"Are you sure?" I asked. Queenie nodded.
"Sure as Tim Burton is the greatest director in the history of ever" she replied. Chess and I grinned. I tried the doorknob, but it was locked.
"How could we not know that was going to be locked." I sighed. This was going to take a little longer than I originally thought.
"How do we get in?" Chess thought aloud. We stood in silence for a bit.
"I've got it!" Queenie snapped her fingers. She pulled out a hairclip and tried it in the lock. Nothing.
"Must be locked from the inside," I said. We all jumped when we heard a muffled voice from behind the door.
"Hello? Is someone there?" I put my head against the door.
"Yeah! It's Ha- I mean, you don't know us, but we've come to rescue you. You are the White Queen, right?"
"That's right! But who are you?" I paused.
"Tarrant sent us,"
"Oh that's wonderful! How many of there are you?" I looked around.
"Three. How do we open the door?"
"You can't. It's sealed."
"I think I might know how to open it," Chess suddenly said.
"Stand back your majesty," Queenie said. When we heard the shuffles stop, Chess ran at the door and kicked it. The door came clean off its hinges. We peered into the room. It was just as bare as the others, but there was a small barred window at the end. Sat on a stool was the White Queen.
She ran over to us and hugged us. Then she stood back and examined us.
"Oh my," she muttered. "I didn't realise Tarrant had a-"
"Yeah, yeah, sister, I know" I said. She didn't seem to care I'd interupted her.
"And the Cheshire cat!" She exclaimed pointing at Chess. She walked over to Queenie and knelt down in front of her.
"And I'm guessing you're me." Queenie nodded.
"Well, I thank you for saving me. What were your names by the way?"
"Our real ones or our other ones?" Queenie asked.
"Both, I think" The White Queen replied. I went first.
"Megan, or Hatter. Whichever you prefer."
"Ruby, or Chess."
"Ella, or Queenie."
"Well," The White Queen said. "I thank you for rescuing me. Now I think we must get out of here." She led us down the stairs and back through the castle. I blinked at the sunlight as we exited. But I didn't have much time for blinking. Outiside the castle was Carlotta.
Now I looked at her, Carlotta did have a slight resemblance to the White Queen, although Carlotta looked younger.
"Hello Miriana. I see you got out of your lodges."
"A prison more like. You can't keep me under lock and key. Just who are you anyway?" Carlotta cackled.
"Oh, Silly, silly Miriana. Don't you remember me? Why should you. After all, you were only 16 when you abandoned me." The White Queen gasped.
"Ophelia?"
"Yes. I changed my name because I couldn't stand being named by a weasel like you!"
"I didn't know you-"
"Of course not Miriana. You didn't know anything. You were still a child. Of course you failed to notice that so was I. Why did you leave me, Miriana? We could have got by. Your silly mother would have taken care of us. So why did you do it?"
"I was scared. I was sixteen years old. I wasn't ready for a child. I'm sorry Ophelia.
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Carlotta (or Ophelia, I was pretty confused) screamed. "Sorry isn't good enough now, is it? Everyone thinks you were the smart one, the goody-two-shoes. But you were just as foolish as your sister weren't you? An idiot, going round like the world revolved around you. You thought that it did, until he left you."
"He? Don't bring him into this!"
"I think I will!"
"He was a good man! Well, he
was. He was so kind, so caring. Generous. I thought we could raise you together. But when he left me I felt so alone, I couldn't do it by myself. He changed."
"And just look at him now. Ilosvic Stayne, The Knave of Hearts. Left you for your sister. Switched sides. Only yesterday he tried to kill your rescuers." Carlotta shot a glare at us. I glared back.
"Does he know?" The white Queen whispered.
"Not yet. But I'll make sure he does when the time comes. For now, I'm going to get my revenge. Are you ready to fight your daughter Miriana?"
"I have vows."
"Ah, but those three don't" she pointed at us.
"You really want to fight a bunch of children?"
"I'm nearly thirteen," I grunted.
"You underestimate them, Miriana. Yesterday they nearly destroyed a man half their size. And they call you a boy beater, Megan."
"You were spying on us!" Chess cried. Carlotta smiled. She drew a sword.
"That's not fair!" Queenie cried.
"Three against one isn't fair, I think." Carlotta raised her hand and cast it at us. Queenie and Chess flew back and smashed against the castle wall, knocked unconcious.
"Aw come on!" I yelled. "Stop picking on me!" Carlotta cackled.
