Ever After High: The Unfairest Of Them All Part 5

Grandma smiled, revealing toothless gums. aI love good compet.i.tion. I tell ya, I donat care if a Hood or a Wolf wins, so long as the game is fierce and dirty.a A Hood or a Wolf, Raven thought. They wonat let Cerise win as a Hood. Even if she crosses the finish vine first, theyall claim her win unfair because she has Wolf blood.a Raven hexted Cerise without looking, not even a glance at her hand. Jack would have been impressed.

RAVEN: need to win both ways. s.n.a.t.c.h the most baskets & reach finish first. because ur both wolf & hood.

Cerise didnat hext back. Probably because she was vaulting over a woman to escape a pursuing Wolf. But she raised her arm, as if waving to Raven, entered the forest at the side of the patha And disappeared. Raven smiled. That cloak of Ceriseas gave her the ability to slide between shadows. Hexcellent. At least the Wolfs couldnat spot her when she was in the forest.

And Hoods never entered the forest. After all, there were Wolfs in there. And now Cerise was one of them.

Then suddenly Cerise left the woods and streaked across the path. She leaped onto a Hoodas shoulders, knocking him to his knees, ripped the basket from his arm, and fled again.

This happened several more times: Ceriseas darting from the shadows of the forest, tackling a Hood, taking the basket, and escaping back into the shadows.

But the seventh time, someone followed her.

RAVEN: wolf on ur tail!

Immediately, Cerise turned back, vaulting over the head of Horribus Wolf. She was struggling to keep hold of ten baskets.

On the path, a Wolf s.n.a.t.c.hed the last basket from the last remaining Hood. Cerise was dodging in and out of the forest, pursued by Horribus. The rest of the Wolfs surged down the path toward the finish vine. Raven quickly counted baskets.

RAVEN: u have the most bskts

RAVEN: run run run Cerise left the forest and ran, a streak of red hood. The Wolfs howled and chased her. Horribus threw himself forward, reaching for her cape.

RAVEN: jump

Cerise jumped, launching herself forward, and Horribus narrowly missed. She was ahead of the pack, the howls and nips and growls on her heels. Raven had never seen anyone run so fast. Cerise should seriously go out for Track and Shield.

Horribus howled. A pack of wolves pounced. And Cerise ran just a little faster. She broke the finish vine in two, her arms full and rattling with baskets.

aIam the first Hood to break the vine,a she said, breathing heavily. aAnd Iam the Wolf with the most baskets. I decide my own fate.a Cranky Wolf and Brother Hood started to protest, but Grandma raised her hand.

aHave any of you ever seen a Basket Run as hexciting as that? Ever?a The vanquished Hoods and beaten Wolfs shook their heads.

Grandma laughed and slapped her knee. aBy my spectacles, that was something else, girl! You showed us what youare made of, sure enough. Baskets of scones, you sure showed us.a Red Riding Hood stumbled forward, her clothes dusty with dirt. She put out her arms and embraced Cerise.

aWhatas going on here?a a low voice bellowed.

Mr. Badwolf, Ravenas General Villainy teacher, came running down the path. He stopped short. aCerise! Your hood!a He indicated her exposed head, and she shrugged.

aItas okay, Dad,a she said.

Mr. Badwolf looked around, but no one was surprised to hear her call him Dad. Beneath his long hair and heavy beard, his eyes widened, his mouth opened.

aYou meanaa aThey know. We held a Basket Run trial. And I won. I will not be banished.a aI demand a recount!a Horribus Wolf growled.

Raven had followed Grandma down the watchtower ladder and heard her whisper now to Red, aYou should go, before things turn ugly. Iall try to soothe the snarls.a While the Hoods and the Wolfs held a basket recount, Raven and Ceriseas family hurried away. They settled in the still-dark house behind the closed curtains. Red brought out mini pecan pies. For a time no one spoke. And then Mr. Badwolf asked, aYou beat them all?a Cerise nodded.

aTen baskets,a said Red. aAnd she broke the vine.a Mr. Badwolf smiled, sharp teeth peeking out. And then he laughed. He laughed so hard he howled, and Cerise joined in.

