of security," Dexter claimed. "Once they underestimate us, we'll flip the script and win the game."
Rex, covered in dirt, grass and scuff marks, angrily grabbed his team's fairyback (quarterback) by his collar.
"Daring, stop being in denial! We are getting slayed out there!" Rex yelled at Daring. "Make the call, Captain! Bring in Cerise!"
Daring glanced back at Cerise who was sitting in the bleachers trying not to look interested in the game, or longing to take part. To distract herself, she decided to get something to eat. She zipped away and zipped right back with a turkey leg in roughly the same time it took to blink.
Never let it be said that Daring Charming couldn't grasp the obvious.
"Coach, I have an idea!"
(-)
It was halftime which meant Ever After High's cheerhexer squad would perform a routine to boost everyone's spirits. They really needed it with how terribly their team was doing. Still, it was the distraction that Raven, Apple, and Maddie were waiting for.
"Let's go," Raven whispered to Apple.
"Right," Apple stood up to follow with Maddie tagging along. Raven even tapped Cedar's shoulder, getting her to join them.
"Where are they going?" Ashlynn wondered as she watched them leave in the middle of the halftime show.
"I don't know," Briar narrowed her eyes in suspicion. She had been suspicious of Raven's mindset jumping back and forth on signing the Storybook of Legends. If Raven was acting weird again, then it might have something to do with the Storybook of Legends. Briar had a bit of a vested interest in not signing the book herself.
The two girls got up to follow their friends.
As the girls snuck away, they were not as sneaky as they thought as Arthur saw them leave. He was barely focused on the game, his eyes drawn back to Raven, still nursing his heartbreak, and wondering if she did want to get back together. Seeing them leave together, he nudged Lance.
"Hey, where do you think they're going?" Arthur asked, pointing to the girls.
"Probably the little princesses' room," Lance shrugged. "Girls did that back home all the time, remember?"
"All of them? At the same time?" Arthur got up and began to follow.
Lance watched him go and then groaned.
"Harry, let's go," Lance said to his twin brother.
"Huh, where are we going?" Harry wondered.
"Hey, where are you guys going?" Kevin asked as he held his phone to record Faybelle doing her cheer routine with her squad. "You'll miss the halftime show."
"We just need to use the little princes' room and grab some snacks," Lance lied.
"Oh, then grab me another soda. Does anybody else want something?" Kevin asked the other knights.
"Sorry, but we really need to go. C'mon, Harry!"
(-)
Ever After High - Heritage Hall
"They went in there," Arthur pointed, not even breaking his stride. The three boys had followed the girls to Heritage Hall. It wasn't hard since the girls weren't even trying to hide their tracks. They didn't even seem like they thought anyone was following them. With the Thronecoming game going on, that would normally be a safe bet.
"Arthur, there's something going on with you," Lance said. "I mean, before yesterday, you and Raven couldn't keep your hands off each other and now you're acting like strangers. I mean, shouldn't Raven have told you what they were doing? She tells you everything."
"It's...it's nothing," Arthur lied, marching forward
Lance frowned, "No, it's not nothing. Something's going on with you.".
"It's nothing," Arthur insisted.
"Don't lie to me. Tell us or Harry and I go back to the game," Lance threatened. Arthur sighed. He might as well tell them.
"Raven and I broke up," Arthur confessed.
"WHAT!?" Lance and Harry nearly stumbled, gaping at Arthur.
Arthur slumped, "After Raven told me she was signing the book, she decided we should break up."
"But she blew you a kiss after the parade!" Lance sputtered
"I know. I'm getting mixed signals and it's confusing.." Arthur groaned. "I think she changed her mind, but I can't be sure. I just want to talk to her, but every time I try, I get the jitters and lose my nerve!"
"Guess you've never been dumped, huh?" Lance guessed.
"Considering Raven was my first serious girlfriend ever, yes," Arthur scowled. It wasn't like in junior high where both parties decided dating was not fun anymore.
"Guys, are we going in or not?" Harry asked. "We can discuss Arthur's love life later!"
The three boys stepped inside Heritage Hall and found the girls gathered in front of the large statue of the Storybook of Legends.
