The author makes absolutely no profit off of this work of fan fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended on the franchise of Heart no Kuni no Alice and Doctor Who. Some of the elements in the story have been incorporated belong to chaos-dark-lord but I have received permission to use them from Wonderful Wonderful Science and its sequel Wonderful Wonderful Science: Diamond Dust.

Geronimo!


A whimsical tune vibrated in the back of his throat as Joker stood patiently in the plaza of the Clock Tower. While he did value the Role he had during this particular part of the Game, it would be downright inconsiderate to decline an invitation to formally meet someone who had been using Erin Oswald as a middle-man with their mailing communication. Still…is this a pathetic attempt to catch me in a trap or simply a waste of time when I could be directing rehearsals at the Circus? White mused before he craned his head towards the full moon. A single wine-colored orbs widened slightly as a bulging shadow leap from the very window that had direct access to Julius Monrey's office. The figure remained perfectly still for a few seconds before firing a grappling gun at one of the adjacent towers in the plaza to easily glide down from the Clock Tower and towards the ground in an arc, due to the fact that the cable of the grappling gun was being coiled.

Once the mysterious figure had made a somewhat dramatic entrance that concluded with a back flip, their fall was cushioned by a pillow of darkness that suddenly sprung from the ground. Joker blinked in surprise before a small grin stretched across his face. There was no way to detect if his 'visitor' was a man or a woman due to the unusual outfit they were wearing.

"Well, hello there. You're a little late, you know. It's rude to keep people waiting. Especially since you're the one who called me out here." While he'd like to think of himself as a patient man even by his own subordinates, the Ringmaster did have a full schedule with rehearsals and catering to the innate desires of the Game's 'star'. Oh, if only Alice would just see what was inside the cell and accept her sins. Then again, nothing had ever been that simple. It'd just ruin the fun.

"Who are you and what the fuck do you want?" The Ringmaster bit back a small groan as he heard Black's coarse voice echo from the checkered mask hanging at his waist. Good grief. How in the world was he even related to the brute that supervised the Prison and even part of him?

His visitor remained impassive and a few seconds later relaxed their posture that demonstrated an unusual amount of trust towards the 'villain' of Wonderland. Their mouth was not visible below the obsidian gas mask, yet a computerized voice still echoed across the empty courtyard. "Hello Joker. It's been a while."

White titled his head to the side slightly with a confused expression. "Do I know you? I can tell right away that you're not a faceless. Yet at the same time…You're not a Role Holder. It's strange. Just what are you?"

"You know exactly what's really fucking happening in this Game, don't you?!" Black exclaimed loudly through the mask. Joker was about to comment on the coarse language of his darker half until his lone red eye saw his visitor take a confident step toward him before stopping a few feet away.

"Chingada madre." The stranger pulled back of the tattered hood of their cloak, revealing multi-shaded blonde hair and a checkered mask earring dangling next to arrow-shaped piercings. "I'll admit, it's a bit hard to not glomp you with a hug."

"Is that supposed to mean something asshole?" Black deadpanned. White looked down at his small 'communicator' with an exasperated expression. Both the Ringmaster and Warden wanted information from this person, but the latter's attitude was not helping them.

"Now, now, there is no need to take it that far. Besides-"

"Not much, imbecile! Now won't you wait till I speak up, you fucking idiot? You can be such a calloused moron sometimes." The stranger freely insulted Black with arms akimbo. "Damn I missed you, dumbass. But where was I before being rudely interrupted? Oh yeah. I was gonna mention that I'm a mercenary-"

"And who the fuck gives a damn about that?! Just tell me what the fuck are you and-"

"Fuck it Black, can't you just wait a damn second!? No need to spoil all of the fun, you bastard."

White blinked at the mercenary in astonishment at their bravery for badmouthing the Warden and yet holding neither ill will nor animosity in the same breath. He smiled. Things were definitely more and more interesting by the minute. "As I was saying before being rudely interrupted by Joker here, I have a lot of questions for you. How about we act civilized and go for a drink? I know a place that respects my privacy 'very' much or else they get...punished by yours truly."

The stranger blinked for a moment and then shrugged. "You mean at that dingy pub Temptation? Sure, it's been awhile since we went there for a drink." The disguised guest tugged on the mask earring. "But…it's funny that our deal still stands even though you've forgotten all about it."

Joker smiled and extended an open palm towards the visitor. "But before we do that, would you at least unmask yourself. I'd like to think of it as...a sign of trust between us." He raised an eyebrow. "Unless of course, you have other plans to show that I can waste my precious time with you."

