The Lane's Between; a place that existed to keep the worlds apart so they wouldn't mix with one another and bring forth chaos. Once, this pathway had been made of pure light filled with a rainbow of star like particles pulsing like a flickering candle. Now, it was dark and murky and the particles of light having all but faded from existence. And here, in this place, were the Heartless in an ever increasing mass of numbers, shaping themselves into distorted ship like forms which made the travels here easier.
"Is anyone besides me getting the heeby-jeeby vibes from being here?" asked Mushu.
"We're all feeling the tension" says Jiminy, looking back from his chair. "But as long as we stay calm and careful, we'll be alright...I hope."
"I'm hoping you're right, fancy pants" says Mushu.
"Gawrsh, where ya think they all came from?" wondered Goofy as one Heartless came very close to hitting them. How they hadn't been detected yet by them was a mystery to Goofy and he hoped it would remain so for the remainder of their trip. "They sure weren't here before we arrived at Traverse Town."
Donald didn't care to respond as he was the one piloting the Gummi Ship and right now, he was a nervous wreck with eyes darting back and forth between the map screen that was showing him the route to take and outside the ship to make sure he didn't send them smacking into anything out here.
Roxas also had his focus locked on the things happening outside the ship; his eyes taking notice of a shape beginning to form from the murky darkness. "Guys, is that...?"
Donald looks to where he was looking and sees it too. "It's the first world we need to visit" he says with his tone showing the relief he was now feeling. Just a few more minutes and they would be in the clear. "I'm taking us in."
The Gummi Ship began to pick up speed as they wanted to get back onto solid ground and feel safe.
Realm Hearts
chpt.23: Through the Looking Glass
Around the large circular table, the gathered group watched the images being shown them. On the table itself was a glowing seal with light rising from it and within the light came the images showing Roxas and the others facing the Heartless in Traverse Town. When the fight ends, the images flickers and fades as does the seal, sending the room back into being almost pitch black again.
"That little squirt actually took down that Heartless? Who would have thought it possible" comes Hades, the flame from atop his head adding some of the rooms remaining illumination.
"So this is the power of the Keyblade. No doubt that child's strength comes mostly from it and not himself" notes Jafar.
"And then there's that brat's new friends. They're the mouse king's flunkies if I'm not mistaking. Swivel my eyes, they all look like bilge rats from the looks of them" says Captain Hook.
"Like your any prize yourself" says Oogie Boogie before bursting out into a hard chuckle. Hook turns to him with a sour look and says "And you have no right to be talking either, you overweight bag of bugs."
Ursula roles her eyes then looks to the figure standing down at them and ask "Why don't we just turn them all into Heartless? That'll solve the problem they could cause us and give us some potentially powerful new Heartless to use for the plan."
"An interesting idea" says Maleficent, scratching her chin as the others also look up at her. "Perhaps they could be useful in that fashion. But we should test them to see if they truly could be a threat to us and if they would make useful Heartless first."
"I'm assuming you already have an idea there, my dear?" asked Jafar.
Maleficent nods, saying "Indeed I do. Even as I speak, they should be arriving on a world I've sent my errand boy to for the purpose of collecting an important tool that will aid us in achieving our goals."
"Are you sure he can handle the job though?" asked Hades. "I wouldn't exactly call him dependable."
"Don't worry about him. Incompetent he may be but even he does have his uses" says Maleficent as she waves her hand, making a new seal appear on the table. "Now then, let's observe how our little band of heroes fare..."
(back with Roxas and friends)
The Gummi Ship landed with some bumps here and there in a dense forest where there was hardly any room to land in. But the Gummi's auto pilot, which Donald had activated just moments before, somehow managed the feet. No sooner had they come to a stop did the dome shaped hatch over the cockpit popped open and Donald jump out, looking around quickly.
"We're here. Now lets hurry up and find that Keyhole" says Donald, not wanting to stay any longer here than was needed.
Goofy was next to exit with Jiminy resting on his shoulder. "Gawrsh, how are we suppose to find that there keyhole to begin with?"
"You just leave it to me, people" comes Mushu, hopping down onto the ground and strutting around like he was some kind of boss. "We dragon's have the best senses out of anyone anywhere." Mushu then glares hard as his eyes look all around him. For several moments, everyone waits as he continues his sensing till he lets out a loud burp. "Boy, I really needed that one. Anyways...what was I doing again?"
"How about we let our Keybearer try" suggest Jiminy as Roxas finally emerged from the ship.
"Sure, I guess I can try" says Roxas, calling forth his Keyblade. He then turns around slowly while holding the Keyblade out before himself. "I can sense something but I can't tell for sure where its coming from. Guess it must be pretty far from us."
"Well isn't that just great" huffs Donald. "Well, we better look around at least and see what we can find."
"Wait, is it alright for us to just leave the ship here unattended?" asked Roxas.
"It'll be fine, A-hyuk. It always has been before" says Goofy reassuringly. Those words being enough, Roxas follows after the others as Donald leads them to Disney knows where. And you would think they wouldn't let him lead given his horrible sense of direction.
Over an hour later, they had made no progress and had even found themselves back at the Gummi Ship twice due to Donald's getting turned around, as Mushu had been more than willing to point out much to Donald's ire. The duck had finally had enough and told Mushu to lead them if he was so confident in his directional skills. Now they found themselves arriving at an old, likely deserted, house in the woods.
