Deranged.

Jonathan thumbed with the viles in his pockets and placed them on the table in front of him. They were exactly what he needed, he could use these to try and get inside his dad's head.

Why can't we use them on someone else? Scarecrow complained as Jonathan frowned at the mad voice request.

"Are you insane?" he hissed back.

Slightly. But why are you so hesitant to use this stuff, it's awesome!

"Dangerous. You mean it's dangerous. Plus, Edward knows I have them. If there was an attack don't you think he would work it out."

You seriously think that guy would rat you out? He's grateful he has a friend, no matter how young or deranged he is.

"I'm not the deranged one," Jonathan bit out as he glanced over at the mirror and caught sight of a scarecrow standing just behind him. "That's you."

The scarecrow laughed and went round the other side of him and Jonathan watched him in the mirror.

Hate to brake it to you but it's out of your control.

Jonathan gritted his teeth as pounding appeared in his head.

"Stop it!" he hissed but scarecrow laughed at him. "Stop it Scarecrow!"

"Who's Scarecrow?"

Jonathan froze and it seemed Scarecrow had too. He slowly turned to see Lui standing in the door way staring up at him in confusion and worry.

"No one," Jonathan whispered. "He's no one, Lui. No one you have to worry about any way."

Lui stood silent for a few seconds before he slowly walked away from the room heading to his and his sister's room.

Jonathan was silent and stared where the boy had been before he shook his head and turned back to his work.

He began to go threw the other box again, but he couldn't find it. He knew it father had written it, but it wasn't here, where was it? Where was it!?

He screamed and threw the box across the room.

Where was it?!

The stupid GCPD still had it!

"That forensic tech, no wonder he said he could make a cure!" Jonathan growled as he slammed his hands down on the desk, glaring at the work top.

Jonathan began to pace back and forth. He needed to find a way to get there or an excuse.

Jonathan got to his feet and wondered into the other room, where Luna and Lui sat playing with the shadows Luna was making.

"Jonny?" Luna questioned at the solemn look on his face.

Jonathan stared at them blankly for a few moments, it looked like he didn't recognised them.

"Jonathan?"

He blinked before he shook his head and sighed. "We need to go back to the GCPD."

"Back? We only just go home," Luna whispered as she stared up at him in confusion.

Jonathan sighed and shook his head. "Fine. You two stay here, I'll go. I don't need you anyway," he grumbled before he left, slamming the door on the way out.

It was a long walk back to Gotham, but he didn't care, his mind was focusing on one thing and one thing only.

When he eventually reached Gotham he wondered over to the GCPD, it was about dark and the night was setting in.

Suddenly a man stepped out in front of him and he blinked in surprise as he studied him for a moment.

Ginger hair was slicked to the side, he had a solemn look on his face, but Jonathan could see a twitch of a smile at the corner of his lips.

There was something disturbing about him and the fact he wasn't looking away from Jonathan was also disturbing.

Jonathan continued to stare back at him as he slowly side stepped him, noticing that the boy was still watching him.

"Jerome, come on, this way. We have to get going!"

The ginger suddenly looked away and he lost his solemn look to one of sorrow, but there was just a hint of annoyance in his looks.

The boy, Jerome, took one last look at Jonathan before he sent him a sinister smile his way and then he turned and the smile was gone, turned into a trembling lip of sorrow.

Jonathan shook his head and turned around walking up to the precinct again noticing Edward wandering back to the forensic department, casting a small glare in a direction of a woman Gordon was with.

"Edward," Jonathan called as he wondered over to him.

Edward span around and smiled at him. "Jonathan, back so soon?"

"I would like to as you some questions," Jonathan shrugged as they walked towards the forensic department together.

"Oh? I thought you'd asked all your questions this morning."

"Ah, no I was wondering if you knew what had happened to my father's work?"

Edward frowned and turned to him before raising an eyebrow. "Umm maybe," he cast a quick glance at one of the shelves before turning his face back to Jonathan and frowned. "Why do you need to know?"

"Well, I was just wondering, simply because it is his life's work. I'd like to have it."

"I'm afraid I don't know where it is," Edward shrugged. "Sorry I can't help."

