Authors note: There will be a few more chapters up today. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, you guys are awesome! Review x
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the DC Universe.
Chapter 21
The Jokers point of view:
"Its done" The doctor said spitting blood out of his mouth.
His lip was bleeding badly and two of his teeth were broken.
I leapt up from my chair and laughed giddily " finally and it only took…"
I thought for a moment "two weeks! Hahahaha. Ok Doc. It's time to try out my new Joker Venom" I said nearing the doctor, his tired eyes shone with fear.
"But you said you would let me go home, if I helped you" he cried
I laughed manically "I never said...ALIVE!"
I grabbed a one of the small test tubes and poured it over him. Smoke rose up from his face giving the impression of it burning, before his lips began to twitch. They stretched into a large maniac smile, the corners of his mouth ripped and began to bleed, he screamed in pain, clutching his face. Laughter rang in the poor doctors ears as I pulled out your knife and slit his throat, blood splattered across my painted face.
The doctor's lifeless body fell to the floor, his face muscles twitched slightly, the huge grin was hideous.
Perfect.
"Punch! Judy!" I called.
Two of my new and most trusted henchmen ran into the room. "Yeah boss?" Punch said
"Mail this to his wife and kids. Don't forget to gift wrap it" I ordered laughing so hard I had to grip the table with my gloved hands to steady myself.
The two brothers looked at the corpse. Shrugging, Punch grabbed the Doctors hands and Judy grabbed his legs. Lifting him off the floor they hauled him out off the room. I looked at the finished product on the table, test tubes and bottles lay scattered around the table. But in the centre lay five bombs each containing huge doses of Joker Venom. The doctor did a good job of creating more of the venom." He even managed to make it stronger" I thought prodding the switchblade in my pocket "with a little persuasion"
-----
I called in Harley, Ace, Punch and Judy. They all came in and looked at the bombs with curious looks on there faces.
"Its time to put a smile on Gothams miserable face" I declared handing each of them one of the bombs.
"Each of you holds a very powerful bomb containing huge doses of my Joker venom. So don't be messing with-..HARLEY!" I yelled seeing Harley about to press one of the buttons.
She squeaked in shock and looked at me, "sorry sir" she squeaked.
"As I was saying… each of these bombs will be placed around Gotham and if Batman can't get to them in time then Gotham gets a permanent smile" I say.
"Why aren't the rest of the guys here?" Judy asked
"They don't need to here this part. You each will have four of my henchmen with you. When the area has been secured and people are scared to death and all that jazz, take em out" I ordered.
"Sure boss" They all say in unison.
"We leave in half an hour be ready. I have some business to take care of while were out. Ace, your gonna love this" I announced
Her face lit up, "Ava?" she inquired.
I nodded, she squealed happily almost dropping the bomb. I saw Harley's face fall.
"Something wrong Harl?" I asked an evil grin playing on my lips.
"No sir" she muttered staring at the floor.
They all left to get ready, leaving me alone in the room. It was all going perfectly, and it hadn't even begun. Thoughts were rushing through my messed up mind.
What would happen to Ava?
What would happen to me?
NO!
A sudden wave of anger rushed through me and showed in my reflection as I stood in front of the nearby mirror. I swiftly took a step towards it and drew back a fist but stopped.
Ava, why did she make me so mad?
Yet why could I not stop thinking about her?
I slowly lowered my shaking fist and looked at my gloved hands.
I guess what I really thought about Ava was…-
"BOSS! WERE READY!" Punch called.
I groaned in frustration and left the room slamming the door shut behind me.
Grabbing a gun and a clown mask I went outside and saw everyone standing there waiting for me, clown masks all on.
"Ok people. Get into your vans and only stop following us when you get to where you need to go. You five are coming with me, we have a few people to pick up first" I ordered motioning for four masked clowns to get into the van behind me.
Everyone got into the vehicles, engines roared and off we all went. I put on my clown mask.
The wheels of madness were in motion.
I leant my head against the window and closed my eyes clutching the knife in my pocket tightly. The voice of everyone in the van became quieter and seems more distant. I felt myself be pulled into a dream, a dream I had dreamt many a time before;
Dream
A young boy only about the age of ten escaped out of the old dirty house and was about to run to freedom but was called back by his furious father shouting "Jack! Get back here boy! Your gonna get it this time, you little freak! I'll teach you to run away from me!"
