Holly fell from the stool she had been standing on. CRASH! She bolted awake. "Miss, oh goodness, are you alright?" The woman Holly now hated most was standing in front of her. "Now, don't doze off now! I only need you here for several more minutes. Then you can go to bed." Holly nodded, righted herself, and stood up on the stool again. Keeping a tall balance this time, she was determined to do her best posing for her dress, so she would be allowed to sleep. After several minutes, the three words Holly had been waiting for all night were said. "You may go." The lady consented. Holly carefully took the loose fabric off of her body, and ran out of the room. SLEEP! She didn't go to her room this time, though. Instead, she went to Joker's. The room was a mess! Cloths boxes and plastic littered the floor. A rummaging noise came from the back of the opened closet. Holly walked over to it and stuck her head through the first row of purple suits. Joker was sitting on the ground behind them, scrutinizing a pair of shoes. He looked up at Holly and let out a mad giggle. "I hope the boys and girlys will be ready for us!" Holly could tell he was excited. So was she. Tomorrow would be fun; revealing herself to all of her school mates next to the Joker. She would be the one in control now. She would have the power to make them hurt. But she needed rest. "Bed." Was all she said. She turned to leave. Joker called out, "I thought that was traditionally what happened after prom. Not before! BUT IF YOU INSIST!" Holly couldn't even really laugh now. She was way too tired. "Ha. Ha." She collapsed on the bed and was out like a light. Joker crawled out from the depth of the closet and found Holly knocked out in the middle of his bed. "Nighty night, my sweet Holly." He whispered.

BRIGHT! AND LOUD! WHAT THE HELL MAN! Holly let out an angry groan and pulled the covers up over her head. "Oh man! I know! Like, I was like so pissed when Joker gave us babysitting duty, but it's so hot!"

"Oh for sure dude! I got a thing for red heads too man…."

"Hey man, back off. This is Joker's girl man. She's his."

"So?"

"So unless you want your dick chopped off, keep the snake in its house, man! Besides, she's gotta be like, a beast to get Joker's attention."

"Yeah, she's got a really hot bod too. Think she's a pole dancer? I hear they gotta be in real good shape."

Enough. Holly threw the blankets off of her, glaring at the two masked men in front of her. "HEY, DUDE! WHY DON'T YOU LIKE, SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GO CATCH SOME WAVES OR SOMETHIN?" She screamed. The men jumped. "Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." They burst out laughing. Holly rolled her eyes and got up. She was wearing an oversized shirt. "Where's Joker?" She demanded. They sobered. "He had to go shoppn, or something like that." The one on the left said. Holly smiled to herself. She glanced at the clock. It was two thirty. Making a mental list of what she needed to do and in what order, Holly grabbed a hairbrush and headed for the bathroom. Getting into a cold shower, Holly called to the men outside, "So why'd Joker leave you guys here, anyways?" She really had no idea why he felt the need to have her watched at all hours. It was sweet, but incredibly annoying. No response. "Marko?" She asked, unsure. "Polo." A voice from inside the room said. "MEH!" Holly slipped in the shower and fell. What the F_$*! Turning off the water, Holly snatched a towel down from the curtain rod, wrapped herself in it tightly, and peered out from behind the shower curtain and glass shower door. Both men were standing right in the middle of the room, backs to the shower. "Boss told us to follow you everywhere, and who are we to complain?" Holly flushed with furry. "And why exactly did he suggest such a foolish idea?" She hissed. The men shrugged. "Was afraid you'd run away?" One of them suggested. Holly's eyebrows met together and she tightened her towel. Fury threatened to erupt from her. After all they had been through? After all of the madness? "Wrong answer." She quickly pressed a pressure point on one of the men's necks, causing him to collapse, unconscious. The second man turned to Holly. "What the-" she punched him in the face. The man stumbled backwards, clearly surprised. Taking advantage of the time, Holly grabbed a large candle holder off the counter top and smashed it down on the man's head. He fell to the floor, a small trickle of blood falling from his forehead. Other then the throbbing head ache he would get in the morning, this guy would be fine. Returning to the shower, Holly finished up in the bathroom and headed for the seamstress's holding room. The woman looked around wildly as Holly entered. Her eyes were bloodshot and her hair was all over the place. "I've just, just finished."

