Um, I'm aware that the current summary doesn't really tell you a whole lot, so… Here.

Alt. Sum: A kindhearted mama bear, an air headed ditz, a rough tomboy, a stoic lawyer, and an optimistic cynic. When these five girls find themselves in a completely different world, will they be able to find true happiness?

See? Isn't the summary I had before so much cooler? Anyway, enjoy…

Disclaimer: Heart no Kuni no Alice does not belong to me.

Chapter 1

Marceline De Luca readjusted the grip on her luggage and hitched up her skirt in a desperate attempt to move faster in the crowd. It was a futile effort though, as two large trains had just arrived, and nothing short of a flood of people going the opposite direction as she now clogged both of the train station's walkways. The clamor of bells could be heard over the bustle of the station as the clock tower announced the new hour. Crap, she thought, willing the crowd to part for her. My train was supposed to be here at 1:30. I'm so late! As if mocking her, the already wobbly wheel of her bag decided to get stuck in a crack, forcing her to let go of her skirt and tug at it with both hands. The stubborn piece of baggage finally broke loose, making it's owner stumble forward and trip over her own skirt. She was able to regain her balance though, and muttered an apology as best she could while holding a ticket with her teeth to anyone she might have stepped on. Disheartened, she gave up and instead aimed her sights at the area near the wall where the flow of people was much more spread out.

Tripping, stumbling, and giving a seemingly constant string of apologies, she finally managed to break free of the crowd. Breathing a sigh of relief, Marceline propped her luggage up beside her and leaned against the wall, trying to get her bearings. It was a classic train station, it's walls made of brick, and in her opinion, much nicer looking than those new blindingly white stations. Even the chain stores managed to look humble inside the place. A set of tracks separated one side of the station from the other, and a single analog clock, designed to mirror the ones on the clock tower, was placed dead center on the farthest wall, where the gates would- She shook her head violently. This wasn't a time to be admiring the scenery, she needed to get to the gates, damn it! She surveyed the crowd that unfortunately had not thinned, for an opportunity to jump back in.

Ahead of her, a girl caught her eye. She was of average height and walked at her own leisurely pace, but her hair, short and brunette with a sort of coppery tinge, reminded her of someone. Though she never recalled her friend owning such an odd piece of clothing – a black dress that greatly resembled Bernkastel's, and upon closer inspection, was in fact an exact replica – she supposed it was something she would wear. No, she wouldn't be here, she thought, as the girl turned her head to say something to a companion Marceline could not see. And though she was only able to catch a glimpse of them, she had eyes she would know anywhere. "Lorelei!" she shouted, taking the ticket from her mouth and waving her arms wildly. The other girl turned, brow furrowed in confusion, until she caught sight of her old friend wherein her expression relaxed into one of mild amusement. "Well, today is just full of surprises, now isn't it?" Lorelei said as she finally reached her.

"What do you mea-" Marceline began, but was cut short by the appearance of two other girls. One was petite; a bright smile was plastered on her face, and the way her big brown eyes stared at her curiously reminded her of a doe. The light pink sundress she was wearing, and the way she clutched her sunhat to her breast modestly only furthered the image of innocence. The other girl was just as short as the first had been, but was stockier, much more solid. She looked odd in present company; while everyone else was wearing dresses, she wore jeans, the hood of her jacket pulled up in a weak attempt to hide the earphones of her ipod. Both were familiar faces. "Rachell? Terra?" she said incredulously. Rachell waved, hat still in hand, while Terra greeted her with her boyish two fingered salute. Looking at Lorelei in disbelief, she continued, "You found all of us here?"

"Well," she replied. "Yes and no. Rachell told me she was going up to LA around the same time as I was, so I convinced her to go with me. We managed to catch Terra getting off of the train. And now you're here… We should hang out for a bit. It's been a while since we've seen each other, and we still have time before our train arrives. You agree, yes?" She had allowed her eyes to look away while talking, but now she set her gaze back on Marceline, expecting a reply. Though her gaze was not mean or glaring, something about it told her no was not the correct answer. In fact, she felt almost compelled to say yes, but… "Sorry," she responded. "But I'm already late for my train…"

"Oh?" the brunette said. "What number is it?" She handed her ticket over silently, trying to place how the other girl had changed over the past two years as she examined it. Her haughty, 'call me onee-chan!' grin and fiery gaze was gone, replaced by an amused yet indifferent expression that seemed to say 'you amuse me, but I really couldn't care less about you.' Her tone was different, as well. She spoke formally, English accent slipping in, with a voice that matched her expression. Marceline had seen both used before, but only on strangers and people she wanted to intimidate without actually being mean. She was pulled back to reality by the other's laugh that, while not quite fake, seemed more like a reflex than an actual laugh. "That train was delayed to two thirty," she said, smirking. "The station isn't the best place to catch up, is it? If you'd like, there's a quaint little waiting place outside that's close enough to hear announcements, and has an overhang for shade." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Terra whirl around, arms open in a challenge, to some poor person who had bumped into her. Before she had a chance to reply, Rachell tugged on Lorelei's sleeve. "Nee-chan," she began. "Can we go somewhere else? Terra-nee might get into a fight, and the guard said he was gonna kick her out if she got into another one."

