Empress Penguin
This was all because of that one scene in Arcane where Jinx kills Silco. I watched it and thought:
'Wow, that was heartbreaking... I am pretty sure I could do something like that.'
Preamble:
This is a complete overview of a fic I kinda want to write.
Before we get into the actual story we need some world building/settings.
First, This is set more in the DC universe than MLB universe. The fight with Hawkmoth did still happen. Just to a point. There is gonna be divergence from cannon. Mainly because there are things I like from MLB and things I don't care for.
Second. How many of you have a heart? How many of you would be willing to let me borrow it and don't mind if I return it to you in worse shape than when you gave it to me?
Third, I joked before but this might be rough for some of you. It will be a slow burn until we get to the heartbreak but it will come and it will probably hurt and be a pretty intense.
Last bit. And to end this on a brighter note: Adoptive!Granddad Penguin.
P.S. I don't know if this will be important or not, but I kept picturing this in the old Batman animated series style. So that might explain some stylistic choices I make. There are more recent characters though so don't worry.
If you think you are okay with that then please welcome yourself to the new idea that has been brewing in my head.
(Bold) = chapter titles
() = possible story additions
(()) = author notes
A special thanks to @moonlitceleste who gave me a few ideas here and there.
Pre-cannon: (From Paris)
Hawkmoth has been defeated
But it comes at a cost. One Marinette may not have been ready to pay
Fu ended up giving up his guardianship and naming Marinette his successor
During the last fight (The Battle for Paris) Hawkmoth ended Chat Noir's life
With his death the magic of the miraculous fades and Adrien is revealed.
It is what leads to Hawkmoth's capture. As it lead the man to the horrible realization that he had destroyed the last of his family with his own hands. (small note: Natalie has been hospitalized before TBP happened)
Paris celebrates its liberation from the emotional terrorist.
Marinette can't however. She had lost so much to be happy with the outcome.
Sure Hawkmoth had been defeated and the Miraculous were all safe and secure, but she had lost her mentor, partner and one of her closest and few friends left.
Lila had been successful. She had ostracized Marinette from her classmates and friends Well before the final battle even happened. Very few in the school at this point would even talk to her.
Pre-cannon: (To Gotham)
Tom and Sabine weren't naive. They watched the pain their daughter suffered through grow. They watched the isolation at school grow into bullying.
They wanted to help but when they talked about it with Marinette she had told them it would only make things worse.
But, now with the climax of TBP over they decide to start anew.
The Dupain-Chengs were leaving Paris
They look around for a while. Nothing in Europe sounds like a proper place to start over.
There are one or two places in England, but again nothing really sparks their interest. It does however give them an idea.
They check listings in America
While looking they come across the news of the Waynes and all the work the family has done for their city. Donations and fundraisers. Bruce Wayne himself had even adopted several children throughout the years.
Sure there was the dangers of the the Rogues Gallery but that was mainly around Crime Alley. And Gotham had lots of space available that was far enough away to be considered safe.
It's not like the family hadn't gotten used to dodging a rampaging super villain every other week for the last couple years. ((I should note here that Marinette is late 16 maybe early 17))
So The Dupain-Chengs are off to Gotham
Past: (A new day in Gotham)
When they arrive, they hit the ground running.
The house Tom and Sabine chose is great. Right in the center of an upper-middle class neighborhood. Not quite white picket fence, but it is roomy enough for the three.
Citizenship was a breeze. Marinette's school transfer the only hiccup, but it was easily rectified once Sabine threatened to take legal action for the schools inaction of Marinette's bullying.
The new Bakery, (Something witty in French), was a bit of a walk from their house, but it was in a good location. And Gotham's strange sleep/business cycle allowed the family a nice influx of customers that wasn't too draining or straining on their mental health.
And Mental health is the name of the game. Marinette is the light of her parents' life once more. She is bouncing back to her formally bubbly self, and Tom and Sabine couldn't be prouder.
She is still sad about what happened. Nothing can really fix what happened to the citizens of Paris.
But, between her Parents steady support and the only miraculous worries she has to deal with is making sure the Kwami don't over indulge themselves on her parents snacks and sweets, Marinette finds herself free to follow her passion.
(If she still shows up late to class every once in a while, because she stayed up too late working on some new piece. Well that just gets the family to laugh at her early morning mad dashes)
During a calmer day the Kwami want to talk to her about something. Something kinda big
Marinette frees up a day for them all to talk.
It is big.
Now that the Miraculous are all back together and they have had some time to talk among themselves but want her opinion.
They think it is time for the Kwami to be released and the Miraculous destroyed.
Marinette is a bit shocked to say the least.
But they explain: ((I am not sure how I want to handle this. But the choices are: 1. They were never meant to be permanent but the world needed balance so they stayed. 2. Miraculous can only be made/destroyed when someone strong enough to wield them all at once is present and is the current guardian. 3. They are from a different realm altogether (realm of the gods) and instead of hiding away from humanity like the other gods they imbued a fraction of their power to the miraculous so they could stay with humanity in some way. 4. Now that things are peaceful and they are together once again they want to make sure their power can not be misused or used for evil ever again.))
The only way to free the Kwami and destroy the miraculous is for a guardian to be able to wear and activate all the Miraculous at once to break the divine seal anchoring the Kwami to the Miraculous
After some talking Marinette agrees.
She takes the Miraculous Box to a park in a spot far enough away from everyone but a good spot to look over the city.
She gives each Kwami a personalized goodbye before taking their Miraculous and calling for their transformation.
She leaves Tikki and Plagg for last.
It is a bit hard now that it is just the three of them. She has been through so much with them. She can't say goodbye.
It is actually Tikki and Plagg who say the final goodbye. “You were a wonderful girl Marinette, I am so glad I got the chance to meet you and watch you grow into the young lady you are today. I know you will do great things in the future.” Plagg, “Yeah, kid. You were a great guardian. A bit stingy with the cheese, but no one is perfect.” Tikki, “Plagg!”
It is enough for Marinette, she gives out a quick laugh and hugs to the both of them before for their transformations.
She calls on the divine contract/seal and with all the Kwami powering her she is able to destroy the miraculous and freeing the Kwami.
The mix of jewelry crumbles to dust and the magic suit fades away. Leaving Marinette as she was earlier.
Small colored motes of light circle Marinette before they shoot up to the sky and fade into the ether.
She stays there for a few minutes looking up watching.
Happy tears trail down her cheeks.
Past: (One bad day)
Once Marinette has had enough time she collects herself and returns home.
