Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Ben watches his parents closely.

They reacted to his proposal of the four kids from the Isle of the Lost… better than he expected, honestly. He expected for it to be shot down with no chance to explain.

But they agreed to try it! Ben wanted to jump for joy.

Except… he wasn’t done yet.

He had one more idea… one that could be even worse for them to accept than the Isle’s children… but hopefully, that sort of broke the ice. Well, smashed the ice with a sledgehammer, if Ben was being honest.

“Mom, dad?” Ben clears his throat. His parents look at him, confused. “I have one more proposal for my proclamation.”

They exchange a confused look but Beast nods. “Go ahead, Ben.”

Ben takes another deep breath. “Alongside the kids from the Isle of the Lost… I wish to invite Princess Red of Wonderland.”

Stunned looks immediately reach his parents’ faces.

Wonderland was a different issue entirely than the Isle of the Lost.

When King Beast was first establishing Auradon and asking kingdoms to join their main ruling, he asked Wonderland.

Everyone was already wary about Wonderland… People fear things they don’t understand and Wonderland, well, to put it simply, is mad.

There was hardly any understanding of most of Wonderland’s oddities. Not to mention what nearly happened to Alice Liddell only increased that fear.

But King Beast wanted to extend the hand of friendship. It didn’t feel fair to leave the kingdom out.

Except… the Queen of Hearts turned against it. She even tried to start a war, wanting to take over Auradon for herself.

The rabbit hole was cut off.

So trying to invite the Queen’s daughter… it was just as dangerous as the Villain Kids… maybe even more dangerous.

“Ben… the Isle is one thing.” Beast says slowly. “But Wonderland… you know what happened.”

“I know, Dad… and I’m taking precautions. I’ve thought it through. Princess Red is going to be ruler one day… she could have different ideals than her mom.” Ben says easily and confidently.

“But we don’t know that, son.”

“And we don’t know the contrary either.”

Beast sighs and looks at Belle. Belle considers it for a moment before asking gently. “If we invite her, what’s stopping her mother from coming with her? It’s risky to send guards into Wonderland, Ben.”

Ben nods, standing a little taller. “Which is why we don’t send guards. And we treat the rabbit hole the same as the Isle’s barrier. We can have Fairy Godmother enchant the letter. That way it can go through the rabbit hole and reach the rulers. It can also have an enchantment that makes it so Red is the only one allowed through. Not her mother and not any guards.”

Belle and Beast share a worried look.

“You’ve clearly thought this through, son…” Beast says gently. “And while I approve of the Isle… I’m not sure about Wonderland. They could be even more dangerous. They have an entire army.”

“I know…” Ben looks at them pleadingly. “But the Queen is the one pulling the strings, right? Well, maybe we can start making peace by inviting Red. She’s the closest connection to the Queen… and she’s practically a VK too. I want to give her a chance, just like the four from the Isle.”

Belle and Beast share a worried look.

“Are you sure, Ben?” Belle asks softly, moving forward to take her son’s hands. “This would be more than the Isle. The Isle is a prison… Wonderland is a kingdom. This could introduce very serious political relations into your proclamation.”

King Beast wasn’t going to simply throw Ben into the deep… he was simply taking a step back. He would be helping with political dealings in particular.

And their political relationships are all very good right now. Beast and Belle ensured that before planning for the Coronation. To help Ben get his footing easier.

To try and introduce Wonderland back into Auradon… it could take on huge political responsibilities right off the bat.

Ben nods firmly. “I’m sure, mom… I want to bring peace to all the kingdoms. If Wonderland can be included, I want to do it.”

Beast sighs but smiles fondly. “Such a wise ruler already… but Ben, I’m putting my foot down on one thing.”

“Yes, Dad?”

“Princess Red may join the VKs as a VK herself. But the Queen of Hearts will not be allowed into Auradon… not yet.”

Ben relaxes. He feared his dad would refuse Red. “Of course, dad. I already considered that myself. The Queen would be too dangerous compared to her daughter.”

“Then as long as you’ve thought it through… I see no reason to say no.” King Beast smiles fondly at his son.

Ben grins. “Thank you. I swear, dad. You won’t regret this.”

Beast just nods and hugs Ben before leaving.

Belle smiles at her son. “Such a smart young man… we’re very proud of you.”

Ben hugs her. “Thanks, mom… for everything.”

Belle kisses the top of his head. “Always. Why don’t we leave the fitting for tomorrow? I’m sure you want to get a start on the letters.”

Ben beams and nods, making Belle smile as she leaves the room too.

Left alone, Ben sat down and began to pen the letters, eager but thinking out his words carefully. He needs to convince the parents alongside the kids.

Five VKs to be given a new chance…

Ben just knew it would work… it would give a new future for Auradon.

A future where the villain kids get the chance they always should have gotten.

~~||~~||~~

‘Dear Queen of Hearts, royal leader of Wonderland,

I am Prince Ben, the soon to be king of Auradon. Son of King Beast and Queen Belle. This letter is to notify you of an opportunity extended by the royal family of Auradon to your daughter, Princess Red of Wonderland.

I am well aware of Wonderland and Auradon’s past relations, but as part of my rise to the throne, I wish to establish better relations between our two kingdoms.

I am sure you heard of the Isle of the Lost, as it was established shortly before the rabbit hole was cut off, and news does trickle between our two lands.

As my royal proclamation, I will be inviting four of the children of villains to attend our school, Auradon Prep, to show the people of Auradon that the children of the Isle of the Lost are not products of their parents’ sins.

Alongside this, I wish to invite Princess Red of Wonderland to join the four Villain Kids at Auradon Prep. She will be well taken care of during her stay and I hope this will be a first step towards our two kingdoms reaching peace with each other.

If you accept, simply tell this letter such. It is magically enchanted and we will be notified of your choice. This letter will open the rabbit hole only for Princess Red, it has been enchanted as such. There will be transportation waiting just outside the rabbit hole for her arrival.

Whichever you choose, thank you for your consideration.

Future King of Auradon, Prince Benjamin’

~~||~~||~~

The Queen of Hearts hums to herself as she reads over the letter.

She had been sat upon her throne, ready to start her day, when a messenger ran in carrying the letter.

At first, the Queen hadn’t been interested… but then the letter mentioned Red.

The Queen of Hearts instinctively wished to refuse to let Red go to Auradon. Letting her child go to such a place was asking for trouble!

But then the idea settled in fully.

The rabbit hole had been sealed just as the aisle of the Lost had been. By that damned Fairy Godmother’s wand…

All the Queen needed was one person to get a hold of that wand and break the seal…

The only issue is that it was her daughter that was requested to go.

Red…

Such a troublesome child. Rebellious. Always causing chaos wherever she went.

It was so hard to keep the girl in line. She would cower and fear her one moment, but a few hours later would go back to rebelling all over again.

It was about to drive her mad!

Red was hers! Her daughter to mold as she sees fit! Her future! And The Queen of Hearts needs her to be the perfect puppet to continue ruling!

If she let Red go to Auradon, she would be out of her reach… it could light that spark to an inferno all over again.

And after she had spent so much time stamping it down…

Yet, the opportunity was too good to pass up… she would simply need to make sure Red knew her place before she left.

She just needed to make the girl cower and kneel. Know her place.

Yes… that would work.

“Jack of Diamonds!” The Queen calls.

The man in question immediately kneels in front of her. “My Queen.”

“Where is my daughter?”

“In the dungeons, your majesty. Our next order of business after the letter was to inform you of this.”

The Queen of Hearts hums and stands up, handing the paper to a guard next to her. “Then I suppose this is perfect timing. The dungeon is always easier to clean than her room.”

So, instead of going to her daughter’s room, the Queen of Hearts goes down to the dungeon.

She passes dozens of Wonderland creatures in cells, almost all shrinking and shivering upon seeing her. Except for a few daring creatures who start to shout, quickly silenced by the guards.

The Queen simply ignores all of them, going to the deepest point of the dungeons, where all of the other prisoners couldn’t be heard, and vice versa. Even if there were screams.

She comes to a single, dark red painted door. Thick, heavy metal and with no opening.

Two guards stand on either side and stand straighter, saluting when their Queen, the Jack of Diamonds, and a few other guards arrive.

“Open it. Only the Jack of Diamonds is to accompany me. The rest of you stay.” The Queen of Hearts orders, and every guard swiftly obeys her word.

It’s very well known that you follow her orders. If not, it’s off with your head.

The imposing woman and her guard captain enter the cell, the heavy metal door closed behind them.

The room was almost entirely bare. No furniture except for a ragged mattress in the corner. The stone walls were covered in red. But it wasn’t blood, at least… most of it wasn’t. It was spray paint. All in different designs. Any red on the floor the Queen knew wasn’t spray paint.

The cell was dark, cold, and damp. Only a single light bulb gives light to the dim room. No windows to be seen. The only sort of hole into the room was the door.

No escape was possible.

It had to be such.

And all because of the teenager laying on the mattress, lazily staring at the ceiling, looking extremely bored. Until she heard the door open and close, then she sat up and grinned. “Hello, Mother! The guards finally informed you?”

“Red. Come here, My Heart.” The Queen of Hearts scoffs and beckons the girl over.

Red tenses, but gets up and walks over. Her mother used the endearment… that either meant she was in a good mood, or feeling especially cruel that day. It was always a toss up as to which.

The Queen of Hearts sighs and puts a hand on Red’s cheek, ignoring the flinch. “My Heart, must you cause such chaos?”

Red hides a shiver and smiles darkly instead. “It’s just fun, Mother. I know you hate fun, but I like it.”

“ Fun isn’t allowed. It causes chaos and disobedience.” The Queen of Hearts scolds, voice darkening and making the girl flinch. “Clipping my roses, breaking property, vandalizing my image, if it were anyone else it would be off with their head!”

Red’s snarky attitude vanishes in a split second and she avoids eye contact.

This was the same song and dance… trying to stay on her mother’s good side. Trying to earn her love… while also rebelling.

Her mother has always hated her, ever since she was little… Red never understood why. It was just like this switch was flipped. For years she tried so hard to earn that love back…

But when it was proven to be extremely conditional, Red rebelled.

She toes the line, wanting to push her mother’s buttons, while also wanting to avoid the harsher punishments and earn the woman’s love back.

And then… then the Queen of Hearts ruined everything.

She hurt Chester and Ace. She will always claim she didn’t take off their heads.

But they will never be the same.

That changed it all.

Because Red’s heart broke, and the shards became filled with hate. Hate she acts out on by ruining property and causing as much chaos as possible.

But at the same time… she can’t deny she’s scared— terrified of her mother. Because the woman had also become more controlling… more hateful.

Over the years she’s been alive, Red got used to abuse. Her mother loved her… but taught her through rather torturous punishments…

She always seemed angry about something… hated something about Red… It only intensified when Red befriended Ace and Chester… and then lost them.

She never went a day without being abused after that. A slap or kick at best… on the worst days, it was torture. Don’t get Red wrong, it had been that way all her life… hiding away from her mother’s anger and rage. From her disappointment… but it somehow got worse.

And yet, Red couldn’t explain why… but some part of her still desperately craved her mother’s love, even after everything. Even with all the hate and abuse. After the betrayal.

And alongside hate and love, warring together… was fear. Keeping her pinned down under the pressure.

The Queen of Hearts is cruel… even to her own daughter. Red knew it all too well. Even when she rebelled… she did her best to simply toe the line, keep the punishments to a minimum while still gaining the satisfaction of pissing her mother off.

It was a dangerous line.

One she stepped over just a little too much far more often than Red would ever admit.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you, Red!”

Her jaw is grabbed harshly, and she’s forced to look her mother in the eye.

Ah… it’s a bad day. But the woman seemed so happy this morning… sometimes it was like that. Even when she guessed her mood she turned out wrong and the rebellion only earned her harsher punishments.

“… it was just some fun, Mother.” Red mutters.

“Fun.” The Queen of Hearts glares. “Red, I have given you everything, and this is what I get?”

Red bites back a retort. That only earns more pain.

If you’ve given me everything, why am I always locked in my room, the only way out being escaping and causing chaos? Getting to see the outside world for a few hours while having fun?

Why do you hit me and yell? Why am I such a disappointment to you? Why do you torture me as lessons and punishments?

If you’ve given me everything, then why do I still flinch at every touch and hide everytime I hear you yelling in the halls?

The Queen of Hearts softens and puts her hand on Red’s cheek. “My Heart… you know I love you. I am simply doing everything I do for your own good.”

“… I know, Mother.” Red whispers shakily.

… as sure as she is that her mother hates her… it’s moments like these that make her so unsure.

Maybe… maybe it isn’t hate. Maybe the woman is just overly protective. I mean, she doesn’t know any other parents! Maybe all of this is normal afterwards.

(Then why did she take Ace and Chester from you?)

“Then you know that I am taking your well-being into concern when considering an offer I received.”

Red tenses, but also softens with curiosity. “An offer, Mother?”

“Prince Benjamin of Auradon has offered you a place alongside four Villain Kids from the Isle of the Lost at Auradon Prep. The school in Auradon.” The Queen of Hearts explains, looking conflicted over the idea.

Red perks up in interest. “Auradon?”

The land of happiness of freedom? Actual parties and dessert that’s lawful to be eaten?

“Yes, Auradon. I’m considering letting you go.” The Queen says carefully.

Red snaps out of her thoughts at that. “W— What?”

Is this actually her Mother? Or some sort of doppelganger? Her Mother never would have given it a second thought! Her answer would have been no right away!

The Queen must see the look on her face because she smiles. A very dangerous smile. “My Heart, I believe I have an idea that could be of great benefit to Wonderland.”

Red’s blood runs cold. An idea… she had a feeling there was an ulterior motive here.

The Queen doesn’t give her a chance to respond, continuing as she moves both hands to cup Red’s cheek in a seemingly gentle gesture. “I got to thinking… and wouldn’t it be simply delightful if Auradon could follow our laws?”

Red’s eyes widen. “… you… want to take over Auradon?”

“Absolutely! And I want you to help me!” The Queen of Hearts preens.

Red is stunned into silence. She… isn’t sure what to say. So many thoughts swirl through her head.

Auradon… the place she, Chester, and Ace practically idolized in their time together…

The place of freedom and opportunity… rules, but none as strange, bizarre, and oppressive as Wonderland.

Going there would be a dream come true… except she always thought it was a hopeless dream. Even if she could, there was no way in hell her Mother would let her.

And yet… here it is…

But of course… her mother is only letting her go for her own motives. Taking over Auradon… infecting it with these rules and oppression like a damn plague…

And Red knows there is no escape. Even in Auradon, her Mother will know. She will find a way to punish her.

Meaning… she has no choice.

She’ll try to plan in Auradon, but Red already knows nothing will help her.

Red swallows heavily before forcing a smile. “What will you need me to do, Mother?”

But the Queen of Hearts is cunning. She knows her daughter.

This rebellion and the chaos won’t come to an end just because she’s going to Auradon. No. The Queen is well aware her daughter will continue. That if left to her own devices she’ll never get that wand.

And that can’t be allowed.

A wicked smile reaches her lips and Red pales, recognizing that look instantly.

Punishment…

This was always how it went… a switch flipped. Love one moment… hate the next.

Red tenses and takes two steps back. “Mother…”

The Queen scowls. “No begging, Red. This is for your own good. I need to make sure you stay in line while you are gone.” She waves her hand and the man who had been standing silently breaks into a wide grin.

Jack of Diamond walks over to a metal, heavily locked cabinet in the corner. One Red never can get into. She did once… the punishment was horrible.

He opens it and Red stares steadily at the floor. She refuses to look at the tools within.

“Which would be your pleasure to witness today, My Queen?”

The Queen of Hearts smiles cruelly. “My daughter needs to be well prepared to go. Do your worst. Why don’t we start with the whip?”

Red hears the mentioned weapon be grabbed and refuses to let the tears appear in her eyes.

She was too strong to break.

She never would.

Because if bearing through this hate and agony means gaining her Mother’s love… then she would do it.

Nobody except those right outside the cell could hear the haunting screams.

~~||~~||~~

Red whimpered, back aching. Her body shook from exhaustion and sheer pain.

Her Mother hasn’t made the punishment this bad in a long time. This was a threat. Obey, even while you’re gone, or the next punishment will be even worse.

The woman in question gently cupped Red’s jaw. The girl couldn’t keep herself from melting into the loving contact, soaking it in after the torture she endured.

Her Mother could be so, so cruel… which made her love all the sweeter.

The Queen of Hearts looks into her daughter's tear filled eyes. “Now, My Heart… pay very close attention.”

Red hesitates, everything fuzzy due to the pain.

The whip cracks against her back and she shrieks. There’s a pause, letting her whimper as the newest injury sets in, before she barely manages to whisper. “I’m l— listening… M— Mother…”

Another crack of the whip. Another scream.

The Queen raises a brow. “Important instructions, Red. Use the proper title.”

Red tries to look away, but her mother’s grip keeps her firmly in place, staring the evil woman in the eye.

“… y— yes, My Queen…” Red whispers shakily.

“Good girl…” the queen runs a hand through Red’s hair, making the girl let out a shuddering breath, eyes blinking slowly as she embraces the care. She can’t let her eyes close for too long. It will be disrespectful. Show she isn’t listening.

“You are going to go to Auradon alongside these ‘Villain Kids…’” The Queen of Hearts continues. “You will not work with them unless you absolutely have to. And if you do? It will be for our gain only. Am I clear?”

Another lash to emphasize the point.

Red’s scream trails off into a rasp. “I u— understand…”

“You will find Fairy Godmother’s wand and bring it here to me. With its power I will be unstoppable.” The Queen of Hearts explains. “Understood?”

“Y— Yes, My Queen…”

“And let me make one thing clear, My Heart.”

Red meets her mother’s eyes and a cold chill runs down her entire body. This… this was one of the most threatening looks she had ever seen on her mother… Red knew for a fact… if she didn’t obey this next order… it would be even more torture until the Queen had her fun…

And then it would be off with her head.

Daughter or not… the Queen would break her and then kill her.

