Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Be yourself, no matter what.
Be stupid, be dumb, be funny, if that's who you are. Don't try to be someone that society wants you to be; that's stupid. So be yourself- Christina Grimmie

"Who are you?" She hummed her question, a wide smile on her face. She always loved new company. Especially the crazy ones.

"What's it to you, sweetcheeks?" The man grinned, his blood red lips turned up in a higher smile. It was as if they were out-smiling each other.

"Me, doll. This is my town. Whether they know it or not," She started off, her sarcasm coming out, before it turned dark. Almost too menacing for her petite frame.

Joker's eyes darkened. He didn't like that. He didn't like that she took claim to the town, "Seems like we have an issue..." He leaned forward the best he could. The ropes dug tightly into his biceps. He almost winced, feeling a prickling sensation across where the ropes were. Barbwire. "I'm the new prince in town. The clown prince, and I say, its mine!" He growled.

She blinked a few times, "Really?" She murmured and rubbed her thumb against her plump lip, as if in thought. It was a habit, Joker would soon come to learn, that she did when she contemplated any change. "Okay!" She giggled and threw her arms up, her hands clenched tightly around the blade in her hand. "You can have it..."

Joker turned his nose up, catching a tone in her voice. She wanted something, "What's the catch?" He mused. He loved feeling like this. As if he was in control.

"You see, it's just not in me to hand over something. You know," She walked behind him and traced the blade shoulder to shoulder. Joker shuddered, holding back a groan. He never felt that before. She bent down to his ear, whispering darkly into it, "Take it from me, doll." Both of their eyes darkened at this; they were ready for a fight.

————

Panting and sweat filled the air. He couldn't believe someone as tiny as her could take him. Let alone defeat him. He growled at himself, angry. How could she of beaten him, he was the Joker! "Oh doll," She cooed, her fingertips tracing the edge of his hairline. She had been cradling his back for the past hour, refusing to let him stand up. "You win the town," Joker growled, he didn't want to win it if he lost. He wanted to fight and win. "But..." Her nail dug into his back, following the curvature of his spine. "I'm going to break you. Tear you down and build you up... You. Are. Mine." She whispered and stood up. Her heels clacked on the cement by his head as she walked to the door. She snapped her fingers and four men came in, all wearing bright colored uniforms. "Take him to the jester's court," She ordered. The men, no answer from them, lifted up the Joker and shuffled him out. He glared at her, but grinned as she spoke one more time.

"Let's see if you can survive. Can you stay your same insane self? Or will you crumble and break into someone new...I wonder."

Chapter Text

No one has just one past.

There are times in our life we have to realize our past is precisely what it is, and we cannot change it. But we can change the story we tell ourselves about it, and by doing that, we can change the future. -Eleanor Brown

Siren lounged on a couch that was off to the side; she preferred it that way. She hated attention. The goons crowded around the table, a deck of cards laid out. They were playing a made-up game, called Victim. It was like blackjack, except you received five cards, you could trade in if you wanted, but you needed to have five cards at the end.. There were three turns, and only cards 1-9 were used. You could only have two people unless you used two sets. The object was to make a 10 the best you can, or you'd lose a finger.

A crash sounded, but no one looked up. It was just the Joker with his latest entertainment. Sobs echoed down the hall, and a few minutes later, a dark haired girl burst in the room, pleading. "Please. You have to help me! He's insane!" She sobbed. Upon receiving no help from the guys, her crystal eyes scanned the room, falling upon Siren. Siren was dressed casually and had cuffs on her hands that day. She looked to innocent. So normal.

"Oh toots~ Where did you go?" A pause from the Joker, his voice close. "I wasn't done playing." His growled echoed.

As if that shot a jolt of electricity through the girl, she burst to the couch, and started shaking Siren, trying to awaken her, "Come on! Let's get out of here!" Siren groaned and rubbed her eyes, confused to what was happening. The girl managed to get Siren to her feet, and dragged her down a different hallway, watching scared as the goons only stood up, glowering after them. "Please open!" She begged, jiggling a door knob. When it didn't open, she tried another one; no luck.

