Briar barged her way through the crowd, pushing people to the ground and receiving plenty of annoyed glares. She would have been running now if it wasn't for the crowd. She grabbed the handle of the Headmasters office door and yanked on it as quickly as she could. As soon as the door opened she rushed inside and grabbed Apple, embracing her in a hug. Apple let out a yelp of surprise as she was pulled into Briar's embrace.

"Briar, you can let go now." Apple winced as Briar put pressure on her many cut and scratches.

"Oooh, sorry!" apologised Briar as she immediately let go. "I was so worried about you Apple. What happened?" Apple had to suppress a laugh, seeing Briar so worked up like that. She was so glad to be home, safe and sound in the company of her best friend forever after. She would never admit it but there was a point in the Evil Queen's castle where she feared that she wouldn't come back and now school seemed even more exciting and wonderful than before she had left.

"It's a long story. But I did get something." Apple produced their storybook key with glee. She was proud of her achievement. Not many people could say that they had successful encountered the Evil Queen and gotten away scot free.

"You got it!" Briar squealed, clearly sharing Apple's joy.

"Now we just have to open the book." Apple picked up the storybook but Briar stopped her.

"Wait, Apple. As soon as you unlock that, you'll be transported into your story. It's going to be a really longtime until we get to see you. So before you go I'll organise a farewell party!"

"That's a great idea Briar!" Apple's voice was filled with excitement. "I am really going to miss all of you guys."

"I know, me too. But there's no point in mopping about it now. C'mon we have a party to plan!" Briar grabbed Apple's hand and raced off to get things started. Apple smiled sadly. She really was going to miss her best friend.

"Apple! I'm so glad you're alright." Ashlynn squeezed her friend tightly.

The noise and buzz surrounding Apple was huge as every one of her friends tried to talk to her at once at dinner.

"Were you able to get it?" asked Dexter hopefully. Apple nodded and Dexter felt a wave of relief and a goofy smile of relief spread across his face.

"What was it like at the Evil Queen's castle?"

"Was it scary?"

"Did you actually meet her?"

"One at a time you guys, I can't answer all of you at once!" Apple yelled over all of them. She proceeded to tell them everything that had happened at the castle. Everyone was silent as she told her tale. Once it was over, most of the questions had stopped and her friends began to talk among themselves. Apple looked down at her plate and pushed her food around with the fork. She didn't have the appetite to eat now, she was too worried. How was she going to tell them? There was no way that they would all agree. Ashlynn noticed how glum and miserable Apple was acting, which didn't make much sense. Concerned, she addressed her friend.

"Everything okay Apple?" Ashlynn asked. Apple looked at her. Her mouth opened, ready to brush it off and tell Ashlynn that everything was okay and that she was just tired, but she stopped herself. She knew there was no point in lying. They would find out sooner or later. She gave Ashlynn a slight shake of her head and then called for attention from the table. Everyone stopped talking and eyes were once again on Apple. Apple apprehensively chewed on her lip before addressing the table.

"Umm, there is actually something that I want to talk to you all about and I don't think that any of you will like it," Apple nervously began. "I was talking to Headmaster Grimm after I arrived back and well, there's something that we overlooked. When Raven and I start our story it means that everyone will start their as well."

"WHAT!" everyone cried instantaneously. Apple smiled nervously. She knew this was going to happen and was ready for the onslaught of questions and arguments. Of course the solution wasn't going to be easy. Now she highly doubted that they would ever be able to convince everyone and wake up Raven.

"So we all have to follow our destinies if we want Raven to wake up?" Ashlynn clarified. She anxiously glance at Hunter. They had been dating since the beginning of the school year and she didn't want to loose them. They had thought that because of Raven they would be able to reject their destinies and be together, but now it was because of Raven that they couldn't.

"So we all start our stories earlier then planed. Big deal." Cerise shrugged it off. "If it's for Raven, I'm in."

"Me too." Maddie agreed.

"I don't see why not." Cedar joined in. Slowly everyone around the table agreed to start their stories for Raven except for Hunter, Ashlynn and Briar.

Briar was in shock. This had come out of nowhere for her. Unlike most of her other friends who didn't have much or anything to loose by starting their stories, she would be making a huge sacrifice and would never see any of her friends again. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Apple.

