Sorry for the long wait, people! I had my wisdom teeth pulled out about a week ago and I'm still healing from it. Not fun stuff... T.T

Anywho, here's the new chapter! Enjoy! Also leave a vote for updating this story on my poll!

Alice in Wonderland II: Underland's Champion

Chapter 4: Returning to Underland

Ever since the tea party incident, Alice has shown no improvement in her depression. To make things worse, she caught a high fever from staying out in the rain for so long. It took Helen and Margaret about an hour to have their servants find Alice crying under the bushes. The girl has played around the garden in her earlier years enough to know about some secret spots.

Helen and Margaret took turns taking care of Alice. They always made sure that she stays in her bed and has some tea and a small snack. While one of them takes care of her, the other woman takes care of Stefan. Alice is somewhat annoyed by their refusal to let her get out of bed.

Alice seems to have gotten better after the next week. Hamish and Lord Ascot would frequently visit her to see how she is doing. Although Alice is glad to know that they still care for her, she still feels guilty about humiliating Lady Ascot. She knows that the woman must still think low of her since the Ascot men seem to avoid wanting to bring her up. She feels incredibly guilty about ruining Lady Ascot's demeanor and is dismayed by her hurtful accusation. Although it was unnecessary, Alice knows that her words are true.

She is crazy in a way that would make her seem insane to high-ranking nobility. She still has questions regarding her fantasy world that she has always thought about during her journey. She never dared to bring the questions up to Lord Ascot; she could only say so much and he already dubs her as incredibly insane (although in a very good way). How can she tell him about six impossible things during breakfast? Or how she has slayed the Jabberwocky right after she left Hamish when he proposed to her? How can she explain the time difference between their world and Underland when she herself doesn't understand it? No… Some things are better off unsaid.

So while she was resting on her bed, Alice would think of logical answers regarding Underland and its occupants. But since when does anything make sense in Underland? Maybe Underland has a logic that's different or even opposite to her world…

… Great, Alice is getting a headache from thinking so hard…

Just thinking about Underland makes something in Alice's chest ache. It's almost the same feeling she gets when she thinks about being far away from her family; she misses her home. Although she practically lived in the luxurious life since birth, Underland is the only true place she feels comfortable around in. A place that she could never understand but respect; just as the Underlandians treat her. A place that fascinates her as much as it welcomes her. A place that is a piece of her mind as much as it is a piece of her heart…

Her home…

And her friends. Oh, Alice misses everyone in Underland terribly. All the wonderful and humorous creatures there would always make her feel welcome (even though they have been skeptical of her since her second visit) and she enjoyed their company, especially Mirana and Tarrant. Mirana is like the third sister that Alice can relate to and respect her at the same time. Like Alice, Mirana has a personality that reflects how she wishes to handle things and she could care less of what most people thought of her. And as for Tarrant, he is like a very protective brother or a brave guardian to Alice. Out of everyone, Alice is closest to him and admires him the most. He is the most peculiar person out of everyone she has met, and it isn't just because of his appearance or random outbursts. He listens to people and knows how to make them feel better. He is also brave and very cunning with his words; granted, he might be smarter than most people give him credit for. Crazy, but smart.

Not only that, but Tarrant makes Alice feel unusually strange… In a very curious way. She never felt this way for anybody. Maybe it is because Alice respects him the most and trusts him with her life (literally). Other than Mirana, he is the only person she can freely express herself and not be criticized. He fully accepts her as who she is and no less. And she likes that about him.

Thinking so much about Underland and its people makes Alice suddenly feel even more curious. She wants to spend more time with them and understand Underland even more. She has so many questions answered regarding her world, and yet she barely understands her own fantasy world…

'So why don't you return?'

Alice is greatly startled when her conscious suggests this statement. A part of her protests to this idea while the other half feels like a sudden realization has hit her. Her serious side scoffs the idea as an insane idea that would only make her even more insane. Would she really leave her mother, sister, and nephew again after she just got back? On the other hand, her thoughtful side thinks that it is a mad and brilliant idea that could help relieve her from her depression. After all, who would make her feel better about herself more than her own close friends? And as she reunites with her friends, she could learn more about Underland in the meantime…

Both sides have flaws and Alice debates on what she should do overnight. She still has no answer by the next afternoon but Margaret senses her sister's silence.

"Alice? Are you all right?" She places a tray holding tea and warm soup onto the side table before she sits on the edge of Alice's bed. She looks at her sister with concern and places her hand over her sister's forehead. Alice sighs.

