Hatter and Alice Journey into the Netherworlds
By Ladnwaitin
Chapter Twelve - The Crimson Phoenix
After a good nights rest, Pitney asked to speak to everyone before leaving. "Lights be on soon, before we go you all need to be prepared for reaching heart of Netherworlds," he told them. "You see sign, the Sheriff put reward on you. So far we lucky no one see us, but that change when we get closer to heart. But you have with you someone who was there, when Netherworld built." Pitney touched his nose and winked at them. "I know places here that no one else knows, not even stoopid Red Knight. If you do as I say, I get you to heart without anyone seeing us."
"You have no need to worry," Jack told him. He smiled at Moxie, thanks to Pitney, she was physically the same as when they first entered the Netherworlds. They all owed this small hedgehog their lives. "We'll do as you say, you've not steered us wrong yet."
Pitney winked an eye. "I not done, I have something. I save for long time. I glad I can use now." Walking to a large trunk, he flung it open. Rummaging inside he began to pull out several masks. He placed them on a table.
"These special masks." He picked one up, it was a blank white mask, nothing exceptional just eye, nose, and mouth holes. He motioned for Rankin to step forward. "Here, put on face, you see why mask so special."
Hesitating for a second, Rankin placed the mask over his face. It magically adhered to his face. Everyone in the room gasped as they saw a sudden change. Rankin now looked like his namesake. Standing before them they saw a white rabbit.
Rankin had no idea what everyone was smiling about until Pitney pointed to a mirror that hung on one of the walls. Walking up to it, Rankin was shocked to see a large rabbit wearing his clothes, staring back at him. He even saw the nose wriggling. Reaching up he felt the mask on his face.
"This special mask, it pick animal that suite you best. We use in case we run into Bull-guards. This even fool Pig-guard stoopid nose. Go, take a mask, you find it will pick right creature for you to look like."
Pitney and Daisy stepped back. They were the only ones here that were true Netherworlders.
Once everyone picked their masks and tried them on, Pitney nodded his approval. "Yes, they make good choice for you. Now we go, we have longer to travel than Hatter, we have to go in back way. We must hurry." Stopping in front of Charlie he asked him, "I know you not want to hear this, but do you think you can keep going?"
Charlie took in a quick breath. He nearly cost everyone their lives because he was not able to keep up. His age became painfully apparent yesterday. He was about to tell them that he thought he should stay at Haven when Rankin and Barret stepped up.
"We told you before," Barret said.
"No one gets left behind," Rankin added. "If need be, we'll 'aid' you on the way." He wanted to stress aid, so that Charlie would not feel so bad. Rankin pressed his hand on Charlie's back, "Let's go old man, we need a Knight in our group to make this adventure official. Guess what? That's you."
Charlie blushed a deep red, never in his whole life has he had so many people caring for him. He took in a deep breath. "Very well, but as you are 'aiding' me, be mindful of the armor. It does tend to catch in places that make the aiding very uncomfortable."
"Don't worry," Barret said with a chuckle. "Well be mindful."
Pitney saw Alice standing in the doorway, loosely holding the mask she picked in her hand. She stared out at the darkness. Her eyes where knit in worry, she hadn't said a word since they woke up. Pitney walked up to Alice and stood next to her. "Did I tell you, I know first Hatter?"
"Hatter did mention that," Alice softly replied.
"Yes, he my best friend, he good friend to all Wonderland creatures. When bad time come, he only one to stay here and help us." Pitney heavily sighed, "Hatter so much like my friend. I forget how much I miss him, until I see that happy smile."
"That's true," Alice said. "He does have a wonderful smile, doesn't he."
"Warms heart, just like the Hatter I knew…Alter-Alice?" Pitney gently touched her hand. She looked down at the aged hedgehog. "One thing that my Hatter missing in life was mate. He never find his soul-mate. I glad Hatter find you, when we find him I can not wait to see you pressing lips again. I like that in your kind, the way you show your love. Maybe in future you and Hatter make cubs?"
