Hello there people of planet Earth! I have decided to write a sequel (Yay!) I am filled with inspiration. So when this story is done, have no fear. There is another on the way. Anyways, that is for later. So without further ado-Chapter 10!
~SilentWind15
We were surrounded, Suits all around us. Alice, Hatter, Jack, and I all taken to the Casino to face the Queen. Charlie escaped; I don't blame him. He probably would have been taken, too. What good would that do for us? At least now we have an outside source to think of a plan to help us. I know he will, too. Charlie will come and rescue us.
The scene before me was revolting. The Head Suit arrived with a platter, the ring 'cleverly' hidden. The Queen lifted the cover over the ring, only to be met with another one over the previous. It was all a game to them. When the glitter of the ring finally met the Queen's eyes and she lifted it up to place it on her finger, applause filled the room. Good thing I was gagged and bound or I would have probably released a very flattering sound to show how I felt. I rolled my eyes at them as the King gave compliment after compliment to the Queen.
"I'm going to wear it for at least an hour before you clever Suits whisk it away to reopen the glorious Looking Glass and kick start that wonderful economy of ours. Then I want it back right away you got it?"
"Loud and clear ma'am. Loud and crystal clear ma'am." Gag.
After all the good news was set aside, the Queen finally went to address the large blown-up bubble prison to the left side of the room with Alice inside.
"What is she doing in that thing?" she stated loud enough that only the King and Jack and I could hear.
"She's a contaminant. Jack discovered that she's Carpenter's daughter. Went to fetch her so that she could turn him against you-you know, wake him up," the King explained.
"So that's why he wanted the awful creature. Evil boy," the Queen scrunched her face up at Jack in disgust. I tried to yell out in protest but everything I said came out muffled and indiscernible. Jack stood stoic next to me. Why wasn't he gagged and bound like me? Why wasn't he saying anything?
Alice tried calling out but she didn't know that the prison was sound-proof.
"If I must consider her evidence I must hear her clearly."
"But Carpenter would hear her as well. It's too risky."
"Good heavens, you're paranoid. Observe." The Queen started walk to Alice's father, the Carpenter. "Do you recognize that girl over there?"
"Oh, she's an actress Jack brought here with some story about being my daughter."
"Do you have a daughter?" Queen kept urging. Oh, how I want to punch her in the face. She's not my mother. She may look like her, but she's not my mother. I turned my head to look at Alice, her face in anticipation. Filled with hope.
"Of course not, but the Resistance will try anything." Alice's face fell. I thrashed about trying to break from my restraints. Anything to stop Alice's heart from collapsing in on itself. No use. I did the next best thing. I turned my head to Jack and gave him the deadliest glare. So deadly that one mere glance would probably strike one dead. Jack couldn't meet my stare but I could see him fidget. Do something you idiot!
"Go over there and take a good look at her."
I didn't take my eyes off of Jack. He had to do something. The Queen, King, and Carpenter walked to the prison. Alice tried with all her might to get her dad to recognize her. Nothing.
"Why did Jack pick her, do you think?"
Jack finally gave in. "Because she is his daughter!"
"Quiet, ungrateful child! You want to be tied up and gagged like your sister?"
"Look, I have no idea. Perhaps she is a very good actress."
"I'm going to have her executed, you know." Alice's eyes stared longingly at the Carpenter. He didn't meet her eyes.
"So?" That broke my heart. Even more so to Alice's.
"Doesn't that bother you, even a little?" Yes! Yes! Say yes! Do something! I started bouncing up and down, causing others to stare at me. Suits ran up to me to try to silence me. Get away from me, you apes!
The Carpenter stared long and hard at Alice. Tension filled the room. Everyone craned their necks. Finally he turned to look at the Queen. "Why should it?"
"Excellent!" The Queen blurted out triumphantly. "You may go."
Alice collapsed on her knees. I stopped struggling against the Suits, knowing when I've been bested. Jack stood, stiff, at the verdict. The Carpenter was escorted back to work. The Queen and King approached us.
"My own son."
"Blackest of black sheep."
"I carried you for nine painful months, suffered eight hours of agonizing labor, suckled you day and night, your sharp little teeth gnawing at my breast, and now here you are, a grown man, with nothing but hatred and deceit in your heart."
"It's unusual."
I muffled shouted at them. Though I only discovered Jack was my brother, we've known each other as friends. And No One trash-talks any of my friends. I couldn't express my dislike in the scene between Alice and Carpenter. But here, all would be known.
"And my own daughter. All those years with you and your dad. I thought you would be happy here, knowing I still love you and my arms wide open to embrace you into this world. But I was wrong. You and your brother just love to cause me despair. Have you nothing to say before I pass sentence?" Ha ha funny. Knowing I am gagged. Suddenly my gag was taken off from behind me.
