Hahahaha. Oh man you guys. Please don't kill me. Please. *hides behind blaster barrier*

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Alex's PoV:

I pulled and strained against the chains connecting me to the ground as the King grinned, and the crowd gasped in shock. He grabbed my face between his hands and kissed me roughly. Heat assaulted my body, the after effect of the drug he had given me at the very first of my stay here.

I couldn't help but submit at first, but then…I felt his arrogant smile and attitude as he slipped his tongue into my mouth. Anger overcame and feelings the drugs had given me, and I bit down on his tongue, tasting his blood in my mouth.

He let out a shock yelp and pulled back, blood trailing from his mouth and mine as he held a hand to his injured mouth, eyes wide with absolute shock.

"You….you naughty whore," he said in amazement.

I glared at him as everyone gaped at us yet again, and then smiled bitterly and coldly as I spit his disgusting blood out of my mouth. Once again, some spattered on his shoes, but I said nothing, merely looking him in the eyes as I stopped fighting the chains. I knew I couldn't break them; there was no point in wasting my strength.

This time the crowd was shocked into silence. Where was that power from before?

His eyes glowed red and he back slapped me so hard I briefly blacked out. I still said nothing, merely keeping my eyes on his face and that cold smile on my lips. His eyes narrowed on my face.

"You remind me of Julus. He fought me for days, but know this, little Alex: I will not wait to train you that long. I have a feeling you may be harder to break than he was. Rabbit!" he shouted.

Mr. White stepped forward from the crowd, eyes wide. "Y-yes, Your Majesty?" he stuttered.

The King kept eye contact with me. "Fetch the Tweedle Twins. I have a request for them," he ordered.

Mr. White's crimson eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "O-of course, Your Majesty…." he said, then bowed and left the courtyard, glancing at me nervously.

"Darcey!" the King shouted.

Rebekah stepped forward from the crowd. "Yes, my Lord?"

"Whip him. Twenty lashes and no one leaves this courtyard," he ordered, then walked away, the crowd parting for him immediately.

Her calm look faltered as she stared after him.

"It's okay, Rebekah. Do what you must, I can take it," I said quietly.

And I knew I could. Twenty lashes were nothing compared to what he had done to me the first time.

She gave me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Alex," she said as some random Knave brought her a black whip with barbs along the length of it, a huge one at the tip. Fear shot through me, that whip was going to be just a little more painful than the King's leather one. I merely closed my eyes and nodded for her to begin.

I heard her get into position behind me, and the chains keeping me attached to the ground seemed to weigh a tone more. "What is your last name?" she said in a business like tone.

I smiled, eyes still closed. "Daratrazanoff," I said in a proud tone, happy to remember it.

"Alex Daratrazanoff!" she announced loudly, voice echoing throughout the courtyard, everyone else silent. "You are being punished for crimes for disrespect against our King, at his order. Twenty lashes shall be carried out, and a doctor will tend to you afterwards. Remove his shirt," she ordered in a soldiers tone.

I kept my eyes closed as I felt someone cut my shirt off because they couldn't lift it over my head, due to the chains. I heard whispers from the crowd.

"—an Alice!"

"Alex!"

"Here!"

"What now?"

"—he's enslaved."

"Just like the rest of us."

"—no hope now…"

I clenched my teeth, hearing the whip sail through the air, and then felt it rip into my skin, the barbs doing even more damage. My breath hissed out of me through my clenched teeth, and I almost dropped to my knees.

But I kept standing through the pain, arching slightly against the chains, but determined not to fall. The second slash burned across my skin, and a light cry of pain escaped me even as I tried to keep quiet, my eyes still shut.

The crowd that was being forced to watch was dead silent, and as the lashes continued, the sound of the whip hitting my skin and me crying out was the only sound to be heard. After the tenth lash, my knees gave out and I dropped to the ground, into a shallow pool of my own blood.

I tried standing back up, but the pain was overwhelming, and I stayed on my knees.

"Get up!" I heard from the crowd, and my eyes opened slowly to see who it was and to promptly curse them out, ask them if THEY would stand through this.

And Christian stepped forward, pushing through the stunned crowd. "I said get up. You're strong enough. Don't let him win!" His eyes were confident and unrepentive.

My eyelids lowered to half mast, my exhaustion apparent. He didn't know what he was asking.

"Get UP! You can save us, I know it. You're different than the others. Our savior is strong enough! Don't let him win!" Christian continued harshly.

My hands curled into fists on the ground, and slowly I began to push myself to my feet. Members of the crowd began cheering for me, only two or three.

"You can do it!"

"Alex, Alex!"

"You're strong enough!"

Finally, I was on my feet again, breathing heavily and a bit light headed. I let my half dead eyes drift to Christian, who had a small smirk on his face. "Hell yeah, that's what I'm talking about," he said warmly.

