Breaking Wonderland: Alice in Chains
BTAS (Batman Animated Series)
(Sequel to Breaking Wonderland) After her breakdown, Alice is forced to seek psychiatric help. Though the criminals in Arkham have other things on mind, again.
PS: Sorry for any grammar mistakes, typos, anything else.
Chapter 14: Ship Ahoy!
Alice awoke startled as the brown sack was yanked off her head. She opened her eyes wide, hair askew. She grew conscious of the situation, that it wasn't just a dream, it was a living nightmare as she was too afraid to look up at her captor.
"So you've finally awoken," a man's voice came to her ears. He had a deep voice, full of anger and hatred, though he sounded articulate, similar to Jervis. "Don't be afraid...not yet at least, you can look up if you want," he said in mock sweetness. Alice was too nervous to look up, though she was afraid of the consequences if she didn't. "That's good, I love the look a person has when they're faced with fear," he said venomously. Alice's breath started to become heavy as she grew upset and even more scared. The man dressed like a scarecrow was incredibly thin, yet his mask was frightening. "Now you must be wondering who am I and why I did this to you?" he said as he let out a wave of his hand and loud noise could be heard overhead. "Well it's simple really, revenge," he let out as a matter of fact. A long chain was being pulled to their location. Alice looked up briefly and suddenly took a good look around. She realized she was in some run down factory as she gazed upon the old machinery. She looked towards her feet, she was elevated on a metal catwalk. The jingling of metal could be heard as a chain came hovering in front of them. "In all honesty, I never had plans to physically harm you, though Mad Hatter continues to be a thorn in my side," he said bitterly.
"Mmmm!"Alice muffled out.
"Hmm what was that?" Scarecrow asked mockingly. "Ah it's only fair that you have a few words to say," he said as he ripped off the tape covering her mouth. Alice gasped loudly as her face was sore from the tape. She steadied her breath.
"You! You're the one that-that-" Alice stuttered, she paused gathering her courage. "You killed Billy!" she finally yelled out.
"Ah, yes Billy and... Denise was it?" he said with a chuckle. "Well let's just say that was just an accident," he admitted.
"What?" Alice squeaked her eyes wide.
"Yes, you see Tetch has ruined not just one but two masterfully planned escapes from Arkham, it was unnerving," he drawled as he began examining the chain. "When I finally did escape I needed a way to get even and you... well you were just a constant reminder of him. The way he went on about you, it was sickening. I wanted to make him pay. I wanted to hurt you but after seeing how lovesick you were with Billy, I changed my plan, I figured hurt Billy, harm you emotionally, and boast it all to the Hatter. I knew he would be enraged knowing I even glanced at your direction. HA! Well guess what Billy is dead and here you are better off are you not?" he said pulling the chain towards her.
"What? How could you! I loved him! You had no right! No right!" Alice yelled out. Scarecrow just laughed.
"Yes, you did love him, didn't you? Did you ever ask yourself, did he love you?" he questioned as he walked behind her slipping her off the chair. Alice was quiet, was it that obvious that some stranger could see how Billy was. Of course, it was he knew about his affair after all. Alice was quiet she didn't have an answer. Scarecrow wrapped the chain around her making sure she was secure.
"What are you doing? Why are you doing this I never done anything to hurt you!" Alice pleaded as she started to panic.
"No you haven't just think of yourself as an innocent bystander," he replied simply. He nodded and soon the crane lifted, carrying Alice with it. She gasped again as she felt her feet lift off the ground, the crane moved back placing her above a giant container holding a foul-smelling, green liquid below her. Alice screamed.
"What are you doing? Stop!" she screeched. Her voice came out more nasal like than before.
"Too bad this has to be done since I have no intentions of carrying out my part of the deal," he said simply and with that, he turned and left the catwalk. Leaving Alice hanging over the batch of unknown liquid.
Joker looked at his watch headed towards the ships helm. He swung open the door, Harley saluted him as he headed towards the wheel. He let out a small cough as he turned on the engines.
"Everything's set first mate Harley?" he asked.
"Aye Aye captain!" Harley bellowed.
"Good, now let's get moving! We have a ship to plummet," he said as he started to leave the docks. It took him a while to turn the large fish ship around before heading out towards the location of the Luxury Liner, that would be nearing Gotham's docks soon. Minutes later they finally found their target cruising south giving the guest a last look of Gotham's sun setting into the ocean.
