Disclaimer: I do not own any Batman characters, DC Comics and Kids WB holds
all rights.
RING AROUND THE ROSYII:
By: The Batthing
The Joker stood grinning, and beside him was Robin, crumpled into a limp form, pressing against The Jokers side for support. He was unconscious and unaware of the fact of where he was, or what was about to happen.
The Joker knew though, and stood with full anticipation, waiting for that moment where he could strike him enemy who he has been luring in all these years. The Joker knew that this act of his, might draw Batman over the edge. Then Batman could see his world. The Joker laughed, breaking into a terrible fit of giggles, drool dripped from the corner of his mouth, wetting his lips to a certain degree. He raised a head, face the clouds themselves, laughing louder and louder. He gasped for breaths, yet continued into his rage of laughter. Sounding off his army of horror across his beautiful streets of Gotham. He felt Robin move, and grasp onto his side. "You are awake? Good, because he is here."
I looked up at the Joker, waking up, and then looked at what he was looking at. I would have gladly run free, yet the wires that were tied around my wrists; cutting through my skin prevented it. I could see the shadowy figure of Nightwing and Batgirl a few buildings away, and saw that they saw The Joker and I.
"Harley, here they come!" The Joker screamed.
Harley, dodged up the stairs holding a gun, she aimed it at the two figures. "Let see 'em try and get us, huh, Mr. J?"
The Joker laughed, then stretched out his neck and began to yell. "Oh Bats, I know you are around! You wouldn't send your partners to do the dirty work while you sit back and relax would you?" he paused horribly, and then laughed. "NO!"
Harley cocked the gun; she kept her eye on the two unmoving figures across the street.
I struggled slightly, and then relaxed due to pain and callousness. It was pointless to resist, for what could I do? I had gotten caught in the first place. I had been foolish enough to let this happen. I raised me head higher, and felt the hot sticky blood clinging to my face where The Joker had hit me trying to knock me unconscious. It had taken a few blows before the plan had worked, and my whole head now was throbbing with pain. I could taste the blood in my mouth accumulating and swimming about as if it lived there. I didn't bother to spit it out I simply swallowed the liquid. Ahead of me I saw the two-clouded misty figures that I recognized. Batgirl and Nightwing, and I knew Batman was not here; I was slightly surprised that the Joker didn't recognize that fact.
The Joker smiled and then pushed me forward, I gritted my teeth, feeling the wires cutting deeper into my skin as I moved slightly. "Ever fly without wings?"
I grunted at the question, knowing quite well what he meant by it. I felt his hand strike into my side, and then felt him push me forward even further. Down below was nothing, not a single car, nor a single human about. All that was there was the eerie silence that filled the whole street with its unpleasant aroma. Then came the wind, the type of short, yet pleasant breeze that smiled at you, and brought back the memories, which you seemed to have forgotten. They all stood there, and I looked ahead and saw them, at gunpoint, under the mercy of Harley and The Joker. I frowned at them, and remained silent, knowing this all would turn out with The Joker losing, even if it meant my death in the process.
Nightwing turned to Batgirl slowly, "when he is about to throw Robin, you attack. I'll go after him."
Batgirl looked into his eyes. "Nightwing, you know that The Joker will catch me leaving. He'll do something, he's a MANIAC!"
Nightwing nodded. "Trust me I know, but I think he wants Batman, not Robin, not you, not me." There was a pause, and then Nightwing nodded. "You going sit around all day, or go and help Tim?"
"I want to do the right thing Nightwing, but if I help Tim your way, then Tim could very well die." She shook her head. "Then what?"
Nightwing frowned at her answer to his order, he wasn't Batman, he didn't know what to do, how to do it, or what to say in the order. "Batgirl, we don't have much time."
"Then ASK him!" Batgirl hissed to Nightwing in pure anger, she looked hard at him in a glare. "Cause if you don't, then I will."
Nightwing spat on the ground. " Screw it all Batgirl, you always did have to present an argument!"
Batgirl smiled at him slowly. "Watch your mouth."
"Joker, what do you want?!" Nightwing demanded, as he yelled to the mad man across the street.
