HELLO AGAIN! HOPE YOU'RE ALL READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER! IT'S MIND BENDING! XP ANYWAYS, AS ALWAYS, READ, ENJOY, AND REVIEW OR THE BUNNIE OF DOOM WILL GET YOU!

Ch.34: Snicker-Snack

I sank down to the ground, my knees temporarily useless and stunned speechless. Not a moment ago, I had been plummeting to my death. And now, here I was, sitting pretty, not a scratch on me! …HOW THE F*** AM I ALIVE?WHAT THE F*** DOES IT TAKE TO KILL ME? Last thing I remembered, I was falling, the ground a good fifty yards away from my face, when it felt like I'd fallen into a wall of jello and then, I was here, safe and sound.

I shakily got to my feet and looked around, frightened of what I might find. I first looked up, fearing the monster I was sure was about to snatch me up again. However, I did not see the Jabberwocky, or the thunder head hooded sky that covered the Badlands; what I did see was the clear, deep blue sky of the evening just before the sunset. I mean, this was like sky in some fantasy painting! …What happened to the flying lizard? What happened to all the clouds?

I turned my attention to the surroundings and gasped as I did so. It was beyond beautiful! Tropical, lush and deep green ferns and small trees littered the place, grass like the softest of carpets laid over the ground in rolling mats! I continued to stare at the magically appearing plants, taking in the mildly warm climate, when a hypnotic roaring penetrated my shock. I turned to the general area of the sound and started weaving my way through the plants. I was careful not to touch any of them; for fear that touching the beautiful place would shatter it like a fragile trinket and launch me from the dream and back into the hellish situation I was just in.

I found my way through the brush and came to a lush clearing with a small waterfall pouring crystal clear water and pond beneath it. I stepped out of the clearing and tentivly walked to the edge of the pond, leaning over to peer at my own reflection; no demonic hallucination, no other person, and no distortion of any kind. I bent over and slowly dipped my finger in the water. When my finger didn't dissolve on contact, I swirled my finger around, twisting my reflected face. I cupped my hands together and lifted a good amount of water in my hands, all of it escaping through my fingers. I bit my lip, "Am I…dead?" That would explain a lot.

"Who are you?" I snapped around, jumping to my feet at the sudden voice. My eyes were met by a faceless gaze, peeking out from behind one of the taller trees. She leaned out a little further, "Didn't you hear? I requested your name stranger. What are you called?" My heart froze as the infamous mystery accent was thick on her voice. "I'm…um…." She stepped out all the way, allowing me to see her fully. For someone without a face, I'll admit, she was very pretty. Golden ringlets fell over her shoulders and down to her back, bright against the dark blue old-fashioned dress she was wearing. I also noticed that, despite the lack of eyes, her face was well sculpted and pleasant to look at…you know, once you got past the whole 'no eyes' thing.

Her brow lowered in what was probably a frown, "I shall ask once more; who are you?" "I'm C.J! C.J Thourn…who are you and where am I?" Her frown remained in place and she bit the tip of her thumb, "Well…where you are shall be a bit difficult to explain, but for now," She lowered her hand from her mouth and let her frown lighten up, "I'm Charlotte Raine, but feel free to call me Charlie."

….

P.O.V Change: Peirce

I huffed deep as we ceased running for a little while to rest. After C.J had been taken, we had gone chasing the Jabberwocky's trail, Yuri and Boris tracking him by his scent. We all stopped for a water break and rested our legs. …As happy I was for the break, I was eager to resume the chase. The longer we stayed in one place, the farther the Jabberwocky would get...with C.J.

I could see that everyone else was thinking the same thing. Boris was twitching and glancing around constantly, while Yuri was glaring at the ground and twiddling his fingers in nervous habit. Ace seemed most under control right now; he was staring into the horizon, a look of deep thought on his face. However, none of us seemed more affected than Joker. He was twitching, glaring at nothing, and on occasion even snapping at the darker Joker. …He NEVER snapped at anyone. Ever. It was part of his 'patient and calm' personality'. I couldn't help but feel just a little bad for him. As evil and cruel as he was, he seemed to care a lot for C.J.

Not to mention how worried I was about her! I was about to have a panic attack!

…

P.O.V Change: C.J

I gaped at the faceless woman, "Ch-ch-Charlie?" Her frown returned, "Yes, that is what I've just said. You were able to enter this place, so I presume you art a foreigner. Pray tell, how did you come here?" I sputtered, "W-w-well, that's a b-b-bit of a long story. …You…knew Yuri and Alister, right?" She (I guess) stared at me for a little bit, then dipped her head, "Follow me." With that, she turned and disappeared into the brush. I, of course, chased after her. "Charlie, wait! Where'd you go?" I stumbled about through the thicket for some time before stumbling onto a tea table set in the middle of a small clearing, right next to the largest tree yet. Charlie sat on a large, low stone right next to the table, and empty boulder right in front of her. She motioned for me to sit, "Come, tell me of you time here in Wonderland. And how you came to learn those names."

And so, I told her all about my adventures in Wonderland, detailing it as much as I dared. She was silent mostly, interrupting only to ask a question here and there. Finally, I ended the story with my fall from the clutches of the Jabberwocky. I took a deep breathe, "So…yeah. Now I'm here. Could you please explain how I'm alive?" Her lips curled into a soft smile, "In due time, C.J. First, I think I should bring this tale to light."

