An Ace In The Hole Chapter 17: Theory of a Dead Wizard (Days of Heir), a Batman + Harry Potter Crossover fanfic

An Ace in the Hole

A/N: Welcome to Watcher's Choice! This is where you, the Watcher, get to choose which version of the chapter stays and which goes! For your reading pleasure, we have two versions of chapter seventeen to read! Your reviews will make the decision. Then, before the next update, we'll declare the keeper! Now, we're not going to tell you which version is mine and which is JB's until after the choice is made! Enjoy!

Chapter Seventeen: Theory of a Dead Wizard (Days of Heir) [Version A]

Ace and Warrior took one last look around the bathroom, waved at Myrtle, then dived feet first down the pipe. They sped down the slim lubricated piping as the air whipped their hair behind them. It kept twisting and turning as they traveled further and further under the school. Finally, just when Ace started to feel bored, the pipe leveled off, and he shot out into a dark opening. On instinct, he rolled into a crouching stance as he hit the ground.

"Lumos."

Ace's wand light brought the landing into contrast as Warrior sped out of the pipe behind him. Like Ace, he, too rolled into a crouching stance.

"Nice landing, Warrior. At the first sign of any movement, close your eyes. After that, you'll have to rely on your other senses. One glance at this thing's eyes, and it's game over."

Warrior nodded as he scanned the room. A long tunnel led off from where they stood. Ace motioned for Warrior to follow, and they started down the tunnel. A few minutes later, they reached another expanse, and something green shimmered in their wand light. The pair rolled behind a nearby stalactite with their eyes shut tight. Ace listened as he felt the ground for any signs of movement. Finally, after a few minutes of silence, he lifted his head and dared a peek. A giant snakeskin, at least thirty feet in length, covered the floor.

"Who's here? Me or you? Definitely twenty-five feet."

"Watchers?" Warrior questioned.

"Yep," Ace retorted, popping the 'P'. "Some can be quite opinionated. Anyways, the area is clear. It's just a giant snakeskin."

Warrior's mouth twitched. "Yeah, but where's its previous owner?"

"I'm sure that it's here somewhere. Waiting to play."

As they moved around the skin, the ground beneath them crunched under their shoes. Ace looked down to see the floor littered with the bones of small animals.

He shook his head. "It snacks more than the twins and leaves just as big a mess."

"I don't see any human remains."

"No worries, Warrior. Tommy Boy didn't drag Ginny down here for a midnight snack for his beastie. She's just the bait."

They walked on another thirty yards, and their wand light fell upon a large circular door with emerald crested snakes carved upon its surface. The jewels twinkled in the light. Warrior flicked his wand, and the two torches that hung on either side of the door sprung to life.

Ace focused on the snakes then whispered, 'Open.'

The carved snakes sprung to life and slithered around the edge of the door. As they did, the wheel in the middle spun. The next moment, they jumped back as the door swung open. Peering inside, they could see another long corridor lined with pillars.

"Tommy Boy's Chamber." Ace turned to face Warrior. "Looks like we've reached the entrance." He reached inside his robes and withdrew the invisibility cloak. "Stay here. Cover yourself with this cloak and guard the entrance. I don't want anything sneaking up on me. No matter what you hear, don't come until I call for you."

Warrior nodded, then wrapped the cloak around himself. "This is the way."

"One day, we're gonna have to figure out what that means," Ace chuckled. "Now, time to play!"

Ace stepped through the doorway and began down the corridor. His eyes scanned each pillar, taking in the detailed carvings and watching for the first sign of life. The corridor stretched on for another thirty yards until it opened into a massive inner chamber.

Ace entered the chamber, scanning the walls and ceiling. Experience had taught him always to check the rafters. In the center of the chamber stood a vast, freshly disturbed pool. The damp stone floor glistened in the light of torches that lit the doorway and the far wall where a man's face was etched into the stone. The rest of the chamber remained hidden in the shadows.

The sound of something moving caught his attention. He looked to his right and spied Ginny Weasley lying on the floor. Tom Riddle's diary lay just beneath her outstretched hand. He made his way over to her, kneeling to check her pulse.

"Alive," Ace muttered, "but barely. You didn't make that noise."

