V. 3 Days Left… [Part III]


A/N: Wowee! 16 favorites and 24 follows!? … Damn, you guys sure are in need of a good fic to read, huh. Don't worry, I'll try my best to serve!

WARNING/S:

-Spoilers for my other fic 'Overseer of Ever After.' Starting from this part, it'll be spoilers galore for that fic because this will be in more touch with Corvus's EVER AFTER past. We're still grazing Corvus's OVERSEER past in that fic. The only difference between this fic and that is that Corvus stayed in Ever After.)

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Shane Wukong or Ella Discord. Rather, the awesome Nitro zeus does. He just lets me puppet his OCs around.


[24 Hours… (11:00 p.m.)]


Apple woke to the sound of chirping birds. Groggily, she sat up, scrambling for her phone. After checking the time- 10:06 a.m., she stretched her arms up high. With a deep breath, she made a move to start the day.

As she made her way to the sofa, she found all twenty books stacked neatly on the coffee table in four piles. On the fifth stack is a sticky note with a writing on it.

'Going out, be back before 4 (probably). - C. Queen'

Well, there's that.

Apple set the note down before making her way to the comfort room to bathe. Just as she got dressed and ready, her MirrorPhone gave off a notification. It was Briar's hext.

[Briar: Apple, I just found this cutest thing!]

After that, she received a picture of this absolutely adorable pair of dark pink gloves.

[Briar: Do you think it matches my dress for tomorrow?]

Apple smiled.

[Apple: I think those gloves are hexquisite, Bri! Where are you? Can you wait for me?]

A shopping day with one of her BFFA's sounds absolutely spelltacular.


[Est. 24 Hours… (11:15 p.m.)]


"Coast's clear." Shane declared. Quickly, Ella, Rakish, and Corvus scrambled passed him, and into his dorm room. Shane's making a grand gesture, bowing slightly and pointing to the room with his arms.

Their hard-earned loot (from the corner store farthest away from campus) was placed underneath Shane's bed, they finally breathed easy. Royally, it's just prank materials. Six packs of tissue paper (twenty rolls), fifty sets of sticky notes (in a variety of colors too), four large party poppers, ten packs of gum, six tubes of supper strong glue, fifty balloons, three pumps, a long rope, and two packs of food coloring (assorted neon colors). Quite costly, but it'll be spelltacularly worth it.

They also bought other items but those aren't important.

With a simple glamor spell, Corvus masked their loot with simple chips and sodas. (Granted, they DID buy some chips and sodas.) Then, they all agreed that Shane's dorm room is the safest- and easiest to dump this into.

Rakish's room was located in the more lavish area, filled with other Charmings and princes. Having three known trouble-makers in his room would somehow make its way to his parents.

Ella's is located somewhere near the middle of the girls' dormitories. Having three guys scuffling along with her with a fuckton of groceries is certainly suspicious.

Corvus is rooming with Apple. That's immediately a 'no'.

He sighed, stretching his neck. "Hey, Wukong!" He called, earning Shane's attention.

"Yeah?"

"Mind if I crash on your bed?" Corvus pointed to the aforementioned bed with his thumb.

Shane shrugged. "Do whatever-after, man."

With that permission, Corvus flopped backwards on the bed. Then, he felt something poke him from his coat pockets. Lazily fumbling for it, he saw that it was the cheap vape pen he bought from that same corner store.

"Oi, Corvus!" Ella's voice interrupted his staring. "Come help us plan!"

Dragging himself off of Shane's bed, he sat on the floor with them. In between their circle is an A3 paper. In Ella's hand is a sharpie- also bought at the corner store. She's grinning at them.

"SO!" She hexclaimed, uncapping the marker. She drew a crude box in the middle. "Here's Grimm's room. And here," she drew more rectangles and squares, "are the furnitures in that room."

Corvus tapped the paper. "Let me correct some placements." He asked, hand out stretched at her. When Ella handed him the sharpie, he did as he planned. "His desk's over here. This is Mrs. Trollworth's desk. Shelves. More shelves. This is where he puts… the Storybook of Legends, I think. A large mirror is here."

After terribly drawing hextra details in freehand, Corvus pointed to the desk. "Plant some poppers here, preferably in the drawers. A mechanism will activate once he pulls it and it'll hexplode on his face."

"And-! And-!" Ella hexcitedly chimed, pointing eagerly at the shelves in the map. "We will throw tissue paper over these. Wait, no!" She gasped, the wide grin on her face grew wider. "We we lather glue on top THEN throw TP over!"

Shane tapped on the mirror and the stand of the Storybook of Legends. "Post-its go here." He declared. "Also, I'm gonna draw a dick or two." All four of them giggled at that. "So I'm bringing the sharpie with us tomorrow."

"I have multi-colored markers!" Ella added, now even more hexcited.

