Now that they have the story, there's still some things that need to be discussed.

"Where are the other pieces? Surely we can use them again. Put them together. Is there one here in Ever After?" Drake asked.

This gem might be their best bet on defeating this darkness. If they could unite all the pieces, who knows what they could do to stop all this madness.

They all got suspicious as he started stretching his neck nervously, "I… well…"

Raven sighed her breath. She knew that this was gonna be something to talk about. The way he scratched his neck was like how she does it when she is nervous, "What is it, grandpa?"

Apple could also tell that the two of them were related, with Raven being her roommate and the girl she… loves. She can identify particular habits.

The other Queen siblings look at him expectedly, narrowing their eyes to get something out of their grandfather.

He relents, "it's been in the Book of Legends. In fact, it's been fighting its effects on destiny ever since."

…

"What?!"

Maddie: What?! How?!

Kitty: Yeah, what she said! HOW?!

Just watch.

"That's why it's so important." said Axel, thinking it over as he pieces the puzzle together, "And you've been using the destinies as a cover up to protect the gem piece.

The headmaster nods, "I had no other choice. I had to put it somewhere unexpected where no one would find it. And by doing this, the gem stopped allowing the book to seal student's destinies, so that they can have a choice."

Raven thought it over, I guess it made sense… ish. But if so, how did…

Her mind flashed back to Wonderland, her signing her page, feeling the rush of powerful magic flowing through her veins, losing control… almost killing someone if it weren't for Apple snapping her out of it…

How did the book, with a gem preventing destiny and full of goodness, able to give her magic like before and that… dark persona when she signed? Why was it nagging her so much?

Apple glanced at Raven's troubled expression, sure enough that the witch was thinking about that day. The princess also had her questions, but they have bigger things to worry about with the darkness coming for them. They'll get their answers soon.

"Can you show us?" asked Gale, determined, "if you'll allow us to?"

Headmaster Grimm looked at them, and then back at the white triplets on the other side of the room.

They were looking bored as heck with all the waiting and also worried as they looked at the other group who had been going through an emotional rollercoaster of tragic stories.

The other White siblings looked at where the Grimm was looking, and realized one of them needed to look after their younger siblings.

Axel raised his hand, "I'll do it."

"What?" asked his sisters as they looked at him.

"You both know the two of you need it." he said, looking at them expectedly as one turned away in hurt and the other turned away because of shame.

Even though Apple and Axel had talked things out with each other, there was still Gale that needed to talk things over with her younger sister. And deny it all they want, they both knew he was right.

"In that case," Crow kissed his cheek, "I'll see you soon, my gorgeous boyfriend. I'd help watch over them, but I don't think I'm really popular among them." he looked at Aaron blowing a raspberry at him, "Besides, I have a sister I'd like to spend time with."

Surprised, Raven smiled fondly at her brother. He may be a pain at times, but he was a great sibling through and through.

With all that out of the way, Drake looked at his grandfather, "Now that's cleared up, can you please take us to the gem?"

After all of them said goodbye to Axel and the triplets, they found themselves in front of the Lifairy, where Apple was confused.

"Wait, both me and Axel searched here already." said Apple, and then another thought came to her, "Unless you're…"

"Talking about the entrance leading underground to the school?" Headmaster Grimm said, finishing her sentence, "Then yes."

Apple lightly facepalmed. She forgot to check the secret entrance underground where she met Giles Grimm. It was an obvious choice to search. How did she not realize this until now?

Then again, a lot of things were happening that the suggestion was kind of forgotten.

As they approached the same door as last time, the Headmaster pulled and pushed a series of different books as if it were a code. And like that, everyone disappeared in blue smoke and was transported to their next destination.

Maddie: (Amazed) Wow! Didn't know it could do that!

Brooke: Me too.

The whole group walked through the unfamiliar cave tunnel down that was lit up with torches on each side. Some looked around to look (Even though there is nothing but rock) while others were talking among themselves.

"Wait a minute," whispered Gale as she asked her boyfriend, "If you guys are here, then who is taking over the Rebellion right now?"

Before Drake could reply, his brother beat him to it, "Who do you think?"

Gale thought it over, and looked at them in horror, "You left those three in charge?!"

Drake sighed under his breath and Crow answered, not seeing anything wrong, "I don't see the problem with it."

"Harry over complicates things with logic whenever something big happens and uses his gadgets to solve his problems, Risa is crazy and unserious, and Garth's…" Gale trailed off from her list, "Well, he's fine. But I don't know if he can deal with those two because they both don't like each other."

Maddie(Shocked): (Spits out her tea) Wait, Risa?!

Kitty(shocked): Holy shit.

Brooke: What?

Lucky: I'll tell you later.

"I'm sure those three can handle it. I trust the tech wiz to tolerate the crazy wild card." Theo stated, butting into the conversation.

Gale glared at him, "Shouldn't you be mending ties with your sister, Harry simp?"

"Shouldn't you as well, o great leader of the Rebellion?" he retorted back, not wanting to talk about his sibling problems.

'Coward' Gale thought, annoyed as heck. Theo, though a good friend and ally, can be more of a nuisance than Crow.

She glanced back at her sister. Apple was looking away, thinking of who knows what about all of the things she wanted and asked her big sister.

'Yeah, I'm a hypocrite. Can't really blame Theo since the both of us are on the same boat.'

Gale, finding the courage inside her, spoke, "I'll be doing that."

The three of them watched as she walked to the blonde princess, wondering how this could go.

