The Time Has Come (ch.3)
Title:The Time Has Come
Chapter Title: Welcome to Wonderland
Author: greeneyes0911
Pairing: Alice/Hatter, Jack/Duchess
Characters: Charlie, Hatter, Jack, Duchess, Alice, and two OCs (Savy & Topper)
Rating: r-ish (for later chapters)
Length: 6,100+
Warnings/Spoilers: The entire miniseries
A/N: I got this idea this morning, I'd like to see where it heads but if no one likes it I'll drop it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Alice, Hatter, March Hare, any of 'em....but damn would I be rich if I did!
Duchess awakes one morning to find things terribly amiss,
her world turned upside down. Her family is missing. She
knows of only one who can help them, and so she sets
out to get her old rival to help. Alice finds herself being
drug back through the looking glass to a wonderland
very different from the one she left behind. A young
girl from Alice's world, and Hatter tag along for the
ride. And the search for Jack and his son begins.
"Shit," was all Savy could gasp out after she hit the ground with a loud thump. Alice shoved her quickly out of the way as there were two more loud thumps on the same patch of grass. Savy decided she couldn't possibly be dreaming because damn did that fall hurt. And dreams didn't hurt. She pushed herself off the ground into a sitting position her green eyes glaring at Alice who was also still gasping for breath. Well they could have fucking warned her about the sudden stop at the end of that long fall. Alice just shrugged as she brushed off her clothes and pulled herself to her feet with help from Hatter. Alice had gotten kind of used to falling through the looking glass with all the trips they'd made back to visit. Not like they ever stayed longer than a few hours, Hatter wouldn't allow it. He was still desperately worried that they'd get into trouble. He couldn't risk Alice, he couldn't live with himself if he put her in danger again as Jack had.
"Up ya ge'," Hatter said offering Savy his hand once Alice was steady on her feet. Savy noticed Hatter didn't help Duchess with a smug satisfaction. "Trus' me Savy ya don' wan' ta lay 'round in the sewer. There are rats way bigger than sewer rats down 'here."
At that Savy jumped up quickly causing both Alice and Hatter to chuckle. The little red head hated rats. She wasn't afraid of them mind you, they were just dirty little rodents that grossed her out. "That's not funny Hatter," Savy grumbled brushing crushed grass off her clothes.
"Afraid of rats little girl," Duchess asked with a cool smirk. Savy had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming at the woman.
"Let her be Duchess she's only a girl," Alice scowled at Duchess and grabbed Hatter's hand to prevent him from doing something rash. Duchess shrugged and started out of the cavernous sewers, practically on her tip toes to keep her clothes clean.
"'fraid of a little dirt Duchess," Savy asked smugly as she followed close behind. Duchess let out a noise something like the hiss of a cat as Savy splashed water up at her. Duchess couldn't believe she'd ended up with a little brat. The plan was to have Alice and Hatter help. There shouldn't have been any little stowaways. Of course she had been the one to say the child should come along, but now she didn't even know why. Something strange had come over her in that instant that she didn't understand now. It was as if something else had possessed her entirely. Yet, even still Duchess felt the little brat may turn up useful. She wasn't sure how, but she still felt that way. And anyone who would be useful in this venture to bring her family back safe and sound she'd use to their fullest extent. If this brat Savy could indeed be useful at all. Which was a queer name. And Duchess thought people in Wonderland had queer names, well this Savy girl would fit right in here with her queer name and her annoying attitude.
“You're a right pest little girl,” Duchess said condescendingly.
“I'm not little,” Savy growled out.
“Plain old Savy,” the exclamation had Savy's growl dying in her throat as she turned to face Uncle Charlie. She ran to him and gave him the biggest hug she could muster. Uncle Charlie was from wonderland? The first thing that made fucking sense all day. He seemed like the type of character you'd find in Wonderland. “And just plain Alice. So good to see you both,” Charlie grinned and hugged Alice as well. “Harbinger,” he offered Hatter with a small smile that could only be described as playful.
“Oi, I though' we were over tha',” Hatter grumbled straightening his dark brown hat and standing a little taller, his chin tilted proudly. Alice bit back a chuckle, and Hatter sent her a glare which Savy found rather amusing. A few seconds later Hatter broke into a wide grin, looking completely unaffected by everything that was going on. Duchess was just rolling her eyes at the whole thing. She didn't give two spits about any of this she just wanted to get moving.
“Speaking of harbingers,” Charlie said turning their attention to a hatted boy who was only slightly taller than Savy, and couldn't be much older than her. Hatter's eyes narrowed at the boy, and Savy could have sworn she heard a disdainful growl. Alice looked to Hatter confused as the elder man tensed. Savy arched a brow at the boy himself, she didn't understand why Hatter was so furious by the mere presence of this boy? It didn't matter much, it had Savy intrigued. What could get Hatter in such a frazzle? She'd never seen him react so angrily toward the sight of someone before.
“Why is 'e 'ere Charlie,” Hatter practically growled out, and Savy kept her eyes trained on the boy with a red brow still raised. He was a slight thing, not very muscular at all, in fact Savy was willing to wager she could lift him with one hand. He had straggly dark hair that reminded her very firmly of Hatter's, and it was curled around a top hat how Hatter's usually was. The one main difference from Hatter, that Savy saw was that this boy had amber colored eyes instead of the dark puppy dog brown Hatter had.
“Nice to see you too Hatter,” the boy grinned widely at him, and out stretched his arms to step from behind Charlie like he and Hatter were old friends.
“Ya know damn well it's no' nice ta see ya Topper,” Hatter growled out and Savy saw him move forward out of the corner of her eye.
“Hatter,” Alice said in a warning tone as she grabbed his hand tighter to keep him from taking another step towards the boy before them. She didn't know anything about this Topper fellow, but from Hatter's reaction he must not be good. Just the mere reaction of Hatter made Alice weary of Topper. There must be something about this boy that was making Hatter this angry. Alice looked the boy over, her icy blue eyes taking in every detail of him. He had the same off color style as Hatter. The same unruly curly brown hair. The same slightly flamboyant clothes, in mix matched colors. The same necessity to have a hat on at all times. It was the eyes that were different. And the spark of trouble that lay deep within the amber depths worried Alice seriously. But what worried her more, if that was possible, was the intrigued look Savy had on her face.
“Tsk tsk Hatter, is that anyway to speak to an old friend,” the boy, who Alice now assumed was named Topper asked. Duchess watched the scene warily. Why were they standing here exchanging pleasantries? Charlie was watching a little perplexed, he didn't understand the bitterness from Hatter to Topper. Savy was merely intrigued.
“We are no' old friends Topper. Ya nearly go' me killed more than once. Yar a bloody scoundrel ya are!” Hatter was furious. Topper should know better than to come within a hundred yards of him. The bloody little weasel was another double agent and had nearly gotten Hatter killed more times than anyone could count. Hatter didn't trust him, in fact he trusted the boy about as far as he could throw him, which wasn't very far at all. Of course Hatter knew he was being a little hypocritical, as he'd been a double agent himself at one point, but it always seemed that Topper was much deeper in with the suits than Hatter had ever been. And if Hatter didn't know better, which he didn't mind you, he'd swear Topper was really working for the suits all along. When Hatter had always been working for the resistance.
