Mable: Here we are with the next chapter! Without any time to waste, after all we are quite late, I don't own 9, Enjoy!
The Inmates Run the Asylum
Chapter Four: In the Red King's Court
They had to abandon the carriage because it was only passing by the Red Kingdom, but slipped through the outer gates and made it to the front of the castle without any events. Six could feel a bubbling of both excitement and nervousness stirring in his chest. Part of him wondered if anything would have changed in his time gone, but the other part didn't care if it did. He had to see the others and hurried inside, even when neither Eight nor Nine felt like hurrying anywhere. The castle regardless was in beautiful condition. The ruby carpets guided his way between crimson drapes and stained glass windows.
He tightened his grip on his key before noticing a nearby card guard. "Excuse me." He announced and the being looked towards him. Unlike the violent, partially monstrous versions he had seen last time this time the guard was clearly just a Stitchpunk in a suit. The suit, naturally, still resembles a card for the most part and was marked with the seven of hearts. "I'm Six, I was here before… Back when the King of Hearts was under the fever? Back… I need to see someone." He attempted to explain. He couldn't see the expression under the guard's helmet, but he did see him pull back a bit as in surprise.
"A little shorter than I expected…" He remarked before nodding, "His highness- The White Rabbit is expecting you. Come with me." He noticed Eight and Nine coming as well and seemed surprised, "…Boss?... Err, come on." He was very confused and guided the three into a separate room that connected with a hallway. The room held a few seating chairs and the card guard instructed them further, "Sit down here. I'll get him." He then continued off while the three waited behind. Eight looked around the room, "Looks like a place of One's." He remarked as though content with the castle.
"Sort of looks like the Cathedral with the curtains and the colored windows." He added in and looked towards Nine to see him tiredly climbing on a chair before looking to Six, "Hey." He started somewhat quietly, "We need to talk." Six looked down abruptly, "About… About siding with Nine earlier?" Eight seemed confused, "What? No." There was brief relief in the Artist before the Guard continued, "About before we came down here…. Maybe I was too hard on you about the Wonderland thing… Now that it's real I feel like a fool." It actually was difficult that he was wrong.
Not that Eight didn't believe he was wrong, he certainly did now, but it was hard saying it. Thankfully Six seemed to catch on without Eight having to say anything more. "Oh Eight… No, it's fine." He exhaled softly, "Nobody else really believed me either. It's not an easy thing to believe." Yet Eight was insistent, "Maybe not, but you've never lied before. You've never even told a story like this. There's no reason not to believe you… Even if everything is as weird as hell." He joked a little and gave an amused smile which Six returned.
"Six?" Six was surprised by the other voice and looked back to see that they were joined by a new Stitchpunk. The Artist immediately recognized the short male with the metal hat topped with its mock ear-like parts. A clean, white vest rested on his chest and his optics were wide in surprise and relief. It was none other than the White Rabbit himself, Two. Six's face alit, "Two!" and he started over happily. Two also got a matching smile and Nine was delighted, "He does look like Two!" He whispered to a taken aback Eight; the resemblance was uncanny.
"Six! You've come back to us!" Two exclaimed in delight and crouched down before the striped male, "A bit smaller than I remember, though." He playfully added in and the smaller smiled sheepishly, "We shrunk along the way, but were afraid to use the mushrooms." He admitted with a bit of embarrassment. Two gave an amused chuckle, "That's why I left you the biscuits!" Before Six could point out that they were gone the White Rabbit noticed his companions and looked towards them. "Why hello there!... I suppose you're not from down here." Six was confused how Two noticed the difference, but the others weren't.
"Right. We're from back- from the Emptiness, with Six." Nine explained with a friendly smile, "So you're the White Rabbit? Six has spoken a lot about you!" Two smiled warmly down at the currently smaller, "Good things I hope." Nine nodded and now Two straightened, "Now let's get you three back to normal size! I have something that I think you will enjoy. Come with me." Six and Nine started to follow, Eight following and asking along the way, "What about the King?" Two seemed amused by his concern, "It'll take him a few minutes to prepare himself, it always does, we'll head into the throne room afterwards."
Six imagined being led into some sort of potion room, but oddly enough Two simply led them into the kitchen. He took them to a quieter pantry in the back away from the many chefs working on dinner. The smell wafting through was delicious and even Nine and Eight felt tempted, even though they had never ate or tasted anything. Two hummed as he pulled out a small footstool from the bottom shelf and climbed upwards, pulling out a paper box. "You're very fortunate. These have only just been made and are very fresh!" He climbed back down and lowered himself into a crouch while opening the box.
