[ WP ] - Joker seeks vengeance for the death of Batman

`` Pigs. Like I'd tell them about the Bat's death,'' the man grumbled as he walked away from the police officers. They'd been crawling all over the city since Batman was killed, along with his stray kids in costumes. Everyone seemed on high alert. 
 
 The man lit a cigarette as he walked down the alley. A woman leaning against the wall winked at him, drawing him over. `` Hey, toots. What's a girl like you doing in a hood like this?'' 
 
 `` Oh, I'm just looking for something. Maybe you can help me find it?'' The woman sounded oddly familiar. And it looked like she was wearing a lot of makeup. It was hard to tell through the gloom. She was also wearing a hooded jacket. 
 
 `` It'd be my pleasure. What are you looking for?'' 
 
 `` Oh, just the guy who killed the Bat. You know who did it?'' 
 
 The man sighed. `` You're with the cops, are n't you? I already told you I do n't know, and I do n't care.'' 
 
 `` Oh, I think you should start caring.'' THAT voice the man knew. Everyone in Gotham knew that voice. 
 
 The man spun to face the Joker, although wearing different makeup. The traditional red smile was gone, replaced with a frown, black teardrops painted below his eyes. His traditional vibrantly colored purple suit had been swapped out for a black and gray one, with a bowtie patterned with bats. `` Look, I just- I do n't want any trouble.'' 
 
 `` Well, you've managed to find it.'' The Joker spun a knife between his fingers. `` I'm already grieving over the death of my best friend, please do n't upset me more.'' 
 
 The man had been threatened by Batman a few times before. One thing you could always count on the Bat and his crew to never do was kill. They even had limits on how they'd hurt you. Gotham was full of stories about what the Joker would do to you if he wanted something. `` Look, the whole city's full of stories. Some say he was offed by Deathstroke, or Bane finally snapped him in two. Hell, some people think he got caught on a bad day by a street tough looking to make a name. I do n't know what happened, honest!'' 
 
 The Joker held his knife to the man's throat. `` You would n't happen to BE one of those toughs, would you? Hmm?'' He twisted the point, drawing a trickle of blood. 
 
 `` No way! I just sell weed, that's all!'' 
 
 Joker glanced at the woman. She shook her head. `` Well, Harley is n't convinced. Maybe I should start by showing you how I got my scars...'' 
 
 `` Okay, okay! There's some new guy in town. People call him'Nightmare.' He's got a cape, wears lots of black, a lot like the Bat! He strikes in a different place every night, no pattern, no nothing! They say he's going to go for Batman's sidekicks next! That's all I know, I swear to God!'' 
 
 `` Swear to me, and I might believe that a drug pusher knows so much about some new thug.'' 
 
 `` I swear to you! I'll swear to anybody you want me to! It's just the word going around!'' 
 
 Joker smiled and let the man go. `` Well, that's a start. Thank you for being so forthcoming. Harley, will you do the honors?'' 
 
 The last thing the man felt was something hitting him in the head. 
 
 ~ 
 
 `` So, where to next, Puddin'?'' Harley asked, sliding into the car next to the Joker. She started the car up. 
 
 `` I think our dear friend Mr. Cobblepot should be next on our list. It sounds to me like he's been holding out on us.'' 
 
 `` You got it.'' Harley started to drive. `` Hey, I got a question.'' 
 
 `` Yes?'' 
 
 `` How come you're so set on finding this guy? I thought you'd be happy Batbrain's dead.'' 
 
 Joker sighed. `` I wanted to kill him MY way, finally put a smile on that grim face of his. Now I'll never have that chance. I'll never again get to put out a fifty million dollar hit on him and see how many come to get it, never again kidnap the Comssioner and run him through my own little funhouse, or anything!'' Joker's fists clenched. `` If this newbie thinks he can just walk into MY town and kill MY best friend, he's got another thing coming! When I get my hands on him, I'll... I'll... Oh, I'm so angry I do n't even know what I'll do!'' He slumped, arms crossed, stewing. 
 
 `` Well do n't you worry, puddin', I'll be right by your side the whole time.'' 
 
 Joker softened and kissed Harley's cheek. `` Aw, that's sweet of you. Say, I'm hungry. Do you want pizza? I want pizza.''
