I went through the double doors and entered the skool. I walked down the narrow hall and came into the wide circular center with doors on either side of me and a twisting flight of stairs. I looked up and saw two doors from the top floor that were opening and closing all by themselves. I looked back down and after looking to either side, I titled my head.
~Now, which door was it that led to the gymnasium? ~
I was taken out of my thoughts when I heard a piercing scream. I looked up to find a Boojum flying towards me. I flung two cards at it and it flew back slightly from the impact. It screamed again, but I ducked just in time to avoid it. I got up and flung two more cards at it. It shrieked in pain and flew at me again. I Side-stepped to the right to avoid another scream. This time, I decided to throw the knife and I got it in the chest. It exploded and I got the heart meta. I chuckled softly.
~Heh, I'm really starting the hang of this whole heroine thing. ~
I looked up again and I noticed that some card guards were now walking around seemingly guarding the upper floors. I shrugged.
~I won't bother with them just yet. I've got something else I have to do first. ~
I went to the door on my left. I opened it and stepped inside. I looked around and saw a seemingly empty room, but the scenery almost enchanted me and I stepped farther into the room. I went down the short stairs and noticed a small gap in which I would have to jump to get to the other side. I saw something glowing in the green light and curiosity tugged at my heart as it always did. I took a step towards the edge and was about to jump, when I heard a soft, husky chuckle behind me.
"Curiosity killed the cat, my dear." I heard CC say.
I turned around and gave him a small smirk.
"Yeah, but satisfaction always brought it back, CC." I said.
CC lifted an eyebrow at me and his grin widened.
"I must say, I've never heard that one before. Quite clever indeed." CC said.
"My brother used to say it to me all the time when I was little. He told me to always say that whenever someone told me the curiosity killed the cat line. Always did seem to work well enough. Why?" I said.
"No real reason, my dear. Just want to keep you on your guard is all." CC said.
I smirked and turned around.
"I wonder what's in that green light." I said absentmindedly.
I jumped to the other side and walked towards the light. CC disappeared and reappeared again next to me looking into the light as well.
"Ah, the diabolical dice. A word of caution, never throw them when you are alone. The fiends lack loyalty and their notion of nourishment is quite disturbing." CC said.
I looked at the demon dice floating in the light with a look of indifference. I turned my back on the dice and began to walk away.
"Aren't you going to pick up the dice, Libby?" CC asked.
"What for? They never were any use to me in the game, why would it be any different here? You're the one who said to pick up only what I deemed useful, and the demon dice were not useful to me at all. There's no point in carrying around something that I'm not gonna be able to use or that won't work properly if I can. It's a waste of space that I could use for something that will be of use to me." I said.
I turned around to see CC's puzzled look. He looked at the dice and back to me again.
"How is it that the dice were not useful?" CC wondered aloud.
I sighed.
"I guess I just wasn't meant to handle the demon dice. The damn demons never came out, and when they did, they never did what they were supposed to do. Those little jerks actually got me killed in the game a few times, I can't risk that." I said.
"Hmm… Indeed you can't. Now that you mention it, Alice did complain once about that as well. Perhaps it really is best that you don't take them" CC said.
My eyes widened.
~Alice complained about the demon dice? Well, I had a feeling I wasn't the one who couldn't get the dice to work, but I never would have guessed that Alice would have been one of them. ~
I sighed and looked up the midnight sky. The way the stars glowed looked so cool and trippy in this beautifully creepy atmosphere, at least, in my opinion.
"How the stars got like that, I wonder." I said.
CC walked up to me and looked up the sky as well.
"I'm not exactly sure. They are quite a sight though, aren't they?" CC asked.
I nodded.
"It's probably one of the only things in Wonderland have not yet suffered the queen's disease of looming insanity. It gives one a sense of hope." I said.
CC looked at me and back at sky. His grin growing wider than even Wonderland should have allowed possible.
"Indeed they do. You're quite the perspective and observant one, my dear." CC said.
"Thank you. I tend to pick up little details that most people often fail to notice, or just choose to ignore. I pay attention to the little details that are often overlooked but, even I can miss a few things here and there. I'm only human after all." I said.