“You are not to make friends.” The Queen hisses, grasping Red’s jaw tightly, nails digging into skin, forcing the teenager to look at her. “I have my sources in Auradon, and I will be using them to keep watch. If I find you disobey that rule… it will be the worst punishment yet.”

Red holds back a whine at both the threat and the painful touch. “I… I understand, M— My Queen…”

The whip snaps. Red screams. It cracks two— three more times before Red can manage to scream. “I s— swear, My Queen!”

“Swear what, Red?”

“I s— swear I w— won’t make f— friends! I’ll get you that w— wand!” Red shrieks the promise before the whip can strike another time.

The Queen loosens her grip with a sickly sweet smile. “Good girl…” she coos, starting to run a hand through Red’s long red hair. “See? This is what I’ve always meant by these punishments being lessons… I need you to obey even in Auradon. You understand, don’t you, My Heart?”

Red whimpers and nods weakly.

“Very good… then let’s continue, shall we?”

For a few more minutes, Jack of Diamonds switches between a few different ‘instruments,’ but the whip is clearly his favorite.

Red has had many punishments before this one… as strong as she tries to be, she almost always gets tears in her eyes and breaks into screams.

But this? This is the worst punishment she’s ever had… even above when her Mother caught her after those adventures with Chester and Ace… even above when she started her chaotic rebellion…

The message was getting across.

Obey. I will be watching, even if you are in Auradon. Obey me, or pay the highest price.

Become a toy for torture until you break… and then face execution…

Or bow to my will and get me that wand.

No escape. There never was. Ha… she should have known better all that time ago, shouldn’t she? That acting out would just put her two new friends in danger.

She can rebel all she wants.

But Red knew it clearly. She will always be her Mother’s puppet. Even in Auradon.

During a break for Jack of Diamonds, a question reaches Red’s mind, even with the fog of pain that’s made everything blurry and an absolute struggle to comprehend.

It takes a minute for her to get the question out between the trembles of pain wracking her body and the panting coming from her raw throat.

“M— Mother…?” Red whispers shakily.

The woman raises a brow, curious. “Yes, My Heart?”

Red hesitates. Some days she hates being vulnerable in front of her mother. Some days the woman will grasp onto it and use it against her. Some days the woman will soften and give her the love she so desperately craves.

But… Red needs to know…

“If… If I do this correctly…” Red looks at her, heart aching hopefully. Hope had been crushed so many times… but if she pulls this off… “Will you love me forever? Stop hating me?”

The Queen of Hearts actually softens. “Oh, My Precious Heart… I only do all of this because I love you. I’m simply making sure you know how to be good… it hurts, but it enforced the lesson.”

Red swallows heavily. The cuts and gashes on her back scream the opposite…

But Red cracks the tiniest smile as the woman kisses her forehead. “… I understand, Mother… and… and will you give me back my friends?”

The Queen of Hearts raises a brow and Red instinctively braces for the whip to crack down on her or even a slap…

But instead, her mother just keeps gently caressing her cheek. “Hmm… I don’t see why not. The three of you will need to be under heavy watch, but I can give them back.”

Red breaks into a new wave of tears right then and there. The pain and terror coupled with this brand new sense of hope coursing through her. This idea gives her even more hope than her mother’s love…

“ Th— thank you, Mother…”” She sobs out.

“Of course, My Heart! Why, you will deserve a reward, won’t you? And if you do accomplish this for me? I think our lessons will finally be finished as well.” 

Red feels even more swell up at that before she quietly repeats. “Th— thank you, Mother… th— thank you…”

“You’re very welcome, My Heart.” The Queen hums happily. And for a moment, Red thinks it’s over. But that hope is crushed instantly. “However, I need to make sure you remember the price if you fail… Jack of Diamonds, continue.”

The whip instantly starts to tear at her skin again…

But even among the blinding pain, Red feels hope.

If she does this…

She gets her only friends back… they won’t be stuck as a card soldier and a cat anymore… Not only that…

But her mother will truly love her.

~~||~~||~~

The Queen of Hearts sighed as she made it back to her room.

After the punishment was fully done, pushed to the very edge, The Queen retired back to her room, leaving instructions with Jack of Diamonds to finish up however he deemed fit. He would leave Red to sit and think about everything for about an hour or two, checking in to ensure she wasn’t dead, before finally having her taken back to her room.

The Queen of Hearts was certain Red would live. The girl knew how to patch herself up. Scars are easily hidden by dresses, so that was no issue.

And what does it matter that Red was leaving for Auradon the day after tomorrow? She had been taught from a young age to hide her injuries. Life didn’t stop after a bit of punishment, after all.

The Queen ensured that Red was well aware of how it was even more crucial for her to hide it this time.

So her daughter was dealt with.

The Queen of Hearts did love her daughter. Of course she did! But the girl was too rebellious for her own good.

She would stir up chaos, she would throw Wonderland off course!

The Queen needed to teach her otherwise. It was tough love, that’s all…

She knew she was in the right when those two hooligans came into the picture. They corrupted her daughter! Brought out the chaos hiding within!

Honestly, if it wasn’t for the love she held for her daughter, she would have had their executions within the hour. But she loved her daughter… why, she even kept that card soldier off the field! Red would need a bodyguard. And the Queen was well aware that the cat kept sneaking in.

Almost as sneaky as the Cheshire Cat, but not quite.

But the rebellion lurking within her daughter wasn’t the only reason the Queen of Hearts tortures her so harshly…

The Queen sat at her vanity, but she didn’t look at the large mirror, instead she reached for a small, compact mirror.

Only… it isn’t a mirror.

It’s the Looking Glass… a powerful artifact passed down through the royal family. One that allows you to look into the future.

The Queen flipped it open, but she didn’t look for her own future. She looked at her daughter’s future.

In the rippling glass an image appeared. Red, looking about the age she is now, looking happy and content. And she isn’t alone.

With her is a blue haired girl, with the fondest smile as she looks at Red… what’s more, the two were in a loving embrace. The Queen watched as the vision moved and the girls kissed sweetly.

The Queen of Hearts snapped the Looking Glass shut with an angry breath.

The same as it always has been ever since she looked years ago… her daughter with a girl. Bad enough, but she’s with a Charming. The girl looks too much like her damned mother to not be a Charming.

The Queen of Hearts has always tried to change that future… her daughter wouldn’t be rebellious, date that stupid girl. She would follow her and rule with an iron fist.

That’s a large reason why she’s punished Red so harshly…

And yet the girl still has rebellion in her, even when it only brings her more pain. Those two boys only strengthened it.

But it was no matter… Red was under her thumb. That punishment was sure to ensure such.

And besides. If it somehow did occur… if her daughter dated that Charming…

Well, the Queen of Hearts is famous for one specific phrase.

Off with her head!

Chapter Text

The guards weren’t gentle as they dragged Red back up to her room.

Hell, this was practically routine for them, and Red knew it. She just let them drag her. They dragged her by the shoulders, so her back rubbed harshly against the carpet at some points, sparking the pain all over again.

But outside of a few whimpers and screams she just barely bit back, Red didn’t react.

She was too weak to. So even if it hurt, she felt grateful for this. Because any remaining energy would have to be used on packing and bandaging herself.

The guards tossed her to the ground in her room, her back hitting the ground. Red finally let the scream and ragged sobs escape her as her back itself screamed in pain from the action. She didn’t care anymore. The guards had left the room and shut the iron door behind them, just like the one to the cell.

Her vision blurred and for several agonizing minutes, Red could only lay there, twitching and whimpering from the pain. After a while Red shakily managed to roll over so the cool air could hit her back instead of the injuries being rubbed harshly against the floor.

That was the worst punishment she had received in a long time. Maybe even years. Which was saying a lot.

“F— Fuck…” Red finally groaned out, weakly using her trembling arms to push herself to her feet, staggering and holding herself up against the dresser.

Her room was fit for a Princess. Despite everything, the Queen of Hearts did pamper her. Give her everything she wants… except for freedom.

The bars on the windows had been replaced from when she escaped. She had nice furniture. A dresser, desk, bed and closet. Plenty of black and red items, a few other colors spread here and there. It was a nice room.

Red’s sole focus right now was on the bathroom door. She took a step and nearly collapsed, making her stumble against the wall with a thud that made her need to bite her lip to hold back another scream.

Her vision went black for a moment or two and Red could only stand there, leaning heavily against the wall, gasping through the pain.

Until she heard a worried meow.

Red looked up. On her bed peering at her with bright green eyes was a familiar cat with fluffy chestnut fur. Red always knew it was her friend thanks to the huge Cheshire grin on his face. Except for now, that constant grin had a noticeable worry to it.

Red relaxed a little “H— hey, Chester… I’ve got some news.”

The cat vanished only to reappear next to her again. He meowed, almost in a chiding tone, nudging Red’s arm with a paw.

Red sighed “Yeah, okay… I’ll hop in the shower real quick… bandages and clothes?”

The cat nodded and Red stumbled over to the bathroom.

This was normal. Well… not to this degree. But the routine of patching her injuries up.

Red couldn’t even take a shower this time, she had to sit in the bathtub and let the shower water run over her as she sat there. She groaned and arched her back in pain when the warm water struck at her injuries.

She could only sit there, trembling from the pain. She couldn’t even grab the damn cloth.

A noise caught her attention and she squinted her eyes open, seeing Chester peering at her, worried. They had long passed the fact that Chester used to be a human boy. Red needed help and cat or human, Chester had no ulterior motives.

Red gives him a weak smile. “You’re a lifesaver, Chess…”

It felt humiliating, really… the fact that a cat had to help her wash her injured back. But Chester was one of three people Red trusted with her life.

Maddox Hatter, their teacher, would always be one… he looked out for her.

And Chester and Ace… her first friends. They rebelled with her and look where it got them… the newest Cheshire Cat and a card soldier.

And for what? Fun and adventure? Something that simple? 

Red will never understand that. Her two best friends… changed… taken away from her… all because they were her friends and they wanted to get away from these oppressive rules?

Red thought about that as Chester carefully helped her clean the wounds on her back… it helped distract her and keep her still when it stung like fire.

It wasn’t long before Red sat on the soft bed…  she groaned as she tried to tighten the bandages.

“Fuck…” she hisses as her injuries scream in defiance. But the princess keeps struggling to bandage herself.

Chester huffed and nudges pointedly at her hand, staring at her with those bright eyes.

Red pauses before she sighs. “Fine. You better know that you’re the only one I trust with this, Chester.”

The cat purrs at that and takes the bandages. He floated, literally floated, behind her and began to take care of her injuries.

Red had heard the stories of the Cheshire Cat. Of course she has. She faintly even remembers meeting the mischievous cat when she was a little girl…

And now, Chester is practically the new Cheshire Cat.

She’s wondered if he’s somehow related to the cat in question… but there’s also the option that makes her feel a little sick.

Did the Queen of Hearts do the same thing she did to Chester to the Cheshire Cat?

Red never had the heart to ask.

But Chester was very similar to the legendary cat. He could even float and vanish like the older cat. The only difference was that it seemed like Chester couldn’t talk.

So, they sat in silence as Chester carefully used his paws to bandage her up. Yeah… it was probably for the best that he did it. It was much less agonizing…

Red slipped her shirt on with a heavy sigh of relief once Chester finished the bandages. “Thanks, Chess… fuck, this time was bad…”

The cat whisked the first aid kit off the bed and reappeared in front of her after only seconds, tail lashing as he nuzzled his head against her… his form of hugging her now.

Red can still feel the absolute agony ripping through her… making her body shake… but Chester always helped. She slowly but ever so carefully laid back against the pillows.

Chester put his head on her stomach and looked up at her with worried and curious eyes. He didn’t need to speak for Red to get the message. ‘What happened?’

“… Auradon has sent me an invitation. And… mother said yes.”

If a cat could look completely and utterly shocked, Chester would.

“I know!” Red sighs. “But… It's all a ploy. She wants me to steal the Fairy Godmother’s wand. Destroy the seal on the rabbit hole. The punishment was so bad this time to keep me in line while I’m gone…”

Chester takes all of that in before he just nuzzles against her cheek with a purr.

Red softens at that. “Yeah… I guess I need to stop fretting, huh?” She pauses before she whispers. “Will you come with me?”

Chester perks up, tail flicking happily and his grin getting even wider as he nods eagerly.

Red smiles. “Good. I’ll need a friend… cause I’m getting that wand.”

Chester fixes her with a bewildered look.

“I know! I know…” Red groans weakly. “But… it’s my mom… if I fail her…”

Chester nuzzles comfortingly with a sad noise of his own.

Red just closes her eyes and cuddles with her friend. She can’t even stay awake… the pain running through her exhausts her and Chester is so soft and warm… the hope and fear tangling together in her chest is even warmer.

“… we’ll figure it out.” She mumbles as she starts to drift off.

Chester’s purring and the ticking of the clock on the wall guided her into sleep.

~~||~~||~~

Ben walked up the steps of King Charming and Queen Cinderella’s castle, adjusting his suit nervously. He knocked on the door and waited.

He’s been to this castle thousands of times. Chad was his childhood friend, Chloe too since she was only a year younger.

But he wasn’t here for a pleasure visit, as much as he wished otherwise.

Unfortunately, he had realized something when planning his proclamation… there was a situation with rooming.

The Isle kids were fine. Two girls, two boys. Perfect for the dorms.

But that left Red on her own.

Ben knows very well of people’s views on Wonderland. Of the Queen of Hearts specifically. Tyrant, monster, villain.

It was why Red was considered a VK.

Ben knows for a fact that there are many people who won’t agree with his proclamation. That will hate it and try to destroy it. Sadly, he knew some of his classmates could be among them.

So he couldn’t leave Red’s roommate up to chance.

He needed someone he knew he could trust. Someone kind and willing to give a second chance. A guiding hand, but not an overbearing one.

He knew exactly who he wanted to pick.

The door opened, breaking him from his thoughts. Instead of a housekeeper, a girl with bright blue hair and bright eyes smiled at him, perking up in surprise.

Chloe Charming.

“Ben! It’s so good to see you!” The princess greeted happily.

Ben smiles and hugs her. “Chloe, it really has been, hasn’t it?”

“Between Auradon Prep and your new king duties? Feels like years.” Chloe teases, letting him inside.

Ben chuckles before asking the question he can’t get out of his head. “I didn’t think you would be the one answering the door.”

“I was passing through.” Chloe chuckles, glancing at the maids who were greeting Ben as well, the king returning a polite wave. “I just finished up some sword practice for the day.”

“Ready for swords and shields?”

“Can’t sign up as a first year, but next year? You better be ready, Ben.”

Ben laughs. “You and Lonnie might need to compete for the captain role.”

“Sounds like fun!” Chloe laughs too, turning to face him fully. “If you’re here to visit Chad, that won’t be possible for a few hours. Dad and Chad went horse riding.” Chloe smiles, starting to walk and gesturing for Ben to follow. “I wanted to spend some time with mom.”

Ben chuckles as he traces the familiar halls. “Then do you mind if I join you and Queen Cinderella? I have something to talk about.”

Chloe gives him a knowing and teasing look. “Ah, royal duties, future king?”

“Unfortunately.” Ben jokes back. “But fortunately it’s my own personal project.”

“Personal project?” Chloe says, walking with him through the halls. “Color me intrigued.”

“I’ll tell you more when we’re sitting with Queen Cinderella.” Ben promises.

Chloe leads him to a nice room with comfortable couches and chairs, a table set up with snacks and drinks. Clearly a room lived in and loved.

Cinderella was sitting on one of the couches, thanking a maid for the tea.

She smiles when she sees Ben with Chloe. “Prince Ben. It’s always a pleasure to see you.”

She stands up and greets the young man, who laughs. “Queen Cinderella, you’ve known me since I was a little kid. You know you can call me Ben.”

“Oh, but now you’ll be king in a few months, Ben.” Cinderella smiles teasingly. “It’s only proper. But if you insist, you know full well that you can just call me Ella.”

“Of course, Ella.”

The three sit down together, starting to enjoy the treats and tea left for them, the maids leaving them to privacy.

“So, Ben. What do we owe this visit?” Cinderella asks curiously “Chad and Charming are out, I’m afraid.”

Ben nods. “Chloe let me know. They don’t need to be here for this. This is actually a question for Chloe, and I figured it would be better for a parent to be here too.”

Cinderella looks curious and Chloe perks up. “Wait, I’m involved in your personal project?”

Ben nods. “It’s about my proclamation… I will be presenting it to the council later this week, but I want to get things in order before it’s confirmed.”

“Smart steps.” Cinderella nods approvingly. “And Chloe is involved with your proclamation?”

“Not fully…” Ben chuckles quietly. “You see, my proclamation is to bring over four children from the Isle.”

Chloe and Cinderella can’t help but exchange a shocked look. The royals so rarely discuss the Isle… but now Prince Ben wishes to bring children over.

“I just think that the kids deserve a chance.” Ben explains swiftly when he sees the looks on their faces. “They never participated in their parents’ sins… why do they deserve to be casted aside? All they did was be born…”

There’s a moment of quiet before Chloe smiles and gently nudges his shoulder. “You always have been interested in the Isle…”

Ben blushes. “Not that interested.”

Cinderella smiles too. “It is a good point… which parents are you thinking of?”

“Cruella De Vil, Jafar, Evil Queen, and Maleficent.”

Chloe flinched a little. “Isn’t that starting off a little strong?”

“Maybe…” Ben sighs. “But aren’t they the ones who need it the most?”

Chloe looks a little conflicted. “Yeah… and I’m proud of you, Ben. Just… are you sure about this?”

Ben sits a little straighter. “I’m positive. Everyone deserves a second chance.”

Cinderella nods, sending her daughter a soft smile. “Ben is right, Sweetheart… besides, I was raised by a villain, wasn’t I?”

Chloe fumbled a little, blushing. “I… I mean… she was only your Stepmother?”

Cinderella chuckles. “Maybe… but still, keep an open mind, Chloe. Children can’t help the environment they're raised in. The Isle kids could come over and be evil, but they haven’t been around anything different.”

Chloe takes that in and nods, brightening. “So letting them come over and seeing good could help them.”

