So, as you can tell by the day, I decided to make a two part post and get all of it done in a day. I wanted this chapter to be the best it could, so I took a little extra time with it. I hope you enjoy. Review, my lovelies! I love your opinions!

With Leeland's help, Josephine crossed the hop, skip and jump to the mainland. The evening light bathed her face as she leaned up, inhaling the salty evening. It was the last. It was the final.

She would face him –at long last.

He would pay it. He would.

She fled to the docks, past the familiar trails, the rooftops, the gleaming shingles underfoot as she flew the way. She stabbed her hopes into Joker's playhouse. The resource capped all reasoning and was the only flash of light in the dark. She could end this. It could happen. It could actually happen.

There was a tower, a clock tower, with gargoyles on the edges. Josephine landed on one, scoping out what her plan might be for escape –who would be there, what devices she could use against the son of a bitch. Was Firetongue going to be there? Was Jonathan going to be incapacitated? It all flooded in and out in currents.

"Mistress?" Asked a voice from above. At first, Josephine foolishly thought God was speaking to her, but why would the creator of man address her like a superior? It did seem rather stupid. She craned her head up and to the side, at first seeing no one, but then found herself gazing upon her other man.

"Ink, what brings you here?" she said in a not entirely kind tone. Her face found the way of her path again, discounting the second henchman who never came back. "I thought Batman caught you." She inspected her nails.

"He didn't. I managed…an escape. But, it didn't last for long. I kept running. I used every resource in Gotham to keep hidden…for you, mistress." His voice cracked at the pauses.

"Well, its good that you managed to keep yourself away from the lines of battle. Tell me, what have you done otherwise? Not taken up with another rogue have you, betrayed me to the enemy? Or worse, become an informant for the police?"

"No! No, I wouldn't….do something like that. I haven't even the time. It's just…I had a lot of time to think."

"I don't think I'm going to like hearing this."

"I've thought that I might, leave Gotham, what with this war going on all the time and-"

"And now you've decided to tell me once I've been back?" Josephine forced him to look at her. He was scared of that knife. Scared of finding some blood running down his chest where it would be stuck like a bare bodkin. "Interesting…"

"I don't mean for it to look like I'm giving up on you, I'm not. It's just I…I don't know how to…"

Suddenly, Josephine erupting into a fit of giggles. She was supposed to keep quiet but what the hell? She laughed and laughed. The longevity stretched and terrified the man worse than before. When she had finished, she lay on her back across the gargoyle, arms fixed about her head, staring up at him.

"Can't say I blame you. I was about to do the same."

"What? You were leaving? But you didn't even tell me-"

"-I don't have to tell you anything, you little ingrate." Her voice went sharp, but it settled back into its neutral pose. "Gotham isn't what it used to be."

"Mistress, where is Firetongue? Did he go with you? Is he in Blackgate?"

"No," she darkened, "he's in a far worse place, I imagine. I'm going to get him out. I don't suppose you're going to help me, are you?"

"I would, but I have a person I need to look after. It's about a different matter…"

"I see. You've got a girl haven't you?"

Ink nodded, unable to hide it.

"That's a problem but I suppose I'll have to continue doing this on my own. My own personal crusade."

"What exactly is that? The Joker?"

Josephine tapped her nose. "Now Ink, what would be the fun in telling all the secrets?"

The playhouse was not as she remembered: broken, like a dollhouse one doesn't play with anymore, and unimaginative. The once spray painted brick outside, announcing Joker's territory –was now washed away with the snow and rain. In the coming storm, it would all be gone.

Josephine planned her disguise perfectly. Billy McKean had not shown his face in a while. He would be better than Josephine. She creaked open the door. It might not have been the sharpest idea going in as a known person, but it would mask her for the possible turncoats within. She shut the door.

Immediately, the changes had taken their charge of the vicinity. It smelled rank; shouts heard from all around, preferably towards the back of the hideout. Josephine rubbed the grime over her cheek more. She approached the back door –past the conveyor belts still holding supplies. This was where the warehouse was. Where all the delicious torments lay awake.

Presently, laughter barked from its entrance. Other voices accompanied it, making it stretch on. A scream accompanied.

Josephine pushed the door aside and walked out onto the balcony. The metal bar was icy under her hands. Her eyes flickered between the several men at the bottom of the look-out. There were two flanks of henchmen –both in circus garb. They were the source of the raucous –jumping up and down with some bloodthirsty cries, high fiving each other –even spilling the beer cans in hand. Their target for amusement was Jack at the center.

