Disclaimer: I don't own Batman Beyond, or any of the characters therein. I certainly don't own Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, though I do have a copy of it on DVD (technically two, both the cut and uncut versions).
I don't own the particular definition, I got that from:
http/education.
I found it and thought it rather fitting.
If there are any major spelling mistakes, tell me. I couldn't get anyone to read over it first.
nightmare:
1. A dream arousing feelings of intense fear, horror, and distress.
2. An event or experience that is intensely distressing.
3. A demon or spirit once thought to plague sleeping people.
Prologue: The Nightmare
Barbara had finally managed to climb her way out of the pit. She knew that she had to get back to the operating theater, to help Batman.
Possibly to stop Batman.
In all her years as Batgirl, Barbara had never known Batman to cross the line. But after what the Joker had done to Tim, Barbara wasn't sure if Bruce would recognize the line.
Wasn't sure if he would cross it.
Wasn't sure if she would stop him.
And the she heard the shot. Despite the rain and the thunder, and the voice screaming in her head that this was not real, this couldn't be real, she heard the shot. And she ran faster than she ever had in her life.
She burst through the doors. The Joker was standing beside Robin, one had on the boy's shoulder. Batman lying on his side, his back to Barbara, about ten yards away from her. Ignoring both the Joker and Robin, who were laughing, Batgirl ran over to Batman and turned him over onto his back.
The Joker and Robin's laughter didn't drown-out Barbara's scream as she saw what had happened to Batman-
With a start, Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon jerked awake, stifling a scream. Beside her in bed, her husband Sam mumbled something in his sleep but did not wake up.
As quietly as she dared, Barbara got out of bed, went into the bathroom, and turned-on the sink. Splashing the running water onto her face, she looked at herself in the mirror and shook her head.
It was only a nightmare, nothing more.
Barbara went back to bed, but she didn't sleep that night.
to be continued...