Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’m late!” Princess Red of Wonderland slammed her fist down on her alarm clock to silence it.

She hopped out of bed, red comforter sliding off to reveal that she had slept fully dressed. After slipping into combat boots and a hooded leather jacket, she ducked through her window and clambered down to the palace grounds with the help of a handy drainage pipe and the ease born of trial and error.

Red then tiptoed around the edge of a croquet lawn and snuck through the thicket of the rose garden to where it reached the outer wall. She unlocked the first of the Spade side doors with her key (replicated by her compatriot Maddox after she’d lifted the original from a gardener to get wax imprints, only to return the “dropped” key with a smile), and slid into the small tunnel within the wall.

Hidden between the identical doors set in either side of the wall were messy mounds of gardening supplies, and Red retrieved her bag of spray paints from under one such pile, alongside her respirator mask and earpiece, which were all too risky to stow in the immediate vicinity of her room.

Slinging the bag over her shoulders, she donned the mask and lifted her hood to cover her bright red hair, before exiting the wall through the second door and leaving the royal palace behind.

Her earpiece crackled as she jogged across the moat bridge into the capital city, and Maddox could be heard giving a resigned sigh.

“You’re going to get caught one of these days,” he said, amusement coloring his voice.

“What difference would that make?” Red asked. “No beheading sole heirs. I’d be in the same prison, just several stories beneath my current cell.”

“Jailbird, jailbird, fly from your home,” Maddox singsonged. “Your mother’s a tyrant, one you wish to dethrone~”

“Right…” Red said, electing as always to move past his absurdity rather than derail the conversation. “Let’s get down to business. I noticed there’s a new spray paint in my repertoire. Care to elaborate?”

“Ohhhh,” he said. “You’ve found the acidic one. It’ll eat into stone, and also be handy for self defense in a pinch. More cautious minds than mine would suggest not using it indoors.”

“Maddox, you’re a treasure,” she said.

“So long as my head is attached to my body,” Maddox agreed. “I’d be much less effective if convicted of treason. So if you get caught-”

“I don’t even know who you are,” Red rolled her eyes. “I know the drill, Madcap.”

“Then by all means, carry on,” the Hatter’s son said gallantly. “Paint the town, Red.”

She skidded to a stop at a crossroads, in front of a large mural of the Queen of Hearts.

“Oh, I plan to,” she said, and shook the acid container with a Cheshire-sized grin.

Red had been summoned from her bed at the crack of dawn, bleary-eyed and yawning, to the checkerboard courtyard sprawling from the front doors of the palace, where the Court of Cards had convened.

When she spotted the two relatively reclusive Jokers, her heart sank.

They were playing today with a full deck (as full as one could be when the current monarch trusted none but her sole descendant with the rank of a Heart).

As Red drew level with her mother, a long-haired blond came into view, on his knees with his arms restrained by low-ranking soldiers. 

“This knave failed his duties,” the Queen of Hearts informed Red conversationally. “A rebellious vandal that he, of all my thirteen Clubs, was given the honor of detaining, is running amok among us.” 

She turned towards the crowd.

“And would you believe that he is no closer than ever to catching the culprit?” she asked them.

The kneeling military commander gulped, his armored reflection gleaming in the freshly scrubbed marble beneath their feet.

“Princess Red,” the queen said. “My Knave of Hearts. Step forward.”

Red reluctantly approached the prisoner, wishing for the anonymity of her hood and mask as the gathered deck appraised her.

“This man must face justice,” the queen said from behind her. “It’s time you learn to do what is necessary. Sentence him.”

Red bit her lip, hesitating as Diamond courtiers whispered to each other from behind their bedazzled fans and kidskin gloves.

“Go on,” her mother prompted.

“I decree…” Red paused, looking at the downcast eyes of the Knave of Clubs.

The two Court Jesters, masters of entertainment, hefted their sharpened battleaxes in preparation, the bells dangling from their executioners’ hood jingling at the slight motion.

