Carnival Corpse

I ended up spending the night with Toto, I opted to sleep on the floor but the Blue-jay would hear nothing of it, I ended up accompanying him in his bed which was really weird. I struggled against sleep, I really didn't want to be vulnerable like that around some guy I hardly knew, however, at some point I ended up drifting off.

In the middle of the night I woke with a start as I felt a stinging in my shoulder, when I turned I saw Blue-jay digging a smaller extension of Crow Claw into my shoulder, I felt blood trickle down my arm, he moved his head toward my new injury and extracted his tonuge. I landed a solid punch right to his nose, which caused him to release me as he went to the other side of the matress.

"What the hell do you think your doin'?! I knew I couldn't trust you! You dirty little leach!" I exclaimed as the boy began to rub at his nose.

"Ah, that was quite the punch." He said just before he sniffled, "and you're reading this all wrong, of course you can trust me Alice."

"Don't gimme that shit! You cut me with Crow Claw! How the fuck can you even do that?!"

"But I only cut you because I wanted a taste!" He exclaimed as he leaned forward.

"A taste? What're you some sort of freaky vampire? Or maybe you're just a kinky pervert!"

"I'm not a vampire, its my branch of sin! If I taste someone elses virus then I'll be able to copy their ability. I wanted to know what a branch of sin that turns people inside out would taste like." He sniffled once more, "I cut you three times in the same spot and each time the cut healed up before I could even get close enough to get a taste! I had to cut you a lot deeper than I wanted just to get that amount of blood out!" I stood up on his matress.

"Ah-ha! You were trynna get the upper hand so you could kill me! Well screw you! I'm outta here." I said as I hopped down from his bed and picked up my shoes.

"And where do you plan to go? You don't know where your cell is remember?" Toto moved as close as he could to me without leaving his matress.

"I'll figure it out." I said as I left his room, carrying my shoes.

That time I left I was sure to be more aware of my surroundings, it didn't appear that Toto had followed me, he probably just decided to wait for me to return to his room, the thought of him being so cocky made me sick. As I entered the lounge I approached the only phone present. No inmates actually used the phone because of how much CP it cost, but I had more than enough of course.

"Hello?" I expected his voice to be groggy but Tamaki was surprisingly wide awake at three in the morning.

"Hey, it's me, I have a small problem."

"Alice hello! Having issues in Wonderland?"

"Uuuugh," I tried my best not to throw insults at him, which was actually a lot more difficult than it sounded. "I can't find my room, come here and fix it."

"Oh silly girl, I can't simply come down there at this time of night. Some of the more dangerous Deadmen wonder about at this time. But I can give you your room number and such." He began to spew the numbers and district of which I belonged to.

"If its so dangerous why're you lettin' me walk around out here? I figured you'd be all 'aaaah if I don't go help her my brother will kill me! Aaaaahh i'm a dork!' But you're surprisingly calm about it." Tamaki chuckled.

"Yes, well, at the moment this call isn't being monitored so I have the freedom to openly not give a shit about you. As for the danger I trust you'll be able to take care of yourself. Have fun!" Dial tone. With a sigh I hung up the phone and began to wonder to D-4 room 4462.

I could only assume that Uncle Tamaki was trying to scare me earlier because I only saw one Deadman out and she seemed rather out of it, she didn't even offer me a glance.

Once I made it to my room I threw my shoes to the side, went to the bathroom so that I could inspect the cut on my shoulder only to find that it had already healed, the only hint that I was even hurt was the trail of dried blood on my arm. I undressed and got into the shower, let the hot water flow over my body in an attempt to wash Wonderland away, of course no amount of soap could cleanse me of it. I would rule this place one day, I would kill, my Father, Tamaki, and take the one thing that gave him joy. I alway's enjoyed being the one outside looking in, I couldn't do that if I was the one on the inside.

"My oh my, this is quite the room you've got, Alice." I turned quickly and was just barely able to make out a silhouette through the shower door's muddled glass. I couldn't see him well but I had learned his voice by then.

