Twst Upon A Time - EloquentCoconut (2024)

Chapter 1: Into The Unknown Part 1

Chapter Text

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‘Bzzt bzzt!’

Reaching into my coat pocket, gloved hands feel around for a buzzing cell phone. Pressing the power button, a funky email notification appears on screen.

🏆😾 𝕐𝔬υ ℍ𝔸Ｖ𝑒 ᗷ𝐄εᶰ αᑕⓒ𝔢ρ𝓉ｅｄ 𝐢𝐧ⓉＯ 𝐧ŕ𝐜 𝓒lเς𝓀 𝔫𝕠ʷ 🐠♔

‘Another damn spam email! I wish you would go away, persistent garbage.’ Swiping the no doubt virus riddled email in the trash I shove my phone back into my pocket with an aggravated sigh.

‘It’s been a week of blocking and reporting these nonsensical texts and yet it somehow miraculously overrides everything.’

‘Riiiiing!’

Whipping out my phone in annoyance, I already knew who would be calling.

🐸♣ ηⓘ𝓖𝒽𝕥 ⓡ𝔸𝓋Ⓔⓝ ℂØⓛᒪ𝐀𝓰є 🥨ൠ

𝔵ⓧ᙭ - Ⓧⓧ𝓧

‘Sorry secret siren but I’m blocking out your calls.’ Another report and block were made.

‘Such a weird scam, pretending to be a mobile game. I haven’t played that game in years, and I didn’t even finish it. Was the story ever completed anyway?’

Letting the disturbance go, you look up and take in the ambience of a serene winter’s night. You often strolled around on winter nights, finding the scene and atmosphere captivating. Trees fitted in ivory coats while their crystallized branches chimed in the wind, streetlights highlighting the snow shifting and sparking in such a way that it mimicked sand, and a chill that illuminates your breath, and reddens your face, all made you feel present. The only sounds to be heard are the crunches of your own footsteps and the odd car that drives by.

Removing your gloves you stop every so often to take photos, attempting to capture the beauty of nature. After a while, satisfied with tonight’s finds, you turn around to return home.

‘I can’t wait to put on warm fluffy clothes and drink a peppermint hot chocolate with whip cream and drizzle on top.’

Interrupted from your fantasy, you noticed something was off.

‘The moon is high in the sky but why is it getting darker?’

Turning around you watch in the distance as the streetlights slowly begin to fade. There’s a pattern you realize, every five seconds another light goes out getting closer to you. You turn away, face huddled into your scarf and resume walking.

‘I have enough time to make it home before getting caught up in the dark, I don’t think it’s a power outage, the way the lights are waiting to go out is too coincidental. Faintly it almost sounds like hooves and something with wheels are in the distance, but I don’t see anything… I’ve never seen a horse in this area either, but it’s too ‘cloppy’ to be a person.’

The lights begin to pick up their pace in going out, feeling unnerved you decide to run home and pray you don’t run into any icy spots and slip.

Your labored breathing and steps are magnified; you can’t imagine hearing anything else, but the noises seem to be getting louder.

‘I’m not looking back. I’m not looking back, I don’t want to know, I just want to go home.’

Unfortunately, you couldn’t outrun the darkness as all the lights have vanished in front of you. The absence of light doesn’t deter your speed and instead spurs you on more. You can see your house now, one right turn, fly up the stairs, get inside and lock the doors. You’re practically home free!

As you turn into your driveway a glowing green horse materializes right in front of you. Screaming at the sudden apparition you fall back not wanting to crash into the skeletal ghost. The horse lowers its head to your view and snorts green smoke, you feel nothing but fear.

‘WHAT IS THIS?! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!’

You scramble backwards on the ground and the ghost horse makes no move to follow. Rising from the ground you see the horse is connected to a low ebony cart with no rider.

The transparency of the cart leaves nothing to the imagination: the sides, front, and back are glass, with curtains tied up for viewing; what lies inside is a coffin.

‘Grim reaper horse?! Victorian carriage hearse?’

With adrenaline coursing through your system, you cannot help but voice your concerns loudly.

“What do you want?! I’m not dead yet and I don't plan to be any time soon!”

Turning away from the horse you run like the fires of hell are on your heels, but the horse elongates its neck, grabs hold of the back of your jacket and throws you over its shoulder.

“AHHHHHHHHHH!” You scream until your back slams through the carriage rooftop and into the coffin. Dazed with the wind knocked out of you, the lid creeps back over to seal you in. You pass out.

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Fading into consciousness you’re left with swirling thoughts.

‘Why do I feel so stiff? Why is it so stuffy?’

You try to sit up but find yourself alright upright causing you to hit your head against a wall.

‘???’

‘!!!’

“I’m in a box?! No the coffin! This is so much worse!”

Panic overtakes you as you fight against the confines of the lid. Kicking and pushing against the cover with all your might until finally a sliver of light floods in. Viciously you slide the cover off, stumbling out of the box and falling onto your knees.

“Fwaanya!”

Colliding into gray fur, the puff ball begins to berate you.

“What?! You ain't supposed to be awake! Tch. Whatever. You...human! Just gimme your uniform, and be quick about it!”

You were too focused on correcting your breathing, and trying to calm yourself to answer the talking cat. You noticed that your clothes had been swapped for black robes with purple accents and gold trimmings. The cat crawled out from under you, the blue flames from his ears burning brighter.

“Oh-ho! You got a lotta nerve ignoring me, human! The name's Grim. Believe me, you won't forget it! Now gimme your uniform, and be quick about it! 'Cause if you don't...you're gonna regret it!”

‘Grim? Grim from twst? Whatever is happening it looks like that little monster is about to launch a fireball at me! Even if this is some sort of deranged dream I’m not burning to find out!”

With your heart no longer ringing in your ears, you bolt out of the nearest exit; a stone archway leading into a dark hallway. The room you had awoken in was filled with similar dark coffins neatly placed vertically in rows, but now wasn’t the time to reminisce about the past.

You hear Grim chase after you, not particularly listening to his vague threats until you hear him let out a ‘me-OUCH’ and turn to see a man wearing a gaudy top hat with the top half of his face concealed by a raven mask, glowing yellow orbs where his eyes should be. He’s holding onto Grim and covering the little rascal’s mouth.

“Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid. I trust you're one of this year's new students? My, were you ever eager to make your debut. And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school's rules.”

‘Good gracious that voice! This is headmaster Dire Crowley of Night Raven College! But this feels more compelling than a dream, am I actually in twst?? Why?’

“Dear me. Of all the students I've dealt with, you're the first with temerity enough to open their own gate and step out of it. Does the very notion of patience elude you? No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber.”

Crowley makes a motion for me to walk with him so I follow not knowing what else to do as Grim continues to squirm and make muffled noises of protest in his hold.

I don’t know what to say so I’ll just remain silent, Crowley seems like the type of bird that likes to hear himself squawk so it’s fine right? But what gate? The coffin?

My confusion must be visible as Crowley opts to elaborate.

“You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until I open them before waking up.”

Headmaster Crowley sounds a bit miffed at the inconvenience I’ve caused him, I’m a bit surprised. I remember him being just so goofy. From his dramatic feathered and trinket cluttered attire and being a bit bird brained… I should probably keep my eyes out for Headmaster Crowley, he’s in charge of a prestigious school, I doubt he’s actually that dumb unless he’s a pawn like that crow from Maleficent.

“But now is not the time for such prattle. You've a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste.”

Headmaster Crowley makes a shooing motion with his hands as he follows me. Probably to make sure I don’t cause any more trouble. In order to blend in I’ll have to play along, which isn’t too difficult given how confused I still am.

“First just tell me one thing: Where am I?”

“Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories… Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless.”

‘Oh yeah, Headmaster Crowley’s ‘generosity’ knows no bounds, how could I forget or possibly be allowed to?’

I tune out the Headmaster for the most part, magical institution this, acting chairman that, blah blah blah, until he says something that catches my ear.

“Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college. Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those "gates," which can appear anywhere. A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you.”

‘Did the Dark Mirror make a mistake though? As far as I remember ‘Yu’ never acquires magic or magical abilities? And if the lesson is some silly ass sh*t like ‘friendship was the real magic all along’ I’ll throw up. I doubt it’s that type of game but still.’

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget that frightening horse.” I grab my arms and shudder.

“That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bears a gate that connects to this campus. And as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition.”

“So this carriage dragged me here against my will?”

I mean lets be real, we already knew this but I think it bears repeating.

Headmaster Crowley poignantly ignores me as Grim fervently struggles to shake the Headmaster’s grip.

“Now, let us attend to your orientation.”

We certainly took the long way around to enter the ceremony, wherever the ‘display room’ was, through the hallway, into the library, out to the courtyard, entering through the front iron gates past the parked hearses, and now in front of the grand oak doors… I really must be out of it thinking the Headmaster was going to be subtle and take us through the side door and not the main entrance.

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Chapter 2: Into The Unknown Part 2

Notes:

I'm posting the prologue all in one go.

Chapter Text

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Headmaster Crowley made great fanfare in flinging open the doors, but none of the few remaining people inside paid us any mind. All the inhabitants also wore the same robes you were, you chalked it up to being a ceremonial thing.

Seeing the game in real life sure is freaky, floating mirrors and coffins are abundant in this space.

"We're done with orientation and dorm assignments? All right, new students—let me be clear. At Heartslabyul House, I am the law. Break the rules, and it's off with your head!"

