Greetings and Salutations!
Thank you to all you have stayed loyal to this story through all the ups and downs I experienced writing it. It has really been a blast to get through. Now that it is complete I give it on to you all and hope with all my black little heart that you enjoy the finally.
And so I present you to the final chapter to The Road to Hell.
November 24th 2016
Gotham City
The night of Crow's Thanksgiving party had finally arrived. Damian looked himself over in his full-length mirror one last time before he readied himself to leave Wayne Manor. His black tux and bowtie were resplendent, his white shirt perfectly starched and his Italian handmade leather shoes shone like new pennies, thank you Alfred. He tucked the invitation into his inner jacket pocket and turned towards the door. He'd made plans to meet with Oz at the address listed on the invite. No doubt they'd be sent to a second location then a third and possibly a fourth before finally arriving at the actual party destination. But that was the way of criminals. All cloak and dagger all the time.
Damian was surprised to see Oz at the meeting point with Jen on his arm. The two of them were giggling as Oz snorted a line of coke off Jen's cleavage then kissed her sloppily when they spotted Damian.
"Hey bestie!" Oz greeted a bit too loudly considering the situation.
"Hey there Oz, Jen,"
"Hello!" Jen drawled excitedly with an air of Marilyn Monroe.
Damian tucked his hands into his pockets and raised his eyebrows "So are we ready to get this show on the road?"
"Not yet, there's something I gotta tell ya bro." As Oz spoke, there was a hint of apprehensiveness that was combined with what was either joy, punch drugged love or both.
"Ok, what's up?" Damien asked, not at all in the mood for Oz's usual line of BS.
Jen was the one to speak next, "Well Richie-Rich, see anything you like?" Jen asked holding up her left hand to show of a small ice skating rink on a very iconic finger.
Damian's eyes popped open. "Tell me that came out of a cracker jack box and you two are fucking with me?"
Oz's smile went from ear to ear, "Yep, a crackerjack box knows as Tiffany's mother fucker! Meet the newly dubbed Mrs. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot the 3rd! I got hitched bitch!" Oz turned to his bride and began to redefine the term sucking face.
Damian shook his head in disbelief, "I am so overwhelmed by choice, when did this happen exactly?"
"Yesterday, Ozzy and I just went with it. You are happy for us aren't you Damian?" As Jen spoke in a very definitive English brogue, Damian couldn't decide if she was putting on a show because she was now married to a 1%'er or if her voice was just dressing up for a late Halloween party that only she knew about. Needless to say, her new British accent was disturbing.
"Why are you talking like that?" Damian asked.
"She's always talked like that dude, she's been on the run from some seriously shady peeps from back in the UK for the last few years so she hid who she was. But that all over now, isn't it my little crumpet?" Oz gave Jen an Eskimo kiss which she lovingly returned.
Damian fought the urge to vomit. "Ugh, ok you two, can we get on with this, I need a drink."
Oz rolled his eyes, "Aw don't be like that bro. One day you'll meet the one and you'll just what this feels like."
Damien looked back at his friend and realized he was being kind of a dick. He shrugged it off and changed his attitude. "Sorry man, don't mind me. I'm just bitter you didn't give me time to throw you a bachelor party. Congrats, you fucking scum bag." Damian pulled his boy in for a bro hug then kissed Jen's cheek, "Good luck with this one Jen, I'm not even sure he's house trained yet."
Jen giggled, "Don't worry D, I'll be keeping him on a short leash." The three turned to the door to the first location and began the scavenger hunt to find the party. Jen's new accent was going to take some getting used to but Damian did remember that one night in Frostbite when he could have sworn he'd heard a track of the very accent she was now sporting. Guess Jen wasn't lying about the UK part after all.
Two hours of misdirection, retinal scans, frightening pat downs and 6 alternate locations later they had arrived at a creepy warehouse on the docks of the East River. At the door was a giant male specimen who looked like he could snap you in half with his eyelids if you stepped out of line. He checked the invitations of the three amigos, well 2 amigos and one wifey. The large one proceeded to speak into a gadget on his wrist, then he nodded and let them in.
