Jack, the Blood Maidens and Hinata are walking across the town's roundabout, ready for another morning at school. The previous night, at Jack's house, Thumbelina voiced her frustration over Hatter's behavior up until now-Of how he fondly calls her "Thumby" and his attempts at flirting with her. After being assured that things will be alright, Thumbelina was advised by Snow White to apologize to Hatter for having spoken harshly towards him. With this in mind, the group planned to stop by the Tea Party Brigade along the way to school.
"I hope this will work out fine," Thumbelina sighed. "Why did I have to say those words to Hatter?"
"For a person such as you, it's only natural to give that kind of response," said Gretel. "It proves to show that to a certain extent, you're hiding your feelings for Hatter,"
"I don't have any feelings for him, Gretel!" Thumbelina shot Gretel a glance. Frowning, she added, "It's just that… this is my first time dealing with a person like Hatter. He's nice but at the same time, he gets on my nerves,"
"Don't worry about it, Thumbelina," Jack assured. "This is just a reminder that there're different types of people in this world,"
"You already said that…" Still frowning, Thumbelina replied.
"What's more important is that we resolve this issue amicably," stated Alice. "Speaking of which, here we are," Everyone was now at the Tea Party Brigade. Hatter, March and Drake were setting up tables in front of their truck. Upon Jack and his company's arrival, both Jack and Hatter's side greeted each other.
"Morning, fellas! Wassup?" Hatter said in his cheerful demeanor.
"Good day, friends," March spoke politely.
"Good morning," said Drake in a quiet yet courteous manner.
"Good morning," Jack said as he and his company responded to Hatter, March and Drake's greeting. "I see that you're setting up shop,"
"Indeed we are," said March. "How may we help you?"
"Actually, Thumbelina wants to speak with Hatter," Hinata motioned towards the red headed Blood Maiden. "I hope you don't mind listening to what she has to say,"
"Thumby wanna say something to me?" Hatter asked. "What about?" Thumbelina stepped forward and faced Hatter.
"About that," she said. "It's regarding what I said to you when we came home from dinner last night,"
"Do you mean the part where you asked for Hatter to 'Drop dead'?" asked Drake.
"Y-Yeah, that's right," Thumbelina felt a little nervous. Blushing, she said to Hatter, "I'm sorry for what I said to you. It was my bad,"
"Hey, don't sweat it, Thumby," A sad look emerged on Hatter's face. "In fact, I gotta apologize as well,"
"For what?" Thumbelina became puzzled.
"Well, I did kinda go overboard with mah words last night you know. What with how I asked you for a kiss," Glancing downwards, Hatter continued. "So, that's why I want to make it up with you,"
"Hatter…" Thumbelina and her friends were slightly surprised at Hatter's demeanor.
"And for that, I have a proposal," Putting on a huge grin, Hatter said to Thumby, "How bout a date?" Jack, the Blood Maidens and Hinata fell into a stunned silence at Hatter's words.
"Excuse me?" Thumbelina asked.
"You heard me, Thumby. You and I on a date. We go to the city, eat some nice classy food and maybe spend some time under the moonlight like a couple of lovers. Oh, don't worry. It ain't gonna be the two of us alone. March and Drake here can pair up with your sisters and tag along. What do you think?" As Hatter was speaking, March turned his head to the side and chuckled. At the same time, Drake's eyes were on Hatter.
"You know what?" Thumbelina replied with a neutral expression. "I think that's pretty nice,"
"You think so?" Hatter's face brightened up.
"But, only in your dreams," Thumbelina furrowed her eyebrows. "First off, there is no way I am going on a date with you. Also, don't even think of trying to ask my sisters out for one. And if you, March and Drake even think of doing anything questionable to them," In a low, threatening tone, she finished her sentence. "You may end up losing your life," Everyone was unnerved at Thumbelina's words. Hatter in particular, wore a huge frown on his face. March and Drake fell silent, their faces turning serious.
"Just kidding," Thumbelina spoke light-heartedly. "That was only a joke. Or should I say," With a huge smile, she added, "I was just 'playing'," Jack, Hinata and the remaining Blood Maidens were speechless. As for Hatter, he became dumbstruck to the point of staring at Thumbelina with his mouth agape. March started to laugh softly while Drake chuckled to himself.
