i, ii/iii

Parts i, ii/iii

wc: 2.9k

Stranger Waking: 1.4k

Ceremony Breaking/A Dismissive Ranking: 1.5k

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i: Stranger Waking

The last thing I remember before I passed out was...

"Here's that new phone you've been wanting for the past year kiddo!" I heard my father say as he handed me the box.

My dad had gotten a call so he left the room to go take it.

My eyes sparkled as I opened the box and saw the gleam of the fresh screen, looking at myself through it.

I noticed it already had a case.

"That's weird..." I say as I take the phone out of the box.

I saw that something had fell out of the box when I took out the phone.

I kneeled down to pick it up.

"Is that a pen?"

I touched the pen but I passed out immediately after.

Now I don't know where I am, or if I can go back home.

> VILLAINS' WORLD

3RD PERSON

[N] was woken up by the smell of burning wood. They could also feel the temperature increase. "What the? Why is it getting hotter?!" [N] banged on the walls of the small space they were trapped in, eager to be free from the growing heat chamber.

"Why won't this stupid door just open—!" [N] banged on the front of the small space and finally, it was forced open.

[N] is sent to the cold hard floor of an unfamiliar room. [N] looked around and saw floating coffins and a mirror in front of them. [N] was quickly pulled from their thoughts by a... cat? "Nyah! You're awake?! Doesn't matter, gimme your robes!"

[N] looks at the creature in front of them, curious about its flaming ears and weirdly shaped tail. "Are you a cat or something?"

"Nyah?! I am no cat! I am Grim, sorcerer extraordinaire. Now gimme your uni— nyah?!" Grim was cut off by [N] grabbing him by the scruff of his neck, incapacitating him.

[N] looked at the catlike creature squirm about, trying to get out of their hold. "Aww, you're like a little pet. albeit not as cute, but you fit the description!"

"Put me down you wench! Why can't I use my fire?! What did you do you human?!" Grim kept on squirming in the nonchalant [N]'s hold as they watched him struggle. [N] started to get bored and just dropped the flaming ear beast.

[N] yawned. "I don't really care about all this 'sorcerer' mumbo-jumbo. I'm gonna look for a way back home. go steal robes elsewhere, you're disturbing the peace." [N] walked away without giving Grim a chance to respond.

"Nyah?! No! You're supposed to gimme your ro— WHERE DID YOU GO?!" Grim started to belittle name, not realizing they had already left.

> VILLAINS' WORLD

[N] was walking around the building, taking in their new surroundings. 'I really should be finding way home but... this place is so incredibly alluring.' [N] thought as they dragged their hand across the antique walls.

[N] then finds themselves in a room filled with many books, almost all the shelves reached the ceiling. "Wow... magnificent." [N] said, not realizing a familiar beast was coming up behind them.

"Nya-ha! I finally found you!" Grim spoke out, evidently spooking [N]. "I can finally take revenge on y— NYAH?!" Grim was silenced by a whip hitting him on his back and tying him up.

A man with a mask and hat then spoke. "Consider it tough love." The man then turned his attention to [N].

"Ah. I've finally found you at last. Splendid. I trust you're one of this year's new students?" The man questioned, making [N] put their hands on their hips. "My, were you ever eager to make your debut."

The man looked down at the flaming ear beast. "And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is against school policy."

[N] chuckled. "That weasel is not my famil—" they were promptly cut off by an upset Grim. "As if i'd serve some lowly human! now lemme go!"

The man got into the beast's face and covered his mouth with his hand. "Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, won't you?" [N] laughed at the display.

"Mmmfph!" Grim squirmed in the man's whip.

"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." The man said, making [N] smile a bit. "So that makes me special, right?'

"Haha, no." The man gave a short laugh before giving his truthful answer. "Does the very notion of patience elude you?"

[N] looked at the man in offense before he spoke again. "No matter. Your orientation has already started. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber."

The man started to walk to the entrance, expecting [N] to follow. "Before we go back, I have a question."

The man stopped in his tracks, facing [N] once more. "Alright, what is it?" The man asked as he crossed his arms.

"I get the whole student thing, but what do you mean by gate?" [N] asked.

The man looked at [N] strangely. "You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not?" Now it was [N]'s turn to look at the man strangely. "You mean the coffins?"

"Exactly. All students here on campus arrived by passing such gates." The man spoke, "Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until i open them before waking up."

[N] nodded as they smiled sarcastically. "Great, yeah, I get it. But I'm pretty sure someone, or in this case someTHING, blew the lid off of mine." [N] said as they moved their gaze to the still squirming Grim.

"The culprit seems to be that familiar of yours." The man said as he followed [N]'s gaze to said culprit.

