Part 2
"What are you?" Buffy asked as she raised her fists.
The man stopped, his eyebrows slanted in a fit of rage. "Are you joking?"
Buffy shook her head.
"Good, because that's my job! HA! HA! HA! HA!" the creature bellowed as he quickly regained his sense of merriment.
The girl stood her ground, refusing to be intimidated.
The white-faced man continued. "You're a tough little one aren't you? You a 'super hero'? Are you here to send me up the river? Make me pay for my crimes against humanity? Because if you are young lady, the first thing you'll need is a tight leather costume. Maybe a mask too!.. Oh don't look at me like that; I don't make up the rules. I just follow them.wait.no.actually I don't! HEH! HEH! HEH! HEH!"
The slayer didn't move a muscle. She repeated herself. "Who are you? And where am I?"
"You're in an alley sweet cheeks," the man in the purple suit chuckled as he once again began walking towards the girl. He reached into his pocket, pulling out what looked like a playing card. "And..I..am.."
"JOKER!" the Batman shouted as he descended upon his prey from the shadows above.
Quickly the clown ducked and rolled out of the Dark Knight's way. "Batman you finally made it! I was just about to leave you a present! An adorable little blond girl, with a big ol' smile meant just for you!" The madman laughed as he reached into his pocket again.
"It's over Joker," Batman snarled. "You're going back to Arkham, and this time I'm making sure you stay put."
"Oh come on Bats, really? How many times have we gone through this? And how many times have I proved you wrong? We've gotta be into triple digits by now! HA!"
"Maybe I'll just have to break both of your legs this time, and an arm just to be sure."
The Joker's reply came in the form of three razor sharp playing cards, which he hurled with intense force straight towards Batman's face. The caped figure swayed with a fluid motion to the ground. The weapons struck and embedded themselves on the brick wall behind their target with a loud reverberating "CHING". While crouching, Batman struck with his right leg, kicking the clown squarely in the midsection. The impact sent Joker down with a huff and a wheeze. All the while, Buffy watched.
"Get out of here!" Batman shouted to the girl he had seen earlier. "NOW!"
That brief distraction was all that the clown prince needed. He clumsily fumbled with his coat, and out came tiny silver pellets, rolling onto the dirty street. "Watch out!" Batman shouted as he sprung towards Buffy, tackling her in nearby garbage cans.
A green mist suddenly filled the air, shooting from the newly released weapons. The Joker ran out of the alley laughing, as Batman covered his mouth, and placed a small gas mask on the girl he was cradling. A few minutes passed, the green fog dissipated, and the two rose to their feet.
"Are you all right," the dark figure asked Buffy as he removed the gas mask amd put it back into his belt.
"Um..yeah," she said dazed. "I um. I think so.."
It was the first good look she had gotten at her protector. He had a regular size frame, but somehow gave an awesome presence. His black and grey uniform blended well into his surroundings.
"I need to get him back to the asylum, are you going to be alright?"
"That.thing was human?"
"That's debatable."
"Oh," she said with a puzzled expression. "Who are you?"
It was a simple question, and this time he answered. "Batman."
"And who or what was that?"
"The Joker. He's a psychotic killer. Criminally insane. Escaped from his cell two days ago. He's killed three people already. An elderly couple and a post office employee."
"So you're a good guy?"
Batman seemed a bit uncomfortable with the label. "Yes.I am."
"What city is this?"
"Gotham."
"Gotham.." she repeated. "I've never heard of it."
"Where are you from?"
"Sunnydale, California," Buffy answered.
"Interesting."
"Why is that?"
"I've never heard of Sunnydale CA, and I get around."
Suddenly Buffy's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "Wait a minute. I was fighting a creature...It supposedly could create 'rifts' between alternate worlds."
Batman looked skeptical. "Creature? Alternate worlds?"
Buffy decided that it was time to stop being cryptic. If she was going to get answers, she needed to be forthright herself. "I fight demons," she said abruptly. "I'm one of the good guys too. About an hour ago I was battling a Yong demon, he had a magical wooden staff, and an ancient..chinese weapon.pitch fork thing."
