Now that the smoke's gone
And the air is all clear
Those who were right there
Got a new kind of fear
You'd fight and you were right
But they were just too strong
They'd stick it in your face
And let you smell what they consider wrong
That's why I say hey man, nice shot…
Good shot man…
That's why I say hey man, nice shot!
What a good shot man!
A man…
Has gun…
Hey man!
Have fun!
NICE SHOT!
- J – H – D -
We had them outnumbered.
Seems to me they had us outgunned.
It was kinda like throwing clown meat into a superhero meat grinder.
Gross as that is…
Cyborg. Smashing anything in his path with those enhancements, conventional bullets bouncing off him like we were using pellet guns. Not to mention his arm was some sort of laser canon that literally blew a dude right through a wall a few moments ago.
Wonder Woman. Don't let her looks fool you. She was probably the scariest of the bunch. A normal human ain't this strong. A normal human ain't this agile. And she could fight… oh hell she could fight. Bringing swords and shields back into fashion in a loud way when I saw her decapitate a bad guy clean.
Batman. Gotham baddies like us are too familiar with the status quo around these parts. We all know what he does. A nightmare in the shadows. A brute hand to hand with more tricks up his sleeve then Penn and Teller combined. The Joker wasn't a stranger to him and Bats knew what he was doing. He always does right?
Arrogant bastard.
That bat's going to get his… trust me.
But right now my target was the one no one could see. The annoying fly that was causing us the most problems and Joker knew it.
"When are you gonna stop trying to hit me and actually hit me fellas?" Flash faded from view, a couple of henchman missing gunfire only to be put on their asses soon after.
Red blur.
Lightin' bolt on the chest mate.
Didn't even see em commin'.
I was reminded of what Unicorn Boy described to me as what got him in Belle Reve in the first place.
Flash…
This one's for you Pinky.
"Oh Floyd, we need you to be the fly swatter and crush this speedy bug. They say ya never miss. Care to step up to the plate my boy?"
I always get the tough targets. That's a given.
"On it. Just keep the heat off me."
Excitement. When you've been as accurate as I have? Shooting the normal old target was boring as shit and I knew this was a tall task.
It don't matter. I'm gonna be the one to tag the Flash tonight.
I leapt up on a table to get a clear view over the battleground, seeing our boys and gals being tossed around and abused by this speed demon and his little League of friends. From time to time I could see Flash pop up like an afterimage, distracting and literally running over anyone that would get in his way. Harley was right to think this was magic of some kind. It felt like the time we tried to battle Enchantress and her teleporting.
Trying to pick up someone with the naked eye that could literally break the sound barrier was not possible… but that's exactly why I don't miss.
Seeing them is only part of the equation. Sometimes none of it.
Flash may be fast as hell. He may be a metahuman.
But the keyword is human.
A human is flawed. A human has habits. A human makes mistakes.
I picked up on his movements whenever he would have to put his breaks on. Right before connecting with one of Joker's goons he'd slow down just enough. He also had a tendency to move to his left to avoid bullet fire rather than right. I also knew when he hit the corners of the room he had to slow down before widening out to pick up speed again unless he wanted to be flat as a pancake against the wall.
Outdoors I'd probably never have a chance hitting him. But in a confined space like this with a lot of bodies and clutter flying around? He's hittable… I could do this… just had to find the right moment. That perfect moment.
Draw bitch.
My wrist aimed, my bullet was launched and I saw it leave in slow motion. I fired at an open area of nothing, knowing that by the time the bullet got there, Flash was going to be running straight through it without a clue. I could almost imagine him mouthing "oh crap" in bullet time when the moment was too late. When there was a chaotic tumble of chairs and tables flying in the air I knew I got him.
A couple of Joker's goons stared at me, ones in a Bart Simpson helmet and the other in a Mario one in particular. I could only guess what their faces looked like. They were spraying bullets all night and couldn't touch him… and I did it in one shot.
I gave them my shrug.
Don't be surprised.
I'm Deadshot mother fucker.
"Hahahaha! Bullseye! Bravo Floyd! Bravo! That's why we brought ya!"
I stalked over to the pile of busted up chairs and tables, seeing a bit a movement underneath. A red glove peeped out from the debris, shoving a snapped off table leg away. Falling and hitting the floor at that speed had to have messed him up. Not to mention I hit him straight in the thigh. This should slow him down for sure.
"Agh, h-how did you hit me?!" Flash grimaced, holding his wounded thigh, looking up at me in disbelief..
"The Force..."
His grimacing face slowly went confused, then perking up like a child on Christmas. Star Wars geek. Called it.
"I knew it was real! I frickin knew it! Agh! Ow!" Flash's excitement only made him aggravate the pain, clutching at the bullet wound.
Weird kid but has a tolerance for pain.
Probably a Jar Jar fan then huh?
"Stay down, play dead, and I won't kill you." I gave him my ultimatum. He was too young to die. Too gifted.
"Wait…" He apparently thought he was hearing things. "You're not gonna try and finish me off?"
"I can shoot you in the head if you want." I gave him the option.
"Huh… I like my head." Flash of course still looked cautious, but just went with it like a go lucky kid would do. How young was he? … Seemed like a novice… new to this hero thing. "N-nice... ugh so lettin' me off eh? Heh. What kind of a bad guy are you then?"
Good question.
A bad guy that used to be a lot better at this probably?
Before another word could be said I felt my chest being constricted, my arms pinned to my sides so tight I couldn't even move. At first glance a golden glow was almost blinding me now. I was caught. I was tied up. A damn rope.
A golden lasso?
"H-hey!" I gasped for air as I felt myself being dragged, skidding across the floor, ripping through busted up ballroom debris. Before I knew it I was looking straight up at a girl that didn't looked too pleased with me.
Remember, the scary one with the sword and shield?
"Don't move." That sword was at my face, inches from piercing my mask. It was kind of hard to move with blade to the face… trust me. I was stuck.
"Damn… note to self… don't get shot… bullet in the leg, totally sucks…" I saw Flash skid across the floor next to his partner, wincing and limping. Was he really limping at Mach 2 speed? The fact that he could even stand was something else… does he heal fast too?
"Go to safety and get treated." Wonder Woman commanded, her stare and sword not leaving me.
"Heh, just a flesh wound ma'am… I can still help out… half my speed is still plenty fast." Flash clutched onto a nearby support pillar as he could barely stand.
"No. Get patched up. We'll take care of things. We can't risk you."
"I'm not gonna abandon you guys."
"That was not a request." Wonder Woman turned angrily. "Go!"
That fight in the kid nosedived.
"Ugh… fine 'mom'." Flash hobbled to a free stand, looking at me now. "Look at least be easy on the guy. He could've killed me but didn't." He was about to take off, but smirked. "And apparently he knows how use the Force! Sweet!"
In the blink of an eye Flash vanished and again there was now only two.
Once again, lucky me…
"Ugh!" I felt all the air leave my lungs again as she sent me careening into a group of Joker's goons, slamming me into another table for good measure. A couple of seconds of Wonder Woman making me into her personal wrecking ball was busting me up bad quick.
Zoe would say she was Miley Cyrusin' me.
"You managed to hit Flash with your weapon. That is impressive… none of us can do that."
