Ever After High AU: Book 2 - Hearts and Thrones

by RosiePeaks28

Summary:

After the disastrous Legacy Viewing Day and both Raven Goodking's and Apple White's worlds have been rocked. The Storybook of Legends has been swapped for a fake, what Apple really thinks of Raven and the Rebels has been revealed and Raven has a new roommate, and now more and more Royal born students are questioning if their "Happily Ever Afters" are really what they want. With tensions about ready to toil and boil over, what will happen to Ever After High and it's students?

Notes:

Thank you everyone for waiting so patiently for this sequel! It warms me to the bottom of my heart that so many of you loved the first one and wanted a sequel. I am sorry I left you all on hold for so long and will let you know when I work out a posting schedule for this story. I hope you all enjoy it.

Chapter 1: A Less than Perfect Start

Raven's POV

Raven Goodking wakes up to the sound of soft chirps and bird songs. She sighed as she rolled out of bed and went to get dressed. After throwing on literally the first things she grabbed - a light purple shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers - she looked in her vanity mirror and had to suppress a groan.

Even though she had been getting more that 8 hours of sleep, the quality of which has been greatly improved after getting her new roommate that does not wake up at 6 in the fairy-freaking morning, she still looks and feels like she has barely gotten any. If it were up to her, she would be staying in her bed for days on end.

At least her new roommate, Ashlynn Ella, was kind enough not to pry.

When Giles Grimm, one of the Co-Headmasters of Ever After High, told her who her new roommate was gonna be, Raven was admittedly a bit worried. Like her last roommate, Apple White, Ashlynn is a Royal - a person who wants to follow her story to get her destined happy ending. Raven meanwhile, is a Rebel - someone who thinks that you should have the choice of following you family story or not, she is also the daughter of the Leader and Founder of the Rebel Movement, to glass-boot.

Apple was not a good roommate to Raven: the first day they meet, Apple had done nothing but invade Raven's space (both mentally and physically), watched her like a hawk, and try to control her. It was honestly starting to remind Raven on her mother...

The the straw that broke the pumpkin though? The thing that made Raven decide she was done placating Apple? The events of Legacy Viewing Day. It turns out, on the day that the new class of Ever After High students were supposed to see their destinies, the real Storybook of Legends was swapped out for a fake. Apple came over to comfort Raven, or comfort her in the way she knew how, and it resulted in a shouting match where Apple called Raven selfish and implied that if they could not find a replacement character for the Evil Queen, then Raven would be forced to take on that role. Not asked, forced.

That Raven was done after that and asked for a new roommate and got Ashlynn Ella, who was so unlike Apple in every way - at least, in terms of being a good roommate.

Ashlynn did not wake up and immediately start singing at 6am, she never followed Raven out of their dorm like she was trying to keep an eye on her and, most importantly, she respected Raven's space and ideals. In fact, the two of them have not had one discussion over the Royals vs Rebels movement.

Though, that may be because Ashlynn was not a full-fledged Royal, or at least, not as committed to the cause like Apple was. Ashlynn was way more open-minded and seemed to be fine minding her own story. She also, at least from what Raven could see, was in a not-so-secret relationship with Hunter Huntsman, Raven's friend and fellow Rebel. Which was just another point in Raven's book.

Suddenly, a crash sounds from the balcony attached to their room. Both Raven and Ashlynn turn their heads to see what it was, only to see the curly, multicolored hair of Maddie Hatter, one of the Wonderland students.

Raven smiled, while she had only met Maddie just that year, the girl's infectious smile and cheerful attitude was such a breath of fresh air. Wartime tended to get everyone's moods down so to have someone who always seemed to be able to make her laugh was so nice.

Maddie smiled at Raven, "Aww, I'm so glad you think that, Raven! I'm so glad I keep painting smiles on you face!"

Raven smiled, despite how weird it was, that was another thing Raven liked about Maddie - she always seemed to know what she was thinking and feeling.

"Why, thank you, you sweet singing blackbird!" Maddie beamed, "Though I cannot take all the credit - our amazing Narrator helps with that!"

(Maddie, seriously, you are not supposed to interact with... sigh, whatever, I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to narrate this story. Carry on.)

Maddie laughed. Ashlynn looked at her with a confused, if happy look. Raven smiled - just as her stomach let out a low, rubble sound.

"Oh, I guess it's time to head to breakfast," Maddie jumped up from her spot on the balcony and rushed into the dorm, grabbing Raven and Ashlynn's hands, "Come, let's get some breakfast!"

Ashlynn gave Raven a fond smile as the two of them let Maddie pull them out of their room and into the hallway. It was honestly one of the laughter filled morning Raven has had since Legacy Viewing Day. Especially since -

"Raven! Good morning!"

Raven winced and managed to suppress her groan of frustration as she turned her head. It seems that Apple was also heading to breakfast. Ashlynn's lips were pressed in a thin line. Maddie did not seem to noticed their faces, but stopped to let Apple and her best friend and new roommate, Briar Beauty, catch up to them.

"At least I will not have to deal with Apple alone," Raven thought. The last few time Raven came down for breakfast, she was usually alone. Without Apple's early morning singing, she had started sleeping in a little. The slight downside was that while Ashlynn was quiet in the morning, she was sometimes so quiet she would leave the room without Raven noticing. It was really nice of her, honestly, getting up and leaving so that Raven could sleep in. But once Apple noticed this she began waiting for Raven to come out by herself to try and talk to her about the Storybook of Legends, her 'destiny' and whatever-after else Apple though Raven was doing wrong.

After that, Raven began making more of an effort to leave with Ashlynn in the mornings for breakfast. While, this did not stop Apple from trying to convert her to the 'Royal Ways', it did make them more bearable, as Ashlynn would occasionally tell Apple to stop.

Apple came to a stop right beside Raven. She was so close that the puffed sleeve of her white and gold jacket literally brushing against Raven's shoulder. Like always, Apple looked perfectly polished and princess-y. Her makeup looked perfectly natural and not one of her curly pale blonde hair strands were out of place. She smiled sweetly at Raven, as of she was a lost puppy or baby bird that fell out of her nest.

"How are you? Are you guys heading to breakfast? Me and Briar will join you!" she said, not giving Raven any room to answer or say anything.

"Um.." Raven blinked, her mind not awake enough for dealing with Apple's bright mood.

"Yes! We are going to breakfast! Hurry, hurry, before the all the goodies are gonies!" Maddie said gleefully. 

"Yeah, let's hurry. I need some coffee before I fall asleep again," Briar interjected, gently shoving Apple along. was it Raven's imagination, or did Briar shoot Apple an annoyed glance?

 They were about halfway to the Castleteria when Apple started talking to Raven.

"You know, we have still not heard anything about where the real Storybook of Legends might be. I know the teachers are looking for it, but it would not hurt if we got some of the student body together and - "

"Apple," Ashlynn cut her friend off sharply, her eyes orbs of emerald venom, "Drop. It. At least until after breakfast."

Apple blinked at Ashlynn in shock while Briar threw the princess an impressed look before nudging her roommate forward again. Apple did not recover until they were in front of the door to the Castleteria.

"I - I just think that -"

SPLAT!

Apple was cut off again, but this time because a bowl of cold porridge fell right into Raven's face.

"This is going to be a long day..." Raven thought.

 

Chapter 2: Divides and Food Fights

Summary:

A food fight has broken out in the Castleteria and it looks pretty messy!

Ashlynn POV

Ashlynn stood frozen in shock as looked at Raven's porridge covered face. She slowly turned her head to the, now dead silent, Castleteria to see quite a scene in front of her.

The room was clearly divided, with the Royal born students on the left side and the Rebels students on the right side. Both sides had a handful of students clutching various foods in their hands - fruits, bowls of cereal or porridge, toast, some eggs and whatever-after else they could grab.

Undecided students - students whose parents either did not participate in the war, were not living in Ever After during or plain old do not know where they stand - are either huddled up against the farthest walls of the room or crouching under tables to avoid getting caught in the cross-fire.

"This is, weirdly, a pretty good visual for how the actual war went," Ashlynn thought.

Apple stepped forward and clears her throat, looking out at the room with a similar look a mother would wear of she caught her children misbehaving. "What happened?" she spoke clearly.

The Rebel students begin to explain, but the Royals - mainly Duchess Swan - begin talking over them, making it impossible to hear what the others were saying. Ashlynn sighs and rolls her eyes. Sometimes her classmates acted more like needy chipmunks than teenagers and future rulers and heroes.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spies Dexter Charming begin to quietly walk over to them. "Perfect," Ashlynn thinks, "Someone who won't exaggerates facts." Dexter was leveled-headed and honest. At the very least, they could get what he saw.

 Apple gave Dexter a strained smile as she saw him approaching, but did not acknowledged her, which seemed to catch Apple off guard. Ashlynn had to resist the urge to roll her eyes again. "Serves her right." After Apple's behavior at the Legacy Viewing Day Party, Dexter had made stayed by Raven's side to make sure she was okay. Raven was already prone to panic attacks and Dexter always seemed to be able to help her calm down from one. 

Sure enough, that is were he was right now - by Raven's side, offering her a handkerchief to help wipe away the cold porridge from her face. Ashlynn could see Raven's blush through the mess on her face as she smiled at Dexter, taking the hanky. Ashlynn felt bad about ruining the moment, but she could already see Duchess taking aim with more bananas and toast.

"Dexter, what happened? How did this start?" Ashlynn asked her old friend (and boyfriend's roommate).

Dexter turned to her, his lips pinched together in a way that made Ashlynn guess who threw food first, "Duchess had started making... hurtful comments about the Rebels. She was saying things like 'I bet they are glad that the Storybook of Legends was swapped' and 'how much do you want to bet that they know where the real one is'. Stuff like that." He continued, "Cerise told Duchess to stop, but she kept going, getting more and more hurtful until it escalated into a small food fight."

Ashlynn sighed, that was pretty much what she expected, and she was not at all surprised that it was Duchess was started it. Briar and Raven didn't look surprise either. 

Apple, however, shot a disapproving look at the Rebels. "Why didn't you guys go get a teacher if Duchess was bothering you guys so much?"

Ashlynn whipped her head towards Apple so fast she heard the wind around her crack. "The absolute fairy-freaking nerve!"

"Are you seriously asking the bullying victims why they defended themselves after they repeatedly asked said bully to stop!?" Ashlynn did not even try to hold back her frustration with Apple at this point.

Apple turned to face her, looking like Ashlynn just slapped her in the face. "I'm - I'm just saying that the Rebel's could have resolved this without resorting to violence straight away. Just because Duchess was saying stuff to them does not give them the right to throw food at her or the other Royals."

"Um, actually," Cedar Wood, the wooden daughter of the previous Pinocchio, Pine Wood, spoke up, "It was Duchess who threw food at us first." The girl was picking ripped up pieces of toast out of her hair as she said this.

"That's not true!" Duchess wailed from her spot, aiming her bananas at Cedar now.

"It actually is," piped a voice from under one of the tabled.

Ashlynn leaned down and spotted C.A. Cupid - an undecided student who recently just moved to Ever After. The pink-haired girl already had a few eggs stuck in her feathered wings and was clearly not wanting to get anymore. She looked a bit sheepishly at Ashlynn before continuing, "Duchess was the one who threw food first - right after Cerise told her that, for a "Royal" she sure was not behaving very princess-like."

Duchess fixed Cupid with a fierce glare at those last words, "You shut up, Freaky-Pinkie!" she snapped, "You just got here! You don't know what the Rebels have done to our land!"

 "Your land?" Sparrow Hood yowls from the Rebels' side, "News flash, your Royal Featheryness, you and your kingdoms do not own the land we live and work on," he sneers at Duchess, "Maybe you need to retake Geografairy again."

Duchess rears her hand back to fling her bananas at him but before she could, Poppy O'Hair, one of Rapunzel's twin daughters, grabs Duchess's throwing arm.

"Duchess, for Fairy Godmother's sake, will you chill out for two seconds!" Poppy snapped, struggling to keep Duchess's arm where it was.

Duchess threw Poppy a disgusted look, "Stay out of this, Spare!" Duchess snapped, wrenching her arm out of Poppy's grip and flinging it towards the Rebels side, where Sparrow and Ramona were able to dodge it thanks to Poppy's diversion.

Apple quickly stepped in-between the two sides, "Duchess, Poppy has a point, calm down before this escalates even further."

"Like it hasn't already," Ramona growled from where she was trying to comb bits of cereal and toast out of her hair.

Apple ignored her, "Duchess, I understand you are frustrated and scared, believe me, we all are. But taking it out on the Rebels is not gonna -"

"Oh, please," Duchess snapped, cutting Apple off, "The Rebels are sure as hex not frustrated and scared. They are probably celebrating because if the Storybook of Legends is gone then that means they finally win! No more destinies, stories or Happily Ever Afters! They win!"

"What makes you think we are celebrating!"

Ashlynn looked over her shoulder to see Raven, face mostly clean of porridge, staring daggers at Duchess, who went pale with fear. You could hear the shush silence blanket the room. While Raven's hands were not glowing, Ashlynn could see the flicker of magic within her purple eyes.

Dexter was still standing beside her, a concerned look on his face as he stared at Raven, clearly remembering the last time she got this riled up.

After the Viewing Day After Party where Apple got mad at Raven for not wanting to be like her abusive mother and the Headmasters announced that the Book was a fake, Raven went nearly catatonic. Ashlynn saw her speak briefly with Headmaster Giles Grimm before she began to stumble around, not really enjoying herself, but also not wanting to go back alone. Dexter approached her and offered to walk her back to the school and she agreed. The other Rebels slowly followed suit after.

Unlike last time though, where it seemed to break Raven, this time, it seemed to wake her up.

Raven looked at Duchess, eyes flashing with magic, "Why in Ever After, would we be celebrating the disappearance of an invaluable artifact of our world! Especially when we know the blame will be put on us! We did not steal the Book, Duchess, and we want it found as soon as possible."

Duchess stared at Raven, her expression morphing from fear to scrutiny. But before either girl could say anything else, the bell rang signalling the start of classes.

Ashlynn sighed, mentally preparing for a day of classes where she has nothing in her stomach, before she felt a gentle nudge on her arm. She looked to see the handsome face of her boyfriend, Hunter Huntsman. His shirt and face has fairyberry jam on it, but that was besides the point. In his hand he held out a granola bar to her.

"Wanna walk to class with me?" He asked, his hazel-amber eyes twinkling.

Ashlynn smiled and took the bar, falling just a little bit more in love with him, "Yes, yes I would."

 

Chapter 3: Fairy Intentions

Summary:

Faybelle Thorn makes her intentions to not only Raven, but Apple known. What could the young Dark Fairy want?

Raven's POV

Raven really did try to pay attention in her first class, but with an empty stomach and Duchess's words echoing in her mind it was really hard to focus.

"They are probably celebrating because if the Storybook of Legends is gone then that means they finally win!"

Raven sighed at as the words slithered into her mind again. On one hand, it made sense that Duchess would think that, but that does not make it true. And also, why would say something like that out loud?

"Do other Royals think the same?" Raven wondered. She doubted Ashlynn or Dexter thought that, but she couldn't help but wonder of Apple did, even if she at least had the social awareness to not say it out loud. 

"Not that there weren't other things Apple would say..."

Raven was grateful that her first class was General Villainy, the class that her godfather, Brawley Hood-Badwolf, was assigned to teach. He seemed to notice that Raven was not up for much talking. He did not call on her or push her to speak much the whole class period. Though after the bell rang to dismiss everyone, he did ask that she stay behind for a minute to talk.

Her godfather's eyes were kind as she walked over to his desk. "How are you doing, Raven?"

Raven huffed. It was a question she expected, but did not fully know how to answer. 

"Both good and bad," Raven replied after a few heartbeats, "Somethings are better than before the whole... situation.. but then there are something that are worse."

Mr. Hood-Badwolf puffed like he expected the answer, "Yeah, I get that. Just remember that you can always come to any of us if there is a problem and you need something. Okay?"

"Okay," Raven replied, leaving feeling a bit better.

It, of course though, did not last long. The minute Raven left the classroom, she felt someone's presence beside her. Bracing herself, she turned to face... not Apple like she was expecting.

"Hey, hey Miss Should-Be-Evil-Queen!" Faybelle Thorn, daughter of Mitzi Thorn, the Dark Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, greeted Raven in a tone that Raven had trouble telling if it was cheering or mocking. The teen fairy girl was dressed in her signature black and bright blue cheerleader (though she preferred cheerhexer) uniform and was looking at Raven like she had something Faybelle wanted.

While the Fairy Kingdom had stayed neutral in the war, it was clear to pretty much everyone that Faybelle wanted to follow in her destiny of cursing the next Sleeping Beauty. Raven was not really sure why, but she really did not interact with Faybelle outside of General Villainy class so she does not really know the fairy that well.

"Uh, hey Faybelle," Raven did her best to sound wake, "Did you need something?"

"Y-E-S, yes!" the fairy girl cheered, a smirk growing on her face, "I need you to tell me where you and the Rebels hide the Story," Faybelle raised her arms up, "Book" she lifted her left leg an, honestly impressive height, "Of" she jumped up a tiny bit, her fairy wings flapping, "LEGENDS!!!" She landed in a splits in front of Raven, both blocking her way up the stairs and making Raven impressed that she can manage a splits.

Raven sighed, "Faybelle, as I said in the Castleteria, I don't know where the Book is and the Rebels have not taken it. Now if you'll excuse me," she stepped over one of Faybelle's still extended legs, "I need to get to class."

Faybelle jumps up and starts walking with her, "Yeah, yeah, just keep saying that, I'm sure the more you say it, the more people are likely to believe it." They finally got out of the dark stairway - and saw a certain Royal wait for them.

"Raven! There you are! And - Oh, Faybelle! How nice to see you! Raven, are making friends with the other villain kids! Oh I am so happy for you!"

Raven clutched her backpack straps a little tighter while she saw Faybelle roll her eyes. Without respending, raven just heads to her next class, and of course Apple and Faybelle follow her. Raven has to remind herself that Faybelle also has Magicology next, but she knows the reason Apple is coming with her.

"It will be good for you to have more villain friends! I mean, you and Faybelle have so much in common!"

"Yeah,we have sooo much in common," Faybelle sneers, "One of us is an all-powerful magic user that is ready to take her destiny head on, and the other has a panic attack at the thought of even looking at a magic mirror."

Both Raven and Apple ignore her. Raven trying to get to class before she cries and Apple because she is to busy trying to tell Raven that she should follow her destiny.

"Its not like you have to do much!" Apple was saying, just as the Magicology classroom door was in sight, "You just have to hand me one poisoned apple! Its as simple as that!"

"Apple, come off you high throne for five minutes and face the real story!" Faybelle snapped.

Both Apple and Raven whipped their heads around. Faybelle was looking at Apple with contentment while Apple had a shocked look that Raven probably matched.

She wasn't really shocked that Faybelle was feed up with Apple's rambling - Fairy Godmother knows Raven is - but was more surprised that Faybelle actually snapped back. So far, the only other person Raven has seen to full tell Apple to stop talking was Ashlynn, a fellow Royal. For a non-Royal to talk back to Apple like that, especially knowing the power and position Apple held, it takes a certain type of gutsy.

Faybelle continued, her face and tone condescending, "It is so completely, Royally and totally obvious here that Raven is 110% unfit to be your Evil Queen. She is scared of darkness, she hates evil things, she has no pride in her  wicked heritage, and she won't even take credit for stealing and hiding the Storybook of Legends."

"For the last time, I did not - " Raven started, but Faybelle cut her off.

"I, on the other hand, am more than capable of being evil and making sure you get you poisoned apple. I mean, really, do you really think Raven would making as far as the apple? She would probably chicken out before she even ordered the Huntsman to chase you into the woods! You would for sure get your poisoned apple and happy ending if you had me as you future villain!"

 It took Raven a few minutes for her brain to catch up on what Faybelle was saying (again, blame the lack of food and caffeine in her system), but when it did Raven felt like falling to her knees and crying. Faybelle was offering to take her place! To take her role! She was offering to be the Evil Queen!

"What if no one wants to be the Evil Queen? What if there is no one willing to take your story role?"

Apple's words from the Viewing After Party that rang in her mind like bells finally quieted! Someone was willing to take her role!

"This might be the thing to get Apple off my back!" Raven though, her smile growing on her face.

But that smile quickly crumbled when she looked at Apple. Rather than relief that someone was gonna be her Evil Queen, Apple looked... horrified? 

Apple was staring at Faybelle, ridged as a statue, her already pale skin somehow even paler. Her ruby red lips moved but no words came out. After a few seconds, she finally croaked out, "What - what about your story? What about - about Sleeping Beauty?"

Faybelle cackled an evil queen level laugh that made shivers run up Raven's arms, "I can do both, of course! Its not like either story can happen without its villain! What's stopping me?!"

With that, Faybelle sauntered her way to Magicology, shoving Raven and Apple out of her way.

"She is already acting like the Evil Queen," Raven remembered her mother walking that same way, even when no one else but the two of them were around.

Raven looked to Apple, who still looked shocked. Before Raven could ask what was wrong though, the bell rang and Raven hurried into the classroom, somehow feeling lighter than she did even before her first class.

 

Chapter 4: Cutting Words

Summary:

Drama in Damsel-in-Distressing class! As tensions continue to grow, Briar witnesses the beginning of fractures in the sides! Is this where the tipping point starts?

Briar's POV

Briar yawns, doing her best to stay awake as she takes her seat in Damsel-in-Distressing. She already falls asleep at random times thanks to the residual effects of her family's sleeping curse, but it always gets worse when she does not have a good breakfast or at least some caffeine. Neither of which she had today thanks to the food fight.

As Briar gets her books out and a sips on some tea to try and stay awake, she notices Cerise and Ramona Hood-Badwolf enter the classroom. The two sisters were notably wary of Duchess and were giving the Swan Princess harsh, guarded looks, which even Briar found warranted. She always knew Duchess was a haughty and spitefully, but she was downright cruel this morning. Briar would like to say she doesn't know what got into her, but she knows dam well what's got Duchess all ruffled up.

Duchess, despite having one of the worst fairy tale endings, was a staunch Royal and believed in preserving tradition. She already hated the Rebels on the principal that they did not follow their fairy tales, but  with the Storybook of Legends missing and her thinking that the Rebels stole it she probably thinks they are parading around like proud peacocks. 

Which is not true in the slightest! If anything the Rebels have only gotten more subdued and fearful, like they knew that the Royals would blame them and that they would be deemed "guilty" without even a trial.

The bell rang, jerking Briar from her thoughts as everyone took their seats. Madam Maid Marian took role call. All the students were here except for -

"Ms. Apple White?" Madam Marian called.

