Victor Zsasz chuckled softly as the altered voice of Jonathan Crane sounded from the Scarecrow's mask. Jonathan remained silent as he watched the broken man, still rocking in the center of the padded cell. Slowly Jonathan circled the man as if he were a predator and Zsasz his prey. As he completed his circuit Jonathan slipped from the starch white lab coat, tossing it into a dark corner of the padded cell. It puzzled the young doctor as to why Zsasz had yet to make any indication that he was aware of the intruder in his cell besides the simple laugh at the voice within the flickering darkness. Maybe Zsasz was not laughing at him but still feeling the residual side effects of the Joker's poison gas? Jonathan reached into one of the hidden pockets of his trousers, bringing out a syringe. The needle seemed to glow in the sporadic flashing of the room's single bare bulb, giving it a more sinister appeal. The fast acting sedative contained within the barrel of the syringe was merely for added protection. Jonathan, while confident in his abilities as a fighter and not above killing this vile criminal, knew harsh action would only hinder his cause. If Zsasz passed into the next world without divulging any information he knew about Joker's whereabouts or plans for Aura, Jonathan might just loose his last chance of reuniting with Aura alive.

Jonathan stopped for a moment, temporarily frozen at the word that just ran through his mind: Criminal. Since the first time he allowed his dark half to step into his skin and control their actions, since his first heist, his first murder, his first night as The Scarecrow; Jonathan had never once thought of himself as a criminal. A criminal was someone petty who only stole or killed without a reason. A criminal was someone who did things without thinking them through but just on a whim. These were the people that were all to often caught and thrown into the legal system. A criminal was useless and pathetic. Jonathan and Scarecrow, they were more than pathetic, petty, little men that scrambled around on hands and knees trying to scrape off the bottom of Gotham's underbelly. They were more than that, they were better than that. They were Rouges. Like Joker, Penguin, even Riddler, they had a purpose and vision. Scarecrow did not kill only because it was fun but for the betterment of science. Thanks to years of hard work Jonathan has succeeded in isolating the different ways that fear can effect the body and now they were so close in mastering the very aspect of fear itself. A criminal could never say the same. They would only stab you in the throat and pick your pockets as you stare lifelessly up at the sky above.

And now Zsasz would feel what it was like to be at the mercy of one of Gotham's elite. Carefully, always cautious to watch for the slightest twitch in the man's rocking motions infront of him, Jonathan stepped closer to Victor Zsasz. Jonathan circled around once more to the rear of Zsasz and studied the clasps on his straight jacket, looking for any signs that the restraints had weakened. Everyone knew of Victor Zsasz's extreme penchant for hand to hand combat and while Jonathan was not to shabby of a fighter himself, he would still be at a disadvantage without proper rest. He was beginning to believe that in his rush to find Aura he neglected the one thing that could undo all of his hard work, himself. Jonathan realized now that he should have waited, rested up for a good day, before attempting to extract information from the man. No matter, it was too late to turn back now.

Jonathan stored the syringe back into his pocket satisfied that for now, the restraints would keep Zsasz in check alone. After taking a deep breath it was time to begin. "I have some questions Zsasz and I trust that you are intelligent enough to know that I am in no mood for false answers." Zsasz continued his insistent rocking, not acknowledging that someone had spoken. Jonathan cleared his throat and tried again, louder this time. "Joker's gas should have worn off by now so I know you can hear me." Still the man rocked ever on, oblivious to the world around him. Growling in anger Jonathan reared one long, slender leg backwards and thrust it forward, savagely striking Zsasz in the side.

Finally the rocking ceased as Zsasz struggled back to his knees. Labored breathing could be heard coming from the bound man as he turned his head slowly from one side to the other, cracking his neck in the process. Zsasz began to slowly rock again causing Jonathan to grit his teeth in irritation. Jonathan reared back, ready to deliver another kick to the man's side with Zsasz suddenly froze. "You will regret it if you touch me again," he spoke softly, almost in a whisper. Quickly Jonathan returned to the front of the room, facing Zsasz. Slowly Zsasz lifted his head, staring right into Jonathan's mask, a burning hatred in his dark eyes. "He told me you would come."

