I do NOT own Alice in Wonderland, only this story and my original characters.

This story is rated M, for violence, language and sexual themes.

Chapter 2

Arrival's finally Made

Alice swiftly opened the door, making sure to remove her key after she re-locked it. The last thing she wanted was for anyone else to get through, no matter what side they were from. Then taking a deep breath she turned around only to gasp at the sight before her.

The beautiful Underland that she was told of as a child was not what she was greeted with. There were no bright colors, no happy songs, even the flowers were gone. Whatever this place was it was not Underland. This place was dark and dismal. The trees looked sharp and hatful. The sky and ground were a shady mix of reds and black. This was not her great-grandmothers Wonderland. This was a nightmare.

With a shaking voice and tears threatening to fall Alice forced herself to step forward. The cracked soil broke against her runners. This wasn't right. Something must have done this, but what? What was so strong that it could destroy a whole world?

As she was thinking about what could have possibly done this, she wondered aimlessly. It wasn't until she tripped over something that she realized that she couldn't see the door anymore. Looking down at what caused her to fall her eyes locked on the familiar object.

"A teapot?" It sounded more like a strangled question due to her confusion and hoarse voice. Alice looked at the teapot. It was a soft yellow with a ring of blue daisies around it. It would have been beautiful if it wasn't caped in dirt and cracked from obvious abuse.

Setting it down and scrambling to her feet she tried to get her bearings. Alice looked around and what she saw not only shocked her but also infuriated her. Scattered every which way were teapots, tea cups, saucers and plates. Spoons and forks stuck up from the ground like tomb stones and in the center of the destruction was a broken table. A very long table or at least it looked like it. It was broken into four pieces.

Alice could feel the blood rushing to her face in a fit of rage. She knew where she was. This was where the Mad Hatter drank his tea and had his tea parties. This was the place her great-grandmother first met him. Tarrant Hightop. He was Underland's maddest hatter but he was also their best.

Ever since she had heard the stories of the Mad Hatter Alice had liked him. He inspired her in some odd way. And over years of stories she had grown fond of thinking he was hers. Alice was always thinking of him and it wasn't surprising that her likeness turned to love.

However seeing this sight was just horrifying. So, not caring who or what heard her she let out a very loud scream. She screamed for the tea garden, for the Hatter and his friends and for Underland in general. It was then and there that Alice decided she was going to save Underland and its people. But first she need to find out what happened and who she was going up against.

Looking back up at the bloody sky she winced, how was she going to find anything out if she couldn't find anyone to ask? Sighing deeply partly because she was tired and partly from screaming, she forced herself to think positive. There was a pathway that she could've followed though for some reason she didn't.

Alice didn't know what the feeling was so she decided to call it her "woman's intuition". It was like she was being summoned into a thick group of trees. So swallowing her pride and fear she pushed herself past them feeling the branched pull at her sweater.

Finally getting through the last of the trees she realized she was now in a yard. The picket fence she assumed was once white was broken and chipping horribly. The house she realized was in the shape of a rabbit. Although the left ear was broken along with all the windows.

Alice felt sickened at the sight of all the destruction. She could tell there had been a fight due to the remains of the bushes and shrubs. They were hacked into unsightly shapes and honestly resembled some of the art her step-mother bought all the time.

Stepping into the house, Alice saw it was equally destroyed on the inside as it was on the outside. Shelves were ripped apart and dishes broken. All in all it was not a pretty sight. Looking over some of the wreckage Alice found some pictures. One of which made her heart race. There, top hat and all was the Mad Hatter, grinning ear to ear. Quickly looking around she removed it from the frame and put it into her pocket.

Continuing her search she lifted a large rug with revealed a cellar door. Placing her ear next to it she listened, whoever lived here could still be here hiding. So listening intently she waited. And there it was. Giddy with glee, Alice whipped open the door to be greeted with a spoon. Out of nowhere a spoon come and hit her right between the eyes. This was followed by mad laughter.

Falling backwards Alice watched a rabbit-no a hare come out of the cellar, twitching the whole way. Its eyes were buggy and his fur was sticking out in every direction. Alice thought he was adorable, and she knew exactly who he was. Before her was the March Hare, Thackery Earwicket.

"Thackery? Are you Thackery, the March Hare?" Alice asked curiously, and somewhat cautiously. She already knew the answer but she wanted to know if he knew who he was. The hare looked at her with suspicion, most likely due to her clothes. After all jeans and hoodies probably weren't common fashion here.

With a final scrutinizing stare the March Hare nodded his head while releasing a strangled "yes". Nodding her head in return with a gentle smile she held out her hand.

"My name is Alice, and I'm here to help you." If it was possible Thackery's eyes got even bigger.

"Al-Alice." It was a whisper mixed awe.

"Yes, Alice." She replied softly.

"No, no, no. Al-Alice had blond hair and blue, blue eyes. You do, do not." He stuttered out.

"But I am Alice, you are thinking of my great-grandmother; the champion who slayed the Jabberwocky." She knew that people would be confused but to actually tell her who she was and who she wasn't was just ridiculous. Sighing she prepared for an argument, but all she got from the poor creature was an "oh".

Gaining her composure Alice decided to try and get some answers from the mad Hare. So as gently as possible she started asking questions.

"Thackery please tell me what happened here, to Underland? Who did this?" Alice had so many questions she wanted to ask but held back not wanting to over whelm him.

To her surprise he simply took a deep breath then started to speak, suddenly very serious and calm.

"It started two years after the champion slayed the Jabberwocky. Iracebeth somehow escaped and summoned the shadows. Then the skies turned red and cries erupted from the ground. The White Queen ran to help everyone when a giant bird swept down and stole her away from us. We don't know what happened to her and we have slowly been picked off one by one." By the time he had finished his voice was hollow and eerie.

"Tell me what happened to the Hatter?" She asked fearing the answer yet fearing more not knowing. The question seemed to remind the Hare of something because he let out a low pained chuckle.

"He gave those buggers a hell of a run for their money he did. He however was caught."

Realizing that he was reminiscing, Thackery quickly changed the subject back to her.

"But now that your here you must save the White Queen and the Hatter." The tone that the Hare had used told Alice that there was no say in the matter. So collecting whatever they could use they set out to save the Queen and the Hatter.

~A.N.~

Ok! So here's the second chapter! I hope this is better for everyone reading it! I tried to correct the spelling and wording so let me know if I missed anything. Please rate and review! *smiles and bows*