Chapter 102 Arkham Knight

A long time later, James Gordon began to recall his simple and wonderful experience, and pieced together some fragments of the plot from other people's mouths, and gradually realized the deep weight of the promise made by Batman that night.

To quote Shakespeare in Macbeth: He will scorn fate, spit on life and death, transcend all reason, abandon all doubts, and cling to his impossible hope.

But it is not so much his confidence in himself that enables him to face the world, but rather his frankness in the face of despair and unwillingness to regret.

But he didn't think about these at the moment, and just brought the Gotan vigilante, who seemed to still have some strength left, to the cell where Poison Ivy was imprisoned.

After a brief conversation, Batman convinces the radical environmentalist of the dangers to the plants in Gotham City, and Ivy agrees to neutralize Scarecrow's poison by catalyzing the spores and pollen of the city's ancient trees.

As they drove to their destination where the ancient tree was, Moses felt that the scene was familiar.

It's strange, most of the time Ivy was knocked unconscious and stuffed in the trunk before being taken back to the police station. Have they ever had a conversation like this before?

"Don't think I'm on your side, Batman." Ivy said lazily, "Humans kill plants to provide living space for themselves, and only think of using them to save lives in times of crisis. I am not interested in Scarecrow's plan to occupy Gotham. His behavior of polluting the environment is even more disgusting. In comparison, I would rather help you."

Poison Ivy called the plant buried in the soil Aiyana. When the Batmobile used its voice to wake her up, the ground of the island shook continuously. The steel and iron bones that humans had spent hundreds of years to build were corroded in the dim mist, and were completely destroyed by the life of ancient times. The Gothic tower collapsed into debris, and the helicopters in the sky that were investigating the situation hurriedly avoided it. The huge vines broke out of the ground like a world tree, reaching out their hands unwilling to be buried towards the starless and moonless sky.

This is a scene of annihilation, but also a scene of rebirth.

I don't know if it's the Batman family's unique tacit understanding, but as soon as Moses called Aiyana, Nightwing destroyed the cloud burst launcher. At the same time, Jason adjusted the army's movements to hide the Scarecrow's eyes. As long as they can purify the poisonous fog in the city and find the Scarecrow who is busy for no one knows what, they will be able to win the final victory.

But they are using just a few plants to combat an entire city's worth of pollution.

Ivy's hands were clasped on the tree trunk, her thin, snow-white wrists like the poplar trees in the desert that were lacking water but unwilling to fall.

"You are very efficient, Batman." She murmured with her eyes closed. "I can still hear the cries of the plants. They are hurting. There is no rain or dew, and no sunlight."

"What can I do?" Moses asked.

"You can't help, Batman. There are things in this world that you can't do and people that you can't save."

Cracks like dried soil appeared on Poison Ivy's arms, and the dark wounds spread towards her shoulders, but she did not stop. Instead, she increased her output.

“Nature never loses.”

"Little Ugly is so stupid. He believes that 'one bad day can turn everyone into him', and the city will sink into the mire with him forever. Scarecrow took over the banner and wanted to destroy everything. However..."

Moses felt that he had heard the other person say this before. He could not remember when, but he was able to continue unexpectedly.

"Humans need light, and plants also need light to grow."

Ivy smiled unconsciously, and she looked up at the bat light that seemed to never dim.

"Yes. So unlike him, I hope that the night in Gotham can also be..."

Before she could finish her words, she fell down.

At the same time, light blue flowers bloomed on the branches of ancient plants, and blood-red corollas dotted the branches.

Poison Ivy's body turned into thousands of dandelion seeds, which drifted away in the wind. Wherever they passed, they raised light green smoke, which quickly neutralized the poison gas of Scarecrow when it came into contact with it, and Gotham finally returned to its original appearance.

The plant roots under Moses' feet curled up beside the cement road, as if natural wisdom and human civilization were making a tentative contact.

Ivy has never been an easy person to get along with.

Or rather, all her kindness and warmth were dedicated to plants, leaving only cruelty and indifference for others.

But who would have thought that a criminal who never showed mercy when harming his peers could also show the brilliance of humanity for the sake of life?

What makes humans different from animals is perhaps that their souls cannot be fully summarized in one or two words.

Moses began to quicken his pace.

He still had a final battle with the Scarecrow, and the hooded madman with a syringe in his hand should have been stopped long ago. Moses also wanted to avoid Robin and others who were trying to find him in the city as much as possible - just in case, if there was any unpredictable ending, he didn't want to leave too much sadness for his family and friends.

Half an hour later, he found the building where Scarecrow was hiding through police tips and the broadcast of the Prophet's investigation progress captured by the Batmobile.

His final opponent was not unprepared - while Moses and Poison Ivy were searching the city for the right plant, Jonathan Cline organized his own rebels to attack the Gotham Police Department. His original goal was to take Barbara away from the Arkham Knight, but Jason shot him in the face:

"Put your claws back, Scarecrow."

"Our cooperation has ended. I suddenly find that you are more disgusting than Batman."

