After school, my friends and I went to the cafe and sat back in one of the quiet corners.

"Okay, what's up?" Renee asked.

"Yeah." Viveca added "I haven't been able to concentrate all day."

"Well..." I answered "There's a problem."

"If you're starting a petition to close detention before we hit the Senior year, that'd be a good idea." Renee snorted.

I shook my head "I'm serious. There's a major problem going on. And I mean Major!"

"Hey, Corinne." Blair stepped up to our table "Just wanted to say Thanks again. You know, for earlier."

I shrugged "Really, it wasn't a problem. Getting kicked out of that class was the highlight of my day." I chuckled "I never liked poise and manners... Especially now."

"I know." Blair shook her head "Can you believe what they're planning. It's... insane!"

"I know. This is way too much drama for high school."

"Corinne." Renee spoke up "411 much?"

"Oh. Sorry." I started to tell them what was up, when the cafe door opened and Odette came running in.

"Corinne!" she gasped with relief "I've been looking everywhere for you!"

From the corner of my eye, I saw my three friends glance at each other confused.

"Corinne!"

My eyebrows raised. Ro came in the door. Talk about feeling like a celebrity.

"Hey Corinne!" Rapunzel.

It wasn't long till all fifteen other blond girls were standing around our table.

"What are we going to do?" Liana whispered "I guess the one that's worrying me the most is Lydia. She's our music teacher!"

"Just chill." I answered "Like I said earlier. Everything is going to be fine."

Merliah shook her head "You... didn't say that."

"Pretend I did."

"HELLO!" Renee shouted "Seriously! All you Blonds, give us three other colors a heads up, will ya?"

All sixteen of us stared at them for a second, then I finally filled them in.

"Wait wait wait." Viveca said "Our teachers are plotting against the world?"

"Yeah." I nodded "Classic right?"

Aramina slammed her hands down on the table "I knew it!"

I stared at her "Ye-ah. Anyways. A few specified who their target is, but the others... we'll just have to guess. And... Odette?" I noticed the girl staring out the window "What are you looking at?" I turned and looked out the window.

A purple Unicorn ran past. A whole group of hunters were chasing it.

Odette gasped then ran over to the door to get a better look.

The unicorn tried to run one way, but a man snapped a piece of rope at it, causing it to run down an alley.

One of the hunters pulled out a bow and arrow, that's when I jumped from my seat and ran towards the door.

The others were still glued to the window.

"Wait!" Odette cried "You'll hurt it!" but the hunter shot the arrow anyways.

The Unicorn ran, managing to avoid the arrow. The Hunters took off after her again.

As we watched, the unicorn ran up onto a bridge and over turned a wheel barrel full of logs, chasing most of the men away.

"Smart horse." I mumbled.

Then, another man managed to lasso the animal.

"We got it!" he shouted "A real unicorn! This should make a pretty price 'eh?"

I think Odette and I both said "No." at the same time, but I'm not sure.

Just then, the unicorn reared up and took off running. Then the next thing any of us knew, she ran around an ax that was stuck in a log and BAM! That was the end of the rope, and the end of the chase... because no one saw where the animal went. Which is really funny, because it walked right past me and Odette, glanced at us for a second then continued on it's way.

We watched as it walked across a bridge and down the road, seeming to be home free... right until a knot in the rope got caught on a bush

After a few tugs, it managed to pull free.

Odette slightly shook her head then ran after the unicorn.

"Where are you..." I started then I ran after her, just to make sure she didn't get hurt.

The unicorn led us deep into the woods, along a river, over the river and... to a fallen tree that led to a waterfall?

The unicorn calmly walked across the log... until she slipped a little, then seemed to recover. Remember I said seemed. All of the sudden all four of the horse's legs slipped and she fell. Oh don't worry! She was still on the log.

But let's just say, that's when Odette decided to try and follow. And I followed her so...
Odette stepped up onto the log and made one mistake. She looked down, and immediately stepped back off.

But one look at the unicorn trying to get back to it's feet and she ran across the log.

But of course, about the time she reached the unicorn, it jumped to it's a feet and finished walking across, leaving Odette standing in the middle.

That's when I decided to follow.

A moment later, the unicorn's horn began to glow and with one touch to mountain, a wall opened.

"Cool." I whispered.

The animal walked through the hole and disappeared, then the mountain made a noise and started to close.

"Go!" I urged, then we both ran across the log and managed to get to the other side before the door closed. And of course, trapping us in.

There was a long dark tunnel that had two little rivers flowing through it, but on the other side... wow.

It looked like something out of a dream. Or at least out of one of those fairytale books Aramina is always pouring over.

