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Chapter 4: The Tactician of the Desert

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The sphere of blue light blue towards a space frantically, where the spheres of white and yellow have also stayed. Still in the starry sky dimension, they rarely watch over events that unfold. They never can get input on Charlotte's life in the Twisted Wonderland, they mainly leave that job to Ophelia, but now, news has occurred.

The white sphere asked.

Blue confirmed.

Yellow was surprised to say the least.

White said happily that she could be trusted.

Yellow reminded.

White nods.

All had stayed silent. Until Blue spoke again.

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A starry sky painted across a barren desert. A Figure loomed from the shadows.

"You are late." He growled to the shorter person in front of him.

"I had to cut a few throats but I have it." The thief in front had produced half of a golden-like talisman.

The shadowy figure took it into his hands. Producing the other half, he combined the two pieces together. Suddenly, like an actual bug, it flooded its wings and took off with such speed and let sparkles in a path. "Hurry! Follow the trail!" The two road on horseback and followed where the scarab led them.

In the distance, A cave in the shape of a Tiger head with its mouth open and eyes piercing the night like stars appeared.

From the light from the cave, The shadow was revealed to be none other than Jafar. "At last, after all my years of searching, the Cave of Wonders!"

"Squawk! Cave of wonders!" Iago mimicked.

"Now remember: bring me the lamp! . The rest of the treasure can be yours but the lamp is mine!" He sends the thief off to the cave.

"Who dare disturbs my slumber...?"

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I sat up in bed as my eyes flew open. Rubbing the grime out of my eyes, I force myself to get up. "Ugh....these dreams...I swear...."

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Fixing my uniform, I let out a yawn as I slowly walked down the staircase to the hallway. Apparently I didn't get enough sleep out of my eyes, as I felt them starting to droop back down.

"Oh? Why the sleepy face, Charlotte?" One ghost abruptly spoke as I jerked slightly. That's one way to wake up.

"You seem like you just just went to the other side! Heeheehee!" Another from the trio joined.

Smiling at their antics, I merely shrugged. "Eh. Weird dream is all." Was all I said as the third materialized.

"The term comes to an end! You can't lose motivation on your last day, girl!" He reminded.

"And starting tomorrow is the winter holiday! You guys have any plans?" The first asked.

"Hmm? Winter holiday?" Grim was confused. Oh yeah, I forgot he was here...

"It's usually referred to as the winter break back in my world. Students from all schools get a few weeks off from their academics, and celebrate with their families." I explained as I picked him up.

"And have a huge feast!"

Like lightbulbs, his eyes lit up at once. "F-feast?!"

"But of course! Roasted turkey, small cakes and even gingerbread!....Besides, none of us can eat that."

"We ghosts, usually make our way back to the other side to see our families as well!"

"And some never return from the other side~."

"Eat and be with a happy family..." Grim looks away in thought.

"It makes me wonder if the headmaster really is trying to find a way for me to get back.... I highly doubt it...." I muttered to myself. Several months of past and still no update. My trust in him is really starting to waiver.

But enough about that. "Grim? Don't you have family?"

Grim was broken from his train of thought is he looked at me and confusion. "Me? Have family? Ummm....Y'know, I cant remember exactly. All I remember after waking up, with me all by my lonesome and starving. It was so cold... and I was waiting for somebody...but after that..It's all a blur..."

Oh my god...so he was an orphan of sorts...

"Eh, but it's all past memory! We can't change that, but I can change my future! I'm just halfway through to becoming one of the greatest wizards out there!"

I shake my head. Typical Grim.

"Well, I, for one, have family back where I'm from... I have a sister and brother.... we were like three peas in a pod growing up..." I smiled sadly. Even though I've been away from home for so long I still remember their faces. "And I've also my aunt Sam.... and all my cousins and relatives.... we all love each other and we still do...." I smiled.

"But what about your parents?"

My smile fell. Fuck. I wasn't hoping to talk about that...

I looked at the three ghosts, Who looked back at me, waiting for me to answer the question.

I didn't look them in the eye as I forced myself to recall. "Well....y-yea I have my mom and dad....but....I....th-they...."

As much as I didn't want to remember, that memory still haunted me... that day...just seeing what went down.... already left scars that would never be healed...

Unconsciously, I grabbed the pendant.... I felt warm tears flowing down.....

Mom....Dad.....Why.....

Thank God one of them read the mood. "We know...you've had your own share of tough times." The ghost smiled sympathetically. I smiles back, even though I didn't know what for.

"If it makes you feel any better, you too can spend the holidays curled around the fire with us!" They offered.

I smiled softly. That could actually work out. Besides, the ghosts were also considered as part of my family

"Holiday and feast! Here I come!" Grim cheered.

