Adding onto a masterpost that was originally just for Realms of Wishes, because I want to keep track of all the interesting stuff!
Realms of Wishes
Asha answers wishes and dreams of other Disney characters, to try and help them come true. It can get complicated. Listed in order as I imagine they happen, timeline-wise, for Asha:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, extended cut
Cinderella
Cinderella, pt. 2
Princess and the Frog
Princess and the Frog, extended cut
Sleeping Beauty
Pinocchio
The Little Mermaid
Peter Pan
Beauty and the Beast 1991
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Encanto
Moana
Big Hero 6
Frozen
Aladdin
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Raya and the Last Dragon
Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin
Pooh's Heffalump Movie
Robin Hood
Lilo and Stitch
Tangled
The Sword in the Stone
Dinosaur
Mickey's PhilharMagic (not canon, just fiun)
Non-Disney installments:
Rise of the Guardians
Rise of the Guardians: Jack meets Star
Rise of the Guardians: Asha and Tooth
WIPs (in order):
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (?)
Cinderella 3
On my AO3: Dani_Luminae
More Than This [A 'Wish' Twisted Tale]
Guardian of Wishes (Wish/Rise of the Guardians)
Wishes True Nature (Wish/Rise of the Guardians)
An Unexpected Fairy Godmother (Wish/Cinderella 1950)
A Star and a Miracle (Wish/Encanto)
Asha and the Shooting Star (Wish/Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, story swap)
From The Art of Wish: you can find my posts from the art book RIGHT HERE!
From The Story of Wish featurettes, you may find a list of them RIGHT HERE!
You know what I despise? lumping in how Harry Potter is "for children" as a reason why people shouldn't watch it.
I DESPIIIIISE the assertion that you have to give up on whimsy and let go of the things that you enjoyed as a child because "you're too old for it".
However, does me saying that using "its for children" as a way to shame people into not watching HP is absurdly dumb mean that Harry Potter shouldn't be avoided like the plague? NO.
You want a GOOD reason to not watch, read or consume ANYTHING Harry Potter?
It's because J. K. Rowling is a VIOLENT and VILE TERF and a RACIST. That's actively financing and publicly supporting ongoing efforts in the UK and beyond to turn Trans people into second class citizens and her rhetoric will and IS GETTING PEOPLE KILLED!!!
HARRY POTTER FANS STILL CONSUMING HARRY POTTER MEDIA ISN'T BAD BECAUSE IT'S FOR KIDS, ITS BAD BECAUSE THE CREATOR OF HARRY POTTER IS PERPETRATING VIOLENCE AGAINST MINORITIES!!
What if, since Polly is supposed to succeed Anselm as the Mouse King, Raven's destiny is actually to be the next Nutcracker Soldier and Hero of Fantasia, after Rose?
Sure, Raven's magic seems "dark" bc that's how she was raised to use it but with a little encouragement it turns out she can use her magic however she chooses.
She's already inclined more to kindness and good acts. She might still be a little unsure of herself as a leader but with time, she ends up as a more confident leader. She's almost always been bold and outgoing with Polly / on Polly's behalf anyway.
The fake Storybook of Legends was a fake, so what it said - Raven's destiny as the next Evil Queen - isn't right.
And this also adds another layer of complicated for Polly's view on destiny. She wants others to see how good and wonderful Raven is, and even those who view their lives through the lens of destiny now can see Raven in a new light.
An annoying YouTube ad that keeps interrupting videos: "You say you'll never join the Navy -"
Me: "You're right, I won't, so shut the fuck up already!"
Like if a white person from the American suburbs who had doctors for parents says "the suburbs are set up in a way that's designed to alienate the people within them from their neighbors growing up there can be an incredibly lonely isolating experience" and you respond with "shut up you had everything you ever wanted growing up" you are sort of pretending that this asocial way of living we've set up based on harmful ideas like castle doctrine and individualism is in some way desirable for someone when the reality of the situation is that everyone is miserable.
Oh boy this is popping off. But I just want to put on this post that this isn't just about the example that I used this is also when people get mad at you for complaining about aspects of living in America because other people are getting bombed by America how dare you, or when (usually neurodivergent) white people complain about how wasp monoculture is high key hostile to be raised in, or when people with middle class jobs complain about the shit their boss pulls, or any other number of situations in which a relatively privileged potential ally talks about the unique ways the oppressive systems we're looking to overthrow effects them negatively. Like yes sure if you have a minimum wage job it's annoying to listen to someone with a salary and benefits say "my boss treats me like shit and my company is doing x evil thing" but if you're in that situation and you're actually down for the cause instead of just here to play oppression Olympics, you want to gain allies in this fight by saying "have you considered unionizing" instead of pushing people away by saying "shut up at least you can afford rent"
The argument that people are too privileged too complain about their situation used to be exclusively one said by self identified conservatives, but generations of conservative propaganda has made it so people who call themselves leftists will repeat it word for word.
Rise of Red rewrite but i keep the plot(mostly) instead of making my own
Summary; Chloe and Red have been thrown into a wild time-traveling adventure, though--not on purpose. And quite unfortunately, they can't go back right away like Chloe wanted. With a broken pocket watch, and a vague mission in mind to save Chloe's mom and stop Red's, they set off to find out exactly why the pocket watch sent them this far off in the past.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
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Chloe was confused—and scared—and Horrified! Her mother had just been sent off to death! And now—now Chloe was—she didn’t even know!
“What did you do?” Chloe asked again, harsher this time; staring down at Red, who still sat on the floor, looking gobsmacked. Red got to her feet, pocket watch dangling from her fingers by the chain.
“Uh…” Red mumbled, spinning in place. Woah, Auradon Prep looked different…too different, Red had only wanted to go back only a few minutes—snatch her mother's cards, but…
It didn’t even look like they were in Auradon Prep anymore; the whole courtyard had changed. Gone were the Auradon Prep banners, and the Queen Belle hand-picked flowers; now the courtyard was empty of Auradon kingdom decor, replaced with a huge tree in the corner and—pixies?
“Woah,” Red muttered, looking around at the soft floating pixies that flew around the courtyard, many floating around a glowing pond.
“Focus!” Chloe snapped, and Red’s eyes snapped to her. right!
“Sorry—” Red stuttered, and Chloe bit her inner lips.
“What did you do?! Where are we?! Where did everyone go and—my mom!” Chloe asked rapidly, and Red held up her hands.
“This wasn’t my intention!” Red blurted out. “This thing is a time machine,” She gestured to the pocket watch. “It's supposed to take you to when you need most, and I was trying to go back minutes to take my mom's cards, but—” she gestured around. “I think…I don’t even know when we are anymore.” Red said, almost sounding defeated, distressed.
Chloe narrowed her eyes, and then remembered how Red had stood up to her mom, and let her shoulders drop. This mishap was not an act of malice, just an attempt to help that got thrown into chaos.
“Okay, well—” Chloe began, thinking hard, trying to see if she saw anything she knew from the history books. A sweet, kinda familiar(to Chloe at least), voice rang out from a nearby corridor to their left, and the girls turned to see a young woman in a periwinkle cloak, racing after a…living gourd of some kind.
“Oh dear me, oh dear me—come back!” the young woman cried. She was sparkling, glitter all over her eyes with pretty makeup, and jewelry in her dark hair that was in a curled updo.
Chloe blinked.
Yeah, that had to be her, pre-fairy godmother status. “That’s…FG,” Chloe said quietly, watching the young version of her great fairy godmother race through the courtyard now, chasing after the huge squash that juked her at the last second and was now skittering toward Red and Chloe.
Red backed up, she was used to Wonderland chaos, but this was fae magic, not whatever Wonderland magic was powered by. Chloe didn’t flinch, lifting her boot and holding it out to the side, and the squash tripped and tumbled, making the oddest sound.
Red snorted.
“Oh—thank you!” Young FG gasped for breath as she approached. She looked to be in her mid-20s, but gave off the air of being much older than she looked. “I was practicing my animation charms, and the rotten thing got away from me!” Young FG said, scooping up the squirming gourd—drawing a thin silver wand from her pocket and tapping it, it stilled—and faded into a very normal unanimated squash.
Red stared, lip quirking. “How do you manage to let a squash get away from you?” Red snorted, and Chloe hissed out Red’s name through her teeth as FG worried at her bottom lip.
“I—it’s a complicated charm; I haven’t got it quite down yet,” Young FG said meekly, reminding Chloe of how Jane was when she was younger, the both of them. It seemed young FG was quite shy and insecure when she was young and a learning fairy.
“Seriously?” Red snorted again, and young FG frowned deeper, pursing her lips. “Isn’t that like, beginner stuff?” Red asked, not meaning any harm, but…she wasn’t very good with words, or people. Blame her mom.
Young FG took a breath and didn’t bid either girl goodbye, simply turning on her heel and leaving.
“Red, seriously?” Chloe hissed beneath her breath as they both watched young FG hurry away, shoulders scrunched up. “What was that about?”
“Sorry?” Red said, shrugging. She had pretty much no filter, especially when not around her mom. Something about the lack of pressure made her say things she didn’t actually mean. Chloe huffed, releasing her sword handle for the first time since arriving in this strange time.
“So, with that,” Chloe gestured to where young FG had run off to. “we’re for sure in the past, just…how far?” Chloe mumbled and Red frowned.
“What do you mean? Fairy godmother is like, fifty-something?? And she looks to be 20-something now?” Red asked and Chloe shook her head, knowing far more about her great fairy godmother.
“FG’s a fairy, remember? They don’t age like we do, and her type ages depends on how they feel about themselves. Right now, FG’s shy and unsure, learning still, so she’s young and inexperienced, get it?” Chloe explained, and Red slowly nodded.
The girls stared at each other, and then Chloe sighed. “Whatever, how about we go back now—stop your mom before she even tries?” Chloe asked, pointing at the pocket watch, and Red glanced down at it.
“I’m honestly not sure if this thing works that way, it sent us here for a reason—so,” she held the pocket watch out of reach as Chloe groaned, frustrated and afraid for her mother's fate, and tried to snatch the pocket watch. “Hey! Don’t be so grabby grabby,” Red huffed, and Chloe glared.
“I need to get back to my mom, so why don’t you—wind that clock forward and get us back to Auradon prep,” Chloe snapped, and Red huffed, fine. Whatever.
