After the skirmish with Jervis Tetch and saving the girl in the process, Batman arrived at the bank, only to realize someone had already broken into the bank which is now full of dead bodies of Black Mask's men. The Joker may still be here in the vault. Batman should use caution. He senses something pure evil, something he had not sensed for a long time.
In the end, Batman managed to reach Black Mask before he could drive away. Black Mask is in the middle of escaping with the bank's credits. He jumps down, taking down to thugs prior to confronting Black Mask.
"Think you can just waltz on into my bank, huh?", Black Mask said.
"Roman. I'm here for the Joker.", Batman said.
"The Joker?", Black Mask appears confused. "Never heard of him."
Black Mask approaches the Bank Manager. "How 'bout you, lady? Know the Joker?", he asked.
"The who?", Bank Manager asked before suddenly laughing.
Batman finds the Bank Manager to be strangely hysterical. Then he sees another man with his head covered. He fell to his knees.
Black Mask turned to the man in his knees. "And you, sir?", Black Mask said. He removes the cover revealing the man's face. "Name Joker ring a bell?".
"You sunova bitch! You think you can steal from me and get away with it? You're a dead man! Dead!", the man said.
Black Mask grew frustrated at the man. He struck a few hits on him. "Can't... you just... play... along!?", Black Mask shouted at the man. The last strikes made the man splatter blood. Black Mask then kicked the man away.
Batman did not expect two Roman Sionis's.
The Bank Manager watches the guy wearing the black mask kicking Roman Sionis. "You're insane!", she said while struggling to stop laughing.
After delivering several kicks, he finally stops. He picks Roman Sionis and throws him into the vehicle. He then takes off his mask.
Once Batman saw the black mask removed from Black Mask, he started to realize it is actually the Joker who posed as Black Mask. The Joker grinned at him. "It's been you this whole time. You hired the assassins. You've been running Sionis' operation.", Batman said.
"Well, technically, it's *my* operation now.", Joker countered. He looked at his men. "Isn't that right boys?".
Batman sees the thugs are wearing masks shaped with an enormous grin. "You've got me. Now let her go.", Batman said.
Joker pulls the Bank Manager with him. "Oh life would be so simple if you were all I wanted. No, you're just a teeny, little distraction compared to what I've got up my sleeve.", he said. He fires energy blasts at Batman.
Batman isn't sure what the Joker intends to do with the Bank Manager. He can't let her die from a mistake. Batman gets hit by the energy blasts but endures it while falling to one knee.
"Here! Have a laugh on me.", Joker said as he tosses the Bank Manager forward. He gets inside the vehicle with his men entering too. He raises his hand.
Batman knows what the Joker is on the verge of doing. He catches the Bank Manager and escapes the vault.
The Joker uses his powers to explode the vault. The Joker then departed.
Though Batman escaped, the explosion stunned him briefly. He is able to sight the Bank Manager dead with an enormous grin on her face. He wasn't able to save her.
The Joker had sent a team of thugs to Batman. The Joker knows the Batman survived.
Batman dispatched all the thugs with stealth. He left the last thug conscious as Batman interrogates him.
"Stop! Stop!", the thug begged him.
"Where's the Joker going?", Batman demanded.
"He's insane, man. Killed about a quarter of Black Mask's men when they wouldn't take orders from him.", the thug said.
"Unless you want to join them, talk."
"He-he said something about the Scouter Mill.", the thug said.
"That's Sionis's mill.", said Batman.
"It's Joker's mill now. Ain't no way you're gettin' in there.", the thug said.
"I didn't ask for your opinion.", Batman said. He strikes the thug.
The thug gets senseless.
"Alfred. Pull schematics on Sionis Industries' scouter mill. Joker's taken Sionis there. He's going to kill him – unless I get there first.", Batman contacts Alfred.
"This Joker sounds dangerous…"
"He's taken over Black Mask's operations, and slaughtered the men who wouldn't turn. He's the one who hired the assassins.", Batman divulged.