Everyone looked around. It was very weird for Apple to not be in class right on time.

"Though it is not exactly Apple has been her self these past few weeks," Briar thought.

"Maybe she ran off into the Forest," Duchess snickered.

Briar snapped her head towards Duchess. "Duchess, will you just -"

Briar was cut off by the classroom door opening and Apple walking in.

"Ms. White, there you are. Is everything alright?" Madam Marian asked, concern plainly written on her face.

Apple mumbled something that Briar couldn't make out, and judging by her expression their teacher could not either.

"Okay then, why don't you have a seat. You didn't miss anything, just attendance so I won't mark you down and this is also the first time you have been late, so don't worry about this going on your record."

Apple gave a small nod and took the nearest available seat, which just so happened to be next to Darling Charming.

"Alright then, let's get on with today's lesson."

The lesson for the day was identifying sounds, particularly sounds that might be if you are getting kidnapped or a rescue is coming. Most were nothing special. A horse galloping, dragon wings flapping, the sound of clanking armor, etc.

At some point during the lesson, Duchess starts making snarky remarks that are just unnecessary - like how she does not need to know this stuff, how boring it must be to be one of the characters who get stuck in towers - but this latest one was the worse.

"I am surprised that Madam Marian is still teaching this class," Duchess's signature snark was clear in her voice.

The recordings stopped. Madam Maid Marian fixed Duchess with a stern glare. "Ms. Swan, care to repeat that for the class?"

Duchess lifted her chin up, showing that she was not scared of the teacher, "Gladly, Mrs. Hood. I was just saying that I am surprised that you are still teaching this class, given recent events. I am just surprised that Headmaster Grimm has not kicked you all out yet since you and your people have little to no respect for Ever After's long held traditions."

It was so quiet that you could have heard a dormouse yawn. Briar saw that all of her classmates had different reactions. Most of the Royals were either shocked that Duchess would say something so blatantly rude. Helga Crumb - daughter of Hansel from Hansel and Gretel - looked like she agreed with Duchess. Ramona and Cerise, obviously looked shocked, angry and like they were ready to pounce, but were restraining from doing so because they know that if they did it would just put more blame on them. Ashlynn looked both pale as she stared at Duchess, as did Darling Charming. Apple though....

Apple looked like she was just slapped awake. She was clearly shocked and appalled by Duchess's tone... but it was clear she was thinking on her words.

Madam Marian's face, meanwhile, was stony and serious as she got out a piece of parchment and wrote something down on it. "Ms. Swan," her voice was serious and firm, not wavering for a second, "I am very disappointed in you. This is not how a princess should behave herself. You will serve detention for the rest of the week and will use that time to research and write a report for me on why you value these traditions."

