The Lost One in Alices' Garden
ARC 02 Clover Forest
Chapter 18 An Attack in Big Mushroom
Wu Ming blinks in confusion.
Why? Because for some reason, Caterpillar's thick brows furrow at them.
Why? She doesn't know; it might be because they have increased in numbers.
However, upon observing him further, Caterpillar's frown is actually concentrated on someone among them, but Wu Ming nor anyone else could know who it is, except probably that very person.
Caterpillar sighs out whatever he's feeling at that moment, as well as his scowling face, before facing the current Alice. "That was fast..." he commented, his eyes narrowing at Wu Ming. "Now then," he exhales a good amount of pink smoke, "have your questions been answered now?"
"Mostly... but one thing is for sure..."
Caterpillar raised his eyebrow in curiosity, "Hmm?"
"Elise—the so-called Little Dream—is..." Everyone awaited her answer, while only Black Rabbit, who had a smile, could see Wu Ming's eyes seem to have died out of life. "Really so unreliable." Starting with Black Rabbit, followed by Cheshire and the Caterpillar, the place was filled with laughter from these three.
White jerked in shock, "Did they finally break?!"
"I would say so, if it's just that stupid cat," Hatter replied, arms crossed over his chest, while Green Rabbit nodded.
Black Rabbit said, "Welcome to the club, Wu Ming!"
The life in Wu Ming's eyes came back right after hearing Black Rabbit's voice just next to her. "Club? Like Elise's Useless Club?"
Black Rabbit smiled so big, "Totally!"
"I'm glad!" Everyone turned to Cheshire. "I'm not the only one who thinks that brat is stupid!"
"Who doesn't?" Black Rabbit replied.
"Setting Cheshire and Caterpillar aside, why does Black Rabbit think Elise is stupid? Have you met her before?"
"I did..." Black Rabbit's smile is so mysterious, but no one, not even Wu Ming, asks any further; it is as if they could already tell that she would just play around.
"So?" Everyone turns their attention to the man atop the big mushroom. "What are you gonna do from here now, Lil' miss?"
"Continue. Stopping won't even be an option for me."
Caterpillar nodded. "I see," pink smoke puffed out from his mouth. "Then I believe there's nothing for you to stay here in Clover Forest."
"Are you saying that there's no more Alice here?" Wu Ming asks curiously.
Caterpillar inhales nicotine from his pipe and exhales it, not answering that question. Wu Ming narrows her eyes; there's a part of her that already sees this response from him, knowing that a sigh escaped from her, brushing it off.
However, Black Rabbit is different. "Hey, Caterpillar! How did you know that there's nothing for her to see here in Clover Forest anymore?"
Caterpillar narrowed his eyes with judgment towards the black rabbit standing next to the 11th Alice with a sarcastic smile.
Before anything could start, something caught the attention of everyone: a strong gust of wind came down, disturbing all the plants and scaring off the animals. On the other hand, Caterpillar wasn't as bothered as everyone else; his eyebrows knitted as he watched his beloved pink smoke being suppressed by that wind. Hatter was able to withstand the strong current, glaring at whatever was above them. Cheshire and Green Rabbit were sitting on the grass, folding their animal ears with their human hands. White and Wu Ming were on their knees as well, both holding their heads; meanwhile, Black Rabbit was on top of Wu Ming.
The strong blast of wind has finally stopped. Quickly, after recovering each of their own, everyone has turned their heads, and there they see what is above them. It is the very same creature that burned down White's home; each of them has their own expression upon his appearance.
A smirk plays on Hatter's face while his hands itch for a fight.
Cheshire is hiding his irritation at the knight's face behind his infamous grin.
Green Rabbit's hands are still on her lop ears, and she is obviously scared.
Fear consumes White from head to toe and is written on his face, as well as memories of his burned home resurfacing in his mind. Yet soon, the fear turns into hate as his eyebrows knit together.
Caterpillar looks very annoyed.
Eyes narrow as Black Rabbit's red eyes focus on him.
Wu Ming's eyes squirt, being wary of the knight as she clearly remembers his face while he burned down White's garden like mad, and even now, his face is contorted with malicious intent.
"Are we fuck? Or will he be fuck?"
Black Rabbit: "Language, please, Cheshire~"
"He's fuck." Wu Ming brings their attention to Hatter, who is really excited. With that, they all agree with her. "White, do you want to join Hatter?"
"Yes!" White's eyes sharpen, burning with rage; his legs and arms turn into animal form. There's no more hesitation or fear to be sensed from him.
Black Rabbit asks, "You won't mind, will you, Hatter?"
"Not at all."
"Well, he needs to avenge his land after all," Cheshire interjects. "Then, as for us who have no ability or intention to fight, let's just sit and chill~"
"Do you know who he is?" Green Rabbit asks Black Rabbit after getting near them, with Cheshire being more relaxed than anyone expected.
