Wonderland, beautiful, mystical, no supernatural danger lurking around. The smell of pumpkin spice and humidity filling their nostrils. The cool air of the mansion giving them a warm welcome. Relief, that's what they felt. Coraline felt shaky, weak, perhaps all the adrenaline had left her. Her pockets feeling heavy, mainly those of her old yellow jacket she had decided to use this day. It had been ages… what made her put on her old clothes, an impulse she could hardly control. A tar-filled knife on the floor, and the key as her necklace. Boris noticed something wrong with her, making his way towards the foreigner extending his hand with worry.
"I'm just a lil' shaky, that's all" Coraline tried to excuse while the Cheshire Cat helped her up.
"Then let me carry you!"
"That's embarrassing! I don't wanna do that cheesy stuff!" exclaimed a blushing Coraline.
"Ok, how about a piggy-back ride?"
"That's better..." mumbled the girl agreeing to his proposal.
"Don't try to woo her when she can't run away boy!" yelled Gowland.
"I'm not a dick!"
"Grayson, I am glad we made it out alive!" said Juliet, blinking when she felt the sun in her eyes.
The girl hugged Gray and kissed him fully on the lips. The lizard was surprised but responded with desperate, sweet passion. Both had been terrified of losing the other in some unfortunate event. Julius looked at them a mix of emotions on his face, slightly glad but at the same time a bit miffed by the affection she gave the man instead of her own brother. Ace smiled hugging Julius by the waist calming the lord of time. Coraline smiled slightly.
"Everyone is so happy..."
Suddenly, everything was interrupted when something fell.
"Coraline...your vial.." whispered Nix.
Coraline stared at the object on the floor. It was full, the only key back to her world. Her mission was complete. She wanted to leave, to see her mom and dad again, but something made her want to stay.
"Coraline...what is your decision?" asked Cat.
"I don't know. I want to go back, yet I want to stay here." said Coraline with a confused voice.
She was tired, her eyes closed, and suddenly she was in a void. Poker cards and chess pieces floated in the darkness, her body weightless. Two girls there stood, one with button eyes crying Blood, and the other, the doll she had locked in the music box. Both staring at her with small nostalgic smiles. It was strange, those two used to unerve Coraline, now they brought her peace. And, falling? why would she fall instead of rise? Wonderland was never a place of sense or logic. It must be the end.
"Coraline Jones..." said the girl in black. "My name is Edith Liddell...thenk you for saving my sisters."
"Oh! it was nothing...really! But...yous till seem trapped."
"No, I'm not" answered the one in black. "Not anymore. Her Majesty is holding my eyes, so I am as free as her"
"Coraline, thy time hast cometh. But, thy holp hasn't ceased being behoveful. At which hour they pick thee up." stated the empress taking the key on Coraline's neck and raising the vial with a smile. "Recall, thou art the link to this realm and the other. With poison, thou enters with poison thee leaveth, but all changes once thee dip the key in it"
The bluenette's eyes widened as both girls vanished into nothingness. Before she could say anything, she felt a pair of arms grab her. Coraline looked up letting out a shocked scream, Boris was right there keeping her close. He did not look hppy at all.
"Dammit Cory! You're the worst!"
"Eh!? WHat the hell!?"
"You didn't even call my freaking name! That's the thanks I get for jumping into the void for you!? This blows!"
"Sorry! I had no idea this would happen! I thought it was some strange dream with the kids or somethin!" excused Coraline hugging him.
"Ok... let's go back"
"Yea..."
Closing her eyes, Coraline realized she was back at the tower of clover, very concerned faces surrounding her while Cat stared at her knowingly. Coraline sighed tugging Boris' hand causing him to snap his attention towards her. She smiled a little, closing her eyes and playing with the key. Suddenly, an idea popped in her head making her eyes widen with hope, she uncapped the vial and dipped the key in it. Everybody stared at her curiously as she put the cap back on and slid the key through the keyhole.
"Please work! Please work!" she chanted as she opened the door. She grinned widely and the rest of the present Role Holders' eyes widened. There in front of their very eyes, was a pasage to Coraline's world.
