"I'm not a Gothamite."
The first rule of Shiller's spiel: nine parts true, one part false, or nine parts false, one part true.
"I come from a very far-off place. I met with Batman because we undertook cross-cosmos travel simultaneously."
"The distance to that place is beyond the imagination of time and space, inaccessible by any conventional means. The reason why I appear here, naturally, is due to Batman's invitation."
Peter's voice echoed in the empty lower level of the Batcave. Batman remained silent because he, too, wanted to know what Peter's plan was all about.
However, he would soon regret this decision due to the second rule of Shiller's spiel: anyone can be wrong, but it's never me.
The reason Batman made this decision was naturally due to his own plan in mind, and Batman's carefully crafted plots always started with Joker's conspiracies.
Peter's brain was spinning rapidly, linking up every clue he knew, adding his own understanding, speculation and imagination.
Because of the third rule of Shiller's spiel: it must be rigorous and exciting.
"Before I came here, this city had just experienced chaos. The main culprit was, of course, the notorious Super Villain Joker. He had gotten a poison called Titan Poison and claimed to use it to destroy Gotham."
But nobody except Batman knew that his high-profile actions were merely a cover for another evil plot.
As expected, the three people in the cage furrowed their brows. Jason was unaware that he was leaning forward, listening to Peter's words with an overly focused demeanor.
Peter let out a small sigh of relief. Indeed, the fourth rule of Shiller's spiel proved useful: not to lie, but simply change the narrative to create enough suspense.
"This evil plot against Batman didn't begin a few months ago, but started approximately a year ago."
Peter stared at Jason's face, Jason looked confused under his gaze. Peter lowered his voice and said, "Joker needs a knife to slash the hard Bat Armor, to cause real psychological damage to Batman."
"He knew that Batman has an incredibly strong willpower. Ordinary disasters can't break his iron-wall-like mental defense. Then Joker had only one option left—take away a father's child."
"The chosen one has to meet the following characteristics: close relationship with Batman, always at Batman's side, insufficient vigilance, unstable mental state."
Jason glared at Peter. He knew that Peter was talking about him. Just as he was about to retort, Peter interrupted him.
"Actually, it doesn't matter if these characteristics aren't met. Whoever strays from the warm and safe nest is the unlucky one."
Jason shut his mouth.
How could he not have regrets? In a huff, he left not only without any weapons, but even without his communicator and beacon. It was more than running away from home without any money. He didn't even have clothes on.
"Joker had his way." Peter lifted his head slightly and said, "But he would always get his way. As long as he waited long enough, there will inevitably be careless young men making mistakes."
The intense feelings that had just surged in Jason's heart softened a bit. He felt that Peter made sense.
If his abduction was indeed a long-plotted scheme by the Joker, then if it wasn't him, it would be someone else. A thief can steal for a thousand days, but he can't prevent theft for a thousand days.
Batman's eyebrows furrowed slightly. He did have some understanding of Joker's certain plots, but he hadn't linked Jason's disappearance with other events at that time.
"The assistant disappeared, and Batman would definitely find him." At this point, Peter had a brainwave and linked another event to the narrative he was telling.
"Joker, of course, wouldn't let Batman find his missing assistant. He would hide him well, but at the same time, he would let Batman find some others—some bomb victims he had buried a long time ago, those infected with the Joker Virus."
"This wasn't abrupt at all. While Batman was on the search for Robin, he accidentally discovered some mentally ill patients with unknown diseases. After the analysis, he found out that their symptoms had some similarity to a certain side of Joker."
"Whether or not it has something to do with Joker, Batman would take it seriously, so he took them. It fell right into Joker's trap."
Batman wasn't surprised by this analysis. He never shied away from suspecting Joker's plots in the worst way. Anything seemingly accidental in their confrontations might be a careful arrangement. They both put themselves in each other's shoes, naturally plausible.
"Batman brought these patients back to the base. However, he couldn't do anything to them. Although they had been infected with Joker's virus, they were still victims. Batman would not use any inhumane means to treat them."
"But he also couldn't solve the problem of the Joker Virus, or he could, but it would take time. Joker wouldn't give Batman time. The Titan Virus project was launched."
Jason frowned deeply, realizing there was a subtext he never thought to consider that seemed to persistently surround this city, affecting everyone.
"Joker purposely caused an uproar. To prevent Joker from manufacturing more evil criminals using the Titan Virus, or to plunge this city into unrighteousness, Batman had to choose to stop Joker's actions first."
"Then came the biggest trap—Joker died."
Penguin and Scarecrow both furrowed their brows. Penguin raised his eyebrows, just about to ridicule, Scarecrow, holding the bars of the prison, said, "I was wondering then, that guy wouldn't die so easily. There is a certain virus inside him with a very peculiar property."
