A/N – I got this idea when reading the manga "Alice in the Country of Hearts." If you haven't read it YOU SHOULD because it's awesome. =3 This is like a cross of APH and AITCOH. Neither are mine! Some ideas and characters are derived from BOTH SERIES'! However, the adaption is my own and it's only for fun. I love AITCOH very much FOR its ideas on how to change Alice in Wonderland to something new and wonderful, and as I said SOME OF THE IDEAS ARE FROM IT. Some, HOWEVER, are mine!
Not that I've made that very clear I'll move on. xD
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW. When I get hardly any reviews I want to quit the story and I then delete it without finishing. It gives me the incentive to continue! So if you like it, just review! I'm not asking for you to review an essay to me, even saying something like "update soon," makes me feel better because then I know someone wants to see more!
Also, please tell me the characters you'd like to see in here! I have plans to include; Matthew (Canada), Francis (France), Roderich (Austria), Ludwig (Germany), Ivan (Russia), Toris (Lithuania), Feliks (Poland), Arthur (England), Gilbert (Prussia), Yao (China), Yong Soo (Korea), Kiku (Japan), Xiang (Hong Kong), Alfred (America), Elizaveta (Hungary), and Berwald (Sweden).
I am not sure of Hong Kong's name, so Xiang may be another orient country's name! Please correct me if this is wrong! Please, please, please do!
I have created an Ireland for this story since APH doesn't depict one. His name is Callum Fergus!
Please tell me who you think should be with Canada in this fic. =3 This is a Canada fic where all love him, and I want to know who people think Matthew should end up liking, since everyone likes him.
Phew… Long Author Notes today…
So now please enjoy this first chapter of "Matthew Lost In Wonderland"!
EDITED AS PER REVIEW REQUEST. 3
Dinner with the family was always a tedious thing in the William's household. Careless servants spilling things left and right, and angry house masters shouting at them and each other. The only one not shouting was Matthew, who sat silently at the western side of the table, picking at his food aimlessly. He wasn't very hungry.
He finally looked up to his elder sister, who sat across from him next to her fiance. She was so prefect... Blonde hair in tight curls, held in a blue bonnet that matched her crystalline blue eyes. She had the body of a goddess, hourglass-like and slender. Her skin was like white porcelain, the only thing standing out being the small brown beauty mark on her left cheekbone. Marya was her name. Marya Williams.
And the man at her side was named Alik. Alik Traveini. He was abnormally tall and his build was decently thick. He always wore a scarf and gloves, even in the middle of summer. His eyes were a gorgeous violet color and his hair was an ashy silver color. Matthew had always had a crush on him... Ever since day one. He knew nothing could happen though... That Alik loved his sister dearly.
"Matthew!" A harsh female voice shouted in his ear.
Matthew nearly jumped out of his skin. "M-Mother! Sorry, I spaced out!"
The sibling's mother, Alice Williams, snorted. "You have always been a day-dreamer... I asked, when will you bring home a nice girl to show us? You're nineteen now! You should be married like a proper man!" She complained.
Matthew sipped at his wine. "I don't think a woman would be interested..."
Alik laughed a little. "Do not think that way, Matvey. I can set you up with my sister, even. Helena loves you!" He said, Russian accent running thick. It made Matthew shiver in desire.
"I don't think so... Your sister is a little... Intimidating... Beautiful! But intimidating..." Matthew muttered, finishing off his wine.
Matthew's father, Julius, shook his head. "Matthew you need a woman to carry on the family name. Your sister's taking on the Traveini name. You need to carry on the Williams! It's your responsibility."
Matthew hung his head. "I know..." He said before looking at his father. "May I be excused...? I am not so hungry..."
Julius waved his hand.
Matthew stood and walked away, unaware at how concerned Alik had looked at him.
"Matvey will get sick if he doesn't eat properly..." He said quietly to Marya. "Maybe I should talk to him...?" He suggested.
Marya shook her head. "Give him a while... He's sensitive over the marriage topic." She said, though really her reason was that she didn't want Alik and Matthew alone together. She'd seen how Matthew would stare at her fiance. He would never get the chance! She'd make sure of it, at all costs.
Matthew sighed as he got to his room and laid on his bed. Another day of senseless study and shameful loneliness. Sometimes he wished he could escape it all… All of the people who ignored him, and all of the people who were mean to him… He felt so alone. The blonde hugged himself and closed his eyes, feeling a thick lump form in his throat. He wished for once that someone would come in and sweep him off his feet… But that made him sound like a girl. He had to admit, though, he was jealous of his sister.
She was engaged to a very gorgeous man. Matthew knew he had an unfair crush on him… He'd come to terms with his homosexuality a long time ago. Still… That man had been, and still was his first crush.
