Jabberwock was asleep at his desk, head nestled in his arms. Quiet breaths radiated from his body in short, raspy bursts.

March delicately grabbed Alice and pulled her from the room. Closing the door, he sighed, "Looks bliddy peaceful when he's asleep."

Alice glanced March up and down, eyes noting that he no longer wore dirty white armor but sported a clean greenish-gray general's uniform, "You could have told me…"

Strolling down the hall, March scratched nonchalantly at his nose, "Could have told you what?"

Alice bristled, "That he eats imagination!"

"No need to scare you at the time!"
"I practically set Em up!" Alice blushed, angry at herself, angry at March, angry at all of Wonderland!
March paused, "The maid?" At Alice's nod, he shrugged, "It doesn't really matter. He does it often, you know, prey off young one's imagination. The servants are always afraid when they're assigned to him."

"So he really… eats-eats the imagination? I mean, just sucks it out?"
March nodded, "Just what you're imagining at the moment. That's why I told you not to imagine!"

Naught but silence for a few moments, and then Alice sighed, "Where are you taking me?"

"I don't know. Where do you want to go?"

Alice paused, incredulous, "You came to get me just because?"

Shrugging, March pulled at his collar, causing the little medals on it to emit twinkling sounds, "Jabberwock said he needed to be away from you for a while. What did you do? Annoy him?"
"Called him a monster. Does that count?"

March huffed, "Kind of…"

More silence before Alice asked timidly, "Can I go see Hatter?"

March froze and turned towards here with colorless eyes questioning, "Hatter? Why?"

"So… I can say 'I'm sorry'…"

"For what?"

"For me getting him into trouble."

Smirking, March laughed and shook his head, "No, no… Hatter's off trying to get the person who snitched him out right now. Don't think he'd be happy if I brought you."

Stale water.

Snarling, Jack threw the metal container down and stomped over to a half-finished bottle of whiskey on his bedside counter. Furious, he poured himself a cup and drank it down.

There was no reason to be angry…

He just was….

Stiffening as a knock sounded at his door, Jack hurriedly straightened his rumpled uniform. He hurried over and yanked it open, scowling, "Wha-"

Hissing, Hatter grabbed him by the throat and punched him hard with the other hand.

Jack yelped as he hit the floor. Bringing trembling fingers to touch the blood issuing from his nose, he glared at Hatter, "What the blazes are you doing?"

"You bliddy told me out!" Hatter pointed an accusing finger at Jack.

Sneering, Jack spat on Hatter's boots, "So what if I did?"

Hatter jumped on him, furious and deadly. Drawing the decorative saber at his waist, he glanced at the dull edge and smiled, the ghastly grin crossing his pale white unmasked face, "You did. Therefore," he brought the sword up over Jack's head, "you die."

March took Alice to the indoor courtyard. Lovely white and yellow poppies sprang up in patches over the green grass, leading to a pretty granite fountain that spurted water from its fishes' mouths. A white oyster shell path spider webbed through the garden.

Alice played at the edge of the fountain, her poofy white-and-red dress making a bit hard to balance. Tossing rocks into it, she watched as the ripples caught the sunlight and mirrored it on the stone. She laughed and turned to March, who watched her solemnly, "It's so pretty here!"
"Ah, well…" March waved a hand, "Was much prettier when the Queen was here."

A sigh came from their right, and both general and prisoner snapped their heads around to watch a grizzled old Gryphon pad down the path. Coughing, the Gryphon brought up a large bird-of-prey's claw to adjust an awry feather at his cheek, "Ah… the March Hare…" He peered blearily at Alice, "And a young lady…"

March smiled, "Hello, Gryph. This is Alice."

"Ahh… she did look a bit familiar… thought it was but the fuzzies…" The Gryphon rubbed his eyes and bowed elegantly, his lion's tail swishing out behind him and his wings spreading to accent his blue and silver suit, "My pleasure, Alice."

Returning the greeting with a curtsy, Alice grinned, "Nice to meet you."

"Ah… but you've haven't really met me yet. You barely know my name as it is."

Alice's eyes widened in curiosity, "Oh… well, then… nice to see you."

Before the Gryphon could respond, March asked the winged beast, "How's the Mock Turtle?"

The Gryphon opened his beak to answer, paused, then shrugged, "He has gone back to his cliff home to weep about the old days."

