Oooh, chapter two! How exciting! I guess this is where Alice meets… well, just read it. J

I, again, don't own Alice in Wonderland, it belongs to anyone who helped with the plot, writer(s), artist(s), and all. It has nothing to do with me, no matter how excitingly odd it is.

Chapter 2: Childhood Strangers

They both stared at her. What did she say?

"Alice…" Chess said carefully, "How do you know his name?"

But Alice didn't answer, she just continued staring at the man in the trench coat, her eyes blank, more like glass marbles than eyes.

But she suddenly snapped out of it, blinking three times before shifting her focus onto the purple cat-man. "I'm sorry?"

"How do you know who I am?" Mr. Trench coat demanded, his hand sliding into his sleeve.

"I don't," Alice replied, eyeing his hand, not wishing to know what he kept there. "Isn't that why we're here, Chess? To meet… who are you, exactly?" her voice was quiet, timid. Like their question had flustered her, made her nervous.

The two men were dumbstruck, she was obviously sincere, but they had both heard her! She had said it clear as day, 'Hatter.'

"Hatter Maddox…" he replied, nodding in respect.

"Well," Hatter said, turning towards Chess, "Why have you brought this girl?"

Chess' reply came swift and sharp, almost impatient, "Didn't you hear her name? It's Alice. As in the Alice!" and said girl glanced from one man to another, the scenario she found herself in having yet to sunk in all the way.

Hatter stared, like he wasn't sure what Chess had meant, not truly believing him. How could he? When the Alice he thought Chess was talking about had died years ago.

"Her full name," Chess purred, his gaze shifting lazily onto the young woman who stood beside him. "Is Alice Glass," his voice was full of a wicked amusement as his eyes flicked from Hatter to Alice.

"Alice… Glass?" Hatter Maddox exclaimed, his eyes growing wide. "You're fooling me, you ass of a cat! This couldn't be… it just.. couldn't be…" the large man leaned back against the walls of the simple cottage, burying his face in hands as he sulked for reasons unknown to Alice.

"Umm… Mr. Hatter…?" Alice mumbled, taking a step towards him. "Are you alright…?" she reached out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder, Hatter jerking away like Alice had burned him.

"I… I'm fine," his voice shook. Alice would have easily believed that he was crying had it not been for the large grin plastered on his face when he looked up, booming laughter soon to follow.

"Shocking," Chess said suddenly, his tail flicking mischievously as his grin spread from ear to ear. "You rarely do anything but stare flatly, Hatter. Why the sudden outburst of emotion?"

But Hatter didn't answer, just continued to laugh. But after he seemed to sober up a bit, his face hardened, jaw setting. "I apologize for my indecency."

Alice was taken aback, "No…" she said, her brows collapsing. "It… It's alright. Anyways, Chess," her eyes focused on the amused, cat-like man. "is Mr. Maddox the one who will tell me… where we are?" her tone was hopeful and Chess wanted nothing more than to say yes.

But then he would be lying.

"I'm so sorry Alice," Chess apologized, "but Hatter isn't the one meant to tell you, I'm sorry." he was honestly sincere.

Alice withered with disappointment. "It's… alright." she replied quietly. "But if we aren't here to talk to Hatter about that, then why are we here?"

"Oh! I almost forgot. Well, Hatter will escort you to the palace where you will then meet the person who will tell you where we are." Chess smiled slightly, watching as she brightened. He would need her safe on their journey to see the queen, the dangers that lurked deep in the forest were… well, why take the chance? She would be safe enough with Hatter Maddox, and if he couldn't keep her safe… no one could.

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Alice sighed for what had to be the hundredth time today. Hatter and Alice had been walking for miles without so much as a break and her legs had threatened to collapse beneath her.

Hatter Maddox walked ahead, cutting away bunches of leaves, vines, and branches with a long, slender blade. That was what he had been keeping in his trench coat sleeve.

Alice hadn't learned much with how little they were talking, but she had discovered that Mr. Maddox was a millinery man, the head of an advanced legion of soldiers that were meant to protect their land's queen. That was why he had kept a blank expression on since their time at the small cabin.

Chess lingered a ways behind them, his eyes flicking here and their, ears twitching towards the slightest snap of a twig or chirp of a bird.

Alice decided on finally breaking the silence, quietly asking, "Mr. Maddox, how much farther."

But the milliner never got to answer, for a large crash caught his attention. Hatter's left hand flew to the brim of his top hat, his right sheathing his blade and rolling up his sleeve to reveal a metal wrist band, black etched in swirls around the simple accessory that seemed to hide so many secrets.

Chess was suddenly at Alice's side, only to be knocked back by a large branch that came flying from the darkness. More crashes sounded, drawing closer like a wild animal.

That was exactly what it was.

A large beast came charging through the tall, pale white tree stalks, knocking a few down. It looked like a big white bear, bigger then normal bears, with orange tiger stripes and black cheetah spots, teeth as big and sharp as the blade Hatter had just sheathed.

It snarled, loud and low, pushing with it's front paws to stand on its hind legs, sharp claws swiping back and forth.

Alice tried to stifle a scream, her hand flying up to cover her mouth.

"Alice!" Hatter yelled, turning to look at her. But the swift move had cost his some blood as the bear-tiger-cheetah beast swiped its claws across Hatter's chest. He grunted as his back met the ground, quickly getting back up. Hatter twitched his right wrist, knives spreading up his hand and over his finer tips like deadly fingernails. He lunged, engaging in battle with the monster.

A figure appeared before Alice. "Chess!" she cried, throwing her arms around his waist from behind as she shivered into his back. But then she saw him, Chess, still laying unconscious on the ground. "Wh… What?" she was quick to release the man.

His eyes turned onto her, the figure hidden by a dark, black cloak, cerulean blue eyes shining through a shining silver mask. The man's voice low and melodic as he spoke over the fight, "Alice…" He leaned closer, ever closer, until his lips met Alice's.

Then he was gone.

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Yay! Alright, done with that chapter! I could have made the cloaked dude a lot… cooler, but I felt a bit rushed. Thanks for reading!

Leave a comment please! Nothing bad, if you don't mind… if I should continue is completely up to you. J

With All Due Respect,

Black Wings ~ ! ~