Batman Beyond: Two-Face II
Chapter 13: Once beaten, Twice shy!
By ShadowHawk & Demoness Space Pirate
Heads or tails, tails or heads. End-over-end the coin flipped in the air.
Only the fates knew which side it would land on. His mind drifted in and out of different thoughts that came to his mind as to what to do to rid himself of the Batman. "How old were you, Harl?"
The crime jester stretched out across a slit styled armchair looked up from her magazine. "Huh?"
"When you committed your first crime, how old were you?" Two-Face asked still flipping his coin absentmindedly.
Harley rubbed her chin. "Uh, don't really know. Somewhere around fourteen and fifteen."
The coin landed bad side up then was thrown into the air again.
Two-Face did not even bother to glance at its face. "Do you know how old I was when I first broke the law? I was twenty-two. I gave an experimental chemical over to a man who wanted to develop a new drug that couldn't be detected. It had bad side effects and killed half of the users. Two months later, I was killing men like I was breathing."
"Isn't that the result of your repression Deuce? I mean, if ya lock up all your urges for so long they end up exploding' out of ya."
The coin came down again a hand at the end of a black-sleeved arm caught it. "Are you a licensed psychiatrist, Harl?"
"Well, Miss Q told me a few things and I was in that damn Arkham for the adolescence-"
"I've heard more than enough of that repression crap from my shrink. I didn't come here for more of it. Say that word again and I flip the coin. Got it?" He asked glaring at her.
Harley crossed her legs sinking farther into her seat. "Yeah, I got it."
A silence fell between the pair with only the sound of the flipping coin and the turning pages of the magazine to communicate between them. "What was your first crime?" He asked.
"I stole a pair of boots that I really wanted. My foster parents wouldn't buy me a pair and I didn't have any money, so I lifted 'em myself." She stated not looking away from her magazine.
Two-Face glanced at Harley. "How long before you moved on to bigger things? Things like grand theft, drugs, murder?"
Harley chuckled closing her magazine. "Hell Deuce, I didn't really steal a car until I got up with my first boyfriend. I haven't used or dealt, well not on my free will anyway. And killing, I rather not talk about that."
"In other words, you've been a career criminal for nearly five years, and you have never committed a murder, or a drug-related crime?" Two-Face asked closing his fist over his coin.
"Sorry hon, but that's not my style and I'm not that eager to any really hard time. What I want I take; it's as simple as that."
The coin again was thrown into the air flipping end-over-end. "That's just the problem Harl. If you were a killer or drug-dealer at the age of fourteen, rather than a petty shoplifter, you wouldn't have faced hard- time. Some psych-analyses, a few months in juvie, and you'd have gone free with a clean record."
"So...where are ya headin' with this?"
He caught his coin then flipped it again repeating the process in a routine manner. "If a kid wants extra money in today's world, they don't get paper routes or do lawn work. They sell drugs. If teenagers get into fights in today's world, they don't slap each other around and then go get ice cream. They shoot each other. And do you know why?" He asked the red and black jester.
Harley shrugged "They've been desensitized by television?"
The coin was snatched out of the air and slammed against the table.
"No discouragement! When a juvenile is booked on possession with intention to sell, he's out the same day! When a juvenile is booked on violent crimes right up to murder, they get a few years at the most! That is why so many criminals start young, why so many commit such serious acts at a young age. Because they aren't punished!"
The scarlet with black zebra prints-sleeved arm covering the coin moved away making the scarred head of the coin clearly visible. A beautiful half of a face frowned sadly while the scarred half smiled wickedly. "Call the boys, Harl. It's time to punish the young and the deranged."
Harley got onto her feet and strutted out of the office. "You got it, Two- Face." From outside the office came a shrill whistle. "Alright boys off your asses the boss is callin' a meeting!"
In a matter of moments Two-Face was pacing back and forth before his minions flipping his coin throughout the process. "All right, I've had enough, I want Batman dead. What's the matter, you bums forgotten how to kill people? Have you no sense of pride in what you do? No sense of duty, no sense of destiny? I'm looking for generals; what have I got? Foot soldiers! I want Batman dead!"
His legion of twin thugs recoiled at the harsh remark. "But boss we're trying, the Batman's like a roach or something." One pair stated together.
"TRY HARDER!!!!" His scarred face darkened with his extreme anger.
