The Dark Multiverse was a vast twisted dimension that spanned onwards and onwards, seemingly endless. Although, the worlds were wrong from the start, unstable, never meant to exist and would always break apart and die, countless more would replace them. Worlds born from every single thought about bad decision and nightmare the light above could offer. Each inhabitant of those worlds were just born unlucky. Doomed to face the sickening joke of their horrendous existence. It was funny, hilarious in the irony at least for the Batman Who Laughs. The worst nightmare creation the dark could ever have.
Another sort of irony caught his attention quickly when after a year of traversing the Dark Multiverse in service of his master Barbatos that he hasn't stumbled upon a single living Joker. For it became apparent that Joker's just couldn't last long in these universes. Humorous in hindsight given Joker seemed like the perfect candidate to thrive in the twisted worlds that were birthed in the dark. But, that wasn't the case. Not with their unpredictable nature and one tracked obsessions with their own worlds Batman. It left them unadaptable to the change to survive. Targets for worst nightmares to take them out of the games earlier on. Generally, by their own Batman, but not always. The Bat Who Laughs, was becoming increasingly more accustomed to believing he would never see a version of the clown -that on his world helped him see the joke- again. That was fine and dandy. He'd have fun with the ever growing list of playgrounds with or without a certain clown ever making an appearance.
Until today, in earth negative seven hundred and six, Batman was proven wrong. An, earth that he found himself on after recruiting the Merciless Batman. His comrades staying behind as per the norm. Only, rarely did the other Dark Knights accompany him. Even his favored son stayed behind this time. This earth was a post apocalyptic world. Ha! Nothing new there! One that in two weeks time would break apart and fade away, like all the other worlds in the dark. The sound of familiar laughter had caught Batman's full attention. Jarring him in ways, he didn't think was possible anymore. It wasn't like he didn't expect to find the Joker alive in this world. In fact, that's what drove him here in the first place.
The opportunity to find a broken clown was just too tempting to pass up.
For on this earth the Batman had met his end by no other than the Joker. A cycle he's seen on previous earths though not an outcome that was always prominent. Generally, it was the other way around, just like on his own world. However, this brought upon something new. A Joker alone without a Batman to play with. And, this earth suffered for the clowns grief. If this place offered any survivors then they were few and far between.
His Jokerized Robin's crowed at his feet and tugged on their chains. The smell of fresh blood making them ravenous. He might have let his pets off their leash if he didn't know exactly what was causing that scent in the air. For earlier he had allowed just one of the Robin's lose to scan the area in search of the Joker. Knowing already what would happen. Not much of a loss. He had plenty more where that one came from, all thanks to his own dead worlds Joker.
Tying the chains of his pets to a rundown car to keep them at bay for now, his grin widened as he heard another agonized crow cry on the wind. The clown must have been having fun with his gift. Batman hummed to himself as he followed the cries to its location, but the smile became a frown when he actually saw the Clown Prince of Crime. He wasn't even able to bring forth a laugh at the crowbar taking yet another Robin's life.
It was unpleasant the emotions that rushed him in that moment. A flicker of nostalgia that shouldn't have affected him at all. Batman never felt this way when he saw counterparts to his own Bat-family that he gunned down on his world without a second thought. Didn't even care for any Alfred's that were alive on other worlds. But, seeing a living Joker just didn't spark the same cold apathetic nature within him. Making him question more if Barbatos could foresee this being an outcome and never showed him earths with any Joker's alive for this very reason, until this very moment. A plausible assumption that he wouldn't voice outright.
All he could do right now is just take in the sight of the clown -currently unaware of his presence-appearance. The usually immaculate purple suit had seen better days. Blood stains coated so much of the tattered attire that it lessened the flashy impact it was known for. Green hair that was generally combed to perfection was messy upon the clowns head. Even makeup that Batman knew that Joker's usually spent a good while of applying was left a smudged mess. The clown simply lost the will to keep his appearance up to tip-top shape after the death of his Bat. Blue eyes hidden behind the spiked headpiece this particular Batman wore moved downwards to the bloody heap of his once chipper pet. The child's limbs broken and head completely bashed in at this point, body twitching, but was obviously dead. And, yet the clown continued to swing the crowbar again and again in a trance like state.
Perhaps, nostalgia had gripped the Joker as well as the laughing Bat.
It was such a humorous twist of fate that it finally brought a good earned laugh out of him.
