1.4 billion dollars and all Cynthia needed was .000001% of that to take over Arkham.
When the news broke to the inmates that Cynthia Wayne had scraped a man's eyes out with her bare hands and hadn't gotten in trouble they all had a very different perception of her.
Sions had been top dog; the other inmates hadn't messed with him because of the inmates that wanted to leech off of him, but Sions would never get his own hands dirty the way Cynthia had; especially not in such a gruesome way.
It was easy to knock Sions off of the throne; she was willing to pay for the guards to keep their mouths shut about an inmate, and she wouldn't charge a thing.
Except, of course, they now owed her.
There was only one subset of inmates that she wouldn't finance; anyone who was in Arkham for sexual violence or any crimes that were motivated by prejudice. More than that, that was usually how she would cash in her favors.
And that was the main difference between her and Sions; it wasn't that she was richer, or that she was a woman. It was because she was violent. Sions was disinterested in the other inmates; he didn't care much at all. But, Cynthia, on the other hand, cared very much.
Rapists, racists, sexists; they didn't deserve the ease of Arkham. If the justice system wasn't going to take care of them, then she would. She wouldn't kill them, oh no; she would make their lives a living hell.
Only those who disrespected her were killed.
And that's why she was in charge now.
Either you worked for her or you feared her.
She wasn't the top dog, no, no, no;
She was the Queen of Arkham.
.
"I'm almost hurt you haven't sent one of your attack dogs to murder me."
Cynthia turned to Jerome; waving away the inmates that'd been talking to her.
"And you don't even consider me a threat; ouch."
"I really don't think you'll hurt me," Cynthia said.
"Who knows, Imma wild card, Baby," Jerome said, running his fingers over her waist "Say, have you been banging any of those thickheads?"
"I don't bang subordinates."
"Damn good thing I haven't asked for a favor then, Dollface," Jerome said, pulling her closer.
"Sorry, Baby, but I seem to recall something from our last conversation," Cynthia said, unwinding herself from Jerome, the ginger sighing.
"You really gonna make me say it?" Jerome asked, Cynthia looking at him smugly.
It was quiet for a long moment.
"Ineedyoumorethanyouneedme."
"What was that, Babydoll?" Cynthia asked innocently.
"I. Need. You. More. Than. You. Need. Me."
Cynthia smirked.
"Good boy."
.
It was strange.
Jerome had never wanted anything like he wanted Cynthia.
He was willing to swallow his pride if that meant he could have her.
.
It'd been a few months since Cynthia's incarceration; things were running perfectly.
It was honestly boring.
The only thing that wasn't boring was this.
"Oh, god."
"You know, I always had a suspicion that I'm a god," Jerome said, cackling as he raised his head.
"I don't think a god would be going down on me like this," Cynthia replied breathlessly.
"Then they're missing out," Jerome said, lowering his head again and making Cynthia squeal.
But, they couldn't have sex every hour of every day.
Her main fear was being stuck in Arkham forever; forever feeling this boredom.
"Trust me, Sweetcheeks, I'll get us outta here and we'll rain hell on Gotham," Jerome had promised her one night after sneaking into her cell.
Before, Cynthia would've argued; Gotham was her home.
But, now she saw it; Gotham was hell.
It created the disgusting people that inhabited Arkham; it deserved to burn.
And Cynthia would enjoy it.
.
They sat in the socializing room; Cynthia leaning against Jerome with a few other inmates scattered around her at the table. Cynthia's eyes had been instantly attracted to the familiar blonde woman sat at a table by herself.
Cynthia popped her bubble gum thoughtfully; sending a sneaky look over at Sions, who kept checking Barbara out.
"Babe, do me a favor and go tell her not to sleep with Sions," Cynthia said, looking over at Jerome, who sighed over the top.
"I'll flirt with her," He said "Maybe she won't try to boss me around."
"Go for it; we can have a threesome."
.
"Hey, Gorgeous."
"Go back to your girlfriend, Ginger."
"Just being polite," Jerome growled out with a smile "So, whatchya in for?"
"Killing my parents."
"Oh, me too. Well, mom anyhow. Liberating, right? What a rush!"
When Barbara gave him a look, Jerome sighed.
"Yeah, alrighty then. My girlfriend, as you so eloquently put it, wants to talk to ya."
