Alice let out a sigh of relief the moment they emerged from the Topsy-Turvy Woods, her muscles unwinding from the tension that had built up during their disorienting trek. Yet as she looked up, her brows knitted in confusion. The sky above them remained eerily unchanged—the same sky of soft pink and purple and golden sun hung overhead, exactly as it had been when they first entered. It was as though no time had passed at all, as if they had somehow circled back to the same moment they began their journey into the twisted woods.
The oddity gnawed at her thoughts, but she quickly shook her head. Wonderland was a place where logic unraveled like threads in the wind, and trying to make sense of it had led her astray before. She couldn't afford distractions now. There were more pressing matters at hand—like retrieving the Vorpal Blade and putting an end to the looming threat of the Jabberwocky.
"I have a Jabberwocky to defeat," Alice muttered, mostly to herself, as her eyes traced the path ahead.
The terrain had shifted again, as it often did in Wonderland, without rhyme or reason. They had barely stepped out of the tangled chaos of the Topsy-Turvy Woods when they found themselves swallowed by yet another forest. This one was far darker, the trees growing thick and close together, their gnarled branches intertwining above, forming a dense canopy that blocked most of the light. What little sunlight filtered through cast eerie, shifting patterns on the forest floor, making the shadows dance in unsettling ways.
The air grew heavier, laden with the damp, earthy scent of moss and decay, as if the forest itself was alive and watching their every move.
Alice walked at the head of the group, though she wasn't leading. The Knave of Hearts had taken charge, moving through the thick underbrush with the confidence of someone who had tread this path before. His movements were careful, calculated, his eyes darting to every rustle of the leaves, every distant sound. Unlike the Mad Hatter, who remained blissfully lost in his musings about tea and unbirthday cakes, the Knave was alert—on guard. He hadn't spoken much since they'd left the woods, but Alice noticed the subtle tension in his frame, as though he was expecting something—or someone.
The forest felt oppressive, the silence pressing in on them as the shadows deepened with each step. Even the chatter of her companions had dwindled. The White Rabbit, normally jittery and full of complaints about time, had fallen unusually quiet, his wide eyes scanning the surroundings with growing unease. The March Hare hummed softly under his breath, a nonsensical tune that did little to break the oppressive atmosphere.
Alice felt her own nerves prickling with each passing minute, her hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of the small knife she carried, though she doubted it would do much good against whatever creatures this new part of Wonderland held.
Her thoughts drifted to the Cheshire Cat's cryptic words from earlier: Not all who wander in Wonderland are lost. But some who seek may never be found. She hadn't fully understood what he meant at the time, but now, trudging through yet another bizarre and shifting forest, she couldn't shake the feeling that they might be walking in circles, doomed to wander these endless woods forever.
Suddenly, the Knave raised his hand sharply, signaling for the group to stop. His body tensed as he crouched low, his eyes scanning the dark underbrush around them. His normally aloof expression was gone, replaced by a grim seriousness that immediately put the group on edge.
"We've entered the Bandersnatch's territory," he whispered, his voice barely audible, as though he feared even the sound of his own words might draw the creature closer.
Alice's heart skipped a beat as her eyes widened. "The Bandersnatch?" she echoed, her voice hushed yet tinged with alarm. She instinctively tightened her grip on the pole of her spear, though she wasn't entirely sure how much use it would be if they were indeed facing the dreaded creature.
But then, a thought struck her. She narrowed her eyes, glancing over at the Mad Hatter, who had been teetering on the edge of a fallen tree stump, obliviously twirling a spoon in the air as if conducting an imaginary orchestra. "Hold on," Alice began, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Didn't you say the Bandersnatch is mostly harmless? Unless one happens to annoy it, of course?"
The Mad Hatter paused mid-twirl, blinking as though Alice had just pulled him from a daydream. He tapped the spoon thoughtfully against his chin, clearly trying to recall his own words. "Did I say that?" he asked, his tone light and curious, as if they were discussing something as trivial as tea flavors and not a potentially lethal encounter. Then his eyes brightened. "Oh! I did! Yes, I most certainly did! The Bandersnatch is really quite a docile thing, unless you... well, irritate it."
