Planet: Earth
Various Leaguers in the world have just about wrapped up on missions: responding to various crisis. The infected supervillains they handled weren't seen as really easy. Most situations, it was because these supervillains were backed up by the infected people from respective cities. If one would see the look on every hero's face, it vastly harder than coping with non-joker supervillains.
Since the US has declared war with the Joker, it's military has spread to many places, tasked to permanently repress joker-infected supervillains. Countless destructive waves trading among armies in each city, causing tremors and more bloodsheds. Bloodsheds in which the less powerful supervillains die, and obviously many soldiers swiftly killed due to aligning fixedly.
S.T.A.R. Labs
A place to examine individuals who suffer from abnormal things or possess special abilities. A facility currently used to examine Lex Luthor who is slumbering after being sedated by the doctors.
Amanda Waller approached Hamilton, thinking about progress on Luthor.
"So far I haven't been able to diagnose what infection Lex Luthor was submitted to", Emil Hamilton addressed. He explains that he tried every possible way to cure Lex Luthor. It resulted to no avail.
Hearing enough from Hamilton, Amanda Waller glanced Lex. If the Justice League or any good force standing won't topple the Joker, who will?
Elsewhere...
Supergirl hovers over the whole planet, seeing if she can offer her help on any place attacked by the jokerised army, any place where there aren't Leaguers defending the civilians or Leaguers likely to get overwhelmed. Until now, she continued flying. Nobody appears to need her help. With getting a zoomed view of every land, Supergirl perceives Justice Leaguers getting the upper hand on supervillains they fight on each land Supergirl discerns.
As she sunk to the thought Earth doesn't need Supergirl at the moment, and sunk to considering returning to the Watchtower to check up on Oliver, Supergirl glimpses a senseless lady in a sandy land. An incident might've occurred there, maybe a connection to the countless incidents worldwide. An incident either knocked this lady down or she could be infected. Kara immediately flew down. In spite of risks, Kara's conscience compelled her to not drag away from presenting help. It's not a zombie apocalypse. Not like she could be infected.
Quickly landing in the beach, Kara cautiously walks toward the lady. She carried a bundle of adrenaline. What if a kryptonite comes out as a surprise attack? Kryptonite is her weakness. One moment of being exposed casts her to the green nether regions. It does appear this lady has nothing equipped. She's wearing a black bikini. No weapons latched on her. Kara reached the body, leaning with one knee down. In slow motion, she extends a hand over to the lady's shoulder. Turning that body around, Kara perceived her face; Kara's face was lifted with tension. She knows that lady. "Thea?", she exclaimed in shock. Previous time she saw Thea Queen, her body was possessed by Harley Quinn. Is it still Harley inhabiting her body or is it Thea? No matter who it is, Kara can't let her reside here, especially during a Joker crisis.
Above the Earth...
Watchtower
Founding Members, Redfield and Kenobi couldn't believe they could let Batman slip away like that. What a sneaky bat. Nobody thought about Batman until Shayera realised he wasn't attending this meeting. Even Obi-Wan and Chris hadn't known Batman wasn't here via senses.
"Joker?", John Stewart exclaimed, hearing loud and clear from Superman when he stated a guess Batman's having his revenge on that clown.
"He was responsible for turning all supervillains into joker variants of himself", Superman explained. "Induced me, Batman, to experience Batman's fantasy world, while keeping us contained his Batman's own prison centre".
"While the whole world rots in hell", Wonder Woman added, starting to understand everything.
Superman looks at Wonder Woman. "I don't know how... but... somehow he read my mind. He knows we erased his memories", he addressed. "He knows the Joker killed his wife, and his daughter".
As everyone took a moment to comprehend it, they started to get a very good impression Batman isn't really concealed in the shadows. It was easy to shaft the light once you understood the Dark Knight's intentions.
Everyone went over to the teleporter.
J'onn prepped the teleporter to set the location to Gotham; surprising result came he was unable to send anyone to Gotham via teleportation.
"A bug in the teleporter?", Superman asked, while standing with the Leaguers, Redfield and Kenobi.
"Something's wrong with the teleporter. I can't beam you to Gotham", J'onn proclaimed.
Redfield and Kenobi knew why nobody can use this teleportation to travel to Gotham.
"A barrier", Redfield addressed.
Founding Members glanced Redfield.
"What Chris is saying is: whether it's Batman's cause or the Joker's, it may have blocked the instantaneous travel. Nobody can breach into Gotham, even if you try to reach there by foot", Obi-Wan explained.
