Fic: Gotham - Chapter 2
Jul. 29th, 2007 08:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
starsandseaTitle: Gotham, Chapter 2
Rating: PG
Pairing: Uhhh... Gotham/Bruce?
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: The Prologue and Chapter One can be found here and here respectively. Betaed by the wonderful![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jen_in_japan
It was raining the night he... left. I could not believe it. He was leaving me! It was not supposed to be this way! We were supposed to be together forever, not separated and on opposite sides of the earth! I went with him as far as I could, as far as the boundaries would allow me. I was tempted to cross them, but I knew that if I did, the consequences would be dire. And not only for me.
Without me inside the bounds of the city, the buildings, the people, everything would die. After all, how can a city survive without a soul? Some have said that the city has never had a soul, but they are wrong. I have always been here, and I always will be. As long as someone, somewhere, remembers Gotham, then I will survive.
I knew that if I left the bounds, and went with him, then all would be lost. And I couldn't let that happen. So, I had to remain while he left. He left me. And I had never felt more alone. Always, in the few years we had together, I could sense him. He was always there, in the back of my mind. I like to think that he could sense me, too.
Those years he was away... were very hard on me, on everyone. I started to give up hope. And if I did so, how did my people stand a chance? Their prince had gone, abandoned them, and no one really knew where he was. They said that I was doomed. That I was cursed. For a while, I resisted because I knew that he would come back. But the years wore on, and he did not return.
I heard one of my people once say that if you believe in something enough, then it will come true. And I started to believe that he had abandoned me, and that I was doomed to slowly kill myself. You must understand, I was so scared. He had gone so suddenly, so quickly... and he didn't tell me that he was leaving. Oh, he had left before, but he had always come back within a few turns of the Sun at most. But, by that time, the Sun had turned many, many, times.
I did not think he was coming back. What scared me even more was that the bond that I had with him only worked within the bounds. I had no way of knowing if he was dead or alive. I was lost, and things got even worse for my people.
Then, one night--I could hardly believe it--I could sense him! At first, I thought I was wishing so hard for his return that I was only thinking it, but no. He had come back! I immediately went to his house, and I saw him.
He had changed. He was older now, taller, fully grown. He was moving with unconscious grace, his every sense alert. It was the way he would always move from then on. But his eyes... his beautiful eyes. They were the same. In fact, if it was possible, they looked even more ancient and aware than before.
I know he saw me watching him for he, once again, looked right at me. As before, he bowed his head slightly, but this time, he gave me a little smile as well. I smiled back. He was back, my prince had returned. And I was going to make sure that he never left me again.
*****
I watched him. He was, in some way, still lost. Although he had been away training and focusing his mind, he was not sure how he should proceed. The people started to slowly hope again. Their prince was back, and they needed him. Not as much as I did, though. Never as much as I did. But he... he was still lost. He knew what he needed to do, just not how to go about doing it.
I did not know how to help him. Things might have gone wrong if not for a errant - or maybe not so errant - bat that crashed through a window into a room he was in. I watched as realization took hold of him. Bats. He had to wait until the Sun came back to go to old well he fell in as a child.
I was with him as he climbed down to the very spot where he had landed before. Then, he turned, and crawled through a tunnel. I was ahead of him but he soon caught up. So, we entered the great cavern below the house together. He was awed by it. He had never known it was there. I had, and I knew that it had just been waiting for him to discover it.
There was a roaring waterfall that was letting some light in, but it was too dark for him to see clearly. He turned on a torch. I tried to warn him that he was not alone, but the exhilaration of what he had discovered overwhelmed him. He only had a brief warning before the bats were upon him.
He fell to his knees in shock and fear... but then something happened. He almost seemed to go... inside himself. Slowly, with his eyes closed, he stood. The bats were whirling about him, and... he opened his eyes. He had overcome his fear. I was so proud of him. This, I knew, was the beginning. Soon he would emerge, and the world would know he existed. They would know I had a protector. They would know I was not alone.
*****
The people were scared of him. At first, I could not understand why. But when I saw him at night, in his costume... Then I understood. They called him a urban legend. But more and more people started seeing him, both criminals and victims. And they started to hope. They had their prince, and they had their new protector.
