Chapter 10: Unravel Hysteria (Cheshire's Narrative)

While I was warming up for my fight, Penguin just came in. I asked him, "Is Riddler finally asleep?"

"It took a awhile to convince him but he's getting some rest. You know you don't have to keep secrets from me. I know you like him."

"(Sigh), yes I like him. But I rather just be friends for now."

"You know he likes you too."

"Really?!"

Wow I didn't expect to sound so excited. That just came out of nowhere. "(Ahem), I mean really?"

He chuckled as he said, "Yes. From what I know you're the second person he's ever had feelings for. The first one-,"

"I-I know. He told me. I can't believe his own father killed her."

"Yes, and after that things weren't the same for the poor coroner. I guess you can say, after Ms. Kringle. That's when Edward's insanity began to truly grow."

"... Are you trying to tell me something?"

"What I'm trying to say is... Treat him right Cheshire, never leave his side, and as long you truly love him. His sanity will piece back together like that." he snaps his fingers.

"Well I better leave you to your match, Cheshire. I'll be seeing you again." He took off just when the doors were opening to let me back into the Arkham Arcade Arena.

As Scarecrow and I step onto the fighting ground. As the Announcer shouts the familiar lines, "WELCOME BACK FANS OF ARKHAM ARCADE! ARE NEW CHALLENGE IS OUR CHAMPION, CHESHIRE CAT, VS OUR SENIOR ARKHAM INMATE, SCARECROW! ALRIGHT INMATES YOU KNOW THE RULES, LAST PERSON STANDING WINS! BEGIN!"

I took the first strike as I used my tail to cut his burlap sac off so I can see his face. "That's better." I said as i looked at a wide eyed, Scarecrow, "Oh okay, so you have blue eyes. Sorry last time I saw you, you had yellow eyes."

"Sorry?" he said.

"Never mind. It's an inside memory, Scarecrow."

I quickly clawed him at full speed. I was able to cut his left shoulder, and right side of his torso, but he used his scythe to get me away. "Annoying brat!" he said, "Let's see if you can focus while being consumed by fear!"

He suddenly toss orbs at me that sprayed out his fear toxin. I didn't have time to cover my nose so I accidently inhale some. Oh shit am I gonna see Riddler again?... Wait... I accepted my fear of Riddler... This is a new fear... I...Want...FLESH!

My fangs and claws gotten bigger. I can feel my eyes changing as it enhance my vision to see the blood coursing through Scarecrow's veins. I can even smell his blood. It smells, "Delicious." I said.

I suddenly ran fast at him as he tried to block me with his scythe. I knocked it away and bite down into his left shoulder. I can heard his scream but I didn't care how pain he was in. I just wanted his flesh to quench my famine.

What I didn't expect him to do was that he stab me straight through my stomach with his scythe. He toss me as I roll on the ground, but jump back up on my feet. I place my hand on my quickly healing wound as I gather some of my own blood. I couldn't help it so much that I tasted my own blood and licked it all off my fingers.

"Oh my God," said Scarecrow, "What the hell are you?!"

"I'm starting to wonder that myself." I said, "This is your fault you know. If you didn't release the fear toxin, I wouldn't have to be forced to go into Hysteria. Now that I got a taste of your flesh... I want more."

I tackled him down and pinned his arms so he wouldn't fight me so much. "It'll be so much easier if you don't fight me. You really don't want me starving."

"Cheshire this isn't you! God, I know this isn't you! Please don't eat me!"

"What's the matter Scarecrow? I thought you loved watching people being consumed in fear?"

As I tried to take another bite out of him, he kicked me off and quickly lift his scythe to hold up to my neck. "Don't move!"

"Behind you."

My tail wrapped around his waist and thrown him against the wall. I got back up so I can try and eat him again, but I was stopped by no other than Enamel. "Stop." she said.

"You're in my way." I growled at her.

"Do I look like I fucking care?" she slapped me, "Get a grip on your sanity, kid! Devouring a live human being is not what you want."

"Than why am I hungry?! I want flesh! I want his flesh!"

"Hysteria wants his flesh. But you can fight it, you just gotta start having faith in yourself!"

"...I know what to do now."

"About time, slowpoke."

She disappeared as I saw Scarecrow getting up. It's hard to control myself from trying to eat him, but I have a way. "Scarecrow, how long does this fear toxin last?" I asked.

