THERE WAS SILENCE LONG enough to take a deep breath before the large cocoon burst open and a massive tiger moth erupted from its chrysalis. It appeared to be the same size as the Jabberwocky, but the wings hadn’t been fully extended.

The fighting hadn’t resumed among the people as all eyes were trained on the huge wings decorated with a conspicuous brown and cream pattern. As the moth extended its forewings one could see the bright orange hindwings with black spots.

Alice grabbed Lory’s hand, “We need to hide, his body fluids are poisonous.”

Jay and Mouse were right behind them as they raced to find cover.

Carlos began to beat his massive wings, up and down and up again until it became difficult to remain standing in place. Many of the Red Queen’s subjects were tossed into the brick walls of the palace. Other were thrown completely over the side walls, screaming as their bodies it the ground on the other side with a terrible crunching noise.

Carlos was careful to aim his massive wings toward the Red Court, but that was where Alice, Lory, Mouse, and Jay were hiding. When the table they had tried to use for shelter was picked up and snapped in two Jay had to grab Alice and transition mid-air before they too became wall art.

Mouse shifted as well, and the girls climbed onto the Jabberwockies’ backs. With the three of them, Carlos, Jay, and Mouse they surrounded the Red Queen on her throne. For the first time, she looked frightened beneath her crimson lipstick.

“This is not how it was supposed to go! Sentence first, verdict afterward! You have ruined everything, Alice. I try, and I try, running twice as fast as everyone else so that I can get somewhere else. Bother it all, off with her head—off with her head!”

Jay blew fire and singed everything around the throne. The Red King took off running with his britches on fire shouting something about the Queen being on her own now. She didn’t look nearly as frightening when it was just her against everyone else.

“Fine,” the Red Queen called out petulantly, “You win, Checkmate!”

Alice answered her, “This isn’t a game, nor are you allowed to subject the people of Wonderland to the sick tortures that you have done.

The Red Queen stood, stamping her foot, and straightening to her full height before replying, “I am the queen. I can do anything I want. You are only a stupid girl, Alice.”

Alice shook her head sadly, “It would be so nice if something made sense for a change.”

The Red Queen smirked at her, “Well, I have never heard of that before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.”

Lory shouted out to Alice, “It is time.”

The Red Queen’s eyes darted back and forth as Jay, Mouse, and Carlos closed in on her.

“Wait,” she cried out, but it was too late.

“You can come with us willingly and stand trial before your sister, the White Queen’s court, or we can enact a punishment right here.”

Mary Ann walked up to where they were surrounding the queen. Her hair was whipped around much like a rat’s nest ought to be and her face had a small bruise near her temple. But otherwise, she was unharmed.

The Red Queen pleaded with them dropping to her knees, “It was only a game. I meant no harm. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. Please!”

Jay allowed Alice to slide off his back before shifting into his human form. Stepping forward he tried to contain the queen. She grabbed a dagger from a sheath that was hidden behind her back and waved it wildly at Jay and slicing the tip of Mary Ann’s outstretched hand.

It was over in minutes. Carlos’ wings enveloped the Red Queen so that all you could see was him. From behind his wings, there was a hissing, bubbling noise followed by the smell of melting flesh and chemicals.

Mary Ann fell into Alice’s arms and Jay stood near to protect them. Mouse and Lory flew off to ensure that the White King and Queen, who had taken cover earlier, were safe.

When Carlos’ wings opened again there was a puddle of red and black goo. It was all that was left of the Red Queen.

Cheers went up from the people who had survived the wind storm created by Carlos’ wings. Both members of the Red and White Court bonded together in gratitude that the Red Queen was finally vanquished.

Mouse flew back into the courtyard with the White Queen in one claw and the King in the other claw. After setting them down, he moved to let Lory dismount and then shifted.

The all stood around where the Red Queen had been destroyed.

The White Queen made an announcement, “Let it be known that our country will no longer be divided. There is not to be a Red Court or a White Court. There will be no painting of flowers or stealing of daughters. From here on out, every man, woman, child, and plant belonging to the great kingdom of Wonderland.”

Jay’s deep voice sounded above the crowd, “All hail the Queen of Wonderland!”

A great cheer exploded from the crowd as family, friends, and neighbors who had been divided by the Red and White Court were once again united.

Jay grabbed Alice around her waist and kissed her with everything that he had in him. She was laughing when he finally let her up for air.

Carlos had found something to wrap around Mary Ann’s cut and was tenderly stroking her cheek while she gazed at him adoringly.

Lory looked all over for Mouse uncertain as to where he had snuck off too. When she caught him near the palace gates she raced over to admonish him.

“Where have you been?” she asked with some measure of concern mixed with exasperation.

He shrugged, “Here and there.”

At her outraged face, he yanked her closer to him and laughed when Lory tried to fight out of his grasp. From over his shoulder, she saw a large scorch mark that could only have been caused by a Jabberwocky.

“Mouse, what did you do?”

He kissed her eyes, her cheeks, and her nose, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

When she looked closer, Lory saw a crispy shape of a man. “Mouse, who is that?”

He grumbled, but answered her honestly, “The Knave of Hearts thought he could slip away during all of the commotion.”

Lory looked up at him with bright eyes, “You caught him?”

Mouse grinned wickedly, “My fire did.”

“I love you, Mouse.”

Mouse swept Lory into a dip with a breathtaking kiss, “I know.”

****

IT’S BEEN SAID THAT everything’s got a moral if only you can find it. Carlos found out that his humble beginnings didn’t have to dictate who he became. Mary Ann discovered that one can find true love more than once in a lifetime.

Lory came to terms that even though she and her sister were very different they both had wonderful things to offer. Mouse didn’t learn anything.

...

...

Okay, that’s not entirely true. Mouse uncovered his true potential and that he didn’t need to live underneath his older brother’s shadow.

Alice fell in love with a Jabberwocky more than ten years ago. For a long time, she thought that he didn’t feel the same. Sometimes we only see our half of the painting and don’t realize what the artist has in store for us when all is said and done.

Jay knew that he couldn’t stay with Alice the first time she rescued him. So, to protect them both he stayed away and learned to control the beast within him. You can only give yourself away when it is yours, to begin with.

And now you see, despite the twists and turns, ups and downs, and a rabbit hole or two. They still managed to live happily ever after.