WM MC Dominic Meets Cheshire

Keys to watch out for from now on. These change based on the dimensions involved.

WM: Wonderland Mafia.

DW: Dark Water

MC: Main Characters, the Apocalypse Sun and/or Moon is involved in this chapter.

Introduction

DIMENSION: WONDERLAND

Dominic looked around himself. The last few times he had been able to reach the right people. He didn't stay long, and it was a shame he didn't get to spend more time with Mister Umbrella in the Sky. Jewelsy wasn't going to be an easy case. Still, he had to keep going. The movement never stopped. There were more people to reach.

He looked around his new surroundings, but he didn't know where he had been. It was a similar feeling as to when he met Hero, Booth's father.

“Apocalypse Sun.”

Dominic looked up into the trees above him. He watched a smile drift down like a feather, only to land near the ground and show the figure's true form. “Cheshire.”

Cheshire wiggled his tail once in his direction. “I will take care of these two. This one is not so simple a task as one sentence.”

“You know?” Dominic came closer to Cheshire. “Are you sure?” He didn't want to belittle him but he needed to get it right. “Everything is riding on this, not just your dimension. Do you understand everything?”

“That if they fail then the apocalypse is inevitable in every dimension? That their love child must be from quote love unquote? Yes, I know. I know many things.” Cheshire floated his way, examining him. “If I had the ability to move my body to different dimensions, I could have done your job, Dominic.”

He knew his real name. Dominic shouldn't have been surprised.

“Although, I suppose the real Dominic is dead,” Cheshire answered. “The old life with the ones you loved. But, life is not over. Apocalypse Sun will go on.”

Dominic had liked the visions of the cat. Cheshire was one of the funnest characters in fairytales. Yet, he didn't feel comfortable at all once Cheshire said his name. “Names are names.”

“Names are signs. I wasn't always Cheshire.” Cheshire floated above his head. “The cheshires. We were once a magnificent race. We could singlehandedly stop silly things like the apocalypse. Make sure everything ran according to plan. Fate was not predicted by a kid who revealed a sentence or two before fading away.” Cheshire faded away above Dominic. “We understood our powers. We could work without anyone detecting us.” He slowly faded back into view. “Once the queen slowly began her ways, everything changed. Everything.” He seemed forlorn a moment. “I am Cheshire simply because I am the last.”

“I'm not the last,” Dominic said. “What is your real name?”

“Dead and forgotten, much like Dominic will be.” Cheshire smiled at the cruel comment. “Odd how strange life can be.”

Dominic took a step back. It was clear Cheshire had brought him there, not the tunnel. “Where are they?”

“You handle everyone else.” Cheshire jumped into the tree. “I will handle them. If these two succeed, it may spell the end.”

That didn't make sense. “Everyone must succeed to spell the end.”

“Apocalypse Sun, you can only glimpse into Wonderland.” Cheshire swung his tail back and forth. “You can't see everything I do. You may have been the chosen one but I control this dimension.” His tail flipped back again, fur slightly standing. “Show this cheshire some kindness and don't interfere. You could make things worse.” He stood up and leaned on a tree. “On your way.”

“How did you bring me here?” Dominic asked firmly.

“Oh, I didn't pluck you from your little adventure, I simply changed your route,” Cheshire explained. “You will have to change your own route soon. You can't reach everywhere by blindly following a tunnel of random dimensions without a bump or two.”

Dominic watched Cheshire. He was powerful and he could have done his job. He even knew about Dominic himself, something else no one should have. “Are you going to help me?”

“I take care of Wonderland and only Wonderland,” Cheshire spoke as he slid down the tree playfully. “Each entity involved has a certain part. I will take care of mine, while you take care of yours.”

Other entities? He wasn't the only one? “Who else?”

Cheshire only grinned as he faded away. “Good boys, good girls. Bad boys, bad girls. Aren't you the only messenger? Time is up, Apocalypse Sun. 'Til we meet again.”

As Cheshire said that Dominic began to fade.

Chapter One: Wonderland Mafia

Shay looked around cautiously. The restaurant was outside and composed of tables and using the natural vinery of nature. It was on the outskirts of Wonderland, where the Industry stayed out. Not because it respected nature but because many forms of entertainment needed a natural and enchanting look. Large mushrooms, vinery, trees, and charming flowers and plants of many different planets all engaged in life on the outskirts. The carpet was even green and soft, almost like grass. To afford such a luxurious meal for two? Preston was even more than she had expected.

"Honey Darling."

Shay turned her attention back to him. "Yes, dear?"

"Are you going to order?"

Shay ducked her head into her menu quickly. She had been preoccupied by what happened that day that she had failed to notice the waiter was waiting for her order. "A number…umm..." She pointed to a picture, handed the menu to the waiter and sipped on her drink.

"What is wrong with you?" Preston frowned. "You're a million miles away tonight. I have saved a night for the two of us, and you don't even seem to care."