"You know," Siren began, yawning. The girl turned towards her, shocked. "Have you tried the far right door?" A slender finger fell towards the last door on the right, aross from the barred one.

The girl shook her head and headed towards it with Siren in tow. She took a breath and tried the knob. "It's unlocked!" She whisper shouted, and hugged Siren. "Thank you! Let's go!" She walked in and carefully closed the door after them, latching the bolt. She blindly felt the wall, trying to find a lightswitch. Siren's footsteps echoed through the room, away from the girl. "Pst! Where'd you go?" She whispered, fear lacing her voice.

"Who, me?" The girl nodded in the dark, forgetting it was pitch black. "Turning on the light." A click sounded, and after a buzz, a small light turned on. It barely illuminated the room.

"I love this room..."

The girl froze. There was no way he could be in here. She had locked it! Spinning away from the door towards the center, she saw the Joker with Siren, her neck held tightly by his hand. "L-Let her g-go!" She demanded.

The joker laughed, his cackles echoeing, "Let her go!" He mocked, releasing Siren to clutch his sides. "Okay!"

The girl smiled and pulled Siren towards her, "Are you okay?"

"I am..." Siren smiled, her hand going behind her back unnoticed. "But, you won't be." The girl blinked confused. "I really hate being woken up from my nap, doll." The girl whimpered as the light swayed, like a breeze blew in. The light illuminated half of Siren's face, showing absolute terror. She had her head tilted up and she looked down at the girl, a sneer and smile on her face. It was twisted. Screams echoed throughout the whole house, as the Joker did as instructed and helped torture the girl. Learning first hand how the boss liked it done.

Stepping out of the room, blood staining their clothes, "You'll have to buy me a new shirt. I really liked this one." She whined to joker, him rubbing a spot of blood off her cheek.

"Whatever you say, sweetcheeks." He grinned, and latched her arm with his, happily walking away from the body.

"How'd it go boss?" A goon asked, referring to the scream.

"Just peachy fellows. Glad you asked." Siren smirked, and ripped off the peel from her banana.

"Siren..." Joker started, unsure how to ask. He knew the goons have been with her for a while, but he never once heard them talk about how she came to be. Siren tilted her head, encouraging him to continue. "How did you come to be...so insane?" His ear splitting grin covered his face, letting her know he was purely curious.

"Doll, no matter how hard someone tries, they can never change their past. I merely embraced the pain and made it my own haven. Now, I inflict it." Joker closed his eyes, going into deep thought. She spoke enough to give him an answer, but not one he wanted. "How'd you come to be?"

He opened his eyes, grinning as he thought of all the rumors circulating around him. He figured he'd just tell something different everytime someone asked. He wanted to keep the mystery, like she said to.

"It all started when I was a comedian, Jack was the name..."

Chapter Text

Know your weakness.
Try to look at your weakness and convert it into your strength. That's success. -Zig Ziglar

"Boss, how'd you get so strong?" A newer underling questioned, his black ski mask messily pulled over his head. He had just been initiated last month, and had never met her before.

The Joker tilted his ear towards the duo, secretly and desperately wanting to know her answer. He knew he was good, no, he was better than good, he was fantastic. "Hmmm?" She chirped in response, "I wonder..." The Joker inaudibly sighed. He knew she wasn't going to answer. Why did he get his hopes up?

She would never give up her secret to power.

His mind blew when she did the exact opposite.

"I took what I loved and made it my motivation."

His eyes widened at that. She loved something besides him?

"What do you mean boss?" The underling questioned, eyes glistening in admiration. The Joker scoffed. He could imagine the underling with a dorky interviewer hat and pad and pen, heart jumping with joy and hanging on to her every word. He would never admit it out loud...

but he was too.

"I fell in love with the city of Gotham. The way the night sky shimmered with the city lights. I loved the way the park smelled and filtered the air. How it turned the pollution into breathable air. I loved the way the water slammed onto the edge of the docks, as if telling it to crumble and let it take over...." Her eyes glistened with love. The first time he ever saw them show emotion. Even during their fun times together, passionate moments, lustful killings, her eyes stayed dull and lifeless. He glowered. He realized he could never make her feel it seems. She wrapped her arms around the underling from behind, encasing him in a motherly embrace. She rested her head against his, rubbing his with hers. "You take all that love you feel and realize it's a weakness."

