Sympathy From The Devil (10/10)
Sympathy From The Devil
By: PhoenixJustice
Disclaimer: The Dark Knight, Batman, etc is owned by DC and its various individual owners. I only own this story and make no profit from this.
Warning: M for graphic sexual content, slash, language, etc
Pairing/Characters: Batman/Joker, Jim Gordon, Lucius Fox, The Riddler, Jonny Frost, etc
Setting: Nolanverse, post-TDK.
Summary: Left devastated by the loss of Alfred, Bruce, with the help of the Joker, goes in search of the man’s killer.
A/N: Many thanks to all who have read this fic, and those who have reviewed as well. This is the last chapter of the fic. Also thanks to the song "Sympathy for the devil" (the Guns N’Roses remake, that is.) It’s what originally gave me the inspiration for this fic.
Enjoy!
~*~ ~*~
Part Ten
Final Confrontation at hand
~*~ ~*~
Matches Malone* was damn near a staple in many mobster circles, as well as drug-dealer circuits and many others. He had quite a reputation, though no one was sure just where he got his start from or who first put the word out there that Matches Malone was a man with whom you could trust to get the job done, and who was more trustworthy than most.
He had no one association, one group that he was apart of, and that normally could be dangerous, but Malone was known to be rather neutral when it came to territorial matters and the like, so he was left alone, as it could be trusted he wouldn’t suddenly jump ship to a rival mob organization or anything.
That, and the fact that he had been spotted having close conversations with Jonny Frost, The Joker’s right-hand man, and then conversations with the clown prince of crime himself. Most people these days, whether mob folk or otherwise, stayed clear of the criminal. He proved ruthless in pretty much every respect and showed little to no remorse. He was also not afraid to do anything or use any means necessary to get the job done. While many were also like that, he took it to new extremes that even some of the most hardened criminals and top mobsters dared not do it.
Although many groups were angered at The Joker’s latest actions, with the recent killing spree he had, many were reluctant to do anything about it. Especially as it was targeted at only one group in particular--Falcone’s. Sofia Falcone had taken up where her father had left off, the legacy of mobster rule continuing in Gotham. Or at least, it had been that way, until The Joker had came to town and flipped everything onto its head and fucked up all perceptions.
Someone, no one was exactly sure just who, had called in Matches Malone (giving him quite the sum of money at that) to get the skinny on The Joker’s operations. Odds are, it was Falcone or one of her men, but no one was for sure.
~*~ ~*~
It was working out perfectly.
So much so, that it rather scared him. He wasn’t used to things going as well as they were going.
"And how is it going, Matches?" He just knew that The Joker was smirking, he didn’t have to be looking at him to tell. And turning around to look at him, he could see the smirk on the clown’s face.
He simply rolls his eyes at him.
"Good. Better than expected, boss," he adds sarcastically. "Falcone said she wants to meet tomorrow at the Canary Wharf, at some place called the Yellow Box Warehouse**. I looked into it, and apparently it’s the second branch of a place of the same name in Japan. Some guy from England** apparently owns it, as well as the one in Japan. She was allowed to rent out the space for tomorrow. I guess all the influence she has is still enough."
"It’s slipping though." Jonny walks into the room, leaning casually against the wall. He smirks minutely, before grabbing a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket and lighting one up. He blows a puff of smoke. "Apparently someone named nicknamed "Gentleman" Johnny Marcone is attempting a take over of her Chicago territory***...and every other mobster territory as well. And it looks like it’s working too."
"That means she’s getting desperate now. ‘Desperate times call for desperate measures.’" The Riddler called out suddenly, making them all turn to the corner where he was propped up, hands leaning on his cane. "If she can take out The Joker and also get all he has accumulated, then her influence will go up conciderably and she’ll gain the favor of many of the mobsters who were against her and her family, because they too see the Joker as the biggest threat to the mob world in Gotham...other than Batman of course."
You had to hand it to him, he thought grudgingly. The man was quite smart and he thought on his toes. He was able to see many angles that they hadn’t been able to think of before.
His hands pull away a few things from his face, letting out a breath. Much easier to breathe now, without all that makeup and things on.
He...couldn’t hate The Riddler any longer. The man had been the trigger man that had killed Alfred, but it had all been an accident, and Bruce could see genuine sorry in the man. The situation now was bigger than Alfred’s death, it included a woman who had hired the hired gun who had killed Alfred, the bullets meant to originally take the life of the Batman’s lover and nemesis, The Joker. She was also trying to expand upon an empire that had been built on blood and evil.