Holly's dress was purple, green, black, and beautiful. The top half was a purple corset. Black lace with a flower pattern was overlapping the purple. It was tied with green string. The bottom part was a skirt that went to Holly's knees, before puffing out. It was also purple, but the fringe of the skirt was green and black. To top this gorgeous piece of artwork off, a pair of black lace gloves with green ribbon wrapping around it were laying on a chair next to the dress. The gloves went up to Holly's elbows. She looked stunning. "NOW ON TO HAIR AND MAKEUP!"

Joker pulled up to Joseph A. Banks and sat in his car for a minute. This might be slightly awkward. He realized. "ALL WELL! HAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!" He got out of the car and ran into the shop. The man at the counter gasped and ducked, thinking hiding would make Joker go away. "Nice try buddy, but I kinda already saw ya." Joker licked his lips and walked slowly to the 'empty' cashier. "Now, I'll make this quick and easy, if you just show me your finest selection of ties." The man emerged, white faced and shaking. "Ties?" He asked, unsure. "YEAH! TIES! THE THINGS THAT WRAP AROUND YOUR NECK LIKE A NUCE! TIES!" Joker shouted. The man flinched horribly, but didn't move. Joker, frustrated, rubbed his temples. "Let me make this easier for you." He said, dangerously quiet. "I don't have a lot of time, because I'm on schedule for once. So I'll make you a deal; if I'm not looking at ties in two minutes, you're dead." That did it. Scuffling to his feet, the man ran to a back room behind the counter and returned one minute later, his arms laden with ties. "Now that's more I like it!" Joker sang. The man dumped the ties on top of the counter. Joker riffled through them, and pulled out a silk purple tie with green polka dots. "PERFECT!" He screamed happily. "That tie is $37.99." Joker gave the man a piercing look. What the hellaballoo is going on here? Grinning, he said, "Put it on my tab." Before walking out of the store, Joker pulled out a silver coffee carrier and placed it n the floor. He winked at the cashier, and left. "Three. Twoooo. One." BOOM! He let out a mad cackle as the entire block exploded. Getting into the van, he sped away from the crime scene. If that man in the store had just kept his mouth shut, Joker probably would have just left it alone. This little bomb and just been a tester, for a much MUCH larger scheme. And he needed somewhere to try it out. "I GUESS IT WORKS! HAHAHHAHAA!" He stuck his head out of his window, and could see black smoke billowing up over the skyscrapers. Oh yes. Every single Wayne industries across the nation would be filled with these babies, hidden among workers. And they would go off. Unless of course Bruce reviled himself to the people. If he did, Joker would still set the bombs off. If he didn't, Joker would show Gothum his real identity himself, and then set the bombs off. IT AS A WIN WIN SITUATION! But for right now, he had to worry about remembering how to tie a tie; all of his other ones were clip on.

