AN: Kay so the first section was going to be a prologue but it was far too short. That is all :3 Enjoy

Reviews are love!

"Tarrant!" Tarrant Hightopp, a colorful, mad, joyful man was standing in the middle of an active battlefield. His sword hung on his back, sloppily thrown into it's sheathe. In his arms was a child, unconscious and bloody. He turned around calmly, his sharp yellow eyes searching the mix of bloody blades and falling comrades for the owner of the soft but frantic voice. Finally, his eyes found the white queen. With haste he made his way through, holding the child tightly against his chest. As he reached her, she climbed into the carriage, quickly followed by him. The queen gestured toward the child, and he carefully handed the girl over. "Did you see her mother?" He shook his head, his eyes trained on the small head injury. The child had been running from the horrors that most likely took her mother when she ran in the way of a falling white knight. His sword slipped from his hand and the hilt connected painfully with the child's head. The white queen reached into the hidden pocket on her dress and pulled out a small vile of a blue liquid, pouring it onto the child's wound. Tarrant watched intently as it slowly healed. "This is the fourth attack this week. We can not wait any longer. We need her." Her eyes were locked firmly on his. His concentrated face fell to one of sorrow and he looked out the window at the ruin that was once a beautiful new Underland.

"Can we not hold them off a while longer?"

"I know you want her to come back here on her own, but this cannot continue. Write her a letter tonight, send it with Absolem. If she says no, you must retrieve her. Understand? Tarrant!"

"Yes your majesty." He whispered, closing his eyes.

Alice opened her eyes, greeted instantly by the bright blue sky above her. Much to her liking, a giant cloud covered the sun, casting a very sweet shadow over the park she sat in. For a moment, all was perfect. The light breeze cooled her from the soft heat of the comfortable afternoon, and the silence around her made it easy to hear the leaves rustle in the wind, birds singing in the distance. No work, no distractions, and no children.

No children.

Child.

"Sophie?" Alice looked to her left where her daughter should be. Instead, Alice was greeted by very green grass and a small indentation where her daughter had been laying. Alice sat up and scanned the area quickly, finding no little girl. "Sophie! Sophie where are you?" Alice stood, searching the park for any signs of the pretty yellow dress her daughter had been wearing, or the black bow that had been in her hair. Alice narrowed her eyes, calling upon her inner child and bringing forth her curiosity as she looked around. To her left was a forest trail, behind her was the path they had taken to get into the park. "Too obvious." She muttered, moving on. To her right was a very beautiful garden, but it was perfect and untouched. Surely if little Sophie had entered, a flower or two would be out of place. Alice dreaded the path into the forest in front of her. No walkway had been made for this direction, and Alice could just imagine what she would look like after she got out of the woods. She sighed, stepping forward and beginning her walk through the brush, over roots and around trees.

Alice's dress had caught on dozens of branches and thorns, her arms a bit cut-up from fighting her way through branches and the bottom of her powder blue dress was torn to shreds. Alice sighed after five minutes, scanning the area she was in now. Leaning against the tree, she took a deep breath. "Sophie!" No answer came to her. She bowed her head for a break, but she had caught sight of something light blue in the sky. Lifting her head, she spotted the most beautiful blue butterfly she had ever seen. "Well hello there. You wouldn't happen to know where my daughter has run off to, now would you?" She giggled as she shook her head, looking down again. Seconds later, the butterfly was in her face, its fluttering wings brushing against her cheek. It flew off to the right, landing on a branch and turning to face her. She pushed herself away from the tree, standing still for a moment. "Absolem?" The butterfly immediately began flying away in the direction he had initially started moving in. "Wait!" Alice broke into a run after him, tripping over several branches and feeling at least three more cuts appear on her arm. Alice pushed her way through a row of bushes, opening her eyes upon escaping and finding herself in a clearing. There, in the middle of the clearing, was her daughter. Her yellow dress was undamaged, her black bow still in place. Her blonde curls cascaded over her shoulders and bangs almost hid her bright green eyes. Her pale skin nearly glowed in the returning sunlight, and Alice was immediately reminded of herself as a child. "Sophie!" Sophie looked up with a frightened expression.

"Momma!"

"Where have you been! I woke up to find myself alone, I was worried! You scared me!" Sophie bowed her head, kicking the ground softly.

"I'm sorry mom, I just wanted to see what I would find." Alice's stern stare softened. She approached her daughter and kneeled down in front of her, pulling her in for a hug.

