I'm Nobody

by free man writer

He didn't have anything when he was born. Just a name and number. But over time, what he had grew. He, with his friends began to understand that there was more to their existence then just their name and number. They will prove that they were meant to be real. To exist. To become something more than just a Nobody. Co-written and created with Jebest4781. Fem Shepard. Now on Ao3.

34. On The Edge of Sanity

On with the show!

Rate Read and Review and As Always Have Nice Day.

I'm Nobody Chapter 34: On the Edge of Sanity

Roxas found the room he had slept in to be rather familiar.

It was plain white on all sides, sort of like his old room back when he was with the Organization.

Yet rather than the layout being Spartan-esque in design, this room was far more lavish and inviting with a large and comfy bed and an assortment of other furniture to make the place feel more like home.

And instead of seeing the perpetual darkened sky of the World that Never Was through the bedroom window, Roxas saw the early sunrise in the distance.

No. XIII had grown used to waking up to the metallic environment of the Normandy. Not getting a nice spectacle to gaze upon shortly after waking from his slumber.

So to see a sunrise over a sunset was rather amusing to the young Nobody in an ironic way.

He chuckled to himself, wondering what he should be nibbling on right now compared to the usual when watching the sunset.

Running his hand through his hair, he walked out of his room in time to see Axel walk out of the room he was staying in.

The fiery Nobody had his arms over his head as he gave a satisfied sigh when feeling the bones in his joints pop.

"Morning, Axel."

No. VIII glanced back and gave a brief wave to his younger cohort.

"Sleep alright?"

"Like a log." Axel said, waving his arms about as he felt his body felt utterly relaxed. "That bed was perfect. Thinkin' of takin it back with us to old man Wizards tower cause it's a helluva lot better than what he got."

Roxas chortled lightly before looking across from him to the room adjacent to his.

He walked over to it and knocked on the door to receive no answer after a few moments.

Looking back at Axel, his taller friend shrugged and gestured for him to open the door and he tentatively did so.

Peeking his head into the room, Roxas saw the bed was empty and already made.

"Looks like Xion isn't here." Roxas said, pulling his head back into the main hall he stood in.

Axel only shrugged again.

"Probably woke up before either of us." Axel stated. "Come on. Bet she's with Alice and her highness."

The black leather clad Nobodies traversed the halls to reach the dining room. They had to draw what they could remember from yesterday of the castle's layout.

Reaching their destination, they saw Alice and Xion eating the morning meal at a very elongated table with a large spread of food on its surface.

Seemed the White Queen didn't want to spare any expense of food for her guests to partake in.

While most were familiar to the eye, others were rather… unorthodox. Like severed fingers, weird organs and odd fruits that were rather unsettling in texture.

"Ah, Roxas, Axel." The White Queen said dreamily from the seat in the center. "So nice of you to join us for breakfast. Please, come, come, your seats have been saved here."

The male Nobodies obliged as they were quite hungry. Yet they would be rather cautious on the present spread.

If they weren't used to a number of meals they partook ever since joining the Normandy, then they'd rather not be anywhere near anything outright strange in appearance.

Roxas sat by Xion whilst Axel seated himself next to Axel and they were immediately served by some of the servants some drinks and some porridge.

"Aw, it's a bit cold." Roxas murmured to himself.

The ruling monarch perked her head up at that and frowned slightly. "Oh my, pardon me Roxas, I'll-"

"I got it." Axel spoke up with a casual flick of his finger and No. XIII immediately felt his porridge get heated to a comfortable temperature.

Shooting the red head an appreciative grin, he dug into his breakfast and the group of five ate in relative silence.

At one point, the monarch of this region of Wonderland finally asked Alice an important question.

"Is there anyone you wish to recruit to overthrow the Queen of Hearts once more?"

Alice shook her head. "No. I do believe my friends and I shall be more than enough to handle someone like her. Anymore and I fear it would be overkill."

"Doesn't hurt to have back up." Axel countered.

"Quite." The White Queen said, nodding towards him. "If need be, my dear, you have the full might of my kingdom at your beck and call. Should you call for it, we shall mobilize to come to your assistance."

Axel hummed aloud with a sly look in place. "A whole army huh…"

"Don't even think about it." Xion said flatly.

He put on a faux-innocent look. "Hmmm? What? You're looking at me like I have something devious planned. Come on Xion, you know your old chum Axel to be better than that."

No. XIV rolled her eyes at him though a small grin was seen a moment later.

"So where exactly is this domain we need to go to?" Roxas asked the White Queen.

He momentarily recalled the court that Sora, Donald and Goofy had run into when first arriving in this World and putting a stop to the execution of Alice.

The Queen of Hearts was a stout and slightly overweight woman with a very lavish dress, crown and scepter.

While not pleasant in personality her appearance wasn't anything what one would describe to be frightening.

But she has undoubtedly changed like the rest of Wonderland.

So it is highly likely her volatile personality could possibly morph into something far more… hostile.

He internally grimaced as he watched the White Queen stand up from her seat and walk over to a nearby window.

"Far to the East of these lands lay the domain of the fallen queen." She spoke barely above a whisper yet it was clear as day for them to hear. "

"East." Axel repeated, gazing out the same window the Queen stood by. "How far east?"

"Quite far." She stated. "Past the Tea Factory and well into what my subjects call the badlands."

"The badlands?" Axel couldn't help but snort aloud at that. "Seems a bit of a generic word to describe the place. What's it called really?"

"The Queensland."

The Nobody trio blinked at that.

"The Queensland?" Xion tilted her head. "Why does her realm get that name? Aren't you also the Queen?"

"Yes but unlike my counterpart, I have never tried to hold total sway over all of Wonderland." The white clad monarch said simply. "I am content with what I have whilst the Queen of Hearts wants it all for herself."

"So how'd she get the Red Queen name?" Axel asked. "Thought she only had one."

The White Queen closed her eyes with a shudder. "One does not get a nickname like that by being one who exudes kindness."

The red head grimaced at that whilst Roxas and Xion paled slightly.

Then, a stray thought went through No. XIV.

"Hang on a second, I'm confused." Xion murmured. "Alice, you mentioned that you've already defeated the Queen of Hearts when you came back here after Hollow Bastion. Why is she still around?"

The White Queen shook her head.

"She is… a rather stubborn woman." She stated. "Not one to easily let go of power even in the face of overwhelming adversity."

"Is there anything we should worry about the Queen of Hearts?" Roxas asked.

The White Queen looked back at them and gave them all a bright smile.

"I doubt there will be anything you four will have that troubles you if you all work together. But I fear my counterpart has gained a few aces up her sleeve."

"Such as?"

The White Queen gazed upon Roxas and Xion in particular. "These new creatures plaguing this world. Ruins and Heartless are maybe under her thrall, I may not truly know. But there is one such creature I wish wasn't in her services."

"Being what, your majesty?"

The White Queen took a sip of her tea before giving the short answer. "The Jabberwocky."

While the name escaped the Nobodies in the room, Alice was rather concerned.

"Him?" Alice conveyed obvious shock. "But I thought I killed him the last time I was here?"

"You did, but not well enough." The White Queen said gravely.

Axel coughed aloud into his hand, gaining the attention of the two who were in the loop. "Excuse me, but what are you two talking about?"

"Ah, forgive us for not informing you of such a creature." Said the white monarch. "The Jabberwocky is a beast of ruin and death. It had plagued this world far before Alice made her appearance years ago. Everywhere it goes, death is soon to follow. Only one person has ever stood up to it before Alice, an Unknown Hero."

"That sounds rather vague." Axel deadpanned.

The ruler or marmoreal shook her head apologetically. "Indeed, but it's the truth. We never knew who this man was. Only that he wielded a weapon like no other as it was able to harm the Jabberwocky. For it was this unknown hero who was able to first defeat the beast before departing to parts unknown."

"And do you have any idea what this weapon was?" Xion asked.

The White Queen tapped her chin in thought. "It was depicted, but the records were lost when the Jabberwocky made it's surprise return and burned down a number of library towers throughout the land."

"Sounds awfully convenient there." Axel said in a bored fashion.

The Queen laughed at the comment. "My thoughts exactly. Yet there's nothing that could be done after so many years have passed."

"Then what of Alice? She said she killed this Jabberwocky. Or at least supposedly. How did that happen?" Roxas said, thumbing at the former Princess of Heart.

"During the climactic fight against the Jabberwocky, a shard broke off the Unknown Hero's weapon and was later found. The forgemasters all those years ago repurposed the shard and created the Vorpal blade Alice possesses."

Xion eyed the weapon in question as Alice laid it onto the table. "And is there anything special about it?" She questioned.

"The Jabberwocky has incredible regenerative powers. Only the Vorpal blade has the capability to negate such a trait in past battles. Yet I fear it wasn't enough to truly slay the monstrosity."

"And how'd Alice beat it last time?"

"Sheer luck and having a few other weapons in my arsenal. Yet they were lost to me during my last encounter with the Jabberwocky."

"Starting from scratch then, huh?" Said Axel, earning a brief nod in return. "Can't imagine how that must feel."

"Your Majesty." Alice looked at her. "What of Gryphon? If the Jabberwocky is alive then surely he is as well."

"I too believe that to be the case." The White Queen said. "However, if that is indeed to be true, I do not know of his present whereabouts. He could be anywhere."

"If the Jabberwocky and the Queen of Hearts yet remain, then that means Gryphon is still out there." Alice said determinedly. "We just have to find him."

"Then I wish you the best of luck on your search," said the White Queen.

"Anyone else do you have in mind?"

"The Hatter." The Monarch said straight away. "We must free him of the corruption and darkness that has overtaken him in these past few years. He was once our ally and he can be again with the four of you working together to free him."

Alice was saddened to hear of the particular detail of her old friend. Yet she composed herself as she vowed to help him like he did for her all those years ago.

"And do you know where he is?" Alice inquired.

"Like Gryphon, I have no clue." Said the monarch. "I do suggest finding his last whereabouts and starting from there."

"And that is…" Axel rolled his hands as a means for her to answer.

"His domain is not far from here." The White Queen said. "The Factory of Tea was once his prized possession so perhaps you will find him there. If not, a trace of where it can lead you to him."

"Any place is as good as no place." Said Roxas. "Thank you for your help, your majesty. You've been a big help for all of us."

She tutted, blushing bashfully at the praise. "Think nothing of it."

Axel stretched his arms up. "We'll head out when possible. Sooner we find these guys, the better."

"Agreed." Alice said, getting up out of her seat. "Much as I wish to stay here as this seems to be the only nice part of Wonderland that won't kill you, we have to move on."

"You are all always welcomed to return here at your own leisure." Stated the Ruler of this realm.

-Scene Cut-

"Hmm, hmm, hmmm, hmmmm hmm hmm-"

"Are you humming on the Road again?" Roxas asked in bewilderment, looking up at Axel who shrugged his shoulders.

"What? It's a catchy song." Axel said. "Lot of catchy songs really from the Milky Way. You can blame Ashley for that one. Besides, felt appropriate really."

Departing from Marmoreal was simple enough as they were given the general direction as to where the Mad Hatter was last located.

They could've gotten there rather quickly by riding the Keyblade gliders, yet they were in friendly territory for the time being.

Right now however, this was a far more hostile landscape and the environment reflected it.

Barren, rocky hills with disheveled trees, destroyed structures of unknown origin and unusual creatures flying by in the sky.

A desolate Wasteland called the Crockery.

They could just power through everything but frankly, and Axel said it best, it was better that they keep a lower profile then an alarm clock around their necks screaming at all that were hostile to come and get 'em.

That and they didn't really know where to go other than Alice who had some idea as well thanks to the directions given to them by the White Queen.

As they had traveled, she made a comment every now and then about how this place was familiar to her.

"On the Road Again…" Alice said to herself. "Seems appropriate given our circumstances. You're telling me this is a song?"

"Yeah, here we'll show ya." Roxas said, holding up his arm with Omni-tool activating.

Alice's eyes widened in shock, jolting back slightly from the orange device around her friend's arm.

"Bloody hell!" Alice exclaimed. "What on earth is that?"

"Huh?" he looked at his Omni-Tool then back at the Vorpal-wielder. "Uh- oh yeah, I forgot, you've never seen us use this yet."

"What is it then?" She asked in open wonder.

"It's an Omni-Tool." Roxas answered.

"We all have one." Xion said, pulling out her own with Axel following suit. "It's a nifty little gadget that allows us to do a whole list of things."

"Like what?"

"Communication from long distances for starters." Axel said, tapping on his Omni-tool to access the comm link. "We can be standing on either side of Wonderland and so long as we get a ping, we can talk like we're right next to each other."

"Wow." Alice said, leaning forward to get a better look at the Omni-tool in front of her. "Where did you get them? Another World?"

"Something like that." Axel said cheekily.

"Can I get something like this?" She asked in a hopeful tone.

Xion had a thoughtful look. "I don't see why not. They are quite nifty in a practical and entertaining manner."

"Truly?" Alice appeared giddy now. "I would very much like something like this."

"Well we'll get ya your own." Axel promised.

"I'll hold you to that." Alice said with a wide smile.

The group continued their trek through this wasteland, encountering a small bunch of Heartless and Ruins, quickly taking them out.

They took a moment to have a quick snack after the fight, eating some of the provisions the White Queen had given them.

"Say Alice." Axel spoke up.

"Hmmm?"

"I've been meaning to ask you something." No. VIII said in a rather aloof manner.

"What is it?"

The redhead scratched the back of his head as he frowned, eyes narrowed in thought.

"The day before, when we were fighting Luxord… something happened to you." He said slowly, locking eyes with the young teen. "You changed, transformed."

Alice felt a shudder down her spine as she recalled what had transpired yesterday and the overwhelming sensation that came towards the end of the battle.

"I… I don't know." Alice murmured, propping her knees up to her chest and hugging them. "That was the first time anything like that happened to me."