"I guess that settles it, right?" Red Riding Hood asked.
"I suppose…" Alice then spoke to Hatter's group. "That aside, thank you for your time. We'll be taking our leave now,"
"Yeah ,yeah, sure. See ya later," Hatter nodded his head a few times and waved at Jack's group, who left for the west road. As the latter did, Hatter and his company stared at them.
"God****," Hatter said once Jack and his company left, his tone a mixture of surprise and admiration. "Thumby went Chris Tucker all over me. Especially with the 'playing' part,"
"It was quite the jest indeed," March smiled.
"Yeah, she got you there," Drake agreed with March.
"She playin' hard to get, man. But, she loves me and I know it. Let's get to work, guys," Hatter signaled for his two friends to follow him to the Tea Party Brigade's kitchen. March and Drake looked at him as the latter walked there.
"That's what you say for every girl you meet…" Drake said to himself before he and March began joining Hatter.
Mr. Shiro is inside his room, seated at his desk. Some time had passed since he saw Jack and the Blood Maidens out of the house. Assuming a steepling pose, the bespectacled man is gazing at his laptop in front of him. As Mr. Shiro looked into the still monitor of the laptop, he pondered over the recent developments pertaining to Towa's side. Most of his thoughts revolved around hypotheses on how the Core found by Towa's team came to be. In the middle of his train of thought, Mr. Shiro's attention was grabbed by his hand phone ringing inside one of his coat's pockets. Answering it, he soon found out that his caller was none other than Haru.
"Shiro, where are you?" Haru's voice contained a sense of urgency.
"I am currently at the house," Mr. Shiro replied. "Is something the matter, Haru? You sound as if something had happened,"
"There's something you need to see at once. Is your laptop with you?"
"Yes, it is right in front of me. Do send me what you want to show," Putting Haru's call on hold, Mr. Shiro accessed his e-mail and found a new message from Haru in there. Clicking on it, he then viewed a video recording attached to the message. The recording showed the members of Towa's expedition team extracting samples from the Underground Cavern's Core. Towa himself was seen standing still observing the work done by his team members.
Mr. Shiro watched the recording with great attention, phone at his ear. As he did, the expression on his face slowly changed into one of utter shock. It was as if he had witnessed something terrifying. Seconds later, the video ended with a static screen. Despite what he had seen, Mr. Shiro maintained his composure.
"Haru, is this for real?" Mr. Shiro spoke seriously.
"As much as I wish it isn't, it is," Haru sounded tense. "Right now, the Bureau is conducting an emergency meeting to discuss the appropriate course of action. Aside from that, there's one more thing you need to know,"
"What is it?" Mr. Shiro listened intently.
"That thing you saw in the video? It's headed for Wonder Ville,"
At Shinzo Academy, classes are underway as usual. After being taught the first two subjects of the day, the students were given a ten minute break. During that time, Jack and the Blood Maidens chatted with their classmates inside their respective classrooms. Inside Class 1-3, Rapunzel talked to a few students about the Tea Party Brigade with childlike excitement. Her classmates listened intently while Red Riding Hood and Cinderella watched the conversation with a smile.
At her classroom, Gretel took out her newly bought novel and read it, catching the attention of a few students. Upon being enquired on what she was reading, the bespectacled Blood Maiden gave an explanation of the novel's story. Her listeners were stunned and uncomfortable over the fact that she could detail the book's indecent content in a casual manner. When asked to stop, all Gretel replied was a "Why? It's getting interesting you know," Hearing her response, the students were further stunned. Seeing this, Kaguya shook her head slowly and exuded a small sigh.
In Class 1-1, Hinata, Jack and Alice were standing next to the windows, talking about their lessons. In the middle of their conversation, Hinata stared out the window and noticed Mr. Shiro entering the school's main gate. The latter appeared to be walking hurriedly as if in urgency. Quickly, Hinata brought Jack and Alice's attention to what he saw.
"Isn't that Mr. Shiro?" Hinata asked.
