Alice wanted the Dark Umbrella to do something for her… though she seemed to be taking the matter with Zantanel seriously.
Alice: "Alright then... I want you to deal with Raven."
Sophie: "Uhm... that dark magician?"
Alice: "Yes... kill him for me."
Fiona: "I thought you already dealt with him. Are you sure you want him dead?"
Alice: "No exceptions... what kind of witch would I be otherwise?… Hehehe… so... what do you say?"
Alice wore a dark outfit, her stomach exposed from the front all the way around, along with her back. She wore sleeves on each arm. Her legs were covered by dark pants, though the sides of them were open in the middle. She had long dark hair and one gray eye. There was a mole on her back and shoulder. Her voice was unexpectedly calm, a little high, but pleasant. She slowly walked toward them. Alice was also 174 cm tall.
Alice: "Well?…"
Ms Sonda: "Mmmm... fine… we can take care of it, but... what exactly are we supposed to handle? Why don't you kill him yourself?"
Alice: "Hehehe… good question... well… I'm busy. Besides, I want you to kill everyone on his side too… even the unarmed ones."
Ms Sonda: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "Rejected."
Alice: "Excuse me?"
Fiona: "We're here to stop Zantanel. We can gladly help with Raven, but the others? No. We're not willing to follow your way of dealing with people just because they disagree with you. Killing them would be unnecessary bloodshed. If you want that, do it yourself. I won't interfere, because I'm not a heroine… but I'm not a villain either."
Alice: "Hmmm… hehehehehehe… interesting, dear."
She walked toward her.
Alice: "While the others said nothing, you said what you believed was right... even though you're so quiet… you… half passed."
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Alice: "Because… you forgot something, dear… You said you're not a heroine… but also not a villain… are you trying to make me the villain then?"
Suddenly she looked at her with furious eyes.
Alice: "Mmm?"
A black liquid began leaking from her eyes.
Alice: "Snap!"
(Splach!)
Fiona: "Urk!"
Sophie: "Huh!"
Lina: "Ughhhhuh!"
Ms Sonda: "Ughhh.."
Fiona: "What…"
Part of her foot had been bitten off.
Fiona: "Urk... aarghhhhh… AAAAAAAARGHHHH!"
Alice: "No one... talks to me like that… understood?... I kill whenever I want… even children if I feel like it… because I… am the ruler here... in Wonderland…"
The puppets and robots stared at them as well… with furious expressions.
Alice: "Mmmmhhh.."
Ms Sonda: "Fine then. We won't kill Raven after all."
Alice: "Excuse me?"
Ms Sonda: "You attacked us."
Marcus: "Hmmm."
Suddenly a dark figure appeared behind him.
Marcus: "Mmm."
Lina: "Mmm."
Sophie: "Ghh!"
She pulled out her pistol.
Ms Sonda: "She only said she doesn't want to kill innocents… and she's right. We came here to help, not to commit a massacre. You're free to do that yourself."
Alice: "...Hahh... Snap!"
(Splach!)
Ms Sonda's head was bitten off.
Alice: "Huh?!"
But instead, one of the puppets collapsed.
(Krach!)
Alice: "Ugh."
Ms Sonda: "Hmph."
Alice: "How is that possible?"
Ms Sonda: "...My ability allows me to hide anything… even... my organs… I hid my heart… somewhere nobody can find it… so… as long as nothing happens to my heart... nothing happens to me either…"
Alice: "I destroyed your… brain…"
Ms Sonda: "Yes…"
She pointed at her forehead. Several stitched wounds were there.
Ms Sonda: "...The thing is… my body regenerates very well as long as my heart is intact… even the brain… My arcane ability is regeneration… even from horrible injuries like that one… I regenerate. So the only way to kill me is to strike my heart."
Alice: "And where do you get your blood from?"
She grabbed Alice's hand and let it pass through her chest.
Alice: "Ugh... is that… a sewn heart… made of stitching material?"
Ms Sonda: "A sort of replacement… This heart… belonged to another creature… an animal, to be precise…"
Sophie: "Fiona, are you alright?"
Fiona: "Ghhh…"
Ms Sonda: "This meeting wasn't supposed to go like this… By the way, my regeneration comes from sewing itself."