Duchess sneers at these words, "Fine. It's not like a punishment given to me by a Rebel means anything anyways," she leans back into the plush seating.

~~~~~~~~~~

"You know, Duchess's words might have some value."

Briar whipped her head around to Apple just as Ashlynn walked right into her. The three were on their way to Kingdom Management when Apple suddenly blurted out those crazy words.

"How in Ever After does what Duchess said have any value?" Briar bit out every word, doing her best not to shout at Apple.

While Briar would never deny that fact that she is a Royal and is willing to go through with her destiny - despite knowing that she would sleep for 100 years - that does not mean she thinks she is better than the Rebels or thinks that everything should just go back to the way it was before the war. In fact, Briar actually secretly supported most of the changes that the Rebels are trying to implement - including the Replacement Character system.

Apple's gaze looks both faraway and focused, almost like she was thinking of something else, "What if this is all part of some grand master plan? The Storybook of Legends going missing would help further the Rebel's agenda of riding Ever After of the old traditions and it would also ensure that no one would be able to sign."

"Apple do you hear yourself!" Ashlynn snapped, "'The Rebel's agenda' 'grand master plan', you talk like we are still in a war! The Rebels were all just as blindsided by the Book going missing as we were! This does not have to be an Us vs Them scenario! Also, it does not make sense - Raven was terrified when she saw her story in the fake book and you are really gonna try and say that that was faked! Get off your high throne and face the real story!"

Apple reeled back as if she had been struck. She was looking at Ashlynn with an almost betrayed look on her face.

"..Why - why would you say that, Ashlynn?" Apple's voice trembled. Briar almost felt bad for her.

"Because I am tired of you pushing the idea that the Rebels are 'enemies' or that they are trying to destroy everything good in Ever After. They. Are. Not. And I am tired of having to listen to you try to justify yourself!" Ashlynn was angrier than Briar had ever seen her.

Apple blinked taking a step, "Ashlynn - you - you don't know what you are saying!" She was looking at Ashlynn like she did not recognize her, "That's - that's your - that's Hunter Huntsman putting ideas in your head -"

"Don't you dare try and blame my realizations on my boyfriend! I came to these conclusions myself - not because he 'turned' me to the Rebels, not because I was 'indoctrinated', but because I have barely recognize you Apple since we have come here! Our first day here you violently overstepped Raven's boundaries, borderline harassed her, and have done everything in your power to discredit her, her friends and their beliefs!" The hallway was nearly empty by this point, everyone else in their classes, but Briar barely cared, to invested in her friends' argument. "I came to my conclusions about you based on your own actions. Nothing else."

Ashlynn then turned and marched off to class. Leaving a stunned Apple - and Briar - behind.

After a few seconds, Apple turned to look at Briar. Her face was pale, like usual, but more ghostly this time, like she just had the shock of her life.

"Do you... do you think that too?" Apple's voice was small, like she was afraid of the answer.

Before Briar could respond, the bell rang. "Come on," Briar linked her arm through Apple's like they were kids again, "Let's go, Mrs. Her Majesty the White Queen is way more stricter than Madam Maid Marian."

Apple nodded, letting Briar drag her along. Briar could not help but be grateful to the bell. Because she was also afraid of what she would have answered with.

Chapter 5: A Forest Fight

Summary:

As Ashlynn makes her way through the Enchanted Forest for a date with Hunter, she finds that a certain red and white clad princess following her into the woods.

Ashlynn's POV

Ashlynn practically races out of school the second the last bell rings. For the first time in a while, she is not rushing off for a shift at the Glass Slipper, but for a date!

Ashlynn's heart and feet begin to skip as she makes her way to the Enchanted Forest, happily knowing that, even if it just for a little bit, she and Hunter will be getting some alone time -

"Apple and Ashlynn are coming!" a little dove chirped, excitement filling her song, "Princesses Apple and Ashlynn are in the Enchanted Forest!"

Ashlynn paused her movements and looked behind her. Sure enough, trailing not far behind her was Apple. The other princess was not looking directly in her direction, but it was clear that she was following her.

"What in Ever After is she doing here?" Ashlynn wondered. While it was not uncommon for Ever After High students to go to the Enchanted Forest to relax after school, Apple's recent behavior and the argument they had earlier was still fresh in her mind.

Deciding to try something, Ashlynn took a sharp turn off the well-worn path and into some bushes. While she did not really mind getting her clothes dirty - she always wore organic materials that were easy to clean whenever she went into the forest - she knew Apple was more careful with her clothes. If she really was just in the forest to get away from school, then she would have no reason to follow her through a bunch of bushes. And if she did, Ashlynn would know. Not just because of the noise but the animals will also say something really quickly.

Sure enough, not long after Ashlynn cleared the bushes, she hear the signature rustling of leaves and twigs on fabric and the voices of birds and bunnies gossiping.

"Apple White ripped her dress!"

"Oh, what a shame."

"She has twigs in her hair!"

"Why is she following Ashlynn?"

"Oh, so even the bunnies think so!" Ashlynn had had it with her friend today! Thinking quickly, Ashlynn veered to the right, she quietly headed into a dense thicket, using the tips Hunter taught her on how to walk silently through the forest, and hid in it, waiting for Apple to walk passed her. She did not have the energy to deal with anymore of her Royal vs Rebel rubbish today.

"Hi, Ashlynn!"

Ashlynn nearly jumped out of her shoes when she heard a little voice beside her. Looking down, she saw that it was not anyone terrifying, but little Pesky, Hunter's pet squirrel.

She smiled, giving the little creature a silent wave. The squirrel tilted his head.

"Are you hiding from someone?" Pesky asked.

Ashlynn nodded, pointing outside the thicket to Apple. Pesky poked him head out to look.

"Oooh, are hiding from the weird Princess who always wears red and white?" Pesky cocked his little head and swished his fluffy tail. No wonder Hunter can't help but keep him around! Ashlynn nodded again.

Pesky nodded seriously, "Gotcha, do not worry, Fair Forest Maiden, I will protect you!"

"Protect Ashlynn from who?" Ashlynn turned her head to see and little dove behind her. She did not realize how big this thicket really was.

"From the weird red princess who is following her," Pesky replied.

The dove walked out of the thicket to see what Pesky meant, and walked back in, asking with a tilt of her head, "Do you mean Apple White?"

"Yeah, who else?"

"The loud Princess from Wonderland who keeps trying to play croquet with the hedgehogs?" the dove cocked her head in a sassy kind of way.

"Oh, good point."

Ashlynn silently begged the critters to be quiet. As this rate Apple will hear -

"Hello? Is anyone in there?" Apple's voice sounded from outside the thicket which began to rustle as she tried to push the vegetation aside.

"Attack!" Pesky suddenly cried, "Protect Ashlynn, from the Rotten Apple!"

The squirrel leaped up and landed right on Apple's face. Apple yelped in surprise and stumbled back. Of course, though, a flock of doves came to try and help Apple and began pecking at Pesky to get him off of the princess.

Ashlynn bounced out of the thicket as well, knowing that there was no way Apple would not notice her now. Before anymore damage could be done, she grabbed Pesky by his little waist and picked him off of Apple. She then turned to the birds and said, "Stop! Stop pecking at him! Everything is okay!"

The flock of doves stopped, looking at her with puzzled looks. Apple brought her hands down from her face and looked around in guarded confusion before she registered Ashlynn.

"Wha - what? What just -" Apple stuttered.

"Everyone leave - yes, even you, Pesky - I need to talk to Apple alone for a minute."

The critters scatter, some a little more reluctant than others. Pesky being the last one to leave, throwing Ashlynn one last worried look over his shoulder before scurrying off.

For a moment, the two princess just looked at each other in utter, unnatural silence, like the whole forest has stopped what they are doing to watch. Which, given how gossipy forest critters tend to be, is entirely possible.

Ashlynn decided to break the silence. "What are you doing here, Apple?" It came out a bit harsher that Ashlynn had intended, but then again, Apple was making her late for her date.

Apple took a second before responding, "I saw... I saw that you where heading into the forest and I wanted to talk to you." Her voice sounded carefully forced chipper. If Ashlynn didn't know Apple as well as she did, she would have thought it was genuine.

"Well, sorry to disappoint you," Ashlynn replied, not feeling up for anymore of Apple's billy-goat shit today, "But I do not want to talk to you and I have somewhere else I really need to be."

"Ashlynn, come on!" Apple's voice went higher than usual, which would be impressive if Ashlynn wasn't so annoyed right now.

"Apple," Ashlynn snapped. She took a breath. Losing her temper would not help and will only make her voice rise, "I am not the mood to have any sort of conversation with you. I do not even want to hear an apology from you. I - flat out - am not ready to talk to you. So please, for fairy godmother's sake, leave. Me. Alone."

She then turned and began to walk away, not waiting for Apple's response. But, off course, Apple refused to accept that answer.

"Are you going to see Hunter?" Apple was doing her best to keep pace with Ashlynn, which was harder than she anticipated since 1) Ashlynn was more used to forest walks that she was and 2) Ashlynn was wear appropriate footwear (hiking boots), while Apple was still in her heels (pretty, but not at all appropriate for a walk through the woods).

"Not your business," Ashlynn returned, not bothering to even look over her shoulder.

"It is my business, Ashlynn!" Apple shouted back, which followed by a small yelp as she nearly tripped over a root.

Ashlynn whirled around to look Apple in the eyes again, "How in Ever After is who I date your business!" she retorted.

"Because," Apple regained her balance and straightened her back, before continuing in a softer voice, "you are my friend, and I want to save from heartbreak."

"So, your solution to 'save me from heartbreak' is to try an prevent me from spending time with my boyfriend?" She gave Apple an incredulous look, "How is that supposed to save me?" she could not keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

"Because it is never gonna work out anyway! Soon, the real Storybook of Legends is gonna be found and you are going to sign to be the next Cinderella and the two of you are gonna have to break up so why even bother!" Apple explained, sounding almost desperate, "You two are only setting yourselves up for heartbreak anyway! At least if you break up now, you won't have so much emotional baggage!" she took a step towards Ashlynn, who was just frozen in shock. She continued with a softer, more sympathetic sounding voice, "Why can't you see that I am only trying to look out for you?" She reached a hand out like she was gonna hug Ashlynn.

Ashlynn reared back away from Apple. "What, the actual, fairy fuck!" She looked at this girl who was, supposedly one of her oldest friends and felt... scared.

Ashlynn squared her shoulders, pushed her fear down and looked at Apple right in the eye, "Apple, let me set this story straight: 1 - you do not have any control over who I chose to date. Period. That is none of your business and you do not need to get involved in it. 2 - who says that I am gonna be the next Cinderella?"

Apple's eyes went wide. Ashlynn continued before she could say anything.

"Whether or not I decide to retell my family's story is mine and my family's business, not yours. You worry about your story, and I will worry about mine. And if I don't want my role, so what? I'm sure there are plenty of people who will be willing to take my place! Plus, it is a very popular story - it's not like in our great-great-great-grandma's generation where everything was told verbally. We write most of this stuff down now a days! It has been retold a thousand different ways! It's not like the story will just suddenly disappear if no one reenacts it!"

Ashlynn finished her rant and looked at Apple, who looked in shock. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Finally, she managed a choked out, "What... what about your kingdom? Your throne? What will your parents say when they hear that you are - that you and Hunter... a Rebel..?"

"We will cross that troll bridge when we get to it. And it will be my family's business - Not. Yours."

Apple just stared at Ashlynn, not saying anything. Not having anything more to say to her, Ashlynn turned and walked off - until she walked right into a certain broad-shouldered Rebel.

"Hey," Hunter gently placed his warm hands on her shoulders, his face etched with concern, " Are you okay? Pesky alerted me that something might be up."

Ashlynn's gaze went to the little squirrel hiding behind Hunter's left leg. He gazed up at her with an expression that could make anyone melt.

Ashlynn looked back up at her boyfriend, and everything that Apple just said came rushing back into her mind. Not having the words or energy to explain, Ashlynn just set her face into Hunter's shoulder and began to cry. Hunter immediately began rubbing her back and holding her close, not needing words to understand what she needed.

~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, in a dorm in Ever After High's girl's wing, another princess slept, her snores echoing off of her walls. But while she continued to sleep, her after school rest was anything but peaceful, as she listened to her best friends fight in the woods.

 

 

And the signature foosh of magic. But from where, she did not know.

 

Chapter 6: Opening Minds and Revealing Secrets

Summary:

A few Royals wish to talk to Raven about what it means to be a Rebel and if they possible are ones. Minds are opened and secrets are finally revealed. What will this all mean?

Notes:

Hello everyone. I am so sorry that this chapter took so long to write down. My life got busy these last few weeks, it sucks but it happens.
Thank you everyone for being so patient, to make up for it, this chapter will be a bit longer than expected so I hope it will be well worth the wait.
Once again, thank you all for your patience, you are amazing fans!

Raven's POV

Raven exhaled with relief as she finished up her thronework for her Magicology class, which was easy seeing as 1) it was just answering a work sheet and 2) Raven already knew most of it since her mother was so insistent on Raven being magically ahead of her peers. 

The reasoning Raven was given, a the tender age of 11 no less, was so that, if Eris dies in battle, Raven could take over in a heartbeat. Yes, great thing to tell you pre-teen daughter during a war that you started. Excellent parenting right there.

Raven leaned back into the couch she was sitting on, looking around the room. She had gotten into the habit of doing her thronework in, what is officially called the 'Commoner's Common Room'. Unofficially though, it became the 'Rebel's Common Room', since the Rebels did not feel comfortable even attempting to enter the 'Royal's Common Room'. The habit started when she was still rooming with Apple, who would sometimes lean over her shoulder and make comments on what she thought the correct answers should be. Which was annoying as all hex, especially when it was on a class that Apple wasn't even it.

Raven's gaze landed on the large mirror hanging above the fireplace. Immediately, her thoughts went back to earlier in the semester, when Dexter had warned her that Apple had been given access to the school's security system. The info left even more wary of mirrors than she was already and she could not help but stare at the mirror, like she was expecting Apple to walk right out of it.

The creaking of the wooden door caused Raven to nearly leap right out of her seat as she whipped her head around, half-expecting to see Apple there. Thankfully, it was not Apple entering the Common Room, but Dexter, his twin sister Darling, Maddie, Rosabella Beauty and C.A. Cupid. The small group paused when at the entrance, with Dexter in the front, smiling awkwardly.

"Hey," the familiar blue wear prince said, "Sorry, we didn't meant to scare you, but.. uh, a few of us were hoping we could ask you some questions... about.. uh.."

"About being a 'Rebel'", Raven smiled at Dexter's gentle nervousness. Him wanting to ask questions, but not wanting to be rude. She softly patted the seat next to her, letting the group know that they can come in.

"Ye - yeah," Dexter stuttered as they filed in, sitting down next to Raven, "I hope you don't mind.."

 "As long as you are polite about," Raven replied, smiling at him. He smiled back.

Cupid took a seat directly across from Raven, with Rosabella sitting next to her. Darling, naturally, sat next to her brother. Raven took a moment to study the Charming Princess. Darling was in her Kingdom Management and Muse-ic classes, but she was typically very quiet and usually sat in the back, like she wanted to be seen as little as possible. When she and Dexter had dinner with her and the other Rebels before the disastrous Legacy Viewing Day, she kept her navy blue hood up as much as possible. At the time, Raven assumed that she did not want word of her and her brother hanging out the the Rebel students to get back to their more traditional parents, but maybe there was another reason behind Darling's desire to not be seen so much. If she was willing to risk being seen again with Raven, then there must be something more going on with the beautiful princess.

Maddie, meanwhile, had made a happy bounce to sit down on Raven's other side, unwittingly putting herself between Raven and the mirror, much to Raven's secret relief.

Maddie's head perked up suddenly and said, "Oh, I'm so happy that you think that!"

Everyone threw Maddie weird looks.

Maddie pointed upwards, "The Narrator said - "

(MADDIE!! You are not suppose to talk to us, or about us!)

"Aww, but you are right here," for the first time since Raven meet Maddie, looked a bit down trotted.

(Yes, but that other characters do not know that I am here, and it breaks a lot of rules that you are talking to me! Also, we are right in the middle of a scene here.)

"Oh, you are right! My bad sorry!"

(It's okay. Just try not to direct attention to me for the rest of the chapter. I am supposed to be an observer, not an interact-or.)

"Okay!" Maddie smiled and turned her attention back to Raven and the others, "Sorry, let's continue now!"

Raven didn't even bother to try and hide her laughter. She doubted it would have worked anyway. A few of the others smiled as well.

After everyone finally got themselves under control, Raven turned her attention back to Dexter, whose smiled seemed to brightened when they locked eyes. Was it just her, or did Dexter seemed happier now than when the school year started?

Raven remembered why they came to her. "You guys said you had some questions about being a Rebel?"

Dexter smile turned smile and he adverted his eyes, "Yeah, just some questions since we know... well, next to nothing," he trailed off.

"All we really know about being a Rebel is that you do not follow your family story," Darling said, her gaze shifting from her brother to look straight at Raven, her eyes shining with clear interest, "Though this was mostly talked about... unfavorably.. by our parents and other adults we were around, so we thought we should get a more... nuanced version." The tone of which Darling said the last bit gave Raven plenty of ideas of how the Royal adults talked about the Rebels to the younger generation. At least some of said younger generation was more open to learning.

Rosabella speaks up, "You once told me that you, yourself, chose to identify as a Rebel. Even if your parents are Rebels, it is something you have to chose."

Raven nodded, glad that the Royal remembered their conversation from earlier in the semester. "Yeah, though how you were raised and the opinions of those you grew up would definitely play a part in it, being a Rebel is really about believing that everyone should be able to chose what they want to do. If you actually want to follow your story, that is fine, as long as it is what you really want to do," Raven continued, "Cedar, for example, actually does want to be the next Pinocchio, but identifies as a Rebel because she believes that everyone deserves the right to chose whether or not you want your destined story or not."

"Wait," Darling spoke up, a look of slight confusion on her face, "so you can be a Rebel and still want to follow a fairy tale story? The impression I always got - at least how the adults around us talked about - was that Rebels do not follow their stories period. But you can still follow a tale a be a Rebel? As long as it is what you really want?"

Raven nodded, "Yeah. Me personally, I do not want to follow my pre-destined role, but that is something I decided for myself. Cedar wants her destiny and that is her chose, but she is still a Rebel because she believes you should have the right to chose."

Darling had a thoughtful look on her face. Rosabella then spoke up.

"So - for instance - if someone felt like there were more... impactful things they could do instead of following their destiny... would that person be considered a Rebel? Because, I'll be honest, form what I have hear from you, the Rebel philosophy makes sense - sometimes even more sense than what the Royal philosophy has taught us. And while I do not mind my destiny..." Rosabella paused, pursing her lips and looking down at the floor, "There are also other things I want to do. Like, I sometimes think of more as something I need to get out of the way than something grand and noteworthy. And maybe that makes me a bad Royal, so I have never admitted that to anyone else.... not even my own parents.."

Darling draped her arm around Rosabella's shoulders, a look of sympathy on her face. Raven glanced over at Dexter who wore a thoughtful expression, like he was just now thinking about his own feelings on his destiny - which, Raven just remembered, he does not know it.

"What about you, Dexter?" Raven asked, "What are your thoughts on the destiny system?"

Dexter looked surprised to be acknowledged, "Oh, um... They are... um - complicated to say the least.."

Raven waited for Dexter to continue on his own merit. He looked like he needed to get something off his chest. After a minute, he let out a breath and continued.

"I... The story I'm supposedly destined for is for me to rescue a damsel in distressed, marry her and we live happily ever after... And that is fine and all... but what if - I mean I kind of - what if I.... I end up falling in love with someone outside my story...?"

Raven smiled, immediately thinking of Hunter and Ashlynn and her godparents, Ruby and Brawley Hood-Badwolf. Both couples forbidden by the Royal philosophy, but have come together none the less.

"Like, I have never believed that your heart follows a pre-writtened scripted," Dexter continued, "And I know some Royals prescribe to the theory that the Storybook of Legends assigned True Love matches, but.... I don't - I don't know if I can trust that.."

Raven was surprised. She had never hear of that theory, but before the book's disappearance, she had always tried to keep the Storybook of Legends out of her mind. Though, it did make sense why the Royals would think that.

Dexter went on, "I.. I'm not sure when the Storybook was swapped out, but if it was after the Reb- after Eris Queen graduated, then It would mean that everyone in her class - her included - would have signed the real Book. If - if that is true, then my parents would signed and they..." he looks at Darling before continuing. She has a resigned look on her face. Dexter continues, "I'm.. I'm not sure they were a good fit for each other.."

Everyone in the room looked at Dexter in surprise, minus Darling who tried to look anywhere else besides their faces. It was clear as day that she thought the same thing.

"They just.." Dexter trailed off, seemingly unable to go any further.

Darling finished Dexter's thought, "They seemed to only be together because of their story. Like, Dad rescued her, they got married, Mom gave him children and heirs. But they never seem to... like each other, if that makes sense. Like, they never seem to do one-on-one time together. Sure, maybe they are doing that now that the war is over and the three of us are here at school, but I honestly cannot see that happening. They just... don't seem interested in each other."

That.. hit Raven. Close to home. She remembered her own parents relationship being similar. 

Her mother's main interests always were related to the war: the army, battle plans and training Raven up to one day continue it. Eris never once seemed to really care about her husband though. It was always Gareth trying to offer time together, it always seemed to be Gareth making the effort to try and get alone time, just the two of them. And each time it seemed like Eris blew her husband off.

Raven remembered feeling really sorry for her dad and always hoped that one day her mother would see the effort he always tried to put in. And while that day never came, she always lets him know that she appreciates him.

She looked over at Dexter to see how he felt about this being known. Her heart clenched when she saw his expression, which seemed blank and far-away. Like he was only now realizing that he does not want a life like that, one where him and his spouse do not like each other. She knew he needed some help at that moment.

Raven gently put her hand on his wrist, rubbing small circles into it. It was something that her dad would sometimes do to help ground her, to bring her back to reality. Dexter's eyes went wide when he noticed her hand there, but said nothing. He did lift his head enough to give her a grateful smile, which Raven returned.

Dexter's face then went a bright shade of red, he looked away but did not move his hand, "Umm - so yeah," he stuttered, "I - I do not - I do not know if I can trust the Book to assign me a story where me and the damsel I rescue are actually in love. Besides," he looked back at Raven's hand on his wrist and then back at her face, "what if I fall in love with someone outside my story?"

Raven felt her face go warm for some reason. Then she realized why.

She looked down at her hand on Dexter's wrist, so close to his hand. He didn't pull away, never made any inclination that he did not want her touching him.

She looked back up to his face, his sapphire blue eyes watching her. She smiled at him and he smiled back.

"Yeah, something tells me that neither my parents or Headmaster Milton Grimm would approve of me falling in love with a Rebel," he gave a nervous laugh, like he could pass the statement off as a joke.

Raven felt her heart clench for him again. Then her mind went to Hunter and Ashlynn. Would her parents approve? Hunter's family role was that of a hero, sure, but not of a prince. He wasn't even a main character. She made a mental not to ask if anyone has said anything to them.

"Well," Maddie chirped, "I do want my destiny, but I am in a similar teacup as Cedar - I think you should be able to chose I you want to play your part or not! I think Headmaster Milton Grimm is a sad, stale biscuit of a man you cannot get over that times have to change!"

Raven fought hard to keep her laughter in. It was honestly a relief to hear someone had a similar opinion of the Royal Grimm. She took a look back at the Royals and saw that they were making fugitive glances at the door, like they were worried that someone had overheard what Maddie said. It made sense, with Milton Grimm having just as big of a hand in the Royal movement as the Giles probably did in the Rebel movement, there were probably a lot of Royals who would get really offended if they heard Maddie's thoughts on the Co-Headmaster.

After a few minutes, when it became clear that no one had heard them, the Royals relaxed again. Rosabella and Dexter leaned back into their seats but Darling still looked at the door like she expecting someone to burst in. Raven spoke to her next.

"And you, Darling?" Raven's question caused the princess to jump slightly, "Do you think you might be a Rebel?"

The princess chewed her lip, thinking about if she should tell, but a glance at her brother seem to steel her confidence.

"The thing is," Darling started, sounding more confident that Raven had ever heard, "I do want a fairy tale role, just not the one I'm supposedly destined for." She smiled, happy to finally be revealing this after so long. She looked straight at Raven like she was about to pledge her her loyalty.

"I want to be a hero, not a damsel. I want to go on adventures and save people, not be locked up in a tower or dungeon waiting for someone to save me," she smiled, a huge weight clearly off her chest, "I want to be hero."

Raven smiled, "Oh, yeah, you are definitely a Rebel," she looked a round the group, "You all are. And, while I cannot imagine how scare it is to admit that, especially when you are not sure how your parents will react, please know that you can always talk to me or one of the Rebel teachers. We will have your backs."

Everyone smiled. Darling then leaped up and hugged Raven, with Dexter, Maddie and Rosabella following soon after. It was a perfect moment.

 

 

 

Or at least, it would have been. If were not for a certain someone watching them through the Mirror System.

"What was that?" Maddie asked.

"What was what?" Raven asked.

Maddie tilted her head upwards, like she was trying to listen to something she was not supposed to hear!!!!

Maddie made a face, "The Narrator said that someone is watching us through the Mirror System."

The group hug broke apart, everyone staring at Maddie and then at the mirror above the fireplace. Dexter and Raven looked at each other, their eyes going wide.

Without saying a thing, they each grabbed someone a rushed out of the room, into the hallway where there was no mirrors to be seen, and practically slammed the door behind them.

"What happened?" Rosabella looked between Raven, Dexter and Maddie, "What's wrong?"

"Was someone spying one us the whole time!?" Darling griped her twin brother's hand as the realization made her go pale.

"Who?" Rosabella looked back at the door, "There is no way that that is legal? Who in Ever After would do something like that?"

Raven and Dexter looked at each other, violet eyes meeting blue. They knew who it was.

"Apple."

 

Chapter 7: A Plan of Princely Action

Summary:

Raven calls an emergency meeting for the Rebels and "aspiring Rebels" to try and figure out what they can do about Apple spying on them!

Raven's POV

After making sure the door to Sparrow's tree house was latched, Raven turned to face the group that had gathered here.

All of the Rebel students were there, along with some "aspiring Rebels": Dexter, Darling, Maddie, Rosabella and even Ashlynn.

Right after the incident at the Commoner's Common Room, Raven sent out a mass hext message to the Rebels telling thy that they needed to meet somewhere without any mirrors SAT. Sparrow volunteered his tree house and Hunter asked to bring Ashlynn along since 1) she could give insight to Apple's thought process, and 2) she was basically a Rebel herself at this point.

Raven takes a deep breath, "I am sure you are all wondering why you are all here: I know by this point, everyone has noticed that Apple White has been very... uhhh.."

"Overbearing?" Ramona offered with a raised eyebrow.

"Controlling." Cerise deadpanned.

"Really weird towards you, the other Rebels and any Royal who might even be thinking thoughts of switching sides?" Rosabella pointed out.

"Obsessed with the Royal philosophy to the point where even her closest friends are starting to worry for her mental health and stability?" Ashlynn volunteered.

"Ah, so I am not the only one who has noticed," Raven thought, feeling a little bit better that she is not the only one who has noticed Apple's escalating behavior.

"Y-Yes," Raven continued, a bit more confident now that she knows she is not imagining things, "Apple's behavior has been very concerning lately. But, recently - or, well, I kind of knew about this, but forgot about it is the stress of - well uh.." Raven took a deep breath. Everyone was looking at her. Waiting. "They needed to know. This wasn't right." She looked at her oldest friends faces, their expressions ranging from worried to encouraging. To the "aspiring Rebels", looking for guidance. To Dexter's gentle smile and reassuring eyes. Raven finally found the words.

"Apple White has access to the school's security mirrors and has been using them to spy on me, and probably others. I - I am not sure who else she could be watching, but she definitely has been watching me."

Everybody's faces went white as snow, even the "aspiring Rebels" who knew this was coming.

"What.." Cedar asked, her wooden face creaking loudly as her expression goes from encouraging to absolutely horrified.

"Raven," Cerise chimed in gently, "Why didn't you say something sooner?"

She knew this question was coming, but it still felt like someone was pulling the one loose string that threatened to completely unravel her like poorly made dress or scarf.

"I... I wasn't sure anyone would believe me.. At least, no one that could do something.." Raven felt shame burn through her like hot embers as she admitted this. "I didn't even think Giles could do anything since most of the teachers and staff are Royal-aligned and I was sure that Milton would have found some loophole to exploit and because Apple's family and story is so influential I didn't think anyone would take me seriously and I didn't want to worry anyone else and -"

Raven was cut off by Cerise hug-tackling her from the front while Ramona hugged her from behind. Cedar, Hunter, Ginger, Melody and Sparrow quickly joined them and Raven felt her heartbeat and breath finally slow down. She didn't even realize how fast she was breathing or talking.

The group hug soon broke up, but it was just what Raven needed to ground herself. "Thanks guys," she told her friends, before turning to the "aspiring Rebels", "Sorry about that."

"A bird does not need to retrieve its fallen feathers," Maddie chirped out with a smile.

"What?" Raven asked, a smile slowly creeping up onto her face.

"Its Riddlish," Darling supplied, "she basically said 'you have nothing to apologize for', which she is correct." The others nod at this, but Raven notices both Dexter and Ashlynn have serious expressions on their faces.

Hunter noticed this too, "Ash? Dex? You guys okay?"

Dexter bits his lip and runs a hand through his cocoa-brown hair, "I feel like this could have been avoided if I raise the alarm on Apple being given access sooner," he admitted.

Hunter blinks in surprise and Sparrow narrows his eyes at the prince, "You knew about Apple being given access to the security system first?" The guitarist asks with an edge to his voice.

Dexter flinches and does not meet anyone's eyes, "I was there when Humphrey logged Apple in. I went to tell Raven immediately after, but I was not sure anyone but her would believe me since... well.." He pauses, looks up for the briefest of moments and meets Raven's eyes, before looking back down and continuing, "No one really pays me much mind. I'm the second son, and I'm not particularly skilled at much - at least compared to Daring - and it's like Raven said, Apple's family is so influential that they would probably just give her a slap on the wrist if that - or they would flat out not believe me and say I'm making it up and just punish me."

Raven was shocked to hear this! She could not believe that anyone would not believe Dexter! Then again, he was right about Apple's position within the social hierarchy...

"The important thing is," Rosabella jumps in, "That we need to alert the staff - and especially Giles Grimm about this. There is no reason for a student to be given access to the school security system - regardless of their or their family's position."

Everyone agrees with this. Rosabella then continues, looking at Dexter with eyes bright with focus, "Dexter, did Apple say that she had both Headmasters' permission, or did she just say 'Headmaster Grimm' without any distinction?"

"Does that even matter?" Ramona growled, "She still somehow got access! Besides, it is clear that it was only Milton Grimm giving her access because there is no way in hex that Giles gave her permission!"

"It does," Rosabella said firmly as she made jotted down notes on a piece of parchment, "As you just said, there is no way that Headmaster Giles Grimm willingly gave her access, so this means that she either lied about having full permission or she and Prince Humphrey Dumpty were mislead that they had the backing of both Headmasters."

Dexter got a thoughtful look on his face as he tried to think back, "I think... I don't think Apple said specifically that both Headmasters gave her permission. But I do distinctively remember Humphrey assuming that she had permission from both."

Rosabella's eye light up when she heard this, "Do you have any idea why Humphrey thought that?"

"Because she had a permission slip stating that she did," Dexter said.

This gave Raven pause. "Wait, so there is a piece of paper that says that Apple had permission from both Headmasters."

Realization dawned in Dexter's eyes, "...Yes."

The tree house fell silent.

"We need to get that permission slip," Darling said.

"How?" Ginger asked, her hands gripping the front of her sweatshirt like she was kneading dough, "Would Humphrey be willing to just hand it over? Isn't he a Royal?"

"Leave that to me," Dexter said, his voice sounding the most steady since this whole ordeal came to light.

"You sure?" Raven asked. She did not want to put Dexter in a rough position.

Dexter locked eyes with her and nodded, "Humphrey and I are friends and I am sure that I can either convince him to let me 'borrow' the form, or just outright steal it from him if I have too. Hopefully it will not come to that, but I can do if it does."

Raven nodded at him, giving him a grateful smile, "Thank you, Dexter."

"In the meantime," Rosabella was furiously flipping through note and scribbling stuff down on notebook parchment, "We need to come up with a plan of attack. We need to find a way to present this to Headmaster Giles Grimm and other teachers - not just Rebels ones - to tell them what Apple has been doing."

"Do you think she will be punished for this?" Ashlynn asked. She did not look or sound particularly worried or upset by the possibility.

"That might depend on what evidence we can find against her," Rosabella informed her.

"She should be punished!" Sparrow shouted, "She shouldn't get off with just a slap on the wrist just because she is a Royal! If any of us did something like that, we would be kicked out of school faster than blowing down a house of straw!"

Everyone nodded, murmuring in agreement - even Darling and Ashlynn.

Dexter must have noticed Raven's look of surprise, because he went over to her and said, "Apple may be driven, but she does not always think her plans through. I think this has been coming to her for a long time now. At least we have a plan."

Raven nodded, but did not feel much triumph. She could not help but wonder what else could happen?

Chapter 8: Crown Flipping Conversations

Summary:

Dexter goes to get the permission slip from Humphrey. But in the process, will he make a friend or a foe?

Notes:

Disclaimer: This chapter will showcase a POV character's intrusive thoughts or self-doubt and hatred. If that is something that is gonna be challenging for you, there is no shame in not reading them or this chapter.
Also I have virtually no video game knowledge (besides Pokemon) and very little clue how guys talk. This might be more emotional than boys usually are (especially teen boys), so I apologize in advance for any inaccuracies.

Dexter's POV

"I can do this, I can do this, I can do this," Dexter repeated, over and over again in his mind as he walks through the corridor to reach Humphrey's dorm room. The two princes have a Call of Beauty gaming session today, but Dexter is also gonna use this opportunity to get the permission slip from Humphrey.

Dexter finally arrived at Humphrey's dorm and did his best to control his beating heart as Humphrey opened the door for him. He didn't know why he was nervous, it is not like Humphrey is a Royal... he is also not a Rebel either.

"What is the worse that can happen?" Dexter thought to himself as they turned on the game.

"He could hate you forever," came a voice from Dexter's head and he checked his arsenal.

"He could report you to Headmaster Milton Grimm," the voice said as he and Humphrey choice their terrain.

"You'll get kicked out of Ever After High," the voice sounded suspiciously like his father..

"Everyone will know what a failure and a disgrace you are," the voice practically shouted.

"Dex!" came Humphrey's very shout as his game character got shot in the back by an enemy, with Humphrey's following shortly there after. Humphrey let out a sigh as he lightly tossed his control in front of him.

"Sorry," Dexter mumbled, waiting for Humphrey to kick him out.

Instead, the other prince just shrugged, "No worries, man. It's just a game." The other prince gave Dexter a look over, "You okay, dude? You seem a bit more distracted lately.."

Dexter sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "Uhh, yeah.. I'm fine just..Uh... Thinking.. about - uhh.." "Raven will hate you if you betray the Rebels!"

"Girls?" Humphrey gave a friendly smirk.

"Yeah!" Dexter said a bit quickly - and maybe to loudly, "Girls.. That's it!"

Humphrey turned to fully face Dexter, obviously eager for the new subject, "Let me guess.. the 'Rebel's Princess' Raven Queen, right?"

Dexter felt his face go furnace red and stuttered for a bit before Humphrey starts laughing, hard enough that he almost falls backward.

"Dude, chill, it's not a big deal," Humphrey huff out.

"If my parents found out it would be.." Dexter mumbles.

"Why?" Humphrey asks, a questioning look on his face.

"Because they would never approve of me one, going against my 'Destined Story', and two, would never, ever after allow me to date the daughter of the Rebel Queen."

"What do your parents have to do with it?" Humphrey gave Dexter a scrutinizing look, "Or you Fairy Tale Destiny for that matter? I thought you and your parents do not know what your story is? Especially with the Storybook of Legends being lost."

Now it was Dexter's turn to look confused. "Does he not understand how big of a deal this is?"

"Well...uhh, how do I put this.." Dexter started, "You know how my parents are like, super, duper fairy conservative Royals?" Humphrey nodded, Dexter continued, "Well, because of that, they full on support Headmaster Milton Grimm and the Royal philosophy - i.e. follow your story no matter what. So, they would not approve of anything less that the person that the Storybook of Legends assigns as my princess or damsel or whatever after you would call the person in that scenario. And if me or my siblings step out of line - we would be buried farther down in the ground than moles and field mice."

Humphrey's eyes grow wide at this explanation and he looks at Dexter with... worry?

"Dex, you know that that is not - nor should be normal, right?" he asks.

"What's not normal?"

"To be that scared of your parents like that," Humphrey explains.

"I'm not scared of them," Dexter reassures him, "Liar," his inside voice said.

Humphrey looked at him, but didn't push the subject, instead saying, "Why would your parents not like Raven? Besides being Eris Queen's daughter, she is actually really nice. Plus, she is an actual princess after all."

"Yeah, but I doubt they would still approve.." Dexter mumbled. Tired of the focus being on him, he asks Humphrey if there are any girls at school that he likes.

Humphrey got a bit nervous and stuttered a bit before finally answering, "Apple White."

Dexter got Mother Goosebumps up his arms but managed to keep his face passive. He gave an awkward laugh and said, "You know she is taken right?"

Humphrey rolled his eyes, "Riiight, like having a strong inclination that Daring is her future 'Prince Charming' and is gonna wake her up is the same as her being 'taken'. Doesn't she know that Daring is flirting with literally every girl that makes eye contact with him? Don't either of them know that that is kind of rude and inconsiderate?"

Dexter blinked at him, "Well, I'm sure that he'll stop doing that when they get married.."

Humphrey rolled his eyes, "If this is how he treats the relationship while they are practically betrothed, then what makes you think he is gonna be any better what they are married?"

Dexter did not think about that. He must have looked uncomfortable because Humphrey seemed to notice and winced.

"Shit - I'm, sorry, sorry, I.. I forgot for a second that that is your brother. I shouldn't have said that. It was mostly just venting, but still not nice to tell you," Humphrey looked at the floor.

"It's... Well, it probably not 'okay', but I understand what you mean and why you would feel that way," Dexter looked to the side, feeling unable to even attempt to look Humphrey in the eyes. His gaze ended up falling on Humphrey's desk that was littered with parchments and action figures displayed above it. Dexter kept his eyes on the action figures.

"I.. I accept your apology, is what I am trying to say. Also.. thanks for alerting me about the behavior you noticed. I... honestly never thought much of it because... because..." "Because Daring can do no wrong while you do everything wrong." "Because.. he's my brother. I guess it is hard to realize when your our family member is doing something wrong."

"Yeah.." Humphrey trailed off.

"For what it's worth," Dexter said looking away from the action figures, really hoped he was able to save this conversation, "Apple also gets flirted with a lot."

"Yeah, but she don't go for it," Humphrey pointed out. Then his face frozen, doing something weird, "Though she has kind of been... different since Legacy Viewing Day."

"You noticed too!"

Humphrey gave him an incredulous look, "I'm pretty sure the whole school has noticed."

"Ah," Dexter said, "Good point."

Humphrey then looked a bit scared, "Has she... Has she said anything about making the Rebel's leave the school?"

Dexter snapped his head around, eyes going wide with shock. "Wha - What?" his voice shook.

Humphrey looked uncomfortable, "Well, there are rumors going around that... Apple is trying to get any student that does not agree with the Royal philosophy to switch their side. There are even rumors of her, uhh, stalking.. some students."

Dexter had no clue it was so bad rumors were starting to spread around Apple. He needed to get that slip. Then he suddenly remembered something.

"Didn't you literally just admit that you have a crush on Apple?"

Humphrey buried his face in his hands, "She's pretty okay! And smart! And when she came over earlier this semester for help with that app installment, she was so nice and I had always hear that Royal were so stuck up and..I...I.." Humphrey lifted his face and it was dead white.

Humphrey looked at Dexter, "She's using the Mirror Security System to spy and stalk students."

Dexter bit his lip and admitted, "That is was the Rebels think."

Humphrey leaped to his feet, "I can cut off her access."

"What?" Humphrey rushed to his desk where his laptop was.

"I can cut off her access to the Mirror System! I can hack into the app and disable it - "

"Humphrey wait!" Dexter leaped up, "The Rebels have a plan!"

"What?" Humphrey paused in his task and looked at Dexter.

Dexter took a deep breath, "The Rebels realized the same thing - they do not blame you," he added quickly, "If anything they blame Headmaster Milton Grimm and Apple. I offered to come here and get the permission slip that Apple gave you so that we can use it as evidence to show Headmaster Giles Grimm and other members of staff that Apple has been invading their privacy and Milton Grimm enabled it."

Humphrey's face went blank. Then his face began to slowly look like he was piecing the puzzle together.

"I'm sorry I was not up front about my real intentions, Humphrey," Dexter said, "I just - "

"Was not sure which side I was on," Humphrey looked at Dexter, his face serious before giving a small smile, "I understand." He then turned to his desk and rummaged around the parchments before finding the one he wanted and handing it to Dexter. It was the permission slip.

Dexter's eyes grew wide as he took the slip, "You sure?"

Humphrey shrugged, "I don't know if I would consider myself a Rebel, but I sure as hex am not a Royal. Take the slip, but if nothing ends up coming out of you guys' visit, then I'm hacking into Apple's Mirrorphone and cutting her off myself. I may have had a crush on her, but that is not okay."

Dexter smiled, "Thanks Humphrey, really."

"You're welcome, Dexter," Humphrey's then went wide, "Wait, if you are helping the Rebels - does that mean to you told Raven you like her!"

Dexter's face went hot again and Humphrey's smile got wider, "Dude! Congrats!" He bumped his fist against Dexter's shoulder.

"Thanks," He laughed, "We haven't had the chance to go on a date yet, with this whole - you know, Apple-thing, but she knows... and might be interested too.."

"Dude!" Humphrey looked ecstatic, "That is awesome!"

Dexter smiled, "Yeah, it is."

~~~~~~~~~~

Dexter left Humphrey's dorm not long after, permission slip safely tucked away in his pocket, as he headed back to his and Hunter's dorm.

As he rounded a corner though, he nearly bumped right into someone - Apple.

Dexter jumped back before he could knock Apple over, "H - Hey, Apple!" he swallowed down his unease, "What are you doing here?"

