Disclaimer: This story is based off Pandora Hearts and none of the characters belong to me. All I did was tweak some of the characters slightly for my own amusement heheh. I do not wish to make any money off this work and I'm dirt poor anyway so nothing to gain here!
Author's Note: The story will jump around slightly because I'm trying to avoid recreating the manga in my story. Like I said earlier some events will be following the storyline in the beginning, but it will change soon enough. Oh, and my spelling/grammar check keeps fixing words on me and rearranging them so if there are mistakes I apologize now since I'm usually a spelling Nazi.
Remember italics mean it's a thought or an event in the past.
Chapter Two: The dark-tinted world of the man called Jack
A cry of angst echoed throughout the now silent Baskerville manor. Bodies were spewed across the ground carelessly. The once checkered pattern floors were painted red with blood. Lifeless eyes stared at some unseen object in accusation. Had he done this? Had he brought this chaos down on these people?
The young man collapsed against one of the marble pillars next to the ballroom's entrance. He had always admired this mansion for its artistic beauty and how much attention the staff put into guaranteeing the Duke would not find one speck of dust anywhere. Now this same staff he had joked with in the past was amongst the deceased.
A feeling of pity developed within the man, an icy hand gripped at his heart which made him rethink his plans. How deep in sin was he willing to wade in before the darkness consumed him entirely? More screams could be heard from the foyer region and he chose to brush these weak-hearted feelings away. It was too late to start doubting his objection he had shared secrets with the white minx, bargained with the head-slayer, manipulated the common man, and was soon to betray his best friend once again should their paths meet. Nothing would stop him in his goal now, not even the death of human beings.
The young man was Jack Vessalius, who was well-known for different reasons which were a true contradiction of the man underneath the mask. Jack had long golden blonde hair which he kept back into a braided ponytail, people often commented on how radiant his hair would glow in sunlight. Sunlight was the only description people could offer about him. How lively he appeared with his sunny personality, his cheerfulness which could enlighten a dark atmosphere, a warm smile, bright eyes, sunlight, sunlight, sunlight! How little these people knew of him! Did they not realize how his smile was plastered on his face constantly like he was secretly hiding a sin? Had they not realized he faked interest to their boring life stories to try edging his way into their good graces?
Aristocrats. Greedy scoundrels the lot of them.
Thinking back there was only one person who gave a negative opinion on him upon their first meeting- Oswald Baskerville. Oswald had told the previous master of the Baskerville Dukedom, Levi, how Jack reminded him of water. When Levi inquired about providing an explanation, Oswald went on to mention Jack was like a still body of water that someone could gaze into and conjure up their reflection, but would never be able to see the true image of Jack. Now thinking back Oswald may have been on to something. Nobody knew what the hell Jack was thinking most of the time, Jack didn't even know what he was thinking since he was trying to keep himself sane after dealing with these boorish baboons.
Oswald was always too perceptive of others for his own good. Jack could remember the first time he laid eyes on Oswald, how the intensity held in those lilac eyes as he scrutinized Jack practically gave Jack, the party crasher, chills. Jack may have proven himself too bold when he snuck into their formal gathering after hearing rumors circulating amongst the houses about the Baskervilles, but despite the intense interrogation held by Levi and Oswald not a single regret was given on what cruel fate may have awaited him since he managed to embrace his angel after such a long separation.
Jack continued to move forward through the masses of dead bodies, he had to restrain himself from covering his nose to the awful stench of death which clung to the halls. Who would commit such an atrocity?
Though his actions may not be considered redeemable by the throngs of rule-abiding citizens, he couldn't give a damn as to what they thought.
As far as he was concerned they had sentenced their own execution the day they murdered the one person he treasured above any human or deity- Lacie Baskerville.
