A/N: Welcome, everyone! This story will follow the English version of the Twisted Wonderland game. I may make some minor changes to add personality to my main character or keep what I believe to be a consistent calendar. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

Hot sun beating down on my back, I held my board and waited. I paddled further from the shore. Then I waited some more. Finally, I saw the one. I turned my board as I paddled. I did not hesitate as I stood quickly on my board. Surfing is about fearlessness and the willingness to give it your all. I was never as brave as when I was riding the waves.

I could not imagine my life without surfing. Nothing else could give me the same exhilaration, the same peacefulness, the same feeling of oneness with all that exists. I rode this wave all the way to shore. Then I purposefully fell off my board, landing on my back in the sand, breathing deeply as the water covered me before reseeding.

"A 'o ia!" Luano exclaimed, grinning down at me with his own board tucked under his arm. "Not bad, but you haven't made it to dry land."

I smirked at my brother. "I'm too tired to make it to shore. Carry me."

Luano rolled his eyes. "You're not five."

I stood up and pushed my board further up onto the sand. Then I jumped onto my brother's back. He laughed as he walked to where my board lay. He dropped his next to mine and then fell to the ground. I quickly let go of him before he could roll over me. He grabbed my sides and started tickling me. "No free rides!"

I laughed uncontrollably, hugging my sides in an attempt to prevent him from getting to me. "Okay, I surrender!" I said once I could breath.

"Good." Luano sat up, leaning back on his hands. "I can't believe this is my last time surfing in Kaui for awhile. California has waves, but-"

"It's different, I know." I wrapped my arms around my knees after sitting beside him. "And you'll be so far."

"Hey, I'll only be a phone call away."

"But it's not the same. Who will I ride with?"

Luano nudged me. "Hey, maybe Halia will finally take up surfing."

I snorted. "That will be the say. I don't think she ever even leaves her room."

"You never know." He paused, both of us gazing out at the ocean. "You could bring a friend or two to the beach."

I stiffened. "You know I don't have any real friends."

"What are you talking about about? You get along with everyone. If you just invite someone over-"

I rested my chin on my knees. "Yes, I get along with everyone. They all like me, but that's as far as it goes. No one really knows me, and they don't want to. They already have their best friends. They don't need me."

Luoano placed a hand on my shoulder. "I know it may seem that way, but things could change.. Maybe all you need is to go on a grand adventure together. Danger has a way of bringing people closer."

I rolled my eyes. "And where am I going to find this grand adventure? In the middle of a volcano?"

Luoano laughed. He withdrew his hand and then bumped my shoulder with his own. "You never know. Just make an effort, okay?"

I shook my head. "I can try, but I'll be fine, Luoana. I've still got my ohana, and that's what it's all about right? I don't need anything to change."

"It's going to change whether you like it or not." My brother looked up at the sky. "We should get going, Ona. I need to make sure everything is packed. We have a long trip tomorrow."

"I can't wait," I mumbled. At least our parents had saved up enough so our whole family could help Luano move into his college dorm. I had never seen the mainland. That in and of itself would be quite the adventure.

The ocean felt just a little bit lonely without Luano. I spent the last Sunday before the start of school surfing on my own. I was surprised to find Halia waiting for me on the shore as the sunset. "Hey there," I greeted. "You made it out of the house!"

My sister gave me a look. "Of course I did. I'm entering high school, you know. Everything is changing."

My smile fell. "Don't remind me."

Halia quirked an eyebrows but did not comment. "Anyway, mom wants you back home. It's almost time for dinner."

"Alright." I made sure my board was secure under my arm and followed her through the sand. Thankfully, our house was only a short walk from the beach. My mom approached me upon entering.

"Welcome back, dear," she said. "Change quickly. I would like to speak with you before dinner."

I searched her face but found nothing but warmth. Whatever this was about, I was not in trouble. I smiled slightly. "Okay, Mom. Be right back." I chose to put on clothes over my green and black wet suit: a dark blue Hawaiian shirt with white flowers and jean shorts.

When I returned downstairs, my mom offered me a bright smile. "Let's talk out on the lanai."

I nodded. "Okay." I made sure to close the door behind me before taking a seat on the swinging bench beside my mother. "So, what's this about?"

"Why do I need an excuse to talk to my daughter? Does it have to be about something?"

I gave her a look. "Mom."

"Okay, I just want to make sure you're doing alright."

"I'm fine, Mom."