A light chuckle emitted from the gas mask. "Oh, of course. Forgot about that. I'm simply used to being subtle as being paranoid. And don't worry. I'll make you're back at your precious Circus in time for the next rehearsal. Though I can't guarantee you'll be sober by then." The stranger raised their arm up and an inky gauntlet glowed in the moonlight as it unlatched the straps on both the gas mask and goggles. Within seconds the face of a young woman was unveiled, followed by olive-green orbs being opened to make brief contact with Joker's single eye before she gave him a warm smile. The red-haired Role Holder felt his clock skip a tick at the sight.

When she addressed him once again, the digitized voice came from her mouth and not from the collar of the unusual armor. "I am known as Aria Hadron Scherzi. I'm a mercenary and your best friend. I'm also the true second foreigner and the current 'star' of the Game."

A single garnet-colored eye widened slightly at the bold statement as the words sunk into his mind. The real second Outsider? Whatever could that mean? How curious. He smiled. "I see. Well, now that is settled, perhaps we can talk over drinks?" He couldn't deny that he was more than curious. An odd, exciting sensation began to bubble in the pit of his stomach. There was something about this person that made him feel at ease yet also excited. But there was also something dark behind these rare emotions as she hung onto his arm.

Aria shrugged. "You can ask all you want, but unfortunately I may not be able to answer all. However, even if you don't remember, there are current matters that require me to negotiate with you." She then strode over to his side without no regard to the naturally dangerous aura that Joker possessed, following the shell-shocked Role Holder with a blank expression on her beautiful face.

xDCx

Erin released a relieved sigh as she finally removed an onyx-colored pair of one inch heels from her aching feet. Bright green orbs glanced to the side and saw Ava animatedly conversing with a faceless retail associate a few feet away from the bench where the fourth Outsider sat in the shoe store. Being escorted around the town with a Lullaby operative on a shopping trip was Erin's punishment for her actions against the Berceuse.

I know that barging in the Lullaby compound and demanding Aria to heal Leo was extremely rude, even when my actions almost exposed her organization to the Role Holders. Especially when I…I...I…killed the woman. The college graduate felt her heart began to thrum wildly in horror as the memories flooded her mind once again. For a brief second, she thought she could smell gunpowder and blood in the air-conditioned establishment. L-Leo may claim that it was an act of self-defense…but it was still an act…an act of murder. I killed someone.

Seeing a Role Holder or Leo pull the trigger was one thing. Doing it herself dulled the brightly-colored visage of the wonderful wonder world, and deprived Erin of much needed sleep. Another sigh left her mouth as she placed the heels back in the cardboard box and closed the lid. Finding a business suit with discounted skirt was much easier than looking for matching, comfortable heels. Erin thought as she opened another shoe box.

When the star-studded skies of Wonderland had changed to a sunny afternoon, Erin left the store with Ava by her side. The buxom faceless had noticed how quiet the Outsider was and tried to strike up a conversation that lasted more than a few syllables. Ava opened her mouth to say something else to the younger woman until she heard someone call out her name. She swiveled her head to the side and saw one of her co-workers running towards her. When there was only a few feet between them, the blonde-haired teenager explained the reason for his sudden arrival: some of the customers at The Lazy Flamingo were getting a bit too violent from their happy hour beverages and the proprietor needed Ava to come back as soon as possible to set them straight.

Ava apologized to Erin for leaving so soon, but the foreigner brushed it off and replied that the Latin establishment needed its primary expert in drunken brawls as well as thanking the bartender for accompanying her on the shopping trip. Once the Lullaby subordinate departed as quickly as she had arrived, the fourth Outsider felt relief wash over her tired frame. Finally. A little peace and quiet…

"Erin!"

The college graduate bit her tongue to prevent an agonized groan and hesitantly looked over her shoulder. Emerging from an adjacent shop was none other than the March Hare himself with a paper bag in his hand. Erin twitched slightly at the sight of him, immediately recalling his shocked expression when she…she killed that woman. "H-Hello Elliot. How are you?"

He flashed a sunny grin at the coffee-haired foreigner. "I'm great! I finally got a hold of some kick-ass carrot cookies that are always sold out by the time I get to come here without any…business to take care of!" Bright green orbs watched with mild interest as Elliot's optimistic expression faltered to a concerned frown. "Listen…about the other day…You did awesome."

"I didn't think killing someone in cold blood would earn me a golden star." Erin responded in a hard voice. She could feel her throat constrict and tears start to slowly swell around the corners of her eyes. No…No! I can't cry here. I can't lose control of my emotions. Not in front of this man. She thought as she hastily wiped her face with the back of her right hand. Mauve orbs blinked at the young woman in front of him for a few seconds until Elliot broke the awkward silence.

"Even so, I still owe you for saving my ass back there. I know! Since we're here in town, why don't we go on a date?" Elliot's furry ears began to wiggle with restrained excitement as his attention fell upon the shopping bags in Erin's hands. "I can get you a little present and then we'll find somewhere to eat!"

