Magnificently Mad

Heavens Evangel

Rated: M

Pairing: Alice x Hatter/Tarrant, Mirana/OC

Disclaimer: Alice in Wonderland does not belong to me, only OC's do

AN: I must warn you now, there is blood mentioned in this chapter, and you will definitely hate the red queen much more after this one.

"Right now, we have to track them down. They have to be some place away from Mamoreal but not too far. I don't see that woman actually going too far from the source of her anger, like she's torturing herself with it, fueling her rage to do more inhumane things." He crossed his arms. "Judging by the tracks I managed to find in the grass, she dragged Alice out of the castle through the maze, using the bushes to cover her movements." He turned his attention to Bayard. "This is a part of Alice's dress, can you track them?"

Bayard leaned forward to the cloth in Blake's hand and breathed it deeply. He leaned away and nodded. "Yes, I can track it."

"Come on then, we have no time to waste."

Bayard took off in a run after sniffing out the scent, Blake and Tarrant followed close behind him, determined to find Alice at any means necessary. They only hoped it wouldn't be too late.

Chapter 15: Beast

Iracabeth had returned to Alice and watched her. "So what shall we play first hmm?"

A young child trailed in behind her, maybe two or so in age maybe even three. The skin was pale with hair as black as sin; a bold streak of magenta ran through it in the front, the eyes were a clear blue. It was hard to tell if the child was male of female because it was just too young and the hair was too long to make a line between genders. Alice stared at the child; the dress was red and black, but soiled in places with dirt. At first Alice began to believe that the child was an outcast that was following Iracabeth because it had nowhere else to go, but there was a slight resemblance between the two. Alice felt her stomach do flips. This child was Iracabeth's, which could only mean that the father was the knave. Speaking of the knave, he was not to be seen. Did she… kill him?

Iracabeth looked at Alice and noticed where she was looking at. A smirked formed. "Are you surprised Awice?" She drawled on in a mocking voice. "How wude of me. Show your manners child." But then again, this was the Red Queen, she had no manners.

The child looked towards its mother, and then at Alice, it bowed, and hugged the ragged handmade stuffed rabbit closer, looking all the like an adorable shy child who just didn't know how to really act around new people.

"Charming child…" Alice managed to say, she wasn't sarcastic, if she could get away from Iracabeth, maybe she could take the child away from the mother and show it a better life. But really, even if Iracabeth was a horrible person to others, Alice wondered if she was ever horrible to this child. She seemed attentive enough. Alice watched how Iracabeth kept her gaze on the child, almost pleased. She shook her head. No sense in separating mother and child, but this mother was a lunatic; it would be a shame for the child to grow up in that, it could perhaps rub off. Alice was tempted to ask what gender it was but the consequences of the inquiry were high, even if the curiosity nipped at her to ask.

Iracabeth turned towards the child. "Violet-flower, mummy's going to play with the guest for awhile, go do your chores or face the consequences later."

The child looked up; there was a slight fear in those eyes. "Y…yes mummy." The child looked towards Alice before running off, not without tripping first. But it hurriedly lifted itself off the ground, as if afraid of the wrath that would incur if any more time was wasted.

In the dim light, Alice could hardly see the marks that marred the skin of that poor child, but judging by the way it acted at Iracabeth's threat, told Alice that this child was just as much a prisoner here as she was now. Once the child was gone, Iracabeth was hovering over her with a smirk.

"Now where were we?" She produced the same knife she had used to cut Alice's throat earlier. "Oh right, I was going to make you even more pretty~" She sang out happily before pressing the knife against Alice's cheek, her blood was still on it, dried, but there only to be joined by fresher blood as the knife cut sharply into the soft skin and made a long line that trailed red with drops of ruby forming before streaking across skin to form roads through the white.

Alice locked her jaw to stop herself from giving Iracabeth the satisfaction of hearing her cry in pain. Alice could see the intent in Iracabeth's eyes, she wanted her to suffer, wanted her to be tortured, not a simple removal of her head like all her other victims, perhaps she should consider herself special. Alice felt the curiosity well up in her again. "Who is the child's father?" She asked dryly, all moisture in her mouth had gone.

