#[puts finger to temple] I can imagine anything as batjokes

[mrsegbert]

Joker (Brian Azzarello) Meta

Somebody's probably already made this connection, but I think Joker uses Jonny Frost as a stand-in for Batman at multiple points in the Joker graphic novel. Especially because we see Joker talking to himself as if he were talking to Batman in the story, too.

Compare lines Joker says to Jonny (and Batman) near the end of the story. "You have no charm at all. Just... Obviousness. Dumb, dull... Obvious." And in certain moments throughout the story, Joker describes Jonny as having these qualities.

After Joker schedules a meeting with Tommy Bang Bang, Jonny tells Joker that telling Tommy that they're coming would mean potentially walking into a set-up. In reply, Joker says, "I don't mind you saying that Jonny. Sometimes, I need to hear the obvious." Near the end of the graphic novel, Joker asks Jonny if he knows what he hates. Jonny replies that Joker hates everything, and Joker says, "My, my... Is it you've learned a lot... Or you're smarter than you look?" Which implies Joker thinks of Jonny as unintelligent. (This is reaching, but during a drove at night, Joker asks what Jonny sees, and Jonny says, "lights." Joker then describes the lights as nothing more than pinpricks in darkness, which could connect to the dull descriptor.)

We can use these moments between Jonny and Joker to see how Joker feels about Batman. Most obviously, Joker describes Batman as obvious when he stated beforehand that he sometimes needs to hear the obvious - or rather, needs Batman. There are also multiple occasions where Joker acts toward Jonny similarly to how he does Batman. For example, screaming at Jonny, demanding to know if he thinks he's better than him, holding a gun to Jonny's head and asking if he's one of his problems, talking about a story of a man trying to complete an impossible mission, it being something he admires. And when Jonny doesn't understand what Joker is talking about, Joker treats it as Batman being the one who doesn't understand. "Of course not - he doesn't have a funny bone in his broken body."

There's also a recurring theme of apologies in the story. When they first meet, Joker tells Jonny to never apologize for the way he looks. Later on, Joker says what he actually hates most is apologies. When Joker and Batman finally confront one another, Joker tries to shame Batman - implying that Bruce has something to apologize for. Then, he shames Batman for the window he has for his mouth on his cowl - finding something wrong with the way he looks. "A glimpse at the perfection underneath. Obvious - the chiseled good looks - not the jaw, the mouth of a monster."

This hints at not only insecurity from The Joker but potentially some form of attraction. Not to mention - hypocrisy. Which isn't unusual considering the character, but it stands out all the same given what's he said about not apologizing for one's looks.

Ultimately, I think this version of Joker needs or feels he needs Batman, is almost always putting on a performance for him, admires him, wanting to talk to him or get through to him, but also feels a hatred for him. Maybe even envy. He doesn't want to feel like, or have it be that, Batman thinks he's better than him. And because Jonny is no longer a Batman stand-in, now that Joker can finally be with him again, Jonny is killed and tossed aside like trash - just like anyone who he considers beneath him and Batman.

Also, there's a moment near the end where Jonny laughs as he and Joker are fleeing, and Joker strikes him in the face. Potentially this might be because he felt like he was being mocked, or because it's something too "out of character" for Joker to continue projecting his nemesis onto Jonny.

[hysterialevi]

Lotus pt. 11 (Batjokes)

Author’s note: We are officially at 600 followers!! It really blows me away how far we’ve come, and thank you all so much for supporting me. Hope you enjoy this chapter :)

From Waller’s POV

GCPD, COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE

THE NEXT NIGHT

“I’m sorry about your loss, Waller,” Gordon sympathized, rubbing his temple. “Even if I didn’t know her that well, Avesta was always a ray of sunshine in this hurricane of a city. It’s hard to believe that Lazarus actually got to her. Things certainly won’t be the same without her running around.”

I stared at the red stamp on Avesta’s file, my heart wrenching with grief. 

“...Deceased,” I read aloud, shutting the document closed, “along with a hundred other nameless souls. This fight with Wayne only gets harder and harder by the day, and frankly, I’m not sure how much longer we can hold up. But thank you for your condolences. Avesta was one of my best agents -- this will be a significant blow to the Agency. I only hope the police force won’t have to suffer loss like this.”

