Warning: Contains a pistol being used. Not to mention some grotesque imagery. Don't say I didn't warn ya*

~A Few Hours Ago~

For a fairytale world, it's not always perfect. Like many worlds, there are flaws. And Ever After had many obvious ones.

There was one thing that might stand out to stereotypical stuff of fairytale stories. Crossing people's minds might be stuff like overrated political marriage laws or the classic execution of criminals.

The mafia in the deepest corners of a village might not be one of them. Especially one in control by a young woman of 19.

That's right, you heard me right.

How you ask? If I tell you, some spoilers might be revealed.

Blue was her name. She was kidnapped at a young age of 10 alone in the dark of night and taken by a criminal organization to be forced and trained to be slaves and criminals. Blue was the best out of the best at her training and stole many things for the mafia, but was mistreated very badly. But then one day, the former crime boss was killed at the hands of a 16 year old Blue and over a day, the crime organization was in full control in her hands.

Her reputation was vast and deadly throughout kingdoms. People wouldn't dare interfere and wouldn't last if they ever cross her.

Though this day, like many other days, Blue sat in her office to read the stats of her progress in money. She had billions worth to provide for a lifetime.

Blue was gorgeous. The dangerous kind of gorgeous. Her hair was ebony black that flowed through to her shoulders and gray blue eyes. Her pale skin was littered with harsh scars on her face and neck while also adorning a black tattoo with the shape of a skull with wings on her neck. She also had a spiked choker around her neck, a nose piercing, and a diamond earring. She wore a black fedora and blue vest and a white waistcoat, white collared shirt, and a black tie. Below were navy jeans and black dress shoes.

And she was bored, staring at the papers while drinking her glass of wine.

Nothing exciting was happening. Blue's crimes have been going smoothly so far, the amount of money was good enough to last her decades, and she literally robbed a bank yesterday. Even though she was powerful and dangerous, today was just boring.

'Whatever,' she thought, 'Maybe I can go track down Theo and get him to steal for me again. Or punish him for stealing from me. That would put me out of my boring state for sure if it means seeing that annoying thief beg. Or maybe go hunt down my ex-'

A knock on her door popped herself out of her thoughts. And she looked at it in confusion.

'Strange, was I expecting anybody to come?'

"Come in." Blue said, reaching for her pistol from the drawer of her desk just to make sure that whoever was coming in wasn't a threat.

A man, one of her thugs, peeked out of the creak of the door, looking nervous. This didn't look right.

"Ma'am, there's this strange man who wants to talk with you. We tried getting him to leave but somehow… he defeated them like it was nothing," he said, anxious with his words.

Well, that got Blue to be alert. Not only did this stranger barge in and make a mess out of her turf, but he wants to talk as if he didn't just fight her henchmen and win. She would be impressed if she wasn't so pissed.

On one hand, even though this could be a potential ally that could be very powerful to have, it was gonna be a real big risk.

But on the other hand, the curious part of her….

Blue gripped her pistol, "Let him in, Ted. But stay on high alert if anything goes wrong and eavesdrop on our conversation as much as you can. Any sign of danger, shoot him. Got it?"

He nodded, and opened the door.

A tall and lanky man stepped out of the shadows, a smirk calm but off about it. His whole attire seems to be dark black as his hair was black along with his eyes, suit, pants, and shoes. The only other thing not normal was the dark black stuff creeping from his body and to his neck. He slowly approached Blue before coming to a stop.

"You must be the infamous mafia leader I heard so much about." he exclaimed, voice seeming a bit light, though also something wrong.

Blue did know who this was, and she could sense that this guy wasn't good news. She knew bad people, she's one herself. The way he walks seems as if he was a predator, walking slowly towards its prey. And that look of his, it appears to be charming and trusting, but Blue knew it was a way to gain trust before a strike in the back.

To put it simply, she didn't like him and is feeling a very bad vibe out of him.

"What do you want?" Blue asked, taking precaution. Better figure this guy out before things get messy.

His smile only grew, "I just want to ask in a favor. You are the best criminal out there, after all."

Fueling her ego, huh? Not gonna work. "Your point?"

"I need you to seize Ever After High and take its staff and students as captives," he said.

…. Okay. Not what she expected.

