"Idiots."

The Mushroom sunk and broke beneath his purple vans, and his hand reached out to grab the navy bubble wand from the top. He felt his own lips twirl up in to a Cheshire grin as he looked it over. Stupid girl, leaving behind Absolem's bubble wand. He couldn't help but think that the once wise caterpillar had completely lost it when he put such a powerful item into the trust of his ditsy daughter. Though, he was grateful for it.

He chuckled deeply, running a hand through his wild blonde curls and hurrying back to his horse. His steed stood tall with a magnificent black coat and around him, was surrounded by half of the Queen's army in their red and white Jack of Hearts uniforms.

He mounted, tucking the navy wand into his pocket. "Hiya!" He kicked his heels into his riding horse's stomach and with a loud cry the horse took off. It's hooves pounding against the compact dirt and the army men following around him like a protective bubble.

He felt his lips turn into a cruel smile as he rode, he knew Queen Heart would be pleased with his discovery.

The Red Castle stood high above Wonderland at the top of the highest hill. It was decorated in a shimmering white with a deep red decorating the edges. The garden's that surrounded the castle along with the never ending maze was trimmed to perfection, to the Queen's likeness. One thing out of place and it was off with their head.

The doors to the throne room was thrown open and Queen Heart herself stood there, fuming. "Someone ate all my bumble-berry cakes!" She shrilled. The Jacks lining the walk way to her mighty thrown all stood straight. No one dared speak unless spoken to, no one dared to meet her sharp gaze for fear of losing their head.

She strode into the room without further ado, her red and gold dress billowing around her legs like a fountain of red water. Her blonde curls were delicately placed on her head with perfection, leaving her crown to sit elegantly on the top of her head.

She stomped up to the first Jack in the line of men, "Did you eat my bumble-berry cake?" She asked, a fine eyebrow arched.

"No, your majesty," He responded politely, his arms easily at his side and his back straight.

The Queen of Wonderland narrowed her eyes at him and let the sound of her heels clicking echo through the room as she approached the next one in line. "Did you?"

"No, your majesty." His response was the same, as was the other's in line each and every time she asked.

She was growing angrier, no one wanted to fess up. But, someone had taken her cakes which meant one of them was lying. She hated liars. She stared down the last one in the line and his Hazel eyes darted to his fellow solider on his right.

Queen Heart narrowed her eyes, darting her attention to him. He gulped audibly. Guilty, she silently accused. Her fingers flexed at her sides as she stood before him, starring up the bridge of her nose at the much larger man. Yet, he was the one to cower before her. "Did you steal my Bumble-berry cakes?" She whispered.

He gulped once more, timidly shaking his head, "no, your majesty."

Instead of calling him out on his lie, she reached up a hand to wipe the blue filling from his lip with her thumb. His skin paled and his blood ran cold as she tasted the sour filling on her finger. Her sharp eyes narrowed dangerously, "bumble-berry." She whispered. 

"I was so hungry!" He exploded.

Queen Heart's lips pulled back with a snarl, "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!" She ordered, her commanding voice echoing through the otherwise quiet throne room. She ignored his pleas and strutted up to her thrown.

A wave of nausea hit her hard causing her to stumble, grabbing onto the nearest thing to her. Which just so happened to be one of the guards women standing to the right of her throne. "Are you okay, your majesty?" She asked, concerned in her voice.

Queen Heart blinked rapidly, grabbing at her head, "Y-yeah, I think I am." She shook her head, trying to get her thoughts to calm down to a single one. One she could understand, but it was all jumbled.

The guards women helped her into her seat and the blonde frowned ahead of her. The doors that the guard was just hauled through to lose his head, still swinging. What did she just do? Her eyes widened, she opened her mouth to call them back in, to stop them, but she was cut off. Cut off by a purring voice.

"Arty," Her nickname rolled off his tongue and she turned to see her right hand man and best friend come around the curtain. His eyes swirled an alluring purple and her once chocolate iris' reflected the color. All at once her swimming thoughts stilled and she could think clearly again.

That man ate her bumble-berry cakes, he deserved to lose his head.

Queen Heart smiled at him and held out her hand for him to greet her with a kiss upon her knuckles, "Cheney, where have you been lurking?" She asked, dragging her finger down his chin.

He smiled his Cheshire smile, "Your majesty. I've brought you a gift." She gasped in delight clapping her hands like a giddy child on their birthday.

Cheney whipped out the Navy bubble wand, enticing a gasp from the blonde. She almost didn't want to believe her own eyes. She reached out a hesitant hand to touch the wand, like it might disappear beneath her fingertips at any moment. "Absolem's wand," Queen Heart whispered, wide brown eyes on the son of the Cheshire cat.

Cheney slid over to the other side of her throne, and she was quick to follow the action with her head. He sighed, and Artemis knew he bared bad news, "There's more."

Queen Heart frowned, "What is it?"

"King Ben of Auradon is here," he told her and he noticed her eyes narrow into slits. "With some outsiders - I've got some of them down in the cells, but sadly, he got away."

