"YOU IDIOT!!!!" Ally screamed. "Marigold is gone, Scarlett's on the loose, and we just NEARLY FREAKING BLEW UP!" She punched Jack hard in the arm. "OW!" he hollered. "What was that for? I'm the one who got you out!" "Guys!" Velvet broke in. "Jack, it wasn't your fault. She's just frustrated." "With good reason," said Rose. "Marigold is gone, and we have bigger problems. We're stuck in a forest in an unfamiliar kingdom, and there is a very powerful, extremely bloodthirsty villainess after us." "Rose. Are you seriously making this worse?" said Ellie. "Hey, she's just making a point," said Tina. "Ok," Evie cut in. "Let's just try to find a place to spend the night." The Evers and Nevers shivered in the cold, and then from far off in the forest...... the sound of hoofbeats. ---------------------------------- Scarlett swirled into the spectral ballroom, the transparent figures dancing around her. She swept up to Rider, a listless Marigold standing beside him. She twisted the scarf in her hands, her long navy gown still as she stared off into the distance.
"How is she?" asked Scarlett. "Fine. I've had her with Annie the past few hours." "The March Hare's daughter? Good. Pretty girl, but stupid. Has potential." "Annie or Marigold?" "Annie, you imbecile! Keep our dear little Poppins in with Annie, and the poor girl will lose her mind by the new moon!" "That's twelve days, right?" "Ten. Then she goes mad and we leave her to rot in the dungeons of Agrabah. Play with your little toy while you can... she won't hold on much longer." A sly little sparrow peeped through the open window. It flapped its wings and flew off to repay its debt. The crumbs it had eaten were far in the past, but the bird remembered. It soared through the clouds, to a little blond girl, lost in the woods. ------------------------------------- Marigold was hearing voices in her head. When she had walked in the room, the brown-haired girl had set up tea. She cut the cups in half, switched seats twenty times, and cackled uncontrollably through the last ten minutes of the two hours. The first twenty were spent giggling. The girl was too bubbly for her own good. Marigold sat silently the whole time. Then came the dance. Rider had taken her hand and twirled her onto the dance floor, but it was as if her feet moved on their own. She only moved when she had to, and she was completely oblivious to the conversation next to her. When he finally danced with her again, she barely felt it when he kissed her. Some small part of it was horrified, another giddy with joy, but she showed no emotion, and the voice in her head laughed relentlessly. Marigold sighed. A year ago, dancing with her true love at a ball was all she ever wished for. Now, she wondered if Rider was her true love at all.
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{it’s for the best…..Keep going, don’t look back..never look back….eyes forward.you’ll see them again….it’s good…..} Marie gold thought to her self, Rider leadering her out through the doors into the hallway…
{Then why does it feel so wrong?} a voice inside her asked. Mariegold psuehd it aside. Forcing herself to stay walking forward. Rider gripped her hand tighter and her down the hall faster. “Rider slow down i can’t keep up….and your hurting my hand!!” Mariedgold exclaimed,Rider froze but instead of loosening his grip tightened and his muscles tensed. “You think you’ve got everything figured out,don’t you…..that you so smart…..She doesn’t keep promises…no she wont keep it….but i had to get you out….Get it..i had to get YOU out..no one else!!” He growled. “w-what??” Marie gold muttered. rider pulled on her hand aand started walking again. “We’ve got to go, now….if we hurry well be long gone before the sunsets and we can forget about all this….” rider said. “Rider that hurts..” maried whimpered.”w-what do you mean ‘forget about all this!!’ W-whats happening…..w-why do you say she won’t keep her promise??? What about my freinds!!!” Mariegold asked. Rider didn’t answer.”Marie please..i can’t explain right now we have to go…they’ll be fine…” rider begged. Mariegold stared into his seeing two thing….Fear and innocence.. she sighed “okay…” the ran forward down the corridor heading to the stables. but that’s the problem with good the trust too much…. _______ Meanwhile, in the room Scartlet checked a red pocket watch before smiling….looking up at the groups startled expressions. “She’s going to let us go now right?” jane whispered. Scarlet stood up.” I promised I wouldn’t lay a finger to hurt you…. But in theory I’m not…” she smirked. “you seen to love Camelot soooo much, you little safe haven isn’t it? So I just thought I’d make your visit a little more….Perminant…” she strode across the room standing in the doors. ”Boom boom….” She teased, slamming the doors shut. “What did she mean by that?” Hope whispered. “Maybe its crazy talk for ‘bye bye’ you win good luck at getting out?” grumbled Ellie. “couldn’t have thrown in a care package with that, couldn’t she now.” Jack joked. “Who cares, Let’s get out of here, find Mariegold and save her…and get home” Evie sighed, walking towards the doors and trying to pull them open the door didn’t move. Aric snorted. “what think you can open the quicker?” evie snapped. “Aucteal Y-“ “don’t answer just do..” Evie cut him off. Aric stomped to the doors and tried to pull them still the doors didn’t move. “must be really sticky?” Ellie asked. “let’s all work together maybe then it’ll open” jane suggested. The group shrugged and walked over to the door grabbing hold of one another to pull the door open. Still the door didn’t move. With a final tug the group fell backward. A low rumbling echoed from behind them. The group turned to look at ally & jack. “He didn’t have any lunch before we came here.” Ally said. “HEY! It’s not my stomach… that’s a lot higher pictched…”Jack protested. “Seriously???” Aric groaned. “like we need to know that!!” Jane gagged. “and there goes my breakfast..” Evie gagged. The low rumble sounded again….Then ****! The throne flung into the air as a tunnel of smoke escape from below it… the group looked over at it. A sparkle of fire caught ally’s eye. “What’s red says danger on it and a fuse and will probably kill us if it goes off?” ally asked. “this is no time for-hu! DYNAMITE!!!!” Jane squeaked. “she said ‘boom boom’ like blow us up!!” Ellie gasped. “She wouldn’t blow up Camelot though right?” aric asked. Another rumble followed by a loud **** echoed from the opposite side of the room. “I stand corrected…” Aric mumbled. Evie grabbed his hands. “let’s look for air vent or secrets passages…. Or even a window!!” Evie said. The group searched through the room small explosions coming nearer and nearer by the second. Each one sent off two more fuses, the group searched high, when something wet fell on ally’s head. She look up, there was a hole in the top of the high wall. “Jack give me a lift!” ally called. “what do you mean?” jack asked. “I mean I need to stand on your shoulders…” ally said. “why?” jack asked. “don’t ask questions…we’ve not got long just stand right there!!” ally said pointing to the wall, jack obeyed. She clambered onto his shoulder staring into the hole, seeing clear sky… “I need something to make this hole wider!!” she said. The group thought for a moment. Then evie smiled. “Use an ice spell if you freeze it then you can just smash it!!” she said. “hurry!” Ally lit up her finger glow and started to turn the neighbouring blocks to ice before smashing them, and climbing into the hole. “hury you guys!!” she called. The girls went first, Aric and jack found the remains of the throne and a book shelf to stand on and with the girls help got inside the hole, the group crawled forward ,falling out the other side landing into a tree, as the fuses went of….Surrounding the castle in smoke and flames…. The group out of breath staring back… Jack went to help ally up… ____ From the highest limb of a nearby tree Scarlet eyed the group through a telescope…the burning building behind them. She moved her gaze to jack. ”intriguing…Very intriguing..” She purred. “Tell me again why we’re here?” groaned Evie for the fiftieth time from the other side of the cell.
