Thanks go out to Patty, Sandra and Tammy for beta reading. I hope you all
enjoy this part. Char :-)
REDEMPTION Part 8:
Bruce stood looking at the corporeal form of Hal Jordan -- the former and now deceased Green Lantern who was currently the Spectre, the agent of God's judgment on earth known. Bruce's eyes narrowed as he started at the spirit before him. "I asked you a question?"
"I came to help."
Bruce turned back and looked out the window again at his son who still sat by the tombstone. His dead son. His world was based on the rational, centered in reality. Yet, none of this was real or rational. This was all so hard for him to comprehend. "Help? How?" he queried. Bruce Wayne wasn't a man who liked to ask for help, but his son's soul seemed at stake and he would do whatever it took to save him.
Hal sighed wearily. "I had hoped that Dick's morality would have kept the Crow from killing. I didn't think he would actually kill. I underestimated Dick's anger and his willingness to use the Crow's anger when I brought him --"
Bruce whirled around. "When you brought him back!? You made him that .... thing!"
"He's a crow Bruce. You've been doing some research on crows, what have you learned?" Hal asked like a school teacher waiting for a child to recite his homework assignment.
Annoyed, Bruce replied. "The crow is a spirit of vengeance, like a wraith. They return to earth seeking to redeem the souls of their murderers. They're not supposed to kill. How's that?"
"Very good. What else do you know about spirits of vengeance?" Hal pressed on.
Perturbed, Bruce thought a moment before answering. He looked up into the face of the man who, at one time, he might have called a friend and at another time, did call an enemy. "You. Spirit of vengeance is your ... gig."
Hal nodded. "Very good. You're correct. Crow's are manifestations of the Spectre's force. I can manifest in thousands of places in thousands of shapes ... using various vessels to seek to bring God's redemption where needed. That is what I did here ... with your son."
Bruce's blue eyes were blazed with anger. "You used my son ... his body and soul ... jeopardized his soul ... for your purposes! To try to redeem that psychotic madman who should have been killed long ago. Who I should have killed long ago if I hadn't been impotent and could have ... You should have given him an instruction book Hal!" Bruce yelled across the room.
Hal Jordan simply stood, seemingly unaffected by the words his former friend hurled at him. "Thou shalt not kill."
Bruce stormed across the room toward the large bed. "Don't give me that crap! You know what I mean!"
"Bruce," Hal said, warning in his tone.
"Oh don't even try," Bruce replied undaunted. Hal or the Spectre or whoever or whatever he was now might like to intimidate people, but Hal didn't intimidate him. "You want to help ... you should ... this mess is your fault. How do I fix this situation? How do I help my son?"
"He has to help himself. His action in killing the Joker has upset the balance between good and evil. The scales have tilted and they must be made right again. He has to make them right again ... one way or another."
Sitting on the edge of the king size bed, Bruce sighed. Suddenly, he felt very tired. "He can't bring the Joker back from the dead. He would if he could. I would if I could. If that would 'balance the scales' ... What else can we do?"
"Joker has already returned," Hal replied matter of factly. "That is what causes the problem. When Crows kill the object of their redemption, they have failed in their primary mission -- to redeem that lost soul. Not only is that soul lost forever, but it returns as an agent of the Snake."
Bruce looked up into Hal's eyes. "Returns! Joker's returned ... you mean ... like Dick?"
"Yes and no. Similar to Dick. Only Joker's soul is lost, unredeemable forever ... so his sins are now borne on another soul."
Clasping the side of the bed, Bruce bent down, his head close to his knees. He felt as if he was going to be sick. This was all more than he ever wanted to know. His breathing was rapid. Finally, with a hoarse voice, he dared to ask his fear. "Dick's ... Dick's soul?"
"Yes," Hal answered sadly. "He will bear all responsibility for all acts Joker commits until he is stopped. Joker must be stopped before ... well ... Dick's soul can only bear so much before he can't be redeemed himself. Help him stop Joker ... before it's too late."
