Chapter 100 Arkham Knight

Just in case, Moses set the recording of his conversation with Commissioner Gordon as an encrypted file.

There was only one entry in there now, less than ten minutes long, the first communication between Robin and Jim as he inspected the Batmobile.

As he followed the Arkham Knight towards the ACE factory, he replayed the recording to sort out his thoughts and block out Xiao Chou's noise.

Gordon: "I was in Gotham, but I'm not supposed to be in Gotham, you know what I mean? I thought I was having a nightmare, dreaming that that lunatic Chou had come out of Arkham again and messed up the whole city, but how did they do it?"

Batman: "Choujo is dead, Jim."

Gordon: "What? Damn! I saw it. The opponent this time is Scarecrow."

"What's wrong with you?"

"I'm not sure, Batman," Commissioner Gordon said. "I'm still me, but the memory in my head doesn't match what's happening."

The next ten minutes were mainly spent by the director unilaterally arguing the differences between the two universes.

Then he asked, "Where is my daughter Barbara now?"

"...You sent her away, remember?"

In fact, the prophet is still in Gotham, but the old director doesn't know it yet.

"Fortunately." Gordon sighed, "If this is a nightmare, I hope I can wake up soon. If it's not, then you may have to face a partner who is completely confused."

After a long while, Batman responded: "Me too."

After the recording was finished, Xiao Chou asked: "It seems that there are two roads in front of you. One is the perfect, circus-like new world that the annoying police chief told you, where everyone is always smiling like Xiao Chou! The other is the cruel, tortuous, hell-like road that is in front of you, where you will be alone forever... Which one do you prefer?"

I have an 'opponent' who has never shown up.

Moses thought.

Whoever He was, He was trying to lead me into madness and despair.

Which is the truth? The peaceful universe without Wayne described by Jim, or the hidden abnormalities of the people around him, or the ugly guy in front of him?

In front of them, grenades fell on the factory building, and orange-red fireworks echoed grandly among the ruins.

Tim said to Jason, "Watch him, Red Hood. Especially his eyes."

People who are affected by the clown toxin will have their irises turn green.

But this is just speculation—horrifying speculation.

"I know that Scarecrow is getting impatient," Jason said in a deep voice. "He doesn't care if someone doesn't have time to escape from Gotham. Once the gas explodes, this land will become the second Chernobyl."

"Is he crazy?!" the prophet cursed, "There are even his subordinates here!"

Scarecrow's calm and indifferent voice echoed over the factory: "Gentlemen, from now on, Gotham will become a wasteland full of nightmares, a monument to Batman's shameful defeat, and a place of death that spreads fear."

"He doesn't care, he wants to conquer the entire east coast of the United States." Jason, who had infiltrated the enemy, said quickly.

It turns out that rising up in rebellion is no joke! My goodness, are all the villains in Gotham so ambitious?

"In addition to the local rebels in Gotan, he also controlled the CEO of the Stagg Group, Simon Stagg."

The prophet immediately began to gather intelligence: "Stag... a pharmaceutical research factory?"

"Yes, it seems that Scarecrow is still ambitious and intends to improve the fear gas."

"This joke is not funny at all." Nightwing said, "You go and stop the terrorist gas explosion, and I will go to investigate the pharmaceutical company."

Barbara texted him the location of an airship. "Here it is. I think Scarecrow is ready to evacuate Gotham after the explosion."

Arkham Knight added: "And he has no intention of taking a second person with him."

"He's a complete scumbag."

"It's not surprising that Scarecrow is a scumbag. What's surprising to me is why Bruce hasn't shot down the Arkham Knight's helicopter after it's been flying for so long."

Jason turned around when he heard the sound.

The Batmobile was still following behind at a moderate pace, occasionally using the electric shock devices on its sides to sweep away the militiamen who had not had time to escape.

"He knows I'm leading him." He turned around and said calmly, "The old bat is angry, but he always knows how to improve efficiency. Even if I lead him to the trap, it will be faster than him groping forward alone."

No one had the thought that "this is a parallel universe that has nothing to do with us and therefore does not need to be saved."

They were originally rebels who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the innocent.

Barbara alone had to provide logistics support for the three parties, and even Alfred had to go into battle and sit in front of the computer in the Batcave to provide assistance.

"The problem is, I can't open the negotiation table with the straw man just yet."

Jason knows that his value as an Arkham Knight is now higher than other identities, and it is easier for him to create greater value for the team.

"Who will deal with the gas explosion later?"

