Mable: Here we are with the next chapter down the Rabbit Hole! Sorry about the delay, but at least the traffic graph has finally been fixed. For the last while I was unable to see when or if anyone was reading my two newer one shots, but now that is fixed and all's well once more! (Update: The site went off again as I wrote this. XD) In the end it was a relatively quick fix so I am happy… And this is from someone whose electricity has gone out four times in the last month… Anyway, I don't own 9, Enjoy!


The Inmates Run the Asylum

Chapter Eleven: Making Tracks

By the early morning Two had the Stitchpunks hiking out of the inn and along the road. The sun had only just rose and most of the Stitchpunks were still groggy. Five especially was visibly stumbling and Nine put an arm around his back to stabilize him. "Get any sleep last night?" He asked with some playfulness and mostly concern. The Mad Hatter yawned and stretched slightly only to wince at a cinch in his side, from the stitch most likely. "I thought so… Maybe I just needed a little more. Yesterday was pretty hard."

The others silently agreed and Wonderland Eight added in, "Today's probably going to be the same. You'll need to pull it together some." Strangely enough he seemed a little grouchy this morning, which was in a direct contrast with Eight who was doing fine. In fact, while neither would admit it, Six and Eight were the only ones who looked fully rested and eager to go. Two looked almost at their level of alertness, but it was hard to tell as he was keeping his face buried in the map. It was now when Six noticed the small building they were approached and looked towards Two, "Is that where we going?"

Two hummed and looked upwards before beaming. "Ah ha! Yes, finally here!" He almost cheered and hustled forward. Five and Nine followed behind, mostly because of Nine leading him, Child followed, and Wonderland Eight was the only one to explain to Six. "That's the Looking Glass train station. The trains here circle around parts of Wonderland that aren't reachable because of the Sawdust Eaters and their dead area. This is how you get to the other kingdoms." This made sense to the striped male and he perked in interest, "There's a train back in our world too. It doesn't run anymore, but the station is there."

He managed to get a small smile from the larger, but noticed that he was distressed. "What's wrong?" The hearts bodyguard shook his head and answered in a strangely standoffish manner, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it." But Six couldn't help but worry. He looked back towards Eight to see if he could get any sign from him, but Eight was too busy staring at the back of his counterpart's head. Six decided to instead hurry his pace and continue onwards to the station. As they stepped inside the tiled building they were alerted to it being abuzz with Stitchpunks of all kind, even though outside it was barren and looked empty.

The front room was large with a few paths leading out to certain areas. What caught the interest of Nine and Six immediately was a model train going along a little track in the center of the room. Nine approached it with the striped male hurrying behind him, looking over the intricate details of the tiny toy. "This is so weird…" He remarked, "Because if we were back home something this size would be about sized for us." Six watched the little train circle before adding in, "I don't think we'd ever find a train in this good of condition back in our world." Part of him actually felt a little sadness after admitting this truth.

"It's not just a model." Five added in with a knowing smile as he limped closer, "It's actually usable." Nine raised a brow, "Really? It's… A little small. Oh, but I guess you'd shrink to get on! Right?" He assumed with slight amusement, as though he wasn't fully convinced but playing along. "That's right." The Mad Hatter adjusted his hat before pulling it off, "In fact, I'll have the shrinking tea done in just a moment." He pulled the internal teapot out and Six smiled in excitement while Nine looked taken aback and somewhat in disbelief. "Wait, you're serious?" Nine asked.

"Of course he is!" Two chimed in before beckoning Wonderland Eight closer, the male standing behind Five and blocking him from the view of the ticket takers nearby. "But we must not draw too much suspicion, my friends. This isn't… A well-known transit. The library is hidden because of the information kept inside." Six's interest piqued, "So people don't take the little train frequently… But, wait, it only goes in a circle?" Two was about to answer when he heard the call of an announcer from nearby, saying that one of the trains was leaving the station. The White Rabbit fell quiet out of dread.

