It has been two years since the foreigner, Alice Liddel, left Wonderland. When she didn't return, the role holders one by one gave up hope of her returning and soon became bitter towards her memory. So now when a new foreigner, Orin, comes from to Wonderland from the 21st century, they don't exactly welcome her with open arms. But what neither the role holders nor Orin know is that Wonderland is starting to fall apart. Orderly chaos is deteriorating into utter chaos. First because of Alice, and now because of Orin. And the key to saving Wonderland lies with the Jaberwok.

A fair warning now, I rated it T for violence, some limeness, and mild yaoi. And also swearing, I'll throw in a mix of mild to moderate swearing, and sometimes the word fuck. Fair warning.

Figures stood in a partial circle, surrounding a body lying limp on the ground. Their faces were obscured and morphed by paint and ash. As one they began to chant, their voices synchronizing perfectly:

"Energy billowing in on the northerly winds; cold and crisp

Protected by the Northern Dragon

Heed our prayer and lend us your strength

Energy trickles down like water; pure and clear

Guarded by the Southern Dragon

Heed our prayer and lend us your compassion

Energy roaring within the hot flames; passionate and cruel

Sanctioned by the Eastern Dragon

Heed our prayer and lends us your judgment

Energy stored deep in the rock bed; unmovable and persistent

Watched over by the Western Dragon

Heed our prayer and lend us your wisdom

Dragons of North and South and East and West

Heed our prayer and come forth

Open the gates of Time and send forth this vessel

For she has done wrong by the Laws

By her blood she is condemned

To bleed until she has righted her wrongs

Heed our prayer and send her through the door !Send forth Orin so that she may redeem herself in your eyes!"

A sound, like thunder, put the woods in a hush. Birds and animals alike fell silent, wondering about the noise. There was not a cloud in the sky nor was their the smell of rain on the wind. Minutes ticked by and one by one the woodland creatures began to spread life back through the trees. Soon it was as if nothing out of the unusual had occurred. Mostly unbeknownst to them, the reason of the noise lied on the ground.

Grass tickled Orin's nose; the sensation both annoying and new. Snorting, she jerked up only to have an instant wave of vertigo send her back down.

'Why am I lying in grass?' Orin thought drowsily as she opened her eye. Patchy blue sky peeked through the green canopy of the trees. A lone bird flitted across one patch of blue, shrieking as it went. Somewhere else a squirrel or chipmunk began to chatter loudly at another only to fall silent and scramble up a tree.

Sitting back up, Orin looked around at the surrounding woods. Nothing jumped out as immediate danger although an ominous aura prevailed despite the bird song and warm sunlight. Figuring that she had been there for too long the girl stood, brushing herself off as she did so, and started walking. Before she had gone very far, darkness crashed down on the world.

'Creepy darkness, creepy shadows, creepy woods, creepy noises, creepy place. Where am I?' Orin wondered as she pushed through another bush. Moonlight filtered down through the trees, accentuating the odd signs that were nailed to the trees. Arrows pointed in different directions while windows and doors seemed to have been molded to the trees themselves. Long shadows seemed to jump out from the doors and the bases of the trees. Somewhere a bird chattered angrily as it was roused from its sleep.

"Please say that was my fault." Orin muttered leaning against the trunk of a tree. The squirrel continued to chatter angrily and even went so far as to chuck a green pine cone at the girl. Only when she had gone did the furry creature subside in it's furious rant.

"Stupid squirrels. Annoying little pests always being a pain in the neck." Orin grumbled as she stepped onto a path. "Ha! I'm not totally hopeless."

"Then you won't be needing help finding your way?" A voice asked, sounding almost disappointed. Orin turned and blanched. Standing not four feet away was a red haired man dressed as a sort of joker. He didn't wear much for color however, his main suit was black. A triangular cut skirt, checkered with a black and red design, wrapped around his waist. On his hip was an odd, smiling mask, framed on one side by roses. His red hair was parted neatly to reveal a single lidded eye that stared at Orin. The other eye was covered by a gold and black eye patch.

The man smiled, a seemingly genuine gesture, not missing the girl's once over.

