Before going ahead, I'm reminding once again for art commissioners to please stop bothering me with bogus deals where I've already made it clear that I do not do that. Otherwise, I'll be reporting and blocking you all for the frauds that you are.
This story has been collaborated by my awesome user pal, Alvaxerox. I only own Lea Thompson aka Midnight Hope, Silvania/Sylvie Phaetos/Scream Light, the Fitzpatrick Sisters, Tina and Amy, Harry T. Lewis aka Hatty, Evan Hitch aka Scarecrow, Gregory Sander aka Techno-Tune, and Pauline Hanksaw aka Moth Queen. Members of the Gotham Grimtales are collaborative ideas helped by user friends in making them. The rest of the characters belong to their respective owners that belong to Ben 10 Omniverse, Batman the Animated Series, and Green Lantern Animated.
Please note that this story takes place after 'Fortissimo Therapy' and 'The Greatest Show Thrill' yet before 'Techno-Tune's Thrilling Event' story. And during 'Inspiration Honored'. You can find those stories here to read.
There's also a few more stories that may or may not be referenced that can be found in GoldGuardian2418's page in FanFiction only. She and I have collaborated some stories, too, yet she mostly does a lot where I appreciate her hard work. If interested, check out the stories 'A Mission To The Heart?' and 'A Scary Approval'. I recommend reading those first, too, before getting ahead.
There may be more stories referenced here that will be explained later in the future for those confused. I will do my best to explain any details at the end of each chapter.
I hope you enjoy the story and no flamed reviews or fake advertised ones.
It's another day in Coast City. Today, Evan was at the food court at the Coast City Mall with Harry. They both paid for their meals and while they were beginning to eat, Evan noticed Lea Thompson across the food court, having lunch with her friend, Sylvie. Along with two other girls that happen to be the Fitzpatrick Sisters plus Lea's cousins, Tina and Amy. Evan's eyes widened as his heart pumped with sudden shock.
"Harry! You didn't tell me Sylvie would be here," Evan said, lowering his voice while hiding from view.
"I didn't even know she would," Harry admitted, equally surprised when noticing Lea and the others. "Guess Sylvie travels around where she's friends with Lea."
"Well, there's no way I'm going over to that table unprepared," Evan responded. "I may have gotten her parental guardian's approval but that doesn't mean I'm ready to ask her out like this."
"Evan, she doesn't know you as you," Harry reasoned. "She only knows the next Scarecrow as much as the other Gotham Grimtales when finding Jack Ryder for an interview. Just talk to her like someone who wants to be friends."
Evan was still skeptical. Something Harry noticed and sighed.
"If you don't feel ready to introduce yourself as Evan Hitch, then I understand," Harry said, patting on his friend's back shoulder. "I'll go in there on my own to give Lea the gift and be right back. You can even wait outside."
"Thanks, Harry. I really appreciate it," Evan said, before heading somewhere else.
The dirty blonde boy lightly shook his head before meeting with Lea and the other girls at her table.
Evan quickly rushed outside in a puff of smoke. Almost as if he was relieved to be out of an awkward situation. Harry rolled his eyes as he walks towards the table where the girls were sitting.
"Hello again, Lea,"
Turning her head, the blonde with ribbon curls nearly spit out her water in shock when seeing the same magician she met at the Rabbit Café. It shocked not just Harry but also Sylvie, Tina, and Amy.
"Goodness, darling!" Tina gasped.
"Are you okay?" Sylvie questioned.
"Pretty sure Lea drank from the wrong wind tunnel of her throat when meeting this good-looking male model," Amy bluntly deduced.
"Amy! Not out loud!" Tina scolded, elbowing her sister until looking at Harry better which made her smile and blush lightly. "Although, you are not wrong about him being handsome."
Harry couldn't help but get his face turned red by that compliment. "Oh…um, thanks?" He confusingly asked.