"Why aren't you with him?"

"Must keep the gardens up. Or else the flowers will be chorusing against old Jabberwock and being executed by the dozens."

Alice cocked her head, "So you're the gardener?"

Huffing, March crossed his arms, "He's a bag of feathers."

Gryphon glared at the Hare, "Just because I forgave you for trying to eat me doesn't mean I'll stand for your insults."

Laughing, March spat, "All I got was feathers."

Alice shared the Gryphon's glare at March, "You tried to eat him?"

"Yeah… so?"

Growling, Alice crossed her arms and turned from him, her spirit once again angry.

Hubble's eyes grew hard as the fortress came and passed from view.

Alice was in there, dead, alive, but she was in there. He had been sent to seek arrangements in a cottage and locate the castle's weaknesses.

If any…

Leaping off his horse, he tied the reins to a door post and knocked at the door of a shop.

There was a long bout of silence, then the door opened, and a gaunt older woman gazed out, "Hello?"

Hubble pulled down the cloth and smiled, "Hello, mother."

Gasping, the woman groped him in a hug. Suddenly realizing who he was, she released him and muttered, "What are you doing here? If they find you, they'll cart you off to be hanged!"

"I'm seeking a shelter. May I stay here for a while?"
Hubble's mother bit her lip and nodded, "Bring in your bags and let the horse go. Jabberwock's troops will surely investigate if they see a steed."

Complying, Hubble hefted his bags onto his shoulder and untied the horse-fly, who trotted off with a ghostly whicker. His mother shooing him in, he stepped into the shop.

Ah…

He loved this place, he remembered, as a warm scent of candies wormed into his nose.

Candy, candy, candy…

Alice quietly followed March. "Where are we going?" Alice whined.

Stopping at a door, March placed an ear against it and listened intently as he whispered, "I need to get something." He frowned and knocked, "Hats?"

A second later, the door slammed open, and Hatter glowered at March, "What?" His face was smeared with crimson.

"I need my sword back."

Hatter scowled and gazed at Alice, eyes narrowing venomously. Closing the door, they heard him rummaging around in the room, cursing and muttering. The door opened once more, and Hatter furiously wiped the blood from a decorative blade.

"Ah…" Regarding the blood-stained saber, March wilted, "So that's why you wanted it…."

Alice stared at the crimson and stuttered, "W-w-what did you-"

Pursing his lips, Hatter gazed at her, than glanced at March, "If Jabberwock finds out of this, he'll kill her. Or me. Or both of us."

"Then give me my sword. I'll wash it up tonight."

Hatter handed him the weapon and wiped at his face, trying to remove some of the gore.

As he inspected his saber, March muttered, "Hide what you don't eat well. And make sure the one who cleans up the mess knows nothing." Satisfied that his sword wasn't damaged in any way except the discoloration, he sheathed it with a sigh.

Alice twitched, "Who did you kill?"

"None of your business!" Snarling, Hatter slammed the door.

March winced at the sharp noise and muttered darkly, "You bliddy idiot! It is her business!" Grabbing Alice's hand, he tugged her down the hall, fuming, "Let's go. Jabberwock wanted you back at noon for lunch."

Suddenly, Alice realized just how hungry she was.

Alice sat silently at a table adorned with platters of food, glaring across at Jabberwock. To her left was March, who fidgeted. He wasn't used to being this close to his master.

Jabberwock fingered an apple, eyes never leaving Alice's, "Not hungry?"

Sniffing, Alice crossed her arm, "How do I know you didn't poison it or something?" Her stomach growled, and she glanced at a loaf of bread in envy.

Jabberwock smirked, "You really think I'd use poisons, Alice?"

"Why not?"

Sighing, the Jabberwocky reached over and handed the apple to March, "Eat it."

March groaned, but bit into the apple. He chewed a few times, swallowed, put the remainder of the fruit down, "No poison, Alice. Jabberwock's the one to use steel, not poison." He slid a hand across his throat to accent his point.

Deciding to trust March's judgment, Alice picked up the loaf of bread, cut two uneven slices for herself, then put a piece of cold meat in between them. As she took a bite, she shrugged and mumbled, "Why aren't you guys eating?"

Jabberwock tapped his fingers against the table, staring at Alice curiously, "I've already eaten. And I don't eat physically."

Sickened, Alice remembered Em. Forcing the thought away, she glanced at March, "You want something?"

