Title: Arýza
Rated for:Language, mentions of abuse, sex, insanity
Genre:Angst, Hurt, Adventure, Suspense
Fandom/Universe: America McGee's Alice / Supernatural
Characters: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester and OC's.
Pairings: Dean/OC, OC/Hatter, OC/Cheshire Cat
Spoilers/Warning: We will be moving from S4 to S5 and maybe there will be spoilers then, not sure.
Disclaimer:Supernatural and all related characters are copyright Eric Kripke, Kripke Enterprises & The CW Network. Alice belongs to American McGee, EA and Rogue Entertainment. No infringement intended.
Summary: There is a purpose and a reason for everything…She was never just a girl, not when the angels watched over her and Underland was in her blood.
Status: In-progress
Ω
Bobby sits in his empty house, guts churning with nerves. He works as best he can; answering the endless calls for information- he needs to keep busy what with the shit that's gone down lately. He's got no explanation for the screw up in the panic room. No reason it should have opened for him and really, neither of them thought the boy was in any condition to bust himself out … Sam is gone. That boy…
There's a bottle of scotch on the table and the glass is half empty now.
Sam has been different- all those months on his own after Dean went to hell. And Bobby feels guilty. It's not his fault- hell, either of them, Dean or Sam, couldn't be found if they didn't want to be found. But Bobby knows he should've done more to stay in touch with Sam … maybe it wouldn't have made a difference … maybe that demon whore would've sunk her claws into Sam anyway … but what if…?
Aint that the fucking twist?
That demon… the blood addiction and using- those are the facts now, the reality they're working on now. Bobby just doesn't know how to help them; those boys he's seen grow into the men they've become. And he thinks, 'If John where here to see them now…' But what's the point when the likely scenario-anyway its starts- ends the same. With John tearing the boys a new one and really … Bobby's got some part of that too.
Bobby never wanted children and right now…well, right now he's bashing himself for not being good enough even as a stand in considering this mess.
He waits for Dean to call, to say he's found Sam and hopes to God it's all worked out, to some extent at least.
Is it as hopeless as Bobby thinks?
He just can't see it. Where did it all get so off the rails?
Ω
It's a chessboard.
White pieces stand tall- huge marble statues of pawns, knights, rooks… its all there. Each with such careful detail andCheshiregrins wide.
"This is way weird." To fight a war on a chessboard but then she thinks of all the lives that would be spared if the dumb nuts in government would think of something similar to avoid spending obscene amounts of cash on bombs and guns and tanks and all those other' toys' they just had to have in order to blow up the other guys. At least the Romans had it right, sort of though this government wasn't going to get in the arena and fight to the death just to spare the dumb kids enlisting in the armed forces. Each of them ready to die for a president that couldn't give a shit about anything other than money.
"The same rules apply. One move per piece at a time." It's the ump-teenth reminder and standing this close to the boardCheshirecan see her hesitation.
"You know how to play, Arýza." She's proven that much to him with the games he's lost to her. "This isn't the first time the Un-Alice has come."
All the others, the girls before Arýza; each one has come up before the RedKing and more times than not they've killed the monster twisting their home to his image.
"Great," Arýza breathes, silver-green eyes skipping over the huge chessboard. "Then I can go home…" she tries weakly and sees no answering grin in return to her words. "Ok, I can do this. Check-mate, that's all."
It's a chessboard, all the pieces are there so…
"Kill him, Arýza." Cat's hand cups her cheek and the rainbow eyes stare into hers. "This isn't a game."
Her breath catches and for a moment she feels the desperate need to turn and run. Flight or fight only this time she has to stay and fight.
'Do this and I go home. Everything is ok- back to how it's supposed to be.'
At least in Underland.
The ground trembles and thunder sounds. Arýza looks to the clear sky and absently wonders at how the sun shines brightly on such a day when death is certain.
Cheshirefinds the HeartGuards marching towards them, a dozen bleeding hearts and at their head is Knave.
"That," Arýza slowly shakes her head, feels her hands numb and just knows this won't be easy. "That is so not good. Right?" she looks to Cat and sees the bared fangs and hears the growl. His hair is puffed up and funny as that might seem Arýza doesn't feel like laughing. "Cat."
Cheshiretakes a blade from his back and hands it to Arýza. She is surprised, emits a soft squeak of alarm that draws Cat's attention for a second and she blushes, embarrassed.
"Take their heads." It's the only warning he gives as the HeartGuards close in and form a wall barring them from the chessboard.
Ω
He's tempted.
For a second he thinks; 'Why not?'
Before he realizes, there's a cheeseburger in his hand.
That easy.
And its only food.
How much harder has it been for Sam?
