A/N: Hey! This next chapter takes place after the events of 'Terrors' and 'Revelation' just so you guys know! Uhmm... that's all I really have to say. I might still file this under 'hiatus' because I'm not sure what direction I want to take this story in. I have a few ideas, but at this point in time, it's kind of one-shotesque. Hope you guys don't mind ;P
Thanks for all the support so far guys! I really appreciate it! Just a heads up, the start of this chapter is on the gory side!
Clover, and plot, belongs to me! Young Justice, on the other hand, belongs to whoever has claimed ownership of it.
Clover giggled to herself as she peered at the man struggling in chains before her. Blood dripped down his face, pooling on the ground below. His eyes were wide in panic, and pain. Words flew out of his mouth rapidly as he begged for his life, but they were deaf on Clover's ears. She could care less really.
"P-please," The man slurred. Blood was pooling in his mouth, making it hard for him to talk, "The J-joker said that i-if I do what he s-said he'd leave m-me alone."
Clover examined her nails casually, observing the blood that stained them. A large grin was spread across her face as she flicked her green orbs over to the trembling man, "That's the thing about my father," She shrugged. Without hesitation, her fist flew backwards and collided with the man's abdomen, causing more blood to spurt from his mouth, "He lies."
"And he leaves you to take out his trash?" The man gasped out between ragged breaths.
Clover shrugged again, pacing around the bleeding man, "Who am I to question him? He, after all, is my father."
"Your father's a monster." The man spat.
The young blonde paused. Her face split into a large grin as a fit of hysterics overtook her. The man, who was already feeling panicked, started struggling in his bonds even more. The girl's laugh unnerved him to no end.
"Never heard that one before," Clover breathed out sarcastically between bouts of laughter, "You're so creative."
The man gulped as his face paled. His eyes widened as he watched her strut over to a wooden crate, which had various tools piled on top of it. Clover hummed as her hand hovered over each and every tool.
There were knives of varying sizes, a hammer, crowbar, blunt saws, and a few other surgical tools, courtesy of one Doctor Crane. There were plethora of torture devices, Clover just had to figure out which one to use. With a shrug, she began to play eenie meenie minie mo, muttering the childish tune under her breath.
When the tune was done, Clover smiled maliciously. Her delicate hand reached down, picking up the winning tool. As she turned around, the moonlight, that streamed through broken windows, glinted off the oversized knife dangerously.
The man (Clover decided to call him Carl seeing as she didn't remember his name) began to struggle violently in the chains. In response, Clover pressed the knives tip to Carl's Adam's apple.
"Keep struggling and this knife will find a new home in your throat."
Carl gulped but nodded nonetheless. Sure, torture hurt, but at least he was alive. Well, for now that is.
Clover patted Carl's bloody cheek, smiling, "Good boy."
Carl bit his tongue. It was all he could do to prevent himself from screaming out. That and she had threatened him earlier about cutting out his tongue if he made to much noise. He didn't believe her at first, but now, about an hour later, he believed her plenty.
He kind of wished the Joker were the one torturing him. At least the crazed clown would've made his death quick and painless.
Clove twisted the blade in her hand casually. Her mind raced with thoughts on what to do with the knife. The blonde's options were limitless really. With an imagination as creative as hers, there were a whole bunch of things she could do with the knife
She could slowly cut off his fingers, or toes, one by one. Or his hands and feet. What the heck, she could just dive in and cut off his arms and legs! But wait… Clover frowned. People possessed a skeletal system made out of bones. And bones were hard to cut through.
Sighing to herself, Clover opted for another option: carving. She knew how to carve people well enough that wouldn't cause them to bleed out before she killed them. Her father had taught her only a few years ago.
Clover turned around and walked back over to Carl. He sucked in a breath as his shirt was ripped open, revealing his pale, slightly overweight, chest. Clover marveled at her new canvas, tongue sticking out the side of her mouth in concentration. She crossed her arms, tapping the knife against her cheek as she imagined what to carve on his chest.
The blonde broke out into a fit of giggles as she came to the conclusion of the perfect thing to carve: her insignia. After all, it only made sense if she signed her latest accomplishment.
Carl howled with pain as the knife made contact with his skin, easily breaking through the first layer. Blood began to slowly dribble out of the small incision, but Clover paid it no mind. A concentrated look overtook her features as she tuned out Carl's cries of pain. She had half a mind to act on her threat and cut off his tongue, but she was too focused on making sure each petal of the clover were approximately the same size.
Just as Clover was about to finish her insignia, the knife was knocked out of her hand. Clover let out surprised yelp as she whirled around. Her green eyes narrowed as they landed on the familiar figure of the one and only Boy Wonder.
"Robin," She spat out, glaring daggers at the smirking raven.
Said boy smiled, "What's the matter, Clover, not feeling the aster?"
