Sorry this is so late, but as i mentioned on 'While The Night Is Young' my word document has been playing up and i had to re-write a lot of chapters, so apologies if this isn't brilliant.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: This is officially my longest story, and is already way over 1'000 views! Thanks so much, i love writing this every minute!
Bloocomet - about the school years, i was running out of ideas and normally most of my stories just write themselves. I may go back and do One-shots or a a short story about their time in high school, adding the experiences that i had planned but never made it into the story. Thanks for the amazing review, and i hope you enjoy the adult life!
FieryLady36 - Wow, thanks for sticking around and reviewing this story. I liked the idea of Johnny having split personality, but it didn't quite fit into the story in my eyes, but while writing The Exams chapter, it just popped into my head. I'm glad you like the idea, and i hope it will make the characters more interesting to read about.
Wonderaholic - (I have to say, i love that name!) I'm glad you're enjoying this so much, really put a smile on my face when i read it as all of my reviews do, but i hope you like this chapter just as much.
MidnightFedora - So glad it wasn't a disappointment, wasn't quite sure how it would go it being so later on in their lives. Thanks for yet another review.
You all spoil me way too much! So i bring you another chapter, with a bit more Johnny and Seraphine.
I've recently been introduced to the band Hollywood Undead, already i love every single song! So there will be a lot of their songs at the beginning of the chapters, many really making me think of the Batman characters in general, not just Hannah.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS EXCEPT MY OCs ALL THE REST BELONG TO DC COMICS OR THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS.
With that done, on with the chapter...
I see the streets burn,
Everytime I fall asleep,
I'm losing all my sanity,
I can't hide from the voice that speaks inside of me,
I see the trees burn,
along with all my memories,
I'm losing my insanity,
I can't hide from hide from the voice that speaks inside of me,
Hollywood Undead ~ Street Dreams
The midnight sky rained heavily on Jonathan and Seraphine, making both having to sprint to their destination to stay relatively dry. Seraphine wore her usual look of a yellow cardigan and denim skirt, her blouse being a vibrant white underneath the cardigan. This made her stand out in the dark night but nobody paid much attention to the two, much to Jonathan's relief, not wanting to be taken to Arkham Asylum any time soon.
They came to their destination exceptionally quickly, the tall dome shaped building placed in the rougher area of Gotham. The neon blue words naming the palace like structure: The Iceberg Lounge.
Jonathan knocked on the rather large iron door, another one was placed on his right disguised as a set of double doors. Seraphine remained beside him, slightly apprehensive about being with other criminals, but she would not show fear.
A small metal flap slide open to reveal a thug on the other side of the door, as soon as he saw Jonathan, his eyes bulged. Jonathan stared him down, noting that he could still bring fear even to the more muscular criminals. He hadn't had much practice since meeting Seraphine, which was why many of his newer experiments were performed on his own henchmen, but at least he could count on her to not be afraid of his more sadistic personality.
The thug remained at the flap, either unable to speak or wondering why the Scarecrow was standing on the doorstep, apparently he wasn't known for being a social person amongst the other criminals. Nevertheless, the thug slid the flap closed and opened the door for them to enter. Seraphine merely scurried by his side, knowing better than to say something out of line in public.
They walked along the hall, their shoes tapping against the wood. The distant sound of jazz music got louder the closer they got to the next set of double doors, the thug stayed at the other door, looking at Seraphine with Neanderthal confusion. Jonathan pushed the door open, bombarded with loud music (not to his taste) and the distinct smell of fish.
The rounded room consisted of many round tables with chairs and red velvet curtains to the more private areas of the room. In the middle of the gigantic room, a huge Ice Berge type monument with live penguins circling around it in the freezing water. The flightless birds made much racket but not enough to drown the music out, Jonathan sighed, knowing that he would have to sacrifice his thin patience for Seraphine to have a decent meal.
A waitress dressed in black and white overalls stumbled over to them, black high heels the size of a rat. As she ushered them to a table, she was shivering, either from the freezing temperatures or she was frightened…Jonathan thought of the latter almost immediately. Their table was furthest from any of the others much to his relief, and was placed in a corner of the room where the music was less noisy.
