After untying the ropes and taking off of the magic cuffs, it was time to come up with a plan.
Though, what the two twins didn't anticipate to do was come up with a plan.
"What do you mean you two don't know where to start searching?!" Shouted the Raven and Apple, looking at the sheepish White twins in exasperation.
Gale, putting her hands up in defense along with her brother, said, "Well, we don't exactly go here and all and I was more on thinking of how the both of us were gonna explain to you, Apple Seed."
"And the map we were able to steal only told us to find the actual book in Ever After High. Not exactly where it is in Ever After High." said Axel in defense, "Besides, we were thinking of asking anyone around here to have a pretty good guess on finding it."
"Wait a minute. Why couldn't you just ask the headmaster about it?" asked Apple.
"He's probably one of the most likely people to be a part of the Darkness. A man running a school to force people into destiny along with protecting a book that the darkness wants." said Gale.
Raven's face was mixed with anxiety but quickly put it away, "But wouldn't that mean the Darkness already has won when he already has access? I don't think the Headmaster would already have been infected if that were the case"
Apple had a look of surprise, "Out of all the people you would defend, I didn't think it would be him."
Raven felt a little nervous at this moment right now.
"Well, it seems logical. But since he's out of school, it would be hard to ask him. But if I were to guess where to find this vault, it would either be his office or the Lifairy." she said, changing the topic.
"So we split up. I'll go with Apple to the Lifairy and you two team up to search through Headmaster Grimm's office." said Axel.
Gale nodded in thought, "Since you two know this area more than us, it would be much quicker to find what we are looking for."
The two highschoolers nodded. It was the best plan they could come up with. With that, they said their good lucks to each other.
Apple took one more look at Raven as she looked back at her, content in her eyes, "Stay safe okay? And keep an eye on my sister. Even if she's older, I have a feeling she's still a handful."
Raven had her tongue tied in five knots as Apple looked at her with those eyes. Even when worried she still looked beautiful. "O-Okay.
Raven and Gale walked along the halls and classrooms of Ever After High, and they were still at a loss. Eventually they find themselves in the library.
"So," Gale started up, "You like my little sis?"
Raven tensed, and was flustered more than before. "I-... I don't... I mean..."
It was hard enough to keep it secret from others other than Maddie and Cerise. But this was her love's older sibling. It's gonna feel awkward.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Don't play dumb. I noticed the blush when she looked at you before we left. Me and Axel are dating someone and can take an obvious hint. And I don't have anything against you for liking her in a romantic way even though you two are girls." Gale reassured the witch. "I'm kinda curious though, how long have you liked her?"
Raven thought of the older blonde's statement, and her eyes looked down. When did she start liking her?
~"Still not talking? Hmm… How about I call you 'Feathers'? Since you have a bird hoodie!"~
"I… I've liked her for a while now. Couldn't really get her out of my head" she kept going while thinking about Apple, her infatuation pushing the pedal of her head. "I knew it was wrong but I couldn't help myself when I saw those sapphire eyes of hers that reminded me of the ocean and her hair that was bright as the sun. And how…"
Gale blinked. 'Wow, this girl is in love with Apple Seed. And who knows what thoughts Apple might have for her. Probably just as corny since she always loved to read romance books when she was little.'
She finds herself feeling bad about the young witch. Then she had an idea.
'Might as well play matchmaker. If she had been in love with her for this long then these girls are super dense and need a push.' she thought with a mischievous smirk.
Raven looks at her. The other person she was partnered with seemed to be quiet for a while. "I wasn't being cheesy, was I?"
"What? Well yes. But hey, in my opinion, I think you two might be a good match for each other." pointed out Gale.
Raven blushed even more if it was even possible at this point. "Are you sure? I mean she is your sister. And besides, even though we are both even closer than before, how can she even like someone like me?"
'She can't be serious!' Gale screamed, impatiently. She hated waiting. "Like I said, I don't have anything against it. And how can you be so sure if you haven't even tried?"