Raven and Apple had come with Maddie and Cedar. Blondie had followed them, claiming there was a story to report. Briar and Ashlynn had followed Raven's group. Cupid had gotten bored at the game and didn't like seeing Dexter get thrown around like a ragdoll.
Blondie had just finished fiddling with the giant lock on the book, causing the emblem in the middle of it to begin glowing.
"Raven!" Arthur called as he approached, warily eyeing the glowing book.
"Arthur!?" Raven gasped, spinning around.
"Apple Pie!"
"Lancie!?" Apple yelped in surprise.
"Briar?"
"Harry, what are you all doing here?" Briar asked.
"We followed you," Arthur answered, walking towards the group. "What about you girls? Why did you all come here?"
"We're here to look for the Storybook of Legends!" Cedar blurted out. The other seven girls all gave her a look, making her wince. "Sorry! Sorry! But I can't tell a lie!"
"You're still looking for the book?" Arthur looked at Raven.
"I have to," Raven insisted.
"She needs to sign it. It's important," Apple supported.
"You're really going to sign? Raven, what's going on?" Arthur demanded. After all the pain and misery she saw from the fake book, Raven was still insisting on signing the real one?
"I'm sorry, Arthur! But I have to do this!" Raven ran for the huge book and dove right in.
"Raven, no!" Arthur yelled.
Everyone gasped.
"Lancie, wait here!" Apple went and jumped in after Raven, followed by Maddie and Cedar.
"Apple!?"
Briar looked at Harry then at Ashlynn before the two girls dove right after their friends.
"Briar!" Harry yelled.
"Wait for me!" Blondie Lockes jumped in and finally Cupid.
"Did everyone just flip their crowns!?" Lance shouted.
Arthur narrowed his eyes at the large book and broke into a run. Lance and Harry yelled at him to stop but it was too late as he dove in after the girls.
"Now what do we do?" Harry asked. "Do we go in after them or what?"
"No, we wait out here," Lance said. "If Arthur's with them, they'll be fine. Besides, someone needs to be a lookout here in case more people show up."
"And how do we explain that?" Harry pointed to the glowing book.
"Meh, we wing it. Like back home," Lance shrugged.
Harry groaned and palmed his face, "If you weren't my brother…"
Inside the Book
The eight girls and Arthur landed inside a strange chamber, in the middle of a circle of nine giant books. There were pages littering the floor they were on. Beyond the books were lengths of parchment, all written with numerous stories. Even bits and pieces of parchment floated down above like snow.
As the group got their wits back and looked around, Raven noticed Arthur was with them. Gasping in surprise and perhaps a bit of trepidation, she faced him.
"Arthur, why did you follow us?" Raven demanded.
"I just saw you dive into a book. You think I wouldn't follow?" Arthur answered. "Now, where is this place?"
"I think we're in the book," Apple answered.
"Maddie, are there any more clues?" Raven asked.
"'A chapter for all, to live and survive. With the page of the answer, and come out alive'," Maddie read the clue Giles had given them. "The books! There are nine books!"
"And nine of us," Arthur added.
"It sounds like a page of the Storybook of Legends is hidden in each of these books," Apple reasoned.
"But how do we know which story is ours?" Cedar asked.
"We don't," Raven said grimly.
"Guess there's no turning back," Briar said as she went to a book.
"Raven, wait," Arthur said, taking her hand.
Raven trembled slightly, but only because she had to force herself not to grasp Arthur's hand back and distract herself from what needed to be done, "Arthur, please, I need you to trust me. Let me do this."
"OK," Arthur reluctantly released her hand and chose the last book.
On the count of three, the nine teenagers each entered their books.
?
"What...where am I?" Arthur wondered. He had stepped into a book and ended up in what
It looked like a city, like the one he came from. There were people around, but they all looked like they were from Japan. He could even see a few signs, all written in Japanese. This confused Arthur in a major way. Since when did any of their stories have anything to do with Japan?
*EEEEEEEEEEEEE!*
"Gah!" Arthur grunted as he covered his ears. Looking up, his eyes widened in horror as a swarm of dragonfly-like Mirror Monsters - Raydragoons - came bursting out of every window in the city. He heard screams of panic as people ran for their lives as the monsters attacked them. Several were scooped up by the monsters and dragged back into the Mirror World to Arthur's horror. "No!"
