3rd Person P.O.V.

2 weeks after Pink Diamond returned to Earth.

Steven and Pink are watching TV together. Greg is at the carwash doing his job. Of course, he doesn't really need to work at that place anymore but he enjoys it.

Steven had asked Batman to send in more of those tapes he has from his suit camera. After five days after he sent him the one about Riddler, an entire box of them was left on the welcome mat with a Batarang on top of it. This was like Christmas to him.

Watching Gotham Gazette is nothing compared to Batman's suit camera. They can see the action right away instead of watching reporters discuss about it for 15 minutes. There was a lot of them and they each were labeled specifically.

(Steven) "Enigma Data Handler 13," "Enigma Data Handler 17," "Bane," "Killer Croc." There's a lot of stuff here.

(Pink Diamond) Put some of them in.

Steven put the one that said "Enigma" on it.

(Steven) That name sounds familiar.

The TV played a video.

[TV] Enigma, where are you?

[TV] I'm right here. Well, figuratively speaking anyway. Disappointed I didn't choose to meet up in person?

[TV] What's this about? Sionis hire you to throw me off his trail?

[TV] Think of me as an information broker. I've got data handlers everywhere, feeding me all kinds of interesting stuff.

[TV] And you think this will destroy Gotham?

[TV] Oh, yes. You see, broken bones and bullet wounds will eventually heal. But incriminating photos? Videos? Emails? That kind of damage can never be repaired. Tomorrow morning, when I release everything I've got, this city's going to collapse. Resignations. Arrests. Deaths. It'll be chaos in the streets, Batman! And there's not a thing you can do to stop me!

They could see Batman's perspective (meaning the camera is in first person). He walked to the equipment but it suddenly had electricity running through it and it shocked him back.

[TV] I figured you'd try and get all caveman on my equipment. It's password protected, I'm afraid, with 10,000 volts of electricity. You've lost, Batman. Might as well head home and get some rest. With everyone's deepest, darkest secrets about to go on public display, I've got a feeling tomorrow's going to be a very busy day for you.

[TV] One way or another, I'm shutting you down.

They've noticed his voice sounded a little deeper than it was today. This tape was dated almost a decade ago. Steven just remembered that Bruce is 37 right now, and if this tape was ten years ago, he would be 27 at the time.

And the day was December 24th,  Christmas Eve. That was the night of Christmas Eve, and that was Bruce's second year as Batman. The tape ended.

(Steven) Wow, he's been Batman for almost 12 years.

(Pink Diamond) Put another tape in. I wanna see more!

Steven saw more tapes about Enigma.

(Steven) Oh, I think I know who that was. It was Riddler! You know, that guy who wears a green suit.

(Pink Diamond) I figured that was him because of the voice.

(Steven) And these tapes say data handlers on it. Those must've been the ones he said.

He puts one in.

[TV] Let me go! Get off'a me!

[TV] Enigma's data, where'd you hide it?

[TV] Okay, you win... I'll show you...

Then he got knocked out with a punch. Steven puts in another tape.

[TV] Enigma's extortion data, where is it?

[TV] If I tell you, you'll let me go?

[TV] No promises. Talk!

[TV] Okay. They're close by. I'll show you where.

Knock out punch.

(Steven) I guess he doesn't take chances on letting them walk away without being unconscious.

He puts in another tape.

[TV] Do your worst, I ain't talkin'.

[TV] I suggest you reconsider.

[TV] Not worth it, man. Not worth it...

They both saw his clenching on his throat, he was choking him a little.

[TV] Fine, you win. I'll show you... I'll show you where I stashed it...

Then, he got knocked out. Next tape.

[TV] Enigma hired you to collect dirt on someone. Where's the data you found?

[TV] Y-you got nothin' on me. Y-y-you can't prove that...

[TV] I don't need to... NOW WHERE IS IT?!

They flinched at his outburst.

[TV] Don't! Don't! I'll talk... I'll talk!

He knocked him out. Both of them were equally as shocked. Steven had never heard Bruce shout, not like that.

That tone and type of outburst felt familiar to Pink, almost as if she seen it before.

(Steven) Mom?

(Pink Diamond) Y-yes?

(Steven) Are you okay?

(Pink Diamond) I'm fine... I just wasn't expecting that.

(Steven) I wasn't either.