Alice had to stifle a laugh, Pitney never minced words. "Perhaps the far future," she said.
Pitney took her hand, "Good, then when this done in far future you must bring cubs to visit Pitney. For now we must hurry and get ready, lights almost on. Faster we leave faster we find our Hatter."
"Yes," Alice agreed. She went back and helped pack food into the backpacks.
"You are a sly dog," Daisy told Pitney.
"Not dog, hedgehog," he corrected her.
She nudged him with her toe, "You know what I mean, I like how you managed to get the darkness out of her thoughts."
"I just gave it a shove back. Reminded her how special her mate is. Sometimes the darkness is so strong it covers the good things. Now let us hurry, I want to start as soon as lights go on."
Once the lights came on, they left Haven and began to journey towards the center of the Netherworlds. Alice clutched the mask she picked. They all agreed once they were close enough, they would put them on. For now they jogged through the Netherworlds towards its center.
"I can walk you know!" Hatter shouted from Lefty's shoulder. He grunted as Lefty slapped him on the rump.
"Be quiet, you've caused enough trouble back there. I'm makin' sure ya get there if I 'ave to carry ya all the way."
Hatter angrily crossed his arms. "Just call me Fiona," he grumbled.
"Is Fiona your girlfriend?" Tynan asked. She was skipping behind Lefty. Hatter saw how quickly she killed one of the foxes. He also saw her heartless cruelty as she mercilessly tortured the other two. He now realized how lucky he was he didn't end up on the business end of her knife last night.
"No, she's a princess that was locked up in a castle," Hatter explained.
"I've always wanted to live in a castle. Did you know this Princes Fiona well?" Her eyes brightened up.
"I really didn't know her, just of her, but I do know Prince Jack."
Tynan spat on the ground at the mention of his name. "If I ever saw any Heart down here, I would cut off their fingers and toes one by one, then their hands and legs. I will make them feel the pain we've been forced to live with our entire lives."
The rest of the trip to the Red Knight Hatter made sure not to mention Jack. With all the hate he was feeling on the journey there, he realized that Jack would have never made it this far. To every Netherworlder, anyone related to the Queen of Hearts would die an instant death.
It was several hours later when Hatter heard Culver shout, "We have an escort."
Hatter tried to twist around Lefty's body to see what Culver was talking about. He found he didn't have to as Lefty slid him down. Putting his hat on, Hatter turned and saw ten Bull-guards marching towards them. They stopped three feet in front of Hatter. The lead guard wore an elaborate red helmet.
"The Red Knight has ordered us to escort you and the prisoner, The Hatter, to his center of operations."
"Oh this is good, this is Fan-bloody-tastic," Lefty gushed. "Finally, I get some respect."
With his head held high, Lefty began to follow his escort. He made sure to show everyone he passed by that Hatter was his prisoner. Tynan and Tynell trotted on either side. Culver took the rear, walking on fours, he would take glances back, checking to see if Roussell would try something before they reached the Sheriffs C.O.O. He could see glimpses of him, but with the official escort Roussell wouldn't dare try anything now.
Hatter was in awe of what the Red Knight had accomplished. All around him he could see a rebuilding of the old Wonderland. He saw animals living in harmony. The magical land flourished here. Reaching the top of a small hill, he looked down at a familiar sight. He saw a scene nearly identical to the Kingdome of the Knights. Giant chess Knights loomed in the distance.
Walking over a bridge Hatter could swear he was approaching Charlie's camp. But after crossing that's where the similarity ended. He saw a huge house spread out over the land. The giant chess Knights stood silent guard on each side of the house. Bull-guards marched and exercised in several buildings off to the left and right. The main building was painted in a scarlet red. Everywhere reds were found. Hatter had a sick feeling that this was beginning to look like the Queen of Hearts had a hand in it.