"Get the fuck outta here Toto!" I cried.

"But why?" I watched his shadowy figure move to the pantry near the door.

"I. Am. Taking. A shower!" I all but shouted, he turned his attention back to me.

"Yes and it's quite the treat."

"Don't look at my tits! Get the fuck out!" I shouted, Toto raised his hands and backed out of the bathroom, "shut the door!" The door shut quietly. I was quick to dry off and put clothes on before leaving the bathroom and coming upon Toto, who was curled up in a ball on my bed. I moved to kick him as hard as I could, but the little faker jumped up and avoided my attack.

"Aw, Alice i'm hurt that you'd actually try to kick me like that."

"Get outta my room."

"But why? Friends should visit eachother right?"

"Yes friends should but here's the problem. I officially don't like you!"

"Of course you do! Infact I think you're attracted to me~ love at first sight right?"

"You couldn't be more wrong! Now get outta here you little brat!" I said as I approached him.

"Little? Come on you're the small one here-" I roughly grabbed his ear, pulling him down to my height, before dragging him across the room, "ow! Hey! What're you doing?! Ow that actually really hurts, and it's a weird attack!"

"Its not an attack, idiot! It's me kickin' your dumbass out!" I opened the door wide.

"Ah, but if you throw me out like this, people might find out about your special treatment." I froze, shut the door and turned to him, still holding his ear, "no newbie could've possibly gotten all the CP necessary to get a room this nice, not after just a week. You must know someone pretty high up."

"Fine you can stay. But this friendship you've made up is certainly under a lot of strain." I pulled his face closer to mine, he grimaced as I tightend my grip on his ear lobe, "but if you try and taste my blood again I swear to God I'll drop kick you in the fuckin' throat!"

"Ah! Okay! Okay! I promise I won't try and taste your blood tonight." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm guessin' you'll try again tomorrow..." He smiled mischeviously.

"If the opportunity presents itself I'm afraid I won't be able to resist. Can you let go of me now?"

"Huh? Oh, right..." I released him, he stood upright and began to rub at his ear.

"Alice is so scary!" He teased, I yawned and approached my bed Blue-jay followed close behind.

"Going to sleep so soon?"

"Yeah, i'm tired. You can sleep on the couch over there." I said as I pointed to the large plush sofa near the door, Toto began to bounce on my overly large matress.

"I wanna sleep here!" He giggled.

"Wha?! No way! You can't-"

"Are you saying you want me to leave?" He questioned with a look of total innocence. 'Leave' was the equivalent of 'everyone will know about your special treatment.' I growled at his underlying threat.

"Fine! I'll sleep on the couch."

"No~ you're going to sleep here to!"

"You'll try and get my blood again!"

"I promised I wouldn't for the rest of the night."

"Meanin' as soon as the sun comes up you'll sink your teeth in!"

"Alright then I promise I won't try and take you blood until... Tomorrow afternoon. Better?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Not sure you keep promises." Toto grabbed my wrist.

"You'll just have to trust me then!" He pulled me onto the bed playfully, he was quick to settle under the covers. He was snoring before I even turned the lights out.

"Dumb fuck." I flipped the light switch and pulled the covers up to my nose.

I woke the next morning to a strange sensation, someone was playing with my hair, which made me all the more sleepy but the fact that the first person that came to mind who would do such a thing was Tamaki made me jump up right. Toto retracted his hand and blinked at me as I sighed in reliefe.

"I thought you were... Someone else- what were you just doin'?"

"Playing with your hair silly!" He exclaimed, I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why?" He took a strand of my long blond locks.

"Because it looked soft. I've only ever seen it in dark lighting until now you know." He suddenly moved very close to me, "By the way your eyes are even more beautiful in natural light." I felt a blush coming on, so I was quick to lay down and pull the covers over my face.

"Dude... It's too early for you to be so observant. Go back to bed." I felt Toto's fingers find their way into my hair again.