“I told you. Remember how Scarlett is Jafar’s daughter, just like Tobias?” answered Ally, who sat on one of the beds. Evie nodded. “Well, she wants revenge for Snowy killing her brother. Even if they’re only half siblings. So one of those traitors gave her Tobias’s old hypnotizing staff, and so she made Tedros and Agatha lock us up.” Then, just as she said “up”, the Nevers both heard the pounding of boots on stone. Across the aisle, Jane dove under the bed. The person stepped in between the cells, his back to Ally’s. With a sharp click, Rider kicked Marigold and Jane’s door open. “Come,” he said, the one simple word sharp and menacing. Then he turned and opened Ally and Evie’s. Angrily, and because her hands were tied, Ally followed him. They came to a huge room where Scarlett stood, lips curled in an evil smile, all of Camelot’s army behind her. “You aren’t much of a Never, Evie,” she purred, stepping toward the Nevergirl. “And since my dear brother is out of the picture, I’m afraid that we have no more use for you.” She waved an arm at the soldiers and they drew their weapons, stepping forward. “Wait!” Rider’s voice cut through the air. “Oh, yes,” said Scarlett. “I’ve made an… agreement with my brother’s henchman,” she said, grimacing. Then she turned to Marigold. “You see… We’ve agreed that if you go with him willingly, then we will let your friends live.” Marigold’s face morphed to shock, then rage, then fear. Her legs shook, but Ally barely noticed. She felt like she would faint like a freaking princess into Jack’s arms, and that was not an appropriate time for acting dumb. Rider held out his hand to her. “Mari, if you come with me, we will have all the riches you want. You will have everything-if you just come.” Marigold’s eyes flitted to the soldier behind Willow, who had his sword raised above her neck. Then to Scarlett, who had her staff pointed at Ellie. And slowly, reluctantly, she took Rider’s hand. “NO!” yelled Ally. She struggled against her binds as Rider pulled her friend away. Marigold turned, her eyes fearful. “I’m sorry, Ally,” she said. “But I can’t have you all die. I just can’t.” Rider pulled her through the doorway. Ally watched her all the way. Snowy collapsed at Tobias’ feet. “What did I do?” She whispered. “What you had to do.” Velvet replied placing her hand on snowy’s shoulder. “He’s really gone…” Evie mumbled. “He’s gone!” She said again, there was a touch of joy in her voice. The rest of Tobias’ gang stared at his lifeless corpse, eyes wide. “Are you sure he’s gone for good the last time we thought he was dead he came back.” Said Allison drawing her steel dagger with a ruby jeweled handle out of her riding boot. “I think it’s ok…” Said
Jane signaling for Ally to put away her knife. Allison ignored her and stepped forward towards Tobias. “Allison,” Jack started “the worst thing a villain could do is get caught up in revenge.” He reached out and grabbed her hand. “He’s already dead! Come on the darn ever didn’t torture him! He needs to suffer for what he’s done.” Evie sneered. “He’s dead that should be enough for you.” Rider growled, trying to fight his binds. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize you where a part of this conversation. Hope said sarcastically. “The guys already gone have at it Ally.” She raised the dagger above Tobias. “STOP!” Snowy screeched. “I don’t care if he’s dead he used to love me, and I killed him please don’t make me watch you stab him again.” “Fine I won’t stab him..” Ally sighed. Before anyone could stop her, she slashed the words “never again” into his arm. Then she wiped the blood off her knife and shoved it back in her boot. “HEY!” Snowy screamed. “Never again will he torture us. We can go back to school safe and sound.” Allison explained. “What do we do about them?” Willow asked pointing towards Tobias posse. “Let them rot in Camelot’s dungeon.” Said Evie “it’s time to go back to school.” Everyone gathered around in a circle and Evie transported them back to the great lawn just in time for lunch. The ever scurried over to where their friends and princes where eating, leaving the never alone on their side. “What do we do now that Tobias is dead?” Aric asked. “Go to class, and rejoice.” Willow replied shoveling a piece of steak into her mouth.” The food had upgraded from gruel after Sophie became dean. “I know what to do but I feel like our life’s are going to be dull from now on.” “Why would they be dull? We still have Avie and Jally.” Hope taunted “I told you to never say that again!” Allison spat. Evie lunged at Hope but Aric held her back. “It’s funny how we’re the mature ones.” He cracked. Evie elbowed him hard in the gut. “You see what we’re taking about? Just being around you four is like watching a live show!” Willow chuckled. Ally shot her a stone cold glare. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On the other side of the clearing the Evers desperately tried to sheer up Snowy. “Snowy you did the right thing! Good defeats evil!” Tina soothed “I killed him.” Was all she could mumble back. “What’s wrong with her?” Asked Peter. “It’s a long story.” Jane replied. “I got time.” Peter smiled… After the Evers retold their story Peter was no longer smiling. “WHY DIDNT YOU TELL US!? We would’ve never let you girls go alone!” “We weren’t alone, the nevers came with us.” Ellie chirped. “Oh well that’s comforting.” James chirped, “Hey they’re our friends!” Snowy piped “How could you be friends with nevers!? They’re sinister, evil little brats!” “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said about us!” A voice sneered behind them. Everyone whipped around to see the nevers gathered behind them. “It’s really quite flattering, that you know we’re evil and sinister. Although the words brat doesn’t exactly fit us, you maybe. Yup, you know what that sounds exactly like you Evers.” Evie Snickered “Your right Evie, they’re just a couple of stuck up little goody two shoes, who have nothing better to do then gossip about things they know nothing about.” Ally added. “You come with us.” Hope ordered gesturing toward the Evers. They all stood up in unison. “No, the pathetic princes stay here.” Said Willow. “Not a chance, we’re not letting them out of our sight after you whole journey.” Said Peter stepping forward. Jack approached him, his normally gray eyes flushed to bright red. “Think again.” Aric joined in his own violet eyes burning in an icy stare. “Guys just stay there, please.” Rose pleaded. The princes rolled their eyes and stepped back. Then they followed the nevers underneath a willow tree. “this is big…” Evie started. “Did something happen?” Asked Velvet. “Hope pointed out something…” Willow continued. “You remember our little friend son of Jafar? Well our roommate Scarlett also claims she’s one of Jafar’s.” Said Hope “So, unless that’s just a terrible coincidence and Jafar got remarried and had another kid that Tobias never knew about. We’re going to have a big problem on our hands…” Jack added. The Evers stood aghast, eyes filled with fear and shock. “We have to do something… I can’t have any more blood on my hands.” Snowy gasped. “I think the best thing to do is nothing.” Said Rose. The gang’s eyes fell on her. “If we lay low and pretend like nothing happened, like we never knew Tobias, she might forget she’s mad. Or if we’re lucky she might not even know he’s gone yet.” Rose explained. Everyone then started trying to work on a plan to keep Scarlett at bay. They where so engrossed in their work no one noticed the daughter of Jafar glaring at them maliciously from across the clearing. The four henchmen waited in the bunker for Tobias to come back. Starr, sick of the stuffy air, led them outside into the snowy night. "Much better," said Annie, twirling around in the snow. "Annie, get ahold of yourself," snapped Nicky. "Nicky, just 'cause you're the only Never here doesn't mean we're not as good as you," retorted Annie. Nicky's grey hair swished as she shook her head with disgust. Annie's wide brown eyes narrowed as she turned her back on Nicky. "Hey!" said Starr, her black heels leaving marks in the snow as she moved between them. "Fighting our own side isn't gonna help us." "She's right. We shouldn't fight," said Rider. "Even if Nicky uses too much bat-wing potion to make her look evil. She just looks old." "For the last time, it's a genetic mutation!" Nicky exploded. "It's not a potion." "All of you, stop," said a smooth voice. They all turned to see a girl with jagged black hair and dark eyes watching them. "Who are you?" asked Starr. "I don't know you, and Rider and I were left in charge. So we're in charge here."
"I am Scarlett. My dear brother is - or was - your boss. He's dead, and I've come to take his place." The four henchmen did a double take. Then Starr smiled. "We'll accept you, mistress." The way to Camelot was a long one. While most of her friends chatted or dozed off in the vermillion carriage, Tina spent the ride pondering. Though ruminating is a great way to pass time, sometime along the way she discovered something shocking. It was an important discovery that she knew was absolutely necessary to tell her friends. She waited until they arrived in Camelot, and got settled in the palace of Queen Agatha and King Tedros, then she dropped the bomb.