He realized this thinking was totally wrong as he saw the Red Knight walking out of the main entrance of the keep. Hatter noted that the armor he wore was not as worn out and tattered as Charlie's. The Red Knights armor was shinning and new looking. As deep a red as the house, he clanged as he walked towards him. Stumbling and smiling as he came closer, Hatter couldn't help but notice that this Knight was very similar looking to Charlie. His hair was as white as the clouds, he had the same pointy nose and wore a small goatee on his chin. His face glowed in joy as he walked towards them.
"I am so glad that you are here, I am very happy to see that you made it safely to my humble abode." His voice was deep and soothing.
"Thank ya, we traveled far to get 'ere," Lefty said. He stepped up to the Red Knight. His large frame took a step back as he saw a look on the Knight that froze him to his soul. The Red Knight stood up straight, his gentle eyes were twisted in anger. He barely opened his mouth as he hissed, "I was not speaking to you."
Just as quick as the malevolent look came, it was gone. Hunched over, his rosy cheeks glowed in joy. "It is so good to see you, did your journey here go well?" Hatter had to look behind him before he realized that the Knight was talking to him. Half grinning he replied. "It had its moments, could have been better without these on." He shoved his cuffed hands forward. Again Hatter saw the Knights look change quickly into one of rage.
"How dare you! You will get those monstrosities off of him immediately!"
The Bull-Guards began to slowly pull out their swords. Lefty tried to find the key to the manacles, but his hands were bigger than before, he was having a hard time pulling it out of his pocket. Tynan quickly snatched the key from his pocket and unlocked the handcuffs from Hatters hands. She handed the cuffs to Lefty, who hung them on his leather belt.
"Is that better?" the Red Knight cooed to Hatter.
The mercurial moods of this knight was something Hatter knew would take some time getting used to. For now he would have to play it by ear. Rubbing his wrists he nodded a thanks. "That's much better, thank you."
"My pleasure, my pleasure," the Knight purred. "I must say, it is an honor to have a descendent of a founder here in my Center of Operations. Or as I like to call it, The Crimson Phoenix, she's a work in progress," he excitedly blurted out. "For like the Phoenix, Wonderland will rise from the ashes and live again."
"Ashes?" Hatter asked.
Hatter saw the Knights nose twitch and his eyes blink. "Oh never mind my boy, did I say it was good to see you?"
"Yes you did…" Hatter hesitated. He squinted and pursed his lips as he struggled on how to address the Red Knight.
"I am sorry, I didn't introduce myself properly. In my younger years I was known as Reginald Collis Knorthrop. Here I am the Sheriff, and as you can see," he patted his armor, "The Red Knight."
"That's quite a mouthful to say, is there anythin' shorter that I can call you?" Hatter realized that Charlie was right, this knight was his boyhood friend. He had no idea how he managed to survive the attack of the Red Queen on the Knights, and end up as the sheriff of the Netherworlds. He also had no idea if he was good or bad. Until he knew him better, for now he would keep Charlie's existence a secret.
"Of course, I don't like to put on airs. We are all the same down here, no man nor creature is above another. While you are here you may address me as Sir Knorthrop, I am the last knight you know."
Hatter made a slight bow at the waist, "Sir Knorthrop it is then. And you may address me as, Hatter." Smiling Hatter saw Sir Knorthrop seemed to be waiting for something. He saw his eyes move up and focused on his hat. Grinning, Hatter took off his hat. He threw it around his body, rolled it from his hand to his shoulder and tipped it back on his head. Sir Knorthrop clapped his hands like a child.
"Very good, you are very good at that indeed. You truly are the Hatter." He took Hatter's hand and enthusiastically shook it. "Oh I am so very glad to meet you at last, so very glad. There is much we have to talk about." Placing his hand on Hatter's shoulder he began to usher him down the road.
"'Ey! Wot about me reward?" Lefty shouted. Sir Knorthrop stopped in the middle of the road. Hatter saw his nose twitch and eyes blink. Frowning, he remained standing with his back to Lefty as he said, "What reward are you speaking of?"
