The Clown and the Magician

by DarkLordFluffy

Darren Drake was from a long line of magicians that had a bit of real magic in them. He grew up with his uncle in the circus and his only friend was a redheaded boy named Jerome. They hoped someday to say goodbye to the circus together and make a name for themselves somewhere. Then one day they finally get their wish. But its not quite how they pictured it.

4. Chapter 4

Just a small warning. Things are going to get a bit dark for a bit while they are at Zach's diner. Though I suspect some of you read this for that very reason. So in that case, enjoy.

I don't want to torture myself so Jervis's lines will not be in rhyme unless I have to or its a line from the show. I will just have him be overly polite and reciting Alice in Wonderland.

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Zachary Trumble was more than a little worried when his nephew, the psychopath Jerome Valeska, broke out of Arkham with several other psychos. He had been so relieved when that bastard died. But his sick fans brought Jerome back from the dead and looking even more deranged than before. He knew that Jerome would come for him at some point. It was only a matter of time. He should've drowned that kid right after birth. Lila hadn't wanted two. She had hated having twins. He knew he needed to prepare for Jerome coming after him. He had just phoned an old buddy of his from Haly's that also decided to stay in Gotham after he retired. The strongman. He'd be the perfect protection against that bastard of a nephew. He was impatiently waiting for the guy to get there to his diner.

"Mr. Trumble?" a diner waitress called out.

"Yeah?" he said, irritated. He was in the back room, pacing nervously.

"There's a guy here for you. He says he's an old friend from Haly's." she said.

"Finally. Give the guy a cup of coffee and tell him I'll be right there." Zach said, sighing in relief. If all went well his nephew would pay dearly for killing Lila tonight. Lila hadn't been perfect, but she was Zach's sister and the only family he had left for the longest time. They had taken care of each other. He pulled himself together and walked out into the main part of the diner and walked towards the booth that the waitress pointed at.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. It's been pretty stressful lately as you can probably imagine." Zach said as he got to the booth. But when he looked up, he stopped in his tracks. It wasn't the strongman in the booth.

"Oh I can imagine. Pretty well in fact." said the man in the rather edgy looking magician's outfit who was grinning at him. "Hiya, Mr. Trumble. Long time no see."

"Darren Drake." Zach said, not entirely able to keep the fear from his voice.

"The same. How've you been? I see you're doing rather well for yourself. Your own diner. Putting all that money from those "I'm a victim" tv interviews to good use I see." Darren said with a slightly unhinged look.

"You're not really who I expected to come after me, to be honest." Zach said nervously.

"Why? Were you expecting me?" a very familiar voice said from behind him. He slowly turned around and there he was. Jerome was standing there behind him grinning at him madly. "Hi, Uncle Zach. Miss me?"

"Jerome... '' Zach said, terrified. He was completely unprepared. And he had no chance against both of them at once. Especially not Darren if the rumors were true about the 'Magician'. But he didn't see how a guy could have actual magic.

"Sit down, Uncle. We have things to talk about." Jerome said cheerfully. But you could hear a slightly dangerous edge to his voice that made it obvious it wouldn't be safe to not do what he wanted. He nervously sat down in the booth. Jerome sat down across from him next to Darren. "So I see you look well. Put on a few pounds I think. How've you been?"\

"How've I been? I've been grieving over my sister's death this whole time. How do you think I've been, you brat?" Zach snarled with a brief burst of courage.

"Oh I heard. Giving tv interviews about it too I've seen. Saying you and Lila were terrorized by me as I was growing up. Must've been so hard for you, being terrorized like that." Jerome said snarkily. "So all those broken bones, cuts, bruises, and burns to me over the years must've been self defense huh?"

"You were a little shit. It doesn't matter if I wasn't very intimidated by it. You treated your brother like shit. All the stuff I did was justified." Uncle Zach said.

"You know that was a lie." Darren snarled. "It was so obvious, but you were both so blind. You didn't know your nephews at all, did you? Jeremiah was a liar. He was always manipulating a situation to his benefit. But to both his mother and you, he could do no wrong. I was his friend and even I could see it. Jeremiah had and probably still has issues. Jeremiah made it all up. Jerome never hurt him."

"This again? Jerome has been playing you for a fool. He's a psycho. Of course he hurt Miah." Zach said.

"Nope. Wrong. I was completely devoted to Miah. He was the only one I gave a shit about back then. Why the hell would I try to hurt him? I would've died for him if he asked... back then." Jerome said with a snarl. He got cheerful again right after. "This is part of the reason we're here. We're here for information. Miah is somewhere in this city. I know he is. I just need to find out where. And I know you know where. So what you're going to do is tell us."

"I don't know where he is! And do you really think I'd tell you if I did?" Zach snarled at Jerome. "Miah made something of himself. He was the only one in our family that did. I won't let you ruin that."

"Why? Because you think he'll give you money when you don't want to work anymore?" Darren asked, snarkily. "Sorry to say, but Miah threw his own twin under the bus for his own gain. If he's that heartless to someone that he shared a womb with, why do you think he would care about you?"

Zach didn't look like he could come up with a rebuttal to that. He admitted to himself that over the years he's found holes in Miah's stories. Things that didn't make sense. But he always figured that it didn't matter. Miah was still the most intelligent one in the family and deserved better. "I don't care if Miah wasn't exactly always truthful. He was right about you overall. You are a psycho. He didn't lie about that."

"But he did. How do you not get that?" Darren said irritated. "I might have underlying mental issues and likely would've gone down this path of madness on my own. But Jerome was normal before you and that bitch twisted him. Before Miah betrayed him. You all called him a psycho. You wouldn't stop. How long do you think it takes being called something you aren't before you just give up and start being the way people expect you to be?"

"You and my mother are the cause of all of this. Well, Miah is also the cause. If it weren't for him, I might not be this way. But I actually like the way I am now so really I should be thanking both of you. Just like I 'thanked' dear ol mom." Jerome said. "Now, we're getting sidetracked. We're here about Miah. So you are going to tell us what you know. Because I know you know something."

"Like I said, I'm not going to tell you." Zach said trying to act tough but failing.

"Well then, I think it's time for a magic trick or two, don't you my dear Magician?" Jerome said, glancing at Darren and grinning.

"Oh most definitely." Darren said grinning and glancing over at Zach. As he glanced over, a few of Zach's kitchen knives appeared on the table as if by magic. He jumped a little at their sudden appearance.

"You might not know, but the Drakes have a little secret. They have a bit of actual magic. Would you like to see more? Darren's really good at moving knives into someone's body now. He doesn't even need to touch them." Jerome said, excitedly. "It's quite impressive. You really should see it."

Zach stared at the knives in terror as one of them disappeared and then reappeared just in front of his face before falling back on the table. It happened a few times in quick succession.

"Come on Dare. Stop messing around or you won't have enough energy for the main event. How about you make one appear in his leg? That wouldn't kill him but would hurt like a bitch I think." Jerome said with as deranged a grin he could possibly have.

"Wait stop!" Zach yelled. "I'll tell you!"

"Oh will you?" Jerome said. "Then spill."

