Joker's Last Laugh

[wayne_memoirs]

April first. April Fool's Day. The Joker. Chemical manufacturing. Large crowds of people. The Mayor and guests. It all equals bad news. Surveillance of the Gotham City Convention Center has gained them nothing. Activity from the exterior has already either happened or will not happen. Time to shift their focus to the interior

Comments

[wayne_memoirs]

The canisters have been safely disposed of. There's been no other signs of Jason or the Joker. They're here though... waiting for the right moment. He has no doubt.

The banquet hall is crawling with people. They're finding seats. Checking out the dance floor. Looking over the buffet table. Waiters are beginning to circle with champagne. The band is taking the opportunity to check their equipment. The Mayor will take the podium in less than five minutes.

Their time is almost up.

[_robin_3]

Having made my way back with Nightwing to where we'd gotten into the ducts to begin with, we had rejoined Batman and were watching the final preparations before this little get-together started. The catering staff was ensuring that everyone got their food in a timely fashion; one could even assume that Alfred had infiltrated the staff just to watch over us. Though, he'd never do anything like that.

I spun one of my gas pellets on my finger, impatient and eager for anything to happen.

[robin_at_flight]

Like the dynamic duo, Nightwing watched the hall start to fill up with people. His arms were loosely crossed over his chest, eyes slightly narrowed, scanning the people wandering around. Two psychos in one night was not a good mix-- especially not in a banquet hall full of people.

Not like it was really good anywhere, anyway... he looked calm and collected on the outside. Yet, like Robin, the suspence was killing him on the inside.

Hopefully, that would stay a metaphor, too.

[_robin_3]

The doors suddenly closed abruptly as soon as the last stream of guests made their way inside the banquet hall a few minutes later. My eyes narrowed with suspicion and caution as the Mayor approached the podium, got ready to speak...

...and, instead of hearing the voice of our illustrious Mayor, the speakers emitted a booming sound of laughter!

"I wonder how long this Mayor'll last." I whispered to Nightwing while looking to my far right, and saw one of the most strangest sights ever imagined: The Joker, his arms stretched out to resemble a bat, with a searchlight hitting him from the outside.

"Jason'll make his appearance within the next three minutes, if not sooner." I thought, putting the gas pellet away and pulling out my staff. I had a feeling it would be needed.

[rpgvillains]

The normal sounds of a mingling party abruptly die as an unmistakable laugh fills the room. "This is without doubt my FAVORITE day of the year."

His voice cuts in and out over the speaker. Outstretched arms retract. He taps the microphone. "Doesn't anything work around here?!" He squints, reading the label on the side. "MADE... IN... *pause* WHERE? ... HARLEY!!!"

There's a brief silence as the party guests stare in shock. Followed by complete hysteria.

[wayne_memoirs]

The tip of a batarang embeds itself in the lapel mounted microphone. No more loud speakers.

[_robin_3]

Finally-some action!

Soaring through the air on a fired grapple, I made my way from one side of the building to the other, kicking Joker across the chest and sending him down on his rear! Making tracks for the floor, I quickly opened one of the doors and started leading people outside.

"This way everyone! Get out of here while you can-Joker's not to be underestimated!"

It was at that second that one of the speakers crackled and emitted another voice, though this one was just as familiar as the first.

"You're right about that, Robbie! Which is exactly why he should be eliminated!"

My eyes widened in shock behind my mask as I looked toward the far left and saw amidst the rafters...Jason! Dressed in Nightwing's costume!

"Batman's not gonna like this...!" I thought to myself, stunned at what I was seeing.

[evil_robin]

Even if I was clear across the room, I saw the look of utter surprise on Tim's face and silently reveled in it. Dressed in Dick's costume was a stroke of genius on my part, and now it was time for true justice to be meted out!

Leaping from my perched position, I soared across the room the same way Tim had, though after landing next to the Joker's goons, I didn't leap down and help the innocents. I started taking out each one of his patsies with rights and lefts! (Harley not being a factor; she was too busy tending to Joker.) And, if any of 'em gave me reason, I would take them out.

Though, I kept my ears open-Bruce would most surely try and stop me from completing my task...!

[rpgvillains]

"Mista Jay! Puddin?!" She pats insistently at Joker's face. She stops suddenly and snaps her head up in the direction of Robin. "Why... I oughta..." she sneers.

[rpgvillains]

The clown prince of crime is down but not out. From his position on the floor, he bats at Harley, knocking her out of the way. A wide grin comes to his face. "Time to bring the house down," he cackles.

From within the folds of this suit, he pulls a transmitter. His thumb descends on a gigantic button.

Out from under the tables, green gas starts to fill the room.

[evil_robin]

"Yeah...'you oughta...', but you ain't gonna! Why? 'Cause justice-true justice-needs to be dealt. And, key point: I'm not Robin anymore..."

That said, I yanked off Joker's little acidic flower a second before I hoisted him onto his feet and stared at his beady eyes, hatred simmering within me, steadily boiling toward the surface...

I looked toward the tables for a brief second, noticing the gas...but knew it would be taken care of.

"You have a lot to answer for...!"

[rpgvillains]

Nothing seems to end Joker's maniacal laugh.

In the background, Harley is screaming. "Nobody hurts my puddin!"

She takes a swing at "Nightwing" was an enormous mallet.

[wayne_memoirs]

His first duty is to the fleeing guests. There are only so many frightened individuals that fit through the double doors at one time. The rest are at risk of succumbing to the Joker's gas. The only way to help those trapped is to clear the air.

Mending ribs hinder him only in the slightest. He grabs one of the circular tables, hoists, and throws it through a bay window. The night air rushes in on the wind.

[rpgvillains]

He flings his head back and wails in utter glee. "Swing batter, batter! Swing!"

[evil_robin]

A swing and a miss! I thought to myself, letting go of Joker long enough to leap over the flying mallet, grab hold of Harley and send her flying into the massive crowd below, mallet and all.

"You're outta here! Hit the showers!" I retorted, returning my attention back to the Clown Prince of Crime and slamming him against the wall with one hand.

"Now...it's just you and me!"

[_robin_3]

Having gotten at least half of the guests out of the area, I looked up long enough to see Harley Quinn being flung off the rafters thanks to Jason! Firing a grapple upward, I soared into the air with an outstretched arm and was able to safely secure Harley before she hit the ground and was knocked out.

"Don't think I'm gonna let you use that mallet...!"

After dropping back onto the ground, I whipped out my staff, extended it and batted the mallet from her hand! A second after that, I tripped her with said staff and handcuffed her to a nearby pole. I was tempted to give Harley my special Miranda Rights rules, but decided against it-this time.

"All dressed up and no one to piss off, eh Harley?" I noted, a light grin on my face before turning my attention upward. The gas Joker had attempted to use earlier was all but gone now, thanks to Batman.

Now, the remaining guests aside, all we had to deal with was the Joker...and Jason.