The Red Queen's army marched steadily across the Crimson desert, red banners fluttering high over their heads. The Queen rode in the lead on a black charger, the Knave of hearts at her side. The JubJub bird flew over head, and far above them, a monstrous winged shadow soared. On they came, unstoppable, formidable, and terrifying.
The mood in the White Queen's courtyard was somber. Without Ciel, how could they have any chance of winning the coming battle? The Tweedles stood with their arms around each other, heads bowed in despair. The March Hare wrung his paws and ears, his eyes darting nervously from side to side, as the White Queen held onto her horses reins, sighing softly. Sebastian leaned against the wall, with his arms and legs crossed, waiting. He knew Ciel. He believed in him. He refused to give up hope. Suddenly there was a resounding clatter from inside the castle. The Bandersnatch loped out into the courtyard, drool dripping from its squashed bulldog face. A white Knight rode on his back, and for a moment the eyes of the crowd were dazzle by the sun gleaming off the shiny silver armor. The Mad Hatter looked up as well, and smirked, as Ciel pulled the Bandersnatch to a halt, the Vorpal Sword raised high in his hand.... Their champion had arrived.
The clearing in the woods was still black and covered in ash from the last encounter. The White Queen's people approached in silence, the heavy weight of their sad history hanging over them, especially over the Hatter. The demon kept his head down the entire time they were walking, his eyes blurred over slightly as his memories came flooding back. The Red Queen waited on her steed, a malevolent smile plastered across her enormous face. Her eyes glittered with hatred as her sister rode into the clearing.
"Hello, Angelina." Said the White Queen, pulling her white horse to a halt.
"Hello... Rachel." Said the Red Queen coldly. The White rabbit blew his trumpet and unrolled a scroll. On this, the Frabjous day," He announced. "The queens, Red and White, shall send forth their champions to do battle on their behalf."
The White Queen stared into her sister's eyes, tear trembling on her beautiful long lashes.
"Oh, Angie..." She said softly. The Red Queen's eyes softened at the sound of her childhood nickname. "W don't have to fight."
The Red Queen snapped her mouth shut and glared suspiciously. "I know what you're doing..." She snarled. "You think you can blink those pretty little eyes, and I'll melt like mummy and daddy did." The White Queen held out her smooth white arms beseechingly.
"Please..." She said sweetly.
"NO!! It's MY crown!!" Screamed the Red Queen. "I'm the eldest!!! JABBERWOCKY!!" Her horse pranced and spun, feeling the bolt of terror that shot through the crowd, as an enormous dark form rose up behind the Red Queen. The Jabberwocky's vast wingspan blocked out the sun and darkened the clearing. It swung its reptilian head, studying them all with small, glistening eyes. It extended one long, deadly claw and adjusted its red vest. Sebastian looked up at Ciel, in horror for him. His master in the real world. The thought of him losing the battle, and getting badly injured.
"This is impossible..." Ciel whispered down to the Hatter, who was standing loyally beside his foot.
"Only if you believe it is." He replied. He looked up into his eyes, and his words sparked a memory of Ciel's proper butler. The one he knew so well outside the dream world.
"Sometimes I believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast..." Ciel said, looking down at him.
"That is an excellent practice~" The butler agreed. "However,... Just at the moment, you really might want to focus on the Jabberwocky." That was the right answer.
"Where's your champion, sister?" The Red Queen sneered.
Said Champion spid from his place atop his Bandersnatch, the Vorpal sword gleaming within his hand in the clouded light of day.
BINABASA MO ANG
