Rapture and Riddles
Chapter Twenty-One
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"You should be in bed." Jonathan slipped his mask over his head.
"I should be here with you." Bruce shook his head as he continued to dress.
"Does Alfred know-"
"Alfred doesn't control everything I do."
"Bruce, please." Jonathan took ahold of the other's hand as he went to slip on his second gauntlet. "I need you to stay-"
"Planning on meeting with the Riddler?"
Jonathan's jaw tightened. "Planning on removing him from Gotham."
"How?" Bruce asked softly.
Jonathan chose not to explain how his toxin was complete and just hiding away, waiting for him to fetch and utilize it. He turned away instead, breathing deeply.
"I can't..." Jonathan murmured. "I can't concentrate when I'm watching over you."
"Funny. That's my line."
Jonathan started as arms wrapped tightly around him. "I'll be fine." Bruce whispered.
"Fine then." Jonathan tore from Bruce's hold and stood tall. "Then let's go."
Neither of them were expecting it.
One moment they were walking along the roof of the central bank. The next, Scarecrow was in the Bat's arms as he fired his grappling gun and fled, men appearing on each rooftop, guns blazing.
"The Riddler's." Scarecrow muttered. He could see a small but tell-tale mark- each person wore a green question mark embroidered on their lapel.
Batman landed roughly, Scarecrow rolling through the impact. "Are you- shit."
Scarecrow could see why his landing was rough. Crimson ran between the plates of his suit, dripping steadily onto the rooftop. Even as they stood there, Riddler's people surrounded them.
"A message." One stepped forward. Scarecrow squinted to see her better- it couldn't be...
There was a suit over it, but he recognized Harley's suit. A tall hat of all things rested on her head, hiding her usual hat.
"Harley?" Scarecrow asked quietly.
"A message." She repeated, voice trembling. "For Jonny-boy."
Batman groaned and tried to stand. Scarecrow was immediately at his side, holding him still. It was a testament to Batman's pain that Scarecrow was able to hold him down. Harley visibly swallowed thickly, hesitating before speaking again.
"Sometimes people vanish before their time." She whispered. "What remains is but their legacy- and when the world is ready for that legacy to vanish as well, someone has to step in and do it themselves."
"What?" Scarecrow stood from his crouching position at Batman's side. "What the hell is that even supposed to-"
"You have forty-eight hours." Harley's voice quivered. "Then...time's up."
With that, the crowd dispersed as if they had never even appeared. Harley remained a second longer to murmured a hushed "So sorry, Jonny" before she was gone as well.
"Shit." Scarecrow lifted Batman to his feet, helping him limp along. "Come on, we have to get to the road... I'll call Alfred..."
Batman collapsed, nearly taking Scarecrow with him. "No! Br-Batman!"
Not again.
I told him not to come, I TOLD HIM.
Alfred. Alfred please.
"Alfred!"