Jonathan felt his eye twitch before sighing. "Oh, okay…. well, I'll be going now."

"Do you want me to drop you off?"

Jonathan smirked. "You do realise I am not at the orphanages."

Edward nodded. "I guessed since you're back here."

The boy smiled and nodded before he frowned slightly. "Who was that boy? Jerome I think it was…"

"Jerome? Oh you mean Jerome Veleska," Edward frowned. "Where did you meet him?"

"Just outside," Jonathan shrugged. "He was… strange."

"He's just found his mother brutally murdered," Edward grinned. "Hatchet to the face and chest. It was so fascinating. So much hate directed towards that woman."

"Should I be worried about how much you seem to be enjoying this?"

"There's no crime in being enthusiastic about your job."

"Depends what your job is."

Edward frowned before he forced a tight smile on his face. "Well, sorry about being happy in my job."

"No, no. It's fine."

They were silent for a few moments before Edward sighed and turned back to him. "So, do you want to go home now, I'm sorry I couldn't help you with your dilemma."

Jonathan smirked as they left the lab. "Oh don't worry, it's fine. Not important," he turned back to him and smiled. "Though I may take you up on that offer of you taking me home."

Edward smiled and nodded. "Sure. I don't mind."

They wondered out of the GCPD, ignoring the stares they got from other police as they passed before getting in Edward's car.

It wasn't an expensive car but it was nice and comfortable, but old and had a well used feel to it.

Jonathan examined the leather as they drove, it was expensive and would of been a lot of money but now.. it was just old junk.

"How long have you I've in Gotham?" Jonathan suddenly questioned, still staring intently at the leather.

"Umm since I went to the university here."

Jonathan nodded but he sighed. "I've lived here all my life. Well, my house… I don't know if my house is considered to be in the city limits."

Edward smiled. "Well, I would consider you a Gothamite, you sound like one."

"Thanks? I think."

"It wasn't meant to be offensive," Edward quickly faltered. "I mean, I.. never, I never meant to offend you and I'm sorry if I have, that was not my intention."

Jonathan stared at Edward in confusion. "Why are you panicking? I'm fine…"

"You… are?"

"You sound surprised."

Edward sighed. "Most people… most people find me strange and… weird."

Jonathan laughed. "So you automatically go into panic mode? Interesting, oh take a left here."

Edward obligingly turned and then he came to a halt and starred.

"What?"

"You… came back here?"

"Yes. What's wrong?"

Edward shook his head. "I just thought you wouldn't come back here is all.. I mean… this is…"

"Where I met my worse fears head on?"

"Well… yes, there is that-."

"But this place also holds my fondest memories. I wouldn't leave."

Edward nodded before he sighed and opened the car door, stepping out and staring out at the old house, but his eyes drifted to a scarecrow.

"Did you make that?"

"Yes."

"Did you know, scarecrows were made to scare crows away from farmers fields but they usually ended up scaring everyone else. I remember one time an old woman died of a heart attack because she saw her own scarecrow in her back garden on halloween and thought it was a monster."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "You like trivia don't you."

Edward blinked before smiling. "I like knowing interesting facts."

"Not much use."

"No, they don't do much but… I like them. Also did you know that your little friend's condition it allows them to see in the dark."

Jonathan blinked before there was a loud bang from the other the house.

They both glanced at each other before they ran over to the house, Jonathan slammed the door open and ran into the main room to see Luna on the floor laughing while Lui was sitting on the floor rubbing his head, as he glared at his sister.

"What happened?" asked Jonathan as he stared at the chaos.

"Lui thought he could levitate by using his mind!" Luna giggled. "It didn't work."

"You said I was telekinetic," Lui grumbled.

"No I said you were telepathic, that's comepleatly different thing," Jonathan sighed before he chuckled. "But I guess it's an easy mistake to make."

Lui nodded before he pouted. "Ain't my fault."

"Isn't."

"What?" Lui snapped making Edward and almost everyone blink in surprise. "I mean… pardon?"

"It's isn't my fault, that's how you say it correctly."

Lui narrowed his eyes slightly and got to his feet. "Yeah well… well…"

"Lui," Jonathan warned. "Edward is a friend. Behave."