"Joker?"

Zsasz laughed, his smile widening. Jonathan knew from the bruising around the killer's face that the act of smiling must have been excruciatingly painful, but Zsasz never showed it. "What kept you? I expected you would come much sooner. Don't tell me the poor excuse for security gave a criminal like you pause."

Before he could stop himself, Jonathan's fist connected with the side of Zsasz's face making a satisfyingly, sick crack. The man went flying back onto the ground, laughing maniacally. "I am not a criminal. I am a..."

"A what? A Rogue. Do not begin to flatter yourself." Slowly Zsasz picked himself back up, settling back onto his knees. "You are pathetic."

A warning growl issued from Jonathan's throat, low and primal. White hot rage was slowly beginning to boil under his skin. "Where is Joker hiding?"

Zsasz laughed loudly, his white teeth gleaming in the flashing of the light. A small amount of blood trickled from a break in his lip to which the man simply licked it off, seeming to savor the flavor of his own blood. "Is Joker what you really want to find or that woman that he seemed so intent on acquiring?"

Jonathan's heart fluttered in his chest. It took great effort but finally the young doctor was able to control the flood of emotions that entered his chest at the slightest mention of Aura. So Zsasz did know Aura, perhaps Hatter was telling the truth after all and Zsasz did have contact with the woman. But that raised an even bigger set of questions. "Where is she?" The shoulders of the straight jacket seemed to twitch in an upwards motion as if the man wearing it had simply shrugged. A cold and sadistic smile plastered itself onto Zsasz's face. "You don't know? I find that hard to believe."

A small chuckle. "What good would it do for me to lie to you?"

Jonathan sighed inwardly, this was just a waste of time. 'Do not give up Jonathan. This man knows something.'

'I know but aside from dosing him with our fear toxin I doubt we will be getting any information out of him easily.'

'Why do you say that?' Scarecrow questioned.

Jonathan closed his eyes for a second and let the world around him dissolve into nothing. He needed to think. Doing his best to ignore the hunger pains in his stomach, the cramps in his tired legs, the gnawing headache at the back of his head, and the intense heaviness of his eyes; he let his mind wander. The answer was right there infront of him, he just couldn't see it through his blind anger. If he was going to extract any information from this criminal he would have to start asking the right questions, he would have to play by Zsasz's rules; and if there was one thing Jonathan had learned about career assassins is that they loved to brag. Jonathan opened his eyes to find Zsasz staring with mild interest at the man before him. "Mad Hatter seems to believe that you had contact with Aura Warren, Joker's captive. That must have been a pretty sizable contract on her head considering the trouble that clown went through to get a hold of her these past few weeks. Tell me, was he saving his best pet monkey for last?"

Zsasz chuckled low, his shoulders rocking up slightly with the movements. "Are you calling those poor excuses for lackeys he used assassins?" He shook his head from side to side, "I thought you would be smarter than that."

Jonathan smirked. "So then, its safe to assume with the lack of talent that he employed, Joker doesn't want her dead."

Dark eyes rolled around in their sockets before locking themselves onto the dark form before them. Zsasz's smile only widened as he replied in a mockingly sweet voice, "No you precious little flower is still in one piece." The smile widened and his eyes closed as the man seemed to be recalling a memory before he finished, "more or less."

"So you were hired to torture her? For what?" Jonathan's teeth gnashed together as he tried in vain to control his quickly rising temper. God if only he could have a few hours rest he could return to normalcy and reclaim his iron clad control over his emotions. "Joker obviously wanted something from Aura. Information perhaps?"