I closed my eyes and sighed.
"I wonder where the queen hid Alice. It must be one hell of a hiding place for no one to know about it." I said.
Now CC sighed.
"I wish I knew. The queen is even sneakier than we thought. To be honest, I don't even know if she's in Wonderland or not." CC said.
"Oh she's here in Wonderland alright. I just know she is. Question is where?" I said.
CC stared intently at me for a moment.
"How do you know that's in Wonderland for sure?" CC asked.
"I don't know. I just somehow sense that she is. I guess it's because of the mind link." I said.
CC put a paw to his chin in thought.
"All things will be revealed to you in time, dear. You will learn what you need to learn and through that knowledge you will make the ultimate choice when the time comes." CC said.
I looked at him with a confused look on my face.
"Ultimate choice? What do you mean? I don't understand." I said.
"That I'm afraid I can not tell you seeing as how I don't even know myself. But when the time comes you will have to make a decision that will affect not only us, but you as well." CC said.
I stared at him for a moment. I still didn't quite get what he was saying but, I decided not to press him on it any farther. I figured I'd find soon enough.
"Well, there's nothing more to do here. Time to get moving." I said.
CC disappeared and I jumped back to the other side and left the room. I went back into the circular hall and saw the card guards still walking around.
~Oh man, I hope I can get the croquet mallet. I could sure use here. ~
From the safety of the doorway, I noticed the fireplace for the first time. On top of it I saw what looked like a long stick with a face floating inside it. I grinned widely.
~Yes! I can use the croquet mallet but, there's no way I can get to it without the card guards seeing me. Oh well, here goes. ~
I ran to the edge of the staircase just as two card guards threw flaming cards at me. One hit me in the arm and I retaliated with my cards throwing 16 at them. That did the job and I quickly climbed the stairs and grabbed the meta. I ran towards the end of the path and jumped a short distance to the top of the fireplace. I landed perfectly in the center and grabbed the croquet mallet. CC appeared again.
"Here's a riddle for you. When is a croquet mallet like a billy club? I'll tell you. Whenever you want it to be." CC said.
"Yes. Whenever I want it to be." I whispered.
He disappeared. I jumped down and ran towards the door to my right. I opened it and stepped inside. I found a statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting on a table and I saw that there were two different paths. I sighed. I knew they both take me to the same place so, I decided to just go left. I opened the door and walked in. I saw a big hole in the middle of the floor with a bunch of books piled on top of each other inside. I walked over to the hole and got on my knees. I carefully leaned over to get a closer look. Aside from the piled up books, all I could see was darkness. I straighten myself p to a sitting position. I notice asset of bleachers that were folded up against the wall. I looked to my left and noticed a lever in the far corner of the wall. I got up and started walking towards it. Before I could pull the lever however, the soft and faint sound of a cat's meow filled my ears. I gasped and turned around.
"Salem? Is that you little buddy?" I asked.
I heard the meow again and realized that it was coming from the folded bleachers. I quickly pushed the lever and watched as the bleachers slowly came down. A small black kitten with a red collar and a little gold charm came out and ran towards me.
"Salem! Oh thank god you're okay!" I exclaimed.
I scooped Salem up in my arms and he began purring loudly. CC appeared and began to chuckle.
"See Libby dear, I told you your little kitty would be alright. Rabbit found him and hid him behind the bleachers so the card guards and Boojums wouldn't get him." CC said.
I grinned widely.
"Speaking of Rabbit, where is he? I haven't seen him in a while." I said.
"I honestly don't know. He's here one minute and gone the next. Don't worry though, I'm sure you'll see him soon enough." CC said.
"I'll just take your for it. Thanks." I said.
CC disappeared. I looked down at Salem and saw that he had fallen asleep was starting to disappear as well. I nearly dropped him in my shock.
"CC, come back!" I cried.
CC reappeared again.
"What's the matter, Libia?" CC asked.
"CC, look! Salem's disappearing! What am I gonna do?!" I cried out in panic.
