Hello all! I apologize for my absence but, college comes before most everything else and I need to make the grades before I can have any fun, which is just A-okay with me. So, here's the next chap and, while it might be short, fear not because I've got plenty more fan fics to pen up.

Dexter had grown into a large hideous beast. He'd grown fur all about his body and his hands had morphed into paws with sharp claws. The Charming prince now had the head of a lion, the legs and tail of a wolf, horns of a ram and the stature of buffalo…assuming that a buffalo could be over seven feet tall.

A loud roar rose out of Dexter and in his large form. He then lunged for the bars of Apple's holding cell.

While part of the wicked princess feared for her life, Apple couldn't stop the smile that crept up on her face. This was the type of chaos she had been hoping for. Now, if Dexter could just break the chains that bound her…

She'd have to aggravate him for that to happen. Now, what could she say?

"I really don't think that Raven would like seeing you in this state. This outburst of yours might even make her roll in the grave I plan to put her glass coffin into."

The next roar was louder, stronger, and much angrier than the first. Dexter was about to claw Apple across the face when, he cried out once more. This was not a beastly bellow but, a meek screech. Dexter in his beastly form began to shake.

"Dexter, please come back to us," Cupid begged as she loaded another arrow into her bow.

Cerise would have acted but, Cupid had taken matters into her own hands. This being a matter of love, the part-wolf maiden decided to let her winged friend take the lead.

"There is a chance that we can still save Raven, she's safe. She's in Maddie's care. Please, don't succumb to the monstrous part of you. Control yourself. Raven would want that," Cupid spoke again and, as Dexter began to breathe normally and shrink back towards the ground, she loosened her grip on the new arrow she had loaded into her bow.

"What kind of arrows are those again?" Cerise asked.

"They're called Love Connectors. They have the ability to remind someone of the love they have for that special someone and can break spells and enchantments. In this case, we're getting Dexter back to his senses. He does need to learn to control his inner-beast."

"I can help with that," Cerise's eyes lit up yellow with excitement.

Dexter awoke with a massive headache. He had the strangest dream! Apple had been there, Cupid, Cerise and he was there but, he'd transformed into some big, hairy monster…

"Goody! You're awake," Maddie pranced over to him with a tea cup in hand, "Finish this slowly, drink sip by sip…"

"Maddy, I'm fine, I…" Dexter interrupted and reached up to quickly take the tea cup from her when he felt a burning sensation in his shoulder, "Ow! What in the hex!?"

"As I was saying, finish this slowly and drink sip by sip because your shoulder is ripped," She sighed and then walked off to get more gauze.

Looking down, Dexter realized he was in a shoulder sling. Gulping, he wondered if that dream of his really had been a figment of his imagination.

He dared ask, "Why is my shoulder ripped?"

"Your entire shoulder isn't ripped, it's the muscle," Cerise walked into the room, "And, to answer your question, it's because Cupid shot you with a special arrow to get you back to your senses. Her arrow tore right through your shoulder muscle. Anyway, when you've got a beastly side, it can be easy to feed into your anger and lose yourself. Once you're pieced back together, we've got work to do."

The bright blue eyes of the Charming prince widened, "…so, that all wasn't a dream?"

"Why don't I cut you a deal, hm?" Apple started to speak again.

Cupid chose to ignore her and continued down below Olympus. This would have been more difficult if Apple wasn't wearing a magic-binding straightjacket and if she wasn't being held on either side by guards specifically sent by Cupid's father.

"Spare me, free me, join me and I'll help make that beast of a prince all yours. I know you were hurt over the fact that he fell for that terrible witch that I poisoned. Don't worry, she's out of the way now and with a little magic…"

"Quiet!" Cupid loaded a different arrow into her bow and placed this arrow to Apple's neck, "Dexter and Raven are my friends. They belong together and I will make it so. Raven will wake up and, you'll never be able to take anyone's happiness ever again! Do you understand?"

The tip of Cupid's arrow might have been heart-shaped but, the heart on the end of the arrow was a deep black that only had the slightest glimmer in this dim light. Not to mention, a black heart on it's own was menacing. Apple gulped, fearing those who held her prisoner for the first time. However, the evil blonde wasn't out of tricks just yet.

"Oh, I get it," She giggled, "You have someone now, don't you? That's why you refused my offer…Tell me, who is he? I'm dying to know."

"Not just yet but, you will be…" Cupid mumbled under her breath and then stopped walking as she came to a door.

"Huh?" Apple caught wind of the phrase Cupid had muttered.

Cupid gave a strong knock on the door, "Uncle Hades, it's me, Cupid."

"Don't you see?" Maddie pushed Dexter's wheelchair over to the bed where Raven now lay, "Life is still coursing through her veins. An old spell we found will bring her right back but, that's why we need you to learn control once you're well…"

Dexter waited for Maddie to continue, he was listening intently and wanted the details.

"Blood of the beast underneath, some spice here, some sugar there, and feelings yet to be unearthed are stronger than any force. For, that adds up to true love, the one magic that can and will break any curse."

He nodded, deciding that it was best to allow Maddie and the others to take this matter into their own hands. Honestly, he wanted to question each and every detail and to ask what Daring, Darling and the others were still up to in regards to aiding the neighboring kingdom. Apple's armies had to have been subdued by now, right?

"Daring!" Darling was running around the torched battle field desperately in search of her older brother.

They had beaten what remained of Apple's army but now, where had Daring disappeared to? He had been the one to lead them to victory after all.

"Daring, where are you!?" The armor-clad princess picked up her speed as she continued looking for her older brother.

She heard a rustle coming from some bushes and, while her first instinct was to draw her sword, once she turned in the direction of the noise, her resolve crumbled and she dropped her blade.

"Daring…no…NO!"

A/N: Aaaaand here's a good place to stop! Can Dexter learn to control his 'beastly' side? Have our heroes seen the last of Apple? Will that spell really be enough to wake Raven? And...what about Daring? Again, I apologize for my absence but, I am indeed, editing Didn't We Almost Have It All as well as trying to finish it, I'm trying to write this baby and all on top of doing grown-up stuff like college and looking for jobs. Either way, I hope you enjoyed this (despite my very evil cliffhanger there) but, I love you guys and appreciate you guys reading my stuff. Thanks again!