Lefty dug his hand into his shirt and pulled out a folded poster. "It says right 'ere that ya were goin' to pay an 'andsome reward fo' anyone bringin' in any Overworlder. Ya also said founders descendants were 'ighly prized."
Lefty crossed his arms and impatiently tapped his foot on the ground. Sir Knorthrop slowly turned to face him. "The poster states they were highly prized, there was no mention of a reward for them."
Lefty angrily threw the poster on the ground, "That ain't right. I brought 'im all this way, I expect to get somethin' fo' me trouble."
"Us too," Tynan and Tynell chirped together.
"What about you?" Lefty asked Culver. "Aren't ya goin' to say somethin', I promised ya a cut of the reward too."
Culvers response was to walk down the road and stand by the Red Knights side.
"Did you have any trouble, Culver?" Sir Knorthrop asked the large bear.
"Some, but I managed to handle it. I made sure he arrived here in one piece."
The Red Knight patted Culver on the shoulder, "Good boy."
"What the bloody 'ell, you betrayed me too!" Lefty cursed. "Next time I do this, I'm takin' me enemies. At least I know where I stand with them."
Sir Knorthrop slowly began to march towards Lefty. Stopping in front of him, he looked up at him. "Culver was asked by me to guard Hatter. He was to join you only because your cowardice is legendary. You think I would allow a special treasure like Hatter to be safeguarded by your…" he poked him three times with his finger as he hissed, "filthily…dirty…stinking hand?"
Lefty was as scared as he'd ever been in his life, but his greed quickly canceled out his fear. "I…I brought 'im 'ere, I expect somethin' fo' that."
Suddenly the Red Knight stepped back, he pulled a small bag out of his armor. "Quite right, here you go, now leave if you please. Your presence is not welcomed here." He threw the small bag at Lefty. It jingled as it flew in the air. Catching it Lefty opened the bag, his eyes glowed as he saw it filled with gold coins.
Tynell and Tynan were quickly by Lefty's side. "Now our share."
Lefty was grinning from ear to ear. "Right, 'ere you go." He tipped the bag over and let several coins drop into his palm. He then placed them onto Tynan and Tynell's paws. "There you go, as promised, one fifth."
The twin ferrets stared blankly at their paws. "Wait a minute," Tynan snarled. "Girvon's dead and Culver is working for the Red Knight. It should have been a three way split."
Lefty pulled the strings on the bag tightly. "Our agreement was that we would split the reward one fifth. I fulfilled on that arrangement." He tucked the bag away in his shirt. "Sorry 'atter, for all the trouble. But as I said, business 'as been a bit off lately. I needed the reward. Just want you to know that I really did like ya. You're not 'alf bad, for an Overworlder."
Hatter planted his hands on his hips, "Really not sorry to see you go."
Knorthrop quickly walked back to Hatter. "Now that is done, I want to show you my home. It's a splendid place, I am sure you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Come along Culver. You still have a job to do."
He led Hatter towards the large house, Culver lumbered by Hatter's side. Lefty watched them walk away. He couldn't wait to get back to his barter house. Spinning around he rushed down the road, he had to make it to the first safe house before lights-out.
"You staying?" Tynell asked his sister.
"Maybe yes, maybe no," she purred. "First I have some unfinished business to take care of. Besides that, we got some spending to do. What better place then The Crimson Phoenix, it has everything we need, and don't need."
Tynell suspiciously eyed his twin. "Last time I saw that look, I ended up cleaning up your mess."
Tynan threw her twin a shocked look. "Brother, I promise you this time will be different." She watched intensely as Hatter entered the Red Knights keep. "Oh yes dear brother, this time will definitely be different. Let's go, we have to catch up to an old friend. If he thinks we're happy with our split, well he doesn't know us very well."
Playfully bumping him with her hip, she skipped down the road. Tynell eagerly followed her, he would follow her anywhere. She may have gotten him into a lot of trouble in the past, but in the end it was always a blast! He couldn't wait to see what she would get into next.