The three Nobodies didn't respond at first, sharing a look with one another for a moment before looking back at Alice.

"Can you describe it?" Xion softly asked. "What did it feel like?'

Alice Liddell was silent for a few seconds though it was clear for the others to see how greatly troubled she was.

She felt a slender hand on her back and she smiled in appreciation at Xion. Alice let out a shaky sigh as she closed her eyes and remembered the feeling she had when she fought against No. X of the Organization.

"I remember… a ringing in my ears." Alice spoke in a low voice. "And it felt like I was made of glass. Like I was shattering over and over again only to reforge more fragile than before."

Alice remembered seeing the deformed reflection of herself within her mind until she felt herself snap after being damaged so thoroughly during the fight.

"There was something there." The Nobody trio barely picked up on what she had said. "Someone who stood before me before I changed."

"You saw someone?" Roxas frowned.

"Not someone." Alice shook her head. "It was me but something else. She was a twisted and demented version of myself after I went… hysterical."

"Hysterical?" Axel chuckled slightly. "Is that what you're going with? Not bat-shit insane?"

Alice gave him a dry look. "Come now, must we be so uncouth. It felt appropriate."

Axel snorted. "Alright, so this "Hysteria", was that really the first time you ever did something like that."

"Yes." She answered without hesitation. "Even when I faced the Queen of Hearts the last time I was here, I never did anything like that before."

"What do you think triggered it? "Xion asked in a frown. "It must have been something extreme."

"We were fighting Luxord, remember." Axel pointed out. "Maybe it's cause you were pushed into a corner. A sort of physical reaction and defense mechanism to give you a needed boost to keep up with him. You sure as hell started pushing back hard when you went all Hysterical like you said."

"So this Hysteria is a means of defense?" Roxas asked the group overall.

"I'm not sure." Alice remarked, thinking hard on the sensation from the day before.

It didn't exactly bring her much comfort the more she thought about it.

Sure she remembered being able to deliver more devastating power to the Gambler Of Fate but it didn't exactly feel good.

'Ok, maybe a little.' Alice internally told herself.

Though the shattering feeling was terrifying, the rush of power was a bit of both.

She felt powerful and was ready to take on just about anyone that got in her way. She was still of sound mind, relatively speaking, as she was well aware of her friends within the throne room at the time when they were fighting Luxord.

So maybe it wasn't all that bad.

When thinking of this Hysterical or perhaps Hysteria works better of hers, she was beginning to feel the coming of a migraine.

Alice visibly winced as she rubbed her head in pain.

In fact, it was one. But it wasn't like any typical one.

She was starting to feel something else.

Alice took a stumble in her step. It wasn't noticeable at first, but then it became more prominent.

"Alice, are you alright?" Xion said in concern, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm feeling… funny."

This was rather unusual for her to experience this sudden sensation. It felt strange, yet familiar.

"Do you need to sit or lie down?"

"I… I don't know." Alice said unsurely.

She stumbled once more, almost fell, but was caught by Xion. The ravenette Nobody struggled but did her best to help.

It was at that point did she see something rather odd happening to Alice.

She was looking transparent, as if she was starting to disappear.

"Alice, what's happening to you?"

Axel and Roxas noticed Xion's fit of alarm before seeing Alice's present state. The redhead was quick to come on over to check what's happening. The moment his gloved hand went through her, something started to happen. Not just to him, but Xion as well.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Alice, the hell is going on here?" Axel asked, eyes wide and sharp as he tried figuring out what was going on.

Alice's eyes drooped as she slumped and fell forward.

Axel and Xion already had their arms out to catch her yet the moment they did, they themselves suddenly became translucent.

"Guys?" Roxas said in a panic.

The blonde of the group tried to reach out, but he was too late.

Before Roxas' eyes, his friends disappeared.

-Scene Cut-

Xion gasped awake, shooting up right only to lurch forward, clutching her head as she was disoriented from… whatever that had occurred.

When her blurry vision receded, No. XIV saw she was in a dank and dirty alleyway. Something which reminded her of those she briefly saw when she was back on Earth from the Milky Way.

"Where… am I?" She said groggily.

Rubbing her eyes, Xion squinted at the surrounding area to see that there was only one way out of this alleyway that she had awoken in.

Looking at the sky above, there was this layer of smog. And telling by the amount of light, it had to be early in the morning.

She then heard a groan coming from the entrance of the alleyway and he turned her head to see Axel come round to lean against one of the walls.

"Axel." Xion said aloud in relief, shakily rising to her feet and stumbling over to him.

"Wazzat? Xion!" Axel's expression lit up, laughing slightly as his friend all but tripped into a hug. "Thank God. Are you alright?"

"I should be asking you the same question." No. XIV said, hugging him tightly while feeling him mess up her hair.

"Well, glad to see one familiar face." The fiery Nobody stated, grinning down at Xion who pulled away.

"You and me both, Axel."

The Flurry of Dancing Flames then turned towards the exit of the alleyway with Xion peeking around him as they heard a slight commotion.

They watched a horse quickly move by with a coach wagon attached to it and several other people trailing behind it.

Axel glanced back at Xion and gestured his head for them both to get out of the dark corridor with her nodding in response.

The two then stepped out onto a street with multiple booths, establishments and people all walking about speaking in a distinctly British accent.

Then came the loud ringing sound of a clock tower and both turned their heads to see-

"Wait a sec." Xion squinted her eyes to check if what she was seeing wasn't an illusion of some kind. "Is… is that Big Ben?"

"Seems like it." Axel muttered, frowning now as he looked around again.

"We're in London?"

"Not the one we know, I think." Said the redhead. "One thing's for sure. I don't believe we're in Wonderland anymore."

"How are we here?" Xion asked, looking around.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

"Ali- Wait, where's Alice? And Roxas?" Xion asked in alarm.

"Ah shit." Axel gritted out.

Immediately pulling out their Omni-tools, they tried to get in contact with their wayward friend. Yet all they got was static.

"Damaged Omni-tool?"

"Maybe." Xion quickly checked hers over. "Everything seems to be working properly."

Hanging up the intended call to Roxas, they soon called the others on their contact list.

Oddly enough, the same occurrence happened as before.

"Okay… that's not unsettling."

"No kidding." Said Axel, shutting off his device. "First is happenstance. Second and so forth ain't."

Their upgraded Omni-tools should've been able to traverse through the other worlds if they didn't get in contact with any Mass Relays. But this was quite unusual. So something was clearly up.

Their Omni-tools seemed to be working properly so it must be something else.

"What should we do?" Xion asked, getting a shake of Axel's head in response.

"I don't know exactly. All I can think of is perhaps looking around if we could perhaps find Roxas."

"Or Alice."

"Her too."

The duo began to walk along the strange streets of a London they weren't entirely familiar with.

Instead of the futuristic city with flying cars, holographic displays, countless stores, and so much more; this place felt more rundown and worn out. Cobblestone and varied stonework heavily replaced the metallic structures the Nobodies had seen previously.

"Sure is a cheerful place, that's for sure." Came Axel's sarcastic comment as he saw some rats run by in between some garbage.

Xion was still taking her time in observing the area around them and thought for a few moments as to where they really were.

"Hey Axel."

"Hmmm?"

"Do you think… maybe it's a situation in Barsoom."

Axel looked down at her. "Barsoom? What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember what Carter said to the others about what year it was and the year in comparison to where they came from?"

The gears in Axel's head quickly clicked into place after a few seconds of contemplation.

"So this really is another version or World of London." Axel thought about that statement for a few more seconds. "This must be Alice's London just like Barsoom is another version of Mars."

"Could be…"

People were clamoring about as they were conducting their morning routines. Shops were opened with varied stalls getting set up. Most prominently were those selling baked goods, fruits and vegetables. From a nearby store, the Nobodies could see a butcher shop with several meats displayed behind the front window near the entrance. There was even some violin music playing in the air from a nearby performer who sought to earn some money.

Passing by them, they came across an orphanage with a large plague. It read Houndsditch Home for Wayward Youth. Dr. Angus Bumby, Prop.

"If this is Alice's London then do you think she's around here somewhere?"

The tall red head nodded confidently. "I'm sure about it. Remember what happened with her? She was becoming all transparent and the moment we touched her, we both woke up here."

Xion nodded when remembering that instance.

"So where do you think she is then?"

Axel threw his hands up. "How should I know that?"

He only received a flat look from her, flicking her in response.

"Hey!" Xion whined, rubbing her nose. "What was that for?"

"For over relying on me." Axel remarked. '"I know how awesome I am and lost and hopeless that you and Roxas can be but eventually the birds gotta leave the nest."

"We're not helpless." Xion childishly complained, trying to beat her small hands against Axel only for him to hold her back at arm's length with her head.

"Uh-huh, yeah, totally." Axel cheekily remarked, making her fume comically.

Both were too distracted with their conversation, causing neither of them to not notice someone coming around a corner. This led to Xion colliding into this person by accident, which had them collapse onto the cobbled street.

"Oh this ghastly road." Complained a familiar voice.

Just when Axel was about to help them up, he halted when hearing the person speak.

Xion was in a similar state when her blue eyes focused on the person on top of her. Where blue eyes met green as each pair slowly widened in shocked recognition.

"Y-You? Bu-But how?" Said the young woman hovering over the Keybearer.

Instead of the young, strong-spirited beauty they had quickly known, the Nobodies saw a small, thin frail woman dressed in handed-down striped black and grey clothes with constant stitches to cover up varying rips and tears. Her fair-skin was sickly pale to an extreme, her green eyes were tired as the darkened skin around them seemed to indicate how bad things were. Her long smooth hair was short and disheveled, oily and limp. And to top it off, she was rather malnourished.

"Alice." Xion whispered in slight disbelief, going over to her. "Is that you?"

"Xion." The girl in question said in equal surprise and shock. "What- How in the world did you get here from Wonderland?"

"You tell us, Alice." Axel spoke up, making himself known to her as he stood by the two girls. "What's with this grimy London we're in?"

"This is the London I'm from?"

The two Nobodies shared a glance with each other.

In an odd way, it was like Deja vu in a sense. It was a feeling.

An inquiry soon came to mind. Something which Ashley had voiced when they were back on Barsoom.

"What year is it?"

"...Excuse me?"

"Humor us."

Unsure on what they're thinking, Alice complied.

"It's 1875 of our lord." Alice then noticed the peculiar reactions from her companions. "Is something wrong?"

"Huh… 1875."

"Yes, yes, that is the year." Alice gave him a strange look. "Is everything alright?"

"Where we're more or less from, it's 2183." Axel said. "Sorta… and in the other place it's… Xion, what year is it? You know, where we're from."

The black haired teen found herself gaping as she squirmed slightly, racking her brain to figure out that answer until she felt the gears in her head break apart and come up with nothing.

"Let's just stick to the one we know."

"Excuse me, 2183?" Alice blurted out.

"The galactic calendar that was officialized." Xion said briefly.

"But what about our own year? You know, the year where we come from?"

"How should I know that?" Xion petulantly said. "You're older than me Axel, you of all people should know."

It was now Axel's turn to gape in a manner similar fashion to his younger friend until he clamped his mouth shut.

"Th-that's not relevant to the more pressing issue we have right now." Axel quickly rebuked.

"Curiouser and curiouser." Alice pondered to herself. "Never would've thought, given what you told me of your time away from the Organization. But I never would've thought you two are from the future."

"It's… complicated."

Alice couldn't hold back her small chuckle. "So it would seem."

"Well, we're glad you're alright Alice." Axel said, gazing down at Liddell with a slightly observant look. "With that out of the way… what happened to you?"

"Pardon?"

"You look…"

Alice quickly realized what they were referring to, suddenly becoming a bit self-conscious.

She stammered as she wrapped her arms around herself in a defensive manner.

"Hey, Alice." Xion quickly wrapped an arm around her. "It's ok, it's ok."

"S-Sorry." Alice said quietly. "I… I've started getting used to seeing you in Wonderland. Having you see me like this, however…"

She felt a firm hand over her head and she looked up at Axel who had a friendly smile in place.

"Okay, we're getting some food in ya cause I swear you look like you're about to collapse."

Alice gaped for a moment before recovering with a mock huff of annoyance. "I'm not that bad."

Axel rolled his eyes good naturedly. "I doubt it. Now come on, there's gotta be a good place around here for some grub."

The London native fidgeted slightly, an unsure expression in place. "There are some… decent taverns and pubs down this road here."

"Perfect, that's where we'll go." Axel said, walking ahead of them both. "And don't worry about the bill, it'll be our treat."

She saw the redhead pull out a red pouch that he tossed up and down, hearing the jingle of Munny inside.

"Are you sure-"

"We got a surplus amount, if that's what you're asking."

"You better be careful with what you're saying. Pickpockets often roam these streets." Alice warned.

Axel barked out a brief laugh. "Like to see them try slipping this off me."

They walked down the street, a slight haze around them that was seen due to the rays of the setting sun behind them.

"So any ideas Alice?" Axel asked. "You know this place better than we do."

"I know of one that I went to a few times." Alice said, pointing ahead of them. "On that corner there. Ol' little Georges. Great meat and fruit pies."

"Then there we shall go." No. VIII declared, now leading the two towards the establishment.

"Never had meat pies before." Said the Keybearer. "Are they any good?"

"Depends on how one prepares them. Not to mention if the filling is fresh and not spoiled."

"Gotcha."

"Anything you perhaps recommend once there?" Questioned Axel.

Before Alice could give a response, someone spoke up and startled the malnourished-looking girl.

"My stars and garters, Alice Liddell! Slumming again are we?"

Alice turned around and took notice of the speaker. "Nurse Witless! What luck. Twice in as many months."

The woman before the trio was an old, hunchbacked hag with her long grey hair tied back into a ponytail. Her small spectacles were placed on top of a bulbous nose which seemed to flush at the end.

Yet when this person appeared before Alice, the two Nobodies quickly saw a shift in her mood. Like she didn't want to deal with her in some way.

