Void

19 | Multifandom | She/Her | Requests are OPEN

[voidstarling]

Void • INFJ • Multifandom Writer • 19 • She/Her

Welcome to my blog! | Masterlist

Fandoms:

Love and Deepspace

Descendants

Ever After High

Many more

You can call me Void or Starling, please be kind and respectful.

[voidstarling]

A Rose in Wonderland (Descendants ROR Reader Insert)

Summary: When you and your cousin Red of Hearts are given the opportunity to attend Auradon Prep, the Queen of Hearts and your mother, the White Queen, are all for it. But when the Queen of Hearts stages a coup and sentences Cinderella to a beheading for treason, it's up to you, Red, and Chloe Charming to prevent the Queen of Hearts from becoming evil in the first place.

WC: 5.1k

Content Warnings: Emotional distress, crying, homesickness, anxiety, fear of losing loved ones, fantasy violence/peril, minor injury, and emotional confrontation

Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Epilogue

Chapter Five: Get Your Hands Dirty

After Chloe leaves, you begin to search for Red, hoping to find her so the two of you can talk. 

The only problem? 

Merlin Academy is huge, and you have absolutely no idea where your cousin could possibly have disappeared to.

Red was good at hiding. When she doesn’t want to be found, it’s like she disappears off the face of the Earth. It’s a skill that has allowed her to win almost every game of hide-and-seek you’ve ever played.

You start with the places you’re more familiar with.

The courtyard? Nothing.

The library? Empty

The dining hall? No sign of her at all.

You even check the dorm, just in case she decided to return. 

Nothing.

“Okay, Red,” you mutter. “Where are you?”

A flash of pink hair catches your eye. 

Bridget.

“Hey, wait! Bridget!” You speed-walk over to her. “Have you seen Red?”

“Oh! Hi, Y/n.” She beams at you. “I’m sorry, no, I haven’t.” 

Bridget tilts her head inquisitively. “I thought she was with you?”

You shake your head. “I mean—yes. She was. But then she and Chloe left, and I haven’t seen her since.”

Bridget frowns slightly. “Hmm…You could try the gardens! I love sitting out there when I miss home,” she offers.

You nod, smiling. “Thanks, Bridget. I’ll check there.”

“Good luck!” She waves before continuing on her way.

You wave back before making your way outside. 

Once outside, you realize something.

“I have no idea where I’m going.”

You glance around.

There are several paths branching off in different directions.

Wonderful.

You groan quietly, throwing your head back. 

This school is far too big.

You square your shoulders and pick a path–one on the far right. 

“Okay, Y/n. The best way to find what you’re looking for is to get a little turned around.”

You follow the cobblestone path, scanning for any sign of Red.

She really shouldn’t be this hard to find, all things considered. The girl is practically a walking beacon. Her clothes are bright red for Hearts’ sake!

You look at the sea of greenery before you, pursing your lips. “Red?” You call out.

“I know you’re around here somewhere!” You continue walking. “Please come out. I just want to talk!”

You peek around a wall, squinting against the sun. 

Two students sit on a bench.

Kissing.

“Oh!” 

You jolt away, grimacing. 

“Ew.”

A flash of red catches your eye. 

“Red?”

It disappears through the trees.

“Hey!” You scramble after it. “Come back here—Red!”

Your foot catches on a stray root, and you stumble forward, tumbling through some branches.

“Ow.” You land on your hands. “Ugh.”

“Oh my!” A voice that is definitely not Red’s catches your attention. “Are you alright?”

You look up.

A girl holds out her hand to you. She’s wearing a red cloak.

Of course.

You take her offered hand, standing up. “Yeah. Yes. I’m alright, thank you.”

You dust off your skirt, hands stinging.

You wince.

“You hurt your hands,” the girl states the obvious.

“Hm.” You examine your palms. “So I have.”

The girl gives you an amused little smile. “You might want to be more careful.”

“Probably.”

You brush the dirt from your hands, glancing around.

“Were you chasing someone?” the girl asks.

“My cousin.”

“I see.” The girl nods. “What does she look like?”

You huff, shaking your head. “Lots of red. Like your cloak.”

The girl glances at her bright red cloak. “Oh. I know who you’re talking about. She hangs around Bridget, right?”

You nod. “Yes.”

The girl purses her lips. “I’m afraid I haven’t seen anyone else around here.”

“I figured.”

You let out a small groan, rubbing your eyes.

“Well. Thanks anyway.” You offer her a smile. “I’ll just—find my way out…”

You scan the trees, completely lost on how to leave.

The girl chuckles. “I’ll help you. C’mon.” She gestures for you to follow her, walking off.

You hesitate for a moment before following her.

“Do you know where you’re going?” you ask.

The girl looks over her shoulder. “Of course.”

You raise an eyebrow.

She doesn’t sound particularly convincing.

Still, you follow.

The two of you walk along the winding path, the trees gradually thinning around you.

“I’m Valerie, by the way.” She looks at you.

“Y/n.”

“Pretty name.”

“Thank you. Yours is too.”

She leads you up a small hill, showing you where to step.

“So,” she says, “how long have you been looking for your cousin?”

You think about it. “A little bit after breakfast.”

“That’s a while.”

“Yeah. I thought I would find her quickly. She usually doesn’t disappear for this long.”

You sigh.

“You hungry?”

Your head snaps to look at her. “Huh?”

Valerie laughs.

“I can never think straight on an empty stomach. And if you’ve been searching since breakfast, that means you missed lunch.”

Your stomach grumbles in agreement.

You feel heat rush to your cheeks.

Valerie laughs again.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“I—I guess I could eat…” You rub your arm, embarrassed.

“I figured.”

She continues down the hill.

“Come on. We can find you something to eat. I know these grounds like the back of my hand.”

“But Red—”

“Might be back after you eat.”

You blink. “Well…”

Valerie glances back at you. “Unless you think she’s going to magically appear because you’re starving yourself.”

You can’t help but snort. “Fair point.”

Valerie grins at you.

You hurry to catch up with her.

For the first time since you started looking for Red, you feel some of the tension in your shoulders ease. Maybe a little food is exactly what you need.

The two of you continue toward the school, and you find yourself chatting more freely than you expected.

Valerie points out a shortcut to the gardens, explaining which paths lead back to the main courtyard and which ones would have had you wandering in circles for another hour.

You groan when she tells you that.

“I was never going to find it.”

She laughs. “Don’t worry. It happens to everyone.”

“Even you?” You ask.

“Even me.”

You smile.

By the time you reach the edge of the gardens, the familiar sight of Merlin Academy comes into view.

You stop for a moment.

“Thank you, Valerie.”

She smiles. “Anytime.”

“Now I just have to find my cousin.” You sigh.

“I’m sure you will.” Valerie gives you an encouraging smile. “See ya, new girl. And good luck.”

You nod, waving at her.

Valerie disappears back into the forest.

Your stomach grumbles again.

Right.

Food.

You make your way to the school’s dining hall, hoping to find Red there. Maybe she was also hungry. 

Various students bustle about the cafeteria, sitting with friends and getting food from the various stations. You grab a tray and fill it with food–a PB&J sandwich, some fruit, water, and a cupcake.

You choose an empty table near the windows and sit down, setting your tray in front of you with a frown.

The food looks good. 

You pick up your sandwich and take a bite, almost immediately realizing just how hungry you actually are.

As you eat, you glance around the dining hall.

No red hair. No familiar face. No Red.

You lower your sandwich. Where could she be?

You chew thoughtfully, glancing down at your tray.

You hope she’s okay. You hope Chloe is okay, too.

And, if you’re being honest, you hope your mother and Rook are okay.

Your thoughts drift toward home. You wonder what they’re doing right now.

Maybe your mother is having tea. Maybe Rook escaped back to her. Maybe the Hatters are staying with them.

Maybe they’re wondering where you are.

You swallow, feeling the familiar ache of homesickness settle in your chest.

You look down at your cupcake. 

At least you aren’t alone here.

The tables around you are full of students, talking and laughing with their friends. 

And here you sit.

Alone.

You have no idea where Red is.

Chloe is off with Ella.

You can’t talk to Bridget.

You need some air.

You throw your trash away and return the tray before heading back toward the gardens, Valerie’s directions still fresh in your head.

Merlin Academy’s gardens are full of all kinds of flowers and plants. Tall sunflowers reach toward the sun, tulips sprout in multicolored bunches around the benches, and purple vines climb up the school’s walls.

You weave through the garden paths, letting yourself get lost in the beautiful scenery. It makes you miss the flowers at home. The dandy-lions, tiger lilies, violets, daisies, daffodils…

Most of all, you miss your mother’s white roses.

You miss her tea parties.

Laughing with her and Rook.

Visits from Aunt Alice.

Hanging out with Red.

Exploring with Max.

You miss Wonderland.

You miss home.

You sink onto a nearby bench, resting your hands in your lap.

For the first time all day, there is no one around to distract you.

No Red to chase after.

No Chloe to talk with.

No Bridget offering a hug and a cupcake.

Just you.

And the quiet garden.

You stare down at your shoes, swallowing against the lump forming in your throat.

How could you have known any of this was going to happen?

All you wanted was to keep Red safe.

All you had wanted was to go to school.

You wipe at your eyes, blinking rapidly.

You wonder what your mother is doing right now.

Is she sitting in the garden?

Is she wondering where you are?

Is she trapped in the Queen’s dungeon?

Is she—

You hiccup around a sob, shaking your head.

“N-no…she isn’t…she can’t be…”

Instead, you try to picture her in the garden.

Alive.

Rook would sit beside her, probably telling her some ridiculous story.

She would laugh.

You would come home and they would hug you tight.

You picture Red there too, smiling and drinking tea.

Max would show off a new, stupid hat trick.

You would laugh and tease him for it.

Everyone would be together.

Your chest tightens.

You blink rapidly.

“No…” you whisper to yourself. “Not now…”

You aren’t going to cry anymore.

You’re fine.

You’re just tired.

And—and hungry again.

And lost.

And—

A tear slips down your cheek.

You quickly wipe it away.

Another follows.

Then another.

You duck your head, pressing your palms against your eyes as a quiet sob escapes you.

“I want to go home,” you choke.

You squeeze your eyes shut.

You want your mother.

You want Rook.

You want your family.

You want to wake up in your own bed and know that everything is exactly where it should be.

That you are safe.

That they are safe.

You don’t want to be here anymore.

You don’t want to wonder whether you’re changing something you can’t fix.

You don’t want to wonder about what will happen to everyone you love.

You just want to go home.

Your shoulders tremble as you curl in on yourself.

Eventually, exhaustion begins to win over the grief.

Your breathing slowly steadies.

The warmth of the afternoon sun settles over you, and the soft rustling of the leaves becomes a soothing lullaby.

You lean your head against the back of the bench.

Just for a little while, you tell yourself.

You’ll close your eyes for just a moment.

Then you’ll get up.

You’ll find Red.

You’ll get the cookbook.

Somehow.

Everything will be okay.

It has to be.

Your eyes grow heavier.

The scent of roses drifts through the air.

For a moment, you’re home.

And then—

You’re falling.

You tumble through darkness, the world spinning around you.

Your lips part in a scream–

But nothing comes out.

You reach for something–anything–to grab onto, but your fingers close around nothing.

There’s nothing solid to hold onto.

Then, suddenly, you’re not falling anymore.

Soft, green grass cradles your legs as you slide into a pile of plush mushroom caps.

You sit up, legs curled beneath you. Your fingers graze over the mushrooms, grazing across the soft, velvety surface. 

Almost like…

Wonderland.

You look up, scrambling off of the mushrooms. 

“Thank you!” you call to them before turning to examine your surroundings more closely.

A colorful path winds through a gathering of trees. A wooden sign points in several directions, marking the way to Queast, Snud, and Crims, Witzend, and who-knows-where-else. 

Perfectly Wonderland.

You squeal. 

Without another thought, you skip down the road southeast toward Marmoreal. 

And there it is.

The White Palace.

Its ivory towers stretch high into the sky, gleaming against the bright blue sky above. Cherry trees line the edges of the castle driveway, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.

Home.

You break into a sprint.

“Mama! Rook! I’m home!”

You burst through the front entrance and race into the gardens, looking around frantically. 

“Where are you?”

“Over here, my little rose.”

You freeze.

You could almost cry.

Your mother rises from her seat at the tea table, her arms already open.

“Mama!”

You launch yourself into her embrace, wrapping your arm around her and burying your face against her neck.

“Mama,” you sniffle.

Her arms tighten around you.

“Oh, my little rose,” she murmurs, gently stroking your hair. “What’s the matter?”

You shake your head, refusing to let go.

 “Nothing.” you whisper. “Not anymore.”

Your mother hums, pressing a kiss to your head. “Did you have a nightmare?”

You pull back slightly, wiping at your eyes.

“A little,” you admit.

She smiles softly, brushing a stray piece of hair away from your face.

“Well, you’re awake now. Those pesky dreams cannot hurt you anymore.” She boops your nose before gesturing toward the tea table. “Why don’t you come sit with us?”

You glance toward the table.

Rook is already there, leaning back in his chair with a cup of tea in his hand.

He’s watching you with concern.

Your heart gives a little flutter.

“Rook…”

“You alright, pawn?”

You smile.

“I am now.”

You take the seat in between them, listening to them talk.

A teapot hops over and pours some tea before a sugar bowl takes its place.

You giggle, thanking them as you pick up your teacup.

Everything is wonderfully, perfectly where it should be.

You take a sip of tea, letting the warmth settle in your chest.

Your mother is beside you.

Rook is across from you.

You’re home.

For the first time in what feels like forever, you don’t have to worry about anything.

No Queen of Hearts.

No time travel.

No changing the past.

No worrying if your family is safe.

Just tea.

You lean back in your chair, smiling as your mother and Rook continue their conversation.

Then—

“Your Majesty?”

You glance up.

One of Marmoreal’s chess guards stands at the edge of the garden, bowing politely.

Your mother sets her teacup down in its saucer.

“Yes?”

“The Queen of Hearts and her daughters have arrived.”

You blink.

Her daughters?

You slowly lower your teacup.

Your mother smiles.

“Thank you. Send them in please.”

The guard bows before disappearing through the garden gates.

You stare after him.

Something about that doesn’t sound right.

You glance at Rook.

He doesn’t seem bothered in the slightest.

“Rook?”

He looks at you.

“Hmm?”

“Did he say…daughters?”

Rook raises an eyebrow. “Yes?”

You frown.

“But Aunt Bridget only has—”

You cut yourself off.

Your mother looks at you curiously. “Only has what, darling?”

You open your mouth.

Nothing comes out.

You don’t know why you’re suddenly having trouble remembering.

Aunt Bridget only has Red.

…Right?

“Presenting: Her Royal Highness of Wonderland, Queen Bridget, Princess Red of Hearts, and Princess Pink of Hearts.” The guard from before announces.

Before you can think about it any further, the garden gates swing open. A familiar figure walks through them. Except…

She isn’t angry. Or scowling. Or barking orders. She’s smiling. 

The Queen of Hearts is smiling. A genuine, warm smile.

She’s holding the hand of a girl you recognize immediately. 

Red.

Even if she looks…different.

Her usual leather jacket and tough expression are gone. Instead, she’s wearing a pretty red dress with a matching bow in her hair.

You stare.

Red catches your eye and gives you a small wave, beaming.

You lift your hand uncertainly.

Then someone else rushes through the gates behind her. 

A girl only slightly younger than you. She has the same, bright, excited energy as a child who has been waiting all day for something.

“Y/n!”

Before you can react, the younger girl comes sprinting toward you. You barely have time to set your teacup down before she throws her arms around you.

“Oof–” you grunt.

She squeezes you tightly. “I missed you!”

You blink.

You slowly turn toward your mother.

Then Rook.

Neither of them seem surprised.

In fact, your mother looks amused.

You look back down at the girl.

This must be Pink.

She has a bright smile on her face, her arms still wrapped around you.

You hesitate before gently returning the hug.

“Hi,” you say uncertainly.

She pulls back just enough to look at you. “I’ve been waiting for this all week!”

You blink. “All week?”

She nods enthusiastically.

You glance toward Bridget.

The Queen of Hearts is greeting your mother with a hug of her own, watching the two of you with a fond smile.

Nothing about her expression resembles the woman you knew.

“Pink,” Bridget says, her voice gentle, “give your cousin some room to breathe.”

Pink giggles and releases you. “Sorry.”

Your smile is more genuine. “It’s alright.”

Pink takes your hand instead. “Come on!”

“Where are we going?”

“To explore!”

You glance toward the tea table.

Your mother gives you an amused smile. “Go on, little rose.”

You look at Rook.

He raises his teacup. “Don’t get lost.”

