Disclaimer: I do not own Pandora Hearts!
No new comments... sigh... TT_TT Does only one person like my writing? Is my dream of become an author a little farfetched considering my writing skills? Humph...
Well anyways, I (finally having caught on to how to edit my story) am now going to give my chapters names! I know, my titles have been really boring (aka, titles: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3) But like I said, I'm gonna fix that! :)
Ok! Now on to the third paragraph of what I like to call: My Useless Author's Ramblings! (M.U.A.R for short.) This is a really long chapter! (Over 4,100 words!) This is probably the longest chapter I will ever write! Cheshire's dimension just had so much I could put in there, that I had to! So, if you're gonna read this chapter, be prepared. :)
So, to sum this up: 1) Please leave comments. 2) Yay! Chapter titles! And 3) Chapter 4 = You better be ready
Oh! And the song (as pretty much all pandora hearts fans know,) Everytime You Kissed me by Emily Bindiger :) And, I have no idea why I chose this song, but it goes with Pandora Hearts soooo ya :) I know it goes with the tune Lacie, which Jack and Glen made together and not Jack and Ashlyn, but for now, I'm going to use it as a completely different song. So, Lacie and Everytime You Kissed Me are two separate songs for this story!
Now that I'm done with M.U.A.R, on with the story!
Chapter 4
Fire and Fenn...
"Ok Ashlyn, are you ready? You must hurry! We cannot be late for the Baskerville's ball!" My Mother shouted from outside my bedroom door.
"Why do we have to go? And, why do I have to spend my whole time with Young Master Glen? I want to have fun at the ball, and not just sit at the table with some gloomy dark person!" I whined.
"Listen, Ashlyn." My Mother had now entered my room and sat down on the edge of my bed where I was in a hurry to brush out a snarl in my long brown hair. "We need to please the Baskervilles. If we do, it could mean great life for you and little Anna. Wouldn't you rather have a better life than this?" She motioned around my bedroom. Our family was noble, so we had better life than most people in Sabrie, but we weren't the richest. My room mostly consisted of hand-me-down furniture from my friends at the Baskerville manor.
"Well... I'm perfectly happy the way we are, and I would still prefer spending my time with Jack than Glen. Jack is way more fun, and he's my best friend!"
"Ashlyn Fenn, you're ten years old now! You should stop your complaining. Now we must go."
Strong winds rushed towards me as I was swept into another memory.
"Hey! Jack! Wait up!" I called as I ran after a boy my age with bright green eyes, and shaggy golden hair, just like Oz's.
"You have to catch me!" He yelled back as he dashed into the Bezarius rose gardens.
I stopped to catch my breath. God he's fast... how can I catch up with these stupid heels on?
"BOO!"
"Ack!" I jumped a foot in the air when I hear the shout from behind. "Jack!"I turned to find Jack laughing hysterically on the grass."That was not funny!"
"Was too! Did you see the look on your face? Priceless!" Jack was now able to contain his laughter, and got up off the ground. "Come on, the cooks just made a fresh batch of cookies! Want some?"
"Sure!" I had now gotten over his surprise attack, (as this occurred regularly) and was feeling a little bit peckish. Plus, his house's gingerbread cookies were the best!
"Well, then come on!"
Just as I entered the Bezarius mansion doors, the same powerful wind as before came over me. Though this time, it sent me crashing back into reality, instead of another memory. I felt the hard impact of the cold glass mirrors as I was thrown back. Sadly, I didn't hit anywhere near the floor and was sent crashing down towards the tiles immediately.
"Ugh... that really hurt!" I groaned as I slowly attempted to sit up. My head throbbed like crazy. But, were those my memories? Everything was coming back to me now. My family, Glen Baskerville, Jack Bezarius, and... my last name... My last name has always been a mystery to me. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't remember the slightest clue as to what it is. But, now... I finally know it! Maybe now that I have my name, I can find out more of who I am, and find the rest of my family!
Just as I was about to think of new ways my newfound information could help me, I heard Oz shout in the next room.
