Chapter Text
❤️
Red runs forward, trying to pull Luis off of Max, Chloe following her close behind.
“Luis, stop! What are you doing!”
Luis cannot hear her; he is focused on taking all of his aggression out on the sobbing boy on the ground. He shrugs her off easily, causing her to tumble back.
Red and Max’s eyes meet; his eyes widen as she looks down at him in concern.
“Get off of him,” Chloe unsheaths her sword from her boot, drawing it at Luis’ neck. Right this instant!”
This gets Luis's attention, causing him to pause his attack. Max catches his breath underneath him, blood dripping down his nose.
“Chloe stopppppp, you’re going to hurt him,” Pink wails in the corner.
“Can it, Twinkle Toes,” Hazel nudges the girl, urging her to stop.
“Ouch,” Pink whines.
“What the fluff is going on!” Fairy Godmother's shrill voice echoes through the suddenly quiet ballroom.
Her heels clack on the marble tile as Luis’ grunts and Max’s groans replace the thumping music from before.
“Chloe, lower your sword this instant.” Red looks at her friend, who is hesitant to listen to orders, but eventually obeys.
Chloe's eyes flit to Red's; they share a knowing look.
“What is the meaning of all of this commotion?” Fairy Godmother huffs, wand in hand and both hands on her hips. “Oh dear, Luis, get off of Max this instant!”
Luis huffs but finally backs off on his assault of the purple-haired boy. Felix and Hazel run to their friend, getting him back on his feet. Squirmy Smee is blotting his bleeding nose with a frosting-covered napkin.
Red’s eyes widen at the state of his face; his nose looks like it's been broken, cheeks red and puffy, eyeshadow dripping down his cheeks.
She notices Luis looking at her; she turns to look back at him, disgusted. His eyes widen in fear.
She can’t even stop the thought that runs through her mind: off with his head.
🤍
Pink sprints towards the fairy godmother, panicked and pleading.
“Fairy Godmother! Oh, it's awful! Our mother's been abducted by the Mad Hatter!” Pink explains, huffing and puffing.
“You’re not pulling my wand now, are you, Pink?’ Fairy Godmother has trouble taking in the scope of this situation.
“She’s not, and that's not the worst part. The Jabberwocky has been awakened.” Red moves to Fairy Godmother, showing her the card deck her mother sent.
“Red, Red, this is CODE RED! The Jabberwocky has escaped. The Hatter has awoken it! Hatter is on the loose. Your mother is in grave danger! We are all in serious danger! Help Help Help!”
It repeats over and over again, vibrating in the teen girl's hand.
“OH THAT IS NOT GOOD AT ALL!” Fairy Godmother exclaims with uncanny alarm. Frightening everyone in the ballroom who had all gathered around to witness the panic unfolding around them.
“But no need to worry, kids; I will call Uma, and we will get this problem solved in a Jiffy!” Fairy Godmother noticed the frightened kids and weakly tried to reassure them.
“Harry!” She called over to the DJ booth.
“Yes, Ma’am.” Harry leaped over the DJ booth to his employer.
“Get Uma, immediately!” She ordered, a frightfully serious look on her face.
“Aye Aye, Captin!” He salutes her and rushes out of the room.
“Kids, now is a good time to get back to your dorms. Sorry for such an abrupt ending to the night hahaha.” Fairy Godmother's brows furrow as she urges the children to leave the room; How is she going to explain this to Ben and Mal?
The kids pause but eventually file out of the ballroom, gossiping and whispering to one another.
The only remaining teens were a frazzled Pink, a stressed Red, a wide-eyed Chloe, a furious Luis, a bleeding Max, and his concerned friends tending to his wounds.
Fairy Godmother takes a deep breath and takes a step towards Luis, who is hulking in the corner, glaring at Max Hatter.
“I understand everyone is rightfully frightened, but is it really necessary to take that aggression out on a classmate, Madrigal? I expected better from you.” Fair Godmother asserts her dominance, giving Luis a disappointed and stern glare.
“Fellow Classmate! He's the Mad Hatter’s son! Did you hear what Red said? The Mad Hatter is on the loose, and her mother's life is in the balance. He must have something to do with it! I was just defending Wonderland's princess.”
Pink looked at him, swooning at his phony heroism.
“I know nothing about what's going on! I haven’t seen my father in years,” Max shouted in defense, drawing everyone's attention, his eyes flitting to Red, who looked as if she had no idea what to make of this situation.
“You think I’d believe that! As if I’d trust a swindler like you!” Luis spat back.
“Boys! I expect you in my office in ten minutes, clean up yourselves and please do not lose your HEADS!” Fairy Godmother snapped, a surprising break in her seemingly endless patience.
“Red, I would like you to be there as well,” Fairy Godmother turned her head to face Hazel. “Hazel, get everyone back to their dorms safely.”
“Aye, Fairy Godmother!” Hazel nods at her as she begins to help a limping Max Hatter out of the ballroom.
Fairy Godmother leaves before them, attempting to keep composure but can’t help but feel panic bubble underneath her skin.
