Disclaimer: I do not own Batman nor any of the people, places, or things associated with his universe. The plot and original characters are mine though!

AN: So I got over my writer's block and have found some time to start on the sequel to There's Always a Catch. Here's the first chapter, hopefully you all will enjoy. And please let me know what you think by reviewing! I'll do my best to get another chapter up before the weekend is over...and now without further ado, the story begins....

It has been exactly one month since I ran out on my dad to rejoin The Joker in his – our – scheme of mayhem on Gotham City. Dad tried to stop me from going, but he knew that there was no way he was going to keep The Joker from taking me. He watched me walk out of the house carrying my book bag with a long, wary and hurt look upon his face. He knew The Joker had bested him in their silent, mental battle for my soul.

And now, I was doing everything and more to help The Joker win the physical battle with Batman for Gotham's soul. I realized what I was. It was clearly my destiny calling me to be a criminal and I chose to accept it graciously. I no longer fought to remain sane or deny feelings for The Joker. I rarely even thought of my father anymore or my past life. All I lived for was chaos. All I sought was madness. All I planned was destruction.

The Joker had been right. Madness really was like gravity…all it needed was a little push. I was proof of that and knew it. Everyone knew it. I didn't even need The Joker to tell me what to do anymore; I just did things. Things that made him proud of his handiwork. Things that he would have done on his own. We were an unstoppable duo and we were actually beating Batman, for now.

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I had left Mel behind this time. She was to keep a close watch on things back at the hideout. I was halfway across town checking on a rumor I needed to confirm. Apparently, I was no longer the only Master of Crime operating in Gotham. I suppose that comes with the territory, I thought bitterly.

On one hand, it was nice not having to worry about Batman screwing up my deeds. But on the other, it was extremely annoying. This was MY city and no one was going to take it from me. They thought they could screw with me; well they were in for a surprise. I laughed silently under my breath to avoid detection.

I noticed a dark shadow across the street from me. I knew as soon as I saw the shape that it had to be Batman. I shrank further into the shadows on my side of the street to avoid detection by the bat. Not that I couldn't take him, but I was more looking to get a glimpse at my latest competition than getting into a fist fight with Batsy. I figured I must be in the right place though since Bats was here too.

We continued to wait. I was beginning to get antsy and bored. If no one showed in another five minutes, I was leaving. Or maybe I'd harass Bats first for some fun. I don't see how he can wait so quietly and be so still in the dark. HOW BORING!!!

I glanced down at my watch after what I was certain had to have been five minutes to find it had only been two. Well, this is definitely the longest night of my life, I thought with a frown, or the best I could frown given the scars that discouraged such facial expressions.

I sighed. I couldn't take this waiting anymore. I wasn't going to leave just yet; I just thought I'd make it interesting. I stepped far enough forward in the shadows that some of the streetlight caught my face. I knew that ol' Batsy was sure to see me now if he hadn't before. He looked in my direction, but didn't more a muscle. I grinned and waved at him in a teasing manner, trying hard not to laugh.

In one quick, fluid motion, Batman swooped down from his perch and landed gracefully in front of me. I applauded, "Very nice, very impressive there Bats, been working on the sticking the landing, huh?" I cackled at my own joke.

Batman's dark eyes narrowed and seemed to grow darker. "What are you doing here, Joker?" he growled.

"Same thing you are of course!"

"Which is?"

"HAHAHA…like you actually need me to tell you what you're doing in a dark alley in Gotham at night?"

"That is not what I meant, Joker, and you know it," he said, balling his right hand into a fist.

"Alright, alright," I said, "You gotta learn to lighten up some, Bats. I've just heard about some other 'serious' criminals trying to step up and take a shot at controlling my city. And that ain't gonna happen, we both know that."

Batman eyed me as if he didn't really believe what I was saying. "And just what are you going to do about it?" he asked.

"Nothing," I said with a laugh. He just stared at me. "Well, yet," I explained.

"Yet?"

"Well, yeah, I just want to see what I'm up against here first. And maybe give them a friendly warning that they are not going to go stepping on my territory."

"You think your territory is this whole damn city!"

"Exactly," I said with a grin. Wow, Batsy actually gets it!

He continued to stare at me puzzled. Trying to figure me out or come up with something to say. I just stood there grinning and giggling just to annoy him. And annoy him, I was definitely doing. He kept clenching and unclenching his fists as his face was frozen with a look of pure hatred as he willed himself not to attack me here and now. I about laughed out loud as I realized just how much I got under his skin and so easily too.

Batman growled softly as I could no longer contain myself and began laughing hysterically at this madness in front of me. It was killing him to not punch me. Maybe I should get him to attack me, show whoever shows up here that I'm the one true threat for Batman, I thought as he took a half step closer to me. Maybe he was having the same thoughts.

But suddenly he froze and turned around slowly, looking further up the street. I quickly silenced my laughter…holding my breath to keep myself from having another outburst at the hilarity of my current situation.

Batman pushed me back into the shadows so I couldn't be seen by whoever was approaching our location. What the hell? I can take care of myself! And I sure as hell am not friends with Bats, but he's making it look that way! I thought, willing myself not to kick him out into the open and get some action going in this alley.

He also was blocking my view. I stood on my tiptoes to peer over his shoulder at the approaching figure. At first I couldn't tell much about this character, but as it grew closer I could see it was a woman. A very pretty woman. I unconsciously licked my lips as I thought of how much fun it would be to take care of her, assuming she was my new criminal rival.

Batman stepped into the light to block her path to effectively confirm my suspicions. "What are you doing this time?" he growled. Somehow, he really thinks that deep voice scares us criminals…and it might but only the weak-hearted ones.

"None of your business," she replied in a sickly smooth voice.

"I've heard that one before," he said.

She didn't reply. Instead, she spun and squatted, throwing one of her legs out to catch Batman and send him to the ground. She took him down, but I knew that wasn't enough to keep the big bad bat down. I began laughing at foolishness of her attempt. She spun around to see where the laughing was coming from. She couldn't see me though as I was too far back in the shadows. I continued to laugh as I walked toward her.

When she saw me clearly, she gasped. I figured she had at least heard of me. Everyone in Gotham knew my name. I continued to laugh as I pulled out my knife and absent-mindedly began to twirl it in my right hand. Her eyes widened as she stepped back and stumbled over Batman's body. Bats didn't move but I knew better than to assume he was unconscious. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you this time," I said, stepping carefully over Batman to stand over this woman in a tight fitting green outfit. "Clearly you know who I am, I just want to know who you are, gorgeous," I explained, licking my deep red lips.

Her eyes narrowed and her face clouded over with anger. "Ivy. Poison Ivy," she spat venomously.