Demoness is laying upside down on her bed playing with her PS2 when Harley Jest walks in, "Boss Lady, Batman's bitchin' that he hasn't been in the fic since the first installment."
"Really now? That's good." She continues to play game.
"Ain't ya listening? That's bad; if ya don't show more of him then this will be considered an original fic and booted off!
That gets the Demoness pirate on her feet and seated before her semi-faithful computer, Puck. "Ok, ok. Tell Batsy he's in."
Batman's voice shouts from the distance, "I'm in?"
"You're in." Demoness
Batman smiles, "I'm in."
Harley J looks around in confusion. "He's in?"
"You're both in! Sad of me to be stealin' a scene from a stupid cell phone commercial, ain't it? Oh well, on with it…"
Chapter 5: Trapped in the worst place
Semi-long nails painted black repetitively tapped their red tips against the small mesh fabric of a neon pink lemonade long sleeved shirt. A large bang from some distance away brought the movements to a brief stop before starting again.
"Once again we find ourselves under gunfire." A smooth masculine voice stated dryly seconds before a six large gun shells were put within the sight of the waiting woman. "Here."
When brown eyes befell onto the ammunition for her beloved gun a small smile tugged at her bare lips. "Thanks love," She cooed giving him a peck on his pale green cheek. "But wait we have a special guest t'night. Welcome to the show, Batman."
As the sound of gunshots and things being pushed down onto the floor drew nearer they ducked even lower behind the checkout counter.
Quickly regaining himself Batman scowled at the two, "Can't you two be serious for at least five minutes? They're right in front of us." He hissed silently.
Slapping the chambers back into place Harley chuckled. "Ya forget who ya're dealin' wit' Batsy. O' course we can be, but what's the fun in that?"
"How about our chances of survival will be greater?" Batman questioned sarcastically watching them with narrowed eyes of annoyance. It was never easy dealing with each of them on their own, but with the pair teamed together, it always seemed that there was a private joke between them that the entire world was cruelly left out on.
Swallowing his growing impatience he regarded the two once again. "We have to get out of here. As we are now we're easy targets."
The green male with the influence over plant-life gave him the most irritated look that stated his dislike and utter belief of his primal stupidity. With a roll of his bottle green eyes he turned to his lover. "Harl."
A crazed animated look passed over the jester's face as she stood onto her feet screaming like a Valkery as she pulled her toy guns. "Ya know the plan now git yer asses up and start runnin'!" She commanded firing at the trio of people approaching them.
"But we can't-" Batman's protest was drawn short as a strong hand pulled him along.
"I know I'd rather help her than run away with some mammal but she knows what she's doing." Nightshade stated before running off as commanded.
As Batman ran slightly behind Nightshade from the safety of the counter to the department store aisles he couldn't help but blame his little brother for this.
Confused? Shall we start at the beginning then? Very well.
Earlier…
Terry McGinnis walked along the row of Vidgames debating on which would better please his younger brother. Usually with their little sibling spats between one another he wouldn't spend his rare time of leisure thinking about the little brat, but his birthday was approaching and after gift after gift of clothes, educational tools, and other undesirable gifts he would receive that day something mindlessly entertaining would be a blessing.
Picking up the empty case of the latest science-fiction shooter RPG game, a semi-decent attempt to recreate a series of shooters that was once a success in the early 2000's, he thought of the surprised look on his brother's face when he tore away the flashy wrapping paper and saw what he was given.
Smiling at his self indulgence his eyes drifted sideways to a young adult female playing the demo. Though he could not place it exactly there was something oddly familiar about her.
Her dark hair styled in a bob cut fell back against her round cheeks as her chocolate brown eyes focused with her neck craned upwards at the screen of virtual fighters. She was dressed none to oddly, which for some reason did not bode well with his perception of her. A maroon bra beneath a neon pink mesh shirt. Semi-baggy pants that matched with the color of the bra beneath with old sneakers held together with long slivers of gray/silver duct-tape.
Something was off, far off with the woman, as he went to purchase the game his mind kept drawing back to her.
Making his way out of the electronics department of the store he's shoulder collided with a small black haired woman. "Ex-cuse me." She said with an interesting and thick German accent bending down to pick up her dropped parcels.
Being the gentleman that he was he bent down to help her gather her belongs. Lifting her fallen purse he winced at how heavy it actually was. "Wow, are you packing weights in there?" He asked jokingly.
She smiled making her wrinkle and blemish free thirty-ish face appear much younger than she was yet all the same attractive, "I carry my work with me, little boy." She stated taking the purse from his hands with ease. With another smile and a thank you she walked away with a serpentine sway of her shapely hips dressed in somewhat tight faux leather.
