The Wonderland Gang navigated the Court of Owls hidden tunnel system underneath the city. Hellequin had access to the tunnels that the Bat Clan had never mapped on Earth Prime. She was one of the few on the New Earth that knew of their existence. Neo Joker knew about Hellequin's base in Devil's Square and to access it in the sewers. She'd shown Red Alice and the others the abandoned train depot but that was too easily found. Now she was headed for the Court's Nest.
Even the League of Assassins had failed to unearth the Nest. Matron had abandoned it when Lincoln March died. The Owls had fled Gotham for Milan. The Order of St. Dumas had finished what the League started. Owlman and Blackwing were the remnants of the Court of Owls besides two renegade Talons.
Jokerz had stood guard underneath the former hostel Hellequin had converted into a fortress. Stripping the armory and cupboards bare, the Wonderland Gang set out to follow Hellequin's winding tour that ended at the Nest. Door Mouse was underwhelmed.
"This place has been abandoned for years," he complained.
"Before that it was the nerve center of the city," Hellequin explained, "Neither Batman nor Nyssa Raatko ever came close to finding this place. Neo Joker doesn't know it exists. From here, we can launch our vendetta against her."
"She has half the city behind her right now," Red Alice sagely pointed out.
"The half that will soon be begging for normalcy to return, jobs to go to, groceries to buy, and meals to prepare. The city is at a standstill. As long as Neo Joker can keep it that way, she'll begin turning her followers against each other until there isn't anyone left surviving her campaign outside of her dedicated Jokerz Gang," Hellequin told them, "We have to force her hand into publicly sacrificing her public."
"What about Intergang?" Mad Hatter asked.
"Good point," Red Alice mused, "She bought neutrality with promises of increased business. But dead people don't spend money."
"Dawn's breaking," Hellequin reminded them, "The first night of Neo Joker's war is over. Everyone is tired and will want to go home and gloat. Neo Joker can't afford to lose her momentum. Gordon escaped her, which will drive the bounty hunters onward. She doesn't know where to find Blood. But I do. I also know he has a small army of enhanced followers. She'll never get near him."
"So where do we go next?" Red Alice asked.
"You set this up as a base of operations," Hellequin instructed, "I'll make my way to Blood. I need to convince him to wait on restoring order. People need to suffer to revolt against the Neo Joker plan. She'll know the penthouse didn't explode. She'll rally everyone to try and take a pound of flesh. I just need Blood to stay out of it a while longer. Intergang will authorize an intervention as she betrays them."
"Do you think Bats will show up?" Red Alice asked.
"Batman won't be appearing," Hellequin promised her, "But now is the time for the Order of St. Batman to make their mark on Gotham and claim it as their own."
"Isn't that bad for us?" Mad Hatter asked.
"Azrael's cohorts will be too busy to worry about us," Hellequin smirked, "I'll be back in a few hours. Try and get some rest before I do."
"Don't get dead!" Red Alice implored as Hellequin exited the Nest.
"Good riddance," Door Mouse told her, "We never should've gotten involved with her or the Jokerz."
Red Alice flipped her butterfly knife open and thrust the blade up underneath his rib cage, "That's my best friend you're complaining about."
"Alice, we're like family," he managed to gasp.
"Family means sacrifice, dear, sweet Door Mouse," Red Alice pulled the blade free and Door Mouse fell dead at her feet, "Anyone else have a dissenting opinion?"
"I hate to bring it up, but it leaves us a man short," March Hare mentioned.
"I have an errand for you," Red Alice confided, "Reach Arkham Island. Tell Dr. Crane I want my patient released. He'll be our new Door Mouse."
"And why would this patient agree to that?" March Hare asked.
"Because he used to be Tommy Eliot before Bruce Wayne infected his mind," Red Alice explained, "He'll do anything for a chance at Wayne."
"I thought Bruce Wayne was your cousin," March Hare brought up.
"Weren't you listening to what I told our former Door Mouse?" Red Alice rolled her eyes, "Cousin Bruce can make the necessary sacrifice. Now, do like Hellequin and take the street exit from the upper floors. In the aftermath of last night, no one will even notice you."
"We forgot the tea biscuits!" the Mad Hatter screamed from within upper floor's kitchen.
"And loot a store and get us cookies before the Mad Hatter has a meltdown," Red Alice sighed, "And don't worry about the crowds. You're as mad as the hatter. You'll blend in."
March Hare went upstairs and went out the front door. Red Alice locked it behind him. Two gang members were set as sentries. Tweedledee and Tweedledum were tinkering with a below ground generator and restored power to the house and the Nest below. The Mad Hatter joined Red Alice at a tactical map of Gotham and sulked.
"There'll be no tea party today," the Mad Hatter lamented.
"The March Hare will bring back tea biscuits," Red Alice assured her, "Now, how is it we have surveillance on the city with the power cut?"
"The generators are hardwired to the cameras. We're supplying the power they need to function," Mad Hatter explained. Sometimes it was easy to forget Anna Wilson had been considered an engineering genius. Her work with nanotech went far beyond the goals of Dr. Claire Connelly or Dr. Tessa Richardson.
Tessa Richardson had married Sir Justin, who had been the Shining Knight. But Tessa regained her memories of being Eve Aries and Saturn Queen went on a campaign to derail the future. Claire had married Booster Gold and was suing LuthorCorp for stealing her patents. Ironically, Tessa's work had revolved around repairing brain damage. Claire's was about tissue regeneration and protein building.
Anna's work was geared towards mind control of psychotic patients. That had attracted the attention of Jervis Tetch and he'd made her into his Alice. But with Mad Hatter dead. Alice was bereft of purpose until Beth Kane appeared to her as Red Alice and persuaded Anna to take on the Mad Hatter legacy. So Red Alice and the Mad Hatter rebuilt the Wonderland Gang. The Mad Hatter could control anyone infected with her nanites as long as she wore her hat. Without it, the infected simply froze in place or continued their last assigned task.
"Drat and bother!" Red Alice swore, "The Jokerz are maintaining a vigil around the last GCPD precincts still holding out and the Crows' headquarters. It seems most of our jolly anarchists are returning home in a daze. Team Luthor is holding the Wayne Foundation building but they've attracted attention."
"Is that a bad thing?" the Mad Hatter asked.
"My sister, dearest daddy, and step-monster are still inside," Red Alice fumed, "That bitch, Punchline, is leading an attack on the site."
The Mad Hatter scrolled through screens, "J-Man, Card Queen, and Dee Dee are all besieging law enforcement buildings, so where is Neo Joker?"
"She made a stopover in Burnside before retreating to Devil's Square," Red Alice replayed footage before returning to the live feed, "Now it seems a team of Jokerz has Summer Gleason and Jack Ryder with a broadcast capable news van being taken to Devil's Square."
"Who's that following them?" Mad Hatter wondered.
Red Alice zoomed in on the car's passenger, "I should've known. Vicki Vale is on the prowl"
"Methinks we have other reporters from out of town getting scoops on the situation," the Mad Hatter grinned.
"Show me," Red Alice said.
An image of Joan Mason and Clark Kent touring Founders Island appeared. Red Alice knew they were top investigative reporters for the Daily Planet. Kent's beat was the Justice League Unlimited and all things meta-human. Mason covered every topic and had been nominated for three Pulitzer prizes already when she was at the Boston Globe. Lois Lane of Lena Luthor's Daily Star was also touring the city. It was only a matter of time before other major news outlets began sending in reporters.
"Surprisingly enough, the Jokerz are letting them document the scene rather than blocking them," the Mad Hatter noted.
"Part of Neo Joker's agenda," Red Alice snorted, "Even Knightfall and Intergang obviously underestimated her ambitions or how successful they'd be."
"Most of the looting and vandalism seems to have stopped though," the Mad Hatter mused.
"The average citizen wants to spend the day curled up in bed to forget last night ever happened. Only the hard core converts are still following the Jokerz' lead," Red Alice explained, "Which will make it easier for Hellequin and the March Hare to navigate the districts."
"I wonder whatever happened to Azrael and the Order of St. Batman." the Mad Hatter pondered.
"They held the Narrows, East End, the Bowery, Otisburg, and Tricorner together during the riots. Their response to the rioters returning home will be telling," Red Alice smirked.
With the GCPD absent from those mentioned districts, the KnightsQuest was the law. They'd protected those left behind from the predatory rioters that returned to prey on their own neighbors. Those people had been beaten and chained together in the streets. A modern equivalent of crow's cages. The night's defenders had been relieved by a much smaller day watch. Those returning weren't questioned or detained. But the public display of offenders quieted down those still feeling raucous. The message was clear: don't foul your own nest.
