Crimson: Revengeance

by Buck Ink

Norman Blake, a ordinary guy, trying to have a normal life in Gotham City. Everyone knows that isn't going to happen and he discovers this the hard way when Chinatown is destroyed, resulting in a tragedy. Norman must ask himself a question. How far is he willing to go for revenge? This story takes place after Blind Justice and Silent War. Disclaimer: I don't own DC/Marvel Comics.

3. Chapter 3: Paint The Town Red

Chapter 3: Paint the Town Red.

It was after dark in Gotham. A time when the city's inner darkness tends to come out to prey against those who represent the good. Twilight had long crawled over the sky, blanketing the city with a sense of foreboding. At night, the city of Gotham became a cruel monster.

Tonight a man transformed by the darkness the city had to offer, Norman Blake now the newly dubbed Crimson, was aiming an automatic sub-machine directly at the head of Avenger who was standing away from them, having knocked out Harley Quinn's men.

Norman Blake, in an attempt to earn The Joker's favour, took a job to raid Jack's Comedy Club. A front for weapons trafficking that previously was owned by Joker until the manager, Frankie Alfonso, sold out to Joker's rival, Roman Sionis; The Black Mask. Crimson raided the club and killed Frankie and his men and stole back the military-grade hardware that The Joker wanted to arm his men with. However Avenger was on the lookout for Crimson, knowing he would side with The Joker to get revenge on Sionis.

And now here they were. At the Gotham Docks.

Crimson's finger rested uneasily on the trigger. Avenger met Crimson's gaze with his own. Harley Quinn was tapping on her phone, playing a game of candy crush…

Harley: "Annnnnd… We're back!"

Harley put her phone in her pocket as both Crimson and Avenger stared at her in confusion.

Crimson: "… What was that?"

Harley: "Oh, nothing, nothing…"

Crimson shook his head and looked back to Avenger, not lowering his guard for a second.

Avenger: "Blake, put the gun down."

Harley raised her eyebrow and folded her arms.

Harley: "Blake? Hey, Crimson, do you know this guy? What's he talking about?"

Crimson: "I don't know this guy, but I heard of him. This is supposed to be a new hero calling himself Avenger. Rumour has it that he's gone head to head against the Batman and won."

Harley's jaw dropped so low, it almost came off her face.

Harley: "This kid kicked the Bat's ass?"

Avenger took a step forward, only for Crimson to fire a warning shot near Avenger's foot.

Crimson: "Look, kid. Turn around and walk away. You want no part of this."

Avenger: "Crimson. Is that your alias now? You're really doing this?"

Avenger spoke as if he was pleading to Crimson, a tone that he didn't appreciate nor want.

Crimson: "You talk like you know me. Don't talk about things you don't understand, kid."

Avenger: "I understand more than you know, Norman Blake."

Harley sniggered a bit.

Harley: "Norman? Is that really your name?"

Crimson sighed as he maintained his grip on his gun.

Crimson: "What's your point, Avenger?"

Avenger: "I know what happened, Blake. Why you want to kill Roman Sionis. He took everything from you. Killed your family, your girlfriend. That's why you want revenge against Sionis, you want to kill him for what he's done."

Harley made a sympathetic look at Crimson.

Harley: "Hey, Crimsly. That true? That why you wanna join us?"

Crimson didn't want to take his eyes of Avenger. He knew that the second he did, he would be knocked out in a matter of seconds and he would wake up in Arkham Asylum. That was how things seemed to work in Gotham, for the crazy people at least, which was probably the category he had fallen into.

Crimson: "You're right. I do want to kill Sionis. And I'm going to."

Avenger: "By joining a gang war that would consume the city? Do you know how many will die just so you can get to Sionis? Are you willing to do to others what was done to you?"

Crimson had to ask himself that question ever since he made the decision to kill Sionis. How far was he willing to go for revenge? How many will he have to kill to reach Sionis? What will he have to do?

Crimson: "If I have to, then yes."

Avenger closed his eyes and shook his head in disappointment.

Avenger: "I first thought of you as the victim. A result of how this city can change people. Losing everything can break a man, and it has surely broken you."

Avenger locked his eyes on Crimson.

Avenger: "I can't let you do this. I won't let you crave a bloody path through Gotham."

Crimson knew that Avenger was gonna do whatever it took to stop both him and Harley from escaping with the guns. But, those guns were his ticket to gaining the support he needed to take on Black Mask's army. He had to ensure those guns made it to Joker.

Crimson: "Harley. Get in the truck."

Harley: "Huh? What are ya talking about?"

Crimson: "Get in the truck and drive off."

Harley: "But, what about you? If I take the truck, you'll be stuck here. Why don't you just shoot him and we'll both leave?"

BRATATATATATA!

Crimson opened fire on Avenger who dived away, dodging bullets like raindrops in a storm. Taking cover behind a shipping container from Crimson's fire, Avenger went into hiding.

Crimson: "That's why. Now if we leave together, he'll follow us to the hideout. Get the guns out of here and I'll catch up."

It wasn't often that a man would be willing to be the diversion. Normally she is the one playing the diversion while the man gets away. It was a little surprising to Harley.

Harley: "Alright, I'll go."

Harley got inside the cab of the truck, starting the engine.

Harley: "Don't get yourself in Arkham, ya hear! Mistah J has plans for you."

That was what Harley said as she drove away. Crimson hoped that he would stay free long enough to find out what these plans were.

