Twisted Wonderland 2

A Wake Up Call

Ace and Ortho still sit propped up against the wall with Kalim now sitting beside them, Gino having moved him there before taking off. The three of them sit by one another, thinking about what lies ahead of them.

"Well, guys... Thanks for everything." Ortho sighs. "Even if I get sent to work at the bottom of the ocean, and Kalim goes to the north pole, and Ace goes to work in a scorching desert... I'll never lose my data of the wonderful times we shared together..."

"Is that supposed to make us feel better?" Ace questions. "'Cause I only feel scared! Honestly. No way are any of us getting sent anywhere extreme like that."

"You really think so?" Ortho asks. "Was I too worried?"

"Yes!" Ace exclaims. "Ernesto was clearly treating us as special. If I were to take a guess, we'll get showcased all over the world as puppets with no strings, or puppets with magic. We'll be treated as a spectacle, and after the years take their toll, we'll get tossed in an incinerator to keep us quiet."

Ortho stays quiet for a moment. "And you thought what I was saying was scary? Your scenario is way worse, and contains far too much detail!"

"Don't worry, guys. It'll be okay." Kalim says determinedly. "I'll find a way to save us!"

Ace quirks an eye. "Okay, how?"

"Good question." Kalim smiles though it falters, worry in his eyes. "For starters, I could invite Ernesto to a party where we eat good food and talk things out with each other!"

Ortho sighs in exasperation. "We've been through this!"

Ace smiles softly, his eyes misting over. "I just wish that I'd been able to see Y/N one more time. I spent my whole life slacking off, always taking the easy route." He laughs bitterly. "No wonder I was an easy target. But now, all I can think about is Y/N. My best friend... But I failed Y/N. I promised that I would protect her and I wasn't there for her..."

"Ace, that's not your fault." Ortho tries to reassure him.

"It's mine." Kalim looks to the floor guilty, his eyes welling up with tears. "If I had acted quicker, or had stopped her from locking me in that lighthouse, or done something, anything... maybe she wouldn't have been taken... It's all my fault, guys! It's all my fault!"

Kalim shuts his eyes tight and turns his gaze away in shame.

Ace looks to Kalim thoughtfully for a moment. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Kalim."

Kalim looks to Ace in surprise. "What...?"

"I know I threw the blame on you earlier, but I was just so upset in that moment and that was wrong of me. I'm sorry, Kalim." Ace lets out a small chuckle. "Honestly, I think Y/N would do that to anyone if it would save someone over herself. She's so selfless that way."

"You got that right." Ortho laughs.

Kalim sniffs, smiling slightly. "Yeah, you're right. So I guess Y/N could our conscience."

Ortho sighs. "Things could've been a lot easier if she was our guide."

Ace looks to the floor as he thinks of you. "I just wish I had more time with Y/N. There's still so much that I wanted to do, that I wanted to tell her... that I... that I-"

Footsteps are heard as Gino and Ernesto emerge onto the stage. The two come to a stop in front of the boys, their expressions unreadable.

Ace glares at the fox. "Are you here to ship us off now?"

Ernesto only grins and twirls his staff. "Here you are!"

A bright flash of light engulfes the boys, blinding them.