I couldn't resist and part 4 is here.

Also, if any of you are reading this, I would like to know what you think so far of this alternate version. 

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It had been four hours yet Timothy hadn't returned from his trip to the Bowery.

Jonathan was pacing in his apartment, his headache long forgotten as his eyes darted to the clock on the wall now and then. What could have taken Tim so long? He should have been back hours earlier.

A sense of unease settled in his heart and his patience was wearing thin with all sorts of horrible questions making his head hurt worse than the headache he had been bearing with earlier. Had Tim betrayed him? Had he taken the opportunity to escape with a crate full of unprocurable chemicals? 

Or had he gotten stuck in a deadly situation himself, unable to return to the Narrows in one piece? The Bowery was dangerous and sending Tim alone was a bad idea, he couldn't deny that. Crane had enemies in that place and if they found out Tim was in any way associated with him, they would hurt him worse.

Perhaps they had gotten to Tim and that was why he couldn't return.

All those spiraling thoughts and the persistent headache made him vulnerable to the voices that raged on in his head. Soon enough, he heard the familiar scratchy tone of the Scarecrow, threatening to take over his consciousness.

"He ran away," the terrible voice roared in the silence around him, "you should have known better than to trust that boy. He was bad news, I told you already."

"No, he didn't... He has nowhere else to go."

"Did you forget what he did to you before you took him in? And a rat like him always has other places to hide in. You were an idiot for trusting him and you know that."

"No... He... He will be back. He must come back," anxiety dripped from his words as he took long strides in the living room, glancing at the clock fervently.

A spine chilling cackle sounded as if it was quite amusing for the alter to see the current situation, "In this city, everyone has a price. Perhaps he found his. Perhaps he was waiting for this moment from the very start. Taking off with the chemicals he couldn't possibly procure on his own and having immense information to give you up to, what, Batman?"

"Shut up... I am in no mood to put up with you too. So shut up!" He held his throbbing head in his hands, struggling to regain control and shut out that unwanted accusatory voice.

"You don't care for him now, do you? You only care about your chemicals. Yes... Our chemicals." That voice only seemed to get stronger the more Jonathan tried to make it stop. "And we need them to make sure the world fears our name... My name... You hear me, Jonathan? You can't stop me until I get what I want."

"Fine, I get it. But right now I have to find Tim so stop making my head hurt and stay quiet," he hissed, taking his coat from the stand and deciding to go to the Bowery himself.

But soon as he opened the door, he paused in alarm, seeing the familiar figure of Tim trudging up the stairs. He was weighed down by the heavy crate that he was pulling up and one look at his face was enough to deduce that he had been beaten black and blue all over.

"Sorry, I got late," Tim mumbled as Crane took the crate from him and carried it inside.

Before asking anything, Jonathan shut the door, looking out to check whether Tim was being followed or not. It was clear that he had escaped from a dangerous situation so it would be safer to ensure that his pursuers weren't after him still.

"What happened to you?" He turned back to face Tim who had weakly slumped on the couch. He wanted to check if Tim was okay or not but the boy didn't seem eager to let him examine his injuries as he shuffled away.

"I'm okay. A bit battered up but I will be fine," he mumbled, "I am sorry though for being late and for losing the medicine for your headache. The apothecarist gave it to me and said you'd get better if you take a spoonful each night. I just... Don't have it on me anymore. Sorry." 

Jonathan paused, slightly touched that the boy cared enough to bring medicine for him and despite the beating up he had sustained, he was more worried about messing up the task he had taken.

"It's alright. I am better now," Crane checked the chemical crate, finding everything untouched and safe. "But you need some looking after."

Jonathan fetched a first aid kit and some medical supplies for Tim but when he returned to the living room, the boy had passed out from exhaustion. 

"Don't tell me you actually care enough for him to do all this," Scarecrow's jeering voice shook him out of his thoughts and his face was set in a slightly hardened look.

He didn't care. He just wanted Tim to be functional enough for working with him on the next batch of his toxins by the next day. And that couldn't be possible if he was hurt and in pain.

He still didn't know what happened for him to end up in that state though. So he made it a point of asking him later when he woke up.

Carefully, he removed the coat and saw the fresh bruises that had been inflicted not long ago including the deep handprints on his throat. He sighed softly, adjusting his spectacles on the bridge of his nose.

It would take some time to patch Tim up. It was a wonder how he had managed to escape and still brought the chemicals back.

***

Batman had heard rumors about the Scarecrow having an apprentice so when he had seen that scrawny little kid in the bowery with a huge crate, he had suspected it was the same kid. He knew that boy from somewhere as his features felt somewhat familiar but he couldn't quite place a finger on where he could have seen him.

Questioning the thugs who were ganged up on the kid confirmed his assumption. They too believed the curly haired boy was Scarecrow's ward and their explanations of syringes full of toxic chemicals that the boy had used for his defense further solidified that.

