Chapter 8: "Gotham Will Die"

Terry was sitting his arms around Max while she worked on her laptop. They were both looking at her screen when the feed was disrupted.

"Oooookay…" Max said, bewildered.

Terry wasn't sure what it was but something, immediately, told him that something was going on. He turned on the television to see nothing but static on every channel. A confirmation of his suspicions, to say the least.

He stood up and walked toward the screen, staring at it intently.

Max kneeled on her couch and looked out of the window. Her eyes went wide. "Terry…" she managed to breathe out in fear.

He looked out of the window and saw, in distance, that the news billboards and even a few standard ones had lost their transmissions as well.

"It's them…" he whispered. "They're doing this."

She looked at him, "How do…" She stopped. Stupid question. "But for what?"

He went back to looking at the television in the apartment. "I'm pretty sure they're gonna tell us… and we're not gonna like it."

Bruce turned the news on to the main screen of the computer to wait for what was coming next. Because he knew something was coming.

He'd been in this game way too long to not recognize the clear signs.

The signs of a clear and present danger.

Commissioner Gordon was in her office with her officers and consultants, watching the same static. Just as Bruce and Terry, she knew trouble when she saw it, even when no one else did.

"Get every cop on the street now," she ordered.

"Ma'am?" Dave asked.

"You heard me! Everyone! Off duty, on duty, I don't care! Get them on the street now and tell them to wear riot gear! Tell them to get ready to move as many people to safety as they can!"

"But s-safety from what?"

She stared at the screen. "We're about to find out."

The static lasted for a few more minutes before the vague, distorted images of King and Shriek came in to view.

"People of Gotham, good evening," the white clad royalty villain greeted. "I am King."

The professor of sound stepped into the shot. "And I am Shriek."

"You may remember us as men that Batman has defeated in the past but those days… are long over."

"As are the days of this city."

"Quite. You see… we realized that Batman isn't the problem, not really, so much as you… all of you are… Gotham City."

"And we have a plan to do something about that. At precisely 2 AM tonight, we will unleash a grand… a magnificent sound wave that will reduce Gotham… to rubble."

"And, now, at this panicked, frightening moment, you may be asking what can you do? What do we want in exchange? The answer is simple."

Shriek chuckled. "Nothing."

"You see, right now, you precious officials think something in your city will sate so we can spare you all form this far. But they are mistaken. Even your police think they can protect you but they are also mistaken. You, Gotham, having absolutely nothing to offer us. We can acquire money and power anywhere."

"We don't want Batman. Not as ransom, anyway. He'll stupidly try to stop us and we look forward to him trying. Since we will kill him as he does."

"And if you are listening, Batman, and…" King chuckled, "let's be honest, of course you are."

"Bring it on."

"At least, try to put forth an effort, anyway. There will be no joy to be had in killing you if you don't struggle. That's why we're giving you the four hours."

"Come and stop us… if you can."

"Yes. Try and be the noble hero."

"It won't end like it has in past. I promise you that. No one walks away from this, Batman, especially not you."

King sighed. "Back to our original audience, Gotham… to sum up, we want nothing from you… but we will TAKE everything from you."

"Call your loved ones, huddle with your families, you can even try to flee the city." Shriek rushed to the front of screen. "IT WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE!"

King came back into view. "Do what you will, citizens. It will avail you nothing. In 4 hours… Gotham. Will. Die."

The transmission cut.

And panic took to the streets.

A/N: O_O I KNOW, RIGHT?!

Also, I know this chapter was short but it accomplished exactly what it was meant to do. And, I have written one-shots shorter than this.

Next Chapter: City in Crisis

With their intentions for his home made painfully clear, Terry prepares to go after his adversaries. Bruce, Max, and Gordon are also dealing with the fallout from the declaration and all prepare for the worse.

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