"And it must be he who planned the Police to turn into Oozarus to attack you. This is so much worse. Shouldn't you think about letting King Vegeta's forces handle this one? They will know Roman Sionis' operations have been compromised. Black Mask is, after all, an associate of King Vegeta.", Alfred suggested.
"Not a chance. He's mine.", Batman responded. Why does he have the feeling he has seen the Joker before? Was it when he wasn't the Joker or is he just delusional?
Batman left the bank. He was about make his way to Scouter Mill until he was interrupted by a lady screaming. He arrived at where the screaming originated, but he realized he was lured as he is subsequently attacked by an assassin.
Fighting the assassin, Batman came to acknowledge his fighter is the skilled assassin, Cad Bane. He didn't expect their meeting to happen so sooner. After trading a few hits while suppressed, Batman quickly overpowered Cad Bane and kicked him backward.
In spite of his stumbling, Cad Bane remained upright.
"Cad Bane. I wasn't expecting our fight to happen so soon.", Batman said.
"Nothing personal. Just doing my job.", Cad Bane said coldly.
"Doesn't everyone?", Batman said rhetorically.
Cad Bane used his jetpack to levitate in the air, throwing fire blasts at Batman. The flames consumed Batman. The flames fade away and Cad Bane sees Batman survived the flames. He is in stance.
Batman fired a batarang at Cad Bane. The assassin dodged the batarang. He shoots lasers at Batman. Batman dodges the lasers. What Cad Bane didn't know is the batarang's direction. Batman continued swerving to avoid the lasers. The batarang finally hits Cad Bane's jetpack, forcing the assassin to go on a short ride around until Cad Bane discards the jetback, landing in front of Batman.
The two skilled punch each other while blocking each other. After seconds of fighting on the grounds, Batman overpowers Cad Bane in combat once again. He punches Cad Bane's face hard, causing him to lose conscious.
"Cad Bane is down. You can bring him to Coruscant.", Batman telepathically communicates with Chronoa.
Batman departs the area.
After gliding, Batman comes into Scouter Mill. His intentions are to capture the Joker or Sionis, regardless of the latter being the victim.
By infiltrating the building, Batman hacked into Black Mask's computer and discovers a spell has been cast on Sionis that makes him suffer unceasingly.
Batman defeated Joker's men. Batman turns to the secret entrance. It opened, revealing several men and a brawny figure. He quickly dealt with the weaker thugs, punching elbowing and kicking them until they lost consciousness. After the weak men are defeated, Bruce fights the muscular fighter.
Batman attempts to punch the man with brawn. He found it unexpecting the man didn't pitch backward. He responded by punching Batman's stomach. Though Batman feels pain, he is still standing. He comprehended why his punch didn't push the man back. "You're a Saiyan.", Batman noted.
"That's right. And underestimating is gonna cost you big time, Batman."
"I believe you have underestimated me.", Batman said as he grabs the thug's wrist tightly as though appearing to crush it. He didn't intend to break his hand.
The thug is surprised Batman is able to pull his fist out of his stomach despite the thug trying to push his fist harder into Batman's stomach. "I made him mad.", the thug realized Batman is a Saiyan. He receives Batman's punch which sent the thug flying to a railing.
All the thugs are defeated. Batman came to a corridor. While walking toward the elevator, he sensed an evil presence nearby. "Better be cautious. Joker or someone else, it could be trouble.", Batman said to himself.
Coming inside the elevator, Batman sees a corpse who is one of Joker's men. "Who did this?", he wondered. He scans the corpse. He discovers there have been no signs of assault that caused the man to die. He was poisoned.
The elevator opened finally. Batman came out and dispatched the men guarding inside the corridor. Batman came to a factory. Various men are in here. If any one of them gets alerted about Batman's presence, Black Mask or the Joker, or whoever is in Scouter Mill, could escape.
