Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Once upon a time, in a land beyond imagination…comes the tale of Ever After High, a high school for the next generation of fairytales. Each student is charged with following in the footsteps of their fairytale parents, ensuring their classic stories will continue to be told.

But one student—Lotor Thorn, son of the dark fairy—doesn’t want to follow in his father’s villainous path.

And can you blame him? I mean, who wants to be the most hated of them all?

Unfortunately, Lotor’s rebellion doesn’t sit well with the Royals, who were promised their happily ever afters.

And so, the school stands divided into two main groups.

The Royals, who believe destiny must be protected and followed.

And the Rebels, who believe everyone deserves the right to choose their own future.

Of course, there’s so much more to tell…but every story has to start somewhere.

And this year, a new chapter begins at Ever After High.

Because in this tale…

The end is only the beginning.

Chapter Text

Ever After High’s second-year students buzzed with emotion as they arrived for the new school year. It was their Legacy Day year—a momentous event where the students pledge to all the magical world to follow the same paths of their fairytale parents.

This year’s Legacy Day is filled with numerous children with a destined future. Some more special than the others.

…

Keith sat in one of the many luxurious carriages that his family owned, a bright red apple that symbolized his family sat on each door. With every step the horses took, Keith could feel his stomach drop lower and lower. He stared out the window to try and distract himself from the unbecoming thoughts that kept circling in his mind. The beautiful and familiar scenery of the bright and colorful landscape did not help with his nerves. Oh Grimm, he was not ready for this—

“Keith!”

Keith jumped. He tore his eyes away from the window to stare at the man seated in front of him. Tadashi “Shiro” Huntsman stared at him with worried eyes.

“I’ve been calling you for a minute. You’re shaking like a leaf!” Shiro exclaimed, his voice soft in a way that was usually only used towards Keith.

Keith sighed. “I’m fine…just excited for Legacy Day.” Keith knew he could never lie to Shiro and get away with it, but he still gave him a shaky smile.

Shiro raised a brow.

“Okay fine maybe I’m a bit nervous.” Keith admitted, crossing his arms across his chest.

Shiro smiled at him. “It’s alright to be, Keith. My legacy year was nerve wracking too.”

Keith gave him what he hoped was an appreciated look. It’s not that Keith isn’t grateful to Shiro—everything the Huntsmans have done for him, both in and out of story, Keith will be grateful for forever after—but he doesn’t think Shiro can really relate to his situation. I mean, he’s Keith White—the next Snow White. His story is one of the most important stories in the Story Book of Legends so he couldn’t help but feel the pressure.

“I just,” Keith started, turning his head to gaze back out the window. “I want to make sure I don’t mess anything up.”

Shiro placed a hand on Keith’s shoulder, making the prince look back at him.

“You’ll do great. I’ve known you since you were a boy and I know how hard you’ve been working to be your best self. Even if you do slip up, no one will blame you. If you ever feel overwhelmed, you know you can always come to me.” Shiro gave Keith’s shoulder a squeeze before letting go.

Keith exhaled deeply. Keith wanted to believe him. He really did.

This year must go perfectly…he must be perfect, so that his parents' story can live on.

…

Keith and Shiro parted ways after arriving at the school. Shiro is a bit older than Keith and has already finished his school years as well as signed his page in the story books of legends. However, he is still present at Ever After High as a supervisor or—at times—a professor.

Keith doesn’t really get why he still lingers at the school, if it were him, he would be enjoying life to its fullest before having to fulfill his destiny. But it’s not his place to judge, if Shiro wants to stay here fairysitting then he has every right to do so. Sometimes, Keith thought Shiro was also scared to play out their story and chose to stay here out of fear, but he won’t get his hopes up at thinking someone else also shared his thoughts.

While on his way towards the huge school, Keith quickly spotted his long time friend Allura Beauty, daughter of the sleeping beauty. He and Allura have been friends since Nursery Rhyme school.

“‘Lura!” Keith called out and sped his pace to catch up with the dark skinned girl.