"Ahhh!" Harley sighed. "Look at that sunset. Isn't it romantic?" Harley mused.
"Yes, yes," Joker irritatedly agreed. "Now keep a look out and your mind on loot!" he said as he sped up. They soon managed their way in front of the luxury liner causing it to slow down even more. "You!" he pointed towards a large man sitting down behind them. "You take the wheel, it's booty time!" he boomed and Harley let out a small laugh as she followed him out of the helm. Joker made his way on top of a large crate where a huge Gatling gun was placed on top. He aimed towards the luxury liner grinning broadly. "Are you ready? Harley!" Joker asked and Harley stepped up near him carrying a large rocket launcher with a clown face in front of the missile. Harley steadied her aim locking on the ship.
"Aye Aye...captain," Harley said nervously.
"Good, Ladies first," he said with a smirk.
"If you insist Mr. J," Harley grunted making sure her aim was still for one last second. The missile flew towards the luxury liner causing a large hole near the upper decks. Screams could be faintly heard from the ship.
"Ah-ha ha ha!" Joker laughed amused from the scene. "Circle around the ship I want to scare those rich idiots a little more." Joker's fish ship started to speeding around the luxury liner. He shot the sides of the ship making holes all around the sides. Screaming continued to be heard as people ran about looking for places to hide. Finally, they closed on to the ship grappling it with rope. People screamed panicking as other passengers started escaping on the emergency rafts. Jokers henchman climbed the rope on top of the ships first, while Harley and Joker knocked off a man who was escaping on a raft. Soon Jokers henchman pulled up the raft, Joker stood there posing his leg up on the edge of the raft looking refined as Harley sat next him preparing the laughing bombs. Finally, they reached the deck and more of the guest started to scream as news spread that the Joker was the one causing the chaos. Joker and Harley jumped on to the ship happily strutting about.
"Look Mr. J, they're all thrilled to see 'ya!" Harley beamed as people ran away from them yelling.
"I know, I know it's so hard being so popular," he grinned as he pulled out a bullhorn clearing his throat.
"Ahem!" he let out and people yelled a little less wondering what was going on. "Now listen up you ungrateful wealthy whelps! I Captain Joker and my first mate Harley will proceed on robbing you. If all goes well you won't be gassed. If not well you're in for the laugh of a lifetime," he warned. People started to look around at each other.
"Someone do something!" a lady insisted.
"Do what? I don't plan on dying on this ship," a man replied as he started taking off his watch. Others were doing the same. Harley pulled out a bag in one hand as she held on to a gun, the henchmen did the same as the made their way toward the crowd. Harley and Joker started filling their bag with jewels, wallets, and other valuables the guest had on them. Though within minutes sirens could be heard.
"Did you hear that?" the Joker asked and Harley nodded.
"Yeah, it seems like a few cops caught wind of what we're doin'," she replied. More sirens could be heard as they grew louder. Harley ran towards the other end of the ship looking towards Gotham city. Lights could be seen along the shore and shipping area. "Oh oh, we have big trouble puddin! There's a lot more than few pigs gathering the shores...it's like the whole precinct is here and they look like they mean business!" she yelled. Joker let out a ferocious groan.
"Wasn't that idiot bag of straw suppose to distract them?" he asked bitterly.
"If he is... he's doing a bad job," Harley nervously let out, frowning.
"What?" Joker noticed and Harley flashed a smile before frowning again.
"What if you know who shows up?" Harley said. "If the cops are here who knows who else might show," Harley hinted. Joker frowned as well.
"You got a point there, matey. Prepare to leave. The show's over folks!" Joker yelled. Harley made her way towards their ship carrying the bag of loot and tossing it on to their ship as well. Joker pulled out an odd looking gun and started to back away.
"You rich buffoons lucked out this time but next time you guys might not be so lucky," he threatened. He then released a huge smile. "Oh what the heck, let's take those dreary frowns off your faces!" he jeered as he fired his gun and a small can of smoke tumbled into the crowd throwing a green gas into the air. Immediately the people around it started choking in laughter. "Now that's more like it!" he chuckled happily. Joker was about to turn when he realized a strangely familiar figure made its way through the gas and towards them. "Eh?" the Joker questioned as the familiar figure became apparent. Batman grew closer he was wearing a mask over his face. Joker's face turned to one of fear as he walked back more steadily. "YOU! AGAIN!" Joker let out angrily.