He closed his eyes and allowed memories of their first meeting to return. The female silhouette began constructing itself in his mind. Brunette hair flowed down from the figure's head, small nimble arms and legs followed pursuit. His breath fell short when her most noticeable trait was the last to form- those ruby red eyes which had both captivated and internally horrified him upon first laying sight of them. But those eyes are what helped to show her uniqueness when compared to these other useless vermin, these same vermin who showed little tolerance in accepting her for her differences. Other humans had considered her both an abomination and someone who would bring disease and torment upon contact. How foolish they were, nothing was evil about that girl with a smile which radiated the sun and her strange humane capacity of seeing the beauty in this sinful world. Perhaps she saw the beauty in others because she was disgusted with herself? Did she honestly agree with those humans who called her a plague to humanity? He could only guess on what her viewpoints were since she was no longer in this world.
He chuckled with joy why bother with the past when there was still much to do in the present. Half of his life had been composed of gaining prestige and power just to see her again, and now who would have thought he was the one who would tear apart this current world just to bring the world to her?
But if Lacie loved this world, then why not give the world to her since she was the main reason for his new appreciation to live.
Images of hands extending to clutch him flashed across his mind. Those wicked, tainted hands who made false promises and flatteries just to try taking what they desired from him.
He was fifteen years old when he met Lacie and after she left, he spent the next eight years manipulating his way into power. All the things he had to do in the past just to appeal to these disgusting humans had truly tainted him internally. Women with seductive eyes clouded over with lust dragging their nails down his face, all the while cooing at how precious he was to them. The feeling of emptiness he felt when these women began unbuttoning his trousers and how he obediently gave in to their demands made him secretly despise himself. How many times had he wished for just one of those women to push him off and regret her decision to commit infidelity because she was in all simplicity bored? After copulating with one of these tramps, he would return to wherever his place of bedding was for that present and examine the numerous marks left on him. How sickening it was to look at the scars left behind by someone so shameless as to cheat on her spouse with a stranger she had met only hours before.
The women were not the only ones who hid their sins behind a pretty face. Men were just as cruel and deceptive as their female counterpart if not more. Some men tried to barter him, based on his looks or gift with words, just to receive some silly trinket or prize which they could have done better without. Unlike women who used him to satisfy their sexual desires, most of the men used him as a gambit. They made him resort to trickery and thievery to obtain for them a prize they were too incompetent on their own to attain without notice.
After seeing how these people fooled and manipulated each other, he set his sight higher and decided to mingle with the elite. All that was required was pretending to give a damn about business proposals, which bored him to tears, and courting aristocrats. While the ruffian men wanted him to perform their dirty deeds, the aristocratic men wanted someone they could gloat over their successes with. On the other-hand, while the common class women took advantage of trying to tap into their enkindled desires, the aristocratic women wanted false promises of eloping together or meeting behind closed doors so Jack could whisper sweet nothings into their ears. While the women flirted and teased, the moment they lured Jack into their bed chambers the excitement seemed to end. All these women wanted was to be pursued and once caught they lost interest in finishing the game.
But there was one thing he learned from these experiences- people in power enjoy living under the false belief they have complete control over another's life. After Jack finally mastered this skill of deluding to these silly chitchats made by nobles and answering to their every beck and call; he managed to reach a status which granted him special privileges. While he may have not held actual power, he was still of a decent prestige which meant he could attend parties and ceremonies held by the Dukedoms. While attending these events was fine and dandy there was only one prize he had his eye set on- being granted permission to enter the grounds of Baskerville. How joyous his life turned when he received that gracious invitation!
When Lacie entered into the ballroom, his heart stopped at seeing how much more beautiful she had become with age. No longer was she the long-limbed girl from the past, here now stood an elegant curvaceous woman.
Lacie, his angel in white, or his deity who sang hymns while dancing in the blood of her enemies.
Jack stopped musing over the past when he realized his error. Stopping mid-step, he glanced over his shoulder to stare at the bodies. Don't tell me…
A loud clang could be heard outside and screams pursued. Despite the pouring rain, there was no mistaking the red cloaks worn by the assailants. Guests were being torn down left and right, why would the Baskervilles begin assassinating their own guests?