She cleared her throat, "My dear friend, Elda, seems to have given you most of the necessary information." I raised my eyebrow, most of? Charlie continued on, "And I will now tell you about this place. Look around, tell me what you see." I turned my head this way and that, "I see trees, the sky, more plants, and…graves?" My eyes widened as I finally spotted the graves, overgrown with vines! I looked back at her, confused, "Why are there graves?" Charlie smiled, "This is Wonderlands one graveyard. Foreigners who chose to stay and wonderlands, like myself, whom clocks were destroyed, are all buried here." I looked around at the graves, in awe, "But then, what's with all the plants? I thought we were in the middle of a desert! And…why are you…." Again, she smiled, "Yes, I am indeed dead. What you see is no more than an illusion, piloted by my soul. I couldn't resist; I reached out and poked her arm, gape mouthed, ""But you're solid! The plants, those are an illusion to?" She gently pinched my poking finger and removed it from her personal bubble. "Everything around you, excluding the tombstones, is an illusion. One so powerful that it has fooled your very senses into believing it as the truth."

I shook my head and rested it in my palm, "How and why?" She sighed and leaned back, "It begins about where Elda left off. After the Dark Master had laid his final curse on…the Bandersnatch. The Bandersnatch found his way to this graveyard and used what was left of his powers to raise my spirit to stand guardian over the only thing that end this battle once and for all." My eyes widened, "No way…you mean the-" "Vorpal Blade? I do. He entrusted the blade to me, and put up a barrier in which only one with a beating heart could enter. The nice atmosphere was an apology for disturbing my peace." I stood up, "Where's the blade? I need it to-" "Destroy the Jabberwocky and defeat the Dark Master. Yes, I thought as much. Follow me."

Once more, the blonde woman stood up and walked away. I huffed, how many times is this going to happen? I caught up to her followed close behind this time. I leaned over, "So…if I had just happened to have had a clock for a heart during the fall…." "You would've fallen to your death."

"Wouldn't I have just slid off the barrier?" "You see, the barrier works on the principle of cross dimensions. This area, inside of the barrier, is actually a small dimension which overlays the 'real' world. The tombstones are the hatching point between the two realms; as they exist in both planes. They are the stitches between two scraps of cloth. It's rather similar in the cross point between the foreign world and Wonderland. The entry point interprets itself as a hole, while it is really simply a hole in the seams between the two worlds; one which will soon be stitched back up." I massaged my temples, trying to ward off a Mondo headache, "Wow. I just had my mind blown." She chuckled a little, "Tis a difficult concept to wrap one's mind around. But of all the things you've encountered here, is it not possible?" I sighed. …Weirdest. A**. Day. EVER.

She stopped suddenly, "We're here." I peeked out from behind her to see a large, column shaped tombstone. I walked up to inspect it more carefully. The thing was a little taller than me. A spiral cone of marble resting on the mildly detailed and bordered base. On the base, inside of the border, was some very worn text. I didn't have to read it to know who's it was. I turned back to her, "This…is your grave?" She nodded solemnly. She raised her head to look at me. Due to the lack of eyes, it was difficult to read her expression. "Please…free us." I frowned, "Huh?"

She took my hand. I knew it was just an illusion, but it felt real al the same. "Please free us. Me…my friends…my dearest Alistair…we are all trapped by this curse. I wish for you do me a kindness C.J." I paused, "…Anything." She smiled, "When you find Alistair, Yuri, and Alister…I want you to kill them." I stopped, stunned, "W-w-why?" She smiled sadly, "They are trapped in a world they do not belong in. Elda was always meant to be the last of us, and she will join us when her wish to have her clock destroyed comes true, but only you can fulfill this wish. Destroy their clocks, free them from this nightmare at last. I beg of you." I stared at her, unsure of what to do, "…I'll do it." She smiled, "Thank you. ..." She pointed to the base of the tombstone, "The blade is in the drawer. I wish you luck and happiness C.J." I smiled at her, and then leaned down to the base of the grave. I gently pried at the edges of the border, pleased to find they didn't stick. With a bit of effort, I pulled the stone fully open.

Lying inside, on a pillow of marble stone, was a large, intricately detailed kitchen knife. Just like in the picture. I gently picked up the blade and swished it about in the air. It felt light as a feather and natural in my hand. I grinned a little, "I've finally got it! Now I can-!"

But when I turned around, Charlie wasn't there. Nothing was there. The beautiful plants and sky had vanished, leaving the clouded sky and the sandy terrain of the Badlands in its wake. Tombstones littered the area here and there. I turned back to the tomb of Charlotte Raine and smiled. I leaned down again and shut the drawer; forever this time. As I stood up, I tucked the blade in my waist and gently pated the smooth marble of the headstone, "Rest in peace Charlie."

OHHHH…. THAT WAS FREAKY S***. C.J'S RIGHT, THIS IS THE WEIRDEST A** DAY EVER. HOPE YOU ENJOYED ANYWAYS. REVIEW, OR THE BUNNIE OF DOOM WILL STALK YOU AS YOU WALK TO YOUR HOUSE! (O.o OH MY…THAT'S INSANLY CREEPY)