Every story starts with "Once Upon a Time". And just like in fairytales always end in happily ever after. As Hans Christian Anderson once said, "Life itself is the most wonderful fairytale." After all, fairytales are nice places to be. A place where fairies, princesses, and heroes all collide into one enchanted entourage. Or so they say. However, what if I were to tell you that not all fairytales have a happy ending? Well, if you ask me on a deeper level, fairytales are just a bunch of made-up tall tale fables meant to pacify children at night. These 'fairytales' they tell their younglings are meant to drive away nightmares. To shield away the harsh realities of life when the real nightmares are the fairytales themselves. Nightmarish tales they tell for centuries and longer. I should know, because I come from a realm where fairytales really do come true, but not like the fairytales you once knew. What started out as a dream turned into a gruesome nightmare.
Hmm? Don't believe me?
Well, it's fine if you don't. I don't blame you for daring to dream otherwise. Reminds me of a young girl who once did. Just like any other naive little children, she long ago once believed the good in fairytales too. Who wouldn't? I should know because I once knew a young girl who is just like that. It's a shame that once you grow up you start to see the ugliness of the world around you. That's the harsh lesson she had to learn the hard way. Bless her little soul, poor thing. But that's the way life is. I remember the day I first met her. She looked small, frail, and pure like a white rabbit in the deep woods. Yep, she'd looked like she wouldn't hurt a fly. However, everything changed on that one fateful night. The night her whole world turn upside down. And it all went like this….
.....
On a cool September night, the strong winds blow and the thunders storm with each lighting crash against the fertile earth. A young girl, dressed in a pink frilly dress and matching pink tiara complete with a toy wand, was running around playing pretend princess in her room lit with fairy lights resembling starlight and stuffed animals piling on her twin size bed. Walls plastered with princess stickers and pictures of Disney characters. A mother walked into the room holding a small boom in her hand. The girl waited anxiously for her to come read her a bedtime story.
"Is my little princess ready? Tonight's story will be very special." the mom said sitting at the bedside while the little girl tucked into bed. The mother opened the storybook in her hand.
"This is the story of a fantasy kingdom, once filled with magic, gone in an instant. And the story goes like this..." she finally begins reading.
"Once upon a time, as tale old as time, lived the fairytale Kingdom of Grymm. A kingdom once basked in magic and fantasy. The ruler of the kingdom was a benevolent queen, whose sole purpose is to bring happiness and joy in the heart of every resident that lives here. Everyone in the kingdom lived their fairytale lives just like in storybooks. Knights in shining armor rescue damsels in distress. Heroes saving people and winning all the glories. And beautiful princesses finding their true loves in all hidden places. Moreover, everyone in Grymm seems to be living their happily ever after. Or so they thought. Grymm was once a peaceful and mystical place, unfortunately, they will soon learn that not all good things are meant to last.
As the seasons change, a powerful force would creep into the lands of Grymm. Some sensing a disturbing chill in the air, like a ghost wandering in the winds hidden in plain sight, yet still there. A terrible kind of magic that will sink the world into eternal darkness. Luscious forests withered in decay, resident's warm hearts turned cold and gray, and the once beautiful kingdom of enchantment transformed into a wasteland of dead dreams and hopelessness. Nothing of the once magical kingdom was left. Only darkness and heartache ruled the realm. In the midst of all this, the queen once kind and fair, turn cruel and heartless. The former virtuous queen became a symbol of the kingdom's newfound identity of malice and dismay.
They say whenever there's darkness, there's always a light in every shadow. And this light will shine a ray of hope over this dying kingdom. Legend tells of an ancient book, an old relic that holds the stories of every resident who lives in Grymm. More importantly, the key to revive this dark kingdom, but there's only one problem. No one has ever seen the book in ages, and no one knows if the book even existed. But one thing's for certain, it must be found. For if the dark queen possesses the book, will gain control of all the stories. And for who shall master the pages, master the fate of the entire kingdom. For these two unlikely adventurers, it's a risk they are willing to take, even if it cost them their lives...."
.....
Through the darkening halls of the castle, lies a large hidden door. Two soldiers in black shining armor stand on guard. Each clutching a silver spear ready to impale any intruder that dares to cross their path.
clink...clink...clink...