Shane gasped, an idea clearly forming in his head. "Do you have a red and blue one?"

"Yeah, why?"

"'Cause I'll make a 3D dick!" Shane threw his head back, already imagining it.

Corvus chortled, barely keeping his smile off of his face. He turns to Rakish. "All of this relies on you, dude." He said bluntly. "If you can distract Mrs. Trollworth, then we're in the clear." He pursed his lips, squinting. "Even then we just have… thirty minutes… to do this. Probably. At best. At worst, we got fifteen."

Shane stretched his back. "Thirty minutes is more than 'nough time." He crossed his arms behind his head. "Pops might've adopted me, but we monkey demons have super speed. Fifteen minutes is enough." He winked. "Leave the post-it duty to me."

"No pressure on the distraction thing." Rakish dryly spoke. He sighed, "Mrs. Trollworth isn't stupid. She'd know I have a hand in the prank… because as soon as she returns, she will see the carnage that is, well, Grimm's office."

Everybody quieted after, the mood becoming more pensive.

"I'll knock her out. Erase the memories of the past few minutes from her head." Corvus declared, suddenly.

Everybody gave out gasps of surprise. "Memory magic is a fairy complicating process, dude!" Ella hexclaimed. "You're sure you're up to it?"

Corvus nodded, determined. "Rakish, you distract Mrs. Trollworth, then I cast a small spell on her. Nothing deadly, just something that'll confuse her for the rest of the night." He turned to Shane and Ella. "You two will begin your stuff while Rakish leads Mrs. Trollworth somewhere quite far with a bullshit reason. I will hex her then teleport Rakish and I in the office to join you."

Three sets of eyes just stared at him, amazed. "Whoa…" Rakish drawled in awe. "T-That's a solid plan, Corv."

He shook his head. "Too many variables to consider, but this?" He peered at them. "This we can control. Once Mrs. Trollworth is out of the equation, we can go ham." He looked at the map, looking thoughtful. "We'll pour colored water in the balloons and hang them at the ceiling. I'll set an alarm for it to pop. Maybe… one hour and thirty minutes?"

He looked up to see his team's reactions. They look approving and thoroughly interested, leaning forward with blinking eyes. "I can't stay for long, however-after. I have to sign the book. Then I have to stay as to not seem suspicious." His eye ticked. "Grimm will be keeping an eye on me, I just fucking know it." He shook his head. "No gum, then. DNA leaves too much evidence."

Shane held up a finger. "How about one gum?" He asked, looking disappointed. "Just one. Under his desk."

Corvus shook his head again. "If we do that, then whoever-after chewed the gum is fucked. No gum." He leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. "And we bought ten packs…"

"Let's just divide it." Rakish suggested with a shrug. "A single pack has twelve, right? Each of us gets…" he paused, calculating, "thirty sticks."

"Works for me." Ella shrugged. "I needed some gum too. I'm running low."

"I second the motion." Shane added.

Corvus turned his attention back on the map. He twitched a smile. "We need to think harder to top this for the end of the year." He said, more as an afterthought.

"Good," he can hear the grin on Ella's face, "fairy good."

They spent the next thirty more minutes planning before agreeing that they all reconvene here at hexactly 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. They'll find a way to mix the food coloring tomorrow. Legacy Day starts at 11 a.m. and Snow White's fairytale is the first. Three hours. They can do this.

After doing all that thinking, the four of them then played at Shane's PageStation 4, playing Super Smash Grimm Brothers. That is, until Corvus deems it time for him to leave. He has other stuff to do.

Bidding them a goodbye, he left the room. Taking a few deep breaths to collect himself, he made his way for Milton Grimm's office.


[22 Hours… (1 p.m.)]


Headmaster Grimm was alone when he arrived. Mrs. Trollworth isn't present- probably off to do some errands.

Good.

Corvus strode in, closing the door loudly behind him. Grimm's attention snapped to him, looking terribly panicked. With ungraceful swiftness, he shoved whatever-after he's clutching on into his desk drawers. Corvus shot him a weird look.

"Mister Queen!" Grimm cleared his throat, tugging on his lapels. "I… don't remember summoning you."

"You didn't." Corvus walked closer, planting his palms on the table. "I want to see my mother."

The Headmaster sputtered, growing agitated by the minute. "W-Wha-!? It's not yet Visiting Day, Mister Queen!" He hexclaimed, leaning back. "What reason do you have to visit her?"

"It's regarding tomorrow." He lied, looking as blank as newly made parchment. "I'm looking for advice."

Grimm furrowed his brows at him. "… For what, hexactly?" He asked, suspiciously curious.

Corvus waved a hand. "On how to be a villain." He looked at Grimm like he's stupid.