"Is anybody home?" yelled out Donald, taking a peek inside the off its hinges door, finding nothing but dust and cobwebs all over and a few forest animals having made a home under worn furniture.
"Yeah, like anyone would still be living here in this dump shack, feathers" says Mushu.
Donald turns on him and says "Like you've been of any help on this mission so far."
"Now, now you two" comes Goofy. "Let's keep looking around. If there was a house here then there must be more nearby. Perhaps even a village, A-hyuk."
"Fine" says Donald and Mushu in unison before they each take a direction and look around to see if they could see anything.
Roxas takes a peek inside the house himself, curious as if there could be a clue for them to follow to the nearest town. "Any regrets joining up with us yet, son?" asked Jiminy who was keeping with Roxas again. His question came from seeing the somber look that had appeared on Roxas face.
Roxas shakes his head and says "Not really. It's just..." He stops as he notices a large mirror in the room, covered by a cloth that was being blown by the wind entering the room. Curious, Roxas approaches the mirror and pulls the cloth off.
"Well, will you look at that" says Jiminy. "I must say this is a really ornate design. Excellent craftsmanship too" he said, meaning the detail given to the wood/metal hybrid frame of this piece.
"And it still looks brand new too unlike everything else here" adds Roxas, reaching out to touch the flawless reflecting glass. The moment his fingers touch the glass, a ripple pulses across the mirror as if it was water, making Roxas pull his hand away.
"Was that just my imagination or did it...?" asked Jiminy.
"I saw that too" agreed Roxas, taking a step back. "Maybe we should leave now." He goes to turn and exit the house, but his foot comes down on a round object that hadn't been there before, causing Roxas to stumble and fall backwards, landing against the mirror which pulls him and Jiminy inside.
"Hey, Roxas...Jiminy, we think we found..." comes Goofy as he enters the house to find it empty. He scans the room, finding no one there and says "Gawrsh, where did they go too?"
From Roxas and Jiminy's perspective, they had fallen into the mirror and had found themselves spinning around in a space made of color. This had lasted but a moment before they found themselves making a rather rough landing somewhere new.
"Ow" groaned Roxas as he picks himself up. He sees Jiminy laying beside him and helps the cricket up. "You OK, Jiminy?"
Jiminy nods as Roxas places him on his shoulders. "Yeah, more or less. But what was with that looking glass anyways? And just where are we?"
Roxas looks around, seeing what appeared to be a large hedge maze they currently found themselves in. There was also a sweet smell of flowers in the air too; roses or so they assumed. Roxas looks back at the mirror here and wonders why a mirror would even be here to begin with. He reaches out and touches it but finds no reaction this time. "Guess we can't get back this way, huh?" he says to Jiminy.
"Shh" says Jiminy. "Do you hear that?"
Roxas perks up his ears and listens, hearing nothing at first then... "They were painting the roses red, they were painting the roses red. But they were caught in their plot and now it is off with their heads." It was singing...sort of, coming from close by.
"Perhaps the source of the singing can tell us where we are" says Jiminy.
Roxas nods in agreement as he moves forward. After a few turns, they find the source of the song which they didn't expect; large playing cards with hands, feet, and heads. They were busy replacing trees with white roses growing on them, some painted red, with new trees of red roses.
"Um...excuse me?" comes Roxas, stepping towards them. Immediately, the cards jump and scramble around, grabbing their weapons and surrounding Roxas and Jiminy.
"Intruder, how did you get here?" comes one card guard.
"Well, you see..." says Roxas nervously before explaining how they had found their way here. Once he had finished, the card guards look at each other.
"Do you think he's lying?" asked one.
"Passing through a mirror? Must be" says another.
"Still, stranger things have happened in Wonderland" says a third.
'Wonderland? Wait, you mean this world...' thinks Roxas, realizing now why this world seemed so familiar to him.
"We'll take him to see the Queen" says the sole black card in the group of reds, likely meaning he was in charge. "If anyone would know if he speaks true or not it will be her."
And with that, Roxas and Jiminy found themselves away from the others and captives of Wonderland.
(with Donald, Goofy, and Mushu)
"Roxas, Jiminy, can you hear me?" yells Goofy as the group walks through the forest.
"Where could they be?" grumbled Donald, next to him, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Maybe they went back to the ship" suggested Mushu who then gives Donald a sly grin. "Maybe they wanted to get away from old feather duster her. I mean, he does smell like old sweat socks when he's been out in the sun to long."
"What was that, you walking hand bag and matching pair of shoes?" retorts Donald, the two of them then butting heads and glaring at each other.
"Guys, is this really the time...?" asked Goofy, being stopped as both turn to him and yell "Stay out of this" before returning their attention to each other. Goofy sighs and decides to let them be for the moment as maybe the noise they were about to make might lead Roxas and Jiminy back to them.
Or at least he would have let them be for the moment save for one little detail popping in on them. "It's a Heartless, A-hyuk" he says, spying the Shadow as it moves quickly across the ground. This gets Donald and Mushu to stop fighting and see what Goofy had seen.
"After it" yells Donald, running after it till it disappears into a hole on a hill side. "It's getting away."
"Then what are we waiting for. Let's follow it...after you of course" says Mushu.
