At the club, Dana, Chelsea, and Blade walk in.
Chelsea: Every once in a while, we have to do it, Dane. Ditch the guys and have a night out to ourselves.
Dana: It may be a change for you, Chelsea. I don't see enough of Terry to know the difference.
Chelsea: Well, Terry's sweet and all, but who says you can't make friends with someone new?
Terry: Not a chance.
Dana: Terry! I thought you'd be working as usual.
Terry: The bad news is, for the time being. I'm not gonna have much money coming in. The good news is, you have me all to yourself.
Dana: I can live with that.
The Dee Dee's walk towards Terry.
Dee Dee: Cutting in.
One of them pushes Dana away.
Dana: Hey!
Ghoul grabs her.
Terry: Dana?
Meanwhile in the Batcave, Branch and the others were working on Joker Anti-Toxin when Shelliot began growling.
Branch: What is it, boy? Shelliot.
Shelliot ran upstairs and gives out a loud whimper.
Branch: Shelliot!
A gas bomb is thrown down.
Joker: Don't get up, Branch. It's just an old friend come by to say hello. Hello, Bat-Troll. (Laughs)
At the club.
Terry: Dana!
One of the Dee Dee's kick him.
Dee Dee: It was her.
They both attack him and Woof and Chucko join in. Woof tries to pounce on him and Terry kicks him. The Dee Dee's hold him down.
Chucko: Don't know why the boss wants a dreg like you outta the way, but hey as long as it's fun.
Dana manages to escape Ghoul.
Dana: Terry!
Ghoul nabs her again.
Terry: Dana!
Dana: Let me go!
Ghoul: Sure, cutes.
Ghoul throws her and she hits a spotlight until Terry catches her and she passes out.
Chucko: Slag him!
Chucko gives the Dee Dee's blasters that they shoot at Terry.
Chelsea: Dana?
Terry: Stay out of sight!
Terry manages to beat up Ghoul.
Dee Dee: There!
They chase Terry to a lava lamp statue.
Dee Dee: What's he doing.
Dee Dee: You got me.
Chucko: Just finish him!
Terry causes the lava lamp to fall and washes them away.
Chucko: Ah, you made a mess, dreg.
Terry pushes Chucko off the floor and outside, Dana was being loaded into an ambulance.
Terry: Dana!
Chelsea: She's got a bad bump and some cuts, but she's gonna be okay. Why were those guys after you?
Terry: I don't know. Look, I'm gonna go talk to the cops, stay with her, okay Chels. I'll come as soon as I can.
Chelsea: Sure.
Terry hops on his bike and calls Branch.
Branch (recording): Leave a message.
Terry: Hey! The Joker's little playmates were after me tonight. Me! Not Bat-Troll. This whole thing stinks, Branch and you know why. I need some straight answers from... Wait, it's night. Where does he go?
Terry heads straight to the royal home and finds that it's been attacked.
Terry: Branch! Branch!
He finds Shelliot lying in pain on the ground.
Terry: Shelliot.
He heads down to the Batcave and sees all the vandalism.
Terry: Oh, god. Please, no.
Poppy and many of the others are knocked out badly, but Branch was infected by The Joker's laughing gas.
Branch: (laughs) Floor... (laughs) Under... (laughs) Table... (laughs)
Terry uses the last remaining Joker Anti-Toxin to cure Branch.
YOU ARE READING
Bat-Troll Beyond: Return Of The Joker
Mystery / ThrillerBranch's successor as Bat-Troll, Terry McGinnis faces a new challenge when a long thought to be dead Joker returns and even crazier than ever. In order to learn more about Branch's greatest enemy, Terry must learn more about Branch's dark past as Ba...