Tom and Sabine see their daughter crying when she gets home. But it isn't the same type of crying it was back in Paris. It looks happier. It looks like it is something refreshing/rejuvenating. ((Sorry I honestly have no way to describe it other than saying “She isn't crying because she is sad but because she is happy, and they both can understand that”))
They talk and decide to capitalize on this happy moment and new chapter in their life. They plan for a 'Day out on the town' on their next day off.
A few days later and the three are set to watch a movie in the city proper.
Movie theaters are movie theaters it seems. Regardless of what country you are in. Overpriced snacks, drinks larger than what they should be, and popcorn saltier than the comments directed at the trailers before the movie starts.
The movie is good. They all get a few laughs in.
Afterward they start to head home. They take a few side streets and alleys. (It might not be the smartest thing to do, but any random crook would be no match for a family that had to deal with the likes of Paris for years)
Cue 'One Bad Day.'
((Not really sure how I am going to do this yet. But I have settled on it being The Jokers fault))
What they weren't prepared for was an explosion.
The wall next to them blasts apart. Blinding them all.
When Marinette recovers, it isn't a pretty sight.
Her father is not moving and a pool is growing around him .It is obvious he is already gone. ((IDK if I should add this... but I could add as a descriptor that his body is partially burnt. Might be too cruel. Not because he suffered, no. He died instantly. But, rather because Marinette sees it. So, yeah IDK))
Her mother is pinned to the wall opposite from the one that collapsed.
Marinette rushes over, but sees what is pinning her mother.
It is a bit of plumbing and it is running straight through her chest. Sadly, she doesn't have long.
Marinette is freaking out and Sabine sees it and tries to comfort her child one last time.
The wet hand on her face stops Marinette's freak out. And, it gets her to look at her mother.
“Marinette... ((Sadly I can't think of what to have Sabine say to Marinette. Just picture something heartwarming. I am open to recommendations))... That's... my... girl.”
((Oh and I should point out: Even though I said it was The Joker's fault, he will not be the direct cause of this. The explosion was a result of his fight with the batfam. It is purely coincidental that the Dupain-Chengs got caught up in it))
The soft smile of her mother's face is etched in Marinette's mind as the woman takes her last.
Marinette is completely out of it. She tries to make it back home.
Her mind is too hazy to actually get her there, but her body keeps on moving forward anyway.
Minutes prior The Penguin (Oswald Cobblepot) is getting into his limo.
“Damn Clown.” Is all he really has to say about the Joker's recent stunt.
The Rogues Gallery might have an honor among thieves policy, but any time one got caught it meant that The Bats would be on high alert for any other crime for the rest of the day.
Which meant he had to postpone his own operations and return back to The Lounge.
On the way he sees a girl that... well to be honest looks pretty rough.
Normally he would chalk it up to Gotham being Gotham.
But something in the back of his mind tells him to talk to her.
He orders his driver to pull over next to her so he can.
(I haven't decided what he should open with, and for the most part it doesn't matter. 1. “You alright girly? You look pretty rough.” or 2. “You look too young to be a working girl, what is a girl like you doing in this part of Gotham?”)
His question is enough to get her attention.
She answers him and tells him what has happened.
The Penguin figures that she is in shock.
Because, anyone else who is willing to tell a stranger that they just watched their parents die in front of them, with no emotion to their voice is either dissociating or is a psycho.
He doesn't know why, but he opens the door and moves over. Offering her a ride.
Present: (A rough start)
Marinette is pretty blank and unresponsive for the first days and weeks.
Penguin lets her stay in one of the Lounge's back rooms.
The Lounge has a few furnished rooms that could comfortably house someone living in them.
Lord knows he has done it a few times himself throughout the years.
The only issue is, Why? Why be so nice to the girl?
Things like this happen all the time in Gotham. People die all the time.
There is just something, it could be a gut feeling or something in the back of his mind, that tells him that he needs to help her out.
Present: (But a New One.)
Even though Penguin is helping her out the dialog between the two has been a bit rough.
Getting her to a point where she wasn't shell shocked was the first hurdle.
The next and biggest hurdle was that He had no clue on how to comfort or ease her pain.
It didn't help much that when she did talk to him it was about that 'working-girl' comment he made before. Or how she criticized his “need for arm-candy” as she called it.
Both aspects of Marinette lead Penguin to respect her.
She is dealing with a lot, but she still has enough awareness to call out his behavior.
Her honesty is refreshing, and it has Penguin caring for her.
In a familial way. Not as a daughter, but something close.
At her insistence of doing something instead of being cooped up all day in the back rooms Penguin offers her a job at the Lounge.
The face she gives him makes him explain that she will be a Bartender and not a normal waitress.
Some Time Passes: (Finding a new normal)
Time passes as the two figure each other out.
It takes a few months, but a new normal is found.
For Penguin's part, he lets Marinette do her own thing for the most part.
She still works the bar at the Lounge but after hours she is free to do what she wants.
The only time he tells her what to do or restricts where she can go is when he is scheming his villainy.
And He only does that because she told him early on that she had a strong distaste for it.
(”A shame too,” he would think to himself, “She has an eye for craft. The scheming, the planning, and the ability to think outside the box. She could make a good criminal mastermind.”)
Because of her dislike of it he kept her from it.
Starting out with requests for her to go out shopping or organize the books while he schemed.
Any task that could keep her busy and distracted enough for him to plan his next heist, without her giving a look that would make him feel guilty.
It devolved into shorthand phrases after a while.
Like: “I have to schedule my next meeting with the living gargoyle, no need to stay up.” or “Will you want tea while you go over the earnings report, or do you want something harder?” “Harder.” “Ah, then you can make it yourself.” (if she is feeling particularly grumpy she might add “Don't know why. Your numbers are always off when you account with the harder stuff.”)
She is able to make jokes like that because she finally started coming out of her shell.
She isn't just comfortable enough to make passive aggressive comments about His career choice either.
She has made him a new suit. One he really likes too.
Though he wasn't the first person she made a suit for. That honor goes to Penguin's second in command. A towering bruiser of a man.
He is impressed with her skill and craftsmanship.
A skill Marinette, herself, doesn't as often as she once did.
Whenever she is asked, she says It was a big part of her old life and it is hard to get into it.
The passion is returning. It's just taking its time to come back to her.
Her old passion for fashion isn't the only thing she is good at.
Turns out Marinette has taken pretty well to being a bartender at The Lounge.
She can mix drinks with the best of them, Can distract a man long enough for the woman who isn't interested to sneak away, and even spot when a fight is about to start and get the bouncers stop it before it even starts.
All of which is what led Penguin thinking she could be a good criminal. She has an eye and mind for detail that could be sharper than any other.