Ace flicked his left wrist, and a short silver knife dropped into his hand. He flicked his right wrist, and his wand slipped into the other.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Ace sang. "I only want to play."

Ace strolled around the edge of the water, scanning the shadows for any signs of movement. In one hand, he gripped a knife while the other held tight to his wand.

"Hello there … Ace."

Ace spun around to see a figure moving out of the shadows, his form transparent.

"I remember you," Ace breathed, a smirk curving his lips. "You're the flake from the diary that was trying to sell me a spinner. You're Tommy Boy!"

The young man frowned. "My name is Tom Riddle."

"Nope," Ace retorted, popping the 'P'. "I can play this game too. You despise that name, the same way that I despise being called Harry Potter. It's etched all over your nearly-there face."

"You're not surprised to see me?"

Ace continued to circle the pool of water, keeping an eye on Riddle as he drew closer. "Nope. See, I came down here looking for the Heir of Slytherin, and I figured that you either knew him or was him."

"Very clever, Ace," Riddle smiled. "Though, also very foolish to come down here alone. If I'm indeed the Heir of Slytherin, then you're in great danger."

Ace tightened the grip on his knife. "Normally, Tommy Boy, I wouldn't be alone. But, unfortunately, someone has been a bit irresponsible with their pet. First, they allowed it to roam free in the castle, and now it has petrified a couple of students, including," Ace let out a low growl, "one of my girls."

"Your girls," Riddle repeated. "Oh yes. Now I remember. Ginny spoke of them. The Mudblood and the mental Pureblood. Members of your 'freaks'."

"Naughty, naughty, Tommy Boy! Keep calling people names, and you'll be the most unpopular dead boy in school!"

"Always playing games ... aren't you, Ace." Riddle eyed the knife. "It doesn't bother you one bit that the Weasley brat lies dying behind you."

"You'll tell me how to save her in a moment."

Riddle roared with laughter. The longer he laughed, the higher and colder his tone became. "You think that I'm going to tell you how to save her? Why would I do that? The closer she comes to death, the closer I come to being fully restored!"

"See! I knew that you would be helpful!" Ace pointed his knife at Riddle. "All I have to do is kill you before she dies and she lives."

"You? Kill me?" Riddle laughed again. "Tell me, Ace. Do you believe that stuff poor little Ginny was telling me? That you defeated the greatest wizard in history. Lord Voldemort?"

Ace shrugged. "Don't recall the event. All I know is that, as you Brits put it, the little wanker made a big mistake, and now he's off somewhere trying to find all his bits."

"You dare make fun of Lord Voldemort?" Riddle's eyes narrowed to slits.

Ace's mouth formed a perfect circle. "Oh! There you are! The final piece of the puzzle! Somehow, you're the younger version of Voldemort! Magic is awesome!"

"Yes. Preserved in the pages of my old diary." Riddle's voice had turned high-pitched and cold. "Now that you know who I am, it's time to finish what my older self could not."

"I figure that you've got Ginny's wand tucked away somewhere, but you're still looking a bit hollow." Ace edged closer to his prey. "I got a school of 'freaks' to protect. You're not leaving this chamber."

Riddle simpered. "Ace, the hero."

Ace waved his arms. "Please! Don't use the 'H' word. No need for profanity!"

"Enough! I don't need a wand to defeat you tonight, Ace." Riddle raised his arms wide. "Let's see how the Boy-Who-Lived compares to the King-of-Snakes!"

"Come to me! Kill our enemy!" Riddle hissed in Parseltongue.

Ace glanced around to see the mouth of the man's image on the wall opening. He turned back to face Riddle as he felt something heavy hit the floor of the chamber. The hissing and spitting told him all he needed to know.

"Sure you want to do this, ole King-of-Snakes?"

"Save your breath, Ace!" Riddle hissed. "The great basilisk answers only to me!"

Ace glared at Riddle. "Ever heard of minding your own business? I was talking to the King-of-Snakes, not the king of bad mistakes!"

"I respect you, Ace." Riddle bowed to him. "Kill him! Now!"

