Deadshot carried Batman on his back as he climbed the ladder and hoisted himself up out of the manhole, followed by Harley and Ivy. When they were all out, the road gave way and collapsed. They jumped out of the way and Batman went rolling a few yards from Deadshot. Several cars fell through the crater, and Batman could hear the cries of people in panic. He attempted to stand but his legs wouldn't budge and his world went dark.

Harley turned to him, glaring daggers into Batman's face. She launched at him bit Ivy jumped on her, tackling her down to the ground.

Harley looked up at her, her eyes unfocused and she squinted as if she were trying to see who Ivy was. "My head hurts. My stomach hurts. My legs hurt. Can I go lay down?"

Deadshot looked around, already hearing the sound of sirens in the distance. "Fuck!" he shouted. He looked at Batman, not knowing if he was even alive. "We got to leave them."

"What?!"

"We have to! Ambulances are coming. We got to go!"

"Deadshot!"

Deadshot looked at her pleading expression. His face twisted with aggravation and he growled. "Fuck!"

Harly stood up and tried to speak, but what came out was nonesence. "Gel gem fur." and she shook her head, closing her mouth.

Ivy wasn't a Doctor, but she was sure Harly was getting worse. If this was a tumor, then it was bad. Harley lied her head on Ivy's shoudler and held onto her, feeling her world spinning beneath her.

Deadshot walked over to Harley and kneeled to pick her up, however, before he could do so, Killer Croc jumped from the crater and landed hard right in front of them. His body was dark with bruises, a layer of dust from the concrete powered his scales. His face was so swollen he could hardly see out of his eyes. They all looked at him in horror. Deadshot reached for his handgun but Croc swiped him away with his large arm, sending Deadshot hurtling into a building wall across the street. Ivy gasped and held tightly onto Harley. Croc grabbed Ivy by her hair and picked her up. Ivy screamed and tried to call for help but Deadshot was knocked out and Harley was on the ground, barely coherent. Croc opened his mouth, baring his sharp yellow teeth at her. She could smell his putrid breath and she coughed, scrunching her nose up in disgust.

"You're going to have to try harder than that!" he hissed and he bit down on her face. Ivy screamed as she felt his teeth tearing at her flesh. She was only set free when Croc threw his head back screeching with pain. The GCPD had arrived and were shooting freely at his back. Croc turned and roared at them before picking Harley up in one arm, and running to Batman to hoist him up over his shoulder with the other. He ran through an alleyway and by the time the police made it to the corner, Croc had disappeared.

Joker watched Alfred as he dozed off to sleep. Poor man. Always on his feet, so busy, with all the stress at his age. It was taking its toll. There they sat in the library as Alfred was telling stories of Bruce's childhood. When he lost his first tooth, when he rode his first bike, when he told his first lie. It was wonderful to hear and it felt wonderful for Alfred to tell. He was happy to think back to the old days when Bruce was happy and innocent. His eyes drooped as he chuckled at the memory of Bruce in his toddler years. Alfred had taken him out for a walk in the gardens and Bruce stopped and flopped down onto his butt. Alfred will never forget the shriek that came from Bruce as he picked up a little worm and held it with his pointer finger and thumb. Alfred spun around and smiled with relief when he saw what he had.

"Careful now." he said to the boy.

Bruce smiled up at him and put the worm on the palm of his hand. It wiggled and left a mud trail down his palm, but he didn't mind. He loved what he saw. That was until it was snatched in a flash by a dark raven. Snatched right from his hand. He blinked a few times, and Alfred stood there, waiting for the sobbing. But it didn't come. Bruce sat there a few more moments in silents, staring wide eyed at his palm then finally in the direction the bird had left; then he looked up at Alfred in question. Alfred kneeled down next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Their conversation began to blur as he faded into sleep. He was just so damn tired.

Joker smiled at Alfred and waited a few more minutes before standing up and placing a kiss on his forehead. "Sleep tight Al. You deserve it."

Joker skipped over to the light switch and flipped it off before leaving the room. It was than he noticed that the dawn was approaching and he couldn't help the tinge of worry tugging at him. Running a hand through his hair, he arched back a bit, cracking his bones and rubbing his neck. Joker breathed in a big sigh and debated going back to bed. He hated not being part of the action. Not knowing what was going on. It was driving him crazy. He needed to know if Batman was alright.

