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spankingfemme(This story is based off the 90’s animated series of Batman. It’s has been kicking around in my head for ever and a day. So now, it has been set free! I hope you enjoy it!)
Batman threw the Riddler unceremoniously into his car slamming the door shut before sliding gracefully across the hood to get in the car himself. The Riddler had a devious smirk played across his face knowing that Batman needed him for clues to find the whereabouts of his partner Robin. It was all about the game; it had always been about the game with the Riddler, and Batman was growing weary of being an unwilling participant just so that the Riddler could have a playmate that gave him a challenge.
Batman slammed his foot down on the gas in irritation sending the Riddler, eyes wide, flying back in his seat as the Batmobile accelerated. Once settled in his seat again, the Riddler remarked teasingly, “Now, now Batman; getting aggravated will only distract you from your goal. Tick tock,” he tapped his wristwatch for emphasis that Batman was running low on time and that he may win this game if Batman became distracted.
The reminder of this fact only served to anger Batman more as he reared back a fist to knock his adversary out in one swift punch. The Riddler held up his hands in a defensive gesture responding quickly, “I wouldn’t be too hasty to sink your fists into me; after all, if you render me unconscious, it will be rather difficult to get any more clues from me.”
Batman’s frown deepened as he lowered his fist. He knew the Riddler was right, and as satisfying as it would be to shut the Riddler up for the duration of having him in his presence, Batman knew he would have to keep him conscious at least long enough to find Robin.
The Riddler smirked at his small victory, enjoying the fact that he was getting under Batman’s skin. He glanced around the inner workings of the Batmobile fascinated by all the gizmos and gadgets contained on the console of the car. He had ridden in Batman’s car before, but had never been conscious long enough to really get a good look within its confines. This thought made him frown, Batman could be such the brute. As he was looking through the myriad of buttons and switches, he reached over to point at a row of flip switches to ask what they were for, but before he could ask, Batman swatted his hand grunting, “Don’t touch anything.”
The Riddler jerked his hand back as if it had been bitten. He gave Batman a scowl before folding his arms defiantly and responding in a slightly irate tone, “For the record, I wasn’t touching. I was pointing! I was only merely going to ask you about those switches and their purpose. I was just interested in the intricacies of your vehicle.”
Batman turned to face Edward long enough to give him a disapproving stare before turning his eyes back to the road and replying, “I foiled your plot Nygma; I’ve already beaten you. Why must you keep doing this?”
The Riddler smiled once more responding smugly, “Oh but you haven’t; if you had beaten me, then you would no longer need me to find your dim witted compatriot.” He settled back in his chair before continuing, “No, the only accomplishment in your favor is that you happened to catch me, and sooner than I’d anticipated. Now you’ll just have to get the remainder of my riddles orally verses well laid within other riddles along the way. It won’t be as much of a challenge now I’m afraid.” He trailed off thinking about the fact that his plans had been compromised and a couple of his riddles had to be modified.
It angered him; he had put a lot of time and effort into making specific puzzles themed with the tasks he’d hoped to see Batman try and accomplish, and now he would have to come up with new, not as well thought out, riddles on the fly to make up for the loss of not being able to put together his clues as masterfully as he had planned them to be. He sighed deeply, thinking out his next riddle to point Batman in the right direction and deciding now would be the best time to deliver it, “Tell you what, I’ll give you the next clue to start you off on the right path. Picture a celebration of conceptual thought where old and new becomes one.”
Batman deduced that the Riddler was referring to Museum Road where the Museum of Modern Art had a special display on Van Gogh’s artwork. He glanced at the time noting he had a little over an hour left before midnight, the fated time Robin’s time clock would run out, and he would fall victim to one of the Riddler’s puzzle traps. Batman fumed aware of the fact the Riddler would be content to give him flippant riddles with just enough direction to barely give him enough time to save Robin if only for the dramatics of a time crunch.
Batman then made a decision and only replied with a simple, “No.”
The Riddler’s smile faded his eyebrow arching in confusion at Batman’s answer, “What do you mean no?”
Batman swerved off onto the next exit that led a few miles up a cliff side to an abandoned lighthouse. Edward watched in curiosity gripping his seat as they flew up the road at over a 100-mile an hour clip wondering what Batman was planning. Batman slowed pulling up to the top of the cliff overlooking the city and put the Batmobile in park. He turned narrowing his eyes at the Riddler to finally answer, “I mean no; I’m not going to answer anymore of your riddles. You’re going to give me a straight answer because I’m done playing games with you.”
The Riddler’s lips curved into a thin line of irritation as he snorted disconcertingly, “Well no answers to my riddles means you’ll just have to figure out where Robin is all by your own deductions. You’re good, but are you good enough to find him AND solve my puzzle in,” he glanced down at his watch, “Oh say, fifty six minutes?” The Riddler’s smirk began to return feeling reassured that Batman would be forced to play one way or another for the mere fact that his sidekick’s life was on the line. He didn’t really want the boy to die, and unlike the Joker, he had no real taste for murder preferring his crimes did not involve any casualties. He really only wanted to win against a worthy opponent, and in order to make Batman play the game at all, there had to be risks involved.
Batman turned the ignition off with the simple voice activated command, “Power down,” and stepped out of his car. Edward’s eyes followed him as he strode with purpose around the side of the car. A chill ran up his spine, and for a moment he wished he could have locked the door by the menacing stare he received when the door slid open with his voice’s command, “Passenger door open.” As the door was opening, Batman left no time for words quickly grabbing Edward’s bicep and snatching him out of the car like a rag doll before giving the command to close the doors. Once the doors had closed, Batman proceeded to slam the Riddler up against the door an intimidating frown plastered across his face.
The Riddler tried not to appear afraid by keeping his small smirk in place, but truth be told, knowing what the man currently towering over him was truly capable of terrified him. Had he finally pushed Batman over the edge? The man was crazy in his own right gallivanting around dressed up like a bat after all.
As these thoughts raced across the Riddler’s mind, he found himself intrigued in spite of his fear as to what action Batman would take next, and so the Riddler asked curiously, “What is it you hope to accomplish by bringing me way out here Batman? You could theoretically threaten my life by dangling me over the side of this cliff, but I don’t believe you would in fact kill me let alone compromise Robin’s safety if you were to accidentally drop me. No, that wouldn’t be logical would it? I know the boy’s location, and without my help, Robin will surely perish. So then what? It’s not like you can slug the answers out of me. I, unlike the Joker, don’t have the constitution to last through more than one or two of your punches. So tell me, what can you really do other than play by my rules?” Edward chuckled lightly to himself feeling more confident in his standing by his own justifications. He grinned broadly at Batman as he nonchalantly straightened out his green jacket and awaited Batman’s response.
Batman crossed his arms holding back his building rage. He wanted to pummel the self-satisfied grin off his face, but he also agreed with the Riddler’s argument. He couldn’t beat him unconscious because he needed information from the Riddler, and he needed it in a timely manner. He knew all these facts before he’d decided what his next action with the Riddler would be.
Batman didn’t miss a beat as he gave Edward a dangerous smile responding, “You’re absolutely right Edward; I know your limits, and I’ve adjusted my tactics for you accordingly. It’s your choice, but I will warn you, you really don’t want my alternative. Do yourself a favor and just tell me where Robin is and how to retrieve him safely.”
Edward studied Batman’s features somewhat unnerved by the way Batman seemed so sure of himself, but unable to back down from Batman’s challenge due to his own narcissism and curiosity, the Riddler replied, “My choice Batman? My choice is to see what ace you think you’ve got up your sleeve.”
Batman shook his head as he unfolded his arms taking on a menacing stance, “I figured your arrogance would decide for you.” Edward shrank back against the door nervously as Batman lunged forward snagging the Riddler’s wrist and yanking him over to the front end of the Batmobile.
Edward had followed in silence until Batman had sat on the edge of the Batmobile’s hood simultaneously throwing the Riddler sprawling across one of Batman’s knees and the hood of the car. Batman’s other leg deftly wrapped itself around the Riddler’s legs leaving no room to escape. Edward was a smart man, and it didn’t take more than a few seconds for the dawning realization of what possible outcomes would come out of this position.
A gasp escaped his throat, his stomach tightening in panic as his head spun back to glare in awe at Batman as he yelled out, “What do you think you are you doing!”
Batman secured the Riddler into place by pushing his left hand down into the small of his back. He raised his right hand back to strike his now wriggling target before replying, “Something that should have been done a long time ago.” As the words left his mouth, his steel hand came down in quick succession to leave one stinging swat after another.
Edward’s jaw hung agape in surprise as he thought, ‘There’s no way this is actually happening to me!’ He squalled out loudly and bucked wildly at each hit never one to have a high threshold for pain as he screamed, “Stop! You can’t do this!”
Batman didn’t stop spanking the Riddler but countered, “I can, and I am. Tell me where Robin is.”
The Riddler pouted responding, “That’s not fair! You’re cheating!” He couldn’t believe how much this was hurting! His thin, gray, dress slacks may as well have been non-existent for the protection they offered against Batman’s stinging slaps.
Batman’s hand came down harder and the Riddler screeched shrilly in response to the increased pain. “Fair? How long this goes on for is all up to you Edward. Just tell me where Robin is, and I’ll stop. Otherwise as you’ve previously stated, we’ve got almost an hour to hash this out.”
The Riddler gulped knowing there was no way he could hold out that long, he didn’t think he could hold up much longer as it was, and he really didn’t want to see how long he actually could stand this treatment, so he swiftly rattled off, “Okay! Okay! I’ll tell you! Just stop already!”
Batman did stop, and the Riddler quickly shot his hands back to cover his vulnerable rear owing his discomfort and giving Batman a nasty sneer that lost most of its fierceness under the current circumstances. Batman paid the look no mind as he asked in all seriousness, “Where is he?”