He ran toward the monsters and then heard the scream of a little girl. He saw her cornered, standing against a car as one of the Raydragoons loomed over her.
"Get away from her!" Arthur shouted as he punched the Raydragoon in the face, knocking it away. "Run!"
The little girl ran away to safety and Arthur held his Advent Deck to the car's window to transform.
"Henshin!"
[Sword Vent!]
Despite being heavily outnumbered, Ryuki fought the Raydragoons, giving people the chance to flee as he held them off. He slashed with his sword, driving them back. They swarmed him and he fought back with slashes, punches and kicks.
[Final Vent!]
Dragredder circled around him before he leaped into the air. The dragon followed and positioned itself behind Ryuki as he delivered a flying kick. Dragredder covered him with dragonfire, blasting him through the Raydragoons, destroying them with a single blow. However, there were still dozens, if not hundreds, more.
As he went to draw another card, he was struck from behind. Spinning around, he froze up as he saw who had attacked him.
"Max...?"
It was Kamen Rider Ryuga.
Inside the Book
One by one, the girls had to experience each others' stories in order to discover where the pages of the Storybook of Legends were hidden. Ashlynn had become a puppet, Cedar found herself hunted by the Three Bears, Cupid had to beat the clock before midnight or lose the magic enchanting her, Maddie had to do the surprisingly hard work of helping people fall in love, Briar had to play the role of the Evil Queen and Raven had to face what she might become in Apple's story. One by one, they managed to navigate the hazards and they all made it out of the stories, except for Arthur and Apple.
"Wait, where's Arthur?" Raven asked, coming out of the book she chose and saw two faces missing.
"And Apple?" Ashlynn questioned.
"They must still be in their books," Cupid answered.
"I need to go save Apple! If she ended up in my story, she'll fall asleep and never find her page!" Briar said, concluding that Apple ended up in her story.
"Wait, it's too dangerous!" Ashlynn protested.
"I have to! She's my best friend!"
As Briar went to save Apple, Raven decided to go into Arthur's book to help him as well.
"Um, Raven, are you sure about this?" Cedar asked as Raven was about to separate the pages of Arthur's book. "If this is Arthur's story, you might end up in the middle of a war. That's how King Arthur's story ended, right?"
Raven winced, "I know, but that's not going to stop me. I ran away from an issue we had once and it's cost us both. I'm not going to do it again!" With that, she pulled the pages apart and dove into the golden aura
What she entered was a nightmare as monsters swarmed the city.
"Arthur!" She found him as he lay on the ground. She ran toward him but was stopped in her tracks when Ryuga went and picked Ryuki up by his neck before violently slamming his face into a car, shattering the window. He released Ryuki who turned to throw a punch, but the red Dragon Knight stumbled and Ryuga tripped him. "Max, what are you doing?!"
Ryuga looked up at her, "Max?" he said, sounding exactly like Arthur, only without any of his compassion or care. "My name is going to be Arthur." Ryuga spun Ryuki around and punched him in the chest before he kicked him in the stomach. He then delivered a roundhouse kick to Ryuki's head, knocking him to the ground.
"Weak," Ryuga spat as he raised his sword to finish the job.
"No!" Raven screamed and cast a spell, freezing Ryuga. She ran to Ryuki to help him up.
"Raven...?" Ryuki groaned. "What are you doing here? You need to go. It's not safe here."
"Not without you," Raven shook her head. "Did you find the page?"
"No, I…" Ryuki had been too busy fighting monsters to really look. Grunting, he sat up but spied something clenched in Ryuga's hand, partially hidden by his Black Drag Visor. "You've got to be kidding." Sadly, the spell ended and Ryuga caught himself, but also saw the attention brought to the paper in his hand.
"Looking for this?" Ryuga taunted as he held the rolled-up page in his hand. "If you want it, come take it then."
"Raven, stay back," Ryuki said. "This is my fight."
"No, I'm not leaving you," Raven insisted. "We're getting that page together."
"OK," Ryuki nodded. "When you see a chance, grab the page and run. I'll catch up." He drew a card, re-summoning his Drag Saber.
