Gotham is a magic place

"Mein liebchen Cobblepot"

Oswald didn't live in the best part of the city, and didn't wear nice clothes like his classmates; the truth was that he and his mother couldn't afford a lot of things. But they had each other, and that was all that really mattered.

Many times Oswald used to get home with bruises or cuts, caused by the bullies of his school. For some reason Oswald always ended up as a target of their abuses; he was an easy target because of his short height.

-Mommy, why do all the boys in school hate me?

-They are just jealous, my dear, because they're normal, and you're special-she used to answer him every time.

He was special, a gift. But the others didn't know that, because they were stupid. Muggles were stupid.

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-Hey, Cobblepoop!

Oswald ignored them and kept walking.

-Asshole, we are talking to you, don't be rude. Didn't your witch mother teach you any manners? –said one of them, pulling on his arm and forcing him to face them

Bullies hardly ever attacked him near his home. Curiously today it was just four of them, but it didn't really mattered because they were the ones that beat harder.

These were Bill, Josh, Michael and Peter. They were in High school, but they enjoyed bothering and hitting him.

-I doubt very much that she taught him any manners, Josh. After all... he isn't human-said Michael in a mocking tone.

-Yes! He is a penguin! I bet that she teaches him tricks- exclaimed Peter, laughing.

-C'mon, penguin. Do a trick for us. Maybe-just maybe- we will be gentle beating you.

Oswald just stared at them, with contained anger. If only... If only he could control his magic just like his mother...

-So? What are you waiting for? Do something!-said Josh, pushing him,and Oswald tottered.

-You should feel brave, fighting four on one. Why is that? Do you want to feel superior? Oh, let me guess...-Oswald made a pause, as if he were thinking- I guess that the bruise in your eye, Josh, wasn't precisely because of a fall, was it? Oh, poor baby! Your daddy hit you again?

-You know, Cobblegoof? Your stupid mother should at least have taught you to shut up. But, don't worry; we'll do her a favor-said Josh looking at him with hate.

-Oh, boy, you're so dead-laughed Bill.

Michael punched him in the stomach, leaving him breathless, and then Peter pulled his hair and forced him to look at him just to hit him in the eye, harder.

Oswald hit the ground, sobbing, and covering his face with his hands.

-Did you run out of words? That's just too bad, because this hasn't even started- said Josh kicking his side.

Damned muggles, he could turn them into frogs!

Josh opened his mouth to say something else, but instead he started croaking, like... like a frog!

Oswald giggled, the boys were trying to talk but instead they only croaked, their skin turned green and they became froglike, until he had four noisy and jumping frogs in front of him instead of four young men.

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Once at home, he hurried to his room, carrying a box. He went in and locked the door.

- Mein liebchen, is that you?-he heard his mother asking.

-Yes, mom! Sorry, it's just that I have to study-he lied.

-Oh, ok, my love, study hard but not too hard! I'll be in the kitchen making a potion for your allergies-she said through the door.

Oswald rolled his eyes; he had had no allergies for five years.

He opened the box and smiled.

-It's pitiable for you guys to be in this condition, but the truth is that... you do not deserve more than this, I'm being, actually, merciful.

He turned around and opened his top drawer where he kept his socks, and from inside a pair of his socks he took a Swiss army knife.

-Well, friends, I suppose that the fun it's just starting, yay!-he unfolded his knife and turned to his guests- so, anybody wanna go first?

The bullies-frogs began to croak for their lives, literally.