Jermemiah's gone insane

Part of this chapter is Based on Gotham episodes that old dead corpse and one bad day

Jeremiah POV

Meanwhile at my bunker Bruce is looking at a generator as I jot down a few things on a notepad. "Jeremiah I didn't think you'd get the generator working so quickly." Bruce says to me.

"You ready for a demonstration? Ok you hit that switch there and the facility will be disconnected from the power grid." Bruce does as I said and instantly the bunker is plunged into darkness. A second later the generator turns on and then all the lights and electrical items turn back on as well. In a way the generator looks like a giant bug zapper. Bruce looks at the generator in awe. "Ambient energy. No cables or wires of any kind. It's clean and stable. Harvested from microtremors and air density shifts. It's.... It's virtually without costs."

"And with the prototypes at Wayne Industries we could power all of Gotham?"

"You've kept this project a secret yes?"

"No one outside of Wayne industries knows it exists." Bruce replies.

"It's the ones who are closer to you that you have to keep your eye on. I know better then anyone." I reply getting closer to Bruce then going over to a desk I continue the conversation. "Arkham Asylem sent me Jerome's personal effects and amongst them I found his diary." I reply pulling out a notebook with an ice cream cone on the front. Opening it up I explain what I found. "It's a catalog of his fantasies and goals. Every twisted vision he ever had." With that I flip through the pages.

"Maybe you shouldn't spend so much time reading it." Bruce replies.

"He was obsessed with torturing and murdering Me, James Gorden and You. And if he had been just the least bit sane he would have destroyed us all and Gotham would be in ruin." I whisper trembling slightly. I go to turn another page in the diary but Bruce places his hand on it stopping me. I look up at him.

"Your brother is dead Jeremiah. It's time for you to come out of this bunker and join the world."

"Yes. Yes he's dead." I reply closing the diary. I still have trouble believing it." Bruce's phone vibrates and I look at him in concern. "Who is that?"

"It's just Alfred." Bruce replies answering it. After a minute Bruce hangs up. "Lunch plans." He says with a smile.

I look at him with a slight frown "that was a lie. Your lying to me Bruce?"

"Your right. I'm sorry." Bruce replies. "It seems some of Jerome's followers are causing trouble."

I pretend to let this news frighten me. "I was right..."

"No Jeremiah..." Bruce tries to comfort me.

"He's not dead. Bruce he's not dead. He's alive and he's coming after me." I reply panicking.

"Jeremiah easy. Easy. Your not thinking clearly. This isn't like you."

"Bruce. Bruce I need to tell you something. After Jerome died he left one final trap for me. He sprayed me with his insanity gas. Special mixture just for you brother he said." At this Bruce turns away from me as if he's thinking. "I can't stop seeing him. clawing his way out of his grave. Coming for me and even though I know it's not real, it feels real and I can't control myself."

"What if. What if I could show you that he's dead and buried?" Bruce replies turning back towards me.

"How?"

"We go there. To his grave."

"No. No no no no no no no." I reply panicking at the very idea.

"Jeremiah listen to me. Your brother took away your greatest strength, your mind, and turned it into a trap. But if you could see the reality you could be freed from that trap."

"You really think that would work?" I ask hopeful.

"I do." Bruce replies.

"Then I'll try. Your a good friend Bruce."

"We should also stop by the hospital and see if they would allow us to bring Bella and Quinn with us. They need closure this would give them that."

"Why are they at the hospital? What happened?"

"Quinn was shot and Bella witnessed it. According to the doctors Quinn is paralyzed from the waste down. As for Bella, she went into shock and is behaving like a toddler."

"Who shot Quinn?" I ask with a frown.

"I don't know."

"Bruce don't lie to me. If you know who shot Quinn you need to tell me."

"Quinn wouldn't tell Jim or Harvey who it was but Bella mentioned something about seeing the owner of the Siren's bar shoot her. However, Bella was in shock. She could have been mistaken."

"I doubt it. Come on let's go to the hospital."

Gorden POV

I had to get Lee to safety. "We are getting you and the other prisoners out of here."

"What were you trying to tell me earlier Jim?" Lee asks me.

"There's a van outside waiting for you." I reply pretending not to hear her question.

