Chapter 3:
Pitch flew wildly in anger through a portal into the fortress slamming his fist against one of the black marbled walls as it gave a loud clanging sound.
''So what no cake'' said Axel in his usual joking way though Pitch stomped silently finding it not funny.
''What exactly happened in the human world Pitch you see as though you saw your own death'' said LadyDevimon swooping down from her high perch on a ledge down towards him.
''It is worse than I thought the last Essence of Hope still lives'' said Pitch as everyone flew into shock horror on his announcement.
''That is impossible we thought we wipe every last piece of it'' said Icy as everyone was present before him.
''Sounds like we haven't stopped every last piece I say Chula wake up poor thing he hasn't had a rest in ages'' said Cat R Waul shaking awake a black spider that wore a cowboy outfit that sat on his shoulder.
The spider that was named Chula awoke with a start as a long piece of spider web flew from him attaching itself to one of the walls.
''Nice shot Chula do you always have to carry that spider around with you Cat R Waul'' said Ansem who spoke in annoyance at this.
''I have too he is my employee after all'' said Cat R Waul growling the words at him.
This caused Ansem to keep quiet as Chula was busy untangling his web.
''So who is the mousey you want us to see to'' said Chula who was now ready for action.
''This is not a mouse we are after Chula this is the last Essence of Hope'' said Valtor filling the spider in with the information so far.
''So one filthy piece lives huh'' said Chula as Ratigan nodded at this.
''So what we haven't seen a single Essence in Hope let me think now in months let alone years'' said Warren counting the figures inside his head.
''I am so glad your brain hasn't run down also we must deal with the only human that escaped'' said Ratigan.
''Yes that girl named Rose Red nearly forgotten about her'' said Pitch feeling the need to lick his wounds upon hearing that.
''Come on she is only one kid lost in the big wide world what is so important about her'' said Warren fuming at this.
''True but this one child's world was where Pitch sensed the last Essence of Hope and also Maleficent has taken the king and Queen's offspring into her care'' said Botticelli who stared at them from where he laid.
''And that does mean she is important to us on both of those things as time will tell'' said Ratisuis softly at this.
''Anyway we have all the time in the world to plan'' said Botticelli.
''Excuse me we I don't see you getting off your lazy hide to help us Botticelli when was the last you skinned a mouse alive or tormented a human'' said Ratisuis who had angrily remarked him on this.
Botticelli fumed from where he laid as he had stood quickly upright as he snarled his teeth in anger at Ratisuis. The others thought that the two rats were going to fight the other.
''At least I am not some one hundred and thirty five year old creation that is starting to lose his touch'' said Botticelli feeling this was true.
Ratisuis flared his nostrils at this raising his hands ready to fight as he clenched his fists then he unclenched them again.
He knew not to let Botticelli get the better of him as both would argue over their skills and flaws that they had done in life.
While this was happening Pitch had made a large bright globe before him that was starting to dim into darkness.
''For years I have planned to overturn the balance but now this one last one last annoying piece of Essence of Hope still exists'' said Pitch angered about to slam his fist into the darkening globe.
His fingers uncoiled almost inches from the glass as a light fainting glow stared straight at him. This globe allowed Pitch to see that every single piece of Essence of Hope was.
If a piece was destroyed then the globe began to dim showing the darkness in the world but if one piece wasn't destroyed it shown shining brightly than any night star.
''But soon I will rid this world of piece and no one will stop me not even those that wish to keep the balance'' said Pitch as he knew he needed to find that last piece.
While Pitch had his followers to start searching as Rose Red grew freely into childhood in her new home in the forest. Six years after her escape from the palace Elsa decided to visit them with her sister and their friends.
Early that morning as the sun was raising high into the sky as movement was heard from inside the top room of the cottage that Maleficent had placed the protection over it.
With the bedroom behind the light brown curtains was a glass window that saw into the room. As the walls, floor and ceiling were made from the oak wood in the forest. The objects in the room was a wooden dresser with a full round rim mirror attached to it.
Beside it sat a small brown stool as attached to another wall was a mantle where some array of clothes were hung for the day ahead upon the grey mantelpiece. As the fireplace below was empty which was a god sign as the owner of clothes knew they wouldn't catch fire.
At another wall was a wooden bedside table with a candle lit as the wick had died out from the last night before.
Beside it was a long single bed that could at least only fit one person as a form laid under the light green covers while the head rested on the soft white pillow.
The figure was a pale skinned six year old girl with her black hair becoming a little bit longer though it was still short as her lisp were red as the deep rose.
