A Fearful Price To Be Paid [Luthor]

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

The area that they had landed in together was secured, they were dropped alone and the transportation left the grounds to his knowledge after they went in to the abandoned facility. Dr. Crane walked in first; he maintained a posture of confidence in that he knew what he was doing. He had to, to try and induce something so dangerous. He had warned Luthor prior about what needed to be the conditions and that he should prepare for anything to happen, but that he needed to be alone.

He expected that Luthor thought he was going to have some sort of subject waiting here or Luthor be the subject himself, but in both cases he would be wrong. Just the thought alone of doing this was something that was burdensome. It was his greatest achievement and the most beautiful thing he’d ever created, it was his and his alone. The problem was he’d lost complete control of it, he could induce it but sometimes it would happen on its own. He didn’t need help, he could figure it out. This effort to show Luthor was more about insurance than anything.

The room they walked into was huge; a single cage with some equipment around it still remained. It was the cage he had request, big enough to contain the dimensions he provided. He walked into the cage without saying a word to Luthor until he was on the other side of it. He took the barred door and pulled it to from the inside to separate himself from him. Slowly he handed Luthor a large heavy duty padlock. “This is for your security….Just in case.” He half explained while handing him the lock and stepping back from the door.

The doctor backed up, still keeping his eyes on him until he was in the middle of the cage. He took a deep breath and tried to focus on what he needed to do. This creation he had made under Ra’s hand, but he never told him about it. He had taken money from the Penguin to make it and never gave him the result he promised. Instead he horded it for himself and created something beautiful. The Penguin never even got to see his creation. The only ones that did were The FBI, batman, Croc….and Agent Tiffany. He should have died then….it was his time to be drug to the threshold of oblivion. Even though he didn’t go over the edge, he had seen it.

A deep breath entered his lungs again and he tried to tap into that part of him, that part in his mind that triggered what he wanted. It wasn’t a perfect science, he had barely gotten control of it as it was and there were many flaws, but in his eyes it was perfect. He closed his eyes as a pulse came to his chest. At first it simply caused him to move a step forward, like something had pushed him. Again, his chest pulse but this time with more force. His eyes flew open and his right eye had turned completely yellow. He shut them again and clawed at his own chest. His body began to disfigure and reform. The loud cracking of bones shifting and moving could be heard from inside his skin, but even that was beginning to turn.

The next impact threw him on his back up he quickly scrambled up onto all fours. When he was up the doctor had begun to scream and as he did his face changed into a terrible monstrous maw. The doctor had changed into The Scarebeast. His body on all fours hunched over sat at least 10 feet. His maw was breathing heavily and dripping with some kind of saliva that made a hiss when it touched the ground. It was a bright yellow hue as it dripped and looked extremely toxic. The beast caught sight of Luthor and rushed the front of the cage. His massive claws hit the bars and made a gigantic dent in them already.

“SCREAM!!!!!!” The beast roared for its own need and continued to make its efforts to get to Luthor.

i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr217/Kimaramithra/399277_zps7584d5dd.jpg
[Concept for the Scarebeast]

[Deleted]

Lex Luthor carried the briefcase, straightening his tie as he entered the facility as he let his coat flutter to the ground behind him, a longer rain coat over a suit. At first he'd been reluctant to move away from his work for the period of time to go into an obvious trap. Come alone to the abandoned facility Dr. Crane? Of course, why not? Perhaps I could offer unfettered access to my brain and a selection of magazines for the ransom note? He wasn't worried, of course, he had his own backup plans secured, his own ways of addressing the potential of an out of control Dr. Crane, but still, those that didn't know the way Luthor's mind worked would have been concerned, in fact, Mercy and Cain had been. They're so protective sometimes, regular mother hens.

The secured area was well hidden, abandoned, Lex didn't know it appropriately well, the setup was partially standardized, as much as possible for older repurposed LexCorp facilities, no LexPod modifications yet, limited internal security in comparison to the newer lab facilities, lead and concrete lined in the right places. Good for old fashioned avoidance of attention from above. He vaguely recalled the details of the facility, closing his eyes for a few seconds to let the information get recalled. They didn't build this facility, it was purchased, not a standardized design, but modified, it lacked the tell tale signs of a LexCorp built facility, although some of the more standard backup security measures were in place, when Lex knew where to look. Standard quarantine controls, backup camera systems, a few of the weapons lockers . . . with weapons removed. But then again there was the panel in the concrete, the hidden panels seemed at first glance to have not had their integrity violated. If nothing else the dull hum of the lights in the room suggested to Lex that the backup power systems were still working. The facility was untracable, abandoned and sold several years ago, to one of the various holding subsidiaries, but still, not directly connected to LexCorp or Lex Luthor.