“Now Hatter, be careful or I just may think you like me,” a smirk spread across Topper's mouth. Who was Topper really? Well no one knows, but one thing is for sure the boy was always in it to suit himself. If he thought he could make a quick buck he would, even if it hurt someone else. It could be said that the boy had no feelings. “And who may I ask are these lovely ladies? Your wife and daughter Hatter? My, you've gotten old, old boy.”
“Not wife,” Alice said too quickly, and Hatter's arm snaked around her waist tightly. “Girlfriend.”
“No' like it's any of yar business Topper. They won't be gettin' well acquainted with ya anyhow. Charlie why is tha' thin' 'ere?”
“Well he said he could help. He heard about what happened and the upcoming return of Alice and her harbinger, and said he could help. I only assumed he knew you well as he referenced you by name. And I swear on my knighthood I didn't think you'd get all in a fluster over him. It's not like I kno-” Charlie was rambling nonsensically again, and people tended to tune him out after a point. But that didn't happen this time, no what happened this time was he was cut off by Duchess.
“He's been working in the palace library,” Duchess said suddenly remembering the young boy. She hadn't recognized him at first, but now the face took purchase in her memory. “He's been working there for years now.”
“That's right your majesty, and number ten asked me to come and look after you lot. Not to mention he thought I could be of use given my connections, connections may I remind you Hatter you gave up when you left. So you see, I'm here to help, to be of assistance as it were. I promise to be on my best behavior Hatter, if that will appease you.”
“Well it wo-” Hatter was cut off by a jab to the ribcage from Alice. He turned a disgruntled look on her, but she was eying Topper carefully.
“Very well then, you can join us,” Alice said evenly, but she made a mental note to keep a firm eye on the boy. She didn't trust him. If he'd gotten Hatter into trouble then there was no doubt in her mind that he'd get them into trouble as well.
“Well can we stop standing about, with our mouthes agape catching gout,” Duchess asked impatiently.
“Right no time for introductions, or pleasantries, must be on our way. Though it is a pity, I'd love to know the names of my companions,” Topper's smirk never left his face and it unnerved Hatter. Hatter knew that smirk, and he didn't trust it, not one bit. “Especially you,” Topper's eyes landed on Savy who had been watching on unusually quiet with a keen interest lighting her bright green eyes.
“Savy,” Savy offered returning the smirk, but not offering her hand to shake. The girl didn't shake hands, she had a thing about it. You got to shake her hand once she trusted you, not upon first meeting. And although she found this Topper intriguing she certainly didn't trust him.
“You mean Savannah, don't you plain old Savy,” Charlie asked in his silly nonsensical manner his old eyes lighting with amusement at the young couple. Charlie could tell from the off that these two would provide much amusement, as much if not more than Alice and Hatter provided.
Savy shot Charlie a look, and then rolled her eyes. “It's Savy, Uncle Charlie, for the millionth time. Just Savy,” she huffed and crossed her arms.
“You know if you keep correcting him, he'll just keep doing it. He thinks it's downright funny,” Alice said with a soft smile on her face. She'd been around Charlie enough to realize that his quirks were more of an amusement to himself than to anyone else.
“Well we have no time for funny,” Duchess grumbled loudly, and they all turned to meet her reddening face as the anger welled up in the pit of her stomach. She didn't have time for this nonsense. She had to be on her way. They had to save Jack and Harper. “We have to go.”
“Righ' then, firs' ta see Dodo. He'll know who this lunatic is who's taken Jack and yar son,” Hatter said as he started going to the right. He knew the way to the library like the back of his hand, and he could make it there in his sleep.
“Wrong way Hatter,” Topper said easily, and Hatter whirled on his heel to glare at the younger boy. “Its been moved since you left, you have to have known that. I told you you needed me.”
“Look, let's just go, we have things to do and not a heck of a lot of time to waste. Lead on,” Alice said motioning for him to lead them, which in turn earned her an annoyed glance from Hatter. She didn't respond to him, she knew they might need this Topper fellow. She didn't trust the boy necessarily, but right now he's what they had and that was that. Not to mention she hadn't trusted Hatter from the first either, and look where that had gotten them. So it was needles to say that no, Alice didn't completely trust this Topper boy, but yes, she was willing to give him a chance to prove himself to them. After all, if he was anything like Hatter he'd prove himself in time, it would just take time.
Topper wasn't really paying much attention to any of them, he did notice that none of them really seemed to trust him, yes. Even this Savy girl, who was intrigued by him, and was intriguing in her own right. Topper nodded and started leading them down the twisted streets of Wonderland. Yes, that Savy girl was very intriguing in her own right. He wasn't even intrigued by Hatter's girl, who was also from Savy's world, which intrigued him even more. He'd never seen someone who looked quite like her before. She had soft red ringlets hanging from the tie at the crown of her head, which if you saw that alone would probably make you think she was some soft little girl. But it was her eyes that intrigued him the most, they were this green color with a fire in them so fierce he'd stake his hat that the girl could beat him to death if things ever came to that. She was intriguing in an oddly scary as hell kind of way. Like she could take on the world, and wouldn't think twice about doing it for Hatter and Hatter's girl. Which made him wonder, what kind of relationship did they have? Hatter had said she wasn't their daughter, then what was she? A cousin perchance? No, she didn't look at all like Hatter's girl, whom he hadn't caught the name of but he could assume she was Alice. And she looked too wild to be related to Hatter himself. Curiouser and curiouser that little red head was.
Hatter didn't fail to notice the silence they lulled into, well almost silence as Charlie had started singing. It seemed everyone was dealing with their own thoughts. And at that moment his turned to his “family”, as he liked to refer to Alice, and Savy. His left hand was locked firmly around Alice's in an attempt to ease the fear of heights he knew she had. His right hand was unconsciously balling itself into a fist and unballing itself. His eyes were trained firmly on Savy, while he watched Alice carefully out of the corner of his eye. He wouldn't let his family out of his sight so long as Topper was around. Besides, who knew what kind of trouble Alice and Savy would draw to themselves. He knew enough about the young red head in front of him to know that she had a nose for fights. And Alice herself was in danger for just being Alice, she had brought down the old regime and most likely would be a target of this new band of rebels. He just couldn't take any chances with them, they were all he had other than Charlie.
Holy shit, she was in fucking wonderland. Amusing, yes. Believable? Fuck no! Savy couldn't get over everything that was going on. She had to continually remind herself of the pain she felt after falling through the looking glass. If she didn't remember that pain she wouldn't believe this was real at all. Instead she'd merely think it was a dream. She'd think she had just fallen asleep on Alice, and Hatter's couch and would wake up with Jingle on her chest and her book in the floor. A dream inspired by the Alice in Wonderland painting hung on their living room wall, which she had never failed to notice but had always thought a joke of some sort. She never really thought much else about it, until now. And now, well she was in fucking Wonderland! Little orphan Savannah Orson was in Wonderland. It couldn't get much weirder than that could it? She walked along a little behind Uncle Charlie, and a few feet behind this Topper fellow. Topper, now that was a weird name. People told her Savy was weird, but Topper was definitely weirder. She shrugged it off slightly as Wonderland.