"Then why doesn't she come over here herself?" Barbara asked.
"Good question; she thinks it's better for her image that someone else does her bidding. Or she might just be lazy, I didn't ask."
"Did you ask what she wanted?"
"Well, I think it has something to do with that old dude over there," Jerome said, with a not so discrete nod at Sions "He's a millionaire. And he's gotta thing for you and is probably going to offer you whatever you want in exchange for some afternoon delight."
"Why does she care?"
"She doesn't like it when people do that. Not. One. Bit."
Barbara smiled slightly.
"Do you know this by trial and error?"
Barbara smirked as Jerome's jaw clenched before he grinned a hateful grin.
"Are you interested or not?"
"Can she get me something?" Barbara asked.
"Anything."
"A phone."
.
"Good talk?"
Barbara looked over at where Cynthia sat with her legs propped up on a table and a magazine in her lap.
"Where's Jerome?"
"Do I look like his mother? He's probably terrorizing one of the loons or something."
"Does this mean I owe you one now?" Barbara asked, taking a seat at the table.
"I'd say this makes us even," Cynthia replied, pulling out a cigarette "Never did give you any gas money."
It was quiet for a moment as Cynthia gave one to Barbara and lit it.
"How come you turned down Jerome's offer but still have sex with him?" Barbara asked, blowing a puff of smoke.
"I don't like it when my vagina is an ultimatum. And I don't like it when people assume that that's the only way I can keep myself safe," Cynthia said "I got Jerome to swallow his pride and admit he was wrong, though, so I can enjoy his dick in peace."
.
"Someone tell me a funny story," Barbara announced one day at lunch, Helzinger painting her toes.
Sions, who Cynthia allowed to hang around so long as he wasn't a fucking creep, spoke up.
"I have a good one."
Sions began to tell his story about polo ponies; could he be any more of a rich dude (And that was coming from Cynthia)?
"Greetings! I am ZARDON! THE SOUL REAPER!"
It was quiet for a moment.
"So, I had these ponies," Sions continued, everyone turning to listen to him again.
Sions went on with his story, Cynthia losing interest; Jerome's hand that was gently stroking her thigh was much more interesting.
"HEAR ME SLAVES!"
Cynthia sighed and looked over at the dude again, on the verge of having Helzinger remove him.
"My patience is growing thin! Surrender your souls to my mercy," He said as he climbed on a table "Or I swear by the Master I shall feast on your pain! I shall gorge on your torment! I shall crush you like a bug."
He began coughing violently, keeling over on the table.
What was more interesting was the blue smoke that admitted from his mouth, everyone standing up in shock and concern.
Before everybody began coughing; passing out.
.
The next thing Cynthia new, she was waking up; tied standing up with six other inmates.
Jerome was to her right and Barbara to her left. Helzinger was there as well and Sions. And Dobkins and Greenwood, making her sneer. A rapist and a woman eater (literally); perfect.
"What the hell is this place?" Greenwood growled.
"It ain't Arkham anyhow," Jerome said with a grin "Things are looking up."
A tall man with slicked back hair and an expensive suit entered the room.
"Hello everyone, my name is Theo Galavan. This is my sister, Tabitha."
Everyone broke out into loud questions, Cynthia rolling her eyes. Theo silenced them quickly, though.
"I understand, you're feeling confused, scared, a little groggy, but please relax. Today is the first day for a wonderful future for all of you. If you want it," Theo said, walking down the line of inmates.
"Who are you?" Barbara asked.
"Well, now, the question is who are you?" Theo countered, Cynthia almost rolling her eyes at that "The world sees criminal lunatics. I see brilliance, I see charisma, and power," Theo came to a stop between Barbara and Cynthia, looking at them both intently "I see power."
"Yes, exactly my man, that is so spooky, that is me to a T," Jerome said, Cynthia rolling her eyes, albeit, a bit indulgently "These other boys, I don't know, but, you're singing my song."
"Quiet, Jerome!" Sions called out, Galavan not missing how Cynthia's jaw tightened slightly "Keep talking."
"Imagine a group of brilliant outlaws, like yourselves, each selected for your unique ability, working together as a team," Galavan said, walking back down the line "Imagine the synergy. Imagine the impact. Gotham would tremble before you."
"Well, that sounds fabulous, but I'm not a brilliant outlaw," Barbara said "I just have… issues."