“Exactly, hon.” Cinderella smiles proudly.

“So… you both support it?” Ben asks nervously.

Cinderella nods. “Completely.”

Chloe smiles brightly. “I trust you, Ben. If you think this is right, I’m with you.”

Ben relaxes and gives them a bright, thankful smile. “Thank you, both of you.”

“Of course.” Cinderella smiles back comfortingly. “Now, you said you want Chloe to play a role in your proclamation?”

Ben nods. “Yes… you see, alongside the four Isle Kids, I wish to invite Princess Red of Wonderland to Auradon Prep as well.”

Chloe tilts her head, curious… but out of the corner of her eye, she sees her mom. A range of emotions Chloe can’t single out crosses Cinderella’s face.

What was that? It was so odd… she didn’t have a reaction like that to the Isle Kids… was that sadness? Longing?

But Cinderella settles on a tiny smile. “Wonderland alongside the Isle… you have big dreams, Ben.”

“You support that one too?” Ben asks hopefully.

“I do.” Cinderella nods. “Now, how does Chloe play into inviting Princess Red?”

Chloe forgets the expression on her mom’s face for now, curiosity taking over as she looks at Ben.

Ben turns his attention to Chloe, smiling. “Well, the Isle kids have easy room arrangements. Two girls and two boys. But Princess Red… she doesn’t have anyone to room with her.”

Chloe’s eyes widen. “You… want me to room with her?”

“Only if you’re willing.” Ben nods. “The Isle kids will be starting in their second year, with some adjustments, of course. But, except for Cruella De Vil's son, Princess Red is a year younger than them. I would like someone her age to room with her, so I couldn’t ask Lonnie or Jane. And you are always nice and welcoming, but you also keep to the rules. I think you’re perfect.”

Chloe is stunned.

Ben is trusting her with something this huge?

Rooming with the kid of a villain sounds challenging… but Red is from Wonderland, not the Isle. Maybe Chloe could make a new friend! She has always been interested in Wonderland.

“Mom?” Chloe looks at Cinderella, wanting her thoughts.

Cinderella considers it for a moment before smiling softly and shaking her head. “I want this to be your decision, Chloe. You’re growing up. If you want to room with her, then I approve. If you don’t want to, then that’s alright.”

Chloe hesitates, taking that in and thinking it over for a long moment.

After a minute, she takes a deep breath and looks at Ben with a smile. She desperately hopes this won’t blow up in her face. That Red will be fun to room with. You never know unless you try.

“I’ll do it.”

~~||~~||~~

“Now, remember what I told you, My Heart.”

The Queen of Hearts walked a step in front of her daughter, the girl right behind and to her left.

Red was paler than usual, but in Auradon it could be chalked up to makeup or Wonderland differences. Over the years she had gotten very used to handling the pain.

And her mother wasn’t a complete monster. Wonderland had some spells and creams. Her mother almost never gave them to her. But she had them applied to Red over the course of  yesterday by maids. Red had no choice, but she wasn’t about to turn it down if asked.

It helped. The injuries were closed, but tender. Easy to open back up if she was too rough, but not actively bleeding out. Scars would certainly be left behind. A warning left on her body.

Exactly what Red knew her mother wanted.

“Red!”

Red snapped from her thoughts and flinched, looking at her mother. The Queen of Hearts scowled at her. Usually such a shout would be accompanied by some sort of hit or slap… but the Queen wanted no visible marks today.

The people of Wonderland wouldn’t bat an eye. Auradon would.

“Yes, mother?” Red stands a little straighter when she sees the dangerous gleam in her mother’s eyes.

The Queen of Hearts can’t help but roll her eyes. “Such a disgrace. You’re lucky you need to be leaving now or there would certainly be punishment.”

And despite the punishment the other night, and the fear of further abuse, the knowledge that her Mother was in a good mood and couldn’t leave visible marks made Red a little bolder.

She ducked her head submissively in fear, but under her breath she muttered. “Guess you’ll be losing your favorite pastime.”

“What was that, My Heart?” The Queen snaps.

Red glares at the ground. “… Nothing.”

“That’s what I thought.” The Queen huffs before gesturing to a guard. “Now, before you go, I have a parting gift.”

The guard steps forward, holding a card out to the Queen of Hearts. She takes it and holds it out for Red to take.

Red’s eyes flew wide and she shakily took the card. “Is… is this…?”

“Your friend?” Her Mother smirks. “Yes, it is.”

Red immediately holds the card close to her chest, but she fixes the Queen with a suspicious look. “… Why are you giving him back? You’ve never done that before.”

“You need a guard, don’t you?” The Queen hums dismissively. “Don’t get too excited, he’s still a soldier. Only once your job is complete will I turn him back.”

“… Yes, mom…”

“Ah.” The Queen stares at her. “Important agreement.”

“… yes, My Queen.”

The Queen of Hearts puts a gentle hand on her cheek. Red simultaneously wants to rip away and melt into the affection. “That’s a good girl. Jack of Diamonds will drive you to the rabbit hole. He’ll show you what to do from there.”

Red carefully hides a grimace at the name, shooting a wary glance at the mentioned head of the guard. “… Of course.”

The Queen of Hearts tilts her head up by the chin. “Remember your mission, My Heart. And remember the consequences if you fail.”

“Yes, My Queen.” Red says easily, straightening a little.

She won’t fail.

If she fails, she will become a toy of torture and abuse before being inevitably executed.

But if she succeeds? Her mother will be proud. She’ll have Ace and Chester back. She’ll have less punishments. Maybe… she can start being herself more. Maybe her mother will accept her.

So Red refuses to fail.

The Queen of Hearts gives a wicked smile. “ That’s my good girl. I knew that lesson would be perfect. Do make sure to hide those injuries while they heal. I don’t want those ‘heroes’ asking questions.” 

Red can’t help but huff. “I know how to hide my injuries, Mother…”

“Then make sure of it. And Red?”

Red fixes a confused look on her mother. “Yes, Mother?”

The Queen of Hearts gains a stormy, malicious glare. Red instinctively flinched back. That glare always means Red has fucked up in the worst way possible. That there will be hell to pay.

“Do not waste your time on silly things like friendship or love.” The Queen hisses. “I will know if you are doing either. And I refuse to have my daughter getting distracted by such useless things.”

Red stares at her… she doesn’t want to admit it, but frankly… She's terrified.

“ Red?” Her mother snaps at the lack of response.

“I… o— of course, My Queen…” Red says weakly, raising her head higher. Trying to seem more confident. “No friendships or love. I swear it.”

The Queen of Hearts relaxes and pats her cheek. “Good girl. Run along now, we don’t want you to be late.”

Red nods and turns. She gets in the car with Jack of Diamonds, sending a glance back at her mother. She’s met with a dark smile, one just daring her to step out of line.

… fine.

Red takes a deep breath and settles in her seat as the car sets in motion.

She will do this. She’ll get Chester and Ace back. She’ll finally earn her mother’s love instead of hate.

Besides, she’s not about to make friends with people from Auradon. They’re weak.

Chester and Ace are her only friends. They showed her the price of it.

And Red won’t make that mistake again.

Chapter Text

The rabbit hole was incredible!

Red felt a sense of wonder and adventure, racing through her as a surge of adrenaline, as she fell down. Or flew up, in this instance. But this is Wonderland! And with the rabbit hole you exit as you enter, falling.

The items whizzed past her, coming startling close.

But Red laughed.

This was what Wonderland should be! Laughter and adventure around every twisting corner. Tea parties and smiles.

She kept her footing and bounded from object to object and dodged other objects with surprising ease.

And for a moment, the agonizing pain in her back could be ignored. Red’s run around and caused havoc with unhealed injuries before.

The adrenaline coupled with the creams and remedies that had been used on it yesterday made all of the pain fade away.

And Red felt truly free.

She laughed, passing an odd portrait, ducking under a chair and sliding along a piano that was several sizes too long, raking her fingers along the piano keys as she went.

It went on and on. Red almost wished it didn’t end.

Until finally she reached the other end.

With an ease that almost felt instinctive, Red landed on her feet outside the rabbit hole, only stumbling a little bit catching her footing quick enough. The pain sparked in her back again but Red was still so giddy… she refused to let it bother her. Not yet.

Red immediately couldn’t help but stare at the forest around her.

It looked similar to Wonderland’s forests, lush and green. But Wonderland always had a darker touch. And where were the large mushrooms? The trees looked a little smaller too. There weren’t even any flowers with faces… And Red couldn’t spot the usual creatures.

In fact, she could have sworn she saw a rabbit running further into the forest. It didn’t wear clothes or carry a pocket watch or even talk.

Instead, she spotted a small group of guards, about five of them, all donning blue and yellow.

Red tenses, taking a step back towards the rabbit hole, but before she could bolt the lead guard bows.

“Princess Red of Wonderland.” He says, voice filled with authority but having a touch of apprehension and… softness? Like he was trying to avoid scaring her. “We are proud to welcome you to Auradon.”

Okay. Not threatening right off the bat. Red can handle that. 

“Proud… That’s why you’re a group of guards with weapons?” She says slowly, defaulting to her usual manner of speaking. Sarcasm. Her mother isn’t here, what’s the harm?

The guards all look a little embarrassed, one or two look a little angry and nervous. Those two definitely don’t want her in Auradon.

The lead guard simply chuckles. “Unfortunately, Princess, yes. Wonderland is a strange land to us. We wanted to be safe over sorry.”

Red tilts her head with a smirk. “Safe? Against the card guards I’d say so. The Jabberwocky or a Bandersnatch? That’s debatable.”

That got them all looking nervous.

The lead guard shakes off his nerves. “Princess Red, the transport that's picking up the four kids from the Isle will be stopping by to pick you up as well, it’s for the best that we meet them.”

Red perked up a little. The Isle kids, huh? Well, it would be an interesting car ride, that’s to be sure.

At least she could gauge how dangerous they are.

The Queen of Hearts isn’t a patient woman, but she understands how these things can go. She would begrudgingly accept the fact that Red needs to adapt to this environment and learn before getting to work.

So she wouldn’t make any moves yet.

For now? She would learn more about Auradon and the people she would be dealing with. Their dangers or the dangers of the environment.

So Red gives a fake smile. Sarcastic or not, she needs to be pleasant enough that they don’t ship her back home immediately.

Failure is not an option.

“Sounds like a good plan. And please, call me Red.” Red says.

“Of course, Red.” The lead guard dips his head respectfully. He glances at the two bags on either side of Red. “Would you like some help with your bags.”

Red tenses. Saying no could be seen as ungrateful… but like hell did she want these strangers near her stuff.

“I’ve got them.” She says firmly, taking a gamble.

The guards just nod. Honestly, Red can’t help but be slightly dumbfounded.

Huh… they must be scared of her mother’s reputation. That’s how it always went.

Red just follows them, glancing around at her surroundings as she walks. Curiouser and curiouser… this place already seemed so much tamer compared to Wonderland. That in itself made it odd.

They reached a paved road and came to a stop. Red just kept looking around curiously.

She’s always loved adventuring. Wonderland was filled with possible adventures! The only reason she didn’t do it even more often was because of her mother.

Auradon is just a whole new place to explore. Setting aside any responsibilities, Red can feel a rush of excitement at the idea.

She’ll get the wand, sure. But she’s gonna explore while she does it.

Red just keeps switching between looking around curiously and studying the guards while they wait. Thankfully, it’s only a few minutes before the limo arrives.

Red only then lets them take the bags, watching as they’re put in the trunk, before going to the door, which the head guard opened for her, giving her a respectful nod.

Red didn’t return it, she just climbed into the back of the limo, finding four pairs of eyes looking at her warily. Red shot that same look right back at them.

The four Isle kids… Red wasn’t sure what to make of them.

They were looking back at her with wary stares Red knew personally. Looks of suspicion, scanning a possible threat and seeing what it could do.

Red was looking at them in the exact same way.

None of them paid attention to the driver as Red settled in her seat, in the corner, away from them all. The driver closed the door and the car set into motion again a moment later.

The blue haired girl breaks the tension with a thin smile. “Princess Red? I’m Princess Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen.”

Red stares blankly for a moment. She’s never interacted with royals aside from her mother.

Red swiftly pulls herself back together and smiles thinly right back. “In the flesh. And it’s just Red.”

“Right, Red.” Evie nods, smiling. This was going better than Red expected. “This is Mal, daughter of Maleficent.”

Mal just crossed her arms and glares at Red. Red only stares back at her, tilting her head.

“And that’s Jay, Jafar’s son, and Carlos, Cruella De Vil’s son.” Evie finishes.

Jay and Carlos were largely focused on the treats they were eating, but still fixed her with wary looks.

Red stares at them, amused, looking at Carlos in particular. “You’ve got a little something on your lips.”

Carlos blinks, confused, and licks his lip. He tastes the chocolate and just shrugs, still giving her a wary look.

Red can see easily that they’ve positioned themselves a little between her and Carlos. He must be the youngest. Or the weakest, physically anyways. Anything is possible.

“So, Wonderland.” Mal speaks up out of nowhere, staring her down with emerald green eyes. A fake smile traces her lips. “Beyond the rabbit hole, huh?”

“Beyond the rabbit hole. And you’re from the Isle?” Red shoots back that exact same smile.

Honestly, she isn’t intimidated by Mal. Her mother is far scarier. Red is wary, sure, but not scared. The girl hasn’t even done anything threatening other than a stare that doesn’t compare to the Queen of Hearts’. Besides… they’re the same age as her. Dangerous, sure, but authority figures are always more threatening.

“Yep.” Mal answers simply, the tension between both sides filling the air.

“What’s it like?” Evie interrupts.

Red does have to hide a flinch at that.

What’s Wonderland like? Ruled and oppressed by tyranny. Beheadings on the daily. A Queen who’s temper was easy to strike.

Red was not going down that particular rabbit hole.

Instead, Red shakes her head. “This small talk is awkward. Let’s cut to the chase.”

All four snap to attention. The ‘oblivious’ Jay and Carlos zero back in on her.

“Cut to the chase?” Jay’s eyes narrow, perceiving it as a threat.

Red leans forward, wicked smirk on her lips. “You four stay out of my way… I’ll stay out of yours.”

All four’s eyes widen before they narrow and Mal leans forward too. “What was that?”

“You heard me.” Red whispers, well aware of the driver in the front. “You and I both know your parents would never just let you go to Auradon freely. Neither would my mother. So you work on your thing, I work on mine. Deal?”

Red holds out a hand, smirking like the Cheshire Cat.

Mal’s eyes flash green and she contemplates it for a moment before she shakes the girl’s hand. “Deal.” Mal growls back.

“Perfect.” Red smiles in content, leaning back against her seat. Her injuries burned but she’s learned to ignore it over the years. Life doesn’t stop because of some injuries.

Besides, she isn’t about to show weakness to her competition.

They’re back to the uncomfortable silence when Red glances at the array of treats, finally taking it in fully.

… Her mother long outlawed treats. Candy, pastries, anything sweet.

She only had them when she was rebelling alongside Chester and Ace… and well, that didn’t end well, did it?

Except… her mother isn’t here. She’s back in Wonderland, sealed away behind the rabbit hole… but… her mother has eyes everywhere. Who’s to say they don’t exist in Auradon too? She literally threatened that. And the Queen doesn’t make empty threats.

“… would you like one?”

Red’s gaze snaps to Evie. The girl was smiling nervously. It was almost like she was nervous about giving away food. That or nervous about Red… but the girl seemed stronger than that.

“E.” Mal hisses, grabbing her arm.

“There’s plenty, Mal. There’s bound to be more at this school.” Evie whispers back.

“I mean… she agreed to keep our secret if we keep hers.” Jay mutters, the four acting like Red isn’t even there. “Might as well.”

Mal growls but backs down.

Evie smiles at that and goes back to offering the candy she held in her hand.

Red stares at it. It wasn’t uncommon for situations like this to be a massive trick.

Trick someone into taking the sweets and in return they get punished. Red experienced it first hand once. Her mother had been far from happy.

Red shrinks away from it at the memory.

“… treats are outlawed in Wonderland.” Red mutters, crossing her arms.

Mal scoffs, finally looking at Red fully again. “Royal life wasn’t so great, Princess?”

Red’s eye twitches. But she forces on a dangerous smile. “Worse than you think.”

What the fuck did they know anyways? The Isle didn’t have any rules. They were free to run around and cause havoc as they pleased.

And yet… they were treating these sweets like this was the first time they ever had them. Red wasn’t naive to the way they were protecting this stash.

“Well, you aren’t in Wonderland anymore, Princess.” Mal says. “And we aren’t on the Isle. Live a little.”

Red’s eyes narrow. Huh. That tone screamed that they had more to deal with themselves. But what the hell could be a problem on the Isle?

Red glances around. All four are staring at her… but Red knows for sure these four aren’t in league with her Mother. They’re practically enemies. The limo’s windows are tinted and the driver’s partition is up fully. Nobody can see.

So… Red takes the candy.

She takes a wary bite… and she can’t help the way her eyes light up. It’s even better than the few treats she managed to sneak back in Wonderland!

Any etiquette, which Red never cared about in the first place, thank you very much, is thrown right out the window.

She doesn’t get chocolate around her mouth like the boys, but she promptly snatched three more pieces before the other teens could stop her.

She can feel the surprised gazes on her. Guess they thought the Princess had been joking about the law.

Red shoots them a glare. “What? At least I’m not getting it all over me like Carlos over there.”

They all finally looked away and focused back on each other at that… but Red could still feel the wary and confused looks.

She shot the looks right back at them every so often, but for the most part, she focused on the candy.

This might be the last chance for a truly secure space.

Red wasn’t gonna waste it.

~~||~~||~~

Okay, Chloe was starting to get excited.

The VKs were set to get there later that day and Chloe was in the middle of unpacking and setting up her room.

Her and Red’s room.

Princess Red of Wonderland… Chloe wondered what she was like!

She’s heard plenty of stories of Wonderland. Of how Alice saved it before the Queen of Hearts took back over again. That was when the tension between Wonderland and Auradon really started.

Other than that there wasn’t too much known except for the fantastical stories of the place.