Duchess's mind was something else entirely. She wasn't thinking about the intriguing nature of any of them, the safety of any of them (for all she cared they could all get eaten by a jabberwock so long as she got back Jack and Harper), nor the wonder that was Wonderland. Instead her mind was running over the events of the previous night. What could she have done differently? How could she have protected them? And how the hell had someone gotten into the palace to take her family hostage? It just didn't make any sense at all.
“It's so different,” Alice said out of no where her eyes wide as they walked through the streets. Wonderland had changed. The buildings weren't dilapidated as they'd been when she'd been here. It looked like people actually took pride in their work now. And the streets were busier. Without the teas people had to create their own happinesses, and it looked like Wonderland had taken to it like a fish to water. They had delved head long into a new and uncertain world, and they seemed to be prospering for it. It was actually kind of nice to see that the place had change as it had. In fact the city reminded her of New York now, with the bustling people who were all busy with their own lives.
“With the tea gone,” Duchess responded when no one else seemed to want to. “People had to learn to make themselves happy without help. They had to put work into their lives. Other things started to matter to them besides the substances they were abusing. Crime has diminished, murders are all but non-existent, what you did was reawaken a piece of Wonderland we had all thought was long gone.”
“It won't last much longer,” Topper said more to himself than to them. “Once word of what's happened hits the streets there will be wide spread panic. Everything will go right back to how it was.”
“Then we should not stay in the city at nights,” Charlie said with an air of finality. No one had expected him to say anything he had been singing through the whole conversation, but as always he seemed to be paying very close attention.
“And where would you suggest we stay old man,” Duchess asked turning a cold eye to him. She had no intention of staying anywhere uncomfortable at night.
“We should stay at the kingdom of the knights,” Hatter said which earned him a large smile from Charlie. “It's the only safe place I can think of.” Alice nodded along in agreement.
“In the woods,” Duchess asked her face showing clearly the disgust she felt.
“You wanted to come along princess,” Savy said with a smirk. “You could have stayed at home in your pretty little palace, but you wanted to come along. So you'll have to sleep in the dirt like the rest of us. What's the matter, 'fraid you'll get dirty?” Alright so she was taking it a little far. But really this Duchess woman had to know that this is what she'd signed up for. She'd signed up for an adventure, and adventures usually meant not washing and sleeping in the woods, if anything Savy'd read was any inclination.
“She's right Duchess, you can go back to the palace if you don't like it and let us handle this,” Alice agreed with a shrug. Alice had never disliked a woman as much as she disliked Duchess. And no, it didn't have anything to do with Jack, anymore. No now it was more that the woman was constantly complaining about something.
“Fine,” Duchess huffed, and turned her head to ignore them. She knew when she'd set out to get Alice and Hatter that they wouldn't go easy on her. They weren't going to treat her like royalty, they'd treat her just like everybody else. And that meant like everybody else she'd have to buck up and deal with the dirt that this journey entailed. Whether she liked it or not. She had sworn to herself she wouldn't return to the palace without her husband and son, and she just had to see this thing through. She'd never seen anything through in her life, but she had to see this through.
Topper stopped them in front of a grand building with grander columns. Hatter cocked his head in a confused fashion, but he assumed if the great library were to be moved it would be moved to a place of honor so that everyone could enjoy it. Yes, that made sense. Topper lead them into the building, and to the center of the rows upon rows of books where they found the old elevator that had been in the original Great Library. Hatter was pleased to see that at least some things didn't change. As they all piled in, Topper stayed at the front of the bus to speak to the operator. “We need to go to Dodo's office.” The operator nodded, and down they descended causing their stomachs to plummet at the sensation of dropping. Alice was really over this whole falling thing. She especially didn't like the elevator used in the Great Library it was jerky, and awkward. It jerked to a stop, and Alice let out a groan at the way her stomach shook with the motion of the bus.
“Follow me, follow me,” Topper said taking the lead again. Hatter was really getting quite sick of being lead around by the nose by this boy. It really didn't help that Hatter didn't like nor trust Topper. Then, he supposed, he didn't really have much choice. They needed Topper, at least for now, to get Jack and his son back. And then Hatter, Alice, and Savy could go home and live happily ever after, finally. Hatter could propose to Alice and everything would go perfectly just as it should of all along.
“Topper! Get all these people out of my office now! I'm positively claustrophobic with the lot of them in here,” Dodo said in annoyed tone.
“Get off it Dodo ya are no' nor 'ave ever been claustrophobic,” Hatter swaggered forward with a cocky smirk on his face. A cocky smirk Alice hadn't seen in quite some time. It seemed he used it most when he was doing shady business dealings, and Dodo had been one of his shady business partners. Alice had never minded the smirk before, but she always knew there was trouble right around the corner when he used it, which had her slightly worried.
“Hatter,” Dodo roared his eyes lighting with fury, and Alice found herself standing in front of Hatter just in case. “You dare show your face after what you've done?”
“Wha' I done? Wha' I done was do somethin' ya never could Dodo, I se' thin's righ',” Hatter offered in defense his eyes becoming self-righteous and his stance hardening. He tensed and pushed Alice behind him. Last time he'd seen Dodo the man had shot him. That probably wasn't the best way to have left the acquaintance, but it hadn't mattered much to Hatter when he left to be with Alice.
“We don't have time for this nonsense,” Duchess said stepping from behind Charlie a deep frown etching her features, in a rather unattractive way Savy thought. Yes, Savy was probably being overly harsh on the older woman, and she knew when Alice got the chance she'd receive a lecture on it. But there was just something in the way Duchess carried herself that pissed Savy off, the girl couldn't quite put her finger on it. “Who is this Aceline Heart bitch, and where has she taken my family?” However, Savy thought if Duchess continued to sound like that she could at least learn to respect her. At least the woman had gull enough to sound like she meant it. And for a moment there it actually seemed like Duchess may be able to back up that attitude. None of them were really sure if she could or not, but it didn't look like Dodo was taking any chances as he started thumbing through a rather large book on his desk.
“Heart you say,” Dodo asked his head bent diligently over the book. Duchess made a noise in the back of her throat, a cross between approval and confirmation. She didn't really like the company she was currently keeping, but she had little choice. Dodo was an annoyance at his best. Hater was an idiot at his worst. And Topper, well from what she'd heard about Topper he was going to be a hinderance and possibly trouble. Duchess didn't trust Topper, after all if Hatter didn't trust the boy then there must really be something wrong with him. Dodo was muttering to himself as he went through the large book leaving the group of people in his office to entertain themselves. Duchess' eyes remained trained firmly on Dodo himself, she wanted this thing done and over with so she could be at home in her bed once more with her family. Alice was rubbing slow calming circles on the back of Hatter's hand as she restrained the seething man from quite literally knocking Topper's block off. Charlie had fallen relatively silent, well with the exception of his singing once more, but he seemed perfectly content in his own world once more. Savy, however, was the opposite of Charlie, she was restless and nervous. She soon found herself pacing soundlessly about the room looking over the stacks upon stacks of books with bright interested eyes. No one seemed to pay Savy much attention, except Topper who found Savy to be a most interesting subject of observation. Like a rabbit in a new pin she seemed to be nervous and jittery about adjusting to her surroundings. He found her increasingly interesting the more he watched her, in fact.
