The next day, Jerome woke up in a guest room at Wayne manor. He smiled in pure joy. He felt so at home. Like he was that little twelve year old again being adopted by the adult Bruce Wayne. The young Bruce Wayne in his own world accepted him. Looked to him for protection. It was like they were friends. It was a wonderful feeling to have at least one Bruce Wayne in his life like that. Jerome walked down to the kitchen and saw Bruce up and already having breakfast.

"Good morning, Mr. Valeska." Alfred said, setting a plate of food down on the table for him. "I would just like to thank you for protecting Bruce yesterday. We owe you a lot at this point."

"It's nothing. I told you both why I cared so much. You'll never owe me for my protection or care." Jerome said, sitting down. "Neither of you. You are both important to me."

"I don't think I will ever understand it, but thank you all the same. I do understand now that you care. And I admit with all the danger that Bruce has been through, it's helpful to have allies like you." Alfred said. "Bruce shouldn't have to go through all of this on his own."

"I'll be here anytime you need me." Jerome said to both of them, smiling.

Bruce smiled back at him.

The news was on the tv in the kitchen. It was mostly just background noise. But Jerome and Bruce looked up in alarm when the news reported on an attack on the city.

The news reporter was standing outside of a building that was burned to the ground and was talking about how several other buildings in the city burned down as well. All at the same time. Jerome got up in a rush when they said that a group that referred to themselves as the Maniax was responsible.

"What the hell are they doing? I need to go, Bruce." Jerome said, with a worried look. Were his groupies getting that antsy for chaos? Why do something like that on their own? He had told them not to do something big without his approval.

"Aren't the Maniax your friends? Why would they do this?" Bruce asked, with concern on his face.

"I don't know. But they are in big trouble. I told them not to do something like this. I'll have to have a really long and maybe painful talk with them." Jerome said, starting to get really angry as he put on his coat and walked towards the front door.

"Alfred and I can drive you over there if you want." Bruce said, following him.

"Don't worry. I'll get a cab. You probably shouldn't risk driving me there right now. Not when I don't know what's going on." Jerome said.

"Ok. Just be careful." Bruce said with a worried look.

"I always am. Bruce Wayne taught me that." Jerome said, smiling at him before leaving.

Jerome stared up at the club with rage on his face. It sounded like his groupies were celebrating. He walked past the bouncer who knew him pretty well by now and strode into the club with an angry sneer on his face. He pulled himself together just enough to realize that not all of them might be at fault for this. Many of them would just follow whatever they were told. Jeri, the club owner, was only a silent partner in all of it. Content to enjoy the show and party with them afterwards. So he couldn't really blame her. The only ones he could really blame were Dwight or Jongleur. Jerome walked up to Dwight who was laughing and playing a drinking game.

"Dwight, I need a word alone. You and Jongleur. Come upstairs. Now." Jerome said, with a wide smile and a dangerous look in his eyes.

"Sure, Jerome." Dwight said, not really noticing the dark look in Jerome's eyes and still in a great mood. "I'll go get Jongleur. We'll be right up."

Jerome was sitting on a couch waiting with a not very nice look on his face when they entered the room. "Mind if you explain what the fuck you've been doing all day?"

"What's wrong? Things all went to plan. What is there to get angry about? What did I miss?" Dwight asked with a concerned look.

"Did you forget what I said at the beginning? If you're going to plan something big, then clear it with me first! I don't want to have to learn about it all later on tv." Jerome got in Dwight's face with a snarl on his face.

"What are you talking about, boss?" Jongleur asked with a confused look. "You're the one that planned the whole thing."

"What? Are you seriously saying I planned that? I wasn't even here! I was with Bruce last night!" Jerome yelled. "So try again. This time with the truth."

"It is true, though." Dwight said, staring at Jerome like he was crazy. "You showed up last night and told us you had a big plan that we would all enjoy. And we did enjoy it. A lot. It was brilliant. Maybe you just blacked out. That happens to a friend of mine sometimes."