"St Ignatious! We sent him to St Ignatious." Zach said, cringing a little. "It's this fancy boarding school a friend of mine used to go to."

"I know what it is, moron." Darren said, rolling his eyes. "When Miah was ten, after your rich friend visited and went on a bender with you, he talked all about the good old days. Got Miah all misty eyed to hear about that school. That takes some doing to get Miah of all people misty eyed. But I never made the connection. Shortly after you visited with your rich friend, suddenly he claims to be tortured by his brother. I should've realized right then, what was up. And you, the fucking gullible moron that you are, sent him to the very thing he wanted in the first place. And you call me crazy for trying to explain to you how much you were played. Doesn't it seem so fucking obvious?"

Zach couldn't even argue with that logic. He tried not to show how much the psycho's words affected him, but it was hard. He had always believed in strict and painful discipline. He tried to help Lila with the boys' upbringing in that way. He had always been certain that Miah was better in every way when compared to his brother. Even little, he had been so quiet, while Jerome was the fussy one, the wild one, the uncontrollable one. Miah always did what he was told and did it pleasantly. But even Zach, who admitted he wasn't exactly the smartest guy out there, could admit that Miah's calm almost nonexistent personality as a child, freaked him out a bit. He honestly couldn't completely discount the possibility that he had gotten things wrong. But Jerome was a psycho now who murdered his own mother, so Zach wasn't about to have a change of heart about his nephew now.

"He probably changed his name. So what is it?" Darren asked, holding one of the kitchen knives casually.

"Xander Wilde." Zach said, nervously.

"Thank you. Was that so hard?" Jerome said, amused at his uncle's terror. "We got what we came for and will leave this place be."

Zach sighed in relief a little, thinking maybe Jerome was showing him some rare bit of mercy. But then the Magician spoke up and made his blood run cold.

"So I don't get to practice on him?" Darren asked, with a disappointed look.

"I did tell you that you could. When did I say you couldn't? We may be leaving this place be, but I said nothing about leaving him be. I just phrased it that way so I got to see the look of relief on his face quickly turn to horror when he realized he was still going to die. Look, there it goes." Both psychos seemed to relish in his terror for a few seconds.

"Now I expect this is about the time you'll start to beg for your life, huh?" the psychotic magician said, holding a knife in each hand. Zach stood up out of the booth and looked around at the busy diner. Why wasn't anyone reacting to this at all? Everyone was just acting like they weren't even there. The magician grinned at him knowingly when he noticed him looking around.

"Nice, huh?" It does take a lot of energy to do all of this and I've haven't really attempted to also do an even more energy intense thing like teleporting objects at the same time. You're a bit of an experiment. How much can I do at once, while still hiding the presence of a few people? I expect, I won't be able to teleport these inside of you with any surgical precision at the moment. But I can at least try."

"Don't do this! Please someone help!" He frantically tried to get someone to notice him. But no one noticed. He shook one of the diner patrons and the slightly oddly dressed young man just looked up at him and smiled mockingly. He looked around. The diner was filled with Jerome's fanatics. Not everyone looked to be a fanatic though. Some seemed to be regular patrons. But he couldn't be sure. The magician walked casually over to him with a smirk. The rumors were all true. The Drakes really could do magic. He had no idea how he was going to survive this madman. But then he noticed that Darren looked tired. Like he had done a bit too much. Maybe that was the key. Get him to tire himself out and then kill him when he's vulnerable. "So your family really can do magic. Could Rudolfpho do all this too or just you?"

"You're trying to distract me with boring questions. Yes. He could. He just focused it all on his act. Most Drakes do. But I've branched out. Turns out, we're pretty powerful people when we practice. Who woulda thought? I suppose the little side effect of losing one's mind deterred most of my family from really trying to see how powerful they could be. I have no reason to be sane so I don't let that stop me. Now, it's time for a little bit of fun. We have an audience to entertain afterall." Darren said before bowing to the diner patrons, several of which didn't notice, and more than half started clapping and cheering. The Jerome cultists could see them just fine, even if the rest of the world couldn't. The only thing that the regular diner patrons saw was an enthusiastic group of diner patrons probably celebrating something. A birthday or engagement perhaps? But then the Magician waved his hands enthusiastically and the regular diner patrons suddenly saw everything. They stared around in fear, and some even tried to leave, but the Jerome cultists were blocking the door. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the show." Darren said enthusiastically to the frightened diner patrons and the amped up Jerome fans. "I'm known as the Magician. You know my dear friend, Jerome, over there, don't you?" Jerome grinned and waved at the crowd. "He's letting me run the show tonight. So you all get to see a magic act!"

"Don't do this. Please. Someone stop him!" Zach yelled, trying to get as far away from the crazed Magician as possible.

"Now now. We have a show to put on. Would a few of you lovely people bring my not so lovely assistant over here near me?" Darren said, twirling a knife in his hand as he waited for the Jerome fans to drag Zach over. Zach stared at the man in terror. "Thank you. So helpful. Now what would you all like to see? How about some classic tricks first, hmm? I think my assistant has something in his mouth. I wonder what it could be." Zach started to choke on something. There was something in his throat cutting off his air supply. Darren walked up and started pulling out a few scarves tied together out of Zach's mouth slowly. When he pulled out the scarves, Zach gasped for breath. A few Jerome fanatics had to hold him up. The Jerome fans clapped. The diner patrons just stared in fear. "You know, you aren't supposed to choke on it, Zachary. That's not very professional of you, my dear assistant. I think I know what trick we could do next. Everyone observe this knife. It's an ordinary knife. In fact, if I cut my assistant just here…" he slashed Zach in the arm and Zach cried out in pain. "You see that it is very real. Watch as I make it disappear."

The knife disappeared from Darren's hand and suddenly, Zach felt a very sharp pain in his leg. He screamed and the only thing holding him up at that point were the Jerome fans.

"Behold!" Darren pointed out Zach's leg. Everyone could see a tiny bit of the knife peeking out from his leg. The diner patrons stared in horror. The Jerome fans clapped enthusiastically. "I figured I'd do that trick since Jerome suggested it. But you should all see the grand finale. That'll also be quite a scream."

"Please don't! Someone help! Jerome I'm sorry I hurt you! We're family! Don't let him do this!" Zach started pleading for his life.

"We are family. Do normal people not torture their family members? Huh. Who would've guessed?" Jerome said mockingly. "You see, all my life, my family has tortured me. So that's the only way I know how to treat them in return." Jerome said, grinning savagely from where he was sitting. "Sucks for you but you kinda put yourself in this situation. Now hush. Don't interrupt the show. I'm looking forward to this grand finale."

Zach stared back at the Magician in terror. He wasn't getting out of this, was he?

