CR AU - CR In Wonderland Chapter XVIII

Chapter XVIII : Hate In Trust

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Part I : Intruderz

The Dollmaker remained silent.
As he stared blankly at nothing in front of him.
Something seemed to be bothering his mind.
One of his hands supporting his chin.
As if he's bored.

He gave a small sigh.
Before gazing around as if searching for something.
Finding nothing but broken dolls around his Throne.

His uncovered eye move as he caught a glimpse of movement.
As one of the Twin Jabberwock could be seen entering his Throne Room.
It's the male Jabberwock.

"What do you want?" said the Dollmaker.

"Several intruders could be seen upon the vicinity of the Dollhouse," replied the male Jabberwock, "What would you like us to do, Dollmaker?"

The Dollmaker didn't answer.
In fact he smiled.
The Dollmaker remained silent before bursting out laughing.

"Just what I've been waiting for!" the Dollmaker replied, placing a hand to his stomach as if finding it really hard just to stop himself from laughing, "I was genuinely thinking that they wouldn't come and leave their friends alone! But here, I've been proved wrong!"

The Dollmaker laughed again.
While the male Jabberwock remained silent.

"Don't you think people are so tricky, Jabberwock? You're not a human so you must be aware of what I'm implying, aren't you?" the Dollmaker replied as he gazed at the male Jabberwock, "Unlike dolls, humans are so full of emotions. Dolls are hollows. No matter how similar they are to humans, they're empty."

The male Jabberwock didn't answer.
And the Dollmaker remained silent as well.
Before eventually picking up one of the ravaged doll upon the floor.
And holding it with both hands.

"Dolls are boring, Jabberwock. No matter how similar you make them to humans, they wouldn't be the same. No matter how much love you gave to them, they won't love you back. Even if I tear them apart, they wouldn't say anything as if accepting it willingly," the Dollmaker replied, "But humans are different! They have emotions! If you love them, it'd be either they'd love you back or they're using your love for their personal use! If I tear them apart, they'll surely scream in pain in such a beautiful melody!"

The male Jabberwock didn't reply.
As he silently watched the Dollmaker.
The Dollmaker ripped the limbs of the doll that he's been holding.
Before dropping it upon the ground.
And stomping upon it with his foot.

"What would you like us to do, Dollmaker?" repeated the Jabberwock.

"Greet them, Jabberwock. Give them the best service from someone who inhabits the Dollhouse. Take as many soldier as you want and give them the best performance," the Dollmaker replied as he spread both hands to the sides and laughed, "Show them pain! Show them despair! Show them how useless their effort against the Kingdom of Hollows!"

Part II : Crossing the Rubicon

Just as they planned, it doesn't take really long for them to reach the Dollhouse. With the help of the White Queen's power, they reached the Dollhouse with little to no effort and right now standing upon the front yard of the Dollhouse.

"We will split here then," said Senzen, as he gazed at both the White King and the Tweedle-Twins, "I hope for the best of luck for the three of you."

Right after that, Senzen gazed at the rest of the party.
Before giving a small nod.
And searching for the way at the side of the Dollhouse.
Hoping that they'd be a certain way they could use to sneak inside.

Leaving the White King with the Tweedle-Twins.
While the White King seemed to be composed.
The same couldn't be said to the Tweedle-Twins.

"We certainly hope," said the Tweedle-Dee.
"… for the same thing for the rest of you," ended Tweedle-Dum.

"Hmph. I am the one and only King!" shouted the White King as he pointed to the sky with his index finger, "Dealing with something like this would be a piece of-"

"It seemed that all of the clowns has been gathered and the circus is ready to be opened," a voice could be heard passing through them, as if brought by the wind as a figure could be seen emerging from the front door of the Dollhouse, "But to think that that there'd only be three clowns making a ruckuss at the front gate-"

"How dare you insult the King!" the White King shouted as he pointed at the figure, who turned out to be the male Jabberwock, "Upon your knees and beg for forgiveness right now!"

The male Jabberwock didn't answer.
As he narrowed his eyes.
Before suddenly charging forward.
And launched an attack.

Only to widen his eyes.
As he found the White King already blocking it using his very own sword.
As the White King spoke, "Do you think you could get through the King so easily?"

The male Jabberwock didn't reply.
Before pushing himself back as if to gain a distance advantage.
But the White King remained silent.
As he swiped his sword to the side.
Before pointing it towards the male Jabberwock once again.

"If you're upon your knees and beg for forgiveness right now, as the King I'll let this one slide, " the White King said with a smile, "But if you're still thinking to resist, then I shall do my duty as a King and punish you."

The male Jabberwock didn't reply.
As he merely stretched a hand to the side.
Before clicking a finger.

There was a small earthquake.
And all of the sudden, various doll soldiers could be seen coming out from the ground.
Surrounding the White King and the Tweedle-Twins in an instant.

"I don't take orders from strangers," the male Jabberwock replied, "For my only Master is the Dollmaker."

The Tweedle-Twins almost immediately hid behind the White King.
While the White King himself gazed around cautiously.

"Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, can I trust you with one matter?" said the White King.
"What would that be," said the Tweedle-Dee.
"… o White King?" ended the Tweedle-Dum.