Dean drops the greasy heart attack and turns away.
The room he's being 'asked' to wait in while the world goes to shit and his little brother is out there … it's a fancy room. All white and gold with heavy furniture… what the hell do they think he is? It's not comfortable at all and they could've saved themselves the trouble. How hard was it to put him in a bar, some pool tables and a cold beer…
Dean snorts derisively at the thought of everything the angels are doing to jump start the apocalypse. And somehow, no matter how many times Dean tried to ignore it, it's just…it always comes back to Sam.
Sam's 'ordeal' and here Dean snorts because really? An ordeal? Dean was in HELL. Thirty years of torture, of being cut to ribbons day after day after day after endless fucking day- thirty years. 10957 days before Dean couldn't take it anymore, before he couldn't stand the thought of more pain, before he got off the damn rack and took up the torturers mantle. Thirty years…
The demons got what they wanted, so yeah. Dean carries that with him, what he's done but Sam? Why can't Sam see it?
"Right, that's right, I forgot. The angels think it's you. You can't. You're not strong enough. I'm doing what needs to be done. You don't know me. You never did. And you never will."
His words. Sam's...
No one could come back from Hell and just go about their daily routine just like before, like nothing was different. It's Hell.
Dean can still feel it, that stain- the black mark on his soul he can never erase or ignore. It's there…
He drinks because it numbs the pain, and drinks some more to find oblivion, just so he doesn't have to hear their screams and the crying, always begging him to stop, for mercy, not to cut them anymore… Most days it still feels like Hell.
Dean has tried so hard to fake normalcy- as much as their normal is and Sam has been lying, sneaking around with Ruby. All this time…
'How…?'
How can Sam choose a demon over him?
That's what hurts.
They're brothers.
Dean thought he knew Sam, better than he knows himself… Sam is the one person above all others he has always trusted, no question, no doubts.
They're all they have left…
Sam is all Dean has left of their screwed up family.
It's always about Sam.
Ω
"Go!"
When Arýza hesitates to leave his side Cat makes a quick swipe across with his knife and turns. He runs, grabs her wrist and pulls her along and the Cards head thumps onto the grass behind them.
She follows without choice, pushes Cat when a lance swipes at their heads and throws the blade he gave her a grin, so far she's fought at his side and it's a start. She hasn't run away yet and he doesn't see it happening now.
They leap over the short fence bordering the chessboard. She feels the vibration a moment after her feet touch the marble.
All over the board, pieces come to life and the ground trembles violently. Cat helps Arýza keep upright and doesn't stop until he's reached their square.
She looks in amazement at the huge Pawns shaking off dust and vines, each moving a square at a time to their correct places. Both castles; tall white marble pillars flank Rooks and Knights and Arýza notices there is only one.
"Cat-." She gasps, feels the cool caress of something on her legs and finds a shimmering myst rising up to her knees. She moves to step out of the square when Cat grabs her wrist.
"Be still."
"But we're-."
"Being properly attired." His grin flashes quick as the myst shifts to shape itself over his body. He's all white from the neck down. A form fitting suit and for the first time since arriving in Underland Arýza can seeCheshire. He is a thing of beauty, blue-black hair blowing with a gentle breeze and the glint of silver from the small hoops in his ear. The hilts of various knives shine silver from his waist and torso and from the top of his boots and along the seam of his pants. His arms are bare and the black marks shimmer on his tinted skin. He moves into a crouch, ready to spring at his prey, tail twitching in anticipation, eyes focused on the red pieces settling in across the board.
They're in the Knights square.
'We are the Knight.'
Arýza glances at herself; the torn stockings and blue dress are gone. She isn't sorry to see them go and finds herself clothed in the same shimmer of myst. It takes longer to mold itself but when it does the suit is so light she can barely feel it on her skin. Arýza lifts a hand, fingers skimming over the sleeve and it ripples lightly much to her amazement. She tentatively touches her head, fingers tracing the pattern on the combs holding it away from her face and then draws the end of her braid over her shoulder. Both hands skim over her torso amazed by the airy feel of the suit and her pendant glints gold in the setting sun. She presses a palm over it, silvery-green eyes staring across the board.
"Kill the RedKing."
Ω
Why doesn't he ever listen?
Why can't he hear?
"SAM!"
The doors slam shut on the fucking smirk, the fucking self-satisfied, smug little smirk he wants to wipe off her goddamn face and no matter how fast he tries to run, Dean won't reach his brother in time.
He tries so hard, always…
"SAM!"
He grabs the statue and rams the doors. He doesn't stop yelling at his brother, keeps telling him over and over how this is what they want. Both sides, angels and demons. He begs Sam not to do it, just stop and the statue breaks. There's plenty of it left to keep ramming at the doors so Dean doesn't stop.