"You're a very strange human" Comes a very cat-like voice. "As injured as you are, and still smiling. And, so distant about it, even though it's your own self. Even though you're right here, you're nowhere."
What is Oz doing here? I finally collected enough strength to get up and run out of the strange room of mirrors.
"Oz!" I barged into another mirror room, exactly the same as the other, just in time to see a large cat man charging towards Oz ready to strike.
"Oz!" I yelled again. Just as the cat was a few yards away from him, I put myself between Oz and the large sharp claws heading our way.
"Ashlyn! What are you-" Oz was stopped in mid sentence as a pair of white gloved hands pulled us into the mirror we were leaning against. Just in time to save our lives.
Bright light surrounded my vision, burning my eyes until I couldn't keep them open any longer. Was I wrong? Did we actually die at the hands, or I should say claws, of that cat? My headache was coming back.
The feeling of going through that mirror was different that before. This time, it felt like I melted into the mirror, unlike last time when I simply went through it. Strange...
I finally open my eyes to find myself lying on fresh grass. Grass... it feels different than before in my memories when I was with Jack. Are we free? Are we home? I look upwards to see if I'm correct. Nope. Gilbert was leaning up against a stone wall with Oz violently shaking him, demanding to tell him if he was alright.
"I'm fine Oz! I'm fine!" He said with a laugh. Oh, Oz...
Though, this scene was interrupted when a man in a deep green robe strode past me. Oz and Gil both turned towards him. He looked just like an older version of Oz, but with a long blonde braid. No, he doesn't look like Oz as much as he does... Jack...
"This is the first time we've met face to face." He said.
Oh my god. That voice... It is Jack! I forced myself up and walked over to stand next to Oz and Gil.
"You!" Oz was able to speak after a moment of astonishment, "You're the one from Alice's memory!"
Alice's memory? Oh ya... I could now recall that Jack was the one Alice ran to when I was in that 'dream' that collapsed.
"Just who are you?" Oz interrupted my thoughts.
"I'm sure there are many things you would like to know-" Jack started to reply.
"Jack. Jack Bezarius." Everyone turned towards me. "You're Jack." No... Something doesn't feel quite right about him... "Actually, you're not, but you are... I think..."
"Yes," Jack smiled down at me, "However, this isn't the time." He knelt down before Oz. "Would you lend me your strength? I want to save Alice."
The three of us could only stare in utter surprise at what Jack said. Alice is in danger?
"If we don't hurry," He continued, "she will be taken in by this dimension, lose herself, and disappear forever."
"What do I have to do?" Oz jumped over Gil who gave a muffled 'Oz' in turn.
"Just think about Alice, and call her name. Don't worry, you can do it."
"Alright, I'll try."
After a few moments of silence, Gil started to load his gun.
"This place is still Cheshire Cat's territory," That was Cheshire Cat? So that's what break meant by being lead astray by an undisciplined alley cat? "Won't he come after us again?"
"Don't worry, all Cheshire can think about right now is the other visitor."
"You mean Break? But, why?" I interrupted.
"Yes. It's because the Hatter's power is like poison to Cheshire and the Will of Abyss. He needs to get rid of him and his chain the Hatter."
"Why?" Oz was apparently finally out of his concentration. "Why would Cheshire protect the Will?"
"I think it's because he wanted to be her solitary knight, protecting the one he loves. Just like you are to Alice."
"Me? No, that's not me."
"Well then, why do you want to save Alice?"
"Um, because to me, she's like the sun." Oz smiled up at Jack, "She's never afraid to show her emotions. To me, it's radiant." Only silence followed Oz's statement. Until Jack finally spoke up.
"Ok, I've found her." Jack faced me, "You should go with Oz. There is something you need to see."
"Um, ok." I walked over and took Oz's hand.
"Now I'll leave Alice to you." Glowing white specks started to fly around us. "She gets lonely so easily."
"I know." Oz laughed, "After all, rabbits can die of loneliness."
Once again, we were enveloped in the white light...
"Alice!"
