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Chapter 119: Batman Retires
On October 19, 2022, by the Great Demon Spirit
The Gotham City Police Department announced that Gotham City's Knight of Justice, Harvey, had bravely sacrificed his life in a heroic struggle against criminals.
This caused a huge sensation in Gotham City. Many people were stunned: how could that upright and good police officer just die like that? Gotham City's conscience, a rare sight in centuries, just suddenly leave them? "It must be a joke! He was still supposed to lead us in fighting crime." Many initially thought it was a joke when they heard the news. Harvey had endured through the toughest times, so how could he suddenly die just as the Joker was caught?
They couldn't accept this outcome. With the Police and Wayne Enterprises openly and subtly promoting the narrative, too many people believed in Harvey.
Many people who were directly or indirectly saved by Harvey, or who had received his protection, spontaneously held memorials in their homes or left their houses to pray for him at churches.
To commemorate the Knight of Justice, who hadn't appeared in centuries, the Gotham City Police Department took the lead, with people from all walks of life coming to mourn.
A solemn memorial service was held in the lobby of the Gotham City Police Department. Many people came spontaneously, finding seats in silence, looking up sadly at the large photo of Harvey hanging on the wall ahead.
“A hero is not a hero we deserve, but a hero we need, shining like a knight…”
…
On a tall building far from the Gotham City Police Department, Batman stood at the very top, enduring the drizzling rain, utterly silent. Occasionally, a gust of wind would blow, mixing with the cold rainwater and dampening his body, but Batman remained unmoved, merely gazing into the distance at the memorial service in prolonged silence.
No one would ever know that Harvey was no longer the Harvey people recognized; he had become an extreme madman, cruelly killing many people, and was ultimately killed by Batman himself.
This would be a secret forever buried in the history of Gotham City.
A buzzing sound suddenly started, rising from low to high, from far to near, reaching the top of the building at an astonishing speed, meeting Batman's gaze.
“The Joker said you either become a hero, or you become a villain to live longer. Looks like you've made your decision… By the way, what kind of weird habit is this? You won't land unless you find the tallest building nearby…”
Tony, holding a flight device, flew directly to the rooftop of the tall building and met Batman's gaze, talking and complaining at the same time.
He was leaving, and before he did, Tony felt he should meet Batman one last time, if only to see him off. The person he supported had already entered the mayoral race for the next term, and with his and the Court of Owls' efforts, it would surely succeed without any surprises.
“Some things Harvey couldn't do, but I can, like becoming a villain. Harvey, from beginning to end, was the person in the public's perception.” From beneath the dark mask, Batman stared at Tony with sharp, yet somewhat dulled, eyes.
Too many things had happened these past days, and even Batman, with his strong mental fortitude, felt waves of exhaustion.
“So you're taking everything upon yourself? Just because Gotham City needs you to be a criminal, you're willing to become the kind of person you despise the most?” Tony pointed to the earpiece on his ear. Commissioner Gordon had officially announced that starting today, the Police would launch a full-scale manhunt for Batman because Batman was responsible for all this horror.
From now on, the Dark Knight is Gotham City's most wanted criminal.
Batman stood like an immortal stone sculpture, silent. He pressed his lips together, refusing to say another word. Although he had lost miserably to the Joker, at least he had chosen the way he lost.
Tony sighed helplessly and jumped directly from the small aircraft onto the rooftop. The small aircraft immediately transformed into a tiny Transformer, playing around on the rooftop.
Sometimes, Tony truly couldn't understand the thoughts of some superheroes. They would rather define themselves as the most hateful criminals than destroy the magnificent image of true criminals in the public's mind. But it had to be said, this was what Batman was supposed to do; otherwise, he wouldn't be Batman.
He knew it was foolish, knew it was another form of hypocrisy, knew the consequences and outcome of doing so, yet he still did it. Superheroes, sometimes they are an incorrigibly stupid bunch, but it must be said, they are also a necessary group of people.
Tony couldn't accept this approach, but that didn't stop him from respecting the person who made such a choice.