“Yes, child?” the queen prompted.

“Banishment,” Red said quickly. “Erase his identity and his purpose by making his bloodsworn fealty null and void, and remove him from his homeland.”

“And give him a one way ticket to freedom in Auradon?” the Queen of Hearts flared her nostrils. “I think not. You know better, daughter.”

“Your majesty-” Red started.

The queen lifted her hand, silencing her.

“Knave,” she said. “For your crimes, your life is forfeit. Off with his head .”

Twin axes sliced through the air and Red closed her eyes.

The servants would need to scrub the courtyard again.

Red was to be confined for the day’s duration after her defiance during the mockery of a trial.

As her bedroom door was barred behind her, a scroll resting on her pillow caught her eye, due to the dim glow it emitted. The light’s golden hue was reminiscent of the magic sealing the borders of Wonderland, and Red sensed a similar energy from it, albeit with a slight undertone akin to the tang of sea salt.

Fairy Godmother’s wand had cast the spell to send this missive, but another had wielded its power.

Red put on her thickest leather gloves and, using two iron daggers, carefully pried open the wax seal and unrolled the scroll.

Princess Red,

We are honored to invite you to the upcoming academic year at Auradon Prep.

Red’s eyes immediately skipped down to the signature.

Signed,

Headmistress Uma of the Isle.

P.S. This letter will serve as a one-person portal that is tied to your magical signature, should you choose to accept.

“No way,” Red whispered.

Auradon news still trickled its way to Wonderland, and everyone had heard of the rebels themselves, the first to truly shake off the paths their parents had laid out for them, the legendary Villain Kids, and all knew of their rise into power.

Maybe they could help Wonderland with its little despot problem.

After sending a quick message to Maddox, Red packed her backpack as full as it could get, before picking up the invitation once more.

“I accept,” she said, then found herself suspended in a tunnel of gilded light, feeling a gentle warmth roll over her, before she abruptly fell down the hole at breakneck speed.

Red landed on her knees with a painful crack, completely disoriented by her dizzying transport and disconnect from the magic of her homeland.

“Who the hell are you?” someone stood above her.

Red looked up to find a dark-skinned girl with blue box braids glaring at her. The girl had her wrapped fists raised protectively, her downturned lips and fierce eyes promising Red’s swift defeat should a fight arise.

“Where am I?” Red asked, taking in wooden paneling resembling a ship’s cabin, a small porthole-like window on the wall letting in faint light, and a sturdy desk piled with paper.

“The headmistress’s office,” the other girl said in a tone that indicated how little she thought of Red’s intelligence. “Do you just teleport about willy-nilly?”

Before Red could answer, a woman with a pirate’s hat walked into the room.

“Chloe,” she said. “I hope you haven’t gotten into any more fights?”

“I heard something dumb about assigning me a roommate,” the girl, Chloe, scowled at her high-tops.

The woman then took notice of Red, who was still kneeling on the floor.

“Who the hell are you?” she said. “And what are you doing in my office?”

“Headmistress Uma,” Red said, scrambling to her feet.

“That’s my name,” Uma said. “Now, who are you?”

“I’m Red,” she said. “You sent me an invitation.”

“Oh, the transfer student,” Uma dropped her frown in favor of a welcoming smile. “Perfect timing. Chloe, say hello to your new roommate.”

Red sneered at the glowering girl.

“You have got to be kidding,” Chloe said.

In Wonderland, the Queen of Hearts sensed a disturbance in the barrier, and zeroed in on the weakened point, throwing her magic against it and preventing it from resealing.

Her crimson lips curled into a cruel grin.

Auradon was closer than ever, and with it, the realization of her sweet dreams of revenge.

Chapter Text

Chloe tore the end of the strip of tape she held with her teeth, patting it down to complete the straight line dividing her room neatly in two.

“That’s your side of the room,” Chloe informed Red with a scowl. “Stay in it.”

“Why should I?” the foreign princess said.