Her eyes fluttered open as Diaval had flown into the room as he shape shifted back into his human form.
''You know Rose Red I don't see what the point of being human if you don't have any wings come on hurry up and get dressed we have someone coming today'' said Diaval trying to brighten his features the best he could in front of her.
Rose Red stared awkwardly at him from where she sat up in the bed wrapping her arms around her legs. She knew that no one ever visited them in the past.
She found this excited and interesting as she ran out of bed towards the dresser. She raised her whole body up on tip toes as she picked up the hairbrush that sat nearest to her on the surface of the dresser.
She brushed the soft bristles through her hair as she tied it back as she got changed into a white dress with short sleeves that had a blue teardrop on the front as a brown band was around the waist. She placed her light blue strapped nightdress over the mantle as best she could.
This somehow ended up with Rose Red tumbling backs onto the floor though she wasn't badly hurt as she ran out the room as she dashed down the stairs.
In her heart Rose Red wished she could fly like Diaval or her guardian Maleficent since she didn't want to be a burden to them all her life. But when Rose Red had first arrival at the cottage she had kept mistaken Maleficent for her mother.
She thought maybe the fact her skin was pale or her reds being red as Rose Red couldn't tell which as she entered the tiny kitchen.
Maleficent stood before her at a wooden brown table as she flew over to Rose Red.
''Morning my little flower how are you today'' asked Maleficent as she always called Rose Red by that special term.
Maybe Maleficent felt that Rose Red was a flower waiting to be bloomed into adult age into something beautiful and wonderful.
The only other objects in the kitchen were the wooden chairs and the large cooking pot over the low burning fire.
Upon seeing the smoke rise Maleficent used her magic to make a few plates and cutlery as it was filled with that morning's breakfast.
''After breakfast you can take Diaval outside for a walk in the forest'' said Maleficent smiling fondly at her.
''Hey I am an ally not some pet of yours alright Maleficent'' said Diaval pretending to sound hurt by this.
''Oh right, oh right Diaval as you say so'' said Maleficent smiling at this as Rose Red and herself sat down.
While Diaval shape shift into his raven form as he began to pick the food from the third plate that was meant for him. Maleficent stared at Rose Red in silent wonder pondering at how quiet and peaceful it had been.
Never once had they had bother from Pitch the past years which made Maleficent feel a little caution towards knowing she couldn't make one wrong move for Rose Red.
Still she had come to love Rose Red as a daughter as she tried to be the mother figure that she promised to be for her.
After they had finished breakfast Maleficent went to see to the dishes as Rose Red and Diaval exited out into the forest. It sounded peaceful as Rose Red ran across the grass among the tall oak trees.
Diaval flew above her crowing happily as he flapped his wings. That moment as Rose Red heard for the water nearby as it began to freeze into solid ice.
''I would be careful on ice Rose Red especially in the middle of spring'' said Elsa who appeared before her.
She moved towards Rose Red with a graceful sweeping her skirt and cape below her legs. Rose Red smiled as she loved Elsa's company as she was one of the few who ever came to the forest.
As Rose Red saw that Elsa had come alone beside three figures that she hadn't seen before. One was a woman of eighteen with her strawberry blonde hair tied up as she wore a dark blue strap ball gown as the area around her chest was darker shade of the dress with blue heel shoes.
Beside her was a muscular handsome stocky man with blonde hair with brown eyes though he seemed fair skinned? He wore a thick dark blue tunic with a fur lined burgundy which was a purplish brown with a collar and a blue patch over his elbow, a burgundy sash was tied around his waist with a dark blue long sleeve undershirt, brownish green mittens, thick dark blue trousers, a dark bobble hat and dark brown fur lined boots with pointed out toes.
Rose Red wondered why he wore these clothes as it wasn't winter yet knowing the cold freezing weather would had been the best time for him to wear the clothing.
Standing beside him stood a brown reindeer as Rose Red stared in delight as she had never seen an actual one in her whole life.
She walked slowly up to them as Diaval sat perched on a top branch on one of the trees nearest to them. Elsa saw the child approach them as she lowered her head in a slow bow smiling at Diaval.
Both he and Elsa understood what the other was thinking as she ushered Rose Red forward.
''Hello there again Rose Red we seem to be meeting all the time this is my younger sister Anna and our friend Kristoff and his reindeer Siven'' said Elsa sweetly to her.
''Hello there Rose it is so great to see you Elsa talks a lot about you back at the palace'' said Anna waiting for Rose Red to answer though she didn't.
