The teams gathered as the crowd cheered for their respective favorites. You waved to some of your adoring fans, but stopped when you saw your mother. She was with the other Royal Heads, but it was clear she didn't feel like being there. Regardless, it was good to make the public think that things were okay.

The shakey truce was definitely not reassuring.

Snow: You've all waited long enenough. Now, we bring you the first game of the event!

Snow took a step back as a pair of dwarves carried a kind of bell into view. Snow took the small rope into her hand and pulled on it, making the bell ring. A burst of magic surrounded the arena and a few different things began to appear before your very eyes.

Oswalt: What is this?

Alistar: The arena has magic to help it host the games. It helps to make everything random.

Before you was what appeared to be a sort of obstacle course. Looking around, you spotted some small targets posted around at random points.

Snow: This is the first trial. The Hero's Journey. Our champions will race through the course and will score points by hitting various targets located around the arena. But time is key. Should you take too long, the trial will end and you will be disqualified from the game.

Y/N: So, a time trial. Sweet.

The only question now is...who would go?

While the teams discussed who would be picked for the trial, the crowd watched and cheered. However your group were talking among themselves.

Ruby: So, what else happens during the Kingdom Games? I saw all the booths, but is that it?

Maddie: Nope! We have a lot of traditions! Like the Kingdom Dance!

Everyone looked at her. She sipped on her tea.

Raven: Uh, aren't you supposed to be with your team.

Maddie: Oh yeah.

She quickly jumped from the stands and back into the arena. Ruby raised a brow before turning to the others.

Ruby: The Kingdom Dance? We have a dance after this?

Brair: Hosted by yours truly. At the end of the week, when the winning champions are crowned, the kingdoms throw massive dance for every student. And, on the discussion of traditions, we do have one that's pretty cute.

She placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder and pointed to a couple sitting a few seats away. Ruby noticed that the girls both had white roses in their hair.

Ruby: Roses?

Briar: Couples exchange roses to with each other, but on the last day, you give a rose to someone you want to be your lover. Girls give white roses, and guys give red roses. Pretty cool, huh?

Ruby blushed a bit. She honestly thought it was romantic, but she didn't exactly have anyone to give a rose to. Despite coming here hexcited to meet boys, she never actually got a chance to.

Briar: Maybe you can find someone too.

Ruby was now a blushing mess while the others laughed. They all began to tease her while Lizzie kept her eyes on the roses in the girls' hair. She wondered if you would give her one. Then again, you might not even know about the tradition.

Y/N: Hey! Snow!

The entire arena grew silent as all eyes fell on you. Did you just address the Queen so casually? And why were you yelling at her? Even Snow and your mother looked a bit surpised.

Oswalt and Braum watched you with wide eyes.

Y/N: You said we can choose any one of us, right?! Cause we have our pick! We're sending Braum in!

You felt a sharp pain in the back of your head after Braum smacked you. Everyone started to laugh while you whined. Snow turned to your mother with a sigh.

Snow: He really does take after his father, doesn't he?

Wicked placed a hand on her face.

Wicked: You have no idea.

Braum: You moron! Why are you telling everyone who weren't sending in?!

You rubbed your head while Braum scolded you. Oswalt just stood there with a frown. The truth was that you weren't supposed to announce who you were sending in. If the other teams knew, they could counter with their own champions. It was a tactic that you just threw out the window.

Y/N: I dIdN't KnOw!

Braum continued to smack your head while Oswalt stood by, pretending not to notice. But it soon became clear that everyone had picked their champion to participate and you were ready to start. Snow turned to Wicked who nodded and presented a kind of orb. She approached the stand and everyone watched as she activated her magic.

The first team to go will be the Charming Family.

Snow: Charmings, present your champion.

You watched as Daring stepped forward, smiling as many of the girls in the crowd went wild. You figured Daring and Darling would be taking most of the trials, but you also didn't know what these games could hold. You knew if it was some kind of mental game the Ozzians stood no chance.