Donald is first with Mushu bringing up the middle, thinking the middle to be the safest spot, while Goofy comes in last though he's a little behind due to having a moment of difficulty fitting into the tiny hole. "So, you guys think the Heartless might help us find Roxas and Jiminy?"
"Who knows?" says Donald as the tunnel starts to grow larger. "Let's just keep moving forward and..."
He doesn't get to finish as the ground suddenly vanishes beneath him, sending him falling into darkness with a loud quack of terror. Mushu stops at the edge, his eyes being a bit better at seeing the hole than Donald's. "Poor feather duster, I barely knew him."
"Come on, Mushu. Let's go after him" says Goofy, grabbing Mushu and throwing them both into the hole. "Wait, can we talk about this?" cries Mushu as the fall after Donald.
(with Roxas and Jiminy)
It didn't take long for the captives to realize the rose hedge maze was within the walls of a castle which made any attempt to escape should the need arise more difficult though they were both keeping their eyes open, memorizing the layout as they moved inside should the need to flee come up.
The castle interior, much like the outside, had a royal red theme coloring all about as well as heart designs. Jiminy was wanting to ask the head card why this was such a popular design but he doubted he would be told anything other than to keep his silence. As they passed through the halls, a noise caught their ears which grew louder as they neared a large arch way. Clearly, something big was going on up ahead.
"Excuse me" said Roxas to the black card guard. "What's going on up ahead?"
"We're heading to the court room. The queen will pass judgment on you there" was the reply.
Jiminy looks at the lead card and says "But we didn't do anything wrong." The lack of a response from the lead card guard said all that needed to be said. Jiminy looks at Roxas and says "This isn't gonna end well from what I gather."
"Yeah" agreed Roxas as the drew closer, entering the courtroom moments later. The stands were backed full of creatures of various shapes and sizes, most being quite peculiar to the eye. There were also many more card guards, red and black in color present in the room, all ready to attack should the need arise.
At the center of the room was a boxed rise with a blonde haired girl standing within the box; her gaze focused on the figure seated at the far end of the room. Roxas and Jiminy looked on and saw who it was she was seeing. A woman with black hair tied tightly behind and large in body. The crown on her head said she was the queen of Wonderland or so Roxas assumed. Next to her was a small man who also had a crown, likely the king. And to one side was a figure Roxas recalled from his last trip here; the White Rabbit.
"SILENCE" yells the queen, making the crowded stands quiet immediately. Her eyes then fall onto Roxas and Jiminy for just a moment, studying them, then she turns her attention to the blonde haired girl. "So, this girl is the culprit, is she? Was aiding in the defacement of my garden not enough for you? You also had to sneak out of your room and attempt robbery against me as well? Unforgivable."
"You majesty, please. I didn't try to take anything from you last night. I was in my room the whole night just as you ordered. And as for the garden? I was simply trying to help the guards who serve under you in correcting a mistake made. I realize the method of correction was...odd but given the things I've seen since coming to your lands and how things are done, I just figured that was how a matter such as this was handled. I'm sorry for that error" said the girl.
The queen studies her for a moment then ask "Do you have any proof you can offer that you indeed remained inside the room you were given the night before?"
"Your majesty, the door was locked with no way to unlock it from the inside after I was left there. The only way out beside the door was the window which was to high up to jump and I, having no wings, couldn't have flown anywhere either. How could I have gotten out under those truths and done what I being accused of?" asked the girl.
"She does make a point, my dear" says the little king.
The queen, however, didn't seemed convinced as she suddenly becomes red faced. "ARE YOU SAYING I'M LYING ABOUT WHAT I SAW?"
"No, your majesty. I meant no offense, I'm just saying..." says the girl.
"Here's what I know. Someone broke into MY quarters last night and tried to steal MY heart and that someone looked exactly like you, girl. Granted, it was dark in my room the culprit was cast in shadow, but the shape matched your perfectly" comes the queen.
'Wait, an attempt on her heart? And a shadow? Could it be?' thinks Roxas who turns to Jiminy. "Roxas, you don't think?" asked Jiminy, causing one of the card guards to shush them so Roxas responds with just a nod.
"If it was dark, how can you be sure it was me and not someone who looked like me" challenged the girl. "And don't going around accusing me of lying when YOU have no proof I am lying."
The crowd becomes tense as they had never heard anyone talk this way to the queen before. The queen becomes red with anger yet somehow maintains some degree of control. "Careful girl or I won't hesitate to have you sent to the chopping block."
"You don't scare me. Maybe if you weren't such a meanie, you'd..."
"ENOUGH" roars the queen. "OFF WITH HER HEAD."
The card guards move in and the girl backs off the boxed podium, wondering if she could make a run for it. "Wait" yells Roxas, breaking through the cards before him in their moment of heading towards the girl. "I won't let you hurt her."
"What is this? More troublemakers?" says the queen. "Fine, off with all of their heads."
"Roxas, this looks bad for us" notes Jiminy as the card guard close in on them and the girl.
Roxas had to agree yet he knew there was no escape from this without some fighting being involved. Looking back at the girl and seeing her worried expression, he says "Don't worry, I won't let them hurt you." Roxas then holds out his hand and summons forth his Keyblade as the nearest card guard start their attacks against him.
"Hold your attacks" shouts the queen suddenly, making the card guards freeze. Roxas, Jiminy, and the girl turn towards the queen who was studying Roxas closely. "You, boy. Just who are you and why are you here?"