CC sighed in what appeared to be relief. I looked at him with a confused expression.
"Did I miss something, here?" I asked.
"Libby, relax. This only means is that Salem is waking up. It's nothing to be alarmed about." CC assured me.
I sighed in relief.
"Thank god. That really had me going for a minute there. I thought I losing him, again." I said.
CC shook his head.
"Now you don't have to worry about your kitty being lost in this demented hellhole, so you can carry on your mission with at least a little peace of mind." CC said.
I nodded. I looked back down to find that Salem had now completely disappeared.
"Thank CC. Sorry if I hurt your ears with my screams. I just panicked." I said.
"It's quite alright. It happens to us all at some time or another." CC said.
I smiled.
"Well, I guess I should go and find the old man now. I'm surprised he isn't here, though." I said.
As if on cue, the moment I finished that sentence, the old man reappeared on the wooden posts by the ceiling, ushering me over there. I snorted and shrugged.
"I spoke too soon." I said.
CC disappeared. I made my way to the now extended bleachers and climbed to the top. I walked to the edge and jumped onto the wooden post. I started walking and jumped onto the next post. I noticed a heart meta and another demon vile. I ignored these for the time being and made my way to the old man being careful not to let the axes that were swing from the ceiling slice and dice me. I finally made to the old man and he smiled.
"The gymnasium should be safe. Card guards never train. Can't afford to lose the weight." He said.
"I never really did like sports at school either. I don't have to wear any weird looking shorts, do I?" I asked.
"No, it wouldn't you. I recall one of the book's ingredients, mushrooms. Lovely texture." He said.
I grimaced when he pulled out a mushroom that was purple with white spots.
"Eww. That looks disgusting. I don't even want to try to imagine what that thing must taste like." I said.
The old man rubbed his chin in thought for a moment.
"Your obvious distaste for mushrooms baffles me, dear." He said.
I sighed in exasperation.
"I told you, I've had a very bad experience with mushrooms a few years back." I said.
"Why? What happened?" He asked.
~Oh my god, is he serious? What part of 'I don't like mushrooms' does he not understand? But, I better watch my mouth. I don't want to seem rude. ~
"With all due respect sir, I don't wish to discuss it. There are more important matters to attend to at the moment. Even though I'm not going to like it, I will eat mushrooms, if I absolutely have to." I said.
"Very well then, perhaps we should… Dammit, we've got company." He said.
He disappeared and I turned around to see three Boojums flying towards me. I gasped and started running across the wooden planks. I reached the demon vile and screamed as it opened and sprayed me with its contents once again. CC appeared and started chuckling.
"How fine you look when dressed in rage. Your enemies are fortunate that your condition is not permanent and you're lucky too. Red eyes suit so few. Though I'm compelled to admit, red does look rather flattering on you, but not your eyes. They look far lovelier in your natural chocolate brown color." CC said.
He disappeared as the Boojums came flying at me. I don't remember what I did, but when the effects wore off I found myself back on the floor a few inches from the big hole in the center. I gasped and ran away from it. I spotted two heart metas and one diamond meta and went to grab them before they all disappeared. I rubbed my temples and groaned as the realization that I had a sudden killer headache kicked in.
"Oh man. Did I hit my head when I fell, or did I just stupidly jump off? I wish I could remember what I do when I use those things. Better get going, though." I said groggily.
I left the gymnasium and went back to the main circular hall. I was surprised and glad to find no Boojums or card guards waiting for me this time. I slowly made my way upstairs and looked to my right and my left. I decided to try the one to my left first. I opened the door and went inside.
~Oh, right. This is the auditorium. ~
I saw the old man beside a stage staring at some portraits on the wall. I walked up to him and noticed little trap doors opening on the stage. Three of the insane children emerged from them and the sight of them nearly brought me to tears.
~Those poor kids. I knew that the queen was a cruel and heartless bitch but, this is just plain monstrous. ~
"I'm beginning to think that saving Alice isn't my only mission here." I said.
The old man turned to me.