A few moments passed before Eight remarked, "We've been gone for too long… The Boss and the others are probably looking for us. What happens if they fall down here too?" Nine contemplated this, "Well… They heard Six's story, so they'd do what we did and head for the Red Kingdom." Six listened in as Wonderland Eight turned towards the conversing Stitchpunks and added in, "Couldn't. The door's locked. They'd just be sent back through the Rabbit Hole and back into your room." Eight furrowed his brows, "So all those doors are supposed to be locked? What's even the point of having the doors."

"They're just there." The heart guard shrugged off to his counterpart and gave a playful smirk, "You all are pretty lucky. Usually the door's not unlocked and the gold key in there is pretty hard to keep ahold of." Nine chuckled and gestured to Six, "It's good that Six's key opens the door." The heart guard paused before suddenly turning to face Six, "What…?" He asked slowly, "Your key opens the door?" Six didn't know why but suddenly he felt odd under the gaze, as though suspicion was cast upon him, and nodded while Five announced, "Tea's ready to go!" Wonderland Eight raised a hand, not looking away from Six.

"Not yet." He insisted, wanting to get more answers, and to Six's surprise Eight broke in. "Look, we got to do this later. We're wasting time that we can probably waste on the train." Almost reluctantly Wonderland Eight nodded to his counterpart and let the subject drop. Eight himself glanced back to Six after a few seconds. It wasn't a suspicious glance but more of a self-reassurance. That itself made Six feel even more disturbed, not certain why his key was so important. It was an important item to him and he had used it for years as a self-comfort, as he remembered that he got it from the Scientist's workshop before he left.

"We need a distraction…" Five murmured and looked around, "Any ideas?" Cat volunteered, "Let me handle it." Of course Cat only just appeared behind Child and Wonderland Eight. Wonderland Eight looked over abruptly, Nine let out a short cry of alarm, Six's optics darted over but he didn't seem too surprised, and Child even gave a slight flinch. The Cheshire Cat leaned on his shoulder, "Glad to see you made it back in one piece." He pointed out with a playful smirk and Child retorted, "As though you haven't been following us all morning." Cat chuckled and pulled back before starting to vanish.

"Cat, wait." Nine tried to stop him and for a few seconds it seemed like he was truly gone, but then he suddenly reappeared, like he never left. "Yeah?" Nine straightened to attention and asked, "You warp around, right? Can't you just… Warp us with you?" Cat started to fade off, his smile remaining this time, smirking at the younger. "Doesn't work that way, Pup." Then he was gone and Nine slumped, "It was a good question." Five patted Nine on the shoulder and the younger continued, "I still have some mushroom left on me." He slipped his hands under to go to his zipper and Child spoke.

"Creator, how much are you keeping in there?" Wonderland Eight got a small smirk of his own, "You'd know, wouldn't you?" Child gave him an unimpressed frown and Five spoke to Nine, "Keep that on you for safe keeping. I have more than enough tea." He smiled and Nine sent one back, zipping himself closed. Six took the teacup, "I'll go first." He volunteered eagerly, antsy to get moving as he didn't want to stay in one place too long. He tilted back the cup and downed it while Five sputtered, "Oh no, Six, not the whole thing!" Six paused and spit what he could back in that hadn't soaked in.

Eight held a hand out for the cup and Six placed it in before he immediately began to shrink. Nine knelt down and actually had to catch Six, who shrunk so quickly that he actually started to drop. The zippered male straightened and sat him on the display beside a fake bench and streetlamp, the train passing again. Eight was next, then Nine, Child, Five, Wonderland Eight, and finally Two himself who waited until he heard scuffling and voices off somewhere, knowing that Cat was on the prowl and doing his job to distract. Two sat on the edge of the display before finishing the tea, quickly shoving the cup into his bag so it shrunk too.

Now they were standing on the diorama together. "When the train goes by we'll have to jump on." Two warned and, as expected, when it came by he dashed at it with a sudden burst of speed and jumped into an open door on the second car. Five was limping, but managed to get on as well. In fact every one of them from Wonderland was able to get on with the first lunge. Eight managed to grab onto the back, but hadn't pulled himself on and was currently stumbling behind the moving train. Nine started to sprint after it when he noticed Six wasn't following. "Six, what are you waiting for?" He called back.