Josephine's pupils dilated at the sight of him. He was wearing purple and green –her father's trademark. A smirk crossed his face as he held up a knife for all to see. Her farsight was not as good as hoped, but she could make out the weapon as a knife. It bore a resemblance to her own.

"Boys! This is the knife of Josephine Quinzel, daughter of our beloved Joker who had taken it upon herself to leave us in our time of need!" He paused for booing from the drunken assholes.

"Yes! She left and now she is in Arkham Asylum!"

The cheers were overwhelming. Josephine peered closer to the crowd and noticed that there were some who refused to take part in the jeers and laughter. A couple crossed their arms and frowned on the occasion. Jack was wrong. At least there was some loyalty here.

"Yes, that is what you get for betraying the Clown Prince of Crime, gentlemen! A cell in Arkham!"

More cheers and boozing.

"Yes, but there was a reason for her imminent dissatisfaction with the life her father so lovingly gave to her." Some men ooed. Jack smirked. "A man." The men laughed more, cackling as they did. "Yes, but not an ordinary man, no, our Josephine could not be tempted by just a thug off the street. She was tempted by one of our own. Gotham's own –Dr. Jonathan Crane –The Scarecrow!"

There was a short silence before the crippled form of the doctor was slung into the arena to which the turncoats began to slander and spit on him. He was dressed in his Scarecrow uniform –but it was much different. The cloth had been torn into rags, fraying rapidly with each movement he was forced to make. He slouched on his knees and stared up at his tormentor.

"How does it feel, old man, to be cast down so suddenly all because someone in this room is a pedophile? Yes, this is the man whose affections were stolen by the Princess –no longer so –and now kneels before us as a humble servant to me. Isn't that right, Professor?"

Dr. Crane fixed his jaw. "I am no servant."

"Oh, I forgot. He is the God of Terror! The Lord of Despair! Ha ha! You're nothing but a stupid prick, professor!" He kicked the professor in the stomach, causing him to fall over in pain. He slid across the floor, hugging the hurt muscle.

"But, ladies and gentlemen, that's not all we have for you tonight!"

The crowd celebrated.

"Now, Josephine couldn't complete her plot by herself. She needed help –help from the inside." He paused again for the effect. "I have here today, the boy who helped her. The man who lost his heart to her in the process. I reintroduce to you, Fireass!"

Then, Firetongue was slung into the center beside the professor. His clothing had not been altered but had been spray-painted with green joker grins and fire marks. He fell to his knees before Jack.

Jack, leaning close, whispered "It's too late for forgiveness."

Firetongue looked up at him with such a gaze of hatred that Jack immediately backed away with a changed expression. Firetongue kept eye contact as Jack moved away.

"And now!" It went quiet again. "I make the introduction that may not need it but will get it all the same. Gentlemen, loyal henches, clowns and men, I give you, the Joker!"

From the back cargo entrance, the door raised and revealed her father dressed like any day, striding so confident and sparked with the enthusiasm of his workers. But something was different. His expression did not hold the enthusiasm of his fellow cohort. There was a smile, no doubt there always was, but there was something else Josephine wondered about. His eyes were cast down as he walked and only when he stood next to Jack did he look up to the flanks of henchmen cheering his name. Was it regret? Did her father wish she never did what she did?

Then, he cracked one of his famous grins and barked a Joker laugh that would rival any he ever showed Batman.

"Jack ol boy you really showed me some spunk back there!" He slapped his back as a father would a son, but the hand stayed too long and Joker looked away as he said it. He turned his head back as if to wait for something to appear.

"Yes sir, and now that I've showed what I can do, I believe there was something you wanted to say?"

Josephine glared at him from above. No one told Joker what to do, even if it was to remind him of something.

Joker considered the statement but looked up at the balcony where Josephine stood. His eyes wandered but clicked back to her. He would recognize her. After all, he was in on the whole Billy disguise in the beginning. He raised an eyebrow.

"Jack, I think we have an old friend here." He gestured to her. Jack followed his point. "There's a man worth giving a look over, Old Billy. Always someone to filter out the liar and cretins that can sometimes get caught up in the mix."

Josephine held her breath but shook it off. "Ya talking 'bout me, sir?"

"Who else is worth ten of you, Billy boy?"

"Thanks boss."

"Get down here and introduce yourself to the new man."