Seraphine jumped into the seat opposite his own and looked straight at the menu, he let her off, this being the first time he had taken her out somewhere. The waitress walked away, letting them choose their meal, however there wasn't much to choose from except fish. He realized just how famished he was as he skimmed through the menu, the salmon pie sounding appetizing. Seraphine took the longest, going over the menu four times before making a final decision.
She placed the menu on the table and crossed her arms, he saw no point in teaching her table manners, she would just ignore him and he never really paid much attention unless his grandmother was with him. He removed the thought of the old bat, deeming her memory a waste of his time.
Seraphine scanned the room, searching for any criminals that were in her brother's class, this class being the most wanted in Gotham. She mostly found thugs and other henchmen, probably used by the mob or for other higher criminals. She doubted that there were any serial killers, most of them being too animalistic to appreciate a decent meal. However, a few of the other occupants did resemble some of the criminals her brother had told her to avoid. Magpie or Margaret Pye sat at one of the tables across the room, alone with only the silverware for company. Her red hair shone brightly against the blue lights above, her shiny things she wore as necklaces and other accessories; secretly she slipped her knife and fork onto her lap every time she thought no one was looking.
A man wearing bandages all over his face, these bandages flaked with dry blood. Seraphine instantly decreed him as Hush, a new man in the criminal web but certainly not one to mess with, rumours spread quickly that he took people's faces, making them his own in a Frankenstein way. He sat at the drinks bar; a small shot of whisky in his hand, Seraphine was curious as to how he ate and drank.
Jonathan followed her gaze, before grabbing her attention with a quick tap on the table, when she looked at him; he gave her a stern look. Seraphine knows that look well, and rested her head in her crossed arms, sighing out of boredom.
The waitress returned, this time with a notepad and pen to write down their orders.
'A salmon pie for me and the cod fishcakes for her, two glasses of water as well.' The waitress wrote the order quickly, before scurrying off towards the kitchen. It wasn't long before Seraphine began getting bored, and played with her table knife, the stainless steel tapping the table gently. He remained calm but the constant noise soon irritated him, and he knew she was doing it on purpose; just by the way, she smirked beneath her free hand.
He gave her one stern look, and she mockingly looked confused, as if she thought she wasn't doing anything wrong. It was quiet for a few minutes, before the infernal tapping began again, making him sigh loudly. Seeing that she was getting nowhere, she tried a different approach, Seraphine started to hum to herself.
'Seraphine' He moaned, that was what she had reduced him to, moaning. 'I'm tired and hungry…please do not give me a reason to ground you.' He replied softly, hiding his irritation well.
'Well, if you didn't stay up all night improving your experiments you wouldn't be tired and hungry. Anyway, when you ground me, all you do is lock me up in my bedroom for a few days.' She shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal, but he had gotten the same punishments if not more severe, and he hated being locked in his room.
'Exactly, it's supposed to teach you that boredom is the price to pay for doing something wrong.' He replied, but she simply uses the statement to her advantage.
'That's rich coming from a criminal, I'm sure you've done more wrong than me and you've not paid the price.' Her comebacks always leave him speechless, unable to find words to make him right, it only made him realize just how brilliant her mind is. Even as a ten year old, she could make him think twice to what he had previously said and she was able to keep up with his teachings. School was the more suitable place for her education, but him being a wanted criminal, he had to tutor her himself. However, most of his teachings only proved her smart ability, even when he decided to teach her some psychology; she was able to answer his questions with ease.
'The difference between a criminal and a ten year old is a long one, and who's to say I haven't paid the price? To the corrupt society, I betrayed my fellow co-workers as well as the asylum, thus stripping me of being a doctor.' Admittedly, he didn't care much about what people thought of him, but it did prove his point.
'That's just bull-' He cut her off with a raised hand, not wanting his henchmen's influence on his stepsister to be heard in a public place. Unfortunately, that was one thing he could not stop, his henchmen were the few idiots he could trust with her and when he was busy, at least one of them had to keep an eye on her. Of course, there were side effects. Seraphine was never one to swear, but even she could lose control much as he could.
The waitress returned with their meals before Seraphine could say anything else, and placed them delicately on the table.
No sooner had they begun to eat their food, the smell of flowers filled the room. Jonathan sighed, not in the mood for her of all people. Many people's heads turned to the door, and the men's mouths opened wide. Poison Ivy, or Pamela Isley as a few people knew her as, walked into the room. Her famous tight dress of green leaves and vines was enough to make people love her; however, Jonathan knew better than to fall for the temptress.