Holly bit her lip as she looked in the mirror. She was pretty. Puh. Pretty fake! Look at these fake curls! And all this black makeup! – she kinda liked it- And WHAT is this shit on my lips? *grrr yes. Holly had become one of those girls. The one's that wasted time on looks. All of this only made her feel more self conscious…. Joker burst into the room. He was wearing a purple suit that was stitched with green thread, and a green button up shirt under it (he went all out, right?). He was looking quit handsome, even with the manic glint in his eyes and mangled looking tie tied in a knot around his neck. "HOW?" Was all he said. Holly momentarily forgot her anger with him for having her watched, and, giggling, walked over to him. "So uh, you're more of the clip on guy." She yanked the tie out of its knot, smoothed it out best she could, and tied it for him. His breathing became more regular, and began to focus on Holly. "I'm lucky." The fury returned to her. "Yes you are! And it would be a shame to loose me! So please, do explain those lovely guards you left me with?" He looked around the room. "Where exactly are-" "They're in the bathroom!" He walked over to the door and poked his head inside the bathroom. Giving a mad cackle, he came back to Holly's side. "You know how it is, Dolly! Don't trust anyone! EVER!" She crossed her arms over her chest. "So, what you're trying to say is, you don't trust me." She stated. Joker's eyes widened a little. "No! That's not what I meant!" "Then why'd you say it?" He looked humorously helpless. He raised his arm for a fraction of a second, contemplating weather or not to strike her. He decided against it. Instead, Joker grabbed Holly's shoulders and pressed his lips roughly against hers. "BECAUSE I LOVE YOU." He said forcefully, shaking her a little. Holly was stunned. They're eyes locked. "I-" the bathroom door creaked open, and one of the clown men crawled out of it, holding his head. "Boss…what's goin on…." Giving a frustrated cry, Joker let go of Holly. He pulled out his knife and walked over the man on the floor. Kneeling down, he said sarcastically. "Do you have an appointment?" The man looked up, bleary eyed. "Naw." He said stupidly. "Well then," Joker pinned his hand against the wall. "I'm gonna have to ask you, to hold on." He stabbed the butterfly knife through the man's hand. He was literally stuck to the wall. The man screamed in agony. Holly let out a hallow laugh. That pig deserved it. Joker stood up and walked back to Holly, resting his for arms on her shoulders, as if nothing had happened. "Now, what were you saying?" He asked. Holly rubbed her lips together. "I love you Jack." He grinned. "I like it when you say that." His face turned from smiling to serious. "But never break my heart, Holly." He tensed, and seemed to hold her more rigidly. "PROMISE ME." "I promise." She whispered. He patted her cheek lightly. "Rule number three."

"NOW!" He walked swiftly to the door. "We should go!" Holly paused. "What is it?" He slumped. "I don't have any shoes." She said. "But I know where I can get some…."

"WOOO!' Holly yelled as they sped down the almost empty streets of Gothum. Joker was going 80 mph, pushing ninety. "Let's put some tunes on!" Joker obliged, happily. He jammed the button on the dash board. "Hey, can I like, shoot at something while we drive?" Holly yelled over the music. She had always wanted to try it…. Joker grinned, pulled out a hand gun, and handed it to Holly. "Now aim, and put both hands on the gun." Holly nodded. She leaned as far as she could out of the car window, looking for a target. She didn't want to kill anyone. No. Holly had seen enough death to show her the value of life. And a life was not something to casually take. Only from those who truly deserved it. But who got to decide that? When were you a decidedly 'bad person'? Was she a bad person? She certainly didn't think so…. She just wanted to hit something. "Go for the stop sign!" Joker commanded. He slowed down a bit, but not much. Holly's entire torso was out of the car now. She put the gun up, aiming, and….BANG! The reaction of the weapon was strong. It sent shivers up her arms, hurting them. She was knocked back down into her seat. "Ouch." She dropped the gun in her lap and looked at her red hands. Joker howled with laughter. "You're not bad!" As they drove by, Holly glanced at the stop sign. She hit it right in the middle. "HEY! LOOK WHO IT IS!" Joker shoved his arm under Holly's nose and pointed out the window. A HUGE bulletin board advertising for Harvey Dent was across the street. Holly frowned at Joker's tan arm in her face, then, smiling, licked it. Joker withdrew his arm. Raising an eyebrow at her, he said, "My, you're a little kinky tonight, Holls." She grinned ear to ear. "I'm hoping to show you after the dance." She said, turning up the radio.