"A tiger fork?" Batman interrupted.
"Yeah, that's it," she confirmed. "When the staff and the forks' energies combined, it created a huge energy blast. Could I be in..an alternate Earth?" Buffy asked with fear.
Batman looked at her. "I've seen stranger things. Do you have powers?" "Yeah kinda," she said. "Strength, agility. OH! And sometimes, I dream things before they happen."
"Hmmm,"
"What about you? Are you..human?"
"Doesn't matter. I have to go now. The Joker already has too much of a head start."
"Can I come?"
"Do what you want, but don't get in my way."
Batman & Buffy had done a sweep of 12 blocks, with still no trace of The Joker. It was getting late, and the streets were now completely deserted. They stuck to the rooftops anyway.
"So do you always patrol on foot?" Buffy asked.
"No, I have other means. I just prefer stealth and the element of surprise when dealing with Joker."
"Oh. I patrol on foot. But I'm saving up for a car. Well, kinda saving up. With school and slaying there's not really time for a job. So there's really nothing to save, per say. In the sense of money.ya know.currency? Yeah.
"Hrrmmmm.." Batman grumbled. "Wait.what was that?" The two hunters froze, and listened. Behind them they heard snaps, and fizzes. They turned around just in time to see the remains of pure white light fade away into the night sky.
"He's here," Buffy whispered.
Batman turned to face her. "The demon?"
"Uh huh.."
"Let's go," he commanded.
They climbed down the fire escape and ran towards the source of the light.
Buffy stopped and looked around. "Where?"
"Three blocks down, across the street. Madison Blvd."
"Oh, wow you're pretty good."
He took the compliment in silence, and the pair headed for Madison Blvd.
What happened next took both Buffy & Batman by surprise. The Joker shot out of the alley on the corner of Madison Blvd. In a mad dash. His head was turned around, looking behind him. He never saw Batman's fist slam into his stomach.
"Hooommfffff!" he gasped as he fell to the ground.
Batman stood over his fallen enemy.
"Bats! Just the flying rat I've been looking for! I'm ready to turn myself in! Learned my lesson, yes sir! Let's go! Arkhym is..this way, is it not?"
Batman was looking beyond the Joker, into the shadows from where he had emerged. "Uh huh. And it has nothing to do with that monster behind you?"
"Ruuhhhhrrggghhhh!!" the Yong Demon charged towards the three small humans which stood before him.
"Watch him," Batman told Buffy as he went to meet the rampaging creature.
The Yong had the wooden staff safely tucked away in a holster on his back. In his left hand he held the tiger fork, which was now pointed at the Dark Knight.
FLASH! FIZ!
A beam shot from the weapon's tip. The Bat dropped to the ground, just in time. White energy ripped through his cape as it still hovered in the air.
"Uh." the Joker expressed with worry as the laser headed straight for him.
Without thinking, Buffy jumped and tackled Joker to the ground. The blast harmlessly hit a nearby wall.
"Thanks doll-face! HA!" the Joker laughed as he squeezed the white flower on his lapel.
"Aah!" the girl cried as a stream of acid ripped through her shirt, and into her shoulder.
The clown tried to make his escape as Buffy reeled. He stood up, and was instantly put back down with a swift kick to the back his legs.
"Whoopsee," he grunted, stumbling.
He fell, Buffy struck. A powerful right hook to his jaw did the job, sending the villain into a state of sleep.
Meanwhile the Yong decided on hand-to-hand combat. It lunged the three headed spear forward, aiming for the bat insignia on the Dark Knight's chest.
"Hmph," Batman smiled and stood his ground.
The weapon struck and the demon's smile turned to a grimace. A loud CLANG filled the quiet night air.
They always go for the bat, he thought.
The monster had expected human flesh, but instead got a bullet-proof metal.
Batman capitalized on the momentary shock, reached into his belt, and threw three batarangs with all his might. The Yong managed to deflect one with his spear, one flew just over the monster's shoulder, and the third struck the demon square in his right eye. It dropped to one knee.