In the main room of the ball was a massive table where several other guests had already taken their seats and begun chit chatting with one another. The décor was modern/contemporary/minimalism and reminded Damian of a few upscale gallery openings he'd been dragged to with Bruce to keep up appearances. Lighting was curtesy of a few industrial over head lamps that almost passed as industrial chic. Ultimately however, they just added to the overall foreboding vibe of the place. Among the present guests were several familiar faces any of Gotham's citizens would have recognized from the news. They were mob bosses, drug dealers, pimps, murderers, and general psychopaths. Though no one would have guessed their low-life stations in the world at first glance being that they were all decked out to the 9's in black tie formal wear. For example, to Damian's left, sipping a glass of red wine was the infamous Dr. Pamela Isley bettwe known as Poison Ivy. Dressed in an off the shoulder floor length emerald green satin gown, Ivy easily made Joan Crawford look like soccer mom. For half a second, Damian had to remind himself that she was a hardened criminal, not someone you'd pull out a how'you'doin for.
The only one who looked totally out of place was a bulky male with a muttonchops goatee that connected to his sideburns who dared to dress in a tuxedo t-shirt and black cargo pants. Whoever he was, Damian couldn't be sure as the guy was too far to make a visual confirmation. But whoever he was looked to be in high spirits as he drank heavily, eat like a pig and spoke loudly enough for Damian to pick up his slangy Australian accent from clear across the room.
Among the who's who of Gotham's scum of the Earth were a few of the city's well-to-do crowd. John Dagget, Oz's dad Oswald Cobblepot the 2nd, and Mr. Earl, a VP from Wayne Enterprises were just a few that Damian knew by name and face. He wasn't surprised to see them there. Damian's father had suspected their involvement in the criminal sector for a while now.
The sound of a crystal glass being tapped with a piece of silverware collected the attention of everyone. The noisemaker being none other than Dr. Crane, the Scarecrow, as he so went by now, Crow.
"Now that I have been told all the guests are present I would like to welcome you all to my little gathering. I trust you will all enjoy the delicious spread. I have made it my mission to include all diet preferences in the menu. After dinner, there will be drinks and desert as well as some light musical entertainment and dancing. I do hope this get together will aid in future dealings that will be beneficial to us all." There was a round of polite applause. Damian clapped his hands and rolled his eyes. It was apparent that this was a fancy version of Comin-Con for criminals.
"Thank you, thank you. Now before you take your assigned seats I have a very special announcement. As I'm sure you all know there has been a large disruption in business of late. No doubt due to recent government meddling's in our skills as entrepreneurs and procurers of the 'American Dream'" Crow air quoted and laughed at his own joke.
"As a result of this interference, one of our own, was forced to flee the country with his beloved wife, as I'm sure you've all heard the news. We were unsure if he would have been able to join us this evening. But I am very pleased to announce he has returned!" a collection of murmuring and gasps overtook the crowd.
"Will you please join me in welcoming The King and Queen of Gotham City, the incomparable Joker and his beautiful bride Harley Quinn!" The applause was near deafening as a set of double doors opened to reveal the world's most notorious couple since Bonnie and Clyde. The joker wore a louder than life black and gold tuxedo cut jacket with a dark purple silk shirt and black tuxedo pants complete with a leather tux stripe that ran down his legs. His gold and black wingtips caught the light of the overhead lamps adding a glow at his feet with each step.
Harley was a stunner in a long black, red and gold paisley gown with black fur trim. Her blue and red tips were tucked into an intricate chignon that displayed her long graceful neck and tattoos. As they descended the staircase arm in arm, their faces read that they were eating up every second of the attention like a celebrity power couple walking the red carpet. They sauntered over to where Crow had been making his announcements and took center stage.
The Joker began his address. "Ahh, home sweet home," more applause. "Yes, it's good to be back and good to be among a populace who share a desire to denounce, nay, desiccate the goodie little two shoes who think they are the end all in what is just and true. I say the only true justice is holding the warm heart of your enemy in the palm of your hand as they lay bleeding, broken and dead at your feet." Louder applause.
