Descendants: The rise of red

Confusion

Red followed Heather along the narrow, vibrant streets of that futuristic city, unable to take her eyes off everything surrounding her. It was a place pulsing with life and technology, vastly different from where she came from. The buildings stretched toward the sky like sculptures of glass and metal, their curved surfaces illuminated by bright lights that changed color as citizens passed by. Some towers had suspended bridges connecting one building to another, almost like intertwined roots traversing the sky instead of the earth. Drones whizzed silently above their heads, projecting holograms that caught Red's attention: they depicted the faces of Queen Mal and King Ben alongside a girl who seemed to be their daughter, followed by images of Evie, Jay, Lonnie, Uma, Harry, and Gil. Each was accompanied by the label 'Wanted.'
Red's expression grew troubled and fearful. She was at a loss, unsure whether to ask Heather about the reasons for the hunt or to investigate on her own later to avoid attracting too much attention. She chose the second option.
The streets were lined with metallic trees, their delicate, glowing leaves bending at the passage of people to offer a light shade. Even the air felt different, fragrant with something unknown yet incredibly fresh, and Red felt almost intoxicated by that strange modernity. A world that seemed made of dreams and deceptions, where everything felt within reach, yet Red sensed something suspicious, as if that perfection hid a dark secret.
As she walked beside Heather, Red couldn't help but wonder how much time had passed since her time in Wonderland, and if Chloe was seeing something similar, wherever she was. Nostalgia tightened her heart, and she couldn't help but think of her mother... cruel, yes, but also her only family.
Heather pulled her from her thoughts, pointing to a staircase leading to a golden door, intricately engraved with roses and hearts. "It's here," she whispered, taking a deep breath as if to prepare herself. "My grandmother lives here. She's not a person defined by strange whims, so... she might seem a bit... theatrical."
Red nodded, following Heather up the staircase. She had already met powerful and strange people in her world, so she didn't expect anything different. But when the door opened, her breath caught in her throat.
Seated on a pink velvet throne, wearing an elegant and majestic gown decorated with golden hearts and roses, was her mother: the Queen of Hearts. She had something different about her; she resembled more the Bridgette of the past, her face framed by lines of wisdom and slightly silvered cotton candy pink hair. The woman looked up at Heather and then at Red. The Queen's eyes widened in disbelief, and in that precise moment, Red felt the world sway beneath her.
"You..." whispered the Queen, with a shadow of emotion that Red had rarely seen on her face. "How... how did you rejuvenate?"
But Red couldn't respond. A wave of emotions, a mix of anger, confusion, and even a hint of forgotten affection, caught her by surprise. She tried to say something, but before she could open her mouth, she felt herself give in. The room spun around her, and the last thing she saw was Bridgette's shocked expression as she collapsed on the throne at the same moment, as if she too had been struck by an overwhelming revelation.
Heather, pale-faced and wide-eyed, rushed forward, incredulous to see her grandmother lose consciousness. She knelt beside Red, shaking her lightly, while her heart raced. "Grandma... Scarlet..." she murmured, gently shaking them, but the two women showed no signs of recovering. It was as if they had vanished elsewhere, leaving only their bodies there, in that lavish and silent room.
At that moment, a strange sound vibrated in the room: a faint rustling that seemed to come from a dark corner of the hall. Heather turned and noticed an ancient mirror, finely decorated with golden roses and intertwined hearts. The surface of the object seemed to ripple like water, and within it appeared an image that left Heather breathless. It was a vision of Wonderland, with its distorted colors and impossible shapes coming to life as if they were alive. The mirror showed confused images: a castle, a rose garden, and finally the face of a young Red running, seemingly searching for something or someone.
Unable to resist, Heather approached the mirror, feeling a strange pull that urged her to touch its surface. At the contact of her fingers, energy radiated from the glass and swept through the room like a wave, abruptly awakening both Red and Bridgette. The two women jolted, regaining consciousness with confused and bewildered eyes.
Red felt overwhelmed, unable to take her eyes off Bridgette. She was an image of grace and sweetness, but there was something deeper within her. Red realized that, although older, Bridgette's eyes bore the marks of a life rich with challenges and responsibilities. It was hard for Red not to think of her mother as the cruel and distant queen who had raised her. Here, the version of Bridgette before her was more human, more vulnerable.
"You..." repeated the Queen of Hearts, staring at Red with an incredulous look. "How... how did you rejuvenate?" she repeated for the second time. The words were laden with confusion and surprise, and Red felt the weight of the truth pressing down on her.
But at that moment, as Bridgette scrutinized her with curiosity, Red realized she had to protect the truth of her identity. If Bridgette discovered she was her daughter from the past, it could create temporal fractures that would change everything. The thought sent chills down her spine.
"I... I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're saying," stammered Red, trying to stay calm as her heart raced. "Your granddaughter has spoken very highly of you." Her voice trembled slightly as she tried to muster a smile.
Bridgette, however, was unconvinced. "You can't hide behind words, little one. You are my daughter, Red, but you look just like you did when you attended Auradon Prep." The Queen stepped closer, her scrutinizing gaze searching for the truth in Red's deep eyes.
In that moment, Red felt a sudden wave of nostalgia. She realized that, despite the differences and temporal distances, she had longed for a connection with her mother. But now that she encountered her in this strange context, she felt more distant than ever.
"Grandma, listen," Heather intervened, noticing the conflict on both their faces. "We need your help, but there's much at stake. Scarlet's sister has run away, and we need your knowledge to find her."
Bridgette became serious, her smile fading. "Run away? What should a girl run away from?"
Red knew she had to respond carefully. She couldn't reveal the truth about the time travel or Chloe's identity. "It's complicated. My parents... they don't want Chloe to be free. But I can explain everything if you give us a moment."
In that moment, Red felt she had to protect her mother at all costs; one wrong step, and her entire existence would vanish into nothingness. And as she looked into Bridgette's eyes, she realized there was a light she had never seen before: an unconditional love, a bond that transcended time.
Bridgette nodded, the concern in her gaze still evident. "Then let's make sure we find her, Emm... Scarlet, right? In the meantime, you'll stay safe here with us." But Red knew that true safety was an illusion, and their bond would have to remain a secret.