Sister Lilhy had arranged for unit leaders to report to St. Hildegard's to provide reports on the evening's activities and the public's mood as they returned. The KnightsQuest field leaders departed after doing so. Father M'Buttu was downcast afterwards. Azrael was stone silent but Batwing and Black Bat were visibly agitated.
"Batman would've done more to stop Neo Joker," Batwing said accusingly.
"Batman is no longer here," Azrael turned to face him, "His voice and deeds are an inspiration but not doctrine."
"The hell?" Black Bat blurted, "This isn't a religious order."
"Isn't it?" Sister Lilhy asked, "We're monastic knights pledged to defend the innocent."
"I didn't sign on for a vow of chastity," Black Bat grumbled.
"We defended our own," Azrael told them, "The city failed its citizens. It has paid the price. Now the people will want order restored and they will look to us to do so."
A strange humming vibrated the church. It passed and Batwing asked the obvious question in the room, "What the hell was that?"
"That was the new Batmobile," Azrael knew all too well, "Perhaps Batman's voice will be heard after all."
A cloud of smoke erupted in the center of the church. As it dissipated, a lone figure stood in the wafting cloud, "Your Angel of Death has joined you."
"The Phantasm," Batwing growled.
"She's a hired killer," Black Bat drew his pistols.
"Curiouser and curiouser," Sister Lilhy studied the Phantasm, "Stand down. Batman delivered her. She is his emissary."
"She?" Batwing asked, "That voice was definitely male."
"An effective disguise," Sister Lilhy applauded Phantasm's initiative.
"Speak, while you still can," Azrael commanded.
"I bring word from Batman," the Phantasm told them with her male modulated voice, "Gotham survived the first night of anarchy. It will stand for a second night."
"So why aren't we hearing this from him?" Black Bat kept his pistols trained on her.
"If Batman could intercede, I wouldn't be the one standing here now," Phantasm replied, "But he accepted my role to stand in his place."
"Just as he now embraces us after ordering us to disband," Azrael snorted.
"He feared you would taint his legacy," Phantasm spoke again, "This hasn't come true. You've stood by Gotham's citizens throughout its worst trials in the past two years. He acknowledges that with an olive branch."
Black Bat slowly holstered his pistols, "So, I'm guessing he's willing to let us kill Neo Joker."
"Kill her and you enshrine her memory as a martyr for every Jokerz gang member from now until they finally crumble away," Phantasm warned him, "We need to break her mystique over the people. And you give her the victory of her idea. She wants Gotham to believe that there are no heroes. That we're all killers and sadists underneath veneers of civilized behavior. Defeat this idea she's put in everyone minds and you defeat her very purpose. Her own extremism in the face of defeat will discredit her among the people."
"You've made a career out of killing other killers and crime bosses," Sister Lilhy pointed out, "Why spare the rod now?"
"Neo Joker wants one of us to kill her to prove her point," Phantasm replied, "I refuse to give her that victory."
Butch Candon entered the church and stopped and stared, "Wow! You guys just get more gruesome by the day."
"I thought we agreed your Newsboy Legion would stay out of harm's way," Sister Lilhy sighed.
"Most of the fake Jokerz are heading home," Butch explained, "The hardcore real dealers are still surrounding the last two GCPD precincts standing as well as the Crows building. Other than a new caravan headed into Devil's Square the only things to report are Hellequin is in the Narrows at the old abandoned St. Christopher's church. The Newsboys have been spotting people coming and going from there for months. We thought it was just squatters until recently."
"Why the change of opinion?" Batwing asked.
"The place is guarded by men and women wearing black leather jackets and pants with dark sunglasses. They are seriously ripped. It's like steroids on steroids. More and more and people are coming to the church and becoming regular visitors. Word around the neighborhood is they're calling it the Church of Blood now," Butch told them, "No one inside their group is talking to outsiders. But a name keeps popping up around the church. Brother Blood. He seems to be their leader."
"Like Sebastian Blood?" Black Bat asked.
"I guess he wears some kind of ceremonial mask so no one knows who he really is," Butch told them, "But the guards are a kind of religious order. They refer to each other as 'Brother this' and 'Sister that'."
"You said you had news," Azrael refocused Butch.
"Hellequin just walked into the Church of Blood," Butch explained.
"So she managed to escape Neo Joker's intentions anyway," Phantasm mused.
"Could you explain that?" Sister Lilhy requested.
"Neo Joker set Hellequin and the Wonderland Gang up with the other half of the bomb component found on the ferry," Phantasm explained, "They were to hold the attendees of the Wayne Foundation gala hostage until the ferry passengers discovered the bomb and detonator aboard the ship. The challenge was simple. If one of the two parties didn't detonate the bomb at the other party's end, both bombs would detonate."
"Team Luthor has the Wayne Foundation building locked down, so obviously the ferry passengers didn't blow the bomb," Butch remarked.
"There was detonation in the Hudson River while I was overflying Founders Island," Batwing grimly, "And the ferry was towed to port."
"So maybe the good citizens decided to rid themselves of the one percenters and live," Black Bat was equally grim.
"But if the bomb was at the Wayne Foundation, how did it detonate in the river?" Father M'Buttu broke his silence.
"My people reported that Team Luthor arrived after the bomb went off. So LuthorCorp didn't save the day," Butch told them.
"You're the only who isn't surprised by any of this," Batwing accused Phantasm.
"I was briefed before I arrived," she replied.
"By whom?" Black Bat asked.
"That's classified," Phantasm told them, "My current employer doesn't like having their name bandied about. Suffice it to say, there were other operatives active in Gotham last night. But for national security concerns they weren't authorized to quell the riots."
"LuthorCorp began airlifting the guests out the Wayne Foundation this morning," Butch told them, "They're being flown to Metropolis, apparently. The city is sealed off by the NYPD and New York National Guard at one state line and by the New Jersey National Guard at every other off route out of Gotham. The harbor is still open but no one's working there today. The ferries are all shut down and the trains aren't stopping in Gotham anymore."
"Then now is our moment," Azrael decided.
"The GCPD and Crows are helpless," Phantasm agreed, "The Order of St. Batman is all that stands between the citizens and the Neo Joker's escalating war on civilization."
"And you won't to help us?" Sister Lilhy asked.
"I'm here. That's proof enough," Phantasm told her.
"How did you get in here anyway?" Black Bat had to wonder.
"I have my ways," Phantasm told him.
"Batman delivered you but didn't stay to see if you'd be received," Azrael pointed out.
"Batman is no longer capable of flying the Batmobile," Phantasm warned him, "A mutual ally flew me here."
"But this ally did not stay to join the fight," Azrael disapproved.
"She might yet. Her second errand was to collect a few more allies that are running loose in Gotham," Phantasm told them, "As for Hellequin and the Wonderland Gang, they'll want revenge for being left to die. They could prove useful."
"How so?" Azrael asked.
"Neo Joker is holed up in Devil's Square. I doubt even you four could reach her there. She's a local hero. Hellequin and the Wonderland Gang live there. They can flush Neo Joker out of the district into the heart of Gotham where you can confront her in front of the crowd she'll gather tonight. In the face of defeat, she'll attempt to sacrifice the lives of the crowd. That will end her mystique," Phantasm explained.
"It might also cost lives," Father M'Buttu disapproved of this strategy.
"We'll be positioned to stop the killings," Phantasm offered, "Hellequin and the Wonderland Gang will dispense justice for the crowd."
"They can kill her and we can't?" Black Bat was offended.
"You're the heroes. Hellequin and the Wonderland Gang are already wanted killers. They won't be tarnished by Neo Joker's death," Phantasm told them, "Whereas you'd violate any burgeoning trust Commissioner Gordon would be placing in you."
"I'm still uncomfortable with the demand that she die," Father M'Buttu protested.
"Neo Joker has become the world's most wanted terrorist," Phantasm said coldly, "Whether now or later, she will be terminated. It's cleaner for everyone involved if the criminal element does the actual killing."
"There is a new wrinkle that we haven't discussed yet," Butch warned them, "Black Mask is finally making his move to dethrone Empress Penguin and assume control over Intergang's business interests in Gotham."
"Why is it never simple?" Batwing groaned.
"So essentially, a criminal gang war is about to break loose while the Jokerz have everything destabilized," Sister Lilhy summed it up, "I can deploy the KnightsQuest to defend our present territorial responsibilities but we'll need to step up personal interventions by our active agents. That means you three."
"Neo Joker is a threat that can't wait," Phantasm argued.
"Saving lives takes precedence," Father M'Buttu argued in reply.