But, he respects her decisions and lets it be.
…Though he isn't above ribbing her every now and then by pointing out that she is a criminal already.
Her being 17 and bartending.
Some Time Passes: (Adopting a Grandpa)
It has been known from the very beginning that Penguin was one of Gotham's top criminals.
That fact was never hidden nor shied away from Marinette.
And it was Her honesty about it that had Him appreciating her opinion and input on things.
She would always tell it how she saw it, she wasn't a yes man. (a yes woman in this case)
Because of that honesty and her general personality he starts thinking about quitting
Slow going, but he starts to focus more on the Lounge and other business avenues than going out and doing crimes.
And it is here that Marinette learns of his more intellectual side.
They get to talk after hours, and she gets to see his business side at work.
These small talks help open Marinette's eyes that Penguin is more than just a villain, he is a person.
Helping her realize that not once has he demanded anything from her.
Penguin on the other hand was really moved by her story and it struck a chord with him.
During one of these small talk sessions Penguin reveals that his presence in Gotham isn't as strong as it used to be.
He talks about how “back in the day...” things were different. He used to be one of, if not the most, feared mob boss in Gotham.
Now though, he laments to Marinette that he may not be a laughing stock in Gotham's underworld but no one really respects him anymore.
In a strange way it endures her to him.
Marking it the first time she calls him Granddad (or Granddad Ozzy).
By this point they both realized their familial relationship internally with these small talks they have. This just marks the point where it has been verbalized.
It also marks the time Penguin officially shifts his focus on legal business.
Marinette stays involved in his meetings now too. Both legal and illegal she is bartending for and keeping an open ear/eye on things.
Seeing things that maybe Penguin doesn't.
The illegal meetings are waning anyway so Penguin feels less of a need to have her be away from them.
He feels that villainy will not be part of his life much longer and he see no need to keep her away from it anymore.
Some Time Passes: (A Scare)
After business hours Marinette and Penguin are the only ones left in The Lounge.
Marinette leaves him in the office to do some chores around the place.
That way they will both be free for their nightly talks.
The talks started out as just business things. Penguin quizzing her on business things or getting her input on some new scheme or another.
Now though, it has devolved into them just relaxing after a long day to unwind and enjoy each others company
Before she is done with her clean up Batman and his current Robin show up. ((I am pretty sure I want this Robin to be Damian, and for it to be close to when he is first dropped off at the Wayne Manor. So he will be a bit of a d*ck))
Penguin treats the break in as well as a long suffering mob boss could.
He jumps out of his skin and gives a yell seeing two figures in his office that were not there minutes before.
“Damn it Bat,” Clutching his chest, “You almost gave me a heart-attack.”
“What do you want?” he grumbles trying to calm himself down.
But before he can curse the dark knight out more or the man can get his peace in, Marinette shows back up.
Concern in her voice, “Ozzy, I heard you yell. Is everything okay?”
She doesn't make it more than a half step past the office doors.
She squeaks out an “eep” when she sees the tip of a sword pointed at her, mere inches away from her nose.
Her eyes are blown wide with surprise and fear, not expecting this.
Any reprimand Batman was going to give his sidekick is short lived.
The Bat gets as far as calling out Robin's name when Marinette sees Penguin.
She sees him clutching his chest and acts. “Ozzy!”
Her body moves with the only motivation of getting to her Granddad to safety.
She slaps the sword out of her face.
Grabbing the young teen's (or is he a pre-teen?) wrist, stretching out his arm with one hand and striking with the other.
An open palmed strike breaking his elbow.
He does try to retaliate with his non injured arm, but she is quicker.
Letting him go to dodge his angry swing, she balls her hand into a fist.
Striking him in the center of his face and breaking his nose.
With the threat taken care of she rushes to Penguin's side.
Pulling him away from the vigilantes and to the door.
It is all so quick everyone is a little stunned.
The excitement from having the Bats show up at his doorstep, paired with his granddaughter in danger and her sequentially taking out Robin is enough to push Penguin over the edge.
He feels a sharp pain in his chest, and he grabs his chest in earnest.
He is having a real heart-attack.
The uninjured parties take care of their injured family members.
Batman takes Damian to the Batcave, while Marinette drives Penguin to an underground surgeon (because a normal hospital would call the cops on Penguin)
After the initial scare and Penguin waking up in a hospital bed he finds Marinette sleeping at the side of his bed.
Not having her ruin her back or sleep scheduled over him he takes her over to Harley and Ivy's Apartment complex.
He has her stay with them while he recovers. That way she doesn't worry herself “into a free trip to Arkham” (Eh... IDK if I will keep that)
That is what he tells her anyway.
He has to do something and he needs to know she is someplace safe.
A few days later the Bat Signal is lighting up the night sky.
Batman shows up and asks a confused Commissioner Gordan what he is calling for.
Gordan has no clue why the Bat Signal is on and was just coming up to turn it off when Batman showed up.
Penguin reveals himself to the two.
He needed both of them here to explain some things.
And to apologize.
He explains what happened.
How Marinette told him she acted on instinct and just wanted to protect him.
Explaining that she had freaked out once she realized what she did and how worried she got for attacking one of the vigilantes.
He asks that neither of the two go after her because she is a good kid, just over protective sometimes.
When asked to explain he implies Gotham isn't nice sometimes, and leaves it at that.
He tells them that she is the reason why he hasn't been doing crime as much.
Even revealing his want to go straight. To stop being a criminal.
He is doing it all for her. His granddaughter.
Adoptive granddaughter, but blood doesn't make family.
He does ask Batman to tell Robin Marinette is truly sorry for what she did.
Asking that the vigilantes not hold her actions against her.
Surprised by the news, Batman agrees to forgive Marinette.
Seeing how Penguin is genuinely going down the path to redemption.
Future: (Joke gone too far)
It has been a year, almost two, (Marinette is 18 almost 19) and there has been a persistent little rumor in floating around it Gotham
Penguin is going straight. He is quitting villainy altogether.
Like most rumors; Some people believe it, others don't.
It spreads regardless though. Even if it leans toward more people not believing it than those that do.
The rumor reaches the other criminals of Gotham. And they for the most part are split as well.
The Joker comes across it, and thinks it's the funniest thing he has heard in a while.
“One of Gotham's top criminals is going good!?! What a riot.”
He decides to do what he always does.
He decides he is going to push the joke. See exactly how far it goes.
After a couple days he has everything set up.
He has captured both Penguin and Marinette.
Penguin being tied up to a chair, while Marinette is in a corner not moving.
She isn't hurt but she won't move with The Joker waiving the gun in his hands wildly like he is.