“So, you've made up your mind? Just waiting for Gordon to smash the Bat-Signal that summons you, and then, as many Dark Factions hope… retire?”
Tony scratched his head, thought for a moment, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, and took a deep, satisfying drag. Then he politely offered the pack to Batman — yes, Tony swore, who the hell didn't know Batman didn't smoke, that it would cause some damage to his strong body? He really was just doing it out of some human courtesy.
Batman stared at the pack of cigarettes, pondered for a long time, then looked up at Tony and actually took it.
“I will retire, because this city needs me to be a criminal,” Batman said in a hoarse, heavy voice.
The cigarette in Tony's mouth dropped to the ground. He stared blankly at Batman, rubbed his eyes, a look of utter disbelief on his face. The emphasis was all wrong, wasn't it? You're the Dark Knight, a mortal man, how can you take my cigarette?!
Batman smoking?! This is huge news. If Tony made a call now, countless media outlets would swarm in.
“You're not trying to collect my fingerprints, are you? Or trying to find my skin flakes on it to clone me, to deal with me in the future?” Tony looked suspicious, thinking he had guessed Batman's sinister intentions.
Batman held the cigarette, raised it to his eyes, and stared at Tony through the cigarette pack.
“Batman has retired, but my eyes will be fixed on you. No matter where you go, I will be watching you closely, Tony. Stop committing crimes, stop killing!” Batman said.
“Who has the time to contend with a retired guy like you? I'm leaving Gotham City soon; I have more important things to do… Hey, hey, aren't you going to consider giving me back my cigarette?” Tony still yearned for his cigarette.
The Dark Knight snorted coldly, shoved the cigarette into his armor, turned, and spread his arms. His enormous cape billowed in the wind as he glided through the sky, leaving the city's final Bat-silhouette.
From then on, there was no more Batman; the people of Gotham City had lost him.
But Tony knew this was nonsense. Batman wanted to retire, but how many years could he stay retired? Even if he didn't want to move, Tony would certainly pull Mr. Wayne out to act as a strong arm to protect Earth—that's a grand enough request, isn't it?
(end of chapter)
On October 19, 2022, by the Great Demon Spirit
The Gotham City Police Department announced that Gotham City's Knight of Justice, Harvey, had bravely sacrificed his life in a heroic struggle against criminals.
This caused a huge sensation in Gotham City. Many people were stunned: how could that upright and good police officer just die like that? Gotham City's conscience, a rare sight in centuries, just suddenly leave them? "It must be a joke! He was still supposed to lead us in fighting crime." Many initially thought it was a joke when they heard the news. Harvey had endured through the toughest times, so how could he suddenly die just as the Joker was caught?
They couldn't accept this outcome. With the Police and Wayne Enterprises openly and subtly promoting the narrative, too many people believed in Harvey.
Many people who were directly or indirectly saved by Harvey, or who had received his protection, spontaneously held memorials in their homes or left their houses to pray for him at churches.
To commemorate the Knight of Justice, who hadn't appeared in centuries, the Gotham City Police Department took the lead, with people from all walks of life coming to mourn.
A solemn memorial service was held in the lobby of the Gotham City Police Department. Many people came spontaneously, finding seats in silence, looking up sadly at the large photo of Harvey hanging on the wall ahead.
“A hero is not a hero we deserve, but a hero we need, shining like a knight…”
…
On a tall building far from the Gotham City Police Department, Batman stood at the very top, enduring the drizzling rain, utterly silent. Occasionally, a gust of wind would blow, mixing with the cold rainwater and dampening his body, but Batman remained unmoved, merely gazing into the distance at the memorial service in prolonged silence.
No one would ever know that Harvey was no longer the Harvey people recognized; he had become an extreme madman, cruelly killing many people, and was ultimately killed by Batman himself.
This would be a secret forever buried in the history of Gotham City.
A buzzing sound suddenly started, rising from low to high, from far to near, reaching the top of the building at an astonishing speed, meeting Batman's gaze.
