Breaking the Looking Glass

Final Chapter: Resolution and Conclusion

A/N: This story didn't have as many secret meanings as the first one, only because Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll didn't have as much meaning behind it's characters for me to be able to use. But, there was some stuff I still did incorporate and this is the explanation behind the symbols and actions and words.

Chapter One: The Poem on the Mirror

Trying to run and hide...

Trying to find peace from your problem...

Well, why don't you come inside...

A journey can solve them...

From your problem we can shelter you...

In the coldest blue...

No one will bother you...

Not even what is a lie and what is true...

We will take pity...

On your broken heart...

Snowdrop and Kitty...

Will tear anyone apart...

This poem is referencing past events and future events. It talks about how Diana is trying to hide from her problems and that this world can offer her respite from them by freezing out her emotions in snow- thus why the world is cold and in a state of winter- even the lies she's told herself about her true feelings will not hurt her. Additionally, the poem foreshadows two new characters- Snowdrop and Kitty- who will protect Diana's feelings from intrusion.

Chapter Two: When Holbrooke Calls Akko Alice

"All in good time Alice."

"My name is not Alice!"

"You are, because are you not searching for Dinah?"

"Who?" Akko scratched her head.

"Your cat." Holbrooke was still rubbing her chin and looking down at the chaotic board.

"I don't have a cat. I'm looking for my friend, Diana! She's blonde and this tall," Akko indicated with her hand.

"Don't leave this game unfinished, Alice."

"I'm not Alice!" Akko cried out, losing her patience. "And I've never played chess with you."

This is because Akko is functioning as Alice in this sense, in coming back to this world and having to fight the Jabberwocky. Additionally, Diana is referenced as Dinah several times throughout the chapters. This is because in the books Alice had a cat named Dinah who also had two kittens called Snowdrop and Kitty. This is where the idea for Diana being a cat came from, though in this example both Snowdrop and Kitty are just opposing sides of herself and when together they form Dinah which then equals Diana's true self.

"It must be the Hatta and the Hare," Andrew answered, pointing in the direction of a small path off to the side that Akko hadn't noticed before. "Go that way."

"Will it take me to Diana?"

"It will take you somewhere, and that is better than nowhere."

"That's not helping me at all, Andrew," Akko scowled down at the tiny man on her shoulder.

"I can only take you to places I know. To look for. The rest of the discoveries must be yours. You must find Dinah of your own intent."

"I do intend to find her. Is my resolve lacking?" Akko was perplexed by that comment. Did Andrew think that Akko didn't want to find Diana because they were currently fighting? "And her name is not Dinah. Why does everyone think I'm looking for some sort of cat?"

Andrew said nothing to that because they had finally arrived into a meadow of sorts. In the middle of the snowy field was a table and at it, two occupants. "Amanda? Jasminka?" So they were here too? Amanda was holding up a bow string in one hand and sawing at a teapot with it. Jasminka was banging on the dishes and tea cups with some forks. And for some reason this was able to conjure up the sound of violins, guitars, pianos and drums.

"Look who it is," Amanda commented, stopping her motions. Jasminka did too and the horrible music stopped for once. "Took you a while to find us."

"Are you the Amanda from the real world?" Akko asked.

"Amanda? Who is she? I'm the Hatta. I used to be called the Mad Hatter but then Diana came to my world and changed some things so I no longer have anything to be mad about. Instead, now I can be glad. Should I call myself the Glad Hatter, perhaps?" Amanda turned to Jasminka to ask this. The girl merely shoved a cookie into her mouth. "Hmm, you're right. I should think more about it." Then she turned to Akko. "And this is the Hare. She used to be called the March Hare, but it's no longer March. Time has run again and now it's December. Hmm, December Hare for you then?" She turned to Jasminka once more only for the bigger girl to chug down some hot steaming tea with a deadpan expression. "Yes, I suppose the name is a bit too cold. You are more merry than that."

"Hatta, do you know Diana then? Did she come this way?" Akko was getting hopeful. Maybe Andrew had led her on the right path after all.

"Oh no, I haven't seen her since she awoke, but I did see a cat come through this way."

Akko had no idea what the Hatta could mean by not seeing Diana once she awoke. Had Diana met these characters somewhere in the past? And what the heck was going on with everyone talking about cats? She supposed that was as best a hint she would get. Maybe they thought Diana was a cat? Just like they thought Akko was some girl named Alice. "Where did the cat go?"

"Now," Amanda chuffed. "Where is the fun in that? Easy answers does not a good adventure make. And you want to do this on your own." She mixed in some butter into her tea and chugged it.

Amanda and Jasminka are back in this story because in Lewis Carroll's book Through the Looking Glass, the Hatter and March Hare are both in the following book, however it's not the same version of them. They are called the Hatta and the Hare which is why they're called this here too. It also clues in that there is some sort of connection between the world Diana was in when she went to rescue Akko and this world where Akko saved Diana. And Amanda tells Akko that she can only reach Diana, reach her heart, on her own. And that she should only want to do it herself for surely she does not want others getting Diana's affections.

