+ some wonderlands are kind

The two remaining Queens of Wonderland, the Red Queen and the Queen of Hearts, stand firmly in the center of the mansion’s entranceway. Both are resolute and each has a Vorpal Sword in hand, despite the fact that they will not be needing them to fight. For the moment, they are alone.

The network devices catch this as a broadcast, and the two of them seem to be aware of this. It will be their last chance to address Wonderland, and the Queen of Hearts had insisted on it.

“Citizens of Wonderland, Real and Mirror alike. You will be on your own now. We’ve built you nice kingdoms here, so don’t you dare break them,” she says. “Don’t ever forget who’s giving you this freedom and peace. So, preemptively, you’re welcome.”

The Red Queen glances at her sister. “We must also preemptively thank you, my dears, for taking care of it in our stead.”

With their final words said, the two Queens turn their address to Wonderland itself. For the first time, the two are in sync. They reach out and take each other’s hands, holding tight as though it's the hardest thing they’ve ever done together.

Then, they raise their swords, twirl them, and stab the blades into the floor. Golden light shoots out around them, the way blood might spurt out of a wound.

The scent is irresistible. It is only moments before the room begins to shake around them. The Jabberwocky is quickly approaching, dropping whatever it is feasting on in favor of the magic of Wonderland. Soon, it is ramming the front door.

“Wonderland!” the Queen of Hearts announces. “Effective immediately, I resign my power and authority as the Queen of Dream Side! I return my magic to you so that you may slay the Jabberwock once and for all!”

“I likewise renounce my power as Queen of the Real Side," the Red Queen says. "With this, we will restore the balance that once was.”

The Jabberwocky finally shatters the door into splinters and storms the entranceway, breaking columns and decor in the process. Upon hearing the Queens’ declarations, the magic leaking from the wound to Wonderland tightens and weaves into ribbons of light that shoot out to ensnare everyone in the room, Queen and Beast alike.

Everything in the room shakes as the Jabberwock roars and struggles in its restraints, but the Queens do not fight. They stay still and allow the magic to pull them down as Wonderland opens up beneath them.

Neither lets go of the other’s hand. The Queen of Hearts turns to look at her sister one last time and shouts something that can’t be heard over all of the noise, but it is something that makes the Red Queen smile.

And then, they are gone.

The moment they disappear, new red ribbons shoot out of the wound and wrap themselves around the Jabberwocky, pulling it twice as hard. It sinks further and further and further down, until it too, is gone.

When it’s over, the light vanishes, and the only sign that anyone was there at all is a dark mark on the floor, much like the Jabberwock scar on the grounds.

Things in Wonderland have been normal enough, a few odd and unsettling dreams notwithstanding. And today is the same--bright and sunny, a perfect early fall/late summer day.

How the feed is broadcast is anyone's guess, but a little after supper time, just as the sun is beginning to go down, an ear-splitting shriek can be heard from somewhere near the checkerboard hills. Everyone has seen the dark scar in the ground there where the Jabberwocky was first slain, even if they weren't there for the event itself. Now the earth seems to bubble in that spot as though straining to give birth to something buried beneath.

There's another shriek and a broad pair of wings breaks through the ground. Soon a snake-like body follows. And finally clawed limbs shake free of the ground. It is perhaps not a surprise that the Jabberwocky has arrived, but it is a startling entrance nonetheless.

But fear not, Wonderland! The Red Queen, who now holds all of the Vorpal items, has been preparing for this exact event. She's armed with Sword in one hand and Shield on her other arm as she confronts the beast. She attacks and it defends. And then the reverse. Back and forth for several nail-biting moments before with a single blow, she slices its head off. The Queen of Hearts would have been proud.

The Red Queen stands over the body for a moment, catching her breath, then turns to walk away. As she turns her back on the body, however, it twitches. Then it spasms. And then it gets back up.

The look on her face is one of horror as she turns back around to face the monster. The Vorpal Sword, which can cut and pierce anything, was not enough to slay the Jabberwock? Obviously not. But how?

Horror turns into realization. As the White Queen, the monster had control of the Vorpal Yarn. To absorb its healing properties, all it would have had to do was swallow a bit of it.

She circles it warily as it shakes off disorientation. Its head swings around to her position and it lunges, jaws wide open to swallow her in one bite. She raises the Vorpal Shield to defend, but it won't do her any good if it's swallowed, too. In fact, that would be the worst possible outcome of this fight.

So she vanishes.

There is no fanfare, no puff of smoke or flash of light. She's simply gone and the Jabberwocky gets a mouthful of earth instead of a mouthful of Queen. Frustrated, it lifts its head and roars.