"…For the train to come back around?" Six offered and his mouth tinged upwards in a smile. Nine paused before chuckling nervously, "Oh… Makes sense." He crossed back over to the Artist's side and watched as the train went along its path. He then looked over at Six who was smiling as he watched it, considering to ask about what he told Eight last night. Part of him thought against it and yet he finally offered, "Something happened at the Diamond Kingdom?" Six's face twisted in surprise and he looked to the zippered male, "Eight told you?!" Nine was quick to defend, "No, I overheard, but he wouldn't talk about it."

"Good… I don't feel safe talking about it." Six explained sheepishly, "Just… Something was trying to get me into the castle." Nine was concerned but the Artist forced a smile, "But we're far from there now! We shouldn't worry about it. It was probably just nothing…" Six's optimism eased the mood and Nine smiled, "Alright, just checking. Get ready, here comes the train again." They hurried over and dove on before heading through towards the back to help Eight. The train wasn't like a normal train and wasn't nearly as extravagant as the train station was.

The seats were mere blocks of wood carved like seats and instead of a carpet between the rows it was just painted red. The doors between the sections still opened thankfully and they headed into the back where Eight had already managed to pull himself inside and was sitting on a seat. He followed the other two back to the middle car. Five was sitting down while Two was missing and both Wonderland Eight and Child stood there alert. When Two entered back in Six offered, "Are we going?" The White Rabbit nodded, "We will be very soon! I could use some assistance in the front, and a little strength."

He looked between the Eights and Wonderland Eight nodded and started heading to the front of the train. Eight came as well, "We can handle it." He assured and his counterpart nodded in agreement. Nine and Six followed as well, but Nine noticed Five wasn't following and glanced back towards him in concern. The male was looking even more tired and concern passed Nine's optics. He still followed the others, Five being left with Child who sat down on the other side of the aisle. Past the next car was the actual inside of the train itself, which also didn't run like a real train.

Six had remembered trains running off of coal or fire, but neither was here. In the front of the train was what looked like a winding key that jutted outwards. Two took it in his hands like a steering wheel and looked back to the Guards. "See those metal beams laying at a diagonal along the walls? They keep the wheels in place and thus, keep it on the same track. I need you both to lift one so that I can steer us the correct route." Eight nodded and Wonderland Eight reached out to grasp the beam, "Consider it done." He then grunted as he lifted the beam.

Eight followed suit and, seeing that everything was under control, Nine turned to Six, "Let's check on Five… He looks strange." Six cocked his head before nodding and they headed into the back. By time they got there Five looked worse, laying limply against the seat. "Five?" Nine asked and lightly shook him. Five's optic open and he started to straighten, wincing as he did, "Sorry. I guess I was more tired than I thought." He forced a smile but Six had noticed what area of his body made him flinch. "Your wound…" He pointed out, "It's still bothering you, isn't it?" Five stared and Nine looked concerned.

Suddenly he was ripping at Five's jacket. Five gasped, Child stood suddenly, and Six just watched as his friend tugged it open. The small cut was the same size with the same stitch, but mismatched optics detected more. Nine looked to Five as he let Six get by to check. His pen tipped fingers nudged at the wound and gaged the reaction, which was another wince. Six looked back to the wound and his mismatched optics widened as he pulled it slightly open, revealing darkness creeping out from inside. "Five, what is this?!" He sputtered out, touching the sticky black muck that was starting to dribble out.

"It's just…" Five started and was interrupted by Six, "It's Boojum poison, isn't it?! Is this what it's like?!" He lifted his hand to reveal the liquid to the others. It smelled like bog water. Nine started at the mix and looked to Five quietly to explain. "It's just a little…" Five admitted, "But it's nothing too serious!... I mean, it is serious, but it can wait. I didn't notice until earlier anyway. We need to get to the Library first and foremost." Child chimed in, "Five, you need to be in the Red King's medical ward now. You of all people know how ruthless the poison can be." The Hatter looked away from the Jabberwock's gaze.

