Once Again : Part 3 : Return to the Future

Part 6 : Time

Hatter looked at the hat and then at Alice. He understood what the hat was for, but he wasn’t so sure if he was ready for that kind of change. Alice saw where Hatter was standing and started walking toward him. Suddenly Mirana stopped her.
    “Alice,” Mirana said, distressed. “We have an urgent situation, Tarant will have to wait.” Alice looked at Mirana confused. “Time, he has been disoriented from the grand clock, and is no longer in control. It is now his jealous cousin, who has no known name.” Alice looked around.
    “What does that mean?” Alice asked.
    “Daylight savings…” Mirana said grimly. Alice blinked. “It has only happened once or twice before, but we cannot let it happen again.” Alice nodded.
    “So, what do I need to do?” Alice asked, already knowing where this was headed.
    “You need to go to the time palice and save Time from his cousin.” Mirana looked around. “Just know that he has control of the awful disoriented and deformed hours. He will try using them against you.” Alice nodded once again. She looked at Hatter with that determination she always had in her eyes during one of these situations.

    Hatter and Alice went to get into their regular day clothes, and prepare to help their dearest friend time. Piper was sitting outside. Alice shook her head. Alice didn't want to take anyone but Hatter for safety reasons.
    “We would hate for you to get hurt.” Alice explained. Piper snickered. 
    “If you ever want to get past those unholy hours of His, then aye, you need my help.” Piper smiled at them. Hatter and Alice sighed in defeat. Piper Alice and Hatter all made it to the edge of the balance, the huge canyon that separated the actual castle from the outsiders. Hatter saw the frozen clack hands on the side of the canyon. They weren’t moving, but they were supposed to be. They all started walking across the giant metal rod. Piper turned into a sort of monkey creature to walk across. 
    They peeked around the corner of every door and wall. Unfortunately it wasn’t long before they came face-to-face with a dreaded hour. Piper turned into a giant creature and faced the hour. It was a tall creature made from rotten plants and robotic parts. It had sharp claws and dark blood red eyes. 
“Hide!” Piper said. Alice and Hatter ducked at Piper clawed at the thing piper pined it to the ground, as the hour went down swinging. Finally Piper crushed it’s head in and the creature’s limbs went lip. Piper turned into a human. Alice walked over and observed the creature. 
    “It’s a good thing you came…” She noted. Hatter was shivering.
    “This is all happening too fast for comfort-” Hatter began. Alice put her hand on his shoulder and looked at him in the eyes.
    “I know it may be hard for you,” Alice said sympathetically. “But here is ont a good place to freak out, besides we’ll be fine.” Alice assured him. Piper came up to the two. 
    “We should try not to make much more noise.” Piper warned them. Alice nodded in agreement. Hatter looked around. Alice walked to the part of the palace where Time had all the stop watches. The stopwatches were ok, but the environment was crumbling. Piper’s nose started twitching sadly as they passed his family’s empty spot. 
    They soon made it to the stopped stopwatches. The place where people went when they… died. Piper refused to walk into that room. Hatter and Alice patrolled the area. It was fine, nothing seemed wrong. They left and slowly walked to the middle of the palace. They saw what looked like Time, but with a green cloak, no hat and shorter hair. They all watched in awe as this off figure walked around the place where the chronosphere was kept. 
    “They couldn't keep me long now could they, Rally?” The man asked. Suddenly a large creature appeared. It was robotic and yet made of plant and flesh at the same time, just like the hours. Hatter trembled. 
    “He’s b-back…” Hatter whispered shankingly. “Indigo…” Alice looked at Hatter.
    “I thought he had no name…?” Alice asked. Hatter shook his head.
    “Him and time were the two capable of the title of Time, and Indigo lost to his cousin…” Hatter explained. 
    “Hasn’t Time ALWAYS been Time…?” Alice asked now. Hatter shook again. 
    “A being’s raign must end one day Alice even Time’s himself…” Hatter said. “Time just ages centuries slower than we do… he was chosen to do what he does now…” Alice nodded as she watched Indigo walk around.
“Who chose him…?” Alice asked.
“They.” Hatter said. Alice looked around. Alice decided not to even ask, despite having been here for half a year now, she still couldn’t make sense of some things. Piper twitched.
    “Don’t move…” Piper whispered. “Hour… behind us…” He said. Alice and Hatter stopped. Piper’s tail didn't agree. His tail started moving rapidly, unstoppable even to him. Alice, Hatter, and Piper felt as metal and squishy routes clenched them with giant hands and carried them over to Indigo harshly.
    “What is it 8?” Indigo asked, in a deep irritated voice. “Daylight savings will begin soon, 3 days from now, you shouldn’t bother me. We will need to gather you all-” Indigo then looked at the trio of investigators. “Well, well. If it isn't Tarant, and the rat boy?” Piper scowled, and Alice was surprised when she heard a growl bubble up from Hatter’s chest. Indigo eyed Alice. “Hm… never seen this one befor… you’re a pretty one, i’ll have to keep you…” Indigo waved his hand to 8. 
8 took Alice and left Hatter and Piper in the main room. Alice was thrown into a cell. A cell lit with only a single fire torch. Alice didn't fight. She figured it might be a bad idea, considering how quickly Piper and Hatter shut up when faced by Indigo. Alice looked around. “Where am I?” Alice wondered. “I’ve never seen this place in the time palace before… what history did Hatter and Piper have with Indigo?” Alice looked around her cell and found a shadow sitting in the corner. Time. He was there, sitting, as if he were helpless. Alice walked over to him.
“Time!” Alice said. “You're here.” Time looked up and smiled.
“I thought that was you…” Time said. Time stood up and smiled at Alice. “I’d recognize those reckless eyes anywhere.” Alice hugged Time.
“You probably thought you’d never see me again, huh?” Alice noted. Time shook his head hugging her back softly, not very fond of hugs. Time pushed away and looked down at Alice. 
“I knew you would come back,” Time said. “Despite my asking you not to.” Alice furrowed her eyebrows. Alice looked around.
“We have a lot of strategizing to do.” Alice said, a bright “reckless” glint in her eyes.