"It's alright. I know how curiosity can get the best of us sometimes. Just try to control it next time?" Sophie nodded, a small smile on her lips. Alice pushed her away a bit before she began tickling her, laughing as Sophie shrieked with laughter. Alice froze as the butterfly appeared again, somehow carrying a letter and dropping it in front of her. Sophie looked up at the butterfly.

"Mom look! That butterfly is so pretty!" Alice picked the letter up, seeing her name written in some very neat script on the front with no indication of who it may be from. Alice turned the letter around, observing the seal on that back. "What's that?" Sophie stood beside her mother, the butterfly perched on her index finger. She too observed the seal with extreme interest. The light blue wax had the shape of a castle, very much like…

Alice tore open the letter, retrieving the paper and unfolding it, reading it slowly many times over.

My Dearest Alice,

It seems as though Underland yet again has a desperate need for your assistance. Everything that could be done has been done, and I regret to inform you that we cannot wait any longer for your, if intended, natural return. Please come immediately, there is much to be done.

Sincerely,

Tarrant Hightopp

Alice didn't realize that it was dead silent, or that her daughter was staring at her with confused eyes. Finally, Alice let out the deep breath she had been holding since she began reading the letter.

"Mommy, what's Underland?" Alice side glanced at her daughter, looking over her. She stood, the butterfly moving from her daughters hand to Alice's shoulder. Alice sighed, bowing her head.

"Absolem, take this back to Hatter and tell him I can no longer be of assistance. I cannot return." The butterfly lingered for a moment before taking the piece of paper and flying away.

"Mom?" Alice looked down at Sophie, her eyes sparkling with rapidly forming tears.

"Nothing Sophie, don't worry about it. Come on, let's go back home." Alice took Sophie's hand, leading her daughter through the woods and back to the park, making quick work of all their items and moving to the carriage. The driver took the basket of picnic supplies and helped Sophie get in, glancing at Alice. Her eyes were red and slightly bluer than usual, which could only men one thing.

"Pardon me, Mrs. Alice, but you look troubled." Alice shook her head as she took his hand in assistance.

"Not at all Henry. Quickly now, we must return home." He nodded, shutting the carriage door and taking his rightful place in the driver's seat. Alice looked out the window, tears falling from her eyes. "Nothing at all…" She muttered, too quiet for her daughter to hear. They arrived back home an hour later, Alice opening the door and helping herself out. She looked back in the carriage as her butler approached, spotting her daughter fast asleep on the seat. "Robert, would you carry Sophie to her room? I'm not quite strong enough." He bowed.

"Anything, Mrs. Alice. Would you like me to tell the cook to prepare some tea for you?" Alice nodded, grabbing the basket and bringing it inside, Robert following behind her with her daughter. He left for Sophie's room as she went to the kitchen, leaving the basket on the counter as the cook entered the room.

"Good evening Mrs.! I trust you had a very nice picnic with Sophie?" Alice nodded. "What about those tears on your dress, did Sophie run off again?"

"Yes, she went for an adventure in the woods and I had to find her. Do I look that bad?" The cook shook her head.

"Not at all, except for those couple of cuts on your arms and the rips in your clothing. You look presentable." She smiled and Alice laughed lightly.

"Yes, I suppose so." Alice looked out the window at the pitch black sky, not a single star peeking out, the moon almost entirely hidden. "It's amazing how just an hour ago it was so bright out, not even sunset."

"Ah yes, but Mother Nature sure does love to trick us." She said, filling the kettle with water. Alice nodded in agreement, propping her arm up on the counter and resting her head on her hand. A moment of silence passed before the butler entered the room and cleared his throat for attention.

"Pardon me, Mrs. Alice, but there is a rather strange man at the door asking to see you. He says it's important." Alice sighed.

"IF it's someone from the company, tell them I'm asleep." She said, waving her hand dismissively.

"I don't think this man is from the company. Any company, at all." Alice gave him a strange look.

"Go on, I'll serve tea to you in the drawing room and I'll bring you an extra cup just in case you invite him in." Alice laughed shortly.