❤️
Red looks to Chloe as they follow the remaining teens out of the ballroom. Pink clings to her arm, tears streaming down her face, but Red can’t even register her.
A buzz of static is the only thing she can hear right now.
“Princesa…”
“Princesa…”
She feels a heavy tap on her shoulder.
She looks up.
Luis is towering above her, dried blood on his knuckles.
Her mood sours even more.
“Are you okay?” He asks, feigning concern.
Red doesn’t know what to respond with; he just beat up some dude, for essentially no reason. Even if his father is holding her mother hostage, that's not his fault.
It's hers.
The consequence of messing with time.
“I think it would be a good idea to give her some space right now, Luis,” Chloe responds to him coldly.
Luis glares at her, but he doesn't push it, remembering the cold tickle of her blade.
Red doesn’t notice Max craning his head around as he hears Luis’ voice bothering Red.
Chloe leads Red and her sister back to the dormitory; cicadas buzz in the nighttime, a warm juxtaposition from the harrowing situation that awaits them.
💜
Hazel helps Max limp into Fairy Godmother's office; he plants himself on an uncomfortable wooden chair, creaking with every shift of his body.
Uma is waiting beside the Fairy Godmother; they are whispering amongst themselves. Max can feel his heart sinking with dread; this is going to blow back on him horribly, that's for sure.
His head aches, his nose throbs, and all he can think about is Red's horrified expression.
First her father, now her mother; there is no way she would ever forgive him after what her father has put her through.
Luis manspreads beside him, a glare glued on his frame as he huffs and puffs. He hasn’t wiped Max’s blood off his fists.
Red has yet to make it to the office.
“Luis Madrigal…” Uma calls to him coldly, causing a shiver down Max’s spine.
“Yes, headmaster,” an eerie switch has flipped within his assailant, turning him back into the perfect golden boy.
“I have notified your mother of your unsavory behavior, and let's just say she’s not too happy. She is in full support of a short-term suspension of all after-school social and sporting activities this semester. I hope this will be an important learning experience for you.” Uma explains, leaning over the table, intimidating poker face boring into Luis’ soul.
“Suspension! I am the captain of the tourney team this year; this is REDICULOUS! What is Coach Jay going to do? I was just protecting our own from him…” Luis spits in Max’s direction, venom in his glare.
“Jay agrees and will be perfectly fine; there are plenty of talented men on the team. You assaulted a classmate; that is a serious offense.” Uma shoots back.
“Whatever, you are all making a huge mistake! This guy is bad news! I’m outta here!” Luis grumbles, storming out of the room, shoving the wooden chair he was sitting in with enough force to push Fairy Godmother's desk slightly backwards.
“Merlin's mushrooms!” Fairy Godmother exclaims, “What has gotten into him? He used to be such a sweet boy!”
“I think a semester-long suspension would be a better option,” Uma exclaims.
The door slams behind the Madrigal, and his loud footsteps get quieter and quieter.
Uma turns her attention to Max, looking down.
“Max, are you okay? What happened?” Uma understands more than anyone how he is feeling.
“Could be much better if I'm going to be honest.” Max croaks a chuckle.
His hopeful night has turned into a horrible, no good, very bad night.
“I’m so sorry,” Uma said, looking at him with genuine concern.
“Max, we don’t think you have anything to do with this, but as his son, you know the Mad Hatter the best.” Fairy Godmother interrupts. “What do you think could be his motive?”
“I’m sorry, Fairy Godmother, I really have no clue why he could be doing all this. But I- I could help you guys stop him!”
That's it, Max thought; if he could stop his father, then that would change everything.
He would be a hero.
“Oh absolutely not; that would be much too dangerous for a young boy like you! Leave it to the adults; we will figure out an organized, well-thought-out rescue plan!” Fairy Godmother hurriedly scolds.
Prompting Uma to roll her eyes and wink at Max.
The door creaks open, and Max’s heart begins to pound.
Right.
Red was supposed to come to the office as well.
How can he look at her?
“Sorry I’m late, I was putting Pink to bed, shes really frazzled.” Red apologizes.
“No need to worry, dear. Come sit.” Fairy Godmother gestures to the chair beside Max.
Red goes to sit beside Max, and he can hear his heart pounding in his ears.
She looks stressed, her red brows furrowed.
It makes Max frown to himself; why did his father have to do such a thing? He needs to fix this.
“So, when are we going to Wonderland to go save my mother! I am ready whenever; just say the word, and we can fix this thing!” Red asks, assured in herself.
She is so cool.
“Whoa, slow your roll, darling; no one is going to Wonderland just yet!” Fairy Godmother exclaims.
“Why not! My mother needs me!” Red yells, standing up from her seat.
Max looks over to Fairy Godmother and Uma and notices Uma's impressed expression.
“I’ve called Queen Mal and King Ben, and they will be sending the royal guard in the morning to solve this problem. Wonderland is no place for you kids right now; it's insanely dangerous with a beast like the Jabberwocky on the loose.” Fairy Godmother scolds. “Right, Uma!”
