With his final breath, his body on the cold, hard ground and his mind traversing between reality and fantasy, Batman managed his final words. 'The world has no need for mad men... like you... yet... you... continue... to threaten society... What are you looking for?' Each word was fading as much as the last, until it sounded like a whisper.

'Oh, not a lot. Just for people to see how much greater I am than all they are. I'm going to miss you, to be quite honest. I'll miss seeing your miserable, little face everytime a Gothamite loses what they call their 'life' since you weren't there in time to save them. Oh well! All's well that ends well!' An obnoxious and blood-curling cackle emerged from Joker's throat. Batman's spirit was becoming weak, but he knew he had to fight, no matter how hard it was.

'I... will... not... let you... de-' He tried to defend Gotham, but he was becoming too weak too rapidly.

'What was that, Bats? Won't let me destroy Gotham, you say? Oh, no? Well, I'd like to see you try.' Yet another cackle spurted from his lips.

Batman could feel a heavy push on his back, like someone trying to hold him down, and he wasn't far from the truth. Joker was resting his foot on Batman's back, looking triumphant in his quest to vanquish the Dark Knight.

'Oh, let's have a looksy under this mask, shall we? Who can Bat-Baby be?' The Clown Prince of Crime's voice sounded friendly, in the unfriendliest of ways. His intentions were completely evil and his mindset was unscrupulous toward anyone who got in his way. In an attempt to increase the suspense, his removal of Batman's mask was slow; somewhat mentally painful for Batman.

'Pumpkin, just rip it off!' Harley Quinn squealed with excitement, holding her hands together and posing very coyly. Joker simply tsked in reply.

'You know that that will ruin the suspense of it all, my dear. Batman will be able to just remember the day that he was discovered, and die with it.' Even though he didn't laugh, there was a sound of achievement in his voice. After tugging slowly at Batman's cowl, Joker managed to remove it completely, astonished at the face under the mask. 'My, my, my. If it isn't Mr Bruce Wayne. It is all so clear now.'

Joker's expression soon changed from utterly shocked, to cool as a cucumber, as he reminisced with himself about all the encounters they shared, studying how each action was that of Bruce Wayne.

'Honey, would you 'ave ever guessed? That playboy-billionaire, being a masked menace...' Harley asked, mumbling the rest of her sentence to herself. Suddenly, from the doorway, a small, feminine, almost sad, voice was heard.

'Bruce?' The voice drew nearer as Catwoman emerged from the darkness.

'Oh, look, Batman. If you isn't your little girlfriend, here to save you. Well, you're a little late, toots!' Joker spat, his inhumane laughs of joy ringing through Catwoman's ear. As Catwoman ran over to Bruce, silent tears starting tumbling down her face, involuntarily.

'Bruce... How... Why... You can't go...' Her lips pressed against his cheek, her tears splashing onto his face in an attempt to wake him and failing. Placing her hand on his pulse, she could feel it slowing until she couldn't feel a pulse at all, nor any breaths. Batman was well, and truly, defeated.