"You have ferocity," Galavan countered, walking back down the line "And beauty."
There it is Cynthia thought with a sigh.
"And desire and that's enough," Galavan said, stopping in front of Barbara "Come with me, Barbara; whatever you want in the world; it's yours."
Thankfully, Galavan was too busy staring into Barbara's eyes that he missed Cynthia roll hers; every time.
"Theo!" Sions called out, Cynthia seeing where this bullshit was going "That is your name, isn't it? Theo Galavan. You're getting way ahead of yourself, first of all, keep your hands off her, second this whole magic team, I gotta pass."
Before Theo could counter, Cynthia spoke up.
"That was very nice of you to try to protect Barbara from a situation in which she wouldn't be able to give Galavan consent, Sions," She said sarcastically.
"Shut up, Cynthia."
Cynthia's voice became deathly calm.
"I will scratch your eyes out the same way I did Marco Gibb's; don't you dare tell me to stop talking."
Theo had a fake concerned expression.
"I didn't foresee a power struggle so quickly."
"I'd say it's less of a struggle than it is a reminder to everybody who's in charge," Cynthia said "But, I don't think it'll be a problem; you were saying, Richard?"
"I don't take orders," Sions spat at Cynthia before looking at Galavan "Good luck on everything, though; it's an intriguing concept."
"This is very disappointing," Galavan said "But, I suppose it's for the best seeing how you two can't get along."
Galavan sent a look at one of his guard, who cut Sions loose.
"Tabitha will see you out."
"Miss Kean is coming with me," Sions said, but before Cynthia could give back a biting retort, Galavan spoke.
"Oh, she doesn't want to go where you're going."
Tabitha whipped Sions around the neck, pulling him down before she pulled out a knife. As she carved into Sions, Jerome began to laugh manically and Cynthia spoke under her breath.
"What an idiot."
.
The Maniax.
That was Galavan's choice in name.
It was clever, Cynthia supposed, and it would catch the public's eye.
"I want you four to go out and make a statement, while you two stay here," Galavan said, Cynthia raising an eyebrow "And I promise it has nothing to do with the fact you two are women."
As the four men went to leave, Galavan caught the lingering glance that Cynthia and Jerome shared; interesting.
"Barbara, Tabitha will show you around. I would like a private word with Miss Wayne."
Barbara and Cynthia exchanged a look of slight interest before Barbara was escorted out.
"Cynthia is fine," She said, Galavan smiling.
"Then I must insist on Theo," He said, offering her a seat "What you did back there was impressive."
"Call Sions out on his crap?" Cynthia asked, Galavan laughing slightly.
"You demonstrated your hold over the group; the leadership you possess is remarkable. For someone your age to so easily take over a group of older people is incredible."
"I didn't like the alternatives," Cynthia said simply.
"I would like you to be in charge of the Maniax; you'll be able to keep them in line, but not too in line," Theo said "Make sure they can function long enough to cause some real damage to Gotham."
"I hate to burst your bubble, Theo, but I give them two weeks at most; Jerome's going to start getting annoyed and kill them himself."
"That's all I need. The Maniax are just the first step, Cynthia; and soon I will be in charge of Gotham," Theo said "And I'd like you there with me."
"What do you mean?"
"It won't be hard to clear you of criminal charges; people have been striving to do that from the moment you were incarcerated. Then, I can take you on as my ward; I'm very interested with what you'd do with that much power. Plus, my niece could use a big sister."
Big sister.
"But-."
"Bruce could come too, of course," Galavan interrupted "Hell, you wouldn't even have to move out of Wayne Manor."
Cynthia sat back; stunned.
"But, I have to warn you; you'd have to leave every bit of your Arkham past behind you; you wouldn't be able to hold onto that. Not in any capacity."
It was quiet as Cynthia processed everything he'd said.
"I… I have to think about it," She started slowly "But… Yeah. That sounds… amazing."
Galavan smiled widely, clapping his hands together as he stood up.
"Wonderful. Tabitha will be delighted; she didn't see much of you, but she likes what she saw." Cynthia stood and Galavan placed a hand on her back "I'll take you to her and Barbara; you need to get out of that uniform."
Cynthia let Galavan led her through the house; not hearing what he was going on about as she thought about her future.