This was clearly something to take note of and question once alone.

"Out on your own?" Said the hunchbacked woman with some tone of concern in her voice. "You look frazzled, dearie. Not doing well?"

"She's alright, to a degree."

The old hag blinked before registering the two black clothed people beside Alice.

"And what's this?" The aged old hag looked between Axel and Xion. "Are these… my word, are these friends of yours Alice?"

In an instant, Xion stepped forward and leveled a harsh glare at the old woman.

"We are, in fact."

-Scene Cut-

"Guys!" Roxas was looking around, trying to see if he could find his friends.

His Omni-tool wasn't picking up on their location and they weren't responding to his hails.

He stood atop a tall cliff and cupped his hands over his mouth.

"ALIIIIIICE! XIOOOON! AXEEEEEL! GUYS, CAN YOU HEAR ME?!"

Roxas' voice echoed across the Crockery with no response from his lost friends.

The blond teen was obviously distressed by their disappearance. It was so sudden and abrupt, he almost wanted to tear Wonderland apart in order to find them. If he couldn't find any trace of them here, he would take off back to the other worlds they've visited in hopes of finding their whereabouts.

He had been looking around now for nearly half an hour to no avail and was starting to panic.

His mind immediately jumped to using the Corridor of Darkness in finding them but quickly had that thought discarded.

When using the Corridor, he needed a concise and clear location in mind that he would teleport himself away to in an instant.

Axel and other members of the Organization, however, were able to use the Corridor to go to the location of someone being able to seemingly pinpoint their location and go there in an instant.

He really wished he knew how to do that right about now.

"Dammit." Roxas said aloud in frustration.

He was at an impasse, not knowing what to do.

"Quite the peculiar happenstance you are in."

That sophisticated, cultured voice quickly got Roxas to turn around to find the Cheshire Cat sitting there with his unsettling grin.

"Where'd they go?" He asked the wide grinning act straight away.

"Hmmm?" The Cheshire Cat was being coy. "Where'd did whom go?"

Roxas felt himself nearly snarl as his brow twitched irritably.

"I'm not in the mood for this Cat. You know something, don't you?" He accused the feline. "I am clearly not alright and I am not in the mood for any riddles or whatever. So just give me answers for two easy and simple questions: What happened? And where did they go?"

Despite the blonde Nobody's threatening glance and cross mood, the grinning feline wasn't fazed in the slightest. He merely answered with a chuckle. "Of course, Roxas. I assume it must be challenging for you to cope with such an unusual occurrence. Being left all by your lonesome once again as you seek to be with company. After all, common minds are often unable to grasp a number of things beyond their comprehension."

Roxas gave Cheshire a small glare. "Get to the point."

Cheshire tilted his head as his toothy maw stretched even further. "To simply put it, Keybearer, Alice woke up."

He paused, giving the cat a look of pure confusion.

"...Alice… woke up?"

"Indeed. And she took your two friends with her."

Roxas was clearly bewildered and was having a hard time processing what he just heard.

"Okay, back up. What do you mean she woke up?" Roxas said. "What does waking up have to do with her disappearing like that? Not to mention taking Axel and Xion with her."

The Cheshire Cat hummed aloud. "That last part was unintentional, I assure you. But they were in physical contact when she was leaving Wonderland."

"That still doesn't answer-"

"Do you honestly believe there will always be hidden meanings behind what other people say?" Cheshire questioned with irritation now lacing in his voice. "Sometimes they just mean exactly what they imply. I confess, I greatly favor the use of riddles to convey my words, giving challenges to people to have others figure and sort things out for themselves; which is quite entertaining. But this is clearly not the appropriate time on this present issue of yours. What I'm saying is true is that Alice has indeed woken up."

Blue eyes narrowed as they stared into the yellow-slitted ones. Distrust was clearly prominent, but the Nobody had any other choice in the matter.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to focus and control his emotions.

"If what you say is true, then where did Alice "wake up" at? And what of Axel and Xion."

"They are at her home in the "waking world" as some may believe." Cheshire said.

"And where is that exactly?"

"London."

Roxas was unable to hide some bits of skepticism.

"London?"

"That is what I said."

"I got that, but…"

"But it's not the London you envision, yes?" Cheshire finished for him with No. XIII thinking it over for a moment.

The first "London" that came to mind was the one from the Milky Way as it was a bit more familiar to him as of late. He remembered the crowded streets and sitting atop Big Ben with Axel and Xion.

The only London he knew of was of the world connected to Neverland.

"...Yeah." Roxas said simply. "So they're in the world directly connected to this one?"

The Cheshire Cat gave him a satisfied nod. "Correct."

"Is there any way of getting there?"

A chuckle escaped Cheshire's lips. "There is, but it's rather complicated."

Roxas rolled his eyes at that comment. "I can handle complicated things. I live complicated."

"So you say." Said the sophisticated feline. "One way is with how Alice normally comes and goes into this World through her connection."

"With her being this world's "creator", I take it." A nod was given. "How does that work? I recall Caterpillar saying Wonderland is rather special. With it bordering the worlds of dream, reality and unreality."

"Do you believe Alice would stay here all the time?" Cheshire received a 'no' from the blonde Nobody. "Of course not. She has a life in the other world, even if it's a poor one. Wonderland is a means of escapism for her. How she comes here is through her mind as she slumbers."

This got Roxas pondering a little. "That's rather strange."

"Strange yes, but you must take this into consideration. If one sleeps and enters a world of dreams, what happens to their body?"

"...It gets left behind?" He said unsurely.

"Correct. This allows a person to be in two places at once, in a sense. The mind wanders about while the body is left as a vacant, empty shell."

"Like a Nobody?"

Roxas' conclusion made him feel rather uneasy about the prospect. But to his odd sense of relief, Cheshire shook his head 'no'. "Not in the general sense like with your kind. What you're thinking of is the mind, or rather the heart, separating from the body like how such a thing occurs with the Heartless and Nobodies. No. What I'm implying is another case entirely."

No. XIII felt a migraine coming about as he was trying to comprehend and work with a possible conclusion.

"Okay, I admit I'm not very knowledgeable on this kind of topic-"

"Clearly."

Blue eyes twitched in annoyance on the interruption and jab. "But I can accept that Alice's present circumstance is something exclusive to her. And with her unique gifts, she somehow dragged Axel and Xion with her to the other world."

"Correct."

If Roxas wanted to figure out more on what he heard from Cheshire on this revolving concept of dreaming worlds, he'll need to talk rather knowledgeable on the subject. He could try to figure out more from the grinning feline, but Roxas doesn't know if he could stand talking to him any further without going insane… or wanting to skin him.

"So I'm assuming there's another way of reaching the other world."

He had a memory flash in his mind of when Sora and his friends met Yen Sid for the first time and in that memory, the wizard spoke of other paths and doorways one could use in getting around to other Worlds even with the barriers up. He basically was told that there are many ways in getting around the barriers of the World like the Corridor of Darkness for starters or the Gummi ships.

So he knew there was one likely to be here.

If Roxas could perhaps get to this other world, he could quickly come and go from there with a Dark Corridor. The same could apply with Axel and Xion since they are there at this very moment. But it's a working theory.

Cheshire nodded. "The other is going through the Looking Glass. A portal directly connected to this world with the other."

"And where is this Looking Glass?" Roxas had an idea in the back of his mind that getting to something like this wouldn't be easy.

"In the Red Queen's territory of Queensland." He said, earning a frown from Roxas. "Unfortunate, I know. It used to reside in Marmoreal, but after a past conflict it was relocated in Queensland."

"So this portal can be moved then." Roxas stated more than he asked.

"It resides with who that hold greater sway and power in Wonderland." Said the Cheshire cat.

"Sounds like a power grab." He noted.

"Perhaps." The Cat purred. "I suggest you continue on with your journey until they make their return. It would be such a waste to dilly dally about."

"So where do I go then? The Hatter's domain from before?"

"It is the only direction you can go for the time being." The Cheshire stated with his version of encouragement.

Rolling his eyes again, Roxas looked around for a few moments until he spotted something unusual up ahead.

Well, unusual would be putting it mildly in a place like Wonderland so really, he just saw something ahead that stuck out in this place.

It was a rundown home, for starters. Rather burnt and decrepit by the looks of it. Whatever the home was, be it a simple cabin or a two story house, there wasn't much left of it.

But it wasn't the building in general he was focused on, but what resided outside of it.

It was an elongated table with all sorts of pots and plates. An assortment of food and drink was sprawled out over the tattered tablecloth.

From there, there were a couple of individuals seated and they were partaking in the spread.

The first was an anthropomorphic rabbit, similar to the White Rabbit. Instead of white fur, this rabbit was grey in color. He also wore striped sleeping clothes with a large bath robe on top. And to finish off his appearance, he was entirely jittery as he was shaking like a leaf with his amber eyes looking all over the place.

The second was a small dormouse with grey-white fur and wore a red outfit. Tied to its waist was a needle-sized sword. And presently, this little creature was lying on an empty plate.

The last sat at the head of the table and was all too familiar for Roxas. For this person's presence greatly alarmed Roxas as he didn't expect to see him so very soon.

-Insert Kingdom Hearts II: Organization XIII-

Roxas quickly shot his hand out, calling forth his Keyblade as he readied himself for battle.

"Now, now Roxas." No. X spoke in the utmost calmest tone. "No need for such immediate hostilities. I am not here for any sort of fight like before. That was honestly my orders rather than my own volition."

"Why are you still here then?" Roxas asked threateningly, having yet to recall his Keyblade.

"I have other duties to attend to in this World." No. X said airily. "Compare notes if you will. Lord Xemnas has detected a great change upon many Worlds not of his doing. I believe you are well aware as to what that may be."

No. XIII paused in his thoughts as a deep frown marred his features.

"Why would the Organization want to investigate something like that?"

Luxord tutted at the question, taking a sip of his tea.

"Come now Roxas, I know you are not a foolish boy like some in the Organization would like to believe you are." No. X said, setting his cup down and looking up at No. XIII expectantly.

Roxas kept a fierce gaze leveled upon the Gambler of Fate who gestured to the seat on the far end of the table.

"If you would, my boy." Luxord said politely.

The darker shaded blond didn't respond though he did place a hand upon the chair before him, his posture tense and ready for anything that may be thrown at him.

"What do you want, Luxord?"

"Is it too much to just talk with a colleague?"

"EX-Colleague." Roxas all but snarled.

Luxord sighed dramatically. "Must we be so hostile to one another?"

"You tell me." Roxas shot back.

Luxord leaned back into his chair, looking at both the Dormouse and March Hare seated by him who seemed to realize that they were unwanted.

The mouse quickly scampered off whilst the grey furred hare downed his cup of tea in an addictive manner before snatching a pot and running away at full speed.

"Like I said before, Roxas, I am here with an objective in mind for the Organization." Luxord said conversationally. "An objective that appears to align with your own."

Roxas didn't verbally respond though he grasped the back of the chair tightly with cracks forming.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Luxord leaned forward, folding his hands together as he placed his hands upon the table.

"I hope, Roxas, you are well aware that what affects one World will undoubtedly affect them all." Was the platinum blond Nobody's rather grim response. "This World is just the start of what will start to spread to the other Worlds of this galaxy. The Organization has been studying these changes that will more than likely come to our own World unless we find the means to stop it-"

"Or use it to your advantage." Roxas quickly cut him off.

No. X gave him a slight smirk.

"Perhaps," he said airily. "One often does need to adjust and take advantage of the situations at hand. Or maybe, we just want to help the Worlds out of the goodness of our own Hearts."

"Right, unleashing the Heartless upon the Worlds, adding to the already huge mess is totally within good moral reason."

"We do seek Kingdom Hearts in order to become whole in case you forgot. Such actions are worth the gamble." The Gambler said, tossing dice in the air before tossing them forward. "We'll need just as much luck in this endeavor as we'll need you Roxas."

"That's not what I really heard, Luxord."

No. X quirked a brow. "Oh? And what was it you heard?"

"There is an underlying scheme behind our recruitment pitch."

The gambler hummed as he played with the dice in his hands.

Roxas could figure the man seated before him was analyzing his brief piece of information.

"Who's to say I'm following one agenda over the other. I do so happen to calculate the odds if I must favor one over the other." Within one hand were his cards and in the other were dice in between his fingers.

"Even if that means you're being used?"

"We all are in the grand game, Roxas. One just needs to realize what piece we are on the board."

From his hand, Luxord exchanged the dice with a chess piece.

"One could be a pawn, which can significantly act and become something else entirely."

"Meaning?"

The Gambler covered the pawn in his hand with his other before pulling back to reveal it had become a rook. With another wave, it changed into a knight and then a bishop and at last he settled upon the Queen piece.

"Every person believes they can be a player, which in fact they are a piece." No. X lectured. "Some have the ability to become a greater piece, a stronger one. But like all, they are equally subjected to being taken out decisively and suddenly without warning."

Focusing magic into his grasp, the chess piece disintegrated into darkened vapors as he waved his hand to bat the remains away.

"It takes skill, wit and cunning to know how to outmaneuver one's enemies." Luxord continued on with the lecture. "In the end, one needs to realize if they are one over the other. Players and Pieces… Kings and Pawns… Rulers and Fools…"

"What is this about, Luxord?" Roxas said impatiently. "Why all this word play? Just tell me why you're here."

In a sad way, Roxas yearned for Cheshire's company as he could understand him a tad more.

No wait, scratch that, these two were equally irritating.

"Have I not said it already?" Luxord said. "I have a job to do here in Wonderland. And why would I tell you any more than that, traitor."

Luxord conjured a Corridor of Darkness and disappeared a moment later.

"Well that was absolutely pointless." Roxas begrudged.

He was left with more riddles than he could process after this exchange.

No. XIII frowned in thought, mulling over Luxord's words in his mind.

He spoke of the other Worlds going through changes though he was well aware of that. What he wasn't aware of and nervous about was the Organization's plans with this situation.

