Um...hi? This is the prologue, as the name so clearly states. The actual chapters are much longer than this. I simply felt that I hadn't explained something beforehand, and felt the need to put this small intro in...This does not follow the movie's end at all by the way.
Prologue: Needed in Underland
Everyone had dropped their weapons; an air of almost disturbing peace had overcome the entire battlefield. The only sound that still broke the silence was the distant screams of the defeated Red Queen and Knave, both of which pleaded to be separated from each other by some means. Both sides had joined, it seemed, coming together to vanquish a common enemy and tyrant subsequent to the confirmation of the monster's death. The Jabberwocky's head lay motionless upon the checkered ground, a pool of purple blood surrounding it. The red eyes that had once held so much ferocity had gone out, like a candle in the wind-there was nothing to fight over anymore, one of the Champions had been slain. Beings of all kinds grouped together around the giant reptilian creature's remains, and in the middle of it all, closest to the mouth, with jaws bared even still, stood Alice.
Her armor glinted dully in the muted light, and her untidy hair hung all around her shoulders in the tousled mess that everyone had come to expect. She had let her sword fall to the ground, weakened momentarily, and stared out across the many rows of strange soldiers. All her friends had appeared before her, and she took time to look at each and every one of them, feeling highly conflicting feelings inside. Somewhere, deep within her, she knew that going home was inevitable, but to leave directly after completing the task given to her? That would be entirely ignorant and egotistical, everything that her family wished for her to become. Alice saw the White Queen, in all her glory, with the newly claimed crown atop her head, come lightly towards her, but in reality, stopped in front of the Jabberwocky head. It soon was apparent that she was collecting blood that dripped from its fangs into a small vile, and Alice's mind went into a confused whirlwind. This must be the way home...She thought to herself, backing away only slightly.
When at last the queen had filled the vile, she stood gracefully and extended her thin arm to the young woman. Alice's brow furrowed with uncertainty, but she took it slowly nonetheless. The glass felt cold in her small fingers, and as she stared at it, awfully hesitant, there came a voice...a sad, quiet voice. It belonged to her dearest friend. It belonged to the Hatter, who sounded as though the world had suddenly turned its back on him. With a sinking feeling in her heart, she faced him, clutching the vile tightly in her hand, and saw a very moving sight. His face was drained of its usual enthusiasm, and replaced with one of the most miserable expressions she had ever seen him display. "You can't leave..." Was what he had said, and his voice had caught faintly in his throat. He spoke again with even less control. "Not after everything...You've only just arrived back, you know...after so much time."
Alice did not know what to say. His words had been sincerely despondent, making her painfully aware of what all the years of isolation had done to him. He needed her even more than the others. The poor madman ought to have at least one person that understood him in the odd surreal world...imaginary or not.
"I'm afraid that-" She fought the urge to recoil at the way his striking green eyes changed to a sad blue color and dropped to his feet forlornly. Alice steadied herself mentally. "I'm afraid that the questions I need answered will become too heavy to carry, and that the things I need to do will trouble me until they are dealt with..."
"Alice," said the White Queen gently from behind, "we understand. The choice is yours to determine. No one will hold it against you if your life above Underland needs your attention. You've done what was predestined for this day, and now this is our gratitude."
Hearing this made her think even harder. Surely she must leave! Her mother and sister would be petrified if she failed to appear every again, and the Ascots might very well come after her family for her impromptu refutation of their son's proposal. Staying would put her in a very difficult position to get out of...but staying would also make her friends happy. The friends who didn't care if she ever thought about what it would be like to fly, or other nonsensical things that the society she came from would scorn her for. The world she came from was a cruel place indeed, with no room for even the slightest out-of-place statement or comment. But what of her questions? She was bound to only discover more in Underland as she grew up...if she even aged. There were just so many things she needed to do! One glance at the Hatter's face told her that all her petty concerns were dismal in comparison to what he felt about the matter. She had to make her decision.
And so, saying a silent goodbye to her family, she addressed the Hatter aloud. "Give me your hand." Alice said caringly. He raised his head and held out his arm, opening his scarred, pale fingers, eyes wide. "Keep this safe for me until the time comes when I absolutely require it..." In his palm, she placed the vile of Jabberwocky blood, and when he realized what she had done for him, he pulled her into a joyful hug in the middle of the battlefield, all the while muttering his thanks over and over into her shoulder.
She sincerely hoped that she had made the right choice...