Hatter and Alice Journey into the Netherworlds

By Ldynwaitin

Chapter Twenty Five – Race to the Rose Garden

Everyone wanted an early start the next day, they woke up an hour before lights-on. Pitney was able to fabricate a full breakfast, they had no idea when they would be eating next so they all ate hearty. Charlie dressed himself in the red outfit that Pitney gave him. Moxie was fussing with his hair and beard. Culver gave her tips on how to make him look exactly like the Red Knight. Hatter stood by the exit tunnel that led up to the stone door. Leaning against the rock wall his eyes were glued to Sloan.

Alice slowly walked to him carrying a plate filled with food. "I'm guessing that nights rest hasn't changed anything." She handed him the plate. He quickly began to eat it.

"No," he mumbled with a mouth full of food.

"You know, it's not polite to stare."

"Your world, not mine."

"Oh, I see, are there other things here that you haven't shown me yet?" She stepped in front of him, planting her hands on her hips she seductively blinked her eyes.

Wickedly grinning, he shoveled the last part of breakfast in his mouth. Placing the plate on the floor, he wiped his mouth clean, and spread out his arms, "Want to find out?"

She teasingly stepped towards him, then took a step back, "Not this time, but later, definitely later."

Pitney held his hand up, "Light's go on, we go now."

Leading them to the end of the tunnel, he took out his key and stuck it into the rock. The tunnel was filled with the sound of stone scraping against stone. The darkness of the tunnel flooded with the light above. Once the stone moved far enough back they all piled out of the tunnel. Outside they could see the viciousness of the Bazards attack. The smooth rock was scored with deep grooves and scrapes. It appeared that they were there most of the night. They were lucky that they had a safe place to stay.

Standing at the entrance they all stood silently, waiting for someone to make the first move. Jack stepped up to the center of the group, "So, which plan did we choose to go with?"

"I think we should try Charlie's idea first," Pitney suggested. "We know Bazards can't walk into light, he should be safe as long as he remain in light. Let him go to them, see if they think he Red Knight. If he can lead them away from wall and we can all sneak past them."

Hatter deeply sighed. "The only thing I like about Charlie's plan is that as long as he remains in the light, the Bazards can't touch him."

"Actually, that is my favorite part," Charlie admitted.

Jack nodded his consent, "Good, then I think we all agree to let Charlie have a go first. If it doesn't work we'll at least get a glimpse of how many Bazards we'll have to contend with."

Jack pulled the White Rabbits aside, as he talked to them Hatter had his own private chat, with Alice, Culver, and Moxie. "If this was yesterday morning I'd say to use Sloan's guns to protect Charlie, this mornin' I'm not so sure."

"I'm still not sure what happened last night," Moxie whispered. "But I've always had an uneasy feeling with Sloan. I'm on your side about this. After being an unwilling part of Grypht's plans to take the Black Rose, I'll never trust a White Rabbit again."

"I agree with Hatter," Culver said. "I think we could still use Sloan, we just have to have a back up to his back up."

"That would be me," Moxie chipped in. "I've seen how he shoots, he may be a lot faster than me but I think he and I have the same skill when it comes to accuracy."

"Then it's agreed, Culver and I will keep an eye on him, when Charlie is down there I want Moxie to position herself opposite of Sloan. As Culver said, you're our back up for our back up."

Moxie pulled out a small pistol, "I'm your gal."

"What about me?" Alice felt left out of the conversation.

"You, you're our back up, to our back up, to our, oh never mind, pucker up."

Confused Alice pursed her lips, Hatter pulled out Eric's knife and shoved it in her mouth. "You're in charge of the whistle, any sign of somethin' going bad and you blow on that thin' like it's your one hundredth birthday cake."

Taking the whistle out, Alice saluted Hatter, "I'll blow when I see the whites of their teeth."

"Let's hope they don't get that close." Hatter gave her a quick peck on the check, "For good luck."

"We'll be needing it." She knew this may be the most dangerous situation they were heading into. The only saving grace was that they were in the beginning of Lights-on. With Jack finished talking to the White Rabbits they quickly made their way to the Bazards nesting grounds, and the other side of the Queens' rose garden.

