Chapter Text
Many years ago at Merlin Academy, 8 individuals formed a friend group. Cora Hearts, Alana Tremaine, Caleb Charming, Elijah Spades, Riley Hudson, Matilda Mirrors, Emily Star and Jackson Thox. Throughout their years at Merlin Academy they were always close and eventually it turned into love. Cora married Elijah, Alana married Caleb, Riley married Matilda and Emily married Jackson. After graduating they all stayed close even when Cora went back to Wonderland to get crowned Queen alongside with Elijah as her king and Caleb got crowned King of Charmingsburg with Alana as his queen. Eventually Cora, Alana, Emily and Matilda all became pregnant, having their babies all around a similar time to the others. Red Hearts, Princess of Wonderland, Chloe Charming , Princess of Charmingsburg, Bridget Hudson and Ella Thox. They were inseparable, thick as thieves. Together they grew up, whether it was visiting Wonderland, Charmingsburg or wherever, they were always together. Until they weren't. Until it all changed.
All 4 girls were playing in the castle in Charmingsburg. They were now 10. Elijah and Cora were in Wonderland in a court session with King Adam who was trying to convince Wonderland to join Auradon. It had been going on ever since Wonderland didn't join but this was the first time King Adam had gone to Wonderland to discuss the matter. Red was chasing Ella, Bridget and Chloe trying to catch them. The adults sitting on the large, pristine white porch watching them.
"I'm going to catch one of you!" Red exclaimed, all 3 girls squealing, swerving and laughing as they dodged Red. Each of them taunting Red.
"Has anyone heard how the meeting's going?" Alana asked, "It should be over soon I believe" replied Jackson. None of them thought much of it, it wasn't unusual for meetings to go over schedule in Wonderland. The girls continued playing for another 20 minutes before Red stopped. Chloe, Ella and Bridget thought she had just given up.
"Giving up already Red" Ella asked, "Come on Red you never stop until you have one of us, what's changed?" questioned Chloe. Red didn't answer, she looked just as confused as them.
"I don't know, something just doesn't feel ri-AHHHH!!!" Red suddenly exclaimed, dropping to her knees. All the adults rushing over along with the girls.
"Red are you okay?!" Bridget blurted out. She didn't reply, her eyes turning red, her hand clutching her chest. The adults are trying to talk to her while giving her space. Ella, Chloe and Bridget holding back tears seeing their friend non-responsive and in pain. Red's head snapped up her eyes back to their chestnut brown colour. Her eyes wide and filled with emotion.
"Something's wrong," Red muttered, trying to figure out what had just happened. They all looked at her until they heard the sound of footsteps. Fast footsteps and someone yelling. Their heads turned in that direction
"Princess Red, Your Highness!!!" Multiple voices yelled, coming out of the forest were 5 of them in total. The loudest being Maddox who is the King and Queen of Wonderlands Royal Advisor. Behind him there were 4 card soldiers. All 5 of them looked distressed.
"Maddox what has happened, where's Elijah and Cora?" Questioned the adults. The 4 girls all huddled together. Now that Red was replying the other 3 were checking on her.
"There's no time for the full story! But we must get the princess back to Wonderland. The meeting was a distraction! Wonderland has been attacked, and people have been attacked, the Auradonians have been kicked out by the Wonders and Wonderland itself! Wonderland is closing the Rabbit Hole to protect itself and we have to get Princess Red back there in the next few minutes before it completely closes or the Auradonians attack again!" Maddox spat out at a rapid pace that would have been funny if not for the severity of the situation.
"Wonderland is telling the Queen that it will shut itself indefinitely due to the attack!" it was now one of the card soldiers who spoke.
"What does this mean?!" Bridget blurted out with emotion clear in her voice.
"It means I can't come back, not until Wonderland sees that it's safe" Red answered, her voice trembling. Adults and children are all looking at Red now, the girls with tears spilling down their cheeks and the adults with tears in their eyes.
"No you can't, don't leave us, Red please!" Each girl exclaimed.
"Princess Red, we are running out of time!" Pushed Maddox. Red stood up, tears spilling down her cheeks, the girls and their respective parents standing up behind them. The 3 girls cling onto Red trying not to let her go, not wanting to face the reality of the situation. She hugged them back just as tightly until she reluctantly let go and stepped back.
"I love all of you and I will never forget you. Don't forget about me." Red told them, wiping her eyes as tears blurred her vision. The 3 girls still clinging onto each other sobs coming out of their mouths. Red turned to Maddox and the card soldiers looked at each other then back to Red. She nodded to them and stepped forward until she was behind them and they turned to her.
"To Wonderland" she said before taking off into a run towards the forest. Maddox and the card soldiers running after her. Each girl was broken. Clinging onto each other as their parents wrapped them up into a big hug, holding on and not letting go. Watching their best friend leave, someone they've known since birth who they've shared so many memories with was gone. That broke them. Even their parents had begun to cry watching the girl they helped raise leave. None of them knew when they were going to see Elijah, Cora or Red again. But they couldn't do anything. They all had only one thought in their mind.
What do they do now?