She lightly injured her hand. Several stitches appeared and sewed the wound shut.
Ms Sonda: "Unfortunately, I can only sew myself back together."
Alice: "I see… what a freak."
Ms Sonda: "You could say that… So, dear Alice… I want you to heal my colleague."
Alice: "I can't heal."
Ms Sonda: "Hmph… then the deal…"
Alice: "Hahhh… fine then… give her this…"
She handed her a glass bottle.
Sophie: "What is this?"
Alice: "A bottle of my own sap. It can heal wounds… pour it over the injury."
They did so.
Sophie: "Are you okay?... Ugh… I think she's unconscious."
Ms Sonda: "Stay with her, Sophie…"
Alice: "Hmph…"
A few hours later.
Fiona: "Ughuhh!"
Sophie: "Shhh… relax."
Fiona: "Damn it… what happened?"
Alice: "Hmph?... hehe.."
Fiona: "Ugh… that crazy woman…"
Sophie: "Shhh! Don't let her hear you…"
She stood up.
Ms Sonda: "Hmm?... there you are. Are you alright?"
Fiona: "Hmm."
Ms Sonda: "Good grief… you look pale."
She briefly brushed Fiona's cheeks.
Fiona: "Hands off."
She pushed her away.
Ms Sonda: "Hmm?... look at that… are you angry?"
Fiona: "I'm not doing this… that woman is insane…"
Sophie: "She's right. She can't even understand other people's opinions. Maybe she's even lying and Raven isn't evil at all."
Ms Sonda: "Hmmm."
Fiona: "Hahhh… damn, this is embarrassing. I even passed out… hahh… I'm going outside for some fresh air."
She stepped outside.
Alice: "Mmm… (drinks)… ahhhh… ughhh…"
She dropped the glass.
Alice: "Urk!!"
Sophie: "Huh?"
Ms Sonda: "Hmm?"
Alice: "Ghhhhh...."
(Schwubs)
Alice: "Where am I?"
Frau Holle: "You dare touch my Fiona… Alice!"
Alice: "Huh?! Holle!"
Suddenly she stood before her with furious eyes.
Frau Holle: "I killed your son… should I kill your whore daughter too?"
Alice: "...Wait... I didn't know she belonged to you… hehe… you… made a contract with her…"
Frau Holle: "No. I cursed her… hmph… don't you dare hurt my vessel again."
She pulled something out. It was the hand of Alice's son.
Frau Holle: "Otherwise next time… your daughter ends up like this."
Alice: "Ghhh… you know I'm stronger than you."
Frau Holle: "Hmph… I'm a spirit. That's the difference between us. I'm a banshee… which means… I command the bringers of misfortune to harm your people… and you can't do anything against them… can you?"
Alice: "Mmmm..."
Frau Holle: "Hmph… this is the final warning… Just as you care about your daughter… I care about Fiona… She's almost like a daughter to me."
Then she disappeared.
Alice: "Huh?... where am I?... ugh…"
Fiona: "Everything alright…?"
Alice: "Huh?... what happened?... why am I lying… on the ground… no… wait… am I lying on your lap?!"
Fiona: "Uhm… I thought… that would be better than a rock… by the way… that's the leg you almost sliced apart."
Alice: "Ughhh… why am I in the garden?"
Fiona: "You… fell out the window…"
Memory.
Alice: "AAAAARGHH!"
Fiona: "Huh?! What's happening now?! Ugh!"
She fell from the window, but before it was too late, Fiona tried to catch her, and Alice landed on top of her.
(Krach!)
Alice: "Urk."
Fiona: "Ugh... ouch… mmm."
She held her head.
Fiona: "Ughh… hey… what just happened…"
She looked upward. Ms Sonda crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
End of memory.
Alice: "Ghh."
She stood up.
Alice: "Hey… you were cursed by Holle. Why didn't you tell me?"
Fiona: "Uhm… was that necessary?"
Alice: "Yes, damn it."
Fiona: "I didn't know why I should mention it. Besides, you barely gave me time to think."
Alice: "Mmm. I suppose I should think twice before attacking someone… (cough)... listen… because you're tied to Holle—I mean because Holle cursed you—it means… no witch is allowed to attack you… otherwise they'll be cursed too… I was almost cursed… She gave me a warning."