"King Ben? What is he doing here?" She puffed out her plump bottom lip and furrowed her eyebrows.

"Why else?" Cheney countered. "To steal your throne." Artemis gasped in outrage. "Should I collect his head?" Cheney asked with a sly smile.

Artemis opened her mouth to agree, but quickly thought better of it. If she were to collect King Ben's head, that wouldn't only mean war with Auradon, but surely the Isle as well. She heard they were cozying up to each other as of recent. She couldn't afford a war with both of them.

With a thoughtful frown, and the rhythmic tapping of her red nails against the arm rest, she turned to Cheney, "No," She finally decided. She noticed the look of disappointment in his purple eyes, but didn't say anything. "I want you to find them and invite them to my Galla. I think it's time King Ben and I have a chat."

Cheney backed away with a bow, "As you wish, your majesty."

"And Cheney," She called, and he stopped in his tracks. "Release the prisoners, and show them to their rooms. I want them all to be there."

Cheney smirked darkly, "As you wish, your majesty," he echoed. He had half their team in the cells, that he had to settle down into their new rooms, and then he'd go collect the others.

His footsteps echoed down the quiet hallway, there was no sound. None of the prisoners dared to make a noise for fear of loosing their head. Imprisonment was horrible, but it was better than the guillotine. The keys jingled against his thigh with every step he took and his purple eyes stayed ahead of him as he made his way to the two cells he was sent to.

At the end of the hallway they sat, pouting. To his left held the two boys. One with long dingy hair and the other with platinum locks. The freckled boy sat in the back corner on his bed, his legs pulled up into his chest. Waiting. The other was leaning against the cell door, his fists gripping the bars so tight that his knuckles turned white.

"Hanging in there, baby?" He taunted, smirking at the son of Jafar. Jay didn't respond, just slammed his hand against the door the sound echoed through the whole floor. Cheney just laughed and turned his attention to the other cell where the two girls were.

The one with darker skin and long braids of teal locks, much like Jay was, was up on her feet. She was pacing the front of her cell like a caged tiger and a pissed look on her face. She didn't give the blonde boy the satisfaction of paying him any mind. Not that Cheney cared, his eyes were on the blue haired beauty in the back of the cell.

She sat up against the wall on her bed, her legs stretched out in front of her with one laid delicately over the other. She had her hands laced together and in her lap as her head was pressed back against the red and white tiled wall. The action caused her deep ocean locks to fall over her shoulders like the most beautiful waterfall he'd ever experienced.

He leaned his arm across the bars and rest his forehead against his bare arm. "Don't look so down sweetheart," His lips turned up into a Cheshire smile that took up half his face when she looked at him with those enchanting Whiskey eyes of hers. "This was only temporary, I promise where your going now is fit for a beautiful princess such as yourself."

"What's that mean?" Jay asked from behind him.

Cheney rolled his eyes, peeking over his shoulder at the boy, "The Queen wants to invite you to her party, celebrating her 17th year."

That got Uma to stop her pacing. She cocked a hip out with a hand on her side, "Us? Why does she want us there?"

"All of Wonderland's invited," He told her, pulling his keys off his belt loop and flicking through them to the one that unlocked their cell door. "And since your in Wonderland, that includes you."

"I thought she hated outsiders," Evie spoke up. He felt his lips twitch at the sound of her voice, it was elegant and beautiful, just like her, he noticed.

He sighed, pulling their cell door open with a loud creek, "She does. But, any friend of Harry's is a friend of the court." He bowed slightly, holding out a hand for the two ladies to step out of their prison. Uma looked back at Evie and then at Cheney, both of them having the right mind to be suspicious of his manners. "I'm harmless," he held up his hands as a sign of surrender. "As long as the Queen wishes it, you're safe with me. Promise." His eyes danced between the four newcomers before landing on Evie. He winked.

With hesitant steps she followed Uma out of the cage, watching with cautious eyes as he unlocked the door for the boys. He stood with the key dangling before them tauntingly, he focused in on Carlos. "I want you to beg for it, pup." Carlos' eyes narrowed, growling lowly.

"Just let him out," Evie cut in. "You said Queen Heart wants us all there."

Cheney eyed her for a moment, shamelessly taking her in, "As you wish, princess." Evie shifted uncomfortably underneath his gaze, but luckily it was short lived. He turned his attention from them and unlocked the door.

As soon as it was open, Jay had the son of Cheshire cat pinned, "Jay!" Carlos snapped, but not moving to intervene. Jay felt his eyes widened as a purple shimmer rose from the blondes pale skin and just like that he was gone.

He was suddenly pushed up against the hard wall, his one hand held in between his shoulder blades uncomfortably and his face pressed into the white walls. "Hey!" Evie tried to intervene, but Carlos just held her back.

Cheney chuckled darkly in the taller boys ear, "the only reason your here, is because the Queen allowed it. As soon as she gives the word I'll take your head. And I'll enjoy it." He hissed, shoving Jay away and into his friends. They were quick to catch him, turning dark glares on the blonde boy.