Swallowing the bile that was rising in his throat, Bruce tried to find his voice. This couldn't be happening ... his son couldn't be facing ... NO! He wouldn't let this happen. He wouldn't. Looking up he started to speak, only to find he was alone in his room. His hand braced the footboard, he pulled himself to his feet and slowly walked over to his window. He looked down at Dick. No! He wouldn't let this happen. "I failed to protect you once. Never again. Neither the powers of heaven or hell will stop me."
_______________________________________________________________________
"Ok, that's it," Roy said as he pushed himself up from the kitchen table drawing the attention of Tim, Lian and Alfred. "He's punished himself enough, and he's coming in now." Roy started for the door leading to the back yard.
Tim stood hesitantly, "Are you sure you should?"
Roy turned around as his hand clasped the door. "I'm not sure of anything anymore, but I know he's coming in." He opened the door and stomped out into the grass wet with dew. He saw his despondent friend sitting in the grass, his hand resting against the tombstone. He didn't begin to understand what his friend was going through, but he wasn't going to let him go through it alone.
Dick noticed the shadow that fell across him. Silently, he looked up into his friend's green eyes. Barbara had similar green eyes, he thought. He turned his attention back to the marble tombstone as his hand ran across her name. He had seen her last night. Then he lost her again ... forever.
"Dude, this isn't good. You need to come in," Roy started as he squatted down to his friend. "Come on."
"No."
"Dude, you're going in ... one way or another. Make it easy on me and come in willingly."
Dick looked back at Roy. "What's the point. Nothing matters anymore. Nothing -- "
"Don't give me that! There's Bruce, Tim and Alfred and a whole world of people who care about your ass, including Lian and me. Now get off the grass and come in the house."
"Roy," Dick growled.
"Dick," Roy mocked as he reached down, grabbed Dick's arm and pulled him up. "Come on in."
He looked at his friend as he was pulled up from the ground. As despondent as Dick was, he tried to give Roy a weak smile. "Okay."
Roy threw his arm around Dick's shoulder as they headed into the house. "It'll all work out all right. We'll see to it. Titans Together you know."
Dick stopped and faced his friend. "I haven't had a chance to say thank you to you yet. Well, I have, but I haven't."
Roy shrugged, "For what? I haven't done anything."
Dick crossed his arms in front of his chest and rolled his eyes. "Sure you haven't. You just moved to Bludhaven to take over my "business" and moved in here checking on my family. Exactly what I asked you to do that one time. I know how you've always felt about Bruce, so I know that wasn't the easiest thing for you to do."
Clamping his hand on his friend's shoulder, Roy squeezed just a little. "You were right. He's not as scary once you really get to know him. All bark and no bite ... well ... ok he has a LOT of bite, but you get used to it."
They started back towards the house and entered through the kitchen. Alfred was putting away the breakfast dishes. Tim and Lian were no where to be found. "They are in the study fighting over the remote control," Alfred said without turning around. Dick smiled at how some things stayed the same, even when he felt like the world was collapsing. Maybe Roy was right, maybe things would work out in the end.
Tim and Lian, were indeed, locked in battle over the TV. Roy started to go in to stop the melee when a news broadcast caught Dick's eye. "Stop!" he said as he walked closer to the TV turning up the volume as Summer Gleason continued.
" -- body has been stolen from the Gotham City Morgue. The reason behind this bizarre crime has yet to be determined. Gotham City Police aren't making any statements as to who would have stolen Joker's body. The twenty- four year old morgue attendant that was murdered during this bizarre robbery has been identified as -- "
Dick turned off the television as he turned toward the room's other occupants, his face a mixture of confusion and concern. "Who would steal Joker's body?"
"No one," Bruce replied as he walked into the room. "Joker's not dead ... exactly."
"What'dya mean exactly?" Roy asked.
"He's back ... like me," Dick stated. "How did you -- " Dick stopped as the room started spinning and contracting around him. The large black crow flew from its perch on the top of the tombstone, cawing in the morning sun. Dick saw the world in red and black through the eyes of the crow. Gotham City lay far below, as the crow flew towards its destination. The Gotham waterfront came into view -- the red docks contrasting against the black water. The crow cawed as Amusement Mile came into view. Crowds of people walked the boardwalk, rode the Ferris wheel and miniature roller coasters. "Joker," Dick hissed as he headed toward the door.