She stepped closer to Chloe, wrapping the chain around their hands and pressed the crown. The pocket watch hissed, sputtered, and sparked, and then…nothing.
“What?” Chloe whispered, horrified as Red turned the watch over, and opened the back. “Jammed,” Red groaned, looking at the purple jam that had appeared between the grooves of the gears.
“…Is this wonderland nonsense?” Chloe asked weakly, and Red nodded, groaning.
“Yep. Gears are jammed, and I don’t know how to fix this thing, we’re stuck!” Red said, frustrated, running her hands through her hair as Chloe stared blankly at the pocket watch.
“Mom,” She whispered, and Red looked at her, frowning. She reached out, gently touching Chloe’s wrist, whose lip wobbled.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get back, somehow, and stop my mom, and save yours, I promise.” Red said earnestly. “I won’t let her destroy Auradon,” Chloe stared at Red, and then sighed, straightening up and squaring her shoulders.
“Fine. We’ll…work together, find out when we are, find someone to fix the pocket watch, and then go back, and save Auradon and my mom.” Chloe said as Red closed the pocket watch and pocketed it. She had to admit, Chloe had a good head on her shoulders; if Red was in her place—she’d probably be a hot mess.
The girls left the courtyard together, walking through this strange—past version of Auradon prep castle grounds, which didn’t seem to be Auradon at all. Surprisingly, they passed by some other teenagers, some oddly familiar(to Chloe), some unrecognizable(for Red, who barely knew wonderland history, let alone Auradon history).
They walked down what would become the front gardens of Auradon prep, it was far more lush in the past, with magical flowers that nipped at Red’s heels, hedges that seemed to breathe and exhale glittery pollen, and dancing petals from overhead flowers.
They reached a large sign, and Chloe jogged forward to read it. “Merlin Academy,” She read, wondering why that was familiar before it hit her. “Oh! My mom said she used to go here! Before Auradon became Auradon!” Red frowned, joining Chloe and reading the sign too.
Merlin Academy est. 705.
Red blinked. They couldn’t be that far back, could they?
“Hopefully were not too far back,” Chloe murmured, looking around for any clues. “Auradon was created in 1995 CAE,” Red’s blank look made Chloe snort and explain further. “After the merging of all the kingdoms; they decided on a combined calendar year since they were all from different eras. My mom was from the 1800s before Fairy Godmother and King Beast invited her and dad to join Auradon; they said yes, of course, and boom, current Auradon era.” Chloe rambled.
Red stared, blinking slowly. Most of those words went in one ear and out the other, but she tried to make it at least seem like she was paying attention. “When was your mom from?” Chloe asked and Red could only shrug.
“Dunno, Wonderland time is wacky, sometimes it’s the 3rd century, sometimes the 17th, it only caught up with overlands era after mom came back from the isle, I was actually born before Auradon got made,” Red said and Chloe’s brows rose in interest.
“But, you’re my age?” Chloe guessed, and Red nodded with another shrug.
“Wonderland,” Red said, as if that was explanation enough. And it was, even though it made no sense. But hey, wonderland.
“So, history buff, when do you think we are?” Red asked as they turned and began to enter the school, passing by a huge oak tree that rested in the middle of the front yard, where King Beasts' statue would be in the future.
“I could not tell you,” Chloe said, agonizingly. “I haven’t seen anything…marking when we are—oh!” Chloe gasped, the two entered the common room of the castle, where many students resided between classes. Chloe had seen a poster.
For castle coming.
“Castlecoming!” Chloe gasped, jogging forward, Red followed behind, feeling out of place in a castle she hadn’t even been able to call home before being thrown into a version of it that hadn’t existed in years.
“Castlecoming?” Red asked with a drawl, crossing her arms as they looked at the enchanted poster, watching as sparkling fireworks danced in the posters night sky above the glittering castle, one that felt familiar to Chloe.
“Yeah, it was a big thing, back before Auradon combined all the kingdoms; it’s a celebration of heirs coming of age. My dad had his in 1889…” Chloe trailed off, seeing the date of castle coming for this year.
1889 Castlecoming celebration!
Castlecoming on April 24th, in celebration of Prince Christopher Charming becoming of age to rule his kingdom.
All eligible maidens are invited to attend by order of King Frederick Chadshire Maximillian Othello Charming.
Red rose her brows. Long ass name. “Your grandfather?” Red asked Chloe, who smiled and nodded—very warmly and fondly.
“Yeah, and if you think his name is long, you should see my brothers,” Chloe snorted, the two girls momentarily forgetting their earlier tension. Red leaned into Chloe’s view, pouting a little in pleading. Chloe grinned, she never passed up an opportunity to bully her brother. Even when he wasn’t here.
“Chadwick Chadsworth Chaddock Chadshire Chadley Charles Othello Octavius Amal Leopold Maximus charming,” Chloe recited, perfect and princess-like—puffing out her chest and Red held back a snort, and then let out a cackling laugh—quick and hard and Chloe giggled too.
“Who cursed him??” Red laughed, and Chloe pointed at the poster.
“Grandpa, he had a thing for overly royally long names, says it’s tradition,” Chloe said with a fond roll of her eyes. “Chad was his first grandchild, and my grandpa loves us, spoiled Chad rotten,”
“Chadwick you mean,” Red grinned, and Chloe snickered again. “Do you have a long name like that?” Red asked, Chloe shook her head…too quick. Red grinned. “You dooo, tell me.” Red demanded, and Chloe kept firm. “c’mon I let you behead my mom instead,”
Both girls froze, quickly remembering where they were, and why they were here. “I’ll keep you on that if things don’t go right,” Chloe murmured, and Red nodded, sobering from their bout of giggles.
“So we’re in 1889, so my parents are here, and…wait—wait wait—my mom said your mom went to school with her, here.” Chloe said, eyes widening; Red’s did too, remembering her mom’s strange behavior and words towards Cinderella, and how—hurt, she seemed, beneath all the malice.
“My mom did mention something about, being humiliated, and your mom abandoning her when she needed her most, going off with her prince…do you think?” Red trailed off, gesturing to the poster, and Chloe pursed her lips.
“I mean…I’m not sure, we need more information,” Chloe said and Red nodded, the two continued through the common room. A bell rang, and students behind them dispersed and began heading off to their different classes.
The girls stepped up into an atrium, admiring the décor of the castle—it changed a lot once it became Auradon prep, it used to contain way more archaic-style architecture. A voice called from above, and they looked up—seeing a very old, kooky yet wise-looking wizard. Pointy blue hat and all.
“Right on schedule, you two,” The old wizard said, his white mustache wriggling as he looked down at them, long white brows raised as he peered down at them through his round gold glasses with a twinkle in his eye.
“Right on schedule?” Red murmured as Chloe gasped—she knew this guy!
“Yes, yes, I quite knew I’d have two out-of-time students popping in today and you two,” he checked his pocket watch—the thing modern for what was apparently the late 1800s. “are right on time.” Red blinked, Chloe grinned.
Merlin gave a sniffle and a small grumble, pocketing his watch again, turning his gaze to them. “Now, what sort’ve business have you got in the past?” Chloe went to answer, but…well, they didn’t really…know why the watch sent them back to this time.
Plus Red elbowed her. “Don’t go blabbering,” Red grumbled, and Chloe rolled her eyes.
“That’s Is Merlin Red, greatest wizard in the last couple centuries?” Chloe said as Merlin descended from the walkway above to join the girls in the atrium. “He’s a soothsayer; he can see the future. No point in trying to trick him,” Red pursed her lips but crossed her arms as Chloe turned to Merlin.
“We got caught up in a coup, staged by the Queen of Hearts, and Red has a time-traveling pocket watch—we tried to go back but—it got…” Chloe trailed off and Red reluctantly pulled out the pocket watch, jam leaking out the back.
“Jammed,” Merlin finished, stroking his beard, staring intently at the pocket watch. “Wonderland nonsense?” Merlin asked, and Red furrowed her brows, nodding. “I know just the student to help fix it, but for now, I suspect you two may wish to blend in. and perhaps discover exactly how to save your mothers, both of them.” Merlin said, and the girls blinked.
Red wanted to ask more, ask how he knew so much, but Merlin pulled out a scroll from his beard, it rolled out—long—the girls jumped apart as it rolled between them and spanned outwards several feet. “yes yes, I see, perfect. Ms,” he trailed off, looking at Chloe.
“Chloe Charming,” Chloe said with pride and Merlin’s eye twinkled. “Perhaps better to use a different last name, if it comes up, my dear.” Merlin said kindly, and Chloe sheepishly grinned, but nodded. “You’ll go off to our fencing class; Archimedes will guide you.”
The girls tilted their heads, who was Archimedes? As if Merlin heard their thoughts, he lifted his pointy hat, revealing a sleeping owl on his head.
“Archimedes,” Merlin said, tapping the owl. The owl snorted, making a smacking sound as he woke. “Up, you old bird, there is someone who needs your assistance.”
“What—what what?” The owl said, and Red blinked. Okay, the bird talked. She was used to talking animals, Wonderland nonsense and all, but she didn’t expect that here. “What do you want old man?” Archimedes said grumpily, fluffing his feathers.
“I need you to escort Ms. Chloe to the fencing hall, if you don’t mind,” Merlin said, and Archimedes ruffled up and sighed. “All right then, follow me girl, this way!” The owl spread his wings and took off, Chloe gave a glance at Red and hurried after him—sword clanking at her side.
Red looked back at Merlin, whose mustache curled in a smile. “And you, will follow me Ms…” Merlin trailed off, and Red worked her jaw a little. “Red, just Red.” Red mumbled, and Merlin nodded, waving for her to follow, and she did; following him through grand hallways and up several flights of stairs.
Until they reached a giant kitchen, with multiple islands, stoves, pans, pots, tools, and ingredients. Red leaned back to peer at the plaque on the door. ‘Spelltacular Baking and Pastry Arts’. Red raised her brow, why would Merlin put her in here?? Red very much did not give off the air of pastry master, or even cooking in general.
Red burned water once.
She stood up straight again as she followed him further into the room—bringing her to the front of class, where all the other students were at their stations, putting on aprons and grabbing magical cookbooks. “Students, we have a new wart joining us today,” Red curled her lip at the nickname, but had a feeling that was he called all his pupils. “Ms. Red. Now I expect you all to be welcoming to her! Now, Red, you can join Ms. Bridget, and Ms. Ella, my two best. Go on.” Merlin gestured her over to the station on the far left.