"W-What do you m-mean?"

The Joker closed his eyes, no longer wanting to see her close to another man. It irked him to no end, and made his blood boil at the contact. He wanted to kill the underling.

"When you love something, you're giving it the power to destroy you." She purred into his ear. "When you watch what you love get harmed: say a knife in a loved one, you give your heart the ability to ache and yearn for them. To throb in pain every time they take a shaky breath. You show your heart the ability and way to crumble as the last of their life seeps out of them, and you let your heart die as the last breath is taken." Her eyes darkened. "When you have a weakness, you're giving it the power to end your very being. My weakness is love."

The Joker looked up in question. She could love? It gave his heart a painful squeeze. It disgusted him.

"Boss..." The underling whispered, just barely being heard by the Joker.

"Hm?" She chimed, hand reaching up to his forehead and rested across it.

"What do you do to your weakness? How did it make you strong?"

"When your weakness is gone....it gives you overwhelming power to do whatever." The underling's eyes scrunched together as he tried to understand what she did. But when he finally did, his head had already been violently turned to the side.....

"...I killed him."

The Joker understand her hidden meaning, and was happy.

Kill what you love, crush every part of it, and you'll be unstoppable.

Chapter Text

Trust only yourself, and even then, be weary.

"Boss, what's the plan?"

The purple haired goddess smiled as she moved her fingers across the rolled paper, unraveling it for them to see. She pointed to a square, a red x precisely in the middle, "This boys, is our target. It's a state of the art vault with a millions worth in it." She briefly glanced at the Joker, making note the way his eyes glistened in joy at the amount. "We'll send in team C to do recon, while team B is the getaway. Team A," said team put all of their attention to her, knowing they had the most important part, "you're breaking in."

Hours later...

The clock struck 12:00am, midnight, start of the new day, start of their heist. All the teams were in position, while the Joker and her waited off to the side. The Joker was originally supposed to be leading team A, but she had held him back last minute. "Why am I here dollface?" He has been with her for almost a year, and he was still picking up her unique habits.

She giggled at him, and gave him a false sweet smile, "Be patient. Just you wait." She put her black sunglasses on, just as red and blue lights flashed. Sirens wailed in the night sky. "The shows just starting..."

The Joker grinned at the new development and leaned back against the wall, eyes shimmering as the scene unfolded. Team B and C appeared from the alley beside them, unsure of what was happening. "Boss?"

"You know boys," She flashed her white teeth as she smiled wider, "I don't appreciate people trying to ruin my operation. These things are my grandchildren, I hate having them spoiled you know."

They watched as all of team A was dragged out, handcuffs and all. They could hear from this distance their screams for their boss to save them, not wanting to go to jail. Not for a measly $2,000. "Boss, why weren't they informed to pull out?"

"You see boys," she turned towards them, a wicked glint in her eyes. Though only the Joker could tell. "They'd been planning to rob this place before me. So I messaged you guys that the heist was earlier and had you guys pull out when they showed up. I forgot to mention.... when you guys went in, their infra-red beams were activated. Oops!" Her men widened their eyes at her observation. She turned towards the Joker, a matching smile on his face, "See doll, this." She outstretched her hands beside her, showing off the lights and noise behind her, the glow from the distance casting down on her like the queen she is,

"This is why you don't trust anyone."

Chapter Text

Spotlight or not, always have attention.

Siren liked operating behind the scenes. When things went her way, it filled her void heart with emotion. She wouldn't say it was love, but it was pretty damn close. Just like now, the penguin and Riddler were meeting with the Joker in an abandoned, unclaimed warehouse. This was a territory battle, one she forgot to mention to the other parties. But they were smart. They all knew when she summoned them, it would never be fill in the underworld. No, more like, she would never let it.

"Oh my! What's two plus one?" The Riddler questioned, but didn't give the other two a chance. He pulled out his cane, a glare etching his face, "An unwanted crowd."

"Whaddya mean?! Didn't you know!?" Penguin squealed in anger, but they all knew. How couldn't they.

