Chapter Two:
Madness in Gotham
Crime and corruption had already been the biggest of problems that faced the city for years, but the apocalypse was the tipping point for Gotham City. Madness filled the streets, and purple lightning exploded above, in near conjunction with the echo of mad laughter that carried through the suburbs of Gotham.
Leather-clad criminals ran for it, seeking safety within the darkest of street corners, as T-Pose Zombies glided after them. The crooks gripped the bags full of money and jewels they'd stolen, determined to protect their lives and their horde, no matter the cost.
People swarmed the streets in panicked frenzies, determined to survive the unfolding T-Pose Apocalypse as the ominous visage of the man known as Waluigi made itself known before he grabbed a citizen, converting them into one of his T-Pose goons. A dark breeze floated through every avenue, accompanying the dark atmosphere of the situation.
Radios buzzed madly, brimming with static, and the signal cleared up enough for broadcasters to report what was happening. Every news station within Gotham was in chaos as reporters covered the story, making an effort to do their job despite the worsening insanity.
"We don't know the extent of this T-Pose Zombie pandemic..." One reporter said, "But we advise everyone to remain indoors. The streets are not safe! We repeat, the streets are not safe!"
Within the district near the infamous location known as Crime Alley, a small twister made an appearance. Moments later, a pudgy man in purple and yellow with a swiggly mustache took form, holding a flute in his hand, and he observed the situation with uncertainty. He caught a glimpse of a man being grabbed by a familiar lanky shadow, and his heart thudded intensely.
"Mama mia!" Wario exclaimed, "I didn't think that things in Gotham City would be THIS bad! I better get outta here fast, and maybe let the Batman take care of the situation. Hopefully, a certain whacko won't take advantage of this crisis to cause his own brand of chaos."
Right as lightning exploded near his position, Wario blew the flute and was whisked away by another twister in moments, departing Gotham as the chaos continued on.
Concurrently, a tall man in a purple suit with a white, gaunt face and red lips strolled through the streets, shrieking with laughter as he reveled in the madness. Gotham's prince of crime and number one madman, The Joker, pulled out a remote and tapped the red button, causing a street corner to explode behind him.
"Oh, what a delightful day!" Joker proclaimed, "A wonderful day for chaos! I could live with this type of anarchy, the T-Posing insanity looks so wonderful, and this chaotic atmosphere is right up Joker's Alley baby. And the best part, no Batman to rain on my parade!"
"Out of Arkham again, Joker?"
The Joker looked up, seeing the masked, caped superhero known as the Batman, staring at him with white eyes behind the mask. Batman scowled menacingly and emotionlessly, and the Joker laughed madly.
"Batsy!" The madman cried, "How is it the madness hasn't taken you yet?"
"Even during the apocalypse, there is no rest for Batman." Batman replied, "And I'm not letting you add fuel to the fire, Joker..."
His cape flapped in the breeze, and the Dark Knight ran towards his longtime nemesis. Joker shrieked excitedly, and dashed to meet Batman in battle. In the midst of the apocalypse, two enemies threw hands once more, with Joker drawing a gun. The maniac fired, and the caped crusader ducked, then he struck his nemesis with a punch below the belt.
Joker stumbled in surprise, and laughed when he recovered, then he grabbed Batman's wrist, employing his iconic and infamous hand buzzer. Batman gasped as he felt several dozen volts of electricity shake his body, steam rose from his outfit, and Joker laughed before cuffing him in the jaw. BIFF!
Batman shook off the blow, and blocked Joker's next cuff, then he brought up the leg and kicked the laughing madman in the chest with a well-placed strike. BAFF!
Lightning exploded near their position. BOOM! Batman and Joker were knocked over by the shockwave, and the latter shot his hand up, attempting to slap the Dark Knight across the face. SWIPE!
Batman shot to his feet quickly, and Joker swung his leg in an attempt to knock him back down. SWEEP!
The Dark Knight leaped, avoiding the attack, and the white-faced maniac stood, glaring at Batman with a grin. Batman grabbed him, and shoved Joker onto the sidewalk next to a lamp post. He threw his fist, hitting him under the jaw hard enough to bruise the maniacal terrorist. SOCK!
"You're tough as always, Batman!" Joker mused as he shook off the pain, "But I got more style, more flair. And I'm certainly a better dresser, compared to you with that stupid cowl and that sheet you wear!"
"I can wear more than that, Joker." Batman told him, "You probably never saw me in a business suit..."
Just then, lightning struck the spot where Joker stood, and a vile laugh filled the air. When the dust settled, Batman stood back with surprise to see that the clown prince of crime had become a T-Posing statue with the creepiest of smiles. Before he could comment, Batman felt something hit him, and his vision darkened, his conscious slipping away.
Mad laughter filled his ears, and Batman caught a glimpse of a man with a lanky mustache and a muscular body, all before the Dark Knight succumbed to the spell of the very virus that had just taken The Joker.