Had they figured out his plan? No that was preposterous no one was remotely aware of his intentions unless…
His head jerked up and his emerald eyes blazed with anger, "Oswald!"
Jack stared down in shock as Gil, small weak little Gil, was bleeding profusely from a wound he created. That small simple child had gotten in the midst of his battle with Oswald, he did not notice the child until it was too late. His sword had been raised to land a strike at Oswald, but who would have thought the blow would connect with an unintentional victim. Now the raven-haired child with those golden eyes, who always stared at Jack in admiration, could be moments away from death's door thanks to him. This small boy chosen to carry on Oswald's title and assume the position of murderer to his little brother, Vincent. This cycle of master and sacrifice was never ending. A cycle of death for both participants since these chains the Glen's received slowly killed them over time. Perhaps he had done the child a favor in the end.
Jack stared in revulsion at the crimson flow of blood dripping from his sword. This child had done him no wrong and in one foolish action
No Gil, you foolish boy, why did you have to try protecting your master? This could have been avoided had you only flee when Oswald told you too…I'm sorry. Please, please no I did not want this to happen to you.
The person he had just mentioned was seething with anger, he had never seen those violet eyes shake with such resentment. No longer was Oswald the calm aloof man he always portrayed himself as, he was now a man with a vendetta.
Jack's heart stung slightly at the realization their friendship was now rendered null. Oswald, forgive me, but why can't you see that sacrificing the world is the only way to guarantee Lacie could be happy? Do you not recall all those times we joked about how could we improve the world and Lacie would fuss at us about our inability to appreciate reality? Do you remember anything Oswald?
"Jack," Oswald spit out, the coldness in that tone made Jack shiver, "how dare you strike down my protégé! I will put an end to your madness now! Have you lost all human reasoning and compassion? Look at what your actions have brought you? Do you really think that what you're doing is right?"
Jack muttered something incoherently and began babbling nonsense which infuriated Oswald more, "Look at me Jack! Explain to me how does sacrificing the world bring any benefit to Lacie? She's gone Jack accept it, all you're doing is committing a massive genocide to fulfill some silly notion that Lacie still exists elsewhere! No matter what you do, she's dead Jack! Dead, am I am her murderer! She's gone and moved on," Oswald's voice broke here, the next words came out in a whisper, "into the Abyss where her soul is probably trapped…or destroyed entirely."
Trapped? Jack stared at Oswald intensely, his emerald orbs shaking as he tried to contain his anger. Not only have you sacrificed her but you have made her a wandering soul in that dark realm as well!?
Jack clenched his fists to try refraining from choking Oswald. How dare he speak of Lacie in such a manner, how could he speak of her in such a tactlessness. Lacie was alive somewhere in that Abyss, and come hell or high water he would seek her out until his very existence faded to ashes. There was no way Oswald or Levi, for that matter, would allow the girl such a cruel fate. Or were they that barbaric?
Who cared whether the whole world turned against him, to hell with them all he wanted to see was that once precious girl smile once more. Something about her smile always filled him with such peacefulness, as though there was nothing evil in this world.
A girlish laugh interrupted his thoughts as he remembered there was another who shared that smile. But there was another who shared that same similar smile… Alice, the girl who helped him gain the power to control a chain which was in his sole possession, Oz the black rabbit.
Oswald continued demanding for Jack to confess he was as the mastermind behind these events. For some reason, Oswald's belief that Jack had acquired such omnipotent powers to bring about the destruction of Saliber struck him as amusing.
Oswald became silent as Jack began laughing; an eerily almost insane laugh which sent shivers down his spine. Jack, what's happened to you? Have you truly lost your mind?
Jack threw his head back and released a callous laugh that rivaled those of demons mentioned in bedtime stories Oswald heard in his childhood from Levi. However, those demons possessed talons and fangs which were discolored from eating on the flesh of an unfortunate prey which crossed the demon's path. Jack was a demon in human form, the worse kind they were these demons. They faked kindness to earn affection from others, but they had no idea on how to love. And they faked happiness, because they were uncertain on how to show actual emotions.