Daring pulled out his sword and approached the course. You rested your hands behind your head and watched as the timer started. Daring quickly rushed forward and began to go through the course. It seemed pretty straight forward for the most part.

It was a track with a few different sections. The first was a spinning cylinder platform. The next section had a series of swinging obstacles meant to hit the champion and knock them into the mud below. But it was also easy to forget that Daring was an actual hero of sorts. Despite his narcissistic personality, he was still a solid opponent.

Sure enough, he finished the course in time and scored a cool 75 points outta 100. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Braum: I guess that's to be expected of Charles' kids. They got his skill.

Oswalt: Is that so? I suppose King Charming was known for his might. He did take the crown through force.

Braum: That's not entirely true.

Your head perked up.

Y/N: Oh yeah. You would've been there for that.

Braum: Yes. Despite the fact that I am your age physically, I'm technically older. I got to see a lot of those bozos grow up.

She pointed to the heads while Neverland sent out their champion. You never really thought about it, but she did know everyone back in the day. She didn't attend Ever After High, but she was still there for some stuff. You didn't know exactly what but maybe she could tell you later.

Oswalt looked at the score for Neverland to see that they fail short with only 70 points. The Charmings were still in first place.

And now, it was the Ozzian's turn.

Braum: Looks like I'm up.

Y/N: Go kill them dead.

Oswalt: Best of luck.

You gave her a thumbs up with a massive smile while Oswalt nodded. Braum just stood there for a moment, a bit shocked by how you both looked like Oz. She smiled before turning and approaching the course....without a weapon.

Ashlynn: She's not going to use anything? Wouldn't that be a problem?

Raven: I might be. She'll have to touch the targets with her hands. That could take a lot of time.

Down in the arena, Cerise and Hunter also wondered what her plan was. But all was revealed when the time began. The first second passed, and everyone suddenly felt a gust of wind fill the arena as Braum dashed forward. It wasn't magic either. It was pure physical skill.

Braum was suddenly standing at the end of the course and the time stopped, the remaining time being added to the score. The Charmings were now in second place with 75 points. The Ozzians were in first place....with 150 points.

The entire arena was silent. The other teams looked on in shock as Braum walked back to you and Oswalt. With a smirk, you lifted your hand as did your bother. Braum beamed as she high-fived you both.

It was at this very moment that everyone came to a harsh realization.

Oz was back, and you weren't here to play.

You were here to win.

Braum basked in your praises before she looked over her shoulder, locking eyes with Snow. Her gaze turned sharp as if to tell the Queen that she had not forgotten her part in the Fall of Oz.

Wicked: Looks like they're off to a good start.

Everyone turned to her as she sat there with her glass, taking a sip.

Wicked: You've all realized it, haven't you?

Her eyes moved up, her gaze seductive and dangerous.

Wicked: Oz is not to be messed with. There may not be many of us left, but the ones who remained will not allow your disrespect anymore.

It was true. The entire room filled with the Royal Heads knew it.

It was already clear that you and Oswalt were forces to be reckoned with. But Ruby was the daughter of Jadis and now Braum proved she was a physical menace herself.

Wicked smiled sweetly.

Wicked: I can't wait to see how these games go!

Peter Pan: Man, you scare me sometimes, Ms. Wicked.

Wicked turned to him, keeping her smile.

Wicked: Thank you!
-------------
The day came to an end and the final scores were in. Oz stayed on top with 150 points, but Ever After High came in second with 100 thanks to Cerise. Charmings managed to stay in third with 75 points, however.

Darling: I'm still amazed by how you did!

Cerise: You have to tell me how you did that. I thought I was fast, but you're absolutely insane.

Braum was a bit overwhelmed by the attention she was getting, but it seemed like she was having a good time. After Oz was announced as the winners of the day, you had all decided to get some dinner from the stands and eat in the courtyard. A lot of people had approached and congratulated Braum on her amazing victory, but you did notice that a few of your female peers seemed to have taken particular interest.