It would end, one way or the other, tomorrow.
"Bruce?"
He turns to back to look at the clown prince, whose eternal glascow smile could not conceal the worry in the man. His heart clenches in his chest and he swallows against a lump in his throat. They had a fucked up relationship. The man was his greatest enemy and that wasn’t about to change. He was also his lover. And more than that...he genuinely loved the man. He had resisted too long and had finally been unable to keep doing so. The Joker was an enigma, and he constantly learned something new from him.
It was certainly never boring.
~*~ ~*~
The original Yellow Box Warehouse was a bit larger than the one in Gotham City. Apparently both places were owned by some very wealthy man from England. Other than that, Bruce had no idea who the man was. Even his greatest resources, and help from the Riddler (who was quite a hand at computers as well), gleamed nothing. But that wasn’t important, as Bruce found no ties to the mob in neither Gotham, Chicago or the Yakuza in Japan, so the place was as safe as could be found on such short notice.
It was an ambush.
They all knew it, from the very beginning when he took on the garb of Matches Malone again and managed to stage a "meeting" between Falcone and The Joker.
Odds were against them. Falcone had probably countless men at her disposal, while The Joker, who had the reins of the underground in Gotham, had, in all honesty, only Jonny Frost at his disposal. The rest were just hired guns. He had gotten a few for the occasion, but it was sure to not be enough for what they were going to walk into. And The Riddler didn’t have any men at his disposal.
Neither did Bruce.
But Batman knew some people...
~*~ ~*~
Gordon sighs, closing the door to his office and walking over to his desk, taking a seat, rubbing at his tired eyes. Too many long shifts as of late, combined with the strain that his marriage had been taking, and his attraction, that he should not have, to Detective Sarah Essen, who had recently come in from Chicago’s Homicide Unit.
The hairs on the back of his neck stand up suddenly and he whips around and sees the Batman standing there.
"Jesus H. Christ!" Gordon exclaimed, shaking his head. "At this rate, next time you do that, you’ll give me a heart attack."
"There’s a serious matter going on, Gordon," the raspy voice of the caped crusader said. It must have been even more serious than usual, if he couldn’t even get a small joke out. "I know you have been following up on the mob murders."
Gordon didn’t deny this, he knew all too well by now that the man had ways of finding out just about anything.
"As well as knowing who did it."
"The Joker." Gordon replied.
Batman nods faintly, looking fairly agitated for some reason.
"There’s more to it. The note on the Joker card you found was from the Riddler, not the Joker. The card was his, but the note was the Riddler’s. Suffice to say, that isn’t the issue. I’ve learned...from a few sources...that Sofia Falcone will be at the Yellow Box Warehouse tomorrow, with some, if not all, of her men, as well as The Joker and his side as well. It’s the chance to take down Falcone’s operations in Gotham completely. ...The Joker as well. He will be there with a man named Jonny Frost, as well as The Riddler."
Gotham free of the largest problems it had seen in a long time...it was the opportunity that any police officer would jump at, without even thinking.
But Gordon knew Batman and he also knew a few of the man’s expressions even with that mask on. He wondered if he could pass off the agitation as simply a by-product of the situation, but still...he wondered.
It was all a matter of trust, in the end.
It depended all on whether or not Commissioner James Gordon trusted a masked vigilante to be telling the truth, and to be doing the right thing.
"What time is it starting?" He asks quietly.
He almost swore that he saw a small smile grace the man’s face.
~*~ ~*~
The pieces were all falling into place.
The only thing left now was to wait.
~*~ ~*~
The time chosen for the "meeting" was around midnight, when most everyone, whether commercial fisherman, or the like were more than likely to be cleared out. He had asked Lucius to drive only part of the way there. For one, there was a good chance that Falcone had posted a few men in locations around and past the Warehouse, just waiting to shoot them all in the car, or get them in the back of the head with a lucky bullet.
And he wouldn’t risk Lucius Fox.
"Stop here. This is fine."
He peers around at the surroundings as they started to come to a halt. The other men in the car were silent, waiting. As the car comes to a halt, he glances back at the older gentleman.
"Leave as soon we get out."
"But what about--"
He shakes his head. "We got it covered. And besides," he adds. "Brucey would have my head if I let anything happen to you."
~*~ ~*~
The sky was clear, and the stars gleamed. The moon, full and shining bright, loomed overhead.
It was time.