Josephine walked down the flight of iron stairs to the bottom and crossed the center arena towards the two men. She made a small bow to the Joker but simply stared at Jack.

"Jack, this is Billy McKean," he slapped her back. Josephine couldn't help but feel a strong satisfaction from the touch. "He is my best man."

"Shucks boss, I'm speechless."

She was suddenly glad she had rubbed the grime in more. The dirt covered her pale face.

Jack moved closer to her, staring deeply into her gaze. Then, he laughed, harder than ever. Even Joker was a little put off by the abruptness of it. Jack wiped a tear and made for Josephine, tearing off her cap and holding her by the hair.

"You see?" He yanked her forward. "Even the clown prince can pull one over our eyes. Look who it is, boys! None of other than the bitch herself!"

Brown hair fell before her eyes, revealing her ponytail as it swung to the side. Her body was tossed forward, but Josephine held her ground, refusing to stumble before Jack and her father –the two men she had most quarrel with. Her eyes met Jonathan's –his were a mix of gladness and worry. She wanted to reach out to him, but felt it would just create more chaos. Firetongue nodded to her. She turned toward Jack, who was looking quite pleased with himself, but there was another expression there altogether.

"Ah yes, Josephine, how good it is that you could join us. Or rather, I should say, it really isn't."

"You bastard! You sent me to Arkham!"

"No, I think you did a good job getting there yourself. Isn't the police happy to put away your kind? Did Strange not do his job very well?"

"So it was you who paid him to try to kill me? That's your bad luck. He's dead."

Jack widened his eyes. "That's impossible." His eyes shifted to the Clown Prince. It might not have been the best idea to mention that particular in front of him.

Josephine looked to her father, who was surprisingly quiet. Her eyes pleaded with him. Why was he not saying anything? It was not like him at all to not put in his oar. Say something, father….

Jack turned to Joker. His eyes were quite changed as he ran a hand through his navy hawk. "What are you playing at?" He whispered harshly. Josephine could only hear from her distance. She doubted that the henchman could.

"Why protect her? I'm your heir now! I'm the one in charge!"

"You're not the one in charge until I say it!" Joker slammed Jack to the ground. He landed with a crack. His head sliced the floor, but it was not enough to put him under. He slid slightly and when he halted, and held up a dizzy finger at the Clown Prince.

"You liar! You never expected to make me the next prince!"

"I did, but I can change my mind if I want. It's a free country." Joker shrugged.

"You choose blood over worthiness. Yeah, I see how this was going!"

There was some murmuring amongst the men. They had either frozen with their beer cans or abandoned them altogether –too interested in the present event. They whispered their ideas and plans like conniving rats.

"Shut up all of you, ya losers! You know I pay you!" The noise quieted but did not stop. Joker pulled a gun from his pocket. "The next idiot who talks while I'm talking is going to get a bullet through the brain!"

The noise ceased.

Joker held the gun away but did not part with it. He exchanged glances with Josephine, who did not know what to do with this. Would he stick up for her, yell at her, kill her –forgive her? She felt like kneeling but did not.

"Come here, Josie Girl," said Joker. He held out a hand to her. She stepped forward, eager to get over with whatever had to be gotten over with –death or otherwise. "Josie, you disobeyed me, did you realize that?"

Josephine held strong and nodded, lips pursed.

Joker grabbed her mouth. As she struggled, he pursed her lips together painfully whilst frowning deeply. "Do you understand that? Speak to me when I ask you."

"Ye….essss…."

Joker let her go. "Now, in light of this evening's plans and sudden changes –" he looked to Jack "-things should be going to plan, otherwise. But, Josie here is going to lead us in song."

"What?"

"Josie here's going to answer a question and here it is. Did you betray me, little Josie. Sweet, sweet Josie?"

"I don't know what you mean." She knew very well what he meant but owning up to it and living was another thing. Then again, once he clarified to everyone, she would announce her intentions to leave –forever. No one could stop her then. She could fight the lot of them.

"Did you leave me for the ratty, crazy, old Scarecrow?"

"Ah that….yes, I did."

The henchmen began to murmur again, but a quick gesture from their boss silenced them.

"You mean to say that after all I did for you, raising you, teaching the ways of killing and entertaining Gotham, letting you into my own private plans…." He leaned in closer, "and poisoning your mother….and you decide that all of that isn't good enough for you?"

"Not that. I want to leave the life altogether, father. Just let me do that."

