Chapter 5

The Sionis Steel Mill had seen better days. Once a flourishing beacon of prosperity it primarily consisted of the Industrial District, Falcone Shipping and Sionis Industries, but former owner of the steel mill Roman Sionis known to many as the notorious Black Mask had Sionis Industries stolen from him shortly after Mayor Sharp had chased Carmine Falcone and his family out of Gotham City. Left powerless due to not having a gang or a base of operations within Arkham City, Black Mask partnered with the Riddler and made his headquarters a warehouse with a freight train. Upon being imprisoned within Arkahm City, the Joker, Harley Quinn, and their seemingly endless gang of clown thugs took over the Industrial District transforming it into a demented amusement park.

The warehouses that had once belonged to Falcone Shipping became storage for the Clown Prince of Crime's arsenal and army. The Steel Mill that had once belonged to Sionis Industries became the Joker's personal headquarters and was later renamed Joker's Funland serving as a base of operations for the Ace of Knaves.

Joker sat in the manager's office of the Steel Mill, feet propped up on the desk, hands clasped before him as he watched a bank of television monitors that displayed images of the outside of the mill. He watched as his men armed with semi-automatic weapons, patrolled the perimeter keeping a lookout for any lawmen or so-called do-gooders in tights. Turning his head to his right, the Joker glanced at the clock sitting on the wall then returned his attention back to the monitors. Smirking, he stayed silent clearly annoyed that Azuri had yet to return and anyone who worked for the Joker knew that tardiness was something he simply did not tolerate.

Harley Quinn had watched the Joker stare at the bank of monitors for the last hour and a sigh of frustration escaped her mouth. Ever since her puddin' had returned he seemed even more obsessive than usual, not just with Batman, but with planning a grandiose scheme to show everyone in Gotham that he was truly back. She had tried to ask him about his plan, but he had remained very hush-hush keeping the details to himself and when they had taken in Azuri off the streets and Joker had discovered her shape-shifting abilities he had made it quite clear that the girl was to do whatever he instructed her to do, no questions asked.

Quinn sauntered over to the desk and stopped, placing a hand on her hip. She glanced at the monitors for a moment then looked at the Joker who was still staring at the monitors. Flattening out some of the wrinkles in her outfit, she slowly climbed on the Joker's lap wrapping her arms around him gently. Joker moved his legs to the floor to better accommodate Harley, but kept his focus on the screens in front of him. Nuzzling up against him, Quinn gave him a smile.

"Hi, sweetie!" she said, sounding rather chipper hoping to get his attention.

Joker continued to watch the monitors, but Harley could see the annoyed expression that came across his face indicating that he was clearly not in the mood for any kind of fun that she might have in mind. Moving closer she nuzzled against him again, still trying to get his attention.

"Mr. J…" she said softly, her voice trailing off a bit.

Turning his head, Joker looked at her and gave a long heavy sigh. He draped his arms around her waist giving a smile.

"Oh, Harley you're the sweetest tool in my box." he said as she reached up and ran a hand down the side of his face, returning the smile and causing him to give a chuckle of delight.

"Puddin…" she said softly, nuzzling up against him. Joker rubbed her back, smiled and returned his attention to the monitors. It had taken almost a half an hour for Azuri to make it back to the steel mill on foot. As she entered the gates of Joker's Funland she took a quick glance at her watch, moved past several of the Joker's armed guards and made her up the staircase to the entrance. Upon entering, she hurried through the loading bay, bounded up another staircase and headed for the mangers office.

Joker's smile widened into a grin as he saw Azuri appear on the monitors and enter the steel mill. He gave Harley a light pat on her bottom and turned his head to look at her.

"I'm afraid our fun will have till wait till later, Harley girl." he said watching as she gave a small, but reluctant nod and climbed off him.

"We've been waiting for you!" The Joker snapped as Azuri entered the manager's office. Joker rose from the dusty leather chair he had sat in and before Azuri could reply or give an explanation, the back of his hand collided with her face knocking her to the ground. Recoiling from the blow, Azuri fell backward and rubbed her face. Harley rushed over to help Azuri. Even though she loved Joker dearly she didn't exactly agree with his rough treatment of the girl since they had taken her in. Turning her head Quinn looked at the Joker.

"N-now puddin' maybe traffic was bad…I mean she's only a little late…" Harley pleaded.

The Joker's right eyebrow arched up a bit and he shot Harley a look, a smirk forming across his lips. "A little late, Harley, Harley, Harley!" he slowly shook his head then said, "We've had this discussion before! We do have a deadline you know…there's this little teensy opening of time, where we can get it and we need her skills…this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, if we miss it tonight, tomorrow will be too late…" The Joker complained.

Harley helped Azuri to her feet and dusted herself off, "Then quit bitching and let's get going 'Mr J.'" she said, in a mocking tone. "Now, you're the one wasting time."

The Joker's expression changed from a smirk to a look of anger. He slowly approached Azuri, pointing a purple gloved index finger at her. "Listen, you sniveling brat!" he began. "You are to do what I tell you. WE took you in, WE offered you this opportunity, WE can put you back on the street and I will not tolerate disrespect by the likes of YOU! The next time you talk down to me I'll have someone break your legs, rip out your lungs and stuff what's left of you over my mantelpiece for display!" he spat the words out like venom. Regaining his composure he straightened his jacket, gave Azuri a grin and patted her gently on the head. "Do we have an understanding?" he asked his demeanor having completely changed.

Azuri gave a slight nod.

"Splendid!" he exclaimed. "You've put a smile in my heart, Zizi."

"Zizi" Azuri shuddered with anger as the Joker called her by the nickname. She utterly despised it. She moved past the Joker, stretched for a moment and in an instant she had completely changed her appearance now clad in a black halter top with a leather jacket, a pair of jeans with some noticeable holes in them and a pair a black low heeled boots to tie the look together. It was a drastic change from the white long-sleeved halter top, red mini skirt and long black boots that she usually wore. Even Azuri's hair color had changed from a blondish-brown to a deep, dark black with a streak of red in the middle. She moved to a mannequin that had Harley Quinn's old mask on it. Grabbing it she placed the mask on her face, completing her transformation.

Placing her hands on her hips, she turned and looked at the Joker giving a smirk.

"Ready? Or are we just going to keep standing around?" Azuri asked rather impatiently.

The Joker gave a smile. "Now, now Zizi," he said, his lips pursing together slightly saying, "Patience." He looked at Harley and gestured toward her to round-up the men. Harley gave Azuri a gentle, reassuring pat on the head then hurried out of the room to gather up the men. Joker watched her for a moment then turned to face Azuri. Bending forward he gave a slight bow, gesturing toward the door.

"After you, my dear." he said, giving a grin. Azuri slowly strolled past him and exited the manager's office the Joker followed close behind, their footsteps echoing as they made their way down the staircase to the lower floor of the landing bay where Harley Quinn and several of the Joker's men were waiting. Quinn pressed a button and two massive doors slowly slid open revealing the outside of the mill where an ice cream truck sat parked, waiting. The Joker, Harley Quinn and Azuri all piled into the front of the truck while his men filed into the back armed with various types of weapons.

Turning the key the engine stalled a few times before finally turning over. Revving the engine a bit, Joker's foot slammed on the accelerator and the ice cream truck exited the gates of the mill and sped off towards the city.