A Royal on Skull Island Ch. 05

"Raven!" Dexter's voice can be heard calling the teen witch's name. "Raven! Wake up, Raven!"

When Raven awoke, she finds herself on a beach. She is then hugged tightly.

"Thank, Grimm!" Dexter nearly cries. "You're alright!"

Maddie's voice is then heard crying out, "Come on, Kitty!"

The witch turns to find Maddie, Alistair with a still rabbit Bunny in his arms, Briar, Faybelle wearing a cloth as some sort of shawl, and Daring standing close to Darling. Rosabella is leaning over the unconscious Kitty, pressing down on the Cheshire girl's chest repeatedly. During this time, Cerise, Hunter, and Ashlynn were standing at the edge of the forest, trying to look through the trees.

"Come on, Kitty," Rosabella says under her breath. "Don't give up on us now," she then plugs Kitty's nose to performed mouth to mouth. After a couple of tries, the Cheshire spits up some water and everyone sighs in relief.

"What…" Kitty coughs, "…happened?"

Before anyone had a chance to answer, Maddie was down next to Kitty and giving a bone crushing hug. "We fell out of the Crow's Nest," she says while breaking away. "Then the storm made the ship go down and with a big woosh, we ended up in the water, and you apparently drank a lot of water."

Kitty then looks beyond everyone. "That explains why it looks like our ride was stomped by a bandersnatch."

The Sky Ship was indeed in bad shape. The mast was torn off, and has several large holes is in the hull. Not much use for flying nor sailing.

The Cheshire tries to get up, only to let out an "Ow!"

"Easy, easy," Rosabella helps the cat back down. "You broke your leg, Kitty. You won't be walking anytime soon."

Just then Ashlynn, Hunter, and Cerise walk up to them, with the Cinderella carrying some sticks and vines. "I should be able to make a splint with these," Ashlynn tells them as she gets down next to Kitty. "It'll help keep everything in place while it heals," she gets to work.

"I don't like this place," Cerise warns them. "I sense things in the woods. Most likely predators. None of which I'm familiar with. I don't like unknown predators."

Hunter agrees. "It's not just the animals either. As a huntsman I'm supposed to know my woods. The trees appear tropical, but they're not of any flora that I know. This entire island is a complete unknown."

Faybelle growls. "This is your fault!" the fair runs up to Raven and slaps her. "Because of you, we're all stranding on a Godmother knows where island, and nobody has any idea where we are!"

"I never asked you to come along!" the witchling snaps back. "In fact, you and Kitty stowed away!"

"Are you saying that it's Kitty's fault her leg is broken!?" Faybelle gestures to the injured Cheshire.

Raven looks away from Kitty. "No. That is on me," she digs out the compass. "I'm going to look for Apple. You guys stay here and figure a way off the island," the purple haired witch turns to leave.

"Wait up!" Darling calls as she rushes up to her. "It's too dangerous to go alone."

"Darling, I've already put you through a lot. I can't let you do anymore."

"I came with you of my own free will," the youngest Charming waves at everyone else. "You want to find Apple because there's something you have to say. I need to talk to her as well."

The witch smiles, "Thanks, Darling."

Daring steps up as well. "You'll need all the help you can get out there," the eldest Charming flashes a smile.

Cerise sighs, "I may not know these forests, but my tracking skills will be useful."

"As well as my knowledge of nature," Rosabella agrees. Daring gives her a warm smile, but the princess turns away causing the prince's smile to fade.

Briar steps up. "Apple is my Best Friend Forever After. Of course I'm going to look for her."

Maddie pops up between Raven and Darling, announcing, "No way I'm letting any of my friends get into a bigger mess without me!"

"H-hey!" Dexter calls out. "I'm coming to."

Daring, however, puts a stop to that. "I'm afraid not, Brother."

"But I'm as good a fighter as the rest of you," Dexter glares.

"Which is why you should stay here," the older Charming gestures to the others. Ashlynn is still tending to Kitty with Hunter watching over them. Alistair is comforting Bunny. Faybelle is sitting on a rock by herself, moping. "Three fighters are going in, Cerise, Darling, and I. Three stay here to look after those who remain. Ashlynn is helping Kitty who I don't need to remind you is in no condition for travel and I doubt Hunter would leave his princess. It's not the best idea for Bunny to go into a woods with unknown predators and Alistair seems to be doing his best to keep her calm. And I do believe Faybelle would rather be as far from Raven as possible."

Dexter looks among those on the beach and the others prepared to depart. "Okay," he says with a sigh before gaining a stern glare. "But you better not let anything happen to Raven!"

"Oh, dear brother," with a chuckle, Daring wraps an arm around his younger sibling. "It's unlike a Charming to leave a damsel in distress," he removes his arm and lets a hand rest on Dexter's shoulder. "I won't let anything happen to your girlfriend, Dexter. I promise," Daring smiles before heading out with the scouting group.

Cerise walks up beside Daring. "Did you mean all that?" she asks while leaving a scratch mark on a passing tree.

"I did, actually," he shrugs. "But I also figure the beach is probably the safest place on this Grimm forsaken island."

Just after they depart, Ashlynn finishes up with the splint. "There. That should do it. I'd still recommend not using that leg too much."

Not far from them, the sand of the beach is disturbed from something beneath it.

End