"I'm sorry," Blue said, very slowly while trying to wrap around with what his offer was, "You want me to take over a fucking high school?!"

"Yes. It's a simple task. What is wrong with what I said?"

The mafia boss blinked a couple of times, "Okay, there are many I would like to point out, weirdo. You want me to take over a whole high school full of prissy royals and stupid fairytales. I may hate fairytales to the bane of my existence, but do you really think I would try to hand over a whole student body full of innocent teenagers to a shady guy? Even I'm not that evil."

Blue may be vicious and dangerous, but even she had some morals… sometimes. And not only that her…

She shook her head. Definitely don't want to be thinking of that.

The stranger hums in thought, "Fair, which is why I offer you a grand 1 million dollars. Would that be fair?"

The thought of money flashed dollar signs in her eyes. One of the great joys of life that she likes. Money.

Blue quickly snapped out of it. No, don't trust him. Even if this is earning more cash, there are things that even someone greedy like her doesn't think is right, even if there are dollar signs in his offer.

She's sounding like a hypocrite. But besides, she's rich with cash and can steal just as much from banks. She can easily turn down the offer.

"Thanks but no thanks. I can easily get this amount of money…" said Blue, and she immediately pulled out her pistol gun to point at him in the head, "You'll give it to me right now."

Oh the joys of being in the mafia for her.

Instead of breaking his composure and raising his hands in fear for mercy, he remained still. Blue was confused. Normally, people would be afraid! Afraid and scream for help, plead, cower and beg. He just seems to stand there, not even an attempt to run.

As if things didn't sit well with her, the man only seems to chuckle at this, "It's amusing that you attempt to startle me. You probably thought that a mortal like you could strike fear into me. Quite interesting."

"Shut up." the more he talks, the more unnerved Blue was feeling. And she was the leader of this crime organization! She makes others wish they never fought back against her, to betray and stand against her. Who does this pest think she was?! "One wrong mistake, and it's bye-bye to your life."

"Hmmm?" he exclaimed, tapping his chin in thought, "Is the great leader threatening me? Or is she really scared that her tricks aren't working?"

"Shut up." Blue said, no, commanded, "Stop patronizing me and give me the damn money!"

He just keeps giving her this damn smirk! "Did I strike a nerve?"

Bang!*

A fall to the ground of a man with a bullet through his skull, and sighed to herself both in relief of him finally gone but also disappointment that she couldn't get him to fess up at where the money went. Oh well.

But before she could call her lackeys to dispose of the body, she heard dark laughing turning into manic cackling and froze.

Though you could see that the shot pierced his skin through the skull that you could see even some slick intestines of the brain as well as black blood dripping out as it trails his head, somehow the body launched itself out too forward and made its way slowly upwards. Blue watched horrified as his smile looked more sinister, more… evil. His eyes became more dangerous and insane with the pupils dilated. The bullet wound, this is gonna be creepy, quickly grew to regenerate as its skin and brain growed like vines.

The crime boss, though seen many disturbing things in her life, couldn't even describe what she saw other than "Oh, gross! What the fuck man! That is totally wrong on so many levels!"

She may have seen many regeneration spells and potions, but usually it just makes the wounds disappear. Not…. what he just did.

His smile only just grew wide, not human at all. Causing not only for Blue to drop her gun, but also be the one to fear her life at this moment for the very first time in years.

And the words that he said next sounded so distorted and… wrong…

"Now it's my turn."

(Kitty and Maddie were traumatized as they had just witnessed this with their own eyes)

Kitty: What the fuck?!

Brooke: Oh, dear.

(Maddie just kept whimpering)

Brooke: C'mon, Maddie. Wanna have some tea to calm you down?

Maddie: … yes….

Kitty: What the heck, you two!

Hey! Didn't you read the warning?! Not my fault you didn't heed it! But NOO!

Lucky: I'm open for talking, you two. Right now there's a story being told and don't worry, nothing too serious would happen the rest of the chapter.

Out a few miles from the secret base of the mafia in the dark of night, a girl the same age as Blue was happily walking towards the base of the crime organization.

She was Katrine, Blue's partner in crime and best friend since they both met on the day she was taken in by the mafia… or rather, the day she voluntarily went to the mafia, but that would be explained later.