Roy looked from Dick to Bruce to Dick's back as he left the room. "Where's he going?"
"After the Joker," Bruce growled. "Suit up and we'll follow."
"Shouldn't HE suit up?" Tim asked pointing toward the door.
Bruce recalled the Crow he had seen at work twice. "I think he already is."
_______________________________________________________________________
Joker walked through the crowded boardwalk. People seemed to think he was a clown at the amusement park. He walked through the crowd, waving at the children who smiled at him. Ah, the innocence of youth, he thought as he continued on. How fun it would be to watch them go boom. Before him was a sideshow barker. Joker smiled as he started up the steps to join the man.
"Step right up folks and -- " He looked at the Joker as he joined him on the stage. "Who are you? You're not part of the act?" he whispered at the purple clad man.
Joker took the microphone from the man's hands. "Not part of the act! Surely you jest! I AM the act!" He pushed the man behind him as he faced the crowd. "Rube! Laaadddiiiieeess and Gentleman, children of all ages, the show has just begun. Joker's here," he said with relish and a slight pause. Then his grin grew wider, if that was possible. "What did the puzzle say to the clown?" He held his right hand up and pressed a detonator causing multiple explosions to start throughout Amusement Mile. "I go all to pieces over you."
The crowd grew wild with fear and panic as they started moving in all directions, trying to find the safe way to run.
Joker started laughing wildly as he watched the flames shooting into the air. "Sometimes I just kill myself," he said as he slapped his knee. Then he stopped and looked thoughtful. "Oh wait, that's right, I didn't kill me, he did." Joker started musing as frenzied crowd raced around him. He was caught up in his own musings and didn't see the motorcycle that roared down the center of the boardwalk, seemingly oblivious to the panicked crowd. Joker closed his eyes as a grotesque smile formed on his face. "Well, well, the gang's all here."
The black clad figure jumped from the moving motorcycle and somersaulted onto the stage, his long black jacket flapping in the wind behind him. "Joker," he hissed. Dick was somewhat taken aback when Joker turned to face him, his face a grotesque mirror of Dick's own. Where black tear stains marked Dick's ashen face, similar green marks were on Joker's.
"The little birdy's come to play."
"Night's darkness called your foul fetid name; but spewed a soul so black and bestowed breath back, To it I'll return you with cleansing flame; hellfire is your fate and cursed agony awaits."
Joker raised an eyebrow as he looked at the Crow before him. "Oh give it a rest," he said smiling evilly as he struck out with lightning speed. Using the microphone stand, he sliced at the Crow who ducked low, swinging out his leg and knocking the Joker to the ground. Joker didn't stay down long, however, catching himself on the palms of his hands and flipping himself upright.
The black crow circled in the sky as Dick and Joker faced off against each other, his ebony eyes caught sight of the albino boa constrictor slithering under the bandstand. The bird cawed as he flew at the snake, pecking his attack as the snake hissed at him.
"Time to die Joker," the Crow spit out.
"I've been dead once, it's very liberating," Joker laughed wildly as the explosions around them started taking on a life of their own. The fires started by Joker's explosives were now hitting power lines and gas mains causing more violent explosions to rock the area. The Ferris Wheel at one end of Amusement Mile toppled over, the wheel breaking loose from the frame. It started rolling down the boardwalk. Joker reveled in the screams of pain and terror surrounding him.
The Batwing roared high overhead, over taking the fiery wheel of death. Two bat grapnels shot out from the plane through the spokes of the giant wheel embedding there anchors into the building to the left and the pier to the right of the boardwalk. The wheel lurched to a stop. The Batplane changed directions quickly, flying over the flames to drop extinguishing fluid on the blaze. Batman watched his radar screen as he tried to track his operatives on the ground. Dick was the only one he couldn't track anymore. Not since the motorcycle's tracking devise went off-line. That was right before the explosion. Batman could only pray that Dick was all right.
"Batman to Robin. Report," his gruff voice ordered.
