Disclaimer: I do not own Scarecrow. Or Batman, for that matter.
It was a sign. Not the miraculous, lightning-bolts-and-voices-from-heaven kind of sign, but a plain wooden one. Oak Haven Stables, it read, marking the barely visible gravel road as a turnoff.
Jonathan Crane hadn't expected to find a barn anywhere in Gotham, much less near the abandoned golf course clubhouse that he had chosen as his newest lair. But there it was, with its long reddish barns, sturdy white fences, and large round riding rings full of jumps. It had been ages since Crane had seen a horse, and he was interested despite himself. Almost without conscious thought, his feet took him down the gray road towards the horses' stalls. He let them. His newest variety of fear toxin could wait a few minutes.
The scent of hay, leather and animal brought back memories. He had learned to ride when he was a child growing up on the farm. He breathed it in, relaxing. A small dappled gray head poked its way over its door, begging to be petted. Crane smiled as he gently rubbed the pony's neck. He wandered past the row of stalls, taking time to scratch any ears that asked for it. Then he stopped at a stall near the end of the row, peering in at the big black horse.
He was tall, with an irregular diamond in white splashed across his head between his eyes. His ears pricked forward as he took a few steps to the front of his stall, inquisitive. His breath whuffed out as he lowered his head, sniffing Crane's extended hand. The man looked at the horse's nameplate. Shadow. Of course. Crane smirked. It was a fitting name for the Master of Fear's new favorite horse.
Crane's eyes glinted behind his Scarecrow mask. The new toxin was spreading through Gotham even now, as his feet rhythmically hit the pavement. He was heading for his hideout, or seemed to be. Then he turned down the gravel track, towards Oak Haven Stables. He wanted to ride through the streets in triumph, surrounded by the fearful people of Gotham. He only knew one place in the city to find a steed—and there was only one mount he wanted to carry him through the terrified streets.
The airborne toxin had not had time to spread as far as the stables, so the scrawny man did not have thousands of pounds of frightened animal to deal with. There were no riders around on this particular evening as Crane brushed Shadow quickly and got him ready. Besides the saddle and bridle, the Scarecrow had prepared extra pieces of tack for their expedition. He carefully inserted a filter into each of the horse's nostrils and a soft black earplug into each ear. His mask would protect him from the toxic mists, but did not want the fumes or the screams of the masses to make Shadow bolt.
With these precautions in place, Scarecrow was ready to take the streets. He swung into the saddle and set off. They would soon be back in the thick of the action.
When the chaos calmed, all of Oak Haven's horses were blowing in the aftermath of horror. Boarders were walking and grazing their horses, taking care of them. No one noticed that the tall man and the big black horse he was leading looked remarkably like the villain who had caused their fright. Terror had distorted their vision, and the Scarecrow's alter identity was still secret. There was nothing notable about another rider calming his horse after the evening's events.
Crane patted Shadow's dark shoulder, silently thanking the gelding for helping him escape the Batman. He had always had a soft spot for animals.
A/N: My knowledge of Crane's backstory comes only from what I've read in other fanfiction, so forgive me if that bit doesn't make sense. Let me know what you think!