Help is Arriving (Very Slowly)
Wonderland Grove
In the center of the Wonderland Grove was a gazebo where anyone could sit and enjoy the sights and scents of the floral that inhabited the grove. Sadly, it was not being used for that. Lizzie Hearts, daughter Queen of Hearts, and co-ruler of Wonderland was currently in the gazebo crying her heart out. She had been betrayed not once, not twice, but three times since she arrived at Ever After.
First Daring the boy, she thought she was slowly developing feelings for even though he was destined to be Apple's prince was a huge ginormous flirt, Second Darling his sister, she would always ask Lizzie about Wonderland. At first, Lizzie thought it was out of curiosity about her home, only to find out Darling was the White Knight all along and has been going to Wonderland freely under her and her fellow Wonderlanders noses. Third was Apple, Lizzie admired Apple for her leadership skills and actually believed her when she said if they followed their pre-destined paths everything would workout. God, she was such a fool! Not only did Apple free the Evil Queen, the woman responsible for the Wonderland curse, she lied to her. All that Royal bullshit about following your destiny. How could she be the future Queen of Hearts without Wonderland? And then there was Headmaster Grimm, Lizzie didn't know where to begin with him!
Lizzie was hurt, upset, and betrayed. All she wanted to do was go back home to Wonderland where she truly belonged.
"Lizzie!" Lizzie turned to see a rabbit hole opening up to reveal a bunny Bunny, a cat Kitty, both in Alistair's arms.
Lizzie ran towards her friends and collapsed into them as she cried into Alistair's chest. Bunny and Kitty poofed back into their human forms and embraced Lizzie.
"They lied to us!" Lizzie bellowed as tears ran down her face ruining her makeup, snot running down her face, and spirit broken.
"We know." Kitty spoke softly as she stroked Lizzie's head.
"I can't believe it." Bunny whined as she clutched onto Lizzie. " We could've gone home this whole time, but Darling kept quiet about it!"
"Everyone thought we were lying when we had the Storybook of Legends, we had to adjust to life and school at Ever After, we haven't seen you gals for a whole year, Bunny and I didn't get to say goodbye to our families." Alistair spoke in disbelief as he clutched the girls tighter.
Despite how firmly he held his friends, how tall he stood while they clung to him, Alistair was afraid. He was afraid when Kitty's mom sent Bunny and him to Ever After High, he was afraid when nobody believed them about the Storybook of Legends, He was afraid when they found out they couldn't return home, now he was afraid of how much Raven was planning on releasing the Evil Queen.
"That's it!" Lizzie shouted as she broke free from the group hug. " When I see Apple, Daring, Darling, and Headmaster Grimm again it will be off with their heads!"
To empathize her point Lizzie did the slit throat gesture.
"Isn't that a bit much, Lizzie?" Bunny questioned nervously at her friend's gesture and mental state.
"After being tricked, lied to, and made fools of I say it's not enough." Kitty agreed with Lizzie.
"True, but what about Raven?" Bunny questioned. "Headmaster Grimm has poisoned her and she needs our help! Maybe Apple can-"
"For all we know Apple may have been assisting him this whole time!" Lizzie shouted. " Royal this, Royal that, follow your destiny shit! She was probably in on it the whole fuckin time!"
*WHOOSH*
A sound came out of nowhere and yet somewhere. It was extremely loud, yet faint. The best way to describe it is the quirt before the storm.
"What was that sound?" Kitty cried out as she and Bunny covered their ears.
"Look!" Alistair shouted as he pointed towards the sky.
In the distance a neon purple light began to phasing through the school.
"What's happening?" Bunny cried out terrified of what she was witnessing.
"I don't know. But we need to get out of here." Kitty said.
"Bunny, we need to get to the Mad Hatter!" Alistair told Bunny.
Bunny nodded poofed into her bunny form and dug a tunnel to the Mad Hatter. The other Wonderlanders quickly jumped down the rabbit hole avoiding the purple light as it passed by and continued its path to engulf the school grounds.
Village of Bookend
After the televised event the Village of Bookend was in disarray! Carriages were in stuffed with people heading into traffic, stores were being looted, villagers ran around screaming mad, and others hunkered down.
Wonderland Haberdashery & Tea Shoppe
In the mist a chaos a small lighthouse of hope appeared.
"Here you go my good lady. Enough tea and treats for your family." Hatthew aka the Mad Hatter handed a young woman a box full of tea and treats.