~*~ ~*~
"All right everyone. This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Falcone, The Joker, The Riddler and The Joker’s right hand man, Jonny Frost are to be taken alive. Try and keep casulties down to a minimum, if possible. If the situations escalates too far, then excessive force is permissible to use. Ready?"
Commissioner James Gordon leads a group of dedicated men and women, the lives of which, he held in his hands, as the commanding officer. They all knew the risks and were willing to take them.
It was time.
~*~ ~*~
Falcone’s voice was deeper than expected, though she was rather tall and broad. Her dark red hair fell past her shoulders.
"It is about time." Her voice stemed with impatience. "You are late."
The Joker merely shrugs, feeling quite at ease with himself, considering the situation, calmed by the large number of knives and other things he had with him.
"Yeah, well can’t take any chances now can I? Not with you so gung-ho to blow my head off my shoulders," sneered Joker.
Sofia raises a brow, her voice laced thick with an italian accent. "I do not know what you are talking about. Perhaps you are stupid to believe the lies told by this...Riddler."
He glances briefly at the man standing somewhat behind him on his left (Jonny was on his right.)
"I don’t have anything to lose, Sofia," Riddler said flatly. "But you do. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind doing some dirty deeds now and then, but there are limits."
"Because of one old man," scoffed Sofia. "You are too soft-hearted. It is business."
"As is this."
The sudden sound of what were unmistakably guns, comes out of the many shadows of the poorly lit Warehouse.
"As fun as it has been to talk with you gentlemen, it is time for the real business to begin. To take back what you have stolen," she says, pointing a finger at the Joker. "You have taken my father’s territory, my territory, and you have soiled it."
Many suited men step out of the shadows, all of their rifles pointed at the clown prince and the two other men.
"Goodbye gentlemen."
As the men ready to open fire and before any of the three could pull out a gun or knife, a large boom comes from the top of the roof. A blast of plaster, wood, metal and other things falls to the ground, just as a large black figure comes down, landing in the middle of the two groups.
"Batman!"
"It’s the Batman!"
"You stupid fools! Shut up-- " Hissed Sofia, pulling out a gun herself. "--and shoot!"
~*~ ~*~
The blast was loud, making his ears ring.
"That was the signal! Everyone at the ready!"
They run inside, with Gordon at the front.
~*~ ~*~
It was madness. Gunfire erupts in a loud stream that made the ears of every person ache. Screams were starting to be heard as well. One Gotham officer manages to take down two mob men who try to get the jump on his fellow officer as well as the Commissioner, only to be taken down by a knife from another mobster.
The Riddler pulls open his cane to reveal a wicked looking sword, gleaming from the moonlight that came in from the hole on the roof, and he used to an extent that was surprising.
Jonny Frost, Joker’s right-hand man stood close to the criminal, using a pair of guns very efficiently.
The Joker, meanwhile, was looking like he was having the time of his life, using knives so quickly on some, or slow on another, and so well at that. He was also dodging bullets like he was magic, his reflexes were very good.
Falcone was somewhere in the midst of the battle, but hadn’t been seen for awhile.
The Batman, meanwhile, was the only person who was battling with non-lethal means.
And he was still kicking major ass.
It was almost like poetry in motion, the way he would move here, or there. A punch to one, a swinging kick to another.
No one knew how long the fighting was going on, but soon, only a few mob men were left, maybe ten, with at least four of them injured (most of them by the Joker and his devestatingly efficient knives.) There were about half of the men and women left that the Commissioner had brought with him, only a couple of them injured (and lightly injured at that, thankfully) and he himself was unharmed, by some grace of god, gods, luck, or what have you.
The Riddler was down to one knee, having apparently been shot in one of his legs, blood pooling on the concrete. Jonny Frost stood in front of him, apparently guarding the man. A strip of shirt was missing from Frost’s shirt, and it appeared that it was wrapped around the Riddler’s wound.
Gordon continues to survey his surroundings as his men nab the remaining men. He hears a loud gunshot suddenly and sees The Joker on the right side of the building, close to the back, holding a gun, looking murderous. It was then that Gordon noticed that a mobster had escaped his attention and had pointed a gun at the Batman, who was starting to head around towards the back of the warehouse. The man falls to the ground with a thump, dead. Batman turns and stares in the direction of the Joker for a long moment, before turning and continuing the way he was going.
"Batsy, wait for me damnit!"
The Joker runs off in the Batman’s direction.
Gordon couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He manages to shake himself mostly out of it and heads over to help his men cuff the remaining mobsters left.
