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CHAPTER 2: A FORGOTTEN SOUND

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The lonesome figure had been aimlessly walking throw the forest with uneasiness and uncertainty. Although the armor the person wore gave a human form, it made it natch impossible to provide a clue for the appearance of the person, the gender or how weak or strong he or she was. Not to mention that whenever the person spoke, it did so with a digitally distorted voice.

It started with a light disturbing chuckle that turned into a full out mad laughter as the person seemed to mock it's luck. It was chilling and terrible, but it suddenly stopped as if it had never happened when the person rolled aside to avoid a big sword getting stuck in the floor when he or she had been standing only a second ago.

The figure looked at the person that owned that sword. He was tall and wore an old bloodied and ragged coat and a mask.

"That was quite the odd laugh. It even made me stop for a second"- The swordsman said.

The armored figure's posture was on alert but raised his arms up with seemingly no fear– "I'm not looking for a fight Ace!"

"Too bad because a fight is looking for you!"- The cloaked man said and charged at the other person, surprised that the person knew his name and willing to eliminate him for that.

The person evaded, dodged or sidestepped every hit, however he didn't counterattack in any way.

"Why aren't you fighting?"- Ace was actually having fun. Very few people could last a little against him and this person seemed to predict his movements quite well even if he was having trouble to match up his speed. So maybe he'd had a bit more fun before he did went for the kill.

"Why for? First: We know that I can't win against you."- The person said and jumped back to avoid another slash- "Second: If you want to kill me you easily can"- The person once again backed away -"and Third: You won't kill me until I speak with Julius"

At the mention of Julius name, Ace kicked the person with a move he didn't knew he knew towards a tree, where he quickly put his sword against the person neck and reached to take off the mask suspecting something.

It was understandable that after taking off the gas mask and helmet thing the person wore, Ace, the knight of hearts and part time executioner at the prison when it was around, got so surprised to find that this person was indeed a girl with a face, she had olive green eyes and her hair had multiple shades of blond. His smile didn't faltered even though something in his memories stirred as his clock seemed to tick harder.–"What is your role?" - He couldn't comprehend why he was lowering his sword.

"I have none… but you can hire me as a mercenary. You already have…"- She looked at him with an intensity Ace somehow recognized. Then her eyes quivered almost imperceptibly as she looked away.- "You really don't remember, do you?"

Even though her voice was emotionless Ace detected something more he couldn't quite place. Yet he couldn't believe that she had no role. That was impossible! Unless….

He put his hand on over her chest but her armor was in the way. She didn't resist and he would have undressed her if he had figured out how the hell that weird armor was held together.

"Yes Ace. I'm a foreigner."- She lifted her forearm and a sleek black surface lit with many images passing fast as she pressed her gloved fingers over them.

"Oh, really?"- He was doubtful. But from the party crash she did seemed to know everyone.

She took her hand over her neck and moved something's in the collar of the suit and Ace was mesmerized by the sound of a heart beat coming from her.

"Really. A second foreigner. "– She sighed and looked at him looking quite defeated - "And I should go and speak with Julius just as I promised him."

"I'm still not sure. Let me hear it directly" – This was confusing him. A second foreigner? That had been here for months before disappearing and everyone forgetting her? That was far too fantastical even for Wonderland's standards.

She rolled her eyes but proceeded to turn the sound off and then she began to unlatch her suit , taking of the protective upper plaques and then separating the air latch to peel off lightly the upper part over her breast til it was just above and covering her nipple.

"Just listen Ace… Y'know? You also insisted on this the first time… but it was fine. After all, I did asked you to let me examine your clock." – The woman had a nostalgic but depressed aura despite her aloof expression.

Ace struck his sword in the tree above her and she didn't react at all. He then held her hands at her sides to prevent her from moving and put his head over her chest.

The sounds from around the world ceased to exist and were replaced by the beat of a real heart. His eyes widened and then he closed his eyes to concentrate on the sound that he somehow recognized. It was different than Alice's, it was steady and calm, direct and strong… His hands grabbed harder her wrist and moved them above her head as if he at all costs wanted to prevent her from escaping and it was his own clock that seemed to be ticking faster.

An entire minute passed before she spoke – "You have your prove Ace. Now let's go see Julius… please lead the way."

He didn't know why, but this mysterious character seemed fun. And the surprise of her being a foreigner excited him. Yet, there was something wrong here. -"You claim to know us all and you want me to lead you to the clock tower?"- He separated from her and released her.

"I'm in no hurry to meet anyone or explain things. However, if we get close to any territory's center I will deter you and change direction."-She sighed while setting her armor on again.

Ace got his sword and sheathed it. Once again she didn't react. She seemed too calm. Not as if she was trusting him, but rather as if she didn't mind him at all.- "So you wanna know why you are not remembered if indeed you were truly here? Or do you want to be remembered?"

"Not necessarily. However Julius did asked me to go and I promised I'd go. I also wanna hear what happened here." – Her answer was mysterious and suspicious.

"Then fair lady, let this knight escort you!"- Ace claimed dramatically. He didn't knew why he had done so but it was fun.

"Very well, oh brave knight! Please lead this damsel out of the darkness and danger! " – She exclaimed in an equally dramatic way and upon seeing his quizzical look she laughed a bit before regaining her cool demeanor. She took a few steps ahead and waited for him. – "Let's go Ace."

Now Ace was more than curious. He might be slow to figure things out, but of one thing he was sure. He could have some fun with this foreigner.

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Yes. I know it's short, but as I said , I've been having too much work and can barely work on a chapter per week if at all.

Also I was inquired as to the rate I'd be updating, and the truth is that there I will abandon various of these stories. That's what I meant by "updates will be determined by reviews". I love something no kuni no alice series and characters and I'd like to share the stories, so I'll be concentrating only on the 2 or maybe 3 stories that people like. So I'm setting a quota, that will also give me time to work on the chapters and update when that quota is met (Im not that greedy, with 3 or 5 reviews is enough). Yes, I know that it sounds bad from me, but I'm doing an MBA, dealing with work, taking carpentry classes, preparing various projects and trying to manage my life.

I also welcome any ideas because although I have where I want the stories to go, I don't have what happens in the road.