Secrets and Punchlines
Back with the boys, they were still in pursuit of the Joker; who seemed to have vanished somehow. But ever the alert ones, Batman and Robin encouraged everyone to be on their guards. After seeing what became of Beast Boy, they refused to let the same fate happen to anyone else.
Then, all of a sudden; they heard Joker's laughter echoing far down the hall and they resumed their chase. In time, they found themselves in another part of the Operating Theatre. Unlike the previous room, this one was outfitted to look like some sort of movie theatre; complete with an already downed film screen.
The whole time Batman, the male Doom Patrol members and the two Titans were keeping watch for Joker. They couldn't help but wonder why the room was outfitted this way. At that moment the sounds of loud intercom feedback noise broke them out of their train of thought.
Not long after that, Joker's voice spoke up through the intercom. "What's wrong, boys; no cheesy hero one-liners, no death threats" he muttered teasingly, "then...perhaps it's time for some home movies; with narration provided by moi." No sooner had he said this, a light suddenly flashed on; causing the heroes to take defensive positions.
It was then that they saw it was nothing more than the glow of a film projector shining its light upon the screen. Not long after that, a black-and-white film reel began to play. In the background, everyone could hear a sort of 1950's style jazz melody playing; which made it feel like a true "home movie."
Little did they suspect that this film was actually the tale of Beast Boy's capture. As it played; someone held up a cue card at the screen screen, one that read "Precious Family Memories" in sloppy paint writing. Once it moved away, the heroes saw Joker's hand gesturing for the camera to get him in view.
Once the cameraman did just that, the Joker soon came into view; who was dressed in a sort of lab coat. Beside him was a table covered with all manner of beakers, test tubes, chemical spills, surgical and repair tools and even a dirty-looking plunger. Why Joker had the last item with him there, Robin chose not to think about it.
"I'll begin with how I peeled back the layers of Green Bean's mind" Joker's voice stated, "seems he had more brains than you Titans gave him credit for. HA-HA!" The next image to appear on the screen was Beast Boy, who appeared strapped tight onto a table. "Oh! He tried to put up a fight, at first" Joker stated, "for such a string bean, he actually gave us all a hard time."
After this, the camera showed Joker standing next to a grill; dressed in a "Kiss the Cook" apron and chef's hat. At first glance, the scene resembled a typical outdoor barbecue. But Cyborg quickly realized that it was anything but that.
Next, after "Home Movies" Joker gave the camera a little wave; he opened the grill and started licking his lips with delight. At first, Robotman prayed that the clown was just going to force-feed Gar some hamburgers. But what Joker brought out instead was a pair of metal clamps, which were attached to long cables.
Said cables were connected to what looked like an old machine, one used for "shock therapy." The heroes watched in anxious horror, as Joker attached the straps to Beast Boy's table. Afterwards, he flipped the switch and the green teen's body lurched painfully; as volts of electricity surged through him.
"You and your friends would've been proud to see him show some strength for a change, Bird Boy" Joker said smugly through the intercom, "but all too soon; the serums, shocks and beatings took their toll on him and the dear lad began to share such delicious secrets with me; secrets that are mine alone to know...Richard." Upon hearing him mention his true name, Robin's fists clenched tightly and his eyes narrowed in anger. Meanwhile, Cyborg was at a loss on what Joker said; wondering who "Richard" was.
"What's wrong, Mr. Stone" the clown chortled, "didn't your great leader ever tell you about this?" Just like Robin; the moment he heard Joker say his real name, Cyborg's whole body tensed up fearfully. This only caused Joker to feel all the more joyous about things.
"It's true, kiddies; I know everything" he said bluntly, "I know of Robo-Man's lil' accident on the racetrack, how Mr. Trainor got his bandages, how your 'great leader,' Dr. Caulder was secretly behind all the 'accidents' the Doom Patrol suffered; I know it all!" The whole time he spoke, the heroes soon found themselves feeling dirty and exposed. The worst of it all was when he brought up Raven and Star's little "secrets."
