Free Falling: A Gotham "Love" Story

Chapter Four: "Brothers" At War

"Where'd it all go wrong?
But the list goes on and on."

(Edward's POV)

Penguin once asked me why I had gone to war with Crane, and I could tell by his tone that he had an idea already. That it was over the woman that we had both loved and that we had to fight this war to prove who's the better man for her. But he was dead wrong. Amelia wasn't the reason but she was the straw that broke the metaphorical camel's back. Jonathan and I were in a war of wit and overall superiority. The reason we came together was the reason we fell apart; we both wanted to take Batman down and prove that we had the superior minds of Gotham. And in a city like this, only one of us could do so.

"You're late, Penguin. Again."I say as he rushes into my office, slightly flustered and cheeks rosy from the cold winter occurring outside

"You're not my only customer, Edward. I do have business other than yours to take care of."Oswald says, removing his jacket and walking towards me

"Like Jonathan?" I ask, sneering at him and he throws me a look of annoyance

"No, he works with Falconè to get his weapons. He and I aren't as close as you seem to pretend to think. Now why did I have to be here at 8 in the morning?"Oswald says, sitting down

"Whatever you say Oswald. And because I have a plan to end this war once and for all. I just need something from you in order to do so."

"You're not planning to implode a nuclear bomb into Gotham right? Because that's the only thing that might actually be hard to obtain."

"No, of course not. Not yet anyways."I say, mumbling the last sentence

"What, Edward? Didn't hear the last part." Oswald says

"Nothing, Oswald. What I do need are someone who can infiltrate Crane's lab, steal his fear toxin and his formula. I would ask Selina to do it but she's currently busy with Batman and their "relationship" and she won't return my calls. So do you know of any other decent thieves in Gotham?"I say as Oswald rolls his eyes

"Maybe it's because she's still pissed that you used her as bait for Batman and lied to her- "

"That was just business, it wasn't like she was actually going to get terribly hurt. Plus that was two months ago, she can't still be mad about that."

"-But I could find someone that will help you. It's still my traditional fee, of course, but I'll be around when I found someone. Why do you want his fear toxin though?"He says

"It's the only thing that gives Crane power and the thing he thrives on is fear. If he is powerless, this war ends and I'm the victorious one."

"What if it fails? I'm sure you have a plan B."

"It won't fail. I've taken care of everything that can go wrong. And I'll make sure that the person you give me isn't a complete imbecile."

"Alright. If that's all you need, I do have another meeting to get to."Oswald says, standing up

"Hey Oswald" I say and he pauses
"Don't you miss her sometimes?"I say, looking at him as Oswald tenses up a bit before sitting back down

"Of course I do, she was my closest confidant and friend. Why do you ask?"

"I've been thinking about looking for her after this war ends. Maybe even convince her to come back to Gotham. I don't know what I would do if I saw her again though."

"You know Amy. She'll come back when it's time to. You know she had a perfect reason to leave town in the first place."

"Oh I didn't give her mother the toxin, Jonathan did. Nothing I did led to her death."