Hey everyone! Chapter 17 is out! *hearts*

So I kinda feel like I rushed on Chapter 16. If the chapter seems rushed, I'm really sorry about it. x.x;; I was in such a hurry to get it out at the time. *bows*

Ahh but I definitely did not make the same mistake with this chapter, so no worries. ^.^

Please R&R and hope you all enjoy~.

Disclaimer: Joker/Clover/Heart no Kuni no Alice does not, has not ever, and will not ever belong to me. But my ocs do! x3

-3RD PoV-

"Something's trying to block my way," said an irritated Aura. "Entering that world was so easy before, so why can't I go there now? !"

The young lady paced back and forth in her room.

"This is all your fault!" she shouted while staring at the decapitated head in her room.

"You had to make her doubt me. Everything was fine until YOU drove HER AWAY FROM ME! !" Aura screamed as she picked up a book and threw it at the head.

The head fell off of the small table and landed on the floor.

Aura gasped, realizing what she did.

"I'm so sorry, uncle," Aura said as she ran up to the head and picked it up. "I'm sorry."

She hugged the head then gently placed it back on the table.

"Please forgive me. I'm just lonely." Aura walked up to her bed and sat down.

"We're both lonely, aren't we uncle? But don't worry."

Aura lay back onto the bed with her arms spread apart.

"I'll find her, uncle. I'll find our Alex, and she'll come to us. She'll come, and we'll never feel lonely again."

Aura smiled while closing her eyes.

"We'll find her. We'll find her."

-CHAPTER SEVENTEEN-

-THE NIGHT OF THE BALL PART 2-

-1ST PoV-

Dee and Dum led me out into the beautiful maze of Heart Castle. I saw that nobody was around but us.

"Sister lied to us," Dee said with a frown while staring at me with bored eyes.

"What do you mean?" I asked, trying to sound innocent. Did they find out I wasn't really sick?

"You're supposed to be too scared of going into the forest," Dee explained.

"Yah! An' you went in there with nobody. That means sister lied about being scared," Dum added.

"I didn't lie," I argued. "Remember, it was you two who made me scared." And that wasn't exactly something I was proud of.

"Then how'd you get to the Clock Tower?" a curious Dum asked.

Shoot, how did I get there again?

"That doesn't matter, brother," Dee said while looking at Dum.

"Hmm~. You're right, brother."

The confused me stared at the boys.

"Yah, we have something more important anyways."

"Mhm~."

They do?

Both boys stared at me.

I noticed the grins that began to form on their faces.

"Why are you two-"

I was cut off by the two boys who pulled me into an embrace.

"What?" I asked with wide eyes in surprise.

"Thank you, sister!" they said excitedly.

"For what?" I asked while trying to break free from their grasps.

"You got us closer to Big Sis."

"H-huh?"

I blinked twice in confusion, not exactly sure what they were talking about.

"Don't cha know?" Dum asked. "You disappearing got Big Sis so worried."

"Mhm~ An' then we acting all concerned and looking for you made her like us more," Dee added.

"Oh," I said as I smiled at the boys. "Well that's really good to hear." I wasn't sure why, but I started to feel a slight pain in my chest.

They were looking for me. But in the end, they never wanted me dead nor were they even worried. So they honestly don't care if I'm missing or not, huh?

I pulled myself out of the boys' embrace.

"Since you got Big Sis to like us more, we decided that we won't kill you," said a smiling Dee.

"Yeah, be grateful sister!"

"I am. Thanks." My smile was now forced.

Can't let them know I'm disappointed.

"Boss is gonna dance with Big Sis first, and then it's our turn. Let's go back to the party," Dee said while he and Dum grabbed my hands.

"Actually, no thank you," I said while pulling away.

The boys gave me confused looks.

"Why, sister?" they asked.

"The ball's a little stuffy for me, and I need the fresh air right now," I lied.

"Aw, c'mon sister," they pleaded.

"Sorry, I'll be there in a little bit," I said while clapping my hands together. "Now you boys go dance with your Alice."

Be cheerful. Don't falter.

"Okay then. See you soon, sister," Dum said as the boys waved then ran back into the castle.

"So I never mattered…" I said as my smile turned into a frown.