"Don't ignore me." Lee replies irritatedly.

"I just want to get you safe first." I reply.

"Come to the Narrows." Lee replies.

"What?"

"Where you can make a real difference in this city. You can make up your own rules about how to do it." Lee pleads with me. Before I have a chance to respond Jerome's followers burst through the doors.

Upon seeing me one of Jerome's followers who seem to be the leader snarls. "That's him. He killed Jerome. Gorden!!! Well well well. Look what we've got here. We've caught ourselves Captain James Gorden. Assassin of Jerome Valeska."

"Hi guys." I reply putting away my gun.

"Oh don't try to get chummy with us Gorden. We're going to carve you up."

"Yeah I wasn't taking to you. I was talking to them." I reply pointing behind them where Harvey and another cop are.

"Hay man you like to dance?" Harvey asks one of the followers as he shocks him with electricity. At this the guy drops his knives and I grab him by the coat.

"Let's you and me talk outside."

Jeremiah POV

"Hi my name is Jeremiah Valeska and this is my friend..."

"Mr Wayne. It's an honor. How can I help you gentlemen?"

"We are here to see Quinn Young and his sister Bella Valeska."

"I'm afraid that due to her recent behavior your sister isn't allowed visitors but your welcome to visit Miss Young. Her room  number is 345. It's just down that hallway and to the right."

"Bruce? Jeremiah? What are you doing here?"

"Jerome's followers are acting up and Jeremiah is worried that Jerome might still be alive. I thought it would help Jeremiah to see visit Jerome's grave. I thought perhaps that it would be a good idea for all of you to go to the gravesite together." Bruce replies.

"I don't think that's a good idea. Bella hasn't been herself lately. Seeing Jerome's grave might make things worse." Quinn replies a look of concern crossing her face.

"Quinn, I understand your concern but Bella needs closure. She needs to accept that Jerome is not coming back. You all do." Bruce replies.

Quinn turns to me giving me a pleading look "please don't put Bella through this. She's unstable enough as it is. This could push her further down the rabbit hole."

"Perhaps Quinn is right." I reply but Bruce shakes his head no.

"No. You all need to do this... Together."

"How are we going to get permission for Bella to leave the hospital? They have her under house arrest?" Quinn replies.

"Technically I own the hospital. Therefore the staff work for me. I should be able to get the doctors to agree to let Bella come with us." Bruce replies.

"And if they refuse to let Bella go then what?"

"Then I'll have to use more persuasive means to ensure her release."

"You mean your going to threaten their jobs?"

"I don't what to have too but if that's what is required then yes. Oh and I'll also threaten to involve the police."

Bella POV

I can hear the doctors talking to someone. They don't seem happy about this strange persons request. "I'm sorry Mr. Wayne but that is quite impossible. Miss Valeska is in no condition to leave the hospital."

"I understand that she is still dealing with PTSD but don't you think this might do her some good?"

"Welll.... I don't know...." The doctor replies hesitantly.

"Look I hate to play this card but either you release Miss Valeska into the custody of her brother or I will have to contact the police and terminate your contract." Mr. Wayne replies.

A little while later Bruce is leading me somewhere. "Let go of me! Me no like you. Me want me bwothea."

"That's who I'm taking you too." Bruce replies.

"You take me to Jewome?"

"Well... Yes and no." Bruce replies leaving me confused. "I'm taking you to your big brother Jeremiah and then we are all going to go visit Jerome's grave."

"What's a geabe?" I ask with a frown.

"Ummm.. Don't worry about it."

"Pooh Bea!" Bella practically screams pulling out of  Bruce's embrace and rushing to Quinn's side.

"Bella what did I tell you earlier? We use our indoor voice." The doctor scolds her.

"You not the boss of me." Bella replies sticking her tongue out at the nurse who frowns. Jeremiah chuckles his eyes sparkling in amusement.

"If your going to misbehave then I shall escort you back to your room." The doctor replies with a frown.

At this Bella hides behind Quinn and whimpers. "Me no wanna go back. They huwt me."

Jeremiah POV

At this, I frown. What did she mean they hurt her? The look on Quinn's face tells me she's thinking the exact same thing. "Bella? What do you mean they hurt you?" I ask kneeling down in front of her.