"If I was at Bruce's then how the fuck could I also be here, genius?" Jerome asked, wondering what the hell was going on. "What do you think, I could be in two places at once?" Jerome's eyes widened in realization and a bit of horror right after he said that. Oh. He couldn't be in two places at once... but he wasn't the only one with his face. No. It couldn't be. Could it?

Jerome rushed into Miah's workroom with anger and worry warring on his face. "What the hell are you doing, Miah? Why did you pretend to be me? Why would you order them to do all that?"

"Why not?" Miah asked, looking up from his work on his generator prototype. "You were ignoring your loyal fans far too much. They clearly wanted to do something like that and you were denying them. You aren't going to keep their loyalty forever with that kind of inattentiveness. I merely helped you keep their respect. And I suppose I was just bored."

Jerome stared at his brother in shock. He thought he had cured Miah. What went wrong? "Why are you acting like this? You aren't like this."

"Oh my dear brother, you don't really know me at all." Miah said, smiling with amusement on his face. "What did you think was going to happen with that cure of yours? That I would suddenly be normal? You did cure me. Of my inability to experience strong emotions. And I am very grateful to you for that. That's not a lie. It means a lot to me. But did you think I would just magically turn into a good person if I could suddenly feel emotions? Even I know the human brain doesn't work like that. Are you really that surprised?"

Jerome looked at his brother with a devastated look. "No. I'm not surprised. You've always lacked empathy. From day one. I didn't want to believe that would stay when I gave you your cure. I hoped maybe that darkness inside of you would go away. Because I loved you and hated to think I could love someone so...heartless."

"Except I do have a heart. Someone without empathy can still form attachments. I do truly love you, brother. More than anything. And now I can truly feel that emotion the way I was supposed to. The way you deserve. That's what you wanted isn't it?"

"I wanted that, yes. But…" Jerome said, shaking his head.

"But you wanted me to be the good one so at least one of us was a good person. You wanted me to balance you out. So you can be as bad as you want and not have to care or feel guilt. I apologize I can't be that for you." Miah said, not at all looking sorry.

"I'm not a bad person, Miah!" Jerome protested.

"Please. I know you're not the hero you try to act like around Bruce. I understand why you make him believe that little lie. You care for him. I understand that. He is worth that, I think. But you are no hero, Jer. You are a villain. You truly enjoy the violence. The chaos. You want to give in to it. Give in, Jer. It could be so much fun to watch as you tear apart the city. And after you're finished I could rebuild it all in my image. Gotham city has grown so...boring. Let's change all that, together."

Jerome had always felt so unnerved by all of the things he had in common with the Joker. But with Miah there in the room with him now, the real Miah, he realized it all paled in comparison to Miah's resemblance to Joker. He was at a loss for words.

"Was what you said all a lie?" Miah asked, with a hurt look.

"What?"
"You said you would love me and have my back no matter what. No matter what I did or who I was. Was that a lie, Jer?"

"...No. It wasn't a lie." Jerome said with a defeated look. He still couldn't hate his brother. Even though he was a monster. Miah had always been a monster. Jerome had just deluded himself into believing something different. At least without the emotions, Miah didn't really have motivation to act in an evil manner. It was only logical for Miah to continue down the straight and narrow if it had worked so well so far and he had nothing else. Giving Miah emotions was like letting a dog taste blood for the first time. After they've tasted it, they won't want to go back to kibble and they'll want a whole lot more next time. Jerome made him a whole lot worse with his cure.

"Good." Miah smiled at him happily. "I'm so glad you have my back. I have so many plans. I will need your help though. So having you by my side is important, Jer."

"What kind of plans?" Jerome asked, not sure he wanted to know what they were.

"We are going to make people fear the name Valeska. We'll drive them crazy. Weaken all those that would stand against us. And then when everything comes together and our enemies can't stop us, the grand finale. The city in beautiful darkness. When Gotham is cut off from the rest of the world, I can truly begin rebuilding. Making it a city worth living in. But that part will take time to get to. We first have to make them fear us."