"There won't even be a kingdom if we don't figure out what's going on." He admitted solemnly, "Two's being modest about that staff. If all of the pieces are found then we're in serious trouble. The world could change, could be just like the Sawdust Eater's domain… That's what made them, you know." Six's optics widened, "…What?" Five nodded insistently, "There wasn't a barren land there always… Back when Wonderland was barely beginning to be populated someone must have used the staff to make it… And now it's empty…" He seemed to be growing more distressed and more tired.

Nine was starting to become frantic, "Five, your health matters more than that!" He was having frantic flashbacks to when he lost his best friend to the Machine, panting desperately, looking frantically towards the Jabberwock. "Can you cure Boojum poisoning?!" Nine asked to Child who casually remarked, "Do I look like a Boojum?" Nine tossed his hands upwards in annoyance, "I don't know; you look like the Fabrication Machine, you act like a Stitchpunk, I don't know what you're supposed to be! Except for unhelpful!" He stormed by and started to the front while Child was standing there, dumbstruck by Nine's sudden retort.

"I'm getting Two!" Five pulled himself upwards and fought the distress, "Nine, you can't! We can't turn around anyway until we get there, just let us get the information we need!" He pulled a jar of mustard out of his pocket and popped it open. "We just… We need to find the others… We need to find out what's next." He smeared the yellow mixture onto his wound. Nine looked back, sadness and fear across his face, before stepping into the next car. In a huff of frustration he dropped down onto a seat and simply waited. Five was right; but he wasn't going to let this go on much longer.

When the train did eventually stop the Stitchpunks quickly disembarked. They were already standing in the Library as they stepped out. Six, Nine, and Eight were immediately surprised at how similar it looked to the Library that was their home, save that it showed no affects from war. Everything was arranged neatly and put away carefully as they headed inside. "So where would this book be? Probably somewhere high and practically impossible to reach, right?" He gave an amused smirk and Two chuckled, "You would think so, but thankfully the librarians can help us better."

Almost as soon as he said that two Stitchpunks suddenly appeared out from behind a stack of books. Six recognized them and smiled, "The Tweedles! Of course it would be the Tweedles!" Shockingly enough Nine recognized them as well and looked to Child, "Wait, weren't those two the Stitchpunks in the inn?" They scurried closer, looking over the scene before their optics locked on the two Eights. Three ran to Wonderland Eight, Four ran to normal Eight, and their optics flickered in surprise as they catalogued their findings. "My friends, we need the book."

The White Rabbit spoke in a friendly way, "To figure out where Nine and Seven have gone. As you see, we have his counterpart." He rested a hand on Nine's shoulder and he gave an awkward smile, bracing himself for the two to rush at him. They didn't do so, however, and instead tilted their heads at Two before nodding and hurrying off. "They may not have even known of the disappearance." Two quipped and Six was still thrilled, "Seeing everyone again like this- I didn't think I was going to get to with all the travelling and things!" The White Rabbit chuckled at his excitement and Nine quietly spoke.

"It's good… But we still need to hurry." Both looked back, Six in agreement and Two in confusion, "I'm certain that the March Hare and White Queen will be able to hold out-." Nine now blurted out, "But Five won't." Two stared in confusion and the younger finally admitted the truth, "Two… Five's poisoned." The older male's pupils shrunk and he looked to Five for assurance. The Hatter refusing to look at him was answer enough. "That's why you wouldn't let me check you this morning… Oh, Five." Two's voice was fearful and sympathetic, knowing what Boojum poisoning meant.

"Two, please." Five begged, "I can go back to the castle as soon as we leave, but I knew that if you knew I was poisoned you'd want us to head back now. This whole journey can't be ruined because of me." Two came forward immediately and took his apprentice into a hug, feeling the younger wince again in pain. "Five, no, you didn't ruin anything. You got injured protecting me, if anything…" He cut off as the Hatter leaned against him a bit more tiredly. The White Rabbit held him close, petting his back affectionately. A few minutes passed before the twins dashed back with a large book carried by both of them.