I'm pretty sure we were both staring, because we both jumped when the unicorn neighed from somewhere in the distance.

Odette started to follow the noise, so I followed Odette.

The whole place really was spectacular.

After a while, we finally caught up with the unicorn. It's rope was all tangled in a bush, and it was fighting to get free.

We slowly approached it.

"Hold still." Odette said calmly.

Unicorn huffed "Easy for you to say." it retorted "You're not getting strangled!"

I shook my head "Now I've seen everything."

"You... talk?" Odette asked slowly.

The animal sighed "Of course. Now, are you gonna stand around with you mouths open. Or cut me lose?"

Odette grinned "O-kay."

I chuckled slightly. Talk about attitude.

The unicorn huffed "Never mind. I'll do it myself."

I crossed my arms and watched. This should be good.

It only took one pull, and the unicorn squealed "Ouch!"

"Hang on." Odette said "I'll... uh... cut it with something."

"Sure." the unicorn said weakly "You do that."

While Odette went to look around, I stood there and watched the animal keep pulling.

After a little but, she looked up at me "Amused?"

"Highly." I answered "What's your name?"

"Lila." she pulled again "And you are?"

"Corinne." I nodded to where Odette had one "That's Odette."

Lila cocked her head "You two don't attend Mattel High, do ya?"

I raised an eyebrow "Yeah. Why?"

She chuckled, somewhat evilly "Boy, are you two in for a surprise."

Odette rejoined them just then, a shining pink crystal in her hand.

Lila gawked at her "Where did you get that?"

"That big tree over there." Odette answered.

Lila's eyes widened "You mean you... just pulled it out?"

I was seriously missing the point... for the second time today.

"I'm sorry." Odette said, clearly missing the memo "I'll put it right back!" a few seconds later, the rope fell away "There. I thought that would do the trick."

Then, something else caught my attention... my English teacher. Not Rothbart. The Fairy Queen.

I shook my head "Please don't tell me this day is going to get weirder."

"Did you see that your highness?" Lila spoke "She used the crystal!"

"I'm... terribly sorry." Odette said slowly, staring at our teacher just like I was "I was going to return it!"
"Please, don't apologize." the fairy queen, also known as Giselle, said "We've been waiting for you for a long time."

"Me?" Odette asked.

My eyebrows lurched. Let me tell you about confusion. Your teacher is in this hidden place with a talking unicorn and she says she's been waiting for a student that she's known for years. Someone, please explain that! Well, if I just decided to hold my thoughts for a little bit, she was going to.

"First," Giselle said "Thank you for helping Lila." then she turned to the unicorn and scolded it for going out to the town because of all the hunter.

Lila, quite dramatically, claimed she was trying to find something to fight ''Ol Bird-Brain'.

I had no idea who 'Bird-Brain' was... did I want to know? At the moment, yes. Later... no.

Then Giselle finally explained her 'waiting for you for a long time' remark.

It all had to do with the crystal. Excuse me, Magic crystal... which now belongs to Odette.

Lila scoffed at the thought "To her? How is she going to save us?"

"Wait!" I said, shaking my head "Can someone please explain what's going on? First... and now... Please!"

Giselle chuckled "Never were the patient one."

I smiled "Sorry. But brain is going into overload."

"Then let me explain." The teacher told us the story of the Enchanted Forest. How long ago, Rothbart (that explains Bird-Brain) lived in the Enchanted Forest. When the time came for the king, who was also their uncle to choose an heir, he chose Giselle instead of Rothbart.

So, Rothbart thew a tantrum and stormed away. Many years passed and all was well, until Rothbart came back... with Odile. Still no clue where the kid came from.

In his time away, he became a master of the dark arts. He started taking over the Enchanted Forest piece by piece. Giselle tried to force him to leave, but he was too powerful.

Many of the elves and fairies in the forest tried to stop him, but he changed them into animals and forced them to build his new palace.

"With every Prisoner he takes, Rothbart's powers grow stronger." The teacher finished.

"But now you're here." Lila said sarcastically.

"I don't understand." Odette said, while at the same time I said "What does that have to do with the crystal?"

Then Giselle said that there was a legend that whoever could pull the crystal from the tree would free the forest of Rothbart. And Odette was the first to be able to pull it out.

Then... that's when the Porcupine spoke.

"It's you!" It declaired, completely scaring me out of my skin "You! Our Hero! Give me hug!"

Then a skunk stepped forward and stopped the porcupine "Quills Ivan! Quills!"

"Oh, right. Right."

I chuckled. They were cute once you got over the speaking part.

"Well..." Lila said "She doesn't look like much to me, but maybe."