"T-That isn't necessary Elliot-"

"I insist!"

Before she could say anything else to him, Erin was pulled across the street by Elliot to a fancy-looking boutique called The Caged Canary. The bone-white and spotless interior was filled to the brim with ladies' dresses that ranged in size and style. It was the last place that the fourth Outsider wanted to be. Especially after spending almost two time changes with a shoe-obsessed faceless who enjoyed hopping from one store to another.

After spending almost a half an hour trying on garments on recommendations from both Elliot and a perky salesman, Erin left the establishment in the dark brown dress that the March Hare purchased. It had a white frilled collar that coiled around her neck with a leather Waspie waist cincher attached to a harness. Sitting loosely in front of the dress was a leather pinafore with the astronomical signs of Saturn and Mercury stitched in obsidian string. Wrapped around the back of the dress was a light-green clock with two bat-like wings and leather straps. On either arm were fingerless gloves decorated with leather buckles. In summary, it was a steampunk-esque version of Alice's own dress that even included the stripped stockings, and minus the buckled leather boots Erin switched with her Converse sneakers.

To say that Erin was uncomfortable with Elliot's selection and even switching it out just to sit across from him at a vegetarian pub was a gross understatement, especially as the fourth Outsider recalled how all of the Role Holders believe it is still Alice's Game. So…why didn't she have the heart to flat-out say 'no' to letting him buy this damned thing? Guilt? The desire to return home and be left alone?

What was it?

Before her mind could ponder any further on the situation, Elliot's voice brought Erin out of her whirlwind of thoughts. "Hey, Erin?" The coffee-haired foreigner looked up the crème-colored menu she was reading and blinked at him owlishly.

"Yes?"

The March Hare frowned. "Are you sure…everything's all right? Have you been eating well, and getting enough sleep?" Erin raised an eyebrow at his concern and looked at him with a dubious expression. "I am fine. Why?" Her small frame stiffened when he reached over and placed his palm on top of the gloved one resting next to her water.

"Because you've been…under a lot of tension and mental stress that's too much for an Outsider to handle. If this continues," He swallowed thickly and looked down at their joined hands. "You might succumb to the Madness. And I really don't want that to happen." Erin felt her left eye twitch at his statement and pulled her hand away.

"So you believe I am mentally unstable or too fragile to comprehend the violence that happens in this dimension?"

Elliot shook his head. "That's not it. But Outsiders truly cannot accept what really goes on here, despite saying that they're fine with it even though they really aren't. Almost like…Alice."

Bright green orbs darkened slightly as Erin began to vaguely recall what Aria had briefly mentioned in their last meeting. A self-defense mechanism in Wonderland that invaded an Outsider's mind to get them killed before they become a threat to Wonderland. The Berceuse said that it was not exactly what everyone thought it was, not even her scientists as they still continue to research this phenomenon. With the exception of Aria, no one else had truly survived the invisible attack. But what caused a shudder of repulsion to crawl down Erin's spine was when Aria mentioned how good it felt to be free from any restraints and have so much powerful at her fingertips, in a voice that almost sounded like a purr.

"Then…what exactly is this Madness?" Erin asked. The Role Holder lifted the glass of carrot juice to mouth and drank it for a few seconds before opening his mouth to speak, though he avoided the college graduate's questioning gaze to stare at the closed menu in front of him.

"The Madness happens when an Outsider's mind can no longer handle the death and violence that occurs here on a regular basis…so much that they even start to exhibit symptoms of 'weird' behavior, then begin to act more violent than any of the Role Holders or a faceless on a bad day."

"And when that happens then? The foreigner is killed on sight with no questions asked?"

"That's exactly why an Outsider needs support from a Role Holder. Someone to rely on and handle the violence in their place." Elliot stretched his hand across the table and grabbed Erin's palm again. "Erin…I really do care about you, and I really want you to stay with me at Hatter Mansion. Not just because I'm worried that you'll be soon infected with the Madness…but also because I have a feeling that things are going to be getting very nasty in Wonderland soon."

"And you truly think I won't able to handle it on my own even when I…I made it pretty obvious that I know how to use a gun?"

The stunned Elliot opened his mouth to answer but a loud explosion rumbled the building's foundation and inky plumes of smoke blossomed in the sky. Mauve orbs darkened in annoyance and stood up from the table. Blood had told him to keep a close eye on things in the town after the Ermacora familia declared war against the Hatters three time changes ago over a piece of valuable land, but the March Hare supposed the bastards decided to make their moves against them earlier than the Mad Hatter anticipated.

"What happens now?" Erin asked, getting up from the table as well before moving away from the door to avoid being hit by stray bullets. Elliot shrugged and took out his flintlock pistol, pulling back the safety with his thumb. "Seems like a bomb went off." He swiveled his attention to a broken window and looked outside.