"You're right," a puzzled Alice said. "I wonder what he's doing here,"
"Me too," Jack followed. "He looks like he's in a hurry,"
"Let's see what he needs," Saying that, Alice along with Jack and Hinata excused themselves out of their class to head for the entrance. Arriving there, the trio found out that the other Blood Maidens had gathered at the part of the hallway facing the entrance. Soon, Mr. Shiro walked through the school's automatic door and was greeted by the sight of Jack, the Blood Maidens and Hinata.
"Ah, you're all here," Mr. Shiro said to Jack and his company. "Perfect timing,"
"What are you doing here, Mr. Shiro?" Red Riding Hood asked.
"I apologize for having to say this suddenly," Mr. Shiro spoke to Jack and the Blood Maidens. Shifting to a more serious tone, he added, "However, you will need to pack your things right away. We must leave,"
"Did something happen?" asked Alice.
"Yes, but, that will have to wait," replied Mr. Shiro. "In the meantime, I will inform the school principal about the current situation," While Mr. Shiro talked, Hinata was looking through the automatic door's glass. His eyes widened as he saw something land at the front yard.
"Hinata? What's wrong?" Thumbelina noticed Hinata's surprised expression.
"W-What is that?" Hinata pointed his finger towards the yard. Jack, the Blood Maidens and Mr. Shiro looked at the direction Hinata pointed at. It was at that moment that Mr. Shiro became alarmed.
"No… This cannot be!"
Business at the Tea Party Brigade proceeded normally for Hatter and his two friends. March and Drake had just wished goodbye to some customers who sat by their truck for tea. The duo is now standing in front of the truck's attendance window, waiting for more customers. Hatter is inside the kitchen, listening to the radio's music played out by speakers installed in it's ceilings. Idling about with March, Drake looked up to the sky out of a whim.
It was then that something caught Drake's eye-A black figure flying high up above Wonder Ville. At the sight of this, Drake beckoned for Hatter and March to look at the sky. Rushing out of the kitchen, Hatter joined March and Drake in watching the figure which now flew down and disappeared somewhere into the western area of the town. Even a few passersby stopped to see the descending figure.
"What the h*** is that?" asked a curious Hatter. "Superman come to town or something?"
"More importantly, the direction where that thing headed," Drake said to March and Hatter. "Isn't that where Jack and his friends' school is at?"
"Right you are," A serious expression surfaced on March's face. "I have a bad feeling about this,"
"I feel the same," Drake shared March's view. "I think we should head for the school,"
"Yeah, I agree with Drake," Hatter nodded affirmatively. "Let's close up shop, fellas. We gonna go pay Jack and his pals a visit,"
The students in Shinzo Academy could not believe what they are currently seeing. Staring out from their respective classrooms' windows, their eyes were focused on the alien figure that had arrived at the school's front yard. The figure, black in color, possessed a humanoid form. It had the head and claws of a dragon as well as red eyes with black slits in them.
Jack and the Blood Maidens stared at the draconic being from the hallway, their eyes wide open in surprise. As for Mr. Shiro, he put on a cool exterior which was belied by a sense of dread inside him. While all eyes were on the school's foreign visitor, one of the teachers called the police with his hand phone. Another had left her classroom to call the principal. In the meantime, the students were advised to remain in their classrooms and not leave the building.
"Is that… a Marchen?" Red Riding Hood asked.
"That cannot be!" Cinderella voiced her doubts. "The Marchens are supposed to have no longer existed after the Jail's end!"
"Um… What are you two talking about?" Hinata asked in a puzzled tone.
"Hinata, I understand that you are unclear on what is going on," Mr. Shiro explained calmly. "However, I advise that you return to your classroom and remain there no matter the circumstances,"
"Why, Mr. Shiro?" Hinata responded, his voice sounding more puzzled. "What's going on?" Right after Hinata spoke, Rapunzel's attention was caught by something happening at the black dragon-like being's side. The blonde Blood Maiden started to growl as if she sensed an imminent threat.
"What's wrong, Rapunzel?" Jack asked as he and the rest of his group took notice of Rapunzel's behavior.