'Oh my it's the housewardens, Riddle is as 'enthusiastic' as ever...'

"Hey, does anyone know where the headmage went? He disappeared midway through the ceremony..." Vil turned with an elegant flip of his blonde purple ombre hair to the group of prefects.

"Some headmage he is."

If floating tablets could eye roll, this one certainly would be.

"Maybe he had a tummyache?"

Hahaha, Idia and Kalim get his ass.

"I most certainly did not! If you must know, I was searching for the new student who'd failed to show for orientation." The Headmaster fumed.

Turning to me he continued, "You are the only one who has yet to be assigned a dorm. Step up to the Dark Mirror, and be quick about it. I'll watch your weasel."

Walking up the short concrete stairs, I stand in the center of the platform staring at the Dark Mirror. The Dark Mirror is practically the Evil Mirror from Snow White but wears an intricate black detailed mask over his eyes.

"State your name." The Dark Mirror speaks.

'I really don't think it would be wise for me to say my real name now that I'm here, uhh most people here are named from which fairytale they hail from either blatantly or in reference... Can't take any of theirs for inspiration...'

"My name is Thorn Silvanus."

'Thorn in reference to my favorite ballet, and Silvanus is just Latin for 'forest.' I don't know for certain if I have taken the role of MC here, I could be sorted into a house.'

"Thorn...The nature of your soul is...

......

...unclear to me."

Stunned gasps and murmurs filled the air.

The Headmaster balks "What did you just say?"

Damn looks like I really am the MC but was there ever any doubt?

The Dark Mirror carries on, "I sense no magical power from this one. Soundless. Colorless. Shapeless. Utterly vacant. Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate."

"Are you suggesting that the black carriage went to receive a person who cannot even use magic? But that is absurd! The student selection process has not erred once in its century of existence! How could this have happened?" The Headmaster was dumbfounded, as was everyone else in the room.

Of course not all who heard the news were shell shocked, Grim hearing this had new found vigor and escaped the Headmaster's hold.

"ME! Let ME have this student's seat! Unlike that human, I can actually use magic! So let me be a student here! Look, I'll show you! My spells are the cat's meow!"

"Not so fast, you little hyperactive weasel!" The Headmaster admonished, but it was too late.

"Everyone get down!" Riddle yelled as Grim began to set the room ablaze in blue flames, he even caught Kalim's but on fire!

"Ugh... Can I go now, or?" Leona asked nonchalantly with a yawn.

"Oh? I thought you fancied yourself a hunter. Go and help yourself to that plump little morsel!" Vil prodded at Leona.

Leona's tail flicked irritability "Too much effort. Do it yourself."

Panicked voices and people filtered out of the room as it continued to be filled with Grim's blue flames and Kalim's pleas to save his butt.

"Would someone catch that blasted animal before it sets the entire school ablaze!" Headmaster Crowley shouted over the chaos.

Azul stepped up to the task prepared to farm participation credits and take responsibility. And by responsibility he meant asking Riddle to use his unique magic to stop the small cat devil and taking some of the credit. A businessman through and through.

Azul and Riddle took out their fountain pens which doubled as their magic wands and eventually cornered Grim and put an end to his fiery reign. Riddle used his unique magic 'Off With Your Head' and a heart shaped collar with a lock materialized around Grim's neck sealing his magic.

"Fwnya?! What are you doing?" Grim asked, trying to pry the collar off with his paws and forked tail.

"Thorn! Was I not clear that you are expected to take responsibility for your familiar? Now discipline your—"

"Headmaster Crowley I've never claimed this creature as my familiar."

"What's that? It isn't yours?"

That took the wind out of his sails.

"Ahem. Then I shall have it expelled from campus. I shall even spare it from being served as dinner. For I AM kind... Someone take this away, please."

The Headmaster scuffed Grim by his new collar and held him away from his body. A npc from the Heartslabyul dorm took Grim and marched him off somewhere, to be kicked out I assume.

"Nooooo! Let me gooooo! You fools better remember my name! Cause I'm gonna go down in the annals of magic history! Just you wait!" Grim whined and his eyes looked like they would burst any minute.

This is just too pitiful! Poor Grimmy! I know he's a bit rough around the edges, but who wouldn't crumble at such a cute animal all things considered.

I couldn't help but ask out loud to no one in particular "I wonder why he's so desperate to stay here?"

"Well, that was quite the unexpected fracas. I hereby declare that orientation has concluded. Housewardens, please escort your students back to the dorms....Hm? Come to think of it, I don't see Housewarden Draconia of House Diasomnia anywhere" The Headmaster stated.

"And that surprises you? Dude's a total recluse." The Housewarden of Savanaclaw supplied.

Truthfully I'm more surprised the lazy lion beastmen Leona is still here.

"Wait a sec... Did anyone even invite him?" Kalim the Housewarden of Scarabia gasped wide eyed at his own revelation.

Vil quick on a comeback said, "If you're that worried about him missing out, maybe you should have told him yourself."

Man this is just sad for Malleus, I kinda forget why Malleus is excluded. Is it his reputation in society being so high? Or is his magical aura just too intense to be in his presence? But then again how hard is it to send him an email? Idia, Housewarden of Ignihyde, uses a tablet as his vessel of choice. Azul, Housewarden of Octavinelle, claims it is not a snub on their part, but like c'mon guys.

Everyone exits the area following their respective Housewarden into their assorted dorm to start their new way of life at Night Raven Collage.

Headmaster Crowley approaches me "Well, Thorn. This is a most unfortunate turn of events. I'm afraid that you will not be attending Night Raven Collage after all. Surely you realize that I cannot very well admit a student with no magical ability to my academy. But worry not. The Dark Mirror will see you safely home. Now, step into the gate, and visualize the place from whence you came."

"Oh thank heavens for that." I don't know how I would cope trying to live in this world starting from scratch and alone, it sounds so daunting. I wonder if everyone in this universe has magic? I'd be like an alien to these people.

I stand in the center of the platform once more, however the Dark Mirror's face does not appear.

"O Dark Mirror! Return this soul where it belongs!"

...

No response. Feeling flustered, Headmaster Crowley tries again, but the Dark Mirror interrupts.

"There is no such place in this world where this soul belongs. None. Therefore, I cannot return them." The Dark Mirror states matter of factly.

"How can that be? My, my. But today is a veritable cavalcade of impossible phenomena! This has never happened throughout my long tenure. I must confess that I am at something of a loss. Tell me: From what land do you hail?"

"I'm from xx country of xx city."

I wasn't sure if mentioning 'I'm from the planet Earth' would be relevant or not. Sure I've never heard of this place being real in my world aside from being a fictional land from a video game, but I also never got too deep in the game's lore.

"I'm afraid I am not familiar with such a place. I am intimately acquainted with the origins of every student who has ever come here, and yet... This mysterious homeland of yours eludes me. Let us go to the library and look it up, shall we?"

Headmaster Crowley guides me back to the library. There isn't much to note on the architecture in the hallways, just your run of the mill castle and dark academia aesthetic.

Headmaster Crowely expertly began collecting contents of the library and amassing a historical haul of maps and books laid out on a long table. As he skimmed and cross referenced the historical texts, I explored the two storied library.

Some book titles were familiar: a Tale of Two Cities, Romeo and Juliet, some were vaguely familiar: The Sea Witch's Business Philosophy, The King of the Underworld Untold, and some were not: Potionology for the Beginner Sorcerer, and Animal Languages the Do's and Don'ts Volume 5.

"Just as I'd suspected. Nothing. Not only is your homeland not listed on any map from any point in history, I've never heard of it and I am quite knowledgeable on the subject of history and geography."

Headmaster Crowley raised from his studious lean and turned to watch me climb down the second story ladder.

"Now, are you QUITE sure that you come from such a place? That wasn't some sort of lie, or joke? Because if so, the only explanation is that you've come from another planet. Or perhaps you were summoned here from another dimension?"

'Okay. I'm going to have to come to terms with that this isn't some sort of hot chocolate induced nightmare.This is real. But I never finished the game so I have no idea if the protagonist ever got to go home or if there was a reason why the protagonist was summoned in the first place or how long they stayed! AHHHHHHH!'

Interrupting my internal screaming, I try to comfort myself.

'Wait a minute. This is an otome game right? And its fairytale-esque, therefore, the protagonist probably falls in love and is forced home with a bittersweet ending! This is fine! I wonder if time passes the same in my world though... Oh man Crowley's staring at me I better say something.'

"Another dimension!? How is this possible?" I don't sound as worked up as I feel, I hope.

"Show me everything that you brought here with you. Do you have some form of identification, a driver's license perhaps? Or even a...shoe? You do seem a tad bit...empty-handed." Headmaster Crowley looked at me sheepishly.

"Well before I woke up in that "gate" I was wearing my winter gear, and my phone was in my pocket. I don't want to get into who changed me, but wherever my clothes may be... I don't know where they are."

"Well, this is quite the predicament. I cannot have someone with no aptitude for magic bumbling about my magic academy. And yet, as an educator, I am loath to expel a young person without a cent to their name, or any ability to contact their guardian... Truly, my grace is boundless. Hmmmmm... Ah!

There is a vacant building on this campus. It was, in fact, used as a dorm a long time ago. With a proper cleaning, it should be habitable enough. Out of the profound kindness of my heart, I will allow you to live there for the time being. In the meantime, we will investigate other ways to send you home.