Gordon took on a more vengeful tone. “That maniac lays a finger on Renee-- or any of my other officers -- and I’ll put him down myself.”

I gazed at him in a warning manner. “I know it’s hard to remember this, but keep in mind, Commissioner, that Bruce is just as much of a victim of Lotus as those he kills. We’re trying to help him, not hurt him. Don’t misunderstand though. That doesn’t mean I won’t.”

A defeated breath escaped him. “...You’re right, you’re right. It’s just -- with all the casualties, the bombs, and Joker still on the loose -- you need something to blame. And at the moment, Bruce is the closest thing we’ve got. What the hell is he even doing with Bane? I mean, they’re both rotten, mind you, but I never imagined they’d work together. Bane’s strength combined with Bruce’s smarts...it’s a recipe for disaster. I don’t like it. Not one bit.”

I stood up from my desk, putting Avesta’s file away in the cabinet. “You and me both, Gordon. I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see what Bruce has planned for today. He made it sound pretty big, and if his attack at the city address is anything to go by, we’ll need every man we’ve got.”

Interrupting our conversation, a knock suddenly emitted from the door, diverting our focus from Avesta’s case. I adjusted my glasses, straightening my posture.

“Come on in,” I called out. “The door’s open.”

Humbly allowing himself into the office, one of the doctors who operated on Bruce strode towards the center of the room, greeting both me and the Commissioner with a simple smile.

“Dr. Elswood,” I said, pleasantly surprised. “It’s been quite some time since we last met. What’s wrong?”

The young doctor gave me a casual shake of the head, his stern, grey eyes twinkling with intellect.

“Nothing, actually. You’ll be pleased to hear that I have good news for once.”

“Really?” I asked. “And what would that be?”

Elswood softly shut the door behind him, his expression glowing with sincerity and accomplishment.

“I’m proud to say that our experiments on Wayne have finally paid off,” he announced. “Director...we found a cure.”

“A cure?” I repeated as my eyes popped open, admittedly in disbelief. “For Lotus, you mean?”

“Yes,” he verified. “Only this one actually maintains the brain chemistry. In other words, if anyone gets infected, this cure will be able to save them from the virus’ symptoms and preserve their sanity. It can also repair brain chemistry, if need be.”

Gordon joined in, hooked with interest. “Wait, you said it can repair it?”

Elswood nodded. “Correct, sir.”

The Commissioner turned to me, his face lit up with eagerness. “Waller, if this cure can fix brain chemistry...do you think it’s possible we could save Bruce? Bring him back from this madness?”

When I was silent in response, Elswood answered for me.

“Yes, you could. Although, the affects would take longer to settle in, considering how deeply Lotus has implanted itself into Bruce. Luckily for us however, he hasn’t been infected for that long. So there’s still a chance we could save him.”

Trying to untangle my thoughts, I confessed my doubts about the situation.

“Not that I don’t believe you, Doctor, but you’ll understand when I say this sounds too good to be true.”

“Of course, ma’am. Lotus has been such a significant threat over the past week -- especially yesterday -- I could hardly believe it myself when we discovered the cure. But I assure you, it does work. We’ve tested it.”

“Could it save the people who were infected at the address?”

Elswood shook his head grimly. “Unfortunately, no. You see, those people were infected with a modified version of Lotus. We’re still studying that one...trying to figure out just what the hell Wayne did to it. At the moment, our cure only works with the original virus.”

“Well, it’s certainly better than nothing. Even if it can’t cure everyone, it’s about time we saved someone. Excellent work, Doctor. This will be a major help to us. And thank you.”

He beamed gratefully, heading for the office’s door. “Hopefully, with this cure, the amount of survivors will finally surpass the death toll. There’s been too much bloodshed ever since Bruce rose to power, and I can only pray that this saves him too. We put him through a lot of pain with those experiments, you know. Perhaps this is my chance to make amends.”

“You only did what you had to,” I replied empathetically. “Just like the rest of us.”