"Hm? Who doesn't?" Black Rabbit only replies with a mysterious smile.
"You know a lot."
"It's too early to decide that, Green Rabbit."
Wu Ming narrowed her eyes at Black Rabbit, who sensed that she was turning to her, tilting her head with a lax smile. Wu Ming tilted her head as well, but other than that, they just stared at each other for a few more seconds. Then, as if having a silent agreement, both turned their attention back to the Blue Winged Knight above.
"Who's your bet to win?" Black Rabbit abruptly asked Wu Ming.
"Obviously Hatter and White."
"Me too! By the way~" Wu Ming, Cheshire, and Green Rabbit looked at her. "White's arms and legs turn into a tiger's..." Silence... Wu Ming knew where this was going. "He is Bandersnatch!" Wu Ming was confused, and she'd be lying if she claimed otherwise. After all, Black Rabbit's eyes were completely different from the others; they were twinkling with excitement, far from the fear and hate in the eyes of the villagers, Green Rabbit's, and the twins.
The fight starts before they know it, and it doesn't take much observation to realize that their comrades are being overwhelmed.
Hatter and White both slam down on the ground in front of them, which makes Wu Ming question how strong this winged knight is.
"That's so clumsy of you, Hatter!" Cheshire yells, to which Hatter responds, "Shut up, stupid cat!" while he and White push themselves.
"Still going to fight me?" All attention turns to the unscratched winged person who is still above them, looking at them like some pest at his feet. Then his eyes fall on Wu Ming, who flinches as soon as she feels his gaze on her. Black Rabbit steps forward and stands in front of Alice; on the other hand, the Blue Winged Knight is coming down to the ground.
"So you are the new Alice."
How did he know? No, not just him; Black Rabbit has also recognized Wu Ming as the new Alice, as has Caterpillar. Yet the question is: How did they find out?
It's really just simple because Wu Ming's clothes aren't from anywhere within this world. Just that.
Wu Ming found it hilarious once she realized it.
"This is the first time we've met, so first, I would like to apologize if I offend you, but I am only executing an order from my beloved queen."
"The Red Queen..." Cheshire mutters, while Black Rabbit's eyebrow is raised.
"What order?" Black Rabbit asked. Her voice wasn't so nice, unlike how she usually speaks with the rest, especially Wu Ming. She sounds authoritative and rude.
The Blue Winged Knight smirked and spread his hands and wings as wide as he could, his face red with desire and delight. "My beloved queen! The Red Queen! Has given me orders to kill the new Alice!"
"The Queen did?" Full of doubt, it doesn't take a genius to know that Caterpillar is doubting the knight's claim, but other than him, no one made a comment, and most of them seemed to expect this.
"Heh!" The big smile and blush on the Blue Winged Knight disappeared as soon as he heard Hatter spit, "Don't even think of it, stupid bird!"
"See~ Hatter has a limited vocabulary."
Whether they heard Cheshire or not, the cat man could not tell and readily didn't care, all because Hatter made a reaction that he had already expected.
Hatter clicked his tongue, returning his focus to the bird-man. "Like I said, don't even think of killing Wu Ming; I won't let you get past me!" He dashed toward their enemy, while White crouched down as his legs turned into a tiger's, and he too joined the battle.
"Is White good at fighting?"
"As Bandersnatch, yes."
"Talk about animal instinct."
"As White?"
"We're witnessing it now."
Yes, they are witnessing how White fights and how he collaborates with Hatter.
Although he doesn't get in Hatter's way, all of his punches and kicks are not doing much to the knight, who uses his wings to shove him away.
"What is White doing?!"
"He's pulling... His determination to land a hit on the enemy backfires before it can really land. Although the other has pure menace, the fear of hurting someone makes White's body pull back his attacks."
"That has to be expected; White is a kind person." No one disagrees.
A smile spread, and a sharp gaze landed on their enemy, who was too busy pining for White and receiving attacks from Hatter. At the very least, in this fight, Hatter was causing injuries with each of his attacks. The coldness and cool demeanor of the Blue Winged-Knight were surely evident on his face and in his movements. Yet everything halted as the Blue Winged-Knight suddenly flapped his wings and flew away from them, which left everyone confused. However, there were at least three people who noticed the beginning of the Queen's messenger's changes. He flinched for one second, not because of an attack but because of something else; his face was filled with fear and confusion. The Blue Winged-Knight then flew away, leaving everyone in utter shock, which was soon replaced with relief, though rage was evident on Hatter's part.
"YOU DAMN BIRD! COME BACK HERE!!!"
Green Rabbit: "Shouldn't we be thankful that the Queen's messenger left?"
"That's Hatter for you," Cheshire spoke. "Quite a stupid brain inside a head that is being devoured by an ugly hat."
Hearing his insult, Wu Ming couldn't help but narrow her eyes and sigh, thanking the heavens that Hatter did not hear it.