"Dexter! Oh, what a surprise!" Apple cheerfully said. Almost too cheerfully.

"On one is ever that happy to see you." Dexter mental shook the thought away, he needed to get back to his dorm.

"Where are you coming from?" Apple was standing in front of him, and with her full skirt, the only way Dexter would be able to get past her was if he actually pushed her out of his way.

"Huh - Oh, just coming from hanging out with Humphrey in his dorm," not a complete lie. "One should never lie to a princess," this was one of his mother's main advice when how to treat a princess, along with many others.

"Oh, good! Humphrey is so nice!" Apple's smile was just a tad too big and her voice sounded a bit strained. Dexter did not have a good feeling about this interaction.

"He-he, yeah," Dexter's response was awkward and he was sure that Apple noticed, but he needed to leave, "ANYWAY, I need to get back to my dorm and work on thronework now. It was nice to see you Apple!" Dexter attempted to try and squeeze his way past Apple, but she shifted her position so that she was now blocking him in even more now.

"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about something, Dexter," Apple looked up at Dexter, her pale blue eyes wide and he red lips pursed in a way that made Dexter worried about where this conversation was going. "Dexter, do you feel safe in your dorm room?"

The question genuinely made Dexter freeze. "What kind of question was that?" he wondered. Apple to advantage of his silence.

"Its just that, well," she looked over her shoulders to make sure that no one else was there, but the corridor was empty, before continuing, "I'm sure you have heard that Ashlynn is, um, seeing your roommate, Hunter Huntsman, for some time now. And I could not help but notice that Ashlynn attitude has taken a, ahh, shift lately."

Dexter felt himself go both hot and cold. Was she insinuating that Hunter was the reason for Ashlynn's attitude change? And for that matter, WHAT attitude change? Ashlynn's attitude has not changed!

Apple was still talking, "I just want to make sure that Hunter is not saying anything that you might not want to hear, that is all."

"The nerve of this - " Dexter took a breath so that his voice would not shake with these next words.

"Apple, I am fine. I can assure you, I feel 100% safe in my dorm. And if at any point, I do not feel safe, I will tell a teacher. You do not have to worry about me. Now, if you'll excuse me," Dexter began to walk pass Apple, who attempted to block his way again, but Dexter gently pushed her way this time, "I have some thronework that is due soon and I want to make sure it gets done in a timely manner. I will see you later."

Dexter power-walked the rest of the way to his dorm and did not stop until the door was firmly shut behind him. He let out a shaky breath that he didn't even know he was holding in.

"Dex? Okay?"

Dexter jumped around, half expecting an intruder, only to relax again when he saw is was just Hunter sitting at his desk. Hunter held up his hands to show that he was not a threat and Dexter just felt the entire weight of the afternoon fall on his shoulders.

Dexter felt his heart begin to race and his breathing begin to quicken. He leaned back against the door to stabilize himself and the next thing he knew he felt strong arms wrap around him, a soothing voice telling him to breath and the scent of wood and fresh pine fill him nose.

"No wonder Ashlynn and Hunter spend so much time hugging," Dexter thought as he let's his roommate just hug him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hunter asked.

Dexter just shook his head and slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the permission slip. Hunter's eyebrows shot up when he saw it. He gently took it in his hands and placed it on the desk before going back to hugging Dexter.

"Thank you, Dexter," Hunter said.

"Believe me," Dexter replied, his voice still a bit shaky, "It was worth it." Hunter just replied by hugging him tighter. 

Chapter 9: Hard Conversations

Summary:

Raven, the Rebels and Aspiring Rebels tell Headmaster Giles Grimm and a few teacher their concerns and fears of Apple. But the mirrors just so happen to be everywhere in Ever After High - even in the hallways.

Notes:

Holy Fairy Godmother! I am so sorry that this took a lot longer to get out than I intended! I am so sorry to that I kept you all waiting and I hope this chapter was worth it!

Warning: This chapter contains the POV character having a PTSD flashback and panic attack. Please be aware and take care of your mental health.

Raven's POV

"Its going to be fine, its going to be fine.." Raven thought over and over again as she and Ashlynn made their way to the Headmasters' office. They had scheduled a meeting with Headmaster Giles Grimm - and only Giles - to bring up the issues with Apple as well as bring up their suspicions about Headmaster Milton Grimm. All of the Rebels were gonna be at the meeting, as well as Ashlynn, Dexter, Rosabella and Darling. Both for moral support, but also so that it would not look like the Rebels are ganging up on the "Royal student Leader", something Rosabella suggested.

Cerise, Ramona, Sparrow and Melody also hexted their parents who are teachers about the meeting and they will also be there for support, along with a few other teachers. Raven is a bit more nervous, as a Royal teacher might be more worried about protecting a Royal student than helping a Rebel one, but this might be one of those times she is just gonna have to have faith that everything will be okay.

By the time Raven and Ashlynn arrive, most of the Rebels are there along with Rosabella and Darling. Dexter and Hunter arrive a few moments after them.

Hunter immediately greets Ashlynn and they talk in hush tones together. Dexter meanwhile stayed where he was. Raven quickly notices that the prince's eyes seem to dart around a lot and he seemed to be fiddling with his Royal Blue coat sleeves. Upon closer inspection, his shoulders where slightly raised and he had light gray bags under his eyes like he could not sleep. Raven's heart was already out to him, what with everything he was already risking being seen with them, but it looked like the possible stress was getting to him big time now.

"Hey," Raven said gently as she approached. Dexter's shoulders and fingers seemed to relax a bit "You okay?"

Dexter's azure-blue eyes went a bit wide at the question and he let out an awkward smile, "I feel like I should be asking you that question."

Raven tried to smile back but it ended faltering. Dexter noticed and gentle laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, he said, "it will be okay. If Headmaster Giles is anything like Headmaster Milton, then he is not gonna stop at anything until this wronged has been righted."

Raven finally managed a smile, "Yeah, that does sound like Giles," she agreed.

Just then, the door to the Headmasters' office opened up, revealing Giles Grimm's smiling face.

"Hello everyone, sorry to keep you all waiting," he opened the door a bit wider so everyone could get through, "let us start this meeting."

Everyone began to file in, and Raven looked around to see who else was in the office: there was Giles, of course, as well as Mr. Badwolf, Professor Piper, Madam Marian - again, Raven knew they would be there. She also saw Madam Yaga, the Rebel's Counselor, Professor Jack B. Nimble and Mrs. Her Majesty the White Queen. Raven was a bit more nervous about these three, as they were all pretty Pro-Royal, even if they did not consider themselves Royals.

"So," Giles took his seat behind his desk, his eyes dimmed with worry, "what brings so many of you to my office today, and why did you request that so many teachers be present?"

"Because, Headmaster," Rosabella began, her voice firmer that Raven could ever imagine hers being right now, "we have reason to believe that another student, one Apple White, is stalking and harassing other students, some of which are present right now."

Giles blinked in surprise while the other teachers had varying reactions from pissed, to shock to disbelieve.

"That is a very serious accusation, Miss Beauty," Mrs. Her Majesty the White Queen said, her face stern, "I am afraid that we are gonna need more than just assumptions and feelings in order to take this seriously."

"We have that," Raven said as Dexter got the permission slip out of his pocket and handed it to Giles, who held it in a way for the other teachers to see. Raven watched as it seemed their faces slowly morphed from curious and questioning to complete and utter disbelief.

"What - what is this..?" Giles asked, voice faint.

"It is a permission slip granting Apple White access to the school's security mirrors," Dexter spoke up, "She used it to show Mr. Humphrey Dumpty that it was okay for him to help her download the security app onto her Mirrorphone. I was in Humphrey's dorm when she came by," he explained.

The headmaster and teachers were silent for a moment before Giles spoke up.

"And you all think that... Ms. Apple White has been using it to spy on some of you?" Raven could tell by the look in his eyes that he either knew the answer or was afraid of it.

"We do, Sir," Ashlynn spoke up as Raven nodded along. The aspiring Rebel continued, "There have been times where Apple has... appeared where I was, or has been noticeably following me and other Rebels have said the same thing."

"There has been times where Apple will just suddenly appear near us unexpectedly," Cedar said, "and try to get us to change our minds on 'being Rebels'."

"A lot of times she says stuff like 'But you guys are heroes! Don't you want your Happily Ever After?' and then act offended when we stand our ground," Cerise said.

Raven looked at her two friends in surprise. She did not know that Apple was doing and saying the same things to them.

"Probably because you were too wrapped up in your own stuff," Raven's anxious voice replied.

She watched as a protective fire was lit in Mr. Badwolf's eyes and a look of concern passed between Madam Marian and Professor Piper. Then Madam Yaga piped up.

"Hold on a moment," the old sorceress quipped, "She is doing this to other Royals too?"

"Yes, she is," Ashlynn confirmed with Dexter, Darling and Rosabella nodding along.

Giles got a pained look in his eyes, "I... I had hoped that..." He signed and shook his head. When he looked back at them, there was a hardness to his eyes that was not there before. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Is there anything else that we should be aware of?"

"Unfortunately yes," Ashlynn replied. Hunter grabbed Ashlynn's hand as she continued, "I would like to say that I am saying this as someone who has known Apple for Forever After, so I do not say this lightly... But I have become more and more concerned for Apple's mental well-being in the last few weeks."

A lot of the Rebels looked at Ashlynn in surprise, but Raven knew what Ashlynn was talking about. Apple's behavior was far from "normal".

Ashlynn continued, "Along with the stalking and harassing of other students, Apple has become increasingly obsessed with the Royal Philosophy and traditions. I know that this makes many Rebel students feel uncomfortable, but it is also noticeable to the Royals as well."

"Ashlynn is right," Darling spoke up, " Apple's behavior is getting more and more erratic and it is concerning and honestly kind of scary."

Giles and the teachers all get incredibly concerned hearing this, particularly the Royal teachers.

Rosabella spoke next, "We are not saying this to attack Apple - most of us are genuinely scared and concerned for her well-being. And this is quickly becoming way to big of a problem for us to handle on our own."

Giles nodded, "You are right, Ms. Beauty, and thank you all for bringing this to our attention," Giles gets up, "Me and the staff are gonna have a quick discussion about all you have just told us - and I promise you, something will be done about Ms. White."

Humphrey Dumpty is also willing to speak on behalf of us," Dexter piped up, "He has noticed Apple's behavior as well and understands how wrong he was to give her access to the security system."

Giles quickly makes a note of that on a parchment, "Thank you for letting me know that, Mr. Charming, I will be sure to ask Mr. Dumpty for his side of the story."

The large group began to slowly file out. Raven quickly began to feel the energy leaving her body. Even though she did not do a lot of talking, the thought of the staff not believing them was energy draining enough.

Suddenly Raven is halted by a firm hand grabbing her arm and pulling her forward roughly.

Raven flinches as her mother's hand wraps around her arm in a vice grip. She tries to worm her arm free but it only manages to make her mother's grip tighter.

"I cannot believe you, Raven Queen!" her mother scolds her as she drags her down the stairs and into the castle's dungeon, "This is the third time this week you have apologized! THIRD! You'd think you were one of those Royal, flouncy princesses whose only quest in life to find some good for nothing Prince! I raised you better than that!"

Eris Queen's hands burned magenta in the darkness of the dungeon as she forced the rusty door of the cell open before roughly tossing Raven into it. Raven burst into tears and tried to run out, but her mother slammed the door shut and locked it with her magic. Raven could do nothing but cry harder.

"You will stay there until you learn to be evil!" her mother proclaimed.

"I cannot believe you, Raven Queen!" Apple's shrill voice rang like loud bells in the halls, the blonde princess was just inches away for Raven's face.

Raven froze. Almost literally. She was suddenly the coldest she had ever been, she couldn't move, she couldn't speak - she felt like she was in a dungeon of her own body. Apple  was saying something else, but all Raven could hear was ringing. Apple grabbed Raven's shoulders and started to shake her like she was a potion bottle when suddenly strong hands pulled Raven out of Apple's grip and the ringing stopped just as suddenly as it began.

Raven closed her eyes and tried to focus on something other that Apple's high-pitched screams, the teacher's scolding and the other students' voices all talking over each other.

The smell of old books and clean cotton reached Raven and she felt a warm hand on her back. She turned her head and her violet eyes meet Dexter's blue, which were wide with worry. Dexter helped Raven up (she didn't even realized she had fallen to her knees) and she probably would have buried herself in his chest if it weren't for Apple's sudden screech of indignation.

 Raven turned to look and there were at least ten people in-between her and Apple. Ashlynn was right in front of Apple, with Hunter, Darling, Rosabella and the teacher putting however much distance they could between the two girls.

Apple was currently in Ashlynn's face, practically yelling at her, "How could you!? How could you betray me for the Rebels!" Apple turned to Darling and Rosabella, "And how can you guys turn you backs on you heritage! After everything the Rebels put us through! Are you seriously forgetting all the harm the Rebel Movement has caused!"

Ashlynn stepped forward, Raven could not see her face, but by the way she was clenching her fists, Ashlynn looked like she was barely resisting the urge to punch Apple in the face, "Apple, for the last time - my life is none of you business! You always act like you are right about everything and that the Royal Philosophy is the only way to live - "

"Because it is!" Apple retorts.

"No. It. Is. Not." Ashlynn said, "What if I want to take that chance? What if I want to write a new story instead of repeat the old one. That is not up to you. You do not control me or any of the Royals! And this is me speaking - not Hunter, not Raven, not any other Rebel. This is what I truely think and feel Apple!"

"No it is not!" Apple screeched again.

"Miss Apple White that is quite enough!"

Ever student froze as Mrs. Her Majesty the White Queen strode her way over to Apple, looking coldly as 3 day old porridge.

 "Miss White, how did you know that the Rebels students and others would be here?"

"I had been watching them through the security system," Apple immediately responded.

Raven blinked, "Did - did Apple really just admit that?" she whispered.

"She probably doesn't think she was doing anything wrong," Dexter murmured in response, "After all, she thought she had permission from both Headmasters."

"So you knowing watched them without their permission?" The White Queen asked.

"I had permission!" Apple protested.

"Whose?" Giles asked, "Because you certainly did not have mine."

"Headmaster Milton Grimm's of course," Apple didn't even bother to hide her disdain for the Rebel Headmaster, "Why would I need your permission? You don't have any power here."

The hallway went silent. Like eerily silent. Headmaster Giles Grimm took a deep breath before speaking in the harshest tone Raven had ever heard from him.

"Ms. White, I am going to scheduled a meeting between me, you and your parents or tomorrow at noon. Unless you have a medical emergency, I expect you to be there."

Apple stared back at him just as coldly, "I am not having any kind of meeting with you unless Headmaster Milton Grimm is there as well."

"Oh, do not worry," Giles looked right back at Apple with out blinking, " I will make sure he is there." He takes a moment to look around the group, his eyes catching Raven's for a split second, "Everyone else," he waved his hands in a frustrated, but indicating gesture, "go relax, work on thronework, get fresh air - anything! Just.. get out of this hallway.." his voiced sounded tired as he said that last part, not that Raven could blame him. What are you even suppose to say after that?

Apple looked at her coldly, but finally, did not say anything more to her. She just turned and walked away. Soon the rest of the group slowly dispersed and Raven made it to the dorm room balcony before realizing that Dexter was still with her.

The two looked at each other but Raven could not think of what to say, and evidently neither could Dexter as he opened and then closed his mouth a few times. They finally settled on silence and they listen to the birds chirps and the clouds float through the sky.

"What in Ever After is gonna happen now?" Raven wondered.

Chapter 10: A Grimm Meeting

Summary:

Apple, her parents, Milton Grimm and others have a meeting in the Headmaster's office. It is not a fun meeting.

Notes:

Ho Man! Sorry this chapter took a while to come out, but thank you for waiting. Hope you all like this chapter!

Warning: there is some legal talk in this chapter and I should warn everyone that I am not an expert. The most experience I have is from watching Law and Order. If there is anything I got drastically wrong, please kindly educate me in the comments below.

Apple's POV

Apple sat stiffly in the chair directly across for Giles Grimm. Her parents sat on either side of her, with her mother being flanked by their family lawyer. Milton sat on her father's other side and was glaring daggers at his younger brother.

Giles sat at the Headmaster's desk (where Milton should be sitting), with Mrs. Her Majesty the White Queen and a police officer on either side of him. At least there was one Royal teacher here.

Giles Grimm sighed heavily, "I'm sure you all want an explanation as to why you are all here?"

"Yes, we would," Apple's mother replied stiffly, "Why in Ever After is my daughter in trouble? She has been nothing but a perfect princess!" Apple smiled, she knew her mother would be on her side.

The White Queen fixed Snow White with a cold look, "Well, I am sorry to shatter your mirror, Your Majesty, but you are sadly not seeing facts."

Apple's smile wavered. "Why was the White Queen saying such thing?" Apple wondered, "I thought she was on the Royals' sides.."

Giles pulled something out for his drawer, "Ms. White, can you please tell us what this is?"

Apple looked at the piece of parchment in front of her. "That's the permission slip Headmaster Grimm gave me so I could access the school security mirror systems."

Apple passed it to the lawyer, who studied the writing closely. "It looks like my client had permission from both Headmasters to access the mirror system," he pointed out, "I do not see what the problem is."

"The problem," Giles Grimm growled before taking a breath to steady himself, "is that Apple did not have my permission. My brother, Headmaster Milton Grimm forged my signature - and before you even suggests that I did sign a forgot about it," Giles pulled out another piece of parchment, quickly signing his name on it right in front of them, "Here is my signature. It is very clearly not one of the ones on the permission slip."

The lawyer looked at both signatures, before looking back at the younger Grimm brother, not saying anything. Apple looked at Headmaster Milton Grimm, who looked ready to burst with anger.

"Are you trying to say that I faked your signature!?" Milton loudly asked his brother, "Because I personally think that your are madder than a Hatter for that!"

The police officer raised a hand, "How about we settle this calmly," he looked at Apple directly, asking her in a calm voice, "Ms. Apple White, were you present in the room when this permission slip was signed?"

"Yes," Apple saw no point in lying. She had done nothing wrong after all.

"Did you witness the signing of this permission slip?"

"Yes."

"Which individuals signed this slip for you?"

"Headmaster Grimm."

"Which Headmaster Grimm," the officer asked sternly.

"Headmaster Milton Grimm, of course," Apple stated plainly.

"So Headmaster Giles Grimm was not present for this signing, nor did you see him sign it?" officer seemed to be getting more and more stern.

"No, he was not," Apple stated.

Everyone in the room seemed to have a different, if silent reaction to that. Her parents shared a look that seemed to be a cross of confusion and conviction, their lawyer looked pissed, the officer was stern, the White Queen looked mad, Giles Grimm looked tired, but the most expression that caught Apple's eye the most was Headmaster Milton Grimm's. His face looked stormy. The same expression he wore at the Blue Fairy's funeral.

After a few moments, the White family lawyer spoke up, "Obviously, Ms. White did not know she needed to get both Headmaster's permission for this action to take -"

"It is not just the fact that she did not have full permission," Giles rudely cut the lawyer off, "That is not even the most concerning this Ms. Apple White has done. No, the most concerning part of all this is why she ask for access to the mirror system, and what she has been using it for!"

"What are you talking about?" Apple's mother asked.

"Yesterday, a group of students came to me with concerned over your daughter's recent behavior towards not only them but other students," Giles Grimm explained.

"What in Ever After do you mean?" Snow White was properly mad now, and Apple agreed with her, "'concerning behavior'? What kind of concerning behavior? And who are these students who dare make such baseless accusations!"

"It's was just a group of Rebels," Apple reassured her mom, "Nothing to make a fuss over."

"It was not just Rebel students, Ms. White," the White Queen stated, "A small number of Royal students also came forward with concerns."

"Which ones?" Apple's father sat up straighter, just as shocked as she was.

"I am afraid you are nor privy to that -" Giles Grimm was cut off by Apple, who had enough of this nonsense.

"It was Ashlynn, Dexter, Darling and Rosabella," she listed them off.

Giles Grimm got a pinched look on his face as he gave a sharp exhale.  Apple's parents gave shocked gasps.

"What! Why would they say such untrue things about my daughter!" Snow White's voice was high and angry. Apple's father let out a snort.

"Isn't it obvious, Snow, the Rebels have manipulated them!" he shot a glance at Milton, "I told you this is what would happen if you let those Rebel kids go to school with them! This whole agreement was a mistake!"

Both the White family lawyer and the police officer stepped forward. "Your Majesty," the lawyer calmly told her father, "there is no need to blame Headmaster Milton Grimm for this."

"The lawyer is right," the officer said, "Besides, politics are not why we are here today. The issue at hand is the heinous breach of security that has been committed."

 "ARE YOU SAYING MY DAUGHTER IS DANGEROUS!!" Apple had never heard her mother scream before and it honestly took her a minute to realize it was her who screamed.

The officer gave Snow White a serious look, "Your Highness, the fact of the matter is your daughter, Princess Apple White, was given access to this school's security system. She - whether she knew or not - was given this permission under false pretense that she had both Headmaster's permission. She then used this access to spy and stalk other students. Your daughter has admitted to all of this," the officer then looked at Apple, "is there anything you wish to add?"

Apple opened her mouth to say something, but the lawyer gave her a firm head-shake and Apple closed her mouth. The officer gave her a steady look before turning to Headmaster Milton Grimm, "Is there anything you wish to add, Mr. Grimm?"

Throughout the whole meeting, Milton Grimm's face had been getting redder and redder and this was apparently the older man's boiling point.  Milton leaped up from his seat, knocking the chair he was sitting on over and slammed his hands in the Headmaster's Desk that Giles was sitting at.

"Yes officer, I wish to add that this whole meeting is utterly outrageous!" he jabbed a finger at Giles, "None of this would ever had happened if you did not force the Royals into signing that ridiculous deal! Everything would be the same as before the war and your disastrous mistake of telling Eris Queen about the Book would have long been forgotten! But no! You just had to change things for the worse!"

"For the worse!" now Giles Grimm was standing up, the police officer tried to get in-between them, but it was hard with the desk in the way, "So what? I should have just stood by and watch as another generation signed away their lives to play roles that they do not want? I was just supposed to watch as whole other class of students get emotionally beaten down as they prepare to get punished for crimes they were told to commit!? You think I should have -" Giles suddenly caught Apple's eyes, which were wide with shock, and stopped his rant. He looked at Milton, his eyes green as an evil witch's brew and said in a voice like death, "This is not the time or place to talk about this Milton. But believe me, we will talk about this."

"You -" Milton tried to say something else, but was cut off by the police officer.

