A/N: This is the last chapter of the story.
Planet: Earth
The Last Laugh enacted by Joker has shown how dangerous Joker can be when he takes it too far. The crisis he caused was traumatising for everyone on Earth. Even for the heroes who have seen worst kinds before. Joker's was just all nightmares. They all wished the things Joker committed was part of their worst nightmares, never happening in reality. It's the only thing they want. Regardless of trying to forget, the legacy of Joker proves to never be vague.
Watchtower is in repairs following a vigorous attempt to neutralize the supervillains Harley Quinn manipulated to attacking the Justice Leaguers. There's no chance of the Watchtower falling out of orbit or crashing on Earth, not unless somebody makes it happen, or something. The Leaguers hope it won't happen for another billion years.
All those possessed by Harley have been admitted to S.T.A.R. Labs. Thea Queen was among the many used by Harley, she was part of the Queen family so Oliver had set her to a private place for her to be treated. Regarding the billions infected by the Joker toxin, they have been admitted to many labs around the world for treatment.
Wayne Manor, Gotham City
Superman and Batman talk in the Batcave.
"Joker scarred everyone for days. Turning everyone into jokerised versions of him seems scary enough", Superman remarked. The first time he heard of Joker, he was known to many as the killer clown, one of Joker's aliases. "I've never been so frightened at any point since Darkseid".
"Joker was doing it out of desperation", Batman said, spinning his chair around, looking at Superman. "Isn't about looks or power, never underestimate their intelligence".
"How many more private facilities will be constructed without the League's knowledge?", Superman questioned Batman, believing he was to be partly faulted for causing the mess.
Batman lifts himself to a standing position prior to walking toward the Kryptonian. "How many more lies will you spread on my face?", he demanded, brushing off Superman's question.
Superman looks down, unable to respond. Batman is angry at him.
"That's all you have to tell me? Keeping your mouth shut, and I'm forced to dig deeper to the truth?", Batman said angrily.
"It wasn't like that. I was trying to protect you. We all were trying to protect you. The monster you could've become, Claire warned us about the potential darkness inside of you, a seed growing. When Claire died, I thought it would happen", Superman said.
"Monsters are in all of us, Clark", Batman reminded Superman.
"Exactly my point, the scared feeling I'm haunted with, reliving the day Darkseid brainwashed me into attacking Earth. It could never go away. I wasn't prepared to allow my best friend be burdened", said Superman. "In your case, had Dumbledore not intervened, you would've been broken. Gone, and twisted. There have been many times I've seen you do things I'd call insane in other men, but that time...".
Superman turns away from Batman. He seems very haunted, very scared.
"I couldn't let the Joker beat you like that. The Multiverse's future depends on you, Bruce. The prophecy of the Chosen One is too important. If there is no saviour to restore peace to the Multiverse, there is no chance of pure evil ever being ridden", Superman said.
Bruce knew his wife told Superman the prophecy of the Chosen One is believed to be Bruce. Superman is a trusted friend, but can he trust him after discovering the truth? "Tell me, Clark, was stealing my memories done out of friendship, or for intentions maintaining the self-proclaimed Chosen One, me, or was it to protect the world from me?", he asked.
Faced with that question appears difficult all of a sudden. Superman doesn't know why he can't answer it. It's supposed to be easy. He's Bruce's friend, he cares about him, he's like the closest brother to him he'd ever have.
"Admit it, Clark, best intentions. You tampered with my mind", Batman said.
Sighing, Clark rotates around, looking at Batman. "Bruce-", Clark was suddenly interrupted by Bruce.
"You tampered with my mind", Bruce said.
"I admit it was out of good intentions", Clark confessed.
"Nobody had the right to take that from me, Clark. Especially not you", Batman said. He spun around, remembering one other person closest to him. "Not even Alfred should've done without my permission".
"So you fired him", Superman said, recently hearing the news Bruce Wayne dismissed his loyal butler from his job. He didn't have to think about that. He x-rayed the whole mansion: Alfred isn't here anymore.
"As you say it, for 'good intentions'", Batman said.