[Sword Vent!]
Ryuki roared and engaged Ryuga again, sparks flying as they clashed violently. Raven watched as Ryuga held the page, fighting with one hand yet still able to hold his own against Ryuki. Ryuki parried Ryuga's dark Drag Saber then punched him in the chest before kicking him in the stomach. He then hit Ryuga in the shoulder, forcing him to release the page.
[Strike Vent!]
Dragblacker roared and blasted Ryuki as Ryuga struck him with his black Drag Claw.
[Strike Vent!]
The black fire was rebuffed as Dragredder appeared and unleashed a blast of fire. Both dragons roared at each other before starting to tear at one another while Ryuki and Ryuga charged, swords and fire, clashing at one another.
"I don't know who, or what you are!" Ryuki grunted. "But you are no knight of the black dragon!"
"I'm not a knight. I'm a Rider," Ryuga snorted back. "Kanzaki promised I'd be real if I killed you, so I will kill you."
"Kanzaki?" Ryuki wondered, but tossed the thought aside as he continued to fight.
On the sidelines, Raven watched with fear and tried to keep her concentration. This battle was more savage than anything she witnessed the Knights fight before. Worse, all of the monsters flying everywhere, it was a wonder that she wasn't attacked. Still, what the hex was going on? This was not the fields of Camelot where King Arthur fought his last battle! This looked like a modern city that was being attacked by an army of Mirror Monsters led by one of their own!
Forcing herself to keep an eye on the battle she saw something on the ground. During the clashing, or perhaps when Ryuga summoned his weapons, he had dropped the scroll he had been holding. Spotting the page of the ground, Raven went for it.
"I got it!" Raven yelled triumphantly, holding the page.
"Raven! Watch out!" Ryuki yelled.
Raven turned and screamed as Ryuga brought his sword down on her but Ryuki quickly covered her, shielding her with his own body as Ryuga's blade pierced his armor from behind.
"GUAH!" Ryuki cried out, feeling the blade pierce his body.
"ARTHUR!" Raven shrieked in fright.
"One more. I'll be real soon," Ryuga chuckled, pulling the sword back, the blade stained in blood.
"NO!" Raven screamed, blasting Ryuga back with a purple blast of magic. He crashed against a car with a grunt, but got up, gripping his sword. "Arthur!" She put her arm around him and felt something went on her hand. She looked at her palm and saw blood. Her eyes widened in horror.
"We need...we need to go!" Ryuki grunted.
Ryuga dismissed his weapons and went to draw his Final Vent. "I will become real."
At the same time, Ryuki drew his own Final Vent and both Riders activated them with their Visors.
[Final Vent!]
[Final Vent!]
Dragredder and Dragblacker circled their respective Riders who jumped to deliver their flying kicks. The dragons exhaled their flames, propelling their Riders at each other, and they met in an explosion.
"Arthur!" Raven yelled and saw the two land on their feet. All of a sudden, Ryuki collapsed. It seemed as if Ryuga was victorious.
Unfortunately for Ryuga, this was when the effects of the test took effect. As Raven grasped the scroll, all the monsters immediately started to dissolve as the city began to fade into the light. Ryuga slumped over, his armor dissolving and for a brief moment, Ryuki and Raven could see Arthur's own face behind the mask before the black Rider vanished.
"I was so close to being real…"
Inside the Book
Both Arthur and Raven rejoined their friends as the book closed behind them.
"What happened there?" Ashlynn wondered. Briar had just rescued Apple a few minutes ago and they had been waiting for Raven and Arthur. The sorceress and the knight came out. Arthur grimaced in pain as he rubbed his back and Raven looked like she was about to go into hysterics.
"Arthur, you have to let me see your back!" Raven cried. "I-I think I can use my magic to close it!"
"Close what? Did you guys get hurt?" Apple fretted, moving to help. She was trained in a medical course and could offer help.
"There was an evil Ryuga and he cut Arthur's back open!" Raven panicked. "Please help!"
"Right!" Apple gasped, running to Arthur's side. She looked to Arthur and indeed the back of his shirt was cut open, likely with a sword, but she didn't see a wound or even any blood, "I don't see anything. He really took the hit?"
