Descendants: The rise of red

Twins

A door suddenly swung open, flooding Red with blinding light, making her realize she was inside a wardrobe. Squinting her eyes, she saw a tall young girl standing in front of her, with delicate yet determined features. The girl wore a form-fitting, shiny silver outfit with glowing details that pulsed with each movement. Her bright pink hair, fading into a deep red, was tied up in a high ponytail, and her face was framed by thin, transparent electronic lenses covering her eyes.
The girl stood still for a second, her gaze locked on Red, before her mouth opened in a scream.
Red jumped forward, raising her hands in a gesture of peace. "Wait! Don't scream!" she said quickly, her mind already racing to come up with a convincing explanation. The last thing she wanted was to attract more attention.
But the girl stepped back with a sharp cry, her eyes wide with shock. "Who are you?! What are you doing in my wardrobe?!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling yet determined. Red quickly stood up, trying to appear calm, though her heart was pounding.
"I'm... my name is Scarlet," Red improvised, using a name similar to her own but less recognizable. "I'm hiding... My mother is a cruel person. She punishes me for no reason, so I decided to run away. This seemed like a safe place, so I decided to hide here. I didn't mean to cause trouble."
The girl looked at her suspiciously but hesitated. Before she could respond, another figure appeared at the door: a boy, probably the same age as the girl, around sixteen or seventeen. He had the same sharp features but with blond hair that faded into the same deep red as the girl's. He wore a futuristic black suit with geometric patterns in electric blue that lit up with each step.
"Heather, what's going on?" the boy asked, moving toward his sister with a defensive stance. His eyes, intense and alert, focused on Red. "Who is this?"
Heather pointed to Red, still incredulous. "She's... a friend from school. She stayed over last night. Please, don't tell Mom."
The boy stared at her for a moment, then his expression became more cautious. "And what are you doing in my sister's wardrobe?" he asked, his voice calmer, almost ironic.
Red, trying to keep her cool, added to her story. "My parents punished me. I haven't eaten for days..." she said, trying to stir sympathy in the boy's heart. "Your sister was kind enough to offer me a roof and a warm meal... well, and here I am. I didn't want to alarm you."
The two siblings exchanged doubtful glances, but they seemed less frightened than before. "Why are you wearing such old-fashioned clothes?" he asked, curious.
"My family is poor. We have to wear whatever we can find in the trash," Red replied, recalling something similar from an old adventure book the Mad Hatter had given her.
Heather and her brother, Elvis, looked at each other for a long moment, doubt written across their faces. Red's story seemed unlikely, but something in her tone — perhaps her vulnerability or the way she spoke about her parents' cruelty — caused their defenses to lower.
Elvis sighed, running a hand through his blond-red hair. "Alright, Scarlet, if my sister decided to help you, then I won't say anything to our mother, for now. But if I find out you're lying or if something strange happens..." His voice grew harder, almost threatening. "I'll make sure the truth comes out."
Heather quickly nodded, as if to support her brother's words, but there was a kindness in her eyes that told Red she was already on her side. "Don't worry, Elvis. I'll look after her. She... needs help, and you know I can't turn my back on someone in need."
Red took a deep breath, trying not to show her relief. The lie had worked, at least for now. "Thank you," she said, trying to keep her voice humble. "I didn't mean to cause trouble."
Elvis studied her for another long moment before turning to leave the room. "All because of that stupid twin pact," he muttered as he walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Heather visibly relaxed and moved closer to Red. "I'm sorry about my brother. He's just a bit overprotective. But you must be exhausted. Why don't you rest a little, and then we can figure out the rest?" she said with a smile.
Red, however, was too anxious to stay still. "I can't stay too long," she said, trying to stay focused. "My sister ran away before I did... and I don't know where she is, if she's safe or not. I'm worried."
Heather took her hand, squeezing it warmly. "Don't worry. I'll help you. What's your sister's name? My grandmother might be able to help she's friends with everyone and very discreet, she can keep a secret."
As Heather's words echoed in her mind, Red felt a weight lift from her chest. "Her name is Chloe." As soon as Red uttered the name, the girl's calm demeanor shifted into one of terror. "Chloe? Like the Crystal Queen? She's cruel! Why would your parents name her after someone like that?"
Red couldn't understand the barrage of questions. Who was the Crystal Queen, and why did Heather consider her cruel?