"Hi, Harry. Good to see you again," Lea managed to say while calming down her embarrassing moment and introducing who was at the table. "Harry, these are my cousins, Tina and Amy aka Fitzpatrick Sisters, and my best friend, Sylvie. Girls, this is Harry Chafouin, the boy I told you about earlier in helping the Rabbit Café."
"Actually, Chafouin is just my magician stage last name," Harry corrected, gently. "My last name happens to be Lewis. Still, it is lovely to meet you all."
"Hello," Tina said.
"Hi," Amy said.
"Sup," Sylvie said, waving hi.
"So, Harry, what brings you here?" Tina questioned, very interested.
"I wanted to give this to your cousin, as my way of saying thanks for being an outstanding assistant," Harry answered, bringing out a white box that was wrapped in a blue ribbon.
"Oooo, you got her a present? That was very thoughtful of you," Tina added.
"What are you waiting for? Open it!" Sylvie responded, excited in seeing what's inside the box.
The blonde teen in curls carefully got the ribbon out to open and see something familiar that made her speechless.
"What is it?" Amy and Tina asked together.
"...The dress that appeared on me from the show when I helped you on the final act?" Lea asked, very surprised while bringing up the outfit from the box in awe. "Harry, I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything, the dress looked really good on you and since you helped me, I want you to keep it from now on." Harry said. "It all yours now."
"Oooooo! That dress is beautiful!" Sylvie responded, looking at it before turning to the stunned fashionista cousin of Lea's. "Did Harry go to you and ask to make that?"
"No...This is definitely not my work," Tina responded, studying the dress carefully. "And yet...this looks and feels familiar."
"Um, Harry? Did you make the dress yourself or someone else?" Amy asked, getting a bad feeling.
"I do not sew nor create clothes, I'm afraid," Harry answered, honestly. "In fact, the person who made the dress not only did my performance outfit but also happens to be a dear friend of mine."
"For real? That's amazing!" Lea exclaimed, unable to stop smiling while waving a hand to indicate Tina. "My cousin happens to make outfits, as well. She's very passionate about her work."
"Really?" Harry asked. "Well, this is the first time I met your cousin, Lea. So, I haven't seen the clothing she's made."
"Lea and I have seen her clothing from experience, and we can assure you, this looks just like one of Tina's only slightly better and mixed with their unique style," Amy said, she didn't look at Tina. "No offense?"
Sylvie noticed some tension going on with Tina that made the disguised Ectonurite confused.
"So, if Tina's not the designer of Lea's new dress, then who is?" Sylvie questioned out loud.
"Okay, I'll tell you. I don't know why you have to make this a big deal," Harry said. "Her name is-"
Before answering that question, Harry was interrupted by a dark tanned girl that gave fashion boss vibes entering the scene. She had light brown short hair, gold colored sunglasses on, sparkly red sleeveless top, long black pants with white material on the sides that act as part of a split skirt, and dark brown boots.
"Hey, Harry~! I wanted to check how things are going here," The girl replied, walking over to him and noticing Tina where she took off her glasses in getting a better look and glared. "Oh...Well, this is unexpected."
"Pauline Hanksaw! I should have known," Tina remarked while glaring back, standing up with her arms crossed.
"Tina Fitzpatrick! Never thought I would see you in Coast City," the girl named Pauline stated, her hands on her hips.
"Oh, no..." Amy muttered, placing a hand on her face.
Lea and Sylvie, almost as much as Harry, were unsure what's going on.
"Uhhh...You two know each other?" Lea spoke up, trying to break the tension.
"Unfortunately. We have history in previous fashion contests," Tina remarked in dread, not leaving her hard stare at Pauline. "It's a long story."
"In short, she's my sister's fashion rival," Amy clarified, deadpanning.
Harry gulped silently, regretting how this turned out. "Oh, dear..."
"Ohhhh! So, Pauline made the dress. That's nice," Sylvie said, not seeing the problem.
"No, it's not! How dare you make such a mockery of fashion in my presence!" Tina exclaimed in anger, before pointing at Harry. "And how dare you have him as an accomplice for deceiving my cousin like that!"