"Glad to impress but I don't want to shoot you. Just let me go and we'll let bygones be bygones alright?" I warned her, kicking myself up clumsily by using a wedged table as a base. Trying to pretend you had any leverage when you clearly don't was always the clumsy affair.
Wonder Woman kept that rope tight not giving an inch, giving me a stare down for the ages instead. She could've gave me another swing around but seemed a bit hesitant. Is it my Lawton charm workin' here or what?
"You really don't want to hurt me and you could've killed my friend." She spoke softly for such a warrior. "Why?"
"… Because I didn't need or want to. Not my style lady."
Huh… that was weird. The answers came out as if I had no control over my words at all.
A reply was delayed. Wonder ducked one of Joker's goons swinging a crowbar, sending him careening away with a swift kick to his face. My 'teammate' crashed into another group of masked marauders who were trying to get to her. This girl was taking out groups of clowns in seconds with every battle cry. The new era of war Waller was speaking about was in front of me… Shit, this girl could handle all of us by herself probably.
Totally on Superman's level…
"You're not really with the Joker are you?"
"I guess… not." I gritted my teeth, trying not to speak but failing miserably. "Look, I just want to be home with my kid alright?"
Your kid?
Damn it Floyd… SHUT UP!
I don't talk about family with anyone. Certainly with no stranger and certainly not with the enemy. What the hell is going on here?
Wonder Woman suddenly heaved that gold lasso hard, grabbing me by armored chest plate with ease. She lifted me with one arm… strength for days.
"I know you speak the truth because you don't have a choice right now." Those dark eyes of hers were piercing through mine. "But the choices you made got you here to this moment. Don't continue to down this path. I see it in your eyes. You're not like them. You have a gift… why do you use it this way to hurt innocents?"
**You ain't like me Shot. You ain't like Mistah J neither…**
Do I really do this just get back to Zoe?
Do I do this for the rush and the thrill?
I do it because this is all I know how to do…
"… I'm not here to be preached to." I denied the feelings with a clenched fist. "But if ya care to go out with me to dinner sometime I'll gladly discuss more with ya."
Shit! I did not want to say that either.
I knew what was coming next. You don't ask for dates in war zones. Especially with the enemy. I deserve this. Crash! She gave me a parting sigh, kindly whipping me on my way to another ride to wrecking ball hell.
"Eeeeengh…" I wheezed. Damn it. I'm definitely gonna feel this tomorrow. This was getting old fast. This rope has to go…
"Damn Shot you're gettin' your butt kicked real bad. Need a band aid and a kiss?"
It didn't matter how out of it you were. Harley's voice couldn't ever not be recognized.
I peeped over dazed, seeing the Queen sitting comfortably at one of the few tables left untouched. One of her hands was clutching a bottle of cognac, drinking away a bit too happily, the other holding her phone for yet another one of those Harley selfie sessions.
Why am I not even surprised?
I shot a desperate look back at Wonder Woman, who was in a sword tango with a few more of Joker's men with crowbars. Yes! Finally, a chance to break free.
"Hey Harley! Don't mind me, I'm just trapped with no way to get out!" I yelled out with sarcasm seeping out of my pores, busting out a knife from my belt, trying to desperately saw through this rope.
"Give me a sec, can't let these drinks go to waste." She took another big gulp straight from the bottle, taking another snapshot for kicks. "Yay a keeper! So cute! Totally instagrammin' this one! #Harleyssohot #NightoutwithPuddin #Hahahaha!"
... Ugh.
"Mind giving me a little help here or do you got to tweet next?!" I kept on trying to cut the damn rope but this thing was wearing out my knife. This lasso was made out of mystical diamonds or something. This wasn't going to work.
"Don't worry Shot." Harley carelessly tossed the bottle aside, letting it shatter across the tile floor. "I've been told my aim is way better when I'm totally smashed anyway."
"And who the hell told you that?"
"The voices in my head silly." Harley cartwheeled to a stand so gracefully as always, pointing her revolver straight at Wonder Woman. "Hey Xena warrior princess! Why don't you pick on someone your own hotness?"
Before 'Xena' could say anything Harley was firing away, giggling like the 'cute' maniac she was. No problems though, warrior princess blocked each bullet with a twist of her wrists, those bracelets deflecting them with ease.
"Huh, nice bracelets." Harley huffed disappointed but still gleeful, dropping her gun with a wink. "Pretty and functional."
Wonder Woman didn't seem as amused. "I'm giving one last chance for you both to surrender peacefully."
"Hah! Peacefully? You're funny!" Harley laughed in delight, prancing her way towards Wonder Woman as she picked up her bat. "Ya ain't gonna scare us with the generic good guy talk Wondie."
"Harley! What are you doing?" I tried to stop her but as if she'd ever listen to anyone. Wonder Woman could crinkle her like a French fry.
Any doubts of Harley not being in 'Harley mode' as she put it was done. Crazy, daring… brave. Remember, Wonder Woman was the girl who took on the monster blow for blow that ended Superman's life. And this little clown girl couldn't give a damn. Standing up to Enchantress when all of us were doubting our chances… now this?
Harley was a Wild Card… that's why Waller wanted her so bad.
"Maybe in Narnia, Middle Earth, or wherever the hell you're from you're the queen toots." Harley swung her bat playfully in circles. "But here in Gotham? Mistah J and I rule the roost."
"I'll have mercy on you if you drop your weapon and leave. One last chance." Wonder Woman might as well have yawned. She was treating Harley like she was as insignificant as an ant.
"Mercy huh?"
Harley didn't like that.
Ain't no mercy.
She did that sexy creepy lick lip she always did before getting down to business.
"Tell ya what. Since ya gave me the ole boring peaceful surrender talk why don't I give ya a counter offer bitch." Harley smiled wickedly, now being face to face. "Give me them pretty lips of yours and let's make out. Then you can gather up your friends and scram after I've made your night. You look like you need a little lovin' there grumpy. Whatda ya say?"
Wonder Woman's wide eyed reaction was as shocked as anyone. Did Harley really just say that to someone who could pound her to dust with her bare hands?
"It'll rile up the boys and make ya world famous. Think about it! You can tell all your friends you tounged Harley Quinn the Queen of Gotham… well?"
Only a girl who'd lick the jail cell to get a rise out of her captors would do this. (I wanted to see this go down by the way… just sayin'.)
"… Attack me and see what happens." Wonder Woman was now getting more serious, killing every male's dream in the vicinity.
"Fine, your loss! Battah up!" Harley loaded and swung for the fences with the utmost confidence.
All that bravado was crushed pretty quick though. When your bat breaks into pieces and the person you hit is standing there bored? Yeah, you'd feel a little emaciated too. 'Wondie' didn't feel a damn thing. Harley's frown when looking at the broken handle of her bat was a bit priceless though I got to admit.
"Wow, that so did not go according to plan." Harley turned the frown upside down though, grinning naughtily like a child caught stealing from the cookie jar. "Um… so your hair… its glowin'! It looks so soft! Girl talk! Tell me what kinda conditionah you're using! Eh? What's your secret?"
It wasn't too long after where I saw Harley flying by me, hitting the floor and skidding to a lumbering stop, facedown and in a world of hurt.