Ace could feel the snake coming. Closing his eyes, he leaped into the air just as the beast struck. Allowing his magic to flow, he spun through the air, performing a perfect backflip and landing on the back of the beast. Then, without hesitating, he sprinted down the slick scales. The snake flung its tail wildly, sending him high into the air.

~~~Ace~~~

Riddle watched in awe as Ace soared to the rafters of the chamber, grabbing onto one of the beams. The basilisk coiled, then struck out, smashing its head into the place where Ace had been only seconds before. Broken fangs rained down from the ceiling as the great snake roared in pain. The next second, he caught sight of the boy landing on the top of the great snake's head. Ace jabbed his hands into its face. The basilisk roared again as blood poured from its eyes. The boy slid down the back of the great snake as it fell to the floor, shaking its head in pain.

"Weeee!" Ace exclaimed, sliding off the side of the basilisk, his eyes still closed.

"No!" Riddle screamed, grabbing the side of his face with his hands. "Enough of this! Kill the boy now!"

"Let's play hide and seek, ole King-of Snakes!" Ace proclaimed. "You count to ten while I hide. Remember! No peeking!"

Riddle scanned the floor for signs of the brat. He finally spotted him next to the Weasley girl. Before he could utter a word, the boy shouted, "Peeves!" and Peeves, the Poltergeist, zoomed through the Chamber.

"Catch, oh wicked one!"

Peeves tossed something to the boy, then blew raspberries at Riddle as he flew down the entrance corridor. Riddle shook his head, then focused on the task at hand. What could a poltergeist possibly bring to the boy that could defeat a basilisk?

"He's behind you! Use your other senses!" Riddle commanded. "Smell him out!"

The basilisk coiled itself around, sniffing the air for the brat with its tongue. Then, in one maddening second, Riddle realized that what Peeves had tossed was the Sorting hat. The boy thrust his hand inside the hat, withdrawing something large and shiny.

The basilisk struck, missing its prey, as the boy leaped into the air. The brat landed on top of the head of the snake, which unleashed an almighty cry of pain.

~~~Ace~~~

Ace pulled hard on the sword's handle, freeing it from the eye socket of the basilisk. The great beast tossed its head back and forth. Ace leaped down from the head of the beast. The basilisk raised its head high to strike as Ace leaped into the air, driving the sword of Gryffindor to the hilt into the neck of the beast.

The basilisk fell to the floor. Ace freed the sword, then drove it into the beast again and again. Blood soaked the stone floor. Ace made one final thrust, sending the blade through the bottom of the head and out its skull. Riddle sank to his knees as the snake's body fell against the floor with one final rumble. Ace placed a foot on the jawbone and wrenched the sword from the beast's head as he spied Riddle staring at the motionless form before him.

"Well, that's what happens when you don't take care of your pets, Riddle." Ace dragged the tip of the blade along with the snake's scales as he approached the once and future Dark Lord. "They get loose, and someone has to put them down before they hurt somebody."

"I'll end this now!"

Riddle leaped to his feet and drew Ginny's wand from his robes. However, before he could blink, a short silver blade connected with wood, sending the wand spiraling through the air and into the water. He rubbed his hand where the knife had made contact as he backed away from the approaching Ace.

"I can touch you." Ace waved his hand in front of his face, becoming Harry.

Riddle's eyes went wide. "What?"

"Hello. My name is Harry James Potter Quinn." Harry raised the sword, pointing it in Riddle's direction. "You killed my parents. Prepare to die."

Riddle continued to back away. "You cannot kill Lord Voldemort!"

"Hello. My name is Harry James Potter Quinn. You killed my parents. Prepare to die."

"I will murder you and every last one of your freaks!" Riddle spat.

Harry ignored Riddle as he advanced on the semi-solid specter. "Hello. My name is Harry James Potter Quinn. You killed my parents. Prepare to die."

Riddle's back made contact with the chamber wall, and to Harry's delight, he couldn't pass through.

"Hello. My name is Harry James Potter Quinn. You killed my parents. Prepare to die."

"Stop saying tha—" Riddle gasped as Harry thrust the sword into his chest, the tip pushing through his back and into the mortar between the stones.

"Hello. My name is Harry James Potter Quinn." Harry shoved again until the hilt met Riddle's chest. "You killed my parents. Prepare to die." He leaned in closer. "Tell me, Tommy Boy ... can you feel that?"

