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Riddler V Hostage

Warnings
Creator chose not to add warnings
Fandom
Batman - All Media Types
Other characters
Edward Nygma Original Characters
Other tags
Tags Are Hard Other Additional Tags to Be Added
Language
English
Originally published
on AO3
Stats
590 words15 chapters 25 sparks0 comments0 bookmarks22 readsUpdated 01 Jul 2024
Summary

Sometimes, Riddler takes hostages. It's a bad thing, but he IS a supervillain. He challenges them to puzzles and games, knowing they won't solve them, reveling in his victory.

So what happens when he meets a hostage so annoying, Riddler would actually rather lose?

Told through Incorrect Quotes!

Notes

In my head, the hostage is named Jeff (the reasons why will become apparent later on), but feel free to imagine any gender or name you want.

Chapter 1: Let's Start Off Slow

Hostage, about an ancient language-based riddle: Come on, Mr E, no-one's spoke this since the dinosaurs ruled--

 

A very triggered Riddler, to a very confused hostage: The dinosaurs didn't rule the Earth, they were just alive. Stop giving them credit for administration skills they didn't have!

Chapter 2: After Riddler Has Been Dealing With This Shit For Too Many Hours


And thus Riddler solves his own riddle. Clever Jeff.

Riddler: For the last time-

Riddler* Norwegia. Is. Not. A. COUNTRY!

 

Hostage: Then where are Norwegian people from?

 

Riddler: NORWAY!

Chapter 3: Return Of The Cleverly Annoying Hostage!


'Panther' actually refers to five species of cats, otherwise known as 'Big Cats', including lions. So the Pink Panther could be a Lion, a Tiger, a Leopard, a Snow Leopard, or a Jaguar. Or just misnamed.

(Snow Leopards are actually closer to Tigers than Leopards. Mountain lions aren't lions, they aren't even Panthera. Cheetahs aren't Panthera either. Cats are WEIRD.)

Hostage, trying to figure out the answer to a puzzle: Is the Pink Panther a lion?

 

Riddler: Say that again but slower.

 

Hostage: I don't get it.

 

Riddler: He's a PANTHER.

 

Hostage: Is that a type of lion?

 

Riddler: No, it's a fucking panther.

 

Hostage: -googles panthers- But they aren't pink?

 

Riddler: AND LIONS ARE?!

Chapter 4: Pride Comes In Many Flavors

Riddler, after presenting a puzzle he's particularly proud of: Brilliant, isn't it? I can not wait to hear how you plan to-

 

Hostage: I don't.

 

Riddler: What?

 

Hostage, grinning: Quitting! It's like trying, but easier.

 

Riddler: THAT ISN'T HOW THIS WORKS!

Chapter 5: A Fool Out Of You

Hostage: Mr E, I don't think I can handle any more of your tomfuckery.

 

Riddler: Oh yeah? Well I can keep going until you're all tomfuckered out!

Riddler: ...What the hell did I even just say?

Chapter 6: Featherbrain

Riddler: How have you survived this long?! You have less skills than a potato!

 

Hostage: That's not true. There's one thing I'm really good at.

 

Riddler, curious: Oh? What?

 

Hostage: I am an expert at identifying birds.

 

Riddler: Alright, then, what about those ones flying over there?

 

Hostage: Yeah, they're all definitely birds.

 

Riddler: ... -eye twitches-

Chapter 7: He's Doing It On Purpose

Riddler: -gets annoyed enough to solve his own puzzle and show how it's done step-by-step-

 

Hostage: Amazing! Mr E, you're just like Sherlock Homeless!

 

Riddler, repeating himself for the dozenth time: IT'S HOLMES!

 

Hostage: -smirks-

Chapter 8: What? I'm Not Doing Anything~

Riddler, angrily: I know what you're up to.

 

Hostage, innocently: Really? Because I barely know.

Chapter 9: This Is Edward We're Talking About

Riddler: Okay, what about this one: what's the most illegal thing you can do for one dollar?

 

Hostage: Exchange it for a hundred pennies, put them all in a sock, and beat someone with it.

 

Riddler: One: not even close.

Riddler: Two: you're forgetting to take into account the cost of the sock.

Chapter 10: Truth Is Relative

Riddler: How can you possibly think that's the right answer?

 

Hostage: I learned from a very early age that if I talk long enough, I can make anything right or wrong.

Hostage: so either I'm god, or truth is relative. Either way, booyah.

 

Riddler: ...

Riddler, to other hostages: Please tell me one of you already called the cops. I just want to go back to my cell and have a mental breakdown in peace.

Chapter 11: Lol, I Don't Know What To Name This

Riddler: You disgust me.

 

Hostage, eating a KitKat sideways instead of solving the maze: I realize this and I don't care.

Chapter 12: Does Anyone Get The Jeff Community Reference Yet?

Riddler: You can't talk to me that way!

 

Hostage: A six year old could talk to you that way!

 

Riddler: YES, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE ADORABLE!

 

Hostage: NO, BECAUSE YOU'RE A FIVE YEAR OLD, AND THERE'S A PECKING ORDER!

Chapter 13: Clever Chapter Name

Riddler: Why are you always trying to aggravate me?

 

Hostage: To relax.

Chapter 14: Actually, He's Still In College

Hostage, in response to a riddle: That's greatly offensive to my people

 

Riddler: College dropouts?

Chapter 15: T-T-That's All, Folks!


Then the cops come. To their confusion, Riddler hugs and thanks them, jumping into the back of the squad car like an excited puppy.

Riddler: You've yet to solve a single riddle!

 

Hostage: Yes, BUT! I got 100% on a BuzzFeed quiz about European countries.

Hostage: So who's the REAL winner here?

 

Riddler: -scream of frustration-

25 carried over from the original posting

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Comments carried over from AO3 (6)

These were left on the original AO3 posting and are shown as they appeared there.

lasagnaBoi via AO3 on Chapter 15 · 2024-07-03

This is hilarious!

Arukir Author via AO3 2024-07-03

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. 😊

Pazymuk via AO3 on Chapter 15 · 2024-07-20

Ha ha ha. He has met his match! I laughed out loud!

Arukir Author via AO3 2024-07-20

😊 😊 😊

TheGreenInYellowJournalism via AO3 on Chapter 3 · 2024-08-05

I can already tell that Riddler is going to lose it XD

Poor Riddler.

Arukir Author via AO3 2024-08-05

He's one of my favorite characters, but he needs to be knocked down a peg every once in a while, you know? 😂

TheGreenInYellowJournalism via AO3 on Chapter 5 · 2024-08-05

I don't know, but don't let Harvey hear it out of context (maybe even in context...)

TheGreenInYellowJournalism via AO3 on Chapter 11 · 2024-08-05

Okay, but eating a KitKat sideways is a crime I didn't even realize existed. Just- why!?

Arukir Author via AO3 2024-08-05

Now I kinda want to try eating one sideways... It would be SO messy, though.

TheGreenInYellowJournalism via AO3 2024-08-05

STAY STRONG. AVOID THE TEMPTATION.

Arukir Author via AO3 2024-08-05

😂 😂😂

AuroreRuby via AO3 on Chapter 15 · 2025-11-30

One word:
HAHAHAHA 🤣

Arukir Author via AO3 2025-12-02

Glad you enjoyed! I love making people laugh! 😁

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