"Thank you!" The young woman took the box and got the heck out of dodge.
Within seconds the tea shoppe was surrounded by people trying to supply food for their families and no matter how utterly desperate or completely rude the person was the Mad Hatter lended a hand to help.
After his daughter Maddie, Lizzie, Kitty, Mrs. Her Majesty the White Queen, Prof. Card, and himself had to flee from Wonderland due to the Evil Queens curse the Village of Bookend and Ever After High welcomed them with open arms and he would return the favor.
"Sir?" A Gingerbread worker cried out. "We're running low on scones, cucumber sandwiches, and lemon iced tea!"
"Nonsense, I made extra!" The Mad Hatter said shaking his head. "I'll get em."
The Mad Hatter rushed into the shoppe to get more supplies letting his happy facade fade. He slowly gathered everything as his heart worried for his daughter and her friends.
" My sweet Madeline, please be safe." Hatthew spoke as a single tear ran down the side of his face.
*Scratch Noises*
A small hole appeared on the floor until four Wonderlanders crawled out of the rabbit hole. Hatthew ran to them and hugged them tightly as if he was going to lose them and they hugged him back just the same.
" I saw and know everything that had happened." Hatthew spoke sadly.
" Mr. Hatter, we have to get out of here! Something is happening at Ever After High and it'll soon affect us!" Lizzie explained.
"We can't leave, Lizzie, they need our help. And where can we go?" Hatthew questioned.
Suddenly the ground began to shake, teacups and teapots began to smash on the floor (even the flying ones), the doors to other worlds began to slam open and shut, and outside the shoppe - total chaos!
Lizzie, Kitty, Alistair, Bunny, and the Mad Hatter ran out of the tea shoppe. Only to be greeted by an unusual sight (even for them.)
The evening sky was now a dark shade of purple and black, objects started to float in mid-air, and a mixture of blood red lightning and northern lights flashed into the sky carriages full of people speeding away, and Ever After High floating in mid-air.
"By my great-grandmother's sugar bowl what in Wonder and Underland is going on?" The Mad Hatter spoke in fear as he stared into the sky.
"GET BACK INSIDE!" Lizzie screamed as she pushed everyone inside with all her strength and locked the door.
Lizzie, Alistair, Bunny, and the workers began taking the chairs and tables to barricade the door and windows as Kitty comforted the Mad Hatter.
The Mad Hatter had a thousand-yard stare as the color in his face began to drain. Kitty grabbed a near tablecloth and wrapped it around him as he mumbled.
"What?" Kitty questioned.
"The roses once white are red, the oyster bed has dried up, and the guillotine blades demand a queen for a head." The Mad Hatter answered.
Kitty had never heard the Mad Hatter speak so morbid in all her nine lives; she knew this wasn't good.
Enchanted Forest
Duchess had flown to her favorite lake in Enchanted Forest as soon as her webbed swan feet touch the surface of the water she transformed into her human form and wept.
All her life Duchess knew her fate was destined to be a sadly ever after whether she turned into a swan forever, died from suicide, drowning with her prince, or some other cruel twist of fate. But this- this was cruel!
Not only was she doomed to have a horrid fate, but she had also been used to replace another student's destiny. Not just any student's destiny, but the future evil queen's destiny? What the fuck man?
She did everything to get a happily ever after: kept her grades up (even in the villainous classes), became the best dancer in the school (rivaling Justine and her sisters), and tried to steal other princesses' destinies (mostly Apple, Ashlynn, and Briar). Only to get nothing in the end.
"It's just not fair!" Duchess screamed out as she thrashed the water, began pulling out reeds, and stomped in the muddy water not caring if her dress was being ruined.
Duchess continued her tantrum for a good bit as her face was red, mascara tears ran streamed down her cheeks, hair frazzled, and her dress was damp, muddy, and torn in places. She soon as her tantrum was over with, she sat pitifully near the edge of the lake.
Her cries had died out, heartbeat slowed down, and head hurting. Duchess took a couple of deep breathes before she stood up. Duchess wobbled as she walked out of the water not sure and not caring where she was going. The pain she was feeling made her not care where she was or where she was going.
Or care to look up at the changing sky that had Ever After High floating.
Swamp
"Hopper?"
Ginger chased Hopper throughout the school until they were outside in the swamp.
"Hopper. Hopper, please come out!" Ginger shouted as she walked through the marsh.