Faceless denizens were either running from the chaos or took part in it as they aimed their weapons at a small group of Hatter servants. But when Elliot's gaze locked onto his favorite carrot-based bakery across the street from the vegetarian pub, his eyes widened in horror as he watched Alice being forcefully dragged to an adjacent side street at gunpoint. Without thinking or saying another word to Erin, Elliot leaped out of the broken window and ran to protect the first Outsider.

After he had pulled Alice towards him and shielded her wide blue eyes from the discord with a single palm over her pale face, Elliot fired two bullets at the closest assailants. Not even a second after their bodies began to tumble onto the blood-stained pavement, he swiveled around to fire his gun seven more times at five stampeding faceless men.

"E-Elliot!"

"It's all right, Alice. I'm here. I'll handle this." And true to his word, the second-in-commander of the Hatter Mafia dispatched every person in the intersection who would dare to harm him or the young woman in his arms. Once the matter had been settled, Elliot gently guided the shaken foreigner to a boulevard where there were very few bloodied corpses and asked Alice to go back to the Hatter Mansion because he had to check on a few things as well as….

Erin!

Elliot craned his horrified gaze onto the dilapidated building and ran back inside with a clock hammering loudly against his sweaty flesh. How could he have just left Erin defenseless like that?! Even though protecting Alice when Blood isn't around was part of the job description, Erin was also a priority but he still-!

KA-BLAM.

The March Hare kicked down the bullet-riddled door and looked around the dining area until his purple eyes fell upon the table were he and the other foreigner sat. The shopping bags remained unharmed on the ground, yet the clothes were being soaked with blood that was steadily dripping from a corner on the table. But Erin was nowhere to be seen. This realization caused Elliot's anxiety for the college graduate to escalate through the proverbial roof as his troubled mind wandered back to the recent discussion of Madness.

What Outsider in their right mind would reject an offer of support from a Role Holder that cared for them?

xDCx

A content sigh left her mouth as Aria Hadron Scherzi reclined against the leather chair in her dimly-lit office. Everything had gone better than she had initially expected. While Joker had still not regained his memories of her, at least she was able to earn a very small margin of his trust over drinks at the Temptation. It was a minuscule achievement, but essential for the main event she was planning for Wonderland. And to top it off, she was able to enjoy an evening breeze before her shadows wanted their master to return to the comforting darkness of her lair.

Meanwhile, Aegis stretched his cat form and proceeded to mewl for his mistress' attention. When it didn't work, the male feline addressed Aria in a thick Russian accent. "Your forces in Diamond rejoiced when they heard you were alive, da? The partitura said that they never lost hope and believed to the very core of their clocks that you were fine."

The mercenary shrugged with a brief, relieved smile stretched across her mouth. "I have the tenacity of a cockroach when it comes to survival. Still, I'm glad they're alive." Aria leaned down and scratched behind Aegis' ears. "While tonight's meetings were a success, it only means that the Lullaby is going to be far more busy from here on out."

Aegis hopped onto her lap and proceeded to rub himself against her. "They are thriving undercover. Especially in the train station that they have restored. Thanks to you, Diamond is on the track to a speedy recovery."

"But it will still be a long time for that country to recover. It cannot afford to use the rest of the power it received from me and the fight with the Jabberwocky to summon another Outsider."

"Which is we are using the Spring Festival to bridge the Countries of Clover and Diamond so there will be access via its railroad." Aegis pointed out a loud purr of satisfaction. "I just hope there won't be any…problems on their end of the bargain."

Aria remained silent for a few moments and continued to pet her A.I. while a shadowy tendril slithered across the desk and pressed on the intercom. "Summon all of the higher-ranking troops within our organization to my conference room for an emergency meeting. Also get the top engineering teams except for the ones at the university site. We must discuss the festivities for the Spring event immediately." Aria ordered as she stroked the feline's inky head. "Get everyone to meet in the auditorium below the casino. This will be a big concierto."


According to chaos-dark-lord, "Chingada madre" is a heavy insult that has no literal translation in English. But still, it's hard to believe and amazing that I was able to get two chapters done in a month. Especially since I'll be working two part-time jobs as a retail associate and running a pet-sitting business at the same time. For the readers who have just enrolled for another semester at school, I wholeheartedly wish them all of the luck in the world with their studies. The dress that Elliot bought for Erin in this chapter is the Steamdress from American McGee's video game Alice: Madness Returns, which I also do not claim ownership over.

I would like to thank Momochan77, snm1, Allora22701, Big Ham, LucianKnight, and xXxSebastian-MichaelisxXx for taking the time to read and review the last chapter! I truly appreciate the feedback and thoughts you have sent me. I look forward to seeing everyone in the next segment.

Allon-sy!