Joker laughed. "Oh, I want Batman, I want him."
"Batman is not here, you should know he wouldn't cower in the shadows!"
The Joker waved his arms, as if signaling to the two. "I want The Batman to fall on his knees, I want his Gotham to feel pain, but most of all. I want the spirit of the Bat to be forever forgotten." He smiled a wide struck grin. "I'll take this number alone boys."
Nightwing looked at Batgirl, waiting for some type of order, he got none but silence, and a confused expression.
"Batgirl, get to work, NOW! No time to play around! I want this to happen like it didn't!" Nightwing growled out his order at her.
Batgirl ignored a reply, and leaped off the building disappearing from sight. Nightwing stood tall, letting the wind hit him full blast.
"Joker, you are a Psycho!" Nightwing growled. He then leaped off the building, gliding towards The Joker and Harley.
The Joker laughed. "Harley, you suppose the hawk might fall if he had no wings?"
Harley smiled and nodded. "Right-o, Puddin'!" she pointed her gun towards the gliding figure.
"Wait, lets make it more interesting, what do you do when he was Robin falling, along with him?" The Joker smiled, "Batgirl can't save them both, can she?"
Harley gave an odd look, but smiled slightly. "No Puddin'."
The Joker bent down and whispered into my ear. "Have a happy life, knowing that you caused so many deaths." Then I yelped as he thrust a hand into my back, hitting, the spine, and sending me into a complete downfall plunge. I heard a gunshot, and then heard an echoing holler of surprise. I couldn't concentrate. I was falling to fast.
Batgirl saw it as she glided over on her grappling hook. Both Nightwing and Robin falling, she knew that Nightwing had a grappling hook, yet for some reason he was not using it. She let go of the hook and fell after the two, a hand in her belt over another grappling hook so when she caught Robin she could swing to safety. But something caught her eye; Nightwing had blood covering his right arm. She went faster, gaining more speed. There was almost nothing she could do to save both, unless she hurt herself in the process.
"ROBIN!"
I opened an eye and saw Batgirl stretching out an arm towards me, screaming at me to grab hold. I raised my two bonded, and felt the speed of my quick decline, wipe them up at great speed. Her gloved hand touched it and she held onto it, and then wrapped her arms around me. Her voice was soft, yet loud as she spoke. "We have to get Nightwing."
I saw that it was impossible to do that, and I remained silent, knowing she knew too.
We fell, and then I felt Batgirl reach down and pull out a grappling hook from my belt, and I held tight as best I could. "Robin, hold the grappling hook, and don't let go, even though it's going to hurt." With those words she let me go. The grappling hook shot off and attacked the buildings ledge, yanking me to a stopping fall. I gritted my teeth from the pain. I could not hold it in…"OWW!" It had hurt, especially with that wire cutting into my skin. I could no longer see the metal.
I watched as she took out another grappling hook from her belt, and I knew it was her last one. I also knew there was no way to catch the speeding dropper a few feet ahead, about ready to hit the ground. Then I saw him, out of the corner of my eye, that flash of light, that sparking flare that you can miss if you don't look in just the right spot.
I smiled, knowing what it was, or for better use of the language, who it was. He was almost as cool as I remembered him. The works, everyone in the universe admired this man who came out as fast as the speed of light, well almost everyone, I knew that Bruce looked down to Superman.
The man of steel came below Nightwing, and reached out an arm, catching Nightwing, and then flying up towards Batgirl, catching her. He then went into an upward spiral, past me, and towards The Joker.
The Joker smiled, and began to laugh as Superman landed in front of him, carrying the two he had attempted to kill.
"SuperHAM! Glad to see you! How's it been?" The Joker shrieked. "You know how much I've been thinking about you for the past few months, ever since Lex ruined me."
Superman let Batgirl and Nightwing go. "Joker, just don't speak." He grabbed him by his collar. "Got it?"
"The only thing he has got is I and I alone, Superham! Let him go!" Harley screamed, jumping from behind the entrance. "Or I blow your brains. The gun in her hand was pointed for Superman.
Superman shook his head, and walked towards Harley, dragging the Joker behind.