And then there was the confusing aspects of players and pieces with some grand game.

Really, he never had a problem with Luxord but sometimes his game lingo speech was about as confusing as Xigbar was annoying.

"Is he gone already?" Spoke a soft female voice. "Pity, he was rather polite. We even had tea for the first time in a long time."

Roxas looked over and saw the small dormouse and grey furred rabbit returning to the elongated table.

"Yes, he is."

Upon returning, the pair sat back where they once were beforehand. The Dormouse took some high jumps in order to land on some small biscuits. Before she took a bite of the one she touched, she took a better regard of the recent arrival.

"Who might you be?" The small mouse inquired with an accusatory look. "You drove off a new friend."

"I'd be careful in calling a guy like him a friend." the teen warned. "Anyways, I'm Roxas. Sorta new around here."

The White mouse introduced herself and her friend." Dormouse at your service and this here is March Hare. And you, good sir, have ruined our tea party."

"Oh the travesty." The Anthropomorphic Rabbit wept aloud in a dramatic fashion with a teacup in his hand.

The March Hare took a big swig of his tea. Instead of swallowing it right away, he tilted his head back and gargled in order to clean his mouth for some reason. Once swallowing it, he dipped his pinky into the porcelain cup and swiped every little leftover grain to brush it against his teeth.

This one was certainly…

Well weird would be a polite word to describe this addled rabbit. It was as if he was hooked up on a large amount of caffeine.

The Nobody didn't know if he would meet another person as eccentric as the March Hare.

Back in the Milky Way Galaxy, an eccentric Scientist Salarian released a mighty sneeze, which ruined a procedure he was conducting.

"Hmm~ Problematic."

*KABOOM*

He gazed down upon the rabbit that dashed over to the table to get more tea.

Nah, probably not.

"Sorry about…" Roxas glanced back over to the table. "Uh… ruining your tea party."

The Dormouse stated, straightening out her jacket. "Things happen all the time, even if the circumstance was sudden."

"Uh-huh."

"That man was of nice company, until you showed up." The Rabbit stated, jittering about with a manic look in his eyes.

"Wasn't my intention. I was just surprised to see him all of a sudden."

"Figured, given your reaction." Dormouse said with a sigh. "He seemed like good company."

"Trust me, he's the last sort of person you'd associate with "good" company." Roxas said fiercely.

"You seemed to be cordial with him." Pointed out the mouse.

Roxas frowned, rubbing the back of his head. "Well… let's just say it's more the group he runs with that I have a real problem with. Luxord… never really did anything to me. Up till yesterday of course."

"Yesterday's friends become tomorrow's enemies."

"We weren't really friends." Roxas said with a shake of his head. "Anyway, I gotta ask ya something. Does the name Hatter mean anything to you?"

"Hatter?" The Rabbit shrieked, looking about wildly. "You seek the Mad Hatter?!"

Roxas paused for a moment, quirking his brow in slight concern. "I take it he's not that pleasant of a figure, is he?"

"Very few in Wonderland seldom are anymore, my boy." The Dormouse said in a downtrodden manner. "The sickness that plagues Wonderland has twisted and deformed that which was once kind, courteous and hospitable."

A hard look came over the blond teen. "Friends becoming enemies, yeah?"

The Dormouse sighed drearily in defeat. "Unfortunately."

"What can you tell me about him?"

"First, why do you seek Hatter?" Dormouse asked suspiciously. "No one just sees him anymore."

"I was sent by the White Queen with Alice and two other friends of mine." Roxas paused. "You haven't seen them, have you?"

"Alice?" Hare said in surprise and near jubilation. "Alice is here? She's back in Wonderland?"

"She was, but then she "woke up", as Cheshire said." Roxas said, still trying to wrap his mind around that concept. "She took two of my friends with her, though I don't know how she pulled that off."

"Oh, then I believe you have nothing to fear lad." Dormouse said, shifting up and down slightly upon the soles of his feet. "If Alice returned to Wonderland through her slumber only to reawaken then it shall be a matter of time for sleep to claim her again. And with it, your friends too."

"If you say so." Said the blonde Keybearer. "So about Hatter…"

"Right, right. Of course." Dormouse nodded quickly. "If you wish to find the Hatter, he will likely be in his domain. His factory of never ending tea."

"Right. Was more or less given the general direction earlier." He said. "But what can you tell me about him? Just so I may know what to expect."

Dormouse sighed, crossing her arms with a forlorn look upon her.

"He was an odd soul but a kind one at that." Dormouse's tone conveyed sorrow. "When Alice was here, oh he was a joy as were we all. The White Queen came to him often for times of needed respite from ruling which he always made sure to deliver. But now he has become elongated, malformed and twisted."

"I see…"

"One can probably add onto his madness after he crossed Mr. Time."

Blue eyes blinked in confusion. "Crossed… who?"

It was the March Hare who answered. "Mr. Time, the personification of Time itself."

"Personification of Time? Like literally?" Roxas was certainly bewildered by such a prospect.

Luxord displayed his unique skill over Time back at Marmoreal but for there to be a literal personification of it? What did that mean?

"You're saying the Hatter crossed this guy?"

"They had an argument years ago at a tea party. They had quite the dispute."

"A tea party dispute?" Roxas said, glancing back at the table. "What sort of dispute?

"The kind that deforms and destroys." Dormouse said gravely. "You see… it all started with a pun."

That stopped Roxas short.

"A what now?"

"Yes, yes, yes, a pun." March Hare said grimly while nodding rapidly.

"Um…. wait." Roxas held a hand up. "Confused Nobody here, what did a pun have to do with an argument between this Hatter and Time?"

Dormouse coughed into her hand.

"For argument's sake, Hatter didn't mean to be offensive, yet it didn't seem to be the case for Mr. Time."

"It didn't help when we joined in." Hare joked. "We did have all the… time in the world."

Hare laughed uproariously though his smaller companion was clearly unamused. A dry look was received from Roxas, knowing that it was even bland on the delivery.

"So what was it that caused that mess?" Came Roxas' inquiry.

"Hatter always wondered when "soon" is." Said the March Hare. "I thought it was rather grand."

"Of course that ended up ruining Hatter as we knew him. And we merely added on with the mess by continually speaking out too many "time" puns." The Dormouse said sadly. "An argument soon broke out. At its end, Mr. Time got back at Hatter by stopping some perceptions of time for him for eternity. So for him, it was always teatime. More or less kept him in a perpetual loop thinking it's always that time of the day."

"I can probably see why he's called the Mad Hatter now." Said Roxas. "Everyone else is moving onward while he's kept in a stagnant state."

In a weird way, it reminded him of the Reapers in a small sense.

He shook his head as he banished them from his thoughts. Right now, Reapers were the least of his concerns.

There was still much to do here in Wonderland and Roxas felt they had barely begun his job.

"Ok, how about you guys point me in the proper direction since you know him so well."

"Alright, but we best warn you now that when you meet him, he'd be mighty dangerous." Dormouse stated.

"I've faced worse."

After chugging the contents of a teapot into his mouth, the March Hare swallowed it all in one gulp before he took off.

"This way!" He called out to the Nobody.

Roxas followed after him, but not before he gently picked up the Dormouse so she may help lead the way.

"Mighty kind of you, sir." She said to him.

It took a while for him to be directed along the path. They did halt in their progression on occasion when a number of Ruins and Heartless made their appearance. He had to swiftly take care of them before they moved ever further.

Eventually Roxas walked past a litany of teapots larger than himself, all of which were either shattered or cracking apart.

"This place just knows how to set the mood." Roxas deadpanned, walking through a tunnel through a teapot.

"Ah, I remember this one." Dormouse said from his hood, gazing upon the giant pot. "Oh this one pot lasted us for days of Tea!"

"I can imagine." He commented. "Gotta ask, but was this tea pot the cause of March Hare being all…"

"Him?" She asked.

He gave her a brief nod.

"More or less."

Coming out on the other side, Roxas heard something from above and looked up to see an oversized gear floating about.

"We're close." Dormouse said excitedly. "Keep going straight, Roxas."

Moving ever onward, the Keybearer saw more of the present scenery change more and more. Less porcelain and kitchen ware as it was slowly being replaced with metallic pieces for whatever reason.

He stepped over a giant spoon when he saw something up ahead on the left that diverted from the path he was going on.

"Hey, where are you going?" Dormouse asked, noticing his abrupt detour. "The Hatter's Domain is that way."

Roxas ignored the question as he wasn't the only one who had caught sight of something that stood out in the scenery.

March Hare was nervously jumping about something built into the ground all while avoiding pools of ruin that surrounded this structure.

"What is this?" Roxas asked Dormouse who had hopped up on top of his head as he kneeled down at the train tracks. "They don't seem to connect to anywhere but I've seen several tracks in Wonderland."

He eyed the white mouse seated atop his hair. "Any ideas what or where these train tracks lead?"

"I am unsure." Dormouse admitted, tilting her head at the tracks. "These are unnatural. It's like they… No, I'm certain of it. They don't belong here in Wonderland."

No. XIII adopted a contemplative look. "How can you tell?"

"We've been all over Wonderland." Answered the March Hare. "Several times over and over. Practically knew every square spot, every nook and cranny."

"So these train tracks don't belong in Wonderland, I take it?"

Hare's head bobbed up and down, almost hearing a rattling sound coming from him.

"This is an outsider force similar to that that is corrupting Wonderland as we speak." Dormouse said nervously. "We must find the source of it."

Much as he wanted to stay for the time being and investigate further, he already had things to do.

"Let's keep moving." Roxas stated. "Hatter's Domain is that way, right?"

The two natives of this world nodded as they continued guiding the Keybearer along.

More time had passed with more adversaries having been met and defeated. Some difficulty did occur, but the Dormouse did assist this time around.

Who knew such a small creature could pack such a big wallop? Especially with a needle as a weapon of all things.

Once clearing through the last leg of the journey, Roxas saw a mighty expanse filled with smog all around.

"Hatter's place is down there." Said the caffeinated rabbit, pointing down the chasm.

"This is as far as we can go." Said the Dormouse with regret. "We wish we could come with you to help but-"

"That's quite alright." Said Roxas with a smile. "I thank you for taking me here."

"You are here to assist Alice. It's the least we can do." Dormouse stated with a kind smile of her own. "Good luck to you, Roxas."

Roxas gently plucked her off his person and placed her in the waiting hands of the March Hare.

"Safe travels you two."

"We should be telling you that."

After giving a two finger salute to the pair, Roxas jumped down from the large cliff. He sprawled out his body so he may glide down along the way. He had to avoid a number of obstructions floating all around.

After a minute or two, he landed in a slight crouch, standing up straight a moment later to gaze upon…

"The Hatter's Domain."

He tilted his head slightly at the appearance of the Cheshire Cat who sat beside him.

"So this is where the Mad Hatter is supposed to be?" No. XIII asked, looking back towards the floating fortress/factory ahead of him. Multiple other portions in the shape of large teapots and teacups with gears all floated around the main structure. A thick smog filled the air as it cloaked the sickly green sky. And if Roxas could focus hard enough, he could barely smell various tea fragrances.

The dark and beaten down look gave it a rather foreboding feeling.

"He could be here or could be out. But overall, this is where he resides."

"Cat, now's not really the time." Was the blond's flat response. "Just yes or no, for once."

"Now where would the fun be in that?" Cheshire asked, fading away a moment later.

Roxas' brow twitched, clenching his teeth together in a rather overdramatic fashion.

He collected himself after a few seconds and took a second to see what was around here that he could use to get to the factory.

To his right, he spotted an elevated platform in the shape of an oversized gear. There was a small set of stairs that helped him to to find a large, curved horn on the far end of the platform.

Going over to it, Roxas looked at the horn then back towards the factory when he noticed a cord attached to the platform via an awning behind him that went all the way up to the Hatter's Domain. Shrugging to himself, he pressed his lips upon the horn and blew into it.

There was a loud rumbling sound that came from the horn with the entire area appearing to shake about violently.

In an instant, he heard some sort of whirring sound and from the factory came a teapot shaped cable car.

"I'm sensing a pattern here." Roxas wryly commented, stepping into the cable car with the door behind him closing.

The gondola jolted slightly before rocketing towards the Hatter's domain at full speed.

The cable car had a window for him to see the factory fortress get closer and closer.

"Still yearning for company?"

Roxas didn't need to glance over to see Cheshire situated nearby.

"I do in fact. Just feels odd without someone watching my back." No. XIII admitted, more to himself than he did to the Cat.

"One does need to grow up at some point and seek independence from others."

"And I know it's far better to be dependent on friends rather than being independent."

"True. Yet one needs to be wary of who you'll depend on."

"Like you?"

The Cheshire's smile turned mischievous. "Now why would I turn on such a bright young lad who wishes to help Wonderland? I am not that Heartless, am I?"

"Looks can be deceiving."

Cheshire purred out a chuckle as he faded away.

Suddenly the cable car shook violently. Looking from outside the glass, Roxas could see a number of Heartless banging against it as they sought to knock the moving container off and plunge downwards the endless expanse below.

Whipping out his Pirate's Dream Keyblade, Roxas quickly broke through the glass window in front of him and jumped out of the cable car as it fell.

His Keyblade instantly transformed into its glider form and he rocketed forward at full speed with a flurry of Heartless in his wake.

He saw a crack up ahead in what looked to be the large, gated entrance to the fortress.

Pivoting upwards, he flew up high with the Heartless still on his tail and upon reaching a high enough position shifted his glider into its thruster fist.

Just as the Heartless closed in around him, the thruster encompassed his whole arm and ignited to send Roxas through the Heartless.

A cloud of black mist appeared all around him that flew right through, heading straight for the large gate.

His Pirate Thruster increased its thruster capacity and reared his fist back. Just as he was a foot away from the door, Roxas swung at full force and crashed into the factory.

-Scene Cut-

When they entered the food establishment, this Pris Witless wouldn't leave them alone.