Pink gasps. “But that’s the best part!”

Rook grins. “Then you’ll miss tea.”

Pink pouts at him.

You can’t help but laugh,

“Alright,” you say, standing. “Shall we?”

Pink beams. “Yes!”

She grabs your hand and pulls you toward the garden.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see!”

You glance over your shoulder.

Your mother and Bridget are already deep in conversation, while Rook watches the two of you from behind his teacup.

Red follows behind you, hands tucked into the pockets of her dress. “Pink,” she calls. “Don’t drag her too far.”

“I won’t!”

“You said that last time.”

“That was different!”

“How?”

“I found a secret passage.”

Red sighs.

You laugh. “You found a secret passage?”

Pink nods proudly. “It went underneath the palace.”

Your eyes widen. “Seriously?”

“Uh-huh!” Pink gives your hand another tug. “Come on! I’ll show you!”

The three of you wander deeper into the gardens.

The flowers seem brighter here. White roses curl around the stone arches, their petals swaying gently beneath the afternoon sun. Butterflies flutter between the bushes, and somewhere nearby, you can hear the gentle trickle of a fountain.

You breathe in deeply. The scent is familiar. Sweet. Floral. Home.

Pink suddenly stops. “Hide-and-seek!”

“What?”

“We have to play!”

Red groans dramatically. “Pink…”

“What?”

“You said we were going to explore the garden.”

“I am!”

“You’re making her play hide-and-seek.”

“What better way to explore!”

You laugh. “Alright, alright. I’ll play.”

Pink cheers. “Yay! You count, we’ll hide.”

“Why do I count?”

“Because you live here!”

You pause. “Yeah, okay, that’s fair.”

Pink runs toward the rose bushes. “Count to twenty!”

“Wait!”

She disappears behind the flowers.

You sigh fondly and cover your eyes. “One…two…three…four…”

For just a moment, you forget everything. You aren’t in the past or trying to save Wonderland. You’re just…home.

“...eighteen…nineteen…twenty!” You uncover your eyes, blinking against the sun. “Ready or not, here I come!”

You step toward the rose bushes Pink had disappeared behind earlier, peering behind them. Not there.

You move toward the nearest bench. No one there either.

You check behind a tree. Empty.

You start down one of the garden paths, checking behind bushes and into the branches of trees. No luck.

You wander farther. The garden feels bigger than you remember.

The path curves around a cluster of trees before opening into another clearing. A fountain sits in the center, its water sparkling beneath the sunlight. And someone is sitting on the edge, flipping a gold coin through his fingers.

You recognize him immediately. “Max?”

He looks up, and for a moment, you stare. It’s him.

But…something is different. You can’t quite put your finger on it. His clothes are different, for one. His hair is styled differently, too. But your heart still skips a beat all the same when he smiles at you.

“There you are,” he says.

“Were you looking for me?” You feel frozen.

He chuckles, looking down. “You haven’t changed one bit.”

“What does that mean?”

Instead of answering, he pats the spot beside him on the fountain. “Come sit with me.”

Your feet move on their own, bringing you to sit next to him. For a moment, neither of you speaks. The fountain trickles behind you, the flowers sway in the breeze, and everything is peaceful.

You glance at him. “Something’s different about you.”

Max raises an eyebrow. “Different how?”

“I…I’m not sure.” You study him. “You just look…”

“Older?” Max offers.

“Maybe.”

He laughs softly. “I suppose I am.”

You smile. “I don’t remember you looking like this.”

“That’s because you haven’t seen me like this yet.”

You frown. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Max’s smile softens. “You’ll understand.”

“Understand?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he reaches over and gently bumps his shoulder against yours.

You laugh quietly. “You’re weird.”

“So I’ve been told.”

You look out across the garden. For some reason, you feel incredibly safe sitting beside him. Like you’ve done this countless times before. Like this is where you’re supposed to be.

Max watches you, his expression changing. “Y/n.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s time to wake up.”

“...What?”

“It’s time.”

The garden suddenly feels farther away. The sunlight is fading. You look around, confused.

“Wait…no–I’m not–”

Max smiles. “You’ll be okay. I promise.”

“Max?”

He cups your cheek, his brown eyes wide. “Wake up.”

Everything goes white.

You gasp, eyes flying open. For several seconds, you don’t move. You stare up at the darkening sky, your heart pounding against your ribs.

The garden. You’re still in the garden. You sit upright on the bench, blinking rapidly as you try to make sense of your surroundings.

The afternoon sun has disappeared, replaced by the night’s shades of deep blue and purple. Rain patters softly against the leaves, droplets clinging to the flowers around you.

You rub your eyes, yawning. Your head feels strangely light. You were dreaming. At least, you think you were. You shake your head before glancing around the garden. It’s quiet.

You slowly stand, stretching your arms above your head. Your body aches from sleeping on the bench, and you wince as you roll your shoulders. You should probably head back to the dorm where a warm, soft bed waits…

You take a step toward the school, humming sleepily.

“Awoooooo!”

You freeze. “...What?”

Multiple barks follow it. You slowly turn your head toward the school.

“Meow.”

You blink. That definitely wasn’t a normal cat.

You start walking toward the school, following the strange chorus of animal noises. As you get closer, you spot movement near one of the windows. You squint.

Merlin. He’s heading toward his office.

Your eyes widen. 

Oh. 

Oh, no. 

Red went through with stealing the cookbook. 

Of course she did. 

And now Merlin is going to find her and sentence her to a lifetime of detention.

You take off running.

You enter the main hall just in time to spot Merlin walking up the stairway toward his office. “Professor Merlin!”

He turns, looking annoyed. “Young lady, I have no time for this. My office alarm has gone off, and it is of utmost importance that I check what has happened.”

“But–it’s urgent!” you cry, “My cousin is missing!”

“We can deal with that in a moment. Come with me.”

You follow Merlin, hoping that Red has escaped his office with what little time you’ve managed to give her.

He sneezes. “Rain, rain, rain. Ah! Stupendous. Now I’m getting a cold.”

“Bless you.” You offer.

“Thank you.” He wipes his glasses. “Where’s the key? Blasted owl.” 

He unlocks the doors.

You squeeze your eyes shut.

Nothing happens.

You slowly peek around Merlin.

There stands the VKs. 

Frozen in place. 

Hook is knocked over on the floor. And he has no shoes.

“Oh, hello, down there.” Merlin steps over him.

You follow Merlin into the office, your eyes immediately landing on the open window. Your shoulders sag in relief. She must have escaped. Thank goodness.

Merlin turns to Uliana, Maleficent, Hades, and Hook. “Well, I hope you enjoy detention, since you’ve just signed up…for years.”

The VKs groan from their frozen positions.

Your hand flies to your mouth. Oh. They’re the ones who set off the alarm.

You glance toward the open window again. Red must have gotten out just in time.

“Now, young lady,” Merlin says, turning toward you, “what is this about a missing cousin?”

Your head snaps toward him. “Oh, right.” You force a smile. “I’ve been looking for her all day, but I just remembered that she told me she was going home.”

Merlin stares at you.

You stare back. “...Thank you so much. Have a good night!”

You scramble out of the office before he can ask another question. You hurry down the stairs and back to your dorm, heart still pounding.

You can’t believe it. Of course Red had been planning on how to sneak into Merlin’s office the whole time. And somehow you’d managed to walk straight into the aftermath.

You groan, kicking yourself as you hurry through the halls. “Of course, Y/n.” 

You should have known.

By the time you reach the dorm, you’re exhausted. You sit on your bed, waiting for Red.

And apparently Chloe, too, because neither of them are there. 

You cross your arms and glance at the clock.

Where are they? 

You let out an exasperated sigh. At this point, you feel less like a cousin and more like a disappointed mother waiting for her children to come home after sneaking out. 

You stare at the door, tapping your foot.

Laughter echoes from the hallway.

Your eyebrow twitches.

The handle turns and the door swings open. “Did you see Uliana’s face when she opened up the book? She was like–” Chloe lets out an enraged squeak in what you assume is a recreation of Uliana’s reaction.

Red enters and closes the door behind her.

Neither of them have noticed you yet.

“I wish I could see her while she’s stuck at home on the night of Castlecoming.” Red laughs, clutching a book. “I bet she’s like…’Hmm!’” She stomps her foot.

They both burst into laughter.

You stare at them. “Ahem.”

Instant silence. Red and Chloe freeze.

Very slowly, they turn toward you.

You raise an eyebrow. “Having fun?”

“Y/n, we–” Chloe starts.

“Save it.” You hold up your hand. “Do you know how worried I was?”

They both look down.

“At least I knew where Chloe was. Red, you just ran off! I was worried sick!” You stand, moving toward your cousin. “You’re the only family I have here.”

Red’s expression immediately softens. “Y/n…”

“I spent the entire day looking for you.” Your voice wavers despite your best efforts. “I checked everywhere. The courtyard, the library, the dining hall. I even asked Bridget if she’d seen you.” 

Red winces.

“I didn’t know where you were, and I didn’t know if you were okay.” You swallow, looking away. “I know you can take care of yourself. I know you’re not helpless. But we’re in the past, Red. We don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“I’m sorry.”

You look back at her.

“I should’ve told you where I was going.” She admits quietly.

“Yes,” you say immediately.

Chloe bites back a laugh and takes a small step closer. “We’re really sorry, Y/n.”

You look at them for a moment before your expression softens. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Red smiles faintly. “Me too.”

You pull her in for a hug. She stiffens for half a second before wrapping her arms around you. “You’re such a worrier,” she mumbles.

You squeeze her tighter. “And you’re a menace.”

Chloe laughs.

You finally let Red go, shaking your head. “So,” you say, glancing at the book in her hands. “What exactly did you two do?”

Red and Chloe share a look before bursting into laughter again.

You roll your eyes, smiling despite yourself. “Out with it.”

They begin recounting the tale of their heist. 

Apparently, Chloe had joined Red at the last minute after spending time with Ella and realizing that not everything was as black and white as she’d once believed.

Then came Merlin’s office. The defenses had consisted of enchanted swords that nearly beheaded them, forcing Chloe to hold them off while Red searched for the cookbook.

And then there was the owl.

You stare at Chloe in disbelief when she explains how she’d sacrificed her shoes to trap the defense owl inside the fireplace.

“You did what?”

Chloe shrugs. “It was for the greater good.”

Things only got more ridiculous from there.

Uliana and her crew had snuck into Merlin’s office after them, stolen the cookbook, and opened it—only to be frozen in place by the spell Merlin had placed on it to prevent anyone from stealing it.

Red had taken Hook’s boots for Chloe, then opened the cookbook herself to prove she wasn’t the “wrong hands.”

And just when Merlin was approaching the office, they’d managed to escape through the window.

You stare at the two of them. “You two are insane.”

Red grins. “But it worked. We saved Bridget.”

“Wait,” Chloe worries. “Are we sure that Uliana won’t be at Castlecoming?”

“Oh trust me.” You smirk. “They’re going to be in detention for a long time.”

“And, even if they could go to Castlecoming,” Red holds up the cookbook triumphantly. “With no cookbook, there’s no way they can do the prank. We did it.”

Chloe exclaims excitedly, grabbing Red’s hands. She gasps. “We can go back. We can go home!”

Red’s smile fades slightly. “Yeah. But what if we go back and my mom is still…My mom?”

“Even if she is, you’re not gonna end up like her.” Chloe reassures. “And this?” She sets her hand on the book. “This is proof. You saved my mom’s life.”

You rest your hand on their shoulders. “You did it, Red. You’re good.”

Red covers your hand with her own, smiling.

This is the first time you’ve seen her so hopeful.

“Let’s get some sleep. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.” You squeeze her shoulder.

“Wait, we’re not going home?” Chloe furrows her brow.

You shake your head.

“I want to make double sure that Uliana won’t try anything,” you say. 

Red raises an eyebrow. “How?”

You grin. 

“What do you think about Castlecoming?”

A/N: Double update!

Taglist: @marywantsttobattle @lizzishereee @cantbecreative @xxmaddixx

[voidstarling]

A Rose in Wonderland (Descendants ROR Reader Insert)

Summary: When you and your cousin Red of Hearts are given the opportunity to attend Auradon Prep, the Queen of Hearts and your mother, the White Queen, are all for it. But when the Queen of Hearts stages a coup and sentences Cinderella to a beheading for treason, it's up to you, Red, and Chloe Charming to prevent the Queen of Hearts from becoming evil in the first place.

WC: 4.2k

Content Warnings: Bullying, emotional abuse, parental loss/grief, imprisonment, threats, fantasy violence, creature attack, homesickness, and emotional distress

Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Epilogue

Chapter Four: A Taste for Revenge

“This is where Cinderella grew up?” Red asks skeptically as the three of you make your way toward  Ella’s home. 

It’s overgrown and eerie, lacking the color and magic of Merlin Academy. The manor itself is crusted with dirt and grime, and the neglected garden looks as though no one has cared for it in years.

“I hope not…” Chloe murmurs, frowning as she takes it all in. “Whoa. This place is not what I expected.”

You glance around the quiet property, unease settling in your stomach. It’s strange to imagine the cheerful Queen of Cinderellasburg growing up somewhere so…lonely.

As you approach the front door, a crow bursts from the crumbling fountain, cawing loudly as it disappears into the sky. You instinctively flinch at the sudden noise before laughing sheepishly.

Red snorts quietly.

Chloe steps onto the porch and knocks politely on the weathered wooden door.

The three of you smile politely as it creaks open, revealing Ella. She looks startled, almost frightened.

“Uh…” She glances back into the house before stepping outside and pulling the doors mostly shut behind her. “What are you guys doing here?”

“We came to see you.” Chloe smiles warmly at her future mother.

“Who’s there?” A sharp voice calls from upstairs. You look up to see a woman leaning out of one of the upper-story windows. 

Ella’s stepmother.

“Just some girls from school!” Ella calls up to her.

“Well, get back to work or no supper!”

The shutters slam closed.

You wince at the sound.

Ella swallows hard. “Sorry, my stepmom is…”

“A total witch?” Red finishes. “I get it, my mom never let me have friends over.”

Chloe shifts uncomfortably.

“...Or have friends.” Red mutters, her brow furrowing as she thinks about it more.

Ella’s expression softens. “Really?”

You glance between the two of them, surprised by how easily Red could admit something so personal.

A beat of silence passes before Ella looks back inside. 

“Okay…you guys can stay,” she says, lowering her voice. “But you have to help me with my chores.”

“Deal.” You answer before either Red or Chloe can, earning a grateful smile from Ella.

Inside, Ella quickly presses a mop into your hands, another into Chloe’s, and a feather duster into Red’s.

“Oh!” Chloe says in surprise.

“Here you go.” Ella gestures around the room. “The floor needs mopping…” 

She points toward a cabinet. “...and over there needs dusting.”

“Got it.” You nod, immediately dipping the mop into the bucket before getting to work. Red wanders off to start dusting the various surfaces around the room.

Chloe hesitantly begins mopping beside you as Ella pulls open a curtain, letting a beam of sunlight spill into the room.

“You do all the housework?” Chloe asks.

“Yeah.” Ella shrugs, “All on me.”

“Oh.”

Chloe grunts as she pushes the mop across the floor, clearly unused to the work.

Ella dusts the crystal chandelier, silently observing her.

Chloe’s glass shoes suddenly slide across the wet floor. “Whoa–!” She catches herself on her mop handle.

Red glances over.

“Hey, it’s time to lose the glass shoes,” she says lowly.

Chloe pouts. 

“These were from my mom.” She grins proudly at Ella. “They were a reward.”

Ella scans her, unconvinced.

“A reward?” You ask as you mop around her. “For what?”

“For volunteering, being good at school, and being a good person.” Chloe lists on her fingers.

Ella raises an eyebrow. “I mean, does it really count as being a good person if you’re getting a reward for it?”

Red interrupts quickly before things can escalate. 

“So, Ella,” She says, striding over. “That thing with Uliana at school…it’s pretty wild, huh?”

“Seriously.” Ella continues to dust the chandelier. “Well, she’s as bad as Ursula, Uliana’s older sister. And the worst bully this school has ever seen. One time she turned all the freshmen into frogs.”

You grimace at the image that description conjures in your head. “What is it with those girls and transformation spells?”

Ella shrugs. “Now Uliana thinks she has to be even meaner to try and live up to her reputation.”

“But why does Uliana have it out for Bridget?” Chloe asks. “Bridget is so nice.”

“Exactly. Bullies love an easy target,” Red jumps in. “And Bridget’s weak.”

Chloe looks toward Ella, who sets her feather duster aside. “You think Bridget’s weak?”