"How did you...?" asked William, a rather stunned look on his face.
"I MADE IT WORK! NOW I CAN COME AND GO WHENEVER I WANT! AND I CAN INVITE YOU GUYS TO MY HOUSE!" yelled Coraline as she jumped and cried in happiness. "Oh god! Edith and Louise were right!"
"Well, at least this world isn't dangerous...and they serve delicious food," said Cat in an approving way.
"Well guys, I'm leaving for a little while. Don't worry, I'll try to come back and maybe I'll invite some friends over!" Coraline said as she hugged each role holder.
"Ok...but promise you'll come back!" said Nix as she gave a hug to the bluenette.
"Of course! And maybe I'll bring Wybie later!" she said as she crawled through the door with the key in her hand, Cat following her.
"You didn't say anything to Boris"
"Shut it Cat!"
Soon, they were in the living room of the Pink Palace.
"Coraline! Dinner's ready!" she heard her dad call.
Coraline walked towards the kitchen and sat on her chair, wondering what exactly was going on. How long had she been out? It seemed like she'd been in Wonderland for days, but... It seemed only a few hours had passed. So...what now? Her dad set a plate of mush in front of her and Coraline picked up her fork. Should she show her parents? They're about to have a bunch of strange men and women in their house, so it's only fair to tell them why right? This thing was identical to the disgusting thing she saw grey holding back in the tower when she woke up. Hopefully nobody would have to eat it.
Then, the door opened and Wybie walked in, shaking the mud off his boots at the door, "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Jones!"
Coraline looked over the back of her chair, surprised, "Wybie? What are you doing here?"
Coraline's mother gave her an odd look, "Coraline, YOU invited Wybie to dinner. Don't you remember?"
'Oh...I forgot about that.' Coraline smiled and rubbed the back of her head, "Oh, right! Sorry, it slipped my mind!"
'So now Wybie's here...perfect.'
The family and guest ate their dinner, told jokes and such, and when they had finished washing the dishes, Coraline yanked Wybie into the living room. Time was ticking and it was making Coraline tense, had many time changes passed? Oh damn! she forgot to leave the music box! Cat shook his head walking next to the pair of teens. He wondered what would happen when Wybie found out about the tension between Coraline and Boris. Or, what would happen when he saw her shooting some random person.
"Wybie! I've got something super interesting to show you! Close your eyes, and don't look!" said Coraline.
Wybie cocked his eyebrow but closed his eyes, "Sure, but why should I close my eyes Jonesey?"
"Cause its a surprise!" said Coraline as she tugged the boy towards the door. Wybie obeyed Coraline's orders and stood while Coraline got down and unlocked the door.
"Now get down and go through. Don't worry I'll be right behind you!" said Coraline.
"Wait...the door?! Isn't that where you said that freaky hand came from?! Are you trying to kill me Jonesey?!"
Coraline rolled her eyes, "Trust me Wybie, it's safe."
Wybie sighed and entered the place with his eyes closed. Coraline followed him close behind. Coraline grinned as they came out on the other side, all the Role Holders waiting. Cat walked in first swishing his tail and letting Alice take him in her arms.
She made a hushing motion and helped Wybie up, "Ok...now open them Wybie."
Wybie opened his eyes...and gasped, backing into the wall, "CORALINE! WHAT ARE ALL THESE WEIRD PEOPLE DOING IN YOUR HOUSE?!"
Coraline put her hand on his shoulder, "They are weird people, but they're my friends. And this isn't my house."
"What?!" he yelled.
His face was so funny that the twins, Coraline, Nix and Boris all fell to the ground laughing. Coraline regained her composure and pointed to each roll holder, "This is Wonderland Wybie. It's a long story, but I'll explain everything later. For now, these are Boris, Nix, Gowland and Pierce."
Coraline turned to the castle and tower dwellers, "Those are Vivaldi, Ace, Peter, Julius and Juliet, Nightmare and Gray."
She pointed to the mafia and circus, "That's Blood, Elliot, the twins Dee and Dum, White, Black, and the Jester and Warden Jabberwockyies." she finished by pointing to the foreign lady, "And that's Alice."
