Interdimensional Magic Shenanigans Reupload (In memory of Ch3rryblossom05)

11: Battle for the world's sake: Third act out of five

C:

Hatter's eyes slowly fluttered open. He no longer felt anything, numbness overcoming his senses. Around him everything was dark. Pitch black everywhere, he could swear that he was levitating in an ink-filled bubble, all opaque without a light to guide him anywhere.

-"Is this the end? Am I no more?" The man wondered aloud, sadness washing over his face.

-"... Mmm not quite." A voice boomed, echoing through the emptiness. Two giant poppy red eyes centered in a face, the creature's body defined itself of a glittery white color. "Greetings young sorcerer ... you are a time lord I suppose, for your outfit looks quite familiar ..."

The angelic entity jumped up in surprise, startled by the newcomer.

-"Ar ... Arthan Rive?" Hatter unsurely said, remembering the description that Cherry gave him of the magical beast from the shattered mirror dimension.

Arthanasios raised its eyebrows in equivalent surprise.

-"So we know each other? Wait wait, I have it on the tip of my tongue ... ugh ... what was it ... Oh! Mad Hatter, the blood-shedding white rabbit! Am I right?" The furry cryptid inquired, floating closer to the smaller entity.

-"Hatter actually, just Hatter." The top-hatted man answered, confused and embarrassed. "I do not actually shed blood, I am too scared of that ..." he admitted, looking down.

-"Well, now it doesn't matter if you were a bloodthirsty interdimensional criminal or not, your fate has been settled you will stay here with me for all eternity." Arthan Rive placed their arms under his head as he floated around Hatter, a genuinely friendly smile plastered on their face.

Hatter's previous smile flattened, the corner of his lips flipping down as he remembered what happened before his psyche entered the subdimension.

-"I guess I am ... I was a failure anyway." He brought his knees to his chest and sniffed. " I am not strong enough, couldn't prevent my friends from getting injured, my spells work only half of the time now ... still everyone places me on some sort of piédestal and tells me that I hold great power ... but I-I just can't, y-you know?" Tears poured out of his eyes as if those were leaking faucets.

The supernatural beast frowned at the other as it listened to how the man pulled himself down.

-"Hey kid, don't cry. It's hard when people are expectant, there seems a lot of responsibilities that you carry on your shoulders, yet you don't have to do it alone. They believe in you, and even I see why" Arthan Rive smiled as they pointed to the other entity's chest, the spot where Hatter's heart was. "You're a brave little guy, you try your best. There are things that you simply can't control, and that's perfectly fine. The power you indeed have, however you do not want to unwind it. Perhaps you're right to do so, not everyone is ready at the same time to bare the price that comes along."

As the guardian ended their last sentence, a blueish glow enveloped Hatter. Energy came back to him, sending chills through his body as he recharged like a battery. His eyes flew brighter than ever before.

-"They are calling for you. I guess you have to return ..." Arthan Rive sighed and explained to their confused guest.

Hatter's eyes widened, happiness radiated from his soul. He was going back.

-"Thank you for your kind words, it made me feel better." Hatter said, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "I promise that I will pay you another visit! I will bring back the gem." He added as he remembered his and Cherry's conversation.

With a flash, his soul connected to his vessel. His eyes flung open as he jolted awake from his comatose-like state of slumber. His eyes wandered before fixing on Ora, the one who supposedly gave him magic essence. Bright pinkish, reddish neon mist profusely emanated from his eye sockets. He gave a look full of gratitude to the wolf entity.