"Briar" was all she said, giving her an apologetic look. It was clear that Apple didn't want to do this to Briar and that it hurt causing her friend to make such a tough decision.

"Apple, I don't know if I can do that," Briar said in barely a whisper. She could feel tears forming in her eyes and was using all of her effort to keep them there, not rolling down her cheeks. "I know that this is all for Raven's sake but I'm just not ready to say goodbye to all these friends. I want Raven back as much as everyone else but you're asking me to give up too much!" At this point Briar was practically yelling and all eyes were on her. The tears that she had fought to hold back were now freely flowing. "I-I just need some time to think!" And with that Briar slunk out of the Castle-teria without saying a word. Apple looked visibly upset and shocked. The worry and fear were written on her face. Although Ashlynn really didn't want to add to Apple's stress, she knew that she had to talk to her about it too. After a few minutes had passed, normal (well as normal as you could expect) conversation returned to the table. This gave Ashlynn an opportunity to take Apple aside and talk to her.

"I think Hunter and I'll talk about. Sorry Apple." She tried to be gentle in her explanation. She knew that Apple really didn't need another problem after what Briar had just done. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to help.

"No, it's alright. It's a big deal and I think Briar's right. I'm asking for too much!" She declared as she pulled away from her friends and walked defeatedly but to her dorm room.

Ashlynn and Hunter sat at the base of the True Hearts tree. They had to discuss their dilemma and it wasn't an easy choice to make. They knew that if they agreed to go through with their stories, there was no chance that they would be able to be together. Ashlynn would be forced to marry a prince and Hunter didn't even want to think about what he would do after his story was over.

"Hunter, I don't really know what to do. Raven's a great friend and everyone seems to really want her back but..." Ashlynn started but was cut off by Hunter.

"I know. I want to be with you too Ash" He looked sadly down at his girlfriend.

"Then what do we do?" She looked down and nibbled on her bottom lip as she always did when she was anxious. Her hand automatically found Hunters and fit perfectly inside, as it always did. Hunter gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and she looked back up at him, where she saw something that she hadn't been expecting. There were tears in hid eyes.

"Hunter." She said half out of shock and half comforting. Hunter let go of Ashlynn's hand and quickly wiped that tears away as quickly as they had formed there.

"I'm so sorry Ash. I wish that we could be together, but I think we've both known that this just couldn't work forever." Ashlynn looked over at him, confused and heartbroken.

"But I don't know how I could ever live without you. That's why I…. I'm so sorry Ashlynn. I love you so much." Before Ashlynn could even comprehend what he was saying, Hunter had pulled her into a tight embrace and was kissing her. As he did, he retrieved a small bottle containing purple dust at of his pocket. He quickly broke the kiss and threw the dust on top of Ashlynn and himself, showering them in purple sparkles. There eyes met for a moment and Hunter squeezed Ashlynn's hand one last time.

Briar heard a knock on her dorm door before Ashlynn entered, humming to herself a happy tune.

"Hey Ash, what's in your hair?" Briar had quickly spotted the purple sparkles adorning Ashlynn's hair. It looked kinda cute and Briar wondered if Ashlynn was trying to start a new trend. It wouldn't be the first time.

"Hmm?" Ashlynn looked vaguely at Ashlynn before looked at her own reflection in her vanity. "Oh, I have no idea. It looks kinda pretty don't you think."

"Huh!" Responded Briar, more to herself then to Ashlynn. It wasn't quite like her to be so forgetful. But then again she was under a lot of stress and Briar could definitely understand that you could do some crazy things out of stress. Since they were having the same type of dilemma, she decided to bring it up with her roommate. It would probably help to get someone else's opinion.

"So have you decided what you're going to do about your story? You going to agree to start it or what?"

"Yeah, why not?" Ashlynn simply shrugged.

"Oh, so Hunter was okay with it? I thought that it would have taken you too a lot longer to make up your mind." At these words Ashlynn looked at Briar. She looked shocked and confused.

"Why would it have to be okay with Hunter? This doesn't have anything to do with him." Now it was Briar's turn to be confused.

"But what about your relationship? You know that you can't be together if you agree." Ashlynn burst out laughing.

"Relationship!? That's a good one Briar. Imagine me dating a rebel." Ashlynn chuckled to herself as she headed out the door, leaving Briar dumbfounded. What was going on?