Chapter 51: Mad as a Hatter

Tim's POV

"Big Red, is he in there?" I whispered as the two of us scoped out the abandoned theme park.

He nodded in response. "This has the Mad Hatter written all over it. The psychopath normally holds out at the Wonderland Ride. He's very predictable."

The Mad Hatter, Zsaz, and Firefly had all broken out of Arkham on the same night. Jason and I were going after The Mad Hatter. Dick and Damian were tracking Firefly and Bruce went after Zsaz.

Red Hood and I were stationed on the Ferris Wheel at the old abandoned theme park. The park was no longer running since the city had shut it down for being unsafe. Besides, a new one had been built on the other side of town. Mad Hatter had taken a teenaged girl into the Wonderland ride. We needed to find her and fast before the villain realized she isn't his beloved "Alice."

"Okay. This is how this is going down. I'll go in first and you cover me from up here."

"How can I cover you if I'm outside and your inside?" I asked.

"Um… Fine. You can come in with me, but be careful."

"I will." I promised before we dropped down and crept towards the entrance.

The ride looked like something out of a horror flick. Creepy animatronic manikins, broken tracks and carts, and it as really dark inside. We followed the tracks as the lead to a drop, simulating the "down the rabbit hole part." From there, I could see a headless Cheshire cat in a tree. This is creepy. I edged closer to Jason.

"Little Red, maybe you should turn back. It's dark and creepy as Hell down there and-"

"I'm okay." I replied before we dropped down into the chasm.

"Just stay close to me." he ordered as we passed the white rabbit that only had half a face.

We continued as we passed a table with bottles labeled 'drink me' and came to stop at a door with the creepy talking doorknob. Jason removed a few explosive Batarangs and was about to drive them into the heavy mechanical door, but the door suddenly swung open; by itself… he knows we're here.

A scream suddenly broke the silence.

"Let's move!" Red Hood ordered, sprinting in the direction of the cry.

Running after him, I yelped as a few broken boards gave way beneath me. Before I could fall, a hand encased my cape and I was pulled from the hole.

"Stay here." Jason commanded, setting me on firm ground.

I wanted to follow him. I didn't want to be alone. And it is really scary in here. I remained where I was as he disappeared. I practically jumped out of my skin as a moaning sound came from one of the walls.

I swallowed my fear and crept over to the sound.

********Break********

Jason's POV

I found Jervis Tetch in the Tea Party section. Of course. The bastard quietly sat amongst the animatronics, sipping tea.

"Where's the girl?" I growled, approaching him with my guns drawn.

"No time to sit, no time to chat, you're searching for my Alice, aren't you little bat?"

"Alright Tetch, you have two choices: either you tell me where the girl is and you come quietly or you tell me where the girl is and you come with me in a body bag."

"My my my. Such in a hurry. The white rabbit is the only one allowed to be in a hurry in Wonderland. Please, sit down and have some tea. It is your unbirthday, isn't it?"

"I don't have time for this shit! Where is she!" I demanded, coming closer.

The 4'll psycho leapt onto the table and joyfully sang, "Alice, come out, don't pout, don't make me shout. Alice, come out." He paused and took a sip of his tea. "She isn't here yet. Please, sit down."

"Look, you screwed up little fu-"

I paused as he started laughing. Why do I always get the crazies? I took a step forward before I felt something collide with my skull, sending me into darkness.

********Break********

Tim's POV

Walking over to the wall, the moaning became louder. A hidden door was revealed. I pushed it open and cautiously peered inside. The room was empty, except for one thing; it was the girl.

She had been tied down and gagged. I took notice of her blue eyes and blonde hair and the fact that she has wearing Alice's dress.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to help you." I replied softly before cutting her loose.

"Thank you." She murmured and wiped at her eyes.

"What's your name?"

"Jessica… I want to go home."

"We'll help you get home."

"We?"

"Yeah, me and-"

I broke off as wonderland suddenly became very activated. Uh oh, not good. I could hear music running and dim lights suddenly snapping on.

"Twinkle, Twinkle, little bat. How I wonder where you're at." The voice of Jervis Tetch rang out over the speakers.

"Red Robin?" she whispered.

"It's okay." I replied, reaching for her hand. "I'll protect you."

"But, you're like seven."

Well, my self-esteem just dropped. I'm barely five foot. Stupid height! Stupid baby fat!

"Come on, we have to get out of here." I turned to go back out of the door I came through, but it swung shut as a door behind us swung open. This is not good.

"What do we do now?" she whispered, clearly scared.

"We go the long way."

We crept from the room and we soon found ourselves in the hedge maze. Oh crap, red roses. A cardboard castle came into view with the Mad Hatter stationed in front.