Riddle's breathing became shallow. "Are you willing to sacrifice the Weasley brat to kill me?"

"Nope," Harry replied, popping the 'P'. "I just wanted to inflict some pain. Now, don't you go anywhere."

Harry walked away from the struggling Riddle to kneel beside Ginny, the diary, and the head of the basilisk. The color had almost completely drained from her face.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

Harry looked around to see Riddle struggling harder to free the sword as his form became more solid with every passing second. "Patience, Riddle. That's just the sword stabbing you in the heart. It'll be over soon enough."

Harry picked up the diary. "The only thing that I can see that connects Tommy Boy to Ginny is this book."

Harry flicked his left wrist, grabbed the short blade, and thrust it into the book. Nothing happened. He pulled the knife out, and the book healed itself immediately. "Hmmm. Well, Mistah J always says that when something's not good enough, add some seasoning."

Harry winked at Riddle, then thrust his blade into the roof of the basilisk's open mouth, drawing a stream of blood and venom. He dipped the tip of the blade in the poison and stabbed the book again. Immediately, the book began to smoke as Riddle screamed. Ink poured from the stab wound in the book and Riddle.

"You'll never defeat Lord Volde—" Riddle screamed as a light burst from the center of his chest.

The sword flew from the wall, then rolled across the floor as Riddle faded away.

"Pop goes the weasel."

Harry eased over to Ginny, rolling her over onto her back. The color in her face had already begun to return. He watched as her eyes fluttered open.

"Hello there. You missed all the fun."

"Harry?"

"It ain't Ernest T."

"Who?"

"Sorry. Muggle humor."

Ginny pushed herself up onto her elbows, looking around the chamber. Her breath caught in her chest as she beheld the basilisk.

Harry folded his arms. "He started it."

"Where is he?" Ginny exclaimed as fear covered her face, trying to get to her feet, but Harry placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Tommy boy is gone. He just couldn't live without his diary." Harry waved a hand over the ink-stained book.

"How did you defeat him?"

"Long story short. Tommy boy became a dragon, and unfortunately for him, I'm a natural-born slayer. Now, ready to get out of here?"

Ginny looked around the chamber. "How do we get out?"

Harry collected the sword, the hat, the diary, and then helped her to her feet. "Well, unless you know of a better way, I say we go back the way I came in."

Harry wrapped her arm around his neck. Then, he guided her down the corridor until they reached the door to the Chamber.

"Nev, you still out there?"

Neville stepped out of the shadows. "You never called for me? What happened?"

"Sorry, Nev. Things got a little carried away. I promise that you'll get to join in on the fun next time."

Neville eyed the blood-stained sword. "Where'd you find that?"

"Pulled it out of the Sorting hat, believe it or not." Harry tossed Neville the sword. "Now, we need to figure a way out of here."

"Might old Peevsie make a suggestion?"

Harry looked up to see the Poltergeist hovering above them. "We're listening, oh master of mischief."

"Conjure a rope and Peevsie can fly it up the pipe and tie it to a sink."

"Excellent idea! Nev, would you do the honors?"

Neville conjured a rope, and they watched as Peeves zoomed up the pipe with one end. They climbed up the rope as each boy took turns helping the weakened Ginny. When they reached the bathroom, she collapsed onto the floor.

"Oooh, is she dead?"

"Only fainted, Myrtle."

Moaning Myrtle pouted as Neville handed the sword to Harry then scooped Ginny into his arms.

Checking to make sure that Ginny had indeed fainted, Harry whispered, "I got to slay my beast, and you got your beauty."

Neville huffed as a red flush crept up his neck. "Hospital wing?"

"Nah. I think that we head straight for the Headmaster's office."

Neville followed Harry until they reached the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office.

"Lemon drops."

At once, the stone gargoyle leaped to one side to grant them access. They proceeded up the spiral staircase until they reached the office door. Before Harry could knock, the door opened. Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, Sprout, Dumbledore, and a tall wizard with slicked-back hair leaning on a cane stood before them.

"Wasn't expecting a full house."

"Mr. Quinn. Mr. Longbottom. How did you … is that Ms. Weasley? Is she … alive? Is that the sword of Gryffindor?"

"We went to the Chamber, killed the beast with the sword, and yes, she's still alive," Harry sighed.

