"It is vital for everyone to have a goal in their life to purse in the hopes of changing their lives or others for the good of it. While often pressured by others to follow their destine roads, they can be scared into it by themselves due to anxiety or others who believe they know what's good for them. Which has been happening as of late at Ever After High with the recent nightmares that people have been facing in the last several weeks. Whether it was hero, villain to that of princess and sidekick. The staff have been investigating the matter especially of what the reason for this was since Headmaster Grimm believes it's because of the students deciding to change their fate even if it's preordained by the storybook of legends. Whether or not it was true, the only one that hadn't been affected by it was Teela who was trying to figure this conundrum out for herself."
Morning-Eternia Village of Book End
With classes being on hold to look into the disturbance of nightmares happening at Ever After High. Most of the students decided to visit the local cafes to help ease their tensions as well gossip about the reasons behind this unnatural occurrence. Right now within the Hocus Latte was Teela, Raven, Orius and Maddie who were discussing the issue about what was happening with their friends.
"This nightmare nonsense has really put a damper on things around the school. Whenever I ask for a small tea party, they shriek in fear at the sight of either my snacks or teacups. And not in the fun way."
Maddie spoke out that while she hasn't had any nightmares due to her mad style personality and wonder like mind. The others around her weren't that fortunate since the nightmares they've been having which resulted each of their friends either failing classes or causing accidents.
"Shouldn't this be normal for enchanted citizens? There is a multitude of individuals who can make nightmares or creating fear, like Faybelle's mom. Rumplestiltskin, several of the witches who work in the kitchen. Even the Big Bad Wolf since he can scare the pants off anyone in school."
She listed numerous individuals who could invoke their classmates having nightmares and unable to do anything during the day. Raven shook her head at the response as she brought out her phone showing Teela and her friends that the teachers were having nightmares as well. This left the three to sigh at them not being the suspects in the matter.
"While I wouldn't mind it being our teachers since half of them like messing with our school lives. It could be Skeletor whose doing this, mostly because he hasn't used havoc to force people to join his group. Might be out of revenge."
Raven suggested that Adam's cousin now turned enemy would be doing this since she was the one responsible for interrupting his club meeting. Her response was shut down by Teela and Orius who brought out their phones showing the skeleton boy's crew being affected by the nightmares too. The video showed R'qazz acting fidgety and barking toward coach Gingerbread man to where he chased after him and attempting to eat him.
"What about Evelyn? The video isn't showing her having nightmares and just enjoying the panic that's happening around her."
Orius spoke out that despite Raven and Faybelle being daughters of powerful spellcasters. Evelyn who had her own magic with a mixture of havoc would be perfect for her to torment the school. His idea wasn't helpful as Teela showed her friend more of the video which showed the white haired witch acting aggressive and turning people to frogs around her if they tried to talk to her.
"Whether or not it's our classmates that behind or the faculty. I'm getting the blame for it since Headmaster Grimm believes it might be because of my powers affecting everyone. It gives him more of an excuse to force me into writing my name in the book."
Raven spoke out in annoyance that it was an excuse for him to force her into accepting her destiny as the new evil queen. Taking a moment left her to look at Teela and Orius if there was possible suspects that could be involved in this nightmare scenario. The two shook their heads at this since they didn't know about the mystical life and beings involved in it, luckily coming into the cafe was Adam who was with Orko as the teacher was downright terrified at how he had been affected by the nightmares that's been going around the school.
"Hey guys. Apparently even Trollans can have nightmares despite them being full of good magic. He just made a tree do a dance in front of several squirrels."
Adam greeted the gang and trying to help his friend out since despite being the school's magic teacher, he was a friend of the family. It was a surprise to see how Orko was acting scared since despite his timid size and his optimistic demeanor, he was powerful when he was focused on teaching students.
"This just isn't fair. Things are looking good, there haven't been any issues and now all of a sudden. I'm getting blamed for something I'm not even doing. I feel like in about a minute, someone is going come in and say 'Raven! This is all your fault. Sign your name in the book before you doom us all in numeral fear'!"
Raven mimicked one of the various people who didn't believe she could be good and lets out a bit of her magic which caused several of the snacks at the stand to come to alive and jump out of the window. Groaning of the inevitable blaming about to start on her, Orko happened to hear the girl's rant along fixing several of the snacks from leaving the cafe.
