Danno King always sat at the bar by himself. He was loner type. Didn't like talking to others. Not because he was some kind of hard ass. Just the opposite in fact. He was timid. A pathetic little maggot most would probably call him. Small time weasel. Never pulled a job he didn't get busted for. Did some time on the block for armed robberies, grand theft auto, probation violations when he finally did get out of the can, and so on and so forth. In fact, he just got out a few days ago, and was at the bar keeping his ears open for any possible job opportunities. But he was a man with a reputation. A man no wanted to deal with. Because you could guarantee he was sure to screw something up.

Danno was a short man. Never had a decent shave or hair cut in his entire adult life. He was squirrely. Paranoid. He was the antithesis of his surname: King. King of fools, maybe. But Danno dreamed big, ya see. He wanted to make it to the big time. He was gonna be the boss of this town one day, he knew it in his soul, but he wasn't sure how he would get there, until recently. He had no money, no family, no smarts, but he had heart. But he just acquired one very unique skill.

For once, just about everyone in the bar around him was uncomfortable and edgy as Danno is every day. He stretched his eyes to his right as far as they could go to the far table against the wall, but he dare not turn his head and look. Laughing together like a couple of loons, the Joker and his girl, Harley Quinn, sat enjoying their drinks. Soon, their table started to fill up with more drinks from half the folks in the bar wanting to buy the Clown Prince of Crime a round.

That's the man, Danno thought. Joker was a guy everyone feared, or if they didn't fear him, they sure as hell respected him. The confidence, the swagger, the hot blond at his side. The kinda man that commands whatever room he steps into. That's what Danno King was suppose to be.

If Danno could get in good with the Joker, he'd be own his way to the big time.

Danno took a big gulp of his dollar beer. His heart was starting to thump. The booze were making his head light. How many more opprotunities like this was he gonna get? The top man himself was just a few steps away.

A bigger gulp of his beer.

This is nuts, Danno thought. He's gonna freakin' kill me. His palms started to sweat. He cooled them against the cold glass. Rolled it around in his hands. His entire lithe frame was beginning to shake from his heart pounding so hard. All his life he'd been a screw up and often times a coward. This may be another big screw up for Danno, but damnit if he'll be a coward next to the Joker.

He finished the rest of his beer in one slug. He rose from the stool and his knees wobbled when his feet touched the floor. Now his eyes were looked on the Joker and Harley's table. The two of them oblivious to the world around them. As he walked toward them, he realized he hadn't breathed in several seconds. Around him voices wisperd, Hey look at Danno. Wheres he going? Another said, Oh this is gonna be gold.

The few steps turned into a mile long journey, but when he got there, he was afraid to speak. Afraid to interrupt. It felt like a long time when by before Harley finally noticed him.

"Oh, yes," Harley said. "We're told the pretzels here are fantastic. Can we get some of those? Like, now, ya know?"

Harley turned her attention back to her puddin', and for a moment, Danno thought he should go and bring them some pretzels. But he swallowed hard and stood his ground. "Excuse me," Danno said. His voice cracked at first. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Mister Joker and Miss-uh, Missus?- Miss Quinn. Uh, I just wanted to say that I'm-uh- a big fan of you, Sir. The both of you. I-uh-I have a lot of respect for you. And-and I just want to say-uh-introduce myself, Sir."

Joker faced the man about half way through his spiel once he realized he was being addressed. Danno was surprised at how pleasant the Joker's expression was toward him. Maybe behind the crazy looking smile and eyes he really wasn't a bad guy.

"Well, look at this, Harley. A local," the Joker said.

Harley was unimpressed, still waiting for pretzels.

"What's your name friend?" The joker said, extending his hand for a shake.

"Danno," he said. Relieved that Joker was actually being nice to him, he smirked and let out a small laugh. "Danno King."

Danno moved his hand to meet Joker's, but hesitated when he spotted a metal ring around Joker's gloved finger with a large thorn protruding from it on the inside of his hand.

The Joker looked at his hand and laughed. "Whoops. I always forget I'm wearing that damn thing." He took the trick ring off, tossed it over his shoulder, and grabbed Danno's hand, shaking it vigorously. "Nice to meet you, friend! What can I do for you? Or more importantly, what can you do for me?"

"I just wanted to introduce myself, Sir. I-uh-wasn't sure if you were maybe...I don't know, looking for a crew while your in town?" Danno shrugged his shoulders modestly.

The Joker slapped the table hard with one hand and faced Harley. "That's what we were suppose to do, Harl! Put together a crew!"

Harley looked at Danno. "Anyone you recommend, fella?"

"Well, I-uh-was hoping-I got a little experience around this town. I thought maybe I could...ya know, join up with ya."