Steven took the tape out.

(Steven) Maybe let's watch something else.

He went through the tapes.

(Steven) How about this?

He showed a tape named "Electrocutioner."

(Steven) I always wanted to know how Bruce defeated him.

He puts the tape in and say next to Pink.

[TV] I'm looking for Black Mask. Where is he?

[TV] I'm not here to talk! I'm here to kick your ass!

[TV] This is your last chance.

[TV] This fight will end in two hits. Me hitting you, and you hitting 50,000 volts.

Batman approached him and gave him a kick in the face. He was out cold after that. Steven and Pink laughed their heads off.

Big talk from a guy who goes down with a hit.

[TV] Who wants to show me where the Penguin is?

Steven took out the tape.

(Pink Diamond) That was funny. It reminds me of the time Yellow punched a hole in the wall because she got tired of the look.

(Steven) Really? Go on.

(Pink Diamond) When the designed finished the wall, they accidentally messed up the pattern on it and it angered Yellow greatly. Me and Blue constantly teased her about it until one day she punched a hole into it and the entire wall came down. And all she said was, "there, it's gone." I could tell she felt satisfied from doing that.

(Steven) Any other funny stories?

(Pink Diamond) Oh, there's tons. There's one about Blue accidentally falling down the stairs because of her robe. And the time Yellow made a mistake in her court. And also the time White refused to attend a ball because of her look.

(Steven) I wanna hear them all!

(Pink Diamond) I can't possibly tell you all of them, I could go on for days.

(Steven) Just tell me a few.

(Pink Diamond) Well, if you insist...

Hours later

To make short of what happened, Blue was ready to attend a meeting but her robe was too long which caused her to step on it and trip her, and then her falling down the stairs. Yellow made a grammer error in her report and Blue and Pink laughed at her in her court. And White, one time, spilled mascara on herself and it was only a few minutes until the ball started, she was absent, but the three Diamonds knew why.

(Steven) (chuckles) It sounds like the Diamonds aren't as perfect as they wanted to be.

(Pink Diamond) That was in the past, and now they are perfect. Well, almost. Oh, that reminds me, I have to go to Homeworld today to talk with the Diamonds.

(Steven) Can I come with?

(Pink Diamond) Sure.

He holds her hand and they walk to the Warp Pad.

On Homeworld

They Warped to the Palace. Steven and Pink are still holding their hands. It wasn't long when the other three Diamonds showed up.

(Blue Diamond) Pink, you're here!

(Pink Diamond) I was only gone for 14 days. That's nothing to you three. And I'm here to discuss about the gems who came back here after they were cured.

(White Diamond) Right. We appear to have a little bit of maximum capacity in the spare spires we are holding them in.

(Pink Diamond) Where are you keeping the excess amount?

(Blue Diamond) Well...

(Yellow Diamond) Your room.

They expected Pink to be upset.

(Pink Diamond) Okay.

(Blue Diamond) You're not annoyed by us using your room?

(Pink Diamond) Why would I? I don't live here anymore.

She unintentionally striked the Diamond's hearts. They hoped she'd change her mind and decide to live at the Palace, but she still refuses.

(Blue Diamond) O-oh, right...

(Yellow Diamond) (clears throat despite not having one) Do you have the little society planned on development?

(Pink Diamond) You mean Little Homeworld? Of course. We're just gathering the materials to start construction.

(White Diamond) When would this construction be complete?

(Pink Diamond) We don't have a lot of builders, so it would take months to build.

(The other three Diamonds) M-M-Months?!

(Pink Diamond) Yes.

(White Diamond) That is outrageous! We cannot possibly keep them there for months! How do you expect--

(Yellow Diamond) Those gems could volunteer to help build the society. Would that speed up the process by any chance?

(Pink Diamond) Well, sure. With all or most of those gems working constantly, it shouldn't take more than a week to build.

The Diamonds sighed in relief.

(Blue Diamond) Then it's settled. We'll have the gems come over to Earth to help the construction.

(Pink Diamond) Great, then we'll be on our way.

(White Diamond) So soon?

(Pink Diamond) Yes. We came here to talk, and now we're done.

Steven could tell that the Diamonds looked heartbroken. They may have been evil, but all they wanted was Pink back. Steven spoke.

(Steven) Well, maybe we could stay the night.

(Pink Diamond) What?

