A/N: Hi, guys, it's EC right here, and I've got some disappointing news. I'm discontinuing this apply fic due to a lack of motivation and how busy I'll be in the next school year. I started to get a sinking suspicion I was losing the will to write when I went on hiatus, and I tried to keep this fic alive, but it's inevitable. I mean, to be fair, I got a LOT further than most apply fic authors so please don't appear under my bed at 3 am 😭

I just wanted to say how glad I am I started this apply fic anyway, because I met all of you. I loved writing one chapter after another just to read your comments and theories about character lore, which I equally enjoyed creating! This whole apply fic community I've made and joined makes me tear up every time and I've even started becoming friends with some of you. You guys don't know me in real life, of course, but I would say I've got a close connection with most of you. We've had a good run lol.

Ok, now for lore: ESSIE WAS THE VILLAIN ALL ALONG BAHAHAHHAHAHHA

Bet you weren't suspecting that! Here's the summary since I'm not going to write the rest of the story but don't want to end with a cliff hanger. Essie's real name is Essence Grimm, she's the half-sibling of Milton and Giles Grimm (yes, she's immortal but has eternal youth). Essie is NOT the future Princess and the Pea, but the future Grimm because she was born before the Grimm brothers in an affair.

Long ago, she was trapped in the Vault of Tales long before Giles until the Evil Queen freed her. Essence became deeply devoted to the Evil Queen, which sucked because she later got stuck in the mirror realm. Over the years, Essence went to Ever After High under false names and disguises to learn how to grow her magic until she grew powerful enough to free her master. Eventually, her plan worked.

Below is the whole lore thing I had in my notes, but there's sure to be gaps. Ask me ANYTHING about the lore and what I planned for your characters. (PS, ALL OF YOUR OCS WILL MEET A TRAGIC END, DEAD OR ALIVE)

PLOT:

Essence was the bastard daughter of Jacob Grimm, who kept her a secret from her older half-siblings, Milton and Giles. She was the result of Jacob and an unknown woman. She was locked in the Vault of Lost Tales by her father because he worried her birth would cause later scandal in her half-brothers' future. However, she was freed by the Evil Queen and was replaced with Giles Grimm. When the Evil Queenie was locked away in the Mirror, Essence try to free her many times, duigusing herself and attending EAH under a new identity over the years. Essie had magical abilities like her brothers, but they were too weak when she was younger. However, she managed to free the Evil Queen from the mirror when Headmaster Grimm was dealing with Raven on Legacy Day. 

After trial and error, she rose to power and could shatter a mirror, releasing the Queen. But the Queen was weak, deciding that she could steal Raven's powers. But Raven wasn't strong enough without signing the book, so the Evil Queen tasked Essence with stealing the Storybook Of Legends. Essie set a fire in the Lifairy, causing chaos, and with everyone and Headmaster Grimm distracted, Essence stole the Storybook Of Legends. However, it was discovered by Giles Grimm of his sister's existence and stole it back. Due to his babbling curse, he couldn't tell anyone so he inferred and asked the narrator to hide the book somewhere Essence couldn't find. The Narrator rewrote the story, breaking the rules, and scattered pieces of the pages across all lands.

During all of this, Raven Queen was accused of starting the fire and stealing the Storybook Of Legends. She collected the Rebels, some Royals and Roybels, and set out to prove her innocence. Apple, however, did not sign the Book yet and wanted to find the Storybook again. Essie, devoted to the Evil Queen, was tasked to try and find the Book. Meanwhile, the Evil Queen was laying low, too weak, in the school's attic. That's why Camille Red asked about missing food around the school and why Ali and Daphne found the wine cellar's door open.

A/N: This is poorly explained, just ask me in the comments and I'll figure it tbh 💀

Signing off, E. C.