Chapter Three

Journey

After Alice, Cheshire and the Dormouse left the party, the Hatter sighed quietly, dearly hoping Alice and her band of misfits would find what they were looking for and return Wonderland to its former glory. Alice glanced at the Dormouse. "So where to?" The Dormouse took a quick glance around, scurrying up to stand atop the blonde's head for a better view "Left at JubJub Lane, then go right at the Crooked Fang Tree." Alice gave a nod once she felt the mouse back on her shoulder and paused in her walking, looking at the signs. "JubJub Lane, here we go." She said and started walking up it. The trees lining the path were as black as night and had small yellow star-shaped flowers on them.

"What are those?" Alice queried as she paused to look at them. "They're Yellow Star Flowers. Whatever you do, don't inhale the pollen, as you'll be knocked out for a good few hours" Cheshire advised, brushing his tail along Alice's cheek gently. Alice closed her eyes a moment, comforted by the silken feel of his tail. She reached over and braved a pet. Cheshire, surprised by this nearly fell out of the air where he was floating. Her gaze returned to the star-shaped flowers, then she smiled as Cheshire purred deeply as he was pet between the ears. Removing her hand from his fluffy fur, she continued to walk, and turned left when the Dormouse told her to do so.

The path that lay ahead was a massive hill that made Alice stare. "That's ah, quite the hill" She remarked and Cheshire floated about a foot ahead of her. "Come now, it's not all bad." He stated and Alice rolled her eyes "Sure, if you're floating." Shaking her head, she started up the hill slowly, taking her time. It was getting dark, but she knew better than to stop. A fang-like shadow breached the top of the hill and she stopped at it a moment. "Almost there!" Dormouse squeaked out. Alice turned right then looked around "Okay, now what?" She queried and the Dormouse sighed "Keep going straight until you get to the White Crystal Bridge." Alice nodded, looking around at the scenery about them. The trees, and bushes looked rather pretty in the slight twilight that had fallen over Wonderland. "This is amazing." She remarked. Cheshire purred softly "wait until you see the grounds surrounding the Castle." The cat stretched a little bit lazily in the air. It had been far too long since Cheshire had set paws on the grounds of the castle.

The small party continued until rather suddenly, a large creature bolted in front of them. It was white, with black spots dotting its fur, strong powerful legs and a long tail. It growled, showing three rows of razor-sharp teeth. Alice, Cheshire and the Dormouse all startled at seeing it. Alice took a step back and looked at the cat for help. Cheshire canted his head to the side slightly. "Bandersnatch." He said quietly to Alice. The blonde nodded and quickly opened the book to a page with a dog-eared corner and her blue eyes scanned the page. She closed it, put the book away, and slowly approached the Bandersnatch, her hand out palm-up as one would have to do when approaching a dog. The creature tilted its head and it sniffed curiously at her hand.

Alice smiled as the Bandersnatch blinked his eyes and nuzzled her hand carefully. Giving the massive creature a gentle pet, she tried to move around it but stopped as soon as the Bandersnatch growled at her. Cheshire floated over to the bridge which was roughly 10 feet away and soon came back. Looking at Alice, he twitched his tail. "The Crystal Bridge has been smashed into nothingness." Alice frowned at the news. "So what're we going to do now?" She asked and the Cheshire Cat shook his head "I'm not sure." His tail twitched. A soft male's voice came out of nowhere, low, and purring "You couuuullldd go through the Rose Forest." Alice blinked in surprise as a sleek, slender and nearly skeletal tabby-striped black and grey cat manifested. Bright gold eyes glinted as a massive sharp grin appeared on his face. Slender paws flexed and long, sharp claws came out. "Junior so this is where you went off to." Ches said, not looking impressed. The younger, sleeker feline's smile grew wider as he rotated in the air lazily.