"That's very unlikely, but thank you." Alice passed the butler, closing the door to hear him immediately begin talking to the cook, probably to begin some form of gossip over this man. Alice walked through the foyer, reaching the door and wrapping her hand around the knob. She stopped, glancing to her right at the mirror, smoothing her hair down, and opening the door. Alice didn't look up at first at the man, her eyes having found a habit of looking up from someone's shoes to the top of their head in a rather quick observation. Her eyes travelled up large brown shoes, striped black and brown trousers, a colorful maroon jacket, a vest and white shirt peeking out, one whose sleeves were frilled and slightly hiding peculiar hands, a bone white face with strange colorful markings, framed by fluffy, frizzy, uncontrolled orange hair, a beautiful yet burned top hat upon his head. His green eyes held onto hers as she stared at him, mouth agape. He smiled half-heartedly, his eyes reflecting a slight sadness despite his joy in seeing her.

"Alice…"

"Oh no." She muttered, stepping back. She shook her head, gesturing for him to enter. He nodded, taking off his hat and walking into her home. He took a quick look around before moving his gaze back to her still shocked face.

"Alice, I'm so very glad to see you." He said, setting his hat on the table near the door and approaching her, a hand resting on her shoulder. She glanced down at his covered hand and stained fingers, a couple donning a thimble. She looked back up into his eyes, those that looked so much like her daughters in color. She marveled at this, thinking for a moment of the possibilities that if she returned to Underland…

She cannot!

"I'm glad to see you too, Hatter." He smiled joyously.

"Do you remember everything, Alice?" It was her turn to smile, despite the dread of the conversation she knew would be coming soon.

"Of course I do…" He took his hand from her shoulder, his smile falling. Before he could speak, Alice cut him off.

"Would you join me in the drawing room? My cook is serving tea." He nodded hesitantly, following Alice as she led him down a hall and into a room where a woman with a tea pot and two tea cups stood near a table. She looked up, smiling, but looked slightly shocked as Tarrant entered. She stalled before forcing a smile.

"Tea?" Alice nodded, taking her seat. Tarrant sat respectfully across from her.

"Thank you, we will need some time alone now though. There are several important matters we must discuss, and we must remain uninterrupted." She said as the cook poured her tea, and the cook nodded.

"I shall inform the Robert and the maids." Alice ignored the strange look Tarrant was giving her as she made her tea. Once the cook had left the room, door shutting behind her, Alice stood and moved her chair next to Tarrant, feeling him relax a bit as she did so.

"I must say, Alice; you have done quite well these past nine years. Your home is beautiful." Alice nodded.

"Yes, after all my initial work with the trading company was finished and I began simply overseeing projects from home, I earned quite a bit of money. We are no longer just trading to China, which was my only thought when I returned. You wouldn't believe the places I have seen!" He smiled at her obvious love for traveling.

"So you live here all alone, excluding the…assistance?" Alice's smiled dropped and she took a sip of her tea.

"Well, no. I do have my-"

"Momma!" Alice was cut off by a knock on the door and a little girl's tired voice. Alice sighed, standing and approaching the door.

"Momma?" Tarrant whispered, his brows furrowing in confusion and dread. She unlocked and opened the door, and she could hear Tarrant gasp as he gazed at her daughter. Had he not known better, he would think Alice had been turned into her childhood self again. Alice kneeled down as the girl wiped tears off of her face.

"What's the matter?" Sophie sighed.

"I had a dream where you were gone and I couldn't find you." She sniffed. Alice brought her in for a hug.

"I'll always be right here for you, sweetie. Don't worry, mom's not going anywhere." Alice stood as Robert entered the room.

"I apologize. Mrs. Alice. Sophie insisted on seeing you, and I had only turned around for a moment." Alice nodded.

"It's quite alright. Sophie, why don't you go to the kitchen with Robert and get yourself a nice glass of chocolate milk. My guest and I will join you soon. Robert, you may return to bed once she is set." He nodded as he tried to hide a yawn, taking the little girls hand and leading her out of the room. Alice smiled as she watched her daughter walk down the hall before she shut the door again. Alice returned to her seat without looking at Tarrant, her mind focused on her child. After a bit of silence, he spoke.

"So, that was your daughter?" Alice nodded, looking up at him with a smile. It dropped once she saw his eyes, sparkling with unshed tears and revealing an awful amount of pain. Alice felt her throat close and an overwhelming feeling of sorrow take over her as she realized that he must feel like he lost his Alice, his chance. She'd known about his liking for her since her last visit, when it had first appeared. She'd also known that she had felt the same way about him. She took a deep breath.

"Yes, that's Sophie." He nodded, looking away from her burning gaze.

"How old is she?"

"7."

"Ah, a wonderful age." Alice laughed lightly in agreement.