The Magician smirked at him in triumph. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do this to you. Ever since you started hurting Jerome and I couldn't do anything about it. Now I can! He's even letting me kill you myself. He's so thoughtful. Now take a bow, Zachary. It's your big finish! I'd say wait until after to take a bow but you won't be in any condition to do it after." Darren turned to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen. It's the moment you've all been waiting for. The grand finale. You've seen what I can do with one knife, but how about every single knife that Zachary here owns? Let that 'sink in' Zachary dear. Just like those knives are about to." The Jerome fans were on the edges of their seats, eager to see what was going to happen. Darren narrowed his eyes and had a look of concentration on his face. Suddenly, every knife in the diner disappeared. Zach stared around in fear as he saw it happen. And then the Jerome fans went wild clapping and cheering and Zach felt...odd. He looked down and saw that all of the knives were in his body in various spots. He hadn't even felt them at first. But now he could. He coughed up blood and fell to the floor.. Darren slumped over in exhaustion and leaned on a nearby booth for support. Jerome rushed over and held him up.

"You ok? Do a bit too much? We'll get you back to the lair so you can rest a bit. Just hold on." Jerome said, holding onto him. "The Magician, everyone! Give him a big round of applause!" The Jerome fans whistled, clapped, and hollered enthusiastically. "Now everyone that came here with us. Shows over. The police will be here soon. Time to go! As for you diner patrons, I am a man of my word. I told Zach I'd leave the diner be and I will. So you all get to live. Tootles!" Jerome led Darren out the door, still holding him up.

Zach lay there on the floor bleeding out as the Jerome fans filed out of the diner and the diner patrons fled in terror. No one helped him. In his last moments, he was alone.

"Geez, Dare. You took it right to the limit, didn't you?" Jerome said as he lay an exhausted Darren on a bed in Penguin's manor. Penguin had graciously provided his home to them. Or more likely, felt threatened enough that he felt he had to.

"Well, I did want to put on a good show." Darren said weakly, smiling up at Jerome.

"It was a good one. I enjoyed it. But you probably didn't need to push yourself quite this much. I don't want you to kill yourself." Jerome said, looking at Darren with concern on his face.

"I was just trying to see how much I could do. And I wanted him to suffer as much as he made you suffer." Darren said.

"That's sweet. A bit too sweet maybe." Jerome said. "Especially if it makes you do something stupid. But thanks. I've wanted to see that asshole suffer for a very long time. Now as much as I would love to fuck you senseless right now after that lovely display, you already look pretty senseless. So I'll wait. You better get some rest. We've got a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it." Jerome went to get up and Darren stopped him.

"Don't go. Please. I'm not going to have you for very much longer. So stay until I've fallen asleep?" Darren asked.

"Look who's getting sentimental again." Jerome said, rolling his eyes. Then he sighed. "Fine. Dare, you are the only one I will ever get this sentimental with." He lay on the bed with Darren and watched him slip off to sleep. He hated that he was leaving him behind when he died. If Darren wasn't in the picture, Jerome wouldn't have minded all that much that he was dying. He still had Miah. Miah would ensure that he lived on in a way. But Darren was in his life and loved him. And Jerome didn't know how to deal with that. He wasn't worried about how well Darren would do with his life after Jerome. He was far more powerful than Jerome would ever be. He would be amazing. But it was still hard to think about just not being there to watch as Darren became as amazing as he would likely become. Though, who knew? Maybe the afterlife would let him do just that. Maybe he would be able to stick around and watch as both his brother and Darren tore apart the city. That would be great if he could. But he wouldn't get his hopes up.

Darren woke up the next day around midday. When he realized the time, he threw some clothes on quickly and headed downstairs. The 'mandatory brunch meeting' was already over though. Jerome walked into the room and smiled as he saw Darren was awake.

"Morning sleepyhead. Or more like afternoon." Jerome said, looking completely unconcerned that he had missed the meeting.

"Sorry I missed the meeting." Darren said.

"It's ok. We need you at the top of your game so you needed your rest. I had Karl set aside some leftover food for you in the kitchen. I hope you are feeling better because we have things to do." Jerome said.

"I'm feeling fine now." Darren said, walking into the kitchen to get some food. Jerome followed him.

"I'm glad. I was kinda worried for a sec." Jerome said. "I've gotta go. I got a good lead on where Miah is. Jervis went to St Ignatious for me. Apparently Miah is a hot shot structural engineer now at some fancy company. So me and Firefly are headed there now. Stay here. I'll let you rest for a bit longer. You should be there with me when we confront Miah though. He'll be so happy to see his best friend after so long." Jerome laughed when he said the last part.

"Have fun threatening people for info." Darren said.

"You know I will." Jerome said, grinning widely as he left the room.

While Darren was waiting for Jerome to come back he checked in with Scarecrow to see how he was coming with the gas they needed.

"How's it coming?" Darren asked as he watched the broody teen work at the makeshift chemistry lab they set up in Penguin's basement. Scarecrow had found his outfit stored in Arkham when they had busted out so he was now wearing it. He barely ever took it off.

"It's coming along well. It should be done soon. Might I ask why Jerome wants a specific dose of this modified and set aside? Who is it for?" Scarecrow asked.

"Someone special. Someone who deserves it. You know that guy Jerome had Jervis looking for? That guy." Darren said.

"I remember what Jervis said about the man but don't really understand why Jerome is so interested. Who is he? Why would Jerome even be interested in a structural engineer? He sounds so…mundane." Scarecrow said as he continued to work.

"Trust me. This man is anything but. Even if he likes to pretend that he is. I know him well enough to know that he won't disappoint. And this drug will help him with that." Darren said, smirking. "Thanks for making it for us, by the way. It means a lot to me."

"Like I said before, you were kind to me and you didn't have to be. I was weak and useless back then. And yet you stayed by me. You tried to help me. I repay my debts. And this is what I do best. Plus, it will be satisfying to terrorize Gotham city. To make all of them see things my way. If following you and Jerome is the best way to see that happen, then I am more than happy to be a part of your legion of Horribles."

"Legion of Horribles? Did Jerome come up with that one?" Darren asked, rather amused.

"Yes, he did."

"Sounds like his style. Anyway, do you need anything? You good down here?" Darren asked.

"I don't need anything currently. But thank you for asking. Are you feeling any better? I saw Jerome practically dragging you back into the house yesterday almost unable to walk. I was concerned."

"Yeah. I just overdid it a bit. My abilities are powerful but even I have a limit. I was just trying to test out what it happened to be." Darren said. "It was a beautiful display of power though. You shoulda seen it. Maybe one of Jerome's fans made a video of it if you want to see it later. I made Jerome's uncle into a pincushion with all of his kitchen knives. It'll probably be on the news later at the very least."

"Sounds entertaining. I can imagine all of those diner patrons running screaming in beautiful terror." Scarecrow said with amusement in his deep spooky voice.

"Yeah, it was kinda satisfying to watch them run." Darren said. "I should go see if any of our other allies need anything. So I'll talk to you later, Scarecrow. Keep up the good work."

Darren went back upstairs. He saw Jervis sitting at table sipping tea and reading a book. He looked up and smiled as he noticed Darren in the room. "Good afternoon, Magician."

"You can call me Darren, Jervis. 'The Magician' is so formal." Darren said. "Good afternoon to you as well."

"I've been meaning to speak with you a bit when we had the time. But we've been so busy until now. Do you have a moment?" Jervis asked.