The names hit her like a truck—but maybe that was just a coincidence? Red looked to where he was pointing, seeing two girls. One dressed in pink, the other in blue. One had dark hair with pink highlights, the other with blue glitter tinsel in her dark very curly hair—much like her older self and daughter had.
Both smiled at her.
Red went wide-eyed.
It was her mother, and Cinderella, except, much her age and…
Friends??
“Hi! I’m Bridget Hearts, it’s so nice to meet you!” Her young mother said with a big smile while Ella smiled, calmer but just as sweet. Red blinked.
Okay, she didn’t know if she could do this.
-end of p4-
Yeah, I cut Fight of Our Lives. What of it? It didn't fit with my version of the girls, and I couldn't figure out how to--jimmie it till it fit, so, no Fight of Our Lives. Hope you enjoyed!
I appreciate that we actually got Red standing up to her mother, because the movie was so inconsistent about it. It also builds a more believable foundation for Red and Chloe's friendship than just "well, we're in the past now, whoops!"
Living squash I love you. pls come back.
Once again, really love how Red keeps stumbling through interactions, it makes her feel real as a character.
Jammed! Wonderland nonsense! Kind of annoyed I didn't think of that honestly /joking
"Wonderland time is wacky, sometimes it’s the 3rd century, sometimes the 17th" I love Wonderland time!
You manage to capture the whimsy of the past so well, this is what I wanted Merlin Academy to feel like, actually... interesting! And using Sword in the Stone Merlin, I am so happy, I do not understand the one they got in the movie at all
Chad's long name is so funny. No wonder he got stuck being called Chad.
Archimedes under the hat is still so cute. I might be stealing that for WRR, maybe.
"Red burned water once." I feel like Wonderland nonsense doesn't mean that as scathing as Red considers it lol
(mood on cutting the song I say as someone who cut basically all the songs lol)
Rise of Red rewrite but i keep the plot(mostly) instead of making my own
Summary; Red and Chloe arrive at Auradon prep, briefly meeting in their soon-to-be shared dorm room--however, there seems to be history between their mothers? how strange, wonder if that will effect anything :D
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 4
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Chloe grinned to herself, spinning in the mirror. She’d changed into her new silver glass-heeled boots—and they were amazing, matching her outfit perfectly. She changed out her fencing gear for a baby-blue cropped jersey with her family coat of arms on it, her favorite light blue shirt, and two-toned jeans.
She grabbed her sword—which was in its sheath—hooking it into her belt loops as she jogged outside to the front yard, where the car was waiting. “They fit perfectly!” Chloe called out excitedly, showing off her boots; grinning wide. “I love them!”
Cinderella and King Charming smiled back at her. Cinderella had changed out of her more casual fit for something more formal—along the lines of her infamous dress created by fairy godmother. “You look wonderful, pumpkin,” King Charming said, kissing Chloe’s temple as she hopped into the car.
“Thank you, Dad,” Chloe said with a grin, lingering in the doorway as Cinderella took King Charming's hand to step into the car. “Are you sure you can't come?” Cinderella asked her husband, who shook his head.
“No, Chad really wanted me to see him play in his first match of the season, and I have to leave soon if I want to make it in time.” King Charming said, and Cinderella nodded, smiling as King Charming pressed a kiss to her knuckles and helped her into the car.
“Hide his protein powder for me,” Chloe grinned, and Cinderella gave her a look, but Chloe only grinned. Sibling chaos could not be stopped even when miles apart.
“Okay, sweetie,” King Charming snorted. “Take care of your mom for me, and have a good first day.” Chloe tipped her head up with pride and nodded, settling into the car as King Charming closed the door behind Cinderella—tapping the car, and the car pulled out of the driveway—on its way to Auradon prep.
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Red’s fingers snapped against the bands she was putting into her hair—attempting to put heart buns into her hair. She’d packed and had a mere five minutes to finish getting ready and book it downstairs before her mother decided to just leave her behind—she could already hear the horn from the front courtyard.
Red blew hard against her two face-framing bangs, getting them out of her eyes as she furrowed her brows—getting frustrated with her hair. Maddox’s fingers took place of her own, and she sighed, crossing her arms as he easily threw her hair into two heart-shaped buns.
“How are you better at my hair than I am? It’s my hair!” Red groaned, grabbing her jacket—her favorite punk style one that had a crossed-out version of her mom's symbol on the back.(which she wouldn’t wear until she got to Auradon and was settled, wanting to make it clear she didn’t agree with her mother's ways).
“I’ve been doing it since you were little,” Maddox chuckled, putting little rose pins into her buns to make sure they stayed. “Now go, we both know how impatient your mother is,” Red hugged her friend/tutor and rushed out, patting her jacket pocket that held the stolen pocket watch—no way in Underland would she leave it behind.
The car was already started and packed by the time Red made it to the courtyard—having a mere moment to spare as her mother laid on the horn and Red jumped in. “Late. Again.” Her mother huffed, sitting back into her seat on the passenger's side as an ace of Hearts settled into the driver's seat.
Red settled into the back seat; putting her jacket on her lap—the back of it facing away from her mother, she didn’t want to set off an anger explosion right now—and buckled in, being pushed back against the seat as the ace of hearts drove off like mad.
“Sorry,” Red grumbled, watching as the castle gates zoomed past and closed behind them, her mother driving down the checkerboard path towards the rabbit hole—the Auradon invitation floating ahead of them.
This was actually happening—she was going to leave Wonderland.
“So, how do we get out? The barrier's been up for years now,” Red asked her mother, who just smirked—the invitation slid through the rabbit hole and the queen drew her playing cards, flicking one at the rabbit hole barrier, and it opened like a set of doors.
The car drove right through, and Red watched in wonder as the rabbit hole swirled around them as the car drove up the rabbit hole, before popping out the other side, just down the road from Auradon prep.
“Woah,” Red breathed, watching as the green trees of Auradon rolled past the windows, and soon—Auradon prep. There was a short security section, a gate barring them from entering as several Auradon royal guards stepped forward, clad in their blue and yellow leather gear.
Two knocked on the front windows, Red’s mother handed over her clutch to be examined, the ace of hearts had nothing, and Red held up her jacket, showing off her anti-mom symbol. The Auradon royal guard held back a smirk, by now used to rebellious vks, and did a quick scan of Red’s bags.
He found her spray-paint cans and sparking firecrackers, but just winked at her—Red holding back a grin. Okay, maybe Auradon wasn’t half bad, especially if the royal guard was this cool about her smoke and paint bombs.
The guard at the queen’s window examined her deck of cards, and she simply shrugged when questioned about them. She was handed her clutch back, and the ace of hearts drove into Auradon prep—into the front driveway of the infamous dorm castle.
“Woah,” Red murmured again, sliding out of the car, looking at the blue and yellow banners, and the royal king beast statue at the front—currently morphed into beast.
Her mother made an unimpressed sneer, and the ace of hearts and several school staff collected Red’s bags, carrying them to her new dorm room. Red spun as she entered the dorm castle, unknowingly stepping into the very same spot that Mal and the other three OG vks stood 9 years before.
“This way,” A school staff member said, overlooking Red’s file, continuing up the stairs to the right—down the hall and to dorm room A113. Red was the first to enter, looking around her new dorm room.
It was way different than her room at home—it was sizable, with two canopy beds with dark blue bedding, bookcases built into the wall—either side of the fireplace, and two large dressers and a walk-in closet, big enough for two, and a table in the middle of the room.
It was cutesy, not Red’s preferred style but—not terrible.
“Ugh,” her mother grumbled, stepping into the room. The ace of hearts followed suit and began unpacking Red’s stuff—she stopped him, knowing he’d find…things her mom wouldn’t like. “I’ll handle it,” She whispered to him, and he nodded, stepping away.
Her mother was still examining the room, so while she was distracted—Red hid her bag full of smoke bombs and firecrackers beneath her new bed, pocketing some…just in case. She didn’t trust her mother.
“Some redecorating is in order, it’s so…Auradon,” her mother muttered, stilling as a breathy voice came from the door.
“Bridget?” Red turned—she’d never heard anyone call her mother by her actual name. Red hadn’t even known her mother's name till Maddox told her. In the doorway was a dark-skinned woman in a blue gown, wearing a silver tiara—a daughter by her side, Red’s age.
Red’s mother turned, locking eyes with the woman. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” The woman said breathlessly, stepping into the room—her daughter close behind, who ended up beside Red, the two girls staring at their mothers.
“Ella,” Red’s mother said stiffly, staring at the woman named Ella, who seemed to be both in shock and…happy? To see her mom?? “It’s your royal majesty now.” Red’s mother said, cruelly, not a drip of kindness in her voice.
Ella’s smile weakened, and she nodded. “Right, of course, you must be so proud,” Ella said softly, offering that political smile Red had seen from everyone else when faced with her mother—one to not anger her further.
While their mothers had a stare off, the girl beside Red introduced herself. “Uh, hi, I'm Chloe Charming—you are?” Red glanced beside her at the girl, freezing for a split moment, uh oh, she was pretty.
“Red.” she said bluntly, staring at Chloe, who seemed a bit—put off by Red’s flustered bluntness. “Uh, Red, from Wonderland,” Red said, stuttering a little.
“Wonderland, really? I’ve always—wondered—what it’s like over there,” Chloe punned and Red swallowed hard.
…oh, Chloe was staring—quick—say something!!
“You should come sometime,” Red said, grinning now. “I’ll introduce you to the Jabberwock.” Girls liked cool monsters, right?
“Fun! What’s a Jabberwock?” Chloe asked with an excited grin.
“A monster that eats annoying girls,” Red said, and Chloe frowned—uh oh, no! Fix it Red, fix it! She didn’t get the chance; Ella pulled Chloe over, and her mother pulled Red over, Red smacking herself in the forehead for getting so tongue-tied.
It wasn’t her fault; that’s what everyone told her the Jabberwock did as a kid! It was the first thing that came to mind!? Ugh, why didn’t she just say it was a dragon beast thing that guarded her moms vault or something?
That wasn’t what the Jabberwock did, but—it would’ve been better than an accidental insult.
