Chapter 24: Bent will

"Commissioner, take a look at this!"

Gordon came round the bend and hastened towards the TV. If what the Joker had said were to come true then the future looked very daunting indeed. Gordon gingerly wiped the sweat off his brow and clenched the files within his hands.

GCN was currently on show. The question was, who is the KID? What does he want? Is he the good guy or bad guy?

Some civilians had come forward to voice their opinions.

"I think this punk doesn't know what he's doing. Gotham's already a shit hole and he's screwing it up even more!"

"The Kid took out the whole Mob in one night, something even the GCPD couldn't do, even with the help of Batman. He's what this city really needs."

"The Kid killed thousands and it doesn't matter that they worked for the Mob. He's a killer and he should be stopped."

"Because of the Kid I don't have to worry about some macho man come knocking on my door, harassing me and my family just to squeeze every last penny out of us. Thank you."

"The Kid is working for the Joker! It's the same pattern: Chaos!"

"The Kid must be responsible for all the kidnappings!"

"The Kid controls all of the underworld now!"

"The Kid is a hero"

"The Kid is a criminal"

"He needs to be put behind bars"

"The GCPD is incompetent, they can't do anything against the Kid"

That was a very heavy blow against the cops. The fact that the media managed to get the files on the Kid was astonishing as it was; it clearly displayed all the holes in the GCPD.

Gordon stormed off without a word into his office once he had had enough of the news. Once in his office he slammed the door shut, bolted it, and fell in his chair. The thin file landed softly on the table as Gordon had dropped it. Before Gordon knew it he felt a draft in his room which only meant one thing.

"What'd the Joker say?" Batman's rough voice ringed in Gordon's ear.

Gordon rubbed his eyes and sat forward, resting his elbows on the table with his head in his hands "He said that the Kid was only making himself known. So all the killings was just to get our attention. The Joker says he's trying to stir things up. He says that the Kid is only just beginning: he says a storms coming."

"And the kidnappings?"

"He says Kid is behind them… which makes sense considering one in every third person is going missing, which even for Gotham is high. It's almost tripled over night."

Batman was silent for a moment, before he inclined his head slightly "Let me have a few words with him."

Gordon stared him down, unsure of what to do considering what happened last time. He tapped his index finger on the table for a minute, "Five minutes only".

Batman stuck to the shadows as per usual and was pleased to find that Gordon had dismissed the officers behind the glass. He entered the room and was met by his old friend.

Joker leant back in his chair, cuffed in every way possible, and had his eyes closed. Slowly, the corners of his mouth rose in a smirk "Bats"

Batman kept his distance, he couldn't believe what he was going to do "Joker, did you finally get bored of that woman?"

Joker's smirk fell "What was that?"

"That woman, Alisa, did you get bored with her and get rid of her then, is that it?"

Joker slid his tongue over his scars "In the, uh, factory I asked you a question but-ah you never really did give me an answer. What was it?"

Batman frowned internally. Why was Joker so persistent on wanting to find out? The fact that he even remembered asking what his note had said really did astonish Batman.

"What difference does it make?"

"Well, it might be the key on finding my Doll. Get the picture, Bats?"

Batman was hesitant at first, "If you tell me what yours said first."

Joker chuckled "Oh Bats. If I'd known we were going to share secrets I would've brought some snacks."

When Batman gave no response Joker's grin faded and nodded gravely "Come closer".

Joker whispered to him what he's had said and Batman did the same.

Joker's note had been 'I don't believe in God, I don't believe in luck, I don't believe in you, I just believe in the enemy!'

Whilst Batman's had been 'You only hear the music when your heart begins to break'

It would've been a slightly awkward moment for the both, having to repeat those words, had the centre of the issue not been so serious.

Without another thought the two parted ways.

Their business with each other was done for now.

-;-;-;-;-;-;-

"These pigs are after me-"

"Boss!" a panicked voice interrupted the Boss when he was singing.

The Boss sighed heavily, exhausted "What?" he snapped.

"Boss, these are the numbers"

So called Boss snatched the papers and hummed in satisfaction "Good, good. Now get out of my sight."

The man scurried away, fearful for his life. The Kid fell back in his chair and resumed his singing. Everything was going according to the plan, "Don't mean too much to me, I'm who I've got to be. These pigs are after me."

The Kid yawned and turned his attention back to the screen. He giggled when he saw Batman leave the Joker, alone again in the interrogation room.

