Return to The City Of Scars

Shadow Play

Meanwhile, Ethan was sneaking out again. This time however- Cinder followed him. Cinder watched him get the keys to his McLaren. He left. And the moment he did, she grabbed the tracker for the car and slipped into one of the black company cars. She followed at a safe distance, almost stopping when she saw him drive into the Narrows. But wanting to know what he was doing, followed him. Cinder frowned when she saw him pull onto a gravel road. Parking the black company car, she followed on foot. She grabbed a gun from the glove compartment before leaving the car, making sure it was loaded before she ran after him. She vaguely recognized the area. Her grandfather had pictures of it in it's prime. Cherry's. Cherry herself had long since perished, but after Queen Lee took over she and her friend Tabitha- who had become the next queen- turned the old fight club into a sanctuary. Lee had been with Edward Nygma before she ultimately chose Cinder's grandfather. Despite Cinder not being a blood relative of Queen Lee- she could have had a claim to the Narrows throne, as Lee was her step grandmother. Cinder had gotten the history rundown from Ethan when she first moved in. Cinder followed her boyfriend as he crept into Cherry's. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to see in the darkness. A light turned on and she slunk back into the safe confines of the shadows. Cinder watched Ethan speak to the figure in the shadows, only to bite back a horrified gasp as the Queen of the Narrows, Duela Dent stepped from the shadow before Ethan.

Ethan walked into the abandoned fight club. He stepped into the moonlit room, "Your majesty." He called, "I'm here to discuss the plan." A laugh echoed from the shadows. "Ah, Prince Ethan of Gotham. I've been waiting for you." Queen Duela stepped from the shadows. Her green hair against her alastor colored skin making her look even more menacing. Ethan watched her every move, still somewhat untrusting of the demented young queen. Duela pulled a sheet of paper from her coat pocket, handing it to the Clown Prince. "Everything is arranged. The plan will be put into action the moment you contact me when everything's ready. Then, and only then- can we guarantee our success. Ethan read over the plan. "Seems simple enough," He said. "I'll just lower defenses here and then make sure the guard change is exactly at twelve forty-nine." Duela grinned, "Wonderful, I'll see you when the deed is done." 

Ethan was walking out of the dilapidated fight club, humming to himself as he walked to his midnight blue McLaren. He slipped into the car, starting it. 

"So, what's your business with the 'Queen of the Narrows'?" Ethan jumped, turning to the passenger seat to see Cinder sitting there, arms folded across her chest. Panick burst into Ethan's chest. "Cinder! I- It's just business, nothing for you to worry about." He chuckled nervously, backing out of the alleyway and beginning the drive home. "Ethan, don't lie to me." Cinder said. Ethan shook his head, "I promise you- it's nothing. And I'm not lying. I just can't say anything about the business deal. You know that." Cinder rolled her eyes, "That only goes for your other deals. Not ones with known terrorists." Ethan slammed on the brakes, jerking them both forward. "Listen to me Cinder." He murmured. "What I am doing with Duela is going to change some things. For the better. She's made me an offer I can't refuse. And because of my new alliance with her, I've kept it to myself to ensure nothing goes amiss. I want this deal, Cinder. If I don't get this deal, it puts a target on our backs. You'll have to hide for the rest of your life. I don't want to keep you trapped or locked away like a princess in a tower waiting for prince charming to set her free when it was prince charming who put her there in the first place." He put his hand on hers. He looked into her eyes, his emerald ones telling the honest truth, "Cinder. I promise, when this is all over- you will have your freedom. You'll be able to see your family again, travel- whatever you desire. All I have to do is keep a rock solid alliance with Duela. Do you understand?" Cinder's heart almost melted at his words, "Ethan," She cooed, "I love you. But I don't think I like this. Please. Please promise me you'll be safe doing whatever it is your doing and promise me that it's nothing bad." Ethan was silent. "Cinder, I can't promise it isn't bad. But it is necessary." Cinder's blood ran cold, "Necessary? What is necessary? Necessary for what?" Ethan kissed her, "I can't tell you. But I swear, it's for your own good." He moved to kiss her again when she put a finger up, stopping him. "Ethan," She said. "I think we need to take a break. Your not yourself. But sometimes you are, I'm so confused and I need some time to myself. I'm going back to Metropolis tomorrow. Please don't be angry." Ethan was quiet. "So that's it then?" He said, "Your leaving me." Cinder shook her head, "Just for a little while. I promise it won't be permanent, I'm just... I need time to figure out who I am. And that's something I need to do alone." Ethan kissed her again, pulling her close, his body shaking with sobs. "Please," He begged, "Reconsider." Cinder shook her head, a small smile on her face, "I've made up my mind, Ethan. I do love you, but I just need some time. I'll be back before you know it." Ethan shook away his sadness. "How long will you be gone?" Cinder shrugged, "A few months. Six at most." Ethan nodded, and started driving again. Not a word was said between them for the rest of the drive. 

It was late that night when Brianna returned home. Brianna walked in with a wicked grin on her face, the look reflected on her parents own faces. Brianna was making progress to weaseling her way into the Wayne family.