He looked at me in confusion as he said, "20 up to 30 minutes."

"Fuck...Oh well."

I bite down hard into my left arm to contain my hunger by drinking my own blood. "Alright Scarecrow." I said even though it was difficult to talk, "Les en this quickly."

I used my tail to attack him as he blocked it. I ran up, jump and kicked him as he staggered back. He twirl his scythe and nearly chop off my tail with it. When he missed and had his scythe stab the ground. I jump on the staff of it and kick flip him in the face. Great thing about being a cat, you get to have incredible balance and flexibility.

As Scarecrow fell onto his stomach, I jump up and landed on his back. "Do you give in?" I said.

"Yes! Now please get off!"

I did as the Announcer began, "OUR WINNER AGAIN IS CHESHIRE CAT! STAY TUNED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN FOR OUR ARHAM PENALTY GAME FOR THE LOSER!"

"Sorry Scarecrow," I said, "Vut I can't lose, n I don't want to eat you."

"That's your fear?" he said, "Cannibalism?"

"Not exactly, but you're close."

The staff came in as they aid us. I told them though, "Stay away from me. I'll ve alright, just help him."

I ran out of the room and quickly went into mine. As I locked myself into the bathroom and sat down in the tub. I kept telling myself this will pass. I just need to bare it at least about 15 minutes or so. Dammit this hurts but it's so good at the same time.

Suddenly there was a rapid knock on my door. "Cheshire, open the door!" shouted Edward on the other side.

"Go away Edward! I don't want to hurt you!" I shouted back. I don't him coming in here. I can't get myself to go out of control.

"Please, Chess. Don't shut me out like this! Just let me help you!"

"I DON'T WANT TO EAT YOU!"

I wept uncontrollably. I don't want to hurt him. "I can't let myself hurt you!"

"...You won't. Chess I know that you're strong enough to control yourself. I'm smart enough to even unlock this door... But I need you to let me in... How else are you going to let me help you if you don't let me in yourself?"

... He's right... I've been trying to do this on my own when I do need his help at my most darkest hour. I slowly got out of the tub and walked up to the door. A part of me didn't want to unlock for the fear of hurting him, but I took hold of myself and open it to let him in. He looked a little shocked to see me biting my arm. He took hold of it and slowly pulled it away from my fangs.

Next thing that happened which shocked me a little. Was that he hugged me tight to him. It's going to take some time getting use to his hugs. I've never seen a villain have so much care for someone like me.

"It's okay, Cheshire. Everything is going to be okay."

"...Riddler... You smell so good."

His scent alone is driving my hunger insane. "Chess, listen to me." He held my face so he can look at me in the eye. "You're going to get through without biting me."

"It's hard, Ed."

"I know, but don't worry the fear toxin will pass."

"...You were watching the Arkham Arcade challenge today."

"Of course I was."

"When you were supposed to be resting."

"Well I can't just go to sleep knowing that you were going to fight tonight. I always watch you in those challenges because I am praying that you won't lose."

"Dammit, Ed! You've been up for two straight days you need your rest!"

"Hey don't turn this around on me!"

"Go to bed."

"Oh, so I'm guessing I'm just going to have to suppose that you're all better now?"

"I-,"

I just realized that were arguing... I don't feel hungry anymore, my arm is healed, and I feel...normal. I just had to laugh because I find it funny that the only thing that made me right, was me worrying about the Riddler not getting the sleep he needs.

"Yeah I think I'm okay now. Thanks once again, Ed."

"See, as long you got me I make everything better."

I laughed as I said, "Alright now go to bed. You've tortured yourself enough for two days."

"Fine fine." He went away as I close the door and gotten myself in the shower. After the shower though as I was wrapped in a towel. I went out of the bathroom and find Riddler laying on my bed all past out. "(Sigh), again?" I quietly got into my pajamas, dried my hair real good and brush my teeth.

I walked over to the bed, took Riddler's shoes off, and carefully pulled the covers from underneath him so we can both be under the covers. I think Riddler just likes how comfortable my bed is, oh well as long he's sleeping I guess.

Before I laid down my T.V turned on to show the Arkham Penalty Game. "No I'm not watching that." I grabbed the remote and turned it off. I could run over there and stop the whole thing, but I've already dealt with so much shit I'm too tired.

Finally I laid down with Riddler under the covers, and cuddled with him as I fell asleep.