*J* (the continuation)

Part Forty-One: Chapter 307: Devising A Plan

Through sheer rage Jason plotted. Plotted every waking second of every single day. Plotted his revenge. Plotted a reconning. It wasn't enough to just kill the Joker. No, that would be too easy. Jason wanted to break him. Break him just like he had broken Jason. He wouldn't just kill everyone that loved the Joker. No, he had something far more sinister in mind. He was going to take everything that clown cared about and destroy it. He would see the Joker suffer before ending him.

Jason knew every thought, every dream inside of the Joker's poisoned brain. He knew him better than the Joker even knew himself. And Jason knew every way to hurt the Joker, because he knew his fears and weaknesses. The Joker was not a normal man who loved those closest to him. That's because the Joker never fully allowed himself to get attached to anyone. Yes, the Joker had attachments, but not like normal people do. In the Joker's mind, that which he loved, he saw as a possession. Like property. And he governed them by the laws set in place for property.

But the Joker was an imperfect man. As much as he fought to keep everyone at arms length, he was still a victim of human weakness. And Every once in a while, for mere fleeting moments, the Joker's careful facade would crack. Those human feelings he couldn't fully escape, would be briefly shared. Just enough that it kept them clinging to him.

You see, the Joker was a lot like a drug. He could be incredibly charming. He could be so exciting and fun. He could be seductive. He was the type of person who always knew all the right things to say. He could be generous. His gifts were always thoughtfully thought out. But like any drug, it never lasts, you always want one more hit. And the promise of more moments of humanity, of 'love', was what got you hooked on the clown.

But Jason knew what buttons to push. He knew what wounds to pour salt on. He, and he alone knew how to prey on the Joker's weaknesses. How to exploit them for his own benefit. And he wouldn't kill him until he had done just that. So yes, Jason had been plotting. And finally, all the pieces were falling into place. But Jason would require the help of someone else to help enact his plan for vengeance. They'd probably rather not help him, but Jason had all the leverage he needed to make them comply.

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The Riddler was sitting at his desk, scribbling things down on paper when his office door is thrust open. Startled, he slightly jumps at the intrusion. He looks up to see Jason in his Red Hood suit. He sighs and relaxes back in his chair, already regretting whatever had brought Jason there. "Is barging into my home going to become a thing with you?" Edward frowns.

"I need your help," Jason says as he removes the Red Hood covering his face, revealing his Robin mask that was underneath to the Riddler. Hey, two masks are better than one, right?

"No. No, I don't think so," the Riddler shakes his head and holds up a hand. "You came to me first to set up a meeting for you. To which you promised me more territory. I accepted and you got your meeting. Then you came to me again wanting access to my lab. You blackmailed me and gave me no choice. And yet you promised me even more territory. And I still haven't received what we agreed on." The Riddler sweeps his hand over his hair and does his best not to lose it. He was sick of Jason and his never ending need fir his help. When was it ever going to be over?

Jason narrows his eyes, "You will get your compensation when I kill that fucking clown, as I've said to you already. I really don't like repeating myself Edward. Anyhow, I need your help."

"I just want you to go away and leave me alone," Edward sighs and adjusts his glasses, trying to ignore Jason's presence. But how could he? "Why can't you go to one of the many criminals you have under your thumb? Surely any one of them can help you with whatever you need."

Everything Bruce and the Joker knew about Edward Nygma, Jason knew as well. Bruce taught him to know facts. The Joker taught him how to use those facts as leverage. Jason knew the only fact that mattered about the Riddler. He was egotistical about his intelligence. And he couldn't refuse a chance to show off just how smart he was. So Jason would finesse the one thing that got Riddler off the most. His own brain.