-

You stood beside Maddison and Raven as you watched the Headmaster hold a small crafted key. Raven rubs his arms uneasily, while Apple, on the other hand, smiles in glee.

You look at the two in confusion before paying attention to the headmaster once he spoke.

"Which brings us to the rehearsals for the Legacy Day ceremony!" Headmaster Grimm announced.

"So, when your magical key appears, you insert it gently into the Storybook of Legends, then stand, shoulders back, and declare your destiny to the world! Have I made myself clear?"

"Magical.. Key?" You mumble, more puzzled than ever. What was the hell was even a "Legacy"? His earlier explanation when you went to get your schedule wasn't helping at all...

Raven Queen holds a finger out. "Headmaster Grimm, but what if..."

"No questions? Good. Now, we're going to practice with this tiny Manual of Entirely Reasonable School Rules."

"Aw what... Boo..." You blow a quiet raspberry as a familiar chuckle lightens your spirit. Looking away from the headmaster, you notice Briar waving at you from where Apple stood.

You wave back enthusiastically before stopping when Apple eyes the two of you.

Your quiet snickers caused Raven to let out a content sigh. Glad that you were at least having fun during this rather... Tense moment.

Headmaster Grim clears his throat and signals back the students' attention.

"Who will go first?"

The headmaster looks everyone over before settling on.. You.

"Ah, Mx. (L/N), would you like to go first?"

You point to yourself. "Scuse' me?"

The headmaster smiles and holds the key out to you. You stare at in befuddledment, not understanding what he was trying to get at.

You slowly reach your hand out to take it before holding your hand back.

Something felt.. Off..

You look away from the key and notice Apple excitedly stare at you and the key.

Which gave you a out.

Going over to Apple's side, you hold his hand in your own as you pull him in front of you.

"I'm sure he'd rather go first, right-y?"

Apple squeals but coughs, smiling elegantly and takes the key with ease. Shooting you a thankful look once again as headmaster Grimm bows.

"Step right this way, our future king."

"King..? Of what? Apples?" You mumble, then remembering your froggy friend.

"OH-" You head back beside Raven and Madison, pointing at Apple and whispering.

"Is he the king of apples!?"

Raven stares bug-eyed at you, before looking away and trying to contain his laughter, Maddison thinks thoughtfully over your statement.

Apple stands in front of the podium, holding the key in his dominant hand as he stares at the chairs placed below.

"I am, Apple White. And I pledge to follow my destiny as the next Snow White!"

A few other students applauded at his words, while the headmaster nodded once Apple hands back the key.

"Perfect."

"I know."

Maddison goes up next, snatching the key as he stands in front of the podium.

"I, Maddison Hatter, pledge to follow the destiny of dear old dad: The Maaaad Hatter of Wonderland!"

You then hear the screeches of a kettle far off into the distance.

"When do we drink the tea?"

"Next!"

...

"I'm Hunter Huntsman and I pledge to follow my destiny as the next huntsman. I'll swing my axe bravely and-"

Hunter looks in the supposedly, empty audience. "Pesky!" The Huntsman yells in agitation.

Pesky blows Hunter a raspberry, waving at him mockingly. Causing you to stick your tongue out as well in retaliation, ignoring the stares of your friends at your oddness.

"Really, Pesky? You wanna play that way?"

"Next!"

...

"I'm-I'm Cedar Wood.. And-uh I pledge to follow my destiny and be the next Pinocchio. Well, I mean, not the next Pinocchio... huh. I mean, actually, I can only tell the truth while I'm in school, but then one day, one day I'm gonna lie... Uh, but does that mean I'm gonna be like my dad... or not like my dad..."

"Next!"

Cedar uncomfortably goes back to his spot back in line. Looking down in shame for messing up.

You nudge his arm, he looks at you in suprise as you offer him a cup and hot chocolate (still hot, courtesy of Daring Charming), the wooden boy smiles and takes the warm cup.

...

Briar quietly goes next.

"I am Briar Beauty. And I pledge to follow in my mom's footsteps to sleep for a hundred years... But before I do! I'm gonna' live every minute!"

Briar says happily, while you laugh. "He almost go me there! Hah!"

"Oh! Speaking of which, my dorm room, Friday night? Where gonna rip the roof off the place!"

"Yeah!" I holler and cheer! Throwing my fist up, Brair giggles. Pointing at me, "you coming!?"

"Heck yeah! Am I invited?"

"Now you are!"

The headmaster, done with our antics, shouts. "Next!!"

...

"I'm Raven Queen and I pledge to follow my destiny as... um... I have a question!"

"What is it?"

Raven shakily lowers the key, seeing you in the further corner of his eye. Grining at him kindly.

"I was just wondering, I mean, what if I don't want to take the pledge?"

Everyone gasps or become quiet with Ravens statment.

Apple's jaw lowers as Daring shuts his mouth which is hanging open.

"What? It's just a question!"

You nodded along with Raven, also curious.

The headmaster sternly walks up to Raven.

"And here's your answer. If you don't pledge your destiny, your story ceases to exist."

'What...?'

Raven stares at the headmaster in fear.

"Ceases to exist? So then... What happens to me?"

"You will cease to exist! Poof!"

"But.. That isn't-" You start to say, but become quiet. This world wasn't like your own.. This place was different...

But that can't be true!

You're here! You don't have a story!

Raven backs away. "Now, Raven, continue."

"But, Mr. Grimm..." The man once more makes the 'poof' sounds to solidify his statement.

"Poof-poof!"

Raven flinches, backing away even more before his back hits the podium.

"Ah!.. I have to go..."

Students are gasping as he leaves the podium. Headmaster Grimm shouts after him. "But the rules are... The rules! Students: Destiny!"

The headmaster tries to calm the your fellow classmates. "Now, settle down everyone!"

You watch Apple also run in another direction, sobbing quietly.

You, who stood amongst the chaos, grip your bag tightly.

"That.. That's not true.. " You mumble in horror. "It-it's not, right?"

-

[Dun-dun! Cliffhanger! The next installment will possibly be done soon! Check my journal for a sneak peek of the next installment! Comments, art, are super appreciated! I wanna some more please!]