“Everybody. Listen up. I’ve been thinking,” Tina announced (to which Jack muttered, “YOU’VE been thinking?” and Ally shut him up with a good elbow to the ribs), “We should leave Camelot. We have to have a different strategy.” Twelve pairs of eyes stared up at her with confusion, but only Rose was brave enough to say something, “What do you mean, Tina?” “I mean, we have to stop the cycle.” Tina vaguely replied. “Huh? What cycle?” Velvet wondered. Evie turned to Tina, “You lost me at ‘cycle.’ ” “Can you please explain, T?” Ellie suggested. What Tina wanted to say was, ‘I’m trying to explain, but you all keep cutting me off!’ What she actually said was, “Everything that has happened lately has followed a similar pattern: Tobias kidnaps one of us, the rest of us venture out on a rescue mission, by some miracle we find Tobias (every time), Tobias kills Aric – ” “And Evie cries him awake like a bloody princess,” Willow interrupted, earning her glares from Evie, Aric, and all the Evers. “As Willow pointed out, Evie revives Aric,” Tina continued, ” Then; we all escape to a nearby kingdom or go back to school, where we pretend everything is fine. Before we know it, Tobias finds us, storms in, and puts a spell on the Evers (myself included). Evie tries to kill Tobias, and he flees. The Evers are freed from the enchantment, and we all retreat…again. And the worst part is, everything I just mentioned keeps on happening. Hence, me calling it a cycle. What if this is what Tobias wants? He probably knows our every move. This is his game of cat-and-mouse, and we just keep playing.” “Tina’s right,” Velvet agreed. “Yeah, we need to get Tobias by surprise,” chimed Rose. “We need a plan,” Hope stated, “An idea on how to take down the interfering snake, Tobias, and rid him from our lives once and for all!” Evie’s face lit up, “Let’s do it!” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. After a day of practicing defensive spells, when night fell, the thirteen friends were exhausted. They all retired to their rooms as soon as dinner ended. It was a truly placid evening. The sky was as blue as the deep sea, and sported a round, gold moon; and a myriad of glittering stars. As the Evers and Nevers climbed into bed, there was a feeling of serenity among them. Little did they know, the tranquility wouldn’t last… Thump! A noise awoke Jane from her light slumber. Eyes adjusting to the darkness, she spotted a shadow, lurking along the wall; poised to abduct any of the sleeping girls. ‘Tobias,’ Jane immediately thought. In a panic, she slid off her bed and tip-toed over to the one beside her; shaking the person slumbering on it awake. Marigold blinked her eyes, “Jane? Is that you?” “Yes,” Jane whispered. “What’s the matter?” Marigold groggily inquired. Jane’s voice was low and frantic, “I saw a figure sneak into the room. I think it’s Tobias. It looks like he’s trying to capture one of us! We need to stop him! But we must act fast!!” Marigold nodded rapidly, and held out her index finger, releasing a blue glow that lit up the room. “Tobias!” Jane called. The intruder stopped in his tracks. “What do you think you’re doing?” Marigold confronted. The intruder chuckled, lifting his head to the light so the two girls could see his face. Marigold almost fainted. The face was not Tobias’. It was a face that had been burned into her mind since the first day of school, one that haunted her dreams, one she was destined to see forever after… for she had caught his rose. “Rider?” Marigold gasped. “Why hello Mari,” he smirked. “What are you doing here?” the shocked princess hissed. Rider’s face remained sinister, “Isn’t it obvious? I’m helping out a friend. Oh! Here he is!” At that moment, the son of Jafar strode through the doorway, grinning like a jack-o-lantern. “Tobias?” Marigold asked, baffled, “You’re working for him?!” Rider nodded, “Indeed.” Marigold’s head was spinning with a thousand different emotions at once. Clutching at her heart, she managed to cry out, “But…I thought you loved me.” “I do,” Rider argued, “I threw you my rose at the Welcoming, and picked your Surviving Fairytales coffin for a reason. We’re soul mates. We are meant to be together. Forever. Come with me, Marigold. Come join the winning side of this game of life. If you refuse, you’ll be refusing your true love. Do you know what that means? It means there’s no one else out there for you, no one who can love you the way I can. Only my heart beats in tune with yours.” It’s your choice: Join Tobias and I, or be forever alone…” Marigold hesitated, a tear of betrayal rolling softly down her cheek, before she shot a powerful blast of magic from her glowing fingertip. A the spell slammed her former prince against the wall, she snarled, “I have my friends. I’ll never be alone, but you will.” At the same time, Evie’s eyes snapped open to see Tobias leaning over her. “Creep!!!” she instinctively shrieked, slapping him hard across the face. Growling, Tobias lunged for her. He was so occupied with Evie, that the wicked prince didn’t notice Jane behind him; with her stun spell… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….A half hour later… Tobias opened his eyes to a lighted room, His wrists were