"Is that why you had my groupies burning stuff down? You could've told me what your plan was. You didn't have to pretend to be me." Jerome said, irritated.

"Apologies. I wasn't sure if you'd agree to it. I'm still not sure how committed you'll be to my plans. I want to say you'll have my back. I really do." Miah said.

"Well, I guess it would be fair if I didn't have your back after you stabbed me in the back years ago. But you're my brother. I said that I couldn't hate you and I meant it. I'd rather be a part of your life than not." Jerome said, not really liking what he was agreeing to. What horrible things was his brother going to do? If it was anything like what Joker could do, the sky was the limit on how awful it could get. But he felt responsible for the way Miah was. It was his fault and now it was on him to protect the city and his brother at the same time. Which meant being his limit. "What do you need me to do to help?"

"I'm not quite sure. I know that your lackeys will be very helpful. It would save me the trouble of having to hire people. As for what you personally could do... " Miah seemed to think about it for a few minutes. His eyes lit up when he thought of something. "I have a question. That cure of yours, what would happen if someone were to get a much higher dosage?"

"Why?" Jerome did not like where the conversation was headed.

"Just curious."

"It would take more than just a higher dosage to get the effect I have a bad feeling you want me to achieve." Jerome said with a sinking feeling.

"And what effect would that be, brother?" Miah asked with a smug look.

"Hysterical laughter and then insanity. That's what you're looking for, right?" Jerome asked with a knowing but uncomfortable look.

"Yes. When you gave me the cure, I felt this odd feeling build up. It never bubbled over and I wasn't sure what it was at the time. It was giddiness I think. Any more of that and I would've started laughing. It was an intoxicating feeling. I figured that if we were going to drive our enemies insane, we might as well make it pleasant for them."

"That is not pleasant though, Miah. It would be an awful feeling for them. That uncontrollable laughter. It's not a good feeling for most people. You have to realize that."

"What makes you think I care?" Miah asked, looking like he thought it was absurd what Jerome said. "It would make a statement. Sometimes you need a little showmanship. You're good at that. Much better than I am. So you should understand this."

"The weird thing is, I do understand." Jerome said, shaking his head in frustration. Miah wanted him to make fucking Smilex! He wanted to scream. "It just figures that you'd want me to weaponize my formula. Maybe it was always going to be this way."

"Just tell me what you'll need for that and I'll have Ecco pick everything up. In the meantime, don't ignore your lackeys. We'll need them soon and I don't need you making them impatient." Miah said like he was chastising him.

Jerome was not doing well. He wasn't sure why he was just doing what his brother wanted him to do. But there he was, at the makeshift chemistry lab Ecco helped set up in Miah's bunker, making Smilex of all things. He knew what he had to do to change his formula into Smilex. He kept notes all throughout his process of making the cure and noted down what he had done wrong when he accidentally made Smilex. He just had to follow those instructions. It felt surreal to be on this side of the madness. When he was in the other world, even when he was right by the Joker, he had always felt more on the side of good. Bruce Wayne helped him with that. Bruce cared about the city and Jerome cared about Bruce so he cared about the city too. But now he was going to help a monster drive the city insane. And the scariest thing about that thought was the fact he couldn't even bring himself to feel as guilty about it as he should've. He just felt worried about Bruce and what he would think. But no actual guilt at doing it. Did that make him as much of a monster as Miah?

Ra's hadn't returned. At least not that Bruce knew about. Jerome knew that he was probably still out there. Still watching and waiting for something interesting to happen. Jerome was actually relieved that they didn't have to deal with that man right then. He was too busy being awful to play the hero again. Jerome also kept his groupies from getting bored by having them out in the city causing random chaos. He wouldn't help any of them if they got caught. But he wouldn't stop them from enjoying themselves either. It helped keep them satisfied for the moment.

The city was shocked and frightened when several odd attacks happened around the city. Large groups of people, like at a diner or movie theater, were attacked with what looked like a gas bomb. The cops were unnerved by the sight of the victims laughing themselves to death or insanity. They weren't sure who was responsible though.

