Bibwit Harte greets Dodge and Alyss as they emerge from the Pool of Tears, Dodge and Bibwit quickly realize that this is not the same Alyss of the past, especially as she insists that her surroundings “can’t exist” (212). Dodge, Bibwit, and Alyss are attacked by the Cat on their way back to the Alyssian camp; the Cat goes straight for Alyss, and when she tries to use her imagination to defend herself, she is unsuccessful. Alyssian soldiers arrive and hold off the Cat and his card soldiers while Dodge, Bibwit, and Alyss escape.

Jack of Diamonds and Generals Doppel and Gänger anxiously wait for Dodge and Alyss back at the camp. Alyss and Dodge arrive in due order, to a crowd of celebrating Alyssians. Alyss is still in shock from her return to Wonderland after spending the past 13 years trying to convince herself that none of it was real, and she is overwhelmed by the Alyssians’ collective euphoria at her return.

After observing Alyss’s overwhelm, General Doppelgänger has his doubts, which he expresses to others in a meeting. He, Bibwit, Hatter, Dodge, the white knight, and