"Mr. Giles Grimm is right, Mr. Milton Grimm," he gave the older brother a firm glare, "Whatever quarrel you and your brother have, this is not the time or place for it. In the meantime," he looks at Giles Grimm and the White Queen, both of whom give curt nods, "until a proper investigation can take place, neither Mr. Milton Grimm or Princess Apple White will be allowed on the premise."

"WHAT!!!" all three White family members exclaimed.

"THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!" Milton Grimm shouted.

"Wha - what about school?" the words came tumbling out of Apple's mouth like a pail of water rolling down a hill, "What about my classes?"

"You can do your class via Mirrornet," the White Queen stated coldly.

"How do expect me to do my job as Headmaster if I am not allowed on school property!?" Milton roared.

"Effective immediately, you are temporarily removed as Co-Headmaster of Ever After High," Giles Grimm said grimly.

"This was you people's plan all along!" Apple's father shouted Giles as their lawyer tried to motion for him to sit back down, "Frame my daughter and Milton and get them both kicked out of school so you can spread your ridiculous Rebel propaganda further!"

Apple felt Mother-goosebumps run up her arms. Was her father right? Did the Rebels plan all this from the start? Was this whole thing a setup?

The lawyer finally stepped in, "I think that is quite enough for today," he motioned for the family to get ready to leave, much to her parents' shock. But before they left, the lawyer turned to Giles Grimm and the officer, "You can both expect a statement from me in the upcoming days. In the meantime, my clients will respect these terms, however unjust, until this matter is rightfully resolved. In the meantime, good day to all of you."

The lawyer slammed the door to the Headmaster's office behind them and Apple could faintly hear shouts begin to rise up from the Grimm brothers.

"The hex was that, Clark!" Apple's father snapped at their lawyer.

The lawyer - Clark - let out a deep breath before looking at her parents, "Your Majesties, I promise, I will do everything I can to get this case thrown out and the Princess back in school, but at this moment, the best thing we can do is show everyone that we can cooperate with them."

"And what about Headmaster Milton?" Apple asked.

Clark huffed and after a moment said, "Mr. Grimm is gonna need a very good lawyer."

Apple opened her mouth to say something, but Clark cut her off, "I am not his lawyer, I am your lawyer, Princess Apple. My job is to worry and legally protect you, not Mr. Grimm," he looked at her with sympathy in his eyes, "I know you want to protect Mr. Grimm from any fault on your part, but the truth of the matter is, right now, my main concern is you."

"But why?" Apple mean for that to come out as a whine, she cleared her throat before continuing, "But why? I didn't do anything wrong."

Clark silently looked at her, lips pursed together, before letting out a breath and saying, "Don't worry, I'm a very good lawyer."

Chapter 11: An Un-Charming Exit

Summary:

Dexter's father comes to school to have some serious words with his son.

Dexter's POV

It has only been a week since Milton Grimm and Apple were asked to leave Ever After High and you could cut the tension in the school with a blade.

While the Rebels were relieved that Apple was no longer around to harass any of them into following their destinies, the Royal students seemed to be completely divided! Though, Dexter cannot completely blame them for these divides forming.

Not even a day after Apple was told to leave, she had called Blondie crying. She was on the road back to her castle and was tearfully telling her friend that she was not gonna be in school for a while. Blondie, of course, spread the word and the story that Blondie told was that the Rebels had manipulated a few Royals into turning on Apple and had managed to get her and Milton Grimm kicked out of school. The majority to the Royal student population ate that up and have since blamed the Rebels for this.

It only took a day and a half for the news to break that Dexter and Ashlynn were two of the Royals that "turned" on Apple. Dexter doesn't know why Blondie only revealed him and Ashlynn and not Darling and Rosabella... "Maybe she is saving that for a belated reveal?" Dexter wondered as he put on his armor for Hero's Training.

As class started, it did not escape Dexter's notice that Hopper and Daring were giving him the cold shoulder. It wasn't like he was always the center of attention - that was always Daring - but it still hurt that his brother was now making a point of purposely excluding him. It hurt even more that Hopper was doing it too. While Daring was their father's son - handsome, brave, charming - Hopper was always more like Dexter - awkward, shy, more interested in video games - and the two were pretty close friends growing up. So to have Hopper treating him like this... It hurt Dexter more than he'd like to admit.

At least Hunter was still hanging around him. In fact, with most of the Royals acting like he suddenly had a case of Fairy Flu, the Rebels have kind of taken him into their group. Hunter helped him practice for Hero's Training, Cerise and him would have morning jogs together and him and Raven... well, him and Raven have just gotten closer and closer -

"Prince Dexter!" Professor Knight bellows from his horse, "Your turn!" he uses his sword to point to the only slightly miniature castle tower that they were using to practice.

Dexter took a deep breath as he made his way over to the tower. He was able to get about half-way up when an ivy tendril he was holding onto began to give way. He quickly shifted his weight and grip and grabbed onto a stone, but the minute he did the sides of the tower became smooth as glass and he fell down right onto his butt. Dexter gasped as he lay there, trying to reclaim his breath. He could hear Daring and Hopper snickering and then he was halted upwards.

He looked, expecting to see his older brother there, waiting to tell him "Good try little bro, but you have a long to go," but instead he was Hunter's concerned face.

"You okay?" Hunter asked as he guided Dexter back to the line up.

Dexter nodded, taking a deep breath in, "Yeah, just lost my breath for a moment."

Hunter's brow creased, "You're not in any pain when you breath, right?"

Dexter shook him head, "No, nothing like that," he tried to smile, but could not bring himself to. Especially since Daring went immediately next and was able to scale the tower with the easy only a Prince Charming could have. Well, a Prince Charming who wasn't Dexter.

After class, which thankfully did not include anymore climbing, Dexter took his armor off and saw that he had a message on his Mirrorphone. From his father.

Meet me in the Enchanted Forest. Immediately.

Dexter felt his blood go cold. This could not mean anything good.

Instinctively, he looked over his shoulder, trying to spot Darling, who would usually give him some moral support. But she wasn't here.

"Of course she's not here you idiot," the voice inside his head said, "Girls aren't allowed to take Hero's Training."

"Dex, you okay?" Dexter nearly jumped 3 feet in the air when he felt a large hand on his shoulder - only to turn around and see that it was just Hunter, now looking even more worried about his friend and roommate.

Dexter swallowed, his mouth feeling like sand. He wordlessly showed Hunter the text and Hunter seemed to get the idea.

He slowly placed a hand on Dexter's shoulder, face serious, "Do you want me to come with you?"

Dexter wanted to say yes. He doesn't know why, but he wants to say yes. But... He knew his father would already be upset. The news of Milton and Apple's leaving have surly reached the parents by this point. He could only imagine what his father would do if he showed up with a Rebel in tow.

Unable to say anything, Dexter just shook his head. Hunter looked worried, but nodded like he understood. Dexter got his bookpack and went to the Forest. The whole way there, the voice in his head kept saying things like "he's already disappointed in you", "You've let down the family name", "You'll never live this down".

He soon saw his father in a wooden clearing, not far for the road carriages and vehicles would take to journey through the woods.

Standing in the clearing, with the greenery around him, sunlight shining through the leaves, his father looked like the perfect hero and king. Handsome, well-groomed and fit, even in his middle age. The stern expression on his face looked like he was ready for battle, his sword attached to his hip. Their family's golden carriage gleamed on the road, horses and coachman always at the ready.

Despite the sun, it made Dexter break out in a cold sweat. If this was the face his father made to greet his son, what did he look like when he greeted an enemy?

"Dexterous," his father's voice was as stern and hard as steel.

Dexter swallowed, "Dad, what is -"

Dexter was cut off by a hard slap to the face. 

He staggered for a moment, trying not to fall to his knees in front of his father. It would only make things worse.

Instead, he stumbles back a few paces, but his dad just steps forward to bridge the distance. His steel-like glare remains.

"What. Were. You. Thinking." King Charming's voice is low and dangerous, like how is was during the war when he was a leader in the Royal Army. Dexter only heard it when he watched his father interrogate prisoners, though. It had never been directed at him or his siblings.

Dexter tries to take a breath, feeling his heart skip when it catches in his throat, "I - if this - if this is about App - Apple and Milton Grimm's leaving -"

"Of course this is about that!" King Charming bellows, "What else could it be about!"

Dexter flinches. He tries not too, but he cannot help it. Dread and shame burn his face and he realizes his eyes getting wet.

"Great, now you are crying you weak-willed peasant," the voice taunted him, "Not much of a prince, are you?"

"Look at me like a prince, Dexterous," his father said, grabbing his shoulder and jerking him up right, "Face me like a Charming."

Dexter opened his eyes and immediately wanted to close them again. His father's face was the angriest he had ever seen him.

"You turn your back on your people, you ally yourself with those disgraceful Rebels, and you drag you sister into the mess! What were you thinking!"

"You.." Dexter stutters, his face hot and vision blurry, "You know about Darling..?"

"Of course I know about Darling!" King Charming bellowed, "Who do you think payed the Lockes girl to not spread the news of your sister's disgraceful mistake!?"

Dexter's body went cold with shock. It made sense that his father would not not his kids' name being dragged through the mud... At least the kids that made him proud. 

King Charming's back was turned to Dexter, his hands clenched to his side and chiseled jaw set. What felt like hours later, but was probably only a few minutes, King Charming spoke "You and your siblings are coming home with me."

A spear of fear stabbed through Dexter's heart as he tried frantically to back away, "Wha - No! No! Dad - no, I don't want to -"

"This is not up for discussion Dexterous!" King Charming effortlessly grabbed Dexter's arm and began dragging him to the carriage. Dexter tried to struggle and pull himself free from his father's grip, but this proved futile and only served to anger his father, who threw him into the carriage one handed.

"I'll pull your brother and sister out after classes," Dexter withered under his father's glare, "We will see you at home." He then processed to slam the door and the coachman snapped at the horse's reins, making to carriage pull forward.

Dexter finally lets the sobs escape his lips as the carriage rides along the unpaved road, not caring if the coachman hears him. The sobs grew louder until they were all he could hear and he had to pause just to take a breath. He felt more helpless than a damsel. At least a damsel would know that someone will save her - he, on the other hand, knows no one will becoming to save him.

Dexter shifts so that he is sitting up and notices that his Mirrorphone is still in his pocket. His hands tremble. He knows that no one will be able to rescue him, even if he asks for help... but he can at least say goodbye to his friends and give his sister a heads up of what is coming..

He quickly sends Darling a heads up that their dad is gonna pull her out, he thanks Hunter and Humphrey for being his friends... and he sends Raven a goodbye text.

That last one brought on a fresh wave of tears and sobs and he cried for the rest of they way to his family castle. Knowing that he will just be punished even more if the messages were found when they inevitably search his phone, he quickly clears his message history. 

When he finally arrived, the carriage door opened to knights and his mother standing outside, waiting for him. The first knight rips the phone from his hands and the other 2 grab him roughly by the arms, causing him to stumble. They don't even pause as they continue to drag him into the castle. Dexter tries to catch his mother's eyes, but she refuses to meet them.

He is eventually brought to his bedroom - or at least, it was his bedroom. The room had been stripped of anything that could could be identified as his or as fun. His desk was empty with patches of dust where gaming stuff did not cover it, there were gaps in-between the remaining books on his shelves, and his walls were bare with the only indication that there were posters there being the small holes in the wallpaper.

Dexter sighed and laid face down on his bed, bones and heart heavy.  He expected himself to burst into a fresh wave of sobs but instead felt the darkness of sleep creep into him like a incoming storm clouds. He prayed to any Fairy Godmother that would listen that he gave Darling enough of a heads up so that her journey back here would not be as bad as his.

 

Chapter 12: A Darling Escape

Summary:

Darling recives Dexter's text and freaks out! She does not want to go back home and the only adul she can trust to help her... is a Rebel Teacher!

Darling POV

Darling was just getting out of Kingdom Management when she felt her Mirrorphone buzz with a text alert.

She felt something a kin to worry worm it's way into her heart. Ever since Blondie blasted to all of Ever After that Dexter and Ashlynn had "turned Rebel" and helped get Milton and Apple "kicked out" of Ever After High, she has been waiting for the other Glass Slipper to drop and the news of her and Rosabella's involvement becoming public knowledge.

But when she looks at the message, her blood goes cold. It is a message from Dexter!

I am in the carriage on the way home. Dad is pulling us out of EAH. I'm sorry

Darling's breathing quickens. "No, no no no no! - This cannot be happening!" Darling knew what coming home would mean! Her, back in the tower, the staff constantly watching her like hawks, her mother picking out every outfit, activity and thing she does - everything she reads, eats and does! She can't do it again!

Darling takes a sharp breath in. She will not go back to that life. There has ti be someone who will help her - right? A teacher? All of the Royal teachers will just brush her off - wait!

"Of course!" Darling ran through the halls until she reached the Damsel-In-Distressing classroom, relieved to see that Madam Marian was already in there setting up for class. The Rebel teacher looked up in surprise at the sight of her.

"Ms. Charming! What a surprise! What are you doing here so -"

"My dad is pulling me and my brothers out of Ever After High and I do not want to go with him, please help me!" Darling cut her teacher off. She knew it was rude and unladylike, but she didn't really care at the moment.

Madam Marian's eyes went wide with surprise and then steely with determination. She quickly walks behind Darling a closes and locks the classroom door before guiding her sit down on a chair. The Rebel teacher looks her directly in the eyes, asking the next few questions very seriously.

"Darling Charming, do you feel like you would be in serious physical, emotional or mental danger if you return home?"

"Yes," Darling said, then added seriously, "Mainly emotional and mental danger."

"Will you try something possibly dangerous if you are forced to return home?"

"Yes, I will try and runaway. I should also add that that would involved climbing out of a very tall tower and that my family's castle is located very far in the mountains," Darling clarified, "I also would not care if I got seriously hurt in this escape attempt, I would just want to get out."

Madam Marian looks a bit startled at this, but quickly steels her expression again before asking, "How did you know you father is coming to get you all?"

Darling took out her Mirrorphone, showing her teacher Dexter's text message. "He would not have sent that if it were not true and if he was not scared," she explained.

The Madam's eyes creased with concern, "Do you have any other family members that you would feel more comfortable with?"

"No," Darling immediately replies, "any family I have will quickly tell my dad that I am with them and they will allow him to take me with him even if I say I don't want to go."

This seemed to be all Madam Marian needed to hear. She tells Darling to stay in the classroom with her for a moment while she makes a quick phone call. Darling sits down on the plush seat and as she nibbles on some leftover teacakes, the reality of what is happening hits her like a falling beanstalk.

Her father is coming. To take her home. She doesn't want to go home though! While all the other Royals were nervous about leaving their castles and living in the dorms, Darling could not wait to leave her "secure" and fortified tower - even if she was gonna be living in a swamp. 

She was not sure if it was a consequence of the war, but her family was always over protective of her to the point were it was suffocating! They always acted as if she was too delicate, too soft, too weak to do anything herself or to be let outside alone. Dexter was he only one who treated her like she was capable of anything, like she was an equal to him. Even when their father would punish Dexter for trying to teach her how to wield a sword - just in case the castle got broken into and she needed to defend herself.

Unsurprisingly, this just made Darling grow more trustful of Dexter and less of her father.

Darling is brought back to reality by Madam Marian's hand on her shoulder. "Come with me, Ms. Charming, we don't have much time."

Madam Maid quickly and quietly leads Darling down to the basement classrooms that typically host the Villain Classes. Darling is thankful that there is no foot traffic since everybody else is in class at this hour. They soon arrive at their destination - the General Villainy classroom. Madam Marian knocks on the door 3 times and Mr. Hood-Badwolf opens up and quickly ushers them inside.

"Thanks for this, Brawley" Madam Marian tells him, "I know this is last minute -"

"Don't even think about it, Marian," Mr. Hood-Badwolf gently cuts her off, "I know you would do the same." He looks at Darling and gives a gentle smile.

"What is the plan?" Darling asks, surprised by her own calmness. She can feel her heart pounding and blood rushing through her but she is not panicking and she has no doubt that the teachers have some kind of plan.

Mr. Hood-Badwolf quickly grabs his coat, explaining quickly, "King Gareth has offered you Emergency Asylum in his home and kingdom. I'll explain more thoroughly on the car ride."

"In his home and kingdom." That is all darling needed to hear. She rushed forward, but quickly stops and turns to madam Marian, thanking her.

Her teacher gives a soft smile, "Nothing to thank me for, dear. I'm a teacher, it's my job to protect you. Stay strong." 

Darling smiled and Mr. Hood-Badwold pressed a secret button that revealed a hidden corridor. It was old, no lighting so Mr. Hood-Badwolf lead the way with the Candlelight App on his Mirrorphone as Darling followed close behind. Th corridor seemed to first go straight, then up wards. When they finally emerged from the tunnel, Darling found that they were in a large garage with a few dark colored cars. Mr. Hood-Badwolf opened a dark gray Land Cruiser and Darling hopped into the back seat where the windows were tinted so that no one could see into them. The second she was buckled in, Mr. Hood-Badwolf speed out of the garage and down the road.

Once they were firmly off the school's property, Mr. Hood-Badwolf began to explain.

"Your answers to Marian's questions convinced her that you would be in danger if you returned home, so she started making some calls. Gil - uh, Headmaster Giles Grimm could not do anything about your father pulling you and your brothers out of school, but he could authorize you to go somewhere with another teacher. Marian was not able to take you, so she called me while the Headmaster called King Gareth, who granted you Emergency Asylum in his kingdom, which is where we are heading right now. This is just until they can get the proper paperwork through and you can be granted full-asylum." He looks through the rear-view at Darling, his eyes soft, "I know this is happening really fast, and this is probably kinda scary but..." he trails off, probably unsure what to say.

"Honestly," Darling sighs, leaning against the window, "I was more terrified about going home than I am right now."

She sees Mr. Hood-Badwolf pinch his lips together, concerned and sadness written plainly on his face. He looks back at Darling through the mirror and says, "I promise, you are safe."

Darling smiles as she realizes she believes him. Suddenly, a belated thought occurs to her. She quickly rummages through her bag and pulls out her Mirrorphone, turning it to Airplane Mode before shoving it back into her bag. She knows her parents Tracker Apps on their phones and she could not let them know where she was.

Darling breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that she would not be locked in her horrible, old tower. At least today, but that was good enough for her. She let out a huge breath and finally relaxed.

 

Chapter 13: Twists and Panic

Summary:

News of the Charming twins leaving reaches Raven and her friends.

Notes:

Oh my fairy godmother I am so sorry for being gone for so long! I got swept up in school and homework and was not able to update this fic in forever! I am so sorry for the wait everyone! This chapter is a bit longer to (hopefully) make up for that. Hope you enjoy and thank you for sticking around!

Raven's POV

Raven was working on her thronework in her dorm when she is jolted from her concentration by 3 firm knocks at the door. She takes a few deep breaths as she turns around in her seat to see Ashlynn already opening the door for Hunter.

This was not unusual, even before Raven and Ashlynn became roommates. Hunter and Raven had been friends forever after. Partly out of their parents' connections, but mostly because Hunter is a genuinely good friend and person who takes the time to get to know you. So even when Raven and Apple were roommates, Hunter would parasitically come over to check up on Raven or to just hang out. Those visits began to  increase dramatically, though, when Ashlynn moved in. Now it seemed Hunter was over every other day, either to pick up Ashlynn for a date or outing, or to hang out with Raven, or both of them... Just whatever was planned.

What was unusual though was how scared he looked. This in it of was worrying since Hunter is typically a pretty brave individual. He quickly comes in - leaving the door open per dormitory rules - and turns to Raven.

"Have you gotten any text messages from Dexter today?" Hunter is panting hard and his voice is breathless, like he ran all the way here.

Raven blinks in surprise, about to answer when her Mirrorphone dings with a notification. She grabs it and it takes a minute for the words on the screen to register in her brain, but when they do her heart breaks.

Dexter

Thank you for everything. I'm sorry I wasn't able to say goodbye in person

She shows Hunter the message who promptly  takes out his own Mirrorphone, his own Message App opened.

Dexter - Roommate + Friend

I'm sorry. My Dad is making me leave EAH. Thanks for being my friend.

Raven feels herself go ice-cold and she chest get tight. She grabs the back of her chair to ground herself. "Wha - What..?"

"After Hero Training, Dexter's dad basically ordered him via text to meet him in the Enchanted Forest," Hunter runs a hand through his hair, "I offered to go with him, but he shook his head in a 'no'... I thought.. I thought that meant everything would be..." He leans his head back, taking a deep breath in though his nose, lips pursed. The hand in his hair runs down the side of his face and to his jaw, "..Why would his dad just... Pull him out like that?"

"King Charming is not one to go off script, even by Royal standards," Ashlynn says, voice hollow. Hunter and Raven turn towards the princess and Raven's is shocked at how ashen her roommate suddenly looks. Hunter immediately goes over to comfort her - being the good boyfriend that he is - and asks her want she means by 'even by Royal standards".

Ashlynn takes a deep, steadying breath, "King Charming has high expectations for his kids, but especially Daring and Dexter. He always expected them to be the perfect Prince Charmings, all the time, especially in public, but in private as well." She looked down at the carpet, grasping Hunter's outstretched hand. Hunter gently pulls her into his side to ensure she remains steady on her feet.

Raven clutches the back of her chair. King Charming's expectations for his sons reminded her of... well, her mother's. Just replace being the perfect Prince Charming with being the perfect Evil Queen and it honestly doesn't sound that different.

"No wonder we bonded so easily," Raven thought, then another thought occurred to her.

"What is King Charming's expectations for Darling?" Raven asked. Ashlynn slowly rasied her head, a thoughtful look on her face, before pale realization took over. She bit her lip as she explained that, "King Charming's expectations for Darling were to be the perfect princess - beautiful, quiet, a damsel who would let her future husband run everything while she just sat there looking pretty."

Raven raised her eyebrows, "But that is not Darling Charming at all.." she said slowly.

Ashlynn shook her head, "No, you're right."

Hunter looks between the two girls, "Have either of you seen or heard from Darling today?"

Raven and Ashlynn locked eyes and pull out their Mirrorphones to try and text Darling - run as Cerise comes running into the room at full speed!

"MydadistakingDarlingtoyourplace!YourdadgaveheremergencyasylumbecauseshetoldAuntieMarianthatshe-"

"Woah! Cerise!" Hunter raised his hands in the air, getting their old friend's attention, "Slow down, we can't understand you."

"Sorry." Cerise took a breath and repeated herself, at a pace that everyone else could understand. "My dad is taking Darling to your place, Raven. Your dad granted her emergency asylum because she told Auntie Marian that her dad is pulling her and her brothers out and she doesn't feel safe returning home."

"WHAT!!!" The other 3 in the room stared at Cerise like she grew a second head.