"Need I remind you, Mister Queen," he glared at Corvus, slowly standing, "that your mother is a terrible villain-"

"Is she?" Corvus leaned away, hands held at head level. "She inspired fear and terror all over Ever After!" He laughed, mockingly. "Why, I think the previous Snow White will be hailed a legend because she's able to take my mother down." He sighed, giving Grimm and mocking smile. "Truly, they've set the bar so high, I'm not sure how Apple and I can even graze it!" He dampened the cynical joy on his face. "I want her advice. I don't want to free her. Make no mistake, Grimm, I know better than to free her."

Headmaster Grimm said nothing, only searching his face for answers. Corvus only blinked, seemingly bored with his suspicion. A second passed. Two seconds passed. Three seconds passed. Then, Grimm sighed, shaking his head whilst looking terribly annoyed.

'Good.' Corvus thought savagely, with a tight half-smile on.

"Do not touch the mirror, Mister Queen." He warned, reaching for something under his desk. Corvus turned and saw a wall opening up, showing a staircase that led up the tower that held her prison.

He swallowed, steeling his nerves. He always tries to avoid going to his mother during Visiting Day. Even then, he has Raven looking at him with pleading eyes. He always just hangs back the room, near the staircase. Always saying monosyllabic replies when conversed with by his mother. And now, here he is. Willingly climbing up the stairs that holds her prison.

Each step upwards seemed to make gravity all the more heavier. His heart is pounding in his chest. He's not even sure what words to use. He's not lying when he told Grimm he wanted advice, but that's only half of it. He wants to see if she knows about the books in Snow White's grasp. As the seven-feet tall mirror came into view, Corvus can't help but swallow bile that unconsciously rose to his throat.

Looking weak in front of either of them will only cause him trouble later on. He has to have a stony hexpression or he's fucked.

A low growl resonated throughout the room. Corvus paused, looking down at the creature.

"Nevermore." He smiled, feeling some ease at seeing his sister's companion. He knelt, arms wide open, inviting him closer. "How are you doing, buddy?"

Recognizing him, Nevermore the dragon bounded over. He nuzzled Corvus's torso, causing him to nearly fall over. "Whoa, hey!" He laughed hoarsely. Wrapping a hand on the back of his neck, Corvus gave him some scratches. "Who's a good dragon? Oh, yes, you are!" Nevermore yipped and nuzzled harder. Corvus chuckled. "Why are you here, boy? Are you assigned on guarding duty again?"

Nevermore only replied with whimpers and a smoky chuff. "I sincerely hope you're here," the Evil Queen- his mother- spoke, her voice seemed to envelope the entire room, "because of me and not because of your sister's pet."

Corvus's gaze snapped to her. There she stood, beautiful as ever. Still wearing that Fairy Godmother-awful headdress of hers. (Not that he said that to her. Mother is so fairy touchy with her vanity.)

He pressed his fingertips on the ground and casted a small spell. Then, he stood in his full height. He can hear Nevermore whimper and hide behind him.

"Hello, mother," he greeted, stopping a good five feet away from her, "how do you do?"

"Oh," she rotated a hand lazily, "you know, I had tea time with some foreign dignitaries. They're as dull and boring as ever-after." Unamused, Corvus only tilted his head. "Oh, Corvus, do lighten up, my dear!" She sent him a smile. He refuses to call it warm. "But, my, look at you!" She caressed her chin with her thumb and pointing finger. "You're all grown, now. Mummy dear is so proud."

He sighed, looking at the stone floor. "Mother…" He swallowed thickly. "I'm not here to make small talk."

A disappointed sigh came from her. "Then why ever-after are you here, my crow?"

Another thick swallow. "I…" No use beating around the bush. He took a deep breath. "Snow White, or House White, is in possession of two journals." He looked at her straight in the eye. "It's not… the journals are unreadable. They're not gibberish too. Apple-" He caught himself, gritting his teeth. The Evil Queen's eyebrows raised at that slip-up. "White," he clenched out, "can apparently read bits and pieces of it." He held his chin high. "You taught me all of Ever After's dialects and languages. So, why didn't you teach us this?"

He pulled his phone out and showed her a photo he took earlier. She stared at it impassively. Her eyes flicked from left to right, showing that she's at least trying to read it.

An interested grin grew on her face. "So that uppity bint's daughter can read that, hm?"

He blinked, the cool hexpression on her face morphed into shock confusion. "Y-You know this language?"

"Corvus," she gave him a pointed look, "I've traveled worlds before. Of course, I know that language."

He scoffed, pocketing his MirrorPhone. "Cut the bullshit, mother." He hissed, glaring at her. His hands are in his coat pockets. "Life outside Ever After? Give me a break."

"I met your father in Earth." She crossed her arms, looking vexed that he wouldn't believe her. "As I've told you dozens of times."

He turned his heel around. "I'm tired of these lies."

