"How... how is that possible?"
Batman clutched his injured chest, disbelief written across his face.
He refused to believe it.
Moments ago, he had spoken about the moral line he upheld, the path he had chosen and the principles he refused to abandon. Yet now Adrian stood before him, calmly claiming that one day he would snap Joker's neck.
Batman could not accept it.
But as Adrian described, piece by piece, the horrors Joker would inflict upon Gotham and everyone he cared about, doubt slowly crept into his mind.
If Joker truly murdered everyone close to him.
If Gotham's innocent families suffered in front of him.
If children were tortured and corrupted while he stood powerless, forced to relive the trauma of Crime Alley over and over again...
Could he really restrain himself?
Could he truly stop himself from killing Joker?
Could anyone endure that kind of suffering and remain unchanged?
For the first time in a long while, Batman found himself without an answer.
Because deep down, he was no longer certain.
"Why is it impossible?"
Adrian frowned slightly.
"When madness exceeds its limits, the system holding everything together collapses."
He looked directly into Batman's eyes.
"You place yourself inside a familiar structure and convince yourself it can never break. That is why you fail to see what exists outside of it."
"What I described is not fantasy."
His voice sharpened.
"It already happened."
"It is a future that exists."
"And that future is you, Batman."
"You'll never truly see yourself clearly."
Batman inhaled slowly, steadying himself despite the pain tearing through his chest.
"Or maybe," he said evenly, "you're only describing one of countless possibilities."
His gaze remained firm.
"No one truly knows the future."
"Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Kara came from the future. They've already told me pieces of what lies ahead."
He paused.
"And none of them described a future where you ruled America."
Batman looked at him carefully.
"So what does that tell me?"
"That the future changes."
"Every choice matters."
"Nothing is absolute."
His breathing grew heavier, but his voice remained unwavering.
"I won't condemn someone for something they haven't done."
"And I'm still not surrendering."
Adrian stared at him for a moment before shaking his head.
"That sounds exactly like you."
His expression darkened.
"In that case, I'll make sure you stop talking."
Without warning, Adrian moved.
Batman reacted instantly, trying to evade.
It did not matter.
Adrian saw through the movement effortlessly.
In the next instant, Batman was lifted off the ground.
A crushing hand gripped him.
Then Adrian pressed lightly against his chest.
Crack.
"Gh!"
Pain exploded through Batman's body.
A rib snapped.
He knew the sensation well.
Broken bones had become far too familiar over the years.
Adrian did not stop.
Another press.
Crack.
A second rib broke.
Batman's body trembled from the impact, but only a muffled groan escaped him.
Even now, he endured.
His jaw tightened.
His breathing became increasingly uneven.
Still, his eyes never lost focus.
His will remained unbroken.
The fractures quickly worsened his condition.
Two connected ribs had snapped, disrupting the movement of his chest.
Breathing became difficult.
Pain spread through his body with every inhale.
Blood circulation grew unstable.
Even standing would soon become difficult.
Yet Batman showed no sign of submission.
Adrian looked down at him.
Then sighed.
Bored.
He released Batman, letting him collapse heavily to the floor.
Without another word, Adrian turned to leave.
"Wait."
Batman's strained voice stopped him.
Adrian glanced back.
Batman forced himself upright despite the pain.
"If you leave now..."
His breathing faltered.
"You'll become completely infected."
"The Joker virus will consume you."
Even in this condition, Batman was still trying to save him.
No matter what Adrian had done.
No matter how dangerous he had become.
Batman still refused to give up.
Because an Adrian consumed by Joker's madness was something far worse than anything Gotham had ever faced.
A man with overwhelming power and an unstable mind?
The consequences would be catastrophic.
"You still have time to worry about me?"
Adrian turned fully toward him.
"You should be more concerned about yourself."
"If you don't get treatment soon, things won't end well for you."
He paused briefly.
Then his expression turned colder.
"Go to the hospital."
"Recover."
"Keep pretending Gotham still needs another masked vigilante."
