Wonderland

Chapter Nineteen: "Devil's Amusement"

Sean shakily pulled off his glove to put the ring back on his finger, then adjusted his gloves back up over his elbows. Bandit rubbed his neck, quickly heading for the stairs, while Illinois rushed in to wrap an arm around Sean's waist to usher him toward the steps. Sean tried to resist a little, starting to tell Illinois softly. "Wait. I need to ask something-" Before he could finish, Wilford stepped up to Devilplier and flirted in his casual southern drawl. "You know... I think we got off on the wrong foot. I think it would be more beneficial if we worked together." Devilplier curled his lips enough to expel thick wisps of grey smoke from the corners of his mouth. King Dice reached out to push Wilford a few steps back from the Devil, but Wilford was unfazed by the gesture. Staring the Devil down, Wilford told him coolly. "I don't like the King of Hearts anymore than you do. You want to see him punished and so do I." Devilplier licked his dark lips, before leaning closer to answer in a deep defensive voice. "Your anger for him is outweighed by your desire. You long for her, but she resides in Darkiplier. As long as he has the spotlight, you can't see her. And I hate her as much as much as I hate the King of Hearts. So, no. I will not trade one problem for another."

Wilford removed his gun from his holster, but Devilplier just stared him down without a trace of fear as he told him calmly. "You can't kill me with that. And if you ruin my favorite shirt... I'll throw you back in Jumanji. And this time... SHE won't get you out." King Dice removed a white handkerchief from his sleeve and flipped it over his empty hand. When he yanked the handkerchief back off his palm, he revealed the Jumanji board game. Wilford's eyes widened in horror, and he staggered back, tripping over the edge of the stage. King Dice kneeled, laughing maniacally as he extended the game board out and asked him with fake innocence. "Wanna play a game, Colonel?" Illinois ran back to Wilford, shoving the game against King Dice's chest so hard that it knocked him back away from Wilford. Wilford scooted across the floor of the stage, yelling out in distress. "Keep that thing away from me!" King Dice fell back into a chair, then set the game down on the table before springing back up onto his feet as he glared at Illinois. Devilplier raised a hand between them, chuckling out softly. "Stop. Let them go." King Dice took a step back, his eyes locked on Illinois with a murderous glare. Devilplier's hand covered King Dice's eyes, telling Illinois seriously. "Start walking, Boy."

Illinois reluctantly turned to grab Wilford's arm, pulling him down from the stage and coaxing him passed Sean and down the steps. It pained Sean to see Wilford hugging his chest and looking like a lost teary eyed puppy. Devilplier lowered his hand from King Dice, telling him curtly. "I shan't be long. Change course. I no longer have a desire to see the Heart's Casino. When I return, we'll get this train back into the full swing of things." King Dice nodded, then went about cleaning up the game table. Sean was pulled down the steps by Illinois before Devilplier made his way toward them. Sean had a burning desire to ask Devilplier about the sword in his vision but wasn't sure how to bring it up. He just knew he had to do it soon. Illinois handed off Wilford to Bandit to hold onto. Leaving Sean to jump as someone tapped his back. Turning, he locked eyes with the conductor. The damper dressed man that Devilplier called J.J. tipped his small black hat to him, then discreetly dropped something into the pocket of his dress with his free hand. Sean tried not to draw attention to the things in his pocket, while J.J. winked at him and put a finger to his lips. J.J. then started to quickly back away from Sean like he was terrified of something. Following his eyes to the person standing behind him, he saw Devilplier eyeing J.J. with sudden interest.

Sean looked between them, until J.J. coughed and quickly put a handkerchief up to his mouth. The white handkerchief became stained in blood. Sean reached out for him, but Devilplier yanked Sean back from him and moved closer to J.J. a little tensely. Illinois grabbed Sean's shoulder, prompting Sean to ask aloud. "What's happening?" Illinois didn't answer, he just watched J.J. with an anxious look. J.J. backed up from the Devil, his bright blue eyes fading to a solid white as they rolled back and his back arched. Falling limply back across the floor, J.J.'s arms and legs twitch as the bandages around J.J's wrists and neck become stained in fresh blood. Devilplier stopped short of J.J.'s body, calling out darkly. "I thought I smelled filth." Sean heard a distorted chuckle come from the soft static of the speakers around the room. Above them, King Dice gripped the railing and called out. "Watch yourself, Devil." Devil's black wings unfurled as he grew more tense but stared only at J.J.'s body. Sean clung to Illinois, then yelped in fright as J.J.'s body suddenly flipped upright onto all fours. J.J.'s solid white eyes, stared Devilplier down but no sound came from him. Instead, it came from the speakers as a distorted voice chuckled out. "We'll look who's back!"