Exiting the room, Elswood left me and Gordon alone as we speculated the possible outcomes with this newfound cure, both of us thinking about one man in particular.

“...So,” I said, breaking the silence, “you want to cure Bruce.”

He raised a brow. “...You don’t?”

I let out a frustrated sigh. “Of course, I do. But think about it: if we cure Bruce, he’ll return to his old self. And despite any differences the two of you might’ve had in the past, you can’t deny he was a good, compassionate man -- always did what he thought was best for others. If he were to regain his sanity and learn about the hundreds of men, women, and even children he’s killed...”

Gordon’s shoulders slouched with realization. “...the truth would destroy him.”

I nodded austerely. “Exactly. His guilt would demolish him, and we could just end up sealing his madness for good. That’s not something I’m willing to put him through. As horrible as it sounds, Bruce would probably be better off if we just killed him. Or threw him in Arkham.”

The Commissioner’s eagerness vanished at the prediction, and he frowned morosely. 

“I...I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. There’s also the fact that Alfred would probably want a say or two in the decision. Bruce is practically his son.”

Gordon quickly changed subjects, wanting to get his mind off of Wayne. 

“Anyways, I still haven’t heard a peep from Batman, and frankly...it’s scaring the hell outta me. Normally, an incident like the one at the address would have Batman flyin’ all over Gotham until he caught the culprit. For him to stay silent for so long...it’s making me think that perhaps Bruce wasn’t just spewing nonsense, after all. Do you think it’s possible, Waller? Could a guy like Bruce Wayne really have killed Batman?”

I froze at the question and contemplated it or a moment, finally deciding that it was time Gordon learned the truth. There was no point in keeping it a secret anymore, and if I was being honest, he’d probably crack the code on his own anyways. Sure, he wasn’t always the sharpest tool in the shed, but the Commissioner was anything but stupid. Holding this back from him any longer would really just be an insult by now.

“...Gordon,” I said, trying to keep it together, “there’s...there’s something you need to know. Something I should’ve told you much sooner.”

He eyed me suspiciously, sipping his coffee. “Okay...and what would that be?”

I gazed at the floor, unable to even look at Gordon. 

“It’s about Batman. And where he’s been all this time. I’m sorry, Jim. I wanted to reveal this earlier -- I really did -- but I wasn’t sure how you’d take it. Considering how close the two of you were though, I think you deserve to know. Batman isn’t dead. He’s actually--”

“--Director!” Harrison’s voice suddenly blurted out from my earpiece, halting my train of thought. “It’s Lazarus! He just launched another attack--” 

There was a chain of static, cutting him off for a few seconds. I pressed on my earpiece, responding back.

“Harrison!” I exclaimed. “What’s going on?”

“--City Hall! He’s taken the Mayor hostage--” more static, “--and Bane’s on his way to blow up Gotham Bridge--!”

“Gotham Bridge?” I turned to Gordon. “That’s the only way out of the city! Wayne’s trying to trap us all in by destroying it!”

The Commissioner immediately got to work. “I’ll send a squad to deal with Bane and disarm that bomb. You just worry about getting the Mayor back in one piece. If there’s anyone we can’t afford losing now, it’s him.”

“Thank you, Commissioner.” I brought my attention back to Harrison. “Listen to me, agent. Our top priority is saving the Mayor and any other hostages Lazarus may have taken. Understood? We’ll deal with the man himself later. I’m sending more agents your way right now, along with some old-fashioned guns -- just in case Lazarus tries another one of his EMP blasts.”

“Understood, Director. We’ll--”

A burst of static silenced him, leaving me in the dark.

“Harrison? Harrison! ...Dammit. I’ll have to contact one of my other agents, make sure everyone knows what’s going on.”

Gordon took out his own walkie-talkie, jogging out of the office. “I’ll get to Gotham Bridge as soon as possible. Anything happens, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Understood. And good luck.” 

Switching the line over to Agent Blake, I followed Gordon’s actions and practically bolted out of the precinct, getting one of the vehicles ready as I prepared to head to City Hall.