Katrine had ginger hair, black hood with a cloak to hide her head and a black cap. A red mask that looked similar to a jack o'lantern's face covered her face but could tell that her eyes were green as the leaves. Under the cloak were a black t-shirt, maroon vest, short ripped jeans, a rapier and some bandages on her arm and leg. She also had black leather gloves and long medieval black boots with red lining.

While Katrine works as a criminal and was friends along with Blue, she was fairly nice and had sympathy for those that cross the mafia. But even though she was nice, it didn't change the fact that she did many crimes. And she wasn't gonna stop being the mafia any time soon if it would mean staying by Blue's side. Not to mention the money she needs.

The girl was walking back home with a sack of gold in her hands that she got from a few minutes ago whistling a song at heart her father would hum to her. This was a happy time for her.

Katrine had the idea of asking Blue to go see that new movie in theaters that she had heard so much about and can go undercover so that no one would notice. The life of a criminal was very hard so the two of them needed a break. And what better way to do it is by spending time with your best friend.

Yeah… best friend.

A call on her Mirror phone got her out of her thoughts. The ginger pulled it out and noticed that it was Blue calling. She immediately replied to have a nice chat and ask her about going to the movies. Though, that wasn't what she received. It was something… bad.

"Hey, Blue. How's-"

[Listen- argh! Kat!] she heard Blue say on the other side of the phone, grunting in pain, [I don't have much- Ah! Time left. I need you to get- Arh! Help! Someone's doing weird shit to me and I don't think I- Gah! Have a lot of time to explain!]

That got her worried. What did Blue mean? "What? What are you talking about? Are you hurt? I'll be right-"

[Don't go! He's already turned the others! He wants to- Argh! Take siege on Ever After High! And he's… I don't know how but a bullet- Gah! Can do anything! Let alone a rapier! Just go! And… I'm sorry I have to leave… I just don't want you hurt and… I like you… so much…]

And that's where the line ended. Leaving Katrine alone to whatever just happened.

'She… likes me?'

The experiences, the good times, the hangouts, and the adventures they had… and they'll probably won't have any more.

The pain in her heart ached before, but never like this.

No… she shouldn't give up. Her father always said to never give up when things never go don't go your way, so she won't break down crying at a time like this, not unless she won't see Blue again.

And Katrine knew who to go to. Even though Blue might not approve, what other choice did she have?

She ran to her destination, a single tear coming from inside her mask.

"Aww? Is the techy finally admitting defeat? I could watch you fail all day!"

"Never, you hooligan!"

Garth sighed. Though he was a knight that prepared for the dangers and perilous enemies that come to harm the innocent, nothing could compare to whatever mess had happened.

He was tall and had black hair, blue eyes and with a few scars on his face. And though he usually wore metal armor, off duty like today was when he would wear something casual. Garth had a blue t-shirt and long jeans while wearing teal shoes.

Now, things weren't meant to really escalate too much. Two of his friends, who were the founders of the Rebellion, went to go somewhere and only left a note. Crow wanted to go join in and dragged his brother, Drake, along with him even though the fellow knight protested. And Theo joined in because he wanted to have some fun and steal some stuff (and didn't know where he was going and would later regret it). And while doing so, they left Garth, Risa, and Harry to watch over the Rebellion without a second thought or word.

It was a bad idea, he knew. Harry and Risa despised each other because of how different they were. Harry was an inventor genius that was logical and Risa can be a distractful comedian that talks nonsense. Every time he saw the two together, they were butting heads. Whether it was that Harry was trying to make sense of her words, or whenever Risa teases Harry on his failed inventions.

Now, the Rebellion wasn't really that big. Other than his friends, there were only around 10 people that joined. Although, somehow most of them sided with Risa because they were too afraid and Harry's machines could malfunction on them.

Though it didn't stop the tech genius to make a machine to solve his problems. Unfortunately for him, it short-circuited and caused a mess. This led to a big and confusing argument and now there was a really big food fight with poor Garth not taking either side and watching from the sidelines while trying to evade the food.

Don't get him wrong, he wants to help both of his friends, but he had to pick sides. He doesn't want that but instead has to endure to watch all of this unfold. He may only hope that the others might come back soon or that this whole thing might blow over.

"Haha! Eat pie, bastard! Hahahahaha!"

"You bitch!"

'… hopefully.' he prays.