Batman uses stealth on every individual, making them become senseless.
Then he enters Black Mask's office, seeing Roman Sionis.
"Get me out'a this thing.", Roman demanded.
Batman frees Roman Sionis. He then interrogates the Joker starting with asking him, "Where's the Joker?"
"Go away and suffer your pathetic life.", Roman said.
"Wrong answer.", Batman said, subsequently kicking Black Mask to a wall. He kicks Black Mask again.
Both Black Mask and Batman didn't know that someone is watching them and is preparing to attack them.
"By my count, there are a dozen ways to break your body.", Batman said as he kicks and punches Black Mask.
"You think that'll make me talk after what he's put me through? The torture... Turned my men on me. Stole from me. Murdered my woman. He's my kill. Not yours.", Black Mask said in anger.
Annoyed, Batman punches Black Mask.
"You're still bind to that spell. I can control it. You want to see what times 100 feels like? Perhaps it's as worse as the technique that strains my body.", Batman said coldly.
"You wouldn't...", Black Mask said knowingly since he is aware Batman wouldn't go far to cause someone to die.
Suddenly, Batman is attacked by someone. As the Dark Knights stands up, he finds that it is an assassin who attacked him. "Copperhead.", Batman recognized. He comes to his realization that the evil he sensed was emitted from Copperhead.
Copperhead engages Batman in a fight.
Seeing Batman seemingly struggling, Black Mask says to Copperhead, "Kill him and I'll pay you whatever you want. Make him suffer and I'll double it."
Once she puts her legs tightly around Batman's neck, she began pondering Roman Sionis' offer for a second. "An empty promise from a fallen king. I know about the Joker.", Copperhead said.
As Black Mask leaves the office, he glances at the two. "Couple a' freaks. You two deserve each other.", Black Mask said. He then leaves the office.
Copperhead crawls around Batman, scratching him. She moves away.
Batman starts getting to feel signs of fainting, he realizes Copperhead has done something to his body. "What did you do to me?", Batman demanded.
"There is no end to how many times your race grows stronger. Naturally aggressive warriors. But what a better way to end a Saiyan's life with poison.", Copperhead explained.
"Impossible. Saiyans are immune to...", Batman said before suddenly stopping as the poison flowing inside him makes him weaker.
"My poison has been given Saiyan incantations, courtesy of a mutual Saiyan friend.", Copperhead said. She hangs herself upside down on the ceiling. "You will die, batman. And in a few more minutes, your body will realize it. And you can't even use 1/100th of your power."
Batman tries to use his strength to stand and fight.
Copperhead is amused. "Heh... That's it. Use your strength. With every effort you hasten your end.", she said. She leaves Black Mask's office.
"Must contact Chronoa... for cure... against... Copperhead's poison.", Batman said.
"Alfred... I need... Chronoa to arrive in... Scouter Mill.", Batman said.
"Your vitals are off the charts. What happened? Never mind. Unfortunately, Chronoa is in Coruscant, but I will contact her right now. Just raise your power level so she can sense where you are. There are dozens of places of Scouter Mill.", Alfred said.
"I... can't...", Batman said weakly. He tries to get out of Black Mask's office. "The poison has prevented me from using even 1% of my power."
"Yes, you can. Copperhead, was it, if I am right about who poisoned you? If you fight her for a period, the battle should push you to increase your battle power.", Alfred said. "Just hang in there, sir.".
Batman exits the office and the factory. He walks in an unsteady way. After leaving the factory, Batman sees a puff of black smoke, revealing Alfred. Batman stumbles forward, on his knees.
"What would your father say if he could see you now? Throwing away your family's hard-earned fortune on these dangerous journeys! And for what? You're not this city's saviour. You're a Wayne. And a spoiled, wasteful, disappointment of a Wayne at that, and of a Skywalker. Have you forgotten what those names stand for? You disappoint me... You disappoint me."
