Entering the hole, it was as though they had stumbled into an entirely different world. Unlike the reoccurring bleak theme Wonderland seemed to sport, the dark room was heavily cluttered with lavish furnishings. All sorts of wondrous trinkets were spilled across the floor, while intoxicating incense burned dimly in the hole. It was difficult to navigate through the sea of furnishings in the weak light, but the 15 year old managed with only slight difficulty.

"Hullo Alice." It was a deep voice that spoke – that of Caterpillar. Face partially illuminated in the faint light, he seemed far better off than anyone else in Wonderland. Unlike the skeleton creatures that were roaming through the land, the Caterpillar actually had some meat on him. His eyes were bloodshot however, with yellowing teeth as he sucked in another breath from his pipe. "And Damian."

"So why is it you never told me you were moving?" the elder teen demanded to know, folding his arms across his chest. "We could have been here hours earlier."

"I didn't get the chance to, boy," the insect replied, blowing out a thick puff of smoke. "Told Cheshire to give word, but he mentioned something about this girl," he explained, pointing his pipe at Alice. "After his skin, yes?"

"He needs to be taught a lesson," Alice said indignantly, fanning away the smoke. The suffocating scents were already giving her a headache.

"And you need to grow a brain," the Caterpillar remarked, inserting the pipe back in his mouth. "The Cheshire cat is most useful; don't make an enemy out of him. He is by far the stealthiest creature in Wonderland, and fastest in relaying information. You must make peace. I may require his assistance in the future, but if you kill him, things won't turn out very pretty."

"Don't give me that. There's sure to be another-"

"You're in need of direction, are you not? So you come to me seeking information. But if you do not listen to me, it's all very useless," the caterpillar pointed out, drawing the tip of his pipe away from his lips. "Now, what is it you wish to discuss first?"

"Well-er-" she blinked, pulling her hair away from her face. She had so many questions swimming her around her head, but now that it was time to ask, she couldn't fish up one.

"How can we get to the Queen?" Damian asked from behind.

"Ah, the Queen," a serious expression was spread across his face as he set his pipe down against the rock he had been leaning on. "She will be most difficult to reach. She's got hundreds of guards combing the land in search of you," he said, peering down at Alice. "You must lay low. Try and avoid conflict whenever possible. Only kill when it's absolutely necessary," he advised, tapping a thick finger against the rock.

"But the Cheshire, he gave me the impression that I'm to kill everyone," she paused. "Including you."

"He does not deceive you," the Caterpillar assured, ignoring Damian's puzzled expression. "But you've got to be wise about it. Just think, what good would it do to kill all your allies off first? Only kill when you've squeezed every last bit of usefulness from your victim first," he said, picking up his pipe again. "Which, naturally, is why I won't be giving all you need to know in one sitting."

The femme frowned, eyeing the caterpillar suspiciously. "And the Lost children?"

"Leave them, they are not your creations," he replied simply, rolling his stick between two fingers.

"But why-"

"Wonderland is a precious place, Alice. I'm sure you're well aware of that. It was home. A place for you to question and learn about life, to discover your true identity, and accept responsibility," he reminded, gently placing the tip of his pipe on his thick tongue.

"And what business does anyone else have with it?" she asked crossly.

"Every child has their own version of Wonderland. Different in design, but the purpose still the same," he explained, deeply inhaling the heavy fumes. "Now listen here – you were not allowed back because you had finally understood reason. Reason why the world is what it is. Why things are what they are. Why people react how they do. Why you believe what you do. Wonderland no longer served any purpose. When your parents perished, however, you let go of all reason. You were in need of guidance. Now take time to relearn."

"You still haven't-"

"I'm getting there," the Caterpillar cut off. Shaking her head, she waited for him to go on. "Listen girl, despite what anyone here may tell you, you're not responsible for your parents death," he said shortly, rolling his pipe around his tongue.

Alice looked stunned. She had been thoroughly convinced that it was her fault for their death, but now he stated otherwise. "If this is some kind of hoax to make me feel better…save it," she said bitterly, hanging her head. "Lies don't help any," she muttered, staring at a glinting bottle of beer.

"It's your guilty conscious that is destroying Wonderland. To be the sole survivor of such an event, leave quite an imprint. You deceive yourself. Those ill wishes are natural and understandable emotions any child would have toward their parents. It's not easy to have your life suddenly torn in two. The pain was still fresh, and you hadn't had enough time to accept and forgive your parents when they died. It is cruel fate for them to perish when their last memories of you is you shouting out how much you despise them. With no one to talk to and reason with, you concocted this idea of you condemning them to death. That is all false Alice, you must remember this. The Queen's power feeds on this idea and you must learn to wholeheartedly reject it. If you second guess and self doubt, we're all doomed," he said sternly, pulling his pipe out.

