Ever After High was a very interesting place. For starters, you never thought you would be standing in the middle of a storm while the Storybook of Legends imploded on itself.

Raven: I'm not signing this book!

Apple: You can't do this! What about my destiny?!

Mr. Grimm: This is madness!

Y/N: What the Hex is going on?!

Wait. Pause.

I'm getting ahead of myself. You don't even know what's going on here. I just started off in the middle of the next chapter.

Sorry about that. We should just, uh, take it back a bit.

Um, let's do the intro real quick and come back.

And here we are! Right where we left off last time. With you and Brair in town enjoying a cup of coffee in the local Cafe, Hocus Latte.

It was actually really nice to relax like this without having to worry about Ruby or anything else.

Brair: So, you're supposed to be the next ruler of Oz, right?

You nodded while you took a sip from your drink.

Y/N: That's the plan.

Brair: Wouldn't that be hard to do considering....

Y/N: Yeah, I know.

Everyone knew, it seemed. It was hard not to. Anytime a land was invaded like Oz or poisoned like Wonderland, everyone knew. It was hard not to.

Still, it didn't make things much easier for you.

Maddie: Tell me about it.

You and Brair looked up to see Maddie sitting in the open chair between you both, drinking a cup of tea. Earl Grey sat on the top of her head watching.

When did she get here?

Maddie: During the intro.

Oh. Neat.

Y/N: Hey, Maddie.

Maddie: Helloooo, Ozzie. And hello to you as well, Briar.

Briar laughed.

Briar: Hey, Maddie. Did you move into your new room already?

Maddie: I did. While I am disappointed that I won't be Raven's roomie anymore, I am delighted to be sharing a room with a fellow Wonderlander.

A fellow Wonderlander?

Y/N: You were Raven's original roommate?

Maddie nodded. You and Brair shared a look of knowing before you forced a smile.

Y/N: So, uh, who is your new roommate?

???: That would be me.

You looked around confused before you heard laughter overhead. You looked up to see a smile.

Just a smile.

You tilted your head before a face formed around the mouth, then a whole person was there. She was perched on the branch of the tree that sat in the center of the cafe.

Y/N: And who are you?

???: You can call me Kitty. Kitty Cheshire.

Kitty Cheshire, the daughter of the Chesire Cat.

Y/N: Wait, but, your mother is a cat.

Kitty: Yep.

Y/N: So how are you, uh...

Kitty: How am I like what?

Did you really want to know the answer? Probably not. Besides, what would even be the point?

They were Wonderlanders. They were going to be a bit weird.

Kitty: Excuse you. I'll have you know that I am not weird. Just simply....mad.

Wait, you can hear me, too?

Kitty: Absolutely.

Good lord.

Y/N: Annnnd I'm lost again.

Kitty jumped down from the tree and leaned towards you, making your shoulders touch.

Kitty: Hm? You smell like an Ozzian. More specifically, an Emerald.

Maddie: He's the son of the Wizard of Oz.

Kitty seemed to be generally surpised by this. She was here when you were talking about it, but she was taking a cat nap so she didn't even hear you.

Though, she seemed rather pleased by this reveal.

Kitty: Curiouser and curiouser~

She moved even closer, which was honestly making you a bit uncomfortable.

???: And what is the meaning of this?

You turned your head opposite of Kitty, only to find another face mere inches from yours.

Y/N: Uh....

???: An Ozzian? Here?

You leaned back, at the cost of backing into Kitty, and tried to keep your smile.

Y/N: Uh, h-hello.

Briar: Wow. All three in one day. Tough luck.

Y/N: What?

The new girl stood up straight and placed a hand on her chest.

???: I am Lizzie Hearts. The next Queen of Hearts. I suppose you can call me your rival. And if you get in my way, it'll be OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!

Another Wonderlander?! Can she also hear me?!

Kitty/Maddie: Nope.

Oh, thank goodness.

Ahem. Anyway, this is Lizzie Hearts. The daughter of the Queen of Hearts.

Y/N: Oh. Nice to meet you?

You held out your hand. Lizzie stood there long enough to make you feel awkward, then she shook your hand.

