The Drabble Diaries
by Tomoyo-chan
Disclaimer: I do not own Pandora Hearts. But I did write this while looking at copies of the first volume, so a good bit of info should be correct, other than the fact that there is no White Rabbit.
A Backwards Ticking Clock - July 11,2012
He knew the moment the White Rabbit's magic took hold, for he was no longer on a London street and Alice was gone and Gil was no longer 24 but still 14. Two men were opening the door before him, to the room of the Clocktower of Silence. His uncle stood waiting on the raised steps, Gil the dais above that.
Oz blinked. 'What...' What was going on. An illusion? He felt surreptitiously for the Incluse on his chest, but felt nothing. Not that he really expected to, he only felt it when the hand was turning. He stepped forward if only because of all the eyes on him. Why was he back at his coming-of-age ceremony?
He wracked his brains trying to remember what Break had said about White Rabbit's abilities. Something about time manipulation? Oz gulped. Did that mean this was real?
Oz continued up the steps and kneeled before his uncle, as he had in the ceremony before. If this was real, did that mean he could change it? Or was he forced to relive his Fate, moment for moment. As holy water sprinkled on his forehead he decided to try something different, just to see if he could. When his uncle reached for the sword, instead of keeping his head passively lowered he raised it to look at Gil. The boy smiled as he caught the gaze. But already Duldum was leering from behind those eyes. He looked away.
Okay, he could do little things different at least. Now what. Now that he had the chance what would he change? Going to the Abyss? Gil's injuries? He could prevent all that from happening, prevent the gate from being opened.
He could have never lost those years.
But then, what about Alice? Would she remain stuck in the Abyss? She wanted so desperately to get out. And Gil would never contract with Raven, which could be a good thing, but then would Gil ever grow beyond the scared little boy he was? He had changed so much in his pursuit of Oz. As much as he enjoyed tormenting Gil, he only wanted the best for him.
The sword tapped both of his shoulders after which he knew was his cue to rise to give the oath at the foot of the clock.
And what about all of Break's plans, and Sharon's friendship, and all the people they had met since he returned. So many had lost to the Abyss, but how many more would if he wasn't there? He couldn't see any choice that would have the coming events easier. He knelt at the clock-tower's foot. As soon as he began to speak the clock would toll and the Baskervilles would descend to pronounce Judgement. There was nothing he could - or even wanted - to do to change it.
The clock sounded out from under his fingers, sounding like a funeral toll. Figures dropped into a circle around him. Even as Gil grabbed him around the neck he didn't fight. He had learned so much over the past few months, how could he deny the others the same?
He closed his eyes and allowed the sword to descend.