“Blake,” I said, “Wayne has just hit City Hall, and he’s taken the Mayor hostage. I need you to gather as many people as you can, and head over there ASAP. Do whatever it takes to get the Mayor to safety. Got it?”

No response.

“Blake.” I repeated. 

Still, nothing. 

“Are you there? Blake! BLAKE!”

From Blake’s POV

CITY HALL, MAYOR’S OFFICE

“Blake,” Waller called frantically, “are you there? Blake! BLAKE!”

Slowly rising back into consciousness due to the Director’s voice, I opened my eyes and gradually regained awareness, my entire body tingling with numbness. 

The room around me was nearly pitch-black, and the only light I could see came from the moon itself as it eerily seeped through the tall windows, creating disturbing shadows on the walls. There were no lamps, no talking, and certainly no friendly faces. Just pure darkness.

Sitting on the opposite side of the room though, I could barely see another man restrained to a chair along with a masked figure towering above of him, both of them whispering in hushed tones. The man had a gag securely tied over his mouth, and his eyes bulged with fear as he struggled in his bonds, desperately trying to break free...but to no avail. There was also a clear, sharp edge of a knife just kissing the skin on his throat, and his captor only laughed with every whimper he made. Was that...who I thought it was?

“I’m sorry,” the captor apologized insincerely, “could you repeat that, Mr. Mayor? I couldn’t quite hear you.”

I instantly recognized the captor’s voice. It had to be Lazarus. There was no doubt about it.

The Mayor let out a series of muffled shouts and writhed in pain as Lazarus traced the knife along his flesh, drawing beads of blood.

“Hey!” I yelled. “Leave him alone!” Lazarus whirled around at my outburst, narrowing his eyes at me and halting mid-action.

“...Ah. Agent Blake,” he slithered towards me, taking his attention off the Mayor for a minute as he wiped his blade clean. “Trying to play the hero again, are we? I did too, once upon a time. Back when I thought it still mattered.”

Lazarus suddenly threw a vicious punch across my face, causing pain to pound throughout my cheeks.

“...Look how well that turned out!”

I clenched my jaw, trying to ignore the throbbing ache. 

“You son a bitch...!” I cursed. “You killed Avesta. You’re going to suffer for what you’ve done!”

He paused, furrowing his brow in thought.

“Avesta’s...dead?” He questioned.

“...yes,” I breathed out. “She--she died yesterday. Right in front of me. I...I watched the whole thing. Even held her as she drifted away. You could feel the life draining from her. Why did you do it, Bruce...? Why did you kill her?”

Despite not being able to see his entire face, I still noticed a brief pang of guilt flash within his expression, and his eyes were downcast in a woeful manner. It almost seemed like he...regretted killing Avesta, and for the first time in an eternity, Lazarus actually displayed some humanity.

However, that humanity quickly perished when a joyous glint shined darkly in his gaze and he began to chuckle deviously, his entire body shaking with jolts of hysterical laughter. His laughter spiked in volume and grew into a full-blown cackle that brazenly echoed throughout the emptiness, filling the office with ominous giggles. And with how much Lazarus was struggling to speak, you’d think he was genuinely amused.

Glancing back at the Mayor, the madman snickered to himself, lining the edge of his knife with a single finger.

“You hear that, Mr. Mayor?” He sneered, slightly out of breath. “Karma does exist. Sooner or later, everyone gets what’s coming to them.”

I gritted my teeth, lurching forward out of anger. “You think this is funny?”

Lazarus shook his head. “Not funny, necessarily, but the irony is so, pathetically...LAUGHABLE. You’ll forgive me if I can’t help but let out a few chortles. Goddammit, that clown’s rubbing off on me, isn’t he.”

“What do you have against Avesta? Why was she such a prominent target for you?”

He was bewildered by that question. “Why wouldn’t she be, is what you should be asking. I hope you understand, Blake, that all of this--” Lazarus motioned to himself, “--wouldn’t even exist if Avesta had only pulled. the damn. trigger. I gave her the opportunity to kill me back at Wayne Enterprises. Sat there like a stray dog while I begged her to shoot what would become Gotham’s worst nightmare...and she refused.”

