Own Alice in Wonderland 2010 I do not. Board of declaimers am I. ;D

Chapter 3 ~ What to believe

Soon, the White Queen's castle came into view. A figure raced out to meet the two, and Alice recognized him immediately.

"Bayard!" she called, petting the dog.

"Alice..." he huffed out. "You have returned!" his eyes flickered to Hatter, then back to her as if to say 'Why is he back?' Alice lowered her voice so only the blood hound could hear her.

"Later, Bayard." She stood up straight when the White Queen approached.

"Majesty..." Hatter said, bowing. "It's been a while." the Queen looked puzzled for a moment, her arms not held up like Alice remembered.

"Alice..." she began, turning to her. "We need to speak..." she took her by the hand and started to lead her into the castle, but she stopped when Hatter began to follow. "Just Alice?" she said in a sweet yet harsh tone. He sighed and turned back to wait for Alice. Why in the world-I should say Underland-does the Queen want to speak with me alone? Alice wondered as she walked into the halls of the white palace.

"Now, what is so important Your Majesty?" Alice asked once they where seated at a small, round table. The Queen looked down for a moment, then raised her eyes to meet Alice's. Something had changed in her; she wasn't the proper Queen she remembered. Her next words came out as cold as snow, yet Alice could almost see the fire burning in her eyes.

"Our champion is needed once again."

The Hatter waited outside, wondering why Alice had been taken from him (again) and what she could hear that he could not. His mind wandered for a bit until a sharp poke in the foot brought him back.

"Mally..." he grumbled, not very pleased to see her.

"What's wrong with you today Hatter? Have you even wondered if any of us thought where you went?"

"I can explain..." she cut him off.

"Oh, I'm sure. You just lost track of time, didn't you?"

"Mally, please..."

"Or was it that you were to scared without-" She shuddered. "-Alice around to protect you?" Hatter grew furious at her last few words and his eyes changed orange.

"Take it back." he said in his Scottish accent. "Right now." Mally didn't.

"Oh, sorry." she said, reminding him of a certain someone he had long forgotten. A Queen, maybe. "Did I mention Alice?Well, she's gone for good... and you should be more worried about running now." Mally said as she scurried off. A black horse and rider approached, a sword in his hands.

Alice stayed silent as the Queen continued. Apparently, an old enemy of the original two sister, Leona, had come back from the wastelands to take over Underland. She had a wicked reputation, and didn't hesitate to take prisoners. As she paused for a moment, Alice heard something outside, so without a word she raced over to the holding place of the Vorple Sword. After making sure the Queen didn't follow her, she raced out of the castle. A man got off of a horse and walked toward Hatter.

"HEY!" she screamed, running fast, ready to fight. "Over here!" the man looked at her and started toward her. Alice knew she was no match, but if this man was threatening Hatter, she couldn't just watch like a helpless little girl. Plus, she did defeat the Jabberwocky, and some of that Alice still had to be in her.

"Run-" the voice paused. "Alice!?" She did run, but not in the direction the voice told her to. She ran at the figure, her sword clanging agents the mans. A few sparks flew as the two swords clashed, sending Alice backwards. That didn't phase her, and she felt someone behind her..

"Hatter..." she gasped, watching him pull out a long sword.

"Get back Alice." he whispered, starting to walk toward the man. "Let me finish this." Alice never took no for an answer, though. She raced past Hatter, driving the Vorple Sword close to his throat. Her eyes flicked black a bit, the they went back to normal when she felt Hatter's hand on her shoulder.

"Why did you come here?" she flared, letting Hatter step forward. "Do you know him?" Hatter didn't answer her.

"We meet again, Time." he muttered, watching the figure take off his helmet. Alice had heard Hatter talk about Time a bit, but nothing compared to meeting him. He was tall, with white hair and gray eyes.

"Time?" she whispered, still keeping her grip on the Vorple Sword. Time took a step backward, but as Alice approached, he seemed frozen.

"What is the meaning of this?" she asked, keeping her eyes locked on him.

"I had a score to settle with The Mad Hatter, but his little pet kept me from doing just that." he smirked, and Alice wished she could use the Vorple Sword on him. It's not to be used for that! She remembered Hatters' words, and tried to keep calm. She was about to ask why he had made things change, but Hatter spoke first.

"What have you done?"

"Oh, that..." Time grumbled, closing his eyes for a moment. "The Black Queen enslaved me and forced me to do her bidding. If I did not do as she asked, she would have me tortured then killed."

Alice, nor Hatter bought this. Alice took her turn to speak.

"You should meet with the White Queen. If she believes you, then I...might." she muttered, keeping her temper under control. If she doesn't, I'll banish you myself.

After a long conference with the White Queen, Time was allowed to stay for a few days. Alice was the only one who hated the idea. She stood out by the telescope, watching a star fall from the sky. Whoever had told her to run earlier had not shone themselves, and Alice was beginning to wonder if it was Mallymkin. She shrugged and backed away from the telescope. Now she wondered if she should, or could go back to her own world. Alice considered this while sitting on a bench, twirling a stick in her hands.

"Alice?" She turned around, only to see Time standing there.

"What?" she muttered, looking back at the sky.

"Why don't you trust me?" he asked, walking closer to her.

"Why? Because this is your fault!" she yelled. "Why did you speed up...time when Hatter left?!"

"The Black Queen made me do it!" he yelled back, getting only a few inches from her.

"Yes, I'm sure that's true!" she muttered, trapped between the railing and Time."Get away from me." she whispered in a harsh tone.

"Why?" he whispered, moving closer to her. He reminded her of John, but she she tried to run off, Time held her there.

"Let go of me!" she muttered, trying again to free herself. Only one other time had she been in a situation like this, but that was when she was bigger and it was a once-banished knave holding her to a wall.

"Alice..." Time began, but he didn't finish. Hatter had seen them, and before either could say a word, he marched off. Alice knew he would break something, so she shoved Time off of her and raced down the hall. Hatter indeed was breaking things, madder than ever. Alice ducked as a roll of cloth flew at her. She slowly made her way to him, and when she was close enough, she did something that surprised both of them. Alice warped her arms around him, not saying a word. Hatter's eyes turned back to green.

"Alice..." he whispered once she let go of him.

"Are you still angry?" she asked, prepared to leave him alone.

"I'm fine. If you consider being mad fine" he whispered in a bit of a high pitch voice. "I just don't know what to believe."

I couldn't help but put Time in there. =3 On to the thank you's...

Dumb Genius- I love the comments! And yes, John dose look like Jonny Depp. ;D
kat- thanks a lot! ^^ I love hearing from my readers.
OFFwithHIShead- Enjoy the next few chapters! =D hopefully you don't have to wait too long. (love the screen name, btw)
arkangel158- Thanks a lot! I've never gotten such a responce on writing like this! 8D
AKnya- *Poof* I give you the next chapter.

All of you rock! ^^ And if I didn't reply to any other comments, I'll get to them in the next few chapters.

Ok, this time, I don't need any reviews to post the next chapter. I've gotten such a good responce from the last two chapters, I don't feel like making you guys wait! =3

~Wolfcrystal