"Now, now… Shut up!" the crowd quieted, the Joker smiled widely and delivered one final announcement. "I'm gonna break down a wall here and fill you all in on a little history. 16 years ago the Joker was born onto the world." He held his arms out like some holy or unholy godlike thing. "But before that he was a man. A man with a dream and a family, a child. A daughter that was stolen from him and kept from him for her entire life. The daughter was raised by vile creatures and depraved individuals who paraded themselves as good guys. And wouldn't you know it? She ended up exactly like her old man," he touched his heart. Damian stopped breathing. Anna, his Anna. The clown bastard was talking about his Anna. "Now by some very interesting twists of fate, she has come back into my life and Harley and I couldn't be prouder of the young woman she's become. And so, this festivity here isn't only a meeting ground for our lot, it's now also a coming out party. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome our gorgeous daughter, the lovely, the deadly, Anarky."
The same double doors that revealed The Joker and Harley opened again. There in the doorway stood a vision. It was her. Anna was dressed in a strapless black sequin fringe gown. The dress was skin tight from where it shielded her bust down to her knees where it flared out into a dark green metallic looking train that fanned out like a mermaid tail. Her lips were the color of almost dried blood and across her eyes was a mask of smoky eyeshadow. Her pale blue eyes looked almost white against all the dark hues of her apparel and makeup. Her black hair flowed over the right side of her face of waterfall curls displaying her side shave on the left side of her head and an Anarchy 'A' tattooed on her exposed scalp.
"What the hell did he do to you?" Damian whispered to himself. Anna finished her descent down the staircase and she joined her father's side.
"Anarky, welcome back to the city of your birth princess." He turned back to the mass, "Now, let's eat!"
As everyone took their assigned seats, Damian stared at Anna. There she was, only a few feet away from him. She had changed so much since he's seen her last. Her hair was black now, not honey brown and the 'A' on her scalp wasn't the only tatt she had now. In the corner of her right cheekbone just below her eye were 4 tiny lines in an uneven row and down the left side of her neck in elegant script was the word 'SHATTERED.' The last tattoo Damian could see was a sentence that went around her right wrist. What it said Damian couldn't tell but he would soon enough. After dinner, Crow said there would be dancing. He needed to dance with her and talk to her as time was of the essence.
His father and their team were in the area and were waiting for Damian to give them the signal to strike. He couldn't use just any tracker or else the goon's who searched him on the adventure it took to get to the party location would have found it and Damian's cover would have been blown. To get past this Bruce had come up with an edible tracker that would allow Damian's location to be traced and for the team to hear everything that was said. He excused himself to the restroom and spoke quietly.
"Dinner's over, the girl is here and the clown has her. Give me 45minutes then strike." Alone in a toilet stall Damian forced himself to vomit the tracker up and flushed it down the tubes.
Dinner had come to an end and the guests were escorted to an adjoining room where a small band played. There were 4 fully stocked bars and tables with all sorts of desert treats. Damian watched the clown and his twisted family took a seat in a section reserved for them. That was when Damian made his move. Putting on the air of confidence most associated with the Wayne men, Damian strutted over to the Joker's expanse. Before he got too close a body guard stopped him.
"That's far enough kid. What do you want?"
"A dance with the most beautiful girl in the room for starters." Damian answered laying on a thick layer of charm and conviction.
The guard looked back at his boss. The Joker nodded his head back and the guard let Damian pass. "Good evening Sir, may I have the honor of the first dance with your daughter?"
"And who are you exactly?" The Joker asked studying Damian up and down.
"Damian Wayne Sir."
"Damian Wayne… Son on Brice Wayne I presume?"
"Yes Sir, the one and only."
"Funny seeing the trust fund bastard brat of an aged-out party boy who never played on the dark side, here, swimming with the sharks. How did you finagle your way into this little fiesta Jr Wayne?"
"I like to party harder than my dad did and recently became a very valued customer of our host or you, I should say. That's how I got my invite. But the bottom line is I plan to take over the city in a bigger way than my father has. Unlike my father however, I understand a man needs friends in all places if he wants to be truly successful Gotham."
"Ah, another sweet talker." The Joker let out his signature laugh. "Princess, would you care to accept the young man's invitation?"
"Only if it's ok with you daddy." Anarky said coyly batting her eyelashes.
"By all means, enjoy yourself." the Joker stood to his feet and took Anarky's hand. Before he placed it in Damian's the Joker pulled Damian close. "This dance is to remain PG rated or I'll make sure you star in my next snuff film, and there's nothing PG about them. Am I clear?"
