Ow, my head," Barbara said, rubbing her temples as she slowly pushed herself upright, wincing.
"Barbara, you're on top of me," Tim said with a groan, shifting beneath her.
"Will you two get the hell off my back!" Jason shouted, his voice muffled as he struggled under the pile.
Barbara and Tim quickly scrambled to their feet. Jason followed a moment later, brushing himself off as he muttered, "I'm just glad I landed on something soft."
"Those aren't airbags, handsome," said another voice, dry and unmistakably amused.
Jason froze, then slowly looked down, locking eyes with Harley Quinn. He realized he was currently sprawled on top of her, his head still planted squarely on her chest.
"Are you gonna move anytime soon?" Harley asked, arching a brow.
Jason sighed, pushing himself off her and standing up. After a brief hesitation, he even offered her a hand and helped her up.
"Why are we in the theater room, and why's Harley here?" Tim asked, looking around in confusion.
"That's a good question. Why is Harley here?" Bruce said, his gaze shifting sharply to Tet.
"Because in some universes, this one included, Harley joins the Bat Family," Tet said casually, munching popcorn.
At that, every member of the Bat Family slowly turned their eyes toward Harley. She stared back at them, then said, "What? Something on my face?"
"You're kidding. She joins us?" Jason said, with skepticism dripping from every word.
"After losing the Joker and taking some time to realize how much better off she is, Harley usually ends up turning over a new leaf and starts fighting crime alongside all of you," Tet explained.
"Hah, as if. Me? A crime fighter?" Harley scoffed, folding her arms. "Also, who the hell are you people?"
"You'll find out before too long," Bruce said cryptically as he turned his attention back to the screen. He didn't question Tet. If the god said Harley could change, he believed him.
Tet explained to everyone what was going on, and soon enough they all grabbed snacks and settled in.
"Oh well, I might as well enjoy myself," Harley said with a shrug. "Hey, butler guy!"
"My name is Alfred, Ms. Quinzel," Alfred said politely.
"Woah… haven't heard that name in a while," Harley said, momentarily caught off guard. "…Um, could I get some nachos and a soda?" she added, her tone noticeably kinder after being treated with respect.
"Of course, Ms. Quinzel," Alfred replied, handing her a tray of loaded nachos, a fork, and a glass of cola.
"Thank you, Alfred," Harley said as she reclined in her chair and got comfortable.
--------
Clark fought his way through some more things and, unfortunately, found Officer Boles dead. He paused for a brief moment, jaw tightening, before he was about to start looking for another way to find Gordon when his communicator came on by itself. The Riddler's voice spilled out, irritating, gloating, and dripping with know-it-all smugness, already starting to explain all the challenges and riddles he had hidden across the island.
Clark didn't let him finish.
He shut down the communicator and went on about his business, refusing to give the man the satisfaction.
Once he made it outside, an alert pinged from the Batmobile as it came roaring into the area. Clark moved instantly, taking out the members of Joker's crew that were attacking it with swift, brutal efficiency.
"Alright, I should grab the explosive gel Bruce has in the trunk. When he got that, who the hell knows, then I need to see if I can pick up Gordon's trail," Clark said, switching on his detective vision as his eyes began to glow faintly.
A moment later, his expression sharpened.
"Alright, I've got his trail now. Time to catch up," Clark said, breaking into a run as he disappeared into the darkness.
------
"Huh, you know, Mr. J actually had the idea to take over Arkham like this but never got around to it. Also, since when does Bats have explosive gel? That's a new one," Harley said in surprise.
"I don't, but I will soon," Bruce said calmly, already jotting the idea down for later.
"Wait, what do you mean you?" Harley asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion.
"Oh my God. He's Batman, he's Nightwing, he's Robin, she's Batgirl, and I'm Red Hood sorry everybody I wasn't waiting for her to figure it out," Jason said in exasperation, throwing his hands up as he pointed to everyone in the room.
"Bruce Wayne is Bats? That's so… obvious it hurts to think about. I mean, now that I get a better look at you, I can see it, and I can't unsee it," Harley said with a long sigh, rubbing her temples.
"Hey, Alfred, you got any alcohol? I need something to soothe this headache I just got," Harley asked politely, slumping back into her chair.
"Scotch, vodka, rum, wine, or gin?" Alfred said as he rolled out a neatly arranged drink cart.
"Surprise me, sweetie," Harley said happily, grinning as she made herself comfortable.
