IMPORTANT TO READ THE AUTHOR NOTES! xD Beginning and end, please! They explain stuff. :P

A/N: REGINA! Dx Oh, hi everyone...welcome back to my story! o_o Sorry about not updating, I still got so much to do at school. T_T I haven't even updated my others stories, but I guess it's a good start with this one. I just wanted to add a thanks to those who reviewed, and especially this time to an anonymous user, vee, who took the time to review each chapter. Thank you so much! TT_TT I've been inspired so much, I wanted to update and put a special twist to this story. You might like it, or the opposite. Which ever way, I hope you enjoyed the chapter overall. I apologize too, 'cause there's another dream sequence. xD Anyway, onwards we go!

Disclaimer: I don't own Joker/Clover/Heart no Kuni no Alice, but I do own this story and the OC(s).

~Enjoy!~

The Person I Was

Chapter Nine: The Crackle

A faint, hollow sound crosses paths with my ears, and I blink in response. I can't see anything, being shrouded in the darkness. Where am I this time?

I start trembling, the feeling vibrating through my body. Cold sweeps over my thin frame, and I can't stop the continuous shaking. I'm scared out of my wits; I hate being left alone in the dark.

And then I hear it; a small thump, thump within the black abyss. Immediately, I calm down, the diminutive earthquakes within my body ceasing their course. The noise reaching my ears sounds of a heartbeat…but why is it so quiet?

Perhaps someone is dying.

But there is no one besides me here.

Suddenly, a flash of light zips past my sight, blinding me momentarily until it passes. When my eyes adjust back, I see a remote yellow glow illuminating.

And before I can consider the situation, I am pulled toward the source. And I cannot believe what I see.

A heart, a genuine beating heart without a person to pump blood to. I cannot keep my eyes open for long, and close them without hesitance. The sight of the glowing muscle is too repulsive. Why would something like this be in my dreams?

I peek through to get another glimpse at the macabre scene, and my eyes widen tremendously.

Letters are strewn above the heart, suspended in midair, spelling 'Alice'. Alice.

Her heart.

Her heart.

Why?

Another sound reverberates, this time forming words. Someone is speaking, someone who seems to be there, yet not.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

I almost gag at the eerie tone used, but even more so for the words.

"But unfortunately, it is weakening. Such a shame, too."

I feel liquid coursing slowly down my cheeks, and I stay frozen.

"However…we have another source of light."

No…no…

I silently beg that this 'dream' stops.

Stop.

Stop.

"You."

A crack sizzles through the air, and I grasp the right side of my chest in pain.

What just happened?

And with that, I feel the tug of reality hit me, and for once, feel relief spread through every inch of my body.

But the image of that glowing, bare heart made me crack internally. And what was that sound?

Alice…

"…ina…Regina!"

My eyes snapped open, crazily scanning the area. I was back in Ace's tent, in the same position I fell asleep in. Ace was sitting by my side, his red eyes watching me with…worry?

"Ace?" I croaked, and hear fear evident in my tone with that simple name. I was terribly scared to the point of this.

Ace looked somewhat relieved, and leaned over me a bit. I was still lying down, my back pressed stickily upon the carpet. I was sweating way too much.

"Thank god…are you alright?" he questioned, still watching me.

"I-I…"

"You had a nightmare. You were moaning and crying."

"Oh…" I touched a hand to my cheek, feeling the wet texture of salty tears there.

Ace suddenly shifted, and I felt myself being lifted up into his arms. He was still seated, and settled me into a warm embrace, stroking the back of my head. "It's alright, it was just a dream," he said, patting my back as well.

Just a dream?

I silently trembled, and held onto him. I was still shaken with fear, the overwhelming feeling mingling with my senses. I felt so aware, too aware of everything, but with Ace here, it dimmed.

"Thank you…" I whispered, and relaxed momentarily into his strong arms.

He laughed, and finally released me after a few moments passed. We both ended up rising, and he steadied me when I almost fell. "Right now, it's afternoon. Since you seem well enough for now, perhaps we should set out when we're all packed up. How's that sound?"

I quickly nodded, and he smiled brightly, pacing over to his thrown coat. I frowned slightly, the opposite of his action. Underneath his beautiful eyes, traces of puffiness remained. So he did cry afterall… I gazed at him, his back faced to me, and watched as he slipped his coat on effortlessly. He looked so…happy, and yet, there was so much burden under those simple acts of joy.

Ace sighed, and spun around, eyes widening a bit. Then he grinned, "Oho, watching me dress, eh?"

After those words sunk in, I felt heat rise up my neck to my cheeks, leaving me flushed. "W-what!"