"Earth is a world uncontrolled by destiny." He froze at those words, looking at her over his shoulder. She continued, "That writing isn't from Earth, make no mistake." He turned around, listening completely. "It's from another planet entirely. That language," she gestures at his phone kept within his pocket, "is a dialect of a language called Kaivalian. More importantly, it's the Lasruvieran dialect." She tilted her head.

"This… Kaivalian…" He tilted his head with a frown. "It's a world?"

Her eyes gleamed, hexcited at the turn of this conversation. "It's an empire spanning galaxies, my little crow." She said quietly, like a secret. "Your father is a part of that empire." She sighed, as though fond memories have taken hold of her. "He's a man of power." She peered at him and Corvus can't help but be taken back by it. She's looking at him like he's not there- like there's someone else in his place. "He actually looks fairy much like you." She sighed disappointedly. "Sadly, neither you nor Raven received any of my wonderful looks." She paused. "Well, Raven did gain some…"

"What do you mean 'man of power'?" He demanded, stepping forward.

"Hexactly what I meant, my crow." She rolled her eyes. "He's… so much more than Raven's father, at the fairy least."

Corvus snarled, magic flaring from his arms and shoulders. "Don't," he ground out, "insult Dad."

Briefly, he felt an intruder enter the vicinity of his spell- the one he casted earlier. He tensed. Fuck. He's running out of time.

"Grimm's coming up now." He curtly informed.

"Well, that means our time's nearly up, hmm?"

He clenched his jaw. Opening his mouth to speak, he found that no words can form in his head so he just closed it. Without another word, he turned around to leave.

"Raven's friend, the Hatter," she spoke up, "she knows how to enter the hidden nooks and crannies of Ever After." He stopped to listen, not turning around. Grimm's getting closer by the second. "Ask her help. She knows someone who can possibly help you find your answers."

He glanced at her over his shoulder. Of course, she's watching them, even in her Mirror Prison. That's hardly surprising or news for him.

"It was nice to talk to you, my little crow." She added, softer this time. "My son, my boy, hear my words. Take what you want from anybody." She advised. "It's your right to rule over these weaklings. The weak follow the strong, my son. Be strong and the armies that followed me will also follow you. You are the son of the most powerful magic bloodline in Ever After."

It sounds so wrong to hear those words utter with such warmth.

"With how powerful you already are," she continued, and Corvus listened, "I am already so proud of you, Corvus."

He refrained himself from reaching out. To hug her. To feel his mother's warmth as she, too, with undoubtedly embrace him. To free her.

He turned around, again. He can feel Nevermore's worried looks but he ignored the dragon. Lifting a hand, he made a move to reach forward.

Despite their differences in their beliefs, he loves his mother. While hextremely unbelievable, she raised him and Raven with so much love. He knows this because she treats anybody else like they're not worth breathing the same air as her. Once, she nearly killed a noble in her court when he dared call Raven 'unworthy of being your daughter, Your Majesty.' She also allowed either Raven or him to sit on her lap on meetings back when they were younger.

Yet…

Yet she also cursed Raven's pet puppy into a rat, just so she can show his sister that 'evil does not make time for cute things such as puppies.' She also allowed the other kids to tattle on Raven when she's done an act of kindness, forcing Corvus to learn the art of blackmailing in order to defend her. She taught him and Raven to be ruthless to others- that the entirety of Ever After is against them. (Thankfully, Raven didn't take those to heart.) She also… She also caused him to look… the way he does now.

He lowered his hand.

He's not sure how he looks at her now. Is he looking at her wistfully? Sadly? Agonizingly? It doesn't matter. He knows that whatever-after soft words she offers to him, it'll all be lies. A trick to try and get her out of that prison of hers.

"Nice try, mother." His voice came out hoarsely and filled with emotion.

He leaves without another word. Halfway down the steps, he encounters Headmaster Grimm.

"Did you get the advice you wanted?" He asked, looking at Corvus with suspicious curiosity. He would, of course. After all, Corvus just blocked out all eavesdropping devices he planted in that room with a single spell earlier.

(He may also have done that to his dorm room. Only after Apple was asleep, however-after. The version of the spell Corvus did in their room required blood to be more potent and permanent. His blood.)

Corvus shook his head, not trusting his words. He walked past Grimm, silent and weary.


[Est. 20 Hours… (2:45 p.m.)]


Finding Maddie is harder than he thought. Understandably so, Ever After is a literal castle converted into a campus, after all. It feels like he's been roaming the school for forever-after already!

Turning a corner, he idly berated himself for not casting a finding spell to track her down.

"Why do you need to track me down?" A peppy voice interrupted his thoughts.

He shrieked, jumping back. He peered down at the one who scared him. The ever-after familiar wide smile of Maddie greeted him. He sighed, smiling back.

