UPDATE: Error occurred and the line breaks were not present for scene changes, should be fixed and apologies to everyone for this happening.
Dead: So may as well open this up with the elephant in the room, sorry for the delay in posting this. The bit we had pre-written originally...didn't work out. Jinx and I had to go back to the drawing board and rethink this. Resulting in this and one more chapter before the end of the Gotham adventure
Jinx: Yeah… Unfortunately… BUT! I did give you regular viewers some PMs and tried to keep you guys updated on the story progress! :D
Dead: Yeah easily the hardest chapter to write yet, but that said it's done so we hope you all enjoy!
Shoutout to Eyes-of-Inferno over on Deviantart, whom was so kind to draw an updated story cover for us! Go check out her stuff on Deviant under the Eyes-of-Inferno or Sarah-Bellwrath (spelled exactly as displayed) profiles to enjoy more of her incredible artwork! Without further ado, enjoy!
"Toxin do you really need to do this to every single costume?" the mental groan Scarlet gave in disbelief was fitting at the scene she was witnessing. They were in the Batcave, THE Batcave mind you! The place where one of the greatest heroes in existence called his home! Surrounded by both the Titans -their team- and the Bat-Family -Batman's team-, and what was the super powerful alien living inside of her body currently doing in such a place? Touching and sniffing at each Bat-suit currently on display inside the cases above the Dark Knight's computer system. Scarlet wasn't sure if Toxin was doing this to actually get a strong scent or to just screw around and embarrass the pair of them further.
"We are searching for clues Scarlet, it's important! Wait. I just had a thought. Would we be like the group of kids that goes around with a dog investigating and sniffing for clues to stop the bad guys?" Toxin asked curiously in thought as he inhaled deeply while face to face with the empty cowl belonging to one of the costumes.
"Toxin, are you saying we're the dog? If you are saying we're the dog, I swear I am not feeding you anymore Reese's for a month!" the threat hit home as Toxin yiped verbally instead of mentally.
"I didn't mean it like that! Honest! Promise!" Toxin swore aloud with hands raised up in the air as the others below looked on in mixtures of confusions, frustration, disbelief, and quite possibly annoyance -the later of which being Raven-.
"Is the big red guy always like that?" Oracle asked blinking owlishly at the scene of the being talking with whom she assumed was his host.
"Hard to say, this is new to us too." Cyborg said as Toxin gripped his head in frustration as he was apparently on the losing end of whatever incident was occurring between symbiote and host.
"Scarlet is, she and Toxin talk to each other quite a lot." Starfire noted as she had caught their newest member mumbling to herself at times or having a sudden outburst followed by a quick apology over something she was conversing with Toxin.
"Normal then, " Jason noted while crossing his arms, not bothering to argue with that logic. "You got anymore crazy monsters?" The second Robin immediately ducked as a blunt edge Spinner whizzed by where his head was and bouncing off the ground before dissolving.
"I am not a monster! I am Toxin you dumb fake Robin meanie!" Toxin lashed out angrily with his fangs bared and a growl escaping every word he spoke. Clawed hands warping the guard rail he clenched as he peered down at the group.
"Oh what are going to do?" Jason barked back moving forward before being blocked by the mountain of a form that belonged to Cyborg.
"Toxin stand down!" Robin's order cut through the tension as the Symbiote whipped his head towards the young man that was Scarlet's leader. The anger on his face softening slightly before his head perked up.
"No I guess not…but...Oh alright Scarlet. Fine." Toxin declared with a huff from another mental conversation with his host. "I'm sorry Not-Robin for throwing that Spinner." he said as his form slimmed down and back into Scarlet's costume.
"Well at least the girl has some-" Jason began only for the girl to be face to face with him as the lenses of mask were now slits mimicking the glare underneath.
"However, you don't call my friend a monster. Not when he is going out of his way to help you." While she was a few inches shorter than Jason, Scarlet hoped the deeper tone her voice took on while in costume would help reinforce her words.
"Or what?" The smug grin Jason had, spoke volumes of how confident he was she wouldn't retaliate. Going as far to stand right in front of the girl to taunt her further to try something. To her credit she didn't back up, nor did her posture falter. The look behind his mask was begging her to just try something and see where it got her.
"Alright that's enough you two, we have bigger things to worry about." Oracle's demand met both their ears as she wheeled her chair over to them both. "Scarlet, can Toxin find Batman now?" She asked and received a nod in response.
"Then let's get moving." Beast Boy declared as he pound his fists together with a grin.
"Before we go anywhere, we need to figure something out about you two." Raven stated as she pointed a single index finger at the pair of Robins. A question that suddenly made the others blink in realization, she had a point, they both couldn't be called Robin.
"Then let's make it simple, just call me Red." Jason declared with a thumb jerked in the direction of his chest. He had no intentions of revealing his secret identity to these strangers, heck he was slightly annoyed Dick knew who he was despite them only meeting sparingly prior to his departure to Jump City. At least his solution was short and simple, they needed to get moving and find the Bat before the Joker did permanent damage. "You don't mind, do you 'Spider-Girl'?" The taunt directed at Scarlet had the desired effect based on the growl escaping her lips.
"That's Scarlet to you bird-boy!" Scarlet had half a mind to web this guy's mouth up now. It was one thing to be rude unintentionally but this Robin's continuous badmouthing of her and Toxin was growing frustrating! How did some punk like this become the sidekick to the World's Greatest Detective anyway?! She had no intention of keeping up a secret identity and certainly didn't want to start being called something like 'Spider-Girl'.
"Yeah yeah, sure." Jason waved off the girl's response with the back of his hand as he turned to the others. "We should get moving, here's what we'll do, Robin you and your team will-"
"Whoa whoa whoa, hold the phone, Red. Just what do you think you're doing?" Cyborg interrupted.
