Descendants: The rise of red

The exchange

Ella ran swiftly through the night, with the weight of Merlin's magic book pressing against her chest. The cool wind knocked back the black hood covering her head, tousling her blonde hair, as the Academy's streetlights briefly illuminated her path toward the Black Lagoon, a place most people avoided due to the frightening legends surrounding it. Her heart was racing, not only from the fear of being discovered but also from excitement. Prince Charming had to be hers, and it seemed the only way to make him fall in love was by obtaining the love potion Morgana had promised her.
When she reached the shore of the lagoon, the water was as dark as ink, barely reflecting the pale moonlight. The air was thick, heavy with mystery and ancient magic. Ella trembled slightly but forced herself to move forward. She had heard terrible stories about this place, but in that moment, she didn't care. All that mattered was making the prince fall in love with her. She had to do it. Bridgette couldn't prevent her from experiencing happiness with the person she loved—she had no right.
A figure moved through the mist, emerging from the water like a ghostly shadow. It was Morgana, her long green and yellow braids swaying around her pale face. Her eyes gleamed wickedly, and an unsettling smile spread across her lips.
"You've arrived," Morgana said in a venomous whisper. "Do you have the book?"
Ella nodded and clutched Merlin's grimoire to her chest. "Yes, I have it. But first, I want what you promised me—a remedy to deal with my problem with Bridgette."
Morgana tilted her head, her gaze piercing. "Ah, your problem with Charming, you mean... So much unrequited love. You think she's the problem, don't you? Your beloved friend Bridgette?"
Ella lowered her gaze, feeling the tension tighten in her chest. "She's perfect. Everyone adores her, even him. I never stood a chance."
Morgana drew closer, letting her cold, damp tendrils slide over the book. "Oh, poor Ella... I understand your desire. Love is a powerful force. But... are you truly willing to do anything to get it?"
Ella swallowed hard. "Yes. That's the deal, right? I give you the book, and you help me."
Morgana's smile widened, but there was something sinister in her eyes this time. "Oh, yes, a deal is a deal. But there's something I didn't tell you." She paused, letting her words linger in the air like poison.
Morgana waved a hand, as if beckoning someone closer, and a thin hiss filled the air. From the shadows behind Morgana, three other figures emerged. Hook leaned casually against a tree, watching Ella with piercing eyes. Hades positioned himself in front of her, standing beside Morgana. Finally, Maleficent looked at Ella with a mix of amusement and disdain.
Ella hesitated for a moment before handing the book to Morgana, casting a nervous glance at Hook, who smiled unsettlingly at her, and at Maleficent, who observed her with bored indifference. Hades toyed with a small blue flame between his fingers, seemingly disinterested but ready to act if anything went wrong.
"I just want the potion," Ella said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I brought the book as promised. Now give me what's mine."
Morgana glanced at her with amusement, as though finding her determination fascinating. She approached slowly, her tendrils reaching out for the book. "Oh, poor Ella... love is a complicated thing. But with this potion, Prince Charming will be yours. Bridgette won't stand a chance against you."
Ella felt a shiver of satisfaction at the thought. Finally, after everything, she would get what she wanted. The prince would forget that traitor and fall in love only with her.
Morgana gently took the grimoire from Ella's hands and lifted it, gazing at it with ravenous eyes. Her lips curved into a sinister smile, but she said nothing about her true motive for wanting the book.
As Morgana opened the book, the magical power pulsed in the air around them. Hook, Hades, and Maleficent watched with interest, but none of them said a word. To them, Ella was just a pawn in a much larger game.
"Alright, little one," Morgana said at last, closing the book and making it vanish with a flick of her hand. "Here is your love potion."
Maleficent approached, holding a small vial of pink liquid, glowing with a soft light. Ella looked at it with eyes full of hope. It was the key to winning the prince's love.
"Drink this potion," Morgana continued, "and Prince Charming's heart will be yours forever."
Ella grasped the vial with trembling hands, never taking her eyes off the liquid. Finally, she thought, everything would work out as she wanted. But before drinking, she turned to Morgana. "What will happen to Bridgette?" she asked, her tone hesitant. "I don't want to hurt her, I just want the prince to realize we're meant to be together."
Morgana smiled sweetly, with deceptive kindness. "Oh, don't worry about Bridgette. This potion won't harm her. You'll be the one who shines. You'll get what you desire."
With the book now in her possession, Morgana was preparing to unleash her revenge on Bridgette, using the grimoire's power to ruin her life, while Ella, unaware, quickly disappeared into the shadowy forest to return home. She couldn't afford for her stepmother to notice her absence.
Hook approached Morgana with a satisfied smirk. "Everything going according to plan?"
Morgana nodded, her gaze fixed on Ella. "Oh yes. She'll have her prince... for a while. But the real game is just beginning."