Raven jolts awake. Stone walls surround her with candles for light. It takes her a moment to realize that this is her testing room, and Her limbs still tremble from the spell she had cast in her test. Grimm sits in front of her, looking up from a crossery-word puzzles.
"Right on time, Miss Queen." He approaches her desk and picks up the book. "You are free to go."
He heads back for his desk. A lump forms in Raven's throat, wondering if what she had done in there was too far. She knows she can never say that incantation again. Even her mother had admitted to her once that she was afraid to cast it. Raven swallows. She shouldn't have used that spell. She's blown it!
"Headmaster Grimm?"
He turns back to her. She takes a breath.
"Do you think you could...grade it now?"
He blinks, a bit surprised. She silently begs. Why prolong it? She'd rather know how much she fail now than later. He nods.
"Very well."
He takes the book to his desk and begins to read through it. As he does, Raven studies his face. There's no emotion, nothing but his usual stern expression. Each turn of the page is another painstaking second, and his face does not change. After what feels like an eternity, he closes the book and folds his hands near his face. He looks at her and beckons her over. She gulps, rises from her seat, and approaches his desk.
"Miss Queen," he begins. "I must say that this is perhaps one of the most... unusual tests I've ever read."
She bites her lip. Is that good? Is that bad?
He continues. "The story is fairly consistent, albeit a few minor details. The mirror, the indirect approach of giving the apple, the potion-making instead of the straightforward conjuring of the apple." He inhales. "I'm actually rather impressed."
She blinks in surprise. "...What?"
"Wordless magic is much more difficult to produce correctly, even for an Evil Queen." His face shows no change, even as he praises her. "And, while I've seen plenty of powerful spells from you and your mother without a sound, I haven't seen a performance such as this since your great-grandmother, Regina Queen. And as for the spell at the climax..." Raven tenses. He leans forward. "Could you explain what your intention was, when you cast that curse?"
"I-I..." she stutters. "I don't know. The knight was coming into the forest and...well, I just assumed they were for Apple, and... I just guessed. I thought, maybe if I tried to stop the knight from reaching Apple, it'd... well, I don't know. I said the first spell that came to mind. And I could have... I could have destroyed everything." She sighs.
He nods and rises from his desk.
"Look, I studied hard for this, and I really did try my best to - "
His hand rests on her shoulder, and she looks up at him confusedly. He smiles. "Not even your mother was bold enough to perform that spell."
"But...it's not exactly part of my story," she argues.
He nods. "But, it's the kind of initiative I've been waiting to see in you! Giving into your impulses, acting on instinct!"
Raven cringes.
"Caring only about the benefit of yourself," he continues.
"Headmaster Grimm - "
He drops the book into her hands, the pages flipping by themselves to the back cover. A large "A" wrote itself on the wood. Grimm chuckles. "I think you've earned it."
Raven's jaw hangs open. An "A"?! She has to pinch herself; a perfect score?! Her mind muddled with thoughts. These thoughts are thick and black, sludging around in her head uncomfortably. Does this mean she's as evil as he thinks of her? Does this mean she's worse? Grimm pats her shoulder, shaking her a bit. "And relax! Don't look so nervous."
She drops the book back on the desk. "Can I ... ?" She points for the door.
"Of course."
She heads for the door, swallowing. Behind her, Grimm's smile falters.
Quite a drastic change, he thinks. Very odd...
Raven inhales, trying to dislodge the lump in her chest.
That test wasn't real, she tells herself. You knew you were only doing it for the grade. You weren't really hurting anyone. It was for the grade!
She hugs her shoulders as she heads out into the hall. Most of everyone has left now and gone back to the dorms or the lounges. She heads for the castleteria to retrieve her belongings. She stops in the doorway, looking at her hands. Grimm's words echo in her head:
"Giving into your impulses, acting on instinct!"
"Caring only about the benefit of yourself."
Raven scoops up her bag and checks inside. The Book rests beside her notebooks and quills. Her head begins to ache at the thoughts inside. She doesn't know what to feel. Everyone, calling her selfish and evil and horrible, it's not fair. Her fate is terrible! If someone were in her shoes... She blinks.
"What does he know?" she asks herself. "He lied. He lied about Legacy Day, he lied about Wonderland, he lied about the Storybook of Legends, he lied about his own brother!" She pulls the Book out, looking at herself in the jewel. "You were right. I have no reason to trust him."
Her MirrorPhone buzzes. She pulls it out, a text popping up:
| Apple: Raven, we're all meeting in the South Lounge.
| Apple: Tell us all about how it went!
Raven smiles and shoves her phone in her pocket. She gazes at the Book, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"I think it's time for an introduction." she decides, and heads out of the castleteria.
Raven heads for the student lounge, a huge smile on her face. She holds the Book in front of her, telling it everything that transpired in her hexam. Meanwhile, in the shadows, someone waits and watches.
"A perfect grade! Can you believe it?!"
"Congratulations."