"What does it look like big guy? I'm issuing orders, I asked you to come here and I'm the one who knows this city the best duh." Jason was feeling as if he was talking to walls at this point, why shouldn't he be the one in charge of this operation? He was the obvious choice!
"That makes you think we'll be your little obedient toy soldiers?" Raven pointed out, her normal monotone voice laced with a bit of extra steel than usual. If anyone had issue with being placed into a role without their consent it was certainly the team's expert in magic.
"Robin knows this city as well. He should be the one in charge." Starfire announced speaking what the rest of her team was thinking.
"Second that," Beast Boy declared with his hand raised.
"Third," Scarlet followed with her own hand, while her other was raised and had taken on Toxin's form indicating his own stance on the matter.
"Robin is our leader, and we follow him, not someone who dresses like him." Starfire continued standing next to the Boy Wonder they had fought alongside of for so long now.
"Oh really? Well what does the fearless leader have to say on this matter?" Jason asked motioning to the still silent Robin.
"We are here to help, you can't take all the credit for asking us to come here. As you mentioned earlier concerning the Justice League: They're unavailable. That doesn't make you the leader." Robin began as he stepped forward standing face to face with Jason. "Nor does it give you a right to badmouth my friends, if you don't want to follow my orders fine. We can do this without you. So make your choice." Robin's opinion on this matter was clear. They had little time to waste bickering with his replacement, not when Batman's life was at stake. Jason's skill set was nearly identical to his and while he had experience with this new enemy the Titans would be more evenly matched in terms of numbers and abilities. Both Robins held the gaze of the other for a long moment, refusing to budge in favor of the other before finally Jason scoffed.
"Alright alright, go ahead and lead your little team, I'll tag along." Jason announced turning to where the cave housed Batman's selection of vehicles.
-Meanwhile-
The Joker Gang was a buzz with activity, it was no small feat to get ahold of not only this TV station, or all the gear the boss was wanting for his latest plan. Hours of work renovating the station back into working order, and dealing with a bunch of arrogant superpowered teens in the form of the Royal Flush Gang whom refused to help. Things were slow going for the street thugs who answered to the Clown Prince of Crime. Yet they were not deterred when the Joker gave them incentive to work, it usually came in the form of some kind of lethal novelty gag killing someone bold enough to complain, but this time it was far better. Presenting the captured Batman to his group made morale skyrocket to heights unheard of before and ushered in a sense of respect for the madman unlike before.
"So what's the word on the street boys?" The Joker's order to his men came off as a surprise, not by the words mind you. More so of the fact he was being wheeled into the room while sitting on the lap of Batman still tied to the wheelchair from before. At the question by their superior, a thug directed the attention of the room to a monitor currently displaying the evening news.
["Spectators here in Gotham were astonished today as they caught sight of not only the Dark Knight's aircraft flying through the skies, but of the vessel belonging to the Teen Titans accompanying it. After the departure of Batman's original sidekick to the country's west coast earlier this year, the rumors questioning why he is returning with the Teen Titans in tow are spreading like wildfire. With the prime question being; what does this mean for our city? I'm Vicki Vale, GCM News."]
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The newest members of the gang were unprepared for the sudden outburst of laughter coming from the Joker while the rest of the room merely took note and resumed their work. "This is rich! I was only banking on the new one showing up! This is even better!" he declared while clasping his hands together and rubbing them excitedly. "See this Bats? It's gonna be a big happy family reunion!" he shouted over to the silent vigilante. "This calls for a celebration, someone get the Flush Gang I have a job to do for them before the big party!" the announcement sent the few motionless thugs in the room scrambling to seek out his proteges in training for what was going to be a night to remember.
Scarlet let the momentum of her web carry as far as it could before releasing and landing on the side of a building. Mask lenses narrowed in concentration as she focused in her sense of smell. It was unusual and amazing at the same time how Toxin empowered all of her senses beyond a normal human's. Vision crisp, able to feel the smallest of details, hear the faintest of echoes from across the Titan's living room, savor the full taste of food, or in this case act as a bloodhound to search for one of Earth's greatest heroes. How did life get like this again?
No. Now was not the time question for the umpteenth time as to how things had become unusual and awesome at the same time! Lives were at stake! People were counting on her and Toxin to find the Batman!
"Hey Spider-Girl any luck?" if only one of those people hadn't been given permission to tune into the Titan's Communicator frequency. This Red was really becoming annoying enough to where she was about to resort to the threat of feeding him to Toxin if he didn't stop with the pet name. Even if Toxin didn't eat people, the novelty of seeing the boy's expression as he was pleading for his life would have made Scarlet happy. Repressing the urge to groan, her communicator emerged from the hip of her costume and flipped open.
"Some, Toxin and I are trying to find the strongest trail. Not easy when he roams this city on a nightly basis." Scarlet murmured, the annoyance still laced in her tone from just speaking to the second Boy Wonder. This was already a difficult trail to pick up without the taunts directed at her to just get a reaction.
"You can do this Scarlet, do not worry. We all have faith in you." Starfire's assurance was like a calm wind sweeping over Scarlet's being and helped calmed her temper towards Red.
"Yeah worst case we can go with Plan BB and I start sniffing from the ground!" Beast Boy chimed in and prompted a small giggle from the girl as she shook her head before focusing her gaze back out on the city.
"I'll keep you updated guys." Scarlet responded before snapping her communicator shut and diving off the side of the building. As she searched the city for the villain's hideout with Toxin's tracking abilities. The rest of the Titans were all scattered across the city. Those who could fly each took a different corner of the city. While Robin and Red took the streets using a pair of Bat-Cycles, leaving Cyborg to pilot the T-Ship above the city's skyline. Ensuring when Scarlet found something, she would have backup immediately in the threat of the unpredictability the Joker took pride in.