Jerome knew that Miah would want to reveal himself to the city at some point. But at the moment Miah was having too much fun being so many steps ahead of the cops. Jerome was reminded more and more of the Joker the longer he spent time with his brother.

"We need a lot more of your gas. You called it Smilex? You need to make more of it." Miah said, staring down at blueprints of various buildings he had helped the city build. Buildings he was probably planning on doing something horrible to.

"I don't have enough chemicals to make much more. I'll need a big supply if I'm making a whole lot more, Miah." Jerome said, sighing.

"Then we'll need to go get some. I can go with Ecco to pick some up. Give me a list of what you need and how much." Miah said.

"Fine. Do what you need to do."

When Jerome was back at the club Bruce called. "What are you doing, Jerome? Please explain it to me." Bruce asked with a disappointed voice. He had correctly guessed who was responsible for the gas attacks.

"It's complicated, Bruce." Jerome said, pacing back and forth. "Miah is not as sane as he liked to come across. I know what we're doing is wrong. But I told myself I'd have Miah's back whatever happened. I can't go back on that. Not even for you."

"You're willingly doing awful things to stay by your brother's side? You aren't required to be a bad person if your brother is. You are a better person than that."

"Bruce… you have way too much faith in me. More than I do. Don't pretend I was ever a good person. But...there is a good reason. I promise." Jerome said. "I can't stop him and I would never kill him. And I could never bear to see him die by someone else's hand. So I figure it would be better to be at his side and be his limit than let him tear the city apart on his own. I'll give you the antidote for my formula. You'll need it. But that's the only help I can give you."

"I understand your reasoning but this is not the way to help him. Let the police arrest him and send him to Arkham so he can get treatment." Bruce said.

"There's no real treatment for a lack of empathy, Bruce. They wouldn't be able to help him. Heck, Arkham would probably just make him worse. And it wouldn't hold him for very long. He's clever. He'd find a way out." Jerome got a little emotional. "I'm sorry, Bruce. I said I'd be there for you. I meant it at the time. But things have gone off the rails a bit. I don't think I can keep that promise. It would be safer if I kept my distance. I truly regret this. But you'll do great on your own. You'll be a badass someday. I know you will. I'm sorry I can't be a part of that like I wanted to. I'll send a vial of the antidote in the mail. But other than that, this is goodbye." Jerome ended the call and stared off into space deep in thought. He knew he couldn't get the kid involved in his life anymore. It was too dangerous. Miah was starting to get obsessed with the kid and that was definitely not a good sign. But it was hard to just stop being a part of Bruce's life. He cared about that kid so much that it hurt to think about not being able to see him.

Jerome's phone rang. He answered it. "This is Jerome. This had better be important."

"Jer. Ecco and I are headed out to get those supplies for you. She learned that a few of the chemicals you need are created and stored at the Ace Chemicals plant. We are headed there now so if you come back to the bunker and don't find us there, that's the reason. I didn't want you to worry." Miah said in a cheerful voice. "We'll be back soon."

"Fine. Thanks for telling me." Jerome said, a little numb. It was only after Miah ended the call that he realized the significance of Miah being anywhere near Ace Chemicals. He had a very bad feeling. A feeling he couldn't ignore.

"Jongleur, I think my brother is about to get in a very sticky situation. We need to get to him before something really bad happens. Get a car ready. We are leaving now so be quick." Jerome told Jongleur. Jongleur rushed off to find a car.

"I've got a car. What's going on?" Jongleur asked when he came back.

"Miah is in trouble. I think. I could be wrong. I hope I'm wrong." Jerome said going out to the car and getting in. "Head to Ace Chemicals as fast as you can go."

Ace Chemicals loomed up ahead ominously as they got close. They saw Ecco's van parked not far from the building. Miah and Ecco were already there. Jerome hoped they weren't too late. He rushed into the building. And saw what he had so hoped he wouldn't see.

Miah was up on the catwalk above the chemical vats. And he wasn't alone. Bruce was there for some reason. Of course he was there. He had to be there in this scenario. Only he was Bruce not Batman.