Clover frowned. Aster? Wasn't that a flower? The fuck was this kid talking about?
"I'm the one that's crazy and I have no clue what you're talking about Wonder Bread."
The smile Robin was sporting was wiped off his face, "Y'know, if the opposite of dislike is like wouldn't the opposite of disas- wait. Why am I explaining this to you?!"
"Oh do tell, Boy Blunder," Clover rolled her eyes, pointing her newly acquired knife at him, "I was so interested."
"R-Robin!" Carl finally spoke up, traces of hope in his voice, "Save me! P-please!"
"Shut up, Carl!" Clover snapped at the trembling man, fixing him with a glare.
"Carl?" Robin scrunched his nose. The man she was currently torturing went by the name Harold Sanders, head of genetic research at the local Star Labs facility. It was also discovered that he had been smuggling various research notes, all of which were highly classified, to the Joker. Under further investigation, Batman had discovered Joker was blackmailing him. What the research notes were for, however, were besides Batman.
"Yeah," Clover shrugged, "Didn't know his name. Didn't care to ask. You understand, right?"
"She's insane!" Carl (Harold) shouted.
Clover whirled on the man, knife once again pressed to his throat, "I'm really regretting not cutting out your tongue when I had the chance!"
"Drop the knife, Clover," Robin cut in.
Said girl turned towards him, brow quirked, "Oh? And why should I do that?"
"Because you don't need to kill him."
Clover scoffed, "You're right. I don't need to, but I want to."
Robin clenched his teeth. He subtly pulled out a few birdarangs from a pouch in his utility belt. Clover watched him crouch into a battle stance before sighing. She glanced impassively at Carl before saying, "Sorry Carl, I have more pressing matters to deal with."
With that said, she whirled around. A flurry of razor sharp playing cards left her hand, flying in an arc towards Robin. The Boy Wonder ducked and rolled out of the way, mimicking Clover and releasing his birdarangs. Clover sidestepped a few before ducking under the last ones.
When she straightened, Clover frowned. Robin had managed to get between her and Carl, something of which she wasn't happy about.
"What's the matter traffic light?" She growled lowly before pulling out her knife, "Don't want to play cards?" Clover grinned maliciously as she eyed the Boy Wonder. Robin shifted slightly as he sunk lower into a battle stance. Clover's eyes shifted from Robin to Carl, who she noted was staring at Robin with hope. The blonde internally scoffed. If he thought he was getting out of here alive, he had another thing coming.
Clover raised her knife up, taking careful aim. With a quick flick of her wrist, the knife was sent soaring through the air. Robin's masked eyes widened. Reacting quickly, he dove to the side to avoid the knife. However, as soon as he sprung to his feet, he realized he had just played into Clover's plan.
A mangled gasp echoed in the room. Robin whirled around, quickly noticing the knife protruding out of Carl's sternum. Clover sported a smug smirk as Robin ran over the man. But it was too late.
Carl gurgled slightly as more blood spilled from his mouth. His eyes, which had widened initially in shock, had drooped as the life slipped from inside him. His body went limp, lifeless, in the chains.
Enraged, Robin whirled around, face set in a deep scowl. He wasn't very shocked to see the devious grin spread across Clover's pale face.
"Look what you made me do, Robbie," Clover pouted, gesturing towards the lifeless body of Carl, "You made me kill my plaything."
"Yeah, because I'm so sure you're upset about that."
Robin almost had to do a double take as he watched the girl's pout twist into a malicious grin, "You're right," She spoke, voice sickly sweet, "I'm not upset. Wanna know why?" Robin took a hesitant step back, bumping into Carl's body, as Clover stepped towards him. She pounced, tackling Robin to the ground. Robin struggled under her grip, but Clover got the upper hand and pinned him down. Her breath tickled the shell of his ear as she whispered, "I have you to play with now."
Robin shuddered under the crazed girl as she smiled sadistically. Through his struggling, he managed to curl his legs to his chest, eventually pressing the soles of his specially modified shoes to Clover's chest. With a grunt, he forced the girl off him. She soared through the air before landing on her feet, skidding back a few feet.
Clover snarled as Robin climbed to his feet. He pulled out his escrima sticks, poising them for attack, "Sorry. I don't play well with others."
"I guess we'll have to change that!" Clover easily shot back. She darted forward, knife dangling at her side. Robin sidestepped and narrowly avoided the shimmering blade. His arm shot forward, aiming a blow at Clover's shoulder. Whirling around, the blonde's hand shot up, deflecting the blow and causing Robin to stagger to the side.
Clover twirled the knife in her hand. Once Robin had regained himself, the two began to circle each other. Both of which were waiting for the other to make the first move. Clover, having had enough of this nonsense, decided to be the first to attack as she charged forward.
"Drop the knife, Clover."
