The Present - Metropolis
When Harley Quinn signed on to partner with the Joker on an out-of-town gig she had no idea what she was truly agreeing to do. Just like the Joker predicted, his Harley eventually turned up in Gotham after escaping Waller and the Squad without his help this time. The Joker had sold his master plan to her as the ultimate prank, knowing that Harley's appetite for mischief wouldn't allow her to turn him down. Now, looking out over the burnt remains of Metropolis Harley's fragile mind begins to fracture. She sinks to her knees and covers her mouth in shock, horrified by what she'd helped the Joker do this time.
"Harl," the Joker holds out a hand to her "They'll be here soon, we have to go!"
"No," Harley can't take her eyes off the nuked city "No, no, no, no, no!"
"For once I'm not joking!" the Joker latches on to an arm and tries to jerk Harley to her feet.
"You lied," Harley doesn't budge "You said we were just gonna mess with him!"
Harley knew better than anyone what the Joker was capable of but she never would've seen this coming in a million years. As far as Harley had been told by her Puddin, the plan was to kidnap Lois Lane to lure in Superman so he could be dosed with Joker Venom. The Clowns would livestream him acting a fool and the world would get a hilarious viral video that portrayed the Man of Steel as weak. After the mysterious and frankly sketchy circumstances of his resurrection, bad press was the last thing the alien hero needed right now. With Superman's natural defenses, the Venom would wear off and he'd be back to normal in a few hours. Harley thought no one she knew would actually get hurt, not like this. The Joker didn't tell her they were really going to use Scarecrow's fear toxin laced with kryptonite to weaken Superman's mind. He left out the part where he'd traveled to Metropolis weeks ago to plant and wire the nuke. He didn't let Harley see him rig Lois with a dead man's trigger at the last possible second. When the Clowns finally come face-to-face with one very pissed-off Man of Steel, the Joker's true plan kicks into gear. He'd already told Harley to set up the phone on a tripod and start the livestream. The Joker waits for Superman to fly in close to tackle him, then he uses one of his signature acid-spewing flowers to deliver the toxin. The Clowns make their escape while Superman is busy choking on the gas. At first Harley is confused as to why they bothered kidnapping Lois if they were just going to bail the moment Supes arrived. She tries to ask the Joker what's going on when he pauses to steal a motorcycle but he won't tell her anything as they flee. Harley finally puts it together when Metropolis goes up in flames in the Clown's wake. This was her psychotic boyfriend's way of showing the world that he was still relevant and shackling Harley's name to his forever. Lois had begged Harley to help her at one point while the Joker was out of earshot, sharing that she was pregnant with Superman's child. In her ignorance Harley had told Lois to relax because the good guys always get rescued. In Harley's experience the bad guys never truly win the day. Any other day Harley's words would prove to be true. Unfortunately, the time had come for the pattern to break in a very permanent way. All had gone according to plan for the Joker, except for Harley's reaction. It seemed the Clowns had gravely underestimated one another. Harley had no illusions to the depths of depravity the Joker was capable of, but he'd never lied to her about a job before. The Joker was meticulous in nature and made damn well sure that Harley was too when they worked together. Harley almost couldn't believe she'd allowed herself to be won back over and tricked so easily. She'd been living in an illusion of her own creation. She truly believed her time with the Squad had proved to the world that Harley Quinn was more than just the Joker's accomplice. Now, thanks to her own naiveté that was how she'd go down in history.
"Get up, Harl," the Joker mounts the motorcycle they'd used in their escape "You don't want to be here when he comes back down!"
Shortly before the nuke detonated, the Clowns saw Superman launch something out of the atmosphere into space from their vantage point just outside Metropolis. Upon seeing the city burn immediately after, Harley realizes that she'd helped the Joker trick Superman into killing his pregnant wife. Mr. J rushed her out of Metropolis because that was the plan all along. Whatever the Joker dosed him with must have caused the Man of Steel to lose control or hallucinate. Probably both. Harley would always adore destruction and murder but not like this. Never like this, ever again she silently makes a solemn promise to herself.
"Go," is all she's able to say at first "I ain't going nowhere with you!"
"Fine, be that way," Joker says nonchalantly "Say hi to Batsy for me!"
Harley doesn't bother responding as he revs the bike and speeds off into the distance. Once he's gone Harley tries to will herself to make a run for it too. A heaviness in her soul keeps Harley rooted to the same spot, knees hugged into her chest like a lost kid. She watches as the military and various heroes begin to converge around the destruction. Suddenly, Harley feels the ground vibrate beneath her and lets out a sigh. The shadow of a man falls over her and Harley looks up into the Flash's masked face.
"Shoulda guessed the speedster would find me first," Harley finds her voice "Been a long time, Flash."
"I've got Harley Quinn on the southern outskirts of the city," the Flash ignores her, speaking into his comm "No sign of the Joker yet."
"He's long gone," Harley breaks down giggling in sheer madness "The Flash was too slow!"