The tall wizard's eyebrows lifted high up his forehead.

"Amazing," Professor McGonagall breathed.

Professors Sprout and Flitwick gasped while Dumbledore beamed. Professor Snape and the tall wizard's face contorted into the same sneer.

"Rubbish," Professor Snape spat. "Are we expected to believe that two second-year students defeated Slytherin's mythical beast and rescued the Weasley girl?"

"Please, sir," Ginny sobbed. "It was me that set loose the basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets. Tom Riddle made me do it! He was controlling me with that diary!"

Ginny pointed a shaking finger at the diary in Harry's hand.

"Harry and Neville saved me!"

"Well now, Mr. Malfoy. I believe that with this news, we can cancel the order of closure."

The tall wizard glared at Dumbledore. "There will be an investigation."

"Of course. We will investigate thoroughly. However, I believe that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley need to be informed. Professor McGonagall, if you would?"

"Right away, Headmaster," Professor McGonagall clipped.

She hurried out of the office, followed closely by Flitwick, Sprout, and a reluctant Snape.

"Good day, Dumbledore," Mr. Malfoy hissed, walking towards the door.

"One moment, Mr. Malfoy."

The tall wizard spun around to face Dumbledore. Dumbledore strode over to Harry, conjured three chairs from mid-air for them to sit in, then gestured toward the diary. "May I?"

Harry smirked at Neville as he handed Dumbledore the diary.

"Mr. Malfoy, would you have any knowledge as to how this diary made it into Hogwarts this year?"

"Are you accusing me of planting this diary here for a student to find and use?"

"Of course not." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "However, should any more of Tom Riddle's old school things happen to make their way into the school … well, I will be forced to start an investigation of my own."

Mr. Malfoy opened his mouth to retort but closed it again as three swift knocks at the door reverberated through the office. Before Dumbledore could answer, the door burst open as a tall, balding wizard and a short witch that Harry remembered from the train station entered. Professor McGonagall followed them inside then shut the door.

"Ginny!" her mother exclaimed, wrapping her arms around the small girl.

Ginny's father looked close to tears as he beheld the scene. Then, his eyes traveled from Dumbledore to Harry and then to Neville. The door latch clicked behind them, and Harry turned to see that Mr. Malfoy had slipped out the door.

"Next time," Harry whispered.

The balding wizard cleared his throat. "I don't know what to … I mean, how can I ever thank you boys? Professor McGonagall says that you two saved our Ginny."

"Here, Arthur," Dumbledore conjured up three more chairs. "Please have a seat. You too, Molly. I would thoroughly like to hear what happened."

"As would I," Professor McGonagall chimed in while taking a seat.

As Mr. and Mrs. Weasley accepted their seats, Mrs. Weasley scooted Ginny next to her. Ginny broke down into sobs.

Mrs. Weasley wrapped an arm around her daughter. "What's wrong, Ginny dear?"

"I'm going to be expelled! After waiting so long to come!"

"Before we worry about such things," Dumbledore interjected softly, "why don't we hear what all happened first. I'm sure that the world will look brighter afterward."

Ginny sniffed, then began to tell her story. Neville interjected about how they had noticed a change in Ginny and kept a close eye on her. However, he omitted them taking the diary then allowing Ginny to reclaim it. Throughout the whole, Harry remained silent until the time came for him to recount his 'small' part in the story.

"Well," Harry clicked the roof of his mouth with his tongue, "Hermione had figured out what the beast was, but before we could do anything, she was attacked. So Nev and I put two and two together and realized that Myrtle's bathroom would be the most likely place that the basilisk would be making its grand entrance and exit. Sure enough, Myrtle confirmed that she had been killed by the beast fifty years ago."

"Why didn't you come straight to me, Mr. Quinn?" Professor McGonagall questioned.

"Didn't think we had time. Ginny had already been gone for a while, and we were afraid that it might already be too late."

"So you believed that you could take on a basilisk?"

"Minerva," Dumbledore's voice quivered, "why don't we let Harry finish his story."

Professor McGonagall licked her lips. "Go ahead, Mr. Quinn."