"Whatever do you mean, dear?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"I really don't know. I have a feeling there's more to this mission than I'm being led in on but, I'm not even gonna there. I'll find out one way or another." I said.
"Well, I do admit that my memory isn't what it used to be but, I'll help you as best I can." He said.
I smiled and nodded gratefully. I was about to say something, when I heard the children let out piercing screams.
"Dammit, card guards!" the old man exclaimed.
I turned around to find six spade card guards coming at us from either side.
~Son of a bitch! Those these guys ever give up! ~
I angrily swung the croquet mallet at the nearest card guard to my right and bashed his head in. I felt a sick sense of satisfaction when blood started oozing out of his now flattened head. I began to chuckle, and I saw a hint of fear on the other card guards faces. I smirked. I threw an electrified croquet ball at the other two on my right. I burst into hysterical laughter as they fried. The other three had begun to shudder making me laugh even harder.
"My god, she's crazy." One guard muttered.
I stopped laughing and turned to face him with narrowed eyes.
"Oh-oh." The old man muttered and disappeared.
"Crazy, am I? Wanna see just how crazy, I really am?" I asked venomously.
The guards came at me with their spears. They were shaking so bad they couldn't even hold them right. I smirked and threw another electric ball at them. All three of them were burnt to a crisp. I laughed and collected the diamond metas they left behind.
"Whoa, and I thought they pissed me off in the game. After dealing with the queen and Alice, you'd think they learn not to mess with a pissed off woman. Oh well, nothing I can do about that." I said.
I sighed and turned my attention back to the children who now giggling in gleeful insanity. I smirked.
"Did you lovely children enjoy the show?" I asked.
Their roaring laughter told me that they did.
"Looks like you're not the only one who's pissed at the card guards today." I heard a male's voice say.
I turned around to find CC sitting at the entrance to the auditorium. His eyes were lit with mad and murderous glee.
"I assume you enjoyed my little show as well?" I asked.
CC nodded and his grin widened.
"Quite. Those things are a real nuisance" He said.
"Tell me about it." I said.
I swung the croquet mallet around and looked at it admirably.
"I love this toy." I said.
"It shows. You use it well." CC said.
"Thank you." I said giving a small curtsy.
"Alice would so proud of you, dear." CC said.
I smiled widely and blushed. CC chuckled.
"Well, you should be on your way now, Libby dear.. There's still so much to do." CC said.
I nodded.
~There's more going on here than I think even CC or Rabbit realize. I just know there is, and I'm gonna find out what. ~
He began to disappear. He must have sensed that I was in deep thought, because he reappeared with his eyebrows arched.
"What are you think about Libby?" CC asked.
"CC, why do I feel as if Alice isn't the only I'm here?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" CC asked.
"Well, I just feel as if there's to this than just saving Alice. Does it have to do with the supposed 'ultimate choice' I'll have to make soon?" I asked.
"Libia, I don't know what it is that you are truly destined to do here but, yes saving Alice is only one of the things you must do. I too realized only a short while after your arrival that saving Alice was not your only purpose. For the time being, I can only tell you that when the time is right, you will learn your true purpose for being here. For now, just get the potion so you can see the Caterpillar. He'll be able to explain that better than I can. " CC said.
I nodded. He sounded sincere enough, so I decided to just accept his explanation for now. I noticed a bit of a sad glint in his eyes before he disappeared.
~Wait a minute, was it my imagination, or did CC look a little sad? Was it because he really didn't know or, does he but, he's not the one who's supposed to tell me? Well, I won't question him on it again. I'll just do what he said and get the potion and see the Caterpillar. I wonder what he'll have to say. Well, I won't find out standing around here. Time to get moving, again. ~
I took one last look at the children who were now clapping and dancing around looking somewhat happy. I smiled.
~Now I'm beginning to understand why Alice said I was an angel of mercy. I've made these little ones happy just killing a few card guards, and lord only knows how glad the one with the metal thing in his head must be to have that damn thing off.~
I turned around to leave. Now filled with a new sense of hope, confidence and ambition I made my way out of the auditorium, ready to face my destiny.