At first it was just out of curiosity for the old hag, given she never knew Alice to have made any friends since she'd seen her last. But then it became too long where she became unwanted.

At the beginning, Axel and Xion learned Nurse Witless was a former nurse at Rutledge Asylum and had worked alongside a number of people who the Nobodies quickly realized were Alice's tormentors during her decade-long stay there.

Once Alice had departed from the asylum, Pris had helped give her clothing, found her a job and residency over at the nearby orphanage.

While this was indeed decent for a good Samaritan act, the Nobodies noticed a few things as the conversation continued on.

She kept prattling on about helping Alice out of what she perceived to be the "kindness" of her own heart yet she always had a tone that conveyed otherwise. As if that gesture of getting Alice a job should have been enough to be beholden to her.

That she owed Nurse Witless everything.

She kept on pestering and bothering the trio until Axel stood in between her and Alice and made it so that she could no longer get close to the former inmate.

After what felt like forever, the old hag finally grew tired and left the trio to parts unknown.

"Man, I thought she'd never leave." Axel complained irritably.

"I didn't want to be rude, but she was rather exhausting." Xion said, slumping forward from exhaustion at just dealing with her.

"I'm sorry you had to put up with her." Alice said apologetically. "She is never one to let go."

"I gotta ask, but what is with her?" Axel asked irritably. "I was halfway through thinkin' of incinerating her alive."

"Axel, she's an old lady."

"She's an old hag who needs to layoff." Axel shot back. "But seriously Alice, what's her deal? Why was she hounding your ass like that?"

Alice didn't reply right away, instead gazing down at the drink she held in her hands with a far off gaze.

"It started out when I was back in Rutledge." She began. "She was making her rounds one evening and overheard my cries and whimpers of the nightmares. She heard my cries of grief of how I started the fire and decided to take advantage of it once I made my departure."

Axel grimaced. "By advantage, you mean…"

"To sum it up, I have to continually pay her for her silence. For silence will be what halts her from informing the officers of my crime."

Xion gaped in disbelief. "Excuse me… what?"

"Witless is basically blackmailing Alice, Xion."

"It's the truth. If the officers learn of my confession, I would be thrown behind bars, or worse, back at Rutledge." Alice revealed, depressed just thinking about it.

"That… That's unfair!"

"I know it is, but what else can I do?" Liddell said miserably.

"Can't you just inform the officers about this?"

"Would they actually believe me? A former asylum patient trying to not have a relapse?" Alice stressed out. "It's Witless' word against mine."

"And how much do you have to constantly pay for her silence?" Axel asked, tone conveying a sense of anger.

"A fraction of my earnings and some bottles of hooch."

"...That would at least explain her bad breath."

Xion however was fuming now. "How could she?! Just who does she think she is?!"

"My "benefactor" if you would believe that's what she calls herself." Alice snarked.

"I'd rather call her a leech." Said the redhead.

"That sounds quite appropriate."

Silence befell them as they simply sat around the table they were eating at while the commotion of the other occupants in the tavern went on around them.

"Anywhere you'd like to head off to now?"

Alice rubbed her chin in thought. "Honestly, I'd rather try making our way back to Wonderland. Roxas is all by himself back there."

"Much as I agree on that end, Roxas can handle himself until we come back." Axel assured.

"How can you be certain?"

"I have a little thing called faith."

"We'll get back to Roxas." Xion said confidently. "For now, maybe we can do something here. I figure there's some good that can be done."

"Like what?" Alice curiously said.

"Helping you out." No. XIV declared.

"Pardon?"

"You're connected to Wonderland so that means that in order for us to fully get it fixed and back to the way it was, you need help. And I doubt it's just getting help in taking care of the Red Queen." Axel stated. "There's more than just her influence going on that's making Wonderland the way it is."

"It's just like the Darkness from the Heartless when you got taken to Hollow Bastion." Xion said. "Only… well, it's a lot worse when you look at it. But if Wonderland and the Worlds were saved before it can be done again. And not by Sora, Donald and Goofy this time."

"So then Alice…" Axel regarded her expectantly. "Where to first?"

Alice was quiet for a few moments, deep in thought until a resolute expression appeared and she stood up from her seat.

"If what you say is true, I need to resolve my issues so I may save Wonderland. Once Wonderland is saved, I will be saved in turn."

"More or less, yes."

"Then to start with, one thing comes to mind. If there's one thing Witless is foolish at its blathering on incessantly when it's unneeded." Alice stated. "But for once, she said something I do believe we can use."

"Where are we going?" Xion asked in an encouraging manner.

"It's time we go get back my rabbit."

…

…

…

"Huh?"

-Scene Cut-

"You have a rather cavalier means of making your entrance."

"Yeah well, didn't have much of a choice now, did I?" Roxas patted himself down from debris and dust. "Besides, I would rather have not crashed into the doors. Didn't seem like they were going to open for me."

He took a moment to stretch out after the crash before looking around to where he crashed.

"So, this is the Hatter's Domain." He stated more than asked as he knew this to be true. "What sort of adversity am I gonna face here? Come on Cat, you know it'll happen."

"Naturally." The Cheshire Cat remarked. "You've entered into a fortress that was once a stronghold and a bastion for those who sought it in Wonderland. But now the corrosive poison that seeps into the roots of this land has changed and deformed this once great Domain. Here the Hatter resides, in shambles of body, mind and heart and here you will have to work to bring him together on the physical and the spiritual. I shall leave you to it, Keybearer."

"You couldn't have started with that?" Roxas rhetorically asked. "I asked earlier for a yes or no if this Hat guy was here you know?"

The Cheshire Cat only kept his unreadable grin in place as he vanished before his eyes with Roxas releasing a sigh of annoyance and resignation.

"Alright."

Roxas called forth his Keyblade and walked forward, wincing slightly from an overwhelming heat that came from within the factory.

He entered into a hallway with checkered walls and floor, the former being decorated with strange colored windows that were jagged and crooked to look at.

The hallway led him into a spacious room with a series of platforms being suspended by metal cables and gears all whirring and turning about.

Roxas spotted some of those creatures he encountered earlier outside the Domain, the Madcaps, seemingly working together to move large pieces of metal and other items to who knows where.

Roxas then heard the loud sound of steam escaping from above and he glanced up to see…

"Huh," Was his response at the sight of a metallic, three legged spider teapot with a catlike red eye descending down from on high and it wasn't alone.

Two others joined it and upon reaching the bottom of the platform they came down to, Insidious Ruins and Heartless joined them.

Only, it didn't stop there.

From behind this large swarm came an even larger enemy.

It was a Ruin to be sure as it was made of the black viscous that he had been seeing all over Wonderland.

This new, larger ruin had three doll faces, two porcelain doll arms and nozzles with bits of other train debris sticking out from the top of the body with a singular, large ruin arm protruding out from its right side and three legs of Ruin.

It took a Menacing step forward before unleashing a screeching cry which caused all the enemies before him to spring into action.

"Well shit." Roxas deadpanned. "That's one way for a welcoming party to make it memorable."

He spun about and horizontally slashed an Insidious Ruin that jumped at him and cut it in two.

Roxas leapt forth and cleaved right through a Red Nocturne and Blue Rhapsody, landing in front of the contingent of Ruins, Eyepots and Heartless.

In an instant, Roxas narrowly avoided boiling globs of hot tea sent at him from the Eyepots. Skidding to a halt, he dashed forward at full speed and bashed Oathkeeper against the closest spider pot and sent it stumbling back.

He thrust his Keyblade forward, denting the Eyepot yet it proved sturdier than anticipated.

No. XIII saw a shadow engulf him from behind and he effortlessly dodge rolled out of the way of the black fist of the large, Menacing Ruin.

Getting to his feet, Roxas quickly casted Aerora to get some space between himself and the enemies he found himself surrounded by. A moment later, he eliminated several more Heartless in rapid succession until a Neoshadow appeared and delivered a cut upon him.

Roxas grunted in pain but was able to ignore it, quickly stabbing the Neoshadow through the chest and disbursing it.

Needing some more space, he casted Haste, letting ethereal gears swirl around him. He became faster in his movements as he began dealing with the rest of the enemies.

Roxas flipped in the air and fell down, swinging his Keyblade down into the large arm of the Menacing Ruin that held him back.

It let out a manic screech, shoving him away, the Keybearer performing a quick aerial recovery and cast Thundara to clear out the area around him.

The Menacing Ruin roared aloud, it's globby hand shoving itself into its own body and pulled out a molten sphere of some kind and hurled it at the Nobody.

Roxas threw his Keyblade up, pointing the tip right at the oncoming projectile.

"Blizzara!"

A large, icy snowflake shot out from Oathkeeper and up striking the molten ruin fireball, it burst into a multi spear ice ball that Roxas promptly hit in the direction of the Menacing Ruin.

Upon striking the larger enemy, the ice shattered upon the malformed body and taking with it were its two porcelain doll arms.

It let out a deafening shriek of pain, stomping on the ground and then propelled itself forward at surprising speeds.

The large Ruin barreled through several other ruins and Heartless as it made a beeline for the Keybearer.

Gritting his teeth, No. XIII timed it just right and spun about, holding his Keyblade in a guard position.

Roxas felt his arms shake a bit from the impact of the Menacing Ruin upon his weapon yet he held firm.

In doing so, the larger foe found itself stunned and a second later, missing one of its three faces.

The screech it let out left a ringing in his ears but he shook it off as he changed out his Oathkeeper for Pirate's Dream.

He quickly sliced through a Heartless and Ruin before shifting his Keyblade into its Thruster form.

Roxas instantly sent his fist forward to collide with the large one of the Menacing Ruin.

The Nobody flinched a bit, feeling his arm twitch about from the impact of the punch but he had to shake it off.

He instantly charged up the power in the thruster before slamming it down to the ground, sending out a fiery solar shockwave with pillars of fire exploding out from around him.

His Keyblade changed again into its Solar Flag mode, Roxas performing a quick horizontal spinning slice to clear out the enemies close by to him.

Now that he had some room he struck the ground with the end of his pole staff and vaulted up in the air. The staff extended in length and Roxas shifted forward and swung his Solar Flag up and over his head and slammed it down hard on the ground.

A number of Heartless and Ruins were eliminated, leaving only the Menacing Ruin.

In an instant, the Solar Flag retracted back into its normal size and transformed into its glider mode.

Flipping onto it, Roxas made a wide arching circle and just as he was facing the Menacing Ruin jumped off his glider, kicking it in the process to send it at full speed towards the large enemy.

The Menacing Ruin appeared to brace itself for the attack but it was all for naught.

It raised its large black arm in a failed attempt at defending itself as the glider tip cut straight through the arm and then the body.

The Menacing Ruin could only shriek in complete agony as it fell apart and perished.

Roxas landed on the ground, Pirates Dream having reverted back into its Keyblade form flashing back into his hand.

He looked around for the briefest of moments and saw no more enemies coming to greet him.

"Well, guess that was the welcoming committee."

His Keyblade disappeared from his hand as he pondered on where to go next.

He glanced up ahead and saw a series of platforms and flowing vents that led up to a room of some kind so that seemed to be the direction to go to.

Running up the wall, he leaped off its surface and landed accordingly. He then followed along the intended path.

Eventually entering a large room with metallic, rusted junk piled all around, Roxas heard a series of mutterings. Searching for the sound, he found it all led to a dismembered head that seemed to still be alive.

'Well that's not the strangest thing I've seen today.' Roxas internally remarked, walking over to the yammering head.

"Blasted workers revolting." It muttered. "I'm overdue for my tea. I must have my tea."

"So, I take it you're the Hatter." Roxas said, crouching down slightly in front of the talking head. "Or… what's left of him for the most part."

"Hmmm?" The strange, disembodied head blinked its eyes open and stared at the Nobody before him. "Who are you supposed to be? A new resident to Wonderland? I've never seen the likes of you before."

"Just a guest." Roxas answered. "I'm a friend of Alice."

"Alice!" The Hatter shifted his eyes about the room. "Is she here? Back in Wonderland? Where is she?"

"Ain't here, that's for sure." Roxas stated, standing up straight while rubbing the back of his head. "She up and vanished… or "woke up" like the Cat said."

"Woke up? My, my, she is no longer here then." Hatter began rambling to himself. "But she may return in due time, the calling of slumber is always ever looming especially with a girl like Alice. We shall need her here when the time comes for the great battle."

"Against the Queen of Hearts, right?"

"What?" The Hatter said in clear bewilderment. "No, no, no, boy. Something far worse is making its presence here in Wonderland and the Queen of Hearts is just the means to an end for the corruption and rot it has brought upon this World."

Roxas frowned, wondering as to just what it was that the Hatter was referring to.

Was it something here in Wonderland or the outside influence of the Milky Way that he had been told of?

"Right… So do I just take your head or-"

"Reassemble me. It shall be the only way before you may allow me to proceed with my work."

"And how was it you were… dismembered?"

Hatter bobbed his head from side to side in thought. "Hmm… Can't quite remember."

Roxas didn't seem to buy it. The disembodied man seemed to dodge giving a proper answer. But what choice did he have as he needed Hatter.

Letting out a sigh, No. XIII looked around, seeing two paths that were available for him to take. When he did see a torso not far away.

Momentarily parting from the Hatter's head, he inspected the small discovery and saw some connection ports for the body part.

Taking a gander, he went back to the head and brought it to the torso. Slamming the head to the neck piece, things were snapped into place as the Hatter moved about in a sense after who knows how long.

"Alright then, your arms and legs are next." Roxas said to himself. "Where should I start?"

"First you should find my arms." Hatter instructed. "They will be the quickest to recover as my legs are a bit of a walk if you catch my drift. Where my legs are is a tunnel that will lead straight back to here, no need to trek back."

"Right~"

Just as he said that the entire building shook with a screeching metal sound echoing across the whole factory.

The Hatter yelled aloud in anguish.

"What was that?" Roxas asked aloud in alarm.