Both heard a faint sound of a small metal dropped against the cobbled ground. Then...BOOM! An explosion of gas erupted into a cloud of fog. The soldiers coughed and spat while inhaling the pungent fumes emitting in the air. Two people cloaked in black took advantage of the commotion and rushed through the gas, pass the soldiers, and in through the doors without being seen.
Once inside, they led themselves through the piles gold and treasures a sight to behold. All the riches any man could have ever wanted all lies here. But they didn't come here for that. They are only interested in one thing only. To find the legendary book. Once long forgotten, rumor has it that the book lies within a secret chamber beneath Castle Grimmere. The only place nobody, not even the queen herself, knew existed. Among the piles of gold and jewels lies a glass case encasing a golden book. They were getting close. Quickly they proceed with caution, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Slowly with each step they creaked, careful to not trigger any booby traps.
Finally, they made it to the glass case and what lays behold them, a golden book. On it titles, "Legends of Grymm". One of the figures carefully removed the glass, still on guard for traps, and cradled the book it its grasp. Their quest was complete. They have what they came for. But before they thought they were out of danger...
"INTRUDERS!"
One of the soldiers that managed to recover his senses from the gassy fumes caught them in the act. Out of instinct, one of the cloaked strangers with broader figure took action and knocked the soldier of his feet. Giving them enough time to escape with the book in hand. As the cloaked strangers dashed out the chamber, more soldiers followed behind. They didn't have to sneak around the castle now that they're caught. Their choice is to run away. Run far away until they escape the castle.
Two hearts pounding with fear and their chest burn from exhaustion, but they can't stop to rest. There's no time to rest. They have the legendary book in hand and can't throw away years of searching to give up now. The castle gates grow bigger in the distance; they are almost out of here.
But then SLAM!
They're only way out is locked shut. The guards were closing in. When in doubt there's only one thing to do, fight their way out. Unmasking the cloak from their bodies they revealed themselves as one man and one woman. The young man with a broad shape holding a dagger in his right hand and a young woman holding staff in her left.
And so, the battle begins.
One of the soldiers lunged first and attacked with his sword. With only a dagger in hand, he dodged the soldiers first swing then lunged at him with great force. The woman surrounded by a group of dark soldiers used her magic to make her first attack. She created multiple magical circles that fired a barrage of fireballs at their primary targets. One by one, each soldier is struck down disappearing into thin air. However, more soldiers keeping spawning left and right and all around the vicinity. The duos struggled to keep up with their attacks. Then the woman got between them and the soldiers. Using every ounce of magic she has left, she waved her wand and annihilated all the soldiers left in existence leaving only their black armor clattering to the ground.
It was over. Or is it.
The empty iron armors regenerated the essence of dark energy and all of the soldier they thought they defeated were brought back to life. They are not mortal beings of this earth. The moment the duos were about the plan their attack, the trumpets blare loud at the speed of sound. The soldiers seized their attack and formed a military style line while making a pathway as if someone very important is coming their way. And there was silence. Beyond the pathway stood a tall figure. As she steps move forward, her image became clear to see. Her skin is a strikingly pale white like snow. Her attire of a royal black dress compliments the purple linings with gold trimmings. The only jewelry she wears is her black diamond necklace and her coal iron crown. Her cold and dark purple eyes glazed down at the two intruders.
"I believe you have something that belongs me." she turn her gaze to the golden book clutched in the sorceress' hand. " I will give each of you a chance right now to surrender yourselves and hand over the book to me, or you will meet your demise." The queen threatened. The duos are surrounded. There's nowhere left to run. The dark soldiers and their queen cornered them against the locked metal gates leaving them no chance to escape. They could've hand over the book to the queen and have their lives spared, but giving up the book would mean years of fighting, searching, and surviving this twisted world, all for nothing. Not a chance.
The sorceress opens the golden and discovered a hidden incantation. She didn't know what the incantation would do but hopefully would stop them. She recited the incantation then suddenly in a golden glow the book levitated and in a flash of blinding light disappears out of sight out of mind.
The queen enraged commanded the guards to attack and kill them. The moment they lunged forward was the moment the sorceress used every amount of energy in her body and staff to make a powerful blast and at the same time teleported her companion to a solidary place where they will never find them. The queen cursed in anger and dismissed all the soldiers back to their position.
