Chess had been wondering around the tree where he lived. He liked the peace and quiet, but needed some action every now and then. He would occasionly visit McTwisp who now was working for the White Queen. He would prefer the Palace life, and was honored when the Queen invited him over. He remembered pretending to be a King when he was but a kitten, and thought it would be grand. "But," he thought out loud (since he was alone, he talked to himself freely without ridicule) "you can't have everything, now can you?" He had vanished his cut, but had kept the ribbon as a sort of reminder of what he did, and of his lifelong friendship with the Hatter. He knew how much Hatter had adored Alice, and felt a great amount of sympathy for him. Chess wished he had someone to swoon over, but quickly disregarded this, seeing how much pain Hatter was in. Chess looked around, and took in his surroundings. He loved his tree, his view, and especially his friends. He decided to pay Hatter a visit, like he decides every day. But today was different, today he had a whole new attitude, and was ready to show it to the world.
Chess arrived at the tea party to laughter; Marchy was dancing on the table. Hatter looked a lot happier than he had earlier that week. Chess pulled up a chair, and watched as Marchy stepped in a piece of cake. Doormouse and Hatter burst out laughing as the cake flew all over Chess. Chess looked shocked, "Hatter! You're laughing again!" Hatter looked shocked at himself, then started laughing. Marchy was extremely happy, he was dancing with Doormouse. Hatter felt like a huge wieght had been lifted. Chess smiled his signature grin, he was glad that things were like they used to.
Hatter had invited Chess to stay over. Chess was very lazy and didn't want to go home. Besides, he was there for moral support even though he didn't seem to need it. Chess was sleeping in the Hatter's guest room, which seemed to be the messiest part of the house. Chess couldn't even find the bed, or anything else for that matter. He was a good sport though, and cleaned up the room much to Hatter's pleasure ("Can you do that to the rest of the house?"). Chess lied down in his bed. "I could get used to this," he purred to himself. He fell asleep easily, and woke up just the same when he heard a loud crash. He crept into the kitchen, where he saw a siloutte. "W-Who's there?" he said. He reached for the light switch, but he couldn't find it. He gathered up some courage, and said "Who are you?" He felt very stupid after saying that, and wished he hadn't. He saw a shadow move over to his left, and whirled around. "I-I'm warning you.I've got a...er...teacup! Yeah, a teacup, and I'm not afraid to use it!"
"Did somebody say tea?"
Chess found the light and turned it on, only to find Marchy walking around. Chess was so releived, and surprisingly, so was Marchy. Marchy looked at Chess, and said "Thank goodness it's you! I heard a noise and came into the kitchen. What are you doing up so late, Chessey?" "What are you talking about, Marchy? I came in here because I heard you."
Marchy looked puzzed, "You must be confused, Chessey. Or I am dreaming a strange dream again. Whatever the case, I will say goodnight to you. Goodnight Chessey. Have sweet dreams...if this isn't another strange dream of mine." Marchy hopped off, and Chess was very confused. What had he heard if it wasn't Marchy? What if it was an intruder? Chess shook that thought away, "Don't be silly, Chess," he said to himeslf, "You're just worried about Alice and Hatter...and that strange noise."
Chess woke up that morning, feeling very confused. The first thought that occured to him is to tell Hatter about the noise he heard last night, but decided not to. "He's got too much on his mind already," Chess said. He decided that the sound was just Marchy walking in his sleep, but still wasn't sure. Chess walked outside into the crisp autumn air. "My! Seasons come and go so quickly!" he said. "Oh, it's been quite slow to me," said Hatter. Chess turned around, "Hatter! You startled me!" Hatter froze, "Sorry," he said. Chess noticed that Hatter was carrying a suitcase. "Where are you going?" Chess inquired. "Nowhere. Why would you think I'm going anywhere?" He chuckled awkwardly. Chess looked at him, strangly, "Well, you have a suitcase for one thing." Hatter looked down in surprise, "Oh! So I do!" Chess looked quizzically at Hatter, "Hatter, I'm not stupid. What's the matter?" Hatter sighed, "I'm not going anywhere, and you know very well what's the matter." Chess offered to take his trunk inside, seeing as he "wasn't going anywhere." Chess was confused about a lot of things now, and he surely didn't like it.
