Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Shadow Of The Bat Arc) (33/35)
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, The Joker, Jim Gordon
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. The wealthy freeman Bruce Wayne acquires a highly-prized pleasure slave whom has fallen in love with him…but can the Prince of Gotham ever return that love? And will it all be moot as a weak abolitionist movement slowly gathers strength while the Galactic Empire remains in a perpetual state of Cold War? The entire series can be found
here. Categories: Drama, AU
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Time to bring in the Joker.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): July 28, 2007
Date Of Posting: January 10, 2008
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 534
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
The Bat
Seeks the darkness,
Silk and ebony,
While his Beloved
Waits
At home’s hearth.
The Freedom Chronicles
2363 C.E.
XXXIII
SHOWDOWN
The darkness was like velvet, enclosing him as he slipped through the warehouse. Silence was as heavy as the darkness, the only noise the creak of the walls as the wind blew harshly.
Gotham was in the grip of nasty weather, even the criminals staying inside at night.
This warehouse was empty, or it appeared to be. A siren screamed faintly in the distance. A rustling sound, probably that of a nocturnal animal, was loud in the quiet.
A different rustling was heard next. Soft, sibilant, silken.
The Batman settled back into the shadows, his home-away-from-home. A small smile creased his face. He did not move, one with the darkness.
Voices.
They came closer.
“But, Boss, what’s the plan? Stealing more pocketbooks and wallets?”
“Ah, Maxie. Always the curious type, aren’t you? Well, why can’t I just keep my skills sharp? Does everything have to be some grand master plan?”
“Don’t supervillains always have one?”
Amused laughter. “Usually, but even supervillains have off days.” His voice grew contemplative. “But you’re right, maybe it’s time to kick it up a notch.” Batman could imagine the crazed smile. “Maybe the Joker venom should become a real venom.”
“Whoa, I didn’t mean that, Boss! I mean, y’know, a big score!”
“Are you chickening out on me, Maxie?”
“N…No, Boss!” Fear laced the crook’s voice, and with good reason.
“Good. I have no use for chickens who can’t cross the road.” Cackling. “Now, let’s see, I wouldn’t mind bumping off that pesky Commissioner Gordon.”
Batman moved. He exploded out of the darkness, the Joker shrieking in rage, and Maxie pulled out his gun. Easily disarming the gangster, Batman went after the fleeing Joker. He kept his focus, training his attention on his quarry like a bat using radar to track its prey.
He caught his prey as the Joker screamed, just short of an over-sized, red-painted plunger.
If the Joker wasn’t so fond of the outsized and outlandish, he could have blown us all up back there with a hand-held trigger.
Grateful this time for arrogant madness, Batman knocked his nemesis out.
Maxie walked over, rubbing his wrist.
“Sorry about that,” Batman said.
“All in a day’s work,” was the cheerful reply.
“Do you have everything?”
Maxie held up a tiny tape recorder. “Got it all.”
“Excellent. Good work, Detective Maxwell.”
“Thanks, Batman.”
& & & & & &
Jim Gordon looked up from the paperwork on his desk.
“The Joker is on his way with Detective Maxwell.” Batman crouched on the windowsill.
Jim nodded. “Thank you, Batman.”
Batman nodded and flew away like his namesake.
& & & & & &
Batman parked the Batmobile in its slot and got out, limping slightly as he approached the man in a cobalt-blue robe.
Clark smiled. “I heard about the Joker’s capture on the police band. Congratulations.”
Batman pulled his slave close to him, bestowing a possessive kiss that turned tender. When they parted, Clark whispered, “I’ll be waiting upstairs, Master.”
The Batman smiled as he watched his lover go up the stone steps to the Manor.