Edward’s frown deepened momentarily thinking how much he hated Batman for doing this to him. He then smirked feeling clever as he decided he would have to tell Batman where Robin was, but he wasn’t about to let Batman win too easily unable to help guising the answer in a simple riddle, “Your companion is being held by one of the oldest tricks in the book. Just follow the fairy’s dust and you will find him.” It was an easy enough riddle that Batman would have no problem solving, but still a riddle, so Batman would still be conforming to his rules.
Batman had deduced quickly that the Riddler was talking about the warehouse district where there was a huge two-story magic supply store called Tinkerbelle’s. It was well known to carry several complex magic props from back in Houdini’s time. The store was also less than five minutes from where they were now.
This fact angered Batman since the Riddler’s original clue would have sent him a good twenty minutes out of the way from the magic shop just so that Edward could have continued to play games with him. Edward was still playing games now just to try and feel like he’d won by making Batman answer his simple riddle verses just telling him out right where Robin was being held. Batman shook his head in bitter annoyance as he decided he wasn’t going to let the Riddler get any small victories on him. He snagged the Riddler’s hands off his rear end pinning them in the small of his back as he got ready to continue where he’d left off.
Edward’s expression changed as his smirk faded into a look of shock realizing Batman was about to start spanking him again. Fear coursed through him at the prospect of having to endure anymore heavy-handed swats on his already very tender posterior as he yelled out, “Wait a minute! That was ridiculously easy! You can’t tell me you can’t solve that riddle?”
Batman replied, “You’re right, it is easy, but you’re going to tell me where he is without any riddles, puns, or other games! You’re going to give me a straight answer whether you like it or not.” Batman’s hand came down like thunder as he now let all his frustration out on the Riddler’s burning bottom.
The Riddler squirmed and howled out in dismay unable to believe that Batman was so adamant to have him answer his question. He had assumed Batman would have abandoned his interrogation and simply knocked him out to proceed in saving the day. He would have preferred that scenario to the current one that was wearing out his ego as well as his ass. As the pain surmounted Edward knew he’d have to give in and cried out, “Alright! Ow! Stop! I’ll give you a straight answer!”
Batman didn’t stop this time as he replied, “I’m waiting.”
Tears that had formed in the corner of his eyes spilled down his cheeks as he gave in to Batman’s demands, “He’s in the warehouse district! Ow! Stop already! The magic shop! Ow! Tinkerbelle’s! Okay! I told you what you wanted to know! Stop! I’m sorry! Please stop!” The Riddler was now unable to control the pain and humiliation he felt any longer as he began to sob.
Batman slowed the swats but did not stop just yet as he scolded, “You’d better be telling me the truth Edward because so help me if you’re not…”
Edward interjected wailing out, “It’s true! No more! Please! He’s tied up in a water trap! It’s an easily disabled puzzle!”
Batman swatted a little harder replying matter-of-factly, “When we get there, you’re going to disable all of your traps, playtime is over. Have I made myself clear?”
The Riddler whined pitifully nodding in defeat his agreement to Batman’s conditions responding with a squeaked out, “Crystal.”
Satisfied with the Riddler's answers, Batman hauled Edward up off his knee to a standing position as he voice activated both doors to open. The Riddler's embarrassment over the current situation left him unable to look Batman in the eyes as he covered his face with gloved fists and tried to control his sobs. Batman almost felt bad for him, but quickly remembered they still needed to save Robin as he commanded, "Get in the car."
The Riddler's breath hitched in his throat as he wordlessly complied climbing into the car and gingerly sitting down. The soreness that radiated from his seat made him want to cry again but he sucked it back leaving no more than a slightly quivering lip as evidence to the near break down.
Batman jumped into his seat command activating the car to close the doors and fire up the ignition as he buckled his seat belt. He looked over at the Riddler who was currently holding his arms wrapped tightly around his chest and staring out the window in an attempt to avoid looking over at Batman. He could see the distraught look on his face and the frowning shaky lip in his window's reflection. Batman smirked at the thought that it made Edward look so young as he ordered, "Put your seatbelt on."
The tears that had threatened to spill before did now cascading silently down the Riddler's checks as he quietly obeyed snapping the belt in place. As the Batmobile spun around to leave the hill, the Riddler couldn’t help feeling depressed at the turn of events his evening had taken. And as they sped down the cliff side his depression turned to mortification at the thought of any of the other villains finding out what had just happened. He'd be the laughing stock of Arkham!
Would Batman ever tell anyone? The Riddler doubted that he would, but just the mere thought of it getting out made his stomach lurch in trepidation. No, Batman wouldn't tell. Edward sighed dejectedly wiping the tears from his eyes. It was bad enough to have had Batman spank him like he was some errant toddler; it was far worse letting Batman see him cry over it because it had and still did really bother him.
Once he'd gotten his emotions under control again, he was able to relax a little letting his hands drop into his lap as he tapped his fingertips together for a mental distraction. He did a quick side long glance in Batman's direction; Batman was of course focused on the prime directive eyes squared on the road as if the whole thing had never even happened. And for that, the Riddler was grateful.
Batman didn't show it, but he had noticed the Riddler's peripheral glance and had decided he liked the fact that the Riddler had nothing to say and subsequently had his massive ego in check for once. It was the first time ever he'd been able to get him to willingly keep his mouth shut while being conscious. No witty remarks, no riddles, no smugness, no endless questions, just subdued quiet. He wondered if repeating this type of punishment in the future would be beneficial; his lip curved slightly in a small grin as he gathered the Riddler wouldn't think so, not that his agreeability would factor into the equation.
They pulled up to Tinkerbelle's Magic shop, and Batman parked in the alleyway as the doors slid open. Batman turned to stare at Edward asking, "Should I expect any surprises?"
The Riddler frowned as he mumbled sarcastically, "I don't see much in the way of surprises since you've made it clear that I'll be solving all the puzzles meant for you." He purposely left out the fact that there were two thugs he'd paid to stand guard over Robin. He’d decided it was his last ace in the hole to create an obstacle for Batman. Hopefully the two hirelings would cause enough of a distraction for him to make a clean getaway.
Batman grimaced at the Riddler’s complaining before telling him, "Just get out of the car Nygma."
The Riddler obeyed begrudgingly striding straight to the steel-framed door and punching a special made code in to set off a silent alarm and alert the two goons watching over Robin in the basement before typing in the right code. The door creaked open leading into pitch black. As they progressed through the shop, the Riddler half-heartedly warned Batman where the traps were located remarking the answers to his puzzles as they came upon them. He figured if he had to do all the work then Batman would at least half to listen to his concepts and ideology behind why and how the whole motif of his master plan fit together.
Batman frowned quickly tiring of listening to the Riddler boast about how cleverly he'd devised his traps and how Batman had ruined a perfectly fine challenge. When they'd gotten to the cement stairwell leading down into the basement the sounds of cascading water could be heard.
The Riddler knew the hero in Batman would need to rescue Robin as quickly as he could and made sure to mention that Robin was just ahead of them as he’d promised he would be. Batman took this queue as Edward had hoped he would rushing ahead to access Robin’s situation. By the time the Riddler had reached the bottom of the stairwell, he had paced himself a good thirty feet behind Batman.
As Batman rounded the corner Robin was clearly visible trussed up in a straight jacket that was suspended in the middle of the plexi-glass tank he had been encased in. The tank was currently about three-fourths of the way full of water and filling fast. Robin’s mouth had been duck-taped shut, and when he saw Batman his eyes lit up and he kicked futility in an effort to warn Batman of the shadowed figure moving up behind him.
Batman grunted as an excruciating pain rippled across his shoulder blades. He had been distracted long enough for the thug behind him to strike him across the back with his wooden bat, but he’d recovered his wits quickly kicking the next oncoming henchman swinging a crowbar at his head in the gut before turning to the side to grab a hold of the other thug’s bat and pull him forward to connect a swift punch to the chin and knock him out.
Edward had taken the start of the conflict as his chance to make a swift exit. He’d anticipated the fight to last mere moments; they were street thugs against the Bat after all. But mere moments were more than he’d had previously, and where there was a chance to escape, he planned to take it. Edward ran across the dimly lit expanse of the basement in an effort to make it to the old fashioned dolly elevator he’d noticed when they’d first started setting up his trap the day before. He hoped to make it there and out of the building before Batman had realized he’d disappeared.
He did make it to the dolly, but as he put his hand through the pull up bar, a batarang thudded into the wooden frame and door to the dolly. A jolt of fear ran through the Riddler as he desperately tried to open the door, but the batarang was successful in jamming the entrance unmovable. He turned back around to see Batman striding towards him forebodingly. Sweat broke out on his brow and the hair on the back of his neck prickled as his nervousness rose with every nearing step Batman took.
By the time Batman had made it up to the Riddler, he had plastered himself up against the wall looking quite terrified as he tried to anticipate Batman’s reaction to his betrayal croaking out shakily, “Now… you, you can’t blame me for trying can you?”
Batman narrowed his eyes at him stating simply, “Water trap. Now. I will deal with your deceit later.”
Edward nodded and quickly pushed himself off the wall to make his way back to Robin. The trap was an old Japanese torture device that magicians had used to demonstrate their abilities in escape. The Riddler had devised a release code in the form of a Suduko for fun with the theme. As he filled in the code to release Robin he couldn’t help reeling Batman’s last words through his mind over and over. What did he mean he’d deal with his deceit later? He didn’t want to think about what that could encompass after the last encounter he and Batman had had.
The Riddler took all of a minute and a half to finish the puzzle and set the steel doors cranking open to free Robin. Batman reached into the tank dislodging Robin from the pole he’d been harnessed to and hauled his shivering form out of the cold water.
Batman scowled at the Riddler as he undid the tape from Robin’s mouth and Robin sputtered out, “Boy, you made it just in time! I think I might have gotten hypothermia if I was in that water much longer!”