Harley approached him with a drink from the bar. "Deuce, cool down before you bust a vein or two."
"How can I clam down if I'm surrounded by incompetents?" He demanded his patients wearing thin.
She shrugged again. "Shoot a few and work off stress if you must but don't break down on us. You're working hard enough as it is, Deuce."
Two-Face looked skyward. "God, What will it take to put that rodent down?!" He asked of no one.
"A better mouse trap." Harley scoffed.
Two-Face looked down from the ceiling to the jester. "Huh?"
"Ya know it's how they say, build a better mouse trap, or somethin' like that." She stated offhandedly. "Bait it with something he's bound to go in for even when he realizes it's a trap. A big rat like him needs big bait." Harley sang.
"What do you have in mind Harl?" He asked understanding the bases of her thoughts.
Harley smiled teasingly. "Hey I only want to play with the Bat; you're the one who wants him dead."
Two-Face growled closing his hands in tight fist. "He's been interfering with my plans far too long."
"So...do something about it. We have to clip the rodent's wings somehow, Deuce darling."
"Yeah boss, how are we gonna do it?" A goon asked.
"I know someone one who can get us just the weapons we need." Two-Face stated.
At the mention of weapons everyone found the courage to speak. "Who?" They asked.
"That would be me." Said a voice from the shadows of the club turned hideout.
Everyone turns at the voice to watch a man dressing in punk clothing walked in the room towards them. He looked somewhere in his early 30s and he had brown-silver colored hair falling in a sagging fringes over his blue eyes.
"Hello handsome." Harley stated flatly as her pet hyenas growled at the newcomer. "So who's this Deuce?"
Two-Face's marred face lifted into a twisted smile that his guest had arrived.
"I go by many names." The newcomer said with a mock accent. "Alvin Tarkin, Leroy Cern, Alberto Devense, Sally Horrowitz, Lyle Lepardo, Antonio Zero. But I'm called 'Weasel'."
"I said one would have done fine." Harley stated.
"What have you brought for me Weasel?" Two-Face asked anxious to get his hands on his new guns.
"Weapons of all kinds, you want them, you got them." He spoke with his gangster accent.
Harley looked towards Two-Face. "Oh I like him, can we keep him?" Two-Face gave her a look that stated to stop playing around for this meeting was very important.
"I can interest you in this newest weapon of mass destruction."
"You got anything for ex boyfriends?" Harley asked as Weasel walked over to a table and snatched off the cloth that covered the objects underneath.
"Behold the Cobra Assault Cannon, state-of-the-art, Bang bang." He pointed to the gun that looked like a large rifle one would only see on television.
Everyone stared awestruck as Weasel went on. "In your hands, this bad boy will blow all your troubles away."
"I like it," Two-Face stated picking up the heavy gun. "I like it very much." The thugs all piled around the table trying to get their hands on the weapons. "You have yourself a deal. I want all of these in my men's hands." Everyone cheered for their boss content with their new guns of mass destruction.
"Consider it done, Mr. Two-Face." Weasel stated happy to have met with the infamous Two-Face and lived.
Harley leaned next to Two-Face, "Deuce, should we trust this guy?" She asked a small hint of worry in her voice.
"Hey hey, I never disappoint my customers, honey." Weasel stated in an offended tone.
"Sorry hon, I just have little faith in someone with so many names and a gun for each one." She smiled.
Two-Face walked away into his room for a moment then returned with a metal briefcase in his hand. "The money's in there and feel free to treat yourself to some drinks." He said handing over the brief case then snapping his fingers. Dee-Dee appeared on either side of Weasel. "Girls keep him company."
After Weasel had been escorted out door. The twin goons were itching to try out their new weapons on anything that moved or could be used as targets, causing many games of William Tell. The anxiousness about them was spreading and soon everyone wanted to go out on the town for a trail run and a good job involving the annoying Batman.
Dee-Dee wielding their 8mms approached Two-Face. "Boss when are we going out again?" They asked in a whine.
"When the Bat is long gone, the city will be ours for the taking." Two-Face stated his eye twinkling with his delusion.
"Then can we go out and show everyone our new guns? I'm sure the Bat won't stand a chance against you now Boss...um bosses...um Jeff." One of the newest twins stated.
Two-Face glared at the new goon. "That's Two-Face."
"Yes, Two-Face. So can we?" A nervous thug asked looking towards his twin.
Two-Face shrugged "Eh, why not?"