Allura looked back at the shout of her name and lit up at the sight of her best friend ever after jogging over to her.

“Keith!” She exclaimed, pulling him into a quick embrace. “I was worried I wouldn’t catch you before the hall rush!”

Keith laughed softly, though the tension in his shoulders never quite eased. “Are you mad? There’s no way I’d miss walking in with you.”

Allura smiled, looping her arm through his as they continued toward the towering gates of Ever After High. The school loomed above them, just as magnificent as it had been their first year—spiraled towers, floating banners, and stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Storybook of Legends. Today, however, the air felt…heavier.

“You seem quiet,” Allura observed gently. “Well…more than usual.”

Keith hesitated. Allura had always been able to read him far too easily. “I’m just thinking about Legacy Day,” he admitted. “It’s kind of hard not to.”

Allura nodded. “I know. It’s a big day. But it’s also a good one.” She smiled, warm and certain. “It means everything is finally falling into place.”

Keith returned her smile, though his didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yes. Falling into place.”

Around them, students gathered in clusters. Some were laughing excitedly, others whispering behind gloved hands.

Keith caught sight of Kate Thumbbell arguing animatedly with her older brother near the courtyard steps. They’d spoken a few times before, mostly because they both had their older brothers within arm’s reach at school. The two siblings confused Keith, especially with the rules of their fairytale. Usually, it was the eldest sibling who got their parents more well known role in the tale, however, it was Kate who was destined to become the next Thumbelina. Perhaps it was due to the fact Matt had wings while his sister didn’t.

Hunk Breadhouse stood nearby, he had a tray of sweets and a kind smile. No one seemed interested in taking his offerings though, it was understandable—he was the son of the Candy Witch. Even so, Keith felt bad at seeing his smile get smaller and smaller, he made a mental note to go and get some if he saw the boy later in the day.

The sound of the speakers turning on made almost everyone freeze and look up.

“May all second year students make their way to the charmatorium to receive their schedules along with a special announcement from the headmaster. I repeat, May all second year—“

“That's us!” Allura exclaimed. She moves her arm so that instead of hanging off of Keith, she takes his hand. “Come on! I don’t want to miss anything Iverson says.” She pulls Keith towards the direction of the cafeteria, leaving the boy with no choice but to follow.

The charmatorium of Ever After High was already bursting with energy by the time Keith and Allura arrived.

Long banquet tables stretched across the room, each draped in shimmering cloth embroidered with golden script. Floating lanterns bobbed overhead, chiming softly as students brushed past one another.

“Wow,” Allura breathed. “I always forget how big our class is.”

Keith nodded, eyes roaming around the room.

Students quickly gathered into their respective groups of friends. Once everyone was seated, fairy god parents—in training—started to appear to hand out their schedules. Some students reacted with excitement, others with dramatic groans. After a while, a young male fairy popped up in front of Keith.

“Keith…White.” The other boy's voice was low and bored before it raised in pitch as he finished reading his name. The fairy looked up at him with wide eyes, mouth agape. Keith smiled at him.

The boy flushed red and started to cough. Once he composed himself, he extended his hand towards Keith and bowed a little. He was holding a scroll with a ribbon tying it closed.

“Y-your schedule, your Highness!” The fairy stuttered out.

“Thank you.” Keith said in the soft tone his father used to speak in.

The boy squeaked and gave him a small smile before poofing away.

“Hey, what do you have for your first period?” Allura asked as she skimmed through her schedule.

“Advance Kingdom Management.” Keith read out loud.

Allura pouted before her brow raised in confusion. “Advance?”

Keith grinned sheepishly. “I wanted to get a head start last year.”

Allura hummed in understanding. “I have princessology. What about your second?” She asked.

Keith looked down at his schedule again and tried not to cringe at the class title. “Damsel-in-distressing..”

Great, Keith knew it was bound to end up on his schedule, but that didn’t mean to make it any less mortifying. It has nothing to do with his gender—I mean, come on—after more than ten generations of repeated fairytales, there were bound to be multiple children of the opposite gender of their original story. Keith’s father was a prime example of this. No, that wasn’t the issue.

