So, here we are. New story, new characters, new villains, hell, everything is new. This is the sequel to When It Isn't Enough, and even though I'd recommend reading it first, it's the introduction story for the Justice League, and although they are mentioned, the events of that story are not essential for this story. This takes place a year after my last story, and a good few couple of things have happened since then. The Teen Titans or Young Justice has been formed since then, and a couple more members have joined the Justice League. Cyborg, for example. I'll have a full synopsis of the events that have occurred at the end of this chapter, and if you did read When It Isn't Enough, welcome!

Let's do this.

The asylum's hallways were silent except for the occasional click as the security guard's shoes hit the floor. He sometimes wondered why on Earth he remained at this job. Arkham was home for the most dangerous, insane and, quite frankly, weirdest villains in existence. Killer Croc, Bane, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, and of course, the worst one of all. That was the general consensus amongst him and his workmates. No one messed with the Joker. No one who wanted to live, anyway.

His thoughts were permanently ended as a bullet fired from a suppressed pistol pierced his skull. He dropped to the floor unceremoniously as the life left him within a second. The guard who monitored the cameras would have seen him fall if he wasn't sitting in his chair with a broken neck. Happy that he remained undetected, Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, slipped out of his hiding spot. With no more guards in sight, he proceeded to the most protected place in the prison.

There were guards everywhere, each with an alarm within arm's reach. That didn't bother him. He had disabled the alarms already. No, what bothered him would be the inevitable interruption of Batman. If he didn't take notice that the camera feed at the asylum was scrambled, he would definitely come running when he realised the alarms were off.

Slade wasn't afraid of fighting him. In truth he would usually anticipate one. Batman had proven himself an equal, and although Deathstroke was sure he would prevail in a one on one scenario, he relished the challenge. But his employer had been clear. Batman could not intervene, not yet. He would know what he had done, but he wasn't allowed to stop him.

Might as well break out the big guns then.

Dropping down from the ground, he didn't hesitate as he drew his katana and slit the throat of the guard closest to him. His colleagues were shocked for a second, stunned that someone would so casually kill someone in plain sight. Their surprise would kill them. Deathstroke didn't even give them a chance to fire. With a flick of the wrist he sent three knives into the guard's throats, before dropping a smoke bomb as the others fired. One frantically slammed the alarm button, desperately hoping that help would come.

It never did.

The assassin's sword embedded itself into a guard's stomach as he drew his pistol. Three shots were fired, three heads were shot and three men dropped to the floor. He quickly made his way to the maximum security cell they had been guarding. The cell specially designed for one prisoner, and one prisoner alone.

The Joker.

He always giggled to himself, but now he was quiet. That said something. Either he was asleep, or he was waiting for him. Knowing that maniac, he would be ready to kill him as soon as he opened the door.

The encryption that Batman had employed to keep out anyone who freed the madman was nothing when he had the password. His employer had figured it out, which was an impressive feat considering Batman's prowess at guarding secrets.

As soon as the door opened he flew at him, the knife in his hand angled at his neck. Deathstroke was quicker though, and he dodged the strike before slamming the maniac into the wall, before disarming him. As Joker realised who he was, his face stretched to show a massive, maniacal smile.

"Black and Yellow! What you doing here?! Who's taken your leash this time?"

Slade audibly sighed. He did prefer assassination targets than jobs like this, but the money he had been paid was more than substantial, and that was only the beginning. There was more he could earn, and by doing this he would soon get his hands on it.

"Someone very specific wants you out of Arkham, and they've hired me personally to do it. That should tell you how badly they want this done."

He smirked. "I'm flattered! But," he said, indicating to the cell which was bare save a bed, "I've gotten really cosy here. Why would I leave? Just because a dog on a chain looking for a treat decides to dig me up, why do I comply, huh? Convince me."

Deathstroke resisted the urge to shove a sharp piece of metal through the Joker's gullet. "If I stabbed you in the heart, right now, I'd be doing the world a huge favour. But, I've been paid specifically not to do that. You're going to come with me because I say so. Because my employer wants to help you take another shot at Batman. And they have the resources and money to make it hit."

"Well," Joker said, stroking an imaginary beard. "I'd have to be mad to not take up that offer! And you know, I'm a very sane man! Point the way, Death!"

Slade rolled his eyes behind the mask. He had executed this part of the mission perfectly, without Batman rushing to the scene. Now, it was time for phase two.

How they would destroy the Justice League.

Commissioner Gordon turned to his ally. Batman and himself were currently standing in front of what used to be Joker's cell. Deathstroke had been relentless, killing anyone in his way. Both men had agreed that the mere fact that he was involved was unsettling. He was the most feared and deadly assassin in the world, surpassing even Deadshot. A man like that didn't get hired to simply break out an inmate. There was something more sinister about this situation. There was more to come, they knew it.

