Chapter Seven – Revenge Of The Jokers Gang

Staring out her window and looking over above the city below, Commissioner Max sighs with a troubled gaze. Terry had confessed the one thing she didn't want to hear, that he still was in love with Dana and that his unbound feelings for her would never change. Max had loved Terry since high school, not right away mind you, but during the later years as he began to share his secrets with her. Having been a major part of his costumed life was something she always found as a deep relationship with him, they talked about things no one else would ever know or could possibly believe, the two of them were perfectly matched for each other as they sought to solve the many mysteries of Gotham's criminal element.

As she touched the window pane with her hand and thought about all the times they spent together as friends, she began to realize that perhaps it was best that she had never revealed to Terry about her love for him. If things had not worked out, perhaps their whole friendship would have died just as his decision to end Batman's reign forever.

Suddenly, a holographic image of a female police officer appeared from behind and was giving a panicked look.

"Commissioner! We've got a situation down here in Old Gotham!"

Not bothering to turn around to face the frightened woman, Max gave a sigh and closed her eyes.

"What else is new?"

"Seriously Ms. Gibson!" The woman shouted again at her. "There's a bomb threat at the Wayne Memorial Hospital! It's loaded with people inside with a group of Jokers holding the trigger demanding you come and hear their demands!"

"Now that is a new low..." Maxine growls as she finally turns around to face the female officer. "This better not be hoax or else I'm seriously going to declare an all out war on their gang! Tell them I'm on my way..."

"Yes Commissioner!" The officer woman salutes to her.

The transmission fades and Gibson taps one of the buttons built into her desk.

"This is Commissioner Gibson...All units, repeat all units to level one Gotham and surround Wayne Memorial Hospital. This is a code 9...move out!"

She rushes out her door and finds the officers all scrambling about all over the place. They had all heard her announcement and were gearing up in their black and white protective suits. Helmets with straps and body armor that could shield them from weapons fire covered them from head to foot. Two officers walked along side of Max as she headed out and took a look at her own hand weapon to make sure it was fully loaded and ready. As the police building stood in the middle of Gotham City like a beacon of hope, a flood of flying black and white police cars came speeding out from below it. Sitting in the main squad vehicle was Maxine, she had personally taken control of the car and was driving down to the lower level of Gotham City like a woman possessed. She was at the end of her thread with these Jokers and felt the time had come to end this deadly gang once and for all.

As the group of cars rushed down past the inner core, a group of painted faced clowns ran up to the police station building and entered the parking structure the police just came from. Taking out steel bats and spray cans of paint, they took out the security cameras watching the parking lot and quickly moved inside. They all paused to watch the massive motorcade disappearing into the depths of the city from a near by opening. Snickering and looking at each other with great big grins, the group took a moment to enjoy the sight.

"We did it Bigpants! Those cops are so dumb!" The one skinny looking clown said.

"Yep. Just like Mr. S planned." The baggy purple pants henchman responded. "Time to really send these cops for a loop. We'll show them nobody messes with the Jokers this time!"

"Hey Bigpants?" The skinny clown asked.

"What is it Squeakers?"

"Where does he get these wonderful toys?" He humorously inquires as he pulls out a strange looking round device.

Bigpants slaps him on the head and points inward to the parking lot.

"Quit saying that will ya? That's the tenth time I've heard you say that to me and it ain't funny anymore. Get going already!"

Grabbing the skinny clown, the group runs towards the main enterance into the police tower and break into the glass doors.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

Across the city, Terry arrives at the old Powers building in his rental car and steps out as he lets the valet take over. Looking at the super tall structure, he could hardly believe that he once came here with Bruce Wayne and had his first meeting with the man that had killed his father. Mr. Powers, or Blight as he would become known as, was the complete opposite of Wayne. He had money and influence that corrupted his morals and eventually made him the very creature he had become. Blight was a formative foe to Terry's Batman days, but once he was gone, it amazed him that even his son Paxton Powers was just as bad as his father. Paxton tried to destroy Batman many times, he even tried to outwit Bruce Wayne by attempting to regain control of his company. But remembering those moments always made Terry laugh. Out smart Wayne? It was sweet justice to see the spoiled brat fail miserably. Getting caught for criminal connections made sure Paxton would never see the light of day again, locked away deep with in Gotham's Maximum Security Prison will give him plenty of time to think of just how stupid he really was.

Walking into the building and into the main hall, McGinnis saw the large well dressed crowd that had assembled for the event and even gazed up to look at the huge banner that said - Congratulations to Dana And Jason on their Engagement! After witnessing that sign, he'd wondered why he bothered to come at all. But then before he could even turn around to leave, he suddenly heard her voice calling him.

"Terry!" Dana shouted to him.

Looking for her in the jumble of people, she soon stepped forward in a stunning red Geisha-looking dress that made her look beyond beautiful in his eyes.

"Hello Dana." He merely smiled as she approached.

"I'm so glad you did make it. I could use a break from the normal boring conversation from Jason's business associates."

"Well, to be honest Dana...I wasn't really sure if I wanted to be here at all."

That gave her a moment of hesitation as she could see that this was awkward for the former boyfriend of hers. She gabbed his hand and pulled him into the middle of the room.

"Hey!" Terry yelped at her. "What are you doing?"

"Terry McGinnis...You are not going to ruin this day by making me feel bad. I demand you mingle and have a good time." She said in a sarcastic voice.

Once they came to the center of the room, McGinnis saw she was leading him straight over to Jason Smythe. Terry gave a terrified gulp as she dragged him over and saw Smythe turn around to welcome him.

