Ashe drew her knives, ready for the footsteps that became louder and louder with each moment. Michael could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest.

The doorway was soon crowded by several card soldiers, their eyeless faces eerie to Michael. He moved back towards the window as Ashe stepped forward, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

She tumbled behind the first of the soldiers, slicing his throat quickly and efficiently. She laughed as she twirled to the next and killed him, too. Watching her was like watching a practiced dancer at work, her feet moving quickly and swiftly, her deadly dance continuing onward.

Michael had never seen anyone die. He felt something rise in his throat, and he barely kept it down. Head feeling light, he closed his eyes and prayed that it would all end.

Something jabbed him in the knee. "Come on," she said.

He looked up at her uneasily. "Do you have a vomit bag?"

"What? Can't take a little bit of blood? You won't last long here then." But it wasn't just a little. She was covered head-to-toe, and she stunk of death. Even her lips and hair were stained crimson. She looks like a monster, he thought.

"They're just faceless," she said. "From what I'm told their lives don,t matter. Mine neither. Now get up."

Using the wall as leverage, he helped himself up. With her encouragement, they moved from the room as fast as they could, stepping over the cold bodies of the dead. It was an experience that left him feeling numb.

Running frantically through the hall, taking no time to enjoy the scenery, the two stopped suddenly. A man in a long coat stood solidly before them. He smiled, leaning on a large sword. "As a Knight of Hearts I couldn't just let you leave. The Queen wants me to deal with you, so I guess I have to."

"The foreigner's mine," she said, pushing Michael back. "I'm not about to give him up for that hag to kill."

Oh, brilliant, Michael thought. Because I remember how well it went last time she fought him.

"I won't be able to spare you if you fight me this time, Ashe."

"I'm not asking to be spared," she said. "Because I wouldn't spare you."

"Look, people," Michael said. "There are ways to solve conflict besides bashing each other's brains in"

"Hm? Really?" Ace put his hand to his chin.

"We could talk this out," he tried lamely.

They both laughed at him.

"I don't think so," she said.

It was worth a try, he thought. He had a feeling it could go no other way. These were the sort of people who lived for a good fight, who loved bloodshed and violence. The best he could do was try not to get caught in the middle of it (AKA cower like a little girl in the corner).

This is ridiculous, he thought. She's only going to get soundly defeated...again. Or worse. He wrung his hands. Why did he care? All she had done so far for him was bang down the door and rescue him. Still, it would be a shame to see her die. She was an interesting subject, and right then she was all that stood between him and death.

"Hey!" Ace laughed as he dodged Ashe's swing. "You're getting pretty good!"

She cursed and lunged at him, letting all her anger out in that one swing. It did her no good. He easily dodged her attacks, laughing and mocking her all the while.

It would only take one strike for him to end it and then it would be all over for both Michael and Ashe. He shook. There was nowhere to run or hide. The Queen's castle was filled with card soldiers. Ashe was his only hope.

Right now his only hope was bloodied, injured and in a fight she couldn't win.

"I warned you." He knocked Ashe to the floor with the blunt side of his sword, then pointed the sharp end at her throat. She looked up at him, holding the wounds in her side, an expression of anger on her face. "I can't spare you this time." He was still smiling, a gleam in his eye not unlike the one Ashe had as she killed the card soldiers.

Michael watched in horror. Isn't that his daughter? How can he be so nonchalant?

"Don't kill her, you idiot. We canceled our orders!" It was an entirely new voice from behind Ace. "Hm?" Ace turned, confused.

A line of people led by Vivaldi walked hurriedly towards them.

"We have decided not to kill the foreigner," Vivaldi said.

Michael wanted to cheer he was so happy.

"Under the condition that he visit us more often," she finished, shooting him a glare. "Look, I'd do anything so long as you don't kill me."

Michael held up his hands in a gesture of complete surrender.

From the line of people stepped White Joker.

"Why are you here?" Ashe said, her shoulders tensing.

"I've come to reclaim what is mine, of course," White said, his hand held out

to help her up. She looked away, a pained look on her face.

"Look at the commotion you've caused here. It'll be so much work for the Queen to replace all the soldiers you've killed..."

Silently she picked herself off the floor. "Do I really have to go back with you?"

"What kind of question is that?" he replied.

"Were you the one that convinced her to not kill Michael?"

To that, White simply smiled.

"Aren't you tired? Don't you want to go back?"

Ashe sighed.

Aww, look at you, sister, all covered in blood," Bryon said, coming over to her. "You look like a horror show."

She grinned weakly. "When do I not?"

"When you're not dripping in blood and scaring small children?" He gently placed his hand on his sister's arm. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she said, but her voice was bitter.

Michael had a sudden revelation: this was the only act of kindness he had seen directed towards Ashe yet. Most of what he typically saw was people giving her the cold shoulder or outright hostility.

Michael couldn't help but feel sorry for the wounded girl as she left. It was stupid, of course. This girl could easily tear him apart. Yet there was something so sad, so vulnerable about her. He couldn't help himself.

I'm a sucker for a sad face, he thought, staring at the red ceiling.

A slender hand rested on his shoulder, causing him to jump in shock. It was Lilly with an unusually serious expression on her face.

"I'm so glad to see you safe." Her voice cracked. "I was so worried."

"I'm fine now," he said absently.

"I just want you to know we're playing a new game, Michael. I'm going to win your heart.

"No you're not."

"Yes. Yes, I am."

"I'm pretty sure you're not."

"I'm pretty sure I am." Her voice became hard. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"Yes!"

"Too bad."

"You're an evil woman, Lilly."

"And you're a weak, weak man. Therefore, you need me." She cocked her head to the side. "You need someone who knows Wonderland, who can teach you how to protect yourself. She poked his chest. "I am that person."

"Yes, ma'am." His voice was filled with sarcasm.