“Hey, look.” Ella begins scrubbing the tabletop. “Uliana is mean to everyone. Most people just stay out of her way. But no matter how nasty Uliana gets, Bridget keeps trying to be friends.” 

She smiles faintly. “That’s what Uliana can’t stand.”

You pause your mopping. “So…she hates Bridget because Bridget isn’t scared of her.”

Ella nods. “Exactly.”

“Wait, so, you’re saying Bridget’s strong because she’s nice?” Red asks incredulously.

Ella shrugs, her tone fond as she speaks. “Bridget is the strongest person I know.”

“My brother always said being kind takes more courage than anger.” You smile faintly at the memory.

Ella returns the smile. “He sounds smart.”

“He is.”

“Bridget’s kind, even when people are awful to her.” Ella meets Red’s eyes. “You know how hard that is?”

“...Never thought about it.”

Silence falls over the room as Ella scrubs the table clean. You and Chloe continue to mop.

“Say we wanted to find Uliana, where do you think she’d be?”

“Probably the Black Lagoon. That’s where all the VKs hang out.”

“Ooh.” Chloe turns at this information, accidentally knocking a vase over with the handle of her mop.

“Chloe–!” You lunge forward, both hands outstretched.

For half a second, your fingers catch the edge of the porcelain.

But it slips through your grasp.

Crash! 

The vase explodes against the floor, shards skittering across the wood as the four of you freeze.

Ella and Red whirl around with matching gasps. 

“What was that?” Ella’s stepmother calls from upstairs.

“Nothing, stepmother!”

Despite Ella’s words, her stepmother begins to make her way downstairs, heels clicking ominously.

“Quick, sweep it into the fireplace.” Red suggests. “She’ll never know.”

Ella rushes to grab a broom while Red takes Chloe’s mop.

“It was an honest mistake.” Chloe tries to explain.

You kneel, carefully gathering the larger shards into your palms. “Be careful,” you whisper. “They’re sharp.”

The three of you work frantically, but there isn’t enough time.

Lady Tremaine enters the room.

She surveys the broken porcelain scattered across the floor before her gaze settles on the three of you.

Chloe steps forward to explain. “It was my fault.”

Lady Tremaine fixes her with a scathing glare.

“But I’m very sorry,” Chloe continues. “And it won’t ever happen again.”

You rise to your feet beside Chloe.

“It truly was an accident,” you add quietly. “Ella wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

Lady Tremaine barely spares you a glance before turning to Ella.

“You,” she says coldly, “let these strangers into my house, and let them break my beautiful things?”

Ella remains silent.

“Unacceptable.”

“But I said I was sorry!” Chloe protests.

“Well, sorry doesn’t buy me a new vase, now does it?” She whips her head to look at Chloe angrily before addressing Ella once more.

“And furthermore, you are grounded.” She steps forward, tutting, and straightens Ella’s sleeves with practiced precision. 

“...And tonight, you can sleep in the barn.”

Your stomach sinks. “That’s not fair…” You murmur under your breath.

Lady Tremaine either doesn’t hear you or simply chooses to ignore it.

She struts away, entering a nearby room. “Anastasia, Drizella! It’s time for your dress fitting!” she calls to her daughters.

Silence hangs over the room.

Ella grabs the rag she’d been using and begins scrubbing the table with far more force than necessary.

Chloe looks remorseful. “Ella, I’m…I’m so sorry.”

You watch the doorway Lady Tremaine disappeared through before quietly gathering the last of the larger vase shards. “...Some people just want someone to blame,” you say quietly.

Chloe looks at you. “But she wasn’t even listening.”

“I know.” You set another piece into the dustpan. “And she wasn’t going to.”

Red glances over.

You sigh softly. “You can’t reason with someone who’s already decided you’re wrong.”

Ella pauses.

“I’ve spent enough time around royal courts to learn that.” You offer her a small, apologetic smile. “Sometimes people don’t want the truth. They just want someone to punish.”

Ella nods once. “Yeah. Exactly. But sorry doesn’t get me ungrounded, you know?” She keeps her composure despite the rage you can feel beneath her words. 

“Next time, don’t be such a princess.”

“But that was so unfair!” Chloe tries.

“You know what’s unfair?” 

Ella swallows thickly. She avoids looking at anyone, scrubbing harder at the table. 

“My mom died when I was so little, I barely even remember.”

You feel your heart break for Ella, wishing there was something you could say or do that would make any of this easier.

“My dad got remarried, and then he died too. And since then, this is the only family I’ve known.” Ella’s voice breaks as she meets Chloe’s eyes. 

“And no matter how good I am, they still treat me like dirt.”

Ella sighs before moving to the fireplace. 

“Yeah, it’s unfair…’Cause life isn’t fair.” 

She starts sweeping up the broken vase. 

“Just leave.”

Chloe moves to try and comfort Ella, but Red rests her hand on Chloe’s shoulder. “We should give her a little time.”

You hesitate, glancing back at Ella. You want to tell her that things will get better. That things won’t always be this way.

But you can’t promise that.

So instead, you offer Ella one last sympathetic smile before following Red and Chloe outside.

The door closes behind you with a quiet click. Chloe stares at it with her shoulders slumped. “I feel awful.”

“You tried,” you say gently.

“But I could have helped her.”

“Maybe.” You glance back at the house. “But right now, I think she needs to be angry without having to make anyone else feel better.”

Red nods in agreement. “Yeah, she definitely looked like she wanted to be alone.”

Chloe sighs, folding her arms. “I just hate that I couldn’t do anything.”

“You did,” you reassure her. “You apologized. You tried to stand up for her. Sometimes that’s all you can do.”

Red looks between the two of you before clearing her throat.

“Okay, enough with the sappy stuff. We’ve got a sea witch to hunt down.”

You straighten, remembering the reason you came to Ella’s house in the first place. “Right. And Ella told us exactly where to look.”

“The Black Lagoon,” Chloe says.

Red’s expression sharpens. “Where the VKs hang out.”

“So we go there.” You exchange a look with Chloe. “And we’re careful. Who knows what kinds of tricks they have up their sleeves. Especially on their turf.”

“Right.” Chloe nods, determination settling across her face.

The three of you start down the road, leaving Ella’s house behind.

The lagoon is shrouded in fog when you arrive. The water is murky, and you swear you can see an eel lurking beneath the surface. 

You clutch Red’s shoulder, staring at the water skeptically. “Oh, no thank you.”

Red glances at you. “Scared of eels?”

“They’re just so…slimy.” You shudder.

A wolf howls somewhere in the night.

“So this is the Black Lagoon.” 

You look around cautiously, your tension easing slightly as fireflies begin to appear between the trees. “Aw, hello.”

A burst of laughter catches your ear, and the three of you turn toward the sound.

Through the fog, you catch sight of Uliana and her little crew. Maleficent giggles maniacally as Hook shoves branches out of their way.

“I thought you were a beautiful flamingo, Uli.” Morgie compliments.

“Knock it off.” She growls at him.

You, Red, and Chloe duck behind a few dead bushes, peering through the branches. 

“It’s the VKs.” Red whispers.

“I’m fierce, I’m feared. You know, I’m the baddest here. Pull up with my crew, boo-hoo. You’ll be wiping up more than a puddle of tears.” Uliana launches into a declaration of her power.

“My competition, call her Urs. But her curses ain’t the worst. I got potions, evil spells to turn your life from bad to worse.” 

“Rah!” 

You grimace at the group’s collective growl.

“Then there’s that desperate girl, comin’ for me tryin’ to mess with my world. Villainous is how I live; she’ll regret messin’ with the wrong sea witch.”

The pendant around her neck starts to glow blue. “Cause I got a lifetime of vengeance, I’m savage to the bone. And anyone who crosses me, gonna wish they were never born!” 

Uliana brings the pendant to her lips and blows. 

A deep, eerie call echoes across the lagoon as the villains laugh. 

From the water emerges a giant angler fish carcass, and the group hops across the rocks and disappears inside.

You stare after them, your grip tightening slightly on Red’s shoulder.

“Okay,” you whisper. “That’s officially the strangest thing I’ve seen today.”

Chloe looks between you and the enormous fish. “Do you think that’s where they’re planning everything?”

“Probably,” Red whispers. “Come on.”

You hesitate, eyes fixed on the dark water beneath the carcass. Something ripples beneath the surface, sending a shiver down your spine.

“...Do we have to follow them?”

Red gives you a look. “You said you wanted to help stop my mom from getting pranked.”

“I do!”

“Then we follow them.”

You sigh, reluctantly following her. “Fine.”

Chloe suppresses a smile. “For someone who grew up in Wonderland, you sure are scared of a few strange creatures.”

“You’re right, Wonderland has plenty of strange creatures.” You cross your arms. “I don’t trust these ones.”

Red rolls her eyes, but you catch the faintest twitch of amusement at the corner of her mouth.

The three of you carefully make your way across the rocks, keeping low as you follow the VKs toward the angler fish.

Deciding against entering the hangout full of villains, you climb up the side instead.

Red tears open the flesh of the carcass, and you gag slightly, turning away. “Ugh.”

Chloe taps your shoulder, pointing discreetly at Uliana, who is performing some sort of spell.

“Calling all spirits of the Black Lagoon. Show me a recipe fit for her doom. Toxically sweet with a side of pure spite, I need the perfect revenge that will bite!” 

Colored smoke swirls into the air, projecting the image of a book.

“What’s this? A book? That’s it? I asked for a painful punishment!”

The book flips open, revealing a recipe for a wicked treat that transforms the eater into an ugly troll.

“But hold up, wait, this might be evil on a plate. So, I’mma serve her what she deserves, what she deserves. And that’s justice dressed up like the sweetest dessert. Perfect.” 

The gathered villains laugh at the conjured image of sweet Bridget transforming into a monster.

The villains make their way out of their hideout, apparently having found the perfect evil scheme. Uliana blows through her pendant once again, and the angler fish sinks back into the water. 

“We’ll bake our own treat, and turn her into a monster!”

The three of you climb off of the fish, hopping carefully across the stones. You scan the water frantically, watching for any sudden movement.

“What was that?” Red asks, spotting the water shift through the fog.

You whip your head toward it.

An eel bursts from the water, heading straight for you.

“Come on!” Red shouts, moving faster.

Chloe and Red make it safely to shore, but you trip as you land, falling on your hands and knees.

“Y/n!”

The eel shrieks as it snaps its jaws at you. 

You scramble forward, panic rising in your chest. 

“Help! Red!”

Your cousin comes barrelling toward the eel with a broken branch. Red whacks it over the head several times, forcing it back into the murky depths.

Chloe rushes over and helps you to your feet. “Are you okay?”

You breathe heavily, nodding shakily.

Red runs over and immediately pulls you into a hug. “Y/n.”

You slump against her, closing your eyes. “Thank you.”

Red sighs in relief. “You’re no good to me as fish food.”

You can’t help but laugh. “No, I would not.”

Chloe rests a hand on your shoulder. “We can still stop them before Castlecoming. But that means…”

“We got a book to find.” Red pulls away from you, taking your hand in hers. “C’mon.”

She takes off, dragging you with her. 

“Whoa!”

After your brief encounter with the villains’ hideout, the three of you make your way back to your new dorm at Merlin Academy, the events at the Black Lagoon still fresh in your minds.

Red lounges on her bed, you curl up beneath a blanket on the window seat, and Chloe paces nearby.

“Where could that book be?” Chloe rubs the back of her neck. “Who could we ask? Not Ella. I still can’t believe how awful her family was to her.”

Red turns her head to look at Chloe.

“I just…I don’t understand how someone could grow up like that, and then turn into, well, my mom.” Chloe takes a seat next to you. “I mean, how can one person change so much?”

You rest a hand over hers.

“Tell me about it,” Red says from her bed. “My mom changed her entire personality.”

Chloe stands and walks over to hear Red better.

“It’s like everything she does now is to make people afraid of her and…and to hide the fact that she used to actually be nice.”

You yawn quietly, covering your mouth. “Well, whatever we do, we have to make sure that she stays that way.”

Chloe nods. “My mom’s life depends on it.”

Chloe takes a seat on the bed opposite Red. “Think about it. What if your mom had grown up to be like Bridget?”

“You mean completely clueless?” Red turns on her side to face Chloe.

“Or kind, generous, and open-hearted. She wouldn’t have become a tyrant.”

“Yeah, I could eat what I want, and sleep when I want, and wear what I want, and be what I want.” Red sits up on her bed, becoming excited.

“I’d be free of my mom, and her rules, and her judgy face.”

“She might not be judgy at all,” Chloe says. “She might be loving and kind.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not like I actually care about that.”

“I think maybe you do.”

You watch your cousin mull it over, offering her a small, reassuring smile.

“Speakin’ of Bridget…” Chloe takes the pocket watch out of her jacket pocket. “What if the pocket watch brought us back here because what you really want is a mom who can love you the way you are?”

“A mom more like Bridget.”

Red looks like her entire existence has shifted.

“She’d probably still be making cupcakes.” 

You smile, “I bet she’d give one to everyone in Wonderland!”

Red realizes something.

“That’s it.” Her eyes widen. “We should ask Bridget about the cookbook.”

Early the next morning, the three of you make your way to Bridget’s dorm room. Red knocks on the door to Room 303. 

A few seconds later, Bridget opens the door, still dressed in her pajamas. They’re pink and covered in hearts. 

“Oh, hey guys! I’m just practicing my signature dance for Castlecoming. Come on.” She gestures for you to come inside.

“I call it, ‘The Shuffle of Love.’” She shuffles her deck of cards, spins, and sends the cards to her other hand before pulling up her headphones with a giggle.

The music she’s listening to starts, and she begins to dance, doing card tricks and waving the cards like a fan. She kicks them up with her foot, only to send them flying across the room. 

“Oh!” 

“I’ve got it.” You duck down to gather the scattered cards, organizing them back into a deck.

“I keep messing up that last bit. But it’s okay, I’ll get there.” She pauses her music and removes her headphones. “Here, let me help you.”

Bridget kneels beside you, helping you gather the last few cards with a smile. She thanks you quietly as you both stand.

“Wow, your room, it’s so wonderful.” Chloe compliments.

“Oh, yeah, thanks. It reminds me of home.”

“Where I come from, there’s a rule against all of this.” Red gestures around the room.

“Who’s against fun?” Bridget asks incredulously. 

“Our Queen. AKA, my mom.”

“Oh.” Bridget winces.

“She also hates my style, the way I think…you know, everything about me.”

“I’m sorry, Red. I can’t imagine having a mom like that.”

“She’s the only one I’ve ever known.”

“Well, if I was your mom, I’d love to have a daughter who thinks for herself.” 

Bridget rests her hands on Red’s shoulders before gently cupping her face and pulling away.

Red looks at you, and you offer her a small smile. She breathes shakily, clearly emotional, before something on Bridget’s desk catches her eye. 

“Is that The Looking Glass?” 

She picks it up.

“Oh. Yeah.” Bridget smiles, “You’ve heard of it?”

Red meets Bridget’s gaze. “Uh, I’ve read about it.”

“It was a gift. Yeah, it’s been in the Wonderland royal line for ages.”

“What’s it do?”

“It shows you the future.”

“Have you looked?” Red tries to offer The Looking Glass to Bridget.

“No, no, no, no.” She holds her hand up. “I love surprises. I mean, why would I wanna spoil the future? I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.” She twirls in glee.

“Anyway, we were hoping you might be able to help us find a cookbook.”

“Yeah. Well, then you’ve got the right girl! I mean, I have every cookbook ever.”

“Even The Sorcerer’s Cookbook?”

“Hmm. Let me look.” Bridget restarts her music, placing her headphones back on as she begins searching through her bookcase.

Red opens The Looking Glass.

“What are you doing?” Chloe moves to stand next to her.

“Checking how things are going back home.”

You glance between them, your stomach twisting uneasily. You already know what you might find, but a part of you hopes you’re wrong.

“Let me go!” Chloe’s dad struggles against the card guards.

“Oh, Charming. So nice to see you again.”

“Where is she? Where’s Cinderella?”

“Why…” The Queen of Hearts walks over and picks up a pair of glass shoes.

“No!”

“Are you looking for these?”

“What have you done?”

The Queen of Hearts drops the shoes. 

They shatter across the floor.

Chloe struggles to hold back tears.

“Not so funny now, am I?”

“No. What…” King Charming holds the broken slippers, trembling. “No…No! No!”

The Queen cackles.

Red slams The Looking Glass closed.

“Okay, so…not good.” She rests a hand on Chloe’s shoulder.

You stare at the closed mirror, shutting your eyes as grief settles heavily in your chest.

You think of Rook.

Your brother is back in Auradon, trapped under the Queen’s reign. You wonder if he’s thinking about you. You wonder if he’s–

Your breath hitches. You shake your head, forcing the thoughts away.