"Ahhhhh!" Mad Hatter said out loud. "That's the source, the pain, the rot. All around, up and down, in my ears, through my eyes, up my nostrils, down my gullet and-"

"Alright, alright, let's just take a breather." Roxas interrupted. "I take it isn't something that is good for Wonderland."

"Quite so. No one would like it at all." Hatter bemoaned. "The world is upside down. And worst of all, I'm left tea-less."

Roxas could only gaze upon him in a bland expression. "You can have your tea once you're back together and we leave this place. We need your help, despite your current predicaments."

"Yes, yes, yes, my assistance I can assure you that for I need yours first and mutualism is a code to abide by."

"You can just tell me you'll help after I get your body parts back." Roxas said, not waiting for an answer as he departed from the room to start seeking out Hatter's lost limbs.

-Scene Cut-

"So where exactly are we supposed to find this White Rabbit of yours?" Xion asked, walking next to Alice with Axel occupying her other side.

"Not much farther from here."

"You sure about this, Alice?" Axel questioned. "Most everyone here hasn't been exactly friendly and all."

"All I need are the two friends that do matter." Alice said with confidence, gazing upon them both with a smile. "No one else comes close to you both or Roxas. I'm fairly certain there will hardly be any trouble of sort."

The duo of Nobody's couldn't help but return her smile as they continued to follow after her towards their next destination.

From their location on a nearby alley, Alice and the two Nobodies saw the residence of Wilton J. Radcliffe.

"This guy was your family's lawyer you said, right?" Axel brought up, eyeing the place before them.

Alice nodded her head.

"Can we trust him?" The Fiery Nobody asked, looking at Alice who bit her lip for a second.

"I am not entirely sure." She admitted. "Honestly, Mr. Radcliffe is entirely useless. But that is where we need to go to recover what is mine."

"Your stuffed rabbit." Xion said for reconfirmation.

Liddell nodded again.

"Anything else besides your old toy?"

This time, Alice shook her head 'no'.

Axel let out a sigh, clearly not entirely on board in coming here. "Well, it's your show Alice. We'll follow your lead."

They approached the residence of the lawyer of the Liddell family until Axel halted them.

"Xion, you stay back for now." Axel instructed. "I'll watch Alice's back from the shadows."

"What? Why should I stay behind?" Xion asked in confusion.

"Just trust me on this. Call it a gut feeling." No. VIII assured. "This whole city ain't like most other places. Just keep back and have your Keyblade on standby to whack away anybody who looks at ya wrong, understand?"

Xion wanted to argue against it but seeing the look on Axels face dissuaded her and she nodded.

Crossing through the iron barred entrance, they went through the trimmed lawn and ascended the small flight of stairs to reach the front door.

Pressing her thumb on the buzzer by the entrance, Alice waited a moment to hear the speaker above the door flare to life.

"Yes, who is it?" A voice spoke from the intercom.

"Alice Liddell, Mr. Radcliffe."

"Aah, you're back. I suppose you better come up. Mind the latch."

A buzzer was sounded, allowing Alice to enter the lawyer's residence.

"Too bad the man doesn't have security cameras and see who's with ya."

Alice looked over to see Axel standing beside her.

"Security cameras?"

"Devices which show live feeds from one place to another. Like a telescope, but you can see things a bit clearer on the details of a bigger picture"

Alice let out an 'ah' of understanding. "Fascinating."

"Yup. It does have its perks. Unfortunately this world won't have such a thing until like sixty or seventy years from now. Technology hasn't progressed that far yet." Xion remarked.

"Well I'll be glad to see such advancements then." Alice said, giving No. XIV a look conveying that she knew what the Nobody was talking about.

Xion stepped away from the pair as they closed the door behind them.

When entering through the entrance, Alice and Axel laid their eyes upon the numerous artifacts that Radcliffe had collected over the years. Each and every one were in a display of sorts, hanging from the walls or circling the stairwell. Treasures and relics from faraway lands on the oriental East to the Americas in the West.

Whenever Alice came here, she would always hear the boasts of the fat lawyer on how he managed to acquire such items, praising his cleverness of employing varying means of sedating his appetite for his unique collection. While he didn't phrase it as such, Wilton preferred to state he was funding bold and ambitious entrepreneurs and required some form of compensation.

But Alice was no fool, she knew that no sane person would depart from such marvelous treasures quite easily.

Reaching the top of the stairs, the two made their way to the lawyer's office. They could hear the faint sound of scribbling from within the near closed off room. This meant Radcliffe was indeed in his office and by the sound of it, he was talking to someone.

From what Alice knew, the fat lawyer often conducts much of his work at his own home. Having his potential and current clients over to work over upcoming cases or discuss other matters.

As she and Alice climbed up the stairs, the pair heard the muffled sounds of two men having a conversation of sorts.

Upon reaching the doorway that led into Radcliffe's office, Axel chose to lean against the wall and remain out of sight for the time being and gave Alice an encouraging nod.

Returning the gesture, Alice squared up her shoulders and marched into the lawyers office to find both him and-

"Doctor Bumby?" Alice said in clear surprise. "What in the world are you doing here?"

"Hmmm?" The man in the top hat and glasses seated before the portly lawyer turned around in his seat and gazed at Alice, a pleasant look appearing on his face.

"Ah Alice. Fancy meeting you here my dear. I was just speaking with Mr. Radcliffe on some personal matters of mine I must have settled. What has caused this visit? A personal family matter?"

"Not exactly." Was her response. "I'm just here to reclaim what is mine."

Bumby tilted his head. "And what may that be?"

Her green eyes landed on the stuffed rabbit placed on Radcliffe's desk.

"You have my old rabbit, Wilton." Alice said in an accusatory manner.

The two men quickly focused on the object.

The fat lawyer was smooth, yet quick in picking it up. "Forgotten your manners," he said. "And what else I wonder? You abandoned it at Rutledge Asylum, my dear."

"Hey now," Came the sharp voice of one Flurry of Dancing Flames. "Let's not go throwing around blame like that."

Hearing Axel apparently threw both men off as they stared upon the red haired Nobody entering through the office doorway in bewilderment.

"And… who might you be?"

"Name's Axel. A friend of hers." Axel said, nodding his head at Alice. "And see, I don't take too kindly to people who talk to my friends like that. Got it Memorized?"

Radcliffe flinched at the threatening glare he received from the Nobody, shaking his head in an attempt to recompose himself and refocused his attention upon Alice.

"In a huff as usual, oozing with attitude and accusatory flummery. I've "stolen" her rabbit. Ridiculous pretext." the Lawyer said dismissively.

"And what is it you believe she's here for?" Axel asked, causing Radcliffe to jolt again.

It was clear that the imposing stance and demeanor Axel presented was having an effect on the bloated man who tried once more to calm himself.

"She's here about the fire again. It's all she wants to talk about."

Axel arched his brow up. "Is it?"

"My report found her family dead by "misadventure"." Radcliffe said in a huff. "She won't accept it; goes on and on about her "killing memories" and her need to know the truth."

"Perhaps it's just because she wants to move on." Doctor Bumby spoke up now, conveying a diplomatic tone.

Radcliffe was dismissive of this idea. "It is indeed a healthy option, only if she accepted the truth."

Axel narrowed his eyes at the Lawyer. "And what truth would that be?"

"The alleged truth is: the fire began in the library when the family cat knocked over the lamp. The blaze trapped her parents and sister upstairs. Her sister Elizabeth never even unlocked her door. Died in her bed."

Bumby nodded, rubbing his chin in thought. "That I did hear from her, but I take it there's more than that?"

"Indeed. The guilty cat always sets her off. She denies it: "It makes no sense, it can't be!" Etcetera. Etcetera." Radcliffe waved off in a condescending manner.

Alice was about to speak up when Axel held up his hand to let him speak.

"Maybe you just liken to think that's how it went down." Axel said, eyes boring into Radcliffe who once more conveyed nervousness at such an intense gaze. "Tell the lie long enough, you get convinced it's the truth."

"Lie?!" Radcliffe shot up from his seat in a rage. "Why I-"

"You should choose your next words very carefully, Mr. Radcliffe."

Radcliffe froze, paling considerably with Bumby being startled at the sudden change in scenery before him.

Somehow, without anyone seeing other than Alice, Axel was now right in front of the lawyer of the Liddell family.

He was near inches away from the man's face with sweat now being visible for all to see.

"Memories get muddled over time. No one is an exception to it."

Axel would know, given what he learned on what Namine unintentionally did to him and others in the Organization.

"Axel." Alice spoke softly, making the red head look back to her to see her shaking her head.

Scoffing, he gave one last death glare to Radcliffe as he took a step back, the portly man releasing a terrified breath he didn't realize he was holding.

Slowly composing himself, the lawyer tried to reason with the redhead in the room yet Bumby was the first to beat him to it.

"I may find reason with your argument, sir. But there are a number of issues to consider."

No. VIII turned to him, raising a brow at him. "Oh? Like what?"

Bumby froze for a moment and now felt a bit of the fear that Radcliffe had or has really.

Whoever this strange individual was that accompanied Alice, he is certainly a frightening one.

"W-Well from the outset, Alice was my candidate for the pyromaniac." Radcliffe argued. "The girl had a fixation with fire. I once remarked that I thought she might have had a larger role in causing the tragedy. She suffered some sort of psychotic episode."

"Being that of grief. She was merely a child and yet so many kept fueling it more and more like logs or coals to a fire, not allowing her to properly let it go."

The heat seemed to grow within the office. The embers from the fireplace became more intense. If Radcliffe and Bumby could perhaps imagine it, his green eyes seemed to intensify as their owner tried not to show any hostility.

Bumby coughed, clearing his throat. "At least… that's my… diagnostic…"

Axel now stood over the doctor. "If you really cared about her wellbeing, you would allow her a bit more freedom. And I believe a part of it revolves around her property."

"She can't obtain her family's inheritance until she is no longer on probation and is of age." Radcliffe immediately spoke up.

Axel quirked a brow at the mention of Alice's family fortune, as it never came up beforehand. Yes he knew from earlier on Alice's father being a dean to a prestigious university, so that had to rack up a whole lot of money.

Yet why has this been mentioned? A means of dissuading him?

As if.

"I can get that, but that's not why I'm here." Axel reached out and gently plucked the stuffed toy off Radcliffe's desk. "Like Alice said before, she only wants this back. Nothing more… at this time." A smile soon graced his lips which seemed to unnerve the lawyer as the heat climbed a bit higher. "Surely complying to a simple request like that won't kill you, would it?"

Now, had it just been Alice, Radcliffe would have just brushed this demand aside and kept the stuffed rabbit to himself.

But this man?

He exuded a dangerous air while being calm in appearance with a fiery rage being held back behind those green eyes.

The lawyer had never felt fear like that so sudden and effectively in all his life and this man conveyed it in spades.

"Y-Yes, of course. She can have it."

The heat seemed to decline to a reasonable temperature, a placid expression on Axel's face was now present.

"Good. Was that so hard?" The Fiery Nobody rhetorically asked with a cheeky smile.

No. VIII immediately walked over to Alice and placed the rabbit into her hands, the teen shooting him a grateful smile.

With the toy back into her arms, she gently cradled it as if it was the most precious thing in the world to her.

"Come on Alice, let's get outta here." Axel spoke up. "Don't wanna keep Xion waiting."

"Yes of course." Alice said softly.

"Do stay safe Alice." Said her employer. "This new friend of yours seems to be someone you can trust so…"

"Do not worry, Dr. Bumby." Alice assured him. "Axel here will make sure that nothing happens to me. I'll be fine."

Bumby gave her a pleasant smile and nod. Alice turned to leave the room yet Axel remained for the briefest of moments, staring at both men with analytical eyes before he departed.

In his mind, Axel knew there was something rather off about these two. They were no doubt unprepared for him in more ways than one. And that was good, something which he exploited throughout most of this conversation.

With Radcliffe, Axel wondered why the lawyer kept the stuffed toy for all these years and not giving it back to its rightful owner. Was he just keeping it as a trophy? Or was there something significant about it which only worked in the plump man's head.

Since he's still technically on Alice's payroll, shouldn't Radcliffe try to help his employer as much as possible once she got out of the asylum? It benefits him if she can live an easier life, yet so far Axel doubts the man wasn't going to push it for some apparent reason.

And then there was Bumby. There was this feeling he was reading off of Alice's employer and doctor over at the orphanage.

The sophisticated man may put up a good act, but it may perhaps be a mere facade. No doubt someone Axel will need to keep an eye on while here.

All he can do now is try to learn through different sources to find what answers lurk in the shadows.

"Hey you two." Xion greeted them as they left, who still stood at the entrance to Radcliffe's residence. "Did you get what you came for?"

Alice held her stuffed rabbit up. "An accomplished endeavor. Little dirty, but nothing a good wash up can't fix."

"That's good to hear." Xion said cheerfully.

Liddell nodded. "Yes, I feared that had I been there by myself, I may not have succeeded."

"But that's what I'm here for." Axel interjected, broad smirk in place. "Axel, Flurry of Dancing Flames, here to set things right as he does."

The two girls rolled their eyes good naturedly at their older friend and they began walking away from the building.

"Well, we got what we needed." Axel said, walking in between Alice and Xion. "So then, what now?"

"We need to get back to Wonderland and find Roxas." Xion declared. "Who knows how long he's been there by himself."

"We can go there easily." No. VIII remarked, arms crossed in thought. "But Alice…"

"Isn't she a Princess of Heart?" Xion asked, looking at the older teen. "Shouldn't she be able to resist the Corridor?"

Axel shook his head. "In case you forgot, she ain't one anymore."

"There must be something we can do." Xion argued.

"Don't worry about me getting to Wonderland, Xion." Alice assured the black haired teen. "You must remember my connection to Wonderland. One way or another, I'll wind up back in that World with the two of you and Roxas."

"And how will that happen? You get all sleepy and we gotta hold on to ya?"