Robin was just thankful the girls weren't with them to hear all of this. Of course, none of them really blamed Beast Boy for spilling the beans. After witnessing what Joker did to him on the film and what he'd been turned him into, they believed it was a miracle Beast Boy survived it all. "You know what the best part is" Joker inquired suddenly over the intercom, "the cherry on the top was when I got to learn about ol' Brucie."
That was it; the final nail had been driven in the coffin, the final skeleton was let out of the closet. At first, the team seemed oblivious; until Dr. Caulder cleared the air by mentioning the name Bruce Wayne. It was then that the likes of Cyborg, Robotman and Negative Man were able to put all the pieces together.
"Wait...so, Robin; your former partner...is Bruce Wayne" exclaimed the bandaged-faced hero softly, "as in 'Billionaire Playboy,' Bruce Wayne...that's NUTS!" Alas, the Dynamic Duo didn't respond to his outcries; their minds feeling too clouded with hate and resentment to hear him. These thoughts however, were more directed towards Joker; who continued to rub his "victory" in the heroes' collective faces.
"But you know what...I find all this to be rather anticlimactic, in a way" sighed the "Clown Prince of Crime" bitterly, "kind of like after a kid peeks in on his Christmas presents days before the big morning." Rather than question his word choices, the boys remained still as stones; their faces contorted with looks of anger upon them. As if sensing their "confusion," Joker decided to elaborate to them about his "dilemma."
"Truth is; thanks to green bean spilling his guts, I now know the truth" he sighed dejectedly, "behind all your gadgets, powers and...whatever else; you're just a bunch of schlubs either trying to fit in with society or crying for your mommies and daddies." The moment this statement was made, the heroes' anger had already reached its collective boiling point. One more push and they would be poised to go ballistic on someone.
Regardless of this, Joker continued to rub salt into their wounds from above them. "Fact is, all this would seem funny; if it weren't so pathetic" he said smugly, "oh, you know...what the heck; I'll laugh anyway. HA-HA-HA-HA!" As Joker stood in the projection room, laughing mockingly at the heroes; he failed to notice a bat-like shadow soaring towards him.
Within seconds, the Caped Crusader came crashing through the glass window; spilling shards all around the floor. Upon making his landing, Batman then proceeded to beat Joker senselessly around the room; knocking over the projector in the process. Not long after, he held the mad clown up in the air by his shirt and glared daggers at him.
Rather than be intimidated by this, however; Joker only smiled at him while blood tricked down from his bottom lip. "There's no need to be rough, Bats" he choked out mockingly, "if you don't like the movie, I've got slides." Infuriated by the comment, Batman summoned up all the strength he could muster and threw Joker over his shoulder and out the projector window.
The clown bounced and smashed painfully against a wooden display on the stage beneath him, until he landed unceremoniously onto the floor. As he slowly tried to get back onto his feet, Joker felt his throat being crushed by the grip of a thick metal hand. After letting out a cough, he saw that it was Robotman taking hold of him and he did not look happy (despite the emotionless expression on his metal face.)
With a fierce growl in his throat, Robotman lifted Joker off the ground and slammed him up against the wooden stage display. "I'm gonna break you in half, clown" he grumbled viciously, "but not before everyone else here has had their shot first!" Not long after this; Cyborg readied his Sonic Cannon and aimed it at Joker's head, while Robin drew out a sharpened Bird-a-Rang from his belt.
Batman meanwhile, choose to let his fists do the talking and Dr. Caulder readied a laser gun from the left arm of his high-tech wheelchair. But surprisingly (or rather, unsurprisingly) Joker wasn't the least bit afraid of his situation. "Oh! Come now, gents" he chortled, "if you had the guts to do what you're suggesting, you would've done it ages ago; I, on the other hand..."
After distracting the heroes with a little sleight of hand, Joker used one of his hands to squirt acid from out of his flower. Said acid would've almost hit Robotman in the face...or worse, if he hadn't dodged it at the last second. Unfortunately, this also caused him to accidentally release Joker; who proceeded to stab Batman in the leg with a switchblade from his other sleeve.
