Post by Kizuna on Mar 28, 2006 15:29:47 GMT -5
Yay for Spring Break because I get to write more. Particularly Jonathan Crane fics. I really needed a break from writing only about Jackson. (Jackson: Hey I thought you loved me!)
Anyhoo, on to the story!
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Title: The Light in My Darkness
Summary: Jonathan Crane reflects on his life, the torment he suffered, the corruption of Gotham, and his revenge.
Disclaimer: Batman and Jonathan Crane are owned by DC Comics. Jonathan owns me though.
It’s as though it’s an unwritten law- those born in Gotham really have only two ways to go; they can either be corrupt, money grabbing, murderers/rapists/thieves/etc. Or they can try fighting against the corruption. Those caught in the middle are left fighting for their very survival. They hardly come back out in one piece.
I knew which side I was on. I was seeking revenge. After all, living my whole life in this dump of a city was nothing but practical suicide for me to go through. Aside from petty criminals, I also had to deal with the ridicule of my peers. But I showed them. Oh yes, how I loved becoming the valedictorian of Gotham University, becoming head psychiatrist of Arkham Asylum while they were all stuck working in drugstores, getting pregnant at the age of eighteen, living in cheap rundown apartments in the Narrows, resorting to a life of crime to feed their families of eight children. Oh yes, how I loved getting the better life in the end, all because I actually took time out of my life to read and study.
And then, the hatred that had been boiling deep in my soul came into an actual form- the Scarecrow. Even I don’t when he came; the time of his appearance eluded me somehow. Even so, I had to admit, he had very great ideas of how to run my revenge upon the fools even deeper. I liked how he said I could literally frighten them to death with a simple toxin that would cause them to hallucinate and see their worst fears come to life.
I tested the toxin on a few people. I even had those opportunities to test them on my childhood tormentors. Ah yes, how I enjoyed their begging for the pain to stop. Sure, whatever I had left of a conscience would try nagging at me, but the enjoyment always surpassed the guilt. It was actually more like a watered down version of joy, but I was pleased nonetheless.
I felt the Scarecrow’s influence seeping into my mind, taking over it, but I really didn’t care. I knew my mind was being lost, thriving simply of the sick pleasure of scaring people. But I also knew I couldn’t keep doing it at the rate I had gone if I truly wanted revenge.
That was when I met him. Ra’s al Ghul had given me the offer of a lifetime. How could I not refuse? I got to use my toxin at its fullest, bring this dump of a city down on its knees, bring down my revenge upon the whole city for its negligence and cruelty, and wash away the corruption. I took the deal and I got all the test subjects and toxin I’ve ever needed. At the rate my men and I are going, no one can stop us, not even this “Batman.”
As I am right now, I’m walking through the Narrows to catch a taxi cab. I see a 12 year old boy walking by. He’s on the chubby side and rather shy. I don’t need to be a psychic to know what his life is like- his father physically abuses him, his mother is an alcoholic, his brother is in jail, and his sister is pregnant. They live in a decrepit apartment with no heating or electricity. He has no ambitions, no dreams and he's terrible at school. I can read his future, and I see just another insecure man, who beats his wife, is a drug addict, is a liar, is stupid and is a petty criminal.
It's a good thing I'm destroying this city and you, kid. I'm saving you, really.
Then again, perhaps there is some kind of hope. Perhaps Gotham isn’t beyond the point of saving. But I am past the point of no return.
And as I feel the beginnings of weak envy seep into what is left of my soul, I know that I have also been defeated.
Anyhoo, on to the story!
======================================
Title: The Light in My Darkness
Summary: Jonathan Crane reflects on his life, the torment he suffered, the corruption of Gotham, and his revenge.
Disclaimer: Batman and Jonathan Crane are owned by DC Comics. Jonathan owns me though.
It’s as though it’s an unwritten law- those born in Gotham really have only two ways to go; they can either be corrupt, money grabbing, murderers/rapists/thieves/etc. Or they can try fighting against the corruption. Those caught in the middle are left fighting for their very survival. They hardly come back out in one piece.
I knew which side I was on. I was seeking revenge. After all, living my whole life in this dump of a city was nothing but practical suicide for me to go through. Aside from petty criminals, I also had to deal with the ridicule of my peers. But I showed them. Oh yes, how I loved becoming the valedictorian of Gotham University, becoming head psychiatrist of Arkham Asylum while they were all stuck working in drugstores, getting pregnant at the age of eighteen, living in cheap rundown apartments in the Narrows, resorting to a life of crime to feed their families of eight children. Oh yes, how I loved getting the better life in the end, all because I actually took time out of my life to read and study.
And then, the hatred that had been boiling deep in my soul came into an actual form- the Scarecrow. Even I don’t when he came; the time of his appearance eluded me somehow. Even so, I had to admit, he had very great ideas of how to run my revenge upon the fools even deeper. I liked how he said I could literally frighten them to death with a simple toxin that would cause them to hallucinate and see their worst fears come to life.
I tested the toxin on a few people. I even had those opportunities to test them on my childhood tormentors. Ah yes, how I enjoyed their begging for the pain to stop. Sure, whatever I had left of a conscience would try nagging at me, but the enjoyment always surpassed the guilt. It was actually more like a watered down version of joy, but I was pleased nonetheless.
I felt the Scarecrow’s influence seeping into my mind, taking over it, but I really didn’t care. I knew my mind was being lost, thriving simply of the sick pleasure of scaring people. But I also knew I couldn’t keep doing it at the rate I had gone if I truly wanted revenge.
That was when I met him. Ra’s al Ghul had given me the offer of a lifetime. How could I not refuse? I got to use my toxin at its fullest, bring this dump of a city down on its knees, bring down my revenge upon the whole city for its negligence and cruelty, and wash away the corruption. I took the deal and I got all the test subjects and toxin I’ve ever needed. At the rate my men and I are going, no one can stop us, not even this “Batman.”
As I am right now, I’m walking through the Narrows to catch a taxi cab. I see a 12 year old boy walking by. He’s on the chubby side and rather shy. I don’t need to be a psychic to know what his life is like- his father physically abuses him, his mother is an alcoholic, his brother is in jail, and his sister is pregnant. They live in a decrepit apartment with no heating or electricity. He has no ambitions, no dreams and he's terrible at school. I can read his future, and I see just another insecure man, who beats his wife, is a drug addict, is a liar, is stupid and is a petty criminal.
It's a good thing I'm destroying this city and you, kid. I'm saving you, really.
Then again, perhaps there is some kind of hope. Perhaps Gotham isn’t beyond the point of saving. But I am past the point of no return.
And as I feel the beginnings of weak envy seep into what is left of my soul, I know that I have also been defeated.
Thanks for posting that!