"And I've been thinking..." She paused for a moment. "You're about to be a junior. It's time to start seriously thinking about college."

"Oh, I know. There are so many to choose from. The easiest would be to choose Kaui, but I don't know if I want to limit myself. Maybe Maui-"

"Speaking of limiting yourself, I think you should consider schools outside of Hawaii."

I froze in shock. Outside Hawaii? Of course I had not considered such a thing! I loved Hawaii more than anything. Why would I leave it? "Why should I? Hawaii has perfectly good colleges."

"I know, dear, but I think it would be better if you go outside your comfort zone. I believe you would be more likely to meet new people if you were an unfamiliar place instead of relying on your old habits."

I held in a groan. Not her too! "But I'm fine with how things are. I don't need other people. I have my family."

My mom gave me a gentle smile. "Of course you will always have your family, but you are not meant to stay with us forever. There comes a day when everyone has to leave and find their own destiny. Besides, if you stay with the familiar, you'll never meet your prince charming."

I rolled my eyes. "Mom, not this again." My mother had a store of sappy love stories where a beautiful girl meets her prince and they live happily ever after. She was half native Hawaiian and half European. It was her German grandmother who told her the stories that she now passed down to me. "You know there are no princes in America."

She chuckled lightly. "Oh, I don't mean it literally. I'm talking about true love."

"I'm not sure that exists either."

"I know it does." She touched my arm and smiled. "I met mine. He was not what I expected of my prince, a skinny, geeky, Japanese boy who had never been to Hawaii. But do you know how I knew he was the one?"

"You met him at the beach."

"That's right. We searched for shells together and he gave me the biggest, prettiest ones. And I never would have met him if I had never expanded my horizons to California. They have surfing there too, you know."

"Yes, I know. That's great for you, Mom. I'm glad you met dad, but I just-" I sighed. I was close to my mother, but how could I explain to her what I was feeling when I did not even understand it myself?

My mom lightly grabbed my chin and lifted it up so my eyes met hers. "Just think about it, alright? Whatever decision you make, I will support you."

"Yes, Mom. I will."

"Mahola, Ona. Now let's go eat before the food gets cold!"

I did think about what my mother told me that night. I returned to my room and lay on my bed with my head in my hands. I still did not wish to leave Hawaii, but a part of me did long for the kind of love my mom described. It did not have to be romantic. I just wanted to be close to someone who understood me and cared for me because I was me. Someone who was meant to join me in the journey of life. A best friend. Romance would be a bonus.

I opened my eyes. I needed to change into my pajamas before I fell asleep. I sat up and frowned. Why was there a fancy looking mirror in the middle of my room? Maybe I had fallen asleep and one of my parents had brought it in here as a gift, though I could not imagine why. Curious, I hopped to the floor and approached the mirror.

Green fire suddenly appeared in the reflection of the mirror, and I jumped back in fright, stumbling into my bed and falling on my back. "Ah, my dear esteemed benefactor... My proud, beautiful flower of evil. You are truly the fairest one of all."

I stood again, my heart hammering. "Who's there?"

"O magic mirror, they wisdom I entreat... Reveal unto me the visage I seek..."

I swallowed hard. "This isn't funny. You can come out now."

Silence fell for about a minute. The the voice spoke again, a little friendlier this time. "You, whose image the Dark Mirror did beckon forth... If your heart bids it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror."

The fire disappeared. For a split second, the mirror was black. Then I saw a hand. A left hand larger and lighter-skinned than my own. A man's hand. My fear abated, replaced by something stronger I could not name. A strange pulling I had never felt. "And why would I do that?" My words came out barely above a whisper.

"To follow your destiny."

Destiny? Was this what my mother had been talking about? I should have rejected all of this outright. This was not what I wanted. And yet, something deep inside compelled me forward. Before I could think better of it, I reached out my left hand grasped the boy's. It felt warm and inviting, like our hands fit together perfectly.

The boy pulled me forward, straight through the mirror. There was no pain. A second later, I was engulfed in the boy's arms, my head against his chest. I immediately relaxed. I felt peace and also excitement. Content and thrilled. Like surfing. I lifted my head to look at his face. That's when everything went dark.

Then, in the darkness, I heard the voice from the mirror again, "As flame reduces even the stars to ash, as ice seals away even time itself, as great trees swallow even the sky, fear not the power of darkness. Now, demonstrate your power." A bright light suddenly blinded me. "To me. To them. To yourself. The hour grows long, and time is scarce. Keep steady your grip, no matter what may come..."