"I couldn't have done it without you."
"Oh stop."
"I'm serious. I don't think I could have pulled it off. But..." she trails off a bit. "I think, I'm more grateful for the advice."
"What advice would that be?"
"About Grimm. He's... well, he's... "
"Out for his own gain."
"Yeah." she sighs.
"Well, Raven, I'm glad everything is working well for you."
Raven smiles. "I really do appreciate it though." She stops at the lounge doors. "And, well, I think it's time that I introduce you."
"NO!"
"What? Why not? There are plenty of students I know who you might like." She reaches for the door handle.
"NO!"
The Book vibrates with this response. She looks at the door, debating on whether or not to show the Book to everyone. But this Book had been more than a study partner. It had been a friend. It related to her. When she confided, it spoke to her. It seems lonely, much like her.
"Don't worry. They won't hurt you." She closes the book and enters the lounge.
Everyone sits and chats amongst each other. Apple chats with Ashlynn Ella while Briar is out cold. Daring stares in his mirror, silently glancing and smiling somewhere in the sofa's direction. Rosabella, with noticeable dark circles under her eyes, talks with Cerise Hood on the sofa. Duchess Swan and Faybelle Thorn take a selfie by the sunset window. Apple looks up.
"Raven! How did hexams go?"
"I got a perfect score!"
Everyone cheers for her. Apple runs up to hug her. Duchess and Faybelle give a few sarcastic claps. Raven giggles and holds the book to her chest. Dexter stands behind the sofa, smiling proudly at her. She waves him over to her. "Dexter!"
He comes over to her and hugs her. "I guess that book really did help, huh?
"You have no idea!" she breathes. "It's totally wicked. It's better than any study guide someone's given me." He chuckles and blushes. "You didn't tell me it was an actual person."
His smile drops. The room suddenly falls silent. Briar yawns and looks in Raven's direction. Dexter stares at her, unsettled. "Wait, what?"
Raven opens the book and points it to everyone. "Go on. Say hello."
She stares at it, waiting for the inscription to appear. The pages remain white and blank. Raven's cheeks flush with embarrassment and she turns the book around.
"Would you excuse us?" She turns around. "Hey, don't be shy. They're good people, just like you're a good person. You have so much to say. You have so many jokes to tell, so many opinions that everyone would love to hear. Please? Aren't we friends?"
The book pages flip rapidly, blowing her hair back. She giggles. "Just couldn't help yourself, huh?"
"Just for you, Raven."
Raven turns the book to face them just as the inscription disappears. Apple backs into Briar and Ashlynn, covering her mouth in shock. She knew it! She knew there was something wrong with that book!
Dexter glances at Daring in confusion and shakes his head. "It's talking to her?!"
"Can books talk?" Briar asks warily.
Rosabella shakes her head. "I've never seen a book that can talk."
"It's not supposed to talk!" Dexter explains, turning pale. "It's only supposed to answer questions..."
Ashlynn hides behind Apple. "Apple, do something."
Apple rises out of her stricken stupor and cautiously approaches Raven. The Book vibrates and suddenly writes:
"NONONONONONONONO!"
Raven looks up at Apple. "Um, Apple?"
"Raven, maybe you should give the Book to us. It'll be safer where we can keep an eye on it."
Raven backs up. "I don't know, Apple. It's already shy about meeting you guys."
"It's a talking book! Why would a book be talking to you unless it's evil? It's turning you evil, Raven!"
Raven gasps. No, it can't be!
"We should take it to Headmaster Grimm." Apple presses.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Raven scowls. "Apple, why should I trust anything Headmaster Grimm says?"
"Because even though he's lied to us," Apple clutches her chest and holds out her hand. "he only does it to keep us safe. Now please give me the book!"
Apple reaches for the book. The Book trembles so violently in Raven's hand, she thinks she might drop it. She shakes her head. "Apple, no! It's afraid!"
Apple's hand nearly touches the leather binding. Raven looks up at the rest of the room, everyone holds terrified faces. The door on the other side opens a crack, revealing one green eye and half a tiny, grey mustache. Panicking, she holds her eyes shut and holds up her hand. "Don't touch it!"
Her hand glows with a violet aura as she swipes at Apple's hand. Apple jerks back onto the floor, holding her hand in pain. Raven gasps, everyone stares. Apple's hand hisses with steam, tears run down her face. "R-Raven...?"
Raven looks between her and the book. She needs to leave now, or she and the Book are as good as ashes.
"I'm sorry, Apple! I'm sorry!" She grabs the door handle and runs out into the corridor.
Apple calls after her, but she ignores her cries. She dashes out the front doors of the school. The alarm suddenly blares as she sprints through Book End and into the Enchanted Forest.
The sun begins to set. Raven rushes through the trees. In the distance, horse hooves and shouting echo over the trees. Among the yelling, Apple calls out to Raven. Raven presses her back to a tree. The screams of Grimm and Apple ring in the distance. They're closing in on her. She opens the book.
