Chapter 26
Dick stumbled for a moment, then dropped to his knees. Tim ran back to him and caught him. He gently laid Dick on the ground. "Dick? Come on Dick, don't do this to me bro."
Piper jumped over the railing and landed in front of Joker. Her anger had reached the boiling point. She curled her fist into a ball and swung it across Joker's face. He fell to the ground laughing.
"Did I strike a nerve? Where were you when Bird Boy two blew up? That would've been more fun."
Piper swung her foot and kicked him in the gut, making him laugh even harder. She grabbed his collar, dragged him to his feet, then punched him again, sending him back to the ground.
"You've improved Piper. You're aim's gotten better."
"You know nothing about me," she said through gritted teeth. She punched him again and his head hit the floor.
"On the contrary, I know everything about you." Piper kicked him in the head and he laughed. "You ran away from home. I killed your brother, sending you into a state of depression." Piper punched him in the gut. "You're father abused you." Piper elbowed him in the throat. The Joker forced a wheezing laugh. "Haven't you ever wondered what happened to him?"
Piper stopped right before she punched him again. Shock froze her body. "You…"
"Did you miss me sweetheart?" He said in a mocking voice
Her voice was reduced to a whisper. "Dad…what happened to you?"
"Oh I went for a little swim in a tub of chemicals. You should try it sometime. It really is quite refreshing."
Piper stood in shock. Joker took his opportunity and punched her in the gut. The remainder of the air left in her lungs got knocked out. He then punched her arm and kicked her wounded leg. She crumbled to her knees. Joker then punched her across the face and knocked her to the ground.
"Where are your knives Piper? Isn't that how it used to be? I'd beat you, then you'd throw knives at me?"
"You…you killed Jason…"
Joker flashed a yellow-toothed smile at his daughter. "The most fun I've had in years. Up until now."
Piper lifted her head and looked at Tim, who was busy trying to keep Joker's men away from Dick. She looked at Dick. His chest was slowly rising then falling. Every few seconds, he'd let out a cough and a gasp for air.
"Dick," Piper whispered. She tried to crawl toward him, but Joker brought his foot across her face.
"Trying to save him? This is so much more fun than last time."
Piper looked up at him. "How do you live with yourself dad? You've killed hundreds of people. You've filled graveyards. You killed mom, you tried to kill me."
"Don't forget your little friend Jason," Joker said with a smile.
Piper let out a frustrated scream and lashed her foot out. Joker's feet were knocked out from under him and he fell onto his back. Piper pinned him down and held one of her knives to his throat.
"Are you going to kill me now? Are you going to break what Batman taught you?"
"Why shouldn't I? You killed Jason. If you take anyone else from my family, I swear I will kill you. No hesitation."
Joker laughed. Piper risked a quick glance at Dick. She saw one of the men stomp his foot on Dick's head and then his stomach, pushing one of the knives deeper into his chest.
"No!"
Joker knocked Piper off of him and pinned her to the ground. He got out one of his knives and held it over her lips.
"Piper!" Tim yelled.
"Now, answer this. If you die, how will you kill me when your so called brother dies?" He slid the knife down and cut her lip. She flinched and tried to turn her head away. Joker grabbed her face and turned it back towards his.
"Joker…stop please." Piper heard Dick's faint voice. Joker released her face and she turned to look at Dick. He had rolled onto his side and the knives lay in small blood puddles next to him.
"Don't hurt her anymore. You came back to Gotham to kill me, so do what you came for."
"No!" Piper turned back to the Joker. "Don't you dare touch him again!"
Joker took the knife and slashed it across Piper's forehead. A long gash appeared above her left eye. He got up off her and walked casually to Dick. Piper rolled onto her stomach and pushed herself off the ground. Her arms were screaming and blood gushed from her head. She looked at Tim, who was now being held back.
Joker wrapped his hand around Dick's neck and squeezed. "You got in the way. I could've killed her then and there. That hit would've killed anyone else. She should be dead and yet she lives because you got in the way!" He tightened his grip.
Piper then realized why Joker was after Dick. Joker had the chance to kill Piper, that day when Bruce confronted Clint Baker about his daughter's well-being. Dick took away that opportunity and Joker never forgot.
"Let him go dad." Piper's voice came out stronger than she intended. "You said so yourself. You had your chance to kill me seven years ago. Well here's another chance. Release his neck or you'll miss your chance."
"Piper you can't!" Tim protested.
"Stay whelmed Tim," Piper said. "I've got this."
Joker looked in between Piper and Dick, as if trying to figure out which one would be more fun to kill. He released Dick's neck and stood up. He faced Piper and pulled out a knife and slowly walked toward Piper. She bowed her head and closed her eyes.
"Piper," Dick wheezed.
"If you want to kill me dad, you have about five seconds."
"Five seconds?" Joker laughed. "Why five?"
"Four."
"What's with the countdown?"
"Three."
"Stop it." He was getting angry now.
"Two."
Joker threw his knife at her. Piper heard the blade whiz through the air, getting louder as it got closer. She caught the blade before it entered her body, slicing her hand. She looked up at him.
"One."