The strange thing was that despite escaping Arkham, Scarecrow hadn't done anything outrageous yet. It was almost as if he had stopped taking pleasure in tormenting people with their fears.

Or perhaps he was working on something much deadlier than before and was waiting for the right time to unleash that horror.

Whatever the reason, Batman had to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Leaving an impressionable young child with a criminal of Scarecrow's caliber was dangerous. He could influence the boy into following his path and that wouldn't end well for anyone.

So Bruce thought of putting a stop to it. First he needed all information on the boy so that he could properly approach Crane and ask him to give him up. Then he had to make sure the boy was put in a safe place and provided with everything he could need for a normal life.

It was probable that child had no one or else why would he be running errands for the former psychiatrist? Or it could be that Scarecrow was holding him hostage and he was unable to flee due to some threatening condition, forced to run errands for him such as fetching the chemicals from the Bowery.

He remembered that the boy was frighteningly weak, his skin holding onto his bones and making him look more like a skeleton. Perhaps he was being starved.

Intent to save the boy from the criminal's clutches, Batman began to keep a close watch on the teenager with dark curly hair and dull blue eyes.

He traced him to that apartment in the Narrows that he knew belonged to Jonathan Crane. But there was no sign of Crane, only that boy ever came out.

He learned his name was Tim once when he was talking to his neighbor Miguel. Having that lead, he dug out all the Tims in Gotham but what was revealed from that investigation shocked Bruce.

The boy's features matched with an impossible contender; Tim Drake, the only son of Jack and Janet Drake.

On the records, Timothy Drake died in a car crash three years ago yet he was very much alive and working for the Scarecrow apparently.

It made sense now why Bruce found him familiar, he had seen him at galas with his parents. But that Tim was very different from the living corpse he had encountered a few days ago. And if Scarecrow was responsible for that drastic change then he was in for a lesson.

Little did Batman know that Jonathan Crane had nothing to do with Tim's malnourished state, it was all an effect of living on his own in a basement for two years.

With all the information he needed, Bruce decided to act upon it and one night, he went to that apartment in the Narrows with the sole intent of freeing Tim from Jonathan's imprisonment.

But he wasn't ready for what was in store.

He rang the doorbell and Tim opened the door, all bright and cheerful, very unlike someone being kept hostage.

Seeing him at the door, however, that enthusiasm faltered.

"Mister Batman...? What brings you here...?"

"I want to speak with Jonathan Crane, is he inside?"

"Boy, who's at the door?" Jonathan's voice confirmed that he was indeed inside.

"Um, well a scary dude in a bat costume. Ring any bells?" Tim grimaced, knowing he couldn't possibly shut the door at the vigilante's face, that would result in the door being broken.

At that remark, Jonathan seemed to have left whatever he was doing and came to the door, his features drained of color. Seeing Batman in the doorway, he could only assume the worst.

But he quickly got in charge of himself, that slight indication of worry vanishing from his face.

"What do you want?" He asked in a relatively calm tone, eyeing the threat on the door cautiously.

"I want to talk about Timothy and why you're keeping him here."

He pinched the bridge of his nose, keeping his emotions neutral as he said, "come inside then. Unless you're planning on the whole building to listen."

Tim faced Jonathan with large shocked eyes, silently asking him why he was letting in the Dark Knight. But Jonathan didn't reply just yet, his mind occupied by a hundred thoughts about what could Batman possibly want to talk about regarding his apprentice.

"I'm not keeping Timothy. The boy is living here on his own free will," Jonathan replied to his earlier remark.

However, Batman did not look convinced by that.

"Yes, totally," Tim chimed in, "Are you thinking the Doc kidnapped me? Oh dear, that's definitely not what happened. But you won't believe if I told you what happened either so let's just say the Doc was kind enough to tolerate me so here I am..."

Jonathan shot Tim a glare, letting him know that he was oversharing.

"Oops, sorry, I shouldn't butt in while the adults are talking," Tim smiled apologetically, "carry on please, I'll pretend not to exist."

Bruce was baffled by his behavior. He was too much at ease for someone being kept against their will. Perhaps Crane was right and he was not held hostage.

"What do you want to talk about?" Jonathan asked, shaking Batman out of his thoughts, "I'd rather you make it quick then leave. We don't have all day... Or night."

"I know you escaped from Arkham but I didn't put you back in because you didn't do anything offensive so far. But you can't keep running forever. The law will catch up with you, and you'll have to return to your cell. For now, I haven't done anything to convict you, but then even I won't be able to help you."

Jonathan stiffened upon hearing that. But he was defiant as he replied, "I've managed just fine on my own. I don't need your help."

"You don't. But what about Timothy? Why are you keeping him here and depriving him of a chance he could have at a normal life?"

"Normal? What do you know about normal, you who dress up like a bat to beat people up!" He seethed, an inexplicable surge of her rising inside him at the prospect of Tim being take away.