Inside were about a dozen tarts. They were of crispy and flaky shells filled with a red jam. They smelled sweet and Nine reached into the box to grab one, which naturally seemed huge compared to his body. "These look way more appetizing than the mushrooms." Six agreed, but suddenly was alarmed, "But won't the King be upset? These are his tarts." Nine stopped mid-way to tasting a bit of the jam, but Two encouraged, "Don't worry about One! Now enjoy, and don't worry about size. You'll see that these aren't everyday tarts that get baked in these walls."
"One's going to flip if he finds out, isn't he?" Eight suggested in amusement as he took a bit of the tart, pleased with the taste being sweet and flaky instead of bland and rubbery. After only a few bites Eight felt himself beginning to grow and seeing the effect Six began to eat as well. Nine was a bit more hesitant and Two insisted, "Go on. You'll stop at your proper height." With this Nine continued with a few bites of the item, enjoying the taste thoroughly. Soon they all started to grow to normal height, becoming somewhat crowded inside of the pantry as Two explained with delight.
"These are the first of their kind; A remedy to level the height. They are a bit difficult to make as they need to be both solid enough and liquid enough to handle both shrinking and growing properties… Unfortunately One's taste for tarts spread to these." He chuckled and attempted to look past the three Stitchpunks. "You might want to slide back?" Eight started to step out backwards, running into a small chef who stumbled out of the way with a cry. The Guard then bumped into a table, but thankfully didn't knock anything off and regained his balance.
"Now that you're appropriate size, come into the throne room. Dinner will be done later." As he guided them out Six was confused, "We're… Having dinner? I thought there was something wrong in Wonderland." He pointed out and Two hesitated at the door. Now Nine added in with disturbance, "We were already attacked by the Cheshire Cat. He was being... Controlled by something?" At this Eight added in, "He turned around once I was through with him." It was almost as though he was proud of what happened in a way.
Two seemed to pause before insisting, "Yes, well… One will want to discuss that with you, but first I have something I want you to see." He smiled a bit and led the three back through the halls and into the large, towering throne room. It was currently empty at the moment and thus Two put an arm around Six's shoulders and guided him to the throne, showing a small bed at the bottom of the steps. "Things have changed around here since you were last here. We have a new addition among us." He smiled without any sort of dread for the situation occurring out in the world.
The small bed was curtained and as Two pulled back the curtain Six could see a tiny figure inside. There laid a small Stitchpunk curled in the bedding. He smiled and leaned in, looking over the infant, noticing the small Rabbit ears laying against its head and a tiny puff of a tail. Its fabric was a soft pink color and it was fast asleep. "Oh Two, it's so… Cute!" He pointed out after finding a word to match. Two nodded in agreement, "She is, isn't she? The new, little princess…" He reached down and pet over her back, the baby Stitchpup releasing a soft squeak in her sleep before yawning.
"Is she your princess?" Six asked with a small smile that started to grow coy. Two chuckled a low, pleased chuckle, moving his hand to take her small one. "She's the princess of all of us… But yes, she is mine." He playfully added in. It was at this time that the doors opened and two males entered inside the throne room. The first was obviously the King of Hearts. One strode into the room looking just as regal as ever, Nine and Eight who hadn't even seen this version of One before already knew from the way he strode in that he was just as confident as their own.
He looked straight to Six and Two where he started over. Nine had been staring at him so much that he was actually taken aback when a second Stitchpunk entered and spoke, "Nine?" Surprised laced his voice and Nine looked over before sputtering as he realized that it was Five standing before him. However, he was dressed in odd clothing, in fact he was dressed differently than when Six had seen him when he was last here. He wore a light brown jacket that was decorated in golden embroidery. A '5' was embroidered on his jacket's back and his cuffs were held closed by white, square shaped cufflinks.
His hat was taller than before and was a new hat altogether. It was a white and gold checker pattern with a black brim. A strip of red ribbon wrapped around it with a black heart symbol, most likely a symbol to show his connection with the Red Kingdom. He broke into a smile and jumped forward, hugging onto Nine tightly, "You're back! Where have you been- We were so worried- What happened?! When we got your letter we-…" Five paused before looking over towards Eight, pausing for a moment before pulling back.