"My girlfriend's a dick magnet
My girlfriend's gotta have it
She's hot, can't stop, up on stage doing shots
Tip the man he'll ring the bell, get her drunk she'll scream like hell
Dirty girl, gettin' down, dance with guys from outta town
Grab her ass, actin' tough,
Mess with her, she'll f**k you up
No one really knows if she's drunk or if she's stoned, but she's comin' back to my place tonight!"

Bad Girlfriend by Theory of a Dead Man blasted in the car. Holly screamed the lyrics. Joker sped up and smiled wildly. With a sudden EEERRRK! The car slammed to a stop. Holly's head bashed into the dashboard. "HAHAHAHAHA!" Joker laughed. They had arrived at their destination. Holly got out of the car, rubbing her head. It had been about a month since she set foot in this apartment. Sighing, she walked up tot eh front door and let herself in. Slowly walking up the stairs, Holly found herself outside of room 219 all too quickly. Had they worried about her while she was gone? But how could they, if no one was sent to search for her? What lies were they feeding the neighbors about her disappearance? She knocked three times. There was a shuffling behind the door. With many clicks and turns, the door was unlocked and opened.

A woman stood in the door way, opened mouthed and white faced. She was holding a burning cigarette in one hand, and a magazine in the other. "Holly?" Holly pushed passed the woman, over the thresh hold and into the hallway. "What are you-" Holly cut her off. "I just came back for something." Her mother nodded, looking at the ground. "So." Holly said pointedly. "What have you been telling the school about my absences?" The woman gulped. "We said you went to stay in Florida with your aunt." Holly folded her arms. "We?" She asked snidely. "So I suppose that still includes Tom?" As if on cue, a deep voice from the living room called, "Karen! Where the hell's my beer?" Holly shook her head. "I can't believe this." She muttered angrily. "I've been gone for a fucking month, and all you do is make up some bull shit story so the neighbors and school will leave you alone?" Tears rolled down her mom's face. "Oh grow up KAREN! I've been to hell and back, so don't start crying while I'm here!" The woman sniveled. "I'm sorry, Holly." "DON'T. CALL. ME. HOLLY. You don't even get that privilege! What kind of excuse for a mother are you?" She shouted. The woman began to sob. "I did care. I do." She said between gulps of breath. "But you were better off away." "YOU MEAN IT WAS MORE CONVINIENT FOR ME TO BE GONE!" "You're my daughter! I just wanted what was best-" "LIAR!" Holly screamed, loosing control. "IF YOU WANTED WHAT WAS BEST FOR ME, YOU WOULD HAVE DUMPT THAT PIECE OF SHIT IN YOUR LIVINGROOM!" She picked up the nearest thing she could (which happened to be a crappie lamp) and hurled it against the wall. The lamp broke into large pieces of plastic, glass, and porcelain. Her mom jumped violently. "GET OVER IT!" Snapped Holly. She stormed to her room. Throwing open the door, she was shocked to see everything exactly the way she left it. Even little Prozac wrappers littered the floor. Ripping through the closet, Holly emerged with a pair of black lace up boots. After putting them on, she examined herself in the mirror. The boots went to just under her knees, and the laces were green. Holly looked at the clock. 5:45. "TIME TO FLY!" She opened the door and walked through the living room. Tom sat in the recliner chair, as balding and fat as ever. He had a beer in his hand, and was watching football. "YOU!" He shouted angrily, dropping his beer. "ME!" Holly screamed maniacally. "Oh, when I get my hands on you, you little bitch, I'm gonna," Holly reached in her boot and pulled out her scalpel. "Scream like a stuck pig?" She asked. Tom stopped trying to get out of the chair and eyed the knife warily. "You wouldn't." He said, unsure. "Was that a dare?" Holly asked, advancing. "Listen, Holly, stop." She didn't. "Listen. PUT THAT FUCKING THING AWAY NOW!" He yelled, his voice raising several octaves. Holly grinned with pleasure at his panic. "Oh, Tom, Tom, Tom." She chuckled. "Remember all of those empty threats? All of those beatings? All of those attempts?" She put the blade to his beefy neck. "Well I'm just returning what's way overdue." With a quick swish, she cut his main artery. Quickly sidestepping as she did so, only a speck of blood flew into Holly's hair, mixing with her fiery main of curls. The utter shock froze on Tom's quickly paling face. With one last savoring look, Holley walked back into the hallway, knife still dripping. Karen stood where she left her. Now her eyes fixed on the knife. "What did you do?" She asked shakily. Holly grasped her shoulders firmly. "Mom, I set you free. I did what you weren't able to." Kissing her quickly on the cheek Holly put her hand on the door. "Good bye forever, Karen." And with that, she disappeared.