Batman helped Robin steady himself as he undid the clasps holding Robin prisoner in the canvas jacket. Robin breathed a sigh of relief as he flopped the wet fabric on the floor and stretched his arms and shoulders that had gotten quite stiff from being bound for so long.
The Riddler watched the duo silently hoping the police would arrive shortly and haul him off to Arkham since all of his plans had been suitably foiled and there was nothing left for him to look forward to other than getting returned to Arkham and plotting his next escape and caper.
Once Batman was sure Robin was okay he stated, “I radioed for your bike to meet us out front, you go ahead home; I’m going to take care of him,” he nodded in Edward’s direction.
Robin sneered as he tightened his hands into fists glaring at the Riddler and angrily remarking, “If you want, I can take care of him.”
Batman shook his head no replying, “Leave Nygma to me, you just go home and get some rest.
Robin nodded in agreement, “Alright then, I’m ready to get out of here, and I’m definitely looking forward to a hot shower and dry clothes.”
Edward sighed following Batman's glare as a sign it was time to head back up the stairs. The fact that Batman hadn't knocked him unconscious yet worried him. There was no reason to keep him conscious now that all dangers had been averted. Maybe he was waiting until they got up stairs to the Batmobile so he wouldn't have to carry him? Maybe Batman didn’t see the need in resorting to such actions anymore. Small justifications helped to ease the steadily growing sickening tightness that had formed knots in the pit of his stomach over his anticipating what Batman planned to do to him.
Batman could sense the anxiety expelling in waves off of the Riddler due to his earlier threat. 'Good,' he thought, 'you need to be worried. It's about time something had an effect on you since getting locked up never seems to deter your bad behavior.'
The trio made their way up and out of the building, and when they reached the street, Robin's motorcycle sat purring contently next to the Batmobile. Robin slipped on the jacket and helmet stowed in the bike’s side compartment and was happy to hop on ready to ride out and call it a day. He gave Batman a quick wave goodbye as he kicked up the kickstand and zoomed off disappearing down the road in a flash.
All Edward could think was, 'Great, now I'm all alone with him.' He wanted to run, but knew it was pointless and would only serve to anger Batman further. When the doors to the Batmobile opened, he didn't wait to get told to get in and buckle up, hoping his eager compliance would reward him with a reprieve taking his mark of good behavior as reason enough to just drop him back at Arkham unscathed. He strongly doubted the validity of these thoughts, but it was better than thinking of alternatives that he knew he was sure to find out about shortly.
Batman clicked a button on his wrist communicator and a metal casing dropped down and over the dash and console of the Batmobile as the doors closed sealing the Riddler inside the car. Edward's blood ran cold as the machine speedily clinked a protective layer over anything that could be pushed, pulled, or otherwise meddled with and he was left in the cold darkness of the Batmobile. He heard rummaging in the trunk for a few minutes before the car's encasing shed again and the driver's side door rose open. He heard a click signifying the trunk’s closing as Batman emerged from around the back of the car and swiftly jumped into the driver's seat. As they took off and drove down the city streets Batman said nothing more than the words used to activate the Batmobile's controls.
The complete void of sound was driving the Riddler crazy as he stared over at Batman with dreading curiosity. What had he dug around for in the trunk? What did he plan on doing next? They weren't heading towards the police station or Arkham, so where was it he was getting brought to? When they had turned onto the highway heading towards the lighthouse the Riddler had an unsettling idea where they could be heading. He wouldn't would he? I mean, could he really blame him for trying to escape? He was a quote unquote villain after all right?
When they turned off on to the same exit, Edward's stomach did a flip flop and he could stand the silence no longer, "Wha… why are we going back up here?" he stuttered out nervously. He really didn't want to hear the answer as he was pretty sure he knew why.
Batman's eyes didn't leave the road as he stated matter-of-factly, "I told you that I would deal with your deceit later; it's later."
The color drained out of the Riddler's face as a wave of nausea swept over him making him feel like he might faint right then and there. His lips contorted into a pout as he thought that this couldn't really be happening to him. It was surreal and illogical and almost inconceivable to think of it happening once and absolutely absurd to think of it happening twice. No, Batman couldn't be serious! This had to be some ploy to scare him. It was in deed scaring him, so much so that his skin had broken out in goose bumps and beads of perspiration dotted his forehead. His ass still throbbed from the sting of the last time Batman took him up this road, and he didn't think his self-esteem could take a second round of the same abuse.
His need to know outweighed his fear as Edward asked nervously, "What are you going to do to me Batman?"
Batman gave him a hard look, his features unreadable, as he answered, "I'm going to help you help yourself."
Edward gulped at the ominous sounding threat as he numbly repeated part of Batman's words in his mind '...going to help me help myself.' He couldn’t help giving a small snort of disbelief thinking it sounded like something the doctors at Arkham would say to him in one of their chat sessions, but he knew Batman had never been much for talking. His eyebrows arched worriedly remembering their last ‘chat’ as the overwhelming feeling to cry washed over him at the prospect of facing the same humiliating consequences.
Unwilling to sit idly by saying nothing as his fear turned to anger he yelled, "What you've done to me is unconstitutional you know! It's not right I tell you! You can't..." he tapered off as he felt his nerves starting to make his voice waver. He was getting too emotional and realized too late that letting Batman know how scared he was could have been the worst mistake he had made since it proved this new method of punishment was effective.
Batman didn't respond to the Riddler's outburst as the Batmobile continued to swiftly fly back up the cliff side; it wasn't long before they were parked back in the same spot that they had been at about an hour earlier.
The Riddler tensed as the ignition cut off and the doors slid open. Batman looked at him giving the simple command, "Get out," before doing so himself.
Edward's heart raced as batman disappeared around the back side of the car to retrieve whatever it was he'd dug up in the trunk before they'd left the magic shop. He thought about jumping in the driver's seat and trying to drive off in the Batmobile, a fleeting thought. Even if he could figure out how to drive it, he presumed that Batman would probably have some way to disable anyone else from stealing his car.
The Riddler was so lost in his own thoughts he hadn't even removed his seatbelt by the time he realized Batman was standing beside him setting something to clunk down on the roof of the Batmobile.
Edward looked up at Batman dumbfounded and numb with fear. Batman frowned his disapproval at the fact the Riddler was still in his car and not outside as he'd instructed, "I said out. Now."
Edward decided quickly that now would be a good time to start trying to manipulate his way out of this mess. He straightened his back and folded his arms to try and give Batman a look of practicality as he admonished, "This is ludicrous! You're not the law and should leave the task of rehabilitation up to the professionals at Arkham. I mean you already did this once, and the fact you feel you need to do it again so soon means it didn't work the first time and was a waste of time."
Batman smirked at the Riddler's attempt to avoid the inevitable. He then grabbed the makeshift paddle from the roof of the Batmobile to show Edward that he would be making a more prominent point with this application as he replied, "This time won't be a waste of time."
The Riddler's eyes went wide blinking nervously at Batman's new implement as he retorted, "You've got to be kidding me! You've got a paddle?!? There's no way you're using that thing on me!"
Batman responded in all seriousness, "Actually it's a boat ore, but it'll work. Now stop procrastinating, and get out of the car. It's time to get this over with."
Edward definitely didn't want to get out of the car now as he whined petulantly, "This isn't fair! I don't deserve this kind of treatment!"
Batman snarled, "Don't deserve this? It's the least you deserve Nygma." He reached down to his wrist clicking the timer on his watch and leaned on the hood of the car before stating, "If you don't get out of the car by the time my watch sounds in one minute, I'm going to come and get you, and Edward, if I have to pull you out of there, it's just going to make me angry."
Edward's head swam; he knew he needed to get out of the car and face Batman; there were no other choices plausible that wouldn't end in the same result. At least if he complied willingly, Batman might go easier on him. He doubted he'd get any mercy whatsoever if he tried to escape. The alarm started to beep on Batman's watch, and so as not to incur further penalties Edward sighed deeply, undid his seatbelt, and got out of the Batmobile.
Batman remained leaning against the hood as he watched the Riddler slowly exit the Batmobile. When Edward had cleared the door, Batman gave the Batmobile the command to close both doors.
The Riddler watched longingly as the doors sank neatly into place. The car had given him a small sense of security, but now he felt vulnerable, out in the open with no place to hide. It was going to happen; he was about to get spanked. Again! And this time it was going to be much worse… as if the first time wasn’t mortifying enough!
Batman could see the Riddler was terrified of the proposed consequences to come and felt subsequently more assured that he was doing the right thing. A spanking could actually benefit the Riddler because unlike most of the other enemies he had, Edward wasn’t crazy. He wasn’t sane by any stretch of the word, but he wasn’t crazy either. He was fully aware of his actions; his neurosis spawning from his over inflated sense of self and his need to prove his own greatness. He committed most of his crimes out of boredom and for the mere sake of notoriety. All he really wanted was attention, so now Batman planned to give him all the attention he could stand and then some.
Sensing the Riddler had no intention of moving from the spot he was currently occupying, Batman pushed himself off the hood and pointed to the spot he’d just vacated.
Edward’s eyes followed Batman’s direction, but he couldn’t get his feet to propel him forward. His legs felt as if they were filled with led. He knew that resigning to follow Batman’s instructions meant he would be giving up the last vestiges of control he had. Once he was there, in position, there would be no turning back.
The fact that he was having to willingly comply and put himself in place to get spanked verses Batman just forcing the act to happen made the whole experience that much worse. No matter how much he had racked his brain, he couldn’t fathom any way to prevent Batman from continuing on his preset course of action. But he had to at least try, and so he pleaded, “Batman, this barbaric act really isn’t necessary. I understand what I’ve done was wrong, and I’m ready to work with the doctors at Arkham to start bettering myself.”
Batman replied simply, “I’m happy for your revelation Nygma. Now get over here.”