He continued to eat his food, though he noticed that Seraphine had seen the green woman. He didn't really want to explain botanical biochemistry at the present time, and would much rather leave without Ivy seeing either of them. His dream was short lived as green eyes found the pair in the corner of the room, the eyes focused mainly on the child. Ivy walked over to the pair, green heels clacking on the floor. As she reached them, she saw Jonathan and decided to humiliate the sour man.
'So it was you Ichabod, I haven't seen you since the high school prom.' The green woman watched as Jonathan turned bright red, something that always followed by ear-splitting screaming. He didn't look at her, but replied all the same.
'It has been too long Miss Isley, good to see you so confident.' She hid a death glare, hating her shyness back in high school being mentioned. She wore a seductive smile as she saw the child opposite Jonathan, a slight confusion on her face.
'Oh, and who is this cute little thing?' She said in a baby voice, only given a disgusted look by the child.
'This my dear, is my stepsister Seraphine. Seraphine this is Pamela Isley or better known in the criminal web as Poison Ivy.' Judging by Seraphine's reaction, she doesn't need to be told why this woman got her name, the woman's green poisoned filled lips said it all. It isn't long before Ivy gets bored with the two sour people, and stormed off to find some unlucky imbeciles willing to be her minions. Once she is out of sight behind one of the red curtains, Seraphine asked one of the more unimportant questions.
'What happened to her, and how did she know you?'
'Your first question is a tale for another time. And to answer your second, I we were in the same year at high school, though we never interacted much.' He answered immediately, wanting to leave it there, but it only made Seraphine more interested.
'It's hard to see you as a teenager; I imagine you always being mature and a loner. What did she mean about your high school prom?' He sighed again, his tiredness now reaching breaking point.
'After the exams, the school decided to treat us with a prom. I originally planned not to go, thinking more about university than a silly dance. However, a friend of mine wanted to go, though I wondered why since he hadn't been acting himself for the last few weeks. In the end, both of us went to the prom and Miss Isley sat with us. We talked, and nothing more happened that night, as soon as the night was over I left without my friend.' He finished and picked up his knife and fork again, ready to eat his meal while it was still warm.
'Why did she call you Ichabod?' He ignored the question and went back to eating, and soon enough Seraphine did the same, if not slightly annoyed by being ignored by her criminal stepbrother.
Phoenix whines inside my head the whole time I walk home, giving me an excruciating migraine that threatens to rip my forehead apart. The walk home is easy, my confidence growing through my long nights out in the criminal world and making me see darkness as a friend. The rain, however, is problematic, as I have no umbrella or hood to shelter myself from the rain. Instead, I simply sprint home, trying not to get too drenched as the rain becomes ever heavier.
The lamps placed above the roads brighten the Gotham streets slightly, but they don't light up the dark alleyways. Not many cars are screeching at this hour of night, only a few dare to be seen out on the roads, most probably ready to make a theft. It isn't long before I come to my apartment building, as I stare up at the dismal place, I remember the night that made me leave.
I rush inside and the rain droplets fall from my coat and onto the flooring, earning me a glare from an elderly woman waiting at the elevator. I ignore her snobby attitude, too worn out to care. Unfortunately, I have to bear witness to Phoenix wanting to take control; I pull her back, not wanting to make a scene. She curses at me but I remain calm as I stand next to another elevator, away from the elderly woman.
The elevator doors open and I step inside, me being the only occupant as I tap the illuminated number thirteen, dying to take the soggy trench coat off. The elevator climbs up the levels, making my stomach twist as it stops at my level. The squeaks as the metal doors open only help depress my mood.
You can't sleep yet Hannah, remember we gotta catch that green rat. Phoenix reminds me and I result to groaning like a teenager, my limbs are too bruised as it is, my earlier midnight jaunts happening to involve many thugs that actually knew how to fight.
I stumble to apartment forty-three and crouch to get the key under the floorboard, this being a good hiding place instead of a welcome mat. I search for the key, but my fingers don't feel anything except a few cobwebs, a little confused, I push the door and find that it opens. I step inside; forgetting that when a door is open, it usually means an intruder is inside.