They reached the grounds ten minutes later. Daisy told them she would stay at the bottom of the hill, she just wasn't ready to see so many Bazards. Leaving her there, they climbed up the hill and looked down. Pitney began to nervously shake his head, "This not good, not good. Not have this many last time I here, why so many? Why they nest so close to old wonderland?"

Hatter pointed to the trees, "Culver, what exactly can you tell us about those trees."

Culver hunkered closer to the edge of the hill, he lay down, the thick claw on his paw pointed forward. "When the Bazards first showed up, it was chaos down here. We had no idea where they came from. There wasn't many back then, but they would come in at lights-out and destroy anything they touched. We were all forced to build the walled towns to keep them out at night. My Uncle told me fifty years ago Sir Knorthrop started planting these trees. He said it would keep the Bazards out of his sanctuary and that all Netherworlders were invited to live within his protective haven. When we saw that it worked, some came, but others stayed away. Funny thing though, it was ten years ago that the Bazards population exploded.

They seemed to be everywhere, and the walls were failing to keep them out. That's why most of the villages we passed were nearly empty. They've begun to move to the protective haven of Red Phoenix."

"Another funny thing, Culver," Hatter added. "When I was taken through Red Phoenix I saw only foxes and Bull-Guards at its center. The only villagers I saw were near the outskirts, newcomers I would say."

Culver hung his head, "This is why I decided to help you, Hatter. I never realized what was happening until you opened my eyes. I swear I am going to do all that I can to help stop Allric and Sir Knorthrop."

"And that begins with Charlie, right?" Charlie nodded his head at first, but then it began to slowly move back and forth. "I…I really had no idea just how many of them there were," he said in a quivery voice.

Hatter grabbed Charlie by the hand and pulled him down to the bottom of the hill where Daisy was waiting. "Charlie, we're depending on you to do this."

"I…I know Hatter, but I just never realized there would be so many. What if they realize that I'm not Reggie? They'll tear me to shreds."

"No they won't Charlie, remember, they can't walk into the light. As long as you stay in the light you'll be safe."

"The light," Charlie said in revelation. "That's the ticket, I have to stay in the light."

"Right Charlie, stay in the light."

"Oh, but what if something happens, I just can't go down there alone."

Culver rushed down the hill, the others were right behind him. "I think it would look better if he had an escort," the large bear suggested.

"Will that work, Culver?" Right now Hatter realized that Charlie needed some courage, having an escort would do just that.

"Well, I'm sure Sir Knorthrop has never approached them alone. We have with us right now, two bears and a fox. We could serve as escorts for the Red Knights."

Culver was right, Barret's mask made him look like a bear, while Sloan's made him look like a fox. Seeing a slight wink coming from Culver Hatter realized that Culver had another motive. Having Sloan with them served two purposes. He wouldn't try anything so close to the Bazards. "Sounds good to me, what do you think, Charlie?"

Charlie noticeably breathed a sigh of relief, "I think it's a splendid idea. Of course the Red Knight would have a noble escort. I would be honored to have you three by my side."

"I really don't like…" Sloan began to say, but Jack quickly cut him off. "Actually this is sound thinking, of course Sir Knorthrop would have an escort. Sloan, Barret you'll go with Culver and serve as honor guard for The Red Knight."

Not hiding his discontent, Sloan turned his back and angrily crossed his arms. "It's decided then," Jack stared seriously into Charlie's eyes. "This is it Charlie, what you came down here for. A noble act by a noble knight, you can do it."

"Um, y…yes I suppose I can, noble and Knight always goes together." He nervously began to twiddle his fingers. "But then so does noble death."

"Don't worry, Charlie," Alice showed him the whistle, "We got your back. If I see the slightest sign of danger I blow this whistle so hard Rubetta will be able to hear it."

"Well, very well, if you insist that you think I can do this,' he softly mumbled.

Hatter held his fist in the air, "Just remember you are the Red Knight. You're not afraid of anything, just go right in there and order those Bazards to go to the grove of trees. Don't take no for an answer."