Scottie stood outside the high school, twirling his chain. He had a white tuxedo on, but had personalized it with a few accessories; his chain, combat boots, and a necklace with a lock hanging from it. He thought he looked pretty hot. A limo pulled up, and Andrew McConnell stepped out, laughing, accompanied by Cecilia Margins. Catching sight of Scottie, Andrew smiled cruelly. "Well look who decided to show up." Scotties hands immediately went to the switch blade in his pocket. He felt its ruff edges. Felt the dried blood of his old friend. "Couldn't catch a date, Scot?" Cecilia needled. Scottie grinned as Stacy's car drove up to the sidewalk. "Nope. I just couldn't decide on one of them." The couple gave him a weird look, but Scottie said, "Excuse me." And walked passed them, and opened the car door. Four beautiful girls stepped out of the back of the car, and three more came out of the front. "Well, you guys look stunning." Scottie said. They giggled (surprise surprise). "Now, I didn't get any corsages-" "Oh, that's okay mc-hottie! We bought our own!" Britney said happily. "Cool then. Shall we?" He linked arms with Miranda and Beth, who linked arms with the other girls. They walked in one big line down the side walk. As they passed Andrew, who was looking astounded, and Cecilia, who was looking repulsed, Scottie gave them a nod, and tried to hold in his laughter.

Bruce paced the 'bat cave' anxiously. Prom was tonight, which met Joker might possibly be going to crash it. He didn't know why he suspected it, but after 15 years of battling Joker, Bruce thought it was safe to assume he could predict at least one of Joker's moves. What he COULDN'T predict was Ginger. His Ginger. With Joker. Igor had contacted Batman the moment after his encounter with Joker and a red haired girl. Was she his hostage? But why wouldn't he make that known through out Gothum then, if he wanted something? The more frightening possibility was that Ginger wanted to be with the Joker. But no. Bruce couldn't let himself believe that. Then again, Batman thought it possible….No! I've got to save her from him! He's brainwashed her. And tonight, hopefully, I'll get her back. This was killing him! Batman never sat at home. Batman never waited. But tonight, he would be forced to. If everything was going according to plan right now, Igor would be stationed in the school, awaiting the Joker.