"Better than before… I think…" She murmurs.

"Is the fever getting any better?" Margaret frowns when she notices that Alice is less warm than she usually is. Then she raises a brow. "Or is it something else?"

Alice says nothing and Margaret knows that she guessed right. "If it's about Lady Ascot, then don't worry about her. We told you that she isn't worth it; she's just another cranky woman that doesn't know a good person even when she sees her."

Alice shakes her head and gently removes her sister's hand. "No, it's not her. I just feel… Different…"

"Different? Different how?" Margaret tilts her head curiously. Alice hesitates for a moment. Then she decides to trust her sister with a few questions. "I was just wondering… Have you ever had this feeling that you are missing something in your life?"

"Missing something? What do you mean?"

"Like… You miss something and yet you don't even know what you are missing?" Alice was sure she only confused her sister as much as she confused herself.

Margaret frowns. "But what on Earth would you be missing, Alice? You practically sailed all over the world in four years!" She smiles sheepishly. "I'll admit that I'm jealous of you; you've seen it all and done it all while I stayed here to take care of Lowell and Mother. Not that I don't enjoy it…"

Margaret trails off when she sees Alice's helpless stare. She looks thoughtful. "In the letters, you would say that you had so many questions that you wanted answered…"

Alice nods. Suddenly realization dawns on Margaret and she looks curious. "… And yet you still have questions that remain unanswered…"

Alice nods again, somewhat relieved that her sister is getting the hint.

"Well, perhaps Mother and I can help you find the answer for those questions?" Margaret inquires. "Maybe even Hamish and Lord Ascot can help… But what kind of questions are you thinking about?"

"That's just the thing; I have a feeling that there is something that I'm missing out. But I just don't know what to do about it. Should I just not worry about it and let someone else figure it out, or should I try to find the answers to the questions myself?" Alice groans as she places a hand on her forehead.

Margaret is silent as she stares at Alice. Then she sighs quietly. "Alice, I know that you are a very headstrong girl. You like to solve things yourself and you're quite smart. However, you think too much about some things. This might be one of those cases." Alice's face falls and Margaret quickly corrects herself. "But I don't mean that in a wrong way. That's what makes you as you and I couldn't ask for a better sister. And I know you; you won't stop until you are satisfied. If those questions mean so much to you, then find the answers to them. No one will stop you. But remember that no matter what happens, Mother and I will always be there to support you."

Margaret smiles as she pats Alice's shoulder. Alice smiles up at her sister and feels relieved from hearing good advice. She sits up and carefully gives her sister a hug. "Thanks, Margaret."

"Anytime." Margaret smiles as she stands up. "Now, get some sleep. That fever isn't going to cure on itself, you know…" With that said, Margaret turns and leaves the room to leave Alice alone with her thoughts.

By nightfall, Alice makes her decision. Although a tiny part of her is guilty for abandoning one part of her life, she keeps telling herself that it would only be temporary…

On the night that her fever has finally died down, she quietly begins to get dressed for her departure. She wears a very simple blue dress and black slippers since she knows that her trip wouldn't take more than a whole day. She takes only a frame holding the picture of her whole family and a small basket containing priceless antiques she plans to give to her friends. But before she sneaks out, she takes the time to write a very touching note to her mother and sister and leaves it on her neatly made bed.

Dearest Mother and Margaret,

I want you both to know that I love you dearly and will be thinking of you during my trip. I'm sorry about the short notice, but I just need some time to be alone to figure some things out. I still have so many questions that need to be answered and I feel that only I can find the answers. I promise that I will explain everything as soon as I return. Remember that I love you and I will come back home soon. Margaret, please do take care of Stefan while I'm gone. You're lucky to have such a good child

With Love, Alice

Alice sighs deeply as she crawls down from her window balcony. Convinced that none of the servants have seen her, she sneaks out of the gardens into the outside streets. She carefully makes sure to hide whenever she notices other people on the streets during her walk toward Lord Ascot's estate. It took at least twenty minutes to reach Lord Ascot's gates and Alice is grateful yet amazed by her luck.

She carefully climbs over the gate walls with the vines' support. She sneaks under the bushes around the house until she reaches the house's backyard. Alice pats herself for a job well done as she walks through the foliage. With a confident grin on her face, Alice promptly walks through the trees.