"Alice! Where are you?"
"Alice!"
We ran through vast corridors hoping to at least catch a glimpse of the long haired girl.
"Alice!"
Suddenly a wall of flames appeared before us, burning the tips of my already torn dress.
"Ah!" I shouted as I ripped of the scorched section. Ouch. I noted my hands were a bright red, and would probably hurt like hell later. But, there was no time to tend to my burns, as we had to keep searching for Alice before this house of horrors is burned to the ground.
We reeled around the corner, hoping that the fire had not spread too much yet. But, we found something much worse. Slaughtered bodies lay covering the floor of what once was a master ballroom. It looked like there was a massacre.
No... Not this... Not now! The fire, the bodies, this is my nightmare!
"No..." As much as I wanted to run, my feet felt like they were glued to the floor. Nothing I did could make me run far away from here. Oz seemed exactly the same.
"W-what is this?" Oz looked horrified.
"The place you stand right now, is Sabrie." Came the voice of Jack Bezarius, "To you, the former capitol. And, the city which was plunged into the Abyss by the Baskervilles."
"No way... That means this is... the Tragedy of Sabrie a hundred years ago? I was taught that it was caused by an earthquake!" Oz's eyes widened.
"I see... So that's the face they've put on it..."
"But, why are we here? In Sabrie?" I questioned. I swear, the stench of blood and smoke is going to make me faint...
"It's because this place was created by Alice's memories. So yes, she was here. In the castle that became the heart of the tragedy. But, she wasn't the only one..."
"What do you mean Jack?" I shouted, "What do you mean she wasn't the only one?"
Oz wasn't listening to our conversation though, his thoughts were locked on Alice. He started to run off before we could finish with Jack.
"Alice!" He called.
"Oz! Oz! Wait!" I struggled to catch up with him has we ran down long broad stairways and corridors, until I could no longer see his blonde hair weaving about the halls. Damn it! I lost him.
"Oz! Where are you?" After walking for 10 minutes, I decided to give up. He'll come back... right? For now, I have to put my focus on finding Alice.
"Alice! Alice? Alice!" Maneuvering around the flames and corpses was tricky. Most of the lace and embroidery on my dress had been either ripped or burned off. It was also covered in blood. Oh Sharon is going to kill me when I bring back this dress! Well, if I get back...
Putting my mind back on the task at hand, I opened a large set of double ebony doors. This must be the master hall... The fire had already burned this room to a crisp and had made it's way to fresher wood a while ago, but apparently the murderers have only been here recently. Around thirty fresh corpses were strewn about the room. Wanting to make sure that none of them were Alice or Oz, I carefully made my way around each and every one of them. How could someone murder these people like this?
Making my way to the middle of the room, something shiny caught my eye. I made my way over to a corpse in the center of the vast hall. Staring down I noticed a small silver music box laying near a figure wearing a midnight black hood. I picked up the music box, which was surprisingly lightweight for the materials it's made out of. It was heart shaped and covered in silver wildflowers. Crisscrossed golden strings accented the sides of it, with a few sapphires staging as the middle of the blossoms. This music box is clearly the work of a great craftsman. But, what is it doing here? I also noticed that there was a small keyhole at one of the top rounds of the heart. Where's the key? I look over to the corpse it was near. Maybe they had it? Wait, who is that anyways? They seemed quite familiar, though I couldn't tell who it was, as the hood was covering the face.
Slowly I made my way over to the corpse. Seeing a silver key on the neck I quickly grabbed it and strung it over my own. Now that I have the key, who is this? I lifted up the hood, expecting to see the face of a noble child, someone who lived in this manor. But, what I found, was something I would never expect. My own lifeless brown eyes stared up at me, expressionless. Blood was splattered all over my torso and face.
"T-t-t-that can't be me!" I stuttered. My whole body was shaking. There was nothing I could do to make it stop. I wasn't here a hundred years ago! And I couldn't have been killed! I'm alive right now, aren't I?