That was when Avenger made his move. Diving out of cover, Gotham's Guardian of Vengeance used his grapnel gun to fire a hook onto the truck, intending to follow Harley, but Crimson opened fire on Avenger, forcing him to abandon any thought of following Harley. Falling back to the ground, Avenger took cover once again as machine gun fire followed him.

Avenger: "Blake, it doesn't have to be this way. Tell me where Joker is, so I can put an end to this gang war!"

Avenger was still trying to reason with Crimson, but usually a man with the advantage won't take an offer from the one hiding.

Crimson: "You're wasting your breath. If you think I'm giving my only shot at Sionis, then you better wake up!"

Avenger: "You wake up! This won't bring your family back. Besides, what happens if you do kill Black Mask, what then? Stay as The Joker's boy? Spend your life on the run?"

Crimson: "I honestly don't know and I honestly don't care. I want Sionis dead at my feet and if I have to go through you to get there, then I will."

BRATATATATATA!

Crimson found where Avenger was hiding and again opened fire on him. Avenger jumped out of the way of the incoming pellets, landing in the open. Right in the red sights of Crimson.

Crimson: "Goodbye."

CLICK…

The gun was empty.

Avenger: "You're out of bullets. Now it's my turn."

Crimson threw the empty machine gun away in frustration and put his hands up to fight. Avenger ran towards Crimson who threw a punch but missed the smaller and more agile Avenger, who retaliated with a bone jarring blow to the ribs and a swift kick to the back of the head. Trying to fight back was pointless and futile, Avenger was like lightning in the way he moved and landed his shots which consisted of more precise strikes than just the head or stomach, like the side of the knee or above the elbow. But, Crimson had established that he wasn't really that smart in his choices thus far and paid the price for it.

Crimson felt his body fail him. It was painful just to stand on his own feet. It was like being a tree getting chopped down a piece at a time. He slowly started limping backwards while Avenger approached, ready to deliver a finishing blow.

Avenger: "Stop resisting, it'll only get worse. Tell me where The Joker is hiding and this can end."

Crimson: "What? So you can take me to prison while you take down Joker and Sionis?"

Avenger: "There's no helping that, Blake. You've murdered people. You willingly sold your soul for revenge. You have to pay for that. But, I can make sure that Sionis pays for his crimes by going to prison."

Crimson's expression became one of pure and unrestrained rage.

Crimson: "Prison?! He just broke out of prison and is out walking around like he owns this city! I don't know why you have such faith in this legal system, but it's a load of crap! The powerful will always find a way to escape responsibility. This world needs men that have to make that hard call to kill those who are irredeemable! You and Batman aren't gonna do it. So people like me have to do it!"

Avenger shook his head, maintaining his calm and composure.

Avenger: "Not like this. By doing this, you'll only prove that humanity is nothing but rage and vengeance. We have to be better than that if we hope to make those who commit crimes like the one Sionis did to you truly pay."

Crimson: "You're living in a fantasy world if you really think that's gonna work…"

Crimson noticed that he backed into a group of drum cans. Looking back at them, they were filled with flammable and explosive liquid. It gave him an idea… He was still wearing the waiter's outfit from before when he tried to sneak into Jack's Comedy Club. Since that waiter was a smoker, he had to have a lighter or matches on him, which luckily for Crimson, lied a lighter in his trouser pocket.

Avenger: "There's nowhere to run, Blake. I've hit enough nerves in your leg to the point you can't run anyway. Just give up and tell me where The Joker is."

Crimson: "Sure."

Crimson then pushed down one of the drum cans, knocking the small cap on top of can open. The liquid began to pour out over the concrete, staining the once grey colour to a dark black. Avenger realised what Crimson was up to once he saw the lit lighter in his hand.

Crimson: "You'll find him in Hell!"

Tossing the lighter into the fluid, fire burst up from the black liquid, separating both Crimson and Avenger. Quickly, the flames followed the trail of darkness to its origin, surrounding the drum cans in a furious blaze. With haste, Crimson limped away as the flames engulfed the drum cans filled with flammable and explosive liquid…

KABOOM!

An small explosion blew Avenger back as well as the nearby shipping crates. Smoke rose up from the area without restrain as the embers floated around into the harbour.

Avenger quickly checked the water. In the state that Crimson was in, he couldn't have gotten away on foot so quickly. The only he could have escaped is via the water. Pulling a waterproof flashlight from his utility belt, Avenger dived into the dark waters of Gotham's harbour.

Holding his breath and, using the flashlight to guide him, Avenger looked around. Checked every nook and cranny that he could tolerate to look. Upon resurfacing, he looked around only to see that Crimson was long gone.

Avenger: "Damn it!"

Black Mask's Penthouse

Black Mask: "What did you say?"

That wasn't a question, more of a sharp and silent fury that came from the lips of Roman Sionis. The Black Mask himself was sitting in a large office room that overlooked the city of Gotham, he could oversee the city that he, in his own head, should rightfully own.

In front of the crime lord was a bespectacled man wearing a two-piece suit.

Assistant: "Well, Mr Sionis, the shipment of guns you were expecting from Frankie Alfonso was hijacked. Apparently, The Joker's guys raided the club and stole the shipment."

Black Mask stood up from his table that was right next to a window. He walked around the office room as him and his bodyguards watched. Sionis was well-known for his sadistic pleasures in torturing others and his temper, and losing a shipment of military grade weapons was not something he would be pleased to discover.