"So when I heard of his death, I specifically went to look for his ashes, hoping to extract that virus," And he said.
"Of course you wouldn't get it, because the virus has already migrated." Peter sighed, half-hypothesizing: "There can be many Joker viruses, but there can only be one Joker."
"Conversely, any carrier of the Joker virus could potentially turn into the Joker."
"So the Joker has prepared several virus-infected bodies for his resurrection," the Penguin Man said with some surprise: "Why all this detour? Either never die from the start or what's the point of resurrecting after death?"
"Those infected with the Joker virus are indeed his prepared bodies, but not his optimal choice." Peter stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and looked at Batman.
The expressions on Batman's faces made everyone present understand that their current guess was correct.
"Batman is the body that the Joker most wishes to resurrect in."
Jason felt suffocated for a moment, then a larger fear attacked him. He rushed to the railing, grabbed it with both hands, and looked at Batman, asking, "Is he inside you? You can see him, can't you? That's why you knew I... I..."
Seeing Jason's heartbroken eyes, Batman slowly nodded, and looked to the darkness behind Jason. A pale hand was reaching out there, continuously tracing the letter on Jason's face.
Batman also clearly felt the urge to do the same.
Jason closed his eyes in agony, the fingers grabbing the railing began to show signs of blood loss.
"What did you say?" The Scarecrow spoke unbelievably: "The Joker wants to resurrect inside Batman? He's insane…"
"Don't you want to?" Peter hit the nail on the head.
The Scarecrow was left without a response.
Penguin Man's eyes turned a bit, he cleared his throat and said, "We all know how powerful Batman is, but we would not choose to do this because we know that only Batman would remain if we entered Batman's body."
"But for the Joker, it may not be the case, so it's worth trying, but the conditions are not sufficient." Peter shook his head: "To defeat Batman at the mental level, mere virus infection is not enough, he needs at least a twenty percent auxiliary."
"First of all, fear gas." Peter snapped his fingers and pointed to the Scarecrow: "This is also a method that can affect one's spirit, break one's will, and give the Joker a greater advantage at the psychological level."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Scarecrow raised his voice: "It was me who infected Batman with fear gas, what does it have to do with the Joker?"
"How do you know it's not under his influence?" Peter spread his hands: "Why can't the disaster you started be a knife that the Joker planned long ago to stab Batman with?"
"How could it?!" Scarecrow roared: "It was my plan, and I executed it…"
"Stop giving yourself credit." Penguin Man mocked: "Isn't it often when you're used by that maniac? How many times have you dressed others in bridal garments?"
"Besides, did you execute the plan by yourself? With your rundown lab, or your arms, two of which twisted together are still not as thick as Batman's eyelashes?"
The Scarecrow glared at Penguin Man.
"Anyway, the disaster of the fear gas must have been expected by the Joker. As I said, it was only sooner or later. As long as he is willing to wait, there will always be such a day."
Peter continued: "The Fear Gas puts internal pressure on Batman while the destruction of Gotham City puts external pressure on him."
"Using the memories of a tormented Batman helper as a knife, with help from continued pressures from various sides, the Joker's goal is to torment Batman."
"If Batman's spirit collapses, then the Joker can complete his rebirth on him, and if he doesn't collapse immediately, then the Joker will keep disturbing and tormenting him, preventing him from focusing on real-world disasters until the day he makes a mistake."
"In this city, disasters are endless, and pressures are endless. No matter how tough a strain is, there will be a day when it will be worn out. Batman understands this clearly as well."
"So what's the solution?" Peter asked, applying Shiller's fifth rule of fabrication: Speak less truth and ask more questions, for the best answer lies in others' imaginations.
Penguin man gave a cold snort: "Of course, he has a way to solve it. He has a room full of poor souls infected with the Joker virus. As long as one of them resurrects as the Joker, wouldn't Batman's crisis be resolved?"
"You fool, you have only thought of the first level." Scarecrow immediately took the opportunity to mock: "Will the Joker not have thought of this? He wants Batman to do this."
"Kill others to save oneself." Scarecrow gave a cold laugh and said: "If Batman really did so, he wouldn't be known as a superhero or the Dark Knight anymore. Just get out of here and go to Arkham Asylum."
Jason's Adam's apple moved, he looked up at Batman, firmly believing that Batman would not do so.
"Of course Batman didn't do that." Peter confirmed.
Just as Jason let down his guard, Peter dragged out his words to continue.
"In fact, as early as the Joker's first move, Batman already had a foolproof plan, and when I, the final piece of the puzzle, arrived here, the plan could finally begin."
"Weeks ago, under Batman's orders, I kidnapped Black Mask and obtained evidence of Penguin Man's frequent illicit dealings with the military."
