You opened your eyes to the sight of a tree branch. Light shined through the leaves and the warmth of the sun surrounded your body. The grass under you felt soft, like a silk sheet.
You sat up and looked around in confusion. Where were you? You had fallen asleep in bed while reading that book Baba Yaga gave you. You rubbed your eyes before realizing that something was off.
Everything was......bright. Actually, taking a look around, you realized that you everything that was about 5 feet around you was seemingly nonexistent. You stood up and began to walk around, but not much changed. Only the area around you was visible. There was no wind, no real smell.
You had walked for what felt like forever, before you finally reached something that was different from everything else.
Y/N: What is this?
A lampost? Here? In the Enchanted Forest?
You scratched your head in confusion. Then, you noticed something on the post. You walked over to it and realized it was a note. You pulled it free and looked at it.
Run
Y/N: Run?
Suddenly, there came a roar. You turned around to where you heard it, but you couldn't see anything. You began to panic as the sounds got closer.
And closer.
And closer.
You turned to run, but you were face to face with a....
Your eyes shot open and you gasped. You sat up and looked around the dark room with a quickened heartbeat.
Was that a dream?
What was that?
You steadied your breathing before sighing. You ran your fingers through your hair before looking at the time on your MirrorPhone.
3 in the morning.
Y/N: Awesome. I didn't want to sleep tonight anyway.
You laid back down and instead decided to watch some videos until you fell asleep. As you did, the book rested on the nightstand by your bed. Waiting for you to open it again.
You yawned and rubbed your eyes, tired after not being able to fall asleep. You practically dragged yourself to the common room to get some coffee since your personal coffee machine WAS SOLD BY THE HEADMASTER!
Ahem.
You stepped into the common room and immediately made a B-Line to the coffee maker. You popped it open and got to work with preparing yourself a cup.
Maddie: I will never understand how you can enjoy such a bitter drink.
You slowly looked to the left to find Maddie standing there, wide awake and ready for the day, drinking a cup of tea.
Y/N: How?
Maddie: Yes. How do you enjoy it?
You just stared at her. Your coffee finished and you took your cup and immediately gulped it down. The few students who were in the room gained a sense of fear/respect for you.
Lizzie: Ozzie!
You looked forward, then down to see Lizzie looking up at you. You stared at her for a moment before taking a second cup of coffee a day downing it in a similar manner.
Y/N: Morning, Princess. Bit too early to be yelling, ain't it?
Lizzie lowered her head and tapped her chin. She then cleared her throat.
Lizzie: I suppose it is. Apologies.
You nodded.
Lizzie: Are you busy at all today?
You thought about your day. You didn't have anything planned and you weren't planning on taking any requests. School wouldn't start back up until tomorrow too.
Y/N: Uh....no. Why?
Lizzie: I....
She looked to Maddie who was still standing there. She smiled and waved to her friend who waved back. She then leaned up towards you and you leaned down to see what she needed.
Lizzie: Now that we are together, I was hoping we could go on a date today?
You actually smiled at hearing her say that. And the fact that she was still embarrassed over having a boyfriend was kinda cute. You just chuckled.
Y/N: Yeah. Sounds like a fun time. What do you have planned?
Lizzie nervously rubbed her arm.
Y/N: You have no plan.
Lizzie: Not exactly.
Y/N: Right.
You clicked your tounge before getting an idea.
Y/N: How about we get ready and met back here in an hour? We can get breakfast and go from there.
Lizzie smiled.
Lizzie: Okay. See you in one hour!
She hurried out of the room to get ready with such excitement that you couldn't help but blush. She was really looking forward to having a date with you.
Maddie: Awwwwww~
You looked at Maddie and awkwardly smiled. You then slipped away to get ready yourself.
--------------
It was about an hour later when you and Lizzie took a seat at a small restaurant located near the edge of Bookend. You had noticed a few students out and about, but it was still too early for certain students.
Lizzie: I have heard that this is a good place to eat.
Y/N: Yeah, me too. Briar actually recommended it to me the first month I came here, but I never had a good reason to check it out.
Lizzie sat across from you and you looked around. The whole place looked pretty neat. You leaned back in your seat, wondering what you could talk to Lizzie about.
Lizzie: Are you adjusting well with being back?
You nodded.
Y/N: Yeah. Well, minus the whole "Milton selling my stuff" thing. I still need to have that...conversation with him later.
Lizzie: I can have him thrown into the dungeons if you'd like.
Y/N: I'm pretty sure that would lead to a war, but I appreciate the gesture.
