CHAPTER 120

[Jason Todd's POV] 

It's almost been a year since I returned from the dead, shedding my former identity as Robin and embracing a darker, more relentless persona. As Robin, I was bound by rules and limitations, forced to play the role of a hero. But now, as Red Hood, I was free from those constraints. And I have to admit, it felt liberating.

There were moments when I found myself wrestling with conflicting thoughts, wondering if the Lazarus Pit had tainted my soul, leaving me with an insatiable desire to kill without remorse. Or perhaps, this was the true essence of who I was all along.

The fact that Bruce still allowed that madman, Joker, to breathe infuriated me. If it had been Bruce who had been killed, I would have scoured every inch of this city, relentless in my pursuit of that deranged maniac. I would not have rested until he was six feet under, his remains nourishing the earth, serving a purpose at last.

I was out on a personal mission in enemy territory when the public broadcast forcefully hijacked every screen, capturing my attention. The rush of excitement surged through my veins as I witnessed that sadistic clown brutally beaten and bound by that Ace guy. Finally, someone had taken the initiative to do what needed to be done, something I had yearned for.

"As you all know, this psychopath has wreaked havoc, claiming countless innocent lives," Ace's voice echoed across the broadcast. His words resonated with undeniable truth.

"He shows no regard for the lives he destroys. He's the type of person who would steal candy from a baby and then kick it in the face, reveling in his own cruelty," Ace continued, his grip tightening on Joker's hair, forcing him to face the camera.

"Look into those eyes and ask yourselves if you see any shred of humanity. Yet, the so-called heroes of Gotham keep capturing him, only to watch him break free time and time again," Ace taunted, releasing Joker's hair and stepping closer to the camera.

Each word Ace spoke struck a chord within me. I had refrained from pursuing Joker since becoming Red Hood, waiting for Bruce to take the necessary steps. But he had hesitated for far too long. Earlier that evening, he engaged in a futile fight with Joker, and I knew he wouldn't have the guts to end him. If Bruce couldn't do it, then I would have to take matters into my own hands later on. Yet here was Ace, the embodiment of what Gotham, no, what the world truly needed.

I silenced my thoughts, focusing on the broadcast. "Gotham City's hero, Batman, refuses to put him down for good due to his morality and his hypothetical sense of justice. But I am no hero, and this is the end of the line for this bastard," Ace declared, standing beside the bound Joker.

A wicked smile crept across my face as Ace tightened his grip around Joker's neck. "Any last words?" he asked, his voice dripping with malicious intent. Joker struggled, his eyes and pale skin transforming into a sinister shade of red. As he struggled, Ace delivered the final blow, a single word that sent shockwaves through the room. "Bang!"

Joker's head exploded like a balloon, as if a bomb had been implanted within him, leaving no trace of explosives. The gruesome scene brought a twisted satisfaction, for justice had been served. While part of me wished it had been Bruce who had delivered the fatal blow, I couldn't deny the satisfaction of witnessing the end of that bastard.

"Finally, the citizens of Gotham City can rest easier, freed from the constant fear of a deranged clown who values no life. And those in other cities who had lost a loved one at the hands of this madman can find solace in the vengeance that has been exacted on your behalf," Ace proclaimed, ready to conclude his message to the public.

"My final message for tonight is this: I am neither a hero nor a vigilante, just a guy who does as he pleases. I am not some knight in shiny armor, I couldn't care less about what criminals and villains do or what happens to any of you. But those who kill for sport, for the sheer pleasure of it—they sicken me. And I won't hesitate to eliminate them from this world, inflicting upon them the most agonizing pain imaginable. With that said and done... Goodnight, everyone.  I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing evening ."

After the broadcast ended, the TV channels went back to their previous programs. The broadcast and what he had done to Joker immediately made me a fan of his. No one is willing to do what was necessary these days, but Ace did and took it to the next level by addressing a massive audience from all walks of life. 

… 

[Batman POV] 

Joker's demise had finally come, an act I had deliberately avoided for many years. Ending his life would have crossed a line from which I could never return. However, Ace emerged unexpectedly and snatched Joker away, preventing me from meting out the punishment I had meticulously planned. My intention had been to deliver a beating so severe that he would require a full-body cast before being confined to a specially designed cell in Arkham.