Black Mask: "That's funny. Given that The Joker had no guns!"

Sionis grabbed one of his men and kneed him in the stomach, forcing him down to his knees before punching him to the ground. Regaining his composure, Sionis turned back to his assistant with the clipboard.

Black Mask: "So tell me. How can a man that had no guns burst into one of my clubs, steal from me, and kill my men without guns?"

Assistant: "Well, the entire club was shot up and our guys were all dead. Even Frankie. This apparently was done by just one man."

Black Mask: "You expect me to believe that one guy came into my business, killed all my guys, and stole my guys all by himself?"

Assistant: "Yes, Mr Sionis."

Sionis was like a wild animal when he wanted to be. Or he could be the silent manipulator. The look he gave everyone in the room was a sign of both.

Black Mask: "I want The Joker found and dead. Make it happen."

?

Out of the waters of the Gotham harbour, Crimson emerged from the darkness and limped his way into Gotham's streets.

However, something seemed to change about the city around him. Violent shapes moving around shrouded in flame, connecting together like an ugly jigsaw puzzle. The death-rattle of machine guns and toxic smoke filled the air.

It was the apocalypse, rapture, and armageddon all rolled into one.

Crimson could not believe what he saw. The world has transformed. The way back was replaced with burning debris.

The only way through was forward.

Gwen: "Norman. I really don't want to go."

A familiar face appeared with a ghostly voice and presence. She was there, but not there. Hugging herself for comfort, she looked to the streets with fear and anxiety.

Norman: "You could have cancelled. Turned around. But, you knew better, didn't you?"

Crimson was asking himself that question. It was as if he split into two and they hated the other for what had been done. Unable to turn back, Crimson limped forward through the burning, familiar, yet unfamiliar streets.

Gwen: "Norman, honey. When are we gonna leave this city? It's just not safe."

The woman again made an appearance. This time, holes in her chest shined red like rubies.

Norman: "She's dead and not coming back. They're all dead."

Norman walked eerily behind Crimson as if he was whispering in his ear the whole time.

Somewhere in this blazing inferno, children were crying out.

Harrison & Henley: "M-Mommy!"

Almost as quickly as the cries started, they were silenced.

Catherine: "No! Harrison! Henley! No!"

The cries of a woman holding her two infant children in her arms could be heard and seen directly in front of Crimson. Before long, the flames consumed their flesh leaving nothing but charred remains of a mother holding her children in her arms.

Norman's Father: "Run, Norman! Get away from here!"

Crimson wanted to run. Get away from this place as fast as he could.

Behind him, the Black Masked Grim Reaper was there.

Norman: "Murderer! You killed them!"

Crimson found himself standing in front of a man wearing a white sports suit and his face was black. Like a skull. His face grimaced in a rage as he lifted up a Glock model handgun and aimed it at the masked man…

BANG!

Crimson's eyes snapped open, awaking in familiar surroundings. His head and body felt ached, being two sizes too small for his brain and flesh.

He was back in his apartment in the Narrows. He didn't know how or even remember getting there, but he was there.

Crimson: "What kind of dream was that? Was that Hell?"

Crimson couldn't understand how his own brain worked. So much had changed in the span of a few months, he had just as much trouble working himself out as he did others. This wasn't the first time that Crimson had experienced nightmares every night, but that was the worst one yet.

All he knew right now was that he was only in his boxers and his clothes had been thrown on the floor next to his bed. They were soaking wet. The only thing Crimson could figure out is that he must have been fished out of the Gotham harbour and, whoever did it, brought him home and undressed him.

Crimson: "How did I get here? Who brought me here?"

Crimson felt his aching head and there was something there attached to his forehead. A red and black checkered sticky post-it note.

-Watch the tape. HQ.-

Crimson: "HQ? Harley Quinn? She brought me here? I thought she took the guns to Joker. Thanks, but she better not have screwed up!"

Crimson was grateful, but annoyed that Harley could have endangered the job by looking for him. There was no way she could have dropped the guns off and then went looking for him. The fight with Avenger wasn't that long, but was seriously one-sided, Crimson made a mental note to avoid fighting him hand-to-hand. Those guns were his only route to joining Joker and killing Sionis.

And what tape?

Going into the decaying and condemned living room, there was a tape on his chair that said "Play me." There was also a new TV in his living room that replaced the one he smashed before.

Crimson: "Did Harley really set this up?"

Putting the tape into the video cassette player, the TV switched on. It was Harley… More like the camera was viewing down her low-cut top as she fiddled with the camera.

Harley: "Hello? Is this thing on?"

After getting the camera centred in a room that really resembled Crimson's living room… It was his living room. Harley sat in the chair, although she was a bit disgusted by the state of the room.

Harley: "Sheesh! This place is a wreck! How can you sleep in a place like this, Crimsly?"

Crimson narrowed his eyes. It wasn't easy finding a new place to live after losing your house. Condemned buildings aren't really maintainable.

Harley: "Anyway, I thought I'd leave you a video message to explain what's going on. I found ya in the Gotham harbour passed out like a light. Before ya get all cranky, don't worry, I got the guns to Mistah J safe and sound. I got you and then delivered the guns and brought ya home."

Crimson made a sigh of relief as Harley said that. That means they escaped from Avenger with the guns. Which means…

Harley: "Speaking of Mistah J, he seemed quite impressed that you pulled it off and asked if you can come see him at the warehouse later. I think he might have something for ya that you might want."

