[CENTER][COLOR=GRAY][SUB][sub][h3][I]We all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.[/I][/h3][/sub][/SUB][/COLOR]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/vtNDce0.jpg?1[/img][/CENTER]
[COLOR=black][indent][sub][B]Location:[/B] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Robbinsville[/I] - [I]Miagani Island, Gotham City[/I][/COLOR][/sub][sup][right][b]Welcome to the Masquerade #1.09:[/b] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]Through the Looking Glass[/I][/COLOR][/right][/sup][/indent][/color][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][color=black][sub][B]Interaction(s):[/B] [COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]None[/I][/COLOR][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Previously:[/b] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4906900][COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]We’re All Mad Here[/I][/COLOR][/url][/right][/SUP][/color]
[INDENT][COLOR=#808080]Taking a step back to admire his handiwork, the Hatter dragged a blood-splattered arm across his forehead. Standing on his tiptoes, he looked down at Chelsea eagerly before unexpectedly wrinkling his nose in displeasure. Throwing his arms upwards in frustration, Jervis quickly lowered them before slamming his small fists repeatedly against the side of the gurney.

[color=#38761d]“No, no, not another!”[/color] He cried unexpectedly repulsed by his own work. Pieces of bone, muscle and excess blood covered the perimeter of the stretcher, staining the bare floor. Watching Chelsea’s chest struggle to rise, the Hatter’s eyes widened as he looked to her wounds. His sloppy stitch work was barely holding the numerous lacerations closed as blood continued to soak through the crudely applied gauze.

Climbing atop the gurney, Jervis lifted Chelsea’s head before sitting beneath it. Cradling the dying girl in his lap, he began to sob softly while muttering to himself. Running a gloved hand down Chelsea’s cheek, the blood mixed with his tears as he began to softly sing.

[color=#38761d]“Down in the valley, the valley so low,”[/color] Jervis whispered, tucking a blonde extension behind the girl’s ear. [color=#38761d]“Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.”[/color] 

Tears welled in the corners of Chelsea’s eyes. There was no fight left in her body, there was only pain. Drifting in and out of consciousness, she had never felt so weak in her entire life as she did at this moment. Taking in what little she could of her surroundings, she took notice of the moon shining in through a row of windows. There was some peace in knowing that at least in death, she would be free.

[color=#38761d]“Know I love you, dear Alice, know I love you. Angels in heaven, know I love you.” [/color]

A shadow was suddenly cast across the face of the moon swiftly followed by the sound of breaking glass. Amidst the falling shards, a winged figure skidded to a stop across the concrete floor. Raising his cowled head, the Batman looked directly towards the Hatter.

[b][color=#FF3B2D]“Sorry, I’m late for the tea party.”[/color][/b] The Dark Knight growled, [b][color=#FF3B2D]“You wouldn’t believe how hard crumpets are to find this time of night.”[/color][/b] 

[color=#38761d]“Curiouser and [i]curiouser![/i]”[/color] Jervis exclaimed excitedly, clapping his hands excitedly as he dropped Chelsea’s head into his lap. The Hatter was clearly not bothered by the Batman’s sudden presence. Instead, he seemed to relish the moment, continuing to sit atop the gurney instead of rising to meet his foe. A disturbing smile was plastered across his face as the small man cocked his head sideways to take a long look at the Bat. 

[color=#38761d]“The ears are longer than before, and gone now is the cape of yore.”[/color] 

[b][color=#FF3B2D]“Capes are out this season.”[/color][/b] Terry quipped, smirking beneath the cowl as the communicator in his ear buzzed to life.

[b][color=#44688C]“Focus, McGinnis.”[/color][/b] Ordered Bruce’s gravelly voice as Terry took in his surroundings. [b][color=#44688C]“Jervis is clearly unhinged, don’t underestimate him.”[/color][/b]

Furrowing his brow beneath the cowl, Terry stared Jervis down. Upon coming to the realization that Tetch was somehow connected to Chelsea’s disappearance, Bruce had delved further into Jervis’ past. Using every resource at his and Terry’s disposal, the pair had researched the Tetch’s life since the night he had been rescued from the Peter Pan KIller. 

When he had been abducted, Jervis had only been nine-years-old. That traumatic night, however, left a lasting mark on the young boy. Returned home, Jervis began to lead a troubled youth often lashing out towards his parents and peers. By the time he entered college, it had appeared that he turned his life around. Years of working with his psychologist had helped him understand and overcome his fear all while breeding interest in neuroscience within the young man.