Batman knows it is not Alfred. It's a hallucination. He continues walking forward unsteadily until he sees the shadows materializing a familiar face: it's his wife, Chronoa, but it's her earlier appearance when she had very light skin and blonde hair.
"Many times, I have asked you to stop fighting, that it is pointless. You still resist, preferring to have a death wish. You desire justice and peace, while determined to ensure King Vegeta is brought to justice for setting up the murder of your parents. I wonder if this is what you should be like as a role model, to our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, ancestors. Is that what you desire for them? You're nothing but a failure. I should've left you a long time ago."
Batman hits the illusion of his wife which turned her into black smoke that began to fade. He is nearly there at the elevator. He sees someone blocking his way of the elevator.
"I believed you to be the Chosen One that will bring peace to the Multiverse. I was wrong. You are no Chosen One. You will fail time and time again regardless of the countless times you try to do the right thing. You were the reason I was killed by the Dark Lord. You watched your parents die and left them all alone in the dark mist, ready to be killed by the Dark Lord, and eventually everyone you love will be gone."
It's his master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Bruce has not forgotten about him, and he still feels guilty for not doing anything to prevent his death, if he had the power. The illusion is gone.
As Batman nears the elevator, he hears someone speaking to him. He turns to his right, it's the Commissioner who was killed recently by Killer Croc. The illusion of the Commissioner is behind bars and speaking to him.
"You could have saved me. If you'd only come sooner. What were you doing? You're no hero. A real hero would have saved me."
Batman enters the elevator. Inside the elevator is a corpse of a Bank Manager with an enormous grin on her face.
"You let me die. How many more must perish before you realize you're not savior. You're a curse upon this city. A plague on all of Gotham! Leave us alone! We were better off without you. I'd still be alive without you!"
The elevator stops. Batman reaches the upper floor.
"Please. You have to save me. Please! You what's wrong with you? You couldn't save me? Why? Why didn't you stop him? Why didn't you save me!?"
There are three Copperheads that suddenly appeared around Batman. Batman is forced to fight them. He knows there is one Copperhead, but his point of view causes him to see multiple illusions of his enemy. Batman beats all the illusions.
Copperhead laughs and says to Batman, "Is that the best you can do?"
Batman unsteadily moves forward until he stopped. Though he is weak, he is able to sense Copperhead is near him. Unfortunately, he can't deduce which one is the real Copperhead, prompting him to fight all of them.
"You are not gonna like what comes next.", Copperhead said. She lands in front of Batman. "The spell with the poison will break your mind, and then I will break what's left of you.". She dashes toward Batman.
Batman strikes her, only to miss. The other Copperheads begin attacking Batman. Batman hits as many Copperheads as he can while defending himself from their restless assaults. After hitting many Cooperheads, he finally struck the real Copperhead.
Copperhead is astounded at this Saiyan. "Still some fight left in you, uh?", she said.
Batman is briefly down on one knee prior to quickly standing up. The fight is not over until one of them loses the fight.
Numerous illusions of Copperhead materialized in Batman's sight. He dodges all their attacks by backing away. He kicks two Copperheads that tried to get close to his head. Some of the Copperheads endeavoured to crawl up to his legs. Batman kicks and punches them away.
"Oh, you still want to play? I will indulge you a few moments longer. You can't stop me.", Copperhead said.
Batman kicks an illusion of Copperhead before striking his fists at two Copperheads behind him.
Finally, a Copperhead manages to crawl around Batman. The Dark Knight growled, knowing he cannot endure another scratch. "Fury!", Batman called out his technique. A fiery red aura bursts out, gusting Copperhead away. The Copperheads backed away as Batman charges up.
"Impossible! He's not using 1% of his power but his power level is rising.", Copperhead said.
Batman's body shakes, knowing the strain this technique puts on his body. He can't prolong the use of the technique, Fury, for longer periods. He has to end it now. Batman moves fast to every Copperhead, hitting all of them with one hard punch.