The Dark Knight, they called him. None of them knew anything about him. They did not know who or what he was. What everyone did know was not to get on his bad side. If you did, you soon regretted it. The police, however, were not so happy. They called him a vigilante. They did not understand. But then, how could they? They did not know. I was the only one who really ever knew him.
Of them all, the one who came closest to understanding him then was a police officer. Gordon, he called him. This man trusted him. I was glad, but I must admit, I was a little jealous as well. I had been the only one to know up until then. I had been the only one who could understand him. But this man... he never really came close. His methods were too different from his.
So, I relaxed slightly. He was back and I was happy. Things stayed this way for some turns of the Sun.
But then he came.
The man in red and blue.
Rating: PG
Pairing: Uhhh... Gotham/Bruce?
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: The Prologue and Chapter One can be found here and here respectively. Betaed by the wonderful
jen_in_japanIt was raining the night he... left. I could not believe it. He was leaving me! It was not supposed to be this way! We were supposed to be together forever, not separated and on opposite sides of the earth! I went with him as far as I could, as far as the boundaries would allow me. I was tempted to cross them, but I knew that if I did, the consequences would be dire. And not only for me.
Without me inside the bounds of the city, the buildings, the people, everything would die. After all, how can a city survive without a soul? Some have said that the city has never had a soul, but they are wrong. I have always been here, and I always will be. As long as someone, somewhere, remembers Gotham, then I will survive.
I knew that if I left the bounds, and went with him, then all would be lost. And I couldn't let that happen. So, I had to remain while he left. He left me. And I had never felt more alone. Always, in the few years we had together, I could sense him. He was always there, in the back of my mind. I like to think that he could sense me, too.
Those years he was away... were very hard on me, on everyone. I started to give up hope. And if I did so, how did my people stand a chance? Their prince had gone, abandoned them, and no one really knew where he was. They said that I was doomed. That I was cursed. For a while, I resisted because I knew that he would come back. But the years wore on, and he did not return.
I heard one of my people once say that if you believe in something enough, then it will come true. And I started to believe that he had abandoned me, and that I was doomed to slowly kill myself. You must understand, I was so scared. He had gone so suddenly, so quickly... and he didn't tell me that he was leaving. Oh, he had left before, but he had always come back within a few turns of the Sun at most. But, by that time, the Sun had turned many, many, times.
I did not think he was coming back. What scared me even more was that the bond that I had with him only worked within the bounds. I had no way of knowing if he was dead or alive. I was lost, and things got even worse for my people.
Then, one night--I could hardly believe it--I could sense him! At first, I thought I was wishing so hard for his return that I was only thinking it, but no. He had come back! I immediately went to his house, and I saw him.
He had changed. He was older now, taller, fully grown. He was moving with unconscious grace, his every sense alert. It was the way he would always move from then on. But his eyes... his beautiful eyes. They were the same. In fact, if it was possible, they looked even more ancient and aware than before.
I know he saw me watching him for he, once again, looked right at me. As before, he bowed his head slightly, but this time, he gave me a little smile as well. I smiled back. He was back, my prince had returned. And I was going to make sure that he never left me again.
*****
I watched him. He was, in some way, still lost. Although he had been away training and focusing his mind, he was not sure how he should proceed. The people started to slowly hope again. Their prince was back, and they needed him. Not as much as I did, though. Never as much as I did. But he... he was still lost. He knew what he needed to do, just not how to go about doing it.
I did not know how to help him. Things might have gone wrong if not for a errant - or maybe not so errant - bat that crashed through a window into a room he was in. I watched as realization took hold of him. Bats. He had to wait until the Sun came back to go to old well he fell in as a child.
I was with him as he climbed down to the very spot where he had landed before. Then, he turned, and crawled through a tunnel. I was ahead of him but he soon caught up. So, we entered the great cavern below the house together. He was awed by it. He had never known it was there. I had, and I knew that it had just been waiting for him to discover it.
There was a roaring waterfall that was letting some light in, but it was too dark for him to see clearly. He turned on a torch. I tried to warn him that he was not alone, but the exhilaration of what he had discovered overwhelmed him. He only had a brief warning before the bats were upon him.
