A/N: Well... this chapter is just something *special* (note the sarcasm). It's long and shit happens towards the end. I'm pretty excited for this story. Also forgot to mention that most of the characters will be OCs, but either chapter 3 or 4 will bring in some canon characters. (Haven't planned that far ahead!) Anyways, enjoy the story. I will update next at one (1) review!

XOXO,

Infiniginity

Chapter Two: Founders' Day Catastrophe

Friday morning, I wake up with my alarm blazing in my ear, and to a tiny sword pointed at my face. "Cal, stop it," I say, remembering last night, and pushing past the little soldier standing on my nightstand to turn off the clock.

"What in the world was that?" I hear Vivienne across the room. It's then that I notice she's cowering behind the lamp on my desk.

"Just my alarm clock. It's time to wake up," I explain to the terrified pair, crawling out of bed. I cringe and my toes curl as my feet hit the cold tile floor. I use the Light Spell to cast the room in a slight shadow, then open the nightstand drawers to grab flowy blue pants that flared at the ankles, and take a white button up blouse from the closet.

"Listen guys, I'm going to get changed…" I trail off.

"Oh, oh," Cal says as he seems to realize what I want, , "Yes, we'll leave you for a moment." I look at the stairs, then back at the wind ups. "Do you guys need help?" Vivienne seems to realize this too, and I pick them both up, with Cal protesting loudly.

"Shhh," I warn at the top of the stairs, "Don't let Birdie hear or see you."

"Yes, Miss Ktt."

"Of course."

And with that, I proceed with getting ready for the day. I woke up at six fifteen, school starts at seven, and it's a ten minute walk from Birdie's workshop to the high school in the center of the Valley of the Lost. I virtually have the same routine everyday, with only small variances to keep me calm. So, out of habit I know that it takes me three minutes to change my undergarments, then slip into my blouse and pants, and finally put on clean socks and lace up my combat-style boots. I brush my hair in another four minutes, taking the time to work through my wild, sleep matted curls, and another minute to tie my long, silver and brown hair up into twin messy buns, right over the stubs on my head. Out of sight, out of mind. Eight minutes and I'm done. I grab my backpack and head up the stairs. "The shadows are my friends, turn the light off once again."

I meet up with Cal and Vivienne at the top and slowly open the door, motioning for them to stay quiet and still. Birdie is at the table, pasting together a broken porcelain tea set before she has to go out front and open up the shop. "I'll never know where you find such beautiful things to repair," I say, crossing the open spaced room. "What's your secret? Magic?" I tease. Birdie looks up from her work. "Good morning, Kitt."

"'Morning," I reply, going for the coldbox, which is kept nice and cold by magic. I grab some fruit and butter, then get a loaf of bread out of the pantry. I scoop some water from the clean barrels of water by the door, and use it to wash the fruit while the stove heats up. When it's hot enough, I place three slices of bread on a rack just above the stove. "Do you want some toast?" I ask Birdie. "No," she says, coming up beside me, "but I'm stealing this strawberry." She takes the end of one off and pops it into her mouth.

Soon, the toast is perfectly golden brown, and I spread butter on top along with some slices of strawberries and bananas. Then I cut it diagonally into triangles. (As if I would sin and make rectangle toast. Shame, shame, shame the rectangle toast.) I leave some grapes and watermelon slices for the side. Once again I thank Whatever Created The Universe that the people of the Borderlands were able to create greenhouses to grow crops and other plants that weren't already native to the area. Praise the Fruit God, hallelujah, amen, and other religious sentiments.

By the time I sit down to eat, Birdie has gone to open up shop, so I motion for Vivienne and Cal to come out from their hiding spots.

"I can't believe she didn't notice!" I exclaim, "Usually she's more perceptive than that, so I'm going to assume we're not totally in the clear yet."

"What luck!" Cal enthusiastically agrees. I reach down to let the pair climb up into my palms and bring them to the table where my plate sits next to a napkin. I sit down on the stool in front of my plate, and Cal and Vivienne dangle their legs off the tabletop. Cal rests his sword, apparently not permanently attached to his hand, on the table besides him.