He walked down the corridors. He expected to see some sort of twisted horror that only an Arkhamite could put together, perhaps a quiet talk with the doctor after seeing some sort of twisted monstrosity of torture without any direct or applicable scientific benefit. This was common among some of the more eccentric assets that LexCorp put together. Sometimes they had a nasty habit of thinking that just because chemicals or needles or knives were involved, that somehow what they were doing was science. Lex Luthor expected a horror show, he expected a mess. . . but more importantly, he expected results, and he did not like to be disappointed in that regard. Eccentricities Luthor could forgive and support, incompetence no.

He walked into the large cage room, the padlock he considered, and then looked up at Crane with a raised eyebrow. "This is your quarantine protocol?  You do realize that you could have access to significantly more thorough resources." He looked at the thing and then shook his head, placing his briefcase on the table nearby, then securing the padlock to the door, securing it soundly.

Lex Luthor had heard rumors, of course, about the "Scare-Beast." AC-G114, the reports were scattered, mysterious and limited. He cracked his neck somewhat and then watched. There were scattered remnants of items inside the facility, the cage was metal, well grounded in the concrete, Lex did a few mental calculations, the steel itself wasn't of LexCorp build or construction, regular steel, implanted in concrete, one inch thickness, it would require only 40,000 PSI to bend, most likely, approximately 60,000 to break utterly, if the pressure were localized, especially at room temperature. The alloy strength didn't appear to be adequate, LexCorp, when they USED steel beams, preferred a cold rolled steel with a lower alloy count, realloyed to require at least 150,000-200,000 PSI to bend, with reinforcement spread through the concrete. He assumed such precautions were not made, the tensile strength would be enough to hold in someone like Crane, however, not if Crane spontaneously developed metapowers. The lock itself was secured, but he questioned whether or not the hinges of the door would be able to maintain it. Most likely they would break before anything else, should things not be adequate. However, the bars were metal and grounded, and the panel nearby showed appropriate structural integrity.

He pursed his lips and considered, watching Dr. Crane in action with a bit of incredulity, this was either excessive dramatization . . . or insufficient. Lex Luthor already understood that, but then again, it allowed him to get his work as necessary.

With the transformation, Lex Luthor, however stood transfixed, his mind coming into total attention on the new monstrosity that came before him. Skin shaped, bones bending, the accretion of mass, each of these things transfixed The Man of Tomorrow as he considered the scientific principles occurring before him, the energy use for such an activity, the methods by which it occurred. These were interesting, and performed in prototype. . . but to see such a transformation so quickly and thoroughly, performed on the budget that Luthor knew was limited. Limited resources. . . this was a man who'd accomplished such a goal on a shoestring budget in a makeshift lab, funded by The Penguin! Certainly, Crane might have thought himself well off for the funding, but Luthor had some idea of what Cobblepot had to offer, and it was insignificant compared to the resources available at LexCorp Biotech. . . no. . . Luthor knew in that moment that he'd gambled well. Crane was eccentric. . . but was no fool.

The motion in the cage, yes, he considered the articulation of the beast, the way that the muscles played against eachother, there'd be weaknesses in that movement, it wasn't a perfectly bred animal, by any means. It would have difficulty maneuvering in certain ways. Basically bipedal, extra tail, the spikes would impale itself unless it had a hardened carapace. Lex Luthor touched his watch carefully, and spoke into it "Begin recording: Initiate server contact, new subfile, Top Secret-Clearance level 8, establish contact to Server: Epsilon. CC: Sivana. File: Lex Luthor AC-G114: Initiate" The watch hummed for a moment as Lex Luthor moved with a deliberation to the table where jumper cables sat in the pile of rubbish. Lex Luthor reached into his pocket then stuck his fingers in his nose, and one in his mouth, and then donned the leather looking gloves. The metallic looking wristbands he seemed to have on under his suit were checked again.

He then opened the briefcase and took a few items from it, then closed it, sliding it along the table nearer to the exit. He then stuck an object to the wall, securing it. He spoke the entire time, approaching the side of the cage, the panel in the wall. He calculated approximately 54 additional seconds before containment was breached.

"Initial impressions: AC-G114, approximately 10 feet, semibipedal. Locomotion appears to be optimized for four legs, muscle innervation optimized in extremities, single tail for counterbalance. Creature appears to have numerous protuberances from back and sides, spiny quills shining with unusual sheen, assumed biotoxin . . . biotoxin excreted from mouth as well, creating immediate chemical reaction upon contact with floor. Review for later sample retrieval, CC-BioRetrieval, return to impressions."

Luthor stuck several more of the objects to the wall and then placed a box on the floor, letting it sit in the middle of the place. Something rose out of it, it hummed. Luthor approached the panel and then placed something against the wall, sticking it there.

