Disclaimer: I do not own any of the charcters except for Ophelia and Kelia.

Authors Note: I dedicate this chapter to Astrid yet again, for giving me the much needed information. Also a shout out to Pomm for their review. Its reviews like those that really help me out so thanks to all my reviewers! You rock my socks yet again!

The Black Butterfly

Chapter 14

Card Tricks pt 1 continued

The city was silent. Almost like someone had cast a sleeping spell over it. I had never felt anything like it. It was strange. I half expected a tumble weed to come flying out of nowhere. But we weren't nowhere, we were in Gotham. The city that never slept. The city that always had some sort of crime fighting chaos going on. I cringed as we sped around another corner but he seemed to know what he was doing. Street lights shone brightly making way through the dark gloomy streets that lay ahead.

I shivered.

But it wasn't that cold.

I just don't get it. There was nothing around. Were we chasing something that wasn't really there?

Suddenly a sort of hissing and clicking noise came from Robin's belt and my pocket. Robin quickly stopped the motorcycle and grabbed his communicator. I just stared at mine. Nobody had told me how to work this thing.

"Batman?" Robin questioned into the speaker.

"Trouble over here in West Central four, get here as fast as you can,"

"See you soon,"

Suddenly the bike had started and we were off again. As if he read my mind Robin spoke, "Batman's said he spotted something around the High Street area. So be on your guard, cause were not that far off."

I seemed to be the only one who didn't know anything about the Joker. The whole city seemed to go into hiding because of his known existence. They seemed to know when he was around and retreated into their apartments locking all the windows and doors. I'm guessing the Joker treats the city of Gotham like its his own stage to perform on. The finale would be up to him and him only. Unless we had something to do with it.

I remember going to the circus with Alfred and my father when I was seven. My father had gotten us special VIP seats meaning that the clowns were supposed to come closer to us. It was horrible. Their never ending smiling faces and big noses. I was petrified. But that was eight years ago and eight years is a pretty long time.

Suddenly the motorbike skidded to a halt and I jolted forward. I could see the Batmobile in the distance and its occupants slowly coming to join us. I looked around. I could see the private primary school in the distance and the local park wasn't too far off.

"Why are we here?" I asked.

Batman showed me something in his hand, "Because he's around here somewhere or so says my locator,"

So we looked around in the dead of the night. Not knowing what to expect I was a tiny bit scared. Unlike Batgirl who was jumping around in excitement. Apparently she enjoyed capturing the Joker because he was 'funny' but she didn't dare admit that to our leader. Actually now that I think about it Batman isn't my leader. He said so himself that he wasn't going to help me out, sort of like my own independant thing. So right now, I'm just helping them out. It made me feel that little bit superior to them but I wasn't the type of person that would show it.

"Over here!" Robin yelled from the school gates.

We all rushed over. Some excited, some nervous, some with no emotion whatsoever and some, disappointed that it wasn't them that had found a clue.

Robin was holding a note in his hand.

"It was attached to the gate," He said.

"Go on, read it," Batgirl said.

Ladies and gentleman,

This note is proud to annouce the return of the long over-due Clown Prince of Crime.

Yes, I'm back. Well, of course I am because I couldn't live without my good OLD friend, Batman.

I hear you have a new member on your team. Or shes not on your team shes just another super hero thats much-needed in the old city of

Gotham.

You see my friends, I've been preparing for this vist for a long time now I've been thinking and thinking of something good. Something that means allot to my dear old friend and you know what came to mind? Well, if you did you would be running in the other direction so I'm guessing you don't.

You see I know you. I know each and everyone of you. Apart from this newly found member I know each of your strengths, each of your weaknesses and

the one thing that means the most to you.

So hurry up and solve this riddle. I've made it quite easy just to warm you up. So hurry up! And please, join me on my

stage because curtain call begins very soon. So stop waiting in the wings!

Your young pal and dearest friend,

The Joker.

"What the?" I asked.

Batman glanced at me, "Its a riddle. Theres always a riddle,"

"Wheres the riddle?" I asked.

"In the writing," Batman replied, "Now Robin, what do you see,"

Robin stared at the riddle again. "Holy cow,"

I lifted my eyebrow. I didn't get it but I knew it was simple. One of those things that you can't figure out and then when you do your all embarrased cause it was so easy.

"Robin?" Batman asked.

"He's got your car," Robin told Batman as he slipped the note into his belt.

"Shit," Batman said as he started running down the road, back to where we had started. Or, where he had left the Batmobile.

I chased after him, not quite getting it. I could hear the footsteps of Batgirl and Robin closely following me.

Suddenly there was a roar of an engine and lights started glaring at us. I scrunched up my eyes at the blinding light. The Batmobile was occupied by none other then the Joker himself. Wanting to get a good look at the criminal I ran a bit faster. Batman had stopped in front of me and soon enough I had passed him.

"Ophelia look out!" Batman yelled.

I stopped running. The Batmobile was speeding towards me, blinded by the light I stood there, stuck to the ground in disbelief. It must of been two centimetres away from me when a sudden force knocked me to the ground, pushing me off the road. A cape hung over me protectively.

"Almost thought I lost you for a moment there," Robin said as he got up and held out his hand. I grabbed it and he pulled me up.

"Thanks," I said as I brushed some dirt off my shoulder.

"No problem," Robin grinned.

Suddenly the Batmobile turned back around, heading towards us yet again. It stopped for a second right beside me. Its window open and a bunch of green hair flying out.

A painted face emerged, grinning from ear to ear.

"Thank your dad for the tip, Ophelia," The Joker said licking his lips, "Without his help I would of never known that the Black Butterfly is indeed Batmans own flesh and blood. Catch you all later," And with that, the Batmobile sped off down the road leaving three capes and me in the darkness to walk, all the way back home.

"Get your motorbike Robin," Batman ordered, "Batgirl can ride with you and Ophelia can fly overhead,"

"What about you?" Robin asked.

"I need to think," Batman told him, "I'll meet you in the Batcave in thirty,"

And then we watched him. A dark shadow making its way through the city. Slowly walking uphead until the shadow disappeared.

"You heard what he said," Robin said, "Hop on," He commanded to Batgirl and she did without question.

So I followed them closely in the air. Batgirl watching me with awe at the fact that her best friend could fly. I didn't care though. I felt so stupid. So angry for my father. Because of the position I was in he called out my identity whilst the Joker was in ear shot. Because of me his car was now stolen because even though I was so close, I didn't even try to capture our criminal and now, we had only solved one half of a riddle. Because the last bit (now that I had figured it out) did not make sense to me.

"This is going to be one hell of a long night," Batgirl complained as she entered the Batcave.

"So, what do we do now?" Robin asked.

"Can't you track it down?" I asked.

"Yes but he would have ditched the car by now," Robin answered.

"And now we just have to figure out the last bit of the riddle," Batgirl said.