Edward’s brow furrowed, his voice raising an octave, as he responded, “Didn’t you hear me Batman? I said I see the error of my ways, and I’m willing to seek help to become a new man! You don’t have to go through with this anymore! You, you’ve made your point!”
Batman was starting to get irritated with the stalling as he countered, “Agreeing that you were wrong and need help doesn’t excuse the fact that you did what you did Edward. Once we’re done here, I’ll be bringing you back to Arkham, and you’ll have plenty of time to work on becoming a model citizen. Now get over here. The longer you take, the longer I’m going to take.”
Edward’s pout deepened hating to be given an ultimatum as he reluctantly walked towards Batman.
Batman moved aside giving Edward full access to lean over the hood as he’d instructed. The Riddler couldn’t bring himself to just lean over the car pausing to stare blankly at his glossed reflection in the black polished hood. He stood rigidly, tears welling in his eyes before he turned to face Batman with the most pitiful look he could muster and began to beg, “Please don’t do this to me! This is humiliating! This punishment is for children! Not an Adult! Not me!”
Batman scolded, “You want to be treated like an adult Nygma? Then start acting like one. You knew there would be consequences for your actions before you made the decision to go through with them, so now you’re going to face those consequences. There will be no negotiations, ifs, ands, or buts. So stop wasting time and bend over.”
Edward turned away from Batman to once again face the car. The overwhelming fear of what was to come alongside the fact he couldn’t prevent it from happening caused the standing tears in his eyes to spill down his cheeks as he finally gave in leaning over into position to await his unavoidable future. Once in position, Edward wiped the stray tears that had escaped away in disgust as he covered his face in his hands to hide the evidence they had fallen in the first place.
Batman wasted no time as he moved up beside Edward to push his hand down into the small of his back to secure Edward in place and keep him from jerking away from the paddle once he had started the spanking.
Every small noise was amplified to Edward as he listened to Batman move up behind him. He sucked in his breath and broke out in a small shiver feeling Batman’s iron hand weighing down on his back. It would begin now. Time was a dichotomy, every second ticking by as if it was an eternity but also spiraling by too fast to comprehend.
The Riddler cringed visibly after hearing Batman maneuver the paddle in his hand getting prepared to swing the heavy thick hunk of wood. The sound of the wind where the paddle was lifted in the air before connecting was the last thing Edward heard before the deafening crack connected leaving an overpowering sting that now radiated across his ass in waves.
He raised up off of the hood arching his back up to where Batman had him held; his mind blanking momentarily as the only thought that occupied his head was how much this new implement hurt comparatively to the previous hand spanking. He squalled out loudly unable to keep his scream in like he’d originally planned. The pain was far worse than he’d anticipated it to be, and one swat with the terrible instrument was enough to make his hands shoot back uncontrollably in a desperate attempt to cover the paddle’s target.
Batman calmly stated, “Remove your hands Edward.”
Edward cried out helplessly, “No! Please! That hurts too much! I can’t take it I tell you! I can’t!”
Batman replied levelly, “For your little stunt back at the magic store, you’ve got thirty coming to you. That’s one. You’ve got twenty nine more to go.”
The Riddler stared back at him horrified as he shook his head in refusal not believing what Batman had just said, “Twenty nine more! With that… that thing! That’s astronomical! I can’t even handle one! How can you expect me to handle twenty nine more!?!”
Batman responded resolutely, “That’s not my problem, but you will finish out the remainder of your punishment before we leave here. And if you keep interfering, each time you do, we will start over from the beginning. Do you understand?”
Edward held back a sob and whined, “No! I don’t understand! This is a cruel, sadistic, and inhumane punishment Batman! You’re supposed to be one of the good guys! Please don’t make me go through this! I beg of you!”
Batman sighed replying, “I’ve had enough of you dragging this out. I’m giving you to the count of three, if you haven’t removed your hands by the time I reach three Edward, I’m going to remove them for you, and we will start again counting down from thirty five instead of twenty nine. One… Two…”
The Riddler grimaced flinching at each number Batman announced and before Batman could call out the number three, he cried out despairingly, “Okay! Okay! Stop counting! You win!” He reluctantly removed his hands from his ass and put them under his chest. He didn’t know how he would get through this punishment, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to give Batman a reason to add on more!
Edward’s whole body went rigid in anticipation of the next blow, and Batman did not leave him waiting long. The next two swats connected on the underside of his sit spot, and Edward screamed at the top of his lungs desperately fighting the urge to reach back and shield his tender bottom from the oncoming torture.
As the fourth swat landed Edward’s feet shot up involuntarily to block the next swat before he bitterly dropped them back to the ground sniveling out, “I can’t do this! Please don’t start over! I’m sorry! It’s just too much pain to endure!”
Batman knew by the reaction he was receiving from the Riddler, there was no way Edward would be able to prevent himself from interfering with his punishment. Edward would have to be restrained otherwise they’d be there all night. Batman decided to take Edward’s lack of self control out of the equation as he stated, “I told you we would start over if you interfered, and we will. But from now on since you can’t seem to control yourself, I’ll restrain you like I did before. Get up.”
Edward couldn’t help the sob that escaped his throat as he whimpered out, “Nooo!” But he couldn’t argue with Batman’s statement. He knew as well at Batman did that he wouldn’t be able to get through half of the punishment let alone all of the punishment without restraint, and so he unenthusiastically pushed himself off the hood. His lip quivered in dismay unable to speak or remove his eyes from the ground as the humiliation of what would come next sunk in.
As Batman grabbed his bicep and dragged him over his knee to proceed in securing him in place, he couldn’t help thinking miserably that he could have prevented this from happening if he just hadn’t tried to fool Batman and to try and escape. What was he thinking? He was the Riddler for God’s sake! Of course he had to try and escape, just as he had to try and challenge Batman! It was his M.O. right? But was it worth going through all this? His ass certainly didn’t think so.
Batman was surprised that Edward had simply complied seemingly lost in his own thoughts a look of regret plastered across his features. As Batman cinched Edward into place the Riddler trembled moaning out, “Please have mercy on me Batman!” Batman didn’t respond merely lifting the paddle to start anew.
As the first of thirty swats walloped down with the same force as he had previously felt, Edward’s eyes bulged incapable of keeping himself from wriggling madly about and screaming bloody murder as he franticly tried to avoid Batman’s inescapable heavy handed swats.
Batman wasn’t deterred in the least by Edward’s caterwauling and jerking about as he pushed him taught across his lap. He shook his head unable to believe how much of an effect a simple spanking was having on the Riddler and couldn’t help wondering why he hadn’t thought of it before.
By the time the sixth swat had fallen Edward was yelling out promises to never lie to him again, by the tenth he was squalling out apologies, and by the sixteenth swat his voice had gone hoarse from his shrieking and pleading as he could no longer hold back the sobs that escaped with the application of each spank as he twitched in agony feeling very sorry for himself for having to suffer such a fate.
As the twentieth swat landed, Edward could no longer fight as he lay limp over Batman’s knee; the only thoughts that dominated his mind were the counting of each painful stroke to mark the end of his punishment.
Batman felt the Riddler slump down in defeat and decided now that he had his undivided attention he would impart a few words for him to think about, “I know you’re telling yourself that you don’t deserve this Nygma, but you can’t hide the truth from yourself. You know I wouldn’t make a decision to do something like this if I didn’t think it would in some way benefit you.”
Edward sobbed out angrily, “So what?!? You’re telling me you’re doing this for, for my own good?!?”
Batman responded plainly, “Yes.”
Edward could not respond crying at this revelation. He didn’t want to believe it, but as each swat continued to fall, he couldn’t help thinking Batman was a little right. After all, he always left Batman clues to solve his crimes, and part of that wasn’t just for his own ego since the clues led not only to the prize but to him. Even though he wished he could ignore it, deep down he knew what he was doing was wrong and that he needed and should be caught and reprimanded.
Maybe he did deserve this? He shook his head hating where these thoughts were taking him. Admitting fault meant accepting the guilt that followed. He did feel guilty, and as much as he hated it, he knew Batman was helping him pay for his sins albeit painfully. And when the end of his spanking did finally come Edward could only sob into his fists inconsolably as Batman lifted him gently off his knee.
Batman frowned uncomfortable with making Edward break down in such a manner even though he had expected it, he didn’t feel bad per se, but he did feel a slight need to give some sort of compassion as he stated, “We’re done; your punishment is over.” He voice activated the doors to open adding, “Go sit down, I’ll give you some time to calm down before I bring you back to Arkham.”
The Riddler hitched back his sobs to the best of his ability as he nodded his compliance climbing into the chair as he was instructed. As he sat down, he winced and the reminder of the reason for his pain only served to cause a fresh wave of sobs to erupt out of him. All he wanted now was to be back at Arkham and away from this whole scene.
He heard the trunk slam shut before looking up to see Batman climb in beside him. He held a rag out for him to take stating, “I don’t have any tissues.”
Edward blinked in surprise that Batman was being nice enough to offer him the rag as a small gesture of comfort. He took the rag in his hand staring down at it sadly before using it to wipe the tears from his eyes. He reflected how much things had just changed for him over the short span of a few hours time.
Batman watched him try to hiccup back the tears that still cascaded silently down his cheeks as fast as he wiped them away. He waited patiently, and once Edward had gotten his tears under control Batman asked, “Are you ready?” Edward nodded solemnly, and Batman started the Batmobile and began driving towards Arkham.
The Riddler now felt a calm wash over him relieved that he would be heading back to Arkham and out of Batman’s custody. He couldn’t help glancing over at Batman in awe of what he had done to him. Would what had happened keep him from committing crime? He didn’t know, but he did know that he was certain about one thing; he didn’t want to be caught by Batman and be given a repeat of what had just happened! No, that definitely wasn’t agreeable. Edward decided then that maybe it was time he made an honest effort to listen to the doctors and try to reform. Maybe there was hope for him after all?