"My name is Roxas, your majesty. And this here is Jiminy" he says, looking at the cricket who hops down and bows. "Jiminy Cricket at your service, my lady."
"We're travelers who are on an important mission. We got lost and found ourselves here in your castle."
"They were found inside your rose maze, my queen" says the black card guard.
"And that item in your hands...is that a..." asked the queen.
Roxas holds it up towards her and says "This is a Keyblade, your majesty. Anyways, you can't hurt this girl for something she didn't do."
"Oh, and how do you know she's innocent?" asked the queen.
"Because of what you said about the attacker. I have a good idea on who the true culprit here is" says Roxas.
"Do you now? So, I take it you have proof of your claim?" asked the queen.
"Not on hand, no. But if you will allow me some time, I can get the proof of her innocence" says Roxas.
"And if you cannot?" asked the queen.
"Then I will take her place at the chopping block" says Roxas, making everyone stare at him in shock, including the girl. "Roxas, you can't..." says Jiminy but the look in Roxas eyes makes him stop seeing Roxas wasn't worried about failing in the least.
The queen grows quiet and the gathered Wonderland residents expected her to act as she always had in the past. Instead, she surprises them all by saying "Very well then, I will give you time to gather this so called evidence. But only until sundown in seven hours. If you haven't found any proof or have failed to return by then, it will be off with her head."
"I'll be back by then with the proof. You can count on it, your majesty" says Roxas confidently.
The queen nods...sort of. She then turns to the White Rabbit and says "Go and fetch the record-a-bird. I will have it be the means in which they can show the proof." The rabbit nods then scampers off to fetch the creature. The queen then turns to the card guard and says "Escort the girl to a cell and make sure she's watched till I send for her, got it?"
The cards nod as they take hold of the girl to escort her to her cell. "Wait" she says, making them stop. She then looks at Roxas and ask "You said your name is Roxas, right? Why are you doing this for me? We don't know each other and..."
"Does that matter? Us knowing each other I mean. If I see someone in trouble, I do what I can to help them. And it's not my style to stand back and do nothing anyways" says Roxas.
The girl nods, looks away for a moment then back at him with her cheeks having a pink glow to them. "Thank you, Roxas. My name is Alice and I owe you one for doing this for me. Just promise me that if you can't find the proof then you won't come back. I don't want you to die in my place."
Roxas shakes his head and says "Sorry, I can't make that promise. Besides, I'll find the proof."
"Then I guess I'll need to use these next few hours to think of how I can repay you properly for this then, won't I" said Alice, almost shyly to Jiminy's ears. Before Roxas could reply, the guards push her forward towards her awaiting cell elsewhere in the castle.
A few moments later, the White Rabbit returned with the record-a-bird and explains how she works. He then showed to a quick entrance to the Lotus Forest which was as good a place as any to start given all the weird things that have been seen around as of late.
"My dear, why are you giving him a chance like this? It's not really like you" asked the king, looking at his wife as Roxas and Jiminy pass into the woods.
"I have my reasons" was all she said in return.
Once they had left the castle walls behind, Roxas takes a moment to look around. "So, where do you think we should start looking for clues at?"
"Back again I see" comes a voice, making them jump. Roxas looks up and sees a familiar being appear. "Did you miss us so?"
"Cheshire Cat" says Roxas. "Any chance you know where the real culprit behind the queen's little incident can be found?"
"The one who wanted the Queen of Hearts, in this forest a good place to start. Here or there, it moves with speed but find the party and take heed and you will find it, yes in deed" says the Cheshire Cat.
"So it is here then?" asked Jiminy. "Can you be more specific?"
"I have said all I shall but if you can find the fiend and prove young Alice's innocence, then a reward I shall have for you. Good luck and take care" says the Cheshire Cat before disappearing on them.
"A reward? Whatever could that be?" wondered Jiminy.
"Maybe he'll tells us where to find the Keyhole" Roxas considered. "At least he gave us a clue of a sort in the word party. If we can find this 'party' he spoke of, then maybe we'll find the Heartless." And with those words, they headed off in search of the party, little knowing that they were already closer than they could have imagined.
They spent their time searching the forest, finding nothing of importance besides the usual oddities that only could be found in places like Wonderland. And in all that time, a feeling of being watched remained ever present in Roxas mind. Was it the Heartless or was it something else.
"Still nothing" he said, taking a moment to sit on a large rock to rest. "All this time and all we've managed to do is come full circle in this place." It was true enough as they were, more or less, back to where they had started the search with the castle walls in sight behind them.
"And we're running short on time as well" adds Jiminy, looking at his pocket watch. Since arriving in Traverse Town before, Jiminy had Donald use his magic on the time piece so that it would reset itself to being at the correct time for whatever world they were on. "And we barely have time to report back to the queen either" he adds, figuring they had about ninety minutes or so before the sun would start to set and not long after before it was completely gone and either Roxas or Alice's fates were sealed.
Roxas gets back onto his feet, noticing a path he knew they had not explored yet. "We'll try down that one and if we don't find any sign of the Heartless, we'll head back."
"So, you'll really offer yourself up in exchange for the life of Alice?" asked Jiminy as Roxas begins walking towards the path.
"Would you do any differently if you could?" asked Roxas.
"You're right" says Jiminy. After a moments pause, he ask "So why do you think we haven't seen the Heartless yet? You've kept the Keyblade out this whole time. One would think they would be swarming after you, obsessed with getting your heart."
