Hello there and welcome back! Just to start things off I wanted to apologize for not posting any updated chapters, the holidays got the best of me and I had barely any time to sit down and write, so for the last three days I've worked my ass off to finish this chapter and post it for you all to enjoy. Anyways as before I don't own any of the characters in this story~

Present

Days were coming and going so fast that he couldn't keep track anymore. He stared at the same pale grey painted hallways for years. For some people being locked up like an animal would be a living hell, but for the Joker, it was his second home. Arkham Asylum for the criminally insane had evolved so much over the last decade. Security was higher, more cameras and beefed up guards who barely know how to turn the safety off of a gun. He had considered this place to be a vacation home at this point, his best ideas always came from the four walls of his prison cell, and each visit being better than the last. He always looked forward to being locked up, medicated to the brink of becoming a human vegetable, Even as he was being ushered down the hall by Arkham's two most trigger happy security, no one could wipe the smile off of his face.

The heavy thudding of the guards boots was the only sound that could be heard as the trio turned right and continued to walk down a pure white hallway. They were heading to one of his most favorite rooms in all of Arkham, Patient interview room #105. As he approached the door, one of the guards quickly scanned his key card, waited for the chime and proceed to open the door, shoving the Joker into the room. They quickly cuffed him into the metal chair and headed out of the room, not wanting to be near him any longer than they have too.

When Joker heard the familiar click of the locks, he relaxed. As his eyes glanced around the room a smile crawled itself across his face. This room was special to him, on his very first trip to Arkham this was the room where he met his first physicist and also the first time he killed someone with his bare hands. He still gets shivers from the thought of it, watching his doctors eyes turn dull under his hands. It was like the 'first sip of coffee in the morning' kind of feeling. His smile only grew larger at the memory. It's been a long time since he first walked into this 'fine' establishment, it was just after Batman and his first real fight. That was the night that he fell in love with Batman, he was his perfect match in every way possible.

Past

It was two years after Joker had met Rocco. On their ride back into Gotham from his Aunt's hotel, Joker found out that Rocco was recently got fired from his job at a construction company. When Joker asked what the reason was, Rocco's response made Joker laugh. Rocco ended up losing control of a forklift and "may or may not have scratched the shit out of his bosses truck". Therefore, declaring poor Rocco jobless. So after a few days of crashing on Rocco's couch and somehow taking in a couple hundred from Joker doing card tricks throughout the city, Joker was able to convince Rocco to work for him. He taught Rocco how to properly pickpocket people without being caught, so while Joker preformed, Rocco collected the cash.

Their performance went on for a few days until Joker was able to afford a couple pounds of cocaine for them to sell at clubs and bars. It was quick cash for what he had planned for later on. So they continued to do odd jobs until they were able to afford their first hideout. It may have taken a long time to get here, but they weren't finished yet, the next step in Jokers plan was for Gotham to finally learn who their king is.

Sitting at the kitchen table, he held his glass of scotch and swirled it around before taking a large drink from the glass, as he waited for his men to arrive. He had planned their new job for weeks now, fine tuning every last detail to make it go off without a hitch. Well as long as everyone did as he said everything will work out. Rocco Joined him at the table shortly after he finished his second glass of scotch, he was dress up in a suit and tie at J's request for his plan. He wanted his gang to be the best dress in Gotham and made it a strict rule about heists being a formal event, and right now first impressions matter since his name was starting to become more recognized in Gotham's underground.

"Boss, I don't really know about these suits, they are kinda uncomf-" Rocco said snapping Joker out of his thoughts.

"Beauty is pain my sweet" Joker felt around his suit coat for a moment, before reaching into the inside pocket to remove a pack of cigarettes. "Say Rocco, I do believe I told those idiots 7, or am I wrong?" He asked, pulling a stick from the carton and lighting it up.

"I'll send out one more reminder" Rocco said as he pulled out a small black flip phone, Joker couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor electronic. Rocco's giant hands looked hilarious trying to type out a text.