He has admitted that he would shoot her if she tried anything, but he wants her here.
After all: “The Girly here, has to see what Ol' Cobblepot is really like.”
Batman is here and captured as well. He is chained up to a wall.
To Joker's logic: if The Bat isn't taken care of right away he will ruin the fun.
With the pieces ready he decides to play his little game.
The Gothamites have their broadcasts scrambled as The Joker takes over the airwaves.
Now everyone gets to see how Joker plans on pushing this joke.
“Everyone deserves to have a good laugh.” He chuckles, “After all, it was enough to give me a laugh.”
((I Haven't decided on the dialog yet. Sorry, but here is a quick overview))
Joker opens with him saying he has heard the rumors.
That “Dear Ol' Penguin is going good.”
He wants to test Penguin's new found morality.
Joker admits he doesn't believe it to be anything other than a joke.
He doesn't think any of the Rogues Gallery can change.
“We crooks of Gotham don't change.”
To prove it he is willing to let the old mob boss take down the one person that has been a thorn in their collective sides.
THE Batman.
Untying the older man and pulling him into a standing position.
“Listen, I know we have had our differences in the past. But there is one thing we crooks can all agree on.”
He drapes himself over Penguin.
“The Bat has got to go.”
Giving Penguin the gun he had been waving around all this time.
“We all had our laughs, why not end this little joke before it gets stale.”
He smiles wickedly as Penguin lifts the gun and points it at Batman.
He has his own moment to speak.
Saying how he had wanted to do this for so long. To put The Bat to an end once and for all.
There are a few moments where he doesn't do anything.
Instead he looks over to Marinette, gives her a small smile
He doesn't pull the trigger.
Instead he lets his arm drop back to his side.
Saying he can't kill Batman. Not because he doesn't want to, but because it would upset his granddaughter.
This gets The Joker to laugh.
(Penguin gives a quick glance to Marinette to see that she is smiling with the man's choice)
His laughter dies down when he sees the small moment.
“You're serious.” Joker bemoans, “I can't believe it.”
He dabs the side of his eye of a tear.
His signature smile morphs into a snarl ((Try and picture the snarl The Joker had in the animated series. It was spooky back when I was a kid))
“You have become even more boring.”
It's all the preamble he gives before reaching into his coat and shooting Penguin in the chest a few times.
The only thing louder for the Gothamites than the three shots on their screens is the girl's scream of “NO!”
Penguin lands back in the chair he started in.
The Joker, done with his current source of entertainment moves on to how he plans on dealing with Batman.
Marinette however, rushes to Penguin's side after she yells out. She is right by his side trying to save him.
Future: (One bad night)
((This next bit is the first part of what I got inspired to write after I watched the Jinx and Silco scene))
Tears are already flowing as she is ripping off sleeves and the bottom hem of her shirt trying to stop the bleeding.
Her thoughts pour out of her as she begs. “No, no, no. You can't leave me. Please stay with me.”
It is that same rambling that helps Penguin focus and stay conscious.
He calls out to her “Marinette”
Stumbling over his words he wants to tell her, needs to tell her before he loses his chance.
“You- you were the best thing to happen to me.”
Just happy that he is still conscious she smiles “You too granddad.”
He smiles back but has to say his peace “I want you to know that.”
She catches on quickly, “No.”
“Before you came to my life, I was a bitter old man who no one respected.”
Her tears are coming in stronger, she isn't ready “Don't talk like that.”
“You changed that, and I couldn't have been happier to have met you and had you in my life.”
She is trembling now, “I can save you. Please-”
He cuts her off “Your life has been hard and I am so sorry I couldn't make it better.”
She shakes her head, “Please stay, please let me save you.”
“I wanted to-” he slows down, “I wanted to....”
When he doesn't finish his sentence she looks him in the eye “Granddad...?”
She cups his face in her hands, “Ozzy...?”
Marinette watches the light fade from his eyes.
She is frozen, unable to do anything as she watches for the third time someone she cared about pass away in front of her.
When she is sure the last stubborn wisps of life are gone something inside her snaps.
She picks up the gun Penguin dropped when he was shot.
She turns and fires.
Through heartache and tears her shots are wild.
The first one strikes true. Hitting The Joker in the knee.
It drops him into a kneeling position.
The next few miss. Digging into the wall opposite her.
When the next one hits the madman it gets his shoulder.
Causing him to topple over. Forcing him on his back.
She stalks forward in her rage. One thing on her mind.
Stepping on his wounded shoulder to make sure he can't move away, she finally speaks.
“You took everything.”
Her eyes are as hateful as the ninth level of hell ((I like this descriptor because she has blue eyes and 9th level of hell is suppose to be frozen over))
“The last bit of my heart I had left.”
Even though her voice has been low and flat she still manages to growl.
“I am going to destroy yours.”
The gun fires.
Only for The Joker to still be alive.
And, it is in no way to do with Marinette showing mercy.
No.
Instead the gun is held high, pointed to the ceiling.
Batman is holding her arm up.
She struggles against him trying to break free.
In her rage and through her tears she shouts and wails.
“Let me do it! Let me kill him! He deserves to die!”
Any reassurances Batman has for her is lost in the emotional storm that she is in.
It is made so much worse by The Joker's commentary.
Through pained grunts he gets out, “Looks -ouch- Like it was Ol' Cobblepot who didn't know any better.”
(insert Mark Hamill laugh)
Future: (Missing heart)
A little over two weeks have passed since the incident.
Marinette is staying at Harley and Ivy's Apartments.
The two are watching over her.
They had promised Penguin back when he had his heart-attack to keep an eye on her if anything happened to him.
Even though they are watching over her, Marinette is not doing well.
She has been listless ever since the two women took her in.
There isn't a flash of light in her unfocused eyes at all. She looks more like a living corpse than a living being.
It has been bad enough a couple days where they had to actively feed her.
“Things seem to be turning around.” Harley cherry mood shifts a little, “Maybe not to a full one hundred percent, but it is a good day.”
Ivy raises an eyebrow, “How so?”
“Marinette is out of her room and is in the kitchen.”
As if her appearance out of her room was a sign from the universe there is a knock at the door.
When the two open it they find a man with a suitcase.
They are a lawyer and they tell the pair they are acting in service to Oswald Cobblepot's Will.
The man asks for Marinette as she is the main beneficiary.
((All of this was completely unknown to Marinette. Penguin had set up his Last Will and Testament way back when he had his heart-attack. The Will states that she would inherit everything he owned. And that she would be able to do whatever she wanted to with the assets she now owns. It was even noted that Penguin's second in command agreed with the Will and would go along with anything she decided to do, should Penguin die))
“Granddad had a will?” is all she can really think to say at first.