A/N: Wow, I never realized just how long this chapter would turn out to be. Hope you're all enjoying it so far. R/R.
.
~Now, which door was it that led to the gymnasium? ~
I was taken out of my thoughts when I heard a piercing scream. I looked up to find a Boojum flying towards me. I flung two cards at it and it flew back slightly from the impact. It screamed again, but I ducked just in time to avoid it. I got up and flung two more cards at it. It shrieked in pain and flew at me again. I Side-stepped to the right to avoid another scream. This time, I decided to throw the knife and I got it in the chest. It exploded and I got the heart meta. I chuckled softly.
~Heh, I'm really starting the hang of this whole heroine thing. ~
I looked up again and I noticed that some card guards were now walking around seemingly guarding the upper floors. I shrugged.
~I won't bother with them just yet. I've got something else I have to do first. ~
I went to the door on my left. I opened it and stepped inside. I looked around and saw a seemingly empty room, but the scenery almost enchanted me and I stepped farther into the room. I went down the short stairs and noticed a small gap in which I would have to jump to get to the other side. I saw something glowing in the green light and curiosity tugged at my heart as it always did. I took a step towards the edge and was about to jump, when I heard a soft, husky chuckle behind me.
"Curiosity killed the cat, my dear." I heard CC say.
I turned around and gave him a small smirk.
"Yeah, but satisfaction always brought it back, CC." I said.
CC lifted an eyebrow at me and his grin widened.
"I must say, I've never heard that one before. Quite clever indeed." CC said.
"My brother used to say it to me all the time when I was little. He told me to always say that whenever someone told me the curiosity killed the cat line. Always did seem to work well enough. Why?" I said.
"No real reason, my dear. Just want to keep you on your guard is all." CC said.
I smirked and turned around.
"I wonder what's in that green light." I said absentmindedly.
I jumped to the other side and walked towards the light. CC disappeared and reappeared again next to me looking into the light as well.
"Ah, the diabolical dice. A word of caution, never throw them when you are alone. The fiends lack loyalty and their notion of nourishment is quite disturbing." CC said.
I looked at the demon dice floating in the light with a look of indifference. I turned my back on the dice and began to walk away.
"Aren't you going to pick up the dice, Libby?" CC asked.
"What for? They never were any use to me in the game, why would it be any different here? You're the one who said to pick up only what I deemed useful, and the demon dice were not useful to me at all. There's no point in carrying around something that I'm not gonna be able to use or that won't work properly if I can. It's a waste of space that I could use for something that will be of use to me." I said.
I turned around to see CC's puzzled look. He looked at the dice and back to me again.
"How is it that the dice were not useful?" CC wondered aloud.
I sighed.
"I guess I just wasn't meant to handle the demon dice. The damn demons never came out, and when they did, they never did what they were supposed to do. Those little jerks actually got me killed in the game a few times, I can't risk that." I said.
"Hmm… Indeed you can't. Now that you mention it, Alice did complain once about that as well. Perhaps it really is best that you don't take them" CC said.
My eyes widened.
~Alice complained about the demon dice? Well, I had a feeling I wasn't the one who couldn't get the dice to work, but I never would have guessed that Alice would have been one of them. ~
I sighed and looked up the midnight sky. The way the stars glowed looked so cool and trippy in this beautifully creepy atmosphere, at least, in my opinion.
"How the stars got like that, I wonder." I said.
CC walked up to me and looked up the sky as well.
"I'm not exactly sure. They are quite a sight though, aren't they?" CC asked.
I nodded.
"It's probably one of the only things in Wonderland have not yet suffered the queen's disease of looming insanity. It gives one a sense of hope." I said.
CC looked at me and back at sky. His grin growing wider than even Wonderland should have allowed possible.
"Indeed they do. You're quite the perspective and observant one, my dear." CC said.
"Thank you. I tend to pick up little details that most people often fail to notice, or just choose to ignore. I pay attention to the little details that are often overlooked but, even I can miss a few things here and there. I'm only human after all." I said.
I closed my eyes and sighed.