Zsasz remained silent merely smiling smugly up at his interrogator. Jonathan stared back, trying to calm his breathing, but the longer he looked into those empty, soulless pits the more he felt his own resolve crumbling. Viciously Jonathan lashed out, hauling the limb body of the assassin from the floor and thrusting him into the back wall of the small cell. Zsasz's neck snapped back, causing his head to hit the wall behind him. Briefly he struggled, flailing spasmodically until Jonathan forced more of his weight into muscularly lean body beneath him. With one hand wrapped tightly around Zsasz's throat the other brought the syringe up to the man's eye line. "Tell me what I want to know or I swear to whatever God there is that you will never see the light of another day." Zsasz merely laughed, causing Jonathan to growl, his resolve all but shattered. "What did you do to Aura? If you tortured her I'll..."

Suddenly Zsasz struck out, smacking his forehead into Jonathan's mask and causing the doctor to stumble backwards in surprise. He dropped the syringe, both hands flying to his forehead as he reeled back. The blinding pain was intense but a quick shake of the head and a few blinks were all it took to regain his sight as the adrenaline coursed through his veins. Unfortunately a few seconds was all it took for the master assassin to scoop up the discarded syringe on the floor with his now free hands. Now Jonathan understood what critical mistakes he had made upon walking into this cell. One being that not only was he physically and mentally taxed already but that exhaustion only helped to hinder his ability to fully observe the world around him. Zsasz had dislocated his shoulder upon hitting the ground the first time Jonathan kicked him which allowed him enough room to maneuver around in his binds thus loosening the straps of his jacket. The cracking of his neck was merely a diversion so the doctor would not noticed the small manipulations of the straps. Then after the punch brought him to the floor a second time, the shoulder was popped back into place, the damage already being done. Zsasz was freed of the jacket's bindings, Jonathan just didn't know it yet. The small jerking motions of his shoulders as he laughed further rocked the ties loose but by that point Jonathan was too riled up in anger to notice the elephant in the room.

The second critical misstep was in the handling of Victor Zsasz himself. Until he physically assaulted the assassin the two men had no quarrels. Zsasz was not the type of man to kill another he deemed of equal standing without reason, after all The Scarecrow might have had his uses. He could have easily won the man over and tried to reason the information he needed from Zsasz. But Jonathan only made him angry with the rough treatment this night. The look in the man's eyes said everything: Zsasz was angry and wanted to teach this high strung boy a lesson he would be hard pressed to forget. Jonathan braced himself, balling his fists up tight before relaxing his fingers in hopes of working any tendons loose. His gauntlet and other means of defending himself were still in the knapsack thrown carelessly into the corner with his lab coat. In other words, out of reach. His opponent on the other hand was armed with years of meticulous training and a very powerful sedative.

'Let me free Jonathan. I can get the information we need.' The Scarecrow whispered into his ear.

Jonathan shook his head slightly as he assumed a more defensive stance. 'I can do this alone, Scarecrow. I can beat him or die trying.'

Scarecrow laughed sadistically. 'How would dying help our cause? If you die, I die. Then who would help Aura.'

'Nygma would find her for me, but he won't need to because I plan on finding her myself. If I can't beat Zsasz then what makes me think I would have what takes to protect Aura for the rest of our lives?' Jonathan smiled, the thought of spending the rest of his hopefully long life with Aura spread a feeling of calm serenity over his exhausted body. The elation was intoxicating to him and his muscles seemed to soak it in and rejuvenate themselves. 'I don't pretend to think that this will be an easy fight and yeah I might die. But I would do whatever it takes to get her back. I would die, for Aura.'

Scarecrow receded back into his mind, allowing Jonathan to handle this on his own. 'Die if you so choose. I won't interfere if you do not wish it, until your pathetic attempts at playing the hero are destroyed by Zsasz, but know this,' his other half gave off a small amused laugh, 'I still think you're a love sick fool.'

Jonathan scoffed himself, replying, 'And you're not a fool?'

'I'm not the one trying to kill myself before getting the girl.'