"I'm sorry Ashlyn." Came Jack's soft voice, "But, you were here on this day. Just as Alice and the rest of Sabrie was, you were killed by the Baskervilles..."
"No! I wasn't! I'm right here! I'm-" I ran away from the scene, music box in hand. This can't be happening! This has to be another nightmare! I need to wake up with Anna by my side! I need to be out of here!
I leaned up against a nearby stone wall to catch my breath. God. These halls are endless! Is there no exit? I looked down at the music box I was still clutching in my scorched hands. Why would I have this during a mass murder? And more importantly, WHY DID I DIE? Will this small music box give me a clue as to why? I slowly unhooked the key from the chain it was on around my neck, and slipped it into the key hole. The flowered top of the heart popped up and revealed a small compartment. Inside, there was a small dial and a dried rose. This rose... It looks like a rose from the Bezarius rose gardens in my memory! Why is it in here? I decided to contemplate the rose later, and turned my attention on the dial. It took four or five twists until it was fully wound up. Letting go, I silently listened to the sweet melody that the box was producing. Somehow remembering the words, I sang along with the mystical tune.
Every time you kissed me
I trembled like a child
Gathering the roses
We sang for the hope
Your very voice is in my heartbeat
Sweeter than my dream
We were there, in everlasting bloom
Roses die,
The secret is inside the pain
Winds are high up on the hill
I cannot hear you
Come and hold me close
I'm shivering cold in the heart of rain
Darkness falls, I'm calling for the dawn
Silver dishes for the memories,
For the days gone by
Singing for the promises
Tomorrow may bring
I harbor all the old affection
Roses are the past
Darkness falls, and summer will be gone
Joys of the daylight
Shadows of the starlight
Everything was sweet by your side, my love
Ruby tears have come to me, for your last words
I'm here just singing my song of woe
Waiting for you, my love
Now let my happiness sing inside my dream...
Every time you kissed me
My heart was in such pain
Gathering the roses
We sang of the grief
Your very voice is in my heart beat
Sweeter than despair
We were there, in everlasting bloom
Underneath the stars
Shaded by the flowers
Kiss me in the summer day gloom, my love
You are all my pleasure, my hope and my song
I will be here dreaming in the past
Until you come
Until we close our eyes
For a moment, my thought were away from my death, and set on Jack. Wow... Remembering this song... My favorite song... this is-
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the floor falling up from under me.
"Ack! Not again!" Isn't this the second floor that I have fallen through in the past few days?
"Ouch! Ashlyn! What are you doing?" The muffled voice of Gilbert came from under me.
"Oh! Sorry Gil! Are you okay?" I said, helping him up.
"I'm fine." He looked around frantically, "Where's Oz? I thought he was with you!"
"I don't know! He ran off and I can't find him anywhere!"
"Well, then come on! He's destroying this dimension, and if he isn't stopped, then we'll all be killed!" That would explain the falling floor... "Hurry!"
We ran through the crumbing hallways, searching for Oz. But, nowhere in the dim smoky light could I see those bright green eyes of his. Nowhere in the rubble or flames was a hint of color resembling his golden hair.
"Oz! Where are you?"
"Oz!"
"Oz?" Standing before me in a lighted path was Oz, twirling about like a madman. "Gil! I found Oz!"
"Oz! Oz! Are you alright?" Gil rushed past me, headed to save his precious master. "Hold back B-Rabbit's power! If you don't your body won't-"
"I'll destroy it..." Oz cut Gil off in a soft monotone voice, "I'll destroy it. That which Alice wanted to forget. I'll destroy it all..." A faint smile was now making its way onto Oz's lips.
"What are you talking about? Oz?"
"Listen can't you hear her voice?" Oz was now looking up at Gil with an expressionless stare, "Alice's sorrowful voice..." After a moment of silence he continued, "That's it? That's all I need to destroy? If I do that, you won't need to suffer anymore. I'll make you disappear!" It was as if he was talking to another worldly person. He wasn't talking to anyone in particular, just the crumbling ceiling above him.