I turned around and walked into the maze.

"I'm so pathetic," I said then sighed.

To be honest, this really shouldn't hurt me at all. After all, it's not like I ever had any friends before anyways.

Ace asked me to the ball, because I was sad. And Julius acts like a jerk, but he's pretty nice when someone's in trouble. He probably only helped me out of pity.

Ah, I'm being negative again…

I slapped my cheeks twice, took a deep breath then exhaled.

"Okay Alex, that's enough! I'm not just some poor, miserable and unfortunate kid."

"Wait," I said to myself as I stopped in my tracks. "Didn't I say something like this before?"

I froze, and my eyes widened as a memory suddenly came to me.

In the memory, I was standing in front of an alter inside a church. A large cross hung before me; wood rotting and appearing as though it could fall at any given moment. I saw myself spinning around and saying the same line I said only moments ago.

I was there… inside that church for a reason. Why was I there?

I put my hands against my head and shut my eyes tight, trying hard to remember why.

What was going on? What?

-MEMORY-

"Alex… It's time."

"What is it, uncle?"

"Today is the day of the coronation. You don't want to miss your big day, now do you?"

-FLASHES TO A DIFFERENT MEMORY-

A dead Aura lay before me on the ground. I was on my knees, looking at my hands to see them covered in blood.

"Why?" I asked with tears in my eyes. "Why did you kill her?"

I looked up at my uncle who was drenched in Aura's blood.

"I'm so sorry, Alex. I only wanted to protect you," Uncle Aswal said as he cried.

"I love you both, but I-"

His words were cut short as a pair of scissors flew into his neck.

Uncle Aswal fell on his knees while choking up blood.

With fear building up inside of me, I turn to see a bloodied Aura trying desperately to stand.

"H-how are you alive?" I asked as I crawled back, away from her.

The rage in her eyes was as clear as day.

"Wake up," said a familiar voice within my head.

Nightmare?

"Open your eyes, Alex! Open them!"

I quickly opened my eyes to see Aura standing in the distance; still eyeless and covered in blood.

Taking a step back, I stared in fear at the sight before me.

I then remembered Julius telling me to stay away from Aura.

She isn't safe.

Alex…

*giggles*

Run… I need to run!

I spun around and ran through the maze as fast as my legs could carry me.

Looking back, I could see Aura gaining up on me. She'd catch me at this rate.

I then remembered something important Uncle Aswal once said to me.

"Remember, Alex. You may not be a human like me, but don't ever think of your abilities as a curse." Uncle Aswal had said this to me in the past.

I looked forward and focused. As the markings on my neck appeared with eyes glowing red, I could feel a power building up inside of me.

Think of a place.

Where are you going?

Anywhere is good.

Alex?

Just visualize it.

STOP RUNNING AWAY FROM ME!

Aura screamed as she drew closer to me, her hands only inches away from my neck.

"AND GO!" I shouted as my body began to disappear.

ALEX! ! !

I disappeared from the maze and found myself at the balcony on the roof of the Clock Tower.

It took me a while to catch my breath.

"I can't believe I forgot about this ability," I said to myself as I looked up at the sky.

This was the place I started at when first coming to the Country of Hearts.

I looked down and freaked out, running quickly to the door.

"Guess I'm still afraid of heights," I said as I sweat-dropped.

After a while, I sat down. Wanting to thank Nightmare for the warning, I closed my eyes and fell into a slumber.

"Hello, Alex," Nightmare said as I opened my eyes and looked up at him.

"You warned me about Aura while I was in the maze. Thanks," I said while smiling sadly at the Incubus.

Nightmare sighed and crossed his arms.

"That was close. While you were desperately trying so hard to remember your past, that demonic girl was slowly creeping up on you. If I hadn't of said anything to you, she probably would have come up to you with ease and drag you away from this world."

The incubus looked tired and upset.

"I'm sorry," I said with a frown. "I really am."

Nightmare looked at me then gave me a gentle smile.

"It took me some time, but I've made it to where she won't be able to come here anymore."

"You what?" I asked in surprise.

"You don't know?" Nightmare asked while smiling mischievously. "I have the ability to bring outsiders into Wonderland." He looked so proud when saying that. The way he was acting made me feel better.