Something, Scarlet had no personal argument over, she did not want to confront such a lunatic alone. It was one thing to face the horrific lineage of Toxin's line, and the few stray criminals back in Jump City. This was something entirely different on its own accord. Sure Carnage was a terrifying bloodthirsty creature that would tear her and her partner apart with an honest smile on his hideous face. However, said-monstrosity was in turn fearful of Toxin's superior natural ability over his own, which helped eased Scarlet's mind for the inevitable reunion they would inarguably face down the road.
During the incident in the mines, she never even saw Slade. The stories and mission logs from the rest of the Titans spoke volumes of the danger he possessed, but she never encountered him. While that left her at the mercy of imagination over exaggerating his danger, he was still painted as such a mystery in Scarlet's mind eye. Leaving little to fear until an actual confrontation were to occur.
That left Scarlet's experience with criminals to a rather narrowed down list. Busting small time thugs was like a breeze thanks to training and Toxin. The only real trouble she encountered was during the bank robbery with the creepy spider guy, Mumbo Jumbo, and Overload. Even that didn't prove too difficult thanks to working with the rest of the team to take them down. Though she wouldn't lie, the way the spider looked at her...it sent all kinds of creepy feelings down her spine.
Those feelings however paled in comparison to the reputation of the Joker. Growing up in the Midwest, Scarlet was never truly affected by his actions. Yet such normality caused such a stir that wasn't uncommon for him to appear on national news. With reporters trying to be vague yet get the picture across of how many graveyards this psychopath filled like a murderous quota. All the while doing it with no sense of regret over the devastation left in his wake. Back in Scarlet's hometown, he, along with several evildoers, were crafted into boogeymen by children and adults alike. Now here she was, with the intent of finding him instead of keeping as much distance away as possible. She was terrified, legit scared of what would happen if the Joker somehow got the upperhand on her. Rational thought was telling her she could avoid nearly anything with her Spider-Sense and reflexes, but was also playing Devil's Advocate by reminding her this was the same guy who led unsuspecting prey into his traps regularly. He just captured Batman! The same Batman who had spent years studying this criminal's habits, yet was still caught off guard.
With that in mind, her and Toxin came up with the game plan once they were certain they found the hideout. No rushing in, just wait nearby hidden until the others show up. Even if it was just Red, she would rather try fighting this threat with him then by herself. That wasn't even counting this new group that decided to run with the Joker.
It was during this period, lost in her thoughts while swinging did the scent grow strong. Eyes behind her lenses widening she landed atop one of the gothic building's spire roofs to hone onto the trail. It was faint, but in comparison to the rest she had been picking up tonight, this was inarguably the strongest one yet. In an instant the communicator was once more in hand.
"Guys I think I got something! Its coming from the eastern part of the city."
"The eastern part? Oh great that has to be East End, easily the worst part of town." Red replied back.
"Sounds like the perfect place to be hiding out." Raven commented before a pause followed over the radio. "I'm the closest nearby I'll meet you there." Scarlet did not even need to guess, Raven was by no means pleased at the notion of it being the two of them searching a district by themselves. Why did the magic user have it out against her? It had been this way since day one! Outside of eating and training, Raven made every effort to stay away from her and Toxin. Starfire claims it takes awhile for the girl to warm up to outsiders, but Scarlet was certain even Terra didn't receive this animosity! So why was-
!Spider-Sense! *Toxin*
Scarlet barely dived off her perch in time to avoid the laser blast destroying it. Landing on her hands atop the building and flipping into a crouch her eyes zeroed in on her attacker.
"Lookey here, the spider herself." King declared as he sat cross-legged atop a large floating playing card with a jeweled scepter resting over his shoulder. "What brings a West Coast girl all the way out here?"
"Came to tell your boss he needs to let go of his man-crush for Batman," Scarlet sarcastically remarked, a small grin forming underneath her mask while Toxin snickered at the words. They were beginning to see why this Spider-Man guy from Venom's memories enjoyed wisecracking the baddies. It was a lot of fun!
"Was that the best you got?" King yawned over dramatically, "Does that work at the freak show you grew up at?" Scarlet's eye twitched in such anger it actually showed through her mask lenses replicating it.
"I'm going to start hitting you now. I don't know when I am going to stop." Screw the witty banter, she was just going to resort to pain now.
"I'd be insulted if you didn't- mph!" King gagged as a glob of red and blue webbing wrapped around his mouth. Followed by a Spinner sent flying for his head before he swatted it away and aimed his weapon at the teen.
!Spider-Sense! *Toxin*
Scarlet was flipping like a skilled gymnast to avoid the laser blast fired from the scepter. Each blast missing it's mark by mere seconds and centimeters. Dodging to the best of her ability the Titan Communicator revealed once more while supported by a tendril as it was triggered.
"Guys! Heads up, I'm being attacked by one of the Royal Flush Gang! The rest may be close by!"
"Copy that Scar, I'm on my way!" Cyborg declared, preparing to send the T-Ship into a nose dive towards the city below where he could see the faint light produced from King's energy attacks.
However before he could react, proximity alarms within the cockpit began to wail in panic. Accompanied by the entire ship rocking from something landing on the stern. Reeling his head around, Cyborg caught sight of the one responsible. A large dark skinned man with the number ten emblazoned on his left pectoral.
"Hey got room for one more on this flight?" Ten quipped while ripping the canopy of Cyborg's capsule clean off. Tossing it away like an empty box, the muscle of the Royal Flush Gang lunged towards Cyborg. Struggling to pull him free of the pilot seat to his own vehicle, the onboard systems detecting his absence from the seat engaged emergency countermeasures. The autopilot activated and began to gently descend towards a statistically and calculated safe landing zone. All the while Cyborg struggled to free himself from the iron like grip of the reverse bear hug he was in.