Harley then began to fidget for a bit, as if she had something to say and didn't know how to say it.

Harley: "Also, I want to thank you. It's not often that someone covers for me and fights the superhero while I escape. I know ya only wanted the job to succeed, but it was still sweet of you. Don't worry, I won't tell Mistah J about ya reasons for joining. That'll be our little secret, Norman. Hehe, I can't believe ya name's Norman."

Crimson felt his eye twitch a little. Harley then began to stand up from the chair.

Harley: "Okay then, I'd better wrap this up before puddin' wonders where I am. He can get really jealous, ya see."

Crimson did know. When he first met Harley, he was strapped naked to a chair. She was clearly admiring him until Joker slammed her face into concrete.

Before the video ended, Harley bent down towards the camera, giving it a close up of her face. She then blew a kiss at the camera, then the video stopped.

Crimson: "Women."

He felt bad for Harley, but he wasn't gonna let her get in the way.

His only target was Sionis.

Rivers Attorney at Law

Riley: "Is that so, Miss Angelo? Then I'm quite sure that you have a case here."

The woman sitting on front of Riley almost leaped out of her seat, staring at Riley with an expression of shock.

Miss Angelo: "Really!? You'll help me? Oh, thank God! Every other firm didn't even think I had a shot."

Riley: "Most firms benefit if they see an easy to win case, Miss Angelo. But, I can tell you that harassment in the workplace should be fought against. I'll help you out."

Mrs Angelo: "Thank you so much!"

The woman with tanned skin and blond highlights in her brunette hair expressed tears of joy…

Miss Angelo: "Here. Take this. I would use it myself, but I don't have a plus one."

Riley's eyes widened as he laid eyes on the gift…

This was Riley Rivers' day job. When he wasn't prowling the streets of Gotham as the Avenger, he was an attorney, upholding the law in the courts.

Graduating Summa Cum Laude at Gotham's University of Law, Riley initially worked for a law firm under Kieran Troy, the father of his half-brother, Rick. However, when Kieran was temporary disbarred from the practise, Riley went on to start his own law firm. More often that not, Riley does get work dealing with civil rights cases, although he has dealt with higher-tier cases like murder.

When Riley closes the firm for the day, he often retreats to the gym area in the back where he will often train his body to face the next threat.

At the moment, Riley was back to square one. Crimson had escaped and now, Joker had enough weapons to start a violent gang war with Black Mask. Things had officially gone from bad to worse. So far, Crimson was Riley's only connection to The Joker, but he had no clue where to look for him or Roman Sionis.

This wasn't a good situation.

KNOCK KNOCK.

A knock at the door could be heard at the entrance into the firm building. Usually only one person comes to the building after closing time.

Cassandra: "Riley."

Cassandra Cain, otherwise known as Crow. A girl of Asian-American decent. Riley and her met during the events of Silent War and teamed together in battle. In terms of hand-to-hand combat, she is equal to Riley himself, although while Cassandra can interpret body language and strike at a person weak spots, Riley was trained to systematically cripple his opponent with nerve strikes and can keep up with even the world's best martial artists.

Riley: "Welcome, Cassandra. Came here to spar with me?"

Cassandra nodded. While she had no problems understanding language, speaking it was a different story.

Cassandra got changed in a black sports top, shorts and boots with a pair of MMA style gloves. They stood across from each other on a training mat that took up a quarter of the spacious room.

Riley: "Shall we begin?"

Cassandra again nodded and the two began to trade blows.

Cassandra: "Last night…"

Riley: "Yeah. I ran into Blake. I underestimated him, so he and Harley Quinn got away."

Cassandra: "Need… Help?"

Riley: "Not yet. Batman has his eyes on you and the others, we don't need him trying to shut you guys down before he gives the green light. As much as I don't like it."

Following the events of Silent War, Batman allowed Riley to train Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, and Harper Row as vigilantes. However, he wanted to sign off on their performance before allowing them to go out on their own. Riley feared that Batman may take matters into his own hands if they tried to fight crime without his green light. Harper and Stephanie have their own lives, so they have things to do anyway. Cassandra recently went into a privately-run school in Gotham, of course, funded by Wayne Enterprises. But, she often comes to train with Riley often.

Cassandra: "I don't… Like leaving you… On your own."

Riley: "I'll be fine. Just have to stop those two psychos before it's too late."

Night

Now that it was nighttime in Gotham, the evil that slept below the city rose to the surface. Now that Angels rest, Devils rise.

Many of the residents in this Godforsaken city ran for shelter as if there was no tomorrow, while a few brave souls dared to walk the streets, although they may or may not find themselves victims. The night also brought out those willing to fight against this evil, but this isn't a story about the hero or even the villain.

Crimson drove his way to The abandoned Jester Fun house. The Joker's current hideout. Hopefully this time, he won't get have to take someone at gunpoint to get in or find himself tied to a chair.

He just walked playing it bogart. The Joker's men didn't like Crimson that much. Shooting one of them dead aside, it was the fact that Crimson in the span of a single night seemed to earn The Joker's respect, something that only a handful of people got. Even his own girlfriend got less respect than most.

Entering Joker's throne room, he found Joker sitting on the throne dressed in kingly robes with a crown on his head and a sceptre in his hand. A king of an empty room.

Joker: "Who is thee who hath entered my court?"

Crimson: "… Thou humble servant, my king."

