Wonderland

Preparations were being made soon after I had awakened the magic nestled inside of me. I still had to get used to strange sight and feel of my new wings. The power coursing inside of me was something I needed to get used to as well. Every time I saw my reflection, it startled me to see such overwhelming changes.

Zephyr fed Hatter and the others as much information as he could about Red. I had learned things about her that I had never thought possible. In her childhood, she had been much like myself. A carefree child with a broad imagination. She had been born and grew up in Wonderland, once a favorite of the inhabitants and fit as the perfect future Queen. However, when she had grown into a young woman, she had met a mortal man who had slipped down the rabbit hole one day. They had fallen in love with each other and Red had planned on making him her King.

Humans were not allowed in Wonderland though. Humans were forbidden. Some of the inhabitants who were against having a human ruler, had kidnapped him one day and killed him. This upset Red so much that her mind was filled with madness. She found those who had kidnapped her beloved and had them tortured with a slow death. At the end of her revenge, she had acquired a thirst for blood, an appetite for madness and chaos. All if these things contributed to the tyrant she was now and why Wonderland was heading toward ruin.

"That's so sad," I said quietly as Zephyr circled me with smoke, trying to soothe me. I had not noticed the tears on my cheeks until Hatter whisked them away with a gentle smile.

"It's true that the Red Queen used to be a lot like you," he said quietly as he tucked tendrils of hair behind my ear. "She had suffered a loss so great that it had changed her, and because of the queen magic flowing her veins from the heart of Wonderland, it has affected the land itself."

I thought about what it would have been like if I had been Red. Immediately my thoughts traveled to Cheshire, and what would happen to me if I lost him. The pain in my chest was unbearable even just at the thought. I felt tears mist in my eyes and I swallowed the rising lump in my throat.

"I can't help but pity the child she had been," I admitted quietly, my voice thick with tears as I tried to reign in my feelings. I banished the thoughts with the shake of my head and focused instead on my friends. "There must be some other way to defeat her other than killing her."

They stared back at me in surprise, but Zephyr was the only one who smiled. In certain aspects, he knew me more then I knew myself because he was the wisest of Wonderland. His knowledge surprised anything else I have ever known.

"The making of a true Queen indeed. Death does not solve anything, sweet Alice," he murmured as his wings gently grazed my own, the contact soothing and the limbs shivered.

"Not kill Red? How is that going to be possible? We all know the magic that she possess and the creatures that she has under her thumb," Hatter said seriously, his eyes bordering on pure rage and instinct. I stared at him, surprised to see such an expression twisting his handsome features. I had never seem him so angry and so filled with hate.

However, I would not back down. I would not allow Red to be murdered in cold blood, though she had done so to others. I would find a suitable punishment for her, something that would allow her to live but in exile for her crimes. She deserved a fair trial as we had discussed earlier.

"She will be put on trial," I said firmly, locking gazes with each of my friends and lingering on Hatter until he cleaned his jaw and looked away in defeat.

"So she will have a fair trial by the inhabitants of Wonderland," Cheshire said, folding his arms. He seemed deep in thought as his tail absentmindedly curled around my legs. "What if Wonderland decides she should die?"

I lifted my chin, feeling the fire in my gaze. "I will have a major decision in the end on what happens to the Queen. She will be judged fairly and the people will have their say, but I will decide her fate."

Murmurs of discontent fluttered through the crowd and though I was frightened, I lifted my chin that much higher to show that what I said left no room for discussion or argument.

"Rest assured," I said quietly, putting a stop to all the hushed whispers. "I will heed what you, the creatures of Wonderland who had suffered her reign, wish. Death however, is not an option and neither is torture. I promise though, that she will be punished for her crimes."

This seemed to satisfy the people of Wonderland for the time being. When everyone began to leave the sight, I turned to my companions.

Zephyr smiled as he tucked away the tiny hooka he carried around with him. Rising tall, his glittering black wings stretched outwards as he turned his gaze to me.

"Before we even think of facing Red, you need to learn how to use those pretty little wings of yours," he said as Hatter clucked his tongue with a hint of annoyance.

"Drat...I really wanted to have a tea party to celebrate," he said with a frown as Cheshire rolled his eyes. I couldn't help but smile as I tested my wing, stretching it out to graze his arms in comfort.

"We shall have a tea party, Hatter," I assured as smile faded and I took a deep breath. "As soon as I have mastered the art of flying."

White appeared at my side with a reassuring pat on my head. He gave a nod and I knew that he was silently telling me I would be just fine. I gazed around at each one of my friends, my companions and realized that I had all the help I would need in order to become Wonderland's Queen. Icy fear crept into my veins as I tested the movement of my wings. I had a grave fear of heights that had developed from my childhood adventure down the rabbit hole.

"Stretch them out like this," Zephyr instructed, moving his own. "Feel the movement, imagine it and the body will follow."