"Prey," Rapunzel said in between growls. "Coming!" At where the draconic entity stood, the being lifted one hand forward. Dark clouds of smoke rose out of the ground around it, giving rise to a horde of more foreign creatures. To Jack and the Blood Maidens' shock, the creatures that emerged were none other than Marchens. The Marchens bore a similar resemblance to the draconic figure except that they had what appeared to be tentacles at the sides of their mouths.
"Kill them," the figure commanded the Marchens in a menacing voice. Roaring wildly, the Marchens charged towards Shinzo Academy's main entrance and first year classrooms. Seeing the monsters heading towards their school, the students, especially the first years, turned afraid. Screams of fright soon filled the halls of the building as they ran out of their classes. The teachers quickly directed them towards the assembly hall, located opposite the entrance, all while trying to calm them down.
"W-what are those things?!" an alarmed Hinata said in the midst of the chaos.
"Hinata, get to safety!" Alice told Hinata. "We'll handle this!"
"Wait, are you going out there? That's suicide!" Hinata replied in a bewildered manner.
"He's right, Alice! Plus, we don't even have our weapons!" Thumbelina stated.
"Then, we've got no choice but, to use brute force! Come on, everyone!" With a determined look on her face, Red Riding Hood called for her companions to face the Marchen horde.
"Alright, be careful!" Despite having doubts on the thought of fighting without weapons, Jack agreed with Red Riding Hood's words.
"I shall assist as well," Mr. Shiro took out a gun from his coat. "Hinata, stay inside and do not come out,"
"O-okay, please take care!" Although Hinata was confused on the current turn of events, he quickly joined the students in entering the assembly hall. Concurrently, Jack, the Blood Maidens and Mr. Shiro moved out of the automatic door and prepared to fight the Marchens. As they did, Ms. Joshima, who was leading a few students to the assembly hall, saw the group exit the building.
Outside, Jack and his friends stood in front of the entrance and readied themselves. The Marchens did not stop their advance even after seeing the group. Immediately, Red Riding Hood gave orders to everyone.
"Everyone split up! Don't let them reach the school!"
"Let's do this!" Jack said with determination.
"We'll do our best!" Snow White stated.
"Very well," Hameln then shouted at the Marchens. "Begone, foul beasts!" Everyone divided themselves into teams of three-Jack, Alice and Mr. Shiro in the first followed by Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Rapunzel; Thumbelina and her sisters along with Kaguya, Gretel and Hameln. A fight to protect Shinzo Academy then ensued between Jack's side and the Marchens.
Though Jack and the Blood Maidens were not armed, they proved to be not pushovers. Alice fought one-on-one with a Marchen while being protected from enemy attacks by Jack and Mr. Shiro. Rapunzel was biting onto another while Red Riding Hood and Cinderella engaged in hand-to-hand combat with their opponents. Thumbelina subdued a Marchen with help from Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Hameln incinerated a few Marchens by hurling fireballs at them. At one point, Kaguya had slapped a Marchen in the face with her hand fan and kicked it down to the ground. Another Marchen attempted to strike her from behind only to be knocked aback by a swift palm strike from Gretel.
Some of the students who were fleeing into the school's assembly hall witnessed Jack and his company fighting the Marchens from the hallway. Calling their friends, they moved away from the assembly hall to the first year classrooms. A crowd of first years to third years then thronged the windows of the said classrooms and watched Jack's group whittle away the Marchen horde. Even a few teachers including Ms. Joshima joined them. The students murmured amongst themselves, wondering how Jack and the Blood Maidens could possibly fight against the monsters. As for the teachers, particularly Ms. Joshima, they appeared perplexed at what they are seeing.
The fight against the Marchens ended with Jack's group defeating the last of them, causing their bodies to vanish into smoke. With that, everyone regrouped to face the draconic being which still remained at it's spot.
"Hmph! Those Marchens had nothing on us!" Hameln said proudly.
"Now all that's left is that thing in front of us," Red Riding Hood looked at the being intently.
"Right, let's go, everyone," At Jack's words, his group moved towards the entity and faced it. The being scanned it's eyes across Jack, the Blood Maidens and Mr. Shiro. After doing so, it began speaking to them.
"If it isn't the accursed ones possessing the blood of monsters. How bold of you to have destroyed my kind,"
"It talks!" Red Riding Hood turned surprised. "Is this thing a Nightmare?"