From there, Jervis began to make waves in neuroscience, becoming a leading doctor in the field until suddenly, he fell out of the community’s eye. Bruce had found that a series of sexual harassment charges had been laid against Tetch which the pair concluded had driven him underground.

Further digging at the Batcave had found a series of murdered Jane Does left unsolved by the Gotham City Police Department. Each of the deceased women roughly matched Chelsea’s physical profile sharing the same hair colour, ethnicity and build. The older cold cases were mostly drifters and prostitutes, but the newer bodies; they included college students and even some young enough to still be in high school. 

The victims had painted a profile, a profile that Terry and Bruce were able to use to find him. Narrowing down the search area, Bruce had the Batmobile sweep for neural’s band signal. Locating the warehouse, Terry had quickly moved into action leading to his confrontation with Jervis.

[b][color=#FF3B2D]“Let the girl go!”[/color][/b] The Bat ordered while Terry fought back the lump forming in his throat. Even from his position, he could see the series of mutilations that Jervis had performed on Chelsea. The blood spatter left no doubt in Terry’s mind that if she didn’t receive professional medical help, they’d lose her. A shiver suddenly shot down Terry’s spine as the Hatter began to giggle uncontrollably.  

[color=#38761d]“I don’t think so, my little bat,”[/color] Tetch replied raising his fists, [color=#38761d]“Tweedledee, Tweedledum, tell Batman 'no' and that’s that.”[/color]

Across the room, sat two, very large, identical men who turned to answer the Hatter’s call. Giving each other a quick look, the pair laid their playing cards down on the small table in front of them before they stood. The sound of their chairs scraping across the concrete floor echoed through the open space as they pushed them aside and began to charge towards the vigilante. 

Realizing for the first time that Tetch was not alone, Terry cursed himself for making yet another rookie mistake. In his haste to save Chelsea, he had not scanned the building using the Batmobile’s infrared sensors. 

[i][color=#FF3B2D]Bigger they are...[/color][/i]

Thinking on his feet, the young Batman fired a bolas towards Tetch. As it left his wrist, Terry had just enough time to ensure the small man was ensnared before turning to face the two larger men. Both of them towered over the Batman, easily standing seven feet tall each and nearly just as broad. Despite their rotund shape, the pair was deceptively fast as they closed in on Terry, closed fists raised and ready.

Blocking the first blow, the force of it sent the Batman flying backwards across the barren warehouse. The two men were large, fast even but Terry hadn’t expected the kind of strength that would have put a dent in a vault. Were it not for the batsuit, there was no doubt in his mind that something would have been broken from that hit. 

[b][color=#44688C]“Metahumans.”[/color][/b] Bruce’s voice broke Terry out of his own head as his mentor began to speak. [b][color=#44688C]“McGinnis, be careful. The suit was designed to put you on an even footing, but it won’t take excessive abuse. Stay focused, use your head.”[/color][/b]

[b][color=#FF3B2D]“Copy that.”[/color][/b] Terry replied with a growl as he launched forward, igniting the suit’s thrusters to fly across the room. Bracing as he watched the first twin take another swing towards him, Terry directed himself higher into the air. Reaching out, he took hold of the man’s wrist, spinning his body around to fly parallel with the outstretched arm. 

Using the combined momentum of his boots’ thrusters and Tweedledee’s strike, Terry managed to direct the fist into the other twin. But to his surprise, the punch seemed to bounce harmlessly off of Tweedledum. The attacking hand flew backwards, swatting Terry from the air as he watched Tweedledum bounce across the floor like a rubber ball.

Groaning as he kissed concrete, Terry had no time to react before a large hand plucked him from the floor. Bulging python-like arms wrapped around him, squeezing as the Batman was hoisted into the air. Crying out in pain, Terry struggled in vain as the arms continued to tighten around him. His vision began to blur, darkness outlining his field of sight as his breathing became more and more laboured. His ears rang with distant laughter as Bruce’s voice felt like it became further and further away. 

Fighting to lift his head, Terry’s eyes began to quickly close. Jervis’ smug expression was the last thing the Batman saw before his world went dark.[/COLOR][/INDENT][/INDENT][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][COLOR=BLACK][sub][COLOR=#2c2c2c]Placeholder[/color][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Next Issue:[/b] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4910457][COLOR=#FF3B2D][I]And What Alice Found There[/I][/COLOR][/url][/right][/SUP][/color][/INDENT]