The morning sun crept shyly over Wonderland, casting hues of lavender and gold across the land. Within the White Queen's grand hall, the light poured through stained-glass windows, scattering patterns of color over the assembled crowd. A murmur of curiosity and unease filled the air as subjects gathered once more—creatures of all shapes and eccentricities, from the Flamingo and the Mock Turtle to the ever-gloomy Sheep. The Queen, regal and composed, stood at the head of the room, her silver crown reflecting the morning glow.
"All are accounted for, my Queen," a tall, spindly servant announced, his voice thin and trembling as he surveyed the room. "Save for…"
"Save for what?" the White Queen prompted gently, though her tone carried an unmistakable weight.
The servant glanced around nervously, as though afraid of speaking the truth aloud. "The Mad Hatter… and the White Rabbit, Your Majesty."
The murmurs grew louder, a ripple of worry spreading among the Queen's subjects. The Sheep bleated softly, shifting uncomfortably where it stood. "The Hatter… gone? Well, now, that's no surprise, is it?"
The White Queen raised a hand, and the room fell silent at once. Her serene expression remained steady, though there was a subtle crease of concern in her brow. "Missing?" she asked calmly, her voice carrying across the hall. "When were they last seen?"
The March Hare stepped forward, wringing his paws together nervously. "Well, Hatter was muttering something about teapots and plans last night… typical Hatter nonsense, I thought! He's always going on about some harebrained scheme or another."
"And the White Rabbit?" the Queen pressed, her gaze sweeping the crowd.
The March Hare's ears twitched, and his voice dropped into a nervous mumble. "He was fretting about time, as usual. But, um… I haven't seen either of them since then."
The Flamingo piped up, flapping its bright pink wings for attention. "It's clear as day, isn't it? They've run off together! Off chasing more riddles, more trouble."
"No," the March Hare muttered darkly, shaking its shaggy head. "It's not like them. The Rabbit is too proper, too nervous to disappear. And the Hatter—"
"—the Hatter wouldn't leave without saying something," the Queen finished softly, her tone more thoughtful than accusatory. "For all his chaos, there is purpose in what he does."
A low, uneasy silence followed. The Mock Turtle sniffled loudly, breaking the quiet. "What if… what if it's the darkness?"
The words hung in the air like smoke, heavy and ominous. The subjects glanced nervously at one another, some exchanging murmurs of fear.
"The darkness…" the Flamingo repeated in a whisper, its feathers shivering.
The White Queen's eyes narrowed, her tone commanding as she spoke. "Enough. We do not yet know why they are missing or where they may have gone, but I will not allow panic to take hold." She straightened, her posture firm as she addressed the crowd. "Our task remains: we must investigate the new threat reported by the Sheep. But now, we must also find the Hatter and the White Rabbit."
Just as the White Queen finished her retort, the double doors of the hall creaked open. A hulking figure stepped inside, clad in polished red armor and shaped like the spade from a deck of cards. The Card Guard strode forward with a stiff, mechanical precision, its face impassive beneath its helmet.
"Your Majesty," the Card Guard announced, bowing deeply before the Queen of Hearts. "I bring urgent news."
The Queen of Hearts arched an eyebrow, her grip tightening on her scepter. "Speak, and do not waste my time," she commanded.
The Card Guard hesitated for the briefest moment before continuing. "The Duchess has escaped her cell."
The Queen's eyes narrowed, and the room seemed to grow colder. A collective gasp rippled through the gathered subjects, their whispers quickly stifled under the Queen's withering glare.
"Escaped?" she hissed, her tone venomous. "From my dungeons? How?"
The Card Guard's armor creaked as he shifted uneasily. "There were no signs of forced entry, Your Majesty. The guards on duty reported nothing amiss until this morning, when her cell was discovered empty. However…" He paused, as if weighing his words.
"However?" the Queen snapped, leaning forward.
"There were traces of magic, faint but undeniable," the Card Guard explained. "A teleportation spell, it seems."
"Teleportation?" The Queen's voice dropped to a dangerous low, her knuckles whitening as she gripped her scepter.
Then, she rose from her throne, her imposing figure casting a long shadow across the throne room. Her gaze, sharp and burning with fury, swept over the gathered crowd.
"That insolent Rabbit!" she thundered, her voice reverberating off the walls. "And the Hatter, no doubt complicit in this treachery. They dare to defy me by aiding the escape of her?"
The subjects murmured among themselves, the sound barely audible as the Queen's presence demanded their attention.
