A Fulfilled Promise

Chapter 1: A Journey's Start

"One would've never thought it'd come to this," the star-reader for the Second Prince of Wonderland sighed as he finished telling his reading to the Second Queen, Vivaldi.

Queen Vivaldi was almost in tears from the news she had been given. It was her worst nightmare, and it had come true. "Lift your head White." White Joker, the star-reader, lifted his head to see a single tear fall from the Queen's closed eyes. "Bring Us the finest bodyguard in the region as of now. Go, quickly, we must hurry."

With that White stood up, bowed, and left the room at a run.

"Even though he's already the Crown Prince, he still finds it necessary to kill my son."

Alice walked, her spear in hand, through the market. It had been awhile since her last bodyguard job and she'd finally decided it was time for a new one. "If only things were going through a harder time," she mused. "Then maybe people would be in need of my assistance."

That was when she came across a crowd of people, cheering and whistling. It seemed as if they were watching something, and as Alice grew closer, she realized that they were. Two children sat on the ground, clothes torn and worn. A shopkeeper loomed over them, ready to strike down on the two terrified boys with his broom. "You dare try to steal from my shop you brats? I'll teach you a lesson!" As the shopkeeper struck down the boys closed their eyes waiting for the blow that never came.

Curiously, they opened their eyes to see Alice standing there, cloth still on her spear's blade, blocking the shopkeeper's attack. "Why you!" the shopkeeper yelled.

The crowd had grown quiet as they awaited Alice's words. "You shouldn't teach kids a lesson with violence; it will only cause more problems." The two adults stared at each other for a long time, seemingly forever, but then the shopkeeper backed off.

"Whatever, just keep them away from my shop."

Alice turned to look at the two boys that had stood up and started bowing to her. "Thank you big sister!" one shouted.

"Thank you so much!" continued the other.

"It's alright," Alice said. "You don't have to do that. What are your names?"

The twins looked at each other than back at Alice. "I'm Dee," the blue eyed one greeted.

"And I'm Dum," said the one with red eyes.

The bodyguard smiled. "I'm Alice."

"You there!" a voice called out. By that time the crowd had dispersed and walked away. A man with clothing of high value walked up to her. One of his eyes was hidden under and eye patch, but a huge smile was found on his face. "I am White Joker, star-reader to the Second Prince."

Alice bowed but was told to raise her head. She sent Dee and Dum away, wanting to talk to White alone. "What is it you wanted?"

White coughed. "If you would come with me to the palace I'd be able to discuss it with you." With that the two left towards the Second Palace of Wonderland.

Alice kneeled in front of Queen Vivaldi, awaiting her request. There was a long silence before the queen decided to speak. "You are Alice Liddell, bodyguard from England, are you not?" Alice nodded. "Well then, I have a favor to ask of you." Another pause. The queen drew her breath before she called out, "Prince Pierce, come in."

A boy in royal clothing, the Second Prince Pierce, walked into the room. He looked worried about this matter.

Queen Vivaldi then turned back to Alice. "Set his bedroom on fire and flee with him."

Alice's eyes widened. "Why, Your Majesty, are you asking me to do this?"

"We are not asking. We are demanding. Our son here is in great danger. It seems that the Crown Prince is set out on killing him. We do not wish our son to be killed, so We ask you to take him."

"But Mother-" Prince Pierce starts before he's cut off.

"Silence!" Queen Vivaldi shouts. "This is for your own good, now do as We say!"

Alice stood up. "I understand Your Majesty. It'd be a silent honor to help you. I may be a fugitive for the rest of my life, but this will also help set my soul to rest."

The queen looked puzzled and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I have sworn to save seven people, and Second Prince Pierce will be the seventh. I swear," Alice bowed.

"Thank you, Alice. Now go, and save Our son."

"What?" the Crown Prince yelled. His star-reader flinched and scowled to himself. The Crown Prince paced back and forth. "I did not order Prince Pierce's room to be set on fire, and yet it has been! What is the meaning of this?"

Controlling his voice, star-reader Black Joker suggested, "Maybe, Your Highness Blood, that Second Queen Vivaldi realized your plan and had Second Prince Pierce escape."

Prince Blood stopped his pacing. He thought for a moment and then shouted, "Send my best assassins to bring Prince Pierce to me."

"What are you planning to do, Your Highness?"

With a smirk, Prince Blood announced, "I will give my little half-brother and embarrassing public execution."

They ran, hand in hand, from the City of Hearts behind them. Thankfully, Queen Vivaldi was playing the damsel in distress- insisting she was so afraid- that all the palace guards had to stay put. This let Alice and Prince Pierce slip into the night easily.

Prince Pierce was practically being dragged by Alice. He was so tired, so afraid, so sad that he could barely function. Still, Alice kept running. They needed to keep going or else it wouldn't be long before they were found.

Breathing heavily, Prince Pierce tripped over his own two feet, almost dragging Alice down with him. "Get up. Quickly," Alice commanded. All the prince could do was shake his head. With a sigh Alice picked him up and seated him on her back. "Hold on tight."

The prince was startled. "What is this? We command you to put Us down immediately!"

Alice just heaved him up higher. "This is normal for regular life, which you'll have to get used to now. Besides, you're tired. Get some sleep, I'll keep you safe," Alice said, not even slightly out of breath. After a moment's hesitation Prince Pierce let his head fall on Alice's shoulder unsurely. "That's right. Sleep well, but hold on tight." Her voice was soft, but the prince found it weird. To him a bodyguard, no matter what gender or age, never showed emotion; but this woman did. It comforted him, none the less. After all, her voice pattern was similar to his mom's.

"Well now, things have finally been shaken up," Elliot March whistled to himself.

Laughter rang out and reverberated around the small room. The source was another man, Ace, who stood leaning against the wall, sipping at his glass of bear. "Shaken up? It's more than just that. All of Wonderland's been turned upside-down, and all because of one woman!"

Another voice cut in then. "I wouldn't underestimate her. She's a spear-wielder from England. Not only that, but apparently she's built up quite a name for herself over there," remarked Gray Ringmarc who was calmly standing near the window and gazing out of it.

"Heh," Ace smirked. "Like I give a d*** who this woman thinks she is. Pro or amateur, I'll cut her down." With that he picked up the bear bottle on the table Elliot sat at and downed it.

Gray sighed as Elliot rolled his eyes. "The only thing I care about is whether this Alice Liddell will be a challenge." Elliot got up as he said this and stroked the gun in the holster around his hips caressingly.

Gray quickly pulled his knives out of the dartboard near the door and returned them to the hidden pockets in his coat. "I second that."

End of Chapter 1: A Journey's Start

Some of you may have guessed, but this is somewhat based off of Moribito: Guardian of the Sacred Spirit. Of course, as you can tell, I have changed it. There is not going to be a water spirit- as well as a king- but I'll still try to make this interesting.

Thank you for reading and please review! :)