"What's this?" Vivienne asks, pointing to a grape, which dwarfs her, given she's not much larger than a mouse..

"Breakfast," I say, to which both appear confused. "People eat food like this to keep their energy up."

"Oh. Can we eat food?" Cal wonders.

"I'm not sure, but you can try if you really want to," I say, pushing a bit of watermelon his way. He takes the fruit into his hands, which is bigger than his face, and perhaps a little too heavy for him, as he wobbles. I chuckle and take the watermelon from Cal, he straightens himself in relief, and I use a knife to cut it into fourths before giving a quarter to him and a quarter to Vivienne. "How do you eat food?" the ballerina asks.

"Like this," I demonstrate, taking a bite from my toast. The pair copy my actions, and I wait with bated breath to see how this turned out. Vivienne looks like she's about to make a comment, but then she gets up and hurries over to the napkin, before promptly throwing up chewed, but not digested, watermelon. Cal runs over and begins to do the same, and it's only then I realize how stupid this experiment was. Of course they wouldn't be able to consume food; they're mechanical wind-up toys that I brought to life last night. They don't have digestive systems to process food, or urinary systems to dispose of waste. Not to mention, neither technically has a fully functioning brain, they lack the part that would tell them they're hungry. Vivienne and Cal don't need food to live because they run on magic!

"Sorry, guys," I apologize as they finish hacking and are wiping their mouths. I pity them in that aspect; they can't drink water to rid themselves of the taste. "I should've thought this through." I poke Cal on the shoulder, an imitation of a shoulder pat.

"Not your fault," Vivienne says, "You couldn't have really known for sure unless you tried."

"I guess you're right," I glance up at the wall. Six thirty-two, now. I have twenty-two minutes until school starts, which gives me twelve minutes to finish breakfast and brush my teeth, and I just realized I've forgotten to put my sketchbook back into my backpack, so let's just round that to ten minutes to get ready. "Guys, I need to finish eating, but would you like to come to school with me? You'd have to stay in my backpack, but I'd keep it open a bit so you can see."

"Alright!"

"Sound wonderful."

And with that, I finish eating, and tell the Fullbrights to wait at the table while I finish getting myself together. Five minutes. I head to the side bathroom and brush me teeth. Two minutes. I hurry downstairs, leaving the door open so light floods downstairs. I grab my sketchbook off my desk and am just as quickly back up the stairs. I shut the door, shove my sketchbook into my backpack and swing it over my shoulders. I let Vivienne and Cal hop up onto my shoulder- Cal stands, gripping my hair for support, and Vivienne sitting elegantly on my shoulder.

"Ready to go?" I ask, and the pair nod. With that, I head out the back door, the one not connected to the shop, and make sure it's locked.

Birdie and I live in the center of town, in a lane of busy shops and businesses. The street is especially crowded for this early hour, do to preparations for the Founders' Day celebrations that will take place this afternoon, shortly after school lets out, and tomorrow. Students have Saturday off for the holiday.

Founders' Day is important because, as the name suggests, it was the day hundreds to thousands of magic users were put into exile from the utopic Auradon, simply because the Aurodonians were terrified of all magic after the Fairytales were complete, and everybody found their Happy Endings. The afternoon was when many witches and wizards, sorcerers and enchantresses, fairies and other magical species made the walk from their homes in the newborn United States of Auradon to the Forbidden Mountains before finally settling the Borderlands. Unlike the Isle of the Lost, there was never a barrier put in place to keep us in check. It doesn't matter if there was because it would have been useless; someone would've easily figured out how to break it.

The day after the trek, the beginnings of our government were formed. It was originally an oligarchy of three people, representatives from the three major groups that the exiled had formed, that governed the Borderlands. But soon became more as people spread out and our population grew. Now there are fifteen, which represent the fifteen major towns of the Borderlands, which includes the Valley of the Lost. Most of the magical beings and creatures, such as the gnomes and trolls, simply want to be left alone, so they don't really participate in government, and we try not to bother them too much. However, the fairies, sprites, and a few spirit-beings that came over did want representation. They mostly reside in Silvermist Hallows, near Faraway.