"Sir, she's talkings nonsense. We always have our patients best interests at heart." The nurse replies nervously.

Ignoring the nurse I wait for Bella to reply. "They make me dwink nasty stuff and they use a scawy debice that huwts." Bella replied her eyes filling with tears. "They called it eels.. Oh what's that wowd?"

"Electro?"

"Yes. They said it's called electwo shock thewapy."

"That's it we are leaving." I reply taking Bella's hand and turning to leave the hospital.

"Sir, I'm afraid that I can't let you take her out of the hospital."

Quinn can tell that I'm getting irritated as can Bruce. "Look I've already run this by the head of staff, so I'd appreciate it if you let us by without anymore fuss. Or do I need to be searching for a new doctor staff?" Bruce replies the doctor pales shakes her head no and then nods to the security staff to let us pass.

A little while later, we finally reach the cemetery. I'm still on edge. As Bruce is leading us towards Jerome's grave he tries to contact his butler. "Still no answer."

"Then somethings wrong. We should go." I reply nervously.

"He was on his way to your office. He will wait for us there." Bruce replies.

Upon hearing the snapping of a branch I pause. "What was that?"

"We are almost there. Just a quick look and we will leave." Bruce assures me.

"Bruce. Bruce." I reply catching up to him and standing in front of him. "I don't know if I can do this."

Turning to Quinn Bella looks at her in confusion. "Why he acting wike such a scawdycat?" Quinn sighs but does not reply.

"It's just a little further." Bruce replies encouragingly as he pushes Quinn's wheelchair. Once we reach the plot we find it empty. His plack reading Here lies Jerome Valeska. Second times the charm. Bella looks as the grave in confusion.

"This is the pwace Jewome is? Why Me no see him?"

"Oh God no. He's alive." I whisper upon seeing the empty plot. At this Bella's eyes light up in excitement.

"Jewome is alibe? Him not go bye bye?"

Quinn sighs sadly and then glares angrily over at me a frown on her face. "No Bella. Jerome has gone Bye bye."

"But Miah said..."

"I know what Jeremiah said. I can assure you, that he's wrong Bella." Quinn replies her irritation with me clearly evident.

"His followers must have dug him up." Bruce replies.

"I knew it. I knew it." I reply fake panicking.

"We have to get out of here." Bruce says but I'm way ahead of him.

Dashing off down the hill I yell "he's alive!" Bruce turns to see me dashing off and calls
after Me.

"Jeremiah! Jeremiah!" Bruce yells to me but I ignore him.

Jim POV

"Is he talking yet?"

"I don't know let's ask him." Harvey replied opening up the trunk of a car. "Did Jerome leave any other instructions?"

"I'll never..." When the kid doesn't start talking Harvey used his prod on him causing the guy to scream.

"Harvey. Harvey. Reporters buddy." I reply nodding towards the reporters as Harvey lowers the lid slightly.

"Alright this is how this is going to go. Your gonna start talking or I'm going to stop caring if you can talk you got it?" I reply as Harvey once again shocks the guy numerous times causing Jongular to scream in pain.

"Ok ok. I'll talk. I'll talk. It's too late anyways. They are already dead." Jongular replies.

"Who? Who are already dead?"

"Jeremiah and Bruce Wayne." Jongular replies with a giggle.

"You think he's telling the truth?" Harvey asks in concern.

"I don't know but I'm gonna find out. They are at Jeremiah's bunker. Can you hold down the fort here?"

"Long love Jerome! Long live Jerome!" Jongular chants hitting the trunk top causing Harvey to once again use the prod on him.

Jeremiah POV

"Jeremiah we need to leave it's not safe." Bruce calls to me.

"You believe me now? Jerome's alive."

"No. His followers dug him up. They are crazy. They are also dangerous and they might be nearby." Bruce replies.

"How can I trust you if you won't believe me?"

"You can trust me because I'm your friend."

Peeking out from where I was hiding I reply "I want you to be my friend Bruce. You don't know what it was like living underground all of those years. And then you came along and offered me everything I could dream of."

"Because I believe in you Jeremiah." Bruce replies. "We are gonna go great things for Gotham."