The boy named Jack, didn't know what to do, he could either run, get caught and face an even worse beating later or stay and put up with a beating anyway. He turned and walked slowly back to his abusive father, eyes cast down to the floor, tears falling from his dark eyes. "Daddy, please I'm sorry" he pleaded,
but it was no use, his father grabbed him by his curly dirty blonde hair and dragged him inside the house.
Throwing his son into the kitchen, the father grabbed a kitchen knife, ignoring the mothers plea's to stop hurting there only son. He turned to his wife and yelled at her to shut up. She tries takes the knife from him, but he turns the knife on her. She was silenced immediately as he waved the blade in her face. Turning to his son, the father snarled " Why so serious?" the boy shook in fear as his father approached him and knelt down next to his son. " You should smile more. Let's put a smile on that face" He snarled, laughing as he carves a smile into his sons face.
Even though the child would be forever crying on the inside for his lost childhood, it would look like he was forever smiling on the outside.
End of dream
"Joker! Wake up! Where here!" A voice called causing me to awake from the disturbing dream.
Although I couldn't always quiet remember my past. I figured that was a small part of my real childhood considering how many times I had that same dream. I looked around and saw we were outside a block of apartments.
I smirked, "I take it you got the directions, I asked you to get then?"
"Yeah. This is the place" The masked clown said.
Myself and two others got out of the van and entered the building. I panted as I climbed what seemed like an endless spiral of stairs.
----
Finally I found the room we were looking for. Knocking on the door a man answered. He had brown hair, brown eyes and was wearing a police uniform.
" Evening...Matt"
I pushed my way into the small apartment. The place was fairly tidy, few things out of place here and there. I turned to him and smirked, "I believe you know Ava"
He glared at me before saying "I won't let you hurt Ava, she's my friend, and she is an amazing person and doesn't deserve what you do to her"
"Yes your right, she truly is an amazing person. But I think you missed out one tiny detail" I said laughing before kicking him to the floor.
"She's mine" I snarled.
Matt groaned clutching his stomach in pain.
"Boy's go crazy" I ordered the two masked clowns at the door.
They cracked there knuckles and began beating Matt senseless. I laughed as he cried in pain.
"You haven't won the battle for Gothams spirit Joker, not yet" he spat, blood trickling from his mouth.
I knelt down next to him and hissed " Not yet.... but I'm sure as hell gonna put a smile on Gothams face before I'm finished"
Ava's point of view:
I threw my shoe at the cell door, sighing I pulled myself up and retrieved it.
Then I did the same thing again,
and again.
This is called the measure of boredom.
Like a person that can't make there mind up whether their a dog or a human, I would throw the shoe then go and fetch it.
During my two week stay in Gordon's pretty little cell boredom became the only emotion I felt. I wouldn't even rate this cell one star.
Laughing, I threw the shoe again.
After going to fetch it, I put it back on and screamed in frustration " I'm bored !!!"
"Shut up freak!" the guard outside yelled.
"Come and talk to me! I'm bored in here" I called hopefully
"Not a chance. You would probably try and chew my eyes out" he shouted
"I'm not a cannibal, dumbass! But if your nice and fat, I might just reconsider that considering how bored I am, tell me are you a fat ass? Dumb ass" I asked loudly.
There was no reply, so I burst out laughing.
I wiped a joyful tear away, calming down but still let a giggle out now and again.
Suddenly a struggle could be heard from outside the door and voices yelling, but then it all went silent…
A loud thud was heard against the door, I heard a rattle of keys and the cell door flung open. The Joker stepped inside the cell, a huge smile on his face.
"Yay! Finally!" I screamed, jumping up.
I skipped up to him and hugged him tightly; he hugged me back and said "Sorry it took so long doll face. I've been busy. But now I'm here-"
I slapped him hard across the face.
"That's for pointing a gun at me and leaving me here for two weeks and this-"
I pressed my lips against his and smiled when I felt him respond. The kiss lingered for a few moments before I pulled away and said "-is for coming back for me"
The Joker smirked, his face then lit up as if remembering something.
"Someone's here to see you, come on don't be shy" he said motion for someone to come into the cell.
Two masked clowns entered, a very beaten and bruised young man struggling in there grasp.
"Matt?" I gasped in shock.
He looked up and saw me, "Dawn... I mean Ava are you alright? He hasn't hurt you has he?"
I shook my head.
"No...Matt…Joker...what's going on?" I asked in confusion.
The Joker pulled out his knife and said " Ava how many of your friends have I killed?"
"I don't know why?" I mumbled looking at him.
