Episode 26

**Episode 26** of Forever After is the twenty-sixth episode in the series.

## Summary

Robin and Tank revisit *Little Briar Rose* before receiving an invitation from Hira to visit her lair.

## Plot

Robin and Tank arrive back at the wall that surrounds the castle in *Little Briar Rose*, and are shocked at how much larger the brambles are since they can't even see the castle anymore. Tank speculates it had been growing while they were gone and suggests burning it, but the spiky vines attempt to attack him. Robin tells the sentient privacy hedge to back off, and Hira's voice shocks them as she explains the hedge is not sentient.

Robin looks for the Thirteenth Wise Woman as Tank explains that she is using a spying spell, and a large star-shaped portal appears in front of the two, and they see Hira in beachwear surrounded by tropical plants. Hira explains that only her magic can undo the curse on the kingdom, and Tank yells that they'll simply tear it down by force. Hira comments that they're slow learners and are welcome to try their luck with the briars again, or they can discuss the circumstances like grown-ups.

The portal grows to allow Robin and Tank to walk through, showing a beach house with palm trees and a pool on the other side. Tank is hesitant to go through and says that it is an obvious trap, and Robin points out that since it's so obvious, it can't be a trap. Tank has a hard time believing Robin's counter, and Robin points out that they are not going to get through the hedge. Tank says he still thinks they should burn it, and one of the spiky vines tries to grab in again. Robin plucks her friend out of the air for his own safety while telling him to stop threatening the brambles.

They startle as eyes appear all along the vines and quickly hop through the portal, agreeing to deal with the development of the eyes later, neither of them noticing the Caterpillar watching them from amongst the eye covered briars as they leave. On the other side of the portal, Tank wonders if they're still in the story, and Robin reminds him that Hira lives far away from the kingdom and that their current location wasn't exactly an evil lair. Tank tells her to keep her eyes peeled, since they'll never know what they'll find.

On the other side of the pool, Hira and Makemnoit are lounging in the sun with drinks and books. Makemnoit ask if those are the princes because they don't look like much. Hira impatiently snaps her fingers to teleport Robin and Tank to her location, also summoning chairs for them to sit in and drinks. Hira tells Robin to sit down, and Robin replies that she isn't there to make nice. Hira surprises Robin by revealing that she knew her first name, and Tank intervenes when she tries to find out Robin's surname.

Hira tells Robin to sit down again as magic forces Robin and Tank to sit in the chairs Hira conjured up for them. Hira asks why she is here, and Robin says she is there to save the kingdom, and Hira demands to know why. Robin angrily points out that Hira cursed it, and Hira want to know why Robin cares about and idiotic king and a drunk queen who's idea of defeating her curse was "burn all the spinning wheels". Makemnoit sneakily asks about the linen prices, much to Hira's growing headache.

Robin says that Hira can't curse people because they aren't as clever as her with Tank adding that what she does is evil. Hira points out that they currently aren't in any pain, just very inconvenienced. Makemnoit points out they are really behind in new technology and industry, and laughs with Hira as the Wise Woman mocks their textile trade.

Robin points out it's wrong to hold that kind of power over people, and Hira asks how it's different from the power the king and queen have, and that she had earned her power. Robin asks if that means she has to fight Hira, and Hira threatens to turn Robin back into stone again and throw the statue to Aurelia, in the ocean. Robin demands to know how Hira knows Aurelia, and Hira reveals that the Wicked Witch, who she refers to as the Usurper, isn't the only one who can travel between realms.

Robin flops back in her chair as she admits that she doesn't understand Forever After at all, and sips her drink, despite Tank cautioning her otherwise, and Hira offers to reconsider her curse if Robin does something for her. Tank refuses to work with a Witch, and Makemnoit snaps that Hira is a Wise Woman. Hira calms her friend and explains that what she wants isn't outlandish or out of the way, asking if *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* was on their list for stories to complete.

Robin checks her book and sees that the story isn't finished, and Tank comments that he doesn't like this. Hira asks if they want to free Briar Rose, and Robin nervously asks Hira what she wants them to do. As Hira's magic swirls around them and sends Robin and Tank off, she says it's nothing too dramatic, and all she wants is to teach the Queen of Hearts a little lesson.

## Important Events

* Robin and Tank return to *Little Briar Rose*
* Robin makes a deal with Hira to undo the curse on Briar Rose
* Robin and Tank are sent to the story of *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland*

## Characters

Robin

Tank

Hira

Caterpillar

Makemnoit

Briar Rose (Cameo)

Briar Rose's Parents (Cameo)

Triton (Mentioned)

Aurelia (Cameo)

Aristina (Cameo)

Wicked Witch (Mentioned)

## Credits

*Written by Violet Matter*

*Storyboarding by Valery Yu*

*Art by Hannah Patten*

Backgrounds by Megan Roberts

*Lettering by Kylie Hunsinger*

*Copy editing by Kat Vendetti*

*Produced by Quinn Sosna-Spear and Wil Kennedy*