-.-.-.

On their way out, Lorelei had insisted she treat them to some Starbucks. "I said two iced green teas, not three, correct? Because they gave and charged me with three," Lorelei said as she passed out their drinks. "Ugh, there's no way I can drink two…"

"I thought you could drink a whole pot as a 'true English lady,'" Marceline said with a laugh.

"Normally I could, but not of this Starbucks crap!" she exclaimed. Slowly, the aloof mask she had on was chipping off bit by bit. "If you hate it so much, then why did you get it?" Terra chimed in.

"Because," the brunette said matter-o-factly. "Tea is tea is tea. And I haven't had my tea in approximately twelve hours." The taller woman was about to chastise Lorelei for being a walking English stereotype, but stopped when she saw that the other girl's attention was not on her. She strided over to the table, just behind a lone figure and said, "Why hello there, Allison. Fancy meeting you here." Ally jumped at the sudden violation of personal space, but merely adjusted her glasses when she saw who it was. "Think of the devil," she muttered, shaking her head. "You're lucky my pencil broke. I would've stabbed you had it not."

"Aw, you were thinking about me?" she said in mock affection. "I'm touched and pleasantly surprised. I never thought you to be one for sweet sentiments."

"Yeah," the seated girl replied, not missing a beat. "I was just thinking about how much work I was able to get done without you interrupting me. Seems like even that dream was too good to be true, though." The other girls arrived at the table, and Lorelei took a seat as well. "Looks like the gang's all back," she mused, and passed the second iced tea to Ally. "I doubt you need this since you're so cold, but have it anyway."

"That's not necessary," she replied abruptly. A scowl replaced Lorelei's seemingly constant smirk for a moment. "Oh, Allison," she said smoothly, smirking once again. "You're so lawyerly now. Sure, you haven't grown an inch since middle school, but look at you now! With your glasses and business coat and suit pants and even a briefcase! I'm impressed. Have the tea, would ya? It's free and it won't make your stomach hurt." Ally reluctantly took the drink and sipped at it, wondering what the former was up to. "With all that work," she continued, smirk no longer amused but devious. "You probably don't have any time to play Pokemon, do you?" With a start, Marceline now saw why her friend was acting so strangely. After a year, two for her, of not seeing her friends they were practically strangers to each other. She was testing them to see if they had left behind their past selves. The lawyer snorted in disgust at her words and turned away, making Lorelei flinch. She pulled from her coat pocket an already ready DS, and handed it to the other girl. "Don't you ever say I neglect my Pokemon," she said, wearing a proud smirk. Lorelei laughed, a real full laugh this time, as she handed the game back. "All level one hundred," Ally continued, "and shiny. Legitimate, too. I even have an extra Celebi for the Soul Silver event…" The brunette's hearty laugh was cut off by a gasp. "You mean… I can have it?" All she got in reply was a mysterious smile.

Minutes passed in silence, and even Lorelei's amused smirk disappeared, leaving only a blank stare. She turned suddenly, and broke the silence, "That's a nice dress you have on Natsuhi." The woman glanced down at her dress, and was thoroughly embarrassed by the similarities, but instead replied, "Right back at you Bernkastel." The blue-eyed girl chuckled, again almost as a reflex. Marceline's theory of her friend's aloof attitude being a test was dashed then as she replied, "Touché. But I really can't see how you can stand to wear that in this heat." The others shifted uncomfortably at the sudden conflict. "And I can't see how you can wear these kinds of outfits all the time," she replied curtly, then continued angrily, "And I thought your bullshit aloof attitude was just a test." Lorelei managed a weak chuckle and focused her eyes on her tea. Smiling sadly she began, "It was. But I thought you'd like to see what I've become. Remember how I used to say how I felt kind of numb back in school? Well, in school, I was surrounded by friends, busy panicking at deadlines, having a blast on trips… Now though, there's nothing. Reality is becoming less and less real. And I've become apathetic. Why try to feel anything, when you're in a situation where it's impossible? I think… I wanna sit on top on of a clock tower and let my legs dangle while the wind whips around me."

"What?"

"To feel that kind of wonder and excitement you used to feel when you were a child… Unless you have a better idea, mum," she said, glaring at the older woman. Just as she was about to go into an all out rant, Terra interrupted. "Well, if we're playing twenty questions now, I have one for you, Lorelei," she said, throwing Marceline a cool the fuck down glance.

"Shoot."

