The fall seemed to last twice as long as the first time down the whole, but this was through water. A passing whale blew out air from his blow hole, letting it rain onto Alice. It wasn't long before their was no water, and she fell onto the sandy shores of Wonderland. Coughing, pushing herself up to look and see the castle of the White Queen off in the near distance. Getting up, her trek began through the small patch of woods. It wasn't long before the boys found her.
"I believe it's she," Tweedle Dee said.
"Well, it wouldn't be if you said so." Tweedle Dum shook his head as they walked to her.
"Boys, no need to start fighting already. You know you're both going to escort me to the Palace." Alice smiled at the twins as they would nod and walk along either side of her to take her to the Queen.
The mushrooms were still colorful, and the flowers still had those faces, but this time they smiled upon. A dark cloud seemed to be descending on Wonderland, and it frightened nearly everyone there. Since the Red Queen had left, Wonderland was a more glorious place to live. Nearly everyone got along, and there were hardly any quarrels amongst the people that lived there.
The White Queen's palace was large, and clean. It was a place Alice loved to be, for it was calming unlike the Red Queen's which had you worried if you'd get your head chopped off or not. With her eyes taking in the scenery about, she didn't notice that her escort had turned into one.
"You're right on time, Alice. The Queen has been awaiting your arrival." Green eyes looked upon her as they walked.
Recognizing the voice, she looked over and saw him. The orange hair set him apart from all the rest, and he was the only one wearing a top hat nowadays. "Hatter!" She stopped them from walking and hugged him, "I've missed you."
"Oh." A smile crept upon his lips, "I have missed you as well." His hand rubbed her back, "You're still you, which is a good thing." He giggled as he leaned back to gaze upon her, "We'll talk later, the Queen must speak with you." And they turned, Alice looping her arm about his as they walked.
The throne room was empty, save for the Queen at her throne, whom only wanted to speak with Alice of the matter at hand. Rising up off her throne, the White Queen stepped down and walked to Alice, "It's so good to see you again, my dear. Please, we have much to talk discuss."
Alice looked to the Hatter and smiled, and then walked with the Queen to speak of what has been going on.
"A darkness has been creeping upon the land. And there's talk of my sister becoming powerful once more, but there is no way it can be her. I have people watching to make sure that she doesn't do things like she had done." The Queen paused as they stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the balcony. "You must understand that we would not bid you come here if it wasn't in dire need. But I fear the worst is coming. You are our champion. And I have asked you to be brought here to go and see what this is all about. We trust you, and no one will go unless you are there with them."
Alice gazed upon the garden as she listened to the Queen speak. "I have seen the dark cloud approaching, but it seems to be far away. It would take quite a while to get there, but I will be more than happy to help."
"Oh, my dear. You have no idea how much that puts me at ease. You will leave at once. And you will have company along with you, of course." The Queen smiled, as if knowing already.
Alice couldn't help but smile as she was ushered off to collect things she would need for the journey. Her trusted Bandersnatch was there waiting to take her to where they needed to go, and she climbed upon his back as the Hatter, Mallymkun, Tweedledee, Tweedledum and the March Hare were all in attendance to aide Alice.
And so the journey begins…