"Hey doll," the Joker turned towards her, hoping that was where she was, "What's the meaning of this?"

Penguin snickered, realizing something, "Are you her new pet?"

Riddler joined in, "Oh dear. She does seem to go through them quite fast." He couldn't help but join in. But they both knew they were playing with fire. The two laughing hyenas jumped, as Joker only glared, when a wooden crate fell in the middle of them, barely missing the twos heads. Heels echoed as Siren walked out of the dark, coming into the light on the catwalk.

"Now boys," she cooed, loving how they squirmed for different reasons. "I never beckon you for no reason other than some much wanted fun." Her smile turned Cheshire, and the two old pets knew what she meant. They had each done it, and now it seemed to be the Jokers turn.

"Yes ma'am," Penguin would never admit it, but Siren had his full respect. She had never steered him wrong in the 3years they were partnered, and knew the Riddler felt the same. The penguin and the Riddler opened up the crate, revealing exactly what they thought she had in mind.

"What's going on?" The Joker glared, taking note that the other two pulled out something from the crate, and hid it from his wandering eyes.

"Carny, we should tell you," Penguin started, but joker flew back unsuspectingly.

The Riddler rode his newly acquired item, "Momma boss doesn't like to lose."

In that moment, the joker had taken everything in. Siren's hush hush about the meeting, her being on the catwalk, the two ex pets having new weapons to fight. He harshly glared at her as he dodged the new oncoming attack, "Sweet cheeks! Just you wait! I don't like being toyed with!"

Siren couldn't help but squirm in her spot as she watched the battle. She already anticipated the winner, and she was always right. Her eyes followed his every move as he twisted and dodged, throwing smoke bombs and flower needles here and there. She watched closely in adoration as sweat trickled down his face. How she remembered the sweat from previous engagements, and hope it would happen again quite soon. She loved that the Joker wasn't afraid to talk back, but knew well enough when it was enough. Even now, she watched carefully as he panted, the other two passed out in a small puddle of their blood. He rode his head and heatedly glared, but that soon turned into a deviously sexy smile. "Oh sweet cheeks," he sang, his feet tapping the cement floor as he made his way closer. Siren stared unblinking, her orbs memorizing his. "Come show Daddy how it's really done." She smiled in pure bliss and lust, knowing exactly what he wanted. She rose a leg onto the railing and leapt off, landing perfectly into his arms.

As they both made their way back, they couldn't stop staring at each other, knowing the night was going to be eventful, and loud.

Chapter Text

One good deed cancels out the bad.
One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to good - he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to bad - he and the world is destroyed. -Maimonides

The city of Gotham, a beautiful city that resided in New Jersey. It always held events and called all residents out of their homes and mundane filled lives, to come and celebrate it's newest achievement. This year, Gotham had just been rewarded by the mayor for it's reduction in crime. The culprit? A newly acquired hero, a vigilante of the night; one clad in all black and gray with a pointed, hooded mask. Batman. The Dark Knight. Savior of Gotham. Vigilante.

His beginning had been brief, a longing for taking down criminals of Gotham. His main target? Joker, the one who always gets away or breaks out. Batman could never figure it out. Arkham Asylum had maxed security, highly trained guardsmen. It housed the roughest and baddest Gotham had. But still, somehow, they all always escaped, starting with the Joker. As if something was always in his shadows. Darker than the night itself, darker than even all the criminals in Gotham combined. But Batman could never lay lay his eyes on it, not even a glance. Until now.

A guard paced the maximum security hallway, just doing his appointed rounds. Each cell door was shut tightly, and all the barred windows were still intact. He swung his keys around his finger, other hand placed on his baton for faster handling if the need would arise. He had just passed door 312, before he paused. He retraced his steps and peeked through the cell window. Joker was where he was previously, straightjacket on and chained to the floor in a kneeling position. But that's not what caused pause from the guard. It was the bright purple that he spotted behind the joker, just briefly. Shaking his head, he continued on, having to of imagined it.

The joker lifted his head, a menacing smile on his face, "Seems you're losing your touch, sweetcheeks."