While you and Lizzie happily chatted away, three more students entered the restaurant. Tina, Candice, and Reggie. The other Ozzians who now attended Ever After High and still believed in the Oz/Wonderland rivalry that should've died with Oz.
Tina looked around for an open table that she would like before she spotted the two of you. She raised a brow and frowned.
Y/N: It was actually really cool meeting your mum. She's not nearly has mad as I thought she would be.
Lizzie: I'm happy to hear that. I believe she likes you. She wants me to tell you that you are always welcomed to the castle whenever you want to visit.
You smiled.
Y/N: Well, that's good to hear. I'll be sure to visit her when I can.
Tina: The Queen of Hearts?
You and Lizzie looked up to see the girls apporching your table. You smiled at the sight of your friends, but they didn't look too pleased.
Y/N: Uh, hey, Tina. Candace. Reggie.
Reggie: Heya, Y/N. You two on a date?
You nodded.
Tina: So you're dating the daughter of the Queen of Hearts? Seriously?
You looked at Lizzie and quickly got up. You lead Tina away far enough so that Lizzie wouldn't hear your conversation.
Y/N: Tina, now is not the time for this.
Tina pulled away from you.
Tina: It never seems to be. You're dating Lizzie Hearts? Have you forgotten that she's the enemy?
You rolled your eyes.
Y/N: Yeah. The "enemy" is the same person who helped get me back here. And Lizzie is still my friend, even if she wants my girlfriend.
Reggie: Well congratulations on your new relationship, Y/N. I is proud of ya.
Y/N: Thank you, Reggie.
Tina: Don't congrate him! He's dating a Wonderlandian.
Y/N: So?!
Tina: So....you seem more focus on spending more time with these Ever After brats and these Wonderlosers than your own people! When was the last time you even spent time with us?
You groaned.
Y/N: Every time I spend time with you it's the same thing.
Tina: Well someone needs to keep you on track. You're not even making any moves to reclaim Oz!
Y/N: I'm not reclaiming Oz!
The three flinched. They looked at you in utter surpise and your shout had caught Lizzie's attention.
Tina: What?
Candace: B-But, you said that we would all go home together.
You sighed.
Y/N: I know. But....home has changed. Guys, we have to be honest with ourselves. Even if we do go back to Oz, what would be there for us? It's gone.
You suddenly felt a sharp pain on your cheek. You stumbled back a step in surpise by what just happened. You placed a hand on your cheek and looked at Tina who had slapped you.
Tina: Coward!
She ran out without another word. You stood there for a moment before looking at Reggie and Candace. You sighed.
Y/N: You two feel the same way?
Neither said anything.
Reggie: We should go get her.
Candace: Y-Yeah. See you around, Y/N.
The two quickly shuffled out of the restaurant while you stood there. You took a deep breath before returning to the table. You sat down while Lizzie watched in worry. You grabbed the menu and began to look at what options you had.
Lizzie: Is everything okay?
You looked up and smiled.
Y/N: Yeah. Yeah, everything is fine. Just some stupid Ozzian stuff. You know how they are.
Lizzie wasn't entirely convinced. Before she could say anything else, however, you were both interrupted by someone else.
Cupid: Y/N! Lizzie!
You both nearly jumped out of your skin when Cupid suddenly appeared. However, she was not alone.
Ruby: Hey, bro!
Blondie: This is just right!
Y/N: W-What are you....
Lizzie: OFF WITH THEIR INTERRUPTIONS!
Lizzie stood up and shoved the three of them to the side. She then sat back down and dusted her hands off. The waitress came over and asked for your orders.
----------
You and Lizzie sat in front if the "Just Right With Blondie" set while Ruby set up the cameras and equipment. Cupid and Blondie, however, were explaining the situation to you both.
Blondie: Thanks for coming.
Y/N: No problem. But, what is this all about?
Blondie: Well, I've been trying to find out what I can do to further expand the MirrorCast with more content. I was struggling with it for a while before Cupid suggested doing the Love show!
Cupid: If you remember, I used to do a radio show back home.
You did recall her mentioning that.
Blondie: And so, Cupid will now be doing her love segments where she will offer advice, report on couples, and even help prepare dates!
Cupid: And so we decided to interview Ever After High's newest couple.....
Blondie: Who also just so happen to be from two different lands who have been known to wage a bitter rivalry!
Cupid began to swoon.
Cupid: A forbidden love between a Princess of Wonderland and the Son of Oz!
Blondie then began to swoon as well.
Blondie: Their love helped realize that they can be better than they were!