Red looked back at Chloe and Ella, her shoulders dropping a little as she watched Ella dote on her daughter, a gentle smile on her face—clear love in her eyes. Chloe leaned into Ella, smiling back, trust and love reflected.
Meanwhile, Red’s mother was prodding and pinching at her, scolding her for even talking to Chloe. Red swallowed hard, barely listening. What she wouldn’t give for her mom to treat her like that.
Ella and Chloe quietly left the dorm room—one Chloe and Red would share—and Red sighed, her mother's unwanted lecture fading into the background.
♪I’m just a girl, arms open wide. Looking for kindness, somewhere in your eyes.
Red looked at her mother, not seeing any bit of that kinda love Ella had for her daughter in her mother's eyes. Just that usual cold-hearted ruthlessness.
♪I’m looking for something, I may never find—all I want is love.
Her mother turned to her, and somehow it was like she’d heard Red’s inner thoughts. “What you want doesn’t exist, love. Ain't it.” The queen said sharply, her dark lined eyes seeming to stare into Red’s core.
Red worked her jaw. What she wouldn’t give to scream, to just say ‘you’re wrong!’. But her mother was scary, and Red too much of a coward.
♪You say love aint it, it makes me weak but how’d I know if I aint felt it yet?
Her mother half ignored her, still sneering at the décor of the room, glaring at the doorway where Ella and Chloe left through.
♪You say love aint it. And I wish I could compete with all the grief that you’ve experienced.
Red knew that her mother had gone through something to make her this way, she just wasn’t all that sure what had happened in her mothers past to make her so…evil. The queen turned to her, getting into Red’s face, grabbing her chin.
♪Love aint it. And nothing's as sweet as when you defeat all your enemies. I say love ain't it. And fear is more important if you’re gonna rule for centuries.
Red’s mother took her arm, pulling her out of her new dorm room, going down the hallway—where more students and their parents had arrived, a few going wide eyed in recognition of her mother, pulling their children to the wall.
♪Could it really be her? They say there’s no one worse, no ones as mean—mean as the queen—mean as the queen! She’s been gone for years, but now, she’s appeared! So hide under your beds, under your bed.
Red watched as others cowered in fear of her mother, painfully reminding her of home and all the Wonderland subjects and how scared they were to make her mad, lest it was off with your head.
♪Be careful what you do, be careful what you say; or it’ll be off with your head, off with your head! Be careful where you go, don’t make her upset! Or else its off—off with your head!
Red decided to shrug on her jacket now, offering sorry smiles to those she passed.
She and her mom walked up the garden path to the courtyard, where everyone was signing in for the welcoming ceremony. Red saw Chloe again, and she tried to swallow her nerves—but her mother was too quick and had cut the line, pulling Red inside.
Chloe looked up, spotting Red at the last moment—her eyes drawn to the crossed-out queen of hearts symbol on her back. “Huh,” Chloe mumbled.
“She's changed,” Her mother said, and Chloe frowned, looking up at Cinderella, who stared at the queen as she pulled Red along into the courtyard.
“What do you mean?” Chloe asked, taking her mom's hand as she offered it. “The queen of hearts?” Chloe asked for confirmation, and Cinderella nodded, sighing.
“Yes, Bridget, as I knew her. We went to Merlin Academy together—the school of this land before it was merged into Auradon—she was so…different, then, and then…everything got ruined for her, and she was never the same.” Cinderella explained and Chloe frowned.
“What do you mean? What happened?” Chloe asked, wanting to know more, because it must’ve been major to make the Queen of Hearts…well, the Queen of Hearts! But Cinderella shook her head.
“Nothing that can be changed. C’mon, let’s get inside; it’s useless to dwell on the past.” Cinderella said softly, a wistful look in her eyes and Chloe huffed, following her mother into the courtyard.
“Get out of my way! The queen’s arrived!” Red’s mother bellowed as she entered the courtyard, waving her hands in a parting motion as if she had her grand heart staff in hand.
Everyone glanced at her, and split to make a path as the queen shoved her way through, Red spotted a treat table and snatched up a macaron—yum, cherry-flavored.
She quickly finished it before her mother saw her, licking her teeth before grabbing a glass of pink lemonade. Her mother summoned her forward, and Red inwardly groaned, stepping to her mothers side, glaring a little as her mother pulled out the portable looking glass and showed Red their future.
Red looking as evil as her mom, miserable.
♪Look into the mirror, it’s our destiny, rule a million years with—you right next to me. Swimming in their tears, won't it taste so sweet?
Red stepped away, she would not let that happen. No way in hell was she going to let her mother control her life like that.
♪Theres a new dawn in Auradon, I’m gonna take the crown and put it on. I’m gonna take the crowd and do what I want. You gon’ make me proud when you take that throne!
♪Love aint it! Love aint it. Love aint it, oh na na.
Red’s mother grabbed the sleeve of her jacket, and Red scrunched her face up, gritting her teeth as she was shoved into a front chair in front of the stage in the middle of the courtyard. “Love ain't it. The sooner you learn that, the better.” Her mother whispered, and Red glared at her lap.
“Did you ever consider that you’re wrong?” Red snapped back quietly, her mother looked the most offended she’d ever had at Red; and Red glared back, crossing her arms as Fairy Godmother came onto the stage, gathering the crowd’s attention with a smile.
“Attention please,” FG said with a bright grin, cooing as she looked out at the new, and returning, students. “Oh Parents, and Students; it has been a great privilege to serve you. But the time has come for another to take my place, so please join me in welcoming Auradon prep’s newest principal.” FG stepped back, allowing Uma’s crew—the wharf rats of the isle—to gather on stage.
They parted to make way for Uma, her heavy-booted steps echoing as all her jewelry and her sword that hung from a shoulder sheath clanked together—making her sound all the more imposing.
Uma wore her braided turquoise hair in a ponytail, the curling ends tossed over her shoulder as she lifted her head, smirking as she joined her crew; dressed in something befitting of a pirate turned vk style principal. Elegant, bold, edgy.
“♪What’s my name, what’s my name?” Uma called out, her pirates—and the vks who currently attended Auradon prep that had lived on the isle, all shouted; Uma!
Uma grinned, crossing her arms in a power stance—the pure energy she radiated, Red couldn’t help but stare.
♪I’m the queen of this town. I call the shots, you know I am—I don’t need to wear no fake crown. Uma knocked the hat off of one of her crew members, who grinned sharp—pulled away by a silver hook, a young man in a red leather coat spinning in front of Uma, guiding her to the higher point of the stage with a sharp, almost wild, grin.
Red’s mother shifted beside her, eyes hard as she took in Uma and Harry Hook, she’d never met them personally—but their families left a sour taste in her mouth.
♪Stand up to me, you don’t stand a chance. It’s our time—we up next! My crews as real as it gets! The worst is now the best! And leaving us there was their last regret!
What’s my name, what’s my name! Uma! Say it louder! What’s my name, What’s my name! Uma! Feel the power! No one's gonna stop us—the world is all ours!
Uma’s crew busted out sharp moves, the same from many years ago—all dancing around Uma. Their captain.
What’s my name—what’s my name?! What’s it? What’s it? Say it, say it!
Uma’s crew, and the Auradon prep vks shouted again; Uma!
Uma laughed, settling back with a sharp grin. Harry Hook stepped beside her, sharp blue eyes taking the crowd in—before zeroing in on the queen, and keeping his gaze on her, aware of the danger she posed.
The queen let out a quiet huff, taking out her cards and beginning to shuffle them. Red felt a pit drop into her stomach, but ignored it—all eyes on Uma.
She took in the crowd. “many of you might not know me, or maybe you do, I was on the news as a high risk villain for a while,” She chuckled, and those who remembered her escape from cotillion—and the then Lady Mal’s endless search for her—all laughed, some a little weakly, remembering when Uma and her crew had been villains, and not just rowdy heroes.
“But I wasn’t among the vks to go to Auradon prep, by the time the barrier came down—I was too old. Now while I’ve never attended personally, I will honor my duty as principal, making sure Auradon prep welcomes all, including our newest vk; Princess Red of Wonderland.” Uma gestured to Red, who perked up a little, eyes glued to the captain.
Beside Red, the Queen of Hearts kept doing card tricks, noisily, distracting those close enough to hear it. Uma ticked her jaw, stepping in front of the queen, eyes narrowed. “Do you mind?” Uma asked, Harry stepped behind her, sharp blue eyes locked onto the queen.
“I do, actually,” The queen hummed, standing—Uma didn’t step back, casually adjusting her hands to rest on her sword, a low humming emanating from her shell necklace.
“Mom?” Red asked, quietly, frowning heavily, her heart beginning to thump out of her chest. “What are you doing?” she asked, hoping it wasn’t what she feared.
“Playing my favorite game~” the queen cooed, pausing for dramatic effect, then she grinned, folding the cards in her hands to send them flying up. “War.” She cackled as the cards transformed into her army of soldiers, hitting the ground—armed and ready.
Uma drew her sword, as did Harry and the rest of the crew. “Go!” Uma ordered, Harry ran right for the queen of hearts—she was open and no guards had landed near her yet.
“Oh dear,” The queen muttered, flicking a card at Harry—he sliced it, flipping sideways over the other half of it—he was on top of the queen and slashed down with his hook; growling as a solider blocked his blow.
Harry and the soldier clashed—Harry’s sword against the soldier's halberd. Harry nearly won—his hook caught the pole and twisted it away, raising his sword—only to crumble as another soldier came up from behind and knocked Harry out with the pommel of his sword.
“Harry!” Uma yelped, eyes wide—distracted for just a second too long, her shell flickered, and she was captured, a net tossed around her and she was taken to the floor.
FG grabbed her wand—speaking quickly. “Bibbidi—Bobbidi B-“ The queen of Hearts turned, flicking her card at the wand, red sparks flying everywhere as the wand was destroyed.
“No,” The queen cooed. More of her cards blocked all the exists, and her soldiers crowded everyone into the middle of the courtyard.
Red watched in horror—eyes wide as her mother enacted a nearly perfect coup, Uma and Harry were down—Uma’s crew outnumbered, and all the royals and their children were faced with weapons—only one of them armed, Ella’s daughter.