Mr. Badwolf told Raven about how, when Cerise was a baby, they had to wrap all the chair legs with rubber to keep her from gnawing on the wood. Cerise told them how tired she was of pulling back at schoola"running slower, throwing shorter, trying to hide her wolf-enhanced abilities. Red tucked a lock of white-streaked black hair behind Ceriseas wolf ear and smiled as if she was just as full of love as the pies were full of pecans.

And Raven was both happy and sad. Happy for Cerise and her family. And yet missing now more than ever a mother who could with a smile say how much she loved her. And a family that could sit around a table eating pie and feel content just being together.

Raven had never known that kind of a mother, that kind of a family. Still, she missed the one she had.

She pulled out her MirrorPhone and snapped a picture of Cerise with her dad and mom. Maybe the Hoods and the Wolfs would get used to the idea, and this family photo could be framed and hung on their wall for anyone to see. Maybe someday soon.

aI donat want to hide anymore,a said Cerise. aI finally feel free.a Red looked at Mr. Badwolf, who shook his s.h.a.ggy head.

aDad, please,a said Cerise.

aIf Headmaster Grimm found out, things could get a lot worse,a said Mr. Badwolf. aI could lose my job for going off script, but even worse, your mother and I could be banished along with you.a Cerise hung her head.

The alarm on Ravenas MirrorPhone beeped.

aWe have to be back at school in fifteen minutes! And I havenat visited the Candy Witch yet. Thanks, Mrs. Hood, Mr. Badwolf, but Iave gotta go!a She darted out the back door.

aRaven!a Cerise chased her. And caught up easily because, well, she was Cerise. aRaven, you are so awesome. Thanks for helping me stay hidden.aa She put her hood up. aFor now.a aButaa"Raven gestured to the villagea"awonat the news get out?a aHopefully not soon, not till my dad is ready,a Cerise said. aHood Hollowers never talk to aoutsiders,a and most of them donat have MirrorPhones, since they donat trust all this anewfangled magic.a So weave got time.a aIf anyone hears, it wonat be from me,a said Raven. aYour secret is safe.a aIt better be,a Cerise said with a smile, aor I will huff and puff and, I donat know, blow your house in. Or something.a aCan you do that?a Raven asked, impressed.

Cerise shrugged. aProbably. Huffing and puffing is in my DNA.a Cerise hesitated, then lurched forward, gave Raven a stiff hug, and fled back into the house.

Raven called after her. aEverything will be okay!a She wasnat sure that was true, thinking of food fights and Headmaster Grimm and Wolfs tackling Hoods. But she hoped it was true. If things could start to turn around in Hood Hollow, maybe change was possible at Ever After High, too. And if this family could be fixed, maybe her own could be, too. Raven shook her head, not willing to think about things that might just make her sad.

She started the travel app, jumped into the well, and popped back out in a remote part of the Dark Forest, which bore as much resemblance to the Enchanted Forest near the school as Baba Yaga did to Cinderella. Here, the trees were so tall they blocked out all sunlight, the needles on the evergreens a dim grayish green. Raven ducked as she walked to avoid the clutches of tentacle vines. A skinny squirrel scurried past, pausing just to hiss at her.

Beyond the wishing well waited an edible house. Clear sugar-pane windows, gingerbread walls, a taffy roof slowly stretching down, the eaves and windows outlined with colorful candy drops and striped mints. A few bites were missing around the edges, and rain had left pockmarks on the snickerdoodle roof tiles. A spider had spun a large, sticky web in the crook of a candy cane.

aCompany!a An old woman threw open the graham cracker door. She wore a floppy black bakeras hat over her green hair, but her dress was powder pink and tied in back with a huge bow. The witch seemed to notice Ravenas gaze, and she smoothed her skirt.

aI thought this outfit might be less intimidating for company than a witchy wardrobe. I donat get a lot of visitors. I canat imagine why. Come in, precious, come in!a Raven knew the witchas daughter, Ginger, from school, and she was spella nice, not to mention a wicked good baker. Gingeras mother couldnat be as creepy as the story made her out to be.

aIam sorry I canat stay long,a said Raven, following her to the door. aDo you mind if I jump right in with a question? Iave always been curiousa"how did you escape the oven after Gretel pushed you in?a aKeep a rear exit on your oven, Miss Queen,a said the Candy Witch. aThatas my advice to fellow villains.a Raven frowned. Didnat that count as going off script? Hansel and Gretelas witch was supposed to die in the story. Perhaps variations on the story were okay so long as they happened off the page. Then again, Red and Badwolfas marriage had been off the page.

aAlso, work on your cackle,a said the witch. aA good cackle and a good oven escape hatch will pay you back in spades.a She cackled long and loud, then stopped suddenly, c.o.c.ked her head, and asked, aWould you say youad serve up better roasted with onions or simmered in a nice cream sauce?a Raven gulped.

