1 Chapter 1:

~Hatter~

The night air was cool on my face, the night was young. The streets were dim, only the foolish and greedy dare to walk the streets of the lower city. Rogues and bandits, hookers and whores, filth of every kind dwell here, the only place the city Watch won't go.

The wind howls a piercing cold breeze, if not for my overcoat I'd be freezing, winter was fast approaching and this was said to be the harshest of the decade. I picked up my pace, if I wanted to make my que I'd need to cut through 27th street and onto 23rd. Arthur should still be waiting at Specks. I picked up my pace, the low rustle of automobiles echoes through the back alleys, the sound of my footfalls near silent. I knew the fastest path would be to go by rooftop but avoiding the air patrols would make travel difficult and most likely take me longer, I needed a fast route and neither the streets nor the rooftops would provide me with such a path. I didn't care for the smell but the sewer system was extensive and quite easy to traverse. I made exceptional time. As always the entertainment district was bustling with patrons, Specks was a pretty decent coffee shop on the far side of 15th street, right next to the transportation office.

I exited the sewer a block or so away, right next to the theater, as always, the street was crowded. A few Watchmen patrolled the area, keeping a lookout for any unsavory individuals. I quickly retrieved a porcelain mask from my satchel, these lovely pieces of porcelain were used by many citizens and tourists when they were interested in more…unique activities. The idea being the poor sap looking to get his jewels polished, can get his gentlemen's middle finger stroked, while maintaining the airs of being anonymous. Never had a hook up in a brothel, always seemed a little too easy for my tastes, but hey whatever gets your rocks off.

I slid my porcelain mask of the Joker over my face, most of the masks are based off old plays or characters from fairy tales. I saw mine in a shop once and haggled with the shop keep for it, now I wear it whenever I need to get around unnoticed. As I joined the crowd I got a few shady looks, some sly remarks, and whispers. I'd heard them all, barely noticed nowadays. One good thing about crowds, their easy to pickpocket, as I pass, my hands are like nets, wide enough to catch plenty and small enough to filter out coin. Most don't even notice, the few that do never know it was me. By the time I reached Specks and slid up the stairs, my pockets clicking with treasure. I opened the door to the small shop quickly, letting it close behind me with a muffled click, Omar didn't stop me when I walked through the curtains to the back, he just nodded and went back to cleaning. Arthur was waiting by the back window a scope to his eye, and a cup of tea in his hand.

I returned my mask to my satchel and peered out at the city. A bustling place, smoke rising high from every chimney for a hundred miles. Buildings as far as the eye could see. Carmarthen was a massive city, well known for its industrial production and trade. As well as it's poor quality of life. "Seems we've got some high values today" Arthur remarks breaking the silence.

"Like who?" I ask eyeing an entry point.

"Looks like Baron Solomon and his son" he replies passing me the scope. Taking it I peer through finding an old handsome man, with greying hair, his son at his side, a handful of guards surrounding them, Watchmen filling the ranks.

"Could be fun" I giggle, Setting the scope on the small table between us. "Let Michael and Kat know, toll of last bell"

"Will do." he replied, sipping his tea.

I strode out without another word, a wicked grin on my lips. Ascending the stairs to the third floor quickly pushing open the rooftop door with ease. The transportation Office was five stories tall, with three buildings, the district's clock tower rising high as the center of the complex. Each floor has an outer terrace, only a few guards patrolled the outside of each floor but they're all within ear shot, so if one spots you and signals for the others, your done. Baron Solomon was on the first floor, he should be on the second floor by now…I slide my mask back on, switched out my gloves and walked to the far end of the roof. 14th street was about 5 meters, give or take. I take one quick look at my pocket watch, 2 till 12. Two minutes, I can make it.

I take a deep breath, letting the noise of the city fills my ears, the smell of oil, fire, and coal, invade my nose, and the taste of the night air fill my lungs. "I henceforth release my mind, body, and heart" one foot after the other I sprint reaching full speed just before the halfway point. "Let thy madness run rampant throughout the endless night!" Now at full speed, I leap from the ledge, kicking up gravel as I my feet leave the roof. "Now Arise my Bloodsoaked Mad Hatter!" I call, assuming the personality of the Hatter, an infamous serial killer named after a character from the Tale of Elseworld, with the same name.

I make it just over halfway before my momentum gives out and I start to fall, with a quick twist I launch my wire hook, latching onto the fourth floor terrace, the line goes slack as I crash into the third floor wall, just above the second floor terrace. I wince in pain as I slowly descend. I cut the line and let it fall, I quickly scan the terrace looking for the guards. The terrace was well furnished, benches and tables lining the length of the terrace, potted plants line the building, no guards yet but I can hear the first guard just around the corner. I prep my first card, the four of spades, it's edges razor sharp. I quickly hid myself between two potted plants. The guard passes quickly waving his flashlight back and forth looking for intruders. The light passes over my boot, a moment of realization shows in his face as the flashlight reveals me.