"Alice, my dear Alice. Do come here. I want to play with you." The creep sang out as Jessica hid behind me.

"Leave her alone!" I yelled as he frowned at me.

"Tsk, tsk. That tone will simply not do, I'll have you." He clapped his hands.

Soon, a mechanical army of playing cards formed around us. But, that wasn't the worst part. Jason was with them, holding a battle axe.

"Off with his head!" the villain screamed as his army stepped forward.

"Run!" I yelled at the girl as she obeyed and started running.

Uh oh. I'm in trouble. I backed away slowly. Okay, the cards are all electronic. What weapons do I have that… Water! I gazed up at the sprinkler system above us. Please work, please work. I rolled out of the way and aimed a Birdarang at the sprinkler control panel.

Yes! I watched as water fell from overhead. The playing cards all dropped. Yes!

"Off with his head!"

I rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the axe. Jason. I can't beat him in a fight.

"Big Red, stop. Please. You don't want to hurt me." I pleaded as he lifted his weapon into the air.

"Off with his head!" he screamed before bringing it down as I narrowly avoided its path.

Dodging the blade, I rolled and drew my staff. I had barely gotten it out before the blade of the axe came into contact with my staff. Sparks flew from the combining metal. I was caught off guard as Jason kicked me, knocking me into the wall and taking my breath away. I cried out as the blade of the weapon sank into contact with my shoulder, narrowly missing my neck. Blood stained the carpet of plastic grass as his fist made contact with my cheek, knocking me onto my back.

"Off with his head!"

I rolled and drew my backup staff as the axe struck the metal pole.

"Please, don't do this." I pleaded as he pushed down harder, causing my staff to slam into my ribcage.

The axe was replaced by his boot before I could even move. I swallowed as he slowly lifted the weapon into the air. Wait, he's not balanced! I aimed a kick towards his left leg, knocking him completely off balance. Before he could get back up, I launched myself towards his helmet.

Jason's POV

I groaned and opened my eyes to find Red Robin holding my helmet as he looked down at me. What happened? I watched him reach into my helmet and snatch some wires out of it.

"Little Red, what-" I paused as I noticed the battle axe encased in my hand. My eyes left the weapon as they traveled across his face. I could see a bruise beginning to form along with a bloody lip. Blood flowed from an open wound an inch from a major artery; Any closer to that artery and he would have bled to death within seconds.

"It's okay. You didn't mean it." he stated softly, seeing the look of horror on my face.

"Babybird, I… I didn't mean… I wouldn't… I-" I stammered, until a scream interrupted me.

"Come on! She's in trouble! We have to do something!"

"Not until I make sure you're not going to bleed out on me!"

"No! I'm fine! We have to help her!" he replied before leaping to his feet and running towards the sound as I fell in behind him.

The girl was trapped against the mushroom with that joint smoking caterpillar. Tetch was slowly approaching her with a knife.

"You're not Alice. Where's Alice! I want my Alice!" He screamed.

"Please, don't kill me." she pleaded, tears flowing from her face.

I drew my gun, only to have Tim step in front of me.

"Stop!" Tim screamed. "She isn't Alice!"

"Then where is she?" the schizophrenic bastard demanded.

"She's waiting on you in Arkham."

"She is?" he asked in a voice filled with hope.

"Yes and you're wasting time. She's waiting on you right now. All you have to do is drop the knife." Tim replied.

"Oh Alice. Take me to my Alice!" he joyfully replied, dropping the weapon.

********Break********

"Take your shirt off." I commanded as he scrambled onto the medical examination table in the cave.

I bit my lip as fresh bruises appeared on his back, side, and ribs. I did that. I hurt my little brother. I almost killed him. I'm supposed to protect him.

"Jay, you didn't know what you were doing. I know you wouldn't ever hurt me."

"Hold still." I commanded as I poured alcohol onto his shoulder, making him wince as the red turned white.

"I'm gonna have to do it again. It's infected… and you're gonna need stitches. We could wait till Alfred gets back or-"

"You can do it." he replied, softly.

"You want something for pain?" I asked as he shook his head.

A couple of loose tears fell from his face as I patched his shoulder.

"It's not the best job, but it'll do. Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"No, just bruises."

"You can put your pajama top back on… Tim, you know that I'd never hurt you, don't you? I mean you're my little brother and I love you… I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Jay. I love you too. It wasn't your fault."

"You did good today. You found and saved the girl, took out an army of robots, beat me in a fight, and convinced Tetch to check himself back into Arkham."

"Thanks." He replied, giving me a smile.

"I know it's late, but Bruce isn't back yet. Do you wanna watch a movie or something?"

"As long as it's not Alice in Wonderland."