The witch cackled again. aIam kidding! Iam kidding! Or am Ia? Ha, you should see your face!a aUma may I ask: Why was it okay that you changed your storyas ending when you escaped the oven but others couldnat? For example, if after the ball, Cinderella fell in love with the footman and ran offa"a The Candy Witch had just eaten a handful of peppermints, and she choked, spitting them out. aWhat? Never! Look, if I hadnat lived, I couldnat have had my own sweet Ginger, who will follow her destiny and become the next witch for Hansel and Gretel. Variations work, so long as they help the stories get retold as close to the original as possible.a aI see,a said Raven, though she still didnat quite. It didnat seem fair that some people could alter their stories while others were trapped.

aCome into the kitchen.a The witchas voice dropped low, rasping in her throat. aIall show you the oven.a aI think I shoulda stay outside.aa aThough, seriously,a the witch asked, tapping the wart on her chin and looking Raven up and down, ado you fit in a large roasting pan?a It was then that the app alarm thankfully beeped.

APPLE! YOU LOOKaa RAVEN HESITATED, as if trying to find the right word. aYou looka alarmed.a Apple turned to the full-length mirror beside her wardrobe. Her golden hair was perfectly curled. Her round cheeks were perfectly blushed. Her cropped jacket and dress were perfectly tidy. But her expression was sort of stuck, as if shead been recently screaming in terror.

aYes, I ran into Briar,a said Apple. aOn a cloud. At the top of the Beanstalk. On the wrong end of a bungee vine.a aAh,a said Raven.

They both stood there. Apple checked her fingernails. Raven squinted at a freckle on her arm.

aSo, um, how was your Yester Day?a asked Raven.

aWell, I got to visit my mom,a said Apple.

aThatas nice,a said Raven. aThat must be nice to get to visit her, you know, whenever you want.a aIt is,a Apple sighed. aButa well, I was supposed to come back with all my questions answered and the knowledge of how to fix this mess.a aYeah, me too,a Raven said, sitting on her bed.

Apple sat beside her. aWella you could tell all your Rebel friends that you made a mistake and you want to follow your destiny after all.a Raven rolled her eyes.

aRaven, without destiny, we get chaos!a said Apple. aDid you know that until yesterday, Ever After High Castleteria had never suffered through a single food fight? I looked it up.a aDestiny prevents freedom,a said Raven. aAnd without freedom, how can anyone really be happy?a aDestiny is freedom,a said Apple. aFreedom from worry and uncertainty. Lasting happiness comes from following our destiny.a aI tried to follow my destiny for years, Apple. I tried to be evil for my motheras sake, but I wasnat happy doing it.a aOh, Ravenaa Apple frowned. aYou know, not one of the royals I visited today knew how to handle an unexpected situation. Happy or not, all of us are lost without destiny. And look at your mother. The Evil Queen went against destiny and took down Wonderland with hera"and almost all of Ever After, too! Her rampage cost her her freedom and her life, and you lost your mother. By rebelling, she wasnat just playing an evil role. She became the much more frightening destiny-less kind of evil. You say you donat want to be evil like her, but by denying your destiny arenat you following in her exact evil footsteps?a aIa I donat knowaa aUma that was a rhetorical question,a Apple said helpfully. aThe answer is yes. Yes, denying your destiny is following in her exact evil footsteps.a aThis isnat a pop quiz, Apple. Itas my life.a aAnd my life,a said Apple. aMy destiny. And everyone elseas, too. Without the security of destiny, people get afraid. And when theyare afraida"a aThey throw porridge and pies,a said Raven. aI know. And Iam sorry. There has to be a way to rebel, to make our own choices, without hurting anyone.a aI couldnat find any answers today. No royal has ever faced unscripted things like food fights and angry mobs and chaos.a Ravenas lips lifted into a half smile. aWell, exceptaa Apple perked up. aWho? You know someone? Iam willing to talk to anyone.a an.o.body, nothing,a Raven said, shaking her head. aSorry.a They sat in silence for a moment.

aYou were going to say your mother, werenat you?a Apple said, her voice a whisper.