"Tail. 7 feet approximately, appears to be segmented with carapace, end has sharp edge, shiny in appearance, assumed biotoxin as well. Potentially connected to Chemical: LFB-1, sample retrieval pending. " He kicks the panel in the middle, letting the false front fall to the ground. A selection of protuberances and wires are visible. Lex Luthor attaches the Jumper Cables to the metal nodes, then touches the ends together revealing sparks. "Subject has already dented cage, suggesting strength capable of excess of . . . 40,000 PSI, material strength of bars unknown, subject bent bars approximately 4 inches with single contact, Review for measurement of tensile strength of cage bars, review for calculation, CC-BioRetrieval, return to impressions - speed is above normal average, assumed excessive running speed related to increased muscle innervation in upper and lower appendages, and tail, results pending."

He listened as the creature screams at him, audible vocalizations. Lex Luthor stares with a faint smile on his face at the scream. "Subject capable of verbalization, single word "Scream" audible, initial. At first appearances from proboscis capable of enhanced smells possible due to length. Visual and auditory responses unknown, hypothesis more limited visual capacity due to placement of eyes, size of eyes, results pending."

"Long teeth suggest carnivorous diet, again, biotoxin visible, no visible glandular source. Results pending."

He let the creature scream into his face, feeling the hot air play over the long coat that fluttered slightly, his red tie pressed against his chest. The kinetic ablative crystallization of the suit would not absorb this low intensity of pressure.

He attached the clamps to the bars near the bottom and stepped back. The cage was now electrified. "Experiment one: Exposure to electricity."

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

The man was in front of him, he could smell him. He took in his sent so deeply he could taste him, he could taste every opened pore, and he wanted more. The image infront of him was distorted and blurry. The sight in one eye was set further apart and the other eye was completely overtaken by the needle like hay from his head. Even though he couldn’t see him, he would never lose him again. He could taste him. The drive to consume him and to feed off of his terror was overwhelming and nothing would stand in his way.

He knew that he was moving around but he had no sense of what he was doing. He slammed into the cage once more but this time reared back just as quickly. An ear shattering roar rolled through the building as he protested to the shock. The cage had bent yet again and one of the bar actually snapped but still maintained an angular integrity. He staggered and shook his head for a moment, shaking off the sparks but he began to fidget. A pound came from behind him, one, two, three times. The beast couldn’t sit still, as if he had been stimulated or agitated further.

The pounding from behind suddenly made itself known as his large tail slipped out of the bars and came around to meet luthor. The sharp end of the tail bobbed back and forth near him and began to open and close in an intimidating snap. The head had three triangular parts that separated when opened and snapped together into a spike form. The inside of the tail looked hallow, like it was a passageway for something. Though it bobbed it refused to strike. The beast held his eyes on him, a burning desire to consume written on its features. His maw was curled, baring his teeth and letting long globs of toxin drip from his lips.

The beast couldn’t take it anymore, the desire to consume what was in front of him was driving him mad and the one thing in the way of that were the bars in front of him. The beast growled and instead of swiping his tail toward Luthor he swiped it back and slammed into the nodes with the electrical charge. The moment he struck it with his tail his jaws went to the bars and bit hard. The metal bars shattered beneath the force of his jowls. The rest he made short work of with shoves and pushes to get out. When the beast emerged he lifted up on to his back legs and roared into the air, stretching to the most intimidating height he could before he attempted to slam down on Luthor.

There would be nothing left for him; he would find nothing here but fear and despair. He’d stop at nothing to consume him, nothing. The beasts desire to create the ultimate terror and chaos would not be denied and it wouldn’t be contained. Its heart pounded so hard within its chest that it could be heard without much effort. The pace was consistent, quick and never seeming to slow at any time for anything or any movement.

[Deleted]

Lex Luthor had an intense calm on his face as the creature burst through the bars. Sidestepping quickly he spoke with as much calm and evenness in his voice as possible. "Experiment one: Subject exposed to 3000 joules of electricity, applied through metallic bars. Hypothesis electric stimulation will create pain response that will provide for disincentive towards attacking target, and will serve to contain subject. Preliminary results negative. " Lex Luthor ducks under a swipe and then rolls to the side towards another area, dodging the attacks as he speaks. "AC-G114 appeared to be temporarily repelled by exposure to electrical stimuli, but was able to overcome stimuli to seek out prey. Subject utilized primary attack of physical tackle, repeatedly pressing against the bars. It appears to have minimal animal cunning, attempting to assault with the tail. The ventral surface of the extremity separates into three triangular parts which appear to be innervated with a combination of tendon pressures, rather than a specific connected muscle. The interior of the tail appears hollow, the force with which the tail closed is unknown, pending further experiments. Primary locomotion appears to utilize hind legs and leaping, primary assaults appear to utilize spikes, tails and jaw. . . creature attempts to posture to intimidate, hesitating before strike." 

Moving near the counter and placing another object on the ground and against the wall, he was making his way in the dodges to one of the counters, grabbing something from under his coat, slipping it over his face and eyes. "Continuing observations: AC-G114 continues to rely little on visual stimuli, eye motion is slow, hypothesis: AC-G114 works primarily according to scent, tracking smell. Motivation appears targeted: focus primarily on experimenter, despite initial boundaries. Results of Experiment 1: Physical pain stimulation triggers effect in creature, response to electricity positive, but insufficient with current power grid."