Apple noticed Gale walking towards her. In nervousness, the princess fidgeted with her dress. "Hey, Gale… you look nice." gosh did she feel so awkward at this moment. C'mon! She was gonna be the future queen of Ever After one day and gone through crazy stuff at this school, why was she so scared now?

Right. Sister that came back after years of being missing. Apple's wondering how having a conversation with your big sister is more scarier than whatever the heck she went through here?

Gale wasn't faring so well either, "Heh, yeah." and her sister was being worse than her.

Well, can you blame her? She left her sister alone at her birthday party. This whole thing felt so nerve racking that all her courage from before evaporated in an instant.

Kitty: Is this seriously gonna be just them being idiots?

Maddie: That's not nice Kitty.

Kitty: Sorry, but I'm just saying. This nearly silent conversation is not going anywhere.

Patience.

Apple, wanting to be close to her sister again, said "I… are things alright? Other than the darkness, have you been better?"

"Ah," said Gale, in thought, "I guess. Well, I've been better. There were many hardships living on my own with Axel. but I'm good. Though, I really miss you. And mom, even though she had her faults. And…"

"And…?"

"I…" Gale looked away and then back at her sister with sincerity, "I've been so worried. Whether it was you getting involved with all of this or… whether you might hate me."

The younger sister had a fond and understanding look, "I might've been mad for a while, but I can't hate you. You're my big sister. And I know what I'm getting involved with and I must help in order to protect others as the future queen." said Apple, having a look of bravery inside.

Gale looked at her sister's determination in her eyes, and smirked, "You really grew up, huh?"

Apple… was doubtful of that opinion. She still felt like she was childish. She looked at Raven, who was talking with her brother, Crow, in a heated discussion. The witch had a look of irritation at her brother but barked out a laugh that made Apple's heart skip a beat or two.

How could Apple be so careless to not think about what Raven wanted and focussed on herself? How could Apple be so selfish? How could she still be Raven's friend after everything? She should just… just…

Apple shooed the thoughts out of her head. This was not the time to dwell on that. Right now, she needs to act as the person worth Raven's trust. She couldn't focus on herself right now.

She really shouldn't. It would be better if…

Apple's thoughts were on hold as the group then eventually made it to their destination, and were amazed at what they saw before them.

The place was like a huge cavern and was full of various books and artifacts from all kinds of places in the multiverse. And there were various mirrors still out of order. The place was lit with lights all around and in the center of the place was a huge wooden round table that was full of scrolls and maps scattered around.

"You really need to clean this place up." said Briar, taking out a scroll that was a wand blueprint.

"I hardly used it these days." said Headmaster Grimm shrugging, "I'm a very busy man with all the paperwork and running a school. And sometimes I tend to forget to clean around here."

"Or maybe you just felt lazy?" Crow said, looking at a design on a strange watch with a mysterious and alien symbol and earning a look at the rest of his family members and the headmaster himself.

As the others explored, Drake looked at a book with a cover that said "The Witch Queen." with a blood red fire on the front. He took a quick look inside and then put it back.

Theo, dazzled at the new potential stuff he might stea- I mean, borrow, and notice an old book with the words "The Theory of Time Travel". Curious, he quickly snatched it into his satchel.

"So where's the new copy of the book?" asked Raven, looking at loads of shelves and books while picking one out that said "The History of the Magix Dimension". While picking it up, she didn't notice the old photograph with three siblings laughing together.

Headmaster Grimm pointed his thumb at the glass case on the podium with the book inside.

"Great! Now that that's settled, what do we do now?" asked Theo.

That… is a very good question.

The rebellion leader looked at the Headmaster, and Gale said, "Right now, we need to make sure this place is safe. We should probably put this place on lockdown before the darkness might catch on. Not to mention protecting this book at all times."

"But wouldn't people question the sudden lockdown?" the headmaster asked.

"Then we'll tell them tomorrow on the speaker to explain." said Apple, taking charge, "And for the people outside, we could get Blondie to post a video explaining that there is a criminal targeting the school on the mirrornet and get them to remain calm."

"If we do this," said Raven, "there would be a lot of questions. Questions that need to be answered."

"Not to mention the fact a bunch of teenagers are in danger due to this possibility." Drake pointed out.

Briar stepped in, "Don't worry. We all may be teenagers, but some of us are future leaders and rulers of kingdoms. We're prepared for anything."

"That goes to some other allies as well in this school." said Raven, thinking of certain individuals with interesting skills and abilities.

"And we answer all of their questions." said Headmaster Grimm, "I'm tired of hiding the truth. It's about time to take a stand." he looked at his grandchildren, "No more secrets."

That was when the three Queen siblings knew he meant all of them. Though relieved, Raven looked at Apple.

'Just one more secret to reveal.' she thought.

Drake gave a stern look at the old man, "I hope you mean it. And it also means you have a lot of explaining to do for the authorities. And worse, an explanation for your brother."

Solemn, the Headmaster nodded, "I know." he's not gonna like it. But he has to.

He just hopes their conversation won't get too bad. Considering… Well, everything.

a rock ringtone*

With the ringing of a phone, they all looked at the source. Gale, chuckling nervously at this, took her pocket and looked at her phone, scrunching her brows in annoyance.

"Scuse me, I gotta take this." she said, and called out on the other side, "Harry?! What happened? Did something go wrong?"

[What?! Why would you think that- wait, that's not important right now. Gale, we have an unexpected guest and she has some very, very, bad new update and you're not gonna like it. Not one bit]