Ginger tracked through the swamp water, her dress getting snagged on loose branches, and the occasional mosquito bites. She would not stop until she found Hopper Croaking the Third.
*BZZ*
"Drake!" Ginger cried out in joy as she noticed the dragonfly. "Drake, help me find, Hopper."
Drake nodded and started to zip out of sight.
"Wait for me!" Ginger shouted as she tried to catch up with the dragon fly.
(Still in the Swamp)
'Ginger's kiss broke my wish?' Hopper had pondered as he sat on top of a lily pad.
Hopper knew that by being a prince of the 'Frog Prince' story that one day he would be turned into a frog, get a true loves kiss from a princess, and live happliy ever after. This whole time he thought it was Briar's kiss that returned him to normal, believing that it was a sign that she was falling for him, and maybe it was a 'true loves' kiss.
But, now? He found out it wasn't a princess's kiss that broke his curse it was a witch's kiss, the future candy witch for the 'Hansel and Gretal' story. Hopper couldn't believe or understand it.
"How could this be." Hopper spoke in an elegant tone as he hopped from one lily pad to another. " Could it be that this whole time I've been chasing after the wrong maiden? That I was so blinded by the idea of being in love that I never noticed the affections of one who has been in front of my eyes this whole time?"
Hopper remembered all the times Ginger would give him a kind smile after helping her with her show 'Spells Kitchen', how she would offer him a sweet treat like those lollipops with bugs in the center of them, and how she lied about Briar returning him to normal to spare his feelings.
"I must go to her." Hopper said as he began swimming with all his might back to the school.
With his strong legs and rapid speed Hopper was halfway towards the school as he got closer to the edge of the Enchanted Forest that lead to one of the school's many entrances.
"All right, Hopper, old boy." Hopper spoke to himself. " Inside this school of polished marble is the maiden who loves you. Though she is not the traditional princess or damsel-in-distress, she has expressed true love for you on more than one occasion. Even if I'm not her destined prince, I will -AAHH! "
*WHOOSH*
A sound came out of nowhere and yet somewhere. It was extremely loud, yet faint. The best way to describe it is the quirt before the storm. And a huge neon light was phasing through the school and went through Hopper knocking him off the stairs into a soft bed of grass.
Hopper felt a tingly sensation throughout his body when the light went through him, as Hopper slowly look up to see the light that hit him disappeared as soon as it made contact with the Enchanted Forest.
"What did my eyes just witness?" Hopper asked himself as he rubbed his head.
"HOPPER!"
Hopper turned to see Ginger riding a pretzel broomstick with Drake by her side.
"Hopper, there you are!" Ginger said as she got off her pretzel broomstick and scooped Hopper up in her hands.
"Ginger, I must confess something." Hopper spoke.
"Just a sec, let me turn you back into your human form." Ginger interrupted as she kissed Hopper's forehead only for him to remain in his frog form.
"What?!" Hopper cried out.
"Maybe I did it wrong." Ginger kissed his right cheek, then his left, then the back of his head, and his forehead again.
There was no cloud of pink smoke that 'poofed' and turned the green frog into a gangly red-haired teen boy.
"What's happening to me?" Hopper croaked as his webbed fingers shaked. " This has never happened before!"
*RUMBLE*
The ground began to shake as an earthquake knocked Ginger off her feet as she clutched Hopper tighter. Ginger curled herself into a ball protect Hopper and Drake from what was to come. As the ground continued to shake the sounds of rocks cracking and pipes being ripped off were heard. Ginger uncoiled herself letting Drake and Hopper go so they can witness that the ground was beginning to float.
"AAHHH!" Ginger and Hopper screamed as they were now a good distance from the ground and getting higher.
"Hold on, boys." Ginger said holding the two in one hand as she grabbed the broomstick with the other. "We're so out of here."
" Not so fast."
Ginger's hand was grabbed by Orc Boy and the Bob Cut Girl from her home evilnomics class, with the littliest pig from 'Three Little Pigs' (for some reason).
"Ginger, your presence is requested by Queen Raven." The Littlest Pig said in a noble tone.
"Don't you mean, Raven Queen?" Ginger corrected him.
"No, Queen Raven." Bob Cut Girl corrected her. "And she wants to see you ASAP."
"No, let me go!" Ginger cried out as both evil teens tried to pull her away.
"Let her go you fiends!" Hopper said as he darted his tounge out and it hit the Bob Cut Girl's eye.