"Don't take this personal Raven. There have been many reasons for nightmares to happen on Eternia, but a scale like this hasn't been around for a long time now. I mean, not since the fall of Scare glow."
He informed the young lady about it not being her fault and placing the blame on a myth which caught their attention since none of the kids had heard of the being. None of them knew if this 'Scare glow' belong to Eternia or the Enchanted Kingdom's territory, it made them curious about who the figure was as they looked at Orko with interest.
"No. No, no, a hundred times no. This knowledge is old and best forgotten, it shouldn't been said or brought up. Can't believe I told you that name."
Orko spoke out at how he wouldn't tell them about Scare Glow and the if it's the reason behind the nightmares that are starting up. Adam and Teela gave him a look to try and pressure him to tell the group while Raven and Maddie smiled in a sly manner to weaken their magic teacher. Orko shook his head not letting their smiles toward him weaken him, but it only ended with Orius extending his neck over and leaned toward him that sent him back as Orko couldn't hold out.
"Okay. But I can't say it out loud. We need to clear out the cafe."
He whispered softly to the five as Maddie nodded with excitement as she snaps her fingers that caused several mice to appear from the wall to scare the customers off. With everyone heading out of the building and leaving no one left, rushing over to close the windows and locking the doors. The hatter girl handed the mice several cubes of sugar for their assistance and to keep an eye out for anyone who might interrupt the secret conversation. Taking a moment to set the mood, Orko lit candles around them and a nearby lamp to help make shadows for his story telling.
"Before our lands came together. There was so much magic running around Eternia, especially those who could wield it. These people were considered myth and legends that no one could comprehend, one of them was believed to have traveled here across time and space."
Orko started his tale with mystery and curiosity as his shadow puppets showed the planet of Eternia with numerous figures who wielded great magic to shape the land. While it was incredible to watch his puppets change to beautiful imagery, he changed to show a skeletal figure that glowing in a luminous light.
"This entity was called Scare Glow due to his body glowing whenever he could sense fear from people. Said to roam the darkest parts of Eternia, he invades numerous kingdoms to absorb their fears and doubt. The more he took, the more Scare Glow grew to become a powerful force of evil."
Continuing the story and showing Scare Glow terrifying people which resulted in him growing into a tower of fear and terror that ravaged the people around him. It frightened Raven as she held onto Adam's arm due to how life like Scare Glow was, the prince blushed lightly at how close she was while making Teela roll her eyes at the moment between the close moment changed with Orko changing the puppet shadow as it showed Randor and the council of Elders coming together to face Scare Glow.
"Despite the fear that he obtained. It was no match for the council's magic and Randor's strength that extinguished the villain's power and casting him out from this plane of existence. He now is only remembered as a distant nightmare that happened years ago."
Finishing the story and turning the lights back on along blowing out the candles. The teenagers were surprised about an ancient threat that existed beyond the power of havoc along that ravaged the lands that would make the Evil Queen seem like an ordinary person. Just as the teenagers settled down from the thrilling story, Teela sighs at how she would have to sum it up that would sound ridiculous and insane at the same time.
"So you're saying despite Adam's dad and a group of powerful elders defeating this 'great fear'. Everyone is getting nightmares from a skeleton that thrives off fear. Sure, that's normal now isn't it?"
She spoke at while it would be mad to think about, it could be possible since Keldor is wielding ancient dark magic that resulted in him becoming a living skeleton who can give people dark powers. While also a mysterious blonde haired man with incredible strength looking after the school whenever its students are in danger, meaning that something like this was possible and could be affecting their friends and teachers.
"Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves and the mome raths outgrabe. The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, the jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The frumious Bandersnatch. He took his vorpal sword in hand: The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head. He went galumphing back."
Maddie recalling a story from Wonderland about a beast that sounded similar to Scare Glow, of a beast that was feared across the land and was slain by a great hero who lobbed its head off and left the beast headless. Everyone felt scared when they heard the poem as Maddie soon changed expression to a optimistic look and drinks a cup of tea to settle the mood since it seemed like a good time to regale them a story of something that could be taken down.
"From that poem alone, Scare Glow can be beaten if we found a way into the dream world. But we're going to need someone that sleeps a lot and doesn't mind venturing to a place where their worst nightmares can come true."
