"Give me a break. Look at you, wearing that ridiculous mask and showing off that monster jaw. What are you even fighting for?"
The Joker patted himself down and rose from the floor, looking at Batman with a hint of anticipation. At the same time, he raised a hand and gave orders to the Joker gang members.
"You're alive..." Batman looked at the Joker, his confusion practically written across his face. But that was no reason to let the Joker go.
"Of course. I... ah, woke up not in Hell, but in a cold cabinet. You know, one of those jars full of sticky liquid."
The Joker explained in all seriousness, looking a little unhinged. Then again, he had always been insane. What sane person would do things like this?
Batman glanced sideways at the Joker gang members, who were holding hammers, clubs, and small round tables snatched up as improvised weapons.
Batman stopped waiting and attacked the Joker at once. As long as he took the Joker down, the truth behind everything would become clear.
"What an impatient guy. I thought you'd reminisce with me for a while," the Joker said helplessly.
The moment Batman threw his first punch, the Joker twisted aside and dodged it, as if he had merely happened to turn around. Though he really had been turning around—the timing had simply been perfect.
The Joker pressed his palm against Batman's abdomen and grinned wildly. "I think you'll like this. After all, this was how we met for the first time!!!"
A powerful current surged from the Joker's palm. Batman tried to retreat quickly, but the instant he lifted his foot, a stabbing pain tore through his abdomen, accompanied by the smell of scorched flesh.
It felt as though someone had been torturing him with a