The Joker let out a big belly laugh. He stood up and grabbed Danno, one hand on each shoulder. He must have been almost a foot taller than the other man. "Why in hell would I ever want...you?"

"Excuse me, folks," another voice said.

Danno felt a hard firm hand on his shoulder tear him out of the Joker's clutches. He nearly tumbled back on his ass. A shock went through his stomach when he saw the hand belong to Supergirl.

The Joker's eyes lit up. His grin wrapped even tighter around his face. He gasped with such excitement he couldn't even get out a laugh. He gestured with his hands toward the Girl of Steel and turn to Harley. "Look, Harley! Another local!"

Harley slowly rose from her chair. Her hand slithered to the series of knives and gun strapped to her hip. Her eyes shot their own kind of heat vision toward Supergirl.

The Joker whipped his head around back to the new blond. Supergirl, unintimidated moved herself nose-to-nose with the clown. She looked him up and down. Studied his eyes. She kept her features stone-like, but had to admit, looking into that face and knowing all the terrible things he's done, she got a little creeped out.

"I'm sure the whole scary clown gimmick works wonders on kids, but I gotta admit. I was expecting more form the infamous Joker," Supergirl said. She added a mocking tone to her voice when she said the name.

"Watch yer mouth, toots!" Harley said. She drew a blade for each hand. In the back of her head, she probably knew the knives were useless against a Super-type, but that wasn't gonna stop her from trying for some Kryptonian blood. Nobody talks to her puddin' that way.

Supergirl glanced at Harley and puffed out a quick gust of super-breath. Just enough to send Harley against the wall and dropping her. Supergirl wrapped and iron grip around the Joker's wrist. "I'm sure you're wanted for something. How bout we take a trip down town?"

"Leave!" Danno shouted.

As soon as the little guy's words registered, Supergirl felt a hot smack across her ear. It was as if Rao himself had appeared and swatted her down. She flew across the floor, crashing into tables and chairs, snapping some of the legs as she slid. Now the rest of the bar patrons were really starting to get out of dodge.

She saw the little guy trembling. His face took on a regretful expression. And his hands were glowing with blue energy.

A Meta, Supergirl thought. She turned herself to a sprinting position and tackled the Meta like a lighting bolt, all the way through the front door.

Joker looked around and saw no one else in the bar except Harley, still groaning on the floor. "Well I wasn't expecting that. Heh!" He said to no one in particular. "On your feet, Harley! There's a fight outside! I don't wanna miss any dismemberments!"

"Right away, Mista' Jay," Harley said, recollecting herself.

The Joker took off excitedly for the front door to watch the brawl. Just as he reached the open archway, grey steel pounded him off his footing and to the floor. A trickle of blood came from his nose. Even as he lay on his back in pain, somehow his smile remained. Somehow he was still laughing.

Standing in Joker's way was over six feet of grey and black armor. A large shield strapped to one arm. A featureless helmet, save for the burning eyes behind it. "Oh, I'm sorry. You thought you were going somewhere," the Guardian said.

James Olsen always tried to keep a stoic, emotionless character when on the streets as the Guardian. But this clown-he brought out a rage in James. All the families he's ruined. The lives he's taken. The pain he's caused. All doing it with that sick smile. No, this wasn't the Guardian taking on a street mugger tonight. This was James putting an end to a mad man's reign of terror. He disagreed with excessive force. But in the Joker's case, he wasn't sure there was such a thing as excessive.

Guardian leaned over and grabbed Joker by his shirt, and reared back his metal fist.

"Look, Harl," Joker said, dazed from the blow. "Another local."

Before Guardian could bring his fist down, he was struck against his helmet with such a force it sent him soaring over the bar, crashing into dozens of liquor bottles.

"Get away from my Puddin'!" Harley screamed. Her voice was a guttural roar. In her hands was her signature over-sized mallet. She wasn't just ready to fight, she was ready to maim and kill. No one puts there hands on Puddin', but her.

Joker pulled himself up against the wall by the archway. "Meet'cha outside, babe!"

Harley leaped over the bar after Guardian, mallet raised and ready to crush.

Outside, Joker took in a deep gasp of crisp midnight hair, and collected his wits. The street outside the bar was mostly empty, besides the man with glowing hands and the girl in the gaudy cape. He looked around for a proper seat for the show, but when he didn't find one, he dusted off a section of the curb with his hand and planted himself.

Danno King was suddenly aware the he was way over his head. For the first time, his body and hands were still, but his face betrayed his feelings. Whatever this new power he recently developed was made him feel strong, and he liked it. He had never felt strong before. "I don't wanna fight you, Supergirl."

