Shadowing Practice: Ever After High™ | Full Episode Compilation | The Beginning (Episodes 1-4) | Official Video - Learn English Speaking with Video
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They told you everything was waiting for you.
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They told you everything was set in stone.
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You're a trial, you're a rebel, you're more than one together.
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However you go, ever after high.
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Once upon a time, in a land beyond imagination, comes the tale of Ever After High.
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A high school for the next generation of fairy tales.
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Each student is charged with following in the footsteps of their fairy tale parents, ensuring their classic stories will continue to be told.
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But one student, Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen, doesn't want to follow in her mother's villainous path.
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And can you blame her?
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I mean, who wants to be the most hated of them all?
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RUN!
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She is evil!
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What if I want to choose my own happily ever after?
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And this rebellion did not sit well for the royals at the school.
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Led by Apple White, daughter of Snow White.
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She has to do it.
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I mean, if she never poisons me, then I'll never fall asleep.
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And I'll never be kissed by my prince.
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And I'll never become queen.
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And I'll never have my happily ever after.
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And so we find a school divided.
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You have the royals who were promised their happily ever afters.
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Like Apple's best friend forever after, Briar Beauty.
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Daughter of Sleeping Beauty.
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If I'm going to be catching Z's for a hundred years, I gotta live it up now.
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Ashlyn Ella the royal daughter of Cinderella.
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New shoes?
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And Blondilocks, daughter of Goldilocks, who's also a royal.
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Uh, kind of.
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On the other hand, you have the rebels, who feel they should be able to conjure up their own destinies.
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I'm Cedar Wood, and I pledge to follow my destiny and be the next Pinocchio.
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Well, I mean, not the next Pinocchio.
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And then there's Cerise Hood, daughter of Little Red Riding Hood.
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Let's just say, Well, she's hiding a secret.
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A big, bad secret.
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Madeline Hatter, daughter of the Mad Hatter.
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Hello, narrators!
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It's another hot-tossing day!
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She can hear us.
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And since every fairy tale needs a Prince Charming, Ever After High is full of Prince Charmings.
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Hey, Raven!
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Uh...
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You look gored.
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I mean, great. And of course, there's...
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Wait, what?
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Only ten seconds left?
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There's so much more to say!
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Ashlyn and Hunter are secretly dating.
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There's a giant named Tiny.
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Hi.
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And the headmaster has a brother.
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He's locked in a secret library underneath the school.
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And so, there you go.
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The story of Ever After High...
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The end?
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...is just the beginning.
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Star Once
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upon a time in a far away land.
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All eyes were on Apple as she made the most important declaration of her life.
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I am Apple White, daughter of Snow White, and I am ready to pledge my destiny.
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Of course you'd start with Apple, always playing favorites.
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Start at the beginning of the school year.
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Oh, fine.
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Gather round, friends, and let us tell you a story.
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The story of Ever After High.
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A high school for the teenage sons and daughters of the most famous fairy tale characters who ever met.
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But this year was like no other for the students of Ever After High.
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Apple's Tale.
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The story of a royal.
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For it is the year of Legacy Day.
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A momentous event where the students pledge to all the magical world to follow the same paths as their fairy tale parents.
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I can't believe it.
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Legacy Day happens this year, and there's just ever so much to do.
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Totally, right?
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I mean, this year's afterparty is going to be a page ripper.
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I heard DJ Enchant is going to...
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Briar, it's not just about the party.
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This is Destiny's future queen.
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We can't let anyone post embarrassing pictures of us on my chapter.
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Hey, daughter of Sleeping Beauty, If I'm gonna be catching Z's for a hundred years, I gotta live it up now.
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And come on, no one would post anything bad about you.
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Everybody loves you.
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It's Apple Life.
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Gorgeous.
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Can I carry your books?
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Why, Tiny?
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Aren't you the sweetest little thing?
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Thank you.
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See?
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They love you.
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Oh, I don't want to miss a minute of our first day.
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Hi, everybody.
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Hey, what's up?
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Howdy.
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Hey, Prince Daring.
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Um, why are you holding your hand over your mouth?
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Well, you see, I just got my teeth whitened, and Headmaster Grimm said I can't show people, because...
