Pandora Adams

The painting and everything were right where the king said they would be. A glyph activated when it detected my bugs, then another went off after that. It looked very pretty, and I made sure to memorize it for mommy. A door in the stairwell opened up, and my bugs flew through the opening. We were ready for Cheshire (still mad at him).

The super-secret chamber of unfathomable secrets had a nice set of marble stairs. Much different compared to the dull gray stone that was everywhere else in this castle. That meant my bugs had to either fly quietly or crawl their way in the corners to not be seen. The ghosts were sent ahead, while the rest kept crawling. I couldn't risk some kind of stair monster finding my bugs. Grandmother Alice knew they were real, just waiting to eat toes and bugs.

At least it was dark... oh, light crystals turned on. Hey, look! It's the jerk! Cheshire teleported right where the door opened. He was panting and exhausted, a few cuts and scrapes. He quickly put a portal in front of the door, as more footsteps were running down the spiral stairs. He layered the portals so nobody could see where the super-secret entrance was. Heralds ran down the stairs past us, while Cheshire held his breath.

After they passed, he released it. He leaned against the wall, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I swear, if I run into one more group of heralds." He took another deep breath before looking around. "Now, where am I this time?" He squinted at the bugs that did their very best to stay still. Honestly, he was just a cheater because he saw them. He rubbed his temples, "Best not to be paranoid, Kobe did say that Mimi had a kid stuck inside here."

Yeah, I still haven't found my sister, but it's nice that you're here looking for her. I'm still mad at you Chesire, do you know how hard it was to make it here? All the assassins died, and I thought the king was going to kill me. I'm going to sting you when you get home, I was so worried! Why are you so beaten up? Come on mister, we need to get you home. I'm supposed to protect you, after all, I don't even want the candy all that much anymore. Let's just go.

Of course, he didn't understand my bugs trying to stay that. I didn't bother marching them, because we didn't even have a code. I just made them turn around and start heading towards the door.

Cheshire smirked, "I doubt I can get you out of here, but you probably know a few things. I'm Azera," he put his hand to his chest. "I'm about eighty percent certain you aren't a little brat I've had to deal with for too long now. Thanks for not jumping on me with all your bugs. Anywho, I'm certain your mother has plans to get you out herself."

I felt an odd mixture of upset and warmth from that. On one hand, he was trying to be nice to Ember, in case I was her. On the other, he would have told her I was a brat. I wasn't, but it was something he always called me. I made the bugs stop, and stare at him. Ember was probably going to be the best little sister ever. Which meant she'd be cool. So, I had to make him think I was cool. It was a shame I couldn't put tiny sunglasses on my bugs. Though cool sisters wouldn't care what jerks like Cheshire thought. No link for you today, mister jerk.

He tilted his head, "Okay, maybe eighty-five percent sure now. You probably want to know about your mom and sister. If you're okay with me talking about them, march your bugs once? It's what your sister does, where she kind of makes them drum their wings?" He rubbed the back of his head.

I just had the bugs stare at him, he didn't even say anything about daddy. He didn't even know half of the stuff there was to know about mommy! A cool sister like Ember would know that just by glancing at him. Jerks like Cheshire wouldn't have anything important to say. I made to move deeper down the stairs.

Cheshire sighed, "That's one way to let me know you understand what I'm saying. So, you're either leading me to a trap, or you're taking me to meet you in person. My answer won't change."

Why would he see Ember in person? Wait, that's right! He doesn't know that she's sick. Duh! I doubt we're walking into a trap though, but Ember would be so cool. She'd keep up the silent treatment because she's also mysterious. She probably has a wing-cape, like mommy. Oh! She probably has a hood too, and all the arms. She's probably the coolest little sister ever, I can't let Cheshire know it's me.

The jerk was following me, as we continued deeper. The king liked his spiral staircases since this was just like the other one. Cheshire walked behind my bugs, probably ready to teleport away if he needed to. "Just so you know, I'm not above ending it for you. I know how suffocating it can be to stay in a place against your will. I'd rather help you later, but it is very much your choice."

I chose to ignore his offer. Ember wouldn't want to kill herself, she wouldn't even entertain the idea. If anything, she'd just wait for the perfect moment to escape by herself. There would be explosions and everything! Cheshire was silent, as we continued deeper. The mysterious approach was working, and even he seemed to understand that Ember was too cool.

"Do you know what happened to the others?" Cheshire finally asked.

I had the bugs march once, to show that Ember would know. She would know everything in this castle. She probably left the map for me, even though the king told me where to find it. I mean, Ember has two brains. She might be almost as smart as mommy.

Cheshire looked down at the steps, "Have they all died, or been captured?"

