Summary: Bruce Wayne is engaged to the love of his life. But when the Joker, insanity, and death create a new Rogue, will Batman have to team-up with his arch-enemy to save the heads of Gotham and even the Rogues?

Rated: K+

Genre: Action/Adventure and Mystery

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Batman: The Animated Series. So play nice and don't sue me.

Chapter 1: The Joker's Escape

The Joker sat at the far end of the couch in the Arkham Asylum rec. room with his legs stretched out sown the rest of the couch. On his lap, Harley Quinn lounged back onto the cushioned back of the sofa. Her blonde hair was done up in two pigtails and she was intently watching the television and blowing bubbles with her gum. Across the room, the Mad Hatter and Scarecrow were deep in a chess match, while Two-Face, the Penguin, and Killer Croc played cards and Poison Ivy pruned a potted rose in the corner.

"-And today in celebrity news," the voice of Summer Gleason come over the television, "Miss Victoria Star, daughter of the renown Victor Star, celebrated her thirty-third birthday today. She had this to say earlier on her birthday celebration:"

Joker's attention had turned to the television at the mention of the name "Victoria Star" and watched as a picture of a young blonde filled the screen. She had bright eyes under high-arched brows. A slender nose and high cheekbones completed the frame with a sharp but gentle chin below full lips. Her face was an image of innocent beauty.

"I don't think too much about birthdays anymore," the picture of Victoria Star commented. "I think just a nice, simple dinner with my fiancé would be just fine. Bruce always was one for simple occasions."

The voice of Summer came from off camera, "Is their any wedding bells in the future for you and Bruce Wayne?"

Victoria Star laughed, "Not quiet yet…"

The picture returned to Summer Gleason at her news desk. "Victoria Star, recently awarded for her work in bio-engineering and Gotham's rising "It-Girl", has yet to announce when she and Gotham's most eligible bachelor will tie the knot. -"

The Joker turned his attention away from the television and continued to watch the Penguin destroy Two-Face and Croc in poker. Outside in the hallway, the sound of footsteps drew his gaze between the two guards that stood posted on either side of the open door.

A young woman with blonde hair pulled back under a pink bur-ray and dressed in a pink sweater and white mini skirt and go-go boots strode past the open door. Her sapphire eyes gazed calmly into the room and met with the Joker's. Both stared at each other for a moment and then the woman absent-mindedly placed a medicine bottle into her purse, without breaking her eyes from the Joker. With the next step, the woman had vanished from the view of the door.

The Joker still looked at the vacant space in the doorway, a sadden look flickering in his eyes.

"Mistah J?" Harley looked at her love with a worried face. "Are you okay, Puddin'? You don't look to well."

Joker looked at Harley. "Now that you mentioned it…" He put his hand to his head with a groan. "I'm feeling rather ill…" He slumped back over the arm of the couch, moaning and holding his head.

"Doctor!" Harley shouted and jumped to her feet. "Somebody get the doc, quick!"

"Easy," one guard stepped forward to help the Joker up to his feet. "I'll take him to Dr. Bartholomew."

Every other occupant of the room watched with raised eyebrows as the Joker faked a splitting headache out the door. The guard half carried, half dragged the groaning clown down the hallway and into a vacant examination room. The guard then heaved the Joker's body onto the examination table and hurried out find a doctor.

As soon as the guard's back disappeared from sight, the Joker's groans turned into villainous chuckles. "Oh, that never fails!" He exclaimed.

The Joker climbed off the table and glanced around the room. A high window above a rolling cabinet was propped open to the outside air.

The Joker smiled evilly and grabbed a chair from under the doctor's table. He hopped up onto the cabinet and placed the chair next to him, using it to reach the window. Pushing the window all the way open, the Joker leaned his head out to survey the drop.

"Watch that first step…" Joker pulled the rest of his body out so he sat on the sill of the window outside. "It's a doozy…" And with that he dropped into the fenced courtyard below.

The Joker landed hard on his feet and stood straight up admiring his own ingenuity. Behind him came the low sound of growling and ferocious barking. Joker looked two see two large bulldogs charging straight at him.

"Nice doggies!" He cringed in surprise and took off down the side of the asylum. However, the Joker was quickly running out of space. The fenced enclosure ended with the building in a mix of brush and a large oak tree.

Joker hastily dove into the tall bushes that grew on the inside corner of the court. Bulldogs still barking at his heels, he squeezed his tall frame between the end of the fence and the stonewall of Arkham. With a long sigh, he collapsed against the wall of the asylum.

"Sorry boys," Joker walked out into the open on the safe side of the fence to look at the still barking dogs. "But I have a birthday to crash!" He stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry at the enraged dogs, and with his famous laugh, made off into the growing dusk towards Gotham.