A thick, unnatural fog crept through the outskirts of Wonderland, clinging to the twisted trees and curling around the cobblestone streets like grasping fingers. The once vibrant landscape had turned cold and gray, the very air tainted with the foul scent of decay.

Then came the screams.

Citizens of Wonderland ran in all directions, their eyes wide with terror as a horde of undead army marched towards their villages. The creatures bore rusted armor and tattered garments, remnants of knights and sorcerers long forgotten. Hollow eyes glowed with eerie blue fire, their mouths twisting into expressions of silent agony. Some clutched rusted blades and broken staves, while others had nothing but skeletal claws to tear through flesh and bone.

A mother rabbit clutched her child, darting toward an alley only to be cut off by a skeletal archer, its bow drawn with an arrow of blackened bone. Before it could release, a sudden blur of white and silver intercepted.

With a swift motion, the White Knight drove his sword through the archer's chest, the undead creature crumbling into dust upon impact. He turned to the mother and child, nodding firmly. "Go! Follow the path to the city—there are safe havens ahead!"

From the rooftops, another figure moved in swift, calculated strikes. The General of the Queen of Hearts, dressed in his crimson battle attire, leaped from above, his blade severing the arm of an approaching undead knight. He spun, slashing through another with practiced efficiency before landing gracefully on the ground.

"Get to the tunnels!" the General commanded, pushing fleeing citizens toward a hidden passage beneath an abandoned bakery. "Move quickly! We'll cover you!"

The undead swarmed like locusts, their numbers growing with every moment. It was impossible to hold them back completely, so the Queen's forces had resorted to striking swiftly before vanishing into the maze-like streets, leading the undead away from civilians while thinning their ranks.

From the rooftops, card soldiers with crossbows rained down enchanted bolts, each shot imbued with light that burned through the undead. In the streets, squads of Red and White Soldiers darted in and out of alleyways, striking down isolated undead before retreating again into the shadows.

"Form up! Move!" the White Knight shouted, his sword gleaming as he cut down another undead warrior.

But even with their efforts, the relentless tide of the dead did not waver. From the fog, hulking figures emerged—undead behemoths clad in rusted black armor, their hollow sockets locking onto the Wonderland forces.

One of them, towering and grotesque, let out an unearthly roar before swinging a massive, rusted cleaver. It crashed through a row of houses as if they were made of paper, sending debris flying.

The General gritted his teeth. "Hurry up! Protect the citizens!"

The White Knight's grip tightened on his sword. "We can't hold them here forever."

A horn blared in the distance—the signal that Wonderland's gates were closing soon. If the remaining citizens weren't evacuated now, they would be left to face the undead horde alone.

The General turned to the nearest squad of soldiers. "Get the last of the civilians out! We make our stand here!"

The White Knight nodded, stepping forward to face the behemoth with unwavering resolve. "Then let us make it count."

On one side of the streets, fires burned in shattered lanterns, casting flickering light over cobblestone paths now littered with debris and the broken bodies of both the living and the dead. The air rang with the clash of steel, the cries of civilians, and the guttural groans of the relentless undead horde.

Suddenly, a mighty roar burst out, leading to the presence of the Lion, his golden mane wild and his claws dripping with the remnants of the undead he had torn apart.

"Come on, you walking heaps of bones!" the Lion bellowed, "Face me if you dare!"

A group of Red Card Soldiers fought at his side, their polearms gleaming under the dim, blood-tinted moonlight. The undead swarmed toward them, hollow eyes glowing with ghostly fire.

One of the skeletons, draped in what was once royal armor, lunged at the Lion with a corroded longsword. With a mighty swipe, the Lion shattered the blade with his claws before biting down on the skeleton's skull, crushing it between his fangs.

"Hold the line!" a Red Card Soldier called out as he stabbed an undead warrior through its ribcage. Another swung his halberd, severing two skeletons in a single strike.