"Sure. I'm just waiting for Jerome to return. What did you need?" Darren said, sitting down at the table.

"You said you knew Alice. That you and her were friends. How was she towards the end? Was she happy?" Jervis asked.

"We were both Indian Hill test subjects. We weren't the closest of friends but I looked out for her a bit. I made sure she was taken care of. I don't think she was all that happy. She was always so scared. Of what would happen if she got cut and infected people. And that she would get trapped in a lab again. It made it hard for her to be happy. But I did my best to see she was looked after. She may not have been happy but she was at least comfortable. She didn't have to worry about how she was going to survive. I figured I could at least take those worries from her."

"I am so regretful that I pushed my sister away and couldn't be there to see that she felt safe." Jervis said, with a troubled look. "All I wanted was for her to be happy."

Darren didn't point out that mind controlling someone wasn't the best way to make a person truly happy. He didn't want to antagonize the powerful hypnotist.

"She did deserve to be happy." Darren said. "I wish things had worked out for her."

"I will make Gotham pay for treating my sister like she was less than human. After Jim Gordon captured her, they were going to send her away to some awful place. Probably another lab. And the city would've been completely fine with that. I saw how they treated the other test subjects. They piled their bodies on a bonfire. Like they were animals. I shudder to think what those monsters called 'normal' people would've done to my dear Alice if they had discovered she was a test subject too. Such weak minded fools don't deserve to be treated any different than they treated those test subjects. Gotham needs to be punished. Just like I punished Jim." Jervis said enthusiastically.

Jerome chose that moment to stride in with a big grin. "I found him!"

"You found him? Where is the little coward holed up?" Darren asked.

"I don't know exactly. He's a hermit nowadays. But I do know he has a proxy when he has to deal with people. I know where Miss Proxy lives. So all I need to do is swing by her apartment."

"Shall I accompany you to loosen her tongue?" Jervis asked with a smug look.

Darren had a thoughtful look. "She'll probably be expecting us. With Miah it's not going to be this simple. Miah could scheme with the best of them and I doubt that's changed. He probably planned for this."

"Of course he did. Which is why I'm going to be the bait. He has probably spent years being worried about what I'd do. He'll want me in a trap of his own making where I won't be a threat to him. Which will probably be located at wherever location he's holed up in. So all we have to do is have her take me straight to him. And I'll wear a tracker that you all can follow. Jervis can hypnotise Miss Proxy when you all get there and she'll spring me and lead us all to Miah. Simple. He'll be his own downfall." Jerome said, grinning.

"Good plan. Are we giving him the drug then or later?" Darren asked.

"Later of course. I want to make him squirm for awhile." Jerome said. "What do you think the chances are that Jimbo will figure out where Miah is on his own? That guy is kinda clever at times."

Darren shrugged. "Who knows. I'd say there's a pretty good chance. That shouldn't change much though. It might make things more entertaining actually. He'll have to reveal himself to the world. And can you imagine the look of utter shock on Jimbo's face when he sees Miah's face? I'd pay to see that."

"What about this man's face is shocking?" Jervis asked, confused.

"Mind if I tell him?" Darren asked.

"Sure. He's going to find out soon anyway. Might as well." Jerome said, not looking like he cared one way or the other.

"Miah is short for Jeremiah. Jeremiah Valeska. Jerome's identical twin brother." Darren said with a smirk.

"Identical twins?" Jervis said. He smiled in amusement. "That indeed is a wonderful twist. I imagine James will be at quite a loss for words. This is the reason you had me find out more about this Xander Wilde. You desire a family reunion?"

"Pretty much." Jerome said. "Miah is a heartless bastard that betrayed me and ruined my life. So I am going to make him squirm as much as I can before I make him and the world see that he's a hundred times as crazy as I am. I will make it to where he can't hide the monster he really is even from himself anymore. It will be a great legacy. The perfect one. Because I know he'll end up so much worse than me. He'll make me proud."

"Just let us know when you want to head out. I'll go grab Scarecrow when you're ready." Darren said.

"I've got to get that tracker ready and disguised as something little Miss Proxy won't remove. Give me an hour or two. Then I'll leave to go meet the proxy." Jerome said.

"Disguise it as a button and sew it on one of your outfits. She wouldn't think to remove a button if it looks like it belongs on your clothing." Darren offered helpfully.

"Good idea. Thanks Dare." Jerome said, grinning at him.

An hour later and Darren was in a van watching Jerome enter the proxy's apartment. Not long after he saw a young blond woman with groceries in her hands enter the apartment. That must be the proxy.

About ten minutes later Darren got a call from Jongleur who was watching the back alley.

"Hey boss. Guess what I'm seeing. The proxy is loading Jerome up in a van. She stuffed him in a dog cage. He looks unconscious but ok."

"Thanks Jongleur." Darren ended the call and then smiled at his colorful allies. "She took the bait."

"Is it time to follow the white rabbit then?" Jervis asked smugly.

"No. Let's wait an hour or so. We need to make sure she doesn't suspect we're following her. Let her head back to Miah. We have the tracker. We'll be able to find them. Either of you want food while we wait? I can get Jongleur to pick something up."

"I could use a cup of tea." Jervis said.

"I'm not hungry." Scarecrow said.

"One tea then. I'll let Jongleur know." Darren said.

An hour later and they were following the tracker out of the city and to a very remote looking location.

"Wow. Miah really goes all out when he does something. Look at this place." Darren said, smirking.

"Look at what? There's nothing here but a small shed." Scarecrow asked, looking around in confusion.

"That shed is merely the entrance to something a whole lot bigger. If I had to guess, most of this place is underground. And it will probably be a maze. Since Miah loved mazes. Hold on a moment. I'll try to lure out the proxy. It looks like Miah might be busy with the cops since Jimbo's car is here. So that will be in our favor. Stay out of view of the camera until I tell you." Darren said. He looked around. Ah. Crows. Perfect. He moved the crows that were in the nearby trees into view of the cameras and then agitated them enough that they obscured the view a bit. No point in letting everyone know they were there before they were ready. He then walked up and had a look at the door lock. He smirked. Perfect. It was an electronic and high tech lock. His favorite kind. He phased bits of metal into the wiring and shorted the door lock. It swung open and he looked back at his allies with a smug look. "Shall we? Jerome is waiting for us."

"You said it was a maze. Will you be able to navigate it?" Jervis asked.

"I'm not sure. But we won't need to do it ourselves. We'll have help. And here she comes." Darren said smiling as he saw the proxy rush forward to fight them.

Jervis walked forward and worked his magic. "Listen to what I have to say…" Soon the proxy was under his control and leading them through the maze. Darren smiled at a camera that was on as they passed it. Miah could see them. Good. Let him worry.

The proxy opened the door to Jerome's cell and he stood there leaning against the wall nonchalantly. "Took you long enough."

"We wanted to make sure they didn't suspect us of following. Looks like Jimbo and his partner are here too. We need to distract them while we talk with Miah." Darren said.

"Easy. You and me can wait by the exit for Miah. Crane and Tetch can distract the cops. The lovely proxy can drag Miah right to us." Jerome said.