(Steven) Come on, Mom. The Diamonds look upset. I know they were bad, but we should spend a little time with them. They deserve some closure.

The Diamonds were taken aback by Steven wanting to cheer them up. Is it possible for a human to hold such compassion?

(Pink Diamond) Okay, fine. But where would you sleep?

(Steven) I could sleep on the ground. Maybe a little more comfortable ground like a carpet.

(Blue Diamond) You two can be in Pink's room. We'll figure some place out for those gems in a moment.

(Steven) Okay. Oh, we should share memories.

(Yellow Diamond) What do you mean?

(Steven) You four should tell each other about all the good times you had. I'm sure there's some times where you all had fun.

(Blue Diamond) There was the time when Pink sang songs under water and we tried to guess the song.

(Yellow Diamond) Or how Blue accidentally halted her ship in the wrong spot and almost caused an incident.

(White Diamond) And I suppose my first time at Pink's ball.

(Steven) I wanna hear them all!

(Blue Diamond) I'll tell mine first.

Blue Diamond's memory:

(Blue Diamond) Is it Why So Blue?

(Pink Diamond) [Incoherent singing]

(Yellow Diamond) What's The Use of Feeling Blue?

(Pink Diamond) [Incoherent singing]

(White Diamond) My Little Reason Why?

Pink nods and swam up.

(Pink Diamond) (spits water) You got it.

(Blue Diamond) How did you know?

(Yellow Diamond) Did you cheat again?

(White Diamond) There's nothing to prove that I did.

(Blue & Yellow Diamond) She cheated.

Pink giggled.

(Pink Diamond) To be fair, it's one of the only ways to hear me clearer when under water.

(Yellow Diamond) The day White doesn't cheat will be the day I fail a colony.

(Blue Diamond) Which means never.

(Yellow Diamond) I think they got it, Blue. No need for an explanation.

End of Blue Diamond's memory:

Everyone chuckled.

(Steven) Did she do that everytime?

(Yellow Diamond) Everytime. Ever since White figured out she can read the minds of others, she's relied on it forever.

(White Diamond) You would too, if you had such power.

(Blue Diamond) She's not wrong. Who wouldn't use a power like that to win a game?

(Yellow Diamond) Those with integrity.

(Pink Diamond) I'm glad she did. Otherwise, I'd probably never leave the water. I hated the taste Blue's water leaves in my mouth.

(Yellow Diamond) Shall I tell the tale of Blue Diamond's accident?

(Steven) Please do.

Yellow Diamond's memory:

Yellow had arrived at the top of the center tower in all of Homeworld. It's the second highest place in the planet, with White's head being the first. She stood on top, basking over the world.

This must be how White feels, monitoring society with just a glance. Yellow noticed that Blue was returning back to Homeworld after conquering a planet for her colony. Except, she was in an unusual spot.

Yellow investigated this.

(Yellow Diamond) Blue?

(Blue Diamond) Oh, hello, Yellow. What brings you by?

(Yellow Diamond) I've come to make sure that you aren't purposefully blocking the airways.

(Blue Diamond) What do you mean?

(Yellow Diamond) Your vessel is blocking the pathway for the ships that are going to be in take off.

Just then, they saw that one of the elite ship was preparing to take off.

(Blue Diamond) Oh, stars! WAIT!

Yellow and Blue desperately flagged down the ship, trying to prevent the shattering of innocents. Luckily, the pilot noticed this and ceased the ship from taking off. The pilot approached the Diamonds when she was flagged down.

(Emerald) My Diamonds, what seems to be the problem?

(Yellow Diamond) It's not safe to leave Homeworld yet.

(Emerald) Why is that?

(Yellow Diamond) Because Blue is blocking your direction.

She looks up to see Blue's arm ship.

(Emerald) What is that doing there? Doesn't she know that's the wrong way?

Yellow looked at Blue who seemed a little embarrassed.

(Yellow Diamond) Apparently not.

End of Yellow Diamond's memory:

(Blue Diamond) I was a little distracted on the way back. I forgotten that wasn't the designated spot for me.

(Yellow Diamond) Thankfully, the pilot saw us. I'd hate to lose a few gems because of an accident.

(Steven) Okay, now onto the first time White showed up for the ball.

Pink started to chuckle and Yellow and Blue smiled. White blushed.