Sarcastically, Crimson made a curtsy bow to Joker.

Joker: "Hahaha! Now that's quite funny, Crimson. You get my sense of humour."

Joker stood up from his throne and slowly made his way towards his latest man.

Joker: "I was rather impressed by your talent. You, singlehandedly, walked into a room filled with gun-toting murderers and you killed them all and stole all my lovely guns back under the nose of Roman! It takes a real go-getter to pull something like that off."

The Clown King rose his spectre in the air. Crimson played along with The Joker's game, bowing to him. Joker then tapped his sceptre on both of Crimson's shoulders.

Joker: "With the power vested in me and this sceptre…"

Joker stared at the sceptre in his hand before squeezing it, making a squeak. Making a sneer at the toy, he tossed it behind him and made a slight chuckle.

Joker: "Well, by the power vested in me, you shall become my knight. My go-to-guy for wanting people dead."

Crimson stood up from his bowing position. As much as he was pleased to be on The Joker's good side, he wasn't willing to jump through hoops.

Crimson: "Hold on. When do I get to shoot Sionis in the head?"

Joker: "Ooooh. So eager to start some chaos. Okay, I have the thing for you, if you're willing."

Crimson: "I'm listening."

As much as he didn't want to jump through hoops, he still didn't want to risk upsetting Joker. He needed him to get to Sionis.

Joker: "Well, I heard an interesting piece of news about our mutual friend, Roman. Have you heard of the Frank Miller Hotel?"

Crimson: "Of course. It's one of the best hotels and restaurants in town. Everyone who's anyone has eaten there."

Joker: "Yeah, but never order the cob salad. It's dreadful."

Joker remembered his own experience at the hotel and shuddered.

Joker: "Anyway, apparently Sionis frequents the place and he even went there last night. Too bad he never choked on the cob salad."

Crimson: "What about tonight? Is he going to show up?"

Joker: "He's there now."

Crimson then turned around and walked out of the room. If Sionis was in this restaurant now, then it would be simple just to go in there and shoot him in the head. But, Joker called out to Crimson.

Joker: "Oh, Crimson. If you're going to go kill people, then be sure to take some guys with you. Sionis likely won't be alone. Oh, and tell Harley to come in here."

After listening to Joker, Crimson started to walk through the warehouse. The fact that no one respected him was now a bother. Roman Sionis would never go out in public without protection, and on that note, a thought ate away at the back of Crimson's mind. Why would Sionis go to a restaurant just days after he broke out of Blackgate? But, this thought was pushed back to the darkest corners of Crimson's mind. He was wasting time thinking about it.

Walking into a room filled with Joker's men who were playing games like cards and video, Crimson caught the attention of the boys.

Crimson: "Hey!"

The men in the room looked at Crimson with looks of scorn.

Crimson: "I can see you watching me. You all don't like me because I shot your nameless pal. You don't like me because I came in and made a deal with your boss. Well, here's your opportunity to do something about it."

This time round, Crimson had no gun. And he was surrounded by maybe some of the most dangerous people he would see in his lifetime. It seemed like suicide. But this was the way of the jungle that was Gotham's underground. Respect isn't earned. It's taken.

The biggest lot of the bunch stepped up to Crimson, towering over him.

Big Louis: "You have some real nerve stepping up to us after what you did. You think you can come in here and give us the business? You're gonna get yourself planted into the ground. Courtesy of Big Louis."

Translation: you're gonna get dead.

Crimson: "Why don't you try it then?"

A crowd began to form around the two. A fight was about to happen in front of them and bets were being made. Most betted on Louis, some betted on Crimson.

Above them on a railing, Harley was watching, a clearly interested party.

Crimson and Louis removed their shirts, ready to fight. Clearly Louis was the more muscular and bigger of the two, but when you deal with a man with nothing to lose, an almost supernatural power took hold.

Louis pulled his arm back and thrust it at Crimson, hitting him in the chest. Following up, Louis hit him across the head. The fight didn't go down well as Crimson began to think he might have made a mistake. Fighting a bigger and stronger guy wasn't the best option, but Crimson had ran out of good ideas a long time ago. Fighting back, Crimson started to land blows to the body, but the robust body of Louis absorbed the blows like nothing. Louis began to batter Crimson like a tiny child, much to the amusement to the others. With a laugh, Louis picked up the smaller man by his neck and squeezed.

Harley wasn't sure if she should do something to intervene. The boys wanted Crimson's head and he clearly knew it. She decided that Crimson should get himself out of this one if he was really a big tough guy, then he should have no problem.

Held between the hands of Louis and the crowd around chanting for his head, Crimson finally had enough. He wasn't gonna be choked to death by some gang member when he was so close to getting what he wanted since Chinatown.

Swinging his legs, he booted the stomach of Louis with both feet. Initially, Louis didn't look like he felt pain, but the second kick caused some pain for the big man, the third time caused his grip to vanish. Remembering his fight with Avenger, how his leg was in pain after being kicked above the knee, Crimson decided to try a similar tactic: chop down this massive tree of a man. Kicking the legs of the big man, Louis had trouble standing. Trying to chase his prey, Louis was dropkicked in the legs by Crimson which dropped the big guy in his face. The boys couldn't help but fall into silence as the biggest among them had fallen down.

Standing over Big Louis who was on his stomach, Crimson began pounding the back of Louis' head with his fist until he could no longer respond. Then true silence fell.