Making his way out of Gil's grasp, Oz began his madman twirling again. But, this time with every step, jagged lines of white made their ways around the carpeting and walls around him. Everything was falling. If he wasn't stopped soon, there would be no one to do it. "That's it! I'll erase you!" His cries could be heard for what seemed like miles.
"Knock it off!" I screamed, running between him and Gil. I raised my hand as high as I could and slapped Oz as hard. The second my palm made contact with his pale cheek, time seemed to freeze. All Oz could do is stand there motionless, holding his face.
"A-Ashlyn?" Oz blinked a few times and stared straight at me.
"Tell me Oz!" I grabbed hold of his shoulders, "Tell me what you came here to do! DIDN'T YOU COME TO SAVE ALICE?" Just as I said the name Alice, something clicked inside of him.
"Alice..." Was the last thing he could manage to say before falling to the ground before me.
"Looks like you got here in time." Jack's voice rang out once more. "And looks like Alice is safe." The wall next to us collapsed in a heap of rubble, only to reveal a large stairway. Atop the stairway was Alice, bound by chains and a twisted version of Jack.
"Alice!" Oz had regained consciousness and dashed up the marble steps.
"Oz!" Gil and I tried to reach him, but were blocked off by a large section of ceiling crashing a few mere feet in front of us. I watched as Oz made his way up the winding staircase. With everything that's happened so far, I wouldn't be surprised if something went wrong- I jumped as the stairs beneath Oz fell into an unknown abyss below it.
"Oz!" Gil and I shouted simultaneously. Luckily, Oz was able to grab hold to the edge of the next still standing stair. Phew...
"Alice!" He had now made it to the top of the stairs. Just in time to catch Alice when the chains binding her disintegrated in a strange purple light. "Alice!" Alice had pushed herself into Oz's grasp and was sobbing as they fell to the stone floor below.
"Oz! Alice!" Gil and I both ran to catch our friends as they made their decent. But, even with two people catching them, Alice and Oz sent us all crashing onto the floor.
"That really hurt!" I examined my wrist, as I feel I twisted it when I landed.
Looking at my friends, I noted the different expressions on our faces, Gil seemed quite solemn, Oz was cheerful with a large grin spread across his face, and Alice... well, Alice was still sobbing.
CRASH!
I looked over to my right only to see a large monstrous creature emerge from the floor. It was completely black except for two glowing red eyes. Also, its shape sort of resembled that of an abstract artist's version of a cat. It also looked... electrified?
"You really are a troublesome cat!" Break was whacking it with his cane, which seemed to send the cat into terrible pain. "Ah! How are all of you today?" He landed in front of us on a one-footed pose.
"What do you mean 'how are you?'" Gil raised his voice at Break, "Thanks to you we've-"
"Yes, Yes. You may register your complaints later." Break said with a wave of his hand,
"Is that Cheshire Cat?" I couldn't take my eyes off the creature.
"Yes, though he's become somewhat less than attractive. Even though me most likely once longed to obtain the human form he held, he chose to abandon it. Does he really care for the Will of Abyss that much?"
"Alice." Came the strangled voice of Cheshire, "Alice! The things which make you sad, the things which cause you pain, all of them, Cheshire will..."
"His intention is to take all of us along with him and his dimension." Break had begun taking a long sharp blade out of his cane. That's a sword? "We must use Eques and escape."
"That's no good!" Gil interjected, "Eques hasn't returned yet!"
"Break wait!" Oz ordered as Break slashed Cheshire, who returned his attack with a bloodcurdling cry.
Cheshire was falling apart, so in turn was his dimension. The floor separated Oz, Alice, and me from Gil.
"Alice." Cheshire managed to say his final words, "Alice! Cheshire's... precious..." And with that, the great cat disappeared.
"Eques!" Suddenly, a great black unicorn appeared before us. So this is Eques? Eques reared, opening a large rainbow colored portal behind us.
"Wait! Eques! Break and Gil are still over there!" Oz was frantic, "Miss Sharon, tell Eques to-" But he was cut off, as the portal closed in on us, sending us to who knows where.