At the sound of the deep, commanding voice, Clover froze mid-step. She glanced to her left, where Batman had walked in, and frowned, "Of course," She muttered, scowling, "Where there's a Robin there's always a Batman!"
Batman frowned at the teen, and the scene before him. He had thought sending Robin ahead would ensure Clover wouldn't kill the scientist. Obviously he was wrong.
Clover glanced at Batman, whose gaze had glanced over at Carl, "Robin made me do it!" She shrieked.
Batman gaze snapped back to the girl before glancing at his protégé. Robin spluttered, mouth opening and closing comically, "I- no! I didn't!"
"If you had taken the knife like man Carl would still be alive!"
"Then I'd be dead!" Robin answered back incredulously.
Clover spared him an impassive glance, "I could've lived with that."
Robin scowled and made a move to attack. But before he could, Batman barked, "Robin!" which caused the teen to stop. As Batman glared at his ward, Clover childishly stuck her tongue out at him.
"Clover," The blonde sucked her tongue back in her mouth as Batman whirled on her, "You're done here. I'm taking you back to Arkham."
Clover shook her head vigorously back and forth, "I'm not done until the Joker says I'm done. Besides," She shrugged, "Arkham's not really my thing. They're too into fixing people, making them sane again. It's so overrated."
Batman frowned at the teen, who was rocking back and forth on the balls of her heels, "You don't really have a say in whether you go or not."
"I like to think I do. It's my life, after all."
"You killed a man."
"Kill is such an… ugly word."
"That aside, this man is still dead."
Clover shook her head, "He's just in eternal slumber land!"
Robin resisted the urge to facepalm as he noticed his mentor tense. This girl was just plain nuts.
Batman opened his mouth to reply, but before he could the door to the warehouse burst open. In strolled the Joker, a large grin spread across his pale, white face. His signature purple tux was pressed and as crisp as always. The green mop he called hair was neatly combed back. Behind him, Harley pranced in. A smile, similar to Joker's own, spread across her face as her masked eyes landed on Clover.
"It's a regular old family reunion Batsy!" Joker cackled, sadistic grin never once leaving his face. Batman scowled.
"You were stalling!" Robin shouted in realization, pointing an accusatory finger Clover's way.
Clover feigned innocence, "I have no clue as to what you're talking about."
"You're training her to kill, Joker?" Batman inquired, ignoring the two teens.
"Of course!" The crazed clown boasted with a laugh, "My little girl's gotta learn the ways of the family business!" Joker grinned, twirling his crowbar in his hand as he stepped towards Carl's lifeless body and examined it, "Just look at the skill! She's definitely a chip off the old block! Don't you think, Batsy?"
"She's definitely as insane as you are, Joker, I'll give you that one. But she belongs in Arkham. You all do."
Clover scowled, crossing her arms over her chest, "Don't talk about me like I'm not here!"
Ignoring the girl, Batman carried on and changed the subject,"What'd you need the research notes for, Joker?"
"For Harley's birthday gift of course!" Joker grinned. He curled an arm around Harley's shoulder, crushing the girl to his side, "What kind of… puddin would I be if I didn't get my numbah one gal anything!"
"And Mistah J did such a good job with my gift!" Harley chimed in, nodding her head vigorously before turning her head towards the Joker, "Oh can I show them puddin! Can I? Can I!?" Harley was practically bouncing up and down with joy.
"Of course, Harls!"
Harley squealed in excitement before turning towards the open door. She let out a loud whistle and shouted, "Babies!" At the top of her lungs.
Upon being summoned, two large, gray hyenas burst through the front door. Their tongues lolled out of the sides of their drooling mouths as they laughed. It was obvious the two weren't typical hyenas. The duos eyes were both wide and a bright green that wasn't natural. Their size also made it obvious they had been genetically modified. The two stood almost up to Harley's shoulder and looked like they easily weighed a few hundred pounds.
"Meet Bud and Lou!" Harley grinned, gesturing to her "pets", "Mistah J worked hard to have them specially modified! Isn't that right, Mistah J?"
The Joker nodded, smiling sadistically Batman's way, "That's right! I had our dear old departed Harold here modify them for me! Of course I had to tell him I wouldn't kill him in order for him to do so but well… you see how that turned out."
"You killed him anyways."
"Ah, ah, ah, Batsy! I didn't kill him. My dearest Clover did!" Clover felt her chest swell with pride as all eyes landed on her. A triumphant smirk settled on her lips, "But that's beside the point. Now's where the fun begins!"
Harley nodded before glancing at her babies, "Sick 'em boys!" Bud and Lou snarled before obeying the blonde and charging forward. Batman dove on the ground as Bud came his way, while Lou charged at Robin.