Harry nodded. "Alrighty. Well, we opened the entrance to the Chamber then slipped down the pipe. When we reached the door to the Chamber, Nev stood guard to watch for the basilisk while I slipped inside to get Ginny. But, unfortunately, the basilisk and the memory of Tom Riddle waited for me inside the Chamber."

Mr. Weasley opened his mouth to speak. However, Dumbledore spoke first. "Very few people are aware that Tom Riddle is Lord Voldemort's real name. He went by it while here at Hogwarts."

Ginny, her parents, and Professor McGonagall shivered at the sound of the name.

"Please continue, Harry."

Harry nodded to Dumbledore, then continued. "Well, Riddle and I had a conversation where he told me who he really was. Then, he ordered the basilisk to kill me. Of course, I didn't want to do it, but," Harry shrugged, "he left me no choice."

"I still cannot believe that you killed a basilisk," Professor McGonagall interjected.

Harry fixed her with a hard stare. "Professor, you have no idea what I've had to face in my life. A basilisk is just par for the course."

"I don't care how you did it!" Mrs. Weasley wailed, pulling Neville and Harry into a tight hug. Harry's hand flinched as his instincts were to grab a blade, but he resisted the urge. "You saved my daughter! You're both heroes!"

Harry shivered at the word as he pulled away. "I'm no hero, Mrs. Weasley. Heroes sacrifice their lives for people they don't even know and with nothing to gain. I know Ginny, and that basilisk had attacked Hermione. The school was on the verge of closing, and I did what I did for selfish reasons."

Mrs. Weasley smiled at Harry. "See it however you wish, dear. I'll always see you as one."

Harry shrugged.

"Well, no matter what you call it," Mr. Weasley interjected, "I'll always see you as brave."

"Might I cut in, Harry," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he stressed the word 'cut'.

"Go right ahead."

"Well, let's see if I surmise what happened next. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong." Dumbledore smirked. "Skipping the gory details of the basilisk's defeat, I'm to assume at some point that the Sword of Gryffindor appeared to you when you needed it most."

"Pulled it out of this." Harry tossed the Sorting hat onto Dumbledore's desk.

Professor McGonagall and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gaped at the hat. However, Dumbledore simply smiled.

"The magic of Hogwarts. So then, you pulled this out of the Sorting hat, slew the basilisk, and then stabbed the diary. Thus sending the memory of Tom Riddle away for good. Am I correct?"

"Sounds about right."

"Then I see no reason to suspend or expel young Ms. Weasley for the actions of Lord Voldemort. Wiser and greater witches and wizards than her have been hoodwinked by him."

"No offense, Headmaster," Harry quipped, "but I'm exhausted. Would it be okay if Nev and I head back to Gryffindor tower?"

"Not at all. You'll be happy to know that Professor Sprout will have the rejuvenating potion ready in the next few days for all the petrified students."

"Extremely," Harry nodded, smiling at Neville as they rose to leave.

Mrs. Weasley gave them another hug, and Mr. Weasley shook their hands.

"Minerva, please escort Mr. Quinn and Mr. Longbottom to the corridor and fetch the rest of the Weasley family who is so patiently waiting with Professor Flitwick at the bottom of the staircase."

Professor McGonagall guided them out of the office and down the spiral staircase. When they reached the bottom, Professor Flitwick and a host of red-headed boys greeted them. Ron and Percy stared in awe as the tiny professor ushered them up the stairs while the twins beamed with pride.

"I trust that I don't need to escort you gentlemen to your common room?"

Harry stared up at his Head of House. "Of course, Professor. I swear that we won't be hunting down any more monsters tonight."

Professor McGonagall's mouth twitched as she nodded, then followed the Weasleys up the stairs. Professor Flitwick beamed at them, then headed up as well.

"Well, where to?"