Another yes was given, it was better to have him leave as soon as possible. I'd memorize the treasure map, and hopefully, he'd find what he wanted. Then we could just leave. It felt wrong to leave mister Henry here, but he was going to the hole. If the Raven could get inside it, then mommy could do it better. I might even be able to get him out, but we couldn't save him if he died.

Cheshire let out a small sigh, "It was expected, honestly. Usually, we get a note that says not to do this or that, with a very intricately detailed message depicting our plans and how they will fail. A lot of new refugees that try something, usually don't. I'm not even sure why I'm talking to you about this. I think it's because your brat of a sister is very nosy. That if I die here, you'll at least tell her she was mildly pleasant sometimes."

Bugs couldn't roll their eyes, but I wanted to make them do that somehow. He wasn't going to die here, I was supposed to protect him. Uncle Berry wouldn't be happy, but he'd help me get him out if we needed to. Cheshire was probably just scared because he got roughed up a little, it happened to humans a lot. They get scared very easily.

"You know, it's funny. Despite how many times I called her a brat, I can't think of anyone else that might replace me. Kyu might try to put herself as the head of the tribes, but the others won't allow it. She'll realize it before anything bad happens, and nominate her in my stead. The brat is easy to bribe with candy, and it doesn't seem like she pays attention half the time. Though there is intelligence in those eyes. She's only a few months old, and already she had done things 'masters' in the Fire Kingdom have spent decades trying to achieve."

It was nice to be praised for once, but I couldn't let it go to my head. Cheshire was probably saying this stuff as one last attempt to find me out. I mean, really? He has a talent that allows him to teleport, I'm not falling for it. He probably let the others hit him because he wanted them to think they could take him alive. He told me that people unconsciously hold back against those already wounded unless they were sadists or something.

He took a slow breath, as we found the door at the bottom of the stairs. My ghosts had already found it, but the thing was too tight for them to sneak in. "Your sister is a genius in her own right, and I'm not sure if it's because of her race, or something else. She might be immature now, but when she grows up, I just know she'll be something dangerous." He put his hand behind the door, "Are you in this room?"

I marched my bugs twice because I knew Ember was higher up. Mommy had seen her and told me where the special room was. One of the few places I was never supposed to go. Kind of like the Underneath, or occupied rooms in Auntie Argus' territory. There were other places, but that didn't matter too much. This room wasn't forbidden, and Ember wasn't behind it.

Azera took a deep breath, "Here's hoping it's the library." The door opened, and his eyes went wide. I felt a bit blinded by the sudden surge of spatial magic. It was an entire library occupying the space of one small room. Though it stretched out to be something almost as big as the entire castle itself. My ghosts immediately flew in, just taking it all in. There were so many books, with so many different colors and languages. Cheshire walked in, looking at everything.

The ceiling was glowing with powerful runes we had never seen before. They shifted, never showing the same formation twice. Fairies worked together to carry books from one spot to another, while the biggest one sat behind a desk made of roots in a corner. She looked like a wood elf with wings. She even waved at me, putting a finger to her lips. "Don't tell anyone that you can see me, little one." Her voice was so very soft and nice.

Cheshire looked right at her, before looking at the books carried by fairies, "A magic room, with floating books." He crossed his arms, nodding to himself, "I think I'm in the right place, finally." He grumbled the last part.

The fairy winked at my bugs, "Only the pure and innocent can see me, little one. The king told me of your arrival." Light came off her wings in pretty rainbow colors, tiny little fairies moving towards my bugs. "These ones will guide you, but please refrain from interfering with the fight that will happen. This is supposed to be Azera, the Cheshire's, victory."

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Her little fairies were like tiny versions of herself, the two she sent to me were giggling and laughing. They told me to follow, so I had a few bugs headbutt Azera to get his attention. A small swarm moved after the fairies, while others landed on his shoulder. "What?" Azera raised his brow, "You know what I'm looking for?" I marched the bugs once, then quickly made them march a second time to say no. Ember wouldn't know what he was looking for, but she would want to show him something cool.

Azera started to follow, as the fairies carrying the books waved if they could. I clacked the mandibles of my bugs at them, a lot of them unable to give a salute or wave. The true flaw of mommy's design for them. They all needed spider legs, or at least legs above their heads, so they could use them as eyebrows, and wave.

"Are you leading me to where you are?" He hesitated but finally asked. The bugs on his shoulders marched twice. He was looking around, avoiding any of the books that got too close. The tiny fairies whispered their apologies, but he couldn't see them or hear them. He had no idea they were there, even when a couple tickled the back of his neck, making him scratch at the spot. I liked these fairies already.