"Owie…" Harley wiped her busted up lip.
"Good work Queen of Gotham." I made sure she heard it. "May I suggest Dove or Loreal?"
"Ugh, shut up Shot…"
"What? Not gonna take conditioner advice from a bald dude?"
"Heh, keep laughin' but I ain't done yet…" Harley winced, only to start that crazy clown laugh of hers, holding her mouth to try and muffle it. "Hey Wondie! Nice punch you got there but your boots are untied!"
HA HA HA HA! Was the little toy sounds we heard, a red devil smiley clown face grenade staring a wide eyed Wonder Woman down below. I took cover bracing for an explosion as everyone did. Harley got her…
KABOOM!
All there was, was smoke.
This was vintage Harley Quinn. Using her beauty, her crazy, and that smart mouth to lull you to sleep like a dancing cobra only to strike you with its fangs. I felt the lasso loosen on me, quickly shedding it and rolling into crouch. Damn… Harley really kill her?
"Aw, Wondie… we barely knew thee." Harley effortlessly flipped to her feet, saluting. Ye of little faith. I was worried about her not knowing what she was dealing with. Fact was Wonder Woman also didn't know who she was dealing with.
Harley and Joker are no joke.
"The voices in my head are tellin' me I'm so so bad." Harley gave me hand. "What do you think?"
I turned to the smoke after standing, pressing my targeting computer and sighing at the results. It wasn't going to be this easy. "I think you just made warrior princess angrier and now she's brought a friend."
"What?!"
A red eye glowed inside that smoke cloud, that half man half machine standing there holding his cybernetic arm out that blocked most of the explosion. The grenade probably gave him a couple of scratches but Cyborg was no worse for wear. Behind him was Wonder Woman crouching behind her shield.
"Nice of you to join me." Wonder Woman patted his metal shoulder.
"Someone had to deal with the small fry around the joint." Cyborg looked over to us. "Now's time for the main course."
HAHAHAHA!
Me and Harley heard the laughing echo from high on the second level, seeing a swooping shadow of that cape flying across the ceiling.
"I think Bats is chasing Puddin'. You need to get up there and help him!"
"We're kinda occupied?"
"I can handle these two… with a little help." Harley clapped her hands as her three body guards erupted from the shadows, stepping up to the plate now. I was skeptical. These clowns were big and tough… but Wonder Woman and Cyborg were super human.
"Okay boys, don't forget to drink your juice like puddin' told ya!"
Sweet Tooth, Pennywise, and Jig-Saw appeased their Queen, pulling off their hoods, showing a pair of syringes with tubing they shoved into their necks. With a press of a button green liquid began to empty into them… they were slowly injecting themselves with God knows what. I knew it wasn't Red Bull… but whatever it was it was pumping them up. They seemed to be growing in size, eyes turning a deep green.
What the hell was this shit?
"Alright boys, now go fetch the bitch and her lava lamp." Harley gave them all a snap of a finger, the brutes charging forward like rabid animals.
"I got the two big boys to the left." Cyborg's eye glowed as he took off.
"Careful!" Wonder Woman followed suit a bit more cautiously, leaping up and throwing her boot at Sweet Tooth's face.
Cyborg was expecting to plow through the clowns like a football player tackling a child. He'd been doing it all night. But when they both hoisted him up and bashed him through a wall I could see the brotha being in disbelief under all that concrete. The same with Wonder Woman when Sweet Tooth corralled her by the leg and sent her crashing through the statue of Superman on stage after spinning her like a cyclone.
This stuff… turned them into metaclowns? Maybe she had things under control after all.
"Shot!" Harley pulled me by my arm. "Please go help puddin'!"
"Y-yeah…" I slowly got back into the moment. Harley was way more worried about him then her own safety of course. "I got J. Just be careful alright?"
"When am I not?"
- J – H – D –
I hit the second level, running hard, hearing Joker's cackling echoing through the corridors. The laughing only got louder and louder as I closed in. The corridor opened into a hallway, seeing a bunch of Joker's men laid out on the floor… a lot more hanging and wrapped up in cabling. Signature Batman stuff.
"How many times have we done this before Bats? Never gets old does it?"
Whap! Bam! A few punches to face was all Joker had as a reply, the clown dangling by his one leg caught in one of Batman's traps.
"Hahaha… might have to get new teeth again." Joker spat out some blood, rubbing his platinum grill. "What do ya think this time Batsy? Gold? Metallic green? It'd bring out the colors in my eyes right?"
Batman reared up to punch him again, only to see Joker plummet to the floor before he could unload. He turned back, knowing a gunshot cut through his grappling line. He probably knew it was me too. Not many can hit a cable from about a couple hundred feet away like this.
"You want the clown you go through me." I had Batman at gunpoint.
"Deadshot my boy! Thanks for dropping by!" Joker laughed on the floor. "You should get to know the Bat a bit more. He's such a sweet-"
A kick to the face from Batman silenced him, knocking Joker's lights out as he rolled to the corner groaning. "Thought you were working for Waller now…" The bat calmly stood. "Not much of an upgrade working for the clown."
"There's casual Fridays workin' for him." I closed the distance, my gun scoping that stupid bat mask. "I'd say that's a big upgrade from penitentiary overalls. Don't like the orange."
"Task Force X not working out?"
He knows the ins and outs… and he's snug about it. Douche.
"I'm done talkin' to an oversized rat with wings." I stood strong, tossing my gun away. "Fuck guns. I'm going to mess you up like I did back on the streets. Back in the playgrounds where I spent most of my days."
"You don't want to do this." That modulated voice gave me a warning.
Fuck him.
All this is his fucking fault.
I charged wrecklessly, swinging a right hook that he dodged, then following it up with left straight that he parried. I stepped back to get into boxing stance. This was just like all that time in jail, punching the bag. This is what I was imagining. Heavy on the front leg… keep punches straight, shoulders tight. Don't telegraph.
"Why you working with Joker?" He asked calmly, not paying much attention to my stance.
"Beat an answer out of me." I replied. "Or do I gotta have my daughter here so you can beat a man in front of his kid?"
"Don't put your bad choices on me."
"The only thing I'm putting on you is a beating." I suddenly lashed out smashing him in the face, getting him square in the jaw.
My boxing was top notch and I knew it. I may be known for my marksmanship but I've trained with the best boxers in Gotham. I knew I could hang with him no matter how strong he was. I ripped him to the face again and to the body, messing him up as he tried to defend himself against the wall. It's all combinations, jab, jab, right cross, left liver shot! I had him cornered and I was putting on the pressure. He was hurting… and damn I was feeling good.
Just like the punching bag. Just like practice.
"What's wrong? Ain't so loud and pompous now are ya?"
I reared back for a right cross only to have him grab my wrist, twisting it so hard I felt a crack. I grimaced as he pushed forward suddenly head-butting the daylights out of me. I felt myself rocked, soon seeing that gloved fist bash my head in, sending me tumbling into a stack of metal chairs. Ugh. This dude had some power and I was feeling it.
"Waller just let you walk out of Belle Reve to join Joker?" I felt him getting closer, that black cape dragging along the floor like they really were wings.