Robin's voice came through the crackling connection of the comm link. "Arsenal and I are trying to get as many people out of the area as possible. GCPD and EMT's have a triage center set up a block away. Azreael and Huntress are working the other end of The Mile."
"Batgirl?"
Robin took a breath before answering, "Looking for Nightwing."
"He's NOT Nightwing! Not anymore," Batman growled.
"Well, whoever he is, he's one of ours, and she's looking him," Robin replied as he flipped to avoid falling debris.
Batman's jaw flinched. He didn't want to convey his worry to Robin. "I know who he is," came out curtly. The fact that he was worried about Dick was something he wanted to hide ... from himself as much as Robin. What was happening between Dick and Joker? How had Joker been changed? How would his changes affect a confrontation with Dick? Joker was dangerous enough when he was alive ... but now -- "Batman out."
Far below the Batwing, Batgirl crept along the boardwalk seeking her prey. She spied them near the pier, engaged in unearthly combat. She stared at them for a moment ... disbelieving what she saw. Batman had told her Nightwing was alive and was here at Amusement Mile. Had it been anyone but Batman who had told her Nightwing was back from the dead, she would not have believed them. Batman, however, she trusted implicitly. Believing and seeing however where two separate things. Her eyes still did not comprehend how Dick was back from the dead. She had attended his funeral. Had watched as his and Barbara's bodies were lowered into the open earth. Had seen Batman's total devastation at his death.
Now, Dick was back. It was amazing to her. He didn't look like the man she remembered. He wasn't dressed as Nightwing, and he didn't seem to be Dick. He was ... different. As she watched the Joker, she noticed he was different as well, although his maniacal laugh remained the same. She watched their fight intently. Neither man fought the way they had before. There were similarities in Dick's style to his old fighting stance, but his abilities were far superior to what they had been before. Batgirl was intrigued by his moves. She had never seen moves like their's before. She would like to learn these moves.
The Crow and the Joker parried at each other. Kick to kick, punch to punch, they were equally matched one to the other. Beneath her mask, Batgirl smiled. Time to change the odds in this fight. Quietly she crept forward toward the battle, oblivious to the snake and bird that faced off at the corner of the bandstand. Silently, she leapt toward the Joker's back.
Joker blocked Dick's kick with his arm, slinging his foe backwards. A swirling green vortex appeared before his eyes as his snake showed him a new foe's approach from behind him. His smile was wicked as he calmly stepped to the side and grabbed Batgirl's outstretched leg in mid kick. With a strong yank, he pulled her against his back shoulder blade. "Hello there my pretty. Nice of you to drop in. Or is it drop out?"
Batgirl was too shocked by the move he had and the speed he used to struggle out of his superhuman grasp. With an ease not borne of this world, Joker lifted Batgirl into the air and tossed her into the fiery inferno consuming the pier.
"Nooooo!" Dick yelled as he somersaulted toward the flames after Batgirl. The crow flying off behind him.
Joker smiled as he watched his adversary disappear behind the wall of flames. He then turned toward the sound of the Batwing roaring overhead. He watched as the Batwing dropped fire extinguisher on some of the flames he had caused. Batman putting out fires. Now where was the fun of that? "Bwahahaha," he laughed evilly as he picked up the metal pole that had held the microphone. He twirled it like a baton, and then took aim at the plane high above him. With an unearthly aim, he threw the pole like a spear at the Batwing. The metal object hit the plane's engine with unbelievable force rupturing the hull and piercing the engine. The plane sputtered and choked in its death knell as it started to spin out of control toward the pier.
Joker continued to laugh as he calmly picked up his snake and started to walk away. As he hummed, the large albino snake coiled around him as he left the fiery area. The snake's head rested on his shoulder watching the events behind him. Through their connection, Joker saw the Batwing crash into the fiery pier. He laughed as the pier collapsed into Gotham Harbor. Three down eight million to go. "But Baabyeee when we kiss," Joker sang as he pulled the snake's face around to his kissing the slimy creature on its head. "dadadada ... Fire! Bwahaha Gotham's gonna heat up tonight. Bwahahaha."