It sounded so adventurous!

Chloe wanted to be a good roommate, so she kept her items to one side of the room, keeping the other side ready for Red.

Her own side was already fully decorated as she pleased, Blue with some other colors mingled in. Chloe wanted to try and decorate Red’s side… be welcoming… but she didn’t want to overstep either. So she just touched it up, made sure it was cleaned and prepared. Red could decorate it as she pleased later on.

Chloe was just finishing putting the last few items away when the door slammed open, making her jump and instinctively go for her sword.

“You’re rooming with a Villain’s Kid?!”

Chloe let out a breath of relief, hand coming up to her chest. “Gods, Chad! You scared me!”

Chad doesn’t even address that, he closes the door behind him and spins to face her, looking a mix of worried and angry. “You agreed to room with the kid of a villain?!”

Chloe sighs heavily. “Chad—“

“Not happening! Why did you not even tell me?!”

Chloe stares him down and crosses her arms. “This. This is why I didn’t tell you.”

Chad huffs. “You are going to Ben and telling him no!”

“Wh—?!” Chloe stares at him like he’s grown a second head. “Chad, that’s not happening!”

“Why not?!”

“Well, for one, they’re getting here in like two hours!”

Chad starts for the door. “Then I’ll talk to Ben myself!”

Chloe glared and grabs his arm, turning him back around. “Chad! Why are you freaking out?!”

Chad looks at her like it should be obvious. “Uh, because it’s a villain kid?! You know, evil?!”

Chloe firmly places herself between Chad and the door so he can’t run off and confront Ben. “Okay, this is not happening.”

“I’m your older brother, Chloe! I’m protecting you!”

“Chad!” Chloe snaps. “I’m only a year younger! And I’m going to Auradon Prep just like you are now!”

“Chloe, your new roommate was raised by villains!” Chad yells.

“And so was Mom!” Chloe shouts right back.

Both of them pause, staring at each other.

Chloe ducks her head. “I don’t need your protection anymore, Chad.” Chloe mumbles. “I’m growing up, just like you are. Besides… mom agreed to let me do this.”

Chad gapes. “W— what?”

“You heard me.” Chloe raises her head to stare at him. “Mom agreed. And maybe these kids were raised by villains, but that doesn’t mean that’s all they are.”

Chad stares at her, processing. After a minute he just stands up. “Fine. But I warned you, Chloe!”

Chloe scowls. “Chad. Leave them alone.”

Chad just scoffs and practically shoves past her to get through the door again.

Chloe let him go, knowing he wasn’t going to go to Ben anymore. If anything he would call their parents, but Chloe doubted he would even do that.

She loves Chad, really she does… but he’s become so self-centered and selfish!

She just shakes her head and goes back to finishing up her tidying of the room.

Chad will come around. Surely.

~~||~~||~~

Alright, Red would admit it. As annoying and dangerous as these four were, they were extremely amusing.

With the stealing? They spoke her language.

And then Carlos and Jay fighting over stuff? Red wouldn’t admit it out loud, but it was pretty funny. Especially when the limo door opened behind Carlos, sending both of them sprawling out onto the ground, still fighting.

However, the moment she caught sight of the crowd, Red’s laughter cut off.

Fuck… she did not do well with crowds. Especially not crowds that had their full attention on her.

Crowds staring up at her, where she was sitting beside her mother. Fear was on their faces as they awaited that day’s executions. There was fear, but also barely concealed hate.

Red always knew that she was just as feared and hated as her mother.

Her mother sat tall and proud, smiling wickedly at the crowd. There were three people lined up at the executioner’s block.

The Queen smiled as she ran a hand through Red’s hair. “My Heart… I think it’s time for you to start calling the executions.”

Red’s gaze snapped back up to her mother. “W— what?”

“You need to learn eventually… go on. You know what to do.”

Red felt sick. Like she could throw up right then and there. “M— mother, I…”

“Do it, Red.” The Queen’s voice darkened. She looked at the bruise already on Red’s jaw and the black eye the girl wore. “Or do you want to have another lesson?”

Red froze. After a moment she shakily nodded and looked over the crowd. She inhaled sharply and raised her voice to shout the words her mother always happily declared—

“We have an audience!”

Red snapped from the memory when she heard Mal hiss to Jay and Carlos. Red swallowed heavily, the wounds on her back and old scars alike aching.

Gods, she hates crowds…

She keeps up the appearance, keeps her head raised, but she can’t help the way she edges behind Evie a little. She sees the girl glance back at her, confused. Red just shoots her a warning scowl.

“Leave it like you found it!” A woman was saying with a clearly strained cheeriness. “And by that I mean just leave it.”

Red focused on the conversation, focusing on the voices to keep those damn memories at bay.

What did Maddox always say? Breathe in… hold… breathe out…

Red steadily starts to calm her breathing, focusing on the conversation in front of her to smash away the memories of the past.

Jay and Carlos reluctantly threw the items back into the limo. Despite it all, Red’s hitched breathing was broken up by a strained but amused snicker at the reluctance on their faces.

Focus on the present. Focus on how amusing these four enemies were. Don’t focus on the past. Don’t focus on your mission here just yet.

Hell, the other four looked uneasy at the attention too. That was a bit of small comfort. At least Red wasn’t the only one.

She was calmed further by watching Jay trying to flirt with the girl in front of them. And promptly getting shot down by the most uneasy laugh possible and the woman next to them leaning over to get his attention.

Red’s breathing steadied. Jay clearly wasn’t used to being rejected. So much for charisma.

Then, the woman gives them a beaming, welcoming smile. “I’m Fairy Godmother. Headmistress!”

Red’s attention immediately snaps back fully to the present.

Fairy Godmother.

She was the one who wielded the wand. This lady must be the key to getting that wand.

“ The Fairy Godmother?” Mal asks, voicing Red’s thoughts. “As in… ‘bibbidi-bobbidi-boo?’”

Fairy Godmother smiles proudly. “Bibbidi-bobbidi you know it!”

“Yeah! I always wondered what it felt like for Cinderella when you just appeared out of nowhere!” Mal says. “With that sparkling wand and warm smile!”

Red stares at her. Holy shit, this girl was going to get them thrown back home. Then again, that tone was pretty convincing and these people didn’t know about the ulterior motives…

Fairy Godmother looked flattered and warmed by the compliments.

“And that sparkling wand!” Mal repeats.

And Red promptly wants to bash her head against the wall. Maybe if she knocks herself out she won’t have to deal with being sent home and being executed.

Well, on the plus side, now she knows for sure that these four have the same orders as she does.

“That was a long time ago. And as I always say, ‘don’t focus on the past or you’ll miss the future!’” Fairy Godmother grins at them.

… okay. Maybe this would be easier than Red thought.

Glancing at Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos, she could see the exact same thought running through their heads.

The boy on one side of Fairy Godmother steps forward. He wore a soft smile, even softer than the Fairy Godmother’s. A smile that was too genuine to be real.

“It’s so good to finally meet you all.” The boy says warmly. “I’m Ben.”

The girl that Jay tried flirting with is immediately stepping to his side and wrapping her arms around his. “ Prince Benjamin! Soon to be king!”

Ben looked completely and utterly uncomfortable at that, making Red furrow her brows. They must be dating or something. Betrothed? Red knows she herself is probably betrothed. Or will be, if she isn’t already.

But if they’re dating then why the fuck does Ben look like he wants to be anywhere else?

Red doesn’t have time to fully put thought into that idea.

She jumps slightly when Evie practically slides forward, removing any barrier Red had against the crowd. Red refuses to look at said crowd. She was not spiraling on her first damn day in Auradon.

“You had me at Prince.” Evie says, breathlessly. She gives a flawless courtesy. “My mom’s a Queen… which makes me a princess.”

“The Evil Queen has no royal status here.” The girl beside Ben gives Evie a sickly sweet smile. “And neither do you.”

Red can’t see Evie’s face, but she can see the girl’s body language, the way she falters and takes a step back.

Red doesn’t know why she does it. She doesn’t care about the four. She just met them and they’re the enemy!

And yet, Red scoffs and rolls her eyes without realizing, muttering under her breath. “She seems more like a Princess than you are.”

Everyone’s gaze snaps to her, making Red bristle a little. She did not mean to say that out loud.

The girl who insulted Evie stares at her. “Excuse me?”

And fuck the crowd making her nervous. Red’s dealt with her mom for years. Does this little brat really think she’s intimidating?

Red gives her own false smile. “You heard what I said. At least she isn’t passive aggressive to guests.”

She can feel the surprised looks from the other four and from everyone around them in general, Evie in particular looks dumbfounded.

“Uhm, this is Audrey.” Ben interrupts before tensions can climb any higher, gesturing to the brat.

“ Princess Audrey!” Audrey interrupts, giving Red the most passive aggressive smile she’s ever seen. She takes Ben’s hand, softening a little. “His girlfriend!”

But then Audrey gives him a more serious look. “Right, Bennyboo?”

Red hates this girl more and more by the second. And glancing over at Mal, it’s clear she isn’t the only one.

“Ben and Audrey are going to show you all around!” Fairy Godmother interrupts the high tension with a smile. “And I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Before Red can fully process, the woman makes a wide gesture with her arms. “The doors to wisdom are never shut!”

Red instinctively flinches backwards, ready for a hit to come. They always came without warning from the Queen of Hearts too.

But it doesn’t.

“ But the library hours are from eight to eleven and as you may have heard I have a little thing about curfews.” Fairy Godmother says with a tiny smile, lowering her hands.

Red fights the urge to bolt, heart pounding in her chest.

But the woman is walking away before she has to make the choice. Red relaxes slowly as the woman distances herself. The crowd disperses too, thank gods.

Red takes the deep breaths again, steadily hiding her lowering panic as the five of them are left alone with Ben and Audrey.

No crowd and no adult authority figures. Alright. Red can handle that.

Ben steps forward with a bright smile “It is so, so, so good to finally meet you all.” He says happily. He steps towards Jay for a handshake and promptly gets punched in the chest.

Ben backs away with a grunt, but still smiles nervously. He clearly takes the grin on Jay’s face to mean it was his own kind of greeting.

He steps to Mal and shakes her hand. Red raises a brow, watching as the Prince freezes and stares at Mal, almost like he’s in a daze, before clearing his throat. “This is a momentous occasion!”

He moves to Carlos, shaking his hand. “And one that I hope… will go down in history…” Ben trails off, looking down at his hand and the chocolate around Carlos’s lips. “Is… that chocolate?” He asks, amused. Carlos doesn’t even offer a response.

So Ben moves to Evie, continuing with his speech from where he left off. “As the day our people began to heal!”

He finally reaches Red and gives her a polite nod, holding out his hand for a handshake. Red stares blankly. Mother always taught her that as the royals of Wonderland, they’re above others. They only accept bows and kneeling, not something like a handshake.

“Wonderland, the Isle, and Auradon. Today our homes will begin to unite, marking today as a new path forward.” Ben seems nervous at having the handshake rejected and Audrey, out of sight from Ben, sends Red a glare.

Red just glares back at her.

“Or!” Mal pipes up. “The day you showed five people where the bathrooms are!”

Ben smiles and moves back to Mal. “A little over the top?” He asks.

Mal hums. “A little more than a little bit.”

Ben just chuckles. “Well, so much for my first impression.”

Him and Mal stare at each other and Red can only stare at them awkwardly. The others clearly feel awkward too. Even the brat does.

… okay, what the hell is going on with those two? Red stares at them like they’re some kind of puzzle. They pretty much were at this point.

“Hey!” Audrey suddenly breaks into the conversation, making Mal’s green gaze snap to her. “You’re Maleficent’s daughter, aren’t you?” She doesn’t even wait for a response before continuing. “Yeah, you know what? I totally do not blame you for your mother trying to kill my parents and stuff!”

Well damn, okay then. Red stares at Mal and Audrey with renewed interest, honestly waiting for one to lunge at the other.

This just got way more entertaining.

Realization suddenly clicks in Mal’s eyes as Audrey continues with that strained smile. “Oh, my mom’s Aurora! Sleeping—!”

“Beauty!” Mal cuts her off with her own passive aggressive smile. “Yeah, I’ve heard the name.”

The other three Isle kids look ready to grab Mal if they have to, sending glances at each other. Red just watches the two with a smirk.

“You know, and I totally do not blame your grandparents for inviting everyone in the whole world, but my mother, to their stupid christening.” Mal matches Audrey’s tone completely.

“Water under the bridge!”

“Totes!”

Red cringed at the completely fake laughter that followed. “Yeah, I really feel the honesty here!”

Both girls shoot glares at her.

“Okay!” Ben claps his hand with the tensest smile on his face. “How about a tour?”

Red isn’t ashamed to admit she zoned most of it out. Her back aches, the tension is clear in the air, and she’s admittedly still getting over the crowd and Fairy Godmother.

The scream that escapes Carlos at the sight of the changing statue snaps her out of it and very nearly triggers Red until she spots the teen in Jay’s arms, staring at the statue with complete and utter terror on his face.

“Carlos, it’s okay!” Ben laughs as he soothes the boy. “My father wanted his statue to turn from Beast to man, to remind us that anything is possible.”

“Does he shed much?” Mal asks immediately.

“Yeah, mom won’t let him on the couch.” Ben jokes, Mal glancing at him with a surprised look.

Red smirks. “Hey, maybe he’s part Bandersnatch.”

“Bandersnatch?” Jay asks, dropping Carlos and nudging him away.

Red smiles mischievously. “A wild beast. Kinda looks like a bear or dog. Let’s just say you don’t wanna meet one.”

Carlos whimpers and shifts closer to Jay again, who groans. Red just chuckles, moving to walk ahead of them as they keep moving.

“So…” Mal clears her throat as they get into a building, students milling around and shooting them looks that Red does her best to ignore. “You guys have a lot of magic here in Auradon? Like wands and spells? Stuff like that?”

“Yeah, it exists, of course.” Ben acknowledges with a smile. “But it’s pretty much retired. Most of us here are just ordinary mortals.”

“Except a lot of us are royals with our Royal blood going back hundreds of years!” Audrey gives a much more aggressive smile. She looks pointedly at Evie and then turns her attention to Red. “You could fit right in! Well, if you look a little less like a Wonderland savage.”

Red’s eye twitches but she masks it with a tense smile herself. “Savage, huh?”

“I mean, everyone knows it.” Audrey shrugs, like she didn’t mean to say that. Even when it was very obvious that she did. “Wonderland is mad! Filled with weird beasts and rules! And so much unchecked magic!”

“Please.” Red barks a laugh. “At least we don’t chain down magic. For all the rules my mom enforces, at least she doesn’t meddle with natural magic.”

The four other VKs look at her with renewed interest. Audrey falters, looking annoyed, and Ben gives her a curious look. “Wonderland is free with magic?”

“Oh, it’s the one thing my mother never slapped rules onto.” Red gives a knowing smirk. “If there’s one thing you should know? Magic does not like being restricted.”

Ben looks completely intrigued and like he wants to ask more, when he spots someone on the stairs. “Oh, Doug! Come join us.”

Ben beckons for a boy to join them. The boy, wearing glasses and holding a clipboard in hand, joins them.

“Everyone, this is Doug.” Ben introduces with a proud smile. “He’s gonna help you with your schedules and introduce you to the dorms.” He looks around and frowns. “Have you seen Chloe? I asked her to be here…”

“She needed to drop something off back in her room.” Doug answers easily. “She should—!”

“Ben!”

The group looks as a girl comes hurrying over.

Red can’t help but stare. This girl looks insanely different to the other Auradon kids she’s seen around here. They all wore simple clothing and their hair was all basic colors.

But this girl has long, curly blue hair and was wearing clothes just as fancy as the rest of Auradon… except it absolutely broke the gender norms Auradon immediately seemed keen on following.

Pants instead of a skirt and her outfit overall was geared more towards athleticism than aesthetic. It actually seemed to combine both.

Damn… this girl was actually kinda pretty. She was definitely more interesting than other kids around here so far.

“Sorry I’m late!” Chloe says, flushed and a little breathless from the clear hurry she had been in to get here. “I needed to drop my sword off in my room. Fairy Godmother said I can’t take it to classes.”

Ben just smiles. “No worries, you have perfect timing.”

Doug is smiling too but Audrey is looking at Chloe with another one of those tense smiles, even if it’s softer than the one she gave those VKs. Red absently wonders if the brat doesn’t approve of the clothes and hair.

“Guys, this is Chloe Charming.” Ben introduces.

Chloe gives them a bright smile, practically bounding forward, taking all five of them off guard. “Hi! I’m Chloe, daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming! It’s so nice to meet you guys!”

Seeing that the VKs are overwhelmed Ben chuckles and puts a hand on Chloe’s shoulder to calm her. “Princess Red, Chloe is going to be your roommate.”

Red stares at him wide eyed. “She’s my what now?”

Ben just smiles. “Your roommate. Jay and Carlos and then Mal and Evie are able to room together. It’s two people per room, separated by gender. But you needed a roommate too. So, I asked Chloe here. I trust her to be a great roommate.”

Chloe smiles and holds out her hand. “It’s awesome to meet you! I’ve always wondered what Wonderland is like!” The girl chuckles. “Get it? Wondered?”

Red officially wonders if she’s been thrown headfirst into some sort of fever dream. Maybe her injuries got infected again.

A roommate?! And a goody Auradon hero too?!

Fuck! This just made her job infinitely harder! Now she’ll have to sneak around someone she’s sharing a room with!

Plus, Red doesn’t do strangers! Sure, interactions like this? Keep her shields up and she’s fine. But she can not room with someone!

A bedroom is a safe space! Sure, her mother barged in sometimes, but overall, a bedroom was one of the only places Red could deem even remotely safe! A place to safely break down and then piece herself back together again. A place to hide.

And her injuries…

Red takes a solid step back and looks away from the outstretched hand to Ben’s confused smile. “Uh, is there any way I can get a room by myself?” Red asks, desperately trying to keep the pleading tone out of her voice.

Doug and Ben looked confused, Audrey looked practically gleeful, the other VKs looked amused, and Chloe was starting to look hurt.