"I've been wondering about that myself. Could it be that we were wrong and it wasn't a Heartless that attacked the queen?" Roxas was wondering if maybe this had been a plot by Xemnas; that maybe Xion had been sent here and had either tried to attack the queen herself or maybe it had been an Unversed. A Nobody could have also been the culprit.
"If it isn't a Heartless, then...wait" says Jiminy as they hear something up ahead. "Is that...singing?"
"Yeah" agreed Roxas, then realizing that two of the voices in the song sounded familiar. "Is that...?" He then runs forward, spying a large moss and vine covered wall with a wooden door built within and makes for it, passing into the yard beyond and is stopped dead by what he sees.
At first, there was nothing but smoke filling the air, obscuring their vision. But they quickly realize that it wasn't smoke but steam filling the air, coming from the massive collection of pots that were hopping up and down in time with the music. Leaning down beneath the steam, the due saw the figures involved in the singing.
"It's...a...Very Merry Unbirthday, to you" says the March Hare, pouring tea into a white cup.
"To me?" asked Donald.
"Yes, you" says the March Hare.
"And it's a Very Merry Unbirthday, to you" says the Madd Hatter, also pouring tea into a tiny cup.
"Who, me?" asked Mushu.
"Yes, you" says the Madd Hatter. The four then all say in unison "Let's pull ourselves up some chairs and have ourselves some tea for it a Very Merry Unbirthday to...WE."
"They can't be serious" says Roxas, wide eyed from shock and surprise.
"Here we are on an important mission and those two...wait, what about Goofy?" wonders Jiminy, exasperated with the duck and dragon yet also worried about the dog in the group.
"Roxas, Jiminy, you guys are here too, A-hyuk" comes the voice of Goofy, who had been sitting in a chair close to them and had heard their voices. He gets up and hugs Roxas hard for a moment before placing him back down. "We've been searching for ya."
Roxas looks back in the direction of Donald and Mushu and says "Yeah, I can see that."
"Just what's going on here, Goofy?" asked Jiminy. "How did you three end up here anyways?"
According to Goofy, after their search had led them to falling down a rabbit hole and arriving in Wonderland, they had met and passed through a talking door, walked around aimlessly for an hour before arriving here where they've been ever since due to Donald and Mushu's party natures.
Roxas then relates what had happened to them and the growing need to hurry in order to save Alice. "Well then, we need to get going and save her, huh?" says Goofy. He then turns to the far end of the table and yells "Donald, Mushu, we found Roxas and Jiminy..."
"That's great" yells Donald.
"We're kind of busy now, can this wait?" comes Mushu, the sound of wrapping paper being ripped coming along with his voice.
"Not really. We kind of have ourselves a situation" yells Goofy.
"A situation, you say" comes the Madd Hatter as he and the March Hare come running into view. "You can say that again. Why, today is this young man's Unbirthday and it would be a shame if we didn't celebrate it and all."
"Unbirthday?" asked Roxas, recalling he had heard that said before during the song.
"So glad you asked" says the Madd Hatter, going into a detailed explanation of Unbirthdays and how it works. "Wait, we really don't have time for this" says Jiminy. "We have to save Al..."
"Change places" yells the March Hare, creating a hectic scramble to different chairs for the party goers.
"Stop" yells Roxas, bringing everyone to a dead stop. "Listen, we have to save Alice. We need to find proof that it was a Heartless that tried to steal the heart of the Queen or else she'll have Alice's head, literally. We need to get the proof and be back at the castle by sun down."
"The Queen of Hearts is gonna off with poor Alice's pretty head? Oh, that poor sweat girl" says the Madd Hatter.
"Really sweat from what I hear" adds the March Hare, looking at Donald and Mushu and giving them a sly wink. Yeah, he actually has a bit of a pervy mind in case you didn't know.
"And Roxas told the Queen that he would take her place in the chopping block if we fail" adds Jiminy.
"WHAT?" cries Donald, finally snapping back into reason. He then runs over to Roxas and says "What are you thinking? We have an important mission to complete. You can't be risking yourself like this."
"Like you were worried about the mission just a few minutes ago?" retorts Roxas. "Besides, what would you have done. Just stand there, saying nothing, as she gets her head chopped off?"
"No, of course not. But..." argues Donald, stopping, then sighing. "Yeah, I guess you're right. So, how much time do we have?"
"Just barely an hour and a half. We need to get back before the sun has fully set or Alice's fate will be sealed...and maybe Roxas's as well based on how that queen acts" says Jiminy.
"She is a bit of a hand full, isn't she?" agreed the Madd Hatter. The March Hare nods as well.
"Gawrsh, then we need to get going then" says Goofy. "Hey Mushu, we need to get going."
"Oh man, it was just getting good too" says Mushu as he goes to join them, then stops as his eyes fall onto the biggest present he had ever seen in his life. It was even bigger than Goofy in size. "Can we just open one Unbirthday present before we go though?"
"We don't have time for that" yells Donald though, in truth, he wanted to stay and open a few himself.
"Oh, it'll only take a moment" says the Madd Hatter. "Go ahead, my boy. Tear it all away."
"Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about" says Mushu, ripping into the wrapping with his claws to reveal a large box beneath. He then hops onto the box and grabs the lid edges. "And now, come to poppa..."