(White Diamond) It wasn't very decent...

White Diamond's memory:

This was her first time attending a public party. White looked at herself in the mirror, trying to gain the confidence to at least sit at the party. Today wasn't her best days, she had tripped and fallen right in front of her court, got mud on her feet, and she ran out of her gleaming lotion that marks her sparkle marvelously.

She looked... average. That wasn't enough for her. She went to Pink's room to talk.

(White Diamond) Pink.

(Pink Diamond) Yes?

(White Diamond) Can you please postpone the ball for a few more days?

(Pink Diamond) I can't really do that. We already have everything arranged and it starts in a few hours. Why do you ask?

(White Diamond) I'm not... ready.

Pink tilts her head, confused.

(Pink Diamond) What do you mean?

(White Diamond) I look average. Not perfect. I'm supposed be an inspiring goddess, not an basic ruler.

(Pink Diamond) You don't need to be perfect to attend my ball.

(White Diamond) That's because you have a different sense of perfection.

(Pink Diamond) White, you need to relax. There's no pressure in this party. Try loosening up for once. You'll enjoy it. Now, I must check the Ballroom's perimeter to make sure there's enough space for gems to occupy in.

Pink left White.

A few hours later

The ball has started and White was one of the first guests to enter. She had her introduction made and now she's walking down the aisle. The eyes of hundreds of gems staring at her made her uncomfortable.

(White Diamond) (thoughts) Control yourself! Don't show weakness in front of the average! You're suppose to set an example! You're a Diamond, for star's sake!

(White Diamond) (inhales then exhales)

She sits down on her throne and the other two Diamonds entered the room. She felt better now that the gems attention was at the other two now. She hoped the ball ended shortly.

But her hopes were ignored by destiny. She sits on her chair on what felt like hours, watching gems danced. A part of her wanted to know how they are able to dance so freely without being shunned for it?

Would it be wrong for a Diamond to dance with the average?

(Pink Diamond) White?

(White Diamond) Hmm?

(Pink Diamond) Is something wrong?

(White Diamond) Oh, no, everything is perfectly fine.

Her eye twitched.

(White Diamond) (thoughts) Perfectly?! No, everything is perfectly wrong. Why are they dancing?! Why is it allowed when a Diamond couldn't dance?! It's not like I could anyway. I look like a mess! Oh, please end already!

White slumped back into her chair. Yellow and Blue took notice of this and chuckled at White's despair.

(Blue Diamond) (thoughts) Perhaps I should've returned her lotion before the ball.

End of White Diamond's memory:

(White Diamond) You took my lotion?!

(Blue Diamond) I was only borrowing it. I didn't mean to forget it.

(White Diamond) You almost costed me my reputation.

(Yellow Diamond) Not like it mattered now.

Everyone but White laughed.

Gotham:

The Diamonds aren't the only ones remembering the past. Batman is also reminiscing his quests. Unlike the Diamond's, Batman's memories aren't very lighthearted or fun, mostly dark and gloomy.

He stands on the Lady Gotham, a statue of that stands in the middle of the city. He looks over to where Arkham Island is. He can see Poison Ivy's plants still wrapped around Arkham Mansion, dead and dried up.

While he remembered the night Joker took control of the Asylum, he also remembers the time he came by the Asylum.

Batman's memory:

"Fixation" [Arkham Knight short story]

(Quincy Sharp) I do not allow him visitors!"

Warden Sharp spluttered angrily, as Batman walked past.

(Batman) It's not a social call.

Inside the cell, harsh fluorescent bulbs bounced their light off the sterile, white padded walls.

(???) IT'S REALLY YOU! YOU'RE HERE!

The cell's straitjacketed occupant flung himself from the corner of the room until he was slobbering, weeping, at Batman's armored boots.

(Joker) I'm so glad it's you, Bats.

Joker sobbed.

(Joker) They think I'm mad!

Batman kicked upwards, flipped the maniac onto his back amd brought the foot back down to pin him there.

(Batman) Three dead. All children. You've been locked up here since Blackgate...

Batman pushed down. Ribs cracked.

(Batman) TELL ME HOW!

The sudden violence, the guttural sound of Batman's roar, surprised them both. Batman backed towards the door, appalled. Suddenly freed, Joker rolled on the floor, hysterical.

(Joker) I knew it.