Orius stating that while Maddie's poem was terrifying, it had a point that even a terrible being that inspired fear could be taken down with the right champion. Adam believed he could do it if he became He-Man, but the issue would be is sleeping at the same time when it was happening. With that in mind and hearing the door open up, it was Briar Beauty who came into the cafe with a curious look on her face about what was happening.
"What's happening? Heard some trouble brewing and I thought it was a party going on. Place looks as quiet as my mom's room."
She responded to how peaceful the cafe was as Teela and Raven smiled at how Orius's question had been answered in the form of Sleeping Beauty's daughter. Who could sleep under the right condition to lure out Scare Glow and help end the nightmare outbreak that's happening around the school.
Afternoon-Ever After High
Returning back from the cafe and explaining the situation to the royal about what she was needed for. They retreated back to the school and to Briar's bedroom with the locked to make sure no one would interfere or get curious about people being in one room. Laying on her bed and having everyone look at her about if she'd do it, more or less how dangerous it was.
"Seriously? Be the first princess to meet a possible dream demon? I mean, the dreams I have are always fabulous and nothing bad happening. Maybe it should be handled by He-Man, bet he could give this bone head a thing or two on messing with us."
Briar suggested that despite going into the dream world and not having any nightmares, this seemed right up the champion's alley along could handle Scare Glow. The others thought it seemed right for him to be notified by it, but Raven knew that Adam couldn't leave since he needed his identity a secret.
"If anything. He'll come to you if you pull off the first dream party that'll get his attention, if anything else will join you. Sleeping together is a way for us to meet in the dreams, right?"
Orius stating that if they were sleeping together at the same time and it be possible to get the champion's attention if Scare Glow would try to scare them. Adam nodded with his friend on the idea along with the rest since Orko was with them and would keep an eye on them if anything would happen.
"Besides. You'd be the first in your family to say 'I bested a dream demon'. It could make you famous in class."
Maddie offered encouraging words to convince Briar as this would give her a rep of not being afraid of anything. Whether if she was awake or asleep, the girl nodded in excitement as she prepared herself to fall asleep. With that being said, the others moved away to give Briar some space for her to focus and pass out. Meanwhile for Teela, she wanted to discuss battle strategies with them.
"Here's the plan. When Briar clocks out, me, Orius and Raven will join her while Maddie and Adam stay here to wake us up if wrong happens. Orko, make sure Headmaster Grimm doesn't know about this."
She explained the scenario but was interrupted by the sound of Briar's snoring as she quickly fell asleep in front of them. Seeing how it was happening fast, Teela gestured to Raven and Orius to find comfortable spots to fall asleep in once they join their friend in sleep. Having trouble with passing out, Orko decided to try a spell to help ease them to a peaceful slumber.
"Let me help out. I used to assist Adam when couldn't sleep without the aid of his parents."
He stated which made the group laugh since it was humorous to hear a joke before possibly meeting Scare Glow face to skull face. The Trollan concentrated on his sleep spell before letting out a small sneeze that left him to lose focus and throw dust onto the teenagers. With it landing right on top of them and giving off a fresh aroma, the brave trio peacefully fell asleep to journey into the dream world.
"It smells like cupcakes. With a hint of strawberries."
Maddie stated as she caught a whiff of the dust left her to pass out. Adam covered his breath and catches the wonderland girl before she hit the ground, moving her to the side and putting a pillow under her head. The prince stood back and saw how his friends were resting softly as well wanting to help them since the sword held the power of the elders, but he didn't know how to get Orko out of the room without telling him about his secret.
"Orko. Remember what Teela said about keeping anyone out? Now's a good time, I'm going be up looking after the others. I promise by the time we wake up; things will be normal again."
He told him as Orko could tell that he was telling the truth and would look after his friends while he'd make sure no one knew about this experiment happening. Nodding to the prince and knowing he could trust him; he leaves the room to make sure no one would interrupt them leaving Adam to look after everyone. Feeling nervous and not knowing what he'll encounter in the dream world, he looks at the ground to see a bit of dust left as he takes a small sniff to help him join the others.
"By the power of Grayskull. I, have. The power."
Saying the oath before collapsing on the ground and going to sleep with his friends. As the boy drifted to sleep and falling into the dream world, Adam's body started to change into He-Man as the champion noticed around him not being in Briar's room. He was in front of a large castle that had music and different types of lights coming from within. Pulling out his sword and preparing to face whatever might be happening inside, He-Man rushed in preparing to meet Scare Glow and aid his friends in battling him. Only to find a surprising sight of Raven and the gang enjoying a party that was happening around them.