“The Joker said you either become a hero, or you become a villain to live longer. Looks like you've made your decision… By the way, what kind of weird habit is this? You won't land unless you find the tallest building nearby…”
Tony, holding a flight device, flew directly to the rooftop of the tall building and met Batman's gaze, talking and complaining at the same time.
He was leaving, and before he did, Tony felt he should meet Batman one last time, if only to see him off. The person he supported had already entered the mayoral race for the next term, and with his and the Court of Owls' efforts, it would surely succeed without any surprises.
“Some things Harvey couldn't do, but I can, like becoming a villain. Harvey, from beginning to end, was the person in the public's perception.” From beneath the dark mask, Batman stared at Tony with sharp, yet somewhat dulled, eyes.
Too many things had happened these past days, and even Batman, with his strong mental fortitude, felt waves of exhaustion.
“So you're taking everything upon yourself? Just because Gotham City needs you to be a criminal, you're willing to become the kind of person you despise the most?” Tony pointed to the earpiece on his ear. Commissioner Gordon had officially announced that starting today, the Police would launch a full-scale manhunt for Batman because Batman was responsible for all this horror.
From now on, the Dark Knight is Gotham City's most wanted criminal.
Batman stood like an immortal stone sculpture, silent. He pressed his lips together, refusing to say another word. Although he had lost miserably to the Joker, at least he had chosen the way he lost.
Tony sighed helplessly and jumped directly from the small aircraft onto the rooftop. The small aircraft immediately transformed into a tiny Transformer, playing around on the rooftop.
Sometimes, Tony truly couldn't understand the thoughts of some superheroes. They would rather define themselves as the most hateful criminals than destroy the magnificent image of true criminals in the public's mind. But it had to be said, this was what Batman was supposed to do; otherwise, he wouldn't be Batman.
He knew it was foolish, knew it was another form of hypocrisy, knew the consequences and outcome of doing so, yet he still did it. Superheroes, sometimes they are an incorrigibly stupid bunch, but it must be said, they are also a necessary group of people.
Tony couldn't accept this approach, but that didn't stop him from respecting the person who made such a choice.
“So, you've made up your mind? Just waiting for Gordon to smash the Bat-Signal that summons you, and then, as many Dark Factions hope… retire?”
Tony scratched his head, thought for a moment, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, and took a deep, satisfying drag. Then he politely offered the pack to Batman — yes, Tony swore, who the hell didn't know Batman didn't smoke, that it would cause some damage to his strong body? He really was just doing it out of some human courtesy.
Batman stared at the pack of cigarettes, pondered for a long time, then looked up at Tony and actually took it.
“I will retire, because this city needs me to be a criminal,” Batman said in a hoarse, heavy voice.
The cigarette in Tony's mouth dropped to the ground. He stared blankly at Batman, rubbed his eyes, a look of utter disbelief on his face. The emphasis was all wrong, wasn't it? You're the Dark Knight, a mortal man, how can you take my cigarette?!
Batman smoking?! This is huge news. If Tony made a call now, countless media outlets would swarm in.
“You're not trying to collect my fingerprints, are you? Or trying to find my skin flakes on it to clone me, to deal with me in the future?” Tony looked suspicious, thinking he had guessed Batman's sinister intentions.
Batman held the cigarette, raised it to his eyes, and stared at Tony through the cigarette pack.
“Batman has retired, but my eyes will be fixed on you. No matter where you go, I will be watching you closely, Tony. Stop committing crimes, stop killing!” Batman said.
“Who has the time to contend with a retired guy like you? I'm leaving Gotham City soon; I have more important things to do… Hey, hey, aren't you going to consider giving me back my cigarette?” Tony still yearned for his cigarette.
The Dark Knight snorted coldly, shoved the cigarette into his armor, turned, and spread his arms. His enormous cape billowed in the wind as he glided through the sky, leaving the city's final Bat-silhouette.
From then on, there was no more Batman; the people of Gotham City had lost him.
But Tony knew this was nonsense. Batman wanted to retire, but how many years could he stay retired? Even if he didn't want to move, Tony would certainly pull Mr. Wayne out to act as a strong arm to protect Earth—that's a grand enough request, isn't it?
(end of chapter)