Suddenly, a knock was heard. Garth was the only one to have heard it as the others were distracted. Strangely, they weren't expecting anyone in their secret hideout, which was an abandoned bar. Maybe the others came back?

He looked out the window to see who it was, trying to identify the cause of the knock. An unfamiliar girl with a mask around his age was desperately crying. Now even though he didn't know her. She could be someone dangerous. But he can never deny someone crying, whether a stranger or not.

He opened it.

"Hey! Are you okay?"

Though she wore a mask, it was clear that she was crying. Her huffs and sobs were trying to hide, and she immediately asked, "I need the Rebellion's help."

Okay… that he didn't expect. Wasn't their organization supposed to be secret?

"How do-"

He was quickly interrupted by Harry, who sees the girl and stares wide.

"Katrine?!"

He knew her?

Harry was pretty tall and had messy auburn hair that was long enough that it needed a ponytail while also having blue-green eyes. He wore a white t-shirt that had an atom on the front, black long pants and also yellow sneakers.

"Oh, who's the mystery person? Your ex or something?" Risa teased, getting into the conversation.

"No! Never in my life." Harry said to her, annoyed.

Risa just giggled. She had shoulder length hair with a few red and blue streaks in it, light skin, and scarlet pink eyes. Her clothes consist of a shirt with multiple colors, fluff, and all sorts of random other materials and paint. And she had a painted black, blue, red, and purple vest that had a smiley face pin and also a jester pin. Risa also wore a purple headband with three round bells and a purple and blue skirt with painted red hearts/diamonds and black spades/clubs. She also had painted combat boots with all sorts of colors.

Ignoring Risa, Harry glared at Katrine, "How did you find this place? And what are you doing here? Is Blue here?" he asked with spite.

"Hey, Harry, be nice." said Garth, not liking his friend's attitude.

"Yeah, don't antagonize this girl. What did she ever do to you?" said Risa.

"No it's alright," said Katrine, sincere in her understanding, "He has every right to be mad. I did kind of tracked him down and handed both him and Theo to the mafia."

"Wait, what?!"

"Ooh, the mafia!"

Katrine paid no mind to the other two's shock, only looking at Harry in the eyes, "But I need the Rebellion's help. I figured this place out a few weeks ago. I didn't say anything to Blue because the two of us were friends back in the day and I want to make up for it. But I don't regret helping Blue in any other way. You must understand that. And I know you want to help Blue as she's under the Darkness's control."

Harry couldn't lie, he didn't hate Katrine. Rather, she was a great friend to him back when he and Theo were in the mafia. Though, she was also Blue's friend, who was also his friend at the time but she changed drastically after taking over the crime organization. It was when Harry and Theo left that caused a huge rift between the once good group of friends. He misses it.

The four of them were a group called the Crime Crusade that worked for the mafia back before Blue became the mafia leader. They all were close and stuck together, even though they didn't know each other's background. But it all changed when Blue went power hungry when she killed the former crime leader. He and Theo left because it didn't stick right to them.

Theo didn't want to think about it. Always leaves whenever it is mentioned. Harry stopped mentioning it, knowing how much it upsets Theo.

And him as well.

"What happened back there?" the tech genius asked. He hates to do this, but he doesn't want Blue to suffer. Especially to the Darkness.

"I don't know. I got a call and she was fighting it so much. I didn't really think darkness existed until today. I just thought all of you were crazy." Katrine stated, getting some offended looks. "And this Darkness… wants Ever After High… all those students… And… and… I don't know what else to do…" she cried.

Ever After High… a school of fairy tales. Garth stood there horrified at what that could entail. But Harry and Risa could only think of… that was where their…

"Shhh, hey. We'll figure this out. Blue will come back." Harry reassures both him and himself. The last thing he wanted was for a person he once… no, called a friend to cry. And hope…

Garth takes her inside while pouring some soup as a way to make her feel better while Risa tries to spark a conversation to help (While trying to put on a fake smile to hide her worry for… someone she cared dearly).

Harry pulled out his mirror phone and dialed Gale's number and hoped in urgency that she would pick up.

He didn't want to deal with the stuff in Ever After High until he could have the courage to contact his sisters, but right now he needed to warn the others or else won't see his siblings ever again. He needs Gale to pick up.

Before it was too late.