"AHH!" Bob Cut Girl cried out in pain as she ran into Orc Boy causing him to release Ginger.
Ginger clutched Hopper and her pretzel broom, ready to take off.
"Not so fast!" Ginger felt something grab her foot, causing the pretzel broomstick to snap and fly off with Hopper on it.
"Ginger! Gin-Ginger! G-G-G-IN-GER!" Hopper shouted as clutched the broken pretzel broom as it zipped and zagged through the sky until he and Drake were out of sight.
"Hopper!" Ginger screamed as she witnessed Hopper and Drake's departure.
Ginger began to weep as she clutched the fabric of her tattered dress and squeezed her hands tight until they bruised, eyes red, and soul crushed as she watch her crush disappear. In her despair Ginger didn't notice the three teens that loomed around her.
"We've wasted enough time, it's time to face the queen." The Littlest Pig said. " Dun, dun, dun! "
The Orc Boy and Bob Cut Girl dragged Ginger by her wrist towards the entrance of the school to Ginger's doom as The Littlest Pig followed behind.
Enchanted Forest (Elsewhere)
Despite the events that just happened the Enchanted Forest was peaceful, serene, and tranquil.
"I'm an absolute mess!" Apple cried out as she walked towards the lake to get a better view of herself.
She was covered in rotten fruit and trash. The last time she was covered in this much filth was during the Next Top Villian/ Princessology assignment. The assignment was for the princesses to ride their horses from start to finish through a crowd of happy 'villagers' and angry 'villagers'.
"A princess must always be prepared," Mrs. Her Majesty The White Queen said during the first day of training.
"One never knows which way the wind may blow. One day you're beloved, the next day you're despised."
"Boy, she wasn't kidding." Apple said to herself as she tossed a banana peel off herself.
Apple could feel her popularity from her mother's poll dwindle, but what made her fell so low was how she abandoned her friends, again. As Apple walked towards one of the Enchanted Forests many lakes, she saw her reflection. She looked nothing like herself; covered in trash, outfit only slightly tattered if you were looking in the right places, and a miserable frown on her face as she fell to her knees.
Breaburn appeared behind Apple, with her scales covered in trash.
"Oh no!" Apple cried. "I forgot you got pelted with rubbish too!"
Apple took out a pink handkerchief with white lace trimming and dabbed it into the lake water and began to clean Breaburn. Once, spotless Breaburn licked Apple's cheek cleaning her of the rotten fruit.
"Heh, heh, thanks girl." Apple laughed.
Apple looked at her reflection again to see that she was clean and polished (outfit still slightly tattered), but she still a miserable frown on her face.
"I really fucked up, didn't I?" Apple spoke.
Breaburn gave the dragon equivalent of a gasp. Apple White just swore!
"I put the world in danger, let my friends down, and betrayed Raven. AGAIN!" Apple shouted, waving her arms in the air before they collapsed to her sides. "What do I do?"
Apple felt so alone. So couldn't call her mother knowing she saw everything, or Briar, Ashlynn, or Blondie, and she knew calling the Charmings was a huge no-no. Half of Ever After High probably hated her guts right now.
Suddenly, Apple felt a nudge at her spine making her get up. When she turned around and she saw that Breaburn was standing grand and tall with a determined look on her face. Apple understood, she wasn't going to fight this alone.
"Okay let's go back." Apple said as Breaburn lowered herself so Apple could mount her.
*WHOOSH*
A sound came out of nowhere and yet somewhere. It was extremely loud, yet faint. The best way to describe it is the quirt before the storm.
"What was that?" Apple gasped at what she heard. "What is that?!"
Apple and Breaburn watched a huge neon light phasing through the school and look like it was heading their way. Apple quickly mounted Breaburn and they took off into the sky that was no longer sky blue. The evening sky was now a dark shade of purple and black and a mixture of blood red lightning and northern lights flashed into the sky: Apple tried to steer Breaburn through the strange storm, but the poor dragon was scared out of her scales.
"Bring us down, Breaburn!" Apple commanded as they flew down away from the thunder and lightning.
Apple and Breaburn thought the best course of action was to trek through the Enchanted Forest. As they continued their trek thunder and blood red lightning illuminated the sky, the wind began to blow an old Winter's air instead of fresh and warm Spring air, and raindrops began to hlt the two like bullets that were on fire. It took them three hours until they found shelter in a cave. The cave appeared to be deep so the two stayed near the mouth of the cave, stalactites dripped water down towards the stalagmites and small pools below, and glowing mushrooms illuminated the cave.