"Heeeey, Corvus!" She greeted. Briefly, he's thankful she ignored his stupid shriek. "You're welcome!" What. "I heard the Narrator saying that you needed to track me down?" She tilted her head at him, questioning. "So, what's north?"

"T-The Narra- Who-? What?"

"The Narrator!" She pointed up. He followed to where she's pointing and only saw the ceiling of Ever After. "You and I can't see them, silly! Well, there's only one of them. This isn't hexactly canon, you know?"

Corvus wanted to ask questions but he forced it down. He shook his head, clearing off his confusion, then he gave her a bright smile. "Maddie! You're here! All of a sudden… when I just spent an entire hour looking for you." He pursed his lips, brows furrowing. "Anyways, a… person told me you… 'know the hidden nooks and crannies of Ever After'…?"

Maddie tilted her head. "I didn't know you speak Riddlish."

"I… don't…?" Corvus blinked, confused. While he's fond of Raven's friends, he thinks conversing with Maddie requires an extra touch of caution. Not because she's just royally perceptive-

"You think so?" Maddie grins widely. "I only listen to the Narrator." Worried, Corvus glanced around them, feeling his gut tighten with anxiety. Is… Is somebody else listening in…? "Don't be worried, Corvus! Nobody's listening in!"

He stepped back, eyes wide at her. "What?"

Honestly, how does she sometimes know what he's thoughts are!? Sometimes, she doesn't but then there are those times where she's just so eerily perceptive that it just… dismantles all walls that Corvus built.

"Like I said," she waved a hand, giving him a slightly annoyed look, "I listen to the Narrators."

Corvus stared at her. This is madness.

"Duh!" Maddie giggled joyfully. "Daughter of the Mad Hatter here!"

"Maddie," he sent her a desperate look, "please. This person told me you know someone who can help me find answers."

"To what questions?" She's now holding a teacup in her hand, pouring tea for herself. She also has an entire table set up in front of her, sitting on the chairs daintily. Sweets are arranged in a fairy colorful array on the table. This is all happening in the middle of one of Ever After's hallways. "Would you like some?"

"Uhm…" He shook his head. "No thanks…"

"Suit yourself." She shrugged, sipping more tea, eyes closed.

Sighing, Corvus moved forward, only to pause. He glanced at Maddie, who's now smiling at her cute pet, Earl Grey.

"Aww," Maddie cooed at him, lifting the mouse closer to him, "that's a fairy nice thing to say, Corvus!"

He sent her a tight smile, ignoring his mounting anxiety and confusion to stroke the mouse's head with a finger. When Maddie offered him completely for Corvus to hold, the sorcerer accepted. Now holding the mouse in his open palm, Corvus can't help but think.

'How do you even speak Riddlish?' He idly thought, forcing down his smile at Earl Grey's cuteness.

Seriously, his mother must be lying when told him that Maddie knows Ever After High's hidden places.

"Oh, no, she's right about that." Gone was the table, chair, and tea set. Although, that's not what scares Corvus the most. It's that she just replied to a thought he had. "I wasn't replying to your thoughts, silly! I can't even read your thoughts!" She grabbed his wrist. Early Grey scuttled down her arm and onto her shoulder. "Now, come on!"

With surprising strength, she pulled him along. Corvus can only quicken his pace to catch up, still reeling from the events beforehand.


[20 Hours… (3:00 p.m.)]


Maddie dragged him along the school's hallways, into the Lifairy, and into the door he saw her enter yesterday. She only stopped when they are in front the shelves, letting go of his wrist completely. Her attention is completely turned to the rows and columns to dusty books and tomes that has long since seen the light of day.

Corvus rubbed it. Her grip is strong. Way too strong for someone of her stature.

"Hey!" She turned to him, indignant. "What's that supposed to mean!"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "I didn't say anything."

With a huff, she turned back to the shelves. As she inspects… whatever-after she's eyeing, Corvus turned a circle on his spot. This room is filled from floor to ceiling with books. Idly, he wonders if one of these books can give him answers. Too little time, too much reading.

There's also the journals that he found along with the book pile…

He rubbed his forehead. The answers are within his grasp but he's yet to formulate anything from it! No hypothesis, no theories- nothing! Tomorrow's Legacy Day and he's yet to know why they're all forced to sign the damn book!

"Headmaster Grimm already answered that question, Corvus." Maddie pointed out, turning to him. She's holding onto a book. Actually, a pile of books have gathered behind her. A bunch of books are also not in the shelves. Honestly, what is this girl looking for? "An entrance!" What. "You'll see. Anyways, Headmaster already told you why we sign the book!" She made exploding motions with her hands. "We. Will. All. Go. Poof!"

Corvus can already hear a dramatic sound effect to each word. He sighed. 'You know what?' He faced her, arms crossed. 'Might as well.'

"Because," he began, "that's not the answer I'm seeking. I'm looking for who or what made the Storybook of Legends…" he waved a hand, "the Storybook of Legends."

