Hello, everyone. This is Zip zip zip, and his co-author Ten ways to spoil dinner, bringing you another awesome story.... of course, ten is writing this part, or else my name wouldn't be mentioned this many times (I know, I'm arrogant.) If you are reading this part, however, Zip actually allowed me to keep this... I don't know why. Anyway, on to the story.

It's Not a Joke if it Has to be Explained

Chapter one: Meeting of Two Evils

Slade scowled under his metal mask, looking around his underground base. Something was amiss. Everything seemed in order. Except for the sound of that obnoxious cackling in the distance. He knew it all too well. The sound that was always heard before he appeared. That annoying clown that never knew when to quit.

Looking down the long stone corridor, he tilted his head slightly as the laughter got louder, and louder. But he saw no one coming. Not even a silhouette. He hated when the Joker played mind games with him. He played the mind games. He was close to losing his temper, but kept his cool as he began to descend into the corridor. Where the clown was, he would show himself. And if he was planning something, Slade already knew he could take him and any of his minions.

Slade turned swiftly, hearing what he thought was footsteps. Then suddenly, he felt something brush against his legs. He looked down, to see what had touched him, and then saw a finger coming upwards to his face, hitting the metal around his nose, then hearing a loud, annoying chuckle.

"Made ya look!" Yelled the Joker, laughing, hunched over, and holding his gut. He put a hand over his mouth, trying, yet failing, to hold it in. "I really got you, Slade."

Slade grimaced in disgust at the Joker's prank, and, even though it was impossible to see it under his mask, the Joker could feel the malice towards him, and grinned at it, as if expecting it. The clown bowed, and looked up to Slade, smiling his trade-marked smile, as he spoke. "Well, Slade, how are you doin'? I've been great, by the way."

Slade was taken by surprise by this. Last time the two had seen each other, the Joker had practically left him for dead. "What are you doing here?" He asked, not wanting to beat around the bush.

"What? I can't visit an old friend?" Joker shrugged as he looked to Slade, then added, "You're still mad about last time, aren't you?" He said it without any fear or anxiety, showing, in fact, delight in the trick he had pulled on the mask wearing man.

"Why would I be mad," Slade answered sarcastically, "You only left me to fight half the justce league while you made off with a truck full of weapons. The fact that I worked with you once still surprises me."

The Joker's smile only grew as Slade spoke. "Well, you will be even more surprised, as you are going to be working with me again." Joker commented. Slade was, to say the least, astonished that the Joker would say such a thing. Work with this psychopath? Not again. He turned away from the Joker, although he knew it would likely end with the Joker playing some kind of juvenile prank on him. Maybe he would put a 'kick-me' sign on his back? He made it three steps before turning around. The joker was still standing there, not moving a muscle. It didn't seem like he had done anything. Not even a prank. was something wrong with him?

"You can't get what you want, and I can't get what I want," Joker began, putting his hands in his pants pockets as his smile began to fade, "You want that bird boy, and I want the bat, and neither of us have gotten them... yet. If we were to work together, and if we did it right.... we could finally get rid of the obstacles in our way.. we could finally get to the punchline." Slade sighed at Joker. The clown knew what it meant, and smiled deviously back, saying "Do we have a deal, buddy."

Slade looked to Joker and gave him a wry remark. "You ever call me 'buddy' again and they will never find your body."

The Joker's face lightened up, and folded his hands together as he asked "Really? You can tell me where! I'm really good at keeping secrets!"

Slade rolled his eyes in annoyance at the clown's prank. He wanted to get this over with. He already had some plans, but messing with the clown could be entertaining.

"Trust me?" Joker asked, raising his eyebrows several times as he bared his teeth in a wide smile.

"No," was Slade's quick response. Frowning, he sighed then said, "Fine. I'll work with you, but on one condition. You get me Robin first."

The Joker put a hand to his chin, contemplating for a moment before saying, "Okay, okay. But, to make sure you don't back stab me, I won't actually 'give' the Bird Boy to you until I see proof of the Bat's demise."

"Fine."

The Joker clapped with joy, before turning and looking down the cave. "We've got our answer."

Slade would have asked who Joker was talking to, but knew better than to ask a maniac such things. Instead he only put his forward, as to shake. "And no buzzers."

The Joker turned to him wearing a face of disappointment, "Ah, you take out all the fun!" He put his hand out as well, and grasped Slade's. There was no electrical shock, and, even if there were, Slade's gloves had plastic in them. He wasn't one to go unprepared.