"Let go!" a metal foot kicked blindly at Ten's calve, knocking his balance off. Just enough to ram a bionic elbow straight into his ribs and ensure freedom. Both men stumbled slightly as the T-Ship continued its automated emergency landing, serving as the platform for which these two mighty warriors would battle upon. Fists raised up and ready to fight, Titan and Flush member circled each other.
"Come on tin man, lets see how strong you really are." Ten mocked before charging forward with his fist cocked back.
Robin and Red recieved Scarlet's message just the same as the others and were zooming past traffic on their bikes to reach the East End to provide aid. "You think she can handle at least one of them?" Red asked.
"She can." Robin affirmed, after spending three weeks of personally teaching her hand to hand combat, and strategy. He had no doubt in her abilities to defend herself from harm. As the two Robins sped towards the battle, a black and white rubber like substance suddenly stretched itself across the street in front of them. Slamming on the brakes and forced to leap off at the last second and over the obstacle, both teens landed flawlessly. Spinning back around they caught sight of the rubber blockade was in fact a man who had unnaturally stretched himself far enough to obstruct them. Returning to normal human standards, Jack turned and grinned.
"Heh I'm seeing doubles." Jack joked at the sight of Robin and Red before his gaze focused on the latter with interest. "Still licking your wounds from the other day bird boy?"
"I dunno, still licking Joker's boots?" Red countered, not waiting for another witty remark he hurled several exploding discs from his belt at Jack. Ignoring Robin's plea for him to wait before using live explosives against a human being.
The projectiles flew straight and true, hitting the villain in the chest and attempted to still go further. Evident by the sight of his body halting its path while stretching to slow down the velocity. A laugh escaped Jack's lips before the sounds of detonation filled his hearing.
"Give me that!" Scarlet snapped as she plucked King's scepter from his hands while she flipped over him. Weapon gripped tightly as she landed behind him, with a fraction of her strength put into the swing aimed for his head. Only to watch as the weapon came to a halt an inch from his skull by an invisible force holding it in place.
"Oh that can't be good…" Scarlet managed to say before the scepter acted as if it had a mind of its own and started hitting her.
!Spider-Sense! *Toxin*
!Spider-Sense! *Toxin*
!Spider-Sense! *Toxin*
"Toxin I get it! Turn off the Spider-Sense!" Scarlet said in between the strikes of the rouge object, followed up by an energy blast sending the teen over the edge of the building and into a dumpster below. Smoke rose from King's outstretched hand as his rightful possession floated back into his hand.
"I could have handled her on my own...Queen." King growled out annoyed as the female member of his team descended atop her own levitating playing card.
"Whatever, I'm still telling the others." Queen spoke quite amused as she idly twirled a strand of hair between her fingers. "Still let's be sure she doesn't get back up." the hand left her silver locks and motioned to a nearby parking lot.
Scarlet growled in frustration as she crawled to the top of the garbage she fell in. Wincing slightly from the smell and the fact she was right in the middle of this mess. Couldn't get much worse though right?
Tempting fate was a terrible idea.
The lid suddenly slammed atop of her head, trapping her inside. While overhead a dozen cars floated with Queen in the middle still standing on her card. Then with a downward sweep of her hand the cars slammed down upon the dumpsters and entombed it beneath the pile of metal and gas seeping out of the ruined vehicles. A laser blast from King's finger tips resulted in the gas igniting and an explosion erupting, with an annoyed scoff the pair left the scene.
Starfire softly gasped in fear at the cloud of fire rising and the sight of two figures riding some kind of flying machine away from where Scarlet was supposed to be. Last she checked, their newest member didn't have any means of creating explosions or flight. Meaning she was on the receiving end of whatever caused the blast. Plus didn't Toxin also mention he had a weakness to fire? In that moment Starfire was certain she never flew faster.
"Scarlet? Scarlet? Scarlet?!" Starfire shouted as she descended near the burning husk of metal, attempts to draw near were vain thanks to the flames. With no sign of Scarlet, her fear worsened at the only other spot she could possibly be.
"Skreeeee!" An inhuman scream cried out as Toxin erupted from the dumpster with streaks of fire coating his body as it was writhing and convulsing in a mixture of panic and pain while blindly fleeing down the street trying to pat the fire off of him.
"Toxin wait!" Starfire pleaded flying after the Symbiote as all rational thought was clearly absent within his mind. Instinct driven to merely run in some delusional attempt to outrun the fire harming his being
Which granted the perfect opportunity for Raven to imbue a nearby fire hydrant with her powers and rip it open. Unleashing a torrent of water upon aflamed alien, she descended upon the scene and landed next to Starfire. A moment later the inhuman screams died down and the water was cut off revealing Scarlet laying on the ground, unconscious but alive.
Meanwhile Cyborg was faring no better against the mighty Ten as they engaged in a fist fight atop a roof where the T-Ship had selected as its emergency landing zone. Now normally when facing a fully human opponent, Cyborg would hold much of his mechanically augmented strength back to avoid fatal damage. However Ten was by no means an ordinary man, evident by barely budging from each punch sent his way. The more force put behind it and yet his enemy refused to yield.
"So what do you think, bolt head?" Ten quipped as their fists were locked in a struggle for dominance over the other. "Anything you can dish out I can take and give more," the confidence he spoke with was well earned with his abilities and durability. Yet none of that was able to stand up to a close range blast from Cyborg's Sonic Cannon. How easy confidence in one's own abilities could lead to arrogance when you were unaware of your opponent's own skills.