As he watched the woman merge with a group of shopping women the vid-game girl popped back into his mind. He could imagine her being playful, moving in a hyper state as she teased and winked a smiling eye…before aiming her gun and shooting him in his chest laughing the entire time.
"Aw slaggit." He moaned. No sooner had the realization dawned on him did the fatal sounds of gunshots fire from behind him. Screams ripped through the air as the spray of gunfire ring out again.
Turning he could see it all, a mad sea of people running frantically for the nearest exist, behind them scanning through the crowd was the woman with the accent, and in her hands was poised a military rifle. Her steely blue eyes looked over towards a frightfully thin man across the second floor balcony, with a shake of her head she moved on in a determined stalk.
A bit of pink parted from the crowd running somewhat slouched with hands protecting her head was none other than Harley Jest.
"Even on my day off." He mumbled to himself before he too vanished from the group of hysterical people.
Harley ran at full speed away from the safety a quick escape promised. Spotting a Carolina blue suit, the trademark of the store she slid to a stop before the frightened young man in the midst of calling for help.
"Excuse me, this is an emergency." She panted to the frightened worker whilst pushing the temporary black sprayed hair, cut in it's latest fashion, away from her face.
"I know already: some crazy people are shooting up the place!" He stated his fight to remain calm quickly deteriorating.
"No! Where's your garden section?"
With wide eyes and a trembling hand he pointed a shaky finger towards the east exit and watched utterly confused as she trotted swiftly away.
Running nearly at full speed Harley hoped against all hope that whilst fleeing she wouldn't get shot in the back, more importantly she hoped she wouldn't get shot in her rear end.
As she skidded to the outdoor accessories a shadow leapt from the darkness, and like a serpent pulled her back with it.
'Jump me from behind will they? Well I'll show 'em to mess wit' a nutcase.' A malicious smile curved over her lips as she allowed her body to go slack. The plan was already forming in her head as to how she would deal with whoever had the mettle to match against her when the arms repositioned themselves to wrap leniently around her body.
She leaned back into the arms she was so familiar with, the way they formed over her, the shape of the chest pressed against her back, all striking pleasant memories of tender nights and lovely mornings.
"Are you okay?" A voice asked with concern his arms tightening unconsciously to protect what was his.
"I am now." Taking one last moment to relish in his arms she parted to turn to the face she so adored, "Cherry pie, it's the RE enforcers."
"What? Already?" Christopher Isely asked with surprise.
"Friends of yours?" A dark figure leapt from the high selves to land with a graceful front flip before the pair.
Chris scowled at the sight of Batman while Harley was grinning from ear to ear. "No one really." She stated waving his suspension away with her hand.
"Oh? So why are they shooting at you?"
"They're disgruntled shoppers and I cut them in line?" She asked sweetly. "No? Yeah I knew that wouldn't work."
"They're the brute force of a crime related group called the Red Eyes," Nightshade filled in for her lack of cooperation.
"What did you do to get on their bad side?"
With the joy of teasing ruined Harley sighed, "We've always been on their 'bad side', hell I don't think they even have a good side. We pissed them off by hittin' a few places before them; we knew they would be after us eventually but not this soon. Ya see we sometimes pull jobs for a friend of my ol' uncle, sadly he and the REs ain't on good terms."
"I thought you hated him because he killed your father."
"No, not Fletcher! My adopted Uncle West, may he rest in peace. I'm only pissed that I wasn't fully prepared for this." She sighed pulling out her gun and cocking it.
"You're not prepared?" Batman questioned.
Her eyes feel open staring at him in mild disbelief; she waved her hand at her body. "Look at me! Just look at me, I'm not dress properly at all!"
Her exclamation brought a bombardment of bullets directed towards the trio. "You and your big mouth, Harl." Nightshade shouted taking hold of his lover and began fleeing from the garden area. Together they ran at a breakneck speed ever careful to duck with the slight sound of gunfire.
Running and searching through her purse at the same time while trying not to fall on her face Harley scavenged desperately. "Don't say I left it at home!"
Glance back slightly Batman glared at her hand disappearing in her purse, "What is it?"
"Ah I've got it!" She cried revealing a velvety pouch. "Cherry pie."
On cue Nightshade hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes while he continued to run. Ripping open the pouch she shook out a multitude of small silver jacks, smiling as they scattered across the tile floors. "Take that you uum!"
Batman glared at her as he removed his hand from the adhesive he placed over her mouth. "Remember how they found us in the first place?"
Quickly they ducked behind the checkout counter of the dishware department of the store.
Seating against the counter breathing heavily Batman tried to recover and put together all that had happened within fifteen minutes. Suddenly an enraged Harley appeared before his face pointing wildly at the tape over her mouth in silent command that he remove it.