“…”

The answer is, it depends on who can convince Batman.

No matter how unfathomable the gas chamber in the factory, where the Arkham Knight personally led the way, looked like an unfathomable trap, as long as the neutralizer that could save Gotam was inside, Moses was not going to let anyone else do it.

Seeing the Dark Knight climb onto the stage without even looking back, Jason was almost amused.

The dome of the factory had already been half-torn off. He aimed the helicopter weapon at the opponent's chest and said, "Wait, old man."

His voice sounded fierce and strange under the effect of the voice changer.

"Are you planning to rush in and die alone? Your two little birds are trying to run over to help you without stopping."

Damian: "I was just saying that you look a lot more annoying in your Arkham Knight mask, Todd."

Jason ignored him.

Batman didn't even try to hide, and said coldly, "Scarecrow ordered you to bring me here."

It should be said that the Scarecrow did not stop him from doing so.

Jason thought.

I'm afraid Dr. Crane also wanted to invite Batman to admire his achievements up close. These Arkham criminals are obsessed with the Gotham vigilante, as if their own conspiracy would lose half the fun without the other party's participation and obstruction.

It’s all Xiao Chou’s fault. He set a bad precedent.

"I've changed my mind," he said in a mock malicious tone, catching a glimpse of Tim and Damian rushing to the door. "Let me see how far your sickening spirit of sacrifice can take you, Batman. Maybe the red Robin will be willing to be a hero for you?"

Tim: "Stop making my job of persuading me harder."

"I have to maintain my villain persona in front of Scarecrow."

Before leaving, the Arkham Knight selected the bullet with the least penetrating power, aimed at the thickest part of Batman's chest armor and fired a shot.

"Thank me," he muttered over the intercom, "if I had moved the muzzle down an inch it would have gone through your ribs."

Or, if 'I' wasn't me, would I really do this?

Jason couldn't help but look back.

He never thought about this problem carefully.

Everyone seemed to be taking care of his mood. Several times people mentioned 'How could the Arkham Knight be Jason Todd?' and the discussion was long and futile.

——Just because everyone knows how wonderful and "great" the effect will be if a former Robin stands against Batman.

He could use what Batman had taught him to bring down the Gothic night banner.

Anyone who hates this banner can laugh at the mere thought of such a scene. They are accustomed to piece together medals of joy from heroic tragedies and tears.

It's a level of viciousness that's unbearable even to describe in person, not just to Batman but to Jason Todd as well.

Batman did not dodge, allowing the bullet to hit his body. Under the impact, he staggered back two steps and half-knelt on one knee.

"... I've given you a reason to convince him now." Jason started talking to Tim again. His throat was a little dry, and his voice was hoarse and solemn. "It's your job now."

Tim ran over quickly: "You are hurt!!"

That night, everyone gave their 100% acting skills.

The worry between his brows was unmistakable. "I'll take care of the fear gas. You take Damian away."

"Damian?"

A childish voice sounded behind Moses.

"It's me."

Moses turned his head sharply and saw a black-haired boy in a Robin uniform standing behind him, looking up at him with his fists clenched.

The boy had emerald green eyes of a familiar shape.

Reminds him of a beautiful woman.

A powerful assassin.

thalia.

…

She is dead.

Died in Arkham, died at the hands of Xiao Chou.

Is this all that is left of her?

His memory came back again - Little Chou bowed hypocritically in front of him to apologize. Pain spread both inside and outside his chest.

Tim: "Batman?!"

At this moment, Scarecrow's voice sounded slowly: "You are really free. The Arkham Knight is willing to appreciate your family disputes, but I am not interested, Batman. Let me remind you, you don't know that your lovely female assistant has been kidnapped by the Knight? Did the boy in front of you tell you about this?"

This madman doesn't sound anxious at all, even though someone has already come to his doorstep.

And with the Arkham Knight leading the way, it's still early to fear the poison gas explosion.

Robin: “…”

His expression twisted for a moment, and his thoughts were exactly the same as Damian's: Scarecrow, go to hell.

"Let me explain," the young man said decisively, "The Prophet is not in danger now."

The problem is that the Arkham Knights' order to kidnap Barbara was known before they even got here.

Jason couldn't let her go, and the Prophet was safer on his turf.

But they couldn't explain it to Batman.

Scarecrow: "Batman, is there anything more tragic than the death of a loved one due to your own fault?"

Tim's heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably, and he realized that his credibility in Batman's eyes was gradually declining.