"Never."

He grabbed Josephine by the arm and hoisted her in front of the crowd. "See Josephine Quinzel, my once daughter and heir, she is a traitor and will never again be around to betray anyone ever again!"

The crowd cheered throwing cans all over and opening new ones to spill all over each other. The air was rank with alcohol. A lone call was sounded.

"No!" It was Jonathan. He was restrained immediately.

Joker tossed his daughter behind him, who was caught by two guards. They held tight to her, not allowing any type of movement.

"Let the events go on!"

Some of the masked henchmen came out in their executioner-circus melded costumes. They held a chair in hand. Joker removed his trademark purple coat and left it with one of the sober henchmen. He took the chair.

"Hold him still. I want this to hurt."

The guards went for Jonathan. Firetongue tried to intervene but was pushed down and held against the floor. "You're next, dummy," one growled into his ear.

"No! Please, Daddy, don't!"

The guards seized him as he struggled. Joker raised the chair, hungrily. "This is for taking away my daughter." Smash. The seat of it caught his back. Jonathan slumped under the pain. "This is for ruining my chances of having a blood heir. Smash. The hit went into the side. Crane tried to hold his side, but was held in such a vice grip that it was near impossible just to slump under the next move. "And this is for just being you!" That one went toward the neck.

Josephine lunged towards her father. "Please, no! No more. That's enough!"

Joker didn't stop but raised the chair higher. "Who wants to see the Scarecrow's blood strewn across this floor like a giant Picasso drawing?"

The men danced in anticipation to the beat of the chair contacted various parts of the Scarecrow's body.

Josephine slumped against her jailor. "Please stop," she said pathetically. "It is enough."

"It is enough," a deep voice echoed through the ceiling.

Praise God, thought Josephine.

She felt only she heard it over the slow motion hooting and down. But soon, the figure made him known.

He leapt from the shadows and like the animal he resembled, swooped down and attacked his prey. First, he went for the Joker; the clown was shoved across the room until his cranium met with the cinderblock wall. His skull didn't crack, but there would be sufficient injury to keep him out. Next, the henchmen began to pile onto him. One by one they tried their luck with Gotham's famed Dark Knight only to join their boss in a pile of failure.

In the commotion, Firetongue's holder had abandoned him, leaving him to crawl towards Josephine and "blow away" her own guard. As the unfortunate lay writhing, Firetongue embraced Josephine –if only for a moment. She was glad for it.

When all the men were defeated, Batman approached them.

"Batman, there's something you should –"

But out of the corner of her eye, she saw the forgotten figure of Jack, standing lazily in the corner with a gun pointed. Her eye widened, and before she had time to react, a gunshot was fired.

Her breath caught in her throat as she stood there; waiting for some sign of affliction….but it never came for her. She placed a hand to her stomach and worker its way around her abdomen –all happening in a matter of milliseconds –but there was nothing.

She looked down –everything was so slow. To her horror, one had been wounded.

"No," she whispered, trying to hide the pain she felt as it washed over her. "No, please, no." She knelt down. Firetongue lay there, still breathing, but very hoarse. "No, Firetongue, no, why did you do it? Why did you go and have to do it?"

Jack was still standing over there with a gun in his hands. "Damn, I missed." But it was short lived with a Batarang tossed at his hand and at his head: disarm and knock-out.

He looked up at her. A few tears grazed his cheeks. One of them belonged to her. She held him strongly, unable to let go. She looked up at Batman. "Please, help him." Josephine ran a hand over his abdomen, ad found a hole in his chest, right near his heart. Her hand came back soaked in blood. "No, we can stop the bleeding. He can stop the bleeding. We can do something, just don't-"

There is nothing he can do. There is nothing anyone can do now.

Josephine let her tears fall. "Firetongue, I'm sorry. Please, don't die. I'm sorry for everything I've said to you. I wish I could take it back."

Just when we were on solid ground again.

He smiled. A bit of blood trickled down his chin.

I have to go now. I can feel it.

"No, no, no…" She brushed a bit of blonde hair off his forehead.

It feels like going to sleep. It does not hurt anymore. None of it. I hope that your future will be better. Please don't cry. I did it because I love you. He loves you too. He can take care of you.

He breathed in deeply. His pulse lowered. His eyes closed. His parched mouth swallowed nothing.

Goodbye.

Firetongue the Fire breather was dead.