“Ah found it,” Dodo announced causing everyone except Duchess to jump at the sudden exclamation. It seemed everyone except Duchess had been wrapped up in their own world entirely, completely forgetting why they were there exactly. This fact only managed to annoy Duchess, she didn't care for the idea that they were already getting caught up in their own personal business and forgetting why she'd brought them here. “Seems the queen had another child, a daughter a few years after Jack. But after the birth record the girl just drops off the books,” Dodo said surprising even himself.
“Must have taken her somewhere to keep her from being seen. She must have been the queen's back up plan,” Topper said with a firm nod to himself. Hatter looked at the boy, suspicion heavy in his eyes. There was just something off about how the boy knew all this.
“Where can we find this, prodigy, as it were. This squire of darkness, as it stands. This black shadow on the bright new world, as is. This wolf in sheep's clo-”
“Charlie, now is not the time,” Alice cut the old man off and he stood watching her wide eyed and bumbling to himself at being cut off. “Where do we find this lunatic?”
“The rumor is that she has a palace out in the hills of wonderland. An underground palace surrounded by a labyrinth of caves so that no one can find her. It looks like you're in for quite the journey.” Dodo smirked to himself, he knew what the rumors were. And he knew how dangerous those hills were said to be, there were all sorts of beasts not even known to the Wonderlanders themselves living in those wretched hills. He found himself very pleased that an opportunity at revenge on Topper and Hatter had presented itself, and now he was taking it.
“We should get a move on then,” Charlie who had been bumbling this entire time finally got out an intelligible sentence. “It's at least a two day journey to the base of the hills themselves. Oh this will be so fun. I haven't been up in those hills since I was a boy. I remember spending an entire night in those hills once, as a knight test, we had tests to show our bravery in those days you know. I was to face one of the many beasts of no name while I was there. And what do you think I found? This wretched chartreuse thing with ten heads and teeth so sharp the could cut a cloud in half.”
Hatter rolled his eyes, and turned to Dodo. “This bes' no' be one of yar tricks Dodo. We don' 'ave time for such nonsense,” he warned the old man before ushering Alice and Savy out of the room, the others close behind. They were all piled back into the bus, and everyone was silent. That seemed to be happening a lot. It was as if the weight of the thing they now understood they'd have to do was bearing down too heavily upon their chests to speak. There seemed to be a new understanding of this thing they'd been drug into.
Hours later found them sitting just as quietly around a fire in the kingdom of the knights. Alice and Hatter were still deep in thought each wondering why they'd drug Savy into this, and how the hell they'd get her out of it. Duchess had gone to bed early, she said something stupid about beauty rest, and they believed her. The real reason was she couldn't properly deal with her feelings in front of everyone else. She missed Jack, and Harper, and there was no way to deal with that when she was being watched as she felt she was. Charlie was leaning against a nearby tree, he'd dozed off long ago and was now humming in his sleep that same old tune. Savy sat on the ground in front of Hatter and Alice, her legs crossed and her eyes staring into the fire, she still couldn't believe where she was or what was happening, but she knew it had to be real. They hadn't seen Topper in a half hour, he'd gone off on some silly errand. When the boy did return Hatter rose from his spot, and stalked to him.
“Wha' tha 'ell are ya up ta Topper. I knew ya, philanthropy isn' yar bag. Ya don' jus' 'elp people from the kindness of yar 'eart. Wha's in this for ya,” Hatter had the boy cornered against a tree before he knew what was happening. The older man's voice was low and deadly. It was very clear he didn't trust this boy, no matter how young the boy may seem he'd obviously managed to prove how untrustworthy he was.
“Relax Hatter, relax. I'm getting paid by her majesty, if you must know,” Topper said warding the bigger man off with his hands. “She wanted someone who still knew the streets, and if you don't mind me saying you don't anymore. These streets are different. Sure they look all sunny and bright, but they're not.”
“Yar full of shi',” Hatter growled. There had to be more to it, there just had to be. This wasn't right. “Ya tell me or I'll sock ya one righ' 'ere righ' now lil boy.”
“Sock me one eh? In front of the ladies? My, you have changed Hatter. I remember a time when you were all about running from your problems instead of standing and facing them. Right coward y-,” the last few words were cut off by a firm punch to the jaw. Topper would have sworn he heard something crack if he didn't know better.
“Hatter! What is with you today? All strung up, what's wrong with you,” Alice asked grabbing him and pulling him from Topper back to his seat. Topper rubbed his jaw, and groaned a little. He'd forgotten what a nice right hook Hatter had. Perhaps he should have kept that in mind before provoking the man. Mental note, no more provoking Hatter.
“You asked for it,” Savy said, and Topper nearly jumped. She appeared to have melted from no where. The girl with the bright flame colored hair, and the eyes the color of the forest melted right out of the forest itself. It seemed ironic, or maybe that was just the knock to the head.
“Right, I'll keep that in mind next time he comes at me,” Topper grumbled and eyed the girl warily.
“You'd do well to. I don't think our dear Hatter trusts you at all. Which has me wondering, how did you fuck him over to the point where he'd lash out in such a way? Hatter's such a passive person, for the most part. What the fuck did you do?”
Ah inquisitive that one was. Inquisitive and spot on, he had done something, and Hatter had always been passive to him before he'd done it. That was another thought, for another time. Right now his jaw was throbbing. Damn that right fist. “'s none of your business little miss,” Topper said bowing his head in a regal way.
“Don't you call me little, I'd deck you myself if Hatter hadn't already,” Savy growled out. There was a whistle and she looked to see Hatter and Alice retreating to the room Charlie had set up for them. “Watch your fucking mouth,” was all she said before she turned on a heel, and followed closely behind to the place Charlie had set aside for her. Bedtime. “And get some rest, we have to be up at the asscrack of dawn tomorrow.”
Alice put Hatter to bed, and then made sure Savy made it to her own. She'd never thought of herself much as the mother figure but suddenly she felt like a hen. She had to be on top of everything with everyone if only to keep the peace and keep everyone safe. She had to be the leader, again. Oh, Hatter, how he'd get them into a mess if she let him lead. He was acting so rashly today. Hatter was caught up in his supreme dislike of Topper. Duchess was caught up in something like sorrow. Charlie was caught up in his lunacy. Topper was, well she just didn't trust him. And Savy was caught up in the wonder of it all. Yes, she'd have to be the leader, and take charge, she'd have to keep her head clear and straight. These people were depending on her, again.
Topper watched Savy closely with a scowl, as she walked away. Silly little woman didn't even know what she was getting herself into. She'd fallen into Wonderland head first with that fire red hair, bright green eyes, that pride of her's, and that mouth that when she opened it showed she was anything but a dainty little flower. That girl was asking for trouble. And Topper'd be damned if she wouldn't find it here.
