Chapter 6
The Gotham City Police Department was not busy on this particular evening. Other than officers sitting at their desks going over reports, or clacking keys on their computer keyboards things had been relatively quiet. Inside his office Jim Gordon stared out the window, arms folded across his chest lost deeply in thought. Outside the sky was beginning to grey indicating that perhaps a storm was on the horizon. Gordon let out a heavy sigh, glanced at his desk for a moment then returned his attention to the window gazing out at the city. An hour ago the GCPD had received an anonymous tip about a group of men seen at the Gotham Shipyard all wearing clown masks, two women were with them, one was wearing a red and black outfit and her face covered in clown makeup, the other was in casual attire jeans and a black shirt her face covered by a domino mask, but perhaps the most telling info was a man with green hair was also reportedly seen with them, at least that's what it seemed like based on the description that the GCPD had received.
Lieutenant Phillip Merkel a veteran officer of ten years and one of the most reliable men on the force, had told Commissioner Gordon the information personally to which Gordon had thanked him and ordered him to return to his post and to not disturb him further unless it was of vital importance. Gordon's mind had raced ever since he heard the news. Could it possibly be true? Could the anonymous tip have been mistaken? Could the Joker really be alive? These and several other questions had weighed heavily on Jim Gordon's mind for the past half hour and he had been unable to come up with a single damn answer for any of them.
"Jim." a voice broke the silence in the room shaking Gordon from his thoughts. His body tensed a bit and he instinctively moved his hand to his shoulder holster drawing his service revolver. Clutching the weapon tightly, he pivoted on his left heel whirling around and aimed the gun toward the direction he had heard the voice come from seeing nothing in front of him except darkness. He scanned the room for a moment, his gaze moving toward his desk where he saw the shadowy, but familiar silhouette of the Batman's cowl illuminated in the dull glow of his desk lamp. Gordon lowered his revolver and returned it to its holster letting out a sigh.
Batman slowly stepped out of the darkness and into the light. Gordon looked at him, a hand resting gently against his chest. "Damn you!" he said sounding rather angry-looking at Batman, then saying, "One of these days you're going to give me a heart attack." The dark knight watched as Gordon moved behind his desk and took a seat in his leather chair.
"You've heard?" Batman asked, as he moved around to the front of Gordon's desk. Jim Gordon slowly nodded his head in response folded his hands together and placed them under his chin. "I have." he said as his eyes glanced at the memo on his desk before he continued, "But I'm not sure if I believe it." Batman picked up the small piece of paper off the desk and looked at it. Gordon watched him as he looked over the memo, saying, "I mean you were there and I saw you carry his body out of that theater." A sigh escaped Gordon's mouth. "You tell me how he could have survived what happened." Batman sat the paper back down. "Things are never what they seem with the Joker, Jim." Gordon leaned back against his chair hands still folded together, elbows resting against his lap. "Yes, yes. I know that. But you told me that you saw Clayface fall into that pit." Jim Gordon placed his hands on his desk, leaning forward a bit saying, "You told me that you saw the Joker die after he tried to get that cure from you. And if it wasn't Clayface who fell into that pit then who the hell did?" he asked, the question hanging in the air.
"He's going to hit the Gotham Museum." Batman said ignoring the question which Gordon surmised meant he either didn't have an answer, or that he had accepted the truth that the Joker was alive and that his so-called "death" had been nothing more than a ploy. Gordon shot Batman a look, but decided not the press the issue. If there was more to this then he knew his friend would figure it out in time if he hadn't already. "How do you figure that?" he asked. "Because," Batman began, "Earlier tonight I had a chat with Orson Selkirk who still keeps in close contact with certain members of the Joker's gang. He informed me that Joker was planning on hitting the Gotham Museum. It makes perfect sense. Especially, since the museum is unveiling a new statue of our old friend Mayor Quincy Sharp for the contributions he's made to Gotham while he's been in office."
