Twisted Wonderland 2

What Gets You Ahead

Inside the office backstage, Ernesto stares at the phone for a long moment before letting out a breath. He picks up the phone and places the receiver to his ear, dialing a number. It doesn't take long for the person on the other end to pick up.

Ernesto grins, putting on an air of confidence. "Reporting in. We're finally down to just three Night Raven College students still at large.

Everything is proceeding as you requested! ...I, ah, certainly remain aware of the deadline. The remaining will be apprehended in no time."

The person on the other end says something that makes the fox's ears drop, his grin quickly disappears.

"What? You say the repair costs for the park and the puppets are running too high? But that's the tradeoff for capturing- ...Yes, sir, of course. My deepest apologies. Yes, sir... Yes, sir. You can always count on me to deliv..." Ernesto looks to the door, his eyes narrowing. "If you'll excuse me."

Ernesto places the phone back into its place and storms out the door, glaring at the boys. "Like I give a flying flip about the stupid repair bills. Remind me again: what was it that drove those bills up? Oh yeah, it was those same Night Raven College brats." He comes to a stop in front of the cage, folding his arm. "That's you guys, in case you weren't listening."

Jade, Lilia, Trey and Jack remain completely quiet and still. You sit next to the cage, leaning against the bars. You look to the boys in worry, hoping that they're alright.

Ernesto smirks. "Ahh, how inconsiderate of me. Must be pretty hard to open your mouth right about now, huh?"

Gino nods with a smug smirk.

Vil looks to the quite boys with a sober frown. "It seems Lilia and Jade have lost the ability to move their mouths..."

"Trey and Jack, too." Leona adds. "Guess they're the first of us to go."

"We're not far off from joining them, huh..?" Cater says grimly.

Floyd looks to his brother. "It's creepin' me out, Jade bein' all silent. ...How's Sealie holdin' up? He got nabbed the same time Jade did, right?"

Cater glances to Grim. "I think he's not doing so hot, either..."

Grim groans, closing his eyes in exhaustion. "I don't wanna be a puppet... Only thing... I wanna be... is a great mage... at Night Raven College...!"

Your heart breaks for the little gray cat. "Grim..."

"This again?" Ernesto rolls his eyes with a sigh. "You people really don't know when to give up. School is utterly useless. Shouldn't this whole situation clue you in on that? We never went to school, but we still pulled one over on you fancy-schmancy students. Being good and studying isn't what gets you ahead. Having the power to survive in the real world is!"

"There's a lot you could learn from school." You say as you hold your arm. "I learned things I never realized I didn't know."

The fox bursts out laughing. "Like what? I'm already successful. It's ridiculous to think there's ANYTHING I could learn there."

You turn your head to look at the fox. "I know you think that it's too late to go to school, but it's not. Makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you. No request is too extreme. When you wish upon a star as dreamers do."

"What a naive way to look at things." Ernesto shakes his head with a chuckle. "And I still don't see what's so important about a place where you gotta mind your manners and sit stock still with your nose buried in books. If you're actually grateful for the opportunity to waste your time like that, I worry about your future, little one."