"Alfred and I were both willing to go as far as to save you from a mistake you would've never come back from", Superman said. He points a finger at Batman. "You are the most brilliant man I have ever met, Bruce. I was not going to let that monster destroy you that way...". He dropped his pointed finer down, dropping his gaze down the floor. "I just wasn't. I'm sorry you don't see it that way". He kicks in his courageous posture, laying his hands wide open. "but if hitting me will help, don't hold back".
Batman walks slowly forward. Reaching Superman, he powers his fist up via Mana, carrying his frustration in that fist, Batman heavily pounds Superman away, causing him to fall away, lying the ground.
His intense punch was fierce Superman has never known any other being would pack a hit like that except Doomsday, Darkseid, Bizarro and fewer others. "Ow, feel... better?", Superman asked.
"What should make you feel better is erasing his memories, father"
Batman and Superman glanced the pitch-blackness. A figure emerges. Shortly after they saw its true colors, they became calm: Wanda, Bruce's daughter.
"No", Batman said.
Wanda exchanged glances with Superman, briefly giving the Kryptonian a death glare, mostly because of hating him for allowing his father's memories to erase.
"But I'm angry", Batman proclaimed.
"Wouldn't you have done the same, Bruce? If it was you in my shoes, even if you knew I'd be angry?", Superman asked.
"We've crossed that scenario before", Batman said. "Maybe you're right. Justice Lords' actions will continue to plague us. A nightmare we can never avoid... because it's a cursed fate... both of us... tested by our arch-enemies".
White House, Washington, D.C.
In office, President Luthor is currently conversing with a General. Lex himself feared the Joker, underestimating what he's capable of. He viewed him as a one of the many dangerous criminals in Gotham. He's underestimated Gotham as much as he underestimated the Dark Knight. It won't happen again. Now that he's recovered from some unknown cure, which he himself desires to find out, Lex is determined to have Joker apprehended or dead. "He couldn't have just disappeared. What'd you think he is... a tangible ghost?!", Lex said.
"Mr. President, there was no sign of him. We've followed every trail, leading up to Gotham City. That's where sources say he was last seen", the General said. "during the toxin outbreak. We've learned Gotham was the only city not spread by the toxin".
"What about his cronies? Have they spilled any information regarding his whereabouts, his hideout?", Lex said.
"We've interrogated them for hours. Since curing them, none have any memory of their affiliations with him", the General answered.
"As long as Joker lives, the entire planet will facing another crisis if he ever shows his face", Lex said. "No stopping until we have the Joker".
"This is the mission objective, sir!", General said.
The two men finally ended communication.
Lex turns away from the desk, looking at the window.
Sounds of door knocking caught Lex's attention. "Come in", President Luthor said, expecting somebody to arrive. "Pete...". Luthor tasks the Vice President what he must do for him.
Luthor never knew who was really behind him. "I'm afraid Mr. Ross has taken a cab back home", a woman said, walking slowly toward the desk.
Astonished it wasn't Pete stepping in, Lex turns around, wondering who set foot in the Oval Office. Lex found it unexpecting he'd meet the red-haired lady sporting a strapless green bathing suit. "Ms. Ivy, I recall", the President said calmly. If he can easily away one dangerous monster, surely he can manage to slip away an eco-terrorist as long as he bestows what she desires.
"Red ain't present in this body", Poison Ivy claims, speaking in high-pitch. She starts to touch herself around while walking toward the President.
"Body?", Luthor starting to realise Poison Ivy isn't really herself. "You're the clown's lapdog". Harley has taken over Poison Ivy.
Harley pulls Poison Ivy's body touching Lex as she caresses Lex with puppy eyes. "That's not a nice thing to see", she said, moaning. She begins moving her lips, bound to stamp it on Lex's lips.
"What do you want?", Lex questioned boldly, using his hands pressed on Ivy's shoulders, pushing her back.
"Straight to business", Harley said, making Ivy's shell leap away from Lex. She gave a seductive smile at Lex. "No need to waste your energy tracking down my puddin. Bats killed him".