Before I can react, a metal object is placed against my throat and I am forced against the now closed door. My eyes look in front of me, startled from the surprise attack. Phoenix quickly takes control and forces the object from our throat, and punches the owner in the nose. The owner stumbles backwards, thinking that they had had the upper hand and lands on their back. Phoenix returns to the back of my mind, proud of her quick will to act.
I look at the object that had been forced at my throat, and to my horror, I see it's a question mark cane. Before the owner can come to their senses, I snatch the object and hold it menacingly at the owner. The Riddler raises his hands defensively, though a spark of anger in his green eyes because he had been beaten by a girl, much less being beaten by his old friend. He carefully rises to his feet, making sure he did nothing to make me swing the cane at his head.
'How did you get in here, why are you here?' I ask hysterically.
'Careful now detective, I'm the one that asks the riddles.' The hiss of venom reminds me that this isn't Edward anymore, this is The Riddler. Keeping the cane within swinging distance, I see that The Riddler is just as drenched as I am; even his glasses are speckled with raindrops. The water dripping onto the wooden floorboards, another thing on my to do list, my to do list mostly full due to the amount of criminals.
Now that the initial panic has subsided, I feel calmer and am not as quick to act rationally, not wanting The Riddler's blood on my hands.
Now's your chance, we can send his butt to Arkham. Phoenix remarks in my head, but I ignore her input and drop the cane on the floor next to my feet. The Riddler doesn't seem surprised at the action, and remains solemn as he tries to find words to change the awkwardness.
'Soft and fragile is my skin, I get my growth in mud, I am dangerous as much as pretty, for if not careful, I draw blood. What am I?' He asks the riddle without hesitation and my mind deserts me as I try to answer the riddle. From what I've seen of The Riddler, whoever doesn't answer his riddles ends up dead…I really need to get this riddle correct.
Don't ask me, I hate riddles. Phoenix says in my mind as I begin to try to form an answer.
'The answer is a thorn; now get out of my apartment.' I demand, seeing it better to follow him once I'm dressed in my costume, rather than immediately try and arrest him. However, he doesn't seem to be leaving and chuckles slightly to himself.
'Normally that would be right, but it is incorrect…The answer is you. "Soft and fragile is my skin", your skin as paled since the last time we met though I have wondered how. "I get my growth in mud", we were both raised in the lesser parts of Gotham and I'm sure the next part doesn't need to be explained. And finally, "for if not careful, I draw blood", as I recall, this isn't the first time you've hit me.' As he finishes explaining his riddle, I can't help but feel slightly flattered at his words. Unfortunately the mad gleam in his eyes and his flamboyant costume, tells me he isn't here to flatter me.
He analyses me for a few seconds, then proceeds to make himself comfortable on the couch, bringing confusion to my mind. He takes his glasses off and uses a white cloth to clean the raindrops off them, then placing them back on his nose. I stand at the door, not sure of what I'm supposed to do. I can't exactly leave The Riddler and run out of the apartment, he could probably catch me anyway. I can't just kick his ass as that would reveal my secret identity, I have very few options at all.
Just tell him to leave, if he decides to kill you, he looks like a wimp and I could beat him easily. I hear Phoenix say, always reading my thoughts like clockwork. I continue to ignore her, focusing on the riddle weaver in front of me, him more of a dilemma than a voice inside my head.
I can't help but picture him as Eddie, the abused boy that was unable to stand up against his father's fists. I want to see that boy again, say I'm sorry, tell him why I became what I am. However, I know the boy is gone; he will never come back as this criminal takes his place. The Riddler twiddles his thumbs, leaving me speechless, as I have no idea how to act. Phoenix threatens to take control, but I push her back, thinking he will know the change.
'Get out of my apartment right now, or so help me I will-'
'Put on your little costume and prance around Gotham to search for me?' The interruption reveals my worst fears, he knows, the question is how he knows. I don't want to ask it now, wanting this obsessive out of my apartment as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, he turns to me, a smirk placed on his face. 'So Phoenix what is for dinner, I'm famished.' The ordinary question a surprise, there is no hint of arrogance, just his natural voice. I stand there, speechless again as The Riddler acts as if I want him here.
'What…No, what?' Is all I can muster out of my mouth, my tongue unable to form a sentence. He sarcastically looks confused, making hand gestures as if this is a game.
'And there was me thinking you had made something special for a reunion, pity.' He sighs, everything about this drawing me out of my comfort zone.
I know; let's poison him I hear Phoenix suggest.