"Roman Sionis cannot be allowed to assume control of Gotham's underworld," Azrael declared, "The balance of powers must be maintained."
"It seems I chose my potential allies poorly," smoke enveloped Phantasm again and as it cleared, it was obvious she was no longer there with them.
"Helluva thing," Butch whistled.
"Black Mask will began slowly, striking smaller individual targets before moving in on Empress Penguin and the Riddles," Azrael cautioned them, "We need to intercept those smaller strikes to dissuade Sionis from mounting attacks on The Penguins and the Riddler."
"There's still only three of us," Batwing reminded him.
"But I have eyes and ears all over the city," Butch reminded him in turn, "You might not like relying on the Newsboy Legion but you definitely need us."
"Cell towers are down with the power outage," Black Bat noted, "How can you communicate?"
"Ever hear of a walkie talkie?" Butch snickered, "We have police band radios and shorter range walkies. For long distances, we relay the report. The Newsboys know I'll be here and we have the distances mapped out. So, if you adjust your own comms to our frequency, we can loop you in."
"Give us the frequency," Azrael requested, "Black Mask will strike before Intergang's criminal enterprises recover from last night's chaos."
"The beauty of his plan is that none of Intergang's rival partners can call for help. Empress Penguin will be caught completely off guard," Black Bat pointed out.
"I hate to bring it up, but the Jokerz have been seen gathering at Arkham Island, Blackgate Prison, and Gotham U," Butch advised them, "I get breaking prisoners out. But why a college campus?"
"Prof. Hugo Strange has begun teaching there," M'Buttu recalled, "I believe he sponsored a sorority with both college and high school members."
"Strange is many things, but reformed isn't one of them," Black Bat grumbled.
"Until Dr. Jack Crane appeared, Strange was in line to takeover Arkham. Crane's impeccable credentials and uncheckered past made him a better candidate," Batwing did his own recollecting.
"Crane is the new Scarecrow," Azrael warned them.
"Crane hated his father for abandoning him to become the Scarecrow," Batwing argued, "Why would he follow suit?"
"Why would Madame Crow or Fright after being Crane's experimental victims?" Sister Lilhy asked, "Sometimes hate breeds familiarity rather than contempt."
"Whoever the new Scarecrow is, he's a demented genius for mixing Fear Toxin with VENOM," Black Bat replied.
"Not as demented as whoever mixed Blockbuster serum with VENOM," Batwing mentioned.
"We have the frequency," Azrael adjusted his helmet's comm transceiver, "Reports are already coming in. Black Mask's forces are on the move. We need to move with them."
"I'll take Chinatown," Batwing volunteered.
"I'll concentrate on Gotham Heights," Black Bat announced.
"That leaves me Millers Harbor," Azrael was pleased with their selections. Batwing took to the air when he exited the church. Azrael and Black Bat mounted motorcylces stored in the church's garage.
"Be careful," Sister Lilhy requested.
"We shall be victorious," Azrael promised then the duo raced off through the debris filled streets.
"God is with them," Father M'Buttu assured Sister Lilhy.
"Azrael is the Avenging Angel but even he has limits," Sister Lilhy told him, "This is not the first Jean-Paul Valley I have known."
"What are you saying?" M'Buttu asked.
"The Order of St. Dumas spent centuries eugenically breeding the perfect warrior. When he died, I was tasked with cloning him," Sister Lilhy told him, "I made certain 'enhancements' to his genetic code as I developed him. Those enhancements come with a price. Azrael saved me from the Order of St. Dumas but he's inherently mentally unstable. He was indoctrinated as the Order's assassin since his accelerated growth period began. Jean-Paul Valley barely exists as a person. He is Azrael. And as such, he is a weapon that needs to be used carefully and very precisely. That is what you're entrusted with, Father M'Buttu. He chose you as his handler."
"So that is why Batman rejected him and ordered me to shut down the Order of St. Batman," M'Buttu realized.
"Batman tried to control him and failed to do so," Sister Lilhy shared, "Pray to your God that you have better success."
Butch returned inside the church, "The Newsboys are reporting in. Black Mask is definitely on the move. Every non-aligned crook in Gotham is following him. Those that want to break Intergang's control are joining as well. Empress Penguin has an uprising on her hands."
"I'll dispatch couriers to the standing KnightsQuest watch to be on alert," Sister Lilhy exited the vestibule.
"What's the matter, Father?" Butch asked with some concern on her face.
He studied the blue haired teen looking at him through her eyeglasses. Butch had sacrificed any chance at a stable foster family to run the Newsboy Legion. She'd earned her GED at sixteen and moved from Metropolis to Gotham during the first Nazi occupation.
"I need to pray in solitude," M'Buttu told her, "Fetch me if there's news of the conflict goes badly."
"Of course," she earnestly promised him.
Brother Nathan Chad's rippling muscles bulged under his open faced leather jacket with no shirt on. Hellequin was certain the Black man could've easily taken on a member of the Fourth Reich. Sister Dani Morningstar was equally muscled and both scowled behind their dark sunglasses.
"I need to speak with Brother Blood," she told them.
"You have the wrong address," Brother Chad told her.
"Leave or get tossed aside," Sister Morningstar warned her. Hellequin considered shooting the annoying Native American woman. But, she was on a mission of reconciliation. So she put up with their superiority complexes.
"This is the Church of Blood where Brother Blood has been holed up since leaving the Mayor's office," Hellequin faked shock and horror, "Does that mean Sebastian Blood is the infamous Brother Blood?"
"You're mistaken," Brother Chad growled, "Now leave while you still can."
Hellequin shot her left hand up to join her right around the grip of her baseball that had been leaned across her shoulder. She struck him across the face and then swung around to hit Sister Morningstar in the knee. Both went down in pain.
"Mirakuru doesn't mean it doesn't hurt," Hellequin said as more Brothers and Sisters of the Church of Blood came pouring out of the church building, "I just want to talk to Brother Blood."
Blood appeared in his demon mask, "And so you shall."
"Mr. Mayor, can we go inside and skip the theatrics?" Hellequin asked.
"How is it you and Goldilocks share my secret?" Brother Blood asked.
Hellequin shrugged, "Don't know. Don't rightly care. I just need you to officially keep the GCPD and Crows outta my affairs until I've dealt with Neo Joker."
"My people tell me they're cut off by the Jokerz anyway," Brother Blood replied.
"I mean, for after I kill her," Hellequin clarified.
"I thought you two were lovers," Blood mused.
"Attempted murder sours a relationship," Hellequin explained, "She wants me dead? Fine. I'll deal. But I'll cope by killing her first."
"What is your motive here?" Blood asked, "It isn't just about revenge or being a spurned lover. You disagree with Neo Joker's goals. Why is that? I thought you were an anarchist."
"I'm about having fun!" Hellequin snapped at him, "I just don't want anyone telling me how to have it. I do what I want to do when I want to do it. Period."
"This all a game to you," Blood realized at last, "Taking lives, destroying property, stealing money, it's all just the means to an end. But what is that end?"
"I get bored. So I get inside people's heads and I toy with them until I break them and find a new toy to play with," Hellequin explained.
"Which is why you made such good friends with Red Alice and the Mad Hatter," Brother Blood understood now, "But that doesn't explain your attachment to Superwoman and the mysterious Heckler that were with you in Wayne Tower Plaza when the spaceship was brought down. You worked with Goldilocks then. You're saying she didn't reveal my dual identity to you then or afterwards?"
"She didn't have to," Hellequin sighed, "You're getting hung up on this secret identity crap. The point is: I'm killing Neo Joker and I don't want any grief about it."
"You won't get any from me," Blood vowed, "I'll curtail Gordon and Kane's reflexive impulses to arrest you. DA Reynolds will be pointedly told to avoid charging you."
"That's all I needed," Hellequin told him, "Now, if your mountains of muscle will kindly get the hell outta my way?"
"Let her pass," Brother Blood ordered his acolytes. He wondered how Hellequin could effectively kill Neo Joker without martyring her in the eyes of the citizens and the Jokerz themselves. He supposed he'd find out if she could at that.
"I'll admit I was surprised to get your call for a pick up," White Rabbit guided the Batmobile towards Millers Harbor.
"They wouldn't see reason," Phantasm told her, "So, I'll deal with a pragmatist."
"Jinx's women will spot you as we land," White Rabbit warned her.
"We're not landing," Phantasm replied, "Drop me on the roof."
"It's a half dome," White Rabbit reminded her.
"I've scaled worse," Phantasm replied.
"No wonder you and Bats were gonna get hitched," White Rabbit giggled.
