Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the DC Universe, they are the property of DC Comics
Author's notes: Well this is slightly later than before, I have not been able to write for a while because of work and then vacation. So anyway, I got my very first follower on the story so I would like to thank whoever that is, it really makes me want to write more knowing at least someone wants to read more! As always, reviews, favorites and follows are appreciated ! Enjoy !
Chapter 3: An unexpected visitor
The Joker awoke from his stupor as the effects of his painkilling drugs wore off. He gasped as the pain from his entire broken body came rushing back, but he immediately started laughing maniacally. The pain was a reminder of his latest stab at his nemesis, The Batman. He'd killed Boy Wonder number 2 who, he found, was much less fun than the first. But the scream he let out as the clown carved a smile on his face was one of his most treasured memories. It was a funny thing how someone's pain could bring him so much pleasure, but that is exactly what he felt when he thought of how the brat's death must have affected the Caped Crusader. The look of rage and anguish on Batman's face as he beat the living shit out of the white-faced madman elated Joker to a point that he felt like he couldn't ever top it. But that would be against his ambitious personality.
He looked around the hospital room he occupied in the Arkham Asylum. It was so dull, no bright colours at all. The room was a clean, clinical white and yet rather dark. Through the glass pane on the door he could see the outline of two armed guards. The two guards had escorted him and a team of doctors to his room not two months ago and, had he not been in a critical condition, responded violently to his provocation when he spoke of the number of guards he killed during his last escape from the mental hospital/prison; but The Batman had beaten him more than half to death, so they refrained from worsening his condition. The body cast he was dressed in was as white as his skin, and his green hair was entirely hidden by bandages wrapped tightly around his head so that it looked as if he were just one big white form, all save for his bright red lips. He had never felt so bored.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, he heard the unmistakable sound of two silenced pistol shots followed by the thump of two deadweights hitting the ground. The lock to his room was blown off the door, and swung open, a throng of men entering. Behind them, a tall slim man in a white suit stepped over the bodies of the two guards that were previously stationed in front of the Joker's room. The man in the suit tilted his head both ways and cracked his neck. The most surprising aspect of this man was that a black wooden, skull-like mask covered his entire face and head. The hospitalized clown's eyes widened in surprise before a mad smile broke his rosy lips, and a burst of maniacal laughter erupted from his broken form.
"Roman!" he shouted, looking straight at Black Mask, "I'd get up and shake your hand, but… Well… You know as well as I do how angry Bats can get!" this last sentence was followed by another bout of cackling.
Roman Sionis said nothing, but looked at the man before him. He'd better be worth it. He thought to himself. Head of Sionis industries, one of the only companies in Gotham to rival Wayne industries, and pitiless crime lord of Gotham; he would usually never stoop so low as to ask anyone for help, especially not this insane, unpredictable, uncontrollable clown. But Batman's new reign of terror over the Gotham crime scene left him no choice. He needed the clown, even if he would never admit it to him. But then again, the madman was in no position to refuse. He straightened as he finally decided to speak.
"Get your things, we're leaving." he ordered, his eyes never leaving the Joker's placid form. "From now on, you work for me." He was annoyed to see that the Joker's smile didn't falter once; he just looked gleefully at him.
"Well, I can't say I'm not surprised, it seems everyone's after me nowadays" the Prince of Crime clucked "First Batman, then the hospital, journalists, the police; and now you, Romie. But why would a big crime boss such as yourself need little old me."
This angered Sionis even further and he warned Joker to never call him that again. Without another word he clicked his fingers and pointed at the bed. Immediately, two of the men grabbed hold of it and unplugged the clown from all the hospital machinery before hurtling down the corridors with him, Joker laughing gleefully all the while.
"I like this ride! Will I be allowed another go?" He wailed happily, but the men pushing his makeshift cart ignored him, in fact, they seemed to be avoiding looking at him as though frightened of him. They wheeled him out of Arkham Asylum, and lifted him and his bed into the back of a large van before buckling it down and him to it. Black Mask entered the van and sat down on a bench opposite the Joker's bed, staring at him all the while. The Joker however seemed to be having a gay old time, as if he himself had planned this and was thrilled to see it going so smoothly.
"So, Romie - I can call you Romie, right?" Joker started, rewarding himself with a glare from Black Mask – as much of a glare as you can get from a man in a mask anyway – "You still haven't told me why exactly you have snatched me from the comfort and boredom of my hospital bed."
"I told you, clown." Black Mask growled back at him "You work for me now."
"Yes, yes, yes, I got that part. But why now? You've never asked for my talents before, in fact you always seemed to despise me. You avoided me like I was some crazy lunatic. Oh… I guess I am!" This sent the Prince of Crime into another bout of maniacal cackling.
Sionis waited for it to subside and said "Since you butchered Batman's brat, he's coming down on my guys harder than ever, so I thought you would be the one best suited to plan my operations now."
"You know, Romie. That sounds like a marvelous idea!" Joker replied, howling with more laughter, his killing of the Boy Wonder had affected Batman more than he'd ever hoped.
Black Mask said nothing else on the journey back to Sionis tower, but the Joker wailed with uncontrollable fits of laughter as the van hurtled through the streets of Gotham.
End of Chapter 3