I barely heard what he said. My hand was killin' me. My head was aching. I grabbed my wrist, desperately cracking it back in place because I knew it was dislocated. It hurt like hell but I wasn't going to show this bastard any weakness. This ain't gonna end like this. I've waited too long to even the score. I just needed to get feeling back in my hand.
"It's over Deadshot." I felt him grab at my neck… this was it.
I suddenly grabbed one of the steel chairs on the floor and whipped it into his face, smashing it into his eyes. I heard him yell out but didn't let up, swinging it repeatedly at the dark shadow that haunted me for so long. I saw him roll back, blood dripping on the ground. I made him bleed. Shit. I made the boogie man bleed! My confidence was growing. I can take out the bat without the guns I'm known for.
He handled my Ali boxing?
Let's do a little WWE wrestling. If ya smell what 'The Shot' is cookin'.
I brought the chair down again and again, the metal bending and contorting I was hitting him so hard. All the frustrations of Belle Reve… the police taking my nest egg… Waller's control of me… not being able to be with my daughter… working for Joker. All of this was his fault. His… fucking fault.
"You're the reason I can't see her!"
WHAP!
"You're the reason I'm in this fucking mess!"
WHAP!
"Fuck you… and your fucking holier than thou shit!"
WHAP!
I felt the chair snap as it finally gave way, Batman on the floor groaning and spitting out blood from his mouth. I was breathing heavy, feeling the effects of adrenaline wane on me. I had to gather myself again. I couldn't believe I was beating up Batman… I was destroying him.
Or so I thought.
"Is that the best you got?" I heard Batman ask as he looked up at me, messed up face and all.
"H-how… the hell…" I thought I had beaten him half to death. Is he human?
"You can blame me all you want." He slowly stood, wiping his mouth. "You can beat me all you want but it won't change the fact that you messed up your life. Not me." He motioned for me to attack him more with his hand. "Bring it."
I clenched my fist tighter. I remember now this is the dude that stood toe to toe with Superman. The same guy that legend has beat Superman. I didn't give a shit. End him Floyd. You got him.
"I'm going to enjoy this." I ran at him ready to clock him in the face only to have him duck, uppercutting me straight on the chin. I felt my world spin upside down, reeling back as my neck snapped. I grimaced, turning back to not see a thing. How can he do this? How could he still be standing? How can he be whipping my ass?
"You're not like Joker. At least he knows what he is." I heard his voice, spinning and trying to hit him with a backfist but he ducked me.
"Ugh!" I got two shots to the face as a reply sending me falling on my rear, my vision now doubled.
"Own up to your actions Floyd. You choose this road." He preached to me, looking down with those white eyes. "Stay down… you're done."
"Fuck you…" I fought to my feet scowling with all I had left. I charged him now ready to tackle him, only to feel him side step me and send me soaring into the air. Only problem was he was at the edge of the second floor…
This was gonna snap my neck. I felt myself plummet about forty feet down, ready to smash through a table again. I suddenly stopped though, feeling a bit of whiplash run up my spine. I bounced up a bit from the recoil, now only a few feet from hitting the ground face first.
I saw a cable line wrapped around my ankle.
The Bat stopped my fall. And took my dignity with him.
Damn it. He beat me again…
"Fuck…" I aimed at the cabling, firing at it with my wristgun to kill the tool that saved my life but destroyed my worth. After landing in a flip I looked up, seeing no sign of the Bat at all. Crushing my ego. Crushing my swag. And disappearing. Story of my life.
"Hands off me creep!"
I snapped back into action remembering I was in a warzone down here. I heard a young woman yell desperately, being in the clutches of two of Joker's henchman. It was that young red headed girl Barbara from earlier in the night. Commissioner Gordon's kid.
"I said hands off!" I saw her spin kick a goon, sending him reeling across the room, twisting the other one's grasp on her, judo tossing him to floor. Huh, the commish's girl can fight. Really good actually.
"Ugh!" I saw her suddenly get slapped by another henchman, more on their way to subdue her. I saw Barbara getting ganged up on. This wasn't a fair fight. I saw Zoe in her. She was someone's daughter.
Two shots rang out, all four clowns hitting the floor dead as a door nail as I iced them through their heads. Barbara turned towards me as I had my revolver pointed out that way. I'd seen this face quite a lot tonight. Barbara gave me that confused look. I motioned for her to take off, no explanations were needed. It took a few seconds but she nodded taking off in a sprint to probably go help others… probably still not knowing exactly what to think.
Deadshot ain't no hero. No need for acknowledgement.
"Those are the first people you've killed today and they're your men." I felt him behind me.
He always does this shit.
"Keeping tabs?" I turned around and pointed the revolver at him, the chamber right against his masked covered skull.
"We both know you're not going to shoot."
"Stop talking to me like you know me." I loaded a bullet in the chamber with a click. "My daughter isn't here this time remember?"
"Never taking the responsibility for your choices good or bad." The Bat didn't even flinch. "You didn't shoot me because of your choice… not your daughter."
"I got one itchy finger Bat. I'd shut that transformer voice of yours up if I were you."
"I'm standing right here."
My hand shook as I gritted my teeth. I wanted to shoot… right?
"I don't know you Floyd. You're right." Batman's eyes seemed to thin. "But I do know you're a father that cares for his kid."
Zoe, don't bring her into this.
"You won't shoot because you know deep down that people like me. People like my friends are what keeps her safe." His words rang into my ears like he was carving it into my conscience. "We sacrifice everything to keep innocents like your daughter safe… safe from Joker… from Harley… and from you."
From me?
Protect Zoe… from me?
I felt the weight on my shoulder crush me… the reality of the whole thing.
He's right…
Me wanting to be with her… maybe that isn't the best thing for her.
I can't kill people who make Gotham better…
BANG!
I saw Batman grimace as he coiled away, sliding behind a support pillar as he was hit bad with a bullet right to the gut. My bullet was still in the chamber… I didn't pull the trigger.
But he did.
"If Deadshot is having a hard time shootin' ya? I don't mind helpin' him out. Heh-heh-heh." Joker laughed as he blew into his handgun cockily.
I stood there silent, looking as Joker passed me like I was non-existent, staring at the trail of blood left by the bullet wound. It hit Bats good, it wasn't going to take him out but that guy must be hurting bad… that bat armor is the only reason he's alive.
"Aw come on Bat. It's just one bullet. I know you got more fight in you than that." Joker fired more warning shots into the darkened corridor. I saw no movement what so ever. I think Joker had Batman pinned down and hurt.
"It's so strange how time flies." Joker playfully teased as he ran his pistol against his bloodied mouth. "How long you and I've been doing this. As long as I can remember we were both lone wolves weren't we? We don't play nice with others…"
Joker looked at me, smirking too evilly. I don't know if I liked the look of that.
"But times change and you're either the dinosaur that dies or the animal that evolves and lives." Joker fired again at the pillar chipping away concrete. "You've made an impressive group of friends I'll admit but I know it burns you to do it… especially since I disposed of your bird boy right?"
Talking about Robin. Joker digs deep...
