August 25, Year 2034.

The clouds are getting dark and dense, like they will be calling a heavy rain to bury the whole world. It's been two years since I last saw Joker. This time was agonizing, like a million knives were piercing through my body. "I had no choice", this is what I keept telling to myself to somehow endure the pain. I knew what suffering he has been through and I wished to stop it, but I coudn't. This is the only way, everything would work fine.

I had only one friend before, who I treasured. He got taken away from me and after the betrayal from my brothers, I've decided to never call anyone a "friend". Then he came around, just a puppet to succeed with my objective, but the longer time I've spent with him, the faster my heart would hammer. When I almost lost to my enemy, he didn't leave me, he saved me. He was no longer just a puppet, he was my friend, a partner, who I could trust with my life. I hope he will forgive me one day for what I have done.

It was time, time to set him free. I picked up my jacket, while heavy rain drops started falling down from the dark sky. I've opened the portal and felt like my heart is about to jump out of my chest, I was nervous if everything will turn out how it should. I had to trust my steps.

My nose caught the smell of mold, this place has become more of a nightmare, than before. I've carefully pushed the big, heavy door. Inside I saw dead and decomposed bodies of monsters. I was right, they didn't survive without sacrifices for two years. It was safe to move ahead. The cocoons were still attached to the remains of the host, but they weren't active. I got closer to one of them and pulled out my orb, it wasn't this one... next one. I scanned most of them and anxiety has washed over me... where is he? Unexpectedly, the orb started to glow and I smiled. I grabbed my smaller knife and slowly and carefully opened the cocoon. Black and sticky goo came out from it, covering my boots and everything around me. Then a body fell down and I quickly picked it up. Heavy and cold, he crumbled in my arms, but still alive.

I've placed the orb on his chest and my hand on top of it, I could feel it... the corruption, it worked. I took him back to my place, he will need rest and time to recover. And when he does, nothing will stop us.

Two weeks have passed fast and my partner still didn't wake up. I was waiting impatiently, but I couldn't rush things, I could only hope he will get better. Suddenly, I saw his eyes slowly open. The bright, white light came out from his eyes and quickly faded away to a normal color. I got closer to my bed, where for the past couple of weeks his body was resting. I've tried to ask, if he could hear me and how does he feel, but I got no response. His eyes were wondering around the room, ignoring me, which made me worried. His overgrown hair was covering most of his face, I reached with my hand to brush it away, but he quickly and firmly grabbed my hand. His strength surprised me, I didn't expect such reaction.

- Joker... It's me, Ven. - I said softly.

He looked at me, his eyes got brighter and more alive, he let go of my arm and relaxed.

- Ven... What happened? - He said slowly, with tired voice.

- You got killed by these monsters. They put you into one of those cocoons and you got corrupted. - I tried my best not to make him nervous, but I noticed, that his fingers started to shake. - Don't worry, Joker. You will be alright.

- Alright?! - He tried to stand up, but I stopped him. - Isn't corruption bad?!

- Whatever you heard about it, it's not true... Corruption helps you think differently, see things you normally wouldn't have noticed.

- And how can you be so sure about it?

- Because I'm corrupted as well, Joker.

- But you... - His expression changed, he was disoriented by all of it.

- Joker, how can you define what's good and what's evil? Only by someone's action? It's more than that. You can kill someone to do good or for bad intentions, but it's still a kill. You can help someone, because you care about them or you can use this adventice for later. There is no good and no evil. Corruption doesn't make you more evil, it helps you decide, what is the best for you.

- How long have you been corrupted? - He clutched the sheet in his hands, while looking deep into my eyes.

- For a really long time.

- And are you helping me because you care... or?

I grabbed his hand and looked at him. - You are my friend and I will do anything to keep you safe.

His eyebrows raised in surprise, but then he gave me a warm smile.

- Thank you, friend. - He said.

I've returned the smile, I felt somehow happy. For many years I could only rely on myself, but now I'm not alone anymore.

-Alright, you should rest more. I will leave you so you can get more sleep. - I wanted to get up, but he stopped me.

- Wait... How long I was out?

- Well, I found you two weeks ago... - I could see him being in shock. - But you were gone for two years...

- TWO?! YEARS?! - He screamed in disbelief. - I... I don't think I need more sleep...

- Take some time, Joker. - I tried to calm him down.

He touched his long, messy hair and looked at his body. - Ven, could I make a request?

- Anything. What is it?

- Could you get me some clothes? I don't want to walk around naked...

- Of course. - I smiled.

Days went by and I've noticed Joker feeling much better. However, most of the time he was drifting away in his thoughts, somewhere where he couldn't handle his emotions. I tried to talk to him but he assured, that it's nothing important.

We were training together, to get him back into shape. His combat has improved significantly and I could see the fire in his eyes, then I realized something. I stopped the training, grabbed two glasses of whiskey, so we could relax and talk.

