Under the Foundation

by cringethinking

The death of Max’s sister destroyed her childhood and her family. Twenty years later she still digs for the truth as a disillusioned journalist in Gotham. When she meets someone on a fringe website called Nigma, the layers of her foundation and that of Gotham’s inexplicable corruption begins to crack. Based on the universe of Matt Reeve’s Batman and Riddler Year One comic.

39. Final Author Note and Soundtrack

Hello! My first ever Author's Note on this story, and of course, it's at the end.

I know this is just a fanfic, but this story meant a lot. I'm definitely a Riddler fangirl, but this story's premise was at the root of something else. After an abusive relationship of my own, I took to this story really vividly. It helped me process a lot of what happened, and being able to understand the co-dependency, loneliness, and betrayal the relationship gave me. It also gave me the art of letting go. Never blaming myself for the love and forgiveness I had. Loving hard is a gift not many do have, and even when it's taken advantage of, that should never dull it.

Of course, the relationship with Max and Edward resembles much of that relationship. That sometimes a toxic situation can be so blinding, you don't realize you're in it till you're trapped in it. Co-dependency is a need to fill a space lost long ago, but no matter how much you love, that person you depend on may never be able to fill it or love you the way you deserve, and that's okay. Because it leads to letting go, and making space to grow again.

That seed to tree started with Max's beloved Mr. Trunks, only evolving into Edward. Another beloved she could not let go of until it was too late. Where she blamed her love for Mr. Trunks being the cause of Celeste's death, then ultimately blaming her love for Edward being the cause of the flood. But finally letting go of both, she is allowed to heal and forgive herself. The metaphor of the foundation is also prominent, as it resembles the time and love you can build with someone, only to have it crumble away and see the truth underneath. That what lies underneath may not be who you thought it was.

Max losing her leg is a metaphor for the scars she will carry forever from this relationship. That it will always be something lost, and something gained. A lesson of her trauma, and that every survivor of abuse has a warrior scar that may never heal, but will always remind them of their strength. Coming to the acceptance of change.

The prosthetic is a metaphor for something lost can also be something gained.

Overall, the story is a tale of forgiveness and acceptance. But most importantly, the act of letting go and moving on. You see Max consistently move on through the story. From her sister's death, from Mr. Trunks, from her resentment for her parents, losing her leg, and finally, from Edward. However, Edward is someone who never lets go. He clings, sabotaging himself in obsession and those around him as a result. It ends with him in prison, and Max in peace.

If you find yourself in a toxic or abusive situation, don't punish yourself for your love. Take that love, and foster it in yourself. Move on and leave room for yourself to grow and find peace. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this tale. It truly means so much. Let your light shine and never be sorry for loving too hard.

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So, kind of lame, but wanted to share the playlist that heavily kept the creative juices flowing as I wrote this. Saved me from writer's block a handful of times. Enjoy!

Mr. Trunks

Always Forever by Aquilo: Music to Intro as Max describes her childhood. Max's theme.

Footloose by Kenny Loggins: Atkins family in Coast City.

Something Rotten

Tease by Medic Droid: Max coming into Gotham Times and speaking with Manny.

Ramalama (Bang Bang) by Roisin Murphy: Max on her way to get her crime story.

Dream Girl Evil by Florence The Machine: Max writes her trash article of Mitchell on Nigma.

PUZZLE KING

New Light by John Mayer: PUZZLE KING texts Max at work.

New Heartbreak by sad alex: Max realizes she is catching feelings for PUZZLE KING.

Meet in Person

Make You Feel by Alina Baraz & Galimatias: Max invites PUZZLE KING to her apartment.

Boys by Lizzo: Max's panic before he arrives.

Destroyer by Panama: Max meets Edward.

Wake by Brightwood: Max and Edward's first kiss.

10,000

Meet Me At Our Spot by THE ANXIETY, WILLOW & Tyler Cole: Max and Edward wake up together and get ready for work.

Hrs & Hrs by Muni Long: Edward and Max's relationship lapse over two months.

The Bat Man

Supalonely by BENEE: Music playing on Max's stereo as Edward tells her about Batman.

Edward

Creep by Radiohead: Edward's inner monologue after confronting Mr. Stone.

DiE4u by Bring Me The Horizon: Max agrees to help Edward outside the Iceberg Lounge.

Cats in the Cradle

Do it by Nelly Furtado: Max arrives to work and is invited to Manny's anniversary.

Let You Down by NF: Max leaves her father at the diner and remembers how he left her.

One Drink

Scratch by Kendall Payne: Max's phone call with her mother.

What's Up by 4 Non Blondes: Max's intoxicated drive back home.