It was then Alfred's cell rung from his pocket and he woke with a start. He grabbed his phone and flipped it open, answering with a quick Hello.

It was Lucius. He hadn't heard from him in quite a while.

"Lucius? Slow down. . . No I haven't . . what?! It can't be!" Alfred launched from his chair and ran down the hall into the main room where he turned on the tv. Joker felt a panic run through him and he chased after.

"What is it?" he asked, but Alfred shushed him.

A woman appeared on the tv with a mic in her hand. She was tall with chocolate skin and short kinky hair. Her dark red lipstick matched the red leather jacket she wore. Her eyes were filled with concern as she spoke, behind her the road was in ruin. Cars were parked at the other side of the gaping hole and people seemed to be panicking.

"I have an eye witness report here." said the woman urgently. Another woman came into view of the camera. She was much shorter with dark blue eyes and blond hair put up in a messy bun.

"It was terrible." she stated. She shook and wrapped her arms around herself. "The road just gave in all of a sudden, and the cars ahead of me fell right through. I almost did too. I stomped on my brakes and the person behind me rear ended me. Luckily I didn't have my daughter with me. Oh gosh it was terrible. You could hear the people screaming from below. The ones that were still alive."
The reporter put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a warm look, as if to tell her it would be okay.

"Can you tell me what you saw after?" she asked gently.

The other woman wiped at her eyes and sniffled. "Then when I thought it couldn't get any worse, that monster comes out of the ground. That Crocodile guy."

"Killer Croc?"

"Yes. . . Him."

"Could you tell us what he did?"

"Well, I couldn't really see from where I was but he . . . it looked like he took a bite out of someone. Then there was shooting and it got so loud. He took off and I think he had others with him. I am not sure though one of them looked like Batman. But again, I couldn't really see from where I was. I can't be sure."

"Did you see where they went?"

"Not sure. I think they went through an ally but, Everyone was screaming and running around. I lost sight of them and hid myself under my car. It was so scary." stated the woman on the verg of another sobbing fit.

"Thank you for your courage in telling us what you saw." said the reporter and she gave her an indulgent smile before turning to someone off screen. "Can we get her some water please?!"

The woman went off camera leaving the reporter alone. "There you have it. Our first eye witness of the night. We have heard that Floyd Lawton, aka Deadshot, was captured by the GCPD and taken into custody with a head injury. Pamela Isley aka Poison Ivy was found in critical condition, and is being taken to a secret location. As for the Batman, we have no information on if he was actually here or not and we do not have Killer Crocs wareabouts. This is Asha Bringston reporting live urging you to stay vigilant and keep yourself safe from the monster that stalks the sewers. Hopefully Batman is okay."

Both Alfred and Joker stood there in silence, their minds going completely blank till Alfred turned the tv off and stared at Joker. Joker looked at him in return, his brows raised with concern. They both had the same question to ask but neither wanted to ask it. It was Joker who went first.

"Do you think he is okay?"

"It's Batman. He is always okay."

"And Bruce?"

Alfred looked too nervous to be any help.

"If that salamander has done anything to my Bruce," hissed Joker, "I swear, I will kill him!"

Alfred put the phone back to his ear, almost forgetting Lucius was still on the other end. "Meet us in twenty minutes at the high east side of Amusement mile."

Alfred hung up and stared seriously at Joker. "Let's go."

Joker felt happy that Alfred didn't even think twice to ask for his help and he nodded with a smile as they headed to the Batcave for some supplies.

Twenty minutes later they arrived at their destination, parking the Batpod just outside the allway entering into the crime scene. There was a large hole in the ground just in front of them, torn from the asphalt, blood streaked along the edge. There was caution tape all around the hole and a detour sign about 100 yards ahead, but no police.

Joker unraveled his arms from around Alfred and threw a leg over the side to get down. He laughed with pure excitement and adrenaline. "That was fantastic!" he shouted and threw his head back to laugh. Lucius looked at him in shock. He took note of the bat gadgets he held on a black belt wrapped around his hips.

"What is he doing here?"

