Card Game

Little Sparks of Madness

Riddian POV

After the convulsion of laughter I had brought upon myself I was in such a state of shock, I completely blacked out. I don't remember a thing. It was only until I was hit in the face by reality when I started to truly notice more of my surroundings. I was casually washing my hands in a regular female bathroom when I looked up and jumped back.

My face! What happened to my face! I want to touch it but my hands don't move and go straight back to washing themselves. I want to express my disgust but I keep a straight face no matter how hard I tried. It's like I can't control my own actions.

The only thing visible is the fear in my eyes. I look my self up and down after drying my hands. I'm still wearing my black uniform and red jacket, but my face is almost white in colour and my eyes are blackened as if I haven't had sleep in years. My hair, from it's original red, has slowly began turning a horrid shade of green and the worst thing of all though is the unspeakable stretched out lips along each cheek bringing a once adorable smile into that of an evil smirk. This could only mean one thing.......the Joker toxin.

I exit the bathroom and walk out into an old run down warehouse. Brown stained windows are smashed along the sides of the building and old wooden rafters are low from the ceiling. It's dark outside and only the light of the moon shows little areas around the inside. This is creepy, I need to get out of here. As I turn to leave I freeze at the sight of at least 50 of Jokers men in a small gathering near the warehouse doors. Damn it, my only escape is blocked and I can't take on that many men at once, it's suicide!

I turn on my heels not wanting to get their attention when I walk straight into the disgusting piece of filth himself. I try to punch him or run away or something but no matter how hard I try all I seem to be doing is tensing my muscles.

"Awe, look at you. Trying so hard to do something against me. HAHAHAHAHA. Well it's too late for that darlin' cause my new toxin is workin' a treat." He smiles at me, placing and hand in my shoulder and guiding me to the back of the warehouse where a thrown-like chair has been placed. No matter what I do it's impossible to counteract his movements.

One of his henchmen runs up to us with the sound of gunfire from outside. "Sir, it's the bat and the rest of the League....they're here." His lips form into a grin bearing his yellow stained teeth and minty breathe. I glare at him, trying to pierce his soul with my eyes. He takes one look at me and bursts into laughter.

"Honey I can't you seriously if you're smiling and glaring at the same time, HAHAHAHAHAHA." He wipes an imaginary tear from the corner of his eyes and points to the spot next to the chair as to where I immediately move to, facing the doors. "Protect me at any cost, Torch, or I will permanently extinguish you."

Suddenly, an explosion shakes the metal framework of the warehouse as five men are thrown back into the building followed by Batman, Superboy, Martian Manhunter and Miss Martian. They run further into the warehouse and stop when they see the Joker and me.

Batman steps forward. "Joker, whatever you have done to her-"

"-is completely irreversible!!!" Joker cuts in and flails his arms in the air. "I mean just look at her, HAHAHA, if she tries to  move without me wanting her to then she'll kill herself!! See?" He chokes back the urge to laugh a little more before raising his hand.

With all the will power invested within me I go to strike a blow to his face when I am stopped by an invisible force, inches from his nose. So close yet so far away...

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M'Gann POV

I flinch as Riddian's fist stops mere centimetres from Joker's face. Her hand then starts to retract little by little, but, it looks like she's fighting against it.  I need to contact her. Once her hand is next to her side I close my eyes and try to communicate, when....