Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld

Chapter 8: A Sudden Entry

Soon, Age says, "Now that we got that squared away... Something's been buggin' me since you told us all that stuff about Neige," And turns to Rook, "Rook, did you vote for Royal Sword because you knew about all the work he'd put in behind the scenes?"

"Certainly not!" Rook answers, "The explanation I gave you at SDC was the complete truth. I voted for them because I thought their performance was more magnifique than our own."

"Are you suuure? You're like this die-hard Neige fanboy and number-two member of his fan club. I can't see how you could be objective," Ace questions, looking at Rook with a suspicious grin.

But Vil says, "I beg to differ. If anything, Rook was the only person on our team who voted impartially. You knew, didn't you, Rook? You knew our performance was abysmally sloppy compared to our rehearsals.

"Well..." Rook replies, trying to think.

"Be honest," Vil firmly says.

After a moment of silence, Rook says, "...Oui. I did." and soon explains, "My position was in the back, on the left. It was the perfect spot to observe our progress. Your sweat. Your tears. Your smiles! I could see your performance growing more beautiful with every run-through! I was captivated every time we practiced. You all made my heart soar! So I knew immediately that we weren't shining as bright upon that fateful stage. ...It was terribly frustrating. Yet try as I might to compensate for our shortcomings, my body refused to cooperate. I've no doubt it was the same for all of you. We were performing under tremendous strain. Hence, I was forced to concede-"

"No way, I ain't buyin' it, Rook!" Epel says, shocked, "You were praisin' us up an' down when we finished! What was it ya said when we came offa the stage? 'That was yer best performance yet'? Were you just jerkin' us around?!

"No, Epel..." Rook answers.

"Yes, he did say it was a fine performance," Vil says.

Flashback

After the performance, Rook says, "That was the finest performance yet for each and every one of you."

Flashback Ends:

"But he didn't say anything about it being our most beautiful," Vil says.

Epel soon realizes, "Oh!"

Vil continues, "He'd been watching us from the start, so he knew we hadn't done our absolute best. Which is why he gave us the most generous praise he could, for doing our best under the circumstances. Nevertheless, he couldn't lie to himself and vote for the NRC Tribe in good conscience. Isn't that so, Rook?"

Rook remains silent for a minute and says, "...Your powers of perception are unparalleled, Roi du Poison."

"It's not really perception. You've always been terribly candid," Vil says, "Do you remember what you said when we met? We'd never spoken before, yet the first words out of your mouth were... 'Hi there! I caught your show the other day. I've seen you perform-'

Suddenly, there is a loud crashing sound, catching everyone by surprise.

"What was that noise?" Tanznantie asks.

"Is it an earthquake?" Epel asks.

And they soon hear a creaking sound.

Rook turns to the window, "...No, it isn't. Everyone, look out the window."

Everyone rushes towards the window to seem mysterious figure flying towards the school with hoverboards

"What in the world?! There's a bunch of guys flying through the air! Are they on hoverboards?!" Kalim asks, shocked.

"That's not possible..." Vil says, stunned, "This school has a magical barrier to keep out intruders. It's always up when we don't have any special events going on."

"But what does this mean?" Seriea asks.

"Maybe that sound was the barrier getting breached!" Jamil answers.

"But how...?" Vil questions.

Just then, Trinket points in a specific direction.

"What is it, Trinket?" Briar asks.

Trinket points towards the sky, and see the flying figures are heading in their direction.

"They're coming this way. I see one, two..." Rook says in a serious tone.

Realizing they're heading in their direction, Rook cries out, "...Everyone, get down!"

Everyone runs away from the window and duck down as the wall and windows burst open, the window is smashed and breaks into pieces.

Epel and Sereia scream in fright, "Aaagh!"

Trinket quickly hides in Briar's hair.

Soon, the glass and pieces of wood have fallen to the floor as dust clouds the lounge.

Ace coughs and asks, "What happened?!"

Deuce turns to Briar, "Briar, are you okay?!"

"I'm alright," Birar says.

Then turns to the others, "Everyone else?"

"I think so," Sereia says.

Trinket nods still behind Briar's hair.

"I'm okay," Tanznantie says.

"I'm good," Jasper

Just then, they hear clattering sounds and turn to see groups of gray and blue suited helmeted figures entering the lounge and having weapons in hand.

Jamil quickly gets in front of Kalim to protect him, "Kalim, get back! I've never seen that kind of gear before. Who ARE you people?!"

One of the suited men says, "Hepta Team, reporting in. We've got visual on Subjects D, E and H."

Vil says, "I haven't the faintest idea who these people are, but crashing through windows shows an appalling lack of manners. I hereby declare this an emergency! By my authority as Pomefiore housewarden, I authorize the use of magic on the intruders!"

"Oui!" Rook agrees.

"I do the same for Scarabia! Prepare for battle!" Kalim says.

"Oh!" Jamil replies.

Vil turns to Briar and the others, "Freshmen, stay back! Do not get involved. Heartslabyul students, call your housewarden!"

"Yes, sir!" The freshmen answer.

Vil, Rook, Kalim, and Jamil prepare themselves to fight off the mysterious suited figures.

One of the suited figures says, "Subjects D and E exhibiting hostility. Requesting permission to engage."

Then the other figure says, "Permission granted. Execute capture plan C."