And, any trance the Joker might have been in broke by a sound that was only heard once on a rainy night at an abandoned amusement park years ago in their shared history.
Joker's movements ceased instantly, his hand stopping in mid-swing. Body going stock still as he stared at the familiar, yet unfamiliar presence of Batman. Seemingly, in disbelief of what he was seeing. And, Batman couldn't blame him. Very few knew of the cruel joke their worlds were spawned in. Although, Batman knew he was in the company of someone who would actually see the funny side to it all. Another wave of unpleasant emotions hit him, but he refused to ever let it show. Not towards or in front of a Joker. Despite, how bonded they truly were in the form of himself. He still was a Batman.
The clown straightens up. Arms dropping to his side as his grip on the crowbar tightens. He glances towards the once deranged child's body on the ground, then back towards the Batman Who Laughs. Once, twice, a third time and then he finally speaks. "Must be hallucinating again." He says more to himself, and that brings a wide grin to Batman's face. The clown shrugs; disregarding everything he sees now and starts to take a step to leave. Batman doesn't let him, not psychically stopping him, but using his words to the same effect.
"Au contraire, Joker, what is happening is that you're finally seeing the truth that you've been blinded to this whole time," the Batman speaks ominously and catches the Joker's full attention this time around. "A punchline to the greatest joke ever told and you're not even the one to tell it. Ha! It's quite amusing, when you stop and think about it." He barks out more uncontrollable laughter, that the Joker doesn't follow suite with. Instead the lesser maniac of the two turns to face him with a frown on his countenance.
"Haven't had the stomach to tell or hear any jokes for a while now," is all Joker responds. A slight wince at his own comments and the depressing memories it brings forth for him. "Not much is very funny these days."
It's downright pitiful how much this Joker has fallen into despair. Desolate in every aspect. Though, Batman isn't surprised. The clowns by nature were nothing without their Batman. Unable to function without their better other half. Lost without any purpose. That's what made himself better than any Joker could ever achieve. Never once being hindered by that narrow mindedness to accomplish his goals. Not even his own Joker could grasp that concept fully before he killed him. Only a Batman could. Adaptable to win every time. Yet, right now. Even if the sight is humorous in certain aspects, he's also left feeling bitter and resentful in other ways.
A past reminder of the few days before the toxin in his Joker's heart took full effect of him of his own momentarily melancholy.
The temporary regret he felt at breaking his one pointless rule he once held so dear.
And, no longer hindered by restraints the acknowledgment that what Batman truly felt at the time, regardless, of self-denial then, was that he missed having the Joker around to play games with.
Now, he can just laugh away all that unpleasantness.
Adapt.
Adapt.
Don't think about it.
Adapt.
"Understandable. That tends to happen... when you butcher your favorite audience member." Batman remarks with no lack of hesitance to twist the metaphorical knife in the Joker's heart. "Takes away any joy of putting on a show; doesn't it?" He glances around the destroyed remains of Gotham City. Gesturing with his arms out-wide. Ruby lips split into an unnatural smile. Similar to the Joker's own. "And, what a great finale it must have been. Too bad, Batman wasn't around to see it. Does it keep you up at night, wondering if he'd get a laugh out of all he's missed?" Green eyes narrow at him. He can see the seething rage building up in the lithe form of the clown. Murderous intent that is so familiar for this particular Batman that he welcomes the sight like an old friend.
Joker lets out a humorless laugh. "Ya know, it's a tad funny, that you think I care what some edge-lord pimped out in leather has to say," His voice is more deadpanned than anything. Lacking the usual charisma. "But, heh, careful what you say about, Batsy. Just a word of advice." Batman knows Joker has no intention of letting him walk away alive. At least not yet. Nor, could the clown actually win in a fight against him, but that's beside the point. He's already killed one Joker, killing another would be child's play.
"Here's what you're not seeming to grasp. Fine. I'll spell it out for you," a chuckle. "I can answer that question for you. Do you wanna know what Batman would think of all you've done?" Batman starts to persuade. Barely holding back snickers from the Joker's lack of observational skills right now. Blind. The clowns blind to the truth staring him right in the face.