"Cousin?" Pauline looked over to see Lea with the box holding the dress until piecing it all together facing Tina with a smug look and laughing haughty in amusement. "Oh, this...this is too rich. When I was requested to design a blue showgirl dress as a thank-you gift, I never would have guessed that it was for one of your own family members. Guess she knows better quality outfits than you do."
"Better quality?! Your designs are bland and lifeless!" Tina argued.
"Not according to your cousin...Or Harry, for that matter," Pauline responded, smugly, waving her right index finger. "I design his performance suits where it's the talk of the town, whether Gotham or here. I also heard how people were impressed by Harry's magic assistant wearing such a gorgeous outfit that represents three things she likes. Seems my 'bland and lifeless' designs are more popular than boring and talentless ones…like you."
Tina was very red in the face of how mad she felt. Her hands clenched very hard and shook gently.
Harry was very confused entirely. "Okay, ladies, let's not be hasty," He calmly said trying to ease the tension. But Pauline and Tina looked at him with intense glares and took a step back. "Okay, I think I'll stop talking now right now."
Lea and Sylvie were both quiet while seeing where this was heading. While Lea was cringing, Sylvie was more intrigued.
"I can design a better outfit for Lea than what you gathered from some so-called magic mirror!" Tina almost yelled very fast. "One I'm sure my cousin will truly love to wear and use constantly!"
"Is that a challenge you're invoking?" Pauline questioned, her devious smile growing.
The smart and redheaded sister didn't like where this is going where she quickly stood up next to her young sister.
"Tina, no! This is not going to end well for anyone," Amy responded, rationally. "You don't have to do this."
"Yes, I do. Pauline has done many things in the past that are unacceptable and, yet, she has crossed the line in making something for one of my own family members," Tina argued, not backing down. "I cannot allow that. Therefore, I am invoking and accepting the challenge in the name of all things fashion!"
Amy groaned, facepalming in frustration and shaking her head in embarrassment.
"I should have asked for popcorn because this is starting to get good," Sylvie said, very intrigued
"Do you have to be so oblivious to something bad happening as entertainment when it comes to this?" Harry asked.
"Why yes. Yes, I do." Sylvie said. "And who knows? Maybe they'll answer to something called a good old-fashioned catfight." She then chuckled.
Harry blinked dumbfounded while looking at the fourth wall. This was the girl of Evan's dreams?
"Very well. But as we both know the rules in fashion, I decide the terms of the challenge," Pauline reminded. "Yes, you are allowed to create a so-called better dress for your cousin. However, why make just one and her alone? Make a total of four unique yet stay-on-themed outfits. That means you'll need three more models with your cousin presenting one."
"Oh, pfft. Is that all?" Tina questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Am I not allowed to model one of them myself?"
"No, that's fine. I'm not missing a chance to see you fail the catwalk while wearing a boring outfit of your work," Pauline sneered. "And knowing you, you'll be having your sister part of your team to help you out as a model. Leaving you with one model short."
"I'll do it!"
Everyone turned to Sylvie with her right hand up and smiled bright.
"Ohhh, Sylvie, darling. I appreciate your enthusiastic offer," Tina started gently, a little unsure having her part of it. "Truly, I do. However, you need the experience before getting ahead of yourself. Lea, Amy, and I qualify for past modeling my designs."
"Then, there's no trouble for you to show a newbie model the ropes in what you do," Pauline remarked to Tina, her devious grin showing. "Consider it another objective for your challenge."
Sylvie was shocked. "Whoa, wait. Really? Don't they have a say in this matter?"
"Nope. That's what happens when you sign up without knowing all the details," Lea answered. "Talking leads to Karma."
"Yes!" Sylvie muttered, totally unaware of what that statement meant.
"Fine. If that's everything, when and where should I present my fashion line?" Tina questioned.