What the heck? What was with the cryptic marriage? Destiny sounded nice, but this? I must have been dreaming. That was it. This was all a dream I would soon wake up from. When the light disappeared, my consciousness followed.

I had a strange dream about a horse drawn carriage and a creepy forest. I awoke in total darkness. Instead of my soft mattress, I felt something hard under me, and I was dressed in long sleeves. Then I heard movement above me.

"I better hurry up and find that uniform before someone spots me," said a muffled voice. "Urgggh... This lid weighs a ton! Try this on for size! Mya-ha!" Suddenly, there was light, and I saw a flickering of fire and a strange, grey creature with what looked like blue fire coming out of his ears standing above me. "Now to grab the goods..." I sat up and looked around. I was in a strange room with floating coffins. "What?! You ain't supposed to be awake!"

I stared at the creature. "A talking...weasel?!" I exclaimed.

The creature crossed his arms and glared at me. How... How DARE YOU! I am no WEASEL! I'm Grim, sorcerer extraordinaire!"

I blinked. "Sorcerer?"

"Tch. Whatever. You... human! Just gimme your uniform, and be quick about it! 'Cause if you don't... you're gonna regret it!" He then caused fire to appear around him.

Whoa! How did he do that? And what uniform was he talking about? In any case, I did not like the direction this was going. "S-somebody help!"

"Hey, come on! I'm on a tight schedule here!" More fire appeared.

Seeing as no one was coming to my aid, I climbed out of the coffin and began to run. I heard the creature - Grim - follow me outside. I slipped into the first building I found. "Where am I?" I said. There were books everywhere. Was this a library?

"Foolish human! Did you really think you could slip away from ME?"

I spun around to face Grim. "Uh oh!"

"Now, unless you wanna get burned to a crisp, take off that—" Suddenly a man appeared and twisted Grim's arms, pinning them behind his back. "Me-YEOW! That hurt! What gives?"

"Consider it tough love," said the man. He looked at me, and I saw that he wore a crow mask. "Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid. I trust you're one of this year's new students?" My, were you ever eager to make your debut. And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school's rules."

"He's not mine," I said.

"As if I'd serve some lowly human!" said Grim. "Now lemme go!"

"Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, won't you?" He stuffed something in Grim's mouth to prevent him from talking. "Dear me. Of all the students I've dealt with, you're the first with temerity enough to open their own gate and step out of it. Does the very notion of patience elude you? No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber."

"Student...?" I said in confusion.

"You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until I open them before waking up."

"So those coffins are like... gateways?" This was just getting stranger and stranger.

"The design is intended to symbolize a parting with your former world and a rebirth into a new one. But now is not the time for such prattle. You've a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste."

I stared at him. "First, just tell me one thing: Where am I?"

The man frowned. "Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories... Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless."

"Looks like I've got to choice..." I sighed as I followed him outside.

The man cleared his throat. "This is Night Raven College. It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland. And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as headmage."

"Magic?!" I exclaimed. There was no way this was real. And what was Twisted Wonderland?

"Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college. Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those 'gates,' which can appear anywhere. A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you."

"I do kinda remember crossing a dark forest..."

"That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bears a gate that connects to this campus. And as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition.

I stared at him. "Uh, a time-honored tradition WHERE?"

"Now, let us attend to your orientation." We returned to the room where I had first awakened. Now it was filled with students all grouped together. Some of the students were complaining about where the headmage had run off too. "If you must know, I was searching for the new student who'd failed to show for orientation." Crowley turned to me. "You are the only one who has yet to be assigned a dorm. Step up to the Dark Mirror, and be quick about it. I'll watch your weasel."

I swallowed hard. "O-Okay. Although he's not mine..." I still had no idea what was going on, but I figured the best thing to do was go along with it. I stepped up to the large mirror, flinching when a mask appeared with familiar green fire around it.

"State your name," said the Mirror.

"I'm Ona..." I tugged at my necklace out of habit. It consisted of puka shells all around it and a pretty, brown cone shell at the bottom.

The face in the mirror stared at me for a long moment before speaking. "The nature of your soul is... unclear to me."

"What did you just say?" said Crowley.

"I sense no magical power from this one. Soundless. Colorless. Shapeless. Utterly vacant. Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate."

A large gasp broke throughout the crowd. My palms began to sweat. I did not like being the center of attention. "Are you suggesting that the black carriage went to receive a person who cannot even use magic? But that is absurd! The student selection process has not erred once in its century of existence! How could this have happened?"