Batman didn't waste a second. He delivered a strong uppercut with his left fist, then his right; both connected. He then reached for the staff. A strong hand wrapped around his throat as he went for wooden instrument.
"AAARRGGHH!" the demon screamed as it threw his opponent like a rag doll.
Batman landed on his back with a THUD.
Buffy, still nursing her shoulder, got ready to step in. "Guess it's my turn."
She started simple, just to get warmed up. A kick to the jaw, a punch to the gut, lastly an elbow to the chest. The combo had little effect, but the slayer was just getting started. The Yong, now half blind, swung it's massive fist, Buffy caught it. She pulled his forearm under her armpit, and then dropped to the ground like a dead weight. A SNAP could he heard as the demon's arm was yanked with extreme force under all of Buffy's weight. The monster curled in pain. The slayer went to check on her fallen comrade.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
Batman rose to his feet, and shook it off. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Any idea how we can get me home?"
"I think so, listen.."
The two whispered as the Yong slowly rose to his feet. He saw his two adversaries huddled, and charged. Buffy managed to roll out of the way, Batman took the brunt. He once again was down, the Yong turned to face the "other one".
"C'mon," she said. "Let's end this."
In response, the tiger fork glowed.
"Hope this works..." Buffy said.
White energy began to form at the bottom half of the spear. The Yong aimed. Batman quietly, and quickly, shot to his feet. A small ball of light began to travel up through the weapon. Batman snuck up behind the demon, snatched the wooden staff from it's holster, and tossed it towards the slayer. "Goodbye," he whispered.
Buffy raised her arms, and grabbed the staff with both hands. The energy ball reached the tip of the spear, and fired. Buffy & Batman's eyes met for one final time. In that split second, they saw into each other's souls.
Two warriors. Fighting evil not because they choose to, but because they must.
A small boy whose parents are slaughtered before his very eyes. Innocence destroyed. Now a man forced to avenge a wrong that can never be undone.
A girl whose destiny is decided before she is even born. A life predetermined. She can never be normal. The hunt is all there is. Everything else is secondary.
A common bond. Righteousness. Good. Virtue.
The energy bolt jumped from the metal spear to it's wooden counterpart. FLASH! The girl and demon disappeared.
The Joker began to regain consciousness. "Uhhhh.."
A stiff kick to the back of his white & green head put him back down.
"Let's get you home," Batman said.
FLASH!
What had happened? She remembered telling the guard to run, and then getting ready to fight the Yong...but after that..nothing. It was all a blur. Speaking of which, the demon a few feet in front of her also appeared to be in a sense of daze. He looked over each shoulder, and then back to the slayer. It charged. Buffy sidestepped and the creature flew past her. She turned back to face it. Protruding from the small of his back was a sharp, black, metal object. The end was curved to a point. She could only see half of the object; the other half had been driven into the monster's flesh. Blood slowly seeped out of the wound, down it's muscular back. It almost looked like..
.a wing?
Seeing her opportunity, the slayer struck. She jumped towards the thing while it's back was still to her, bent back her right leg, and struck with a kick so strong it hurt her whole body. The sharp weapon was pushed through the demon's back. All the way through. It shot out of the creature's chest, and landed on the marble floor with a PING. A shower of blood and flesh sprayed forth onto a nearby display case. The Yong fell forward, tried to hang onto the glass case for support, then collapsed.
Buffy went over to check on the motionless mass. She bent down and felt it's neck. No breathing, no heartbeat. Dead.
The exhausted girl leaned against the glass display case, and stared to slide down.
She slid until she felt the ground underneath her, and then slumped down. Tucking her knees in between her arms and chest.
Eventually I'll get up, and call Giles. We'll dispose of the body. Tomorrow night I'll run into another demon, maybe in a graveyard. maybe in my home. And we'll dance. Then again the night after that. and the night after that. and the night after that.
Outside she could hear a bat's leather wings flap against the night sky.
