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Bridget of Wonderland

Red hoped that going back in time would answer some questions about why her mom is the way she is, but it also might end up answering some questions about her and where her mothers distain for love comes from.

Red's POV

I roll my eyes, noticing Chloe being all smiley and trying to greet people. I reach out and grab her jacket, pulling her closer before whispering to her. "We have to keep a low profile." They make their way out of the courtyard to find a sign reading Merlin Academy.

"Of course. Merlin Academy. That's what Auradon Prep used to be called before Beast united the kingdoms to create Auradon." She explained to me.

"How do you know all this?" I said, confused. Being homeschooled by the Queen of Hearts isn't the best way to learn about other kingdoms.

"Well, I love history! Don't you?" She asks me in that perky voice of hers.

I hum in sarcastic agreement. We make our way into the school, trying to find some clue as to what point in time we were thrown back into and what connection it has with my mother.

"No way. Castlecoming. That's where my parents fell in love." She says, pointing to a poster hanging on the wall. "It's, like, the biggest event of the year." She tells me in disbelief when my face doesn't change.

"Sorry, I'm busy changing history," I say, walking around her.

"Okay, remember what your mom said about being humiliated at her first dance?" She motions to the poster again. "This must be what she meant," she explains.

I look at the poster with her. "And if someone did some horrible prank to her..." I say, getting the idea.

"Maybe that's what turned her into a terrible dictator?"

I scoff. "That must be why the watch sent us back to this moment in time. It's before my mom turns into... My mom." I say.

"Great. Now, how do we stop that?" She asks me.

"By figuring out who's gonna do the prank that ruins her life."

We hear the bell ringing and look around, trying to see any familiar faces, before being stopped in a hallway by a voice coming from above us.

"Late for class, ladies?" A man on the balcony asks. "Stay right there."

"Oh, my gosh, it's Merlin," Chloe says excitedly to me

He walks in from the hallway, standing before us.

"Actually, we're not students. Well, we are, but we think that we've been sent..." She rambles before i cut her off.

"Sent from another place." I chuckle a bit nervously. "We're transfer students."

"Well, I'm Principal Merlin, so I should have received papers." He opens up his coat and starts pulling things out, trying to find said papers that don't exist. "I'm sure it'll turn up eventually." He shrugs at not finding them. "I founded this Academy to be an educational institution for all." He looks at Chloe before pulling out a wand. "But you must know that we have a no-swords policy in the classroom." He makes it disappear. I can see from her face she's a little amazed but also unsettled being without her sword. "I've transported it to the Stardust Room, which will be your dormitory. I'll settle you in after school, but first let's get you to class. I teach Honors Alchemy in my office." He turns around and starts leading, "Right this way."

He pauses and turns around into a different hallway. "No, that's... Sorry, it's this way. This way. Follow me! The marble in these archways..." He starts.

"What was that?" Chloe leans over to whisper to me. "The Auradon Code of Conduct forbids lying. Especially to teachers." She emphasizes

"Good thing this isn't Auradon yet," I say. She scoffs at my words.