Holton Hook's POV

Opening the tenth letter he received, Holton sat cross-legged on the floor, his back against his locker. The letters were always slipped into his locker or bag without him knowing, which was an impressive feat. By who? Holton still had no idea. Secret admirer, perhaps, he thought. Well, that's a new one.

Dear Holton,

It's Legacy Day, tensions are high, aren't they? I mean, I guess it's more stressful because of the pressure that Headmaster Grimm puts us under and the fact dozens of Royals and Rebels are watching... Well, that's a later problem, I suppose. Maybe that's a good excuse that I don't write as much. In my defense, Professor Rumpelstiltskin is the unfairest of them all to assign exams on the first week of school without prior given material! Guess it's extra credit for me, wish my fingers luck after spinning all that gold...

I got your last letter, it was unexpectedly wholesome. I promise we'll meet up in real life soon, just give me some more time. Everything is chaotic and I just need to organize myself before everything happens. But, I guess, you're the kind of peace I need. I always feel more open when it's just us writing back to each other. The ink of my quill is wearing off, so I'll keep it short and sweet. I'll try to see you at the Legacy Plaza, but can't make any promises I'll actually come up to you.

Forever yours, Nessa.

Accompanied with a blue lipstick-stained kiss on the paper, Holton smirked slightly. Nessa. That name has been stuck in his head since forever, the same name this secret pen pal has been signing their letters for the past few weeks. And yet, no one in Ever After High has that name. Believe him, he has tried every spelling possible in the school's database that he may or may not have used without Headmaster Grimm's permission. Who even is Nessa?

"You're a sly one, aren't you?" he murmured, chuckling to himself.

"Who's sly?" Essie Greenings asked, suddenly next to him. Alarmed, he jumped back, only to scowl at Essie's little smirk on her dimpled face. "Whoa, is that a secret love letter?" Scowling, he tucked the letter away, standing up. "Awe, how adorable, you look rat-faced, Holton."

"Go away," he told her, crossing his arms. The reason why he was reading the letter in the hallway was because it was completely empty, everyone else was at the Legacy Plaza to sign the Book. Holton still didn't know if he was a Royal or Rebel, deciding to camp out in the hall to buy himself more time. "Shouldn't you be out there supporting your best friend ever after, Raven, or whatever?"

"At least I have friends," Essie muttered under her breath, "and I'm just coming inside because Grimm called my name. There's no way I'm signing the Shitbook of Legends. It's not Raven's turn yet, I got time."

Sure, Holton may hate Headmaster Milton Grimm, but Essie and Grimm had a pure hatred for each other. For whatever reason, he has yet to discover. "You sound seriously disturbed," Holton told her. "You look like it too."

"Shut up, daddy issues." Oh, okay, that was uncalled for. Essie put up in her hands in defense. "Don't worry, you aren't the only one with a bad dad." Bringing a pack of cigarettes and a black lighter, she started smoking.

"You know, smoking isn't very selfcare-like," Holton mocked her, gesturing to the ink tattoo on her ring finger. Esssie exhaled, a haze of smoke coming out of her mouth. She leaned against the lockers, holding the cigarette between two fingers.

"Yeah, I quit a while ago, but I smoke every once and then when life gets too real for a hot sec." She chewed the insides of her cheeks, staring at the floor. Isn't that the truth? Despite hating his destiny—the idea of being defeated haunted him—Holton did admire the dreamy freedom that Neverland had. Inhaling the smoke, she rubbed her eyes with her free hand. "I don't know, I should probably quit for real."

"Really?" Holton said, slightly tauntingly but with genuine concern in his voice. He vaguely remembered his asshole father, Captain James Hook, would smoke two cigars at a time. Holton also remembered that he hated the smell so much that he'd turn green. Smee actively told Hook to quit his addiction but to no avail.

"I'll figure shit out."

"What sort of shit?" Holton rolled his eyes. "Let me guess—boy problems?"

Essie bit on her lower red-coloured lips, her gaze meeting Holton's with a glare. "Eh, no boys. They think I'm too much of a slut." Taking another intake of her blunt, her eyes closed briefly. "Barely a woman and they call me a whore," she laughed, running her fingers through her hair. "But I'm a cold-hearted, uptight bitch when I keep it inside."

"No one thinks you're any of that." Even Holton had somewhat of a heart. Just not morals.

"Please, I'm just the partying hoe of Ever After High. It's fine, don't go all soft on me now, lover boy." Essie nudged his ribcage with her elbow, her faint crackling laughter echoing in the halls. "I'm used to people slut-shaming me. It's sort of funny if you just flip them off in return."

Holton shook his head, crossing his arms. "Real funny, Essie."

"You're an asshole, you know that?"

"Say that again and I'll actually tell Professor Rumpelstiltskin that you cheated," he replied automatically. Always eager for power, it was in his genes, his blood. Holton couldn't help it, he loved knowing that he was in control. That he had the upper hand. And what if that control is gone? Mr. Smee would always scold him. Then I spiral, Holton would reply. "That came out wrong," he tried to say.

