"From how it's looking, I was able to help the two out and they fixed up their relationship just when things were about to get complicated. Such as Red and Carmine convincing Chloe to steal an ancient cookbook to prevent Uliana from turning Bridget into an evil queen. I mean I have no issue with stealing since it's every passage for villain kids to steal something that's either large or small when it comes to surviving. Stealing a book? Is saving all of Auradon and preventing a coup from happening. But before we could get started on this mission, it seemed appropriate that Red and Chloe say their goodbyes to their moms since this might be the last time they would be able to talk to them as teenagers. I mean, if I had the chance to talk to my dad now I'd tell him to not treat me like a weapon and have me train every day to become the vigilante I am today. But I mustn't do, it because the way I was raised helped protect the kingdom and become a married man. Just hope that Gamma wakes up before the fun is over."
Morning-Merlin Academy
Having finished their meal and going about the day to keep up the facade of being students at the academy. With that going on, Trickster was in the courtyard keeping his distance from the past VK gang as he saw how his dad was the same loudmouth monster he was in the future. Especially trying to be a lady's man to Maleficent and Grimhilde as he could see why he was head over heels for Mal and Evie. He could walk over and stop them; he could prevent Uliana and the others from stealing the book right now if he walked over and gave them a frightening face that Oogie had taught him. There were many ways for him to stop them, but they weren't his enemies, they were Red and Chloes. Meaning they had to be the ones to face them before returning to the future.
"Just one black widow. Or a hornet, maybe even a snake. They couldn't get the book, and the girls could go home without getting their hands dirty."
Trickster thought to himself about how he could approach the issue as he continued to hold himself from handling it. The VK was stopped by a metal hand as it came from Gamma, who had managed to wake up from his nap and saw Trickster thinking about something to prevent the upcoming villains from taking the book.
"I think we should talk. Away from the soon-to-be-punished teenagers."
He spoke in a subtle tone so that the group didn't hear them as the son of Oogie said nothing but obliged him as the two walked outside in front of the school where no one would notice them. From the posture and expression that Trickster was giving off, the cyborg knew how he was having trouble controlling himself since his father was hanging around with the others and plotting to turn Bridget into a monster.
"You need to reframe yourself from doing anything idiotic. The princesses have come to terms with what's needed and will get the book by tonight."
Explaining the plan that Red and Chloe had come up with since it was the right moment when the cover of night would come, they'd have a chance to head into Merlin's private library and take the book. While he was glad they had come up with a solution to save Bridget and her future, he was angered at having to wait this long to get it done.
"Tonight is too far. I remember when I attempted to steal Fairy Godmother's wand, I did it right before the moon came up. Along that there isn't a Demigod protecting the office. Maybe a few enchanted armors but let's get it over with."
Trickster complained that the waiting was killing him since he didn't want to be around his father any longer. Gamma could understand wanting to leave quickly, but he noticed underneath his mask was another motive for him wanting to get this adventure over.
"What are you getting at? At don't hide it, I know your a crappy liar."
He went out and accused the Oogie VK of hiding something that caught Trick's attention since he couldn't believe what he was saying. Before he had a chance to defend himself, Trick saw Gamma glaring at him and the look about hiding a motive like he did when he came to stop Audrey from taking over. Feeling the pressure of his friend's look and unable to be serious like him, the Oogie boy decided to tell him since they had already messed with the timeline.
"Well. Hopefully, when things die down and the girls go home. I was going to ask Red to use the pocket watch and find out how exactly our other parents came to the kingdom. I need to know how this all started and now there's a way to learn about it."
The VK explained on him being impatient and wanting to use the watch to find his true heart's desire and learn about the truth behind their parents coming together. Gamma groaned at how insane the idea since they were already altering the past to save the future, but Trick wanted to go further back to see how the others arrived and met Auradon's villains.
"I thought you were already happy with the position your in. You have two wives who love you and people who consider you family. Why risk it?"
He asked Trick about the idea of traveling deeper into the past and learning how this started. How Mal's parents actually met to see where Red's mom had the chance to meet her future husband who should be in Wonderland since there was no signs of tears appearing since both of their kingdoms were separated.
"This isn't for me. This is for all the kids who didn't get the chance to grow up with a mother or father that could have raised them better, for the kids who didn't have to live underneath a sink or be forced into doing things they didn't want to. Maybe attempt going back to the other earth telling them they have kids who grew up in a living hell!"
Trickster yelled as he quickly covered his mouth from saying that since he wasn't supposed to let that out. It caught Gamma off from seeing his friend lash out as a child would if they wanted to spend time with the other parent. With that being said and getting that out in the open, Trick sighed at how idiotic the plan was and saying it out loud for him to hear it.
"Trick. Have you spoke with Yen Sid? Or the girls back home about this feeling?"