Joker was so predictably unpredictable. He was doing just as Kid had wanted him to do.

Joker was such an old chestnut.

"If my velocity starts to make you sweat…then just don't let go"

Kid scratched his five o'clock shadow. Things were going a bit too smoothly. Maybe he could take a break, just so things can go on time and not too early. A break, but what could he do?

He swivelled in his chair to look at the clock leaning on the wall. It was only nine in the afternoon: yeah he could take a little stroll. Maybe he might run into Batman. He he, Batsy-

"Boss, what should we do with these?"

Kid looked down upon the costume in the two men's hand.

It was Alisa's dress, gloves and boots.

"Burn it"

Kid did a double take.

"Keep the shoes, burn the rest. She won't be needing it anymore anyway."

The men chuckled and Kid stalked off to his stroll. Kid wasn't a fan of taking strolls however this was necessary. He was being a little too swift.

And that could ruin the whole thing.

Kid didn't want that. He wanted the opposite. He would make them see. They would see. He wasn't wrong, though some did say he was. No, he was helping.

He was helping.

He was going to make it all better. Make all the bad go away.

He was going to save Gotham before she killed herself.

He wasn't wrong.

He was right.

Kid wore his black worn out trench coat and tugged the collar up to his cheeks. He was practically invisible among these people. He sneered at them in disgust. How disgusting the world had become. He hated it all. He could see what made them turn into what they had become.

As Kid passed the many familiar dirty streets he noticed that he had in fact come to the very place he had been avoiding: GCPD. Almost as if the mental navigator had turned on, he had unknowingly brought himself nearer to the Joker, and that's not what he wanted.

He could've gone in there and gunned everyone down. Everyone but the Joker and drag him away with himself. But he wouldn't.

After all, he would ruin everything if he were to continue on towards the Joker. Kid shook his head as if suppressing the urges. Not yet.

As Kid walked on Joker sat in his cell, ignorant of what was going on outside of his cell. Not that he cared. No, he cared little for what was going on outside, unless of course it was related to him or to Alisa; then he would care.

Joker bobbed his knee. He never could sit still. Joker stifled a laugh as he recalled one particular moment he had had with Alisa, concerning his incompetence of being able to sit still.

Alisa and Joker had just concluded their dinner together, Chinese take away, and were bound to their rotten wooden chairs as their stomachs had held them down. Alisa stroked her almost bursting stomach and was gawking at something outside whilst Joker was virtually sleeping on his chair.

Just before Joker was about to slip away completely Alisa tugged on his sleeve, "Joker, yous get stiffness if yous sleep here"

Joker acted as though he were asleep but Alisa put down her hand on his knee and Joker couldn't resist. He started to bob his knee, spastically. He couldn't stand being still. All that energy within him wouldn't allow it.

"Joker, Alisa know yous awake. Jo-ker!" Alisa whined.

Joker groaned "Stop it, cotton tail…"

How he had come up with that nick name is another story, however it was a special name, one he only used when they were alone and if he was feeling particularly sweet.

"Yous always do that, then yous complain yous tired"

That snapped him awake, "What-ah do I, uh, always do?"

Alisa giggled when Joker didn't stop bobbing his knee, "That! With your knee" Alisa pointed, failing at hiding her giggles.

"Oh, cotton tail. You know I can't help it."

"Stop it!" Alisa giggled again "That's why yous always tired. You never stop moving."

Joker felt a smile reach his lips "Good"

Alisa looked at him, eyes filled with curiosity, "Joker yous-"

"Boss!"

The shrill voice called again "Boss!" whispering almost.

Joker turned his head lethargically, but he spoke not. It was one of his men. How they were not in Black gate or Arkham really did astound him considering these men didn't really use their minds.

"Boss" the idiot called again "We'll get you out, Boss. Don't you worry."

Joker snorted, "Me, worry?"

Joker rested his back on the bars and continued with his recollection. Where was he?

Damn, that memory had passed on. He sighed internally. He would just have to pick another memory to admire.

He scrolled through his brain, looking, searching, for any memory that he fancied the most. Well, to be fair he valued all of his memories with Alisa, some with Harley, some with Bats and some with his knives. He wasn't really fond of his memories from his childhood. Though he did remember everything with quite some clarity he decided not to dwell on them.