Lazarus clenched his fists. “Avesta’s desire to please the Agency was so embedded within her, that she couldn’t even have the decency to show a little mercy. That’s why I put her through all that pain. That’s why I sliced out those exuberant eyes of hers. Because she couldn’t see the madness she was creating. So why bother keeping them?”

I gave Lazarus an anguished look. “Avesta only spared you because she thought we could save you, Bruce. She never meant to hurt you.”

He was unconvinced. “You think I haven’t heard that one before? Everyone in this city uses the same, GODDAMN excuse! You, Avesta, Alfred, Tiffany...and even John. You’re all liars, deceivers...masked killers who disguise themselves as heroes. When in reality...” Lazarus backed towards one of the windows and held up a remote for his favored EMP generator, “...none of us are heroes.”

Activating the remote, Lazarus suddenly threw the entire city into darkness with a low, electronic groan as he picked up another device, hacking into Tiffany’s tablet and triggering her voice to come through along with Waller’s.

“--Dammit,” the Director hissed through the mic, “that must’ve been an EMP blast. I see Wayne hasn’t given up on his old tactics. We’ll have to do this the old-fashioned way.”

“Wait,” Tiffany replied, “my devices have EMP shielding. They were able to survive the blast. I can still keep an eye on him while the other agents fetch the mayor.”

“Good thinking. Things will be a hell of a lot harder without our tech, but at least we can monitor Wayne.”

Lazarus unexpectedly joined the conversation, smiling to himself as he enjoyed the outside view. 

“Just as you always do,” he interrupted. “I figured the Agency would be experts at this by now. All you did for an entire week was monitor me. Watching, and waiting. Standing idly by as I rotted away...don’t deny that you relished it.”

“What do you want, Wayne?” Waller fired back.

“What do I want?” He repeated. “I’m surprised you ask. You didn’t seem to care back when I was suffering in your secret lab -- when all I wanted was a little mercy...” a pleased chuckle escaped him. “But now that I’ve stoked the city’s fire with its own fuel, and sent your own organization crumbling around you...now you care. Because you’re afraid. Because you know what kind of a monster you’ve created, and you know what I’m capable of. Isn’t that right...Director?”

“Enough, Bruce,” she said firmly, “It’s time we settled this, but I want the mayor first. He’s not a part of this. Leave him out of it.”

Lazarus tossed a casual glare in my direction, shaking his head in disapproval. “Even now, she still makes demands...when I’ve clearly got the upper hand. You’ll have to learn someday, Waller, that barking orders isn’t enough to push through life. Though, it can certainly push some people.”

He focused on the Mayor once again, prowling towards him. “Fine. You want your beloved mayor so much?” The man brandished his knife, grabbing his victim and hurling him to the floor. “...Then you can have him.”

“Wait!” The Mayor shouted, frantically trying to escape. “Please...no! NO!”

But it was too late. Before he could say anything more, Lazarus had ripped open his shirt and impaled him with the knife, aggressively tearing a rigid gash in his stomach as he cut him open like a frog. 

Hot blood spurted all over the floor and stained Lazarus’ hands as he continued to work, ignoring the series of agonized shrieks coming from the Mayor while I tried to break my restraints. I had no clue how we were going to get out of this situation, and without my earpiece, it was impossible to know if anyone was coming for us...but I’d be damned if I let the Mayor die. 

Desperately searching around the office for an escape, I suddenly realized how close I was to the EMP generator, and decided to use the Mayor as a distraction. If I could scoot myself within range while Lazarus wasn’t looking, there was a chance I’d be able to disarm it and give Waller all her tech back. From that point, it would take them mere minutes to locate the two of us...but the Mayor had to suffer for just a bit longer.

“Hold still!” Lazarus growled, digging deeper.

The way Bruce cut into him...it almost reminded me of the gruesome method Joker used to attack Detective Bullock a few days ago, and it only made me wonder if, perhaps, Lazarus might’ve had a second alliance we weren’t aware of. The two of them certainly seemed close before, and I saw no reason they couldn’t work together now -- especially with Bruce going nuts. Christ. This storm just got messier and messier with every passing day, didn’t it?