The queen hastily went to her chamber in the highest tower. The room is dark and gray, disguised in velvet and silk. The atmosphere emits an eerie chill that could froze their minds. In the darkest corner of her room stood a magical mirror that has the power to see the future. She focuses all her energy into the looking glass. She recites her own incantation...
"Magic mirror on wall,
Tell me truthfully, tell me all
Answer me, obey my command,
what becomes of the future at hand."
Within the looking glass reveals the reflection of a young girl, each one transitioning into a young woman. The second prediction reveals three individuals. A girl, a fairy, and a rogue, together with an entourage of fairies, witches, princesses and heroes of all kinds banding together and fighting in a battle at the gates of Castle Grymm. The final reflection revealed the young woman holding the golden book in one hand and a sword in another. Its reflection mirrors a most grim fate. A final confrontation between the queen and the girl. It shows the girl holding a silver sword. In one swipe, the queen struck down on the cold hard floor. Her body lay lifeless in front of the iron throne, the pillar of her absolute power, now without a ruler to sit upon. The reflection vanished into pure white glass reflecting only her pale white face, not out of fear, but out of flaming hot determination to cease this prophecy. That's when the shadow queen devises a plan. A sinister plan she knew full well in her years of expertise.
The obsidian doors pulled back on their own, receiving the soldiers and seven prisoners shackled in chains. One villain is an evil fairy named Malicia, a sorceress with long horns pointing from both sides of her head; her crime is cursing the young infant princess to death with a touch of the needle. She was sentenced to life in solitary confinement for treason against the crown. Another villain has a hook for a hand, a pirate name Captain Hook, the most fearsome pirate of all Neverland. Known for his hatred toward a young fairy-like boy who never grows up, his crime was piracy, kidnapping minors, and attempted murder. The Queen of Hearts, dressed in her fine rich velvet and red hearts was sentenced for attempted murder of a young girl from Wonderland and dictatorship of her people. Thalassa, the sea witch, caged in a small aquarium-like prison, was charged for witchcraft. Former evil queen Lillith, whose once greatest asset was her beauty, now a dreary old woman. Her crime, attempted murder of a young princess. Mother Gothel, just like Lillith was once a powerful witch who was sent here for kidnapping a lost princess and imprisonment, now a prisoner herself with only a former shell of herself. And finally, the old madam, Lady Cordelia. Aged like fine wine but has no wealth to her name other than the clothes on her back. Sentenced to life in prison for imprisoning a girl and enslaving her for years. Forming in a horizontal line they faced the Shadow Queen sitting on her iron throne.
"Do you know why I summoned you here?" The prisoners looked at each other and at her. "An unprecedented event has occurred in the castle. As all of you have heard, the Legends of Grymm, once thought to be a myth, has been discovered by two intruders that invaded my castle and stole the book. Thanks to that sorceress and her lucrative magic, that book is now lost in God-knows-where. The book could be everywhere. Even if I know where the book is hidden, this curse confines me to this castle as long as I live. However, this predicament may lead to your benefit."
The Shadow Queen raised her arms extended toward the prisoners. Magic illuminated from her hands. The prisoners looked at her with fear and confusion. Then in the flash of light the villains closed their eyes amidst the blinding lights. Once they open their eyes, they found themselves completely different. They feel different. The cloths on their backs are armed with leather and variety of weapons very fitting on their stature. They looked at each other and immediately recognized that their youth is restored. They don't look anything like their empty selves. They feel rejuvenized and powerful.
"So, here's my offer to you." the dark queen spoke summoning a mirror-like portal of the sorceress, the rogue, and one girl. "You shall give chase to these three. They have something of importance that I must obtain. It must not be in the hands of this girl." she said referring to the brunette. "Search all over the kingdom and hunt them down. Bring them all to me dead or alive. I do not care which. In exchange for your services, I shall grant you your wealth, your lands, most of all freedom." The villains' eyes widen on the last word spoken. "One more thing. Should you fail to do your duty to your queen, well let's just say there will be grave repercussions for such failures."
They understood their mission and departed from sight leaving the castle entirely. From there they discussed what they were told.
"Well, you heard her majesty. Let's kill them and get it over with.", Thalassa nonchalantly said without a care.
"Normally I agree with you." Captain Hook said. "But on the same token must we though? They were once the queen's most trustworthy companions. And out of all the people she could've sent to execute someone, why us?" he questioned.
