𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘀 is the only girl among her 13 brothers; she has thick skin and a nonchalant attitude that the villains of Merlin Academy are eager to break, so they dare Captain Hook to charm her
..but what happens w...
It was always gloomy; a brightness threatening to creep in but always blocked by piles of gray clouds that engulfed the residents in a permanent cold.
Flowers never grew, and dried up branches were in place of trees.
Dawn once hated the island and couldn't wait to leave, but she grew to rule it instead; she spent each day alone in the Serpent shaped Castle until her brother Hans was imprisoned and she began looking after his daughter.
Hans was the only one of his brothers who failed to take over a kingdom. But after the birth of his daughter, he traveled to Arendelle to try again, this time wanting to take over and become king to ensure his daughter had a better life than he did.
When his plans failed, however, his daughter was placed with her aunt, accompanying her in the lonely castle.
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Red traveled to the prison, riding on the back of Sitron, her father's beloved horse that he left for her before he was imprisoned.
"I haven't told Dawn yet, but this came today." she informed her father, holding up a letter that read: "Dear Queen of the Southern Isles, as the new principal of Auradon Prep, it is my honor to invite your niece, Red, to attend our school. I hope you'll join us for the Welcome Day ceremony. If you accept, this invitation shall serve as your key."
He nodded. "I think you should go. Do what I failed to do, take over."
Red always dreamed of a future, but for the first time, she was filled with hope believing it could actually begin.
Her shoulders fell as realization then dawned on her. "But.. what about Dawn? She's never gonna let me leave this place."
Hans felt a wave of sadness rush through him. "Red, I know it hasn't been easy growing up with your aunt instead of me. But there's nobody I trust more than her, that's why I chose her to take care of you."
She glanced up and then rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Literally the most controlling person you could've chosen. You had 12 other options."
He hesitated. "She wasn't always this way, you know."
His daughter nearly laughed because she could not imagine her aunt ever behaving differently, so he explained: "It's true! We're all products of our past, and Dawn's was certainly unfortunate."
She shook her head. "Dad, I just.. wanna be in charge of my own life. But it seems like what I want doesn't matter to her."
"Red," he began, his heart breaking for his daughter. "I wasn't going to show you this. But I realize now that if I use it to change my past, it could erase who you have become today. And I love who you are."
Red's eyes softened, the corners of her mouth curling up in a smile.
He hesitated and then turned his head to and fro, making sure the coast was clear and the guards were distracted, before carefully handing over a pocket watch that intrigued his daughter as she took ahold of it with wide eyes.
"It takes you to the moment in time that can give you what your heart wants most." he quietly explained. "If you really want a different life, Red, I want you to have that choice."
Hans secretly wished that the moment most significant to his daughter would be before he failed to take over Arendelle.
Red, meanwhile, gazed at the time machine and wondered why her aunt was so cold.
********************************************** "No." Dawn's words were firm, her voice was shrill; so loud that practically the entire island could hear it clear as day.
Red's world came crashing down on her. "But.."
"Do I need to repeat myself?" she enunciated and her words bounced off the walls of the dark, half empty castle as she sat on her throne.
The young girl clenched her jaw, refraining from rolling her eyes, and shook her head instead.
"Aunt Dawn," she finally began. "Did you even go to Auradon prep?"
"It wasn't even called that yet." Her voice was quiet as her heart sank when the memories came flooding back.
Red could see the pain on her aunt's normally straight face, and it shocked her.
Dawn glanced down as she struggled to continue. "You've heard of the Queen of Hearts,"
She nodded. "Of course. She's, like, pure evil."
"That place made her that way."
The girl was taken aback and then glanced at the pocket watch in her hand.
"My dad, he.." Red hesitated. "He already accepted the invitation."
Dawn tilted her head to the side, shock shadowing her features.
"You wouldn't have to go with me, I would just need a ride." her voice was timid, less assured.
The Queen only stared at her niece who turned her back and walked away.
"Pack your bags." Dawn blurted out, making the girl stop in her tracks. "We'll leave tonight."
Red couldn't help but smile, her heart racing eagerly.
Dawn, meanwhile, felt her heart was in her stomach fearing she would have to face the love of her life who broke her heart.
