Who: Eddie and NPC Arthur Brown When: Recently, the day after talking to Selina Where: Arthur's mansion~ What: seeing clearly Warning: violence, swearing
Eddie didn’t mind this slow collapse of perfect Gotham. No, he wasn’t crazy about the sudden spike in suicides or killing the dreams of the Kyle sisters. But, he was ready for the change. A couple night before, he had invited Stephanie out for a night of karaoke far, far away from her pretty dresses and lavish parties. And, it went well. It felt like how people were supposed to feel when they liked each other instead of simply trying to find the perfect combination to look good. Every day he believed more and more of what Harl and Pam told him and sometimes when he concentrated really hard he could see the Gotham skyline for what it was. A dark, dirty city made up of old and new wrapped together in stone and steel.
And, he loved that.
But, the end of everything he knew meant he had to keep tabs on people. Selina was the first because he knew she’d take it all harder than anyone else and Stephanie’s father Artie was the second. Eddie couldn’t explain the sinking feeling he got when he thought about Arthur. It almost made him want to just leave the old man to himself so Eddie could focus on fixing things with Stephanie. He couldn’t do that, though. Arthur had been so good to him his whole life and even accepted Stephanie dating him, so how could Eddie abandon the man like that?
Maybe it was a dangerous thing crossing town when the world was ending, but Eddie didn’t care. He found himself at the giant mansion that Arthur lived in just out of the main sweep of Gotham and rang the doorbell.
No answer.
Eddie looked up at the perfect white walls, the tall glass windows and the beautiful climbing vines. He squinted, focusing on a room with the light on, blocking out the rest of the world. A moment passed and suddenly that white paint was peeling, the windows faded with grime and the vines brittle and dead. Eddie inhaled sharply and then closed his eyes with a nod. Yes, that made sense. Arthur wanted peace and Eddie had a feeling reality was not so kind.
When he opened his eyes, the white mansion was back in all its glory and Eddie steadied himself. Another ring of the doorbell and suddenly the door burst wide open and a large hand dragged Eddie inside.
“Artie?” Eddie looked up at Stephanie’s father who was mountains of muscle even at his old age. Arthur Brown let go of the smaller man immediately and started to pace around the reflecting marble floors. The inside of the mansion was clean (albeit a little empty) and warm.
“You think you’re so smart.” Arthur said, bile rising in his voice as Eddie slowly tilted his head to the side in confusion. “But, you didn’t see. And, by the look in your eyes right now, I can tell you still don’t see.”
“I’m coming around, Artie.” Eddie said, face turning a little pink in frustration that anyone was suggesting he wasn’t smart enough to understand what was going on. “I’ve been told plenty! I just can’t-”
“Can’t see the world for what it actually is? Surprise, surprise! You think you can sweep in and take everything from me. You ruined a bank heist in a completely different city! You left me to die in Blackgate! And, you’re still with my little girl.”
“Whoaaaa buddy I don’t-” Eddie started, putting his hands up defensively. Artie practically roared back an answer, reaching for a nearby chair and throwing it at the little man’s head. Eddie rolled out of the way and backed up against a nearby wall. Hand reaching for something to defend himself with, an umbrella that made him think about penguins.
“I’m done, Nigma! I’m finished with this Gotham, with everything.” Arthur moved closer, fist raised to bash Eddie in the head before a sudden, loud PING! echoed across the room and tossed him back. Another ping and furniture started to warp and melt, paint began to crack and Eddie didn’t even have to focus to see that he was pressed against the dirty walls of what must have been an abandoned crack house.
“Help me understand. I’ve got most of the pieces, I just-” Eddie started, but Arthur was only interested in trying to attack him. Nothing got past the mother box shield, however and finally he gave up in another yell of frustration. Stunned, Eddie did something he never did, he shut the hell up.
“You’re going to see it soon. And, when you do, don’t let Stephanie get hurt.”
“What the hell do you care about Stephanie?” Eddie suddenly yelled back in matched fury before giving a confused meep at his own outburst.
“See? You’re getting there, you son of a bitch.” Arthur laughed like a man who knew his time was up and slowly staggered up the mansion steps. “Leave!” He shouted, each step heavier than the next as he climbed three stories up. And, Eddie thought about leaving. He thought about just running, but he wasn’t a coward was he?
Ping, ping!
Eddie found his feet and chased Arthur up the stairs, barely making it to the third story just as cold, sea air burst through a sitting room. One breath of the salt and the riddled man could see himself on a rocky coast, reaching to save the life of a woman that was plummeting into the waves below. He shuddered, pulling his coat around his body and watched as the room went from plush comfort to cold filth. The floorboards were suddenly covered in dirt and blood, the couch a disgusting orange color with cuts and marks along its body and the only light a half broken floor lamp leaning on its last leg.
“Arthur- please you don’t have to do this. We can figure things out- whatever problems the three of us have we can work it out. Please!” Eddie watched as Arthur stepped towards the balcony, pulling out a pistol at his side and breathing heavy like an injured wild beast.
A part of Eddie told him to let it happen. He didn’t have to watch Arthur die. Just make sure he was dead. But, then he could hear Stephanie’s voice, somewhere distant in the back of his head and the riddled man took off in a run. His hand reached out and a burst of multicolored light pulled Arthur back inside and twisted the gun into nothing.
And, then Eddie remembered everything.
Machina’s light rose up in the air and then fell like a transparent, shimmering blanket on top of Arthur, it’s warm hold keeping him to the floor. Eddie stumbled and then fell down next to him. Dark eyes bright with a rush of knowledge.
“What are you going to do with me?” Arthur said through clenched teeth, trying to break from Machina’s hold.
“Nothing, you monkey. I just saved your life.”
“I’ll do it again!”
“No,” Eddie started sharply and then sighed, running his hand through his hair. “For Stephanie? You won’t.”
A long quiet followed, Arthur stared up at Eddie as if trying to tell if the man was lying or telling the truth for once in his life and then slowly nodded.