"Who are you?" Alice questioned the being. "Why are you attacking our school?"
"I am Jabberwock," the entity replied. "My sole purpose is to fulfill one objective. Yes, and that is to eliminate all of you," Jabberwock pointed towards Jack and the Blood Maidens.
"What?" Snow White was shocked.
"Why would you want to do that?" Behind Mr. Shiro's glasses, the look in his eyes were dead serious.
"The reason is simple," Jabberwock's voice turned hateful. "It is for revenge,"
"Revenge?" Rapunzel frowned due to not understanding Jabberwock.
"Oh? Have we met before?" Gretel asked.
"Do not act as if you know nothing!" Jabberwock shouted. "Have you forgotten who we are? After having killed us for as long as you could remember?!"
"What's it talking about?" Thumbelina frowned.
"I don't know," Red Riding Hood looked at Jabberwock cautiously. "But, we better not let our guard down. This thing seems to be bad news,"
"It appears you have forgotten who I truly am," Jabberwock spoke in a calm yet menacing tone. "If that is the case, I shall force you to remember," While he was talking, five police cars, each occupied by four policemen, arrived at Shinzo Academy and lined up in front of it's main gate. Two policemen came out from each of the cars and headed towards Jabberwock. The remaining ones stood behind their vehicles to ensure that no one entered the school. During this time, a crowd of passersby had gathered in front of the school to see what was going on. At the same time, Hatter, March and Drake arrived at the scene. Making their way through the crowd, the trio approached the police officers on standby and asked them about the current situation.
"Hey, officer, you mind telling me what's going on here?" Hatter asked one of the policemen.
"A monster's attacking the school," replied the officer. "That's what we've been told,"
"A monster? You gotta be kidding me. Let me see this," Hatter stepped to the side but, was stopped by the policeman.
"I'm sorry, but, you can't go in there. There's no telling what will happen if you do,"
"Whaddaya mean I can't? I got friends in there, pal. Let me in," As the policemen on standby did their jobs, the eight others that entered the school compound were facing Jabberwock. Everyone at Shinzo Academy especially Jack's group watched as the police officers aimed their guns at Jabberwock.
"Don't move! Put your hands up into the air!" shouted the leader of the officers. Slowly, Jabberwock turned around and looked at the eight policemen. His appearance instilled caution, leading to them backing away a little. Nevertheless, the officers maintained their positions.
"I have no business with mere mortals," Jabberwock said to the police officers. "Leave,"
"We can't do that!" said another one of the policemen. "Step away from those people behind you and do as you're told!"
"It is best that you leave this place," Mr. Shiro called out to the officers. "This is not a matter that the police can handle,"
"I'm afraid we can't do that," replied the officers' leader. "The safety of the citizens is our topmost priority,"
"You don't understand," Alice stated. "What you're facing is not human. You will die if you fight him!"
"Just get to safety!" A third officer said to Jack's group. "Leave the rest to us!"
"I thought I asked for you to leave. But, since you insist on staying…" Jabberwock lifted one hand up, enveloping it with dark colored flames. "…I shall make you,"
"Wait! Don't do it-" Just as Jack spoke, Jabberwock threw a fireball towards the ground where the policemen stood. To the shock of Jack's group and those inside the school building, the eight policemen were sent flying towards the main gate. They crashed into their cars' front windows, shocking the passersby as well as Hatter and his two friends. Witnessing this, four of the policemen on standby instructed the bystanders to back away from the scene. The other half attended to their comrades, now unconscious, with one of them calling for an ambulance.
"What is going on here?" asked a concerned March.
"Let's go inside!" At Drake's request, he, Hatter and March rushed into the school compound despite being called out by a police man to do otherwise. Arriving there, the three boys faced Jabberwock who was about to bring his attention back to Jack's group. The trio were surprised upon seeing him along with Jack and his friends.
"God****!" Hatter exclaimed. "Whatchu doing here with your girls, Jack?"
"Hatter?!" It was Thumbelina's turn to exclaim. "Why are you here?"
"That's what I'm asking you, Thumby. We just saw something fly towards your side and here we are!"