Harley aimed, and blasted the gun, she gasped, seeing it did nothing.
The Joker slapped his forehead. "You stupid!"
"Hee-hee, I didn't mean-." She gulped as Superman came in front of her, casting the dreaded shadow across her way.
I held tight, pulling hard on the grappling hook, waiting for some type of help. It was really hard to maneuver about when you have a metal band around your wrists that has cut to the bone. The wind caught up suddenly, and I braced myself. Then watched as the figure of Superman came in front of me.
"Need a hand?"
I smiled slightly. "That would be cool." I let go of the hook and gritted my teeth from the movement. The met the rush of wind that screamed its own defeat at me as we rushed upwards, towards where Nightwing and Batgirl stood, looking over the fallen Joker and Harley, who were tied up tightly. Harley seemed disappointed by their capture, but The Joker looked straight at me, his black beady eyes disappearing into my own.
He began to sing a familiar tune, yet in a voice that seemed to carry with it a haunting edge with it. "Ring around the rosy… pockets full of posy… ashes, ashes…we all fall down."
I tired to look away, and even caught sight of Nightwing, yet Nightwing was staring at The Joker, obviously confused by the mad man.
"Ever hear of the Bubonic plague?"
"You are sick." Nightwing growled toward the laughing figure, and then he spat on the ground as he held a fist to the wound in his arm where blood seeped from.
The Joker giggled like a girl. "But I didn't make the song." He smiled at me. "I didn't even carry the plague! ASHES, ASHES, WE ALL FALL DOWN!"
Batgirl looked at Superman, who stood in a slanted position. He seemed disgusted by the mad man, and showed it clearly that he wanted nothing to do with this man. He simply looked towards where the sun was starting to rise, and ignored the Joker.
I wished I could do the same, yet I knew that was not possible. The Joker was my responsibility, along with Nightwing and Batgirl's. I looked to Batgirl, and she looked at me. Her face was grim and hard due to the lack of tolerance. Her eyes traced down to my wrists and she immediately softened.
"Nightwing, you take care of The Joker, I'll get Robin loose." Batgirl ordered as she bent beside me and pulled out a small knife. "This is going to hurt."
I braced myself as she dug the blade into my skin, working at the metal, which was worked deeply into the flesh. Blood came up, new and fresh, going over the two of us as her blade hit the wire. "I have it." She then snapped the wire and I gasped, due to the ruthless and cruel pain that smothered through my arms.
Batgirl drew back the knife and pushed the blade into the handle, frowning at the blood, which covered it in an odd fashion sense. Then she brought out the wire that was buried deep in my skin. I grimaced and let out hard breaths of discomfort, and the short and hidden cries that rose from my throat. I watched her eyes become level with mine. "It's out." I took in a deep breath. The few words of praise and hope that seemed to bring out a well earned smile for her.
The Joker laughed the whole time he was dragged away down the long flight of steel stairs by the wounded Nightwing. Batgirl, Superman, and I all followed.
My hands were now properly bandaged, and my face cleansed from the blood, which had once covered it. The Joker and Harley were in the custody of James Gordon, and I no longer worried about murders taking place with The Joker with that man. Gordon was smart, quick, light tempered, and fun to be around. He also knew his business, and loved his work. He smiled towards us all, and even shook Superman's hand showing his own thanks.
Clark smiled as he and Dick talked over the matter, Barbara stood at the sidelines, defending herself quite well from the conversation. I too stand at the sidelines, finding it to be comfortable being there. Dick and Clark seemed to carry a light enough conversation ranging from their own personal troubles, to Gotham's own troubles. I didn't understand it all, and didn't expect to. As far as I went, I was healed in the small areas. My cuts and bruises were disappearing due to the care of Alfred. I still wore the two scars of being captive around my wrists, where the metal wired had eaten into my flesh, sleeping against the bone. The Joker was in the Asylum, yet that was never good enough. He always managed to escape through his mind mastering, willful ways.