With everyone captured, the exits sealed, the queen of hearts smirked—hiking up her skirt to ascend the stage. “Oh, do relax, you all act as if you’ve never seen a coup before~!” The queen said dramatically, turning to her new subjects, flipping her cards between her fingers—one sparkled and turned into her golden scepter with a crystal heart on the end.
“Mom, stop! This is insane! Even for you!” Red pleaded, stepping forward, shocking some of the captured crowd—the queen rolled her eyes.
“What's insane is that it’s taken me this long! I’ve been waiting years to be able to invade Auradon again, so thank you dear, you finally were useful,” The queen cooed, and Red glared, anger and betrayal bubbling in her chest. She should’ve known this wasn’t about her, that her mother had turned her invitation for a new life into this.
“I should’ve known you’d ruin this,” Red said quietly, her voice tight as tears built in her eyes, staring up at her mother on the stage; who stared back coldly. Not caring that she’d taken away Red’s chance at a new, fresh, life—away from her.
“I did this for you, Red.” The queen said, and Red only glared back. Well it didn’t feel like it. “Someday you’ll thank me, now stop whining and get up here.” The queen ordered and Red continued to glare—pausing as Cinderella stepped forward, challenging her mother.
“Stop it, Bridget, you’re better than this!” Cinderella said, much to Red’s shock. Her mom? Better than this? What version of her mother had Cinderella known? Two card soldiers took up their spears—aiming them at Cinderella but the queen waved them off—her angry eyes pinned onto Cinderella.
“let her through,” the queen muttered, flipping a card between her fingers as Cinderella stepped up to the stage, pleading with the queen of hearts.
“you’ve gone too far Bridget, all this—over what? A stupid prank from 30 years ago?” Cinderella asked, practically pleading with the queen of hearts to stand down, to stop before she did any irreversible damage.
“Feels like yesterday to me, and stupid?” the queen hissed, almost looking freshly hurt. “to you maybe. You, who abandoned me, when I needed you most. To go off with your prince.” Cinderella clenched her teeth, and Red stared—clearly there was history there, but unlike Chloe, her mother hadn’t divulged any of that information.
“I didn’t know Bridget, im sorry, but please—think of your daughter,” Cinderella began but the queen glared, teeth bared lightly as he held her hand up.
“Silence! Ive had enough of your sqabbling. Now. Kneel before your new queen.” The queen of Hearts commanded, and Cinderella rose her head in defiance.
“I will never kneel to a tyrant.” Cinderella said, Chloe tipped her chin up proudly as Red watched in horror—knowing what was next.
“she defied a royal order.” The queen gasped, almost dramatically, ordering her daughter closer—who obeyed, eyes glued to her mothers cards. “now Red, what do we do about that?” Red made eye contact with Cinderella, who wordlessly pleaded with Red to not go along with her mother.
“im not playing this game mother.” Red said, loudly, jumping forward—aiming to snatch her mothers cards. Her mother gasped aloud—eyes wide with, hurt? Red yelped as she was quickly captured by two card soldiers, yanking her back. “this is too far mom! Auradon didn’t do anything to you! I wont let you ruin Auradon like you ruined home!” Red yelled, gasps ringing out amongst the captured crowd as the queen stared at her daughter—looking almost heartbroken.
Red would believe that if her mother wasn’t heartless.
“I’ll deal with you later. Red.” The queen muttered, turning back to Cinderella. “As for you. Off with your head!” Chloe looked horrified as soldiers grabbed onto Cinderella, beginning to drag her away.
“Mom!” Chloe screamed, tears building in her eyes as Red looked in horror. Oh no! “Be brave Chloe; it’ll be okay,” Cinderella said, just barely catching her daughter's hand before she was dragged away.
“No! Let her go!” Chloe screamed—drawing her sword, racing towards the queen of hearts. The two soldiers holding Red let her go to protect their queen, and Red suddenly remembered the pocket watch in her jacket pocket—maybe it could help!
Maybe she could go back, and snatch the cards from her mom before they even got to the courtyard!
She pulled out the pocket watch—it was heavy in her hands and buzzed with chaotic magic. She wasn’t looking, running forward, and she accidentally collided with Chloe—Chloe’s stomach hitting the crown of the watch.
All Red was thinking about was stopping her mom, about what she could’ve had, and how to save Cinderella.
A burst of magic swirled around them, the sound of ticking growing louder and louder, Red yelped—grabbing onto Chloe’s hand as they were lifted off their feet in the chaotic swirl of magic that threw them around, to where? Red hoped to the recent past.
They hit the ground—Red still holding Chloe, the two girls groaning as they got up.
Chloe looked around—eyes wide, looking for her mother. But her mother was nowhere to be seen, no one was. The courtyard was empty and it looked...totally different.
“What did you do?” Chloe asked, tears still in her eyes, some freshly rolling down her cheeks from pure fear for her mother. Red sat stunned on the ground.
It worked.
But…when were they?
-End of part 3-
Yay part 3!!! I hope you all enjoyed~ yes I do ship Glassheart; what of it, and yes Harry’s here I love him too much to separate him from Uma for too long, and I hope you all enjoyed the changes to the coup/time travel scene/Red! I wanted to make her much more of a rebel, like she actually genuinely does not want her mom to win/be evil/do anything to Wonderland and so she ACTUALLY takes action to stop her mom, instead of waiting till it was already too late.
This will change Chloe and Red’s dynamic, and im excited to explore it :3
Once again, unparalleled redesigns. Why doesn't Disney just hire you for these movies?
A113! Pixar reference!!! I love it.
“You should come sometime,” Red said, grinning now. “I’ll introduce you to the Jabberwock.” Girls liked cool monsters, right?
“Fun! What’s a Jabberwock?” Chloe asked with an excited grin.
“A monster that eats annoying girls,” Red said, and Chloe frowned—uh oh, no! Fix it Red, fix it! She didn’t get the chance; Ella pulled Chloe over, and her mother pulled Red over, Red smacking herself in the forehead for getting so tongue-tied.
It wasn’t her fault; that’s what everyone told her the Jabberwock did as a kid! It was the first thing that came to mind!? Ugh, why didn’t she just say it was a dragon beast thing that guarded her moms vault or something?
That wasn’t what the Jabberwock did, but—it would’ve been better than an accidental insult.
^^ I love this interpretation of the interaction. It feels relatable. Who hasn't said something dumb in front of a new friend/crush?
"Love Ain't It" as a concept feels like the writers really wanted it to be Red and QOH's version of "Evil Like Me," based off those lyrics.
Rise of Red rewrite but i keep the plot(mostly) instead of making my own
Summary; Chloe Charming has a very different life than Red, full of love, adventure, and gifts from two very loving parents. The contrast between the two couldn't be more obvious.
Part 1 Part 3
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Ceriella Kingdom Castle, home of Cinderella, King Charming and Chloe Charming—6am, August 29th.
Sword’s clashed brilliantly in the late summer sun, the shuffle of feet echoing across the courtyard Chloe Charming and her dad had decided to make their arena.
Their faces were covered by fencing helmets, protecting their heads, while their matching blue protective jackets shielded their bodies from any blows the other might deliver.
“Ha!” King Charming laughed, striking Chloe’s shoulder, and she groaned.
“Hit!” She announced, stepping back, cursing her faulty footwork. She was a single step off and allowed her father the advantage.
“Relax Chloe,” her dad laughed, fixing his fencing helmet. “It’s just practice,” Chloe only huffed, getting into position again—nearby the hedges, away from the fight but spectating at request, a servant rang a bell and the match began again.
Chloe lunged forward, meeting her fathers blade as they began to strike at each other—back and forth, Chloe’s footwork perfect as she pushed her father back to the wall of the courtyard. She swiped at his feet—frowning as he jumped and went over the wall, goading her to follow.
“The match has to stay within the box!” Chloe said, pointing at the piste around her. Her father laughed from behind his mask, goading Chloe after him again.
Chloe groaned, her head tipping back—she paced the piste for a moment before running out of the courtyard after her father, who laughed and met her blade with his as they began to clash all over the grounds of the castle.
Cinderella emerged from the castle, talking to the head maid who was currently making sure all of Chloe’s things were packed and ready to load in the car—smiling as she saw her daughter and husband sword fighting in the front gardens.
“And make sure Chloe’s gear doesn’t get left behind after she changes,” Cinderella told Louise, who nodded, turning to another servant who went to get Chloe’s shower ready for her.
Cinderella began making her way down towards Chloe and Christopher, smiling wildly as Chloe disarmed her father, tipping her head up in victory.
King Charming laughed, and then snuck his foot out—hooking it behind Chloe’s boot and yanking back—Chloe yelped, tripping. “Dad! That’s cheating!” She accused, smacking him with the pommel of his sword.
“No, the match ended, This!—,” King Charming scooped his daughter up over his shoulder, and spun her around, making her squeal and drop their swords—her helmet falling from her head, revealing her dark braided hair with blue sparkly tinsel in it. “—is cheating!”
“Daaad!” Chloe squealed, holding onto him for dear life as he spun them round and round, until she was laughing uncontrollably. Her father finally slowed and she looked up, seeing her mom. “Mom! Help! Dad's gone mad!”
“Mad? Never. I’m Charming,” her dad cooed, looking at Chloe over his shoulder as Cinderella laughed, shaking her head fondly.
“That’s debatable,” She teased, and Chloe rolled off her dad's shoulder, landing gracefully on the grass—shoving her dad, and he shoved her back, laughing.
He turned to his wife, giving her that charming grin, offering his hand. “M’lady,” He hummed, grunting as Chloe shoulder-slammed him and sent him to the side. Cinderella laughed, holding her hands to her stomach as her two beloveds rough-played on the ground before Chloe popped up—her father's sword in hand.
“Ha! I win!” Chloe roared in victory, giggling as her father swiped at her legs playfully and she ran, skirting around her mother. Cinderella laughed as they ran around her until she held her hands up, stopping the chase.
“As much as I love to watch this, Chloe does have some packing left to do,” Cinderella said with a smile, and Chloe sighed, handing her father his sword back.
“You’re just saying that to get me out of the house so you can celebrate your anniversary,” Chloe teased, as they were the classic cheesy lovey-dovey parents, the kind all teenagers loved yet hated.
“Exactly,” King Charming said with a far too serious nod, snickering as Cinderella playfully smacked him. “Kidding, kidding.” He chuckled, kissing Cinderella’s knuckles as he took her hand gently in his.
