What happened after I wounded the Jabberwocky was a blur. The Queen of Hearts declared that I was a true hero and bestowed upon me a medallion for brave knights. Luckily, she didn't suspect anything. Alistair and Bunny congratulated me and I told them that I'll find my own way back to Ever After. They went back to their homes and I was left alone in the middle of the Queen's garden. Since no one was there, I took off the armor.
Things just seemed hopeless; there is no way back home. At least in Wonderland, I carved out my own destiny like a real Rebel would. Too bad I can never tell anyone about it.
"You look so sad," a voice called out. I knew exactly who it was.
"Show yourself, Cheshire," I said.
The Cheshire Cat appeared and sat down next to me. "I don't know why you look so glum, you're a hero now."
I glared at her. "You tricked me two times today. What's next on your prank list?"
She purred, "The hero grabs the key, and through the gate, he's set free."
"For the last time, I don't speak Riddlish," I said.
She handed me an ivory-colored tooth speckled with blood, about the size of an apple.
"What's this?" I asked.
"A Jabberwocky tooth," she said. She pulls out a small crystalline bottle filled with rainbow-rippled water. "And some Wonderland water," she added.
"You made me fight a Jabberwocky so I can prove myself a hero and keep a nasty tooth?" I asked.
She stands up and grabbed my hand. "Let's go somewhere fun."
I started to inch away. "I'm smarter than you think; I'm not falling for another prank."
"Dearie, this is not a prank. I do know a secret way back to Ever After," she answered. And without warning, she vanishes, taking me with her.
When I opened my eyes again, we were in front of a tall silver gate, about ten feet tall. The air was filled with purple mist and on the other side of the gate was a vast land of darkness.
"Where are we?" I whispered.
The Cheshire Cat answered, "One of the many mirror gates in Wonderland."
The Cheshire Cat takes out the tooth again and sprinkles it with the Wonderland water. When she hands it to me, the tooth transformed into an ivory key.
"Your own key to Wonderland and back, White Knight," she said.
She points to a heavy iron padlock on the gate and I step towards it. Slowly, I insert the key in there, and it actually turns! I opened the gate and stepped towards the darkness.
"Just keep walking forward until you start falling, and then try to visualize your destination," the Cheshire Cat called out.
I tuck the key into my pocket and take a deep breath. I'm coming home, I thought to myself. I turn around to thank the Cheshire Cat like a true noble, but when I look back, she already vanished.
I walked through the eerie darkness by myself, thinking about how much I missed home and my family. Sure Wonderland was an adventure, but what's the point of having one when you can't share it with your loved ones? Daring probably arrived home by now, and my brothers are probably already fighting about where I was. Sure Daring thinks I'm a poor damsel and Dexter can be a bit overprotective but I still love them and they love me. And that's really charming.
While I was lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize that I was falling through a dark abyss. Well, it was more like the darkness is rushing upwards but I was still falling. But this time, I didn't scream. After everything I been through, this was nothing. At the bottom of the abyss was a pinprick of white light. Through that little pinprick, I saw Ever After High, my friends, my brothers, and my home. I visualized everything I loved while I was falling in slow motion. The little light grew bigger as I started to fall faster. Soon the little light swallowed me whole as gravity started to return, making me queasy. My eyes were forced shut as a blinding white-hot light illuminated in front of me.
The huge kaleidoscope of light and motion soon passed and I felt a soft breeze caressing my cheek. Warm rays of morning sunlight touched my face and the soft grass grazed my body. I opened my eyes to find myself lying down in the Enchanted Forest, as if I was asleep. The morning sun was rising and the peaceful forest was starting to wake up. I stand up, stretching in the morning light and brushing the grass off my father's jacket. Then I remember everything that happened. I was in Wonderland, I met Alistair and Bunny, I fought the Jabberwocky, and I became a hero. The memories felt like a passing dream, leaving me wondering if it really did happen.
I touched my pocket, finding an ivory key inside: the key to Wonderland. It happened, it was all real. I'm the White Knight, protector of Wonderland. The silver heroes' medallion dangled from my neck, proving that it wasn't all a dream. I really am a hero. Should I tell someone? It would be great to tell Dexter, Rosabella Beauty, Raven Queen, and everyone else I know, but would anyone really believe me? I should keep this a secret, for now anyways.
Can I ever go back to Wonderland? I can through the Well of Wonders and I can go back home with the key. I can go between Wonderland and Ever After whenever I please, my own little secret. I smile to myself as I tuck the key back into my pocket and started my trek home.