Chapter Title: Welcome to Wonderland
Author: greeneyes0911
Pairing: Alice/Hatter, Jack/Duchess
Characters: Charlie, Hatter, Jack, Duchess, Alice, and two OCs (Savy & Topper)
Rating: r-ish (for later chapters)
Length: 6,100+
Warnings/Spoilers: The entire miniseries
A/N: I got this idea this morning, I'd like to see where it heads but if no one likes it I'll drop it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Alice, Hatter, March Hare, any of 'em....but damn would I be rich if I did!
Duchess awakes one morning to find things terribly amiss,
her world turned upside down. Her family is missing. She
knows of only one who can help them, and so she sets
out to get her old rival to help. Alice finds herself being
drug back through the looking glass to a wonderland
very different from the one she left behind. A young
girl from Alice's world, and Hatter tag along for the
ride. And the search for Jack and his son begins.
"Shit," was all Savy could gasp out after she hit the ground with a loud thump. Alice shoved her quickly out of the way as there were two more loud thumps on the same patch of grass. Savy decided she couldn't possibly be dreaming because damn did that fall hurt. And dreams didn't hurt. She pushed herself off the ground into a sitting position her green eyes glaring at Alice who was also still gasping for breath. Well they could have fucking warned her about the sudden stop at the end of that long fall. Alice just shrugged as she brushed off her clothes and pulled herself to her feet with help from Hatter. Alice had gotten kind of used to falling through the looking glass with all the trips they'd made back to visit. Not like they ever stayed longer than a few hours, Hatter wouldn't allow it. He was still desperately worried that they'd get into trouble. He couldn't risk Alice, he couldn't live with himself if he put her in danger again as Jack had.
"Up ya ge'," Hatter said offering Savy his hand once Alice was steady on her feet. Savy noticed Hatter didn't help Duchess with a smug satisfaction. "Trus' me Savy ya don' wan' ta lay 'round in the sewer. There are rats way bigger than sewer rats down 'here."
At that Savy jumped up quickly causing both Alice and Hatter to chuckle. The little red head hated rats. She wasn't afraid of them mind you, they were just dirty little rodents that grossed her out. "That's not funny Hatter," Savy grumbled brushing crushed grass off her clothes.
"Afraid of rats little girl," Duchess asked with a cool smirk. Savy had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming at the woman.
"Let her be Duchess she's only a girl," Alice scowled at Duchess and grabbed Hatter's hand to prevent him from doing something rash. Duchess shrugged and started out of the cavernous sewers, practically on her tip toes to keep her clothes clean.
"'fraid of a little dirt Duchess," Savy asked smugly as she followed close behind. Duchess let out a noise something like the hiss of a cat as Savy splashed water up at her. Duchess couldn't believe she'd ended up with a little brat. The plan was to have Alice and Hatter help. There shouldn't have been any little stowaways. Of course she had been the one to say the child should come along, but now she didn't even know why. Something strange had come over her in that instant that she didn't understand now. It was as if something else had possessed her entirely. Yet, even still Duchess felt the little brat may turn up useful. She wasn't sure how, but she still felt that way. And anyone who would be useful in this venture to bring her family back safe and sound she'd use to their fullest extent. If this brat Savy could indeed be useful at all. Which was a queer name. And Duchess thought people in Wonderland had queer names, well this Savy girl would fit right in here with her queer name and her annoying attitude.
“You're a right pest little girl,” Duchess said condescendingly.
“I'm not little,” Savy growled out.
“Plain old Savy,” the exclamation had Savy's growl dying in her throat as she turned to face Uncle Charlie. She ran to him and gave him the biggest hug she could muster. Uncle Charlie was from wonderland? The first thing that made fucking sense all day. He seemed like the type of character you'd find in Wonderland. “And just plain Alice. So good to see you both,” Charlie grinned and hugged Alice as well. “Harbinger,” he offered Hatter with a small smile that could only be described as playful.
“Oi, I though' we were over tha',” Hatter grumbled straightening his dark brown hat and standing a little taller, his chin tilted proudly. Alice bit back a chuckle, and Hatter sent her a glare which Savy found rather amusing. A few seconds later Hatter broke into a wide grin, looking completely unaffected by everything that was going on. Duchess was just rolling her eyes at the whole thing. She didn't give two spits about any of this she just wanted to get moving.
“Speaking of harbingers,” Charlie said turning their attention to a hatted boy who was only slightly taller than Savy, and couldn't be much older than her. Hatter's eyes narrowed at the boy, and Savy could have sworn she heard a disdainful growl. Alice looked to Hatter confused as the elder man tensed. Savy arched a brow at the boy himself, she didn't understand why Hatter was so furious by the mere presence of this boy? It didn't matter much, it had Savy intrigued. What could get Hatter in such a frazzle? She'd never seen him react so angrily toward the sight of someone before.
“Why is 'e 'ere Charlie,” Hatter practically growled out, and Savy kept her eyes trained on the boy with a red brow still raised. He was a slight thing, not very muscular at all, in fact Savy was willing to wager she could lift him with one hand. He had straggly dark hair that reminded her very firmly of Hatter's, and it was curled around a top hat how Hatter's usually was. The one main difference from Hatter, that Savy saw was that this boy had amber colored eyes instead of the dark puppy dog brown Hatter had.
“Nice to see you too Hatter,” the boy grinned widely at him, and out stretched his arms to step from behind Charlie like he and Hatter were old friends.
“Ya know damn well it's no' nice ta see ya Topper,” Hatter growled out and Savy saw him move forward out of the corner of her eye.
“Hatter,” Alice said in a warning tone as she grabbed his hand tighter to keep him from taking another step towards the boy before them. She didn't know anything about this Topper fellow, but from Hatter's reaction he must not be good. Just the mere reaction of Hatter made Alice weary of Topper. There must be something about this boy that was making Hatter this angry. Alice looked the boy over, her icy blue eyes taking in every detail of him. He had the same off color style as Hatter. The same unruly curly brown hair. The same slightly flamboyant clothes, in mix matched colors. The same necessity to have a hat on at all times. It was the eyes that were different. And the spark of trouble that lay deep within the amber depths worried Alice seriously. But what worried her more, if that was possible, was the intrigued look Savy had on her face.
“Tsk tsk Hatter, is that anyway to speak to an old friend,” the boy, who Alice now assumed was named Topper asked. Duchess watched the scene warily. Why were they standing here exchanging pleasantries? Charlie was watching a little perplexed, he didn't understand the bitterness from Hatter to Topper. Savy was merely intrigued.
“We are no' old friends Topper. Ya nearly go' me killed more than once. Yar a bloody scoundrel ya are!” Hatter was furious. Topper should know better than to come within a hundred yards of him. The bloody little weasel was another double agent and had nearly gotten Hatter killed more times than anyone could count. Hatter didn't trust him, in fact he trusted the boy about as far as he could throw him, which wasn't very far at all. Of course Hatter knew he was being a little hypocritical, as he'd been a double agent himself at one point, but it always seemed that Topper was much deeper in with the suits than Hatter had ever been. And if Hatter didn't know better, which he didn't mind you, he'd swear Topper was really working for the suits all along. When Hatter had always been working for the resistance.