"Don't scream." He stated blankly before taking hold of a corner in ripping the tape away.
Mouth opened in a silent scream Harley's eyes opened wide leaked with tears. "Ow." She whispered tenderly patting her abused skin.
There attention on the criminal jester was drawn short as the shout of a small pop followed back a stream of unintelligible curses filled the air. "Damn you Jest! When I get my hands on you you'll be begging for me to put a bullet between your eyes!" The woman from before shouted.
Harley was in the actions of jumping onto her feet and retort when both Batman and Nightshade took hold of her and held her in place. "What were those you dropped back there?" Nightshade questioned with genuine curiosity.
"My latest toy, Sneak Attack Jacks. Motion sensitive lil' mines that spring onto the movement it see. It doesn't do anything deadly but the small explosion stings like a bitch."
Batman rolled his eyes amazed at how the two weren't so set with their priorities. "More importantly who are we dealing with?"
"Sheena, she's the lovely lead woman with the guns. But despite her age and looks she's mercilessly deadly." Nightshade stated rummaging through his lover's bag.
"Dawg, he's the creepy thin guy loaded with knives, a bit psycho but he's easy to manipulate. And last but not least big, muscular, and stupid Pike. He has the mentality of a puppy but the viciousness of a rabid wolf, no weapons though."
From behind them there was a blast of gunfire. They were drawing near. "One for each of us then. So who gets who?"
"I want Dawg." Harley smiled.
"I've got Pike." Nightshade stated lightly.
"I guess Sheena is mine. Why do I get the feeling I'm getting the worse of this deal?"
" 'cause ya are." Harley smiled sweetly before another borage of gunshots fired once again.
The Red Eye's enforcers stood together at the end of the white tile aisle staring before them at the counter surrounded by expensive china and other fancy dishes and glasses. Three pairs of eyes glared studiously at their surroundings, the Stacy's Department store, well aware that their prey had ran in the general direction. Dawg Alba tried with all his might to with hold the involuntary twitch in his right eye as his shaking fingers lingered above the trigger of his ballistic knife.
"Hee, are you sure they came this way?" He asked the mischievous grin on his face widening with his impatience. He needed to cut, something anything, his blades were begging to reap havoc and destruction. They sung for him to stain their beautiful bodies with spilt blood. It was the sweetest of siren songs in his ears and he wanted nothing else than to obey.
The long legged Sheena growled as she dusted off the debris of the attacking toys with great irritation, all the while mumbling curses beneath her seductive breath. "Yes I am sure. They did not have the time to lay out traps on a false trail for us to follow." With a cocky grin she pulled a .45 Colt from its holster at her hip and fired randomly at a display of hand painted mugs. "We'll find them." She said smugly before walking on.
Suddenly a horrid sound that came in close comparison to a woman undulating her voice while being strangled filled the air accompanied by gun fire.
(Psst! This is where you came in.)
Sheena growled as she returned fire on the jester, very underdressed for any such activities, both held the same look of twisted pleasure of staring into the eyes of death. They saw the two figures bolt but could not move to follow for with each attempt of a step a shot was aimed in their direction. Just when it seemed the exchange was nearing its peak Harley bolted in the exact opposite direction of her companions.
Sheena sighed pushing a stray lock of dark hair from her face as she brought her gun to rest supported against his shoulder. "It seems Batman is involved. I'll follow after him, Pike can take on Harley."
"No," Dawg grinned as he held up a thin queen of hearts playing card, he smirked as he ran his finger over the sharp blade of an edge drawing his own blood. "She left me her calling card, it's only fitting that I answer."
Pike placed a large tanned hand atop the skinny man's pale shoulder covered by the closed trench coat. "Be careful." His voice rumbled with its deep bass.
"Oh don't worry, you know how I have to have it. There just wouldn't be any thrill if it wasn't her." He chuckled.
With a roll of her eyes Sheena watched as her sickly thin comrade darted after the vivacious woman. "Idiot and his fetishes."
Harley was walking causally about the spacious electronics department, her eyes focused on a small handheld digital camcorder as it displayed her curious face on the series of flat screened televisions lined across the wall.
"Sorry ma'am but that really doesn't suit you." A voice said seconds before a spydraco knife found its way embedding in the camera's eye.
Surprised but quick to act she flipped backwards away from the flying projectiles advancing towards her. Her bag scattered to her feet upon landing in a low crouch next to the DVD players. "Hey, that was my favorite purse." She whined observing the broken strap. "Ya just can't find something' so stylish with so much room anywhere nowadays!"
A thin skeletal head appeared over the display case near which she was hiding. "Boo." He grinned at her and just as quickly swung a large fantasy sword down with skull splitting force.