He started clapping, and slowly the whole crowd joined him. I closed my eyes, blocking out the pain covering my back, and said the one thing my body screamed at me not too. I could feel Rebekah resisting the order to start whipping me again, and it was causing her physical pain to resist it.

"Keep going, Rebekah," I said quietly.

"Wonderland is in good hands…" she said simply, before cracking the whip again.

This time, the crowd flinched every time the whip sounded, and I remained completely silent. I bit back every scream, every plea and whimper to stop, and when Rebekah was done, I fought the urge to pass out.

"Have…I….won…Christian…?" I whispered, bent over, though still standing, and taking an exhausted step forward to keep myself from falling over.

His voice came from right beside me. "Yes, savior, you have."

I sighed in relief and passed out, barely feeling him catch my body just before it hit the stone ground.

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Devin's PoV:

When I woke up the next morning, next to Kagamine, guilt assaulted me. The hurt look on Alex's face kept running through my head, and caused me to quickly get out of bed, careful not to wake the Hatter.

I went into the bathroom and felt my eyes sting with tears. Why did I have to make that bet? How could I do something like that to him? God, I hated myself.

I felt a whisper, an urge I hadn't felt in almost a year now, and got Revenge off of the table, going back to the bathroom and turning the lock.

"Whisper and slither, Revenge," I murmured quietly, this time changing Revenge into a small dagger, only about eight inches long. It seemed almost reluctant to solidify, and I moved a hand over the air around it.

"Thank you…you know, don't you…?" I said, feeling a little stupid talking to an object. Until it talked back.

"Of course. We are one, Devin."

The dagger glowed, and I stared down at it, but pressed the blade to the skin of my inner arm anyway. "I'm sorry, but…" I muttered as I made the first cut on my arm, not sure if I was talking to Revenge or Alex.

The sharp pain that radiated from the shallow cut raced up my arm, and I closed my eyes, shivering in relish of that feeling. It had been so long since I had done this. I made a second cut, sliding the sharp steel across my skin…and Alex's worried face popped into my mind.

As the blood dripped from the wounds, I made another cut, self hatred settling in again. If Alex knew I was cutting…he would be so angry and worried. Why was I so stupid?

A fourth cut.

"No!"Alex's voice screeched in my mind, and I dropped the dagger in surprise.

"A-Alex?" I said out loud.

"Yes you big idiot! What do you think you're doing? Go wash your arm and doctor those cuts! FUCKING NOW!"he yelled in my head.

I could only stand there stupidly. "How?" I said out loud again.

I felt his irritation."I don't know. I felt your self hatred, and I responded. It's probably because I'm passed out. Now take care of those cuts!"

I went and began washing the cuts without a second thought. And for the first time since he began speaking, I realized how exhausted he sounded…and…and he sounded like himself!

"Alex!" I thought back."You're back!"

I felt despair wash over me."Yeah," he said back quietly.

I remembered what Julus had said to him, remembered his face as he had sunk into the floor of my mind."Alex, there's something I need to tell you...wait, why are you passed out?"

He was silent for a moment, and then reluctantly answered."Because I took twenty lashes after regaining my memory and threatening to murder the King."

I immediately stopped washing the cuts."WHAT!"I yelled mentally.

I felt him flinch, and then took a deep breath to calm myself."Alex, why? What made you so angry that you threatened to kill him?"

I felt his anger through our link."Well, other than the fact he raped me... He kept calling me Lexy."

Flinching, I recalled a vague memory of him getting so angry he confronted Ches about the same nickname. Before I could ask why, he told me.

"My mother called me that. I never let anyone call me that."

I nodded, but then remembered he couldn't see me, and went to find the bandages, wrapping my cuts meticulously."I'm coming to get you, Alex. I can't let you stay there,"I told him.

"No, you're not ready. He'll kill you, Devin,"he replied, voice full of fear.

I growled at him mentally, and he snapped back at me, snapping his white teeth together threateningly and sending his anger, and the image, through my mind."Don't you growl at me, Devin James. You wouldn't stand a chance. I'll be fine, you train more. You can't save me if you die the moment you get through the door."

With that, he left my mind, and I smiled. Now THAT was my Alex. Brave and sensible as always, but I would save him. Though, he was right, I needed more training. As I went to leave the bathroom, I opened the door to face Kagamine, who I somehow knew was up and waiting for me.

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Alex's PoV:

I groaned as pain assaulted my senses. Then I felt someone gently stroking my hair, and my eyes popped open to see who it was. The Rabbit's sad red eyes met mine, and tears formed in them, dripping slowly down his cheeks.

"Alex! Oh Alex! You're awake!" he cried and gently leaned down to kiss my forehead.

I had to blink away the shock of him using contractions quickly, as he kept talking. "I'm so proud of you! But…but you made a terrible mistake. He has called for the Tweedles. You're in a lot of trouble here, love."

He lifted my head, and held my close, not touching any other part of me. "I hope you are as strong as we think you are."