"I can give you ten minutes," Gordon said. "That's all you need, right?"

He nodded. "Yes, Jim. What do you make of the situation?" he asked as he analysed the room, taking in the clues that he could process in his investigation.

"I think this is the start of something. Something big. Joker seems to have gone willingly with Deathstroke, to whoever wanted him out. This is only the beginning."

Batman nodded as the commissioner spoke. "You're half right. Look at the bed. Joker usually sleeps on the cold floor, meaning he probably lent back on it when Deathstroke entered. The assassin had to convince him to leave. He told him what he, or his employer, is planning. That did it. Also, someone else is behind this. Someone with vast wealth, wealthy enough to employ Deathstroke. Desperate enough to release Joker. Someone who is planning something massive, so much so they need Joker and Deathstroke to do it. There is a third player here."

"Well, you'll stop it, whatever they're planning. You always do."

Batman remained stoic, although he did appreciate the man's faith. Still, this was unnerving. Joker had already tried to destroy him, more than once. If he was working with Deathstroke, and this mysterious benefactor, then he meant business.

And when the Joker put his mind to it, people died. People he cared about. Jason Todd, for one. Another example was when he shot Barbara Gordon. She was lucky to escape alive. Another unsettling thing was his anger that another Robin now patrolled the streets. When Tim first laid eyes on the demented man, the Joker had sworn to end him. He was just happy that he hadn't succeeded yet.

Another possibility was the fact that, despite being a part-timer, he was a founding member of the Justice League. He had been seen in public with them, fighting off Brainiac's invasion. He doubted that the Joker would actually go after them, but still the possibility remained.

Another thought struck him, and as he much as he wanted to deny it, he had to take it into account. It was his growing… relationship with Diana. Nothing substantial had happened yet, but he had made the mistake of letting her get close, a slip on his part. Apart from the fact that he had to help the Justice League as he was a founding member, she was mainly the reason he ever beamed up to the Watchtower. Something about her drew Batman out and Bruce in, like he could talk normally to her.

Plus she was the first woman he had met in his line of work that he could trust in for a long time. He couldn't ever completely trust Selina, and Talia was as she always was: infinitely complicated. Wonder Woman however made it simple. Unlike the others, the problem wasn't with her, it was with him. He was the one who had to sort his crap out, and for some reason he felt compelled to, if it would make her happy. That simultaneously warmed and worried him. The flirting, the sparring, the way she could make him speak, it was all adding up. And that worried him.

Regardless of his thoughts, a storm was coming. And it remained to be seen whether they would stand tall in the rain, or scramble for shelter when it hit.

Just a little taste of what is to come. I'm looking forward to writing the Joker in particular. He is without a doubt my favourite villain ever, even if he is a heartless and complete nutcase.

Now, if you haven't read When It Isn't Enough, I'll basically sum it up. Brainiac attempts to invade, the Justice League is formed to stop him, and after losing in their first assault with the original members (Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Flash, Green Lantern and Green Arrow), they enlist the help of Aquaman, Black Canary and Hawkgirl, and with a bit of aid from Nightwing and Robin, even though Batman specifically told them to stay out. They repel and defeat Brainiac in London, with Wonder Woman personally destroying him in hand to hand combat. A year has passed since then, although this chapter takes place right after the epilogue of my last story. A couple more members have joined the Justice League in the meantime. Cyborg is one, and the other is… I'll let you guess. We all know him/her, so I'll see how accurate you guys are. Young Justice has also formed, with Robin, Kid Flash, Superboy, Aqualad, and Wonder Girl, though I haven't completely decided on them yet. They are in the team, I just may add a few more, like Speedy or someone else.

This story is going to be more personal, meaning more BMWW, more SMLL, and generally more moments with the characters and their love interests, like the moments Hal had with Carol Ferris. The story is not going to be completely centred on them, as I'm not fond of writing complete romance unless it is related to the plot, since other people are just better than me in that department. I might do a BMWW centric story sometime in the future, but not until I've finished this. The reason the couples will be shown more is because the members trust in each other is going to be tested. Joker is gunning for the Justice League, and he will do anything just to hurt them.

Another driving force behind this story is the fact that the world's politicians are conflicted regarding the world's heroes. Some want them gone, some want them to stay and others are in the middle.

Anyways, tell me what you think! Like it? Loathe it? I'd love to see what you think about this. Reviews do me the world of good. Tell me what you think, what you want to see, anything!

Until next time!