Echoes of Wonderland

Titanium

Chloe's POV

The next morning

The sudden ring of the phone jolts me awake as the sun glistens through the window of Red's room. I blink groggily and watch Red reach for the phone, her voice still laced with sleep.

- Maddox, what's up? - Red's voice is hushed but clear, her brows furrowing slightly as she listens.

- Sorry to wake you, Princess. - Maddox says on the other end. Red rolls her eyes at the nickname. - But I have both artifacts ready. I need you and Chloe to come to the workshop as soon as possible.

- We'll be there in half an hour. - Red replies, her tone firm, before hanging up.

I sit up on the bed, pulling the sheets to cover my bare form. Red turns toward me, nudging me gently. Her voice, though soft, carries an undertone of urgency.

- Hey, baby. We gotta get dressed, alright? - She leans in and pecks my lips quickly. - Maddox is ready.

I freeze, surprised by the pet name.

- Did you just call me 'baby'? - I ask, a smile tugging at my lips.

- Just slipped out. - Red says, avoiding eye contact as she starts getting dressed. - Now hurry up and put some clothes on.

- Okay, baby. - I tease back.

- Oh, shut up. - She retorts, though a smile dances on her lips as I chuckle.

We hurriedly get dressed, our movements quick but slightly clumsy in our haste. As we leave the castle, the weight of the day's events begins to press down on us. The car ride to Maddox's workshop is quiet, the usual chatter replaced by the tense silence of our unsteady breaths and the palpable sense of worry.

Red reaches over and takes my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. It's her way of saying everything will be okay, even if neither of us is completely sure. The warmth of her touch grounds me, and I find comfort in the simple gesture.

As we pull up to Maddox's workshop, I feel a mix of apprehension and resolve. Whatever challenges we face today, I know Red will be by my side. The memory of yesterday, our shared moments of intimacy and love, feels like a beacon of strength amidst the uncertainty.

We step out of the car and walk up to Maddox's door. Red takes a deep breath and gently knocks.

- Good. You're here. - Maddox says as he opens the door. - Come on in.

As we step into Maddox's workshop, the scent of metal and oil greets us. The space is filled with intricate machinery and scattered blueprints, all bathed in the warm glow of overhead lights. Maddox stands near a large workbench in the center of the room, where several artifacts are displayed.

- I'm glad you made it. - Maddox says, his voice carrying an air of professionalism mixed with a hint of relief.

Red and I follow Maddox to the workbench, where he gestures to an artifact covered with a little velvet cloth. He pulls back the fabric, revealing the artifact that is supposed to get us out of this mess.

- This. - Maddox begins. - is the Time Reversal Compass. It's the key to counteracting the effects of the pocket watch. The design is based on a blend of ancient enchantments and modern engineering.

He points to the central crystal, a deep blue gem encased in silver.

- This crystal is the heart of the Compass. It channels and amplifies the surrounding magic. You'll need to hold the Compass and activate it at the precise moment when the pocket watch's effects are at their peak. The Compass will create a counter-magic field that neutralizes the pocket watch's alterations.

I nod, absorbing every detail as Maddox continues.

- The activation mechanism is here. - Maddox says, indicating a small, hidden lever beside the crystal. - When the time comes, you'll pull this lever. It will initiate a pulse that aligns with the magic of the pocket watch, disrupting its influence. Be precise; it's a delicate process.

Next to the Compass are two metal bracelets, each engraved with intricate runes. Maddox picks up one of the bracelets and holds it up.

- These are protection bracelets. - He explains. - They're designed to shield you if things don't go as planned. The runes on them are ancient symbols of warding. When activated, they form a magical barrier around you, protecting you from any adverse effects.

He demonstrates by holding up a small vial containing a shimmering liquid.

- To activate the bracelets, you'll need to pour this liquid over them. The runes will glow, and the barrier will be established. The effect lasts for several hours, so make sure to activate them before you begin.

Red and I exchange glances, taking in the gravity of the situation.

- So, to recap. - Maddox continues. - When you're ready to use the Compass, make sure to press the button at the right moment. Wear the bracelets and activate them with the liquid beforehand to ensure your protection. Any questions?

I shake my head, feeling more confident now that I understand the plan. Red gives a firm nod, her eyes locked on Maddox's, showing her readiness.

- Alright then. - Maddox says, a hint of a smile on his face. - You're all set. Remember, stay focused, and trust in the magic.

As Maddox wraps up his explanations, the weight of our mission settles back on us. We both understand the stakes and the meticulous care required. With a final nod to Maddox, Red and I prepare to face the challenges ahead, our resolve strengthened by the detailed instructions and the support from our friend.

- I should check on Uliana, just to make sure we're still on track. - Red says as she takes her deck out of her pocket.

I watch intently as Red shuffles the magic cards with the precision and flair of a seasoned magician. Each movement is fluid and deliberate, as if she's guiding the cards through an intricate dance. The room's ambient light reflects off the cards, casting shifting patterns on the walls.The cards start to reveal a scene—Uliana and Maleficent in a shadowy room. I can hear their voices clearly, despite the surreal, ethereal quality of the vision.

- Everything's set. We'll initiate the plan at 7 o'clock this evening, at the Black Lagoon. - Uliana announces, her tone sharp and commanding.

- It's been a long time since we've executed such a plan. - Maleficent responds, her voice tinged with dark satisfaction.

- Yes, and the Black Lagoon is a fitting location. It's where it all began. - Uliana adds, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

The vision flickers and fades as Red's hands stop shuffling the cards. She glances at the clock—2 o'clock. We have just five hours to act before Uliana and Maleficent put their plan into motion.Red's gaze meets mine, her eyes trying to be reassuring but betraying a hint of worry.

- We've got five hours. We need to get to the Black Lagoon before they do.

- What's our plan? - I nod, feeling a surge of determination.

Red quickly lays out our strategy. Her voice is steady, but I can sense the urgency behind her words.

- We'll head to the Black Lagoon and scout the area. We need to find a vantage point where we can observe their movements without being spotted. Our goal is to thwart their plan and retrieve the artifacts.

I watch as Red puts on the metal bracelets, their runes glowing faintly. I tuck the activation liquid into my pocket, ready for when we need it. As we prepare to leave, the tension in the air is palpable. Red's hand finds mine, and I squeeze it reassuringly. We're in this together, and we need to stay strong.

- We've got this - I say, trying to sound confident.

We still have a plan set, but we head towards the car to go back to Auradon, agreeing that will figure it out on the way. The weight of the situation presses heavily on us, but we're determined to confront whatever challenges lie ahead.

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This chapter felt empty.

But I hope you like what's coming.