"If we had, there wouldn't have been a Batman," Phantasm said flatly.
"Would you have still picked up the scythe?" White Rabbit wondered.
"We'll never know, will we?" Phantasm opened the underside hatch, "Slow us down and I'll jump for it."
White Rabbit slowed as Jinx herself reported the mysterious craft slowing over the Iceberg Lounge. Inside it, Bird of Paradise deployed her security teams. Empress Penguin was advised of a potential intruder by her personal security agent, Pussy Katnip. She hadn't expected the Phantasm to come through her office window though.
"Get behind me," Pussy ordered.
"Regina Swann, I came to find you," Phantasm told her.
Pussy Katnip attacked only to be disabled by Phantasm striking key pressure points, "Do not run. I came to speak with you."
"People usually make appointments to speak with me," Empress Penguin retorted.
"People usually refuse to schedule me," Phantasm said without irony.
Bird of Paradise and a team burst through the door, "Freeze!"
"Stand down," Regina ordered, "I think she's honestly here to parlay."
"Black Mask is moving in on Intergang territories," Phantasm warned her, "The Order of St. Batman has gone to defend your holdings in Chinatown, Gotham Heights, and Millers Harbor. Neo Joker's chaos has bred opportunity for the disaffected."
"So why are you delivering the news rather than trying to kill me?" Empress Penguin asked.
"If I wanted you dead, you'd be so," Phantasm told her, "My target is Neo Joker. She obviously coordinated with Black Mask to give him this outlet after securing your neutrality in her rioting. You deal with Black Mask and I'll negotiate terms with Hellequin and Red Alice. It seems they want Neo Joker dead as badly as I do."
"Even my people can't find them," Empress Penguin snorted.
"You don't know how to look for them," Phantasm said as smoke filled the room. She'd vanished when it cleared. Bird of Paradise was impressed, "We still held the door and Pussy was behind her. How'd she get away?"
"There were rumors the new Batmobile had a cloaking device. Jinx's description matched earlier sightings of the vehicle before Batman disappeared," Regina told her.
"So he's working with Batman?" Pussy couldn't believe it.
"Phantasm has escaped Batman several times. I don't think that's a mistake. I think it was a choice on Batman's part," Empress Penguin admitted, "Contact the Riddler. Start sending teams out to reinforce our holdings throughout Gotham. Exclude the Narrows, East End, the Bowery, Otisburg, and Tricorner. The KnightsQuest will hold them for us."
"And if we make contact with Azrael, Batwing, or the Black Bat?" Bird of Paradise asked.
"Shoot to kill," Regina smiled, "Split up Black Siren, Plastic Woman, and Nancy Morgan and send them out with the teams to make contact with our intrepid 'heroes'."
"Where to now?" White Rabbit gleefully asked, "I love flying this thing. Especially when it's invisible."
"Arkham Island," Phantasm told her, "One of the Newsboy Legionnaires spotted the March Hare entering the island grounds. Red Alice has a likely recruit inside the asylum. It seems she has need of him now."
"Who'd wanna join the Wonderland Gang?" White Rabbit asked, "I'm appropriately themed and I don't wanna."
"Tommy Eliot," Phantasm told her, "His surgical alterations to try and replace Bruce Wayne have been surgically eliminated. But Eliot's features were too drastically altered to return to his own visage. So he's a man without a face. Since he can't be Bruce and he's no longer himself, he'll try to find a new identity."
"So, you're going to stop him?" White Rabbit wondered.
"I'm going to track him to Red Alice and the Wonderland Gang," Phantasm told her, "Whether he lives or dies after I encounter them is up to him."
"For a paid assassin, you don't do a lot of killing," White Rabbit noted.
"I'm surgical," Phantasm clarified, "I kill my target. That's what distinguishes me from a Deathstroke. Even Deathblow is more indiscriminate than I am."
"You still drop a lot of bodies," White Rabbit pointed out.
"Collateral damage is inevitable with crime bosses collecting goon squads to protect them," Phantasm was indifferent, "They're all killers."
"I heard you only took contracts on criminals," White Rabbit said giddily, "Have you thought about working with the Outlaws? I hear they play the same game."
"The Outlaws specialize in meta-human and costumed threats," the Phantasm seemed indifferent again, "I take out the leadership while they focus on the muscle."
"Still, it beats working for an Amanda Waller," White Rabbit shrugged, "Lookee there! The March Hare and he's gotta tag along."
The Batmobile slowed to a hover as she pointed at the pedestrians. Phantasm grew more animated, "That sorrowful piece of shit with him has to be Tommy Eliot. Red Alice must have some pull with Jack Crane to get him released."
"They're on foot and it's midday. Chances are it'll take them until sundown to reach their destination," White Rabbit guessed.
"We have the time," Phantasm told her, "Neo Joker's press conference will be going forward right now."
"Your Jokerz overran city hall last night as well Founders Island. Your followers pulled the aldermen and women from their homes and injected them with Joker Venom. Word from the hospitals came that two have died already," Summer Gleason set up her following up question, "How long and how far do you intend to take your rampage?"
"If you hadn't noticed, those were the average residents of Gotham out there last night," Neo Joker laughed, "The same 'respectable' people that triggered a bomb that should've destroyed the Wayne Foundation's gala guests. Somehow, that bomb was dropped in the Hudson River before Team Luthor could get there and begin evacuating our benighted upper crust. My war against the conglomerate owners in Gotham has barely begun. This is a social revolution that shares people's true natures and motives towards those that economically and socially oppressed them."
"So you're saying you're a messiah figure?" Jack Ryder asked for the camera crew feed.
"I am Gotham," Neo Joker declared, "The living, beating heart of every resident in Gotham. I'm just not wearing the usual mask that goes along with being a resident. I've let people take off their masks and join me in taking back this city. The joke is that everyone has wanted to do this for a long time just they didn't feel they could. I let them express themselves in a way that's been coming for a very long time."
"People followed you last night," Summer said, "What happens if they don't tonight, as you've planned?"
"The sheep will be slaughtered the wolves that cast of their sheep's clothing," Neo Joker had another hysterical fit, "I'm just letting people cut loose their baggage and act on their natural desires. No more fake licenses and no more 'law and order' imposed upon human nature. This is about people being given true freedom to act out their impulses. Those that cling to the false veneer of 'civilization' will die at the hands of the liberated."
"And what about those that say you've gone too far? That even the Joker wouldn't push the city this far?" Jack asked.
"The Joker's dream was this moment," Neo Joker declared, "But his fixation on Batman was his undoing. With Batman gone, the dream can be realized at long last."
"And what of the reports you made a deal with Black Mask and arranged for Intergang to stand by while you acted out but secretly encouraged Black Mask to attack Intergang's criminal leaders?" Summer got hardball.
"Y'know, Summer, we all have to do what we have to do to get by in this world," Neo Joker broke into a fit of laughter again after commenting.
She waved the Jokerz away and they packed up the new crew and escorted the van out Devil's Square. Neo Joker summoned her royal court, "Spread the word. Tonight, we crack open the banks and the vaults in the corporate headquarters across Gotham. Anyone not attending the party will be left of their share of the wealth. Everyone's either all in or all out."
"Where's the rally point," Punchline asked. Alexis Kaye was all business.
"Robinson Park. Tell everyone to bring their own guns and ammo. We've broken the GCPD and the Crows but there will still be private security at the corporate locations and maybe even a few banks. Let everyone know their hands will get dirty this time," Neo Joker decided, "That should attract our kind of crowd."
"The KnightsQuest will be in our way," Punchline said tersely.
"Then move them out of it," Neo Joker laughed, "They want a fight? Give it to them!"
Card Queen was one of the lieutenants wondering when they'd get some rest. They'd been on the go arranging for and managing the riots for over twenty-four hours now, "Don't get mad, but we need to get some sleep so we can keep going at this pace."
"You have four hours," Neo Joker snickered, "Then you're on the move to recruit or on the way to the morgue."
Duela Dent didn't appreciate being threatened. She was the Joker's biological daughter adopted by Harvey and Gilda Dent. Two-Face had learned the truth of her parentage and hidden it from her. He'd destroyed all records of who her father was. She'd only learned the truth by conducting an illicit DNA test. The Joker's was the closest match on file. It was near ninety-nine percentile certainty he was her father. Her mother's identity remained hidden.
Taking the name Joker's Daughter, Duela had recruited the first Jokerz. J-Man and Punchline showed up later. Dee Dee came back from the future to insure the Jokerz survived an epic moment. Neo Joker had arrived and claimed supremacy based on the genetic coding and mental imprint the Joker had left on Christina Bell. The others deferred to her almost instantly. Joker's Daughter was relegated to being the Card Queen because Neo Joker wouldn't tolerate rivals for her throne.