The March Hare nodded vigorously in agreement, still balancing the sleeping Dormouse on his shoulder. "Yes, yes! It's the sneezing! Don't ever make it sneeze! Bad things happen when the Bandersnatch sneezes!"
Before Alice could process this curious bit of information, the Knave of Hearts shot them both a look of irritation. "This isn't the time for nonsense!" he hissed, his voice tight with urgency.
Alice shifted her attention back to the Knave, confusion mixing with the growing unease in her chest. "But if it's not dangerous unless provoked, why stop here? Surely we can just avoid it, right?"
The Knave's jaw clenched, his eyes scanning the treetops now. "Because the Bandersnatch isn't alone," he muttered darkly.
Alice felt her stomach drop. "What do you mean?"
"The Jubjub bird is with him," the Knave of Hearts interjected, his voice barely above a whisper, but the weight of his words hung heavily in the air.
The mention of the Jubjub bird seemed to hit the group all at once. The White Rabbit's ears twitched, his eyes widening with sheer terror as he gripped his watch tightly, as if he wished it could somehow speed them out of this place. The Mad Hatter's whimsical demeanor faltered for a brief moment, his usual grin slipping as he muttered, "Oh, dear… that complicates things."
Alice felt a chill run down her spine. Her throat went dry, and she swallowed hard before forcing out the words, her voice trembling despite her efforts to remain calm. "What… what is a Jubjub bird? And how do you know it's here?" Her eyes scanned the shadowy trees, searching for any sign of the creature lurking within the thick, oppressive foliage. Every rustle of leaves seemed magnified, each sound twisting her nerves tighter.
The Knave turned to her, his gaze sharp and grim. "The Jubjub bird is no ordinary creature of Wonderland," he said, his voice low but steady. "It's fierce, territorial… and far more dangerous than the Bandersnatch. It has a way of... getting under your skin, driving you mad if you hear its cry for too long." He paused, scanning the dense canopy above. "As for knowing it's here? Listen carefully."
Alice strained her ears, her breath caught in her chest as she listened to the forest around them. At first, there was nothing but the soft rustle of leaves in the wind, the distant creaks of tree branches. But then, faintly, just on the edge of hearing, a low, eerie cooing sound drifted through the air. It was almost melodic, yet unsettling, like a half-forgotten lullaby sung out of tune.
The White Rabbit shuddered violently. "Th-there it is!" he squeaked, his voice barely holding together. "We should leave—quickly, before it decides we're a threat!"
But the Knave shook his head firmly. "It already knows we're here," he said, his voice hardening. "If we turn back now, we'll only draw more attention to ourselves. Our best chance is to keep moving—quietly, and carefully."
Alice's pulse quickened as she exchanged nervous glances with her companions. Even the Mad Hatter, who was rarely fazed by Wonderland's chaos, looked on edge, his eyes darting toward the tree line as if expecting the creature to burst forth at any moment.
"Stay close," the Knave ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And whatever you do, don't make any sudden noises. The Jubjub bird is watching."
Much to their dread, a deep, guttural growl echoed through the twisted trees, reverberating in the stillness of the forest. It was faint at first, barely more than a distant rumble, but with each passing second, the growl grew louder, more menacing, until it seemed to pulse through the ground itself. The underbrush ahead rustled violently, shaking with unnatural force, as if something massive was charging through the shadows.
Then, with a sudden, terrifying burst of motion, the Bandersnatch emerged from the darkness.
The creature was immense—larger than Alice had imagined. Its long, sinewy body was cloaked in a thick layer of dark, matted fur that rippled with every step it took. Its limbs were muscular, built for both speed and power, and its claws, as sharp as daggers, dug into the earth with each movement. But what struck Alice the most were its eyes—two gleaming orbs of malevolent intelligence that glowed in the dim light. There was something unnervingly sharp in its gaze, as if it wasn't just a beast acting on instinct, but something more calculating, more controlled. Its maw parted in a ferocious roar, revealing rows of jagged teeth capable of ripping through anything in its path. The sound of its bellowing cry seemed to shake the very air around them, sending tremors through the ground.
