Breaking Wonderland: The Mad Tea Party
BTAS (Batman Animated Series)
(Sequel to Breaking Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass) Arkham is a mess and missing some of it's worst inmates. Will Arkham's escaped inmates have a smooth transition like the rest of Gotham City?
I know worst summary EVER! So here I go again, this is the fourth story of my arc, Breaking Wonderland. If you've stumbled upon this story for the first time. I will guarantee you will be confused with the plot, especially with this opening. If this doesn't dampen your spirits and you don't mind a lot of catching up to do and I do mean a lot...-cough- reading. So once again, this is a fourth story or my Breaking Wonderland Arc: First being Solo Title, Second: Alice in Chains, Third: Through the Looking Glass and yeah they're multi-chapter arcs. Okay enough with the warnings here we go.
Chapter 1: Mourning
It was a cold rainy morning, typical for an autumn day in Gotham. Bruce Wayne sat in the back seat of his black limousine as his butler Alfred drove through the small roads of Evergreen Meadows Cemetery. The grass was still a lively shade of green which contrasted the gray sky above. The limo slowly pulled to a stop as there were a few other vehicles parked around the area. Alfred lowered his privacy window clearing his throat.
"We have arrived Master Bruce," he said curtly. Bruce Wayne frowned as he lowered his tinted window and looked at the scene before his eyes. A small group of people gathered around the empty grave site. Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Bullock were talking to each other still in their everyday trenches and typical work clothes. Barbara shoved a reporter back angrily before crossing her arms and walking away towards Dick who was standing by a tree. She stared at him seriously before raising her arm placing her hand on his shoulder. A few others were around that he didn't know but was surprised were there in the first place. "Hmm, unusually crowded don't you think?" Alfred questioned. Bruce nodded as he raised his tinted window back up.
"Strange, I agree," Bruce replied as he unlocked his door and opened it. Bruce Wayne stepped out of his limo carrying a bouquet of flowers. He made his way across the slippery grass and headed towards Dick and Barbara's direction. Barbara stared at Bruce as he made his way across before glancing back at Dick. Dick noticed Barbara's distraction and turned facing Bruce expectantly.
"I wasn't sure you were going to make it," Dick stated simply.
"It's a bit dark for sunglasses don't you think," Bruce commented as Dick wore heavily tinted black shades. He frowned looking away.
"It's okay Dick," Barbara said comforting him as she gave Bruce a scolding look. Dick walked away toward the seating area taking a seat on the second row.
"Smooth Bruce...real smooth," Barbara scolded sarcastically. Bruce frowned in response. He wasn't good at dealing with emotions, he was even worse at cheering people up.
"Sorry, just didn't expect him to be wearing sunglasses," Bruce said defensively. Barbara grimaced.
"Yeah me too, he must be taking this really hard," she said as she gazed at Dick.
"Who are half these people?" Bruce finally asked.
"Who knows, obviously you got the idiot news reporters near that tree. I'm guessing the rest may be old friends and employees, and the others...I really don't know," Barbara surmised. A red-headed lady started sobbing by the priest who placed a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort the young woman. He stepped away from her before clearing his throat.
"Ladies...Gentlemen, please take your seats, the ceremony is about to begin," the clergyman announced as he raised his hands in the air. Guest started to gather toward the sitting area. Barbara made her way toward the third row close to Dick and close to where her father stood who was smoking with Detective Bullock. Bruce made his way toward second to the last row. He couldn't help but wonder about the strangers.
"I feel so guilty... every since that day... you know she went to Arkham. I was afraid to talk to her. Now she's gone and I never got to say sorry or ask her how she...was-" the red-headed woman started sobbing. Bruce recognized her as Amy Montgomery, one of his employees. A brunette woman placed her arm around the red head's shoulder.
"It wasn't just you... we all were," the brunette woman admitted sadly.
"Now!" the clergyman announced as most of the guest were seated. "As we gather around to commemorate the passing of a young woman, Alice Pleasance, we come together not just in sadness but also in comfort," the priest announced. Soon Dr. Richardson and her boyfriend came through the aisle and sat in the front row. She immediately pulled out a handkerchief and started crying. Bruce frowned as he knew the guilt she must have had in her heart, for he had it too. He glanced over toward Dick who ignored Dr. Richardson sobbing. He must have been angry still and he couldn't blame him. "For this young woman had a very full life. Full of hope, happiness, sadness, and grieving..." the clergyman continued. Bruce saw an unexpected but familiar face sitting in the aisle across to his left. Selina Kyle sat there in a black tight knee-length dress. She had a small hat with a small black veil. Bruce took a double look at her direction before standing up and stealthily making his way across to a seat next to her. "As her husband Billy has passed before her, leaving young Alice in a life of hardship-" the clergyman continued.
"Miss Kyle," Bruce whispered toward Selina. Selina inhaled a small breath before exhaling, she didn't bother looking toward Bruce as she already knew who sat next to her.
"Bruce," she replied curtly.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Bruce started in a low whisper. Selina shook her head.
"Same goes for you," Selina said simply as she relaxed crossing her legs and arms. Bruce examined her pose and smiled.