-------
Clark reached the end of the trail and found Harley waiting for him behind a security gate, casually leaning back in her chair with a smug grin.
"You're not supposed to be here yet, B-man. Go away," Harley said, making an exaggerated shooing motion with her hand.
"Not until you tell me where Gordon is," Clark said firmly, his voice low and controlled.
"I'm over here!" Gordon shouted from around the corner.
"Quiet, you!" Harley snapped, quickly walking over to gag him.
At that point, Clark pulled out the explosive gel, swiftly spraying it along the side of the security gate. He stepped back, bracing himself, and detonated it. The force of the blast destroyed enough of the mechanism to shut the gate down completely and knocked Harley off her feet, sending her sprawling.
Taking advantage of the opening, Clark rushed in, grabbed Harley off the ground, and slammed her through a nearby table, the wood splintering as she went limp, knocked unconscious.
He immediately moved to Gordon and untied him.
"They're holding some doctors hostage on the lower floors," Gordon said, rubbing his now-free wrist.
"Don't worry, Jim. I'll handle it. You secure Harley and wait for me to get back. Then we'll see about getting you and the hostages off the island," Clark said seriously, already turning to leave.
"Got it. Good luck, Batman," Gordon said as he started tying Harley up.
-----
"Hey, hey, watch the goods. Gordon and you boys better not be staring at my ass. It might be digital, but it's still mine," Harley said with a sharp glare, planting her hands on her hips.
Jason merely shrugged in response, unapologetic. Dick just rolled his eyes. Tim quickly turned his head away, suddenly very interested in anything that wasn't Harley. Bruce just kept watching the screen, his expression unreadable, while Barbara chuckled softly at all of their reactions.
"Also, did Supes really have to choke-slam me through a table? Even Bats is gentler when he takes me out," Harley added, rubbing her neck with a grimace.
"You'll have to forgive him. He's working through some things," Bruce said with a slight grin, not looking away from the screen.
"Then go to therapy instead of slamming people through tables. And yes, I see the irony in me of all people saying that," Harley said with a pout, crossing her arms.
"I'm just glad he's thinking outside the box instead of doing things the way the game intended," Tet said casually as he watched Clark save the doctors.
-------
Elsewhere, Ares sat casually atop a jagged rock just outside Central City, the air heavy with tension. Beside him, a tied-up Billy Batson struggled against his restraints, twisting and pulling in frustration.
"Stop struggling, kid. I ain't gonna hurt you. You're just bait," Ares said with a low chuckle.
"What are you gonna do with me?" Billy asked with a defiant glare, despite the fear flickering in his eyes.
"After we're done here, the boss wants to take somewhere you can use your powers to help people and still enjoy your childhood. Now shush, the fun's about to begin," Ares said as he stood, rolling his shoulders and turning his gaze toward the horizon.
A red blur streaked toward them, lightning crackling in its wake. As soon as Barry had gotten near, Ares calmly drew his longsword and stabbed it into the ground. In an instant, a blazing ring of fire erupted around the immediate area, sealing them in.
"Well, if it isn't the Flash. What took you?" Ares said with a smirk, resting one hand on the sword's hilt.
"Let Billy go. This is obviously between me and you," Barry demanded, skidding to a halt, his eyes locked on the god of war.
"This kid's powers mostly come from my pantheon, so I'm afraid I'm taking him. Don't worry, though, he'll be fine," Ares said with a smile that carried no warmth.
Seeing that negotiation wasn't going to work, Flash rushed forward in a blur, launching an attack. Ares caught his fist effortlessly. With a grin, he twisted sharply until the sound of bone cracking echoed through the air. Before Barry could react, Ares kicked his knee, snapping it like a twig.
Barry screamed in pain as he collapsed to the ground, injured but still conscious.
Then, just for good measure, Ares brought his boot down across Barry's face, knocking him out cold.
He hoisted the unconscious speedster over his shoulder, grabbed Billy with his free hand, and let out a bored yawn.
"Damn, I should have gone after Wonder Woman instead. I hope Green Lantern puts up a better fight," Ares said as the flames around them slowly died down.
(Authors Note: Alright like I said I am trying to pick my pace back up and also I'm not sure how long I'm gonna stay in Dc after superman plays the games I might steal some characters and move on maybe take Zatanna to be a Hogwarts professor or enroll raven as a student or maybe re-enact that one series where Red Hood was sent on a multiversal killing spree in dark worlds )