This never came anticipated. Lex thought Harley was Joker's enforcer, intent on killing him. He chuckles, glad to hear the man he was hellbent on finding, and tormenting him, has perished. "Oh, why have you not started it with the greatest revelation of the year?", the President said rhetorically. "Makes it all the more reason for my resources to not be wasted".
"Are you done?", Harley said boldly.
President Luthor gestured for her to continue.
"I have a proposition", Harley said.
Lex took a long look at Harley, despite knowing he's staring at Ivy's face. President doesn't see much that'd impress him on Harley other than her inhabiting Ivy's body. "Speaking from someone who was nothing but once a futile accomplice, how can you offer such that would meet my demands?", he said.
"The Justice League", Harley addressed before laying her hand over to Luthor's side. "A disc containing all access to the Watchtower's Binary Fusion Generator".
Lex heard about Binary Fusion Generator, a nuclear weapon previously used by the Justice League during the Dark Heart crisis. Harley has finally given Lex greater interest in the deal between them. With the Binary Fusion Generator in his hands, Lex can easily start a war between the Justice League and the Government. "In exchange for what?", President Luthor inquired.
"Framing Batman", Harley addressed. "...in good time".
Starling National City
Thea wakes up, rammed by a big surprise from two familiar faces: Oliver and Kara. "Oh, geez, how did I get here?", Thea said, groaning. She massages her head, feeling like her head is about to crack. "I feel a little dizzy". She then looked at Kara and Oliver, perceiving this bizarre expression as though they don't recognise her. "You're looking at as though I'm Terminator".
"Are you Thea Queen?", Kara said boldly.
That didn't come expected. "Excuse me?", Thea said in surprise. Does Kara have amnesia, are Kryptonians able to get amnesia?
"Prove us you really are my sister", Oliver said. His arms crossed. He calmly waits for Thea's response.
Thea awkwardly chuckles. "If that's how you wanna play, I won't hold back", she said. "When I was little, I was a fast runner I even beat my older brother every time. Oliver would chase me all the time, to the point he nicknamed me 'Speedy'".
"Okay. You're my sister", Oliver said, exhaling in relief.
"Why, did something go wrong?", Thea asked, worrying something happened that involved her.
Oliver and Kara both chuckled awkwardly.
"Rest well, Thea", Oliver said before moving to Thea's side, kissing her head.
As Oliver parted away from Thea, a doctor came in Thea's room.
"Sorry, is this the wrong time?", the doctor asked.
"No, no, you're arrived on right time. Anything wrong?", Oliver said.
"Uh, yes... uh", the doctor said. He looks down on his clipboard before looking at Thea. The doctor states toward Thea about something dwelling inside.
Shocked to hear, Oliver and Kara looked at Thea. Certainly it was not like she ate poisonous food or drank anything that's poisonous.
Thea shows an feared face, wondering what's inside her. Is this related to her recent blackout.
"Are you saying Thea could...?", Oliver did not want to say as he realised he was asking in front of Thea.
The doctor hands Oliver a clipboard.
Once given, Kara and Oliver read the results. According to here, Thea may possibly be suffering from something that could kill her, much to their horror. What has Harley done to her when she was possessing her?
Tower of Fate
Hawkgirl met with Doctor Fate discussing about the Grundy's clone.
"He has returned to our world after I sent him away", Dr. Fate addressed to Shayera. "There is nothing in my power that can simply put him down. Solomon Grundy's clone has surrounding aura so dark it is beyond my magic".
Doctor Fate's words don't gust a surprising blow over Shayera. The Joker had done it. A smile shaped on Grundy's face shows who brought about the rise of a clone. If she had at least one short moment with that clown, Shayera would show no pity as she would take great pleasure grinding Joker. It pained her to see Grundy, even though it's not him. The stretchy-curled smile on that clone's face gives her nightmares. She really wants to pummel Joker. Unfortunately, Joker hasn't resurfaced.
Metropolis
Clark Kent arrives at hospital in civilian persona, checking on his wife Lois. He's in her room where Lois saw his visit. "Even Lois Lane needs a break", the Kryptonian said, reaching Lois's bed side. He then Lois's death glare. It would've made him stumble away, but he is the one with abilities beyond her.