"I won't kill you today."
His voice lowered slightly.
"You survived because Joker's final trick bought you time."
"Call it respect for the dead."
Adrian looked at Batman one last time.
"Try being lucky again next time."
"Maybe someone else will die to save you."
The words landed heavily.
Before Batman could reply, Adrian vanished.
A burst of super speed carried him out of ACE Chemicals.
Silence returned.
Batman staggered to his feet.
He stared toward the direction Adrian disappeared.
Confusion surfaced in his eyes.
Was Adrian truly infected?
Or had he misjudged everything?
After several quiet moments, Batman turned toward Joker's corpse nearby.
His expression darkened.
Something about this situation felt terribly wrong.
And for the first time in a long time, uncertainty settled heavily in his chest.
Metropolis, Government Building.
Adrian casually switched on the television.
News coverage about Gotham filled the screen.
A polished anchorwoman stood before footage of destruction, reporting on the terrorist attack at Gotham City Hall.
The collapse of the building had been impossible to hide.
Too many witnesses.
Too much destruction.
Too much panic.
The official narrative blamed an unknown terrorist organization.
No mention of the League of Assassins.
No mention of Joker.
No mention of Adrian.
According to the report, a dangerous extremist group had poisoned Gotham before destroying the city government building in an attempt to spread chaos and fear.
The timing, they claimed, had been intentional.
With enhanced soldiers already stationed in Gotham and public unrest growing, terrorists had supposedly chosen the moment to destabilize the city further.
The report praised government leadership, military coordination, and the swift actions of local authorities for preventing greater disaster.
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
Wonder Woman stood nearby, arms crossed.
"This kind of reporting really changes how I see politicians," she said.
"The level of shamelessness is impressive."
Adrian barely reacted.
"Standard procedure."
"So what should they report instead?"
He glanced at her.
"That Joker attacked Gotham, then I ripped his heart out?"
He shook his head.
"That version is too absurd for the average person."
"The public likes stories that feel digestible."
Wonder Woman frowned.
"But this is the news."
"This barely resembles truth."
"Diana."
Adrian folded his hands.
"People rarely want truth."
"They want reassurance."
"They want something that helps them sleep at night."
The television continued in the background.
Wonder Woman stayed silent for a moment.
Then changed the subject.
"So."
"You really let Batman go."
"Yes."
Adrian answered without hesitation.
She studied him.
"Can I ask why?"
Before he could speak, she shook her head slightly.
"Actually, never mind."
"I think I already know."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"You do?"
Wonder Woman leaned back into the sofa.
"You claimed the Joker virus was gone."
"But I don't think that's true."
Her gaze sharpened.
"I think part of it still affects you."
"Not enough to control you."
"But enough to influence how you think."
She crossed her legs.
"Joker would never kill Batman if keeping him alive was more entertaining."
Her lips curved slightly.
"And right now?"
"Keeping Batman alive benefits you."
"Or maybe..."
She tilted her head.
"You simply found it more interesting."
Adrian looked at her with genuine surprise.
"Since when did you understand Joker so well?"
"As much as Joker avoided me," Wonder Woman replied, "my access to Gotham's records says otherwise."
"I've read enough case files."
"Understanding someone like him isn't impossible."
Adrian gave a slight nod.
"Fair enough."
Wonder Woman's expression grew serious.
"But Gotham isn't the biggest issue anymore."
"You once said changing Gotham from the inside would weaken both its criminals and heroes."
Her voice lowered.
"I'm more concerned about the Green Lantern Corps."
"Especially Sinestro."
"He's still on Earth."
"And I don't trust him."
"If the Guardians come here, are you really sure he'll side with you?"
Adrian remained relaxed.
"If the Green Lantern Corps arrives, Sinestro won't sit back and watch."
"That much I'm sure of."
He paused.
"Speaking of missing people."
"Where's Barry?"
"After Gotham, I haven't seen him."
Wonder Woman shrugged.