"They think they can outwit the Queen of Hearts?" she continued, her tone laced with venom. "I will show them the price of their folly!"
One of the Card Guards stepped forward cautiously. "Your Majesty, should we dispatch search parties immediately? The teleportation spell leaves traces that may still be tracked."
The Queen's eyes flicked to him, her glare enough to make him flinch. She tapped her scepter on the marble floor, considering the suggestion.
"Do it," she ordered, her voice cold and resolute. "And summon the Spades. Their tracking skills are unparalleled. I want the Rabbit, the Hatter, and the Duchess found before this day is done!"
"Sister," the White Queen began, her voice soft but firm. "Before you let anger guide your hand, consider this. The Rabbit and the Hatter have always been devoted to Alice. Perhaps their actions were just to desperately save her."
The Queen of Hearts turned sharply, her crimson gown swirling around her. "Desperate or not," she hissed, "they've defied me. They aided the escape of a dangerous criminal! That cannot go unpunished."
The White Queen met her sister's glare with a calm, unwavering expression. "If they seek to save Alice," she continued, "would you really deny them that?. Alice had fought for Wonderland and even sacrificed herself for it. With this current threat in hand, we might even need her."
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air, the tension between the sisters palpable. The Queen of Hearts tapped her scepter on the floor again, the sound echoing ominously.
"And what if their plan puts all of Wonderland at risk?" she demanded. "What if their meddling worsens the chaos already upon us?"
"Then we will deal with it," the White Queen replied steadily. "But not with rage. With wisdom. Anger blinds us, sister, and Wonderland cannot afford for us to be blind."
The Queen of Hearts narrowed her eyes, her jaw tightening as she considered her sister's words. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for her response.
Finally, the Queen of Hearts let out a sharp breath, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "Very well," she said, her tone still sharp but less venomous. "But only because I want answers. If they are indeed working to save Alice, they had better succeed—or there will be consequences."
The White Queen inclined her head slightly, relief flickering across her serene face. "Then let us act with unity. Our goals remain the same, even if our methods differ."
The Queen of Hearts gestured sharply to her Card Guards. "Find them. Report back the moment you locate them—but do not interfere unless I command it."
The guards saluted and marched out, their movements precise and hurried.
The White Queen turned to the remaining crowd. "Now, we must also ready ourselves for the darkness that stirs. Wonderland cannot face both a fractured leadership and a rising threat. We must move forward together."
The crowd exchanged uneasy glances, while the Sheep bleated softly in agreement.
Suddenly, the Gryphon stepped forward, his talons clicking against the marble floor. "If the Hatter and the Rabbit are out there trying to save Alice, then they need help," he declared. "I'll find them and assist in their mission. Alice brought hope to Wonderland once before—I believe she can do it again."
The Queen of Hearts regarded him with suspicion, her scepter tapping rhythmically on the ground. "And what makes you think you're up to the task, Gryphon?" she asked, her tone laced with skepticism.
The Gryphon stood taller, his voice unwavering. "Because I owe it to Alice—and to Wonderland. We all do."
Before the Queen could respond, the March Hare bounded forward, carrying the Dormouse in one paw. "We're going too!" he said, his ears twitching excitedly. The Dormouse stirred groggily, half-opening one eye before mumbling, "Do I get a say in this…?"
The March Hare ignored him, his focus on the Gryphon. "The Hatter's our friend! If he's out there doing something as mad as saving Alice, he'll need us."
The Gryphon nodded in approval. "Good. We'll cover more ground together."
The Queen of Hearts raised a hand to silence the growing murmurs among the crowd. "Fine," she said sharply, her gaze sweeping over the volunteers. "But understand this: you're acting under my authority. If you endanger Wonderland with your recklessness, you'll answer to me."
The White Queen stepped forward, her calm voice soothing the tension in the room. "Gryphon, March Hare, Dormouse—be careful. The darkness still threatens us all. Be swift and wise in your actions."
The Gryphon gave a solemn nod, his claws scraping the floor as he prepared to depart. The March Hare grinned nervously, adjusting his grip on the Dormouse, who had already dozed off again.
"We'll bring them back," the Gryphon promised. "And we'll save Alice."
Without another word, the Gryphon spread his wings and launched into the air, soaring out of the palace. The March Hare followed with a bounding leap, Dormouse in tow, leaving the assembled crowd in a mix of hope and unease.
The Queens watched them go, their expressions contrasting: one calculating, the other serene. Time was running short, and the fate of Wonderland hung precariously in the balance.