To be continued ...
REDEMPTION Part 8:
Bruce stood looking at the corporeal form of Hal Jordan -- the former and now deceased Green Lantern who was currently the Spectre, the agent of God's judgment on earth known. Bruce's eyes narrowed as he started at the spirit before him. "I asked you a question?"
"I came to help."
Bruce turned back and looked out the window again at his son who still sat by the tombstone. His dead son. His world was based on the rational, centered in reality. Yet, none of this was real or rational. This was all so hard for him to comprehend. "Help? How?" he queried. Bruce Wayne wasn't a man who liked to ask for help, but his son's soul seemed at stake and he would do whatever it took to save him.
Hal sighed wearily. "I had hoped that Dick's morality would have kept the Crow from killing. I didn't think he would actually kill. I underestimated Dick's anger and his willingness to use the Crow's anger when I brought him --"
Bruce whirled around. "When you brought him back!? You made him that .... thing!"
"He's a crow Bruce. You've been doing some research on crows, what have you learned?" Hal asked like a school teacher waiting for a child to recite his homework assignment.
Annoyed, Bruce replied. "The crow is a spirit of vengeance, like a wraith. They return to earth seeking to redeem the souls of their murderers. They're not supposed to kill. How's that?"
"Very good. What else do you know about spirits of vengeance?" Hal pressed on.
Perturbed, Bruce thought a moment before answering. He looked up into the face of the man who, at one time, he might have called a friend and at another time, did call an enemy. "You. Spirit of vengeance is your ... gig."
Hal nodded. "Very good. You're correct. Crow's are manifestations of the Spectre's force. I can manifest in thousands of places in thousands of shapes ... using various vessels to seek to bring God's redemption where needed. That is what I did here ... with your son."
Bruce's blue eyes were blazed with anger. "You used my son ... his body and soul ... jeopardized his soul ... for your purposes! To try to redeem that psychotic madman who should have been killed long ago. Who I should have killed long ago if I hadn't been impotent and could have ... You should have given him an instruction book Hal!" Bruce yelled across the room.
Hal Jordan simply stood, seemingly unaffected by the words his former friend hurled at him. "Thou shalt not kill."
Bruce stormed across the room toward the large bed. "Don't give me that crap! You know what I mean!"
"Bruce," Hal said, warning in his tone.
"Oh don't even try," Bruce replied undaunted. Hal or the Spectre or whoever or whatever he was now might like to intimidate people, but Hal didn't intimidate him. "You want to help ... you should ... this mess is your fault. How do I fix this situation? How do I help my son?"
"He has to help himself. His action in killing the Joker has upset the balance between good and evil. The scales have tilted and they must be made right again. He has to make them right again ... one way or another."
Sitting on the edge of the king size bed, Bruce sighed. Suddenly, he felt very tired. "He can't bring the Joker back from the dead. He would if he could. I would if I could. If that would 'balance the scales' ... What else can we do?"
"Joker has already returned," Hal replied matter of factly. "That is what causes the problem. When Crows kill the object of their redemption, they have failed in their primary mission -- to redeem that lost soul. Not only is that soul lost forever, but it returns as an agent of the Snake."
Bruce looked up into Hal's eyes. "Returns! Joker's returned ... you mean ... like Dick?"
"Yes and no. Similar to Dick. Only Joker's soul is lost, unredeemable forever ... so his sins are now borne on another soul."
Clasping the side of the bed, Bruce bent down, his head close to his knees. He felt as if he was going to be sick. This was all more than he ever wanted to know. His breathing was rapid. Finally, with a hoarse voice, he dared to ask his fear. "Dick's ... Dick's soul?"
"Yes," Hal answered sadly. "He will bear all responsibility for all acts Joker commits until he is stopped. Joker must be stopped before ... well ... Dick's soul can only bear so much before he can't be redeemed himself. Help him stop Joker ... before it's too late."
