Chapter Text

Prologue; Part 0

 "Remember to read chapters thirty-two through thirty-five in your textbook for Monday's test. Class dismissed.".

 At the call of the professor, the once quiet auditorium erupted into a loud cacophony as students rose from their seats. Papers were lost, bags were throw as everyone raced one another to leave room. The wave of teenagers and young adults that flowed down the steps and blocked the door seem unappealing to deal with, to say the least. So rather than fight your way out of the classroom you stayed seated where you were, seeing as this was your last class to attend till later on at dusk. Maybe you could use that time to be productive for your twenty page paper for your physiology class that's due in four days; but would you actually do it?

 No. Probably not.

 Someone coughed beside you. Flinching, you looked over to see that instead of a random stranger had coughed on you only to recognize the stranger. That 'stranger' was Ollie Foster, another physiology major who had made it their mission to bug you everyday.

   "There you are (Y/N), I was wondering where you were.".

   "Don't we have the two morning classes together?".

   "Yeah but it doesn't mean I don't miss my friend," Ollie hummed, a dazzling smile pulling at their lips. Arms pulled up to rest hands against the back of their head.

 A sigh escapes your lips as the corners twitch upwards at their honesty. Well, it could be worse, you could have been forced to do all those partner projects with a lazy classmate. The laxed air that clung to Ollie like a vice blended well with their bubbly personality. The grating sound of chatter dimed to a low murmur as most of the students fled the room. You hummed at Ollie's words, dragging and dumping books, papers, and pens into your small bag that was on top of the desk you sat at. Taking two steps at a time down the rows of chairs you made your way to the auditorium's exit. Ollie, bless their soul, scurried down after you with a yelp and a 'Wait for me!'. Passing through lengthy hallways and emptying classrooms, passed by various groups of friends as they hung around at corners, tables and doorways; all the way through the large building until both you and Ollie reached the expansive courtyard of the college. A deep breathe of relief left you as you stepped out of the stuffy building.

 Unlike you, Ollie was out of breathe. "*Wheeze* C-can you slow down a second? Jeez! And I though Rosalie was the fast one in our group...".

   "I don't know about that Ollie," you interjected, "-You've never seen me when there was a sale going on at a store before.".

 Ollie shuttered, "OH, yes. How terrifying.".

 You slapped Ollie's arm as they doubled over, wheezes turned into gasps as Ollie laughed. Another sigh left your lips as you rolled your eyes, a quiet *ping* echoed in your bag. Pulling out your phone as you continued on your way home, Ollie slung an arm over your shoulder. The added weight and their hovering had you eyeing them, one of their brows raised and twitching as a smirk graced their lips.

   "Since when were you into otome games?," Ollie giggled.

 Slapping their arm away you gave him an offended look, "I'll have you know this is not an otome game. It's a rhythm game that just so happens to have objectively hot men in it,-" Ollie wiggled their brow at you, "Don't judge me." you hissed.

   "Hmmm, what's it called then?"

   "Disney Twisted Wonderland," you replied as you looked over the game's daily notification. Ollie hummed.

   "Isn't that game only localized in Japan?" they asked as they pointed at your phone, "-Yes it is, why?".

   "Then how did you get it?..."

 .

 ..

 ... *Crickets*

   "So~ Ollie! Are you planning on walking home with me or do you have other plans?..." You danced pass the other question, bouncing from one foot to the other as you reached the end of the courtyard.

 Ollie opened their mouth, finger raised, before closing it and groaning sadly. "Nah, I plan on meeting Lucius at his dorm for a movie night," their face simpered, a red tint on their cheeks.

 It was your turn to smirk now, "Alright. Alright, I get it. You two lovebirds have fun," a smile pulled your lips ear to ear as you circled behind him, "Don't have too much fun, 'kay?".

 Ollie's faced flushed, rivaling that of a cherry. Stammering and stuttering over their words as they tried to speak, hands shaking as he spun to look at your leaving form. You chuckled, waving them off as you turned the corner towards the parking lot. Grass and trees thinning as you made your way onto the asphalt road. Walking towards your car, you felt your phone buzz again within it's containment. Eyes peering into your soul. When you turned to look around you, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

 The only thing that was out of place, was the lone crow that sat quietly within a tree. Vibrant eyes watching with a hidden knowledge that only the crow knows.

 The gentle clicking of the lock greeted your ears as you opened your front door. The dull drone of the outside world was finally muffled as you crossed the threshold and shut the door. A groan leaving you as you dumped the bag by it's rightful place at the door, shuffling further into the silent house with your phone in hand. Shoes thumping against the tiled floor, you fling yourself on the couch with an undignified *Plop!*, taking a moment to compose yourself. The living room's curtains were drawn, the T.V. was off, and the only source of light was the small lamp on the side table next to you. After a while in silence, you hummed.

 It wasn't often you had the whole house to yourself like this; Normally Ollie would have been here with you working on some sort of project. But seeing as that is not the case here you could use this time to catch up to some of those shows you have been meaning to watch. Another buss from your phone made your brow twitch. Or you could play Twisted Wonderland... You did spend a good hour and a half trying to download a region locked game, you should at least get your money's worth out of it. A yawn parted your lips as eyed drooped.

 I think I'll just take a nap instead... 's Not like my phone's going anywhere.

Clicking off the light, darkness embraced you as you laid down. As everything went quiet, a voice whispered into the dark.

 Low, honeyed voice filled with hidden intent hummed in the air. The gentle tapping of shoes and hooves accompanied the disembodied voice. In a way... It was vaguely familiar...

   "Ah..

           My Dearly beloved.

    A lovely and beautiful flower of evil.

           Truly, you are the most beautiful out of all.

     Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the.

                                                                  .

                                                                   .

     You, who is guided by the mirror,

           As long as your heart desires, take my hand that appears in the mirror.

     Flames that turn the moon to ash,

           Ice that freezes time,

     Earth that swallows the sky.

           Show no fear to the powers of darkness.

                                                                           .

                                                                            . 

      For me, for them, for You,

           We are all running out of time.

      No matter what happens-

                                                NEVER let go of my hand."

   "Welcome to our world, (Y/N)."