Dear me, but I am a gracious man indeed! A model educator, one might say. Well then, I shall take you to your dorm straight away. It is an older building, but it has plenty of...character, one might say."

'So there was an eighth dorm? I wonder which villain got the cut or why it was abandoned? Man this literally the least of the LEAST Crowley could do, honestly. Man, am I going to have to convince one of the staff members to adopt me so I can in theory have access to running water and safe lodging and be eligible to work and acquire government IDs? Ahhhh, what a pain to think about.'

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Chapter 3: Into The Unknown Part 3

Notes:

"Find the hidden Mickey." - Sometimes I put lines of dialog from Disney movies or lyrics, or Disney references throughout the fic. Can you find them all? ;-)

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Trailing along the silver and black cobblestone path, with short rounded streetlamps, the Headmaster stops at a building that gives off the same vibe as that mansion from that Eddie Murphy movie: haunted.

With a push of a rusted gate that leaves red flakes in its squeaky movement, the Headmaster opens the front door and ushers me inside revealing a room that no living creature could find pleasant. With dust, cobwebs, spots, water damage, broken and torn furniture and housing alike, this place was teetering on abysmal. I know it's useless but I must voice my protest.

"Headmaster there's character and then there's an OSHA violation, and this is the latter."

With a flick of his jewel covered gloves, the Headmaster announces "There. That should keep the elements at bay for the time being. Now, I should return to my research. Do try to find some way to busy yourself. But don't let me catch you wandering the campus! Ta! Ta!"

"There's quite literally not even a place to sit." I say quietly to myself staring a hole into the torn couch.

I've got my work cut out for me in more ways than one... Well it's not like I'm unused to hardships, I can do without most things, doesn't mean I like it though. I've always been resourceful and crafty, and if I can even make just one friend with someone... Even if I can't, I'll be fine. I haven't any choice but to be if I want to rescue myself. Crowley won't put that much effort into helping me return home, it makes me wonder about my theory; is he a pawn that someone higher than him needs me here?

"Gwahhh! It's pouring out there!"

Grim jumps through the open window next to me, his splat and shaking to get dry gets water all over myself making it look like we both just came in from the pouring rain. I spit out the flung water and wipe off my face.

"Bwahaha! That look on your face is priceless! Like a bat that got blasted by a water gun. As if I wouldn't just sneak back onto campus the second I escaped pryin' eyes. You all got no idea what I'm capable of! I ain't givin' up on goin' here just 'cause I got kicked out one measly ol' time. And if you think otherwise, you don't know Grim!"

I know I'm stuck with the co*cky weasel, but might as well torment my future friend.

Cupping my hands around my mouth in dramatic fashion I call out "Guards! Guarrrds!"

"Hey! No! Bad human! BAD HUMAN! Ain't you gonna ask what I'm doin' here? That's what you people do, right? Talk about feelings and stuff? Just what kinda human are ya, anyway? It wouldn't kill ya to listen to me! Right?!"

Grim wags his paw at me and shifts around avoiding the water droplets that seep through the ceiling.

"I was born to do this! I'm a magical prodigy who's got the makin's to become one of the greatest mages who ever lived! So I've been waitin' and waitin' for that black carriage to come for me. And yet...

Hrmph! That Dark Mirror's got no eye for talent! That's why I took the initiative and came here myself. You humans don't understand what a mistake you're makin'! Not lettin' me in is a great loss to the world! Mrrao! C'mon, scoot over! I'm getting dripped on here! Bwah! Another hole in the roof! These flamin' ears are like my trademark, y'know? I can't let 'em get doused!"

Crossing my arms I state the obvious to Grim "Good luck with that, this place is riddled with holes, if you haven't noticed the state of this dorm."

"I dunno why you don't just magic those holes away. You could have it fixed in half a jiff. Ahhh, right. You can't use magic at all. Pffft, man you're useless." Grim looked smug, like he had just won a battle of wits, but how quickly he forgets, he just told on himself that he can't fix the holes either.

"Grim, why don't you just magic away the holes then if it's such a bother?"

"Hah? You want ME to help YOU? Ha! You got the wrong idea. I'm just a stranger takin' shelter from the rain. You ain't the boss of me. If ya had some cans of tuna to trade, well, that'd be another story. But I don't work for free."

'No one works for free indeed. But these leaks are getting out of control, I can't just let them accelerate the floor's rot. There aren't enough buckets in the world to get all the holes. Ughhhhh.'

A loud creak and a slamming of a door echoes from a shabby hallway. 'Great the white blanket ghosts ed, edd, and eddy are making their debut.'

Chapter 4: Into The Unknown Part 4

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Sunlight filters in through the old frosted windows, illuminating the room, but that isn't what stirs Grim and I from our slumber.

"Hee hee hee... Aren't the two of you supposed to be off cleaning the school today?" Ghost A questions.

'Hmm? Who said... That?' I drowsily think but ultimately go back to sleep.

"Mmmmm... Nngh... Five more minutes, Ma..." Grim sleepily muttered.

"Go ahead, sleep the day away. And you might not eeever hafta wake up again." Ghost B jokes.

"Just like us! Ah ha ha ha ha ha!" Ghost C bellows.

"Myah?! The ghosts are back! Hey, Thorn, up and at 'em!"

Grim turbo launched himself at my abdomen and I flew up out of bed with a start.

"I'm awake! I'm awake! Gwah! Ghosts again?!"

Grim and I were ready for another ghost attack, but instead the ghosts just laughed at how serious we were explaining they were just a couple of pranksters.

"We gotta get rid of these things for good!"

"Couldn't agree with you more Grimmy," I got off the bed and was about to cross the threshold until I bumped into Headmaster Crowley.

"Can we have any privacy that lasts more than five seconds? Sheesh."

Ignoring my comment, the Headmaster smiled "Good morning Thorn, did you sleep well?"

Grim was quick on the uptake to voice his complaints "Not at all! When I sprawled out on the bed, the mattress fell right through the frame! Exactly how ramshackle IS this dorm? And worse yet, we got woken up by ghosts!"

"The sleep and the wakeup call was lovely." I say with a mock smile.

"I am delighted to hear that you've adjusted so well, despite being sent to another world!"

I'm going to roll my eyes into the sun, tactless bird, "Don't they have sarcasm where you're from?"

"Now, speaking of moving on, let us discuss your assignment for today."

Oop. Struck a nerve there perhaps.

The Headmaster makes his way back down the stairs into the lounge while I make my way to the bathroom to make myself feel and look somewhat more presentable.

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"Your job today is to clean the campus. That said, the campus is vast, and without magic, it'd be quite the Herculean task to clean it all. Therefore, today I'll have you focus on the area spanning from the front gates to the library.

Now, Thorn... I do expect that you'll keep a close eye on Grim, lest he cause another incident like yesterday."

"Headmaster, I'll try, but I have no control over the sentient hairball." I give Grim a side eye.

"HEY!?'

"Do not fail me. You may take your lunch in the cafeteria. I eagerly await the fruits of your labor."

The Headmaster took his leave once more, I noticed a janitorial outfit neatly folded on the couch.

'I know he said ''take your lunch in the cafeteria'' but somehow I doubt he means the food will be free of charge, and if that's the case I doubt I'll have access to a washing machine for free either, the water is spotty and questionable here. I guess I could find a river to wash my ceremonial robes in and hope for sunny weather to dry them.'

"Hrmph. I ain't cleanin' nothin'! I'm here to study magic so I can be blastin' off spells left and right! Like BAM! POW! FWOOM!" Grim made a great show of miming a fight scene.

"We can study right after work is over."

"Hmmph."

Typical Grim behavior. I give pouty ears a can of tuna for breakfast and cop one for myself. It's fine for a person to eat right? This isn't like exclusively cat food?

Putting on my work gear and fashioning my hair out of my face, it's time to conquer cleaning!

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Main street was wide and held an air of prestige with seven statues known as 'The Great Seven' outlining the entrance. Taking in all the details of the craftsmanship of these mascots could rival Michelangelo's artistry.

"Wow, so this is Main Street, huh? This is incredible! I didn't get to see it much yesterday. What's the deal with these seven statues? All their faces look pretty scary. Like, this lady here looks like she's got some reeeal anger management issues." Grim said standing in front of the first statue.

Scanning the inscriptions on the statues I walk through and read off the main points to Grim.

"Each statue correlates with a dormitory here based off of the classic Disney villains and their theme:

the Queen of Hearts is the representative of Heartslabyul and is based of the spirit of strictness,

Scar is the representative of Savanaclaw and is based off of the spirit of persistence,

Ursula is the representative of Octavinelle and is based off of the spirit of benevolence,

Jafar is the representative of Scarabia and is based off of the spirit of mindfulness,

The Evil Queen is the representative of Pomefiore and is based off of the spirit of tenacity,

Hades is the representative of Ignihyde and is based off of the spirit of diligence,

And finally, Maleficent is the representative of Diasomina and is based off of the spirit of nobility."

"Whoa whoa whoa, that is not how you introduce The Great Seven, here let someone who actually knows what they're talking about take the lead before you hurt yourself."

Yippie! Ace-hole has arrived, I really thought I could speed run this and avoid Ace's mischief. I suppose being a main character entails that you're confined to the expectations of the plot, certain plot points must be hit, but at least I still have the illusion of free will and can be myself, sorta.