"As if. I was curious to see if the guard would catch me in here," Siren mused, standing up from her crouched position. She sighed as she stared at the cell window, "Seems I put to much faith in the guardsmen this time." As if the increased security could stop her, she loved taunting it either way.

The Joker rolled his eyes, "Can you get me out now sweetcheeks? I got an itch I've been dying to scratch."

Siren hummed, circling her kneeled protegee. "It seems you do, you do." Her eyes narrowed dangerously at him, causing him to shift slightly, just enough for her to catch it. "However, you seemed to of gotten caught too easily this time. Are you trying to get away from me?" She lifted his head with her finger, her nail sharply digging into his chin.

"Tch, as if I could get away from someone like you," Joker sneered, knowing full well no one leaves her outside of her will and a body bag. He only hoped she would never leave him, as if he would ever tell her that. He's been her longest pet, and he wanted it that way.

"Hmm" She hummed in agreement, before walking towards the door. Somehow, the chains around Joker clanged to the floor as they unchained themselves, and his straightjacket seemed to of been ripped. She always seemed to move to fast for his eyes to catch at times. He knew. She always toyed with him during their spars and never gave it her all. "What do I get this time for freeing you, pet?" Downgraded once more for being caught. Joker knew he would have to work his way up her ladder again.

"Whatever you desire." If only he had noticed the extra camera situated facing his cell door, he could've kept her out of sight like he normally did. But no, no good deed goes unpunished. This good deed that was cancelling out his bad deed, was new ammunition for the Dark Knight. Now Batman knew. Siren was now out in the spotlight, and all her misdeeds would come to light.

Chapter Text

Show no mercy.
I always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice. -Abraham Lincoln

"...and that your honor, is how Mr. Welmingham killed the victim." Siren was lazing about upside down on her pristine couch, watching some criminal show. Joker stood a ways away, silently watching her. How her bright purple hair seemed to be messily brushed, flowing down the arm of the couch. How her bare, pale feet dangled over the top of the couch; her pale legs glistening in the dim light. Is the strawberry smell from some glitter lotion she used? Joker never understood her, and he never would.

He scoffed, however, at her intense watching of the television. "How is that beneficial to watch? It's not even based on how it really works." As if he knew. Being thrown in jail by the Batman countless times, never even getting a trial by peers. As if the system knew his peers would be just as insane as him, causing him to grin at the thought.

"Oh jester," The Joker snarled at that insult. She only used it when she was mad at him. Maybe she was getting sick of him always getting caught and her bailing him out. "It's comedic, nothing more and nothing less. I just watch it when I'm bored of being bored." Ah, was that why she wasn't torturing him? She was bored of the boredom? "Come along. Let me show you the real justice." The Joker jumped as she swiftly left her position on the couch.

She lead him through the city of Gotham, using shadows as cover, but her somehow still being lit in the dark of the night. Like a Sire, glowing but warning of upcoming danger. Once they reached their destination, the Joker had to do a double take. There, in front of them was crates piled high, and a couple of her most loyal goons, Two where surrounding a man, who wore a sack over his head. Probably a gift the Scarecrow gave her during his last visit.

The Joker raised a brow as she sauntered up to the man. "W-What?" He startled as she ripped off the sack, showing a scared and bloody man there.

"It seems you decided to snoop around my territory," Her eyes narrowed, seeming to glow dangerously. "Why?"

The man looked around, nervously. Noting he was surrounded, but only by a few, he seemed to gain his composure some. "I...I heard there was dangerous activity here." the Joker realized quickly that the man must of been a new recruit for the Gotham police department. Everyone there knew not to snoop around here. Only Batman dared to. It was like an unspoken rule and treaty.

"Ah," Siren mused, realizing before the Joker had. "You must be new. Unless you're purely stupid." The man couldn't help but glare at her words. "Well then!" Siren clapped her hands, her sharp blood red nails catching everyone's eyes. "I guess since it was an accident, you can go!" The Joker choked at this. Let the man go!? Was she mad!? The goons, seemingly aware of their bosses newfound desire for mercy, cut the ropes that bounded the man.