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But your smile is so charming.
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Well, you know.
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Ah!
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My eyes!
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I can't see!
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Ah!
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I'm okay!
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Apple, Daring?
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So, any juicy dating details for my mirror cast show?
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Talk to the mirror.
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Blondie, Daring and I are still not a couple.
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This is high school.
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We've got forever after to be together.
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But you two are the perfect couple.
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Not to this, not to that.
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You're just right.
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Come on, Apple.
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Let's go get some lunch.
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Charm you later.
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Oh!
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Oh!
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Ah!
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And so that night, back in the Ever After dorms, Apple had a surprise waiting for her new roommate.
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You think Raven's gonna like this? Of course!
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What future evil queen wouldn't love an evil throne, an evil crown, and an evil haunted mirror?
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True.
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But why are you doing this for Raven?
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Because she's such an important part of my story.
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When she poisons me, it changes everything.
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Then the prince can wake me, and I become queen.
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That's when I get my happily ever after.
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I need her!
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Hey, Maddy?
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Quick, hide!
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I don't want Raven to know you helped me.
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I'll go out the window.
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I've never done that before.
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Welcome home, roomie!
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Ha, good one, Apple.
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I'm rooming with Maddy this year.
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Not anymore.
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Huh?
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Man!
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I am good-looking!
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Daring?
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How'd you know I was gonna be here?
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Catching damsels in distress is kinda my thing.
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Well, that was a total rush!
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Stay here, I'm going again!
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Hey, you wanna get a hocus latte?
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Oh, that sounds magical.
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I love mine with nutmeg.
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How do you like yours?
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Oh, I like a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot of cream.
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Hey!
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Hi, Ashlyn!
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Go on a nature hike later?
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I haven't been in the woods in days.
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And it just feels so good to get back to what really matters.
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I got a shipment here of 300 new shoes for the glass slipper.
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New shoes? Where?
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It's a shoe thing.
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Well, she is Cinderella's daughter.
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Ooh, time for our Legacy Day rehearsal.
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I can't wait for everyone to get a glimpse of the queen I am going to become.
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But what Apple didn't know was that Raven Queen had other plans.
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That would change the world for the better.
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Or the worse.
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So, when your magical key appears, you insert it gently into the storybook of legends,
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then stand, shoulders back, and declare your destiny to the world!
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Have I made myself clear?
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But what if...
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No questions?
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Good.
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Who will go first?
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Ooh, me, me, me, me, ah, ooh, ooh!
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Step right this way, my future queen.
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I am Applewhite, and I pledge to follow my destiny as the next Snowwhite.
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Perfect.
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I know.
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I am Briar Beauty, and I pledge to follow in my mom's footsteps and sleep for a hundred years.
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But before I do, I'm gonna live every minute!
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Oh, speaking of which, my dorm room Friday night, we're gonna blow the roof off the place!
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Next!
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Hey there, charming, daring, charming.
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I pledge to be just like my old man, King Charming.
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Brave, good-looking, kind, good-looking, thoughtful, and good-looking.
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Next!
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I'm Raven Queen and I pledge to follow my destiny as...
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Um...
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I have a question.
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What is it?
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I was just wondering, I mean, what if I don't want to take the pledge?
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She has to do it.
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I mean, if she never poisons me, then I'll never fall asleep.
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And I'll never be kissed by my prince.
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And I'll never become queen.
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And I'll never have my happily ever after.
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Now, Raven, erase that dangerous idea from your head.
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Continue.
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I have to go.
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What?
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What is her destiny?
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The rules are...
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The rules!
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And so Apple took refuge that night in the Enchanted Forest,
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wondering what would become of her destiny should Raven not follow hers.
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Headmaster Grimm?
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Forgive me for startling you, my dear.
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I need you to keep an eye on your roommate, Raven.
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We must follow the path set out before us.
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It's the only way to keep our world safe.
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Please, watch, Raven, and convince her of this.
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I know you'll do whatever it takes.
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I'll...
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And so on the grave portents about to befall ever after high must you always be so dramatic
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Must you always ruin my ominous endings?
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I mean I know you're my ending.
