Metropolis

Metropolis was destroyed.

A thick layer of ash covered everything in sight. All that was left were the skeletons of buildings. Small fires were still burning here and there. The Joker's nuke had obliterated the fine, grand city that millions used to live in. But one thing was sure – there were no survivors. Superman was not able to save anyone. Not even Lois Lane – he beat her to death. The Joker had used fear gas laced with Kryptonite to make Superman believe that he was facing Doomsday, a vicious, formidable enemy who once defeated him.

Joker's Cell

Joker was laughing. He was amused. Oh, how could he not be? He just made Superman destroy his own beloved city. What a joke! He briefly wondered if he could make Batman do the same. The latter was currently glaring at him. If looks could kill, he would have died a thousand times over. But Joker knew the Bat like the back of his hand. Batman wouldn't do anything to him, at least not anything fatal.

Batman was afraid. Superman just destroyed his own city. He had no idea what that would do to Superman. He was trying to get something out of the deranged clown other than taunting and cackling. His interrogation wasn't getting anywhere. He just wished Joker could –

BOOM!

That wasn't what he wished for. Joker chuckled in dark anticipation. Superman floated into the room, eyes glowing with pure hatred. Batman tried to stop Superman, but the latter pushed him aside without any hesitation. Batman looked on warily, ready to pounce if Superman got out of control. Superman tossed the table aside, earning another delighted whoop from Joker.

"You drugged me! Made me… Lois… my son!"

"First Krypton, now Metropolis… People you love tend to blow up, don't they…"

Superman wanted to punch that grin off the clown's face. But Batman's cry stopped him in time. He wouldn't kill him, but he soon would if the clown continued ranting. Instead, he dented the wall next to Joker's face and threw him aside in a fit of fury. How could he still talk like that? He wanted to destroy what the Joker had and make him feel the pain! But deep down he knew that Joker didn't have anyone close to him anymore. Harley was just a toy to him. Joker would just laugh everything away.

"You think locking me up will magically reform me? Your family will be safe? So big, so dumb… Now run along so I can break outta here. I've got lots of planning to top this!"

That did it. Superman lifted Joker up by his throat, preparing to finish him. Batman strode forward, attempting to push Superman away, but it was the other way around. Batman grunted as he hit the floor, unable to do anything as he watched Superman draw back a fist.

In his final attempt to break Superman, the Joker choked out, "I know it's soon, but… Think you'll ever love again? Maybe you won't kill your next family…"

Superman roared in anger. Somewhere in the deep recesses of his mind, he heard Batman cry out. But, all he knew was that he had to kill this fiend, so that he can no longer do anything more. It frightened him, but when he heard the Joker's cries of pain, he felt a wave of relief and sick delight pass through him.