"I'm...I'm free to go?" The man mumbled, glancing around. Siren was stationary, leaning on the front of a crate, the Joker stood off to the side, watching, while the goons just walked away. Realizing he really was free to go, he started to walk backwards, before turning and trying to book it. No way anyone would believe him. He somehow escaped the Joker and some crazy chick. But alas, if only he had not been drowned in his thoughts of freedom, he would've seen the boulder dangling above the doorway. If only he had been faster, he would've dodged the boulder as it came crashing down, making him into a splattered red pancake.

Siren turned her head slightly to the Joker, a grin on her face. "Didn't you know, doll? Giving some mercy, gives that wonderfully satisfying feeling, once you're able to take it away." Her grin turned upwards more, as if the devil itself was calling. She turned on her heel and walked off, the sounds of her last words echoing through out the warehouse, giving the Joker much to think about. "Having mercy taken away from you in a blink, is the best justice one can be served."

Chapter Text

AN: Sorry for my delays! Major writer's block and lack of motivation due to health. I surprisingly have had the ending completed within chapter 3 or so. But can't post it until I think of how to do the other chapters.

Do no harm to those who hurt you.
Nobody is the villain in their own story. We're all the heroes of our own stories.-George R.R. Martin

"Did you know, a bee generally only lives for maybe a month? Depends on the type or whatever. Read about it when I was younger."

Joker stared at Siren for a moment, mulling over her words. What did a bee's life have to do with their plan. He couldn't fathom where her mind wandered at times. One moment it's bazookas, and the next it's the life span of a bee. "What about it doll?"

Siren giggled before pointing her gun, her target the farthest and unsuspecting goon. "Bee's know what their job is. Flower, hive, feed. Only some are allowed to grace the Queen with their affection." Siren moved her gun by a hair, now focusing on the goon in front of her previous selected one. "Do you know how they're chosen?"

Joker's eyes widened with recognition, twinkling in delight as he thought of her implications. "How doll?"

Siren grinned, "Fate." And with that, she shot her gun, hitting an entirely new goon. "Seems those two got lucky, and that one didn't. The Queen got tired."

"Why not make our own fate?" The Joker's question hung in the air, swirling around the two crazed villains. Both enjoying the imaging of what their own fate could be. Especially with all the twists they can throw at each other. It didn't take long before the Joker thought of something. His eyes hardening and face darkening, "What do you do about the bat?"

"Pueey," Siren pouted. "I don't like thinking of that. I'll leave you to deal with him." Siren grinned before turning to the Joker, catching his attention as always. "Can you handle the bat?"

"Easily," Joker was nothing but confident in his skills. Especially after working closely with Siren. He couldn't do anything but reel in the fact she was leaving something that big to him. He could do whatever he wanted. If only he knew the future entailed after Batman came into play. If only he realized how many days he had left with Siren. If only he knew, bats enjoyed the chaotic night fights, seemingly almost as much as him. But hiding behind justice of a system that did nothing but fail the lower rungs of society. The rich getting richer and more obnoxious. The poor getting scraps and violence.

This fate, that Siren casually talked of, kept ringing in the Joker's ears. Fate. A cosmic force that changes one's path, whether they are willing or not. Joker could only keep his vision of the chaotic Gotham he dreamed of. Seemingly so close, he can almost touch it, but still out of reach. He would change Gotham. Show everyone what they turn a blind eye to. Show them all. He wasn't a villain. Oh no. That's just what was demanded of him. But to him, to his goons, to Siren, the only hero was not the bat, but the Joker, him.

Chapter Text

Sometimes you have to burn yourself to the ground before you can rise like a phoenix from the ashes -Jens Lekman

Fog lights flooded the cemetery, illuminating the gravestones with a ghostly glow. Fog hung low to the ground, the grass still wet from the morning rain. Siren's pale skin and bright hair under the moonlight and the fog around her ankles, gave her an ethereal look.

"Sweet cheeks... I..." Joker spoke so low, the wind taking it, the rest of his sentence forever lost. But that was alright in his eyes. He knew she knew. Almost everyone could tell. It was blatantly obvious, but deviously danced around. How could two become one? Madness in a waltz with insanity, seeming to split in half but join together as needed.