"You'll always be the same old boy you always were," she mused, the corners of her lips tugging upwards. "Hex you later, lover boy." Grinning as wide as the Cheshire Cat, Essie strolled away to the other end of the hallway, a trail of smoke following her. Lover boy. Holton wasn't a lover boy; romance disgusted him. It was dead, it wasn't real. No one truly loves someone, it's all an illusion. Though, he supposed some illusions lasted longer than others. Loving someone was just a waiting game to see who'd abandon each other first. And Holton was tired of always being thrown away first.

Yeah, maybe Essie was right about the daddy issues part.

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Seated at the Legacy Plaza, Holton finally found an empty seat next to two guys in the back. Some Chase Redforth and another golden-haired boy. "Is this seat taken?" Holton asked the latter. The boy was surprised that he was spoken to at all, startled. Wait, he looks sort of familiar... He was the loner kid, the next Boy from The Boy Who Cried Wolf, at the back of his Storytelling 101 class. "Johan Rohas?" he guessed.

"Joyce Row," the boy corrected, slightly skittish. Close enough. Holton sat down in between Chase Redforth and Joyce Row, crossing his legs. Chase clearly shifted uncomfortably, but made no effort to get up. Joyce, on the other hand, merely stayed quiet. "B-But everyone calls me Joy, I mean, no one calls me Joy, but it's my preferred name anyways—"

"Melina Ivory!" Headmaster Grimm called out another name as a girl walked up to the pedestal at the plaza. Holton rolled his eyes, feeling exhausted already. There wasn't an exact order that Grimm called out through, but it was typically his favourites. So I'm safe for now...

"Literal snooze-fest," Holton grumbled.

Chase didn't reply, but at least Joy chuckled a bit. Watching both of them, Holton noticed how Chase's gaze wasn't focused on the plaza's pedestal, but rather someone in a different seat. Holton's gaze lowered, realizing that Chase's hand was on the hilt of his sheathed sword, always watchful. Chase's jaw tensed before relaxing for a second, leaning back in his seat. Although, the same couldn't be said for Joy, whose leg was bouncing as he leaned forward in his chair, mumbling to himself. Great, I'm stuck with the two weirdos.

"Apple White!" Grimm shouted and it almost seemed as if the whole world stopped briefly. As the famous Apple summoned her quill, Holton thought to himself—Well, this got way more interesting. Apple stood at the Legacy Plaza, the mirrors floating around her gleaming even in the dark. However, notably, Apple looked a bit distressed, her eyes scanning for someone to no avail. "Well, Miss White, go on."

"Oh! U-Uh, yes, of course." Taking a deep breath, she faced the crowd. "My name is Apple White, daughter of Snow White, and I am ready to pledge my destiny." Cheers erupted as Apple signed the Book with her quill, closing the Storybook Of Legends gently. She gave a bright smile, blowing air-kisses to everyone. Well, not as interesting as I expected, Holton thought, bored. Apple stepped back as Headmaster Grimm cleared his throat. He was a stout man, a little rounder mid-waist, and graying hair along with a stern expression. Good Godmothers, Holton thought, rolling his eyes. He didn't like Grimm very much, he was too... Demanding.

"And next, Raven Queen." The cheers stopped as Raven Queen stepped on stage. Dressed in a purple dress and a black rose-patterned cloak, she shuffled uncomfortably to the center where the Storybook of Legends laid. Oh, now the real drama begins. Holton leaned forward, watching her intently. Raven tucked a stray black and purple-streaked lock behind her ear, exhaling a shaky breath.

"My n-name is Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen, and I pledge..." Staring at the Storybook of Legends, Raven suddenly froze up, her eyes wide. Holton narrowed his eyes, arching an eyebrow as he rested his chin on his knuckles. Everyone waiting in anticipation, Raven looked up, prior anxiety gone and instead replaced with a determined look. She withdrew her hand from her floating quill, her brows knit together. "I am Raven Queen, and I'm going to write my own destiny." Gasps echoed as Raven's hands formed into fists. Holton couldn't help but smile deviously. "My happily ever after starts now!" Slamming the Book shut, mirrors around her shattered with a deafening crack.

Holton stood up immediately, cheering along with several other Rebels as the Royal stared in dismay. He tended to dislike most people, but Raven Queen was their new voice. Their new rebellion starter. Sure, there were other Rebels, but the next Evil Queen? "Now, that's how to flip the script," Holton said amusingly.

"S-She didn't disappear?" Joy gasped from next to him. "Sh-She didn't go—"

"Poof." Chase was equally as astonished despite being a clear Royal. He didn't cheer or clap for Raven, a tiny smile escaped from his lips, Holton could tell by the way that Chase's eyes crinkled slightly. "Headmaster Grimm was wrong? Now, that's a first."

"She finally broke the old-age curse."

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Apple White's POV

How could Raven be so selfish? Sitting at the steps of Ever After with her head in her hands, Apple sobbed. "This wasn't supposed to happen," she said to herself. Her bright blue eyes flickered to the moon as she sniffled. "How will I get my happily ever after now? How will anyone else?" The door behind her unlocked.