A battered, yet victorious Crimson stood over the big dog of the gang. An enforcer of sorts. Just like in the jungle or a pack of dogs, if the alpha has been taken down, whoever took them down is the new alpha.

Crimson stood tall in the centre of a sea of proverbial dogs, their new alpha.

Harley couldn't help but wolf-whistle and then cheer.

Harley: "Go, Crimsly! You pound that bozo!"

Although somewhat flattered by Harley's support, Crimson remembered that there was business to take care of.

Crimson: "Harley. The Joker asked me to tell you to go see him."

Harley: "Huh? Mistah J wants to see me? Oh well, I guess duty calls. See ya, Crimsly!"

Harley skipped away across the railings, probably towards where her puddin' was.

With the attention back on him, Crimson outstretched his arms as if he was reaching out to the men around him.

Crimson: "Now, who wants to paint the town red with the Black Mask's blood?"

Frank Miller Hotel

At the Frank Miller Hotel, a who's who of people often ate there on a daily basis. The wealth of Gotham piled into a single location.

Tonight, a new couple went into this grandiose place. Riley Rivers, dressed in a tuxedo, and Lauren Winters, dressed in a red dress and a handbag on her arm.

Lauren: "Riley, you still haven't told me how you managed to get a reservation to this place!"

Lauren had been asking Riley since they both met up after covertly dressed up for the occasion and snuck out of their respective parents' houses to meet up for this dinner. Both had told their parents that they weren't hungry and went to bed early, making sure that they went to be early and waiting for parents to check before leaving.

Riley: "Miss Angelo, my latest client, gave it to me as a gift."

Riley held up a pass which was written in formal and gold writing. A pass that allowed one to use a special table where you would get your own waiter for the evening.

Lauren: "Are you sure you should have taken it? That pass looks like it cost a fortune."

Lauren sounded a little unsure if this was good or not. Riley shook his head with a bitter smile.

Riley: "Not really. I did refuse, but she was rather insistent. Besides, this is the first time we've gone on an actual date since we became a couple."

Lauren made a smirk at Riley.

Lauren: "Riley, what would you call an actual date?"

Riley thought about it for a second before giving his answer.

Riley: "Two people just being together… I see what you're saying, Lauren. It's just that maybe for once, we should have a nice time for ourselves."

Lauren: "But, shouldn't you be… Well, you know."

Riley: "I know. But, I just don't want to forget about you, Lauren. I don't want you to feel like I'm just doing what I do and not considering you."

Lauren didn't know whether to kiss or slap Riley. She didn't want him to put her before Gotham, as flattering and nice it was to be high on his list of priorities, but with Batman out of Gotham, the city depended on Avenger to keep the city safe, especially with The Joker and Black Mask loose.

Lauren: "I know you mean well. But, please, remember that people rely on you."

Riley cast his eyes downward. Maybe he did think too much of himself and his relationship with Lauren before what needed to be done in Gotham. But, he didn't want to ignore Lauren who has also dealt with hardship as well. Lauren understood that Riley's heart was in this, so she made an apologetic expression.

Lauren: "I'm sorry, Riley. I just don't want to get in the way of what you need to do."

Riley: "No, don't apologise. Maybe this wasn't the best time to do this. I should have really waited to do this."

Lauren reached over the table and placed her hand on Riley's. She smiled gently at him.

Lauren: "I'm happy that you're thinking of me, Riley, and that's enough for me."

Riley smiled back.

Riley: "Come on, let's go."

Just as Riley and Lauren were about to leave, someone had entered the restaurant. This man had entered wearing a black suit and was followed by several men wearing black masks. The man himself wore a black mask like a skull as he was led inside by the waiter.

Riley: "Lauren."

Riley whispered to Lauren and motioned to her covertly to sit down. He pointed to the man and Lauren gasped.

Lauren: "It's him…"

Feelings of danger began to pass through Lauren like a sinking feeling in her stomach. He recalled the fear and terror she experienced when she was thrown out of a helicopter by the same man that was being seated just a few tables away.

Riley: "That's Roman Sionis. What is he doing here? How can he so brazenly come out in public when he broke out of prison?"

Lauren then noticed that Sionis was looking in their direction. In a panic, she leaned over and began kissing Riley, to the surprise of the lawyer. Riley understood almost straight away however that Sionis may recognise Lauren as the woman he held hostage just a few nights ago. Riley made an effort to look convincing though it was a lot for him to take in as he only shared a few kisses with Lauren and none were as intense as this one. Some of the customers were a bit taken aback by the public display of affection and tried to ignore them, despite feeling uncomfortable.

Separating from each other, Lauren used a scarf that she carried in her handbag to conceal her strawberry blonde hair, hoping that would make it difficult for Sionis to recognise her.

Lauren: "That was a close one. I'm sorry if I shocked you there."

Riley: "D-Don't be. I enjoyed it… I mean, I'm fine with it."

Riley spoke awkwardly. If Lauren didn't feel terrified, she would find his demeanour adorable.

Lauren: "I can't believe that Black Mask would come out in public like this. Does he find the police that much of a joke?"

Riley: "Maybe not. This hotel could be one of Sionis' businesses. If that's the case, that may explain how he could come here in the open."

Riley began to feel that something bad was about to happen. That Comedy Club that Crimson attacked the night before was one of Sionis' business too. If The Joker's men showed up here, it would be a blood bath. Innocents would get caught in the crossfire.