Swallowing the bile that was rising in his throat, Bruce tried to find his voice. This couldn't be happening ... his son couldn't be facing ... NO! He wouldn't let this happen. He wouldn't. Looking up he started to speak, only to find he was alone in his room. His hand braced the footboard, he pulled himself to his feet and slowly walked over to his window. He looked down at Dick. No! He wouldn't let this happen. "I failed to protect you once. Never again. Neither the powers of heaven or hell will stop me."
_______________________________________________________________________
"Ok, that's it," Roy said as he pushed himself up from the kitchen table drawing the attention of Tim, Lian and Alfred. "He's punished himself enough, and he's coming in now." Roy started for the door leading to the back yard.
Tim stood hesitantly, "Are you sure you should?"
Roy turned around as his hand clasped the door. "I'm not sure of anything anymore, but I know he's coming in." He opened the door and stomped out into the grass wet with dew. He saw his despondent friend sitting in the grass, his hand resting against the tombstone. He didn't begin to understand what his friend was going through, but he wasn't going to let him go through it alone.
Dick noticed the shadow that fell across him. Silently, he looked up into his friend's green eyes. Barbara had similar green eyes, he thought. He turned his attention back to the marble tombstone as his hand ran across her name. He had seen her last night. Then he lost her again ... forever.
"Dude, this isn't good. You need to come in," Roy started as he squatted down to his friend. "Come on."
"No."
"Dude, you're going in ... one way or another. Make it easy on me and come in willingly."
Dick looked back at Roy. "What's the point. Nothing matters anymore. Nothing -- "
"Don't give me that! There's Bruce, Tim and Alfred and a whole world of people who care about your ass, including Lian and me. Now get off the grass and come in the house."
"Roy," Dick growled.
"Dick," Roy mocked as he reached down, grabbed Dick's arm and pulled him up. "Come on in."
He looked at his friend as he was pulled up from the ground. As despondent as Dick was, he tried to give Roy a weak smile. "Okay."
Roy threw his arm around Dick's shoulder as they headed into the house. "It'll all work out all right. We'll see to it. Titans Together you know."
Dick stopped and faced his friend. "I haven't had a chance to say thank you to you yet. Well, I have, but I haven't."
Roy shrugged, "For what? I haven't done anything."
Dick crossed his arms in front of his chest and rolled his eyes. "Sure you haven't. You just moved to Bludhaven to take over my "business" and moved in here checking on my family. Exactly what I asked you to do that one time. I know how you've always felt about Bruce, so I know that wasn't the easiest thing for you to do."
Clamping his hand on his friend's shoulder, Roy squeezed just a little. "You were right. He's not as scary once you really get to know him. All bark and no bite ... well ... ok he has a LOT of bite, but you get used to it."
They started back towards the house and entered through the kitchen. Alfred was putting away the breakfast dishes. Tim and Lian were no where to be found. "They are in the study fighting over the remote control," Alfred said without turning around. Dick smiled at how some things stayed the same, even when he felt like the world was collapsing. Maybe Roy was right, maybe things would work out in the end.
Tim and Lian, were indeed, locked in battle over the TV. Roy started to go in to stop the melee when a news broadcast caught Dick's eye. "Stop!" he said as he walked closer to the TV turning up the volume as Summer Gleason continued.
" -- body has been stolen from the Gotham City Morgue. The reason behind this bizarre crime has yet to be determined. Gotham City Police aren't making any statements as to who would have stolen Joker's body. The twenty- four year old morgue attendant that was murdered during this bizarre robbery has been identified as -- "
Dick turned off the television as he turned toward the room's other occupants, his face a mixture of confusion and concern. "Who would steal Joker's body?"
"No one," Bruce replied as he walked into the room. "Joker's not dead ... exactly."
"What'dya mean exactly?" Roy asked.
"He's back ... like me," Dick stated. "How did you -- " Dick stopped as the room started spinning and contracting around him. The large black crow flew from its perch on the top of the tombstone, cawing in the morning sun. Dick saw the world in red and black through the eyes of the crow. Gotham City lay far below, as the crow flew towards its destination. The Gotham waterfront came into view -- the red docks contrasting against the black water. The crow cawed as Amusement Mile came into view. Crowds of people walked the boardwalk, rode the Ferris wheel and miniature roller coasters. "Joker," Dick hissed as he headed toward the door.