They dropped it heavily onto the floor and opened the top cover to a page with nothing but a line on it. Six approached and crouched onto his knees, "Is this to sign?" He asked softly, reaching forward to lift the next page only to find them stuck together. Child came over to answer as Wonderland Eight was over watching Two and Five. He crouched down as well, "It is. When someone close signs this book with the name of who they are searching for they will find their location on the next page." Nine sat down beside him and Eight stood above them and looked down. "Nine, you've got to sign it." He instructed.

"Sure this is going to work?" Nine asked Child and looked around, "Do we have anything to write with?" The Tweedles were about to run off when Six stopped them. "Hold on." He began to start dabbing a finger on his tongue and sucking on it. Eight raised a brow in amusement and Child briefly watched, then looked to Nine, "You're the only one who it may work for. We don't have time to search for your- For the March Hare's siblings." Finally Six scooted closer and offered his hand, the finger he was fooling with now leaking ink. "Here. I have a pen." He playfully pointed out with an amused chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Nine smiled back and took ahold of his wrist. Gently he signed his number on the line. "Here goes nothing." Nine followed with and attempted to turn the page, which gave and opened to the next section. There was a map of Wonderland, the full continent, and was detailed with roads and small pictures of the kingdoms. The Library was the only design in color and was seemingly drawn in blue ink. After a few moments a red 'x' also appeared on the map as well. "Is that it? Is that where he is?" Nine asked in delight, happy that it worked, but both Six and Child looked disturbed.

"What is he doing out there?" The Jabberwock asked quietly and Nine looked to him, "What?" Child looked back to him with the dread on his face, "The March Hare's past looking glass land… He's in the Sawdust Eater desert." Six couldn't believe it and stared in alarm before looking over as Nine slowly stood, "So… So that proves it… He didn't elope, he was taken, because he wouldn't go there to elope." Nobody argued with the logic, in fact Child exhaled in pure relief, and Nine continued, "Seven's probably there too… We need to go save them. Right?" He looked back towards Two and Five only to hesitate.

Five was looking worse even now. He was panting wearily and looked to only be held straight by Two. A few seconds passed and Nine insisted, "…But first we need to head back to the Hearts Kingdom." Five tried to speak, "Nine…" His raspy pleas went ignored and Eight announced, "We'll get him there and then we can go out there. End of story." Six looked back to the book again, flipping a page back, examining around, contemplating what his plans were. Two announced his plans, "We'll need to head to the Kingdom, but… But I need someone else to make a separate journey."

"What?" Eight asked in surprise, looking to the older male, "We're splitting apart?" The White Rabbit frowned further, "I certainly don't want to… My proper alchemy tools are at the Red Kingdom… But the Snark scales aren't. I don't grow them this time of year because they die easily and they don't keep well." Horror passed Nine's face, "…What does that mean?" Wonderland Eight murmured, "That means we don't have the only known cure to Boojum poison." Five's closed his optic tightly; he already knew, but Two argued, "But there is someone who does! Back at the village where Five and I keep our homes."

"We can go there!" Nine responded quickly and Two nodded, "There's a witch in town that owns a garden. She has Snark scales a plenty. You can't miss them, they look like a leg. Then we can worry about Nine and Seven-." Suddenly Six spoke, "No." His voice was so sudden and striking that the others looked to him in alarm. He slowly shut the book and stood, pondering it, and looked back as though surprised at what he was saying. "I've been among the Sawdust Eaters before. I've befriended them… I've escaped them… So I'll go." Five gasped and Child argued, "Six, that's not necessary-."