About the outcome of the inevitable fight, Jonathan was certain of one thing and that was the he would not walk away unscathed. In fact he welcomed the pain that Zsasz was sure to inflict during the altercation if it meant that he would learn more and his personal fighting skills were to grow. In the past, when it came down to a hand to hand bout or the like, Scarecrow was always in full control. Even during their self-taught training in what Jonathan joking called the "violent dancing," a mix between the crane style of martial arts and drunken boxing, Scarecrow took the forefront. Jonathan himself was a non-violent man, preferring to engage his opponents on an intellectual battlefield. This would be a whole new experience for the doctor but one that he would need if he were to one day rid himself of the Scarecrow for good. After all, if he were to be able to defend himself against one of the most deadly men in Gotham City without the dark one's help, then Joker and anyone else who were to threaten those he cared about would be mere child's play.

Jonathan knew what he had to do and that was to get that syringe away from Zsasz as soon as possible. If only he could get it and inject that sedative into Zsasz then he would have the upper hand. Taking a deep breath, Jonathan launched himself towards the scarred man. His fist connected solidly on Zsasz's cheek, a fleshy smacking sound erupting in the otherwise silent room. Zsasz staggered back but Jonathan stayed on him, throwing punch after punch and connecting every one on the other man's face and chest. The pain that laced through his fists from the first punch was gradually waning as he continued his assault. Zsasz didn't have enough time to block each punch as Jonathan backed him into the wall. Finally breathless, Jonathan stepped back and smirked as he took in the battered, bruised, and bloodied face of Victor Zsasz.

Zsasz chuckled as he licked a stream of blood from his busted lip. "Are you finished?" Jonathan's smirk faded quickly as Zsasz stood tall, no evidence of his assault having fazed the professional assassin. "My turn."

Suddenly the tables had turned in a flash. Jonathan doubled over in pain as Zsasz's left leg kicked out and planted itself into his stomach. The assassin followed this quick kick up with a sickening flat palm strike to the center of Jonathan's masked, crushing his nose beneath it. As Jonathan staggered backward trying to shake the sudden bright spots from his vision, Zsasz dropped to the ground and swept his leg under Jonathan's, bringing the doctor to his back. Jonathan's head hit the ground, snapping back once on the initial fall and a second time as Zsasz jumped on top of him, wrapped a firm hand around his neck, and forcing the back of his skull back into floor. Even the soft amount of padding wasn't enough to cushion the concrete below.

Zsasz squeezed tightly and sat the syringe onto the ground beside them, just out of reach of Jonathan's fingers. "Just what were hoping to accomplish by coming here today?" Zsasz punched Jonathan in his side, pushing all the remaining air from his diaphragm. "I was given one job to do before Joker threw me overboard and that was to find out who you were and eliminate you. Then once he was one with that white haired woman and I could do I please with her. Maybe I will keep her alive long enough to father a son to carry on with my legacy."

Jonathan struggled wildly against the hold on his neck, desperately trying to get air as his lungs screamed. The weight of the man on top of him made his legs useless. He tried to lash out with his hands, but the lack of air was making his limbs feel otherworldly and heavy. Zsasz was easily able to bat away Jonathan's feeble attempts at pushing him away. Finally Zsasz loosened his grip around Jonathan's neck. Greedily Jonathan sucked in air, tears stung his eyes as a pressure moved into his head.

"Now let's see who you are." Zsasz said quietly.

Jonathan grit his teeth and tried to push Zsasz off him, throwing a punch towards his face. Zsasz caught his wrist and twisted, pushing all his weight onto the limb. Jonathan screamed out as the bone in his arm snapped under the pressure being put onto it. Zsasz released his wrist, the arm falling limply to the side. Quickly Jonathan struck out with his other arm, landing a solid hit onto the side of Zsasz's face and knocking him off balance. But Zsasz was quick in regaining his seat upon Jonathan's torso and grabbed Jonathan's arm. He grinned wickedly but instead of breaking this limb he simply forced Jonathan's arm to the ground and pinned it beneath his knee.