Also, the characters aren't helpful to Akko because her feelings for Diana are something she needs to come to terms with herself.

Chapter Three: Akko, Snowdrop and the Tweedle's

"Her name is Diana," Akko corrected and rubbed the back of her head with her free hand. Snowdrop hadn't let go of Akko's hand in all this time they had been walking and Akko wondered why. It felt nice, though, so she wasn't going to complain. "And I'm looking for her because-"

"Because she told you she loved you?" Snowdrop filled in with a knowing tilt of her head.

"Uh, no, yea, maybe? How do you know that?" Akko stammered through her response, feeling flustered at hearing once more how Diana had confessed to her. Because Akko knew it be a confession but why it had happened, Akko had no clue and Diana had not offered any.

"I know a great many things about Dinah. She's very close to my heart after all," Snowdrop answered, touching her chest where her heart was. "But unfortunately she's missing."

"Do you know where she is?" Akko asked hopefully.

"I do not know," Snowdrop shook her head and her ears flattened at the sad thought. "But the path to her will become revealed in time as long as you follow the instructions given to you."

"What instructions?"

"To find the Vorpal sword and slay the Jabberwocky. When adventuring, things have a tendency to arise that naturally would not have," Snowdrop assured. "That is why we are on the way to those who can help us find what we are looking for. But it is so romantic that you are seeking for your love," Snowdrop gushed, blushing. "Ah, young love. She had declared her love for you before she was tragically spirited away and now it's your turn to rescue her."

"It didn't quite go like that," Akko said, flushing as she recalled Diana's words. Those words had confused Akko at first before elating her. But then they had proved to be cause for much melancholy for her because Diana refused to see her after she had uttered those three magic words. "Diana told me she loved me and then ran off without letting me talk to her about it."

"Oh, that's horrid!" Snowdrop gasped and pulled the two of them to a stop. "I would never do that to you Akko. You are too lovely to be rude to. I would shower you with all my love if you gave me the chance." Here she cupped Akko's cheeks and looked on at her with such unabashed love that Akko squirmed, her heart beat accelerating. Why was Snowdrop like this? Why was she so...flirty with Akko? Akko didn't know how to deal with such things.

As they stood like that, Snowdrop began to lean in closer and Akko, her body not at all ready for such a huge leap, backed away, slipping free from Snowdrop's hold before what she guessed would be a kiss happened between them. "Uh, thanks for the sentiments," she quickly got out, averting her gaze from Snowdrop's, "but uh, I think I saw someone over there." And she pointed to the snow covered bushes were nothing definitely had been.

Snowdrop sighed out in disappointment, knowing Akko was bluffing. "Oh dear, it seems you haven't opened up your mind entirely."

"My mind?"

Snowdrop nodded her head sagely. "Until you do you will not be able to see the path on which your friend walks. It seems I have a lot of work to do with you." Snowdrop patted a snow free bench that had suddenly appeared by her side. "Come, sit down, and tell me all about your friend."

Akko was confused as to what Snowdrop wanted from her. "Shouldn't we be looking for the sword? People are getting attacked by the Jabberwocky and there is no telling who could be in danger!" Akko had blanched at facing such a monster in this realm but her noble heart would not allow her to back down from this quest and let others get hurt.

"They will be fine, but you will not be if you do not figure out both reflections of you." Snowdrop was insistent.

"What do you mean by that?" Snowdrop was speaking plainly but yet in riddles at the same time. She tentatively moved to Snowdrop, waffling between just telling the cat girl to let them move ahead when suddenly voices became apparent to the both of them. Snowdrop heard them first, her cat ears pricking up. Her face whitened at this and she rose to her feet hastily. "Oh no," she gasped out and Akko twisted her head around before she heard the echoing voices nearing them from behind a patch of trees.

"What? What's going on now?"

"Our common enemies, denial and nonacceptance are approaching. We must make haste." Snowdrop reached for Akko's hand but it was too late. They were spotted before they even took two steps forward. Akko didn't know who to expect next but she certainly didn't expect these two faces. Around the bend came Hannah and Barbara.

"What do we have here?" Hannah asked, clicking her tongue.

"Our two girls of the hour," Barbara added. The both of them were wearing matching outfits and weirdly concluding each other's sentences.

"Tweedledum and Tweedledee, leave us alone!" Snowdrop cried out. "Whatever you have been told, it is wrong. Things need to progress. They must change for both. I know Kitty sent you, but do not listen to her."

"Wrong. She did not send us."

"I think you know who did," Barbara leered dreadfully, the two of them ever getting closer, closing the space between the two opposing parties.

"Then what I feared to be true is true," Snowdrop fretted.

Snowdrop is the part of Diana in love with Akko, referenced by the way she acts so lovingly to her. Additionally, she says Akko will not find Diana until she too knows she is love with her. And Snowdrop knows how Diana feels/ said to Akko because she is Diana. When the Tweedle's come they are opponents who wish to stop Akko and Snowdrop from finding Diana and being accepting of love. They were also adversaries when Diana went looking for Akko, only because as Diana's close friends, Diana wonders the most what they will think of her and fears them being unaccepting. Akko also doesn't like them because they have never been kind or tolerant of her.