Harley made a grand appearance running in while holding up a newspaper. "Deucie look!" She shouted pointing to a picture of a group of diamonds.
Quickly he scanned over the article then smiled taking the paper away from her.
Harley draped her arms affectionately around him. "So what do you think? The perfect lure for one winged rat and pretty gems. Like killin' two birds with one bazooka." She cooed.
He laughed at the small joke causing everyone to flinch; it was rare to hear their boss laugh. "So what do you think?" Harley asked bouncing with excitement.
"It suits you." Two-Face stated with a cheerful look about his marred features.
Everyone cheered. "So are we going out tonight Boss?" a goon asked his hand clutched tight on his gun ready to shot anything even if it happened to be a rat he was trigger happy.
He nodded. "Let's go."
Everyone rushed out towards their means of transportation ready to cause some chaos. "Like kids in a candy store." Harley sighed before walking off to join them.
The black and white vans drove wildly down the streets of Gotham weaving in and out of traffic as if a drunkard was driving. The sliding doors and windows were wide open as the eager goons took random shots into traffic uncaring as to who or what they hit.
In a screeching halt the vans stopped before the large building that was showcasing the valued diamonds shown in the papers. In a mad rush the twins ran from their vans guns aimed and firing at the security protecting the entrance, causing a small scene somewhat like that during the massacre of the Jokerz. Passing pedestrians fell to the ground covering their heads with their hands and screaming in total fear, when the gun fire ceased all the guards were down and the men ran inside.
The calm serene environment of the jewelry display was thrown into a nightmarish scene as the twins rushed in shouting demands that everyone get on their knees with her hands behind their heads or they would blow their brains out without another thought.
Dee-Dee walked over to the cases shattering the glass covers and picking out the bigger jewels.
"So far so good Deuce." Harley smiled looking around at how things were going. "If fate is on our side tonight the police will come as a warm up before the Bat arrives, then the real fun begins." She smiled holding up one of the diamonds to inspect for herself.
Two-Face smiled maliciously, "Yes."
As if on cue the commissioner's voice could be heard over a loudspeaker from the ground below the 12 story building. "Two-Face! Release your hostages and come out with your hands above your heads and we will not use brute force against you." Barbara stated.
"The police, singing that same old song." Harley sighed.
"Aunt Barbara." Two-Face whispered his face softening.
One of the thugs rushed to the window breaking a frame before aiming his cannon out at the barricade of flashing police cars. "Give it to them boss?" He asked.
He didn't want to kill her, not her of all people. Quickly his features darkened, "Destroy the cars only."
The thug wasn't sure why his boss had decided not to kill but did as commanded and changed his aim to the back of row of police cars and fired. A beam of light shot out of the barrel racing at an amazing speed down at the targeted car, the sheer force of the gun alone knocked the thug back a few steps. Down below the car had a perfect sized hole in the top before it exploded.
The great ball of fire sent one car flipping into the air as four others surrounding it was forced to slide to the side. The police force ran for cover dodging the falling fiery debris.
Inside the hostages whimpered as the captors watched the hellish sight unfold before them with shock and amusement. "Holy shit." Harley whispered unable to speak any higher.
"Weasel was right." Two-Face spoke through his grin.
"Glad he's on your payroll." Harley said still unbelieving of the power of the cannon. Shaking herself out of her daze she stated. "That should really get the bats attention now."
While they awaited the arrival of their foe the thugs began cleaning out the diamonds and the people quivering on their knees on the floor. The goon holding the cannon near the window gasped. "Hey boss, we got company coming!" He shouted.
Two-Face's eyes seemed to burn with joy at the statement. "At Last!"
The goon took aim before firing into the sky at the Batjet with hopes of shooting him down. The Batjet maneuvered skillfully around dodging the blast. The headlight flipped back just before a tranquilizer dart flew out and shot into the chest of the firing goon.
Harley touched Two-Face's shoulders. "I think me and the girls should head down to clear out anymore police that might get in the way and have the vans ready to haul ass. The Bat's yours." She said.
Two-Face did not take his eyes away from the window and the approaching Batjet, "You do that."
Harley gave him a quick kiss on the lips before taking one of the bags full of loot. "Play nice now." She said before motioning for Dee-Dee to follow.
Not soon after they had left did Batman crash through the glass window his white eyes blazing anticipating the fight. "Two-Face." He sneered.