"Stop this, Miah. Do you have any idea what you're doing to your brother with all this insanity? He's worried sick about you and is willingly twisting himself into a monster to be with you. You're brilliant. You seem like you could do so much good. Please stop." Bruce said.

"How did you track me here, Bruce?" Miah asked, a pleased look on his face.

"The police analyzed the gas. They found out what it was made up of. I merely tracked what chemicals you needed and kept an eye on the chemical plants that made them." Bruce said.

"And you call me brilliant? Bruce, you constantly surprise me." Miah said, admiringly. "But you can't stop me. Part of this is for you. Ra's is right. You need something to push you in the right direction. I can be that for you. I would love to be that for you."

"Brother, stop. Please get down from there." Jerome said, nervously staring up at Miah.

"Jer. You're here. Why? This was an easy job before Bruce arrived. I didn't need the help." Miah asked, looking down at where Jerome was.

"It's complicated. I had a bad feeling." Jerome said nervously.

"I would love to hear why it's complicated. But later. Right now I'm in the middle of a conversation." Miah said. "Bruce, where were we?"

"Listen to your brother Miah. Come off the catwalk. It's not safe up here. Let me take you somewhere where you can get help." Bruce said.

"Help me with what? It's a little hurtful that you would think I needed help." Miah said, getting closer to Bruce. "All I want to do is help you. Let me help you. We are connected. Can't you feel it? Please say you can."

"I don't need your help, Miah. This obsession with me is not healthy and I don't want it."

"Don't want it? Why?" Miah snarled. "All I want to do is help you be the best you can be. How is that bad? So I have to do a few bad things to make that happen. So what? It will all be worth it. How dare you call it an obsession!" Miah grabbed hold of Bruce and shook him. Bruce pushed away from him and made Miah stumble. Jerome stared in horror as he saw, as if in slow motion, Miah falling over the railing and into the chemical vat below.
"No!" Jerome screamed. The worst had happened. Just like it had happened in the other world. Jerome rushed over to the vat. Miah thrashed around in the chemicals. Jerome climbed up and went to grab Miah's hand but pulled his hand back with a pained grimace as he burned his own hand in the chemicals. He looked around frantically, not even caring if Bruce was still around at this point. He found the right lever and pulled it, opening the overflow pipe. Then he rushed out of the building.

"What are we doing boss? How can we help him? What did that lever do?" Jongleur asked, with a worried look on his face.

"It was the overflow pipe control. It makes it drain into the nearby river." Jerome said, rushing over to the river. He saw Miah pull himself out of the water and collapse on the ground. Jongleur made to go over to the prone form but Jerome stopped him. "Don't. He'll be fine. Physically. Mentally… I just can't deal with that. Not him. I always thought I'd be the one to become Joker. I never thought it would be Miah. But I suppose I should have. It seems so obvious now. It was always going to be him. I can't get any closer than this. I don't want to see it."

"But it's your brother." Jongleur said, with confusion in his eyes.

"Exactly. It's one thing to see an older you and see how awful that person is. It's quite another to find out that person wasn't you at all but someone you cared about and looked up to. Miah isn't going to be Miah anymore. As bad as he was before, it's nothing compared to what's coming."

They saw Miah get to his feet and then stop when he saw his reflection in the water. He just stared for a few minutes, completely still. And then he started shaking. But it wasn't in fear or shock. They soon realized Miah was shaking with laughter when he started laughing so loudly they could hear him from where they were standing. It was hysterical and chillingly similar to the laugh Jerome had always heard coming from the Joker. "This world has its Joker now. Let's hope they can survive it." Jerome saw Ecco run up and help a still laughing Miah to the van. Ecco would take care of him. She was as loyal as Harley. Maybe she was his Harley. Jerome walked away from the scene very subdued.

"What are we going to do now?" Jongleur asked, following him.