Darren followed Jerome through the maze and they made it to the exit rather quickly. Darren wasn't surprised. He always paid attention to Miah's maze designs as a kid so he knew how to get through them.

"So now we wait." Jerome said. "What do you think he's going to look like after all these years? I'll bet he's wearing something pretty damn nerdy."

"Yeah. Probably. But he did always have an interesting sense of style so he might surprise us." Darren said.

Miah came rushing towards the exit on his own. No cops or the proxy with him. He sighed in relief when he saw the End sign.

"Hello brother." Jerome said, standing just out of sight. Miah heard it and turned to run in the other direction. But Darren was standing behind him with a smug look.

"Hi Miah. It's been a long time." Darren said. Miah turned around to see Jerome pointing a gun in his face. He was trapped between them.

"So how you been? Oh you look great." Jerome said. "But I definitely called it, Dare. That is a nerdy looking outfit."

"I don't know. I do like the tie. Purple. Your favorite color, if I remember correctly. Right, Miah?" Darren said looking at his old childhood friend.

"How did you find your way through the maze?" Miah asked nervously.

"Bro, we might not look the same anymore, but we still think the same. You used to draw those mazes all the time as a kid. I paid attention!" Jerome said. "I've been waiting for this moment for fifteen years, ever since you ran away from us in the middle of the night like a coward."

"You're insane." Miah said, looking terrified.

"Yeah."

"And I tried telling mom, but she didn't want to listen to me." Miah said, looking over at Darren as if he would help him. Darren stared coldly at him when he spouted his lies. Miah looked back at Jerome. "You blame me for everything that's gone wrong in your life, but the truth is, Jerome, you were born bad."

"Oh my god, I am so tired of that lie." Darren said, exasperated at him. "At least try a new one this time. I know it's a lie, Miah. I've known for awhile what you did. You cold hearted bastard. You threw your own brother under the bus for your precious education. That's cold. But when I found out, I wasn't really all that surprised to be honest. I've always known you were capable of something like that. You know how ironic it is you saying that Jerome was born bad? A Valeska twin was born bad. But it wasn't Jerome. It was you. And honestly, I always knew that. And I never really cared about that when we were friends. I knew that someday I would go insane and so it was only logical that I make friends with someone just as bad. Someone who wouldn't hate me for being a monster. Because they were a monster too. I never expected I would have this dynamic with Jerome instead of you. But I'm not complaining. He makes a pretty damn sexy monster."

"I'm not like him!" Miah protested. "I'm normal. I'm the only sane one in our family!"

"Keep telling yourself that. But it won't make it true." Darren said. "Jerome was the only sane one. But you saw to that when you lied. Because you lied and abandoned him he had to live in a horrible situation for years. He might not have been alone because I was there, but I'm not the best influence, am I? You made it to where he would eventually crack. And he did. It's your fault he's a monster. So I suppose I should thank you. Because he's loads more entertaining than he would be if you hadn't betrayed him."

"I guess it's like they say. We all could go insane with one bad day." Jerome said, smiling. "I guess with you it's more like one bad spray. You'll see." Jerome laughed maniacally.

"What are you going to do to me, Jerome?" Miah asked, scared.

"We're going to kill you, of course." Jerome said. "But first, we're going to drive you mad. But don't worry. You won't be alone. All of Gotham will be joining you too."

"Let's go! Let's go! They're after me and the Scarecrow!" Tetch and Crane chose that moment to run past like demons were chasing them.

"Those guys just don't give up, huh?" Jerome said in amusement.

The cops ran up and Jerome took that moment to grab hold of Miah and hold him with a gun pointed at his head. Darren took out a few knives and smirked evilly at them.

"Get any closer and I'll splatter him!" Jerome yelled. "I'm gonna splatter broski!"

The cops aimed their guns at them. "No you won't. If you wanted him dead, you would've killed him already."

"He's right. We'll see you soon." Jerome said to Miah and threw him to the floor before shooting at the cops. Darren backed away towards the door, smiling smugly, and pulled the guns from the cops hands when they tried to shoot at him. Jerome and Darren left the maze feeling very good about what they accomplished.

"What was the point of that? We didn't kill or capture this Miah character and yet you both seem satisfied with how it turned out. Forgive me, but I don't understand." Jervis said, very confused a few hours later when they were back at Penguins mansion.

"We didn't want to kill him. Just make him squirm. The reason we did that was to know where his hideout was. That's all. We need to know where to send our lovely present to him when the time comes to show him the truth." Jerome said. "And once he feels this is over and relaxes and returns there, that will be the perfect time to surprise him with that. I'm so happy right now, I could burst. He looks great! And is so paranoid it's hilarious!" Jerome laughed enthusiastically until he started coughing and had to sit down. Darren stared at him sadly. His condition was getting worse. He didn't have all that much longer. And then Darren would be alone again.

"Stop looking at me like that. It's annoying." Jerome said, looking irritated.

"How else am I supposed to act when I see you slowly dying in front of me?" Darren asked.

Jerome rolled his eyes and got even more irritated. "Stop it. Stop moping about that and just let me have my enthusiastic farewell to the world."

Tetch and Crane decided it was best to leave them alone to their argument.

"How can I when I know what you want to happen to you in the next few days?" Darren snarled at him.

"You know how I want to go out. I don't want to die of some boring illness! I want to go out with flair! Publically! If you cared about me you'd be happy to help me make that happen!" Jerome yelled at him.

"What the fuck do you think I've been doing this whole time?! I will help you go out like you wanted. But don't make me pretend to be happy with it. I don't want you to die! I know that's going to happen whatever we do. But I will never be happy with it so don't fucking try to sit there and berate me for not smiling and being happy with the situation!" Jerome got up out of his chair and got in Darren's face with an angry look. Darren put a knife to his throat. "Don't tempt me. I can do a whole lot of horrible things to you that wouldn't kill you."

"Promises promises." Jerome said before leaving the room in a huff. Darren stood there holding the knife and trying not to scream in frustration and anger. He needed to go kill something.

When Darren got back from stabbing a random gardener, he saw Crane pass him in the hallway.

"The formula is ready for a test. We have a test subject on the way." Crane said, not really batting an eye at Darren's bloody clothing and face.

"Nice. Where's Jerome?" Darren asked, a little less angry now.

"In the sitting room I believe." Crane said before walking away.

Darren walked into the room and saw the crazy named Karl lying dead on the floor from a gunshot wound and Jerome standing there holding a gun and looking frustrated.

"Jerome, look, I don't mean to be an asshole about this. It's just not fucking fair! I'm going to miss you. You need to realize that. But sorry I got angry." Darren said.

Jerome turned around and lowered the gun. "You think I'm not just as frustrated with all of this? My life is finally going the way I want it to. And I finally get to show the world the real Miah. But I'm not even going to get to enjoy seeing my brother tear the city apart. I don't get to enjoy everything I've set up. I know really damn well it's not fucking fair. But I'm trying to make the best of it and I don't need you moping and reminding me of what little time I have left."