But he had no solution. There was no time to sit down and talk calmly.

Is Bruce really poisoned by the little ugly poison?

Tim tried to observe the color of the other person's irises, and always felt that the clear and deep blue eyes were stained with an ominous light green in the reflection of the scarecrow's potion.

What a coincidence.

It was as if something had secretly arranged everything, waiting for the prey to fall into the trap.

Batman's voice didn't waver at all: "You should have told me."

The last boot hit the ground.

Tim's heart sank.

Bruce is on guard against me.

He thought.

It feels like facing a powerful but injured wild cat. The slightest inappropriate behavior will dispel the trust that has been hard-earned.

Trying to convince Batman is impossible.

Do you want to try force?

…

After comparing the strength of both sides, Tim wisely decided to give up.

He began to place his hopes on Damian.

Damian: "I think I..."

Moses spoke first: "Your mother is Talia al Ghul?"

The boy's green eyes suddenly widened.

"Where is she?"

This problem continues the previous pain.

But Moses was not going to indulge in memories. He said, "You follow Robin out of here, and I will take you to see her."

—A complete lie.

But it can achieve the goal.

Now, it was his turn to face the Scarecrow alone.

Nightwing: "It's over. You can't defeat him. What do you do now?"

"You can't do it here. He doesn't trust anyone now." Tim controlled the urge to scratch his hair - why would he cut his hair into a buzz cut here? "Alfred, if the situation is really..."

He didn't say the rest.

In every battle with the enemy, the firewood carriers are determined to rather freeze to death in the wind and snow.

No one can turn back.

"I still feel like something is wrong. Why isn't the Scarecrow nervous at all?"

Jason said, "I'm transferring the surveillance personnel from the factory."

His pupils suddenly shrank: "What a liar! Scarecrow pressed the detonator! This is a conspiracy. He can adjust the explosion time limit. The room is full of fear gas. Batman has no time to release the neutralizer!"

"I planned everything..." Scarecrow muttered hoarsely, "You can't defeat me, Batman."

Alfred's voice came from the channel: "Master, what are you going to do? It's too late!"

"The neutralizer is still working, Alfred." Then Batman, "I can reduce the blast radius."

"What are you going to do?!"

“…It’s not important.”

Damian broke free from Tim's hand and ran back, but Tim grabbed him and said, "You're crazy!"

"You're crazy!" the boy yelled back at him. "He's going to die! Batman is going to die!"

"No, listen to me." Tim pulled his arm tightly, but he couldn't take a step forward, "He will be fine..."

The computer in the gas chamber sounded a prompt: "Neutralizer was successfully launched, and the explosion range was reduced by 50%."

Alfred: "Master, you must change your mind. An explosion within this range will surely kill you—"

"If there is another way."

"Of course there will be, please... This is what the Scarecrow wants, he wants to get rid of you. If you die, what will happen to the Prophet? Who will save her? Who will foil the rest of the Scarecrow's schemes?"

Prophet. Barbara.

In the hallucination, Moses saw the girl being locked in a one-way glass cell by the Scarecrow and injected with fear gas.

"You can't control me..." In despair, she pointed the gun at her temple.

Batman is only one wall away from her.

It's too late.

"Bang--"

He knelt on the ground and watched her leave alone, leaving behind her fear and pain.

The hallucination disappeared.

He blinked and said, "This is what you taught me. Do the right thing and nothing else matters."

"I..." the old butler gritted his teeth and said, "No such thing, sir, don't you remember? I am very happy to do so, but I never had the opportunity to witness you grow up."

“…”

Batman continued to move the remaining neutralizer.

Xiao Chou laughed sharply in his ear.

"Master, please, you really don't have much time! Get out of there!"

"...Goodbye, Alfred."

"Neutralizer fired successfully, explosion radius reduced by 1000%."

Xiao Chou pointed the gun at Moses' forehead.

"I'm going to miss you."

He said.

"Bang--"

“…”

"He's alive."

Tim said wearily.

"I got on the Batmobile at the last moment before the explosion. The ACE factory exploded, and there were rescue workers in the trunk. Everyone is safe."

"Yeah." Alfred sat in the Batcave, staring at the computer in front of him, "Except, we have completely lost contact with him now."

In the center of the screen is a clear surveillance close-up.

Under the bat-shaped armor, the man's green eyes stared straight ahead.

"We have to find him."

Anyone who sees this photo will feel a chill in their heart.

"Before it becomes too late."