Red couldn’t do this. Her heart starts to race but she has enough practice that she refuses to let it show on her face.

“Public appearances are important, Red.”

“Unfortunately, no.” Ben can only give her an apologetic smile. “Unless there are extenuating circumstances, there needs to be two people in a room. But don’t worry, Chloe will take good care of you. This is her first year at Auradon Prep too.”

Chloe gives her another smile, this one a little more nervous. “Look, I know changes like this can be rough! But I’ll be happy to help you out! You can tell me about your home!”

The girl offers a hand and Red stares, just like she did with Ben.

But then, Red gives her a cold smile. If she can’t escape this, then she’ll just have to push Chloe away. Don her metaphorical armor.

Besides, the girl is annoyingly cheerful anyways.

“You should visit sometime.” Red says with another fake smile.

Chloe doesn’t see the falseness, instead she perks up. “Really?!”

“Yeah! You can meet the Jabberwocky!” Red gives her a dangerous grin.

“Ooh! What’s a Jabberwocky?” Chloe asks eagerly.

Red lets her smile drop into a snarl. “A monster that eats annoying girls like you.”

Chloe looks like she had been slapped, Audrey looks a mixture of triumphant and furious, Ben and Doug look stunned and tense. The VKs look… honestly? They look impressed.

“Right. Uhm.” Ben clears his throat, trying to break the tension. “I’ll see you all later. If you have any questions—“

“Go to Chloe or Doug!” Audrey cuts him off before he can finish, swiftly pulling him away before Ben can correct her.

There’s an awkward silence before Doug clears his throat “R— right… well, I’m Dopey’s son. As in Dopey, Doc, Bashful, Happy, Grumpy, Sleepy, and…” Doug’s attention trains on Evie and he trails off with a breathless “heigh ho…”

Red rolls her eyes and crosses her arms as Evie gives the boy a flirty smile and introduces herself. She steadily avoids looking at Chloe.

“Okay, well…” Doug clears his throat, looking away from Evie and back down at his papers. “While all five of you are here, regarding your classes you can each pick one elective class but I already put in all the required classes for you.” Mal makes her way over, making Doug shrink in on himself as he nervously continues. “History of Woodsmen and Pirates, Safety Rules for the Internet, and Remedial Goodness 101.”

Red catches onto that last one the exact same time the other four do and she just barely holds back a groan. This day just keeps getting better and better!

Mal scoffs, clearly in agreement. “Let me guess? New class?”

Doug nods sheepishly, clearly not the person who actually made it a requirement for them.

“Yeah… Princess Red? Chloe is your roommate, so I already gave her your schedule.” Doug says.

Red finally glances at the girl in question again and sees a nervous and hurt look. Red just huffs. “Right. Just take me to our room already.”

Chloe nods weakly and starts to lead her along, looking like she wants to restart the conversation, but not wanting to get snapped at again.

Red just trails her, wanting to scream. And not just from the injuries on her back.

This was going to be absolute hell.

Chapter Text

All of Chloe’s hopes were crushed the moment Red had snapped at her.

She really had hoped that maybe Red was nice! Or at the very least that she would be cordial. Instead, she was snapped at almost immediately.

Chloe almost didn’t take offense… Red seemed almost scared of having a roommate…

But then it just kept going!

The rest of the day, Chloe explained some of the classes, showed Red their room and then showed her around a bit.

The entire time, Red was standoffish and snapping at her. If it wasn’t that she was quiet, looking around warily at the environment and other people alike.

So yeah, all of Chloe’s hopes were crushed with each new snapped phrase directed at her that left Red’s mouth.

But Chloe couldn’t deny, part of her was still worried…

Red seemed too standoffish. That much Chloe could chalk up to the new environment. But… Chloe could have sworn the taller girl was wincing in pain every so often… but it was for only maybe half a second each time and then it vanished. So Chloe didn’t bring it up. She really didn’t want to be snapped at again.

It was strange and Chloe was officially unsure about what to do with her new roommate.

The silence was so awkward as they sat in their new room.

Red had just been laying on her new bed, staring at the blank walls on her side of the room, debating on how to design them.

Hey, if she was gonna be stuck here until she gets that wand, she’s gonna make herself a safe space.

Except, her own room was not a safe space.

Because she was rooming with Princess Chloe Charming. A goody two shoes princess.

Red was officially in hell.

Not only was she dealing with her mom’s mission, which was a whole ordeal Red wasn’t looking forward to on her own, but she was in an entirely new environment. This place was almost nothing like Wonderland!

Red wasn’t even sure how to describe it! It was just weird!

And then there were tons of people who kept looking at her. The guards back home at least avoided her unless they absolutely had to. These students were either scared of her, curious, or glared at her. Red was most certainly not a fan of people.

And last but certainly not least, she wouldn’t even have a room to herself as a safe space, she was forced to have a roommate!

A roommate who happened to apparently be one of the friendliest people in Auradon!

And a complete goody two shoes!

Through their little ‘tour’ Chloe had started on some rant about the dumb rules! Who the hell does that?!

Gods, it was like a friendlier version of her mother going on her own rule rant.

Red sighs and shoves everything out of her head. She completely ignores the presence on the other side of the room and slowly pulls Ace’s card out from the safety of her pocket.

Ace…

How long has it been now? A year or two? Three at most, but Red didn’t think it was that long. She hasn’t kept track of time.

She stares at the card sadly. She misses them… maybe she has Ace in hand and Chester as a cat, but the latter couldn’t talk and Ace… it was practically like he wasn’t there anymore. A blank slate.

… she would bring both back. If she needed to comply with her mother to do it? Then that was a sacrifice Red would make.

Besides… it would make her proud… and mother would at least let her live.

Many times Red’s received that threat… the threat of execution. It was her mother’s favorite threat alongside the ‘punishments.’

She was Queen. She could easily get another heir. One easier to control.

No. Get that thought out of your head. Focus on Ace. Happier memories.

“Is that card important to you?”

Red’s head snapped up at the voice.

Chloe was looking at her, confused. For her part, she had been sending wary and curious looks over to Red when she saw the girl take out a single playing card and just… stare at it.

Red immediately holds it close to her chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Chloe tries to give a tiny smile. “It’s okay… I have stuff from home that comforts me too. This must be a lot.”

Red doesn’t know how to respond to that.

What is she supposed to say? This card isn’t just ‘stuff?’ This is one of her best friends that her mother changed into a card soldier after being her friend? Yeah. Not happening.

“This is probably really rough.” Chloe says softly. “Wonderland and Auradon sound pretty different.”

Red can’t help but scoff at that. “You don’t even know the start of it.”

Chloe perks up a little. It’s not a happy response, but it’s better than before!

“Okay… I know you used it to insult me, but I need to ask. What is a Jabberwocky?” Chloe asks curiously.

Red raises a brow. “You’re really that curious about Wonderland?”

“Of course! Everyone says it’s changed since, well… your mom… but I’ve heard stories and it all sounds so… fantastical!” Chloe beams. “People are scared of things they don’t understand, but I think it makes them excited!”

Red stares at her and without realizing her lips curve up into a light smirk. “You really don’t wanna know about my home, Princess. I can promise you that.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Chloe tilts her head.

Red hesitates and seems to catch herself, shaking her head and protectively putting Ace’s card back into her pocket, standing up. “Reasons. I’m gonna shower.”

Chloe deflates when she sees Red’s walls going back up. “Okay… go right ahead.”

Red absolutely refuses to acknowledge how much like a kicked puppy the girl sounds.

She also refused to show the pain she was in when she stood up. She’s definitely messed her back up somehow.

Red closes the door and swiftly muffles a hiss of pain as she sits on the side of the bathtub. “F— Fuck…”

Okay, she really should have known better than to go crazy in the rabbit hole. She’s pushed her injuries to the limits before and that was absolutely a limit.

Red pulls her shirt off and carefully unwraps the bandages, holding back noises of pain during the process. She stands up and uses the mirror to look.

Well, fuck. Reopened.

Red bites back an annoyed groan, mentally berating herself. She just had to get carried away, didn’t she?

She sighs shakily and is extremely happy that she thought to bring the bag holding the bandages and toiletry supplies with her. She takes a swift shower and settles down to bandage the injury.

It’s a slow process and a little bit in there’s a knock on the door.

“Red…?” Chloe’s hesitant voice calls. “You’ve been in there a while. Are you alright?”

Red huffs and raises her voice with an annoyed tone. “I’m fine , Princess! I’ll be out in a minute and then you can handle your beauty routine.” She swiftly hides the tint of nervousness. This was why she didn’t want a damn roommate!

“I…” Chloe hesitated before her voice hardened. “Sorry for just wanting to make sure you were okay.”

Red bristles. She swiftly finishes the bandages, gets ready, and stands up, hiding all the evidence before opening the door harshly.

Chloe nearly jumped about a foot in the air when the door slammed open. She looked over and saw a furious looking Red storming towards her.

And Red? Red felt no more than a slight anxiety that only fueled her defensive anger. This wasn’t her mother. This was just some Princess.

“Let’s get something straight, Princess.” Red says coldly. “I didn’t want a roommate and I still don’t want one.”

Chloe stares, stunned for a moment, before raising her head and glaring back. “I can understand that. But that doesn’t excuse you being so rude. Is it so bad that I just wanted to be a welcoming presence?!”

“I don’t need a welcoming presence! I need you to stay the hell out of my way!” Red nearly shouts. “I don’t want or need friends, Princess! Get that through your head!”

Chloe takes a step forward, now matching Red’s scowl. “Well you’re stuck with me! Ben was right, it’s school policy!”

Red barks out a laugh. “No, it’s the fact that I’m a tyrant and villain’s daughter! I can’t be left alone!”

Chloe flinched back like she was struck. “Th— that’s not—!”

“I’m not an idiot, Princess!” Red takes a firm step forward, forcing Chloe to take one back. “I don’t need friends and I don’t need some watchdog. Like hell am I ruining this chance!”

“Can you not just accept the fact that I want to be your friend?!”

“ I don’t need friends!”

Both of them pause, breathing heavily and staring each other down.

Chloe stares Red in the eye… and she swears she sees… was that pain? Sadness?

“Red—“ Chloe tries.

“ Don’t.” Red snaps quickly. “You stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours.”

“You don’t have to be so rude!” Chloe can’t help but bristle. “This is my room too!”

As startled and worried as she is by that flash of pain, it’s swiftly washed away by Red continuing to fight and snap at her again. And all that’s left thanks to that is annoyance.

Maybe Chad was right, this was a horrible idea! Red is rude and mean!

“And I know I’m not getting rid of you, Princess.” Red mutters. “So here’s what’s gonna happen. We share this room and stay out of each other’s way.”

Chloe glares. “You can’t boss me around, Red!”

“And I shouldn’t have to put up with rooming with a prissy Princess!”

“You’re a Princess too!” Chloe throws her hands up. She doesn’t see the way Red finally flinched at the motion. “What’s wrong with you?!”

Red stares blankly.

“What is wrong with you, Red?! You’re such a disappointment! Honestly, I should just execute you and try again!”

Before Chloe can process Red’s new demeanor Red shakes herself out of it and scowls. “You…” she trails off with a growl, shaking her head. “Just shut the fuck up and stay out of my way, will you?!”

Chloe purses her lips. “… fine!”

She turns her back on Red and strides over to her side of the room, grabbing her own items for the bathroom. “I tried to be nice and friendly, but if you’re just going to be rude then have it your way!”

The bathroom door shuts and Red glared after her for a moment longer before letting out a breath of annoyance and relief. She flops face first onto the bed, already having decided to not make any moves for the wand that night. She needs to be cautious and plan. Besides, her back was still messed up.

But in turn, that meant she would be dealing with Chloe for at least several days.

Pretty and nice Chloe. Too nice to be anything but manipulation. Trying to be her friend when that would just doom both of them.

Was it too much to hope the Princess would just take the warning and stay out of her way? Red had a feeling it was.

This. Was gonna fucking suck.

~~||~~||~~

“So… thoughts on Princess Wonderland?”

The four Isle VKs were gathered in Jay and Carlos’s room, plotting. Of course, they need to plot on getting the wand… but first thing’s first. Their new ‘enemy.’

“She’s weird.” Jay replies to Mal’s question immediately.

Carlos nods in agreement. “There was a lot of stuff off about her.”

“She’s supposed to be our enemy… but she was acting just like a kid from the Isle.” Evie nods too.

“Right. So, what did we all notice?” Mal asks, crossing her arms.

“The whole thing with the sweets was weird.” Jay speaks up. “She’s a Princess and she clearly knew what they were, right? Why would food be outlawed in Wonderland?”

“Not food. Treats. ” Mal frowns, thinking heavily and starting to pace. “And remember what she said? About Royal life being worse than we thought?”

“That was probably one of the weirdest parts, right?” Carlos asks, glancing at the other three in confusion and nervousness. “I mean, the Queen of Hearts is a villain but she rules a whole kingdom.”

“She wasn’t dressed like a Princess.” Evie speaks up. “Not even in a style like mine. She had clothes fit for running, like we do. But… Wonderland is a world of adventure, maybe that’s it?”

“She’s a Princess. You really think the Queen of Hearts would let her little Princess of a daughter run off adventuring?” Mal asks firmly.

Evie doesn’t have a response to that one.

“… so, was I the only one who noticed that she was studying us?” Carlos speaks up when it falls quiet. “Like how kids on the Isle do?”

That one really hits all of them.

Children on the Isle do not grow up living happy lives. Some of the parents are better than others, but the Isle will always be a hell.

On the Isle, you learn swiftly that you need to be vigilant… or you could die.

Red had studied them like that. Like someone who grew up learning to always be alert for any danger. For any possible triggers. But she wore that cool mask like they did, nearly masking the calculating gaze. A refusal to show fear.

“Yeah, overall? She was acting like an Isle kid.” Jay agrees. “Sure, she’s a VK, but she didn’t grow up on the Isle.”

“I mean… the Queen of Hearts is a villain.” Carlos says quietly, thinking.

“She seemed scared of crowds…” Evie speaks up. The others glance at her, confused by the sudden topic, so Evie continues. “She hid behind me when we got out of the car and she noticed the crowd. She gave me a look daring to bring it up, but she was definitely nervous.”

“Huh…” Mal takes that in. “Aren’t Princesses literally trained to handle crowds?”

“At the very least go give speeches and be good with their people, yes.” Evie confirms.

“Meaning that’s weird as hell?” Jay asks, tilting his head.

“Pretty much.”

Carlos shrugs. “Maybe she was just trying to adjust like we were.”

“But still.” Mal frowns. “Princess Wonderland didn’t grow up on the Isle. The rumors always said the Queen of Hearts was a tyrant… so wouldn’t she have trained her daughter to be the same?”

“Well she definitely had some bite and mischief to her.” Jay points out. “I mean, we all saw what happened with Sleeping Beauty’s brat and then Princess Wonderland’s own roommate.”

“That’s a point too.” Evie adds quickly. “Why did she speak up in my defense?”

They all fall quiet, thinking.

Princess Red is a puzzle. Raised by a villain, sure, but she should have been raised like a Princess. Good with people and other such things. But the girl seemed nervous… masking it behind high defenses and she was studying them, just like a kid from the Isle would.

She had a sharp tongue and even though she was their enemy, she stood up for Evie… but maybe that could be chalked up to annoyance with Audrey?

She wasn’t pleasant to her roommate, she snapped at her immediately. Red was aggressive and standoffish but had a side of mischief to her. She was dressed like an Isle Kid, not like a Princess.

“… we’ll just need to keep an eye on her.” Mal finally says firmly. “If all goes well at the museum in a little bit, we won’t have to worry about her. But if we do, don’t let your guard down with her. Princess Wonderland seems crafty.”

The other three nod easily in agreement.

They had a job to do. Get the wand and make their parents proud.

If they had another obstacle in the form of Red, then they would just have to face it head on.

Because they’re rotten to the core.

~~||~~||~~

Red’s invitation to Auradon was spelled in a very specific way. The rabbit hole was to open solely for her.

Except… there was a loophole.

It was only supposed to open for one person.

Ace was a card soldier, but he was still a card, at least currently. And Chester? He used to be human, but currently he’s a cat.

So Chester took full advantage, clinging to Red’s shoulder as she went through the rabbit hole.

And it worked!

If cats could laugh, Chester absolutely would have. He managed to follow Red on her crazy quest to Auradon!

What? You really didn’t think he would just leave Red, did you?

Chester could still remember when he first met Red. Before the Queen of Hearts completely pulled Red away from any interaction outside of her watchful eye, Red had been allowed to go to school… it was for only two years, but Chester met her during that second year.

Everyone spoke horribly of the girl. Fear and hate. Spoke in whispers of how the girl authorized executions and was just like her mother.

Chester knew it was all bullshit.

That first day in class with her he saw it immediately.

The pain in her eyes, the sadness and loneliness layered behind so many shields and hidden by anger. Well, Chester just couldn’t let that continue, could he?

Him and Ace both knew the possible consequences. But they saw that thirst and desire for adventure in Red and they knew she needed someone by her side.

Hell… Red opened up to them. Told her about those damned ‘lessons’ and ‘punishments.’ What her Mother was like.

Everyone in Wonderland knew the Queen of Hearts was abusive. They could easily spot the bruises and cuts. But who would speak out against the Queen?

Chester and Ace didn’t know how deep it truly ran. How torturous and abusive the Queen of Hearts truly was.

They spoke without Red later that night and vowed to stick by her.

Nobody else saw the real Red. They only saw the Queen’s daughter. Someone being molded in her image.

Ace and Chester couldn’t let that continue, no matter what it cost them.

And Chester was going to continue that promise. He knew Ace would too, blank card soldier or not. They were in Auradon with Red and they weren’t leaving her.

Red needed someone in her corner.

Chester was partly amused and partly hated watching Red interact with Auradon.

Auradon was weird. It was so… bland. Chester appreciated the far more tame rules, sure. But where was all the magic? The wonder?

And what was up with these kids of kings and queens being complete brats?

He felt the amusement and hatred with Auradon… but he also felt it with Red in general.