Lex Luthor appears to be dodging out of the way of the attacks, kicking up a metal bar to block one of the strikes and ducking underneith it. He's moving with economy of motion, not graceful or flashy like the Bat, but standing in places to avoid strikes, letting natural barriers guard the way. He hits a button on his watch.

"Experiment 2 initiated: Exposure to noxious stimuli" The goggles covering his eyes and the mask over his face. . . gas starts to pour out of the walls. A strong and noxious smell of a poison gas begins to fill the room. 

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

The Scarebeast crashed down onto all fours again, making the room shake and the ground bellow and ache. His claws scratched the concrete floor like it was nothing, leaving large gashes every time he moved. The beast staggered back and looked for the man that should be crushed beneath him, but he had moved. A low growled emitted and he took large sniffs into the air. His eyes narrowed and his teeth bore as his head whipped around to where the man stood. He took little time getting to where he was and swiping at him. He missed, his claw winging off of something metal that met him. The man moved again and the beast followed.

He had him in his sights again and took in a large breath but before he could let out what the beast wanted a sharp pain hit his senses. The beast staggered back and wailed in confusion, coughing from the noxious air that had entered him so deeply. An ear shattering whine went into the air and the beast shook his head back and forth. It was clear that he was irritated but the moment he stopped coughing the beast began swiping the room in front of him. He turned quickly and threw his tail about like someone blind in the dark.

He couldn’t hit anything, each time flesh was avoided and caught by the noxious air around him. The beasts frustration only grew and he let out an enormous roar, lifting on his hinds before crashing into the floor again. His body huddled low and kept to the ground. His nose was pressed into the floor, and moved continuously, as he was trying to get something. Each muscle in the beast’s body tensed and then relaxed. He was moving, tightening against the floor.

The spines on his back began to twitch. They were made of straw, enhanced to become more stable like spines, They were razor sharp and not easily broken like the normal plant would be. The same spines were on his elbows and legs, they began to twitch as well. Suddenly the twitching stopped and they burst in all directions, several spine leaving his body and shooting throughout the room. He was determined to find him and he would do whatever he had to. Once the spines were shot the beast lifted and began sweeping the floor with his tail.

[Deleted]

The needles flew at his head with an almost silent "Thwip" the light flashed in front of his eyes, he silent beeping in his earpiece allowed him to duck down quickly, his hands came up in front of him, there was a strange hum of vibration as the long coat that Luthor wore billowed slightly. The needles pierced the Pseudoleather of the first layer of the coat, but were stopped by the reinforcement as the crystaline lattice underneith the coat is electrified, it hardens into a memory foam temporarily, stopping the needles from piercing his skin, his head ducked sideways just barely avoids the flashes of needles, the trajectory prediction software from the sensors throughout the room made easy work of that. It also warned him approximately 1.3 seconds before the tail sweep would strike him, more than enough time to jump and grab one of the chains. The magnetic grip in the gloves drew him slightly higher towards the metal, letting him jump at that enhanced height and speed necessary to avoid the superhuman blow against him. 

Luthor had learned early on that developing an edge in any sort of dangerous situation was the difference between death and success. He had no interest in ever fighting particularly fair. He swept his fingers down over the exterior of his coat and slipped the needles with an offhanded swipe into one of the exterior pockets. "Experiment two: Preliminary results" He kicks against the wall swinging on the chain and then flinging himself across the room, throwing a ball from his pocket across the room in the opposite direction, letting the ball roll on the floor. The gyroscopes in his shoes and the trajectory software predicts his landing easily enough, and physical training completes the rest as he flings himself to another location in the room easily, moving near the door. "Exposure to noxious olfactory stimuli seems to disorient AC-G114, reducing its ability to target in immediacy, requiring alteration in predatory behavior. Theory: AC-G114 targets by smell, not disproven. Secondary attack, sample AC-G114-2, hardened needle, protrusion, expelled from body at speeds of link sensory input data sensors and cross reference endlink sample gathered, CC Bioretrieval AC-G114-2. Unable to perform adequate examination at this time. Observations continued, following area expulsion of AC-G114-2, subject AC-G114 immediately targeted and followed up with further sweeps from tail indirection of experimenter. Whether this was due to sensory feedback from needle expulsion or general area attack search pattern subject to Experiment 2-a Followup." 

Luthor moved to one side of the room, kneeling into a crouch. "Experiment 2-a Followup, sensory input. While under exposure to Noxious Stimuli, Subject AC-G114 will be given four potential areas of attack. Location A, location where experimenter was struck by sample AC-G114-2. Experimenter will not be in that location, but instead will be in location B, location of experimenter, where subject has not attacked previous. Location C. Area of cage where previous painful stimuli was administered, and location D, Control space. Subject will be given approximately one opportunity to select target area. After target, development of Experiment three followup." 