He can't.
He has to stop Sam, has to make this right somehow.
They're brothers…
Ω
"You can't win!"
Arýza ducks the strike at her head, pushed back from Stayne asCheshireslashes at his face. She stumbles on the remains of a white pawn littering the square they've claimed. The entire chessboard is littered with red and white remains and her eyes catch sight of the RedKing hacking at her Rook.
"You're in the way."Cheshirenotes of the Knave and his knives leave five gashes on the armor while Arýza comes up, her lance slicing across his pale face. The Knave howls, hand on his bleeding wound while Cat and Arýza kick. The blow knocks Stayne down; he glides out of his square thanks to his armor.
They run to the next square, the red pawn still occupying it crumbles leaving nothing but rocks for Arýza and Cat to jump over. Two more squares and then they reach the RedKing.
"Check." Cat calls flashing his ever present grin and this is all kinds of fun now that Arýza has come.
"You can't kill me." The RedKing states, his laughter echoing from the horned helmet, the heavy sword striking downward and then across.
"Kill him!" Cat orders, lunges towards the tall figure but his knives only find impenetrable armor. With a kick the RedKing sends Cat rolling behind Arýza's feet. She feels the heavy blow reverberate from her lance into her arms and almost drops her weapon.
"You've come unprepared." The RedKing gloats shoving Arýza back. She stumbles but lunges towards him again, lance jabbing at his head.
"You're dead."
The RedKing laughs at her threat, easily fends off the next couple of strikes while Cat gains his feet once more.
"You don't have it, littleAlice. How do you expect to win?" his sword comes down on her lance, the crack is loud and she's left with two pieces.
"Her name,"Cheshiregrowls, knives glinting bright as he attacks. "Is Arýza!"
She follows Cat's shape, watches each attack repelled by the RedKing and the sword cuts into the white suit. Her heart beats as loud as the clang of metal and crumbling marble and Cat's suit sports too many red roses…
"Kill him, Arýza!"
She grips both pieces of her lance, each tipped with a sharp blade and she throws the first one. Arýza watches its slow path towards the red armor, the point glinting golden in the fading light before she runs forward.
The RedKing's sword deflects the flying spear andCheshiretakes the opening. His knives finally find a home, the leather just under the raised arm and the second slices lightly across the bared skin on the King's neck.
That filthy animal has drawn blood. This growling beast clawing at his back and the RedKing is done toying with either of them.
Cat grapples with the RedKing, grabs at a horn and pulls just as the King bends forward. There's a screech of metal, the angry bellow from the King andCheshiresomehow manages to land on all fours instead of his back.
Arýza, spear in hand, attacks; the point aimed for the dark head.
This is the end.
"Kill the RedKing and you can go home."
Cheshireflings the helm aside; another set of knives in hand. The sword swings around, the blade deflects the spear and the gold eyes flash molten while the back of his hand catches Arýza.
She feels the flare of pain, blinks the fuzzy ground into focus and there's tiny clusters of red over her hand and on the square. She spits more blood on the white marble...
Cheshireleaps over Arýza, engages the King and snarls at the laughing face.
'Sam.'
The echo in her head is loud and she sees him again. He's there in her house, the fire dancing along the ceiling, licking up the walls… He was happy. He took her world and burned it all down and he enjoyed it.
"Sam…"
How could she forget that?
"Rýza!"
How could she forget the pain?
"Rýz!"
It's his mark she bears- that faded scar on her shoulder… how could she forget?
The RedKing brings the spear acrossCheshire's head with a satisfying thwak and repeats the motion. Finally, the animal is on all fours, as it should be and places the tip of his sword on its neck.
"You loose."
"You'll die."Cheshirepromises. He sees Arýza getting up, her small hand reaching for the broken piece of her spear.
"She doesn't have the Vorpal blade. She can't kill me." The RedKing gloats. It's been lost and even he cannot find it.
Arýza finds Cat on the ground, the RedKing's blade resting on his neck and the broken piece of her spear in his other hand. The rainbow eyes meet hers, for a moment it's as though her lungs have been squeezed tight and she can't get a breath. Everything happens so fast; Cat swipes a clawed hand at the RedKing and rolls out of the swords reach. She watches, held in place by some invisible hand as the RedKing throws her broken spear and the tip finds its mark.
"Kill him." He tries to tell her again, tries to get the words past his lips and finds it impossible. How many times has this happened now? Too many forCheshire to remember and even if cats have nine lives this time it's different.
"CAT!"