"It looks like he's going to snap it in half!" Cried out the voice who occupied Joker's mind. He could only laugh in response. After Rocco put his phone away they waited, it took his men 25 minutes for them all to gather at the small warehouse, talking amongst themselves as J paced in front of them erratically, when he finally stopped and observed his men he noticed that Rocco and himself were the only ones in suit and ties. Out of frustration he let out a wild growl before jamming his knife into the table, causing the men to look up in fear.

"Since you all insisted on not listening to me, you better listen closely because I will only be saying this one time, and one time only folks." Quickly the men sat up straight and focused their attention on the green haired man in front of them.

The plan was easy, it was just a simple B&E to a low budget jewelry store, most of all it was a test to see if his new employees were worthy of working for him. He had three men working for him closely, there was twenty-one year old Vinnie who was a solid driver. Knuckles and Kowalski, or Dumb and Dumber as Joker liked to call them, they were mostly muscle and extra lead. It took a little over two hours for Joker to explain the plan three times and counting.

"Last time you idiots" Joker snapped, "Vinnie, you're the getaway driver. Stay in the car at all times, and only leave when I say so." He instructed the kid, he continued to explain that Rocco and himself would be dropped off out front to deal with the security system, so while they were occupied with that, Vinnie would then drive around the block once to enter the rear entrance of the building.

"So that means Knuckles and Kowalski you enter after Rocco and I make it inside. Rocco will let you in while I deactivate the alarm. Once you two are inside the building gather whatever is not tied down or looks expensive. Rocco will find the safe and gather anything from the back room. Now Questions?" Joker said as he waited for his men to soak in the information, nobody said anything so J told them to gather their heat and get into the van in ten minutes.

"You sure they can handle this Boss?" Rocco asked standing too his right.

"That's the thing Rocco, They don't gotta whole lotta choice but to be ready." And with that Joker left to gather up his few guns before following his men out too the van. When they opened the back doors of the white van, Joker had pre-made 'gift bags' ready for each of them. Each bag consisted of different kind of party supplies and weapons, from silly string to protein snack bars.

"Here Kiddies, gifts from uncle Joker" He said with a loud laugh, passing out each bag. When each of them were in their seats they started to look through their goodie bags like it was Christmas morning. Joker made sure to slip a pack of gum inside of Knuckles bag for his poor mouth hygiene problem, and he was delighted as he watched Knuckles pop a piece of chewing gum into his mouth after he found it.

"Boss a flare gun?" Asked Rocco sounding a little confused.

"You won't be disappointed with that one, she's a real blast" Laughed the Joker. The car ride lasted only a short few minutes from where the hideout was, so it didn't take long for Vinnie to announce that they were coming up to their destination. Before the van came to a complete stop, Joker opened the door and prepared to get out, followed by Rocco.

"Right now, remember your positions and if you're not back inside this van by the time I get here if this whole shindig goes south, were leaving you behind." Said Joker on his way out of the van when they arrived before quickly making his way to the front door with Rocco not too far from his trail. Joker quickly dug into his pocket and took out a thin looking key card, he looked over to Rocco and said;

"When this thing scans we will have 60 seconds to deactivate the alarms or this party will turn into a pig roast" Without warning he quickly swiped the card over the reader and the door clicked open, The Joker quickly opened the door and headed to the alarm system to overwrite the entire system with ease. "Good to rock and roll Rocco" J yelled over to him so he could go and let the two other idiots inside. Once inside, Rocco disappeared outback to collect anything worthy, while Joker cleared out the display cases with Knuckles and Kowalski.

As he was pondering over which new gold chain he was going to take for himself, the overwhelming feeling of being watched rushed over the Joker, wasting no time he reached into his holster to remove his revolver, turning around and pointing it directly at a black figure.

"Put the bags down and lower your weapons" Said the voice stepping into sight, could it be?