"You're going to do what you were always meant to do. Be Joker's loyal lackey. The cultists will all jump at the chance to follow him I bet. It was what they were meant to do." Jerome said, defeated. "I'm done. I can't be here anymore. I just made things worse by coming back."

"You're going to kill yourself?" Jongleur asked, worried.

"No. Maybe I'll go back to the other world. At least there, I won't have to see Miah looking like that."

"I'm coming with you." Jongleur said, with a smile. "I'm sure a few others will do the same."

"Why? You're supposed to be Joker's lackey, not mine. You'll all get what you wanted with him. He's chaos personified. That's what you all worship."

"I don't care. I was loyal to you first and foremost. Miah may have style now, but he's no Jerome. And I'll decide who I'm a lackey of, thank you very much."

"...Thanks. At least I won't be alone when I go back. I don't even know what I'll be going back to." Jerome said with a complicated look.

"I'll gather the people I know will want to come along." Jongleur said enthusiastically. "It might be a fun adventure."

"Leave most of the lackeys behind for my brother. I want him to have the backup. I still don't hate him. Even now. I just can't be in the same world as him when he's the Joker." Jerome said. "Be quick. I want to leave soon. I'll meet you back at the club."

"Alright. I will. Don't worry about the cult. Dwight will be able to look after them." Jongleur said.

Jongleur waited for Jerome back at the club. When Jerome got there, he could see that everyone knew he was leaving. Most of them looked sad. Some looked angry. But they looked like they accepted it.

"So you're leaving. Jongleur says that we should follow your brother now. Do you think he can handle it?" Dwight asked, looking worried.

"You won't be disappointed. He's much more what you wanted. He could give you all things I never could. Things I know you all wanted. Enjoy yourselves." Jerome said, actually sad to have to say goodbye to most of them. They were his friends more than his lackeys. People that understood his darkness and celebrated it instead of shunning him for it.

"Good luck in the other world, with whatever you decide to do. I know I was so impatient with you all the time but I did value you as a leader. I want you to know that." Dwight said.

"It's all good, Dwight. I understand where you were coming from. You followed me because you thought I'd give you chaos. You didn't get a whole lot of that from me. At least not what you thought you'd get. I'm glad that at least you'll get that with my brother. Be as loyal to him as you were to me and you'll be fine." Jerome said, smiling at him.

"Take care of all these weirdos for me." Jongleur said, grinning at Dwight as he walked up with a small group of other cultists. "I hope you can handle it all on your own."

"Of course I can." Dwight said with an annoyed look.

"These are the ones that want to come along, boss." Jongleur turned to Jerome and pointed at the people with him. "They don't have anything tying them down to this world. No family or responsibilities. At least nothing they couldn't walk away from."

One of the groupies was a petite black girl that Jerome vaguely remembered was named Cammy. She was a gymnast in her spare time and spent most of the time with them wowing everyone with her acrobatic flips and such. She looked excited with the prospect of seeing another world. Another groupie that was in the group was a vicious looking blond woman named Tara who loved to street brawl and especially enjoyed beating up opponents twice her size. Then there was Derek, a tough looking black guy who loved both explosives and stuffed animals. And last but not least was the unassuming young man named Roz who was an IT expert in his normal job but also greatly enjoyed a street brawl just like Tara. They were all good choices and would all be useful.

"You all sure about this? I won't be coming back here. You'd better be sure." Jerome told them.

"Of course we're sure. I want to see the other world so much. I can't wait!" Cammy said with an excited grin.

"Jongleur said the world is years ahead of ours. Imagine all the technological advancements." Roz said, getting misty eyed at the thought.

"I just want to be where you are, Jerome." Derek said quietly.

"I agree with Derek for once." Tara said, rolling her eyes. "You are our leader. I don't think I could ever be as loyal to your brother as I would be to you."

"Thanks." Jerome said, smiling a little at that. "Ready to go? Got anything you need to get before we leave?"

"We're ready to go, Jerome." Jongleur said enthusiastically.

"Alright. The place where the two worlds touch should be in about the same spot as last time I checked. But no guarantees. We might have to go searching for it." Jerome said.