“Now Hatter, be careful or I just may think you like me,” a smirk spread across Topper's mouth. Who was Topper really? Well no one knows, but one thing is for sure the boy was always in it to suit himself. If he thought he could make a quick buck he would, even if it hurt someone else. It could be said that the boy had no feelings. “And who may I ask are these lovely ladies? Your wife and daughter Hatter? My, you've gotten old, old boy.”
“Not wife,” Alice said too quickly, and Hatter's arm snaked around her waist tightly. “Girlfriend.”
“No' like it's any of yar business Topper. They won't be gettin' well acquainted with ya anyhow. Charlie why is tha' thin' 'ere?”
“Well he said he could help. He heard about what happened and the upcoming return of Alice and her harbinger, and said he could help. I only assumed he knew you well as he referenced you by name. And I swear on my knighthood I didn't think you'd get all in a fluster over him. It's not like I kno-” Charlie was rambling nonsensically again, and people tended to tune him out after a point. But that didn't happen this time, no what happened this time was he was cut off by Duchess.
“He's been working in the palace library,” Duchess said suddenly remembering the young boy. She hadn't recognized him at first, but now the face took purchase in her memory. “He's been working there for years now.”
“That's right your majesty, and number ten asked me to come and look after you lot. Not to mention he thought I could be of use given my connections, connections may I remind you Hatter you gave up when you left. So you see, I'm here to help, to be of assistance as it were. I promise to be on my best behavior Hatter, if that will appease you.”
“Well it wo-” Hatter was cut off by a jab to the ribcage from Alice. He turned a disgruntled look on her, but she was eying Topper carefully.
“Very well then, you can join us,” Alice said evenly, but she made a mental note to keep a firm eye on the boy. She didn't trust him. If he'd gotten Hatter into trouble then there was no doubt in her mind that he'd get them into trouble as well.
“Well can we stop standing about, with our mouthes agape catching gout,” Duchess asked impatiently.
“Right no time for introductions, or pleasantries, must be on our way. Though it is a pity, I'd love to know the names of my companions,” Topper's smirk never left his face and it unnerved Hatter. Hatter knew that smirk, and he didn't trust it, not one bit. “Especially you,” Topper's eyes landed on Savy who had been watching on unusually quiet with a keen interest lighting her bright green eyes.
“Savy,” Savy offered returning the smirk, but not offering her hand to shake. The girl didn't shake hands, she had a thing about it. You got to shake her hand once she trusted you, not upon first meeting. And although she found this Topper intriguing she certainly didn't trust him.
“You mean Savannah, don't you plain old Savy,” Charlie asked in his silly nonsensical manner his old eyes lighting with amusement at the young couple. Charlie could tell from the off that these two would provide much amusement, as much if not more than Alice and Hatter provided.
Savy shot Charlie a look, and then rolled her eyes. “It's Savy, Uncle Charlie, for the millionth time. Just Savy,” she huffed and crossed her arms.
“You know if you keep correcting him, he'll just keep doing it. He thinks it's downright funny,” Alice said with a soft smile on her face. She'd been around Charlie enough to realize that his quirks were more of an amusement to himself than to anyone else.
“Well we have no time for funny,” Duchess grumbled loudly, and they all turned to meet her reddening face as the anger welled up in the pit of her stomach. She didn't have time for this nonsense. She had to be on her way. They had to save Jack and Harper. “We have to go.”
“Righ' then, firs' ta see Dodo. He'll know who this lunatic is who's taken Jack and yar son,” Hatter said as he started going to the right. He knew the way to the library like the back of his hand, and he could make it there in his sleep.
“Wrong way Hatter,” Topper said easily, and Hatter whirled on his heel to glare at the younger boy. “Its been moved since you left, you have to have known that. I told you you needed me.”
“Look, let's just go, we have things to do and not a heck of a lot of time to waste. Lead on,” Alice said motioning for him to lead them, which in turn earned her an annoyed glance from Hatter. She didn't respond to him, she knew they might need this Topper fellow. She didn't trust the boy necessarily, but right now he's what they had and that was that. Not to mention she hadn't trusted Hatter from the first either, and look where that had gotten them. So it was needles to say that no, Alice didn't completely trust this Topper boy, but yes, she was willing to give him a chance to prove himself to them. After all, if he was anything like Hatter he'd prove himself in time, it would just take time.
Topper wasn't really paying much attention to any of them, he did notice that none of them really seemed to trust him, yes. Even this Savy girl, who was intrigued by him, and was intriguing in her own right. Topper nodded and started leading them down the twisted streets of Wonderland. Yes, that Savy girl was very intriguing in her own right. He wasn't even intrigued by Hatter's girl, who was also from Savy's world, which intrigued him even more. He'd never seen someone who looked quite like her before. She had soft red ringlets hanging from the tie at the crown of her head, which if you saw that alone would probably make you think she was some soft little girl. But it was her eyes that intrigued him the most, they were this green color with a fire in them so fierce he'd stake his hat that the girl could beat him to death if things ever came to that. She was intriguing in an oddly scary as hell kind of way. Like she could take on the world, and wouldn't think twice about doing it for Hatter and Hatter's girl. Which made him wonder, what kind of relationship did they have? Hatter had said she wasn't their daughter, then what was she? A cousin perchance? No, she didn't look at all like Hatter's girl, whom he hadn't caught the name of but he could assume she was Alice. And she looked too wild to be related to Hatter himself. Curiouser and curiouser that little red head was.
Hatter didn't fail to notice the silence they lulled into, well almost silence as Charlie had started singing. It seemed everyone was dealing with their own thoughts. And at that moment his turned to his “family”, as he liked to refer to Alice, and Savy. His left hand was locked firmly around Alice's in an attempt to ease the fear of heights he knew she had. His right hand was unconsciously balling itself into a fist and unballing itself. His eyes were trained firmly on Savy, while he watched Alice carefully out of the corner of his eye. He wouldn't let his family out of his sight so long as Topper was around. Besides, who knew what kind of trouble Alice and Savy would draw to themselves. He knew enough about the young red head in front of him to know that she had a nose for fights. And Alice herself was in danger for just being Alice, she had brought down the old regime and most likely would be a target of this new band of rebels. He just couldn't take any chances with them, they were all he had other than Charlie.
Holy shit, she was in fucking wonderland. Amusing, yes. Believable? Fuck no! Savy couldn't get over everything that was going on. She had to continually remind herself of the pain she felt after falling through the looking glass. If she didn't remember that pain she wouldn't believe this was real at all. Instead she'd merely think it was a dream. She'd think she had just fallen asleep on Alice, and Hatter's couch and would wake up with Jingle on her chest and her book in the floor. A dream inspired by the Alice in Wonderland painting hung on their living room wall, which she had never failed to notice but had always thought a joke of some sort. She never really thought much else about it, until now. And now, well she was in fucking Wonderland! Little orphan Savannah Orson was in Wonderland. It couldn't get much weirder than that could it? She walked along a little behind Uncle Charlie, and a few feet behind this Topper fellow. Topper, now that was a weird name. People told her Savy was weird, but Topper was definitely weirder. She shrugged it off slightly as Wonderland.