bound tightly behind his back, and he was a tad bit dizzy. He looked to his left to see Rider, also enduring a similar fate. Just then, Evie entered the room, followed by her entourage of twelve. “Well, well, well; if it isn’t Tobias of Agrabah,” she announced playfully, as if she had rehearsed her speech. The awful boy was finally in her clutches, and Evie was going to enjoy every second of doing away with him, “What should we do with him?” she wickedly asked the swarm of friends behind her. Aric jumped in, “Let’s give him a taste of his own medicine.” “Without a spoonful of sugar!” Marigold added. Aric threw her an irked look, and proceeded to pull a jagged dagger from his pocket. He pointed it at Tobias’ heart. Tobias squirmed, trying to loosen up his binds so that he could fight back and get away; but escape was seemingly impossible. The dagger moved closer and closer to Tobias, until its tip was poking his chest. All Aric had to do was push… “STOP!!!!!!!!!!!” All heads turned to the back of the room, to face Snowy. Evie’s jaw dropped. Snow White’s daughter approached the prisoner, snatching the knife away from Aric, in the process. “Tobias,” she addressed, “You have done so many awful things. You don’t deserve any forgiveness what-so-ever, but I’m Good; and the Good forgive. We are meant to be in love. I caught your rose, after all. We were true loves once, and that is why I can’t let my friends kill you… That is why I’m going to free you from their wrath…and KILL YOU MYSELF!” She plunged the dagger into Tobias’s heart before anyone could stop her. Warm blood spilled out from his chest, onto her hands. The light left his eyes, and his punctured heart finally stopped beating. This time, Tobias was truly dead… Tobias gave Evie a hard cold stare. ” Any last words before I end your fairy tail?” Tobias asked. Before she cold think, Evie gave Tobias a powerful kick to the stomach. As Tobias started to fall to the floor in shock, Evie ran up the the Evers standing by. ” What so we do now?” Evie asked frantically. ” Rose use the dust! Use the dust that Queen Agatha gave you!! Said Jane. ” Right!” Rose quickly responded. She took a small brown pouch out of her dress pocket that Evie quickly recognized as fairy dust. Jane and Rise started to sprinkle the shimmering dust on the hypnotized Evers and Nevers. Evie quickly grabbed Aric, and the gang sprinted for the exit. Once they where out side they were all red faced and out of breath. ” How did you guys get that!?” Evie shouted. “While we were talking to Queen Agatha and King Tedros, we asked what we should do if it happened again,” Jane said. ” So Queen Agatha have us some of her pixie dust.” Rose finished. ” So what do we do now?” Snowy asked. ” We go somewhere safe.” Tina said. ” Somewhere were we can’t be found.” ” Like Camelot!” Rose said excitedly. ” Well they did say that if we were in trouble, they will be there to protect us.” Jane said. ” After all, they are my god parents.” ” YOU’RE GOD PARENTS!” Willow yelled. ” of course!” Said Jane. ” My mom was one of Queen Agatha’s best friends besides Dean Sophie. ” Well, I guess it’s worth I shot.” Said Tina. Using magic, Snowy sent I message to Queen Agatha and King Tedros. A few minutes later, they got a message back.
Of course you can stay over! I will send over a coach right now! See you when you get here! Sincerely, Queen Agatha. A little while later, a large white coach appeared. ” We are here to take a group of students to the Camelot castle.” The driver said. ” That’s us!” Tina Said cheerfully. ” Even them?” The driver said pointing to the nevers. ” Even them.” Said Rose. ” Ugh nevers…..” The driver muttered the driver. Ally and Jack shot him a glare as they got in. ” Destination, Camelot.” Yelled the driver. And with that, they were off the Camelot. ”No no no no no,” panted Tina heavily. She couldn’t possibly catch up to her friends in time! They were miles away, really just specks compared to the great palace in the distance.
So now Tina whistled, and a cheetah popped up by her side, having quickly zoomed out of the tall grass around her. ”Let’s go,” she said, and the cheetah seemed to fly across the plains into the desert, catching up to her friends in a matter of minutes just as they reached the huge palace. ************************************* Rose tried kicking the door first. Which was, in fact, a horrible idea, but it worked. The gates parted to the lowered drawbridge and they stepped inside. Then, a siren went off. Rose practically leaped in the air, but then ropes bound them all together, except for Aric, who stumbled backwards, only to be pulled away. Inside the castle, Evie struggled against her binds. ”IF YOU WANT ME TO MARRY YOU, THEN WHY DON’T YOU FRIGGIN’ STOP KIDNAPPING ME???” yelled Evie as Tobias paced in front of her. Then, a loud wail sounded