Lui pouted before he shrugged and turned away walking back through the house to his room, with Luna following him.

Edward sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… I should probably get going home. It was nice to see you again Jonathan. Call me if you need anything okay?"

"Oh don't worry," Jonathan smiled as he placed his hands in his pockets. "That won't be needed."

"Well… only if you're sure. Still the offer is there," Edward piped up with a smile, he seemed to always be smiling but this one seemed to be real for once.

He left the room and trotted out to his car before he drove off leaving Jonathan standing in the dark house on his own.

Did you forget about me?

Or at least that's what he'd hoped.

Hey Jonny, how you doing? Edward is an interesting one isn't he? All those riddles neatly packed away in that big brain of his… makes you wonder how he copes.

"No, it doesn't make me wonder," Jonathan muttered before he walked back into his father's make shift lab.

So… when are we going to break into that lovely GCPD and steal our father's work back?

"You mean, my father's work back. He isn't yours and it's not us who are going to steal it."

Then who will?

Jonathan smiled and wondered into Luna and Lui's room to find the two asleep. "They will."

Ohhh getting the kiddies involved… that's pretty harsh if you don't mind me saying.

"Have you got any better ideas?"

No…. just saying for you, to get the kids involved… I'm impressed, that's all I'm going to say.

Jonathan sighed and shut the door. "But not tonight. They need to rest and Lui's found out he's killed his parents… he won't be the same."

That's not exactly a bad thing.

"Shut it," Jonathan snarled before he turned to look out at the sky and then he frowned slightly as he could see the city sky line and he blinked in surprise.

He'd never noticed how far away he was from the city…. now it seemed like miles.

Why don't you pop down and see me…hmmm?

Jonathan casted a glance at the scarecrow he and the Frights had made before grimacing. "I'd rather not."

Oh but Jonny… it gets so lonely in standing around here all day.

"Except you've been following me around all day."

Well… when you put it that way…

Jonathan shook his head before he sighed and pocketed his hands again, watching as the lights glistened in the moon light before the clouds covered it and he was left in pitch black.

Gotham was renowned for it's strange crimes… it was starting to become the regular thing for it. But… no one was expecting what was going to come.

Selina noticed the boy, crouched near a some dry wood, probably the only dry wood since it had begun to rain in Gotham but there was this boy.

She knew him, she generally stayed away from, hell most of the other street kids did. There was just something about this kid, it put everyone off.

He noticed her and stared back, his burnt face shimmered as the rain hit the slightly shiny surface of the scar tissue.

She stared back at him before it tuned into a firey glare and the boy smirked.

"You could fry eggs with that glare, Cat," he chuckled as he struck a match and introduced it to the dry paper. Watching with delightful eyes as the fire crawled it's way up the paper and wood, gently setting them alight to cause an even bigger flame.

"Yeah? Well at least I don't fry people," she snarled back.

"I haven't set anyone alight."

"But you always threaten to!" She glared at the back of his head as the boy shrugged and pulled his arms closer around himself.

She caught sight of the flame tattoos he had running up him arms one happened to end in a firefly. "Really? You taking your nick name a little too far," she mumbled as she stared at the firefly tattoo.

He glanced at her before he raised an eyebrow. "Says the girl who feeds cats and calls herself cat?"

"Watch it fire bug."

"It's Firefly!" he snarled as he stood up. "Get it right kitty cat or else," he pulled a lighter from his pocket. "We'll see if cats really do have nine lives!"

"See this is why no one likes ya," Selina sighed before she turned away from him and began to walk back through the streets. "You come at me with your fire and I'll make sure you'll never see your fires ever again."

She stopped and looked underneath a sheet of metal, helping Ivy who was coughing and looked almost close to death.

Firefly ignored them as the two girls went wondering off together, he was too buissy with his fire.

"Gar, what you still doing out here?" came a small whisper from the shadows of the old run down apartment.

Garfield turned and narrowed his eyes at the small blond hair boy, with rabbit like teeth.

"Otis close the damn door or you'll kill yourself from the cold!" Firefly snapped.

"But you'll die too, Gar," Otis weakly protested as he stared at his friend…well he used that term lightly, before he crouched and picked a soaking wet rat up and held it close to himself. "You should come inside with me and Waylon. It's warm here."

