"Jesus, Harley!" Catwoman screamed.
She ripped her arm away from Batman. Harley began laughing uncontrollably as she felt the poison seep into her mind. The air around her became thick like black tar. She gasped for air, as her eyes grew watery. Catwoman turned to Batman and shouted.
"I KNOW you have something in that belt of yours to help her!"
The Joker lifted Harley's frozen body over his shoulder.
"Sorry, kiddies, but Harl and I must be leaving. There is much to be done!" Batman stepped in front of The Joker.
"I don't think so."
The Joker rolled his eyes.
"Oh Battyman, time is ticking away for Ol' Harley here, I really don't have time to chat."
Batman remained motionless.
"Put her down." He raised his head and glared at The Joker, basking in his glorious terror as Gotham's harsh winds lifted his cloak into the air.
"Oh alright. But first…" The Joker quickly turned around to find Catwoman behind him, just about to attack. She froze.
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…" He threw Harley's twitching body at Catwoman, forcing her to the ground.
"Shame on ME!! HAHAHAHA!!"
Batman attacked The Joker like a hawk and beat him to the ground. Catwoman struggled beneath Harley's body.
"Harley! Oh God…" Catwoman couldn't take her eyes away from the sight of her delirious smile. Foam seeped out of the crevices of Harley's teeth.
"Batman! Get over HERE!" I know you carry an anti-toxin!"
To let the sick girl die, or let the even sicker man escape. Batman's scientific mind was caught in the madness of the situation. Did The Joker want his servant back, or did he simply seek revenge? Did this madman even grasp the concept of revenge anymore? Was he trying to kill Harley, or was he slowly driving her even more insane than she already was? Batman threw The Joker to the ground and ran to Harley's side.
"This should be enough." He removed a small black container from his belt, along with the device that would inject the antidote. He prepared it for application. The Joker stood up, dizzy from the well-deserved abuse.
"Oh Bats, you know how I love medical drama!" The Joker pulled the gun from his suit. He aimed directly at Catwoman.
"Lets add to the fun!" The trigger was pulled.
Ever the hero, Batman attempted to throw his own body in the path of the bullet. Catwoman kicked him fiercely in his abdomen, preventing his act of sacrifice. She received the bullet in her left shoulder. The sound of the shot echoed through the sky as the citizens of Gotham wandering the streets suddenly stopped, although this familiar sound never fully surprised anyone who had lived in Gotham for so long. Batman turned to The Joker, his face doused in hatred. Catwoman screamed in pain as she gripped Batman's arm. Her claws unintentionally dug into his flesh. Proud of his deed, The Joker laughed hysterically. She struggled to speak.
"I…I'm fine…just give her the medicine…"
Batman hesitated.
"Lie still."
Catwoman smiled faintly as her breathing became labored.
"You…know me better…than that."
Batman quickly applied the anti-toxin to Harley.
"Shall we try for another, then?" The Joker aimed his gun at Batman. Suddenly the weapon was ripped from his hands. Catwoman grasped her shoulder, restricting the blood flow as she shuddered in pain. Although she was injured, she knew she had strength left. The adrenaline alone could pull her through. She knew her body too well to doubt her own power.
"Jeez, a bullet lodged in your flesh and you still continue to fight? Who do you think you are? Batman??" The Joker cackled as Catwoman smiled at him in disgust.
"Thank you so much for giving me one more reason to kick your chalk-white ass." She curled her claws.
Harley kicked and screamed in delirium as the anti-toxin coursed through her veins. Her neck twisted as she tightened her hands around Batman's arms. Slowly her vision was restored.
"…My head…" Harley rubbed her eyes. Batman stood up and looked down at her.
"You're fine."
She reached her hand out to him as he swiftly left her side, his cape brushed against her face.
"Wait…wait!" She struggled to lift her head off of the ground as she stared in horror at the sight of Catwoman electrocuting The Joker with her stun gun.
"Feels good, doesn't it?!" Catwoman found sick pleasure in causing The Joker the same pain he had caused her. At times, she found that her dark side was difficult to control. No matter how she tried to suppress it, cruelty was in her blood.
"Save him, Harleen."
"NO!!!" Harley struggled to stand but managed to throw her body over The Joker, whose body had become tired and motionless. Batman sighed in disappointment. He had known that this would happen. He'd witnessed the sacrifices Harley had made in the past; her irrational actions never fazed him. Catwoman kneeled down near Harley.
"Harley…he poisoned you. Let us take care of him." Harley's eyes were filled with tears as her voice became muddled with hatred.
"You're not gonna throw me OR my Puddin' BACK INTA ARKHAM!!!! I've spent months of my life in that hellhole! And I'm NOT lettin' ya hurt him anymore!!!" Harley dug her heel into Catwoman's bullet wound. She hit the ground, clutching the wound, breathing heavily in pain. There was more damage done than she had expected.
Harley lifted her body, standing in front of The Joker, guarding him as if she was protecting her child's life. Batman lowered his head.
"Harley, you foolish amateur. You're weak. Beaten. Bruised. Don't underestimate the potency of his laughing gas. I can't say how far the anti-toxin will carry you. He'll do it again if I don't put him away now. Step down." Harley took a deep breath and tightened her fists.
"I am sick of people telling me that he wants to hurt me, that he uses me, that he doesn't love me. You, Dark Knight, don't know what love is. You're a cold unfeelin' jerk that just prowls around this god damned city like it's your greatest piece a' work or somethin'! This city is a dark, loveless joke that everybody seems to fall for, especially you! You act like you're the answer to ALL a' Gotham's problems, but you're just a faceless victim! Just like the rest...no different! Love is the only thing that can save us now. No matter how harsh it is or what innocence is lost. It's the only answer! It's the only way out..."
"Harley…if love is the only way out, why are you still here in the cold?"
A flame grew within Harley. It spread throughout her entire being.
Catwoman watched in horror as Harley reached for the gun lying inches away from The Joker's stiff hand.
"NO!!"
Harley pulled the trigger twice. Batman's body dove off of the roof and through the air like a dark cloud descending from the sky. The city fell silent. Harley stood in complete shock of her deed, holding the smoking gun in her trembling hand.