He waited for a moment, waiting to jump. The passive sensors throughout the room were waiting now, Luthor was ready to leap out of the way or move, but science came first. He hit a few buttons on his wristband. Area D would soon become a part of Experiment three. 

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

The beast was angry, of that there would be no mistake. All it wanted was to get its hands on what was in the room with it and each assault to its senses was only making that desire increase. The noxious gas still burned in the beast’s nose and lungs, he could hardly see and now his prey thought to disappear. They would be mistaken, he would find them. The beast reared its head and was still after the quills shot. Slowly, it turned to the direction where the quills struck something that wasn’t the ground.

A sudden distraction pulled his head away as something hit one of his quills and continued to move. The beast turned again and made his way quickly toward it. A massive claw swept through the quills in the direction where he had last felt the vibration. After coming up empty his nostrils flared and he let out another glass shattering roar. The beast wasn’t deaf, he could hear the man talking. The more time came between him and the infuriating target the more desperate he became to find it.

It was almost maddening in the sense that one thing had become the center of his attention. The more the beasts mind tried to focus on exactly what its cause was it just kept coming back to a single answer. Terror. It was the only answer and right now the being in the room with him was the only victim. His jaws were covered in the toxic ooze that dripped from his lips and teeth. Each spot that it landed on the floor seemed to make a noxious imprint.

With one swift movement he raised his tail and sent it slamming to the ground. The quills that were left vibrated and the ball bounced up and hit the ground again catching his attention. His eyes went toward it, but another slam of his tail came again and the ball bounced yet again, echoing a crack and causing the quills to move. Purposefully, the beat finally turned its attention away and toward where he knew his victim was. A low growl emitted from the beasts chest as he made his slow turn to face him.

His nose went to the ground and a varied amount of sniffs and snorts could be heard as each claw lifted and hit the ground to move him forward. He pulled himself slowly until he was right in front of his victim, his snout just a few feet away from his body. A final rough snort hit the ground and his lips curled up higher above his massive teeth. It could have almost been mistaken for a sinister grin. His maw hung open and more toxin dripped from his teeth. He could feel him in front of him, he knew he was there.

In one breath he reeled back and lunged his maw forward in an effort to clamp his teeth into the body in front of him.

[Deleted]

The pounding of the ground, the vibration and the sudden turn towards him. Lex Luthor thought for a second as his instincts caused him to dodge out of the way of the sudden bite, it went towards him with great intensity and quick speed, but . . . just slowed. The creature wasn't fighting to kill, perhaps? Hard to test at this point. A theory for later testing once appropriate decoy countermeasures were hit. But . . . the slam of the ground, then the turn. Vibrations, naturally, he's triggering and causing the quills to vibrate, looking to see where the quills were moving. Clever. Very clever indeed. The open mouth in front of Lex, yes. That was close. Lex brought up a foot to kick at the side of the tooth and redirect the bite while simultaneously using the grappling hook again to pull him away. The combination of jumping off from the mouth of the beast and the grappling hook allowed him to move away with an intense bout of speed, and the flip sideways to let him push off from the wall and land behind a pole to the side of the beast was just an added benefit. Best to keep in motion. 

His heart was pumping very quickly at this point. Be careful of excessive emotion Alexander, this is science. While exuberance is understandable do not let it distract you from your purpose. Yes, Dr. Sivana. Understood Dr. Sivana. Luthor spoke as he dove out of the way of another followup assault, rolling behind some of the debris. "Subject struck ground quickly and was able to target experimenter. Theory, using vibrations and movement to track movement. Continued active focus on target despite motion, perhaps suggesting a "lock on" of some sort. Perhaps telepathic, perhaps biometric, perhaps he is tracking my voice. Increasing observation with vital sign tracker." 

A small ping as an image came up in the corner of his LexGlass, Lex glanced at it, pursed his lips as the scanners on his glove finished processing the chemical makeup of the quill. Plant matter, that is interesting. Straw. In all honesty, Dr. Crane? What have you been doing? Luthor dove out of the way again and then let the recording continue to process. The scan attached itself to the log along with Luthor's acknowledgement. "Establishing increased observation, to level three." It wasn't easy for most to maintain focus while moving and dodging and engaging in a full physical altercation, but then again Luthor did prefer to do business meetings and review journal articles while engaging in sparring matches with LexCorp Security. It was important to keep the mind occupied, after all, and he had advantages from the predictive software and motion scanners from within the room to warn him of where incoming attacks were coming from. 

"Drone A: Isometric Scanner, Vitals Scanner, Chemical Scanner. . . neural scanner. Experiment 3: Ballistics test." The ball he threw on the ground stabilized, opened and had legs pop out letting it move. It tracked the Scarebeast and fired three times into its haunch, and once towards its head. The bullets did not explode or expand within the body, but instead settled, further tracking devices as informatics began to feed itself to the new holographic display running over the LexGlass, he considered it for a moment, with a quick glance while the computer in the glass processed and organized the incoming information. 