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Make me start Cause it's your life We won't Cause you're a rival,
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you're a rival, you're more than one together However you go,
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ever in love for after Once upon a time In a faraway land.
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I am Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen.
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And I pledge...
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I...
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Come on! Do it!
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I...
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I...
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All eyes were on Raven, as she faced the most important choice.
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Really?
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You're gonna start there, at Legacy Day?
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You know there's only really room for one narrator here.
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Start at the beginning, where the whole rebel and royal drama began.
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Oh, fine.
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Gather round, friends, and let us tell you a story.
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The story of Ever After High.
233
A high school for the teenage sons and daughters of the most famous fairy tale characters who ever lived.
234
But this year was like no other for the students of Ever After High.
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Raven's Tale, the story of a rebel.
236
It was the year of Legacy Day.
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A momentous event where the students pledge to all the magical world to follow the same paths as their fairy tale parents.
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Which they better do, or else.
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I'm sorry, who's telling this story?
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If you don't...
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Would you two stop fighting?
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Peas and crackers.
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Um, who are you talking to?
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Why the narrators?
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Oh, you can't hear him, Raven.
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Only I can.
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Okay.
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Can I talk now?
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Mm-hmm.
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It's just, I'm sick of everyone thinking I'm so evil because my mom was.
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It's not fair!
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No one thinks you're evil.
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Now you're just talking crazy.
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The daughter of the Mad Hatter calls me crazy.
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Would you stop with the worry, Floreen?
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Everyone at school loves you.
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It's Raven Queen!
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Run!
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She is evil!
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Run, everyone!
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See?
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They love you!
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Yay!
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Tea time!
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Earl Grey, you clever dormouse.
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Why yes, this is a new dress.
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And so life for Raven was not easy, feeling alone and isolated.
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As it should be, she is destined to be evil.
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Couldn't go 20 seconds without talking, could you?
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Hey, Raven.
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Uh, you look Gort.
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I mean, great.
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I don't even know what Gort is.
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I'd offer you a seat, but I'm evil.
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To sit here, you'd have to be pretty...
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Daring.
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Oh, Daring!
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What?
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No, Raven, I'm Dax.
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Dexter Charming.
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Daring's my brother.
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Oh, Gort.
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Raven, how's every enchanted thing?
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Apple white good to see you.
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Hey, daring.
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I have to warn you don't stare at the teeth.
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Just got a point There's the bell time for good kingdom management Raven,
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what's your next class a history of evil spells?
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That is so perfect for you Hey, Cerise, how's it going?
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Oh, sorry.
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I have a cold.
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Free food!
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That night, as Raven returned to her dorm, she found quite the surprise waiting for her.
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Hey!
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Maddie?
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Welcome home, roomie!
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Good one, Apple.
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I'm rooming with Maddie this year.
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Not anymore.
300
Since you're such an important part of my story, you poison me, I fall asleep, the prince wakes you with a kiss,
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blah blah blah, yada yada, I know. So?
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So, I asked Ted Master Grimm if we could live together, and he said yes.
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Isn't that enchanting? But, but...
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Oh, oh, oh, you are going to love rooming with me.
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I'm thoughtful and beautiful, and I sing the most wonderful songs about woodland creatures.
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Oh, the steps love to fly and the hairs love to furrow.
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Move along, move along.
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Nothing to see here.
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And I already decorated your half of the room.
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Isn't it just the evilest?
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I knew you'd love it.
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This is going to be a long year.
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Which brings us to the rehearsals for the Legacy Day Ceremony.
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So, when your magical key appears, you insert it gently into the storybook of legends, then stand shoulders back and declare your destiny to the world!
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Have I made myself clear?
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Headmaster Grimm, but what if...
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No questions?
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Good.
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Now, we're going to practice with this tiny manual of entirely reasonable school rules. Who will go first?
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I, Madeline Hatter, pledge to follow the destiny of dear old dad, the Mad Hatter of Wonderland.
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When do I drink the tea?
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Next!
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I'm Hunter Huntsman, and I pledge to follow my destiny as the next Huntsman.
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I'll swing my axe bravely and...
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Really, Pesky?
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You want to play that way?
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Next!
