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!