“Because I can kick your crazy ass into next teatime,” Chloe said through gritted teeth. “Not that you should need that sort of incentive to respect someone else’s personal space, but I suppose that’s too much to ask from the likes of you.”

“The first part is a compelling argument,” Red said, before tossing her backpack over the border into Chloe’s half of the room. “But Uma didn’t seem too keen on letting another fight involving you slide.”

“ Headmistress Uma,” Chloe corrected. “And I’m sure some detentions will be worth the satisfaction of wiping that smug look off your face.”

And she viciously kicked the offending backpack and sent it back to Red’s side of the room, its zipper bursting open on impact and spilling clothes across the floor.

“Fine,” Red said. “But I also have some cards up my sleeve. I’ll let you and yours alone so long as you do the same in return.”

“Unlike some people, I have morals,” Chloe said. “I may not be thrilled to have one, but I’m not going to break the roommate code.”

“Really?” Red asked. “Not even with the right incentive?”

“Rules are rules,” Chloe said.

“Sounds tyrannical.”

“It sounds just .”

Her roommate simply scoffed and began to gather her scattered clothing, clearly done with the conversation.

“You’re kidding,” Ally said at the picnic table she and Chloe preferred over indoor seating at the cafeteria. “A Wonderland transfer? And she’s not rooming with me?”

“I’d think you’d be relieved,” Chloe said, stabbing at her lunch with a fork. “Considering the fact that her mother almost killed yours when she was a child.”

“Mayhaps,” Ally said. “But I’ve never even been to Wonderland, and my mother won’t speak of it anymore. I was always so enthralled by her outlandish stories, that now she’s worried I’ll try to cross over.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Chloe wrinkled her nose. “The only way through is via the wand.”

“I know,” Ally sighed. “It’s truly disappointing.”

“You’re crazy,” Chloe told her, not for the first time.

“I’d rather be mad,” Ally said, following their usual script. “Speaking of mad, you seem rather incensed yourself, Chloe. Have mercy on your meal.”

Chloe looked down at her plate, where her grilled chicken breast had been torn to little pieces by her cutlery, and her avocado salad had been scattered over her smeared mashed potatoes.

“She’s infuriating,” she said.

“How so?” Ally inquired, sipping her tea. “Has she done anything to warrant such vitriol?”

“I don’t do roommates,” Chloe frowned. “And her attitude- she just rubs me the wrong way. I don’t trust her. What if she has ulterior motives?”

“She might be a spy,” Ally whispered conspiratorially, sounding far too thrilled with the idea.

“Exactly!” Chloe said, slamming her hand on the table. “What about her mom makes one think that this is a good idea?”

“Well, Uma is a VK,” Ally said. “They don’t see family matters in quite the same way. Perhaps she assumed Red would simply be here out of self-serving interest.”

“Or maybe we should be on the lookout for another attempt to steal the wand,” Chloe said. “What if there’s an invasion?”

“The security measures the king and queen installed after the Isle’s barrier went down are far too thorough,” Ally said with an unconcerned shrug. “Eat your food, Ms. Paranoia.”

Chloe huffed but spooned a forkful of potatoes and chicken into her mouth.

“I’m just saying,” she said after swallowing. “I’m going to sleep with one eye open at night.”

“Enjoy your lack of rest, then,” Ally said. “I hope you’ll understand if I don’t sleep fitfully in solidarity with you.”

“You’re not taking this seriously,” Chloe grumbled.

“You take everything too seriously,” Ally said. “Now, shut up and eat your salad.”

Between afternoon classes, Chloe was ambushed in the hall by CJ, Ruby and Jordan. The trio were adorned with snobbery alongside their jewelry, and wearing pride with their makeup.

“Can I help you?” Chloe said flatly.

“You’re the one who needs fashion help, Ashes,” Jordan, ever the snarky one, said. “Cinderella’s daughter, practically wearing rags? Your mother must be so embarrassed.”

“Your brother knew how to represent himself,” Ruby added, sneering at Chloe’s faded jeans.

