*Dr. Victor Fries "Mr. Freeze," Tricorner Docks, Gotham City
WHOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHH
Fries fired a bright, chilling beam towards Robin, but the boy managed to dive for cover behind a shipping container. Ice formed wherever the beam hit, leaving a trail as it followed and built up where the boy's cover was.
He kept the beam going before stopping to take cover behind a crate as a string of batarangs swooshed by him and embedded deeply into his cover.
His attacker was Nightwing, who had been grappling with Bane, but seeing his compatriot bogged down, had pushed the giant back for a brief second to force Fries to take cover. Bane took the second of distraction to plow into the hero and out of sight. Whether the hulking man managed to kill the vigilante was doubtful. But hopefully, the brute at least incapacitated him.
A glance confirmed they were merely blunt projectiles and not the explosive type that was so irritating to deal with. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Fries looked around at the battlefield.
The docks had been quiet during the meeting, save for the Joker's incessant rambling about having the various rogues attack different areas in Gotham. Truth be told, he had no plans on coming to this meeting, but the Joker's gift of a million dollars upfront to hear him out wore down his typical aversion to the clown.
Still, as he gazed around, he felt the million was not at all worth the mess he found himself in.
Everything was either on fire, frozen, being shot at, or being smashed from the various fights breaking out. Heroes, vigilantes, rogues, and their henchmen were waging something more akin to a war, with bodies dropping left and right. And while the criminals were somewhat fighting on the same side, there were still bitter rivalries that caused many of the henchmen to open fire on what should be their allies.
For the most part, Fries had taken cover and had been lucky. Only one of the Robins had targeted him, and some of Firefly's fire had caused problems, but nothing he couldn't handle.
The pyromaniac was flying around, blasting anything that moved with fire, leaving buildings burning and the docks themselves groaning from the strain of the damage being done. He had half a mind to freeze the man before he killed everyone.
His wish was soon partly answered as Robin, who had moments ago been behind a shipping container, swooped from above and landed on his back. The Batgang's ability to seemingly teleport was something Fries never fully understood.
The boy wonder and pyromaniac began a fast weave in the air as the jetpack struggled to maintain altitude. Robin would occasionally get a jab into the man's face, who tried and failed to swing his flamethrower to hit the boy on his back.
Looking past them back to the ground, he saw Ivy and Grundy battling against one of the Batgirls and a speedster, by the look of it. Grundy kept smashing a foot thick into the ground, trying to squash the fast hero, but was not getting even close. Ivy, meanwhile, was summoning more and more tendrils to entangle the heroes, but the flames from Firefly and the skill of avoiding the Batgirl and speedster made her efforts futile.
Killer Croc roared in the distance as he grabbed Superboy by the leg and began smashing him into the shipping containers left and right. The killer would have continued except for a string of arrows that exploded around his head, causing him to roar, but he was otherwise fine. What caused the giant monster to drop Superboy was an invisible attack, revealing the Martian girl who followed the archer's attack with a torn car door smashing into the disoriented Croc.
WHOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMFFFFFF
A blast of purple, white light exploded further down the dock and saw Ragdoll, Tally Man, and Man-Bat flung backwards, crashing hard against the ground. The familiar energy was undoubtedly that of the magician Zatanna. Having a magic user like her in the fight did not bode well for them.
Shade had been invited, as had Circe, but they both declined. They had been some of the only magic users in Gotham at the moment who could challenge someone of Zatanna's level.
Scarecrow had come but fled as soon as the fighting started, as had a half dozen others like Ultra-Humanite and Copperhead.
How the Joker had so much money to just get half the weirdos of Gotham for a meeting was beyond him.
BOOOOOOOMMMMMMM
"Sounds like Mad Bomber is having a go at killing us all," a blond-haired, handsome but unassuming man slid down next to Fries.
The temptation to freeze the man next to him was immense, but he refrained, considering the situation. Despite his distaste, they were for right now, on the same side.
Massive fireballs erupted around the docks, the explosive force rattling everyone around.
"If he is not careful, he is going to kill us all, same for Firefly," Fries growled out.
The blonde man shrugged, "I think Mad Bomber is about to be out of commission."
A scream from said villain showed the man with an unnaturally twisted arm while being flung into the water. Batwoman stood there watching him for a moment before shooting a grappling hook and tying him to a dock post. After that, she ran off to confront a group of hired guns who were taking potshots at the various heroes.
"Speaking of," the blonde said conversationally despite the chaos, "I am surprised I didn't see Krios around; I heard the Joker is a big fan."