"I wouldn't wanna fight me either, Mister."

Danno watched her position herself for another attack. He thought if he just laid down and gave up then she wouldn't hit him anymore. Maybe take it easy on him. But behind her, he saw the Joker. Right there, sitting on the curb watching him-the man. Joker cupped on hand to his mouth and let out a whoo and pumped his other fist in the air.

Danno was not going to be a coward in front of the Joker.

Unfortunately for Danno, he was no match for Supergirl's speed. Before he had to a chance to move his powerful hands to block, Supergirl had struck his jaw just hard enough to put him to sleep.

The Joker rose from the curb and threw up his arms in outrage. "Boooo!" he shouted.

Supergirl left the man laying and turned her attention to the clown. End it quick, Alex had told her. She understood why Alex had said that. The Joker was unpredictable. Too dangerous to be taken lightly.

In a blink, Supergirl was in front of the Joker. With one hand she clasped his throat and raised him off his feet. Obviously she wasn't going to kill him. Just choke him unconscious. As she squeezed, she wanted to see if that damn smile ever sent away. As she watch him writhing with her hand clutched around his neck, able to snap it with the smallest flex of a muscle, she saw the smile broaden. The eyes became more excited. What is seriously wrong with this guy?

From the bar, Harley and Guardian came exploding through the open archway, both tumbling against the pavement. Guardian's chest heaved deeply beneath his armor. Harley outfit was torn, and her hair a mess. Blood smeared along her chin. A deep bruise on her left cheek. But the fight was still alive in both of them. Harley waled and charged at Guardian with her mallet. He deflected it with his shield and rolled away.

Joker couldn't currently turn his head to look, but he saw Harley out of the corner of his eyes. He spit out what words he could to Supergirl. "That's my cue." He grabbed at the trick carnation on his lapel and aimed it at her. A green mist perfumed her face.

"Seriously?" Supergirl said.

Joker's arm went limp. He couldn't fight his Supergirl induced nap any longer.

A sensation rose in Supergirl's chest that she had only felt a hand full of times before.

She coughed.

Her grip around the Clown's neck loosened. She couldn't keep him lifted anymore, so she let him drop.

He collapsed and gasped. "Harley!" he said, but it was merely a heave of a word.

Supergirl coughed again. This time her legs failed her. Her head was spinning. She coughed again, and choked. Finally she realized what she was feeling.

Kryptonite.

Supergirl doubled over, struggling to breath through coughs.

Guardian noticed Supergirl was in some kind of pain, and that moment of distraction allowed Harley to deliver a sick shot to the vigilante, and he hit the ground.

Harley spat on her downed opponent, and went to her man. She tossed his arm over her shoulder and began to carry him off, but he pushed her away, now able to stand on his own. Talking was still a chore, though, and he pointed at the little guy in the road, whom was now starting to stir after Supergirl's big punch.

The couple limped and wobbled to the the road where the Meta lay. Harley gave him some stiff slaps to the face and pulled him up.

"Good show, Dobby," Joker said. "Good show indeed."

"It's-It's Danno," Danno said, rubbing his throbbing face.

"Fine, whatever. You're coming with us."

Supergirl continued to gasp and heave on the ground. Guardian could hear her just feet away. As he began to come too when he realized Kara was in trouble.

"Kar-Supergirl?" he said. He wasn't sure who was around. Had to keep the code names while the costumes were on. "Supergirl!"

Supergirl couldn't answer. Her coughs were becoming more violent. She had completely lost control of her body. Guardian scrambled to her side to try to help. How, he wasn't sure. Maybe he could calm her down.

"Breath, Kara," he said, now close to her. He pulled her hair to one side, away from her face and tried to turn her to a better breathing position. He held her next to him and finally she managed a great deep breath. "There you go. Just like that. Gimme one more, okay?"

Kara was still and quiet.

"Kara, come on," James said. "One more deep breath, lets go."

In his hands he felt Kara's body shake. A little at first. Then a little more. He thought she was having a seizure for a moment, until he finally heard her voice, but he couldn't believe it. She was giggling.

"Kara, look at me."

The giggles grew stronger. He grabbed her by the chin to examine her face. Kara was smiling, and now in a fit of hysterical laughter.

"Kara, snap out of it!"

She was heaving again. The heavy laughing pushed all the air out of her lungs, but she couldn't stop. Her head whipped back and collided with James's. Had it not been for his Guardian helmet, his skull would have been cracked.

Her eyes were red and tearing. Her mouth contorted to a wretched grin. The laughs grew louder. Between gasps, she tried to speak. "HA HA HA HA H-H-HELP-MEE-EEHEHHA HA HA HAAA"