"Well Alice was one of my employees," Bruce said looking back at the clergyman who kept reciting Alice's life.
"Awe didn't know you cared so much for them," Selina said mockingly. Bruce frowned.
"I do care besides I knew Alice more than others," Bruce said defensively. Selina grinned as she shook her head.
"Yeah right," she snapped sarcastically. This time Bruce crossed his arms.
"You're avoiding the question..." Bruce said more sternly. "How do you know Alice?" he asked stubbornly. Selina rolled her eyes.
"I helped her out of a jam once," Selina said silkily. Bruce smirked as he perked a brow. Selina frowned as she looked down sadly. "A lot of good that did," she said bitterly. Bruce frowned as Selina's expression looked genuinely bitter.
"Now we mourn the passing of dear Alice but soon we will be celebrating as her life comes to an end, she has finally reached peace," the clergyman said as he turned. Selina stood up and walked toward the gravestone. Bruce looked behind him and saw a few other people watching from behind the trees. He perked a brow curiously before looking back at Selina. Selina who held onto to a white lily and tossed it in front of the grave. Her lips moved whispering something but he couldn't see nor hear it. "Has anyone have any last words?" the clergyman asked. Dr. Richardson shook her head it looked like she wanted to stand up but decided against it. Selina left the funeral passing by Commissioner Gordon and Bullock releasing a satisfied smirk as she passed.
"See you around Bruce," Selina said as she walked passed him as well. Selina stared at the two women walking opposite of her direction.
"Now as we say our goodbyes, pray for Alice's soul as she crosses into the promised land. A moment of silence please," the clergyman demanded as he bowed his head and closed his eyes. Everyone around the area did the same. Bruce heard people sitting where he once was and opened his eyes glancing toward the direction. Two more women had sat down, both wearing a big black fashionable hat and heavy veils. It was almost impossible to see who they were. More old friends, perhaps. Bruce thought as he closed his eyes once again. "Good this concludes our ceremony, may you go in peace," the clergyman said as he turned blessing the area before walking away. Bruce noticed a few other people were now standing in the surrounding trees. He stood up and walked up to the gravestone. He bent low placing the bouquet of flowers by Selina's lily. He stood up reading the tombstone.
Here lies Alice Pleasance,
May her next life be as wondrous and adventurous as her past life.
Bruce furrowed his brows wondering who wrote the epitaph.
"Oh, Alice I'm so sorry..." Dr. Richardson grieved as she placed a bouquet of yellow roses by Bruce's. Mr. Terrance hugged her as she walked away crying. Barbara looked at her sadly as she followed Dick who placed down a pink rose and Barbara who carried a bouquet of lilies. The grave filled with flowers fast.
"I feel ashamed," Dick finally spoke.
"Don't be," Bruce said. Dick stayed quiet as he walked away. Barbara frowned as she stared at the grave.
"I'm sorry Alice... I didn't get to know you too well," Barbara started. "Though the few moments we shared I could tell you were a sweet girl," Barbara continued. "I hope you're finally at peace," she said she shed a tear as she turned, mumbling about the strangers and the number of guests.
"Why!? Why like this!?" the blonde woman in the back row cried out. Bruce turned to look at the woman sobbing as she pulled out a tissue and blew into it loudly.
"Shhh, calm down..." the red-headed woman whispered angrily.
"I'll get him! I swear it! He was supposed...to-" the red-headed woman covered the yelling blonde's mouth. Bruce narrowed his eyes, they both sounded familiar. Bruce looked around seriously wondering who were all these unknown guest. After a few minutes of staring around Bruce made his way toward his limo. He glanced over the top of his limo as he grabbed the handle of the door. He saw a glimpse of a couple by a tree across the road. Bruce opened the door and got in his car.
"How was the ceremony?" Alfred asked curiously. Bruce frowned as he eyed the couple suspiciously. There was a man with a black top hat with a woman wearing a short brown hair bob wearing big round sunglasses next to him. Bruce looked back at the few remaining guests who were still there throwing flowers at the grave. Two other strangers appeared next to the two women now. The crying woman was now stomping on the ground in front of her yelling at the tombstone. The other woman held her back beckoning one of the gentlemen to help her. Soon the gentleman grabbed the woman's shoulder, along with the red-headed woman, and pulled the blonde frenzied woman back. They both continued to struggle to calm her down. "Sir?" Alfred asked again. Bruce looked back at the direction where the couple was standing but they were gone. "Sir?" Alfred asked again with a slight hint of displeasure. Bruce couldn't get a good look at the gentlemen faces with the angle and the trees that were in the way.
"Who are they?" Bruce said out loud to himself. He paused grimacing. "No...it can't be," he said before shaking his head. "Alfred you can drive on now," Bruce spoke to Alfred who was reading his book. Alfred smirked as he put down his book.
"Very well, sir," Alfred replied as he started the engine. "Was Master Dick alright?" Alfred asked. Bruce frowned.
"He still seems angry," Bruce revealed. Alfred frowned this time.
"I'm guessing he won't stop by before he leaves then," Alfred said sadly as he turned the steering wheel. Bruce stared at the window pondering in silence.