"Furthermore, even if this one did have magic... She is a girl."

"What?!"

Now everyone was really yammering. Looking around at the students, I realized that each one was male. This was a boys' school? Uh oh... I took a nervous step back.

"ME!" Grim exclaimed, finally getting out of Crowley's grasp. "Let ME have this student's seat!"

"Not so fast, you hyperactive weasel!" said Crowley.

Grim dodged his grasp. "Unlike that human, I can actually use magic! So let me be a student here! Look, I'll show you! My spells're the cat's meow!" He took in a deep breath.

"Everyone, get down!" shouted a boy with red hair just before Grim let out a wave of flames.

"AHHHHH!" a boy with red eyes screamed. "HELP! I'm on fire over here!"

"Someone catch that blasted animal before it sets the entire school ablaze!" Crowley said.

I proceeded to watch as some of the older boys chased Grim around the room. Finally, they cornered him. "Off With Your Head!" the red haired buy declared, and a strange collar appeared around the creature's neck.

"What are you doing?!" Grim exclaimed.

"The Queen of Heart's Rule 23: 'One must never bring a cat to a formal affair.' Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately."

"But I ain't a cat either! Don't try to collar me! I'll burn it right off!" Grim created fire, but the collar remained. "Huh...? Wh-what gives? My fire ain't workin'!"

"Until I deign to remove that collar, you won't be using any magic. You're naught but a pet cat now."

"M-meo-WHAT?! I ain't nobody's pet-NOTHING!"

"Oh, you've nothing to worry about there. I certainly have no interest in having you as a pet. The collar will disappear once you're removed from campus."

"Good show as always, Riddle," said a boy with glasses. "You're signature spell locks down any magic. It's quite handy. I've just GOT to have it—ah, I mean, I've just got to have respect for it."

Crowley sighed and turned to me. "Ona! Was I not clear that you are expected to take responsibility for your familiar? Now discipline your—"

"No, you've got it all wrong!" I said, waving my hands in a negative motion.

"What's that? It isn't yours?"

"I've never seen that creature before in my life!"

Crowley frowned. "Oh... Is that so?" He cleared his throat. "Then I shall have it expelled from campus. I shall even spare it from being served as dinner. My, but I AM kind. Someone take this away, please."

"Nooooo!" Grim cried as one of the students grabbed him by the collar. "Let me gooooo! You fools better remember my name! Cause I'm gonna go down in the annals of magic history! Just you wait!

"I feel kind of sorry for him," I said to myself. I wondered what was up with him. Then again, what was up with anyone in the so-called school?

"Well, that was quite the unexpected fracas," Crawley said. "I hereby declare that orientation has concluded. Housewardens, please escort your students back to the dorms." After some discussion about a missing housewarden, he turned back to me. "Well, Ona. This is a most unfortunate turn of events. I'm afraid that you will not be attending Night Raven Collage after all."

"I'll try not to be too disappointed," I muttered. I just wanted to go home.

"Surely you realize that I cannot very well admit a student with no magical ability to my academy. But worry not. The Dark Mirror will see you safely home. Now, step into the gate, and visualize the place you whence you came."

I let out a breath of relief. "Phew..." I stepped up to the mirror with the strange face.

"O Dark Mirror! Return this soul to where it belongs!" We waited, but nothing appeared in the mirror. Crowley appeared a bit shaken, which was not encouraging. "L-let us, er...try this again. O Dark Mirror! Return this soul—"

"There is no such place," said the Mirror.

"What?"

"There is no place in this world where this soul belongs. None."

"How can that be? My, but today is a veritable cavalcade of impossible phenomena!"

I held in a sigh. "I don't think impossible means what you think it does." I didn't belong anywhere in this world? So, I somehow traveled worlds? This sounded like something out of one of my dad's sci-fi movies. How was this happening to me?

"This has never happened throughout my long tenure. I must confess that I am at something of a loss." Crowley looked at me anxiously. "Tell me: From what land do you hail?"

I blinked. Land? "Sure. I'm from Poipu, Kaui, Hawaii, the United States of America."

Crowley frowned. "I'm afraid I am not familiar with such a place. I am intimately acquainted with the origins of every student who has ever come here, and yet... This mysterious homeland of your eludes me. Let us go to the library and look it up, shall we?"

I nodded. "I guess we have no choice." So, I followed the strange man outside in the hopes of discovering just what had gone wrong.