Shiller's sixth law of fabrication: Never say something that isn't astonishing.
The Penguin Man's eyes bulged as he looked at Peter, with Batman casting a dissatisfied glance at him too.
Peter instantly recovered, stood his ground against the pressure, and continued to speak fluently as though stating facts.
"After I kidnapped Black Mask, I learned from him that Penguin Man had bribed the manager of a certain military warehouse in New Jersey State. This allowed him to acquire large amounts of military equipment at a low price."
"Obviously, the military didn't know about the trades. However, I got the contact information of the manager's immediate supervisor from Black Mask."
Like someone who had just remembered something, Penguin Man stood in place, trembling slightly as his gaze directed towards Batman.
"Scarecrow's act of burying the fear gas couldn't deceive Batman. He let me find some spots where the fear gas was hidden, however, he didn't act immediately because he had a better solution for this calamity."
Scarecrow also opened his eyes wide. He turned to look at Batman, as if realizing something as well.
"Did you bomb Gotham?!"
"Did you anaesthetize the Gothamites?!"
The two shouted these incredulous questions in unison.
Peter simply nodded his head in response.
"First of all, Batman granted me full access to Bat Computer, allowing me to simultaneously use Bat System and Oracle System to hack into almost all electronic devices in Gotham."
"He then found Poison Ivy, who was kidnapped by Scarecrow, and handed her over to me. Under his guidance, Poison Ivy and I arrived at Wayne Tower's Weather Control Center."
"Poison Ivy inputted a specially concocted plant toxin into the control center's main frame which I activated, anesthetizing everyone in Gotham."
Peter turned to the Scarecrow and said: "Fear gas can only stimulate the violent factors within people when they are conscious, leading them to attack indiscriminately and cause enormous chaos."
"All we had to do was to first anesthetize everyone in Gotham, regardless of how much fear gas you exploded, it would have no effect."
The Scarecrow was completely flabbergasted. Like someone who had suddenly awakened, he began screaming while he hit the railings: "Do you even hear the nonsense you're spouting?!"
"In order to prevent the Gothamites from inhaling the fear gas and causing chaos, you attack Gotham with a weather weapon to anaesthetize everyone?!!"
He was yelling at Batman.
Technically, Batman could clear the air, however, he is typically bad at explaining, this applies to the Batman Family members, let alone adversaries.
He continued to look at Peter disapprovingly.
Shiller's seventh law of fabrication: Create your own narrative and let others rant.
So, Peter continued, "But that was actually only the first step of Batman's plan; he knew I was capable of doing so much more."
The expressions on others' faces could collectively be summarized as—an ace?
"A minor detour," Peter added as if he suddenly remembered. "At the onset of the calamity, Batman contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and informed them about the terrorists who were spreading the gas had been using military vehicles within this city stricken by disaster."
Peter walked over to a side table, picked up a remote, and pressed a button. An image was displayed on the screen, and Penguin Man instantly recognized it as a part of a military vehicle.
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the best candidate to keep the military in check." Peter shrugged, walked over to the front of Penguin Man's cell, and knocked on the bars. "The Federal Bureau of Investigation has already got hold of the unique military vehicle identification. Who do you think, Mr. Oswald, will be found responsible after Amanda Waller reports this to Congress?"
Penguin Man was shocked and opened his mouth wide. He choked out a cough, then rushed to the bars, desperately reaching out in an attempt to grab Peter.
Peter neatly sidestepped him. Penguin Man, filled with sorrow and anger, gripped the bars tightly and yelled at the unmoving Batman beside him.
"Batman, you broke the rules of the game. You can't do this to me. I'll be hunted down by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the military. I'll be hauled off to Florence Prison!"
"Don't you know how ruthless that crazy woman Amanda Waller is?! My enemies won't leave me alone! I'll die in prison! Batman, how could you be so despicable?!"
Batman wanted to say he didn't do it, but the stark contrast between Penguin Man's current pale demeanor and his smug look at the Mayor's banquet was so pleasing to Batman that he observed it for a second longer than intended, causing him to miss the prime opportunity for a retort.
"Oh, I've forgotten." Peter continued. "Batman has long been dissatisfied with the corrupt officials in the military and even having the Federal Bureau of Investigation annoy them in Congress won't assuage his anger."
"So he also contacted the military and informed them that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had already obtained the evidence of their crimes. Can you guess what the military, given prior warning that trouble is brewing, would do?"
Penguin Man was completely frozen in place.
"Yes, a missile was launched, but Batman had long prepared an anti-missile system—not exactly an anti-missile system per se—but he set up missile decoys around the long-vacated Wayne Manor."
Penguin Man's round face had gone pale to the point that it could be described as completely white. Screaming in terror, he staggered back a few steps, shaking his head. "You're crazy, Batman. You're crazy!"