"Krios is not a fan of the clown," Fries said gruffly, "Since the partnership with the Riddler, he has become partly retired, partly picky about any team-ups."
BOOOOOOM
MWHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
From inside a warehouse, the Batman tackled Joker out of a window as an explosion shook the inside of the building, shattering its windows and causing it to slant as its support beams cracked.
Batman, while on top of the clown, began pummeling his face; each punch resounded in a loud, meaty slap, but that just made the Joker laugh more.
"Hmmm," the blonde said with barely concealed disgust, "Looks like the lovebirds are still at it."
Sighing but not responding, Fries could not help but agree.
It was well known that Batman refused to kill, which was really the only way to stop someone like the Joker. The hero would break a few of Joker's bones and throw him back into Arkham, where the clown would escape after a few months.
And considering the deranged... obsession Joker had for the Batman, the clown would never actually try to kill him. Hell, a few years ago, a lawyer supposedly had the secret identity of Batman figured out and put out an auction for the information. The next day, the man and his assistant were found strung up by their entrails in front of their office with the words, "Don't Be A Spoil Sport." The lunatic made it a point to keep Batman's identity and, at times, health in safety, just so he could continue playing this game of theirs.
Fries and a few villains who preferred a calmer Gotham had considered killing the Joker. But the clown, despite his behavior, was just about the most dangerous man in the world. If they missed, and there was a good chance of missing, he would cause suffering that no one was willing to face.
"Probably best to leave now," Fries murmured.
The blonde man smiled at him before his skin morphed and twisted into a black man with short hair. A face that was completely normal and incredibly forgettable.
"Yes, I think you are right," the voice had changed completely, but still held the same obnoxious cadence the former actor always spoke with.
Standing up, the man began swiftly walking away.
"See ya, Fries," he called back.
"Goodbye, Hagen," Fries responded before standing himself.
This whole night had been a waste, even with the million up front. If he got caught right now, he would not be able to return to his research for months until he broke out.
The heroes at this point had dwindled the henchmen that the various villains had brought. That meant the numbers advantage was no longer in their favor.
Bane had just collapsed, with Nightwing cutting the venom connectors, the mercenary had literally run out of juice to fight.
Ivy was being tied up by a Batgirl and Batwoman, with Grundy being punched repeatedly into the ground by Superboy and Miss Martian.
Killer Croc was the last standing of the genuine big villain threats, but he was soon brought low by the magician Zatanna, who conjured a purple energy muzzle and chains to incapacitate the beast.
'Must of switched opponents,' he thought, seeing Grundy punched by Superboy and Miss Martian. They had been fighting Killer Croc.
'But if they switched fighting, then where is the Speedster...'
SLAPPPPPPPP
Fries felt his front plate armor get hit with a thunderous clap. His body lifted off the ground and went crashing into a cargo container, denting the metal around his body.
While he felt fine, he found himself unable to move and stuck in the dented frame of the metal container.
Grimacing, he managed to free his arm thanks to his armor's enhanced strength, but soon found himself struggling to break his other limbs free.
SWOOOOOSH
He narrowed his eyes at his attacker, who stood in front of him.
"Speedster," he growled.
Kid Flash gave him a smile and some scathing remark, which he ignored. Speedsters were a hero type he had little experience dealing with, but one he knew he was outclassed in facing.
With his allies defeated and even the Joker in handcuffs, the battle was over.
Kid Flash said some pun about his plans being "Froze Up" before flashing away to help the other heroes.
He soon saw Robin dragging a battered Firefly to the rest of the team. The boy looked over at him critically before leveling a smirk that just enraged him.
Still, he thought morosely, he had no one to blame but himself. He never should have come. Now he had to just focus on planning his escape from prison. Penguin usually had a service that, while expensive, would get him out in a few months.
The heroes at this point had mostly gathered on the main open dock. Fires still burned with occasional explosions from hazardous oil drums scattered around. The distant sirens of police and firefighters were no longer far as crews began tackling the destruction and arresting minions.
The victors, though he couldn't hear, seemed to be in good spirits with high fives and happy faces. Even Batman, though he remained stoic, seemed to have a relieved stance about him.
Watching them, he was surprised to see so many vigilantes together in Gotham. A place even the criminals knew Batman guarded preciously.
Several young heroes from out of town were here as well as nearly the entire Bat family. The only one missing would be one of the Batgirls, the original, if he was not mistaken.