"Hello Bats, time for you to die." He stated motioning with his hand. All the guns the goons had cocked as they all took aim all silently waiting for the command.
"Any last words before I put you out of your misery?" He asked.
"Give up while you still can, Dent." Batman stated narrowing his eyes on Two-Face.
"That old tune will never work. How would you like a city free of crime, Bats?" He asked. "Everyone wants it and I'm just making sure that it happens."
"That's what I'm here for." Batman stated.
"No, you should die."
Batman smirked lightly. "And you should be in a mental hospital."
Two-Face gave the signal. "Boys clip his wings."
The men let loose of their pent up urge and fired at the pest of a bat drawing up a small cloud of smoke. The people screamed and cried as hopes of being rescued faded.
"I want his head on a silver platter!" Two-Face screamed above the sound of the discharge.
Moments passed which in truth seemed like an eternity before the gun fire ceased and the dust slowly began to clear away to show there was no body lying on the ground only the glass of a shattered window.
"Sorry Two-Face, but silver doesn't suit me." A deep voice rumbled from beside him.
"Son-of-a-" He took out his gun and started firing at Batman. Batman jumped about dodging the gunfire with a childish ease. "Why can't you just DIE?!"
"Don't you know legends never die?" Batman asked delivering a flying drop kick of Two-Face's body.
"I will end that legend." He charged forth towards Batman. Batman dodged the attack delivering a blow to his face.
"Your not taking me to Arkham, Bats, cause I'm not ready yet!" He shouted dodging Batman's blow.
"I've never sent anyone who was, but you need help Dent! Think of your family, think of Mel! Think of what your actions are doing to them!"
"My Father was a criminal and so was Mel, don't tell me that bullshit!" Two- Face scream swinging at his nemesis.
Batman ducked the fist. "Yeah, was, they changed! And what about your mother?"
"My mother." He stopped to think.
"Yes, Grace, Barbara, and Bruce." Batman listed.
Two-Face's hands drifted behind his back and one of his double daggers slipped out of his sleeve. "Mom, Aunt Barb, and Bruce."
"Dent..." Batman said feeling he was getting through. "Your family wants you back."
"Batman..." He reached out his hand. Batman did the same grabbing his hand.
Without warning, the evil within Jeffery came back and his hand slammed down the knife in bats wrist
Batman hissed jerking back his arm. The enhancements might have made him stronger but not invincible. He clutched his wrist to slow the blood as he dodged back from the mad man.
"Boys it's time to go." Two-Face stated a bit shaken that his weaker side had emerged at such a dire time. "Oh and just for the record." He threw a knife into Batman's leg.
Batman winched in pain before leaning against the wall not prepared to leave the people behind.
"Bye-bye, Bats. Remember this city belongs to me now." He stated leaving.
Batman gritted his teeth biting back the pain in his wrist. "Next time, Two- Face, next time."
The goons piled out of the room unable to believe they were leaving the Bat alive. Downstairs the vans were waiting for the others, when everyone piled in the women turned to look at everyone.
"So how did it go?" Delia asked.
Two-Face smiled malevolently, "The Bat is no longer going to trouble us any more."
Harley looked around then hitched a brow. "I don't see a severed head."
"I left him with two bloody wounds that might kill him if he isn't treated soon."
"That'll just slow him down for awhile, but you can't keep a good Bat down for long. Let's go!" She said motioning towards the driver at the wheel, at her command the van sped away into the night.
Terry knew if he didn't get treated soon he would bleed to death so he went to the nearest place he knew. Mel opened her apartment door due to a faint knocking. "Whoa Terry!" She gasped at seeing him near fainted at her door. "What happened?" She asked.
Terry didn't answer but nearly fell onto the floor unconscious.
When Terry opened his eyes he was looking up at the ceiling as a bandage was being wrapped around his wrist. "You're lucky learning a simple stitch and clean was a must in the Royal Flush Gang." Mel stated.
Terry moaned lying back on the comfortable pillows.
"Whoever did this to you kicked your ass badly." She stated before going to work on his leg wound. "You might have to stay off it for awhile."
Terry moaned. "Can't do that. I have to work, Bruce needs me."
Mel sighed as she poured alcohol on his wound then repeated the actions she did on his wrist to his leg. "Suit yourself." She said before removing the needle. "There, you need to rest. You can sleep here for the night."