Raven looked up, eyes wide. aWhat? That, um, thatas not possible, you know, because sheasa"a aGone forever,a Apple said. aI know itas probably horrible for you, not just to have had an evil mom, but to have to deal with her beinga oh drat, I shouldnat even be talking about this, should I? It probably just comes across as my being mean again. Sorry.a aItas okay,a Raven said.

aYouare right, though. She certainly would have very different advice than any of the other Royals I spoke to!a Raven groaned.

aThere I go again,a Apple said. aYou know, I think of myself as a sensitive person, but I just keep saying these things! Though, if she were here, I bet shead guide you toward embracing your evilness.a Raven stiffened. aYou donat know what youare talking about.a aItas funny, isnat it,a Apple went on, athat the Evil Queen and I would give you the exact same advice?a aShe was a rebel,a said Raven. aShead want me to rebel.a aNot from your destiny. Shead want you to be evil.a aWhat is being evil, though, really? Doing what people donat like? If thatas true, then Iam right there!a aBeing evil is like her,a said Apple, aand what she did in the Snow White story. Do that.a aYeah, okay, she wants me to be like her,a Raven said, standing. aBut she also told me to give aem hex, and to face Legacy Day head-on, brave and powerful, and show everyone what Iam made of. And what Iam made of is not evilness!a aWhat do you mean?a Apple rose slowly. aWhat do you mean, she wants you to be like her? She told you all this when you were a little girl, right? She was talking to you about Legacy Day long ago, when you were little, before she died. Because she is gone forever, right, Raven?a Raven clenched her jaw and looked away.

aRaven?a Apple said.

aIam so sick of secrets,a Raven whispered. aIam with Cerise. Secrets really huff and puff.a aRaven, please, youare kind of freaking me out. Just tell me that your mother is gone.a Raven looked at Apple, and Apple had the distinct impression that Raven was readying herself to lie. But then her shoulders slumped, and Raven bowed her head and said, aI canat do that, Apple.a aWait wait wait! What?a Apple backed away, looking around in terror. aWas that a joke?a aNo, she never died to begin with. Headmaster Grimm told everyone that so they wouldnat worry, and Iam not supposed to tell. So you canat tell anyone else, please. Sheas actually in mirror prison. As a fan of security, youad like it. No oneas ever escaped from mirror prison.a Apple slowly sat back down, but the knowledge of the Evil Queenas continued existence gave her cackling chills.

aWhoa,a said Apple. aThe original Queen of Chaos. Alive.a aYou know, she was the most rebellious of rebels,a said Raven. aWhen everything was totally off-scripta"even though it was her own doinga"she still managed to rule a kingdom and make her people love her and follow her. I bet shead have advice for both of us on a Yester Day visit.a aYou arenat suggestinga you donat meana we couldnat really visit her, could we?a Apple asked, her voice shaking.

aHex no, we only get one yearly MirrorChat, and we already had it. I was, you know, thinking out loud. Pretend it was a joke.a Appleas eyes widened. And then she forced a laugh. aYes. Funny. Evil Queen is alive. Letas chat with her. Great joke. Good times.a A loud knock on their door startled Apple. The door slammed open and Cerise hurried inside.

aRaven, you should come. Thereas something going on.a Raven and Apple both ran after Cerisea"barely keeping up. They began to hear shouts.

aYou shouldnat be in there!a aGet out or youall get us all in trouble!a Cerise led them down a flight of stairs and around the corner from the Muse-eum. A crowd of students was gathered outside a room Apple had only heard of before. The door resembled the cover of a book, the t.i.tle engraved in the wood: A CHILDRENaS TREASURY OF FAIRYTALE HEIRLOOMS.

The ma.s.sive steel lock was open, and the door was ajar.