“While we are excited, it’s your first day back at Auradon prep, and today is about you pumpkin,” Cinderella said, smiling at her daughter, who grinned back.
“uh-huh, like you two aren’t two seconds away from waltzing to this is love,” Chloe teased, and King Charming raised his brows at Cinderella, offering a charming smile. Cinderella laughed, shaking her head. “What was it again? Castle-coming? Where you two first met?” Chloe teased as her father wrapped his arms around her mother's waist and began to sway with her.
“Thirty-five years ago,” King Charming hummed, smiling as he pressed his cheek to Cinderella’s, the two swaying as Chloe groaned and fake gagged. “it was my first ball after coming of age as prince of my kingdom, your mother and I went to school together but it wasn’t till Castle-coming till she noticed just how charming I was,” King Charming teased and Cinderella laughed, grabbing her husband’s hands, spinning herself out of his grip.
“I had a lot on my mind back then, but I wouldn’t change a thing about that night,” Cinderella said, the two sharing a kiss and Chloe fake gagged again, Cinderella laughing at her daughter.
“Okay, leaving, I’m walking to school, byyyye,” Chloe dramatically said, groaning as her mother caught her shoulders.
“One last thing, now I know you finished packing, but do you think you have room for one more pair of shoes?” Cinderella asked, waving forward a servant who held an elegant shoe box. Chloe gasped softly, taking off her fencing gloves to open the periwinkle box, the top stamped with FG’s signature logo; a sign of specially Fairy Godmother-enchanted shoes, and Chloe had just been waiting for her own pair after her 16th birthday back in May.
“Oh mom!” Chloe gasped, grabbing one of the silver boots with a glass heel, studded with diamonds from heel to toe, and silvery magical glitter all along the ankle. “They’re beautiful!” Chloe said, tapping her nail against the sturdy glass heel.
“What's the occasion?” Chloe asked with a bright grin, turning to her mom, who smiled back.
“Just an appreciation gift, pumpkin,” King Charming said, kissing Chloe’s temple. “You strive to make good choices every day, and be kind even when it’s tough.”
“You make us both so proud,” Cinderella continued. “and you got all straight A’s last year, and volunteered at the isle youth center,” Chloe beamed bashfully, shifting on her feet, but pride filled her at their praise.
“You are our shining star, and you earned an extra gift,” Cinderella said and Chloe grinned, her cheeks hurting as both her parents pulled her into a hug.
“Thank you,” Chloe whispered, admiring the silver boots again. “I love them,” Cinderella smiled, and then nodded towards the castle.
“Well, are you gonna try them on?” Cinderella teased, and Chloe grinned, snatching up her new shoes and booking it up the garden hill back to the castle—ready for whatever was going to come her way.
=
Back again so soon? Wow, you must really like me.
Anyway, moms pissed. She woke up to her whole courtyard vandalized, and decided I had to be pissed with her…thankfully she has no clue it was me ha!
“Her imperial highness, her grace, her excellency, her royal majesty; the queen of hearts!” The white rabbit cried as the queen of hearts was escorted into her courtyard, her face the picture of anger as she took in the destruction of her beloved garden courtyard and the royal family portrait hall.
The white rabbit turned as a heart scepter tapped his shoulder, spotting the king of Hearts. The white rabbit sighed. “And the king,” The queen stood from her throne that had been carried in, glaring at all that had happened. The smashed vases, the ruined portrait, firecracker debris left behind.
And worst of all, the roses were painted Red, and the hedges chopped in half.
“Who has painted my roses red?!” The Queen roared, slamming her heart scepter to the ground, glaring at all the guards and servants gathered, all looking down to avoid her gaze. “Who has painted my roses red?! Who dares to taint with vulgar paint, the royal flower bed?! For painting my roses red! Someone will lose their head!” The queen bellowed, glaring at her servants and guards.
She turned to Jack of Diamonds, who bowed his head, kneeling in the courtyard. “Who has defaced my portrait, my hedges, my vases?” she hissed, drawing closer to the near trembling guard.
“We were unable to capture her, your majesty,” Jack of Diamonds said, clenching his jaw. “They were ready for us, and slipped away. But I've tripled patrols to find them, and offered ten diamonds in return for information or capture.” The queen curled her lip, unsatisfied.
“Her royal highness, Princess Red of hearts!” The white rabbit cried, and the queen turned, her lip curling higher as she took in her daughter—who seemed to have only just woken up. Her hair was a mess, unbrushed, untamed. She had eye-bags from the lack of sleep, and her clothes were not something the queen would ever pick out, something an overland, or even Auradon kid would wear.
“I see you couldn’t even be brothered to dress properly for court,” the queen sneered at her daughter as Red found her place beside her father—the cheery man giving her a smile, the only spot of light in the Wonderland royal family.
Red made eye contact with Jack, who simply looked away—and Red breathed a sigh of relief—he wouldn’t snitch on her. “I find that outfit…offensive,” The queen sneered, plucking at Red’s heart chain belt.
Red looked at her mother, tired, and just plain over it. “I’m sorry being me offends you,” Red drawled and the queen huffed, stepping away—turning back to the courtyard.
“Apologies, my dear, to call upon you before noon, but while you were sleeping—the royal courtyard was vandalized.” Red glanced around at her handy work, wow, it looked even better than the night before—now that she had time to appreciate it. She looked back at her mother. “And this—sorry excuse for a head guard, failed to protect my property and the royal portraits, even yours.”
Red bit her inner lip, remembering the thrill of chopping her own royal portrait in half.
“And just look at what the vandal did to my courtyard portrait,” The queen seethed. Red turn, taking in the pink splatters all over her mothers massive portrait that hung in the courtyard, with the words—in bold black—‘DOWN WITH THE MAD QUEEN’ sprayed over it.
Huh…who put that there? Red genuinely wondered, but hoped it had been a castle townie, taking inspiration from her.
“so what shall we do, hmm?” The queen went on, turning her gaze back to Jack of Diamonds, who stared at the floor. “poke thorns in his eyes? Off with his head?” Red swallowed hard, her shoulders tensing as her mother turned to her, offering a scary smile. “as you’ll be queen one day, you’ll decide.”
Red was quiet. Her? decide the fate of a guard she’d made go through a wild goose chase the night before? “okay,” Red said faintly, stepping forward, clearing her throat—her mother looked on in excitement.
“For your lack of professionalism, your failure to capture the criminal who vandalized the royal courtyard, you are hereby removed from the guard, and exiled. You will never return to this castle, and if you do—it’s off with your head.” Red said clearly, sparing his life, and Jack of Diamonds let out a short sigh.
Red turned to her mother, who looked torn between pride, and disappointment. “No beheading?” her mother cooed, pouting, and Red shook her head.
“We’ll save it for the vandal; it’ll be more potent then, a proper showing of what happens when one defies the queen of hearts.” Red said, knowing the criminal would never be captured, after all, it was she. Her mother huffed, but was—mostly—happy with Red’s answer.
Thank the white rabbit for all those diplomatic lessons. She hated them, but they helped keep her mother's mood swings down, and happy. Jack of Diamonds was stripped of his badge and armor, dragged off to live in exile—far away from her mothers kingdom.
“You’re too kind Red,” Her mother cooed, pinching her cheek, and Red managed to pull away without offending her mother. “I was like that too, when I was young—so open to kindess, and love,” she said that word with a sneer, like it was something to spit on. “Such things like that only make you weak, and open to betrayal.” She cupped Red’s cheek.
“Do not let such foolishness befall you, my dear,” her mother cooed, and while she was speaking some cruel words, Red wished her mother was more often this soft-spoken and…nice wasn’t the right word, but it was going to be the one Red had to use.
Sometimes, it actually felt like Red’s mom loved her.
“I won't,” Red said, and the queen hummed, turning as the white rabbit announced the arrival of Maddox Hatter. She rose her brows, watching as her castle engineer bowed.
“Your Majesty, apologies for interrupting court, but a letter has arrived, from Auradon; for Red.” Maddox said, much to Red and the Queen of Hearts shock. The queen stepped forward, snatching up the letter, handing it to the white rabbit to read.
He stumbled for a moment, tearing at the wax seal with one of his nails, holding it in his paws as he read aloud; “Dear Queen of Hearts, her royal majesty of Wonderland. As the new principle of Auradon prep, it is my honor to invite your daughter, Princess Red of wonderland; to attend Auradon prep. I hope you’ll join us for our welcoming day ceremony, held on August 29th 2024, 10 am. If you accept, this invitation will serve as your Key to Auradon. Uma of the isle, ambassador, Pirate, principal of Auradon Prep. and-and signed by King Ben” The white rabbit finished.
The queen worked her jaw, Uma, she remembered her—the scrawny sea witch girl, Ursula’s daughter, that Maleficent's twat of a daughter had humiliated. Shrimpy. She’d become stronger, if she recalled, eventually choosing good just like those original four vks had. “Another villains gone soft,” She muttered quietly, taking the letter from the white rabbit, reading it over again for herself.
Red was shocked—she? Got an invite to Auradon prep? crazy! And cool, she hoped her mother would say yes, she’d love to leave Wonderland. But knowing her mother, she probably wouldn’t. Red pouted, offering a wonky smile to Maddox as he slipped beside her as the king of Hearts wandered up to the queen’s side.
“What do you think my dear? I think it’s a good idea, to make connections with Auradon after so long being separated,” The king said, and the queen seemed to seriously consider it, patting the kings cheek, before turning to Red, smiling.
“We accept,” the queen cooed, marking off the invitation—and a copy of it appeared, flying back to Auradon.
Red’s jaw dropped. “what?” she asked, fully shocked. “for real? I actually get to go to Auradon prep? I thought you hated Auradon?” Red asked and the queen shrugged.
“Perhaps it's time to turn a new rose petal,” the queen said, heading back for her throne, sitting down, and the guards picked it up. “Pack your things! You’re going to a new school today,” Red sucked in a breath, looking at the spare pocket watch the white rabbit kept on hand—it was 6am, she only had a few hours to pack!
“Going!” Red said, rushing past her mother to go to her room and pack, finding her bag that Jack had snatched from her the night before, sighing. She just hoped he’d be okay—she thought as she hid her bag and began packing.
It was going to be a new dawn, at Auradon prep, and she was excited. She was going to get to leave Wonderland and be away from her mom?!
