A/N: Hello. If you're reading this, then you clicked on the link to my first Batman story. Either that or you clicked on the wrong link. That fact aside, this is my first Batman story. There will be a slight crossover with another comic, but I don't know if it counts or not. BTW the Scarecrow in this story is based on the Scarecrow from Batman: Arkham Asylum (I will add a link to my profile). Anyway, read on.
- Gotham City -
Flames leaped from the windows of the apartment building as it continued to burn. Hundreds of Gotham's citizens watched from the streets, police stopping them from getting any further. Meanwhile, Commissioner Gordon gazed up at the towering inferno, turning back to the streets every so often, waiting for him to arrive. A hint of hope flickered in his mind as the BatMobile sped around the corner and skidded to a halt outside of the police barricade. Sure enough, the side door opened and the Dark Knight stepped out. He headed over to Gordon, eyes focused on the burning building.
"What's the situation?" he asked in a deep voice.
"The building caught ablaze just a few minutes ago, we believe the Scarecrow trapped on the 5th floor" Gordon replied.
"Is everybody out of the building?" Batman asked again.
"Nobody lives in that building. It was abandoned years ago. Why would Crane set it on fire?" Gordon pondered, puffing on his pipe. Batman narrowed his eyes.
"That's what I'm going to find out," he replied before firing a grapple hook to one of the window ledges. He flew up off of the ground and climbed in through one of the 5th floor windows. He dusted the broken glass off of his armour and called into the flames.
"Where are you Crane?" he yelled. All he got in reply was a demonic cackle from the other side of the room. Standing by one of the open window, gazing down at the citizens of Gotham was Scarecrow. His horribly thin and pale body covered only by torn cloth and bandages. His right hand wearing his trademark needle fingered glove, fluorescent orange fear toxin bubbling from inside its metal casing.
"I was wondering when you'd notice the flames. Tell me, why bother, Batman?" he asked, turning to face the Caped Crusader. His hood covered his sack of a mask whilst the hangman's noose swung to and fro from his neck.
"What are talking about Crane?" Batman replied.
"Why bother fighting you? You always find a way to beat me. You are immune to my fear toxins; my mind games are inferior to your techniques. And you know what? I may be able to put fear into people, but you can put it back inside me. Why should I continue living when I know I'll never beat you?" Scarecrow replied. The flames were beginning to lick at the carpet they were standing on.
"Listen to me. Your name is Dr. Jonathan Crane. You were a respected professor of psychology at Gotham University. It may all be gone now, but suicide isn't going to fix it" Batman tried reasoning with him, but Scarecrow replied with an evil chuckle.
"Oh really? I may be stealing some of the Riddler's dialogue, but answer me this. I know everybody's fear Batman. But what's mine? What am I afraid of?" he asked menacingly. Suddenly, a creaking came from the ceiling above where Scarecrow was standing. Batman noticed this and held his hand out to him.
"Crane, we have to go. The roof's about to cave in" he urged. But Scarecrow stood firm, almost oblivious to the creaking above him.
"Well Batman. I'll tell you my fear. Its…" he paused as the creaking turned into cracking. He glanced up at the ceiling and smiled before facing Batman.
"…you" he uttered before the roof finally gave way, crashing down on his fragile body. Sparks flew out, covering Batman as he watched the scene unfold.
"CRANE!" he called out, yet nobody replied. He instantly turned around and headed for the window again. After taking a quick glance back at the wreckage, he dropped out of the window and glided to the street below. When he landed, Gordon walked up to him.
"What happened to Crane?" he asked. Batman gave him a look of grief, yet still kept his tough-guy persona intact.
"Did he…" Gordon didn't finish, but Batman nodded with a reply.
"Oh crap. This means a whole lot of paperwork," he sighed and turned to the Fire Crew, "Put this place out and send in the Search Team" he ordered, they nodded in response. When he turned back to Batman, he was gone. The only thing to prove he was there was the sight of the BatMobile disappearing into the distance. He turned back to see the Fire Crew extinguishing the fire. He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
"I'm sorry Jonathan" he sighed.
-New York, The next day-
BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP!
