AUTHORS NOTE:

Sorry again for late forthcoming. I hope you all enjoy this turn of events.

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Chapter 8: The plot thickens…

Alice Kingsleigh was beginning to feel the weight everyone's attention. The sudden amorous frolicking to her side was enough to make her ankles knock and her nerves stand on end. She wasn't use to such adoration in such few short hours. It was a marvel how completely transparent she had been in her own world and yet so flamboyantly sought after within Wonderland. There was a time when she would have jumped at a chance like this, to be the center of attention, but at the moment all she could do was flee from it to the safety of the garden just outside the large marble ballroom.

Of course she had to do a bit of convincing as there were armored chess pieces literally clogging every visible entrance and exit in the entire vicinity. But Alice was just cunning enough to successfully slip by before the pawn had fully comprehended exactly who she was.

It wasn't as though she was running off blindly into a devious plot she had no warning of. She was well aware of her circumstances and the rules of tonight's festivities; Hatter had informed her precisely of what is to be expected and what to anticipate if she should ever be faced with any upsets. She was passively ordered to step back so as the protection of her life could be planned out by others.

Alice never sat well with being told what to do.

It was as pointless as dropping a stone into a lake and expecting it to float. Evil schemes followed her like a plague in Wonderland. She was constantly being plotted against whether she liked it or not and at the moment she would like to think— if given the opportunity— that she could stand up for herself without needless pampering.

So there she was, slipping through the garden hedges like a guilty little girl who was about to be caught having cookies before dinner, and wondering distantly how Hatter would react when he realized she was gone. She didn't want her elusiveness to reflect badly on his person. But really! She was a grown woman.

Turning a corner, Alice leaned against a marble railing to stare up at the twinkling stars. The waxing moon glowing eerily amongst the dark blanketed sky sent soft chills down the mortal's spine. She didn't know why, but she knew something would transpire tonight. Stayne was a slippery thing and, lucky for him, she was a magnet for that sort of character.

At that moment a small rustling of leaves was heard from the white cherry tree standing beside her. She looked up sharply and caught the glint of bright blue orbs as they blinked out of sight.

"…..Chess?" She tilted her head and sighed. She couldn't count on the feline giving her one inch of breathing space, could she? "I'm just getting some fresh air, okay? Don't snitch on me." When there was no answer she peered closer at the tree, "Chess?" Maybe she was just seeing things. When a bird flew out after a few moments of shaking limbs she turned and walked further into the gardens.

The Cheshire cat appeared in the spot she had just departed, a large grin cracking his features before his morphed into a mirror image of her.

"Not bad if I say so myself." He picked up the hem of his skirts and looked between his legs to see a striped tail swishing to and fro. "A bit rusty…but it works…" It was easily covered with the dress he wore so he paid no mind and followed after the real Alice with a skip in his walk— indigo colored eyes enlarging.

The blonde savior of Underland had been caught in rapture of the midnight castle view by the time her doppelganger had arrived to tug at her curls.

"Ouch, hey— ack!" She gave him a double take and stumbled back a few paces to impulsively grab a fallen branch and whap at him.

"Is this any way to treat someone who's trying to protect you?" In the process of dodging he tripped over the layers of white clothe he wore and took her down with him in a giant heap of curls, limbs, lace and indignant screeching. "Alice! Calm down you furless frump!"

"Chess!" She growled, hands itching to pull out his hair. "What the hell do you think you are doing!"

"It's called masquerade, kitten, I thought you knew?"

"Chess…"

"It was Tarrant's idea. He thought if there were two of you and Stayne showed up, perhaps he would pick me over you. For me it would be an easier escape…having evaporating skills and all."

"Okay…point taken. But did you REALLY have to scare me like that?"

"No…it just amuses me." He gave a grin that was very out of character for Alice and pushed her away. "Get off. Now look? Our dresses are all dirty."

"And whose fault is that, Chess?" Alice stood much easier than the feline and fussed with her hair. Her nostrils flared at the grass stain that smudged her thigh. "Hatter made this…" She decided to sigh and allow the anger to escape with it. She was left feeling guilty and tired. "So….now what?"

"Precisely my question," the two Alice's looked up to find Stayne standing with a crooked smirk. "Oh my, clever plan…too bad the execution was a complete and utter flop."

"Stayne…." Both girls stood strait and imitated each other's actions.

"Alice…'s" He bowed mockingly, "Speaking of execution…you really should have killed me those years ago."

"Where's the Red Queen?"

He grinned like a mad man. The knave of hearts had aged many years since she last seen him. Lines and scars creased his face while his hair streaked with white.

"Where she belongs."

"Maybe you should follow her," Chess said evenly and looked at his nails.

"Mmmm…Cheshire cat…I am surprised…I never knew you for getting in the middle of politics." He grabbed the handle of his sword. "Hey Alice…." He said in his usual soft raspy voice. "I would start running if I were you…" He pulled out his sword and swung swiftly at Chess with haphazard thrusts. The feline had no choice but to disappear with a hiss and Stayne rounded on Alice with a wild look in his eyes. "Uuuuuum…I think we have a lot of catching up to do..."

"What do you want from me? You lost don't you get it! Just go and find a new way of living. Revenge only gets people killed!"

"Who says this is revenge, Alice? I am collecting what I was promised by someone much higher of power than your precious White Queen."

"Which is?" She glared and walked backwards slowly.

"You." She gave a shocked look. "Oh come now, Um. Surely you remember those moments we shared…we had chemistry…we can be together again. No Red Queens or Mad Hatters to stop us now… I made sure of it."

"You're insane! I'll never go with you!" Picking up her skirts she made a move to run when her hair was grabbed and twisted. She yelped in pain and was forced to step backwards as Stayne reeled her in with her locks.

"Now now…I think you'd feel differently if we had a little more time to get reacquainted." Her lips pursed and she gave a soft growl. "Good," he forced her head back so that she could look at him. "I like that spunk of yours. I've craved it…and soon enough I'll break it. ACK!" He made strangled choking noises as he buckled to his knees in pain. A grey humanoid arm appeared about his neck, soon followed by a matching body with a blue striped ears poking out amongst a head of feathered mussed hair and a twitching tail to match.

"Get out of here, Alice." Indigo eyes flashed up at her.

"Chess?"

"GO DAMNIT!"

She turned and ran.

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Okay I've been working at this for a while now. Lol I hope this gets everyone back into the spirit of things. Let me know what you all think. Cheers!