"Don't worry about him." said Alfred. "I'm guessing he went this way."

"I would say so. The lid of the manhole is clear over there. I took the liberty of investagating our crime scene."

Alfred stared into the hole for a moment. "How bad is it?"

"Follow me." said Lucius and he lead the two through the bloody ally way. Alfred tried to ignore the thoughts knocking at the back of his mind. Joker looked at him and saw the strain in his eyes and grabbed his hand with a smile. Alfred let go and walked ahead. At the end of the ally, he looked in with great concern at the chaos of people. There were rescuers climbing down into the crater and coming back out with people on their backs, holding on for dear life. Well, the ones that were alive. They were about fifty yards off, hiding inside the ally way so they wouldn't get caught.

"Has he been with you guys this whole time? You didn't even tell me." stated Lucius, refering back to Joker.

"There is a lot we need to catch up on."

"Tell me about it." said Lucius clearly upset that he was kept out of the loop. "I was speaking to one of the officers and he said this is the spot Killer Croc was last spotted. He came down this ally and disappeared."

"Of course he did." stated Alfred exasperated.

"What do we do?" asked Lucius.

Joker looked down the ally way and he walked through it, back the way they came. Just outside of the ally where him and Alfred had entered, he crossed the sidewalk and onto the street stopping right at the hole and looked down and smiled. "Follow the lizard to his home. The pigs obviously were too pussy to go in themselves." he said with a laugh.

"Yes, I was going to bring this to attention." said Alfred, ignoring the last comment.

"Let's dive in." said Joker with a smile.

"With what?" asked Lucius. "Anyone bring rope and a flash light? We need a plan."

"Come on Lucy. Going in unaware is half the fun." state Joker, the smile still plastered on his face.

"Tell me why you felt the need to bring him again?"

Alfred let out a sigh. "We need a plan."

"Easy. Find Croc, kill him, then save Batman."

"Good, but perhaps in more detail."

"We seriously taking him?" asked Lucius.

"Seriously." said Alfred, locking eyes with him.

"Don't worry now um. . ." Joker threw an arm around Lucius's shoulder and stared off out in the distance trying to remember his name. Was he even told his name? Yeah Alfred mentioned it but what the hell was it? Lucy right? He said Lucy. It's got to be Lucy.

"Lucius." said Alfred under his breath.

"Lucius! I am one of the good guys now. A boneafied hero."

"Mmm-mmm."
"It would be good to know what state Killer Croc was in. How much damage he took." stated Alfred.

"Well, there is only one way to find out." stated Joker and he jumped into the manhole. He landed hard on his feet, alomst rolling into the sewage. Alfred and Lucius took the ladder that still seemed to be intact. Croc muct have jumped in without using it, which would be easy for him. After getting down into the sewer, Alfred took a cloth from his jacket and placed it over his mouth and nose.

"Which way we going? I dont want to sound like a coward, but spliting up doesn't sound like a very good idea." stated Lucius.

"Don't worry buddy, we won't let you go it alone." said Joker with a smile. "Let's go this way."

"Hold on. We can't just chance it. Do you know where Crocs favorite places are down here?" asked Lucius.

Joker scoffed. "No. I have no idea. I don't hang with the likes of him. If anyone would know, Harley would. They got that pathetic little squad thing." said Joker waving his hand as if to wave away the indignity.

"Did anyone bother to bring a flashlight?" asked Lucius.

Alfred reached into his coat pocket and pulled out three night vision goggles and passed them around, then reached into his other pocket and pulled out a small device. It was one of the handful of forensic scanners Bruce kept on a shelf in his Batcave. Knowing Killer Croc and his obsessiveness with the sewers, Alfred had enough sense to bring it. He turned it on and faced it to the ground. To the right he saw nothing, but to the left the scanner immediately picked up the blood trail. Deeper down the walkway they went, following the blood till the walkway turned a corner and the trail ended.

"They must have past here and into the water." said Alfred with strain. If Bruce had open wounds, this sewage would poison him.

"Let's cross then." said Joker and he took Batman's zipline launcher from his belt and pointed it across the room to the wall ahead. Alfred put a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes. "Don't leave us behind."