However, Scarecrow hijacked an airship equipped with heavy weapons, and under the reckless coercion, he eventually took away Police Chief James Gordon by force.

He knew that Moses would definitely find it, so he threatened:

Batman must remove his weapons and go to meet him alone, otherwise he will face Gordon's corpse.

At this point, rather than saying that he still intends to realize his ambitions, it would be better to say that the Scarecrow has given up on himself and only wants to have someone to cushion his back before he dies.

But if the identity of the Dark Knight could be made known to the world, he would be greeted with cheers from the devil even if he went to hell, right?

As the person involved, Batman was surprisingly calm.

——This is just the last storm before the end of the disaster. Commissioner Gordon will be fine. Scarecrow's target is only him.

No matter what the other party asked for, it was just to help erase the guilt in his heart for having to say goodbye to his companions: I didn't do it on purpose, but I had to take this path.

He was not sure if there was a secret desire in a corner of his heart to be reunited with his parents. It was difficult to admit his momentary weakness. Normally, he would never have such a thought, because Gotham still needed Batman, and giving up his life was equivalent to giving up fighting against fate. But now Jim and Alfred put another choice in front of him. In addition to being exhausted, people with flesh and blood couldn't help but wonder, isn't this a win-win outcome?

But it's just speculation. If he could really pay a price to exchange for the possibility of a peaceful and satisfactory life without him, it would seem that he overestimates his self-worth. After all, Bruce Wayne is just an ordinary person.

So he didn't have any expectations, he just kept moving forward, trying his best to complete what he had to do.

Xiao Chou noticed it, and he started jumping up and down and yelling, "No way, no way? You're just giving up? There's still so much fun! Think about how many cruel and interesting things we can do when we're together! Blow everyone's heads off, kill anyone you hate, it's like getting a VIP card to Disneyland, you don't have to queue in front of the cinema, don't you want to play anymore, Bat?"

“…”

"Are you crazy, oh come on Bruce, if you give up we're all screwed."

“…”

"Are you scared? Scarecrow said you are. That madman is always talking nonsense, isn't he? I think you are still immersed in memories. Ah... that was many years ago. What a happy couple. They fell in the alley and met their end. It's a pity that Bruce never got over it. Regret and pain are meaningless. Batman, you can't save Poison Ivy, Barbara, Talia, or the Arkham Knight. People should look forward, let go of the past, forget all this, and hand over your body to Uncle Ugly. I will take over this dirty, endless, and repetitive life for you. How about it?"

Moses was unmoved.

He saw his eyes turn green again in the reflection of the glass, and now he understood the meaning of the struggle in his mind. Xiao Chou wanted to take over his body and usher in a second life, so he didn't want Moses to leave this world physically.

The Joker toxin filled him with murderous intent and the urge to commit violence, but they were different. Joker's soul was filled with chaos and destruction, and Batman... no matter what he was made of, he had witnessed human love and the splendor of life, and he had fought for it all his life, and at least at this moment, he would not become a Joker.

For a moment, a scene appeared in his mind, and he didn't know whether it was an illusion. Martha Wayne from another universe said to him: No matter what, we are proud of you.

Xiao Chou was extremely disappointed.

He looked like he'd been punched in the face by Batman.

The scarecrow was standing on the edge of the dome of a tall building. After so much investigation and struggle, it was still pitch black above their heads, but the long night was finally coming to an end, and a faint white glow was already appearing on the horizon.

"Look who's here." He turned around and said calmly, "Welcome, Batman. Are you here for your friend?"

"Tell me where Commissioner Gordon is."

"I'll let you see him. Until then—"

They stared at each other under the sky, and Scarecrow's subordinates brought the restraint chair used by Arkham Asylum to control the insane and fixed the man firmly.

The camera is focused on Batman's head.

"Take off your mask, Batman. You are nothing without it. Show the world the fear on your face."

Dozens of television screens stood behind them, broadcasting live reports from various news channels. Reporters from all over the country watched this scene with fear and excitement. The hurried introductions and questions formed a chaotic background sound.

Alfred and Barbara, who had been monitoring the situation thousands of miles away, were the first to discover the confrontation on the rooftop.

"Red Hood! Where have you been?!"

"I'm almost there!" Jason cursed, relying on his advantage of betrayal but still unknown to the low-level criminals, rushing through Scarecrow's jurisdiction, "How did he get the situation to this point in just a short while???"

Dick was exhausted: "...Tim and I will take care of Damian, you hurry up."

There was a ping-pong sound coming from his side.

After the live broadcast scene was set up, other people pushed the old director, who was tied to a chair and pointed a gun, into the room and stopped at a distance not too far away.

Barbara tightened her grip on the mouse: "...Dad."

Scarecrow swung his finger, which had been replaced by a syringe, and both he and Commissioner Gordon noticed Batman's green eyes.

This made the former hesitate for a moment.

The latter asked without hesitation: "Do you still remember your goal, Batman?"

"Of course."