"I do, dear." Shay smiled, hiding the fact that she was troubled. Preston hadn't even cared about the weapon on him. He was fine the entire time around the originals. She had heard enough of their reputation that no one should have been so casual as him. "I was just thinking how nice this place is. I've never been here before that I remember." That was an understatement. Shay couldn't even afford to eat anything besides mush more than four days a week, let alone to go out. "Middle of the week is usually ferzer for me." Seeing his look of confusion she added, "It's a sort of creamed meat?"

"Hn." Preston sighed. "I don't often go for that. I prefer solid food." He gave her a second glance. "Are you sure that is all? You have not been following me around, have you?"

"No," Shay said not wanting to upset him. "I would never jeopardize anything, it would not be worth it."

"Truly," Preston admitted. "Please remember that." Shay stopped stirring her drink as she watched the waiter come back. Preston ordered for them, but the restaurant was suddenly disturbed.

It was like a bad dream. A girl, maybe eight or nine, came tearing through with holes in her dress. Everyone continued to eat and chat, ignoring her. Shay glanced over at the crying girl.

"Please, someone help me! There are creatures after me and I'm lost. Can someone please help me get back home? Please? Sir? Ma'am?"

An escaped abductee had ran and expected to find help. Shay had once been there, hoping that a stranger would help and show the way. Once she had learned she was in the same Wonderland in the fairytale she had heard as a child, she became obsessed. For days, she hid and wandered, looking for someone like the friendly Mad Hatter and the March Hare drinking tea. Looking for something that might make her giant or shrink to get at new places. To find a caterpillar smoking out of a hookah on a giant mushroom. Anything to find a way home.

Instead, the closest she would ever end up with was Preston.

"Girl, please. You are disturbing our lunch," Preston said to the scared child. "Trust me. Stay here and you will be safe. The enforcers will collect you and take you to your new home. Food, water, and shelter await you. You'll be fine."

"I don't want any of that, I want to go home!" the little girl cried. She looked at Shay for a moment. All the terror and fear she once experienced shined back at her through those eyes.

Shay stayed silent, looking away. Why bother to tell her to run? It wouldn't lead her to anything new. Telling her to stay like Preston had would make her seem like a villain. Shay would rather be someone in the background that didn't matter.

“Run, girl.”

That voice. Shay looked around toward it. She shouldn't have turned around, Preston wouldn't be pleased, but she couldn't help it.

There in front of her was the original from before. He held his cane in the same manner, but he wore a large hat on his head this time. It was large enough that she was surprised it could stay on. His outfit wasn't a professional suit but an old patched jacket. His eyes remained on the girl. Kind eyes. “Don't listen, just keep running until you reach the caterpillar.”

The girl didn't even nod as she left.

“That was irresponsible,” Preston said as he gazed at the original. “She would be safer if she had been stopped.”

“What makes you so sure?” The original grabbed a seat from another eating area nearby and twirled it around toward Shay and Preston. He sat in it but shoved his feet on the table. “Preston.”

“I am out with Honey Darling,” Preston began, “and you are not on my schedule.”

“Am I ever?” The original looked toward Shay. Knowing better she looked away. “Preston, Six and Twenty-Two.”

“I am working on it.” Preston grabbed a napkin to rub his lips. “I know the importance to you, but I have more important work than this small problem.”

“Then I suggest you get my 'small problem' figured out,” the original requested. He took his legs off of the table and flung the chair back. He pressed his hands on the table in front of Preston. “Don't mess around.” He glanced once more at Shay. “Shay.”

He remembered her name? Preston only spilled her name once. The original had quite a memory. The surprise turned her head to see him for a moment.

The hat. The patched outfit. He seemed less like the leader of the mafia than ever. His gaze was searching hers back.

“Her name is Honey Darling.” Preston gazed at the original.

“What is that last name of yours?” the original pressed harder. “Shay what?”

“That is none of your business. Her Earth name is dead.” Preston gestured away. “Cease messing with her, or you can forget about my persuasion, Five.”

“Hm.” The original tapped his fingers on the table a few seconds before leaving. “Get it done.”

Preston and Shay watched as he took off. Preston stood up. "I am sorry about that incident. There is no need to worry, authorities have surely been called, she won't get far.. We shall be late to the show if we do not hurry though. Afterward, we shall go home."

"…sounds wonderful." Shay took a few bites of her meal that had arrived, but it didn't hide the misery in her voice. The girl would be fine, plus they had to stay on schedule. Preston was always on a schedule. "Which show are we seeing?"

"Dropping to Reality."

Shay's mouth twitched. "I'm in that one." The latest movie to almost kill her. "Can we see anything else?"

"I see. We will look at the show chart when we get there." Preston stood up and held out his hand to Shay. "I see this show hurts you. I am sorry."

Was he? Shay took his hand and appreciated his words, but they didn't reach her. His voice was always so monotone. His eyes held no warmth. It was as if he was trying to be sympathetic . . .but just couldn't be anymore.