After the Will is read Marinette is in shock.
“He is giving me everything? E-even the Lounge?”
She is moved more by that than the large sum of money she is to inherit.
It turns out Penguin had been saving up his riches for a while, even before Marinette came into his life, and it would make her a very rich young woman.
After finalizing everything she asks if Harley and Ivy can take her to the Lounge.
The two agree and drive her there.
When they get there it is predictably closed.
Luck seems to be on their side though, as it looks like Penguin's Second in Command is taking out some trash.
The women meet him and he greets them with a nod.
Taking care of the trash he goes to the main door holding it open for them.
Marinette asks Harley and Ivy if they can leave her at the Lounge for a while, because she feels she needs to do this alone.
They both agree and let her go inside by herself.
With a quick, “Keep an eye on her, yeah? She needs time right now.” to Penguin's Second.
He gives a resolute nod and turns to follow Marinette inside.
The man finds her meandering the main floor as she looks everything over.
There is a light in her eye, though it looks like it is replaying memories in her head.
Future: (Need of a Strong drink)
After some meandering she ends up behind the bar.
One of the few places she has grown very use to sense she came to Gotham
She motions for Penguin's Second in command to take a seat while she brings out the things she needs to make/mix drinks.
She sets out two Schott glasses on the table and starts mixing.
As her hands move she finally speaks up, “Granddad made a will.”
Not a question, just a fact.
One that Penguin's Second confirms with a nod.
“He named me the soul beneficiary.”
He gives another nod.
“In the will he said you would stand by any decision I made.”
She is making the drinks slowly, almost like she is trying to remember how to do it properly. This isn't the normal flashy drink making she has done in the past.
This is the slower process of making a new drink.
“Regardless of whatever direction I want to go.”
A nod from the big guy.
“If I wanted to live the rest of my life just off of the inheritance would you be okay with it?”
A nod.
She pours the drink into the two glasses. Sets the new drinks in between the both of them.
“What if I sold The Lounge to move abroad? Never to set foot in this city again. Would you be okay with that?”
His face twitches trying to hide a grimace but he gives her another nod.
She smiles sadly seeing the man underneath the stoic mask come out.
Grabbing the glass in front of her, “What if..?” She hesitates.
She brings the glass a hair's breadth away from her lips, “What if I were to use all of it, every last cent, to tear Gotham down brick by brick?”
She takes a large swig of the concoction.
She stares into the dark liquid, “Brick by brick, So that clown would have nowhere to hide as I send him to hell.”
She takes a smaller sip this time, “Would you still stay by my side?”
“Yes, you wouldn't even have to ask me to.”
He takes a drink of his own glass.
It is strong, 'Like how people say I am. Like how the boss was'
“Before you came here, came into his life, he was a very angry man. You changed that, changed him for the better.”
He drinks the rest of it, 'it is strong like how She is,'
“He probably wouldn't want you to use the inheritance to follow his example. He probably would have wanted to do one of the other things you suggested.”
“But,” He pauses waiting for her to look at him, “I would follow you to hell just to make sure you get to see that clown getting what he deserves, Then I would drag you back, just so you can get to the pearly gates where you belong.”
She gives him a genuine smile as tears well up clouding her vision.
“Thank you.”
She finishes the last of her drink without so much as a flinch.
The two leave the bar counter heading to the office.
Two empty glasses are the only witnesses to the covenant made that day.
Change is coming to Gotham
Future: (Bouncing Back)
((From this point onward Marinette is acting with the sole purpose of taking out the Joker. And I mean everything she does is for this one goal in mind))
It wasn't long after the Will and Testament reading that Marinette made an appearance in the media shear.
A few interviews here and there.
All of them gave her a chance to share her story. Who she was. How she ended up in Gotham. And, it seemed most were interested in, What was her relationship with Penguin was.
So, she tells the interviewers, and as a result all of Gotham, everything. ((Not really everything, because she keeps her plans and the miraculous a secret. Also this will be an overview and recap of everything so))
Through the interview's efforts they endure Marinette to the people of Gotham.
She explains that she had grown up in Paris and had a good life growing up.
That is until Paris had its own villain to deal with.
Paris being held captive by a manipulative madman who used people's own emotions against them. All the while her family toughed it out.
Until close to the end of everything she started getting bullied. Getting so bad that she had become completely isolated at school.
It wasn't until the 'Battle of Paris' was over that her parents finally had enough of what was happening to her that they decided to get her away from all that toxicity.
She admits to the interviewers that there were loads of places they could have gone, but there was something about Gotham that called to them.
Her family knew well enough to stay away from Crime Alley and stick to the kinder side of the city.
She tells the interviewers “Things were starting to look up, but...”
Marinette talks about the day she lost her parents.
About the 'Movie Night Celebration' and how she lost them.
She shares her mother's last words with her.
“It was probably the worst day of my life. It was also the start of my new life in Gotham.”
Telling interviewers how she met Penguin or Granddad Ozzy as she calls him.
Share with them how grateful she is that He took her in.
Explaining how it started off with Penguin just giving her a place to stay and evolving into a Grandfather/Granddaughter relationship.
Even sharing small stories with interviewers like, “He had me go out and do some shopping or have a night off just so I wouldn't be involved when he was planning one of his heists. He didn't want me to pick up any 'bad habits' as he liked to call it.”
In other interviews she would say, “He told me that he was actually thinking of going straight for a while. Saying that I was the last push in that right direction.”
Which confirmed the truth everyone suspected.
Penguin was genuinely quitting crime before he died.
News Papers all over Gotham had a field day with those headlines.
Everyone in Gotham watched or read about Marinette's interviews and were inspired by her life story.
Everyone was inspired by her when she promised to continue Penguin’s work.
“Build off the Foundation that Granddad started.”
She promises to do everything in her power to make sure what happened to her doesn't happen to anyone else ever again.
The public eats it up. They all fall in love with her.
Because who couldn't love the young woman who had been dealt such an awful hand in life, but was still willing to do good.
Quickly giving her the titles of “Golden Child of Gotham” and/or “Princess of Gotham”
Marinette follows through on her promise to better Gotham.
Using her inheritance and new found fame to invest in Gotham.
Donates to the public sector. So the Police, Firefighters, and EMTs can get better equipment and training.
In the private sector, she readily invests into the Businesses and Sciences.
Within a short time people have come to expect Marinette donations in anything that sounds like it could even remotely help Gotham.
If it is money she invests it freely.
If manpower is needed she is the one setting up work programs.