The cyborg questioned him about keeping these feelings deep within him and not sharing it with anyone. Not responding to him and showing signs of not sharing this issue with the wives of his life, the Oogie did his best to relieve himself of the stress. Trick removed his mask to breathe and show the expression on his face to his friend.
"Hades no. Mal and Evie are content with how they were raised and already settled up with their dads, me? I'm having trouble now because Oogie is here. I can't think straight, act straight or contain myself from yelling at him to be a better dad."
He explained about not focusing on what was happening since this was what Oogie Boogie does to him. Trick's mind acts violently to where he wants to either fight someone or run blindly into any situation that was in front of him. Seeing Trick being vulnerable and trying to keep himself restrained, the cyborg knew that it was vital to keep him under control so that everything went to plan.
"What if, once things are handled and we return back home. Why not talk to Mal and Evie about this? I'm sure they'll listen. You've been there for them taking all the stabbings and shootings, they should at least be there hear your problems."
Offering an alternate solution that traveling deeper into the past to see everyone else's parents and learn the truth of their arrival. Taking a moment to think about his resolve in this matter and seeing it being a safer way to let out his pent up emotions. The VK reluctantly agreed and decided to wait till Red and Chloe got the book from Merlin's office. The two walked off to attend the classes they had to attend in order to avoid getting questioning. Not noticing from the side was Jafar who was hiding behind a column where he noticed the two walking off and hearing only about taking the book.
"How interesting."
He spoke with a smile on his face before returning back to the table with his cohorts about the issue Trickster was having with Oogie Boogie. The monster boy didn't know what the deal was with him, but didn't mind getting pay back for how he took his snake out of his mouth in front of everyone.
"We could use this too our advantage. Hook, let Oogie take some of your pirates and meet up with those weirdos. We, will get the cookbook before Merlin has the chance to see us."
Uliana instructed James in letting his crew work under Oogie which gave the monster boy to glee in excitement on getting payback on Trick for humiliating him. Thanking the sea witch for the honor of getting his revenge, he made his way off to gather several items in hurting Trick and Gamma so that Uliana could get the cookbook.
"I still don't know why you allow that bag of bugs in the group. He's repulsive and always tries to ask either me or Grimhilde out on a date."
Maleficent questioned her in allowing Oogie to be a part of their crew since she detested the brute. Hook and Jafar laughed at that since he was the only one out of the entire school ask her out since the Dark Fae had a reputation in cursing everyone. Her eyes glowed green toward the boys as she caused their drinks to explode onto their faces for how they laughed at her.
"If anything I'd make him into a huntsman. Just give him a makeover and possibly sew his mouth shut, but I agree that he's rather voracious."
Grimhilde added onto her companion's question about allowing someone like Oogie to hang around them. Uliana was surprised about their discomfort for having someone like him around but smiled that he was a means to an end.
"Don't worry about bug boy. If anything he'll get in trouble with the fighting that'll happen tonight. For right now, we celebrate on the revenge we're going get on that little princess."
She made a remark about that Oogie was someone she'd use in order to get her revenge. With him getting the attention from outside would give the group the chance to steal the cookbook and not get noticed. They shared a laughter at how they would handle two problems and solve it one night without getting their hands messy, what they didn't know was a cockroach listening on the conversation and sneaking away from them before crawling up Oogie's shoulder and informing him about the betrayal.
"I Should have known they'd use me like an axe and discard me. Oh well, if it's a night of revenge. I'll make sure that this Oogie will get the last laugh."
He remarked toward the treacherous nature of the gang as he then eats the bug since he'd need the vitamins for what would happen later on. For now the best thing he'd needed to do was go along with Uliana's plan and prepare for the distraction that would happen.
Several Hours Later
Having finished her classes and walking down the hallway, Red was keeping herself calm and collected since this would be the last time she'd see her in this form. Making her way toward Bridget's door, the red-haired princess was nervous in approaching her due to how if everything didn't go accordingly tonight, Red could jeopardize everything and ruin her future. Going right for it and knocking on the door, Red sees it opening to show Bridget's room with dresses lined up on a clothes rack and wearing a set of pink headphones.
"Hey. I was just about to come and find you, I need help with something for Castlecoming."
Bridget proclaimed as she brought Red into her room where she closed the door so the two could have privacy. Confused about what she needed since it was a surprise to be needed by anyone, especially her future mother she saw Bridget pulling out a deck of cards and mentally prepared herself for a performance.
"I call it the shuffle of love. When I'm able to finish my catering, I can go on the dancefloor and show off my dance, maybe attract someone to join me."
She explained to him as the princess turned on the music that got her into the groove as Bridget started to display a set of dance moves while shuffling her cards. Following the rhythm of the music and showing off a vibrant personality, Red could tell where she got her hyperactive personality. The dancing ended with Bridget tripping on the floor and throwing all of her cards on the ground which made her feel embarrassed by how she messed up.
"Let me help."