Luthor watched for the Scarebeast's reaction to getting shot, moving behind another support pole for increased shielding, as Luthor reached his arm out and then used a grappling hook to take a thick table and drag it towards him, knocking it over to provide increased shielding. 

"Experiment 4: chemical testing. . . pending. Drone B through D, prepare targeting scans, prepare Luthor Neurochemical Battery D. Experiment 2, continued. . . " He sighed. Best to get the obvious test out of the way now that there was a neural upling and he could do the brain scan. Really, Alexander, one must maintain a proper order to things. Science must be deliberate, otherwise it is not science. Thank you Dr. Sivana! Luthor knows this, he is aware of this. Best to do the simple experiment before confounding the data with others. Luthor shouted out. 

"Doctor Crane. . . Jonathan? . . .are you still in there?" The brain scans would hopefully show whether the language centers of the brain wre still functional, and if it could understand language. With that he let the targeting computer work out a quick escape path to allow him to keep dodging as he prepared himself to launch past the beast into another safe haven. Calculations suggested another area where debris and remnants would allow for shielding. Although he'd need to trigger it while Experiment 4 was underway. 

The remaining ball-drones scattered over the room targeted the Scarebeast and processed the chemicals. Luthor prepared to move quickly. 

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

The Scarebeast snarled as the humans foot kicked against his tooth and directed his head away. He responded with a quick snap in where he was and several others to follow in both directions. The beast looked confused and even more upset that he’d lost him again. He swiped at the ground with his claws and turned around to get a feel for where the human was once more.

The beast didn’t have to wait long until he had begun speaking again. He headed toward where the sound was, muffled pulsing in his mind. It was all jumbled information. There was a human there, it was in the room with his and he had to get it. He had to do it….There was no room for thought elsewhere.

The beast moved to where to sound was coming from until he was suddenly shot in several places. The beast twitched with each shot and momentarily paused. His body turned about and shook in an effort to shake whatever was on him but it wouldn’t leave. A large huff was puffed to the ground in frustration, powerful enough to knock some of the spines that were still stuck in place down. The beast had turned around once more, almost getting dizzy with how many times he had turned trying to find this quick moving creature. But there wasn’t any escape from him. The creature wasn’t running and that was the most frustrating thing of all. He would get him to run…and then he would claim him.

The beast reacted to the sound of the table falling over. He quickly rushed that way only to stop dead in his tracks. The beast halted as if he had just hit an invisible wall. A voice echoed in his mind and triggered a familiar feeling. The snarl disapered and only his fangs that protruded over his lips were left exposed. Now almost looking docile, more confused than anything, he came closer. Small steps were taken toward Luthor, slow and paced with careful intent. His claws went still on the floor and his approach stopped. Instead his snout leaned forward, coming just inches away from the table.

The beast’s eyes were no longer lit with fury, but instead had a glimpse of curiosity. Like it had found something it had known. His eyes were rounded and now unintimidating as he leaned close enough to lean over the table and bump Luthor’s chest with his snout much like a shark would to identify what it was in front of. A low grunt left him, it almost sounded confused or lost. It was like the beast was waiting for it to happen again. Every hostile sign that had originally been there had left. Even his tail which had wildly swiped the floor before now laid low with the end closer on the ground. The spines on his neck and back weren’t as ridged and puffed out, ready to shoot as before. Instead, they were laid down and calm.

The beast stared at him intently, curiously, with low slow breaths.

[Deleted]

He stood calmly and considered the eyes of the beast, watching him, staring at him. He reached a hand out tentatively towards the beast, no words to the recorder. He'd tag this experiment later, a careful gloved hand touched the flesh of the scarebeast. "Yes, you are in there, aren't you? Deep underneath that maelstrom of neurochemicals and transformation. How interesting. I wonder, how much you can even understand. . . it's said that hyperactivity of the amygdala tends to interfere significantly with frontal lobe functioning. Yet here we are." He cracks his neck and stands up straighter, leaning against the overturned table, sitting as he rubs his fingertips together. 

"These, of course are the difficulties that come from self experimentation, it can be necessary when there's little other option, but in the end the complications really are something." He smiles as he pets the beast again "They treat you like a beast, don't they? They all have, like a pawn, like some sort of creature to be set loose into the world, an uncomfortable mutant. I suppose that's not abnormal, the mind works on categorization and people learn to hate that which they can't categorize. We've both been victims of that." He looks over the beast for a time, considering. "I suppose we both have similar solutions for that, although I wonder if I did so with different elan. We dare, Jonathan, we look at a world that does not appreciate our gifts, and we move forward nonetheless, we seek our different satisfactions, and then when we achieve greatness, only then do others see and understand, laud us or curse us. . . as if their thoughts mattered at all." 