''Not a talker aren't we'' said Kristoff bending down to Rose Red's height level as he stared at her seeing how quiet she was.
''You see that is what Rose Red is like she won't speak to others she is rather shy mostly with new people'' said Elsa explaining the situation.
''So she can't speak to us then at all'' said Anna feeling sad and confused by this.
''Only if you are Maleficent and Diaval'' said Elsa giving a light chuckle to this.
Both of them understood as Kristoff got back up to his actual height as Anna had an idea on how to gain Rose Red's trust. She noticed how much the girl loved animals.
It was the way Anna saw that Rose Red and Sivan stared each other acknowledging the other was there.
''Rose Red would you like to feed a carrot to Sivan'' said Anna taking out one that was stored away with the carrots that Kristoff had brought with him.
Rose Red stared her head upward in a quizzical manner at them.
''Don't worry he won't bite he loves carrots'' said Kristoff pushing Rose Red lightly forwards to him with the use of his hands on her back.
Rose Red watched slowly as she had gingerly stopped in front of Siven as she placed the carrot outward for him to take.
Quick as a flash the reindeer ate the carrot in large gulps licked her hand which Rose Red couldn't help but giggle at this.
The sound of her gentle laugh filled the whole forest with life.
''Rose Red would you like to ride Siven'' said Anna as another thought came to her.
''Anna I don't think that is a good idea'' said Kristoff fearing in case Rose Red fell off of Siven's back which would had got them into serious trouble with Maleficent.
Anna gave him a look as Kristoff shrug at this as he helped Rose Red onto Siven's back as he got up behind her. The two of them mounted as both Elsa and Anna watched as Siven rode through the forest.
Rose Red couldn't help but laugh her gentle laugh as it filled the whole forest again with the same life.
That moment Ratisuis had sensed this as he flew into the air above the trees. He had been informed by Pitch to search for Rose Red telling to return once he had found her.
He stared in the direction of the laughter as this made him begin to think as he flew back to report to pitch. That same moment Kristoff had return with Rose Red as he helped her off of Siven.
Diaval had finally flown off his perch heading towards Rose Red as he pulled at her dress with his beak.
''Diaval is right it is time for us to return home as well I think it was a pleasure that Anna, Kristoff and Siven had finally met you'' said Elsa staring down happily at her.
Rose Red nodded at this as she ran down the whole way with Diaval flying beside as the other group departed their separate way as well.
''I see you had quite the time'' said Maleficent who stood outside the cottage awaiting their return.
Rose Red watched as Diaval turned into his human form as he stood before her.
''We certainly did as Elsa has been a great help in showing Rose Red the trust in others'' said Diaval as Maleficent smiled at this.
Later that evening after dinner as Rose Red was tucked up in bed while Maleficent was having one of her secret meetings with Diaval which she did a couple of times.
''Rose is growing faster than any flower I had ever seen in the forest'' said Maleficent in a low concern tone.
''I understand your fears as I do as well fear Pitch will not stop till he had hunted Rose Red down and turn her into that monster like thing that he had done to the rest of her kingdom'' said Diaval shuddering at the reminder.
''I fear it will be much worse of a dire fate he has for her in time to come'' said Maleficent sadly.
''You are regretting your gift on her fearing it might cost her life'' said Diaval.
Maleficent nodded sadly to him at this as unknown to them black smoke formed around the outside the cottage as it was beginning to break the protection over it slipping through the top open window.
'''Still Rose Red will have to decide for herself if she wishes to leave alone or die willing'' said Diaval as he watched as Maleficent fell weakly to the floor of the kitchen.
He came straight to her side as she placed a hand over her head.
''Diaval the protection I place he has finally broken it'' said Maleficent as both stared in alarm knowing where the intruder was heading.
They ran up the stairs knowing that Rose Red slept with the window open as she loved to hear the night time noises in the forest which neither saw something to trouble themselves over.
Now they both knew it was as Diaval was the first to get to the bedroom door as he threw it open from where he stood on the top landing.
It opened to show Rose Red sleeping peacefully in bed as both wondered where their intruder was.
That moment Maleficent screamed in pain as some black energy knocked her to the ground as Diaval raced towards the bed but his patch was blocked.
He stared glaring at the face of Pitch who had finally broken through the protection when he had arrived after Ratisuis had told him of Rose Red's whereabouts.
''You think your mistress's spell would keep me away for long'' said Pitch snarling the words as Diaval kept glaring at him.