"Come on, Nev," Harry exclaimed as the two boys raced down the corridor. "I'm sure that the Others are waiting for us in the room."

~~~Ace~~~

"Where are you going?"

Dick tossed his duffle bag over his shoulder. "Leaving. I need to find myself, and that's not going to happen here."

"Gotham needs you."

"No, Bruce. Gotham needs you. You just need to decide which version of you it needs more."

"What about the Joker, Harley, Frost, and Ivy?"

"From what I understand, they're the magical world's problem now. So let someone else deal with that group for once."

Bruce slammed his fist into the table. "They're not capable of dealing with the Joker, and if you're not here to watch over Gotham, how can I—"

"The Joker's your obsession. Not mine. If his antics spill over into our world, John, Vic, and I will swoop in to mop it up." Bruce tried to interrupt, but Dick held up a hand. "From what I understand, the Joker is from their world. You've sold yourself for years as the only solution to the Joker. Maybe it's time to let someone else deal with him. As for me, I'm done playing host to your rules."

Bruce chose to remain silent and watched as his crime-fighting partner of over a decade walked out the door.

A/N: Alrighty! That was Version A! Now, for Version B! Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy!

Chapter Seventeen: Theory of a Dead Wizard (Days of Heir) [Version B]

"Lumos."

Ace's wand light brought the landing into contrast as Warrior sped out of the pipe behind him. Like Ace, he too rolled into a crouching stance.

"Nice landing, Warrior. At the first sign of any movement, close your eyes. You'll have to rely on your other senses. One glance at this thing's eyes, and it's game over."

"Who's here? Me or you? Definitely twenty-five feet."

"Watchers?" Warrior questioned.

"Yep," Ace retorted, popping the 'P'. "Some can be quite opinionated. Anyways, the area is clear. It's just a giant snakeskin."

Warrior's mouth twitched. "Yeah, but where's its previous owner?"

"I'm sure that it's here somewhere. Waiting to play."

As they moved around the skin, the ground beneath them crunched under their shoes. Ace looked down to see the floor littered with the bones of small animals.

He shook his head. "It snacks more than the twins and leaves just as big a mess."

"I don't see any human remains."

"No worries, Warrior. Tommy Boy didn't drag Ginny down here for a midnight snack for his beastie. She's just the bait."

Ace focused on the snakes then whispered, 'Open.'

Warrior nodded, then wrapped the cloak around himself. "This is the way."

"One day, we're gonna have to figure out what that means," Ace chuckled. "Now, time to play!"

"Alive," Ace muttered, "but barely. You didn't make that noise."

Ace flicked his left wrist, and a short silver knife dropped into his hand. He flicked his right wrist, and his wand slipped into the other.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Ace sang. "I only want to play."

Ace strolled around the edge of the water, scanning the shadows for any signs of movement. In one hand, he gripped a knife while the other held tight to his wand.

"Hello there … Ace."

Ace spun around to see a figure moving out of the shadows, his form transparent.

"I remember you," Ace breathed, a smirk curving his lips. "You're the flake from the diary that was trying to sell me a spinner. You're Tommy Boy!"

The young man frowned. "My name is Tom Riddle."

"Nope," Ace retorted, popping the 'P'. "I can play this game too. You despise that name, the same way that I despise being called Harry Potter. It's etched all over your nearly-there face."

"You're not surprised to see me?"

"Very clever, Ace," Riddle smiled. "Though, also very foolish to come down here alone. If I'm indeed the Heir of Slytherin, then you're in great danger."

"Your girls," Riddle repeated. "Oh yes. Now I remember. Ginny spoke of them. The Mudblood and the mental Pureblood. Members of your 'freaks'."

"Naughty, naughty, Tommy Boy! Keep calling people names, and you'll be the most unpopular dead boy in school!"

"Always playing games ... aren't you, Ace." Riddle eyed the knife. "It doesn't bother you one bit that the Weasley brat lies dying behind you."

"You'll tell me how to save her in a moment."

"See! I knew that you would be helpful!" Ace pointed his knife at Riddle. "All I have to do is kill you before she dies and she lives."

"You? Kill me?" Riddle laughed again. "Tell me, Ace. Do you believe that stuff poor little Ginny was telling me? That you defeated the greatest wizard in history. Lord Voldemort?"

Ace shrugged. "Don't recall the event. All I know is that, as you Brits put it, the little wanker made a big mistake, and now he's off somewhere trying to find all his bits."

"You dare make fun of Lord Voldemort?" Riddle's eyes narrowed to slits.

Ace's mouth formed a perfect circle. "Oh! There you are! The final piece of the puzzle! Somehow, you're the younger version of Voldemort! Magic is awesome!"

"Yes. Preserved in the pages of my old diary." Riddle's voice had turned high-pitched and cold. "Now that you know who I am, it's time to finish what my older self could not."

Riddle simpered. "Ace, the hero."

Ace waved his arms. "Please! Don't use the 'H' word. No need for profanity!"

"Enough! I don't need a wand to defeat you tonight, Ace." Riddle raised his arms wide. "Let's see how the Boy-Who-Lived compares to the King of Snakes!"

"Come to me! Kill our enemy!" Riddle hissed in Parseltongue.

"Sure you want to do this, ole King of Snakes?"

"Save your breath, Ace!" Riddle hissed. "The great basilisk answers only to me!"

Ace glared at Riddle. "Ever heard of minding your own business? I was talking to the King of Snakes, not the king of bad mistakes!"

"I respect you, Ace." Riddle bowed to him. "Kill him! Now!"

"Time to die, child."