He let out a loud laugh before saying " cause I'm about to kill another"
He plunged the knife into Matt stomach.
"No! Don't!" I screamed
The Joker turned to me, leaving the knife in Matt's stomach. Knowing that if he took it out he would bleed to death.
The Joker grabbed me by the hair and pulled me up, so I was above the ground a little.
"I told you Jinxy, you belong to me! And what do you go and do! You go off and meet this guy! I know about your secret meetings with this Matt " he hissed spitting Matt's name.
I grabbed the Jokers hand, trying to pry off his grip on my hair. But he pushed me against the wall of the cell and snarled "What? Do you love this guy or something? I thought you loved watching people die Jinxy. Why is he any different?"
I stared into the Joker cold eyes.
"Please" I whimpered.
His eyes boar into mine "Why do you keep doing this Jinxy? You're no fun when you do this to me. I hate it! Just let me kill him huh?"
"No. If you kill him, you have to kill me too" I exclaimed firmly.
The Joker stared for what seemed like a lifetime.
"You know I can't do that Jinxy" he said
"And why not?" I murmured
"I'm still trying to work that part out" he muttered before releasing me.
Grabbing my hand, he pulled me out of the cell.
The two masked clowns dropped Matt and silently followed, I heard him calling my name as I was pulled through Gotham police department, I saw the dead bodies of many police officers as I past.
Stepping outside I noticed it was starting to get dark as I was dragged into the back of a van by The Joker. The masked clowns got in and the van started up, everything was silent until the four masked clowns began talking.
-----
The Joker stared at me as I looked out the window. I prayed and hoped that Matt would be ok. I wished that I didn't feel for The Joker the way I did but I couldn't help it.
When I was locked in that cell, I longed to be near him, to see him and kiss him. I wasn't Harley Quinn but since I had began working for The Joker, I had finally realised something.
I was in love The Joker!
I hated how he would beat me within an inch of my life and loathed how he hurt everyone I cared about but after what he told me about his father, I guess I could kind of understand what had driven him to such madness.
That one day that sealed The Jokers fate forever.
The same as that one day that sealed mine.
I shook away my thoughts and saw a construction site nearing.
Why were we going here?
The van stopped and everyone got out.
One of the masked clowns got out a large bomb from the trunk, the rest followed with other gear as we entered the site.
Ace's point of view:
North of Gotham inside an unknown hospital.
I watched as a masked clown fired a few shots into the air.
"Alright people on the ground" he yelled
The people in the room froze and flopped to the ground like fish out of water. They cowered in fear as myself and four masked clowns entered the hospital. I walked around and pointed my gun at random people, chuckling when they backed away.
" Ok, here's how its going down. I want all of you to hand any mobiles or any form of communicate you have over to my friend there" I shouted pointing to the clown who was holding a bag.
"Don't want any of you calling the cops on us now do we? No… exactly so all of you stay right were you are and no one gets hurt" I ordered.
The clown with the bag began searching the terrified people for mobiles.
When everyone was checked, I ordered them all into a large empty room and locked them in.
Those people weren't going anywhere.
"What am I suppose to do with these?" The clown with the bag said.
I didn't answer, just aimed and shot him.
His lifeless body fell to the floor with a thud. The three remaining clowns cleared my path as I processed to the third floor of the hospital, figuring that if I let the bomb of from the centre it would spread around the hospital and out into the streets evenly and quicker.
I peered into a room and saw two children cowering under a bed, shaking helplessly.
"It's alright kids. You'll all be smiling soon enough" I grinned, laughing as I locked them in the room.
I heard their tiny screams for help as I walked away, shoes clicking against the tiled floor.
Harleys point of view:
West Gotham in a huge company office building.
"Why does Mista J prefer her over me?" I whined to one of the masked clowns who were placing fake grenades in the hands of the staff members.
"No idea" he groaned sarcastically
I sighed and asked "do you like me?" to one of the other masked clowns.
"No" he stated aiming his gun at the scared people in the room.
BANG!
I had shot him.
"Good, then I wont mind killing you" I snarled.
"Come on boys" I ordered as I began climbing the many flights off stairs up to second floor, where I had decided to place the bomb.
I knew what was in it and had a gas mask ready so I wasn't afraid of it going of and stretching my face into a creepy smile.
In fact I had even chose the best seat in the house.
On the roof.
I watched with mild interest as two clowns hooked up the bombs.
"What's in this thing?" One clown asked.
BANG!
He was shot.