"Eight, what are you doing back…?" He asked quietly before looking over to Two and noticing Six, and then it all clicked. "Six?! You're back?!" He then looked back to Nine and suddenly pulled back, "Oh, umm, sorry! I thought… I thought you were someone else…" Nine stared at him before cracking a smile, "Yeah. I sort of did too." There was an awkward pause before One cleared his voice, "If we may continue." Six now noticed him and smile, "One- Your Majesty-." One stopped him, "Six, you have earned the right to call me by my name." He then paused and addressed the others, "That goes for Six only." He reminded almost in a cocky fashion.
He crossed to his throne and climbed the steps to sit down. This One's cape was much longer and much more regal that their own One's. It flowed to the ground and drug behind him, the shoulders and neck lined in white fluff and shaped almost like a heart in design. His crown took the same shape as their own had, but was of black metal. Instead of a coin there was the shape of a heart in the black metal that was filled with stained glass plates of varying red hues. His clothing underneath the cape and crown was actually a rather simple, yet comfortable looking suit of burgundy, which conflicted the look a bit.
"I see that you aren't alone." He announced and Six nodded, "I'm not." He briefly waved to Five with a smile as he crossed over, which Five returned with his own, and stood by Nine and Eight, "This is Nine and this is Eight. They accidently fell down the Rabbit Hole with me." One nodded, "Indeed. We are aware of the counterpart Stitchpunks and, considering your lack of proper clothing, I had an idea. Especially considering that both Eight and Nine shouldn't be anywhere near here." Six blinked in confusion before daring to ask, "Where are they…?"
One slowly exhaled, "We've been having… Trouble, as you probably know. Two said he left a letter for you." Six nodded and now Nine chimed in, "We tried to hurry because of that, but we were running into trouble. You know about the Wockyworks better than us, probably." One nodded, "Indeed we do. They are one of the pain troubles that we have had. Let me start from the beginning." He exhaled and rubbed his forehead before Five chimed in, "Sir, would you like some tea? It might help." One nodded against the rubbing, "Yes, quickly."
Five rushed forward and Six murmured to Eight and Nine, "Five is the Mad Hatter I travelled with." Nine smiled a little bit, "I remember. He's just like Five. It's actually a little jarring." Five climbed the steps beside One before taking off his tall hat. He reached inside and opened a fake top on the inside, pulling out a small, secured teapot. He twisted off the top of the pot and side top doubled as a cup which he handed to the Leader. He then pressed a button on the handle and there was the sound of a bubbling deep inside of the pot and steam poured out of the top.
"It's black. Is that alright?" Five offered and One nodded, not even phased by the fact that the teapot came out of the male's hat. The liquid was poured into the cup as One began. "It's the Jabberwock. He lost his head after we received word that the March Hare and the White Queen eloped. The two disappeared with no word, save leaving a letter with my messenger- My Joker, more correctly, but he doesn't much joke these days. Nobody jokes in these days. Soon after the letter arrived there were warnings of Wockyworks attacking the surrounding areas. Perhaps a retaliation about the news, we suppose."
Now Two chimed in, "I don't suppose. Wockyworks didn't cause what happened in the Diamond Kingdom, so there is much more amiss." Now Eight volunteered, "We heard about that. The Old Man old us." One raised a quizzical brow before Five quietly murmured, "I could put a lump of sugar into your tea, but I only have two." He showed his sugar cube cufflinks and One dismissed it, "This is fine. Thank you." He sipped the tea and Six looked to Five, "Nine and Seven got married?" The Nine at his side suddenly allowed his optics to widen as he suddenly realized that was what he meant.
"Yeah… They left the letter, but he didn't even tell me. I mean, I am his best friend…" He bit his lip, looking promptly disturbed by everything. "He was just gone and a few days later the letter came… You know what the Jabberwock thought about Nine." Nine certainly didn't, and now knowing what he did he could only fear the worst. "The Diamond Kingdom fiasco adds with this perfectly." One interrupted to Two matter-of-factly before looking to Six, "Tell me, Six, has anyone told you of the Wonderland Sculptor?" Six shook his head and quietly asked, "Who is he?"
"Not a he, but an object. The Wonderland Sculptor was a staff that was found long ago when this land was discovered. Though it does not work on all of Wonderland, we do not believe. Regardless, a merchant lived here on this land and recklessly used the staff to bend the land to his will, then sold what he created to distant lands through openings he created. Portals, if you will. We found out about his behavior and claimed this land when I was still a Stitchpup, claiming the staff for us… But the staff was too powerful and was broken into sections. One for each of the four kingdoms that was created here."