"Hey!" She cried with a duck and roll she quickly grabbed her mallet from within her bag and stood on her own two feet. With eyes wide with disbelief she looked over the large blade and the leather wrapped grip decorated with spikes, she pointed an accusing "Is that the Heavy Metal F.A.K.K sword I got ya for a birthday gift?"
Dawg smiled, "You where sweet to have gotten it for me, though I was surprised. My enemy giving me such pretty steel."
Unfortunately he was so engrossed with his weapon that he had no time to react when three blade edged playing cards flew at his hand knocking his prized possession onto the ground.
He cast irate eyes towards his opponent silently questioning her for her actions. "I can't believe ya wanted to fight me wit' the same gift I gave ya outta the goodness o' my heart -what little I have of goodness! That's not right!" She growled bringing her mallet above her head as she advanced swinging mercilessly at his upper body.
He dodged with ease tossing off his coat while removing a black double bladed sword. With swift graceful movement he countered her swings with ease.
Huffing slightly she stopped and leered at the man, "A guy packed with knives, a chick loaded with guns, and me with my bag o' fun, how the hell did we get past security?"
"Harley, Harley, Harley. You know I have been waiting this moment for so long." Dawg smiled through his polished teeth. "Ever since you got in our way with the Dakota case, the Umpteen heist, and let us not forget Davis."
Harley laughed placing her hand to her chest, "Oh Davis that was fun. He was like that game in the fair where you have to shoot the ducks." With her second wind she attacked again, her main focus on his knees and belly.
"Oh you were very creative that day." He commented as they locked weapons each pushing forcefully against the other for dominance.
"Well I have yet to step down from a challenge." She laughed whimsically twirling on her toes escaping their cross. "So how shall we do this tonight? There aren't any debtors here for us to harsh so I guess things are going to get rather physical between us."
"Ah, my greatest dream."
Harley rolled her eyes, "Once a Joker always Joker ey Doggie?" She cooed mockingly swinging the mallet for his torso.
He twirled his sword with the skill of a botanist carelessly slashing away at the electronic devices that were sadly in the blade's path he distracted her easily before quickly striking knocking her weapon from her hands. "I'm wounded. But if that say's true, wouldn't that imply to you…Kiddy?"
"Now that was mean of you." Harley growled staring at him playfully.
"Then reframe from associating me with those punks and I will do the same. Don't think that you are the only one who detest that part of their past." With a spinning drop kick his tripped the unarmed woman onto her back winding her as she crashed roughly against the hard panel floors.
Standing over her body he smiled wickedly. "You know when I cut up people I get this little rush. But I tell you, nothing compares to the thrill you get taking the life of someone you know, someone you have something for." He grinned dementedly down onto her prone body.
"Aw does Dawgy have a crush on me?" She teased despite her position. "Well too damn bad, I'm taken."
He drew the sword's edge over her shoulder cutting away the fabric and cutting into skin in one slow stroke. His eyes watched mesmerized as small beads of blood slowly peeked through her molested skin. There was nothing more fascinating to his distraught mind than the sight of the bright red of life's essence bleeding out of its fragile vessel. Be it his own or be it another's seeing those crimson tears that the body shed so easily sent shivers down his spine, gave him a high no drug could give, and fed a lust nobody could feed. "Yes, yes I know that. Sad really, we could have had a ball descending into madness together." He positioned the sword's tip in between her breast ready to plunge into her chest.
"Ooh, sounds tempting. Hey Dawg, you know you should be in TV." She stated cocking her head slightly to the side.
"What?"
With a grunt she brought her knees up to her chest and with a hard push of her legs sent his body sailing back into the wall of television screens.
The glass shattered as his body crashed through the steel of his sword and the many knives hidden on his person conducting the many volts of electricity through his frail body. His shrill scream of undefined pain wailed throughout the air as the lights and devices around them flickered with the surges of power.
Standing onto her feet Harley sighed brushing off invisible dust. "Sigh, another dumb thing on TV." She smirked walking away with ease picking up her things as she went.
TBC
The Harleys are looking over the work. "You could use more elaboration on your details."
Demoness Space Pirate just shrugs and lies down on her bed. "I'll deal with that later. Alright people I had this discussion with two friends of mine, both authors on this site. Whether you know this or not some people need your reviews, even if it's just three little words it's needed. It helps us to know what you like what you don't like, what needs improvement and so on. Let us not forget we as writers are reaching into our creative souls and baring this for you and we'd like to have your opinion. Thanks!"
Oh yeah and thanks to all of you very much for reading and reviewing, or just reading and not reviewing, or reading and finding it boring and not reviewing.