I calmed my nerves and closed my eyes to concentrate. I imagined the appendages on my back moving, like my own arms. I arched my spine slightly and could feel the weight of them move. The sensation was a tingle over my flesh, but I had felt the movement and a gasp escaped. I opened my eyes and twisted in an attempt to see. They had stretched outwards on either side of me, seeming so long in length and width. It felt almost like a normal stretch of my own body.

"Good job, love," he murmured, his eyes glowing with pride. "You have always been a quick study."

I smiled to myself and tested them further, imaging my spine arching further up and down. The movement started out slow but with more concentration, a breeze had picked up around my feet until I felt them lift off of the ground.

I inhaled sharply in surprise, my eyes flying open only to break my concentration and I dropped back down. I staggered on my feet, but Cheshire was right there with me to right me. His golden eyes were filled with warmth as he straightened me out and grinned.

"Try again," he said with a nod and stepped back, his tail curling around his legs in a sweeping motion. "You almost had it. Just try not to freak out."

"Concentrate, little Alice," Hatter said encouragingly and I breathed deeply before closing my eyes to focus.

My wings started slowly, up and down until my concentration was so focused that everything else had been blocked out. I felt my feet lift from the soft grass, but I didn't panic. I breathed slowly, keeping my heart calm as I raised my arms to keep my balance. Slowly I opened my eyes and stared.

I had raised above the treeline and was now in an ocean of stars. The beauty of it was so breathtaking that I felt tears well in my eyes. Someday soon, this would be mine; it is mine. Feeling in control, I beat my wings harder and experienced my first sensation of the breeze washing over me. I soared amongst the endless sea of stars, feeling at peace. A shiver trailed from my left wing all the way to my spine at the touch of another. I glanced beside me and saw that Zephyr had joined in the flight.

"It's so beautiful..." I whispered as we came to a halt in the sky, surrounded by multiple layers of stars. They danced around us like orbs of golden light, traveling heavenward.

Zephyr reached out to tap one and sent it floating it away. It left behind a trail of stardust, like a shooting star and I couldn't help but smile. I gathered a ball of light within my palms and watched it twinkle in my grasp.

"Wonderland is full of many wondrous things, lovely Alice," he said softly as he floated around me, his wing tips grazing my own. I shivered again, surprised how the effect had made me feel. It was a luxurious tingle that crackled along the skin, right to your very toes. It caused a warmth to gather inside, though I couldn't place what exactly it meant; I simply felt hungry, but I didn't know what for.

He grinned knowingly, but didn't do it again. Instead he began to drift away, beckoning me onwards. I followed behind, keeping pace with him as he sped up and soon I was gasping for breath. I shall never think that running is hard again. When he finally slowed, we both were out of breath.

"I suppose this is a good workout for us both," he chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow. I smiled in return and gazed down below when I heard my name being shouted.

Down there in an open meadow of glowing flowers, I saw Hatter waving to us with a big grin while Cheshire stood off to the side, watching with those eyes of his. I knew that he could see me as if I were standing before him with those cat-like eyes of his. I returned his stare, that familiar heat returning. In response I watched his pupils grow like orbs, the bright golden turning molten and dark.

Unable to continue, I broke the gaze on an uneven breath. What is this? What is this that I am feeling? There was so much that I didn't understand, but this was the most confusing of them all. I suddenly felt too warm, so I flew away to feel the breeze against my warm skin. I sighed with relief and breathed deeply. The night air was soothing and calmed my nerves.

"Alice, don't wander too far, love," Zephyr called from behind me. He was slowly lowering down to to join the others.

I looked out over Wonderland, taking in the details of the rolling hills, lush jungles and the rolling Ocean of Tears to Waterfall Lagoon. I tipped forward and began heading in that direction, ignoring the pleas of the others. I soared over the hills until the beautiful view of the lagoon came into view. A crystal clear blue lagoon sat below, surrounded by soothing waterfalls and luscious foliage. I swooped down, working on my landing so I fell into the water with a quiet splash.

I rose to the surface with a gasp, the water nice and cool as I swam around leisurely. I waded my way to the largest waterfall, pulling myself up on the rocks as the others appeared. They stood aside and watched as I eyed the falling water. The droplets glistened in the starlight and it took my breath away. Smiling, I stepped under the waterfall using the magic I had awakened to create an arch around myself. I giggled happily and beat my wings to dry them. I could feel the magic slowly draining so I lifted myself into the air and released the barrier to allow the water to close the gape I had made.

I felt like a Queen, like I could do anything. When I landed before my companions, it was with a grace that I didn't know I possessed. I felt different; I had changed somehow. I no longer felt like the adolescent I had been, a carefree girl. Now I felt like a Queen, and a very powerful one at that.

My friends had noticed, for at my arrival they swept down into a bow and Hatter removed his hat. "All hail Queen Alice."

I knew that I was a Queen. All I needed now, was the crown.