He let out a huff of air, straightening out his purple and pink designed button up, "Right this way," he nodded, running a hand through his hair and leading the way down the hall.

The four VK's shared a quick look, but with no where else to go and no where to escape they had no choice but to follow, and hope it wasn't to their death.

Evie swallowed hard, daring a glance at the blonde that walked beside her, "Are you going to kill us?" She finally spoke up, her voice small.

"Kill you?" Cheney echoed, his eyebrows shooting up like it was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard. Though, they both knew it wasn't. "Do you really think that low of me?"

Evie didn't even hesitate," Yes."

Cheney just gave her a dark smirk, pushing open the door on his left, "Your room, princess."

She stepped inside taking in the red and pink decor and her eyes widened at the magnificence of it. She spun back around to see Cheney leaning against her door frame with a Cheshire grin and the other three just behind him. Her smile faltered a little.

Sensing the sudden change Cheney looked back at them, "I'll show them to their rooms next." He told her and Evie hesitantly nodded. The blonde began to close the door, but just before it shut he popped it back open, just enough to stick his head through. "There're guards everywhere, so if you even think about leaving. It'll be off with your head," Evie's eyes widened and her blood ran still.

The last thing she saw was Cheney's purple eye winking at her before the door closed, encasing her in silence. She let out a heavy sigh as she dropped onto the edge of the bed.

What were they going to do now?

***

Harry and Mal came to a panting stop when he was sure they were safe. Mal's chest rose and fell heavily as she tried to catch her breath. Her wide eyes darted around the dark Garden for anyone else. She could only hope they weren't all captured by the Red Queen's army.

"Ben!" She called out into the dimming sun desperately. "Ben!" She echoed, ignoring Harry's shushing.

Growing agitated, Harry pushed her up against the stem of a mushroom, a hand clasped over her mouth. "Do ya want them to catch us too?" He whispered sharply.

Mal's eyes flashed a dangerous green and Harry quickly pulled his hand back, but didn't move to release her from the mushroom root. "I have to find Ben."

Harry opened his mouth to tell her it was too late. That he was surely in the clutches of the Red Queen and her feline companion. But, a voice called out from the fog, cutting his negative thought's off. "Mal!"

"Ben!" Mal shoved Harry away from her and took off after the voice. Harry turned, with disbelieving blue eyes, to see Alison and Ben come out of the dark. Mal wasted no time in running into Ben's arms, holding him tightly.

Harry took a hesitant step forward, "Uma?" It was one word, but Alison knew what he was asking. He had seen the Red Army take Carlos, Evie, and Jay. But, he hadn't seen them grab Uma, though the shorter girl wasn't anywhere to be seen. Silently, she shook her head, giving him all the answer he needed.

"And the others?" Mal asked this time. "Evie? Jay? Carlos?"

Alison shook her head once more, "They've been taken by the Red Queen. I'm sorry."

A look of defeat crossed Mal's face and she turned her back on the remaining three. How did she let it get this far? Queen Heart had her three best friends in her clutched and was doing God knows what to them. What if she already claimed their heads as prizes. Mal was quick to shut down those chilling thoughts, they were still alive. She knew they were.

"Mal," Ben touched her arm, and she shrugged him off.

"No, Ben," She whirled on him, whatever comment that was sitting on the tip of her tongue, waiting to be released was pulled back. For her attention was quickly diverted to Harry when he groaned in pain, trying hard to stifle it. His large hand came up over the wound, but she could see the blood seeping through the cracks of his fingers. She hadn't noticed it before.

Her eyebrows furrowed, "Harry, you're hurt."

"It's nothing," Harry tried to wave off her concern. There were more important things to worry about. "I'm fine."

"That's not nothing," Alison contradicted. The wide eyed look that had taken over her face made it clear to the others just how badly Harry had been hurt. "That's a scratch from the Bandersnatch, if not treated-"

"I'm fine," Harry cut her off sharply, his eyes flashing in a dark glare.

Alison set her jaw at his stubbornness, tearing a piece of the blue fabric from the bottom of her dress. "At least let me dress it." Harry held her gaze, meaning to protest. He was fine. But, he soon realized she wasn't going to back down and begrudgingly, let her tie the sash around his wound. Tight.

"What're we going to do now," The son of Belle and Beast asked, looking desperately between the other three. "How are we going to save the others? Fix this? Save Artemis?" Ben asked the real question. Mal frowned at that, because in all honesty, she had no clue what they were going to do.

Alison, however, perked up, her hands clasped in front of her and the skirt of her dress twirling around her legs as she swayed from side to side. "I think I know someone who can help."

Harry turned curious blue eyes on the blonde, going to ask who. But, as soon as he saw the mad grin spread across her cherry lips, he had a pretty good idea on who she was talking about. He groaned in annoyance. The action got the pirate a curious look from Mal and Ben. Who were they going to? And why did the thought bring such annoyance to the son of Captain Hook.