The man who looked like he was on the verge of madness answered calmly.

The Scarecrow walked forward and, in full view of everyone, took off the mask that had never changed since Batman was born.

Alfred couldn't help but slightly close his eyes to avoid the scene. He suddenly thought of a possibility and began to search for information on the computer in the Batcave.

The confrontation scene fell into a long silence.

As if afraid of disturbing something, the Scarecrow confirmed in a low voice: "...Bruce Wayne?"

"Yes." Moses looked at him calmly. "I am not afraid, Clay."

"This is impossible!"

The venom of fear was injected into the body in front of him, and the sight of those eyes was as steady as an eternal mountain, and the world reflected in them was far higher and broader than the scarecrow could imagine.

"Without fear, what is the meaning of life!!"

His life's work, his entire energy, the proof of his existence here, is it just denied like that?!

The murderer began to get scared.

With shaking arms, he snatched the pistol from the person next to him and pointed it at Bruce Wayne's forehead.

"Bang!"

"I said, keep your paw away, Scarecrow."

Red Hood said, holding up his gun.

His breathing was a little rapid, and it was unclear whether it was because of the race against time or because of the tense situation just now.

"Bang!"

Two more shots broke the metal handcuffs on the restraint chair.

Right now.

While everyone was shocked and unable to react, Moses rushed to the trapped Commissioner Gordon, kicked the gunman's weapon over, and knocked down another criminal who was pushing a wheelchair. Then he turned around, held down Scarecrow's hand, and injected his own venom into his neck.

"Are you scared?"

He asked, looking at the scarecrow's trembling pupils.

There was the shadow of a bat.

A good swimmer drowns in water.

The man who is good at manipulating fear will eventually fall under an insurmountable shadow. He will never forget the scene of today, and will recall the fear that dominates him every time he wants to commit a crime.

Finally, Batman walked up to Gordon, pulled him up, and then walked aside to put his helmet back on.

"You're my best friend, Jim."

"You were here when it all began, and you will be here when it all ends."

Commissioner Gordon looked at his eyes, which had turned back to deep blue. "I missed your opening."

The well-known playboy in Gotham smiled a smile he often used for socializing: "I remember, and it's never too late to know you."

When the Waynes died in the alley, police officer James Gordon, who had not yet been promoted, arrived and brought comfort to the panicked boy.

This is a past that only one person can recall for now. They may have a less turbulent but more stable future.

"Where are you going?!"

Jason quickly caught up with him, "If you had told us about Scarecrow kidnapping Commissioner Gordon, I wouldn't have been the only one to come to the rescue in the end!"

"Thank you, but I really don't want you to come."

The elder said simply, "I am going back to Wayne Manor."

"Go back now? The whole world knows you are Bruce Wayne, and they are blocking you at the gate of the manor, wanting to see you. Are you eager to give them news material?"

"Right now, if you want to accomplish what you came here for."

The young man paused: "...Do you remember?"

"I don't think so, but you didn't really try to hide it from me."

Jason said firmly, "But now you know what to do."

"Yes." Moses held down the headset. "Alfred, have Batwing come pick me up and prepare the Fallen Knight Protocol."

“…”

This was an internal communication. Nightwing on the other side frowned when he heard the voice and walked to a quiet area and asked, "What is that?"

No one answered.

Alfred whispered, "I'm ready, sir."

This answer was beyond Batman's expectations. He looked surprised and asked, "When did you know that?"

"Just now, I thought you were avoiding people for a reason."

"...I thought you'd be more suspicious of me being manipulated by the ugly toxin, Alfred."

"I didn't." The old butler said, "You guessed wrong. I'm afraid it's because I watched you grow up in this world, and I know what kind of person Batman is better than you do."

“…”

The roar of the plane echoed through the buildings. The bat light was broken by the person who gave it the meaning of existence. The cloth light fluttering in the wind was like a flag announcing the end of an era. The man stood in front of the black wing and looked at Jason Todd after he took off the red hood: "I'm glad you're still alive. Do what you should do, Jason."

The young man with black hair and green eyes stared at him. He had a premonition in his heart, but he still asked, "What exactly is the Fallen Knight Agreement?"

Batman answered irrelevantly: "People know that Batman is Bruce Wayne, and I still have the Ugly Toxin in my body. This requires a judgment."

Jason didn't move.

He knew Batman would not die.

He also knew that Batman thought he was going to die.

And this is indeed what the other party said, "what should be done".

But why? !

Anger and confusion were surging in his chest, but he couldn't vent them - the sun had clearly risen and the long night was over.

"It's all right," Alfred said, and he repeated it again. "It's all right. You don't have to come over. It will be over in a minute."

The plane took off alone and flew towards the emerald green and vibrant island towards the rising sun.

At this moment, only two people in the world knew that in a quarter of an hour, a fire would break out in this ancient building that had existed for four hundred years.

Fire will consume everything, heal sorrow and bring hope.

In its ashes lies the path to another universe.

"Welcome home, sir."