Falcone was nowhere in sight.
That was up to Batman now...and The Joker too, apparently.
~*~ ~*~
He whips around the corner and as he does, a loud bang comes from his left and he rolls without thinking, missing a bullet that would have hit him in the head had he not moved. He stands just as quickly and sees Falcone holding up a gun in his direction. Her finger pulls the trigger but nothing happens. She curses and throws the gun in his direction. He dodges and sees her running away again. He gives chase.
He manages to corner her as she hesitates on which way to turn in the confusing maze of buildings at the wharf. He grabs onto her, ignoring her screams and curses, the scratches she inflicts on the open part of his face as he grabs some rope from his belt, attempting to tie up her wrists.
She surprises him with a kick that knocks him away. He hurries back up, only to see her pull out another gun, smiling grimly as her finger moves to the trigger--
Bang!
Her eyes widen, as do his own, as she falls to the ground. Behind her, Joker, looking grimmer, and angrier than he had ever seen him, stood holding up a gun.
"You don’t ever touch what is mine." snarled Joker.
He takes a step forward, picking up his rope and, after glancing at the Joker, kneels down beside Falcone.
She was still alive. She had been shot in her back, near the spine. She might not walk again, but she would live.
He ties her hands up and stands up. He looks at the Joker. The man lowers the gun, shaking slightly. Anger was still in his eyes, but the caped crusader knew him well enough by now to understand what he was also feeling.
"Joker--" he starts.
A small crash to their right makes him turn his head, and he sees Gordon pick up a pair of glasses from the ground. The Commissioner’s eyes widen at the sight in front of him. He still had his gun in his hand. After a look at him and Joker both, he hesitantly walks over, kneeling down close to Falcone, taking out a walkie and speaks into quietly for a moment before putting it back.
"You..."starts Gordon, looking at neither of them. "You should get out of here sir. You and your...friend. I, uh, can’t see a damned thing with my glasses."
The caped crusader looks at Joker, nods at him, receiving one in return. As he walks past, he glances at Gordon.
"Thanks, Jim." He says quietly.
~*~ ~*~
The moment they were out of sight, Batman pushes Joker up against the nearest wall, ravishing his mouth. The Joker lets out a startled moan, kissing back immediately with just as much intensity. He pulls the man close to him, thrusting his tongue inside his mouth.
The Joker’s hands wrap around him.
Finally they both pull their mouths away from each other, but stay in each others embrace. The sound of sirens blared, coming ever closer.
"Thank you." Muttered Batman, his forehead leaning against the other man’s.
The Joker simply shakes his head. No words of thanks were needed and Bruce knew it, but all the same, he just felt if he didn’t say it, that he would explode with words unsaid. The Joker looks into his eyes.
"Bats--" The expression in the man’s gaze, with the sound of his voice undid Bruce.
"I love you."
The Joker’s eyes widen.
Twin tears fall down the man’s face without him apparently noticing it. Somewhere near them, emerged Jonny Frost, helping a limping Riddler walk their way.
He kisses Bruce.
"I love you too." He smiles suddenly. "But lets get out of here before Gordon comes round and has a heart attack."
Bruce laughs.
Four unlikely allies, two of them lovers, leave the Wharf, laughing all the while.
~End~
~*~ ~*~
* = Matches Malone is an alias that Bruce uses sometimes in the comics to infiltrate places and stuff.
** = both Yellow Box Warehouse and ‘some rich guy from england’ are references to Death Note. Though I won’t say WHICH rich guy I’m talking about, you can guess that for yourself. ^_~
*** = Gentleman Johnny Marcone is from the book series The Dresden Files (which are so awesome, it’s scary) and he is the top mobster in Chicago. The reference I make to him and Falcone fighting over territory references my fic Mobster Tango, which is a TDK/Dresden Files crossover fic. (So apparently this series can be looked at as a prequel to Mobster Tango, wow didn’t intend for that lol.)
A/N: Apparently by doing all of these things, I’ve made TDK, Dresden Files and Death Note all apart of the same ‘verse, lol. I didn’t exactly intend for that, but what the hell! Yay for an indirect TDK/Dresden Files/Death Note crossover, even if it was just because of the Dresden Files and Death Note references lol.
This took awhile! Lol. Especially since I did it all in one sitting without a break!
I hope you all enjoyed this! (I know I sure as hell enjoyed WRITING it!)
Let me know what you thought!
--PhoenixJustice