Raven didn't know how to respond to that. She always wanted to try and ask Apple, but the words never came out when she asked that question as if she was too afraid to say anything. And she was right to be afraid. Even though Apple hasn't mentioned destiny in a while, Raven wasn't even sure if the blonde even liked girls. And they've always argued. How can the daughter of the Evil Queen get together with the perfect daughter of Snow White?
It made her heart heavy just thinking about the possible rejection.
Gale sighed. Another time then. "Fine. I'll leave this topic out of it. For now." She says. "I'm guessing you have a lot of questions about me and Ax?"
Raven perked up at this, stopping her blushing. She had a bunch of jumbled up questions in her head that she wanted to ask but one seemed to take up her mind.
"Why is it that Apple would be the next Snow White and not you? You're older than her, why aren't you the one to take up the role?"
Gale sighed. Of course that question.
"You might have noticed that I'm different from Apple. More rebellious."
The witch nodded. Everything that Gale looked screamed troublesome and rebellious.
"You see, when I was told I would have to follow destiny, I refused immediately. I wanted my own happiness. And I don't really want to rule over a kingdom and always hated the prissy princess life. It took a while for mom to stop pestering me about it, but let's just say after that we weren't on good speaking terms."
Raven nodded at that. It made sense. A rebel wanting to refuse destiny. Even if she was similar to Apple in so many ways, there are more rebellious traits in the eldest.
Gale continued, lost in thought of her childhood.
"I didn't really mean for little Apple Seed to take up the weight though. It hurt to see her not following what she wanted even if she was too young to understand. And I was hoping when I come back that I'll try to prevent destiny controlling her life. I have an even better reason to do it now I've met you." she said, looking at the witch.
Raven gave out another small blush. "And what about Axel?"
"He was fine with me going against destiny as long as whatever choice made me happy. He didn't like how Apple was forced into it due to destiny. He was always so worried and would always accompany on this mission to help the people he cares about." She said, "That, and to make sure I didn't stay out of trouble." Gale chuckled.
Raven chuckled as well. Given what she would have noticed from the boy, he seemed like the protective, kind, formal and gentle type that would try to keep a hyperactive person in check.
"And why was it that he shot both me and Apple with a tranquilizer dart?"
"Well... We both had our fair share of danger when we traveled and he somehow got a fight or flight instinct, so he seemed to have panicked." Gale responded.
Raven agreed. Seems reasonable. Eventually they talked on and on while walking to the Headmaster's office.
And if you ask Raven, she was enjoying every moment of it if it meant getting to know Apple a little more.
Apple and Axel were walking and were quiet for most of the search. It was... Awkward being around a person they once considered family that they haven't seen in years. Apple couldn't stand feeling so distant to her older brother so she broke the silence. It just didn't sit right with her. No matter how mad she still was at them for leaving.
"How come you were the one to shoot the dart since if I remember correctly back then, Gale would seem to be the one who would likely do that given all those imaginary jungle adventures we used to play?"
It was the best she could think of. But honestly, Gale was always causing trouble as kids and Axel would try to get her out of it. And he was a big softie as her big brother would always play with her gently and would apologize instantly when he thinks he did something wrong.
Axel was taken a little back by this, but he answered since he wanted to say something.
"I panicked. I've grown to have a tendency to react when stressed. Though, I'm really, really, sorry to do that." he said with hurt in his tone.
"It's okay. I understand. I have my fair share of adventures." Apple said to encourage him.
"What kind of adventures?" He asked, skeptically.
Apple thought for a moment. And honestly to her, she could name a few.
"The whole ordeal with the Royals and Rebels against each other because of destiny, people being the opposite because of the wonderland book of curses at Spring Fairest, and going to Wonderland High in order to stop a crazy court jester from overthrowing the Queen of Hearts." she finished.