"I suppose you're right. I'll do my best to hold off on the moping until afterwards when you can't see it." Darren said, plopping down in a chair. Firefly was lounging on a couch in the room but didn't seem to care what they were talking about. Just then Penguin and a big pale guy walked in. Penguin looked less than happy that his floor was splattered with someone's blood and that Darren was covered in blood and sitting in one of his fancy chairs but didn't say anything. Scarecrow walked in as well.

"Jerome, the test subject has arrived." Scarecrow said.

Jerome looked over at the big guy behind Penguin, thinking that was the test subject. "A little large for a test subject, don't you think?"

"He is not your test subject." Penguin said. "This is Grundy. He will make a welcome addition to the team."

Jerome walked over to the guy and sized him up. "I like him. He's scary. Good thinking, Mr. Oswald. Nice to meet you, big fella."

Darren recognized the guy from somewhere. "Hey, aren't you that guy that Tabitha Galavan was seeing for awhile? Aren't you supposed to be dead? Not that you really look alive. You some kinda zombie?"

"I don't know what I am." the man said, not looking happy with being referred to as a zombie. "But yeah, I knew Tabby."

"Tabitha Galavan? What a small world. I liked that woman. Well, better than her brother anyway, for obvious reasons. How is Tabby by the way?" Jerome asked.

"I wouldn't know. She doesn't want to see me." the man said uncomfortably.

"Bummer." Jerome looked over as Jervis walked in with a nervous looking guy in a business suit. "Ah. Test subject?"

Tetch nodded. "Here to test your plan, an unwilling businessman."

Jerome grabbed the test subject and pulled him over closer to Scarecrow who was waiting with the formula they were testing.

"Please don't hurt me." the man pleaded with them.

"Oh, this won't hurt a bit." Crane said, in an amused yet intimidating voice. He then sprayed the purple gas into the man's face. Darren thought it was fitting that the gas was purple. It was for Miah after all. And Miah's favorite color was purple. He watched in anticipation as the man coughed and groaned. Then the man started laughing. It started off as small giggles that over time turned mad and hysterical. The man's face almost distorted with how much he was laughing. Darren could tell that the man couldn't stop. Jerome laughed as he stared at it with a pleased look on his face. "Oh, we're gonna need a lot more of this!"

The test subject laughed until he passed out from exhaustion and fell to the floor.

"So, Scarecrow, is this guy going to just continue laughing forever whenever he's awake?" Darren asked.

"The drug interacts with the part of the brain that causes giddiness. It takes it into overdrive. The first couple hours of exposure to it will likely cause him to laugh constantly. It will wear off in time as his brain gets used to it. But by that time, it will have driven him quite mad." Scarecrow said with amusement.

"Great. That's exactly what we wanted." Jerome said, looking very happy with the results.

Neither Penguin or Grundy looked comfortable with the whole situation. Penguin looked unnerved and Grundy had an almost exasperated 'what did I get myself into?' look.

That night, after everyone else had gotten settled in for the night, Darren and Jerome went up to their room. Jerome sighed and looked at Darren. "I know you're going to miss me. I regret leaving you. Damn it. I don't want to care about anything. But you make me care about you. I hate getting this mushy. I'd kill anyone else for forcing me to get this emotional. But know this, If I can, if there is an afterlife, I'll make sure to haunt you as much as possible. I won't leave you alone. I promise you that. We don't have much time left while I'm still here alive. But that doesn't mean it has to be the end."

Darren walked over to him and pulled him in for a forceful kiss. "I know all of that. But thank you. Now, what was it you said you wanted to do to me the other day? You wanted to fuck me senseless? How about you show me what you had in mind. Let's make it a night to remember. Since this will be the last time."

Jerome grinned with a hungry look on his face. "Too bad I won't be at my best given this awful illness but I'll do my best not to disappoint." he winked at him and started pulling off his clothes. Darren did as well. They stared at each other as they did so. Memorizing the way the other looked as if it was the last time they would ever see each other. And Darren supposed that was true. It was the last time. There was no coming back a second time for Jerome. He had already checked. His body wouldn't be able to take it. It was already falling apart as it was. When they were both naked they started touching each other all over, Darren wanting to remember each and every angle and plane of Jerome's pale freckled body. He didn't want to forget any part of his beautiful monster. Jerome held Darren's cock in his hands firmly and pumped his hand up and down. Darren took hold of Jerome's cock and did the same. Jerome leaned forward to touch his forehead to Darren's and stared at him with an intense possessive look.

"Fuck. I won't last long if you do that, Dare. Get on the bed will ya?" Jerome said, looking hungry and feral.

Darren just smirked at him with a similar hungry look. "Make me."

"If you insist." Jerome growled and shoved him roughly, making Darren fall onto the bed with a laugh. Jerome covered him with his body and kissed him hard enough to bruise. Darren kissed him right back just as bruisingly. Jerome pulled away from the kiss after a bit and started coughing in a way that sounded painful.

"We can stop if you don't feel up for it." Darren looked at him with concern.

"Fuck no. I can manage. Just give me a sec." Jerome said, in between coughs. He finally managed to stop coughing after a few minutes. "Damn that was bad. It's getting worse. I'm glad I'm dying soon and won't have to deal with this when it gets really bad." Jerome grimaced. "Sorry. I guess I'm bringing down the mood."

"It's fine. We can continue when you're ready." Darren said, trying not to think about that subject.

Jerome leaned back over to kiss Darren again, with a look that he tried to make reassuring. He lay back on top of Darren and rubbed their cocks together until they were both hard again, relishing in the physical contact. When he finally entered Darren, it was slowly and almost torturous. Like he was trying to relish in every little bit of sensation. Until he couldn't wait any longer and shoved himself inside roughly. Darren just groaned in pleasure, loving the pain. Then Jerome started moving rhythmically, Darren soon matching his movements desperately. They fucked each other enthusiastically but it wasn't nearly as violent as they usually liked. It was almost gentle. Loving. They fucked like it was the last time...because it was. Darren wrapped himself around Jerome tightly like he never wanted to let go. When they finally reached their climax, it was together. And then they just lay there holding each other. Neither wanting to let go. They might both paint themselves as psychotic and heartless monsters and most of the time they were. But they were still capable of loving each other. And they did. So damn much, it hurt. They fell asleep in a tangle of limbs, staring at each other as if they looked away, the other would suddenly be gone.

When Darren saw the hostages they'd be using get shoved in the back of the van he grinned at them. Jerome sported a similar grin.

"I have access to the police pension fund." the mayor said, hoping to bribe his way out of the situation he was in. Darren laughed.

"Wow, that could be a lot of money." Jerome said, mockingly. "Tempting, but no thanks."

The mayor tried begging Darren next. "I could get you whatever you wanted. Please just make him let me go."

Darren got in his face. "The only thing I want, you can't give me. So your words mean nothing."

The mayor then tried begging Firefly and Tetch, with similar results. Then as a last ditch effort, he tried Penguin. "Oswald, can't you do something?"

Penguin looked uncomfortable for a few seconds. Then he pulled himself together in an unconvincing manner. "Afraid not. I am with Mr. Valeska one hundred percent."