Alistair: Should I be threatened?

Oswalt: I believe so, my friend. I believe so.

You sat beside Lizzie who seemed oddly and uncharacteristically quiet while you ate. You had taken notice of this, but you weren't sure how to bring it up. Especially not with everyone around. You didn't want to end up embarrassing her if it was something like that.

You subtly nudged her and managed to get her attention. You leaned close to make sure no one else heard.

Y/N: Hey, are you alright? You seem distracted.

Lizzie didn't even realize she was spacing out. In truth, she was still thinking about getting a rose from you. It was such a stupid thing to worry about, but she couldn't get it out of her head.

Lizzie: I just......wanted to see you do the trial today.

You smiled awkwardly.

Y/N: Yeah, sorry to let you down. But Braum was our best bet in winning.

Lizzie: You knew she was fast?

Y/N: I guess you could say that. We got to see it first hand.

Lizzie's curiosity was peeked.
~~~~~~~~
Braum stood in front of you and Oswalt while you both held your weapons. You were confused on why she called you both here, especially with the games starting tomorrow, but you figured it was for a reason. She rested her staff on her shoulders and looked rather unimpressed by the two of you.

Braum: I want you both to come at me. Try and take me down.

You and Oswalt shared a look before turning back to the short girl.

Oswalt: Are you sure about this?

Braum nodded as she began to spin her staff around fluently.

Braum: I need to make sure my body is ready for the games tomorrow. And I need to see what you two are capable of.

She stabbed her staff into the ground and looked to the two of you.

Braum: Each game requires certain skills. We all have weak points, but we all also have our own strengths. We need to find out what those are. So, you two will come at me, and we'll figure it out by force.

You shuddered at her tone. She seemed very....blunt. Still, Oswalt cared not for gender and quickly took the challenge, rushing forward in a dash to swing at her. You flinched, but Oswalt didn't feel his blade collide with anything. Anything at all.

Rather, his sword felt a bit heavier. His eyes traveled up to find Braum's staff was balancing on the blade of his sword, and ontop of it was Braum herself, balancing on her hand.

Braum: Too slow.

She then spun around and kicked Oswalt in the chest, making him gasp for air as he flew back. You quickly lifted your shield to try and protect yourself, bit the force of him colliding with you knocked you over as well.

Braum landed in her feet while you and Oswalt groaned in a mess of limbs and pain.
~~~~~~~~~
Lizzie: She did that? Wow.

You rubbed your head, remembering the buttkicking she gave you.

Y/N: Yeah. It's weird. I can fight monsters all day, but when it comes to people I just can't pull through.

You laughed a bit nervously, but you turned back to Lizzie.

Y/N: So....what's really on your mind?

Lizzie whined. Of course you knew her better than to just accept that she was upset over not seeing you. She made sure no one was looking before she scooted closer to you, immediately feeling warmer. You took the unspoken suggestion and subtlely moved your arm around her waist.

Lizzie: There's this tradition with the Kingdom Games. With roses and...

Y/N: Oh. I almost forgot.

Lizzie watched as you reached into your front pocket and presented her a red rose. She found her cheeks getting warmer as you moved to put it into her hair.

Y/N: I meant to give it to you earlier, but I kinda got busy. Sorry.

Lizzie reached up and touched it. She smiled to herself as you pulled her closer. Of course you would find out about it on your own. You always did surprise her.

However, none of you realized that everyone were now watching you two. Ruby felt her eye twitch as she thought back on a conversation you two had when you first got here.

Ruby: School shopping is always the best! I can't wait to finally meet some people our age! Oh, I hope they have cute boys there!

Y/N: We're not going there for cute boys, Ruby.....

Ruby: Maybe you're not.

You gave you sister a look.

Y/N: Ever After High accepted us because we're the children of the Wizard Oz. We can't just spend the whole time messing around.

Ruby: That aged well, huh?

And with that, day one was over. Only four more to go.

The End Is Just The Beginning....