"Early? No it's nearly lunch time." He said softly, lunch time? I'd slept later than usual... How long had Toto been awake? My stomach grumbled silently, almost lunch time... Afternoon... Wait, afternoon? Afternoon! I sat up quickly.

"You were trynna get me to sleep longer so you could get my blood while I was sleepin'!" I shouted, Toto laughed and clapped his hands together.

"Aw, and it almost worked too! You know you actually woke up quite a few times, you're a tough one to keep sleeping!"

"I can't believe you..." I stood and went to my closet, grabbed some clothes, and went to the bathroom to change. When I stepped back into my room Toto was nowhere to be seen, I guessed that he'd gotten bored and left.

Something came crashing down on me from above. It was Toto.

"What the hell man?!" I squeaked, he pointed to a nearby clock which read twelve exactly.

"It's afternoon~" He began to lower himself to my shoulder, I was trying my best to fight him off but he was surprisingly strong. I pushed him as far from me as I could only to have him overpower me. Once he had me bleeding I would slaughter him, nobody else in the world should have my branch of sin, it was mine and I wasn't big on sharing.

"Now, now you two, save it for Carnival Corpse." We both looked up to find Tamaki, and two body gaurds, entering the room with a smirk.

"Carnival Corpse?" I moved up quickly, knocking a distracted Blue-jay to the ground, "you mean I actually get to compete? Dad's gonna let me?" I questioned in excitement.

"Yes, infact he's the one who suggested it. He wants to see his little girl in action." Tamaki stepped a bit closer, "you've only got an hour before the blood bath begins, allow me to treat you to dinner, Doll." Tamaki offered his hand.

"Well... Since I won't be the one losing CP... Sure... Why not?" I stood without even considering taking my Uncles hand.

"C'mon Mockingbird time for you to go," at the use of that name I turned to find the two gaurds Tamaki had brought standing just behind Toto, they began to usher him toward my Uncle who stopped him.

"I do hope- no- my superior hopes that you'll say nothing of Alice's treatment." He held up three Cast Cards, which were maxed out no doubt. Toto took the cards from Tamaki with a look of disinterest. "Good, hopfully you aren't too quick to kill her, Mockingbird."

"You're the Mockingbird?" I questioned causing all eyes to fall on me, Toto grinned mischeviously.

"Guilty as charged!"

"Well why in the fuck didn't you tell me?!" I growled, he giggled.

"Because I thought it would be more fun this way! Besides i'm not much for sparring. You probably shouldn't approach someone whose face and virus you're unaware of, it might just get you killed." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Oh, we'll see about that."

I sat at a small table in Tamaki's private lounge, the table was filled to the brim with food that I wasn't too keen on eating at that moment, however, if I wanted my blood to be strong for the match I had to eat something before hand.

"Ah no worries precious niece," we were obviously being monitored by my father. "You're not the first to fall for Mockingbirds charms." I slammed my fist down on the table.

"What're you implyin'?" Tamaki raised his hands as a sign that he meant no harm, which was total bullshit.

"I'm not implying anything. I'm just putting two and two together, what else am I supposed to think when I walk into your bedroom only to find you pinned by the boy? Who was clearly going to kiss you by the way." I growled at him.

"Thats not it and you know it! He followed me to my room, threatened to tell my secret, I let him stay the night to keep him quiet and thats it!" I took a large bite of chicken and began to chew on it furiously.

"Well it's still apparent to me that you fell victim to both his charm, and mischief. Once again you're not the first, but I will say that you're the first to walk away without being maimed or killed."

"That's reassurin'. Can't believe he didn't tell me he's the Mockingbird, like, who the fuck does that?!" I took several large bites of everything on my plate.

"Mockingbird will do anything to keep himself entertained, one time he tricked Crow into-" a small dinging cut Tamaki off, "i'm afraid that's time my dear, you've only got fifteen minutes until Carnival Corpse, you might wanna change into something more... Festive." He gestured with his fork at my plain black tank, skinny jeans, and high-tops.

