Darkness Comes, chapter 2

This is my "untitled" SW/Batman crossover, now with a title. Previous chapters in my memories.

Title: Darkness Comes
Author: Bookworm
Rating: I’m going to give it an R for violence.
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to their respective creators. I make no money from this, it is done out of love and respect for the various characters and movies represented herein. I have no affiliation with the actors, creators, or owners of those written herein. All original characters belong to me, so please do not use without permission.






Chapter 2

Twelve standard months ago

A huge belly laugh shook the massive body of the Hutt. The man before it cringed, anticipating his fate. The Hutt spoke deprecatingly in Huttenese, translated by the bland protocol droid next to him.

“The great Gentti Haerch asks you how you thought you could deceive him in this.” The man before Gentti started trembling, and even his voice shook.

“I-I never thought to deceive you, Great One. I have always been l-loyal-” He tried to protest, but was cut off by Gentti’s laughter. Once again, the Hutt spoke, and once again, the protocol droid translated.

“Worm, your protests are as empty as your promises. Your offense was a great one, and I shall enjoy your death. Jack! Deal with him.” His fate pronounced, the man looked into the shadows to his right with undisguised fear.

“I-I was always your friend, Jack. I….I introduced you, got you into the business…” The man in the shadows felt a twinge of disgust. He hated it when they begged. Jack suppressed a sigh. His boss would want a show. He reached to the side and pulled a lever. The convicted man fell below into the pit with a scream. Jack released the lever, but did not join those who crowded around to watch the death with unholy glee. It would be done soon, and those watching the pit would see whether the man in the pit somehow survived. Ordinarily, Jack would remain to see that his job was finished. It didn’t do to leave a job unfinished. That was, after all, what he was paid for. However, the people in the room would see the outcome themselves. The convicted man was a fool. Jack didn’t have any friends.

Jack walked towards the door, not in any hurry. He wasn’t in the mood for any festivities, and some air would do him good. On his way out, Vuul Reynolds stopped him. He gave Jack a huge smile, full of sharp teeth, and congratulated Jack on a good show. Jack said something bland to him, and walked around him. Vuul was a fool. He got pleasure from killing, and always took care to make certain his victims suffered as much as possible. Jack was only interested in the paycheck, and doing the job to his employer’s satisfaction. He brushed against a man hidden in a dark cloak as he walked out. Jack spared the man a glance, but did not stop. Probably a customer. He inhaled the polluted air, taking care not to lean against the side of the building. This low on Coruscant, who knew what kinds of filth coated the walls of the buildings.

***

Gentti leaned over the grated entrance to the pit, relishing every squeal and scream that emanated from it. The man inside deserved the death he got, for betraying him. No one betrayed Gentti and got away with it. A man behind Gentti cleared his throat. Gentti resisted the urge to roll his eyes in irritation. He did not appreciate being interrupted at his festivities. He laboriously turned around, taking in the humanoid hidden inside a black cloak. He spoke, his voice filling the room, followed by the bland protocol droid translating in basic.

“The Great Gentti demands to know why his festivities have been interrupted. If it is not worthy of his time, the Great Gentti will have you fed to his rancor.” The visitor hidden in his cloak had to fight a giggle threatening to get out. Finally, someone willing to play. This universe was far too bland.

“Just one thing,” he hissed, his voice barely audible. A black-gloved hand rose and tossed a ball at the Hutt in front of him. A servant standing nearby caught it and brought it to Gentti. The visitor could see confusion crossing Gentti’s face, and then he started laughing. The Hutt spoke, and the voice of the protocol droid sounded above the thunderous laughter.

“This is all you have? When threatened with your life, this is all you can bring to the Great Gentti?” The visitor thought about this for a moment before speaking.

“Well, no.” The ball in the Hutt’s enormous hand started beeping, and then a greenish gas spread from it. Almost immediately, all caught in it started to laugh uncontrollably. They laughed so hard, the muscles in their throat tensed and locked, strangling them. They all died with a grotesque smile on their faces. The visitor, untouched by the gas, walked through it, unafraid, to retrieve his ball. He picked it up, and took another moment looking at the now-dead Gentti.

“Actually, it is the best I can do. Nice sharing a joke with you.” The visitor tipped his hat to the inhabitants of the room, and then let loose the cackle that had been trying to break free.

***

Outside the building, Jack heard none of the commotion. He simply breathed in the air and waited. Sooner or later, the festivities would be finished. His boss would send someone for him when he was needed. Then came the cackle. It was the only sound that penetrated the thickness of the walls of the building. Jack frowned. He had never heard a laugh like that before. It was distinctive enough that it would have stuck in his memory. The visitor? Possibly. But why would the visitor be laughing, and no one else? Now concerned, Jack turned and swiftly entered the building.

It didn’t take him long to reach the bodies. They were everywhere. All of his boss’ associates and everyone who had been in the room; dead. All with bleached white faces and an exaggerated smile. Jack frowned. What had he entered into?

The pile of lard and fat that had been Gentti the Hutt was in the center of the room. Along with the one living person there, save for Jack himself. It was the visitor. Only he had shed his black cloak. Jack could see it was a human male, but there typical descriptions ended. He was wearing a suit, one made of what was clearly good fabric. But the fabric was bright green and purple. He wore purple gloves, and his hair was green. What in the galaxy was this? The visitor turned as Jack approached. His face was bleached white, and his lips were painted red in a huge, exaggerated smile. A part of the death of his former coworkers was explained. But why….

“Well now,” the visitor spoke. His voice was dry and raspy, but it had a lightness to it that caught Jack’s attention. “I was wondering when you’d be in.”

“Who are you? What happened here?” Jack asked. He was not afraid, but wary. His hand slid back surreptitiously towards his blaster. The visitor half turned away from Jack, his hands reaching up towards his face as if adjusting something.

“They were sad before, but not now. They agreed to share one final joke with me, before they died. As you can see, they aren’t sad anymore. It was the least I could do. And as for me,” the visitor paused here, then removed his hat and turned fully to face Jack. His skin was bleached white, his lips painted red in an exaggerated smile. His hair was dyed green and slicked back. Through his cloak, Jack could catch a glimpse of a bright green suit.

“You can call me the Joker. And it so happens that I’m looking for an assistant. You’re obviously free at the moment. So what do you say? You want to help me show Coruscant a good laugh?” For the first time, Jack experienced the stranger’s full smile. He had thought the painted smile on his face couldn’t get bigger, but he was wrong. It grew wider until Jack thought his face would split apart. Then the stranger tilted his head back, opened his mouth, and let out a cackle. Jack stood there, unmoving, while the stranger laughed himself out. After a moment, he lowered his gaze back on Jack. Jack looked around him at the dead bodies, paused a moment for thought, then nodded.

“All right, boss. I’m in.”