Harry came up with an idea for Pauline: "If it's not too much trouble, why not the Rabbit Café to help promote more advertising and customers? Since Pauline helped do my suit for my performance a couple of days back and everything, I am willing to talk to Kimmy, the manager, about it if you agree."
"Hmmm...I suppose that's fair," Pauline shrugged, nodding her head while looking at Tina. "And while we're at it, we can have it this Friday at the same time Harry did his show. That's less than five days for you to work. But it shouldn't be a problem for you, right?"
"I accept the date and location," Tina replied, her game face on.
"What did I get myself into?" Harry asked himself out loud, facepalming in guilt.
After waiting, Evan saw Harry and Pauline show up. While Pauline looked proud of what went down, Harry seemed disappointed.
"So, how did it go?" Evan questioned. "Did she like the gift or not?"
"Well, the good news is that Lea enjoyed the present," Harry started, still looking upset.
"That's great!" Evan replied, happy for his friend until noting Harry's face being the opposite. "Am I missing something? Harry?"
"The bad news...is that her cousin is Pauline's fashion rival where a fashion challenge has been brought," Harry answered, covering his face in shame.
"I don't know what you're complaining about, Harry. This vacation just got a lot more interesting," Pauline stated, laughing in amusement. "Especially when Tina has to deal with a white-haired newbie as her model."
That caught Evan's attention. "Wait...Sylvie is going to participate?!"
"Sylvie?" Pauline questioned, looking at Harry. "As in the detective girl who has ties with Creeper you told me about? That was her?"
"Yes. The very same girl Evan plans to ask out," Harry deadpanned.
"Yeah. And now, thanks to you, she's going to be part of your little fashion show…just when I was about to ask her out?" Evan asked angrily.
"Ummm...Would it make a difference that I plan to involve all four of us to up-stage my rival with an unspoken twist of my own?" Pauline questioned.
"No!" The boys exclaimed at once.
"...Huh...Actually, Pauline, it might," Harry spoke up.
"What?!" Evan exclaimed, looking at his friend like he's lost his mind.
"Evan, think about it," Harry started. "While practicing, you can talk to her as you are, and get to know her interests better. Then, after gaining the knowledge, Scarecrow will plan the perfect date for Sylvie to enjoy."
Evan thought about it and he kind of agreed. "Now that you say that, it would make sense and could definitely be the perfect opportunity but..." He paused for a moment. "Will it work?"
"It will work...So long as a certain someone in our group doesn't have the habit of sabotaging the show like she occasionally does," Harry remarked, glaring at Pauline.
"Hey, don't blame me. You know I don't like being a sore loser. I do whatever it takes to win even if it means..." Pauline didn't know what she was saying, but then she shrugged. "Fine. I'll try not to be a bad loser. Which will not happen!"
"We'll go along with your surprise twist this Friday, so long as you don't pull any pranks that may ruin Evan's chances of asking the spooky girl of his dreams," Harry bargained. "Whatever fashion business you and Tina have should stay between yourselves. Let your fashion designs speak for themselves. Can I count on you with that?"
Pauline sighed. "Very well. For you, Harry, I'll be on my best behavior and focus on my own work. But Evan better go on a date with her."
"Oh, trust me. He will," Harry assured, getting his phone. "I'll be sure to inform Greg on what we'll be doing. Even request for his epic soundtracks for both us and Tina's models for the catwalk."
"Something tells me I'm either going to hate what I'm going to be wearing or, if this might work, I can talk to Sylvie," Evan said.
To be continued…
So, although Lea got the dress that only existed from Harry's performance, it was made by her cousin's fashion rival: Pauline Hanksaw. Something Harry was unaware of where he was silently regretting how this turned out. And now all the girls have to do a fashion bootcamp. Not to mention this will be Sylvie's first time being a model. This should be interesting.
Meanwhile, Evan tries to find the right moment to ask Sylvie out while staying in Coast City. But can he do it as Scarecrow without exposing his secret identity? You'll have to see. ;D