Darren wasn't blind. He figured at some point the bird would become trouble. He obviously wasn't as on board with their plan as he claimed. But they would let him dig his own grave for a little while longer.

Testing out the gas that they affectionately nicknamed Smilex on one of the captives truly made the other captives realize the danger they were in.

"Freeze, Crane, time to go find that lab for us. Have fun." Jerome said when they were back at the manor getting ready for the big show. "Everyone get ready. We are heading out soon. We got a music festival to crash! Where's the bird?"

"I saw Penguin leaving earlier. I had one of my lackeys follow him and they saw him head to the GCPD. Probably to warn Gordon about something." Darren said.

"I knew that little bastard would betray me." Jerome laughed. "No one let on that we know. Let him pretend he's fooled us. I've got a great idea of what to do with him."

The music festival seemed rather well attended which was great for them. It meant they'd have a decently sized captive audience. They parked the van behind the outdoor stage and Jerome went up and got ready to interrupt the music. The band barely noticed as Jerome got on stage and danced with the backup dancers. Darren chose that moment to mess with the singer's mic briefly to get him to stop singing.

"What happened to my mic?" the singer asked, turning around. He noticed Jerome on stage and obviously didn't recognize him. Must've been from out of town. "Hey buddy, beat it, will you? I'm trying to work here."

Jerome jumped to the front of the stage dramatically and then kicked the singer, making the guy fall heavily to the stage. Jerome went over and beat the man in the head several times with the mic stand. The rest of the band made a run for it. The audience looked about to do the same. "Where's everyone going?" Jerome asked as Firefly came up on stage and shot flames over the audience. The Magician also came up on stage and floated several very sharp looking knives of his threateningly through the audience. Not really cutting anyone right then. Just threatening. He walked over to stand next to Jerome. Jerome smiled at him and then looked back at the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Arkham Asylum Lunatics and we came here to blow some minds!" Jerome's lackeys started setting chairs up on the stage, getting ready for their hostages. "Sorry to interrupt your little show. But you are going to love this next one." They brought the hostages up and sat them down in the chairs. "Introducing Mayor Pritchard, Commissioner Reynolds, Archbishop McGregor, and this lady. Whoever she is. This is everybody. Everybody, say hi." The hostages had bomb collars placed around their necks. "Now, as you can see, we are still waiting for two guests of honor." Jerome pointed at the two empty chairs. "But in the meantime, let's go over the rules of tonight's entertainment, shall we? Dynamite. Trigger. I don't get what I want, boom. Headless people. And if any of you are thinking of going anywhere, you'll die too. Now, the one man who can get me what I want." Jerome grabbed the cameraman that was filming everything to bring the camera closer to him. "Calling Gordon. Calling Captain James Gordon."

While they waited for Gordon and the cops, they made the band start playing and Jerome and Darren danced enthusiastically to it. Darren wanted to enjoy his last bit of time with his best friend while he still could. Firefly just stood there, looking like she was itching to torch someone. The cops showed up rather fast. Must be worried about their city officials. They saw Jimbo get out of one of the cars.

Jerome motioned for the band to stop playing and went up to the mic. "Ladies and gentlemen, as I live and breathe, James Gordon is in the house."

"I'm not talking to you until I can get up there and check on the wellbeing of your hostages." Gordon said, acting all tough.

"First of all, Jim, your late. Secondly, I think I'm the one who should be making demands. Don't you?"

"What you're doing is an act of terror, Valeska." Gordon said. "Ask our mayor what this city's policy is on negotiating with terrorists."

"Terrorists?" Jerome said with amusement on his face. "Frankly, I'm offended. No, no, no. That's close enough, Gordon."

Firefly shot flames over the crowd again and Darren again floated his knives around to make the point it wouldn't be pleasant to mess with them.

"And none of you go anywhere, either." Jerome said to the crowd. He turned around and asked the drummer for a drum roll. "Dead man's trigger. This falls out of my hand for any reason, and...Bang!"

The crowd made a startled noise when he said that.

"I've got two empty chairs here. You haven't even asked me who they're for yet." Jerome said to Gordon.

"Alright. I'll bite. Who are they for?" Gordon asked.

"Come on, James." Jerome said. "You're a detective. Do some detecting."

"Jeremiah, your brother." Gordon said.

"Bingo. That's one."

"And the other?" Gordon asked.

"Well, the only other irksome do-gooder who's ever spoiled my fun in this town." Jerome said. "Bruce Wayne!"

"No." Gordon said firmly.

"No?" Jerome said with a dangerous look on his face.

"You can take me." Gordon said, acting all noble. "I'll sit up there with one of those things around my neck, but I won't let you have him."

Jerome had a very dangerous look on his face. "Well, I don't want you, Jim. I want my brother, and I want Bruce. I want them now."

Gordon didn't seem to get the picture or maybe he was just stubborn. "Alright, let me get these people out of here, I'll come up there…"

"You are not listening to me!" Jerome snarled. "And that is forcing my hand." He raised the dead man's trigger in his hand. He pressed one of the buttons and the collar around the commissioner activated.

The commissioner had just enough time to cry out "No!" before the collar exploded along with his head.

"Bring me my brother. Bring me Wayne." Jerome said. "Bring them now."

They waited around for Gordon to come back with their guests of honor. After awhile, Jerome got antsy and went up to the camera that was filming him. "I don't think you're taking me seriously enough. Well, alright. Let's see. Eeny, meeny, miny, mo. One of these people have got to...Go." He pressed a random button on his knee and the Archbishop's head blew up. "Oh, it's that guy. Oh well."

"Hey, Jerome. We only have two hostages left so pace yourself." Darren said. "We want to make them last."

"Oh boo. You are such a buzzkill sometimes." Jerome said. "But you're right, as always. We'll give them a little while before I press another button. They better get here soon though."

"They will. I don't know about the woman over there, but that's the mayor in the other chair. Now that they know we're serious, they'll get what we want rather quickly. They probably just need to convince our guests of honor to come here and risk their lives." Darren said.

Jerome got antsy enough after awhile that he grabbed a guitar and started playing it and singing. "Why are we waiting? Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting. Someone's gonna die!" Jerome noticed Gordon was back...and their guests of honor were there with him. "Well, look who decided to show up. We were starting to get nervous. Especially the mayor here. Our guests of honor. Please, take your seats on stage."

Darren was amazed at the bravery he saw on Bruce Wayne's face. That was a tough kid. Maybe he could finally convince Jerome not to kill him. But he wasn't holding his breath for it. Bruce and Jeremiah made their way through the crowd, towards the stage.

"We don't have all day." Jerome said when he was annoyed with how slow they were walking.

Suddenly there was the sound of gunfire as the police snipers were all taken out by Jerome's lackeys.

"I had my guys take out the best vantage points last night." Jerome said. "So they've been watching your SWAT team all day." Darren had to hand it to Jerome. He did know how to plan these things. He always knew how to stay a few steps ahead. "Bruce. Brother dear. Get up on stage. It's time to get this party really started, huh?"

When they got up on stage, Bruce and Jeremiah were dragged by Jerome lackeys to chairs and tied down. They had bomb collars placed around their necks. The one around Jeremiah's neck wasn't real. It looked real but they couldn't have Jerome's replacement killed now, could they?