"Fuck festive. Sensible's the way to go." I took a drink of water.

"He thought you might say that, so your father took the liberty of picking something out for you as well as locking your closet up. Please wear it for him." I scoffed at that, the only thing I wanted to do for my Dad was cut his worthless head off.

In my room an outfit, that was far too girlie for my taste, was lying out on my bed. Upon further inspection of the garment I realized that it was like a frillier looking version of the original Alice's dress, the thing even came with a black-bow for my hair. I grunted and felt the need to go against what my Father wanted, but I had to keep my cool, act as though him betraying me didn't even faze me, so that way when we saw eachother again he'd drop his gaurd, and I could kill him. With much reluctance I began to dress.

"Laaaadies and Gentlemen! Welcome! It's time for yet another blood drenched episode of... Caaarnivaaalll Cooorpse!" At that moment metal music began to blast from all around the large bird cage, I paitently waited for the doors of the smaller bird cage I was placed in to open. "If you wanna watch Deadmen duke it out in real-time We're the only one to come to! The rules are very simple, the fight ends when someone is incopasitated or dead! And noooow, meeeet yoooour Deadmeeeeen! Our number one at malevalent murder, Mockingbird!" Toto stepped out of his cage as the spotlight shown down on him. "And our plucky young new comer, Alice!" My cage doors opened quickly as a second spotlight came on me, I stepped out as well. Toto smiled to me, however I wasn't too concerned about him, my eyes wondered to the many avatars surrounding the large bird cage as they began to speak.

"Putting a newbie in with Mockingbird?"

"This isn't going to be a fight, flat out execution more like it."

"Wow Alice is pretty cute."

"Look at her eyes! How crazy!"

"Gonna be a shame to see such a looker go."

"My sisters a big fan of the Mockingbird, I'll get her to join us in a minute." One voice caught my attention, I spun to my right when I herd him speak.

"I believe my Alice'll take down the Mockingbird." My Father was indeed watching the fight, I didn't know which avatar he was using but just knowing he was watching made my blood boil.

"Hey Alice," I turned to Mockingbird who seemed to be slightly unsettled by the fact that my eyes were everywhere but on him, "you'd better pay attention to your opponent." I smirked.

"Whats the matter, Blue-jay, jealous?" The two cages we had been held in lifted out of sight.

"Oh yes, incredibly jealous."

"Reeeady?! Deadmen. Brawl!"

Toto activated his branch of sin, Crow Claw was the first thing he went for, I guessed that he wanted this fight to be personal if he wanted to get up close with me about it. I went into a fighting stance, not bothering to activate my virus, Toto tilted his head to one side.

"What's this? Not gonna show me your branch of sin? Have you given up?"

"Course not... It's just... I'd like to hold off on usin' it as long as I can..."

"Ha! You must have a death wish!"

"No! If I use it then the voices'll get louder!" That seemed to throw Mockingbird off, I charged him. He went for a vertical slice first, I was only barley able to avoid it, he and I were both agile and quick which proved taxing even for him. I was able to land a few blows to his rib cage and chest but nothing too serious. I went to hit him in the stomach when, his skin was engulfed with a red armour that was so hard I nearly broke my hand on it. I distanced myself from him holding my injured fist. He grinned at me as his blood turned into small spheres, they came flying toward me I leapt out of the way, watching as they exploded against the floor of the bird cage. I was able to dodge most of the explosive, except for one which just barely knicked my calf, I caught myself on one hand and flipped to my feet, shifting all my weight to my uninjured left foot.

"You can't win without using your virus!" Toto called, he was clearly eager to see it in action, I looked down to my leg which was then dripping blood.

"Fine, I'll show you." Toto's face lit up at the mention. My blood began to move strangely as three small portions of it became seperate from my body and expanded, at first they took the shape of large spheres which left Toto unimpressed.