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I'm Cedar Wood, and I pledge to follow my destiny and be the next Pinocchio.
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Well, I mean, not the next Pinocchio.
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I mean, actually, I can only tell the truth while I'm in school.
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But then one day, one day I'm going to lie.
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But does that mean that I'm going to be like my dad or not like my dad?
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Next.
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I'm Raven Queen, and I pledge to follow my destiny as...
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I have a question.
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What is it?
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I was just wondering, I mean, what if I don't want to take the pledge?
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What?
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It's just a question.
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And here's your answer.
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If you don't pledge your destiny, your story ceases to exist.
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Ceases to exist?
343
So then, what happens to me?
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You will cease to exist.
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Poof.
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Now, Raven, continue.
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But, Mr. Grimm...
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Poof, poof!
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Um...
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I have to go.
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In the vault of Lost Tales, deep beneath the school, another was listening.
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Giles Grimm, the brother of the school's headmaster.
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The raven flies, the clouds, they sing, but what should happen...
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when the tide rolls in?
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What will happen in Undead?
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That's it?
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That's where you're ending the story?
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I'm not going to wait until it's my turn now.
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I'm gonna go.
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We won!
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New hook, forget that curse, rewrite, ignite, restart Cause it's your life,
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rewind Cause you're a royal, you're a rebel, you're more than one together However you go,
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ever in love for after high And so here we are,
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Legacy Day Where the students have ever after hard signed the storybook of legends.
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Pledding to follow the path of their fairy tale parents. Or not.
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Seriously?
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I'm narrating here.
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Maddy, you have to help me.
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I don't feel like I can sign the storybook of legends, but I don't want to let everyone down either.
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Do not forget the whole, if you don't sign, your story disappears.
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Poof!
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And you may vanish into oblivion.
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That's a thing you know and it's gotta hurt.
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But we don't know if that's true.
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But what if it is?
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But what if it's not?
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But what if it is?
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You're not helping.
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Wait a tick.
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I think I know who can help.
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No, but see, I am totally a royal.
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Raven!
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There you are.
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We have to talk.
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Come back!
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Apple, where are you going?
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I have to convince Raven to sign the book.
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My destiny depends on it Raven
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If anyone knows the truth about the storybook of legends, it's Giles Grimm Feathers and friends together alone He's speaking Riddle-ish!
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He was cursed with a babble spell.
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Makes him sound, you know, blub-bub-bub-bub-bub.
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He says, it's nice to have us here.
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Ask him about the book.
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If I don't sign, am I really gonna.. disappear?
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Mm-hmm.
396
Can the musical chair change its tone when the tablet of granite is inscribed with a bow?
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Hmm.
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The king who sings with pages of sky fears too much the dawn that rises with lies.
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He says there's something wrong with the book, And then if you don't sign, your story will...
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What?
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What?
402
Oh, sorry.
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If you don't sign, your story will continue.
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Oh, really?
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Oh, that's great.
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I think.
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You think?
408
Hey, riddle-ish is not an exact language.
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At last, it was Legacy Day.
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Next we have...
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Apple White.
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I am Applewhite, daughter of Snowwhite,
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and I am ready to pledge my destiny. And next, Raven Queen.
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I am Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen, and I pledge...
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Come on, do it!
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Oh, my
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God.
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I am Raven Queen and I'm going to write my own destiny.
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My happily ever after starts now.
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Oh, wow!
421
Yeah!
422
Raven did it!
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I'm still here.
424
I didn't disappear.
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How could you be so selfish?
426
I'm sorry Apple, but I just...
427
HOLD EVERYTHING!
428
I didn't know I could do that.
429
I'm sorry Apple, but I don't want anyone to tell me who to be.
430
I want to figure that out on my own.
431
And don't you understand?
432
I'm not the only one who gets to choose their own destiny now.
433
We all do.
434
Even you.
435
But I don't want to choose a new destiny.
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I liked the one I had.
437
And because of you, it might not happen.
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But it might.
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I don't know.
440
I...
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I just don't know.
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Whoa!
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You're still here!
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No!
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Poof!
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Poof!
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Poof!
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Hey!
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I know!
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It feels good!