We moved through the aisles between all the books. So many of them were here, but there was supposed to be a map somewhere. The bugs I could spare were spread out. It was disappointing that I didn't have any workers that could turn into breeders with me. Mommy probably would have loved this place. There were just so many books she could have had them read.

Even the bookcases had runes, though they weren't active. I'm pretty sure the fairies could get them going, but I didn't know what they were supposed to do. At least, not until the ones guiding me pointed at a pedestal with a map on it. I went towards it, while Azera went towards a table with an open book. My bugs watched him, and I memorized the map very quickly. Then barriers lit up, kind of like the ki stuff Kobe could do. Azera flinched at the suddenly visible barriers. He made the book disappear, glaring at my bugs.

A smooth deep voice came from a tall pale man wearing women's clothes. "Oh no, don't look at her like that. The alarm going off was my doing."

Azera squinted at the man, who hid his smile behind a long flowery sleeve. "How much did the king know? How did he find out?"

The strange person tsked. "So direct," he purred. "I was hoping a man like yourself could entertain a fine lady, such as myself." Oh, I guess she's a girl then.

Azera looked past her, shaking his head slowly. "I know you're a Cheshire. I don't have time for games, I need to get out of here."

Madam Cheshire tilted her head, still smiling. It was more subdued, but the eyes turned into slits. "You don't particularly have a choice. We can play a game, or two, or three, or five. It's either games or death, I am the guardian of this library after all. First game!" She clapped her hands, "I'm thinking of a number between zero and ten. You have three guesses." She held up a finger on one hand, and three on the other.

Azera, "Five."

Madam Cheshire shook her head, "Close, but you need to go higher dear."

Azera rolled his eyes, "Eight." He crossed his arms, tapping his bicep."

"Awww, so close. You were almost right the first time, but you need to go lower~"

Azera took a slow breath, "Six."

Madam Cheshire covered her face while laughing softly. "That's correct!" She purred. "Because you beat my first game, I shall tell you that my talent is, 'Truth In My Presence.' Now, what should our second game be?"

Azera tilted his head, "How do I know you aren't lying about your talent?"

She grinned, "Try to lie~"

Azera took a step towards her, "I'm here to kill..." He stuttered, biting his tongue. He nodded his head slowly before he started chewing on his tongue.

"You will keep chewing until you tell the truth. It only gets worse from there." She leaned back, her flat chest exposed in a tactful way that didn't expose anything lewd. Though her body was definitely that of a male's. Talents are weird.

Azera sighed, "I'm here for answers." He stopped chewing on his tongue, glaring at Madam Cheshire. "Will you let me pass if I play your games?"

"So, so greedy. I told you that I am the guardian of this place. You are a trespasser, and you even stole a book!" She put a hand over her brow, rolling on the table as if she were about to faint from the audacity alone. "Perhaps we could become friends by the end of these games, and I might loan the book you stole. Though such a thing is only likely if you win all my little games."

"Make them quick, or I'll kill you." Azera had his silver and gold gauntlets appear on his hands.

"Such a brute! Demanding all the answers, and immediately threatening violence." She rolled onto her stomach, hairy legs folded up behind her. Her teeth turned sharp, the purple and green lipstick becoming thinner. "You're free to try fighting me, but let me assure you that my skills allowed me this position. Do you truly believe you can win against a real Cheshire?"

Azera looked down, "I don't know, but I came for answers relating to one of your kind. I saw his name there, does this book hold the answers I seek?"

Madam Cheshire softly laughed, "Perhaps, perhaps not. I do not know what is in that book, only that it was asked to be placed there by an elite Herald. Much like how they were told to observe the newest Heralds fight your menagerie crew of assassins. There are so many things that I know."

Azera ground his teeth, as he continued to smile. He looked at Madam Cheshire, his eyes glowing, "I don't have time for this, let's dance."

The claws of his gauntlets disappeared, while Madam Cheshire chuckled. Their spatial magic surged, Madam Cheshire, hopping off the table, where tiny metal spikes moved through the air. None of the glinting metal touched her, as she grew cat ears on the top of her head, and a double tail. Azera bowed, offering his hand, and Madam Cheshire took it. There were two meters of space between them, but their palms were touching.

Azera moved, while Madam Cheshire twirled. The claws of Azera's bejeweled gauntlet moved through the air like countless tiny needles. A cloud that moved in time with their dance, as the two adjusted their spatial magic. The silver and gold specks moved through space, some of them scraping against each other at different angles. A tune began to form from the sound. The fairies behind the barrier began to play small instruments of their own to add to the ambiance.