To Be continued.
Chapter 13: Once beaten, Twice shy!
By ShadowHawk & Demoness Space Pirate
Heads or tails, tails or heads. End-over-end the coin flipped in the air.
Only the fates knew which side it would land on. His mind drifted in and out of different thoughts that came to his mind as to what to do to rid himself of the Batman. "How old were you, Harl?"
The crime jester stretched out across a slit styled armchair looked up from her magazine. "Huh?"
"When you committed your first crime, how old were you?" Two-Face asked still flipping his coin absentmindedly.
Harley rubbed her chin. "Uh, don't really know. Somewhere around fourteen and fifteen."
The coin landed bad side up then was thrown into the air again.
Two-Face did not even bother to glance at its face. "Do you know how old I was when I first broke the law? I was twenty-two. I gave an experimental chemical over to a man who wanted to develop a new drug that couldn't be detected. It had bad side effects and killed half of the users. Two months later, I was killing men like I was breathing."
"Isn't that the result of your repression Deuce? I mean, if ya lock up all your urges for so long they end up exploding' out of ya."
The coin came down again a hand at the end of a black-sleeved arm caught it. "Are you a licensed psychiatrist, Harl?"
"Well, Miss Q told me a few things and I was in that damn Arkham for the adolescence-"
"I've heard more than enough of that repression crap from my shrink. I didn't come here for more of it. Say that word again and I flip the coin. Got it?" He asked glaring at her.
Harley crossed her legs sinking farther into her seat. "Yeah, I got it."
A silence fell between the pair with only the sound of the flipping coin and the turning pages of the magazine to communicate between them. "What was your first crime?" He asked.
"I stole a pair of boots that I really wanted. My foster parents wouldn't buy me a pair and I didn't have any money, so I lifted 'em myself." She stated not looking away from her magazine.
Two-Face glanced at Harley. "How long before you moved on to bigger things? Things like grand theft, drugs, murder?"
Harley chuckled closing her magazine. "Hell Deuce, I didn't really steal a car until I got up with my first boyfriend. I haven't used or dealt, well not on my free will anyway. And killing, I rather not talk about that."
"In other words, you've been a career criminal for nearly five years, and you have never committed a murder, or a drug-related crime?" Two-Face asked closing his fist over his coin.
"Sorry hon, but that's not my style and I'm not that eager to any really hard time. What I want I take; it's as simple as that."
The coin again was thrown into the air flipping end-over-end. "That's just the problem Harl. If you were a killer or drug-dealer at the age of fourteen, rather than a petty shoplifter, you wouldn't have faced hard- time. Some psych-analyses, a few months in juvie, and you'd have gone free with a clean record."
"So...where are ya headin' with this?"
He caught his coin then flipped it again repeating the process in a routine manner. "If a kid wants extra money in today's world, they don't get paper routes or do lawn work. They sell drugs. If teenagers get into fights in today's world, they don't slap each other around and then go get ice cream. They shoot each other. And do you know why?" He asked the red and black jester.
Harley shrugged "They've been desensitized by television?"
The coin was snatched out of the air and slammed against the table.
"No discouragement! When a juvenile is booked on possession with intention to sell, he's out the same day! When a juvenile is booked on violent crimes right up to murder, they get a few years at the most! That is why so many criminals start young, why so many commit such serious acts at a young age. Because they aren't punished!"
The scarlet with black zebra prints-sleeved arm covering the coin moved away making the scarred head of the coin clearly visible. A beautiful half of a face frowned sadly while the scarred half smiled wickedly. "Call the boys, Harl. It's time to punish the young and the deranged."
Harley got onto her feet and strutted out of the office. "You got it, Two- Face." From outside the office came a shrill whistle. "Alright boys off your asses the boss is callin' a meeting!"
In a matter of moments Two-Face was pacing back and forth before his minions flipping his coin throughout the process. "All right, I've had enough, I want Batman dead. What's the matter, you bums forgotten how to kill people? Have you no sense of pride in what you do? No sense of duty, no sense of destiny? I'm looking for generals; what have I got? Foot soldiers! I want Batman dead!"
His legion of twin thugs recoiled at the harsh remark. "But boss we're trying, the Batman's like a roach or something." One pair stated together.
"TRY HARDER!!!!" His scarred face darkened with his extreme anger.
Harley approached him with a drink from the bar. "Deuce, cool down before you bust a vein or two."