"What do you mean 'doesn't feel safe returning home'?" Ashlynn asked.

Cerise looked apologetic, "I'm sorry, that is all I know."

"How do you know?" Raven asked, confused.

"My dad texted me and Ramona that he won't be back until tomorrow and he gave a quick explanation." She pulled out her own Mirrorphone to show them and the message basically said the same thing that she just told them. "I figured you should know since Darling's gonna be living in your castle for a bit and Ashlynn should know since she is her friend. And just in case her parents decide to pull a similar stunt."

Ashlynn's face went pale and Hunter went to comfort her. "You think that Ashlynn's parents would try to do that?" Raven asked.

Cerise bit her lip, "I don't know," she said in a quiet voice.

Raven gripped the back of her chair, knuckles white as snow. She tried to take deep, even breaths but all this new information was a bit much for her. She didn't want to believe half of it, but she also could not deny it either.

Hunter looked around at each of the girls. "Okay," he clasp his hands in front of him, "as much as I hate to say it, there is really nothing we can do for Darling or Dexter right now. Dexter is on his way home and Darling is heading to Raven's castle. The best thing we can do right now is take care of our own mental health. How about the 4 of us go out to lunch? Mad Hatter's Tea Shoppe?"

Raven smirked, "you mean you and Ashlynn go on a date while me and Cerise 3rd and 4th wheel you guys?"

That got a laugh out of Ashlynn and Cerise gave a snort, "Sounds fun to me, let's go!"

~~~~~~~~~~

As much as Raven agreed that some fresh air and delicious tea would help calm her nerves, what did not help her already spiraling anxiety was a camera being shoved in her face and being pelted by a million of questions by Blondie Lockes.

Almost as soon as the 4 entered the village, Blondie took notice of them and immediately pounced on Raven with a bunch of invasive questions - most of which retained a huge Royal biased.

"Miss Raven Goodking-Queen! What did you do to get Headmaster Milton Grimm and Princess Apple White banished from Ever After High? Did you seduce Prince Dexter Charming into helping you? Is it true that you threaten to poison Princess Apple early if she did not leave? Are you, Miss Raven Goodking-Queen, actively encouraging Royal-X-Rebel relationships to stir the porridge pot? Did you encourage Hunter Huntsman to pursue Princess Ashlynn Ella with this goal in mind?  Do you know where your mother - Eris Queen, the Rebel Queen - hid the real Storybook of Legends? Did she destroy it? It is true that your mother killed Bluebell Starwing?"

"N-No - No comment!" Raven gasped and stuttered as she hurriedly tried to cover her face and avoid looking at the camera. Hunter and Cerise quickly put themselves on either side of her and Ashlynn covered her back, the latter glaring glass shards at Blondie.

This caused Blondie to turn the camera onto Ashlynn though, "Princess Ashlynn Ella, is it true that you have turned your back on your Royal beliefs and are now a Rebel?"

Ashlynn's voice was cool and calm when she spoke, "I am currently not answering any questions of the sort at this time. Maybe if you wish for an interview, you can call me to scheduled one instead of harassing me on the street."

Raven hears a haughty humph behind Blondie and pecks around Hunter to see Duchess Swan and Faybelle Thorn watching  the "interview" with sneers, gossiping with each other loudly enough for Raven and the others to hear.

"She's lucky that anyone bothers to consider her Royal anymore after she shacked up with that Rebel Huntsman!" Duchess glowered at Ashlynn.

"Right? Some 'Royal' she is," Faybelle sneered, "Well, mediocre loves mediocre company - not like Raven over there is living up to her full potential as an Evil Queen."

"Tell me about! At least her mother had the decency to own it!" Duchess noticed Raven looking and glared at her, then turning back to Faybelle in a loud enough voice so that everyone, but especially Blondie could hear, "You know, it's kind of suspicious that Giles Grimm never disclosed where the Evil Queen's prison is."

Faybelle smirked, knowing exactly what Duchess was doing, "Right! who knows what other secrets the Rebels are hiding!"

Before she could hear anymore, Raven felt a strong arms pulling her forward and through the village until they reached the safety of the Mad Hatter's Tea Shoppe. Looking around, Raven was thankful that there were only a few people in there at the moment.

There was Maddie, of course, who immediately came bouncing over, concern written plainly on her face.

Maddie's eyes widened, "The word concern is written on my face! Oh that's a bummer!"

A loud snort of laughter sounded a bit farther back in the cafe, and Raven looked over to see Cerise's sister Ramona sharing a pot of tea with her roommate, Justine Dancer. Seated at a table near them was the O'Hair twins, Holly and Poppy. Closer to front was seated C.A. Cupid and Rosabella.

Both Rosabella and Ramona must have noticed how out of breath and pale Raven was because both girls got up from their seats and approached her, asking if she was alright.

Raven was tried to talked, but every time she tried to speak, only gasps of air came out. Maddie looked at her and shook her head, proclaiming "That will just not do!" pointing to an empty table before cartwheeling into the kitchen.

The group blinked in disbelief for a moment before Cerise guided Raven to sit at the table Maddie gestured to, just as Maddie came back, this time somersaulting. She reached into her mass of turquoise, purple and mint curls and pulling out a pot of steaming tea, teacups and fresh scones with fairyberry jam and clotted cream. Maddie poured a cup for her and Raven melted as the soothing scent of chamomile and lavender reached her nose. She took a sip as Hunter and Ashlynn explained what happened with Blondie.

Ramona's teeth bared and she was about to storm out the door, but before she could, Justine grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"Ramona no! Beating up Blondie will only make things worse!"

"Justine's right," Rosabella said, "It will only show how 'dangerous' the Rebels are, making it easier for Blondie to spin the narrative that Apple and Milton Grimm's leave was malicious."

"There's more," Ashlynn said, explaining the text Hunter and Raven got from Dexter and Darling leaving.

Rosabella's eyes grew wide. Before she could say anything, a quiet voice from the back piped up, "Do you think other Royal parents might do the same thing?"

Raven looked back and saw that it was Poppy who spoke and her sister Holly looked worried. Ashlynn shook her head. "I'm not sure. My parents haven't said anything, but from what I can tell, King Charming didn't give his kids a heads up - Darling only knew because Dexter texted her."

"What should we do?" Cupid asked, her creamy-white wing fluffy out with worry.

Raven took a deep breath, "I think we need to have another meetup, like we did for the 'Apple Situation', but this time for the potential fallout and to make a plan of action for the undebatably number of questions that are gonna come the Rebel's way." Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Can we come too?" Holly asked, gesturing to her, her sister and Justine, who is still holding onto Ramona's arm. Ramona gives a vigorous nod of her head.

Raven agrees and sends out a mass text. She hopes that they can come up with something - and fast.

Chapter 14: Daring to Think

Summary:

Daring is back at his Family Castle, but his younger brother Dexter is not doing well and Darling is missing. King Charming asks his oldest son to help Dexter get back on his feet... But what Dexter tells him gets him thinking.

Notes:

OMG I am so sorry for being gone for so long!! I know I keep having massive breaks in-between chapters and that was mainly because this last college semester was PACKED! Not to mention finals!
This chapter is a bit longer than usual, probably an unconscious attempt at making up for lost time, so I hope you all like it!
I'll do my best to upload more chapters now that I am on Winter Break!
Thank you to all of you who are still here and I hope you are all enjoying whatever winter holidays you spellabrate!

Daring's POV

"Well done, Daring! Fantastic as always!"

Daring smiled brightly at his father's praise. He and his brother Dexter had been back at their family castle for a few days now and their father has been making sure that they do not slack on their education now that they are back home.

After Headmaster Grimm and Apple were run out by the Rebel students, their dad decided to bring the three of them home to keep them safe. Daring was sure this was only compounded by the fact that the Rebels managed to manipulate Dexter and Ashlynn into turning on the Royals and then kidnapping Darling before their father could take her home.

When King Charming came to pick up him and Darling, Daring was surprised, but kind of excited to go home. He knew he himself was never in danger - he was the best trained prince in Ever After High for crying out wolf, he wasn't scared of some Rebels - but he was glad that at least Darling will not be around them so much. But when King Charming could not find his daughter anywhere on school grounds and Giles Grimm had informed him that he had given a teacher permission to take Darling somewhere off school property, King Charming flipped his crown! Even more when Giles refused to tell him which teacher and where she is. They tried tracking her Mirrorphone and thought they found her in the Enchanted Forest, only to find that it was abandoned, leaving them no trace of where she might be and no way to contact her.

Daring's mother, the Queen, has been distraught. Barely able to leave her bedroom most days. King Charming has been doing everything in his power to find his missing daughter - sending out search parties full of knights, flyers and missing posters, asking the other Royal families to keep an eye out, but nothing has worked to locate her.

And Dexter... Darling's twin.. Well, he has been taking it the worse of all of them. Barely leaving his room, only coming out when necessary, not being able to focus on his studies. The last one was the most concerning. While Daring tended to outclass Dexter in anything and everything physical, Daring was brotherly enough to admit that Dexter was better at stuff you had to use your brain for: studying, riddles, history, video games, you name it.

So the fact that Dexter actually starting to fall behind on his grades and course work showed just how much Darling's kidnapping was affecting him.

"Daring!" Daring was brought back to reality at his father's voice. "Go get your brother from his bedroom, it is time for Royal History."

"Of course, Father," Daring dutifully said, quickly putting his sword away and entering the family castle, heading straight to Dexter's bedroom.

The walk there was long, but nothing that the great Daring Charming could not handle. The floors were a polished marble, the walls gleamed white and gold, with framed portraits of famous Prince and King Charmings through out time, reminding Daring and future Charmings the legacy they must uphold.

Daring reach his younger brother's room and knocked loudly on the door. Before he could even call his brother's name, Dexter's voice shouted from inside "Go away, Daring!"

Daring blinks in surprise, "How'd you know it was me?" he halfheartedly jokes.

Dexter's sarcastic tone was clear, even through the solid oak door, "because Mom, Dad and the servants don't knock."

"The servants knock," was Daring immediate response. Ever since he had arrived home, the servants have been coming by none stop, always knocking, always either delivering fresh clothes, snacks, messages from his father.

"They knock for you!" Dexter shouted back. "Now what do you want!?"

"Dad said to come and get you," Daring said, "its time for Royal History."

Daring didn't hear anything for a few moments, and then Dexter finally opened the door.

Daring took a step back and blinked at his brother. Dexter's fashion sense was never what Daring would have called 'Teen Charming', unlike himself. While Daring made sure to be noticed by wearing whites, golds and creams, styling his hair and wearing his crown proudly, even during the war when everyone was most stuck inside their castles, Dexter tended to prefer blues and grays, with maybe splashes of white and hints of gold. He also hated wearing his prince crown, opting instead to wear his much smaller and lighter gold circlet. And none of that is even touching on his glasses, but honestly there is nothing much that can be done about those since he needs them to, you know, see and Dexter's eyes are too sensitive for contact lenses.

Now though, Dexter's appearance was far from Royal standards. His hair looked like he had never seen a hairbrush, his gray hoodie is wrinkled, his glasses are smudged and dirty and he is wearing sweatpants!

Daring looked at his brother up and down, "Dad's not gonna - "

"Dad never likes anything I do," Dexter cut him off suddenly. Daring blinked in surprise, his brown creasing with worry. Dexter walked out of his room, shutting the door behind him and keeping his eyes on the floor. "Let's just.. Lets just get this over with.." he said.

The two brothers walked together through the castle and to the library, where Royal History lessons had been taking place since they got back. Daring tried t make small talk while they walked, but Dexter remained silent the whole time, not saying a word the whole walk.

When the finally made it to the library, the father is already there with the books for today's lesson out. Daring recognizes them as they sit down. It one of the books King Charming wrote himself about the most important battles during the war. Daring and his siblings have already read the book front to back, even Darling.

(Though that was mainly because Daring and Dexter sneaked her the book to read. Their parents didn't think it was appropriate fro a princess to read such literature, but Daring thought Darling deserved to know about their father's achievements more in depth.)

Their father was reviewing them on the battles talked about in the book and Daring quickly notices that Dexter is quiet. Too quiet. He has not answered even one question, or even attempted to correct Daring on something or give a more in-depth answer.

"Final question," King Charming said, his eyes gleaming with pride as he looked at Daring, "What was the deciding factor in the Royal Army getting the Rebels to surrender and sign the Peace Treaty of Ever After?"

Daring knew the answer to this, it was that the father, Head Royal General, had cornered them at the Dragon Tooth Cliffs and blocked off their main supply run. But he also knew that Dexter knew that, and could give a way better account of the full story.

So, instead of answering, Daring said, "Uhh, I don't remember," he turned to his brother, "Do you Dexter?"

Dexter seemed to shoot Daring a look, but then meet their father's gaze and just... shrugged. "I don't know," he replied blankly.

Daring looked at his brother in concern. Their father looked at him with contempt.

"I know you know this one, Dexter." King Charming said, his voice was hard in a way Daring had never heard before. "Answer the question."

Dexter slammed his hand on the table, his eyes flashing with anger, "I genuinely do not know what happened, okay! It's not like -" Dexter cut himself off, face going blank. Snapping him mouth shut before quietly asking, "Can I go back to my room now..?"

King Charming gave his younger son and disgusted looked before giving a short, "Fine." Dexter quietly walked out of the library. Before Daring could get up to follow him, their father stopped him.

"Daring wait, there is something I wish to discuss with you."

Daring nodded, remaining sitting. His father tapped his hands on the table before speaking.

"I know you understand that your brother has been through an... ordeal. Being exposed to Rebel ideologies, being manipulated by them and then Darling being kidnapped - it has been a tough year for him."

Daring nodded, looking at his father's face. It was a still and hard as stone. He felt a twinge of sympathy for his father "This year has probably been hard on him too," Daring thought.

King Charming turned to fully face Daring, "It is clear that your brother has had it rough, but he is not responding well to mine or your mother's attempts at help. You though," he pointed at Daring, "might have a better chance at getting through to him."

Daring blinked in surprise, "Really," he asked, "you think so?"

King Charming nodded, "A siblings' relationship is a very powerful thing - sometimes brothers and sisters are able to reach a person when they close themselves off from their parents."

Daring's eyes brightened. Did his father really think that he would be able to get through to Dexter?

"Your brother needs help, Daring," his father implored, "Help that he will not accept from me or your mother right now. We need your help."

Daring felt his chest puff with pride, "Don't worry, Father, I will save him."

~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, Daring made is way to Dexter's room, an armful of books in his hands. They were a mix of things he knew Dexter liked - action books, comic books, hex, even a few romance novels that he once saw Dexter trying to sneak glances at when he thought no one was looking.

He knocked on Dexter's door again, and once again, Dexter's voice was heard clear through the polished oak door.

"I am not in the mood, Daring!" he shouted.

"I brought books!" Daring called back.

After a brief moment, the door opened just enough to see half of Dexter's face. Daring's heart twinged with worry when he saw that Dexter has purple bags under his eyes, which were clear to see even through his smudged glasses.

Dexter's eyes flicked down to the books in Daring's arms, "What kind of books?"

Daring quickly re-positioned them to Dexter could see the titles and covers. Dexter opened the door wider to Daring could come in, quickly shutting it behind him.

Daring goes to set the books down on Dexter's bedside table, but then pauses, looking around the room.

It wasn't exactly clean... but it wasn't a pigsty either. Though, Daring wondered if that was because there was hardly anything in there at all. Dexter's computer was gone, as were multiple books and posters. His bed was unmade, clothes littered the floor, thrown in scattered piles. He turned to get a better look at his brother. He was still in the sweatpants from yesterday. His shirt was just as wrinkled and loose fitting as before.

But what really concerned Daring was Dexter's figure. Even though Dexter wasn't as good at physical activities as Daring was, he was still in obvious good shape. Strong, toned arms that were achieved through training and carrying heavy books around, powerful legs that never failed to lift him back up after a fall, the whole Charming body that if he ever actually flaunted, would have girls falling at his feet.

But none of that was there now. Now Dexter's arms were skinnier than he remembered, and when he walks he has a sway that making it look like his legs are about to give out from underneath him. He also looked so incredibly tired, like he had stayed awake for a hundred years.

Dexter sat down on his bed a picked up on of the romance books, The Knight and I, a small smile trying to creep onto his face. "How did you pick this one out?" he cautiously asks.

It takes a moment for the question to register in Daring's mind, "Oh, uh, I remember you eyeing it when Mom gave it to Darling. You looked more interested in it than Darling did."

The smile finally broke on Dexter's face, "..I... I didn't think you were paying attention.."

Daring shrugged, "Sometimes I do.."

The two brothers sat in silence for a moment. Dexter flipped through the book, pausing to look at the chapter portraits, which showcased the characters in romantic settings, usually a ballroom or castle gardens. There was one that Dexter took particular interest in. A portrait of the main characters sitting in front of the fire together, holding hands as they talked. 

It wasn't a particularly romantic looking scene, at least from what Daring could see, but something about it seem to strike Dexter because he could not look away from it. After a few minutes, he seemed to have noticed Daring's staring and closed the book and looked at him straight in the eyes. "Alright, what did Dad want?"

Daring blinked at the sudden question, but Dexter continued to hold his gaze. Daring sighed and relented. "He's worried about you," he admits, "he and Mom... They don't know how to help you. So they..."

"They are hoping you can?" Dexter finished for him.

Daring nods. "Honestly," he continues, trying to be brave, "I'm not sure exactly how to help you either, but I don't blame you for not wanting to talk to Mom or Dad right now."

"Really?" Dexter looked genuinely surprised at this. To be fair, Daring was the closest to their dad out of the three of them. Darling and Mom were always a pair, and Daring and their father always had so much in common. Which often left Dexter as the odd duckling out.

"Yeah," Daring says, rubbing the back of his neck, "I know Dad often has.. High expectations.. And that you sometimes have a hard time reaching them. Which, then makes it hard to talk to him about literally anything else." Daring looked Dexter in the eyes. His brother's big blue eyes unblinking and questioning, like he was waiting for Daring to say something. Daring continued, hoping that he says whatever he brother needs.

"I'm sorry if you never felt like you could come to me either. I am sorry that it took me this long to even come to you about... well, anything. I understand if you are don't want to talk about certain things yet, but if you do, I'm all ears." Daring smiled at his brother, praying that these were the right words.

Dexter stared at Daring, then at the book in his hands, before sighing and placing the book on his bed. "Is this about the Rebels?"

Daring bit his lip. Uncertainty gripping him.

Dexter must have took his silence as an answer, glaring at him through his dirty glasses, "Do you think the Rebels manipulated me?"

Daring paused, taking a breath before answering, "Honestly... I don't know what to think. I know you Dexter - I know you are too smart to be manipulated by anything," Dexter's eyes widened at at that, before narrowing again as Daring continued, "but I don't know the rebels very well. And what I do know about them, at least the ones that are our classmates, they are quiet and keep to themselves. I never got the sense that they were dangerous, or that they had some secret villainous agenda - but then Milton Grimm and Apple were driven out of school and now Darling is missing and you are sad and I don't know what to think!" Daring swallowed back a lump in this throat, not wanting to cry in front of his younger brother, not when he needed Daring to be strong for him. He took a breath to collect himself and looked at Dexter, who clearly looked surprised at Daring's words. A thought suddenly crossed Daring's mind. "Did you.. Did you ever feel unsafe around the Rebels? I know your roommate Hunter was one. Did he ever..?"

"No!" Dexter quickly exclaimed. The volume and conviction he said it in took Daring by surprise. "No! Hunter or other Rebels never made me feel unsafe or like I was in danger!" Dexter spoke with more energy than Daring had heard from him in.. Years?

"No, that can't be right," Daring thought, "it can't have been years since Dexter's has talked like this?"

Daring's face must have been saying something different, because Dexter took his gaze away from his. "You..You don't believe me.." he said in a quiet, scared voice.

Daring threw his arms around Dexter, pulling his little brother into his chest, "No! I do believe you, Dex!" He tighten his grip around him, like if he didn't hang on tightly, some villain was gonna kidnap him, "I.. I believe you. I just..." Daring trailed off, unsure of what to say.

Dexter huffs out a breath. He doesn't hug Daring back, but he doesn't pull away from him either. "You know Mom and Dad blame me for Darling's kidnapping... Right?"

"Well they are wrong!" Daring didn't even to think about that one. "It is not your fault that Darling is not here. And if Mom and Dad are putting that blame on you then they are wrong!"

Dexter was silent at that. Then, in a voice so quiet Daring almost didn't hear, "...What if they are right?"

Daring pulled Dexter closer in his chest, "What do you mean?"

"I.." Dexter stammered, "I gave Darling a heads up that Dad was picking us up," he admitted, curling into himself, "I... I warned her that Dad was coming!"

Daring blinked, pulling Dexter more upright to try and look at his face, but Dexter refused to meet his eyes. "Why would that make you the bad guy?" He didn't understand what Dexter was implying.

"Because Darling hated it here!" Dexter broke into a sob, burying his face into Daring's shirt. "She was sick and tired of having to be the perfect Charming Princess for Mom and Dad all the time and at least at Ever After High she wasn't under constant super vision all the time! At least there she had other people to talk too! So when Dad," he made a weird choking sound before continuing, "when Dad picked me up, I hexted Darling a heads up and then you and Dad returned without her and-and -"

"Dexter... Are you saying what I think you are saying..?" Daring ran his hands up and down Dexter's back, as the realization finally dawned on him.

"I.. don't think Darling was kidnapped," Dexter choked out another sob, his voiced muffed by Daring shirt, "I think she ran away."

~~~~~~~~

Daring gently closed the door to Dexter's room. His little brother fast asleep in bed. After confessing this suspicion, Dexter just sobbed and begged Daring not to tell their father, convinced that he will hate him. Daring probably promised at least 10 times that he will not breath a word of this before Dexter began to calm down and fell asleep.

Now, alone in the hall, Daring's mind began to wander. Had Darling really been that unhappy here? Sure, they were in a war, but... they were safe? Right?

The more Daring thought about it.. Neither he nor Dexter felt scared or threatened by the Rebels, and they were always taught that a good Hero should trust his instincts. If Dexter's instincts told him to warn Darling that Dad was coming...

"Daring."

Daring was so lost in thought that he didn't notice his father coming up behind him. He quickly whirled around to face his father, the dimming evening light casting harsh shadows across the hallway.

King Charming looked at Dexter's door, then back at Daring. "Did you brother tell you anything important?"

The question made Daring gut twist. Something was off, his gut said.

"No, Dad," Daring said, "Nothing important."

Their father nodded, "You should get some sleep, a Prince Charming must always be fresh-faced."

"Yes, Father," Daring turned, heading to his bedroom, "Good night."