Roy looked from Dick to Bruce to Dick's back as he left the room. "Where's he going?"
"After the Joker," Bruce growled. "Suit up and we'll follow."
"Shouldn't HE suit up?" Tim asked pointing toward the door.
Bruce recalled the Crow he had seen at work twice. "I think he already is."
_______________________________________________________________________
Joker walked through the crowded boardwalk. People seemed to think he was a clown at the amusement park. He walked through the crowd, waving at the children who smiled at him. Ah, the innocence of youth, he thought as he continued on. How fun it would be to watch them go boom. Before him was a sideshow barker. Joker smiled as he started up the steps to join the man.
"Step right up folks and -- " He looked at the Joker as he joined him on the stage. "Who are you? You're not part of the act?" he whispered at the purple clad man.
Joker took the microphone from the man's hands. "Not part of the act! Surely you jest! I AM the act!" He pushed the man behind him as he faced the crowd. "Rube! Laaadddiiiieeess and Gentleman, children of all ages, the show has just begun. Joker's here," he said with relish and a slight pause. Then his grin grew wider, if that was possible. "What did the puzzle say to the clown?" He held his right hand up and pressed a detonator causing multiple explosions to start throughout Amusement Mile. "I go all to pieces over you."
The crowd grew wild with fear and panic as they started moving in all directions, trying to find the safe way to run.
Joker started laughing wildly as he watched the flames shooting into the air. "Sometimes I just kill myself," he said as he slapped his knee. Then he stopped and looked thoughtful. "Oh wait, that's right, I didn't kill me, he did." Joker started musing as frenzied crowd raced around him. He was caught up in his own musings and didn't see the motorcycle that roared down the center of the boardwalk, seemingly oblivious to the panicked crowd. Joker closed his eyes as a grotesque smile formed on his face. "Well, well, the gang's all here."
The black clad figure jumped from the moving motorcycle and somersaulted onto the stage, his long black jacket flapping in the wind behind him. "Joker," he hissed. Dick was somewhat taken aback when Joker turned to face him, his face a grotesque mirror of Dick's own. Where black tear stains marked Dick's ashen face, similar green marks were on Joker's.
"The little birdy's come to play."
"Night's darkness called your foul fetid name; but spewed a soul so black and bestowed breath back, To it I'll return you with cleansing flame; hellfire is your fate and cursed agony awaits."
Joker raised an eyebrow as he looked at the Crow before him. "Oh give it a rest," he said smiling evilly as he struck out with lightning speed. Using the microphone stand, he sliced at the Crow who ducked low, swinging out his leg and knocking the Joker to the ground. Joker didn't stay down long, however, catching himself on the palms of his hands and flipping himself upright.
The black crow circled in the sky as Dick and Joker faced off against each other, his ebony eyes caught sight of the albino boa constrictor slithering under the bandstand. The bird cawed as he flew at the snake, pecking his attack as the snake hissed at him.
"Time to die Joker," the Crow spit out.
"I've been dead once, it's very liberating," Joker laughed wildly as the explosions around them started taking on a life of their own. The fires started by Joker's explosives were now hitting power lines and gas mains causing more violent explosions to rock the area. The Ferris Wheel at one end of Amusement Mile toppled over, the wheel breaking loose from the frame. It started rolling down the boardwalk. Joker reveled in the screams of pain and terror surrounding him.
The Batwing roared high overhead, over taking the fiery wheel of death. Two bat grapnels shot out from the plane through the spokes of the giant wheel embedding there anchors into the building to the left and the pier to the right of the boardwalk. The wheel lurched to a stop. The Batplane changed directions quickly, flying over the flames to drop extinguishing fluid on the blaze. Batman watched his radar screen as he tried to track his operatives on the ground. Dick was the only one he couldn't track anymore. Not since the motorcycle's tracking devise went off-line. That was right before the explosion. Batman could only pray that Dick was all right.
"Batman to Robin. Report," his gruff voice ordered.