Fiona: "A warning?"
Alice: "Hahh… she killed my son."
Fiona: "Uhhh… ugh… I see… sorry…"
Alice: "Why are you apologizing? It was my fault… you didn't even call me cruel… and I still injured your leg… I'm sorry."
Fiona: "Mmm… are you apologizing so Holle won't do anything… or because you mean it?"
Alice: "Hahh… depends on you. Could be both…"
She looked at Fiona and held out her hand.
Alice: "Can you stand?"
Fiona: "Yeah…"
She stood up and took Alice's hand.
Alice: "Hmmm… hahh… you were right… the thing with the people was a bad idea… I have to admit… you've got guts… but you passed out like a child… hehe… you even drooled."
Fiona: "Nughh!"
Alice: "Your friends are probably waiting. Come on."
Alice walked upstairs.
Alice: "Hmm."
Fiona: "Wait… how did Holle contact you?"
Alice: "Holle probably forced herself into me as a spirit. That's why I briefly lost my senses… which is why I fell out the window."
Fiona: "Oh… okay…"
They walked upstairs together.
Ms Sonda: "Hmmm…"
Alice: "You're all so mean. Nobody checked on me except her… even though I bit her leg."
Fiona: "(Sweating)... well… I admit I briefly considered leaving you there. Also… uhm… I did something."
Sophie: "Mmbbfff.."
Ms Sonda: "Mmm."
Marcus: "Huh?... ghh."
Lina: "Tsss… bggg.."
Alice: "Hey… what did you do?"
She looked into the mirror.
Her cheeks had been painted red and someone had smeared the makeup across her face.
Alice: "Ughh…"
Fiona: "For my leg earlier."
Alice: "…..Hhh... hehehehehehehehe… hahahahahahaha… hahahaha… oh man… okay… I really didn't expect that… not bad, dear… hehehehe… Please tell me that marker comes off."
Fiona: "Yeah… just water… and soap."
Alice: "We don't have… soap here."
Ms Sonda: "Then use mine."
Alice: "Why do you have soap?"
Ms Sonda: "I sweat a lot."
Fiona: "Indeed… your ex dumped you because of it."
Ms Sonda: "Ughh... fuck you!"
Marcus: "What… you had a boyfriend?... The guy must've been suicidal."
Sophie: "Yep… what a simp…"
Lina: "Simp?... what's that?"
Sophie: "Ask her ex."
Ms Sonda: "(Cough)… anyway… dear Alice… do you still want our help?"
Alice: "Yes… regarding the people on Raven's side… don't kill them if you don't want to… you can also kill them if you want. I'll leave that decision to you."
Ms Sonda: "Understood… anyone against that?"
Silence.
Ms Sonda: "Good. We do not kill unarmed people or anyone who poses no threat, regardless of whose side they're on. Alright then… let's get moving."
They left the castle.
Alice: "Hmm… first, I want you to go to the human city."
Sophie: "Hmm?"
Alice: "A lot of Raven's people are there… I don't care how you deal with them."
Ms Sonda: "Hmmm."
Alice: "The number of cities you need to visit isn't that large anyway."
Sophie: "Elfia… the fairy city Fey… the human city Licia… the city of fun, Parkfunny… and of course… the city where Alice lives… Wunderheim… but… how are we supposed to get there?"
Alice: "No problem. I'll arrange a carriage for you. It doesn't fly, by the way. It's pulled by a different kind of unicorn. Some unicorns fly… others are like horses and run on the ground… like this… (whistles)... bring them a carriage… mmm…"
She looked at them.
Alice: "So then… I wish you good luck… hehe, my dears…"
The carriage arrived. They climbed in, and it started moving.
Alice: "Goodbye."
She waved as they left… but once they were gone, her smile vanished.
Alice: "Hmph… observe them… yes… who knows what they truly want."
Robot: "In the name of our mother, we shall obey every command…"
It walked away.
Alice: "Hmmm… wait."
Robot: "Huh?"
Alice: "If you must kill them… kill Ms Sonda and Fiona first… I can't kill them myself… though Ms Sonda… bring her to me… Again, only if they don't do what I asked. Just observe them… that's all."