Honestly, Keith never understood the purpose of the class. No one really needs training on how to act scared in a high stress situation—plus, he didn’t even really need the skill for his story. He’s basically just going to humiliate himself by taking this class and not using the material later on. There’s also the fact this particular class almost always paired up with the Hero training class every session. Keith held back a shiver.

“Hexcellent! We have it during the same time!” Allura excitedly exclaimed. Keith let her ramble on about her classes, he really didn’t want to see the other classes he got this year.

…

After a few more minutes, Headmaster Iverson stepped up onto the raised dais, his polished shoes clicking sharply against the marble floor. At once, the charmatorium quieted. Even the floating lanterns seemed to dim in attention.

The headmaster adjusted his crimson-and-gold coat, cleared his throat, and smiled—that practiced, reassuring expression that had been perfected over generations.

“Welcome back, students of Ever After High.”

A ripple of applause followed, quickly silenced by a gentle wave of his hand.

“You return to these halls not merely as scholars,” Iverson continued, his voice carrying effortlessly across the room, “but as heirs. Heirs to the greatest stories ever told.”

“This year,” he said, his tone growing solemn, “is no ordinary year. You stand on the threshold of your Legacy Year—the moment when the choices made by your parents, grandparents, and ancestors become your own.”

Several students straightened in their seats.

“For centuries, Ever After High has safeguarded these stories,” Iverson went on. “Every signed page ensures that our world remains balanced. That heroes rise when they must. That villains fall when they must. That happily ever afters are not hopes, but guarantees.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing, his voice getting lower. “We all know the consequences for those who go off page.”

Many students—including Keith—turned to look at James Queen, son of the Evil Queen, with either fear or resentment. James’ mother had decided that spreading evil within her own story wasn’t good enough and went to wreak havoc on other fairy tales.

It was because of her that Keith’s parents were dead.

Keith was only seven at the time.

She came back years after her chapter with his father ended and went ballistic. He watched as she broke into their castle while all three of them were spending the afternoon in silent peace.

He remembered alarms going off and guards rushing in. But it was too late—at least for his parents. If it wasn’t for Mr. Huntsman taking little Keith and running far far away from the castle so that the Queen could be dealt with, Keith would have joined his parents. The story of Snow White would have been no more. The thought made Keith’s chest ache, his hands curling into his sleeves as if he could disappear inside them.

James only smirked at the mention of his mother’s actions. That only made the hostile looks increase in intensity.

Headmaster Iverson cleared his throat to gain the students attention back.

“Some of you will wear crowns. Some will wield swords. Some will fall into enchanted sleeps, and some will awaken them.” Faint chuckles passed through the crowd. Keith wasn’t one of them.

Iverson smiled again. “Whatever your role may be, it is vital.”

His gaze swept across the room—lingering just a moment longer on certain tables before moving on.

“You may feel nervous,” he allowed. “Excited. Perhaps even…uncertain.” His smile thinned slightly. “That is natural. Destiny is a powerful thing, and power demands respect.”

Iverson clasped his hands behind his back.

“But make no mistake—this year is not about choosing who you wish to be. It is about honoring who you are meant to be.”

The lanterns flared a little brighter.

“Every lesson, every trial, every tradition you will face this year exists for one purpose: to prepare you to step into the roles that only you can fulfill. To stray from that path is not bravery.” His voice hardened, just enough. “It is recklessness.”

He straightened, the warmth returning to his expression.

“So stand tall. Study hard. Trust in the stories that shaped us.” He spread his arms wide. “And when Legacy Day arrives, sign your page with pride—knowing that by doing so, you protect not only your own future…”

His eyes gleamed.

“…but the future of all fairytale realms.”

The room erupted into applause as Iverson bowed his head.

“Welcome to your Legacy Year, students,” he concluded. “May your stories unfold exactly as they were written.”