"It hurts remembering him doesn't it?" Joker taunted him so good. "But the question is, what is scaring the Bat so much that he's making new friends? You have to wonder." He playfully scratched his chin. "Either way, tit for tat? I'm making friends too Bats… a lot of them… and I'm not going to be the dinosaur that dies…"
The others must have heard the conversation at some point. From my left I could see three behemoth clowns being sent crashing over one by one. The three giants growled, standing up with chain guns and flamethrowers ready to be unleashed. A battle worn Wonder Woman and Cyborg came rushing in after, the two looking like they've been through the ringer with torn up costumes, cuts, and bruises.
These five looked they'd been through hell actually. Heck all of us were worse for wear. Whatever Joker gave these three? I'm thanking the Lord because we'd be toast without it.
"Heyah fellas! This has been so fun!" Harley giggled her way to Joker and I, grabbing us. "How you guys doin'?"
"Never better baby." Joker clutched her around her thin waist, that bloody smile not bothering her the least. "You always look so beautiful after a good ol' fashioned fight doll face."
"Awww…" Harley blushed hugging back, not surprisingly looking the freshest out of anyone here. "You look good too puddin'! Red on the teeth gives your face contrast!"
Say… what?
"Heh, you three look like you've been having a great time too!" Joker more or less ignored the batarang that nearly took his hand off, waving at Harley's bodyguards. "You've been enjoying the little gift of Venom an old friend of mine gave me. Worked like a charm!"
Venom? … Is that the stuff Joker's injecting his men with… where have I heard that before?
"I don't mind finishing them right now Bats, just give me the word." Cyborg's arm formed into that cannon again, a high pitched charge beginning to rise.
I raised my wrist guns ready to return fire only to have Joker grab at my hands. "Now, now everyone calm down the night is just about over. Don't want to spoil a good night right?"
"It ain't over till your behind bars Joker." Cyborg's cybernetics were glowing blue.
"You can try and waste your time trying to catch us if you want." Joker hinted at more. "But it's about time we played a new game shall we?"
New game…? I don't like the sound of this.
"It's called Hide and Seek the Bomb." Joker's animated hands followed his monologue. "I know you all will love this game! Somewhere in this beautiful building I have a bomb that will level this entire facility and possibly the next couple of blocks. You heroes have about… I'd say 5 minutes to disarm it or evacuate this place… time is a tickin'! You're on the clock!"
"You're full of shit." Cyborg accused.
"No he's not." Batman corrected. "He doesn't bluff. We need to move."
If anyone would know Joker it'd be Batman. And even I knew… Joker doesn't bluff. He never bluffs.
"Okay boys and girls. Time for the after party!" Joker laughed in celebration, bolting off with his hoard of guards, the remains of his army following covering him as a barrier between the heroes and Harley and I.
"Damn it." Cyborg pounded his fist "I might be able to detect this thing and disable it if we can narrow the location down. But two blocks of area… shit, I can't do it in five minutes."
"There's no way to cover this building in that time even with Flash." Wonder Woman knew the bleak situation. "We have to evacuate the building and anyone nearby. We have to do it now."
"We can't get everyone out though Diana." Cyborg shook his head defeated. "There's people hurt… people trapped… we'd probably get half the people out at best if the blast is minimized to just the building. Don't know the death toll if the blast goes beyond that."
They both looked to the Bat for the answers.
"Try and help as many as you can but get clear of the area in three minutes." Batman made the tough decision. "We can't save everyone but we do what we can. Move!"
I stood there against the flow of traffic, staring at the heroes disperse, helping as many people as they could. Watching these three stick their necks out for everyone here… the women, the children, the cops… I thought about all of the shit that's been said to me today. By Wonder Woman… by even the Bat himself. I remember saving the world at Midway City… and how good it kind of felt when Zoe looked at me after the fact. There's moments like this where a man needs to step up. To see what he's made of. I can't keep doing this shit…
I can't be the Deadshot of old anymore. I'm not going to blame anyone but me if this building is rubble.
"Shot we gotta go! Come on!" I felt Harley tug at my arm, but I didn't budge. "Did you fuckin' hear me we gotta go! This place is gonna be vaporized!"
"Harley… where's the bomb?"
Harley stared at me shaking her head confused. "What? Why? We gotta-"
"I'm going to go find this bomb and disable it with or without your help."
"S-shot… I…"
"Tell me and take off!" I shook her desperately. "Please! If you know where it is… tell me now!"
She let out a deep breath. "Fuck you're really serious… you'd die here?"
"Dead serious."
She didn't want to believe it but… she was beginning to panic.
"… Fuck fuck! FUCK!" Harley yelled out holding her head. "I… it's hard to remember… Johnny and puddin' were talkin' about it and I was doing my finger nails…"
"Harley please… come on you can remember…"
"I… uh… third… floor… yeah! 3rd floor! Voices in my head say third floor!" She was scratching deep down into her memory for any clues. "Fuck… I can't…" Her eyes went big, grabbing my arm. "Fuck this. I'm going with you. Let's go."
She's… going with me?
The hell?
She'd go out swinging with me? … Really?
"Harley…"
"Shut up we have no time to talk about this. Third floor! I can't remember off the top of my head where… maybe seein' the floor can help me remember okay? Come on… I'm not letting you die here!"
I nodded not saying a word, grabbing her wrist and taking off. There was no time.
- J – H – D –
We crashed through the third floor window as we scaled the building with Harley latched onto me, using my trusty repel system. We bolted into the dimly lit hallway lobby, seeing curves and pathways everywhere to anywhere. There were too many options. And there had to be only 3 minutes left by now.
"Fuck think Harley… think!" Harley hit her head repeatedly, running around the lobby.
"Calm down, just put yourself back into the room with Joker and Johnny. Where did he put the bomb?"
"… I … I …" Harley looked over to doorways, eyes looking dead until the shot wide open. "Security! He paid off a security guy to get the bomb in! It's in one of the security lockers!"
"Security lockers! Check! You're the best doll face!"
I bolted through the security doorway, kicking it down and engaging my targeting machine to analyze the entire locker room. As an assassin, the biggest money missions were targets that knew people were trying to kill them. Traps, bombs, detonators were something I'd become an expert at handling. Finding explosives and killing them was another thing I'm real good at.
Surprised?
I finally saw the explosive in infrared in locker 66, blasting the lock of the door and pulling out an old school looking bomb with a clown face on it. Of course there would be a clown face on it. Of course he would use an older bomb design… this was so Joker.
"… Can ya stop this thing?" Harley gulped.
"Y-yeah… just gotta concentrate." I took out my blade, carefully unscrewing the top, being as calm as can be. I pulled off the clown face to reveal the innards underneath. A digital clock would be easier for me… I had tools to deal with it. This was all old school nuts and bolts shit…
"A-are you playin' Enny meeny miny moe?" She saw me trying to decide between the red and blue wire.
Yes. It's always the damn red or blue wire.
"No I'm not playin enny meeny miny moe…"
"It sure looks like you're playin-"
"Harley… shut it…" I gave a couple of deep breaths knowing this was the moment of truth. This wasn't random but it was an educated guess.
"Shot before you cut it… if we die right now… I just want you to know… I'm glad I'm with you." Harley said it more serious, so unlike her.
"Really?"