"You need to get out of here. It's not safe!" warned Red Riding Hood.
"Why? Cuz we're seeing something right out of "Scary Movie" in front of us this second?"
"What?" Jack and the Blood Maidens gave Hatter a blank look.
"Nothing. I mean just what the h*** is going on here?!"
"Silence!" Jabberwock boomed. His voice was so loud that it sent a wave of unease over those around him, mainly the policemen at the main gate and the students and teachers inside the school. Turning his attention to Hatter's side, Jabberwock added menacingly, "Who are you? What business do you have here? Leave at once!"
"I do not know what you are," March spoke in a calm and serious tone. "But, clearly, you are quite the hostile one,"
"So, you will not leave," Jabberwock stepped forward. "In that case, you shall perish here!" Hatter and his companions braced themselves as Jabberwock was about to lunge towards them. Right when he was about to do so, Jabberwock found that he could not move. Mr. Shiro had rushed towards the draconic being and held him in place with an arm hold from behind.
"What are you doing?" a bewildered Jabberwock struggled to free himself. "Let go of me!"
"Not on my watch. I will not allow you to take any lives," While wrestling with Jabberwock, Mr. Shiro said, "Jack, go with the rest of us into the school and get the people inside there away from here. I will deal with Jabberwock,"
"What do you mean you'll deal with him?" Red Riding Hood got surprised. "You can't possibly fight him alone!"
"This is not a fight that you can handle!" Mr. Shiro gave a fast reply. "The lives of those around us as well as yours are more important. Now, go!"
"Meddlesome fool! I shall deal with you this moment!" All of a sudden, wings sprouted out from behind Jabberwock's back. Everyone soon saw Jabberwock flying up into the air with Mr. Shiro still holding onto him. The duo were then seen disappearing into the school rooftop.
"Did you guys see that?" Hatter exclaimed while his group joined Jack's. "That thing just took off with Mr. Shiro!"
"This is bad! What should we do?" a worried Snow White said.
"As much as I'm worried about Mr. Shiro, our top priority is the students," Alice stated. "There's no telling what further harm would befall them should they remain here,"
"Alright, then. As soon as we get everyone out of the school, we'll get back to Mr. Shiro. All in agreement with that?" Jack and the other Blood Maidens nodded in agreement with Red Riding Hood's plan.
"I don't know what's going on but, we'll help you in whatever you're doing," Drake said to Jack and his company.
"Thanks, we appreciate it. Come on!" At Jack's words, the group ran into Shinzo Academy. Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Jabberwock had knocked Mr. Shiro away, causing the man to move backwards a few feet away from the entity. Standing in front of his adversary, Mr. Shiro pointed his gun at Jabberwock.
"Why do you interfere with my purpose? Do you seek death by my hand?"
"On the contrary, I do not intend on dying," Mr. Shiro answered Jabberwock. "Rather, I aim to put an end to your intention of killing Jack and his friends,"
"For you to speak like that, you must be foolish," Jabberwock said mockingly. "Or are you implying that you are no ordinary human being?"
"What if I told you that was the case?" Mr. Shiro lowered his weapon.
"What?" A hint of surprise surfaced within Jabberwock's voice.
"I never intended on doing this. However, given the situation, it appears I have no choice," Taking his glasses off, Mr. Shiro kept them under his coat. He then tossed his gun aside and looked at Jabberwock intently. A white aura began enveloping Mr. Shiro's whole self. Within seconds, at where Mr. Shiro was, a white humanoid being bearing rabbit-esque features and red eyes with black slit shaped pupils stood in his place.
"You… That form!" Jabberwock pointed out in shock. "What are you?!"
"I am the White Rabbit," Mr. Shiro, having transformed into a different form, said. "Jabberwock, by my life and my soul, you shall not harm the living,"
"Interesting," A smirk crept across Jabberwock's face. "Very well. I will destroy you first. Then, I shall kill the cursed ones!"
Back at Jack and his friends' side, the group stood by the main gate, directing the students and teachers out of the school. At one side of the gate was Hatter, March, Drake, Jack, Alice, Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel. On the other end was Cinderella, Thumbelina, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Kaguya, Gretel and Hameln. While the innocent people ran out of the school compound, everyone in Jack's group repeatedly told them to be careful and not to panic.