"Yes, I do believe it was especially wonderful for me, for that's when I met you." He smiled, closing his eyes to control his emotions. His next question was spoken through a strained voice, deep in tone.

"Where's her father?" Alice bit her lip, her eyes falling to her hands, gripping her dress tightly.

"We don't speak of him usually…" He looked up at her sharply; pain gone and now concern took over him. He placed a hand on Alice's shoulder, turning her slightly so he could see her face.

"Explain." His soft voice was all she needed. She took a deep breath.

"Well, after I left Underland, I departed for China immediately. A few soldiers were placed on board with us for our own safety, and one of them reminded me very much of…someone I cared about deeply and missed very much. Within the year I was on that ship and in China we had gotten to know each other very well and we couldn't deny that we had strong feelings for each other. A night of passion found me pregnant with Sophie, and he insisted on marrying me immediately to protect my name. All went well, and we were completely smitten with one another. That was, until Sophie was born. I returned from the hospital with her and as the days went by, it seemed like he became colder and much more distant than ever. I figured he was upset, because he had an assignment to go on. He never picked Sophie up or played with her or even talked to her for the six years he was around. It wasn't until later that I found out he didn't want Sophie, because she wasn't a boy. He hated her, and he hated me for refusing to give him another child so quickly. I wanted to get settled, wait until Sophie was a bit older so that the labor was not so demanding with him being gone for months at a time and me needing to oversee trade." She paused, listening to his breathing. For a moment, she could imagine the man she had once loved, threw her life and her Underland away for. She closed her eyes and continued. "He went on his assignment hating me, came back hating me, slept in another room completely, never sat with us as a family. I'm sure he was unfaithful to me, and you had never meant such a verbally abusive man." Alice watched as Tarrant's hands balled into fists, refusing to look up into his eyes. "Anyway, on his last assignment, he went missing, so he's been gone for a year now. I feel bad, because Sophie has never known the love of a good father but…"Tarrant brought his hands over hers, controlling his anger enough to hold them comfortingly.

"But you loved who he was too much to let go of him."Alice nodded, a tear slipping and falling onto their joined hands. Alice glanced up at him, observing his yellow eyes and black markings before looking away again. Tarrant stared at her for a long time, deep in thought as she used the silence to find her composure. She cleared her throat, pulling her hands away from his.

"Why have you left Underland?"His face brightened immensely in the remembrance of his true purpose here.

"Right! Alice, Underland is in terrible danger, and we need your help." Alice shook her head.

"I told Absolem to tell you I couldn't. Hatter, I have a daughter and a business to look after. Underland needs to protect themselves on this one." He gave her a pleading look.

"But we can't Alice. You're our champion; we've done all we can. It's up to you now." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Oraculum, opening it up. The picture that appeared was one of Alice and Tarrant fighting.

"Hatter?"

"I don't know what it means…but one of us is going to trade sides, for whatever reason, and the result will tell of Underlands fate." Alice shook her head, staring at the picture. The Tarrant drawing had his Claymore high above his head, on its way down to slice into her shoulder. The Alice had her Vorpal Sword, swinging in to the side at his stomach. It seemed that both swords were moving toward their target, but never reached as the Oraculum refused to tell the outcome.

"I cannot fight you." She said simply, taking the Oraculum and unrolling it to the next day. Nothing was there. She looked up at him in confusion. "Why is nothing written?"

"It would reveal the result, which it does not want to do." Alice huffed, rolling it back up and handing it back to him. He waited patiently as she thought over it. Finally, she shook her head again.

"I can't do it. I won't fight you." He sighed.

"As it seems, that's what will happen."

"But I could hurt you!" He grabbed her hands and forced her to look up at him.

"Alice, at one point I almost gave my life for the success of the resistance, for your safety, and for all of Underland. That hasn't changed Alice, and if the time comes to where I am a threat to Underlands well being, than it must be fixed. If that is what's to happen, than that is what will happen." Alice bit her lip as he brought his hand up, cupping the side of her face and running his thumb over her cheek. "Please Alice. You must return. I cannot take no for an answer, and I cannot return without you. Please," Alice sighed, bowing her head before nodding.

"I will return." He stood, a small smile on his face.