Even Punchline looked grateful for Card Queen's intervention. Alexis was a relentless serial killer but even she needed some rest to perform at peak efficiency. Neo Joker was still hyped up on a small mountain of cocaine. She'd started snorting it two days ago and hadn't let herself come down yet. When she burned out, it would be an epic fall. One Duela intended to take fill advantage of.
Batwing soared over Chinatown and became the witness to a bloodbath. Black Mask's men and women were tearing through Chinatown, guns blazing, targeting Intergang and the Triads. The rivals saw the sense in uniting against Black Mask. He was about to drop in the middle of Black Mask's men when Plastic Woman's outstretched arms snared him.
"What the hell?" he asked her, "I thought you'd be on my side."
"The problem is being dealt with. You're my problem," Plas told him.
"I liked you better when you were a man," Batwing threw electrified modified batarangs at her.
They hit Plastic Woman but her cellular structure was so modified that the charge didn't discharge because she wasn't capable of being grounded. Instead the batarangs imbedded in her amble bosom and then bounced back at Batwing. He caught them and deactivated their charge.
"Why'd you do it?" Batwing asked her.
"I've never felt freer than as a woman," Plas admitted, "I found my true self."
"Not that," Batwing groaned, "I could care less about your gender transition. Why'd you leave the FBI and join Intergang?"
"A new taskforce director decided that my criminal past wasn't over. She issued a warrant for my arrest. My son had just died and my wife divorced me because of it. Morgan stood by me and suggested I change to hide myself. It turns out, I found my true self," Plas explained.
"Okay, I'm happy for you. But why join Intergang?" Batwing insisted on knowing.
"I was branded a criminal when I wasn't one. There was no evidence to back the director's claims but I was forced out of the FBI regardless," Plas told him, "I was labeled a criminal and blacklisted in every law enforcement agency. Even the Justice league wouldn't take me back. They wanted me to be a criminal again. So I became one for them."
"I looked up to you. Now all I see is a crime boss' enforcer standing in my way," Batwing told her, "One I'm going to go through to save lives."
"I'll tell you what, I'll let you go your merry way if you just fly back to Tricorner," Plastic Woman offered.
"Not happening," Batwing warned her.
Plas sighed, "You should've taken the offer."
She stretched around Batwing but he launched himself skyward. She snared his ankle but he dropped a small ball of liquid on her hand. It was lubricant designed to trip up assailants on the ground. Now it served to make her grip too slippery to hold Batwing. He flew free.
Plastic Woman noted that the gunfire had stopped and then erupted again as Batwing dropped into the crowd. She peered over the rooftop she stood upon. The Intergang bosses and enforcers were all dead. The Triads had also been slaughtered. Jinx's security team that had been sent to assist was fighting their way out of Chinatown. Plastic Woman dropped down to cover their escape.
Batwing was fighting Black Mask's forces. She let him do it alone. Intergang would return in strength and force him out of the picture. Assuming he survived Black Mask's assault team. Plastic Woman felt conflicted over that. She'd been a superhero as Plastic Man. She'd even served in the Justice League with the original Batwing. She cursed herself as she entered the fray.
Batwing's armor was bullet resistant but it could only deflect so many hits. Black Mask's confederates were willing to risk one another in the chance of killing Batwing. Luke Fox had wished Batman had accepted him as a protector of Gotham City. Going through his father's private files, he'd seen how Lucius Fox had diverted Wayne Enterprises resources and tech specially developed for unknown purposes. Given the nature and abundance of material and Wayne Enterprises' own admission of funding Batman Incorporated, it the answer to the question of who was receiving it was logically answered.
Except for the fact the same materials and assets were being transferred at a lower rate after Wayne Powers disavowed Batman Incorporated. Now, With Lucius out of the picture, the orders were authorized by Bruce Wayne. Batman disappeared and Wayne went into seclusion at the same time the orders and transfers ended. So Luke had deduced Batman's secret identity. Luke had openly presented himself to Batman just before his retirement, asking to be trained and for help proving Derek Powers had hired the gunman that killed his father. Batman turned him down on both counts with a further warning to hang up his armor.
Batwing had become Powers' personal spoiler the way Stephanie Brown had become for her father, Arthur Brown the Cluemaster. Now Steph was a Batgirl and Cluemaster led the Legion of Annoyance. Its members striving to prove their worth to join the Legion of Doom. All three Batgirls, Cassandra Cain and Carrie Kelley included, belonged to the Justice League Outsiders. Fortunately, Luke had successfully pleaded his case to Sec. Bones when Homeland Security detained him. Batwing was now a DEO stringer.
That connection had gotten Luke released when the GCPD arrested Batwing on vigilantism charges. The DEO had assumed jurisdiction and taken Batwing from the city's custody. Batwing had "mysteriously" escaped to return to Gotham with Gordon knowing the truth behind Batwing's government connections. He was still officially wanted in connection to vigilante activities, independently and with the Order of St. Batman.
The Justice League Unlimited had disavowed Azrael and Sister Lilhy's activities and their immunity from prosecution. Bones and Homeland Security hadn't deputized them or Black Bat the way they covertly had Batwing. Even Amanda Waller was afraid Azrael would run amok. Batwing was in for a surprise when Plastic Woman began taking down gunmen and women.
"What made you change your mind?" Batwing asked as he delivered a right cross.
"Old habits die hard, I guess," Plas answered, "This doesn't mean I'm turning myself in."
The tide turned and Black Mask's confederates retreated. Chinatown, for now, had an aura of peace. At least until the warring factions returned in force. Plastic Woman announced her intentions, "I'm returning with Intergang enforcers. Don't be here when that happens."
"Not if I detain you," Batwing said.
"Please, you couldn't hold me if you tried,' Plas laughed.
"Then I'll bring my own help," Batwing launched and soared off.
"So will I," Plastic Woman vowed.
Nancy Morgan, Plastic Woman's girlfriend and fellow ex-FBI agent wanted by the law, helped lead Bird of Paradise's security team sent to relieve the Intergang peddlers in Gotham Heights. She saw it had been a slaughter. Black Mask's goons still outnumbered the security team five to one and had killed every Intergang dealer in the district. Black Bat was engaged in a running gun battle with them.
Morgan noted he wasn't taking prisoners. She relayed a call back to Bird of Paradise and returned the security team to its interior duties at the Iceberg Lounge even as Jinx's force returned to the lounge. The blue and purple haired Morgan watched as Black Bat lured the enraged criminals into a darkened building. She discreetly followed. Black Bat led them into the basement.
Morgan had heard Black Bat could see in the dark. Finding the door to the basement barred shut, she assumed the rumors were true. Wild gun shots, cries of pain, and screams filtered through the door. Then there was silence. She finally heard the door being liberated and Black Bat emerged, guns poised to shoot any unexpected assassins.
Morgan had wisely hidden herself and chose not to engage Black Bat. He clearly wasn't a Batwing. Seeing spilled blood on the floor following Black Bat, it was also clear he was wounded. So, he wouldn't respond mercifully to her presence. She waited until he left the building to emerge from hiding. From one of the building's windows, she watched as Black Bat stole a car and drove out of Gotham Heights.
She finally exited the building and used a sat phone to call for a pick up. She seemed oblivious to the witnesses. One of whom was a teen working with the Newsboy Legion.
Azrael perched atop a building across from the Iceberg Lounge. Empress Penguin had foolishly dispatched her security teams. Black Mask personally led the assault on the lounge. Azrael stood witness as Jinx and her remaining exterior force was met by Bird of Paradise and her remainder.
Azrael never turned as he spoke, "Come, bear witness."
Black Siren was unnerved at his knowing about her sudden arrival. She'd just tracked him down. The sounds of gunfire worried her as Azrael stood still as a statue.
"Aren't you going to intervene?" Laurel Drake asked.
"That depends on who wins," Azrael said indifferently, "Empress Penguin has an understanding with the city officials to inhibit the greatest predatory crimes. Black Mask does not. If he prevails, I will slay him for the greater good. Meanwhile, I will enjoy watching two criminal overlords whittle away each others' forces."
"Some 'hero' you are," Black Siren snorted.
"I never claimed to be a hero," Azrael told her, "That's a label falsely applied to the Avenging Angel of the Order of St, Batman. I avenge injustices. I don't uphold fake laws and a false sense of law and order."
"I'm not just going to stand here," Black Siren vowed. Azrael sucker punched her and knocked her out.