Robin's voice came through the crackling connection of the comm link. "Arsenal and I are trying to get as many people out of the area as possible. GCPD and EMT's have a triage center set up a block away. Azreael and Huntress are working the other end of The Mile."
"Batgirl?"
Robin took a breath before answering, "Looking for Nightwing."
"He's NOT Nightwing! Not anymore," Batman growled.
"Well, whoever he is, he's one of ours, and she's looking him," Robin replied as he flipped to avoid falling debris.
Batman's jaw flinched. He didn't want to convey his worry to Robin. "I know who he is," came out curtly. The fact that he was worried about Dick was something he wanted to hide ... from himself as much as Robin. What was happening between Dick and Joker? How had Joker been changed? How would his changes affect a confrontation with Dick? Joker was dangerous enough when he was alive ... but now -- "Batman out."
Far below the Batwing, Batgirl crept along the boardwalk seeking her prey. She spied them near the pier, engaged in unearthly combat. She stared at them for a moment ... disbelieving what she saw. Batman had told her Nightwing was alive and was here at Amusement Mile. Had it been anyone but Batman who had told her Nightwing was back from the dead, she would not have believed them. Batman, however, she trusted implicitly. Believing and seeing however where two separate things. Her eyes still did not comprehend how Dick was back from the dead. She had attended his funeral. Had watched as his and Barbara's bodies were lowered into the open earth. Had seen Batman's total devastation at his death.
Now, Dick was back. It was amazing to her. He didn't look like the man she remembered. He wasn't dressed as Nightwing, and he didn't seem to be Dick. He was ... different. As she watched the Joker, she noticed he was different as well, although his maniacal laugh remained the same. She watched their fight intently. Neither man fought the way they had before. There were similarities in Dick's style to his old fighting stance, but his abilities were far superior to what they had been before. Batgirl was intrigued by his moves. She had never seen moves like their's before. She would like to learn these moves.
The Crow and the Joker parried at each other. Kick to kick, punch to punch, they were equally matched one to the other. Beneath her mask, Batgirl smiled. Time to change the odds in this fight. Quietly she crept forward toward the battle, oblivious to the snake and bird that faced off at the corner of the bandstand. Silently, she leapt toward the Joker's back.
Joker blocked Dick's kick with his arm, slinging his foe backwards. A swirling green vortex appeared before his eyes as his snake showed him a new foe's approach from behind him. His smile was wicked as he calmly stepped to the side and grabbed Batgirl's outstretched leg in mid kick. With a strong yank, he pulled her against his back shoulder blade. "Hello there my pretty. Nice of you to drop in. Or is it drop out?"
Batgirl was too shocked by the move he had and the speed he used to struggle out of his superhuman grasp. With an ease not borne of this world, Joker lifted Batgirl into the air and tossed her into the fiery inferno consuming the pier.
"Nooooo!" Dick yelled as he somersaulted toward the flames after Batgirl. The crow flying off behind him.
Joker smiled as he watched his adversary disappear behind the wall of flames. He then turned toward the sound of the Batwing roaring overhead. He watched as the Batwing dropped fire extinguisher on some of the flames he had caused. Batman putting out fires. Now where was the fun of that? "Bwahahaha," he laughed evilly as he picked up the metal pole that had held the microphone. He twirled it like a baton, and then took aim at the plane high above him. With an unearthly aim, he threw the pole like a spear at the Batwing. The metal object hit the plane's engine with unbelievable force rupturing the hull and piercing the engine. The plane sputtered and choked in its death knell as it started to spin out of control toward the pier.
Joker continued to laugh as he calmly picked up his snake and started to walk away. As he hummed, the large albino snake coiled around him as he left the fiery area. The snake's head rested on his shoulder watching the events behind him. Through their connection, Joker saw the Batwing crash into the fiery pier. He laughed as the pier collapsed into Gotham Harbor. Three down eight million to go. "But Baabyeee when we kiss," Joker sang as he pulled the snake's face around to his kissing the slimy creature on its head. "dadadada ... Fire! Bwahaha Gotham's gonna heat up tonight. Bwahahaha."
To be continued ...