"He did it to protect me," Raven cried, finally getting a look at Arthur's back. There were no injuries. "What the hex?"
"Maybe any injuries we get in the books disappear when we leave?" suggested Briar. "I mean, Apple's finger isn't bleeding anymore from where she pricked herself on the spinning wheel in my story."
"It's not?" Apple looked to her finger. "Oh, I guess it's not. "
"Arthur, was that really your story?" Raven asked.
"That wasn't King Arthur and it wasn't mine," Arthur shook his head. Seeing that story, so different from his life, his grandfather's story, and the one he could have with Raven, it made him ponder something. "But if I had to guess, it was the story of the last person who wore the armor. It would explain why I had four destinies when I tried looking in the fake Storybook of Legends."
"Four?!" Raven gasped. "Wait, you read the book too?!"
"Later," Arthur grunted, getting to his feet. He felt sore and battered, but he wasn't wounded anymore. "Did we get all the pages?"
"Got 'em all!" Blondie beamed as each of the girls held their own scrolls.
"Then I'm all for getting out of here," Arthur smiled weakly.
Heritage Hall
The large Storybook of Legends flashed and both Lance and Harry were greeted by the appearance of the eight girls and Arthur. Each of them was holding what looked like the rolled-up scroll wrapped in a colored ribbon. They looked a little ruffled, like they just had gone through something harrowing, but all of them had glowing smiles on their faces.
"You're back," Lance said.
"Yeah," Arthur nodded. "Wasn't fun, but we're back."
Apple urged Raven forward and gave her a nod. They needed to talk and this was as good a chance as any. After what she just went through in Arthur's story, she knew this needed to be done now. They could bring the pages to Giles afterward.
Raven approached her ex-boyfriend, her earlier thrill of getting the pages and panic at seeing him wounded now vanishing. Gulping, she decided to just lay it all out before her courage failed her again. She reached and tugged his sleeve, making him turn around.
"Raven?" he asked.
"Arthur, after the parade, when I was about to sign the book, I decided to sign for our destiny," Raven told him. "That's why I blew you that kiss."
"What?" Arthur gaped. "Why? I mean, what made you change your mind?"
"I got some good advice from a wise old king," Raven answered with a smile.
'Grandpa,' Arthur mentally concluded. He knew his grandfather sounded oddly familiar with Raven. "My grandpa told you to sign?"
"No, he told me to do what was best for me," Raven took his hands. "I never should have broken up with you, Arthur. I was just scared of what might happen. I'm sorry."
Arthur looked at Raven warmly but then he sighed.
"Blackbird, I've got something to confess too. I sounded a bit hysterical myself when I heard you were going to sign the book," Arthur sighed, making Raven blink. Arthur did seem a bit high strung when he confronted her about the signing. " A couple of nights ago, I snuck into Headmaster Grimm's office to get a peek at the Storybook of Legends. I wanted to see my destiny and, like I told you, it showed me four different destinies. In one, I grow up normal and ordinary, living a completely mundane life. In the second one, we live Happily Ever After. In the last two..." He choked a bit but managed to get it out, "...the last two, I die."
Raven's eyes widened in shock, "...You die? How?"
"In one, I died protecting you like I did just now. In the other...it was because of a war." He didn't want to go into detail on that second version of his death. He didn't want to think the worst of his fellow knights. But destiny was about possibilities and that vision showed there was a chance it could happen.
"But that book was a fake. It shouldn't affect you anymore," Raven argued.
"Maybe it can't control our destinies but it can definitely show them. It's why I got so emotional when it came out you were signing the book. I guess I overreacted myself," Arthur countered. If he had a cooler head at the time, he may have been able to better reason with Raven instead of exploding like he had. "If you can forgive me for going off like that, I can certainly forgive you for getting overwhelmed too."
"I can do that," Raven nodded. "Can...can we go back to being a couple again? I...I miss what we had."
Arthur smiled, relief and excitement rising in his chest.
"I'd love that, Blackbird." He leaned in and stole a kiss from Raven, who returned it. Cupid let off a sigh, delighted to see love return stronger than ever. When the two finally broke it, Arthur drew back, "So, what do we do now?"
"We've found the pages and Giles Grimm is going to put them all back together again," Raven answered. "And then, then we can have our Happily Ever After."