"Well, it's fine. It was only the coat, anyway." That cocky grin was still plastered to his face as he came to collect the pillow and lanterns. "I'm going to quickly pack up, so you can rest a bit more or watch me." He winked in my direction, and my soon-to-be-glare look subsided. I took up his offer of watching him, but this time, did it more secretively. My thoughts were all jumbled up, about the nightmare, about the heart, and about Ace. I grimaced as I curled up into a ball as I sat on the floor.

I hated this predicament beyond relief.

"Wow…" Ace said, standing tall as we both eyed the enormous tower before us.

"What's wrong? Isn't this the Clock Tower?" I inquired, surveying the area. The buildings around were decorated with numerous shapes of different colors, but the most visible were clovers; green, black, and a few other colors mixed together forming collages. The tower (or should I say towers) were humongous, a great deal taller than the ones at the amusement park and mansion. Pale bricks and stone made the structure up, and what looked like teeth lined the exterior and Roman numerals etched in dark paint. It was a magnificent sight, with beautiful bridges connected to each area, but while I was eyeing it with awe, Ace seemed to be struck perplexed.

"Really, is something wrong, Ace?"

He blinked, and turned to face me, a surprised look planted upon his face. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Oh no, nothing's wrong! It's just…well…I've never actually gotten to my destination without getting lost once."

It was my turn to look astonished. "Really?"

He seemed to be in a small daze as he nodded, gazing off at the Clock Tower. I'd never seen him this way in my short arrival to Wonderland… It shouldn't have been that surprising to get lost, right? Though Ace was the kind of person to get lost…

"Well, I guess we should head in." Ace's voice broke me from my own stupor, and I tilted my head to the side to get a better look at him. He was smiling now, and abruptly took my hand gently. We ended up almost 'skipping' into the Clock Tower's entrance, with Ace grinning and me lightly giggling. He was back to normal.

When we slipped through the gateway, Ace led me down a stony corridor until we reached a huge pair of wooden doors. "Let me kind of warn you; Julius isn't as he used to be, so he might seem a bit…odd," Ace stated, and pulled the door effortlessly to let us in. He chuckled quietly, as if reminiscing after he closed the doors securely. "In the past, Julius always made me knock first, but he never answered. Now I come as I go."

"I see…" We started pacing down a long hall with nearby rickety staircases, our footfalls echoing in the hollow sections. This place seemed so empty, as if the energy meant here had slipped away long ago.

"I'm here to finish up a job with Julius, so you might want to wait."

I turned my head to Ace, a reignited flame within my blue eyes. "I'm afraid I can't do that, Ace," I said, and his expression shifted to a dazzled state. "I've been meaning to speak to this Julius."

Ace watched me quietly, and finally smiled a bit. "Okay then, but it'll have to wait. I gotta speak to him first."

I nodded, and we proceeded down the lonesome gray halls. We reached a red staircase, climbing up with such swiftness that I was stunned we even did. I guess our goals were an important drive, though I'd never met Julius before. It seemed that Ace was a friend of the man, and before I knew it, I was itching for an answer.

"Say Ace, what kind of relationship do Julius and you have?"

Ace slowed his pace, and didn't look at me when he spoke. "I guess you can call us good friends. Out of all the other roleholders, I'm the closest to him, and I tolerate his job. Everyone seems to hate him. He's actually a pretty great guy." Again, he laughed, but this act of happiness actually hesitated within its tracks.

"His…job?"

Ace suddenly halted, a distant look in his eyes. "Yes, his job…"

I stopped too, watching as Ace locked eyes with me. "What job could he possibly have that everyone could hate him?"

Ace raised a hand, as if to speak, but stopped, placing it back to his side. "Perhaps it's better if you don't know. It would ruin your innocence, in my opinion." He began to walk again, and I tailed him, eyebrows furrowed.

Ruin my innocence? "It wouldn't! Please tell me, Ace." If I knew Julius' job, then I could possibly learn more."

"It would be better if he told you himself."

"Why?"

"Because I'm sure you'd understand better if he told you," Ace said, and I shut my mouth. Ace finally looked at me, but his eyes were filled with pain. We were walking fast, but I didn't notice much as I stared off into his eyes. Why were they so pained?

Silence hung over us as we trudged down the halls, and ceased our stride once again when we arrived at an ebony door with a single, worn green clover dangling from a string. The faded name 'Julius Monrey' was strewn across in fancy letters cross the clover.

"Well, we're here."

Ace reached a hand out to twist the doorknob, the gears turning under his pull. "Wait out here for a while, okay?"