“Yeah sure…” Uma isn’t in agreement with Fairy Godmother, but the fairy doesn't realize.
“It's getting late; I just wanted to let you guys know what was going to happen. Your mother is in good hands, and dont worry, Max, we know you have nothing to do with this!” Fairy Godmother gives them a strained smile.
Max scoffs to himself; she has no idea what she is doing.
“Fairy Godmother! Squirmy and Squeaky Smee have released smoke bombs in the boys' dorm. I don’t think I can handle this on my own!” A student barges into the office coughing as fart smoke emanates from them.
“Oh, Puzzling Pumpkins! I’ll be right there, Uma. I’m going to need backup! Fairy Godmother scurries off, leaving Uma with Red and Max.
“Hey, you guys didn’t hear this from me, but sometimes to do some good you gotta get your hands dirty!” Uma salutes them, leaving the children with a choice.
Red and Max sit together in silence.
Max goes to scoot his chair back and leave; he can’t bear the awkwardness.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers under his breath.
❤️
Red hears him speak to her; his voice is scratchy, and his face looks like it hurts.
“Why are you apologizing? I’m sorry Luis did this to you,” Red stands up to respond to him.
Max looks up at her; his eyes are wide in confusion and a little hope.
He kind of looks like a cute cat.
Why is she thinking like that? Her mom is in danger.
Focus Red.
“O-oh, I’m fine.” Max seems to be blushing, or maybe that's the developing bruise on his face.
He doesn’t look fine.
“But really, I am not in support of my father whatsoever; I want to do whatever I can to help you stop him!” Max eagerly exclaims.
Red smiles at him; he has no clue his father is like this because of her and Chloe.
“I know.”
The frown that seemed to be glued on the boy's face started to fade away, replaced with relief.
“Allow me to walk you back to your dorm, Princess.” Max bowed to her.
She hated being called princess; it was so strange. But coming from Max, she didn’t seem to mind.
Although this wasn’t her timeline, she felt a connection with the boy.
“It’s just Red, and well, that's very kind of you, but I’m headed somewhere else tonight,” Red responds.
Before she came to Fairy Godmother's office, Chloe and Red came up with a plan. No matter what happens, they will make it back to Wonderland and fix their mistake. They will save Maddox and her mom!
Maybe Max could help them; it's his dad after all.
The pair keep a distance between one another as they walk down the main building's hallway, exiting the building.
“You said you would do whatever you could to help me?” Red smiles at him.
“Y-yeah,” Max responds meekly as the moonlight illuminates the two.
“Come with me,” Red says, stretching her hand towards the bruised boy.
Max takes her gloved hand with his, and she leads him into the surrounding woods.
Uma watches the pair from a window in the dormitory, smirking to herself; things are gonna get a lot more fun.
🩵
Where is she? My mom is going to kill me. Even in my previous timeline, my mom would still kill me over something like this.
But this is for Red's mom; we need to save her.
It will all be okay.
The blue-haired girl paces back and forth across the entrance to Wonderland, awaiting her friend. The moon watches over her in judgment.
She called her mom when Red left to go to the office.
Her mother ordered her to stay put in Auradon.
She wants to obey her mother, but she knows she helped make this mess.
She needs to take responsibility.
“Chloe, we’re here.” Chloe turns around, hearing her friend's voice.
We’re?
Chloe sees the redhead drag the beaten boy with his top hat to the portal.
“Why is he here? Red, this could complicate things!” Chloe is worried; we can't be adding another person to the mix.
And the Mad Hatter's son at that! It would be a cruel joke to send the poor boy to face off against his twisted father.
“He can help us!” Red exclaims.
“Yeah, I want to make things right…” Max responds to the pair.
He wants the same thing they want.
Red better be right about this.
“You better have what it takes then, Hatter,” Chloe gives him a small smile.
💜
Max stares at the swirling portal before him; it's been so long since he's been in Wonderland. The last thing he remembers is playing with his father in the Tulgey Wood, his father reading him a poem while resting on an illuminated mushroom. He was only 5, and that was one of his final good memories of him, before the man snapped.
He looks to Red, her wavy hair blowing in the wind.
She's taking a chance on him.
He can't let her down.
He's honestly surprised she's suddenly so nice to him. He spent days thinking about her on the isle, catching up on what she was up to on the smuggled tabloids as his father rambled about some stopwatch.
And there she was right beside him.
Red turns to him.
“Are you ready?” Red smiles at him.
Max gives her a meek nod.
The three teenagers stand above the rabbit hole, hands interlocked with one another.
If everyone is taking their own sweet time, they are going to fix it themselves.
Max takes a deep breath and tips himself forward into the rabbit hole.
🩷
Pink is fast asleep in her dorm.
A Post-it note lies beside her bedside table.
Dear Pink,
It's me, Red, your big sister.
I’ve gone to Wonderland to save Mom.
Don’t worry, everything is going to be okay.
You have my heart,
Red