Rise of Red rewrite but i keep the plot instead of making my own
Summary; my version of what Rise of Red could've been, same general plot and characters--with some characters cut and or changed, with new designs and a whole lotta fun. enjoy!
Part 2 Part 3
=
Auradon.
I’m sure you’ve heard of it.
The United States and kingdoms of Auradon~. 20-something years ago, King Beast married Belle, created the isle of the lost to trap the villains, and 20 years later; their son invited a bunch of villain kids over to have a second chance; blah blah blah, you know it.
I’m Red, daughter of the Queen of Hearts, ugh, once upon a time, I might’ve been proud of that title. You see, I didn’t know my mom for the first, what was it, 10 years of my life? My mom, the queen of hearts as I’ve already said, was arrested by the Auradon royal guard just after I was born and she was sent off to the isle of the lost, leaving me and Wonderland behind.
Now, you might be thinking ‘Red, the isle was created over 20 years ago? Wouldn’t you be over 20 now?’ And if I wasn’t born and raised in Wonderland, where nothing makes sense, and what makes sense doesn’t; You’d be right! But time works differently in Wonderland, so what was 20-something years in Auradon—was only 10 for us here in Wonderland.
And so, when Queen Mal and King Ben took down the barrier, Mom returned, and with it—24 years of bottled-up rage. She spent so much time in Auradon's magic, that she messed up Wonderland's time structure, and things sped up quick.
It’s been six years since my mom came back to Wonderland. And let’s just say, it’s not so Wonderful Anymore.
But before we can get to my story, like we all want to, apparently we have’ta go see what's happening over in Auradon. Through the rabbit hole you go~!
=
Uma walked into the office of Fairy Godmother with a slam of the doors and a pirate swagger to her step. It had only been a few years since the barrier around the isle was taken down, but those years hadn’t watered her down. Uma, now in her mid-twenties and standing proud as ever, was taking the next step in her life after sailing around the world, discovering what had been held back from her for so long of her life.
“FG,” Uma greeted with her usual sharp grin, taking off her pirate captain's hat to set it aside as the old fairy welcomed her in. “You know, sometimes I forget I never made it in here… It’s cozy,” Uma said with a snort. She’d never gone to Auradon prep herself, having aged out before the barrier broke, so she’d never been in FG’s office at the school.
“Thank you, but I’m sure you’ll decorate it to your liking,” Fairy Godmother said lightly, pouring them some tea. Uma perked up.
“Ah, speaking of that,” Uma said, snapping her fingers. Her pirate crew strolled in, beginning to redecorate FG’s office. The old fairy sputtered for a moment before sighing. She should’ve expected this.
“Well, to help prepare you, I made a list—color-coded by priority,” FG said, smiling as she handed Uma a stack of paper work. Which she just set aside for later.
“My first priority is to make sure all the kids from every kingdom gets to attend Auradon prep,” Uma said, standing, reaching into her coat pocket.
“That’s already our policy,” FG laughed, blinking as Uma shook her head, withdrawing a letter—addressed to Wonderland.
“Every kingdom, including Wonderland,” Uma said, and FG gasped, cupping her cheek.
“Oh my, no, Uma—dear, Wonderlands been cut off since the barrier came down, the queen of hearts, she’s extremely hostile,” FG said frantically, but Uma only huffed with a smirk.
“Yeah, I know, but theres a vk there—waiting for her chance. And i'm not going to be the one to leave a vk behind.” Uma said, holding out the letter, FG puffed her cheeks, eyes wide.
“It’s too dangerous! Oh if only queen Mal and King Ben were here,” FG tittered and Uma shook her head, laughing.
“Oh come on, Mal would be on board for this, Ben too—you really think the girl who broke the isle barrier and the guy who invited four evil vks to Auradon, even against his parents advice—wouldn’t want to invite a new vk?” Uma teased and FG bit her inner lip, anxious.
Uma glanced to FG’s desk, a picture of all the original vks sitting atop it, including Carlos. “Hey,” Uma said, softer, nodding to Carlos in the picture. FG turned, her gaze softening. “no vk left behind. That was his motto.” Uma paused, taking a breath, “So if you’re not doing it for me, or Mal…then you’re doing it for him. It’s what he would’ve wanted.” Uma said quietly, and FG took a deep breath, drawing her wand and gently tapping the letter.
“Bibbidi, bobbidi, boo,” FG whispered and with a sparkle of her magic, the letter floated up and was out the window, flying to the nearby rabbit hole, slipping through the barrier.
And into Wonderland.
=
There you are! Was wondering, heh, where you were! You were taking foreverrrr. Now! Back to me.
Now we all know my mom, crazy tyrannical queen of hearts, one wrong word and its ‘Off with your head!’ and she means it.
She’s taken control of everything here, there’s curfews, a dress code, a limit on fun even! If you want to have a party for your unbirthday; you best make sure you’ve got the queens permission and invite her.
It’s boring. Everyone’s too scared to go against her, even the March Hare and the Mad Hatter just obey her. Not me. Oh no. She may be my mom, but treating Wonderland this way just aint right.
Let’s see how she likes a ‘little’ mess in her ‘perfect’ castle.
-
Beyond Auradon, nestled deep in the enchanted forest, sat the rabbit hole, once open to anyone who came across it—the Wonderland's mad queen blocked it off upon her thunderous return, leaving its people and anyone within it locked inside.
A land full of unnatural colors, strange mushrooms that made you grow or shrink depending on the side you bit from, and talking rabbits that were always late—Wonderland should’ve been a kingdom of dreams and childish madness.
It wasn’t. The Queen of Hearts ruled her section of the kingdom with an iron fist. Her castle town was in a chokehold with all its rules, curfew, dress code, and assigned jobs; and if you failed to comply?
It was off with your head.
Night fell across Wonderland, heart-shaped streetlights bathing the streets of the Castle town in red, its citizens marching in line to their homes, locking their doors as soon as they were inside. Curfew was in effect.
And there was one rebellious princess still out on the streets, spray cans in hand as she defaced a propaganda/fear poster of her mother, grinning to herself as she sprayed a mustache and goofy smile and heart eyes on the poster of her mother.
She’d done this with nearly every other propaganda poster in the town, defacing it to either be silly, or invoke a revolution. Down with the mad queen! One poster was defaced with.
Red hadn’t known much outside of Wonderland, but she knew one thing. Her mother, wasn’t a good queen.
The curfew siren echoed lowly through the streets and Red grinned to herself, stashing her spray can away into her backpack and slipping away from the defaced poster and back towards the palace. The march of soldiers clad in armor echoed, beginning their patrols.
Red would have to be careful not to be seen.
♪I’m a rebel, I'm a menace, I’m a one-girl riot—yeah, yeah yeah.
She’d done it before, so it wasn’t hard. She slipped into an alleyway, barely avoiding a group of soldiers as they marched down the street, their silver armor gleaming red under the streetlamps.
♪Slipping through the shadows like I’m ultraviolet, yeah yeah.
Red grinned as they passed by her, tucking a lock of her white wig back behind her hood, dashing out onto the street towards the palace courtyard. Where her mother's grand portrait await for a makeover.
But first~
♪Hearts on the walls, but no love in these streets. Appetite for destruction a girl's gotta eat.
Red grabbed the garden shears left precariously behind by the garden staff that evening and began destroying her mother's prized courtyard hedges, lopping a heart hedge down the middle, shearing Roses from their neatly trimmed places, and chopping a hedge of a throne in half.
♪Devil on my shoulder, and it won't be quiet. Yeah yeah.
This should distract her mother for a few days, getting her eyes and mind off the citizens, so concerned with the mysterious rebel who always managed to slip away.
♪I’m on a path of destruction, this is gonna be fun!
Red, armed with a paint bomb Maddox helped her make—unknowing of what she was going to use it for—chucked it high, and it ticked and went BOOM just as it reached the portrait, covering everything in its path a bright pink.
Red cackled, clapping once—she didn’t have much time now, the guards would be here any moment, time to cause some chaos!
♪Set it off! Go berserk! Tonight I light it up like fireworks!
Red grabbed and smashed vases full of red roses onto the ground, grinning as the sound echoed across the courtyard and the spotlight above whirred to life as a guard finally realized someone was vandalizing the courtyard.
Red bolted inside the palace, grabbing an axe that she’d hidden in the nearby closet ages ago. She chopped down some portraits, grinning wildly. Oh, this was too! Fun!
♪Burn it down! Till all they’re seein’ is; Red, Red, Red, Red, Red.
Soldiers and guards marched through the halls, Red ducked back outside, hiding in the darker shadows of the courtyard as nearly a whole battalion of card soldiers came marching in, eyes peeled for their elusive criminal that had vandalized the castle town and palace itself more times than they could count!
Red grinned to herself, staying hidden in the shadows as she watched Jack of Diamonds—head of the guard, come marching in, looking quite peeved. Must’ve seen her masterpiece makeover of her mothers portrait.
“Soldiers—at the ready!” Jack of Diamonds bellowed, hand gripped tight to his sword. The card soldiers stood at attention, heads tipped high, their card symbols gleaming red under the streetlights. “You all know what will happen if we don’t capture this criminal, find them! The queen won't be as friendly as I if she finds out you failed!”
Jack of Diamonds said sharply, ordering soldiers in every direction of the courtyard to search for the rebel. Red scoffed, making sure her hood was up. Freaking jack. Such a royal butt-kisser, all the other soldiers too—so under her mother's thumb that they didn’t think for a second about what they were doing in her name.
♪It’s criminal how you follow the crown. Fists in the air, boots on the ground.
Red watched as soldiers began banging on doors of the castle town, searching for the rebel—she frowned, that wouldn’t do. she wouldn’t let any Castletown folks take the fall for her. she grabbed her backpack and unzipped it, pulling out a handful of smoking and sparking firecrackers.
♪I hear the sound, and it’s getting loud—yelling; red, red, red.
Red lit up a handful and tossed it into the courtyard, right into the midst of a group of soldiers, who freaked out as the firecrackers exploded, sending smoke and card symbol sparks all over.
♪I’m breaking in, call the guards. Raise the alarm. Princess of hearts, lit after dark.
