Reply To: Hobby Weekender 21/09/2018 – Sometimes even earlier…

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Bruce Wayne sat at the large ornate oak desk, his face planted firmly in the splayed fingers of his palms. Behind him Dick Grayson paced the floor, stopping occasionally as if to speak before thinking better of it and continuing his aimless pacing. Barbara Gordon, the only one of the trio wearing her guise as her alter ego Batgirl, albeit without her cowl, sat quietly, swamped in the large red leathered armchair in the corner of the room sipping the cup of tea Alfred, the Wayne family Butler had brought them all.

“To help you think, Master Bruce.” He had said as he passed the Silver tray between them.

In the three weeks since the Joker made good his escape and once Dick and Barbara had recovered from their injuries, the trio had searched every abandoned fairground, Circus and prank themed warehouse in an attempt to locate the Joker’s hideout.  None had shown any signs of the Joker’s presence nor any signs that he had ever been there.

It wasn’t even as if the Joker had lain low in the time during his escape. In fact his nefarious activities had almost brought Gotham to its knees. Security Guards were refusing to work, Banks were unable to function without the ability to transport money, and in turn Companies were unable to pay wages… including the Power Companies. Now when night fell, Gotham lived in Darkness.

Bruce sat bolt upright and spun in his chair, facing the other two. “If we can’t find the Joker, we’ll have to bring him to us.”

Dick Grayson shook his head, “We’ve already tried that.” He said quietly, “He didn’t take the bait.”

Bruce smiled confidently, “That’s because we didn’t make it worth the risk.” He reached for the desk phone, “Now a Wayne Industries truck, that’s something I don’t think even he could resist.”

Barbara stood, reaching for her cowl. “I’ll put the word out.”

Bruce shook his head. “Not this time Barbara.” He began to dial. “I want this to look legitimate, total secrecy.” He smiled. “The Joker will find out about the transport without our help… Trust me.”

 

The timing was almost perfect as the street lamps came on mere moments before the WayneTech truck was due to pass through, illuminating the area and revealing the Joker and his gang of Psychotic Clowns hiding in wait. Batman was convinced he saw the permanent smiling face of the Joker momentarily change to one of concerned surprise. He signalled to Batgirl and Nightwing to move in… the trap was sprung.

All thoughts the Joker had of an easy hit faded as he realised he had little option but to fight the closing heroes. He waved frantically at his Clowns to attack. Shots were fired, but they either missed of bounced harmlessly of the surrounding terrain.

An Arkham Guard appeared from one of the buildings, nodded to Batman, and began firing in the Joker’s direction. A passing cop, investigating the gunshots, was quick to catch on to the situation and also joined the fray.

The jokers Clowns swarmed through the children’s playground, those armed with guns firing wildly, again missing their targets.

Batgirl used her Batclaw to close the distance with the Titan Clown, her flurry of punches having no effect. Nightwing launched a pair of Wingding, catching one of the Jokers white faced henchmen and knocking him out.

Batgirl’s already precarious position worsened as another of the Jokers Clowns moved in behind her and would have taken her down if not for the heroic actions of the cop, who used the sewers to move swiftly below the streets and arrive just in time to give her a much needed assist.

Although the temptation was to join Batgirl in her fight with the Titan Clown, Batman resisted and moved across to help Nightwing and the Arkham Guard with the Joker and Harley Quinn.

Harley skipped her way towards Nightwing, her shots far more accurate than the wild shots of the clowns and managed to wound him. As Nightwing staggered back from the impact a pair off chattering teeth landed at his feet, the ensuing explosion sending him into oblivion.

Rage overtook Batman and he launched himself at the Joker, surprising him so completely he offered no defence as Batman pummelled him into the ground, only just stopping short of breaking his vow not to kill when Harley Quinn fell sobbing to her knees.

She stroked the blood spattered face of the Joker and looked up into the scowling face of Batman. “Enough.” She said, the dark eyeliner running down her face giving her an almost tragic look. She threw her gun down and barked the order for the rest of the Clowns to surrender.

It was over…. For Now!!