He shakes his head and then says "And here we are, you've shown me this wonderful creation you've made, this . . . lovely gift, I doubt there are many who would understand, Jonathan, but I can see that this was quite the challenge for you, to open up like this, but it is truly . . . beautiful. A mix of creativity and emotion, a perfect amalgamation of science and art into perfect craftsmanship. Truly, a marvel to behold Jonathan." He smiles as he looks in the eye of the beast. 

"I have a confession to make, Jonathan. I've never really understood fear, never cared for it. I've always been surrounded by it, you see. Alone in the dark places, but always listening into the darkness. I suppose you're rather similar. You were terrified many times, and sought to take your oldest companion. . . make it into a lover, a friend." He shook his head. His heart was beating quickly, he had a moment of breathing time, relaxing more. This was an enjoyable diversion, but all things must come to an end soon. 

"I was called a monster often then, and always made to feel powerless. When you're a child growing in the suicide slums, it's easy to get numbed to the beatings and the feelings of alienation. I think I was often forced to face against those who were stronger, more powerful, larger. I was often surrounded by monsters, by fear, dark long shadows, monsters who would leap out and take what little I had. I fought for scraps, you see. It was difficult, with my father. You see, my father was rich for a time, and then very poor. He was crude and cruel, fond of sacrifice but not so keen on making them worth anything. When I was in Smallville, I was the rich boy and thus hated and beaten and chased. I think that might have been one of the last times I really felt fear, being chased through a cornfield, my suit torn up, little boy in a suit, you see it hadn't been meant for that sort of activity. I'd been very lonely in Smallville, everywhere, honestly, and when I'd found a nice young girl who just wanted to talk to me, I felt very lucky indeed. What child wouldn't? I had that thick red hair and was dressed far too nicely, because my father expected me to look the part of a rich man's son. He hadn't been rich for long, you see. It was a moment in time. . . well, that's another story. But you see, when I was invited after school to play with the young girl, I was excited. And when she took me to the corn field I didn't think much of it, all of Kansas was corn fields. . . But when the local boys showed up, well, I thought for a moment I'd have a friend, although I was too smart for that. I was afraid in that corn field, you see. I remember when they caught me, then trussed me and hung me there overnight. I remember the little girl offering me a drink and then spitting in my mouth. The petty cruelties of childhood. They're really quite minimal compared to what came before and what came afterwards, but I think there was a sense of betrayal. Loneliness? Fear? Perhaps fear, I didn't know Smallville, it was alien to me. Perhaps I cried at first, I remember that clearly, crying and the children laughing. That's the problem with an eidetic memory, you never forget anything. Not even the little traumas of childhood." 

The dizziness was not subsiding yet perhaps. He shakes his head as he says "Hung up like a scarecrow, quite the irony there." He smiles as he said "Not that it scared any crows, they pecked at me some, the pain wasn't much compared to what Lionel would do to me, . . . but I remember the moon that night. It was bright, it was chilly, the ground and the world was illuminated all around me. And I remember something in my mind, clicking. And after that I felt the fire. You'd think that a young man beaten and abused by the world around them would break, would feel nothing but the fear, and seek to bring it out in others." He looked over Crane for a time and considered "Perhaps one would. But you see, they were right to mock me and to shun me, because I was different. Deep down I suppose I was the monster. I was able to dislocate my own arm to free myself, you know. Snapped it right back into place, I would have cried from the pain, but the anger just kept me going. The rage sustained me so well, a consuming fire inside, they call me that, you know. In some of the less developed parts of the world, the Uncontrolled Inferno. It's one of many names that have sort of accumulated to me over the years, although I've never given myself any name other than Lex Luthor. My father had the name Luthor, and I hated him. . . so I decided to make the name my own. When people remember Lionel Luthor it's as my father. He exists in my shadow only. A sort of half immortality that really is nothing for a man of such ambition. It's a petty punishment. I suppose I can be petty, Jonathan. "

"Did you know that every single one of those boys in Smallville are still alive? I keep them there, the medical treatments keep them alive, you see. I even give them a discount on the medication through special programs, since their insurance won't cover the costs. Cancer is such an uncomfortable thing, a wasting disease that just eats away at yourself, until you can't even function. The medications are all so experimental and expensive, it's a pity that their insurance doesn't really cover any of them. I am kind, though, I even let them borrow money to pay for it, their families work off the debts, luckily their relatives all have wonderful jobs at various subsidiaries of mine. They are all alive, in some level of luxury, honestly, watching their loved ones toil for them. My tormentors will never have to work a day in their lives, which is lucky, because of course in their state they really can't do much, the side effects of the medications, just too pronounced you see. Their families never say that they're a burden, you see, but they all know that they are. Did you know that the young lady tried to kill herself once? She drank an uncomfortable mixture of bleach and lighter fluid, some other chemicals. Destroyed her liver, her esophagus burned away. Did you know that she was lucky to survive at all? The ambulance was so close, the hospital prepared with the medications, one of the top surgeons in the country was flown in by an unknown benefactor, so she could just stay alive. . . She can't swallow anymore, though. . . needs tube feedings. I suppose it's only fair that she be shown kindness for the drink she gave me." 