"Excellent! We must go immediately! Pack the most important items, and I will accompany your daughter while you do so." Alice nodded and led him out of the room, pointing him to the direction of the kitchen as she returned to the foyer, climbing the stairs in a daze. She didn't even realize she was at her door until she opened it to reveal her master bedroom. She took out one of her suitcases and began packing basic clothing items, mostly two pieces and two dresses. She went over to her dresser and opened the bottom drawer, sifting through the many items she had collected over the years. She pulled out several knick-knacks from China, her old jewelry, old documents. Alice took out an old, beautifully jeweled headband her mother had gotten her for her birthday. From her closet she took out her sister's wedding shoes, waiting for Alice's use. Next was the small set of three books her father had given her, pushing all three items into the suitcase. With the little room she had left, Alice took one of her husband's jackets from the closet, staring at it as she held it up. She jammed it into the case, zippering it and carrying it out into the hall. She entered the next room, holding a second suitcase from her room and throwing it on Sophie's bed. She threw in several pairs of clothing, her favorite teddy bear, and a picture of Alice and her father together, smiling in China. Alice put the picture in the case, facedown. She zippered it, knowing her daughter didn't have an attachment to materials. She brought both suitcases down the steps, setting hem in front of the door. She walked down the hall, hearing silence from the kitchen. She opened the swinging door silently, only enough to look inside. Tarrant was sitting beside the girl, examining the tea cup that he had brought with him from the other room.

"So how do you know my mother?" He jumped at the sudden noise before smiling.

"I met her when she was just about your age. She was so curious and laid back and informal, I loved her energy." He said, grinning. Alice smiled adoringly at the gap between his two front teeth, suppressing a giggle.

"Mommy always used to say she got in a lot of trouble as a kid, and that I'm much more well behaved, even though I do let my curiosity get the best of me." She could tell that Tarrant was marveling at how intelligent her daughter was already proving to be.

"Do you read often?" She nodded enthusiastically. He smiled. "So did your mother." Sophie yawned.

"What is my mom doing?" Alice chose that moment to enter. Both of them turned towards her, Tarrant smiling at her in greeting. "Momma!" She hugged her daughter before pulling away and opening a drawer, grabbing a pen and pad of paper and scribbling directions for her staff.

"So what did you two talk about?" Sophie giggled.

"Well, Mr. Hatter told me about this place called Underland, and then we talked about how I'm like you!" Alice smirked.

"More than you know." She muttered, setting the pen down. "Are we ready to go?" Tarrant looked over at her with slight confusion. He pointed at her daughter discreetly. Alice smirked. "Sweetie, I called for a carriage, will you go see if it's out and ready?" Sophie nodded, yawning as she pushed herself of the seat and out the door. Once out, Tarrant gave her a worried glance.

"You're not suggesting-"

"Oh but I am."

"Alice! It's too dangerous for a child right now! She could get hurt, and with curiosity like yours if I do remember correctly-"

"I came in the time of the Red Queen and was just fine, thank you. She'll be okay."

"But it's different! Far more dangerous. We cannae bring 'er Alice!" Alice was slightly shocked at his desperate and angry brogue.

"You're right, it is different. I'm there." He didn't respond. "She'll be fine, Hatter." Alice paused as Sophie called her name from the other room. "It's time to go." She and Tarrant immediately left the room, and Alice could feel his disapproval as they approached the foyer. Sophie was seated on one of the suitcases and was leaning her head against the wall. "Come on Sophie, it's time to go." Alice could see Tarrant's stern look soften as he looked upon her. She yawned.

"Mommy, I'm so tired…" Alice sighed. Sophie looked up at Tarrant, lifting her arms up.

"Sophie, you know it's not polite to-"Tarrant cut her off by lifting is hand up, a small smile on his lips. He picked her up easily, and she put her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes. He grabbed one of the cases as Alice took the other, walking quickly out to the carriage. They loaded the bags and entered the carriage, Tarrant putting Sophie down on the seat carefully between him and Alice.

"Where to, Mrs. Alice?" She smiled.

"The Ascot residence, please."

"Momma?" Alice shushed her daughter as the three looked down the rabbit hole. Tarrant dropped both bags down the hole first.

"If Absolem was successful, this should take us to the resistance safe house. Let me go first to make sure all is clear on the other side." Alice nodded as he tipped his hat cheerfully and jumped down into the rabbit hole. Alice waited a moment before taking a deep breath. She kneeled down, her hands on her daughters shoulders.

"Listen to me. This is going to be a very long, very scary fall. Things will be flying past you, but you must not tear away from me, and you must not scream, okay?" Sophie nodded. Alice stood, holding her daughters hand. "One, two, three, jump!"