"How can I clam down if I'm surrounded by incompetents?" He demanded his patients wearing thin.
She shrugged again. "Shoot a few and work off stress if you must but don't break down on us. You're working hard enough as it is, Deuce."
Two-Face looked skyward. "God, What will it take to put that rodent down?!" He asked of no one.
"A better mouse trap." Harley scoffed.
Two-Face looked down from the ceiling to the jester. "Huh?"
"Ya know it's how they say, build a better mouse trap, or somethin' like that." She stated offhandedly. "Bait it with something he's bound to go in for even when he realizes it's a trap. A big rat like him needs big bait." Harley sang.
"What do you have in mind Harl?" He asked understanding the bases of her thoughts.
Harley smiled teasingly. "Hey I only want to play with the Bat; you're the one who wants him dead."
Two-Face growled closing his hands in tight fist. "He's been interfering with my plans far too long."
"So...do something about it. We have to clip the rodent's wings somehow, Deuce darling."
"Yeah boss, how are we gonna do it?" A goon asked.
"I know someone one who can get us just the weapons we need." Two-Face stated.
At the mention of weapons everyone found the courage to speak. "Who?" They asked.
"That would be me." Said a voice from the shadows of the club turned hideout.
Everyone turns at the voice to watch a man dressing in punk clothing walked in the room towards them. He looked somewhere in his early 30s and he had brown-silver colored hair falling in a sagging fringes over his blue eyes.
"Hello handsome." Harley stated flatly as her pet hyenas growled at the newcomer. "So who's this Deuce?"
Two-Face's marred face lifted into a twisted smile that his guest had arrived.
"I go by many names." The newcomer said with a mock accent. "Alvin Tarkin, Leroy Cern, Alberto Devense, Sally Horrowitz, Lyle Lepardo, Antonio Zero. But I'm called 'Weasel'."
"I said one would have done fine." Harley stated.
"What have you brought for me Weasel?" Two-Face asked anxious to get his hands on his new guns.
"Weapons of all kinds, you want them, you got them." He spoke with his gangster accent.
Harley looked towards Two-Face. "Oh I like him, can we keep him?" Two-Face gave her a look that stated to stop playing around for this meeting was very important.
"I can interest you in this newest weapon of mass destruction."
"You got anything for ex boyfriends?" Harley asked as Weasel walked over to a table and snatched off the cloth that covered the objects underneath.
"Behold the Cobra Assault Cannon, state-of-the-art, Bang bang." He pointed to the gun that looked like a large rifle one would only see on television.
Everyone stared awestruck as Weasel went on. "In your hands, this bad boy will blow all your troubles away."
"I like it," Two-Face stated picking up the heavy gun. "I like it very much." The thugs all piled around the table trying to get their hands on the weapons. "You have yourself a deal. I want all of these in my men's hands." Everyone cheered for their boss content with their new guns of mass destruction.
"Consider it done, Mr. Two-Face." Weasel stated happy to have met with the infamous Two-Face and lived.
Harley leaned next to Two-Face, "Deuce, should we trust this guy?" She asked a small hint of worry in her voice.
"Hey hey, I never disappoint my customers, honey." Weasel stated in an offended tone.
"Sorry hon, I just have little faith in someone with so many names and a gun for each one." She smiled.
Two-Face walked away into his room for a moment then returned with a metal briefcase in his hand. "The money's in there and feel free to treat yourself to some drinks." He said handing over the brief case then snapping his fingers. Dee-Dee appeared on either side of Weasel. "Girls keep him company."
After Weasel had been escorted out door. The twin goons were itching to try out their new weapons on anything that moved or could be used as targets, causing many games of William Tell. The anxiousness about them was spreading and soon everyone wanted to go out on the town for a trail run and a good job involving the annoying Batman.
Dee-Dee wielding their 8mms approached Two-Face. "Boss when are we going out again?" They asked in a whine.
"When the Bat is long gone, the city will be ours for the taking." Two-Face stated his eye twinkling with his delusion.
"Then can we go out and show everyone our new guns? I'm sure the Bat won't stand a chance against you now Boss...um bosses...um Jeff." One of the newest twins stated.
Two-Face glared at the new goon. "That's Two-Face."
"Yes, Two-Face. So can we?" A nervous thug asked looking towards his twin.
Two-Face shrugged "Eh, why not?"