You can’t let that happen. Not to Ella. Not to your brother. Not to anyone.

Bridget has returned from her search. “That’s weird, yeah, I thought I had them all. Well, except the banned ones.”

“Where would we find the banned ones?”

“We don’t.” Bridget leans forward. “They’re dangerous. That’s why Principal Merlin locked them up in his office. And enchanted them so no troublemakers can get their hands on them.”

Back in the dorm, Chloe paces across the room.

“Now that we know where the book is, I think the solution is clear.”

“For sure.” Red agrees. “There’s only one option.”

“Yeah.” Chloe takes a seat. “It’s time to tell Principal Merlin. We need to come clean. He can help us.”

Red looks at her. “No. Help us? You think he’s just gonna hand over a banned book because we asked him?”

“Do you have a better idea?” Chloe rises to her feet, now eye-level with Red.

“Yeah. We do it ourselves. We break in and steal it.” 

Chloe scoffs. 

“That’s what Uliana’s gonna do. Unless we get there first.”

“You wanna break in to the Principal’s office? It’s enchanted! And Castlecoming is tomorrow. We only have one shot to get this right. And your idea is to steal?”

“And your plan is to go tell the teacher? You’re such a goody-goody.”

You glance between them, your stomach twisting.

“Guys, maybe we should just—”

“I’d rather be a goody-goody than a bad person.”

“You sound like your mom.”

“Thank you.”

“And how’d that work out for her?” Red fires back.

“Red,” you say quietly

But the damage is already done.

“Wow.” Chloe blinks, holding back tears. “You know, you are evil. Just like your mom.”

The image from the Looking Glass appears in your head.

Cinderella’s broken glass slippers.

Rook.

Your breath catches.

“Yeah, maybe…” Red says tearfully. “But I’m gonna get us outta here.”

She stalks away.

You stare after her, torn between following your cousin and comforting Chloe.

Chloe wipes quickly beneath her eyes, refusing to let the tears fall.

“I need some air.”

You take a small step toward her. “Chloe–”

“I’m okay.” She forces a smile, though neither of you believe her. “I just…need to think.”

You hesitate before nodding. “Okay.”

Chloe stands still for a moment, lost in thought, before heading for the door.

“Where are you going?” you ask.

She pauses. “To see Ella.”

You blink before nodding. “Be safe.”

“I will.” Chloe offers a tight-lipped smile before leaving.

A/N: Double update!

Taglist: @marywantsttobattle @lizzishereee @cantbecreative @xxmaddixx

[voidstarling]

A Rose in Wonderland (Descendants ROR Reader Insert)

Summary: When you and your cousin Red of Hearts are given the opportunity to attend Auradon Prep, the Queen of Hearts and your mother, the White Queen, are all for it. But when the Queen of Hearts stages a coup and sentences Cinderella to a beheading for treason, it's up to you, Red, and Chloe Charming to prevent the Queen of Hearts from becoming evil in the first place.

WC: 5k

Warning: Bullying, threats, fantasy violence, humiliation, emotional distress, family trauma, and mild insults

Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Epilogue

Chapter Three: Back to the Beginning

You, Red, and Chloe walk down the main pathway. Chloe beams while Red remains stone-faced. You walk beside Red, hands clasped behind you as you survey your surroundings. 

The main campus of Merlin Academy is bustling with various students, presumably heading to class. The clock tower chimes twice in a cute little melody that you catch yourself humming along to.

A student in a purple hat waves to Chloe, greeting her politely. Chloe’s princess training kicks in, and she begins to introduce herself.

“Hey, I’m Chloe…”

Red shoves her hand down, glaring at her, but Chloe’s cheerful mood refuses to be dampened as she continues to smile at other students.

A couple of feet later, Chloe spots the sign to the entrance of the school: The Merlin Academy.

“Of course!” She skips over to it. “Merlin Academy. That’s what Auradon Prep used to be called. Before Beast united the kingdoms to create Auradon.”

You and Red walk up beside her, looking at the sign. “I wonder why they changed the name…”

“How do you know all this?” Red asks.

“Well, I love history! Don’t you?” Chloe beams, turning to Red.

Red shakes her head, “Uh-uh.”

“I like Wonderland history,” you raise your hand, “did you know Wonderland used to be called Underland before Frabjous Day?”

Chloe looks at you excitedly. “I didn’t! Why did they change it?”

You continue walking as you explain, “When Alice first visited Underland, she called it Wonderland, so to honor her slaying the Jabberwocky, the name was changed.”

“Wow.” Chloe gasps, “That’s really cool.”

You grin, “Mhm.”

The three of you enter the main hall where various students sit on couches and mill about. Red takes the lead while you and Chloe trail behind her.

“No way.” Chloe breathes, spotting a poster on the wall, “Castlecoming. That’s where my parents fell in love. It’s like the biggest event of the year.”

“Sorry, I’m busy changing history.” Red says, disregarding her words.

“Okay, remember what your mom said about being humiliated at her first dance?” Chloe stared at the poster. “This must be what she meant.”

“And if someone did some horrible prank to her…”

“Maybe that’s what turned her into a terrible dictator?”

“How awful was that prank?” You mutter.

Red steps closer to the poster, scoffing. “That must be why the watch sent us back to this moment in time. It’s before my mom turns into…My mom.”

“Great. Now, how do we stop that?”

Red thinks for a moment. “By figuring out who’s gonna do the prank that ruins her life.”

The bell rings twice more. A warning bell perhaps?

The loitering students quickly disperse through the halls. The three of you walk into the main stairway, a little lost.

“Late for class, ladies?” A voice calls from above. “Stay right there.”

You all look up to see a man in dark robes. Chloe gasps in excitement. “Oh, my gosh, it’s Merlin.” She whispers to you, grinning.

Red gives her a judging look.

The man appears from a doorway nearby, walking toward your little trio.

Chloe steps forward, clapping her hands together. “Actually, we’re not students. I mean, well, we are, but we think that we’ve been sent–”

Red interrupts her.

“Sent from another place.” Her smile and her cheery tone are forced as she makes wide eyes at Chloe. She laughs fakely. “We’re transfer students.”

“Well, I’m Principal Merlin, so I should have received papers.” The man begins to check his various coat pockets for your definitely real and not-at-all-made-up papers.

“Now, yes, is it that one? No. This one?” He pulls out a scroll and reads it quietly. “‘Dear Mum,’ No, that’s…that’s not it.” He tosses it aside, and it disappears somewhere.

“Um, uh,” He continues to check his coat, where a frog croaks and a chicken crows, before pulling out a lit candle. 

Your eyes widen, and you grin as Merlin continues pulling increasingly impossible objects from his coat. Leaning toward Red, you whisper with a quiet laugh.

“He’s delightfully mad.” You sigh wistfully. “Aunt Alice always says the best people usually are.”

Red gives you an incredulous look. “You are way too okay with this.”

You simply shrug, a smirk tugging at your lips.

“Ooh, ooh! Ah. That’s…That’s not safe.” He passes the candle to his other hand. “It’s not safe at all. Ooh.”

He tosses it aside into another plane of existence. Red stares at where it disappeared.

“Eh…Um…” Merlin shrugs his shoulders, giving up on his search. For now. “I’m sure it’ll turn up eventually.” 

“I founded this Academy to be an educational institution for all.” He gestures with his hands before once again reaching into his pocket; this time he reveals a wand, which he points at Chloe. “But you must know that we have a no-swords policy in the classroom.”

In a flash of purple light, Chloe’s sword disappears. Despite her weapon being taken who-knows-where, Chloe beams at him.

“I’ve transported it to the Stardust Room, which will be your dormitory.” Well, that answers that question. “I’ll settle you in after school, but first let’s get you to class. I teach Honors Alchemy in my office. Right this way.”

Merlin takes off, guiding you through the halls to his classroom/office.

You whisper to Red and Chloe. “What an odd man.”

“No, that’s…Sorry, it’s this way. This way.” He turns around immediately, pointing in the opposite direction. “Follow me!”

You giggle, skipping after him.

“The marble in these archways…” He rambles about the school, giving you a short tour.

“What was that?” Chloe asks, “The Auradon Code of Conduct forbids lying. Especially to teachers.”

“Good thing this isn’t Auradon yet.” Red remarks as Chloe sighs.

“I don’t think he’d believe us either if we told him we were from the future…” You rest a hand on Chloe’s shoulder, smiling apologetically. “Maybe if we were in Wonderland. But not here.”

“...There are no swords in these stones.” Merlin continues.

Merlin guides you to a room lined with paintings where the door to his office is. “Here we are.” He pauses. “Um, key, key. Where’s the key?” He mumbles to himself before recognition crosses his face and he pulls the key out from behind his ear. “Ah. Yeah.”

He leans over and unlocks the classroom doors, which open automatically. “Let’s do alchemy!”

A stream of students enters behind your little group as Merlin mumbles to himself about the state of his classroom. “So, plants are still alive…nothing’s…flasks are bubbling…bubbling, bubbling.”

He stops at the front of the room, gathering a clipboard full of papers before addressing the students. “All right, class, let’s get started. We have two new transfers here today, so let’s at least pretend that this is an Honors class.”

You observe the various plants and ingredients around the room, captivated.

“Um, Bridget and Ella, split up and help these three get sorted, won’t you?” Your gaze drifts to the two people he’s approached, eyes locking on the pink-haired girl.

She’s smiling at her friend, talking quietly before Merlin interrupts. She turns to you and Red with a friendly smile, picking up her assignment paper.

Chloe stares at the blue-haired girl as Red and you approach the pink-haired girl. 

“Bridget?” You approach first, smiling at her as Red follows.

“Yeah.” She affirms, looking over the table of ingredients.

“Mom?” Chloe is still staring at Ella, who gives her a weirded-out look. You wince, feeling embarrassed on her behalf.

“Um…I mean, uh, Ella, hi.” Chloe stammers over her words, “Nice…Nice to meet you.”

“Okay, new girl, let’s dive in.” Ella looks right at home in this class, confidently grabbing the ingredients she needs.

You settle on Bridget’s right side, introducing yourself. “I’m Y/n, and this is my cousin, Red.”

“Hi, Y/n, Red!” She beams as she places her jacket under her seat. “I’m Bridget, but you already know that.”

You giggle together, smiling. Her eyes linger on you for a moment.

“...I like the rose in your hair.”

Your hand reaches for the white rose your mother had conjured before you left, still tucked in your hair, somehow perfectly in bloom. Home wasn’t too far away here.

“Thank you! My Mama gave it to me.” You trace the petals gently, missing home.

Bridget’s eyes light up.

“My little sister loves white roses!” She pours a vial of purple liquid into the cauldron. “Her name’s Mirana. She always says they look elegant.”

Bridget smiles to herself. “I think she’d really like you.”

You smile weakly. “I’m sure she would.” 

If only you knew.

Before you can continue, Red lets out a disbelieving laugh. “So, wait. You’re Bridget?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Bridget from Wonderland?” Red asks again.

“Yup. That’s me.” Her smile never leaves her face. “Could you pass me the griffin-claw, please? I gotta stir this up.” She points to a stirrer on Red’s left.

Your gaze drifts between them.

Red looks as though the world has tilted beneath her feet.

Bridget remains perfectly content, blissfully unaware that the girls standing beside her are her future daughter and niece.

“I love your outfit, by the way.” Bridget compliments Red.

“Why are you talking like that?” Red blurts.

“Red…” you nudge her gently beneath the table.

“Like what?”

“Uh, you just sound different.” Red pours a vial of something glittery into the cauldron.

“I’m not quite sure I…” Bridget stirs the liquid.

“No, it’s me!” Red interrupts. “I’m…You’re…This is all just a lot.”

“How many kids were at your old school?”

Red hesitates. “Uh…one.”

Bridget’s face lightens. “I was homeschooled too! Until I came here. So, you know, don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” She reassures Red.

You perk up. “Me too.”

Bridget looks delighted. “Really?”

“My Mom taught me. My brother was homeschooled too until he was old enough for Au–Merlin Academy.”

“You have a brother?” Bridget exclaims.

You laugh softly. “Yeah. He’s older than me, so he doesn’t spend much time at school anymore.”

Bridget nods in understanding.

Red, who has been listening quietly, finally speaks.

“I wasn’t homeschooled because my mom thought it was best. She just…didn’t trust anyone else.”

Bridget’s smile softens. “I’m sorry.”

Red shrugs, trying to brush it off. “It is what it is.”

“Do you want a hug?” She opens her arms, approaching Red, who backs away just as fast. 

“Uh. Not really a hugger.” Red holds her hands up in defense.

“I’d like a hug.” You say tentatively, feeling a little shy.

Bridget turns to you and wraps you in an embrace, one that you melt into. You hold her back just as tightly. “Thanks, Bridget.”

Red watches the hug for a moment before looking away, something unreadable flickering across her face.

“Any time!” Bridget nods before turning back to the table. She’s quiet for a moment before she speaks again. “I’ve got the perfect thing to make you feel better, Red.”

She squeals. “I made ‘em this morning.” She leans over and retrieves something from her backpack. 

“Keep those flasks bubbling, please,” Merlin shouts from the front.

Bridget pulls out a golden platter covered by a cloche, which she quickly removes. “Fabulous Flamingo-Feather Cupcakes.”

You and Red look down at the pink cupcakes decorated with flamingo feathers.

“Flamingo feathers?” Red asks.

“Don’t worry. They don’t bite. Not like those gingerbread men I made last spring.” Bridget giggles at the memory. “I won’t be using that cookbook again. Try one.”

You both take a cupcake, Red more warily, and bite into them. Red’s eyes light up, and her nails turn bright pink. You hum at the sweet taste and notice the accents of your outfit change to a pastel pink.

“Oh, how lovely!”

“Whoa. These are fabulous.” Red goes to take a second cupcake.

“Ah, ah, ah.” Bridget holds them out of reach. “Just one, or there can be…side effects.” She places the cloche back over the platter and puts it back in her bag.

Red eyes the cupcake in her hand, placing it on the table instead of finishing it.

You shrug and continue to eat your cupcake, enjoying the sweet treat.

“Now, ready to tackle the assignment?” Bridget turns to you and Red.

“Why are you so nice?” Red asks quietly.

Bridget laughs nervously before touching Red’s arm. “You get more with sugar than salt.” She smiles sadly. “Come on.” She returns to stirring the potion.

Once class ends, the five of you exit the classroom with Bridget leading. Ella wheels a serving cart piled high with Bridget’s cupcakes in front of her.

“It’s really not a secret recipe.” Bridget looks over her shoulder at Red, Chloe, and you. “A little butter, flour, sugar, and a lot of positivity.”

You step alongside the cart, watching students weave through the courtyard between classes.

“Honestly, it always works for me. That’s why I got enough to go around, for everyone I see.”

As Bridget offers cupcakes to passing students, you find yourself helping without thinking, handing one to a shy-looking girl. “Bridget made them for everyone. You should try one!” She takes it with a quiet “thank you!” before hurrying away.

Red watches you for a moment before looking away. “...Figures,” she mutters under her breath.

Before long, you aren’t just handing out cupcakes anymore–you’re laughing with students, pointing them to Bridget whenever they ask who made them, and smiling every time another splash of pink appears somewhere in the crowd. For a little while, it feels nice to forget why you came here in the first place.

“Sometimes I make mistakes, and sometimes I burn the cake, but I still believe it all will be okay.” Bridget’s tray has one remaining cupcake.

“Cause the sun shines a little more brightly, when you take things a little more lightly. It’s all gonna turn out nicely with just a taste of your heart.”

You grin as someone’s pants turn pink, and another’s hat and shoes change color while Bridget replenishes her emptied plate from the cart. You reach for the next tray before Bridget can, earning an appreciative look from her.

“It’s likely you’ll fall into something spicy. Just mix it up, you'll keep finding that life is sweeter when you are.”

A few more students take the cupcakes before you arrive in front of the girl that you met when you arrived–Fairy Godmother.

“Hey, Fay!” Bridget greets her, offering the tray to her. You smile politely. “Hi, again.”

Fay brightens in recognition. “Oh! You’re the girls from this morning.” Her smile dips into a frown once more. “Guess I’m here for a spell, even though it never really works out well for me…” She sighs sadly. “One wave of my wand and it’s ‘whoopsie’!” She takes a cupcake with a friendly smile, biting into it. Her wand turns bright pink.

Bridget glances to her left, spotting a boy and a girl walking and holding hands. “It’s Jasmine and Aladdin!”

“Call us Jaladdin.” They speak in unison before Aladdin rubs the back of his head.

You rest your forehead against Red’s shoulder to hide your laugh. “Oh my hearts.”

