The Battle Begins
The White Rabbit quickly visited the entirety of Wonderland. She knew the fastest way to get everywhere and exactly where all the inhabitants were at that exact moment. One by one she delivered her message of the coronation, "Insisting" that they attend. Once she had visited one and all, she sped back to Dementiva's castle. Arriving in her bedchambers she saw the sorceress, in a dress of late afternoon depiction, attempting to brush her wild locks.
"All those in Wonderland have been invited to your coronation."
Dementiva squealed, "Oh lovely. I look forward to seeing my loyal subjects and informing them of all the changes I make."
The White Rabbit allowed a glint into her eyes, "And what are we to do with the Red Queen?"
Dementiva reflected the glint in her own eyes. "We shall see just where her loyalties truly lie won't we."
The Rabbit bowed smiling, "Very good my lady." she left the room in search of something to do.
The White Queen's army marched, pressed on by the four Care Bears and Fauna, all of whom were out in front, none of them wanting to arrive late to the battle and each with their own thoughts on their mind. Could Swift Heat be saved, could they defeat Dementiva, Valiant wondering if his training was enough, Snowy and Loyal Heart hoping their new powers would hold up, Fauna angry and sad and frustrated at not being able to save her sister, and Grumpy Bear wishing he'd told Swift Heart how he felt before all of this started. None of them spoke but they knew what they others were thinking of.
The White Queen was just behind them, though she could do no harm she had to be present in order to show her support for her people, but even she knew the five in front would never be deterred so long as their friend's life was at stake.
Fauna and Grumpy walked side by side. She glanced often at the Care Bear who had meant so much to her growing up. Sure the others had been there for her and loved her, but she knew he loved her a little more...just as he loved Swift Heart more than anyone.
"It has to be you Grumpy."
He looked up at her confused, "What has to be me?"
"You're the key to saving Swift Heart. You know her better then anyone and want her back more then any of us, so you are the one who is going to save her."
Fauna's words filled him with hope and eased the aching in his heart. "I sure hope so."
Valiant Heart smiled and spoke up, "Don't worry about the enemy, I'll take you right to Swift Heart, and we'll keep Dementiva and her forces busy."
"Fear not, for we stand at your side," Loyal Heart said, giving a thumbs up.
"You just focus on saving the one you love, and we shall handle the rest," Snowy Heart added, nodding. Fauna stomped in agreement, before letting out a battle whinny that carried the length of the troops.
After an hour long march they came to the front steps of the Palace Dementiva had been living in. Close by stood the Mad Hatter, March Hare, Molly the Doormouse, the twins Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb, and an assortment of other characters they didn't recognize. The White Rabbit, Red Queen, Shatter Heart, and Blade Star stood on the platform built at the top of the stairs.
Valiant Heart gritted his teeth, and gripped Grumpy's shoulder, "Ready?" he asked the blue bear.
He got his tummy symbol glowing, "Absolutely."
"Good," Valiant Heart and Grumpy both vanished as Valiant Heart used a flash step to carry them away. Loyal Heart conjured a sword and a flail while Snowy created his bow.
"We should be prepared for anything," Loyal Heart said.
Valiant Heart and Grumpy Bear appeared up on the platform. Valiant spotted Dementiva immediately and gritted his teeth.
"I'm guessing that you're Dementiva," he said angrily, "the one who turned our friend Swift Heart into your own personal servant!"
"That I am. I'm so glad you made it for my coronation but I must ask that you return to the audience." She smiled down at them while pointing off the platform.
Grumpy took a step towards the White Rabbit, "Not without her."
She in turn stepped away from him, "I have no desire to go with you."
Dementiva smiled wider, "There you see. Problem solved."
Shatter Heart and Blade Star stepped forwards, both drawing their swords, "You heard the ladies," Shatter Heart said.
"I don't know how you survived, but I can remedy that if you wish," Blade Star said, pulling up her mask and hood. But Valiant wasn't about to deal with them. He shot forwards, roughly grabbing Blade Star by her clothing, then turned and hurled her towards the White Queen's army in a single movement.
"I don't have time for you!" he shouted. Shatter Heart tried to charge him, but Valiant sidestepped and pushed him down the steps. Shatter Heart managed to get back up at the bottom as Blade Star landed next to her, with the help of her powers.
"Guess we'll deal with the others then," Blade Star said, turning to face Loyal, Snowy, and Fauna.
Valiant turned back to Dementiva, his eyes blazing, "You corrupted her! Robbed her of everything that was dear to her and all her friends and family! And," he drew his sword which suddenly released itself into its broadsword released form without a command, "you're trying to use our friend to take over this world! I'm not going to let you do that!" He raised his sword and dashed at Dementiva, swinging down hard at her with the electrified blade.