Duchess's mind was something else entirely. She wasn't thinking about the intriguing nature of any of them, the safety of any of them (for all she cared they could all get eaten by a jabberwock so long as she got back Jack and Harper), nor the wonder that was Wonderland. Instead her mind was running over the events of the previous night. What could she have done differently? How could she have protected them? And how the hell had someone gotten into the palace to take her family hostage? It just didn't make any sense at all.
“It's so different,” Alice said out of no where her eyes wide as they walked through the streets. Wonderland had changed. The buildings weren't dilapidated as they'd been when she'd been here. It looked like people actually took pride in their work now. And the streets were busier. Without the teas people had to create their own happinesses, and it looked like Wonderland had taken to it like a fish to water. They had delved head long into a new and uncertain world, and they seemed to be prospering for it. It was actually kind of nice to see that the place had change as it had. In fact the city reminded her of New York now, with the bustling people who were all busy with their own lives.
“With the tea gone,” Duchess responded when no one else seemed to want to. “People had to learn to make themselves happy without help. They had to put work into their lives. Other things started to matter to them besides the substances they were abusing. Crime has diminished, murders are all but non-existent, what you did was reawaken a piece of Wonderland we had all thought was long gone.”
“It won't last much longer,” Topper said more to himself than to them. “Once word of what's happened hits the streets there will be wide spread panic. Everything will go right back to how it was.”
“Then we should not stay in the city at nights,” Charlie said with an air of finality. No one had expected him to say anything he had been singing through the whole conversation, but as always he seemed to be paying very close attention.
“And where would you suggest we stay old man,” Duchess asked turning a cold eye to him. She had no intention of staying anywhere uncomfortable at night.
“We should stay at the kingdom of the knights,” Hatter said which earned him a large smile from Charlie. “It's the only safe place I can think of.” Alice nodded along in agreement.
“In the woods,” Duchess asked her face showing clearly the disgust she felt.
“You wanted to come along princess,” Savy said with a smirk. “You could have stayed at home in your pretty little palace, but you wanted to come along. So you'll have to sleep in the dirt like the rest of us. What's the matter, 'fraid you'll get dirty?” Alright so she was taking it a little far. But really this Duchess woman had to know that this is what she'd signed up for. She'd signed up for an adventure, and adventures usually meant not washing and sleeping in the woods, if anything Savy'd read was any inclination.
“She's right Duchess, you can go back to the palace if you don't like it and let us handle this,” Alice agreed with a shrug. Alice had never disliked a woman as much as she disliked Duchess. And no, it didn't have anything to do with Jack, anymore. No now it was more that the woman was constantly complaining about something.
“Fine,” Duchess huffed, and turned her head to ignore them. She knew when she'd set out to get Alice and Hatter that they wouldn't go easy on her. They weren't going to treat her like royalty, they'd treat her just like everybody else. And that meant like everybody else she'd have to buck up and deal with the dirt that this journey entailed. Whether she liked it or not. She had sworn to herself she wouldn't return to the palace without her husband and son, and she just had to see this thing through. She'd never seen anything through in her life, but she had to see this through.
Topper stopped them in front of a grand building with grander columns. Hatter cocked his head in a confused fashion, but he assumed if the great library were to be moved it would be moved to a place of honor so that everyone could enjoy it. Yes, that made sense. Topper lead them into the building, and to the center of the rows upon rows of books where they found the old elevator that had been in the original Great Library. Hatter was pleased to see that at least some things didn't change. As they all piled in, Topper stayed at the front of the bus to speak to the operator. “We need to go to Dodo's office.” The operator nodded, and down they descended causing their stomachs to plummet at the sensation of dropping. Alice was really over this whole falling thing. She especially didn't like the elevator used in the Great Library it was jerky, and awkward. It jerked to a stop, and Alice let out a groan at the way her stomach shook with the motion of the bus.
“Follow me, follow me,” Topper said taking the lead again. Hatter was really getting quite sick of being lead around by the nose by this boy. It really didn't help that Hatter didn't like nor trust Topper. Then, he supposed, he didn't really have much choice. They needed Topper, at least for now, to get Jack and his son back. And then Hatter, Alice, and Savy could go home and live happily ever after, finally. Hatter could propose to Alice and everything would go perfectly just as it should of all along.
“Topper! Get all these people out of my office now! I'm positively claustrophobic with the lot of them in here,” Dodo said in annoyed tone.
“Get off it Dodo ya are no' nor 'ave ever been claustrophobic,” Hatter swaggered forward with a cocky smirk on his face. A cocky smirk Alice hadn't seen in quite some time. It seemed he used it most when he was doing shady business dealings, and Dodo had been one of his shady business partners. Alice had never minded the smirk before, but she always knew there was trouble right around the corner when he used it, which had her slightly worried.
“Hatter,” Dodo roared his eyes lighting with fury, and Alice found herself standing in front of Hatter just in case. “You dare show your face after what you've done?”
“Wha' I done? Wha' I done was do somethin' ya never could Dodo, I se' thin's righ',” Hatter offered in defense his eyes becoming self-righteous and his stance hardening. He tensed and pushed Alice behind him. Last time he'd seen Dodo the man had shot him. That probably wasn't the best way to have left the acquaintance, but it hadn't mattered much to Hatter when he left to be with Alice.
“We don't have time for this nonsense,” Duchess said stepping from behind Charlie a deep frown etching her features, in a rather unattractive way Savy thought. Yes, Savy was probably being overly harsh on the older woman, and she knew when Alice got the chance she'd receive a lecture on it. But there was just something in the way Duchess carried herself that pissed Savy off, the girl couldn't quite put her finger on it. “Who is this Aceline Heart bitch, and where has she taken my family?” However, Savy thought if Duchess continued to sound like that she could at least learn to respect her. At least the woman had gull enough to sound like she meant it. And for a moment there it actually seemed like Duchess may be able to back up that attitude. None of them were really sure if she could or not, but it didn't look like Dodo was taking any chances as he started thumbing through a rather large book on his desk.
“Heart you say,” Dodo asked his head bent diligently over the book. Duchess made a noise in the back of her throat, a cross between approval and confirmation. She didn't really like the company she was currently keeping, but she had little choice. Dodo was an annoyance at his best. Hater was an idiot at his worst. And Topper, well from what she'd heard about Topper he was going to be a hinderance and possibly trouble. Duchess didn't trust Topper, after all if Hatter didn't trust the boy then there must really be something wrong with him. Dodo was muttering to himself as he went through the large book leaving the group of people in his office to entertain themselves. Duchess' eyes remained trained firmly on Dodo himself, she wanted this thing done and over with so she could be at home in her bed once more with her family. Alice was rubbing slow calming circles on the back of Hatter's hand as she restrained the seething man from quite literally knocking Topper's block off. Charlie had fallen relatively silent, well with the exception of his singing once more, but he seemed perfectly content in his own world once more. Savy, however, was the opposite of Charlie, she was restless and nervous. She soon found herself pacing soundlessly about the room looking over the stacks upon stacks of books with bright interested eyes. No one seemed to pay Savy much attention, except Topper who found Savy to be a most interesting subject of observation. Like a rabbit in a new pin she seemed to be nervous and jittery about adjusting to her surroundings. He found her increasingly interesting the more he watched her, in fact.