Founders' Day is a huge celebration of freedom, with dancing and music and games and stories that spread throughout the Borderlands. Everyone celebrates, and the Barons make speeches. Plus, Teleportation between towns is permitted so news and people can spread fast during the celebrations.

The street is decorated festively, with lights and music stands already set up. Restaurants started cooking early to prepare for this afternoon, and a heavenly smell permeates the air. Something like ginger and cinnamon. Venders are just started to set up carts of handmade trinkets and toys for the children. An edge of excitement and anticipation rolls through the air in waves, and I can't help but smile as I head past the Church of the Lost, and continue straight down the lane.

All manner of person could be found loitering the streets at this hour. People with tails, horns, sharp teeth. Short people descended from gnomes, pixies, and other types of fairies. There were people without any "extra" extremities, too. Those were usually descendants of magicians, wizards and the like. The broken stubs on my head throb with the memory of what used to be there.

Someone steps beside me and wraps muscular arms around my shoulder. Instinctively I flinch and struggle out of the arms, and am about to fight a bitch when I comforting voice says, "Hey, Kittredge." I pause, and actually take in the messy black hair and familiar blue eyes, stretched human ears placed curiously at the top of his head. It's Nico, my oldest friend. Just Nico, with his backpack slung over one shoulder and a goofy, quarter- satyr smile. Mostly harmless Nico.

Nico who knew me before. Nico who has always defended me, and who I have always defended. Troublesome Nico, who followed me after I stormed out that fateful night nearly three years ago, only to be too late to save me. Nico, who still holds himself responsible.

My heart thunders in my chest, and I look around wildly, searching for an escape. The thoughts are bubbling up again, and I want them to go away. Rough fingers gripping my arm, too tight… A feminine, taunting voice, teasing and threatening me as she-

No. Stop it Kitt.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Nico saves me from my dark thoughts again.

I look away, "Hey, Nico. 'Sup?"

"Nothing," he says, then points to my other shoulder, "but I see you've been making friends."

Vivienne and Cal look up shyly from their places on my shoulder, but Cal wields his sword. I laugh at the sight. "Nico, these are Vivienne and Cal, two wind ups from Gnorta. Cal, Vivienne, this is my friend Nico."

"Hello Kitt's friend Nico!" Cal greets politely.

"Hello," Vivienne says reluctantly.

"C'mon," Nico says, "Let's walk and talk. As much as we angsty teens hate school, the law says we have to go, even if Founders' Day is tonight."

We start walking in silence, at a quicker speed than I previously was going, to make up for our chitchat. "So," I say, after a while. "You're not even curious where Vivienne and Cal came from?"

"You just told me they came from Gnorta." He smirks wickedly as the words fly smoothly off his tongue.

"Smart ass," I retort.

"Let me guess: Birdie gave them to you to fix, and you got the idea to animate them?"

Wow. This guy. He reads my mind. I admit, "In a nutshell, yes."

Nico's smirk is back, "I thought so, Kitten."

"Don't call me Kitten."

"Kitty."

"Stop."

"Kittmaster."

"No."

"Kittamaniac."

"Why do I even try?"

"Last one to school is a rotten apple!" Nico calls.

"Oh, you're on- Hey! No fair! You're part satyr!"

And that's basically how Nico and I go all the way through town to school, me running after him. We pass shops and houses and early-morning-risers, all getting prepared for tonight. I get a sad pang through me as a come to the realization that I could've always been like this, Nico and I, happy and blissful friends, had I not been abandoned as a baby. Instead, Nico was a troublemaker who got caught up in the wrong crowd as a kid, and I had no choice to join that wrong crowd. Now we were two angsty teenagers with issues and horrible coping methods.

The sight of the High School of the Lost breaks me from my thoughts. The building was one of the first put up in the Valley, and has tortured students for twenty or so years. The school is two floors tall, built from red bring, pointed at the middle pillar with an upside down V shape above a clock that reads six-fifty seven. A pathway of concrete and grass leads up to it. It looks rather charming. For Hell, I suppose.