"Don't press your luck, Smallville, I'll be out of here in under a day", said Lois.
"Come on, Lois. It was a global crisis, everyone has been through enough since...", Clark said before pausing. He didn't want to mention the name.
"Joker's mysterious disappearance", Lois added for Clark.
Clark just looked up at Lois with a look almost like he was unpleasant on hearing it. "He did enough damage to the world. Children are still traumatised over seeing their own parents jokerised, parents seeing their own kids become jokers, vice versa. It's a terrible experience", Superman said.
"Relax, Smallville. Watched over by my dad, I'm sure the kids are very well", said Lois.
"Sam and the boys were worried about you", Clark addressed.
"If I found one thing that's more traumatising than this is Jimmy and me switching bodies with me watching Jimmy play with my... forget it", Lois recalled, subsequently deciding to not talk about it. "You get what I mean".
"Lois", Clark said gently, wanting her to be serious.
She saw Clark isn't joking. "I'm fine", Lois said assuredly. "You don't have to worry about me".
He doubted it. Joker's has caused a lot of damage. Those thoughts repeated over and over again every time he sees, and hears, these people expressing their distaste of the Joker's cause, even expressing their wishes for the Joker's death. It feels like words are spreading from ghosts around him but it's his super-hearing catching the sound of everyone's conversations regarding why Batman end the Joker, or why the Justice League never put him down permanently.
"It's not your fault, you know", Lois said.
"What?", Superman said, confused what Lois is saying.
"You're listening to them, every word. They think it's your fault the Joker caused it", Lois said.
"Who can blame them?", Clark said. He looks over the window. "The League couldn't handle a slippery clown".
"So where is he, the Joker?", Lois asked.
He softly exhaled, turning around to meet Lois's direction. He begins explaining what happened after Diana arrived at Ace Chemicals plant in Gotham.
Flashback ~ Earlier
Gotham City
It can't be too late for them to reach in time. Whatever's happening, they hope Batman isn't killed, or hasn't killed Joker.
Portal materialises in front of Ace Chemicals plant. Diana and Redfield step out. Behind them is Obi-Wan.
"I sense his Mana in this facility", Obi-Wan said, emerging from that portal.
Wonder Woman perceived a hole on the facility. "Hera", she exclaimed, pondering whether or not they're too late.
Redfield, Kenobi and Wonder Woman quickly came inside. Much to their shock, the entire facility inside has shredded into piles. Floors slightly soaked due to the green liquid from all vats laid innocently. Fragments of platforms piled. This fight was way far from being considered a small fight; the fight was intense.
As they search for Batman, they came across a body resting over a fragmented platform.
Diana rushed over there. She flips the body around, coming to perceive a somebody presumably captured by Joker, she thought. "Alfred?", she exclaimed in extreme shock. She laid Alfred's head on her lap.
"Is he okay?", Kenobi said, leaning one knee beside Alfred.
"Unconscious", Diana said. She glances Kenobi. "Go find Bruce".
"You don't have to"
Once hearing that voice, Redfield, Wonder Woman and Kenobi whirled their eyes at the direction of the voice; a shadowy figure emerging. As a few seconds passed, his shadowiness faded, resulting in unveiling his appearance to them.
"Bruce, you're okay", Diana said, glad for Batman.
As Batman closes his little gap with all three, he inadvertently meets Redfield who came to him.
"The Joker?", Redfield enquired on his status.
Batman unfurls his hand off from the cape's blackness, revealing a broken green-colored cowl. "Joker's", Batman addressing who this cowl belonged to.
Cowl is damaged. Would this mean that he's...? "Bruce...", Diana said. "is the Joker...?". She denies the impression Batman would do it.
"He's not dead", Batman said.
Everyone started wondering if they could believe Batman. He does have secrets of his own, but can they believe him, especially considering what the Joker has done to him.
Present Time
Metropolis
"Do you buy his story?", Lois asked.