~~~Ace~~~

Riddle watched in awe as Ace soared to the rafters of the chamber before landing on a nearby perch.

"Why do you listen to Tommy boy, ole King of Snakes?"

The basilisk paused. "He that you call Tommy boy is the descendent of my creator."

"Why did Slytherin create you?"

"Enough of this!" Riddle spat. "Kill the boy, now!"

The great basilisk coiled its body, then turned its head towards Ace. Making sure that his eyes were closed tight, Ace pressed one more time.

"Before you strike, ole King of Snakes, honor this parseltongue my last request. Why did Slytherin create you and leave you in this chamber?"

"To protect the school above," the basilisk hissed, "from all threats."

"Was closing the school his way of protecting it? Did he wish for you to scare all the witches and wizards away?"

"Scare all the witches and wizards away?" the basilisk repeated. "I have not done such a thing! I have merely cleansed the school of those presenting danger!"

Ace shook his head. "Nope. Thanks to you and Tommy boy, the school closes in the morning. All the students are leaving."

The basilisk turned its attention to Riddle. "What is the meaning of this? Is what this boy says true?"

"Of course not!" Riddle growled. "He's the reason the school is closing. Kill him, and the school remains open!"

Ace's tone became soothing and even. "When I'm dead, ole King of Snakes, this school is closed, and Tommy boy has regained his body… He won't need you. He'll leave you here to rot. However, if you listen to me, this school will remain open, and I'll help you find the place in this world where you belong."

"My place is here protecting the school. Besides, where else in this world could a beast, such as myself, live in peace?"

Ace saw his opportunity. "Why a place filled with snakes for you to rule! It's called the Amazon. It's a vast forest, big enough for you to disappear in and filled with serpents of all shapes and sizes. Who knows … you might even find a mate."

The snake lifted its tail to the ledge. Recognizing the gesture, Ace leaped onto its back.

"Weeee!" Ace exclaimed, sliding down its back and off the side of the basilisk onto the ground, his eyes still closed.

"No!" Riddle screamed, grabbing the side of his face with his hands. "Enough of this! Kill the boy now!"

"You may look upon me, child. My stare only kills when I wish for it."

Ace didn't even hesitate. He opened his eyes and stared up into the face of the beast. The giant yellow eyes surveyed him with interest.

"What are you waiting for? Kill him!" Riddle commanded. "Do it now!"

"You are the descendent of Salazar Slytherin. However, you do not share his vision or his wishes. Therefore, I shall no longer heed your commands."

~~~Ace~~~

Riddle sank to his knees as the snake lowered its head. Ace placed a hand on the side of the basilisk and stroked its scales as he spied Riddle staring at the scene before him.

"Well, that's what happens when you don't take care of your snakes, Riddle." Ace rubbed his hand along the scales of the snake as he approached the once and future Dark Lord. "You lose their loyalty, and they find someone willing to take care of them."

"You've lost me my basilisk! I'll end this now!"

"I can touch you." Ace waved his hand in front of his face, becoming Harry.

Riddle's eyes went wide. "What?"

Before Riddle could utter another word, Harry shouted, "Peeves!" and Peeves, the Poltergeist, zoomed through the Chamber.

"Catch, oh wicked one!"

Peeves tossed something to Harry, then blew raspberries at Riddle as he flew down the entrance corridor. Harry reached inside the Sorting hat and withdrew a sword with a ruby-encrusted hilt.