Marinette becomes the new public face of Gotham. Nearly as prolific as the Wayne family.
Every picture or video she is in she is smiling.
She is the head of the Cobblepot Foundation. Naming it so she might be able to honor her adoptive grandfather.
Future: (Rumor Has It)
While this is going on there is a small rumor floating in the shadows of the underground.
One that the Batclan is very concerned about.
Someone is trying to claim Penguin's name.
At best they think it is a copycat.
At worst they think someone is trying to ruin The Cobblepot Foundation's reputation.
So they try to set a trap.
Having a good history with Penguin's old habits they test which one it is.
They set up a stakeout for a museum where they have planted a fake bird-like piece of jewelry.
They make sure the piece is advertised, ensuring whoever is using Penguin's name sees it.
After all, If the real Penguin would go after an ancient brooch from Tibet themed after a bird.
Whoever this is should be sure to fall for it as well.
If not they added some other jewelry from the area to go along with it. Just to make it that more appealing.
But, it is uneventful.
They waited but the new Penguin never shows.
Proving to the vigilantes that it is a fake, and luckily not someone trying to tear down Cobblepot Foundation.
But when they go to check in on the museum as their civilian selves they find it missing.
They don't even have time to investigate where it went when they get to the manor/batcave.
Because they are stopped by a news headline that reads “Heroes or Con Artists?”
It is a broadcast that has an interviewer and Marinette across from one another.
Marinette is without her ever present smile and it looks like she has been crying or is trying to hold back her tears.
Starting off the interview Marinette explains that she was going to go to the museum and ask if the showcasing of the jewelry could be postponed, as she felt that the museum showcasing the was in poor taste
It was, after all, the type of artifact that her granddad would seek out back when he was a criminal. And she felt people didn't need a reminder of his past deeds. Seeing how he had been trying to change himself.
She just wanted to have people see and think of his better side during his upcoming memorial. She tells the interviewer that she didn't want anyone who was coming to the memorial having bad memories of the man Penguin used to be.
Her speech causes guilt to wash over the Bats currently in the batcave.
They all had forgotten about Marinette and how she would feel about the stakeout.
The Batclan don't get to regret things for long though.
The interview continues and Marinette tells the reporter that when she confronted the museum curator the art piece was already gone.
She tells the interviewer “I was going to count my blessings there.”
But, as she was walking out of the museum she was given a folder. Marinette doesn't go into detail on who it was. (implying it was anonymously given to her)
What was in the folder made her rush to the news center because, “That is when I figured it out.”
Marinette admits she had heard the rumors of the Penguin being active in Gotham again. Or that there was a copycat.
“Rumors like that will always pop up it seems. But what is truly disgusting to me is when others go out of their way to discredit and dishonor the reputation of others.”
When the interviewer asks her to explain. Marinette shares her theory.
It is after she says that the news cast shows pictures that Marinette had shared with them.
There are several pictures of some members of the Batclan surrounding the museum and watching over it.
“Think about it and look at the facts.”
She counts on her fingers, “One we start hearing rumors about Granddad being back. Or there being some copycat. Two, a museum announces that a 'bird themed' art piece will be its next big attraction. Three, that same attraction goes missing right before its big debut. And Finally, the folder I was given showing Batman and his sidekicks 'watching over'” she finger quotes, “that same museum.”
It seems the reporter is putting things together when they ask “You mean to say?”
Marinette speaks plainly, “I think it was a set up.”
“Why?” Is the only thing the reporter seems to ask.
“My guess; It would get the people of Gotham to distrust the Oswald Foundation.”
She shrugs, “Honestly? I don't know. It could be any number of things. Maybe they want to be seen as the only 'good guys' in Gotham. And with Granddad's change of heart it upsets that status quo. Maybe they truly hated Granddad so much for what he did in his past they couldn't let him be seen as anything other than a villain. (Even in death.)”
She mutters quietly to herself but the camera still picks it up, “Gods know why Batman didn't step in before he did that night.”
She speaks normally, “Or, heaven forbid, they are using the fear of an 'old nemesis returning' to try and convince the people of Gotham that Batman and his birds are still needed in this city.”
The interviewer asks, “You sound so sure that this was a set up, what if it is not?”
Even though they are asking the obvious question the interviewer sounds too excited about this whole thing. (This is a story for the ages)
“I can't be sure and that is what is driving me mad,” Her tears are building up again, “I can't tell if it is coincidence or maliciousness. But I do know there are just too many things that don't make sense when I look at everything that has happened recently.”
The interview ends shortly after that with parting pleasantries between Marinette and the Interviewer.
The Batcave is silent. The hum of the bat-computer being the only thing making any noise.
One thing was running through the Batclan's minds.
This was bad.
They had just watched as prolific and influential as the Waynes imply that their crime fighting personas of puppeteering Gotham's underworld and fear mongering rather than trying to save the city.
It put them on the back foot and cut their available options down considerably.
The best option was finding the anonymous tipper that had given Marinette the folder.
It was no secret that Marinette disliked the Dark Knight sense Penguin's death.
However, She was never openly antagonistic like this before.
She had said before, in interviews prior, that she respected what he and his sidekicks did for the city. She just didn't want to be involved in conversations that went beyond that.
This new interview showed just how much she placed the blame of Penguin's death on Batman's shoulders.
And how much that blame swayed her judgment.
Not to say that she was blindly accusing the Bats. Looking at the evidence that way she had presented it did paint the Batclan in less than a favorable light.
That made it dangerous.
If they don't handle this correctly Marinette's words might gain traction.
Then. Then who is to say what could happen.
((How do they deal with it? No clue, honestly. This whole thing is meant to keep the Bats busy and on the back foot while Marinette is planning and scheming. But a few ideas on how things might go: First, if they go to Marinette she can easily tell the media that “The Bats 'paid her a visit' looking for her anonymous source.” Regardless of how the Batclan intends the meeting to go. It wouldn't be long before the public is grabbing pitchforks after that. Second, if they work with the Commissioner and his men to find things out in a legal way. Rumors might spread of the Bats corrupting the Police force.))
Future: (Truth Be Told)
Flash Back: Before the Museum stakeout.
The Rogues Gallery is gathered together to discuss a problem.
That problem being the future of Gotham.
Almost all of them were present. With only a few notable big players missing.
Those note taking part of the meeting being: Harley and Ivy, Catwoman, and of course The Joker. Seeing how he was still recovering from his injuries in Arkham.
The chatter in the room was on one thing.
“Who called the meeting for the Rogues to meet?”
No one present knew. And there was only one chair left unattended.