Ace acts like he's doing us a tremendous service and walks us back to the beginning to spin us a yarn on the lore of these Twisted Wonderland legends that Grim and I shan't soon forget.

"The Queen of Hearts? She was a queen who lived in a mazelike garden of roses long, long ago. She was a strict woman who prized order above all. She wouldn't tolerate a rose being off-color, or her playing-card soldiers being out of step. She basically ruled over a kingdom of madness, but not one of her subjects dared to defy her. You wanna know why? Because the punishment for breaking a rule was immediate decapitation!"

'Not to rain all over the Queen of Hearts parade, but wasn't there a 'White Queen' in that land too? I'll admit I don't know how she ruled her queendom but the atmosphere was much lighter, not so tyrannical.'

"Pretty cool, right? I'm a big fan. I mean, who would bother to obey a queen that was kind all the time?" Ace smiled.

"That's messed up! But, yeah, true. A leader needs to be strong. But puttin' that aside... Who're you, now?' Grim asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Name's Ace. I'm a first year student here, as of... today! Pleased to meetcha!"

"I'm Grim! I'm a prodigy whos plannin' to be, like, the greatest mage who ever lived.That there's my far less interesting hench-human."

"I'm not anyone's hench-anything you menace, my name is Thorn Silvanus."

"Thorn Silvanus? Name's got an odd ring to it."

'Ya, everyone's names here are all equally 'odd' let's just let bygones be bygones.'

Ace carries on with his tour.

"Here's the King of Beasts who ruled the savanna. But he wasn't born into the throne - he had to earn it through hard work and elaborate schemes. When he became king, he decreed that the hyenas would be pariahs no more, and should live among his subjects as equals."

'That's certainly a positive way to look at it. Isn't history and publications interesting in that way? The things we take as historical accuracy all depends on whose side you're on and the intentions behind it. Of course take my musings with a grain of salt as I am referencing Disney movies and not Twst's history.'

"The Sea Witch who lived in an underwater grotto. She basically devoted her life to helping troubled merfolk. If they were willing to pay the price, she'd help them change their appearance, find love, whatever! They say she was so good, there was no wish she couldn't grant. They also say the price was a tad steep, though. But she was granting wishes! Of course it was!"

'This tale is pretty upfront, there's risks involved in getting what you want and how you're willing to get it. Although she may emotionally manipulate or play off of or and threaten the signers, some businesses are like that and are known for that and still sought after.'

"That's the Sorcerer of the Sands. He was an advisor to a total dolt of a sultan. He was a smart guy. Really capable sort. He exposed this swindler once - some guy pretending to be a prince in order to trick the princess! After that, he got this magic lamp and became the greatest sorcerer in the world. Then, they say... he used that power to become sultan himself!"

'I feel like I could say this about all of the historic tales heard thus far, but we're missing some pieces of the story. Some big details I fear.'

"She's a queen who was said to be the fairest in all the land. In fact, she used her magic mirror to check how she ranked on a daily basis! When it looked like her position was threatened, they say she'd do whatever it took to keep it. Can you even imagine the level of dedication it would require to keep a record like that? Also, they say she was a master of making poisons!"

"Geez. She's pretty, but that sounds kinda scary." Grim shivered.

"You think so? I gotta respect the hustle!" Ace praised.

"Same. She'd make a killing on 'The Real House Wives' or as a mogul."

Ace just gave me a bewildered look at that.

"On my planet, this is hilarious."

"Here is the King of the underworld! Single-handedly ruling a kingdom packed with rambunctious spirits - that takes competence! He may look scary, but he was a straight shooter who worked tirelessly at a tough job he never even asked for. I mean, this is the guy who was ordering Cerberus, the Hydra, and the Titans into battle for him."

"Hmm. That IS something. T'think he could have that much power and not let it go to his head! And that last one there, with the horns?" Grim pointed.

"That's the Thorn Fairy who lived on a mythical mountain. She was noble and elegant, and a master of magic and curses - even by the standards of these seven! She commanded storms, covered the kingdom with thorns... She could use magic on a massive scale! She could even turn herself into a giant dragon."

"Ooh. a dragon! What all monsters yearn to be!" Grim awed with sparkles in his eyes.

"Pretty cool, huh? Not like some piddling weasel." Ace doubled over laughing clutching his stomach.

"Myah?!"

"He got you good there Grim." I conceal my laughter with a cough.

"Pfft... Ah ha ha! I can't hold it back anymore! Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Come on, you're the ones who turned orientation into such a fiasco, right?

The one summoned by the Dark Mirror who can't even use magic, and the monster no on summoned at all. It took everything I had not to burst into laughter right in the middle of the ceremony!" Ace has tears running down his face now.

"H-hey! You don't gotta be a jerk about it!" Grim scowled at Ace, flames flickering.

"Ya, lighten up you Ace-hole."

"So in the end, neither of you got admitted, and now you're janitors? Ah ha ha! SO lame! And you're both so clueless you don't even know who the Great Seven are. Not a one of them! Maybe before you try getting into the academy again, you ought to take a second crack at kindergarten? Ah ha ha ha ha!"

Grim let out a low growl, shifting to an attack position.

"Get his ass Grim."

"Myuh-uh! You ain't walkin' away from me! It's too late for that! Myaaaaah!"

Grim let out a series of flames, but I forgot Ace's unique magic was wind and he's blowing the fireballs in random directions and causing damage to the school!

It's too late for anyone to separate them now, too absorbed in their own fight. Their ruckus draws in a large crowd of students, uh oh.

"Oh no! Now the Queen of Hearts's statue looks like it's been flame-broiled!" Ace yelled in a panic.

"That's literally your fault for trying to divert the flames carelessly! You should of took your burning like a man!" I gotta defend Grimmy somewhat.

"You stay out of this magicless dweeb!"

A hush fell over the area, all onlookers suddenly grew less rowdy. With a motion the dust settles and in enters the Headmaster looking very displeased.

"What is the meaning of this!? Cease this at once!" Headmaster Crowley took out his magic infused whip and lashed Grim and Ace to settle them down.

'Thank heaven's Crowley didn't hear my comment or else I fear I would have received, as Grim eloquently put it, 'a lashing of love.' Or maybe I would have been spared given that I have no magic. Perks of being a magicless alien.'

"Did I not just warn you, "no more incidents"? And now you've charred one of my statues?! It's almost as though you WANT to be expelled!" The Headmaster told Ace.

As Ace begged for forgiveness, Headmaster Crowley turned to me next and gave me a stern talking as well.

"And you Thorn, you were specifically told to keep Grim under control!"

"I have no excuses, Headmaster."

"Listen well, you three. As punishment for today's infractions, you are hereby ordered to wash a hundred windows!"

As Grim and Ace complained in shock that their actions had consequences, a hundred windows doesn't sound too strenuous all things considered, and assuming I'm the only janitorial team for a specific area it was probably on the to do list anyways.

"You will all meet in the cafeteria after classes are over, do you understand?"

"Ugh. I can't catch a break." Grim muttered.

"Grim, I cannot stress this enough, that is my line."

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Sitting in an empty cafeteria with Grim, save for the lunch staff, was jarring as we waited for Ace to show up.

"I'm already exhausted from a full day of cleanin'. I can't believe we still gotta wash a hundred windows!" Grim placed his head on the cafeteria table with a sign.

"Grim what if the next time someone said something you didn't like you just IGNORED IT and not take it personally?"

Ignoring my advice, Grim lamented some more, "What's buggin' me is, Ace ain't even here yet! To make us wait, after what he did... Grrr! He's so late I bet he bailed on us!"

"It's 'Ass Crappola' he would. At this point I don't care if we have to drag him kicking and screaming, he is not getting out of this."

Grim chuckles at the nickname as we stand from our seats, "Ain't no way am I doin' his punishment for him! Let's hunt that guy down Thorn!"

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Wandering through the school's semi empty hallways, Grim and I turn into the first open door we see.

"Ace! You can't hide from me! Get out here!

...

Maybe the classroom really is empty?" Grim surveyed the area.

Before we left a voice spoke up.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. I'm here."

"Bwaaaah! That painting just talked!' All the fur on Grim stood up. I was startled as well, the sight of a talking painting is a bit eerie.

"Yes, and...? Is a talking painting really such an oddity at this school? The lady in the portrait on that wall talks too. As does the gentleman in the portrait on this one. As long as a painting has a mouth, why wouldn't it be able to talk? Is that really so strange?'

Ariana over here makes a compelling case, which means one of these paintings must have seen or heard Ace and knows where he went.

"Could you help us? We're looking for a red-haired student with a heart mark over his right eye, his name is Ace Trappola." I mime the heart over my eye.

"Ah, I know the one. A new student, I believe? Today was his first day at school. I think he went back to his dorm a while ago."

"Myaaah! So it's true! He's tryin' to ditch us! Do you know which way he went?"

"The door to the dorms is in the eastern building.'

Thanking the painting Grim and I rush out to the eastern building.

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Finding the 'door' to the dorms was simple enough. Gothic archways framed seven gigantic full body mirrors, Ace was making his way to the first mirror.

'So it would appear that certain mirrors here function as a 'portal.' The campus is already so large, and the dormitories must have sizable amounts of facilities and land in their own right.'