My head turned slowly, at hearing the low roar of the car pulling up. I didn't smile, nor did I let out a frown. My face was a grim expression as I watched. Barbara, Dick, and Clark all did the same. We watched as it rolled into the drive, dust poured from the wheels as it made the low halt, which seemed to stand still with a silence of time. I didn't move as he exited, Alfred closing the door behind him. I had not a care about his actions.
He stood tall, towering at his well-built stature, raising his height. He didn't smile, which was known to us all. The pattern he kept never moved or shook. He always had been a slave to routine, and I did not put any prejudice up against him for that. I too could work like he did, and without even recognizing myself at the time.
Bruce looked us over, the small group, which stood in front of his house in silence. He raised a hand, and brought it through his jet-black hair, then gave a half smile. He had not wanted Clark to be here, and hoped that he could control his temper. He strolled up the us, and smiled a phony smile once more, trying his best to drag us towards his trap, trying to get us to think he was actual having a new emotion. Yet his attempt was futile.
Clark out stretched an arm, smiling a well-mastered smile. He gave a simple nod of the head in welcome. "Bruce."
"Clark." Bruce growled, reaching out his own hand accepting the small gift of friendship, if you might call it that.
"I was hoping I might be able to see you before I left, and I guess I do. I presume you had a good trip?" Clark pressed, trying to dig himself a little burrow under Bruce's feet.
Bruce nodded. "I had a time, thank you."
The two stood in an awkward silence, and seemed to be reading the others mind.
"So, you wanted to talk with me about something?" Bruce ventured he was not in the mood to negotiate, or talk for that matter, but endured the man for the time being.
"Nothing of grave importance Bruce, just wanted to have a small word, nothing much." Clark explained with a nodded.
Bruce eyed the man, remaining in his well-born silence.
"So, then I had better be going. It was nice to see you again." Clark managed, feeling terribly uncomfortable, obviously. He turned and gave a wave. "Till the next time."
All the few of us could do was nod, acting more like the man whom we tried not to be like. Silence had never been a close friend, yet it seemed to greet us all a whole lot more often.
Clark took our silence and left with it, bring it back to his city, where he might dispose of it. No more was said.
It is now 3:00 A.M and I am standing in front of my open window, allowing the fresh, warm, and calm spring breeze come through to me. It seems more and more relaxing by the moment as I stand and wait for dawn to come. All fears seem to be pushed aside for the moment and not one unpleasant nightmare stands lingering at my side, whispering defeat and horror. Behind me my bed is unmade, messy due to sleep, and I turn to it. Then slowly approach it. I slip in and settle beneath those warm and comforting sheets that seem to warp their arms around you as you begin your night's journey.
I was just glad that I could continue another night, unlike the so many Joker has slain without a though. I buried my face in the pillow, and said a silent prayer for all those who had died from his hands. Their souls were lost, but for the time, I was not.
(Ok, that's it, now it's time for some tears and smiles! Thanks to Val, my editor, sobs, I couldn't have done it without you! Fred, if you are reading this, sighs and smiles slightly, DON'T TELL ANYONE AT SCHOOL ABOUT ME BEING BATTHING OR I HURT YOU! MICHAEL TOO FOR THAT MATTER, I knew I should have never shared my secret about my side occupation with you during The Spanish lesson. Dude, it got me into trouble, smiles. (Eli, Malakii, and I don't hate Jordan, The Pegged Legged Pirate, Punk Jon, The Cardinals, Matt who I do not feel sorry for because he is mean, the committee of San-fur-mean, and all you others!)
Mr. Jansen, where is that teacher anyway? A moment of silence for him, he started me up then dropped me frown with writing. I couldn't thank him, he was a cool teacher cause he liked Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, and, coughs, anyway…)
To all who read this story, if you like or not, smiles, I don't know, but I love writing, and even if I completely stink at it… sorry! I am new at this and well, am teaching myself along with help from all my editors. Anyway, THANKS!
Big thank you to Marsh yogurt, which you can find at your local Marsh store. Try it frozen; stick it in your fridge for around 4 hours then eat it, yummmm, and its soooo good. There is a reason for thanking it. It helped my get through reading the letter from ToonZone, who, take a bow, accepted my story! Also to Carmen Wayne, smiles she also has accepted this story(… thanks you all!