Watching as Ten was launched off the side of the building from the blast, a large flying playing card came to his aid at the last second and caught him in mid-air. Cannon aimed at the fleeing target, Cyborg lowered his weapon. The internal communicator built into his arm began to ping as his arm shifted to normal.
"Everyone, Scarlet is down!" Starfire's normally cheerful voice was thick with concern as Robin turned towards his counterpart. "She was caught in an inferno when Raven and I arrived. We have been unable to wake her since we found her."
"Bring her back to the Batcave," Oracle interjected. "We have an infirmary station set up in case something like this happens."
"Good, everyone else meet up at our coordinates." Robin announced.
"Robin what are we going to do though? Our tracker is out cold." Cyborg spoke up as Robin frowned.
"Don't worry about that part...we'll ask Jack." Red spoke with a grin as he continued to look at the frozen form of said person while speaking into Robin's communicator. "He seems to be cool with the idea." the first Boy Wonder had to resist the urge to facepalm at the terrible pun.
"So Bats, how are you feeling about Robin numbero uno being back in time for the party?" Joker questioned as he knelt down to face level with the Dark Knight.
"I'm more interested in this party you keep talking about." Batman inquired, only to be backhanded. The impact sending his face reeling before eyes once again locked onto his nemesis.
"No no no, don't make me play bad cop again. You are answering my question." Joker said wagging his finger in disappointment before splitting into a grin. "Come on, I'm trying to strike up a fun conversation but all you want to do is talk about work, work, work!" he whined with a pout on his lips. Despite his best efforts, the Joker could not make him answer a single thing. What were his hobbies besides vigilantism? Did he enjoy long walks on the beach? Did the Batmobile run on regular or diesel? Nothing! "I mean come on! You have your favorite sidekick around again, trying to save papa. It's been what? Forever ago since one of your bats got clipped and- "
"I don't have a favorite." the bluntness of the response was fitting for the deep no-nonsense tone belonging to the protector of Gotham City. "Leave them out of it." he ordered and was met with a tsk tsk tsk.
"Now don't be that way Batman. We can't leave them out of the fun, besides I already sent my own kids out to play with yours! I gotta say, I didn't even realize how hard being a foster dad was until I sprang them out of the testing facility. Handling Robin must have been tough? Ha, try five of them." he said offhandedly while scratching his chin in thought.
All the while Batman merely listened intently. It was difficult to pry much from the clown but he was slowly learning tidbits of info. What particularly caught his attention was the mentioning of the Royal Flush Gang was originally being held in some form of 'testing facility'. That was enough to prompt concern, whether it be private, military, or government. Only the most secure of defenses would be erected to protect metahumans from falling into the wrong hands, and yet the Joker was able to break in and just walk out with five? Bad. Extremely bad news. This was the reason why extreme caution was needed when dealing with this unstable villain. Despite all of Batman's excessive resources, the Joker merely scrapped everything he required together to concoct his sinister operations. So how did he discover children being turned into weapons and then bypass or overwhelm security?
"I trust the field test is going well?" A woman asked, her heels clacking against the hard floor as she approached her associate. The man's eyes remained fixed on the sea of screens detailing every event occurring in Gotham city, refusing to yield to the attention of the woman as she moved to stand next to him.
"All subjects seem to be performing as predicted. The Joker has given each code names based on playing card suits. Declaring them the Royal Flush gang." the man noted running a hand through his dark brown hair that was beginning to show gray on the sides.
"How predictable." the woman noted dryly shaking her head. "We go through the effort to provide him with them and resources, yet that is the best he can come up with?" she inquired.
"It should be noted the fruits of this experiment has yielded." the man pointed out, the remote in his hand clicking while directing attention to several monitors. "First the capture of Batman, then the arrival of the Jump City's Teen Titans to aid the second Robin's attempt to liberate him."
"So? I'm aware of both developments. The Teen Titans are similar in ability to the subjects, they offer no value." the woman pointed out.
"Not all of them may prove so trivial." the man murmured as he nodded to one screen in particular. One showing the building's security footage of Scarlet battling King earlier that evening.
"So…" Jack began, his head freed from his icy prison while the rest remained restrained trapped, with his captors standing right in front of him after they moved him into a nearby parking lot. "Who talks first? Good cop or Bad Cop?" he questioned only to be punched in the face by Red to the point his head stretched comedically due to his elasticity.
"How 'bout we play the game where you talk or I start shoving explosives down your throat to make you talk!" Red snapped, annoyance laced in his voice and frustration visible beneath his mask. A fist raised up ready to strike before being halted by Robin.
"The Joker. Where is he?" the leader of the team's tone while just as serious as his counterpart lacked the apparent anger of the other.
"At the grocery store buying some milk and eggs." the sarcasm was not lost on his enemies as their eyes narrowed oh so slightly. "Come on, we can do this all day, and I still won't tell you a thing."
"Want to bet?" Robin suddenly asked raising a brow while crossing his arms. For someone who -in Jack's eyes- was less of a threat than the pathetic excuse of mentor Robin once followed...what could he do that could break the elastic member of the gang and betray the Joker's whereabouts? Wait why was he motioning for the girl in the blue hooded cloak with the legs to come closer?
What was pulling down her hood going to- OH DEAR GODS IN THE SKY! WHAT. WAS. THAT?! IT WAS AS IF JACK WAS STARING AT THE END OF TIMES ITSELF!
"So where is he?" Raven inquired pulling her hood back up, all the while Beast Boy and Cyborg were snickering at the terrified look on Jack's now trembling face. Oh how they wish they had Scarlet's camera to take a shot of the memorable moment.