''She did it out of love to keep Rose Red safe a feeling you won't understand'' said Diaval angrily.
''True but look at her Diaval such a delightful creature so young and full of life'' said Pitch as if he was mocking Diaval on his bravely for her.
Diaval knew he could only watch as Pitch laid his hand on top of Rose Red's head as it began to glow.
Pitch stared as he knew inside that he would turn her very dreams into nightmares. He waited till he discovered what she dreamt as he sensed her mind became a blank to him.
''What is this why can't I see her dreams answer me that'' said Pitch angrily turning to Diaval.
Before he could harm him as Maleficent had got herself up from the floor as she threw at Pitch as she sent her magic straight at him.
This caused Pitch to fall toppling backwards as the two leaders of good and evil stared glaring at the other as Maleficent could only watch as Pitch vanished from sight.
She knew that he wasn't really gone for good as she knew someday he would return to harm Rose Red as she continued to watch over her with Diaval.
As each month went by Rose Red grew more and more beautiful as the years passed. During her time in the forest she went on many ventures with them.
They rose along the water as Maleficent used her magic to send it rising and float down in flowing motions as Rose Red was given the talent to breathe underwater as she swam with Ariel.
One of her other times they had visited the animals as Mrs Brisby, Basil, Justin, Tanya and Fievel made a friendly picnic with Tiger and the other animals of the forest.
Also Rose Red met Mrs Brisby's son Timmy who was a brown fur mouse like his mother as he wore a purple vest with blue trousers. He had come to see her with a brown fur girl mouse with blonde hair tied back with a pink bow as she wore a pink sweater.
Rose Red had learned her name was Jenny as she met the only dog among them which was a light brown German shepherd named Charlie.
As she played many fun games of hide and seek or tag with the younger animals in the trees or hiding in the ground.
Sometimes they would dance around her feet as Rose Red danced in graceful movement.
''He won't stop you know that Maleficent'' said Basil sipping the tea from his cup as she nodded at this.
When winter came Elsa had arrived creating the whole forest into a winter wonderland as she froze the water as the tops of the trees and their branches were dusted with snow while the ground was covered in a white blanket of snow.
Rose Red had such fun playing snowballs with them as she skated along the ice as sometimes Kristoff let her ride on Siven.
Also during summer and autumn she had met the other residents of the forest.
Two of them were boys the same age though one had brown spiked hair while the other had blonde spiked hair as they had the same blue eyes.
The brown spiked haired boy wore black, red, and white top, black baggy trousers, white shoes and a medallion around his neck as he carried a keyblade.
The other spiked hair boy wore a white shirt, black trousers and dark trainers as he carried a keyblade as well.
One of the girls had auburn hair with blue eyes as she wore a peach dress as the long blonde hair girl wore a white dress.
The one with them he had long white hair as he wore a yellow vest with blue trousers.
Maleficent had introduced them as Sora, Roxas, Kairi, Namine and Riku. Rose Red smiled happily as she played among them.
Sora and Roxas showed her the powers of their keyblade while Kairi showed her the wonder of nature while Namine showed her the power of using memories and dreams.
Riku had taught her how to use the power of wisdom to guide her to many paths that awaited her. Fifteen years had passed as it was nearly leading up to the day of Rose Red's sixteenth birthday.
''Say Rose what powers do you have'' asked Roxas one afternoon as they rested by the foot of the trees.
''My powers'' said Rose Red confused.
This time as her appearance had changed as her black hair had grown long as it came down her back as some was pulled back behind her left ear while most came down the right side of her face. She wore a long white strap dress that left her arms bare as the skirt came down in a slender thin line as she wore long soft white boots on her feet.
''Yeah Rose everyone has a power within them what is yours' said Sora smiling brightly at her.
Rose Red tried to think hard as she couldn't playing her fingers over the gold chain of her gold oval shape necklace that hung around her neck.
She didn't know where it came from as Maleficent had told her it had been there all her life.
''Would you stop bothering her how is your understanding dreams coming along'' asked Namine.
''Fine I guess but I keep having the same strange one about this strange man in black with a kingdom filled with strange monsters and a faint bright glow'' said Rose Red as she shrug at this.
''Maybe your destiny is telling you something Rose'' said Kairi happily at this.
''If so we cannot let it cloud us into judging things'' said Riku.
Before they could say anymore Maleficent had called Rose Red inside the house as it was beginning to get dark. As Rose Red tried to sleep peaceful dreams knowing tomorrow was her birthday though she couldn't tossing and turning in her sleep.