Batman threw the Riddler unceremoniously into his car slamming the door shut before sliding gracefully across the hood to get in the car himself. The Riddler had a devious smirk played across his face knowing that Batman needed him for clues to find the whereabouts of his partner Robin. It was all about the game; it had always been about the game with the Riddler, and Batman was growing weary of being an unwilling participant just so that the Riddler could have a playmate that gave him a challenge.
Batman slammed his foot down on the gas in irritation sending the Riddler, eyes wide, flying back in his seat as the Batmobile accelerated. Once settled in his seat again, the Riddler remarked teasingly, “Now, now Batman; getting aggravated will only distract you from your goal. Tick tock,” he tapped his wristwatch for emphasis that Batman was running low on time and that he may win this game if Batman became distracted.
The reminder of this fact only served to anger Batman more as he reared back a fist to knock his adversary out in one swift punch. The Riddler held up his hands in a defensive gesture responding quickly, “I wouldn’t be too hasty to sink your fists into me; after all, if you render me unconscious, it will be rather difficult to get any more clues from me.”
Batman’s frown deepened as he lowered his fist. He knew the Riddler was right, and as satisfying as it would be to shut the Riddler up for the duration of having him in his presence, Batman knew he would have to keep him conscious at least long enough to find Robin.
The Riddler smirked at his small victory, enjoying the fact that he was getting under Batman’s skin. He glanced around the inner workings of the Batmobile fascinated by all the gizmos and gadgets contained on the console of the car. He had ridden in Batman’s car before, but had never been conscious long enough to really get a good look within its confines. This thought made him frown, Batman could be such the brute. As he was looking through the myriad of buttons and switches, he reached over to point at a row of flip switches to ask what they were for, but before he could ask, Batman swatted his hand grunting, “Don’t touch anything.”
The Riddler jerked his hand back as if it had been bitten. He gave Batman a scowl before folding his arms defiantly and responding in a slightly irate tone, “For the record, I wasn’t touching. I was pointing! I was only merely going to ask you about those switches and their purpose. I was just interested in the intricacies of your vehicle.”
Batman turned to face Edward long enough to give him a disapproving stare before turning his eyes back to the road and replying, “I foiled your plot Nygma; I’ve already beaten you. Why must you keep doing this?”
The Riddler smiled once more responding smugly, “Oh but you haven’t; if you had beaten me, then you would no longer need me to find your dim witted compatriot.” He settled back in his chair before continuing, “No, the only accomplishment in your favor is that you happened to catch me, and sooner than I’d anticipated. Now you’ll just have to get the remainder of my riddles orally verses well laid within other riddles along the way. It won’t be as much of a challenge now I’m afraid.” He trailed off thinking about the fact that his plans had been compromised and a couple of his riddles had to be modified.
It angered him; he had put a lot of time and effort into making specific puzzles themed with the tasks he’d hoped to see Batman try and accomplish, and now he would have to come up with new, not as well thought out, riddles on the fly to make up for the loss of not being able to put together his clues as masterfully as he had planned them to be. He sighed deeply, thinking out his next riddle to point Batman in the right direction and deciding now would be the best time to deliver it, “Tell you what, I’ll give you the next clue to start you off on the right path. Picture a celebration of conceptual thought where old and new becomes one.”
Batman deduced that the Riddler was referring to Museum Road where the Museum of Modern Art had a special display on Van Gogh’s artwork. He glanced at the time noting he had a little over an hour left before midnight, the fated time Robin’s time clock would run out, and he would fall victim to one of the Riddler’s puzzle traps. Batman fumed aware of the fact the Riddler would be content to give him flippant riddles with just enough direction to barely give him enough time to save Robin if only for the dramatics of a time crunch.
Batman then made a decision and only replied with a simple, “No.”
The Riddler’s smile faded his eyebrow arching in confusion at Batman’s answer, “What do you mean no?”
Batman swerved off onto the next exit that led a few miles up a cliff side to an abandoned lighthouse. Edward watched in curiosity gripping his seat as they flew up the road at over a 100-mile an hour clip wondering what Batman was planning. Batman slowed pulling up to the top of the cliff overlooking the city and put the Batmobile in park. He turned narrowing his eyes at the Riddler to finally answer, “I mean no; I’m not going to answer anymore of your riddles. You’re going to give me a straight answer because I’m done playing games with you.”
The Riddler’s lips curved into a thin line of irritation as he snorted disconcertingly, “Well no answers to my riddles means you’ll just have to figure out where Robin is all by your own deductions. You’re good, but are you good enough to find him AND solve my puzzle in,” he glanced down at his watch, “Oh say, fifty six minutes?” The Riddler’s smirk began to return feeling reassured that Batman would be forced to play one way or another for the mere fact that his sidekick’s life was on the line. He didn’t really want the boy to die, and unlike the Joker, he had no real taste for murder preferring his crimes did not involve any casualties. He really only wanted to win against a worthy opponent, and in order to make Batman play the game at all, there had to be risks involved.
Batman turned the ignition off with the simple voice activated command, “Power down,” and stepped out of his car. Edward’s eyes followed him as he strode with purpose around the side of the car. A chill ran up his spine, and for a moment he wished he could have locked the door by the menacing stare he received when the door slid open with his voice’s command, “Passenger door open.” As the door was opening, Batman left no time for words quickly grabbing Edward’s bicep and snatching him out of the car like a rag doll before giving the command to close the doors. Once the doors had closed, Batman proceeded to slam the Riddler up against the door an intimidating frown plastered across his face.
The Riddler tried not to appear afraid by keeping his small smirk in place, but truth be told, knowing what the man currently towering over him was truly capable of terrified him. Had he finally pushed Batman over the edge? The man was crazy in his own right gallivanting around dressed up like a bat after all.
As these thoughts raced across the Riddler’s mind, he found himself intrigued in spite of his fear as to what action Batman would take next, and so the Riddler asked curiously, “What is it you hope to accomplish by bringing me way out here Batman? You could theoretically threaten my life by dangling me over the side of this cliff, but I don’t believe you would in fact kill me let alone compromise Robin’s safety if you were to accidentally drop me. No, that wouldn’t be logical would it? I know the boy’s location, and without my help, Robin will surely perish. So then what? It’s not like you can slug the answers out of me. I, unlike the Joker, don’t have the constitution to last through more than one or two of your punches. So tell me, what can you really do other than play by my rules?” Edward chuckled lightly to himself feeling more confident in his standing by his own justifications. He grinned broadly at Batman as he nonchalantly straightened out his green jacket and awaited Batman’s response.
Batman crossed his arms holding back his building rage. He wanted to pummel the self-satisfied grin off his face, but he also agreed with the Riddler’s argument. He couldn’t beat him unconscious because he needed information from the Riddler, and he needed it in a timely manner. He knew all these facts before he’d decided what his next action with the Riddler would be.
Batman didn’t miss a beat as he gave Edward a dangerous smile responding, “You’re absolutely right Edward; I know your limits, and I’ve adjusted my tactics for you accordingly. It’s your choice, but I will warn you, you really don’t want my alternative. Do yourself a favor and just tell me where Robin is and how to retrieve him safely.”
Edward studied Batman’s features somewhat unnerved by the way Batman seemed so sure of himself, but unable to back down from Batman’s challenge due to his own narcissism and curiosity, the Riddler replied, “My choice Batman? My choice is to see what ace you think you’ve got up your sleeve.”
Batman shook his head as he unfolded his arms taking on a menacing stance, “I figured your arrogance would decide for you.” Edward shrank back against the door nervously as Batman lunged forward snagging the Riddler’s wrist and yanking him over to the front end of the Batmobile.
Edward had followed in silence until Batman had sat on the edge of the Batmobile’s hood simultaneously throwing the Riddler sprawling across one of Batman’s knees and the hood of the car. Batman’s other leg deftly wrapped itself around the Riddler’s legs leaving no room to escape. Edward was a smart man, and it didn’t take more than a few seconds for the dawning realization of what possible outcomes would come out of this position.
A gasp escaped his throat, his stomach tightening in panic as his head spun back to glare in awe at Batman as he yelled out, “What do you think you are you doing!”
Batman secured the Riddler into place by pushing his left hand down into the small of his back. He raised his right hand back to strike his now wriggling target before replying, “Something that should have been done a long time ago.” As the words left his mouth, his steel hand came down in quick succession to leave one stinging swat after another.
Edward’s jaw hung agape in surprise as he thought, ‘There’s no way this is actually happening to me!’ He squalled out loudly and bucked wildly at each hit never one to have a high threshold for pain as he screamed, “Stop! You can’t do this!”
Batman didn’t stop spanking the Riddler but countered, “I can, and I am. Tell me where Robin is.”
The Riddler pouted responding, “That’s not fair! You’re cheating!” He couldn’t believe how much this was hurting! His thin, gray, dress slacks may as well have been non-existent for the protection they offered against Batman’s stinging slaps.
Batman’s hand came down harder and the Riddler screeched shrilly in response to the increased pain. “Fair? How long this goes on for is all up to you Edward. Just tell me where Robin is, and I’ll stop. Otherwise as you’ve previously stated, we’ve got almost an hour to hash this out.”
The Riddler gulped knowing there was no way he could hold out that long, he didn’t think he could hold up much longer as it was, and he really didn’t want to see how long he actually could stand this treatment, so he swiftly rattled off, “Okay! Okay! I’ll tell you! Just stop already!”
Batman did stop, and the Riddler quickly shot his hands back to cover his vulnerable rear owing his discomfort and giving Batman a nasty sneer that lost most of its fierceness under the current circumstances. Batman paid the look no mind as he asked in all seriousness, “Where is he?”