"For her to go as far as this, I say she's really gone to the dark side this time.", Mother Gothel confirmed.
"But for her to ask us to kill her own flesh and blood? Even I must admit that was evil beyond doubt, even for me." Queen Lillith said. "And I even tried to kill my daughter once."
"Stepdaughter to correct thee, first all. Second, it's not only once you tried to kill her." Lady Tremaine added.
"I believe it was three times if I do recall." The Queen of Hearts pointed out.
"Who cares who killed who!" Malicia spatted. "What matter is that we do our jobs without mistakes. Her orders are absolute."
"Very funny Mal." Queen Lilith said. "Last time I check you're not a fan of Her Majesty, the Queen, or any queens in general."
"Last time I check, you're no queen either. In case you've forgotten." Malicia shot back. "And don't call me Mal."
"I'm still queen."
"A queen of no man's land." the Queen of Hearts snickered.
"I dare you to say that again."
"I dare you wouldn't."
The two women hissed at each other like cats fighting in the dark alley. "Women." Captain Hook commented at their quarrel.
"Care to say that again, Hooky?" Lillith glared at him with rage.
"Enough!" Lady Cordelia silenced the air with her booming voice. The villains, silent, stared at her with wide eyes while Ursula rolled her eyes.
"We don't have time for this! We have a job to do and that's finding the book and earning our freedom. If you want to go back to that dankly prison cell, then be my guest. I'm doing this whether you're with me or not." Lady Cordelia ended her statement before walking away from the group.
Mother Gothel first spoke, "Still the queen, she has completely changed. And this kingdom." Then the others followed behind Lady Cordelia.
Meanwhile, in other side of the forest. Two individuals teleported back to their secret hideout in the dark forest. They returned feeling drained and beaten. They collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
"We're alive..." the man heaved out of breath.
"Barely." the woman added. "That was really reckless of you to charge at them Ashton."
"What else was I supposed to do Farrah?" Ashton said. "You saw how many there are. If it weren't for me, we wouldn't be dead."
"If hadn't been for me, we'd be good as dead." Farrah shot back her words.
"More to the bigger point, what happen to the book and what did you do?" Ashton asked.
"What should've been done." Farrah started out the window to the stars above. "It was the only way to keep the book safe."
"By making it harder on us that it needs to be?" Ashston sarcastically said. "That book was the only way to save this kingdom. And what did you do? You lost it. You lost the only thing that was the main salvation of this kingdom."
"It looks like you've forgotten the legends." Farrah waved her arms in the air and summoned a portal like mirror reflecting the former glory days of Grymm. "The legend goes that once the golden book, once thought to be lost is found, the book choses the person who will rightfully wield its magic. When I open the book, the first thing I see is the incantation. Once I read it, it disappears. Therefore, neither of us are chosen."
"So, what happens now?" he asked.
"Now we wait. Wherever the book is, hopefully it will find someone more worthy to wield its power than us. For now, all we can do is fight. Fighting and surviving. And pray that the person we're looking for will heed its call." They looked at the skies above the earth staring at the dim light of the stars hopelessly shining is light. That's what the kingdom needs. A light. A light of hope.
.....
"The legendary book once lost and found is now lost again. Farrah, the sorceress, and Ashton, the rouge, continued the battle at hand, waiting for the day for book and its chosen one to be found."
The mother closed the storybook ending the story. The little girl groaned in disappointment as she wanted to hear more of the story. The mother calmed her pouty daughter down and laid her to bed. It was getting late anyway, and she needed to wake up early tomorrow for school.
"Can you read me the rest of the story?" the little girl pleaded with her eyes.
"Tomorrow, I will read you the rest of the story." The mother promised tucking her daughter to sleep. "Good night, Emara."
The mother kissed her daughter on the forehead before walking out of her bedroom and closed the door behind. Emara slept peacefully in her cozy bed, unaware of the tragedy that lies ahead. On the night her mother kissed her goodnight would be the last night she'll ever see her alive. For on that night, would be the night that all things fall apart. As for Grymm, for many years the people live their lives under the constant scrutiny of their tyrannical queen. Little did they know that on one fateful day, an eventful adversity would bring about a start of a whole new adventure where an unlikely individual would one day be chosen to play the hero of this twisted tale. Come forth young blood, for your destiny is calling. And so, her fairytale begins.