Chapter 5: Catch A Tiger By His Toe
Bronze Tiger had to admit, this plan was insane. The plan being of course to kidnap The Joker as a bargaining chip against Harley Quinn. Waller had sent him for two reason. One, he was the most likely to bring Joker back alive and second, he was the only one Waller trusted. He never questioned her, he owed her that much. Still, he couldn't help but wonder what it was about Flag that she mistrusted so much. He was a war hero, a celebrated commanding officer. Waller had a bee in her bonnet about wanting Tiger to lead the squad. He was glad they had decided to not let him. Ever since his time with the League of Assassins he wasn't sure about his leadership skills. Having others lives in his hands, even these criminals, scared the shit out of him. He was thinking about all this when the pilot yelled back at him, "Two minutes till the drop!". He put on his parachute and took a deep breath. As soon as he jumped, Ben Turner would be no more. He could only be Bronze Tiger; without mercy or fear. He would hunt for the Joker to the ends of the earth if necessary.
Unknown to Bronze Tiger, Joker had taken up residence in the Iceberg Lounge. Ever since Penguin was sent to Blackgate he was watching over the little waddling bastards club. His guards patrolled the perimeter of the club, with snipers on the roof. Joker was expecting a guest, one Jonathan Crane alias Scarecrow. Crane was running low on compounds to make his fear toxin and ever since Joker had killed all of the other suppliers, he had a corner on the market. Five full crates of the toxin were ready for Crane to come get.
Tiger had been given profiles of all the major criminal gangs in Gotham City. His intel told him that a big transaction between Scarecrow and Joker was under way. Waller had told her to contact someone named Selina Kyle in order to find out more about Joker. He stood on the rooftop, waiting for her. "Not many people can sneak up on me, don't feel too bad", Tiger said.
"Hello there, kitty cat", Selina purred at him, "so you're the Bronze Tiger, hmmm?" she circled around him, looking him up and down.
"That's what they keep telling me", he said, "if you could tell me what I need to know about Joker". He was growing impatient. The longer he stayed here, the more of a chance some unwanted vigilantes would show up. He knew Catwoman kept company with the Batman and he didn't need that problem, not right now.
"Someone is a little tense, aren't they? Listen kitty cat, I'll tell you all about The Joker under one condition", she held up one finger and motioned for him to come closer. He moved in close and she whispered into his ear, "I get to tag along to take out the clown".
"No, no way", he said, "I don't need any civilians tagging along on this, screwing things up". She laughed and took a step back gesturing to her outfit.
"Do I look like a civilian to you?", she moved in close to him, "I promise I'll behave kitty cat. Cross my heart and hope to die".
"Fine but just stay out of my way", Tiger said.
"No promises Kitty cat", Selina purred. She turned around and Tiger looked her up and down. Jesus Christ, this is gonna be hard he thought.
Scarecrow skulked into the Iceberg Lounge with his two bodyguards at his side. Look at that little creep, thought Joker. "Scarecrow, you sulking bastard, how are you?", he asked.
"Do you have my toxin, clown", Scarecrow asked impatiently. He hated the Joker, he hated having to do business with him even more. He loathed his unpredictable nature, it went against his calculating. Even an eminent psychologist like Crane couldn't figure him out and that scared the shit out of Crane. Crane didn't like having the shit scared out of him. "I have a tight schedule to keep".
"Of course, of course. Your schedule of scaring children and getting the shit beaten out of you the Batman on a regular basis. Tight schedule indeed", Joker cackled madly. Spraying acid from his flower into the guards face, burning it off. The guard screamed and fell to the ground. "Good thing you brought two, eh?", cackling again he led Scarecrow to the crates of toxins. Joker cracked open one of the crates and handed Scarecrow one of the vials. He loaded into the wrist mounted sprayer. Time for a field test, Crane thought. He grabbed a Joker thug and sprayed them in the face with the fear gas. The thug dropped to the ground, screaming.
While the deal was going down, Bronze Tiger and Catwoman were scaling the side of the Iceberg Lounge. Two snipers sat on the roof, rifles across their laps. Suddenly they heard a voice behind them. "Hello boys, sleeping on the job?", she purred. The two grabbed their rifles and stood up. Catwomans whip shot out and with a deafening crack the first guards rifle went flying. The second guard felt a tap on the shoulder and turned. Tiger shattered his jaw with a solid right cross. Catwoman rushed the first guard as he went for his rifle on the ground. She drop kicked him in the side of the head and he went limp like a rag doll. She certainly can handle herself, Tiger thought. Tiger picked up one of the rifles.
The thug began to scream and writhe on the ground, while Scarecrow watched and observed the effects. The thug looked up at the roof screaming about a tiger. Interesting side effect, Crane pondered. Curiosity struck him and he looked up to the glass domed ceiling. He gasped when he saw Catwoman and some other vigilante aiming rifles at the ceiling. "Joker, get down!", Crane screamed. He dove behind the crates as Jokers men opened fire. Two high powered rifle shots rang and the glass shattered. Rifle shots rang out, one after another and Jokers thugs dropped. Finally all the shooting stopped and Crane crawled out of his hiding. Smoke was everywhere and he was crawling on the ground. He saw Tiger and went to spray him with toxin. Tiger spun and broke Cranes arm with a sharp snap. Crane screamed and Joker rolled out from under some debris. "These costumed assholes...dropping shit on me..hugghh!", Joker mumbled to himself until Cat's whip wrapped around his throat. "Well kitty cat looks like we got your prey", Catwoman said. Tiger through a bag over his head and knocked him out. "We'll have to work together again some time", she said. She turned around to inspect the damage. When she turned back around Tiger was gone. "Why do they always do that?", she pouted and turned away.
Tiger flagged down the helicopter with his prisoner in tow. It looks like Waller had her wild card now.