"No worries. We are down for anything." Cammy said cheerfully.

Miah seethed at the letter Jerome left for him. His brother had left him. The only family he cared about abandoned him! A small part of him realized it was only fair in a way. After all, Miah left Jerome behind at the circus. But that thought didn't help his rage. He was hurting and itching all over because of the chemical burns. His head felt a mess. He needed his brother there to help him get through all of that! But now his brother was literally a world away. He'd never see him again and it hurt so much. But even as he raged at it all, he still couldn't bring himself to hate Jerome for it. If Jerome suddenly came back, he'd give him a big hug and never let go. He hoped Jerome would come back. But he knew it probably wouldn't happen. Which just depressed him more.

Brother,

I love you no matter what. That will never change. I know I said I would have your back through anything. That wasn't a lie. But I can't keep that promise now. I can't be here and see what I helped create. I never told you exactly what happened to me. I said I was raised by a kind rich man. I was. But it wasn't in this Gotham. I ended up in another world parallel to ours but years ahead. I know that is difficult to believe but it's true. While I was there, I met a man. A man known as the Joker. I found out that this man was my parallel self. But I know now that despite that, I was never destined to be him. You were. You now have his face. It's undeniable that it was meant to be you. Maybe I was always just supposed to be an epic prologue to your run as the Joker. I don't know how I feel about that. But I can't be here anymore. I don't think I was meant to live much longer after you became this. The Joker never liked being copied. He liked that he was the only one. The only reason he put up with me was that I was too young to steal his act at the time. I know before long you will feel that way too. You'll end up killing me if I stay. I don't blame you for that. It's in your nature. Like I said, I don't hate you and never could. I know you'll view me leaving as a betrayal. I'm sorry for that. But you don't need me anymore. You'll be amazing on your own. I have one last thing for you. My groupies. I told them I was leaving. They will follow you now. They will be loyal. Take good care of them. I love you, little bro. I always will.

Love,

Jerome

Miah went on to be a vicious and clever Joker. As Ra's predicted, Joker blew up all of the bridges connecting Gotham to the mainland. They were cut off and declared a no man's land. Bruce Wayne stayed to protect the people that couldn't get out during the evacuation. It indeed helped shape him into the man he needed to be. Bruce managed to defeat Joker and the GCPD held the Joker until the government finally stepped in to restore order. Then Joker was sent to Arkham. When Bruce left Gotham, Joker went into a catatonic state. He refused to function while his obsession was gone. Ten years later, Bruce returned with a new sense of purpose. He needed to protect Gotham. He took up the mantle of Batman and protected the city. Joker woke from his catatonia when he learned Bruce was back. And was overjoyed at Bruce's new persona. It excited him. He thought it was very fitting. Bruce fought the Joker for years, never able to kill him no matter how many awful things Joker did. It was very similar to the other world. Just like Jerome had thought. Bruce never forgot Jerome. And never hated him. He knew that Jerome did the best he could to make sure Miah didn't do something that Gotham wouldn't come back from. And when he knew that wouldn't work, Jerome left. Bruce didn't blame him. The only thing he felt for Jerome was gratitude. Jerome knew what Bruce would be someday and yet he let Bruce figure that out on his own. It made all the difference to know that he would accomplish something when he grew up but didn't have it all laid out for him. It gave him confidence yet still let him search for his purpose. And that search was important. He hoped it all worked out for Jerome. That the other world was kind to him. But he never saw Jerome again so he never knew for sure.

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The groupies that went with Jerome are based on a photo I saw of several of the Jerome cultist extras with the actor that plays Jongleur. There is a petite black girl that is my headcanon for Cammy. There is a tough looking blond girl that is the headcanon for Tara. There's a guy holding a teddy bear that's basically who I view as Derek. Roz is the only one I didn't get from the photo. I wanted a well rounded team. A tech expert. An agile one. An explosive expert who's also a bit of a tank. A brawler. And Jongleur who loves knives.

Stay tuned for the next installment which will feature Arkham City!