"Yeah right, like I'm gonna wash a hundred windows. I'm just gonna go back and—"

"AHA! GOTCHA, PUNK!" Grim launched himself to stop Ace from crossing over.

It became a game of 'cat and mouse' as Grim and I chased after Ace trying to keep him from crossing over through the mirror back to the Heartslabyul dorm. Ace was too slippery and tricky, he out maneuvered us, but he was blocked by someone exiting the portal.

"...Hm?" The new boy looked up.

"Outta my way!" Ace grabbed him by the shoulders and tried to physically move him.

"Hey?! What gives?!" The spade left eye covered boy stood his ground and refused to give in to Ace.

"Please don't let him pass! He's weaseling out on his responsibilities!" I cry out.

"What? That's not right! But how do I stop him?" The blue haired boy began to mutter about ropes and ice, causing Grim and I to become frazzled.

"I don't care how! Just do something! Anything!" Grim yelled while pulling on Ace's blazer.

"Anything?! Anything, huh... All right! Here goes anything!" Taking out his fountain pen wand he chanted "I summon thee... something heavy!"

The biggest iron cauldron I have ever seen materialized above Ace's head and came crashing down, flattening him to the floor.

"Waaah?! A pot?!" Ace squirmed beneath its weight.

"Ah ha ha ha ha! Look, Thorn, look! That Ace guy got crushed beneath a giant cauldron! It squashed him flat! Aha ha ha! That's what you get!" Grim pointed in mockery.

"Hehehe, he reminds me of a roach like this."

Grim and I lost it at my remark and had to hold onto one another in laughter.

"A cauldron?! I wasn't expecting that. I may have overdone it this time..." He looked off in his thoughts.

"Owwww! What are you bothering me for? You guys coulda just banged out the work yourself!" Ace complained, wriggling his way out from under the pot.

"Be for real right now, Ass. There's no 'banging out' one hundred windows on our own!" Crossing my arms I watch as Ace stands up.

"It's pronounced Ace!" He huffed in annoyance.

"Is there a difference?" I smirked. Before Ace could fire back he was interrupted by the second boy.

"You have to wash a hundred windows as punishment? What the heck did you do?!"

"I was just screwing with that furball a little. ...Okay, and the statue of the Queen of Hearts got a teeny bit charred. Sue me."

"You damaged a statue of the Great Seven?! No wonder he flew off the handle at you! After you managed to get into THIS school, how could you get in trouble on the very first day?!" He looked personally offended.

"Oh shut up. Who are you anyways?"

'Holy sh*t Ace you roasted him.'

"My name is Deuce. Deuce Spade. Don't you remember your own classmate? Uh..."

"You don't remember my name either, do you?"

'Oh good lord. They're tweedle dumb and tweedle dumber.'

"That's not the point! You shouldn't try to ditch an order from the headmage!' Deuce yelled.

"Yeah, yeah, message received... Fine, let's bang out the windows already. Huh...?" Ace turned in my direction and stared at me wide eyed.

"...? What's wrong Ace?" I started looking around, wait a minute.

"The furball! He's gone!" Ace pointed out.

"Ah ha ha ha! I'll let you two handle the rest! See ya, suckers!" Grim winked while he began his great escape.

"You caught me so YOU could run away yourself?!" Ace yelled exasperated.

'I can't tell if I should be mad that Grim ditched me or happy that at least he made sure I wouldn't do all the work alone...Nah I'm mad.'

"GRIM! Get back here and help you little shi-" Ace covered my mouth as Grim exited the room.

"Hey, uh, Juice?"

"My name isn't "Juice". It's Deuce! With a D!" Not Juice said with a stern expression.

"This is partially your responsibility, you know! So help me catch that little furball!"

"How is this my responsibility?!"

"Grim's useless janitor friend can't use magic. That means this is up to you and me!"

'Just for that snide comment!' I licked Ace's hand causing him to let out an odd noise and furiously wipe his hand on his pants.

There wasn't a moment to lose if we ever wanted to catch Grim. Deuce and Ace took off out of the door room and out into the campus. I followed behind.

Following the trio through the streets of NRC, Grim turned and went inside the cafeteria. Of course he did. But his chaotic energy didn't stop there, it got stronger. Bobbing and weaving and flying in the enclosed space.

"Argh! Stop jumping around like that!" Ace ran his hands through his hair.

"Heh heh heh! Catch me if you can!" Grim waved from the top of the chandelier.

"No fair climbing up onto the chandelier, you coward! I haven't really learned flight magic yet... What could I summon to hold onto him...? Hmmm..." Deuce looked down to his pen, up to Grim, and then at Ace. "Oh! That's it!"

"Did you come up with somethi- Oh, hey! Stop! What are you doing?! Why are you pointing your pen at me?!" Ace tried backing away but bumped into a chair.

"Because I'm going to launch you.' Deuce said this like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Deuce are you nuts?! I know it's Ace, but we can't just throw people!"

"Are you kidding me?! Bwaaah! Put me down! Seriously, do not launch me! Abort! ABORT!" Distracted by my comment, Deuce was able to apprehend Ace and was currently holding him over his head!

"Just make sure to grab him tight.I've got him in my sights, and... Go!" Deuce chucked Ace into the air and used his magic wand to propel him higher into the chandelier.

"BWAAAAAAAH!"

"MYAAAAAAAAH?!"

"AHHHHHH?!"

The only one who wasn't screaming was Deuce, not realizing that he would hit his mark alright... Just a little too well.

The chandelier and all its inhabitants came flying down in an explosion of crystal, candles, iron, and powder.

"*Cough* *Cough* *Hack* I cannot BELIEVE you just did that?!" Ace wheezed sitting up.

"Myaaa..." Grim's eyes were spinning so fast he laid down in the debris.

"Deuce?! Did you wake up today and chug a bunch of clown juice?! What did you think was going to happen?!" I'm at a loss for words, truly.

"Oh, right! I probably should have come up with a way to soften your landing after you caught him..." Deuce said with his left palm upright and his right fist landing on top like a makeshift gavel.

"You complete and total moron! We got Grim, but we broke the chandelier! If the headmage finds out about this-"

"If I find out about... what, dear Ace?" Headmaster Crowley suddenly appeared behind Deuce and I! Scary! I didn't even hear him walk in!

"Ah! Headmage Crowley...!"

I frantically make an 'x' with my arms and shake my head 'no' at Ace.

'Stop! Don't speak you fool!' I mouth at Ace, and surprisingly he does.

"YOU THREE AGAIN! What have you done this time?!" Headmaster Crowley crossed his arms.

"Burning a statue wasn't enough for you? Now you've destroyed a chandelier?! Enough. All of you are expelled."

"WHAAAAAT?!!!" Deuce and Ace balked.

'Wait three of us? But only Deuce and Ace attend school here, he can't be referring to me right? Grim I get, but Grim and I are two separate things, shouldn't it be the 'four' of us? Can you get 'expelled' from school as a non student?'

"Headmage, please! Give me a second chance! I can't get expelled from this school! I need to be here!" Deuce begged.

"Then blame yourself for your own foolish behavior." The Headmaster scowled.

"I'll pay for the damages! However much it costs!" Deuce continued.

"That chandelier is no mere light fixture. It is a magical chandelier. Its candles are powered by a magical energy source, enchanted so that they will burn for eternity. It was created for us by a legendary artificer. Possibly their finest creation. It has been here since the school was established, and I imagined it would be here forevermore. Considering its historical value, I would estimate its worth to be no less than a billion thaumarks. And you intend to repay that sum?' Headmaster Crowley questioned.

'I'm definitely included in the three. If I'm kicked out how will I find a way back? Defect to RSA?? I don't even know where that is! AH!'

Ace and Deuce continued to bargain but I was too caught up in my own problems to listen anymore.

"Even magic has its limits. Furthermore, its magestone - the figurative heart of any magical artifact - is cracked. A magestone cannot easily be replaced. I fear the candles of this majestic chandelier will never burn again... Ah...! But there may be on way. One tiny sliver of chance to repair this chandelier."

"There is?!" The three of us asked in unison. Grimmy was still out for the count.

"The magestone that powered this chandelier was mined from the Dwarfs' Mine. If you can acquire a magestone with the same properties, it may be possible to repair it." Headmaster Crowley mused.

"I will do anything to avoid expulsion, sir!" Deuce saluted.

"Hmmm... Very well, then. I will suspend your expulsion for a single night. But if you fail to return with a magestone by morning, then all of you are expelled. You should be able to reach the Dwarfs' Mine instantly by using one of the gates in the Mirror Chamber."

"Yes sir! Thank you for the opportunity!" Deuce said before bolting for the mirror chamber.

I picked up an unconscious Grim and booked it with the others. My jostling must have woke Grim up.

"Mrnya?! Where am I?" Grim looked around wildly.

"Grimmy, long story short: we're going to mine a magestone to avoid expulsion, and we only have a few hours."

Entering the mirror chamber I'm met with a familiar sight; it's the orientation room! I'm sure there are more ways to leave NRC other than asking the Dark Mirror, I'm just surprised to see it doing such mundane tasks is all.

Stopping in front of the Dark Mirror Deuce asked the Dark Mirror to take us to the Dwarfs' Mine, and the mirror did!

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Chapter 5: Into The Unknown Part 5

Chapter Text

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The Dark Mirror deposited us in a dark and freakishly quiet forest, named 'Silent Forest', how appropriate. There were limited light sources, but in front of us was a small cottage that could give ramshackle dorm a run for its money.