"I already know, what my Bat would feel," Joker snaps with venom in his voice. "He'd hate it. Make me bleed for every little life I took. Hurt me in all those wonderful love taps he would give. And, I'd laugh every step of the way. Because, it would be adorable how grumpy he'd get. Then we'd play and play again together," he takes a step forward then. His mood turning foul. The Batman just smiles at him. Not retreating from the destroyer of this earth. "That'll never happen.. Not now. Not anymore-" Joker mutters to himself, only to be cut off from the storm that was about to be unleashed.
"That's where you're wrong," he raises one finger up. Tilting his head as he watches the clown falter with that one sentence. "All those dashed hopes you've once had can finally come true. For you see, I am Batman." He gives a bow. Taunting the Joker with a truth the clown couldn't possibly believe in the slightest.
"Leave the jokes to me. Yours aren't funny in the least, Bat-fake." Joker growls out. Voice rough and enraged.
"Thought, you said, and I'm paraphrasing here. That you didn't tell jokes anymore," he states without missing a beat; sardonically. Straightening up again, he adds. "Or, am I mistaken? Changed your mind so soon? About time." he lets out a scoff at the end to add more insult to injury.
"Batsy's been long dead. Don't pretend to be him! You're not worthy of the title of Bat King." Joker lunges forward then, swinging the crowbar. Messy in execution that the Batman Who Laughs easily evades the attack. Delivering a swiping kick to the Joker's legs. Knocking him down to the ground as the clown lets out an audible oomph. Joker's always been faster than Batman. But, not this Batman. When the Joker tries to get up, the Bat kicks him hard in the face. Blood instantaneously gushing from the clowns broken nose and split lip. Then Batman hears a sound he's honestly truly missed for years now. The melody of Joker's laughter. A sweet symphony that's as pleasant as a lullaby for him. The clown rolls onto his back, but doesn't get far, due for one his uncontrollable guffaws coming from him and the other from Batman's boot coming down on his windpipe.
Batman would have fought the clown longer. In fact, he was craving it more than the oxygen he needed to breathe. Just to have that familiar dance once more would be the best thing ever in the world to him. A sort of intoxicating drug that he'd never want to quit. Regardless, he knew better. Wasn't naive to what the outcome of a fight between them would be. He wouldn't be able to hold back. Not anymore. And, quite frankly he wasn't ready to end the first Joker that he's seen since he's killed his owns life just yet. Besides, in two weeks that death would be inevitable anyway. Might as well enjoy this as close to a reunion as he could get.
"Always so close, but never within reach. Something's never change," he speaks more to himself and the clown looks up at him as he adds more weight on the chalk white neck by leaning forward to capture the Joker's attention. Although, he already had it all, he wanted to make sure, just in case. "Here's the thing clown. Yes, your Batman is dead. Murdered, because of you," he smiles when Joker's laughter cuts off abruptly. "However, I am very worthy of that title you so lovingly gave him. My own Joker even gave it to me on my world. Before, I killed him," the look of confusion on the madman's face is so amusing for Batman that he can't help, but chuckle in response. "Anyway, my point is, I'm not your Batman. In fact, I'm an even better Batman than he ever was."
"Doubt it." Joker has to fight that statement, but it's more half hearted than anything else at this point. Batman can see the gears turning in the clowns head. How much his comments are finally registering for the Joker to see the truth.
"Are you really so delusional, that you can't see that I'm the best parts of, you and I, mixed together in perfect chaotic harmony?" He frowns slightly. Starting to lose interest in keeping the clown alive. Adding more pressure on the Joker's neck. Ready to crush it. Be done with this increasingly less humorless world. Nostalgia only keeping him from doing just that.
Joker struggles to let out a mocking laugh. Sounding more broken than anything. His eyes narrowed into slits. Yet, he still smiles. Perhaps, more during their encounter than he has in years. "And, people used to say I'm insane, HA! You're Bat-shit crazy!" He points at the Batman Who Laughs. "Tut tut! Honestly, give me one good reason why I'd believe you." Batman notices the knife sliding out of the Joker's sleeve. Ready to rend his flesh while the clown tries to distract him with his other gesturing hand. An old trick. One that won't work. But, not for the same old reasons. His smile mirrors the Joker's own. Taking a step back, removing himself from pinning down the murderer and although the Joker doesn't know it as of now, Batman has already won this conversation. This small battle between them.
"We both know, it's a good thing you didn't walk across the light to reach the other side," a heartbeat passes. "I would have shut it off when you were half way across." He reaches out his hand for the clown to take.