He glanced back somewhere towards the wall, "Ours is in the treasury. As long as it is here it cannot be used by others, which protects us. For this staff, when used, can trigger the land to be shifted for the worst as well as the better. This is the only thing that could have edited the world like it did… And unfortunately the final part of the staff was inside of the Jabberwock- The larger Machine. Naturally the current Jabberwock now has access to it…" Now Two explained, "The Jabberwock was made with the staff as a conductor. While it helped keep it alive it also kept the staff hidden."
Six interrupted the explanation, "You never mentioned it last time." Surprisingly it was Eight who explained, "It's not one of those things that's public knowledge." The striped male looked back and the zippered male was confused at the solution. Though One spoke, "You are correct. You still are my Guard?" Eight gave a nod, "You got it Boss." One hummed before murmuring, "Then you may be needed… We are at a loss. The Jabberwock has lost his head, he has obviously somehow gotten the staff piece from the Diamond Kingdom and used it to destroy the kingdom. We have obvious reason to believe the White Kingdom is next."
"Because of me…" Nine murmured before correcting, "Or March Hare me and the White Queen. Who's watching the White Kingdom now." Two chimed in as he opened the curtains to the small bed again, "Her brother, the White King, though he… Seven makes many of the royal decisions. Her brother usually doesn't do as much… Which leaves the Kingdom open for attack." Now One added in, "Which is why I sent Eight with a portion of my guards. I normally would not get involved, but if he gets anymore control then my kingdom can be at stake." He pointed out firmly before downing more of his tea.
Six nodded slowly, "So… So you want me to go and stop the Jabberwock or check on the White Kingdom?" He offered quietly and suddenly Nine spoke, "Six, wait, this could be dangerous." He offered to remind him and Six nodded, "I know…" He looked to him, "But you don't have to come. Two can take you home now." He looked to Eight, "You too." They sat there for a few seconds before Five spoke, "I'm going with you." He started to seal the teapot and put it back into his hat. "We're going to the White Kingdom to check in. The Messenger never returned with word, Eight never came back, Nine's gone…"
In a way the one eyed male seemed exasperated and chuckled a little in a forced and anxious way, "I guess it's just down to the two of us." He offered and secured himself, crossing over to Six and smiling to him still. Six smiled back, "Thank you, Five." Right after this Nine suddenly blurted out, "This is insane! All of this is happening and I'm just… Gone!" He pointed out in frustration. Even though they suggested he had married Seven, who he still had feelings for, he couldn't help but feel angry. It was hard to forgive himself after the Machine Incident from his foolish decisions, but this was hard to bear.
"Well I'm not gone." He pointed out in frustration, "Six, Five, I'm going with you both. I'm not the March Hare, but I can be." Eight smirked and added in, "Nine, he's off slacking somewhere with Seven. Do you really want that comparison?" Nine gave him a flat look before suddenly there was a new, small voice as the Knave entered, "Dinner's done!" He announced eagerly before running off. From what Six saw he wasn't actually clothed like a 'Knave' anymore. His clothes look almost like One's clothes instead, but were in a soft blue color. One immediately stood, "Let us head to dinner. You can tell us of your journey."
He started down the steps while Two scooped the small Stitchpup into his arms before heading out. Six, Nine, Five, and Eight followed as well into the regal dining room. One sat at the head of the table, naturally, and took the princess into his arms as the others were seated. Six sat between Five and Nine at the table and looked to Eight who sat across from him. He noticed that the Guard hadn't mentioned what his own decision was. Part of him wanted to ask, but didn't, and instead waited for a cue. He was drug out by the Knave crossing over to stare at Eight.
The Guard raised his brow and the Knave suddenly asked, "Where are your clothes?" Eight stared back silently before finally responding, "I grew too big for them." He gave a slight bit of a smile and reached out before patting the young male's head, "Don't eat the mushrooms, kid." The Knave smiled wider, "I know that! They don't taste good too." Two chuckled a little before calling over, "Come now, Twone. Sit down and let them rest." The small Stitchpup hurried over to sit down on his own chair. The servers started to rush in and began to set the table with a variety of dishes.
It felt soothing to be able to smell cooked food again. It felt like an eternity since he was last seated at a table and Six felt a bubbly eagerness build in his chest. Nine volunteered to tell the story of how they got here to One and Two, embellishing the details as Five listened in eagerly. Six and Eight both stayed silent. As a plate was set before Eight he furrowed his brows at the contents before looking upwards questioningly. Doing so he unintentionally caught Six staring at him. The mismatched pair of optics dropped immediately to his own plate. The Guard gave him a slightly suspicious look before looking to Two.