"Ah Great! Terry, you made it! So glad too see you again!" The man cheerfully smiled at him.

"Yeah..." McGinnis said as soon as Dana let him go. "Wouldn't have missed this for the world."

Dana stood beside her future husband and rapped her arm around Smythe's arm. Giving loving stares at one another, it made Terry lower his own gaze down, as he didn't want to witness the exchanging glares.

"It's a lovely turn out dear." She said to Jason.

"Everyone in this room is tied to our lives darling." Jason grinned back. "And they'll soon be there for our big day...when we tie our bonds of love forever and ever."

Terry wanted to vomit. He couldn't believe Dana truly liked hearing that mushy crap, even when they were dating she never liked saying those awfully cliché words, she had once told him that if she ever did, make sure she was shot in the head first.

"Tell me Terry...are you coming to our wedding?" Jason suddenly said to him.

"Well...I...uh...that is to say..." McGinnis stuttered.

Dana suddenly stepped in to break the question, "Oh, I think he might be busy on that day hon. But if I were him? I'd definitely be there to support a friend."

The hint she gave was one that Terry couldn't ignore, he was trapped from the guilt from leaving her all those years ago and had to agree to make up for it.

"Of course. I'll be there with bells on...or perhaps just a proper fitting tux."

Jason laughed at the young man's witty answer and slapped him on the back with delight.

"Funny guy...this is a funny guy Dana. I can't think of how you managed to let this one slip away from you?"

Dana looked at Terry dead on and agreed with her beau. "I can't imagine how either. Perhaps, it just wasn't meant to be."

McGinnis stared back at her. He could see in her beautiful eyes that anything they once were together in the past was now gone. There was nothing but a cold glare straight at him, one that made him realize once and for all...she no longer loved him.

"Perhaps it wasn't." Terry uttered back in a serious tone.

Jason suddenly felt the tension and cleared his throat at the two of them.

"Well...uh...Dana, honey? I think I need to talk to McGinnis here for a while...alone. You know...business."

Dana smiled at Jason and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Of course dear. I'll just go grab some punch and listen to more boring relatives."

As she walked away, Jason turned to Terry and blocked his view from watching Dana leave.

"You know Terry...I was thinking...maybe you shouldn't come to the ceremony after all. I mean, this must be getting very weird for both of you and well...Dana doesn't need this kind of stress in her life."

"Are you threatening me Jason?" Terry squints at him.

"Not at all. But once this company merge is complete...I think it would be best if you didn't pop into her life anymore. That's just a bit of friend to friend advice."

"Jason...don't worry." Terry breathes out. "Once this is over. It's over. I'm leaving Gotham forever."

Smythe smiles and pats him on the back again. "Now that's sound reasoning my boy. Get out there...see the world...maybe find a new love? Just don't ever think about coming back to this city...don't worry...Powers and Wayne are in good hands once more."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Surrounding the Wayne Memorial Hospital is a mass of Police and hovering cruisers. The officers all have their weapons pointed at the building and lights are all fixed at the semi-retired hospital. Max stands there wearing her leathery jacket and has a micro-head set attached. The blinking lights of the police vehicles randomly change the hue of the street with its red and blue tone. She switches on the small device on her head and looks up at the building's windows.

"This is Commissioner Gibson! Release the hostages and maybe we can work out a deal?" Her voice projects loudly through the night air.

Dead silence was the response she got right away; Max gave a look of frustration and spoke out once again.

"I said this is Commissioner Max Gibson! Show yourselves and lets talk!"

"High Maxie!" A red gloved hand waves out the top floor of the hospital. "I love that jacket by the way...did you get that on third and forth?"

Max was taken back by that stupid remark, but suddenly realized whom it was that was speaking.

"Dee Dee? Dee Dee is that you?"

"Awww shoot. You guessed, no fair...." The woman said back to her. "Maybe I should have lowered my voice more? What do you think?"

"Cut the crap sister! Is this nothing but show? Or should I have to send in the troops to get medieval on your hides?!" Max shouted back in anger.

Both Dee Dee stood in front of the windows and aimed their weapons down at the cops. The guns were massive, the looked almost like military issue tank busters and were pulsating with a green glow inside the barrels.

"I think..." Dee Dee on the right spoke. "You should really learn your manners! We've got several city councilors up here including the Mayor himself! So if I were you...."

Dee Dee fired her huge black gun and destroyed a group of cruisers sitting below. The blast created a huge crater and made everyone shield themselves from the debris that came crashing down. Dee Dee blew her smoking barrel and smiled as she finished her sentence.

"I think you'd better do as we say...bitch!"

Max looks over at her male police aid standing nearby.

"Can we confirm this?"

"They might have...I'm not sure."

Max slaps him on the head and shouts furiously. "Well get a move on and make sure!!"

"Right Ma'm!" He salutes and rubs his head after her strike.

Maxine keeps her weapon locked on the two women as she notices them mocking the officers by sticking out their tongues and giggling at them.

"That's it you twisted hags...keep laughing. As soon as you slip up, your going to get a full taste of punishment to the Max!" She whispers to herself.

Suddenly a voice booms out from behind the Commissioner, one that sounds familiar and very proud.

"Maybe I should handle this for you Ms. Gibson."

Recognizing the voice, the woman turns around to face the person and gives a surprised glare. The Caucasian man towers over her in his full black outfit and has a white symbol that stands out on his chest that anyone would know by heart.

"Superman?!" She exclaimed.

"If Terry won't protect this city...then I will." He stated in a firm voice.