"Y-yeah… I ride or die with the group we had back in Midway City… especially you. You made me feel part of the team… like family right away. Without you? I don't know if I make it out alive and be'd back with Mistah J… "She looked at me a little misty eyed. "Thank you."
I didn't know what to say… I could only nod. I hope to God we don't die right now… we have unfinished business here.
"Right back you." I looked up at her with waning confidence I had, already picking my color. "But we ain't going nowhere… cross your fingers."
"I'm crossin' everything."
"Alright…" I let out a breath. "Enny… meeny… miny… moe…"
I cut the red cable…
There was a silence.
There was victory…?
"Oh f-fuck you! You were playing that stupid game!" Harley yelled out, holding her chest, her heart probably wanting to pop out.
"Yeah didn't want to tell you…" I stared at the bomb, seeing the timer blinking at around five seconds left on the red timer. "Nice to see you crossing your fingers though and then some."
She really crossed everything.
Harley blinked, noticing she crossed all her fingers… her legs… her arms… her split hat was even crossed. She giggled to herself, breathing a sigh of relief. "Y-yeah… needed all the luck in the world with that! Hell yes! We're alive! High five partnah!"
I looked at her open palm, staring at it, now remembering that I wasn't exactly told that there was going to be any of this bomb business. I was pissed. I was angry. And she was beginning to feel it as I closed in on her.
"H-hey… don't leave me hangin' Shot."
"Why didn't you or Joker tell me about this shit Harley?"
"I… I… they told me not to say it to anyone." Harley waved her hands. "L-look I didn't remember alright? It's not like I go into this stuff rememberin' the gameplan k?"
I stared at her… knowing that was the truth. She'd improvise everything if she could.
"Joker is going to kill me." I suddenly realized.
"Don't worry. I'll talk to puddin'."
"Yeah he'd totally understand right?" I said it overly enthusiastic. "He'll probably bake me a cake and give me some damn milk right?!"
"Don't gotta go all sarcastic on me." Harley frowned, only to perk up. "Come on! We can handle it together. We make a pretty damn good team."
"Y-yeah… I guess."
Harley just looked at me appreciatively. Both of us exhausted and not really saying a word. She smiled slowly, punching me lightly in the arm. "What's our name again?"
"What name?"
"Our team name!"
"… Uh, Task Force X you mean?"
"No not that lame ass name!" Harley scowled in disapproval. "The one you gave us when Flag was fillin' us in on the mission."
"Oh…" I had to think a bit, remembering when we first got together. "I think I said we're like a Suicide Squad or somethin' like that?"
"Mmhmm. That's who we are and the world will know it soon enough." Harley giggled to herself, approving the name, holding out her hand to me. "Suicide Squad for life k?"
I looked at her still pissed she held out on me. But then again she was ready to end her life helping me. Being at my side. Harley was loyal at the darkest moment. We were in this together. She was one stand up chick. Stay evil doll face I told her awhile back. Heh, isn't that like telling a lion to not become a vegan?
Either way now? She's good in my book. Stay… good Harley.
"Suicide Squad for life." I reached out and grabbed her hand, both of us sharing an appreciative nod.
"Ah fuckin hell…"
Harley's howl of disapproval made me turn quickly, pulling out my gun as she did, seeing four people we did not want to see right now. We both stood pat, pistols ready to fire.
"Looks like they've disarmed the bomb." Cyborg walked up to the device, analyzing it with his futuristic gizmos probably.
"Using your gifts wisely." Wonder Woman smiled approvingly at me. "I knew you had it in you."
"Aw thanks Wondie." Harley smiled hugging herself, bowing.
"Not you." She pointed. "I'm talking to him."
"W-well to hell with you then!" Harley stuck her tongue out. "I helped too you know! Still mad about the grenade thing?"
"Let the adults speak child." Wonder Woman rolled her eyes.
"Why you…" Harley growled, only to have me hold her back.
"Damn dude you really are crappy bad guy." Even Flash made it back apparently, wrapped leg and all giving me the thumbs up. "You're the biggest hero today and you were on Joker's team!"
I lowered my gun, defeated not wanting to say a word to these guys. This day was too long and too confusing. And I got my ass beat too.
"Say Bats where the hell was Sponge Bob square pants?" Flash mentioned it strange. "We could've used him you know?"
"Yeah what was he doing? Having a tea party with the whales singin' Under the Sea?" Cyborg was disassembling the bomb for safety.
Batman didn't seem to pay too much attention to the younger core of his super group he came up to me. "I know you have this in you to do good. Why can't you make the jump?"
"What jump? You and your Super Friends gonna recruit me now because of my saintly act?"
"I sense the good in you too." Wonder Woman pleaded now. "You can help the world a great deal. We could use you."
How desperate are these guys? … I'm an international felon… what is scaring them so bad? Joker was right... they're scared of something.
Whatever... ain't my problem. I got enough of those.
"This ain't no game and I'm tired of being yanked around." I was pissed. "I should've just stayed in my cell and fuckin' served my time."
"Look-"
I walked up to Bats pointing at his chest. "You think you're such an angel going around fucking lives up huh Bat boy? I killed assholes for a living, that's why you put me in jail. Now I'm running around with Joker helping him blow up buildings, hurt innocent people! I thought this was supposed to correct my behavior! You call this justice?"
"No… I call this… Justice." Batman pointed at his group. "We are responsible for our actions and I can't control what Waller did."
"… Yeah that's right. You can't control shit." I smirked. "it's nice to admit it huh? You can throw me in jail all you want but as long as I can hit a bullseye no look? People like Waller or Joker will find a way to use me. It must kill you inside that me and Harley will always find a way to get back out right?"
Batman stood silent.
"You want to recruit my ass so what? So you can control me finally?" I shrugged. "Well sorry… love the team you got there but you know what?" I looked over at Harley. "I got my own squad already… so I ain't a free agent."
"You tell em baby!" Harley held my shoulder, teasingly wiggling in celebration.
"So what are we gonna do now?" I gave Batman my wrists. "Cuff me? I'll be out in about a week anyway… cause I'm useful."
"Yeah Bats… what we gonna do now?" Harley pulled her hands up, showing her wrists as well. "I kinda miss the meat loaf at Belle Reve anyway…"
Batman stared us down, the whole super group looking at one another not knowing what was going to happen. Of course Harley just knows how to make an awkward situation just weirder.
"Ya know I didn't notice this… but I'd so totally ship Wondie and Bats." Harley sighed happily like a romantic, cooing at them both. "God you two would look so cute together!"
All of us looked at Harley blankly.
"Bats needs some light in his life and that girl needs a muscular man to take the rough edges off for sure… Oh so cute!" She giggled, slowly walking over to Batman and Wonder Woman hugging them both across their shoulders. "Oh! And as for what we're all gonna do now? We're all gonna quack!"
"Quack?" Cyborg gave her a look.
As did all of us once again.
"Oh not… quack… Oh I mean duck! Yeah duck!" Harley hit the floor covering her ears.
The words oh shit came out of all our mouths as we all hit the deck, suddenly glass breaking as a pack of helicopters were unloading their entire ammo stash into the convention center. Me and Harley looked at one another on the floor, knowing that this was Joker's ticket to get us free from the Super Friends here.