Jack of Diamonds rushed onto the scene, glaring as he looked for the perp. He looked up onto the wall of the courtyard, seeing a figure illuminated by the moon and the firecrackers. Red grinned in the shadow of her hood.
♪Off with their heads. Leave em’ for dead, seeing; red, red, red.
“Seize them!” Jack of Diamonds yelled, ordering soldiers after her. Red grinned, pulling a smoke bomb from her bag—swinging it back over her shoulder as she lit the fuse.
♪I’m on a path of destruction, they gon’ think I’m on one!
Red chucked the bomb down as soldiers ran across the wall towards her, and a cloud of pink blocked their view. Red ran for it, jumping across a gap from the courtyard wall and back out onto the castle town roofs.
♪Set it off! Go berserk! Tonight I light it up like fireworks! Tear it down, then paint this town; red, red, red, red.
Red jumped down into an alleyway, avoiding capture just barely—spotting a poster of her mother and tearing it down—a townie saw her and their eyes went wide, slamming their windows shut as Red ran out of the alleyway, throwing the poster in a guards face.
♪I don’t want my life ruled by some queen! Look into my eyes—see the fire in me!
Red kept into the shadows and smoke, dodging and weaving through alleyways—avoiding capture by setting of firecrackers and smoke bombs, keeping herself just out of reach.
♪Burn it down! Till all they’re seeing is; Red, Red, Red, Red, Red.
Red slid into another alleyway, dipping into the shadows as the soldiers ran through the streets—looking for her.
♪Up all night! Right, left, right. Never question orders! Or we’ll pay the price. Protect the queen’s borders! Remember what she said. It’s either off with their heads or its off with our heads!
“Get them! Find them! Find them!” Jack of Diamonds yelled, spotlights turning on from the courtyard walls, turning towards the Castletown to help the guards look for their criminal.
Red clenched her jaw. Welp.
She readied another paint bomb, this one would explode in bright neon red.
Red chucked the paint bomb at the group of guards that had found her, including Jack of Diamonds. They all yelped as the bomb exploded, and paint went everywhere, blinding them and turning the deep red bricks of the townhouses neon red.
Red ran for it, dipping under Jack’s grip—yelping as he caught her backpack and she had to slip out of it to escape, cursing beneath her breath.
♪I don’t want my life ruled by some queen—look into my eyes, see the fire in me! burn it down! Till all they’re seeing now is; Red, Red, Red, Red, Red.
Red booked it back towards the palace, hoping to find some way back in, but all entrances were blocked, and there were soldiers everywhere.
“Off with her head!” She heard the guards cry, searching for her. Red cursed under her breath, frantically looking around—before she found a hidden lever in a wall, tagged with the mad-hatters 10/6. She yanked the lever, and a hidden hatch opened.
Hell yeah Maddox! She grabbed the edge of the hatch, and leapt inside—it was a slide, sending her down and helping her escape.
The guards arrived just where she’d been, but the hatch had closed, and the lever had slipped back into its hidden place, a hidden camera above blinking red.
“They’re gone!” A nine of spades yelled, and Jack of diamonds stared down at the bag in his hand, eyes narrowed.
=
Red squealed as she went down the twisting slide, it went round and round and another hatch opened up ahead—the tube sliding to the left, and Red slid right through it, going through a loop and then straight up, out of the slide on the other side, flipping in the air before landing on a giant, fluffy couch.
Red laughed, clapping as she sat up. “Oh, that was great!” she cackled, shuffling off the couch as Maddox Hatter, her tutor and the son of the Mad Hatter—though more of an inventor than a hat maker—huffed as he stepped away from the hidden camera screens.
“What were you thinking?! You could’ve been captured!” Maddox yelped, turning to Red with wide eyes. Red pursed her lips, shrugging.
“I was fiiine, and besides, I was thinking that the townspeople could use some inspiration~,” Red drawled, crossing her arms with a roll of her eyes. Then she smirked. “And my mom’s portrait hall needed a makeover,” She giggled, and Maddox groaned, looking at the cameras of the portrait hall, nearly all of them chopped in half from Red’s rampage.
“That was extremely dangerous Red, if I hadn’t activated the hatch—you would’ve been thrown in the dungeons, and we both know your mother wouldn’t go easy on you just because you’re her daughter!” Maddox said tightly, grabbing his topsy-turvy top hat, sliding it over his silver/purple hair.
“Oh please,” Red groaned, flopping sideways onto a chair as Maddox sighed, pinching his nose as Red kicked her feet up, taking off her white wig, revealing her long half-red, half-black curly hair. “I had it under control the whole time,”
“Indeed,” Maddox rolled his eyes. “Like you weren’t frantically looking for an escape,” he drawled, pouring some tea from a three-spouted teapot, which poured tea, sugar, and cream at the same time.
“Mustard?” Maddox asked, and Red shook her head.
“Not tonight, keeps me up,” Red said, taking the offered tea. Maddox snorted. “Like you don’t stay up late every night,” He teased, and Red rolled her eyes, taking an exaggerated sip of her tea.
“The nights the only freedom I get, otherwise it's just stupid future queen tyrant lessons,” Red grumbled, nabbing a cookie from the tray Maddox offered. Maddox looked playfully offended, being Red's main tutor.
“I’m teaching you how to be a tyrant? Red, you break my heart.” He gasped, holding his hand to his chest dramatically, and Red rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a laugh.
“Oh, shut up, you know who I meant, it’s all she wants. For me to be the next cruel queen of hearts, she doesn’t even care about what I want, or the people want,” Red grumbled, sinking deeper into the cushy chair.
She stared ahead at Maddox’s pile of inventions, knowing that beyond these walls—a life being under her mother's thumb, becoming the next queen of Hearts—modeled after her mother’s tyrant ways, awaited her with no apparent escape. “I just wish I had the chance to…do something about it.” Red whispered, huffing sadly as Maddox bit his inner lip.
“I may…have a solution to your maladies,” Maddox said, gesturing for Red to follow him. She stood—Curious. “Now, I wasn’t going to show you this, I've only just finished it, and it's for the White rabbit, but…” Maddox, with a flourish, pulled a red velvet fabric off an illuminated pedestal, revealing a pocket watch.
“…The white rabbit's pocket watch?” Red drawled, not getting it. Maddox smiled. “Yes, but now? A time machine,” Maddox whispered, selling the grandeur of the item. Red’s eyes went wide. No. way.
“It takes you to what your heart wants most, what the pocket watch believes you need most. For the white rabbit? He’ll never be late again, but…for you?...possibly a chance to change your fate,” Maddox said lightly, and Red stared at the pocket watch, before looking at Maddox.
“You really think I could?” She asked softly, and Maddox hummed, pursing his lips. “It could give you the chance, but—I warn you, Red, messing with time, could have disastrous consequences. You could lose everything, the kingdom, your mother.”
Red barely blinked. If changing her fate meant becoming a commoner and removing her mother from the throne? “I can live with that,” Red said, reaching for the pocket watch, but Maddox snatched it out from under her hand.
“I’m serious Red, time travel cannot be taken lightly, one single mistake could wipe so much of what you know out. One misstep, and you could disappear.” Red swallowed hard at his words, biting her inner lip as Maddox sighed, slipping the pocket watch into his jacket pocket.
“No, it is far too dangerous, I’m hesitant to even give to the white rabbit,” Maddox muttered, and Red sighed. “I appreciate the thought, Maddox…thanks, you’re a good tutor,” Red murmured, hugging him, and he sighed.
“And I thought I was your friend?” he teased, and Red snorted. “Give me an A in Wonderland History, and I might change my mind?” Red grinned, and Maddox shook his head. That was her worst subject. “I don’t take bribes,” Maddox said, patting the top of her head as Red stepped back, turning as the march of card soldiers echoed just outside the workshop doors.
“Better get going, it would be off with my head if I'm caught harboring a fugitive,” Maddox said as Red grabbed her wig, grinning.
“Got a quick way back to my room?” She asked, and Maddox laughed, flipping a switch on his control board, and a hatch opened beneath Red’s feet—she squealed as she was sent straight down onto a slide, taking her through several twists and turns to her room.
Maddox sighed, sipping his tea, unaware of the missing weight from his pocket.
Red laughed and squealed again, a hatch opened in her room and spat Red out—she flipped in the air, landing on her bed with a cushioned thump. She let out a breathless laugh, clapping once before sitting up, withdrawing the pocket watch from her pocket.
Red stared at it. Takes me back to what I need most, she thought, hovering her thumb over the crown. One misstep, and I could be erased. She moved her thumb away and set the pocket watch aside, getting ready for bed.
Not today. She had to make a plan.
-End of Chapter one-
i had a lot of fun writing this, more to come! i also have a Maddox Hatter redesign in wip mode so, that coming soon too, after i finish up my work week!
This came as a discussion point between me and my neurodivergent friends (I'm also neurodivergent but I like to think I have people skills).
The rule of thumb is that you can call everyone a friend unless otherwise corrected. Think of this declaration of friendship not as a definite marker of where your relationship is (because one doesn't exist), but a way of communicating that you would like to keep being on amicable terms with this person.
There aren't guidelines for what makes one a friend so it's as much guesswork on the other person's part as it is yours. More likely than not (if they either want to be friends with you or already think they are friends with you), they will not correct you if you call them a friend. People usually don't feel weirded out by it, if they're not particularly pedantic, because it's just a word. As long as it's not accompanied by a drastic change of behaviour to solidify this new friendship status, you're good. (Like, you can probably drop "my friend, (barista)" or "my friend, (owner of corner store)" in casual conversation and they probably won't think you're ready to watch a movie with them.)
On the flip side if someone calls you a friend, and you think you aren't there yet BUT you will like to keep being on good terms with this person, don't correct them. Their declaration of friendship is their olive branch and even if you're not ready to take it, don't snip it away. Just smile and nod or something.
The only people I hear dissecting the levels of friendship are my fellow autistics. And usually the only people who correct "no, you're not my friend," are people that are very clear they do not want to be said friend anyways (and possibly also autistic, or like, your boss).
Tossing around Wicked Wonderland premises for sequel to White Roses Red, including Peony, Red's new younger sister. Peony is a perfect Princess of Hearts and their mother absolutely spoils her.
But Peony also longs to be closer to her older sister Ruby. When time-twisting secrets come to light, Peony follows in her sister's footsteps and dons a rebellious alter ego to help save the day.
