Descendants: The rise of red

It wasn't in the plans

The ballroom, decorated to host Castle Caming, shimmered with lights and music, but the peaceful and joyous atmosphere hid a dark truth: Yzma, Hook, and Hades had fled from a devastating battle, one in which they had chosen to expose only Morgana and Maleficent. That victory marked the end of a tyranny, but it also left the trio of young villains with the power and ambition to carry out their mentor's plans. With Morgana out of the picture, they were determined to fulfill her long-awaited revenge.
The night of the ball seemed like the perfect opportunity to execute their plan. Yzma carefully studied Bridgette. Hades and Hook watched from the shadows, ready to intervene if needed.
Meanwhile, Ella made her entrance into the ballroom, wrapped in a blue gown that shimmered under the candlelight. Her beauty was disarming, simple yet elegant, and her steps were so light it seemed as if she didn't touch the ground. All eyes turned towards her, but the most intense gaze belonged to Prince Charming.
The young prince, tall and with short dark brown hair, wore a dark velvet blue ballroom jacket embroidered in gold. The moment he saw her, something inside him shifted. It wasn't the first time he had locked eyes with Ella, but that evening, something was different.
Yzma, with a sly grin, approached the Princess of Hearts. Her purple gown swirled slightly as she moved with grace, expertly concealing her true intentions. In her hands, she held the enchanted treat, carefully crafted down to the smallest detail: it appeared to be a simple chocolate confection, but hidden within it was a powerful curse.
"Bridgette, darling," Yzma said in a syrupy voice, "you look absolutely stunning tonight. I took some inspiration from your idea and decided to dabble in a bit of baking myself."
Bridgette, unaware of what was about to happen, smiled, clearly flattered. "Oh, Yzma, thank you. I never expected such a... thoughtful gesture."
Yzma handed her the treat with a sly smile. "It's a very special dessert. I'm sure you'll love it."
Bridgette accepted the treat without a second thought, ready to enjoy it, but at that very moment, Chloe arrived, exhausted and dirty from her endless search for Red in the dark forest. She approached Bridgette with weary steps, her face marked by fatigue and disappointment.
Meanwhile, far from the chaos, Ella and Prince Charming finally stood side by side at the center of the dance floor. The young prince gently took Ella's hand, her sparkling blue gown shimmering elegantly. They gazed into each other's eyes, and for them, the world around them disappeared as they danced slowly, swaying to the music.
"Finally, we're here," said Prince Charming, his voice soft with a slight tremble of emotion.
"But didn't you like Bridgette?" Ella asked shyly, her cheeks flushing slightly, heart pounding. Their slow dance ended with a mutual smile, and without saying another word, they quietly slipped outside, hand in hand, into the starlit garden.
"Bridgette, I couldn't do it..." Chloe murmured, barely able to stand.
Seeing her friend in such a state, Bridgette decided to offer her the enchanted treat that Yzma had just given her. With a caring smile, Bridgette said, "Chloe, take this. It'll make you feel better. Trust me, you need it more than I do."
Yzma, hidden among the crowd, widened her eyes. "No, you fool!" she hissed under her breath, while Hook barely contained his laughter. Hades watched the scene unfold with a flicker of satisfaction in his fiery eyes.
Chloe, too exhausted to notice anything amiss, took the treat and swallowed it in a few bites. But as soon as she did, her eyes widened in horror.
Chloe's transformation began with a strange tingling sensation along her arms, but it quickly turned into searing pain, doubling her over. Her skin stretched and began to scale, turning an unsettling shade of blue. Her hands lengthened into sharp claws, her nails growing into lethal black blades. Her once sweet, fatigued face twisted into a monstrous mask: her teeth elongated into sharp fangs, and an inhuman roar escaped her throat.
Her cries of pain morphed into furious screams, and the students nearby shrank back in horror. Chloe, now fully transformed, loomed over the ballroom as a massive, terrifying creature. Her large frame towered above the crowd, her once kind eyes now filled with rage. Chaos erupted among the ball attendees, panic-stricken screams filling the air as students fled for safety.
In the chaos that followed, Bridgette screamed, unable to comprehend what had happened to her friend. The students around her began shouting and running, the ballroom descending into madness.
While the chaos of Chloe's transformation unfolded in one corner of the ballroom, Charming and Ella found themselves outside, sitting under a blooming tree in the courtyard. The young prince smiled at her, a smile that hid both shyness and admiration.
Ella blushed slightly, her eyes shining. Their fingers intertwined naturally, as if they were meant to be together.
Charming, with his heart pounding in his chest, looked at Ella with intensity.
"Ella," he said, taking a deep breath. "I can't hide what I feel any longer. You came into my life quietly, but you've captured my heart. I love you."
Ella gazed at him, tears welling up in her eyes, but they were not tears of sadness. They were tears of joy. "I love you too," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "I never imagined this could happen, but now I can't deny it anymore."
They shared a sweet, delicate kiss under the starlit sky, completely unaware of the screams and chaos erupting inside the castle.
And as they declared their love for each other, the distant echo of the ballroom's screams went entirely unnoticed. Their world, in that moment, was just the two of them.
Back inside, Yzma, Hook, and Hades watched their handiwork with satisfaction. Bridgette was in shock, and Chloe had become a rampaging monster. Though Morgana's original plan hadn't gone exactly as intended, the result was still impressive.
"I'd say tonight has been a success," Hades said with a grin, the flames on his head flickering proudly.
"Too bad for Morgana and Maleficent," Hook added, "but I'd say we're handling things pretty well."