Wybie stared in disbelief at them. "Hey, don't forget me!" Coraline grinned and scooped up the feline from the blonde's arms, "And I think you already know Cat."
"Ok...ok, seriously weird. So, explain Jonesey. How did you meet these friends of yours?" asked Wybie.
Alice tilted her head, "Jonesey?"
"It's just a nickname...you know, cause my last name is Jones. I call him why-were-you-born cause that's what his name sounds like." explained Coraline. Then, the Role Holders and foreigners told Wybie of their adventure. After they had finished, Wybie rubbed at his temples, "So...you killed the woman made of needles?"
"Yup! That's exactly what happened!" said Nix, hopping up and down. "Did you know the beldam too?"
"Great! Now I don't have to worry about hands made of needles trying to kill me!" said Wybie.
"So, let's get you introduced a little to Wonderland. Boris, Gowland, Pierce, could we go to the amusment park?" asked Coraline.
Gowland grinned widely and flourished, "Of course! Right, this way lady and gentleman!"
Walking out of the mansion accompanied by the red-headed joker and Jabberwocky, they made it summer, allowing them to go into the amusement park. The youngest ones ran around the place, getting into every ride they could and munch on every themed snack. Nix was kind of disappointed Pierce wasn't here, but, being next to the new boy brought her an idea.
"You know Wybie...my Bother and Coraline seem very close. I think they might like each other."
"Hmmm...I see, why you telling me this kitty?" asked the boy raising a brow as they observed the teens laugh and push each other.
"'Cause I need you to help me put them together! Got any ideas?"
"Ohhhhh! manyyyyy!"
After but a few minutes, they got to the amusement park. They went on roller coasters until their stomachs felt like jello, and when they couldn't take it anymore, they decided to take a break and play truth or dare. Only Nix, Boris, Coraline and Wybie played, as Gowland was attending to some business.
"Ok, I want to start! Why-were-you-born, truth or dare?" asked Coraline.
"Dare!" answered Wybie
"Really? Hmm..." a devilish grin spread on Coraline's face, "I dare you to steal Gowland's violin!"
"Ok..." Wybie said, tugging nervously at the collar of his jacket. With his awesome ninja/stalker skills, he sneaked behind Gowland and snatched his violin without ANYBODY seeing. He ran back and shoved it at Coraline.
"Ok, now my turn! Boris, truth or dare?" said Wybie.
"Oh, definitely dare!" said Boris with a grin. A spooky grin spread across Wybie's face, one worthy of the Beldam herself.
"I dare you to...tongue kiss Jonesey!" said Wybie smiling like an idiot, while Coraline and Boris turned crimson red.
"WHAT!" the two yelled in unison.
"Hey, you made me snatch crazy guy's violin. It's only revenge!" Wybie crossed his arms, "Unless I was mistaken about you Boris, and you're actually a chicken, not a cat."
"Hey Wybie, I've got some popcorn! And thanks for helping!" said Nix as she randomly produced a bag of popped popcorn on her small hands.
"Sweet!"
"Nix...seriously?" said Boris, his ears pinned to his head.
"Wybie! For goodness sake! That ain't fair!" exclaimed Coraline.
"If you don't do it...I'll call Yvette and tell her you didn't do the dare." taunted Nix with a mischievous glint in her amber eyes.
Boris gulped and awkwardly walked towards Coraline. She backed away, but Boris pinned her to the ground.
"Sorry," he muttered and kissed her.
Coraline's eyes widened as she felt his lips crash into hers. The kiss was warm, yet sweet and passionate. She kissed back suddenly, opening her mouth to let him explore it. Their tongues were battling for dominance, of course, he won the fight. They stopped kissing only when they felt the lack of oxygen. They blushed heavily, looking at each other, and then saw Nix and Wybie, both wide-eyed and munching on popcorn with surprised, amused and excited expressions. And so this chapter of Wonderland has ended, but the problem isn't solved yet. The glint of a music box shined under the sun, as two girls and a whole world laid in wait.