The massive beast was upon them in seconds, its hulking form lunging forward with terrifying speed. Alice barely had time to react, stumbling backward as the Bandersnatch swiped at the ground where she'd just been standing, its claws carving deep gouges into the earth.
"Run!" The Knave's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and urgent.
They didn't need to be told twice. The group scattered, darting between the twisted trees and dense undergrowth as the Bandersnatch roared behind them. Alice's heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted, dodging low-hanging branches and roots that seemed intent on tripping her up. Behind her, the beast's thundering footsteps shook the ground, each one growing louder as it closed the distance.
"B-But… it's not supposed to be this aggressive!" the White Rabbit stammered, panting as he darted to Alice's side, clutching his watch like it might somehow save him. "Bandersnatches don't usually attack like this! Unless…"
"Unless it's being controlled!" The Knave of Hearts shouted, his voice barely audible over the creature's growling pursuit. He ducked behind a tree just in time to avoid a sweeping claw, then spun on his heels to help the others. "The Jubjub bird—it's controlling it!"
Alice stumbled on a root, barely catching herself before tumbling to the ground. "What? How is that even possible?"
"There's no time!" the Knave replied, grabbing her wrist and pulling her behind a cluster of thick bushes. "The Jubjub bird uses its song to disorient and control its prey. The Bandersnatch isn't just angry—it's under the bird's influence!"
The ground trembled beneath them as the beast tore through the forest, crashing through trees like they were twigs. Alice gasped as a branch snapped above them, the Bandersnatch's claws raking dangerously close.
"I don't remember the Jubjub bird being this much trouble before!" the Mad Hatter exclaimed between breaths, scrambling to keep up with the others. "A creature of song, sure, but making a Bandersnatch go berserk? That's new."
"It's the song," the Knave yelled over his shoulder, his voice tight with urgency as he ushered the group forward. "The longer we're in its range, the worse it gets."
The Bandersnatch let out another deafening roar, and Alice felt the ground shudder as it barreled through a nearby tree, splintering wood and leaves in all directions. Her legs burned from the effort of running, but she didn't dare stop.
"The Jubjub bird… it's close!" the White Rabbit gasped, glancing upward as he weaved through the trees. "We need to get out of its range, or we'll be—"
The Bandersnatch lunged again, this time swiping at the Mad Hatter, who barely managed to dodge in time. "Close? Too close for comfort, I'd say!" he panted, grabbing his hat as it nearly flew off his head.
Alice's mind raced as she tried to figure out their next move, her eyes scanning the dense forest for any sign of an escape. "We can't outrun it forever," she said, her voice strained. "There has to be another way!"
"There is," the Knave said, his voice low and steady. He glanced back at the group, his eyes sharp. "We have to break the Jubjub bird's hold. Otherwise, we're as good as dead."
"And how do we do that?" Alice demanded, struggling to keep pace as the Bandersnatch tore through the forest, dangerously close behind them.
The Knave's expression darkened. "We need to find the bird. And silence it."
"I've got a better idea!" the Mad Hatter suddenly shouted, his voice brimming with excitement despite the chaos surrounding them. He reached into his coat pocket, rummaging through an assortment of strange objects before finally pulling out a small, crumbly piece of mushroom. His eyes sparkled with a wild, determined gleam as he thrust the mushroom toward Alice.
"Here, eat this!" he demanded, practically shoving it into her hand.
Alice blinked in confusion, her breath still coming in short, panicked gasps from their frantic escape. "What is it? What will it do?" she began to ask, but there was no time. The Bandersnatch's growls were growing louder, and the ground shook with its relentless pursuit. She could hear trees splintering in the distance, the beast gaining ground fast.
Without a moment to spare and trusting that the Mad Hatter's eccentricities might, for once, work in their favor, Alice swallowed the mushroom in one swift gulp. Almost instantly, a strange warmth spread through her body, starting from her toes and rushing upward.
Her vision blurred for a moment as the world around her began to shift and twist. Her companions, once running at her side, suddenly looked smaller. The trees, which had towered ominously above them, now seemed much closer to the ground. The sensation was overwhelming, but in just a few heartbeats, Alice realized what had happened: she had grown. Not just a little—she had become a towering giant.
