(Reader's P.O.V.)

    We walked in silence as we walked into a nearby town. I think I saw a tomato fly by. And another one. One hits my arm and I realize someone is throwing them. And people are shouting at us. I guess this is what he meant. Everyone here seems to dislike us. None of these people even know me and yet they're yelling at me and throwing things at me. A rock gets thrown at my face when Infinite, or Joker, catches it. Everyone stops. It's dead quiet. He sighs in frustration, drops the rock, and grabs my wrist. "Come on." He pulls me into a nearby alleyway. "Are you hurt?" "No, I'm fine. What about you? Those people were throwing things at you too." He looks away and mumbles, "I'm used to it..." "Well, you shouldn't be!" He flinches at my voice and looks at me. "You shouldn't be used to it! You shouldn't be okay with it! How is it okay to be treated like dirt?! How is it okay for someone to hate you just because you have a specific name?!" He sighs again, "It's because I received my name from the king. A long time ago my father stole from the king's garden. My mother was pregnant at the time so the king decided as punishment to give me the name Joker. My whole life all I've ever known is hate. Simply because the king decided that was what I deserved." "But you weren't even born yet. How could the king lay punishment on an unborn baby?" "Naming me Joker was my father's punishment. Anything that happened after that was usually my fault, because I'm Joker." "But, that's unfair... You didn't do anything wrong." He turns away from me again. "This is why I hate outsiders. They always think it has to be one way, their way. Not everything in life is going to play out like you want. In this place, there's only the King's way. There is no right way or wrong way. There's no your way or my way. Only the King's way. The sooner you figure that out, the better off you'll be. Who cares if he's unfair, unjust, or unruly? As long as he's king, he's always right." I sit there silent. I'm not sure what to say. I'm starting to wonder about the Infinite in my world. Does he deal with things like this? Is he only following Eggman because he has to? Does he even have free will anymore? I hear Joker sigh once again and he turns to face me. "Looks like time's up again. You need to come up with a plan to get out of this. The last thing I'd want is for you to turn coldhearted."

(Infinite's P.O.V.)

    She was asleep again so I doused her in water again. I watch as she coughs up water before glaring at me. "Your next meal is here. I didn't want you to sleep and starve." I kick the tray over to her and she silently takes it, still glaring at me. Once I'm sure she's eating I leave. "You shouldn't be so cruel." "This isn't a hotel, a resort, or a restaurant. I don't have to play nice." "She'd like you better if you were. The jewel deserves kindness. If you can't give her that, I'll take over." "You told me you'd never do that again." "Perhaps I lied. You forget Zero, I'm the one who made you Infinite. If you can't do what I say, I'll just do it for you." I feel a pain in my chest and my vision starts to black out. He's doing it again. The last time he did this was because of her too. She had me at gunpoint and I was going to destroy her. He took over and in my voice said, "Flee screaming and I'll let you live." There was no point in trying to resist now. It'll only worsen the pain.

(Reader's P.O.V.)

    Infinite re-enters but, he seems a little different. The aura he's suddenly giving off is frightening. The air around him looks like glitching pixels. He stops in front of my cage and out of fear I back away. "Do I frighten you?" I don't move nor do I speak. His voice seems to echo like it did when we first met. "I don't mean to. I simply wanted to talk. I first want to apologize for my cruel behavior. You don't deserve it. When I finish with my 'tests', I'll let you go. After that do as you please. I do however request that you do not speak of your time here. I don't want the rest of the rabble to know about this. Am I understood?" I nod my head too frozen to speak. "Please say something jewel. I dislike one-sided conversations." Jewel? Why did he call me that? "Umm... Well, I just don't know what to say..." "Is that all? Well, I have some questions that need answers. Would you mind answering a few? Let's start with the simple. What's your name?" "(Y/N)..." "(Y/N)... A lovely name for a lovely jewel. You already know my name but you might not know his. I won't tell you now though, I'll wait until the next test. I'll tell you as a reward. Now then for my next question, favorite color?" "(F/C)... Umm... Why are you asking me these questions?" "Is it wrong for me to want to know more about you? I thought since you're going to be here for a while, you might like to be more comfortable. How can I do that if I know nothing about you? Do you have a favorite food?" "I don't have a particular preference but, I recently started hating meatloaf." He hums, "I see... Perhaps a change in the menu would be good. Do you have a favorite weapon?" "Why that question?" "Well, I was hoping to make small talk. Too sensitive a subject?" "Well you already know my weapon preference, it's the wispon you broke. The (F/W) one. What about you?" He laughs lightly, almost in a gentle friendly way. "In the past, I might've answered sword but I prefer my power. It's better than any weapon I could get my hands on. I'm going to take my leave now. I have some things to do. I'll come back when I'm finished. Try not to get too bored while I'm gone."