"You needn't stand. But you won't interfere either," Azrael promised.
"Fall back!" Jinx ordered her women. They fell into the Iceberg Lounge, their numbers cut to less than half. Even if the detached unit with Plastic Woman were with them, the numbers would've been against them. Black Mask had assembled an army of criminals chafing under Intergang's acceptance of Knightfall's licensing criminal acts. They opposed the banning of murder, human trafficking, child pornography, rape, and selling drugs to minors.
Bird of Paradise's agents joined Jinx's reduced force inside the strategically placed firing positions within the lounge's foyer. Empress Penguin and Pussy Katnip had relocated to the member's only lounge beneath the main building. Here, criminal activity was conducted and condoned while the citizenry played in the public lounge. Pussy and called in her sister, Kitty, to reinforce her position. The Katnips were the last barrier to reaching Regina Swann. Underneath the Lounge's dock was a submerged submersible. Empress Penguin had primed the submarine's systems.
"It's now or never!" she called from the hatch. Pussy and Kitty backed their way to the hatch before entering. Pussy sealed the hatch.
"We're airtight," she called to Empress Penguin at the controls.
"Detaching now," Regina warned them as the clamps holding the sub unlocked. The electric motor engaged and Empress Penguin set course for the Atlantic Ocean. She'd radioed ahead and Big Boss had Intergang envoys awaiting them at the Metropolis docks. The Clock would harbor Empress Penguin while Intergang rallied a response to Black Mask's rebellion. Her hopes of advancing from the 1000 to the 100 were dashed. She'd lost control of Gotham after Neo Joker's war on society. The Director of Intergang wouldn't forgive that. Regina knew only Knightfall's intervention could keep Empress Penguin alive much less in the 1000.
Azrael watched as Jinx and Bird of Paradise led the few survivors of the exterior and interior security forces to a speedboat docked alongside the pier built next to the Iceberg Lounge. Yachts and other pleasure craft would dock there to disgorge passengers for a night at the lounge. Black Mask had proved victorious. He received reports that Black Mask's forces had been successful elsewhere. Batwing had stopped the incursion into Chinatown with Plastic Woman's unexpected assistance. Black Bat had eliminated the threat in Gotham Heights but not after Intergang's proxies had been killed. It seemed Black Mask would win the day.
He took Black Siren and left Millers Harbor. The Newsboy Legion had tracked Black Siren back to her apartment without her knowing it. He broke the door down and left her on her bed. As he went to exit, he was intercepted by Plastic Woman and Morgan. Morgan had her pistol trained on him.
"What did you do?" she demanded to know.
"I rendered her unconscious so she wouldn't interfere in Black Mask's operation. It seems Intergang has fallen. I recommend you three disappear. His forces will want to terminate all three of you if he can't persuade you to join his side," Azrael told them, "But I don't foresee any of you bending the knee to Black Mask. Nor do I see him honestly accepting your conversions."
"Why spare us?" Plas asked, "You're not the forgiving type."
"You maintain order over the criminals in this city, in your own way," Azrael told them, "I deal with the scum you neglect to rein in because they've purchased your fake indulgences. But you do deal harshly with those that violate Knightfall's core tenets. So you're useful to me."
"Black Siren may have been able to stop Black Mask's victory," Morgan advised him.
"Black Siren would be dead now," Azrael told them with certainty, "She owes me her life. Tell her to consider that when she's angered by the bruising of her jaw. Now step aside."
"Do it," Morgan recommended to Plastic Woman, "I think he has a score to settle with Black Mask and wants us out of the way while he does it."
"Your assumption is correct. Stay out of my way and Black Mask will be a memory," Azrael pushed passed the two women. They roused Black Siren.
"He sucker punched me,' Laurel complained.
"Time to change out of your working attire and into something casual," Morgan warned her, "We have to disappear for a while."
"Why? What happened?" Black Siren asked.
"Black Mask took the lounge. If Jinx and Bird of Paradise survived, they'll meet us at the safe house. Meanwhile, Regina and the Katnips should be on their way to Metropolis by now," Plas told her, "But for now, Patti O'Brien, Laurel Drake, and Nancy Morgan need to disappear while the Order of St. Batman unleashes hell on Black Mask."
"Bastard said he wouldn't interfere unless Black Mask won," Laurel snarled as she rubbed her jaw, "The prick sucker punched me."
"Fortunately, Patti and I share a closet in your apartment," Morgan said as she Plas exited to strip and change, "Pack your gear for when Regina decides to retake the town."
"If the Big Boss will let her," Laurel called down the hall as she changed clothes, "She's made enemies in her bid to be promoted to the 100."
"Knightfall will make certain Regina stays alive and in the 1000," Morgan predicted, "Regina has to realize she gets all the benefits of 100 membership without having to face the 100 itself and answering to Big Boss and the Director. Knightfall pretty much let's her do her own thing."
"You know who will be Black Mask's next target," Patti redirected the conversation, "The Riddler is next in line."
"Much as I hate Ed Nygma, should we warn him?" Morgan wondered.
"If he's half as smart as he thinks he is, he already knows," Laurel dismissed the idea, "Right now we have to concentrate on getting to the safe house and hoping Jinx and Bird of Paradise made it out alive. First Neo Joker goes ape shit and then Black Mask. I smell a rat."
"They definitely coordinated this," Patti said as she reappeared in Laurel's doorway while Drake finished packing. Morgan had a bag as well. Patti didn't actually need a bag since she could reform her costume into any style of dress. But its distinctive red and gold colors would give her away right now. At least she'd ditched the sunglasses.
"Your car survived the looting," Morgan told Laurel, "So we have wheels but we can only count on a single tank of gas since all the gas station pumps are down because the Jokerz blew the power plant to hell and beyond."
"With traffic controls out and the GCPD bottled up, it's going to be a wild ride," Laurel warned them, "Especially since half the city will be trying to get the hell out of Dodge right now."
"We have to risk it. Regina has this address on file. Her laptop is secured but Black Mask will have experts working on it. We have to hope the battery runs out before they crack the security lockouts," Morgan told them, "The safe house is rented under my name and Regina doesn't have any financial records or references to it. It comes out of our housing stipend. Everyone had to memorize the address because there were no records of it."
"Then I hope everyone has a good memory," Laurel said grimly as she unlocked the car and everyone got inside, "This is why I drive an old junker. People leave them alone in a riot."
Edward Nygma did see Black Mask coming. The Riddler and the core Riddles were on the move. Echo and Query rode with him, literally riding shotgun. Josette Quelle drove the other SUV with Quiz Miss and His Girl Tuesday. Edward Nashton drove as E. Nygma was still considered a potential traitor after his disciplining by the Riddler. Nashton's daughter, Enigma, rode with the Baffler to insure Emily's father didn't betray them all to Black Mask. No one but the Riddler knew their ultimate destination. The convoy had to be abandoned in a traffic snarl of fleeing citizens as they reached Burnside.
Their costumes gave them leeway as people fled from them rather than block their way. The Riddler had lied to the Riddles gang and told the henchmen and henchwenches that he and his core followers were going for help from the Penguins. The Riddler knew Black Mask's primary target would be Empress Penguin, so he headed in the opposite direction of Millers Harbor. They squeezed everyone into a small apartment that proved to be well stocked with food, water, and ammunition. Apparently, the Riddler had assumed they'd make it with their weapons.
"How does this help us?" E. Nygma was the voice of discontent.
"Empress Penguin will return with a small army of henchmen and henchwenches," the Riddler painfully explained, "We await their arrival to clean up the scraps of Black Mask's loyalists after the Order of St. Batman finishes with him."
"But if they're like Batman, they'll live," Josette complained.
"Azrael and the Black Bat are no Batmen," the Riddler laughed, "They've been looking for an excuse to permanently deal with Black Mask's insurgency. Azrael's history as an enforcer makes him a supposedly 'reformed' killer. Ever since Batman vanished, Azrael's internal brakes have been slipping. This is his opportunity to put the fear of the Order of St. Batman in every criminals' hearts."
"So why leave us unchecked for so long?" Enigma asked.
"Because we're doing him a service by enforcing Knightfall's license requirements," the Riddler looked pained to have to explain to his protege, "We serve his purpose. When we cease to do so, he'll kill us all without remorse."
"How will we know if any of the Penguins survived?" His Girl Tuesday asked.
"Because the Newsboy Legion will know," the Riddler sighed over her ignorance, "We simply coax the information out of them."
"By eliminating the Penguins and the Riddles, Black Mask effectively controls the city," Quiz Miss said.