"Please, will she be alright?" Starfire asked politely as she figuratively hovered over the medical bed Scarlet laid on. All the while Alfred was holding the unconscious girl's wrist up to check her pulse. While the curious part of her mind did wonder who this older man was and why he was here now unlike the first time. However, that was outweighed for the concern she felt for her new friend and teammate. Hoodie, beanie, and camera all laying off to the side as Scarlet was being checked over medically by this gentleman while Oracle remained in front of the computer system to remain in contact with the others still out in the field of operations.
"Nothing wrong as far as I can detect." Alfred finally replied gently setting his patient's arm back down next to her. "You said she was in a fire, yet I cannot find any burns or injuries. Pulse and breathing are normal. I suspect she is unconscious due to the shock, or possibly put into a temporary comatose state by this 'friend' of hers to heal." Alfred deduced while referring to Toxin, or at least the vague understanding he had of the Symbiote.
"Then, do you know when she will wake?" Starfire's next question was filled with more sadness at the idea of someone she knew being in a coma for an indefinite period. Scarlet first joined, her and Toxin had disclosed the weaknesses the latter possessed out of their own choice. Primarily his idea to help ease the others into trusting him and prepare for another encounter against Venom and Carnage. To think that the two, Starfire considered friends were caught inside an inferno…the alien creature had shown how painful it was when he mindlessly fled down a street while ablaze.
"I do not, however I can say this." Alfred mused as he moved next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Be strong for her and have faith." the words were simple, yet the way the man said it caused a sense of calmness to wash over Starfire's body in that moment as he looked at her with those wise eyes.
"Thank you, it is nice to see Robin had someone like you here." she replied with a small smile prompting the butler to return it with a chuckle. Turning to leave a thought dawned on her. "Wait, if I may ask. What is your name?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Alfred countered and could swear he saw a question mark appear over her head in confusion. "I am the REAL Batman." he declared and paused watching as the gears started to turn in the Tamaraneans' brain before realization dawned, then was accompanied by a fit of giggles.
"No one is ever going to buy that." Oracle said over her shoulder as her fingers typed away at the keyboard in front of her. With attention returning to the woman in the wheelchair, Starfire floated over towards the computer system as she tried to decipher what exactly was occurring.
"Someone will someday." Alfred noted with a sly smirk as he took his leave and ascended the staircase leading out of the cave.
"They were able to find the hideout from that Jack guy," Oracle began without waiting for the obvious question. "I was about to contact GCPD to take Jack into custody before Robin advised against it. Wanted to make sure he wasn't lying or luring them into a trap." she explained as her fellow redhead merely nodded.
"That is good…" Starfire said softly as she looked at the girl around her age. "May I ask you a question Oracle?" she said after several seconds of awkward silence consisting of keys being tapped and bats echoing throughout the cavern systems.
"No we aren't and never were a thing, if you're interested in him." the direct statement and the smile that followed were much to Oracle's shock lost to the Tamaranean. Instead Starfire generally looked confused at the words. Ok the handicapped teen was going to chalk that one up as cultural differences between her planet and Starfire's.
"No, I uh...I wanted to ask...why did Robin leave?" The question made Oracle's shoulders sag a bit as she turned her chair to face Starfire directly. A finger pointed up at the line of costumes on display behind glass.
"Remember how Toxin figured out that was mine? Once upon a time I wasn't always like this." Oracle explained motioning down to her wheelchair. "I use to be out there with him and Batman, but as Batgirl." she said with a smile as she leaned back in her seat in memory. "I started out on my own originally, busting thugs with my meager tools, martial arts I learned at the local dojo, and my library's worth of knowledge. Wasn't before long I attracted some attention." she said with a small laugh and a wry smile.
"The Bat-man and Robin?" Starfire asked rhetorically mispronouncing the former unintentionally. "What was he like back then?" the next question flew out faster than she would have liked. The opportunity to learn more about the Boy Wonder at an earlier age was too irresistible at the moment and cost her, her composure as a result.
"An annoying brat." Oracle noted pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Watching amusingly at the slight startelement her words caused before continuing. "They cornered me in the park one evening, Batman was straight to the point demanding why I was running around with his symbol on my chest. While Robin? Oh he was so smug for a thirteen year old, saying he could beat me because I was a girl." she said letting the words sink in for a moment. Watching the sheer confusion now filling Starfire's face.
"That does not sound like Robin at all." she muttered as her mind could not compute such boasting from someone she considered a close friend. Her first friend since coming to this planet, it was that kind of thinking she expected from...them. Thoughts returning to the reason she had arrived on Earth were quickly quelled as she returned her attention to the story.
"Well he mellowed after I kicked his butt that night, while Batman himself watched. If it wasn't for Robin, I would have probably never ended up on his good side." Oracle revealed.
"How?" the Tamaranean was hanging onto every word being spoken, eager to learn more.
"He put in a good word for me, smuggled some proper gear like grapplers, batarangs, and smoke bombs to use, and then finally even straight up told his own teacher I would be a big help." Oracle explained before her eyes softened a bit behind her glasses. "He believed in me, and I hurt him…" the words while audible were but a whisper as they left. "Starfire can I ask you something? Have you had a bond with someone? A close someone that you would do anything for, only to find out they did something behind your back that hurt worse than any physical wound.
"Yes...I do." An image of Blackfire flashed through her mind as she answered. The joy she first felt over being reunited with her older sister on Earth, only for a sense of bitterness to replace it when she learned her sibling's true intentions to betray her.
"I'm sorry," Oracle said with a small bow of her head before lifting the hem of her shirt up to reveal her abdomen. "Do you see it?" the small scar near the center of her stomach was easily identifiable. Sign of an injury that had long since healed but left evidence of its occurrence. "Batman and Robin were beginning to grow distant with one another. It was growing volatile and this was the last straw…" she said dropping the gripped fabric in hand to conceal her damaged skin once more.