"Wonder if she stayed behind to watch the hospitalized Gordon," he mused while pondering the unusual circumstance of it all.
His thoughts, the excitement of the heroes, and the work of the emergency crews would all come to a halt, though with a sight no one was expecting.
A few yards away from where the heroes stood, a swirling vortex as dark as night erupted. Arcs of white electricity sparked around the portal as its gaping maw roared with unknown energies.
Out stepped a familiar, robbed figure.
It seemed that Krios had come.
---------------------------------------
*Bruce Wayne, "Batman," Tricorner Docks, Gotham City
"Oh, Batsy, don't be angry with me, you have to admit it has been quite a wonderful night."
The Joker's sickening voice was still going on despite having pummeled his face nonstop for the last half-hour.
Chaos was a mild description of the docks with fire raging, random blots of ice, and dozens of bodies lying on the ground. The majority were henchmen, though a few of Gotham's Rogues were there as well.
Despite being outnumbered, the Bat Family and the Team had handled Joker's gathering efficiently, with only a handful managing to escape. Though one of their own was down, the mood was positive with the amount of success. Police and emergency crews were starting to swarm the area, securing the captured criminals.
Based on how beaten some of them were, it must have been a relief to be arrested.
The Joker's face was a bloody mess, with one eye so bruised he couldn't even open it. During the fight, Batman had broken a few of the maniac's fingers and had forcibly dislocated the man's arm. The temptation to break a few more bones and perhaps go further only grew as the Joker rambled on about nonsense concerning 'one bad day' and so on.
Keeping one foot down on the bond Joker, he surveyed the heroes to make sure none were hurt.
Relief flooded him seeing them all fine, though maybe a little battered. Dick was perhaps the worst off as he held his arm, occasionally wincing in pain.
The two made eye contact, and for a brief moment, he thought he could see a bit of the camaraderie they both used to share. But then Dick's eyes went to where the Joker was wheezing/laughing, and his gaze hardened.
His eyes came back to Batman's, and it felt like a conversation had passed with just that look. Bruce shook his head, and Dick scoffed before shaking his head.
If Dick truly thought he would go and kill the Joker, the boy... no, the man, did not truly understand him.
The Joker had finally gone quiet and had closed his one good eye, though his sickening grin was as wide as usual. Batman, staring at him, felt such a strange set of emotions. One was rage for the pain and suffering the man had caused, another was sadness over such loss, but there was a part deep down that was purely relief.
Relief he did not cross the line, relief he did not lose control.
Deep down, he knew the Joker would one day do something that would push Batman, and he would be forced to confront a choice he had managed to avoid. The close death of Barbara had him nearly reach that place. But Barbara survived, and the Joker was stopped without having to kill.
And he knew that Dick, despite his anger at his choice yet again to spare the Joker, would eventually understand and even agree.
"Batman!"
A bloodshot-eyed Harvey Bullock with dark circles around his eyes walked over to him. The man looked exhausted but determined as his eyes darted around at the destruction.
Seeing the bloody Joker, the detective's shoulders slumped in relief.
"Well..." he motioned around them, "You only mostly destroyed the docks."
The detective reached into his jacket and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it promptly.
Taking a long drag, he muttered, "Surprise to see this one still breathing."
Batman stayed quiet, watching the heroes and police begin the slow clean-up and arrest process.
Bullock, seeing no response, merely grunted before yelling for some officers to come and grab the clown.
"You know, Batsy, I really thought I was going to get you to play my game," the Joker spoke with his eye closed but with an amused voice.
"I thought if I could cause enough death and destruction, you would finally admit what we both know. That you're a freak, hee hee hee like me, the world needs you now, but when they don't, you'll become the leper..."
Batman pressed down harder on the Joker's chest, causing the maniac to wheeze, interrupting his speech.
Without even sparing a glance, he growled, "Most nights, Joker, your ramblings are nothing more than a bad joke."
"A bad joke! HAHAHAHAHAH, that's a good one," the clown, despite the pressure, managed to laugh.
Stopping to catch his breath, Joker opened his one good eye, "Truly a mixed night for entertainment, though. The courthouse, I think you would agree, was one of my best punchlines in a while, shooting the commissioner's daughter an inspired suggestion, but the gathering of criminals really fell flat. I was hoping to go even bigger than what I had done, but alas, I reached too far."
"Wait...", Batman looked down at the smiling lunatic.
"What do you mean by 'inspired suggestion'?" He asked.
The Joker's smile widened, but he said nothing.