/

School actually goes by relatively quick, and a I settle into an intoxicating high. I've hidden Cal and Vivienne safely all day long. In first hour, AP Magic Spells, we take a test that I feel confident on. Next is History of Auradon, the Isle and the Borderlands, and we spend the hour making decorations for the dance, as well as reviewing the history of Founders' Day. In AP Language Arts, I write an abstract poem that gets a standing ovation from the teacher and the part of the class not sleeping.

I'm currently in Math with Nico, where we are going over parabolas while eating lunch. I take a sip of my juice box and finish solving an equation. Something doesn't feel right. "You got seven for X and negative twelve for Y, right?" I ask Nico again. He nods his head. That can't be it, then. Something still just doesn't feel right. I move onto the next problem.

Suddenly, I sit up straight. Something fizzes in my blood. The part with magic.

"What is it?" Nico asks quietly.

"I... I'm not sure, nothing feels right, but something feels wrong. I can't really place it."

Itsy, the redheaded witch who sits behind me taps my shoulder. I turn around, "Yes?"

"Do you and Nico want to meet up with me, Zeek, Bolyee, and a few others tonight at Credenza's for Foun-"

She's cut off mid-sentence by the window at the front of the classroom blowing out.

Glass flies everywhere, making a broken harmony as it hits home, and I grab Itsy and Nico and pull them down under the desks, then shield my head from the rainstorm of glass with my hands. The musical tinkling of glass shards still falling to the ground. A quick glance up tells me that many of the other students in the classroom have also taken cover, ducking under desks like Itsy, Nico and I; some use their backpacks as cover. The teacher is already running from his desk to cast a protection spell, but with the blood and the painfully familiar thrill of adrenaline rush through my veins, I can only hear mumbling.

A noise comes from the classroom door, and I peer over to see several teachers and students come flooding in. What's going on? I hear the announcement system overhead telling us to do something. The adults look around, take in the shattered glass, and push the students behind them. I feel a tugging on my hand. Itsy is telling me something. I try to speak, and it's only then that I realize I'm hyperventilating. There's a few bleeding cuts on my hands and arms. My pulse rockets through my veins, and the adrenaline rush seems to be fading. I take deep, calming breaths before I try to speak again. "W-what?"

"Come on," Nico tugs at my sleeve, leading me gently to the door, while Itsy has her arms wrapped around my shoulders. "We have to go," I notice that almost all the other students have filed out of the classroom in varying stages of shock and disbelief. The announcement system. We're evacuating the building? How much time has passed? Did they check to make sure whoever- or whatever- did this isn't still inside the school, waiting for us?

"Wait!" I yell, jerking out of Itsy's grasp. My arms ache. Oh right, I'm bleeding… but Vivienne and Cal are still in my backpack! Before anyone can stop me, I race back over to my desk, which was near the now blown out window. It's a miracle I'm not more seriously injured. I lift my backpack up onto the desk and peer in. Cal and Vivienne are cowered together inside. "It's okay guys. You're alright."

Cal reaches for my hand, and I gently lift both out, not caring if anyone sees. I hold them carefully in my palms, like tiny baby animals. When I look up and out the opening where the window should be, I gasp.

The destruction is much, much worse than just a window in our school. Fires rage outside the elementary school across the street, but from my vantage, most of the littles appear to have been cleared from the area, and stand on top of a hill in the distance. Several people with magic are casting spells to put the fires out.

But farther beyond our tiny Valley of the Lost, way past Faraway or Silvermist Hallows, beyond all the Borderlands, Auradon is up in smoke. Shadows are visible from within the smoke, surely doing severe damage to the land. I have no idea what's going on here, but one thought clearly rings in my mind: These… these Shadows appear to have come from the Borderlands, at least from one viewing the situation from Auradon. The Borderlands. A land where the use of magic is allowed freely, and there is no barrier to actually prevent us from attacking. Just forty years of peace on our end.

When Auradon recovers, or even before they've fully healed from this, they will see only their perspective. And from and Auradonian's perspective, the Borderlands is to blame.

And the Borderlands will have to face the consequences, no matter how harsh.