"So, uh… What is this?" He asked and the Inventor smiled, "Carrot soup. Don't worry, it's just the first course." The bright color was a little striking. Part of Eight was afraid to try the first course period. "…Alright." He mumbled before looking away only to catch Six staring at him again. He raised a brow questioningly, but Six now looked to Nine who was laughing beside him at something Five said, who was telling stories about him and the March Hare. Eight shrugged it off and leaned down before tasting the soup. It actually wasn't too bad, even if it suddenly vanishing from his mouth was a strange sensation.
"She's awake." One suddenly announced as he looked to the bundle in his arms. The tiny Stitchpup was looking at the King with wide optics. "Hello there, little princess." Two leaned over the table before smiling happily to the little one, "Good evening! Who's finally joined us?" He reached out and gently pet her cheek with his hand. The Knave leaned forward to see her happily, smiling as well. "Hi, Baby!" Six smiled at the scene, glad to see the sweet scene and looking to Five, "I'm glad to be back. Even if all of this is going on."
Five smiled back to him, "I'm glad too. You too, Nine, and Eight." He looked down at his tea cup before admitting, "Maybe since you're all here we could just try to convince the Jabberwock to stop… Child, I mean." Six nodded slowly before looking down as another plate was set down by the servers. This time it was the same orange, but was a thicker mixture and was lumpy. "So what's this?" Eight questioned, scrutinizing it again, and Two looked over. "That's just Carrot Risotto. It's very good, I assure you." The Guard looked skeptical, "More carrot?" Two got an amused look, "I have a soft spot for it."
Now Five spoke, "Two, do you think that Child-." Suddenly One interrupted, "I don't want that name spoken at my dinner table." He commanded and Five paused with a sputter, "I, umm, sorry… Two, do you think that the Jabberwock might stop if we talk to him." The White Rabbit paused. Doubt was on his face, but he didn't want to speak it, "I suppose there's always a chance. I certainly don't think anyone has so it is worth a try." Nine now chimed in, "If… If the Jabberwock is the Fabrication Machine then I don't think talking will stop it, or him."
"Fabrication Machine?" Two curiously asked and tilted his head, "You mean the last Jabberwock?" Nine was now confused and Six nodded, "The Fabrication Machine is our version of the Jabberwock. It's shut down now too." The zippered male was obviously growing more disturbed when Eight suddenly broke the silence. "Alright, outside." He suddenly spoke across the table and the zippered and striped Stitchpunks stared. "What?" Nine asked in confusion and Eight clarified, "Not you, Six. We need to have a talk. Come on." With that he stood and started towards a random door.
He passed through and was in another hallway. Six took a few moments, but finally made it out beside him, "Eight…" He began softly and Eight raised his hand, "What's going on?" He asked insistently, "You've been staring at me over the table for all of dinner, looking at me like you don't even know who I am." He seemed genuinely confused and Six looked down and clutched his key. "Don't do that. You only do that when you're upset about something or worried about something. I'm not doing anything to you." Six glanced back to the Guard before lowering his hands to his sides.
"Eight, I want you to stay." He simply stated. "Stay and travel with Five, and Nine, and I. We need you." Eight was slightly taken aback by the final comment, "What?" Yet Six grew more desperate, "We need you. We wouldn't have gotten this far without you." The Guard didn't know what to say and looked away, "Six…" He watched as Six's face wavered a bit. "You could've made it through here fine without me. There's already a guy who looks just like me waiting for you all over in the White Kingdom." Six's face fell completely and he gave a saddened look to the larger male.
"Don't give me that look." Eight insisted, not liking the guilt that wanted to nudge at him. Six couldn't help but try a final time, "But I do need you. I'll… I can get you anything." Eight was even more confused and the Artist explained, "This place- You see how amazing this place is. If you do this then you'll get anything you want, I'll get you anything you want." He was trying to bribe the larger and Eight rubbed his forehead tiredly. "Please, Eight." Finally he gave and mumbled, "Fine." Six nearly continued pleading before halting, "You… Really?"
"You're not going to stop until I ask, right?" Eight pointed out and Six felt a green light settle on his cheeks, "I… I just…" Eight stopped him again, "I'll go with you until we find the other me. Alright?" The smaller smiled a bit and nodded quickly. "Okay. Come on." He insisted, beckoning the small Stitchpunk with him, "We probably have more carrot stuff waiting for us…"
Mable: So I finally completed one of my main goals; I somehow worked in pink Pups somewhere into something! Anyway, the next chapter will be posted soon, I hope everyone enjoyed!