March slowly looked at Jabberwock, "Sir?"

Sighing, Jabberwock nodded, "You can eat also, March. Just don't choke."

March smiled and grabbed up a slice of bread.

Alice was in her room, peering at the numerous gaudy dresses she had been given when Jabberwock appeared at the door, eyes a golden yellow, "Play chess with me."

Alice jerked her head towards him, brows furrowing, "Why?"

"Because I said so."

Sighing, Alice stood and followed him out to his desk, where he had arranged a large, ornate stone chess set. Jabberwocky sat at the white, and Alice sullenly took the black. Smiling, Jabberwock moved a pawn forward. Alice moved her own forward, "So… where's March?"

"He went back with some wine. Can only guess he's going to try and sober Hatter up." Jabberwock pushed another pawn up.

Pondering the board, Alice reached for her left knight, but the piece suddenly galloped out of ranks and the small stone horse reared, the man on his back waving a needle of a sword around. Alice gawked, "W-what?"

Muttering, Jabberwocky scowled and pushed the board away as all the other pieces broke out of their positions and began battling, "Never been able to tame this chess set…" He stood, walked over to the doors, and opening it, called, "Guard?"

A black card appeared nearly instantly and saluted, "Yes, sir?"

"Find the Jack of Diamonds and tell him to come here. His chess set's acting up again!"

"Yes, sir!" The card ran to obey.

Jabberwocky closed the door and glanced back at Alice, eyes narrowing, "Are they still fighting?"

Glancing at the chess board, Alice nodded when she saw the black and white pieces hacking, but not doing any damage to each other. "Yes."

Jabberwock stalked back and leaned over the board. Growling, he slammed a hand down in the midst of the battle, "Stop fighting!"

The chess pieces paused, glancing up at the giant who had interrupted their fight. In a loud chorus, they surged away from the Jabberwock's hand in fear. One the knights fell from his horse, and the frightened animal galloped across the board, off onto the table, and danced to a stop by Alice's hand. Alice gazed at it as it stared up at her, "Wow…"

Jabberwocky snatched up the horse and held it upside down, smirking. In his other hand, he held up a struggling black rook. He watched the fight continue with anger lighting his eyes, "I said, stop fighting!"

This time, when the battle paused, the Black King shook a fist at the Jabberwock, his tiny voice shouting angrily, "Why should we listen to you?"

Jabberwock set the horse down and held up the rook, "Because I've got one of yours."
The Black King huffed, "We have dealt with prisoners before. We'll get him back when the battle's finished!"

Snarling, Jabberwock growled, "Are you sure of that?"

Every chess piece cheered, "You have nothing on us, giant!"
Raging, Jabberwocky shoved the rook into his mouth and swallowed, coughing as the stone chessman slid down his throat. He narrowed his eyes and put his hands down on the table, "Now… how many of more of you must I eat before you behave?"

Alice and the chessmen stared at the Jabberwocky in horror. Trembling, the White King called his troops back to their side of the chessboard. The Black King, however, was enraged. Stalking to the side of the board, he glared up at the Jabberwock, "You monster! Give him back!"

Jabberwock lowered his face and spat directly into the King's face, "You expect me just to cough him up? Be thankful I didn't get you! Now, get back on your side!"

"Where is our old giant? The one who allowed us to fight?"
Jabberwocky smirked, "Jack? He gave me this chess set."

"Give us back to him!"

Eyes narrowing, Jabberwocky hissed, "No. Back on your side and I'll give back your rook."
The Black King spat hatefully, but motioned for his troops to go back to their side of the board. The black ranks stationed their selves in the correct spots. Huffing, the Black King sniffed, "The castle boy?"

Jabberwock placed a hand on his stomach and grimaced as he started gagging. Eyes rolling up into his head, he hacked violently, and the rook slammed down onto the table, covered in saliva. The chessman instantly staggered up and stumbled over to his ranks, where his comrades started vigorously wiping away the slime.

Jabberwocky wiped at his mouth, frowning, "I hope you're happy. Now, get back in order."

Alice's eye twitched as she watched the black chess soldiers try to wipe the rook clean. She reached into her pocket, pulled out a handkerchief she had found earlier that day, and handed it to the chessmen, "Here."

The chessmen took the cloth and wrapped the rook in it, who started sneezing violently. The Black King glanced back at Alice and smiled, "Thank you."

