Destructive Memories

Very Special thanks goes to EarthRiddle who gave me some absolutely fantastic ideas for the next few chapters. Many thanks to you! If anymore should come, let me know.

3. The Gem Revolution; My Friends of the Past

The masked man slung the potato sack onto the table, the gems inside clattering against each other.

" Have a hard time?" Nightmare asked smugly. The cloaked man turned to him." Another territory was there," a deep voice said. Reaching up to his face, the man pulled off his masquerade attire and set it on the table. He turned towards Alice. " You actually came back. So, everybody was wrong in their assumptions." Gray had changed, much more than she thought he would have.

His hair had a slight streak of white across the side, his neck was scarred across the side, as though someone had taken barbed wire and wrapped it around his neck. His left eye was missing a pupil and his right eye's pupil looked like the slits of a cat.

She lept forward and jumped on the lizard man, gripping his cloak tightly. " I'm so happy! All three of you are safe!"

They smiled. Gray pulled back to look at her." How is it possible that you didn't change at all?" he was just as surprised as Julius had been. Nightmare cleared his throat." It seems our time is actually faster than hers when you add up the years. Although I still can't seem to do that."

Gray looked puzzled at first, but then he smiled." Either way, it's good to have another friendly face in Wonderland. By the way, when are you going to choose?" Gray asked thoughtfully.

Alice looked at him, baffled." Uhh, choose what exactly?"

Nightmare, Julius, and Gray all looked at each other, but not before they strode over to Gray to stand by his side, three in a row. " Alice," Julius murmured," you can't be a loose end during this war. If the Jabberwock finds out, he'll slay you on sight without a second thought."

"We've seen it many times, and if you don't side with a territory then you'll be dead before this night is over. Spies are everywhere, and that includes the henchman for the Jabberwock. It won't be long until he's aware of your presence, but it won't matter as long as you side with someone and fight along side them," Nightmare sighed.

Alice looked at them, then to the floor." If you don't mind, I wanna do what I did before."
" And what was that?" they questioned.

Alice spread her arms and grinned." I want to stay here again if it's not any trouble. Even though you're at war, this place is probably the safest place considering the three of you are here. You work well together and I agree with teamwork."

Instantly, Gray and Nightmare broke out into a fit of laughter.
Julius, however, turned his back and continued to put crates in the enormous closet.

You just don't know how much we've changed. And soon you'll wish you never did.

The boxes had been put away, and the group were now ravaging through Gray's findings. Alice held several sapphires in her hands, looking at her reflection through the glossy blue gems. " Do different gems have different purposes?"

Nightmare glanced her way, while shuffling through the sack looking for sunstones." You catch on quick. If you have an interest in them, you might look there." Nightmare pointed to the only desk in the room. It had several shredded papers and rags, along with a few books. Those books have everything we've learned about the gems. But be careful in handling them."

Alice nodded. She pulled out the wooden chair that stood underneath the table and flipped open a dusty brown leather book. The pages of the books were smudged and corners looked like they had been burned off. Through the first few pages, Alice saw that the gems they were collecting all had significant purposes. Each had a power of it's own, and depending on what type of gem it was determined how powerful it was.
Alice kept flipping through the pages, managing to get through two of the six tattered books, which wasn't easy being in the condition they were in.

" They interest you that much?" Gray said, approaching the reading girl. " It's fascinating, but you've probably been around them so long you don't even care anymore," Alice laughed." That's for sure," Gray retorted.

The next few hours revolved around teaching Alice the properties of each jewel and it's abilities.

Gray held out a glistening neon ruby, showing off it's alarmingly bright color. "The brighter a gem, the more potent it's power is. Really, this alone is what you need to know, because almost all gems can be used for everyday needs."

Alice took the ruby and examined it. The more potent, the more powerful.

Suddenly, a explosion went off outside the window. Flames shot up, and rocks flew every direction.

"GET DOWN!" Gray screamed. The surprised group grabbed Alice's arm and dragged her across the room. Opening a second closet door that Alice was unaware off, they shoved her inside and slammed the door behind. Alice toppled onto several boxes of gems, big and small. Turning around, she banged on the door with her fist.