Her confidence begins to slim when she realizes that she is lost in the large garden after five minutes. Since it is dark, she couldn't make out where she is amongst the trees and bushes. Frustrated, Alice groans to herself and leans against a tree. She followed McTwisp to the hole last time. How does McTwisp find his own hole in the dark?

"Psst! Alice!" A voice whispers harshly. Startled, Alice moves away from the tree and looks around the garden cautiously. Has someone caught her? Then she feels a nudging on her dress and cries out. Thinking that some rodent has caught her, she instinctively brings her foot out and kicks the poor creature away.

"OW! Damn it, Alice!" The same voice hisses. Alice freezes and looks down closely. When her vision adjusts to the darkness, she could see a small form hunching down as it clutches its face. On closer inspection, Alice sees that the being has rabbit ears and a small coat. "McTwisp?" She asks aloud.

"Of course it's me!" McTwisp snaps as he glares up at her with dark brown eyes. Alice grimaces when she sees a slight bruise on his forehead. "To think I came here to see if you were all right after that incident with that crazy Ascot woman!"

Alice remembers how panicked he was that day. He was so freaked out by being caught and almost got killed had she not interfered. She kneels down in front of him. "Are you all right?" She asks as she reaches forward. "I'm so sorry… I didn't know it was you…"

McTwisp hastily rubs his forehead. Then he sighs as he takes out a handkerchief from his coat pocket and rubs his eyes with it. "It's all right, Alice… I should have warned you that it was me… It's partially my fault…" He shakes his head before he looks up at Alice. "But what on Earth are you doing out here in the middle of the night? Don't you realize that it's dangerous out here at this time?"

Alice gives the rabbit a pointed look. "I came here because I want to go back. I want to go back to Underland."

McTwisp pauses and looks up at her carefully. "You do? Really?"

"Yes." Alice smiles before she puts on a sheepish frown. "But it's dreadfully dark out here; I can't recall where exactly the rabbit hole is…"

"Being gone for four years, I'm honestly surprised that you haven't forgotten about us by now." McTwisp huffs as he crosses his arms. Alice gives him a disbelieving look. "How could you say that? I promised that I'd come back!"

"Just as you promised to come back the first time…"

"I was a child back then and my memory was foggy. Besides, I came back the second time and kept the promise, didn't I?"

"Well… Yes." The White Rabbit droops his ears in defeat. Then he sighs. "All right, I'll lead you to the entrance…"

Alice grins before she leans forward and wraps her arms around the rabbit. "Thank you, McTwisp!" She murmurs. McTwisp protests and squirms in her hug before she lets go. He readjusts his coat and huffs as he looks up at her.

"But I must ask… How long do you plan to stay in Underland?"

Alice's smile turns into a thoughtful frown. "I'm not sure… But hopefully for a while. That is, if it is all right with Her Highness… By the way, how are she and the others doing?"

McTwisp turns around and hops away. Alice follows him and listens as the rabbit leads her towards their destination and answers her questions. "Her Majesty is doing just fine. The others haven't a changed a bit. However, the Hatter…" He hesitates.

Alice looks curious and concerned. "Yes? How is he?"

"Let's just say that he will be glad to see you again. The last two years have made him a little … Unstable." McTwisp carefully chooses his wording as he continues to hop. "Overall, Underland has been doing much better even though the Red Queen and Stayne are missing…"

"Missing?"

"Disappeared. Vanished. None of our guards could find them anywhere. But we're convinced that they shouldn't be a threat anymore… They haven't done anything under four years…"

"Well, that's good then." Alice smiles brightly. "It seems that Underland is turning back into Wonderland, just the way I have visualized it."

McTwisp couldn't help but smile. "That's exactly what Her Highness has said after she made some changes."

Soon the duo stop before a massive tree. McTwisp turns to her. "We're here. Now, you remember what to expect and what to do?"

Alice nods. McTwisp nods and reaches into his pocket for something. Then he hands Alice a key. "Keep this. It's a spare key for the door. For security reasons, the White Queen thought it would be safer that no outsider should see Underland…"

Alice nods in understanding and puts the key into one of her dress pockets. Then McTwisp gently takes the basket from Alice's arm. "I'll go first. I'll see you at the other side of the door." Without another word, McTwisp jumps into the hole and disappears.

Alice hesitates as she looks at the very dark hole. Then she looks around the garden one last time before she takes a deep breath and nods to herself. She closes her eyes, clenches her fists, and steps forward. She drops down into the hole after McTwisp.

Yay! Alice is gonna return! How will the others welcome her? Comment, please!