The lid flies open and a Shadow comes popping out, jumping and landing right in front of Roxas. For just a moment, it looks at him as he and the others stand there shocked and unable to react due to their surprise. But rather than attack, it then runs out of the backyard into the forest.
Recovering, Roxas shakes his head and says "That was the Heartless, after it." He then calls out the Keyblade and gives chase with Donald and Goofy right behind him. "Hey, don't leave me behind" yells Mushu, following after them.
The Madd Hatter looks at the March Hare and ask "Where did you find that black bug thing anyways?"
"It found me, jumping into the box before I could place anything inside. It must like hide and seek..."
(Alice)
"Excuse me, mister guard" comes Alice from within her cell. It was dark and dank to some degree with no window to let in any light. Only the lights in the hall gave any illumination to this area. "Can you tell me how long I have?"
There was no response for a moment, then the guard says "About an hour, maybe a little more than that. Getting worried?"
She'd be lying if she said she wasn't, but her worries were more for that boy, Roxas, than for her. She knew he would try his best to find proof of her innocence and he would return in time, no matter what. But she was afraid he would come back without the proof and take her place and that was something she didn't want for him. She rather have him not return at all.
"No, not for me" was her reply before falling back onto the bed. As she looked up at the ceiling, she realized something was off here. But what was it? Putting that thought aside, she finds herself thinking of Roxas which makes her cheeks turn a slight shade of pink. She now hoped she did see him again as he was rather cute...
Her thoughts are interrupted as something from the wall behind her reaches out and grabs her, covering her mouth to muffle her scream...
(Roxas)
"Why's it running away?" yells Donald as they continue to pursue the Heartless. "We have a Keybearer here and all. You'd think it would be all over Roxas."
"Maybe it's wanting some backup before fighting us, A-hyuk" offers Goofy.
Mushu, who had caught up with them and was now perched on Goofy's shoulder, nods and says "Yeah, that little guy must be scared crazy of us."
Jiminy looks at Roxas and sees the look on his face. "Something's wrong, isn't it?"
Roxas nods and says "Yeah, I think it might be running from something."
"Like us, obviously" says Mushu.
"No, I mean from something else besides us. It was hiding inside that present, I know it. And now its running but I doubt its because of us. It's...scared" says Roxas.
"But what could be so scary to make it run?" asked Donald as that reach a large wall. The Heartless shifts into shadow mode and slips under a wooden door. Needing only a second, Roxas and the others push the door open and find themselves in a familiar room.
"This is...?" says Goofy.
"The room with the talking door knob" finishes Roxas.
"But how did we get so small so suddenly?" wondered Donald as they hadn't been shrunken' down before hand. They then saw the Heartless running around, trying to find a new place to hide and they wonder what they should do next.
And then something comes sailing over them, landing on top of the startled Heartless as it tries in vain to escape. "What?" says Donald.
"Is that the thing it was running from?" adds Mushu.
It was a shadow in the shape of a girl, Alice, but all black and yellow eyed as it looks down at the Shadow. "That's it, that's the creature that must have attacked the Queen" says Roxas, making the record-a-bird come to life and start recording the scene within its sight.
The shadow Alice then holds an arm out which shifts into a red and black covered claw, reaches down, and grabs the Shadow and lifts it into the air. The shadow Alice then changes into a form Roxas remembered very well. "That's...a Frenzy."
"A what..." says Donald and Goofy as the Frenzy then eats the Shadow in one big gulp, causing it's body to bulge and glow.
"Something tells me we don't have time for explanations" says Jiminy as the Frenzy begins to grow bigger and reshaping itself into something much more dangerous. It's body became long and stick like with four thin legs, long and double jointed, and arms of unfolding paper, and a tall top hat shaped head with multiple eyes split by sections.
The new Heartless, named Trick Master, then holds its long arms out and from wisp of smokes that burst from its hands appears large bowling pin like objects which it then proceeds to juggle. Its legs then bend downward before spring back into their full length sending the Heartless shooting skyward, circling over our heroes before landing and repeating the process, leaping all across the room.
"Hey, stand still" yells Donald as he pulls his wand out and starts firing off as many Fire Spells as he can muster, none of them even coming close to making contact as the Trick Master was much faster and far more flexible than the duck mage.
"Real nice there, feather duster. Good way to NOT hit something when its needed" chided Mushu before lifting up his imaginary belt buckle. "Here, let me show you how it'd done." Mushu then takes in a deep breath before running forward and jumping up at the Trick Master and blasting it in the face with a stream of flames. "Like that taste of my dragon fire there, buddy? Pretty hot stuff I am, right?"
The smoke around the Trick Master passes, revealing it to be unhurt as it swings its head around and batting Mushu into the ground. As Mushu picks himself up, Donald yells out "Oh, that was really impressive. At least we know how useful you can be when in a bind."
Before anyone knew it, Donald and Mushu were butting heads again, yelling all sorts of insults at one another. Jiminy shakes his head sadly, saying "Really, at a time like this...?"
"Guys, watch out" yells Goofy but it was to late as the Trick Master sends both its weapons swinging down at the bickering allies, slamming them both into the ground and leaving them flatter than pancakes. "Hold on. I'm a comin'" yells Goofy but is sent flying as the Trick Master swings outwards and lands a hot on him.