“He’s like a magnet.” Jasmine leans her forehead against Aladdin’s. “She’s so attractive.”

They spin around, stopping in front of your group. “It’s all fantastic ‘cause we’re flying high together on a magic carpet ride.” They end with their hands in a heart before they each take a cupcake and wander off.

Your eyes meet Red’s behind Bridget. The two of you last not even two seconds before both of you have to look away, trying–and failing–not to laugh.

“Charming!” A boy riding a skateboard soars into the courtyard, taking a cupcake from the plate and staring at Ella. You watch the exchange knowingly, nudging Chloe.

“That’s just the name people know me by, crowned prince isn’t the way I ride. If you wanna roll together, it could be a vibe.” He takes a bite and kickflips, his skateboard changing to pink.

Red looks him up and down as he leaves. “Okay.”

Chloe looks uncomfortable. “That’s my dad.”

Red’s face immediately changes to disgust. “Oh...”

You laugh quietly behind her, resting your head on her shoulder.

Red shoves your head off of her shoulder without even looking at you.

“The sun shines a little more brightly when you take things a little more lightly. It’s all gonna turn out nicely with just a taste of your heart!” The whole courtyard has turned pink with the amount of students having eaten a cupcake.

“It’s likely you’ll fall into something spicy, just mix it up, you’ll keep finding that life is sweeter when you are.” Bridget skips around with her tray of cupcakes, offering one to anyone and everyone.

“So, you’re friends with everyone?” Red asks her incredulously.

“Oh, gosh, no.” Bridget smiles sadly. 

Your smile falters. “Really?”

Bridget shrugs. “My only friend is Ella.” She turns to the blue-haired girl beside her, who grins.

“But, with time…and a few more treats, they will be.” Bridget nods self-assuredly.

You step closer without thinking. “Well, I think you’ve got three new friends right here.”

Bridget grins so brightly that it’s almost impossible not to smile back. “Really? Oh, how wonderful!”

“I think you mean, Wonderlandiful–” before you can finish your pun, you’re interrupted by a group of random students bursting out from behind a tree. They cackle as other students scramble away.

“What in the world–!”

“Look for a hand, find a golden hook. Captain of the seas, I got ‘em all shook.” A boy in a long, red coat appears, followed quickly by another boy in green.

“Son of Morgana, serpentine. Morgie’s the name, better run and hide.” His eyes flash yellow before he slides a hand over them and they turn a more natural shade.

“Hades here from the fiery depths.” The God of the Underworld lights a blue flame in his hand.

“Sharp as a thorn, I’m Maleficent.” The Dark Fairy sends a flash of green magic your way.

Morgie speaks again, “Now for the hottest, the goddess of darkness. Here she comes.” 

“Uliana.” Morgie and Hook harmonize.

The remaining students watch in shock and mild annoyance (Ella) as the group introduces themselves. A pair of tentacles shove Hook and Morgie out of the way, revealing a pirate-looking girl with an evil grin.

“I’m not your everyday villain. I’m taking souls for a living. Got a torturous mind full of evil designs, I could grind up your bones in a minute.” Her crew glares from behind her, standing menacingly.

“Down in the darkest depths of the sea. The scariest things are scared of me.” Uliana retracts her tentacles in a flash. “Say Uliana and watch them flee!”

You stare at the dramatic entrance for a moment. “...Did they rehearse that?”

Bridget leans closer to the three of you, lowering her voice. “She’s Ursula’s baby sister.”

Red scans Uliana up and down. “Okay.”

Chloe blinks once, thoroughly weirded out.

You nod slowly. “That…explains a lot, actually.”

Bridget continues as though nothing has changed. “The sun shines a little more brightly.”

The VKs stride forward aggressively. “The dark is a little enticing.”

“It’s all gonna turn out nicely with just a taste of your heart. It’s likely–”

“We’ll make it all much more frightening.”

You find yourself stepping a little closer to your friends without even realizing it.

“Just mix it up, you’ll keep finding that life is sweeter when you are.” The AKs naturally gather around Bridget while the VKs close in from the opposite side. 

“Seeing things brightly when you take things a little more lightly. Just mix it up, you’ll keep finding that life is sweeter when you are.” One by one, the VKs pair off with an AK, Uliana standing in front of Bridget. 

Red and Ella glare at Uliana with open distrust. Chloe watches from behind Red while you step beside Bridget.

Bridget giggles sweetly as Uliana carefully takes a cupcake from the tray. “Thanks.”

You don’t trust her.

“Oh, sure.” Bridget nods. “Of course. Happy to…”

“For all of them.” Uliana interrupts, one of her tentacles snatching the entire plate from Bridget’s hands. “I mean, flamingo feathers are like, super rare, right?”

“Hey!” Ella steps in before you can. “Give that back to her!”

Uliana interrupts once again. Loudly. “I’m sorry. I don’t speak peasant girl.”

“I love your outfit by the way. It is just so…” One of her tentacles rips a piece of Ella’s sleeve away. “...put together.”

“That was wicked, Uli! You said, ‘put together’ ‘cause it’s not.”

“My name’s Bridget, and I have to bribe people with treats to be my friend because I’m such a loner.” Uliana mocks while her cronies laugh.

Your eyes narrow as you step in front of Bridget and Ella. “Mocking people doesn’t make you impressive. It just makes you look childish.” You cross your arms. “Now, return Bridget’s cupcakes.”

Uliana blinks once before scoffing. “Or what?”

Chloe wields a hockey stick at her. “Hey! The Code of Conduct prohibits theft and bullying!”

Hook casually knocks her makeshift weapon away. “Easy, lass. I dunno where you come from, but here we don’t fight until after school. Meet me then.”

Chloe shoves him away from her face. “You wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Red pushes past Chloe as the villains simply laugh. “Listen, squid-face. Give the cupcakes back, or I’ll rip that magic tongue out of your throat.”

“Oh, girl.” Uliana sneers. “I only wanted the feathers. You can have the rest.” She slams the plate onto the ground, sending shards of glass across the tile.

Uliana lowers the feathers to her mouth, preparing to ingest them all at once.

“Wait!” Bridget shouts. “That’s too many!”

“Seriously, it has some intense side effects!” You add.

Uliana ignores you both with a dark chuckle, eating them anyway. She hums happily, snapping her fingers.

Bridget looks at her worriedly. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

Uliana scoffs, pulling out a pocket mirror. “I’m sorry. You are just jealous of my fabulosity, okay?” She checks her reflection, running a hand over her braids. “You can’t handle my–squawk!”

A burst of pink feathers escapes her mouth as she honks and gasps. Her eyelashes have turned pink as she stares at Bridget in horror.

“Squawk!” She gasps again, looking at herself. “What was–” She begins to shriek, dropping her mirror as she backs away.

“You all right, Uli?” Hook asks. “You’re looking a little…pink.” He chuckles like he made a hilarious joke.

“Shut up!” Uliana screams. Her hair is turning pink now, and she squawks again, her hands flying to her lips.

Bridget covers her mouth in horror as Uliana freaks out.

“What’s happening to me?” She shrieks as her hair continues to change color. She squawks and falls to the floor.

“Someone help her!” Fay yells.

“Yeah, someone should help her.” Hades echoes before Maleficent hits his arm.

“Uliana…” You take an instinctive step forward before Red catches your wrist.

“Y/n.”

“She needs help.”

“She just threatened Ella like five seconds ago.”

Morgie rushes over, trying to help her up, but he only manages to remove her jacket. Uliana’s head has become that of a flamingo’s. You feel sick for her.

“Uli, I…” Bridget starts.

Uliana squawks in outrage before she locks onto Bridget and Ella. Bridget gasps, and Ella stares in shock.

Uliana rushes at them, and they sprint away.

“Uhm…we…okay. Thanks.” Chloe hands the hockey stick back to its owner and takes off after Bridget and Ella. 

“Yeah.” You and Red follow quickly behind her. “Wait.”

“Uli!” Hook shouts, meandering after. The courtyard follows behind everyone while Hades and Maleficent hold hands and walk with no sense of urgency.

Bridget and Ella are heading toward the inside of the school. “Okay, okay, we’re almost there,” Ella reassures Bridget before they are quickly stopped by Hook and Maleficent.

“Hey there, darling.” He looms over them as Maleficent cackles.

“I’m sorry. Sorry, sorry.” Bridget yelps as she veers away.

Maleficent prevents Ella from following her. “What? I just want to have a little chat with your friend.”

Bridget is once again prevented from escaping by Morgie and Hades. “I’m sorry. I told you to be careful!” She yelps as Uliana chases her. She climbs onto the fountain’s edge.

Ella spots Uliana about to shove Bridget into the fountain and runs over. “Hey! Bridget! Watch out!” She pulls her off the edge, knocking Uliana off balance.

Uliana flails her arms as she tries to regain her footing before inevitably falling into the water behind her with a squawk.

Her ‘friends’ watch her fall.

Ella drags Bridget inside the Academy, shoving past people. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Bridget apologizes profusely.

“Come on.”

Uliana has returned to normal, coughing and sputtering in the water.

You lean over to Red and Chloe. “Y’know for someone who’s part fish, she sure can’t swim.”

Uliana whirls around to look at her surroundings. Various students begin to laugh and point at her as she stands. “Where’s Bridget?!” She shrieks.

The three of you stare at her. “So, pretty sure we just found out who’s gonna do the prank.” Red mutters.

“I don’t know, maybe that wasn’t so bad?” Chloe tries.

“I will destroy her!” Uliana screams.

You wince. “Pretty sure it’s her.”

Uliana huffs and stalks away. “Tell Bridget this isn’t over!”

Maleficent hisses as the rest of the VKs leave.

The remaining students begin to laugh as the three of you leave to find Ella and Bridget.

“How’s Uli doing? I feel terrible.” Bridget is berating herself. “I should go apologize.”

Bridget looks to you hopefully, as though expecting you to agree with her.

You shake your head gently, taking her hands. “You already warned her twice. This isn’t your fault.”

“She did it to herself.” Ella continues. “And it serves her right. She’s always bullying us.” She explains.

“Ella, yo, that was amazing.” Charming suddenly appears.

Ella beams at him.

“You ladies bested Uliana!” he compliments. “I don’t think anyone’s ever done that before. And that makes you braver than I am. And I’m a prince.”

Chloe watches her parents interact with wide eyes.

“Though I don’t really like to push the royal angle.”

Red widens her eyes at him.

“Yet you always find a way.” Ella deadpans.

“You’re the new girls, right? I’m Charming.”

“That’s debatable,” Ella says bluntly.

“And you guys picked the right time to show up because it’s Castlecoming week!”

Bridget giggles excitedly as the three of you look at each other.

“Castlecoming is an outdated, elitist tradition,” Ella informs you.

“Wait, so does that mean you’re not…” Charming looks a little disappointed.

“Squeezing into a super-expensive dress and painful shoes?” Ella scoffs. “No thanks.”

Charming huffs a short laugh. “Well, if you happen to change your mind,” he flicks his hair out of his eyes. “I’ll see you there.”

“Hey, Ella.” Chloe starts with a slight smirk. “He seemed pretty interested in your plans for the festival. Was I sensing some chemistry?”

“Uh,” Ella snorts. “No.” She says unconvincingly.

Bridget gives her a knowing look.

“Okay, yeah, everyone loves him.” Ella smiles. “And sure, he’s gorgeous, and he seems nice, but you know how royalty is. Well, except for you, B. You’re different.”

Bridget has her arms crossed, looking at Ella fondly. “I just wish someone was that interested in going with me. Everyone already has plans, so…”

Red looks at her mother sadly.

Ella’s eyes spark with an idea. “Bridget,” She takes Bridget’s hands, “will you go to Castlecoming with me?”

“But you just said…” Bridget looks to where Charming had disappeared.

“Yeah, I despise everything it stands for.” Ella chuckles. “But if we go as friends, maybe it won’t be totally awful.”

Bridget squeals in excitement, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “We have to try on dresses right now!” She twirls into Ella’s arms. “We only have two days.”

You look at Red and Chloe, smirking.

“I can’t, I have to get back home. But maybe later.”

“Okay.”

Bridget hugs Ella tightly, giggling excitedly. “See you later.”

She turns to you, Red, and Chloe. “Bye!”

Ella waves at her. “Bye.”

“Gonna find the perfect dress.” Bridget squeals as she leaves.

“She’s exactly like Mom said she was.” You murmur.

Red looks over at you. “What?”

“Nothing.”

Ella turns and leaves shortly after. “I better get home.”

The three of you walk after her, entering another common room where you can’t be overheard.

“Two days until my mom gets pranked.” Red starts.

“It’s not enough time,” Chloe says.

“It’s gonna have to be.” Red sighs. “I just…I can’t believe my mom was so…sweet.” She runs a hand over an organ, a slight look of disgust on her face.

Chloe presses her hands on the keys to stop the sound. “Tell me about it. My mom’s supposed to be the most perfect, gracious queen ever.”

Red holds a tambourine with no jingles.

“Ella seems like she can’t even stand royalty.”

“Yeah, you know, the craziest thing of it all…”

“They were best friends…” You finish for them.

Red and Chloe look at each other before glancing away quickly.

“Okay, well, now the question is, how do we stop Uliana before Castlecoming?” Chloe ponders aloud.

You settle onto a nearby chair with a lyre harp in your hands. You strum the strings quietly as Chloe and Red brainstorm.

“First, we have to figure out what she’s planning. Bugs in Bridget’s dress? Or…Or something with snakes?” Red walks around the room. “So many good options.” She drags her fingers through some chimes.

Chloe clasps her hands over the chimes, preventing the vibrations. “So, let’s find out more about Uliana. You think my mom might know?”

Red now has a drum mallet in her hands that she tosses back and forth.

“Maybe. Plus she’s closest to Bridget. So, she’ll know her weaknesses and exactly how to stab her in the back.” Red slams the drum mallet on the drum.

Chloe slams her hand over the top, stopping the sound.

“You have some serious intimacy issues.”

“Hmm.” Red cocks her head in thought.

A/N: Apologies for the wait! I'm visiting my grandparents, so I haven't had a lot of time to write. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist.

Taglist: @marywantsttobattle @lizzishereee @cantbecreative

[voidstarling]

A Rose in Wonderland (Descendants ROR Reader Insert)

Summary: When you and your cousin Red of Hearts are given the opportunity to attend Auradon Prep, the Queen of Hearts and your mother, the White Queen, are all for it. But when the Queen of Hearts stages a coup and sentences Cinderella to a beheading for treason, it's up to you, Red, and Chloe Charming to prevent the Queen of Hearts from becoming evil in the first place.

WC: 3.3k

Warning: Canon typical violence. Death sentence.

Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Epilogue

Chapter Two: The Fall of Auradon

A storm brews as the Queen of Hearts laughs wickedly.

She has thrown her deck of cards into the sky, conjuring an army of the Wonderland guard.

The Welcome Day Ceremony has officially descended into chaos.

Lightning strikes the air like a viper’s tongue, the courtyard lighting up in bursts of red light.

Most stare at the sky in horror while others sprint toward the exits.

Fairy Godmother is desperate to retain control over the situation. “Everybody, it’s going to be okay!”

Your brother has grabbed both you and Red, placing himself between you and the Queen of Hearts.

She is giggling, pointing toward where the guards drop. She claps and spins, watching the crowd be corralled inward.

Uma shouts in anger.

“Citizens, remain in the courtyard.” They order, holding up swords and shields.

“Oh my goodness!” Fairy Godmother yelps as pirates battle against the guards around her.

Red pushes out from behind Rook, desperately trying to get her mother to listen. “Mom, stop!”

The Queen of Hearts ignores her, grinning at the chaos she has caused. 

You can faintly hear Chloe urging people to run, “Quick!”

The Queen laughs before flicking a set of cards toward the exits. “Not so fast.”

Each and every doorway is blocked by two giant cards, preventing anyone from leaving.

Uma is fighting the guards on the stage, thrusting and parrying against multiple at a time. It’s an admirable effort, but you know better.

The Queen of Hearts cannot be stopped.

Red watches the chaos in horror.

You clutch your brother’s shoulders, preventing him from doing anything rash. He looks at you.

You shake your head fearfully.

The Queen conducts her hands before Fairy Godmother catches her attention.

“Bibbidi-bobbidi—”

“No.”

With one word, a card slices Fairy Godmother’s wand in half, effectively preventing any sort of counterspell that she was going to conjure.

Almost immediately, a sword is at her throat.

A grunt and yelling catches your ear. “Let go of me!”

Uma has been captured.

A couple of guards have come to surround you and your brother, blocking you from moving.

You make eye contact with Red.

She looks terrified.

You refuse to let go of your brother’s sleeve. Every few seconds your eyes flick over him, searching for injuries that aren’t there.