"Mon Dieu… I wish I could be happy… It's just not fair…" He whispered, beginning to doze off.
His door creaked open, revealing a rather suave, yet rugged looking blonde-haired man. He had a bit of stubble upon his chin, which he rubbed as he walked closer to the sleeping blonde. The long rabbit ears atop his head stood tall, twitching once in a while from anxiety. He leaned down, wavy locks tickling the sleeping boy's face.
"Mon amour… You will be alone no longer…" He whispered, swooping the boy into his slender, yet strong arms. "You will come to the land of Wonder… Where you are adored by all…"
Matthew's eyes fluttered open. He felt a panic arise in his chest as he was carried by the other man, rather quickly, out of the house. He opened his mouth to protest but nothing came out but a small whimper.
The man smiled down at him. "Mon Mattheu~ I'm here to grant your deepest desires!" He said fondly as they broke free of the house.
"W-What's going on!" Matthew finally found his voice.
"I'm taking you away from this horrible Aboveland…" The mystery man said with a smile.
Matthew's breath hitched. When did they begin falling? He let out a scream. Everything was so black, the only thing Matthew could see was the man holding him.
The man laughed a little. "Exhilarating, no? I love falling too… Almost as much as I love you, mon cher."
"This is no time for jokes! We're going to crash down!" Matthew shouted, beating on the other man's chest. "You idiot!"
"But Mattheu~ We've landed, mon amour." The gorgeous blonde said, releasing Matthew from his grip. "You've made it here… Welcome to your Wonderland."
Matthew looked around, eyes wide. He looked up and saw nothing but a night time sky, twinkling with more stars than he'd ever seen and a larger, brighter moon than ever. "W-Wonderland? We're underground! How can I see the sky? Who are you?" Matthew looked back at the man. "Wh-What are those things on your head?"
The man laughed, tousling his wavy blonde hair. "You want to know who I am? I'm so happy~! You are taking an interest in me. My name is Francis, I am the Prime Minister of the Country of Hearts. And these?" He took a long rabbit's ear in his gloved hand. "These are my ears, I am a rabbit after all."
"You're a pervert!" Matthew backed up into the stone siding of the roof. "Only a pervert runs around snatching sleeping persons from their beds and wears false bunny ears!"
Francis laughed. "I assure you, these are real. You can feel them if you wish. I'd love to have you caress them with your soft hands~!"
"Pervert!" He shouted, looking over his shoulder. Too far to jump. Matthew felt his chest begin to tighten. There was no easy way out.
"Pervert or not, I am in love with you, mon Mattheu~! I brought you here to make you happy. I've seen how unhappy you are and I fell in love. I couldn't leave you there to rot with your bratty elder sister and your neglectful parents."
Matthew gasped. "Y-You watched me? You really are a pervert! You stalker-pervert!"
Francis frowned. "Now, now, I am no stalker. It's not stalking if I love you. Then it's simply watching over. Now if you could drink this… We'll be on our merry ways!" He said, digging a small vial from his pocket. It was pink in color, with a small heart plug on top. He held it out towards Matthew, expectantly.
"I will not drink something so obviously suspicious! It's probably some sort of drug!" Matthew spat, looking around frantically again.
"It is no drug or poison. Will you still not drink it?" Francis' expression turned depressed.
"I will not!"
Francis sighed, pulling the top off with a little pop. "Then! I will have to persuade you." He walked closer, taking the entire contents of the vial into his mouth. He smiled a little at Matthew, leaning close to him.
Matthew whimpered as his lips were claimed by the French-sounding male's lips. He felt a cool liquid begin to pour into his mouth. His nose was pinched with one of the taller man's hands while the other held the back of his head to prevent escape. He was FORCING Matthew to drink it! Matthew felt tears of frustration burn his eyes as the need for air drove him to swallow, in entirety, the unknown liquid. It tasted like some sort of red wine, stinging at his tongue afterwords as the rabbit-man pulled away.
"I am a little depressed that my first kiss with you was something like that…" Francis' ears drooped.
Matthew's hands balled into fists. "What did you make me drink!"
Francis' ears perked up a little again. "Oh! I've only made it so you can't leave without winning the game, you see?"
"Winning the game?" Matthew shouted.
Francis' left ear twitched. "Oh my… Seems that Roderich has noted our presence… He's sent his knights after us, silly clockworker!" He shook his head, fingers tracing over the rapier at his side. "He knows his knights can't catch me. I am much too fast."
"White Rabbit!" A deep voice shouted. "What business do you have in Clock Tower Country? Who have you brought with you, there?"