He fell to his knees in shock and fear... but then something happened. He almost seemed to go... inside himself. Slowly, with his eyes closed, he stood. The bats were whirling about him, and... he opened his eyes. He had overcome his fear. I was so proud of him. This, I knew, was the beginning. Soon he would emerge, and the world would know he existed. They would know I had a protector. They would know I was not alone.
*****
The people were scared of him. At first, I could not understand why. But when I saw him at night, in his costume... Then I understood. They called him a urban legend. But more and more people started seeing him, both criminals and victims. And they started to hope. They had their prince, and they had their new protector.
The Dark Knight, they called him. None of them knew anything about him. They did not know who or what he was. What everyone did know was not to get on his bad side. If you did, you soon regretted it. The police, however, were not so happy. They called him a vigilante. They did not understand. But then, how could they? They did not know. I was the only one who really ever knew him.
Of them all, the one who came closest to understanding him then was a police officer. Gordon, he called him. This man trusted him. I was glad, but I must admit, I was a little jealous as well. I had been the only one to know up until then. I had been the only one who could understand him. But this man... he never really came close. His methods were too different from his.
So, I relaxed slightly. He was back and I was happy. Things stayed this way for some turns of the Sun.
But then he came.
The man in red and blue.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-30 02:01 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-30 07:46 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-30 03:40 am (UTC)And, uh, oh, the last line!
Clark, be very, very careful.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-30 07:49 pm (UTC)Clark, be very, very careful.
Clark should be very very careful indeed...
I'm glad you liked it! Thank you for commenting! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-30 05:37 am (UTC)The man in red and blue.
Oh snap! And just when Gotham and Bruce were finally getting all cozy and teaming up with each other--Clark shows up! Ahh, I can't wait for the jealous Gotham in the next chapter (that must be there, yes? yes? ^_^). I mean, if Gotham is getting twinges of jealousy over Jim, one of her own citizens, then ... whew! Clark is in for a nasty surprise.
All in all, another great installment, Star! I love how you're weaving in details from Batman Begins, and showing the movie from the city's POV, as Bruce leaves, and then when he comes back and becomes one with the bats, and takes up his mantle as Batman. *grin*
And I loved seeing his post-training transformation through Gotham's eyes!
He was moving with unconscious grace, his every sense alert. It was the way he would always move from then on. But his eyes... his beautiful eyes. They were the same. In fact, if it was possible, they looked even more ancient and aware than before.
Ooooo *stares at Prince Bruce*
Oh, and the beginning was quite touching, with Gotham trying to leave her own boundaries to follow Bruce across the world. *pets Gotham*
Anyway, I do hope you continue to work on this! Again, it's a great idea, and I would love to see more. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-30 07:55 pm (UTC)Gotham is going to be jealous, yes. Clark is... not going to be welcome. lol
Ooooo *stares at Prince Bruce*
I liked that image a lot myself. *grin*
Oh, and the beginning was quite touching, with Gotham trying to leave her own boundaries to follow Bruce across the world. *pets Gotham*
Gotham would follow Bruce all over the earth if she could. *pets her with you*
I've got the next chapter typed up, and the next one written! I'm not sure what direction I should go next, but I think I know... anyway, I'm planning on posting the next chapter while I'm recovering!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments! They really brightened up my day. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-30 12:50 pm (UTC)>>So, I relaxed slightly. He was back and I was happy. Things stayed this way for some turns of the Sun.
But then he came.
The man in red and blue.
...for the win. :))
I think this is a lovely way of exploring Batman's connection with his city. Bravo, C. Can't wait for more...
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-30 07:57 pm (UTC)I've got the next chapter typed up, and the chapter after that written... I'm planning on posting the next chapter during my recovery, so not too long to wait. :)
Thank you for commenting!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-31 02:55 am (UTC)You know I loved this! I'm alarmed to see you took my advice on the ending and what that means for Clark! :)
The image of the spirit of Gotham watching over Batman Begins Bruce with the bats roaring around him is very intense and will stay with me a long time. I'm so happy to hear you've got more saved up for your recovery to tide us over!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-31 07:26 pm (UTC)That would be a really cool icon! :)
I'm alarmed to see you took my advice on the ending and what that means for Clark! :)
heh heh *evil laughter*
The image of the spirit of Gotham watching over Batman Begins Bruce with the bats roaring around him is very intense and will stay with me a long time. I'm so happy to hear you've got more saved up for your recovery to tide us over!