Iracabeth stopped mid cut and leaned up a bit from her hunched over position over her. "The Knave." She said simply, her eyes had narrowed as if she were remembering something unpleasant.

"A…And where is the Knave?"

"Dead- where else?"

"…" Alice wondered if she really wanted to know more but, her curiosity would always be her undoing in the end. "How?"

"I killed him… he was no longer useful to me."

Alice could tell that wasn't the entire truth, Iracabeth had killed her husband so she could freely be with the knave, but now she had killed him too. Really it had only been a matter of time, he did try to kill her when they were bound together, said to be bound for all of eternity in their misery. Alice knew that day that one would kill the other. But there was something in those eyes that made her wonder what had happened between the two.

"Well enough questions." She cut along the other side of Alice's face gingerly now, before moving and slicing the sharp blade into Alice's left arm which she was currently hovering over. She cut deep, and the skin broke away easily. The blood quickly began to seep out, almost gushed from her arm as Alice screamed out at the pain, unable to keep it in. Iracabeth smirked above her, satisfaction written all over her face as she made a move for the other.

Fortunately there was a crash that stopped Iracabeth from continuing on, following the noise had been a yelp.

Iracabeth looked annoyed. "Well, I'll have to save your punishment for later." She walked off.

Alice prayed that Iracabeth would not do something like this to that poor child for a silly mistake.

While the Queen was doing her deeds to Alice, Bayard came to a stop and sniffed around, the trail had ended, just two miles away from the castle of her fair highness the White Queen. "I can't smell her anymore." He lamented, looking frustrated with himself. The area was filled with grass and trees. In some places some trees had been pushed over by some force, but it was hard to tell what could have done it, perhaps the bandersnatch at one time?

Tarrant kept his mouth tightlipped, the anger seeped into his eyes as they began to shine a brilliant red. He wasn't angry at Bayard, no not at all, he had gotten them out this far. He was angry at himself, he should have noted Alice's uneasiness and said that he would escort her to Mirana's chambers. She would be here now, with him, safe. That was what husbands were supposed to do, keep their wives safe. It made him sick to his stomach that he had not been able to do that, the very day before their wedding no less.

Blake peeked back and sighed. "Tarrant, you must keep a cool head, I need you to be focused. If you're not it could mean Alice's life. Now the trail has stopped in this spot, there must be something hidden here, they both couldn't have just disappeared."

Tarrant looked up, the anger receding, Blake was right, this was no time to be angry or sulk about what he did wrong. He had to right it. He was glad that Alice had made such a wonderful friend while in Aboveland, especially one who could be as trustworthy and brave as Blake Adler. The boy hadn't hesitated one bit when Tarrant had called upon him, and he was grateful. Together they checked the area, Bayard still trying to scent for Alice. They were very much into it, unaware of the small child that was struggling with a large bucket of water, coming into the area.

Blake had noticed the strange child first and peeked over. He watched as the child put the bucket down near a tree. Apparently, the child had not noticed the three nearby as it jumped up several times before managing to grasp a branch. With the child's weight, the branch sunk and clicked into place, the grass shifted nearby the reveal a passageway underground.

The sound brought Tarrant out of his mad trance of looking for hidden passageways. He glanced over and then back to his two companions. It wasn't until the sound of a cry came to his ears did he finally place that this was what they were looking for. The three made a mad dash for it, and managed to get in before it closed up. Tarrant was about to open his mouth when Blake motioned to him to be quiet. There were many corridors, and since they were underground, there was no doubt that sound could travel easily and echo off the dirt walls.

The child felt something odd, heard a shifting of movement and stopped in its tracks. Setting the bucket down the three year old turned around and saw the two men and the dog. Blake came in quick to silence the child, but the result was the bucket toppling over and the child yelping in fear. Upon his inspection, Blake could see the markings and bruises all over the patches of skin that did show on the child, perhaps a victim of this vile queen. If this woman could be so cruel to an innocent child, there was no doubt in his mind that Alice was indeed in danger.