"You're gonna hate this Mockingbird." The spheres began to take three different shapes, my blood became a trio of creatures, each with their own unique characteristics. One was nearly six feet tall with claws as razor sharp as Crow's, another was stoute with a long tail and hardened exterior, the third was lanky sporting a pair of wings and fangs. Mockingbird seemed impressed.

"My virus is called: Demon Branch. My blood is alive you see, it takes whatever form it wants but bends to my will."

"Alive?" Toto chuckled, "how exactly do you know that?"

"Because of the voices, it doesn't exactly speak to me so much as groan and scream, and if they do say somethin' it's not like I can understand it... There's too many voices. Before you say anythin' it's not a mental illness, the voices aren't in my head they come from all over. It feels like a possession."

"You're blood is possessed? I love that! I need that." I grinned to him.

"Yeah here's the thing, I've been thinkin' about it aaaand, i'm pretty sure ya can't copy this virus." Toto seemed insulted, angry almost. "You're blood isn't alive, you can't suddenly animate it! But this is just a guess, I can't actually risk you gettin' a taste." The demon trio began to wriggle and moan, I wasn't sure if I was the only one that could hear it or if everyone else could as well. "Go."

The three began their assault, the winged one took to the air mid-run, while the one with claws went straight for his throat, Toto reacted quickly, a whip shot out of nowhere slicing the clawed one in two, the winged creature took a nose dive, fangs at the ready to take a bite out of him, unfortunately the creature was met with an explosive orb. The stoutest of them was met with the same fate. Toto laughed aloud.

"Looks like your 'demons' are all talk!" He exclaimed, I only smirked.

"That so?" A red flash and Toto's shoulder had been slashed vertically by my claw-demon, another flash and the winged one dove to take a bite out of him, he was quick to harden his blood over his skin as he had before. The fanged demon pushed him off balance as the stoute one came charging at him with his own hardened shield, there was the impact of it hitting Toto's shielded abodmen and then the sound of breaking glass. Toto fell to the ground as the fanged demon leapt on him and took a bite out of his side, Toto screamed. "My demons are made of blood idiot, if you cut 'em in two or blow 'em up, they'll just come back together."

Toto managed to free himself of the three monsters, he looked a bloody mess but still yet he grinned to me just before he licked his crimson covered lips.

"Now lets see if I can copy this branch of sin." He'd been able to sneak a bite out of one of my demons, I silently cursed myself as I hoped that he couldn't reflect my own demons. His blood began to move about him, however, when ever it attempted to take shape it would simply turn into one of his other copied styles. "What the hell?" He growled as he continued to try and force his blood to do as mine. I sighed in reliefe.

"I already told you, my blood is possessed, it's alive. If you'd succefully copied it you would be hearin' the voices like me. Do you hear the voices?" I grinned wildly as he glared daggers into me, "you can't copy it, and you can't win. Shall I have them turn you inside out like the others?" I moved my arm toward Mockingbird, the demons, following my silent command, charged the golden eye'd boy. He was dealt several serious blows and I was fully content with flipping his insides to the outside, until he hit the floor; thats when I got a good look at his wounds. Usually my bloods form blocks the view from my eyes until its over, but for a split second I could see all the boys suffering and I realized he really didn't do much of anything to deserve such a punishment, the demons were upon him once again in the blink of an eye.

"Stop." The three did as told, "thats enough, we're done here." Their shapes became disoriented as the blood struggled to leave those shapes, soon the blood was in the shape of large spheres again before shrinking back to the size of the drops they'd started as. My leg wound had long since healed, so the only portions of my blood left in the arena were three little drops.

Everything was silent in the arena for what seemed like forever, apparently I horrified everyone with my demonic virus, or maybe it was the shock of seeing the number one Deadman beaten by a rookie.

"...Uh-A-alright folks! It seems as though the Mockingbird has finally been defeated! In a terrifying spectacle of blood and hellish monsters Alice takes the win!" Cheers all around.