Harley made a grand appearance running in while holding up a newspaper. "Deucie look!" She shouted pointing to a picture of a group of diamonds.
Quickly he scanned over the article then smiled taking the paper away from her.
Harley draped her arms affectionately around him. "So what do you think? The perfect lure for one winged rat and pretty gems. Like killin' two birds with one bazooka." She cooed.
He laughed at the small joke causing everyone to flinch; it was rare to hear their boss laugh. "So what do you think?" Harley asked bouncing with excitement.
"It suits you." Two-Face stated with a cheerful look about his marred features.
Everyone cheered. "So are we going out tonight Boss?" a goon asked his hand clutched tight on his gun ready to shot anything even if it happened to be a rat he was trigger happy.
He nodded. "Let's go."
Everyone rushed out towards their means of transportation ready to cause some chaos. "Like kids in a candy store." Harley sighed before walking off to join them.
The black and white vans drove wildly down the streets of Gotham weaving in and out of traffic as if a drunkard was driving. The sliding doors and windows were wide open as the eager goons took random shots into traffic uncaring as to who or what they hit.
In a screeching halt the vans stopped before the large building that was showcasing the valued diamonds shown in the papers. In a mad rush the twins ran from their vans guns aimed and firing at the security protecting the entrance, causing a small scene somewhat like that during the massacre of the Jokerz. Passing pedestrians fell to the ground covering their heads with their hands and screaming in total fear, when the gun fire ceased all the guards were down and the men ran inside.
The calm serene environment of the jewelry display was thrown into a nightmarish scene as the twins rushed in shouting demands that everyone get on their knees with her hands behind their heads or they would blow their brains out without another thought.
Dee-Dee walked over to the cases shattering the glass covers and picking out the bigger jewels.
"So far so good Deuce." Harley smiled looking around at how things were going. "If fate is on our side tonight the police will come as a warm up before the Bat arrives, then the real fun begins." She smiled holding up one of the diamonds to inspect for herself.
Two-Face smiled maliciously, "Yes."
As if on cue the commissioner's voice could be heard over a loudspeaker from the ground below the 12 story building. "Two-Face! Release your hostages and come out with your hands above your heads and we will not use brute force against you." Barbara stated.
"The police, singing that same old song." Harley sighed.
"Aunt Barbara." Two-Face whispered his face softening.
One of the thugs rushed to the window breaking a frame before aiming his cannon out at the barricade of flashing police cars. "Give it to them boss?" He asked.
He didn't want to kill her, not her of all people. Quickly his features darkened, "Destroy the cars only."
The thug wasn't sure why his boss had decided not to kill but did as commanded and changed his aim to the back of row of police cars and fired. A beam of light shot out of the barrel racing at an amazing speed down at the targeted car, the sheer force of the gun alone knocked the thug back a few steps. Down below the car had a perfect sized hole in the top before it exploded.
The great ball of fire sent one car flipping into the air as four others surrounding it was forced to slide to the side. The police force ran for cover dodging the falling fiery debris.
Inside the hostages whimpered as the captors watched the hellish sight unfold before them with shock and amusement. "Holy shit." Harley whispered unable to speak any higher.
"Weasel was right." Two-Face spoke through his grin.
"Glad he's on your payroll." Harley said still unbelieving of the power of the cannon. Shaking herself out of her daze she stated. "That should really get the bats attention now."
While they awaited the arrival of their foe the thugs began cleaning out the diamonds and the people quivering on their knees on the floor. The goon holding the cannon near the window gasped. "Hey boss, we got company coming!" He shouted.
Two-Face's eyes seemed to burn with joy at the statement. "At Last!"
The goon took aim before firing into the sky at the Batjet with hopes of shooting him down. The Batjet maneuvered skillfully around dodging the blast. The headlight flipped back just before a tranquilizer dart flew out and shot into the chest of the firing goon.
Harley touched Two-Face's shoulders. "I think me and the girls should head down to clear out anymore police that might get in the way and have the vans ready to haul ass. The Bat's yours." She said.
Two-Face did not take his eyes away from the window and the approaching Batjet, "You do that."
Harley gave him a quick kiss on the lips before taking one of the bags full of loot. "Play nice now." She said before motioning for Dee-Dee to follow.
Not soon after they had left did Batman crash through the glass window his white eyes blazing anticipating the fight. "Two-Face." He sneered.