"Harley this is no joke," Barry fights to keep his composure "Tell me where he went."
"It's not your fault," Harley calms, her madness gone like it never reared it's head "I wasn't fast enough either."
Harley points to the tracks from the bike and the Flash takes off without another word to her. While Barry is scouting the rest of the Justice League begin turning up within moments of the Flash's departure. Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern descend from the sky. They land forming a circle around Harley, rage and grief etched into each one of their faces. Green Arrow and Black Canary arrive a few minutes later on their bikes. The Bat and his progeny are last to land on the scene in one of Bruce's smaller jets. The back hatch opens and the Bat Family make their entrance. Batgirl and Huntress hop out first with Catwoman, Nightwing, and Batman right behind them.
"Batgirl, get Harley loaded up," Batman immediately tries to take charge "You're going back to Arkham, Quinn."
Wonder Woman vibrates with emotion and fury as she watches Barbara slap a set of Bat-cuffs on Harley and stand her up. Diana opens her mouth to speak but is interrupted by the sudden return of Barry Allen.
"It's like the Joker's vanished," Flash looks around at his teammates "Has anyone spoken to Superman?"
"I've reached out to him," Martian Manhunter says after a moment "He hasn't returned yet."
"What a shit-show." Green Arrow says glibly from his bike. Black Canary smacks him on the back of the head and glares at her husband disapprovingly. Before the couple can start bickering, Wonder Woman steps forward and places herself in Batgirl and Harley's path.
"The harlequin goes nowhere until Superman has his say." Diana's eyes flash as she rests a hand on the hilt of her sword. Harley gulps audibly, she had no desire to find herself on the pointy end of the Amazon's blade. As if his name being spoken aloud had summoned him, Superman appears in the sky above them. Rather than land he floats silently several feet above the rest of the heroes' heads. Then his gaze falls on Harley Quinn, he hadn't noticed her standing amongst his friends at first. Superman comes to take her life with the viciousness of a thousand hellhounds. Clark ruthlessly knocks Batgirl aside, sending her spinning until she comes to a stop on her back with the wind knocked out of her. Superman lands inches from Harley's face and snatches her up by the throat. Harley kicks her feet and gasps for breath but she was no match for his alien strength. The rest of the heroes watch each other carefully, trying to gauge one another's reactions.
"Where is the Joker?" Superman squeezes Harley's neck a little harder with each word.
"I don't," Harley chokes the words out "Know!"
"Superman you're killing her," Flash is first to react "The Joker disappeared she's a waste of time."
"You're right Flash," Clark doesn't release Harley or relax his grip "Lantern, Hawkgirl, Manhunter, get in the sky and find him!"
The three of them nod and wordlessly take to the sky right away. Diana smiles sadistically as Harley continues to struggle to breathe. Her brainstem would snap like a twig if Clark kept this up. Green Arrow and Batman exchange blank expressions. Nightwing and Batgirl look on in horror after Dick helps her shake off the hit from Superman. Once Barbara gets her breath back Dick helps her get to her feet. Catwoman's hands casually come to rest on her whip. Selina casts a look at Huntress and sees her finger the trigger on her crossbow. The Flash watches in anguish, unsure if Clark was crossing a line or not. Barry looks to Bruce, clearly waiting for a signal to speed in and break Harley out of Clark's grasp. That had to be the play here, the Justice League doesn't kill. In Barry's mind, Clark was acting out in pain and grief over the loss of Lois and Metropolis. He needed his friends to save him from becoming everything he stood against. Batman gives Barry a severe look and slowly shakes his head a single time, telling the Flash to stand down. Bruce takes a few steps forward, hoping he could talk his old friend out of this murderous rage.
"Superman," Batman's voice cuts the tension "Put her down and have a conversation with me before you go too far."
"Too far," Superman echoes Batman "You went too far letting the Joker live after all he's done!" Clark flings Harley aside like a rag-doll he'd grown bored with. She lands hard on her knees, coughing her lungs out on the ground in front of Black Canary and her husband. "Don't take your eyes off of her." Superman orders the couple. The archer and his wife nod their understanding, thinking it best to stay silent for the moment. Superman's eyes glow red as he turns to face Batman.