- I don't need to rest, Ven. - He said, breathing heavily. But I insisted that he sit with me.

- I know what you need, Joker.

-Oh yeah? - He smirked. - And what is that?

- Revenge. - I smiled back, but his expression got serious. - I know, that I'm right. You can't hide it, Joker.

- I...

- You want to have your revenge on those, who did this to you. Lied, manipulated.. used. They deserve the punishment.

- Yes. - He said. - I know enough people, who just used me as a toy in their own stupid games. I had enough of ignoring the rage... keeping it inside...

- Then why not teach them a lesson? - My smile widened. - I will help you.

He looked at me with these new, alive eyes and cracked a smile. We clinked our glasses and were drinking the whole night.

Somewhere in the middle of the next day, after we sobered up, it was time to begin the revenge. When Joker was grabbing his stuff, I've approached him and could finally give him a gift, what was waiting for so long to be received. He looked at me in surprise, but accepted it. I was watching him opening the box and when he did, two black daggers were presented to him. I saw a big smile on his face, I knew he would like them. Joker's new style of combat was perfect for this kind of weapons. He thanked me and gave me a hug, which surprised me. I was happy, that he enjoyed his gift. Later both of us were ready, I've opened a portal and we stepped in together.

We were walking with confident steps as the guards at the gate noticed us and started yelling.

- Hey! It's you! What the hell are you doing here?! - One of them recognized Joker. - Don't get any closer or we will open fire!

We didn't stop, just kept getting closer and closer to the gate.

- You left us no choice! - He glanced at his mates, who had their weapons ready. - FIRE!

Joker quickly teleported to them as I blocked the fire with my katana. Then he sliced their throats with fast and precise move. When I finally had an opening, I jumped on the gate and leapt behind it, landing on one guard and killing him right away. The alarms went off as more guards showed up in front of us.

We fought them all, without any problems, then I noticed a couple of barrels with gas, so I took a pistol from one of the dead bodies and shoot it, making big explosion. The fire was spreading fast as the blood of our enemies. People were screaming for help, running away, I looked at Joker, his face was covered with blood and his eyes were glowing with green. He looked at one specific place, a door at the upper level of one of the buildings.

- She is in there. - He said.

I knocked down the door and stepped inside first. Two guards tried to attack me, but I've got them first. Both of them fell down on the ground, but one of them was still alive. Joker stepped in a looked on him with his cold, glowy eyes.

- Hello, Aven... - He said slowly. - I'm back.

Aven's eyes widened in horror as he tried to stop bleeding from his wound. Joker got closer to him and then crouched down beside him.

- Where is Thea? - He asked.

- I- I don't know!

Joker stabbed his leg and the man screamed with pain.

- I will ask one more time... Where is she? - His voice got angrier.

- I really don't know! She left two years ago with Zadie! I tired to find her, but she just disappeared! I swear!

- What about Emma?

The man looked at the desk in the dark, but no one was standing in front of it... but it didn't mean that no one was hiding behind it. Joker stood up and walked to the desk.

Suddenly, a blond woman jumped out with a gun, aiming at Joker. He quickly grabbed the gun while she fired, the bullet missing him. I got furious and wanted to step in, but Joker stopped me. I understood and I stayed right behind him. Then he, with a quick move, took her gun and knocked her on the ground. The woman started crying and begging.

- Joker! I'm so sorry! I just wanted to protect my people! - She wept.

- Well, good news. - He chuckled. - There is no one for you to protect anymore.

She started crying even more but it didn't moved Joker.

- Why?! Why are you doing this?! - She started yelling.

- I'm a Ghost, right? - he pressed the blade against her neck. - This is what you wanted. I'm simply completing my purpose... - His eyes started glowing white, just like a Ghost.

- Please... I-

She weren't able to finish a sentence, as Joker sliced her throat. The blood splattered on the wall and window, creating more shadows in the room.

- You are crazy! I will fucking kill you! You are a monster! - The man screamed at us.

We turned around to face him once more, Joker took off his mask and smiled at him.

- I would love you to try. - He said wih cold voice.

We were about to leave the room, but then I stopped him.

- Wait... you're not going to finish him off? - I asked, confused.

- No... - He answered. - I want someone to remember this. Someone to have nightmares about this day.

I was surprised and amazed by his actions. He was strong and cold, not showing any emotions. We left the room, leaving behind the poor man with his own demons.

Passing by the gate, Joker looked behind at the burning houses and dead bodies laying on the ground. He covered his face again with his new mask and looked at me.

- Thank you, Ven. - He said.

- It was my pleasure, my friend.

Together we walked away from a successful revenge, but it wasn't over. There was way more, more blood to be spilled and I couldn't wait for that.

The End.