The reason the Tweedle's are unable to follow them over the snow bank is because this whole world is like a chessboard. Each person has only a set direction they can move in depending on their pieces. Since Akko is merely a pawn she can only move forwards and to the side when attacking. The concept of the world being a chessboard is first seen when Akko is playing against Holbrooke. By versing her, she sets the whole concept of it into motion.

However, people can change their directions by leveling up, such as what Akko and Snowdrop do when they exit the Red King's court later in the chapter after a false trial. They become bishops and are able to move diagonally towards their destination.

Chapter Four: Akko and the Sheep

This time the sheep let out a bleat.

"Whelp," Akko rocked back and forth on her heels unproductively. "I guess you're just a sheep. Great." Now what was Akko to do?

Maybe she had to take the boat to the island on the horizon?

Shrugging for she didn't know what else to do, she made shooing motions at the sheep. "I kinda need to use the boat. If you wouldn't mind getting out so I could use it."

The sheep did not move, only blinked at Akko as it chewed on it's hay.

"I guess you're coming with me then, sheep," Akko said as she pushed the boat. It was heavy, no thanks to the added weight of the sheep inside. When it hit the water, Akko jumped in and using the oars began to navigate the dirty waters. The sheep stared at her the whole time, still chewing on that same strand of hay. Just watching the sheep chew rhythmically made Akko sleepy for some reason. It made her want to just put the oars down and just...just float in the ocean with this sheep. She had the strangest urge to do nothing.

She shook her head when she realized she was drooling by looking at the sheep. "Stop that," she chided herself, slapping her face to awaken her and to motivate her. But it was hard going, her mind wanting to slip into a haze every couple of seconds. In the end, she decided to sit with her back to the sheep and row in this manner. She couldn't see the island this way but it was easier, because she no longer felt like giving up. The sheep was having an odd effect on her but Akko didn't dwell on it, just focused on rowing until she felt the boat shudder to a stop. She had hit land.

This is the sheep of compliance. It tries to lull Akko into doing nothing, into being okay with her situation. By not engaging with it, or not looking at it, she is able to get past it and to her goal.

Kitty seemed to almost waver here and Akko was silently urging Snowball on, urging her to win Kitty over to their side and quick before the Jabberwocky awoke. The monster was humongous, and scarier looking than anything Akko's had to brave before.

"Pathetic," a low voice growled out behind Akko and she turned her horse to see who it was. She gasped out loud, almost choking on her shock. It was her, but another version of herself. With white hair, glowing green eyes and wearing all black armor. She rode up on her black steed until she stood not too far from Akko. "Are you really going to give in that easily, Kitty? I thought we were here to protect Dinah's heart and not endanger it more. Snowball is vapid, do not listen to her delusions or her dreams. I am part of Akko, and I know her feelings are not true."

"Hey, stop lying!" Akko shouted out, getting frustrated by this back and forth and by the false declarations being cast into the air. "I care for Diana and you can't convince me otherwise. I'm here after all to save her! And who even are you?"

"Isn't that obvious? I'm you. And I'm the one who orchestrated this whole event. I caused Diana to disappear, I sent the Tweedle's on you, and I freed the Jabberwocky so that it could eat all my problems away."

Akko is the enemy in the story because her own self is holding her back from accepting her feelings for Diana.

Chapter Five: The Jabberwocky and Akko

"No, I do care for Diana. I do!" Akko said and suddenly things became clearer to her. Diana had to have strong feelings for her. But she also had to be conflicted and that was what caused Snowdrop and Kitty. If she could get the two to reconcile. To work out their differences...and clearly her evil side was also a part of her. Part of something she had a hard time accepting.

She turned her back on the Jabberwocky, though it took every last ounce of her bravery to do that.

How could she not have seen this after all, when it was so simple and glaring of a fact to see now. The Jabberwocky, no matter it's might, wasn't the beast to defeat her. It was Akko who had to fight herself. She strode towards her darker version who still sat on her horse. The dragon behind her watched her do it, confused by this sudden course of action.

"What are you doing, Akko?" grunted out her evil twin, perturbed by this. Clearly she hadn't expected the girl to do this.

"I am coming to slay the beast," she stated simply and eyes glowing fiercely, raising her blade up high. "Come fight me."

While everyone thought it was the Jabberwocky which would be the big issue, it's actually just a red herring- something the problem is blamed at so they don't get to the real issue but Akko figures it out and faces her own self. And by doing that, by accepting her feelings, she defeats evil Akko. And by telling Snowdrop and Kitty her feelings, she destroys Kitty and thus brings back Diana.

On another note, the reason this world is filled with professors as opposed to students like Diana's world was in the previous story, is because Akko has more trouble connecting with her professors while Diana had the issue of connecting with her peers.