"Joker! Playtime is over," Batman grunted through the mask.
"Oh really! It seems you made it just in time!" he said as he snapped his fingers and his henchman rushed towards Batman. Joker ran towards his smaller fish ship and started to cut the grappling hooks. It didn't take long before Batman defended himself against Joker's brutes. Though it was too late Joker had started to drive away from the Luxury Liner.
"So long, Bats!" Joker yelled with a wave as they drove away from the huge ship. "Phew that was close," Joker let out as Harley stared at the Luxury Liner frowning.
"Yeah... we were so close to succeeding this time," Harley agreed. Joker eyed the bag of loot Harley held on to.
"Give me that!" he snapped ripping it from Harley's grip.
"Ouch, Hey!" Harley yelled defensively. Though Joker was already digging in the bag looking at his rewards. Harley sighed, as she looked forward. "Oh oh," she released as she nervously started backing away.
"Oh ho ho! Look at this baby!" Joker pulled out a diamond-studded watch.
"I think you better look up," Harley squeaked before running off. Joker looked up angrily taking his gaze off his prize. Batman stood stalking towards them.
"You! Don't you ever give up?" Joker yelled furiously. Batman continued to stalk towards him not saying a word. "Hey... hey now," Joker frowned as Batman quietly made his way towards him, an aura of anger could be felt as his presence drew near. Joker grabbed his bag of loot and threw it towards Batman. "Fine take it!" he yelled as Batman grabbed the bag of loot taking a step back. Gas started to leak out the bag as well. Batman coughed as he reached into the bag grabbing the gas bomb and tossing it overboard. Though by then Joker had escaped. Batman quietly searched the boat keeping an eye out for the Joker. Though it wasn't too long as the Joker made himself known.
"Here Batty Batty, come to Joker! Eh he he," he giggled as he lured Batman toward him. Joker posed dignified with his captain's hat on. Standing there innocently.
"Time to end this now!" Batman growled.
"Now that was my line! Oh well... Harley!" he yelled and the sound of a crane could be heard a large net with tons of fish was trapped in it. Batman rushed towards the Joker who smirked preparing to run "We have quite a catch! But alas the elusive Batman has yet to be caught... until NOW!" Joker yelled though Harley hesitated. Joker looked back up at Harley who was in control of the cranes. "I said NOW!" he yelled as he started to run. Harley moved the fish towards his direction and dropped it on the Joker causing him to yell in horror as the huge net of fish came crashing on him. Batman rolled out of the way barely in time. Harley jumped off hesitantly looking at the Joker making sure he was okay.
"Is he-he okay, my poor puddin'?" Harley asked. Batman shook his head as he made his way towards the Joker, only his head and one of his hands were seen under the huge pile of fish. Batman leaned down and checked his pulse.
"He's alive just unconscious," he said seriously.
"Oh okay, good," Harley squeaked out.
"Why did you do that? You had a shot on landing it on me," Batman asked calmly. Harley looked up at him nervously.
"What are you doing here you're supposed to be at the old Good Boy dog factory," Harley spoke up. Batman stayed quiet as he was confused and caught off guard.
"Explain yourself," he demanded. Harley gave a crooked weak smile.
"Well 'ya see we made a deal with Scarecrow he was supposed to cause some big distraction, luring you and the coppers toward the factory," Harley started. Batman stayed quiet his eyes glaring. "And well... Scarecrow well he wanted someone for exchange..." Harley paused. Batman's glare didn't flinch. "Oh fine, he's got, Alice... Alice Pleasance that was the deal we hand him the girl and he keeps you and the coppers off our backs!" Harley shouted. "So go on now, get! Scram! Move it! Audios!" Harley hinted as she shoved off Batman.
"Why are you so concerned for Alice Pleasance's life?" Batman asked simply. Harley stepped back and gulped.
"Uhh... nothing...let's just say she grew on me," she said nervously as she played with her fingers.
"Fine..." Batman spoke finally, "but first," he grabbed Harley's wrist and brought it down towards the Joker's free wrist that was not under the fishnet. He brought out his handcuffs and handcuffed them together. Harley frowned as Batman stood up and walked away.
"Yeah sure, thanks for the info Harley!" she yelled out sarcastically as Batman disappeared off the boat. She frowned at first then released a lopsided grin.