Chapter 2: Arkham Arcade

I woke up once again on a medical bed. But it's one of those less decent ones, the spring bed ones. I couldn't get up because I'm strap down. Well of course, everyone sees me as a psycho they'll treat me as a psycho. I fucking hate this place already, but hey at least I lasted more than a minute.

"Huh?" I heard a small crunch sound from my right. I looked as I saw the Mad Hatter sitting next to me while eating cookies. "Cheshire! You're awake!" He smiled brightly and with such relief that I'm okay.

"Why do you keep on calling me Cheshire?" I asked.

"That's the name I've given you. Not that sad and depressing name that your adopted parents given you. Lachrimae Necropolis, what a terrible name. You know together it means tears of the city of the dead. You shouldn't have a name that's so dark. I called you Cheshire because of the first time you smiled at me when you were just born."

"Cheshire...Like the cat from Wonderland?"

"Exactly."

"...Well, Jervis-,"

"Please call me dad from now on. I'm so glad to have you back, Chess."

"...Dad, can you please get these straps undone?"

"Oh absolutely."

He put the box of cookies to the side and start unstrapping me from this bed. When I sat up I took a look at my right hand where I thought I had black claws. It was cleaned from the blood though. I looked at Jervis and said, "Did you saw me cut Victor with claws?"

"Of course. Those were your Cheshire claws, Chess."

"Why though?"

I remembered when I thought I died. I touch my forehead where the drill hole should've been. "The man in white did something to me. He done something to my head and I don't know what."

"I would love to grind him to dust for you. Making my baby take the fall of the Gotham High massacre is unforgivable."

I finally realized that I remembered Jervis got hurt by Victor. I asked him, "Hey, is your arm okay? Does it hurt?"

He glance at his arm where is was cut, he's wearing a new shirt though. He said, "It's nothing. I've gone through worse. Want to take a walk around the green house? It's quite lovely and very relaxing. Also we can catch up on things easier there. Follow me."

He helped me get off the bed and we headed over there. I've followed him like Alice following the white rabbit. We were careful to not let any of the staff see us. Sure enough we gotten in the green house. He was right about one thing, this place does look lovely with all its pretty plants.

"It's not Wonderland, but it's close to it." he said as he sat on the bench up ahead and I sat next to him. "Cookie?" he held out the open box of cookies to me and I one as I said, "Thank you."

"So what's your life been without me?"

"...I guess you can say it was pretty sucky but not half bad. My...adopted parents didn't really care much about me, so I don't know why they even adopted me in the first place. But I've at least made one best friend and...my boyfriend, Red. Red Orchid is such a unique and pretty name..."

I stop talking as I began to sob. Just saying my boyfriend's name is is heartbreaking. "Red Orchid was killed in that massacre, wasn't he?" said Jervis.

"Yes... That bastard tore his head off!"

When I was about to wipe my tears away, suddenly Jervis wipe them for me. He said, "Sh sh sh sh, do not cry Chess. I know it hurts. Memories like that always hurts." He hugged me close to him, "Don't worry, I'll make things right for us. I'll take care of you from now on."

Take care of me?... How can he take care of me if he doesn't reform?

"Well look who it is." said a very distinctive male voice. We look to see the man himself, "Joker." I said.

"Ha ha!" he laughed along with that girlfriend of his, Harley Quinn. "Necro right?"

"Why are people calling me Necro?" I asked Jervis.

"Necropolis is your adopted parent's last name." he said, "But Necro is a nick name everyone decided to give you."

"Did you really kill all those children? If so then that means you're the new big shot in Arkham."

"I DIDN'T KILL MY CLASSMATES DAMMIT!" I stand up as I shouted at the Joker.

"Whoa there girly," said Joker, "I'm only saying that I don't like competition. I like to keep my rating going through the roof you know?"

"...What are you trying to say?"

"He means he's going to kill you so Mr. J can be the big shot again." said Harley.

Jervis stand up and went in front of me to block Joker's view. He said, "Leave my daughter alone."

"Now, Hatter. You're not just saying that only because she looks like your Alice from Wonderland?"

"...My Alice died long ago...I'm only living for my daughter, Cheshire. So don't you dare think of her as my Alice!"

"...Dad?" I said and he turn to look at me, "I want to go back to my cell... I don't feel all that...well."

"Of course, Chess." He said, "Let us go."

"Hold on, Hatter." said Joker as he was walking towards us, "Leave the kid here. I just want to see how she can really handle me."

