Innocent (A Treacherous Novel)

13

Gotham City, New Jersey

July 4, 2004

Bruce was suiting up in the batcave as he went over video surveillance of the Joker's current hideout. Ashley and Dick still hadn't returned from school, which he had counted on when the reports about the Joker had started coming through. He had lost track of time though and nearly groaned when Ashley and Dick had burst through the clock at the top of the stairs. "Alfred said something's happening" Dick said with Ashley hot on his heels, excitement written over every inch of her face.

"So who is it this time?" Ashley asked. "Riddler?" She guessed.

"No" Bruce sighed. "Joker" He told her.

"Cool, we'll get ready" Ashley said, grabbing Dick's hand and pulling him along.

"You two are not coming" Bruce said. "Not to this."

"Why?" Ashley asked.

"She has a point" Dick said to him. "This is what we've been training for years." Dick emphasized.

"Because the things he does, I wouldn't wish for anyone to have to see" Bruce said soberingly. "Violence is an art form and nothing is off-limits with him."

"Dad, the Joker isn't going to stop and we'll eventually have to take care of him one day" Ashley said.

"The only way to learn how is to do it" Dick agreed.

"And I'm not taking no for an answer" Ashley said, pulling Dick into the changing area and shoving his Robin uniform into his hands. "Come on twinkle toes, I've been itching to knock the shit out of Joker."

"You're crazy" Dick said, shaking his head.

"Got me looking, got me looking so crazy in love" Ashley started to sing as she grabbed her Batgirl uniform and began to change in a separate area.

"Why are you like this?"

♠️♠️♠️

"Talk about crazy and narcissistic" Ashley complained quietly as they made their way through the Joker's lair. "How does Harley deal with him, honestly?"

"Hush" Bruce demanded, and Ashley quieted down with a silent Dick next to her. They scaled the side of the entrance to the Joker's mouth and Ashley silently gagged at the smell as they entered.

"Dramatic" Dick whispered to her they made their way through.

"I didn't ask to smell dead people and crazy clown shit" Ashley whispered back.

"If you don't stop talking, you're both going to be grounded if you're not dead first" Bruce whispered. Ashley and Dick nodded and kept quiet as they moved through. Ashley pushed down a sigh as they passed through a door and were greeted by a blazing inferno and Ashley swore she felt sweat on her brow.

"You have got to be joking me right now" Ashley muttered and pinched the bridge of her nose. Bruce shot her a hard look before the loud cackling of the Joker was heard and several gunshots rang through the halls. "Am I allowed to stab him?" She asked innocently.

"If that's what it comes to" Bruce allowed. Ashley's fist pumped in happiness before they began to move along the ceiling to hide their tracks. "Ashley, get ready to drop" Bruce instructed quietly, preparing himself mentally before allowing Ashley to use her best method to combat the Lunatic and his goons. She nodded and as the Joker and his henchman came into sight, shockingly without Harley anywhere to be seen. Ashley's stomach churned when the Joker released both a man and a woman and killed them painfully in front of the children that he had kidnapped. The blood seemed to spatter everywhere and Ashley fought the urge to gag when it came too close for comfort. Her father gave her the signal to drop when ready when the procession began to move. She took in a quiet, deep breath and grit her teeth as she waited for her perfect opportunity before dropping down onto the Joker's shoulders and watching the chaos ensue with wide eyes as both Dick and her father began their onslaught. Ashley knew she was admirable in many respects, especially given that she was the smallest of the trio and was capable of doing a hefty amount of damage despite her size. What wasn't funny for Bruce though, was the Joker managing to narrowly get a hold of his daughter and hearing the scream she emitted from her being crushed by his shoe. Bruce turned and saw the scene and his vision turned to red in a way he had only experienced once before. Dick noticed the change and began to work on taking out the henchman. Ashley grabbed her batarangs from her utility belt and stabbed the Joker in the leg, twisting the batarang while the clown simply cackled, taunting the girl. Ashley spied her father marching toward them while the clown reached down while laughing.