Approaching Doom

"Batman!" Green Arrow yelled, causing the device in the dark knight's ear to nearly explode from the sound, "How did you let Joker burn 'HIS' place!"

Batman blitzed towards the Joker's location, Nightwing's message made him drop everything and rush towards the crazed villain.

Superman flew right above him, aware that the situation might have been serious.

"Joker is not someone that can be classified as predictable," He said as he increased his speed, "But we should be more worried about Joker rather than the new kid."

"You do not understand the severity of the situation," Arrow said horrified at the thought that had been plaguing him. "You have not fought him Batman, I have."

The batmobile flew over the barricades as Batman dashed towards the location.

"I can understand that he is powerful, but Joker's insanity is the major concern here."

At Batman's statement, Green Arrow howled. "Joker WILL die."

This statement stunned Batman.

"It is not about Joker, it is about a person who lost the place he built with his blood, sweat and tears. Villain or not, a man who is consumed by rage is always more dangerous than any other," Arrow said, "And it's not just an enraged man, it is a man who is capable of using magic to mold matter according to his will."

Batman had heard of Jasper's skills, but it was the first time Green Arrow had given him such a detailed explanation of his capabilities.

This made him even more certain that he had to reach the place before Jasper Hughes does.

"Batman…" Superman mumbled.

But maybe, it was already too late.

"It's all in flames."

…

…

Fire.

Fire was one of the most destructive elements in nature.

When it spreads into the wild, it becomes wildfire –consuming the life and habitat of many.

When it spreads in the cities, it turns to a great fire –consuming lives, homes and livelihoods of many.

But not all of those fires are natural, some of those fires can be started by man, deliberately in the hopes of causing harm.

This was termed arson, and the one to start an arson was called an Arsonist.

And the Arsonist of the current blazing fire was none other than Gotham's most notorious villain –Joker.

"It's a beautiful site, isn't it Jimmy~" Joker looked around himself, staring at the burning place with adoration.

"Seeing someone's blood, sweat and tears… Someone's hopes and dreams burning down right in front of your eyes," He chuckled, "Doesn't it send jitters down your body, Jimmy?"

"Muuwww!"

"Oh, my bad~" Chuckling at Jim Gordon who was tied up next to the burning building, Joker mumbled, "The show has began, we just have to wait for the performers to arrive~"

He forcefully pulled off the duck tape from Gordon's mouth, scraping his mouth in the process.

"You demon…" Gordon gritted his teeth.

"Demon?" Joker asked, curious. "No no, I am what you call a Clown, a Joker. Someone that makes a person cry from laughter."

He looked at his sidekick, "Isn't that right, Harley boo~"

"Y-Yes puddin'"

Harley never said no to Joker, not even when her life was at stake. But the current situation was different and while she agreed to what he was saying, she was worried about what might happen because of his actions.

The place that the Joker burnt down belonged to Jasper, who she had met before. And while Jasper was a nice guy, it was not enough for her to worry about him.

Her worry stemmed from something else.

Jasper was a close friend of Ivy and that made things complicated for her.

"Do you see that bridge over there, Jimmy?" Joker asked, pointing at the massive bridge next to the burning buildings. 

"It was the place where I first met the Bat," He explained enthusiastically, "We spilled our blood in there. And it became the place of memory and destiny that binds us together."

"You are sick!" Jim shouted, "Killing people, burning places, torturing innocents just because of a damned obsession!"

"Obsession?" Joker stopped before staring right into Gordon's face, "No No No, it is not obsession. It is destiny, DESTINY!"

He yelled, "And once Batman arrives, I will prove it to you!" Saying this, he laughed with all his heart, enjoying the delusions that were playing in his mind.

But as Joker was drunk in his glee, a spear passed right by him –grazing him in the cheek before impaling the burning building.

"W-What…"

He wasn't able to understand what was happening as the spear that impaled itself on the building turned to mist before spreading all around the place.

"The hell is that…"

The mist engulfed everything around it.

The building, the poles, the stairways and even the flames.

Everything turned to crystalline ice.

Leaving them all shuddering in the cold.

…

…

Barbara smashed her bike on her way, but it didn't matter even a bit to her as all she cared about was her father.

"Grayson!" She yelled, "Track Joker's location!"

She jumped over the debris and ran straight towards the fire.

"Batman and Superman are on the way," Grayson assured, "And I will be there in a moment as well."

But Batgirl didn't have the time.

There were around six beautiful buildings that were burnt down by the arsonist, leaving nothing but a horrifying image all around.

'Dad, please be safe,' She begged, worried about her father's safety. 'I am on my way.'

The fire around her grew brutal as she delved deeper into the horrifying blaze.

"He is four hundred meters away from you," Grayson said from the other side, "But be careful. I am certain that there are traps around you."

Going four hundred meters deep into a fire that could melt steel was not an easy task, but Barbara had no choice –her father's life was on the line.

Thus she had to hurry. 

'Just hang in there, dad!' She prayed, hoping for her father to be safe.

But as she stepped forward, she felt a present from behind.

One that made her freeze in fear.

"There he is."

She heard a voice, one that was void of any emotion. 

A voice that felt chilly and unpathetic. 

And as she tried to gather the courage to turn around, she felt a sharp object flying just an inch away from her.

The moment it flew past her, she shuddered as the presence behind her grew bolder. It felt blood curdling, bone chilling and straight terrifying.

Because the man behind her was none other than the Enchanter that was ready to erase the name of the Joker from this earth.

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