You and Lizzie both watched as they swooned over your relationship. You then turned to Lizzie.
Y/N: We don't have to do this if you don't want to.
Lizzie: N-No. It's alright. I have no shame in being your girlfriend.
Y/N: It's not about that. I know you have a reputation that you want to keep.
Lizzie thought about it. She then nodded.
Lizzie: I'm okay with this. I want them to know that I do love you.
You smiled.
Cupid: Perfect opening!
You both looked back to see that they were already recording.
Y/N: Uh....is this live?
Blondie: Yes!
Y/N: Oh.
You sat up while Lizzie dusted off her skirt with a bright red face.
Cupid: Sooooo....Y/N Ozmandias and Lizzie Hearts. Quite an unpredictable couple but a lovely one none the less. Love truly does find a way!
Y/N: Uh, heh, yeah.
Cupid: Now, I do have some questions to ask. Some will be for the both of you but some are for only one of you.
Lizzie: Right. Okay.
Cupid: Let's start off with the simple one. How did you two meet?
Y/N: Oh. Uh, we met in Hocus Latte.
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.
Y/N: I actually thought she was going to behead me if I looked at her.
Lizzie: I.....I am ashamed by my actions that day. I know now that I should have been kinder, but I was truly fixated on being the Queen of Hearts.
Y/N: Yeah, I know.
Cupid: And how would you describe the first time the two of you spent time together outside of school?
Lizzie: Well.....
Lizzie: Croquet!
Green startled, dropping his rake.
Green: Um… what ye say?
Lizzie: I said croquet!
You sighed as you stared at the field. You didn't even know how to play croquet, yet here you were. Holding a club that was styled as a green flamingo.
Y/N: What she means to say is, we would like to play a game of croquet.
Green did not seem consoled by this clarification. His eyes darted around as if afraid others were about to run up and yell things at the grass, too.
Hesitantly, he raised a hand and gestured toward the small garden shed. That was where the mallets and hoops were stored, so she pointed that out to him.
Lizzie: That is where the mallets and hoops are stored!
Green nodded and started to rake again, still staring at her as if she was the odd one instead of the only person around who was helpfully shouting “Croquet!”
Except, you were on his side. Though, you did understand what she was trying to do.
In Wonderland, a clutch of card soldiers would have set up the croquet court, but in Ever After, Lizzie had to do it herself. With your help, of course
You placed the hoops in properly awkward locations, skirting the grove of invisible trees that had sprouted on the lawn. No way to cut them down until someone found an invisible ax, which was, you had been told, impossible.
Lizzie: Ha! Nothing is impossible.
Lizzie dug the hazard troughs, politely invited all the grass-dwelling insects to take their business elsewhere, and even managed a fairly good swamp wicket by dumping buckets of water into a hollow.
Proud of your combined work, you plopped Shuffle onto the grass. The Wonderland-bred hedgehog promptly curled up into a nearly indestructible ball, and Lizzie whacked her with a flamingo mallet.
The hedgehog sailed through the first hoop, rebounded on a second, and settled just on the edge of one of the hazard troughs.
Lizzie: Good enough. Your turn.
She waited for the sound of a mallet striking one of the inferior Ever After croquet balls, but it never came. She whirled, a mouth full of insults about insufferably slow players, only then remembering that you didn't have anything to hit.
Y/N: Uh, actually, I don't even know how this works. Also, is this animal abuse?
Lizzie: For Queen's sake! What in the vorpal sword is so hard about this?! You hit the ball through the hoops!
You nodded.
Y/N: Right, I got that. But, how is score kept? And what do I hit?
Lizzie was about to lecture you, but she suddenly stopped herself.
Lizzie huffed, stalking back to the garden shed, picking up all the hoops as she went.
She tossed them unceremoniously into the garden shed. She then walked back to you and crossed her arms.
A moment later she huffed impatiently and returned to put it all away properly.
Lizzie: I was still trying to get used to being kind.
Y/N: But at least some good came from it. Remember the shed?
Cupid: Oooo~ The shed? What's the story there.
Lizzie blushed a bit.
Now, you were both in the shed together.
Lizzie: What are you...
Y/N: No one can hear us in here. You can talk to me if you want to.
Lizzie narrowed her eyes before she stuck her nose up and walked passed you.
Y/N: I miss my home, too.
Lizzie stopped. She slowly looked back to see you had lowered your head. You played with your ring before you turned around.
Y/N: I know I can't go back there. Not really. It's gone. The Land is still there, but what made it Oz is gone. I'll never be able to go back. Not really.
