Descendants: The rise of red

Something strange

With the precious tuft of the Cheshire Cat's fur, the group quickly resumed their journey, leaving the Shadow Garden behind. Each step toward Master Virell's house felt heavier than the last, as if the darkness and mystery of the garden still wanted to hold them back. However, Red did not slow down. It was clear that time was running out.
The dark lands soon gave way to the golden meadows of the Enchanted Forest, and sunlight began filtering again through the branches of the trees. The group was tired, but the sight of the familiar path gave them some relief. Finally, after a long journey, they found themselves in front of the large mushroom with a bright orange cap, with small circular windows glowing softly, where Master Virell lived with his family.
The door, made of intertwined roots, seemed to welcome the visitors with a creak.
As soon as they entered, they were overwhelmed by chaos.
Master Virell stood in the center of his small laboratory. Around him, at least six small hares were running, shouting, laughing, and throwing dried flowers and magical ingredients at each other. "Don't touch that!" Virell yelled as he tried to control the disorder. "No, no, not the cauldron! I need it for the potion!"
When he saw the group enter, Virell sighed deeply and raised a paw in greeting. "You're finally back! I was starting to worry... The little ones here haven't given me a moment of peace!" The hares rushed forward, curious to see who had arrived, but with a swift motion, Virell shooed them away, nodding toward a corner of the room. "Go, go! Play over there!"
Bridgette stepped forward, showing the tuft of the Cheshire Kitten's fur. "We found all the ingredients. I hope it's enough."
Virell nodded gravely, taking the tuft gently. "It's more than enough. Just give me a few minutes." With skill, the hare approached the bubbling cauldron, stirring with a long stick while adding the petal of the Lillium Nocturnis and the vial of water from the Lake of Mirrors.
The cauldron emitted a light blue smoke, and Virell nodded in satisfaction. "It's ready."
Chloe sat heavily on a small wooden chair, her breathing slow and labored. Red watched her carefully, her lips tight with anxiety. "Let her drink it, and we'll see if it works," Virell said, handing Bridgette a small vial containing the iridescent liquid.
Gently, Bridgette took the vial and approached Chloe, whose large monstrous hands trembled slightly. "Drink, Chloe," she said softly, offering her the potion. Chloe grasped the vial carefully and, without hesitation, drank its contents.
The change was immediate. Chloe's body began to shake, as if invisible waves were coursing through her. Her gigantic form started to shrink, and her monstrous features slowly faded, giving way to her human shape. The sharp claws retracted, her fangs disappeared, and her skin became smooth and soft. However, when the spell was complete, something was different.
Chloe was human again, but her skin was pale, almost ethereal, as if part of her was still anchored to the darkness she had escaped from. Strands of white, almost silver, shimmered through her blonde hair, contrasting with the rest. She remained motionless, still unconscious.
"It's done... but why isn't she waking up?" Naveen asked, his voice anxious.
Virell approached, examining Chloe carefully. "She's fine. She just needs time. The magic that held her captive was strong, and this is a drastic change."
As the others reassured each other, Red took a step back, feeling a growing sense of urgency. Something had been bothering her throughout the journey. She knew there was a part of the story that no one else knew.
She silently approached the door, careful not to attract anyone's attention. "I'm going to get some air... I can't believe this nightmare is finally over," she said, making an excuse.
Outside the mushroom house, Red looked up at the sky. "I think my mission might end here. If Chloe was the victim of Morgana's trick, then there's still hope for my mother," she whispered to herself. Now, she had to return to her own time. With a quick motion, she pulled out the watch hidden beneath her leather jacket.
Without hesitation, she approached Chloe, who had been left momentarily alone due to the renewed chaos in the room caused by the little hares. With a determined gesture, she placed the watch on Chloe's chest, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
A whirlwind of light enveloped them both, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished, leaving behind the quiet of Wonderland.
The two traveled through time, but unexpectedly, at the end of the journey, Red didn't recognize the place she had landed in. The air was stifling, the darkness absolute. She tried to move but hit something hard and cold: it seemed like she was trapped in a tight, suffocating space.
"Where am I?" she thought, trying to hold back the panic. She reached out in front of her, touching smooth metal walls and smelling the stale odor of confinement. With terror, she realized she was inside a wardrobe.
She tried to push the door, but it wouldn't budge. Her heart started to race, and the darkness seemed to grow heavier. Taking a deep breath, she tried to stay calm. "Chloe?" she whispered, hoping the girl was nearby. No answer.
Outside the wardrobe, Red could hear sounds, but they were unfamiliar. There was a murmur, distant voices. She couldn't understand where she was, but one thing was certain: she hadn't returned to Auradon Prep.