"Hello Bats, time for you to die." He stated motioning with his hand. All the guns the goons had cocked as they all took aim all silently waiting for the command.
"Any last words before I put you out of your misery?" He asked.
"Give up while you still can, Dent." Batman stated narrowing his eyes on Two-Face.
"That old tune will never work. How would you like a city free of crime, Bats?" He asked. "Everyone wants it and I'm just making sure that it happens."
"That's what I'm here for." Batman stated.
"No, you should die."
Batman smirked lightly. "And you should be in a mental hospital."
Two-Face gave the signal. "Boys clip his wings."
The men let loose of their pent up urge and fired at the pest of a bat drawing up a small cloud of smoke. The people screamed and cried as hopes of being rescued faded.
"I want his head on a silver platter!" Two-Face screamed above the sound of the discharge.
Moments passed which in truth seemed like an eternity before the gun fire ceased and the dust slowly began to clear away to show there was no body lying on the ground only the glass of a shattered window.
"Sorry Two-Face, but silver doesn't suit me." A deep voice rumbled from beside him.
"Son-of-a-" He took out his gun and started firing at Batman. Batman jumped about dodging the gunfire with a childish ease. "Why can't you just DIE?!"
"Don't you know legends never die?" Batman asked delivering a flying drop kick of Two-Face's body.
"I will end that legend." He charged forth towards Batman. Batman dodged the attack delivering a blow to his face.
"Your not taking me to Arkham, Bats, cause I'm not ready yet!" He shouted dodging Batman's blow.
"I've never sent anyone who was, but you need help Dent! Think of your family, think of Mel! Think of what your actions are doing to them!"
"My Father was a criminal and so was Mel, don't tell me that bullshit!" Two- Face scream swinging at his nemesis.
Batman ducked the fist. "Yeah, was, they changed! And what about your mother?"
"My mother." He stopped to think.
"Yes, Grace, Barbara, and Bruce." Batman listed.
Two-Face's hands drifted behind his back and one of his double daggers slipped out of his sleeve. "Mom, Aunt Barb, and Bruce."
"Dent..." Batman said feeling he was getting through. "Your family wants you back."
"Batman..." He reached out his hand. Batman did the same grabbing his hand.
Without warning, the evil within Jeffery came back and his hand slammed down the knife in bats wrist
Batman hissed jerking back his arm. The enhancements might have made him stronger but not invincible. He clutched his wrist to slow the blood as he dodged back from the mad man.
"Boys it's time to go." Two-Face stated a bit shaken that his weaker side had emerged at such a dire time. "Oh and just for the record." He threw a knife into Batman's leg.
Batman winched in pain before leaning against the wall not prepared to leave the people behind.
"Bye-bye, Bats. Remember this city belongs to me now." He stated leaving.
Batman gritted his teeth biting back the pain in his wrist. "Next time, Two- Face, next time."
The goons piled out of the room unable to believe they were leaving the Bat alive. Downstairs the vans were waiting for the others, when everyone piled in the women turned to look at everyone.
"So how did it go?" Delia asked.
Two-Face smiled malevolently, "The Bat is no longer going to trouble us any more."
Harley looked around then hitched a brow. "I don't see a severed head."
"I left him with two bloody wounds that might kill him if he isn't treated soon."
"That'll just slow him down for awhile, but you can't keep a good Bat down for long. Let's go!" She said motioning towards the driver at the wheel, at her command the van sped away into the night.
Terry knew if he didn't get treated soon he would bleed to death so he went to the nearest place he knew. Mel opened her apartment door due to a faint knocking. "Whoa Terry!" She gasped at seeing him near fainted at her door. "What happened?" She asked.
Terry didn't answer but nearly fell onto the floor unconscious.
When Terry opened his eyes he was looking up at the ceiling as a bandage was being wrapped around his wrist. "You're lucky learning a simple stitch and clean was a must in the Royal Flush Gang." Mel stated.
Terry moaned lying back on the comfortable pillows.
"Whoever did this to you kicked your ass badly." She stated before going to work on his leg wound. "You might have to stay off it for awhile."
Terry moaned. "Can't do that. I have to work, Bruce needs me."
Mel sighed as she poured alcohol on his wound then repeated the actions she did on his wrist to his leg. "Suit yourself." She said before removing the needle. "There, you need to rest. You can sleep here for the night."
To Be continued.
