Interlude
Conversation of Opposites
In a simple room, a table with two chairs sat in a small pool of light the rest of the room dominated by shadows.
In unison, two Taylor's stepped forward from the shadows and towards the table.
One Taylor, was clean, dressed in a blue dress with a white apron, and long, straight brown hair, but her eyes, her eyes were like hollowed pits from which glared eyes like chip of ebony, her features cold and aristocratic, like she had been hewn from marble. She sat at one chair, primly rearranging her skirt before staring at Taylor.
The other Taylor on the other hand would not have looked out of place amongst the homeless of Brockton Bay. She was smeared with filth, grime, and blood, but unlike the other Taylor, she seemed far more… human. Her eyes had a spark of life that attracted attention to her light blue eyes, she was wearing a trio of layers, ripped clothing showing more dirt, more grime, more clothing. She gave a nod to the clean Taylor before sitting in the chair opposite.
Their was a long silence before finally the Taylor in the blue dress spoke, her voice short and clipped.
"You realize, so far every single one of them has failed the test right?"
The grimy Taylor shrugged.
"Yeah. But remember. As long as one manages to pass the test, I win."
The Taylor in the blue dress scoffed.
"Really? So far every single hero, arguably the greatest of the Protectorate have all failed, and you still have the confidence to think you might win? You will lose, and you will be mine."
The other Taylor just smiled, her white teeth poking pasted dirt stained lips.
"If your so certain of your victory, then why are you becoming so defensive?"
The Taylor in the blue dress twitched, before her emotionless face creased into a snarl.
"I changed my mind. When I win, I will erase you."
The more human of the two just smiled and leaned back. Cheshire walked out from the darkness and bowed to the other two at the table.
"Well my ladies, the climax is coming, all the bets are in, and this is the last opportunity for you to pull out or change them."
When neither Taylor so much as twitched, Cheshire straightened, her arms held wide, and a just touch-inhuman smile.
"Very well then, the battle is joined, the stakes are existence, and the battlefield is the character and value of heroes. To the victor goes the prize of continued existence, and the control of the powers of Wonderland. The loser will cease to exist."
Both Taylors at the table stood, and bowed to each other, before turning and bowing to Cheshire, before walking back towards the shadows.
Cheshire waited until both Taylors were gone before throwing a last comment over one shoulder.
"Only one hero need pass the test, but if none manage to win, then Dark Alice will win, and that… That would be a terrible thing for the rest of the world."
Cheshire's head turned around with an audible crack to expose a Sharklike grin that stretched from ear to ear, razor sharp, triangle shaped teeth, but for ripping, tearing, and crunching on full display.
"But wouldn't it be fun to watch?"
And with that, Cheshire walked away.