"I wonder where the queen hid Alice. It must be one hell of a hiding place for no one to know about it." I said.
Now CC sighed.
"I wish I knew. The queen is even sneakier than we thought. To be honest, I don't even know if she's in Wonderland or not." CC said.
"Oh she's here in Wonderland alright. I just know she is. Question is where?" I said.
CC stared intently at me for a moment.
"How do you know that's in Wonderland for sure?" CC asked.
"I don't know. I just somehow sense that she is. I guess it's because of the mind link." I said.
CC put a paw to his chin in thought.
"All things will be revealed to you in time, dear. You will learn what you need to learn and through that knowledge you will make the ultimate choice when the time comes." CC said.
I looked at him with a confused look on my face.
"Ultimate choice? What do you mean? I don't understand." I said.
"That I'm afraid I can not tell you seeing as how I don't even know myself. But when the time comes you will have to make a decision that will affect not only us, but you as well." CC said.
I stared at him for a moment. I still didn't quite get what he was saying but, I decided not to press him on it any farther. I figured I'd find soon enough.
"Well, there's nothing more to do here. Time to get moving." I said.
CC disappeared and I jumped back to the other side and left the room. I went back into the circular hall and saw the card guards still walking around.
~Oh man, I hope I can get the croquet mallet. I could sure use here. ~
From the safety of the doorway, I noticed the fireplace for the first time. On top of it I saw what looked like a long stick with a face floating inside it. I grinned widely.
~Yes! I can use the croquet mallet but, there's no way I can get to it without the card guards seeing me. Oh well, here goes. ~
I ran to the edge of the staircase just as two card guards threw flaming cards at me. One hit me in the arm and I retaliated with my cards throwing 16 at them. That did the job and I quickly climbed the stairs and grabbed the meta. I ran towards the end of the path and jumped a short distance to the top of the fireplace. I landed perfectly in the center and grabbed the croquet mallet. CC appeared again.
"Here's a riddle for you. When is a croquet mallet like a billy club? I'll tell you. Whenever you want it to be." CC said.
"Yes. Whenever I want it to be." I whispered.
He disappeared. I jumped down and ran towards the door to my right. I opened it and stepped inside. I found a statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting on a table and I saw that there were two different paths. I sighed. I knew they both take me to the same place so, I decided to just go left. I opened the door and walked in. I saw a big hole in the middle of the floor with a bunch of books piled on top of each other inside. I walked over to the hole and got on my knees. I carefully leaned over to get a closer look. Aside from the piled up books, all I could see was darkness. I straighten myself p to a sitting position. I notice asset of bleachers that were folded up against the wall. I looked to my left and noticed a lever in the far corner of the wall. I got up and started walking towards it. Before I could pull the lever however, the soft and faint sound of a cat's meow filled my ears. I gasped and turned around.
"Salem? Is that you little buddy?" I asked.
I heard the meow again and realized that it was coming from the folded bleachers. I quickly pushed the lever and watched as the bleachers slowly came down. A small black kitten with a red collar and a little gold charm came out and ran towards me.
"Salem! Oh thank god you're okay!" I exclaimed.
I scooped Salem up in my arms and he began purring loudly. CC appeared and began to chuckle.
"See Libby dear, I told you your little kitty would be alright. Rabbit found him and hid him behind the bleachers so the card guards and Boojums wouldn't get him." CC said.
I grinned widely.
"Speaking of Rabbit, where is he? I haven't seen him in a while." I said.
"I honestly don't know. He's here one minute and gone the next. Don't worry though, I'm sure you'll see him soon enough." CC said.
"I'll just take your for it. Thanks." I said.
CC disappeared. I looked down at Salem and saw that he had fallen asleep was starting to disappear as well. I nearly dropped him in my shock.
"CC, come back!" I cried.
CC reappeared again.
"What's the matter, Libia?" CC asked.
"CC, look! Salem's disappearing! What am I gonna do?!" I cried out in panic.
CC sighed in what appeared to be relief. I looked at him with a confused expression.
"Did I miss something, here?" I asked.
