Descendants: The rise of red

Yellow eyes

As the group advanced through the Garden of Shadows, the air around them grew thicker and heavier, as if the place itself was holding its breath. The shadows moved slowly, stretching toward them, but none attacked. They were merely silent spectators.
Then, without warning, a thin, childish laugh broke the silence among the shadows. The voice was different from what Red had expected. It wasn't the mocking tone of a cunning cat, but that of a curious kitten—tender and uncertain.
"Hey... who are you?" asked a hesitant little voice. The group stopped abruptly, peering into the shadows. Their eyes widened when they saw a small figure slowly materialize in the air. First appeared a pair of tiny yellow eyes, then a smile, but not the menacing grin they had imagined. It was more of a curious smile, with a few missing teeth. Finally, a small feline body, brightly colored, materialized in the air, as if born from the shadows.
It was a kitten, but not an ordinary one, of course. This one floated gently above them, its big curious eyes observing them as if meeting new friends for the first time.
Red was the first to speak. "We're... travelers. We need something only you can give us."
The kitten began to float in circles, moving its fluffy tail, which seemed too big for its small body. "What do you need? Oh, oh! Are you here to play with me?" His voice was full of childlike enthusiasm, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.
Bridgette knelt slightly to speak with him. "We need a tuft of your fur, little one. It's the only thing that can make this big blue monster behind me happy. You see, she's actually very kind, but because of a wicked witch, she's trapped in this form." She gestured toward Chloe, who had slightly hidden behind Naveen, her monstrous eyes cautiously watching the kitten.
The little kitten stopped moving and tilted his head to one side, staring at Chloe. His eyes seemed to grow even larger, full of innocence and wonder. "Ohh, so you weren't born like this? Do you want to stop being big and scary?"
Chloe nodded slowly, while Red whispered nervously, "We don't have much time."
The kitten floated closer to Chloe, staring at her with wide eyes. "But... but do you like being like this? You're very strong and... and big! You know, I don't like disappearing into thin air, it scares the other kittens, but unlike you, I can't do anything about it. My mommy made me like this," he said, his small voice tinged with a sadness that was almost imperceptible.
Chloe shook her head, her sad eyes reflecting in the kitten's yellow irises. Then, with a gentle gesture, she reached out a hand toward him, as if to comfort him.
The Cheshire Cat Kitten made a little pout, curling up in the air as if deep in thought. "Hmm, let me think, let me think... Okay, but only because you're nice. No one's ever been nice to me before, only my family!" He smiled again, and with a childish giggle, he waved his tail and plucked a small tuft of purple fur from his fluffy tail.
The fur glowed for a moment, floating down toward Bridgette, who gently caught it, smiling. "Thank you," she said, trying to contain her surprise at the kitten's sweetness.
The Cheshire Kitten did a small somersault in midair and giggled. "But now you have to play with me! I helped you, so you have to play! Right?" His request was so innocent and simple that for a moment, the group fell silent.
Naveen stepped forward and smiled kindly. "We'd love to play with you, but we need to help our friend first. It's really important."
The little kitten curled his tail around himself and seemed to think for a moment, then nodded with a serious expression, as if he understood perfectly. "Ohhh, okay! But... when you're done, will you come back to play? I... I'm all alone here... and I'm always so bored..." His voice cracked slightly.
Chloe stepped forward and knelt, looking him in the eyes. She nodded slowly and placed a clawed hand over her heart, as if to promise they would return.
The Cheshire Kitten lit up, bouncing joyfully in the air. "Alright then! Don't forget, okay? Promise! I'll be waiting!"
With one final gleam of joy in his bright eyes, the little Cheshire Kitten vanished, leaving behind only a faint trail of light that quickly dissipated into the wind.
Bridgette clutched the tuft of fur in her hand, her heart slightly lifted by the encounter with the small feline. "Now we have everything. We just need to make the potion."
"And hope it works," added Red, casting one last glance at the spot where the Cheshire Kitten had disappeared. For a moment, the image of the cunning adult Cheshire Cat she knew flickered in her mind. How could such a sweet kitten become that deceptive creature?
Red couldn't know yet, but no one would keep their promise, and the happiness in that little kitten's heart would fade into nothing.