Stay where I can see you, you silently plead.

“Calm down, you’re all acting like you’ve never seen a coup before.” The Queen of Hearts gathers her skirts and ascends the steps to the stage.

Thunder rumbles in the distance as she laughs.

“Mom, this is crazy.” Red gestures emphatically. “Even for you.”

“Crazy that it’s taken this long.” She lets out a short huff, turning to Fairy Godmother and Uma. “I have been waiting years to be invited back into Auradon.”

Red runs up the stairs to her mother.

“So, thank you, Red. You finally did something useful.”

“I should’ve known this was never about me.”

“Everything I do is for you.”

“That was my invitation. My school. My life.”

“Someday, you’ll thank me.”

“Oh! And we’ve already seen the ending.” She gasps in excitement. “Spoiler alert…” She smiles broadly. “We win.”

She laughs, clapping her hands together with childish delight before her gaze drifts over the courtyard.

It settles on you and Rook.

“White rose.” Her voice softens.

Your stomach drops.

“Come here.”

Instinctively, Rook steps farther in front of you, shielding you from her.

The Queen tilts her head, amused more than annoyed.

“I wasn’t speaking to you, white knight.”

Silence hangs between them.

“Rook…” you whisper, your fingers curling around his sleeve.

He doesn’t look away from the Queen.

Instead, he straightens to his full height, keeping one arm protectively in front of you.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty…” His voice is calm. “No.”

For just a moment, she simply stares at him.

Then she sighs dramatically.

“Honestly.” She clicks her tongue. “Must you always play the hero, white knight? I suppose I should have expected such stubbornness from my sister’s son.”

“I’m exactly where I should be.” Rook replies evenly.

Her light brown eyes shift to you.

“Y/n.” Her tone hardens. “Come to your family.”

You hesitate. You look at Rook, then Red.

Rook still isn’t looking at you when he murmurs, “Go.”

You stare at him. “What?”

“She won’t hurt me if you go.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No.” His expression softens. “But I know she’ll hurt me if you don’t.”

Your hand trembles in his.

“Now.” The Queen’s voice rings across the courtyard. “Must I ask twice?”

You can feel tears well in your eyes.

Rook nods once at you, gently pushing you forward. He smiles weakly. “Go on. I’ll be alright.”

The instant that you clear the guards, they move. Iron grips seize Rook’s arms before he can react. His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t struggle, knowing that would only make it worse.

“Don’t hurt him!” You almost run back to him, but you stop when you meet his eyes.

He widens them slightly, glancing at your cousin and aunt.

You nod imperceptively and force your feet to move.

Each step feels heavier than the last.

Only when you’re standing beside Red does The Queen’s smile widen.

“There.” She clasps her hands together. “That wasn’t so hard, now was it?”

You swallow thickly.

“Stop it, Bridget! You’re better than this.”

Cinderella interrupts her, trying to approach before she is stopped by two guards crossing their halberds.

“Let her through.”

The guards retract their weapons but remain at attention.

“This is too far. Look, I know that what happened was hard for you, but that was ages ago.”

They hold eye contact, silent.

“It feels like yesterday to me.”

“It was a stupid prank.” Cinderella’s voice wavers.

“Stupid, I could forgive.” The Queen of Hearts voice trembles slightly. “Humiliating a girl at her first dance, turning me into a monster in front of everyone. Now, that’s just cruel.”

“You’re right.” Cinderella agrees.

The Queen of Hearts doesn’t believe her, shaking her head in disbelief. “You didn’t care then. You were off with your prince. Ooh, but you will now.”

Her voice increases in volume. “You will all show me the respect I deserve!”

It’s clear that made the crowd restless. The soldiers become even more defensive. “Get back!”

The Queen raises her hand to Cinderella, gesturing for her to bow. “Now, kneel.”

Cinderella keeps her head held high, shaking it. 

“I will never kneel to a tyrant.”

The crowd breaks into gasps and murmurs.

You can spot Chloe’s eyes widen in alarm.

“She’s denied a royal order. What do we do about that, darlings?” The Queen turns to you and Red.

You meet Red’s eyes before she turns to address Cinderella.

“Look, all you have to do is swear allegiance. Is that so hard?”

She’s trying to prevent a beheading.

Cinderella makes her way up the stairs.

“If it means compromising everything I stand for, yes.”

The Queen of Hearts nods as Red’s expression crumbles.

“Who are you loyal to, Red? These strangers…”

Red turns to meet her mother’s eyes.

“Or your mother?” she whispers. “Hmm?”

The Queen’s hand comes up and caresses Red’s cheek. “Now make me proud. For once.”

You can see Chloe shaking her head frantically.

Red’s eyes flick toward Chloe. Then to you. 

Your fingers curl helplessly at your sides. If you do anything, something will happen to Rook. 

If you don’t…

Chloe loses her mother.

You’re stuck.

“Come on, Bridget.” Cinderella interrupts again, “Even your daughter knows it’s wrong. She can’t do it.”

Her words seem to flip something in Red. She stares at Cinderella blankly.

Red meets her mother’s gaze for a moment, her jaw setting.

Then, she stalks toward Cinderella.

“Treason.”

Thunder booms.

The crowd gasps.

“She’s guilty of treason.”

You feel the blood drain from your face.

Red’s voice cracks around the words, like they don’t fit quite right.

“Exactly right, my dear.” The Queen is grinning now, coming up behind Red. “And that means, off with her head!”

Lightning flashes and thunder booms once more, panic ripples through the crowd.

Chloe gasps.

Cinderella stares at the Queen in disbelief. The Queen stares back with a smirk. It drops quickly. 

“Shoo.” She waves her hand and the guards carry Cinderella off.

She goes willingly.

“Mom?”

“It’s gonna be okay, Chloe. I love you.”

Cinderella tries to comfort her daughter, reaching to hold her one last time.

The guards don’t let her.

“Mom? Mom!”

“It’s gonna be okay.”

“Mom!”

“Be brave, Chloe.”

Chloe is restrained by a single guard. She stares after her mother in anguish.

“Mom? No. No!”

“I knew you had it in you.” The Queen holds her daughter.

Chloe looks heartbroken, staring after her mother. “Let her go!”

Red stares at Chloe, unmoving.

“You’ll be a great queen, after all.” The Queen of Hearts leans over and presses a kiss to Red’s cheek.

Thunder rumbles again, and the vision from the Looking Glass flashes like lightning through your mind.

Red. 

The exact same mark on her cheek.

This is it.

The future has already begun. 

Whispers spread through the crowd.

“Look at her. She’s enjoying this.”

“Like mother, like daughter.”

Red wipes the mark from her cheek, scanning the crowd with a heavy breath.

Chloe mirrors her breathing.

Cinderella is finally escorted out of the room.

Red stares at the guards taking her.

She reaches into her pocket and something metallic catches the light for only a moment. You can’t make out what it is.

“Red?” you step toward her, curious.

“Hey, that’s not fair. Let her go!” Chloe’s voice is strained, holding back tears.

“Oh, bless your heart.” The Red Queen mocks her, clasping her hands to her chest.

“Let her go!”

Red starts forward.

Chloe moves to pull out her sword.

You look frantically between them.

“Wait!’ Chloe yelps as Red shoves the sword back into its holster.

They struggle against each other.

“Red!”

The Queen’s eyes widen.

A quiet click resounds and warm, golden light spills from between her fingers. 

Your brows knit together.

“...Red?”

The glow intensifies.

You panic. 

“Red!”

Instinct takes over. You don’t think–you just reach.

You lunge after your cousin, catching hold of her sleeve just as the light engulfs your vision.

Golden magic erupts around the three of you, swallowing everything.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

A clock chimes.

The world folds in on itself.

Time travel.

When the light dissipates, you stumble, disoriented.

“Red?” you clutch your head, blinking.

“Y/n!”

She grabs your arms, scanning you over. “What–why are you here?”

“I grabbed you when that…light appeared.” You shake your head, clutching her forearms. “What…what was that?”

Red’s mouth parts to provide an answer, but Chloe beats her to it.

“What just happened? Where did everybody go?” She spins around, scanning the now empty courtyard.

Leaves scattered across the stone beneath your feet. The courtyard was…empty. The soldiers were gone. The banners hanging from the walls weren’t Auradon’s royal crest anymore. Instead, they were green, gold, and blue.

Ivy crawled across the walls where polished stone had stood only moments before.

Red looks down at her hand. A pocket watch rests there.

“Whoa.” She stares at it in disbelief. “It works.”

You peer at the golden object. “Did Maddox make that? Or…Max?”

Red glances at you, smirking slightly. “You would ask that.”

Heat rushes to your cheeks and you smack her arm. “Shut up.”

“What works? Where are we?”

Chloe keeps one hand on her sword, scanning around her defensively.

“Not where.” Red remains still. “When.”

“Bibbidi…Bobbidi…Boo.”

The three of you turn to see a girl sitting on a bench in the corner. Her hair is done up in a bun and she holds a wand and a book in her hands.

“She looks like Fairy Godmother.” You whisper to Red.

The girl sighs annoyedly before trying her spell again. “Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo.”

She gasps as the book flies from her hands in a flash of golden sparkles.

She scrambles to stand up, huffing as she goes to collect her book. “No. I wanted to speed-read, not for my reading to speed off…” She trails off as she spots you, Chloe, and Red.

“Hi. Excuse me, where did everybody go?”

“Every-who?” The girl looks confused.

“All the royal families of Auradon. They were just here.” Chloe is still stuck on the past—well the future, now.

“What’s Auradon?”

The girl-who-looks-like-Fairy-Godmother’s book flies from her hands again and she gasps.

“I gotta go catch my homework.” She rushes away. “Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!”

“Everybody’s heard of Auradon.” Chloe’s brows furrow. “And the only person who says Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo is Fairy Godmother.”

“Maybe she’s not a godmother yet?” Red suggests.

“What do you mean?” Chloe asks incredulously.

Red’s getting annoyed.

“Look around you.” She gestures after the girl. “Fairy Godmother sucks at magic. Auradon doesn’t exist, which means…”

Red turns to Chloe expectantly, waiting for her to figure it out.

Chloe looks at her anxiously.

“Really? I thought you were smart.”

Chloe scoffs, looking back at where Fairy Godmother disappeared.

“We’re back in time.” You pipe up. 

“No.” Chloe denies, then looks around once more. “Wait. No.” Her gaze settles on a banner showing the Merlin Academy crest. “How?”

Red holds up the pocket watch. “This, is a time machine.”

Chloe scoffs, looking at it. “You’re joking.”

“Does it look like I’m joking?” Red asks rhetorically.

“Why would you take us back in time?”

“I didn’t take you.” She glares at Chloe. “And I definitely didn’t take this one.” She points at you.

You give Chloe an awkward little wave. 

“Hi, Y/n of Marmoreal. Nice to…meet you again?” You wince slightly as the words come out. “This is my cousin Red, you’ve met. Let’s just take some deep breaths, shall we?”

They ignore you.

“You just grabby-grabbed your way in.” Red walks away. “And this, is not what I had in mind.”

Chloe cocks her head.

“I just wanted to stop my mom.” Red sighs. You rub her shoulder, frowning.

“What about my mom? You sentenced her to death.” Chloe snaps.

“Maybe not my finest moment,” Red starts, “but I’m gonna fix it.”

“How?”

“I thought the watch would take me back a couple minutes so that I could steal my mom’s deck of cards. Not a couple decades.” Red emphasizes.

“Well, we need to go back and save my mom.” Chloe orders.

“No, the watch sent us to this time for a reason.”

You can hear the watch tick faintly.

Chloe looks at it for a moment and then lunges.

“Give me that.”

Red evades her attack, holding it out of her reach.

“I don’t need the help of some princess goody two shoes.” They begin to circle each other. “I’ll handle this myself.”

“Guys…” You warn. Neither of them were listening. “Guys.”

Red ducked around Chloe as Chloe reached for the watch again.

You stepped between them before either could shove the other. “Both of your moms are in danger.” You looked from Chloe to Red.

“Listen to yourselves a minute, we’re losing sight of why we’re here.” you offer your hand to Chloe. “If we keep pulling in different directions, we’ll only make the future disappear.”

“Arguing over whose problem comes first isn’t going to save either of them.” You meet Chloe’s eyes with hope.

Chloe backs away, circling around you and lunging at Red. “I’ll tell it to you straight to your face. There isn’t any time left to waste.” Red rolls her eyes. 

“My kingdom back home needs to be saved.” Chloe surveys Red, scanning her up and down. “Give me the pocket watch or you’re getting slayed.” She lunges after Red, managing to grab the watch. “You best behave.” 

“Give me that watch.” The two are locked in a game of tug-of-war.

“You’re out of your league, Princess.” Red flips over Chloe, pulling the watch free.

“I’m running out of hope, running out of time.” They vault over the nearby tables, running around the courtyard.

“I’ll do what it takes just to change your mind.”

“Or we’ll cross swords, hope not to die.”

“We’re on opposite sides, in the fight of our lives.” Chloe has unsheathed her sword, intercepting Red as she runs into a hallway.

“What’re you gonna do now? Run me through and steal my watch?” Red taunts Chloe, holding the watch up. “I think there’s a word for that, actually. It starts with a V…Oh, right. Villain.”

Chloe twists her sword and slides the blade through the chain of the watch, stealing it from Red’s hand and running off.

“Please just hear what I’m trying to say, we all agree we gotta make a change.” You leap onto a nearby table, meeting Chloe’s eyes.

“I know you wanna go back home, but you’re not the only one.” you look at Red. “If we stop the Queen before it’s too late, maybe we can rewrite fate.” 

You step down to their level. “We all have someone left to save. For past, present, and future’s sake…wait.”

Red sighs at your words, “Got too much at stake to go home.”

“That’s not true.” Chloe interjects.

“Guess we’re gonna do it on our own.”

“I’m here too.”

They’re circling each other again. You groan.

“You’re not gonna catch me if I fail. Got me runnin’ on these walls. Dippin’, flippin’ somersaults. ‘Bout to risk it all.” Red grabs a flag pole from its mount before thrusting it at Chloe.

“I don’t need your help ‘cause the watch is mine. If you hear me out then you’ll change your mind. Let’s not cross swords, hope not to die ‘cause. We’re on opposite sides in the fight of our lives.” They hold their own against each other quite well, running up onto the terrace.

“Change the future in the past. We gotta move forward where we’re at. The moment is now, but it won’t last. If we’re on opposite sides in the fight of our lives.” A well-aimed hit sends the watch flying. It lands in your outstretched hand below. You hold it close, glaring at the two.

“I’m not above violence. Work it out.” You make an I’m watching you gesture.

Chloe sighs, still on her guard. “Let me ask you something. Why should I trust you? Your mom just staged a violent coup. For all I know, you're gonna stab me in the back too.”

“Think what you want to, boo. I'm nothing like my mom.” Red drops her weapon as Chloe sheaths her sword. “Her power trip was way too strong, I knew that she was wrong.”

“Well, maybe we'll get along, maybe we're not that different. Maybe we need each other to complete the same mission.” Chloe moves closer.

“I'm glad you put your pride aside to make the right decision.” Red smirks in triumph.

“We'll work together until history is rewritten.” They meet in the middle, pressing their foreheads together.

“Gay.” you cough into your hand, grinning. “We might not be a team, but we gotta try.” You run to meet them in the middle of the courtyard, offering your hand to Chloe.

“Did you change your heart or just change your mind?”

“So cross our swords, hope not to die.” Chloe eyes your hand for a second before finally taking it. Instead of shaking it, you pull her into a quick hug.

“I'm kinda surprised, are we on the same side?” You glance at Red. She rolls her eyes, but the corner of her lips twitches upward.

“Fight of our lives. The fight of our lives. We're on the same side.” You hand the pocket watch to Red.

“So, you really wanna stop your mom?” Chloe asks as the three of you walk toward the exit.

“Yeah. I do.”

“Why?” Chloe questions, “If she takes over, you’ll be the next Princess of Auradon.”

“And if I’m the next Princess of Auradon, it’s only a matter of time before she tries to turn me into her mini-me.” Red sighs. “I’m not gonna let that happen.”

“Okay, I accept your mission.” Chloe walks ahead.

“‘Mission’?” Red glances at you.

You shrug, linking your arm through hers as the three of you head toward the academy’s entrance.

“Maybe it’s a hero thing.”

Taglist: @marywantsttobattle @lizzishereee @cantbecreative

[voidstarling]

A Rose in Wonderland (Descendants ROR Reader Insert)

Summary: When you and your cousin Red of Hearts are given the opportunity to attend Auradon Prep, the Queen of Hearts and your mother, the White Queen, are all for it. But when the Queen of Hearts stages a coup and sentences Cinderella to a beheading for treason, it's up to you, Red, and Chloe Charming to prevent the Queen of Hearts from becoming evil in the first place.