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"Listen up, Pups! I know most of you are just anxious to start your break. However, those who have a tendency to slack off and not do their work.... Will be deemed fit that punishment be dished out should you get back with uncompleted work. The mirror chamber has been opened, for all of you to travel back. Get your things and report to the dock mirror at once." Crewel says.

"Yes, sir!"

And the final bell signaled.

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There was already excited chatter amongst the students as my team and I walked out

"Woohoo! At last! Released from the shackles of student life!" Ace cheered.

"But like NRC, they never hold back on the workload...." Deuce muttered dejected.

"Oh, yea! Charlie! Still haven't found a way back to your own world?" Ace looked at me.

"No update." I shrugged.

"It Probably means you'll both be staying here until we get back." Deuce stepped in.

Grim smiled, "Yeperoo! We're getting a feast together with the ghost residents!"

"Ah, gotcha. With the ghosts there, I guess you guys aren't on your own after all this time!"

Deuce raised a hand. "Hold on. Then if the schools closed for the break, won't let me in the cafeteria as well as the store are shit down?"

.......well shit.

"Ffgnna! I forgot! And how do we have our feast?!"

"Yea, I'm not risking fasting over the break. I've already done that once. Never again...." I trembled are the memory of me and my siblings doing a juice fast a few summers ago.... we never lasted long...

"Let's speak with the headmaster when we get to the mirror chamber." Deuce put a hand on my shoulder and smiled gently.

"Then let's get over there and see if we can get his approval!" Ace threw his arms around the both of us and started pushing us down the hall.

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Everyone had gathered in the mirror chamber, with all of their belongings packed and suitcases. They chatted amongst themselves in several groups in the room, .well other students decided to go back home immediately and vanished through the mirror.

"Wow. There's a lot of people heading home." Deuce stood off to the sidelines waiting with the others.

"And they're all antsy. Where's the headmaster?" Ace asked as he scanned the area.

There he was and-

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"Everyone, please make sure you have a hold on your belongings once you enter the mirror chamber. If you let go for even a second, your things shall end up in a different location. I recommend Shipping anything you can't live without through the student store."

"WHAT THE HEEEEEEEELL?!"

I have never been more questioning of shit in this world than ever in my life...

"Hawaiian shirt in the middle of winter?! This guy will be a snowbird down south!"

"And he's not even trying to hide where he rather be...."

"OI! Bird face! We've gotta bone to pick

With you!" Grim hopped out of my arms and stormed up.

"Hmm? And what are you all doing here?" Crowley looked at us.

"Uh.... You're still trying to look for a way for me to get back. Right?" I gave him a raised eyebrow.

Crowley was taken aback by what I said. "Ah! Yes! The way back to your own world! Don't be so cold, I'm still searching. I plan on expanding my research by going to the other side of the world and track any leads. For I'm that gracious."

Yea, I highly doubt that.

"That's technically not what people wear for 'research'...." Ace inputted.

"Totally! You're just living on Easystreet!" Grim was glad someone took his side.

"What are you talking about? This is how they dress down on the other side of the world. You must try your best to blend into foreign country." Crowley countered.

I didn't bother listening to the rest.

"He's really got everything down..." deuce whispered beside me, thinking the same thing I was.

"Nu-uh! What about me?!" Grim demanded.

"It would ruin everything....ahem! There may be a great deal of danger involved in this so it's best if I go alone. I've got one more assignment for the two of you to handle while I'm gone. A Crucial task that affects the very existence of Night Raven." He looked at Grim then me sternly.

This bastard's just full of himself, ain't he?

" 'Existence of the school?'" I repeated like it was repetitive.

"If you accept the job, aside from your food expenses over the break, I'll provide the feast."

Oh great. I knew he'd throw that in...not to mention, he threw in more than I can handle!

Grim however seemed to think it wasn't a bad idea. "Hmph. I suppose there's no harm in hearing you out."

Ace smirked, "It doesn't take much for the pay off someone like you...."

"All around the campus, every single one of the fire spots, are maintained by fire fae. They've been living in the hearths for several years now...and if they aren't given perfectly dried logs everyday, they'll disappear. Without them, the school will be trapped in an icy tundra, freezing it to the core!"

"Yea, I've noticed that even without a heater, it's always nice and warm around here."

"So by magic..."

"We do have a ghost that suppose to be in charge during long breaks, but his daughter conceived a child this year. It seems he had already left for the other side to see his grandchild. So I'd like for you to take up the job in his stead."

Okay: 1: Dude I wasn't born yesterday. And 2: now I don't know if he's just making up bullshit or what. But if it's to supply our rations...he sensed my confused looks.