" I guess we'll be here for the night." Apple said as she placed some wood she gathered through the trek to form a campfire as Breaburn lit it.
Apple pulled out a blanket, water, and granola bars to serve as her and Breaburn's dinner. As she munched on her granola bar she took out her mirrorphone to see any news of the events that had just happened only to find no signal. After, a good hour or two of watching the rain fall the two were asleep. Apple was wrapped up in her blanket and Breaburn cuddled around Apple to keep her warm.
Apple's thoughts before going to sleep was that they were so deep in the Enchanted Forest and it was raining so hard that she couldn't see the school if she wanted to or not. Out in the distance beyond the cave, the rain, and the Enchanted Forest was Ever After High floating in mid-air.
Charming Castle
Darling's room
Darling was pacing back and forth as the heels of her shoes clicked. Darling knew she was in deep shit trouble: not only was her secret revealed that she had been masquerading a boy, taking hero's training classes, been sneaking out of school, had been to Wonderland multiple times, has been a heroine this whole time, and is most likely Apple's prince(ss) charming!
Despite how Darling felt she knew Dexter was in an even worse position! Their whole family knew about his crush on Raven Queen. Darling stopped her pacing and sat down on the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees and started to whimper. If her mother were here, she'd scold Darling for sitting on the ground like some common commoner, posture not straight, and for looking so pathetic.
*SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK*
Darling's train of thought was broken when she heard a squeaking sound. Darling walked down her turret staircase to see Mr. Cottonhorn.
"Mr. Cottonhorn!" Darling cried out as she picked up the jackalope from Dexter's infinity scarf. "What are you doing here and where is Dexter?"
As soon as Mr. Cottonhorn was free from the scarf he hopped up the staircase with Darling behind him. Mr. Cottonhorn jumped on Darling's desk snatched a piece of paper and a feather quill and began writing until he was done and handed the note to Darling.
Darling read the note explain how her father disowned Dexter and that he has just ran away to Ever After High to save Raven.
"No. He can't- I- I gotta go find him! I gotta- OOF!" Darling felt as if she just ran into a brick wall- made out of fur and warmth?
Suddenly, Sir Gallopad appeared out of the blue.
"Sir Gallopad!" Darling hugged her friend. "We need to go find Dexter!"
Darling went behind her elegant room divider to change out of her frou frou dress and fancy jewelry. She came out wearing her Dragon Games outfit with her hair tied in the back with her favorite sword in hand.
"All right, boys." Darling said. "let's go -oh!"
"Going somewhere?" Charity raised an eyebrow with her arms cross.
"Charity? I-I can explain," Darling began. "Dad just disowned Dexter and he's about to go on a suicide mission to save Raven."
Charity didn't speak. Her lips were pursed, arms still crossed, and a face that could win a poker game in Las Vegas.
"Please, Charity." Darling pleaded. " Don't rat me out my brother and my friends need me. Things are going get worse if I don't help, please."
Charity remained silent.
"You're right. Things are going to get worse" Charity stated in-a-matter-of-fact tone.
Darling panicked; this was the end of her journey before it began. She failed to save her brother, she was no hero, she was a fraud.
"Things are going to get worse." Charity agreed as she pulled out a sack that looked stuff. " That is why I packed you an emergency kit, some snacks, and a map to get back to Ever After High."
Darling stared at Charity in disbelief.
"Charity, why are you helping me, why aren't you ratting me out?" Darling questioned.
"Dexter and you didn't rat me out for the 'changeling incident' during the family reunion. You both could've since the changeling was super dangerous, but you didn't. Besides you're family and family doesn't turn on each other." Charity answered.
Darling didn't know what to say, but she did wrap her cousin in a hug.
"Thank you, Charity." Darling thanked her cousin.
"Thank me after you save the day." Charity hugged her cousin back.
*NEIGH*
*SQUEAK*
The Charming girls were alerted by Sir Gallopad and Mr. Cottonhorn as they pulled out the White Knight armor from out of Darling's closet.
" I better suit up." Darling said as the armor split in half revealing limb enhancers that allowed Darling to move the suit with ease.
Darling mounted herself on top of Sir Gallopad with Mr. Cottonhorn in her bookbag.