"Shot come on!" Harley grabbed me, pulling me up.
I looked at the heroes as they fell back, then turned back to Harley. Truth was? Their offer was tempting. I was close to being a hero... but I didn't show it. I didn't have much choice now, running after her as the choppers covered us. Harley showed off her daredevil nature, leaping out and grasping onto the leg of the chopper hanging with one arm. She sat up, securing both legs like a trapeze artist, raising her hands out.
"Jump!"
I didn't hesitate, dashing out and leaping, grabbing onto her arms as the chopper began to rise rapidly. I looked up as Harley was giggling like a school girl as we ascended.
"Tell me Shot, tell me I look better than that Wondie Girl back there."
"… Uh, d-do you want me to tell you the truth or tell you what you want to hear?"
"W-what?" Harley suddenly 'lost grip' with one of her arms, leaving me dangling with not much to hold. I saw the high drop… and did not want to fall.
"Hey! H-harley! STOP MESSING AROUND!"
"Come again?"
"You look better! You look better! JUST PULL ME UP!"
"Remember, you said this." Harley batted her eyes so cutely, grabbing both my hands swinging me around until she flipped me into the safety of the cargo bay.
It was over…
Except I didn't have a chance for any breather as I laid there on my back. Joker was in my face without notice.
This is my life…
"A little tired saving the day Floyd?"
Here we go again...
Sweet Tooth and Pennywise grabbed me by my arms, slamming me hard into the walls of the chopper, probably cracking the back of my helmet in their super drugged up mode. Joker was pacing around, laughing to himself as he gave me a look that I saw back when Griggs was getting waxed. I was fucked.
"What the hell were you thinking back there?" Joker was up in my face, showing his grill to me now. "You disarmed my bomb… you… took my Queen with you? Why?"
"Puddin'! Put him down! I went with him! He didn't force me!"
"Harley, this is not making me feel any better." He turned to her with a sadistic smile. "So are you saying you chose to be with him? If it all went to hell and you would've blown up with him… you would've left me? Hehehe, you're joking with me right babe?"
"I-…I… I… Suicide Squad… for life?" Harley frowned, giggling a little, not really knowing what to say.
"Suicide fucking Squad…" Joker turned back to me scowling. "Is that your cute name for the team Waller assembled?"
"Look… J… I…"
"Shut up Floyd." He pulled knife out suddenly, pressing it to my neck. "I was willing to give you the world and you spat it back at my face. Not only did you almost ruin my plans… ruin my victory… you and Harley… I think have something going on that you're not telling."
"N-no J… we're just friends." I scowled, having just about enough. "Cut the bullshit! I didn't sign up for that bomb business. You held out on me! I put my life on the line to protect you and Harley!"
"And when you disabled that bomb after learning about it with Harley there with you… was that protecting her?" Joker hissed. "Or was that you trying to fulfill something missing in that stupid conscience of yours?"
I didn't know what to say… it didn't matter anyway. Joker was going to do with me whatever he wanted.
"Puddin' please. He just has a soft spot for-"
"You'd die for him Harley! That's what today taught me!" Joker turned to his love. "I think… you'd also live for this man… too…"
"Mistah J… it's not like that."
"Silence my sweet." Joker turned the knife to her, using the blunt end to her lip. "I'm going to think a bit on the chopper ride back… what to do with you… and what to do with Floyd…"
"B-but…"
"Shut up!" Joker growled. "You both almost fucked up everything I worked for! That bomb was the safety net I needed to finish my diversion."
"D-diversion?"
There was something more.
I knew it…
"Oh… right… you think I'm just the crazy clown that does shit cause he feels like it eh?" He walked over to me again laughing. "I'm just the crazy boss that all his little helpers laugh at because he's random as fuck right?"
"… What diversion?"
"I may be crazy… I may do what I want… but remember this Floyd." He suddenly kneed me in the gut, making me gag for air. Fuck! I couldn't even take a breath. "You don't get to where I am being only a nutcase… I know what I'm doing… and when I get done with you tonight… if you're alive? You'll learn this the hard way…"
The goons dropped me as I fell on all fours, gagging for air. He hit me right in the solar plexus. Damn it this hurt… I scowled knowing I needed to man up, slowly getting to my feet the clown army surrounding me to protect Joker from my ass.
"As for you?" Joker touched Harley's chin, stroking it. "You can stay with your best friend there. It seems you want to be with him more anyway dear."
"P-puddin that's not true! I-"
BOOM!
I grimaced as the whole chopper went into panic mode. It was frozen for a second for me though as I saw the bullet exit… it was exiting Harley's back, smashing into the chopper wall.
No… Harley...
I shoved the clowns out of the way, reacting purely on war instinct, my brain calculating the entry wound trajectory. I turned on my targeting computer to see that silhouette… that silhouette that would change everything around here. I fired back at the bastard that sniped Harley… as difficult of a shot it was… I wasn't missing now. Hell no. I hit the sniper right where I wanted to hit him… he wasn't going to get far.
Someone took a shot at Harley Quinn… someone actually took a shot.
"Puddin… I think I'm shot…" Harley gasped for air, laying on the floor, blood coming out of her shoulder as Joker held her.
"No no… you'll be fine… look at me." Joker held her tightly, both of them looking eye to eye.
"Am I going to die…?"
"You won't die unless I let you die…"
"It's so warm…"Harley was losing consciousness, her eyes shutting.
Joker turned to Johnny. "Get her treatment now…"
"Working on it boss." Johnny scrambled as soon the best medics on the chopper were working on Harley, the girl slipping away as time ticked.
It was so strange and heart wrenching seeing someone full of life like Harley motionless and lifeless. It was tripping me out. I couldn't believe what was happening. My heart was sinking. My brain was firing all sorts of emotions. Don't die Harley…
Joker was so calm in all this.
"You hit him." He pushed me.
"I…"
"You returned fire Floyd… you hit the bastard right?" He shoved again.
"Y-yeah… yeah I did."
"And I know you didn't kill him…" Joker's eyes were as determined as I had ever seen. "Bring that mother fucker to me… we're gonna make him pay for what he did to my Queen."
I nodded finally getting on the same page as this psycho. I was getting into Deadshot mode so quick. I was beyond pissed off. This was personal. I leapt out of the chopper sending a grappling hook to a nearby building, landing on the roof with a roll. I took off running with speed I didn't know I had, engaging my targeting computer as I tried to track him down.
I saw that silhouette on the building lower, suddenly leaping off again, clearing about ten feet and ignoring a five hundred foot plummet down to my death if I messed up. I hit the other rooftop pointing my gun, seeing blood drops creating a trail down into the edge of the building. I followed it cautiously, finally pulling up on the fucker that did this to Harley.
"Freeze bitch." I pointed the gun at him.
"Heh… damn… you really are the guy that never misses…" The sniper looked at me blankly, a white fellow with his own bald head, blood running down his mouth. "No scope… shot me at that distance… moving in a chopper… on pure reaction… damn."
"You know me?"
"Of course, every aspiring sniper knows Floyd Lawton." He chuckled, groaning from the shot to the hip I gave him. "What'd you think of my shot though sir? Hit her right where it need to be eh?"