Once free, Joker proceeded to attack the remaining heroes. He grabbed hold of Robin and threw him against Negative Man, he successfully nailed Cyborg's cannon with his flower's acid; shorting it out and as for the Chief...all he did was comically push him off his wheelchair. "C'mon now" Joker groaned, "I thought I was fighting heroes, not school kids in costumes."
As the heroes desperately tried to recover, they suddenly heard the soft sounds of Beast Boy's crazed laughter echo through the room. After letting out a soft groan, Dr. Caulder saw his former teammate standing over him; the mad smile still plastered on his face. "Garfield...please" he murmured, "snap out of it, this isn't you."
Much to his dismay, Beast Boy's only reply was a fit of mad laughter; which made Joker all the more proud. "You've lost, boys" Joker said cruelly while approaching Batman, "the kid is mine now and the last sounds you will hear will be our laughter; as we leave you all for dead!" After this, he took hold of Batman with one hand and drew out his clownish gun with the other.
"Here ya go, Junior" he said merrily while tossing the weapon into Beast Boy's hands, "take your pick and deliver the final punchline." As the young Titan took hold of the gun's holster, both the Doom Patrol and Titans desperately begged him not to shoot any of them. Alas, their cries went unheard; as the poor boy pulled the trigger.
Much to their relief, the only thing that came out of the gun was a flag bearing the word "BANG" in bold red lettering. But Robin quickly reminded them not to be fooled by Joker's tricks. "Good start, boy" Joker snickered, "now...really let 'em have it!" As Beast Boy stood there with gun in hand, cackling madly; he began shuffling his aim between each of the heroes.
The whole time he did this, everyone could clearly see poor Garfield's face contort into a painful grimace; as if he were trying to force himself not to continue on. "Ee-hee-hee-hee-ny...meeny, miny mo; catch...a t-t-tiger by the...t-t-toe" he murmured between stifled giggles, "if he...h-h-hollers, let him go; eeny...meany...miney...MO!" With that final word, Beast Boy pulled the trigger; causing the "BANG" flag to fire out like a bullet.
Much to the heroes' surprise, however; the flag didn't hit any of them. Instead, it struck Joker straight through his heart; sending him flying backward onto a large prop building block. In that moment, all time seemed to stand still and no one knew what to say or what to think.
Finally, the silence was broken by the sounds of Joker's pained coughs. "Hey...you d-d-damn brat" he muttered, "that's not funny...that's not...fun..." Before he could finish his statement, Joker let out one last painful cough and fell face first on the floor; dead as a mackerel. In that moment, the unimaginable had finally happened; the presumably "invincible" Clown Prince of Crime was finally gone.
Not long after this, Beast Boy fell into an even bigger fit of mad laughter than before. But then, his crazed smile slowly faded away and his laughter soon gave way to loud sobs. Eventually; Beast Boy dropped the gun, fell onto his knees and let all the tears he bottled up flow freely down his cheeks.
After what felt like an eternity of torture at the Joker's hands, all the pain he felt from it all was finally being let out. But the clown's death didn't bring him any joy. Instead, he felt ashamed in himself; feeling as though he betrayed his "hero code" by taking someone's life.
Meanwhile, the heroes watched him in both sadness and sorrow; wishing nothing more than to take the pain away from Beast Boy. Then, at that moment; Elasti-Girl, Raven and Starfire soon arrived. "What's going on" questioned the eldest female impatiently while helping the Chief back into his chair, "what happened here, where's Gar!?"
Without saying a single word, the boys gestured towards the aforementioned teen; whose face was now moist with tears. Upon seeing the gun on the floor before him and Joker lying dead on the other side of the room, everything became clear to Elasti-Girl. Without a moment's hesitation, she rushed over to her adoptive son and cradled him in her arms; while Raven and Star tended to the others.
"Shh...It's okay, baby; it's all over" Rita whispered, "Mommy's here." For what felt like ages, she held Beast Boy close to her; offering only a few kind words and nuzzles to help calm him down. Eventually, the GCPD arrived at the scene and the officers were briefed on everything that transpired.