"Good night, my son."

 

Chapter 15: Revealing Discussions

Summary:

Raven, the Rebels and "Aspiring" Rebels meet up to discuss what their next steps will be. While there, many truths are revealed.

Raven's POV

"As of now, we have no idea of what the Rebels are planning at this time," Blondie's said on her MirrorCast show, Just Right. Raven groaned as it went on.

"We encourage  everyone to be on alert - who knows what might happen next!"

"Tsk, typical Royal to stir the pot when theirs no porridge," Sparrow scoffed.

Raven private agreed as she turned off her MirrorPad. This was the last thing she needed or wanted. She looked around Sparrow's tree-house, the space cramped with students. Most of whom were at the last Rebel meeting, but there were a few new ones.

Obviously Justine, Holly and Poppy joined them, but Humphrey also contacted Raven after learning of what Blondie planned to say in her MirrorCast and asked to come.

"I can't prevent her from airing the show," Humphrey had explained, an apologetic look on his face, "But that doesn't mean I have to agree with it."

Raven let her eyes sweep the room on more time before taking a deep breath and getting down to business. "So, I'm sure you all wondering: How are gonna handle this?"

Rosabella stepped forward, notepad in hand, "While there is a precedent for student-on-student harassment, because let's be real, that is what Blondie was doing with her 'interview', the unfortunate reality is that 1) these cases are rarely ever seen as something of drastic importance, to both schools and legal systems, and 2) there is also a precedent of just, nothing happening to change or anything effective actually happening, especially when the bully is from a richer/more powerful/more famous family or group."

"And Blondie is very famously on the Royal's side, which means that there is a low chance of anything actually being done," Ashlynn sighed.

"But Giles is the Headmaster now," Melody pointed out, "does that count for something?"

"Yes and no," Rosabella flipped through her notes, "Yes, his word would hold more weight, but the majority of the staff at Ever After High are staunchly Royals. So in a vote of majority -"

"They would still win," Raven finished the sentence, rubbing her eyes with the base of her palms. "This is really not looking good," Raven thought.

Ginger must have been thinking of the same thing, because she raised her hand and said, "Is... Is it even safe for us to be here? We got ride of Apple and Milton Grimm, but that only seemed to cause us more problems." She pointed out. "First with the Storybook of Legends going missing and now this.." Ginger looked down, almost like she was ashamed about something. She bit her lip, "My mom hexted me the other day asking if I wanted to come home. I almost said yes.."

"So did mine," Hunter admitted. He squeezed Ashlynn hand, "I said no, but promised them that if I thought is was getting dangerous, I would agree to come home."

Raven sighed, "My dad also called me. Mainly to keep me updated on.. our house guest, but also to tell me if I wanted, it was okay to come home."

"What did you say?" Cupid asked.

"I said that, while I love him and really appreciated the choice, I wanted to at least try to handle this myself."

It was true, mostly. Really, Raven just didn't want to abandon her friends here. As mush as she never wanted to be like her mother - a ferocious leader leading an army of followers into battle - not even she could deny that she was the de facto leader of the student Rebels at this point. She did not want to abandon them just because things were sticky over here.

"Besides," she thought, "it would send the message to the Royals that we can be pushed around. And that is the last thing we should show them."

Justine looks around the room, surprise written plainly on her face, "Do you guys feel like you are in danger?"

The group fell silent. It was sometimes hard to admit that you did not feel safe somewhere, especially at a place you should be safe.

"Its not that we don't feel safe," she paused looking for the right words, "its more that we know we aren't generally liked or really wanted here, and with they way that people like Apple and Blondie try to spin our words and turn people against us... it gives us the impression of.."

"Not being wanted?" Cupid finished for her, compassion glowing in her eyes.

Raven nodded, "Yeah, something like that."

The group went silent again. Those who were Royal-born, Ashlynn, Rosabella, Holly, Poppy and Justine, looking down and a bit guilty.

Maddie shook her head. She was being so quiet that Raven had almost forgotten that she was there. She looked around the room. "That is a pot of Silly-Stew! You are Rebels are wanted here! If not by the Royals, then us Wonderlandians!"

Raven smiled, grateful for Maddie's reassurance, even if it was only a band-aid on a bigger wound. It was nice to know.

Cupid then spoke up again, "Can I ask a potentially uncomfortable question?"

"This whole conversation has been uncomfortable," Sparrow pointed out, "might as well."

Raven glared at Sparrow. He wasn't wrong, he just didn't need to say it out loud.

She gestured for Cupid to continue. The pink haired girl took a breath and asked, "Who exactly is Bluebell Starwing? Blondie mentioned her in her MirrorCast, and I have heard her name a lot, but no one will tell me anything concrete, other than she died in the war and that the Royals blame the Rebels. I'm guessing she was someone really important."

Raven took in a shaky breath. The others had similar reactions, particularly Cedar.

Ashlynn took a deep breath, "I can tell the Royal version of events. Though, even I have to admit, it feel incomplete." The princess glanced at Hunter, who pulled her into his side in response.

Raven nodded at her and Ashlynn began.

"Bluebell Starwing is the birth name of the Blue-Haired Fairy. From the story The Adventures of Pinocchio. Once you sign the Storybook of Legends, you begin going by your character's name rather than the one you were born with." Ashlynn explained.

"When the war broke out, Blue was initially neutral, but she then joined the Royals after seeing that we were, quote - 'the right side' - unquote. She used her connections to the Wood family," she pointed to Cedar, "to gain info on Rebel activity and plans."

"Milton Grimm was delighted to have her on the Royals side. Blue was highly respected and one of the most popular fairies, he hoped that by having her on the Royal's side of the conflict, it could possibly bring the other fairies on - on the Royal side as well.

"However, before he could do that, though, we got the news the Blue died. We were told she was killed by the Rebels after they discovered that she was a spy. Milton put most of the blame of Cedar's father, Pinocchio. After that, the Fairy Kingdoms cut themselves off from Ever After until the war was over." Ashlynn took a shaky breath and looked around the room.

All the Rebels had expressions that could only be described as somewhere between shock and disbelief. Ever Cedar looked like she could not believe what she just heard. Raven could only imagine what her face looked like.

Ashlynn seemed to catch on, looking at Hunter like she was scared of what he might say. Hunter, because he is a gentleman, just wrapped his arm around her and hugged her. Ashlynn leaned into it, but Raven could still see her face was one of shock.

It was Poppy who finally broke the silence. "I'm... gonna take a guess that that is not the full story.."

"Far from it!" Ramona howled, "I cannot believe that is was the gray-haired, cowardly, little sh-"

"Ramona!" Raven snapped.

Ramona's mouth shut and she glance at Raven.

"We are not here to fight," Raven reminded her, "we are all here to try and come up with a solution. Even they understand that that is not the full story."

Ramona glanced away but her gaze landed right on Justine. Ramona's wolf ears flattened and she apologized to the room for snapping as she sat back down.

"So," Holly spoke up, "if that was not the real story... what is?"

Cedar's face creaked, shifting from shocked to questioning. Raven was sure that if Cedar was a human, she would be bursting into tears right now.

"Well, for starters," Cedar began, "Bluebell wasn't a spy for the Royals, she was spying on the Royals."

"What!?" The Royal-born students exclaimed.

"Yeah, Bluebell always thought that you should be allowed to choose whether or not you want to follow you family story." Cedar continued. "She agreed to spy on the Royals. Since she wasn't vocal about her opinions and her family was so well respected, it was easy for her to convince Milton Grimm that she was on the Royals side.

"She gave the uh - she gave Milton false information to placate him and convince the others that she was was on their side. It was going well. But then..." Cedar paused.

"She was found out," Ashlynn finished for Cedar.

Cedar nodded, "One day, she just teleported into the Rebel stronghold, severely injured and bleeding. My dad rushed her to the infirmary, but it was too late."

The room fell silent. Those who were Royal-born looked shocked. Then Rosabella speaks.

"This might end up working in our favor.."

"What do you mean?" Raven asked.

"This could prove that Milton Grimm is prone to spinning tales and tall lies. Or at the very least, a tendency of giving false information."

"How would that do us any good?" Cerise asked, "And why would others care?"

"Because Milton told us a completely different version of how Blue died," Holly explained.

"Actually, didn't Milton insinuate at her memorial that Pinocchio was responsible for her death?" Poppy said.

"WHAT!!!" several Rebels exclaimed, including Cedar and Raven.

"That is not true at all!" Cedar cried out.

"We know that," Rosabella said, "but the rest of the Royal population does not."

"Actually, that in it of it's self is suspicious," Humphrey said.

"What ever after do you mean?" Maddie asked, her head whipping around in a whirlwind of mint and lavender.

"Why try and preserve Blue's reputation if she was spying for the Rebels?" Humphrey asked, "Why try and save the face of the person that betrayed you?"

"Oh! Oh! Maybe he had a crush on her?" Maddie exclaimed, raising her hand up like she was in class, "Maybe he was cursed! Maybe she knew something! Maybe he didn't want to admit that there was an imposter among them! Maybe he had a secret to keep! Maybe he -"

"It's most likely the 4th one," Poppy said, "people like Milton... they like being in control. He would not want the knowledge that he allowed a spy into the Royals getting out."

"Plus it continued to fan the flames of the war and allowed the Royals to think that they were on the 'right side' by letting it look like the Rebels killed her." Justine pointed out. Her brow creased, turning to Ramona. "Actually, do you guys know who killed her? Cedar said she was bleeding heavily, so that suggests she was stabbed, but by who?"

Ramona blinked. She turned to the others, but one one said anything.

"Would it be possible that she got hurt by accident?" Cupid hesitantly asked.

"No," Cedar shook her head, "I was there when she arrived. There was too much blood for it to be an accident." She frowned, "my dad did say that she some last words, but they were mainly thanking my family for loving her like one of our own."

"It could be possible that Blue did tell our parents," Melody pointed out, "and they just chose to keep it from us so not to traumatize us further."

Rosabella nodded, "That would make sense. Where is Blue buried?"

"On the Rebel Castle grounds," Raven said, "my family home."

"Perfect," Rosabella said, writing that down "that would help prove that Blue was a Rebel."

"So, is the plan to prove that Milton Grimm is a liar?" Sparrow asked, "Because - gotta be real here - Eris already tried that and it caused a war. Are we really gonna do that again?"

"No and yes," Rosabella replied, "You are right that this is not the full plan, but this is good to know because we can us this to point out that Milton has a habit of not telling the truth, at least when the truth does not suit his needs."

"Good point," Raven said. "I sure am happy Rosabella is on our side now," she thought.

"Is there anything else we should be thinking about?" Raven asks.

"What about the Storybook of Legends?" Ginger asks.

Raven sucked in a breath. She should have known this was coming. The Royal born students looked at Raven.

"I have not taken the book and neither has any Rebel student here. I also know that most of our other parents were genuinely surprised by the news that the book was switched. However, I cannot speak for my mother."

"Do we even need to find the Storybook of legends?" Poppy asked. "I - I mean, obviously the - uhh, older generation of Royals are making a big deal out of it. And some students. But like... The Rebels have proved it is not necessary so..."

Everyone looked at Poppy in surprise. Sure she was here, but she was still a Royal born student. The fact that she was suggesting that they don't find the Storybook was surprising -

"Wait a splinter!" Raven suddenly remembered that cursed Legacy Viewing Day, "the fake book didn't land on a story for either Dexter or Holly!" It made a bit of sense for Dexter because 'Prince Charmings' were technically unnamed stock parts, but Holly has a named character parent. Holly and Poppy are twins, but Holly is the older one. But...

Raven must have done a terrible job at schooling her face, because Holly and Poppy looked at her and then each other, before nodding.

"Yeah, I think you guessed it," Holly said, looking down.

"Wait, so are you saying," Ashlynn looked at the twins.

"Yeah," Poppy said, rubbing the back of her neck, "I'm the older twin, not Holly. I'm supposed to be the next Rapunzel."

Chapter 16: Hidden Surprises

Summary:

Briar keeps hearing something in her room whenever she goes to sleep - and she's had enough! But is she ready for what she is about to find?

Notes:

HOLY FAIRY GODMOTHERS! I am so sorry this took so long (again), but I hope you understand when I say I have to prioritize school first. Hopefully I can post more often since things have begun to settle down, but I cannot make any promises right now. Thank you all for your patience.

Briar's POV

"How is Darling settling in?" "Good, from what Gareth is saying." "Do you know if.."

"Let's see.. Scrambled eggs and porridge for breakfast.. Stone Soup for lunch. Dinner will be..."

"You've got a pretty solid case here, Mr. Grimm. Do you think we could speak to a few students on what exactly happened.."

"Yeah, I'm the older twin, not Holly. I'm suppose to be the next Rapunzel."

Foosh.

Briar jolts awake at that last sound. Her magic touch of hearing things far away comes in pretty handy, especially when she falls asleep in class. It allows her to hear all the goings on around the school, and even beyond. But that last one was different. It did not come from far away.

It came from inside her room.

And she had been hearing it for weeks. And she was sick of it.

Briar looked around her dorm room, but nothing looked amiss. Everything was exactly how it was when she fell asleep. She tried to remember where the sound came from...

It was close, like in her fairy-freaking room close. But not like, right next to her ear.. It almost sounded like it was coming from..

She looked down at her floor. Under feet was her plush pink carpet, perfect for softening her fall when one of her random sleep spells hit her. Underneath that should only be stone flooring.

"Wait, maybe.." Briar laid down on the carpet, closing her eyes, and for once, hoped that sleep would come fast. And come fast it did. Her eyes soon fluttered close as her hearing became better and better and she could hear more and more. She heard mostly the same things: teachers and classmates gossiping, Headmaster Grimm wrapping up some meeting, Hagtha making a grocery order and then.... foosh.

Briar's eyes flew open. It was right under her ear! She quickly pushed the carpet away. It revealed noting but the old stone. But sometimes magic could hide from the eyes.

Briar closed her eyes and felt around with her hands. She felt cold stone, old mortar and - there! She opened them, and while her eyes saw nothing different, her sense of touch was telling a different story. There was a key hole right underneath her finger tips.

Keeping one hand on the key hole, Briar used her other hand to take one of the bobby pins out of her hair and stuck it into the invisible key hole, feeling a slight resistance as the veil of magic give way. Remembering that lock picking technique that she overheard Sparrow telling Hunter about, she slowly and carefully jiggled and twisted the bobby pin until she hear a click.

A wave of magenta magic released from the compartment. Briar blinks a few times and waves away the remaining embers. Peering into the hidden compartment, her hand flies to her mouth to cover a gasp. In the compartment is a large, maroon leather covered book with gold detailing, a golden key hole on the side and a small mirror in the center. The Storybook of Legends.

"Holy fairy fuck!!" Briar thinks, leaping to her feet. She starts pacing around the room, her blood pumping in her ears. "Oh my fairy godmother, of my fairy godmother, oh my fairy godmother!! What the fuck do I do!!" Briar thoughts go on repeat.

"Okay, okay Briar, focus," Briar says out loud, lightly slapping her face a few times to stop the thoughts. She goes back to her mother's advice whenever she was left in charge of her younger brothers. "Think. Think like a princess. Like a future ruler!"

"Okay," Briar thought, a bit more focus now, "who would need to know about this first? Who would befit the most from having this knowledge first?" she asked herself.

The answers were easy. Obviously, someone in power should know about this, but who? Milton Grimm feels like a loose cannon, her parents would probably turn it right over to him, so they are out as well. The teachers and EAH staff were next, and honestly, they seemed to have most of their stories straight. Still... she knew that the more Royal aligned ones were still upset about Milton Grimm being kicked out. So.. who should she...

Briar suddenly realized who she needed and grabbed her Mirrorphone off her desk. She pressed the number and prayed she picked up.

Ring...Ring...Ring

"H-Hey, Briar," Ashlynn's voice filtered through the speaker, "Wha - What's up with you?"

"Ashlynn, I need you to come to my room. Like, right now!"

 

---

 

Ashlynn's POV

Ashlynn took a deep breath to calm herself as she walked down the hallway to Briar's dorm. She tried not to fiddle with the Recording Charm Necklace that Raven had given her right before she left. She knew Hunter was just as nervous as she was about this, his face when Briar's call came through during the meeting was probably the first time she had seen her boyfriend so nervous.

It wasn't just the fact that Briar was still technically a Royal that made her nervous. Even before this whole thing blew up, Briar was always one of the more 'live and let live' type of Royals. Once she even said "I'm not gonna waste my awake days worrying about what other people think, if the Rebels want to not follow their family stories, that's their business. I've got more fun things to do." But still, Briar was one of Apple's best and closest friends...

No, what made Ashlynn nervous was Briar's tone on the short call. It was frantic, almost panicking. Like she was scared. Which, in it of itself was worrying as Briar hardly ever gets scared, or at least, doesn't show that she is. Maybe she over heard something while she was sleeping...

"Oh fairy godmother!" Ashlynn thought, "Did she overhear something in the Rebel Meeting!" Did Briar overhear about Holly and Poppy? Bluebell Starwing? What if Briar overheard someone else overhearing them!? What if -

Ashlynn got to Briar's door and before she could even knock, Briar quickly opened it and pulled her in so fast she could hardly react. She looked at her friend.

Physically, the only think that seemed out of place what her hair, part of it looked like it had fallen out of its do, but given that Briar was prone to falling asleep randomly, it wasn't out of the ordinary. What was out of the ordinary though, what the startled look in her eyes, like a deer caught in headlights. It made Ashlynn both wary and concerned.

"Briar," Ashlynn delicately started, making her voice clear for the Recording Charm, "what is going on? Are you okay?"

Briar took a deep breath and rubbed her hands together, in a scared voice she said, "I need you to promise me you will only share this with the right people."

Ashlynn blink, concerned. "Briar -"

"Ash, please!" Briar pleaded, her eyes wide, face going pale "Please! You have to promise me this!"

Ashlynn blinked, genuinely worried and scared for her friend now. "Okay, I promise to be careful about who I tell."

Briar nodded. She bend down, lifted her fuzzy pink throw rug, revealing a compartment in the floor. Ashlynn looked inside and -

Ashlynn's eyes go wide as she realizes what she is looking at - the real Storybook of Legends!

 

Chapter 17: Time for a Plan

Summary:

Briar and Ashlynn discuss what they need to do with the Storybook of Legends. Thankfully, Raven and Hunter come rushing over to help.

Ashlynn's POV

Ashlynn stared at the Storybook of Legends in shock. There were so many questions running through her mind right now! Why was is here? How did Briar find it? Is this where it was the whole time?

Ashlynn sucked in a breath through her nose. She had to try to stay calm, if only for Briar's sake. "Briar," she started, "How did you -?"

"I could here the magic hiding it while I was asleep," she said quickly.

"Gotcha," Ashlynn didn't realize that Briar's super-sleep hearing was that good. She looked back at the book. "What... what do we do?"

Briar threw her hands up in a panic, "That's why I called you!!" she staged whispered. She begins pacing frantically around the room.

"What do you want me to do?" Ashlynn asked, feeling just as panicked at Briar looked.

"Call some Rebel adult! Have Hunter call his dad, or Raven her dad! I know that Raven's dad is letting Darling stay there!"

"How do you - " Briar cut Ashlynn off again.

"Super-sleep hear," Briar said.

"Right."

"I'm not gonna tell anyone she is there." Briar reassured, "I'm not sure why she is there, but I have enough on plate right now - I don't need to add whatever-after is on Darling's plate to it!"

"Yup." Ashlynn was relieved that Briar was not gonna spill that secret at least. "Back to... why you called me, are you okay with telling the Rebels about this first?"

"WHO ELSE AM I SUPPOSE TO TELL!?" Briar shouted, "If I tell a Royal, they'll paint me a hero and blame the Rebels for hiding it in the first place! I don't want to be some 'savior' that found the lost Storybook of Legends! I don't even know if I truly a-line with the Royals anymore! Besides, if I tell the Headmaster, I would be telling the Rebels first anyway, but I don't know if a Royal teacher would hear or need to be involved and this feels like the type of thing to make everything else blows up and -"

"Briar! Take a deep breath with me, okay!" Ashlynn grabbed her friends shoulders and took 2 exaggerated deep breaths. Briar mimicked her. They repeated this process until Ashlynn could see her friend's breathing returning to a normal rhythm. She let go of Briar's shoulders and then a question came to her mind.

"Wait, why was the Storybook of Legends hidden in your room?"

Briar froze, "I... I don't know.."

They looked around the room, as of that could give them any answers. That's when Ashlynn suddenly remembered something.

"Wasn't this place Royal territory during the war?"

Briar blinked, "Uhh, yes and no I think... I think officially, it was 'neutral territory', you know, for attempted peace talks and stuff - I know they eventually signed the Peace Treaty here. But the Royals had more territory in the area, so they had the most control over it, at least the surrounding area."

"So it would have been really hard for a Rebel to get in this area," Ashlynn said slowly, "especially during the war."

"Yeah, it would... have..." Realization bloomed on Briar's face, her mocha brown eyes going wide. "You - you don't think -"

A knock at the door made them both jump like they needed to clear a candle stick. Briar quickly threw the rug back over the open compartment and went to answer the door.

Ashlynn was relieved to see both Raven and Hunter at the door. The two Rebels rush in and Briar quickly closes the door. Hunter, of course, ran to Ashlynn pulling her into a protective hug. Ashlynn breathed a bit easier now that he was here. Raven, meanwhile, went to Briar.

"I know this looks weird and maybe a bit suspicious, but..." Raven began to explain, but Briar beat her to it.

"You guys were spying on us with Ashlynn's permission because things have near gone to dragon-shit and no one really knows who to trust right now." Briar stated bluntly. She shrugged, "If I had a friend who could magic, I probably would do the same, like 24/7, at this point. Or at least a recorder."

The 3 sighed, at least Briar understood the precaution.

"Does that mean that you know about..?" Briar started.

"Yeah," Raven nodded, "we know about the Storybook."

The words hung heavy in the air until Ashlynn braved out of Hunter's arms and pulled back the rug. Raven and Hunter's eyes go wide, with both astonishment and fear as the stare at the book that generation have been forced to sign in to seal their fates forever-after.

Briar looked at Raven, "What should we do? Who do we need to tell?"

Ashlynn was surprised that Briar was asking Raven, but then again, Briar did say she didn't want to be praised as some Royal savior.

Raven a took a deep breath, a calm expression on her face, "I think yo have the right idea about me telling my dad - not only is he, well, my dad and we need an adult at this point, but he is also the official leader of the Rebels and would know what to do."

"However," Raven says firmly, "we also need to tell Headmaster Giles Grimm about this. Not only because he is also regarded as a Rebel figure-head, but he should know what we found in his school. And maybe he might know why it was hidden in your room in particular, or at least have an idea."