"Libby, relax. This only means is that Salem is waking up. It's nothing to be alarmed about." CC assured me.
I sighed in relief.
"Thank god. That really had me going for a minute there. I thought I losing him, again." I said.
CC shook his head.
"Now you don't have to worry about your kitty being lost in this demented hellhole, so you can carry on your mission with at least a little peace of mind." CC said.
I nodded. I looked back down to find that Salem had now completely disappeared.
"Thank CC. Sorry if I hurt your ears with my screams. I just panicked." I said.
"It's quite alright. It happens to us all at some time or another." CC said.
I smiled.
"Well, I guess I should go and find the old man now. I'm surprised he isn't here, though." I said.
As if on cue, the moment I finished that sentence, the old man reappeared on the wooden posts by the ceiling, ushering me over there. I snorted and shrugged.
"I spoke too soon." I said.
CC disappeared. I made my way to the now extended bleachers and climbed to the top. I walked to the edge and jumped onto the wooden post. I started walking and jumped onto the next post. I noticed a heart meta and another demon vile. I ignored these for the time being and made my way to the old man being careful not to let the axes that were swing from the ceiling slice and dice me. I finally made to the old man and he smiled.
"The gymnasium should be safe. Card guards never train. Can't afford to lose the weight." He said.
"I never really did like sports at school either. I don't have to wear any weird looking shorts, do I?" I asked.
"No, it wouldn't you. I recall one of the book's ingredients, mushrooms. Lovely texture." He said.
I grimaced when he pulled out a mushroom that was purple with white spots.
"Eww. That looks disgusting. I don't even want to try to imagine what that thing must taste like." I said.
The old man rubbed his chin in thought for a moment.
"Your obvious distaste for mushrooms baffles me, dear." He said.
I sighed in exasperation.
"I told you, I've had a very bad experience with mushrooms a few years back." I said.
"Why? What happened?" He asked.
~Oh my god, is he serious? What part of 'I don't like mushrooms' does he not understand? But, I better watch my mouth. I don't want to seem rude. ~
"With all due respect sir, I don't wish to discuss it. There are more important matters to attend to at the moment. Even though I'm not going to like it, I will eat mushrooms, if I absolutely have to." I said.
"Very well then, perhaps we should… Dammit, we've got company." He said.
He disappeared and I turned around to see three Boojums flying towards me. I gasped and started running across the wooden planks. I reached the demon vile and screamed as it opened and sprayed me with its contents once again. CC appeared and started chuckling.
"How fine you look when dressed in rage. Your enemies are fortunate that your condition is not permanent and you're lucky too. Red eyes suit so few. Though I'm compelled to admit, red does look rather flattering on you, but not your eyes. They look far lovelier in your natural chocolate brown color." CC said.
He disappeared as the Boojums came flying at me. I don't remember what I did, but when the effects wore off I found myself back on the floor a few inches from the big hole in the center. I gasped and ran away from it. I spotted two heart metas and one diamond meta and went to grab them before they all disappeared. I rubbed my temples and groaned as the realization that I had a sudden killer headache kicked in.
"Oh man. Did I hit my head when I fell, or did I just stupidly jump off? I wish I could remember what I do when I use those things. Better get going, though." I said groggily.
I left the gymnasium and went back to the main circular hall. I was surprised and glad to find no Boojums or card guards waiting for me this time. I slowly made my way upstairs and looked to my right and my left. I decided to try the one to my left first. I opened the door and went inside.
~Oh, right. This is the auditorium. ~
I saw the old man beside a stage staring at some portraits on the wall. I walked up to him and noticed little trap doors opening on the stage. Three of the insane children emerged from them and the sight of them nearly brought me to tears.
~Those poor kids. I knew that the queen was a cruel and heartless bitch but, this is just plain monstrous. ~
"I'm beginning to think that saving Alice isn't my only mission here." I said.
The old man turned to me.
"Whatever do you mean, dear?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"I really don't know. I have a feeling there's more to this mission than I'm being led in on but, I'm not even gonna there. I'll find out one way or another." I said.
