Warning: Swearing and Break hating Alyss to the death.

Notes: I started this a while ago so it may sound strange. Story's almost done. It's my opinion that once Break has Alyss in his sights, he turns into the asshole he was when he first came to Lady Sharon's Mother because the mere sight of her sends him back to his rage for what she had done; what he had made her do.

Rated: T

Break is a dick.

Uploaded: February 4th 2013

Those of False Innocence Chapter 14

Coming to Terms

Alice's flinched violently as the claws of the chain raked across her torso, leaving deep red lines imbedded into her flesh. At the same moment, a scream echoed through the air, not belonging to any of those present. Alice remained suspended in the air after the Chain came crashing back to the watery tiles, it's death unexplained.

Oz watched her, fear spreading in his gut. He felt Cheshire's arms tighten around him, and curled against the boy's chest. Cecil watched, stunned that a chain of Abyss had the nerve to attack Alice, and intrigued as to why Alice had not fallen. He was answered shortly after, when her head moved, and she glared at them.

"You…you dare…!" She seemed unable to speak clearly, her body shaking with rage. She remained like this for another moment, before she suddenly fell, as if her strings had been cut. Cheshire jolted back, and winced visibly when she hit the ground. Cecil immediately hurried over to where she fell, and recoiled when the only thing remaining was pieces of a rabbit doll, stuffing turning heavy and sinking in the water, disappearing underneath.

Cheshire frowned, tightening his grip on Oz. Something wasn't right. It couldn't be that easy. Suddenly jolting, he swung around to face Mad Hatter, who was watching Alice's remains sink in the water.

"Mad hatter, please destroy the bell before she comes!"

Xerxes watched Cheshire strangely, "The white one?"

At Cheshire's distracted nod, Break smothered a grin, and slammed his cane into the ground, "Hatter! You listen to me! Do not touch that bell until after the wench has arrived."

Cheshire and Cecil glared at him, "What are you-"

"As long as that bitch is destroyed, the outcome doesn't matter."

Oz listened, surprised at the venom in Break's words, and everyone present stared at Xerxes.

"You…you know her?" Gilbert asked, shocked.

Xerxes grinned, "That brat wasn't lying when he said I came here before." He turned to glare at Gil, "Don't get in my way of her."

He turned so he was talking to Oz, still nestled in Cheshire's arms, "As long as she dies, it doesn't matter how, yes?"

Shifting in Cheshire's arms, Oz moved so he could stand, nail marks on his neck bright red against his pale skin. Cheshire placed a hand on his shoulder, supporting the smaller boy. Oz nodded, "I would appreciate it… if we could end all of this as soon as possible…but yes. "

Sharon piped up, "Wait! If we kill the both of them, wont the Abyss collapse?" Break mentally pat himself on the back.

Oz looked at his feet, and felt Cecil's hand on his other shoulder, "No. Look around. One is dead and the Abyss hasn't so much as shaken."

Break looked at him with little interest, "And, how are you so sure of yourself, little brat?"

Oz ignored him, and spoke instead to the others, "Alyss knows that Alice died. They're connected to each other, and through that connection, to me." Oz raised his hand to his chest, where the seal was covered by his shirt, "I could probably feel where she is if I tried to."

No one spoke, until Gilbert admitted something the others had been thinking for a while, "Why are we even here then?" Then he became angry, "And just why the hell wont you come home? Are you-" his voice got quieter, "are you actually in love with that Cat?"

Oz had to bite his lip to keep from yelling at his old friend. They were going to fight Alyss and all Gil was worried about was his love life!? He glared at his old servant, "Gil. This is not the place for that. Now I do not know why you haven't stepped up and helped us end this, but you should really do it now. If you really wanted me home so badly you'd help me beat Alyss! Now excuse me for saying this but if you don't want to help you can piss off."

Gil gaped at Oz, completely taken aback at the sudden unexpected statement. He stared at the younger boy, and at the wounds which dotted his skin like pores, and forced himself to come to a decision.

'I shouldn't be here.'

This wasn't his place to interfere. He watched as Cheshire helped Oz once again steady himself, and as Cecil placed a firm but gentle hand on the boys shoulder. It hurt, knowing his friend had… knowing he had lost that right…it was sickening to him. He couldn't understand why Oz trusted those two so much more than himself, the boy he'd grown up with.

But it was Oz's choice, and he'd have to deal with it.

He shouldn't have been there, but he was...and he was going to have to make the best out of it.

He was brought out of his thoughts as Oz suddenly doubled over, emitting a quiet keen of pain.

"S-she's coming!"

Gil felt his jaw clench up, and his eyes flickered across the faces of his friends. Sharon caught his eye, and nodded. She had reached the same conclusion ha had.

They couldn't sit back and watch any longer. Oz needed their assistance if he was going to win. They would deal with the situation after Alyss was dead.

They would deal with each other.

Forcing himself to straighten out, Oz growled, low and feral. Shaking off the hands of the two beside him, he clenched his weapon in both hands.

'Were going to win…aren't we?'

Cheshire burried his concern for the boy, and ruffled his hair lovingly, 'Yeah, Oz. You're going to win.'

Oz shook his head, 'No. I'm not letting either of you die today. We will win.'

Cecil laughed and patted Oz's shoulder lighty, 'Yes, Oz. We will win.'

He just wished it was something he could promise.

I have some of the next chapter written out already, so yeah. Story's almost over guys! Please review and stuff, and if you haven't already voted on my poll, please do so!