The End
"What are you?" Buffy asked as she raised her fists.
The man stopped, his eyebrows slanted in a fit of rage. "Are you joking?"
Buffy shook her head.
"Good, because that's my job! HA! HA! HA! HA!" the creature bellowed as he quickly regained his sense of merriment.
The girl stood her ground, refusing to be intimidated.
The white-faced man continued. "You're a tough little one aren't you? You a 'super hero'? Are you here to send me up the river? Make me pay for my crimes against humanity? Because if you are young lady, the first thing you'll need is a tight leather costume. Maybe a mask too!.. Oh don't look at me like that; I don't make up the rules. I just follow them.wait.no.actually I don't! HEH! HEH! HEH! HEH!"
The slayer didn't move a muscle. She repeated herself. "Who are you? And where am I?"
"You're in an alley sweet cheeks," the man in the purple suit chuckled as he once again began walking towards the girl. He reached into his pocket, pulling out what looked like a playing card. "And..I..am.."
"JOKER!" the Batman shouted as he descended upon his prey from the shadows above.
Quickly the clown ducked and rolled out of the Dark Knight's way. "Batman you finally made it! I was just about to leave you a present! An adorable little blond girl, with a big ol' smile meant just for you!" The madman laughed as he reached into his pocket again.
"It's over Joker," Batman snarled. "You're going back to Arkham, and this time I'm making sure you stay put."
"Oh come on Bats, really? How many times have we gone through this? And how many times have I proved you wrong? We've gotta be into triple digits by now! HA!"
"Maybe I'll just have to break both of your legs this time, and an arm just to be sure."
The Joker's reply came in the form of three razor sharp playing cards, which he hurled with intense force straight towards Batman's face. The caped figure swayed with a fluid motion to the ground. The weapons struck and embedded themselves on the brick wall behind their target with a loud reverberating "CHING". While crouching, Batman struck with his right leg, kicking the clown squarely in the midsection. The impact sent Joker down with a huff and a wheeze. All the while, Buffy watched.
"Get out of here!" Batman shouted to the girl he had seen earlier. "NOW!"
That brief distraction was all that the clown prince needed. He clumsily fumbled with his coat, and out came tiny silver pellets, rolling onto the dirty street. "Watch out!" Batman shouted as he sprung towards Buffy, tackling her in nearby garbage cans.
A green mist suddenly filled the air, shooting from the newly released weapons. The Joker ran out of the alley laughing, as Batman covered his mouth, and placed a small gas mask on the girl he was cradling. A few minutes passed, the green fog dissipated, and the two rose to their feet.
"Are you all right," the dark figure asked Buffy as he removed the gas mask amd put it back into his belt.
"Um..yeah," she said dazed. "I um. I think so.."
It was the first good look she had gotten at her protector. He had a regular size frame, but somehow gave an awesome presence. His black and grey uniform blended well into his surroundings.
"I need to get him back to the asylum, are you going to be alright?"
"That.thing was human?"
"That's debatable."
"Oh," she said with a puzzled expression. "Who are you?"
It was a simple question, and this time he answered. "Batman."
"And who or what was that?"
"The Joker. He's a psychotic killer. Criminally insane. Escaped from his cell two days ago. He's killed three people already. An elderly couple and a post office employee."
"So you're a good guy?"
Batman seemed a bit uncomfortable with the label. "Yes.I am."
"What city is this?"
"Gotham."
"Gotham.." she repeated. "I've never heard of it."
"Where are you from?"
"Sunnydale, California," Buffy answered.
"Interesting."
"Why is that?"
"I've never heard of Sunnydale CA, and I get around."
Suddenly Buffy's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "Wait a minute. I was fighting a creature...It supposedly could create 'rifts' between alternate worlds."
Batman looked skeptical. "Creature? Alternate worlds?"
Buffy decided that it was time to stop being cryptic. If she was going to get answers, she needed to be forthright herself. "I fight demons," she said abruptly. "I'm one of the good guys too. About an hour ago I was battling a Yong demon, he had a magical wooden staff, and an ancient..chinese weapon.pitch fork thing."