"Call it a miracle of love and put it at that. But back to the topic: it's crucial if you want to stay warm. Over the break, All you must do is supply firewood daily, and spend your days indoors with satisfied hunger. Two birds with one stone! Wonderful, yes?"

Grim smiled, "This is child's play compared to what you made us clean up before!"

Crowley smiles in return. "But of course. That's what makes me so generous. Oh yes! Since I will be gone for duration of the break, you will be given this." He snapped his fingers and something landed in my hands.

"Oh, a smart phone."

"Use this to contact me if it's an emergency." He explained. I'll see also told me not to use for the internet or whatever.

Yea, like I'll do That. Besides, I've got my own phone for that sucker.

But I agreed just to make him trust me.

"Now, back to my task at sending the students off home. I'll leave you two to the task." He nods and walks off.

"Nya-ha! Looks like we get what we were promised after all!" Grim grinned.

"He really does have a way to work you too over...but if you're all right with it, Charlie, then that's okay with me." Ace patted my shoulder and smiled at me.

"Oi! No standing in the middle of the walkway! Coming thru!"

We looked behind and we saw a small finger walking forward. "Ruggie.... what's with the stuff?!" Deuce looked at the second year hauling several baggage. "A backpack, three duffel bags, and a giant cooler?!"

"Ya mean this? Picked up all the food that was about to expire from the school store and cafeteria. Right before the break, I get all this for free." Ruggie smirked.

"Say whaaat?! No Way you can pass through with all that!" Ace looked perplexed.

"That's what you say. Once I get back and pass this all out to the other kids, it'll be fine in ten seconds flat. Gotta make sure my grandma gets her full over the holidays...Crap, frozen stuff's gonna melt. Bye guys! See ya Charlie!" He winks at us and scurried off, and we watch him leave.

"And he's gone. What did he mean by 'other kids'?" Deuce asked.

"There's lots of poverty-stricken families back at Ruggie's hometown... and during the holiday, He takes back as much food as possible so the other kids can eat." I looked to side to see that Jack had joined us, standing beside me, staring off to where Ruggie just disappeared.

I let his words sink in. Oh wow.... Ruggie may seem pretty smart-mouthed at times, but he actually has a heart deep down....

"Hey, uh, Jack? What's with the potted plants? You starting to be a gardener?" Ace points at the cacti in his arms.

"It's cacti I grow in my spare time. They'll wilt if no one waters them during break....." he looked away noting what he said, then remembering we were chatting, he turned away. "....uh, forget what I said!"

"Hm, never expected Ruggie to be the kind to share food with others. He's a pretty good guy." Grim nods.

"Hyenas are the type to share prey with the weak or sick with no discrimination. I'm sure he was raised with that lesson." Jack points out. I heard footsteps behind us and a body was pushed between me and Ace. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Leona was at my other side.

"Just thinking about giving food away to sickly orphans makes we wanna vomit. Just one is more than annoying." The lion scoffed.

"Eh, Leona? You're not going home?" Jack asked his superior.

"I wish." He shrugged. "Though if I don't, I'm bound to get an earful of a lecture, so I'm gonna. Ugh, cmon..." he frowned.

"Yea, but...where are your things?" I asked him. Unlike the rest of the other students, who had their suitcases, he had nothing on him. Or so I thought.

"Right here. Just my wallet and phone. Got other clothes back home." He held up the mentioned items.

"This guy's the other extreme..." Grim whispered.

"He doesn't even have his homework with him..." I heard Ace mutter.

Leona picked up what he said, and replied, "Homework's meant to be done after the holidays. My only job: to rest." He straightens his posture and starts walking away, throwing a lazy peace sign over his shoulder. "Later, losers." But then he stopped, And I saw him looking over at me. "And Rabbit...take care of yourself." He tried to hide his smile as he left.

I blush lightly at his remark.

"He can do anything he wants if he actually applied himself. So why the lazy attitude..." Jack shook his head, but looked up, with resolve. "Well, mine will be done efficiently. None of you best slack off. Bye." He nods and walks off.

"There goes Mr. Serious. Yea, see ya next year." Ace called back lazily.

"What Leona said...the way he said it makes me want to believe him!"

Oh no. Not on my watch. "Do you want to repeat the maid service last time?" I stared Coldly at Deuce, who looked away in embarrassment and shame at the memory.

"Hey freshies! Try not to follow his example, Kay?"

"You know that if anyone fails to get their work done, they lose their head to Riddle."

"Trey! Cater!" Ace smiles seeing his upperclassmen.

Cater sighed sadly. "Going home makes me kinda saddened, too. My sisters are coming back...I'll be worked to death even when it's relaxing time...can't I just stay with you, Trey?" He begged his classmate.

"I'm not against it." He shrugged. "But you're likely to be worked to death as well. Winter's the busiest time for the pastry shops."