You took your ring off and showed it to her.
Y/N: This is all I have left of Oz.
Lizzie looked at the ring. She then took a deep breath. She placed Shuffle into her bag before she walked over to you.
Lizzie: I am not sad.
So much for that.
You just nodded and slipped your ring back onto your finger. Might as well get out of here now. You were starting to regret closing the door and...
Lizzie: I am scared.
You stopped. You looked at Lizzie to see that she was uncharacteristically looking down. She never looked down. She was a future Queen who wanted to see what was ahead of her.
Lizzie: Yes. That was the first time since my father passed that I told someone how I was truly feeling.
Cupid: And when was the first time you told him a secret?
Lizzie: The same day, actually.
Lizzie: My heart is fake.
You flinched.
Y/N: What?
Lizzie: On my eye. It's not a birthmark. Not like my mother's. It's make-up.
She then let out a breath.
Lizzie: That was oddly refreshing. Who knew that talking about bottled up emotions felt this good?
Lizzie smiled. Suddenly she didn’t feel so lost, so forgotten. Suddenly she felt a little more like the Princess of Hearts and a lot more hopeful. Her destiny wasn’t impossible, because nothing was. Home was far away, but there were ways to bring it closer. Even if just a teeny-weeny-bleeny bit.
And she had you to thank for it.
Y/N: I remember that. I got worried cause I thought you would come to regret telling me about that.
Lizzie smiled warmly.
Lizzie: No. I'm actually quite happy that I did. We did become closer because of it, after all.
Y/N: Well, there was a slight hiccup. But, you did overcome it on your own.
Lizzie: Not without your support.
Y/N: Look, Lizzie, I know how it feels to want to be your parent. But, we're not them. We have to walk our own path, rather that be going off script or fulfilling your destiny. But, either way, you don't have to do it step by step like your mom did. It's okay to, rewrite things a little.
Lizzie looked up at you and couldn't help but feel a bit reassured by your words. Almost like the words you spoke were magical themselves. Like a spell.
But there was no magic. No spell. It was only you speaking earnestly from the bottom of your heart.
Lizzie looked back to her cards and found herself getting an idea. She turned away from you and grabbed her scissors and began to cut them up. After a moment, she began to hang parts of them up.
Lizzie: My mother said to follow her words. But, she didn't say in what order.
She stepped away and revealed the clippings of the cards. Instead of commands and instructions, they were now full of motivation and inspiration. You smiled as you rested your hands on your hips.
Y/N: Not bad, Princess.
Cupid: This is cute. And have the two of you cried in front if each other?
You and Lizzie looked at each other embarrassed.
Y/N: Hey, you alrig....
Lizzie suddenly hugged you which made you freeze. You half way expected her to suddenly stab you with some heart-shaped scissors, but she didn't.
She just cried. You didn't know why, but you suddenly sobbed yourself. Her grip tightened and you finally placed your arms around her.
Seeing her like this just broke you. Maybe it was because you knew what she was feeling. Maybe it was because you knew what she was going through.
You both lost your homes. You couldn't go back. And you didn't know who had it worse.
Lizzie's mother was still alive. She was still out there. But, she can't even reach her. There was no way for her to go home and see her people.
Your people were gone. Your home was in ruins. Even if you did go back, it would be to nothing.
So, you both dropped to your knees and held each other. Lizzie cried, not even caring if anyone saw her. But, when your tears fell, they only fell from one eye. Your other remained dry.
Y/N: It's okay. It's okay, Lizzie. It's okay.
You didn't know who you were talking to anymore.
Y/N: But, uh, I'm not really ashamed by it. I mean, it just means I can show emotion around you, right?
Lizzie: As I recall, faintly mind you, you showed a lot of emotion that day.
Lizzie struck the far wall and slid to the floor, the breath knocked out of her. The doorway the sword had torn was huge, tracing the entire path from where Lizzie had been struck to where she landed.
Your eyes grew wide and you screamed.
Y/N: LIZZIE!
Y/N: Right. Though, not a whole lot of people would remember that day. The Sleeping Spell kinda erased that.
Cupid: Uh....yeah no. No idea.
Blondie: That's a story for later.
Lizzie: Yes. But, that day, he did save my life.
It wrapped its tail around her ankle, and its eyes began to pulse a bright unsettling white. Lizzie felt energy sap out of her with each pulse, the Wonder draining from her bones.
Shuffle, the last hedgehog remaining affixed to the Jabberwock, dropped off the creature and scuttled to Lizzie’s side, nuzzling her with her spikes.