"Everyone! Stay calm and be sure not to hurt yourselves!" Red Riding Hood called out.
"Be careful not to push each other, everyone!" said Snow White.
In the middle of watching over the students, Alice noticed something among the crowd. "Jack, do you see Hinata?"
"I don't see him, Alice. Why?"
"I was looking at all the students here and I do not see any trace of him. The same goes for the delinquents that harassed him,"
"Are you sure?" Jack asked. "There's a whole lot of people here. Maybe he's among the crowd,"
"Even still, we should be able to at least catch a glimpse of him with this many students," Alice started to be worried. "Do you think…?"
"Oh, no," A grim realization dawned upon Jack. "We got to get back into the school!"
Inside Shinzo Academy, Ichijo's gang were climbing up the stairs on each floor. During the chaos that previously ensued, they had snuck out from the assembly hall and witnessed the events that unfolded up until now. This led to them heading for the rooftop in order to satiate their curiosity on the current occurrences. Now in front of the staircase to the roof, located in the center of the third floor, Ichijo's group was about to climb it when a voice called out to them.
"What are you doing?" Ichijo's gang turned their heads sideways and saw Hinata coming towards them. The latter had been tailing them quietly after noticing their absence in the assembly hall.
"Huh? The first year?" Ichijo asked. "What are you doing here?"
"It's not safe here. You need to leave," Hinata advised.
"Who are you to tell us that?" said Sanji curtly. "You should be the one to leave. And what we do is none of your business,"
"What are you saying?! Don't you understand what's going on? We need to go now!"
"Now, listen here, first year," Nijima stood menacingly in front of Hinata. "We're already done with you especially after our run-in with your friends that day. So, why don't you do yourself a favor and get out?"
"No. And my name is not "first year". It's Hinata!" Hinata protested.
"Hinata!" Hinata turned around and saw Jack and the Blood Maidens running towards him.
"Not you all again!" Sanji yelled at Jack and the girls. "What do you want this time?!"
"We just want all of you to get out of the school now," replied Thumbelina. "That's all,"
"Well, your pal told us the same thing but, we're not moving so, beat it," said Gotou.
"Still having a sharp tongue I see," Kaguya commented. "Even after turning over a new leaf by acting as model students,"
"W-What's it to you?" Ichijo asked with slight embarassment.
"This is no time for small talk," Alice addressed everyone firmly. "We must get out of the school immediately," Suddenly, a loud sound was heard from above, catching the group's attention.
"What was that?" Cinderella asked.
"It came from upstairs. Let's check it out!" Quickly, Red Riding Hood headed for the stairs with Jack and the other Blood Maidens in tow.
"Hey, wait!" Hinata ran after Jack's group. Ichijo and his friends even followed him from behind. On the roof, a fierce battle between Mr. Shiro, the White Rabbit, and Jabberwock was underway. The White Rabbit moved around his opponent swiftly and attacked Jabberwock from all directions. In response, Jabberwock blocked his attacks all while shooting fireballs out of his hand. Swiftly, the White Rabbit deflected them towards the sky using his hands. The people at the school compound watched two of them explode in the sky above them.
"What the h*** is happening here?" Hatter wondered upon watching the explosions. Back at the rooftop, the White Rabbit and Jabberwock grabbed each other's' palms and started pushing one another. Their strength was such that the ground beneath their feet began to crack.
"What happened to Towa Kadowaki?" the White Rabbit demanded.
"Towa? That fool of a human?" Jabberwock put on a cruel grin. "He has been reborn into an entity of destruction which is I,"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I goaded him into accepting my power. Once he did, I took over his body and turned into the form that you are currently seeing at this moment,"
"How can this be?" White Rabbit responded in disbelief. "He was a strong man. Towa could not have possibly fell for any trickery that you used,"
"Do you really think that?" As Jabberwock spoke, the door of the rooftop's shed opened, revealing Jack, the Blood Maidens, Hinata and Ichijo's gang.
"Ah! Prey over there!" Rapunzel pointed at the White Rabbit and Jabberwock, who were a short distance ahead of the group.