Robot: "Understood."
She walked back inside.
Alice: "Hahhh… hehehe…"
She wiped the marker off her face.
Alice: "That Fiona is funny… she's got guts… and that Ms Sonda… hehe… her ability is insane…"
She walked upstairs.
Alice: "Aschenputtel?... hmm… is she gone?... well, suits me fine…"
She walked to her sofa and laid down.
Alice: "I'm bored… hmmm… ahhh… hey, puppets."
Puppet: "Yes?"
Alice: "Bring me… someone cute."
Puppet: "As you command."
The puppet left.
Meanwhile.
Ms Sonda: "Listen to me…"
Sophie: "Hmm?"
Ms Sonda: "This Alice… isn't what we thought she was. You noticed it yourselves."
Sophie: "Yeah…"
Lina: "She smelled like a lot of dark aura."
Ms Sonda: "Mhm… and not only that… she's very unstable… we need to be careful… she's like a snake…"
Fiona: "Which makes me even less sure that telling her about Zantanel was a good idea…"
A few minutes later.
Alice: "Hahh… how boring… you should've entertained me with your tricks instead of just throwing things around, clown."
Clown: "Uhm… sorry… miss…"
Alice: "Hahhh… alright… but I had my fun…"
She was wearing pajamas now.
Alice: "Good...."
Clown: "Mmm."
Alice: "Tell me, dear clown… why are you staring at my legs?... do you like my skin?"
Clown: "Mmm… umm… you… you are beautiful, Alice."
Alice: "Hehehe… am I pretty?"
Clown: "Yes."
Alice: "Tell me, do you have a family?"
Clown: "Uhm… yes."
Alice: "I see… would you leave them for me?"
Clown: "Yes."
Alice: "...Hehehe....Come closer for a moment."
He approached her while she moved slightly toward him.
Alice: "I don't like… people who only praise me for my body…"
Clown: "Huh?!"
Alice: "Snap."
(Splach!)
Half of his body was suddenly gone, as though bitten away.
(Splach)
He collapsed dead onto the floor.
Alice: "Hmph… if you're willing to leave your wife and children… just for my body… then one day you'd do the same to me… scum… Though the real reason I killed you… is because you called me Alice without permission… instead of Dear Alice… and because you stared at my body without my permission… Puppets!"
The puppets appeared.
Alice: "It seems… some people among our kind have become very arrogant… Kill that bastard's family… kill everyone who's friends with them too…"
Puppet: "But his family is highly respected, Dear Alice."
Alice: "Mm!"
She grabbed the puppet's head and tore it off.
(Krach!)
Alice: "…..So... anyone else want to refuse my orders?"
Puppet: "No... no, Dear Alice… we'll do it… please don't get angry… we'll do whatever you want."
Alice: "Then get lost... take that son of a bitch with you… bury him together with his wife… oh, the children… I'll leave them to you. Decide yourselves whether to spare them or kill them. How about that?"
Puppet: "As you command."
The puppet left.
Alice: "Hmph... Huh… hehehe… what's wrong?... didn't he taste good?"
A figure appeared beside her. She stroked its cheek.
Alice: "My… Beast."
Beast: "Rrrrrrrr…"
It was a figure with a skull for a head and long hair. Its body was almost entirely bones, and it wore a long coat.
Alice: "Don't worry… I'm here… my sweet… Beast… Scarecrow, come here for a moment."
A scarecrow appeared.
Alice: "How goes the surveillance?"
Scarecrow: "Don't worry, Dear Alice… we're watching the Dark Umbrella."
Alice: "Good. And the others?... those other people who arrived…"
Scarecrow: "Yes… they call themselves… Hunters."
Meanwhile.
(Splach!)
Elf woman: "Urkkkk…"
(Patch)
Unknown: "Hehehehe… we did it, look… I can sell the eyes and ears now, Leonar…"
Leonar: "Mhm… I have a fairy here."
Fairy: "Mmm…"
Leonar: "Its blood is good for healing… this could be worth something."
He stuffed her into a bottle and sealed it shut.
Leonar: "And you, Carlos… how much money do you think we'll get from this?"
Carlos: "Who knows?... We'll probably stay here for an entire year anyway… heheh… the more loot… the better."