Watching her interact with so many strangers who didn’t know her… only knew her by the Queen’s reputation… it was pretty painful.

Chester knew how Red worked by this point. He wasn’t going to claim he knew her inside out, nor did he know everything the Queen did to her… but he felt like he knew enough.

Auradon should be a new chance for Red.

But the Queen fucked that up before Red even stepped foot there. Maybe even years ago.

Red had a fear of too many strangers watching her. Judging her. Chester knew she did and wished he could comfort her, but he couldn’t blow his cover.

Red tended to be aggressive as her defense mechanism. Very rarely against her mother… but with others? It was a way of keeping them at arm’s length.

Not to mention the fear of making friends…

Chester hates the Queen of Hearts.

She broke Red. Molded her into an image of herself. Red’s been scraping her own pieces and trying to put herself back together, but each and every time, Chester can only watch as the girl is broken again. And again. And again.

Auradon? It’s a new chance.

And yet, the looming threats and trauma thanks to the Queen of Hearts hung over Red’s head.

The Queen made Red fear making friends… even when Chester truly thought that maybe a few of them could be friends.

He was wary too, but Ben seemed nice… the VKs almost seemed to understand… and Chloe…

But the Queen traumatized Red so much, and made threats of having eyes in Auradon, so now Red couldn’t even have that! Chester wasn’t even positive as to how much of that could be a lie or truth.

Red felt like she only had one option… stealing that damn wand.

Dooming everyone to the Queen’s wrath.

And how can Chester blame her?

Not only was Red chained down by fear and pain under the Queen’s abuse… but the Queen made promises.

Promises of love. Promises of no more pain.

Promises to bring him and Ace back.

Chester knew that the Queen of Hearts was lying. He knew it.

But Red… she looked so painfully hopeful… a spark Chester hadn’t seen in her in so long…

He couldn’t blame her for this.

And he was going to help her in any way she needed.

Maybe he could sabotage things without Red knowing… but Chester wasn’t going to take too many risks. He would prefer helping her and staying like this forever than losing her friendship and leaving her alone.

Helping Red meant keeping an eye on the VKs.

And Chester liked them more and more by the second.

The sneaky little thieves were already making a move. It hadn't even been one day and they were trying to break into the museum!

Chester could respect it.

He stayed invisible and watched with that Cheshire grin as the four VKs set about breaking in.

Gods, they were an amusing group too! They acted like siblings, like family. It reminded him of his little trio with Red and Ace.

They were clever too. Mal apparently had access to magic and Evie has a magic mirror… things to report to Red later, certainly.

But by far, one of the most interesting things Chester witnessed had to be their reactions to the statue of their parents.

Fear.

They were scared of their parents.

Those reactions weren’t unlike Red’s demeanor with her own mother. It made Chester perk up in curiosity and get closer to them.

He always thought the Isle was a place of freedom… of no rules. But maybe he never stopped to consider that it started as a prison.

They had limited news with Auradon, so they never fully thought it through…

But watching them now? It made Chester think more about who the adults on that Isle are.

Huh… maybe they’re more kindred spirits with Red than he originally thought. Part of him hoped not… but part of him admittedly hoped that they were.

Because if they were, maybe they would understand.

Chester didn’t have time to put further thought into it as the other teens kept going, eventually tracking down the wand.

And immediately, the cat could feel the magic radiating off the wand. Wonderland was a land of untamed magic, wild in nature. And yet this wand could possibly be some of the strongest magic Chester’s ever felt.

It took his breath away for a moment… and then he noticed Jay.

Part of Chester instinctively wanted to interrupt. To stop Jay before he slammed right into that magical barrier. But where was the fun in that?

Chester knew these four were crafty. They would manage to get out, he just knew. So there was no harm in just letting it happen and reporting the failure to Red.

Besides, he loved some mischief from time to time.

He was a Cheshire Cat after all.

Chapter Text

Red was gonna burn the Remedial Goodness classroom to the ground.

She’s terrorized the guards back home, she can perform a little arson, surely. If it wasn’t so risky Red would absolutely do it.

Because it’s been one class and Red is already very annoyed.

The questions are stupid. Okay, they were raised by villains, but they weren’t little kids!

Red could even see ‘teeth are for smiling, not biting!’ Written on that stupid chalkboard. What the hell did Auradon think was going on in Wonderland? The Isle?

They were raised by villains, not feral Jabberwockies!

Okay, sure, maybe some of the questions genuinely had Red double guessing stuff. But the vast majority were stupid.

What do you do when you find a crying baby?

Red wasn’t about to be like her mom but she sure as hell wasn’t looking after a screaming baby when it made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t doing any of the multiple choice answers, she was finding the damn mother or someone else to care for it!

Red was content to just sit back in her seat and let her mind wander. Hell, Mal was answering most of them right anyways and Jay and Carlos were being competitive. Good for them.

Her back wasn’t hurting badly this morning, thank the gods. Red made sure to apply that cream for her back the best she could. Her mother only allowed one vial to be sent, and thankfully it was numbing the pain. Red couldn’t even really feel it right now.

Which… was either a bad sign or good sign. Red was choosing to see it as good.

A bang snapped her out of it and Red couldn’t help but start laughing a little when she saw Jay trapping Carlos in a headlock.

Watching Carlos and Jay roughhouse, clearly not actually hurting each other, while Mal and Evie both smirked even when they looked a little annoyed… it made something in Red’s chest twist.

That could be her with Chester and Ace.

As Fairy Godmother chided them and continued her lesson, Red let her thoughts stray as she watched the four.

They were so close. They knew each other.

Red doesn’t have that. Not anymore.

She craves it, despite her mother’s threats of what happens if she gains friends and her scoffs of ‘love ain’t it.’

Red can’t help but crave friendship. Support. Care.

Ace and Chester were the only ones who provided it. And now… they are gone.

Red felt jealousy twist in her chest. She hates it. It makes her want what her mother forbid.

If she gets friends then Red will face even more abuse. She doesn’t know why, but her mother despises the idea of her having friends… it could go even worse than if she simply didn’t get the wand.

And for the friends in question…

Chester and Ace were good enough examples.

Red shook her head and tried to focus back on the world around her. She glanced up and saw Mal shooting a look back at her with curious green eyes.

Red immediately wiped away any trace of her sadness and jealousy, glaring at her instead.

Mal stares for another moment before she just hums and turns her gaze back to Fairy Godmother before she can be called out for not paying attention. Just in time too as a shy looking girl entered, quickly heading for Fairy Godmother.

Red scoffs.

Friends… she doesn’t need them.

She’ll prove it.

~~||~~||~~

As focused as Mal was on Jane, the Fairy Godmother’s daughter… she was also focused on Red.

The girl was mysterious. Acting like a VK from the Isle instead of a VK who’s parent won.

Mal couldn’t help but study the girl like a puzzle.

… a villain who won is still a villain. What if…?

No. If you think that way you could get soft towards the enemy. Mal swiftly shook her head of the thought.

But when they were dismissed, she looked at Red, who was hurrying out before anyone could stop her.

As she went, with how fast the girl got up and spun around to leave, her shirt and jacket rode up a little bit.

Mal could have sworn she saw something. Something too familiar for her liking. Angry red scars peeking out from under bandages and layered clothing.

… was she mistaken, or were those real?

“M?” Evie nudges her gently, confused when Mal froze.

Mal swiftly beckoned the boys over and, making sure nobody was in listening distance, whispered. “I think I saw scars on Princess Wonderland’s back.”

All three looked at her with wide eyes.

“Scars?” Jay asks quietly.

“Not sure.” Mal frowns, staring at where she last saw Red. “But I’m pretty sure I saw them peeking out from under some bandages on her back. I didn’t get a good look but they looked pretty fresh.”

“… you don’t think…?” Carlos trails off.

They all have their fair share of scars. Evie has the least, thanks to her mother’s fixation on beauty, but she still has a few. So to the VKs… scars are nothing new.

But they were a red flag.

Red having a villain as a parent… all of the weird quirks… and now possible scars?

Mal’s eyes narrow. “Keep a close eye on her. I don’t like it.”

“M, if it’s true… she’s alone.” Evie whispers. “It doesn’t sound like she has any friends. At least, she doesn’t here in Auradon. And allies are important.”

A VK not having an ally… everyone on the Isle had an alliance. There was safety in small numbers. It meant a little more safety.

Mal hesitates. “She’s an enemy.”

“Yeah…” Carlos looks worried too. “But maybe we could find a way to work with her?”

Mal huffs and looks at Jay, who just shrugs.

“… we don’t know for sure yet.” Mal finally says firmly. “Just… keep an eye on her for now.”

~~||~~||~~

Red swiftly vanished after remedial goodness ended, before the VKs could study her anymore.

As she paced the halls she became more and more aware of just how many students there were. Red despised how crowded these hallways were.

She easily avoided touch with expert ease, slipping between students and avoiding any and all eye contact.

She doesn’t have a class for now. She should meet up with Chester… but that wasn’t gonna happen in such a crowded and risky place.

Back in her dorm room wasn’t great either. She needed somewhere private.

Well, Red always did love some exploration. Most of these Royal kids didn’t seem like the type to wander the woods. A few of them, sure, but certainly not all of them.

That should work.

If she can’t meet with Chester, then she’ll find something else to do.

Maybe she could go ahead and start getting into some light mischief? Auradon was boring. It needed some more wonder.

Red couldn’t help but grin at the thought.

Maybe she could find some spray paint around here… Chloe helped her sign up for an extra class. One for art. Maybe she could track some spray paint down there? Or even just drawing materials in general.

Be it drawing on her own or utilizing it for vandalism, Red’s always loved art.

In a world where her mother loved to destroy, art was creation. A way to express her inner wonder by creating something with simple drawing materials and paper.

Red craved getting her hands on some of it. She would wait until that art class. Who knew, maybe Auradon had new types of material to work with.

Red is thoroughly cheered up by that thought and she keeps moving easily through the halls.

Right now? She saw plenty of forest around the campus. She would go explore and when alone Chester would find his way back, Red was sure of it.

She kept moving, only for someone to block her path. Seeing the intentional movement Red froze in her tracks and studied the student closely.

“You’re the Princess of Wonderland, right?” The boy asks firmly.

Red glares at him. “Maybe I am.”

“Chad Charming, Cinderella’s son.” The boy says, looking prideful.

It clicks and Red smirks. “Oh! You must be Princess’ brother. You’re just as weird as she is, I can tell.”

Chad scowls at that. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

Red raises a brow. “Or what? You’ll call mommy and daddy? Just tell me what you want.”

Chad bristles and steps closer. “Chloe refused to stop rooming with you, even when I told her to.”

Red pauses. That’s news to her… Chloe wanted to room with her?

Filing that thought away for later Red just glared back at Chad. “So?”

“ So. You’re gonna stop being her roommate.” Chad orders.

Red rolls her eyes, not impressed. “I’m not interested in rooming with your sister either, I tried that. So back off, will you?”

Before he can get in another word, Red spins to leave, not wanting to put anymore effort into this conversation.

Chad suddenly reached out to grab for her arm. “We aren’t done talking!”

Red’s eyes widened and she spun back around, barely avoiding the contact and staggering backwards, away from Chad.

Before either could speak, there was a shout of, “Chad!”

Red and Chad’s attention snapped over to see a girl with short black hair approaching.

“What are you doing?!” The girl snaps.

“Lonnie—!”

“You don’t grab people like that!” Lonnie promptly gets between Chad and Red. Red is only able to stare wide eyed.

Chad bristles. “She’s a VK! Rooming with Chloe!”

“So?” Lonnie crossed her arms. “She’s a person and as far as I saw you started it and she was trying to leave!”

Chad tried to offer a rebuttal but clearly saw that he wasn’t going to win this one. He scowled at Red but finally turned and left.

Red slowly relaxed once he turned the corner. She made to hurry away too, but didn’t get a chance before Lonnie turned to look at her, clearly worried. “Are you okay?”

Nobody is ever sincere when they ask that. There are always ulterior motives. And why would this girl willingly get involved in a conflict?

“… fine.” Red said, rather coldly.

“Good! Just ignore Chad.” Lonnie sighs. “Honestly, he has too big of an ego.”

Red is taken aback by that. So far, every single person in this place has only been pleasant to each other, even when clearly annoyed.

So she can’t help but smirk a little at that. “I’m glad it isn’t just me who thinks that.”

“Oh, pretty much everyone does. It’s just that nobody voices it.” Lonnie breaks into a grin, relaxing fully now. “I’m Lonnie! Daughter of Mulan.”

Red tilts her head. “I don’t know who that is.”

Lonnie pauses before chuckling. “I guess you are the VK from Wonderland, right? The color scheme and hearts say so.”

Red smirks. “Red of Hearts.”

“It’s nice to meet you!” Lonnie says pleasantly, and Red isn’t sure what to make of this interaction. “Ignore Chad or anyone who pulls the same stunt. They’re just weird about letting Villain Kids come to Auradon. Personally, I think everyone deserves a second chance.”

Red nods slowly so Lonnie beams and happily says. “See you around, Red!”

And the girl is gone just as quickly as she appeared, leaving Red standing there, just processing for a moment.

Huh. This place really is strange.

But it can’t get any weirder, surely. She’s just going in a forest and Auradon isn’t as crazy as Wonderland.

So surely it can’t get weirder.

~~||~~||~~

If there’s one thing to know about Red, it’s that she’s adventurous.

It’s a Wonderland thing, really. Something her mother quickly eliminated with her laws.

But someone from Wonderland will always have that sense of adventure within them. The desire to find the wonders of the world.

And Red refused to sit around a stupid stuffy dorm room all day. Yeah, that certainly helped motivate her exploration. She was trying to avoid Chloe, thank you very much.

Not to mention all those other people. Like the other VKs and Auradonians in general. Chad.

Red was not dealing with what just happened right now. She wasn’t unpacking all of that.

Right now? She just wanted to explore.

She needed to just… get away from everything and have some adventure. It always made things better.

Auradon was a whole new playground! She already had all of Wonderland’s palace and the garden mazes memorized. And those mazes were not easy. Her mother loved them that way.

Red knows them like the back of her hand.

And she’s making a point to do the same thing with Auradon. At the very least Auradon Prep and its surrounding area.

Currently, she’s exploring the forest. Alright, maybe it was also because she was trying to avoid people. Can anybody blame Red for that?

Besides, the forest really was curious! It was similar to Wonderland and yet so… weird.

None of the animals were talking, they were largely scared of her even. There weren’t any red, pink or blue trees or any other indicators of Wonderland’s natural madness.

Red was having fun adventuring.

A noise caught her attention and Red glanced up, grinning widely. “Chester! I knew you’d finally show up while I’m alone.”

Her cat best friend was draped across a tree branch, grinning back down at her with that wide smile, purring happily. He vanished and in a second appeared floating beside Red.

The girl fondly reached out and scratched his head. “You’ve been safe since we arrived?”

Chester nods easily, purring.

“Good.” Red hums happily at that. “And have you been watching our ‘new friends?’”

Chester nods, laying on a rock while Red stood in front of him, ready to learn what he witnessed.

However, Chester can’t speak. It’s a problem, but they know each other well enough by now to communicate well. For something like this it’s largely ‘yes and no.’ Red is able to tell if there’s more Chester needs to add.

“I know you couldn’t get into their dorm room, you wouldn’t risk going that far. Meaning you saw them outside of their rooms.” Red says easily, Chester nodding along.

Red thinks for a moment, eyes narrowing. “Wait… they went for the wand on the first night, didn’t they?”

Chester grins and nods.

Well. Red had to give them points for confidence.

“Guessing from the lack of villains and the fact that we haven’t been tossed home, they failed but didn’t get caught?”

Chester makes a noise similar to a laugh at that and nods, making his body vanish and reappear in quick succession.

Red laughs. “They tripped an alarm?”

More laughter like sounds and an excited nod.

“And that is why I’m being cautious.” Red snickers. “Do they not have alarms back home or something?”

Chester shakes his head, he picked that much up from just watching them. Jay was way too confident for that.

Red tilts her head. “Huh… interesting to know. Now then, where is the wand?”

Chester mimes reading a book, flicking his paw like flipping a book’s pages.

“The school?” Red guesses, getting a head shake. “Some kind of bookshop?” Another headshake. “Uh… something we don’t really have in Wonderland?”

Chester nods and makes a few movements. What they’ve created to form letters when they need to spell something out that can’t easily be given through yes or no or miming.

Red squints. “M-U-S-E-U-M. Museum…? Huh. It’s a place with books?” Chester tips his paw in a ‘so-so’ gesture. “Odd. I’ll look into it later I guess. But if they have alarms and stuff it’ll be a tricky one. Might need to find another way…”

She reaches out and scratches Chester’s head. “Good job, Chess, we might actually manage to pull this off!”

Chester purrs happily and that big grin gets wider and he leans into the touch.

“Oh my!”

Red and Chester’s heads snapped up at the voice and both stared wide eyed.

Looking back at them was a blonde girl, hair pulled back, wearing a blue dress. She had a different accent than what Red’s heard in Auradon so far. It was interesting.

But more importantly… they fucked up.

Nobody was supposed to see Chester! He was supposed to be their spy, dammit! Hell, this could even count as bringing someone else across the barrier couldn’t it?!

… oh gods, what if she heard them talking about the wand?!

Red was already brainstorming how she could claim this girl was lying about it all if she went blabbing, when that same voice cut through her thoughts again.

“Are you the Cheshire Cat?” The blonde girl was asking curiously, staring at Chester in awe.

Chester blinks, taken aback. But after a moment he just grins mischievously at the girl.

“He, uh…” Red’s rarely at a loss for words, but this one of those rare cases. “His name’s Chester.”

“Chester?” The blonde smiles. “Are you related to the Cheshire Cat by any chance then?”

Chester shook his head, vanishing and reappearing floating right next to the girl, making her jump.

“… who are you?” Red asked slowly, getting more and more lost by the second.

She was so befuddled that any panic over Chester being exposed or wand plans being overheard were thrown out the window. Because what the hell was going on?