"Only one thing from me: piss off!" I yelled, before spitting at their feet. Gasps erupted around us. I stared at Alice. Tears stained her face but I saw a ghost of a smile wash over her features.
Jack stayed quiet through this. When all was settled, he spoke. "Send Alice and Ellie home. They don't deserve this. Carpenter may seem well-adjusted now, but if he sees his daughter executed, he'll wake for sure. They can't hurt you if they are back in their world. Besides, you've crushed the Resistance, their leader is dead, and the Ring is back on your finger. What more do you want?"
The room was silent. Taking in what Jack said. The Queen and King looked at each other, looked at Alice, looked back at us.
"There is some logic to what he says."
"Don't let him manipulate you."
"Go ahead, risk it," Jack encouraged.
"A word in your ear," the King whispered. The two went off in their corner, discussing the best action. Meanwhile, me and Jack exchanged our own set of gestures through our eyes. We nodded just as the Queen and King returned back to their thrones to address everyone.
"I have decided that the harsher sentence of banishment is more appropriate. Escort her to the Looking Glass and have her dispatched as quickly as possible," the Queen declared. Two Suits went to the bubble prison and swept Alice out of the room. Our plan is in motion. "It is with a heavy heart and a clear conscience that I, Mary Elizabeth Constance de Villiers Heart, Queen of Wonderland, do sentence you, Jack Frederick Heart, to be held in the Eye Room overnight, so that all of Wonderland may see you for who you really are. And tomorrow morning, you shall be taken to the Grand Hall to face the Executioner's ax." Jack was taken forcibly away by the shoulders by two Suits. That left only me left. The Queen took her time to approach me, the King close behind. "I heard your time in the torture room was interrupted; I'll make sure this time it won't be." Anything but that! I felt strong hands grip me; I struggled in my bounds. I stared at my mother. No I stared at the woman in front of me, her smile greeting me. That was all I saw as I was dragged out the room.
-Hatter's Point of View-
It felt like forever. All the poking, prodding, cutting, and shocking. Dr. Dee and Dr. Dum took their sweet time with me. They were having their fun. I had given up on my life then. Another shock was given to me. The blood trickling down my head wound. My vision blurred. Sweat forming on my brow. I guess this is good-bye, Ellie.
I looked up to see Mad March standing in front of me. "Leave us," he stated.
"But-" Dr. Dum started to protest.
"Leave!"
"Oh, that's okay. We're being called for other duties," Dr. Dee stated.
"Yes, we are brother."
"It's to have fun with that girl again."
"Ha ha. What joy!" Girl? Ellie!
"You ready?"
"This time, you won't be there to interfere with us," It is Ellie!
The two of them exited the room. No! I have to protect her! "When is a raven like a writing desk," I started muttering. "The clockwork is not ticking properly. Maybe crumbs in the butter."
"Tell me where the Great Library is," Mad March demanded. I kept my silence, thinking of ways to escape to help Ellie. "Yeah. I didn't think you'll crack. In that case, there is no need to keep you alive." Mad March lifted up a sharp knife. Bingo! "Twinkle twinkle, little bat. How I wonder where you're at. Good-bye Hatter." The rabbit started laughing, lifting the knife in the air. As the knife descended down, I leaned back in my chair, causing me to fall back. I kicked Mad March backwards. Shimmying backwards out of the chair, I lifted the chair and used it to sword fight against the deranged opponent. Keeping an eye on where he struck, I was able to cut one of my binds. With my right hand free, I waited for the right time. I punched the rabbit in the face, cracking his ceramic head. He short-circuited, released the knife, and fell backwards. Waiting awhile to make sure he was motionless, I approached, took up the knife, and freed myself. I'm coming to save you Ellie!
-Ellie's Point of View-
Walking down the corridor toward the familiar room, I grew more and more nervous of the terror I would face this time. My nerves failed me. I could feel my knees grow weak, shaking. Seeing me about to fall, the Suits gripped me tighter and were able to carry me forward. I could feel bruises forming on my upper arms. I'm done for.
Few feet away from the door, one of the Suits groaned and collapsed on the ground, holding his face. The other dazed didn't seem to notice when someone crept up behind them and kicked them down. Both guards on the floor unconscious, I was terrified that I was next. I clenched my eyes shut, preparing for the worse.
"Ellie, are you okay?" I recognize that voice.
"Hatter?" I opened my eyes and stared into those portals to the purest soul I've ever seen. Into the eyes of the man my heart ached for. The one I fell for. Hatter.
"I'm here. You won't have to suffer again," Hatter declared while carefully cutting away my binds with a knife.
"Come on. We have to get out of here before more Suits come."
"We have to find Alice and Jack." Nodding, Hatter took my hand and we took off.