The man looked back at [N], with [N] doing the same to the man. "You're the one who insisted on bringing it, so curtailing its behavior is your responsibility!" [N] looked at the man with a blank stare.

"I've been trying to tell you, that thing is not mi—" [N] was again cut off. "But now is not the time for such prattle, you've a student orientation to attend!"

"Go on, now. Make haste." The man said as he pushed [N] towards the entrance of the library.

[N] slowly walked as they were being pushed. "Before we go, tell me, who are you?" What [N] said made the man stop pushing them.

The man put a finger on his chin. "Hm? have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories..."

"Well these things happen, I suppose." The man put his arms back at his sides. 'These things really should not happen.' [N] thought as they sighed.

"I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless." The man boasted as he walked towards the entrance, [N] following behind.

> COURTYARD

[N] and the man walked through the courtyard. "This is Night Raven College." The man started to speak.

"It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic." The man said, [N] nodding their head in understanding. "It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland."

"And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman. I serve as headmage." The man, who's name is revealed to be Crowley, finally introduced himself.

[N] side eyed Crowley. "And you couldn't have told me your name when I asked?" Crowley looked back at them. "I thought you already knew."

"And what do you mean by academy?" [N] crossed their arms. "Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college." Crowley explained.

Crowley spoke again. "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." Crowley said.

[N] sighed. "I don't remember getting in a carriage. I remember being in one, if that counts."

"Yes it does. That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror." Crowley said, [N] nodding to his words.

"It too bears the gate that connects you to campus." Crowley said.

"And as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition." Crowley spoke again.

[N] looked at Crowley in confusion. "Erm, time-honored tradition... WHERE?!"

Grim started squirming again after [N] spoke. "Mmffff!! Mmmmfffff!!!"

Both Crowley and [N] ignored the beast's muffled complaints. "Now, let us attend your orientation."

ii/iii: Ceremony Breaking/A Dismissive Ranking

> MIRROR CHAMBER

"We're done with orientation and dorm assignments?" A red haired boy said with one hand on his hip.

The boy spoke again. "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!"

"*Yawn* Well, that ceremony was as boring as ever." A boy with lion ears spoke.

The boy with lion ears spoke again. "I'm going back to the dorm. If you're in Savanaclaw House, follow me."

"New students! Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your achievement." A boy with glasses on spoke.

The boy with glasses continued, "As dorm leader of Octanville, I am honored to have the opportunity to support you in what i hope will be a fulfilling campus experience."

A handsome boy started to speak. "Hey, does anyone know where the headmage went? He disappeared midway through the ceremony..."

"Some headmage he is." A voice from a tablet was heard.

"Maybe he had a tummy ache?" A boy with red eyes spoke up.

Then, Crowley bursted into the Mirror Chamber with both [N] and Grim in tow. "I most certainly did not!"

The red haired boy spoke up. "Ah, speak of the devil."

"If you must know, I was searching for the new student who'd failed to show for orientation." Crowley defended.

"I purposefully did not show, just FYI." [N] had whispered under their breath.

Crowley ignored what [N] said. "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."

"Grrrr!" Grim cries were muffled.

[N] stepped up in front of the Dark Mirror. "State your name."

"My name is [N] [L}." [N] said with no expression on their face.

"[N]..." The Dark Mirror starts, "The nature of your soul is..."

"...." The Dark Mirror doesn't speak for a moment.

The Dark Mirror then speaks with a bit of uncertainty. "Unfamiliar to me."

Crowley gave an expression of confusion. "What did you just say?"

"The power flowing through this one is unpredictable. Destructive. Dangerous. Deliberately uncontainable." The Dark Mirror spoke up again.

"Therefore, no dorm would fit." The Dark Mirror finishes.

The other students started to whisper.

"Are you saying that this particular student does not fit anywhere in at Night Raven College?" Crowley asked, a bit saddened by the fact.

The Dark Mirror spoke again "Even if they were to choose a dorm, none of them would feel like the right choice."

"In all my time as headmage, i've never had a student so strong and talented that they could not attend Night Raven College. I am truly saddened by this and I apologize." Crowley said as [N] stood still, them still standing in front of the Dark Mirror. "Would it be best if you went home?"

[N] looked at Crowley in disbelief. "Um, yes!"

Some of the students gasp at [N]'s quick decision, others shaking their head.

"Oh come on! Imagine being told that no matter where you go, ya wont fit the puzzle!" [N] turned to the students, "I get that being chosen to come here is a 'privilege' or whatever, but I would much rather go to a school where I feel as if I belong. Not a school where I was told that not one crevice would be enough to contain me!"

"Mmmmph!!! Nnnggggrhh!! Grrraaaahh!!" Grim then broke out of his restraints.

"Me! Let ME have this student's seat!" Grim spoke.