Riley: "Lauren, when I give the signal, go towards the exit."

Lauren: "What? What are you planning to do?"

Riley: "You'll know it when it happens."

The waiter eventually came over to the table with a electronic device ready to take orders. Riley looked around and saw that there was a fire alarm switch on the other side of the restaurant.

Lauren: "Umm, excuse me, could we have a little more time to order, please?"

Waiter: "Of course."

The waiter went over to Black Mask, giving Riley the opportunity he needed while Sionis was distracted. He picked up one of the knives on the table and covertly threw it hard at the fire alarm switch, activating it and setting off the alarm.

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

When the fire alarm went off, most of the patrons of the restaurant and the people staying in the hotel above began to evacuate. Sionis was the only one who didn't as he started whispering to his bodyguards. They went over to the fire alarm switch and saw that a knife had been thrown at it. Turning around, they saw Riley and Lauren leaving.

"Wait!"

Calling out after them, he didn't get far until…

BLAM!

A gunshot rang out and the bullet hit the bodyguard in the chest, killing him instantly.

Screams and screeches began to fill the air as people ran in different directions to get away from whoever was shooting. Just outside the restaurant, several vans drove up led by a black car. Coming out of the vans were men in clown masks carrying various weapons.

Crimson came out of the driver's seat of the black car holding an smoking gun in one hand and an assault rifle in the other.

Riley spotted Crimson as he was escorting Lauren to safety.

Riley: "Blake."

Lauren: "You have to get to work, Riley?"

Riley: "Yeah."

Lauren gave Riley a quick kiss on the lips for luck. She didn't like that she wanted him to do this above being with her. These were people with machine guns and he was not a bulletproof man, but people needed his help.

Lauren: "Be careful."

Lauren walked off to safety, leaving Riley to go into the alleyways to change into more appropriate attire…

BRATATATATATA!

Crimson, and the men that had followed him, opened fire into the restaurant. Sionis had taken cover behind a table and was trying to shoot back, but was overwhelmed by the superior firepower of Crimson's men. All of Sionis' bodyguards were easily gunned down. One of the men in clown masks carried a grenade launcher and aimed it towards the window of the restaurant. Firing it, Sionis saw the grenade coming and ran to the kitchen, but upon entering the doorway…

BOOOOM!

The explosion detonated and destroyed the entire dining area of the restaurant and shook the very foundations of the building. Nearby residents of the neighbouring buildings hid under their beds and tables in terror, afraid of dying by explosion or being shot if they leave their homes.

Crimson: "Boys, keep watch for GCPD. I'm going in."

Crimson entered the demolished restroom alone. He had been waiting for the chance to kill Roman Sionis. Now, his chance had come. He checked the clip he had in his gun, not looking to repeat the mistake that he did last time of not having enough bullets. The Glock he had a capacity of nine bullets a magazine, one in the chamber, and eight in the clip. He had fired one earlier, so he had a total of eight bullets left.

More than enough.

Crimson walked into the kitchen and he saw him. Lying helplessly against a kitchen counter.

The man who set his entire life ablaze.

Crimson: "There's no way out for you now."

Sionis was sucking in oxygen, unable to breathe.

Crimson: "Tell me. How does it feel knowing you're about to die horribly? The Black Mask, once great kingpin of Gotham's crime syndicate, died in a kitchen because he couldn't help by rub his wealth in the face of others?"

Crimson aimed his gun at Sionis' head. Ready to fire…

Black Mask: "Haha…"

Sionis began laughing. Hearing that laughter, mocking him, it was like a half-dead hyena laughing at an animal about to devour him.

Crimson: "What are you laughing at?!"

The words came out with restrained temper as Crimson shoved the muzzle of his gun against the mask of Sionis.

Black Mask: "Did you think that Mr Sionis would come out into the open? This was his plan."

Sionis removed his mask… This man wasn't Roman Sionis. A freak accident had fused Sionis' mask to his face, thus if this was the real Sionis, he wouldn't be able to remove it.

It was a trick! Crimson couldn't help but make a surprised expression much to the amusement of the decoy.

Sionis Decoy: "Mr Sionis arranged bait for you guys to come out of your hideout. While you guys came out in force to come here, Mr Sionis is going to your place to kill your boss. Well done for being a complete sucker! Hahahaha!"

Crimson had heard enough…

BLAM! BLAM!

Crimson fired two bullets into the decoy's head. Having been duped and pretty angry about it, he walked out of the kitchen. However, thing had already gone from bad to worse…

"Shoot him!"

BRATATATA!

Avenger had arrived. While Crimson was in the kitchen, Avenger had been dealing with the guys in the streets. Initially using the vans as cover, he took down a few of them before they realised that someone was attacking. He weaved around the vehicles and started taking down a few more. Keeping his head down, he eventually took down more of Joker's men, tossing his baton at one to disorientate him while knocking out another. By the time, Crimson had gotten out into the street, Avenger had just taken down the last of the gunmen.

Crimson: "You are seriously becoming a pain in my ass!"

Avenger: "I took you that I wouldn't let you do this, Blake."

BRATATATA!

Crimson pulled the trigger his assault rifle, unloading rapid fire towards the Agent of Justice who took cover as Crimson got into his black car. He had to get back to the warehouse and protect The Joker.

He drove off down the street, leaving Avenger alone with the men he just dropped. He didn't pursue as he knew that Crimson was going back to wherever The Joker was hiding. And he had an conscience man right here who likely knew where that was.