"You're saying Gotham City is shut, no one can enter or come out?", Wonder Woman exclaimed.
"I'm afraid so", Obi-Wan said sadly.
"There must be some way we break into Gotham", Superman said. "A lot of innocent people are down there, scared, frightened".
"There is one way, and it's the only way", Obi-Wan said.
"I'm listening", Superman addressed.
Obi-Wan explained to Superman about how an Anodite can break through an energy field around Gotham, but sadly mentions it will take a long time.
"If's that our only way, do what you can, Obi-Wan", Superman said, walking to him. "People in Gotham are depending on you".
Kenobi nodded before teleporting himself away with Redfield.
"And we?", John Stewart asked.
As Superman was about to think to answer, he heard something whooshing in, prompting him to turn.
"To help me find the Joker's sidekick"
"Kara?", Superman exclaimed. His surprise got bigger when he saw a lady in bikini carried by Supergirl.
"First, as I recall, Harley Quinzel died years ago. Second, is that Oliver Queen's sister?", Diana said.
"Yes", Kara responded to Diana's question. She sees the Leaguers go near her. "And dead usually don't come back to life unless certain twists come about, in Harley Quinn's case, she took over Thea's body. I'm not sure how was Harley back, but I was wondering if you could scan Thea, see if there are residual signs of Harley still inside".
J'onn reached Kara. He carefully put two hands on Thea's head as he starts examining her mind. Once he found enough to gather from her mind, J'onn stops. "No. Harley Quinn no longer resides here", the Martian said. "But I gathered here, Harley's memory, she met Black Canary before her mind leaves Ms. Queen's body".
"Black Canary?", Kara said in surprise.
"Black Canary is part of the Justice League. I should be able to trace here via her commlink", J'onn said, moving away from Supergirl.
Every Leaguer watched as J'onn uses the computers to locate Black Canary's current whereabouts.
J'onn found Black Canary. "Starling National City", the Martian said.
"Didn't know she was Dinah-esque", Supergirl said. She readily begins to take off before suddenly stopped by a voice.
"You should have backup", Superman advised.
"Since when did you act so overprotective", Supergirl playfully asked.
Superman had no word to forge a reason. His mouth stayed shut.
Diana noticed Superman protectiveness. He suppressed that trait since blending into terms that Kara can look out for herself.
"I can take Flash", Supergirl said. "if he's...".
"He's alright to leave", Diana said, glancing Barry. "if he does".
"And if you guys need the fastest man alive to save your asses again like last time?", Barry said, remembering a time when Barry saved the whole world, though deep down he does credit the Leaguers for helping him.
"Go on, Jiminy", Stewart said.
"Don't say I didn't warn you", Flash said.
Leaguers watch Flash and Supergirl skedaddled.
As soon as Flash and Supergirl departed, Superman returned to the main subject. "While Kenobi and Redfield work on getting into Gotham, for the time being, we'll give as much help as we can to-", Superman was interrupted when the Watchtower set off an alarm.
J'onn looks over the monitors on what the cause of the alarm was. "A disturbance in Metropolis", J'onn said. He widens his eyes in surprise. "Ms. Lane is among the bystanders".
Noted about Metropolis, Superman looks at everyone once more. "As I said, give as much as help as you can to the people who need it. We're dealing with the devil's horde", Superman said. He then made a departure, leaving the Watchtower immediately.
Starling National City
Gone to Starling National City, Supergirl and Flash appeared in the city. They couldn't escape from the sight of jokerised thugs frightening civilians. They quickly removed those joker-infected individuals, sending them off to S.T.A.R. Labs.
With a quick sweep on the whole city narrowly on the lookout for anyone infected by the Joker, Barry and Karry arrived in front of an apartment.
"Do you reckon she's in here?", Barry said.
"One way to find out", Kara responded. She uses x-ray vision, viewing the Dinah Lance's room. She discovers a drunk lady, seemingly immobile, laying at a couch. "She's here".
In a flat, Flash and Supergirl entered Dinah's room. They both saw Dinah Lance laying just as Kara sighted via x-ray.
"She's still alive", Kara addressed mildly after checking her heartbeat. Part of her doesn't trust this room. She lays her ears wide open for at least a faint sound that would erect the spikes to poke her into making a steady stance.
Flash laid a few silent steps forward, extending as far to Dinah's side; Barry is cautious. Kara told him it's possible Dinah could be possessed by Harley, and wanted the speedster to make sure he doesn't easily fall the same way. "Appears she's taken a lot of nights since 1947", Barry said, seeing the messy look on Dinah's face as if everyone Dinah encountered sucked out her charming composure. "Let's take her back to Watchtower for further analysis if Harley is inside her".