RING AROUND THE ROSYII:
By: The Batthing
The Joker stood grinning, and beside him was Robin, crumpled into a limp form, pressing against The Jokers side for support. He was unconscious and unaware of the fact of where he was, or what was about to happen.
The Joker knew though, and stood with full anticipation, waiting for that moment where he could strike him enemy who he has been luring in all these years. The Joker knew that this act of his, might draw Batman over the edge. Then Batman could see his world. The Joker laughed, breaking into a terrible fit of giggles, drool dripped from the corner of his mouth, wetting his lips to a certain degree. He raised a head, face the clouds themselves, laughing louder and louder. He gasped for breaths, yet continued into his rage of laughter. Sounding off his army of horror across his beautiful streets of Gotham. He felt Robin move, and grasp onto his side. "You are awake? Good, because he is here."
I looked up at the Joker, waking up, and then looked at what he was looking at. I would have gladly run free, yet the wires that were tied around my wrists; cutting through my skin prevented it. I could see the shadowy figure of Nightwing and Batgirl a few buildings away, and saw that they saw The Joker and I.
"Harley, here they come!" The Joker screamed.
Harley, dodged up the stairs holding a gun, she aimed it at the two figures. "Let see 'em try and get us, huh, Mr. J?"
The Joker laughed, then stretched out his neck and began to yell. "Oh Bats, I know you are around! You wouldn't send your partners to do the dirty work while you sit back and relax would you?" he paused horribly, and then laughed. "NO!"
Harley cocked the gun; she kept her eye on the two unmoving figures across the street.
I struggled slightly, and then relaxed due to pain and callousness. It was pointless to resist, for what could I do? I had gotten caught in the first place. I had been foolish enough to let this happen. I raised me head higher, and felt the hot sticky blood clinging to my face where The Joker had hit me trying to knock me unconscious. It had taken a few blows before the plan had worked, and my whole head now was throbbing with pain. I could taste the blood in my mouth accumulating and swimming about as if it lived there. I didn't bother to spit it out I simply swallowed the liquid. Ahead of me I saw the two-clouded misty figures that I recognized. Batgirl and Nightwing, and I knew Batman was not here; I was slightly surprised that the Joker didn't recognize that fact.
The Joker smiled and then pushed me forward, I gritted my teeth, feeling the wires cutting deeper into my skin as I moved slightly. "Ever fly without wings?"
I grunted at the question, knowing quite well what he meant by it. I felt his hand strike into my side, and then felt him push me forward even further. Down below was nothing, not a single car, nor a single human about. All that was there was the eerie silence that filled the whole street with its unpleasant aroma. Then came the wind, the type of short, yet pleasant breeze that smiled at you, and brought back the memories, which you seemed to have forgotten. They all stood there, and I looked ahead and saw them, at gunpoint, under the mercy of Harley and The Joker. I frowned at them, and remained silent, knowing this all would turn out with The Joker losing, even if it meant my death in the process.
Nightwing turned to Batgirl slowly, "when he is about to throw Robin, you attack. I'll go after him."
Batgirl looked into his eyes. "Nightwing, you know that The Joker will catch me leaving. He'll do something, he's a MANIAC!"
Nightwing nodded. "Trust me I know, but I think he wants Batman, not Robin, not you, not me." There was a pause, and then Nightwing nodded. "You going sit around all day, or go and help Tim?"
"I want to do the right thing Nightwing, but if I help Tim your way, then Tim could very well die." She shook her head. "Then what?"
Nightwing frowned at her answer to his order, he wasn't Batman, he didn't know what to do, how to do it, or what to say in the order. "Batgirl, we don't have much time."
"Then ASK him!" Batgirl hissed to Nightwing in pure anger, she looked hard at him in a glare. "Cause if you don't, then I will."
Nightwing spat on the ground. " Screw it all Batgirl, you always did have to present an argument!"
Batgirl smiled at him slowly. "Watch your mouth."
"Joker, what do you want?!" Nightwing demanded, as he yelled to the mad man across the street.
Joker laughed. "Oh, I want Batman, I want him."