"Apple?" Winifred's voice rang out. "Everyone told us what happened, I'm so terribly sorry." Easy for Winnie to say, despite being a Royal, her mother—Wendy Darling—gave legal documents to Headmaster Grimm that stated her daughter would not sign the Book so Winnie could keep her freedom. "Bree and I came as soon as we could." Sitting next to Apple, still in her Legacy Day attire—a white fluffy gown with green floral embroidery and her blond hair loose—Winnie hugged Apple affectionately. "Hey, it's going to be okay."

Winnie was always like a big sister to Apple, most EAH students mistaken them as siblings because of their similar appearance. Fair skin, honey blond hair, and those brilliant blue eyes. "No, i-it's not," she cried out, resting her head on Winnie's shoulder. "Oh, this is the unfairest of them all, Winifred Darling..." She could feel Winnie physically flinch. Bad habit, Apple scolded herself.

"Who cares if Raven signs or not? Her destiny isn't yours," Branwen Beast added, seated on Apple's left. Apple stared at them, absolutely dumbfounded. How could Bree not understand the gravity of this situation? "I'm just trying to look at it from Raven Queen's perspective."

"Because her destiny is connected to mine," Apple pouted, shaking her head. What if all her friends disappeared because of what Raven did? While there were few who didn't sign—such as Winnie herself—their fairy tales weren't as big as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. "Raven may have not gone poof, poof now, but what if she does later? What if her rebellion sparks a chain reaction?"

"You mean a domino effect?" Bree asked slowly. "That can't be possible, right?"

"I-I mean..." Apple covered her mouth as she sobbed. "If Raven never signed, then our story will vanish, won't it? That means Dahlia Dopey will also disappear," she said, horror-struck. "A-And then, what about my Prince Charming? Won't they go poof as well? Oh my Grimm, I'm supposed to rule over Ever After as the next Snow White, I'm supposed to be their queen, what if—"

Winnie cleared her throat. "Let's not draw conclusions so quickly," she said, putting up her hands. "You know what I love most about as the next Wendy Darling, Apple? Neverland. It's the place that imagination strikes the most, but..." She cast a glance towards Apple and Bree. "Neverland is the embodiment of what if?"

"What are you suggesting?"

"I'm trying to say that everyone has their part to play, but they also have choices. What if things happened because they were supposed to? Look, I need to get back inside before curfew, so Bree, could you take care of her?"

Bree nodded and Winnie pecked a sisterly kiss on Apple's cheek before going back inside EAH. Apple let out a sigh as Bree poked Apple in the shoulder. "Hey, it'll be okay. I'm sure plenty of, uh, people didn't want to sign."

"Vanya didn't sign." And it dwelled on Apple's mind quite often. How could she just do that to me? To the rest of the Royals? She hadn't known that Vanya felt that way about her destiny, but she was also upset that Vanya hadn't told her before. On Legacy Day of all days!

"Oh." The next Beauty from Beauty and the Beast stayed silent, pursuing her lips. Apple was still in disbelief too—her childhood best friend didn't sign the Storybook of Legends. Legacy Day was the thing they were preparing for their entire lives together. But what hurt most? Vanya didn't even show up to the Legacy Plaza to see Apple pledge her destiny. "Apple..."

"Everything is spiraling out of control. I mean, what if I don't get my Prince Charming? What if he doesn't kiss me and wake me up?"

Bree scrunched up their nose, the way that Apple noticed they always did. "Prince Charmings are so icky." Apple supposed that would be warranted since Beauty never went for the Princes, but rather the Beasts. "And I definitely don't want to marry a wet mutt when I grow up," she said, countering Apple's thought. Oh? "Ugh, I guess you're not the only one who is freaking out over their destiny."

"It's just overwhelming to deal with." Apple was going to be the future queen of Book End, and as the daughter of Snow White, she needed everything in her life to go as planned. Perfect. Yet, Vanya's rejection to sign caught Apple off-guard, and so did Raven's rebellion. Despite not knowing Raven too well, she was her roommate and a good friend. "It's just so selfish of them."

"Vanya or Raven?" Bree ventured.

"Both!" Apple let out a sigh. "At least you're accepting your destiny. That'll keep some order, won't it? Gosh, I nearly forgot, you didn't sign the Book yet! Raven's rebellion put a pause to Legacy Day and most didn't get to sign. Well, the next chance the Royals get, you can sign the Storybook of Legends then..."

"Mhm..." Bree trailed off, averting their gaze. "Well, that's a chapter for another day."

"That's such a bookish thing for you to say," Apple laughed. Bree was a massive bookworm, if the Lifairy in Ever After High ever closed, Bree would probably drop out of school. "You read too many fictional fantasy novels."

"Yeah, well, I'm living the dream, right?" they grinned happily.

Apple wiped away her tears, slapping her knees as she got up like an old grandma. Her back ached like an old grandma too. "Well, there's no point in crying now," she muttered, extending a hand towards Bree. "C'mon, let's go before Grimm spots us outside of curfew." Bree grinned, taking her hand as they went back inside, the howling wind whipping their hair as they walked.