"The American military openly bombs Bruce Wayne's home! Do you realize this could start a world war?!"
Just as Batman was about to speak, he was cut off by Peter. He had been supposed to control the narrative for too many years, and as a result, the lead-in to his response was too long and was successfully intercepted by Peter.
"Of course, it's not as serious as that. You know that Bruce Wayne is a businessman, so perhaps he would choose to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and confront the military in Congress."
"Where are they spending the military funds they receive every year? Buying equipment low to sell to terrorists and a bunch of missiles to bomb the world's wealthiest man."
"But perhaps Wayne could also choose to ally with the military. Where did the Federal Bureau of Investigation use all their generous subsidies? They sat idly by while the city was in crisis, and yet were quick to forge evidence to frame their colleagues."
"Despicable! Batman, you're a lowly villain!" The Penguin was grinding his teeth, although he couldn't directly name Batman as Bruce Wayne, he still furiously said, "Isn't it enough for Wayne Enterprises to seize all the legitimate businesses?! You can't undermine my deal with them!"
"This is my business! Batman! Mine!!"
The Penguin's eyes burned bright red, he dared not imagine what a sunny and cheerful fat man he would be if he managed to seize the reins from both sides.
Peter was still fanning the flames.
"No, no, no, business does not involve personal feelings. Mr. Penguin, Batman certainly predicted that you would employ all sorts of methods to sabotage Wayne Enterprises' next strategic move, so..."
Peter waved his hand in front of the Penguin, then he pointed at his own chest.
The Penguin suddenly looked like a choked chicken, and cold sweat dampened his back again.
"Wayne Enterprises can't get involved in black-market business; they are a legitimate enterprise, aren't they, Mr. Oswald?"
The Penguin was stunned for a moment, swallowed, then looked tentatively towards Batman, uncertain if Peter's words meant what he thought they did.
Now Batman held the whip hand over both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the military; the Penguin could imagine that both sides would do whatever it took to earn Batman's support.
Of course, everyone knew Batman was Bruce Wayne. This was taken for granted in their current conversation, Batman included.
The means by which the military and Federal Bureau would vie for Batman's support would certainly not be overt. A nod was as good as a wink.
But then Peter said that Wayne Enterprises couldn't get involved in black-market business, implying that they did not aim to personally participate in shadowy financial transactions.
Consequently, it was well known that the most common strategy of the shadow government that controlled America was to wear a black glove on the left hand and a white one on the right.
"No, no, no, no way..."
The Penguin looked at Batman incredulously, unsure whether he had just received a job offer from Batman.
Had this blockhead finally caught on?
Had he finally tired of playing in his baby playground and decided to take some adult measures to save Gotham?
The Penguin immediately switched to professional mode, adhering to a strict code of silence.
He couldn't afford to offend Batman, or the shadowy powers behind America.
Besides, the Penguin started to calculate inwardly, this was a great piece of business; how much profit could be skimmed from playing the role of Wayne Enterprises' black glove?
What about those two capsules in his lungs?
No problem. If this deal could be made, you could stuff two pounds of them in there. All hail the glorious return of the great Emperor Bruce Wayne to his loyal Gotham.
"What riddles are you two playing at?" the Scarecrow snapped impatiently. "I just want to know what the hell is going on!"
The Penguin immediately stepped sideways, looking at the chemistry professor who lacked any business sense with disdain, distancing himself through his attitude to avoid appearing unprofessional.
"Oh, and you, Mr. Scarecrow, you don't think that Mr. Arkham Knight is sincerely trying to help you, do you?"
Peter turned to the Scarecrow and said, "Can you guess how Batman located your position so quickly and relentlessly pursued you?"
The Scarecrow was stunned.
He then turned to Jason with an angry glare, rushed to the side of the cage and banged on the bars, "You're in league with him! You damned..."
Before the Scarecrow could finish his curse, Peter interrupted him and said, "Of course, he didn't know it, because Batman's method of locating you was a bit novel."
Jason watched Peter motionlessly.
Peter covered his mouth with his hand and coughed gently twice.
Jason heard a voice in his mind.
"Hello, human, I am the Godtar Red Bee from Klinter Star, you can call me the symbiont, I think you've heard my voice before, haven't you?"
Jason staggered backwards into a corner of the wall. He looked around in disbelief, not knowing what was talking to him.
Wait a second. This voice, wasn't it familiar?
Who had said to him before "You forgot"?
"Yes, I am the parasitic species, currently inside your body. I have reviewed your memories. I was the one who operated your communication device to call Batman after you passed out."
Jason was dumbfounded.
As he recovered his senses, he fixed his gaze on Batman, drew a deep breath, and roared with a hint of horror in his voice.
"Batman!!!!!!!!"