Joker gave up on his musings and pulled his attention to the loitering officers. They all kept their distance, out of fear of course, and were all ready to shoot at him without hesitation.

Hesitation! Hesitation means death. Joker scanned the area, there was nothing of interest, as usual. Then something caught his eye. There, lying on the corner of the desk, was a post-note. Written in red in capitals, it read "Be ready! It's almost your time to come to the stage".

Gently, it slid off of the desk and fell in the trashcan below. Clearly someone was watching, anticipating his next move.

It was a message from The Kid no doubt. He didn't like this Kid. Joker felt that Kid was taking his spotlight and the Kid was basking in his fallacious victory. Kid thought he was on top but little did Kid expect Joker to bounce back up and restore his place on the throne.

Just watch, he would return, and he would do so with a bang!

By bang he means with the death of The Kid.

Then hopefully when all of this business with Kid would end Joker would go find his girls. Not only had he hadn't heard of Alisa but neither from Harley either, which made him nervous because Harley always came back to him. Always.

He chuckled when he recalled the first few times when Harley had come back to him. It was shortly after he had met her the first time after his time at Arkham. It was a couple of weeks after his silent breakout: it was just past dusk, and Joker was just going through his pockets. He laid out each knife and the few guns he had on him.

He hovered his hands over the row of knives and opened and closed his mouth as if biting something in the air. He grinned, displaying his rows of yellowed teeth.

Just as he was about to raise one of his favourite blade he felt something foul crawl up from his stomach to his throat. He paused and when he did the door was kicked open.

"Oh Mist-ah J!"

Joker rolled his eyes and his smile faltered, "Harley!" he called back with the same volume as her. He didn't turn towards her though, he kept his back to her.

"Oh Mistah J, I knew I'd find you!" she came towards him with open arms but Joker had other ideas.

Joker pointed to his scars "Harley, there's something on your, uh, face"

Harley's pace decreased "What? Is it bad?" her hand instinctively went to her face.

"Here let me get it for ya!" Joker zipped around and punched Harley square in the jaw.

Harley staggered backwards and blood drew from her lip. Her smile vanished as if by magic and a frown was in its stead.

"There" Joker chuckled "…All better"

Harley clutched her split lip. She fell to her knees, down to Joker's knees. He could hear her whimper and stifle her cries, now that brought a smile to Joker's lips.

"Ah good times" Joker sighed, lovingly as he returned to the present.

-;-;-;-;-;-;-

A cold sweat broke out on Bruce's skin. He lay on the top of Wayne enterprises, how he got there he couldn't really tell you, after all he just woke up. Surprisingly, he was up there as Bruce Wayne, not as Batman. Which struck him as odd as it was in the hours of darkness.

He felt his eyes sting as a bright light sprung up from beside the building. He leaped to his feet and ran right to the edge. His heart broke as he examined with fright at the sight before him. It was Gotham. She was burning.

Gotham was burning!

Red-hot, angry fire was spreading, dancing about in Gotham. Worst of it all was that Wayne enterprises was the tallest building in Gotham, so Bruce could do nothing but watch as the world around him burn to the ground.

Bruce felt the water works in him burst. He was useless. He couldn't do anything but watch. Observe. Spectate. Bruce felt his feet pull him over the edge.

No, the closer he looked he saw transparent hands pull him closer. They were stretching from the flames towards him. He felt himself break even more when he saw that the hands belonged to parents. There were many hands there, pulling him: his parents, Rachel, Gordon, Alfred and… The Joker. They were all smiling, calling him, dragging him to the edge. All he had to do was take one more step and he would join the gothamities in the flames. Just one more step and-

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

Suddenly, he was yanked back, almost aggressively.

The flames stopped tugging at him. They were gone but Gotham was still turning to ashes. Bruce shook his head, drying his tears he glanced behind him and felt his breathe leave him.

It was Alisa.

Alisa was just across from him. She was sitting on the edge, swinging her legs, swaying her head side to side in excitement.

She was wearing plain white shorts and an oxford shirt. It was simple unlike herself. She wasn't looking at him. He couldn't see her. He couldn't see her!

He tottered towards her. He felt a toad in his throat; he didn't want it to be her. He didn't want her here for once! He crunched his eyes shut as he stood right behind her. His hand stretched out and fell on her head.

She giggled and shook her head to shoo away his hand. He didn't know why but Bruce felt more tears sting his eyes.