One by Three Dog Night: Edward remembers his lonely past.

Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez: Edward's internal monologue about Max.

Nebraska

Up From A Dream by HAIM: Max and Edward get ready for their flight.

That's My Girl by Fifth Harmony: Yumi makes her appearance.

Fell Right Into You by Jessie Farrell: They arrive in Blue Valley.

Dear Mother

What Can I Say by Brandi Carlile: Max and Edward speak to Yumi in the kitchen.

Chisaka Dinner

How I Want Ya by Hudson Thames: Max and Edward intimacy in the morning before interrupted.

Dead End Justice by The Runaways: Max recalling her Aunt Eiko

Stupid Prizes

Cool Blue by The Japanese House: Max and Edward in the hammock.

A Good Song Never Dies by Saint Motel: Edward hacks the Dayside Clinic login.

Jusfayu by KAMAUU: Max smashes Singh's vehicle.

Maneki-Neko

Terrible Love by Birdy: Max discovers her sister's killer has been found.

The Duet Operation

Everywhere I Go by Lissie: Yumi says farewell to Max and Edward at airport.

Ex's and Oh's by Elle King: Max arrives to Gotham Times again.

Fear In Many Forms

The Last Man On Earth by Wolf Alice: Edward leaves Max's apartment.

My Happy Place

Major Tom by Peter Schilling: Max's astronaut game flashback.

I Hate Everyone by Get Set Go: Max reluctantly goes to work.

Nightmare by Halsey: Max quits and digs for answers on New Beginnings Rescue.

Breath of Life by Florence The Machine: Cindy tells Max to 'go for the neck'.

Question Mark

All Time Low by Jon Bellion: Edward's fearful inner monogue.

The Night We Met by Lord Huron: Edward reminisces his time with Max.

Crystalfilm by Little Dragon: Max shows up at Edward's apartment.

Things That Spark Joy

Drumming Song by Florence The Machine: Max journals her and Edward's sexual connection.

Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root: Max and Edward clean his apartment.

Chasing Tornadoes

Ain't No Love In Oklahoma by Luke Combs: Max's childhood flashback playing baseball.

Way It Goes by Hippo Campus: Max and Edward in his apartment and talking to Yumi.

The Trial

What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish: Max's family on their way to the courthouse.

New Day by Kate Havnevik: Max prepares herself for Celeste's trial.

Celestial

Praying by Kesha: Dale Hewitt is sentenced to death.

The Next Chapter

I Will Be There by Odessa: Max and Edward in airport.

Thirty Four

Birthday by Katy Perry: Max gets ready for Edward's birthday.

The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson: Edward and Max banter before she steals his laptop.

edamame by bbno: Music in Max's car as she drives up to apartment entrance.

Planets and Stars

White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane: Edward starts to feel the effects of the mushrooms.

In My Head by Dub Fx: Edward alone in Gotham main square.

Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode: Edward dancing in bedroom.

Rebirth

Overwhelmed by Royal & The Serpent: Max and Edward's spiral of their relationship.

Let Me Down Slowly by Alec Benjamin: Edward and Max reconcile.

The Love Letter

Work it (Soulwax Remix) by Marie Davidson: Max drums up inspiration for her book.

The Monster Mash

Goo Goo Muck by The Cramps: The Sim's Halloween Party

Woo by Rihanna: Edward sexually overtakes Max.

Limelight

Come As You Are by Tennille Townes: Max's family's surprise visit in Gotham

Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat: Yumi dancing for Max's social media.

Villain

River of Tears by Alessia Cara: Max's sadness realizing Edward is breaking up with her.

The Riddler

Eye For An Eye by Mags Duval: Max realizes Edward is the Riddler in her car.

FACE OFF by Tech N9ne: Max buys new locks and digs for answers.

The Final Act of Love

The Horror of Our Love by Ludo: Edward carries Max to the vehicle to be taken from Gotham.

2004 Nissan Altima

I AM WOMAN by Emmy Meli: Max's flashback of her first car and first drive to Gotham.

Little Girl Gone by CHINCHILLA: Max drives back to Gotham after the fight with Edward's follower.

BOOM

Dum Dee Dum by Keys N Krates: Max speeds back to Gotham.

Day of Judgement

Featherfall by Minecraft & Aaron Cherof: Max reunites with Celeste.

Maxine

Timeless by Kate Havnevik: Max in a coma, Yumi waits for her to wake.

Trouble is a Friend by Lenka: Max clears her apartment of Edward, and learns to use her prosthetic.

To Build A Home by The Cinematic Orchestra: Max visits Arkham and sees Edward.

Cosmic Love by Florence The Machine: Max's last story of her healing journey.