"That's enough" yells Roxas, running in fast with Keyblade in hand. "Pumpkinhead" he shouts, making the Keyblade shift forms before he breaks into a spin, trying to trip the Heartless up. But the Trick Master jumps into the air again, dodging clear of the Keyblade's longer reach. "I'm not letting you get away" shouts Roxas, turning and running at the wall, beating gravity by running up the side then pushing off to land a hit while the Heartless was unable to dodge. But Trick Master brings up its weapons to block the attack, pushing Roxas back as a result as it lands on the ground and continues jumping all across the room.
"Great, how can we beat this thing if we can't even hit it?" wonders Roxas aloud till the room suddenly turns gray and the Heartless freezes in place. "What...?"
"So, you found the true culprit yet time is running short for poor, dear Alice" comes the voice of the Cheshire Cat, it's head appearing in the air before Roxas. "Looks like its time for that reward I promised you."
"Can it help us beat this Heartless?" asked Roxas.
"Who can say, surely not me for this gift is from the keeper he" says the Cheshire Cat before fading away, its head replaced by a much larger full body form; a dragon like being.
"You, are you...Jabborwock?" asked Roxas.
Accept my gift, bearer of the Key comes the Jabborwock before opening its mouth, releasing a blast of cold air which flows into Roxas. A moment later, he realizes what it was had had been given and how to use it to win this fight. Time begins to flow again and he sees his allies already getting ready for a new attack.
"Guys, I know what to do to win this. Just follow my lead" yells Roxas before running towards the Trick Master and making a guess as to where it was about to leap to next. As it goes airborne, Roxas aims his Keyblade at the chosen spot and yells out "Blizzard."
From the Keyblade comes a blast of frozen energy that streaks across the air, impacting the spot Roxas had been aiming at, and causing it to become covered in ice. The Trick Master sees this too late as one of its legs makes contact with the patch of ice and is sent sliding out from under it; sending the whole creature slamming down hard onto the ground.
"Oh yeah, Roxy did it" yells Mushu.
"Hurry guys. Now's our chance" yells Roxas, firing another Blizzard spell that freezes one of the Heartless arms to the ground to keep it trapped.
"Nice going, Roxas" says Goofy, making the first attack as he leaps forward the Trick Master and breaking into a spin as his speed picks up. "Goofy Rocket." The attack smashes into the Heartless legs, completely knocking them apart.
"My turn" yells Donald as he leaps into the air, raining down countless Fire spells upon the Heartless which sets its paper like arms ablaze. Mushu moves in and breathes out a stream of fire right smack into the Heartless face, leaving it singed. "We're hot stuff, huh?"
Seeing the Heartless trying to recover as it's legs were slowly starting to repair themselves and its arms regenerate, Roxas runs at Goofy who sends him skyward with a little push up with his shield and Mushu breathing fire that Donald freezes by using his own Blizzard spell, learned at the same time thanks to Merlin's gift, to make a momentary platform for Roxas to stand on so he can jump even higher to bring himself over his target. "Time to end this, Retro Wrecker" he yells as the Keyblade shifts into its most damage dealing form which he sends swinging down with all the force he can. The impact shatters the Trick Master's body, causing it to screech in pain before breaking apart and forming into a massive heart which floats harmlessly into the sky.
"Oh boy" says Donald as Roxas lands on the ground and is tackled/hugged by the duck mage. Goofy is right behind, hugging them both while saying "We did it" and Mushu hops on top of Roxas head and proclaims "Don't ever mess with the best."
Jiminy joins them, going to congratulate them on their success when a voice cuts him off. "Impressive, even more skilled than what I had heard." They stop and look to see the source of the voice, a figure standing upon an overhead lamp dressed in a brown colored cloak with two red belts making an X shape over its chest and its face hidden behind a hood.
"Hey, who are you?" asked Donald.
"One who is tied to the dark, walking the road to the dark. That is enough for now" says the figure before raising a hand which draws in the massive heart. "I shall be taking this."
"Hey, wait..." yells Roxas though it does no good as the hooded person fades into a dark flame along with the released heart. "His voice...he sounded like...?"
"What's with all the racket out here?" complains the door knob, making them all turn to look at it. "Can't a person get any shut eye around here?" it ask before yawning wide. As it yawns, a flicker of light is seen from within its mouth and the Keyblade begins to shake.
"Roxas, is that?"asked Goofy.
Roxas was already acting, bringing the Keyblade up and aiming it the the door knob. "Yeah, the key hole. It's time we seal this problem away." The Keyblade fires off a beam of light which connects with the knobs mouth, making a tiny key hole appear followed quickly by a locking sound being heard. And with that, their main mission here was completed; Wonderland was safe from further Heartless attacks.
"That's one down, two to go" says Mushu.
"Now Roxas. Mind telling us what was up with that Heartless?" asked Donald. "You seemed to know something about it."
"Yeah, I encountered a Frenzy a while back, when I was still with the Organization. You see..."
"No time to talk" yells Jiminy, looking at his pocket watch. "We have to get back to the castle pronto, in like seventeen minutes or less, or poor Alice is gonna lose her head."
"We won't make it in time" says Roxas. "We're too far away."
"Not if you don't follow me" comes the voice of the Cheshire Cat, appearing before them. He points to a door that suddenly appears from out of thin air and says "We can just make it if we run." He then turns into a bouncing ball and passes through the door which opens for him. Not needing any more encouragement, Roxas and the others quickly follow after him.