Metropolis
An extensive river of screams goes along a steady stream in here with an laughing clown from the skies emitting heat vision down the city, causing buildings to collapse when her beams hit them. Those discharged beams got randomly redirected; somebody pushed her away from continuing more damage to what's left of the city.
"Reign, is it, one of the Worldkillers?", Superman said, the latter who ambushed her.
Reign looked up after being steady, levitating, looking up at Superman. "Dispense justice to the Last Son of Krypton", the rogue Kryptonian said, laughing loudly. She sped forward to Superman's side.
Seeing Reign attempt fisting his abdomen, Superman blocks with one hand grabbing his fist, and the other hand tightly gripping her wrist. The Kryptonian threw Reign away. He watched the Kryptonian plummet into a truck.
Getting up from a smashed-up truck, Reign sights Superman reaching the ground levels as he in a flighty manner charges directly at her. She pulls her arms into a shield. Superman reached her, pounding Reign's arms, which the latter used to block herself from getting harmed, although that didn't prevent her from being sliding backwards by the immense force.
The Man of Steel quickly went up to Reign's way, continuing to throw several punches; many are stopped up by Reign carrying on with shield herself with her two arms. Another fist slightly cracked Reign's buckler; it made the Kryptonian drive further backwards. Superman quickly reached her again, firmly putting two hands on Reign's shoulder, Superman throws Reign upwards.
Reign regained her balance, steadily looking down at Superman.
Despite the numerous blows delivered, that jokerised Kryptonian continued to laugh at Superman's efforts. That's part of the reason why Superman dislikes Joker. He's as worse as Lex Luthor.
She cackled before turning her eyes away from Superman while causing her eyes to glow red. She fired away heat vision; spinning the beam to all buildings around her.
Superman quickly became aware, which from the goodness in him erected; forcing him to examine civilians inside those buildings. He saw a dozens on three collapsed buildings. If he doesn't end up there, they won't live to see another day. The Kryptonian rocketed up to one building, which Superman distinguished is on the verge of crashing into a crowd below.
Stopping by, Superman placed his hands on the building; he carefully, and gently, pushed the building back from falling, maintaining the building's standing position. But it didn't prevent the upper fragment of the building that Reign took out to slide forward. Since it's falling down Superman, the latter fired heat vision. The beam hitting on building fragment caused the concentration inside it to climax; exploding in the process into little pieces. With them down, Superman returns his attention to the people in need of his help, beginning with people in here.
Reign's terror advanced; people running away as the jokerised Kryptonian cackles, and shoots red lasers on all cars, causing explosions. Explosions that caused people close by to stumble away. "Justice is served", she said, sniggering as though she gathers an infinite amount of giggles, filled in her lungs.
Superman safely took the people from that building to safety, and ensured that collapsed building won't crush anybody around here. Despite the raise in safety bar, Superman had infinite eyes fixed on other buildings soon to fall. He quickly sped in through every building, taking each civilian out of there, bringing them away from danger.
U.S. Special Forces arrived, readily targeting the Worldkiller in sight as they swiftly draw their weapons out.
The female Kryptonian perceived them. She shrugged them off with discharged beams, injuries some soldiers while others are forced to back away. Some started shooting back at her. She saw they are shooting at her with green kryptonite. These rocks had little effect on her. Poor thing to them, Reign thought before readily firing heat vision at soldiers, killing them off.
After quickly making sure everyone was taken away safely from in the collapsed buildings, and from the area which buildings are plummeted into, Superman rocketed toward the Worldkiller. He saw the Kryptonian killing some soldiers.
Reign turns around, sighting the flying Superman. She steadies her fist. As Superman reaches her, Reign punches Superman's lower chin, causing him to forcefully fly upwards. Reign shortly followed Superman's forced direction.
Superman tries to get his balance in the air but the impact from Reign's punch made him uncontrollably flew away as though the gravity sucked into making this forced push on the Man of Stell. Things got a little worse once he discerns Reign closing on his distance. She was at close range; Superman experienced a tremendous blow from her; a violent shock shaking constantly while Superman hurled far off Reign.
As he falls away, Superman crashes into multiple structures, which caused him to experience a massive tremor swirling in his body. As soon as he was forcefully hurled past those buildings, he saw Reign prepared to punch him. As he is close toward Reign, Superman quickly fires heat vision. Heat vision landed on Reign, causing her to fly away, thus stopping that Kryptonian from making another blow to send him down to the grounds. Superman regained control of his flighty manner before flying over to Reign.