"Well, I do admit that my memory isn't what it used to be but, I'll help you as best I can." He said.
I smiled and nodded gratefully. I was about to say something, when I heard the children let out piercing screams.
"Dammit, card guards!" the old man exclaimed.
I turned around to find six spade card guards coming at us from either side.
~Son of a bitch! Those these guys ever give up! ~
I angrily swung the croquet mallet at the nearest card guard to my right and bashed his head in. I felt a sick sense of satisfaction when blood started oozing out of his now flattened head. I began to chuckle, and I saw a hint of fear on the other card guards faces. I smirked. I threw an electrified croquet ball at the other two on my right. I burst into hysterical laughter as they fried. The other three had begun to shudder making me laugh even harder.
"My god, she's crazy." One guard muttered.
I stopped laughing and turned to face him with narrowed eyes.
"Oh-oh." The old man muttered and disappeared.
"Crazy, am I? Wanna see just how crazy, I really am?" I asked venomously.
The guards came at me with their spears. They were shaking so bad they couldn't even hold them right. I smirked and threw another electric ball at them. All three of them were burnt to a crisp. I laughed and collected the diamond metas they left behind.
"Whoa, and I thought they pissed me off in the game. After dealing with the queen and Alice, you'd think they learn not to mess with a pissed off woman. Oh well, nothing I can do about that." I said.
I sighed and turned my attention back to the children who now giggling in gleeful insanity. I smirked.
"Did you lovely children enjoy the show?" I asked.
Their roaring laughter told me that they did.
"Looks like you're not the only one who's pissed at the card guards today." I heard a male's voice say.
I turned around to find CC sitting at the entrance to the auditorium. His eyes were lit with mad and murderous glee.
"I assume you enjoyed my little show as well?" I asked.
CC nodded and his grin widened.
"Quite. Those things are a real nuisance" He said.
"Tell me about it." I said.
I swung the croquet mallet around and looked at it admirably.
"I love this toy." I said.
"It shows. You use it well." CC said.
"Thank you." I said giving a small curtsy.
"Alice would so proud of you, dear." CC said.
I smiled widely and blushed. CC chuckled.
"Well, you should be on your way now, Libby dear.. There's still so much to do." CC said.
I nodded.
~There's more going on here than I think even CC or Rabbit realize. I just know there is, and I'm gonna find out what. ~
He began to disappear. He must have sensed that I was in deep thought, because he reappeared with his eyebrows arched.
"What are you think about Libby?" CC asked.
"CC, why do I feel as if Alice isn't the only I'm here?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" CC asked.
"Well, I just feel as if there's to this than just saving Alice. Does it have to do with the supposed 'ultimate choice' I'll have to make soon?" I asked.
"Libia, I don't know what it is that you are truly destined to do here but, yes saving Alice is only one of the things you must do. I too realized only a short while after your arrival that saving Alice was not your only purpose. For the time being, I can only tell you that when the time is right, you will learn your true purpose for being here. For now, just get the potion so you can see the Caterpillar. He'll be able to explain that better than I can. " CC said.
I nodded. He sounded sincere enough, so I decided to just accept his explanation for now. I noticed a bit of a sad glint in his eyes before he disappeared.
~Wait a minute, was it my imagination, or did CC look a little sad? Was it because he really didn't know or, does he but, he's not the one who's supposed to tell me? Well, I won't question him on it again. I'll just do what he said and get the potion and see the Caterpillar. I wonder what he'll have to say. Well, I won't find out standing around here. Time to get moving, again. ~
I took one last look at the children who were now clapping and dancing around looking somewhat happy. I smiled.
~Now I'm beginning to understand why Alice said I was an angel of mercy. I've made these little ones happy just killing a few card guards, and lord only knows how glad the one with the metal thing in his head must be to have that damn thing off.~
I turned around to leave. Now filled with a new sense of hope, confidence and ambition I made my way out of the auditorium, ready to face my destiny.
A/N: Wow, I never realized just how long this chapter would turn out to be. Hope you're all enjoying it so far. R/R.
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