She stepped casually to the side, yawning in the process. "I guess this will have to wait. White Rabbit, summon the Jabberwocky."
The Rabbit smiled, "As you wish." About to dash away, she felt someone grip her arm. Looking over her shoulder and up into Grumpy's eyes she frowned, "Get off me!"
"Come on Swift Heart you have to remember me."
"I don't have time for this." Hoping to loose him along the way, she dashed into the castle behind them to the western tower and struck a giant gong. However Grumpy held tight to her, determined not to give up. As soon as the gong finished ringing, a mighty roar split the air as a black dragon like creature landed between the two armies.
Fauna grinned, "He's mine." Shifting into a dragon form herself she roared a challenge at the Jabberwocky.
Valiant turned back to Dementiva, "I guess you're stronger than I thought, but I'm still going to destroy you," he lifted his sword and swung down.
"RENSEI TOKKAN!" he shouted sending the drill shaped lightning spiral at the sorceress.
She yelled some words in a foreign tongue and huge black, red, and white vines erupted from the earth to block Valiant's attack. "You fool, all of Wonderland is at my command." Pointing at him, she sent the vines in his direction.
Valiant Heart sliced at the vines several times, but was hit hard by the rest. He stood panting and grinned, "Darn, I was hoping I could beat you with just this, but I guess you're too strong for just Shikai."
She ran a hand through her hair, "I don't know what you are talking about but I am too strong for anything you plan on dishing out."
Down on the Ground, Shatter Heart Bear and Blade Star Bear had come face to face with Loyal Heart Dog and Snowy Heart Fox.
"Looks like we get the privilege of disposing of you," Blade Star said, cooling, conjuring several of her shuriken.
"The Jabberwocky will make mincemeat out of your shape shifter friend," Shatter Heart said gleefully, "and I don't want to guess at what horrible fate Dementiva will have for the other two."
"Do not presume too much," Loyal Heart said, "Valiant is stronger than he seems, but for now, we battle!" Loyal Heart charged and locked his sword with Shatter Hearts and swung at his head with the flail in his left hand. Shatter Heart dodged back as Blade Star threw her shuriken at Loyal Heart, only for them to be shattered by several rapidly fired and well placed arrows from Snowy's bow.
Back up on the platform, Valiant Heart placed his sword on his back, where is suddenly stuck somehow, and raised his arms, "We'll see about that, Dementiva," he said. Energy started to gather, flowing around Valiant Heart like a current. Even Dementiva blinked as she felt the strange energy the Wolverine was channeling, it was like nothing she'd ever felt before. Valiant grinned and the shouted one word.
"BANKAI!" and the energy suddenly exploded outwards, obscuring Dementiva's views of the wolverine but not her other senses as his energy suddenly increased many times over. Dementiva's hair stuck straight out as she felt the power brewing around the wolverine. Even though she couldn't see him anymore, she knew something major was coming. She quickly created a bubble of chaos magic around herself.
Valiant Heart smiled as the smoke cleared and his form was exposed. His body was now covered in organic looking metal armor through which lightning flowed as a current, around and through, seeming to dance around his body. The hilt of the sword on his back had sprouted bat like wings which also were electrified. Valiant's face was visible and he looked up at Dementiva.
"Alastor Akuma de Raitonigu," he stated, "this, Dementiva is my Bankai, the truest form and greatest strength of my Zanpakuto. And now!" he crouched, "For everything you done, I'll make you pay!" he charged, slamming straight through the chaos shield and knocking Dementiva back several feet while sending a potent shock through her.
"How do you like me now?" he asked, mockingly.
The sorceress sat up, silver eyes flaming, hair going mad, "Even less then I did before." Digging her hands into the soil underneath her, she began to suck power from it. Pulling her hands out she formed the magic into a creature with a knight's body, lizard's head, and Jub Jub bird's wings. It was carrying a two headed battle axe. "See if you can fair as well against my Wonder Knight."
"Very well, I accept!" Valiant said, charging at the creature.
And so battle was joined, Fauna the shape shifting Pegasus fought with the Jabberwocky, Loyal Heart and Snowy Heart fought two on two with the evil bears Shatter Heart and Blade Star, and Valiant used the new power of his Bankai to attempt to defeat the evil sorceress who had cause everything. But perhaps the greatest and most difficult of these battles was taking place inside the castle, as Grumpy Bear began a battle of emotions and wills to save Swift Heart Rabbit from the fate of being the White Rabbit forever.
The Red Queen ordered her red knights to the battle and as they clashed with the White Queen's white knights, the final battle for Wonderland had begun!