"He-man! I knew if I made party this loud enough, you'd make it. But there's no need to start hacking anything to pieces, it's a celebration!"
Briar announced as she was wearing a glamorous dress to show herself as future queen of her mother's kingdom. It took him by surprise as well how there was no sign of anything happening, especially with Teela and the rest since they were dancing to the rhythm of the music.
"First time ever. Things have turned up well, Raven is being accepted as she is and we're enjoy Teela about to be captain of Eternos's army."
Orius explained as the boy was showing off his moves on the dance floor as He-Man didn't believe it, especially how his sword was reacting to the environment as a sign that this is wrong. Deciding to mingle with them and try to not get any attention, he noticed by the corner was Maddie Hatter making tea for the guests along trying to speak to him. Continuing to dance his way toward the girl, he was able to reach the table where he could speak to Maddeline privately.
"Although I enjoy a good party like anyone else, this one doesn't smell right. Even a girl as mad as me can figure out this isn't a party for friends and family."
She figured out that her wonderland thoughts and personality allowed her to see threw the deception that was around the two. Trying to figure out if there was anything that stood out from the party as the surroundings and decorations was all Briar's style. Taking a moment to see things clearly, one of them wasn't here in the castle.
"Where's Teela?"
He-Man spoke out as his question alone made the music stop on a whim as well the colorful lights in the room fade away as the people who were in the castle started to disappear. Raven, Orius and Briar started to realize what was wrong and saw He-Man here standing by Maddie who knew there was something wrong happening.
"Teela was the first to head into the castle to try and find Briar, then we came in to then see the party. Suddenly this green fog came and made us forget about her."
Raven answered Adam's question as they saw the green smoke entering from the windows and filling the room across the corners. Keeping close and unsure of what to do, He-Man raised his sword in the air before slamming it to the ground which caused the fog to disperse to reveal the castle was a facade to show an eerie lair filled with stalagmites and cocoons glowing emerald green.
"Greetings. Children of fables, and champion of Grayskull."
A voice spoke through the shadow as the five didn't move from their spot to that of seeing if they could see if it was Scareglow. Not knowing how to face this threat, He-Man stood his ground and wouldn't let the skull face entity lay a hand on them. Seeing a pair of red pupils staring at them, the figure stepped out to show the shadowy creature as well his bones glowing right when he step out to introduce himself toward them.
"Scare Glow. Thought you be scarier, not look like a skeleton stand in science class."
Raven mocked him in an attempt to get him off guard and let Adam try to attack him. The nightmare entity didn't do anything but walked around them like a wild animal, stalking his prey to wait for the right moment to pounce upon them.
"Raven Queen. Daughter of the evil queen who invoked great terror amongst the people, having doubt in herself and the path she's walking on. Are you sure about going against the book that you didn't write in? Possibly damning their fate into oblivion?"
He responded to her which caught Raven as he disappeared from their sight in an attempt to scare them. She ignored the statement of harming her friends as she felt Maddie holding her hand and believing she was doing what she believed was best, which right now was needed since the group couldn't be taken in by the fear he was giving off.
"What of the girl who is destined to sleep for a hundred years? Despite partying like if the sun will die, the only time you will be seen is under the moon's light. Waiting to meet her true love, who could love someone who won't show emotion with the first kiss?"
Scare Glow attacks Briar's thoughts of what her destiny will be since she'd asleep for a long time which would leave her to miss everyone during the duration of her sleep. Noticing Orius giving her comfort from how the creature was trying to scare her as well, the group saw through the fog was Teela being bound in chains and unable to break free with Scare Glow standing by her with a purple spear aimed at her neck.
"Let. Her. Go."
He-Man threaten him as he aimed his sword directly toward Scare Glow as the creature could sense the same power that banished him from the living to the world of dreams. Keeping his spear aimed at Teela, Adam kept his sword at bay since he didn't want to endanger her.
"While your fears are delicious. Hers, is unique. She cannot dream nor even imagine anything with that strong willed mind of hers. Maybe a secret that she's hiding, or being kept from her."
Scare Glow spoke about how everyone he could visit anyone's dreams within the school except for Tesla's since she can't dream. Unable to think of a way to catch him off by surprise or try to get him away from Teela, Maddie decided to try something unpredictable as she stepped in front of He-Man to get the creature's attention.