"Okay, that sounds good." Briar seemed more calm now that there was a plan in place. She looked at the compartment, "Should we keep the Book here until we can arrange a meeting or..?"

Raven pulled out her Mirrorphone, "I'll call my dad right now tell him he needs to come here now - this needs to be addressed sooner rather than later."

Briar nods. Ashlynn just thought of something.

"Wouldn't it raise suspicions if the Rebel Leader meet up with the Rebel Headmaster?" she asked.

Briar's eyes go wide. But before Raven could answer, Hunter speaks.

"Hopefully it might just look like a parent coming to talk to their child's Headmaster, but honestly, we don't have the time to worry about what people might think," Hunter answers for Raven. He places a hand on Ashlynn's back and she leans into it, relishing in his comfort. His hazel eyes warm as he looks at her, "I know it is not ideal, but right now we need to act before something else happens. Hopefully this can quell some of the drama."

"Or it could make more." Briar wraps her arms around herself as Raven rings up her father, telling him she needs him at Ever After High, right now.

"That's always a possibility," Hunter says quietly. Ashlynn wraps her arms around him, leaning into his chest. She takes in his scent of wood, reminding her of the forest. It gives her strength.

"It certainly beats being trapped in a cycle of repeating stories," Ashlynn basically speaks into Hunter's chest, but Briar heard anyway and lets out a slightly hysterical laughter, startling everyone.

"You got that right!" The princess says between laughs.

 

Notes:

Briar throughout the chapter: PANIC, PANIC, PANIC - WHY ME!!!!

Ashlynn throughout the chapter: Don't Panic, Don't Panic, your friend is panicking, do not panic. Make sure she doesn't jump out the window.

Hunter: Girlfriend is in distress! Must comfort!

Raven: Everyone is panicking, keep it together... I want my dad..

Chapter 18: Revelations and New Missions

Summary:

Gareth King has arrived and Raven, Briar and Ashlynn join him and Headmaster Giles Grimm in the Headmaster's office to show them what they found. Giles and Gareth know this is just the beginning.

Giles's POV

"Gareth, it is always a pleasure to see you, though I cannot help but wonder what brings you in today?" Giles says as he sit down behind his desk after greeting his old friend and comrade.

"To be frank, the main reason I am here is because of Raven," Gareth says, eyebrows creasing.

"Is she alright?" Alarm went through Giles's heart. The whole case with Milton has been consuming so much of his time that he has not had the time to adequately check up on his students, something he is ashamed to admit, even to himself.

"She called me yesterday that she needs me to come over here and have a meeting with you, but said it was urgent." Gareth's mouth lowered from his usual smile to a hard line. To an outsider, he would look impassive, like a regal king getting his daily reports, but Giles had learned to read him years ago. The glimmer in his blue eyes was gone, replaced with ripples of worry, his shoulders were tight and his arms were stiff. He fiddled with the ring on his left ring finger, absentmindedly rubbing his thumb over the gemstone.

While one would normally wear their wedding ring on their left ring finger, it was well known throughout Ever After that Gareth and Eris were one of the few couples in history to divorce. Granted, it was a bit of a process, partly because divorce was so rare but also because Eris tried refusing to sign the papers, even in prison. Still, it was granted. So no, that was not a wedding ring.

Rather, it was a birthstone ring. But not his, Raven's.

The day Raven was born, Gareth had commissioned 2 pieces of citrine jewelry - a ring for him and a brooch for Eris, to commemorate their daughter's birth. Despite this sentiment, Eris rarely wore hers, saying it "clashed" with most of her outfits and didn't suit her. However, Gareth always wore his, and when his and Eris's marriage clock struck midnight, he replaced his wedding band with the citrine ring.

Soon, Raven arrived... along with Briar Beauty, who was clutching her bookpack close to her chest, and Ashlynn Ella. This immediately sent Giles's inner alarm bells off, as the last time more than 2 arrived to his office it was to bring up Apple's misdoings and Milton's misconduct. And then right after that Marian came in with Darling Charming asking for help.

Gareth immediately got out if chair and gave his daughter and warm hug. Giles could see Raven melt a bit in the safety of her father's arms. While the father and daughter hugged, Giles took in the other 2 girls. Worry once again worming its way into his heart at the sight of Briar Beauty's face. Her eyes were wide and darting about the room, with one hand, she clutched her hot pink bookpack to her chest like she was afraid that someone was gonna rip it away from her. With her other hand held onto Ashlynn's left with such a grip that her knuckles were clearly paling. Ashlynn, thankfully, looked less worried, but she was looking at her friend like if she didn't hang on to her hand she might break down crying.

"Alright then," Giles said as Raven and Gareth parted and everyone sat down. Giles looked at Raven, who seemed the most put together out of the 3 girls, "Raven, is there any particular reason you asked for me and your father to meet?"

Raven opened her mouth to answer, but before she could speak, Briar pulled something out of her bookpack and slammed it on his desk like it was made of hot coals. Giles felt his heart stop, and at first he thought it was because of the sudden action, but then his mind registered what Ms. Beauty had just put on his desk.

It was the Storybook of Legends.

The office was silent as they all took in the sight. Until Raven broke the silence. "Briar found the Storybook of Legends in her dorm room."

Giles snapped out of his shock and looks at the students. He tries to keep his voice steady as he asks, "Ms. Beauty, where did you find this?"

"In my dorm. In a magically hidden compartment." She quickly answers. She is staring at the Storybook like she cannot believe it is there.

Giles honestly can't either.

Gareth looks at Raven and then the other 2 girls, eyebrows crunched together. "How... How did this - How did you find this?"

Briar keeps her focus somewhere between the floor and Giles's desk. "I.. I could hear the magic that was keeping the compartment hidden in my sleep. I was able to unlock it and - and there it was!"

Giles clears his throat, "Briar Beauty, thank you, thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. You did such a great th-"

"What is gonna happen now?" Briar cuts him off, her voice high and quavering. Ashlynn squeezes her hand and uses her free hand to grasp her shoulder.

Gareth and Giles exchanged a look. Giles spoke next.

"For the time being, this is going to stay as under wraps as possible. Obviously we are gonna have to tell a few people, but not the whole of Ever After."

"I don't want anyone to know I was the one who found the Storybook," Briar said quickly, "I don't - I don't want that kind of publicity. I don't want that kind of pressure."

"Don not worry, Ms Beauty," Giles reassured her, "when the news breaks, we'll be sure to keep you name out of the press." He gives her and calming smile.

Briar calms down a bit and Ashlynn asks if there is anything else they need to go over. Giles and Gareth both shake their heads and the 3 get ready to head out, but not before Raven and her father plan a time to have dinner together in Bookend Village.

As they are leaving, Raven turns around.

"Headmaster Grimm, everything is gonna be okay, right?" Gareth puts a comforting hand on Raven's shoulder.

Giles takes in a deep breath, "Don't worry, Raven," he says, "I'm gonna do my best."

Raven nods, thanking him, before heading out of the office. Gareth closes the door behind them, sits back down and puts his face in his hands. After a few minutes, he looks back up at Giles, his blue eyes stormy.

"You know it was her," the king says darkly.

Giles nods, dropping the calming facade he put on for the students. They both know who he really means.

Gareth takes a deep breath. And then another. He rubs his thumb over his ring. "I knew she hide it."

"We all did," Giles reminded him.

"I should have known better than to trust that Milton found the original." Gareth's shoulders sag, as if physically weighted down by the guilt.

Giles's own shoulders sag as well, sharing the weight, "Everyone wanted an easy Happy Ending. Even me.

"We both knew," Giles continues, "we both knew she was to smart for Milton, but we just wanted it to be over with. This is not on you, Gareth."

"Then who is it on?" Gareth asked, looking at him with his stormy blue eyes, "I knew her better than anyone else - you, Milton, Ruby, hex I knew her better than Bluebell! I knew best and I still thought Milton found -"

"I should have known as well," Giles cut off his old friend. "You might have known Eris best, but I knew my brother and this book best. I should have known it was a fake from the start. I should have know that Milton was too stubborn from the start!" Giles took a breath to calm himself. "I should have known..."

They stayed like that for a while. Just sitting with the knowledge that the people they knew best, also betrayed them, and everyone else, in the end.

"I'm gonna need to call a meeting," Gareth said.

Giles nodded, "I'll be there," he says immediately.

"No," Gareth says, "Giles, you need to stay here. You are Ever After High's only Headmaster, right after Milton was ousted for unfair treatment towards a Royal student. If it comes out that you attended a Rebel Meeting, even via long-distance -"

"I could get be accused of the same thing," Giles finishes. He sighs, looking down at the Storybook of Legends. "I just want to help."

"You can, Giles," Gareth says, eyes deep and serious, "You can help by staying here and protecting our most prized treasures."

Giles gives a coy smile, "I know you don't mean the Storybook."

Gareth gives a gruff laugh, "Of course not, put that old thing in a magically locked museum case for all I care." He returns Giles's smile, "I am talking about our children."

 

Chapter 19: A Darling Time Away

Summary:

Darling recounts how her time at Queens Castle has been. However, the peaceful vacation is about to come to an end when King Gareth calls a meeting... What could it be about.

Notes:

OH MY GOSH!!!! I am so sorry! This chapter is so freaking late. Also, sorry it of a bit shorter than most of the other ones, I really wanted to get something out a update this.

Darling's POV

"Good job today, Charming!" Mr. Huntsman calls out to her, "Put away your gear and take a lap around the field to cool off. Then you can head inside."

"Okay, Mr. Huntsman." Darling dutifully put her training sword and gear away and started a light jog around the training field. She had started training with Axel Huntsman, Hunter's dad, not long after arriving at the old Queen Castle. Even after a little under a month of living and training here, it still felt invigorating to simply be free to take a jog and work out in broad daylight!

Living in Queen Castle was quite the adjustment. The weather was cooler and slightly cloudier that in the Charming Mountains, and with the Castle being so close to the cliff coastline there was always the slight taste of salt in the sea air. In the mornings, fog clouds and mist blanket the area, giving it an almost ominous and secretive look, like even the weather was trying to help hide her.

That in it of itself was the the biggest adjustment - Darling didn't need to hide here.

Yes, she was technically hiding from her family, but she didn't need to hide her true self here. She didn't need to hide the fact that she was interested in Hero Training here. She didn't need to be locked up in a tower here. The fact that she didn't need to keep her activities a secret felt both strange and relieving.

When she first arrive, she would stay in her room most of the day. That is what she was use to back at home. She continued to secretly workout and would sneak out at night for nightly jogs. It was after her 3rd nightly jog that a rain came in the middle of the night. Darling was heading out when King Gareth stopped her before she even reached the door.

"It's not safe to jog tonight." Darling practically leaped 3 feet into the air, not expecting to see the King awake at that hour. Yet there he was, night robe on, soft slippers and candle in his hands. "You can go in the morning of the weather permits it."

Darling blinked in surprise. "I'm sorry, I didn't -"

"You are allowed to go for runs here." He said kindly, "I just can't allow you in this weather. To dangerous - for anybody."

 Darling must have looked at him in surprise, because he quickly explained.

"You think no one noticed your nightly excursion? I assumed you needed the quiet."

"I just..." Darling stuttered. "...I wasn't sure if I was allowed to um... Work out here."

The King blinked in surprise. "Of course you are."

"I wasn't allowed to back home." Darling admitted numbly, "I had to do all that in secret."

King Gareth smiled kindly in the glow of the candlelight. "You don't have to hide yourself here, Ms. Charming."

And just like that, bit by bit, Darling began to come out of her carefully constructed shell. She went on jogs in the morning, sometimes with her shoes covered in mud. She would play games in the courtyard with Butternut and Pie, the twin sons of the castle Cook, getting completely covered in leafs, dirt and mud. Whenever Mr. Huntsman and Mr. Hood came over, she would asks for pointers on training or weapons grips. Before finally asking if they could train her properly. She began to act differently. More like she she felt on the inside.

It helped that people here treated her differently too. Sure, they treated her with respect, kindness and care, the way one would expect an adult to treat a teenager who asked for help escaping an unhappy home life. But no one treated her like she was helpless. They treated her like... well, a teenager.

Cook seemed to have made it her mission to have Darling try every recipe in her collection, from healthily but delicious meals to mouth watering pastries. After a few weeks of living at the castle, Ruby Hood-Badwolf offered to take Darling on a quick shopping trip to get some clothes, since she left in such a hurry she only had her bookpack. Darling didn't feel like she was putting on a front here. She felt like she was just being herself.

As Darling headed back inside the Castle, she spotted King Gareth in his office, door open. He looked stressed, his eyes were shadowed and worried and he kept flexing his hands like they had a cramp in them. He suddenly then looked up and noticed her.

"Hello, Darling, everything okay? How was training?" His blue eyes sparkled like the sea, a deep, calm blue. Not unlike her twin brother's.

"It went well," Darling reported. She tried to fight back the lump in her throat at the thought of Dexter.

"I'm glad," King Gareth sighed, then his expression grew serious. "Ms. Charming, I wanted to let you know that soon the other Rebels and some of their younger kids will be coming here for a Rebel Meeting. At the end of the week. It will just be the adults talking, so you and the younger children will be in one of the common rooms. I hope that is okay."

"Of course it is!" Darling loved being around the younger Rebel children, it reminded her of being around her younger cousins at the Family Balls.

"Thank you, we are not asking you to baby-sit them, just keep an eye on them, especially Fern and Muffy. And keep the slightly older ones out of trouble."

"Don't worry about me, Your Highness, I can handle them." Darling reassures them. She pauses, "If you don't mind me asking - what is this meeting about?"

King Gareth presses his lip together and that is all the answers Darling needs - this is about Raven and Ever After High.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Check this out!" Billy Scarlet exclaimed as he pulled the lamp that was attached to the wall. A low rubble was heard as dust clouded the room and the wall parted to reveal as secret tunnel.

"How did you find this?" Darling asked the 13 year old.

"Found it ages ago!" Billy excitedly told her, "During the war when we all stayed here!"

"Where does this even go?" asked Jack Littleman, the 13 year old son of Little John asked.

"Straight to the meeting room!" Billy said, "We can eavesdrop on them and know what they are talking about!"

"Hold on Merry Boys!" Darling felt compelled as the oldest on there at least try to reign this in, even if she shared Billy's desire. "This might not be a meeting for minors - teens, pre-teens and kids alike. If it is something we should know, your parents will -"

"Come on, your Highness," Billy wiggled his eyebrows at her, a clear, but clumsy attempt at flirting. Darling had tie resist the urge to roll her eyes, "At least he wasn't proposing marriage on the spot." She thought.

"I know you want to know what they are talking about as much as we do," Billy continued, gesturing towards the passage. "Besides, Sparrow told me that something big happened at Ever After High - something that could change everything."

Darling pressed her lips together. She looked back at the sitting room, "What about Pie, Butternut, Muffy and Fern? We can't leave them alone."

"I can watch them," Tucker Friar, the 12 year old son of Friar Tuck, volunteered.

Darling sighed, giving into her own temptation. "Alright."

"Yes!" Jack pupped his fist.

"You will not regret this, My Lady!" Billy said.

"I better not!" Darling gave Billy a gentle shove, "Lead the way, but be quiet."

"Do not worry," Billy produced a flashlight, "I know the way around this castle!"

Darling hated to admit it, but Billy was right - he did know the way around. According to him, the Merry Boys had discovered and explored these passages so thoroughly they could do it with their eyes closed. Ever Sparrow knew the way around.

They finally reached the end of one that was covered by what Darling assumed was a pointing based on the canvas fabric that covered it. Billy turned off his flashlight and pressed his finger to his lips before lightly pressing another stone. It briefly glowed and the canvas fabric became vaguely translucent. Billy got out a pad of paper and quietly wrote down a message:

We can see them, but they can't see us. They might hear us, so be quiet. Darling and Jack gave thumbs up.

Beyond the lookout, Darling could see the other adult Rebels, King Gareth, Ruby Hood-Badwolf, Candy Breadhouse, Axel Huntsman and his wife Petra, Robin Hood and the Merry Men, Grove and Pine Wood and even the Rebel teachers, who were there via MirrorTalk.

Once everyone was seated, King Gareth commenced the Meeting.

"I think you all are at least somewhat aware of why we are here - the real Storybook of Legends has been found."

Notes:

Again, sorry for this being so short and full of more setup. Hopefully I can get the next one out at a more reasonable time. Thank you to anyone who is still sticking around.

Chapter 20: Rebellious Worries

Summary:

Darling and the Merry Boys listen in on a Rebel Meeting. What else will they learn?

Darling's POV

Darling looked down through the magical barrier, mouth as wide as a frog-prince. "The real Storybook of Legends has been found!?" She wasn't sure what surprised her more - the news, or her emotions.

On one hand, she was glad that they mystery has been solved. On the other hand...

"What does this mean?" Candy Breadhouse, Ginger's mother and the former Candy Witch asked. She squeezed and rung her hands together, "I mean, what does this mean for the Rebels? For our children? Who even found the Book?"

"A Royal student." Madam Maid Marian explained via Mirror Talk. "The student does not wish to be named and I will honor that even in this meeting."

King Gareth nodded in agreement. "The student found the Book in a magically hidden compartment." The King explained, "They were able to pick the lock and found the Book inside."

"Who's magic was it?" Pine Wood, Cedar's mother and the former Pinocchio asked. Even from her hiding spot, Darling could still see that his skin was the same deep, warm brown from when he was made of wood. "Was it... Was it Blue's?"

"Why would the Blue-Haired Fairy hide the Storybook of Legends?" Darling wondered.

"No," Darling heard Mr. Hood-Badwolf's voice, but could not see him due to his Mirror's angle. "Baba Yaga investigated it, and it was clearly Eris's magic."

"Makes sense," Robin Hood commented. He ran his fingers over his ginger beard, deep in thought. "Eris always enjoyed having the upper hand, especially over Milton. Plus, Bluebell was there to spy for us, why would she steal the Storybook."

"Wait what!?" Darling heard a record scratch play in her head. "Bluebell Starwing was a spy for the Rebels!?" 

Darling didn't have time to dwell on that though, because the adults were already moving on.

"Going back to Candy's question: What does this mean for us?" Axel Huntsman asked. His arms were crossed and his body language was stern. "The Treaty has already been signed, we won the war, even if the Royals refuse to acknowledge that, why does it matter that the real Storybook of Legends has been found?"

"It matters, Axel," Mr. Hood-Badwold growled, "precisely because the Royal refuse to acknowledge that we won. Even amongst the Royal students, they talk as of the war is still going on. In many ways it is."

Darling could see Ruby Hood-Badwolf nod at her husband's words, "My girls have said that tensions at Ever After High are rising." Her voice was tight, like a rope ready to snap at any moment. "Not to mention Darling not feeling safe enough to return to her own home and then that heinous 'interview' with Raven!"

Darling was shocked at both Mrs. Hood-Badwolf's tone - she sounded genuinely furious on her behalf - but also about the interview. 

She had saw the interview of course. It was really more Blondie twisting Raven's half spoken words against her, but it certain spoke to how the Royals are viewing the Rebels right now. She is also not surprised to hear about the rising tensions at Ever After High.

"Does this mean our children are safe?" Candy Breadhouse asked again, "Do we need to pull them out?"

"Our children have all expressed that they wish to stay, at least at the moment." Professor Pied Piper spoke. Thanks to his angle, Darling could clearly see the Music Teacher's face. His expression was serious as his voice carried, "They feel like if they leave now, it would show the Royals, students and adults alike, that the Rebels can be pushed into submission. And despite my concerns as a father, I have to agree with the idea."

"That still doesn't answer Candy's question." Grove Wood spoke out. "Are our children safe?"

"At this moment, I believe they are, physically at least." Madam Marian's voice was clear and firm.

"What about emotionally? Or socially?" Candy's voice was high and frantic, fear written plainly on her face.

Petra Huntsman reached around her to hug her friend, "Candy, it is gonna be okay. Our children are strong -"

"But they are still children!" Candy blurted out. She gripped her friend's arm, "They have already gone through so much and now this! The whole reason I joined Eris in the first place is so that Ginger wouldn't have to risk getting buried to death! And then this happens!" She let's out a choked sob. "Why... why can't the Royals just leave us alone.."

The adults fell silent as Ruby got up to help Petra comfort Candy. Once Candy got her breath back, she apologized for the disrupt, but everyone waved it off.

"Candy, we are all worried," Gareth reassured her, "We are all thinking those thoughts. You are just the only one brave enough to say them out loud."

Candy made a sound that between a snort and a cackle, "Brave or just the most distressed?" Petra rubbed her back.

"I'm afraid there is more," Darling could see that Gareth's face was sympathetic to Candy's plight, and Darling wondered if he was also wondering if the Rebels kids were safe there."Along with the news about the real Storybook of Legends being discovered, the court case against Giles to reinstate Milton as Headmaster of Ever After High is coming up. Along with the lawsuit of the White Family that Apple was 'unjustly expelled' from Ever After High." 

"I thought she wasn't expelled?" Robin Hood asked, looking around in confusion, "I thought she was just not allowed on the premises and was taking classes via Mirrornet?"

"That is exactly what the deal was." Marion Hood said, "But that is the narrative that the White Family and their allies are pushing."

"You can't be serious!?" Petra asked out loud.

"There's one more thing," Gareth rubbed his temples, "Milton is trying to get himself instated as the sole Headmaster of Ever After High."

"He can't do that!" Axel thundered, "It would violate the Treaty!"

"Maybe that's his plan?" Grove said, "Maybe he wants another war, this one where the Royals win, officially."

"He - He can't!" Pine looked at his father in shock. "Why would he want another war!?"

"Because in times of conflict, people have an easier time rising to power," Robin Hood responded thoughtfully, running his fingers through his beard. "What is the base of his claim? What is he saying to defame Giles?"

"From what I heard, Milton is claiming his brother blindsided him and unjustly overruled his decision without consulting him." Gareth said.

"Sounds weak and desperate if you ask me." Little John said, his voice carrying his displeasure.

"It is, but unfortunately, the Royals are eating it up." Professor Piper said.

"So, to recap," Pine took a deep breath, "A Royal student found the real Storybook of Legends - they don't want their identity to be known, but still - Milton is trying to push Giles out of the school, The White Family is also raising a fuss, Royal students and adults alike are fanning the flames... Did I miss anything?"

The adults shake their heads.

"Alright then," Gareth laid out some stacks of paper, "Time for this meeting to really begin."

Darling looked over at the Merry Boys. She could see their faces in the dim light. Shocked, but determined. Billy gave her a coy smile and Jack offered her a small nod. Darling smiled. She knew this was gonna be big.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 3 of Ever After High AU