"Carlotta that certainly isn't fair," A voice said. I grinned.
"Tarrant!" I hugged him and grinned. He stood next to me, his own sword in hand.
"Ah Tarrant," Carlotta cooed. "So kind of you to join us. But now it's two against one. Let's even it up a bit shall we?" She cast her hand out, but it had no effect on Tarrant.
"Very well. Stayne!" The Knave appeared. He had a black eye and various cuts, curtesy of Chess and myself. I sniggered. He scowled.
"You called my lady?"
"Yes, Stayne. Take care of them with me, will you?" The Knave bent down and kissed her hand.
"That's sick!" I yelled. "And Also Illegal!" The Knave had no sword, but clenched his fists.
"Can you take care of him?" Tarrant whispered.
"Easy," I replied. He ran forward, but I was ready. Sliding my foot under his fist I kicked him in the stomach. He punched my chin and I thrust my knee into his ribcage. He stumbled in agony. I punched him in the black eye and put my boot where it hurt the most. I was making suprisingly quick work of him. To think, a twelve year old was beating up a middle aged man.
"Come on then gramps!" I yelled. He grabbed me around the neck and held me in the air. I swung and struggled for a bit, then I kicked him in the mouth. He cried out and fell to the ground. I brushed myself off, and I felt something that I assumed to be a stone in my boot. I pulled out a bloodied tooth.
"Gross," I muttered, tossing it behind me.
"Megan!" Tarrant cried. "Look out!" I turned around to see Carlotta stood behind me with her sword.
I dodged just as she brought it down on me.
"That was cheating!" Tarrant yelled running at her with his sword. Their swords clashed and they fought it out, equally matching eachother in skill. After making sure the Knave was out cold, I attempted to help the Hatter. I tripped Carlotta up and scrathced at her every chance I got. She grew angry and swung her sword at me. I cried out as her sword slashed my leg. I limped away as The Hatter defended me. I examined my leg. It was bleeding, but I couldn't help that. The white Queen ran over to me and produced a soft material. She sprinkled herbs on my bleeding leg, and wrapped it in the material. When I was bandaged I limped over to Chess and Queenie. They were still unconcious. I tried to wake them up, but it was no use. There wasn't a lot I could do now but watch. The fight was over in minutes. Carlotta just couldn't keep up. The Hatter pinned her down with his sword. The White Queen ran over.
"I don't want to have to kill you," The Hatter said.
"Ophelia!" The White Queen cried. "This doesn't have to happen! You can come back with me! We can catch up on all those lost years!" Carlotta looked as if she might actually consider it, then she scowled.
"I'd rather die." The White Queen looked heartbroken.
"Tarrant. Lock her in the castle. Once we return to Underland the illusion will disappear and the castle will be ruined once more. She will disappear with the illusion." Tarrant rushed off to lock her away.
"So what happens now?" I asked.
"We will return home, and so shall you."
"But, does that mean we can't come back?" I dreaded the thought. I could not leave my home behind, but I couldn't bear to leave Underland.
"You could always visit," The Hatter said, returning from his trip.
"No wait," Queenie said, now awake. "I've got a better idea."
"I don't know," My mother said when I showed her the letter. "Boarding school? I didn't think you liked that idea. And how much is it going to cost.
"Not a thing," I said. "I've got special admission. Come on Mum! I'd be back in weekends and holidays!"
"Well, alright. When do you start?"
"Today. I'm already packed."
"Christ almighty you're eager! Well go on then!" She gave me a kiss.
"I'll see you at the weekend. I punched the air in triumph. I met with Chess and Queenie at the bus stop. We all shouted in joy. Once again we took a trip to the castle, flew over the fence, and ran through the woods. We came to the hole. Holding hands, we braced ourselves, and jumped.
END (Or is it?)
Well that's it! Sorry I couldn't make it any longer! I just felt it had come to the end. Thanks to everyone who commented, especially Chess, Queenie and Rabbit! Who knows? Maybe I'll write a sequel. Or one of those interview thingys! Comment if you want one! It'd be different cus I'd actually ask Chess and Queenie the questions. Anyway, here's my next story:
Amy had never seen someone so beautful. His messy brown hair, his pale face, his kind brown eyes, that cheeky smile. He was perfect. Everything she craved, everything she was missing in a man. He made her heart flutter. But then there was her. The burden. The witch. The barber's wife.
Ooh! What do you think? Get ready!
All the best.
Hatter.