"What do you think you're doing!" Alice shrieked.

Through the small cracks, she could the light black cloak that Gray wore." Keeping you safe. Another territory is here, and if you interfere with their plans they'll attack you, no questions asked. These people aren't the way you remember them, Alice. They'll hurt you just like anybody else. Once we get them out of here, I'll come back, so don't panic."

Gray dashed off towards the explosion, leaving Alice stuck in the crate filled closet. " Gray, wait!" It was too late. Alice leaned against the wall, and slowly slid down onto the floor.

Man, who knows how long it'll be before I get out of this stupid closet. At least I can see.

The gems hidden in the boxes were glowing brightly, illuminating a small portion of the dark space with a dim yellow light. Then, Alice heard a loud bang.

Oh no, someones out there.

The base of the door was shadowed, meaning someone was standing right outside. Alice almost screamed when she saw a steady trail of blood ooze it's way through the crevices of the door. Slowly, the knob began to twist and open.

Alice huddled in the back corner, hoping is wasn't a faceless spy or henchman looking to rip her to pieces. The door swung open, and a tall figure stood there, staring down at her.

He wore a discolored yellow mask and a billowing yellow cloak smeared in blood. One eye of the mask was closed while the other was open. At his side, his grip was firm on the handle of a sword. Blood was dripping off the edge of the blade as the masked man stood there.

" I knew you came back. I could hear that amazing sound anywhere."

He pulled his sword up under her chin and pulled her head up." Aw, c'mon, you didn't already forget me did ya?" Alice looked up at him.

" Ace..is that you? Why do you look like that?" Alice had noticed upon further inspection that Ace's cloak and mask looked like they were sewn onto his body. The mask had no strap to keep it on place. Alice put her hand on it to pull it off, tugging at the sides of his face.

It wouldn't budge.

Oh..my.., Alice started trembling, that mask is his face.

What's happening! Where did all my friends go! Why is everyone so ...

Alice pushed Ace out of the way and dashed for the door. She could hear Ace calling her name but she didn't look back. Sprinting down the stairs and falling a few times, Alice came running out of the Clock Tower and into the forest. She could hear deeper voices calling her name, guessing it was Julius, Nightmare, and Gray but she didn't stop for them either.

The forest was completely burned down, some trees barely standing, others burnt to a crisp.

Alice had run so far away from the tower, she couldn't tell where she was. All the scenery looked the same. Fire, nothing but fire.

She kept on walking until a familiar landmark caught her attention. A huge mansion came into view and Alice started sprinting to it.

I know this is a bad idea, but I have to know what their next moves are. Maybe I could help the Clcok Tower by getting some information.

She stopped about halfway to the gate, and saw two boys standing there. In a flurry of wind, the boys jumped in front of her, holding the tips of their axes against her throat. They wore hooded robes with silver chains slung over their shoulders, almost like upside down belts.

" So what are you supposed to be? A spy for the Amusement Park, maybe the castle, or even the tower," the one in the red robe questioned.

" Unlikely brother, the tower would never sink so low," the one in the blue robe said.

Alice shook her arms rapidly." Dee, Dum, don't you recognize me! It's me, Alice!"

"Alice?" they said together. Slowly, their weapons dropped to their sides. They moved closer, keeping their hoods on. Once they were both just a few inches away from her face, they shouted with laughter.

" It's Onee-san!" the red robed boy cried.

" You're really back. You really came back." The blue robed boy grabbed her in a hug, falling to his knees. He rested his head on her shoulder, his grip around her tightening. " We thought you left because you hated us, but if you came back that can't be true." The red robed boy went to her other side and grabbed her into another hug.

SNAP

" What was that!" Alice squealed.

The two boys waited, glancing at the shadows until a silhouette stood within the darkness of the few standing trees around the mansion.

" Now what! Are there more spies?" a voice said.

Alice was about to answer, when something hit her on the back of her neck. She fell on the ground, eyes closing every few seconds. The last thing she saw was a pair of boots walking towards her.

Then everything went black...

This is so freakin' fun to write _ - Squints McGavin

read and review, it makes Squints happy.

Next chapter will be up shortly. School is coming so it might take a little longer than what I want but I'll have it up soon!