The Joker went to take out his knife, if Zsasc thought he was the only one able to use a blade he had another thing coming. However after several seconds of frantically checking his pockets and feeling about his suit in the dark the Joker suddenly remembered that Batman had thrown his knife away during their previous exploits. Cursing, he tried to squint his eyes in the dark and make out the figure of the crazed scarred man through the one or two strands of sunlight that appeared through cracks in the boarded, blacked out windows that were not layered in grime.
The Scarecrow was in an even worse position, still tied to the table he had no idea where the enemy lay. In fact, thinking about it no one in the room could be considered an ally. He had no doubt that Zsasc or the Joker would not hesitate to kill him thus he reluctantly placed his hope on the Batman succeeded and transporting him back to the safety of Arkham.
Luckily the Batman had the assistance of his gadgets and used his enhanced vision to see Zsasc in the darkness. Lunging towards him he unarmed the killer and thrusted him into the door he had appeared from.
Following the fallen figure the Batman left the two remaining criminals alone in the main room whilst he 'interrogated' the other inmate.
Just as the Joker was about to go through an array of his favourite 'Doctor, Doctor' jokes the lights suddenly flickered on and a dark figure suddenly somersaulted from the balcony above landing right beside them.
For a moment the woman looked shocked however her expression soon past and turned to that of a smirk.
'I knew that I'd be getting two criminals instead of one but admittedly I had not expected to see you quite just yet Joker' she said smoothly, sliding out her sword from its harness.
'You were going to be my last kill but perhaps you showing up now shall work out better, perhaps now he will understand and will put an end to this madness he endures constantly', she continued.
Producing the Scarecrow's mask from a bag she walked over to Crane and placed it on his head, 'Zsasc had asked that it was removed so he could see the pain on your face as he killed you but I would much prefer you died as the criminal you were'.
'Wait a second, Zsasz got himself a girl? Wow, I mean he was the least of all people I expected to get a woman. If you ask me I kinda thought he was…'placing a hand beside his mouth the Joker continued the sentence in a whisper, '…the other way inclined if you get my drift'.
Growling the woman replied, 'Zsasc was merely a means to get two rogues together in one place, I came across him in a back alley of the city and found him cursing the Scarecrow for something he had done that was bound to get him caught and thrown back in Arkham. I offered him assistance saying that I could help him get revenge on Scarecrow and arranged a time and place where Scarecrow would be helplessly waiting for him. I did so, so that when Zsasz appeared I would be able to kill the two of them, in a sense killing two birds with one stone'.
The Joker glanced at the door in which Batman was quietly watching from then back at the female.
'So you must be that robed-guys kid?' he smiled, trying to stall whilst Bats got a gun at the ready to shoot the psycho-bitch, ha who was he kidding, the Bats would probably try and calmly talk her out of it and end up getting them all killed. Whoever said violence never solved anything was a fool.
Ignoring his question, Talia continued, 'By killing you Joker I can put an end to this impossible quest that he is on. Every time he thinks he is finished another criminal appears that needs stopped but you, you are the constant in his life. It's not right, it's not fair. Without you the world would be a better place, lives would be spared and he could have his back meaning that we could have one together'.
'Batsy and ninja-lady up a tree, K I S S I N G, first comes love then comes marriage then comes a batty babe in a golden carriage', the Joker chimed.
Hissing she began to frantically swipe at the clown as he was barely able to avoid the blade, sometimes even getting cut in the process, all the while laughing at the situation he was in.
'Enough!' The Batman shouted, re-appearing from the shadows with an unconscious Zsasc in his hand.
'Beloved', she whispered as the Batman strode towards her.
'Talia, stop this. I won't let you kill these people. I'm taking you down, you already have blood on your hands. Justice must be served. Killing them won't make me stop it will just make me more determined to fight, you can't justify their crimes with ones of your own', he stated.
Placing her hand on his cheek she whispered, 'I can't allow these crazed-killers to be the only thing that matters in your life, you need something else. Someone else'. She placed her lips on his cheek but he slowly pushed her away.
'I don't care what you say, I won't stop until all the scum of Gotham are dead. I know you love me even if you hate me for doing it, I know deep down you'll realise in the end I was right and thank me for what I have done', she answered, fire blazing in her eyes, ready to kill.
Without warning she ran towards the Joker who just in time managed to kick the body of Zsasc in her route sending her falling forwards.
'Bats this crazy woman is trying to kill me. You have an odd view of what's attractive', the Joker stated matter-of-factly.
Choosing not to mention the crazed-murderess on and off girlfriend of the Jokers the Batman instead grabbed Talia and held her firmly in his grasp.
For once his face softened as he tried to plead with Talia to discontinue her task.
Walking over to Scarecrow, the Joker clicked the straps off and turned to look at Batman and his lover. It was then that an unusual emotion struck him, seeing the Batman look so … human. It made him angry. Jealous? He was never able to make the Bats look at him in such a way, not that he ever needed the Dark Knight's sympathy but the intimacy and closeness the two were sharing made his blood boil.
It was then an idea struck him, no longer was he outnumbered. It was two on two. Sure it had been fun but the girl was right, where would Batman be without his fun-loving Joker?
Deciding that the time was right to switch back to his original side the clown whispered something to his on and off companion and began to put his own plans into action.
'Even if I did stop this life, I could never forgive you. The Penguin and Catwoman didn't deserve to die Talia', Batman continued.
'You mean Catwoman didn't deserve to die? Please, I know you and her had something, she was a crook who only ever looked out for herself. She never loved you. Not like I do, you were just a thrill for her', Talia replied venomously.
Just as Batman was about to argue back a familiar sense of unrealism hit him. He saw Talia stagger as the world became imbalanced and chaotic. The walls began to fade, the sky shone through, its fiery red colour shadowed by swarms of bats.
The Batman turned his head to see the source of the madness. The Scarecrow now free from his restraints stood beside the Joker who was laughing wildly, unaffected by the fear.
Talia broke down to her knees screaming, she clawed at the ground yelling at something that only she could see, repeatedly sobbing the word Bruce.
The familiar scene of Bruce's parents flooded the floor, the pain and agony he felt then rushed back into his body.
With the overwhelming emotion and fear that filled the room, Batman also fell to his knees. The two now-victims extremely vulnerable, poised perfectly for the Joker's plan.