"Naught. Naughty. Curiosity killed the cat" I teased wagging my finger.
The other clown paused but continued with the bomb "Are you nearly finished?" The masked clown beside to me asked him.
"Yeah I'm done here" he said turning around.
I sensed his fear as he saw the clown aim the gun at him.
BANG!
Another one down.
"Come on" I said but realised the clown wasn't following me up the stairs.
"Is there a problem?" I sweetly inquired
"I'm guessing The Joker told you to kill me too huh? before I set the bomb off?" he snapped
I smiled and stepped seductively towards him.
"Now would I do a thing like that?" I teased pulling up his mask and kissing him hard on the lips. He didn't even realise that I had turn his gun and pressed it against his stomach, I pulled away and said "Nighty Night sucker!"
BANG!
The last of the masked clowns were down.
I ran up the stairs and out onto the roof.
Gotham looked beautiful at night.
The stars were shining brightly and chaos was in the air. It would have been perfect if only Mista J was there with me.
I spoke into the walkie talkie, " Puddin, it's done. Everything is set"
The walkie talkie buzzed and crackled before the gravely voice of The Joker replied "good. Wait for my signal"
"Sure thing Mista J" I squealed
He didn't reply, I sighed sadly before slumping down on the side of the roof.
My feet hung over the edge, I peered over the edge.
It was a long way down.
All I had to do now was wait.
Just wait for The Joker...as usual.
-----
Punch's point of view:
East Gotham, Wayne Enterprise.
I hated being away from my brother, Judy but orders were orders. I thought back to when myself and Judy used to live on the streets pick pocketing for cash.
Now here we were here working for The Joker.
I had to admit it was a pretty cool job; I pulled the bomb out of the bag and placed it carefully on the floor. Two other masked clowns slowly helped me hook everything up.
A few minutes later, " Is it ready?" I asked
"Yeah we just need to-"
BANG!
I didn't give him chance to finish before I shot him, I pointed my gun at the other clown.
"Finish it" I ordered before getting up and pointing my gun at the last clown.
"Is the area clear?" I snapped
He nodded.
BANG!
I shot him, "perfect" I muttered before turning to the last clown.
He was stood up and had is gun aimed at me.
"I take it the Joker told you to shoot me once the bomb was ready?" he said.
"No I just had to take out those three" I lied.
Once his gun was lowered, I shot him in the chest.
Putting my hand into my jacket pocket, I felt around for the detonator. Clasping my fingers around it, I ran up the stairs, keeping my gun pointed at random people nearby.
Judy's point of view:
South Gotham. An empty street in a dark alley way.
I watched as the bomb was slowly taken of the bag and set up. There hands were shaking slightly as if it would go off at any second. I laughed silently the three masked clowns prepared the bomb.
Looking around and checking the street, I saw no one nearby and heard no sound.
Good.
Gotham was quiet.
" Its ready" a masked clown said.
I held my gun up to his face.
Suddenly he was thrown to the ground out cold. A dark figure punch the clown that was nearest to the bomb. His body fell to the floor out cold.
I stared in shock horror.
It was the Batman!
" Its the bat! shoot him" I yelled firing a few shots at him.
I franticly pulled the detonator from my pocket. He kicked me in the face, knocking the detonator from my shaky hands. The Batman stepped on the detonator crushing it. The bomb beeped repeatedly then fell silent.
I drew back my fist but he grabbed it and snarled " Where's the Joker?"
"I don't know! He never told us where he was heading. He just said he was going for some girl then to some construction place" I panicked.
"Ava" I heard him mutter.
Batman threw me to the ground.
This was my chance.
Grabbing the walkie talkie from my pocket I spoke "Joker! We have a problem. Bats is on to us. Watch out"
I picked up my gun and scrambled up.
"I'm so dead" I thought realising, it was too late the Batman had already disappeared and taken the bomb with him.
Ava's point of view:
I looked out over the balcony.
Gotham was silent and it was that same silence that I knew all too well.
They were holding there breath, waiting for something to happen to break this silence, there was never a peaceful night in Gotham and everyone knew it.
Looking around I could see the whole of Gotham from way up here; i saw Wayne Enterprise, Gotham police department, the McKinley offices and even the far off hospital.
Hearing footsteps next to me, I saw The Joker come and stand beside me, clutching the detonator tightly in his hand.
A smile grazed my lips when I heard police sirens in the distance; the silence was broken.
The Bat signal shone brightly in the sky.
Something was wrong.