Alright guys! Updated this, heading out to work on MEMF so I can try it today too. The fun stuff is about to start here. The next chapter will no doubt be in 3rd person, then at the conclusion of the story shift back to the WP. I'll see what flows best and all. Hope its not to confusing and you guys are excited about it continuing.

What the hell was going on?

That seemed to be the summary of most people's expressions and words as they looked around in the dark abyss we were all contained in. There wasn't anything here- no up, down, sides…its was like we were floating- or better yet when you watch those old weird cartoons were the characters end up on that white background where they can't tell anything.

A plane of nonexistence. Only we were all in our damn pajamas.

"Jack?" I turned my head at the gruff voice that said my name, eyes narrowing on the blacksmith apprentice. But what made my gaze soften was the petite tiny little blond that trailed behind him, looking around worriedly while tugging her large tshirt down.

Claire was a shy little thing. It was amazing she even found the courage to talk to Gray with his rough way of handling people. But he seemed to be the guy she knew would protect her. And with all these people she didn't know around, it was no wonder she was so nervous.

Forget-Me-Not-Valley and Mineral Town were in this place, and Claire hadn't ever come to the valley, so she had no idea who was who. And I'm sure Rock winking at her and making kissing faces damn sure didn't help her feel any better about being here in her overly large tshirt. But At least she hadn't slept in a little sexy number like Muffy. Luckily for her Marlin had offered her his tshirt to cover up.

So what was going on, and why were we all here in out pjs?

"I-Is this a dream?" Claire's tiny voice asked, and I shrugged. But when I heard an all to familiar laugh- a cackle actually, I rolled my eyes, groaning in response.

"No. It's that damn witch," I snapped, glaring upwards and knowing the woman could see me. "Well, Witch, were are you? Come on and tell us what we got to do to get out of this," I growled, knowing that it was possible a spell gone wrong, or way to right.

It was always that way with the bumbling magical being- too much Kazam and not enough Alla or whatever.

"It doesn't much depend on you per say," he voice echoed earliy around us, almost as if we were in a cave. But when a light seemed to appear- a floating flame, I was able to realize exactly where we were.

"You put us in your damn cauldron?" I yelled, seeing everyone look around and gasp as they also realized it.

"No…you're all still in your beds," her voice quit echoing as there was a loud crackling sound and a crap load of purple smoke. "Physically" she whispered with a smirk as she appeared. "But I borrowed your subconsiousnesses to help a poor soul in need. And until I've accomplished that- and proven to the Harvest Goddess that I can do a better job at that than her, you'll all be in here."

"Who is it you're supposed to be helping"

"Once upon a time, in a land far far away,"

I stiffened at the sound of the small voice that echoed in the space, knowing it all too well.

"There was an old king," at the words everyone gasped as Barley disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"So how it works," the witch began with a giggle, "Is that when she casts you in her story, that is the character you'll play. If she gets writer block, I help her out by telling my version of another story," she said sternly, eyes narrowing. "And I'll cast who I see fit in each one I tell."

"So its like a play?" Muffy asked, her eyes sparkling.

"You could say that- but…you do become your character. You simply…are them."

"This is weird," Gray muttered, jerking his arm away from Claire. "What have you done to Ms. Mary?"

"Now that is a surprise for the hero, isn't it?" She laughed, tossing her head back as she did so. After a moment she composed herself and smirked between Gray and myself. "Now I don't know who that hero is yet…but…it will all come together in good time. After all- every story begins with the ending all ready in mind. It's the journey to there were all the interesting things happen."

The witch tsked and glared upwards in the cauldron, shaking her head and letting out a long sigh. "Writer's block already- this is going to be harder than I thought," She mused out loud, snapping her fingers as a book appeared in her hands. "This will be the fun part- where the lines of fantasy and reality blur, where one is no longer I, but she or he. Where you will help the young woman fulfill her dream."

I blinked as the roar of thunder filled the cauldron, making it deafening as wind blew and the witch's hair and robe blew wildly about her. Her bright ruby eyes glowed as she looked over us, and then she snapped her fingers, and I heard gasps and shouts as certain people disappeared, including the witch. The only thing left where she had stood was the book…

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

"Who is missing?" I snapped, looking around as everyone tried to figure it out themselves.

"Karen, Rick, and Won," Popuri's worried voice chimed in, and I let out a long sigh, carefully opening the book, the bright light that pooled out of the pages blinding me as I managed to get it open.

Once upon a time, long, long ago a king and queen ruled over a distant land….