"Okay."

He stepped into the room, and I felt a gust of wind hit me when he shut it. Voices behind the door were muffled, and I could only guess that it was Ace talking. His voice was so cheerful, who could miss it? This Julius must've been real quiet, because I could hear another voice, but it was so dim.

And then a loud clatter resounded behind the wooden door, and shouting followed soon after. It was unbearable. I ended up pounding on the door, shouting, "What's going on?" The door was locked; how was I supposed to get in?

Silence ensued after my feeble question, and suddenly, the door opened, revealing Ace. He was smiling softly, but then I noticed the reddening bruise upon his head. Slight panic began to fizzle inside me. "Ace, how did you get that!"

He blinked innocently, and pointed at the bruise. "Oh, this? It's nothing. Julius isn't feeling all that swell right now."

My eyebrows instantly furrowed, and I proceeded in pushing past him to get into the room. "Let me through, Ace."

An arm shot out, and I was held fast. I snapped my head up to stare at Ace. He was still smiling like a fool, but I could tell he didn't want me in there. Why? "You shouldn't go in there right now."

"Why?" I voiced my thoughts, irritation bubbling. "I need to speak to him."

"It's not the best time."

"Then I'll never solve this mystery!"

Ace's eyes widened, and in his moment of surprise, I slipped through, gliding into the room. Within the room, I froze.

It was distortion; papers here and there, whether ripped or not, scattered on the mahogany floor, furniture in disarray and glass in various places. Silver and gold gears were rolling, broken and fixed clocks displayed everywhere with tools clumped together. And in the midst of all this stood a tall man with lush dark blue hair tied back with a golden ribbon in a loose ponytail, wearing a black coat adorned with gold. He whipped around at the sound of my entrance, his midnight blue eyes locking with mine. His face spelled of days without sleep, perhaps more. This was…Julius?

But as I was so drawn to the scene before me, I didn't notice the movement of Julius; that is, until he spoke.

"…who are you?" His question floated in the air, hanging like a long forgotten sweater in a closet. He was facing me straight on now, and I could get a better look at him. He looked simply dreadful, and even his stunning eyes held a dull look.

I answered his question quietly, "Regina Uehara. I presume you're Julius Monrey?"

Now, instead of answering my question, I watched as he pulled off an exquisite clock dangling from the front of his coat, and held it firmly. It promptly changed form, morphing into a golden gun right in a blink of an eye. He held it up, tilting it in my direction.

"A gun…?" I whispered, feeling a cold wind sweep over. "Wait, don't—!"

As I stepped forward, without another second to waste, Julius fired, a crack piercing the still air. At first, I didn't think the bullet released had hit anything, but a moment passed, and I felt liquid drip out from the corner of my mouth, and slip down my chin. Was I sweating? I peered down at my body, and found the lead trinket lodged in the right side of my chest, blood blooming into a flower. No, of course not; sweat wasn't exactly 'red'.

Sounds rapidly flashed by my ears as I fell backwards, feeling the force of gravity pull me down. Or was it the weight of life and death? I couldn't care less. My mind was still trying to figure out what happened, but in the meanwhile, I watched everything unfold. I could hear shouting, footfalls, wind, and a mixture of all these other undecipherable noises around me. When I finally hit the ground, it was a muffled pain. Everything seemed to quiet, as if I was going to fall off into an abyss of silence at any moment. But did it matter? My eyelids fluttered down, and dark blotches started to cloud my vision.

Did I fail my goal? Was I never going to find Alice?

I felt myself being lifted in a pair of strong arms, but the feeling was so thin and shaky, I couldn't hold onto the warmth. It was so cold, so cold... I was slowly slipping away, and I heard words of comfort fizzle by.

"Stay…awake…awake…please…"

Who was speaking? I was begging to hear more, but I couldn't. It was so cold, this miserable feeling... A thought hit me, and at last, I fell into that dark pool of dread pulling me away.

I was going to die, wasn't I?

End A/N: Dun dun dun! Ah, the suspense(I think...xD)! How'd you guys like it? I think it's pretty good, considering I did this late but revised it later. Again, thanks for reviewing and reading, you give me the will to go on. Also, I have to say, I've never exactly played the games, so I don't know what each area looks like exactly, and for me, the Clock Tower was SO VERY hard. I had to watch numerous videos to get glimpses, reread the manga, and read other descriptions. It was harsh... Well, anyway, I hope I explained things well, and I'll try to update the next chapter soon(don't I always say this...?)! Until then, ta-ta!

Thanks for reviewing, and Happy reading!~