"Batman is not here, you should know he wouldn't cower in the shadows!"
The Joker waved his arms, as if signaling to the two. "I want The Batman to fall on his knees, I want his Gotham to feel pain, but most of all. I want the spirit of the Bat to be forever forgotten." He smiled a wide struck grin. "I'll take this number alone boys."
Nightwing looked at Batgirl, waiting for some type of order, he got none but silence, and a confused expression.
"Batgirl, get to work, NOW! No time to play around! I want this to happen like it didn't!" Nightwing growled out his order at her.
Batgirl ignored a reply, and leaped off the building disappearing from sight. Nightwing stood tall, letting the wind hit him full blast.
"Joker, you are a Psycho!" Nightwing growled. He then leaped off the building, gliding towards The Joker and Harley.
The Joker laughed. "Harley, you suppose the hawk might fall if he had no wings?"
Harley smiled and nodded. "Right-o, Puddin'!" she pointed her gun towards the gliding figure.
"Wait, lets make it more interesting, what do you do when he was Robin falling, along with him?" The Joker smiled, "Batgirl can't save them both, can she?"
Harley gave an odd look, but smiled slightly. "No Puddin'."
The Joker bent down and whispered into my ear. "Have a happy life, knowing that you caused so many deaths." Then I yelped as he thrust a hand into my back, hitting, the spine, and sending me into a complete downfall plunge. I heard a gunshot, and then heard an echoing holler of surprise. I couldn't concentrate. I was falling to fast.
Batgirl saw it as she glided over on her grappling hook. Both Nightwing and Robin falling, she knew that Nightwing had a grappling hook, yet for some reason he was not using it. She let go of the hook and fell after the two, a hand in her belt over another grappling hook so when she caught Robin she could swing to safety. But something caught her eye; Nightwing had blood covering his right arm. She went faster, gaining more speed. There was almost nothing she could do to save both, unless she hurt herself in the process.
"ROBIN!"
I opened an eye and saw Batgirl stretching out an arm towards me, screaming at me to grab hold. I raised my two bonded, and felt the speed of my quick decline, wipe them up at great speed. Her gloved hand touched it and she held onto it, and then wrapped her arms around me. Her voice was soft, yet loud as she spoke. "We have to get Nightwing."
I saw that it was impossible to do that, and I remained silent, knowing she knew too.
We fell, and then I felt Batgirl reach down and pull out a grappling hook from my belt, and I held tight as best I could. "Robin, hold the grappling hook, and don't let go, even though it's going to hurt." With those words she let me go. The grappling hook shot off and attacked the buildings ledge, yanking me to a stopping fall. I gritted my teeth from the pain. I could not hold it in…"OWW!" It had hurt, especially with that wire cutting into my skin. I could no longer see the metal.
I watched as she took out another grappling hook from her belt, and I knew it was her last one. I also knew there was no way to catch the speeding dropper a few feet ahead, about ready to hit the ground. Then I saw him, out of the corner of my eye, that flash of light, that sparking flare that you can miss if you don't look in just the right spot.
I smiled, knowing what it was, or for better use of the language, who it was. He was almost as cool as I remembered him. The works, everyone in the universe admired this man who came out as fast as the speed of light, well almost everyone, I knew that Bruce looked down to Superman.
The man of steel came below Nightwing, and reached out an arm, catching Nightwing, and then flying up towards Batgirl, catching her. He then went into an upward spiral, past me, and towards The Joker.
The Joker smiled, and began to laugh as Superman landed in front of him, carrying the two he had attempted to kill.
"SuperHAM! Glad to see you! How's it been?" The Joker shrieked. "You know how much I've been thinking about you for the past few months, ever since Lex ruined me."
Superman let Batgirl and Nightwing go. "Joker, just don't speak." He grabbed him by his collar. "Got it?"
"The only thing he has got is I and I alone, Superham! Let him go!" Harley screamed, jumping from behind the entrance. "Or I blow your brains. The gun in her hand was pointed for Superman.
Superman shook his head, and walked towards Harley, dragging the Joker behind.