Edward’s frown deepened momentarily thinking how much he hated Batman for doing this to him. He then smirked feeling clever as he decided he would have to tell Batman where Robin was, but he wasn’t about to let Batman win too easily unable to help guising the answer in a simple riddle, “Your companion is being held by one of the oldest tricks in the book. Just follow the fairy’s dust and you will find him.” It was an easy enough riddle that Batman would have no problem solving, but still a riddle, so Batman would still be conforming to his rules.
Batman had deduced quickly that the Riddler was talking about the warehouse district where there was a huge two-story magic supply store called Tinkerbelle’s. It was well known to carry several complex magic props from back in Houdini’s time. The store was also less than five minutes from where they were now.
This fact angered Batman since the Riddler’s original clue would have sent him a good twenty minutes out of the way from the magic shop just so that Edward could have continued to play games with him. Edward was still playing games now just to try and feel like he’d won by making Batman answer his simple riddle verses just telling him out right where Robin was being held. Batman shook his head in bitter annoyance as he decided he wasn’t going to let the Riddler get any small victories on him. He snagged the Riddler’s hands off his rear end pinning them in the small of his back as he got ready to continue where he’d left off.
Edward’s expression changed as his smirk faded into a look of shock realizing Batman was about to start spanking him again. Fear coursed through him at the prospect of having to endure anymore heavy-handed swats on his already very tender posterior as he yelled out, “Wait a minute! That was ridiculously easy! You can’t tell me you can’t solve that riddle?”
Batman replied, “You’re right, it is easy, but you’re going to tell me where he is without any riddles, puns, or other games! You’re going to give me a straight answer whether you like it or not.” Batman’s hand came down like thunder as he now let all his frustration out on the Riddler’s burning bottom.
The Riddler squirmed and howled out in dismay unable to believe that Batman was so adamant to have him answer his question. He had assumed Batman would have abandoned his interrogation and simply knocked him out to proceed in saving the day. He would have preferred that scenario to the current one that was wearing out his ego as well as his ass. As the pain surmounted Edward knew he’d have to give in and cried out, “Alright! Ow! Stop! I’ll give you a straight answer!”
Batman didn’t stop this time as he replied, “I’m waiting.”
Tears that had formed in the corner of his eyes spilled down his cheeks as he gave in to Batman’s demands, “He’s in the warehouse district! Ow! Stop already! The magic shop! Ow! Tinkerbelle’s! Okay! I told you what you wanted to know! Stop! I’m sorry! Please stop!” The Riddler was now unable to control the pain and humiliation he felt any longer as he began to sob.
Batman slowed the swats but did not stop just yet as he scolded, “You’d better be telling me the truth Edward because so help me if you’re not…”
Edward interjected wailing out, “It’s true! No more! Please! He’s tied up in a water trap! It’s an easily disabled puzzle!”
Batman swatted a little harder replying matter-of-factly, “When we get there, you’re going to disable all of your traps, playtime is over. Have I made myself clear?”
The Riddler whined pitifully nodding in defeat his agreement to Batman’s conditions responding with a squeaked out, “Crystal.”
Satisfied with the Riddler's answers, Batman hauled Edward up off his knee to a standing position as he voice activated both doors to open. The Riddler's embarrassment over the current situation left him unable to look Batman in the eyes as he covered his face with gloved fists and tried to control his sobs. Batman almost felt bad for him, but quickly remembered they still needed to save Robin as he commanded, "Get in the car."
The Riddler's breath hitched in his throat as he wordlessly complied climbing into the car and gingerly sitting down. The soreness that radiated from his seat made him want to cry again but he sucked it back leaving no more than a slightly quivering lip as evidence to the near break down.
Batman jumped into his seat command activating the car to close the doors and fire up the ignition as he buckled his seat belt. He looked over at the Riddler who was currently holding his arms wrapped tightly around his chest and staring out the window in an attempt to avoid looking over at Batman. He could see the distraught look on his face and the frowning shaky lip in his window's reflection. Batman smirked at the thought that it made Edward look so young as he ordered, "Put your seatbelt on."
The tears that had threatened to spill before did now cascading silently down the Riddler's checks as he quietly obeyed snapping the belt in place. As the Batmobile spun around to leave the hill, the Riddler couldn’t help feeling depressed at the turn of events his evening had taken. And as they sped down the cliff side his depression turned to mortification at the thought of any of the other villains finding out what had just happened. He'd be the laughing stock of Arkham!
Would Batman ever tell anyone? The Riddler doubted that he would, but just the mere thought of it getting out made his stomach lurch in trepidation. No, Batman wouldn't tell. Edward sighed dejectedly wiping the tears from his eyes. It was bad enough to have had Batman spank him like he was some errant toddler; it was far worse letting Batman see him cry over it because it had and still did really bother him.
Once he'd gotten his emotions under control again, he was able to relax a little letting his hands drop into his lap as he tapped his fingertips together for a mental distraction. He did a quick side long glance in Batman's direction; Batman was of course focused on the prime directive eyes squared on the road as if the whole thing had never even happened. And for that, the Riddler was grateful.
Batman didn't show it, but he had noticed the Riddler's peripheral glance and had decided he liked the fact that the Riddler had nothing to say and subsequently had his massive ego in check for once. It was the first time ever he'd been able to get him to willingly keep his mouth shut while being conscious. No witty remarks, no riddles, no smugness, no endless questions, just subdued quiet. He wondered if repeating this type of punishment in the future would be beneficial; his lip curved slightly in a small grin as he gathered the Riddler wouldn't think so, not that his agreeability would factor into the equation.
They pulled up to Tinkerbelle's Magic shop, and Batman parked in the alleyway as the doors slid open. Batman turned to stare at Edward asking, "Should I expect any surprises?"
The Riddler frowned as he mumbled sarcastically, "I don't see much in the way of surprises since you've made it clear that I'll be solving all the puzzles meant for you." He purposely left out the fact that there were two thugs he'd paid to stand guard over Robin. He’d decided it was his last ace in the hole to create an obstacle for Batman. Hopefully the two hirelings would cause enough of a distraction for him to make a clean getaway.
Batman grimaced at the Riddler’s complaining before telling him, "Just get out of the car Nygma."
The Riddler obeyed begrudgingly striding straight to the steel-framed door and punching a special made code in to set off a silent alarm and alert the two goons watching over Robin in the basement before typing in the right code. The door creaked open leading into pitch black. As they progressed through the shop, the Riddler half-heartedly warned Batman where the traps were located remarking the answers to his puzzles as they came upon them. He figured if he had to do all the work then Batman would at least half to listen to his concepts and ideology behind why and how the whole motif of his master plan fit together.
Batman frowned quickly tiring of listening to the Riddler boast about how cleverly he'd devised his traps and how Batman had ruined a perfectly fine challenge. When they'd gotten to the cement stairwell leading down into the basement the sounds of cascading water could be heard.
The Riddler knew the hero in Batman would need to rescue Robin as quickly as he could and made sure to mention that Robin was just ahead of them as he’d promised he would be. Batman took this queue as Edward had hoped he would rushing ahead to access Robin’s situation. By the time the Riddler had reached the bottom of the stairwell, he had paced himself a good thirty feet behind Batman.
As Batman rounded the corner Robin was clearly visible trussed up in a straight jacket that was suspended in the middle of the plexi-glass tank he had been encased in. The tank was currently about three-fourths of the way full of water and filling fast. Robin’s mouth had been duck-taped shut, and when he saw Batman his eyes lit up and he kicked futility in an effort to warn Batman of the shadowed figure moving up behind him.
Batman grunted as an excruciating pain rippled across his shoulder blades. He had been distracted long enough for the thug behind him to strike him across the back with his wooden bat, but he’d recovered his wits quickly kicking the next oncoming henchman swinging a crowbar at his head in the gut before turning to the side to grab a hold of the other thug’s bat and pull him forward to connect a swift punch to the chin and knock him out.
Edward had taken the start of the conflict as his chance to make a swift exit. He’d anticipated the fight to last mere moments; they were street thugs against the Bat after all. But mere moments were more than he’d had previously, and where there was a chance to escape, he planned to take it. Edward ran across the dimly lit expanse of the basement in an effort to make it to the old fashioned dolly elevator he’d noticed when they’d first started setting up his trap the day before. He hoped to make it there and out of the building before Batman had realized he’d disappeared.
He did make it to the dolly, but as he put his hand through the pull up bar, a batarang thudded into the wooden frame and door to the dolly. A jolt of fear ran through the Riddler as he desperately tried to open the door, but the batarang was successful in jamming the entrance unmovable. He turned back around to see Batman striding towards him forebodingly. Sweat broke out on his brow and the hair on the back of his neck prickled as his nervousness rose with every nearing step Batman took.
By the time Batman had made it up to the Riddler, he had plastered himself up against the wall looking quite terrified as he tried to anticipate Batman’s reaction to his betrayal croaking out shakily, “Now… you, you can’t blame me for trying can you?”
Batman narrowed his eyes at him stating simply, “Water trap. Now. I will deal with your deceit later.”
Edward nodded and quickly pushed himself off the wall to make his way back to Robin. The trap was an old Japanese torture device that magicians had used to demonstrate their abilities in escape. The Riddler had devised a release code in the form of a Suduko for fun with the theme. As he filled in the code to release Robin he couldn’t help reeling Batman’s last words through his mind over and over. What did he mean he’d deal with his deceit later? He didn’t want to think about what that could encompass after the last encounter he and Batman had had.
The Riddler took all of a minute and a half to finish the puzzle and set the steel doors cranking open to free Robin. Batman reached into the tank dislodging Robin from the pole he’d been harnessed to and hauled his shivering form out of the cold water.
Batman scowled at the Riddler as he undid the tape from Robin’s mouth and Robin sputtered out, “Boy, you made it just in time! I think I might have gotten hypothermia if I was in that water much longer!”