"Well, I must thank you all for finding the Storybook of Legends for me."
Everyone spun around and gasped when they saw who followed them into Heritage Hall. Blondie voiced it for all of them, "A Rogue Knight!"
This knight was clearly female based on her figure alone. She wore a white bodysuit with the same armbands and greaves as the other knights, although her gloves and boots were blue. Her V-Buckle sported a light blue Advent Deck with a golden curled dolphin emblem in it.
From the front of her waist, lengths of blue fabric outlined in white draped from her sides, front, and back, giving the illusion of a dress. Her torso armor was styled after a wraparound shawl with a V-neck and a high collar like a princess would wear, mainly blue with silver accents. Her shoulder armor was smooth and curved over her shoulders like bright blue spheres. Her helmet was blue with a curved silver visor shaped almost like a dolphin's tail fin with slits running across it and a flat mouth guard.
On the forehead was a wave-like silver tiara-like ornament with a deep blue stone in the middle of it. In her hand was a scepter, topped with a ring of waves with a dolphin rising from it.
"Please, call me the Calibur Knight," the female knight introduced herself with a curtsy. "I am here to do the same as you. Recover the Storybook of Legends."
"And do what with it?" Arthur frowned, not trusting any Rogue Knight. Bog Knight so far was the only exception.
"To set everything on the right path," Calibur Knight knelt. "My King."
Wait, what?
How about we check out how the bookball game is going?
Only if you let us see how the dance goes later.
Hey, wait a sec! Mom! Daaaaad!
With Cerise Hood added to the team roster, she became their new secret weapon. Her speed was downright incredible. While the giants could cross the field in just a few steps, Cerise was so fast she ran circles around them. They were just so slow they could barely keep up with her. As she was so agile, they couldn't even touch her. In almost no time at all, the EAH team was catching up to the giants of Beanstalk High. Now, the teams were tied.
EAH: 99
Visitors: 99
Max was at the edge of his seat. There were 30 seconds left on the clock. If EAH scored another touchcrown, they'd win. If EAH won, he'd lose all the gold he put down on Beanstalk High. He'd lose his payday! All that gold, gone!
"No...no...this isn't supposed to happen," he muttered. He was betting on EAH to lose but Cerise had flipped the script. He had gotten so much potential profit to gain if Beanstalk High won since everyone had some mad idea that EAH would win. Now all his visions of mass profit were about to go up in smoke if those giants couldn't slow the wolf-girl down!
Cerise grabbed the bookball from Daring and ran for the opponent's goal. She bobbed and weaved, dodging the giants as they tried to stop her. The giants stomped after her, slammed their fists down, and even just tried to belly flop onto her, but she just darted out of the way.
"Go, go, Cerise!"
"Run and run as fast as you can!"
"You can do it!"
The students of EAH and her teammates cheered but then a giant managed to catch her in his hand. People's hearts stopped as the giant only had to hold Cerise until the clock ran out. However, she managed to free herself by biting him and she landed on the field before she took off toward the goal. The clock was ticking and Max's heart was pounding with it.
And Cerise scored the winning touchcrown with seconds left on the clock.
EAH: 105
Visitors: 99
"And the game is over!" the announcer declared. Cerise howled and performed a victory dance. "Cerise Hood scores the winning touchcrown. Ever After High wins!"
"YEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH!" the Ever After High students cheered.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Max wailed.
"What's wrong with Max?" Gabe wondered.
"Eh, he probably lost a bet or something," Darren shrugged.
The whole team carried Cerise on their shoulders and Daring saw her in a whole new light.
Okay, the game's over! Now turn it back!
Sorry Brooke, but this chapter is now over.
What? No, you can't leave it at a cliffhanger like that! Noooooooooooo!
A/N: Okay, part 2 of Thronecoming. We see some drama as Raven is manipulated by Milton and she and Arthur manage to overcome it. Still, the mystery of why Arthur and the others were chosen to be the Knights of the Round Table is revealed. They are the direct descendants of each of the Knights of the Round Table, meaning they really do have heritage to be part of Ever After. Thronecoming was the perfect time to have them appear, honoring the stories that came before and all that.