"No, no! Young man! Assembly first! Prom after!" A security guard yelled at Scottie. He had been trying to sneak past the horde of people going into auditorium and immediately into the gym, but his dates got him caught. Groaning, Scottie allowed himself to be shuffled into the stuffy room. And now they would receive a ten minute lecture on pre-marital sex, substance abuse, and a very short congratulations for being almost done with high school. Great. As he took his seat between Laura and Ginny, his mind wondered to the previous night. It wasn't as though he didn't feel bad for killing Frankie. But the nerve of him. He betrayed Holley and him. Frankie had befriended the girl who killed Benji. And Roxanne was probably planning some weird revenge on Holley. When Roxanne's body showed up on the twelve o'clock news, Scottie new that's where Frankie had to have been going that whole month. And that's when he decided it. If he ever saw Frankie again, Scottie would finish him. Because Scottie was friends with no traitors. He was loyal to Holly and Benji. Scottie was woken from his thoughts by a giggle next to him. Meanwhile, the principal paced in front of the stage curtain and continued to drone on. "Blah, blah blah, blah blah blah," BANG! Screams were echoed through out the auditorium. Scottie looked up quickly, to see a small pool of blood forming on the principal's white shirt. Directly over her heart. She fell to the floor of the stage with a thud. No one got up. "HEHEHEHEHEHEHHE!" A mad voice over the intercom screeched. Scottie's blood froze. That had to be…but would she be with him? The curtains opened and Joker stood in the middle, with a microphone and a HOT girl next to him. "HELLO KIDDIES!" The mad man walked forward and gave a little bow. His voice was shrill and high, ripe with excitement. "HOW ARE WE TONIGHT?" *cricket cricket. He looked pissed at this response. "I SAID HOW ARE WE FEELING TONIGHT?" He roared firmly, his voice cracking. Scottie looked around. No one was moving, speaking, or blinking. Well hell, it's not a party without risks. Scottie stood up and yelled, "WE'RE READY TO PARTY! WOOH! YEAH!" He clapped his hands. Every single face turned to face him. Joker's eyes lingered on him, before returning his attention to everyone else. The girl next to him smiled at Scottie, giving a little wave. "NOW THAT'S ALL I WANTED. WAS IT SO HARD?" Joker licked his lips. "NOW, COME UP HERE, YOU OVER ACHIEVER." Scottie smirked and got up. He was feeling fairly brave as he walked up on stage, aware of everyone watching him, horrified. Only a little sweat layered his palms. It wasn't noticeable to others, because he would not let it be. He jumped up, and took his place next to the girl. HOLY BALLS WAS THAT HOLLEY? DAAAAAAMN! Joker stuck his tong in his cheek, scrutinizing Scottie. "You're terrified." He said. It was a statement. Scottie cocked an eyebrow, coolly. "Yes, I am." He agreed casually. Joker cracked a grin at this. "But you appear cool to everyone else." He gave Scottie a hard look. "Let's see how you are in other areas…." He put the mike to his lips again. "We're gonna try something new." He said. "Scottie, is it? heeeere is going to choose his least favorite person in this building." He nodded for Scottie to do so. He looked over the crowd, taking his time, choosing the one. "I…would have to say…it's…definitely… my buddy Andrew." He pointed to a boy in the front row. Andrew's pale self was wrapped round Cecilia, trying to protect her from Joker's wrath. As if that would do it. "DREWWWY BOY!" Joker called. "FRONT AND CENTER, NOW. OR THE GIRLEY GETS IT." He cocked a machine gun and pointed it at Cecilia. She squealed and buried herself deeper into Andrew's arm. He, shakily, pushed her away and walked on stage. Joker smiled at this cowering child. Scottie was a little prouder knowing how calmly he had come on stage. He had faced death before. Joker handed Scottie the gun. "NOW, I'M GIVING YOU ONE SHOT. EITHER USE IT ON HIM, OR YOURSELF." Scottie took the heavy machinery. For one long minute, he stared cruelly into Andrew's pleading wet eyes. The choice itself was simple enough. He would automatically choose to kill Andrew, but the tears in the boy's eyes…were sickening. He thought of all the times Andrew and his buddies had jumped him and Benji on their way home from school. All the times they had humiliated him. "Now, how the tables have turned, Andrew." BANG! Scottie was prepared for the aftershock of the gun, and braced himself in time. At the last second, he had pointed the gun at Andrew's left knee. The bullet had torn through the skin, showing bone. Andrew screamed and fell to the ground. Joker let out a howl of laughter. "- let's go to the gym."

