Deathstroke wasn't here to destroy the Joker Gang tonight. His mission was simple: buy time.
That was why he came prepared. The twin blades strapped to his back weren't real weapons; they were cleverly disguised smoke emitters, designed for quick getaways, not close combat.
And tonight, that preparation had just saved his life.
Using the billowing smoke as cover, he slipped out of Joker territory and made his way to the Batmobile. Once clear, he steered the vehicle into a dark alley and brought it to a stop.
The reason he had retreated so decisively after running into Solomon wasn't just because of the odds. He knew going up against Solomon Grundy without proper backup would be a waste of effort. He wasn't even sure he could kill him. From what he'd heard, Grundy was already dead. And how do you kill someone who's already dead?
But the real reason he left was because he'd received 'Batman's' retreat signal. He didn't hesitate. Once he knew they were pulling out, he followed the plan without delay.
According to that plan, 'Batman' and Kate were supposed to exit through a sewer grate in this very alley.
...
On the other side of the chaos, things weren't going so smoothly for 'Batman' and Kate.
Let's rewind for a moment, back to when the smoke bombs had first gone off.
As the haze cleared, only Joker and Harley Quinn were left standing in the lab, staring at the open ventilation shaft beneath their feet.
"Damn bats. I show up and they run off," Harley grumbled, folding her arms.
But as she spoke, Joker's expression shifted. A slow, delighted grin spread across his face.
"Harley," he said softly, eyes gleaming, "do you remember the little rat-trap system I had the boys install in the vents?"
"Oh?" Her eyes lit up with sudden understanding.
Say what you will about Harley, but her loyalty to Joker was unmatched. All it took was one sentence—half a sentence, really—and she understood exactly what the clown was planning.
"I'll go set it up," she said with a giggle, and sprinted out of the lab.
Joker, meanwhile, turned toward a nearby workstation and grabbed a fresh vial of liquid Joker Venom. Then, humming a tune under his breath, he followed in Harley's direction.
They reunited in a special chamber deeper within the base. Harley had already finished setting up the device.
"All done, my dear Harley," Joker said, placing the vial into the machine. "Now, I suggest you get going."
Harley knew exactly what was about to happen in the base. She nodded without a word, blew him a kiss, and left the room. Then, she disappeared from the base altogether.
Joker, alone now, emptied the vial into the chamber. The machine was designed for pest control, a clever little contraption that vaporized any liquid poured into it and pumped the resulting gas into the ventilation system.
"My little gift is going to catch up with you soon, Batsy," he whispered.
Seconds later, the device came to life. The liquid Joker Venom turned into a dense green mist and began seeping through every shaft and tunnel in the base—including the very one 'Batman' and Kate were crawling through.
However, the first victims weren't the escapees, but Joker's own men scattered throughout the hideout. Many of them were already teetering on the edge of madness, but even they valued their lives. Unfortunately, by the time they realized what was happening, it was far too late.
The green mist spread fast. It filled every hallway, every corner.
Soon, the base echoed with wild, uncontrollable laughter. But beneath that laughter, there was something else—panic. Fear.
Joker stood in the middle of this green-tinted world, surrounded by a swirling cloud of gas. He was the only one untouched, immune to his own poison. The deaths of his henchmen didn't bother him. If anything, he seemed pleased.
"Do you like my gift, Bats?" he murmured. "You better survive it."
...
Meanwhile, 'Batman' and Kate had reached the end of the ventilation shaft. But just as they were about to exit, a thick wave of green gas came rushing toward them.
"Bruce! Move! That much Joker Venom, even our filters can't handle it!"
He didn't need her to say it twice, 'Batman' grabbed Kate and dove forward. As they escaped the shaft, the gas engulfed them instantly, slamming them hard against the floor.
At this time, Kate was in the most danger.
When 'Batman' had pulled her along, her mask had come off. Now, without a filter to purify the air, all it would take was one breath of that concentrated gas—and she'd be dead.
Getting on her feet, she held her breath and ran, but the sewer exit was at least ten minutes away. There was no way she could hold out that long. Her lungs were already burning.
Just as she was about to give in, something pressed against her face—a bat mask.
She looked up in surprise.
'Batman' had torn off his own mask and placed it on her. His face was bare now, features strained as he held his breath and dragged her forward with everything he had.
"Bruce…"
...
Back in the alley, Deathstroke felt a strange vibration beneath his feet. A soft tremor, like something rumbling underground.
"What the hell are they doing down there?" he muttered. "Feels like the whole place is about to blow."
Curious, he pulled out his weapon and slowly moved toward the sewer grate. That's when he noticed it: thin wisps of green gas seeping out through the cracks.
"Joker Venom? They're really going all in tonight, huh?"
He didn't wait. Reaching into his gear, he pulled on a gas mask.
Moments later, the grate burst open. 'Batman' and Kate came tumbling out, coughing violently, chased by a thick cloud of green mist. Fortunately, in the open air, the gas began to disperse quickly. It thinned out almost immediately, losing its potency.
"Looks like you two made it out," Deathstroke said, lowering his weapon as he approached.
"Hah... haha... yeah... we made it..." Kate gasped between breaths. Even with the air filters in her mask, she'd clearly inhaled some of the gas. Her face twitched. She couldn't stop the strange, involuntary smile.
"Is she...?"
"She took in a bit of the gas," 'Batman' said calmly. "The mask can't filter everything. Plus, she had opened her mouth during the escape."
"I see," Deathstroke murmured, giving Kate a quick once-over before shifting his gaze.
Now that 'Batman' was unmasked, Deathstroke noticed the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. Subtle, but unmistakable.
"Are you... trying not to laugh?"
"No," he replied, his voice flat.
"Oh, come on. You totally are. You're about to lose it!"
"I'm Batman. I've been through intense training. I don't laugh."
...
That night's chaos ended with waves of Joker Venom flooding the sewer systems beneath Gotham. A toxic prank on a citywide scale.
Elsewhere, Joker had already moved on. He returned to another of his hidden bases, one untouched by the gas, safe and prepared.
And someone was already waiting for him there.
Someone who looked exactly like him.
"Looks like you've been busy tonight," Joker said with a smile, scanning the surroundings.
His men were still stationed around the base, but something was off. They stood unnaturally still, their eyes dull and vacant. Whatever had taken control of them wasn't subtle.
He looked at the imposter and grinned wider. "Mystique. That's what I should call you, right?"
**
**
**
Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:
P@treon/SilverShark769
Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!
Your support means a lot, thank you!