Garbage

"What the—Bane, what are you doing?!"

The white-masked figure was momentarily stunned by Bane's sudden betrayal. The Talons immediately abandoned their targets and surrounded the hulking figure. The sudden shift in allegiance left Penguin and the others bewildered.

Killer Croc sat down cross-legged, like a child eagerly awaiting a show.

"How dare you?" Bane growled, tossing the Talon's limp body aside.

"Like I said, I owe Batman a favor."

The ludicrous explanation caused the white-masked figure to laugh in disbelief.

"Damn you!" he spat.

"You think I'd fall for such a childish ploy? Have you considered the consequences of betraying the Court of Owls?"

Lincoln March slowly backed away. Damn it, the figure was safe behind a screen, spewing threats while he was left to face Bane's wrath. March realized the Court had never cared for his safety.

You'll pay for this!

"What a shame, Bane. You chose the worst possible time to betray me."

The Talons' bodies began to swell, their uniforms ripping under the strain.

"This is hilarious," the Joker cackled. "Hurry up, I want to see a bloodbath!"

"Me too!" Harley Quinn chimed in, popping her head out of the leafy cocoon Poison Ivy had created. "Why waste time with words? Let's fight until there's nothing left but a bloody mess!"

Poison Ivy promptly silenced her with more vines.

Adam observed the scene, his expression calm. Unseen, the black mist crept towards the fallen Arkham inmates.

With a metallic rasp, the Talons drew their blades.

"A foolish decision, Bane," the white-masked figure declared. "Whatever your reason, you'll soon regret this."

"You still have a chance to apologize."

Bane tilted his head, a gesture that would have been endearing on a child, but on the hulking brute, it was a chilling display of menace.

And there was no doubt that this madness fit Gotham perfectly.

Bane tilted his head for a moment, considering.

"Thanks for the offer," he rumbled. "But I refuse."

"A regrettable decision," the owl-masked figure said. "A suicidal one, in fact. But before the Talons tear out your heart, I must ask, why We've only worked together briefly, but I know you're no hero."

"Don't insult my intelligence with sentimental drivel. I won't believe a word of it. You're an ambitious man, Bane. No different from Falcone or Maroni. The Court offered you a place in our future Gotham."

"How dare you show us such ingratitude?"

Bane remained silent.

The owl-masked man shook his head, turning to the Joker. "And you, you raving lunatic? Surely you're not foolish enough to betray the Court as well—"

"Oh, heavens no!" the Joker cried, clutching his chest theatrically. "Dear Owl Overlord, you wound me with your doubts!"

"Everyone in the underworld knows I, the Joker, am fiercely loyal, to one person."

He paused, his grin widening. "And everyone knows that person is not Batman."

The Joker sauntered up to a Talon, draping an arm around its shoulders. "I finally found a good gig with a boss like the Court of Owls. Wouldn't want to jeopardize that! Hahahaha!"

"Therefore, I must sever ties with Bane! After all, the Court of Owls is my one true ally—"

Swish!

Before he could finish, the Joker's acid flower squirted a stream of corrosive liquid onto the Talon's face. In the same fluid motion, he plunged a knife into the opponent's chest.

The Joker pounced on the Talon, his knife a flurry of motion. Even empowered by Titan venom and electrum, the Talon was a mere wall for the Joker to carve into, his laughter echoing with every thrust.

"Pity," the owl-masked figure sighed.

"How disappointing. All of you, even Batman, choosing to die for such trivial reasons. You're just puppets on a stage, oblivious to the true master of this city."

He spoke slowly, emphasizing each word. "For centuries, the great Court of Owls has held sway over Gotham. Do you understand who you're up against? How dare you—"

"Oh, I dare," Bane interrupted.

"Oh, I dare," Adam whispered in his heart silently.

He worked quickly, infiltrating the minds of the fallen Arkham inmates with his nanites. The microscopic machines burrowed into their brains, swimming towards the center.

The Joker paused mid-stab, a chilling grin spreading across his face. "Oh, my dear Owl, why would you think otherwise? Of course I dare."

Suddenly, the Talons shifted, encircling Scarecrow, the only one who hadn't betrayed the Court.

Scarecrow's eyes widened in alarm.

The owl-masked figure looked at him expectantly.

"No, no, no! Don't misunderstand, Court!" Scarecrow babbled, scrambling to his feet. "I wholeheartedly wish to cooperate! I'm not a complete lunatic like the Joker and Bane!"

"I'm a reasonable man, not like those crazies!"

The Owl-masked man seemed satisfied, noting that Scarecrow hadn't followed the Joker's lead and attacked a Talon.

"A wise choice," he said. "It seems the true ruler of this city has been established. So,"

He snapped his fingers, and the Talons turned their attention to Bane and the others.

"It's time to clean house."

Bane sighed. "Honestly, I planned to squeeze every last bit of usefulness out of you before I turned on you."

"Same here," the Joker chimed in. "After all, useful toys like you don't come along very often."

"Allies with immense financial and political power can often provide, intriguing diversions," Bane continued.

"It's hard not to get excited about such a powerful ally," the Joker added. "Especially when they're a virtually unkillable humanoid weapon that's been around for centuries."

"But the most important point is," Bane began.

"The most infuriating thing is," the Joker finished,

"How dare you, you gutter trash, interfere in our fight?" they said in unison.