Damian smiled showing no fear. Looking directly into the Joker's eyes he replied, "Crystal clear Sir." Pulling back the Joker smiled and placed Anarky's hand into Damian's. Damian tucked Anarky's hand into the crook of his elbow and escorted her to the dancefloor.
The Joker's smile faded to a snarl. He turned to Harley, brushing back his green hair. "I fucking hate that kid."
"You don't even know him Puddin, give him a chance."
"He kept calling me Sir."
"He was trying to be respectful."
"Respect that I want to shoot him in those perfect pearly whites till they become embedded in his brane stem."
"It's one dance, she's not going to run off and marry him. Besides I think they make a cute couple."
"Get real Harls, girls like my daughter don't become the wives of the over privileged. They become their dirty little secrets. The adventure they seek when they grow board of their perfect WASP chippies with food names and country club memberships. Frost!" the Joker called to his main man.
"Yeah Boss,"
"Watch him like a hawk. And don't fuck it up this time like you did back in Paris."
"Understood." Frost walked in a casual circle close enough to see the young dancers but far enough to not be noticed.
On the Dance floor Damian reveled in the feel and the mystery girl in his hands.
"Anna…" he started.
"Wrong girl handsome."
Damian half smiled. "How about Ninja then?"
Anarky shook her head. "Nope still wrong but third time's a charm. Wanna go for broke?"
"We don't have time for games Anna. I know he's got you trapped but I can help you."
"My name isn't Anna, it's Anarky and what makes you think my daddy has me trapped?"
"Just look what he's done to you. This isn't you. Where's the girl I met in Frostbite who wanted to get away from that nut?"
"What are you talking about? When did I say I was trying to get away from him?"
Damian was getting annoyed but he needed to help her. "You said you needed a passport. That there were people after you. I know you were talking about him."
Anarky scrutinized Damian's face for a moment before laughing. "You thought I was running from my father? God you're clueless. I was running from the system. I was underage and a runaway. I didn't even know my father then. But if I did know he was looking for me, I would have run to him not away from him."
"Anna he's evil. I amazed you're still alive after all this time."
"He would never hurt me, he saved me. You on the other hand better watch it. All I need to do is tell my daddy the things you just said and dental records won't even be able to identify you."
Damian looked at her right wrist and read her tattoo. It was all caps and in bold letters. It said: NO LAW CAN GIVE YOU FREEDOM. He was familiar with the quote from several Anarchist blogs and postings he'd come across since takingh up the mantel of one of Gotham's defenders. Seeing it etched into her skin made him sad for her. Was she really buying into her father's craziness? "Anna,"
"And stop calling me that. That girl you've so clearly been pining over, she's dead. My name is Anarky. Get used to it, cause you're gonna hear it a lot very soon." Anna shrugged out of Damian's hold and walked back in the direction of her father's area.
"Wait An…" the guard from earlier appeared in front of Damian blocking his way.
"I think the girl's done dancing with you for tonight."
"Who are you get fairy godfather?" Damian asked having reached the end of his patience.
He smiled, "Something like that. The name is Frost. I'm her father's right hand and I'm telling you that if you come near her again…"
"Ya, I get it." Damian adjusted his tux jacket and walked away.
Anarky almost reached her father when a rough hand grabbed on to hers and spun her into a broad chest. "Hang on now, not so fast lovely."
"Who the hell…" Anarky began to demand.
"The name's George Harkness, but please call me Digger. The papes like to call me Captain Boomerang but I think that's a bit stereotypical, don't you? I mean an Ausie conducting crime in the US of A so they name me something Ausie related. Though I guess I'm lucky they didn't go ahead and call me Captain Kangaroo, right?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about but if you don't let me go my dad is likely to throw your shrimp on the Barbie, ya dig Digger?"
"That's good! You're quick! I like quick ones. All I'm after is a dance darling. You looked miserable with a James Bond looking bloke so I thought maybe a more grassroots gent like me self might be more successful in puttin a smile on your face. So how about it? Come on then just one smile."
Anarky could stop the smile that took over her lips "You've got a death wish you know that?"
"Nah, you mum and me go way back. I'm sure I'm the sort of bloke ya dad would love for ya to bring home."
