Arise of the Cheshire Cat

Chapter 18

Nikita was having trouble focusing, the curse of this place was starting to affect her in more ways then one and as she looked down at her hands she could see them start to age.

She was not the only one starting to feel the effects of the place. At first Jean had revelled in the peace that her mind offered her in this dimension but now, now everything was quiet.

The others too were starting to get affected with the exception of Johnathen and Albian; they were just powerless and as normal as they could ever be really.

Angie ran into her mothers' arms and sobbed a little saying how sorry she was again and again. Albian wrapped her arms round her but kept her gaze on the myriad of creatures that were around the table.

"This has to be a drug induced dream" she muttered to herself.

She had seen the animated Alice in Wonderland, she had even read the books and seen the modern re-inventions of the old story, she grabbed Angie as the deranged cat like being fired a bolt at her and stared as Cain roared and went to stop the Cheshire Cat.

She let a little eep go before moving out the way of the Lord of the Vampires. She laughed as he misjudged his dive and landed square on his face. "Oh Cain" She purrred "How you changed"

"Lucky" He got to his feet and brushed the dust from his face.

"Don't call me that, that was never my name it was just a stupid name that you gave me when you were mortal"

"All those deaths, Adam said there was something dodgy about you" He went to attack again when he saw Albian launch herself at the Hatter, the one that she had felt was responsible for her daughters predicament "Caz don't!"

His warning was not heard. The Hatter was put to the ground by a kick to the jaw and before Albian could respond the Hatter scissor kicked her way up and using her staff she immolated Jean Grey and then turned it on Angie "I take what is mine" She grinned.

Angie was frozen to the spot having watched her godmother just die...for real this time not due to some mad scientists delusional experiments or an intergalactic war.
Nikita tried to run but her body was aging faster then she could manage and the Caterpillar jumped on her back.

"Not so fast pretty" He grinned "Before you become an old hag I want some fun with you"

Using what strength she had left she threw him over her shoulder and fired the last of her magical abilities before they were drained, but not before the Caterpillar cut Angies head from her shoulders and grabbing it moved around in glee.

Nikita sank to the floor and let a cry of anguish go and before a stunned Johnathens eyes she aged and then crumbled to ash. He reached deep inside himself and found that part of him that was Lilith

Albian could only stare in horror as her beloved daughter died without a word and her rage made Bodicea look like a novice. The Cheshire Cat laughed a little as Albian looked like she was going to beat the Hatter to death.

She couldn't have that she knew what this woman was and muttering something she watched as a sword materialised in her hand. She casually walked up and whistled as she saw the black and blue marks on the Hatters face.

"Hey Hernechild," Albian turned then gasped as she was run through to the hilt with the Cheshire Cats face inches from hers "Born immortal but you have a weakness. Madb was one of us, one of the ancients and I am now claming the bounty on you."

Albian fell to her knees as the power of the dark goddess moved into her the one thing that could kill her, a weapon of the jealous goddess.

"How does it feel to know that you are going to die" She grinned.

Albian spat blood at the Cat and then fell onto her side as she died.

Johnathen and Cain roared in anger as their friends died around them and to Johnathen it was his family being torn apart. The Rabbit told Johnathen to gather their dead and quickly.

The only two that he and Cain could pick up was Angie and Caz. "Time to go" she whispered "This is not for you"