The Rogues didn't have to wait long as the large frame of Penguin's Second in Command steps into the room.
“You're all here? Good.” Looking into the room over he speaks.
That got everyone's attention.
If the big guy was here then the rumor must be true.
In the underground all the criminals heard that same rumor.
Unlike the everyday Tom, Dick, and Harry the criminals of Gotham carried on as normal.
Wayside rumors held very little sway over the day to day for any of them.
But this proved it.
“The boss will be here shortly.”
Cobblepot was back.
Like a jolt the room was filled with a strange energy, one that none present could place.
The 'clack' of fine shoes striking the floor, paired with the distinctive off kilter 'tack' of a cane that come from down the hall, was enough to break the tension.
The steps got louder as they got closer.
The room got quiet. The Rogues were holding their breath, waiting.
When the steps reached just before the doorway one of the criminals called out.
“Oswald, your back.”
The person that emerged from the darkened hallway wasn't Penguin however.
Instead, this person was tall and slim. Where Penguin was stout and a bit round.
They walked with a stylized cane. White silk gloves holding it steady as they walked into the room.
The black pinstripe suit they wore was strikingly impressive. One that oozed power and confidence. It had a feel like that of the mob bosses of old.
Al Capone comes to mind for some.
Almost like the Penguin in his prime for others.
The look was tied to with a matching pinstripe fedora casting their face in shadow.
This person was obviously not the Penguin.
At the very least not Oswald Cobblepot.
“Who are you?” The friend to the old mobster indignantly squawked.
“The one who set up this meeting.” Her, because the voice was distinctively a famine voice, answered back.
Her voice was calm and measured, with an almost playful purr to it.
Lifting her face the vale of shadow pulls away.
Revealing none other that Marinette Cobblepot, adoptive granddaughter of the late mob boss
Future: (Underground's New Boss)
During the Rogues' confusion Marinette smoothly took her seat at the head of the table. (Helped of course by Second in Command, who was kind enough to pull the chair out for her.)
It is the sharp look in her eyes that pulls them out of their thoughts.
“What the hell,” One of the Rogues shouted, “What is the Princess of Gotham doing here!?!”
They look around checking the exits, “Is this a set up.”
“Set up? I can assure you, this is quite the opposite.” She answers with a wicked half smile. “We are here to talk business, no? Let's talk business.”
The glint of wickedness in the purr her words held got another Rogue to speak up.
“(Blank) is right.” Pointing at her. “You are the 'Golden Child of Gotham' what business could you possibly have with us?”
Trying to goad her, “Are you here trying to get us to follow the Straight and Narrow?”
The barb works, but not in the way they expected.
“No,” The cold hate in her eyes when she narrowed them was enough for the Rogues as a whole to still.
“I am fairly certain that none of you have any plans of changing your ways.”
Her TV smile is back, as if the glare she wore was never there to begin with.
“Instead, I am here to reestablish Granddad's hold in Gotham.”
“Back in his day, Granddad had one of the strongest grips on Gotham's dark underbelly.”
“Of coarse that being said, I feel it is only fair to remind you all that he dealt with any who encroached on his turf or he had them pay a service fee, I believe he called it.” She says calmly.
“You expect us to pay you to operate on your turf?” Black Mask asks. “What turf?”
“Cobblepot was throwing away what little turf he had left before he kicked the bucket.”
“You don't have any turf to tax us over.”
“Not only that, you have nothing and no one but Penguin's old muscle.” He asks her, “How could either of you stop any of us from continuing our operations in the first place?”
“That,” Taking her cane and pointing the end of it at him, “Is where you are wrong.”
“You do bring up a good point though Black Mask.” putting her cane back beside her chair. “And, I am glad you brought it up.”
Her tone is mocking, as if she was a teacher explaining things to a student.
Adopting a thinking pose, “How could I stop any of you from operating in my turf?”
Before she answers, rushed foot falls come from the hallway.
One of Black Mask's goons burst through the doors and out of breath.
They rush to their leader, “Boss, we got hit hard.”
“The Bat got you? Where? How?”
The goon shakes his head taking a few greedy gulps of air. “Nah, it wasn't the Bats.”
“They took out five of our drug dens and three of our safe houses.”
Getting frustrated Black Mask shouts, “How damn it!”
“It was the cops. It was a massive sting. Me and Wilhelm were the only ones who made it out.”
Incredulously he shouts, “What?” Is the only thing Black Mask can utter.
The bewilderment isn't long lived.
His attention is taken up by a soft chuckle, enough to loosen the tight grip he had on his goon's collar.
He just stares at the young woman at the head of the table.
He can still see the smile on her face poorly hidden by her hand.
“What did you do? (or What's so funny)” He snarls.
Getting her laughter under control, “Oh~ nothing.”
With an air of smugness, “Showing you how I will enforce my turf.”
“You have all heard the rumors by now, no?” She asks with a tilt of her head.
“That 'Penguin is back,' well it is true.”
Looking Black Mask square in the eyes, “While Granddad is gone from this world. I have taken up his mantle.”
“And just like how Granddad had his hand in everything back in the day.”
Taking a hand to her chest, “I decided I would do the same.”
“Police, firefighters, EMTs.” Listing them off with her fingers.
“I have people in them all.”
“And that is just in the public sector.”
Having enough of it, Black Mask reaches into his coat. “I'll kill you for this girl.”
A flat “I wouldn't,” It is said so calmly, without any sense of worry that it holds him still.
As if she is the one in control of the situation, she explains, “If you do and I leave this any worse for ware, the police officers I have under my control, who I am sure have already surrounded the building by now, will take down each and everyone of you.”
Black Mask hasn't moved his hand still in the depths of his jacket.
“They won't go for the arrest either.” She shakes her head, “No, they will open fire and put you down. Permanently.”
Her calm friendliness vanishes from her voice, “I suggest you sit back down and allow us to finish discussing our business.”
He does so, and her smile returns.
“Thank you. (or Smart decision)”
Standing up, “This is how it is going to go,” Propping herself on the table with her two hands, “I am reclaiming all of Granddad's turf.”
One of the rogues, “Sure, you can take back Penguin's old chunk of Gotham-”
Interrupting them, “You misunderstand. I am reclaiming ALL of his territory.”
“...Okay?” A bit confused, they ask, “How much are we talking here?”
“Well, before Batman stalked the shadows, Granddad once told me how he was one of Gotham's very first major players. And back then he ruled all of Gotham's underground.”
It riles up the criminals gathered.
One of the Rogues shouts out, “Wait! You want to take all of Gotham? You are pushing us out just like that!?!”