"We could. We really could. I thought we would." I reply.

"There's no reason to stop thinking that. All we have to do is get out of here." Bruce replies.

"First all we had to do was come to the cemetery? Now all we have to do is leave? See that's very confusing to me. So tell me again, Bruce why'd you really bring me here?"

"I thought it would help." Bruce replies shaking his head. "I was wrong, but we need to leave."

I shoot my gun in reply. "You think I didn't know what was happening? From the moment you suggested coming here?"

"Jeremiah..."

"Stop pretending to be my friend! I know what's really happening. You can fool everyone else but I know you made a switch. And you can't hide not even behind that new face of yours. I know it's you. I know it's you Jerome." Upon seeing the gun Bella begins to whimper and hides behind Quinn's wheelchair.

"Jeremiah what's wrong with you? Put the gun down. Your scaring Bella!" Quinn hisses at me but I ignore her.

"Jeremiah give me the gun." Bruce pleads and I shoot and miss him again in response. At this Bella let's put a scream. She begins to tremble.

"Turn around Brother. I said turn around!" I demand pointing the gun directly at Bruce. "You killed my friend Bruce. Now it's time to put you back in your grave. Walk!" I demand shoving Bruce forward. "Just a little further brother then you'll be back in your grave."

"Your stronger then this Jeremiah. You know these ideas are just the insanity gas talking." Bruce replies trying to reason with me.

"I won't let your lies fool me any longer!" I reply shoving Bruce forward. Once we reach Jerome's grave I pretend to act confused as I spot Jerome's body slumped up against his grave. What? What's happening?"

Bella rushes over to the body "Jewome? Jewome wake up." Bella pleads and Quinn sighs. Bella turns to Quinn a look of confusion and sadness on her face. "Why Jewome no wake up?"

"Oh. Bella. Puddin come here." Quinn says opening her arms pulling her into an embrace. "You know how when we go to the beach we find empty shells of hermit crabs?" Bella nods. "That's what that body is, it's just an empty shell. Jerome's not there anymore."

"Him come back?" Bella asks

"No puddin he can't come back that's what going bye bye means remember?"

"But he came back befowa why he no come back now?" Bella asks and Quinn sighs.

"It's complicated Puddin. Jerome's gone bye bye. We need to say goodbye to him. Ok?" At this point tears are streaming down both Quinn and Bella's face. I sigh in frustration.

"Me nu want too..."

"I know you don't. I don't either but we have too. We have to keep on living. If not for ourselves, then for Jerome's sake ok?"

Jim POV

"Bruce? Jeremiah?" I call out receiving no answer. A minute later, a tv monitory turns on and I stand in front of it. A picture of Jerome flashes onto the screen.

"Hiya Jimbo."

"Jerome."

"Ah don't bother talking to me this is a recorded message and plus, I'm still dead. Just more posthumous fun. Look I knew you'd see through all those shenanigans at the station. I'd given all my fans a script for them to follow. See? I wanted to bring you here. Oh?" Jerome starts to laugh and I feel a gun brushing up against my skull.

Jeremiah POV

"Now do you believe that I'm not your brother?" Bruce demands I turn the gun on him instead. "Jeremiah listen to me!" Bruce pleads. "Jerome's followers are doing this. Nothing else makes sense. He sent them instructions to torment you."

Keeping the gun pointed at Bruce I inspect the body. "A fake. Yes. I can see quite clearly where you cut off poor Bruce's face and stitched on your own. But.... I am a man of science so let's have some evidence huh?" I reply pulling out Jerome's knife and waving it at Bruce.

"Jeremiah stop!" Quinn screams to no prevail.

Jim POV

"Oh don't mind her. She's just here to ensure there's no talking during the movie and trust me your gonna want to pay attention. So the twist makes sense at the end." Jerome tells me while laughing. A second later I see two hands wrap around Jerome's neck choking him.

Deciding not to watch the rest of the video I attack the person holding the gun at me. Easily knocking the gun out of their hands. We fight for several minutes but I'm finally able to knock my opponent out. Taking off the mask I'm surprised by who I see. "Echo?" Turning my attention back to the screen in shock as a second Jerome appears on the screen chocking the other one.