"You son of a bitch, who do you work for?" I growled, closing the distance. "That's the Joker's girl! You fucking crazy? You're a dead man!"
"Heh-heh-heh… I know I'm dead…" He shrugged. "Don't make a difference to me pal."
"Tell me who you work for… NOW!"
"… Fine Floyd…" He smirked weakly, leaning against the building edge. "My name is Will Evans and I work for the Joker…" He suddenly grabbed a clown mask from his belt, tossing it at me. "Johnny gave me that mask and I've been working for good ole Joker for years now. Is that enough info for ya?"
"T-this makes no sense. You worked for the-"
"Bottom line? Clown girl is fucked and anyone she's associated with is fucked…" Will grimaced, feeling his life wane. "That's all that needs to make sense to ya pal. Good luck."
"No!"
A self-induced pistol shot to the head blew a hole through his face, his body going limp and falling off the building and into a doomed plunge. I ran over, seeing that body disappear into the darkness below. I slammed my fist into the barricade knowing that we couldn't interrogate this fuck.
"Shit!" I pressed my radio to try and get in touch with anyone. "Johnny... Joker… how's Harley?! Is she okay?!"
Only radio silence.
"Don't fucking do this to me. How is she?! Anybody?!"
The sounds of a mass of choppers suddenly blew by me, search lights engaged so I had to bail. I hit the deck, rolling into cover, staring at the cop choppers flew over top in a hurry. They weren't looking for anyone here apparently but with the damage done across that block in Gotham? I figured they were looking for survivors to help or straggling Joker goons to pick up.
I peeked over the edge of the building, seeing the destruction Joker laid across the Gotham streets below. The dead bodies… the burning buildings and cars… the damage. I began to slow down and think… All this, that warzone to infiltrate the party… that was just the diversion?
Then it hit me as the ground rumbled. There was an earthquake… shaking pretty damn hard.
Problem was? Earthquakes don't happen in Gotham.
I slowly got up, staring out to distance. Arkham Asylum stood tall on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic sea, miles and miles high like an impenetrable fortress for the damned. I saw more groups of choppers and even the Batwing itself fly over me headed that direction. There was something going on over there. This is what we were diverting… keeping Batman and his buddies away from Arkham Asylum.
Wait a minute…
Half of Arkham Asylum was missing… completely gone… along with the bluff that supported it.
What was the Joker doing?
And what would be the cost?
- J – H – D –
[ - Eyes of God Terminal - ]
Login: Amanda Waller
Password: ********
[Arkham Aslyum: Jail Cell 65: Poison Ivy]
EMPTY… ALERT… EMPTY…
[Arkham Asylum: Jail Cell 202: Lex Luthor]
EMPTY… ALERT…. EMPTY
[Task Force X Helmet Cams]
Flag: Keep moving guys! She's on the run!
**A shaky camera on Rick's helmet blurrily shows him and his men running through the tight corridors of Arkham Aslyum with guns pointed ready to fire, alarms ringing and smoke blinding. Suddenly the camera shakes violently as the whole building seems to be falling apart from an earthquake.**
Ames: SHIT BACK UP! GO! GO! GO!
Edwards: FLAG MOVE!
**The camera looks up as the whole entire building seemed like it was splitting apart. The floor cracking beneath as the soldiers ran back where they came from. The soldiers were running as hard as they could but a lot of them were falling underneath, literally plummeting into the ocean below. Others were getting mashed by building debris… rocks crushing them into a pulp.**
Rick: Ames! No!
Ames: Fuck… save yourself Rick! AGH!
**Rick's hands are seen trying to grab at Ames, the soldier falling and plummeting to a drop into the abyss of sharp rocks below.**
Lt. Edwards: FLAG KEEP MOVING! Come on!
**The camera continues to shake as they get up and run… Rick suddenly pushing Edwards forward as he felt the floor give way underneath*
Rick: SHIT!
**Flag's hands could be seen grasping whatever he could find, trying to hold on… suddenly losing grip only to not fall, dangling and looking down at the thousand foot drop to the abyss.*
Croc: Need a lift bro?
**Killer Croc's reptilian eyes glowed in the night vision cam as the camera panned up, pulling Rick onto stable ground as the destruction finally stopped.**
Flag: Thanks… holy shit that was close.
Croc: What the hell is doing this? Half of the asylum is in the sea…
Flag: She… did this.
**The camera pans over as Flag moved his head, looking far out where a bluff used to stand. Floating on a piece of rock hovering was a girl with eyes glowing a bright amber. She smirked as Flag zoomed his camera in, the girl slowly walking away towards the ocean, the earth literally creating a walkway for her as she floated thousands of feet in the air it seemed.**
**loading metahuman database**
Tara Markov
Alias: Terra
[Arkham Asylum: Jail Hall 9]
Tatsu: Digger! DIGGER!
**Katana's camera shakes as she runs into a hallway, seeing dead Gotham Asylum soldiers as well as a platoon of Flags delta team. Dismemberment… decapitation… evisceration… their blood stained the walls of the Asylum now**
Tatsu: Digger! Can you hear me?!
**Katana slowed down as she saw a shape in the distance, running past a sea of dead bodies to find Boomerang in bad shape. Cuts all over… bruises… he was barely alive… but he was alive.**
Boomerang: Run love g-get out of here…
White Haired Girl: Hey, who are you? His girlfriend? Heh, you must be with how pissed you look.
**Katana's blade now was unsheathed, eyeing a white haired girl with an eye patch walking towards them with her own sword. She smirked suddenly, tossing broken boomerangs at the floor.**
**loading metahuman database**
Rose Wilson
Alias: Ravager
Ravager: Heh, he attacked us with boomerangs, what'd ya think was gonna happen? Hey, but seriously you don't mind if I keep this pink unicorn though right? It's so cute!
Tatsu: Surrender now… or I will kill you.
Rose: Whoa, chill anime lady. I didn't hurt your boyfriend. These guys did. Talia! Bane! We got a visitor!
Tatsu: Bane... Talia… it can't be…
**loading metahuman database**
Talia Al Ghul
Bane
[League of Shadows]
Man: They're busy escorting Luthor and Ivy out of the premises Rose.
Rose: Dad, there's this cool chick with a blade here trying to save Crocodile Dundee.
**On camera a glowing eye could be seen in the corridor, slowly coming into view. Tatsu gasped, her sword pointing his direction. Armored from head to toe, a dirty gold on one side, bloodied carbon on the other. One eye shining in the darkness a deep yellow.**
Tatsu: Onihitokuchi…
Onihitokuchi: Heh, I haven't been called that name in a long time. Been awhile since I've been in the far east. But I go by a different name around these parts my dear. You'll learn it soon enough.
**loading metahuman database**
Slade Wilson
Alias: Deathstroke
Deathstroke: That sword. I think it belongs to my friends.
Tatsu: … Stand back… I am warning you.
Boomerang: Please… leave Tatsu…
Tatsu: I will not leave you. We go together dead or alive.
Deathstroke: Heh, so brave. Either way you both work for Waller and Flag now don't you? The Joker and I got a message for them both. And if all goes according to plan, neither of you won't have to say much.
- J – H – D -
Onihitokuchi – one eyed demon, known to kill and eat humans.