*dances* I'm really glad you liked it, Jen! :D And, yes, the next chapter is sitting on the hard drive with some other fics waiting to to betaed and then posted while I'm recovering! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-31 04:36 am (UTC)But I love the characterization of the city, this is a really cool POV you've got here. I like how she's a bit jealous of Gordon and definitely possessive of Bruce. It rings very true.
Looking forward to Superman's big entrance :)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-31 07:29 pm (UTC)But I love the characterization of the city, this is a really cool POV you've got here. I like how she's a bit jealous of Gordon and definitely possessive of Bruce. It rings very true.
Thank you! :) My Gotham is very possessive of Bruce...
I will be posting the next chapter soonish! :) Maybe next week, or the week after...
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-31 11:57 pm (UTC)I started to give up hope. And if I did so, how did my people stand a chance?
I love that notion! how the city dwellers reflect in their emotions and lives the emotions of the city. It really is a living entity, the whole, not just a spirit and parasites, but a whole organism that needs to be whole to survive!
This, I knew, was the beginning. Soon he would emerge, and the world would know he existed. They would know I had a protector. They would know I was not alone.
She's so proud! *mroooow* I love that scene, how she's looking at him while the bats fly around him. That scene in the movie was breathtaking, and your take on it was amazing. And she's going to flaunt him like a flag, won't she? Like she can't be hurt, like he won't allow it. What will she do when he starts failing, Star? It will destroy them both!! *whimpers*
This man trusted him. I was glad, but I must admit, I was a little jealous as well. I had been the only one to know up until then. I had been the only one who could understand him.
Ohhhh, possessive Gotham.. She's not going to like Clark! At least Gordon is one of her children, but Clark isn't even that! and stealing her Knight's attentions from her! !!! I really want to see how Gotham and Clark will interact. It was a lovely chapter, Star! I'm so glad the muse came out to play!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-08-01 07:28 pm (UTC)I love that notion! how the city dwellers reflect in their emotions and lives the emotions of the city. It really is a living entity, the whole, not just a spirit and parasites, but a whole organism that needs to be whole to survive!
Yes! Gotham affects the Gothamites! lol
She's so proud! *mroooow* I love that scene, how she's looking at him while the bats fly around him. That scene in the movie was breathtaking, and your take on it was amazing. And she's going to flaunt him like a flag, won't she? Like she can't be hurt, like he won't allow it. What will she do when he starts failing, Star? It will destroy them both!! *whimpers*
*dances* I'm really glad you liked that bit! :D And yes... I think Gotham is someone who insists that Bruce never does anything wrong. It's always other people. Never him.
Ohhhh, possessive Gotham.. She's not going to like Clark! At least Gordon is one of her children, but Clark isn't even that! and stealing her Knight's attentions from her! !!! I really want to see how Gotham and Clark will interact. It was a lovely chapter, Star! I'm so glad the muse came out to play!
Gotham does not like Clark at all!! You will see more on what Gotham thinks of Clark in the next chapter! :)
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Mina!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-12 01:22 am (UTC)You did an excellent job in your descriptions of Bruces early life and transformations.
Why have you stopped writing this. I must have more. This is really, very, very good.
I hope I get to read how Gotham deals with Clark. That will be one highly interesting POV. Please continue this.
A newbie
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-12 08:49 pm (UTC)Why have you stopped writing this.
I stopped because my Gotham!Muse us very very intense. She swamps my other muses, so I can only write little bits at long intervals. But, I do have the next 2-3 chapters written, and I hope to have the next one up soonish! :)
Gotham is not going to be happy with Clark. *hugs Clark and Bruce*
Thank you so much for commenting! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-10 03:29 pm (UTC)On to the next..
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-10 06:23 pm (UTC)There is definitely going to be some major jealousy!
Thank you for commenting! :D