Hey guys! Guys! GUYS! I'm back! Yes, I'm back! Well, it's temporary, but still… here's an update, at last!

I've been really busy with school lately, and looking at my ranking, I'm forced to keep myself buried in school work to maintain my rank. Argh, rank, Y U NO start at a lower place?! ;_;

Anyways, school life aside; I've been editing the draft of this story here in my large notebook. Whatever you see typed here isn't what I've originally written in the first place. Yes, my writing schedule is till from 1am onwards (Depends on how my physical state is XD). If possible, I'll try to update this story at least once a month.

I've posted this story on deviant Art for more exposure, and hopefully more advices! XD

So going back to this story… sorry, but Oz and co. still won't appear for a while. But I promise you, they'll be back in the next chapter!

For the meantime, I'll be leaving you in the Abyss (yes, the setting of this chapter is the Abyss. You read that right.). In anime terms, this would be considered filler, but not really. Alyss' feelings will be slightly elaborated here (this'll give me time to totally fix up things from my side.)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pandora Hearts, or any of its characters. Pandora Hearts belongs to Jun Mochizuki.

Okay, now I need to stop before the author's note gets longer than the story itself… Enjoy! *hides back in newly-taped balikbayan box* And advance thanks for possible reviews! *dodges incoming daggers*

XVI. Abyss

Many events had been happening. Oz and Gilbert finding out about the truth, the truth being spread all throughout, the Baskervilles preparing for their next strike (which they are oblivious of)… all of these are happening at quite a fast pace. However, as the first day of the Baskerville's countdown begins, little did everyone know that there were more people who are waiting for the outcome of these events.

However, these people don't really live on the Earth's surface; they had their world, nevertheless. As a matter of fact, they resided in a different dimension, which is none other than…

The Abyss.

Yes, the Abyss. A place where desperate human beings go; specifically, illegal contractors. They are people who simply do everything to convince its leader, the Intention of the Abyss, to grant their wish. It was also a place where abandoned toys can be found, hence, it is often described as a broken toybox. They are the toys of the Abyss. However, these toys should not be underestimated, for they can turn into Chains—beings that prevent the world from being broken.

As of the moment, however, the said toys were feeling… lonely. And with them at that moment is the said leader: the Intention of the Abyss. Innocent-looking and fragile, yes, but ultimately mad with a passion.

She remained there, staring blankly into space, waiting, albeit slightly impatient. She had been helping Jack Vessalius ever since Lacie died.

Lacie, a voice inside her thought, I miss you as much as Jack does.

Ever since Lacie had died, the Intention of the Abyss had felt lonely. Well, not exactly. Rather, the Core of the Abyss had felt lonely, not her. The Core was just sharing her body, nothing more.

But despite this, even the Intention of the Abyss couldn't bring herself to feel emotionless at that moment. Apparently, she knew that she couldn't fool herself; after all, she was also missing Lacie, the person who had kept the Core company. She missed her despite the fact that she didn't really know her, and the mere fact that she is oblivious of Lacie being her mother is proof of that. She missed her so much to an extent that her thoughts were all but optimistic.

"I don't want to be the Intention of the Abyss anymore," she had recalled a few moments before. She remembered saying this to someone she had met before, but she didn't care anymore. All she cares about right now is that wish, and her sister, Alice.

Alice, she thought. My dear twin sister.

It was quite obvious that they had a close bond, whether it was in their name, or in their resemblance to each other, or even in their very relationship. The only factor that hid this was their façade of hatred. Two sisters known to hate each other… no one would even suspect that one sister cared for the other.

The Intention remained silent while reminiscing all of this, then her mind focused once again on the previous statement.

I don't want to be the Intention of the Abyss anymore.

She silently agreed to this. What would be the use anyway, she thought. If I stay here, I might continue longing for Jack, and… I might hurt Alice more.

All of a sudden, her body started moving on its own. All her thoughts froze as she suddenly shrieked, her thoughts mixing with the thoughts of the boarder in her body.

"There's no point in being here… if the only person who kept me company is no longer here… it's pointless… POINTLESS!" she shrieked.

"I want to be destroyed, yet… I want her to be saved! Oh, Alice!" she continued, tears unconsciously falling from her eyes. "She deserves to live more, for she deserves a third chance… yet I… why did I even live? I don't know anymore!"

She paused for a while, as if she was thinking. She blinks once, and then she continues.

"Yes… yes… that's right," she utters slowly. "I… I still have something to do. I still have something to tell Alice. I still have something kept in for her!" she screams, putting her hand over her chest, tears falling yet again.

At this point, the dolls began to scream along with her. "Don't cry! Don't cry Alice!"

"But for now, the only thing I can do is to watch, to wait for the right time… that's it, the right time for Alice and I to finally talk once more!" she says, clapping her hands. Somehow, she was beginning to revert to her original persona little by little.

"We need to stop Jack. Oh Jack! If only you knew that the dead cannot be brought back to life. If only you knew that the dead cannot experience the pleasures of the living… if only—!" she continues. After this, her expression turns into a crazed one. She starts to laugh.

"Ahahaha… AHAHAHAHAHA!" she laughs. "Let's see, my dear Jack," she says sarcastically. "Let's see if Lacie can enjoy the world you shall bring her… alive."

As she looked up from her position, she simply smiled. Oz, forgive me for using you. Alice, please… save Oz. Help him. And… whoever you are, please grant my wish, she thought, as a fake smile escaped her lips once more.

Yay! This chapter is done, that it is!

If someone says that Alyss was somewhat OoC here, I'll have to agree. Either way, I'll still be waiting for your opinions guys!

Same as before: Criticisms/Comments/Suggestions/Complaints? I won't mind any of these!

P.S. Starting with a specific chapter, Reo shall become Leo, and vice versa. Well, you never know; some people might raid me at the sight of wrong spelling. I'll try to edit previous chapters as well when I have the time. For now, paalam sa inyong lahat! Or rather, goodbye to y'all!