"Don't take answer, remember Red Knight…" Charlie babbled, he was feeling so frightened. As he slowly began to walk towards the Bazards nest, his courage in taking on this quest had all but vanished. "Why did I do this," he mumbled. "I'm a fool, I let my heart talk my brain into doing this, cursed heart why must you be so brave?"

"Careful," Culver whispered to Charlie. Once we turn this corner we'll be in sight of the Bazards. Stand up straight Charlie."

"Yes," Barret encouraged him, "You have a role to play. You must feel like a knight to look like one. You are the Red Knight, this is your land, you rule here."

"Yes," Charlie's march began to grow stronger with each step. "I am the Red Knight, I am Reginald Collis Knorthrop, I rule this land and everyone here must obey me!"

"Get ready," Culver slowed down to walk by Charlie's left side. "We're nearly there."

Barret walked on Charlie's right, while Sloan took the position behind Charlie. Taking out his gun he held it ready for any danger that may come.

Ahead Charlie could see a field of nests under the purple flowered trees. Several Bazards spotted them, at first they began grissing, then one of them stopped. Jumping excitedly it sprinted into the largest hole there. Charlie stopped three yards away from the nests. He held his head up high, he had a role to play, he was Reginald, and this was his land. He nearly bolted as he saw the largest Bazard he'd ever seen slowly crawl out of the nest, at least fifty of them poured out of the nest. They all swarmed just at the edge of the shade of the tree.

The largest Bazard stepped close to the end of the shade. He plopped down on the ground and stared at Charlie. At first Charlie didn't know what to do, his answer came as he actually heard the Bazard say in a deep, grissing voice, "What issss it that Otess can do for you now?"

Charlie mumbled through clenched teeth, "It's talking."

"Then talk back," Culver hissed.

"Ahem," Charlie stepped an inch closer. He had to sound like he was in charge, he was The Red Knight, he was not afraid of them, they were afraid of him.

Slowly he began to pull off his red gloves one finger at a time. "Otess, I've come here to tell you that what you've done for me so far has greatly pleased me." Charlie held onto his gloves in one hand.

"Then, you're not maaad that we didn't break intoooo Crow'ssss Landing?"

Charlie never expected to hear that, to keep his hands from shaking he began to slap his gloves in his other hand. "Was not your fault, I heard that that cursed Hatter was there. But never fear, he is in my custody right now."

"You wrongggg," Otess' foul mouth turned down, "We ssssee him lights-out, not far from here. He kill many Bazardssssss. Have magic sword, and give us pain in head. Ssssso many die, cursssed Hatter."

Charlie swallowed hard, "Oh dear, yes cursed Hatter. I th…thank you for letting me know. I shall have my Bull-guards get right on that. But if you do see him again, don't kill him. I'd appreciate it if you brought him to me. Allric and I need him to help us in our plans. Can you do that for me?"

Otess angrily shook his head, "As I ssssay many killed, but if he needed to desssstroy Netherworldssss, then we bring him to you, alive."

Charlie slapped the gloves harder in his hands, "I thank you for that."

Otess suspiciously eyes Charlie. "I assssk again, why yoooou here?"

"I wanted to let you know that everything is going as planned. In fact it's going so well, that I wanted to extend to you some special training for the coming battle."

"Trainnnning?" Otess' head turned in a questioning manner. "What kind? Remember it haaard to train my children, take a looong time to teach to sssspit on metal. My children only know howww to eat and ssssleep."

"Yes," Charlie declared. "That is exactly what we need to work on. To eat they need to kill, fighting is killing, just more organized. That's what we need to do, organize them. Now if you don't mind, I'd like you to have all the Bazards meet me at that large grove of trees." Charlie pointed to his right. Just up the hill was a large grove of trees. Hundreds of Bazards would safely stay there.

"You trainnnn usssss," Otess growled. "Allric ssssay we to sssstupid to trainnn to fight."

"Well today I want us to prove him wrong! Now come along, tell the others to meet me at the grove, I have much planned."

The large Bazard stood up, his rotted mouth opened in a wide grin, "You ssssay you want usss to help? What of Allric?"

