Okay, I guess I have a LOT of explaining to do why this story suddenly stopped being updated. For one, my laptop crashed and the story was wiped off, along with everything else. Second, you might as well say that my muse flew off to wonderland and never returned. All the good ideas I had went along with it, and I couldn't come up with any new ideas that were half-way decent.
To anyone who enjoyed how far the story went, I am sorry beyond words for one, not giving further updates, and two, for giving this one to a point were most of you have lost faith and moved on to other authors. You have a right to be angry with me and say/do what you like. I feel truly awful about not being able to complete the story. As Stephen King once said, 'For what's right thank them (them being to me all of you who review and my editor, who I can't get a single mistake by), for what's wrong, blame me.'

Though I do have one more thing to share. After my laptop crashed, I began writing again. This is what I found of the chapter (I did actually'loose' it for a while. Someone slap me with a fish, please.), so I may as well put it out there.

One more small notice: I will not stop writing. I'll just follow good advice and make sure I have the story finished before I begin posting.

The next few days where a total blur for Alice. It seemed since she had kissed Hatter, only one thing had crossed her mind.

Stayne.

After Hatter has let go of Alice, she walked slowly to where the knave lay. She knelt down and turned him face-up. A small bit of relief washed over her to see he was still alive. Wounded, but alive.

Despite the fact he was an enemy, Alice felt slightly bad about leaving him laying there. So, when the Duchess arrived, Alice left him to her care.

Two days later, Alice was welcomed back. Even though some where in shock to see that she was alive, the fact she, the champion of Underland, had returned, quickly made her return less of a shock. The White Queen listened to her story, and seemed puzzled by the raven mark on Alice's arm.

"I know I've seen this symbol before, but where I can not remember," The White Queen told Alice, "Maybe you should ask the Duchess. Even though I don't know her, she may know something."

Alice nodded, keeping her eyes down.

"Something wrong, Alice?" The Queen asked her.

"No, Your Majesty. I was simply wondering what happened to the Black Queen. She disappeared, and… I was just wondering."

The White Queen nodded and smiled. She opened her mouth to speak, but the sudden presence of the Cheshire cat kept her silent.

"Alice, welcome back," he purred, "I do believe someone is here to see you." Without waiting around, the cat vanished into thin air.

Alice turned toward the doors of the throne room just as a woman walked in. She recognized her as the Duchess, and walked quickly to meet her.

"Duchess, what's going-"

"No time to ask questions, Alice. You're needed right away."

The Duchess turned to the Queen and dipped her head.

"Your Majesty, might I borrow your champion for a moment?" The Queen nodded, and Alice was led out of the white realm, back to the Duchesses house. Stayne stood inside, as if he was waiting for them. Alice froze up when she saw him. The wounds Hatter had given him should have taken weeks to heal. Once inside the house, Alice took a step back from Stayne.

"What's he doing awake…?" she asked, nervously glancing from the Duchess to Stayne.

"My medicine works wonders. He's not going to hurt you, though."

Alice didn't really believe that, but she tried to relax for the Duchesses sake. Stayne stepped aside as the two walked into the house. Alice kept her eyes locked onto him, until the voice of the Duchess broke her gaze.

"I assume you've noticed the raven mark on your arm."

"And I'll assume you know something about it?" Alice asked in return. The Duchess nodded and lifted her sleeve, revealing a similar raven mark. "So what is it, exactly?"

"The story of the raven mark is a bit of a long one. I know you've heard Hatter speak of a raven. Yet he does not fully understand the question himself. You see, Alice, there is an… order. That is even higher than the White Queen herself. She does not know about it, but the presence of this order is all around her.

"It began long ago, with a sort of a shape-shifter, named Jack. He created the Order of the Raven, and it was made to protect Underland from any threat. Yet, about the time you where born, in your world, the order vanished without a trace.

"Those who remained kept it secret, for reasons unknown to me. I simply kept silent about the order because others did. And I was not very knowledgeable at the time. I had received my mark the day the order vanished.

"When the Red Queen took power, I remember listening in on a small conversation. Two men, like yourself… only not quite human, also had the raven mark. They knew of the order, and very well from what I overheard. One spoke of overthrowing the Red Queen, but the other opposed it.

"He said that no raven could overthrow the Queen, and they must wait. So they did, and eventually you came along, and defeated the Queen. At that time, the woman you know as the Black Queen was plotting to make you a part of our order. She was the one who had created a potion that gave us the mark.

"At this point, all I know is that I spoke against you becoming like us. I never wanted you to have such a fate."

Alice gave her a look.

"And what 'fate' is that, exactly?"

The Duchess looked at her for a moment, her eyes stone-like.

"Ravens once marked, never seem to age. Sure, they- we do, but in such a slow way it is hardly noticeable. Alice, the oldest Raven I know of looks to be your age. she is really around five hundred years old."

"And who exactly is this person?"

Once again, I am very sorry this was not finished. I have to say it was one of my better story-lines, but it faded away like most of my ideas soon do. I hope very much I have not lost any of my readers over this. I wish to return a new writer with more stories, better plots, and for the sake of my sanity, longer chapters.

~WolfCrystal