Above them, the Mock Turtle worked tirelessly, his ancient magic shimmering in the air. With slow, deliberate movements, he raised an invisible shield, forming a glowing barrier between the soldiers and another advancing wave of undead.

The undead knights charged forward, only to slam into the unseen wall, their attacks bouncing off harmlessly. Their shrieks filled the air as they clawed at the barrier, unable to break through.

"Keep moving, friends," the Mock Turtle said, his voice calm despite the chaos around him. "This spell will not hold forever."

Not far away, the Flamingo darted through the winding alleyways, his bright pink feathers a stark contrast against the grim battlefield. He led a group of civilians—a mix of frightened rabbits, hedgehogs, and even a few Tweedle cousins—toward the safehouses beyond the main square.

"Quickly, my darlings! Keep those tiny legs moving!" the Flamingo chirped, flapping his wings dramatically as he guided them away. "No time to panic, just time to run—gracefully, if possible!"

A skeletal archer aimed its bow at the group, but before it could release its cursed arrow, the Lion leaped into action, tackling the undead creature into the pavement with a deafening crash.

"Keep going, Flamingo! I'll handle this!" the Lion roared.

The Flamingo nodded, ushering the last of the civilians forward. "I do hope we live to talk about this over tea!" he quipped before disappearing into the shadows.

On another part of the battlefield, the Carpenter swung his mighty hammer, shattering an undead warrior's ribs before spinning and delivering a crushing blow to another's skull. His strength was unmatched, his strikes sending undead creatures flying like brittle autumn leaves.

At his side, a squad of White Soldiers fought valiantly, their silver armor glinting as they held back the encroaching forces.

"To me!" the Carpenter bellowed, driving a hammer strike into the ground. The impact sent a ripple of force outward, knocking several undead warriors off their feet. "We fight until the last breath!"

Not far from them, the Walrus took charge of evacuating more citizens, his large frame shielding the weaker creatures as he hurried them through a hidden passageway beneath an overturned tea shop.

"Hurry along, now! No dawdling!" the Walrus urged, ushering a group of terrified mice and squirrels through the tunnel. He turned back, spotting an elderly hare struggling to keep up. Without hesitation, he scooped the old hare into his arms and ran forward, his heavy steps shaking the ground beneath him.

A skeletal warrior lunged at him from the side, but a white soldier intercepted it, driving a sword through its spine.

"Go, Walrus! We'll cover you!" the soldier called out.

The Walrus nodded, carrying the old hare to safety before looking back toward the battlefield. His heart pounded in his chest. They were holding for now, but how much longer could they last?

The undead forces showed no signs of slowing, their numbers growing with each fallen warrior they reanimated.

On yet another war-torn street of Wonderland, Tweedledee and Tweedledum stood side by side, their backs pressed together as they swung their oversized maces with surprising agility. Though often seen as bumbling fools, the twins were far from helpless in battle—especially when the stakes were this high.

A wave of undead swarmed toward them, their hollow eyes glowing with eerie malice.

WHAM! Tweedledee's mace smashed into the skull of an approaching skeleton, shattering it into dust.

THWACK! Tweedledum followed up with a wide sweep of his own, sending another undead warrior flying into the side of a crumbling building.

"Evacuate the civilians, they said," Tweedledee grunted, swinging his weapon into another foe.

"No one told us we'd be fighting a whole ARMY while doing it!" Tweedledum added, ducking as an undead archer fired a cursed arrow his way. The arrow barely missed his head, embedding itself into the wooden sign of a nearby candy shop.

Behind them, a group of terrified Wonderland citizens—rabbits, mice, hedgehogs, and even a few playing cards—huddled together, trembling as they waited for a chance to escape.

Two Red Card Soldiers stood beside the twins, their spears at the ready.

"We need to get these people out of here, sirs!" one of the soldiers called out as he thrust his spear into an undead knight, forcing it back.

Tweedledee exchanged a glance with Tweedledum. "We take turns, then," he decided. "You hold 'em off while I lead this group to safety!"