Josephine pinched her eyes closed. Another tear tricked down and landed on his scarred cheek. She sniffled loudly. Jonathan came up and enclosed her in his arms. She pressed her face to his chest. "Jonathan. Jonathan, he's gone. He's gone."

"Shh, I know." He pat her on the back.

Batman stood off to the side.

"Josephine, what is going on. Give me answers."

The Clown Princess dried up and turned to the Dark Knight. She was fully willing to answer his question, but a sudden thought occurred. It embraced her like a starving hunger for something long interrupted.

"I'm sorry, Dark Knight, but you'll have to excuse me for one moment," she announced in a horrific airy tone.

She put space between her and Jonathan, facing Jack, who was getting up from his last dispatch with some gadgetry. Now was the moment. The time for the vengeance she deserved.

"Jack, you've been nothing but a nuisance in my life since the moment I laid eyes on you."

"Now, let's not get all dramatic…"

"Shut up, you bastard! I don't care what you have to say –not now, not ever. You deserve to die a slow and painful death."

"Josephine, this isn't the way," stated Batman.

Josephine glanced at him for a moment before returning to Jack. "This isn't your battle, Bats."

"It is for as long as I'm concerned."

"But I don't believe I need your help."

"You're getting it whether you like it or not. You're not well, Josephine. You need to go back to Arkham."

"For what? So I can go back and have my brain screwed over while this ass gets away? Never. Now is my chance. Not one officer is going to rob of my chance."

"Vengeance is never the answer."

"Yes, sometimes it is."

"The police will take care of him."

"Yeah, the cops will take care of me, Josie. Don't you worry," chided the weasel.

The former Clown Princess walked toward Batman, eyes fixed intensely upon him. She stopped barely a foot away. Her head cocked to one side. "Do you know what it is to want something beyond yourself? To get away from the life you've always lead and to just…live, for once?"

Batman looked down at her, eyes cold.

"Whether you like it or not. Jack is going to Hell!"

She held something behind her back that the Dark Knight did not catch, but it did smack him upside the head and lead him to unconsciousness.

Then, she whistled.

Nothing happened at first. As always, the night is darkest before the dawn. The silent echo of the whistle crawled over the people in the room. Gooseflesh broke out over Josephine. The anticipation mounted. Then, a rustling of feet pawed at the doors. There was a series of whining and scratching. There was a…laughing….

The double doors burst open to reveal a pack of hyenas charging their way. There must have been twenty of them, all scrambling for a bite to eat. Josephine knew her father. They were starved. Foam spewed over the gums as they fumbled for a prey. They completely disregarded Batman. They went for the one on the ground.

Jack screamed when he saw them coming. He crab legged away from them as best he could; wide eyes of terror afflicted him. No matter what he would do, his fate was sealed. His spotted demons were upon him.

The canines swarmed onto him, ripping him apart –his limbs were eaten away against his cries. Arms first, then legs, and his chest. One went for his face, mauling it until unrecognizable. He was dead within a few minutes of the torture.

Josephine smiled to herself, a great big grin.

"That was for Firetongue," she hissed.

Batman woke up the chorus of sirens outside. He sat up, rubbing the back of his head. What had she hit him with? A rubber chicken with a brick in it? Wouldn't have been the first.

It hit him. He spun around as he got to his feet. Joker? Joker was still unconsciousness where he was left. The boy? He looked in the corner and looked away once he saw. There was nothing left of the clown boy. It was a puddle of mushy meat and blood. Josephine's guard was still there, the wound still noticeable through his hand-me-down clothing. He felt great pity for him. He probably had no family left. He witnessed the great emotion that afflicted Josephine. At least there was one who cared.

And Josephine? There was no sign of her, or the Professor. They were long gone. Perhaps he could pick up a trail. It might be too late. They must have gone a little over an hour ago. There still might be time. Gordon could take care of this and see to the Joker.

Batman started for his car when Oracle beeped in.

Batman?

"Oracle. I took care of the Joker. Josephine is gone. She and Professor Crane have escaped."

Never mind that. I found Robin.

Thank God.

"Where?"

You're not going to believe this, but in Colombia. He was found at a seaport there.

"Was he unmasked?"

No, he's fine, but the chemicals Ivy used on him took a number on him. He's going to be a handful when he gets back –if he gets back.

Batman stood there with a finger still on the communication button. A rock and a hard place, eh? Welcome to his life.

"Oracle, give me the coordinates to Damian. I'll see to him now."