Harley aimed, and blasted the gun, she gasped, seeing it did nothing.
The Joker slapped his forehead. "You stupid!"
"Hee-hee, I didn't mean-." She gulped as Superman came in front of her, casting the dreaded shadow across her way.
I held tight, pulling hard on the grappling hook, waiting for some type of help. It was really hard to maneuver about when you have a metal band around your wrists that has cut to the bone. The wind caught up suddenly, and I braced myself. Then watched as the figure of Superman came in front of me.
"Need a hand?"
I smiled slightly. "That would be cool." I let go of the hook and gritted my teeth from the movement. The met the rush of wind that screamed its own defeat at me as we rushed upwards, towards where Nightwing and Batgirl stood, looking over the fallen Joker and Harley, who were tied up tightly. Harley seemed disappointed by their capture, but The Joker looked straight at me, his black beady eyes disappearing into my own.
He began to sing a familiar tune, yet in a voice that seemed to carry with it a haunting edge with it. "Ring around the rosy… pockets full of posy… ashes, ashes…we all fall down."
I tired to look away, and even caught sight of Nightwing, yet Nightwing was staring at The Joker, obviously confused by the mad man.
"Ever hear of the Bubonic plague?"
"You are sick." Nightwing growled toward the laughing figure, and then he spat on the ground as he held a fist to the wound in his arm where blood seeped from.
The Joker giggled like a girl. "But I didn't make the song." He smiled at me. "I didn't even carry the plague! ASHES, ASHES, WE ALL FALL DOWN!"
Batgirl looked at Superman, who stood in a slanted position. He seemed disgusted by the mad man, and showed it clearly that he wanted nothing to do with this man. He simply looked towards where the sun was starting to rise, and ignored the Joker.
I wished I could do the same, yet I knew that was not possible. The Joker was my responsibility, along with Nightwing and Batgirl's. I looked to Batgirl, and she looked at me. Her face was grim and hard due to the lack of tolerance. Her eyes traced down to my wrists and she immediately softened.
"Nightwing, you take care of The Joker, I'll get Robin loose." Batgirl ordered as she bent beside me and pulled out a small knife. "This is going to hurt."
I braced myself as she dug the blade into my skin, working at the metal, which was worked deeply into the flesh. Blood came up, new and fresh, going over the two of us as her blade hit the wire. "I have it." She then snapped the wire and I gasped, due to the ruthless and cruel pain that smothered through my arms.
Batgirl drew back the knife and pushed the blade into the handle, frowning at the blood, which covered it in an odd fashion sense. Then she brought out the wire that was buried deep in my skin. I grimaced and let out hard breaths of discomfort, and the short and hidden cries that rose from my throat. I watched her eyes become level with mine. "It's out." I took in a deep breath. The few words of praise and hope that seemed to bring out a well earned smile for her.
The Joker laughed the whole time he was dragged away down the long flight of steel stairs by the wounded Nightwing. Batgirl, Superman, and I all followed.
My hands were now properly bandaged, and my face cleansed from the blood, which had once covered it. The Joker and Harley were in the custody of James Gordon, and I no longer worried about murders taking place with The Joker with that man. Gordon was smart, quick, light tempered, and fun to be around. He also knew his business, and loved his work. He smiled towards us all, and even shook Superman's hand showing his own thanks.
Clark smiled as he and Dick talked over the matter, Barbara stood at the sidelines, defending herself quite well from the conversation. I too stand at the sidelines, finding it to be comfortable being there. Dick and Clark seemed to carry a light enough conversation ranging from their own personal troubles, to Gotham's own troubles. I didn't understand it all, and didn't expect to. As far as I went, I was healed in the small areas. My cuts and bruises were disappearing due to the care of Alfred. I still wore the two scars of being captive around my wrists, where the metal wired had eaten into my flesh, sleeping against the bone. The Joker was in the Asylum, yet that was never good enough. He always managed to escape through his mind mastering, willful ways.