Picking one of the men by the straps of his tank top, Avenger shoved him against the van.

Avenger: "Where's The Joker?"

Thug: "Making hahas with Harley Quinn."

Avenger: "It's gonna be like that then?"

Allowing the thug to fall to the ground so he was slumped up against the van, Avenger held the side of the thug's head with his left hand.

Avenger: "Did you know that there are worse pains than breaking a bone or being shot?"

Thug: "Huh?"

The thug was in complete confusion, but his answer soon came when Avenger pressed his index and middle fingers into a spot just below his ear. This gave the thug an extraordinary amount of pain, but he found it difficult to speak or scream. Releasing his fingers, Avenger spoke.

Avenger: "That was one of yourtemporomandibular joints. Joints that connect your jawbone to the skull. With enough force, I could pop your jawbone out of socket. There are many other places I know which will cause greater degrees of pain."

The thug began to shake and shudder as he looked into the white eyes of Avenger.

Avenger: "Now. Tell me where The Joker is hiding."

The Jester Fun House

At the abandoned warehouse, it had become a war zone. Outside the building was a fleet of cars which men with black suits and masks used as cover to fire on the building. Sionis' men had been throwing Molotov cocktails towards the building, setting the building ablaze.

Joker's men were at a serious disadvantage. Inside the building, tons upon tons of bodies lied dead on the concrete flooring. Those that had fought back died, those that weren't prepared to die looked for an escape. Joker hadn't come out of his throne room and he hasn't given any instructions to them at all on what to do now. He had abandoned them.

One of Joker's men shouted at the rest. He was afraid to die, but didn't mind throwing his weight around.

"What the Hell are you standing here for! They're burning us! What are you doing?! You're doing nothing!"

BLAM!

One of the men shot the other. They were making their escape because their boss let them to burn, they weren't about to die here.

Inside the throne room, Joker sat on his throne with a frown on his face. Harley was aiming a shotgun at the door, ready to unload the second someone barged in.

Harley: "Hey, Mistah J, what'a we gonna do? Black Mask's goons have us surrounded."

Joker: "True. That's why had I something planned."

Harley: "Really? What?"

Joker made a smirk. As if on cue, the ceiling began to collapse. Harley moved quickly and comically avoided the incoming debris while Joker merely held up an umbrella, although none of the debris seemed to get near him. In the air above, a helicopter remained stationary in the air as it let down a ladder.

Harley: "Oh puddin'! You're a genius!"

Harley ran to climb the ladder, but Joker made a wide grin.

Joker: "Sorry, kiddo. But, there's only room for one more."

With a single thrust of his leg, Harley was kicked down to the ground. Joker quickly began climbing the ladder, laughing all the way. Harley looked at the ground from her prone position with a bitter smile.

Harley: "Heh, I shoulda known that this would happen…"

Harley stood up from the ground, her eyes fixed on The Joker climbing the ladder. She wasn't surprised, she knew he would leave her again, but she still followed him. She couldn't help that she loved him. But, she knew he was poison.

With a look of scorn in her face, Harley aimed her shotgun at The Joker. For once in her life, she wanted to do something about this cycle that she was locked in. She wanted to pull the trigger despite the voices in her head telling her not to… But she did.

KILK…

The gun was empty.

Joker looked down at Harley with a somewhat impressed look in his face. Had he not emptied the shotgun before giving it to Harley, he would have been dead.

Joker: "Why, Harley. I never thought you would have it in you to shoot me. Maybe I didn't do enough work on that pretty little mind of yours. Too bad the shotgun you have is empty so…"

With a look of betrayal in her eyes and anger in her face, Harley yelled to The Joker.

Harley: "Why? Why did I think for a second, that you could change?!"

Harley's make up ran down her face in a black stream as she watched the helicopter take Joker higher and higher and leave her in a burning building with men just outside that would kill her on sight.

Joker: "That may have simply been your hubris, Harley. You always come back no matter what I do. I rely on it. Maybe not now, of course, but do be sure to kill as many as you can before you die, cupcake. Hahaha!"

With a maniacal laughter, The Joker takes off in his arranged escape helicopter.

Now left alone, Harley tossed the empty gun away and sat down on the ground. Curling into a ball, she simply stared at the door as Sionis' men began to break it down…

She trusted him. She did everyone he wanted. She loved him.

Now, once again, she was left alone to take his fall.

Sionis' men finally burst open the door. Men in black suits came in wielding automatics, all of them stared at Harley with their masks hiding their grins. They all aimed their guns at her, ready to finish her off.

However, one made the mistake of getting too close…

Harley rose suddenly from the ground and, with a bone-chilling screech, slashed the man in front of her with a piece of glass that rested on the floor. Blood spurted from his neck, dousing Harley in it's red and warm fluids. Kicking the dead body forwards, Sionis' men were taken off their guard as Harley ran forward and began to stab, slash, and perforate any that were in her way. She wouldn't become a statistic, she may have been fooled by The Joker more times than she could count, but she wouldn't remain a victim.

As Harley stood above the dead bodies, the adrenaline began to thin rather quickly. She didn't even realise that a group of men were ready to shoot her…

BRATATATATATA!

Harley turned to see those men fall to the ground, all filled with bullets holes. Someone walked out from the smoke of the fire, holding his assault rifle in his hands. His crimson coloured eyes locked onto Harley.

Harley: "Crimsly?"