"He'll ignore Killer Croc and Baby Doll for now," the Riddler mused, "But Neo Joker isn't standing down. She's just begun her crusade. After tonight, she'll turn on anyone that didn't stand beside her this evening."
"That includes us," the Baffler pointed out.
"I know. Now we'll test whether she's a psychotic genius or just psychotic," the Riddler laughed at his own joke, "If we have to, we'll eliminate Neo Joker and her court of Jokerz."
"Joker's Daughter wouldn't turn against us," Enigma promised, "Spare her and the Jokerz will stay out of our way."
"Leaving someone in control of the Jokerz is preferable than martyring their leadership," the Riddler considered it, "Can you guarantee an agreement with Joker's Daughter?"
"I already have one," Enigma told him, "I was preparing to help her kill Neo Joker and reclaim primacy over the Jokerz. Those were my terms for helping her."
"It seems you outplanned me on this one," the Riddler applauded her, "But don't get cocky. You're still the apprentice."
"I'm well aware," Enigma replied.
"Hang in there, Harv and Renee. I'm contacting outside help directly and bypassing the government," Barbara Gordon told Bullock and Montoya over the radio, "Hopefully the direct approach will get me somewhere."
"Gotcha, Commish. We'll be holdin' on. But O'Moore said we're outta rubber bullets and tear gas. The water cannons won't work wit' out the pumps runnin'," Bullock advised her.
"The SRU is in the same straits. If we get attacked again, we only have lethal force to respond with," Montoya concurred.
"Can you break the SRU out and meet me at Wayne Manor?" Gordon asked.
"We can try but we'll have to pack every scrap of gear we have rather than arm the Jokerz with it," Montoya told her.
"You may have to get bloody on the way here. I'm authorizing both of you to employ lethal force if the situation warrants in. IA won't be investigating these shoots," Gordon promised.
"O'Moore will be relieved ta hear it," Bullock told her.
"We'll try to get there by night fall before the crazies reassemble," Montoya promised.
"Get out while they're unprepared and recuperating from last night," Barbara agreed, "I'll be expecting you."
She left the Batcave to warn Bruce to expect company. He and Jaina joined her in the cave afterwards as she placed an emergency summons to the Network to get word out to the Outsiders to intervene in Gotham. She couldn't ask directly because of the President's decision to deny federal support. Commissioner Maggie Sawyer had sealed Gotham off from NYC. And the Governor of New Jersey had sealed the city off from from the rest of the state. It was the Nazi Occupation all over again. It seemed every time Gotham was endangered, it was on its own.
"Hellequin and the Wonderland Gang move too freely throughout the city without being spotted," Bruce had noted, "I think they're using the Court of Owls' tunnel system."
"I've deployed a legion of officers into the tunnels to find them," Barbara sighed, "We always come up empty. They only sign of them was someone had used the old abandoned train depot as a camp site."
"But I've always assumed I found all the tunnels. What if there are networks within the tunnel system that weren't mapped out in the Owls' Library?" Bruce wondered.
"You'd mean more recent additions?" Jaina asked.
"Hellequin has intimate knowledge of this city rivaling that of the former Bat Clan," Bruce told them, "It's as though I'd shown her myself."
"Well, we discovered our DNA trace on her rang up a false flag," Barbara shared, "Marian Drews was a criminal but the white collar type. Hellequin is still free while Drews was killed in prison on Intergang's orders."
"DNA testing has discovered three Victor Stones and two Oliver Queens so far. Whose to say there aren't two Marian Drews?" Bruce asked.
"And they're all different ages," Jaina got on board with the theory, "Vandal Savage is now convinced, thanks to Saturn Queen, that there used to be a Multiverse that was destroyed resulting in a New Universe that copied the Multiverse's Prime Universe. But somehow history repeated with doppelgangers. There are also two Lois Lanes. Both of whom have super powers that have no history in our universe's time frame."
"Lois Lane has super powers?" Bruce was taken by surprise.
"She has the first Supergirl's DNA spliced into her own giving her most of Superman's powers," Jaina explained, "She remembers a world where Superman and the Justice League became murderous tyrants. That's why she publicly turned against Superman. The other Lois became the Eradicator in response to Superman being killed. They have those memories with no recent history to support them."
"Making both Lois' origination stemming from destroyed parallel universes we have no memory of," Barbara understood now, "So could Hellequin. She could still be Marian Drews. But she'd from an alternate universe that no longer exists. It was Lex Luthor that supposedly proved alternate universes couldn't exist."
"And they can't. Not anymore. But they did in a history that was erased," Jaina continued forward with the theory.
"So why can't we remember this destruction?" Barbara asked.
"We called it the Near Apocalypse of 2009," Jaina told them, "We all remember existence winking out for one second. Which it did. But supposedly that second was saved by the same entity that recreated the New Universe from it. The new history to accommodate this universe's history is dubbed Rebirth. Everyone's memories in the entire universe were altered to fit a single universe. Only the insane remember the true past. Or, those touched by Saturn Queen."
"And Vandal Savage shared all of this with you?" Barbara asked.
"He thought I should know in dealing with certain individuals," Jaina told them, "Bruce, you and Selina have doppelgangers as well. You believe them to be aunts and uncles."
"They have a daughter," Bruce said stiffly.
"A doppelganger of Helena. She even shares the name," Jaina told him.
"She's fourteen," Barbara argued.
"And the Oliver Queen that still alive is half the age of the dead doppelganger you both knew," Jaina reminded them, "The surviving Victor Stones are also either half the age of the one you served with in the Justice League with or fourteen years older."
"Our doppelgangers married," Bruce said in a stunned voice.
"I guess the Bruce Wayne of that other Earth decided he could start a family with Selina," Jaina shrugged, "I'm no expert but the possibility still exists now for you."
"INTERPOL has sporadic reports of a Bat-Man matching your uncle Bruce's age working with a want-to-be Bat Clan. They lived in Los Angles, just like your supposed aunt and uncle," Barbara told him, "We briefly encountered them here in Gotham. Jacob Kane seemed to know more about them then the GCPD did. I've always suspected complicity between the two. Now a flying mystery man saved everyone at the Wayne Foundation before the ferry passengers threatened by Neo Joker's bomb could blow the Foundation guests to hell and beyond."
"How do you know this?" Jaina asked.
"I've regained contact with Kathy Duquesne and Kate Kane who were both there before LuthorCorp airlifted Kathy out. Kate stayed in place. Apparently Derek Powers led a revolt against Kane, who held the detonator to the ferry's bomb and tried to force Kane to blow up the ferry before the passengers could blow them up. Harbor Patrol inspected the bomb on the ferry. The timer was just a digital cooking timer. It wasn't wired into the explosives. So the bombs would only go off if triggered by the remote detonator. The bomb that Harbor Patrol reported going off in the Hudson River was detonated by the passengers and nothing else. There was no real deadline," Barbara reported.
"So Neo Joker wanted to make killers out one group or the other to prove her point that we're all essentially evil," Jaina considered it, "The ferry passengers seemed ready to do so when they activated that remote."
"They were desperate," Gordon defended the hapless passengers.
"But they knew they were triggering a bomb that would kill other people," Bruce said grimly.
"You saw the news footage," Barb reminded him, "Powers and his cohorts were willing to make the same choice,"
"Wonderful guy you lost your company to," Jaina snorted.
"Lucius Fox died to give him the controlling shares I sold him to further fund Batman Incorporated," Bruce said sadly, "I didn't anticipate someone killing Lucius to get the ten percent needed to outvote me on the Board."
"Did you just admit you made a mistake?" Barbara asked, "Because I want to commemorate this moment in history."
"It is epic," Jaina laughed.
"We need seal the cave if Montoya and the SRU are coming," Bruce changed the topic, "The field radios and the manor's generators will explain why you've had internet and radio contact with the outer world."
"You just can't admit you were wrong," Jaina gently punched his shoulder as she headed towards the stairs.
"It seems Jaina and the White Rabbit got to really know you in a short span of time," Barb pointed out she followed Hudson to the exit. Bruce silently followed after placing the Batcave on standby mode. It would receive the Batmobile's return and alert White Rabbit and the Phantasm of their new arrivals should Montoya break free and reach the Manor.
"Well, it's been a crawl but they finally entered that house up ahead," White Rabbit sighed, "Any other boring chore I can do for you?"
"Drop me off here," Phantasm ordered, "Return to the Manor and wait in case I signal you."
"It's in doubt?" White Rabbit.
"They may decide to simply kill me while they can," Phantasm said dispassionately.
"You want backup?" White Rabbit asked, "They can't kill me."
"How long can you stay separated from Jaina Hudson?" Phantasm asked.