"It has been such a long time since I danced, are you certain you aren't a Cheshire?" She twirled, hopping forward a little to avoid the specks of glinting metal that appeared with each step. They surrounded her in a flurry, falling gently towards the ground as if she were dancing in the snow.

Azera grinned a little, "Someone taught me how to fight Cheshire, I'm from the Kingdom of Fire. My name is Azera, the Cheshire. I got it for slaying one of your kind." He hopped a few times, spun, and moved forward in sync with the madam.

Madam Cheshire raised a brow, "Oh? Whoever could have taught you that? What city or town are you from?" She was guiding the specks around Azera, even while she danced with him. It moved slowly, giving him room. Almost like a cat playing with a ball of yarn, the specks moved in the way of Azera's dance, forcing him to adjust.

Azera let out a small laugh, as he did another spin. The two of them slowly getting closer, "I thought I was the rude one for asking so many questions." He shook his head slightly, "They were someone important to me, and that's all I'm willing to tell you unless we trade information. Why are you holding back?"

Madam Cheshire chuckled, "You're holding back as well dear. It's so refreshing to find a human that understands the meaning of foreplay. Even after you said you didn't have the time."

"Ha, what kind of man would I be if I couldn't entertain another?" He grinned a little more, the two only a meter away from each other now.

"A poor man, a terrible dancer, and a brute in every sense of the word." She huffed a little, doing a few hops herself and another twirl. "Is that enough to tell me where you came from?" She batted her eyes.

Azera smirked, "Only if you tell me when you'll let me leave." He looked up, "I was born in the city of Shire'Den." He looked back at Madam Cheshire, dragging his heels against the ground and doing another spin.

Madam Cheshire let out a small sigh, "One of the bigger cities in the kingdom of Fire. Very well, you only need to beat me in dance three times." She took a step forward, small scratches appearing on her face. "You have won this round." The two teleported back to the starting spots.

Azera bowed his head, "I'm not nice enough to let you win any of them then. Though it would be so cruel if we were to be interrupted."

Madam Cheshire clapped her hands, the fairies picking up another tune, with a slightly faster tempo. "The doors are blocked for now. We won't be interrupted, my dear."

Azera nodded his head, six claws moving from his gauntlets to the air between the two. They immediately turned back into specks, "Would you like to mix the colors, or keep them separate this time?"

Madam Cheshire grinned a little, all the silver specks making a loose sphere around Azera. "A lady should always be surrounded by the finer things." She purred.

Azera made the same loose sphere around Madam Cheshire, "I suppose you're right." The two started dancing when a specific note was played. It was faster this time, more intense. A wall of spinning specks formed to their respective right and slowly moved towards them as they circled each other. "Do you know where the records are for Heralds, and monsters sent out under our king?"

Madam Cheshire pulled up her dress a little, her feet moving in a more vibrant flurry. Azera was struggling to keep up with her pace, as the tempo continued to increase. "Ah, it's been so long since I danced with another~ I know where those are, but I imagine you were looking for something specific. We don't keep them together after all."

Azera stumbled but didn't fall. He spun, doing a few hops, but it was a bit awkward. "I fear it has been longer for myself, you are a devious minx for putting the claw there." Madam Cheshire just laughed it off, "I am looking for reports on Cheshire, specifically any from the city I came from."

Madam Cheshire tilted her head, slowing down just a little for Azera to regain his bearings. "I know a few Cheshire that went there, I was personally involved with a couple of them. Why do you care? I doubt you've gone back to your city for a very long time. I'm almost certain the Cheshire there have completed their tasks and moved on to do something else."

"I want answers," he said while doing a somersault. "You do have those reports though?"

Madam Cheshire nodded, as she stamped the ground one last time, "It's my win, and we do have those reports. They are outdated, but I can't let you leave with them."

The two teleported back to the start, as the fairies began to pick another tune. Azera stretched a little, "The second dance always got me. Why do you guys always make the second dance the fastest?"

Madam Cheshire chuckled, "Because the first dance you're supposed to play, dear. The second one you're supposed to work. After that, it's up to whoever takes the lead. Which I will be since I won the last dance. Dancing is an expression of life, and the experiences you've had. What answers do you seek in those reports? Who are you looking for?" She snapped her fingers three times, as a light playful tune began.

Azera whistled a little, "It must be hard making the instruments sing, all while dancing no less." He bowed, holding his hand out again.

She took it with her own bow, "I have a little help."

Azera let out a small sigh, "I'm looking for a dead Cheshire's reports. Did you know Rothchild?"

Madam Cheshire's eyes turned into a cat's again, focusing on him really hard. "I knew him as a friend. Why would you look for his reports?"

They started dancing, while Azera hummed to himself. "He was my father."