The feed ends.

[The Red Queen is not smiling. Her hands are folded in front of her, her expression serious, almost hard.]

My dear Real Things, I have a request.

[She raises a hand as though reaching out for the hand of another, appealing to anyone watching.]

It seems that my sister’s battle lust will not be satisfied without a fight. Despite my wishes otherwise, I must implore you to help me. However, I do not want to force you.

[And she could, one way or another, if she had to.]

I would like volunteers to assist me. But I must be honest: this time, I cannot guarantee your safety. This is not a challenge to take on lightly. As much as I abhor the idea, I may need you to fight for me.

[She folds her hands again, her expression saddened.]

I will do all that I can to protect you, whether you fight for me or not.

[Note: If you have volunteered your character, you can either respond here to ICly volunteer or handwave a conversation with the Red Queen about volunteering. Characters who were not OOCly volunteered within the allotted time frame can still respond to this post; just be aware that late volunteers will not be accepted.]

[The Red Queen stands on the main path in the garden, facing the Mansion. Stretching out behind her, covering the entire grounds, is a rather inviting scene. She’s smiling serenely, as usual, her hands clasped in front of her. Her broadcast appears on the networks of both the Real and Mirror sides of Wonderland.]

To welcome the spring, I thought to give you a surprise. It was a challenge to prepare… [A slightly pained look crosses her face.] For my dear Bill has gone.

[But then she’s smiling again, composure restored. She makes a controlled sweeping gesture with one hand.]

Since you seemed to get on so well last winter, I thought I would extend an invitation to the Mirror Things as well as the Real Things. There is enough to go around, you see, and nothing should be wasted if waste can be avoided.

[A pause, and her smile turns a bit mischievous.]

That is, of course, if my dear sister will, in her good grace, allow her subjects a bit of long overdue fun.

[She begins to make a gesture as though in farewell before pausing, and adding:]

And don’t eat too much, now.

[As daytime is turning to night, the network is taken over by a single feed. It can't be turned away from using the various network settings--it can't even be turned off.

The image is of Red Queen, who stands on the main walkway that leads from the front door of the Mansion into the gardens. Her Vorpal shield is at her side, which isn't all that strange considering she watches it like a hawk. What's a bit out of place is the armor she's wearing. For those who are more religiously minded, she might cut a somewhat familiar figure.

She lifts her shield a out of the snow at her feet and steps aside, gesturing with her free arm at the hole in the walk behind her.

Lifting her chin, she addresses the network she's hijacked, but her voice seems to come from everywhere--the speakers, the vents, the next room over, maybe even inside your head, if you're of the type who's prone to hearing that type of thing.]

The time has come [the Red Queen says] to take action! The Vorpal sword is lost and the other side of this land is nearly so.

[She takes several quick steps toward the Rabbit Hole.]

Your assistance is required, those of you willing to give it. The Jabberwock, eyes of flame and catching claws, is ripping Wonderland apart at her seams. The damage will soon reach to you, Real creatures, and those dear to you here.

[She hikes her skirt with one hand.]

The time for uffish thought is through. Follow me through this Rabbit Hole and we will slay the beast, for once and for all!

[And there there she goes, hopping down into the hole in a blur of red skirt and hair, and she's gone.]

[The Red Queen appears on the network with her Vorpal Shield hanging on the wall behind her. She doesn't sit on a throne, of course--she's not as presumptuous as some Queens--instead she stands, straight and tall. The room she's standing is is completely nondescript, giving away no hints about her location.]

I'm happy to say that I have regained my shield, dear friends, and just in time. Danger is once again coming your way. A crash is imminent.

But there will be a safe haven set aside for you. I fear it may be difficult to find, and it won't be large, but it will be there nonetheless.

[She tents her fingers together, looking pensive.]

It is...the best that could be done.

[When the door finally opens for the third time, what emerges isn't another monster, but a woman dressed in red. She bears a striking resemblance to the chess pieces that have appeared up until now throughout the event, but is noticeably more human, lacking the red-tinted skin. She holds a large shield, which she carries with little apparent effort on one arm.

Stepping into the entrance hall, she gazes around and a small, controlled smile graces her face. Behind her, the door swings closed and dissolves, leaving behind a bare wall.]

What a long time it's been since I could take in this sight. Though some things have changed, it appears that, on the whole, everything is as I remember it.

[She raises her voice, addressing the Mansion at large.]

Come, I would like to meet those brave souls who have freed me from my tomb. I am the Red Queen of Wonderland, who bears the Vorpal Shield. Do not be afraid. Come and introduce yourselves, as I have already done so.