I let out a yelp when I tried to sit up, and he quickly let go of me, only to gently hold me down to the bed. I realized then that I was chained once more and back in my bed in the palace.

"What's-" my voice was raspy, and I had to clear my throat. "What's happened? Why are the Tweedles such a bad thing?"

The Rabbit's blood red eyes looked down and away. "The Tweedles specialize in weapons and items made of metal and gems. Whatever the King has in store for you, it will not be good."

I tried sitting up again, and gasped as more pain radiated down my back.

"Stop! Lay back down. You must wait until Loveheart gets here with the medicine," Mr. White ordered.

I nodded painfully and gingerly sat myself back down onto the pillows.

"You were brave Alex. You have inspired everyone, and all who have seen you are supporting you," he told me, even as there was a knock at the door, followed by Loveheart entering.

Now that she knew who I was, her eyes shined with hero worship, and I had to fight the urge to groan at how proper she treated me. We spoke for a moment before she took out the salve.

I nodded and rolled over before I could stop myself, groaning in outright pain. Now that I could see the sheets I had been lying on, I winced seeing they were stained with blood. I could almost feel the two others wince.

"This will sting…quite a bit, Savior," Loveheart said in an unusually solemn voice.

I felt the coolness of the cream touch my skin, and then let out a sharp, pain filled gasp at the stabbing pain. It was worse than before, but so were the wounds. I felt a warm hand close over min in comfort, and I didn't have to feel the silk gloves to know it was Mr. White's.

The pain increased two fold with each slash that was covered, and my hand tightened on his. "P-peter! G-god, it HURTS!" I gasped breathlessly, saying his first name without realizing it.

The hand tightened almost painfully on mine, and Loveheart's fingers stilled on my back in surprise before continuing. "S….say my name again, Alex? Please?" he whispered in a strained tone.

I moaned again in pain and rubbed my head against our hands, needing some kind of comfort at the immense amount of pain. "Peter…" I moaned.

I felt the shudder that wound its way through him as he leaned down to kiss my head.

"I am done here, brother, Savior. I'll leave you alone; I think you have a lot to talk about. Your wounds…they might scar, even with the Hare's healing salve. They should be healed within the hour though."

I heard her get up and leave, and closed my eyes. "I-I…I like her. She's so nice…" I scratched out of my abused throat, trying to get up once more.

Peter only pushed me down by my shoulders gently. "Yes, she is. Do not move, love. Stay still for at least the next half hour."

I relaxed and nodded into the soft pillows. "Say…Peter…tell me about Wonderland. The good things, that I haven't seen yet," I requested.

He looked a little surprised, but nodded and then proceeded to tell me about some of the plants, the wildlife, and even the citizens and the way life was BEFORE the King took over. Everything he told me was wonderful and interesting, and it made me wish I had fallen into the old Wonderland, rather than one ruled by the King. I sat in silence and listened as the pain in my back slowly eased, then disappeared altogether in about forty-five minutes.

"Peter? Can I get up now?" I asked, sorry to interrupt a very interesting story about things called Bebilwahns, a tree that looked like a willow tree, but actually grew bread.

I lifted my head just as he smiled warmly at me. "If you feel well enough too," he responded.

I gingerly at up, feeling no pain in my back, then, standing I turned my back to him and looked over my shoulder at him. "How bad is it?"

His expression looked almost pained. "It has scarred," he said simply.

I nodded and looked around. "Do I not get a shirt now? I guess I'll have to ask the King for a new one…"

Peter walked up to me and put his arms around my waist from behind. "I am sorry, Alex, that I could not be there for you. He gave me an order, and I had to follow it," he murmured in a sad, though loving voice.

I leaned my head back against his shoulder, finding comfort in his embrace even though I yearned for Devin's. "It's not your fault, Peter. I spoke without thinking."

Then out of nowhere, Rebekah burst into the room. "Alex! Dear Hearts I'm sorry! Are you—" she stopped as she saw us and grinning. "Am I interrupting something?"

We quickly stepped apart, only making us look guiltier, and chuckled, crossing his arms over her chest. "But seriously, are you okay?"

I blushed and looked away. "It scarred, but I'm fine."

She frowned. "Even with the Hare's salve? Good Gods, I'm so sorry…"

I waved it off and shrugged. "It didn't kill me, eh? I'm fine."

She suddenly got a serious expression on her face. "Unfortunately, you might not be when you find out why I'm here."

Peter stiffened, and her face told me all I needed to know, even before she said it. "Unfortunately, Peter is very good at his job, and the Tweedle Twins are here, with whatever the hell it is the King ordered them to make. We must go immediately, and you are too be held by our four finest warriors, one with each chain. Are you ready?"

I bit my lip, then squared my shoulders and nodded, eyes determined. "As ready as I'll ever be." But I couldn't possibly know what was going to happen, and it scared me.