Once Reign returned to carry on her fight with Superman, she went straight at Superman who she perceived is heading her way.
The two Kryptonians collided prior to trading blows via fist-to-fist. They spun around, endeavoured to send each other away.
Reign through her many punches in the period of blocking as many punches from Superman finally fisted the male Kryptonian's face.
Kal-El bears it, returning the violent favour by punching Reign's torso.
Staggered by Superman's punch, Reign tries enduring it. The impact of the force is making her submerge to this intense pain. But Reign gathers the immeasurable pain to drive her forward; she continues throwing barrages of fists at Superman, which the latter followed the same.
Right now, unknown to the two Kryptonians, a chopper was floating in the sky with Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. Lois, the infamous reporter from Daily Planet, and her cameraman Jimmy Olsen.
With the camera up and recording, Jimmy aims it directly at Reign and Superman battling. Appears either is gaining the upper hand.
The two Kryptonians exchange hits, blocking one another's fists, though some punches have successfully touched down hard on them.
These punches have grown Reign to become even more crazier, Superman thought as he sees this being is constantly laughing.
Reign threw one punch at Superman. Her punch yet again gets blocked. The Worldkiller backs away, streaming a red beam at Superman.
Superman slides away, making Reign miss. Missing the beam would give a small capacity of relaxation. It skyrocketed to extreme anxiety once Superman turned, and saw Reign's heat vision inadvertently hitting a chopper's rotor blade. Surprised Superman when he descried by means of x-ray vision Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and a pilot. They'll die if Superman does go, and stop its falling. Superman acknowledges the situation has grown far, far worse.
Before Superman would fly to the chopper, he was suddenly hit from behind. Reign did it. Could any other than Reign punch like a Kryptonian? Superman lurches, averting from hitting a building. He had enough of this. He spins around, aware of Reign flying toward him. Once her fist reaches him, Superman instantly caught it with a firm grip. His annoyance has guided his eyes to glow red. Superman's expression become pure of seriousness.
Reign attempts to throw her remaining fist. Turns out a punch won't harm him. She's literally iced. Superman fired a freeze breath all over Reign.
Reign was frozen. Superman steadies his fist, gathering a tremendous amount of weight on his fist. He swung his fist right under Reign's chin, instantly shattering the ice Reign was enveloped in, and then gusting Reign so hard she felt tremendous agony. Superman subsequently whirled all over Reign, landing violent blows around her.
All of Superman's ferocious hits resulted in Reign's body slightly dazed.
He was required to do it. Superman doesn't know why. It felt like instinct kicked him, telling him to rush into his memories, and remember what she did to Kara. It's as though this fight turned very violent was because Superman was angry. He's never felt this angry since dealing with enemies personal to him. Nevertheless, Reign is seemingly weakened. Reign was about to fall so Superman made sure she didn't; carrying her.
"SUPERMAN!"
Lois's voice echoes into Superman's eardrums. Kal widened his eyes, realising Lois, Jimmy and the pilot need him. "Lois", he muttered.
Chopper is falling, nearly hitting the ground. Lois, Jimmy and pilot are about to fall to their deaths. The chopper suddenly stopped falling. Everyone was shook for a brief moment but they are okay.
Lois glanced out of the chopper; Superman carrying the chopper safely down on the ground.
"You ought to be more careful, Ms. Lane", Superman said.
"Oh... if I keep on falling, I know someone who will be there to catch me", Lois said teasingly.
Superman smiled in response. He then snapped out. Reign might reawaken. He flew away.
Lois knows why Superman abruptly left. That Worldkiller. She's dangerous.
Superman returns to where Reign was placed. He thought a chance the Worldkiller may have escaped. Thoughts of potential problems are wronged by descrying the Kryptonian lying there.
Once Kal-El stood by Reign's side, the revelation proves very worse. It should've been a relief for Superman but it goes against his moral personality. He would never be cold. Not even to somebody so powerful it could kill a Kryptonian. Superman looked down with pure horror as Reign's body is drenched with blood. She died. But not murdered by someone. It's as if she has a short time of living. He looks around the area, using x-ray, seeing if anyone is here. Nobody is here; Superman felt sorrow for her that he couldn't be able to save the Worldkiller despite knowing her presence of danger.
Above Earth...
Watchtower
The short visit in Starling National City proved nothing of value except Dinah Lance's motionless body. Her body was taken to Watchtower for J'onn to scan her mind.
Barry and Kara waited, observing J'onn's scan on Black Canary.