Her new height brought a sudden rush of power. She could now see over the treetops, the forest stretching out before her like a patchwork quilt of greens and shadows. The Bandersnatch, which had once seemed so terrifying, now looked almost insignificant as it skidded to a halt at the sight of her towering form.
The beast hesitated, its glowing eyes narrowing as it tried to comprehend this sudden change. Alice, now looking down at the creature, felt an odd surge of confidence she hadn't expected. The Bandersnatch might be dangerous, but it was no match for her now.
"Well, that worked better than expected," Alice murmured, her voice booming through the forest like thunder.
The White Rabbit stared up at her in awe, his pocket watch dangling from his trembling paw. "Good heavens, Alice… you're enormous!"
The Mad Hatter grinned, clearly pleased with himself as he tipped his hat in a flourish. "Mushrooms are quite versatile, wouldn't you say?" His eyes sparkled with mischievous pride.
Alice took a cautious step forward, testing her newfound size. The ground quaked beneath her feet, sending vibrations through the underbrush. The Bandersnatch, momentarily stunned by the sudden shift in its environment, let out a low, uncertain growl. It no longer charged with the same ferocity; instead, it paced back and forth, its massive head swiveling from side to side as it regarded Alice with wary eyes. The creature's menacing posture seemed to falter, its earlier aggression replaced by a hesitant, almost bewildered demeanor.
"Oh, before I forget," the Mad Hatter added, his grin fading slightly as he spoke, "That effect doesn't last long! So make sure you make the most of it!"
Alice's heart sank at the Hatter's reminder. The urgency of their situation hit her with renewed force. She glanced at the Mad Hatter and the others, who were now forming a plan to find their remaining quarry.
The Knave of Hearts, his sharp gaze assessing the scene with practiced efficiency, stepped forward. "Alice, you focus on dealing with the Bandersnatch," he instructed, his tone brisk and commanding. "We'll search for the Jubjub bird. Its influence is likely what's driving the Bandersnatch into such a frenzy. The sooner we find it, the sooner we can neutralize the threat."
Alice nodded, her mind racing as she adjusted to her towering form. "Understood," she replied, her voice resonating like distant thunder through the forest. She turned her attention to the Bandersnatch, her eyes narrowing with determination. The creature's hesitant movements gave her a slight advantage, but she knew she had to act swiftly and decisively.
The Knave of Hearts and the others—White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, and March Hare—began to split off, their eyes scanning the surrounding foliage and treetops for any sign of the elusive Jubjub bird. Their movements were quick and deliberate, driven by the urgency of Alice's dwindling time.
The giant Alice stood confidently in front of the Bandersnatch, gripping the spear with both hands, her towering form casting a long shadow over the creature. The Bandersnatch, now dwarfed by her size, growled low in its throat, its fierce eyes locked on Alice's imposing figure. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to focus on the task at hand.
Despite her formidable appearance, a gnawing anxiety lurked just beneath the surface of her bravado. The spear felt heavy in her hands. She had never wielded a weapon before, and the sheer scale of the situation made her feel ill-equipped for the challenge. Every time she looked at the Bandersnatch's powerful, clawed limbs and razor-sharp teeth, she was reminded of the danger she faced.
Moreover, the knowledge that the effects of the mushroom could wear off at any moment added to her unease. She could already feel a subtle tremor in her limbs, a sign that the enchantment might be starting to fade. The clock was ticking, and she had no way of knowing exactly how much time she had left before her enormous size diminished.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, then shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her massive frame causing the ground to tremble with each movement. The Bandersnatch, though still aggressive, seemed to be more cautious now, its earlier ferocity dampened by her intimidating presence.
The spear trembled slightly in Alice's grip as she raised it, trying to adopt a defensive stance. She had watched skilled fighters before, but never imagined she would have to face a creature like this herself. The thought of making a mistake and being overpowered by the Bandersnatch was frightening. She knew that her size and the spear were her only advantages at the moment, and she had to make them count.
In the back of her mind, she worried about what would happen if she failed. The Knave of Hearts and her friends were depending on her to hold the Bandersnatch at bay while they searched for the Jubjub bird. Her thoughts raced with a mix of fear and determination as she prepared to face the beast.