"I've been meaning to ask you this for years… what's up with your eyes?"

"…Excuse me?"

"Your eyes are purple. No one has fucking purple eyes."

"My eyes are indigo," she replied haughtily. "A shade of blue so dark it retains an almost violet hue."

"Jesus, you are such a girl," Terra said, leaning her chair back and placing her feet on the table. Lorelei glared at her, but she only stuck her tongue out childishly. "Yes," she said, annoyed and exasperated, "and last time I was in the locker room with you, you were too." The tomboy was forced to put her legs down as her chair almost tipped over. "Sorry," she said, shrugging. "That's what happens when your last name is Fightmaster." Rachell giggled at the name and Ally stood up suddenly. "Where d'you think you're going?" Terra called. Ally looked down at her watch, "Two twenty-five. Bathroom."

"Okay, there's a giant clock tower right frigging there. Why'd you have to look at your watch?" Lorelei asked.

"If you had a watch as cool as mine, you'd know," she teased, before running off to the bathroom. The other girl stomped furiously, and took a pocket watch out from somewhere in her skirt. "Mine is cooler! It's a pocket watch so it's much cooler than your stupid wristwatch!" she cried after Ally childishly, aloof mask finally off completely, and then muttered, "I swear, she runs on clockwork. I was trying to throw her off with the tea, but to no avail…"

"Wow~" Rachell said. "A pocket watch! Can I see it, nee-chan?" Lorelei, smiling victoriously handed the clock to the petite girl, and watched over her while she played with it.

After a couple moments though, she leapt up like a squirrel on a sugar rush, grabbing her bags and running toward the hedges at the edge of the garden. "Rachell!" her nee-chan called out. "Where are you going with my pocket watch?"

"There was a bunny in a cute little waistcoat!" she called back, never stopping. Lorelei, too, leapt up and grabbed her luggage. "ARE YOU HIGH?" she yelled, as she ran after her 'sister.' Marceline looked miffed to say the least, "I don't want you two getting lost!" The reply was faint, barely audible, but clearly annoyed. "They're just hedges! I DO NOT HAVE MY DAD'S SENSE OF DIRECTION!" The older woman sighed, gathered her things, and set off after them. Terra looked after them in disbelief. She didn't really want to leave, but she didn't want to be alone either. "Damn it…" she muttered as reluctantly dragged her baggage along with her.

Leaping over yet another hedge, Lorelei almost tripped over the other girl. "What… the hell… are… you… smoking?" she managed to say in between pants. Rachell looked hurt. "There really was a rabbit!" she cried. "And it went down this rabbit hole!" Lorelei looked up to examine the 'rabbit hole.' Whatever it was, it was most definitely not a rabbit hole. The giant gap in the Earth could only be described as a gaping gateway to hell. Or at least some preschooler's dream of a giant hole that went through to China. "Well," she said just as Marceline caught up. "If there was a rabbit, I'm pretty sure it's dead now."

"No!" Rachell cried, pushing her 'sister' in her tantrum. "No no no no no!" Lorelei teetered on the edge of the hole before falling in. The two girls left watched in horror as she fell. "…Now you have to go in there and get your sister," Marceline said, pushing the other girl toward the hole. "Eh?" she managed to cry out before she also fell, and exclaimed, "Mom!" The old nickname struck something within the woman. They were a family, damn it, and she had pushed her daughter down a strange hole. "MY GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE!" she cried, throwing herself over the edge. "Oh, come on," Terra groaned. "There's no way in hell I'm… Oh, fine!" She sat at the edge, legs dangling down, suitcase on her lap, and attempted to lower herself slowly into it. Unfortunately, the ground beneath her crumbled away, and down she went.

-.-.-.

Landing with a crash, Lorelei groaned, and tried to pick herself up. "Are you Alice?" a man asked her. He was tall, nicely dressed, with white hair and rabbit ears. "No," she replied. "My name is Lorelei Doyle-" It was all she managed to get out as her sister landed on top of her. "Are you Alice?" he inquired again. The girl giggled, "No, my name is Rachell Saito and I'm-" Once again, they were cut off, this time by Marceline falling on them. Lorelei wasn't even going to try to get up again. She was just going to lay here and hope against hope that the next person who fell down would not break her back. The rabbit man wasn't even bothering with his question any more, and merely looked on confused. "Oh, my children!" she cried hugging the girls to her chest. "I'm so sorry!" Lorelei felt like a rag doll, being pulled this way and that. "Mom, please!" she managed to get out. "YOUR BOOBS ARE SUFFOCATING ME!" Marceline removed the pressure from her daughter's head, and she gasped for air. The other two moved away, but the blue-eyed girl stayed put, afraid to move. When the coast finally looked clear she stood up, only to get crushed again. "Oh, come on!" she whined. "This isn't fair!" The rabbit man sighed. "Are any of you Alice?"