-Alice's Point of View-
Back in the city, I willing followed the Suits as they led me to the Looking Glass. There was nothing left for me here. My dad didn't recognize me. Jack was going to be executed. I had no idea where Ellie and Hatter and Charlie were. The best course was to return home and pretend nothing happened. We stopped as one Suit went to explain my situation.
"This one's got to go back right away."
"She'll have to wait. A raiding party is returning with fresh oysters." The man went up to the side of the Looking Glass, directing to two men which buttons to press on a machine. I stared as one by one Suits emerged from the surface of the glass with people from my world. The people all looked disoriented, unaware of what was going on or what would happen to them. I watched as the people lined up on one side; one of the workers sprayed something on them, causing them to fall into a sort of sleep. A pair of Suits walked up to speak with him.
"The Queen is getting impatient. She wants the Ring."
The man touched the side of the Looking Glass. A part of the mirror emerged, revealing the Stone of Wonderland.
"We'll need it back. The Looking Glass will only work for a short time without it."
A plan started forming in my head as I watched the exchange of hands the ring took. My eyes followed the course the Suits took to return to the Queen. I turned back around to the Looking Glass to catch the emergence of two little girls. Both under the age of ten. Snatched from their parents. Going to be put in the same sleep phase and drained of emotions. Not knowing where their parents were. No! I won't have it happen to anyone else!
"No! NO!" I threw a knife-hand towards one of the Suits neck, knocking him unconscious. I grabbed onto the other Suit and flipped him over my shoulder. I quickly took off following the route of the ring. I emerged from the building and spotted them. Two of them took off on the flying pink flamingos. The third stayed to fix his. Now's my chance! I ran towards him and pushed him to the ground. When he had gotten his bearings, he stood and launched a punch to my head. I ducked and punched him in the stomach. I threw a palm-strike to his solar plexus. I flipped him before I kicked him in the head. I screamed when he fell over the side of the building but released a sigh of relief when I found him lying on a balcony below unconscious. I turned toward the flamingo. I took a deep breath before mounting the vehicle and started the engine. I soared through the sky, keeping my eyes in front of me and peeled for the other two Suits. I spotted them and accelerated toward them.
The two split up. I followed the one in front, certain he would show me the way to the Casino. The other appeared behind me, shooting bullets at me. In my nervousness, I maneuvered my ride down, down into the forest. Hoping to lose him, I swept side-to-side avoiding the tree branches. I finally steered up over the trees; the Suit following me, confused, took off in a different direction. I focused back forward. This is actually not that bad.
-Charlie's Point of View-
Time to do something brave. Taking all the bones of the Red Knights, I assembled them in front of the Casino. I won't let your deaths go in vain. I won't let Just Alice, the Harbinger, and Lady Ellie get tortured because of my mistake. Not again!
Putting the final touches to my masterpieces I saluted. Chest puffed up, I marched to stand by my forces. I yelled up at the building. "Come out you cowards! Come and face the wrath of Asclepius!"
Walking among my men, I shouted out encouragement. "Hold your positions men! Don't fire until you see the whites of their beaks!" I heard them coming. The Suits! Bombs started falling down on us. I ran to launch the catapults. My men were hit. Is that all they got?
-Jack's Point of View-
I loosened my tie. All eyes staring at my movements. All eyes of Wonderland. It wouldn't be so bad if I couldn't see them. All those eyes blinking, staring right at me. I disregarded them though. At least Alice is safe in her world now. That's all that matters.
I stood up. Angered at everyone, I picked up my chair and threw it with all my might at a group of eyes. It did nothing to them. The chair disappeared. For a brief second I thought I saw something. Yes. There it was again. An eye closed and never reopened. Another and another. Soon the whole room was just placed in darkness. A door opened and light burst inside. I prepared myself in a fighting stance.
"Easy. Easy, Jack. I'm here to help."
"Duchess."
"We have to hurry. I bribed the guards. The blackout will only last a few seconds. Put this on quickly."
We exited the room. Duchess looking about to spot any Suits. None. We continued in silence for awhile but I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Isn't it obvious? I care about you, Jack. I always have."
"Come on. You're working for my mother."
"I did what I had to do to survive."
A man yelled. We hid behind a column until the Suits passed.
"What's going on?"
"The Knights are attacking. Come on. I have a bullet car waiting." Knights? There are no Knights?
"I'm sorry, Duchess. But I'm staying here."
"What? Why?"
"You go on. Get to safety. I have to find Alice and Ellie."
(Ellie narrating) With everyone out and about. We were about to approach the final stretch of the war.
And…scene! Whoo! Seeing how everything is going so far, I think there are about two more chapters left before the end of this story. Hope this chapter has satisfied people's appetites. Until next time…