Crowley spoke with a firm tone. "Not so fast, you hyperactive weasel!"

"I don't how strong that human is, but atleast I would actually be a good fit for this school! So let me be a student here!" Grim spoke with a smug look on his face.

Grim smug look became more noticable. "Look, I'll show you! My spells're the cat's meow!"

"Everyone get do—" The red haired boy was about to speak, but was cut off by [N].

"Ghost Hand." [N] made a hand gesture as if they were holding Grim by the scruff of his neck.

"Nyah?! Again?! How are you even doing that?! I can't use my magic!" Grim cried out.

The boy with red eyes look at [N] in admiration. "Wow! You're so cool! How are you keeping it restrained without even touching it?"

"I... dunno. I guess I did it out of instinct." [N] said as they got close to the beast.

The boy with red hair starts to speak. "The Queen of Hearts' rule 23: 'One must never bring a cat to a formal affair.' Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately."

"But I ain't a cat either!" Grim cried out as he was in the air, squirming about.

[N] started to get annoyed at the beast's complaints. "Oh, can you be quiet? Can someone please take him away? This isn't my familiar and I don't know who he is."

Guards came and grabbed Grim, taking him out of the Mirror Chamber.

"Noooo! Let me goooooo!" Grim cried as he was taken out of the Mirror Chamber.

Grim spoke again. "You fools better remember my name!" He yelled out, "Cause I'm gonna go down in the annals of magic history! Just you wait!"

Grim was then fully taken out of the Mirror Chamber.

"Quite the show..." [N] said as they switched legs.

Crowley nodded. "Quite the show indeed. Anyways, 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." Crowley pointed out the missing Housewarden as many started to murmur at the last name.

The boy with lion ears scoffed. "And that surprises you? Dude's a total recluse."

The boy with red eyes then spoke up. "Wait a sec... did anyone even invite him?"

"If you're so worried about him missing out, maybe you should have told him yourself." The handsome boy retorted.

"Maybe, but I don't know him too well either.." The boy with red eyes responded.

Students started to whisper.

"Draconia...Like, Malleus Draconia? THAT Draconia?"

"So it's true? He really does go to school here?"

"Yikes."

A boy with a deep voice then spoke. "Ah, Just as i'd expect."

"I figured i'd have to come down and see for myself whether Malleus had made an appearance." The boy with a deep voice continued,

"But once again, he was evidently not informed that his presence was required at an official ceremony." The boy with a deep voice exhaled a bit.

The boy with glasses then spoke, "You have my sincerest apologies. I assure you, this oversight was no way intended as a snub."

The boy with red hair spoke up right after. "I mean, you must admit, he's not exactly the easiest person to strike a conversation with."

"No matter. All who were assigned to House Diasomnia, follow me," The boy with a deep voice sighed, "I just hope he doesn't sulk about this..."

Crowley looked at [N] is with a sad smile. "I would've said that you would be an amazing student here..." Crowley starts to look glum. "But alas, fate did not want you to study here."

"I don't believe in fate." [N] said with a deadpan expression.

"Nevermind that!" Crowley ignored [N]'s statement. "I will send you home at once, under your wishes. Please step into the gate and visualize the place from whence you came."

Crowley stepped up to the Dark Mirror as [N] stepped into the gate.

"Fuu fuu... I'm so sad this had happened." Crowley cried fake tears making [N] roll their eyes.

"O Dark Mirror! Return this soul to where it belongs!" Crowley's voiced had boomed throughout the entire room.

The Dark Mirror sat still for a moment. "...."

Crowley looked a bit flustered when the Dark Mirror did not respond. "*Ahem* L-let us, er... try this again. O Dark Mirror! Return this soul—"

"There is no such place." The Dark Mirror finally spoke, cutting off Crowley.

Crowley stood still out of shock. "What?"

'Am I gonna have to stay here longer than I should? Just great...' [N] thought with a sigh.

"There is no such place in this world where this soul belongs." The Dark Mirror spoke again. "None."

"How can that be?" Crowley started, "My, but today is veritable cavalcade of impossible events!"

"I don't know what those words mean but okay." [N] shrugged their shoulders.

"This has never happened throughout my long tenure. I must confess that I am at something of a loss." Crowley looked to one side of the room.

Crowley then asked, "Tell me, from what land do you hail?"

"I'm from [C/N]." [N] gestured towards themself.

"I'm afraid I am not familiar with such a place." Crowley said as he placed a finger on his chin.

"I am intimately acquainted with the origins of every student who has come here, and yet... this mysterious homeland of yours is an eludes me." Crowley finishes.

Crowley then looks back at [N]. "Let us go to the library and look it up, shall we?"

A/N: this wasn't supposed to be 3 parts in one. But anyways