Tarrant went quickly and scanned the child. There was something familiar in those eyes, the eyes of an old friend who became power hungry, drunk with the lust for it. But these eyes before him were of a child who was scared of the strange people that were before her. "We'll let you go if you don't make any noises, deal?"

The child nodded hurriedly, mouth still held closed by Blake's larger one. Blake slowly slid his hand away and the child looked grateful.

"Who are you?" Blake asked from behind, he hoped that the noise they caused had not sounded loud enough to alert the queen to their presence.

"Ianthe…" the child said softly.

"Are you a prisoner here?"

The child shook its head.

"Then what are you doing here?"

"I live here with my mummy." The child said simply, causing both men and dog to pass each other strange looks.

"Your mummy?"

"Mmhm." It looked back to the bucket and paled. "I'll have to go back up and get more water… if I don't do chores she'll punish me."

Blake grit his teeth, the nerve of that woman, to force this child to believe that she was its parent and then force it to do labor. "You have no need to worry about that now. We're here to save a friend; we'll save you from this too."

The blue eyes lit up in hopefulness. "Really?"

Bayard leaned close to the child and took in the scent. "This pup is female." He nuzzled her. "No need to worry, you can stay here with me."

Both Tarrant and Blake looked at each other, silently admitting that neither of them could tell the gender. Tarrant shook it off. "Well, we'll be off. You two stay here then alright?" He stood up fully, as did Blake and the two started off, headed deeper into the dragon's mouth.

Ianthe looked at Bayard and sat beside him. She looked up at him and slowly, cautiously reached out to pet him. "What's your name?" she lisped slightly because of a missing tooth.

Bayard nuzzled her. "I am called Bayard little miss. You have no need to fear, I will protect you." He sat on the ground looking very much like the proud dog he was, but even as a prideful dog, he still enjoyed the gentle affections of the humans around him.

Tarrant and Blake made their way through the corridors and stopped, hearing footsteps, before it was accompanied by a voice. "Violet-Flower," She sang out, "how many times have I told you not to make noises? Mummy hates noises."

It was then, turning the corner into the corridor that they were in, that Tarrant saw the face of the woman that had caused him and many others much grief.

Blake's eyes narrowed as she turned and looked dead at them.

"Ah, it's about time you showed Hatter. I was wondering could you make me a pretty hat, one made of Awice's entrails that I've so happily dug out of her?" she taunted him, of course she hadn't done it, but she knew that in order to disorient him, she would have to make him angry.

Tarrant was blinded by rage then. The bloody wench should have died on the frabjous day. And Mirana had been too kind to her wicked sister. Even if her looks had changed she was still the bitch that killed his whole clan, and the families of many others in Underland, now was the time for him to punish her for all her deeds. His eyes shown red, the area blackened. He looked towards Blake for a second. "Find Alice, free her, I'll deal with her."

"Ohh one on one! How wonderful! I've been meaning to ask you, how is your clan? Oh right! How silly of me, they're all six feet under aren't they?"

Tarrant was seeing stars through his rage filled eyes. That was the last straw. He removed his sword from its sheath at his side.

Blake moved around them, to the way Iracabeth had just come. "Tarrant keep your head cool! Do not allow her to taunt you, you will lose that way!" He yelled before running down the corridor. He yelled for Alice as he did so. As he ran to save Alice, Tarrant was battling the wench before him.

Tarrant's eyes were ablaze with rage as they fought, the red queen was actually putting up a good fight. The woman who caused everyone so much pain in the past had been a damned cowered and hid behind the knave while he did all his dirty work. But now it seems she gained her own muchness over the last four years.

