Part 42: Episode 27: An Unexpected Obstacle

Aargh! Double “take it easy” combo!
Doesn’t look like anyone’s changing their mind.

They just keep on asking us to move in!
We’re not going to learn anything from them. Time to break through their line and find the egress!

Let’s go, Nageki! Anywhere, as long as we get out of here!
That doesn’t sound like much of a plan…
Excellent, mon amie. Your reckless energy is a sight for sore eyes indeed.

Thankfully, a certain bird appeared to do all of the hard work for me.

Foppy dove man!
I thought you’d be stuck in a mysterious land getting sued for inappropriate behavior by the Queen of Hearts by now! I’m so glad you’re okay!



I can’t risk sticking around too long and getting banhammered again, so I’ll keep this quick. This place is not real. We have to leave, quickly.
Y-yes! I know! I shouldn’t even be here!
But… we don’t know how to get out.
Meaning… it’s not enough just for you to be aware and want to wake up…?
What’s going on, Yuuya? Will we be okay? Please, tell us whatever you know!
Well… All right, stay calm and listen. I’ll fill you in on what’s going on in the real world.

And so Yuuya told us about everything he knew: the Holiday Star, the situation outside, and the consequences of staying too long.

And if we stay like this for too long we’ll turn into potheads!?

Exactly. And that’s why I’m here to find you all, wake you up, and end the dream.

Just as Yuuya finished, a loud explosion erupted through the town, and a bright light flashed around us.
The music stops.

Wh-what’s going on!? What’s that light!?

A flare? Is this some sort of super mission signal!?
The ground’s shaking. I… don’t think that’s a flare.











Aah, pure, pearlescent moonlight! Shine on my beautiful figure! A night as artistic as this needs no plain, ugly clouds!
Allow me to introduce the pinnacle of my efforts in the field of optics--

Mechanical whirring can be heard, followed by a loud beep.









A friendly bird is giving us a hand. He’s going to break this dream from the outside.
The sky is getting brighter. Is it morning again…?
I can’t say I’d be unhappy if the moonlight alone fixed everything, but… Well, we’ll see.



The flash of light from before returned, but soon it engulfed everything around us, and I had to close my eyes.
The music stops.


As the light began to die down, I slowly opened my eyes to see what had changed.



Yes, what do you think you’re doing?
Why are you trying to break down our beautiful castle?

!
I… I don’t know what happened. The citizens turned into The King, and the three of them released a horrible shrieking sound.



Soon the world was engulfed in darkness.









But of course! Have I ever failed?
Now, oh beautiful moon! Show us your lovely form!











This must be some sort of joke! I am not dreaming. Is this not reality!?
It is. What you and I are seeing… should be real, anyway.


Then what is that hideous thing doing up there!?