“Yes, although being a major airheaded flirt for the duration of his highschool career was quite a way to uphold the family name,” CJ said, always the one to conclude their three-part act. “But you don’t even have the charisma to do that.”

Chloe clenched her fists. She knew full well that they were trying to get a rise out of her. Unfortunately, it was working.

“You’ll never get a girlfriend at this rate,” Ruby said faux-sympathetically. “And even if you were interested, none of the guys would want you either.”

“Poor Ashes,” Jordan pouted.

“That’s cruel,” CJ said, but she was laughing.

Chloe slowly raised her fists, smirking when Jordan and Ruby took a step back.

“Say one more word,” she said. “I dare you.”

“This’ll be your third infraction,” CJ said, stepping even closer. “You’d be sent home… Ashes .”

“Suspension will be worth it,” Chloe decided, pulling her arm back in preparation to strike.

“Chloe!” Mr. Deley walked around the corner. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Chloe said, dropping her hands.

“You know what the headmistress said the consequences for instigating any more fights will be,” Mr. Deley scolded.

“I didn’t instigate anything!”

“Perhaps,” he said. “But you can’t deny that I was about to catch you punching a fellow student.”

Chloe glared at the floor.

“Go to your room,” he said. “I’ll inform the staff that you are confined to your quarters for the duration of the day. And don’t think you’re getting out of schoolwork. Assignments will be sent to you to supplement the lessons you’ll miss.”

“What about dinner?” Chloe asked.

“I’ll ensure the kitchen sends you a plate,” Mr. Deley said, already turning to walk away. “Now go.”

Chloe slowly started towards the dorms, face burning as the other girls snickered at her retreating back.

“I’d understood that I was going to get some privacy,” Red said, putting down her pencil upon Chloe’s entrance to their shared room.

“Yeah, well, I’ve been excused from classes for the rest of the day,” Chloe snapped. “So I guess you’re stuck with me.”

“Don’t take your temper out on me,” Red said. “I get enough of that from my mother, thanks.”

Chloe bit back any reply, instead falling face-first onto her bed.

“That was easier than I expected,” she heard Red mutter.

Chloe turned her head to glower at her, but got distracted by the graffiti covering the walls in Red’s half of the room.

“You really think you’re the second coming of Mal, don’t you?” she asked.

“What?” Red furrowed her brow.

“The leather, the rebellious attitude, the disregard for rules, the evil mother…” Chloe trailed off for a second. “And now, this.”

“You said it, not me,” Red said with a smirk.

“Just leave my side alone, and don’t get paint on anything that belongs to Auradon Prep,” Chloe said. “As long as we return the room to its initial state at the end of the academic year, we’re allowed to decorate our walls, and while that usually just means posters and pictures, you wouldn’t be the first to repaint the walls themselves.”

“Shame,” Red said. “I had hoped that this qualified as vandalism.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Chloe said.

“You really are a stickler for rules,” Red said. “I don’t understand how you get anything done.”

“There’s a difference between rules, and right and wrong,” Chloe said. “I wouldn’t be on probation if I never broke the rules. I just don’t break my rules.”

“Interesting,” Red eyed her appraisingly. “Maybe you aren’t a lost cause after all.”

“You’d be the first person at this school to think so,” Chloe said bitterly. “Now let me wallow in peace.”

Red raised her hands in surrender, returning to scribbling in the notebook she’d been writing in when Chloe had arrived.

Cinderella was on her weekly call with her son, but kept losing focus due to the email she’d received from her daughter’s school.

“What’s up, mom?” Chad asked her over the phone. “You seem distracted.”

“I’m worried about Chloe,” she said. “I was hoping this year would be different, but she’s still getting into fights at school.”

“I can go talk to her the weekend after next,” Chad offered.

“Are you sure?” Cinderella asked. “I know you don’t have the fondest memories of your time there.”

“It’s fine,” he said. “What’s the worst that could happen?”