"Joker, do you know why this is my favorite spot?" Her voice carried a light air, as soft as the breeze. Joker raised a brow, watching as she bent down by an unmarked grave. "Everyone here, elite or poor, good or bad.. they're all the same in the end" Her giggle floated around, twisting itself into the Joker's heart. It clenched violently, as a scowl appeared on his face.

"Tch, why would it be? Everyone here is dead. What's so special about some stones?" His disgust evident with every pronunciation. How could he understand her mind? He could never understand the inner workings of her madness. They were both dark, but her darkness spoke differently than his. Calling to shadows, while his called to chaos.

Mirth danced in her eyes. "Oh baby boy, you don't understand the greatest thing of all." Joker knew she would never tell him. He would have to work it out on his own time. But for now, he would just watch as she stared at that one unmarked grave.

"Who's that for?" His question would never get an answer.

"Someone who once was lost," That's as close to one as he would get. "How about we dance!" It was not a question, but not optional. But the Joker would always say yes to her. There wasn't much he would say no to if it was her asking.

"Shall we?" He bowed and outstretched his hand, firmly enclosing on her hand.

Only in death, was where everyone was equal. Societal ladders and hierarchy had no standing. At least not where the dead laid.

Chapter Text

Find an obsession. When that fades, find a new one.
To do anything at a high level, it has to be total obsession.-Conor McGregor

Siren let out a shaky laugh, her blood splattering. Her hair, once a vibrant purple, was now dull and splayed out around her head. Reminiscent of a once bright halo, now dull and dying. Oh how cruel the world was to her. Even after everything she had given it; it was as if it was giving her a final lesson, one she would have to give to the Joker. One she knew he would hold close to his now iced heart. Until his own timely death of course. "Doll, come here." She coughed out, her eyes half closed as the pain sprang to life.

Joker choked back a sob, crawling closer to her weak form. Her once strong figure no more. He couldn't help but wonder how this happened. Everything had been going according to plan. The goons had robbed the bank successfully under his command, she had been sitting so cutely in the getaway, the driver had been stoic and calm the whole chase. Not once did they hit a pot hole, not one pedestrian survived. It was all so perfectly beautifully executed; as she had predicted. But how..? "H-How?" He couldn't even get the words out. That was how broken his heart was becoming. It felt as if his lungs were closing in on him, suffocating his very breath.

She chuckled. Or did she groan? He could no longer tell. "Nothing in this world.... is perfect by any means.. You have to live on... survive for us... for me... lead my crew Joker.." he couldn't believe it. No one did. She was giving him everything. Everything she had built up and carved out in Gotham. She was giving him her empire.

Her castle.

"What will I do now?" He questioned, his voice hardening. A mechanism he picked up from her to hold back a sob. He couldn't be weak. Not in front of her. Not now, not ever again.

"Only one... last thing to do..." She mused, internally chuckling at his innocence. Even after years with her, he still had so much to learn. Guess he'd have to learn himself. She couldn't finish her training. Not as the blood seeped out from her wound in her abdomen, soaking her already red stained shirt. Her hair was sprawled our around her, no longer in it's messy braid. With her last breath, she breathed out her final command, "....take Gotham." With that, her last breath dissipated into the murky air. Taking her very life force. Taking everything the Joker had learned to love from him. His body shook in anger and sorrow as he clutched onto her lifeless body. Her pale lips caked red as he pushed his bloodied ones onto hers.

One final kiss. A death kiss. goodbye.

"Boss?" Joker kept kissing her lifeless body, his brain not registering his new leadership he just gained. "What now?"

Joker shook once more, but this time, laughs erupted from his dry mouth. The sound was chilling, deadly and ice cold, as if it crawled out of the devil's mouth itself. There was no life in it, no humor. It wasn't even considered a laugh. A dry mourning. A bitter end. Joker looked up, his blue eyes glistening in the moonlight, he gazed upon the hoards of crew he gained.

Everything about the look on his face screamed out. All those who saw it shivered, the front row collapsing to their knees in fear. With his first, and only ever prominent command, he icily voiced:

"Gotham will be mine. Batsy's head will hang on a silver platter."