"Damn Allric!" Charlie was feeling bolder with each sentence he spoke. The Bazard was listening to him, he felt his courage flooding back. "I am in command, not he. I, The Red Knight makes this pledge to you, I do so swear that when this war is over you will get exactly what you deserve.

Otess bowed his great head, "For you we will breed fassssster, learn fasssster, thissss world will become ourrrr feeding groundssss, and all around will be our crop to reap."

"Yes, of course, now don't dally, get them up there as soon as possible, I have so much to show you."

Otess growled and hissed at the smaller Bazards that surrounded him. Standing at the exit holes they grissed into the nests. In seconds hundreds of Bazards poured out of the nests. Culver and Barret had to literally stand behind Charlie to keep him from falling, his knees weakened at the sight of so many Bazards they just didn't want to hold him up.

"Is it working?" Daisy whispered up to Moxie.

'Not sure, they're talking, that's a good thing."

"Very good," Hatter agreed. He was encouraged as he saw Charlie conversing with the Bazards, they accepted him as the Red Knight. Finally, he thought, something going right for a change.

"Get ready," he called back to Daisy. "Once they go to the grove, we need to hurry past the nest to the wall."

Daisy nervously began to pace back and forth, she had tried to avoid looking at the creatures that murdered her village. Even being this close she felt her heart twitching in her chest like a hummingbird.

Moxie quickly ran down the hill, she took her large hand in hers, "Don't worry Daisy, we can do this. I'll lead you if need be, you can close your eyes."

Daisy patted Moxie's hand, she took in a deep breath, "I don't want to put any of you in danger. Don't worry, when the time comes I'll be able to run past them."

The time was coming very soon, Charlie watched as the Bazards just kept pouring out of the nests like an overflow of water, they moved towards the large grove of trees. Otess waited until the last Bazard was out before he began to walk towards the trees. Stopping he looked back, "You coming?"

"Yes, of course I am, I just need to confer with my honor guard. I'll be there, do go on." He waved him to keep going. Turning the large Bazard slowly lumbered towards the grove.

Hatter intensely watched the largest Bazard, he was the leader, he was the one they had to look out for. They had planned this earlier. Once all the Bazards were in the grove they would make a break towards the Rose Garden. As Otess neared the grove they all scooted down and ran towards the edge of the hill. Peeking around the hill Hatter could see Charlie talking to Culver and Barret. Once Charlie caught his eye, he gestured for them to wait.

"Just a few more seconds," Charlie said through clenched teeth. Once he saw Otess reach the grove his arms windmilled at Hatter and the others. Culver rushed towards the wall, signaling them that the Bazards were far enough away.

"Lets go!" Jack shouted.

They all began to run towards the rose gardens wall. Reaching the nests in seconds they skirted the huge mounds and sprinted to the Rose garden. Seeing the nests Daisy suddenly stopped, she stared at the nests in horror. Her eyes wide in fear, she could not take another step forward.

"Daisy, got to go," Pitney shouted at her. He moved forward and screamed into her ear, "Got to go Daisy, or we all die."

Moxie had already reached the wall, looking back she saw Daisy standing as still as a statue in the center of the nests. She quickly ran back to her.

"She scared," Pitney cried out. "I need to get to wall." Moxie picked Pitney up and placed him on the ground. "You go, I'll take care of Daisy." Collapsing into a ball he rolled to the wall. Everyone immediately stopped as they were confronted by a solid wall.

"How are we supposed to get to the other side?" Charlie shouted.

"Well we should have thought of that before we got here!" Hatter angrily shouted. The one part of their plan they had forgotten to talk about was what they would do once they reached the wall. "Pitney, how do we get past this wall?"

Pitney searched around, "There opening here, look for key hole."

Hearing grissing Hatter's heart stopped, "You look for the hole, I need to stop those beasts from getting to us."

Moxie saw the others searching for something on the wall, hearing grissing she felt Daisy's hand begin to shake so violently it nearly tore it out of her grip. She clasped her large hand tighter, "Daisy, look at me," she shouted. Daisy couldn't tear her eyes off of the Bazards. She was suddenly eight years old, and wished she had her box to crawl into.