"Comfortable, old friend?" Darren asked Miah, grinning at how helpless they had the poor little closeted psychopath.

"Please. Convince him to let me go. I know I still mean something to you, Dar. We were as close as brothers at one time." Miah pleaded with him.

"Well, we all know how you treated your actual brother so that doesn't really mean much, does it?" Darren said, with a smirk. "You're right. We were close. But that was a long time ago. And Jerome is much closer to my heart now than you. So what he says goes. And if he wants to blow your head off with a bomb collar, who am I to deny him?"

"They both nice and snug?" Jerome asked. "Good. Now on with the show." He turned to the audience again. "No parent will admit it. But everyone's got their favorites." he sat down in an empty chair next to Miah. "The one who cleans their room, does their homework, doesn't try to kill everybody. Little Mr. Perfect here. Yeah, he was that guy." Jerome said it all like it was a huge joke. A lie. Because it was. "He got adopted by rich folks. He went to the top schools, then a top college. Meanwhile, I got dragged through the circus by my depressed alcoholic mother. Forced to clean up elephant dung everyday."

A random man in the crowd yelled, "Who cares?" and Darren teleported a knife into the man's chest.

"Don't be rude!" Darren snarled. "Next person that talks during the show will have more than one knife find its way inside of them! Now shut up!"

"Thanks, Dar." Jerome smiled at him. "Now where was I? Ah. Miah, I know something that Mommy and Daddy never knew." he leaned over and stared at Miah. "You're as crazy as I am."

Miah glared at him. Not looking at all like he wanted that called out in public. Darren figured Miah was, at least deep down, aware that he wasn't normal. And he very much disliked that fact.

Jerome got up and stood in front of Miah. "It's in your DNA." Jerome took out a knife. "See, we got the same blood running through us. We are practically identical." He cut Miah's binds. "You are a killer. It's your nature. Stop trying to fight it." Jerome handed a very confused Miah the knife. Jerome stood back to present a good target. "Take your best shot."

Miah looked to be at war with himself. Darren could tell he was trying to convince himself that it wasn't normal behavior to want to stab your own brother. But that he really wanted to. Finally, predictably, Miah screamed and rushed forward to stab Jerome and Jerome punched him to the stage floor with a laugh.

Jerome proceeded to kick Miah a few times, laughing maniacally. "That was so good! I love you."

Darren heard gunshots as the Jerome lackeys on the rooftops were shot by cops. And right before he could warn Jerome that they needed to head to the roof to wait for the blimp, Gordon got there and shot Jerome in the shoulder. Darren snarled and brandished his knives. "Any closer and you're a fucking pincushion! Jer, its time to go!"

"Hold up. I want to blow up just one more person." Jerome said as he pushed a button. But he frowned when the bomb collar on the mayor didn't go off.

"Time to go! They obviously blocked the signal!" Darren said, grabbing a very disappointed looking Jerome and pulling him off the stage as Bruce Wayne was pulling off his collar and tackling Firefly who was trying to roast a few cops trying to get on stage.

They both ran to the roof of a nearby building. Darren knows that Gordon is following them. But that was the plan. Jerome only wanted Gordon to kill him. Bruce or Miah were also possible choices but he figured that wouldn't happen. So Gordon had to be the one. They got to the roof and Jerome smiled as he saw the blimp approaching.

"It's all coming together. I'm glad that I get to go out with a bang." Jerome turned back around and smiled at Darren. "And I'm glad I got to share it with you. I know that you never really saw me when you looked at me. That I was just a replacement for my brother to you. But I didn't care. At least I got to have you and he didn't."

"Is that what you thought?" Darren asked. "I admit in the beginning I became friends with you because I was missing Miah, but you are very different from him and I loved you for you. You weren't a replacement. I fucking love you."

"I love you too, Dare. " Jerome said, going right up to Darren. "I know I said I wouldn't say that again but we don't have any time left and so I kinda feel I have to. Now kiss me, dumbass before we run out of time."

Darren smirked. "Gladly." They kissed and it was bruising. It was passionate. Then Jerome pulled away far too soon and got up on the edge of the roof to wait for Gordon. Darren stood off to the side and hid himself in some shadows with his power.

Soon after, Gordon ran onto the roof, gun aimed at Jerome. "Hands up!"

Jerome turned around. "Beautiful isn't she? Just give me a second." Jerome got out his phone. "Gotta call the pilot and tell him he's in position."

Gordon shot him in the hand, making Jerome drop the phone.

"Not cool." Jerome said, before laughing. "Doesn't matter. Too late anyway. Bombs away!" he yelled the last part at the blimp pilot that could still hear him since the phone was only a few feet away and he had already dialed the pilot before it was shot from his hand. Jim shot him in the chest right after. Darren flinched as he saw it. Jerome looked down and chuckled. "Funny." He fell off the roof. But not to his death quite yet. He was hanging on a pole not far from the ledge. Darren had walked over to see and saw that Jerome wanted to play with Gordon just a little bit more.

"Quite the dilemma, Jim." Jerome said, hanging on. "Are you gonna let me fall and die, or are you gonna pull me up and arrest me?" Jimbo actually seemed to be wrestling with the idea which was great. "What's it gonna be?" Jerome held one of his arms up so Jimbo could grab it. "A lawman or a murderer?" Gordon went to grab Jerome's outstretched hand and Jerome lowered it out of reach. "Good ol Gordon. Always playing by the rules. That's why I'll outlive you. That's why I'm loved, because I don't give a damn about the rules."

"It's a long way down. You sure you'll outlive me?" Gordon said, still trying to grab the hand he couldn't reach.

"Oh I'm sure." Jerome said, with a happy smile. "Because I'm more than a man. I'm an idea, philosophy. And I will live on in the shadows within Gotham's discontent." Jerome's hands started slipping. But he looked at peace. Like he was ready. Darren stared down at him, letting only Jerome see him, and although Jerome didn't react to it really, Darren could tell he was happy he was there in Jerome's last moments. Jerome stared up at Gordon with a smile. "You'll be seeing me soon. Au revoir." He let go and fell to the ground, laughing the whole way. He laughed because he knew that something much worse than him would be revealing his true self soon and, like he thought, he could die with a smile knowing that he helped that happen.

Darren stood there watching unseen as people gawked at Jerome's dead body. His friend and lover was dead. The party was over. Miah would take up where Jerome left off but it wouldn't be the same. They were two very different brands of chaos. Darren had grown quite attached to Jerome's brand of chaos. And he would miss it. So much.

"Goodbye, Jerome." Darren said quietly. He walked away, sadly.

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I really dislike Zachary Trumble and think he's one of the main reasons Jerome was the way he was. So, apologies, but I had to write a very violent scene because Darren also hates him for the very same reasons and I couldn't stop him from doing what he did.

Also, I am so sorry that this chapter got so sad. It couldn't be helped since it was a send off of Jerome. The next chapter shouldn't be quite as sad...I think. I haven't written all of it as of this note so I have no idea.