through the throne room. Tobias walked out of the room and, after a few moments, tromped back in. He was grinning. ”It seems that we have some visitors,” he sneered. ”Come.” He untied her and instantly she lunged at him, but he vanished and appeared in the doorway. ”You’ll want to see this,” he said. Aric was trapped in darkness. Where am I? he wondered. He felt a bit cold. Then he tried opening his mouth. Nothing. Aric was rapidly losing air. He heard a faint cry and then something shook the ground. Then, suddenly he could hear again. But of course, he still couldn’t open his eyes, and he could breathe now, but only through his nose. ”NO!!!!” he heard. ”YOU LET HIM OUT RIGHT NOW BEFORE I REALLY KILL YOU!!!!” With a jolt, he recognized Evie’s voice. ”Get. Us. Out. Of. Here.” said a voice that sounded like Jack was speaking through gritted teeth. ”And let Aric out of the coffin.” Coffin? Aric thought. ”You’ll have to earn your freedom,” snickered Tobias’s voice. ”As for your friend up there,” he paused, ”Well, he won’t be getting out of there any time soon.” Then he felt light. And then, very suddenly, the surface around him shattered into a thousand pieces. But he still couldn’t open his eyes, somehow. And it hurt, really, really bad. Then he felt arms lift him into the air. Tears fell onto his chest. ”You… killed him,” said Evie disbelievingly. Then he heard a small sob. More tears fell onto his lap and he felt her lips press against his. Then warmth enveloped his body and he opened his eyes. Evie gasped and backed away. Aric stood up, grinning. ”Thought we weren’t supposed to do that again,” he said. He reached for her hand. Tobias sighed. Evie whirled in front of Aric and Aric stepped next to her, gripping her hand. ”Really, this gets too easy,” Tobias said. ”The only way I end your fairy tale…” Slowly he raised his snake staff. The eyes glowed and Aric held Evie tighter, both backing away. But then Snowy and Tina both stepped forward, eyes glowing red. The others still struggled against the ropes, magically altered to fill the hole, Snowy grabbed Evie by the arm and Tina, Aric. Both spoke in hollow, emotionless voices, as if their souls had faded to nothing inside them. ”Is by killing both of you.” Rider and Chant rushed in. Followed by Nathan and Reck. Ellie trembled. She was the first out of them to head in. She looked at Luffa, who was nervous too. She was called to go and immediately went, restraining herself from screaming out of fear, what if she died. What if she got badly hurt? The thoughts wouldn’t vanish.
It was smiliar are with Rose. She looked at Jack, ranked 5th on the leaderboard of Nevers, was also nervous. She panted as she got called in. “This can’t be right,” Snowy whispered to Evie. They were paired as the last pair, since Evie and Snowy were the top ranked Ever and Never. “Yes, but what?” Evie asked. “no one can naturally be this nervous. I mean, Ally and I never show fear, and now we’re both trembling!” “Unless it’s a…” Snowy started. “A spell!” Evie said. They stared at each other, and both suddenly lost their fear. “It was!” Snowy said. “How did you know?” “I remember the nervousness spell from my Spells homework, and the only way to break is to realize it’s a spell,” Evie explained. “That okay, but what about the others?” Snowy asked. “FINAL PAIR, NOW,” Castor said. Evie and Snowy lined up. They ran through the tunnel. “Just follow me,” Evie called to Snowy. When they got in, they spotted Velvet and Ellie, trembling under the bridge. “Come on!” Snowy snapped. “B-but-” Ellie stammered. “No buts!” She snapped again. “I’ll go find Ally and Wills,” Evie told Snowy, she nodded as Evie transported herself to where Allison and Willow were perched up a tree. “Toughen up!” Evie told them. “What if we die?” Willow whispered. “You sound like an Ever!” Evie snapped. Her sounds brought Rider closer. He looked up at the Nevergirls. Evie pointed her bow and arrow at him. Evie was a talented archer. With one look, Rider surrendered, one loss for Good. She dug through her pocket to find a large playing card. It was basically a wand. Evie pointed it at Allison’s face and muttered a reverse spell. Same with Willow Snowy wasn’t having it as easy. “It’s so hard, Snowy!” Velvet complained. “Its just a spell!” Snowy pleaded. “Don’t be ridiculous,” said Rose. “It’s in this book, right here!” Snowy cried. Rose read it, and snapped out of it, “Whoa,” she breathed. ‘One down, six to go,” Snowy muttered gruffly. She heard footsteps. They were coming to kill her. She saw three Nevers point their swords and fingers at her. She panicked. As one pointed her sword at her, but she wasn’t hit. Evie had saved her. “Hope! Go!” Evie commanded. Hope struck him. Allison punched the middle one and he fainted. “Chant, run,” Evie said. Chant ran. “Never liked Luffa or Reck,” Willow muttered. “Oh my! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Snowy said. “Don’t sweat it,” Allison said coolly. Evie slapped her. “Who cast the spell on us?” Rose asked as she asked as she looked at the six other Evers, only just recovered from the spell. “Snowy, Ally, and Marigold, come with me,” Evie said. They all looked at th pe Never princess, who was as serious as stone. They took her hand (all except Marigold, who linked hands with Snowy) and she transported them to a hill. “Why are we here?” Marigold asked. “Because this is where the person would be,” Evie answered. They all took one look, when they looked back, Evie was gone. “Not again! She left me with two Evers!” Allison complained. “Hey!” Marigold sneered, “Looking for someone?” Asked a deep, honey edged voice. Tobias. “IT WAS YOU!” Snowy yelled. He was holding Evie with one arm, the other was glowing at them. “YOU IDIOT!” Snowy yelled. “Poor little snowflake,” Tobias cooed. “Thinks she can change my mind and leave you alone.” Evie shook, trying to fight his grip. Unfortunately she couldn’t poof because he had put a spell over. “Since Evie doesn’t seem to want to be my one and only, I’m going to a place where I have power, thanks to my malicious Father,” Tobias smiled smugly. “Agrabah.” Evie shook her head in a worried expression. He laughed, kissed her cheek, and vanshied. All Snowy could see in the distance was a dark red and black castle. She gaped in horror as she saw the castle. “This can’t be happening,” Allison whispered. Aric rushed over. “What’s that’s? Where’s Evie? Am I hallucinating? WHERES EVIE?” He asked. “Tobias has her in Agrabah,” Snowy said. “I shouldn’t have left her alone,” Aric said. The all stared in nervousness at the black castle. Evie took a deep breath. The Trial was that evening. She had to admit, she was scared. Aric came up behind her as she flopped on a chair in Malice Common room.
"Hey, Evie." "Hi Aric," she sighed. "Worried? Me too," he said as he leaned against the nearby wall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rose lay on her bed in Purity Tower. Velvet, Jane, and Ellie came in, all balancing stacks of books. "Rose!" exclaimed Ellie. "You were so preoccupied you left your books in the common room when you left!" "We got them for you," said Jane helpfully. Rose sat up. "Have you forgotten WHY I'm so nervous? The Trial is tonight! Marigold, Tina, Snowy, you guys, me - we're all in against Evie, Hope, Willow, Ally, Aric, and Jack! Plus five other bloodthirsty Nevers and three princes! This could be the most dangerous thing we ever get ourselves into! "Hey!" said Velvet. "Rose, we know you're worried. That's why we're studying. To learn new strategies and get our minds off the Trial. Marigold, Snowy and Tina are doing the same." "Don't think we don't worry," said Jane. "We do," added Ellie. "We just need to stay calm." A ghost of a smile flickered over Rose's face. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A loud crash jolted Evie and Aric out of their thoughts. Ally, Hope, and Willow stomped into the room. Jack, sitting in the far corner, lost control of a stack of books and fell out of his chair, startled by the slammed door. Ally hissed with frustration. "Castor says Trial Nevers have to report to the Theater of Tales in five minutes. In uniform." "Hey!" yelled Willow. "Jack, get yourself off the floor and get in your Trial uniform. Meet us at the Theater." "This better be important," muttered Hope as they stomped back out of the common room, slamming the door again. "Wow," said Jack, walking over. "The Trial has them really nervous." "I know," snapped Evie. "We all are." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The seven Evergirls (in Trial uniform) made their way to the Theater of Tales, as Pollux had instructed. Marigold was so nervous she was floating a few inches of the ground and humming to herself, off-key. Marigold never sang off-key. The girls walked inside, prepared for some terror.... "Welcome to the Pre-Trial Instruction Review and Blue Forest Scout," said Pollux. Twenty children groaned and prepared for the hours ahead. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Snowy, Evie, Jane, Ally, Tina, Aric, Marigold, Willow, Velvet, Hope, Rose, Jack, and Ellie stood in the darkening twilight, trembling with fear or grimacing with anticipated pain. The Trial Evers and Trial Nevers stood in two lines in front of the golden gates, now transformed into giant spiders. "FIRST PAIR READY!!!" yelled Castor. The Trial by Tale had begun. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tobias smiled as he watched the nervous competitors. His spies had done well. Disoriented, confused, and afraid, his enemies wouldn’t be able to stop him from infiltrating the Trial. And he would stop at nothing to reach his goal. |