(Red Castle)
The sun had nearly set, with only a slither of light still present over the horizon. The Queen of Hearts tapped her finger impatiently upon the table, wondering how much longer they were gonna make her wait. She sighs as she gets up and says "Guards, bring me Al..."
"Wait" yells Roxas as he and the others come running in, their cheeks red and their faces drenched in sweat. Though the Cheshire Cat's route had indeed been a quick way back, it hadn't been an easy road to follow; with many twist, turns, and obstacles that you could only find here in Wonderland.
"Well it's about time" says the queen in a huff. "Another second and I would have called for Alice to be taken to the headsman. So, I assume you have your proof or did you really intend to sacrifice yourself for her, boy?"
Roxas nods as the record-a-bird flies over him and lands on the Queen's desk. "Yeah, it has it all."
"Then lets see what you have then. This Heartless better have existed or else I'll have all your heads" says the queen as she runs her hands across the birds feathers, making its eyes light up and project their fight upon a wall for her to watch. As she does so, Roxas gives her a serious look. Once the bird was done, the queen looks at them and says "It would seem you spoke the truth. Very well then..."
She turns her attention to the card guards and says "Men, go and bring Alice to me at once." The cards salute her and run off while she turns her attention back Roxas and his team. "Now then, I have little task I wish to ask of you."
"Before that, your majesty, I have a question for you" says Roxas.
"Oh, and just what might that be?" asked the queen, surprised.
"You knew right from the start that Alice was innocent, didn't you? You even knew about the Keyblade and about me as well, that's why you allowed me to have this chance. You never intended to have her beheaded either" says Roxas, getting the others to look at him in surprise.
"And how do you figure that?" asked the queen.
"One, when I called out my Keyblade before, you had your guards stop their attack against me and even kept your eyes on me the whole time. You gave me a chance to find proof despite being confident Alice was the culprit. And before, you said the word Heartless which neither me or Jiminy mentioned before we left to find the evidence, thus you clearly knew more than you had led on beforehand. And as for you never intended to hurt Alice? Well, that's just a personal hunch on my part" says Roxas.
"Are his words true, your majesty?" asked Jiminy.
The Queen of Hearts is quiet for a few moments, considering this claim before letting out a sigh. "Are all you Keybearer's so observant or is it an acquired skill? Yes, it's all true. I knew Alice was innocent as she's our world's Princess of Heart and thus would never do such a thing."
"And how would you know that?" asked Mushu.
"I'm not called the Queen of Hearts; the Red Queen of Wonderland, for nothing. My sense on these things is second to none as is my sister, the White Queen. That's why I was mad about the roses being white then painted red as red is MY color yet painting them is just insulting to the flowers."
"And you ordering Alice's head being lopped off?" asked Goofy.
"Oh, that's just my usual reaction to anything that makes me mad. You see, I get mad easily...far more so than I'm happy to admit to in on honesty. I order off with the heads of all those who bring out my rage. But, in my defense, none condemned have ever actually been beheaded as I always regain my frame of mind before hand and left them off with a warning" says the queen.
"Then people must not take you seriously, then?" pondered Donald.
"That might be the case if I repeated this with individuals on multiple occasions but none who have crossed me once have never done so a second time" says the queen who then looks at Roxas. "I have known about your kind all my life, from the stories told to me as a child. I knew I could trust you to solve this problem."
"So you were protecting Alice then?" asked Roxas.
The queen nods, then says "Realizing her true status, I knew the Heartless would come for her eventually. Perhaps they may have mistaken me for her as she was here in the castle at the time when the attack occurred. So I tried to protect her but I wonder if I can truly be successful given all the dangers that are out there. Saying that, we come back to my request of you."
"And that would be?" asked Roxas.
"I know you can't remain here so I want you to take her with you. Even if the key hole has been sealed, it is not impossible that it can be weakened again and her life in danger."
"But we can't do that" says Donald while Goofy adds "Yeah, that would be mud...muddle..."
"He means meddling" throws in Donald.
"You all have already meddled in the affairs of our world so this matter should be no different or impossible for you. So, will you take her and protect her?" asked the queen.
Roxas thinks of this, knowing that the queen was right but also knowing that bringing Alice with them could put her in danger. He finally makes up his mind and goes to speak, but his words are interrupted as a card guard comes running in.
"My queen, she's gone. Alice has been taken from her cell."
(Villain's Vale)
"Well, here you go little missy" says Pete as he tosses the unconscious Alice onto the bed in the darkened room. She would remain asleep for a while yet but that wasn't an issue. He exits the room and locks the door, then turns to see Maleficent standing before him.
"So, you managed to get the Princess with an Illuminated Heart. Good work, Pete."
Pete smiles proudly and says "It was easy. Those card guys didn't even have a clue I was there. Sorry about that Heartless you gave me though. That Keyblade brat and those idiots took it out before I could recall it."
Maleficent smiles and says "No matter. The information you brought back is more than enough. Besides, we have plenty more of them waiting to be unleashed. Now, lets go show the others what you have brought us as it's only a matter of time before the boy comes to their worlds."
As they walk down the hall, Pete ask "So, how many are left to collect."
"We have four now and three left to go. And I have already found the fifth Illuminated Heart but getting her will be tricky. We may have to resort to crueler means and destroy her world..."
to be continued...