Anna looked over the guy who called himself Digger. He was wearing a tuxedo t-shirt with black cargo pants and scuffed up black combat boots. His facial hair was elaborate to say the least and one of his front teeth was gold. Even though he wasn't a conventionally handsome man there was something attractive about him. It was like he knew who he was and didn't care what anyone else thought. Anarky had to respect him.
"So what'da'ya say gorgeous? Can I fill up ya dance card for the night?"
"Let's not get a head of ourselves here but I will finish the song with you."
"That's a start, I'll take it."
From his vantage point the Joker watched Anarky and some grimy guy in a tuxedo t-shirt dance off beat only a few feet away from him. Tilting his head to the side he noticed the guy was making Anna laugh.
That was when Harley opened her mouth. "Oh, hell no! Not him!"
"You know him?" Asked the Joker.
"Ya, he was with me in that Midway City madness. There is no way in hell he's doing anything with my daughter."
"Cool your heals Harley. Tell me about him."
"His name's Digger. He's obnoxious and skeevie and so not the one for her."
"Was he the one who took off and then came back?"
"Ya he is but…"
"I approve."
"What?!"
"He's in our world, he's clearly loyal and he's making her laugh."
"He's way too old for her!"
Joker growled. "Do you see any other teenagers in this society of ours? What are they gonna do? Take her to prom? Homecoming? She's 16 by age but she's seen enough of the world to make her a fully-grown woman. She needs an older guy. I'm not saying he'll be spending nights in her room anytime soon but if she's going to dance with anyone, it should be someone real."
Harley shook her head, "This will end badly."
"As do most things. But at least she's laughing right now."
Anarky and Digger laughed and danced for the next 3 songs. He dipped and spun her like a pro. Too bad it was totally not to the rhythm of the music.
"You're a terrible dancer Digger." Anarky said through giggles.
"No I'm not, I'm just not cut out for this ritzy junk. I mean look at these stiffs. Come out with me sometime and I'll show you how to party."
"How old are you?" she asked.
"27 you?"
"I'm 16."
"Well that not too bad, 16's legal age in my neck of the woods."
"Even if my dad's the Joker?"
"You're pop's the Joker? Well I better scram" Digger mock shook with fake fear causing Anarky to laugh harder. "Nah, I aint scared of your daddy and your mum loves me."
"How do you know her?"
"Eh we were involved in a little team building exercise in jail. I'd still be there if I wasn't such a good actor. This one night I faked a heart attack and got out. That's how I got this, pretty aint it?" he, tilted his head exposing the right side of his neck. There he showed Anarky a jagged scar that looked like a chunk had been taken out of his neck.
She hissed at the sight of it, "You got shot in the neck?"
"No way, I did that one myself. You see they put this tracking thingy in my neck and I knew if I had any chance of gettin out that little piece of hardware had to go."
Anarky nodded her head. "Badass,"
"Thank you kindly."
From across the dancefloor Jen spotted her. At first when the Joker made the introduction Jen didn't think anything of it but now that they were so close she saw the resemblance. "Ninja?" she turned to Oz who was talking to his father. "Hey love, I'll be right back I think I see a work acquaintance I must say hello to."
"Ok Babe, I'll be here with dad." As she scurried off Oz turned back to his father "So what do you think dad?"
"Son, for the first time in your life, I can honestly say you did good. She will make an excellent addition to the family and to our enterprise. I think it's finally time to give you some responsibilities."
Oz was stunned. "Dad I would love that! What do you want me to do?"
"Well, since you're such a fan of Frostbite's how would you feel about taking it over? I'm honestly board of the establishment and was considering selling it anyway. You will run the club and my daughter in law will supply the VIP room with all the goodies the patrons could ever ask for."
Eyes wide and mouth agape Oz nodded his head. "Thank you, Sir. We won't let you down."
"See to it that you don't boy." Oswald turned his head with just enough time to appreciate the lovely shape of his new daughter in law's ass and the two dimples on her lower back as she ran towards whom she wanted to see in her backless gown. He fantasized licking caviar out of those dainty dimples and made a mental note to send a funding grant to whomever the designer of that dress was. "Yes, you did good son, very good in deed."
