BOOM! It's here! Hope this second chapter in a row makes up for the previous lateness! :D

Alice's POV

'Bander, what is it?' Pamina asked, moving close to him as he continued to growl into the darker woods.

I stood a little behind Pamina, keeping close. Everything had gone quiet. Tarrant taught her that when things get too quiet, there's danger. It takes a lot to keep nature quiet. Something or someone was here.

'Shhh. It's all right.' Pamina said, hushing the Bandersnatch while looking into the trees with sharp eyes. She didn't trust it either.

'Hello, Champion. Or should I call you Alice. Maybe Um? So many names but there's only one thing I want.' A dark all too familiar voice came from behind me.

I spun around drawing my sword. Looks like Tarrant wasn't paranoid after all. Still dressed in his black heart uniform, he emerged from behind a large tree, eye patch and all. Stayne smiled his sick twisted smile and I knew what he was here for, the same thing he wanted the day he cornered me in the Red Queen's castle.

'Come a step closer, Stayne. Go ahead. I dare you to give me the reason to end you.' I threatened.

Secretly, I tried to maneuver my body to hide Pamina from view. If possible, I wouldn't kill Stayne in front of her either. She's probably frozen, a good thing for now. I was hoping she stayed that way. Too bad.

'You. YOU! How dare you show your face here, you monster! I promise if you hurt my family one more time, you will die in the greatest pain. I don't have Mother's vows.' Pamina said, stepping forward.

She said it so calmly but her angry orange eyes were blazing brighter than anything I've ever seen and there was poison in her voice. She was speaking the truth. Her red makeup had never looked so bright before, her blazing hair fanned out and her eyes…her eyes dominated everything. I've never seen anything so dangerous.

'You little brat! I told her you would be better off dead!' He said, anger and hatred clouding his features.

'You should have never been born!' Pamina screamed. That's when I saw what we all feared. Because in her screams of anger, I heard Iracebeth there. It was true, Iracebeth's madness existed in Pamina.

'Pamina, stay back!' I yelled, blocking Stayne's approach.

'That's fine. I'll finish her like I did with her father before having my way with you, sweet Alice.' He said, advancing.

'No you won't!' I screamed.

Our blades clashed. I ducked pulling away my sword, letting his get grounded in the soil. I sliced his side and circled, finding unprotected areas in his defenses but I didn't know if I could win. Alone I could have but disadvantage always follows if you need to protect someone. Bander growled and snapped unable to get at Stayne, we were fighting too close.

We fought, the sick sound of ringing blades and clashing metal resounded through the air. I spotted an open area and took it. Lunging at him, he feinted. I realized too late it was a trick, he sliced my sword arm. The blade dropped from my hands and he placed a well aimed kick to my ribs.

I tumbled to the ground, blood spilling over my arm and clothes. My sword was too far and he stood over me, sword tip at the hollow base of my throat. Grinning evilly, he drew it across my shoulder, cutting slowly and deliberately.

'Get away from her!' Pamina screamed, my sword in hand, she swung it at him and in his surprise he had no time to defend. It hit.

He flew to the edge of the forest, slamming against a tree, a new slash wound across his abdomen poured out blood but he was not dead. Not yet. She stood over him sword ready to end his life, shaking. There was so much concentration on her face, so much pain. Her wild mad orange eyes swirled between shades. It was her choice. This was the monster.

The pain was taking over on my part too. I couldn't get up just yet. I couldn't get to her. Please don't let her do it. He deserves it but oh god, please don't do it. Pamina, walk away. You're not your mother. You're not Iracebeth, not a monster. All she needed was some control. I wished more than anything that Tarrant was here.

'You deserve to die for everything you've done. I should kill you now but that would mean losing to the monster and losing to you. I refuse to lose. Leave. Now. Before I change my mind.' Pamina said threateningly, Iracebeth was still there in her voice but it was fading. She was making the right choice.

The Bandersnatch snapped at him, growling and looking truly frumious. Stayne scrambled up, wounds bringing him down, but he fled. He didn't have to say it aloud, we knew…he'd come back and next time it would be worse. Pamina rushed to me, orange tinged chocolate eyes filled with concern was all I saw.

'I'm so proud of you. You did it.' I said, feeling tired.

'Come on Alice, we need to get you to Mother, you're bleeding. Hurry' She urged, tears threatening to spill from those huge eyes.

I stood up carefully and almost fell again but I went on. My arm was numb now, there was no more pain but somehow it didn't seem right. We went on Bander, riding back to Marmoreal. We passed Thackery and Mally and I heard Pamina shouting to them something about blood Stayne and Uncle Tarrant.

I couldn't really hear her, I looked down at my still bleeding arm and refused to believe that Stayne could kill me when the Jabberwocky couldn't. That was it though. I was so sleepy. I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I slumped across Bander's back. All I remember was black.

Yay! Sorry if it's just a little short! Anyway I hope you guys liked it and if you did! Review! :D