Matthew looked over to see two rather tall, well-built men at the roof's door, long guns at the ready. "H-He's a maniac!" Matthew shouted. "He kidnapped me from my bed and brought me here!"
The shorter of the two's eyebrows furrowed. "Heart's Knight…! What have you done!"
Francis only grinned. "I have brought him here to make him happy."
"I am most certainly not happy with you!" Matthew shouted. "You pervert!"
Francis unsheathed his rapier but Matthew frowned. It didn't look right to Matthew. There was a strange barrel running half way down the blade. Reality hit him. It must be some kind of gun.
Francis shouted, "I will not hesitate to engage in a fight, Knights of the Clock Master. But you are prepared for the consequences? It would mean taking the side of the Hatters in this war."
"You know this is a no kill zone! You are threatening an attack, and we will protect ourselves! It doesn't mean that we'll choose to end our neutrality!" The shorter barked again.
Matthew bit his lip. "Francis!"
Francis' ears perked straight up. "Yes, mon Matthew~?" He purred, as though he wasn't facing off with two men who were at LEAST double his size. "What is it?"
"I…" Matthew looked between the two opposing sides.
"This is enough!" Another voice rang out. "Ludwig, Berwald, move aside."
"Clock King!" The two large blondes parted to let a slender brunette through. He was shorter than both of the blondes, close to Francis' size, really. He snorted, stoic face changing to displeasure. "Prime Minister of Hearts… I must ask you to refrain from fighting on my land. We have no quarrel with you. I will ask you to leave."
Matthew inspected the brunette.
Francis smiled. "Ah, Roderich. I was about to be on my way when these oafs stopped me. They nearly attacked us, the big brutes! You should keep your dogs on a shorter leash lest they drag your Country into war."
The brunette shook his head, removing his glasses and with a barely visible flick they were gone, replaced with a hand gun. "I will ask again. Leave Clock Tower Country in peace."
Francis held up his hands in defeat. "Alright, alright…! I will be on my way…" He turned to look at Matthew. "The game has begun, mon Mattheu. We will meet again soon. Make sure the Clock King's dogs don't bite you…" He said, stepping backwards onto the ledge.
Matthew's heart leapt as he jumped backwards off of the building. He would surely die from this height! Matthew looked over the stoned wall only to see Francis walking down the stone-paved walkway. How did he-? Matthew shook his head. No. It would be too easy to have that creepy stalker die by jumping off of a roof. He turned to face the three men at the roof's door only to find them gone.
"E-Eh! Wait!" He shouted, trying to chase down his saviors. He ran through the halls but found no one.
Matthew panted, a little irritated. What was with these people? He began wandering at a slower pace, trying to find a way out. He inspected the walls, which were covered in ticking clocks and tapestries containing finely weaved images of clocks. Whoever it was who owned this mansion, Roderich he assumed, really loved clocks.
It was only by chance that Matthew saw the exit, for it was small and intricately carved with clocks, much like the walls, so that it nearly blended in completely, other than the small red diamond in the center of the door. One could easily get lost in here.
Matthew heaved the heavy mahogany door open, feeling a gentle breeze hit his body. He was still wearing his night clothes, Matthew realized, cursing that damned rabbit-man.
Matthew shut the door behind him before running away from the giant clock tower mansion.
It seemed like an eternity that he'd been running when he came upon another over-sized mansion, though this time it was guarded by tall walls and in intricate gate. The building looked gorgeous; stained glass windows and fine gardens complemented each other with vibrant blues and reds, and the structure was like castles of Russia, Matthew noticed, with its tall towers and Hershey-kissed tops.
"W-Who's there?" An uncertain voice shouted.
"Like, it looks like a total stranger, Toris. Ignore him! Look at what he's wearing!"
Matthew looked up to where the voices were coming from and saw two blonde boys standing in the watch tower. "Can you tell me who lives here? I need some help! I'm lost."
"We can't help you! Run away! Quick before someone else sees you!" The boy called Toris shouted. "Before Ivan gets home! Run!"
"Who's Ivan?" Matthew shouted back.
"Strange question coming from a trespasser on Hatter land!" A growling voice shouted. "I should shoot you dead!"
Matthew turned rapidly, finding a barrel shoved in his face. He looked at the albino, wide-eyed and fearful. "I-I-I d-didn't know! Please l-lower the gun!"
The white-haired man snorted. "You're from the clock tower aren't you? You reek of oil! All the more reason to shoot! We hate that indecisive Clock King!" His long white rabbit ears twitched atop his head.
"Gilbert~" An eerie voice purred. "Stop frightening the guests…"
Matthew backed up from the albino, soon thudding into a very solid chest. He whirled around, eyes widening.