Zsasz reached out and snagged a fistful of Jonathan's mask. "Now be a good boy and stop resisting. You know you can't win." With a savage tug Zsasz ripped the Scarecrow mask from Jonathan head, exposing his face. "You?"

"Yeah me. Tell me how does it make you feel to know you're about to be murdered by a pathetic doctor?" Jonathan teased.

Zsasz chuckled under his breath. "Doctor Crane, you're an intelligent man, surely you can see just who is the one who is going to die here. To think you're the Scarecrow, the great and terrifying King of Fear. Joker is going to get a good laugh out of this one when I send your head to your precious Aura. Do you think she'll cry after seeing the face of the Rogue who dared to claim her?"

Hatred flowed through Jonathan's veins as Zsasz continued to antagonize him. He knew that he should not listen. He had to find a way out of this. He just need to calm down and think straight. Jonathan closed his eyes in an attempt to calm the flowing fire in his veins, to ignore the pain shooting up his broken arm. But Zsasz had other ideas.

Zsasz struck out, smacking Jonathan's cheek. "Hey now, pay attention. Joker was very specific in how I should kill you. He wanted me to reminisce about my time with your precious Aura, before I saw your head off."

Jonathan's eyes snapped open and locked onto Zsasz. He was no longer trying to stem the tide of his rising anger. He was letting it flow freely, igniting the burning passion in his heart to kill the man holding him down. He could feel his and Scarecrow's mind merging, becoming one with one another. Zsasz now had his undivided attention.

"Joker brought me in when his plans at abducting that girl were failing, when you got involved. You see according to him some big man in Metropolis is offering a lot of money for that girl. Joker has been poking around to find out why. Come to find out your little girlfriend knows a thing or two about that Net Runner who created that deadly virus that caused all those people to go insane and kill people a few months back." He shrugged, "I don't know if she created it personally or just happens to be an unfortunate third party to this Net Runner and to be honest I don't care. Either way, I was brought in as assurance. I was to follow Joker into this little stunt with her parents and secure that the Scarecrow would not interfere should he be present with Aura. But low and behold she stupidly turned herself over in a feeble attempt at protecting her parents. Then Joker struck a deal with me. I was to keep her quiet while she was transported to the holding facility. Once there my job was complete and my payment secured."

"Where did he take her?" Jonathan growled out.

Zsasz laughed, "Why do you even care Crane? You won't live long enough to find her and besides I was forced to make an exit before the transfer was made."

Jonathan smirked. "So Joker cut you out of the deal then."

"Well I did always have a problem with following orders."

"I wouldn't expect any less from a creature like you."

"Flattery will not get you out of this situation Doctor." Zsasz wagged his finger from side to side. "If you knew the rules I broke you wouldn't be so chatty."

Zsasz shifted slightly on top of Jonathan, relaxing himself back so he was sitting on Jonathan's hips. As the assassin shifted Jonathan felt a slight prick on the tip of his middle finger. Suddenly Jonathan felt a rush of relief flood through him. Stupidly, in repositioning himself on top of what he thought was his defeated opponent, Zsasz had unknowingly moved the syringe just slightly. But it was enough. Jonathan just needed to keep him distracted as he tried to use his longest finger to catch the syringe and roll is closer to his hand.

"I have covered your therapy every time you have been admitted to Arkham. I doubt anything you say will surprise me." Jonathan stated dryly.

"I was in charge of keeping that, well I have to admit, spirited young lady quiet as we moved through the city and to the final transport. We couldn't have her alerting some gun-ho police officer who doesn't know when to leave well enough alone as far as the Rouges go. We couldn't afford any complications. She was still in too much shock to attempt much while in the van but as soon as she saw the transport a switch was flicked inside her. I have to say it was invigorating to watch her pathetic, weak attempts at fighting back against me. You see when I first met her she was a zombie, devoid of life and emotionless eyes reflecting back when you looked into her face. As soon as she awaken on that pier," Zsasz shuttered softly, "Ah, I've never seen such fire and life erupt in a person before. I knew she didn't need to be liberated like so many I have helped before."

