Descendants: The rise of red

I know you're there

As chaos reigned supreme in the ballroom, Red and Naveen slipped silently through the back door, determined to understand what was happening. Naveen, still weak and pale, followed Red with unsteady steps, relying on the strength of his companion.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the scene before them took their breath away: the gigantic, terrifying monster was destroying everything around it. Its eyes, once sweet, now burned with fury and malevolence. The ballroom was a vortex of terror: chandeliers swayed, objects were thrown into the air, and panicked screams filled the space.
With her heart in her throat, Red approached Bridgette, who stood frozen, paralyzed by fear. "Bridgette, what's happening? Is Chloe okay?" Red asked, her voice full of concern.
Bridgette, gasping between sobs, managed to respond. "Oh Red, thank heavens you're here. Chloe transformed suddenly. I don't know what to do! We can't leave her like this!"
Red gazed at the creature that had once been her travel companion. She knew she had to act quickly. "I have to try to calm her. I can't leave her like this."
With courage, Red approached the monster, desperately trying to reach whatever remained of Chloe inside. "Chloe, it's me, Red. You have to listen to me. You're still there, I know it. You need to fight this curse!"
But the creature, in a blind rage, attacked Red with a menacing roar. It swatted her away with a powerful paw, sending her crashing to the ground. Despite the pain, Red refused to give up. She stood up again, her voice trembling but firm. "Chloe, I know you're still in there! I won't leave you. I've already defeated a giant squid; this version of you won't stop me!"
The beast paused for a moment, as if struck by a shadow of hesitation, but then resumed its destruction. Red, wounded and tired, continued relentlessly to try to reach her. "You have to fight this fury! You're not this monster!"
Finally, after several failed attempts, Red saw a flicker of recognition in Chloe's furious eyes, a spark of consciousness breaking through the curtain of her rage. Urgently turning to Bridgette, Red said, "We have to get her out of here. If she stays, she'll destroy everything."
Bridgette, struggling to remain calm amidst the chaos, pointed to a side hallway. "There's a safe exit toward the garden. But we need to take her to Wonderland; only there can the curse be broken."
With renewed determination, Red and Naveen approached Chloe. Despite her monstrous form, she seemed to slowly respond to Red's voice, as if a faint connection to her humanity was beginning to resurface. Cautiously, they led her out of the ballroom.
Having made it through the chaos of the ballroom, Red, Naveen, Chloe, and Bridgette found themselves in the outer garden, illuminated only by the pale light of the moon. The air was thick with tension, and the sound of Chloe's growls mixed with the rustling of the wind through the trees.
Red took a deep breath and turned to Bridgette. "Where do we go?" she asked, her voice steady.
Bridgette pointed to a hidden path between the tall hedges. "The White Rabbit's burrow is there, but we must hurry. The transformation could worsen at any moment."
The group began moving quickly along the path. The tall hedges seemed to close in around them, creating a maze of vegetation, and every now and then Chloe let out whimpers that turned into growls, forcing Red to speak soothingly to her to keep her under control. Every step was a mix of hope and fear, with the creature moving heavily behind them, her claws scraping the ground.
As they ventured deeper into the garden, the path became narrower and more winding. The trees around them seemed to come alive in the darkness, with dancing shadows casting distorted figures on the gnarled trunks. Naveen, still weak, staggered but kept pace, staying close to Red and supporting her when she slowed down to calm Chloe.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached a clearing. In the center, hidden among thorns and leaves, a small opening in the ground was barely visible. The White Rabbit's burrow.
Bridgette knelt beside the opening, carefully moving aside the leaves and branches that covered it. "Here it is," she whispered, her voice filled with relief mixed with concern. "This is where we need to go."
Red approached Chloe. The creature was breathing heavily, her eyes darting around nervously, but they seemed calmer than before. "We've made it, Chloe. It's going to be alright. You have to trust us."
With extreme caution, they managed to guide her toward the opening. The burrow, seemingly small, revealed itself to be much larger once they entered. It was an underground passage that stretched into the darkness, illuminated by a soft, magical light. The ground beneath their feet was soft, almost velvety, and it felt as though gravity itself was less oppressive.
As they ventured deeper into the tunnel, silence enveloped them. The chaos of the ballroom seemed far away, like a faded memory. But suddenly, the ground gave way beneath their feet.