As Jen got closer she was more and more sure that the Joker's daughter named Anarky was her long-lost friend Ninja. It couldn't be anyone else. She was sure of it! She was 5 feet away when someone called her. The voice was one that made Jen's blood run cold. She froze and turned to see the face that haunted her nightmares.
"It's you. My Alice, I've found you at last."
"Uncle?" she asked unable to move.
"Yes, my precious. I'm here, and we're going home." That was when Jen's world went black.
Damian strode over to the men's room again to begin changing into his fight gear. His father, brother and the rest of their team would be here any moment and if Anna or Ninja or Anarky or whoever she damn well was wanted to go down with the ship, then so be it. He was done with her. Before he turned the corner to the restroom he looked back to see her dancing and laughing with a man he now was close enough to recognized as Captain Boomerang from his father's files. Damian clinched his teeth and walked away. Bruce was right, women like that were nothing but trouble.
The Joker enjoyed himself watching his daughter have such a good time. Harley on the other hand was steaming.
"I still say she should have kept with the baby billionaire over the Ausie redneck."
"Relax sugar, how about a dance?"
That totally changed Harley's mood. "Yes! I'd love to dance with you puddin!"
Joker smiled as he took Harley's hand and whistled to Frost. Catching the signal from his Boss Frost made his way over to the band and whispered something in the leader's ear. The opening notes to "Ava Adore" got Harley all tears and smiles as they swayed to the rhythm.
"You got the band to play our song for me?"
"You know I'd do anything for you. I know with Anarky coming into our lives I haven't paid you enough attention lately. But that's going to change baby. You're not just my best girl anymore and I'm gonna make sure you stay the happiest woman in the world."
"Oh, puddin, you always have." They came together for a deep passionate kiss.
The music stopped abruptly and the lights went out. "What the fuck is going on?" Harley asked.
"He's here earlier than I thought." Said the Joker, not at all phased by the interruption.
Digger pulled Anarky closer as he looked around for an explanation as to what was happening.
"What the hell?" Anarky asked.
"I don't know, but stay close."
The sound of breaking glass and metal scraping against metal was everywhere. Explosions erupted from every direction and the guests started screaming and running for the exit.
"I have to find my dad!" Anarky yelled. Digger went to pull her towards where he's seen her father last but stopped. The sight of a short darkly skinned woman in a pantsuit with the attitude of an axe murderer had him nearly pissing himself.
"Fuck me sideways. We gotta go now." He pulled Anarky in the direction the crown was running.
She pulled back against his strength. "Wait! My parents!"
"Your parents are done for and so are we if we don't get the fuck out of here right now!"
"No! I'm not leaving without them!"
"Your pop's resourceful enough to take care of himself and your mum both. But there's someone here that is truly fucked in the head and if she gets her claws in us it's bloody curtains." He pulled her again and again she protested.
"No I cant leave them!"
"Look, I promise we'll find them later but we can't do anything for them if we don't go now!" Digger held out his hand to Anarky one last time. Reluctantly she accepted Digger's hand and ran with him towards the exit.
Frost ran over to his boss in the near pitch blackness.
"Where's Anarky?" Shouted the Joker.
"I can't find her in this." Frost shouted over the mayhem.
"It's no matter, they won't touch her," Joker said looking directly at the horned figure of the Batman. One of Batman's flying themed buddies dressed in a black uni-tard thing with a dark blue bird across his chest flanked him as they beelined over to the Joker.
"It's over for you Joker" Batman rasped.
"Is that right?" Joker asked as he gently pushed Harley behind himself.
"You're going to jail and I'm going to make sure it's for good this time."
Madness still ensued as Batman faced his nemesis. The Joker laughed and shook his head. "That's a hoot. Why would you wanna go and do that? I thought we were finally going to get along."
"Not likely clown." Batman grabbed the Joker's arm and spun him around.
"Don't touch him!" Shouted an authoritative female voice from behind Batman's back. He turned to see Amanda Waller holding a fully loaded 9mm. Behind her was a team of special forces soldiers led by Rick Flag.
Flag Shouted at the vigilantes "Put your hands on your heads! Now!"
"What do you think you're doing are you doing Waller?" Batman demanded.