WC: 4.5k

Warning: Depictions of the start of a panic attack.

Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Epilogue

Chapter One: Auradon Prep (Welcome Day Ceremony)

Outside the car windows, Marmoreal’s pale pink trees drift past gently, their branches swaying as though waving goodbye. You watch as the White Palace slowly disappears into the distance, its ivory towers growing smaller with every turn in the road.

You could already feel homesickness creeping in.

“Aw, cheer up, pawn.” Rook glances over from the driver’s seat before returning his attention to the road. “We’ll be back tomorrow.”

“I know.” You lean further into your seat, watching Wonderland’s familiar gardens give way to winding forest paths. 

“Do you think Aunt Bridget will let Red go to Auradon?”

Rook is quiet for a moment, his lips pursed. His fingers tap thoughtfully against the steering wheel. “I think…” he chooses his words carefully, “if she does, it’ll be because it benefits her somehow.”

You tear your gaze away from the window, turning to look at him with a furrow in your brow.

Your brother had always been a little more wary of your aunt and her tyranny. As the White Queen’s son–and Bridget’s nephew–he was privy to a little more protection than the average Wonderlandian, but that favor could disappear in an instant if she decided it.

And the Queen of Hearts was as unpredictable as Wonderland itself.

“When we get there,” Rook continues, his voice gentler now, “if she and Red are already there…” he meets your eyes for a moment, “I want you to stay close to me.” 

Rook reaches across the console and gently takes your hand before you could pick at the skin there. “It’s true she has a soft spot for family, but she’s changed a lot from when she and Mom were our age.”

You nod slowly, worrying your bottom lip between your teeth. “I know.” But knowing didn’t make it any easier.

“Hey,” he says, giving your hand a squeeze. “Why don’t we focus on something else? There’s got to be something at school you’re excited for.”

You slip your hand from his hold, no longer feeling the urge to pick at your skin. “Well…” you smile thoughtfully. “I suppose I’m pretty excited to meet the other students. It gets a little lonely in Wonderland.”

“What, I’m not good enough company for you?” Rook teases.

You roll your eyes, unable to hide a fond grin. “Yeah, actually. You’re the worst company ever.”

One of his hands lifts from the steering wheel and comes to rest over his heart. “That hurts, pawn.” He lets out an exaggerated sniffle. “I thought we were friends.”

You can’t help but giggle. “We’re much more than that.”

“Oh?”

“We’re siblings.” Your smile softens. “You’re my brother.”

His teasing grin relaxes into something more genuine. The hand resting over his heart comes to rest on your shoulder instead. He gives it a reassuring squeeze before returning both hands to the wheel.

“I’m glad you’re going.”

You glance at him. “Even though I’ll be far away?”

Rook smiles. “Not too far away. You’re just a quick trip down the rabbit hole.” 

He nods toward the road ahead. “Which, speaking of…” a mischievous grin spreads across his face once more. “We are approaching in 5…4…3…2…”

His fingers tighten on the steering wheel. “Hold on!”

Rook flicks his wrist toward the windshield. 

Silver-white magic spirals from his fingertips, weaving through the air like ribbons. In front of you, a gigantic tree with a boarded up hole looms. The boards covering the tree groan and begin to rattle one by one.

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

Each plank pulls free as though invisible hands were carefully removing them, revealing the darkness hidden inside the trunk. 

The hollow isn’t empty. 

It’s impossibly deep.

A spiraling tunnel stretches beyond the tree, paved with a black-and-white checkerboard path that twists through impossible angles. Thick roots crawl across the walls and ceiling, making it difficult to tell which way up was.

“Finally.” Rook mutters with a satisfied grin.

You stare at the looming rabbit hole. “Rook…”

He flashes you a grin. “...Trust me.”

“I’m trying!”

The moment the tires cross the threshold, gravity forgets how to behave. Your stomach lurches into your throat.

The car tips forward before jolting sharply to the right. A moment later, the world flips upside down, only for the tunnel to twist again as if it couldn’t decide which direction was meant to be forward. You latch onto the dashboard with a squeak.

“Rook!”

“I said hold on!”

Floating teacups drift alongside the Beetle before sweeping away into the golden current. Playing cards flutter past like birds, followed closely by white roses that blossom in midair before scattering into petals. The tunnel twists once more. Then—

Everything straightens and sunlight bursts through the windshield. The Beetle rolls neatly onto a smooth stone road as though nothing had happened. You blink.

“...I think I might be sick.” Your hand presses against your stomach as you take in several deep breaths.

Rook laughs. “Happened to me the first time, too. You’ll get used to it.”

He tips his head toward the windshield. “Look.”

Ahead, banners bearing Auradon's crest flutter in the breeze. A tall castle rises above the mountain it sits upon, its gleaming towers sparkling in the sun. Auradon Prep.

“Wow…” you breathe, unable to tear your eyes away.

“Breathtaking isn’t it?” Rook asks with a knowing smile.

You nod slowly, watching the stone towers of the school stretch into the sky. The Beetle continues up the winding mountain roads, carrying you closer to the school you’d only ever heard stories about.

Near the top of the hill, the car rolls to a gentle stop. Four guards stand in front of a set of barriers, checking each vehicle before allowing it onto campus.

Rook rolls down the driver’s side window with an easy smile. “Morning!” he greets, “Looks like orientation’s keeping everyone busy.”

One of the guards chuckles. “You could say that.”

Rook nods toward the line of arriving students. “Thank you for all of your hard work.”

The guard returns the smile before glancing into the car. “Names?”

“Prince Rook of Marmoreal.” He gestures toward you, “And my little sister, Princess Y/n of Marmoreal.”

 Your hand comes up in a short wave, a polite smile gracing your lips just as your mother had taught you. “It’s my first day.”

The guard scans his checklist before his expression brightens in recognition. “Right. Welcome to Auradon Prep, Prince Rook, Princess Y/n. Enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you sir. Here’s hoping orientation stays uneventful.”

The guard chuckles. “With this many teenagers? We can dream.”

They share one last laugh before the guard signals to the other guards with a wave of his hand. They slide the gates open, allowing your car up the drive and into campus.

Continuing up the drive, Rook guides the Beetle into an open parking spot and switches off the engine. The tension in his shoulders releases as he exhales, stretching his arms overhead. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” You unbuckle your seatbelt and step out, grabbing your purse as you close the door behind you. 

The air is cooler than in Wonderland, carrying the sounds of laughter, chatter, and students making their way across the courtyard. Everywhere you look, unfamiliar faces walk past in clothing of every color imaginable.

Students hurry between buildings, laughing with friends they've only just met. Somewhere nearby, someone is playing music while another group compares schedules. It feels loud. It feels alive.

You've never seen so many people your own age in one place.

“It’s so…colorful!” You clasp your hands together in excitement, your eyes darting in every direction. “I can’t believe it!”

Rook laughs from behind you, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “Believe it, pawn. Welcome to Auradon Prep.”

“Oh my hearts, how many times am I going to hear that today.” You roll your eyes, groaning slightly. “You’re so cheesy.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He gently steered you toward the main courtyard. “C’mon, there’s someone I want you to meet. Principal Uma wanted to say hello before everything starts.”

You let him guide you through the bustling campus, trying–and failing–not to stare at everything around you. Your eyes wander from student to student, fascinated by the sheer variety.

Royals from kingdoms you’ve only ever read about laugh beside VKs with patched jackets and brightly dyed hair. A girl with bright blue hair catches your eye and you wave at her. She smiles at you and waves back.

Rook notices your expression and nudges your shoulder. “Making friends already?”

You’re too excited to care, “Yeah actually. She looks cool.”

He follows your gaze to the blue haired girl. “If kingdom training hasn’t failed me, I do believe that’s Chloe Charming, daughter of one Prince Charming and Cinderella.”

You gasp, hitting his arm. “Shut up! Cinderella is only my favorite princess ever! She’s so cool!”

Rook breaks into laughter, leaning away from your playful hits. “Hey! Don’t hit the messenger!”

You smile sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“You can idolize her later.” He grabs your shoulders, guiding you farther into the courtyard. “For now, we’ve got a principal to introduce you to.”

Rook leads you to the administration’s area, greeting students and teachers along the way. Eventually, he stops outside a set of frosted glass doors where he stops and knocks three times rhythmically on the door.

The doors magically open by themselves, guided by Fairy Godmother’s magic. You smooth your skirt nervously, taking a deep breath. Rook squeezes your shoulder reassuringly. “I’ll be right here the whole time.”

You smile weakly before turning back to the doors where a woman has appeared with long turquoise braids, dressed in leather pirate garb decorated with tassels. She greets you with a smirk on her lips.

“What’s my name?” She cocks her head at your brother, who grins at her and bows his head.

“Uma. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“I know that’s right. Come in, come in.” she gestures to you to follow behind her.

You share a glance with your brother, who has slightly pink cheeks. Internally, you make a note to tease him later.

Uma lounges comfortably in the chair behind her desk, her boots propped on the wood. “So,” she says, looking you over with an amused smile. “This must be Y/n. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Your eyes widen. “Good things, I hope?”

Uma laughs. “Mostly.” She shoots Rook a playful look. “Though your brother here might’ve mentioned that you’re capable of putting away an entire plate of biscuits before anyone else gets one.”

You feel heat rush to your cheeks, turning to your brother with a glare.

“Traitor.”

“I told the truth!”

“You told too much.”

Uma watches you with amusement, shaking her head. “Relax. Anybody who appreciates good food is alright in my book.”

You smile shyly at her, feeling some of the nervousness in your shoulders melt away. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Principal Uma.”

“Likewise.” She leans forward, resting her elbows on the desk. “And, between you and me? Just call me Uma. I’ve known Wonderboy here long before anybody started calling me ‘Principal.’”

You blink, “...Really?”

“Really.”

You nod in understanding, a smile playing on your lips. “Okay…Uma.”

“Much better.” She studies you for a moment, thoughtful.

“I know today probably feels overwhelming. New kingdom. New people. New school.”

“Maybe just a little.”

“But Auradon’s different.” She folds her arms comfortably. “Doesn’t matter where you come from. Wonderland. Camelot. The Isle. Doesn’t matter. If you’re here, it’s because you belong here.” Her smile is steady and warm.

“...Thank you.”

She nods once. “And if anybody gives you trouble…” A mischievous grin returns to her face. “You let me know.”

Your brother rests a hand on your shoulder, “And me. I know I’ll be in Wonderland, but I can always drop in from time to time.”

Warmth settles in your chest. “Thank you. Truly. It means a lot.”

Uma smiles at you and Rook, standing up. “Well, the Welcome Day Ceremony is about to start. I’d better go and welcome our newest students.”

“We’ll see you there.” Rook says as Uma walks with you to the door. She rests a hand on your arm. “Good luck today, Y/n.”

“Thank you.”

You follow your brother out, but before you get very far, Uma calls out to him.

“Hey, Wonderboy.” He turns to look back at her. “...Don’t let your sister get lost.”

Rook’s face breaks into a grin, “Will do, captain.”

She hums in approval before disappearing back into her office. You grin at your brother. 

He sighs. “Not. A. Word.”

You giggle and follow him back down to the courtyard.

Once again, your attention drifts to the heroes, villains, and sidekicks all around you.

“Think I could get Cinderella’s autograph?”

Rook snorts, shaking his head at you.

“Maybe. But you might wanna tone down the fangirling.”

You let out an offended gasp, “I am not fangirling! I am simply expressing my admiration for her!”

“Whatever you say, pawn. Whatever you say.”

Before you can come up with a retort, the deep rumble of an engine interrupts you.

Conversations quiet down. Heads turn toward the entrance.

Then, faintly, a familiar, authoritative voice carries across the campus.

“Out of my way, pleebs! Blah, blah, blah.”

Rook’s smile disappears, his eyes narrowing. His hand finds your shoulder, gently but firmly guiding you behind him.

You peek over his shoulder just as a crimson and black jeep screeches to a stop in the middle of the road.

“She’s here.” he murmurs.

Your stomach tightens. “...Aunt Bridget.”

“Bags, please.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

You watch as your aunt steps out first, regal and imposing in crimson, black, and gold. Red follows a moment later, lingering just behind her mother with an expression that makes your chest ache. 

She looks…overwhelmed.

Before you can stop yourself, you call out, “Red!”

Her head snaps over to where you have moved out from behind your brother. Her expression shifts into a small smile, the corners of her lips just barely lifting. For just a second, the uncertainty disappears. “Y/n.”

You bound over to her, slowing as you close in. Your aunt watches you closely, unmoving, her expression impossible to read. 

Your smile falters for a millisecond before reappearing. You drop into a deep curtsy, “Your Majesty.”

“...You may rise, white rose.” She nods approvingly. “See, Red? Your cousin understands how a princess ought to present herself.”

You wince at her words, watching Red’s expression turn blank. 

Before you can say anything, Rook steps forward, bowing respectfully. 

“Ah, if it isn’t my nephew. Hello, white knight. You may rise.” The Queen of Hearts gives a dismissive wave of her hand.

Rook straightens up, his posture rigid. “It’s good to see you again, Aunt Bridget. Does this mean you’re allowing Red to attend Auradon Prep?”

The Queen of Hearts hums. “Indeed. I have accepted for my daughter to attend this school. Time will tell if she is to remain.” 

“Come.” She turns sharply and strides away, head held high as she approaches the sign-in table.

You stick close to Red, taking her hand in yours. “I’m so happy to see you!” You beam at her.

She glances down at your joined hands before a small, uncertain smile tugs at her lips. “Same. This is weird…right?”

You shrug one shoulder. “I’m trying not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Whatever reason Aunt Bridget has for letting you come here…maybe it won’t be so bad?”

Red fixes you with a deadpan look. You wince, smile sheepish.

“Right. I heard it as soon as I said it.”

That earns the tiniest snort from her. You reach the check-in table where a kind looking woman sits behind several stacks of paper. It appears your aunt has bypassed the nearby line of waiting students and their parents.

“Name, please.” 

The Queen of Hearts sighs at her, annoyed. “You know who we are.”

Before the woman can answer, a new voice cuts in.

“Bridget?” You look over with Red as a blue haired woman in a pale blue gown greets your Aunt.

Cinderella.

“I didn’t expect to see you here.” Her smile is warm and genuinely surprised.

“Ella.” Something flickers across your aunt’s face. Recognition. Something sad. Then it’s gone, a mask slipping back over her features.

From beside you. Red scans the woman, confused as to how she knows her mother.

“It’s Your Royal Highness now.”

A flash of understanding comes over Cinderella’s expression. “Of course. You must be very proud.”

While the two women regard each other, a subtle tension grows.

Across from you, Cinderella’s daughter introduces herself. “Um, hi! I’m Chloe Charming. You must be Princess Red of Wonderland and Princess Y/n of Marmoreal!”

She nudges your shoulder, making a pun. “I’ve always wondered what it’s like over there.”

You can’t help the laugh that bubbles up. “That was terrible.”

She grins at you. Red’s not as amused, her smile has turned sickly sweet.

“You should come by sometime. I’ll introduce you to the Jabberwocky.”

Your jaw drops and you smack her arm. “Red.” you scold.

“Fun! What’s a Jabberwocky?”

“A monster that eats annoying girls.” Red’s smile drops and she stalks away, dragging you with her.

“She doesn’t mean it! It was nice to meet you!” you call back to Chloe, trying to not seem insane. “Red!”

“So, you knew her?” Red asks her mother, gesturing toward Cinderella and Chloe a few feet behind you.

Bridget doesn’t even look back. “I saw through her. Cinderella and I were classmates.”

Your eyebrows shot up. “No way.”

“I spent way too much time in this place,” Bridget continues coolly. “So I had to escape.”

Red exchanges a quick glance with you before looking back at her mother. “Okay…”

Bridget gestures with two fingers. “The people here might smile, but they’re two-faced and too fake.”

You can’t help but glance back at Cinderella. She didn’t seem fake. If anything, she’d been nothing but kind.

Red looks shocked. “Wait…you went to Auradon Prep?”

“Nope, wasn’t even called that yet.”

Your lips form a silent oh. Leaning over, you lower your voice so only Red could hear. “Merlin Academy,” you whisper. “Mom used to tell me stories about it.”

The Queen of Hearts throws open her arms as she enters the courtyard, shooing bystanders away. “Stand aside, The Queen’s arrived.”

She scans the room with disdain. “Look at them so innocent. Can’t believe they let us in. Watch ‘em pay the consequence for being so dang insolent. Can’t you smell their cowardice? Soak it up, devour it.”