Odette shook her head "Wait! Please! You have the wrong girl! I can't be the one!" she shook her head again "I haven't overcome anybody in my life! I wish I could help but I..."

Lila snorted "I knew it."

Giselle smiled, but it was obvious she was sad "Lila, please. We can't force her. The dangers are enormous."

"I'm really sorry, I've got to get back!" Odette handed the crystal back to the queen "My family will be looking for me."

Giselle nodded "I understand, Odette. Lila will show you the way out."

The Unicorn gasped then frowned.

I followed Odette, wondering what would have happened if she had agreed to stay and try to help them.

But I've known Odette for a while. She's not the bravest girl around. It's just the way she is.

She waved goodby to all the animals standing around "I'm sorry."

The skunk sighed "It's over. Over! Done! Finished! Oh, I'm getting a migraine."

"Hey." I said, catching up with the other blond "It's okay. Like she said, it's dangerous." then I smiled "I mean, Come on. Rothbart's our English teacher!" I stopped for a second "So would that be good or bad if he got destroyed?"

Odette chuckled slightly then sighed "I really do want to help but..."

"You're scared." I placed my hand on her shoulder "It's okay to be scared, Odette. There is nothing wrong with that."

Lila came running past us and jumped up onto a rock "You know, If I had the magic Crystal, I would nail Rothbart!"

I looked up at the branch that was a few feet above the unicorn's head.

"On guard, Bird-brain!" she said dramatically "Eppey! Coopey! Cooley!"

I glanced over at Odette, who was smiling amused, and pointed to the branch "I'm betting..."

Before I'd even finished, Lily just straight into the air, her horn going straight through the branch. She laughed nervously "Oopsey?" after a few tries, she managed to get loose "Just keeping my horn sharp."

"It's just..." Odette sighed "I'm not brave like you... Or Corinne."

I looked over at her "Huh?"

Odette shrugged "I've seen you on numerous occasions get in a fight with someone who was picking on you or someone else. You don't take a moment to think you just jump in." she pushed a piece of hair behind her ear "Is there anything that you're afraid of?"

I just smiled "Odette. Being brave isn't being fearless. It's simply having the courage to stand up for what you care about." then I laughed "The fights at school are mainly temper-pushers."

Lila nodded "But of course, there's no one braver than I. But, I suppose I could help you."

Just then, there was a loud flapping over head.

I started backing up, not sure exactly what was coming at us. They looked like a cross between a hawk and a vulture. But my biggest guess was 'Bird-brain'. Or more commonly known as Rothbart. And the other bird was probably Odile.

I took another step back. The heel of my boot caught on a root and I went flailing back into the bushes. Believe me, that hurt.

I started to crawl back out, but Lila looked at me and shook her head, so I stayed.

The birds landed, then with a bright flash of (I'm sure unnecessary light) they changed into, ten points for me! Rothbart and Odile.

I'm not sure if it's possible, but Rothbart looks scarier in the school.

Rothbart laughed "Look Odile! Now this is pathetic!"

Odile cackled "Pathetic."

"A little bird whispered in my ear that some human girl freed the magic crystal." he leaned forward, and Odette leaned back "It couldn't be you."

Lila spoke "Feathers a bit ruffled, Rothbart?"

"Ooh! My days are numbered! I'm shaking in my boots!" Rothbart said sarcastically, followed by another cackled from Odile.

"Go ahead." Lila taunted "Laugh all you want. 'Cause Odette and I are gonna throw you two right out of the forest!"

I cringed.

"Lila!" Odette whispered "Sh!"

"Oh yeah! Odette's gonna have you two for breakfast!" the unicorn continued "'Cause you two, are toast!"

I could see Odette starting to panic. And... I couldn't blame her. That Unicorn talks way too much.

Rothbart was unamused "And here I thought unicorns were shy." his eyes glowed red, making Lila cower. Then he turned to his daughter "Odile, my little pidgeon. How would you like a new feather pillow?"

Odille laughed "Anytime."

Then, he set his gaze on Odette.

I'm pretty sure my heart completely stood still when that ring started glowing. A massive amount of magic was pulled from the ground... then he shot it at Odette. A red swirl of magic surrounded her.

"No!" I jumped from my hiding place and froze.

A bright white light came from the center, and I watched as Odette was transformed from a human to a swan.

(Bit longer chapter. I hope you folkz aren't getting bored. I promise more, at once, is going to happen. I just have to get out of the forest... which will be soon... I hope. Anyhoo, thanks for all the reviews! Laterz! P.S. I will be getting more into all of the couples, I promise! Just, the writing takes up more room than expected. :) You know what I mean? I hope you are all enjoying! And I make a promise, next chapter you're going to figure out a lot more of what's going on!)