"I got nothing to hide. My mind is an open box that's welcome for anyone to see. Luckily, I keep them all at the top of my hat. Care to see what I wrote on top of it?"
She asked as the girl spun her hat around to mesmerize Scare Glow as he confused by what type of dreams or fears that she had. Keeping his spear at Teela and taking a moment to look at what might be on Maddie's lid, the man didn't notice Orius extending his neck as his head and aiming his head toward the hat. Just as he hits the hat, his head impacts into Scare Glow's face sending him to tumble across the ground. Deciding to take the initiative and move to free Teela, He-Man engaged into fighting him as the two men battle one another while they freed their imprisoned friend.
"A girl who doesn't dream? Thats a bit scary now is it?"
Briar asked since there weren't that many people that don't dream since the enchanted kingdom has everyone dreaming of ideas and imagination. Teela it seemed didn't have any to think of, the group continued to help her break free while He-Man was battling Scare Glow as the young man was surprised at how he was able to stand his ground toward him.
"I suggest you stop before you end up nothing but a memory Scare Glow. Can't come back again if you're beaten up a second time by the right person."
He-Man warning Scare Glow as he took the chance to disarm him and hurl his spear to the side. Having disarmed him and aiming his sword toward the man's throat, the skeletal figure had his body generate a green fog along the line of making several skulls appear around He-Man and had them all surround the champion as it caused him to drop his sword to the ground.
"You believe you can beat me? I have made this planet alone fear my name, my shadow itself invokes terror in the hearts of gods and monsters. What can a mere man like you do without the power of the elders?!"
Scare Glow roared at He-Man prepared to put so much fear into him that it would end his life in a single moment. Before doing so, he felt a blade going through his chest as it was He-Man's sword that pierced him and being held by Teela who was responsible for the surprise attack.
"How about asking that to the girl who can't dream? Since you're so fond of her!"
Teela shouted before twisting the sword and pulling it from behind his back. Feeling his heart pierced and his power leaving him, Scare Glow felt his body betraying him as the green fog that he mastered was spreading across him as well being consumed by it. The teens saw the entity being torn apart to that of his body losing its form to only show a skull, they hugged one another hopping for the best and waiting to face the inevitable if he was going to take them out with one blast of fear.
Later-Briar's Room
Back in the living world and at Ever After High, Headmaster Grimm was walking down the hallway with Orko since he hadn't seen either Prince Adam and Raven as well several other students that were missing from class. Trying to convince him that the kids were doing a study session since most of the classes have been difficult for them to work in.
"I'm telling you headmaster, despite who you think of Raven ignoring her destiny. The one thing she's concerned about is her education, which is why she asked for a group session in Briar's room."
Orko explained as Grimm didn't believe him since he knew that the daughter of Sleeping Beauty would either be partying with them or passed out with the rest doing the same around them. Walking over to open Briar's door, the two were surprised to see the gang wide awake with several books in their hands and appearing to be in a study group.
"Hello headmaster. Sorry if we got our friends scared for us not being at class, had to take a day for ourselves."
Raven apologized for being absent from class and being in the room as Grimm didn't know how to respond to them being huddled together. He merely gives a firm nod as well informed them to not miss class again unless they wanted to attend detention, with that being said and leaving. Orko looked concern as he wanted to know what exactly happened in the dream world.
"Defenders of Eternia one. Ugly skull man with a purple cape? Zero!"
Orius announced in excitement as they soon cheered out at how they'd defeated a powerful threat that was going after their friends. Sure enough with the defeat of Scareglow, no one would be having nightmares for a while. With that being said, Maddie suggested to have a tea party to celebrate the victory as well them saving Ever After High without anyone knowing. The only two that were left in the room was Teela and Adam as she was upset with him falling asleep when she woke up.
"Next time when I say something. Follow it, because I'm not going be there to save you. You're lucky that Scare Glow didn't notice when we had him distracted."
She responded how he would have been taken easily by Scare Glow if his attention wasn't focused on her and He-Man. Storming out of the room in a fit since she didn't want to be the one to tell his parents that he got hurt, Adam knew she was letting out anger since there could be something that Scare Glow said was true. That there was a reason for her not being able to have dreams like everyone else, that there's something kept away which she didn't know about or was hiding it from everyone that's close to her. It would have to be solved eventually if she would be the future captain of Eternos's army, if that's what Teela destiny would be in the near future.