"That's easy! Just ask the Narrator!"

Corvus tilted his head, frowning. After a second, he looked up at the ceiling. "Alright…" He took a deep breath. "Hey! Narrator! Mind telling me why I'm forced to sign this shitty book!?"

He waited for an answer. When none came, he gave Maddie a dry look. She hummed, rubbing at her chin and looking thoughtful.

"Maybe they prefer a more… respectful approach?"

Sighing, he looked up again. "Narrator? Can you give me the answers I seek?" He asked in the most pleading tone he can muster.

Once again, and unsurprisingly, nothing. He sighed irritably, looking down. He just felt stupid doing that.

"Hey," Maddie chimed, still chipper, "at least you tried."

"Yeah, yeah."

The door opened, filtering light in. "Hey!" One of the Evil Stepsisters called out. "Who's in here!?"

Oh, shit.

Maddie tugged at his wrist. He turned to her and was greeted by the sight of a hallway that descends down, down, down. Shocked, Corvus can only stare.

"Come on!" She hissed, pulling him in. Just as he entered, the passage behind them closed. Leaving the two of them in a darkened path. He was about to speak up when Maddie pulled him along, as if… guiding him.

'Being guided by the Mad Hatter,' he thought dryly, 'what can go wrong, I wonder?'

However, it didn't take long until they saw light at the end of the tunnel. The room they entered seemed to be a part of a cavern. The cave they entered was homey and warm. Books are stacked on top another and set on parts of the natural structure that can be used as a table. The entire place was warmly lit. Some alchemical ingredients are set haphazardly on a table in the middle of the room.

"Maddie," he warily drawled, eyeing his surroundings with as much caution, "what's this place…?" But before she can reply, a figure came out from the shadows. Corvus tensed, readying a spell, only to slump over in shock when he saw who entered the scene.

His hair was gray and wildly sticking in different directions. The old man has a wild beard and a friendly smile. His glasses was askew on his head and in his arms are a thick, stack of books. But it wasn't the man's weird fashion or why he was here that caused Corvus to falter. It's because of who this man is.

"Giles Grimm," he whispered with wide eyes.

He set the books on the table with a wide smile. "Giles!" Maddie cried, clapping her hands in delight and rushing to the old man.

"Feather and friends, together alone!" He jovially said with flourishing gestures.

Corvus flinched, hands slack beside him. 'Why is Giles here? And why is he… why is he speaking nonsense!?'

"He says 'hi'." Maddie chimed, glancing back at Corvus. At his frozen slack hexpression, she frowned. "Corvus, he's not going to bite! He's fairy friendly, if I do say so myself!"

'That's not what I'm reacting to, Maddie.' He wants to say but can't form the words. How could he? After all, Giles was there when he handed off that scroll to-

"Hold my breath, I did not, to forecast a glimpse of a black bird anew." Giles said, walking closer to him.

Corvus flinched but steeled himself. If Giles has the answer, then he will approach him.

"Headmaster Grimm." He greeted politely. 'The one I respect,' he wants to add but instead he let out, "I… thought you resigned as a Headmaster. Why… Why are you here?"

The next words that came out of Giles made no sense either. "Hereabouts, penned by the younger's kin." He said as if speaking clearly. "In puzzles and mimes, only I can chime."

Corvus blinked. The Headmaster is speaking in Riddlish. Why was the Headmaster speaking in Riddlish? Sure, his ability to speak in Riddlish must've improved due to his age. Still, surely by now he'd drop the whole Riddlish act and start speaking plainly?

"But where's the fun in that?" Maddie giggled, drinking tea with her- apparently- hextremely portable table set. "Speaking in Riddlish is fun! You royally should try it!"

Corvus awkwardly strung the next words that popped in his head. "Thy forebearer… was a… hamster," he stumbled, "and… thy sire… smelt of… elderberries…?"

Both pairs of eyes snapped at him. Under their judging faces, he squirmed.

"Well, that's rather rude!" Maddie huffed, taking a sip of more tea. "The kooky one's offspring scorns such meanness!"

Corvus's eye ticked. He didn't even know what he said to gain such a reaction!

"This is pointless." He decided. Then, he turned to Giles. "Listen, Headmaster Grimm, do you know why the Storybook of Legends is a thing?"

He briefly thought this over, carding his fingers through his thick beard. "The dawn of the parchments of lore is as held as a marrow in a generous cupboard." He said solemnly, almost apologetically. Despite the weird words, Corvus can have in inkling of what he meant. "A solitary servant has the passage to the latch."

Maybe taking pity on him, Maddie explained the sentences. "He says that nobody save for one knows the origins of the Storybook of Legends." She informed, looking up at him with a smile. "Giles here has been cursed with a babble spell. Makes him, you know, sound coo-coo!" She hexplained, twirling her fingers over her temples.