Eddie slammed his hand down on the alarm clock, causing it to cease its beeping. He groaned and looked at the clock, it read: 7:30AM. He dragged himself out of bed and put on some black jeans, red converses, a black and white striped v-neck and a navy zip-up hoodie. He grabbed his school bag and swung it over his shoulder, but before heading out of the door, he looked into the living room. His mom lay on the sofa, fast asleep, wearing the same clothes she had on yesterday. The coffee table was covered in bills, some red 'URGENT' whilst overs read 'FINAL NOTICE'. Eddie sihed and headed back inside his room. He returned with a blanket and used it to cover his mom. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and whispered to her.
"I'll see you when I get back Mom" he whispered before heading out the door.
-Daybreak High School, Science Class-
"So you see kids, the formula for Copper Arsenate is CuHAsO3" Mr. Andre explained whilst writing the formula on the chalkboard. The name of the compound caused a few laughs from the back of the class. Eddie just shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"Immature bastards," he thought to himself before copying the formula into his textbook. He raised his head when Mr. Andre turned to the class. He was Eddie's favourite science teacher; he was young with short brown hair and spectacles. And he wore always wore a white lab coat.
"Now, from the information gathered so far, can anybody tell me the formula for Copper Chlorate?" he asked. Every student in the class averted their gaze and shifted nervously in their seats until finally, Eddie raised his hand.
"Ah, well Eddie?" Mr. Andre asked. Eddie thought for a second, tapping his fingers on the desk. From behind, Doug Leaver, the school bully, sniggered with his two "henchmen", Donald Richards and Connor Hunt. Eddie narrowed his eyes at them and answered.
"Is it…Cu(ClO3)2.6H2O?" he suggested. The entire class went silent as he finished the string of letters and numbers in the formula. Mr. Andre raised his eyebrows in amazement.
"That's correct. Good work Mr. Strach" he congratulated. Eddie grinned; unfortunately this happiness ended when Doug shot a spitball at the back of his neck. Eddie wiped it off and continued with his work.
-Lunch-
Eddie usually sat at alone at lunch, mainly because hanging out with him would be social suicide. Eddie was 15 years old with straightened, black, emo hair, a skinny build and a face that could be described as 80% good looking and 20% meh…it's okay. As he made his way over to the table at the back of the cafeteria, Doug stuck his foot out from his table, causing Eddie to trip and land face first on the hard, porcelain floor. Laughter erupted from the cafeteria as the scene unfolded. Eddie held in his tears and glared at Doug who was receiving high-fives from Donald and Connor.
"Walk much, Dipshit?" he mocked, much to Eddie's annoyance.
He picked himself (and his sandwich) up off of the ground and continued walking. He sat down and began taking miniature bites out of his sandwich, almost like mice had been nibbling at it. He sighed.
"Well Eddie, look on the bright side: Your life can't get worse" he told himself.
-Later-
Eddie placed his key in the lock and opened the door.
"Mom, I'm home" he called out.
"Eddie? Could you come in the front room please?" his mother replied in a frail voice. Eddie raised his eyebrows and headed into the front room. He entered to see his mother sitting on the couch, her eyes red and puffy. Sitting opposite on a faded blue armchair was an elderly man with silver hair and spectacles. He wore a jacket with the letters 'G.C.P.D' embroided on the sleeves. He glanced up at Eddie.
"Who are you?" Eddie asked.
"Son, I'm Commissioner Gordon from the Gotham City Police Department" he replied. Eddie rose and eyebrow.
"Gotham? Batman's neighbourhood?" he asked. Gordon chuckled.
"Yep, but I'm afraid I've got some bad news. You might want to sit down," he explained. Eddie nodded in response and sat down next to him mother who gripped his hand tightly. Gordon focused on him.
"Son, are you aware of who your father is?" he asked. Eddie groaned in response, he had always hated the story of his father "the super criminal".
"Yeah, mom told a few years ago" he responded. Gordon nodded.
"Well son…" Gordon tried continuing, but was interrupted.
"My name's Eddie" Eddie noted. Gordon nodded.
"Right. Eddie…there's no easy way to say this. But…" Gordon paused as Eddie's eyes slowly widened.
"Your father died in a fire last night" Gordon finished grimly.
A/N: Dun, dun, DUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNN! How evil am I? I bet you're all wondering how the Scarecrow came to have a kid. DON'T PANIC, it will ALL be explained in later chapters. As for now, so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye for now.