Jack, is there anything about you which isn't a lie?
The repetitive laughter grated on Oswald's nerves and he could feel the hold on his saber clench tighter and tighter until his knuckles turned white. Somebody had to put a stop to this insanity and so help him he would die trying.
"Jack…"
"Shut up."
Oswald was startled by Jack's sudden silence and the ominous tone he started using. Jack never sounded like that it was as though another person was speaking through him. What was truly chilling were the bangs which covered his eyes preventing Oswald from staring into those pupils to see if all humanity was stripped.
"Listen to me Jack…"
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Jack screamed. "DON'T YOU DARE ASSUME YOU HAVE ANY RIGHT TO ADDRESS ME YOU PATHETIC FOLLOWER! HAVE YOU NO BACKBONE OSWALD? CAN YOU NOT DENY SOMEBODY WHEN THEY SEEK AID FROM YOU? OH WAIT YOU DID! YOU SISTER! DID YOU ENJOY TOSSING HER INTO THE ABYSS? COULD YOU HAVE NOT HIDDEN HER AWAY FROM HER CRUEL FATE? NO RESPONSE? OH WELL YOU MIGHT HAVE THE LOOK OF A WARRIOR BUT YOU'RE NOTHING MORE THAN THE BASKERVILLE'S DOG! ISN"T THAT RIGHT OSWALD?"
Oswald was taken aback by Jack's rant, was this how Jack had always seen him? A cowardly man who simply lived to follow his duties, these same duties which made him have a similarity to a monk in a convent? The stony expression returned to the Glen's face, he knew what had to be done and if it meant destroying his friend so be it. He was no coward, but he was no madman either.
"Don't tell me I'm a coward as you run around trying to destroy the world because you live in denial you idiot. You could never understand the pain of those who have to sacrifice their loved one, how the thought alone brings them down on their knees every night as they feel the shame consume them. Kill one, save a thousand ever heard of that concept Jack? Guess not as you're to far gone even remotely understand logic. But seeing as my insults are probably meeting deaf ears, it's time I end this Jack," Oswald hurtled himself at Jack, "goodbye old friend."
A smirk formed on Jack's face, "Oh Oswald, you always were the type to leap before you look. Sorry friend, but it's your lost."
Jack lifted his head up and Oswald stared in horror at the red tint in Jack's eyes. What the hell was going on?
"Being born of the Abyss and granted to me through the Intention's will I summon you, go and strike down the man who wishes to maim me. Oz the Black Rabbit I summon you!" Jack lifted his palm into the air and a strange black hole formed behind him. Oswald stared in horror as a large demonic black rabbit appeared inside the blackness surrounding Jack. The rabbit's eyes located their target and Oswald jumped to the side to avoid the rabbit's weapon, a scythe.
Jack place a hand over his mouth to contain his laughter, "Oz, I'll leave you to stall this man. There's someone I must meet."
Jack barreled through the hallways until he reached the entrance. Staring through the darkness, he could see the lonely tower way off into the distance. He could feel Oz's powers disappearing and knew he needed that girl's help or else all his plaaning had gone to waste.
He had to hurry to her, he could feel his control waning over the chain and he still had not been able to complete the destruction of the chains protecting the world. But he knew she would help him, that small girl so infatuated with him. A heavy downpour had started and he pushed himself to sprint through the heavy rain. He pounded through the mud laden path; the stormy weather had started thanks to Oz's appearance.
The girl he sought was Lacie's daughter, the girl trapped in the Abyss called Alice. Or his preferred name for her- Will of the Abyss.
Hey quick mention- Originally I was not going to mention Alice and Will of the Abyss until chapter three since I am not making them pivotal characters in this story later on. But since I had Lacie last chapter tenderly addressing her unborn daughters I decided they needed some love. But looking back, I felt the part was rushed and I apologize because originally it was to end at Lacie saying goodbye to Jack. Anyway hope you guys enjoy! Please review!