After a deep sigh, she squared her shoulders and fixed her gaze on the Bandersnatch. She couldn't afford to falter now. Each growl from the creature served as a harsh reminder of the stakes at hand. Her resolve hardened, pushing aside her fears. She had come this far and faced countless challenges in Wonderland. She had to believe in herself, even if she felt uncertain.
With a deep breath and a steely gaze, Alice took a step forward, ready to confront the Bandersnatch head-on. Her oversized frame loomed over the creature, and she could feel the ground shifting with each step she took. Despite the magnitude of her current size, her mind was a whirlwind of uncertainty, her previous experiences with combat being limited to nothing more than reading about it.
Alice raised her spear awkwardly, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to recall the stances she had seen in her brief observations of fighters. The Bandersnatch, though momentarily stunned by her giant presence, quickly recovered its composure and fixed its piercing eyes on her with a mixture of curiosity and menace.
She thrust the spear forward with a rookie's hesitation, aiming for the creature's broad chest. The movement was clumsy and lacked precision, and the Bandersnatch sidestepped with surprising agility, its powerful limbs moving with a fluidity that Alice could not match. Her attack struck only the air, and the Bandersnatch responded with a menacing growl, its eyes narrowing as it prepared to retaliate.
Alice stumbled slightly, her unpracticed attempt leaving her off-balance. She shifted her weight, trying to regain her footing as the Bandersnatch lunged at her, its claws extended in a swiping motion. In a panic, Alice raised the spear defensively, but her reaction was slow and awkward. The Bandersnatch's claws raked across the shaft of the spear, sending it vibrating violently in her hands. She winced as she struggled to maintain control.
Determined not to let her fear get the best of her, Alice adjusted her grip and tried again. This time, she attempted a more calculated strike, aiming for the Bandersnatch's side. Her movement was slightly more confident, but still lacked the finesse of a seasoned fighter. The Bandersnatch twisted away, its dark fur bristling as it prepared for another assault.
As the battle continued, Alice's movements grew increasingly erratic. She swung the spear with more force than precision, each attack met with the Bandersnatch's deft dodges and counterattacks. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and her earlier confidence began to wane as she struggled to keep up with the creature's unpredictable maneuvers.
Despite her rookie mistakes, Alice's determination remained steadfast. She knew that she had to hold her ground, if only to give her friends enough time to locate the Jubjub bird. Each misstep and near miss only fueled her resolve to improve, even if her skills were far from perfect.
At the very least, Alice's giant form forced the Bandersnatch into a more defensive stance. Her towering figure, though inexperienced and clumsy in battle, was enough to make the creature think twice about charging headlong into a direct confrontation. The Bandersnatch's initial aggression had given way to cautious pacing, its movements now more calculated as it circled Alice, sizing her up with each step.
As Alice thrust the spear forward again, the Bandersnatch snarled, its eyes gleaming with frustration. It darted to the side, evading the strike, but no longer with the same confidence it had at the beginning of their encounter. Its wariness grew, as it seemed to sense that one wrong move could bring a crushing blow from Alice's oversized weapon.
In its hesitation, Alice could feel a glimmer of hope. Even though her strikes weren't perfect, she had managed to shift the tide of the battle ever so slightly. The Bandersnatch's body language betrayed a growing reluctance to engage her head-on, and that gave her a small but vital advantage.
It almost felt like a game to her—seeing each of her swings forcing the Bandersnatch to retreat. She found herself oddly emboldened, even playful, as the massive creature cowered away from her lumbering strikes. For a moment, she almost forgot the danger, lost in the strange exhilaration of towering over Wonderland's monstrous inhabitant.
But then, without warning, the world around her began to shift. A strange, disorienting sensation washed over her, and Alice felt herself shrinking. The spear, once an oversized weapon in her giant hands, became heavier and more awkward to hold. Her vision lowered rapidly as the trees, the Bandersnatch, and even the ground seemed to rise back to their normal, intimidating heights.
Panic gripped her as she glanced down at her shrinking limbs, realizing that the effects of the mushroom were wearing off—faster than she had anticipated. In the blink of an eye, Alice was no longer a towering giant but her regular size, vulnerable and standing face-to-face with the snarling Bandersnatch.