"A tiger fork?" Batman interrupted.
"Yeah, that's it," she confirmed. "When the staff and the forks' energies combined, it created a huge energy blast. Could I be in..an alternate Earth?" Buffy asked with fear.
Batman looked at her. "I've seen stranger things. Do you have powers?" "Yeah kinda," she said. "Strength, agility. OH! And sometimes, I dream things before they happen."
"Hmmm,"
"What about you? Are you..human?"
"Doesn't matter. I have to go now. The Joker already has too much of a head start."
"Can I come?"
"Do what you want, but don't get in my way."
Batman & Buffy had done a sweep of 12 blocks, with still no trace of The Joker. It was getting late, and the streets were now completely deserted. They stuck to the rooftops anyway.
"So do you always patrol on foot?" Buffy asked.
"No, I have other means. I just prefer stealth and the element of surprise when dealing with Joker."
"Oh. I patrol on foot. But I'm saving up for a car. Well, kinda saving up. With school and slaying there's not really time for a job. So there's really nothing to save, per say. In the sense of money.ya know.currency? Yeah.
"Hrrmmmm.." Batman grumbled. "Wait.what was that?" The two hunters froze, and listened. Behind them they heard snaps, and fizzes. They turned around just in time to see the remains of pure white light fade away into the night sky.
"He's here," Buffy whispered.
Batman turned to face her. "The demon?"
"Uh huh.."
"Let's go," he commanded.
They climbed down the fire escape and ran towards the source of the light.
Buffy stopped and looked around. "Where?"
"Three blocks down, across the street. Madison Blvd."
"Oh, wow you're pretty good."
He took the compliment in silence, and the pair headed for Madison Blvd.
What happened next took both Buffy & Batman by surprise. The Joker shot out of the alley on the corner of Madison Blvd. In a mad dash. His head was turned around, looking behind him. He never saw Batman's fist slam into his stomach.
"Hooommfffff!" he gasped as he fell to the ground.
Batman stood over his fallen enemy.
"Bats! Just the flying rat I've been looking for! I'm ready to turn myself in! Learned my lesson, yes sir! Let's go! Arkhym is..this way, is it not?"
Batman was looking beyond the Joker, into the shadows from where he had emerged. "Uh huh. And it has nothing to do with that monster behind you?"
"Ruuhhhhrrggghhhh!!" the Yong Demon charged towards the three small humans which stood before him.
"Watch him," Batman told Buffy as he went to meet the rampaging creature.
The Yong had the wooden staff safely tucked away in a holster on his back. In his left hand he held the tiger fork, which was now pointed at the Dark Knight.
FLASH! FIZ!
A beam shot from the weapon's tip. The Bat dropped to the ground, just in time. White energy ripped through his cape as it still hovered in the air.
"Uh." the Joker expressed with worry as the laser headed straight for him.
Without thinking, Buffy jumped and tackled Joker to the ground. The blast harmlessly hit a nearby wall.
"Thanks doll-face! HA!" the Joker laughed as he squeezed the white flower on his lapel.
"Aah!" the girl cried as a stream of acid ripped through her shirt, and into her shoulder.
The clown tried to make his escape as Buffy reeled. He stood up, and was instantly put back down with a swift kick to the back his legs.
"Whoopsee," he grunted, stumbling.
He fell, Buffy struck. A powerful right hook to his jaw did the job, sending the villain into a state of sleep.
Meanwhile the Yong decided on hand-to-hand combat. It lunged the three headed spear forward, aiming for the bat insignia on the Dark Knight's chest.
"Hmph," Batman smiled and stood his ground.
The weapon struck and the demon's smile turned to a grimace. A loud CLANG filled the quiet night air.
They always go for the bat, he thought.
The monster had expected human flesh, but instead got a bullet-proof metal.
Batman capitalized on the momentary shock, reached into his belt, and threw three batarangs with all his might. The Yong managed to deflect one with his spear, one flew just over the monster's shoulder, and the third struck the demon square in his right eye. It dropped to one knee.