No, what good would that do? I retort, Phoenix more annoying than usual. She leaves a few seconds of silence, and then proceeds to answer with a bored tone.
Means one less criminal to send to the nuthouse it is true, but I promised not to kill unless absolutely necessary. Phoenix of course doesn't agree with it, but we somehow come to a compromise with whatever decision that blocks our path. While I talk to Phoenix, I don't realize that The Riddler is watching me, my eyes glazed as I ignore his presence.
He can tell something has changed, seeing me so different as an adult, though he doesn't dwell on the past. Eventually he stands, walking over to me with ease, his movement catching me off guard. I automatically go to punch him, but he dodges the attack and pins me against the door, raising my arms so my hands are level with my face. The gleam in his eyes remain, the green contaminated with a sickly green. I feel paralyzed, his grip stronger than I had imagined.
I see his features more clearly, his brown hair deep and slightly spiked at the edges, either from lack of brushing or because he styled it that way. His glasses are silver around the edges; the lenses a circle shape that cover both his eyes perfectly as he stares through them at me. His face soft without any stumbles, meaning that when he rubbed them earlier in the torture room, it was just a bad habit.
He lets go of my arms, staring at the floor as not to meet my eyes. The back of my head hurts slightly from the impact, but it's nothing aspirin can't fix, me being used to these headaches. He backs away from me, fearful at his own actions, fearing that he lost control. I firmly slap him around his soft face, my hand burning from the impact, but his shocked face is worth it. A large red handprint is now seared onto it; he places his own hand over the top, the warmth vibrating against his long fingers.
'What was that for?' He shouts like a small child being told off, I just stare at him angrily.
'For being an arrogant child…and for using me in one of your death traps.' I say, my eyes now blazing. He simply rubs the mark, pouting slightly as he sulks, and I realize just how crazy he really is.
'All I was going to do was take you out for a meal; you didn't have to hit me.' He sneers, but I look at him as if he's lost it, forgetting my little friend in my head.
'I'm sorry, but when a criminal moves towards you, normally your first reaction is to hit him.' I begin to shout, anger now spilling from my tongue. He smirks under his hand, treating this as a game.
'Then I accept your apology, shall we?' He motions to the door as if he didn't hear anything I've just said. I again find myself speechless, the third time tonight, Edward making me speechless.
No…this isn't Edward, this is The Riddler! I tell myself firmly, keeping this statement alive rather than fall into the abyss.
'No, I will not have dinner with you, now leave.' I say firmly, but it doesn't make any effect, he just shrugs his shoulders.
'Very well, but I'm not leaving until I have something to eat.' I moan in frustration, all of this turning my headache into a full on migraine.
Hannah…don't you dare Phoenix warns, but as I always do, I ignore it.
'Fine, I'll have dinner with you, but it means nothing. This isn't a date, and I have no interest in you.' I whisper, my voice being used too much this evening. He brightens, removing his hand from the mark and places it at his side.
'Likewise, just a friendly reunion of old acquaintances. Nothing more, nothing less. It just so happens I know a lovely little Italian place on nineteenth street, I think you'd find it appetizing.' The arrogance is back, louder than ever against my eardrums, almost spilling red blood out of the canal. He turns and grabs his cane, spinning it and then lets the tip hit the floor near his feet with a small click. He unhooks his arm for me to take, but I simply open the door and walk out into the hallway, letting him follow.
We need a serious talk, we're a team, we make the decisions together. Phoenix says sternly as The Riddler slips through the door as I begin to close it.
It was the best way to get him out of the apartment, and I was here first, so it's my decision. I answer; a little disgruntled at the turn of events. I lock the door, wanting nothing more than to be on the other side then with The Riddler. He cocks a brown eyebrow, before striding down the hallway, ushering me to follow. I follow suit, knowing that hiding wasn't the best course of action…I just hope this night will end without my blood being sprayed along an alleyway.
I know towards the end it isn't very good, but that was around the time the word document stopped responding and i had to do EVERYTHING again. I have used the costume and a line from the arkham asylum and arkham city games, because i loved both of them so much. I was disappointed with how the riddler looked (as quite a few people did) but his costume was awesome. Can't wait for Arkham Origins comes out, the demo looks awesome, REALLY want to play it now!
Thank you everyone, and review as always.
~ GothGirlStrikesAgain