"No idea."
"He seemed pretty depressed."
"Maybe he went back to Central City."
Central City Police Department.
Barry Allen looked exhausted.
"Mr. Allen."
Police Chief Lance pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This is the fifth time I've told you."
"You do not have clearance to access the Simon Stagg robbery case."
Barry shifted awkwardly.
"I just think there are still details that don't add up."
The case involved a violent robbery during one of Simon Stagg's private events.
Several guests had been injured.
Including Iris West.
Barry wanted answers.
But officially?
He was only a forensic investigator.
Not a detective.
Not someone with authority.
Lance sighed heavily.
"This case is outside your responsibilities."
"Focus on your actual work."
Barry lowered his voice.
"I just want to help."
"I know."
Lance's expression softened slightly.
"But this isn't your place."
"Find something productive to focus on."
With that, he walked away.
Barry stood there awkwardly.
Deflated.
After Gotham, everything felt heavier.
His thoughts kept spiraling.
Maybe Lance was right.
Maybe he needed to stop overthinking.
Outside the station, sunset painted the streets gold.
Barry adjusted his bag.
Then froze.
"Barry Allen."
The familiar voice behind him made him turn.
His eyes widened.
"Adrian?"
Adrian stood there casually.
"Got time?"
"We should talk."
Barry hesitated for only a moment.
Then nodded.
"Yeah."
"Of course."
Elsewhere.
Batman finally reunited with Nightwing and the others.
The moment they saw him, concern crossed every face.
Batman nearly collapsed.
Commissioner Gordon quickly caught him.
"How bad is it?"
"Not fatal."
Batman's breathing remained uneven.
"Two broken ribs."
Nightwing stared at him.
"You walked here with broken ribs?"
Batman ignored the comment.
"Homelander is the bigger problem."
His voice lowered.
"I tried to stop the Joker virus."
A violent cough interrupted him.
"You need a hospital," Gordon said immediately.
"Seriously," Zatanna added, "this isn't something you can ignore."
Black Canary nodded.
"I agree."
Batman exhaled slowly.
"I know my condition."
"But time matters."
"If Adrian sinks deeper into this…"
His expression hardened.
"I need an antidote."
Gordon frowned.
"That won't be easy."
"Then I don't have time to waste."
"Master Bruce."
Alfred's voice suddenly cut in.
"You need rest."
Batman looked toward him.
Concern filled Alfred's face.
But Batman remained focused.
"What worries me," Batman said quietly, "is not if Adrian loses himself completely."
"That would be easier to predict."
"What terrifies me…"
He looked down.
"Is if he stays rational."
"If he becomes something intelligent."
"Controlled."
"Because those kinds of monsters are harder to stop."
Zatanna folded her arms.
"I disagree."
"The Joker virus won't change him much."
She sighed.
"Adrian's already crazy enough."
"If you've read that disturbing book he wrote, you'd know he doesn't think like normal people."
Nightwing rubbed his forehead.
Before anyone could respond, Harley Quinn suddenly raised her hand from the corner.
"Quick question."
Her expression turned dramatic.
"Are y'all seriously discussing this in front of the ex-girlfriend of crazy?"
Nightwing rolled his eyes.
"You're a prisoner."
"Try staying quiet."
Batman interrupted.
"Untie her."
Nightwing blinked.
"What?"
"She's important."
Nightwing sighed heavily.
"I really hope you know what you're doing."
He untied Harley.
The moment she stood up, Harley huffed.
"You people have terrible manners."
Then her attention shifted.
"Wait."
She pointed at Black Canary's bag.
"What's the glowy green thing in there?"
A faint voice suddenly echoed out.
"Hey, Dinah."
Harley nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Your bag talks?!"
Black Canary sighed and reached inside.
She pulled out a glowing green communicator marked with the Green Lantern symbol.
"Good timing?" the voice asked.
Black Canary glanced toward Batman.
Then back at the communicator.
"Depends."
"You got good news, Guy?"