"You don't have to do this." Batman slides into a combat stance, signaling for the Bat Family to be prepared for a fight. Wonder Woman flips her dark hair over a shoulder as she draws her sword and raises the shield. Diana is relieved the time to talk had come to an end. The warrior princess preferred to settle disputes in battle. Catwoman lazily unwinds the whip from around her hips, taking a moment to size up Diana. Huntress cocks her crossbow and keeps it level with the Amazon's throat. Batgirl reaches for a smoke bomb and some explosives. Nightwing draws his Escrima Sticks, rapidly tapping the controls to raise the voltage. For a split second all is silent and still. Then the gods and mortals lock in brutal combat. Superman punches Batman square in the chest, launching him into the air. Batman goes flying before hitting the ground hard enough to create a small crater in the earth. Clark's strength keeps him skidding for a while until the Bat can right himself with a backwards roll. While Superman advances on Batman again, the Bat Family move on Wonder Woman as a unit. Batgirl detonates the smoke bomb and lobs it at Diana to obscure her vision. She flings a few of her shuriken Batarangs into the smoke and rolls quickly since she'd given her position away. Just in time too, Batgirl nearly gets stomped by Diana's boot while she's rolling. Huntress reflexively fires crossbow bolts to cover Batgirl's retreat. Diana deflects them effortlessly with a cuff, unhindered by the smoke. Once it clears Dick comes at Diana, striking out ruthlessly with his electrified weapons. He valiantly goes toe-to-toe with his much stronger opponent. Diana just blocks his attacks until she has a chance to bash him in the face with her shield, knocking Nightwing out cold. The Flash stands frozen in shock, unable to choose a side. He was the youngest official League member and even after all he'd faced Barry Allen simply had no taste for blood, especially not his friends'.
"You're wrong Batman," Clark slowly approaches the Bat "I do have to do this for Lois."
"Arrow," Batman calls out while Superman is distracted "Take her now!"
Green Arrow tips his hood to Batman and throws his wife a sly look. Black Canary restarts her bike and hits Barry with the loudest Sonic Scream she can muster to facilitate their escape. The speedster drops to his knees, hands clamped over his ears. Oliver holds his hand out to Harley but she just looks at him in confusion.
"Harley," a quiet warmth in Green Arrow's voice convinces her to take his hand and get up "Climb on we have to go!"
She does as he says and the Emerald Archer guns the gas on his bike, making a break for it with Harley in tow. Black Canary continues to Sonic Scream until the Flash ends up curled into the fetal position, cradling his ears.
"Sorry Flash," Dinah calls over her shoulder as she makes her escape "Nothing personal!"
Superman lets out a cry of rage at their retreating backs and turns to Barry.
"Flash," Superman yells "Bring them back right now!"
"Clark, you're not a killer!" Batman pleads with his friend. The Flash struggles to his feet and takes off after Green Arrow, grateful to have a reason to run so he could think. Satisfied, Superman turns his attention back to Batman.
"Oh but I am," Superman nearly laughs "I am a killer now and you could've prevented it many times over!"
Superman grabs Batman by the front of his suit and lifts him into the air. His hands tremble with rage while he debates whether to punch Bruce in the face or just crush him and end this like he should've done with Harley. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman has incapacitated the entire Bat Family except for Catwoman. Selina does her best to confuse Diana, using acrobatic maneuvers and whip tricks to keep her attention instead of attacking directly. This tactic wouldn't last much longer, the Cat would tire long before the Amazon. It was looking like the Bat Family would die with Metropolis when Barry Allen comes speeding into what's left of the fray. The Flash had allowed Green Arrow to get away with the Canary and Harley Quinn. Barry had no desire to watch Clark kill them. Thinking fast, Barry runs in circles to generate force then drops to a knee and pounds the ground with a fist. The earth shakes violently and everyone still standing fights to keep their footing. Barry brings down his other fist and the resulting tremors knock Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Catwoman into the air. Superman recovers first, he rights himself immediately and opts to float rather than land. The Cat somehow manages to stick a landing and settle into a crouch. Bruce and Diana both have to roll when they hit the ground to avoid being toppled completely.
"Please stop," the Flash yells "Killing each other is exactly what the Joker wants, chaos!"
The Bat and Wonder Woman stand up straight, readying themselves to keep fighting. Clark looks at Barry for a moment, considering his words. Then Superman turns away to look out over the charred remains of his city .
"Take your people and go," Clark says finally "Don't get in my way again I will not show mercy."
"If you start crossing lines," Batman pauses and stoops to gather an unconscious Batgirl in his arms "I will be forced to stop you."
"You're welcome to try," Clark turns his back "Come on, Diana."
Wonder Woman joins Superman in the sky and both are gone in an instant. Catwoman finds the battered Nightwing and Huntress laid out in the dirt from the beat-down Diana gave them. Selina helps the pair get to their feet and the three of them head for Batman's jet together. The Flash watches as the warring heroes go their separate ways, still having no clue which side was in the right.
"What are you waiting for," Batman grunts as he passes "Run, Barry."
The Flash nods and takes off after Clark and Diana. On the flight back to Gotham, Batman thinks about Zatanna's prophecy. The first three parts had come true today. The Joker was clearly the Magician, his trickery had made Lois into the Hanged Man. It sickened Batman that the fierce Lois Lane had been reduced to an innocent blood sacrifice. Her death triggered the destruction of Metropolis, represented in the prophecy as the Tower. The only part that didn't make sense was the repeated appearance of the Justice card. Constantine told him verbatim that justice would be lost. At first Batman thought the mage was referring to the Justice League splitting up in the future. It had already nearly happened many times before. After today's brutal events Batman is certain the final part of the prophecy would have to be bigger than the League. Much, much, bigger.