Finally yanking his knife out, Lazarus rose back to his feet and reached over to the desk, taking a strangely familiar drone in hand. The miniature drone oddly resembled Tiffany’s own devices, and with the simple push of a button, Bruce set it to emit an ominous beeping signal. It was the same one I heard when Batman interrogated Eli, and the same one at the Lady of Dublin when Riddler launched those homing missiles.

Oh, shit.

Practically leaping my chair towards the EMP generator, I hurriedly retrieved my earpiece and stuck it back in, preparing to deactivate the machine.

By now, Lazarus had stuffed the drone into the Mayor’s stomach with a disgusting squish and tied his arms to a rope that led outside one of the windows, dragging him across the floor as he screamed for help.

“Don’t worry about your city, Mr. Mayor,” Lazarus grunted out, hauling him halfway over the window sill. “Gotham was ruined anyways.”

With one forceful shove, Lazarus sent the Mayor plummeting through the air like a comet until the rope caught him in place with a tight tug, causing him to dangle for everyone to see. Even though the man was several floors beneath us now, I could still hear him wailing for help in the distance as the signal continued to ring from his insides, drawing god knows how many missiles straight for City Hall.

Fortunately, on top of all the commotion going on, I also caught the sound of several footsteps clamoring towards the office, trying to get past Lazarus’ traps. Judging by the volume, they didn’t seem too far away, and Waller’s voice barked among them, shouting orders left and right. The other agents must’ve found us. All I had to do now was survive.

Bringing his attention back to me, Lazarus flipped the knife in his hand and strolled for the door, waving a casual goodbye.

“I’d stay to enjoy the show, but my business calls me elsewhere. Have fun, Blake...and goodbye. Tell Avesta I said ‘hi,’ would you? I’d hate for her to think I had already forgotten her.”

Hovering a foot above the EMP generator’s power button, I simply glared at Lazarus and smirked, eager to see his reaction once he realized he was cornered.

“You can tell her yourself.”

Slamming my foot down, I instantly shut the generator off and restored power to the entire block, allowing the agents to use their shock pistols again. The abrupt turn of events threw Lazarus off-guard, and using the distraction as an opening, I sprung upwards and slammed my chair into him, stunning the man for a moment as Waller and her agents busted in.

“There he is! Subdue him!” The Director commanded. 

A cluster of bright, blue bolts zapped onto Lazarus’ body as he trembled with the shock, letting out a pained yelp before collapsing to the floor. The ammunition didn’t seem to knock him out as it usually did with other people, but he had been weakened enough that our men could get him in handcuffs.

“Blake!” Waller exclaimed as she rushed over, cutting me loose. “Are you all right?”

I nodded quickly. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. But we need to evacuate! Bruce planted a drone inside the Mayor’s stomach, and its signal is gonna attract a dozen missiles our way!”

Her nose crinkled in disgust. “Inside his stomach? Oh, for the love of...” Waller turned to some of her other men. “Get the Mayor down as soon as possible, and find a way to deactivate the drone inside him. We cannot let those missiles hit City Hall, do I make myself clear?”

“Right away, Director!”

Focusing on Lazarus, she lifted the madman off the floor and began dragging him out of the office, staring him down with a deadly gaze.

“You’re lucky we need you alive. Otherwise, this would be your last day living in this godforsaken city.”

He chuckled weakly. “Well, it’s certainly yours.”

Scoffing in an unamused tone, Waller continued to shove Lazarus through the doors and hurriedly evacuated the remaining agents -- that was, until an all-too-familiar giggle took our notice.

“Leave...him...ALONE!”

Swinging through the windows with a strong kick, both Joker and Harley Quinn jumped into the scene as they sent shattered glass flying everywhere, immediately starting to attack our men.

“Sorry to spoil the party, fellas,” Harley teased, patting her mallet in her palm, “but Mama’s got a serum to make. Ain’t that right, Puds?”

Joker grinned freakishly, taking out a pair of pistols. “Anything for you, babe.”