Oh shit, he's not going to let us go. I looked at my hands just hoping those claws would appear again. I need them right about now if I'm going to protect us.

"Dad...I'm scared."

"Don't worry, Chess." said Jervis, "I'll protect you."

"Nice try but," said another male voice, "You're not really the most nimble of us, Jervis."

All of a sudden two spinning disked flew in front of us and created a wall between the Joker and us. "Eddie?!" said Harley.

"Riddler!" growled Joker as he hit the wall with his fist but did now damage.

This man they call Riddler suddenly walked around us. He must've came from the other side of the room. "Shit don't tell me you want to fight me too!" I said as I stand up and step back a little with Jervis.

"No, I rather wait until the Arkham Arcade challenges." he said as he gave me this smirk upon his face.

"Arkham Arcade?" I said.

"No, Dr. Strange can't be serious on putting my own daughter in the Arkham Arcade challenges!"

"I'm guessing you've haven't heard. Cheshire Cat and I are set up to fight tomorrow. My Tech against her cat like powers. I've seen how you've used those claws against Victor Zazse, and I gotta say, you've actually riddled me.

"Now if you don't mind, Joker. Do kindly back off and leave my opponent intact for tomorrow."

"This isn't over, Riddler. You will pay for getting in between me and Necro."

"Leave, or I'll have my tech cut you in half."

"...Hmmph! Come on Harley." He walked away with Harley all pissed off now. Once he was gone Riddler brought down the wall and let his tech out microbes turn into bracelets around his wrists. He looked at me as he said, "You shouldn't be out. Dr. Strange wouldn't like it."

"Who the hell is Dr. Strange?" I said.

"Dr. Hugo Strange, the head doctor of Arkham Asylum." he explained, "He's the one who decided to have the Arkham Arcade program to be launched to every television screen of Gotham. In other words, we're the entertainment, and everyone loves to see a good fight amongst criminals like us."

"...I've never seen it."

"Well of course not. We're the first to get this program going."

"...What?"

"Heh heh." he face palmed himself, "I see she's doesn't inherit your intelligence, Hatter. Then again you barely can keep up with my riddles."

"HEY!" I got his attention back to me, "For your information Riddler, there will be no fight. I'll won't get sucked into Strange's twisted plans!"

"Heh heh, I think it's a little to late for that, Cheshire. In case if you haven't notice, your defense lawyer wasn't a lawyer at all. It was yours truly, Hugo Strange."

My mind snap back to the memory of my case. That lawyer...Was Hugo Strange?...No... How could he?

"Oh, it looks like I touch nerve there, didn't I?" he said.

"...He..."

My body temperature is starting to heat up. My feelings are getting so mixed up and confused that I'm actually getting sick. "Chess? Are you alright?" asked Jervis.

"...Did you know...Jervis?" I asked.

"Yes."

"...Why didn't you tell me?"

I clenched my fists tightly so I can try to control my body to stop shaking.

"Chess I didn't want to upset you more than you are now. You need to keep your mind at peace."

Riddler chuckled at what he said as he said, "Please, no one is at peace in Arkham Asylum, and by the looks of it, Cheshire is right at home."

"YOU BASTARD!" I cried out as I ran straight at him.

I lashed at him with my black claws but he quickly dodged my attacks. "You're going to have to a lot more than flailing around your claws at me." He hit me in the stomach with his knee. It hurt so much that I actually fell to the ground on my back. Shit...Defeated so easily by a knee to the stomach. I'm going to lose that fight with him tomorrow for sure.

"Giving up already? Tch, well of course that's what I expecte-."

I didn't realized my own body jump back up on my feet and slice his shirt open! "Oh shit!" he back up but I was way to quick that I sweep his legs off the ground. This time he was on his back as I'm the one who's pinning him down with my foot on his chest.

"...This isn't me." I said. I'm not in control of my body. It's like if it just acted on its own only because it knew I was in danger. "How is this possible?"

Riddler looked at me with a curious look. He then smiled as he said, "So there is something special about you. I was starting to get a little disappointed there for a second. So is this how you killed your classmates? All because you couldn't control yourself?"

He crossed the fucking line. Tears overflowed as I remembered the screams of my classmates, and...Red... "I didn't kill them." I whimpered. I just finally gave in as I drop to my knees and covered my eyes with my arm. "I didn't kill them. WHY CAN'T ANYONE BELIEVE ME ALREADY?! I DIDN'T KILL THEM! I DIDN'T KILL THEM!"