Appleas cla.s.smates stood in the hall, looking through the open door.

aI didnat mean to,a Blondie Lockes said as soon as she saw Apple. aI just touched the lock, it fell off, and the door swung open.a Apple sighed. Locks just gave up around Blondie. Her mother, Goldilocks, had been the same way, and the Three Bears had installed triple dead bolts.

aYou opened the Treasury door?a said Apple. aWhoas inside?a Laughter exploded out.

aCurses,a said Raven. aItas Sparrow Hood and his Merry Men.a Blondie stood in the threshold, gazing in. aOoh, look at all the crowns!a aBlondie!a said Apple, going after her. As soon as Apple entered, the crowd in the hallway followed.

aApple, we should get out,a said Raven. aWeare making it worse.a aNo way. I donat trust Sparrow and his crew around these treasures,a said Apple. aWhy, thereas my heirloom gla.s.s coffin! Hmmm, it looks a little snug.a aAt least thereas no food to throw,a said Raven.

Sparrow was examining a mannequin dressed in royal robes and adorned with jewels. A placard read: THE EMPERORaS OLD CLOTHES.

aOh, hi, Apple,a said Sparrow. He slipped a gold ring off one of the mannequinas fingers and began to toss and catch it. aAll this talk about destiny has got me thinking. If destiny is as important as you say, then I really should be living up to mine.a He slipped the ring into his pocket.

aArenat you going to stop him?a Raven asked.

aI donat know,a said Apple. aIt is his destiny to steal from the rich and give to the poor.a aIam sooo poor,a Sparrow lamented. aOoh, good, riches!a He plucked another ring off the statue.

aSparrow, come on,a said Raven.

aOh, really, Raven Queen? You of all people are going to tell me to follow the rules?a Raven opened her mouth as if to shout, but she took a big breath and turned away, staying in the Treasuryas threshold.

aMaybe I should abandon my destiny, too, just like Raven Queen,a said Sparrow. From a pedestal he picked up Dr. King Charmingas championship crown from when he was captain of the Dragon-Slaying Squad and put it on his head.

Daring Charming marched in, the crowd parting for him. aSparrow Hood, donat you dare ruin anything else Royal. You already crowned me with corned beef hash.a aThereas jam on your hands, too,a said Sparrow. aI saw you throw a berry tart that struck Cupid.a aThat was you?a Cupid asked. A lock of her dusty-pink hair was still stained red from the food fight.

But Daringas piercing blue eyes were targeted on Sparrow. aTake off my fatheras championship crown.a aWhatas the harm, Your Uppity Royal Highness?a said Sparrow. aWorried that since Raven Queen flipped the script, I might end up a king and you an outlaw?a aImpossible! Destiny will still prevail. I, for one, signed the Storybook of Legends!a aWell, I didnat,a said Sparrow. aWho knows how this will all shake out?a aIndeed,a said Kitty Cheshire, shrugging her thick purplish pigtails over her shoulders and adjusting her cat-eared cap. aMaybe Cedar Wood will become a queen.a Kitty took a tiara from a display case, disappeared, and reappeared again behind Cedar, placing the tiara on her head.

aAnd Prince Dexter Charming?a Kitty smiled hugely. Her smile lingered a moment after she disappeared. She reappeared beside Dexter, holding a broom, which she thrust into his hands. aHe might become a wicked witch!a Dexter looked at the broom, shrugged, and gave a small laugh, glancing over at Raven as if to check what she thought.

Kitty kept popping in and out, so quickly Apple couldnat follow the movement, but suddenly Pinocchioas puppet strings were tied to Humphrey Dumptyas wrists, the Mad Hatteras top hat was perched on Holly OaHairas head, Grandmaas basket-o-goodies was thrust into Hopper Croakingtonas hands, and Hanselas petrified breadcrumbs were poured into Lizzie Heartsas pocket.

aKitty!a said Apple, her hands in fists. Everyoneas destiny was at stake. This was not a time for jokes!

aEverything is upside down.a Kitty disappeared again. In a moment her smile reappeared, floating in the air but tipped downward like a frown, as if Kitty was dangling from the ceiling headfirst. The frown laughed. aWhatas the matter, White Apple? Just realized you arenat in control?a There was a hush in the room, the crowd waiting for Apple to respond. Perhaps to say something leader-ish and make everything all right again. But Apple hesitated. What in Ever After could she do?

Laugh at everything like Old King Cole?

Stomp her foot and scowl like Empress Buff?