"Oh, Darling, one more thing." Charity spoke as Darling turned towards her. " Tell Dexter, that even though I don't care for fiction I want to hear his story about the prince charming falling in love with the evil queen's daughter."
Darling gave a nod as Sir Gallopad turned the three invisible and despite not seeing them Charity knew they were gone. Charity felt a lump in her throat and chest tightened. Charity rested her hands over her beating heart and her eyes watered.
"Good luck."
Charming Castle
Daring's Room
Daring was pacing back and forth as the heels of his shoes clicked (deju vu). Daring fucked up, he absolutely truly fucked up!
At that moment Daring wished he could back and time and never revealed his brother's crush on Raven. That was Dexter's truth to tell, especially because that was someone he clearly had feelings for.
Now the whole world knew! All the towns, villages, cities, kingdoms, queendoms, and the one ruled by his father.
What could Dexter and their father be talking about that was taking them so long? Was father mad, hurt, disappointed?
Daring knew how his father disapproved of the Rebel movement, thought it was a disgrace to centuries of traditions. But to find out that one of his sons was in love with the Rebel leader would lead to disaster.
'All my life I've been told to be like you, that I'm second best, and that I'm not a real Charming!
That was the last thing Dexter said to him before accidently revealing his crush on Raven. It never occurred to him how Dexter was treated their both parents. Daring tried to recall in his memories of when their parents included Dexter in their activities. Only to go deep in his mind palace to realize the time they truly were a family was his ten and Dexter and Darling were nine.
Actually, it was after his tenth birthday when his father told him he was getting older and his training to not only be a prince charming, but to be The Prince Charming began. Dad did include Dexter at first, but he wasn't as skilled or as strong as Daring. Dexter would repeatedly be scolded while Daring continued to be praised. Over the years it felt as if the sun was beaming down on Daring bathing him in light and warmth, while the shadow he casted landed on Dexter leaving him cold and unwanted.
Now that he knew that he was no longer the future Snow White's prince and that it was his own damn fault his face got rekt, for the first time in forever he felt alone.
"NO!"
Daring stood tall fist clenched. He didn't quit when Mira Shards aka The Evil Queen took over the school during the Dragon Games, He didn't quit when he got turned into a furry and assisted in stopping the world from freezing, and he sure as heck wasn't going to quit now!
Daring slammed his door open only to be greeted by Charity.
Actually, greeted isn't the word to use in that situation- it was more of a they ran into each other at the most awkward of times. Both looked like they got caught while doing something sneaky.
"What 'cha doing?" Daring asked awkwardly.
"Nothing!" Charity answered equally awkward. "Where are you going?"
Daring let his shoulders slump.
" I'm going to apologize to Dexter." Dexter answered. "It's the least I could do, after I put him in this horrible situation."
" You don't know he's gone!" Charity gasped before covering her mouth.
"What? Dexter's gone?!" Daring shouted as Charity covered his mouth with her hand and pushed him back into his room.
"Shut up or we'll both get caught!" Charity scolded her cousin.
"No! Where's Dexter?" Daring raised his voice.
"He went back to Ever After High." Charity admitted.
"What?" Daring questioned before a whisper. "How? Dad wouldn't allow him to -"
"Dexter was disowned." Charity cut Daring off.
Daring didn't say a word as Charity continued.
"Darling found out too, she left to go find Dexter." Charity continued.
"When?" Daring asked as his voice began to shake. "When did they leave."
"Darling left an hour ago." Charity answered in a squeaky voice. "I don't know when Dexter left, though."
Daring was shocked as he clutched his mouth, fell to his knees, and tears streamed down his face. Charity wrapped her arms around her cousin saying comforting words despite them doing nothing to ease Daring's pain.
"It's all my fault." Daring cried. "I hurt my Dexter, I'm a horrible brother. This hurts!"
"It's okay, Daring." Charity said rubbing circles into Daring's back.
"No really, this hurts!" Daring got out of Charity's embrace and rushed to his vanity mirror to see the glowing purple scar on his left cheek.
"Jesus H. Christ!" Charity gasped. "What magic did Raven use on you?"
"I obviously deserve it." Daring admitted.
" Prince Daring," A voice of one of the butlers spoke. "Permission to come in."
"No! I mean no." Daring corrected himself.
"Very well, sir." The butler answered. "Just so you know dinner has been delayed and will be ready in twenty minutes." The butler said as he walked away with his heels clicking the floor.
"I need to get out of here." Daring said. "I can't let Dexter and Darling fight this battle alone!"
