Outside the lab, Harley was unusually quiet as she waited. Before long, Reid emerged, walking at a calm, unhurried pace.
"Boss, all done?" she asked.
He gave a short nod. "Yeah. The mental suggestion is in place. From now on, she'll subconsciously avoid questioning anything tied to our organization."
It was the same method he'd used before, just like how he controlled Kingpin. Now, he'd planted a suggestion deep in Kate's mind. As long as they didn't openly expose themselves, she'd likely overlook their actions without ever realizing why.
Harley tilted her head, still not fully convinced. "Why go through all this trouble? Wouldn't it be easier to just mess with her mind and make her one of us?"
She didn't understand it. Sure, Batwoman wasn't as much of a threat now, but they still had to keep up appearances, play their long game. If they simply brainwashed Kate and forced her into obedience, wouldn't that solve the problem completely?
"Harley," Reid replied, his tone measured, "you're missing the point."
"A person's memory can never be completely erased. Even if I rewrite everything deep inside her mind, there's always a chance something will trigger her. Little things can make them remember who they really were. And when that happens, the truth comes out, and then it's a fight to the death. Mental suggestion, though, is different. It still needs a bit of cover, but the chance of it being exposed is almost zero."
Indeed, it was more work. But Reid wasn't strong enough to operate in the open yet. Maybe once he obtained the role-play cards of Wonder Woman and Superman, he'd finally stop hiding in the shadows.
Just then, Joker strolled over, still dressed in his butler uniform, his movements exaggerated and theatrical.
"Joker," Reid said. "It's your turn now."
"Ah, just the thought of never having to pretend to be the Wayne family's loyal butler again—it's got me positively giddy."
Even Joker had grown sick of the double life. The charade had gone on too long, bound by rules and routines that suffocated his madness. Now, with the chance to finally shed the Alfred identity, he felt relief.
With a twisted grin, Joker turned and disappeared into the lab.
...
After what felt like an eternity, Kate slowly regained consciousness. Her vision blurred at first, but when it cleared, she realized she was strapped tightly to an operating table. Every limb was bound. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar silhouette.
Black tailcoat. White gloves. Thin, upright frame.
There was no mistaking it. It was Alfred.
"Alfred? Why are you doing this?" Her voice was hoarse but urgent. "Bruce is back. Isn't it time to cut ties with the Joker Gang?"
She was still trying to reason with him, still hoping to bring him back into the light. The Alfred she knew wouldn't have let things go this far. But the man in front of her remained completely still. Only the subtle rise and fall of his chest confirmed he was even alive.
"Alfred? Can you hear me? Bruce wouldn't want you to be like this. We understand what you did to protect the Wayne legacy, truly. But that time is over. You can come back. You can still be the respected butler we all knew and loved."
Finally, the figure moved.
His body swayed slightly, as if hesitating, then slowly turned around. Kate's heart lifted—hope flickering in her chest. Maybe her words had reached him.
But the moment his face came into view, that hope shattered.
Her voice caught in her throat. "What… how is this even possible…"
It was Alfred's body, his posture, his uniform—everything. But the face that stared back at her was twisted in a maniacal grin, eyes gleaming with madness.
Alfred? No.
It was the Joker.
"Joker! What did you do to Alfred? Tell me!" Kate screamed, her voice breaking with fury and disbelief.
She didn't want to believe it. During her time as Batwoman, Alfred had been there—caring, reliable. She had genuinely respected and liked the old gentleman.
And now? That same gentleman was actually the man who brought nothing but madness and fear to Gotham?
How could she accept that?
Joker tilted his head and chuckled. "You already suspected this back when you first started snooping around. So why's it so hard to accept now?"
Still smiling, he walked up to her and gently pinched her cheek.
"Look at you. Those furrowed brows, that pouty face. You're not having any fun at all."
Releasing her cheek, he pulled a small vial from his pocket and held it up, the liquid inside swirling with unnatural color.
"I've always had this idea—what if nitrous oxide was injected directly into the body? What kind of party would that start? Sadly, my goons are a bunch of cowards. None of them ever volunteered to find out."
Everyone knew how deadly Joker's laughing gas could be. Just inhaling it could make someone laugh themselves to death. The thought of it being condensed into liquid and injected directly… there was no need to run tests. Anyone could imagine how horrifying that outcome would be.
Kate could too. Her heart pounded as Joker brought out a syringe filled with the bright, green liquid. Even as Batwoman, she was filled with dread when she saw the syringe moving closer to her arm.
Just because she wore the bat symbol didn't mean she was like Batman—someone who would willingly die for his ideals.
At least for Kate, when death was staring her in the face, fear was very real.
"Stay away! Get back!" she shouted, struggling with every ounce of strength she had.
However, it was useless. She wasn't superhuman. No matter how hard she fought, she couldn't break the restraints holding her down. All she could do was watch as the needle touched her skin.
Just when Kate thought she was going to die here, in some unknown place with laughing gas pumped into her veins, there was a faint sound from the ventilation shaft beneath the clown's feet.
"Hm?" Joker glanced down, puzzled. "Looks like my boys have been slacking. Didn't even notice a rat crawling through the vents."
He turned his gaze back to Kate, who felt a flicker of hope… only for it to die again. She had really believed it might've been 'Batman' earlier. But now it seemed he hadn't noticed anything. Maybe he still believed she was safe at the Kane estate.
Just as despair completely took hold of her—
Boom!
A violent explosion echoed from outside the lab. The entire underground base shook. Even Joker staggered, struggling to stay on his feet.
Almost at the same moment, the small ventilation duct nearby burst open. A powerful force sent Joker flying across the room. He slammed hard into the floor.
"Bruc—?"
Kate stared in shock at the figure that jumped out from the vent. The joy she felt nearly made her forget about protecting 'Batman's' identity.
'Batman' glanced at Joker and sighed. Without a word, he threw a Batarang and sliced through the restraints holding Kate down.
"At this point," he said softly, "there's no need to hide who I am anymore."
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