"I got bored with simply hovering around you like a lost kitten trying to find milk." Junior replied, picking at his claws idly. The Bandersnatch growled again, drawing everyone's attention towards it. It knelt, giving his tail a single, inviting twitch as he looked at Alice. The blonde blinked, looking at her fluffy companion. "Get on, the Bandersnatch knows his way through Rose Forest." Alice fidgeted uncomfortably but adjusted the mini-backpack a moment before clambering onto the creature's back. "Let's go." She said gently and nudged the Bandersnatch into action. The creature padded off towards the forest, the Cheshire Cats floating close behind.

Spade Palace

"Serika, do you honestly think that girl was the brat's daughter?" A woman wearing an elegant gown adorned with millions of tiny diamonds demanded as she put her pale white hands on her hips. Her hair was a thick, luxurious chestnut brown that cascaded down her back in ringlets. Her eyes were slightly cat-like and forest green. Her dark red lips pursed into a frown. "It's been far too long for her to have a daughter, perhaps a grand-daughter" She was speaking to the Queen Of Spades who sat on a massive onyx spade-shaped throne. "It is possible Danika." The Spade Queen replied, a thoughtful look momentarily crossing her features. Dani sighed and shook her head "Where is Charlene? She should be here.." Serika shook her head "There is unrest in the Clubs Kingdom. Word has spread quickly that Alice has returned. It is giving the citizens of Wonderland hope again! We must stop her!" Danika began to pace, the diamonds glittering like stars as she paced in front of Serika. Serika was the eldest and Queen of Spades. Danika was the second oldest, and the Queen of Diamonds, the baby of the family, Charlene was the Queen of Clubs. Before the Queen of Hearts, the eldest in the family died, she had contacted Serika, Danika and Charlene to trap the Duchess. The Queens had done their sister's bidding and had gained a small kingdom in Wonderland each. Mikayla, the Duchess' daughter, had managed to escape the wrath of the three remaining queens, but in a clever move of trickery, was being brainwashed by a circular amulet with all four suits on it and a large red ruby in the middle. "How is Mikayla's progress so far?" Serika queried and Danika sighed heavily. "The progress is slower than we anticipated, she is very stubborn" Serika growled a bit. "We'll have her soon enough.."

Rose Forest

The scent of roses was thicker than the most powerful perfume. Cheshire and his son Junior had disappeared for the time being, because the overwhelming heady scent of the roses was far too much to handle for their sensitive noses. Alice clung tightly to the Bandersnatch as it picked its way carefully through the thick forest. The strong scent of the roses was beginning to make Alice feel quite sleepy and stupid. Giving a heavy yawn, she was given a warning shake-up by the Bandersnatch. This startled, awakened state only lasted a few moments before Alice started to drift off again, feeling unconciousness overcome her. She was awakened again by another shake-up, this time with a warning growl attached to it, edged with a mild snarl. "Sorry, sorry, I'll do my best to stay awake." She murmured and blinked as the rose scent disappeared as they got out of the roses. Awakening fully, Alice gave the Bandersnatch a gentle pet. "Is there perhaps a lake nearby?" She asked "I'm terribly thirsty."

The Bandersnatch paused a moment and rose it's snout to the sky, giving a sniff. A throaty, pleased growl escaped it and it padded over to a small, but pristine lake. Alice slid off of the Bandersnatch carefully and took a few handfuls of water to satisfy her thirst. Alice stood and gave a stretch, feeling much better and far more awake. Glancing over at the beast, she gave a soft smile and looked around a moment. "So, where to now?" She asked, blinking as she stared into the soft grey eyes of the gentle-willed beast. The Bandersnatch gave a soothing growl and lay down so Alice could get on. Eagerly, the blonde clambered back onto the creature's back and settled herself more comfortably in, gripping loose handfuls of the spotted fur. The Bandersnatch set off, heading for the White Castle as darkness fell upon Wonderland. They made camp for the night near the exit of the forest, and Alice made sure to keep close to her new friend as she slept.