Gordon let out a loud grunt upon hearing Sharp's name which prompted a look from Batman. "Contributions," Gordon replied, then said, "Some contributions. First, he allows the Joker to lead a mass breakout at Arkham Asylum then once he became mayor he goes ahead with plans to build Arkham City in part of Gotham locking all the super criminals in one place and allowing an ego maniac in Hugo Strange to oversee things help from his Tyger enforcers. Some contributions...now the city wants to honor him…" Gordon's voice trailed off a bit as he shifted in his seat. Gordon's history with Quincy Sharp was well documented to Batman and every officer on the force. Jim Gordon looked away for a moment then turned his gaze back to Batman. "And you're sure if it is the Joker and let's say it is you're sure that's where he'll decide to strike?" Gordon asked.
Batman nodded his head, saying, "Positive, Jim. A ceremony honoring Quincy Sharp is the best way for the Joker to set up his return in a grandiose fashion." Gordon gave a slight shake of the head. "I'm sorry I'm having a tough time believing all of this." Normally he didn't question Batman's hunches. "I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm saying that in this particular case I need more than just a hunch." The dark knight gave Jim Gordon a grim look then moved toward the window. Gordon pivoted in his chair as Batman climbed up on the window ceil.
"Batman…" he said the tone in his voice rather soft. "Are you sure that he's really alive? It could be that Selkirk is lying to you and simply fed you that story to get you off his back." Crouched on the edge of the window ceil Batman thought for a moment having considered that very possibility. Turning his head, the dark knight looked at Gordon.
Batman gave a slight nod. "I have." he said. "But I believe him, Jim. I believe him." Before Gordon could respond the dark knight had leapt from the window ceil and disappeared into the night.
It hadn't taken the Joker and his crew long to reach the Gotham Shipyard. After parking the ice cream truck out of sight he took a moment to see the layout of the shipyard and noticed that there were four, possibly five security guards on duty. One of them was standing guard at the entrance and the others from what he could see were inside the small warehouse huddled around a television, most likely on their breaks. Joker silently gestured at his men, instructing them to take up positions behind wooden crates and boxes, but to stay hidden, stay as quiet as possible and under no circumstances were they to move until he had signaled them to do so. After his men had taken up their positions, Azuri, Joker and Harley Quinn moved quickly, but silently toward the building ducking behind boxes and crates for occasional cover. Azuri reached the building first and pressed her back up against the wall, hugging it tightly. Joker and Harley moved toward the building staying as low as possible to avoid being spotted then they both hugged the wall tightly and followed Azuri around the side toward the entrance.
Peering around the side of the building Azuri saw the guard standing rather stoically, hands behind his back. She noticed a pair of keys dangling from the belt he wore and she turned her head looking at Joker and Harley.
"Are those the keys we need?" she asked in a soft whisper, pointing her finger at the keys that hung from the guards' belt. Joker grinned and nodded his head in response. "Alright…Now, Mr. J…let me do the talking…" she said. "Of course, Zizi…do your thing…" he replied. "If we can just get the keys, maybe bats won't show up until were long gone…" a slight chuckle escaped the Joker's mouth. Azuri shot him a look and raised a finger to her lips. "Shut up and wait here!" she snapped and moved around to the front of the building. Twirling her hair with a finger she slowly approached the guard.
"E-Excuse me…" she said looking at the security guard, "I…I'm a little lost…" she said pretending to sound nervous. She gave the guard a sweet, but sheepish smile. The security guard looked at her for a moment thinking it was quite peculiar that a girl would be at the shipyard this time of not, or be out at all for that matter. Giving a shrug and deciding not to question the suspicion he was feeling, he strutted over to her, glad to help if he could. When he got close enough Azuri gave him a smile and then knocked him out with a puff of gas. "Timber…" she chimed as he fell. It took her only a moment to retrieve the keys from his belt.