"Good, let's get you packed up." Charity as she pulled out a duffle bag as Daring filled it with clothes, money, snacks, and his beauty products.
"Really?" Charity hissed as she witnessed Daring stuffing most of the bag with his face cream and hairspray.
"What?" Daring question innocently. " The doctors told me to put the cream on my scar daily and besides my shiny teeth I'm nothing without my golden loches of hair."
"Fine." Charity gave a defeated shy as she grabbed Daring. "Come on."
Charity and Daring made their way to the guest room that Charity was staying in, avoiding the maids and butlers. Like all the rooms in the (main) Charming Castle the rooms had different shades of blue. The sleeping quarters had canopy beds, elegant furniture, and a charming view of the mountains.
"Why are we in your guest room?" Daring question looking around the room.
"Follow me." Charity said as she crawled under her bed with her mirror phone's flashlight on.
"Charity, what on God's green earth are you doing?" Daring gasped watching his cousin act like a child than a Charming teenager.
"Just trust me, okay?" Charity spoke for some reason it sounded like she was in another room. "And turn your mirror phone's flashlight on."
Daring did as instructed and crawled under the bed to see a hole at the bottom of the floor with a light coming through it. He crawled toward it to see a stone staircase. As soon as Daring was able to stop crawling down the stairs and started to walk down them.
"Charity, what is this?" Daring asked looking around where he was.
All around him was a giant mine filled with precious stones that illuminated the place and staircases made of stone.
"I believe this was where our ancestors used this mine for jewelry before they weren't deemed 'charming' enough for us, then it became a secret passageway for ancestors to sneak in and out of the castle." Charity answered as she lead the way. " I thought it was a medieval torture chamber the first time I found this place, only to find out that it's actually located under your parents' room."
"GROSS!" Daring hissed in disgust as his face turned red.
"Not that kinda torture room, Daring!" Charity hissed back. "I meant the one's where they kill people."
"Sadly, that doesn't make me feel any better." Daring spoke.
"Stop!" Charity paused. "We're here."
In front of them was a wooden wall with little space at the bottom to crawl under which the teens did. They were now scuffed, clothing dirty and cut, and covered with dirt. Once outside Daring notice they were on the outskirts of the village of the kingdom.
"How did we get out here so fast?" Daring question.
"Beats me." Charity answered. "I usual used that mine to get my reading done."
"Well, I guess this is goodbye for now." Daring said as tightened his grip on the duffel bag.
"Are you crazy?!" Charity yelled. "You can't leave like that!"
"No, I meant you can't walk around like Daring Charming son of King Charming, you idiot!" Charity facepalmed herself. "Half of Ever After is most likely on our asses after what happened. We don't know who's friend or foe."
"Oh!" Daring exclaimed.
"Take this." Charity handed him a cloak that was aged, torn, and filthy.
Daring groaned in disgust but put the thing on.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye, until I come back." Daring said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Charity hugged Daring tightly.
"Bring Dexter and Darling back safely." Charity said as tears began run down her cheeks.
"We'll be back, I promise." Daring answered as he let go of Charity.
Daring watched as Charity crawled back under the wooden wall and out of sight. Daring made his way as he saw the lights of village and his family castle in the mountains. Daring walked a good distance until he was at a clearing and took out his mirrorphone to see how far he had to go until he was back at Ever After High. Only to find out on foot he had twelve hours to go.
"God, it's moments like this that make me wish I had wings, could teleport, or a dra-aaahhh!" Daring let out a scream as he was snatched out in thin air.
The only trace of Daring being there was his mirrorphone left on the grass as it began to ring.
Message from Mom:
Daring! Dexter! Darling!
Where are you?!
On the Road
Gordon's carriage van
Dexter and Gordon were a good distance away from Ever After High as they drove down an old dirt road. Along the way the two would sing along to Gorden's CD collection, Gorden would tell hilarious stories that happened at Grandpa Auspicious and Grandma Alluring's castle, and would talk about nonsense. Dexter both hated and enjoyed this. Dexter felt so relaxed around Gorden and here he was dragging him into something that might endanger him; that wasn't right!
"Damn! I can barely see the dirt road!" Gordan cried out.
It was true, the old dirt road didn't have any form of lighting except for the headlights of Gorden's headlights.
"Yeah." Dexter agreed. "I know the forest is usually dark at night, but this is black hole dark."