"Fine, but next time I get the easy job," Tweedledum huffed before stepping forward, raising his mace high. "Alright, you walking piles of bones, let's dance!"

With a battle cry, Tweedledum charged into the fray, smashing through the undead with reckless strength. Meanwhile, Tweedledee quickly turned to the citizens.

"Alright, everyone, stick close to me!" he barked. "We're moving through the side alleys—watch your step, and no stopping for snacks, no matter how tasty they look!"

The frightened group nodded hurriedly, following Tweedledee as he guided them through a narrow alleyway. Behind them, the Red Card Soldiers worked alongside Tweedledum, cutting down any undead that threatened to pursue.

Suddenly, the ground trembled. A deep, guttural growl echoed from the rooftops.

Tweedledum paused, gripping his mace tightly as a massive, four-legged creature emerged from the shadows. It had the body of a monstrous wolf but with glowing green eyes and bones protruding from its fur.

"The dead just keep getting uglier," Tweedledum muttered.

The undead beast snarled, its breath cold as death. Then, without warning, it lunged.

Tweedledum barely had time to react before the beast tackled him, knocking him off his feet. His weapon was sent flying as he crashed into the ground, pain shooting through his body.

"Tweedledum!" Tweedledee shouted, turning back.

But before the monstrous wolf could strike again, one of the Red Card Soldiers threw his spear with pinpoint accuracy, piercing the beast's side. The creature howled in agony, thrashing before turning its glowing eyes on the soldiers.

Tweedledum groaned, scrambling to his feet. "Alright," he growled, reaching for his mace. "Now I'm mad."

With a mighty swing, he smashed his weapon into the beast's skull, sending cracks through its undead flesh. The creature howled once more before finally collapsing into a heap of lifeless remains.

Breathing heavily, Tweedledum turned to his brother, who was still guiding the civilians away.

"Move faster!" he called out. "This isn't getting any easier!"

Tweedledee gave him a thumbs-up before ushering the last of the civilians down the alley.

Back at the Castle of Hearts, the Queen of Hearts stood above the great battlements, her gloved hand gripping the stone parapet as she watched the streets below. Beside her, the White Queen stood in stark contrast—her flowing silver robes rippling like water, a worried look gracing her serene features.

Hovering just beside them, the Cheshire Cat grinned lazily, his body partially fading in and out of sight. His violet eyes gleamed with amusement, but also with a flicker of something else—something unreadable.

Below, the last of the citizens of Wonderland scrambled toward the castle gates, ushered in by the Queen's General and his rescue group. Card soldiers clad in red stood in formation, urging the civilians forward, their weapons ready to defend against the approaching horrors.

Not far behind them, the Undead Army advanced—a relentless tide of rotting flesh and gleaming, hollow eyes. Their armor clanked, their weapons scraped against the bloodstained cobblestone. At their center, the Headless Swordsman - Dullahan marched forward, his blackened greatsword dragging against the ground, sending sparks flying.

The Queen of Hearts' eyes burned with fury.

"Ready the cannons! Archers, at your marks! FIRE!"

The castle artillery roared to life, unleashing volleys of fireballs and enchanted arrows upon the horde. Explosions of crimson flames erupted among the undead, sending bodies flying, while arrows rained down, piercing through decayed flesh and brittle bones.

But for every undead soldier that fell, more pushed forward, unfazed by pain or fear.

The White Queen clenched her hands together, her expression grim. "This will not be enough," she murmured, watching as the undead crawled over the burning wreckage of their fallen comrades, pressing forward with unnatural resilience.

The Cheshire Cat chuckled, floating lazily near the Queen of Hearts' ear. "Oh my dear Queen, they're so eager to knock on your door… Perhaps you should invite them in for tea?"

"Silence, Cat!" The Queen of Hearts snapped, her eyes blazing. She turned to her soldiers below. "HURRY UP YOU SLOW BASTARDS! WE HAVE TO CLOSE THE GATE!"