He giggled.

(Joker) I knew you cared!

Batman drew his cape around himself, pushed the anger, the sudden self-disgust, back down.

(Batman) You got out, Joker. How?

(Joker) Maybe I am mad.

Joker scrabbled backwards, leaned against the wall.

(Joker) Because this is the first I'm hearing of it.

He paused and spoke with sickening sincerity.

(Joker) I didn't kill your kiddies. And you don't need excuses to drop by.

When Sharp returned with security, Joker was alone, grinning ear to ear.

(Joker) I'm in his head, Sharpie!

End of Batman's memory:

Batman later figured out that it was Zsasz who slaughtered the chidlren. He looks over at the alleyway, where he prevented a mugging just a week before Arkham City opened.

Batman's memory:

"Guardian Angel" [Arkham Knight short story] [Modified: Last paragraph was improvised by me]

(Civilian) Please God, don't hurt me...

The man in the suit backed away, tossing his wallet onto the ground. His attackers closed in, one of them scooped up the wallet and fingered the notes inside.

(Mugger) Jackpot!

The other cracked his knuckles and threw a punch, dropping the suit to his knees, holding his broken face. The ripple of taut fabric as a shadowy cape swooped down. The thug was busy counting when Batman took his legs.

The wallet spun into the air as the sound of his skull cracking pinballed around the alleyway. The other thug turned and charged. Batman threw his arm into the swinging hook, popping the shoulder joint.

His fist slammed the thug's tattooed solar plexus, stopping his body like a bolt of electricity. Batman stood over the unconscious men. Head tilted back, eyes shut, breathing hard.

Batman picked up the wallet and returned it to the suit, along with leaving him an ice pack for his face. The man looked at the two broken men and Batman was gone when he looked back up. The man almost pitied his attackers, they were going to feel those bruises for a while.

End of Batman's memory:

Batman wonder where is the gentleman now. He looked at the sky to see that the Bat signal was lit. Something's wrong.

When he got there, Gordon explained that Riddler escape. It seemed confusing at first, he was locked away four hours afted Batman left him there to walk around. But then Eddie disappeared just under an hour ago.

The cameras saw him being let out by a giant figure who looked odd. Of course, he wasn't expecting this, but he followed the stranger who let him out. The guards followed them and they only saw a wall that was smashed.

That's how the mysterious figure broke in. And they took Nygma out the same way they entered and swimming away.

Elsewhere:

Riddler was being carried by this stranger who was big and pale white in certian areas of her body. He couldn't believe that he was taken out of Blackgate by this thing. What does she want with him?

Maybe she wants his intellect? A part of him found that flattering, he is the smartest person in Gotham, that's what he thinks.

(Riddler) Do you care to explain to me what you want with me?

She dropped him.

(???) I need you to fix what's wrong with me.

(Riddler) What appears to be the-- OH, GOOD LORD!

She revealed her face to him. Pale white, like the Joker's, sharp teeth that looks like a shark's teeth. White, silver hair that was messy.

He looked at her entire body. She was shaped like a bodybuilder and is wearing a uniform. Her eyes looked displeased at him exclaiming.

(Riddler) I've never seen a condition like yours...

(???) Can you fix it?

(Riddler) What happened?

(???) Lab experiment gone wrong. It was an attempt to cure cancer. Now, I look like this!

(Riddler) I need the materials of the concoction you created.

(???) I don't know them because they were mixed in without me knowing.

(Riddler) I'm afraid I cannot cure your disease.

(???) Oh, come on, Eddie. I know you're smarter than that.

(Riddler) W-why thank you for the felicitation, but this isn't a common conflict of a science experiment.

(???) Then, can you tell me what I should do? And can you give me some equipment for brewing concoctions?

(Riddler) If I were you, I would start with a blood sample. Then, use a microscope to look at the blood cells to look any abnormalities. After that, try looking for a counter strike to the abnormal cells and maybe it could return you to normal. Of course, I can't assist you due to me not having any equipment because of my unexpected escape. It won't be too long until the Dark Knight shows up.

(???) Batman means nothing to me. I'll take it from here. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts. I got work to do.

She goes to leave.

(Riddler) Wait, who are you?

She stopped and gave him a grin that creeped him out.

(Moonlight) I'm Moonlight.

End of Chapter 12

3/28/2021