Any doubts the Joker may have had regarding this particular Batman vanish in a split second.
Tiny pin-pricks in pools of acidic green expand for the first time in years.
And, he gets up without taking the Batman Who Laughs hand.
Knowing, despite everything, where they stood together hasn't fully changed since that joke was told so long ago.
Joker had no intention of falling between the buildings.
The Batman Who Laughs had other ideas.
"Wow, so you flayed Eddie alive on your world, huh?" Joker let's out an awed-filled whistle. "All I did was cut him into teeny tiny little pieces and turned him into a nice question mark painting."
The Batman Who Laughs lets out a snicker at that comment that momentarily drowns out the sounds of pain-filled screams piercing the air as well as flesh being ripped apart from bone by his pets feasting on one of the few survivors who unfortunately came upon both maniac's paths.
"Not my most creative moment, I'll admit, but I was simply experimenting and he was the first one I came upon in Arkham," The Bat responds with a shrug. Feeling the clown muzzle against the leather on his shoulder. "I've had plenty of occasions to rectify the lack of flare, of the early days and I've taken the opportunity each and every time." he clarifies much to the Joker's joy.
"You'll have to tell me more about it." He responds.
"Perhaps, in time, I will." Batman says simply.
Joker gestures to the Robin's having their fill on the now corpse of what used to be a man.
"I'll hold you to it, Batsy. What about the kiddo's over there? Who's wonderful idea made them? Yours? Because, gotta tell ya, as much as I might like this version of you, this doesn't feel like what a Batman would do." Joker's tone is a tad mocking and grating slightly on Batman's nerves. Not for the words, but the constant reminder that this would never be his own Joker, no matter how much a part of him pretends that it is.
He can still visibly see that day he took his Joker's life. A line of families to be made from the best parts of himself and his own clown. A new Gotham that the Joker wanted to replace the old. And, yet, the Robin's and himself were all that remained of their world. Because, even his Joker will all the foresight of knowing Batman needed to change and adapt, couldn't predict that they were born in the instability of the dark instead of the light above.
Funny, how fate worked out.
"I can't take all the credit for them. That one goes to my Joker." Is all he responds with. Joker noticeably stiffens against him. A painful reminder similar for the clown of how they both weren't truly what the other has lost. Just mere copies in an endless abyss of nightmares.
"Heh, Figures. You'd never be that imaginative to come up with something as beautiful as them," he laughs when he's pushed roughly off of the other. Grinning up at the Bat, Joker adds. "What? Ya, just don't have my creative streak is all. Almost makes me regret bashing one of those little precious birdy's brains out, that other me worked so hard at making. Such a shame." He shrugs. Not regretful in the least. Neither is Batman.
"I have more," he replies and after a beat responds with, "You'd be surprised on how creative I can be." That was added more smug than the Joker's liking. A green brow raises at the proclamation.
"Really got an ego boost didn't ya, Batsss," He sits up. Then his eyes widen as if he just processed what the other said previously. He looks around the destroyed area. Trying to spot something that he would never find. Turning back towards the laughing Bat, he questions. "And, where might the other adopted kids be hiding?"
Batman doesn't respond for closing in on a minute. Not wanting to bring up too much information. At least not in full regards to the inevitable departure that he would need to have from this world and this Joker. He wasn't in the mood for the shit show of a tantrum the clown would throw if he knew that tidbit of intel as of yet. "Somewhere else." Is what he chooses to reply instead.
"Cryptic as always," Joker scoffs as he stands to his feet, moving closer to the sitting Bat on the hood of the car. "Would it kill ya, to open up a bit?"
A beat.
"Nope, but it'd kill you." Batman remarks with a huge grin that the Joker follows with the same gesture. The clown straddles the Bat that will be the closest thing to ever being around his playmate again. His arms wrapping around the more effective murderer's neck.
"Daarling, don't be silly," Joker steals a kiss, only to let out a laugh shortly after. Batman's grip tightened around his back. Holding the clown upright, letting out a small chuckle of his own. "We both know that, I'll always eagerly walk off stage for you. Just let me have my curtain call when the time comes, sweetheart," another stolen kiss. "Then all will be as right as rain for me." The smile Batman receives is demented and loving at the same time.
Batman does his best to ignore the long since faded ache in his heart's return, by doing what he does best now and laughs it all away.
It's almost enough to do the trick.