This was not a peaceful day.
People were still processing the news reports about Bruce Wayne's shocking revelation—that he was Batman.
By coincidence or fate, every TV across Gotham, including the massive screens in public squares, suddenly filled with static. Then, all at once, the Joker's face appeared.
This was nothing new to Gotham citizens. The Joker and Bane had both pulled similar stunts before, hijacking the city's broadcast networks to cause chaos, declare war on Gotham, and lure Batman into the open.
Seeing the Joker on-screen, whether from their living room couches or outside on city streets, made everyone uneasy. It could only mean he was planning something again.
Especially after the Joker had already revealed Batman's true identity, which Bruce had confirmed himself.
"He's challenging Batman again?"
"Will Batman strike back this time? Is Bruce really still walking around freely?"
"I hope Batman doesn't show up."
"There's no Joker if there's no Batman in Gotham."
"Bruce is still out in Gotham like nothing happened?"
"What's the law even for?"
Nearly all of Gotham tuned in, not out of fear of what the Joker might do next, but out of curiosity. They wanted to see whether Bruce really was Batman, and if he would show up again.
The Joker grinned wildly.
"Everyone... now you all know Bruce is Batman. I wonder how long it'll take him to find me?"
"Little Bat, I'm waiting for you."
"Now, let's play a little game... with Batgirl."
Right after he said this, a pistol silently entered the frame, its muzzle pressed to the Joker's temple.
Batman appeared like a ghost, emerging from the shadows, holding the gun against the Joker's head.
The Joker's scalpel hovered inches from Batgirl's neck, glinting under the harsh lights.
All of Gotham was stunned.
"Look at that jawline. He really looks like that guy from Wayne Enterprises."
"That's him! Look at the bone structure. It's identical!"
"So he really is Batman."
The city erupted in chatter. Many people pulled up old photos of Bruce to compare with the image on screen.
The Joker was briefly stunned. Ever since Bruce had revealed his identity, Batman's unpredictability had thrown off all his expectations. He was caught off guard again. He had just begun his broadcast, and Batman was already beside him—he hadn't even sensed it.
It felt like Bruce could crush him at any moment.
When had the little bat become this strong?
But even though he was surprised, the Joker was still the Joker—a deranged mind, incapable of fear. Feeling the cold barrel at his temple, he simply grinned and joked, "No, no. The game's just beginning."
The camera shook slightly. Though it still framed both Joker and Batman, it tilted just enough to make viewers tilt their heads with it.
Now, everyone else in the room—the Joker gang and the original broadcast crew—were unconscious. Their bodies twitched as they collapsed to the floor.
The neurotoxins Bardi had deployed earlier had taken effect. Whether Joker's henchmen or ordinary staff, all had been rendered unconscious.
All except the Joker. His body had already been dosed with the antidote to both the toxins and Bardi's gas. He remained alert.
The Joker glanced sideways, grinning at his fallen crew. He shrugged and said, "Looks like it really is over."
"Then go ahead. Pull the trigger. Kill me!"
He laughed and flicked his scalpel, lightly cutting Batgirl's neck. A thin artery spurted blood, spraying the camera red.
"Sorry, little bat. My scalpel's coated in laughing gas. If she doesn't get the antidote in half an hour, congratulations. Your lady Bat is going to die of laughter—live, on camera."
Bardi's expression darkened. His eyes went cold. The pistol remained pressed to the Joker's temple. "Do you think I won't kill you?"
In that moment, Bardi's heart chilled. He had no problem killing the Joker. As long as he didn't start killing indiscriminately, he wouldn't be violating Batman's core moral code. Even in dire moments, Batman had refrained from killing but Bardi would not allow that self-imposed leash to bind him completely.
So long as he didn't turn it into a habit, it wouldn't go against Bruce's final will.
The reason he hadn't pulled the trigger earlier was because Barbara's aorta had been too close to the scalpel. If the Joker had flinched after being shot, the blade could have fatally sliced her artery.
The Joker laughed maniacally, grinning up at Batman. To him, Batman was always a puppet. He believed Bruce wouldn't dare to kill him, wouldn't give in to the darkness within. He believed he could always control Batman.
He pressed his temple into the barrel, provoking Bardi.
"Come on! Aim better!"
"You won't kill me! You kill me, and you become me—"
What nonsense. Kill you and become you?
As the Joker cackled and brought the scalpel within two centimeters of Barbara's artery, Bardi's face turned cold and he fired.
The bullet struck the Joker in the temple, killing him instantly.
The entire city of Gotham shuddered.
Batman had turned into something else.
The Joker... was dead!
Bardi stepped forward. In the moment the Joker slumped and the scalpel dropped toward Barbara's neck, Bardi grabbed the Joker's wrist and yanked it upward, preventing the falling hand from slicing her artery.
From his utility belt, he pulled emergency medical supplies and quickly applied pressure to Barbara's wound. Then, he picked up the Joker's scalpel and examined it.
The Joker hadn't lied. It was laced with poison.
Bardi's heart tensed. Barbara had only thirty minutes left.
Without wasting another second, he scooped Barbara up in one arm and ran toward the window, summoning the Batmobile.
The 20th floor window shattered as he broke through it. Glass shards flew through the air. Bardi used his cape to form a makeshift glider, diving straight toward the self-driving Batmobile.
He landed and secured Barbara in the passenger seat, then took the wheel. The Batmobile drifted sharply around a corner. Its rear engine flared blue as it accelerated toward the Batcave.
The sky above was dark and heavy.
Just then, a red-and-blue figure broke through the clouds with a sonic boom, diving straight toward the front of the speeding Batmobile.