"Yeah somehow, Rat, I doubt our dear friend Croc will be happy about that."

"You know he doesn't like being called Croc."

"It's what people call him," Firefly snarled before he turned on Otis and marched over to him. "So he better get used to it since it's gonna be stuck with him for the rest of his life!"

Otis sighed. "Will you just come inside. I worry you know that."

"Gar, just come inside so Rat don't worry," Waylon growled as he came over to the door.

Gar went to protest when there was a fit of coughing from the alley as a boy with brown hair and purple t-shirt and grey slightly green trowsers with ratty trainers came towards them, he looked like he was trying to put on a green body warmer, but it was ripped and soaked as was he.

As he looked up at them they all saw a huge bruise across his eye and his lip was bleeding as he stared at them.

His eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed to the floor coughing and shivering.

Gar wondered over and pulled him up to his feet and the boy leaned against him, his feet dragging uselessly against the floor as Gar pulled him over to the apartment he, Rat and Croc were using as a home.

"Help me get the kid inside," he growled and the other two quickly stood to the side to allow him to pass, before Croc shut the door and followed them into the not so homely but almost home they had.

"Here kid, you rest right here," Gar mumbled as he let the kid slowly down on a ratty old mattress before he picked up a coat and draped it over him.

The boy shivered and looked up at the kids.

Croc still had his hood up, but you could see parts of his skin and it was oddly scaly and it looked like layers and layers of skin as opposed to actual scales.

The boy next to him, much small in size with a mouse like face with blond hair and rabbit teeth but he was wearing a black hoody, with a belt that had a touch attached to it as well as a pair of red goggles rested on his head. Around his booted feet rats scurried before they scurried off into the darkness.

The boy who had saved him and brought him in here pulled his hood down showing half of his face was horribly burnt from second, third and first degree burns. Tattoos of flames and one of a firefly as well as a firefly pendent lay up his arms, the madalion of the firefly shining bronze in the light.

The kid with the firefly and fire fixation prodded him in the side. "You got a name kid?"

"D- Dury… Dury Walker," the boy coughed as he lay there staring at them.

"I'm Garfield but everyone round here calls my Firefly."

"Waylon," the big kid muttered before shrugging. "People call me Croc, but I'd prefer it if you called me Waylon."

"Otis, but… round here they call me Rat… don't know why…."

"Cause ya look like a rat ya nit wit," Garfield snarled before he got to his feet. "You got a name kid?"

"I just told you-."

"Not that! Ya know a street name."

"Ummm no."

"Hmmm," Firefly paused and tapped his chin. "We'll have to give you one."

"Can we do that tomorrow," Otis mumbled. "I'm tired."

"We all need a rest, Gar," Waylon mumbled before he lay down on one of the other mattresses. "I suggest you take a rest too."

Garfield reluctantly settled down for the night before the rain drifted him off into a blissful slumber.

Luna handed Jonathan a file and he smiled down at the shadow bender before he cackled or was that the Scarecrow who cackled.

Either way, he had what he needed.

Jonathan let a smile spread across his face as he began to read the first page of his dad's research.

There was only one though on his mind or was it the crows?

Neither of them knew anymore, their thoughts were beginning to mould together.

Jonathan smirked before he looked in the mirror staring directly at a smirking scarecrow.

"Gotham will be ours." they spoke in union before smiling.

The crows came down from the trees and landed on the scarecrow who was standing, smiling as it watched the house, lifeless eyes seeing everything and a stitched up mouth prevented it from telling any secrets.

One of the crows began to tug and pull at the string that made up the mouth, pulling it into a sliding grimace before it flew up and pulled it into a smirk.

The other crows cawed and pecked at it, making the scarecrow raggedy and ruined, but the eyes stayed in tact. It was like it was sending a message that it would always be watching. You could shut it up and sew it's mouth… but it would always see.

And soon, those lifeless eyes knew, they would see Gotham burn.

T.B.C:

Note: The Scarecrow is coming... oh no! Plus what did you think of Otis, Waylon, Garfield and Dury!? Can you guess who they are?! :D

Hope you liked this chapter and don't worry the Sphinx one will be updated soon I promise! :D