Batman's expression remained unwavering but he could not understand what bound those two unexpected souls together. Tim didn't look like he wanted to leave either.

What exactly was going on?

"You know what I am talking about, Crane. Sooner or later, you'll have to answer for your crimes. But Timothy doesn't have to be caught in the crossfire. I can offer him a safe home, education, a family. He deserves to have that."

Tim shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension between the two men who were arguing because of him.

Crane was opposing Batman's offer so far, "And what makes you think I would ever trust you with him? To mold him into your image of justice so that he ends up like one of your Robins?"

The words were piercing and it was no help either that Batman had very recently lost Jason Todd, the second Robin, due to the Joker. But he had to keep calm, he couldn't let the Scarecrow get away with exploiting his weaknesses.

"This is not about me," his voice was stoic and the words were harsh but he said it anyway, "It's about Tim. He deserves a choice, a chance to be more than the apprentice of a criminal."

The expression on the former psychiatrist's face was unreadable but his clenched fists and stiff demeanor gave way to show his conflict.

He knew Tim deserved all that he couldn't provide for him but was he really willing to let his apprentice go?

Crane's gaze flickered to Tim, who stood silently, absorbing the weight of the conversation.

"Tim, what do you want?" Much to Batman's surprise, he asked the boy instead, his tone softening slightly.

"Me?" It seemed that Tim wasn't expecting the question either.

"Yes, what do you want?" Batman asked in a gentle tone, reminding himself that he was still just a child, "You can have a better life, protection, and guidance. You don't have to live in the darkness anymore."

"Well, what if I prefer the dark?" He remarked after pondering on his words and Bruce paused, judging his response carefully. "Mister Batman, I lived in the dark of my basement for two years. It's all I've known. I don't think I can go back to a normal life after that."

"We can give you all the help you need-"

However, he didn't let him finish his sentence, "No, thank you. I'm fine right here with Doctor Crane. And before you ask, no, he's not threatening me to stay here. I can leave whenever I wish, I just don't want to leave. I appreciate that you were concerned and went out of your way to try and give me the chances I deserve but thank you very much, I have made my decision."

His words were polite but firm, indicating that he wouldn't change his mind.

Jonathan was not expecting that but hearing Tim reject Batman's offer made him feel torn between guilt and slight relief. Was he holding the boy back from a chance at redemption he could never have himself?

But there was no way anyone could force Tim. If he made up his mind, he stuck with it.

"You heard the boy. He's made his choice," Crane remarked instead, his hand gently resting on Tim's shoulder.

Batman nodded, his disappointment masked by the cowl. "I won't force him. But I will be watching you. Both of you."

Crane didn't reply but Tim couldn't keep silent for long, "Wait, is that a threat?"

"A warning," the vigilante added, turning to leave.

After he was gone, Jonathan let go of Tim's shoulder, a weary sigh escaping him as he slumped down on the couch,  holding his head in his hands.

"Are you okay, Doc? Shall I get you some water?" The concern was very evident in the boy's tone. It made him think whether he really cared for him or not.

"No... I'm fine..."

"You know, I always find it weird how Batman thinks he's entitled to bring justice to this city," Tim resumed, his chatter as always filling up the silence in Jonathan's apartment, "Like how he always jumps at any opportunity to save people, whether or not they need saving is a whole other topic. You think that's a mental condition or something?"

He was genuinely curious so Crane mumbled, "I'd call it a hero complex."

"Ooooh interesting."

But before Tim could start talking further about it, Jonathan looked up, meeting the boy's large blue eyes, "Tim... Why did you choose to stay?"

"What do you mean why?" He chuckled lightly, "you think I was going to leave you this soon? I'm not leaving until you've taught me everything you know, Doctor Crane."

While he had tried to pass it off as a joke, Jonathan couldn't overlook that Batman's offer had quite some advantages but Tim rejected it. "You could live with a family much better than your parents. You could have had a better home, go to school, do things kids your age do. Why stay here with me instead?"

Tim picked up on the sense of insecurity behind those words and his expression softened in empathy. "Well, Doc, I'm scared of families after what mine did to me. Not taking that risk ever again."

"Oh... Right..."

Tim tried to lighten the atmosphere as he cheerfully remarked, "Plus I'm the one who makes the offers, remember? Why would I accept Batman's offer then?"

A faint smile flickered on Jonathan's face at last. "And Batman thought I was keeping you hostage."

"I know right?" The boy chuckled, eyes sparkling with glee, "He would never believe it even if I confessed the truth myself."

In that short amount of time, Jonathan had gotten used to Tim's presence around him. His cheerful behavior, witty jokes and his company overall brightened his dull life.

Perhaps Scarecrow was right. He was becoming too fond of that devilish boy. Whether or not that was a good thing was a question he didn't care about at the moment.

***

So that's all for the Diabolical AU one-shots until I get more ideas to continue it. I look forward to your comments and do let me know whether you liked the alternate version or the original story more.

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