"Oracle, did Starfire arrive with Scarlet?" Robin's voice over the computer's built in comm line drew both girl's attention as they turned to the screen. An image of the Titans plus Red appearing on the monitor.
"Copy that Robin, she's here with me now. Scarlet is fine but, still out." Oracle responded, her voice once more back to its professional tone.
"Well we can't wait. Star, she'll be safe in the cave but, I need you back out here. We're close to the Joker's hideout in the East End and we'll need all the help we can get." Robin's ordered turning his communicator to reveal an aged television station with armed thugs patrolling the perimeter.
"I am on my way." Starfire said clasping her hands together with a small bow. Her head still trying to process the new information she learned about her friend, while more troubling questions arose. Ones that would have to wait until the mission's completion it would seem. With the transmission cut off, she turned back to Oracle and nodded before turning towards the aerial exit.
"You know he's lucky." Oracle suddenly spoke up, pausing the Titan's departure. "Robin's lucky to have friends like you around." she said as Starfire smiled genuinely back with a nod before rocketing out of the cave and back towards Gotham.
"So how many are we dealing with?" Raven asked, while one hand was outstretched towards Jack, keeping him contained with her powers. Whom was struggling in vain to escape from his arcane confinement, stretching and contorting his body continuously while muffled screams of frustration could be heard through the magic shield.
"Eight, all armed with assault rifles and sidearms. I see a docking bay door that we could use to get in, but it's locked up." Robin explained while peering down at the television station through a set of electronic binoculars. While Red crouched on one knee looking at the scene himself.
"If we can believe Jack there are more inside, with the rest of his crew, the Joker, and Batman himself. Which means we have to be quiet" Red mused tapping his index finger against the knee it rested on as he mulled over the situation. "Hey what about that vent system up on the roof?" he said snapping his fingers towards the point of interest.
"That could work, but it's too small for most of us. Not for you though Beast Boy." Robin said turning to their green teammate. Whom grinned and without word shifted into the form of a small bird and darted off towards the roof.
"While we wait for him to open the docking bay door. How do you feel about passing some time with them?" Red asked pointing down at the Joker thugs still on patrol.
"That's all you, Raven and I will figure out something a little more permanent to hold Jack in the meantime." Cyborg spoke waving the two Robins off as he turned towards their teammate and captive.
"After you then fearless leader." Red said ushering for Robin to leap off first before following after him. As the pair landed on the ground, they crept along the shadows towards the enemy's makeshift stronghold. Cloaked in silence their training in stealth proved greater than the alertness of the small time street thugs. Robin took the first down with ease, approaching from behind and grasping the man in a headlock to cut off air until unconsciousness was inevitable. Red showed less finesse with his takedown, sweeping the man's feet out from under him, then a fist to the face breaking his nose and sending him into the land of sleep.
While atop the roof, the changeling had exchanged the form of a bird in favor of a rodent. Slipping in between the metal grating and into the ventilation shaft, his small paws rumbled against the metal as he delved deeper into the den of the lion passing through vents that offered glimpses of the operation within.
"So you got beat by a little girl with some fancy flips and rope shooting out her hands? HAHAHAHA!" the booming laughter of Ten caught Beast Boy's attention as he approached the opening that overlooked the break room where the man and his two fellow teammates lounged about. "Oh that is rich, what next? You can't beat a guy on stilts-," he continued only to have a laser blast from King destroy the can of soda he was holding but a moment ago.
"Oh really, well how did your fight with the walking vacuum go? Bad? Well then which sucks more, you or him?" King taunted rising from his seat as Ten flipped the table between them out of the way.
"You wanna go princess?! Ten shouted with fists clenched while King had his scepter pointed at his chest.
"Calm down boys, it doesn't matter now." Queen sighed boredly as she laid on the couch off to the side. Idly flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine before throwing it off the side as her slender form slid into an upright position. "Could be worse, you could have ended up like Jack." She scoffed.
"Ha true enough." King noted lowering his weapon. "He was always the dumbest that's for sure." That was all Beast Boy heard as he pressed on, heading deeper within the complex.
"So Grif you heard the news?" a goon casually asked his accomplice as they stood within the docking bay.
"No, so what Simmons?" Grif asked uninterested.
"Joker's supposed to have a new vehicle being worked on somewhere else in town. A guy said the boss got it when he sprang the kids out." Simmons revealed unaware of the green mouse falling into the room from the grate behind them.
"Big deal. He just captured the Batman and you're wanting to gossip about some car he just got? Who cares?! I don't see why everyone is making a big deal out of him capturing the guy what the seventeenth time anyway! I just want to get off the clock, go home, prop my feet up on the couch, and have some-," Grif was interrupted from his annoyed rant by the tapping of a finger on his and Simmons shoulders. Turning around both men would catch sight of a large green gorilla standing before them. "…Oreos." It was the last thing he was able to say before his head was slammed into Simmons and both were tossed off to the side.
"So that's eight right?" Red asked cracking his neck while dusting himself off, watching as Robin dropped a thug onto the ground without a second thought. "So final count is what? I got five you got three?" he asked as they strolled towards the metal door.
"Pretty sure it was even," Raven said dryly as she and Cyborg approached the pair. All the while the latter with a pout was handing the former five dollars.
"Were you betting on us?" Robin asked slightly amused at the exchange between the two.
"We had to find something else to do after we took care of Jack." Cyborg said with a shrug.
"Speaking of which, where is he?" Red inquired looking around after noticing his absence.
"Currently taking a spell induced nap while tied in a double knot to a light pole the next street over." Raven said casually as the docking bay door began to rumble and ascend.