"Daisy!" Moxie shouted, as she pinched her hand. Daisy looked down, she saw Moxie, her good friend Moxie. "Daisy," she said in a calming voice. "You're suppose to protect me, remember? You wanted to grow up to be a guard, being a guard is not having any fear. Daisy, I'm afraid, I'm afraid those monsters are going to eat me up. I need to get to the wall, can you take me there?"

Daisy closed her eyes, she heard her mothers voice say, "Don't forget your dream to become a guard." Yes, she was going to be the first woman guard. She clenched her fists, opening her eyes, she saw Moxie still by her side. "Don't worry Moxie, I'll protect you." Snatching her up, she easily carried her to the wall. Once there they joined in the search for the key hole.

Hatter ran as fast as he could towards the grove of trees. Stopping at a narrow patch he took Eirian out from his hat. "Eirian, I need something to chop down those trees."

"I am a weapon to be used to kill not chop down trees," he heard her reply snootily.

"Fine, then give me a weapon that will kill the trees!"

Immediately Hatter saw a thick blade begin to grow out of Eirian. It grew so thick he was having a hard time holding it up. Soon he was holding a huge battle axe in his hands. Pulling back he swung her at the trunk of the nearest tree. He was shocked to feel the blade pass through the tree truck as if it wasn't there. He had to back up as the tree began to fall. Seeing the Bazards getting closer, he ran to another tree, and another each one fell on the ground creating a small patch of light.

He back peddled as the Bazards reached the edge of the fallen trees. Otess growled and hissed at him, there was now a patch of light that separated them.

"You are curssssed Hatter."

"Yes, I am, and I'm here to make sure your lot is goin' to join Scarlet's Shelter."

Culver saw Otess looking at Charlie, he quickly grabbed Charlie and held a claw to his neck, "If you try anything, he dies."

Charlie immediately knew Culver was trying to keep up the ruse that he was the Red Knight. Charlie fought to be released from Culvers' hold. "Help me!" he cried out. "I am surrounded by retched traitors!"

Hatter saw Otess grissing to several Bazards. He then saw them begin to dig, in seconds they were underground. "Pitney, you'd better hurry, they're trying something."

He ran back to the wall, Alice was holding the whistle to her lips. "Keep it ready Alice, we may be needing it."

Everyone was frantically searching for the keyhole, but it was not found.

"It have to be here," Pitney moaned. "It here last time Alice here."

"Hold on," Hatter slapped his head. "Pitney, last time an Alice was here she was mouse size."

"That right!" Pitney fell to the ground, he searched near the bottom of the wall. There he saw it, a small key hole. Taking out his key, he plunged it into the hole. Once he turned it the wall began to crack. Starting at the key hole, the crack ran up the wall, it stopped suddenly and moved to the left then down until a large door was in front of them.

"Daisy push, push!" Pitney frantically shouted.

Stepping back Daisy grabbed her arm and ran forward, slamming her shoulder against the door. It moved a few inches. Planting her hands on the wall, she dug in her feet and shoved forward with all her strength. The door slowly inched in until there was an opening large enough for them to run through.

"Quickly," Pitney anxiously urged them. "We go now."

Already Hatter could see a mound of dirt growing several feet from were they were standing. "Need something to kill Bazards," he told Eirian.

"Finally," she sung. Her blade began to thin until he was holding a rapier like sword in front of him.

"Hurry, inside," Hatter shouted. The mound of dirt exploded, he saw four Bazard heads fighting to get out of the hole first. Two of them fell over the hole as Hatter heard shots fired. He saw Moxie standing in the doorway, she began to fire towards the new hole. The dead Bazards bodies blocked the way for the other Bazards to escape from the hole. She was able to buy them a few more seconds.

"Hurry, get in," Moxie screamed at Hatter.

Hatter began to backup towards the wall. Alice was about to blow the whistle, until she realized that they were going to make it. Once Hatter reached the wall, he and Moxie jumped through the door. With Culver and Barret's help Daisy slammed the door shut. Pitney fell to the ground and used his key to lock the door. The crack that formed the door began to trail back to the key hole until the wall was as solid as when they first arrived. They had gotten safely past the Bazards and were now standing in the Queen's Old Rose Garden.