Chapter Eleven

The Joker

'Steal vs. Steal' proclaimed the headline of the Daily Planet article. Despite the fact that it had been days since the battle at Metropolis Universality, the cities news television and newspaper had both seem eager to run every photograph they had taken during the fight. The current one being used by the Daily Planet was a shot of Superwoman and Metallo locked in a struggle of strength. Fists and claws grasping and straining against eachother, forever frozen in the time.

Claire Kent tossed the newspaper down on her desk leaning back into the chair. But still her eyes remained locked on the photo, on Superwoman, on her own determined face. Jaw set, eyes unwavering no sign of the shock and horror she had been feeling during the fight. Shock at the realisation of what this man, this human had become. A twisted mockery of life.

Claire's eyes flicked to Metallo's image. His glowing digitised eyes seemed to burn even in the grainy photo. The horror she had felt, or maybe it was more fear. Fear as to what this metal man would do if she didn't stop him. What his strength and disregard for human life would cause. Plus the weaken effect she had felt just being near him, as his Kryptonite heart drained away her strength.

It was a fight that could have gone completely different if not for the timely intervention or rather distraction caused by Lois Lane.

"You know, you even if you stare at that photo all day it isn't going to change," Lois commented from her own desk across from Claire's, fingers flying on her keyboard not even looking up from her own work. "I had to listen to my Dad all night last night. Since the attack on the prison transport, he's been convince that Superwoman's presence here is an invitation to that kind of thing. Plus the whole Metallo thing, the General is not happy. I'm still hoping that he'll warm to the big blue soon though."

"You took a risk," Claire said finally looking across at the other reporter.

"What risk," Lois asked, flashing a half smile, "You gonna have to narrow it down. I've taken a few."

"That day, at the Universality, when you went to help Supewoman." Claire said quietly. She was having trouble holding the mask of a concerned friend over a thankful but worried hero.

"What? You won't have done the same?" Lois question shotting Claire a frown, "The woman has been protecting and helping people since she got here. She got into a fight that was getting pretty bad, she needed help. Of course I was going to do something."

Claire felt a rush of warmth and appreciation for the other woman. Despite that fact she had been worried when Lois had shown up during the fight, the truth remained. She had no idea how the fight would have gone without her.

"I have to go," Lois said, grabbing her handbag, "Got some things I need to do. See you later."

"See you," Claire echoed watching Lois walk off towards the elevators, before adding softly. "And thank you."

#*#

"Wakey, wakey," Sung a cheerful voice, as Marcus Vale jerked awake with a wash of ice cold water. He seized against the bonds holding him, snorting he shook his water logged hair from his face. A muffled sound escaped him, catching in the tape stuck across his month. A wild glance around, allowed him to take in his surrounds. It looked like some kind of factory, a smelting plant. Marcus could make out the large chimneys through the broken glass skylight. The whole place look like it had seen better days. However the fact Marcus was more concerned about, was the fact he was tied to a chair. Also he had no idea how he got here.

"Goodmorning sunshine!" The same jolly voice called, and Marcus turned the look. He was sure his stomach hit the ground, given the dropping feeling in his gut. He remembered how he got here now.

The Joker stood before him tossing a water bucket over his shoulder, all the while smiling widely. Marcus Vale had been born and raised in Metropolis, but still he had heard about this man. The clown of crime, or chaos depending on who you asked. He was one of the most dangerous people alive. Completely human, completely unpredictable, completely ruthless, completely and utterly insane.

Marcus really, really wished he had stayed in Metropolis now. He'd trade Superwoman for this any day.

Joker dusted off his purple gloved hands, and opened his arms in a welcoming gesture.

"Welcome, welcome to our quaint cosy little base," The Jokers red painted lips twisted his gaunt white face into a large, yellow teeth filled smile. "It's so rare for us to have guests hehe. Invited or otherwise." He dropped his arms, and adjusted his purple outfit. The suit was tailored to fit his tall, thin lanky frame.