"Pardon my manners, my name is Joker, the ringmaster of the circus and these are my woods. You are not from around here are you, Miss…"

"Orin, and no I'm not from this part to say. I was actually just passing though, I didn't mean to trespass."

Orin's mind raced as she tried to figure out a way to edge past him without leaving the path all together.

"There's no where else to go, girlie. Not if don't want to get even more lost that is." Orin's heart nearly stopped as a new voice rang out. Joker frowned and looked down at the mask on his hip.

"I told you to be quite, Joker, now you've gone and scared her." Joker reprimanded the mask sternly. Under any other situation, Orin would have found the exchange somewhat amusing, if not irritating. But as it was she was lost and now dealing with a mad man.

"She was bloody scared to begin with. Besides, I'm getting bored of this." the mask's voice took on a dangerous tone. Joker sighed and crossed his arms,

"Don't mind him, he means no harm. He simply has a foul mouth with no filter attached." Joker said apologetically. Holding out his hand he smiled again, Allow me to make it up to you. You can stay at the circus for the night and in the morning when you are rested, I can escort you out of the woods."

"Your offer is greatly appreciated, but I have some friends waiting up for me. I don't want them to worry." Orin explained lamely, trying not to be rude. Despite her pitiful efforts to sound believable, Joker quirked an eyebrow, seeing straight through her lie.

"That is a shame. Maybe the next time we meet you would like to come see my circus. It's really fun you know." Joker smiled, his lone eye closing in a sort of wink, and walked past Orin. She flinched at the scent of old blood over laid by dirt and animals.

'Not likely' Orin though with a shudder. If there was anything that terrified her, it was clowns and jesters. They seemed to hide behind fake smiles and bright colors so you couldn't see the real person hidden beneath the make up. It was unsettling to think about what it was that they were trying to hide.

Orin shook her head, dispelling unwanted thoughts, and pushed on. As she went, a chilled breeze picked up, carrying the smell of open fields and rain. Orin groaned as a drop of water splashed on a leaf. Sagging the fragile extremity down before sliding off and allowing it back up.

Soon more rain began to fall, drenching the world in a downpour.

"Just absolutely wonderful!" Orin muttered, breaking into a run. Her bared feel slapped down on the muddy path, squelching in the newly formed mud every once in a while. Reaching out unnoticed, a tree root sat exposed by the rain, and dipped into a puddle. Not seeing the root, Orin swerved around the puddle, her foot sliding neatly under the root, and catching. The girl sprawled forward into the large, muddy puddle.

"Razzin' frazzin' whipper snapppin' apple chuckin' groundhogs!" Orin cried, her foot throbbing painfully, and water dripping off of her. "Is this what I get for growing up in a city? Thank you, Mother Nature for your kind lessons! Love you too."

Orin felt her ankle gingerly, it was sprained. Growling in frustration, she hauled herself out of the puddle, and began searching for something to prop herself up with. On the other side of the path, a tree limp hung half of the tree, a smaller branch grew off it, forming a crook. Standing up, she hopped over to the branch. Then gripping it with both hands, heaved until it finally pulled away. Deciding it would work for the time being, Orin started to make her way back down the path, towards the open field and hopefully some kind of shelter.

For the next half an hour, Orin hobbled along the muddy path, starting to tremble from the cold more and more. By the time she reached the clearing the storm had grown worse, if that could be considered possible.

Dominating the clearing was a thick wall, and a rather ornate gate, behind which sat a large mansion. It was of common build from what Orin could see, but still extravagant. Who ever owned it was very well off, and also very determined to keep people off his property. The gate was situated under a narrow arch and provided little shelter. Nevertheless, Orin pressed herself against the wall, grateful for the slight reprieve.

A/N- So I went back through and added a real beginning so now it's hopefully an easier beginning.

As for the razzin' frazzin' whipper snapppin' apple chuckin' groundhogs, I've actually used this line before when I stubbed my toe on the stair T_T Why are stairs so mean?

Anyway, hopefully I'll have a new chappy up soon for you guys if you care to read it. Even if there are no reviews for awhile I'll post them anyway 'cause I'm a space hog lol