"What is happening?!"
"Raven, I
Shouldn't have shown me
You don't know what you've done!"
"Maybe I don't, but ... I was just ... you don't deserve to be treated like a tool!" The pages begin to flip in her hands. Raven shakes her head. "Book, please! What's their problem with you? What's wrong?"
The pages flip erratically as big block letters appear on the pages:
"Help
Trapped
Raven
LET ME OOOOOOOOOOOOOUT!"
"I don't understand!" Raven voice trembles.
"Raven!" Apple's cries are closer than before.
"C-Come on!" Raven shakes the book. "They're after you. What do I do?"
The book begins to vibrate in her hands. The pages turn over each other in rapid succession. Raven tries to keep a grip on the cover as an image appears in the pages. An illustration of the book moves as the pages turn, turning on its side to show the jeweled clasps. The image then changes to a figure holding the book, pulling out the clasps. The book slams itself shut and the clasps link together.
Raven inhales deeply. I hope I know what I'm doing...
She grasps both jewels in each hand and strains to pull them apart. The wind picks up, blowing her hair back. Her hands shake with the effort. She urges herself to keep pulling, to keep trying. The jewels finally rip off, tearing the leather cover with it.
Raven yelps, startled. The book drops to the ground, the pages tearing themselves into pieces. The jewels suddenly fly out of her hands and levitate in the air. The ripped pages swirl between the clasps and begin to glow. She covers her eyes as the light grows brighter before fading completely.
There, levitating in the middle of a clearing, is a girl.
Long black hair falls down to her knees. Her faded green dress that used to be long is in tatters, barely covering her thighs. The jewels rest over her collarbone, clasped together with a long, grey cloak hanging down her back. It's ripped down the middle.
Raven gasps as the girl drops to the ground. She runs over, hoping she can help. The girl rises to her hands and knees, trembling. Raven backs up, startled by her movement. She remains still as the girl slowly lifts her head, her bottle green eyes piercing right through Raven, and lets out a gasp.
"Thank you..." She rises to her bare feet, her legs shaking beneath her. "Y-You...you, you didn't..."
She falls forward. Raven lunges to keep her upright. The girl gazes up at her gratefully.
"You actually talked to me! You trusted me!" she gasps, incredulous. Raven helps her steady. "It's Raven Queen, right?"
No words can escape Raven's mouth, so she only nods. The girl smiles.
"Sapsorrow. My name is Sapsorrow." She blinks, as if trying to process what is happening. "Are you really the daughter of the Evil Queen?"
"Uh! Well...yeah!" Raven chuckles.
"And you're a Rebel fairytale?"
Raven nods again.
Sapsorrow's brow furrows. "But...you're still free."
Raven blinks, surprised. "I ... uh... what?"
"RAVEN!"
She whirls around. All The King's Horses and All The King's Men follow behind Headmaster Grimm. Apple struggles to get past the Men, Grimm blocking her. "Stay back, Miss White."
Raven runs in front of Sapsorrow and holds her arms up protectively. "Wait!"
"You..." Sapsorrow's voice lowers to a guttural growl. Raven looks back to her in horror. Sapsorrow's eerie glowing eyes fix right on Grimm as a large, oily black tendril rises from her shadow. It curls in the air, growing thicker and larger.
"You took everything away from me. And you sealed me away to rot!" The tendril casts itself over them. "Did you even consider what I had BEEN THROUGH?!"
The tendril slams down on Grimm, the Horses and Men blown back by the impact. Apple jumps out of the way. "Raven! Run!"
Raven looks back at Sapsorrow. "Stop! What are you doing?!"
"I AM SAPSORROW KINSOV-FURR!" she announces. "AND YOU CAN'T HOLD ME TO MY DESTINY ANY LONGER!"
The tendril rises slowly. Grimm holds it up, straining. Sapsorrow backs towards the trees.
"They won't let us leave," She says, her hands glowing green.
"L-Leave?" Raven stutters.
Sapsorrow claps her hands together and waves them outwards. The forest trees lean and part a path for them. She turns back to Raven and holds out her hand. "Raven, please. Come with me."
"Where...?"
"Home!" she exclaims.
Raven looks at the hand in front of her. "B-But..." She glances back at Apple. "But, I..."
Sapsorrow looks at Apple and her face falls in disappointment. Her fists clench, the forest snapping back to their original places. "Fine!"
Raven is blown off her feet by the force. Grimm finally knocks the tendril aside, shattering it. Sapsorrow stands unfazed.
"Don't trust them, Raven. Goodbye." She turns on her heels and calmly heads for the forest.
Grimm charges at Sapsorrow just as a flurry of feathers and fur wraps around her, and she is gone. Raven stares at where she had been. Everything had happened so fast, and Raven is struggling to process it all.
"Raven!" Apple wraps her arms around her shoulders. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah..." Raven stutters. "I'm fine."
Headmaster Grimm faces the girls. "...Raven Queen, you're suspended."