Clark thought about way before Lois asked it; the time when Diana mentioned what happened at Ace Chemicals. "He's not a killer", he said, refusing to believe Batman has let go of his no-killing rule. "He may struggle but he won't break whatever made him the man he is now".
"Don't be so naïve, Clark. Down that dark world is a beast inside him hiding in the curtains trying to find to break the shackles. Everyone has it, you do too", Lois said. "Now that Bruce knows his wife died, and the League took away his memories, he's not gonna be the same soft Batman you once knew".
It's not the easiest thing to acknowledge but Lois is right. Knowing it from experience, you can't straight away believe somebody appears all-good, and can easily move on from bad stuff. Those stuff can turn someone more violent.
Elsewhere in Earth...
Elevator takes Bruce and Wanda downwards. With the crisis ended, their only focus is meeting the man secured way below Earth's surface.
"Before I confronted Joker, you told me the story needed to change", Bruce recalled, talking to Wanda.
Wanda glanced at her father before turning her face away. "I did", she acknowledged. He started thinking if Bruce was doing it for a personal reason. "Was it out of revenge, or was it to save billions?".
Bruce had nothing of easiness to explain his recent actions. It's more complicated than he had realised. "Wanda...", he said softly, staring blindly at elevator doors, thinking very deep about himself. He sighs. "there's a darkness in me I can't control. After finding out your mother passed, I was so tempted on killing him".
The elevator reached its floor, providing a path for the Waynes to move out as the doors opened.
As they left the elevator, they strolled the corridors, passing by each cell, and each Clone Trooper, Clone Troopers in which are guarding the corridor.
Each cell Wanda perceives houses creatures not originating in this planet. "Ever explained the real reason you have these creatures kept in cages, such as the one in your secret facility?", she asked. "Something you didn't really explain to Superman".
"Plans to add to my contingency plan", Bruce answered.
"Set for who?", Wanda asked.
"Everyone in the planet", Bruce answered.
Wanda astonishes Bruce would put a plan made to put down billions. "I don't see why billions need to be viewed as deadly threats like the superheroes or supervillains", Wanda said.
"They're not threats", Bruce said. "Not yet. But what they turn into becomes a different story". He slightly turns to Wanda. "There comes a time when humans create inhuman monsters. It's not the first time I've encountered those cases".
No words to carry, Wanda only took note of it.
After a long stride covered, the Waynes reached the end; the cell displaying an individual resting in bed, soulless, drained, and frozen, and is monitored by doctors.
Wanda closely inspected the body, which much to her surprise, she perceived the individual who lacks feelings, individuality, and character, is Joker. "He's...", Wanda said, seeing two holes on Joker's forehead. "...lobotomised".
"The only reason why he's caged here", Bruce said. Containing the dark side had Bruce feel some sort of satisfaction, pleasure, as though he's glad the Joker's like this. "Claire wouldn't want me kill him. It goes against my code. But if I let him die by his own fate, the whole planet would've nuked. It's better nobody finds out Joker had linked his head as a trigger for nuclear weapons".
"Will he we be like this forever?", Wanda asked.
"Forever, I do hope", Bruce said coldly, giving a glimpse of his hatred toward Joker, which the latter doesn't realise. A fiery soul of fire fizzing a little in him just as he gazes the long-faced silent clown.
While Bruce and Wanda observed Joker, the Joker being very blank has lost all control over himself, a empty shell with no driven function, the world he could've filled with laughter was reduced by his nemesis. His last laugh became the end of his tyranny.
A/N: Might be planning on making a sequel to this story. It's not a Joker story, but perhaps a plot related to Joker would be included in future chapters of a future story.
This character of this story Wanda's physical appearance is the same as Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff character from the MCU.
This place takes place around a time where it takes elements from the Cadmus crisis from Justice League Unlimited. The continuity of all stories isn't DCAU timeline as the main DCAU Lex Luthor never became president, although his Justice Lord counterpart has. Wanted to do something with the Joker since the show Justice League: Unlimited never featured Joker because of that stupid Bat-Embargo.
I hope you enjoyed the whole story.