"Yes it is!" Six argued, "I… I know that Nine and Seven are safe now, but we don't have the time to waste…" He looked back at the book, "Whoever's doing this is probably wanting us to waste time so that they can find the other parts. Five needs to get to the castle, someone needs to get the scales, but I'm not needed! I can do this, I can go into the dessert and find them!" For a few minutes nobody spoke and the only sound was of the twins closing and carrying the book off. It was Eight who finally spoke, "You're right." Six looked to him and just stared. "You're right. We'd all be a cluster of confusion anyway."

He took charge and looked over. "Two, you get Five to the Kingdom." He looked to his counterpart and gave a nod, who nodded back, and looked to Nine, "Nine, you get those scales." He looked to Child, "You, do something along those lines." He then looked to the Artist and crossed his arms, "And you're going to be my guide." Six stared before sputtering, "Y-Your guide... You're coming with me?" The Guard gave a nod, "We're in the same boat, Six. There's already one of me here doing the work, so I'm needed elsewhere." Wonderland Eight suddenly paused and murmured a soft, "There's already one doing the work…?"

"Eight… Eight, thank you!" The Artist blurted out in joy and rushed forward, jumping onto him with a tight hug. Eight's optics widened before he looked down at the smaller, giving an amused smile. "Hey, you're acting like I cured Five myself. You're still taking me over there." Nine smiled at the scene and looked to Two, "Then here, let's get back on the train and return to the station." Two looked towards Child, "Call Cat. He can alert the guards that we're coming and get a coach." Child nodded and pulled something out of the back of his vest. It looked like two bells connected to a rope.

He took a few steps back and began to swing it in a circle. At first it rattled, then it began to jingle, and finally it began to make a strange whirring noise. Then, suddenly, Cat seemed to just appear, an excited look stretched onto his face as though he was getting a giddy high from the noise. Two reached out to grasp his shoulder, tugging him out of it, "Cat, go to the White Kingdom and alert Eight's men that we need a carriage at the train station. Take this." He reached into his vest and pulled out a heart shaped pin, "Show them this. They'll know I sent you." The Cheshire Cat too it, admiring the shiny object, and hummed a bit.

"I don't usually get involved into these things… But alright." He seemed to notice how much Five needed the help and vanished once more. Now Two started to guide Five back towards the train, Wonderland Eight following. Nine hurried after them. Six pulled himself back from Eight sheepishly and looked to the Tweedles, "Thank you for letting us use your book." The Tweedles smiled and nodded, happy to assist, and watched as the group started to leave. The two returned to their work quickly as the Stitchpunks entered the toy train once more.

By time the train pulled back into the Station the guards were already waiting. Wonderland Eight ate a biscuit, grew in size, and started to command his miniature army to protect the area and help carry Five. They had brought a stretcher and even though Five insisted he could still walk Two helped him on. They carried him into the carriage when Nine prepared to board, sitting onto the back. Child climbed on beside him and Nine was a little surprised and gave a small smile, "Coming along for the ride?" He offered and the albino gave a playful retort, "If I don't suffocate on dust first."

Eight prepared to climb aboard when Six stopped him, "We can just walk there." The Guard looked taken aback, "It's halfway across the map!" He exclaimed in surprise, but Six shook his head, "It looks like that… But the second we step in we're already there." The Guard suddenly was second guessing his decision, but exhaled and stepped back. "Alright…" Six looked to Nine and the Stitchpunk looked back; they would be separated once more. "Be careful, Nine." Six took his friend's hand and Nine rested his other atop it, "I will. Just don't get lost out there. Don't get separated."

Eight discreetly rested a hand on Six's back. "Not planning on it." Six looked upwards at him and smiled. Now Wonderland Eight stepped around, "Watch him close. You don't know what's out there." He banged on the top of the carriage and held on where Eight once was as it started to slowly roll away. Now Six and Eight were left to their search, now Nine was left to wait for his stop, now Two was left to keep Five stable until they arrived.

Now all that was left was to begin another leg of their journey.


Mable: And we are finally starting to approach the end of our story!... Sort of. XD More or less the fellowship finally knows what needs to be done… Unfortunately at the expense of Five's health. What shall happen next? All to be revealed very soon!