"...I'm sorry." said Riddler all of a sudden. I uncovered my eyes as I looked at him. He was looking as me with sympathy, "I thought all that crying was an act... But now I see."

"...You...Believe me?"

Before he could say anything all of a sudden these guards came in. But these kind of guards look different. Next thing I knew I got a tranquilizer dart to the arm. I cried out a little in pain and I tried taking it out, but I past out. This going to sleep by force thing is happening too often for me, and I'm getting pissed off about it.

...

I woke up clamp down on a metal table. I heard someone just above me. I tried tilting my head up, and I see the Riddler clamp down on another metal table. "Dammit." he said, "I hate it when they do that."

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

"Cheshire?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"Well if I'm talking that means I'm okay."

"Tch, whatever dude."

Him and I both chuckled lightly. I said, "Well... What now genius?"

"What do you mean what now?"

"I mean do you know how to get out of these things? I've heard that you're quite the Houdini."

"Heh heh, I'm glad you know me a little bit of my skills, but sadly I cannot get us out of these...yet."

"Then how bout you start trying? I don't like being tied down."

"Who does?"

"Bondage freaks I suppose."

"Oh, true true."

Suddenly we heard someone come into the room. "So, Lachrimae." said that familiar voice, "How are you liking it here?" Hugo Strange slide into my view with that smug smile of his, "In Arkham Asylum?"

"You fucking bastard! The only person I'm really going to kill is you!"

"Tough words from someone who's tied down."

"Then why don't you get me out of this and I'll show you how tough I'm really am you fucking prick!"

"You know," He walked to the side to one of those machines as he place his hand on a turning knob. "You're going to learn real quick how to show respect to your elders." When he turned it all of a sudden electric volts hit my entire body. I was in so much pain that I can barely even scream!

"Stop it!" shouted Riddler, "If you cause her further damage she'll won't compete for our fight tomorrow!"

"...How right you are, Nygma."

Hugo turn the knob back as the pain finally ceased. I was able to breath in deep breaths, I'm just glad Riddler did something to make him stop. Hugo came over to me and grab my chin in a tight grip as he turn my face to look at him. He said, "Be grateful that you're quite valuble to my Arkham Arcade. But disrepect me again, then I'll have no choice but cut that pretty little tongue of yours. Now, say yes sir."

I didn't want to. But I know when to back down, "...Yes sir." I said weakly. He let go of my chin and went away.

Once we heard him leave Riddler asked me, "Now it's my turn to ask, are you ok?"

"...I'll never be okay."

...

I was sitting in a small white tiled room. The staff of Arkham made me wear this tight black skin outfit. I'm not even wearing shoes just these black foot wear that reveal my toes and heals. I'm wearing black shorts and a half tank top that has the symbol of Arkham over my heart. I'm also wearing black fingerless gloves that is attach to a strip line that go above my elbows and just stops there. I feel so uncomfortable in this, I don't like showing this much skin.

Suddenly I was startled when the front wall of the room started to open. I stand up so I can be prepared for what happens next. When it just revealed an entrance to another room, I step through and find myself, what seems to be a battle arena. On the other side I see Riddler in his original questioned mark suit stepping in here as well. Oh no, I didn't really think they were actually being for about this fight.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" shouted a male voice through the speakers, "WELCOME TO OUR FIRST ARKHAM ARCADE CHALLENGE! HERE ARE YOUR CHALLENGERS, THE SENIOR ARKHAM INMATE, THE RIDDLER, VS, OUR NEW ROOKIE, CHESHIRE CAT!

"HERE ARE THE RULES. LAST ONE STILL STANDING WINS! CHALLENGE BEGIN!"

Riddler and I looked at each other. Riddler shrugs his shoulders and just reveal his tech bracelets.

"Riddler, no." I said as I shook my head, "I don't want to fight you!"

"Sorry, Chess. But they're not just going to let this end because we refuse to fight. I'll make things quick." His bracelets flown off of his wrists as they just spin around like flying disks.

"...Fine." I said. I looked at my hands as I tried to bring out my claws, but they're not appearing, "Dammit come on!"

"What's wrong?"

"They're not coming out." I said, "...I think I need to get angry for them to appear. Like the Incredible Hulk."

"Damn I've haven't read that comic in a while. Well let's see if I can help."

He wave his hand and all of a sudden one of his flying disks came straight at me! Oh shit! I didn't think he was going to do that! Then again I've should've seen that coming.