"I hear Dinah has always been a lone wolf", Barry said mildly. He looks at Kara.. "It's not out of curiosity. Just... she's... like...".
"Team player doesn't suite as one of her qualities, you mean?", Kara said, looking at Barry, feeling like that's what Allen was trying to say.
"Yeah", Barry said. He turned back, looking at Dinah. He remembered Green Arrow and Black Canary had a relationship. "Once asked Oliver: why Dinah's always like that? And what's going on between them? He kept saying". He imitates Green Arrow's voice to quote what Oliver's line. "things have changed".
"It's really due to unforeseen circumstances, a wedge was driven between them, and they haven't spoken in friendly terms since", Kara said. "Besides, I don't think these two really hated each other. It's more like sparks are weak between them".
"Because of unforeseen circumstances", Barry said, subsequent to seeing Kara nod.
J'onn emerged, appearing before Kara and Barry. "I found her", J'onn addressed.
"Good. Give us the location, and we'll take take her down and make it back in time for dinner", Barry said, ready to lay position to swing his legs.
"I regret to inform you it will be pointless", J'onn addressed. Barry immediately froze, and looked at the him.
"What do you mean 'pointless'?", Barry said.
"I mean in Gotham you won't be able to breach", J'onn said.
"Shit", Barry said, throwing his arm down in little frustration.
Perplexed, Kara asked: "What am I not understanding?".
"There's a force field around Gotham. No one can get through", J'onn explained.
"Oh", Kara replied softly.
"Redfield and Kenobi are already trying to figure a way into there", J'onn proclaimed. "Unfortunately, it's our only possible way getting in Gotham. No other choice".
"Go back to mentioning two people who are what you said they're doing", Kara said. "Did you say Redfield and Kenobi in the sense of Chris Redfield and Obi-Wan Kenobi?".
"You know these people?", J'onn asked curiously.
"Long story", Supergirl said, preferring they talk another time when the crisis is resolved. "Anyway, what are they doing here?". Kara recalls thoughtfully they have galaxies to save.
"Personal reasons", J'onn said.
"Right... Batman", Kara muttered.
"They are our only hope", J'onn said.
"You're sounding very dramatic, J'onn", Supergirl commented.
Sighs, J'onn prepares it; "Batman is there", J'onn disclosed. "in Gotham... where the Joker is".
"What's so bad about that? You're sounding a little more dramatic", Kara commented.
"Oh, you know, Batman and Joker, like Tom and Jerry. Those two around, more violence and destruction", Flash saying for J'onn's reason of sounding a little more dramatic.
"True", Kara said. "But I think Tom and Jerry is the worst example".
"Your opinion", Barry said.
"Opinions aren't facts", Kara said, making Barry know his view is an opinion, not a fact.
J'onn shortly later sees Kara coming toward him.
"I'm sure Batman would beat Joker. Then hopefully so will those Joker copies", Kara said.
J'onn wished he could hope for it, but he has a terrible feeling Kara's prediction is hardly possible.
In the outskirts of Gotham City...
The force field is quite indestructible.
Obi-Wan doubts any spell would work on this force field. There's no method to pave a path inward. Came of concern wasn't stemmed merely from the force field, a tingling rush of curiosity folded Kenobi to see the bigger picture of who really caused it.
The expression on Obi-Wan's face was noticed by Redfield. "Problem?", he asked.
"I prefer another question as substitution 'Who caused the problem?'", Obi-Wan said, looking at Chris. "This Mana, I sense, it's different compared to Napier's and Wayne's Manas".
"What, you think Batman and Joker had nothing to do with barricading the entire city in an indestructible field?", Chris Redfield said in surprise.
"That's precisely what I'm saying", Obi-Wan said. "There's another Anodite who could put up this massive field of Mana, but who?".
This period of time Redfield and Kenobi think the unknown Anodite, it's not known to them the Anodite who constructed this force-field is present way above them, floating. Nothing could escape from Wanda's foresight; the daughter of Bruce Wayne observes those two down there thinking. They've just realised it wasn't Bruce or Joker. She doesn't expect them to fall that easily into wrong thoughts. All that mattered is nobody will stop Batman, her father, from doing what needs to be done.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter focuses on Batman, and obviously the Joker.
I never really stated this: this fanfiction story 'Justice League: The Last Laugh' takes place around the Cadmus Arc in the Justice League: Unlimited TV show, but there are differences, most known is Lex Luthor already as President Luthor. Trying to tie some elements of DC Comics's New Earth timeline with the DCAU timeline, as well as the Arrowverse timeline.