"So this is the Dwarfs' Mine... Long ago, this mine was flush with magestones." Deuce looked around curiously.

"Urgh... Who knows what lurks in there now?" Grim rubbed his arms.

"Look, I can see a house. Let's see what the people there have to say." Ace started running towards the cottage.

Without even considering knocking, Ace opened the door. The interior was weathered and musty, a thick layer of dust and cobwebs remained undisturbed. This place had long since been abandoned. We all couldn't help stepping inside, Deuce called out.

"Helloooo? Anyone home? ... It must be empty, this place looks abandoned."

"Oh, you're very observant. A regular David Attenborough." I couldn't help but tease Deuce, gaining me a look of confusion on his part.

"Bwah! I got a spider web on my face! Ptchoo! Ptchoo!" Grim furiously rubbed his paws all over his face.

"Look how tiny these desks and chairs are. Did children live here? One, two... Seven! It's like a clown car in here." Ace laughed.

"Ace, use your brain, why do you think the mine is called 'Dwarfs' Mine?'" I rolled my eyes.

Ace mocked my words ready to escalate things but Deuce took this opportunity to step in between us and shift our focus.

"When the mine was flourishing, this house must have been a lively place."

"Well, this isn't getting us anywhere. If we're gonna find a magestone, it'll be inside the mine. Let's head inside and take a look." Ace said with a turn.

Leaving the quaint home, we followed an old dirt path, the majority reclaimed by nature, until we happened upon the entrance of a stone moss cave: Dwarfs' Mine.

Grim blanched at the sight, "You wanna go inside THERE? It's pitch black!"

Ace scoffed, "What, are you scared of the dark? Pathetic."

"Myah?! I'm not scared of anything! I'm taking the lead. You all follow me!" Grim zoomed inside.

The mine was as bright as it was outside: the remaining gems gave a soft glow. Carts and pickaxes were left haphazardly around the entrance, but the tunnels looked like they were still intact. Perhaps the dwarfs left as the mine had run out of whatever item they were mining, or they retired, or picked up a different profession.

The three of us followed behind Grim in row so as to not lose sight of one another.

"Huh? Hold up!" Deuce suddenly stopped causing a chain reaction of Ace and I to bump into one another and Deuce.

"Ugh. What now?" Ace asked, rubbing his nose from where he bumped into Deuce.

"There's something there!" Deuce pointed in ahead.

"Hee hee hee hee! Visitors! The first in ten years!" Ghost A cheered.

"Do make yourselves at home... You can stay forever!" Ghost B lunged for us!

Dodging the multiple ghosts I couldn't help but ask "Why are there so many ghosts wherever we go?"

"If we stop to fight, we'll never get anywhere. Let's just keep moving." Deuce pushed through the barrage of ghosts.

"Sure, but don't act like we voted you team leader. The only reason we're here in the first place is because of that stupid stunt you pulled." Ace argued.

"Oh? I'm pretty sure this all started because you tried to ditch your window-cleaning punishment!" Deuce snapped.

"So, we're bringing up ancient history now? Then if you wanna get down to brass tacks, this all started when that furball torched that statue!" Ace pointed to Grim.

"Myah?! Maybe you shouldn'ta made fun of me, then!" Grim fired back.

"You guys are both at fault for different reasons, GET OVER IT! We need to collect that magestone before morning!" I shout tiredly.

The squabbling died down somewhat, and when their volume decreased I heard something.

'..iiivvv... ...oooouuu...'

"...? Wait, shhh! Did you guys hear that?"

"Huh?" The group settled down and listened, the weird groans persisted, becoming more frequent.

"Wh-where's that comin' from?" Ace stuttered.

'...neeevvvaaa... ...iiivvv... ...ooouuu...'

"Sounds like..... It's getting closer?" Deuce whispered.

"Stooonesss... Stooonesss aaare miiiiine!"

A bubbling black tar mass wearing a red coat, holding an oil lantern and pickaxe came bounding over! Its half full pot of tar for a head sloshed with a long brown cap to keep it sealed.

"AHHHHH! What is that thing?" We all turned and ran away from the ominous creature.

"Myaaaah! No one said there'd be monsters! Let's get out of here!" Grim shrieked.

"That thing is super creepy! But didn't it just say something about 'stones'?" Ace questioned.

"Stooonesss... ...nevvva give stooonesss...!" The monster flung its arms around wildly, causing us to scream and dodge its weapons.

"So there ARE still magestones here!" Deuce yelled.

"We don't know that, it could be talking about any of the stones here!" I shout.

"Myaaah... Even as a master sorcerer, I... I don't think I can take that thing down!" Grim whined.

"But we need a magestone or we'll get expelled! I'm going in!" Deuce pivoted facing the monster.

"Are you outta your mind?!' Ace turned around a bit further ahead than Deuce.

"Deuce! You can't fight that thing alone!" I stop in my tracks.

Deuce makes a show of cracking his knuckles and punching one hand in the other. Determination radiates off of him.

"I won't be expelled! No matter what!" Deuce raised his fountain wand and began firing spells.

The oozing monster was unaffected and never slowed in its speed. Everyone began to run again, Deuce continuously casting spells on the monster.

"Begone! Begone! Begoooooone!" The monster roared with a furry of swinging limbs.

"Bwahhhhh!" Deuce let out as he nearly got swiped by the monster's pickaxe.

"Aw, crap! He's got Loosey-Deucey on the ropes! Not on my watch! Heeyah!" Ace fired some magical attacks of his own.

"Rooooooargghh!" The monster was unphased.

Closer to the exit of the cave, I turned around to make sure everyone was still present. With the light of the moon going through the monster's head I noticed something was sparkling inside the cave. A magic stone?

"Did you guys just see that sparkle behind us?" I yell over my shoulder.

"Behind the monster! There's something sparkling in the mineshaft!" Ace called out.

"Could that have been a magestone?!" Deuce asked.

"GWAAAAAAAH! Nooo giiive yooouuu stooooooone!" The sludge picked up its speed and attacks.

"Thorn, we need to book it, and fast! That thing's gonna pound us into tuna paste!" Grim cried out.

"Right, let's go back to the cottage!" I say.

No one dared to stop running or look back at the roaring monster until the cottage came into view. We were all a panting mess and yet the monster didn't follow us out of the mineshaft.

"This should be far enough, I think?" Grim said between gulps of air.

"Owww... What was that thing? No one said there'd be anything like that!" Ace groaned rubbing his left shoulder.

"That was no normal ghost, that's for sure." Deuce said while wiping his forehead.

"That was a ghost?!" I wheezed out, hands on my knees.

"Let's just give up and go home. I'll happily take the expulsion if it means never having to fight that thing again." Ace said casually.

"What?! Nuh-uh, not happenin'! I'd rather die than get expelled from Night Raven! How can you give up when the stone is right there?" Deuce said, his face turning red from anger.

'Hermione is about to snap!' I thought watching Deuce work himself up.

"Pfft. Big talk from someone who's not even half the mage I am. You want that stone so bad, go get it yourself. I'm out." Ace taunted in typical Ace fashion.

"Oh YEAH?! Fine, go back to your coop, you big chicken!" Hermione casted a burn spell on Ace: it was super effective.

"Whaaaaat?! Who're you callin' chicken, huh?!' Ace was unprepared for that absolute savage roast, he really did look like a big chicken too.

"Whoa, Deuce... Is it just me, or did you, like, turn into a totally different person just now?" Grim analyzed his appearance.

"Yeah, your whole voice and demeanor changed." I added on.

"Huh?! *Cough* *Cough* Sorry... Lost my cool for a second there." Deuce looked down in mortification that his 'other persona' had slipped out.

"I don't know what spells you guys were casting, but can't you try a different approach, like instead of attacks, containing or freezing the monster briefly?" I asked.

"The headmage said it himself... magic has limits. If you can't strongly visualize your magic, it isn't going to happen. Using magic at a greater scale, or using different types of magic - those things require training." Deuce answered.

"Yeah, that's why magic academies exist. It takes a lot of training before you can snap your fingers and turn your thoughts into magic. And the more flustered you are, the more likely you are to make mistakes." Ace (for once) helpfully added on.

"You guys have been very enlightening. I just assumed that everyone here was born with magic so it came intuitively." I said.

"No, not everyone in twst is born with magic, and even those who are it isn't guaranteed that they'll be capable to advance it. But we don't have time to get into all that." Ace replied.

'Hm. Guess I'm just 'some guy' here after all, guess I should stop calling myself an alien... Nah, I'm still from a whole other universe that's very alien of me.' I think to myself.

"Anyway, we need to find some way to defeat that creature and get the magestone." Deuce said arms crossed one hand holding his chin.

"Yeaaaaah. Just like the time with the chandelier, right? You "found some way," and now here we are. We just fought that thing and it creamed us. So what exactly is your plan here, genius? Because I sure don't trust you to improvise!" Ace started getting in Deuce's face (again.)

"What?! You're the one who-" Deuce argued back, but Grim and I ignored their antics.

"Aaaand they're at it again." Grim looked at me with a sigh.

Crossing my arms I started thinking about how to progress after this utter failure.

'Their magic is limited, they can't work together, magic doesn't seem to have any effect on the creature so brute force wouldn't either, we have a few hours max before morning...

...