From below, the General shouted in return, "The last of the civilians are inside, Your Majesty! We're falling back!"

As the final stragglers rushed through the gate, the massive iron doors slammed shut behind them with a resounding BOOM.

The Queen exhaled, her grip on the parapet tightening. "Good. Now, let's see how long they last against the might of my castle."

But the White Queen did not share in her confidence. She cast a wary glance at the horde amassing outside, then back toward the looming figure standing behind them.

There, at the heart of the undead legion, stood a frightening figure, to far to be recognized, but the intense aura that emanated from it was enough to send chills through the White Queen's spine.

Suddenly, the air grew cold, and the ground trembled.

And then…

Darkness surged forth.

The White Queen's breath hitched. "Sister…"

The Queen of Hearts narrowed her eyes as the black mist curled toward the walls, crawling up the stone like living tendrils.

The Cheshire Cat flicked his tail, his grin widening. "Well… Now this is interesting."

—-

Standing at the head of his undead legion, Gorlois, the Dark Lord, raised his twisted, corrupted sword high above his head. The black mist that slithered from his fingers engulfed the battlefield, spreading like a deathly shroud over the land. The sky above Wonderland darkened, as if the very sun recoiled from his presence.

Then, in a voice that echoed with ancient malice, he declared:

"The reign of darkness has begun!"

A wave of black energy pulsed from his form, spreading outward like a storm. The undead that had been struck down began to rise again, their bodies twisting, reforming, even more grotesque than before. Cracks of purple lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the twisted grins of the creatures that served him.

Behind the castle walls, the Queen of Hearts' grip tightened on the parapet as she watched the horror unfold. "What is this sorcery?" she hissed.

Beside her, the White Queen's face was pale. She clutched the railing, sensing the unnatural energy that flowed from their enemy. "This isn't mere necromancy… He's tapping into something far darker, something beyond death itself."

The Cheshire Cat, still floating lazily at their side, flicked his tail. His usual grin was still there, but the amusement in his eyes had faded slightly. "Oh dear, oh dear… Now, this is a game that none of you are ready to play."

The Queen of Hearts snapped her fingers, turning to her General. "FIRE AGAIN! Burn those wretches to ash!"

The cannons roared, launching another wave of flaming boulders toward the undead army. Archers loosed their arrows, enchanted spears rained down, and fire spread across the battlefield. But this time, the undead did not falter.

Instead, they marched through the flames, unfazed, their bodies refusing to burn. The dark mist wrapped around them, shielding them from destruction.

As they reached the outer wall, they began to ram it with clubs and every blunt weapon that they have.

The Queen of Hearts' eyes widened. "Those beasts—"

The White Queen inhaled sharply. "They're going to break through."

Below, the Queen's General barked orders. "Reinforce the walls! Hold the line!"

The Mock Turtle, standing near the gate, quickly raised his arms, forming a shimmering barrier that held against the worst of the attack—but even he winced under the strain.

The Flamingo, still leading stragglers inside, looked back in horror. "It's not enough!"

On the other side of the battlefield, Dullahan, the Headless Swordsman, strode forward, his greatsword raised. Without hesitation, he swung at the gates, his dark blade cutting through the steel like butter.

A deep, thunderous crack echoed across Wonderland.

The Cheshire Cat sighed dramatically, his tail swishing. "Well, this is escalating quickly."

The Queen of Hearts clenched her fists, her rage boiling over. "I will not let that monster take my kingdom!" She turned to her General. "Prepare the Jabberwock!"

The White Queen turned to her in shock. "I thought that creature's dead?!"

The Queen of Hearts smirked, eyes blazing. "We have our ways sister. And if Wonderland is to survive, we must fight fire with fire."

As the battlefield raged below, Gorlois lowered his sword, watching the chaos unfold. He smiled, dark and cruel.

"Wonderland will fall," he murmured. "And its rulers will kneel before me."