MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT. Do not read if you haven't beaten Batman: Arkham City.

This is set right after Batman defeats Strange and the incident that occurred with Joker in the Monarch Theater. It's slightly OOC.


You have one missed call. Call received three hours ago.

Only you…can make this world seem right

Only you…can make the darkness bright

Joker's voice sang hauntingly in the bat cave, echoing off the walls and impaling Batman's ears with his soft melody.

Only you and you alone can thrill me like you do

And fill my heart with love for only you

The message had been set on repeat for hours now. After carrying Joker's body out of Arkham City, Batman had received the message and nearly collapsed when hearing it. He had wondered about the choice of song that Joker chose but decided that he would go insane if he tried to seek the motive behind the song. Joker had always said inappropriate things that bordered on the romantic, especially when they fought.

Only you can make this change in me

For it's true…you are my destiny

One thing was certain through all this. Joker was dead. Guilt wracked through Batman's body as he sat in his chair unmoving. If only he hadn't dropped the vial with the cure. If only he had anticipated Joker's attack. If only he could have saved Joker…

Batman couldn't deny that Joker is…no, was…his greatest adversary. If the song said anything, it was that line. You are my destiny. Without Batman, Joker wouldn't have existed. And without Joker, what would happen to Batman?

When you hold my hand

I understand the magic that you do

You're my dream come true

My one and only you

Hohohohohooo!

It seemed so unreal. There was no way that Joker could be dead. If it wasn't for the fact that he had watched Joker die and he had carried his body out of the Monarch Theater, he would have thought this was all some joke concocted by Joker. He kept expecting Joker to pop up out of his arms with that face-splitting grin and yell, "Surprise Batsy!" but he only remained still.

Only you…

Can make this change in me!

For it's true

You are my destiny

When you hold my hand I understand

The magic that you do.

It's funny how even in death Joker still haunted Batman. The man certainly knew how to make an impact. He did it day after day with all his rampant and random attacks on Gotham City but at the same time, he had filled a void in Batman's life that he wasn't aware he had until he heard the message Joker left.
You don't know what you have until you lose it. And now that Joker's gone, what would Batman do? He would have to continue with his work, of course, but only because no one would if he didn't.
Batman would have to return to Arkham City soon and finish his work there but for now, he needed a little time alone. Just him and Joker's last message to him.

You're my dream come true

My one and only you

After all the times when Joker had personally destroyed Batman's life with his incessant destruction, it took his death to push Batman over the edge. Emotion welled up deep within his chest and Batman fought its takeover of his body but he was so tired. Tired of all that happened in ten hours since his captivity. One lone tear made a way down his face.

Batman finally broke.

HOHOHOHooooo…