Corvus huffed, crossing his arms. Well, that makes sense, sort of. Despite his curiosity as to why Giles is here underneath Ever After with a cursed babble spell, he has other questions. He stared at Giles with a thousand yard stare. "Do you know how I can find this person?"

'Preferably by tomorrow.'

Giles looked at him straight in his harsh gaze. "Heretofore, the light of the serf's being is acquainted to dark feathers."

"He says that 'you're already aware of who he is'." Maddie took a sip from her tea calmly.

Corvus's frown deepened and he crossed his arms. Giles says that Corvus knows this person. But the only person that he's sure that Giles have seen him with was-

He straightened his back. 'No…' he thought, his throat tightened.

"A-Are you certain that… he's the only one who knows it?" Corvus tentatively asked, feeling like he's miles away from the moment. The shapes around him blurred. His muscles lost their tenseness. He can practically feel his soul leave-

A hand clasped his arm, dragging him back to reality. He blinked, gaze focusing to Maddie's smile. It's her usual smile, yes, but the furrow on her brows shows a hint of worry. He swallowed, letting out a huff of breath.

"Headmaster Giles," he bowed at him formally- respectfully- before straightening, "thank you for your time, but I must go now."

Giles smiled at him. "The proctor bids you toll springs."

Corvus smiled lightly, despite royally not understanding it, and turned to Maddie. "Maddie, thanks." He said, gratefully, still with a smile. "I'll see myself out."


[19 Hours…[4:00 p.m.)]


Corvus arrived later than she did, dejected and weary. Apple noticed it in the way he trudged to his sofa, grunted at her cheerful greeting, and falling unceremoniously on his side.

Huh.

She set down her newly bought clothing on her bed and made her way to him. She sat beside him, near his head. "Are you alright? Do you want to talk about it?" He didn't reply. She waited for one for a moment or two.

He didn't even remove his coat, she noticed. His hair, which he likes to put in a 'perfectly tousled yet slicked back'- his words, not hers- style, is a mess. With how leveled his breathing is, she's unsurprised if he's asleep as soon as he dropped onto the cushions.

She was about to leave him to his nap when he spoke. "I was so close to answers." His voice was small and low, almost a whisper. She didn't say anything, only waiting for him to continue. He slowly pushed himself to sit. Just as slow, unlaced his boots and kicked them off. He sat, crossing his legs on the sofa. His shoulders were slumped, elbows resting over his thighs, and he's fiddling with his fingers. "I was this close to answers, but they all lead to the one person I don't want to see."

Briefly, she thought that he's talking about his mother.

"So…" She eyed the stack of books on the coffee table. "What now?"

He lazily craned his head to look at her straight in the eyes. "Now, I sign the book." He drawled. "I'll give you your happily ever after."

This is the part where she's supposed to feel happy. Triumphant, even. Yet… looking at the state Corvus is in, her heart can't muster any positive emotion. Only pity. She's sure he's not one to appreciate pity.

She reached out for one of his hands. He flinched at her touch, blinking at her in mild shock. "Corvus," she lowly said with a sweet smile, "thank you. Royally. No words can say how grateful I am."

His cautious look melted away, leaving him looking vulnerable. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. "I'm not doing this for you." He whispered so low she barely heard it. He slipped his fingers through the spaces between hers. "I'm doing this for Raven."

She blinked, confused. What does Raven have to do with any of this?

He refused to elaborate, leaning his head on the backrest. "What does she have to do with this?" Apple asked, leaning forward.

He slowly opened his eyes. The beautiful green and violet caused her heart beats to hitch. "Everything." He answered, in an almost severe manner. "Raven is my everything." And just like that, it seemed that a dam broke. "I have literally devoted my entire life protecting her. Growing up in Queen's Castle was not… not a happy childhood. I… learned how to fight with my fists and magic because some of the children of my mother's cronies were bullying her. I made sure that I'll be able to join my mother for her war meetings so that Raven won't have to. I- I am where I am now because I wanted to protect my little sister and not for a single second do I regret it." The fervor in his voice was royally pressing.

For a moment, Apple is jealous of Raven. How does it feel to have somebody having your back no matter what? How does it feel to have a staunch protector who go through seemingly desperate lengths to simply make sure you're safe?

At the same time, this sheds so much light on Corvus. The ever-after elusive boy who's mostly known for his bloody knuckles and the amount of faces he's caved in. The boy that people avoid in the halls of the school, always seen with another fellow troublemaker. A hell-raiser, uncaring to even the Headmaster's words. So much so that Apple almost constantly feared that he might be hexpelled from Ever After during her entire Freedom Year. Apathetic and always glaring at everybody with the heat of a thousand suns- even at her. Especially at her.

