The Batmobile, blasting down the many streets and sections of Gotham, made its destination to the Gotham Docks. Like a bolt of lightning, it crashed straight through the front entrance, colliding into some agents on the way, before halting to a stop. Many agents surrounded it, armed to the teeth. The door compartment slid open, but revealing to be no one inside of the cockpit when all of a sudden, circular capsules bolted from the inside small compartments of the Batmobile's wheels. Knockout gas bombs! They soon covered the front area with a thick fog that took out the henchmen within seconds. Batman, equipped with a gas mask, walked casually through the many sleeping bodies that lay on the ground before him. Everything was pitch black, almost impossible to see anything. Pulling out and turning on his flashlight, he kicked down the adjacent door in front of him, marching into what appeared to be the main chamber. The light flashed on conveyor belts, crates of both fireworks and explosives, revealing the entire warehouse to be a factory of some kind.
"Hmmm. Could be a -"
Lights flickered on. Guns cocked. Batman whipped behind him with a batarang ready and saw an entire army of M.A.D. agents dressed in Redcoat uniforms, aiming pistols all over Batman's body.
"Trap."
Batman reluctantly drops his batarang while two agents (Agents Fred and Bruce) grab him from behind. Batman struggles to get free, only to be punched in the ribs by Bruce.
"ATTENTION!"
A voice cried out in military fashion. The agents followed suit, standing up straight and pointing their guns in an overhead position as a figure walked underneath them to Batman. Batman's fists clenched with anger and rage when he saw who it was.
"Hello Batman. Long time no see." Joker said casually. "How do you like my firing squad?"
"Joker."
The Joker was now dressed in what seemed to be a cross between a general and a pirate captain, complete with overcoat, hat, boots, and a strap-on holster w/rapier.
"How have you been? Still living in that dark, depressing cave of yours? Oh, you're not still sore about our last get-together, are you?"
Batman growls angrily under his breath.
"Oh, good. Glad to hear it. Well, as you can see I've kept myself busy – "
"What? Taking orders as a flunky? From what I recall, you've never been much of a team player, Joker." Batman stated sarcastically.
"Oooh…You're just really asking for it aren't you, Bats?! Well, I'd be happy to comply. I didn't get to finish my last torture on that girl, I was tragically cut short."
Batman's eyes widened with shock and alarm.
"Girl?"
"Hmmm? Oh, just some unruly brat with blonde ponytails. Brave little thing she was…and spunky too. But don't worry, I broke her good. HEHEHE."
"You…tortured…an…innocent…child…How…Even for you…Why…WHY?!" Batman uttered, barely able to control his anger.
"Why not? It's on my resume. Would you like a copy?"
Batman then leapt forward, amidst Fred and Bruce's hold on him, and sucker-punched Joker hard in the jaw, belting him across the face. The force was enough to knock him off his feet and onto the ground. The agents forced Batman back as Joker slowly got off the ground, rubbing his jaw.
"Ow. You chipped my tooth, idiot." Joker asked.
He then belts Batman across the cheek, which only feeds his anger more.
"I've had enough of this. Men, to your stations!"
Bruce and Fred force Batman back more and throw him against a wall. The agents line up in two straight lines and aim their guns at Batman. Joker carefully walks up to Batman with a piece of white cloth.
"Blindfold?"
No response.
"How about a cigar for the road up ahead?"
No response. Batman glares at him. Yielding, Joker steps back and pulls out his rapier to signal the attack.
"Ready men? Ready…Aim…F – "
"STAND DOWN!"
"Can't I have ANY FUN?!" Joker shouted.
The lights went out. A thick fog rolled into the room. A hole in the ground opened to reveal an opening and a figure clothed in black rose up from beneath the floor. The lights came back up, but due to heavy shadows reflected from the bright lights, his face and body were covered in darkness, save only his metallic hands. Everyone gasped, even Batman to his surprise, at the sight of the man. The agents in synchronized motion placed their fist to the side of their head for a salute.
"So we finally meet, Dark Knight."
"Dr. Claw, I presume." Batman stated.
"Welcome…for the time being at least. I must say I find your city's atmosphere and dealings quite satisfactory to my liking. It is a pity it will have to waste away so suddenly."
"By wiping out Gotham's existence by creating a nuclear holocaust with the fireworks display tonight?"
"Clever deduction. Must be why they call you the world's greatest detective."
"You dictators are all alike with your ultimate dream of world domination. Our asylum is full of people like that. People who think they are above the law, cannot be toppled or overthrown. Like God."
"You persist in trying to aggravate me. I could've had you killed just recently."
"Then why didn't you?" Batman asked angrily.
"For a man of your skill and dedication, you deserve something greater. Something noble. A duel between titans."