"Good work Zizi, now let's get what we're after and get out of here." he said as he approached her, snatching the keys. The guards who had been in the warehouse suddenly appeared having heard a noise from inside. Joker saw the guards appear and then craned his head to the side to look at Harley,"Take care of our guests…"
"Sure thing boss…" she chimed as she moved towards the guards who were beginning to un-holster their pistol. Joker gave the signal and his men appeared from their hiding places and began moving toward the guards. "Get'em boys!" she said, as the goons rushed the security guards overpowering them. Joker entered the warehouse with Azuri and Harley close behind, keys jingling as he held them. He approached a rather large safe, inserted the keys, unlocked it and pulled open the door. With a grin, the clown prince of crime gave a gleeful chuckle and clapped his hands together as he looked inside at what the safe contained. Azuri peered inside, seeing nothing but a giant jack-in-the-box. She arched a brow and looked at Joker.
"That's what we came for?!" she asked, her voice full of anger and annoyance. Tossing the keys aside, Joker gave her a nod and then instructed one of his men who had finished taking care of the remaining guards to get the truck. With a nod the goon hurried off. Azuri continued to stare at the box, still slightly confused. "What's in it?" she asked, obviously curious. Joker turned and looked at Azuri. "Uh-uh." he said in a rather playful manner draping an arm around her. "I can't tell you everything, Zizi. That would spoil the fun." he smiled and walked with her a bit, moving away from the safe as the ice cream truck entered the warehouse coming to stop in front of the safe.
"Let's just say it's something that's going to put a smile on the faces of the good people of Gotham." he said, giving her a pat on the shoulder. He moved away from her and back toward the safe, giving his men orders to move the jack-in-the-box to the truck. "Careful, boys!" the Joker shouted. "That's valuable merchandise you're carrying and if gets damaged I'll see to it that Harley takes you all to the smelting chamber back at the steel mill where you will receive a nice hot dip in one of the smelting pots! Understand?" Joker looked at Harley who gave a nod in response. Smiling he returned his attention back to his men. With loud grunts and groans they hoisted the crate into the back of the truck and slammed the double doors shut.
"All finished, boss." one of them said. Joker grinned and clapped his hands together. Azuri looked at the Joker, "So, Mr. J…where exactly are you taking this thing?" she asked. Joker looked at her, "The museum…why?" he asked as he made his way toward the driver's side of the truck and pulled open the door about to climb behind the driver's seat. "N-no reason…" Azuri replied. Joker stopped and looked at Azuri again, a rather smug expression on his face. "Don't go soft on me now kid, you weren't soft when I met you…and I expect it to stay that way Zizi…" Azuri shot him an annoyed look. "You know I'm not going soft…I'm just wondering…" she replied in a very defensive tone as a horrible feeling began to come over her, stomach knotting up at the thought of what exactly the Joker had planned. Suddenly, she lost her train of thought when something began to silently take out some of the goons one-by-one. It seemed like the attack came from every direction, though it was quite obviously only one person. Someone had landed on the roof of the truck with a very soft thud; very well-known someone, actually. Azuri looked up as she heard the thud, giving a gasp as she saw who had landed on the roof of the truck. It was Batman!
"Tch…" she took a few steps back. The Joker looked up, "Oh, bats…are you here to spoil my fun already?" he asked, giving a wide grin. Batman gave no reply, his eyes narrowing behind his cowl. Joker looked to Azuri, "Zizi dear…grab what you can and get out…Harley, you go with her too, I want Batsy to myself…" he said as he grinned up at Batman. Azuri just nodded, "Right…" was all she managed to say as she grabbed a small box from the truck that the Joker had brought along and ran off with Harley following right behind her.
"Well, Bats…" Joker said his grin widening. "It's up to you…them…or me…" he taunted.