"Nope, my name is Marceline De Luca," she said. The tomboy picked herself up off of her crushed companion. "Too bad, man," she said. "Looks like you got everyone but Ally. You should keep that hole open though. She might still come through. I'm Terra Fightmaster, by the way."

"I suppose it can't be helped," he said sighing, and took out five bottles from his jacket. "My name is Peter White. Please drink these, all of you." Rachell downed the bottle immediately, as well as Marceline. "Wait," Lorelei said. "How do we know this isn't some date rape drug?" The two who had already drank their mysterious liquid looked down at the empty bottles, horrified, and Peter smiled. "You don't!" he said cheerily. Lorelei stared at her bottle intensely, shrugged, and downed it as well. "HAVE YOU ALL LOST YOUR FUCKING MINDS?" Terra shouted.

"Yep! But now since we've drank it, you have to, too!" the other three sing-songed in unison. They crept towards her, grinning madly and looking like some scene from Higurashi. She began to back away slowly, unfortunately for her, right into Marceline. She wrapped her arms around her prey, locking her arms in place so there was no chance for escape. "Oh, fuck you guys!" she yelled. "FUCK YOU. RAPE! RAPE! C'mon Peter, help a sister out!" Peter ignored her pleas and the other two crept closer, now cackling evilly. "Terra-nee-chan," Rachell whispered. "It's time to take your medicine~" Popping off the cap, she forced the liquid into the other's mouth. Lorelei forced her jaws shut before she had time to spit it out. "Swallow it," she said like a rapist, "and I'll let go of your mouth." The other complied, and suddenly everyone was back to normal. "Heh, that was kinda fun," Marceline commented. Lorelei nodded in agreement, "I concur. I've always wanted to do something like that…"

"We should do it again!" Rachell exclaimed.

"No. We should not. Never again. Ever."

The three who weren't traumatized laughed heartily at that, before Peter cut them off. "I apologize for interrupting your fun, but I must return to Heart Castle. Please make sure your friend drinks this if she ever arrives," he said, throwing them an extra bottle before hopping off.

"Wait, rabbit man!" Rachell cried. He paused and she continued, "Just what did we drink?" He turned back and smiled brightly. "It was the medicine of the heart," he said. "Now that you've drank it, you have to play the game." He hopped off before she could ask another question. Rachell looked horrified. "You mean, it's made of heart juice?" she cried.

"No, Rachell," Terra deadpanned.

"Then it's medicine to cure heart disease?"

"Rachell, please stop talking."

In the end, Rachell and Marceline decided to explore, while Lorelei and Terra stayed. "We'll be here. Try not to get raped or anything," Lorelei called after them. Marceline rolled her eyes and said, "We'll be fine. You two try not to fall off the clock tower. And don't scare whoever owns it, please."

After wandering around the square for a bit, they found their way into the forest. Even though she had never been an outdoors person before, Marceline admitted it was quite pleasant. The sun filtering through the trees, the bird song, the stillness… Perhaps it was the lack of responsibility she had that she was really enjoying. Out of the blue Rachell chimed in, "So what kind of game do you think we'll be playing?" Marceline smiled softly. "Whatever game it is," she mused. "It's sure to be a wonderful one." Somewhere in her heart, she knew that from now on, everyone was going to be much more happy.

-.-.-.

Back at the clock tower, Terra leaned back, relaxing. "This clock tower sure is beautiful, huh?" she asked. "You can finally have your wish, too." Lorelei nodded, striding over to the edge, and leaned against the wall there. The sun shone down brightly and the wind whipped her hair and caressed her face. She breathed the cool air in deeply, as she took in the beautiful view. Somewhere below, someone released some birds. One, two, three, four, five, all flying free. Something struck her, suddenly, an overwhelming feeling. "How is it?" Terra asked. "How do you feel?" Tears sprung to her eyes, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop them. "It's beautiful," she said, struggling to control her voice. "I feel so free. So… Real." Lorelei turned to her friend, and let the tears flow freely. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

"Have you ever seen anything so beautiful, ever been so happy you could cry?"

-.-.-.

"Hey, guys," Ally said as she got back to the table. "Guys? If you're trying to pull a prank on me, it isn't funny any more." Looking around, she failed to find them. "Jeez, if you're gonna leave, don't do it while my stuff is still here!"

So yeah. That was that. Sorry this chapter was so wordy. I also got kind of lazy at the end… Next chapter, Ally comes to Wonderland and we get to meet people! YAY! Anyway, updates will probably come weekly. Maybe. So, uh, the end. For now.

Review if you like it. Or if you didn't like it. Well, you don't have to, but I'd appreciate it if you did. Constructive criticism is very welcome. I know you can't tell yet, since they haven't really interacted with any characters, but please tell me if my characters are becoming Mary Sues.

Um, thanks for reading. :D