He looks up at the beast for a moment and then exhales "I suppose I'm babbling some, but it's so rare that I find someone I can honestly talk with, someone who understands. I do so love these little chats of ours, Jonathan. You understand the work, the importance of it all. I buried myself in my work after that. I knew I'd never be given anything, but I could create something no one else could imagine. I could craft a better man and then . . . drag them along into the future, or let them die. You see, that is always the problem with dwelling in the past, the past kills us, Dr. Crane. It strangles us. I can remember every small dishonor, every scratch, every bruise and every cruelty. If I wanted to, I could let it consume me. Base my life on the hardships of my childhood. Some do. Some never recover. Some take on totems to avoid such pains, dress in odd costumes, lash out at the night." He shakes his head as he says "If there were one title I do prefer, it's Man of Tomorrow. It has a nice ring to it. The past is a cruel slavemaster if you let it be, traps a man, makes them a slave to their buttons. I'd rather be free from that. The one who chooses, the one who acts." He shakes his head and chuckles a bit to himself at that. "Forgive me my self indulgence, Dr. Crane. I'm wasting your time, I know, after such a kind gift. And I can already see from the brainscans that you are processing quite a bit of this, but more importantly, you are detecting the sound clearly, with almost enhanced precision. And from what the body scans have shown me, your inner ear appears not too dissimilar to any other mammals, I suppose you getting dizzy while turning around so much was another clue. Yes, Jonathan, I did notice that." 

He sighs as he says "We have a lot of wonderful data to review when you awaken again, restored back to good health, and believe me. I'll take the time personally to talk to you about it. I know, my time is precious and worth a lot, but I really feel as if I'm getting something out of these little sessions. You are a very good therapist, and don't let anyone else tell you differently. I think we'll just try something you're already familiar with. You remember when we first really talked? And I gave you that little gift? The pen you demanded from me. Remember how you used it to escape from Arkham? A last desperate weapon as the guards approached? Then you woke up outside in the sewers? Yes, I knew you'd remember that."  

"It was a sonic weapon, you see, well, hear now, I'm certain that you wouldn't have really been able to hear it with me talking so much. Destabilizes the inner ear, causes intense dizziness, well, you'll notice it if you stand up again, it's more subtle while you're down the way you are. It's followed by unconsciousness, you might be feeling that soon. Really a simple device, one of the first ones I made, although it's subtler now. It doesn't cause the intense nausea it once did, the sounds are less in the audible range than when I was 20, which is a nice change. The trick is not the unconsciousness, you see. It's the . . . staying awake part. That's trickier. I do want you to know that I mean this with the utmost respect, and when you awaken we'll talk more about what we've discovered today. I'm certain you'll be very interested." The dizziness had still not subsided, and there was a slightly audible sound in the background, something playing through all the drones in the room. Subsensory until pointed out, but of course, by this point the sonic vibrations would have been working for quite some time. 

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

The beast made a deep rumble emit from his chest as his glove touched his snout. The Scarebeast huffed and sniffed, seemingly unsure about the entire situation. His eyes remained focused on that man that kept speaking in such a familiar voice. He could hear his voice and he could hear words leaving his mouth but he was having trouble putting them together. It was like strings of information that got jumbled out of place as soon as he heard them.

The beasts eyes seemed to light and twitch at familiar words, like his name. He watched the man smile and continue with his confusing words. His claws dug into the ground and the razor index tapped almost frustratingly with not being able to understand what was going on. Despite that so little was understood the beast remained docile and silent as he spoke….Until he heard it.

The Scarebeast moved forward ever so slightly when he heard the word. It echoed through his head again and again bouncing off the walls in his mind and making the beast seem more restless. He huffed into his hand again and his eyes stared at him in wonder, trying so hard to understand. But as the man continued he settled again and his backside even began to lower. It was as if the beast had given in to listening and had abandoned standing for sitting. It had happened subtly and slowly but his body got lower and lower to the ground as he spoke.

With the man’s last words the beasts eyes began to blink slower and with one last huff his chin hit the ground like a rock. The beast would have seemed to sleep peacefully but before it could even start to snore the beast shifted back into human form. Bones cracked and white skin mouthed over the monstrous body that had been. All that was left in the end was a very broken Dr. Crane, laying naked on the floor. If his skin didn’t paint enough picture of his past injuries, new ones had appeared from the transformation. Several bones were out of place, including his left shoulder and right knee. He hadn’t worked out all the kinks in transforming back yet. It seemed the body had trouble handling reentry.