Batman didn't waste a second. He delivered a strong uppercut with his left fist, then his right; both connected. He then reached for the staff. A strong hand wrapped around his throat as he went for wooden instrument.
"AAARRGGHH!" the demon screamed as it threw his opponent like a rag doll.
Batman landed on his back with a THUD.
Buffy, still nursing her shoulder, got ready to step in. "Guess it's my turn."
She started simple, just to get warmed up. A kick to the jaw, a punch to the gut, lastly an elbow to the chest. The combo had little effect, but the slayer was just getting started. The Yong, now half blind, swung it's massive fist, Buffy caught it. She pulled his forearm under her armpit, and then dropped to the ground like a dead weight. A SNAP could he heard as the demon's arm was yanked with extreme force under all of Buffy's weight. The monster curled in pain. The slayer went to check on her fallen comrade.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
Batman rose to his feet, and shook it off. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Any idea how we can get me home?"
"I think so, listen.."
The two whispered as the Yong slowly rose to his feet. He saw his two adversaries huddled, and charged. Buffy managed to roll out of the way, Batman took the brunt. He once again was down, the Yong turned to face the "other one".
"C'mon," she said. "Let's end this."
In response, the tiger fork glowed.
"Hope this works..." Buffy said.
White energy began to form at the bottom half of the spear. The Yong aimed. Batman quietly, and quickly, shot to his feet. A small ball of light began to travel up through the weapon. Batman snuck up behind the demon, snatched the wooden staff from it's holster, and tossed it towards the slayer. "Goodbye," he whispered.
Buffy raised her arms, and grabbed the staff with both hands. The energy ball reached the tip of the spear, and fired. Buffy & Batman's eyes met for one final time. In that split second, they saw into each other's souls.
Two warriors. Fighting evil not because they choose to, but because they must.
A small boy whose parents are slaughtered before his very eyes. Innocence destroyed. Now a man forced to avenge a wrong that can never be undone.
A girl whose destiny is decided before she is even born. A life predetermined. She can never be normal. The hunt is all there is. Everything else is secondary.
A common bond. Righteousness. Good. Virtue.
The energy bolt jumped from the metal spear to it's wooden counterpart. FLASH! The girl and demon disappeared.
The Joker began to regain consciousness. "Uhhhh.."
A stiff kick to the back of his white & green head put him back down.
"Let's get you home," Batman said.
FLASH!
What had happened? She remembered telling the guard to run, and then getting ready to fight the Yong...but after that..nothing. It was all a blur. Speaking of which, the demon a few feet in front of her also appeared to be in a sense of daze. He looked over each shoulder, and then back to the slayer. It charged. Buffy sidestepped and the creature flew past her. She turned back to face it. Protruding from the small of his back was a sharp, black, metal object. The end was curved to a point. She could only see half of the object; the other half had been driven into the monster's flesh. Blood slowly seeped out of the wound, down it's muscular back. It almost looked like..
.a wing?
Seeing her opportunity, the slayer struck. She jumped towards the thing while it's back was still to her, bent back her right leg, and struck with a kick so strong it hurt her whole body. The sharp weapon was pushed through the demon's back. All the way through. It shot out of the creature's chest, and landed on the marble floor with a PING. A shower of blood and flesh sprayed forth onto a nearby display case. The Yong fell forward, tried to hang onto the glass case for support, then collapsed.
Buffy went over to check on the motionless mass. She bent down and felt it's neck. No breathing, no heartbeat. Dead.
The exhausted girl leaned against the glass display case, and stared to slide down.
She slid until she felt the ground underneath her, and then slumped down. Tucking her knees in between her arms and chest.
Eventually I'll get up, and call Giles. We'll dispose of the body. Tomorrow night I'll run into another demon, maybe in a graveyard. maybe in my home. And we'll dance. Then again the night after that. and the night after that. and the night after that.
Outside she could hear a bat's leather wings flap against the night sky.
The End