"Come now, Clover. We're done here!" Joker called to his daughter. The blonde nodded before stepping around the fight towards her parents. She grinned as the Joker laughed sadistically, ushering his small family out of the warehouse.
~Time Skip~
Clover huffed as her eyes scanned over the smoggy city of Gotham. Below her, the streets were bustling with life as innocent pedestrians walked the filthy sidewalks and hundreds of cars added the already polluted city. Next to Clover, Icicle Jr, in all his icy glory, stared at the city below as well. He had recently gotten out of Belle Reve and high-tailed it to Gotham, away from his father (who was slightly peeved at the turn of events during their attempted- and failed- break out from Belle Reve).
"You ever think there's more to life than just villainy?" Clover heard the blue teen sigh.
Clover glanced over at him, green eyes un-amused, "The fuck are you talking about?"
Icicle Jr rolled his eyes, "What I mean is, do you think there's a better life out there for us?"
Clover flicked her eyes from Junior back to the city below, mulling Junior's words over in her head.
No. She didn't believe there was a better life out there for them. The two of them were in too deep, especially considering their parentage. Though they were young, their lives were basically already shot. No good would come to them. Nothing could right the wrong that was their lives.
"No," The blonde finally breathed out, "This is our lives, frostbite. There's no changing that."
"Artemis managed to do so," Junior shot back, "Now she's working for the angels!"
Clover rolled her eyes, "Blondie was never cut out for this line of work. That much was obvious from the start." The blonde dragged her legs to her chest, the tips of her toes barely dangling over the edge. She wrapped her arms around her legs and settled her chin on her knees.
"Yeah," Junior drawled, "You've got a point. This life would've eaten her up."
~Time Skip~
Kylie silently stepped into the warehouse her and her family called "home". She paused in the doorframe, noting the five pairs of eyes that immediately flickered her way.
"Uh… hi?" Kylie cocked her head to the side. She studied the scene before her. It was obvious three of the five figures standing in her "living room" were her mother and father, Joker and Harley, as well as Poison Ivy, but the other two she had never met.
The one that stuck out the most was the tall, muscular male. His frame towered over her parents and had Kylie not had the parentage she did, she might've been intimidated by the man. He had medium-dark skin with strong, rugged features. His eyes were a deep brown and complimented his long, dark hair that was neatly pulled back. However, the thing that stuck out the most to Kylie was the three long scars that spread across his face.
The other figure in the room was a scraggy boy with long, thin limbs. His hair was slicked back, bangs pointed to a T. What set this teen apart from others, however, were the two black horns protruding from his skull and ending in small, sharp points. Kylie was willing to bet he could easily kill somebody with just his horns. This kid was also sporting a small, tan tabby.
"Kylie, darling!" The Joker cooed, grinning madly at his daughter, "I'd like you to meet some comrades of mine!" Kylie merely stared at her father, eyes flickering between him and the two guests, "This is Vandal Savage and Klarion!"
The young blonde nodded her head their way, "Hello."
"Who's the brat?" Klarion spat. Kylie's eyes narrowed, a mocking remark sitting on the tip of her tongue. Before she could say it, Harley spoke up.
"That brat is my baby! And you better watch yourself Hocus Pocus before I flatten the magic outa ya!"
"Hocus Pocus! I'll show you hocus pocus!" Klarion snarled, the palms of his hands beginning to glow a dull red. He made a move to attack, but Vandal stepped in front of him.
"Now, now Klarion. We're all friends here."
"That's right Witch Boy!" Joker added in with a laugh, "We're the very best of friends!"
Klarion merely grumbled, unamused. Kylie watched with mild interest as he floated into the air, crossing his legs and pulling his cat into his lap. A childish pout was still firmly plastered on his face.
Vandal cast the Witch Boy a sidelong glance before getting back to business, "Now where were we…"
Kylie tuned the rest of the conversation out as she walked off. She didn't really want to, or feel the need to, impend upon her parent's business. Instead, she was going to stalk off to her room where she could rest in peace and not have to deal with annoying little birds who called themselves 'Robin'.
As she was walking out, Kylie felt a delicate hand curl around her wrist. Turning around, the blonde came face-to-face with the concerned look of her mother.
"Why so glum, sugarplum?"
Kylie had to resist the urge to smile. She always did love her mother's puns. Instead, the blonde kept the frown on her face, easily tugging her wrist out of Harley's loose grip. As she walked away, she heard her mother say:
"Was it something I said?"
A/N: The ending is supposed to kind of elude to the episode 'Revelation', which has not happened yet!
As for Icicle Jr being out of Belle Reve and in Gotham, just roll with it. I completely forgot about it when writing it and then I wanted to change up when this all took place so that I can base some of the next few chapters slightly on the actual episodes.
For those of you who read 'When Lightning Strikes', the next chapter is in the works! I promise! I just had a muse for this episode and rolled with it.
