Chapter 3:Meeting the Devil

Joker was speeding down the street in his newly acquired police car that he borrowed blaring the sirens while weaving in between cars even hitting some on the side for the fun of it while making his getaway from the police after leaving a horrific scene that would scar some. Seeing an abandoned building the joker took a hard turn and drifted into the parking lot turning off the sirens getting out."Now this reminds me of home oh boy I can't wait to hook this place up add some statues and portraits of yours truly and it'll be my new wonderland"The Joker fixed his classic purple suit and was about to walk inside when something caught his eyes he looked at the reflection of the glass and saw himself but younger it was when he first started out as the Joker leaving behind his old name.The time where he started his holy journey of becoming the messiah of chaos and starting his war with the bat."Oh the good Ol days what a great time that was"The Joker said as he reminisced about all the great things he's done.Looking closer at him you could hear the screams and terror of his victims,with guns blasting in the air as if trumpets were being played and most of all his favorite things exploding.The joker finished and thought about the task at hand and walked inside the warehouse right now he needed men poor fouls to help him spread chaos.

Now, the Joker stood in a dimly lit warehouse, plotting his next move. He needed goons—loyal, expendable, and dumb enough to follow his orders without question. The kind of minions that were a dime a dozen in Gotham. But this was New York City, and he was starting from scratch.

"Alright, boys," the Joker addressed the small group of thugs he'd managed to gather. They were a sorry lot he picked off of the street, but they would have to do. "We're going to rob a bank. Simple plan, really. We go in, take the money, and get out. Any questions?"

One of the goons, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, raised his hand hesitantly. "What if the cops show up?"

The Joker's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with madness. "That's the fun part! If the cops show up, we'll give them a surprise they'll never forget." He reached into his purple coat and pulled out a vial of his infamous Joker toxin, shaking it slightly for emphasis.

The goons exchanged nervous glances but nodded in agreement. The Joker's charisma was undeniable, even if his plans were often suicidal. They had no idea who they were dealing with, but they sensed that crossing him was not an option.

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The First National Bank of New York stood tall and imposing, its marble facade a symbol of security and stability. It was nighttime, and the bank was less crowded but still busy enough for the Joker's plans. Tellers attended to customers, security guards patrolled the halls, and business as usual carried on.

That was about to change.

The Joker and his crew burst through the front doors, guns raised. "Ladies and gentlemen!" the Joker announced, his voice dripping with theatrical flair. "This is a robbery! Please, stay calm, and no one will get hurt... too badly."

The bank's patrons screamed and ducked for cover, the guards drawing their weapons. But the Joker was already in motion. He threw a handful of marbles onto the floor, each one emitting a thick, green smoke that filled the room, disorienting everyone inside.

"Goons, grab the money!" he commanded, his voice muffled by the smoke. "And remember, smile!"

The thugs scrambled to follow orders, but their incompetence quickly became apparent. One dropped his gun, another tripped over a chair, and a third struggled to open the vault despite the clear instructions.

"Idiots," the Joker muttered under his breath. He dashed towards the vault himself, shoving the bumbling goon aside. With a deft twist of the lock, the heavy door swung open, revealing stacks of cash inside. "That's how you do it."

Stuffing the money into bags, the Joker turned to find his goons still fumbling. He sighed deeply, realizing that if he wanted the job done right, he'd have to do it himself. "Stay here and guard the hostages," he ordered. "And try not to mess that up."

With the money secured, the Joker decided it was time to leave his mark. He pulled out the vial of Joker toxin and tossed it into the air. The glass shattered on the marble floor, releasing a cloud of gas that quickly spread through the room.

"What's that?" one of the goons asked, panic rising in his voice.

"Just a little parting gift," the Joker replied, his grin widening. "Enjoy!"

The gas took effect almost immediately. The hostages began to convulse, their faces contorting into grotesque, permanent smiles. The guards tried to resist but soon succumbed to the toxin's effects. Even the Joker's own goons, caught off guard by his ruthlessness, fell to the floor, grinning maniacally as the toxin claimed them.

The Joker strolled out of the bank, satisfied with the chaos he'd left behind. He climbed into the getaway car, a stolen black sedan, and sped off into the city streets. The adrenaline coursed through his veins, the thrill of the heist still fresh in his mind. But as he drove, a loud pop sounded from the rear of the car.

A flat tire. The Joker's maniacal laughter filled the car as he pulled over to the side of the road. "Just my luck," he chuckled. "Well, looks like I'll have to improvise."

As he stepped out of the car, he was met with the sight of a figure standing on the rooftop above, silhouetted against the evening sky. The figure leaped down, landing gracefully in front of the Joker. Dressed in red with devil horns, the man was an imposing sight.

The Joker's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Well, well, well, who do we have here? Another hero come to spoil my fun?"

The red-clad figure remained silent, his posture tense and ready for combat.

The Joker tilted his head, his grin never wavering. "Cat got your tongue? Or maybe... devil got your soul?"

"You've caused enough trouble," the figure said finally, his voice low and measured. "You're under arrest."

The Joker threw his head back and laughed, a high-pitched, maniacal sound that echoed through the empty streets. "Arrested? Oh, I'm afraid that's not going to happen." He reached into his coat and pulled out a knife, twirling it deftly in his fingers. "You see, I'm more of a hands-on kind of guy."

The figure lunged forward, his billy clubs at the ready. The Joker sidestepped, slashing with his knife, but the man in red was too quick. He dodged the blade and delivered a swift kick to the Joker's midsection, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"You're good," the Joker admitted, rising to his feet. "But I've faced better."

He threw a handful of Joker cards at his opponent, each one razor-sharp. The red-clad hero blocked them with his clubs, but the Joker used the distraction to close the distance, landing a punch to his jaw. The two combatants exchanged blows, each one testing the other's limits.

"Tell me, Red," the Joker taunted as they fought. "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?"

"What are you talking about?" the man replied, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Oh, you wouldn't understand," the Joker laughed, a gleam of madness in his eyes. "You're not from my world. But let me tell you, your brooding demeanor, your dark costume—it's all very familiar. Reminds me of someone I used to know. A bat, perhaps?"

"I don't know who you are," the man said, his voice steady. "But I know you're dangerous. And I'm going to stop you."

The Joker's grin widened. "Dangerous? Oh, you have no idea." He reached into his coat and pulled out another vial, this one filled with a bright green liquid. "How about a little game?"

Before the man could react, the Joker smashed the vial on the ground, releasing another cloud of Joker toxin. The gas spread quickly, engulfing the street. The man in red covered his mouth, trying to avoid inhaling the deadly fumes.

The Joker took advantage of the distraction, slipping into the shadows. "Catch me if you can, Red!" he called out, his laughter echoing through the night.

The man in red staggered, his senses overwhelmed by the toxin. He stumbled to the side of the road, his head dizzy. By the time he managed to clear his head, the Joker was gone, lost in the maze of New York City's streets.

As the night air cleared, the man in red stood alone, his mind racing with questions. Who was this madman? Where had he come from? And how could he be stopped?

The Joker's laughter echoed in his ears, a haunting reminder of the chaos that had been unleashed. In this new world, the Joker had found a fresh canvas for his twisted art, and he was only just beginning.