"Protecting my interests. Mr and Mrs Kerr are you alright?" she replied not looking at the caped crusader.
"Oh, we are just peachy." The Joker told her grinning from ear to ear at Batman.
Harley looked around confused. She wanted to question what was happening but didn't want to question her husband in front of their enemy.
"Where's my daughter?" He asked Waller.
"We lost her in the scramble but we'll find her." Waller answered.
"You better give me a better answer Waller, what the hell are you doing?" Batman shouted.
"Don't yell at her Bats, it's not her fault she can't understand you with all that machinery you've got going on in there. Waller and I have become good friends. Looks like you and I play for the same team now." Joker said, his metal grin more pronounced than ever.
Waller spoke next. "Mr Kerr approached me and confessed he feels the need to atone for his past. He turned himself and his family into my custody and will serve his time as a member of my task force."
Batman looked around then finally at the Joker. "You can't possibly believe any of that crap he spun for you."
"I believe that a criminal can be used to do some good. What I don't believe is that a vigilante possesses the ability to see past their own belief system for the greater good." Waller spoke without flinching.
"There is no scenario where this psycho can be part of any greater good but his own." Batman was disgusted. At the scene before him. Waller protecting the Joker.
"Aw don't be like that Bats, you're just grumpy because once again I outsmarted you. Now all you can to is run to the end of your chain and bark. Woof, woof, woof"
Rick Flag rolled his eyes. He hated what they were doing but he had orders to follow. He was always good at understanding his missions and following orders. One thing he knew for sure, nothing in his mission stated he or his team were responsible for taking down the Batman or his teammates. "Alright, enough of this shit. Batman, you and your people get outta here fast."
"Excuse me?" Waller asked.
"You heard me, go!" Flag looked at Waller. "I may have no choice with the deal you made with this basket case and his crazy girlfriend but I'm not going to kill the only people in this shit stew who are just trying to do the right thing."
Batman gritted his teeth and ordered his team to leave.
The Joker took a deep breath in and turned to Waller. "Director, I assume all the arraignments we spoke about are in place?"
"They are, your family's new safe house is all prepared. What about you end of the deal?"
"Oh, don't you worry, I'm ready to play ball for the good guys. A change of scenery could be good for us."
"Alright then, Flag here will escort your wife and brother…" She look skeptically at Frost when she said brother, "..to your new living quarters."
"And my daughter?"
"She won't take long to find. We'll apprehend her and bring her to you."
"Excellent. Now may I have a moment with my wife before we head out?"
Hesitantly Waller nodded her head, "2 minutes."
"Ok pudding, care to fill me in on what the fuck is going on?"
"Very simple Harley, there was no way we were coming back to this city unnoticed. So, I made arrangements for us to be untouchable."
"So, we're going to work for Waller now?"
"Only for as long as we need to, then when the time is right we kill her and wipe all trace of this bullshit task force of hers off the planet. Then it'll be business as usual."
"What about Anarky? I'm sick thinking where she could be right now."
"She's with Digger, he'll look out for her. She's smart and can take care of herself. When we're done we'll find her again. Didn't I promise you some alone time?"
Harley squinted her eyes, "You planned all of this, not just the Waller stuff but Anarky's dance partner, the raid, all of it."
"Don't you remember what I told you about me Harls? I'm an idea, I execute my will according to my plan and everything is part of my plan. That's the beauty of being an idea, you are always 12 steps ahead of everyone. Batman should have known that when he took my baby away from me all those years ago. Even if he felt he was doing the right thing by keeping her from me, he is the reason all of this happened tonight. His actions started this ball in motion and now it'll just keep on rolling until one of us is dead. But that's how it goes, for the road to hell is paved with good intentions."
THE END.
And there you have it! Now, before you all hunt me down and take your pound of flesh for the state of which I left our characters. I tell you fret not! For there will be a sequel and also a prequel!
Keep your eyes out for my next two stories in this series:
"The Way We Were" a Joker & Harley origin story
"The Tie that Binds" Part 2 to The Road to Hell
The cost of admission will be your reviews! Tell me what you think of whats been written so far. Even if you think it sucks! The more you share, the sooner I will post the next installments!
BWAHAHAHAHA!
As always, thank you for reading and stay evil!
~SL~