CH 23

I stood up and held back the tears burning my eyes. Wanting to say something I opened my mouth but nothing came out except "Dad?"

"It's ok Lily. Wow, you've grown up into a beautiful young lady." His features were soft and his voice gentle and smooth.

"H-how are you here?" I managed to get out the words.

"The orb has powerful magic, much too powerful for the Red Queen, but since I was the protector of the orb I managed to store my soul in it incase it was ever needed." He opened up his arms and I ran into them. I could feel him; he wasn't just a ghost or a soul.

"How can I feel you?" Tears were starting to roll down. He looked down at me with a sweet smile.

"Magic. Now what do you plan on doing with this orb?" I looked up at him.

"I guess give it to the Red Queen, she has my friends." Wiping my eyes I sniffled a little.

"You can't just hand it over like that; it will cause more problems than you thought. Trick her, out wit her, she inst the smartest person if you know what I mean." He winked at me awhile I softly giggled. Gently he kissed me on the forehead. "Well I think I am done here, be safe, and no matter what remember I love you, I loved you before you were even born. Tell your mother I am at peace now." I nodded as more tears began to stream down my cheeks. Soon he was gone.

I saw the orb in an opening of the cave and grabbed it. It was a light yellow color and it glowed beautifully. Crawling out of the cave I made my way to angel who was laying next to a pile of dust.

"Oh so you did take care of it." I teased. She softly smiled at me and stood up. "Ok here is the plan." I whispered it into her ear as she took off back to Marmoreal.

Now I had to get back before time ran out. It was already tomorrow and I didn't want to be late. Placing the orb in my jacket, I started running towards the Red Queen's kingdom. Once I arrived, everyone was cleaning up. There was fire and dead around us. I looked over at where they had placed the Bandersnatch but now that was destroyed and cards were investigating it. I made my way up the stairs into the throne room.

"Did I miss a party?" I sarcastically smiled.

"YOUR FRIENDS Is WHAT HAPPENED, AND THAT UM!" Her voice was deadly and it was somewhat scary.

"Well I got the orb." She began to walk towards me with her staff. I pulled the orb back "No," I looked at the snarling creatures around us "I want to join you." She stared at me with wide eyes.

"Hmmm, you want to go against your own mother, why?" Her voice was soft. I nodded.

"Yes, she never told me anything about all this, she even abandoned me in London! Then she hides everything about my father from me." Trying to seem furious at my mom, I crossed my arms and huffed. She slowly began to grin.

"Well alright then. Stayne give her a sword. She is with us." Staye hesitated for a moment, but then gave me a beautiful sword that almost looked like his but it was better. It was silver and on the very end of the handle part and began to slightly turn gold.

"Where did you get this?" I took the sword and scanned it.

"I am not really sure, so many people die you know, and it's hard to keep count." I tried to put on an understanding face. I took the sword and let me hold onto the orb. 'If she can shoot powers out of her staff then I can do that with the sword.' I thought to myself.

"Tomorrow is Frabjous Day. And I don't plan on loosing my crown or my Jabberwacky."

Marmoreal

Mirana sat on her throne. She was trying to think of way to help Lily. It had been two days now since Lily had left and she wasn't even sure if her daughter was even alive anymore. The looking glass didn't see into the Red Queen's Kingdom for some reason. The thought crushed her heart so she tried to think positively. Brandon and Sam were with Tarrant and Mallymken trying to learn sword techniques while Crystal and Tiffany were trying to learn how to use a bow and arrow and James searched for ways to save Lily. Still, the Queen couldn't help but worry about her little Lily especially at the attack from yesterday with a girl. Just then a rather tall girl walked in wearing a dress with red hearts and white and black stripes.

"Welcome to Marmoreal." She softly greeted to the girl.

"Believe this belongs to you." The girl grinned and handed the sword to the Queen. The queen looked at the sword and took it.

"The Vorpal Sword is home again." Mirana took the sword from the girl and placed it with the armor. "The armor is complete. Now all we need…is a champion. You're a little taller than I thought you'd be." The queen led her to the kitchen.

"Your Majesty, I think I found a way to save Lil-" James stopped and stared at the now shrunken girl. "Alice?"

"Hello James." She grinned and hugged Him.

"A-Alice what are y-you doing h-here?" He managed to stutter out. He was in shock this was the last person who would of thought to be here when he was.

"Fell down a hole to come help." She slightly grinned. "A girl named Lily told me what I had to do."

"Lily, you saw Lily, is she alright?" The queen tried to stay calm.

"Well last time I saw her she seemed in one piece, but the sent her to Tulgey Woods." They queen frowned and then gave a soft quick smile. "So what's the plan?"

"You slay the Jabberwacky while Lily takes care of the Queen." James sighed.

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