Batman helped Robin steady himself as he undid the clasps holding Robin prisoner in the canvas jacket. Robin breathed a sigh of relief as he flopped the wet fabric on the floor and stretched his arms and shoulders that had gotten quite stiff from being bound for so long.
The Riddler watched the duo silently hoping the police would arrive shortly and haul him off to Arkham since all of his plans had been suitably foiled and there was nothing left for him to look forward to other than getting returned to Arkham and plotting his next escape and caper.
Once Batman was sure Robin was okay he stated, “I radioed for your bike to meet us out front, you go ahead home; I’m going to take care of him,” he nodded in Edward’s direction.
Robin sneered as he tightened his hands into fists glaring at the Riddler and angrily remarking, “If you want, I can take care of him.”
Batman shook his head no replying, “Leave Nygma to me, you just go home and get some rest.
Robin nodded in agreement, “Alright then, I’m ready to get out of here, and I’m definitely looking forward to a hot shower and dry clothes.”
Edward sighed following Batman's glare as a sign it was time to head back up the stairs. The fact that Batman hadn't knocked him unconscious yet worried him. There was no reason to keep him conscious now that all dangers had been averted. Maybe he was waiting until they got up stairs to the Batmobile so he wouldn't have to carry him? Maybe Batman didn’t see the need in resorting to such actions anymore. Small justifications helped to ease the steadily growing sickening tightness that had formed knots in the pit of his stomach over his anticipating what Batman planned to do to him.
Batman could sense the anxiety expelling in waves off of the Riddler due to his earlier threat. 'Good,' he thought, 'you need to be worried. It's about time something had an effect on you since getting locked up never seems to deter your bad behavior.'
The trio made their way up and out of the building, and when they reached the street, Robin's motorcycle sat purring contently next to the Batmobile. Robin slipped on the jacket and helmet stowed in the bike’s side compartment and was happy to hop on ready to ride out and call it a day. He gave Batman a quick wave goodbye as he kicked up the kickstand and zoomed off disappearing down the road in a flash.
All Edward could think was, 'Great, now I'm all alone with him.' He wanted to run, but knew it was pointless and would only serve to anger Batman further. When the doors to the Batmobile opened, he didn't wait to get told to get in and buckle up, hoping his eager compliance would reward him with a reprieve taking his mark of good behavior as reason enough to just drop him back at Arkham unscathed. He strongly doubted the validity of these thoughts, but it was better than thinking of alternatives that he knew he was sure to find out about shortly.
Batman clicked a button on his wrist communicator and a metal casing dropped down and over the dash and console of the Batmobile as the doors closed sealing the Riddler inside the car. Edward's blood ran cold as the machine speedily clinked a protective layer over anything that could be pushed, pulled, or otherwise meddled with and he was left in the cold darkness of the Batmobile. He heard rummaging in the trunk for a few minutes before the car's encasing shed again and the driver's side door rose open. He heard a click signifying the trunk’s closing as Batman emerged from around the back of the car and swiftly jumped into the driver's seat. As they took off and drove down the city streets Batman said nothing more than the words used to activate the Batmobile's controls.
The complete void of sound was driving the Riddler crazy as he stared over at Batman with dreading curiosity. What had he dug around for in the trunk? What did he plan on doing next? They weren't heading towards the police station or Arkham, so where was it he was getting brought to? When they had turned onto the highway heading towards the lighthouse the Riddler had an unsettling idea where they could be heading. He wouldn't would he? I mean, could he really blame him for trying to escape? He was a quote unquote villain after all right?
When they turned off on to the same exit, Edward's stomach did a flip flop and he could stand the silence no longer, "Wha… why are we going back up here?" he stuttered out nervously. He really didn't want to hear the answer as he was pretty sure he knew why.
Batman's eyes didn't leave the road as he stated matter-of-factly, "I told you that I would deal with your deceit later; it's later."
The color drained out of the Riddler's face as a wave of nausea swept over him making him feel like he might faint right then and there. His lips contorted into a pout as he thought that this couldn't really be happening to him. It was surreal and illogical and almost inconceivable to think of it happening once and absolutely absurd to think of it happening twice. No, Batman couldn't be serious! This had to be some ploy to scare him. It was in deed scaring him, so much so that his skin had broken out in goose bumps and beads of perspiration dotted his forehead. His ass still throbbed from the sting of the last time Batman took him up this road, and he didn't think his self-esteem could take a second round of the same abuse.
His need to know outweighed his fear as Edward asked nervously, "What are you going to do to me Batman?"
Batman gave him a hard look, his features unreadable, as he answered, "I'm going to help you help yourself."
Edward gulped at the ominous sounding threat as he numbly repeated part of Batman's words in his mind '...going to help me help myself.' He couldn’t help giving a small snort of disbelief thinking it sounded like something the doctors at Arkham would say to him in one of their chat sessions, but he knew Batman had never been much for talking. His eyebrows arched worriedly remembering their last ‘chat’ as the overwhelming feeling to cry washed over him at the prospect of facing the same humiliating consequences.
Unwilling to sit idly by saying nothing as his fear turned to anger he yelled, "What you've done to me is unconstitutional you know! It's not right I tell you! You can't..." he tapered off as he felt his nerves starting to make his voice waver. He was getting too emotional and realized too late that letting Batman know how scared he was could have been the worst mistake he had made since it proved this new method of punishment was effective.
Batman didn't respond to the Riddler's outburst as the Batmobile continued to swiftly fly back up the cliff side; it wasn't long before they were parked back in the same spot that they had been at about an hour earlier.
The Riddler tensed as the ignition cut off and the doors slid open. Batman looked at him giving the simple command, "Get out," before doing so himself.
Edward's heart raced as batman disappeared around the back side of the car to retrieve whatever it was he'd dug up in the trunk before they'd left the magic shop. He thought about jumping in the driver's seat and trying to drive off in the Batmobile, a fleeting thought. Even if he could figure out how to drive it, he presumed that Batman would probably have some way to disable anyone else from stealing his car.
The Riddler was so lost in his own thoughts he hadn't even removed his seatbelt by the time he realized Batman was standing beside him setting something to clunk down on the roof of the Batmobile.
Edward looked up at Batman dumbfounded and numb with fear. Batman frowned his disapproval at the fact the Riddler was still in his car and not outside as he'd instructed, "I said out. Now."
Edward decided quickly that now would be a good time to start trying to manipulate his way out of this mess. He straightened his back and folded his arms to try and give Batman a look of practicality as he admonished, "This is ludicrous! You're not the law and should leave the task of rehabilitation up to the professionals at Arkham. I mean you already did this once, and the fact you feel you need to do it again so soon means it didn't work the first time and was a waste of time."
Batman smirked at the Riddler's attempt to avoid the inevitable. He then grabbed the makeshift paddle from the roof of the Batmobile to show Edward that he would be making a more prominent point with this application as he replied, "This time won't be a waste of time."
The Riddler's eyes went wide blinking nervously at Batman's new implement as he retorted, "You've got to be kidding me! You've got a paddle?!? There's no way you're using that thing on me!"
Batman responded in all seriousness, "Actually it's a boat ore, but it'll work. Now stop procrastinating, and get out of the car. It's time to get this over with."
Edward definitely didn't want to get out of the car now as he whined petulantly, "This isn't fair! I don't deserve this kind of treatment!"
Batman snarled, "Don't deserve this? It's the least you deserve Nygma." He reached down to his wrist clicking the timer on his watch and leaned on the hood of the car before stating, "If you don't get out of the car by the time my watch sounds in one minute, I'm going to come and get you, and Edward, if I have to pull you out of there, it's just going to make me angry."
Edward's head swam; he knew he needed to get out of the car and face Batman; there were no other choices plausible that wouldn't end in the same result. At least if he complied willingly, Batman might go easier on him. He doubted he'd get any mercy whatsoever if he tried to escape. The alarm started to beep on Batman's watch, and so as not to incur further penalties Edward sighed deeply, undid his seatbelt, and got out of the Batmobile.
Batman remained leaning against the hood as he watched the Riddler slowly exit the Batmobile. When Edward had cleared the door, Batman gave the Batmobile the command to close both doors.
The Riddler watched longingly as the doors sank neatly into place. The car had given him a small sense of security, but now he felt vulnerable, out in the open with no place to hide. It was going to happen; he was about to get spanked. Again! And this time it was going to be much worse… as if the first time wasn’t mortifying enough!
Batman could see the Riddler was terrified of the proposed consequences to come and felt subsequently more assured that he was doing the right thing. A spanking could actually benefit the Riddler because unlike most of the other enemies he had, Edward wasn’t crazy. He wasn’t sane by any stretch of the word, but he wasn’t crazy either. He was fully aware of his actions; his neurosis spawning from his over inflated sense of self and his need to prove his own greatness. He committed most of his crimes out of boredom and for the mere sake of notoriety. All he really wanted was attention, so now Batman planned to give him all the attention he could stand and then some.
Sensing the Riddler had no intention of moving from the spot he was currently occupying, Batman pushed himself off the hood and pointed to the spot he’d just vacated.
Edward’s eyes followed Batman’s direction, but he couldn’t get his feet to propel him forward. His legs felt as if they were filled with led. He knew that resigning to follow Batman’s instructions meant he would be giving up the last vestiges of control he had. Once he was there, in position, there would be no turning back.
The fact that he was having to willingly comply and put himself in place to get spanked verses Batman just forcing the act to happen made the whole experience that much worse. No matter how much he had racked his brain, he couldn’t fathom any way to prevent Batman from continuing on his preset course of action. But he had to at least try, and so he pleaded, “Batman, this barbaric act really isn’t necessary. I understand what I’ve done was wrong, and I’m ready to work with the doctors at Arkham to start bettering myself.”
Batman replied simply, “I’m happy for your revelation Nygma. Now get over here.”