Suddenly my body took a mind of its own and dodge it. My hand grabbed it and my body jump and spin on me to send the flying disk back at Riddler. Riddler raised his hand to halt it just in time. I looked at my hands to see my claws growing. "Why is this happening to me?" I said, mostly to myself.

"Heh heh heh, about time this fight gotten started."

This time he send both of his flying disks at me, and they were coming in fast! When I tried to dodge them it was no use. They turned themselves into spikes and pierce right through my right arm and left thigh. I cried out in pain, but I screamed when they gotten themselves out. They aimed for me again, but my adreniline kicked in and took up the pace to dodge them.

I ran straight at Riddler, but one of his spikes flew in to protect him. I was glad enough that I Matrix dodge the fearsome spike from going through my forehead...Wait...My forehead! I remember the Man-In-White drilling into the center of my forehead. Don't tell me...

I looked at Riddler as I said, "Don't tell me... That you're the Man-In-White?"

He looked at me in confusion as he said, "Are you color blind? Do I dress white to you?"

"...Okay, so you're not him. But I'm willing to go through you to get to him."

"Tch, go through me, rookie? You can try."

... (Jervis's Narrative)

I was sitting down on a chair but my hands are handcuffed behind my back. Can't move around my legs much because they're tied to the front legs of the chair. In front of me is a T.V Screen showing me the fight between my daughter and Riddler. I'm not liking the results at all what my daughter is being put through.

"She sure is not most nimble amongst the rest of the Arkham inmates." said Hugo Strange who just came in and sat down next to me, "She's a lot like you but I know she's not as smart as you."

"The one thing I know she has, is imagination. That's all she needs to win this fight."

He just chuckled as he said, "Come on, if Riddler can slap her around this easily. She has no chance of winning."

"I believe in her."

"Yeah about that. You need to stay away from my test subject. The last thing I need is her staying soft. I need to make her tough until she's as strong as a diamond rock."

"Chess won't let herself be so easily controlled. As I recall you can't even keep me in control."

He glared at me as he said, "True. You're the type of person that loves to have control over others. I'm the same but I use different methods."

"OH NO FOLKS! LOOKS LIKE CHESHIRE CAT CAN'T GET BACK UP!"

"Ah! Chess!"

I turn back to the screen to see her laying down on the floor bleeding out from all these cuts on her body.

... (Cheshire's Narrative)

I can't go on. I'm out of breath, I'm scared, and I'm in terrible pain. Riddler stand over me, looking down upon me with such disappointment. "To think you actually brought my hopes up, Cheshire. Well I'll make sure I'll never do that again, I've should've know that I, The Riddler, am better than you." Riddler turn his back on me and walked away.

...He is...I'm so sorry...Red..."Get up!" I heard Red's voice calling out to me, "You can't give up yet. You need to live, for the both of us. Remember your promise?"

"...I'll never give up...As long I have imagination." I said as I smiled a little.

"Huh?" said Riddler when I grabbed his ankle, "What the? How are you even still moving?!"

I grab onto his jacket to help me get back up. He shrug me off and I staggered but I forced myself to not fall. "I'm not giving up." I said, "NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT!"

The look of Riddler's face was so surprising at me. "My classmates, my best friend, my Red. I need to find the Man-In-White who killed them so I can avenge their deaths. UNTIL THEN I'M NOT LOSING TO SOMEONE LIKE YOU!"

All of a sudden I've felt a pair of large fangs growing out from my gums, My vision was different, I've felt cat like ears on my head, and a sharp tail appearing.

"No way." said Riddler, "What exactly are you?"

"I'm everywhere and nowhere, I am the Cheshire Cat, you piece of shit!"

I transported in front of him and punched him right in the forehead. "Heh, well look at that. I've been Riddled." Was the last he said as he drop to the ground.

"I DON'T BELIEVE IT! THE WINNER IS CHESHIRE CAT! GIVE IT UP FOR HER LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"

I drop on my knees next to the Riddler and the staff came in with two gurneys. I looked at Riddler who looked at me. He smiled as he said, "Hey, good job, Cheshire. I'm sure Jervis is proud of you."

I smiled back as I said, "Thanks Riddler...Oh man my body hurts all over. I laid down on my back, "Did you have to fight so vigorously, Riddler?"

"It's just to spice things up for our viewers. I like the attention you know."

"So I see."

We both just laughed. Man what a fight. I lift my hand to touch my cat ears but I realized they were gone. I'm back to my normal self. Why am I changing my appearance so suddenly now? Is it because of what the Man-In-White did to me?"