The Mechanic and The Clown (Robert Downey Jr/The Joker)

Chapter 4

"Sir you have been awake for two whole days," Jarvis announced, his advice falling upon deaf ears.

"Grow a spine Jarvis," Tony retorted, "you gotta live with the times buddy."

Tony was working on a plan, trying to track The Joker. His new Iron Man suits were meticulously designed, he had started building the suits again since he first encountered the Joker on his trip to Gotham. There had to be someway to find the clown prince of crime, but leads were proving difficult to find.

Jarvis projected a holographic photograph of Tony and Pepper on their wedding day. Tony solemnly looked up at it, recalling how happy that day was for him, it was the best day he had ever lived and how easily Pepper agreed to marry him!
Tony groped for words, he couldn't speak, with a faint hint of a tear in his eyes he continued his work, he couldn't get distracted.

Suddenly on the tv screen a press announcement outside a red carpet event blared. It was a charity event organised by Stark industries, "I was supposed to go to that," Tony muttered.

"I didnt think you would have wanted to go after what has happened with Miss Potts sir," Jarvis suggested.

"Since when have I been one for nostalgia?" Tony raised himself from his seat, finishing his mug of coffee, "work on hacking into the local surveilance systems and proceed with monitoring, don't wait up."

"But sir Miss Potts..."

"She'll be fine J, I mean she's Pepper, I'm not going to lose her like this," Tony concluded, doubting his last statement, voice waivering as he jogged swiftly up the stairs out of the workshop.

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He was suited up on his newest tux and was strolling down te red carpet, owning the stage. The moment he arrived the attention turned to him, the press flashed their cameras and journalists asked him several questions all at the same time, shouting over each other bit each question having the same topic, "Hows Mrs Stark Tony?"

"She's gonna be fine, thanks for asking," Tony answered, filled with confidence, he never told the worlds press everything about his personal life, and he wasn't going to tell them now.
Even in the main hall of the event, public figures and celebrities approached Tony with condolences, their best wishes and their usual hope of Pepper having a full recovery. Tony wanted a drink, but he promised, he promised Pepper he wasn't going to start it off again, even if he did Pepper was bound to find out sooner or later when she woke up. "Damn that man," Tony growled, taking a breather on the balcony for fresh air. Despite being amongst such an occasion, the Joker ran through his mind, he had to find him.

"Party life a bit much for you?" Someone asked laughing as he walked through the balcony doors.
"Me? Nah! Don't be ridiculous, who are you?" Tony, sly, turned the subject into his mystery companion.

"Wayne, Bruce Wayne," the man greeted, a charming smile formed over his face, "sorry I couldn't meet you when you came down to Gotham a few months ago, I was out of town, still am actually."

"whatever," Tony shrugged, receiving Bruce Wayne's handshake, he could tell that this new companion was hiding something. He thought, Batman was presumed dead in the same week Bruce Wayne left town? Something fishy was going on, but surely Mr Wayne couldn't be Batman... Could he? He had a bad back and holding on to a walking stick, not the exact body stature expected of a vigilante hero.
"Listen, I have some advice about this Joker guy, he's a messy business."

"Oh yeah?" Tony was interested, looking for clues in any avenue, "keep talkin'"

"The Joker wants to see the world burn, money doesn't bother him." Bruce Wayne revealed, leaning on the balcony ledge, "But he will try to bring his victims down to his level, show them who they really are and test their every nerve. The trick is not to fall for his games. I just wish I could help you stop him."

"And you know this how exactly?"

"Well," Bruce replied, thinking fast on his feet, aware Tony was onto his secret, "When you're Gotham's richest man, you develop links with the local authority and district attorney."

Tony had guessed, it was so painfully obvious, Bruce Wayne is Batman! Or rather was, from what Tony could see of Bruce Wayne's apparent injuries, he wasn't physically able to be Batman anymore.

"The Joker drag you down too?" Tony casually remarked, holding the upper hand.
Bruce looked puzzled, but Tony wasn't backing down, he was smart enough to know a lie when he hears one.
"He killed someone I loved," Bruce finally gave in, reluctantly, but not seeing any alternative he succumbed to revealing all to Tony. "He wanted to get to me, and he's gonna do the same to you, but this time there is no secret identity to hide behind."

"So he's a dog chasing cars!" Tony deduced, "well where were you when he caused havoc hmm? You're speaking but I'm hearing nothing!"
Bruce Wayne stepped back, offended and confused as Tony continued, "you had a chance to stop him but didn't, he brought you to your knees, look at you for crying out loud! I'm not gonna let him break me down, you can be damn well sure of that!"

Tony realised, the Joker didn't have a tactic, he worked where he would cause the most damage. This guy was sneaky and always did the unexpected...