Unfortunately for the clown, Batman was not in the mood.
To the surprise of those around them, he threw a quick jab, directly breaking the Joker's nose. The already bloody face erupted with a new fountain of blood, but the clown merely laughed at the pain.
"What did you mean about Barbara Gordon!" Batman kneeled close with his hand around the Joker's throat.
Joker coughed, "HAHAHAHA I'm just giving credit to a fellow comedian, that is all. I would have never found the commissioner's 'secure' location without some help."
"Batman," Bullock said cautiously, approaching them both, "What's going on?"
He ignored the question as his mind raced with what the Joker was implying.
"Who told you..." he spoke firmly, "Who told you to shoot the Gordons?"
The clown looked gleefully, "Now that is a million-dollar question, Bats!"
The Joker's eye suddenly looked past him and widened in surprise and delight.
Turning, he followed the Joker's look to see a roaring vortex that he had only heard described to him by the Team.
It had been years since he last saw Krios with his own eyes. The robed hooded look lent a certain menace that even he found unnerving.
Or perhaps he was merely scared of what he knew the man could do.
All around him, the police, EMTs, firefighters, and fellow heroes stopped what they were doing and watched as the man stepped out of the portal. He walked a few steps and stopped to slowly stare at the scene around him.
Batman straightened up and took a protective stance in front of Joker. He was still coming to grips with the implications of James being Krios, but he felt a growing concern for the clown prince of crime.
Krios continued to look around, stopping for a second to watch the fires and another to stare at a shipping container for a few moments before moving on to look at Batman. The hood mask he wore hid his expression, but Batman thought he could see his eyes.
They were burning with rage, the same rage he remembered seeing when James was the 'Hound' during the Eastside fires.
But beneath that, he thought he saw a hint of sadness which only confused him.
'What could that mean?' he thought.
Those thoughts would be put in the back of his mind as Krios looked down upon the broken Joker.
The air seemed to tremble, particles shook and rose with barely contained control as the man began walking directly towards them.
'I need to stop him,' Batman thought as he walked to block Krios.
Walking towards each other felt like an old western movie.
Unfortunately for Batman, this was not that sort of story.
"James..." he began, only to feel a strange sensation.
It happened so quickly, a flash of weightlessness, and then a whoosh of air as his body was lifted off the ground and thrown into a police cruiser. The impact caused the passenger door to crumble inward, snapping off its handles and crashing inward — a shocking sight to those around.
Luckily for Batman, his armor took the brunt of it, so he suffered no broken bones, but he found himself lying in the backseat of the cruiser. If the situation weren't so serious, he would have thought it funny.
Still, even for him, crashing through a car was not something he could shrug off easily.
The distance he had been thrown was easily over 50 yards, a testament to the leap in ability of Krios, who seemed to be limited in interacting with living bodies. Such limitations were firmly in the past, it appeared.
Biting back the groan from a bruised body, he slowly sat up, only to see a horrifying scene.
The Joker had been raised in the air by a few feet, his arms held so he floated in a t-pose position. Everyone could see the Joker and Krios as the two engaged in a quiet conversation.
Batman grimaced as he tapped the side of his ear, activating his bat sound amplifier to try to catch any of their conversation.
"... you shouldn't have hurt her," Krios said in an emotionless voice.
"Oh, Krios by dear boy... I think that's about the worst thing I've ever heard hee hee hee mwhahaha HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!..."
Krios' eyes flashed with fury.
While the Joker laughed, tissue around the madman's face began to become strained; even the infamous smile seemed elongated past its typical width. Skin stretched to a sickening degree till it finally reached a breaking point.
RIIIIIPPPPPP
A wet visceral sound rang out, and the Joker appeared as nothing more than a bloody facsimile of a body.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA..."
All around, the horrific sight caused many of the surrounding men and woman. to gag and even a few to nearly faint with shock. Even Batman, seeing many a wondrous and horrifying sight, was not prepared for it.
Despite being literally skinned alive, the Joker was still laughing, though the man sounded a little more frantic than usual.
Krios stood there, whether in shock or annoyance, Batman could not tell. The villain again looked over to the shipping container he had stared at earlier and merely waved his hand before looking back at the Joker.
At this point, Batman was free of the backseat of the police cruiser and charging straight towards Krios. Ignoring the pain from his bruised muscles, he made significant progress but was still too slow to stop what he suspected was coming.
The Joker and Krios stared at each other with one laughing and the other silent as the hooded villain raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
POP SPLURGE