Holly sadly looked down at Andrew. Yes, she hated him, and did believe he deserved all of this and more, but…but what? She couldn't come up with any reason for a but! So she cleared her mind and began following Joker off of the stage, accidently running strait into his purple back! He spun around and grinned. "LADIES AND GENTALMEN, I ALMOST FORGOT TO INTRODUCE MY ASSISTANT!" He yelled over the sobbing of Cecilia and some of Andrew's friends. "I GIVE YOU, HOLLY JOY PAINE!" He bowed to her, and Holly did a little curtsy. A gasp of astonishment escaped from the crowd. "OH, YESSSS." Joker said malevolently. "THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BEAT A DOG TO MANY TIMES, FOLKS!" One boy had the audacity to wolf whistle. Uh oh, buddy. BIG mistake! She thought. Joker whipped out a hand gun and shot the boy square in the head. Now, you would think everyone would be screaming and running by now, right? But you see, you're wrong. Because in situations like this, adrenalin seems to paralyze the body, rendering you useless.

"NOW, HOLLY, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO SHARE WITH US?" Joker asked. Holly took the mike from him. "After all of these years." No one seemed to be breathing. "And this is where we all end up. All of those field goal kicks. All of those cheers. All of those late nights studying. And here we are. The tormenting. The raping. The abuse. Has led us, to this very point." She pulled out her red scalpel. It was covered in dried blood. "We have been put on the same level. And now, the only thing that makes us different is the fear in your stomachs, and the power in mine." Joker walked off stage to several of his henchmen, and whispered instructions. You could hear a pin drop. Holly continued. "And now, look at this! We have found something the freaks like! And something they are good at!" She held the knife to the light so it shimmered. "And all I have to ask is…WAS IT WORTH IT?" Now two clown men walked down the isles, distributing purple and green bags that said, "The Joke's On YOU!" In big gold letters. Joker returned to Holly's side. "So true, so true." He said. "NOW! FOR OUR GRAND FINALLY!" He cried delightedly. "I have just given each of you your own goody bag. I would advice you not to throw them away!" He now began to walk off of the stage, and motioned for Holly and Scottie to follow. They did. "In each bag, you will find a knife." They reached the auditorium door, which was guarded by several more clown men. "Either kill each other until one couple remains." Joker put his hand on the door. "Or you will all die." He laughed insanely as they left the auditorium. The masked men took a huge chain and bolted the doors shut.

They proceeded to the gym, which was dimly lit and covered in a paper chain explosion. Lights hung from the ceiling, food and punch tables were lined against the wall, and a DJ stood at the front of the gym, changing records. As Joker walked up to talk to the DJ, Scottie turned to Holly. They embraced in a friendly hug. "Where have you been? What's up? And who have you killed?" Holly smiled at Scottie. "Too many questions." She said. "To much to tell now. Later. Not tonight." He looked disappointed. "What?" Holly asked. "My dates are still in the auditorium…" He grumbled. Holly frowned. "Dates? Plural?" Scottie smiled. "You know the seven heaven group, or what ever the fuck they call themselves?" Holly looked flabbergasted. "No way!" She said. "Way." Joker came back. "Excuse me, may I cut in?" He asked innocently. Holly let out a laugh and threw her arms around his neck. Joker grabbed her waist and held her firmly. A song came on.

There is nothing you can do that I have not already done to myself
There is nothing you can do that I have not already done to myself
There is nothing you can do that I have not already done to myself
No there is nothing you can do that I have not already done to myself

They rotated in the middle of the gym floor, slow dancing to "Never Wanted to Dance", by mindless self indulgence. Joker reached up and tucked a lock of curls behind Holly's ear. "You were never a monster to me Jack." She said quietly, looking deep into his hazel eyes. "I know." He said slowly. "But what I don't know, is why." Holly tilted her head, smiling. "I always saw something, lurking just behind the shadows of those eyes. Something else." They were silent for several minutes. "I think I always loved you." She said finally. Joker's scars twitched up. "I will always love you, Holly." Holly pressed the top half of her cheek against his scars, closing her eyes.