“Oh! Pardon me, I got carried away! I always do when I get curious.” The blonde blushes and gives her a sheepish smile. “I’m Ally Liddle!”

Red’s brain promptly came to a screeching halt.

Liddle.

Alice Liddle.

Holy shit. This was Alice’s kid. The woman her mother despised and raged about often. Red’s heard every insult thrown at Alice Liddle. 

“Uhm, hello?” Ally’s worried voice snapped Red out of it. She looked at Red in concern. “Are you alright?”

“I… yeah.” Red quickly shakes her head and straightens. “Daughter of Alice then?”

Chester floats back over to Red and wraps himself over her shoulders comfortingly, studying Ally closely.

“That’s right…” Ally smiles nervously. “I’m going to make a guess and say you’re the daughter of the Queen of Hearts?”

Red crosses her arms. “Is there a problem with that?”

“Of course not! Why would there be?” Ally frowns and tilts her head. “Perhaps I’m a little nervous, your mom did try to execute mine after all, but I’m not scared and I certainly don’t hate you. Mom always tells me that every stranger you meet is a chance for a new adventure!”

Red… didn’t know what to think of that.

After seeing the likes of Mal and Audrey, Red was fully expecting the daughter of her mother’s sworn enemy to downright hate her. The Queen of Hearts certainly spoke horribly enough of Alice, why wouldn’t the woman do the same with Ally?

Red once heard some people talk about Alice… people who whispered in hushed voices to try and avoid execution.

“The Queen performed seven executions yesterday… all in one day.”

“She’s madder than ever, and she’s fixing to make her daughter the same!”

“Oh, I miss the days of tea parties and fun… the White Queen was such a wonderful queen.”

“You and I both know the Queen of Hearts never truly managed to execute her or any of Alice’s group, she only managed to capture the Hatter’s son, even if she tries to make everyone think they’re all gone. Maybe… one day Alice will return and Frabjous Day will come once more!”

“Keep your voice down! But… we can only hope.”

Red had watched their executions take place two days later.

She made it a mission to try and look into Alice some more after that… she was curious. Her Mother tried to get rid of any and all information, but Red managed to get her hands on one single book with the scarcest information.

Alice helped bring the White Queen back into power by slaying the Jabberwocky on the legendary ‘Frabjous Day.’

It made sense why her mother hated the woman so much after Red learned about that.

“Hello? Are you alright?”

Red jerks back slightly and snaps out of her thoughts as Ally takes a concerned step towards her.

“I’m fine.” Red quickly brushes off.

This girl was curious, and Red hated it. Her mother would be mad enough if she had any friends. But Alice Liddle’s daughter? The Queen of Hearts would lose her mind for sure!

But meeting Alice’s daughter… Red was intrigued. After hearing some of the stories, she couldn’t help it.

And while Red was fairly certain Ally had never stepped foot into Wonderland… if anyone here at this damned school would know what Wonderland is like, especially out from under the reign of the Queen of Hearts, even if just by stories from her mother… it would be Ally Liddle.

Nope. Red was not giving into the curiosity! Walk away!

So she turned and swiftly starts to walk away, only to hear the footsteps behind her.

“I never got your name?” Ally was asking curiously. Annoying… and yet not as high energy as Chloe. A little more tolerable.

“Red.” Red huffs, still walking. “Are you going to keep following me?”

“I just want to talk.” Ally is smiling, Red doesn’t even need to look at her to know it. “I’ve only ever heard about Wonderland from my mom, it’s so curious to have another person from there in Auradon! Why, you even have a Cheshire Cat! Chester, was it?”

Red doesn’t even get the chance to answer before Chester vanishes from his place on her shoulders to appear perched on Ally’s shoulder instead, making the girl yelp and come to a stop.

Red swiftly turns, only to see Chester purring and Ally soften, gently reaching up to scratch his chest. “Is this alright? Mom told me that Cheshire is more sentient than most animals in Auradon. Can you talk?”

Chester nods to the first one and shakes his head to the second, still not budging even when Red gives him a glare. In fact, he gave her the most mischievous grin.

… oh this damn traitor wants her to spend time with this girl!

Red bites back a groan. She's giving him hell for this later! Honestly, she should just leave, but that would mean leaving Chester alone with a stranger. A stranger who was her mother’s enemy.

“Cheshire can talk, so if I may, why can’t you?” Ally asks Chester curiously.

“We don’t know why.” Red eventually sighs, seeing as Chester can’t respond verbally. “He just can’t.”

Ally nods easily, accepting the answer. “Well you are very sweet, Chester!”

Chester preens at that and if he wasn’t her best friend, Red would throttle him.

A thought hits Red’s head and she glares at Ally. “Are you gonna tell anyone about him?” When Ally looks at her in confusion Red elaborates. “I could get in trouble for bringing him. So are you gonna tell anyone?”

Ally shakes her head. “Oh, no. I wouldn’t do that.” She gains a knowing grin. “Besides, he’s a Cheshire! If I did try to say something, he could just vanish and people would think I’m madder than usual.”

Red blinks at that. That wasn’t an answer she expected.

Without realizing, a smirk comes to her lips. “Madder than usual?”

Ally giggles. “Auradon lives by different rules than Wonderland! I grew up with my mother telling me that I need to be exactly who I am along with all the stories of Wonderland she could. I’ve heard a few people say I don’t ‘think the same as most.’ But personally, I think it’s boring to not be mad. Mom says that all the best people are mad!”

Red was more and more taken off guard by the girl by the second. She was so different from everyone here in Auradon and it was somehow in a good way. Maybe… she would be open to adventuring and talking?

Wait. What is she thinking? Her mother said not to make friends! Certainly not with Alice Liddle’s daughter!

Red hesitates and bites her lip, meeting Chester’s eyes. He gives her a slow blink of reassurance.

… she’ll just keep the girl at arm’s length. Hey, maybe she can get valuable information from her! 

Yes, that works.

“Huh… you aren’t like the Prissy princes and princesses around here.” Red studies Ally closely.

Ally shrugs with that same smile. “Oh, I like to think I’m good like them. But I prefer a more open minded approach!” Ally hesitates and looks nervous again for a moment before fixing Red with a pleasing look. “Would you tell me more about Wonderland?”

Red stares in surprise. “You want me to do what now?”

“You are actually from Wonderland! I love my mother’s stories, truly I do, but I would love to have another perspective! A friend from Wonderland sounds great!”

Red pauses before her eyes narrow and she crosses her arms. “Alright, first thing’s first. I don’t do friends.”

Ally wilts a little and Chester huffs, vanishing and reappearing on Red’s shoulder and nudging her.

Red sighs heavily. “ But.” Ally looks up with wide, hopeful eyes. “I… don’t see why I can’t chat some. I guess it would be nice to have an acquaintance who isn’t like those goody two shoes.”

Ally absolutely lights up at that. “Of course! Would you like to walk and talk? It’s rare for anyone to come to the forest. Everyone here seems to have no sense of adventure!”

Red can’t help but perk up at that sentence. “I was here adventuring in the first place. I make a point to explore everywhere I can.”

Ally laughs. “Me too! Life isn’t fun without adventure, is it?”

“Hell no. Is everyone here so boring?” Red grins as she moves to walk alongside Ally. 

Ally smiles happily and starts to chatter. And for once, Red actually… doesn’t hate it. Because this girl isn’t from Wonderland, but she gets it.

Getting to know someone who should be her greatest enemy considering their mothers… it was a death sentence.

But right now? After everything that happened that day? Red couldn’t bring herself to care very much.

Just keep the girl as an acquaintance and source of information, not a friend.

She could manage that.

Chapter Text

Chloe grew up with a good amount of the people at Auradon Prep. Ben, Doug, Chad, Audrey, Lonnie, and Jane in particular.

But out of all of those people? Aside from her brother, Jane was the one Chloe spent the most time with growing up.

They were practically sisters! Jane’s mom helped Chloe’s mom so much in a dark time of her life, after all. So Cinderella was happy to consider the Fairy Godmother and her daughter as family.

Also out of all of those people? Jane is the one Chloe feels the most comfortable talking too.

She loves all of them, really she does!

But Chad is her brother, Audrey is Audrey. Ben is great but busy with his duties as king. And Doug and Lonnie usually have great advice, but Chloe honestly feels better going to Jane.

So with everything going on with Red? It makes sense that Chloe beelines to try and talk to her childhood friend.

She looks everywhere but just can’t track the girl down. Until finally, she heads to the girl’s bathroom, the one that people generally avoid due to it being a little more isolated.

Finally, Chloe manages to find Jane.

“Jane! Just the girl I was looking for!” Chloe beams, only to freeze when she realizes Jane isn’t alone.

Sitting on the sink counter was a girl with long purple hair, one of the VKs. And beside her, standing, is Jane.

Except, Jane doesn’t have the short, bobbed hair that Chloe always sees her with. Now her hair is long and flowing past her shoulders. Beautiful.

“Woah.” Chloe can’t help but say. Because truthfully, Chloe never really thought that short and straight hair suited Jane. This? It looks amazing. “Jane, your hair!”

Jane perks up when she hears the excited voice having shrunken and gained a nervous look when Chloe first walked in. “Do you like it…?”

“I love it!” Chloe gushes immediately.

Jane absolutely beams and Mal clears her throat to draw their attention.

“Oh! Mal, this is Chloe Charming, one of my few friends.” Jane says proudly.

Mal raises a brow, studying Chloe. “We met for a minute.”

“Right, but… I don’t think I caught your name when we first met? Sorry.” Chloe says nervously, honestly fearing a reaction like Red had. “Jane said you’re Mal?”

“That’s right.” The daughter of Maleficent nods easily.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mal!” Chloe beams happily at the tense but less angry response.

“Mal did my hair for me with a spell!” Jane says happily.

“Magic? Isn’t that against the rules?” Chloe tilts her head, worried.

Mal rolls her eyes but Jane shakes her head. “Not outright. Mom just… prefers the history books these days.”

“What, are you against magic?” Mal tests Chloe with a strained smile.

Chloe immediately shakes her head. “Oh, no! I think magic is wonderful! I’m just not the biggest fan of breaking the rules. Don’t worry, I won’t throw you under the bus.”

“Much appreciated.” Mal hums, studying her closely before asking. “Do you want your hair done too?”

Chloe chuckles. “No thanks, I like mine already. But thanks for doing Jane’s! It’s really pretty!” Chloe smiles happily as she gently touches a strand of Jane’s hair.

“Chloe!” Jane blushes. “You don’t need to thank her for me.”

Chloe giggles. “Hey, I just know you’ve always been a little unsure about your hair but too nervous to change it. It really does look great!”

Jane smiles shyly at that.

“Well!” Mal says quickly. “Since you were looking for Jane I’ll be heading out now. Remember what we talked about, Jane?”

Jane nods eagerly. “Absolutely! Thanks again, Mal!”

Mal swiftly vanishes and Jane turns her attention to Chloe. “You needed me for something?”

“Yeah, I really need a talk with someone and it’s absolutely not gonna be Chad.” Chloe sobers again, all her cheer fading. “Can we go to your room?”

Jane glances at the clock. “Sure! We have plenty of time before class and Lonnie shouldn’t be there.”

Chloe relaxes and quickly takes Jane’s hand, heading back to the fairy’s room.

The second the door is closed Chloe drops all Princess personas and groans loudly, flopping onto Jane’s bed.

Jane blinks. “Uhm… whatever it is is that bad?”

“It’s my roommate!” Chloe lays on her back and stares at the ceiling.

Jane slowly sits next to her. “Aren’t you rooming with the Princess of Wonderland?”

“Yes! And she’s so rude!” Chloe groans in frustration.

Jane frowns. “Rude? Rude how?”

“She doesn’t want a roommate, which is fine! But she’s so rude about it! She won’t stop snapping at me for literally nothing!” Chloe hides her face behind her hands. “I just… what if Chad was right?”

“Chad? What did Chad say?”

Chloe sighs heavily, pulling her hands away from her face to look up at Jane. “He was freaking out because I was rooming with a VK… insisting that they’re evil.”

Jane considers that for a moment before giving Chloe a soft smile. “Well, I don’t think that’s true.”

“Huh?”

“I mean… Mal helped me with my hair and I met the other four earlier for just a moment. They were pretty standoffish but they didn’t seem bad… ”

Chloe blinks at her. “Really? Even Red?”

“Yeah. She looked more bored than anything else but none of them glared or tried to scare me!” Jane smiles comfortingly. “I think they’re just nervous. I mean… they’re from the Isle and Wonderland. This is a completely new space and Red has to room with a stranger. I’m sure it’s hard.”

Chloe pauses and thinks that over for a moment.

Thinking back, Red wasn’t really angry… She seemed more defensive than anything. And none of the VKs seemed like people willing to show fear, that was obvious just from a glance.

Maybe Red really is just nervous and it’s coming off as angry.

“You… might have a point.” Chloe murmurs quietly, feeling more reassured. “But what should I do? I get being nervous but she keeps snapping at me, and I don’t like having that tension in my… our room. It’s supposed to be a safe space.”

Jane shrugs, a little more unsure now. “I mean… I’m not really sure there.” She chuckles weakly. “I’m not exactly versed in people…”

Chloe smiles softly as she sits up and takes Jane’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “That’s okay… thanks for the advice on everything else, Jane. It put some stuff into perspective.”

Jane perks back up and smiles. “Of course! I’m always happy to help where I can.”

Chloe chuckles at that and hugs her thankfully.

Before their conversation can continue, the door opens and both girls pull out of the hug to look over in confusion.

Lonnie, Jane’s roommate, was entering the room. She looks oddly relieved seeing Chloe there.

“Chloe! Just the girl I was about to look for!”

“Me?”

“Yeah…” Lonnie hesitates for a moment before continuing. “So, Red from Wonderland is your roommate, right?”

Chloe exchanges a confused look with Jane. “Uhm… yeah. Why?”

“Well…” Lonnie hesitates and trails off. “I may have seen Chad bothering her. And try to grab her.”

Jane and Chloe are immediately at full attention.

“I’m sorry, Chad did what?” Chloe demands, jaw dropped.

“I don’t know what he was thinking, I just know he tried to grab her and was yelling at her.” Lonnie frowns, thinking. “I think… she looked scared.”

“What?” Jane leans forward a little.

“Before he tried to grab her, Red seemed annoyed and angry. But when he tried to touch her… she looked scared.”

Chloe looks even more worried. “Scared? That doesn’t sound like Red.”

Lonnie hums thoughtfully. “She brushed it off pretty quick… it was honestly like I only caught the split second it was on her face.”

“Should we tell mom?” Jane asks quietly. “About Chad?”

Chloe hesitates, biting her lip. “No.” She finally says. When Lonnie and Jane look at her in surprise, because Chloe not following the rules is a very rare occurrence, Chloe continues. “Usually I would say yes. But Red wouldn’t like that… I can tell.”

“So we just… don’t do anything?” Lonnie frowns.

Jane plays with her fingers nervously. “That doesn’t sound good… but Chloe might be right.”

Lonnie pauses too before she sighs. “Yeah. Yeah, okay. You’re probably right.”

Chloe is silent for a moment before she swiftly stands up. “I’ll talk to Red about it.” She makes for the door.

“Woah! Hold on a sec!” Lonnie immediately moves to block her path.

“Lonnie—!”

“If you go rushing her, I don’t think Red will react well. Do you?” Lonnie asks firmly.

Chloe faltered.

Because Lonnie was right. It was immediately clear that Red wouldn’t appreciate a confrontation. It would only double the already present problem.

“… I shouldn’t talk to her about it?” Chloe asks slowly.

Lonnie softens, taking Chloe’s hands. “I didn’t say that, Chlo. I’m saying you need to calm down. You’re clearly angry.”

Chloe gains a tiny, sheepish smile. “Yeah, I guess I am…”

“Understandably so. But going to talk to Red about this while angry and stressed won’t work out well. So give yourself some time to breathe, head back to class after this and go about your day. Don’t confront Chad and talk to Red later today once you’ve calmed down.”

Chloe nods slowly as she listens to Lonnie. “Right… calm down and talk to her later.”

“It’ll all work out.” Jane encourages from the bed. “Maybe this can help you get a little closer to Red!”

Chloe brightens slightly and nods. “Yeah, maybe it can.”

“And don’t bother with Chad.” Lonnie rolls her eyes knowingly. “He’s stubborn.”

Chloe sighs heavily in agreement. “I know personally. Thanks guys… I’ll go for a walk and cool down. You really helped me out this morning.”

“Happy to help!” Lonnie smiles.

“Anytime you need it.” Jane chuckles in agreement, standing to join them. 

“I’m gonna head out now.” Chloe smiles back. “I’ll talk to you guys later.”

Jane squeezes her hand. “We’re always here if you need to talk.”

Chloe gives her a tiny, thankful smile. “I know… thanks guys. Both of you.”

Lonnie gives her a reassuring grin. “No thanks needed! See you later, Chlo!”

As Chloe leaves she can hear Lonnie starting to gush over Jane’s new hair, having the chance to notice it and react.

A fond smile reaches Chloe’s face as she heads down the hall, a new thought in her head. Red doesn’t want to be friends, and that’s okay. She doesn’t have to be her friend.

But the girl does deserve a safe space. And Chloe was gonna make sure she could have that.

~~||~~||~~

“Hey, is that Princess Wonderland down there with some Auradon girl?”

Evie glanced over the railing too, spotting the same thing Mal did in seconds. Red was in the area below, walking and seemingly chatting with a blond haired girl in a blue dress.

“Huh, it is.” Evie watches in curiosity.

Mal raises a brow. “Princess Wonderland befriended someone from Auradon? Color me surprised, she didn’t seem very friendly.”

Evie shrugs. “Maybe it‘s a manipulation tactic.”

Evie was used to those. She preferred to charm boys, but she wasn’t opposed to charming girls every now and then. It wasn’t very hard to imagine Red trying to manipulate someone.

She was a loner, but she was a loner with a mission here in Auradon. And information is a powerful tool.

Mal hums thoughtfully at that, tapping a finger against the railing. “Definitely makes more sense. Whatever. Don’t you have a science class with her anyways?”