"You're a small fry. I will destroy you and your precious Awice and Miwana too! I will take what's hers and make it mine, just wike she did to me!" She yelled out as she slashed at Tarrant with her already blood stained knife. She managed to cut his face, but not anywhere else, he was far too fast. Iracabeth had not counted on his anger giving him a boost to his abilities. Nor could she have ever imagined that Tarrant would be as ruthless as he was being. He didn't care if she was female or male. Right now she was just his enemy, a figure standing in his way to what he wanted. Tarrant continuously went for her neck with his sword. When he came at her in a bold move to grab her neck, she stabbed at him, only to hear a clink. She looked down, distracted and saw the tip of her blade had broken inside his jacket.

While she was distracted, Tarrant stabbed her with his sword. He managed to stab her in the side. He made sure to twist it before pulling it out, pushing her away in the process.

She gaped, her eyes wide as she fell to the floor, clutching at her side.

He got to her quickly and stabbed deep into her abdomen for added measure.

She hissed as the blade went through her. She turned her gaze to him and glared. "You'll never find her. She probably bled out by now." She spat out at him menacingly.

He removed the sword and kicked in the face, sending her sliding backwards into a dirt wall. The movement caused the dirt to come free and bury her in it.

Blake made his way through the corridors, calling out Alice's name. Eventually he heard her weakly reply. "I'm coming Alice, hold on." He yelled out to her. What he was met with made him pale. Alice tied with her face bleeding, her arms and legs purpling around where she was tied way too tightly. There was a pool of blood on the floor as he rushed to her. He looked her over and quickly ripped his shirt to tie up her gashed arm to stop it from bleeding anymore then it had already. Once she was covered he reached and cut the ties carefully before slipping his arms under her and lifting her into his embrace. "It's going to be ok Alice."

Alice was going in and out of consciousness. The blood that had seeped out had drained her of energy. She was hanging on as much as she could, Tarrant the only thing on her mind as her eyes fluttered open and closed.

Blake rushed through the corridors as if the devil were on his heels. He found Tarrant and noticed the mound of dirt. "She doesn't have much time. She needs to get help now."

Tarrant looked over. The redness faded from his eyes when he saw her, the gravity of the situation hit him hard as he stared down at what Alice had become in the few hours that she had been taken away from him. He took her from him and cradled his weak love in his arms. "No time to waste then." Without another word he ran off, down the corridors and passed the two near the entrance.

Ianthe blinked when she saw the two men, one carrying the woman that her mother had been holding captive. She looked down to Bayard and almost expected to hear her mother yelling for her, when the sound did not come she looked rather hopeful.

Bayard stood and nudged her for attention. "Come pup."

She stood up and peeked back behind her, listening for any sound her mother might make for her to go rushing to her.

Blake came to her side. "Now miss, there is no need to worry about that woman hurting you ever again. Let's go now." He offered her his hand with a soft smile.

Ianthe looked at his hand in curiosity before taking it.

He smiled down at her before leading her out of the underground home she had known for so long, Bayard following closely behind.

The poor girl continued to look back until the passageway closed shut. She couldn't help but feel like this still wasn't over, a part of her feared that her freedom was just another dream.

Blake turned towards her and lifted her into his arms. "Come, I'll carry you. Close your eyes, you'll feel better." He smiled at the little girl he held.

She rested her head gently against his shoulder and allowed her eyes to close briefly, but she still listened. The sound of birds chirping happily and other animal noises had served to comfort her, yet unnerve her all at the same time. She would always feel that worry in her heart, that the woman she called mother would take her away from such nice people and treat her like a servant. The further away they got from the hideout the calmer she felt until she was lulled asleep by the warmth of the man holding her in his strong embrace.

Tarrant stared down at Alice and hoped that Mirana could do something for her. If he lost her too, he wouldn't be able to continue on, she was the only thing that kept him from ending it all. "Alice… my brave Alice full of so much… muchness. I need you, much more then you could ever imagine. Please, stay with me, I couldn't bare it if I lost you too."

AN: Will Alice survive? Hmm I dunno, you'll just have to wait for the next chapter :D