The creature, sensing the change immediately, let out a deep, menacing growl. Its hesitation vanished, replaced by renewed aggression as it recognized that its prey was no longer towering above it. Alice's playful confidence melted away, replaced by a surge of fear as she realized the danger she was truly in.
The Bandersnatch crouched, ready to pounce, and Alice tightened her grip on the now-too-heavy spear, bracing herself for the inevitable attack.
But just as the Bandersnatch lunged forward, claws extended and fangs bared, Alice felt a sudden, firm grip yank her backward. In a blur of motion, the Knave of Hearts snatched her out of the beast's path, pulling her out of harm's way with seconds to spare. The Bandersnatch's swipe hit nothing but air, its claws raking the ground where Alice had stood only moments before.
Before she could catch her breath or ask what had happened, a powerful gust of wind swept through the forest, accompanied by a deafening screech that echoed above the treetops. Alice's eyes shot upward, her heart pounding as a massive black shape descended from the sky. With outstretched wings and razor-sharp talons, a giant bird, larger than anything Alice had ever seen, swooped down with terrifying speed. It crashed into the Bandersnatch with a fierce, bone-shaking impact, sending the beast staggering backward.
"What is that?" Alice gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief as she watched the bird lock talons with the Bandersnatch, their monstrous forms clashing violently.
"That's the Jubjub bird," the Knave replied, his tone cool and matter-of-fact despite the chaos unfolding before them.
Alice blinked, her mind racing. "You made it into an ally?"
The Knave of Hearts cast her a sharp glance, his expression tense. "Not really," he muttered, clearly frustrated by the assumption. "But there's no time to explain."
As the two creatures battled before them—one a fierce predator, the other an enraged beast—Alice struggled to make sense of it all. The Bandersnatch, once the most dangerous foe in their path, was now locked in combat with an equally terrifying force. The Jubjub bird's claws tore into the Bandersnatch's thick hide, and the Bandersnatch responded with powerful, savage blows of its own. The ground shook beneath their feet as the titanic struggle raged on.
"This is our chance to move, while it's distracted," the Knave of Hearts urged, his eyes flicking between the two battling beasts. The Jubjub bird screeched again, its massive wings beating against the trees as it drove the Bandersnatch further back. It was a fierce and chaotic fight, but one that offered the group a fleeting opportunity to escape.
Alice swallowed hard, her heart racing as she watched the terrifying scene unfold before her. "Alright, let's go," she said, steeling herself and gripping her spear tightly. She nodded to the Knave, ready to follow his lead, her legs tense and ready to sprint.
Behind her, the White Rabbit was trembling, clutching his watch as though it could give him some control over the chaos around them. "Time's running out, time's running out!" he muttered, barely able to contain his panic.
The Mad Hatter, and the March Hare who was still balancing the sleeping Dormouse on his shoulder, darted after Alice.
"No time for tea now, lads!" the Hatter announced, his voice an odd mix of humor and anxiety.
"I don't suppose there's a shortcut out of this, is there?," the March Hare then muttered to no one in particular, his paws moving quickly across the forest floor.
The Knave led the group through the dense forest while the sound of the distant battle still roared behind them.
Alice glanced back for a brief second, her heart pounding while watching the two monsters still engaged in a deadly struggle. She could feel the earth tremble beneath her feet, and for a moment, she feared the battle might follow them.
"Keep moving," the Knave said sharply, sensing her hesitation. "Don't look back."
Alice nodded, pushing the fear aside. The dense foliage closed in around them, the trees now taller and more foreboding as they ventured further into Wonderland's wilds.
The Mad Hatter, breathless but still trying to maintain some semblance of his usual eccentricity, huffed, "Do remind me to write an angry letter to whoever designed this forest."
The White Rabbit, panting hard as he ran, muttered frantically, "I should have stayed in my hole. Too late for that now! Too late!"
Alice felt a strange mix of relief and dread—the further they ran, the more distant the sounds of the battle became. But at the same time, the looming uncertainty of what lay ahead gnawed at her. "Knave," she called softly, "Are we sure we're going the right way?"
The Knave glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "As long as we stay out of the Jubjub's path, we'll find our way. Trust me, Alice."