"Shush" I whisper as the card passes through his neck, his hands go to his throat instantly, blood gushing from beneath his hands. He hits the floor with a thud, the life drains from his face, going pale. I drag the body into a corner, leave the card as proof of my kill. The load clang of last bell catches my attention, I spring into action with the sound of the chime, taking out the next two guards quickly, their deaths masked by the sound, three more dead and two left on this side of the complex. I dance across the terraces, killing the last two as the chime of the last bell ends. I check my pocket watch, smiling as I notice a familiar beauty wobbling her way onto the steps her hair fine and long, her corset and dress tight around her waist. Katherine. Her drunken woes drawing the attention of the front sentries. "Kat you lovely bitch!" I whisper, backing away from the ledge. Two cards and the window was out, I was in in a matter of seconds the first two guards hit the floor before I even landed, only twelve cards left in the deck. The barons personal guards were the first to respond, this rifles knocked before I could lose another card. Shots rang out their physical counterparts sinking into the walls and pillars around me. A few shots take out the windows behind me sending glass everywhere. "Seems you guys aren't playing around!" I say taking cover. Gunfire riddles the area, the smell of gunpowder taints the air. As everything seems at its worst, I begin to laugh uncontrollably, my wicked laughter brings even the guards to a pause, their confused glances only add to my crooked and deranged laughter.

At the far side of the room, the stairs were alight up with action as Michael blasted his way through guards with his trench runner rifle. The war may be over but it's lovely tools still give rogues like us a good time. His quick action draws attention away from my position, I take my chance vaulting form my cover, two cards sink into guards, the watchmen panic as our small group overwhelm their defenses. Kat made her move, the first two watchmen never stood a chance, her bladed fan cutting through their throats, straightening her corset, Aurther and his workmen's rifle sprinting into the building, sniping two watchmen as he entered.

"men" she says stepping over the fallen bodies. The next two went down quickly, their guns clattering to the floor. Her blades more deadly than any other, her proficiency unmatched. All that remained was the barons four guard escort, the baron and his son cowering behind his guards. Michael in his mask of Butcher, Katherine and her mask of Temptress, and Arthur and his mask of Soldier. Lastly myself with the mask of Joker.

"Keep them back!" baron Solomon cries, his young son wailing in fear.

"You who have taken hold of this empire." I began.

"You who have given in to your greed." Michael continued.

"You who has brought corruption to our empire." Katherine continued closing the gap between her and the guards, stopping short by about 5 meters.

"You who has oppressed and used the people, whom you were to protect and guide." Arthur takes the lead, closing the gap.

"You have been chosen, to face our wrath." I say, pushing in.

"The wrath of the people" Michael ends the infamous chant of our group.

"No! I've done nothing wrong! My endeavors are pure! I seek to improve the conditions of life in this city! In this Empire!" Baron Solomon preached.

"Your actions don't match your words, Baron of Vile" I reply

"Im-impossible! Impossible!! How?!! How does a commoner know of such things?!!!" The baron broke down, losing all of his facade. The Baron of Vile was notorious for his treatment of prostitutes, he would promise to pay them for their services, then proceed to torture them, **** them, beat them, drug them, and kill them. His vile deeds were exposed to the royal court some time ago. His actions were grotesque.

"Your death will not match the punishment you deserve!" I spit out through gritted teeth, my malice overwhelming. "For your actions, this is the fate you have been committed to!" I call, finishing our chant. Two cards sliced through the guards, Arthur shot the remaining two, Katherine rusted the baron, fan in hand its edge still covered in the blood of the Watchmen.

"Stay away from me!" The baron screamed, pulling a pistol from his coat. Kat hesitated for a split second, just long enough to see another card slice through the barons hand. The pistol clattered to the floor, his ring and index fingers along with it. He went to scream, but before a sound left his gaping mouth, her fan sliced clean through his throat. She let him take a few steps towards the main entrance, before his body fell dead. The poor barons son, was terrified, his checks soaked with tears, his eyes red.

"Shush, it's alright, we'll return you to your mother." Katherine said comforting the boy, pulling him into a warm embrace. He gave in wrapping his arms around her waist. His tears staining her dress. She comforted him like a loving mother. She turned him from the sight of his father's body, shielding him from such a grotesque sight. Arthur and Michael began the preparations, they carried the body off, he was not our intended target but he will suffice for our needs. The young boy coward in fear as I approached, he was right to fear me, I was the first one he saw, the one who first drew his father's blood.

"Fear not young lord, I cannot touch you so long as you remain in her fair arms." I said producing two butterscotch candies from my satchel. He took them quickly, he was hesitant but Kat helped calm him down, he offered one to her but she refused.

"I'm allergic I'm afraid" she said waving off his suspensions. He popped the first one in his mouth and started chewing it.

"Take good care of him." I said patting Kats shoulder. I couldn't see it, but I knew she hated this part. The boy ate both, chewing them, he started to sway before falling limp in her arms. The life in his eyes gone. We took the bodies and hung them from the clock tower, leaving the transportation office with a cruel gift. The early morning air stung my face, the smell of dried blood and dead men clung to the building. Our handy work was the taste of death gave me a bitter feeling. This was our duty. Our job. It may force us to do many things, many things we would regret. But our mission, our crusade. Is for the people of this empire, of this city. They can hunt us, they can fear us, but in the end, we will rip out the heart of this empire's corruption. We will bring change, through the deaths of those who abuse their power, through the deaths of those who threaten our empire, and lastly through the deaths of those who wish to destroy us.

We are the Phantoms of Elseworld.