I know just what to say.'

"Let's all make peace with getting expelled."

I just got sucked in this game okay, I'm not a protagonist, I don't have it all figured out. Even though I've played this game in the past, living in this game I've realized that things are not set in stone: plot points will either happen or not and it won't make a difference, the game won't end and life will go on. And I just feel a little lost in all of this.

"Whoa, that was harsh. Where'd that come from?" Grim stepped in front of me to look at me, surprised at my outburst.

It took Deuce and Ace by surprise too if their 'huhs' were anything to go by.

"Well you guys could try to cooperate." I say.

"With Loosey-Deucey? No way. He'd get me killed!"

"Like it'd be some treat for me to work with you?!"

"What we're doing now obviously isn't working, we need a proper plan." I explain.

"A proper plan? Like some kinda buddy move? Is that a joke? You always say the lamest things with the straightest face, Thorn." Ace mocks.

"Agreed. No way could I work together with him." Deuce crosses his arms turning away from Ace.

"Then suffer in silence as you're expelled on the first day. Now that's truly lame." I say with a smirk.

A hush fell over the tense atmosphere, until I broke the silence explaining that I did in fact have a plan.

"Gah... Fine. Let's just get this over with, then. All right, Thorn. What's the plan?" Ace asked, everyone making their way closer to me.

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"Thorn... Is this plan of yours really gonna work? I'm sca- I mean, I'm a little... uh, hungry." Grim cautiously approached the entrance of the Dwarfs' Mine.

"It'll work, Grim. I'm a master strategist."

Setting our plan into motion, Deuce, Ace and I leave Grim at the entrance of the mineshaft and assume our positions.

"H-hey, monster! I'm uh... I-I'm over here!" Grim half-heartedly called out.

Silently, the monster was suddenly at the entrance of the cave, charging out with a 'GRAAAWWRRR! BEGOOOONE!'

"He's comin' our way Thorn!" Grim yelled rushing towards me, the monster throwing attacks left right and center.

"We need to lure him as far away as we can from the mine!"

"GRWWAAAR! BEGONE!" The monster shouted.

"We're counting on you Ace." I give Ace a look of determination as I pass him.

"You bet. I got this! One extra-large gust of wind, comin' up!" Ace whipped out his pen and unleashed his unique magic.

"With a side of Grim's blazin'-hot fire! MYAAAH!" Grim spat his fireballs into Ace's wind tunnel, creating a fire tornado.

"Grrraaahhh?!" The monster stopped, the flames trapping it inside a vortex.

"How's that taste?! With my winds fanning them, even Grim's feeble flames can become an inferno!" Ace boasted.

"Whaddaya mean "feeble"?! Ya really don't know how to shut yer mouth, do ya?" Grim frowned.

'So true Grimmy. We'd have waaaaay less problems if Ace kept his mouth shut.' I thought with a groan.

"Now's our chance! Deuce!" I call out to Deuce.

"Just stay calm, aim carefully... and pull out the biggest, heaviest thing I can think of... Get 'em, cauldron!'

Above the monster a huge cauldron flattened the monster, pinning it to the ground.

"Gwaaah?!' The monster cried out, in pain or confusion, it was too hard to tell.

"Nailed it! The plan's workin'! Look, Thorn! That monster got smashed flat by a falling cauldron, just like Ace did!" Grim chuckled.

"Hehe, looks like how Ace did too; a squirming bug." I laugh with Grim.

"Coulda done without the reminder, thanks! This has been one drag after another." Ace said.

"Quick! While it's distracted, we need to get that magestone!" Deuce called out, already running toward the mine.

"Guh?! Waaait! Nooooooo!" The monster yelled, fighting even harder to break free.

Running past the monster's makeshift timeout, we were able to make it to the end of the mine this time, flying through the ghosts, following the sparkling light, it was growing brighter and more colorful the closer we got until we came upon an iridescent rainbow stone.

"That's it! That's the magestone!" Deuce exclaimed, grabbing the stone.

The monster heard us and let out a "Doooon't toooouch thaaaat!"

Turning around we could see the monster was nearly free from the cauldron!

"Hey, Deuce! You gotta add more weight!" Grim said.

"Y-you mean something heavier? Uh... I summon thee, cauldron! And also, uh... Um... Another cauldron! And a cauldron on top of that! All the cauldrons!" Deuce yelled with a wave of his wand.

Watching the monster seize its movements as more cauldrons appeared and squashed it, I couldn't help but say to Deuce with a shoulder pat, "You're a little confused, but you got the spirit."

"Ngghhh!" The monster struggled under the weight of so many cauldrons.

"Is that the only thing you know how to summon?!" Ace looked at Deuce incredulously.

"Pipe down already! I'm worked up enough as it is!" Deuce shot back.

"Let's just leave with the stone already." I say to the trio.

Dashing past the monster, with Deuce carrying the magestone, the monster found a newfound frenzy and escaped the weight and fire tornado! It was gaining speed faster than we could ever hope to run!

"Are you kidding me?! It's still coming! It pushed off all that weight!" Ace said in disbelief.

"Ooooooh! Giiiiiive itttt baaaack!" It bellowed out.

"It's too fast! It's about to catch us!" Deuce yelled out in alarm.

"In this world it's kill or be killed, let's get it!" I yell to the squad.

"Uggh fine! Let's smash that thing! Try not to wet yourself, Deucy."

"Same to you, Ace!"

"I'm gonna show ya why they call me 'Grim the Great.'"

The trio attacked the monster in tandem, combining their magical prowess and transforming that blob into a pile of defeated goo that was slowly dissipating. Everyone was out of breath, and waited until the items had stopped smoking before celebrating.

"Is it.... Over?" Ace stared at the pile of items.

"I think.. We won? I think we did it!" Grim cheered.

We all let out our own noises of triumph. High fives and chest pumps were given out in celebration.

I couldn't help but say "We're all really good friends, huh."

"Uh... I don't think that had anything to do with it." Deuce said, giving me a look of bewilderment.

"Yeah! Spare us the cliches, Thorn!" Ace said with a light push to my shoulder.

"There's no 'together' here! We won 'cause of me! This is all from me bein' a magical genius!" Grim boasted.

Once that painfully awkward phase on my part, (how hard is it to make friends?!) passed, Ace turned to look at me.

"Y'know... I hate to admit it, but... We mostly won because of your plan Thorn.'

Deuce chimed in, "Yeah...If you hadn't managed to keep your cool and tell us all what to do, we never would have got this magestone. Now I won't get expelled. And wow THAT is a relief."

We were about to start walking back to the mirror portal when I noticed Grim started to sniff the air. Soon he was approaching the disregarded items.

"Using all that magic made me hungry! *sniff sniff* What's this?' Grim pushed away the red coat revealing a black stone.

"Is that a part of the monster we just beat? It looks like a magestone. But it's black as coal! I've never seen one like that before." Deuce announced.

"It smells amazing.' Grim said.

"Are you insane?!" Ace asked.

"Must be some sorta monster candy it was hiding from us!" Grim practically drooled.

"Grim I doubt the monster - OH MY GOD HE"S EATING IT!"

Grim shoved the gem into his mouth, it didn't stay there very long as he let out a "myaah!'

"Are you okay?"

"That's what you get for eating trash."

'Bad kitty! Spit that out!"

But to our collective shock, Grim exclaimed that it was the most delicious thing he had ever eaten! Monsters will eat anything huh?

"Myahaha! That was great! Don't worry about me. I don't got a weak stomach like you humans do." Grim smugly said.

"We'll see if you're so smug later tonight when you get sick." Ace warned.

"We need to get this magestone to the Headmaster, let's pull ourselves together." Deuce interrupted, clutching the magstone.

The sun was in the sky. It was early morning when we crossed through the mirror.

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Chapter 6 Chapter Text

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Exiting the portal, awaiting us in the mirror chamber was Headmaster Crowley. We presented the Headmaster with the magestone.

"Pardon?! You're telling me you actually went to the Dwarfs' Mine in search of a magestone?" Headmaster Crowley squawked in shock.

"Uh, yeah?"

"I didn't expect that you'd seriously do it. And never in my wildest imaginings did I think you would actually return with a magestone! And here I spent all evening preparing your expulsion documents." As Headmaster Crowley said this, he produced a thick stack of documents as proof.

"Are you serious?! While we were fightin' some crazy monster for you, you were expelling us?!" Grim shouted in frustration.

"'Monster?'...?"

"Yeah. There was a monster, all right. A big, nasty one. It nearly killed us!"

"Would you kindly relate this story in full?" The Headmaster asked as he led us to his office.

The Headmaster's office was wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. A plush dark violet carpet stretched from the entrance to an oak desk, decorated by two golden candle labrahs with purple flames. Grand purple curtains draped around the room, floating portraits of the Great Seven of varying shaped golden frames floated above the desk.

Once inside and seated, we all took turns explaining the night we had endured.

"Hmmm. So a mysterious monster was living in the mines. And the four of you worked together to destroy it, and then brought its magestone back to me?" Headmaster Crowley surmised, elbows on his desk while his hands held his chin.

"I don't know that I'd call it "working together." Ace said.

"It was more like we just happened to share the same goal at the same time...' Deuce added.

"You guys are such dirtbags." I mumbled "Yes we all worked together, amazingly I might add. We secured the stone, suffered no injuries, and didn't die."

