Elizabeth and Alice in Otherland: Part 9

"You know why we're here."

"Can't get me out of your head? I have that kind of effect on the ladies." He grinned sardonically. "Yeah, yeah I know why you're here." His tone turned angry. "Without me this whole place woulda' fallen apart! And this is how you repay me? You owe me!"

"I don't owe you anything." "You have no place here. You can't hurt me."

"Oh, you're gonna wish that were true, girly." With that Atlas stood up from his throne and cracked his knuckles.

Before anyone could react Finder lept at Atlas with reckless abandon. "You killed my friend!" He cried as he bared his tiny fangs.

Flinging Finder aside with minimal effort Atlas stalked towards Elizabeth. Elizabeth watched in terror as Finder skipped across the ground like a pebble, finally coming to rest against the wall with a heavy thud. With a smirk Atlas followed through by delivering a back-hand that caused Elizabeth to crumple to the floor.

Presently he turned his attention to Alice, but what he saw gave him pause. Alice was doubled-over, grabbing her head and shrieking incoherently. An animalistic cry that stunned Elizabeth as well as Atlas. Her skin began to blacken, her nails elongated and sharpen into cruel blades. Blood flowed freely from her eyes, staining the ground.

Atlas shook his head in confusion. "What the hell? What is this?"

Righting herself, Elizabeth was only dimly aware of the fact that the blow she received should have killed her. Come to think of it, she had barely felt any exertion from walking an entire day through the city. Had it always been this way for her in Wonderland?

Alice launched herself towards Atlas, blood frothing from her mouth. A right-hook from Alice cracked Atlas' marble features and sent him reeling, but he was soon on his feet again. The two traded blows, with neither one giving in.

With a cry of frustration Alice started to tug furiously at Atlas' arm. He planted his feet and pulled back in resistance, causing his marble skin to crackle from the strain. Finally with a final great effort Alice freed his arm from his shoulder, sending flecks of stone and blood flying.

His grip tightened on Alice's throat. "You bitch! You bitch!"

Alice smirked triumphantly, but stopped when she realized her skin had begun to lighten. Her transformation, whatever it was, had been brief. Alice, having reverted to her previous form, was quickly dispatched by a kick to the stomach.

Returning his attention to Elizabeth, Atlas was stunned to see that Elizabeth was on her feet. This brief moment of hesitation was enough. He noticed far too late to react that Elizabeth had latched the Skyhook onto his throat. "You don't scare me anymore." She declared, locking eyes with Atlas. Elizabeth pulled the trigger.

Atlas' eyes widened in fear. His hands were clutched around his throat in a futile effort to contain the blood seeping from his open throat.

Cradling the unconscious body of Finder in her arms Elizabeth watched Atlas as he stumbled forward several paces before he started to falter. The blood had ceased to flow and his breathing was shallow. Finally, he sputtered one last curse before collapsing to the ground.