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Life between the Royals
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and the Rebels at Ever After High would never be the same after Raven stood up for what she believed.
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What she believed was wrong.
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She didn't honor her destiny, she tempted fate.
455
Listen, narrators!
456
We are trying to have a nice moment here!
457
Raven does not know the forces she has released.
458
This must be contained before her dangerous idea spreads!
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This A2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Ever After High™”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: raven, destiny, queen, pledge, Apple. This video has 458 sentences and 3007 words to shadow. The speech runs for 26:18. The speaker talks at a steady 114 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 78% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start. 84 of its 458 sentences are questions, so it is good practice for question intonation and short answers.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| raven noun | /ˈɹeɪvən/ | Any of several, generally large, species of birds in the genus Corvus with lustrous black plumage; especially the common raven (Corvus corax). |
| destiny noun | /ˈdɛs.tɪ.ni/ | That to which any person or thing is destined; a predetermined state; a condition predestined by the Divine or by human will. |
| pledge noun | /plɛd͡ʒ/ | A solemn promise to do something. |
| tale noun | /ˈteɪl/ | A rehearsal of what has occurred; narrative; discourse; statement; history; story. |
| dare verb | /dɛ(ə)ɹ/ | To have enough courage (to do something). |
| charm noun | /t͡ʃɑɹm/ | An object, act or words believed to have magic power (usually carries a positive connotation). |
| happily adverb | /ˈhæp.ə.li/ | In a happy or cheerful manner; with happiness. |
| rebel noun | /ˈɹɛb.əl/ | A person who resists an established authority, often violently. |
| legend noun | /ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ənd/ | The life story of a saint (such stories are often embellished, but any kind is called a legend). |
| magical adjective | /ˈmæd͡ʒ.ɪ.kəl/ | Of, relating to, or by means of magic. |
| shoe noun | /ˈʃu/ | A protective covering for the foot, with a bottom part composed of thick leather or plastic sole and often a thicker heel, and a softer upper part made of… |
| poison noun | /ˈpɔɪ.zən/ | A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism when ingested. |
| narrator noun | /ˈnæˌɹeɪ.təɹ/ | One who narrates or tells stories. |
| mirror noun | /ˈmiɹɚ/ | A smooth surface, usually made of glass with reflective material painted on the underside, that reflects light so as to give an image of what is in front of it. |
| asleep adjective | /əˈsliːp/ | In a state of sleep; also, broadly, resting. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| move along verb | To continue without being distracted; to keep going. | |
| come back verb | To return to a place. | |
| get back to verb | Return to (an activity) | |
| go out verb | To leave, especially a building. | |
| hand over verb | To relinquish control or possession of something to someone. | |
| set out verb | /ˈsɛt‿aʊt/ | To explain something, or give exact details, usually in writing. |
| stand up for verb | To speak or act in support or defense of (a person, a cause, a belief, or the like). |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Can I carry your books?
- Aren't you the sweetest little thing?
- How'd you know I was gonna be here?
- I'm sorry, who's telling this story?
- That's where you're ending the story?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Conditional sentences if + clause, will/would + verb — a condition and its result | if she never poisons me, then I'll never · if you don't sign, your story will · If you don't sign, your story will continue |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | was set · is charged · be kissed |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | I've never done · haven't been · Have I made |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the most hated · the most important · the most famous |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 119 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, you're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: gather /ˈɡæðɚ/, thoughtful /ˈθɔːtfəl/, beneath /bɪˈniːθ/, throne /θɹəʊ̯n/, underneath /ˌʌndɚˈniθ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shoe /ˈʃu/, rush /ɹʌʃ/, imagination /ɪˌmæd͡ʒəˈneɪʃən/, selfish /ˈsɛlf.ɪʃ/, declaration /ˌdɛk.ləˈɹeɪ.ʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: imagination /ɪˌmæd͡ʒəˈneɪʃən/, declaration /ˌdɛk.ləˈɹeɪ.ʃən/, rebellion /ɹɪˈbɛl.i.ən/, dormitory /ˈdɔɹ.mɪˌtɔɹ.i/, oblivion /əˈblɪviːən/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like raven, destiny, pledge.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.