The skies above Red's castle swirled with an unnatural darkness, bolts of eerie purple lightning streaking across the horizon. Chloe adjusted her gloves, her face pale but determined.

"We can still save her," Chloe whispered, glancing over at Celia, whose expression remained stormy. Celia's fingers twitched at her side, her staff glowing faintly with dark magic.

"Save her? She's the one causing this chaos!" Celia snapped, though her voice cracked ever so slightly. She closed her eyes, hearing Cecila's words echo in her mind: There was no losing. That wasn't a choice.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened, her eyes blazing with renewed determination. "Fine. Let little Miss Perfect help her. But this isn't about just saving Red anymore. This is about stopping her before it's too late."

Herkie stepped forward, his massive frame casting a long shadow across the castle's gates. "Whatever happens, we stick together. We've got this. Red might be powerful, but we're stronger."

Madeline's wide eyes sparkled with excitement, as though she were enjoying the chaos. She twirled her teacup in her hand, a giggle escaping her lips. "Oh, I do love a good showdown! Especially when it's against someone with such flair."

Isabelle's gaze was steely, her hands tightening around her rapier. "Let's move. We're wasting time."

The Castle Gates

The group approached the looming gates of Red's castle. Squeaky and Squirmy's desperate cries for help echoed faintly from somewhere deep inside. Celia's chest tightened, and without waiting for the others, she bolted forward. Her footsteps echoed loudly against the stone as she charged into Red's domain.

Guards rushed to intercept her, but Herkie stepped in front of them, swinging his fists with precision and brute strength. One guard after another fell, unable to withstand the son of Hercules.

"Keep going!" Herkie shouted, slamming two guards together like they were toys. "I'll handle these guys!"

Celia barely nodded, her focus solely on the screams growing louder. Chloe and Isabelle flanked her, their eyes scanning for traps or ambushes. Madeline pranced behind, humming a whimsical tune as though the danger around her didn't exist.

Everything was going smoother than expected—until she appeared.

The Throne Room

The doors to the throne room creaked open, revealing a figure bathed in shadow. Red stood at the center, her crimson hair glowing like fire, her eyes cold and unrecognizable. But it wasn't just her presence that froze Celia in her tracks. It was the aura swirling around her—dark, oppressive, and entirely unnatural.

"Red!" Chloe cried, stepping forward. "Im here finally Im here, on your side!"

Red tilted her head, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Oh, Chloe. Always so naive."

"What..." Cecilias face dropped, she facepalmed. "I shouldve known she said all while chloe walked over to red. "Cecilia It doesnt take a genuis to find out why Chloe really traveled with us I cant blame her really If It was my friend-"

"Red, please," Celia tried, her voice softer now. "You don't have to do this. We can fix it together."

Red laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. "Fix it? Do you think I need fixing? I've finally embraced my true power. You wouldn't understand."

"Chloe step aside" Red barked

Before anyone could respond, a slow clap echoed through the room. The group's heads snapped toward the sound, and their blood ran cold.

Emerging from the shadows, her horned silhouette unmistakable, was Maleficent herself. Her presence was overwhelming, her aura radiating pure malice.

"Did you think this was all Red's doing?" Maleficent's voice was smooth, mocking. "Poor little fools. She is merely the beginning."

Celia's grip on her staff tightened, her knuckles white. "Maleficent..."

The sorceress's lips curved into a predatory smile. "Welcome to my domain. I've been expecting you."