Groaning, Jabberwocky huffed, "Are we ever going to finish this game?"

"You ate one of them!" Alice glared at him, "Say sorry!"

Jabberwocky stared at her, confused, "What?"

"Say sorry!"

Flinching, the tyrant glared at her, "I am not going to say sorry!"

Alice leapt up, livid, "You freak! Monster! I never want to play with you again!" Turning, she began to stomp away.

Jabberwocky grabbed her arm, furious, "Don't you dare say that to me!"

Alice tried to wrench her arm out of his grasp, "Why? So you can just lie to yourself that you're the be-"

A knock at the door.

Jabberwocky let her go with a final glare and turned to the door, "Come in."

As the door opened, Alice stalked over to her room and threw herself moodily on her bed. She listened.

The black card was back, saluting, "Sir. I can't find the Jack of Diamonds."

Growling, Jabberwock took a seat and flicked at one of the chessmen, "Where did you look?"
"His room. The halls. The battlements. The-"

Jabberwock waved a hand, frowning, "His room. Was there anyone by his room?"

"Yes, sire. General Hatter met me in the hallway and said he hadn't seen the Jack of Diamonds for a while."

Pondering this information, Jabberwock sighed, "Than bring Hatter. I don't trust him."

"Sir?"

"JUST BRING HIM!"

Silently, Hatter stalked to the center of the room and stiffly saluted to his master, "The guard said you wanted me, sir?"

Jabberwocky clasped his hands together behind his back and eyed his assassin carefully as he paced around him. His eye changed to a brilliant white as he blatantly asked, "Do you know where the Jack of Diamonds is?"

Hatter stared straight ahead as he said in a monotone voice, "No, sir."

Nodding as he saw a lie, Jabberwocky smirked, "Where is he?"

"I don't know, sir."

"You lie!"

Hatter stiffened and inadvertently licked his lips in nervousness, "Why would I-"

Hissing, Jabberwocky glared at Hatter, "Where is he?"

Hatter blinked and fidgeted, "I don't kn-"

"Tell me the truth!"

Taking a deep breath, Hatter braced himself as he stammered, "I-I don't-"

Jabberwocky slammed his hand into Hatter's stomach harshly and growled as the man fell to his knees in pain, "Don't make me torture you, Hatter! Tell me where he is! The truth!"

Gasping, Hatter forced a smile and spat on Jabberwock's boots, "Your precious Jack was bliddy delicious! I just wish I'd done it sooner!"

Jabberwock snarled and kicked Hatter hard in the face, "Just because he told on you? You ate him?"

Growling, Hatter cupped his hands over his nose and snorted out some of the blood, "He's had it coming for a long time!"

Jabberwocky stroked his forehead in agitation, "Okay… okay… I never expected this…" He glared at the Hatter and snarled, "You're grounded, Hatter! No leaving the castle for three months!"

Hatter frowned, eyes widening, "No tea parties?"
"NO! AND WHY DO YOU CALL THEM 'TEA' PARTIES?"

"Just for the sake of tradition."

"Stop saying tea!"

"Tea."
"STOP!"
"Tea."

Jabberwocky kicked Hatter viciously, howling in rage, "You're just trying to annoy me now, you freak!"

Pained and hurting, Hatter met Jabberwock's eyes, "You brought it on yourself!"

Jabberwocky had had it. Grabbing Hatter by the neck, he snarled angrily and began dragging him towards the door.

Hatter scratched at his aggressor's arm, shouting, "What are you doing?"

In her room, Alice stirred, but the closed door muffled the sound enough that it didn't wake her.

Jabberwock slammed the door opened and growled, "You went far enough! I'm taking you back to the whips, Hatter! Then let's see who had it coming!"

Hatter's rebellious attitude instantly faded to desperate fear, "No, sire! Please! I'm sorry! Please not the whips!"

Jabberwocky ignored his pleas, grimly continuing dragging his victim down the hall. Seeing March lounging by the corner, he hissed, "March! If Alice wakes up, entertain her! I'll be back as soon as I beat sense into Hatter here!"

March saluted with a sigh, "Yes, sir."

Hands scrambling at the floor, Hatter howled, "Not the whips! Not the whips!"
Jabberwocky quickened his pace, dragging Hatter along like a broken rag doll.