"Aura was forcing her way through, but now it's impossible for her. So now I think it's time for you to stop worrying and try to enjoy yourself."

I looked up at Nightmare with curious eyes.

"You're playing a game, remember?" he asked me while floating towards me.

I looked at the vial that suddenly appeared in my hand. There was now a few drops of liquid inside of it.

"The only way you'll be able to fill that vial up is if you spend time with the residents of Wonderland," Nightmare said to me.

"Oh and you must try to have a good time while you're at it," he then added.

"Tch, fine," I said while placing my hands on my hips. "I'll try to enjoy myself."

Aura wouldn't bother me anymore, and I was in no rush to head back home. It looked like going home would mean having to face my sister, and that was something I wasn't yet prepared to do… not now.

Nightmare placed his hands on my shoulders.

"It's time for you to wake up and enjoy the ball before it ends."

Everything became dark as I left Nightmare's realm.

There were things I wanted to say to him.

If only he didn't push me away like that...

-3RD PoV-

"You could have erased her memories," said a man as he appeared before Nightmare.

Nightmare looked at the spot where Alex stood only moments ago.

"She isn't like Alice. The more Alex remembers, the more she'll want to stay here. Little by little, I'll let the memories flow back in," Nightmare said as he looked at the man with bored eyes. "As for Alice, remembering will only do her harm."

"How very true. I suppose I can't argue with you there," the man said with a knowing smile. "But if giving Alex her memories back will make her want to stay, then why not give them back to her at once?"

"Heh. She wouldn't be able to handle the pain and would only suffer. Little by little is how I'll do it," answered Nightmare.

"As you say," the man said then vanished.

-1ST PoV-

I found myself at the ball shortly after teleporting myself to the front of the Castle of Hearts.

Looking around, I saw Dee and Dum dancing merrily with a delighted Alice.

To my right, the members of the Amusement Park danced together in a large group.

A smiling Ace and a depressed Julius were drinking wine while chatting away. Well Ace was doing most of the talking.

The beautiful Queen Vivaldi was having an argument with Blood, and that guy with white rabbit ears was sulking in some corner.

"Long time no see, Alex," said Boris as he walked up to me. He didn't look half bad in the tux he was wearing.

"It's been a long time," I said while stifling a yawn.

"No fair. Don't fall asleep on me," the cat said with a frown.

"I'm not, I'm not," I said as I sweat-dropped.

"You're cute," Boris said as he grinned.

"Ha ha very funny," I said, not falling for the playboy's tricks.

"I'm serious. I even came here to ask you to dance," he said while grabbing my hand. "Will you dance with me?"

"Fine," I said then sighed. Everyone else looked busy anyways.

"Way to hurt. Am I really that depressing to be with?" Boris asked while leading me to the dance floor.

"After what I've been through, I'd have to say no," I answered with a small smile on my face.

"Nya?" Boris looked at me, feeling confused.

"It's nothing," I said while following Boris' pace as we danced.

To be honest, the only time I ever danced were the few times Uncle Aswal taught me. Strange how I had easily forgotten such a memory until now.

"So I don't really have to leave you alone for good, do I?" Boris suddenly asked.

"Huh?" I asked him while feeling confused.

"Remember our deal at the park? If I didn't help you get the twins together with Alice, then I'd leave you alone for good."

Boris' ears and tail lowered, revealing a sad kitty. It was so cute, I had to refrain myself from the urge to touch those adorable ears.

I sighed in defeat.

"You don't have to leave me alone. Just no more invading my personal space. All right?" I looked up at the cat while grinning.

"I don't get it, but sure," Boris responded with a smile.

I guess an answer like that would work for now.

I then thought about Nightmare and Julius. They told me it was safest for me to stay here in Wonderland. I knew that the two of them, especially Julius, wouldn't lie to me. So until I regain all of my memories, staying here is just what I'll do.

I closed my eyes and smiled as Boris and I continued to dance.

I would always remember this night where I finally had my very first dance.

Aaaand that's it for Chapter 17. There's only one more chapter left after this, then Alex will move to the Country of Clover where the next story will begin. Thank you to everyone who reads this story. You really make me happy. *hearts*