"Longer than this," White Rabbit promised.
"I work alone," Phantasm decided. She opened the bottom hatch and jumped down out of it.
"I work alone," White Rabbit snorted, "Then next time you fly this thing."
She set course for the access tunnel to the Batcave. She supposed she'd find out Phantasm's fate soon enough. She was surprised to find the cave activating its systems in response to her return. The message on the Bat Computer's main monitor explained that the GCPD would be occupying the Manor. Now Phantasm's concern became reality. They'd stayed separated for this long before. The mental strain would soon become disabling to Jaina. White Rabbit didn't know if she'd stay existent if Jaina were to fall victim to mental collapse. She could remain corporeal if Jaina slept but if she were akin to being in a coma, they were in uncharted territory.
"Well, if I live in breathe, Tommy Eliot. Or what's left of you," Red Alice jovially greeted the new arrival while March Hare went off for some much needed sleep.
"Why am I here, Alice?" Tommy demanded to know.
"Poor Door Mouse met with an unfortunate stabbing. I wondered if you'd take his place," Red Alice explained.
"So I can be your next victim? No, thanks," Tommy responded.
"There's perks to the job," Red Alice continued, "I can give you Bruce Wayne. He is my cousin, after all."
"He's disowned you like rest of your family," Tommy said less harshly.
"They took Bruce's face from you and left nothing but scars. I can have you looking like Wayne again with a simple custom order. I'll deal with my cousin and you can have his life," Red Alice promised.
"But Powers controls the company now," Tommy complained.
"And the Mad Hatter can make him give it back to you," Red Alice explained the gist of it, "Assuming, of course, you want to take over Bruce Wayne's life."
"What's the cost?" Eliot asked.
"You play Door Mouse for me for a time and I give you my cousin on a platter," Red Alice explained.
"You'll give me access to billions and you'll just walk away?" Tommy was skeptical.
"No, you'll have billions to play with and I want the Batcave. Since we both know cousin Bruce was the Batman," Red Alice snickered, "Or were you going to deny that part of him?"
"I have plans for Batman," Tommy told her, "I'll be Batman."
"And you'll need my help," Red Alice sighed, "Because face it, Bruce spent his life preparing to become Batman and still had a rough ride in the beginning. You're hardly in the same caliber as him. Without us, you'll be dead on your first night out as the Batman."
"So I'll still be your pawn," Tommy complained.
"Call it what you will. I want Batman out there. I want a Batman unafraid to kill to survive. I want an all-new and different Batman," Red Alice smiled, "Can you be that Bat?"
"Get my face back and that Manor, and I'll be exactly what you want me to be," Tommy vowed.
"Then we have an accord," Red Alice told him, "While I make an appointment with Red Cross to get Bruce's face back on your shoulders, you'll be my Door Mouse."
"Red Cross and Special Nurse are hacks," Tommy complained.
"But they know specialists that can be bought," Red Alice smirked, "Every medical practitioner is a mercenary at heart."
"Who's Scarface?" Hellequin asked as she entered the kitchen where the meeting was taking place.
"Meet Tommy Eliot, the once and future Bruce Wayne," Red Alice with aplomb.
"I think you haven't gotten enough sleep yet," Hellequin snorted.
"I think your past gives you a blind spot when it comes to Batman," Red Alice accused.
"At least I'm not reliant upon memories of a boy you last knew when you were twelve," Hellequin said back to her.
"But Kate knows him," Red Alice stated, "I can convince her to set me up with a meeting with poor cousin Brucie."
"Wayne is in seclusion. Why would he meet with you?" Hellequin asked pointedly, "You're one of Gotham's most wanted."
"He listens to Kate. All I need to do is persuade her and he'll follow what she asks him to do," Red Alice was confident.
"So in the end, this is about Kate," Hellequin deduced.
"Everything is about Kate. Kate, Commander Kane, and my step-monster. I have to show them what I've become and make them accept it for who I am," Red Alice explained.
"Killing Catherine Hamilton was a great start," Hellequin snorted.
"It proved my point!" Red Alice snapped at her, "They know to take me seriously now."
"I take you seriously. He doesn't," Hellequin pulled her Magnum revolver free and shot Tommy Eliot in the head, "But now he does."
"You killed my new Door Mouse!" Red Alice shrieked.
"The last one is rotting in the basement. He'll have company now," Hellequin shrugged.
Smoke filled the kitchen and wafted away to reveal Phantasm's presence, "Your Angel of Death as arrived."
"Somebody shoot the sentries," Hellequin grated, "And spare me the theatrics, Andrea."
"You're mistaken," Phantasm said coldly despite being seriously rattled.
"I know all about you, Andrea Beaumont. Where I come from, you and Batman became a thing again after he stopped being part of a global dictatorship," Hellequin explained, "So I know about your previous engagement to Bruce Wayne. You broke it off because your dad was a crook and you fled to Europe. He became Batman and after your dad was killed you trained to become the Phantasm."
"How did you learn this?" Phantasm was visibly shaken now.
"You told me," Hellequin explained.
"I think I'd remember that," Phantasm studied Hellequin very carefully now.
"It was you but a different you. I don't have the inclination to explain. But I know and I don't plan on sharing," Hellequin said flatly, "So, you either to kill me or we make whatever twisted bargain you came here to offer."
"That's a woman?" Red Alice was trying to keep up.
Phantasm stripped off her scythe glove and then removed her helmet, "At your service."
"At least cousin Bruce has taste in women," Red Alice smirked, "I love the red hair. Us gingers have to stick together."
"Bruce told me about your abduction and apparent death," Phantasm told her, "I understand your wanting vengeance on Catherine Hamilton for faking the evidence that you'd conclusively died. But Hellequin is right. You poisoned yourself in the eyes of your family."
"Kate will understand. She's my twin. She's always understood me," Red Alice angrily insisted.
"She doesn't understand this," Phantasm waved over Red Alice, "She never will."
"Did you come to kill me or just torture me?" Red Alice flipped her butterfly knife open, "Because either way, it ends now."
"Put that away!" Hellequin snapped at her, "If she wanted to kill us she would have tried already."
"I came to help you kill Neo Joker," Phantasm revealed, "She needs to die. But after she tells the crowds she's going to kill them. Otherwise she's a martyred saint their eyes."
"Christina is the furthest thing from a saint," Hellequin snarled.
"Kill her but be smart about the timing. You do it at the right time and you're the hero of the narrative in the public's eyes," Phantasm told her.
"So, we do it on your time table?" Red Alice asked snidely.
"You do it when she impulsively becomes the villain of the piece in their eyes," Phantasm argued, "You make a hero and this city will rot in a cesspool of its own making. The Jokerz will never lose their grip on the public psyche. But when Neo Joker tries to kill the crowd, they'll see they're following a false prophet."
"I get you coming to me about killing Chris," Hellequin stated, "But what do you expect from the Wonderland Gang?"
"I need help when they start to try to kill the crowd. I can stop one, maybe two, of them on my own. But they'll have numbers. You have numbers. So your numbers kill their numbers."
"No one walks away?" Red Alice asked pensively.
"No survivors. The entire Jokerz Royal Court dies," Phantasm offered up.
Red Alice flipped her knife closed, "We have a deal."
"I was hoping the Mad Hatter could increase our numbers," Phantasm admitted, "I don't know how many Jokerz will be posted as the killing team."
"Anna would love to play the game," Red Alice enthused.
"Alice, there are Jokerz canvassing the neighborhood," a sentry reported.
"Act normal, stash the guns, and answer the door to find out what they want," Red Alice ordered.
Phantasm donned her voice altering helmet and padded breastplate before pulling her scythe glove on, "No sense being unprepared."
"You make a helluva guy," Red Alice chuckled.
The sentry returned to the kitchen after answering the door, "The Jokerz are staging heists across corporate headquarters and banks. Afterwards, anyone not involved gets herded to Robinson Park for a rally with Neo Joker where she'll lay out her vision for Gotham."
"That's the killing zone," Phantasm predicted.
Red Alice yawned, "I hate to say it but I need a couple of hours of sleep to be effective tonight."
"You'd better lie down too," Phantasm told Hellequin, "You need to be clear headed tonight to pick your moment."
"Trust me. I'll wait for the perfect moment to kill her. She'll see it coming and know there's nothing she can do to stop it," Hellequin vowed, "The same fate she'd intended for me."
"You don't seem angry," Phantasm was impressed.
"I've been here before. I should've known a Joker would always betray me," Hellequin shrugged, "Lesson finally learned."
"Get some sleep. I'll arrange for transportation," Phantasm promised.