"Look Brucey! Brucey?" Finally Alisa noticed the waterfall of tears and stood up. Her bare feet padded against the floor.

"Hey" her smile wavered "Brucey what's wrong?" she lightly touched his elbow.

"Don't you see?" Bruce whispered, he shook with both sorrow and rage "Don't you see? Don't you see? Don't you see!"

Alisa cocked her head, the worry within her gone. She became numb when Bruce grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

"Look! It's all in flames! Don't you care! Your home is burning! It's all gone! Don't you- don't you want to stop that?" by the end of Bruce's rant, he had become a sobbing mess and slowly fell to his knees.

All he could hear was the flames and his sobs as it raked through him for Alisa to see. Not that this was the first time-

"And so what?" her voice rang out, blurring out the rest of the sound.

Bruce furrowed his brows; he began to raise his head to look up at Alisa… the sight was terrifying.

Alisa's body had become cold as well did her voice. This wasn't Alisa anymore, this was a demon.

Her white clothes began to stain. Tainted with blood.

Only now did Bruce feel the scars under his touch when he noticed all of Alisa's scars starting to bleed.

"What does it matter?" she tugged her wrists back, prompting a grunt from Bruce. He let go and gasped at the amount of blood that was flowing from out of Alisa.

"You sacrificed your life! Became the Batman! Cut off all ties! Couldn't even maintain a relationship with Rachel… even then Gotham tore you apart, degraded the Batman and criticised Bruce Wayne for not giving a damn…. yet you still care. You still care!" as Alisa spoke her voice became deeper and more menacing. Her eyes began to glow and she even began to snarl at him like an animal.

She began to shake her head "You're so pathetic… little Brucey thought he could save everyone after his parents perished" she sneered at him.

Bruce took to his feet again, the Batman within him was itching to be let out "You're wrong"

Bruce never liked this side of Alisa, she laughed at him and circled him "Oh, how so?"

"Gotham is worth saving. The people in it are worth saving…"

Alisa grabbed his collar, shaking him like he did her "Why? What has Gotham done to you? Gotham has just taken from you-"

"Gotham" Bruce interjected "It gives people hope. When you come to Gotham you can become anyone no matter where you're from or what your history. It allows people to become free. Gotham is my home and I will protect, no matter what."

Sluggishly, Alisa let go of Bruce's collar and a sad smile graced her lips "There you go… There's the man I know".

"Alisa?"

But Alisa didn't reply, she gently whispered "*Te quiero"

Alisa began to back track. Her malicious demeanour gone in a beat of an eye. Alisa looked so… finished. So exhausted as if she were going to fall off the edge right now, and not care-

"Alisa!"

And she did. She fell in the flames. But the last glimpse of her made his heart stop. She was smiling, satisfied. She plummeted towards the ground, her body becoming shambles as it met the ground, dismembering, pieces everywhere. Shattered.

She burnt with a smile on her lips.

…

..

.

Bruce sat up so abruptly that his shoulders ached at the sudden movement. He could hear himself screaming but didn't comprehend that he was actually screaming until Alfred barged in through the door "Master Wayne, what's the matter?"

Alfred turned the side lamp on and was taken back by the sight of Bruce, "Master Bruce do you need me to-"

"No, no, no, Alfred. I… I just need to…."

Bruce never finished his sentence. He splashed his face with cold water and returned to his bed. He wouldn't tell Alfred what had woken him that night and nor would he ever tell anyone.

Alfred assumed that it was just another nightmare, another nightmare like all the other ones with the Joker. Bruce would never admit it but the Joker truly did beat him psychologically. He haunted Bruce almost as much as his parent's death did.

It was a fact, Bruce would never recover from the mental blows that the Joker did to him.

-;-;-;-;-;-;-

"What do you think about God?"

"God?"

"Yes, God. Do you believe in him?"

"If there is a God out then kudos to him for creating him but I see no reason in worshiping him… and if there is a God then… I truly do hate him."

"And why's that Alisa?" Johnathan fixed his glasses, gleaming up at his patient.

"Because he's so cruel and unsympathetic to his creation."

To be continued….

Translation:
*I love you

Hello lovely readers, so we are nearing the end of this volume. Now this story could go in two directions. However I feel very malicious and I love angst and such so I think there are two chapters left?
Please leave me your thoughts and feelings in your reviews. Also, I don't think many of you will be happy with the ending I have in mind, I'm just forewarning you.

-Suki