"Behold the master of doors! Beast Boy!" the individual behind the door announced triumphantly, flexing his nonexistent muscles.
"Friends!" Starfire shouted as she descended upon the TV station and landing next to the team. "I am glad you are still well while I was away." She said with a smile.
"Well now that everyone is here, shall we go put an end to this nonsense?" Red asked while gesturing to the building with both hands.
"Not all of us." Starfire murmured with a frown as her mind went to Scarlet still comatose within the Batcave.
"Stay sharp, the Joker is somewhere inside and who knows what he is-" Robin spoke as the group moved past the docking bay and through a hall, only to come upon the office area filled with thugs. All of whom focused their gaze on the group of teenagers being led by the two teens sharing the same identity their boss told them to keep an eye out for. "-planning."
"Why didn't you mention seeing this?" Red demanded pointing first at Beast Boy then at the crowd of enemies before them.
"Uh..didn't notice them?" Beast Boy said shrugging in apology towards his comrades.
"Titans go!" Robin yelled drawing his staff from his belt and extending it to full length. With all six teens charging forward the room descended into a state of battle.
"How many guys does the Joker have?" Cyborg said over the sound of his fists slamming into the skull of a thug unfortunate enough to get in his way.
"They're a dime a dozen. Haven't you ran into this back home?!" Red shouted as the man twice his size flailed in vain to escape the sleeper hold he was in.
"The quality is just the same if it's any comfort." Raven said launching a group with a powerful telekinetic blast with her soul self.
"Doesn't matter! Push through!" Robin said slamming one end of his staff into a foe before swinging the opposite end into another.
Starbolts, birdarangs, various animal forms, metal fists, and magic paved the way through these ordinary humans with little difficulty. One by one the small army fell in their wake, the door leading to the broadcasting room coming closer and closer within range. They were so close, their mission was nearing its end. Both apprentices to the Caped Crusaders kicked the door off its hinges clean.
*CLAP*
*CLAP*
*CLAP*
"Well. Well. Well. It's about time." The Joker clapped with slow enthusiasm as he sat on a stool in the middle of the room with the other three members of the Royal Flush Gang on both sides of him. While right next to his legs sat a figure reading a large book that obscured the figure from view. With cameras manned and focused on the Teen Titans as they stood within the threshold, their bodies tensed as they eyed the Clown Prince of Crime.
"Where's Batman." Robin demanded cutting through the silence as the clown mockingly acted as if he was taken back by the words.
"Sheesh you leave for a couple of months and look, your already sounding more like that guy. Guess that's why you always been the REAL Robin." Joker spoke so casually but grinned as he saw Red near attempt to charge forward but was blocked by the 'real' one. "Speaking of which, all we are missing now out of the Bat-Family is Batgirl...oh wait!" he realized tapping his hand against his forehead. "That's right she's not exactly walking much these days after...well you know." he added as he made the gesture of a gun firing.
Starfire's eyes immediately widened in realization as her mind replayed events just earlier that evening. The scar Oracle had, the mention of how it was the final act that forced Robin and Batman apart. Right then and there she understood it all. The Joker was responsible for everything.
"Enough! Surrender now or I'll break every bone in your body!" Robin snapped, the fury and rage in his words was unrestrained. Old memories and emotions accompanying them had been brought to the surface. A state none of the Teen Titans, nor even Red himself thought he was capable of displaying.
"Ok." Joker said without missing a beat as he rose up from his seat. "First you already met King, Queen, and Ten. There is still one more member of the Royal Flush Gang you need to meet Isn't that right Ace? Say hello to our guests."
Slowly the book was closed shut and sat in the figure's lap. Revealing a young girl with short black hair and dressed in an outfit of the same playing card gimmick. It was the eyes however that drew the group of heroes in. Eyes that seemed to swallow everything in its wake like a blackhole. Staring into an empty void, unable to look away. An endless sense of loss, winding down an endless tunnel. Feeling as if that stare made the ground become unstable like walking on ice. It even felt as if those eyes were affecting their senses of hearing as the Joker's laughter sounded as if wool was pulled over their ears suddenly. Just like that, the prey had fallen into the Joker's trap.
"Good girl Ace." the villain said patting the girl on the head as she once again opened her book back up and resumed reading. While on the floor the Teen Titans laid in a trance like state, thanks to the psychic abilities she possessed. All thanks to merely making eye contact with the youngest member of the Royal Flush Gang.
"So what now J-Man?" Ten asked crouching down and waving his hand in front of the Titan's faces.
"Now we get ready to put on a show." The Joker spoke excitedly with a grin that stretched to his ears with sinister intent.
Dead: Welp things have gone from bad to worse now. All of the Titans are captured, Scarlet is currently out cold, secret groups plotting, and the Joker is winning. With things spiraling out of control it's up to the lone spider to try and save her friends. Jinx before the reviews give us some dramatic music please.
Jinx: Dun dun dun! Onto the reviews!
Antex-The Legendary Zorax: He be planning eviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil! *says in Mermaid Man voice*
Hexal: I can see some of it happening and in another universe DP would be either saluting or getting mad for the mock interpretation lol. Toxin has been shown to be clingy to his hosts in canon unlike grandpa Venom. So yeah that protection of Scarlet can happen.
riptidedarkphoneix: Here you go!
Colonel-Sheep-29: Appreciate the opinion, I mentioned this in a response to a past review. Scarlet's relationship will happen eventually but it's going to take time. Jinx and I are wanting to make sure we do this without making her look like wish fulfillment and that her finding someone will make sense to not only her character but the other one as well.
Next time, tune in for the televised matchs sponsored by the Joker himself, Scarlet vs. The Royal Flush Gang! Toxin vs. Ace! And finally the Killing Joke….