“Heaven forbid.” With a shake of her head, “I won't force any of you out.”
She grabs her cane and starts to walk around the table and those assembled.
“You can all still operate freely in Gotham.”
“There will be...” Lifting her free hand trying to physically grab the word she is looking for, “Rules that will be applied from here on out.”
Throughout her slow trek around the Rogues she explains her rules.
1. No selling/dealing drugs to kids or around schools.
2. No human trafficking.
3. Reestablish the code of honor among the Rogues Gallery: First one at the scene of the crime gets the winnings.
4. Finally, All rogues will pay a 10% tax to Marinette for any operation inside of Gotham.
She does give a few exceptions to the last rule. Any that are willing to work with her and help expand her empire she will cut the tax in half.
(She offers this deal first to Bain as he is a good smuggler. His skills can be used to get things in and out of Gotham for her.)
(The tax cut is also offered to any of the Rogues that are willing to give her a supply of the toxins or chemicals that they use regularly. Bain, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze are just a few she offers this deal to)
She warns all of them that if any of them cross her, that criminal's tax will jump up to half.
Giving them the final ultimatum that they have one month to either agree to her terms or they will be taken down/run out of Gotham.
Marinette by this time has almost circled the table entirely.
A lot of the Rogues aren't too happy about her new rules.
The Joker's Daughter is the only one that speaks up. ((This is the face wearing version of Duela Dent))
With a chaotic giggle, “Daddy put that old crow in the dirt and now you are trying to take his place. Be big and bad, no one is buying it Girly.”
It is enough to stop Marinette. She is just behind The Joker's Daughter.
She stares into the middle distance for a moment.
Taking a breath, she addresses the gathered criminals.
“This brings me to my next point.”
With one quick and vicious strike, she hits the delusional girl in the temple with her cane.
The Joker's Daughter is thrown from her seat by the impact, landing heavily on the ground.
Marinette follows up the attack. Bringing her cane down again and again on Duela's face.
The brutal attack doesn't stop until Second in Command stands next to her.
When he offers her a handkerchief from his breast pocket, she uses it to wipe the blood off the stylized penguin head on her cane instead of the splatter that had landed on her cheek.
She gives the man a quiet “Thank you.”
“Last and most important rule.” She says.
She isn't smiling at all and her tone is deadly serious.
“Anyone who associates with THAT clown,” She jabs the cane down on Duela's chest, palming the stylized head with both hands, “With have their origination torn to the ground, and their burnt body thrown on top of the wreckage.”
She gives the room one savage sweep with her eyes. Making sure her point is made.
When she is satisfied that her point is made, she turns her attention back to Duela.
Kneeling down she pushes the cane harder until it breaks skin.
Seeing the small red flower growing on the fabric.
A small 'click' is heard when she presses the bird’s eye on her cane.
Within a short second later Duela starts to giggle and gurgle past her broken face.
Marinette grabs the girl by the hair, “Do you feel that?”
She asks it softly but with how quiet the room is everyone can hear her clearly.
“That part of you that wants to laugh at the absurdity of what just happened, but your body won't let you?”
“Like you can't get even the smallest of breaths? How your head is pounding but your thoughts are foggy and you can't focus on anything?”
“That is how I felt that day. And now you get to feel it too.”
“You get to share my pain.”
She growls out the next part, “And you get to thank 'dear old daddy' for it too.”
“I had one of my science groups break down an old defunct version of that clown's toxic gas and tweak it some.”
She shakes the girl's head to keep her focus, “Now instead of contracting the diaphragm and forcing you to laugh yourself to death. It slowly paralyzes the diaphragm, preventing you from breathing.”
Sounding like she is trying to reassure the girl, “But no need to worry the other nasty parts of the toxin are still active.”
“It will still make you smile. Even though you are in so much pain.”
“Just like how I had to deal with the pain I had to suffer through.”
“It will keep that heart of yours pumping, keeping your blood flowing.”
“Even though it feels like the damn thing has a hammer its way out of your chest.”
She makes sure Duela is looking directly at her, “Your only hope is to claw it out.”
Duela can do nothing.
Anytime she is able to get the smallest of breath she is forced to choke out a chuckle.
Marinette lets go of the girl's hair and stands up.
“I am in a foul mood now.” She addresses the room. “You all have until Granddad's memorial to give me your answer.”
Pulling out a pocket watch, “That is a little over a week from now.”
With her peace said she heads out the door, Second in command quick to follow her.
The Rogues left in the room are speechless.
The only noise being that of Duela gargling on her own blood. Slowly succumbing to her injuries.
Epilog: (Empress Penguin)
Skip forward a week to present time.
The Memorial for Oswald Cobblepot is being held.
There is a large crowd gathered.
Many are here to support Marinette in her grief.
Everyone from the civil workers to the average Gothamite is here for the service.
All the local news sites are there to televise the event.
It almost turned into a disaster when the Rogues Gallery showed up.
With the first couple having the police try and arrest the criminals.
But, they are stopped by Marinette pleading with the officers.
“This is the time of morning. Even though they are criminals they deserve time to grieve, just like the rest of us. They lost a friend.”
When no one moves she tries a little bit harder, “Please officers, let this be a day where we all can forget our rolls and remember those we lost. Let us come together, even if it is just for a sing day. Let's be there for each other. Just for one day.”
The officers relent.
In part due to Marinette's sincerity and the fact that the Rogues haven't been aggressive as they normally are.
When more of the Rogues show up without any of their tricks more people calm down.
During the memorial the citizens of Gotham mourn with Marinette. Some with her, while others mourn their own lost loved ones.
News sites report on all of it. Noting that almost all of Gotham is here.
There are only a few major players that haven't shown up.
The Joker. But he's still recovering in Arkham.
Some of the Waynes.
And finally Batman and his sidekicks.
What no one knows is that this memorial service is just the first step in Marinette's future plans.
She is going to take the Joker down. Making sure it is in as painful as a way possible.
Discredit the Batfam when/where she can without sounding malicious. (He still needs to pay for allowing her granddad to die)
While she understands that it isn't the life that he would have wanted her to live, it is the one she chose. And she chooses to follow in her Granddad's footsteps.
Even going so far as to take his old name. Becoming the new Penguin.
After all when he was alive and was The Penguin he always treated her like a princess.
If she really is going to follow in his footsteps and work off what he had already established.
Maybe she should become something more?
Something more than just a princess, something more than a new Penguin.
After all, isn't the next logical step of being a princess and heir is to become a ruler?
There is a penguin in the wild that rules them all.
Maybe she should take up a more fitting title then.
Empress Penguin has a nice ring to it after all.
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