Red and you meet the stares of various parents and children around you before being distracted by a table of sweets. Red picks up a delicious looking pink macaron and tries to eat it but Bridget plucks it from her fingers before she can take a bite, tossing it carelessly over her shoulder.

“Treats are for the weak.” Her lips curl into disdain. “Let me show you what real power is.”

She sweeps an arm across the courtyard as though Auradon already belongs to her. “Quick, Red, you gotta follow along. One day you’ll both be on the throne. Automatic. Just how I planned it.” Her eyes gleam with certainty, already picturing a future only she can see.

You stiffen, feeling a wave of surprise wash over you. Both? 

“What about what we want?” Red asks.

Bridget’s head snaps to look at her before guiding her forward. “They gon’ fall like parachutes, They gon’ crawl to me on all fours.”

“What did they ever do to you?” Red gestures to the various people around you.

“Red, what are you arguing for?”

Red huffs, refusing to answer.

“Love ain’t it.” The Queen of Hearts watches Cinderella enter the courtyard before turning away and gesturing for the two of you to look into a heart-shaped pocket mirror. Brown and e/c eyes go wide at the reflection it reveals.

“Look into the mirror, it’s our destiny.”

Bridget sits upon an elaborate heart-shaped throne, dressed in a magnificent gown shaped like layered roses. Beside her sits Red, wearing a matching crown and gripping a jeweled scepter in her right hand. She looks…empty.

“Rule a million years with two right next to me.”

Red should look proud, maybe even victorious, but she’s not. Her posture is stiff, her smile absent, her eyes hollow. 

But the most chilling part…is you. 

You stand just behind Red, one hand on her shoulder. Dressed in white silk stained with crimson roses, a silver crown resting on top of your head. Your expression scares you the most.

You don’t frown or smile, just staring ahead with the same hollowness as Red.

“Swimming in their tears, won’t they taste so sweet?”

You meet Red’s eyes with matching distress.

“There’s a new dawn in Auradon. I’m gonna take the crown and then put it on. I’m gonna take the crowd and do what I want. You’re gonna make me proud when you take that throne.”

She gestures toward the front row, silently ordering both of you to take a seat in one of the golden chairs. “Love ain’t it.”

The pocket mirror remains in her hold, she runs a finger over the casing delicately.

“That’s…” Red starts.

“The Looking Glass. Yes. It shows the future. Where the three of us will rule together side-by-side. You…white rose…and me.”

Red pushes the glass away and the image vanishes. Your breath catches, heart pounding against your ribs.

Without thinking, your fingers find Red’s. She grips your hand just as tightly.

“But I don’t want that. I don’t wanna be anything like you.”

Bridget freezes. For the briefest moment, hurt flashes across her face. Then it hardens into something colder. Anger.

“You don’t…!” She pauses, turning to look at Cinderella who is looking at her with concern.

Bridget leans closer to Red, “You don’t have a choice. We’re more alike than you know.” She huffs, shoving the mirror back into her purse and facing forward. Red stares at her in disbelief.

“Attention, please.”

Fairy Godmother stands in front of the room, a warm smile gracing her lips.

You feel like you’re going to be sick.

Your eyes dart around the courtyard. The Looking Glass showed your aunt. It showed Red. It showed you.

But no matter how hard you search the memory, there was only one person missing.

Where was Rook?

Your breathing turns shallow. 

Beside you, Red catches your gaze out of the corner of her eye. She gives your hand a gentle squeeze, silently asking, You okay? 

You barely manage a tiny shake of your head.

Where was Rook? Why hadn’t you stayed next to him? Why wasn’t he next to you? He promised he would stay with you the whole time…so where was he? Why wasn’t he in the vision? What happened to your brother in that future?

The courtyard fades into a blur around you. You can barely hear Fairy Godmother’s voice over the blood rushing in your ears.

A warm hand slips into yours, fingers intertwining with your own.

You jolt.

Looking up, you find Rook watching you with quiet concern. He offers a worried smile. 

“Hey.” He whispers softly. “I’m right here.” 

He glances toward the front before giving your hand another reassuring squeeze. “Sorry, I got caught up talking to a few friends.”

The tightness in your chest eases, if only a little. Somehow he always knew just how to soothe your fears.

You inhale shakily and rub quickly at your eyes before anyone else can notice. “Okay…”

Rook settles into the seat beside you without letting go of your hand. “Just focus on breathing, pawn.” he murmurs. “I’ll catch you up.”

You nod minutely, letting your other hand find Red’s again. 

She squeezes once. 

You squeeze back. 

I’m okay. 

Out of the corner of your eye, you can see her shoulders relax.

You take one slow breath. Then another. Gradually, the pounding in your head fades, replaced by Fairy Godmother’s voice as it comes back into focus.

“...So please join me in welcoming Auradon Prep’s new principal.”

Entering through the various doorways, Uma’s pirate crew flips into the room. Music begins as they gather onto the stage. Uma steps into the center.

“This is all hands on deck. Calling out to lost boys and girls. I’m gettin’ tired of the disrespect. We won’t stop till we rule the world. It’s our time, we're up next. Our sail’s about to be set. They ain’t seen nothing yet. Tell ‘em who’s in charge so they don’t forget.”

She and her crew break into choreography.

“What’s my name, what’s my name,” 

“Uma.”

“Say it louder. What’s my name, what’s my name?”

Red nods her head to the song, admiration in her eyes.

“Uma.”

“Feel the power. No one’s gonna stop us, soon the world will be ours.”

Across from your family, Chloe is bobbing her head to the music while Cinderella watches her with a loving grin.

“What’s my name? What’s my name? What’s it? What’s it? Say it, say it.”

She ends the song with a laugh, turning and walking to the center of the stage.

“What’s my name?”

“Uma!”

The room explodes in applause and you hear Rook let out a whistle.

Everyone claps except for your aunt, who looks like this whole thing is beneath her.

“That’s Principal Uma to you. And you better get it straight, or you’ll be walking the plank.”

Uma crosses her arms over her chest, a teasing grin on her lips.

“She’s just kidding.” Fairy Godmother interjects with a nervous laugh. “She’s kidding.”

“Now, I never got the chance to go to Auradon Prep.” Uma starts her speech.

Next to you, the Queen of Hearts removes her deck of cards from her purse, beginning to twist them into various shapes and patterns.

Red side eyes her actions.

“But as its captain, I’m proud to be charting a new course into a bright future, beyond the old ways of heroes and villains.”

Uma meets Red’s gaze specifically, then sends you a wink. Bridget gazes at her daughter out of the corner of her eye.

“So, in that spirit I’d like to welcome Princess Red of Wonderland and Princess Y/n of Marmoreal.”

The cards in the Queen of Hearts’ hands flutter back and forth as the crowd lets out scattered claps and cheers. Rook squeezes your hand.

Red turns to her mother with an incredulous look as the Queen flips a couple cards through her fingers.

“Excuse me.”

The Queen of Hearts slowly looks to Uma.

“Hi.” Uma smiles at her before it slowly drops, “Do you mind?”

“I do, actually. Hmm.” Bridget places her cards into one hand, standing up.

Rook’s eyes narrow and he leans over to whisper, “Stay. Close.”

“Mom, what are you doing?” Red urgently asks.

“Why, playing my favorite game.” she smiles at Red.

She shuffles her cards between her hands, walking to the center of the aisle with a wicked laugh.

“War.”

A/N: First chapter! Thank you everyone for reading, this is my first fanfic and I'm so grateful for the likes. Once again, let me know if you would like to be tagged in the next parts. My requests are OPEN, just send me a DM. See you in the next one!

Taglist: @marywantsttobattle @lizzishereee

[voidstarling]

A Rose in Wonderland (Descendants ROR Reader Insert)

Summary: When you and your cousin Red of Hearts are given the opportunity to attend Auradon Prep, the Queen of Hearts and your mother, the White Queen, are all for it. But when the Queen of Hearts stages a coup and sentences Cinderella to a beheading for treason, it's up to you, Red, and Chloe Charming to prevent the Queen of Hearts from becoming evil in the first place.

WC: 1.5k

Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Epilogue

Prologue: Morning in Wonderland

Beep! B-beep! Beep! B-bee–

You blink groggily at your alarm, fumbling to smack the off button before rolling over with a groan, pulling your comforter with you and back over your head. 

You’re warm. Your bed is warm. And the tea party from your dream is waiting for you…

“Good morning!”

You startle violently, letting out a shriek as your older brother practically materializes in front of you. You let out a dramatic groan, glaring at him from beneath the covers.

“Would it kill you to not do that every morning?” you whine, pouting. “Ugh, go away, Rook.”

“Nope.” He plops down at the end of your bed, unfazed by your protests. “Today’s the welcome day ceremony. You don’t want to miss that, do you?”

You answer by grumbling and pulling the blanket higher over your nose.

Rook chuckles. “Mom made biscuits.”

One eye peeks open. “...With strawberry jam?”

He nods, a knowing grin spreading across his face.

“Give me fifteen minutes.”

“Hurry or I’ll eat all of them.” Rook teases as he stands.

“You wouldn’t dare.” You gasp dramatically.

He cocks his head with a glint in his eye and a smirk on his lips.

"Try me."

You narrow your eyes at him.

"...I'll tell Mama."

Rook laughs, already backing away toward the door. "Then you'd better hurry."

With one last teasing grin, he slips out into the hallway, finally leaving you alone.

You roll your eyes good-naturedly before throwing your blankets aside and sitting up. A yawn escapes your lips, and you instinctively cover it with one hand while the other stretches high above your head.

With a small gasp, you shake off the last traces of sleep and wander over to the window.

Wonderland was always awake before you were. 

White roses sway gently beneath your window, and somewhere in the gardens, you could hear the faint chatter of flamingos. A smile tugs at your lips.

“Good morning, Wonderland.” 

You linger in the warm sunlight for just a moment before getting ready for your orientation at Auradon Prep.

Hanging neatly on the back of your closet door was the outfit you'd picked out the night before—something simple but elegant in your favorite color, with a touch of white and silver to represent both yourself and your family.

After brushing your hair, your teeth, and doing your makeup, you smooth the blankets across your freshly made bed and glance at your clock.

Fifteen minutes, right on schedule.

Satisfied, you step into the hallway and head downstairs toward the kitchen, where Rook's laughter mixes with the soft, familiar voice of your mother: the White Queen, Mirana.

They were already seated at the table, your mother poised and elegant as always, while your brother bounces one knee beneath his chair, unable to sit completely still.

“Good morning, Mama.” You greet your mother with a hug, wrapping your arms around her shoulders from behind.

“Oh! Good morning, darling.” One of her hands comes to rest over yours, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Did you sleep well?”

You sighed wistfully, “I was…until Rook woke me up.” 

Your glare holds no real heat, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips.

“Then I suppose I owe your brother my thanks.” Your mother fails to hide her smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Mama!”

She gives you a knowing look. “Oh, don’t look so betrayed. I did ask him to make sure you were awake.”

Rook beams, preening under the praise. “Besides, with how dead to the world you were, you were going to end up sleeping through your first day.”

You stick your tongue out at him before sliding into the seat next to him.

As soon as you settle into your chair, a nearby teapot floats gracefully toward you, tilting itself to pour a steaming cup of tea.

You lift your cup with a polite smile.

“Thank you.”

Almost immediately, the sugar bowl hops across the table, depositing three sugar cubes into your tea before giving a satisfied little wiggle.

You couldn’t help but smile as you gently pat its handle.

“And thank you, too.”

Your mother and brother watch you fondly, reminiscing about when you were much smaller. Despite being older, some things never changed.

“So, pawn,” your brother says, pulling your attention to him. “Nervous? Excited? How’re you feeling?”

You let out a long breath, slumping heavily in your chair. “Both?” 

Your fingers absently twirl a strand of hair around themselves.

“I’m very grateful Principal Uma is letting me attend, but Wonderland’s been cut off from everyone else for so long.” You glance at Rook. “I mean, you were the exception, you got to attend with Queen Mal and the original VKs!”

A small smile flickers across your face before fading. “I guess…” you hesitate. “I’m worried about Red.”

The room grows a little quieter at your words. “Aunt Bridget loves her, I know she does.” You swallow. “But she’s still the Queen of Hearts. We’re only as close as we are because we’re family.”

You look down at your teacup. “I worry about her…stuck in that big castle with just her mom. I wish she had a little more freedom is all.”

Your mother reaches across the table, gently taking your hand in hers.

“Bridget has lost her way in many respects,” she admits softly. “But beneath the crown, she is still my sister. And she has always loved two people more than anything in this world. Red…” she smiles at you, “and you, my little rose.”

You blink rapidly, sniffling once before returning her smile.

“I cannot speak for my sister’s choices,” she says, lifting your chin until your eyes meet hers. Her thumb brushes gently across your cheek. “But I do know this.”

She smiles with quiet certainty. “Out of every place in Wonderland, Red has always been safest beside the woman who loves her most.”

You frown slightly. “Even if Aunt Bridget has forgotten how to show that love?”

Your mother tilts her head with a bittersweet smile, “Love can become buried beneath grief, fear, and pride.” She squeezes your hand again. “But it is very rarely lost forever. Perhaps Auradon will remind her of that love.”

You nod, taking a shaky breath. Her thumb wipes the tears from your face as she gathers you into a hug. It reminds you of every scraped knee, every nightmare, every time you had run into her arms as a child—whether in tears or bursting with excitement. Somehow, her hugs had always made the world feel a little smaller and a little safer. “I hope so, Mama.”

She presses a kiss to the crown of your head. “I hope so too, my little rose. I hope so too.”

Outside the window, a white rose blooms just a little wider, as if agreeing with her. 

You pull back from her embrace with a watery laugh. “High emotions this morning, huh?”

Your mother sighs dramatically, placing the back of her hand against her forehead.

“Can you blame me?” she asks. “Today my daughter ventures beyond Wonderland. It feels like only yesterday I was teaching you to walk through the palace gardens.”

Rook snorts. “Mom, she's going to school. Not sailing off the edge of the world.”

Mirana looks at him with perfect composure. “To a mother, there is very little difference. First your brother, and now you. One by one, my children insist on leaving me.”

Rook smiles sheepishly. “We do come back, you know.”

“Yes,” Mirana agrees with a fond smile. “But you always come back a little taller.”

“Not me!” you chirp, “I’m already as tall as I’m gonna get, Mama.”

“Hm, perhaps.” She sips her tea, “But that doesn’t mean you don’t change.”

Before you can come up with a response, the chiming of a clock startles you.

“Nevermind all of that, it’s time for you to get to school.” She stands from her chair, holding her arms out in invitation.

You launch into her arms, nuzzling against her and breathing in her rose-scented perfume. “Goodbye Mama, promise I’ll tell you all about it when we get back.”

She smooths your hair, pressing a kiss to your head, “I know you will. Now, off you go.”

As you pull away to grab your bag, you spot Rook hugging your mother just as tightly as you had been.

“Take care of your sister, and if you see your cousin, watch out for her too.”

Rook nods at her, smiling. “Will do. We’ll see you tomorrow!”

“Bye Mama! Bye everyone!” You call from the front entrance. “I’ll return soon!”

“Be safe, my loves! Let me know immediately if anything happens.”

You wave as you walk backward to the car. “We will!”

A simple white Beetle waits for you outside. You slide into the passenger seat, smoothing out your skirt.

“Ready?” Rook asks. 

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

You wave one last time to your mother, who stands at the gate surrounded by the various workers of the castle, sending you off with a smile and a wave of her own. As her hand moves, a burst of magic causes a white rose to appear in your hair. “Thanks Mama.”

With a cheerful putter, the enchanted car rolls down the palace drive, carrying you toward Auradon–and a future none of you could have imagined.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the prologue of my Descendants fic! Let me know if you would like to be tagged for any other parts. My requests are open! The poll results will be for one shots instead of a complete fic.

[voidstarling]

Hello lovely souls, I have a follow-up poll for you. The other one will remain up until it runs out of time and then I will release a fanfic, but for now it seems like Alice in Wonderland is winning!

Once again, I will leave the poll up for a week. Currently I have something in the works, but stay tuned!

What pairing would you want to see?

Chloe Charming

Red Hearts

Pink Hearts

Hazel Hook

Max Hatter

Luis Madrigal

Other—comment!

Voting ended onJul 28

[voidstarling]

If I made a Descendants fanfic for the new movies, what kind of reader would you like to see?

Snow White

Rapunzel

Lottie

Tinkerbell

Alice in Wonderland

Elsa

Radcliffe (101 Dalmations)

White Rabbit

Red Riding Hood

Other - comment

Voting ended onJul 26

Let me know if you have any requests for characters/ideas for who the reader would be a child of!