"I tell you suicide really takes it out of a guy." I watch the screen in confusion. "Oh? What is this? Ah." Jerome smiles as he wipes his face.

Jeremiah POV

"Jeremiah do not let him turn you into him!" Do not let Jerome win this battle!" Bruce says as he holds me in a choke hold.

"Jerome beat me? That'll be the day." A few seconds later we are surrounded by some of Jerome's followers.

"No! No!" Bruce yells trying to escape their grasp.

"Long live Jerome!! Long live Jerome!" His followers chant. I groan in frustration they just aren't getting it, but they soon would.

"Jerome is victorious at last!" One of his followers yells and I frown shooting him in the head his blood splattering all over my face. Bruce looking at me in shock. Bella screams and tries to run but I grab ahold of her arm and pull her back to my side.

"Jerome victorious? Are you serious? He's dead. Haven't you been paying attention?" I reply taking off my glasses and wiping the blood and part of the cosmetics off my face. Kicking Jerome's body I shove him back into his grave. "I'm the one who's victorious." At this, Bella burst into sobs once more. "Shhh little one. Everything will be alright."

"Thank goodness I'm done with that. Jerome is dead. He is dead. Long live me. Long live me." Jeremiah said over and over again.

"Look Bruce, Quinn, like everything, Jerome set his mind too, his insanity gas failed. Other then some mild cosmetic effects, he might as well have sprayed me with water. You all needed to see Jerome for the utter dud that he was, so I donned the mask of madness to show you how feeble that is compared to actual greatness. Behold the face of true sanity. But looks aren't everything. I have a compendium of Jeromes obsessions and goals and I will out do everyone of them."

"The only thing Jerome ever got right was his desire to hide You away from the world. He didn't like anyone looking at you, not even me. He had similar ideals with Bella, but it was to protect her from the cruelty of the world. I will succeed where he failed. I will protect both of you from the world and it's evils. As for Jerome's plans, he wanted to turn Gotham into a madhouse. But to truly build something, you must first tear down what is already there."

"Think about it Jeremiah. Jerome's insanity gas has worked. You want to carry out Jerome's plans sanely? What could be madder then that?" Bruce asks.

"Bruce it's no use. He's not going to listen to reason." Quinn replies in a sad voice.

"Madder? Let's see. Here for example Jerome wanted to slather you in honey and have you eaten alive by corpse beetles." With that several of Jerome's followers chuckle. "Now that's mad. Me, if I wanted to kill you, I'll just do it. I'll shoot you in the head. Simply and sanely." I reply pointing the gun at Bruce's head.

"No!" Quinn screams trying to get out of her wheelchair. Luckily one of Jerome's followers hold her back so she doesn't fall.

"Miah scawy." Bella whimpers and I sigh. The last thing I wanted was for Bella to be afraid of me.

"Jeremiah." Bruce whispers.

"But, I don't want to kill you." At this Jerome's followers boo. "Are you going to listen or are you gonna behave like children?" I ask causing Bella to giggle for a moment. "See I don't want to kill you, because I want to show you how much I've changed things. How much we've changed things. Because I could not have done any of this without your help." I reply.

"My help?" Bruce replies in confusion and I smile.

"I feel very indebted to you Bruce. You see, those generators we built with your money, they work even better as bombs."

"Jeremiah what have you done?" Quinn whispers in horror. Before I can respond the generator in my bunker explodes. "That's one down. Jim Gorden is dead."

"No! No!" Bruce screams.

"Yes Bruce. Sorry but progress requires sacrifice."

"I'm going to stop you!" Bruce replies angrily.

"I really hope you don't try. I would hate to have to kill you. In fact, I can honestly say, that your my very best friend." With that, I hit Bruce over the head and he falls into the grave besides Jerome's body. A few minutes later, Echo and I and Bella are at Wayne industries. "Hello gentlemen."

"Hello Mr. Valeska. Is Mr. Wayne with you?"

"No Mr. Wayne but I'm not alone." I reply revealing Echo who shoots the two guards. Grabbing their badges we swipe to reveal lots of my generators. "Would you look that that. The face of true friendship. Let's load them onto the trucks. It's time to give Gotham its new face."

WC 4093

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