"Killed," Jonathan corrected.

"That's a matter of opinion." Zsasz smiled. "Joker had one rule for me in keeping her quiet and that was, I was not to cut her. I could hit her or punch her, kick her if I had to, but Joker didn't want her to have any scars. Apparently Joker still had plans on selling her to that Metropolis buyer once he was done with her and the buyer wanted her in perfect condition. We all know my pension for going a little too far with my blades. You helped me to see the error of my ways as far as that is concerned Doctor Crane and for that I'm thankful. But I just couldn't help myself."

Jonathan growled and struggled slightly, Zsasz shifted to regain a stronger seat on top of him. But Jonathan succeeded in his attempt and the syringe was firmly in his hand, Zsasz none the wiser. He was still far to engrossed in the retelling of his story and witnessing Jonathan's fury.

"I had a problem after that. You see Aura was only ever truly alive when she was in the deepest throws of fear. Merely hitting her around to keep her quiet just made her angrier and she lashed out. But the first time my blade sliced into that tender flesh, ah the passion of hatred in her eyes blossomed so beautifully. I couldn't stop myself. Every time she would come down from that high that adrenaline brings, I would have to cut her again to bring it back. Then Joker found out and well," he spread his arms wide, "here we are."

Jonathan felt his blood run cold. Only one question remained in his mind. Was Aura still alive?

In a flash Jonathan wildly bucked his hips, throwing the unsuspecting assassin off balance enough for Jonathan to flip their positions. The adrenaline pumping through his veins was enough for him to completely ignore the pain shooting up his broken arm. The syringe in his hand flashed as he brought the needle up and thrust it down and into Zsasz's eye. The eye burst under the force and pressure of Jonathan's blow. Zsasz began screaming in pain as blood pooled from the ruined orbit. Jonathan pushed one of his knees into Zsasz's chest and wrapped a slim hand tightly around his neck.

When he spoke his voice was not that of the refined doctor nor the killer hiding in his psyche, it was that of a possessed demon. "Is Aura alive?"

Zsasz struggled for breath, wildly throwing his hands out trying to get purchase on Jonathan's face or neck. Jonathan released his neck and quickly pulled the syringe from Zsasz's socket before plunging it into the other eye. Zsasz's screams became louder again. "TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!" Jonathan screamed over top of Zsasz.

In frustration Jonathan stood up and moved to the satchel in the corner. A few minutes of wrestling the needle gauntlet onto his arm, thankfully Zsasz broke his less dominant arm. Zsasz had rolled over and onto his knees, sweeping his arms out infront of him. "Where are you Crane? I'm going to kill you and eat your heart. I swear, when I find Joker and Aura I'm going to torture her to within an inch of her life and before I kill her I'll let her cuddle your lifeless corpse out of mercy. But all of Gotham will witness her brutal death when I slit that marble throat of hers."

Jonathan took his time walking around Zsasz, listening to the ranting of the doomed man. Surprising the hatred and fury he had felt were subsiding. Jonathan felt calm. Carefully he placed one foot on Zsasz's back and forced him back to the ground. He ran the tips of his needles up Zsasz's back and stopped once he reached the nape of his neck. "Thank you for all of your help tonight Victor. You have taught me a lot about myself. You taught me that I have a lot to work on if I hope to become a better fighter so I can protect Aura in the future. And believe me I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will get her back, though you will a long rotting corpse by then. I sincerely thank you for tonight Victory. You clarified to me, cemented to me, that in my mind Aura is what I hold most dear and nothing, not you or that clown, are going to stand between me and her."

Slowly Jonathan pushed the tips of the needles into the back of Zsasz's neck and administered all of the toxin that the glove could possible hold. The toxin quickly spread through Zsasz's veins, overdosing and killing him almost instantly. It didn't even leave enough time for Zsasz to experience any sort of fear but Jonathan didn't care, so long as the man who supposedly tortured and hurt Aura was dead. Now only the clown remained.