Impossible (A HEARTLESS Fanfic)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Alice ran through the halls, not even stopping to see if her friends had followed her. When the Queen had taken off, something inside of Alice had acted without thinking. Putting aside all of her fears and doubts, she jumped into fight mode. She couldn't let her get away. Not after all they had put into this. She couldn't fail.

The future of Hearts depended on her.

The Queen disappeared behind the foreboding doors of the Court. Ignoring the haunting memories evoked by the sight of the axes, Alice pushed the doors open and ran down the red carpet.

The jury was empty. The entire room was empty. Save for the Queen standing before her throne.

Alice approached, gripping the Vorpal Sword tightly. It grew warmer with every step she took. The Queen stood straight and firm, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She wore no mask. Only a crown. A crown of hearts and a look of ferocity.

Alice took a breath as she came to a halt. She was feet away from the throne. Now that she was closer, she could see past the Queen's fearless stance. Her clenched hands trembled, her nostrils flared, and her eyes were wide.

She was afraid.

She was afraid of Alice.

"Have you come to take my throne?" asked the Queen.

"I've come to ask you to step down from it."

The Queen scoffed. "Are they not one in the same?"

"You are not fit to rule Hearts. Your anger and heartlessness will destroy this kingdom."

"It was the heartlessness of this kingdom that destroyed me. Why should I not do the same to it?"

Alice's heart beat wildly in her chest. She was terrified. This woman spoke with such strength and authority. She was angry. She was vindictive. How could she ever defeat her?

"I don't want to hurt you," Alice said, trying to hide the tremor in her voice.

The Queen laughed, a loud, humorless sound. "Says the girl with the sword. My sword. You're not only a liar, you're a thief. And a coward. Threatening me while hiding behind a mask. You may say I am unfit to rule, but at least I do not conceal who I am."

Alice tore the mask from her face and let it fall to the ground. The Queen raised an eyebrow but did not speak. Swallowing, Alice tried to think of a way for this to end that did not include her killing the Queen. True, she was responsible for the deaths of countless innocents, including her own guardian. But did that justify killing her?

Love conquers all.

Did you ever think that perhaps love could be your greatest weapon?

An idea came to her. She dropped the sword, and the clatter it made against the marble floor echoed throughout the room. The Queen flinched, her eyes glued to the weapon. Alice took a step forward. Biting her lip, she raised her eyes to the Queen, hoping they communicated the sympathy she felt.

"Lady Pinkerton, please," she began.

The Queen narrowed her eyes.

"I understand where you're coming from. I know what it's like to feel hurt after losing someone you love. I know how it feels to blame yourself for their demise." Alice swallowed hard, fighting back the tears. "I know how it feels to realize you will never see them again. Never hear their voice, never feel their warm embrace. I know how it feels to imagine a future without them, to wonder how you'll be able to go on. I know how it feels."

"You have no idea what I have been through," the Queen whispered.

"But I do. I know what it's like to have people have expectations for you that you're not even certain you can live up to. I know what it's like to feel as though you're going to disappoint everyone you love. And I know what it's like to feel as though choosing to please the ones you love may, in fact, make you unhappy. But you feel like you have no choice."

"You're a common thief, how could you possibly understand—"

"And I know what it feels like to be in love with someone. Someone who makes you feel safe and excited and content all at once. Someone you could see spending forever with, even if you're not entirely sure of what your future holds. And I know what it feels like to have it be almost impossible for you to be with that person because your places in life are so vastly different." The doors opened, and footsteps approached from behind. The Queen's gaze moved to those who had entered, but Alice would not be distracted. Pulling herself up to her full height, she held her head high. "But I also know that the impossible is indeed possible. At least with the right people on your side."

She didn't need to look. She could sense her friends beside her. She could sense Mary Ann's anxious knot-tying, Haigha's trembling, Hatta's smug smile, Ace's warm determination, and Pierrot's—

Her concentration broke when she realized Pierrot was not with them. Where had he gone? Why was he not here with her? Her heart sank, wondering if his strange behavior and words during the past few days truly had been a goodbye.

"Those are some very pretty words, Miss Liddell," the Queen said, drawing Alice's attention back to her. A wicked grin spread across her face, and she held out her arm for Raven to land on. "But I'm afraid you haven't even begun to understand. For you see, I feel nothing. I have no heart, thus I have no feelings. So your attempts to reach something that does not exist are futile."

Every muscle in Alice's body tensed, and her eyes moved to the abandoned Vorpal Sword. She didn't want to resort to it. But perhaps she had no choice. Maybe the Queen truly was so far gone that nothing would reach her.

"I at least applaud your attempts," the Queen went on. She tilted her head, a mocking expression in her eyes. "But this is where your little rebellion ends. Raven, off with their—"

"Cath!"

The Queen nearly choked on her words. Alice recognized the voice. She looked about, expecting to see him standing by her side. But he wasn't there. Turning back to the Queen, she saw that she, too, was searching for the source of the interruption. There was something new in her eyes. It looked similar to the fear from before, but it was more than that. Anxiety? Anticipation?

No. Hope.

Without a puff of smoke or a storm of rose petals, Pierrot appeared between Alice and the Queen. He was no longer wearing the fine suit and raven mask. He was back in his faded white and black garb. Relief flooded Alice's chest, so happy to know that her friend had not abandoned her. But the desperation and sadness in his eyes made her uneasy.

What was he about to do?

"Cath." He said her name with such gentle affection.

"How do you know my name?" the Queen snapped. "You dare to address me so informally? Who are you?"

Pierrot gave a tight smile and raised a finger. "Of course. If you'll give me a moment."

Removing his beret, he gave a bow while flipping the hat inside out. As he did, the hat changed.

He changed.

The sound of tiny bells echoed off of the walls. Black motley. Dark curls. Kohl drawn about eyes as yellow as lemons. Replacing the jester's hat upon his head, he gave a sad smile much like the ones Pierrot had often sported.

No one spoke. No one moved. No one breathed.

Hatta was the first to break the silence. "Jest."

"Impossible," the Queen whispered.

Jest dipped his head and spread his arms. "It is my specialty."