The Right Side of Wrong

Till Death Do Us Part: Part 3

Veronica's POV:

So, after executing our plan, with help from Riddler, Harley and Batman are now in separate cells. Each one is hung over a vat of 'acid', and Riddler offers Joker an ultimatum.

Riddler: "Choose one to live and one to die and in the acid, the loser will fry."

Harley: "Is it the good kind of acid that gives you super powers?"

I smile at Harley's optimism, before dropping it to watch Joker sweat under the pressure.

Joker: "Yes, well, yes, yes. It would seem an easy choice, Harley, but-*maniacal laughter*"

Batman and I look to Harley in sympathy, knowing where this is headed, just as I'd planned.

Harley: "Puddin'? Even for you, that's a lot of maniacal giggling."

Joker: "Sorry, my little strung-up pheasant, but I couldn't possibly let this punctuation prick-"

Riddler & I: "Hey!"

Joker: "Get credit for killing Batman, now, could I? Free the bat, drop the broad."

Both cells are opened from underneath their occupants. The vat under Batman closes as he gives chase to Joker, while Harley falls into the acid. I leap from the railing, Ivy following me with her vines, and walk over to stand bedside the vat.

Riddler: "Alright, what's your plan from here?"

I say nothing as I press my fingers against both sides of my head to make a telepathic connection with Harley's mind. I look down to find myself dressed in my old psychiatrist's uniform, before looking up to see Joker leading Harley in a waltz. They both stop as Joker pulls out a ring.

Joker: "Till death do us part."

She looks so happy. It kills me to shake her out of this, but she needs to understand why Joker is bad for her.

Me: "Harley, we need to talk. For real this time."

Harley: "Aw, shit. What are you doing in my memory?"

Me: "Giving you a reality check. First of all, those weren't violinists."

I reveal to her that the 'violinists', were Joker's goons with guns aimed at something behind her.

Me: "You weren't dancing with the Joker."

I show her that she was actually in handcuffs.

Me: "And it wasn't an engagement ring."

That detail fades to reveal that he was actually holding a hand grenade.

Harley: "Wait, if all that's true, then why'd he say-"

Joker: "Till death do us part."

Now, comes the hard part.

Me: "Because he didn't say it to you."

She notices that Joker's gaze isn't fixated on her, but on something behind her. She turns to reveal... Batman running after them.

Harley: "It was him all along wasn't it?"

In reality, Joker placed the grenade in her hands and ran off, leaving Batman to toss the grenade into the air and shield her with his cape.

Harley: "Joker never loved me. He only loves Batman."

I get up from my chair to place a hand on her shoulder.

Me: "I never wanted to hurt you, Harley, but it had to be done. Otherwise, you'd be stuck in a toxic loop forever. And, I'd lose the best co-worker, friend, confidante, and sister I've ever had."

Harley looks up at my referring to her as my sister out loud. She then turns to me with a proud smile.

Harley: "Not bad for an ex-psychiatrist."

I shrug my shoulders with a soft smile.

Me: "Yeah, well, I learned from the best."

She smiles warmly before pulling me into a hug. I reciprocate, my grip tightening in thanks.

Harley: "I've missed you, Nica!"

Me: "Same here, sis."

I disconnect the link, and signal for Ivy to pull her out.

Harley: "Ivy! You saved me from the acid."

Ivy: "It's actually just margarita mix."

What? You think I'd let my own sister stay in a vat of acid if I thought it would be dangerous for her? That's on you, not me.

Harley: "It's still kinda stingy."

Then, Riddler walks up to stand before us.

Riddler: "Ok, I did my part, so we're square for you two breaking me out of Arkham?"

Harley: "His part? What's he talking about?"

Me: "Now, don't go all 'big sister' on me, but I kind of set this whole thing up. Joker being bad for you seemed like such a hard concept for you to understand, so I figured I'd let you see it for yourself. With help from Ivy & Riddler, of course."

Harley stands to give me a hug in person. Ivy smiles warmly at me, glad that we've made up. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Riddler smiling with a wink towards me before he walks away. Not that I care what he does. So what if, during our time working together, he's always been nothing but kind, caring, and cute? Wait, what?!

TO BE CONTINUED