"What is that?" Alice stared at the White Rabbit, who noticed Jack and his companions.
"What are you doing here?" a surprised White Rabbit said to the group. "You must get away from this place!" Seeing Jack's group, Jabberwock pushed himself away from his enemy to which the latter responded by backing away from the former.
"So, the cursed beings have come," Jabberwock then spoke, eyes on Jack and the Blood Maidens. "If you have come to face me, it's pointless. You should offer your lives to me without resistance,"
"How bold of you to say that! What makes you believe we will not put up a fight?!" Hameln retorted.
"Perhaps, I should show you," Jabberwock stood still. On his chest, what appeared to be a man's face, his eyes closed as if in sleep, emerged out of it. At that moment, Jack and the Blood Maidens became incredibly shocked.
"Is that… Mr. Kadowaki?" asked Alice.
"What is the meaning of this?" Cinderella said, astounded. With Towa's face still on his chest, Jabberwock began to tell a story.
"For a long time, we Marchens were slain by the likes of you. Our tormented souls were unable to rest in peace and eventually accumulated within the confines of the Jail. Yes. We dwelled deep within it waiting for a time where we could be released onto the light of day,"
"Would I be correct to say that what you resided in was a Core of the Jail itself?"
"Precisely," Jabberwock replied to Gretel's enquiry. "Unfortunately, we were unable to manifest ourselves into a physical form. In order to do so, we required a body. Because we were shut off from our confines, we had to wait for one,"
"And finally, after having waited for what seemed to be an eternity, our wish became a reality. That's right. It was the moment that you humans found us that we found the perfect vessel for us to acquire,"
"W-What's this thing talking about?" a confused Nijima said.
"And that vessel is Towa himself I presume," said the White Rabbit to Jabberwock.
"Correct! He was the perfect host! The man you call as Towa Kadowaki though strong on the outside, possessed his own inner demons. I took a hold of them and manipulated him into taking in my powers. Hence, we turned into this form,"
"But, why, Towa?" questioned Red Riding Hood. "Why did you have to take him?"
"As I have mentioned, it is because of his inner demons. Throughout his life, he relived the nightmare of his parents being killed by my kind over and over. All I did was tempt him with one thing-Had he been stronger, his parents and all those close to him would never have to die. I offered him my strength and he accepted it," Jabberwock seemed proud of his words.
"You're lying!" Jack said in disapproval. "It's true that Mr. Kadowaki had his problems. But, he would never have let himself taken in by you!"
"Yet, he did," Jabberwock gave a malicious grin. "Such is the weakness of man. All it takes is to exploit their vulnerabilities and they can be easily enticed,"
"That explains Mr. Kadowaki's recent behavior," Alice said, her face having a serious expression. "You were pulling the strings all along by urging him to accept your offer one way or another. Is that correct?"
"Indeed," smiled Jabberwock. "He resisted my calls until the very end. Unfortunately, by doing so, he was only repressing his true desire-His desire for power. When the time came, I gave him a push and he succumbed to his wish,"
"I don't know what you're getting at entirely but, we're not going to let you get away for taking Towa from us!" Red Riding Hood said to Jabberwock. "We'll beat you and save him!"
"I believe I have mentioned that is pointless,"
"What do you mean?" asked Alice.
"The life of this man is bound to mine," Jabberwock placed a hand next to Towa's face. "Defeat me and his life shall be extinguished as well. And if you think that you can rescue him from my clutches, it is too late. He will forever remain in slumber so long as I stand. Your only option is to concede and allow your lives to be ended by my own hands,"
"No way…" Thumbelina was perplexed. "We can't do anything?"
"That is right," Jabberwock sneered. "Can you possibly kill an enemy at the expense of a friend's life?" At this, Jack and the Blood Maidens fell silent. They had faced difficult situations during their time in the Jail but, this was unexpected. In front of them was an enemy they had to fight but, at the same time, Towa's life was on the line. With seemingly no solution to their problem, the youths felt conflicted on what they should do-End Jabberwock's life at the expense of Towa's or attempt what would be a futile effort in bringing Towa back to them.
Whatever happens next, a choice has to be made.