The Shootist.

The Jokers First Encounter With The Shootist.

(Daniel's POV)
When we woke up, my phone was ringing off the hook. I looked to Barbara who was still asleep. I slipped out of her bed and looked at the caller ID and saw it was Bruce. "Hey, Bruce. What's going on?"
'The Joker has escaped Arkham. I need you and Barbara here as soon as possible.'
"We'll be there as soon as we can." I walked over to the bed and kissed Barbara awake. "Hey, Barb."
"Morning." Barbara grinned.
"Morning, Barb. Listen. Bruce needs us at the Batcave."
"What's going on?"
"The Jokers escaped Arkham again. So I guess it's all hands on deck."
She shot out of bed, got dressed and we both changed into our street clothes and then I drove us to Wayne Manor.
Once there we headed directly to the Batcave and we all gathered around the computer. "This is what we know so far. The Joker escaped through the old sewer systems beneath Arkham and he joined a waiting cigarette boat. No real word as to his where abouts and until he pops up. We're going to remain on high alert."
I looked to Barbara who had a worried look on her face and I tried to consul her by wrapping an arm around her waist and rubbing her back. She looked at me and smiled then leaned into my shoulder.
"Uhh, Master Bruce you may want to see this." Alfred said turning on the television. Where we saw a news channel playing a video from the joker.
'I heard there's a new guy in town and I'd like to meet him. So Bats I suggest you bring him to meet me by six o'clock or.' A handcam was turned towards seven hostages all families being held at gunpoint by twelve armed guards. 'All these people will end up in the obituary column of tomorrow's news paper. Ha. And Bats. It better be just the two of you.'
Alfred turned to all of us. "What are we going to do Bruce?" I asked.
"Well, we have at least seven hours to figure something out."
"You heard the Joker Bruce. He said for us to come alone and I have been trying to refrain from killing with Barbara's help."
"Who said anything about killing and you are apart of my team. So you will do as I say."
"Up yours Bruce." I headed to the change area and switched into my Shootist attire. When I came out Alfred was holding up a pair of new revolvers.
"From Lucius Fox. He solved your reloading problem." Alfred smiled.
"Thank you Alfred. And tell Lucius thank you as well."
"I shall pass on the message, sir."
Barbara approached me as I gently took the revolvers and holstered them. "You sure you want to do this?"
"I have to. I'm not going to have innocents hurt because a psychopath wants to draw me out."
"But you can be killed."
"Oh, I think you may find I'm harder to kill than most. Besides if he wants to meet me. He's going to get the truest Shootist ever." I smiled and kissed her and she held my face as she smiled sadly.
"Just be careful."
"Always, besides. I still have to marry the love of my life." She giggled and kissed me one more time before letting me go.

I searched the city for the Joker. But when I found his latest hideout in an abandoned Ace Chemical warehouse. I checked every inch of the buildings around it and took out any security or guards that belonged to Joker. Quietly of course. I entered and did the same I did on the outside. Waited and took out each of the guards. Then the gunmen were sent out one by one until only four remained along with the Joker.
"Well, it seems you've improved since the last time we went toe to toe Bats. Come on out and you had better brought that new player." Joker said smugly.
I walked in and shot three of the four remaining gunmen. I shot them in the gut so they'd still be alive but only for so long. The last one reached for his gun and I cocked the hammer back on the smoking revolver in my right hand and aimed the other at the Joker. "Go ahead, make my millenium."
"Ohh, ha, ha, ha, ha. That was good rookie."
I shot the gunmen in the pelvis making him drop his gun. "Go for it and I'll put the next one in your head." The gunman ran for his life. Well at least I think it was running.
"My, my, my. You really are a crackshot."
"You wanted to meet me. Here I am. Now you better not waste my time clown or is it Bozo's wannabe." He got pissed when I called him that.
"You have some nerve boy." I aimed both of my revolvers at Joker.
"Call me boy one more time." I warned as I cocked the hammers back on both revolvers.
"Hey, easy. Just joking."
"I wasn't." I shot his right ear off. "Now that you met me. And can see what I can do. Let these families go." He angrily signaled the families to go. Which they did.
"Your gonna pay for that, you brat."
"Maybe. But here's what's going to happen." I approached him and shot his right calf, and his left ankle. He fell to his knees. "Well that's one way to get a real dick on his knees." I grinned under the bandana. "You are going back to Arkham. But I know your kind. Always planning a few steps ahead. Your escape plan consists of lackey's coming through the door. Then again you like the flashy type of plans. A flashbang to disorient me. You attempt to knock me out or disarm me then run away in the confusion. Or just plain run away like a coward. Thereby staying your execution at my hands. You see. Joker. I'm not like Batman. I won't hesitate in killing you. Not even a second. But I'm trying to turn over a new leaf. So you will go back to Arkham and stay there. If you don't I'll come after you and your precious Harley Quinn." His eyes screamed shock and surprise. "Ohh, thought I didn't know about your chief punching bag. I do. I would prefer not to put her in the ground. But that's entirely up to you."
"One day you will regret this. I'll makes sure of it."
"If I pay for this or regret it as you put it. You will not like my retaliation. You or anyone else. That I promise."

The GCPD came and got Joker twenty minutes later and took him to back to Arkham Asylum. But even though I knew he had been stopped for now. I had this sinking feeling that he'd get payback. And I had no idea how right Iwas.