The RedKing laughs, huge grin on his face while blood spreads out from the wound onCheshire's chest. The grin is quickly wiped away as the Un-Alice slashes at his face. He brings the sword around, both clash, metal rings but she is weaker and now alone. There is no threat and there is no Vorpal blade. Underland is his and more will come once the Un-Alice is dealt with.
"DIE!" she screams it over and over but can't find an opening and behind her Cat is bleeding. "FUCKING DIE!" there's no turning back, no more running. He's taken everything… Arýza screams, all her pain, the rage and fear poured into the breath flowing out of her. It doesn't stop the RedKing's blade from cutting the remains of her spear and all she has left is a stick. She throws the stub at him, lunges the short distance making his sword useless in such close quarters. Small fists pound on him, clang on his armor and through the pain she thinks of Sam.
Sam, the Sam that Dean would do anything for. The Sam she has seen day in and day out for the past five months. The Sam that has been nothing but kind and sweet to her. The Sam who's done about everything just to get her to talk because 'it's healthy' and that's just the kind of guy Sam is.
This, this thing is not that Sam… but it's the same face and the same voice and its here.
"You are weak." He knocks her down- as easy as swatting a fly and he likes how it feels. "You know you're not strong enough." He drops his sword to show he doesn't need it to kill her and approaches Underland's latest champion slowly. "You can never get rid of me."
Arýza can barely see the RedKing through her tears. Beside her, Cat lies with her spear through his chest. There's a pool of blood spreading out on the marble square they all share. All the chess pieces have stopped hacking at each other and the silence is loud.
"Cat?"
Cheshire feels her touch at his side; light, hesitant and for a moment he thinks the frightened girl is back.
"That animal-."
"You've taken everything!" Arýza has Cat's knives, it seems fitting. All of Underland has heard the great battle on the chessboard, they've seen the Un-Alice at Hatter's tea party and they've watched her fight for them. The chess pieces- red and white, are witness to the strange event taking place on the white square. The RedKing has Arýza, hand at her throat and feet a foot off the ground. All at once the white suit becomes smoke and she along with it. In a matter of seconds they are both gone, Arýza andCheshireno more than myst blown away by the soft breeze.
Ω
Bobby gets a call from the boys. The idjits are still alive, for that he is grateful.
They failed, Lilith is dead and the last seal is broken; Lucifer has been set loose.
Bobby wipes both hands down his face tiredly.
"What else can go wrong?" he wonders out loud. The big house is silent and he doesn't feel the light tremble as the house shakes. It's the soft echo of crying that makes the hair on the back of his neck rise. Bobby jerks out of his chair, grabs his shotgun and quietly prowls through the ground floor with an ear cocked for the origin of the crying. He reaches the stairs leading to the second floor and pauses. The crying is clearer and he starts up, one foot carefully set on the stair before trying another until he is at the top. There's several doors to pick from, all of them closed and he listens at each one before moving on. The last door- the one leading to the attic is locked and he has to fish for the key. It creaks as he pulls it open and Bobby flinches but the crying hasn't stopped. He listens for a moment, still slightly apprehensive of what he's going to find up there, who ever it is cries as though they've lost it all.
'The end of the world is here.'
Bobby starts up the narrow staircase, slowly so his eyes have time to adjust to the dark. There's a light bulb hung in the middle of the ceiling he ignores and squints to see a path through the junk he's stashed and forgotten. With his next step the board creaks and the crying stops. Bobby curses inwardly and listens as who ever is in the dark sniffles. He can hear something moving– the scrape of metal and cocks the shotgun.
"Who's there?" he barks, scowling into the dark and finally reaches for the switch on the wall next to him for the light. The bulb sends a feeble glow into the space that pushes the shadows into the corners of the attic but the mirror the boys carefully set against some trunks reflects it onto the dark haired girl kneeling in the dusty floor.
Silvery-green eyes stare back and Bobby is surprised.
"Arýza."
The sound of his familiar voice is enough to get her started again. She cries, shoulders shaking and stares at her hands stained red and clutching the silver knives.
"I'm sorry." She says through tears as Bobby approaches her. He puts the shotgun down and pats her back while reaching for the knives. She has a streak of blood on her cheek, more in her loose hair…
"Hush," he says. "You're home now. Everything will be fine." He assures gently.
But Arýza knows nothing will ever be 'fine'.
Ω
"No one understands. Not one of you, and what have I ever done?"
"I don't lie- I never lie because I don't have to…"
"…they've punished you…"
"Whatever you do, you will always end up here."
"…what you still have to do...such a burden…"
He smiles and the gold eyes flash molten in the darkness.
"I win."
Ω
AN: Ok this is done and next chapter is ready as well, just needs a little hot 'romance' to finish it off.