Like I said, a companion piece to Hit Me. Which was a Joker story. This is Batman. Enjoy!
Hit him.
You know you want to. You've seen what he's done to your city. Gotham. A city already ravaged by mob lords, and crazies still running around from when they were let loose with that fear gas in the air. No one who has been a victim to that incident has ever completely healed. And so they still fear.
And it's what's fear that keeps this madman – this Joker – around and energized. He's used it to his advantage, killing people on a whim, making threats that he plans on carrying out. He's driven the people of Gotham to a fear so desparate, they now believe that getting you out of the way – unmasked, in the open – will stop him, they don't once think that he'll just keep on going. And, you agreed with them. Because of the Joker.
This fear is even spreading to you. It's wearing down on you in a way you didn't think anything ever could. You are no longer certain that you can keep this costumed facade up. No longer sure that it's what you are supposed to do.
HIT HIM!
You want to more than anything in the world. He's threatened the people you've sworn to protect. He's killed the one man in the police force that actually believes in what you do. He's targeted the woman you love as his next murder. His next, cruel, heartless, and brutal murder. Rachel.
But you can't. Your mind goes back to when you had wanted to kill someone for revenge before, and it makes you scream in frustration. For it was Rachel who really showed you why it was wrong. Why that wasn't the man that you were. Or Are.
Yes, this mad man must be stopped. By justice. Because it is justice that must rule. Not fear. Not death. Truth. Not lies. Light. Not darkness. And while you may be the "Dark Knight", you are the light that is shining the way for justice to take place. So, yes, this comstumed facade is who you are supposed to be. Even if that means your own demise.
Personally, I think my Joker one-shot was better. But, please review! -Jimmy C.