"I'll provide the two of you with enough power to get rid of all of the soldiers and you only need to focus upon that," the White King replies, "But in turn, I wouldn't be able to help you as I'd focus myself upon defeating the Jabberwock."

The Tweedle-Twins remained silent.
As they gazed at each other.
Before eventually giving a nod.
"We wouldn't be able to guarantee everything," said the Tweedle-Dee.
"… but we would give our best!" added the Tweedle-Dum.

The White King smiled upon hearing that.
Before placing a hand to his pocket.
Pulling out a deck of cards.
And placing it upon the special armor upon his left hand.

The special armor gave a small click.
And the White King took no time to draw one card from the deck that has been placed.
Gazing at it once, the King then smiled.
Before finally shouting, "Come forth and aid us, my friends!!"

There was light surrounding them.
And in an instant, soldiers of the White Kingdom could be seen surrounding them.
Providing shelter and preventing the doll soldiers to reach even further.

"I trust you in leading my precious friends, Tweedle-Twins," the White King said as he smiled, "I shall be focusing upon their commander, the Jabberwock!"

The Tweedle-Twins didn't reply.
As they remained silent.
But nonetheless, they gave a nod.
Before smiling as they replied, "The best of luck for you, White King."

The White King smiled.
Before charging his way through the doll soldiers.
Heading straight towards the male Jabberwock.
As he shouted, "You'll regret having the King as your opponent!!"

Part III : Caterpillar's First Lecture

Both the Cheshire Cat and the girl made their way through the thick bushes.
Before eventually reaching a certain place at the center of the forest.

There were huge mushrooms as far as they could see.
And a figure could be seen sitting upon the top of one of the mushrooms.
A male with a crumpled paper covering his face.
Along with yellow hoodie and jeans.
And also a hookah beside it.

"Who is that, Cheshire Puss?" the girl asked.
"That is the Wise Caterpillar," the Cheshire Cat grinned.

The Caterpillar took only a moment to notice the guests.
As he smoked the hookah once again.
Not even saying anything towards them.

"The Wise Caterpillar?" the girl repeated questioningly.
"Indeed, he is," replied the Cheshire Cat.
"I don't know how I should say it…"
"What's wrong, meow?"
"He reeks of money."

The Cheshire Cat didn't answer.
As he simply grinned wider.

"What do you want, Cat?" said the Caterpillar suddenly.
"I'd like for you to give a certain help," grinned the Cheshire Cat.
"Oh? And what would that be?"

"I'm sure that you already know, the Dollmaker abducted the Duchess and the Queen of Hearts," replied the Cheshire Cat, "And it'd be a lifesaver if you could lend your strength to help and save them."

"I suppose this time only an advice wouldn't suffice?"
"It'd be much better if you could go in person and save them."
"…… I refuse."
"Why the sudden decision, meow?"
"You haven't even paid for my last help."
"How do you expect me to pay while my Mistress is being held captive?"
"I don't know. You could always work or do something productive."

The Cheshire Cat didn't reply.
As it simply grinned wider.

"Umm… I don't really know of the matter in hand," the girl that's been along with the Cheshire Cat suddenly spoke, "But don't you think if you save the Mistress of the Cheshire Puss, you would get an even better payment?"

The Caterpillar didn't reply.
So does the Cheshire Cat.
There was a moment of silence.
And the Caterpillar smoked his hookah once again.
As he spoke, "You're really a pain to deal with, Cheshire Cat."

"There's nothing I can do about that, really," grinned the Cheshire Cat.

The Caterpillar remained silent.
While the Cheshire Cat simply grinned as it swished its tail in amusement.

Lizzie, unsure of what to do, switched her gaze towards the Cheshire Cat.
Before eventually noticing that the Caterpillar is looking at her.
As he spoke, "What's your name, girl?"

"Va-Valerie… Valeria Heath," she replied.

The Caterpillar remained silent.
Before a sigh could be heard coming from him.
As he gazed at the Cheshire Cat.
And spoke again, "You even brought 'Lizzie' along?"

The Cheshire Cat didn't answer.
As it simply grinned wider.

The Caterpillar gave another sigh.
As light start gathering around him.
And granting a full-body white armor that's shaped like a bodysuit.

Without waiting, the Caterpillar pulled out what seemed to be a curvy blade.
And noting that, the Cheshire Cat simply swished its tail.

"You're very well aware of what you're up to, aren't you, Cat?" said the Caterpillar.
"Why of course, I do," replied the Cheshire Cat.

"It seems that I really have no other choice than joining along then," the Caterpillar said as he slowly stood up, holding the wavy blade upon one of his hands as he gestured both the Cheshire Cat and Valerie to follow him along, "But remember that I'm not doing this for free, Cat. You have to pay me right after everything ends."

The Cheshire Cat didn't reply.
As it simply grinned wider.
And eventually spoke, "Do as you see fit, Caterpillar."


"There are only three people knowing the 'reality' of this place, the both of us included," the Caterpillar replied as he cracked his neck, "If you're really up to this, then you must be prepared for everything. Even if it means for the Wonderland to be reduced into nothing but ruins."