“Ah found it,” Dodo announced causing everyone except Duchess to jump at the sudden exclamation. It seemed everyone except Duchess had been wrapped up in their own world entirely, completely forgetting why they were there exactly. This fact only managed to annoy Duchess, she didn't care for the idea that they were already getting caught up in their own personal business and forgetting why she'd brought them here. “Seems the queen had another child, a daughter a few years after Jack. But after the birth record the girl just drops off the books,” Dodo said surprising even himself.
“Must have taken her somewhere to keep her from being seen. She must have been the queen's back up plan,” Topper said with a firm nod to himself. Hatter looked at the boy, suspicion heavy in his eyes. There was just something off about how the boy knew all this.
“Where can we find this, prodigy, as it were. This squire of darkness, as it stands. This black shadow on the bright new world, as is. This wolf in sheep's clo-”
“Charlie, now is not the time,” Alice cut the old man off and he stood watching her wide eyed and bumbling to himself at being cut off. “Where do we find this lunatic?”
“The rumor is that she has a palace out in the hills of wonderland. An underground palace surrounded by a labyrinth of caves so that no one can find her. It looks like you're in for quite the journey.” Dodo smirked to himself, he knew what the rumors were. And he knew how dangerous those hills were said to be, there were all sorts of beasts not even known to the Wonderlanders themselves living in those wretched hills. He found himself very pleased that an opportunity at revenge on Topper and Hatter had presented itself, and now he was taking it.
“We should get a move on then,” Charlie who had been bumbling this entire time finally got out an intelligible sentence. “It's at least a two day journey to the base of the hills themselves. Oh this will be so fun. I haven't been up in those hills since I was a boy. I remember spending an entire night in those hills once, as a knight test, we had tests to show our bravery in those days you know. I was to face one of the many beasts of no name while I was there. And what do you think I found? This wretched chartreuse thing with ten heads and teeth so sharp the could cut a cloud in half.”
Hatter rolled his eyes, and turned to Dodo. “This bes' no' be one of yar tricks Dodo. We don' 'ave time for such nonsense,” he warned the old man before ushering Alice and Savy out of the room, the others close behind. They were all piled back into the bus, and everyone was silent. That seemed to be happening a lot. It was as if the weight of the thing they now understood they'd have to do was bearing down too heavily upon their chests to speak. There seemed to be a new understanding of this thing they'd been drug into.
Hours later found them sitting just as quietly around a fire in the kingdom of the knights. Alice and Hatter were still deep in thought each wondering why they'd drug Savy into this, and how the hell they'd get her out of it. Duchess had gone to bed early, she said something stupid about beauty rest, and they believed her. The real reason was she couldn't properly deal with her feelings in front of everyone else. She missed Jack, and Harper, and there was no way to deal with that when she was being watched as she felt she was. Charlie was leaning against a nearby tree, he'd dozed off long ago and was now humming in his sleep that same old tune. Savy sat on the ground in front of Hatter and Alice, her legs crossed and her eyes staring into the fire, she still couldn't believe where she was or what was happening, but she knew it had to be real. They hadn't seen Topper in a half hour, he'd gone off on some silly errand. When the boy did return Hatter rose from his spot, and stalked to him.
“Wha' tha 'ell are ya up ta Topper. I knew ya, philanthropy isn' yar bag. Ya don' jus' 'elp people from the kindness of yar 'eart. Wha's in this for ya,” Hatter had the boy cornered against a tree before he knew what was happening. The older man's voice was low and deadly. It was very clear he didn't trust this boy, no matter how young the boy may seem he'd obviously managed to prove how untrustworthy he was.
“Relax Hatter, relax. I'm getting paid by her majesty, if you must know,” Topper said warding the bigger man off with his hands. “She wanted someone who still knew the streets, and if you don't mind me saying you don't anymore. These streets are different. Sure they look all sunny and bright, but they're not.”
“Yar full of shi',” Hatter growled. There had to be more to it, there just had to be. This wasn't right. “Ya tell me or I'll sock ya one righ' 'ere righ' now lil boy.”
“Sock me one eh? In front of the ladies? My, you have changed Hatter. I remember a time when you were all about running from your problems instead of standing and facing them. Right coward y-,” the last few words were cut off by a firm punch to the jaw. Topper would have sworn he heard something crack if he didn't know better.
“Hatter! What is with you today? All strung up, what's wrong with you,” Alice asked grabbing him and pulling him from Topper back to his seat. Topper rubbed his jaw, and groaned a little. He'd forgotten what a nice right hook Hatter had. Perhaps he should have kept that in mind before provoking the man. Mental note, no more provoking Hatter.
“You asked for it,” Savy said, and Topper nearly jumped. She appeared to have melted from no where. The girl with the bright flame colored hair, and the eyes the color of the forest melted right out of the forest itself. It seemed ironic, or maybe that was just the knock to the head.
“Right, I'll keep that in mind next time he comes at me,” Topper grumbled and eyed the girl warily.
“You'd do well to. I don't think our dear Hatter trusts you at all. Which has me wondering, how did you fuck him over to the point where he'd lash out in such a way? Hatter's such a passive person, for the most part. What the fuck did you do?”
Ah inquisitive that one was. Inquisitive and spot on, he had done something, and Hatter had always been passive to him before he'd done it. That was another thought, for another time. Right now his jaw was throbbing. Damn that right fist. “'s none of your business little miss,” Topper said bowing his head in a regal way.
“Don't you call me little, I'd deck you myself if Hatter hadn't already,” Savy growled out. There was a whistle and she looked to see Hatter and Alice retreating to the room Charlie had set up for them. “Watch your fucking mouth,” was all she said before she turned on a heel, and followed closely behind to the place Charlie had set aside for her. Bedtime. “And get some rest, we have to be up at the asscrack of dawn tomorrow.”
Alice put Hatter to bed, and then made sure Savy made it to her own. She'd never thought of herself much as the mother figure but suddenly she felt like a hen. She had to be on top of everything with everyone if only to keep the peace and keep everyone safe. She had to be the leader, again. Oh, Hatter, how he'd get them into a mess if she let him lead. He was acting so rashly today. Hatter was caught up in his supreme dislike of Topper. Duchess was caught up in something like sorrow. Charlie was caught up in his lunacy. Topper was, well she just didn't trust him. And Savy was caught up in the wonder of it all. Yes, she'd have to be the leader, and take charge, she'd have to keep her head clear and straight. These people were depending on her, again.
Topper watched Savy closely with a scowl, as she walked away. Silly little woman didn't even know what she was getting herself into. She'd fallen into Wonderland head first with that fire red hair, bright green eyes, that pride of her's, and that mouth that when she opened it showed she was anything but a dainty little flower. That girl was asking for trouble. And Topper'd be damned if she wouldn't find it here.