Bruce watched the Joker and Ginger slow dance in the gym. He was hiding in the bleachers, fully clothed as Batman. The suspense had been too much. He had to go to the school and watch. But he was unaware of where Igor was positioned….Luckily Bruce had come, too. After Joker left the auditorium, Batman broke open the lock and rushed in. Only two of the kids seemed to be badly hurt. A boy on the stage was shot in the knee, and a girl lying back in a chair, who had been stabbed in the chest. He called in backup after that. The cops were hiding just outside the gym doors, awaiting Joker and his henchmen. He narrowed his eyes at Ginger. She seemed to be going along with this pretty well for just a captive….

Never wanted to dance with nobody not you
Never wanted to dance with nobody but you
Never wanted to dance with nobody but you wouldn't take no for an answer you f**king bitch

Joker let out a sigh. "Jack, someday, where gonna break away from this all. And were gonna be free." Joker smiled at that. How sweetly naive Holly was. But he would not spoil the moment now with criticisms. No. Right now, he just wanted to hold Holly, and be held in return.

Be nice
Be nice to me
Don't let me bleed
Be nice
Be nice to me
Don't let me go (don't let me go)
I am to cool for the second grade

"Dolly, I-" Holly pressed herself into Joker's stomach. But not in a good way, in a weird way. Her finger nails dug into his neck as she gasped for air.

Igor sat in the bleachers opposite the Batman. Oh yes, he had seen that stealthy little creature. But no matter. He had a job to do. Thankfully, he had arrived here early, and had already assembled the gun by the time Joker and his date came in. They were followed by some strange kid, but Igor paid him no attention. He only had eyes for one person; Joker. Allowing them to be lured into a false sense of security, Igor waited ten minutes. The, after making sure he had the muter on the sniper, he looked through the small telescope and took aim. He had a clear view of Joker's back. Perfect. Letting go a bullet, Igor followed through his shot and then…Joker turned suddenly, and the girl was pierced in the back, not him. Damn it!

Joker panicked as Holly went limp in his arms. "Holly?" He pulled her from his body and looked at her at arms length. "HOLLY?" His voice became shrill. Her eyes were glassy and staring. "HOLLY!" Joker screamed. He shook her. Her head flopped on her shoulders. NO. He laid her gently on the floor and saw her chest still rose and fell, if ever so slightly. "Holly." He whispered, gripping her hand in his. "Jack." She panted. "No." Joker shook his head, his tears splashing into Holly's sparkling eyes. "You can't break my rules! Remember? They're there for a reason. You can't break my heart, Holly! You can't!" He pleaded with her, but nothing can stop the grip of death. "You promised!" He cried. She shakily raised an arm and touched his scars. With a shutter, and one last gasp, Holly Paine died in Joker's arms. Joker shut his eyes tightly, cradling his lost love's body. "Dolly. Dolly. Dolly." He repeated, over and over again. The doors to the gym burst open. Joker looked up to see Igor, the Batman, and about twenty cops. Anger clenched his intestines and twisted them around. This was their fault. All their fault she had died. He felt numb. A voice in his head called out to him. Hello Jack, I'm your new friend. Let's play. Joker released Holly's body, and stood up. Thoughts were rushing through his mind. He was overwhelmed with anger. Hate. And blame. Just like before. He felt ready to spontaneously combust. Rage roared in his chest. And now, he would let it out. Make them pay. The voice said. Make them hurt. Make them suffer, like she did.

There is nothing you can do that I have not already done to myself
There is nothing you can do that I have not already done to myself
There is nothing you can do that I have not already done to myself
No there is nothing you can do that I have not already done to myself

"Joker, you are under arrest!" Commissioner Gordon spoke from the crowd. Joker smiled, pulling out his knife. "There is nothing you can do," he licked his lips and took a menacing step forward. "That I have not already done to," He cracked his neck. "MYSELF!"

Gothum would pay. They would all pay. Joker would have his revenge