"Oh, gracious... Ohhh... Ohhhhhhhh! *Sobbing*" Headmaster Crowely slunk his head on his desk.

"What is this guy's deal?! Burstin' into tears in public? At this age?!" Grim used both his paws and gestured to the dramatically loud sobbing Headmaster.

"In all the decades I've worked at this school... The day has finally come when the students of Night Raven College have joined hands together to defeat a common foe!"

'Wait... So before this, in this villain school, no one ever worked together? But how though? I'm sure they have friends? Maybe he means when these villains go off to do villain things they're usually solo? Why is this a good thing for Crowley?'

"Whoa! No! No way would I join hands with that guy!" Deuce gestured to Ace.

"Okay, one, there was no joining of hands. Gross. And two, exactly HOW old are you, headmage?" Ace shouted.

Ace and Deuce doth protest the hand holding allegations a bit too strongly methinks. Headmaster Crowley skillfully ignored their yapping and continued.

"At this moment, I am moved beyond words. This incident has proven my hopes were justified. Thorn Silvanus, my doubts are allayed! For you... You possess the talents of a beastmaster!"

"A beastmaster? Men and beasts aren't so similar... But they're not so dissimilar either." I say, looking off into thought.

"Excuse me?!"

"Excuse you?!"

"My students have all been selected by the Dark Mirror for their exceptional talent and potential. But great talent begets great pride and big egos. Most are so self-reliant and self-centered that they never even consider cooperating with others."

"You make it sound like that's a bad thing." Grim piped up.

"But you, Silvanus, possess no magic. Yet in spite of that - or perhaps because of it - you were able to convince those who CAN use magic to work together for a common goal. The everyday, humdrum mundanity you possess may be exactly what Night Raven College needs!"

"But... none of those words are good things?" Ace spoke up.

"Silvanus... I am convinced that people like you are necessary for the future of this school. My educator's intuition tells me so. Trappola, Spade - I hereby revoke your pending expulsions! Furthermore, Silvanus... I am granting you the qualifications necessary to attend at Night Raven College!

"WHAT?!" The trio almost flew out of their seats at the news.

I stared wide-eyed at Headmaster Crowley in shock. I'm in? I did it?! Finding a way home has just gotten a little bit easier!

"You really want me as a student here, Headmaster?"

"Of course. This is extraordinarily kind of me. However, there is one condition.

Your inability to use magic is, for a mage, unacceptable. You would not be able to adequately pursue the school's curriculum! As for you, Grim... Your actions today have made it clear that you possess sufficient talent to become a mage. In light of the total sum of your respective circ*mstances, you and Silvanus will share a single enrollment at Night Raven College."

"Myah! I... I'll get to go to this school...? As an actual student? Not a janitor?!" Grim asked, crawling onto my lap, I held him close so he won't fall.

"Correct. However! There must be no further incidents like the one that occurred today. Are we clear?" The Headmaster said sternly, furrowing his brows. (At least I assume they would be behind the mask.)

Grim turned to look at me, amazement written all over his face "Myah... Myah... Thorn, I... I finally..."

I take one of his paws in my hand and give it a shake. "It'll be a pleasure working with you Grimmy." Adding a wink.

"MYAAAAAH! I FINALLY DID IT!" Grim sang, almost jumping on the Headmaster's desk.

"Accordingly, I will now present to Grim the magestone that is issued to every student here." Headmaster Crowley said while rummaging through his top drawer.

"Heh! A magestone, eh?!" Grim said.

Everyone looked at the smaller sized magstone. It was refined, violet, and attached to a black and white striped ribbon.

"It is typically attached to the "magic pen" that each student uses. But I suspect your paws cannot handle implements. Therefore, I have a custom solution for you. Is it possible that I am, in fact, too kind?" As the Headmaster finished, he fastened the ribbon around Grim, tying it in a neat bow in the back.

"Ah, sweet! I look awesome! A magestone collar, to be worn only by the legendary archmage, Grim!" Grim was lost in his own world admiring his new magstone collar.

"You're not listening to anything I say, are you? Silvanus. As you can plainly see, Grim remains oblivious to the customs of human society. You are to keep a tight rein on Grim, and ensure there are no further incidents!"

I nod my head to the Headmaster, laughing softly at Grim's fashion show and ramblings.

"Wow, that's quite the promotion. From janitor to student to prefect, all in the span of a day." Ace congratulated me.

"Oh, I see. So if your dorm is just you two... And the headmage himself is putting you in charge of Grim, that makes you... the dorm prefect." Deuce remarked.

'I'd be a prefect and the vice housewarden too, I don't think Grim would really mind though.' I surmised in my head.

"Well, that's gotta be a Night Raven first! A magic-less prefect? But sure, why not? Whatever works!" Ace teased me.

I really didn't know or care if Ace was making fun of me, I was just so happy that things were improving for me so soon.

"Ah, Yes. I suppose that does make you a prefect. I just so happen to have a job for you, and that title will make it all the easier to foist... er, I mean, congratulations! Now, I have something for you. This is called a ghost camera."

Headmaster Crowley handed me a very old fashion looking beige and brown camera with a golden lens that resembled a mouse's silhouette.

"It's a camera enchanted with a special kind of magic. It enables the user to photograph not just the subject's physical form, but parts of their soul itself."

"Wait... That sound's sketchy." Deuce said.

"I have to agree with Deuce, huh?" I said.

"They're called Memories. Here's the thing: when the soulbond between photographer and subject deepens... The Memories captured in this magic camera's photos come jumping out!" Headmaster Crowley explained.

I still felt very lost in what a ghost camera entails. And if this is 'old' technology, then how advanced are the current cameras! I ask the Headmaster to elaborate.

"When the photographer and subject grow closer, their photographs grow animated like videos... And sometimes the photographs take on corporeal form and slip out. Is that not what you youths would call "wicked keen"?

Even I had to ask, "Headmaster Crowley, how old are you, for real?"

Deuce excitedly butted in "That sounds like ghost photography!"

"Very astute. Hence the name "ghost camera". I understand it was developed as a more vivid way to capture moments in time, in an age before video. As Spade observed, in days of yore, when people saw Memories jumping out of photos, they would get spooked and yell, "Ghost!" I've heard many a tale of people who were deathly scared of being photographed by such cameras."

"This tech sounds like way more trouble than it's worth."

"I have to agree with Ace." I really do not like the sound of this 'ghost camera.'

"Silvanus. I would like you to photograph Grim and the other students with this camera, and make a record of your campus life." The Headmaster placed the camera in my hands.

"Ahem... Make especially certain to capture the mischief caused by certain students who struggle with impulse control. Keeping a photographic journal sounds far less tedious than writing me lengthy reports, wouldn't you agree?

As a prefect, consider it your duty to maintain a sharp eye on your surroundings and record them. Note how generous I'm being in providing a rare magical item that even someone like yourself can use. Is my kindness not beyond all reckoning?"

'Honestly I think it would be pretty hard to take photos of anyone after hearing a description like that. I guess the old bird is looking for praise, might as well.'

"Thank you Headmaster Crowley."

"The hour has grown late, so further details shall have to wait till the morrow. You are all dismissed. Return to your dorms."

Looking out the window, Headmaster Crowley was correct, we had spent the whole day going over the case of the magestone monster, school promotions, and ghost photography explanations.

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Walking out onto the dark balcony of the second floor, we made our way to the mirror chamber to return back to our dorms.

"Phew... We managed to avoid expulsion. That was a close one!" Deuce sagged in relief.

"Yeah, no kidding!" Ace exclaimed.

"La la la la la! I'm a student at Night Raven College! La la la! I'm gonna be the top mage on campus in no time. Enjoy eating my dust, boys" Grim mocked.

"Big words for a sentient pile of lint who's literally only half a student. Still... Good for you." Ace said to Grim and I.

"I guess we're schoolmates now. Grim, Thorn — welcome to Night Raven." Deuce said with a smile.

As a joke I took Deuce and Ace's hand, criss crossed them and shook them and said with a grin "Hello fellow Night Raven schoolmates."

Ace removed his hand, while I let go of Deuce's.

"Okay, seriously, can we quit it with that stuff?" Ace huffed.

"Heh. We'll be seeing each other all the time now. We'll see what a pleasure that turns out to be. Especially you, Ace, since we're in the same dorm." Deuce teased.

"Yeaaah, can't say I'm jazzed to see your smug, self-important scowl."

"Better than your lazy, dopey grin."

This was our stop: the mirror chamber.

"Keep bawling, crybaby. I haven't forgotten how you almost wept when he said you were expelled. Catch ya later, Thorn."

"See ya tomorrow!" I called out as they passed through the mirror.

"Man, those two are made for each other. Maybe they're the type who bond through squabbling? Anyway, Thorn, let's get back to the dorm!"

"I think you're right, Grim. Those two are going to be good friends."

"Tomorrow when we wake, it won't be as janitors. Finally, finally... My glorious education as a proper Night Raven College student is about to begin!"

Grim and I walked out of the mirror chamber and back to our dorm.

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Twst Upon A Time - EloquentCoconut (2024)

Chapter 1: Into The Unknown Part 1

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Chapter 2: Into The Unknown Part 2

Notes:

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Chapter 3: Into The Unknown Part 3

Notes:

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Chapter 4: Into The Unknown Part 4

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Chapter 5: Into The Unknown Part 5

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Chapter 6

Chapter Text

References