"It's him ! It's our friend!" Cried out the voice.

"Well, well, well I can't believe my eyes. You haven't changed a bit since our last meeting" Joker said with a hint of laughter in his voice.

"I don't have time for games now listen and lower your weapons, I'm taking you into the Commissioner." The figure said stepping closer but suddenly stopping as he got a better look of the Joker's face.

"You don't recognize me do yah pal?" asked the Joker. "Well I guess you were busy pushing me into a vat of chemicals." Joker said as he rubbed underneath his chin with the barrel of the revolver, pretending to be in deep thought.

"How did you hear about that" The figure asked so only he could hear.

"Hear about it? Baby I lived it" Without batting an eye, Joker quickly smacked the man with the end of the revolver knocking him back momentarily, J wasn't entirely sure what this freak was packing so just in case, but within seconds of the man registering what had occurred, he quickly started throwing punches. As they fought, Joker had the plan to lure him out of the shadows and closer to the exit point, so he could get out of he didn't really feel like dealing with the cops tonight.

The hooded figure was able to block most of J's attacks,and managed to land a punch to the nose resulting in a sickening crack sound. While the Joker was preoccupied with the blood dripping down his face the man kicked the him in the chest sending him flying over the display case and rolling onto the floor with a grunt.

"Boys get the bags and get to the van" Joker yelled as he picked himself up off the ground. His lip was bleeding and he was pretty sure his nose was broken, he quickly spit out the blood that was beginning to pool in his mouth before he brushed himself off. "Well my friend it's been a real treat to see you, but I have to mosey on my way now, that criminal life doesn't live itself" Joker said as he turned on his heel and ran towards the exit.

Just as J was about to walk out the backdoor, the masked man had snuck up behind him and kicked him harshly out the door and down the steps, onto the cold cement, knocking the wind out of his lungs. Before the masked man could gain the upper hand, Joker quickly turned around to face the man who was mid dive, giving him a chance to counter the mans attack. Joker grabbed onto the man's chest protector and used his momentum to roll/throw his body over J's head and into the brick wall behind him. Although he never seen him land, Joker did smile at the sound of the masked figure shoulder dislocating on impact, and a loud grunt of pain.

When Joker stood on his own two feet he looked down on the man who had attacked him and smile. He was impressed, knowing how much pain he was in, the man never let an ounce of it show on his face. If one of his guys fell like that, they would be crying like babies for weeks.

"Y-you never answered my question" The man spoke through his teeth. "How did you hear about what happened at Ace Chemicals."

"HAHAHAHA, Hear about it? I've never heard about it. I told you I was there. I looked you in the eyes before you pushed an innocent man to his death." J answered with a smile on his face.

"That man was the leader of a thug group named 'Red Hood'. He wasn't innocent" The man said in disbelief.

"Could you ever imagine that you actually got the wrong guy? Maybe and just maybe our little acquaintance was just in the place at the wrong time perhaps? " Joker said as he looked deep into the man's eyes, they were full of confusion and panic.

"You're lying" The Joker crouched down beside the man and patted the top of his cowl.

"Afraid not my friend, I just happen to be the aftermath of your little stunt. That man you pushed, he gave up his life and died. And then in his place, I was born into what you see before you." Joker said laughing.

"And who might you be exactly" Asked the hooded figure.

"Well I'm your new best pal The Joker, and trust me pal, that's a name you will never forget." The Joker quickly winked at the man dressed in black before standing back up and walking towards the van.

"Alright boys, shows over, he sent the location to the cops, time to ditch this Popsicle stand" Joker said as he approached his men just as the sound of sirens were heard in the into the van without another word, Joker and his men sped off back into the streets of Gotham, leaving the man in the alleyway alone.

And there we have it, the next installment. Please feel free to review or point out any spelling mistake as I am only human and not a spelling wizard. Im hoping to have another chapter up soon, so until then critters, stay weird~ JOY