"Well hello there. I apologize for my Ace. He's trigger-happy with that new gun of his, da." The Russian man said, a smile on his lips. "You were not hurt?" He rested a gloved hand on Matthew's shoulder.
Matthew's breath hitched. It couldn't be. He could not be here! He was with his sister at home! Matthew shook his head vigorously, squeezing his eyes shut. "No! No! You're not here!" He shouted.
The Russian blinked. "You fear the Hatter King so much, da? I will not harm you, Outsider. What is your name?"
Matthew looked again, trembling. "M-Matthew…" He managed to whisper.
"Matvey~ I like your name." He purred, violet eyes thinning. "Would you like to come inside…?"
Matthew shook his head quickly again. "N-No! I have to go! I'm trying to get home! I don't even know who you are!"
The Russian-accented man smirked. "My name is Ivan Braginski… You are on Hatter territory. I am the leader of this land…" He bowed a little. "It's an honor to meet an outsider like you."
Matthew's heart leapt. He sounded like him too! He turned quickly while the man was bowing and began running as fast as he could in the opposite direction. It couldn't be him! Matthew knew it couldn't be him! He said his name was Ivan… It was not the man he knew clearly, but he looked identical, as though he may have been his long-lost twin. It was completely eerie!
He spotted the Clock Tower in the distance.
Anywhere was better than with that Francis or that Ivan man!
Matthew walked through the heavy door, rushing through the halls until he found an interesting door, encrusted with silver and tons of little ticking clocks embedded in the wood. Blue gems marked each hour on the clocks. It must have been such an expensive door to make…
Matthew reached for the knob, twisting the cool silver and pushing open the door. He stepped inside, noticing the brunette from earlier at a desk, bent over a clock, tools in his hands as he fiddled with the inner workings of it. He looked up from the clock quickly, a frown adorning his gorgeous features.
"What are you doing here?" The man asked, setting the tools down to stand up. "You shouldn't be in here!"
Matthew blinked as the man hurried over to him, grabbing his arm roughly.
"You need to leave!"
Matthew shook his head rapidly. "I-I have nowhere to go!"
"Get out! You cannot stay here!" Roderich shouted.
Matthew wiggled out of the man's grip. "Hey! Stop it!" His face reddened. "I can't find my way home! That Francis pervert kidnapped me and brought me through a huge chasm! I don't know how to get back! If I could, I would!"
The brunette frowned and got quiet. He sighed. "I guess it can't be helped…" He muttered. "Stay out of this room." He said, guiding the boy out, shutting the door behind him. "You were forced to come here? Francis, that fool…" Roderich sighed. "He's always causing trouble for everyone… Follow me." He said, walking off.
Matthew nodded, following closely at the man's heels.
"You are in Wonderland. This place is called the Clock Tower Country. It is the Diamond Country. There are three other major countries in Wonderland. The Hatter Country, which is the Spade Country. The Country Of Hearts, so obviously named because it is Heart Country. And the Amusement Park Country, which is the Club Country. All of these Countries are at war with each other currently, and my Country is the only neutral of the major Countries. I'd like for it to stay this way." Roderich explained. "You are from the Aboveland. People here would call you an 'Outsider.' Most of the People of Importance will know who you are right away… Outsiders are very different from the people of Wonderland."
Matthew frowned. "That is what that Ivan man called me. He called me an Outsider."
Roderich stopped and turned so quickly that Matthew almost ran into him. "You met the Hatter King? He didn't kill you?"
Matthew frowned. "He saved me… This albino rabbit-man nearly shot me dead!"
"The Hatter King rescued you? How strange for a criminal." Roderich muttered. "The Hatter Country is a Country of Mafia decent. They are common criminals."
Matthew blinked. "Criminals? The Mafia? Ivan is a Mafia boss?"
"That he is. You'd do best to stay away from them." Roderich said, turning to walk once more. "He's more dangerous than a hungry caged tiger."
"So you are the King of the Clock Tower Country?" Matthew asked, swallowing hard.
"I am. My name is Roderich Edelstein. I am the Clock King, so I work endlessly to mend all the clocks of Wonderland." He said blankly.
"My name is Matthew Williams…" Matthew said, biting the corner of his lip. "Do you… Have any idea how I can get home…?"
"An Outsider cannot go home… Unless they beat the game. I assume you drank the red wine? It is the contract. If you drank it, you cannot quit the game no matter the reason. You will be trapped here."
Matthew's heart nearly stopped. "I'm trapped here? H-He held my nose and forced me to swallow it! That is not fair!"
"It is not against the rules of the game for him to force you to drink it." Roderich said calmly. "But you still cannot quit."
Matthew felt cold. What had that crazy rabbit-man gotten him into…?