Then, it suddenly let go.
Lizzie's eyes shot open to find you standing there, your bright green flame returning to a blade. You were breathing hard before you dropped to a knee. The sword vanished and the Jabberwock regret it's tail.
Y/N: You won't hurt them. I won't let you. I'm not losing anyone else ever again.
Y/N: Heh. Yeah. That was a....a risk.
Cupid: But you both have animal companions. You know, they say you can judge a person by how animals react by them. How did Shuffle react to Y/N?
Lizzie: Well....
Lizzie: Oh no!
Her hedgehog had leaped from the book bag and was running as fast as her pudgy little legs could carry her, which wasn’t very fast. Because the courtyard was so crowded, the critter managed to disappear in the maze of feet.
Lizzie: Bad hedgehog!
Then, in much the same way that Duchess transformed from a person into a swan, Lizzie transformed from a girl who’d been happily eating a brioche to an ill-tempered future ruler.
Lizzie: I hereby order someone to stop that hedgehog!
She began waving her scepter.
Lizzie: Watch your feet or heads will roll!
Y/N: Looking for this?
Shuffle had curled into a ball and was lying in a pair of cupped hands. Your hands. Shuffle actually quite liked you since you were always so nice to her mistress.
Lizzie: You naughty hedgehog.
Lizzie plucked Shuffle from your hands and plopped her back into her book bag.
Y/N: Always glad to come to the rescue, Liz.
Lizzie: I don’t need to be rescued. I’m perfectly capable of catching my own hedgehog.
Y/N: She loves me.
Lizzie: She is quite fond of you, yes.
Cupid: And how do you feel about each other's destiny?
Lizzie: Well, Y/N here is forgoing his destiny.
Y/N: Right. I realized that there's nothing waiting for me back at Oz. It's a land of ruin. My home is here, at Ever After.
Cupid: And what about hers?
You smiled.
Y/N: We are not doing this destiny crap right now. Everyone just...just shut it for five seconds. Or however long it takes for me to make my point.
You turned back to Lizzie and your expression softened.
Y/N: Your heart has always been set on being the next queen, Lizzie. You can't give up on it now! Not for our freedom. We don't need Courtney's permission to get our freedom....
Courtly: It's Courtly.
Y/N: We can break out of this upside down school. I know, cause we're together.
You held out your hand towards Lizzie who was utterly surpised by your sincere words. Everyone was. It had been a while since they last heard one of your speeches. They've missed it.
Y/N: I support her, 110%.
Lizzie: But, more than that, he supports me. He's always the first, and never hesitates, to comfort me when I need it.
Y/N: How are you holding up, princess?
Lizzie: My mother, I can't save her from Courtly. There's nothing I can do!
Lizzie Hearts then did something she had never really done before.
She cried in front of others.
Today had been a bittersweet one. She got to come back to Wonderland and see you again, but her mother and her home were still in danger. It was all hopeless in her mind. There was nothing she could do.
And not knowing what else to do yourself, you hugged her. You held her tightly as she cried. Then Briar hugged her too. Then Apple, then Kitty, then Raven, then Maddie.
Cupid: You two are so adorable.
But, you didn't really hear her. You were looking at Lizzie. You didn't really realize how much you've been through together. But, in the end, you were both here for each other.
You both made each other want to be better.
Cupid: I think we can wrap it up here. Thank you for your time today!
---------
You and Lizzie walked through the halls of Ever After High together, feeling a bit more giddy than before.
That interview was really an eye opener.
Y/N: I love you.
Lizzie flinched and stopped walking while you continued on. You eventually stopped and looked back.
Y/N: What?
Lizzie was completely red in the face.
Lizzie: I-I-I...you can't just say something like that so suddenly!
You smirked.
Y/N: And why is that? We're together now, so why is it a problem?
Lizzie didn't say anything at first. She just lowered her head and hurried to your side. She grabbed your hand and pulled you along. Once you were around the corner where no one would see you, she leaned up and gave you a kiss on the cheek.
Lizzie: I love you too, but please do keep those to a minimum. At least until I get used to it.
You smiled. You had all the time in the world to enjoy this. Why not enjoy it?
Y/N: Alright. I can do that.
The End Is Just The Beginning....
Tina laid on her bed in frustration and anger. She couldn't believe that you were just throwing everything away so easily. She hated you. Oz was your home and you were just abandoning it.
All for some people you didn't even know a year ago.
Tina: That idiot.
Oswalt: He really is.
Tina lifted her head at the voice to find Oswalt leaning against the wall. She stared at him as he stared back.