"But I do hope you can answer a question for us," Joker cheerfully asked, he gestured to someone off to the side. "I'm afraid your friends, were not that helpful."

Two clown mask thugs approached dragging a body each, without a word they dropped the bodies on the ground between Joker and Marcus. Vale could only stare dumbly, he recognised them as the men he had fled Metropolis with. The ones that had been with him, when they had found Jokers lair. He also recognised what had happened to them.

Painfully wide grins stretched across their faces, pulling check muscles into unnatural positions. There glassy eye's bulging from their sockets. Joker Toxin. It was as well-known as the Joker himself, due to it being his weapon of choice. Breathing in its gas form would lead to uncontrollable laugher, followed by keeling over with that smile twisting your face. It would ether kill you on the spot, or make you spend the rest of your life wishing it had.

From the looks of things the group of the ground had gotten the lethal one. Marcus was moving why past terrified now.

He really should have stayed in Metropolis.

"So, go on explain yourself." Joker encouraged, waiting for Marcus to begin. Except he had seemed to forget or overlook the fact that he had ordered the man's mouth taped shut. All Marcus could do was stare wide eyed, breath rushing loudly through his nose. One of the clown masked men stepped forward and ripped the tape away. Mouth finally free Marcus did the one thing had never thought he would, he screamed for Superwoman. Or at least he tried.

"Supe….." A hand clapped over Marcus mouth, shutting off the cry.

"Nah uh," Said Jokers thug, "No cries for Superwoman today."

"Who?" The Joker said actually looking confused.

"You know boss," A thug off to the side said, a short fellow wearing a bowler hat and pinstripe suit. "That super power broad in Metropolis. You know the one with the big," His hands moved to cup up in front of his chest. He looked unsure for a seconded on how he would finish, before he settled on. "The big S."

"Oh!" Joker exclaimed, "The blue bird flying girl." His hands came up to his shoulders, where he fluttered them like wings. Then something else accorded to him, and he threw his head back in dismay. "Oh, not another one! Do you know how many people I've bumped into fleeing Metropolis?!" All cheerfulness fled from his face and voice, as blood shot eyes glared at Marcus. "That's what happened yes? You got scared of the big bad flying blue bird and ran away."

Marcus mindful of the hand still clamped over his mouth could only nod.

"Geez you really need to man up," Joker said, another laugh escaping him. "And besides what did you do the trick her off? What if she comes her chasing after you? The Bat is enough to deal with. Even if he does need a sense of humour."

Marcus glanced up at the man covering his mouth, and with a slow movement the hand was removed. Licking his lips Marcus explained. His brother, Metallo and finally the Kryptonite.

"Ohhhh you found her weakness," Joker sung, grinning wildly. "That could be fun." He looked thoughtful for a seconded. That was one of the scariest things about the Joker. No matter how insane he was, he was also very smart, and never without a plan.

"Harley!" He called, voice ringing, "Bring the car around. We're going shopping."

"Okay Mister J," The red and blue clad woman said appearing at Jokers side, snapping into a salute. Her heavy Brooklyn accent filling each and every word. She faltered for a seconded, hand dropping slightly. "Err what are we shoppin' for Mister J?"

"You'll see," Joker said turning away, as he moved off he glanced at his thugs. With a gesture to Marcus he ordered simply, "Kill him."

A/N – Tell me what you think ok, if anyone is this reading this lol. Sorry for the delay, my muse went on holiday without me.

So that why it's so short. More of a bridging chapter, I'm sorry about that. I didn't realise how hard it is the write the Joker.

Just so you know I am leaning definitely towards Batman/Superwoman pairing. However as I said before, I'm not the best romantic writer. I can pull off UST, but that's usually not intentional lol. But I'm too much of Batman fan not to at least try it. I have also gone on a huge Green Arrow/Oliver Queen kick too, blame Arrow I do.

Random question, who do you think would win in a fight? Buffy or Batman?