Lizzie: Likewise.

Briar: Hey, Lizzie. Loving the hair.

Lizzie simply turned her head and pointed her nose up. She then walked off to order her own drink.

Y/N: Well, she was very.....stand off-ish.

Maddie: That's just how she is. She's actually a very kind person once you get to know her better.

Kitty: Or she can be your worst enemy if you get on her bad side. But don't worry.

Kitty leaned down close again. She smiled widely.

Kitty: I'll be sure to put in a good word for you.

She then stood back up.

Kitty: But, I'm tired now. I'll see you around, "Ozzie".

She laughed to herself before she faded away. The last thing you saw of her was her smile. That was.....an experience.

Briar: I should get going myself. I promised Blondie that I would help her with her MirrorCast tomorrow morning. I have to get my beauty sleep while I still can.

She grabbed her bag and stood up. You stood up as well.

Briar: I'll see you around, Y/N. It was nice to meet you.

Y/N: Likewise. We should do this again, sometime.

Briar gave you a friendly smile, cause she's not one of the love interests, and nodded.

Briar: I would love to. Bye, Maddie.

Maddie: Farewell, my sleeping friend!

Briar took her leave, which left you and Maddie alone. You sat back down and picked up your cup, only for Lizzie to also sit down where Briar just was.

You eyed her for a moment while she took a drink of her own beverage.

Your eyes darted to Maddie who didn't seem to even notice that Lizzie had sat down.

Y/N: Uh.....so....Lizzie....

Lizzie: Yes?

Y/N: How, uh, how are things going for you so far this year?

Lizzie seemed to think about it, but just took another sip. Was she not going to answ......

Lizzie: I cut the buds off of six flowers today. I also managed to find a hedgehog this morning during my stroll.

You didn't know what to say to that. Mostly because, like, what could you say?

Y/N: Is that good or...

Lizzie: It's great.

Y/N: Well, in that case, good for you. I'm glad your year is starting out so strongly.

Lizzie snickered.

Lizzie: Thank you. But, as a Wonderlander, I am nearly obligated to deny your compliment. But since there are so few of you Ozzians left, I shall allow it.

Wow. She's a total bi...

Maddie: No cursing!

Sorry.

Maddie: As long as you know.

You and Lizzie both looked at her for a moment. You then turned back to Lizzie.

Y/N: Look, I know our lands have had a strange conflict with each other going back ages and everything, but we can move past it if we wanted to. I mean, when was even the last time we actually fought?

Lizzie considered your words. It was true that the last "battle" between your lands happened long before your grandparents were even born, but the strange despise always seemed to linger. But with Oz gone, what was the point?

Wonderland was posioned, Oz was in ruins.

There was no real reason to fight anymore.

Lizzie: I suppose you're correct. Very well.

You smiled a bit.

Lizzie: However, for the sake of our own betterment, I will continue to see you as a rival in the events of grades, activities, and school events. Outside of those, I suppose we can be friends.

Well, at least it was something.

Maddie: Yay! More friends!

Y/N: Well, then I hope we get along, Lizzie.

You held out your hand again. This time, Lizzie shook it without the awkwardness. Seems like she already began to warm up to you.

Maddie: Say, Y/N, since you and Ruby are the only Ozzians, do you have any special skills?

Lizzie even seemed interested in the answer. In truth, you knew most everyone had a special skill of some kind. However, most of them just seem to be a strange talent rather than an actual ability.

You rubbed your ring for a moment.

Y/N: No, not really.

Maddie: Is that true, narrator?

I'm not spoiling anything.

Maddie: Oh, crackers.

Lizzie: You have no special skill? Not even one?

You shook your head.

Maddie: Well, maybe you do and you just don't know it yet.

Maybe? But, special skills weren't really something in the front of your mind. If anything, they were the last thing.

You quickly shook out the true reason why you were here and instead smiled. You might as well enjoy your time here with these girls. School was about to get into full swing, and who knows what will happen next?

I do.

Maddie: So do I! I can see the future!

She's not lying. Seriously. She can see the future.

Til next time, dear readers.

The End Is Just The Beginning....