Back at the manor, Raya sat next to her bed; well, rather levitated next to it. She was doing her best to meditate, when Alfred knocked on the door. She sighed and motioned toward the door, which opened itself. Alfred Pennyworth entered and didn't even get a chance to try to speak. Raya looked at him and immediately said, "It's not fair Alfred…I could be so helpful…why won't he give me a chance? It's not like I'd get in the way, if that's what he thinks…" Alfred gave a smile and slowly said, "You know how your father is, young Raya. I don't have all the answers, but I suspect that the reason isn't because you'd get in the way, but more so, because he might believe that something could, or would happen to you and should that be the case he would never be able to forgive himself." Alfred placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps, you should ask him yourself." Raya nodded slowly, "I will…tomorrow, I'm taking a friend with me to the museum. Her name's Azuri. Mind if we pick her up at the mall at six-thirty?"
Alfred gave a nod and smiled a bit at Raya's mention of a friend, then replied. "Splendid. Six-thirty it is." He turned toward the door, adding, "It's getting late and you should probably consider retiring for the evening. I shall awaken you in the morning. Goodnight, Miss Raya."
She looked back ahead, saying, "Goodnight, Alfred." As he left and closed the door behind him, Raya could hear him bound down the steps knowing exactly where he was going, she returned to her meditating. It might be late to him, but it wasn't to her.
Batman had elected to stay with the truck, to stay with the Joker. He had seen Harley Quinn and her mysterious accomplice run off when he had arrived, but he had allowed them to escape. Joker was far too dangerous and to allow him to get away would mean that countless lives would be lost. So, he stayed with the Joker even if it meant not apprehending Quinn and her accomplice. Joker climbed into the truck and slipped behind the driver's seat. He slipped behind the driver's seat, started the truck, revved the engine and strapped himself in giving a wide grin.
"Hold on to your cape, Bats!" Joker said, the engine revving louder, "It will be a bumpy ride!" He let out a wild, maniacal laugh and floored the accelerator. Hearing Joker's words, Batman dropped to his stomach and firmly gripped the sides of the truck's roof as the vehicle began barreling down the road, rapidly picking up speed, the shipyard and warehouse being left far behind as they entered Gotham's city limits in only a matter of minutes. The truck swerved violently to the left, then to the right, as Joker attempted to throw Batman from the roof and if that didn't work then at least he would be thrown around like a rag doll. Keeping a firm grip on the truck's roof with his left hand, Batman brought his right hand to the side of his cowl and gently pressed two fingers against it, activating the built-in radio receiver.
"Alfred." Batman spoke into the receiver, knowing that Alfred would respond as he would have already have attended to his usual duties in the manor and would be at his post in the cave.
"Master Bruce?" The voice of his faithful butler came over the receiver. Alfred could hear the sounds of screeching tires and loud laughter in the background. "Sir, what's going on? Are you alright?" There was a grunt. The Joker took a sharp right turn the side of the truck swiping a garbage can and barely missing street signs and lamp posts. "Sir?" he asked again, his voice full of concern. The smell of burnt rubber filled Batman's nostrils and the sound of Joker's laughter was ringing in his ears.
"I'm fine." Batman replied, "I need you to contact, Robin. Have him follow Harley Quinn and the accomplice she's with. They got away when I arrived. I want to know what they're up too. Have him contact me as soon as he learns anything. Joker's mine. Also, contact Oracle. Bring her up to speed on the situation. If I'm right, Joker's planning on hitting the museum." There was another grunt, louder this time. "Gordon may need to add extra security. I'll be in touch."
"But sir, are you sure…?" the question hung in the air before he could finish as the radio communication abruptly ended. Though, concerned for his master's well-being Alfred placed an immediate call to Robin. The truck continued to swerve as Joker took sharp turn after sharp turn, trying desperately to throw Batman from the roof. Continuing to keep a firm grip on the roof with his left hand, the dark knight moved his right hand to his belt, unsnapped a pouch and quickly removed his explosive gel. Shifting his place from his stomach to his knees, Batman began pulling himself across the roof of the truck, inching forward slowly and carefully toward the cabin. Upon reaching the cabin, he leaned down and looked through the windshield seeing the Joker sitting behind the wheel smiling gleefully.