(Back to Reality)
Outside of the story, Commissioner Gordon's desk was now covered with used tissues; all of which were used by the Titans to dry their tears. Alas, it did little to help calm them; as did recounting the events of the incident. "You already know what happened next, Jim" Batman muttered softly, "the last thing we did was bury Joker's body deep beneath Arkham...which felt rather fitting for him."
Gordon, who was currently rubbing his temples to ease a migraine headache, did everything he could to process the heroes' story. "Gotta say, it's all a lot to take in" he murmured with a deep sigh, "especially the...you know what." It didn't take long for the heroes to understand what Jim was referring to and they all stared at him with stone-cold gazes.
"We've been through so much, Mr. Gordon...you have no idea" Cyborg groaned, "so we're imploring you...please, keep our secrets as that; secrets?" Without missing a beat, Jim smiled warmly at the heroes and gave them a soft nod in reply; silently assuring them he'd keep his word. "There's just one thing that puzzles me" he said suddenly, "whatever happened to your friend, after you saved him?"
That did it; after doing her best to keep in control during the debriefing, this simple question was what finally broke Raven. With her eyes squeezed tight, her fists clenched at her sides and her grayish pale face scarlet with sorrow; she opened her mouth and screamed. She wailed, sobbed and shrieked as loudly as she could; pouring all of her anguish into every yell.
At the same time, this led to Raven's powers activating; which then led to the entire briefing room being encased in a dark aura. Soon; filing cabinets flew every which way, papers were scattered about like snowflakes and Commissioner Gordon's desk was almost slammed through the ceiling. Eventually, Starfire got close enough to grab hold of Raven's shoulders and lightly shake her.
"RAVEN, PLEASE...CALM YOURSELF" she shouted desperately, "I KNOW YOU ARE HURTING, WE ARE AS WELL...BUT ALL THIS DESTRUCTION WILL NOT BRING OUR FRIEND BACK!" For a moment or so, Raven's power continued to surge throughout the room; causing almost everyone to find cover wherever they could. "DO YOU NOT HEAR ME, RAVEN" Starfire shrieked, "NONE OF THIS WILL HELP MAKE THINGS BETTER!"
Just as things seemed to be getting worse; Raven, at last stopped crying and the black aura swiftly faded away. A split-second later, everything that was being thrown about or held up by the aura came crashing to the ground. Not long after this, Raven threw herself into Star's arms and sobbed wildly.
But this wasn't like how she cried before; this time, she was a tad more in control. "I...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" murmured Raven, "I just...why did we have to lose him twice!?" Feeling both confused yet intrigued by this display, Commissioner Gordon cleared his throat and politely asked what brought on the young empath's episode.
"I'm afraid...that's a whole different story, Jim" sighed Robin, "and I warn you; if you thought what Joker did to Beast Boy was nuts, what happened after practically destroyed us."
(First AN: Whooo doggie; just when you've found yourself out of the mess, you're pulled right back in. After what they saw Joker do to Beast Boy; what could've happened next that "destroyed the team," as Robin claimed? Find out next time, as we come to the second to last chapter of Beast Boy's Last Laugh)
(Second AN: For anyone wondering about how Beast Boy knew Batman's true identity, some would imagine that Robin might've shared the information with him; after the Titans team was first formed. As for the Doom Patrol's names; after living and fighting crime with them, he came to know about who they were and what each of their lives used to be.
To make a long story short; if y'all think he was weak to spill the beans the way he did, you haven't paid attention to what BB had been through.)
(Final AN: As I said in the first Author's note, there are two more chapters left in this story. After the next one, there will be an epilogue and it will all be over. I'm sorry in advance, if this fic feels too short to end it so soon.
But bear in mind, this was all based upon the flashback scene from the Batman Beyond movie; which lasts about ten minutes or so. I just hope that, once everything does full circle, you'll all like how it ends. Just thought I'd put that out there, in case anyone had issues.)