Alice shrugged. "Perhaps though really you two can just teleport back to Wonderland."

"And leave you here by yourself?" Xion said with a shake of her head. "Yeah, not likely."

"Can't one of you just teleport to see where Roxas is in Wonderland?"

"He won't be where we last saw him, that's for sure." Axel remarked. "More than likely, he's in a place we haven't been to yet when we do go back. It's better we all go together then splitting up."

"I guess…"

"Since we're still here, is there anywhere else you'll want to take care of?" Xion asked.

Alice pondered for a few moments before she smiled.

"I'd like to see my old nanny again."

-Scene Cut-

Roxas whacked away a litany of Heartless that had surrounded him, casting a ring of Fira for any that still tried their chance at attacking him.

He was honestly finding this whole limb hunt tedious by now, having fought through a number of areas in his journey through the Hatter's domain to recover the crazed tea drinkers arms and legs.

No. XIII had already found the arms and now he was about to get the legs that were trapped in an endless running wheel.

It seemed that it was being used to run this portion of the Hatter's Domain, what with all the gears it was connected to.

And the function of this part of the factory was what Roxas equated to was a series of death traps, plain and simple.

Like, seriously, Roxas thought this was supposed to be a place where Tea was made enmass.

But here he was, fighting off waves of enemies while avoiding death traps.

He figured he'd just chalk it up to the deteriorating state of Wonderland by this point.

With a deft spin, Roxas smacked a Blue Rhapsody away, having it hit the wall and disburse.

"And that's the last of them… for now." Roxas said to himself, flashing his Keyblade out of his hand.

Wiping sweat off his brow as the heat of this place was getting to him, the blond teen spotted the lever that was keeping the Hatters' legs running on a geared up treadmill and went up to it.

Pulling the lever towards the opposite direction, Roxas was able to shut off the contraception.

The rotating gear treadmill stopped and the legs running inside it halted.

A compartment soon opened up below it to parts unknown. As if knowing what to do, the legs leapt off the treadmill and plummeted into the opened hole.

"Now run and be free." Roxas called out to it.

"That was quite terrible." Said the voice of the Cheshire Cat next to him.

Roxas took the sudden appearance in stride, having grown used to it by now. "Oh like you had anything better, Cat."

"I do."

"Oh? Then let's hear it."

"Hmmm~ No."

Roxas shook his head and called upon the Corridor of Darkness to return him to the room where the Hatter awaited.

He arrived in time to see the Hatter still being held aloft into the air by a mechanical hand and saw the crazed Tea drinker being heavily skittish.

Earlier it began when Roxas returned the man's severed arms, making him seemingly jump in his spot. And now with his legs back within his sight, he became a bit more crazed.

"Ah~ Dexterity will make a nice change!" Hatter said out joyously before seemingly becoming anxious upon seeing the last of his body parts. "Expect no thanks until I'm completely reconstructed. No resting on laurels, chiffoniers, chaise lounges… mean folding chairs… stools…"

"Yes, I get it. But wouldn't you like to enjoy with oh, I don't know, running let alone walking?" Roxas said aloud. "Or even with you scratching all those hard to reach places or even just holding at least something?"

"Eh~ The simple pleasures don't exactly weigh with what I desire."

"I believe they should."

Their little banter soon came to an end when several mechanical arms came down from the ceiling and with that, the Mad Hatter was now-

Another mechanical hand from above placed a rather tall and long hat upon the Mad Hatter.

Roxas wondered where the elongated hat came from, but he didn't care.

Now he was complete.

"At long last." The Hatter declared with joy. "I feel like a new man or whatever I am. I feel like an unsprung Spring; Like an uncorroded Gear!; Like an-"

"Ok, ok, I get it." Roxas cut him off. "You're feeling all better now. Can we get going? I was sent here to help free you so you can help with Wonderland."

The crazed hatter merely stared at the boy who interrupted him.

"Must you ruin my fun?" Hatter asked irritably, holding up a hand and into it fell a cane with a tea pot for its top.

"Business before pleasure." Roxas stated. "Wonderland is in serious trouble and I don't wanna waste any more time than I have in helping it. Besides, you seem to have a better idea as to why this World is on the verge of collapse."

"The law is just… Just a whisper away… A way home to wonder… Wonder who… Who knows how to measure rules… with a ruler… Cruel rules…"

"A cruel Ruler?"

"One that must be rectified." Hatter said, kneeling down to the teen before spinning him about and holding onto him tightly. "Tally ho my boy!"

"Wait, whAAAAAAAAA~"

With a mighty leap, Hatter swiftly reached towards the ceiling and broke through the glass top. With a loud thud, the crazed man took off and leaped farther away into his domain.

Upon landing, he quickly tossed Roxas upon his back and sprinted forth towards their next location.

The destination ended up being the central teapot in the distance.

It appeared to be the second largest structure in all of the domain and Hatter landed right in front of the entrance, Roxas jumping down to stand next to the elongated individual.

"So what's in here?" he asked straight away.

"Within here lies the perpetrator of the unruly changes Wonderland suffers today."

"The Red Queen?"

"No, my boy. Something else." The Hatter's tone became more grim. "Far more sinister. A rot that stems from Alice and the outside trying to make its way in."

Entering the building, they ended up in a large space with only one doorway on the far end. After stepping through some more feet, the entrance behind them quickly closed up.

"No turning back now." Muttered the Keybearer.

"Indeed." Said the Hatter, soon pointing towards the opposing doorway. "Don't worry, lad. I'll get that open for us."

Before Roxas could tell him otherwise, the elongated man leaped forward and gave off a hard quack on his landing.

No. XIII tilted his head at the sound before shaking his head and ran forward to keep up with the Hatter. He had called his Keyblade out to have it on standby should or really when he encounters an enemy or an obstacle he needs to get around.

The first room they walked in through was blocked off by a door.

"Don't worry." The Hatter proclaimed. "I shall-"

Roxas beat the tall man to the punch, pointing his Keyblade at the locked door and the beam of light that shot out from his weapon unlocked the gate in an instant.

"Watch you do just that." He finished feeling a bit lame.

The blue eyed Keybearer couldn't help but shoot the… whatever Hatter was, a cocky grin as he strode on forward.

They soon walked into a huge area with multiple contraptions, pipes, mechanical arms and levers.

And in the center of it all…

"Train tracks?" Roxas said aloud in confusion. "Are they-"

*BWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO*

There was this loud sound, a bellowing whistle if he could describe it.

The pair soon took off running in order to find the source of that ghastly, deafening sound.

When he and Hatter reached their destination, Roxas saw what he could describe as a train.

No… a train wouldn't do it justice. It seemed far more than just a simple locomotive.

Instead of the plain motorized internal-combustion set of wheels that should be pulling a long line of train cars over a rail, the Keybearer was greeted by what could be considered a collection of massive Gothic cathedral-styled castles on wheels.

It was a great marvel of architecture and engineering which was composed of black stone walls and black jagged steel. Each section of the train cars was a castle unto itself. They were so massive in size that each might've rivaled the dimensions of buildings Roxas saw back at the Citadel or on Feros. The windows each "castle" bore were of exotic stained glass panels which one could see a fire burning from within that caused a hellish glow to emanate from the structure. Black, thick pillars of smoke rose from the locomotive obscuring the ceiling to become some sort of perpetual darkness.

It was pretty awe inspiring if it weren't for the fact it greatly unsettled the Nobody.

"What… is that?" He asked, seeing the massive train taking off.

"The Infernal Train."

"Where's it going to?"

"Anywhere, most likely. Its purpose, destroying Wonderland in its entirety."

*SCRAAAAAAAAAAAA*

"Aurgh!" Roxas yelled out, covering his ears. "What was that?"

Hatter's eyes narrowed. "That."

No. XIII barely had time to catch a winged monstrosity fly after the Infernal train that had just departed. All he could make out of it was that it was mostly mechanical, given the shine it's body gave out.

"One thing after another." Roxas said, almost dejectedly. "Jeez we've got our work cut out for us here."

"That you do, my boy." Hatter concurred. "That you do."

"So what, you're not gonna help?" Roxas asked rhetorically. "This is as much your home as it is Alice's. Remember what I said, we were sent by the White Queen to help you."

"Ah yes, the White Queen." The Hatter's tone became more fond. "A true delight and connoisseur of my many tea's. Oh how I wish to be within her presence once more. Her illuminating figure, her radiating aura, her potent light, her-"

Roxas tuned the madman's ramblings as he began walking forward, eyes locked on the Infernal Train that was getting further and further away from the Hatter's Domain.

'Is this the source of all that is wrong in Wonderland?' Roxas internally mused. 'Will the Keyhole to fix this World appear after we destroy that train? Or… is it something else.'

As Roxas thought over his present circumstance and the Mad Hatter continued on his adulation of the White Queen, neither noticed a dark shadow upon the ground making its way towards the taller of the two.

Neither of them saw this until…

"What is this?" Said the confused voice of the Mad Hatter. "I-I-I-I-I…"

Roxas paused in his observations and instantly turned back to the owner of this domain.

"Hatter?"

"Oh dear." Was the only response he got as saw the elongated man stand stock still as the viscous Ruin coupled with the familiar taint of Darkness welled up from beneath Hatter and began working its way up his legs.

"Oh crap." Roxas said aloud, now sprinting back to the man.

"I… feel… SANE."

Several tendrils sprung out from the pool and pulled the tea drinker down.

"Hatter!"

Roxas skidded to a halt at the pool as several more tendrils burst out and swung at the Keybearer.

He instinctively backflipped away from the attack, cutting the tendrils apart with his Keyblade.

Landing on the ground, No. XIII instantly went into his battle stance as a shapeless blob soon came up from the pool of Darkness.

-Insert Kingdom Hearts 2: The Corrupted OST-

The ruinous Darkness dispelled a moment later to reveal the Hatter. He was far more demented than before.

His white jacket he had on was blackened, liquid Ruin falling from his form as Darkness wafted off of him.

The Hat he wore appeared to now assimilate into the man's head and the cane teapot he had was now simply a cane with its teapot more of a mace overall.

"You deserve to die for interfering, boy." He gave his oversized weapon a twirl and slammed the end down on the ground.

Jutting out of Hatter's back appeared a number of clockwork arms, each with their own tool or weapon. One arm had a large saw, another a drill, a blowtorch and lastly a large wrench-like claw.

"Come." He spoke in a deranged voice. "Let us alleviate the burden you have brought upon Wonderland."

The smug, twisted smile Hatter bore greatly reminded him of the one Vexen wore on occasions.

"Things can't ever be simple, can they." Roxas growled to himself, Oathkeeper in hand now. "Alright then, let's knock some real sanity into you."

Roxas instantly swatted away two of the new arms protruding from the Hatters back. He went for an upwards diagonal slash only for it to be blocked by Hatter using his cane.

They entered into a brief power struggle which Hatter won out due to his height and leverage against the Nobody. Roxas quickly slid in between the legs of the crazed one, swatting at his ankles and making the Hatter buckle slightly.

In retaliation, the mechanical claws protruding from Hatter's back ensnared Roxas' leg. The Nobody struggled to free himself before he was harshly thrown to a support pillar. His side ached from the impact, making him stagger onto his feet as he did a quick Cure upon himself.

He soon rolled out of the way from a stream of fire from Hatter's blowtorch. Retaliating with Blizzaga, the two elements clashed with steam filling the air. Roxas would soon become overwhelmed, given he wasn't sending a continuous blast of icy magic onto his foe, who's weapon kept on going. Once more, he had to evade the stream of flames and run around the Wonderland native.

"Come now, is it too much to ask for your cooperation in your demise?" The deranged and corrupted Hatter yelled in sadistic glee.

"Jeez, and I thought Saren was a loon." Roxas said to himself, rearing his Keyblade back and tossing it repeatedly for a Strike Raid.

The Hatter's expression tightened up which changed into grunts and sneers as he either deflected the Keyblade or took it dead on.

"Petulant child!"

One of the arms on his back detached itself from the body, another one taking its place. It soon broke apart into multiple pieces and they all transformed into teapot bombs that were launched at the Nobody.

"Ok, that feels like a bit much." Roxas complained, tensing up as the teapots came a-flying towards him.

Some were evaded, others were batted away while the rest were sent back to sender; resulting in varying explosions in the battlefield.

The Hatter snarled viciously, the arms on his back getting longer before they plunged themselves into the ground with pools of darkness appearing where they were.

Roxas jumped back slightly from one of the arms popping out in front of him only to have realized that another had appeared behind him.

In a reversal maneuver, he was behind the disoriented arm and quickly smacked it hard with his Keyblade and sent it back into the ground.

More arms appeared around him, either trying to grab him, bash him or lobbed teapot bombs at him.

Ducking, dodging and deflecting all the mechanized arms, Roxas ran straight for the Mad Hatter who quickly recalled his arms and grasped his can tightly.

Both opponents reared their weapons back and swung at each other with all their might.

*KLANG*

*KLANG*

*KLANG*

Keyblade clashed against cane again and again. The Hatter used a mixture of savage swings to irregular fencing maneuvers as he sought to take down his smaller opponent. Yet Roxas had to twist, flip and swirl from the blows as he had to parry and evade.

Of course the Nobody had to push himself to go faster so he may work against Hatter's mechanical appendages.

"Haste!"

Ethereal gears swirled around his form as he started to move faster.

"Clever little rat." Hatter yelled out, jumping away from the blonde Nobody.

He landed upon an elevated platform overlooking the main one the duo were fighting on and held his cane aloft.

Dark energy gathered around the spiked teapot top of his cane and he thrust it forward in the direction of Roxas.

A literal tsunami of black tea appeared from behind the Hatter and came down as a flowing torrent towards Roxas.

No. XIII took it in stride, switching to Pirate's Dream's glider form in a matter of seconds and hopped upon the wave of black tea and used it to get up to the Hatters level.

"Quick as mercury and mad from it… among other things. Perhaps you could slow him down. Time loses some of its meaning and one's perception becomes reality."

