X No Sekai

o15; Imitation Black

† 

Oz and the rest of the ALICEs ran throughout the hallway, their heavy breathing and footsteps only echoed and heard at that moment. Everyone was serious. No one was in the mood to be grieving and crying over the loss of 3rd ALICE. They have a task to do. And it’s time, Oz thought inside him as he quickened his pace. Today, we’ll be bringing down the Red Queen and set us free!

They stopped abruptly when they were faced by a wall. “What the heck?! Dead end?! No way!” Oz exclaimed, glancing up at the wall. “This is the way back to the throne, right?”

The ALICEs nodded. “Wait, I’ll retrace everything,” the 4th ALICE offered, closing his eyes and retracing every scent they have been. Then he pointed at the wall. “They casted a spell on it. This is just a mirage.”

“Mirage, huh? Fine then, let me handle this,” the 5th ALICE said as she put her hands out front. Strong flames came out that the mirage disappeared. They quickly ran towards the throne. The 2nd ALICE kicked the empty throne. “They’re gone!” he groaned. “Seems they knew that we are coming.”

The ALICEs quickly ran out of the hallway and Oz was pulled back by a very strong force. He glanced behind and saw it was Mr. Rabbit. “Mr. Rabbit! It’s been a long time…” Oz gasped, totally shocked to see him. Mr. Rabbit smiled knowingly. “I haven’t disappeared. I’ve been always watching on everyone.”

“What brings you here?” he asked, facing Mr. Rabbit. Then he launched him with many questions. “Ah, speaking of which, what can we do and the rest of the ALICEs so that we can escape here? Can we find the way and escape? And worse…will I be really the 7th ALICE?”

Mr. Rabbit raised both of his hands, making him look as if he is surrendering. “Enough with the questions, and be patient. I’ll answer them all.” Then he put his hands down and cleared his throat. “I am here to help you out. This palace has many floors and twisted mazes. Be careful. It is advisable if you drink the potion the Cheshire cat gave you.” Then Oz remembered the black liquid.

“What kind of potion was that?” Oz asked, making a disgusted face.

Mr. Rabbit winked. “That’s a question I cannot answer.” Then he became serious again. “You have completed the task I have been telling you ever since you dropped here, right? To collect all ALICEs. Glad you did. Now, your second task is to find the Red Queen. For she is the key. But be careful of the consequences. They might not be easy as you expected. It might even crush your heart.”

“What do you mean?” Oz asked.

Mr. Rabbit turned around and lowered his hat. “That question, too, I cannot answer. You better get going. Everyone is willing to help you out.” Then he quickly disappeared in thin air. Oz stared at nothing for a long time when the 2nd ALICE didn’t call his name. He nodded and followed the ALICEs.

Behind the darkness, the Right Guardian peeked. Then she glanced back at her twin and the queen. “So? What should we do next? Hiding away and not facing the real battle isn’t fun at all.” She pouted, crossing her arms. The Left Guardian nodded. “I was expecting like that, too.”

“Don’t worry, you will have so much fun soon,” the queen said, smiling and stepping out of the darkness. The Red Queen had brilliant, flaming-red knee-level hair. And her sharp, green eyes were glowing menacingly. A black crown sparkled on top of her head. And her black dress fits her well – just like a twisted queen. A black fan with a pink butterfly on top was on her right hand as she constantly fans herself slowly. “Soon.”

Oz and the other ALICEs had been running around for hours now, he cannot tell. But he didn’t mind. His mind started wandering again, as he is a very curious boy. What Mr. Rabbit said earlier, the Red Queen is the key after all? After we’ve been trying to run away and hide from her? Now we’re trying to find her, she’s hiding along with those twins. And we’re running around in circles now. What worse could happen?