Gorden and Dexter sat in silence as the last song in Gorden's CD played.
"Well, that's the end of that album." Dexter said carefully putting the CD back in its case. "Where's the next CD."
"There is no next CD." Gorden chuckled. "We played all them three times now."
"What, are you sure?" Dexter exclaimed as he shuffled through the CDs. "Maybe we can play them a third time."
"I'd love to Dex, but even I can only listen to the same song a couple of times." Gorden said as he was fidgiting with his radio. "Besides I should find out what the weather is llke."
*THUNDERCLAP*
Speak of the devil, thunder and blood red lightning illuminated the sky, the wind began to blow an old Winter's air instead of fresh and warm Spring air, and raindrops began to hlt the carriage like bullets that were on fire.
"On second thought, listening to the weather sounds like a good idea." Dexter said as he tried finding a weather station.
No matter how much Dexter turned the dial only static was heard on each radio station only for a few words to be said like:
Stay.
Evil.
High.
Danger.
Away.
Queen.
"Can't get a signal." Dexter said trying to find anohter station.
"If push comes to shove we may need to find a motel or inn." Gorden said trying to drive straight. "Hopefuuly we're not too far from-"
*BOOM*
A tire burst as Gorden tried to swerve the carriage until the side hit a tree.
"Crap!" Gorden exclaimed as he punched the steering wheels horn.
Both got out of the carriage to see what damage was done.
"Shit!" Gorden cursed.
All four wheels of the carriage were busted and there was a dent on the door were the tree hit.
"Don't worry, Gorden. I'll call for a tow carriage." Dexter said as he took out his mirrorphone. "No service, probably because of this storm."
"Eh, no biggie." Gorden said as he took out equipment from his trunk. "I'll have us back on the road in a jiffy."
Now was Dexter's chance while Gorden fixed the carriage he could sneak away.
"Hey, Gorden, I gotta go to the little prince's room." Dexter said.
"No problem, just stay close to the carriage." Gorden said as he pulled out a monkey wrench, a screwdriver, and a plunger.
Dexter slowly walked a good eight steps away from the carriage making sure Gorden was more preoccupied with the carriage than him. Then he made a run for it.
A few moments later
Dexter had to be a good two miles away from the carriage now. He really hoped Gorden wouldn't notice and would just return to Charming Castle. Dexter pulled out his mirror phone and by luck it was working. And it told him he would be at Ever After High School in three hours - by car.
"Crap." Dexter cursed as he put 'how far on foot'. "Six hours on foot, gort- OOF!"
Dexter felt as if the wind was knocked out of him as someone pinned him to a tree trunk.
"Dexter, stay down!" Dexter turned to see Gorden with his claws out, pupils slit, nostrals flared, and eye of a tiger ready to attack their prey.
"Gorden?" Dexter squeaked.
Gorden didn't answer instead his head darted in many directions as if he was looking for something. It seemed whatever Gorden was looking for was gone as he claws retracked and his slit pupils returned to normal.
"Dexterous!" Gorden hissed as he said Dexter's name. "The next time you take a piss don't walk a good ten miles!"
"I'm sorry, Gorden." Dexter apologized as Gorden helped him up.
"That's okay, but I gotta get you out of here, my carriage was sabotaged." Gorden said as he helped Dexter up.
"What do you mean?" Dexter said standing up.
"This caused my tires to blow up." Gorden said as he pulled out a spike strip.
"How?! Who would put a spike strip on a dirt road?" Dexter Questioned.
"Better to not find out now; let's go!" Gorden said.
*WHOOSH*
Something red flew pass them giving off a sweet floral scent.
"RUN!" Gorden shouted as he grabbed Dexter's hand as they ran off.
On cue more of the red things flew past them as the rain hit them like frozen bullets. The duo were a few steps away from the carriage until the scent overpowered them and Gorden was out like a light. Dexter was on his knees as the red things pelted him, in his few seconds of consciousness Dexter recognized the red things.
"Poppies!" Dexter shouted as his voice dripped and he too was out.
Before his eyes closed he saw shadowy figures that engulfed Gorden and him.
"Well, well, well. What do we go here?"
TO BE CONTINUED!
Well, I'm gonna end this chapter here! Sorry it took so long to submit, but I've been crazy busy and I'll be out of town visiting family so I wanted to finish this before hand. Also wanted to add more character's pov, but this was taking to long; so I'll add them in the next chapter(s). Good Night!