The Joker lounged in his throne-like chair in his new hideout, a twisted smile playing on his lips as he watched the flickering TV screen. The news anchor's voice droned on about the latest in local crime and chaos, but it was the footage that caught his eye—two pranksters wreaking havoc across the city.
Onscreen, a man in a jester's outfit and a girl in colorful, outlandish attire were pulling pranks, much to the amusement of their live-stream audience. The names "Jester" and "Screwball" flashed across the screen, followed by clips of their antics. They were currently bullying Spider-Man, who was oddly different—speaking in a more sophisticated, almost condescending manner.
The Joker's grin faded, replaced by a scowl. "Copycats," he muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Stealing my act, and poorly at that."
He rose from his chair, cracking his knuckles. "Time to show these wannabes how a real professional operates."
---
The Joker made his way to the location where Jester and Screwball were broadcasting live. They had cornered Spider-Man in an alley, taunting him as their audience watched online.
"Come on, Spidey! Aren't you going to fight back?" Jester jeered.
Screwball giggled, holding up her phone to capture the moment. "Yeah, Spider-Moron, what's with the new attitude? You getting all high and mighty on us?"
Spider-Man, or rather Superior Spider-Man—the mind of Doctor Otto Octavius in Peter Parker's body—was visibly irritated but maintained a calm exterior. "Your puerile antics are beneath me. Cease this nonsense immediately."
Just then, the Joker stepped out from the shadows, his maniacal laughter filling the alley. "Now, now, children. Is that any way to treat your guests?"
Jester and Screwball froze, their faces paling as they recognized the infamous clown. "Who the hell are you?" Jester demanded, though his voice wavered.
The Joker's smile widened. "Oh, just someone who knows a thing or two about pranks. And I must say, you're doing it all wrong. It's time for a lesson from the master."
He turned to the live-stream camera Screwball was holding. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, gather around! It's time for a real prank. I've planted bombs in three apartment buildings around the city, each one packed with happy families. You've got ten minutes to find and defuse them. Tick-tock!"
The live-stream audience erupted in shock and horror. Spider-Man's eyes narrowed behind his mask, his posture tense. "You're bluffing."
The Joker's grin didn't waver. "Oh, am I? Well, you'd better hurry and find out."
Spider-Man didn't waste a second. He swung into action, racing towards the nearest apartment building. Jester and Screwball, left behind, turned to the Joker with looks of horror on their faces.
"You're insane!" Screwball shouted, backing away.
The Joker approached them, his smile never fading. "Why, thank you! Now, let's see how you handle a real prank."
---
Superior Spider-Man moved with calculated precision, evacuating the residents from the three buildings in record time. His enhanced intellect and the spider-bots he had deployed made quick work of the task. When he found the bombs, he began to defuse them, his movements efficient and controlled.
Just as he was about to disarm the last device, a realization hit him. It was too easy. The Joker's laughter echoed in his ears as he pressed the button, and instead of an explosion, a Jack-in-the-box popped out, giggling maniacally.
"Gotcha!" the Joker's voice came through a hidden speaker. "But wait, there's more!"
The real bombs were in three different apartments across the street. Before Superior Spider-Man could react, the buildings exploded in a fiery blast, the shockwave knocking him off his feet. He scrambled up, his face contorted in rage as the Joker's laughter filled the air.
---
Back in the alley, the Joker watched the explosions with gleeful satisfaction. "Now that's how you pull a prank!"
Jester and Screwball were paralyzed with fear, their eyes wide as they watched the devastation. The Joker turned to them, his grin widening. "What's wrong? Not laughing anymore? Let's fix that."
He pulled out a vial of Joker toxin and sprayed it in their faces. They convulsed, their expressions twisting into grotesque, permanent smiles as the toxin took effect.
"Much better," the Joker said, patting their heads. "Now you'll always have a smile on your face."
He turned to leave, but a blur of red and blue landed in front of him. Superior Spider-Man's eyes burned with fury as he advanced on the Joker.
"You're going to pay for this," he growled, his voice dripping with venom.
The Joker's grin didn't falter. "Oh, come now. It was just a little joke."
Superior Spider-Man lunged at him, his fists a blur. The Joker dodged the first few blows, laughing maniacally. "Is that all you've got? You're almost as good as the Bat!"
Spider-Man's fury only grew. He caught the Joker by the collar, slamming him into a wall. "You think this is funny?"
The Joker's laughter echoed through the alley. "It's hilarious!"
Spider-Man's punches rained down, each one fueled by a mix of anger and frustration. The Joker continued to laugh, the sound grating on Spider-Man's nerves.
"Why won't you stop laughing?" Spider-Man roared, his fists tightening around the Joker's throat.
The Joker's eyes sparkled with madness. "Because it's all a joke, my dear arachnid. Life, death, chaos—it's all one big, funny joke."
Spider-Man raised his fist for the final blow, but something stopped him. Octavius's rational mind fought for control, reminding him that killing the Joker would make him no better than the madman he was fighting.
With a growl of frustration, Spider-Man webbed up the Joker, along with the unconscious Jester and Screwball. "You're going to rot in a cell for the rest of your life."
The Joker's laughter faded as he was bound in the webbing, his eyes still twinkling with mirth. "Oh, Spidey, you really know how to spoil a good time."
Spider-Man stepped back, watching as the police arrived to take the trio into custody. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—anger, frustration, and a cold, calculating determination.
As the Joker was hauled away, still grinning and chuckling to himself, Spider-Man couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over. The Clown Prince of Crime had made his mark on New York City, and the city would never be the same again.