chilord recently posted a snippet for batman beyond id like to know if there are any similar fics to it?
heres the snippet:
It was a sunny day, as a pair of teenagers walked down the street, their backs to the school that had just released. A sunny day, shining brightly and happily, upon the urban sprawl of Gotham. If that hadn't been an ill omen for the pair of teens, then the old man standing in their way, waiting patiently in front of them certainly was.
"Come along, boy, we have places to go, questions to answer, riddles to solve,†the elderly man in a bowler hat stated as he gave a look at the incredulous young man while tapping his cane impatiently on the side walk in front of him.
“Um, Terry? Are you getting passed around from one rich old geezer to another?†Max asked her best friend as then looked back at the now rather irritated looking man.
“No, Max. And I don't even know this guy,†Terry McGuiness insisted as he looked back at the man, “Look, sir, I think you have me confused with someone else.â€
“Ah, right, introductions, I had hoped you'd be more like the rest of your little clan, they'd at least have recognized me from the start,†the man half muttered in irritation as he lightly glared at the boy, “Really, that doesn't speak much about your deductive skills, though that was primarily the reason I'm even here.â€
“Sorry, but I have to get going, I have a job to get to,†Terry insisted as he started to walk away from the man with Max in tow.
“The name, Mr. McGuiness, is Nigma. Edward Nigma. And I am here on behalf of an... old friend of your predecessor, who expressed certain deficiencies in your skill set that your mentor has yet to correct,†the man stated as he lifted up his cane, revealing a curling cue of a question mark, “She was most distressed.â€
Terry froze in place, and suddenly, every inch of his body coiled and prepared itself as he smoothly pivoted and placed himself between Max and the man, his body half hunched forward like an angry beast, “Max, get out of here, now.â€
“Terry...?†Max glanced back at the man then at her friend, “Um, he's an old guy...â€
“So's Bruce,†Terry stated simply his eyes never leaving Nigma's exasperatedly bemused expression.
“Ah, right, I'll just be, you know... going then,†Max glanced warily at the man now as he inched away, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Nigma...â€
With that, she turned and almost ran away, reaching down for her phone before she was more than a handful of strides away.
“What do you want, Riddler?†Terry growled out as his voice darkened into a gravely rumble.
“Ah, well, at least you have the bat glare down, I'll give it a 7,†Nigma noted with a bemused chuckle, “And it's Edward or Nigma. I am quite retired from that life, both sides of it,†he paused before frowning slightly, “Or, at least I was until Selena decided to prod me into this little debacle.â€
“What the hell are you talking about?†Terry demanded, before his phone started to ring.
“You should probably answer that, he never did like to be kept waiting,†Nigma stated instead as he smirked a bit.
Watching the old man warily, Terry reached into his jacket and retrieved his phone. A quick glance at the ID on it, had him flipping it open and bringing it to his ear, “You ok?â€
“I was going to ask you the same question,†Bruce stated with a note of irritation in his voice, “Max called me. Put Nigma on.â€
“But...â€
“Now.â€
Glaring lightly at the phone, Terry reluctantly handed it to the man in front of you, “He wants to talk to you.â€
“Demands more likely,†Edward agreed with a roll of his eyes and a quick snagging of the phone as he brought it to his ear even as he leaned down on his cane, “Bruce! How wonderful to hear from you, you don't call, you don't write, you don't even play chess with me anymore!â€
“... What do you want, Edward?†The tone was both irritated and resigned with a barely repressed sigh that came with the start of a soon to be throbbing headache.
“Primarily? I want Selena off my back,†Edward stated simply, “You do remember Selena, don't you? Charming woman, had a thing for cats. The woman you should've married?â€
Terry was staring at the man as Bruce responded, “... And if I object?â€
“Well, then she moves down the list. Pamela has always been a great motivator. Your boy has already encountered Harley's grand-daughters from what I understand. If some hadn't poisoned his venom, I'm sure Bane would've been involved... Hmmm...†Edward tilted his head to the side in thought, “Of course, if all else really fails, she'll pull out the big guns.â€
“...†Silence met that statement, before Bruce slowly spoke. “When is she coming in.â€
“Oh, not for some time. She's in Bludhaven, catching up with little bird,†Edward stated simply with an entirely too innocent smile. “Why, she's thoroughly disappointed in you, not telling her about your... ssssuccessor. I think she even found herself a protege.â€
“You never just 'think' something, Edward,†Bruce stated bluntly before sighing. “Have Terry bring you to the house.â€
“Oh, my. I'm being invited to the belfry?†There was a slight mocking to the tone, before Edward paused and then glanced back at the phone, “That was pushing it, wasn't it.â€
“... Just get here.†And with that the line disconnected.
“Well, looks like you'll be playing chauffeur for another crazy old man, my boy,†Edward tipped his hat to Terry, “I do however, think you'll find me more... stimulating company. Do you like... riddles?â€
Terry had a feeling this was going to be a long, long drive.
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