Red's Fight
The battle raged around the Queen of Hearts’ palace. The war cries, clashing swords, and flashes of light created an atmosphere of chaos and violence. Red, determined to end her mother’s tyrannical reign, cut her way through the enemy ranks, her sword gleaming with determination.
When she finally reached the palace gates, where a few more of the Queen’s elite guards stood ready to defend her, Red threw herself into the fray. She dodged blows and fought back with fierce agility. She could feel Chloe’s presence at her side, even though they were separated by the chaos of battle.
Red managed to push the guards aside and rushed inside the palace. The halls were silent, but she knew her mother was waiting for her. She made her way to the great throne room, her heart pounding.
The Queen of Hearts stood in the center of the room, her scarlet dress flowing around her like a living flame. Her eyes narrowed in rage when she caught sight of Red.
“ Red, ” she whispered, her voice laced with anger and pain. “ My own daughter, come to betray me. ”
Red clenched his fists, his resolve unwavering. “ This is not treason, mother. This is a fight for freedom. ”
The Queen raised a hand, and a sword appeared in her palm. “ Then show me your resolve. Show me what you have learned. ”
The fight began, their swords clashing in a burst of light. Each blow echoed through the great hall, creating a symphony of metal and determination. The Queen attacked with icy precision, her movements swift and merciless.
Red, despite the pain in his heart, fought back with renewed strength. Every attack from her mother was a reminder of their shared past, and the love she had never received but had longed for… a dream she was about to kill herself. But she knew she had to push through this pain to protect her kingdom.
“ Why are you like this, mother ? ” Red shouted, parrying a deadly blow. “ Why are you so cruel ? ”
The queen dodged Red’s attack, her eyes flashing with anger. “ Because power requires sacrifice, Red. Because I wanted to protect our kingdom, even if it meant becoming who I am today. ”
Red felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she fought them back. “ This is not protection, this is tyranny. And I will not let our people suffer any longer. ”
Their fight continued, each blow echoing through the throne room like the final symphony of the concerto Red had never wanted to write. The queen attacked with renewed ferocity, but Maddox’s blow earlier weakened her, she lost her balance, staggered… for a single second… but long enough for Red to separate her from his sword, sending her several meters away, before her mother fell to her knees in front of her… unarmed…
The queen was short of breath, and a look of shock and pain on her face. “ Red… ” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Red raised her sword, ready to deliver the fatal blow “ let us cut off your head… ” but she froze at the last second, tears flooding her eyes. “ I… I can’t… ”
The queen, kneeling in front of her daughter, burst out laughing, a cruel and mocking laugh. “ Weak. You are weak, Red. You always have been. Unable to do what is necessary. ”
Red clenched her fists, torn between her inexplicable love for her mother and her duty to her kingdom. She lowered her sword, tears flowing freely. “ I can’t… ”
Suddenly overwhelmed by a pile of conflicting emotions and feelings, Red took a step back, and another… she knew her mother wouldn’t stop. Even less now that Auradon had clearly attacked her kingdom. She knew this woman had to die… but she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t bring herself to kill her own mother… it was beyond her strength. She dropped her sword, just as her mother retrieved hers… She knew what was going to happen.
The scene played out in slow motion for Red. She fell to her knees… barely heard her mother scream at her how weak she was, and saw her approach. Each step her mother took was determined, each step resounding like a countdown to the fateful moment. Her mother quickly found herself in front of her, her gaze enraged, and raised her sword. Red closed her eyes, ready to leave, taking her last thought with her… “ Chloe… ” she breathed, resigned.
The blade fell and… a sword pierced the queen’s armor, sinking into her heart. When Red opened her eyes, Chloe stood there, between her mother and her, and her sword… had just taken her mother’s life. Chloe had just killed… for her. She had just gone against her principles, against her values, against everything she was… solely out of love for Red !
The queen collapsed, her body stiff and lifeless… her blood spilled onto the marble floor of the throne room. And Chloe slowly turned to Red… And that’s when Red saw that her mother’s sword was still in her body, digging into Chloe’s stomach…
“ Chloe ! ”
Red rushed towards her as her princess collapsed in turn, dropping her sword still stained with the queen’s blood. She caught it just in time for it to not hit the ground, and Chloe fell into her arms. Red knelt down, taking Chloe with her and saw the extent of her injury… tears rolled down her cheeks as her love’s face was already losing its color.
In a breath, Chloe tried to speak. “ Red… ”
But Red shook her head, telling her to stay quiet and keep her strength. " Chloe... shush... please, don't say anything. You need strength. You're going to get better. Do you hear ? You're going to get better, princess, I promise. "
" Red... it's over... I... I love you..." Chloe murmured, her breathing becoming increasingly choppy.
" No... No Chloe don't do this. Please... Don't pretend to be the one saying goodbye to me. You're going to live, you hear ? You're going to live ! I... I'm begging you princess... I need you... "
Chloe didn't answer. She looked at the love of her life again, and closed her eyes...
" Chloe ? Chloe, no ! Open your eyes ! Princess, please ! Stay with me ! I love you! I need you to stay with me ! Chloe !! "
Red collapsed, hugging Chloe against her. Her tears flowed freely, and she felt her heart breaking. She screamed her princess' name over and over again, almost shaking her, hoping to wake her up, hoping for a miracle... which didn't come.
Her screams alerted Ben and the Auradon soldiers who also reached the throne room. And they could only witness the heartbreaking scene that was playing out in front of them. The queen was dead, Chloe's sword full of her blood... and Chloe inert in Red's arms, who was screaming her pain to the whole world. Ben felt the tears welling up, and approached first. He tried to push Red away, but it took a lot of strength to do so.
" No ! Ben, leave me ! I want to be with her ! I have to be with her !" Red screamed as he struggled.
But Ben pushed her away and made her leave the palace, while his men took care of Chloe and the queen. Once outside, Red fell to his knees and Ben knelt in front of her. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, but he knew that it would never be enough to erase his friend's pain at that moment.
" Red... " He began.
" It should have been me... it should have been me, Ben. My mother was on her knees in front of me... and I couldn't kill her. She was going to kill me, because I was weak... but Chloe... " Red couldn't finish his sentence, but Ben had understood, and his tears doubled too.
He was going to speak, to try awkwardly to bring comfort to Red. But one of his men caught his attention and spoke softly in his ear. Ben's eyes lit up for a moment, and he got back on his knees, reached out his hand and forced Red to look at him.
" She's alive, Red. " He announced bluntly. " Chloe is alive. She's fighting. And we're going to do everything we can to make sure she gets through this, you have my word. "