Alice looked up, a questioning look drawn on her face. She wanted to believe this was true…but how could she? She did wish for her parents demise…and it wasn't long after until they reached their end. "But the Cheshire cat...he…"

"He is toying with you. What he said, it was but a fib," the Caterpillar assured, blowing out another puff of smoke.

"But I saw him! In the fire – I saw him!" she protested. "He told me they where going to die and-"

"Alice, every creature in Wonderland serves a purpose. Cleverly designed to show you what is what. The way they act and behave is derived by you," he said, leaning forward towards the femme. "They all represent some aspect about you, and your life." The Caterpillar was stretched over his rock, his face brought directly in front of hers. Crimson eyes glinting in the pale light, and reeking heavily of tobacco, the 15 year old stepped back, repulsed. "The Cheshire cat, he is part of your consciousness – the side you wish to ignore and forget. You despise him so because he only confirms those haunting ideas you want to deny. Such as with the fire." He sprung back, standing tall on his rock. "The Queen, she is your vengeful side. She derives her thirst for blood form you, Alice. It is your burning desire for revenge that is causing much of Wonderland's suffering. Your pain, still bitterly strong, torments every part of your soul. You've gone made child, and unless you destroy every mutilated image you've created, you'll always be."

"Shut up!" her words even caught herself by surprise.

"Truth hurts, but if you plan to win this battle, you must learn to swallow down bitter reality."

"Caterpillar…" she sunk to her knees trying to digest the information. It was so much to handle in one gulp. She felt so broken inside, the jagged shards ripping, eating away at her…and this Wonderland, this hell hole she alone had concocted was a mirror of her own twisted soul. Not a shred of happiness existed, it was as if no such thing existed…no one could stand such a place. No one could comprehend what went so wrong with this child…how could anyone understand? But now Henry would know. Know what kind of sick-minded monster she was. And what would he think? It was a horrific thought. "…Is there really any point to go on?" she asked, feeling her voice crack. "Caterpillar, why must I suffer?" Her body was shaking uncontrollably. "Can't I just end it? End it now?" She was trying hard not to break down, to fall and crumble, break into tears. "Caterpillar…why is it that I can never do anything right?" Her body quaked as she wrapped silky arms tightly around her. She didn't want to take it anymore…

Right when she was about to give in, she suddenly felt a soft, gentle touch on her shoulder. A comforting hand. She had forgotten Damian was there.

"Now is not the time to fall apart," the insect said firmly, popping his pipe back in his mouth. "You must be strong, more painful times await." Blood shot eyes met with despairing green ones. "Killing yourself would be a very selfish thing to do. For your death does not signify Wonderlands. We live on, while Lost children remain, and more pour in."

Damian's grip tightened on her shoulder. Shuddering the 15 year old drew herself up from the floor. It wasn't fair. Even dead, she would still cause suffering…

"We've wasted far to much time now. Any further questions can be answered later," the Caterpillar concluded, climbing down from his rock. "Your focus is to penetrate through the Queen's fortress. However, it's sealed tight, and the only way to break through is with Jabberwock's staff. An item, predictably, that we do not posses." He was fishing through an overly stuffed box, holding each item to the dim light before tossing it aside. "It's in pieces however, and each piece is scattered across Wonderland. Your job will be to locate each piece." He finally found what he was looking for – a curious looking piece of metal. Evidently, it was a piece of the staff. "I've obtained only one of the missing seven. When you've collected the rest, I'll have Cheshire let you know where I'm at. We'll then proceed from there. Now go on, Cheshire will be outside."

Alice merely nodded, as Damian steered here towards the entrance.

"Wait here boy!" Damian turned, looking clearly surprised. "I need a moment, go on Alice."

Wrapped in her own thoughts, the femmora didn't seem to mind, and left without a word. "Did you have a question?" The insect inquired, peering down at the boy.

"Er-" The blonde stuttered, needing a moment to think. He had tried to say something earlier, but the Caterpillar never gave him the chance to speak. He was surprised the Caterpillar had even noticed; the Caterpillar had seemed so tangled up in the conversation with Alice, it looked as though his presence was completely forgotten. "About the prophecy-"

"Hopefully it will prove true," the Caterpillar quickly answered with the wave of his hand.

"Hopefully?" Damian questioned, raising a golden eyebrow. "Isn't it…?"

"Don't get your hopes up so high. I made it up," the Caterpillar said flatly.

Damian blinked. "Made it…up…?"

"Don't act stupid," he snapped, plugging the pipe back in his mouth. "Needed to give Wonderland some hope."

"But, that's not right!" Damian argued, news clearly upsetting him. "If she fails then I can never-"

"Life isn't fair boy. Now go."