The grimy streets of Underland were emptier than usual. Underlanders locked their doors and windows and doused the flickering flames of their candles. Much had changed since Miss Alice Kingsley had made her second trip to 'Wonderland'. Darkness had taken complete rule over the innocent people that lived there. Patches of streets and homes crumbled away; the people had grown sorrowful. The magic that kept Underland alive was failing. It was all because of the wretched son of the Red Queen and Ilosovic Stayne who was born on Alice's twenty third birthday. He was given a potion so he would grow to the age of twenty three as well. His name was Ebony Stayne.
Underlanders cursed Ebony's name. He was wicked and cruel. The Red Queen and the Knave of Hearts had been banished, but he smuggled them back into Underland. He had captured the good and pure White Queen and tossed her into a dungeon. He left Hatter, Chessur, Mallymkun, and the others to rot away in the prison cell as well. But then he had a better idea.
He completely changed all of Alice's comrades and allies. He erased their treasured memories and replaced them with utterly depraved thoughts. He showered darkness over them, changing their looks, their attitudes, and their hearts. They were now twisted and forgotten, roaming the gloomy woods far off from Underland. The White Queen had just enough willpower and Underland magic left inside her to fight off the evil that Ebony poured over her. She escaped the monstrous scarlet castle of the new ruler of Underland.
…
Minerva sat quietly, deep in thought, on a large boulder beside a rippling brook. She sighed miserably. She had experienced the terror of watching her dearest friends being transformed into horrific beings. Flashbacks of Hatter growing four inch long razor sharp black claws and saber tooth tiger like fangs raced through her mind. She gasped and collapsed onto the shriveled up dead grass. It was too much for her to bare.
So she laid there, silver tears rolling down her smooth white cheeks. Her life form was a bright, valiant contrast against the gloomy, dank world around her. Minerva took a deep breath and rose to her feet. She would not waste the time that was given to her, crying. No, she would make haste to Overland and bring back the Champion. Alice Kingsley would once again return to her beloved rightful home and would once again, be the Champion of Underland.