This got Roxas to recall what he heard from the Dormouse about Hatter's complication with Time.

The Hatter was about to retaliate when Roxas threw his hand out.

"STOP!"

The crazed tea drinker froze with roman numerals appearing around him.

Roxas rode the corrupted tea wave over to Hatter and bashed his glider face first into the frozen enemy and made sure he got a face full of the thruster in the eyes.

He soon sailed over and past the mad one with the allotted time of him being paused ending and he received the damage in an instant.

The Hatter let out a roar of pain, head snapping in the direction with a murderous glare.

Darkness and Ruin radiated off the Hatter and he slammed his cane down.

In an instant, another Ruin tea tidal wave was formed only at the feet of Hatter with him riding atop the wave straight at Roxas.

"Oh crap!" Roxas said, making his glider go fast as Hatter chased after him with his now stretched out back arms making attempts at grabbing him.

He bobbed and weaved around the clawed hands, occasionally slapping them away with his glider to keep them off him.

"Come on boy, you can't keep away from me forever." Hatter taunted, still pursuing the Nobody on his tea tidal wave.

"Who said I was trying to keep away?" Roxas called back, flying upside down as another arm made a grab for him.

Roxas quickly latched onto the "wrist" of the hand that tried grabbing him and the thruster of his glider went full force as he pivoted his flight path back towards Hatter.

He saw the boy coming and tried diverting his path away yet he felt a hard pull coming from the back arm that Roxas was holding.

No. XIII rotated his hand and grip with the limb he held wrapped around his own wrist. He pulled at the arm with all his strength and caused the hatter to come flying towards him.

Roxas drove the edge of his glider straight into the chest of the Hatter. A moment later, he lifted his left leg and stomped it down hard on the back end of the board. His glider sharply joled upwards and bashed itself into Hatter's chine, the audible sounds of bones cracking being clear to hear.

His little victory didn't last long as he felt two large hands take hold of his arms and pulled him away.

Hatter was back down on the ground now, his back arms holding Roxas aloft before him.

The tea enthusiast was breathing heavily, being down on one knee for a time until he stood upright and glared venomously at the Nobody.

His additional arms soon proceeded to rapidly punch Roxas an uncountable amount of times.

Roxas felt his entire body explode with pain when the arms holding him abruptly let go. The blond Nobody looked up in time to get his head smashed in by Hatters spike teapot cane.

He flew back far, bouncing hard against the ground before skidding to a halt face down.

The Mad Hatter cackled with absolute glee and mania, spinning his cane about.

Roxas lay motionless upon the ground when his body twitched and seized up momentarily before the teen forcibly made himself get back up to his feet.

He swayed on the spot, clutching his bleeding head, vision blurry as he shakily pulled out a Hi-Potion and hastily tossed it above himself.

The healing energy of the Hi-Potion fell over him and he was able to stand more upright though he felt pain coursing through his head.

That last hit Hatter got him was making his headache and ears ring.

He focused on Hatter who had finished laughing and was now making a beeline towards him seeing that he was back on his feet.

Roxas tensed up, summoning Pirate's Dream back into his hand, ready to fight when something unexpected happened.

From his pocket, a certain charm started to stir. Magic started to make it glow and pulse.

No. XIII soon felt this strange feeling from his person. Before he could make a proper inspection, it quickly disappeared.

It was at that moment did his Keyblade flash, soon replacing it with something else.

The weapon he now wielded was still a Keyblade, but it was largely based on cartoonish props and gears. The handle is wooden and brown, and the guard is composed of blue and green gears connected by black and silver rivets. The blue gears are connected to the symbol of Castle Disna in a red and white circle with twin yellow horns attached. The blade's length is a series of wooden planks connected to each other, with the last one connected to a white glove holding a triple horn which serves as the teeth. And the Keychain was the very item he won by completing the Classic Kingdom game on his Omni tool.

"Classic… Tone…" The name seemed to roll off from his mouth.

Shaking his head, Roxas had to focus back on the issue at hand.

He threw up his new Keyblade in hand, the sound of metallic wood striking metallic wood reverberating around them.

Once more, the two combatants were engaged in a contest of strength as one tried overpowering the other.

Roxas felt himself being pushed back slightly as he was still feeling the effects from Hatters attack when he noticed something about his new Keyblade.

The length of the blade was composed of wooden planks so rather than it being straight, the main body was angled and jagged.

An idea formulated in his head and Roxas performed a maneuver that strangely felt appropriate, reflecting the cartoonish nature of his Classic Tone Keyblade.

He angled his Keyblade forward slightly and poked Hatter in the eye.

"OW~~~" Hatter cried/whined out like an overgrown baby.

He reared away from the Nobody and had all his hands clamp over the eye that was poked, the crazy tea drinker petulantly cursing and stomping his foot repeatedly.

It would have been a laughable sight had it not been for the circumstance.

...Then again, even Roxas couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle at seeing someone who was so dangerous act so childish.

Shaking his head, he focused on his new Keyblade and felt the familiar surge of change going through his new weapon.

Thrusting his Keyblade forward, the wooden planks extended as the white glove squeezed the three horns to emit a sound. Hatter was struck back violently by this extension, the weapon receding back into the handle as it quickly shifted forms.

At the end of its transformation, Roxas now wielded a hammer where he was holding onto the wooden plank length. On the hammerhead, there were two large blue and green gears on one end with a large singular horn on the other.

Roxas grasped his newly shaped weapon, finding himself grinning widely.

"Yeah, let's get that sanity back in check." Roxas quipped, tightening his grip on his oversized hammer.

Rushing onwards, Roxas was propelled by his hammer as steam shot out of the horn. Working with the movements, he spun around as he directed his weapon to clash against Hatter. When the blows missed, he slammed the Form-changed Keyblade to the ground and released several shockwaves.

Hatter stumbled and jolted about from being struck by said shockwaves. In retaliation, his many arms protruding from his back were all directed at Roxas who immediately smacked them all away with a wide horizontal swipe from his oversized hammer.

One tried to go for another attack on Roxas only for it to meet the end of the greater Nobody's giant hammer. It was bashed and crushed down into the ground, the force of the attack shattering the limb apart.

Its owner violently recoiled, stumbling back as he retracted his many arms.

Once again, using the steam shooting out from the back horn of his Keyblade hammer, Roxas was propelled forward with his arms raised back to strike at Hatter once again.

He swung down hard, Hatter throwing all his arms up to block the oncoming attack. A small shockwave came out when the hammer connected with the mechanized hands, being visible for the eye to see.

The arms shoved back against the hammer, grabbing it and its user and flung them away.

Roxas pivoted the hammer to the ground, jabbing it down to stop him from going any further and landed on the floor.

His eyes narrowed at the sight of Hatter convulsing slightly and cringed to himself at the sight of nearly a dozen more Darkened ruin arms popping out from his back.

He knew that those arms will be a pain to deal with and it appears Hatter won't be getting any sort of shortage any time soon with what he just saw.

No. XIII needed a way to get past all of them. The Keybearer desired something else for him to fight with. Something to help pierce through his opponent.

His weapon soon complied, surging with energy and acted accordingly.

Tossing his hammer into the air, Roxas saw it quickly change into something else. It condensed and shifted into something resembling a giant drill. When it fell close to his arm, it quickly wrapped around it to make it seem he was wearing it like a mechanical glove.

Roxas overlooked it briefly and grinned widely. "Ok, yeah. This'll work."

Thrusting onward, his drill loudly whirled as he zoomed across the field.

The Mad Hatter had his multiple arms throw themselves up defensively but Roxas' transformed weapon pierced through the wall of limbs and the drill shredded some apart in its wake. He struck the Hatter dead on in the chest, his spinning weapon digging into the Wonderland natives chest.

"GRAAAAAH." Hatter bellowed, grasping at Roxas' arm in a vain attempt to get him off.

Oddly enough, the man wasn't bleeding from the severe strike, but he was wounded. Regardless, he kept on with his onslaught as he twirled around the elongated man.

Focusing far more on his opponent, Roxas' perception of his surroundings seemed to have its color bleed out, leaving a monochrome environment. Reaching his apex, he launched himself forward.

Once more, the Nobody was propelled onward by steam shooting out of the horns. Yet instead of going into a singular straight line once striking the Mad Hatter, he seemed to have disappeared and appeared through some cartoonish door before repeating the same action again and again after each successful strike.

Hatter jolted about violently from every strike, his multiple arms protruding from his back being shattered one at a time upon every consecutive hit.

He was beginning to yammer incessantly, eyes shifting about rapidly as he tried guessing as to where he would be struck next.

He would have none of it as the Tea Drinker was struck for a final time from the back with the last of his arms being all but destroyed.

Hatter felt to his hands and knees, darkness and ruin immediately pooling around him and crawling up his body.

Roxas skidded to a halt before him and saw what was happening and ran forward at full speed.

When his oversized drill arm reverted back to its base form, Roxas kept on running and prepared himself for his next assault.

He needed to finish this fight now and get the Mad Hatter back to his senses… which sounded rather odd as he still thought about it.

His enemy was slowly regaining his senses even as the Nobody was upon him.

Focusing once more, he built up his magic and sought to cast a more powerful variant of Stop. Yet he needed something more from that.

He recalled a technique from his Keyblade book and thought it may work at this time.

Hatter stood up and prepared to counter Roxas' oncoming attack when No. XIII pointed his Keyblade right at him.

"STOPAZA!"

As he casted his spell, Roman numerals appeared around himself. Everything else around him soon moved at a snail's pace as his Keyblade glowed.

"Let's go."

Rushing forward, No. XIII rapidly delivered a dozen swipes with his weapon. Ethereal lines soon crossed over the Hatter's form as they started to burn the man's still form.

Yet he wasn't done as Roxas leapt back with his Keyblade and was encompassed by a thick coat of light. Upon landing, he instantly zoomed and did a variant of Sonic Blade as he rapidly pierced his opponent from all sides.

At its end, Roxas landed back onto his feet just as time resumed its natural course.

"GAAAAAAHHHH!" Cried out the Hatter as he soon tumbled onto the floor.

The Nobody smirked, seeing as his Lethal Frame technique was a complete success.

The Mad Hatter screamed aloud, convulsing rapidly as he felt all the accumulated strikes upon his body all hit him at once.

There he stood, frozen on the spot after it was all said and done before promptly collapsing upon the ground face down.

He laid there, unmoving until he twitched about and Darkness and Ruin was expunged from his body. The smokey and oily substances seeped from his form as if he was heavily bleeding. Before long, both essences disappeared.

After a few seconds, the Hatter slowly came to just as his Domain began to violently shake.

"Oh come on." Roxas complained aloud. "What is it this time?"

"Huh?" Was Hatter's response as he got up to his knees in a daze. "What? Who now? Where… am I… home?"

A sense of sanity took hold of the elongated man as he regained his senses. As much as he wanted to question what happened, the Hatter became far more concerned with his surroundings as it began falling apart by some unknown means.

"Nooo! My precious domain! All I really wanted was another tea party!" The Hatter quickly said, jumping up to his feet as if all the pain he had gotten wasn't there and pulled out an empty cup.

"Hatter, now isn't the time for tea." Roxas yelled out. "We gotta get outta here. You said you'd help me out, remember? Let's go!"

There were so many questions he wanted answers for now.

Where was that Infernal Train going? Why was that oversized connection of carriages created? When did it come to Wonderland? Who brought this corruption here? And what was that mechanical monstrosity that was with the train?

"There's no time for… whatever it is you want to talk about!" The Hatter said dismissively now, plopping himself down and reaching into his hat, pulled out a teapot. "It's time for tea!"

Roxas could not believe what was happening right now. "No it's not! It's time for us to get out of here before we get crushed!"

"There's always time for-"

"Will you shut up about your damn tea?!"

"Never!" Bellowed Hatter. "If you have answers to seek, ask the one who helps them what helps themselves. Whoever that is."

The domain was starting to fall apart as the shakes escalated even further. Roxas bent his knees down, ready to jump up to avoid falling when the platform he stood upon jolted sharply, causing him to lose his balance and fall over as everything else came undone.

"You gotta be kidding me." Was Roxas' final words within the Hatter's Domain as he sailed downwards to a seemingly endless abyss.

The Nobody plummeted from the ruined domain and fell even further than what he could really imagine.

Before he knew it, he saw an ocean down below and muttered one last thing as he braced for impact.

"Oh, this is gonna hurt."

Roxas crashed into the water and instantly blacked out and knew no more.

Classic Tone: received as a prize from completing and obtaining the high scores of the Classic Kingdom games from a mysterious developer.

Boom Hammer: Keyblade Form change which resembles a hammer and bombards enemies with strong attacks, leaving gears and cogs in their wake instead of cracks.

Clock Drill: Keyblade Form change which resembles a drill as it rushes into enemies, leaving it's attacks with gears and cogs instead of shockwaves upon impact.

Phantom Rush: A shotlock attack which creates multiple ethereal, cartoonish avatars that repeatedly charge at the enemies. And visually, the area turns monochrome when this is used.

Noise Flush: A shotlock used once in the Clock Drill Form change and repeatedly charges at enemies while rapidly flying out of a series of cartoonish window portals. And visually, the area turns monochrome once activated.

AN

Phew, another one done and just wanna get it out there as quick as we can.

Lots still to cover but in the time between the release of these chapters, aside from the story we have here, the only noteworthy thing I have to say is the Avenging Remnant reboot and oh yeah, SONY'S PLAYSTATION REVEALS.

Like DAMN YO!

Wolverine, Spiderman 2, God Of War Ragnarök and mother fucking KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPULIC!

You better not fuck that game up Bioware. Swear to God, that game ain't considered the greatest Star Wars game and one of the best of all time for nothing.

Wish I could ramble on but it is very late at the time of the completion of this story and our eyes are straining to remain open as is.

So Anywho, thanks again for reading, stay tuned for more.

Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.