"Eh?" Joker glanced up and saw Batman's reflection in the windshield and his expression quickly changed from a malevolent grin into a vicious, twisted, scowl. With his left hand firmly gripped on the steering wheel, Joker's right hand darted into his front coat pocket and he pulled out a pistol. Brandishing the gun in his hand, he proceeded to take aim and fire just as Batman was spraying some kind of gel across the windshield. Moving back, the caped crusader detonated the gel. There was a small flash followed by a loud BANG as the glass of the windshield shattered.
"What?" Joker said. The sudden explosion had caused him to inadvertently fire a shot from his pistol. Bringing up his arms to protect himself from the shards of sharp glass that were flying into his face, the ace of knaves began to lose control of the vehicle. Sensing what was happening, Batman leapt from the roof, back-flipped in mid-air and landed in a soft crouch. Joker struggled to regain control of the truck, which spun around then careened sideways and crashed into a lamp-post, bringing the vehicle to a screeching halt the impact causing Joker to smack his head off the dashboard. Groaning, Joker held his head and looked out of the driver's side window seeing that Batman had managed to get off the truck just before it crashed. Enraged, the Joker growled and turned his head, looking over his shoulder into the back of the truck he shouted at his men.
"What are you waiting for? Get out there and stop him!"
Suddenly, the rear doors of the truck burst open and several members of the Joker's crew, the ones who hadn't been taken out back at the warehouse, had apparently been hiding in the truck the time, appeared, many of them brandishing weapons such as baseball bats, knives and pipes. The men jumped out and yelled raising their weapons high into the air. Batman had seen the truck crash into the lamp-post and saw the rear doors of the truck burst open and members of Joker's crew jump out. Raising to his feet the caped crusader gathered his energies for combat. He knew this wouldn't be easy. Things were never easy with the Joker. Keeping their weapons raised, the men charged at Batman. One of the thugs swung his bat at Batman, aiming for his head. Rather than ducking to avoid the blow, the dark knight caught the face of the bat in his right hand, yanking it from the thug's grasp. Batman's right knee then shot up like a piston and connected with the man's abdomen, knocking the wind out of him, causing him to double over. The thug groaned clutching his stomach as Batman broke the bat across his knee, breaking it. Before the goon could regroup and attack, he felt the dark knight's fist crash into his jaw, breaking some of his teeth and knocking him to the ground. A groan escaped the thug's mouth as he fell to the ground slipping into unconsciousness.
Two more of the Joker's men came at him. One of them was wielding a knife, the other a pipe. The thug wielding the knife lunged at Batman attempting to drive the knife into his ribs, but Batman caught his wrist and wrenched it to the right. Letting out a howl of pain, the thug dropped the knife and fell to his knees, holding his wrenched wrist which he thought could be possibly broken. The goon with the pipe took a swing, aiming for Batman's face. This time Batman ducked, avoiding the blow then shot his right arm backward driving the point of his elbow into the man's nose, breaking it. Letting out a scream, the man dropped his pipe hands now holding his broken and bloody nose. Keeping a firm grip on the wrist of the knife wielding thug, Batman pulled him to his feet and delivered a head-butt. The man recoiled from the blow and fell to the ground in a crumpled heap. The goon who was brandishing the pipe had managed to regroup and thought he saw an opportunity to strike. Attempting to attack from behind, he swung his fist throwing a punch. Sensing there was movement behind him Batman caught the man's arm then slammed his elbow into the man's chest. He followed up by turning on his heel and delivered a sharp, quick upper-cut that connected with the thug's chin causing him to stagger backward.