My head turned slowly, at hearing the low roar of the car pulling up. I didn't smile, nor did I let out a frown. My face was a grim expression as I watched. Barbara, Dick, and Clark all did the same. We watched as it rolled into the drive, dust poured from the wheels as it made the low halt, which seemed to stand still with a silence of time. I didn't move as he exited, Alfred closing the door behind him. I had not a care about his actions.
He stood tall, towering at his well-built stature, raising his height. He didn't smile, which was known to us all. The pattern he kept never moved or shook. He always had been a slave to routine, and I did not put any prejudice up against him for that. I too could work like he did, and without even recognizing myself at the time.
Bruce looked us over, the small group, which stood in front of his house in silence. He raised a hand, and brought it through his jet-black hair, then gave a half smile. He had not wanted Clark to be here, and hoped that he could control his temper. He strolled up the us, and smiled a phony smile once more, trying his best to drag us towards his trap, trying to get us to think he was actual having a new emotion. Yet his attempt was futile.
Clark out stretched an arm, smiling a well-mastered smile. He gave a simple nod of the head in welcome. "Bruce."
"Clark." Bruce growled, reaching out his own hand accepting the small gift of friendship, if you might call it that.
"I was hoping I might be able to see you before I left, and I guess I do. I presume you had a good trip?" Clark pressed, trying to dig himself a little burrow under Bruce's feet.
Bruce nodded. "I had a time, thank you."
The two stood in an awkward silence, and seemed to be reading the others mind.
"So, you wanted to talk with me about something?" Bruce ventured he was not in the mood to negotiate, or talk for that matter, but endured the man for the time being.
"Nothing of grave importance Bruce, just wanted to have a small word, nothing much." Clark explained with a nodded.
Bruce eyed the man, remaining in his well-born silence.
"So, then I had better be going. It was nice to see you again." Clark managed, feeling terribly uncomfortable, obviously. He turned and gave a wave. "Till the next time."
All the few of us could do was nod, acting more like the man whom we tried not to be like. Silence had never been a close friend, yet it seemed to greet us all a whole lot more often.
Clark took our silence and left with it, bring it back to his city, where he might dispose of it. No more was said.
It is now 3:00 A.M and I am standing in front of my open window, allowing the fresh, warm, and calm spring breeze come through to me. It seems more and more relaxing by the moment as I stand and wait for dawn to come. All fears seem to be pushed aside for the moment and not one unpleasant nightmare stands lingering at my side, whispering defeat and horror. Behind me my bed is unmade, messy due to sleep, and I turn to it. Then slowly approach it. I slip in and settle beneath those warm and comforting sheets that seem to warp their arms around you as you begin your night's journey.
I was just glad that I could continue another night, unlike the so many Joker has slain without a though. I buried my face in the pillow, and said a silent prayer for all those who had died from his hands. Their souls were lost, but for the time, I was not.
(Ok, that's it, now it's time for some tears and smiles! Thanks to Val, my editor, sobs, I couldn't have done it without you! Fred, if you are reading this, sighs and smiles slightly, DON'T TELL ANYONE AT SCHOOL ABOUT ME BEING BATTHING OR I HURT YOU! MICHAEL TOO FOR THAT MATTER, I knew I should have never shared my secret about my side occupation with you during The Spanish lesson. Dude, it got me into trouble, smiles. (Eli, Malakii, and I don't hate Jordan, The Pegged Legged Pirate, Punk Jon, The Cardinals, Matt who I do not feel sorry for because he is mean, the committee of San-fur-mean, and all you others!)
Mr. Jansen, where is that teacher anyway? A moment of silence for him, he started me up then dropped me frown with writing. I couldn't thank him, he was a cool teacher cause he liked Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, and, coughs, anyway…)
To all who read this story, if you like or not, smiles, I don't know, but I love writing, and even if I completely stink at it… sorry! I am new at this and well, am teaching myself along with help from all my editors. Anyway, THANKS!
Big thank you to Marsh yogurt, which you can find at your local Marsh store. Try it frozen; stick it in your fridge for around 4 hours then eat it, yummmm, and its soooo good. There is a reason for thanking it. It helped my get through reading the letter from ToonZone, who, take a bow, accepted my story! Also to Carmen Wayne, smiles she also has accepted this story(… thanks you all!