Red offered to gather up her cards from the ground as Bridget thank her for the assistance. As they were gathering all of the cards, Bridget noticed the silent expression that her friend was giving off which was concerning due to Red's face showing discomfort and confusion.
"Did anything happen before you came here? If anything I'm happy to listen to you."
Bridget offered an ear to hear out Red's problem as it caught her by surprise in her offering aid. It was something that she hadn't been given for a long time back in Wonderland whenever she ran into a problem, help from her mother. Taking the offer into consideration, Bridget walked her over to the bed so Red could talk about her problem.
"I'm not going to Castlecoming."
Coming up with a plausible reason for Bridget to believe in since she couldn't tell her about the stealing that she'll be doing tonight. Bridget looked sadden by the response and didn't know why she wouldn't attend the dance since she showed a sense of humor and was great at dancing when she was giving away cupcakes.
"Right now my mother's calling me back home, she's been going through a lot of problems lately and needs me. Which is a surprise since she focuses on herself and the business she's running. Not having time to have fun with me."
Red brought up about the trouble that she had back home along hiding anything that would give Bridget a clue to where she came from. While Bridget could honest being there for someone is important whether its family or friends, what she couldn't accept was that Red's mom wouldn't spend time with her to have fun or do anything productive.
"That shouldn't be right. Every parent should spend quality time with their child, I mean. Once I met that special someone, I plan to have some of my own. Teach them how to cook and doing card tricks. I'm the only one in Wonderland who knows how to play them and do tricks with them."
Responding to Red that despite how important her mom sounded, it was no excuse in spending quality time with her. It continued to amaze Red that this was the Queen of Hearts before she was pranked by Uliana, more or less that this could have been the version with she'd grown up with.
"While that's kind of you say but words don't help all the time. Especially how she only paid attention to me when she learned that my brother, who I haven't known or knew about brings it up. Which I don't know how to handle when I come back home after a fight we had before I came here."
She continued to share the stress on what Red was feeling due to how if she'd be able to get everything done and return to the future. What about Knave? He let go of the watch just before they arrived in Merlin Academy is now lost in time. Or what if the Queen of Hearts would forget about him and had her memories of him removed? The more that Red thought about it the more she felt like wanting to tell Bridget who she really was. Her thinking left her to be given a hug from Bridget which left Red to stop thinking since it been a while for her to be given a sincere hug.
"In Wonderland, hugs are always the best way to confront problems. While everyone here aren't fond of hugs, I'm willing to hug it out to help them feel better."
Bridget explained the reason for the kindhearted act as Red said nothing but accepted the hug as she embraced it. Just as she enjoyed the denied attention that hadn't been given to her for years, they heard the door open which showed Chloe and Ella entering the room which showed the two girls hugging it out.
"Are we interrupting anything?"
Ella asked as Red moves back from Bridget since she didn't want to appear soft in front of Chloe since she considered her the tough one in the group. Chloe could tell how her friend looked embarrassed and said nothing as Bridget shook her head since it was a private talk and that they had just finished.
"I was going come up to tell you that Merlin needs help with the tables for Castlecoming. And of course, I need help with the dress you gave me to show off to Charming."
Informing Bridget about needing assistance which made her excited at hearing the dress that Ella was enjoying the dress. Rushing over to get her shoes on and find anything that would help with the party. She looked over at Red seeing that her talk was able to change her emotions from distress back to being focused again.
"Hopefully things will be better when you see your mom again. I know I'd wouldn't be alright if I couldn't patch up any problems I have with my parents."
She told Red before saying her goodbyes to her future daughter and Chloe before heading off to attend her duties. Seeing their future mothers leave the room, Chloe waited to see if she could sit by Red to see if things were alright. The Wonderland princess was still hesitant due to how her personality was and allowed Chloe to sit by her.
"Before coming here, I had a talk with Ella. I'd never imagine her not being the royal type since she's mastered it back in the future. Along that I shouldn't take things seriously and enjoy the moment. Even with people I didn't have the chance to get to know better."
Chole informed her that while she had the chance to say her goodbyes to Ella. She was given advice on taking a moment to enjoy her surroundings along never forgetting that life should be enjoyed to the fullest. Red smirked at how the princess could take a moment in taking it easy and having fun. With that being said, Red noticed something by the wardrobe were two cupcakes with a letter by the side as she walked over to see what it was written.
"I was able to bake one more cupcake for your friends that didn't have the chance to eat them. Love, Bridget."
Reading the letter that Trick and Gamma never had the chance to have the snacks as this gesture made Red determine in getting the cookbook tonight. If this was the mother that could exist in the future, it meant that she could prevent herself and that of Wonderland from separating and growing up with her brother. Looking over at the expression of determination on her face, Chloe could tell that the future princess of Wonderland was ready to save her mother and her family. Which made Chloe ready to assist her, no matter the cost.