"I'm going to kick your ass, Batman!" The thug shouted, regaining his composure and wiping blood away from the corner of his mouth. He came at Batman again throwing more punches. With ease, Batman blocked each of the blows then caught the thug's fist in his right hand and sent his left fist careening into the man's chin, knocking him backward a second time. The thug staggered, nearly losing his balance, but quickly regrouped. Enraged he came at Batman again, but was with an open palm strike that connected with his nose, followed by a swift and perfectly executed round-house kick to the face which caused him to fly backward and crash into the pavement.
Another member of Joker's gang tried his luck, but Batman stunned him by sweeping his cape into his face. With the thug now slightly disoriented, the dark knight unleashed a series of flurried strikes, before delivering a devastating upper-cut that knocked him off his feet. The last thing the thug remembered before he blacked out was lying against the cold, hard pavement. The remaining goons were quickly dispatched and Joker who had tried to start the truck, looked up to see the prone bodies of his henchmen littered across the ground. He let out a growl and turned the key again.
"Come on! Come on!" He shouted.
Batman stood over the unconscious group of henchmen then turned his head and saw Joker still sitting behind the wheel of the ice cream truck, trying desperately to start it. Stepping over the body of one of the unconscious goons, he began approaching the truck. Joker continued to turn the key, hearing the gears grinding and grinding. He looked up and saw Batman approaching and a grin slowly spread across the face of the ace of knaves as he heard the engine FINALLY start. He almost gave a shout of triumph, but saw Batman getting closer. Still clutching his pistol he took aim and began to fire. Bullets impacted against the pavement, dumpsters and a few street signs. Moving quickly, Batman pulled a batarang from his belt as the Joker continued to fire. He threw the bat shaped shurkein and then dove into ally, taking cover as he heard Joker reload his pistol and resume firing. The batarang whizzed through the air, finding its mark, knocking the gun from the Joker's hand. Joker let out a groan and scowled as the gun hit the ground. Peering around the corner Batman saw that Joker was no longer brandishing his gun and he dashed from the alley sprinting toward the truck.
Joker smiled as he saw Batman making a beeline for the truck.
"I just love a good game of chicken!" he said, giving a laugh.
He floored the accelerator, tires screeching as the truck barreled toward Batman at a high-speed. Joker's grin widened and widened as the gap between the dark knight and the truck began to close. As the truck drew nearer and nearer bearing down on him, Batman jumped and landed on the hood of the ice cream truck, grabbed the wheel and attempted to wrestle Joker for control. Both men struggled as the truck swerved from side to side. Joker cocked his arm back and managed to clip Batman in the chin with his fist. Ignoring the blow, Batman continued to struggle as he kept trying to wrestle control of the vehicle away from the Joker. Keeping his foot against the accelerator, the clown prince of crime did everything he could to try to throw Batman from the hood. Enraged, Joker managed to get in another blow this time to the side of Batman's head which caused him to recoil slightly. Suddenly, Joker slammed on the breaks and jerked the wheel, the sudden action causing Batman to lose his grip, fly backward and crash into a flagpole. The dark knight let out a grunt as his back connected with the pole and fell to a knee, gritting his teeth.
"Ha!" Joker exclaimed, revving the engine and charging the truck toward the poll. Batman could see the bright beams of the truck's headlights boring toward him and despite the pain in his back he managed to get to his feet, leap into the air grab the poll with both hands and swing up just as the truck passed under him attempting to run him down. Even though he missed his target Joker gave a loud, resounding laugh. "Adios, batso!" he called out, as the truck sped off down the road heading for the museum. Though, he hadn't killed Batman the Joker was nonetheless pleased. Eventually, he knew he and Batman would have a grand confrontation as they always did, but that was exactly what he wanted. For now though, he would enjoy the game.
Batman sat perched on the flagpole, watching as the truck sped off. He quickly contacted Alfred and told him to get in touch with Gordon, as he had been right about the Joker heading for the museum. He pulled out his grapple gun and fired a line into the air. The line snagged on a building, went taut and he swung off into the air in pursuit. He just hoped he could stop whatever it was that the Joker had planned in time, even though he wasn't sure what it was.