Most of the illusions are beaten leaving the real Copperhead visible in Batman's sight. Batman bulldozes Copperhead, causing her to hit the crates.
The red aura around Batman disappears as Batman stops using Fury.
"There are worse ways to die, no?", Copperhead said as he approaches Batman, aware that this technique could've killed Batman.
More illusions appeared, attacking Batman. Batman pounds every illusion, though his movements are slow, but his punches are still heavy.
Once Batman takes out every illusion, Copperhead jumps and gets on Batman's back. "I will twist you apart.", she said. Batman pulls her down to the floor. Copperhead moves away, avoiding Batman's kick.
Copperhead charges at Batman. Batman backs away from her claw-strikes. He then strikes two blows at her. Batman hammers her. Copperhead rolls away. Another array of illusions materialize around Batman.
Batman never gives up, taking out every illusion as well as the actual Copperhead who evaded his attack. Copperhead tries to scratch his chin. Batman dodges it and responds with a punch to her mouth. Copperhead falls backward.
Finally, Batman can feel this battle exciting him. He unexpectedly increases his power, screaming. Chronoa has arrived via teleportation.
Once more, Copperhead tries to harm Batman. With the use of telekinesis, Chronoa halted her and threw her into another room.
Batman feels Chronoa's presence. "You finally came.", Batman said.
"Alfred told me what happened. You aren't looking too good.", Chronoa said as he uses her abilities to cure Batman from the poison.
"You think that pointy-ear lady cured you? My poison, is still inside you and it will remain there as long as you live which won't be very long.", Copperhead said. She rushes toward Batman.
Batman pushes Chronoa away as he engages Copperhead in a fight. This time, Batman has the advantage. He punches her abdomen and throws her to the floor. Batman ties Copperhead's hands.
"You think these ties will hold me?", Copperhead said.
"Maybe not.", Batman said. He tosses Copperhead into one of the shipping crates. "But I'd like to see you get out of this."
"I know where he is, the Joker.", Copperhead claims.
"Tell me."
"He's called the meeting. All the assassins will be there. When you set me free, I'll tell you where."
"Thanks. I owe you one.", Batman said.
"Wait! I can tell you the location."
"You already did.", Batman assured Copperhead. He closes the crate.
"What are you doing!? Set me free!", Copperhead shouted.
Batman locks the crate.
"A poison enchanted with a Saiyan spell.", Chronoa noted. "A deadly combination. It is your sheer willpower that allowed you to overcome her poison.".
"I'm going after the Joker and the assassins.", Batman said.
"Not a good idea.", Chronoa said.
"This is my chance to end them before innocent people get hurt.", Batman said.
"Bruce, you nearly died because of the poison, you know that, right?"
"I've suffered worse.", Batman reminded her.
"When will you acknowledge that you are not invincible?", Chronoa questioned Batman.
Batman didn't answer. He turns and contacts Alfred, "Alfred, send the police an anonymous tip. Tell them to look inside the shipping containers at the Scouter Mill."
"Does that mean you've dealt with Copperhead, sir, and Chronoa cured you from her poison?", Alfred asked.
"Yes. And I'm about to deal with the Joker.", Batman said.
"I don't think that's wise after what you've just been through. You should come back here for medical-"
"Not now, Alfred."
Batman turns, Chronoa is coming to him. "I'm not returning to Wayne Manor till this is over.", he said.
"What is this with you obsessed over the Joker?", Chronoa asked. "It's just a meeting. And you're gonna deal with the toughest assassins there. After taking that poison for five minutes straight, you're not in any shape to fight."
"That's your opinion.", Batman said.
"If I can't stop you, at least take me there to support you.", Chronoa advised.
"Fine.", Batman said.
They both teleport out of Scouter Mill while Copperhead continues to scream for someone to release her from the crate.