Time Is Many Things. (Through the looking glass)

Chapter Nine: Hatters Back.

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Previously:

Back at the Ascot Manor, Alice and I race up to a room; that I haven't seen before. As we entered, Alice immediately went to fetch the Chromosphere. Once she had it, she looked at the mirror.

And climbed up some furniture to get to it, I followed closely behind as we went through the mirror. Entering back in Underland, back to the seas of the past.

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And finally, we went to Horovendoush day.

We pass the Jabberwocky, whom roared at us. And we came down to fire everywhere; on the trees, burned down buildings... it reminds me of something.

Alice grabs the Chromosphere as it shrinks again and we start running looking for the Hightops.

People frantically running around, trying to get out and survive.

The Jabberwocky comes back around and breathes out electrical fire. That's when we spotted the Hightops, screaming and running; I noticed Mr. Hightops hat fall off his head.

We lose sight of them for a moment before smoke cleared and we saw them huddled up. Mr. Hightop stepping in front of his family trying to protect them.

Alice and I start running towards them, dodging falling trees as we make our way over to them as fast as we can. Only to be stopped by the Jabberwocky breathing out it's electrical fire blocking them from us.

"No," I whispered, as we both try to see a way through.

We can only just see through the flames.

We spot a bunch of red playing cards surrounding the Hightops. They grab them by the arms as they start to struggle, I faintly see a blue thing fall from Mr. Hightops pocket; Hatters blue paper-cut hat.

Then I see my Aunt standing there looking around proudly. She holds out a crown.

"Revenge, is mine," she seethed.

"She took them," I said in realisation, as the Jabberwocky swooped down causing Alice and I to duck. The beasts landed in front of the Red Queen and she climbed on its leg; they flew off. She laughed as she kissed the beasts leg.

Alice got up and threw the Chromosphere, we run into it and off we go to the next stop. Current time.

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We ran up to Hatters home yelling his name, we didn't even bother to knock, and I actually went in with Alice this time.

"Hatter, your family they're alive," Alice yells, receiving no response.

"Hatter?" I questioned looking up stairs to see the hare crying. Without thinking I sprint up the stairs, Alice following closely behind.

We came across Hatter lying in his bed; looking like he's losing life. The twins were there, along with my mother and father, Bayard, White Rabbit, Mally and of course the hare.

"He's barely ticking," Whit Rabbit informed sadly.

"No," I whispered, tears welling in my eyes.

"I fear you's are too late," mother told us.

"Hatter," Alice moves towards him, not giving up.

He's lost all of his colour, replaced by dark greys and blacks, his hair has gone white.

"He's fading away. I can't bare to see him like this," Mally cried walking on Bayards back whipping tears from her eyes as some fell from mine.

"Say your goodbyes," Bayard told us as they all walked away, out of his house.

I went to the other side of Hatters bed. Sobbing.

"Please wake up Hatter, please," I whispered to him.

"Wake up, please wake up," Alice repeated.

Alice picked up his paper-cut blue hat and looked at me with sad eyes.

"I know what this means now," she told him. "You made it for your father when you were young."

"A token of your love which you thought he through away," I cut in, not rudely. "But he kept it all those years, he kept it. And now he needs your help," I tried, crying even harder when he didn't even move.

"I'm so sorry," Alice whispered, gesturing to the both of us as she placed his blue hat in his hands. "I thought it was impossible, I should've believed you," Alice cried.

"We do believe you," I cried too.

"You's believe me," we heard, I snap my head up and lock eyes with him.

"Yes," I answered softly.

He managed a small smile.

"I'll always believe in you," Alice told him as he looked at his hat, colour slowly coming back to his face. Then he squinted his eyes at Alice and then me, and then Alice again.

"It's you," he told her, then looked at me. "And it's you. Isn't it?" He asks, addressing the both of us. "I'd know you's anywhere."

He got up slowly and smiled. "You're Alice... and Annalise... my Anna," he said, bringing us both into a small group hug; I smiled.

"I missed you so much," I whispered.

When we pulled back, Tartants frown was back. "But if my parents are alive... why have they not come home?" He questions sadly.

"Because they're being held captive by the only person cruel enough to keep them locked up all these years," I informed.

Tarrant twitch and rolled his head around, groaning in annoyance as all his colour came back, causing Alice and I to smile.

He took off his night hat and said. "Bloody Big Head."

He got up and stood on his bed. "I'm going to find that Red Queen and bring my family home," he announced causing me to giggle.

Tarrant jumped down and fussed about looking for his clothes; once he did he changed, not in front of us but behind a curtain. He came out looking like his healthy muchness self.

Hatter happily pulled Alice and I up and took us down the stairs.

"Let's go," he said excitedly kissing my cheek causing me to blush and he opened the door running out.

Alice grins at me. "I think he might like you," she teased.

"Shush," I blushed even more as we ran out of his home to catch up to him. I don't even think he realised what he did!

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