(But that's not the case, anymore, is it? Ever-after since they had cohabited, Corvus doesn't glare at her much anymore. Outside their room, he's cold with his greetings but inside, he's friendly, warm even. It's odd, the first few times, but she won't deny how special she felt. She's probably one of the few he's lowered his mask to.

She still doesn't know how to feel about that.)

He lowered his eyes. "And yet," he continued, quieter, "why am I faltering now?" His grip on her hand tightened. It doesn't hurt, just a slight press. "No," he says, mostly to himself, "I'll do this. I'll sign the book. I'll keep her safe. Even if it doesn't save me."

Apple frowned. "Corvus, signing the book will keep us safe-"

"Will it?"

She paused, taking in his words. "What?"

"Will the book royally keep us safe?" He looked at her in the eyes beseechingly. "After you're woken up from your curse, you're going to make sure that I'm caged away from the people to keep them placated and happy-"

"What," she leaned forward, "Corvus, I won't-"

"-because it's good for your image." He continued, not hearing her. "To have the Evil King locked up and the people will love you and your reign will be warmly welcomed because, Fairy Godmother, Apple, I'll do heinous things for our story to actually work-"

Those words should've made Apple happy but looking at Corvus, all she feels is dread and anxiety.

"-and I'll be a bigger monster than what I am right now, you understand that, right? This is what being a villain is all about! It's about sacrifice so that you will be happily sitting on your throne with your Prince Charming. And I'll just be behind bars, hoping that the kingdom above thrives under your rule and that my family will be safe and-"

Apple cupped his cheek with her unused hand. "Corvus." Her voice was firm. When he finally looked at her, she sent him a reassuring smile. "I won't lock you up. You're going to be free. We talked about this before."

'I promised you that you'd be safe.' She added mentally.

He gently pried her hand away from his face and unlaced their fingers, leaning away from her. He looked at her and, for the first time, there's a negative hexpression on his face. Mild disappointment, she realized.

It deeply stung, somehow. She knows that she mustn't take his opinions to heart, because of their roles, but that hexpression on his face directed to her… It royally stung. She can feel her heart ache and shame tightened her gut.

Then, he smiled. It's a fake smile. One that's meant to be polite.

"Alright." He whispered, almost mocking.

'You'll see, Corvus,' she thought as she leveled him a stare, 'I'll keep you safe. I'll keep my promise to you.'

She thought about her mother and Corvus's. She thought that they certainly would never-after in their lifetime be this close physically, with a few mere feet away from each other on the sofa. About the newly-established devotion Corvus can have. About how he looked at her like she's naive. The rushing desire to prove herself to him came pouring in waves.

'I'll keep you safe,' she swore silently, determined, 'even if it's the last thing I'll do.'


Reply to:

Hufflepuff-01 Melodie Erudite:Yoooo! I know right? Ever After High deserves more than what it got! Personally, I think Epic Winter isn't great at all (although that might just be me salty for a lot of things regarding that movie) so ending the show there was… ngehhhh. Anyways, THANKS FOR THE COMMENT, MAN! I appreciate that you're into this story!


A/N: THE PLOT THICKENS! You think I wouldn't involve the galactic empire I churned out for Overseer in this story? Think again.

APPARENTLY GILES AND MILTON GRIMM ARE 'a centuries-old being who's traveled many places before [they] founded Ever After High in 1812.' WHAT THE FUCK!? WHAT. THE. FUCK!? THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING I HAD IN MIND FOR THE STORY!OH, THE PLOT THICKENS, DAMN!

As for the time, I deduced that Legacy Day signing event took place in 11:00 a.m. (because I wanted to). I'm also going to fix the countdown in the previous chapter 'cause I noticed it's a bit wonky.

The difference between magic users are simple:

Wizards are people who studied magic, in return they gain the ability to harness it.

Warlocks are those who have a patron- be it good or bad- who gave them the ability to use magic. In return, they have to follow that patron's orders. Usually, their patrons are deities but sometimes they're just higher beings.

Witches are more focused on healing, although they do curses too. I think. I haven't done research on this magic-user much.

Alchemists are more focused in chemistry. In fact if you would look it up right now, you can see some alchemist sigils/signs on Google images.

Artificers are those who tinker with machinery, adding magical properties to said machine.

Sorcerers are those born with the ability to do so.

[So… basically:

Wizard - researchers

Witches - doctors/nurses/healers

Alchemists - chemists

Artificers - engineers

Sorcerers - privileged fucks who were born that way, baby!

*JK Rowling was wrong in using wizards and witches as the male and female titles of Harry Potter. Wizards can be female, or whatever the fuck. Witches can also be male, or whatever the fuck.]

Due to Raven and Corvus's bloodline, they're sorcerers (although Raven has a worse time trying to control her magic).

Anyways, see you guys in the next chapter!

edited: 10/29/2020

edited: 12/10/2020

edited: 7/21/2021