Joker smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it." He pushed the trigger with a menacing grin and with a big jerk the line launched and in a blink it was ready to go. Joker zoomed to the other side, laughing all the while. When he landed, Joker didn't turn to Alfred or Lucius. He pushed a button on the line launcher and it retracted the rope.

"Joker!" shouted Alfred. "What are you doing?!"

"That Bastard reptile is going to die for what he has done. I am not going to let your good views and angelic ways save him from me."

"You can do whatever you want to that Monster! I need to get to Bruce!"

"No! If anything happened to you then Bruce would never forgive me! Go get help. That Gordon fellow."

"He'll arrest you on sight."

"I don't care!"

Their argument was cut short by a haunting echo that froze them all in their spots. A terrifying roar came followed by a scream almost deafening their ears. It was Harley's. It was hard to tell exactly where the echoes were coming from but Joker had a pretty good idea. Without another word to Alfred or Lucius, he sprinted around the corner and deeper into the echoing screams. He couldn't hear Alfred screaming at him anymore.

Alfred searched through the gadgets he had brought to find anything that could help. When he found nothing he stood and looked across the way. Of course he should have brought something else. Joker held most of the gadgets considering Joker was younger and stronger.

"Lucius. Get Commisioner Gordon here. Only him."

"What?"

"I have to save my boy." and with that Alfred took off in a sprint. Lucius eyes went wide and he distinctively put a hand out to catch him but missed. Alfred, with all his strength, launched from one side of the sewage, and landed inside, just missing the walkway ahead. It swallowed him whole, filling his ears and nose. He pushed through, swimming to the top and to the walkway, hoisting himself up. Pain sky rocketed through his knee and he heard it clicking as he hoisted himself up. He wasn't so young anymore. Stunts like that wasn't easy. He didn't want to think. He didn't want to breath. He just ran, following the echoes of Jokers heels, and Harleys screams.

Joker ran through tunnels his chest burning as it had been quite some time since he did any physical activity like this, (not counting all their love making).

The screaming was getting so loud now. He was drowning in it. His brain felt like it was exploding.

"Shut up Harley! Just shut up!" he shouted into the darkness, and then, he was there. Killer Croc was hunched over spilling blood from his mouth. Harley held Batman in her lap on the walkway just 10 yards ahead.

"What the fuck did you get me into Harley?!" growled Killer Croc, his voice harsh.

Harley trembled. "I swear Croc, I don't remember what's going on."

"What the fuck is the matter with you!" he screamed.

"I don't know!" Harley squeaked. She held tighter onto Batman, like a child holding onto their parent for safety. Batman was unconsious. Joker couldn't quite tell how bad a state he was in. Killer Croc stood and grabbed Harley by her face, lifting her up off the ground. Batman slid off her lap, his head banging against the floor.

"I thought we were in this together, then you send not only Batman, but Ivy and Deadshot too!"

"I was . . . I . ." Harley could hardley get a word out between sobs. "My head hurts!"

"I would say so. I am crushing it. Too bad your Ivy isn't here to see you die! Even if she was here, I tore her face off, so she wouldn't be able to see anyway."

Harley tried to gasp, but his palm shut her up as his grip around her face tightend. She began to hear her own skull cracking. "It was nice knowing you slut!"

Joker pointed the line launcher at Killer Croc and shot, peircing him through the left side just below his armpit. Harley dropped from Killer Crocs hand and she fell to her side, blood dripping from her ears. Croc stumbled back, and turned towards Joker. Joker pushed the button to retreive the line, and Croc attempted to grab it, but he was losing consiousness. He missed it and it left his chest, blood spurting from the wound. Joker had nailed his heart.

Joker ran up to Batman as Croc fell into the sewage, still and lifeless.

Joker knelt down and grabbed Batman by the shoulders and shook him. When Batman didn't respond, he put an ear to his chest. He couldn't hear a heartbeat.

"No. . . No. Joker felt his pants soaked with blood. He had to do something, but he didnt know what to do. They were deep in the sewers. What could he do?

Joker was freaking out so much he hadn't heard Alfred running up behind him. He fell to his knees next to Joker and placed a hand on his heart. Then his ear. He shook his head and tried to figure out what to do. CPR wouldn't help. He has lost too much blood.