Axel could only stare at her with bewilderment. "You did all of that while being in high school?" he then thought for a moment. "Wow... You really have grown up haven't you."
"Yeah, and so did you and Gale. Mother would probably scream if she saw her new look."
They both laughed at her comment. It felt good to talk like this with her brother. Just to be siblings again.
Until she frowned as she felt something upsetting her in the chest.
Axel picked up on his sister's expression when he saw the frown on her face. "Are you okay?"
"It's just that... I still feel like a spoiled kid after all these years..." Apple felt tears well up in her eyes as she talked and looked away. "I made this huge deal about destiny and was too much of a coward to even stand up for what I want because of it. I don't even know what I want anymore."
Axel furrowed his brows at her in worry. "Does it have to do with falling for your roommate who you're destined to hate?"
Apple turned around and looked at him with shock as the tears stopped and her cheeks were a bright shade of pink. "What... What do you mean?" she started to panic. "I don't-... I mean... I'm not falling for Raven."
She didn't want to talk about it. She was fine with talking about it with Briar but it felt more embarrassing to talk about it with a sibling. Especially to a sibling who's been gone for most of her life.
That, and she didn't know if Axel was fine with her only liking girls.
"Apple, I hate to tell you this, but me and Gale overheard your conversation with Briar and how you admitted to liking her by accident." he confronted her. Axel saw the horror in her eyes as he said that. "I have nothing against it. I want you to be happy. And if you're worried that I might judge you for being a lesbian, I don't mind considering I'm gay myself."
Apple looked shocked. "You're what?" That was something she didn't expect.
Axel smiled. "You heard me right. And not only that, I even have a boyfriend myself and so does Gale." His smile was soft as he looked at his little sister. "But that's not what I wanted to talk about with you. What I want to talk about is you and your feelings."
Apple kept looking at him with wide eyes. But she turned her head as she started to cry again.
"I was the leader of the Royals, who were with destiny, and Raven was the leader of the Rebels, who were against it. I was too afraid to stand up for myself because of what everyone, especially what mother, would think. I was in love with her since we first met but I pushed her about signing away her life just for a happily ever after that I didn't even want!" Her voice started to crack as her heart ached.
"And when she did sign at Wonderland, she was a totally different person and wanted to kill somebody! It hurt to see her not herself that day. ANd it hurt more that I wanted her to be like that in the first place."
Axel processed the words Apple said and couldn't help but question something. "And how did she turn back to herself that time?"
Apple calmed down a bit but sniffled a bit and tears were still going but slowly. "I stood in front of her and reasoned with her. And it apparently worked."
'That gives out a good amount of proof that Raven would be in love with her and that she wouldn't hurt Apple. Along with the blush Raven gives out before we separated.' he thought.
'This might be something Gale would do, but perhaps I should get her to share her feelings to Raven since I could already feel a headache just thinking how oblivious those two are.' Axle then asked Apple in hopes that it might work.
"And do you want to tell her? After all, you can't hide forever."
"I know, but..." She cried harder. "How can she ever talk to me after everything I did to her and then suddenly telling her I love her but was a coward. She would probably hate me even more and then our friendship would be ruined!" Apple shut her eyes and collapsed to her knees.
'I only cause her problems. How can she still put up with me even after all the stuff I did to her and worry I caused her for doing stupid things like the week after Wonderland'
"Oh Apple Seed." Axel knelt down to comfort her. It seemed like this could be harder than he thought.
Kitty: You really are giving them random information huh?
I don't know what you mean.
Lucky: VP, they don't know about the flashback that Raven seemed to have and what Apple seemed to be talking about due to what happened after Wonderland.
Maddie: Would it be okay to talk about it? That time was so nerve racking that I couldn't drink my tea well.
Brooke: I know, I was worried too. But we can't really leave them in the dark about this y'know.
Fine. If some of you want to know, Raven's little flashback would be explained in later chapters. As for Apple's crazy shit that seemed to scare some of us, you'll have to see in my later works.