Chapter Text
“I’m sorry, the what?” Merlin turned around in confusion.
“The Ten Delusions of Wonderland.” Arthur stated as he crossed his arms. “There was a recent draining of agricultural crops south west of Fairy Tale Island, in a small village called Hallstatt.”
Jack's face looked concerned, “That’s the village that provides the most rice for the kingdom,” he said and pondered, “They’ve never had a bad harvest for as long as I can remember.”
“What does that have to do with the Ten Delusions?” Pino asked.
“When Arthur and I asked them, the village people just said that they saw a strangely dressed purple haired woman leave,” Noki explained “and they immediately pinned the blame on the Delusions.”
Arthur averted his gaze and slumped his shoulders, “That’s the thing. When the Queen of Heart’s reign began, we hadn’t even formed the F7 yet; and even when we did, Wonderland was a closed region. Barely anyone could enter or leave under her rule, so we have almost nothing on them.”
“With the exception of their carmel haired diplomat,” Jack crossed his arms.
Hans snapped his fingers, “That’s right! We would often see him in those annual Royal Summits in place of the Queen.”
Kio frowned, “Didn’t like his vibes. He was eerily quiet...always smirking in the dark corner.”
Merlin shook his head, “Let’s assume that he is part. Regardless, the Delusions don’t seem like a force to be reckoned with. For now, I’ll head to Wonderland and request an audience with Queen Alice. We don’t know for sure that the Delusions are behind this, so while I’m with her, Noki,”
He turned his head at the mention of his name
“Take Goldie and Kio to villages by the North to question nearby prosperous villages if they’ve had any similar activity.” Merlin instructed.
Noki nodded, “Right.”
“Arthur, take Gretel and Peter to the East side.”
“Dream team,” Arthur smiled as he sipped his coffee.
“Jack, Hans, reaffirm and head back to Hallstatt. Maybe they’ll give different answers to other princes. Ask nearby villages there too. Pino,” he turned to the inventor, “I need a favor.”
Pino tilted his head, “What’s up?”
“I need you to make me a certain device for the sake of the mission...just as a precaution.” Merlin looked distracted for a bit, “Normally, I’d ask Gretel and your brothers too, but we already have four people who can’t leave the castle, and we need as many people as possible on this mission.”
He nodded, “Sure. Stop by my room later.”
Merlin dismissed his friends and each of the seven left to their own respective rooms:
---
“The east? Yeah I guess I could take a quick flight there.” Peter crossed his arms behind his head as he floated on mid air. He kicked a small sack of sand up in the air with his feet, trying to juggle it.
Kio shook his head, “You’ll be going with Gretel and Arthur.”
Peter gasped before quietly whispering, “Dream team.”
“Why?” Kio asked, strangely curious.
“Just cause,” he said bringing his attention back to leg juggling, “It’s fun to tease her.”
“Don’t over do it,” Kio sat on their bed, “She’s the most responsible out of all fourteen of us. Keeps us all alive, sort of. It would be bad to piss her off.”
Peter kicked the sack to his hand and quickly turned to his boyfriend “Responsible?” he asked with a smirk and laughed, “Gretel was far from that after she separated from Hans.”
“Really? How so?” the youngest triplet asked intrigued.
He chuckled and flew to the bed, wrapping his arms around Kio and kissing him on the cheek. “Night.”
“What? No! You can’t just say that and not continue!” he shook his arm. But alas, whether he was faking it or not, the Neverland boy began snoring causing Kio to frown and give in, switching the lamp off.
On the other end of the hall, Merlin tiredly entered his room. However that fatigue was soon replaced by a soft smile from the sight of his beloved family. Snow White turned and waved to him happily, her index finger nearing her lips as she gestured to the crib.
Merlin walks over and gently places a kiss on her forehead as a greeting before looking down at his peaceful son, who seemed to be asleep.
“He was stubborn. Always cried when I put him down. He refused to let go of my arms.” she whispered.
“Wow. Then he definitely is my son.” Merlin chuckled.
“Everything alright?” she asked.
“How’d you know?” he looked at her as she smiled.
“Just do.” she said, holding his hand and leading him to the couch, away from the baby. “What’s up?”
Merlin sighed and looked around the room, “We’re embarking on a mission tomorrow after sunrise.”
“What’s it about?” she asked.
“There have been droughts in a village and everyone is going around to investigate if there were similar scenarios...the cause is rumoured to be by the Delusions.”
“Delusions? The Ten Delusions?” she said, remembering her fathers meetings with the young diplomat.
He nodded, “They said after their crops withered, witnesses saw a woman in strange clothing with purple hair leave…” Merlin paused and winced.
Snow widened her eyes in realization, “Marilyn?”
Merlin had told Snow about this woman several years ago. Let’s just say that they were never on the same page about anything: one thing led to another and he never saw her again. She knew Merlin regrets not being able to stop her from turning that day.
“I didn’t tell the others yet, but it has to be the only explanation. I’m almost positive it’s her. While the rest go out on expeditions, I’m going to Wonderland to meet Queen Alice; to ask her about what she knows about the Delusions, and prepare for the worst if ever a fight happens again. She would know how to stop them.”
He then looked at the crib with regret, “I’m truly sorry to ask this of you, but can you please stay with Sam? I don’t want us to be the parents who are always off on missions, leaving our child in the care of someone else.”
Snow shook her head and smiled, “I’ve been going out on the last few missions after I recovered from the birth. I’m ready to do my part here as well.”
Merlin gave her a gentle smile and pulled her in an embrace. “Thank you, Snow.”
---
“What? Arthur and Peter?” Gretel asked the wizard. The eleven of them met at the entrance hall, preparing for departure.
“Yeah...um, sorry about that,” he awkwardly scratched the back of his head, averting his gaze. “It was a last minute decision.”
“Fratello, Gretel is usually calm most of the time but I’ve seen her under stress and pressure and no offense, but you need to control your woman at those times.” Noki whispered out of concern.
Pino bit his lip to refrain from laughing in agreement, “Yeah, mind telling them for me?”
Noki nodded and went up to the two boys who seemed to be happily chatting, “Now I know you two like to mess around a lot but don’t do anything that’ll get you and possibly others hurt...by any special circumstance”
“And by ‘special circumstance’ you mean Gretel?” Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course, I’m talking about Gretel.” Noki quickly hissed quietly. “You two are gonna keep yourselves alive by not pissing her off.”
“And why I, a guy nearly a century and a half older than you, and Arthur, a man stronger than everyone combined here, should listen to you?” Peter challenged as he crossed his arms childishly.
Noki awkwardly paused and looked sideways, “Uhh…’cause?”
“...”
“...”
“Hard to argue with that logic.” Peter shrugged giving in.
In the background, Noki could see Kio face palming. He walked over to Goldie who sharpened her axe, quickly putting it down into her pocket (it was a special tool Noki made for her) when she saw him approaching.
“Ready?” she asked.
“Yup, you?” he turned to Noki who walked over, holding a red crystal.
“Ready,” he nodded, turning to his friends. “Safe travels everyone.” Goldie and Kio touched the crystal and soon apparated out of the room, as if they were never there.
“Let’s go, Gret!” Peter excitedly pulled her along, grabbing the crystal out her hand.
“Hey! Be carefu-!” and her voice was cut off as both of them and Arthur disappeared. Jack and Hans soon followed as they appeared to the South. Leaving Merlin with one last crystal.
“Let’s hope this will turn out for the better…” he mumbled before putting his fingers to the stone, disappearing without a trace.