Clashing like the front-lines of a war, the two them collided with our agents as hell unleashed, transforming the entire room into a battlefield. All around me, I could see bullets flying through the air -- both regular and electric -- while the rest of our squad did everything they could to get the Mayor to safety, the missiles getting closer and closer.

However, to my surprise, the agents actually seemed to be winning against Joker and Harley. They were still putting up quite a fight, but the more resistance we threw at them, the sloppier they became. There was no question that we’d all have to retreat sooner or later, but if we were going to get out of this place, it’d be a bonus to bring in some criminals with us.

Clumsily stumbling to the floor, Harley lost her footing after being whacked in the head with the butt of a gun, causing her to fall over as the mallet slid away and our agents surrounded her.

“Puddin!” She called, reaching out for help. But Joker’s eyes were on someone else.

Planted amidst all the mayhem like a deer in headlights, Joker glanced between Harley and Bruce, clearly deciding who he would rather save. The man was obviously torn about the dilemma -- and there was no way he’d able to save both -- but contrary to what I was expecting, he eventually sprinted in Bruce’s direction and wrapped an arm around his waist before aiming a grapple gun out the window, gliding to freedom.

Rage washed over Harley’s face, and she bared her teeth out of frustration. “Oh, why, you two-timing son of a--!”

Overwhelming the former doctor, Waller and the other agents restrained Harley’s arms behind her back as they hauled her out, having no more time to spare. It seemed like they had failed to retrieve the Mayor from his place on the building’s facade, and as the seconds flew by, the sharp whoosh of a dozen missiles could be heard in the sky.

“Move it, people!” Waller bellowed. “We have to leave! I’m afraid it’s impossible to save the Mayor at this point, and we’ve got no time to lose. So get the hell out of here, and bring Quinn to the precinct! Hurry!”

Speeding our way out of City Hall, I followed my fellow agents and dashed to the exit, quite literally running for my life. I had already seen the damage these missiles could cause once with Riddler, and I definitely didn’t want to see how they could bring down an entire building. I only hoped that the Mayor’s upcoming death would be swift. I couldn’t deny that I felt guilty for letting him suffer like that just so I could escape, but with Quinn in our custody and Lazarus’ plans taking a wrong turn, maybe the Agency would actually be able to get somewhere now. And put a permanent stop to this madness.

From John’s POV

Hastily swinging from rooftop to rooftop, I struggled to carry Bruce’s limp body as I got us to a safe distance, taking a break once we were a few blocks away. Part of me couldn’t believe that I actually left Harley behind, and I almost felt heartbroken for betraying her like that...but I knew Bruce was the one who I truly wanted. 

I had fought so much and traveled so far to keep this man by my side, and I certainly wasn’t going to stop now. Regardless of any feelings I may have held for Harley, Bruce would always matter more to me. We were two threads in the same stitch, and I was his light outside of Arkham. Nothing could keep us apart.

Bruce let out a lazy mumble, still dazed from the Agency’s shocks.

“It’s okay, my love,” I comforted him. “I won’t let those Agency pigs hurt you ever again. I’m gonna get you somewhere safe, and then I’m gonna take care of you -- just like I did when those thugs at Arkham tasered you. You’re going to be all right. Trust me.”

Disturbing the intimate moment, an explosive boom rudely interrupted my thoughts as a bright, fiery light illuminated all of Gotham, painting the city red.

Steadily gazing behind me to see what it was, I found myself gaping in wonder at the incredible sight, completely awestruck by what Bruce had created. 

A monumental cloud of blazing fire engulfed City Hall as tremendous sparks shot away from the missiles’ impact, skipping through the flames that embraced the Mayor’s burning body. A symphony of panicked screams could be heard singing throughout the air, and the longer I watched the turmoil unravel, the more I could see the building’s structure crumble. It was like witnessing a firework show on the Sun itself...and the fact that Bruce was able to pull it off only made me love the man more.

“You...are one messed up guy, Bruce Wayne,” I said, laughing to myself. “...And that’s exactly why I’m never letting you go. It’s time to get things moving again. To bring them all to justice. We’ll burn this city to the ground together -- and Gotham’s final days will be the first ones to our new lives. AHAHA!”