Evie smiles knowingly at the other girl. “You want me to do the same tactic, hm?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say full manipulation. Princess Wonderland acts like an Isle kid, she’d pick up on it. But getting at least acquainted with her wouldn’t hurt.” Mal’s smirk turns back into a thoughtful frown. “Besides… somethings up with her. And I wanna know what it is.”

Evie tilts her head. “You want to bring her into the gang?”

Mal scoffs. “Not unless it gets bad enough that we need her.”

But Evie knows her best friend… even if they could never call each other such, Evie knew in her head that that’s what they were. She was Mal’s closest confidant.

“M.” Evie looks at her knowingly. “You know I won’t tell anyone anything. Not even Jay and Carlos.”

Mal pauses before she lets out a small, frustrated growl. ”I don’t understand her, E. And not understanding someone is dangerous. Ben acting too nice is one thing… but Princess Wonderland is acting like an Isle kid. She has scars on her back, I’m almost certain of it.”

Evie nods slowly. “And she has no one.”

“No one.” Mal mutters. “And not having anyone on the Isle is a death sentence. She isn’t from the Isle but she’s acting like such an Isle kid that it feels like she is.”

“She’s a puzzle, that’s for sure.” Evie agrees, looking back out and spotting the red hair easily. “Ally or foe, you want to figure her out.”

“Exactly.” Mal nods in agreement. “She’s our enemy. She wants the wand too. But that girl… she reminds me of us, E.”

“I know… I can’t get over how she hid behind me at the welcoming ceremony. Any other time she’s confident, but it’s like there are little cracks.”

“Yeah…” Mal takes a deep breath before her eyes harden. “Enough of this. We have class and unfortunately we have to fit in. Point is? I want to keep an eye on her, we’ll get more information and go from there. You in?”

Evie gives her a confident smile. “Always will be. But doesn’t she share an art class with you later?”

Mal snorts. “You’re… friendlier. Besides, like you pointed out, you’re the one she hid behind during that ceremony shit.”

Evie shakes her head fondly. “Alright, I’ll try to get to know her some more. We’ll have the boys keep an eye on her too. Later, M. Try not to blow anyone up?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Mal waves her off as the blue haired girl starts to walk away. “And you try not to break too many hearts.”

~~||~~||~~

“What does Chester do now that you have classes?”

Ally looked at Red curiously, Chester having vanished as they approached campus.

Red chuckles. “Hell if I know. Probably off adventuring, it’s in our blood.”

Ally perked up. “So adventure is a natural want for Wonderland's people?”

“The majority of us.” Red has to hide a fond smile. Ally had been asking question after question about Wonderland… It was frustratingly endearing. “And probably more than you people here in Auradon anyways. It’s so boring.”

Ally giggles. “It is, isn’t it? I’ve always thought so.”

They continue chatting as they walk and people give them confused and curious looks. Red chooses to ignore them but she’s half convinced Ally doesn’t notice altogether.

“Oh! Look at the time!” Ally glances at her phone. “It’s time for our next class! If you want to come by my room later I would be open to talking some more?”

Red finds herself nodding. “Sure. Which room?”

Ally tells her the number with a beaming smile at the acceptance before hurrying off.

Red stands there for a moment, dumbfounded with herself. Did… she just accept? Shit. Was she looking forward to it?!

Nope. She’s just looking forward to getting more information from the girl. Hanging out with her is only a bonus.

Red starts to walk, getting out of those thoughts. That's a problem for future her… right now, she needs to get to class.

She pauses after her first few steps when she hears a voice calling out to her. Part of her is starting to miss the days when guards and citizens would avoid her.

“Hey, Red.” Evie smiles pleasantly.

Red immediately looks suspicious of her, shifting nervously. “Evie… what’s up?”

“Nothing, promise.” Evie says reassuringly. “I was just wondering if you wanted to walk to class together? You mentioned having Chemistry earlier.”

Evie doesn’t bring up the fact that Red only mentioned it because the four asked her pretty blatantly with hardly any room for refusal.

Red seems to remember that and she hesitates, glaring off to the side and shifting in place.

“It’s fine if not.” Evie mentions carefully. “I just saw you and figured we could go together since we have the same class.”

Red hesitated for another long moment, studying the blue haired girl closely.

After a moment she nods sharply and straightens, refusing to show weakness. “Fine. Let’s go before we’re late.”

Evie gains a triumphant smile and walks beside Red, proud of the accomplishment.

They didn’t talk through the entire walk. Surprisingly, it wasn’t even really awkward. Was there a wary and suspicious air between them? Sure. But they were also able to recognize that the other was perfectly content with not talking.

Instead, Red let her mind wander to the upcoming class.

Red actually does like science. It’s her favorite subject if she needs to be perfectly honest.

Back in Wonderland, her mom’s rules were all complete and utter nonsense. But the laws in science? Those made sense. Well, they made sense by Wonderland’s standards.

Red loved the complete chaos of Wonderland, but her mom’s rules? Those weren’t chaotic, they were stupid.

Auradon has already been weird. Different rules not just by authority but by nature too.

So truth be told? Red was a little nervous for this science class… but even more than that, she was excited.

“Evie, Red!” They spot Doug shyly waving at them from his spot at a table near the front.

Not knowing anyone else, the two go to him.

But as Red sits beside Evie, she looks up, and there across the table is one of the last people she wants to see.

Chad Charming.

Red’s eye twitches and she barely holds back a growl as Chad glares at her. She scowls back immediately.

Students finish filing into class and it starts as Red finally breaks from her glaring contest from Chad. Apparently, it was just in time for Evie to take notice of the boy across from them.

Just in time for Chad to put his last name to use. Staring off into the distance.

Red wanted to gag.

“Who’s that?” Evie asks Doug breathlessly. “And is there any chance he’s in line for a throne?”

Red immediately zoned further in on that conversation. “Cinderella’s son, right?”

“Yeah.” Doug glances between the both of them and Chad in confusion. “Chad. Prince Charming Jr.”

Red huffs under her breath while Evie looks even more entranced with that knowledge.

“Chad inherited the charm… but not a lot of ‘there, there.’” Doug chuckled quietly, tapping at his forehead.

Red huffs. “You can say that again.”

Doug fixes her with a confused look but Evie hardly even seemed to hear that, staring at Chad dreamily.

“Looks like there, there to me.” Evie giggles. Doug looks crushed.

Red simultaneously wants to strangle her and carry her as far away from Charming Jr as humanly possible.

“Evie—“ Red starts to hiss, but she’s cut off by someone clearing their throat.

Her and Evie’s attention snaps up to see the teacher staring at them with a scowl.

“Evie.” The man says sternly. “Perhaps this is just a review for you. So, why don’t you tell me, what is the average atomic weight of silver?”

Red raises a brow, curious about how this is about to go. Evie’s smart, she can tell. But she doesn’t know how smart. Hell, Red’s curious about how Evie might talk to the teacher.

Is she nervous about new authority figures too?

“Uhm… atomic weight?” Evie pauses before she laughs nervously and manages to get out, “I mean… it can’t be very much. It’s an atom, right?”

Red grimaces and the teacher doesn’t look pleased, beckoning Evie up to the board to do whatever question he has written.

Red watched in surprise as Evie raddled off the answer and wrote it down.

But Red was a thief. She may not do it often, but she knows how to pickpocket and steal. These boring people of Auradon didn’t notice it, but Red sure did.

Evie was hiding it well, Red was pretty sure no one else saw it, but Red has a keen eye. She spotted the way Evie’s hand was positioned to conceal something, how her body was postured and the way her eyes flicked down at something twice.

Red’s attention focuses back on the events when the teacher, obviously frustrated and just as shocked, manages to mutter. “I forget. Always a mistake to underestimate a—“

“Villain?” Evie gives the man a sharp grin and tosses the piece of chalk to him. “Don’t make it again.”

Red gains a Cheshire grin and she can’t stop the bark of laughter that escapes her at the stunned look on the faces around her, the teacher’s in particular.

Boring Auradon clearly hasn’t dealt with Villain Kids before.

The teacher glared in her direction but after the events Red wasn’t scared to grin at him. This wasn’t an authority figure after all of that, just a man who thought he was in charge.

Red spotted Evie hiding whatever it had been back into her pocket. Was that… a mirror?

Huh. Then again, her mom’s the Evil Queen. Red never paid too much attention to stuff happening in Auradon, they hardly ever got any information anyways.

But didn’t the Evil Queen have a whole thing with mirrors?

Maybe Evie has one that’s magical.

It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities, especially in the mind of someone from a world like Wonderland.

Evie is still smirking proudly when she takes her seat again and Red can’t help but smirk back at her.

“I may have to steal that villain line from you.” She says.

Evie lights up a little and gives her a smile. “Go right ahead.”

Red raises a brow. “Really?”

“Why not?” Evie hums, looking away from her. “Maybe us Villain Kids need to stick together. Isle or Wonderland.”

Red didn’t know what to say to that. She just stared as Evie gave her a bright smile before turning back to ‘focus’ on the class they were in.

For a minute, Red could only toss and turn that one line over and over in her head.

How long has it been since she was included in something? Given such a soft response that… that felt caring…

And by someone who seemed to get it too. By another VK. Someone ridiculed and outcasted by this place that was supposed to be built on hopes and dreams.

Chester and Ace were the only ones. Red always thought they would be the last.

Red was pulled out of her thoughts when she spotted Chad passing Evie a note. And Evie looked smitten once she opened it and read it. Red barely got a glimpse and managed to see ‘meet me under the bleachers tomorrow after school.’

Oh god dammit.

She’s already lingering dangerously close to breaking one rule. The rule about friends. But Ally’s an acquaintance and she’ll keep it that way.

One of her other rules was to not get involved with the VKs.

Except now Red was positive Chad was gonna pull some kind of bullshit. The way he pretty much attacked her said so. He wasn’t a fan of Villain Kids.

And the way Evie spoke to her a moment ago…

‘Maybe us Villain Kids need to stick together. Isle or Wonderland.’

Fuck. Guess she has another mission for Chester.

~~||~~||~~

“So Wonderland really does celebrate Unbirthdays?”

Red chuckles as she considers the question, sitting on the floor of Ally’s room playing with a deck of cards, Ally drinking a cup of tea across from her.

After class the Princess found herself being ambushed by the blonde once again.

And she couldn’t bring herself to hate it. The girl’s curiosity and many questions about Wonderland was endearing. Besides, it was just questions. It wasn’t friendship. And Red could use this to her advantage.

“We do.” Red finally answers. “Well, did. We don’t really do… parties.”

“No?” Ally tilts her head. “Mom always said that Wonderland threw the wildest parties.”

“That was before my mother came back into power.” Red rolls her eyes, ignoring the shiver that ran down her back. Her mother isn’t here and honestly… It feels kind of good to complain. “She hates fun. Treats, parties, fun in general.”

“Well that sounds quite boring.” Ally frowns.

“Oh, it is.” Red nods, swiftly bringing the topic back to the original question. “But yeah, we still celebrate unbirthdays. Even if the parties have become beyond boring.”

Not to mention a way to test loyalty. The treats that were sat there to taunt people and entice them to break the rules.

Ally thankfully picks up on the topic change and giggles. “But a party everyday? That seems quite counterproductive. Isn’t there work to be done?”

“Oh, you naive soul. In Wonderland you celebrate while you work! Or you just don’t work.” Red grins. “Besides, I find your customs weirder. Only one day to celebrate yourself a year? That sounds pretty sad.”

Ally laughs. “I never even thought of it that way! I guess it is pretty sad if you look at it that way.”

“Besides, we don’t celebrate every day.” Red shrugs easily. “Just the majority of them.”

Ally keeps giggling at that and Red joins her after a moment. She couldn’t help it.

How long has it been since she’s actually had friendly interactions with someone? Well, someone who could verbally reply.

Red was half convinced this girl was from Wonderland. If it wasn’t for the questions she might honestly believe it.

“I better head back to my room.” Red eventually sighs.

“You don’t sound very excited about that.” Ally points out.

“I’m really not.” Red groans, rolling her eyes. “I have a goody two shoes Princess as my roommate.”

“Ah.” Ally winces. “Which one?”

“Chloe Charming.” Red snorts.

But Ally actually perks up. “Oh! I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her face to face yet, but I’ve heard good things about her. Certainly more pleasant than Princess Audrey, if I do say so myself.”

“Sleeping Beauty’s brat?” Red hums. “I’ll give the Princess that one. She isn’t a complete bitch.”

“Language!” Ally chides, but it’s playful.

Red grins. “What? It’s just words.”

“Perhaps but I wouldn’t say that to Audrey’s face.” Ally shakes her head. “Not only is she dating the future king, but her grandmother is quite mad.” Ally lowers her voice to a loud whisper, playfully hiding her mouth from the door using her hand. “And not in the good way.”

Red raises a brow and tilts her head. “Really now?”

“Really!” Ally nods. “Queen Leah is a Queen and deserves some respect, of course. But she’s… quite overbearing. Not a fan of anything out of line, she was the biggest protestor to you and the other VKs coming to Auradon.”

“Considering I’ve met her granddaughter, that makes sense.” Red rolls her eyes. “But whatever, I can guarantee you she’s nothing compared to my mother.”

“No offense, but on that we absolutely agree.” Ally nods easily.

“None taken.” Red snickers. “But really, I better head out. I don’t wanna hear Princess Blue’s nagging.”

“Of course! But if I may say one thing, Red?”

“Hm?”

“I know you don’t want any friends. But some other friendly acquaintances and allies in your corner might do you some good. Maybe consider giving Chloe a chance? She’s one of the kindest princesses at this school.” Ally says softly, watching her closely.

Red takes that in for a moment before she just huffs. “I’m making no promises. See ya.”

“Bye, Red.” Ally doesn’t push on the matter, instead letting Red leave peacefully.

Ally hums an old tune to herself, one her mom taught her from Wonderland forever ago, as she cleans up the tea.

Once that’s done she makes sure her roommate is out for a while longer before finding her phone and sitting down at her desk, making a call.

As soon as it picks up, Ally grinned from ear to ear. “Mom, I have the most wonderful news!”

~~||~~||~~

Red took her time heading back to her room, delaying the inevitable. She was hoping that maybe, just maybe, Chloe was still out.

No luck there.

“Red, there you are.” Chloe perks up the moment Red enters the room and Red immediately groans.

“Princess, what did I say about this roommate situation?”

“I know, I know.” Chloe winces and immediately tries to reassure. “Just… Lonnie told me about Chad and I wanna apologize.”

Red raises a brow. “You want to apologize for him?”

“Yes!” Chloe says firmly. “Chad was way out of line and I’ll have words with him personally.”

Red studies her closely. The blue haired girl looks so serious about that idea. But coming from the girl who was trying so hard to be friendly earlier on, Red couldn’t take it seriously.

Red chuckles, crossing her arms with a smirk. “You really don’t have to go through the trouble for little old me, Princess.”

“But…” Chloe falters.

“Seriously.” Red shrugs her shoulders. “I couldn’t care less.”

“Lonnie said he tried to grab you…” Chloe mumbles, confused.

Surely Red should be more affected by a near attack. And a verbal attack taking place right beforehand.

“I’ve had worse than a little grab like that.” Red huffs. Seeing Chloe immediately about to jump on that she swiftly changed topics. “But I’ve gotta ask, is he really your brother?”

Chloe pauses before she decides not to push. “He is.” She sighs and shakes her head. “I love him, truly I do. But Chad… isn’t the best character.”

“I noticed.” Red hums, sitting on her bed. “Are you positive he isn’t adopted or something?”

Chloe really should be offended, but she can’t help but chuckle. “Not adopted.” She instinctively winks as she jokes, “mom and dad did a DNA test.”

Red fully breaks into a laugh at that.

Chloe thinks it might be one of the best things she’s ever heard. She softens as she hears the noise.

Red’s laughter cuts off as she seems to realize what she’s doing and she clears her throat, holding back the last bit of laughter “right, well, it’s really all good, Princess.”

“… are you sure?” Chloe asks softly, not wanting to push after the positive interaction but just… wanting to make sure.

Red rolls her eyes. “Positive, Princess.”

For a long moment they lapse into an awkward silence, neither sure what to say after that interaction. They didn’t know how to feel either. It was all so uncertain.

But after a moment Red speaks. “Don’t think this makes us friends.”

Chloe glances back up at her. “What?”

“You heard me.” Red mutters, and Chloe can’t help but see… nervousness, of all things, in the red haired girl. “I’m not here for friendship. Just… the apology is appreciated, that’s all. I’m gonna hop in the shower now.”

“Right, of course. I’m gonna get started on homework then.” Chloe doesn’t fight it and she swiftly hides a smile. Red finally seemed to relax ever so slightly and she wasn’t gonna push her luck.

Red only hums, going into the bathroom and swiftly locking the door to block off any further conversation.

She bites back a growl as her hands shake. And she supports herself against the sink.

Her mother’s instructions were clear.

The Queen’s instructions were clear.

No friendships.

No repeats of Chester and Ace. Get the wand and help her Queen take over Auradon. That’s the mission.

Complete it, and she’ll get Chester and Ace back for real. Complete it, and there will be less pain, maybe even none at all. Complete it… and she can earn her mother’s love…

No friendships.

That was crystal clear. If she made friends and failed this mission… it would be off with her head.

Red took a deep breath and undressed before slowly and painstakingly starting to unravel the bandages. If Chloe realized it was taking a while for the water to start from outside, she didn’t say a word.

So no. Friendships.

But she was already failing that wasn’t she?

The other VKs. Chloe. Ally.

Red shook her head vigorously, pausing in her task before slowly starting again with shaking hands.

No. She didn’t have friends. She didn’t!

The other Villain Kids are her rivals. The enemy. They want the wand just like she does.

Ally is just a source of information. The daughter of her mother’s worst enemy. A pawn in this game.

And Chloe Charming is just her dumb, too nice roommate. No one of importance. Just an annoying obstacle in this mission.

They weren’t friends. They never would be.

It was gonna have to stay that way. It had to. There was no other option.

Because if it didn’t? Red could lose her head.