But now, Joker was dead. On the one hand, it brought an end to his reign of terror, granting relief to the city. Yet, on the other hand, I couldn't help but wonder how the other criminals of Gotham would react to his sudden demise. Ace was becoming a growing concern, but I couldn't allow myself to be distracted by him while we remained ill-prepared against the psychic assaults of Lex and Grodd.

Barry and I had been diligently working on a device capable of safeguarding each member of the Justice League against psychic attacks when worn. It was a vital endeavor, knowing that Lex, by delaying his strike, still had some preparations to make. This delay offered us heroes a small window of time to further fortify ourselves. Lex may be many things, but he isn't foolish. He wouldn't launch an attack of such magnitude without careful planning and impeccable timing.

Simultaneously, I planned to convene a meeting with the League to address the menace known as Ace. We needed to decide how to handle him, for his actions were unforgivable. Broadcasting such content and hacking into multiple radio stations, committing murder on live television—never before had I witnessed someone amass so many felonies within a mere thirty minutes.

On one side, there stood Lex Luthor and Gorilla Grodd, formidable adversaries in their own right. On the other side, there was Ace, a newfound threat to the stability of our city. Both challenges demanded our attention, and both would require strategic decisions to protect the innocent and preserve justice.

… 

[Tom Hendricks POV] 

The next morning, Tom found himself in his well-organized garage, surrounded by meticulously arranged tools and equipment. His work desk, however, was a different story, cluttered with devices as he prepared for Lex's mind-bending agenda.

In the midst of his focused work, Gwen interrupted him. "Apologies for the interruption, but I thought you might be interested in this morning's news," his AI chimed in.

"I'm already aware, Gwen. They can't help but gossip about last night's incident and speculate on Ace's true motives," Tom replied with a chuckle. "I'll be there in a moment."

He momentarily set aside his work, making his way to the living room with a can of water in hand. With a mere thought, he summoned the TV remote, catching it effortlessly as it flew into his palm. Adjusting the volume, he took a sip of water before the headline on the screen seized his attention. The news was so astonishing that he unintentionally spewed out the water he had just taken in. "What the hell? Why the fuck are they calling me Tyrant Ace?" he exclaimed, caught off guard.

Listening intently, the newscaster indeed referred to him as Ace the Tyrant. The public had bestowed this title upon him, fueled by his ruthless treatment of those unfortunate souls who fell victim to his merciless judgment.

"May I inquire, Master Tom, how exactly did you cause Joker's head to explode?" Gwen asked curiously.

"Well, that's quite simple to explain. When I gripped his neck, I reversed the blood circulation, forcing it to rush to his head and flooding his brain in the process. Then, I harnessed his own bioelectricity against him, unleashing the electrical charge within each brain cell and the surrounding blood, resulting in his head exploding," Tom nonchalantly elucidated.

"Many would find that rather disturbing," Gwen remarked.

"I'm well aware, but I can't deny it was rather entertaining," Tom replied, a subtle smirk forming on his lips.

Gwen swiftly changed the news channel to another, reporting on a group of protesters holding banners in support of Ace, claiming that he was the kind of hero needed in these dark times and that Joker deserved his fate.

Meanwhile, another group voiced their grievances against Ace's cruelty, branding him as just another masked villain. They argued that if he truly cared for the people's interests, he wouldn't conceal his identity behind a mask.

Observing the news, Tom couldn't help but burst into laughter, his amusement echoing throughout the room. Social media platforms were buzzing with discussions about Ace's actions from the previous night, leaving the entire country in shock. Countless videos expressing gratitude for his treatment of Joker flooded the internet, as the clown had left a lasting trauma on many and instilled deep emotional fear.

In the midst of it all, fan groups emerged, fervently sharing the names of other criminals they wished to see eliminated or seeking justice against individuals who had assaulted them. The media landscape was chaotic, with every news channel fixated on Joker's demise and, above all, on Ace.

"Whoa, I never expected last night to turn me into a celebrity. Everyone's talking about me, even though I made it clear that saving lives was never my concern," Tom mused aloud, sinking into his couch as he continued to scroll through the channels, eager to gauge the public's reaction to Ace's actions.

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