Edward’s brow furrowed, his voice raising an octave, as he responded, “Didn’t you hear me Batman? I said I see the error of my ways, and I’m willing to seek help to become a new man! You don’t have to go through with this anymore! You, you’ve made your point!”
Batman was starting to get irritated with the stalling as he countered, “Agreeing that you were wrong and need help doesn’t excuse the fact that you did what you did Edward. Once we’re done here, I’ll be bringing you back to Arkham, and you’ll have plenty of time to work on becoming a model citizen. Now get over here. The longer you take, the longer I’m going to take.”
Edward’s pout deepened hating to be given an ultimatum as he reluctantly walked towards Batman.
Batman moved aside giving Edward full access to lean over the hood as he’d instructed. The Riddler couldn’t bring himself to just lean over the car pausing to stare blankly at his glossed reflection in the black polished hood. He stood rigidly, tears welling in his eyes before he turned to face Batman with the most pitiful look he could muster and began to beg, “Please don’t do this to me! This is humiliating! This punishment is for children! Not an Adult! Not me!”
Batman scolded, “You want to be treated like an adult Nygma? Then start acting like one. You knew there would be consequences for your actions before you made the decision to go through with them, so now you’re going to face those consequences. There will be no negotiations, ifs, ands, or buts. So stop wasting time and bend over.”
Edward turned away from Batman to once again face the car. The overwhelming fear of what was to come alongside the fact he couldn’t prevent it from happening caused the standing tears in his eyes to spill down his cheeks as he finally gave in leaning over into position to await his unavoidable future. Once in position, Edward wiped the stray tears that had escaped away in disgust as he covered his face in his hands to hide the evidence they had fallen in the first place.
Batman wasted no time as he moved up beside Edward to push his hand down into the small of his back to secure Edward in place and keep him from jerking away from the paddle once he had started the spanking.
Every small noise was amplified to Edward as he listened to Batman move up behind him. He sucked in his breath and broke out in a small shiver feeling Batman’s iron hand weighing down on his back. It would begin now. Time was a dichotomy, every second ticking by as if it was an eternity but also spiraling by too fast to comprehend.
The Riddler cringed visibly after hearing Batman maneuver the paddle in his hand getting prepared to swing the heavy thick hunk of wood. The sound of the wind where the paddle was lifted in the air before connecting was the last thing Edward heard before the deafening crack connected leaving an overpowering sting that now radiated across his ass in waves.
He raised up off of the hood arching his back up to where Batman had him held; his mind blanking momentarily as the only thought that occupied his head was how much this new implement hurt comparatively to the previous hand spanking. He squalled out loudly unable to keep his scream in like he’d originally planned. The pain was far worse than he’d anticipated it to be, and one swat with the terrible instrument was enough to make his hands shoot back uncontrollably in a desperate attempt to cover the paddle’s target.
Batman calmly stated, “Remove your hands Edward.”
Edward cried out helplessly, “No! Please! That hurts too much! I can’t take it I tell you! I can’t!”
Batman replied levelly, “For your little stunt back at the magic store, you’ve got thirty coming to you. That’s one. You’ve got twenty nine more to go.”
The Riddler stared back at him horrified as he shook his head in refusal not believing what Batman had just said, “Twenty nine more! With that… that thing! That’s astronomical! I can’t even handle one! How can you expect me to handle twenty nine more!?!”
Batman responded resolutely, “That’s not my problem, but you will finish out the remainder of your punishment before we leave here. And if you keep interfering, each time you do, we will start over from the beginning. Do you understand?”
Edward held back a sob and whined, “No! I don’t understand! This is a cruel, sadistic, and inhumane punishment Batman! You’re supposed to be one of the good guys! Please don’t make me go through this! I beg of you!”
Batman sighed replying, “I’ve had enough of you dragging this out. I’m giving you to the count of three, if you haven’t removed your hands by the time I reach three Edward, I’m going to remove them for you, and we will start again counting down from thirty five instead of twenty nine. One… Two…”
The Riddler grimaced flinching at each number Batman announced and before Batman could call out the number three, he cried out despairingly, “Okay! Okay! Stop counting! You win!” He reluctantly removed his hands from his ass and put them under his chest. He didn’t know how he would get through this punishment, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to give Batman a reason to add on more!
Edward’s whole body went rigid in anticipation of the next blow, and Batman did not leave him waiting long. The next two swats connected on the underside of his sit spot, and Edward screamed at the top of his lungs desperately fighting the urge to reach back and shield his tender bottom from the oncoming torture.
As the fourth swat landed Edward’s feet shot up involuntarily to block the next swat before he bitterly dropped them back to the ground sniveling out, “I can’t do this! Please don’t start over! I’m sorry! It’s just too much pain to endure!”
Batman knew by the reaction he was receiving from the Riddler, there was no way Edward would be able to prevent himself from interfering with his punishment. Edward would have to be restrained otherwise they’d be there all night. Batman decided to take Edward’s lack of self control out of the equation as he stated, “I told you we would start over if you interfered, and we will. But from now on since you can’t seem to control yourself, I’ll restrain you like I did before. Get up.”
Edward couldn’t help the sob that escaped his throat as he whimpered out, “Nooo!” But he couldn’t argue with Batman’s statement. He knew as well at Batman did that he wouldn’t be able to get through half of the punishment let alone all of the punishment without restraint, and so he unenthusiastically pushed himself off the hood. His lip quivered in dismay unable to speak or remove his eyes from the ground as the humiliation of what would come next sunk in.
As Batman grabbed his bicep and dragged him over his knee to proceed in securing him in place, he couldn’t help thinking miserably that he could have prevented this from happening if he just hadn’t tried to fool Batman and to try and escape. What was he thinking? He was the Riddler for God’s sake! Of course he had to try and escape, just as he had to try and challenge Batman! It was his M.O. right? But was it worth going through all this? His ass certainly didn’t think so.
Batman was surprised that Edward had simply complied seemingly lost in his own thoughts a look of regret plastered across his features. As Batman cinched Edward into place the Riddler trembled moaning out, “Please have mercy on me Batman!” Batman didn’t respond merely lifting the paddle to start anew.
As the first of thirty swats walloped down with the same force as he had previously felt, Edward’s eyes bulged incapable of keeping himself from wriggling madly about and screaming bloody murder as he franticly tried to avoid Batman’s inescapable heavy handed swats.
Batman wasn’t deterred in the least by Edward’s caterwauling and jerking about as he pushed him taught across his lap. He shook his head unable to believe how much of an effect a simple spanking was having on the Riddler and couldn’t help wondering why he hadn’t thought of it before.
By the time the sixth swat had fallen Edward was yelling out promises to never lie to him again, by the tenth he was squalling out apologies, and by the sixteenth swat his voice had gone hoarse from his shrieking and pleading as he could no longer hold back the sobs that escaped with the application of each spank as he twitched in agony feeling very sorry for himself for having to suffer such a fate.
As the twentieth swat landed, Edward could no longer fight as he lay limp over Batman’s knee; the only thoughts that dominated his mind were the counting of each painful stroke to mark the end of his punishment.
Batman felt the Riddler slump down in defeat and decided now that he had his undivided attention he would impart a few words for him to think about, “I know you’re telling yourself that you don’t deserve this Nygma, but you can’t hide the truth from yourself. You know I wouldn’t make a decision to do something like this if I didn’t think it would in some way benefit you.”
Edward sobbed out angrily, “So what?!? You’re telling me you’re doing this for, for my own good?!?”
Batman responded plainly, “Yes.”
Edward could not respond crying at this revelation. He didn’t want to believe it, but as each swat continued to fall, he couldn’t help thinking Batman was a little right. After all, he always left Batman clues to solve his crimes, and part of that wasn’t just for his own ego since the clues led not only to the prize but to him. Even though he wished he could ignore it, deep down he knew what he was doing was wrong and that he needed and should be caught and reprimanded.
Maybe he did deserve this? He shook his head hating where these thoughts were taking him. Admitting fault meant accepting the guilt that followed. He did feel guilty, and as much as he hated it, he knew Batman was helping him pay for his sins albeit painfully. And when the end of his spanking did finally come Edward could only sob into his fists inconsolably as Batman lifted him gently off his knee.
Batman frowned uncomfortable with making Edward break down in such a manner even though he had expected it, he didn’t feel bad per se, but he did feel a slight need to give some sort of compassion as he stated, “We’re done; your punishment is over.” He voice activated the doors to open adding, “Go sit down, I’ll give you some time to calm down before I bring you back to Arkham.”
The Riddler hitched back his sobs to the best of his ability as he nodded his compliance climbing into the chair as he was instructed. As he sat down, he winced and the reminder of the reason for his pain only served to cause a fresh wave of sobs to erupt out of him. All he wanted now was to be back at Arkham and away from this whole scene.
He heard the trunk slam shut before looking up to see Batman climb in beside him. He held a rag out for him to take stating, “I don’t have any tissues.”
Edward blinked in surprise that Batman was being nice enough to offer him the rag as a small gesture of comfort. He took the rag in his hand staring down at it sadly before using it to wipe the tears from his eyes. He reflected how much things had just changed for him over the short span of a few hours time.
Batman watched him try to hiccup back the tears that still cascaded silently down his cheeks as fast as he wiped them away. He waited patiently, and once Edward had gotten his tears under control Batman asked, “Are you ready?” Edward nodded solemnly, and Batman started the Batmobile and began driving towards Arkham.
The Riddler now felt a calm wash over him relieved that he would be heading back to Arkham and out of Batman’s custody. He couldn’t help glancing over at Batman in awe of what he had done to him. Would what had happened keep him from committing crime? He didn’t know, but he did know that he was certain about one thing; he didn’t want to be caught by Batman and be given a repeat of what had just happened! No, that definitely wasn’t agreeable. Edward decided then that maybe it was time he made an honest effort to listen to the doctors and try to reform. Maybe there was hope for him after all?
